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Minutes 04-22-10 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD ON APRIL 22, 2010, AT 7:00 P.M. IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Present: Steve Waldman, Chair Sherri Claude, Board Liaison Mary Morera, Vice Chair Paulette Ford Myra Jones Carol Lundquist Hattie Miller Lori Wilkinson Tiffany North, Alternate Emily Schweitzer, Student-Regular Voting member Absent: Jose De LaTorre, III, Alternate Robert Chiste, Student-Regular Voting Member I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silent Reflection The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was lead by Vice Chair Morera followed by a moment of silent reflection remembering the men and women in the Armed Forces. Self introductions were made, including the new Student Board member, Ms. Schweitzer, a sophomore at Boynton Beach Community High School. III. Approval of Minutes of March 25, 2010 Motion Ms. Wilkinson moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Ford seconded the motion that passed unanimously. IV. Approval of Agenda The following additions were requested: Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL April 22, 2010 . VII., New Business, add Sister Cities International Young Artists Showcase. . VIIL, Old Business, add Youth Bowling Event. Motion Ms. Lundquist moved to approve the agenda as amended. Vice Chair Morera seconded the motion that passed unanimously. V. Announcementsl Presentationsl Correspondence Ms. Claude announced she had received an email from Mr. De LaTorre advising he was ill and would not be able to attend the meeting. Ms. Schweitzer agreed to hand-deliver a check to the Theater Department at Boynton Beach Community High School. The check would pay for the cost of an advertisement placed by the Board in Playbill. Chair Waldman announced he had been attempting to secure a donation from Bank Atlantic, and hoped to secure funds by the next meeting. Congratulations were offered by the Board members to Commissioner Ross, who had been declared Vice Mayor at the last City Commission meeting. VI. Public Audience Gloria Gibson, a teacher at Poinciana Elementary School, noted that two teams from the School had qualified for the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals to be held in Michigan May 23-30, 2010. The cost to attend would be $1,000 per person for 14 students and four coaches, and Ms. Gibson requested the Board contribute $535 per person which would include food and lodging. The monies were required to be paid by April 30, 2010. Ms. Gibson had attended the last City Commission meeting requesting funds. Chair Waldman suggested the Chamber of Commerce might be able to assist. Ms. Gibson noted the School was fundraising to support the trip and had sold ice pops, candy, and cookie dough, and would be holding a "read-a-thon." Individual sponsorships were also solicited. The families would be responsible for their own costs and costs that could not be fundraised. Any contributions remaining would be deposited into the Odyssey of the Mind fund for next year. Ms. Gibson had not yet heard from the School District. 2 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL April 22, 2010 Ms. Ford acknowledged that her daughter was a member of the Odyssey of the Mind team. As such, Chair Waldman recommended Ms. Ford refrain from voting on the motion. Ms. Lundquist felt the youth should be supported and suggested the Board donate $500. Motion Ms. Lundquist moved that the Board give $500 to this cause. Vice Chair Morera seconded the motion that passed unanimously. Ms. Wilkinson felt the amount should be increased to $1,000. It was not believed anyone else present would be requesting monies and no other requests for funding had been received by the City. Additionally, the fiscal year was irrelevant to the Board as the funds from the Community Contributions Fund rolled over from year to year. It was felt that as the school year was almost over, the Board would not be receiving many more requests from Boynton Beach Community High School, Poinciana Elementary School or any other school to which the Board had contributed in the past. Chair Waldman agreed with Ms. Wilkinson and felt he would be receiving funds from Bank Atlantic which could be deposited into the Community Contributions Fund. Ms. Gibson estimated the School had accumulated $4,000 toward the trip. Motion Ms. Wilkinson amended the motion for the Board to offer Poinciana Elementary School $1,000 for their Odyssey of the Mind World Competition. Ms. Schweitzer seconded the motion. It was noted an application for the request had been received by Poinciana Elementary School. While it was the Board's policy not to take action on funding requests in the presence of an applicant, timing was an issue in this instance and the Board could take action at its discretion. The motion passed 6-1 (Ms. Miller dissenting and Ms. Ford abstaining.) VII. New Business A. Donation Request/Poinciana Elementary School: Gloria Gibson 3 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL April 22, 2010 The Board acknowledged Mayor Rodriguez's presence and thanked him for attending. Jose Rodriguez, 947 Isles Road, advised of the first annual Mayor's 3K Walk on May 8, 2010, beginning at the Schoolhouse Children's Museum. Cheerleaders would be cheering on the walkers. A police escort would be provided, and music would be furnished by a steel drum band. While the advertisement had not yet been released, 50 people had signed up for the event. Mayor Rodriguez's goal was to have 200 people participating. The event was posted on the City's website and one could sign up directly from the site. Free shirts would be provided for the first 200 walkers. Mayor Rodriguez had reached out to merchants and business owners in the community, and they were sponsoring the walk. Everyone was encouraged to attend. B. Sister Cities International Young Adults Showcase Ms. Wilkinson had attended the Showcase which the Board had previously supported in myriad ways. This year, Ms. Wilkinson was able to provide water donated by her school. It was disappointing that only 10 or 15 students had participated and not all had won awards. She felt the artwork was "fantastic." Ms. Wilkinson promoted the Board and provided information for anyone wishing to serve. While South Tech Academy had participated in the past, no artwork had been submitted this year. She noted South Tech Academy's art teacher passed away suddenly. Ms. Wilkinson noted the City's support of the event, with Mayor Rodriguez, Commissioner Hay, Mr. Bressner and a number of City employees attending. She commended and thanked Jeanne Heavilin for her wonderful work. Ms. Jones attended the Showcase which began at 5:30 p.m. This was early for an event and may have contributed to the low turnout. Many parents were not home at 5:30 p.m. and the students did not drive. She felt the artwork was good. VIII. Old Business A.Tennis Carnival Vice Chair Morera advised the Tennis Carnival was held on April 17, 2010, with approximately 29 children participating. Photographs of the event were posted on Facebook through the Recreation and Parks Department. Three tennis professionals from Hunters Run donated three hours of their time instructing the youngsters in tennis. Snacks and beverages were provided. Feedback received was very positive. Chair Waldman thanked Ms. Wilkinson for donating the water and the members for their continued hard work. He expressed gratitude for Phyllis Stern's help. 4 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL April 22, 2010 Ms. Claude advised thank-you letters had been sent to the tennis professionals, Phyllis Stern and staff. Plaques would be prepared as well. B.Youth Volunteer Bank Ms. Claude advised 17 students submitted their hours. Although reminders had been sent via postcards, letters and emails, the response was not overwhelming. She suggested $10 Target gift cards be presented to the students at the May 18, 2010 City Commission meeting. This would allow sufficient time to prepare an agenda item and would bring the program to the attention of the City's elected officials. The members agreed and were encouraged to attend. Ms. Wilkinson had contacted a guidance counselor at Santaluces High School in the hopes of soliciting students for the Borovy award. The guidance counselor believed the lack of interest prevailed throughout the school system and commented that fewer students had been applying for scholarships. Ms. Jones suggested the gift card be increased to $25. Motion Ms. Jones moved that the Board increase the gift card from $10 to $25 for the th volunteers and that it be presented to them on May 18 at the City Commission meeting. Ms. Wilkinson seconded the motion. Marie Horenberger, 3020 Pine Tree Lane, commented the Board might consider drafting a letter to Target on Board letterhead, asking them to donate the gift cards. Chair Waldman commented if Target agreed to donate the funds, it would not be necessary for the Board to expend the monies. If the gift cards were not received by the date of the Commission meeting, the cards could be used at a future date. It was suggested a letter also be sent to WalMart asking for gift cards, as WalMart sponsored an educational program. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Claude would attend to the gift cards, and letters would be sent to Target and WalMart. The Youth Bowling event was not discussed and would be placed on the May 27, 2010 agenda. 5 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL April 22, 2010 C.Bob Borovy Student Citizen of the Year Award Ms. Claude noted five applications had been received which were currently being judged. The judges were Debbie Majors, last year's winner and Gary Solomon of the Sand Sifters. Ms. Claude hoped to have the applications back by the end of next week. As in the past, if there were fewer than 10 applicants, $1,000 would be presented to the winner and $300 to the runner-up. The presentations would be made at the May 18, 2010 Commission meeting. Emily Borovy would be invited to attend. As there were only five applicants, Ms. Jones inquired whether they could all be given something. Chair Waldman suggested $150 be provided. Motion Ms. Jones moved that the Board give the third, fourth and fifth person applying for the Borovy Award $150 each. Ms. Miller seconded the motion. Concerns were expressed relating to continuity and it was suggested it be stipulated that awards be made to only the first five applicants. Chair Waldman agreed, suggesting awards could be made to more than five applicants if a major infusion of funds was received. Another concern raised was that awards of this nature would not distinguish third from fifth place. First, second and third place designations reflected competition and merit. It was suggested third, fourth and fifth place winners be awarded with a gift card in a much smaller amount. Motion Ms. Jones offered a substitute motion that exclusively for the year 2010, due to the fact that there are only five applicants, to encourage other students to apply and to excel in this area, the Board give them $150 for the third, fourth and fifth applicants. Ms. Miller seconded the substitute motion. It was questioned whether the applications would be reviewed. Ms. Claude explained the applicants were scored from 1-10 by the judges in the areas of essays, letters of recommendation, and volunteer services. Volunteerism received half the score. Ms. Miller felt the Board should have access to all applications submitted. Chair Waldman had no objection to the Board's review of the applications after they had been scored by the judges. It was suggested awards be provided for those achieving a certain score. 6 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL April 22, 2010 Motion Ms. Ford moved that the monies for this year of $150 go to students who achieved above a certain score. It was believed it would be difficult to set a limit or determine the scores for the current year. There was no second to the motion. A vote on the original motion that for the year 2010 the third, fourth and fifth place winners would each receive $150 passed 6-2 (Ms. Wilkinson and Ms. Schweitzer dissenting, and Ms. Ford abstaining). The issue would be reexamined next year. Ms. Jones did not feel an award of $150 to seniors was appropriate as they would likely be graduating and would not request further funding. Additionally, considerable time had been spent composing their essays. D. Fundraising This item was not discussed. IX. Future Meeting Dates: A. May 27, 2010 B. June 24, 2010 X. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:24 P~0- Stephanie D. Kahn Recording Secretary 051010 7