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Minutes 06-09-10 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BLVD., ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2010 AT 7:00 P.M. PRESENT Regina Waterhouse, Chair Thelma Lyons, Board Liaison Victor Norfus, Vice Chair (Arrived at 7:12 p.m.) Blanche Hearst-Girtman Sanford Mayer Brian Miller Stanley Sorgman Floyd Zonenstein Doris Jackson, Alternate (Arrived at 7:12 p.m.) ABSENT Phyllis Stern I. Openings A. Call to Order Chair Waterhouse called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. B. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. II. Roll Call The Recording Secretary called the roll as noted above. Chair Waterhouse welcomed all members and reminded them that there would not be a meeting in July. th III. Approval of Minutes from May 12 Meeting ( Previously mailed by the City Clerk’s Office) Mr. Miller requested an explanation of the comments on some phrases that appeared on Page 2. Chair Waterhouse explained that there was an issue about wording. The minutes are a record of the meeting; they are not a verbatim transcript. There were suggestions about modifying some of the language to give a broader interpretation of what was said. Chair Waterhouse provided the following example. She said, “no one entity would do it all”. She explained that meant that maybe nobody wants to take responsibility for it. Instead, the members suggested the language be changed so that it read, “no one entity can do it all”. Chair Waterhouse felt that because these minutes are a record and people will read them, “they need to be made as appropriate to interpretation as we can.” 1 Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL June 9, 2010 Motion Mr. Mayer moved to approve the minutes. Mr. Sorgman seconded the motion that carried unanimously. IV. Announcement: A. CERT Expo The CERT Expo will be held on Saturday, June 19, 2010 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Boynton Beach Mall. Christine Griswold is heading up this event and is seeking volunteers. Palm Beach County CERT and Boynton Beach CERT will have representatives present. Mr. Mayer reported that he just returned from a meeting of the latest graduating class of CERT members at the Fire Station. The Fire Department runs the CERT Program and they are having a very difficult time funding next year’s CERT Program. He expressed his concern that funds are not being allocated to this Program. It is a vibrant adjunct to the Fire Department and he hopes the Program will not die. Chair Waterhouse inquired about the City’s fiscal year and whether or not the public would have an opportunity to speak on the budget. Mr. Miller responded that there are two opportunities for the public to speak during the budget public hearings. Chair Waterhouse reiterated a previous Board discussion regarding joining forces with some of the other City advisory Boards to form a coalition to solicit funding from businesses in the area to either supplement programs that are not adequately funded or to provide sponsorship. She pointed out that banks are expected to invest in the local community. There are large institutions coming into the area. The Boards should be reaching out to these businesses. Mr. Miller suggested that Chair Waterhouse check with Mr. Waldman, Chair of the Education and Youth Advisory Board, because they are very active in raising funds for different events in the City. B. Workforce Alliance: Jobs Available Chair Waterhouse reminded the members of last month’s discussion about attending some of the other City advisory Board meetings. Messrs. Mayer and Zonenstein and Chair Waterhouse attended the last City Commission meeting. She recalled Ms. Mahoney attending a Community Relations Board meeting and talking about opportunities for youth in the area. There was a gentleman from Workforce Alliance at the Commission meeting who spoke about hundreds of available jobs. Workforce Alliance has local offices and they have resources to help people find placement. As part of the Board’s responsibility to the community, the members should be doing all they can to spread this news. Workforce Alliance also provides services to employers. Mr. Mayer suggested the members need to be proactive and get out into the community. It is incumbent upon the Community Relations Board to notify the City Commission that it is ready 2 Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL June 9, 2010 to work on a higher level. Chair Waterhouse requested that this discussion be delayed until the agenda moved to New Business, Item B, Strategic Planning Workshop. V. Approval of Agenda 1. Additions, Deletions, Corrections None 2. Adoption Mr. Miller moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Mr. Mayer seconded the motion that carried unanimously. VI. Public Audience INDIVIDUAL SPEAKERS WILL BE LIMITED TO 3-MINUTE PRESENTATIONS None VII. Old Business Mr. Mayer reported that he visited with Jeff Livergood two months ago about Mrs. Sullivan’s sidewalk issue. Mr. Livergood explained that budget constraints would delay the installation of sidewalks, but that he might be able to join some of the sidewalks so that the children in the HOB would be able to walk to school on an unbroken line of pavement. These sidewalks would not necessarily be on the street where Mrs. Sullivan wanted them. Mr. Mayer attempted to get in touch with Mrs. Sullivan; however, he was unsuccessful. Mr. Livergood had offered to contact Mrs. Sullivan to advise her about the lack of money to install sidewalks. The City would only be making repairs on existing broken sidewalks. Mr. Livergood did attempt to contact Mrs. Sullivan and he left a number of messages. In Mr. Mayer’s opinion, this issue was acted upon properly and brought to an unsuccessful conclusion. Perhaps this issue could be noted to be brought up again in a couple of years when funding might be available. Mr. Norfus advised that Mrs. Sullivan has been out of town for quite a few weeks and that is probably why no response was forthcoming. VIII. New Business A. PACE Initiative – Chair Waterhouse Chair Waterhouse advised that during the City Commission meeting, one of the presenters was a gentleman with a group called, “Property Assessed Clean Energy Programs”. They spoke of some of the green initiatives being undertaken by the City. One of the projects mentioned was sidewalks. The Board needs to follow up to see if there is any way they can become involved. 3 Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL June 9, 2010 Mr. Miller inquired about the number of linear feet of sidewalk that would be needed. Mr. Mayer felt confident Mr. Livergood would have that number. Mr. Miller said this issue could be resolved through community volunteerism. The Board could appear before the City Commission requesting to do a volunteer project. A memo would go out to different contractors in the City explaining the plight and asking them if they would be willing to install this sidewalk as a volunteer effort for the City. Chair Waterhouse felt this was an excellent suggestion. Mr. Mayer offered to contact Mr. Livergood to obtain a list of contractors to contact. Vice Chair Norfus requested information on the actual route. Chair Waterhouse said there are trade schools that teach cement work. She felt it would be interesting to see if it were possible to get some students to do this as a project if the supplies were provided. B. Strategic Planning Workshop – Chair Waterhouse Chair Waterhouse reported that during the City Commission meeting there was acknowledgement of the planning day that the Commissioners held. Chair Waterhouse suggested that the Board plan a workshop meeting between the August and September meetings since a once-a-month meeting is sometimes too brief a period of time for planning. The Board could develop an agenda regarding how to have more impact on the community. Mr. Miller recommended connecting with City Manager Bressner’s office to find out where the City is in the budget process at this time. Chair Waterhouse explained that it is not only money the Board needs; it is also the opportunity to have an impact in the community and get those who benefit to do their part. C. Board interact with other Organizations – Mr. Mayer Mr. Mayer reported there was an interesting article in the Sun-Sentinel in March about valet parking in Boca Raton. He noted that the article addressed the public’s dissatisfaction with restaurants whose valet services take all of the closest parking spaces to the restaurant. Mr. Mayer felt this is a perfect issue for the Board to tackle since this protects the interests of the community. Chair Waterhouse was in agreement and advised that her husband is disabled and even with a handicap sticker, it is difficult. She recommended making this an agenda item for the August th 11 meeting. A question was raised about whether or not the restaurants are assessed for this. Ms. Lyons said Business Tax (Occupational License) would be able to assist. Mr. Miller said in the approvals the restaurant receives before they build, the number of parking spaces required would be included. Mr. Sorgman said the number is based on the seating capacity of the restaurant. 4 Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL June 9, 2010 Mr. Mayer inquired if the Board had the authority to investigate issues. Vice Chair Norfus explained that the issue can be investigated by the Board, but the Board’s recommendations must go before the City Commission. Mr. Sorgman felt it was incumbent upon the members to follow-up on issues discussed at one meeting in order to report back to the Board at the next meeting. There was discussion regarding what the members are empowered to do on their own. Ms. Lyons advised that with respect to sidewalks, they need to contact Mr. Livergood. Ms. Mura reminded the members that the Community Relations Board does have the authority to investigate complaints. Mr. Mayer said the members do not have business cards or a badge. Ms. Lyons advised that per the City Manager’s Office, no Boards are provided with business cards. The members are permitted to make their own cards if they so desire. They may not use the City logo. Mr. Mayer felt it made sense to have business cards. Chair Waterhouse suggested that Ms. Lyons research to determine the information that could be included on the card. Mr. Miller said the Board’s flyer is beautiful and it is a wonderful introduction when visiting with a business. Ms. Lyons will review the information on the flyer for the purpose of updating it. Ms. Mura reported that she received a phony scam e-mail and she is reluctant to have her e- mail address published. Chair Waterhouse asked Ms. Lyons to check to see if the advisory Board members could have City e-mail accounts. She further requested that Ms. Lyons find out if the members could use the City e-mail address, but have it forwarded to their private e-mail addresses so that the private e-mail addresses would not be published. Mr. Miller explained that anything that goes through the City is public record. While there are positives, there are also negatives involved. With that in mind, Chair Waterhouse said another option would be to have one e-mail address for the entire Board. Mr. Mayer reported an article appeared in the current issue of the Boynton Forum that talked about the Boynton Chamber of Commerce hosting the “Taste of Boynton” funded by Total Wine. He questioned why these events were not advertised. Mr. Miller advised that the Chamber of Commerce has a website that can be subscribed to and on a weekly basis there is a bulletin that anyone can request. On the second Wednesday of every month, there is a luncheon that is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. You do not have to be a member to attend. The entrance fee is slightly higher for non-members, but everyone is welcome to attend. He encouraged everyone to get on the Chamber’s mailing list. Mr. Mayer reiterated from an earlier meeting that the Community Relations Board does not have a budget. There is no budget for the CERT of Boynton Beach and Mr. Mayer said he resents having to ask for money for items he might need to purchase. He pointed out that to join the Chamber of Commerce, there is a cost involved, just as there is to attend a Chamber luncheon. If the Board is serious about becoming a functioning committee that will add to the 5 Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL June 9, 2010 prestige of Boynton Beach, a budget is necessary. It should be an amount that indicates the City of Boynton Beach supports the functioning Board. Chair Waterhouse said she would join the Boynton Beach Chamber of Commerce and look at it as a dual responsibility with that membership, not only representing her company, but also representing the Community Relations Board. Mr. Sorgman is the Chairman of the CERT Program in his development and his community picks up the costs for batteries, flashlights, portable radios, stretchers, etc. They spend money only for their needs. Mr. Mayer advised that his community does the same, but he asks for things in advance. He does not want to beg for money. Chair Waterhouse felt that as part of the Board’s strategic planning, this issue could be addressed. The Board could possibly start small by looking at small reimbursable expenses. Ms. Lyons explained that the Board could do fundraising. Chair Waterhouse preferred the term “underwriting” rather than fundraising. Additionally, Chair Waterhouse would like to be introduced to the grants writing person in the City. th D. Set August 11 meeting agenda 1. Parking Issue 2. Sidewalk Follow-up Issue 3. Board Communications Issue 4. Funding Considering the budget restrictions and reductions, Mr. Mayer felt this would be a good time to go to some of the larger communities to seek funding (sponsorships). Mr. Sorgman explained that this would be difficult because many of the communities are having problems. In his community, although they would love to donate to outside organizations, they do not have the funding to do so. However, Mr. Miller pointed out that there might be a community that has the ability to sponsor. Mr. Mayer wondered why big businesses were not being solicited. He suggested that the City might have to sanction the Boards in order for the Boards to be able to move forward. He suggested that the City Commissioners attend the Board meetings. Chair Waterhouse felt it would be beneficial to put together a position paper at the end of the Board’s planning session and have that go on the record clearly outlining the contribution the Board will make and stating what the Board needs. Mr. Miller requested that Chair Waterhouse assign one of the members to meet with Mr. Waldman since he would provide all the information needed with regard to raising money. This information could be used as a template for moving forward. Chair Waterhouse said she would like to meet Mr. Waldman. She would also like to include others to come to the Community Relations Board to speak about a contribution they are making in the community. 6 Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL June 9, 2010 Mr. Miller reminded the members the Community Relations Board meeting could be taken on the road. Ms. Lyons explained that the meeting must be held in a place where the public is invited and there needs to be room for the Recording Secretary. Chair Waterhouse will keep this in mind. Mr. Zonenstein said no one knows about the Community Relations Board. Chair Waterhouse requested that Ms. Lyons find out if the City posts its meetings in the newspaper. Ms. Lyons advised the members that they could contact the newspapers themselves to alert them of the date of the Community Relations Board meeting. IX. Adjournment Motion Mr. Miller moved to adjourn. Vice Chair Norfus seconded the motion. Chair Waterhouse thanked the members for a very productive session. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting properly adjourned at 8:05 p.m. ~1n.~ Vnet M. Prainito, MMC City Clerk Transcribed from One (1) Recording 06/22/10 06/22/10 7