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Minutes 04-14-10 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2010, AT 7:00 P.M. IN CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Regina Waterhouse Victor Norfus Blanche Hearst-Girtman (arrived 7:07 p.rn.) Joyce Mura Phyllis Stern Floyd Zonenstein Sandy Mayer Doris Jackson, Alternate Thelma Lyons, Board liaison ABSENT: Brian Miller Stanley Sorgman I. Openings A. Call to Order Floyd Zonenstein sat as Chair and called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. B. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag Mr. Mayer led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. II. Roll Call Attendance was taken with the above members present. III. Approval of Minutes from March 10th Meeting There were two changes to the minutes · New member Sandy Mayer was a regular member. · Page five, fourth paragraph, change "Small Business Agency" to "Small Business Administration." 1 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL April 14, 2010 Motion Mr. Mayer moved to accept the minutes as corrected. Ms. Waterhouse seconded the motion that unanimously passed. IV. Approval of Agenda 1. Additions, Deletions, Corrections Ms. Mura requested once the meeting convened, the members and visitors be asked to turn off their cell phones. 2. Adoption Motion Ms. Waterhouse moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Mura seconded the motion that unanimously passed. V. Public Audience Individual Speakers will be limited to three-minute presentations VI. Old Business Report - Sidewalk Concerns - Mr. Miller Mr. Miller was not present at the meeting. Mr. Mayer objected to not receiving a report. He commented the issue of children being put at risk on the road because there were no sidewalks was raised three months ago and no further information was given. Mr. Mayer took it upon himself last week to meet with Ms. Sullivan about the issue. He felt it was incumbent, when an item was on the agenda, to determine what was occurring. Mr. Mayer distributed nine photographs of his observations and noted the road Ms. Sullivan complained about and lived on was a major road. The photographs were numbered and reflected various locations. There was a three-way stop and a dangerous corner at NE 1 st Street and 6th Avenue. It was noted the photographs were taken at about 2:00 p.m. The sidewalks were intermittent and there were several pools of standing water. Due to the lack of drainage on 1 st Street, the children walked to the left, towards Seacrest Boulevard towards the dry area. Mr. Mayer thought it was obvious the youth would walk in the middle of the road as opposed to the edge. The road also had a dangerous curve. He thought there was a risk to the children and he agreed with Ms. Sullivan's concerns that something could be 2 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL April 14, 2010 done. He acknowledged the current economic constraints but thought the problem should be addressed. Mr. Mayer did not know who was supposed to issue the report, but he expressed a report or a copy of the report should be sent to someone. It was suggested Mr. Mayer speak with Jeff livergood, Director of Public Works. Mr. Norfus also commented he was familiar with the area and was aware the City was making improvements on Seacrest Boulevard from Boynton Beach Boulevard to the Canal which would affect that intersection. The area was within the Community Redevelopment area, and a developer would be developing the area. Mr. Mayer felt the issue was the complaint was received three months ago and some type of contact should have been made with Ms. Sullivan, or information conveyed regarding when the matter would be addressed. VII. New Business A. Summer Break This item was heard later in the meeting. B. Elect New Officers - 1. Chair Mr. Zonenstein expressed because of the mix-up last year with Mr. Norfus' eligibility, he nominated him for the position of Chair. Ms. Hearst-Girtman seconded the nomination. Mr. Norfus accepted the nomination. Ms. Mura nominated Ms. Waterhouse. Mr. Mayer felt Ms. Waterhouse was very forthright and was a worthy candidate. He thought the Board needed something to get it going. Mr. Norfus explained that was an issue they tried to address during the last election, which was to get new blood. The former Vice Chair, Judy Immer, had moved away, and Mr. Norfus' reappointment was not made in time for him to continue his term as Chair. He still supports the concept and thought he would make a good chairman. Mr. Zonenstein pointed out, in the paper, Mr. Norfus was involved with the Heart of Boynton and the community. He knew the right people, and did not sit back and do nothing. A vote was taken for Mr. Norfus as Chair. The vote tied. 3 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL April 14, 2010 It was suggested the Election be tabled to the next meeting. A vote was taken for Ms. Waterhouse for the position of Chair. Mr. Zonenstein, as Acting Chair, did not vote. Ms. Waterhouse was elected to the position of Chair. 2. Vice Chair Ms. Stern nominated Mr. Norfus for the position of Vice Chair. There were no other nominations. Mr. Norfus was unanimously elected to the position of Vice Chair. Mr. Zonenstein passed the gavel to Ms. Waterhouse and congratulated Ms. Waterhouse and Mr. Norfus. A. Summer Break After discussion the members decided the Board would not meet for the month of July. Pamela Thompson Elder, 101 NW 13th Avenue, reported a problem with a local street. The street was on the northwest side of Sea crest, and was a one-way street. She had previously petitioned the City and received three signs regarding the street, which were being ignored by the public and the police and there had been accidents at that location. There were also children residing on the west end of the street. Carol Mahoney, 737 SW 1st Avenue, clarified the street in question was NW 13th Street at the corner of Seacrest Boulevard. The stop sign being referred to was north of Poinciana Elementary School. Ms. Thompson spoke with the Police Chief about the issue and the Boynton Beach Police Department was not enforcing the street as a one way street. She explained when she picked up Ms. Elder to attend the meeting, there was a police cruiser present while cars were traveling the wrong way on the one-way street which was located next to an elementary school. Ms. Elder alerted the City Commission to the matter in the past and the situation was a danger to the community. Ms. Mahoney explained Ms. Elder was requesting the Board assist her in trying to enforce the regulations. The stop sign was present but vehicles continued to travel the wrong way on NW 13th Avenue. Ms. Hearst-Girtman agreed the corner was a hazard. It was noted the street was a one-way street heading east. Chair Waterhouse appreciated the comments and the complainant was given a card to fill out. Ms. Lyons would work with her and the Board would follow-up on the matter. Vehicles from both the north and south were turning at the corner. Vice Chair Norfus noted there were yellow lines on Seacrest. Ms. Mahoney explained heading east on NW 13th, there was only a stop sign. Anyone turning onto NW 13th Street would only see the back of the stop sign. 4 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL April 14, 2010 Ms. Elder explained it took her months to receive a one-way arrow sign. A "Do Not Enter" sign that would be visible was needed. High school students had a bus stop at the corner and cars were turning there nearly hitting the students. She pointed out this occurred throughout the day. Chair Waterhouse felt obtaining a "Do Not Enter" sign for both directions would be helpful, and possibly having an additional crossing guard while the children were going to school. Ms. Elder explained any assistance would be appreciated. Chair Waterhouse explained they would follow-up with her within a week. Ms. Mahoney further explained there was discussion at the last City Commission meeting about receiving entertainment on Martin Luther King Boulevard in the Heart of Boynton. She acknowledged it was only a month since she raised the issue at the last Community Relations Board but she implored the Board to make it a priority. She explained her daughter grew up in Boynton Beach and there was not much for her to do growing up. She felt if the Board wanted the City to grow and the young people to feel proud of their heritage, the children should have something to be proud of. She was in favor of developing a downtown area, but pointed out the amphitheater was being redeveloped from a children's amphitheater to an adult entertainment amphitheater. She expressed the Board could stop the ignorance ongoing in the Heart of Boynton. The youth needed to be empowered in the City and there was a lack of commitment to the Heart of Boynton. She requested the Board ensure something happen in that area, and if they could not further development, then they should give the youth something to do. She acknowledged the Carolyn Sims Center but felt the City had a responsibility to the community. Mr. Mayer expressed it was not fair to lay the whole issue on the Community Relations Board. There were many things in any community that had to be changed, supported and educated before change could occur. No one entity would do it all. Everyone had to work towards changing what exists. Chair Waterhouse expressed Ms. Mahoney was asking the Board to go on record in support of furthering the area. Mr. Mayer acknowledged the Heart of Boynton needed assistance and expressed with the help of this committee there should be a special committee set up. Ms. Mahoney explained there already was. Ms. Stern commented there was Funfare Magazine. She agreed they could improve. on the foundations they had. She empathized with Ms. Mahoney and she suggested she start with items already rooted and improve them. There were programs through FunFare Magazine, the Hester Center, the Children's Schoolhouse Museum and others. Ms. Lyons explained the Board would research the matter and contact Ms. Mahoney regarding information about ongoing programs for her daughter. 5 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL April 14, 2010 Chair Waterhouse advised Ms. Mahoney made her point. The Board had established a new process and Ms. Lyons provided Ms. Mahoney with paperwork and the Board would follow up. Chair Waterhouse explained if they could not be all of the solution, they would be part of the solution. C. Set May 12th meeting agenda Vice Chair Norfus inquired about the Youth-in-Government Day. Ms. Lyons explained the event was postponed until further notice from the City due to the budget constraints. Vice Chair Norfus inquired if there was something that could be done without requiring a budget, or something the Board could do on their own. Chair Waterhouse commented someone could underwrite the event. It was noted last year the Board used one of their meetings to attend the event. Chair Waterhouse requested the item be put on the next agenda. She also requested adding Small Business Administration and holding a workshop to the agenda. Mr. Mayer commented he would not be present for the next meeting. VIII. Adjournment Motion Mr. Zonenstein moved to adjourn. Mr. Mayer seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m. C!itdu;LLf}lL Olw'u/v Catherine Cherry ~ Recording Secretary 050410 6