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Minutes 03-14-12 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2012, AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE COMMISSION CHAMBER, CITY HALL 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Regina Waterhouse, Chair Evelyn Duplecy Lesha Roundtree Phyllis Stern Willie Swoope Floyd Zonenstein ABSENT: Ben Lowe Margaret Newton Vince Piraino Wendy Kelly, Alternate Richard Wise, Alternate I. Openings A. Call to Order Chair Waterhouse called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. B. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Mr. Zonenstein. II. Roll Call The Recording Secretary called the roll and determined a quorum was present. III. Approval of Minutes — February Meeting Mr. Zonenstein reviewed the minutes. Motion Ms. Stern moved to approve the minutes. Mr. Swoope seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 1 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL March 14, 2012 IV. Approval of Agenda a. Additions, deletions, corrections. b. Adoption There were no changes to the agenda as presented. V. Announcements None. VI. Public Audience INDIVIDUAL SPEAKERS WILL BE LIMITED TO THREE - MINUTE PRESENTATIONS VII. Old Business A. City of Boynton Beach Branding Initiative. Update. Chair Waterhouse explained she wanted to continue the discussion of the Boynton Beach Branding initiative as she was on the Committee. The product was ready to be presented to the City Commission, but then the incident with the Mayor occurred and the decision was made to defer the presentation. It has since been made. She noted there was a recent newspaper article indicating the City was intensifying its efforts to improve its image. Chair Waterhouse would check with the City Manager to see if she could obtain the presentation. Chair Waterhouse circulated the newspaper article she referenced. She commented the concept was Boynton Beach is between Boca Raton and West Palm Beach and there are many misconceptions about the City. The brand was to "Catch a wave, catch a breath or a movie . ." She had the materials and would share them at the next meeting. Ms. Roundtree had attended the meeting when the presentation was made to the City Commission. She thought it was good and noted interesting facts were presented. Mr. Zonenstein also thought the presentation was very good. He recently took his sister and her friend around the City and pointed out the various amenities, which he expressed was the way to show individuals what the City had to offer. Chair Waterhouse also explained Boynton Beach was still one of the few places where families could find affordable housing. It is competitive and one can receive a good value for the money. The emphasis was on attracting the arts, among others, and there are good schools in the area. The various programs in the area and the park system were fabulous, affordable and accessible. 2 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL March 14, 2012 VIII. New Business A. Advisory Board Elections Chair Waterhouse explained she was on the Board for the last two years. The Board accomplished a lot and got involved in many interesting issues. There are issues that lie ahead, especially in view of the many changes that occurred in the community and the Board can reach out to the residents. The Advisory Board elections would be held next month and she expressed it was time for her to pass the gavel, and allow some of the newer members to get involved. She respectfully requested the members give thought to the position of Chair and Vice Chair. B. Code Enforcement: Trash Removal: NW 4th Street and NW 6th Avenue Chair Waterhouse explained she received an email from Ms. Newton regarding trash removal at the above locations. There had been some discussions regarding reducing trash pickup and she was unsure if this was associated with it. She would forward a memo to the appropriate departments. C. Finance Committee: Request for input on the budget process Chair Waterhouse noted the Board was aware of the importance of the budget. A questionnaire issued by the Financial Advisory Committee was located in the Library as they sought the residents' input. She encouraged the members to complete a survey and contribute to the budgetary process. If the Board did not make an effort to contribute, they may not have the opportunity to comment. D. Managing the perception of the City of Boynton Beach Chair Waterhouse explained beyond the members doing their job as part of an Advisory Board, she welcomed any ideas from the members of things the Board could do to foster the City's image. Chair Waterhouse explained she works for a Bank that was expanding in Palm Beach County. The Bank is community- oriented and there are opportunities for the Board to partner or sponsor with banks, through the Community Reinvestment Act to make investments in low to moderate - income communities. Mr. Zonenstein noted the Board's meetings are never listed in the newspaper. It was explained the Clerk's office routinely provides a listing of all the Board meetings to the press. The Board would research why the meetings appeared in some papers and not in others. Chair Waterhouse agreed to contact the Board Liaison and it was hoped an answer would be received by the next meeting. The Board had created a brochure and a photograph detailing the function of the Board which would be provided at the next meeting and then be approved by the City. A targeted distribution could then take place. Discussion followed about creating a flyer 3 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL March 14, 2012 and distributing it in the community. It was suggested any flyers be brought to the Board for approval. Ms. Roundtree was aware that there were a lot of concerns in the community, which were not being brought to the Board. She explained most residents were not aware of the Board and go directly to the City Commission. She offered to distribute flyers within the community and local businesses. Chair Waterhouse agreed to email the existing flyer to the members this weekend. Ms. Stern announced the Tennis Carnival at Hunter's Run would take place the first Saturday in April. Anyone interested should contact the Education and Youth Advisory Board for further information. The event was also listed in Funfare Magazine The event was free and the youth must register at City Hall. Discussion followed why an individual would come to the Community Relations Board instead of the City Commission as a resident may get a more direct answer from the City Commission. Sometimes an issue may be assigned to a staff person and sometimes not. If not, the issue could be submitted to the Board and they could follow - up on the matter. The process used by the Community Relations Board was for the Chair to forward a memo to the appropriate departments. Chair Waterhouse noted some issues, such as sidewalks for school students may not be solvable; however, the budget precluded any action on the complaint. Sometimes the issues were resolved. The Board acts as a facilitator. If a resident brought the complaint to the City Commission, and did not like the answer or felt there was no resolution of the matter, the Board could follow up on the issue. On a different matter, Ms. Newton requested a listing of the members with their contact information, which Chair Waterhouse agreed to forward. Ms. Roundtree also requested obtaining maps of the Community Redevelopment Agency area. Chair Waterhouse would research the request and forward it to the members by the next meeting. IX. Adjournment Motion Mr. Zonenstein moved to adjourn. Ms. Roundtree seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. r Catherine Cherry Recording Secretary 031512 4