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Minutes 05-12-10 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2010, AT 7:00 P.M. IN CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Regina Waterhouse, Chair Thelma Lyons, Board Liaison Victor Norfus, Vice Chair Blanche Hearst-Girtman (arrived at 7:05 p.m.) Stanley Sorgman Phyllis Stern Floyd Zonenstein ABSENT: Sanford Mayer Brian Miller Joyce Mura Doris Jackson, Alternate I. Openings A. Call to Order Chair Waterhouse called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. B.Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. II. Roll Call The Recording Secretary called the roll. III. Approval of Minutes from April 14, 2010 Meeting Chair Waterhouse requested the following changes: ?Page 5, the sentence in the second paragraph which read "Chair Waterhouse explained they would follow-up with her within a week" should be changed to read "Chair Waterhouse explained they would follow-up with her within a month." This was requested as Chair Waterhouse wished to change the 1 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 12, 2010 benchmark from a week to a month to ensure the Board did not under-commit or over-deliver. (Blanche Hearst-Girtman arrived at 7:05 p.m.) ?Page 5, third paragraph, the phrase "…stop the ignorance ongoing in the Heart of Boynton" should be removed as Chair Waterhouse believed the intent was to "stop ignoring the Heart of Boynton." ?Page 5, fourth paragraph, the sentence which read "Mr. Mayer expressed it was not fair to lay the whole issue on the Community Relations Board" should be changed to read "Mr. Mayor expressed it was inappropriate to lay the whole issue on the Community Relations Board." ?Page 5, fourth paragraph, the sentence which read "No one entity would do it all" should be changed to read "No one entity can do it all." Mr. Norfus did not feel comments made at a meeting should be changed. He believed it would be more appropriate to remove the wording. Mr. Zonenstein agreed as the minutes constituted the official record of the meeting. Motion Ms. Stern moved to approve the minutes with the changes suggested. Mr. Norfus seconded the motion that passed unanimously. IV.Approval of Agenda 1.Additions, Deletions, Corrections The following changes were requested: ?Old Business, add Item D, Heart of Boynton – Youth Activities." ?VII. New Business, add Item C, "Planning Session." 2. Adoption Motion Mr. Norfus moved to approve the Agenda with the changes made. Mr. Zonenstein seconded the motion that passed unanimously. 2 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 12, 2010 V. Public Audience (Individual speakers will be limited to three-minute presentations.) The Board recognized Gertrude Sullivan and Maibet Rosado in the audience. VI. Old Business Chair Waterhouse distributed a packet containing photographs and copies of correspondence with Mr. Mayer and Ms. Lyons relating to issues the Board had been working on over the last few months. th A. Report – Sidewalk concerns (NE 6 Avenue) – Mr. Mayer In Mr. Mayer's absence, Chair Waterhouse advised that Mr. Mayer had followed up on this issue and had also contacted Gertrude Sullivan as promised. It was suggested a "safe passage" packet be assembled at the beginning of the school year notifying parents of safe routes to be taken by children walking to school and other areas. In the interim, it was suggested the community be advised that new sidewalks had been completed on certain streets to allow a continuing walkway for the children. It was agreed providing a safe-passage packet at the beginning of the school year would be a positive measure. It was questioned whether the packet would be provided to all five elementary schools in the City. Chair Waterhouse suggested this be explored. She believed the Engineering Department should notify the Board whether sidewalks had or had not been installed in a particular area. If sidewalks had not been installed, a schedule should be provided advising whether sidewalks would be installed and when this would occur. The criteria for sidewalks being installed should be provided as well. The safety of the children was paramount, and it was felt the sidewalks should be installed in the areas that were more hazardous. th B. Report – One-way traffic (NW 13 Avenue) – Ms. Waterhouse At the last meeting, Pamela Thompson expressed concern relating to one-way traffic on th NW 13 Avenue. Ms. Lyons followed up on the issue and had contacted the Police and Engineering Departments. The Police Department had responded, noting most of the violators were local residents. Chair Waterhouse felt "Do Not Enter-One Way" signage should be placed on the other side of the street, if feasible. Photographs of the current signage indicated that automobiles had been parked in the appropriate direction. Chair Waterhouse inquired whether a mailing could be sent out to the people residing in homes on the street, suggesting caution be exercised if a problem did exist with local 3 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 12, 2010 residents. Ms. Lyons remarked Police Sergeant Cannon had issued a warning to all of the local residents. It was believed Ms. Thompson's concern was more for the children, as a school was located in the area. It was suggested a barrier be placed on the street, allowing one- way turns in a southerly direction. Ms. Lyons felt the placement of a barrier could cause traffic accidents and result in liability issues for the City. It was questioned whether the route could be changed for motorists entering Seacrest Bouelvard. Ms. Lyons believed the signage indicated a turn could not be made, which she had verified with the Engineering Department. Ms. Lyons noted tickets would be issued in the near future. It was also suggested motorists forced to make a right turn would make a u- turn, which would be worse than the current situation. Chair Waterhouse suggested the issue be revisited prior to the Board's summer recess to determine whether the warning given and the tickets to be issued would have any impact. C. Report – Hunters Run Tennis Carnival – Ms. Stern Ms. Stern reported on the success of the eighth annual Tennis Carnival. She noted 35 youngsters had participated and had been accompanied by their parents or guardians. The event received media coverage from Channel 5. Photographs and the roster of participants were provided by Ms. Stern. Tennis rackets, hats and umbrellas had been donated, refreshments were provided and prizes and trophies were awarded. Sterling Bank provided Lucite piggy-banks for the children. Ms. Stern reported on an eight-year old child's disappointment when a trophy he had been given broke. One of the counselors promised to repair the trophy. D. Heart of Boynton – Youth Activities This item was discussed with Item VIII. C., "Planning Session." VII. New Business A.Small Business Administration Chair Waterhouse met last week with Hubert McIntosh, who was affiliated with the Boynton Beach Faith-Based Community Development Corporation which provides affordable housing and a number of programs in the Heart of Boynton. The meeting was to determine the manner in which the Board could become more involved with the community. Additionally, she pointed out Small Business programs available through the Boynton Beach CRA could help to create businesses and summer jobs for younger people. These programs could be explored and could benefit the community. 4 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 12, 2010 B. Set June 9th meeting agenda It was noted Ms. Stern would not be present for the June meeting. C. Planning Session The Board met once a month for an hour. Chair Waterhouse did not believe this was sufficient to deal with the many issues faced by the community. She proposed that upon the Board's return from summer recess, an all-day or half-day planning session be held jointly with other Boards in the City. A more formal agenda could be developed for the Community Relations Board meetings and resources could be pooled with other City Boards for the benefit of the community. It was commented the Community Relations Board should focus on becoming more cohesive prior to holding a planning session with other City Boards. It was noted the City could not provide any funds for the community. Funding could be sought from private industry which was mandated to "give back to the community" and grants could be sought as well. It was suggested the Community Relations Board attend meetings of other City Boards and obtain information with the intent of pooling resources. Information regarding other City Boards was available at a number of City facilities and online. Summer opportunities for students could also be found on various websites. Gertrude Sullivan, 201 NE 6th Avenue, announced a Family and Friends Gathering to be held July 31st in conjunction with the City's Recreation and Parks Department. Resources were needed for the event and letters requesting donations had been sent. The event would be free for all communities. Ms. Sullivan was encouraged to keep the Board apprised of the Heart of Boynton's needs. Also announced was the Heart of Boynton Homeowners' Association meeting to be held Monday, May 1ih from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. VIII. Adjournment Motion Mr. Zonenstein moved to adjourn. Ms. Hearst-Girtman seconded the motion that passed, unanimo~ ste~~hn - ~ Recording Secretary 060110 5