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Minutes 07-11-12 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 2012, AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE COMMISSION CHAMBER, CITY HALL 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Vince Piraino, Chair Ben Lowe Margaret Newton Lesha Roundtree (arrived 7:11 p.m.) Floyd Zonenstein Wendy Kelly, Alternate John Huntington, Board Liaison ABSENT: Evelyn Duplecy Phyllis Stern Willie Swoope, Vice Chair Regina Waterhouse Richard Wise, Alternate I. Openings A. Call to Order Chair Piraino called the meeting to order at 7:04 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 and determined a quorum was present. Approval of Minutes - A.pril11th Meeting Motion Mr. Zonenstein moved to approve the minutes. Mr. Lowe seconded the motion that unanimously passed. IV. Approval of Agenda a. Additions, deletions, corrections. Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL July 11, 2012 None. b. Adoption Chair Piraino commented he was not present at the last meeting and did not draft an agenda for the meeting. He agreed to provide agendas in the future. Officer Huntington requested he receive the agenda at least two weeks in advance of the meeting. V. Announcements None. VI. Public Audience INDIVIDUAL SPEAKERS WILL BE LIMITED TO THREE-MINUTE PRESENTATIONS None. VII. Old Business A. Board Member Concerns Mr. Zonenstein had a copy of the July 8, 2012, Palm Beach Post, and noted the community meetings section did not list the Community Relations Board meeting, which contributed to the lack of a public audience. Around April, the Board had discussed using social media to alert residents to its meetings and function. Chair Piraino inquired if the members had any ideas, but none were submitted. At the last meeting, Officer Huntington agreed to speak to the City Manager about the issue and had contacted her; however, she had not yet responded. He also emailed the members with instructions regarding how to access prior meeting minutes. He spoke with Carisse LeJeune, Interim Assistant City Manager, to attend the meeting as she had done so in the past, and was advised a meeting with the Chair of all City advisory boards to discuss consolidation and elimination of them was forthcoming. Officer Huntington commented each time he attended a meeting he emphasized the need for an agenda so it could be posted. If individuals did not know about the meeting or subject matter, they would not attend. It was one of the Board's biggest obstacles. As to whether the members were aware of the purpose of the Board, an email was sent to the members containing a brochure about the Board as a template to work from. Article VI of the City Code, pertaining to the purpose of the Board, was also sent. A suggestion was made that each member put an item on the agenda that was of interest to them or their community. There were many community association meetings occurring in the City. While some communities were gated, many were not. Officer 2 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Fl July 11,2012 Huntington recommended a member of the Board go to a community association meeting to ascertain what their concerns were. The City was changing and the members could alert them to the purpose of the Board and invite a representative to discuss their concerns with the Board. As an example, Officer Huntington attended the Forest Park meeting and they discussed the Old High School. The residents were aware there were two projects that would be proposed to the City Commission. They reviewed the proposals, contemplated which would be beneficial to their community and surrounding area, and planned to attend a City Commission meeting to inform them of their preference. Each member of the Board could attend a meeting in their area. He noted frequent concerns were lighting, landscaping, and signage. Another suggestion was to utilize the Palm Beach County Speakers Bureau. Officer Huntington had, in the past, set up an identity theft program which attracted about 150 residents. He explained the Board could offer those types of services and educational programs a few times a year. Chair Piraino inquired if the members received his email requesting ideas for the meetings; however, several did not or could not recall. He agreed to email the members individually and when the responses were received, he would draft the agenda. Mr. Zonenstein referenced the minutes of October 13, 2010, and noted the Board was very limited in what it could do. In the past, the City did not permit them to utilize the marquee and was told if they permitted it for one Board, they had to permit it for all. The City did not provide identification badges or business cards; however, in the past, they had 10 cards and magnetic signs. Now there were concerns about the City logo and it appeared all of their efforts were stymied. He has served on the Board since 2008, and pointed out members leave because the Board was a "Do Nothing" Board. Ms. Newton noted the new Charter School in West Boynton and there was a West Boynton community component that was very vocal about it. Her understanding was the school did not want students residing east of 1-95 to attend. She thought it would be beneficial to have a meeting to clarify what was occurring and how it would impact students. The School District has a Charter School division that could be contacted to send a representative and invite the community to attend the meeting to clarify the various issues. Ms. Newton also viewed the Palm Beach County Commission meeting and commented the Community Redevelopment Agency had a matter before them pertaining to the Dive Shop at the Marina. She thought if the matter came before the County and City Commissions, the Board should be aware of it, as they could support the City. How the Community Redevelopment Agency affected the City may be a future topic. 3 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, Fl July 11, 2012 Chair Piraino agreed to obtain a speaker for the next agenda, work on the duties and authority the Board has to help the community, and would follow up on the old brochures and photos of the members taken by former Chair, Regina Waterhouse. As a group, it was thought they should contact him regarding the type of speakers to have for the remainder of the year. IX. New Business None. X. Adjournment Motion There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Zonenstein moved to adjourn. Ms. Kelly seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at 7:39 p.m. Catherine Cherry Recording Secretary 071212 4