Loading...
Minutes 02-10-10 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2010, AT 7:00 P.M. IN CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Brian Miller, Acting Chair Thelma Lyons, Board Liaison Victor Norfus Joyce Mura Phyllis Stern Regina Waterhouse Floyd Zonenstein Doris Jackson, Alternate ABSENT: Blanche Hearst-Girtman I. Openings A. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. There was some discrepancy as to who would sit as Chair. Brian Miller, was elected as Temporary Chair at the last meeting. Staff would research how to proceed for the next meeting. B. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag Victor Norfus led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. II. Roll Call The Recording Secretary called the roll. Mr. Norfus announced Ms. Hearst-Girtman would not be attending the meeting due to medical reasons. New member Doris Jackson was introduced. III. Approval of Minutes from January 13, 2010 Meeting The minutes were not yet available. IV. Approval of Agenda 1. Additions, Deletions, Corrections 1 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL February 10, 2010 The following items were added to the agenda under Item VII, New Business: Proposal for the Hester Center ? Discussion of the proposed Police facility at Renaissance Commons ? Discussion of Community Relations Board participation in the Heritage ? Celebration. 2. Adoption Motion Ms. Waterhouse moved to approve the agenda as amended. Mr. Zonenstein seconded the motion that unanimously passed. V. Public Audience Individual speakers will be limited to three-minute presentations. VI. Old Business A. Haiti Relief Effort (Joyce Mura) Ms. Mura reported after the last meeting, she emailed individuals within the Fire Department regarding the City’s efforts to assist in the Haitian Relief efforts. The City, in conjunction with the Boynton Beach Fire Rescue, issued a list of items that were being accepted: clothing was not one of them as it was difficult to ship. It was noted if clothing were donated it would be given to Goodeill. Acceptable items were food, water, and hurricane supplies and Fire Station 4 and 5 were the only stations accepting the donations. It was also noted money was not being accepted at the Fire Stations. Hunters Run was accepting clothing and hurricane supplies. There was a large Haitian population that was employed by the Hunters Run community and over $50,000 had been donated so the Haitian workers could obtain flights back to Haiti and bring the clothes. Overall, the relief effort for Haiti from South Florida was fantastic and during times of real tragedy, Boynton Beach was very responsive. 2 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL February 10, 2010 VI. New Business A. Review Board Ordinance and Rules of Procedure: 1. Ordinance No. 090-79 2. Rules of Procedure (Exhibit “A”) 3. Roberts Rules of Order (Agenda Amendment) Thelma Lyons, Board Liaison distributed a copy of the Ordinance and procedures because she received inquiries from some of the members about the Board’s function and meeting procedures. The members should review the information and bring comments to the next meeting. Comments received were: Nobody knows about the Community Relations Board ? There is no way to let the public know there is a Board meeting and advertising is ? needed The meetings used to be posted in the newspaper column with community news ? and events Ms. Lyons consulted with the City Manager and City Clerk. The agendas are posted on the website where the public can view them. The Board could post the meetings in the Sun Sentinel. The Palm Beach Post was receptive to activities that may be of interest to the community. Currently the City Clerk provides the information to the press Discussion followed that several developments have a community information channel that the meetings could be advertised in and an outreach to the various communities could alert community residents to the meetings. It was noted the Board was prohibited from moving its Board meetings to various communities; however, Mr. Miller differed from that view and noted the City Commission had held one of its meetings off-site. On that note, it was suggested the Board start small and hold the meetings in Chambers. Section 8 (G) of the Ordinance was referenced. There was discussion that, after the election, the Board could invite the elected officials to the next meeting; but there could be a problem if the election was contested. It was noted other organizations could be invited to speak at the meetings. In the past, a representative from the Save our High School had appeared. Since different community associations have newsletters, such as INCA and the Heart of Boynton, it was suggested the CRB advertise the meeting times and invite the public there. The members should maintain their current community participation and invite the various associations in the community to attend the meetings to make the CRB aware of what issues they have. 3 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL February 10, 2010 It was suggested each member invite five or more individuals to the meetings. Mr. Norfus announced the Heritage Celebration will be held February 19th and 20th, coinciding with Black History Month. The event would be held at the Hester Center from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the 19th and on the 20th on MLK Boulevard from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entertainment would be provided. Mr. Norfus inquired if the Board would be participating in the event as last year the Board manned a table. Motion Mr. Zonenstein moved the CRB set up a table at the Heritage Celebration. Mr. Norfus seconded the motion. The event activities were further discussed. The New Horizon Band would be featured, and a full day of activities were planned. There would be an open microphone for the youth to sing and perform skits, the Drum Corp from Congress Middle School would play and various speakers were planned. As to having a table, the members volunteered to man the table in shifts. Ms. Waterhouse volunteered to take a shift; Ms. Stern agreed to man the table intermittently, Ms. Jackson and Mr. Norfus would be working the event. Mr. Miller also volunteered. Anyone else desiring to volunteer should contact Ms. Lyons. There was discussion about having a table provided. The cost of a vendor provided tent was $50. Carol Mahoney , 737 SW 1st Avenue, inquired if the Board was actively involved in the event, and noted the $50 was a donation towards the Heart of Boynton. It was noted in the Ordinance, Section 8 (J), outlined reasonable expenses for the Board would be reimbursed. Vote There was a vote on the motion. Roll call was taken and the motion passed unanimously. If the City did not reimburse the expense, Ms. Waterhouse would cover the cost as a donation from her bank. 4. Proposal for Hester Center 4 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL February 10, 2010 Ms. Stern indicated there was a group of people interested in forming a theater/performing arts group in the community. If there was interest, the individuals would volunteer their services and put on a performance. The individuals were highly qualified and had a great deal of knowledge in the field. It was mentioned this endeavor would be presented to the Education and Youth Advisory Board, but out of courtesy, Ms. Stern wanted to make the Community Relations Board aware of the proposal. There was agreement the CRB would follow up the initiative with the Education and Youth Advisory Board. It was noted high school drama club students may be interested as well. 5. Proposed Police Facility at Renaissance Commons. Ms. Mura explained several members of her community, and the majority of some groups the members spoke with, felt the proposed relocation of the Police Headquarters to Renaissance Commons was a mistake. This was something the Board should relay to the City Commission. The other members concurred and received the same sentiments. Among all of the members, about 1,000 residents indicated they were not in favor of the relocation. Although the matter was removed from a referendum, the issue was still open. After discussion, there was agreement a letter should be sent to the City Commission advising them of the community’s sentiments. Mr. Miller spoke to over 500 residents in District 2 and 3 and only 10 of those residents favored Renaissance Commons as the location for the new headquarters. The remainder felt the facility should be located with the Emergency Operations Center or in a free-standing building in District 2 or 3 on City-owned land. At the Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum, 6 of the 7 candidates were against the move to the proposed location. Having the Police station, City Hall, the Library and Civic Center in one location would create a nice campus in the downtown area. Another suggestion noted was to use the Old High School Façade as the exterior for the facility. Motion Mr. Sorgman moved to adopt a letter and present it the City Commission at the next meeting. Ms. Stern seconded the motion that unanimously passed. It was suggested Mr. Miller’s comments be included in the letter, and that the other Board members also spoke to multitudes of people: about 1,000 in all. Each member would draft a paragraph or two that would be incorporated into the letter. This would be a Board letter depicting the members’ interaction with the community. Ms. Stern commented should the headquarters be moved, the former area would be vulnerable to 5 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL February 10, 2010 higher crime and the headquarters needed to stay in the downtown area for a myriad of reasons; however, having it at the Emergency Operations Location would be an acceptable location. It was agreed the members would email their comments to Mr. Miller to incorporate into the letter. Ms. Mahoney, President of the Lake Boynton Estates Homeowners Association, inquired about Galaxy Elementary School. She indicated the matter would be pending on the County level to close the school. Mr. Miller was under the impression the school would be rebuilt. Ms. Mahoney heard that comment, and that if so, the school would be smaller, and some students could be bused to the Delray border. Mr. Miller agreed to speak with Commissioner Ross about the matter. Mr. Norfus also suggested Ms. Mahoney approach the Education and Youth Advisory Board about the issue. Ms. Mahoney requested the Board approach the Education and Youth Advisory Board on her behalf. It was further suggested Ms. Mahoney appear there in person. Dr. Piotr Blass, 113 W. Tara Lakes Drive, appreciated Ms. Mahoney’s comments and felt Boynton should be a shining light for education and the City should have the best schools in the country. The busing issues were unacceptable. Dr. Blass would like to see the University of Boynton Beach located in City Hall when it is not used on the weekends. As to the Police Station, Dr. Blass believed there should be a campus police presence for the university. He felt the Police Chief should be nearby and there should be responsibility. Dr. Blass lives near Renaissance Common, and felt the Police should have a small presence there. There is a small Police Substation already established on the ground floor. He suggested dividing up the police locations and not having a jail at Renaissance Commons. th B. Set March 10 meeting agenda The following items were added to the agenda: Follow up on the letter regarding the Police Station ? Small Business Funding opportunities ? Follow up regarding the sidewalk issue ? Follow up on the Heritage Celebration ? Follow up on Galaxy Elementary School ? 6 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL February 10, 2010 A suggestion was made to have a representative of the Community Redevelopment Agency speak about small business funding opportunities and another representative advise the Board on the Galaxy Elementary School. Mr. Miller would also ascertain why the members did not receive the January meeting minutes. Mr. Norfus suggested rotating the responsibility of following up on issues that are brought before the Board amongst the members. Ms. Waterhouse agreed to send a letter regarding issues before the Board if the address was included in the minutes. VIII. Adjournment Motion There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Norfus moved to adjourn. Ms. Mura seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. a cultu1ti-- dlLwL Catherine Cherry a Recording Secretary 021710 7