Loading...
Minutes 01-08-13 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD WORKSHOP HELD O TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013, AT 7:00 P.M., IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS CITY HALL 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Vince Piraino, Chair Willie Swoope, Vice Chair Wendy Kelly Irma Khoja (Arrived 6 :43 p. m.) Ben Lowe Margaret Newton Lesha Roundtree (Arrived 6 :43 p.m.) Floyd Zonenstein Chair Piraino called the meeting to order at 6:42 p.m. and thanked Mr. Lowe for creating the agenda. The purpose of the workshop was to plan programs for 2013. He noted tomorrow's regular Community Relations Board (CRB) meeting was cancelled. He hoped all had a good holiday. 1. What is the Community Relations Board? Its History and Purpose Chair Piraino inquired if the members read Section 2.106 of the Ordinance which created the Board, and the members indicated they had. Discussion followed the Board was the middle man for the City Commission. The Ordinance also stated the Board is to inform the community about certain issues of interest and provide feedback. When requests for funds from social service agencies are received, per the Ordinance, the Board is to review them. Ms. Newton explained the Board was originally created in 1979 to alleviate racial tensions within the City. As a result, Police and other City officials had to attend multi- cultural training. The atmosphere that existed in 1979 does not necessarily exist anymore within the City; however, the focus of the Board has evolved. Discussion ensued the City is growing more diverse and there are different types of tensions which the Board could address. One member relayed she had experienced racial remarks due to her head scarf and her thought was others may have also experienced the same thing. She spoke to a CRB member from another city and sought his advice what the Boynton CRB could do to benefit the community. It was suggested they look at the demographics of the City and speak with churches to see if their followers have encountered any of the same problems. If so, they could have a multi- cultural fair to celebrate the different ethnicities and religions that have moved into the area. It was also noted members from Community Relations Boards from other cities were surprised to learn the Boynton Board had no funding. 1 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Workshop Boynton Beach, FL January 8, 2013 In the past, the City held Black History Month and has held Heritage Fests. Discussion followed it was easier to have an event funded if it brings revenue back to the City. If an event were held, vendors offering ethnic cuisine, shows and music could participate. Further discussion followed the Community Redevelopment Agency holds events in the downtown area and more specifically, cater to events in the Ocean Avenue area. The members recognized there was a Special Events Ad Hoc Committee and it was suggested the Community Relations Board form a subgroup or coordinate with them. Chair Piraino commented he had attended a Cultural Heritage Octoberfest in Lantana /Lake Worth and there was an $8 entrance fee. Food and beverages were an additional cost. In the past, the City held a GALA, which was a huge event similar to the Delray Affair, but stopped the event to hold smaller festivals during the year instead. The Green Market was one of them. Events could be held on an annual basis. The members were asked to find a theme to celebrate human diversity. Some suggestions were to adopt a home, for example, of an elderly person and help clean it, or bring volunteers and hold a clean -up in areas of the City. Other suggestions included participating in Habitat for Humanity or the Sandsifters beach clean -ups events. These activities would take place outside of the meetings and would have to be meaningful for the Community. It was paramount to get the message out there is a Community Relations Board and a suggestion was made for each member to bring two individuals to the next meeting. 2. How can the Community Relations Board best carry out its mission? a. Understanding the Board's relationship with the City employee representative /liaison. Ms. Khoja commented it would be helpful to know who the next liaison would be and she noted Community Relations Boards in other cities have a City Commissioner as the liaison. There was discussion the Ordinance was silent on who the liaison was, but it identified that it would be a City employee b. Ways to encourage public participation and attendance at meetings Ms. Newton commented she would like to concentrate on human diversity. Speakers could come to the meetings and outreach could be conducted under that umbrella. Community Relations was perceived as people having connections to one another and she thought the Board should wrap itself around those connections and diversities. There are human elements that form the community. The members agreed achieving this goal would be a long process, so it was important to be active in the community. Once that occurred and the interaction began, people would come. 2 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Workshop Boynton Beach, FL January 8, 2013 C. How can the Community Relations Board best make recommendations to the City Commission and what should we expect from them as far as taking action? The members discussed that in the past, senior citizens were active in coming to the Board regarding transportation issues. The Board should hear grievances. Further discussion followed the community was not aware of the Board's existence and it was possible nobody comes to the meetings because there are no significant issues. Additionally, individuals know they can go right to the City Commission, totally bypassing the Board. Sometimes the Commission takes no action on a concern nor are grievants directed to the Board. 3. What kind of informational programs can the Community Relations Board offer to the Community? a. How often? b. What topics? C. What resources do we have (City Employees, Police and the Palm Beach County Speakers Bureau) d. How to best publicize programs? e. Need for planning far in advance. The members discussed all of the above interchangeably. Mr. Lowe noted he spoke to dozens of individuals and passed out flyers, but no one comes to the meeting. Some type of activity was needed to act as a magnet. Possible topics suggested at the last meeting were: • Hurricane preparedness (local meteorologist? or PB — Emergency Management/EOC • Preparing for tax season • Visitor Information (Chamber Visitor Lobby, call Rosie at 732 -9501) chamber (aD-boyntonbeachchamber.com • Victim advocacy and services (City Police) • Code compliance (City Police) • Business development (Chamber of Commerce) • Small development (Chamber of Commerce) • Small business assistance (Small Business Assistance) • Safety /protection (City Police) • Identity theft prevention (Consumer Affairs) • Youth Violence Prevention (Criminal Justice Commission) • Ethics in local government (Ethics Commission) • Local transportation • Volunteer opportunities (Parks and Recreation) 3 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Workshop Boynton Beach, FL January 8, 2013 • Charter Schools In addition to the above, the members discussed the following topics: • Gun safety — Chair Piraino would check with the Police Department to see if they have gun locks. It was also noted the Police Department has a gun give -back program. • Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption for tax season — Chair Piraino would check with the Senior Center. • Smoke Detectors — Chair Piraino would check with the Fire Department to see if they issue smoke detectors. It was noted some cities, such as Delray Beach, in the past, have handed them out. • Water Safety. Ms. Newton explained there is a temple by the Publix Supermarket on Federal Highway. To encourage cultural diversity, she thought a representative could be invited to the meeting to introduce themselves, perhaps for the February meeting. Along the same line, there is a visitor's center on Congress Avenue. A suggestion was made to have new residents come to the meeting for a welcome, open house -type event to meet the various departments once or twice a year. Flyers, placed in schools, libraries and other local establishments could advertise any of these events. Chair Piraino thought each Board member should take a role in an event they would like to see, but also help one another to ensure each idea comes to fruition. Mr. Lowe agreed a plan of action was needed to implement any event. If a speaker or a topic of concern to the community was scheduled as part of the meeting, the Board will apprise the public of the purpose of the Board and the speaker would then make his /her presentation. The Board had to build its reputation through a process. Mr. Lowe explained in his experience, most complaints are about Code Compliance. Obtaining a speaker from that Division could be scheduled as it was his understanding residents do not know about the process when they are cited or how to avoid being cited. Ms. Kelly and Ms. Newton agreed to work on a "Get to Know Your Neighbors" event to be held in February. A gun safety event could be held in March and if not, then Code Compliance or two events combined could be held. As to how to get the word out about the Board, former Chairman Brian Miller used to go to the various churches to see what the City and Community Relations Board could do to assist residents. He also attended City Commission meetings. In the past, the Board participated in the Christmas Parade because they had a car with a sign. They participated in clean -ups in various parks and areas of the City. Those were ways to broadcast the Board. Another suggestion was to go to the mall and set up a table. 4 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Workshop Boynton Beach, FL January 8, 2013 Chair Piraino requested he receive the information about Code Compliance to be advertised in the water bills, but it was explained the program had to be set -up first. Mr. Lowe commented a new playhouse was in town which was being established and the City was becoming an arts community. There was already an arts district established on Industrial Avenue. New businesses could be invited to the meetings. Mr. Lowe spoke to an individual at the Sun Sentinel who indicated he would come to any meeting the Board requested he attend. The Palm Beach Post individual would only come if it was a big event. Chair Piraino explained he would try to get a speaker for February and /or invite new businesses to the February meeting which would be a continuation of this conversation. It was noted there were new homes being built in Quantum Park and there was a small incubator. The members agreed to bring two friends to the meeting. Members would also attend the City Commission meeting. He also agreed to find out why the Board could not use the City Logo as they have used it before. There being no further business to discuss, Chair Piraino adjourned the meeting at 8:13 p.m. _Y' Catherine Cherry Recording Secretary 010913 5