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Minutes 02-28-13 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 28, 2013, AT 6:00 P.M., IN CITY HALL COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BLVD. BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Steve Waldman, Chair Sherri Claude, Board Liaison Mary Morera, Vice Chair Carla Colebrooks- Spencer Carol Lundquist Hattie Miller Dr. Tiffany North Lourdes Paola Alvarez Dawson Charles Hagger - Lendoiro, Student Non - Voting Member ABSENT: Loretta Wilkinson Jayvonna Roker, Student Voting Member I. Call to Order Chair Waldman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Self introductions were made. II. Pledge of Allegiance /Moment of Silent Reflection The Pledge of Allegiance was recited followed by a moment of silent reflection. Chair Waldman commented that Mississippi "officially" ratified the 13 Amendment to the Constitution making slavery illegal. It was actually ratified in 1995, but they neglected to send the paperwork to the Federal Registrar. III. Approval of Minutes of January 24, 2013 Ms. Claude wanted to clarify on page three, last paragraph, Item A, of the minutes that Phyllis Stern was a former board member and not a current one. Dr. North moved to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by Ms. Lundquist and unanimously passed. IV. Approval of Agenda Dr. North moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Colebrooks- Spencer seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL February 28, 2013 V. Announcements /Presentations /Correspondence Ms. Claude announced that student Jayvonna Roker submitted a letter of resignation. The City Clerk's office advised there was another application from a student and that student should be appointed at the second Commission meeting in March. Ms. Claude advised that in January, a thank you letter was received from Boynton Beach High School, thanking the Board for the $100 donation for the Adopt -a- Classroom program. Correspondence was also received from the Palm Beach County School District who was applying for a Federal grant for a Magnet School Assistance Program (MSAP) grant. One of the main goals was to develop outstanding STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) programs in three Boynton schools. The schools are Galaxy Elementary, Congress Middle School, and Boynton Beach High School. They asked for a letter of support from the Board. They had received a letter of support from the City, but wanted a separate one from the Board. Ms. Claude distributed a copy of the Recreation and Parks Department annual report for last fiscal year. She also advised the department was rewriting the strategic plan for the Recreation and Parks Department and, as part of that, the department would be conducting a needs assessment. This would be a community wide survey of people's opinions, what the needs are in terms of recreation and park programs, facilities and amenities. A contract was signed with Management Learning Laboratories, which performed the last needs assessment a number of years ago. The first step would be to hold meetings with stakeholders, City Commission, City Manager, staff, as well as focus group meetings, including Advisory Boards and other active members of the community to develop the questionnaire that would be sent out to residents. It should occur in early April. A. Palm Beach County League of Cities Tijienene Gordon, Palm Beach County League of Cities Youth Delegation, came to present the program YODEL. It was an initiative that connects students to their local elected officials by attending various council meetings around Palm Beach County and tries to tag youth with their different cities and villages so local government can hear a youth voice and opinion in various daily affairs. This is important so that youth could witness how government runs, especially those who want to enter the field of law, public policy, government, business, or politics. This program provides a mentoring aspect. Mentoring in other job shadowing programs such as engineering would also be offered. She inquired if there were any students who would wish to represent Boynton Beach on their Board. The incentives to joining the program were the ability to apply for a scholarship and the availability of community service. The focus was on high school students and those who are entering college and looking to a specific job they want to do in the future. Branching out into the middle school level was also a possibility. 2 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL February 28, 2013 The group meets the second Wednesday of every month at the downtown office in City Place from 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. There are approximately six students currently involved in the program. The target is a group of 20 from all over Palm Beach County. Applications can be completed on the website www.leagueofcities.com/YODEL. VI. Public Audience Christine Francois, President, Boynton Beach Sister Cities, provided an update on the program. The youth exhibit will be named YAYA, representing youth arts and youth authors. The exhibit will be held at Boynton Beach Mall this year between March 25 and April 14. Currently there are 60 entries from St. Mark, which include art essays, South Tech would have 20 -30 entries, and the Sister City in China had approximately 15 art entries. The second Sister City in Haiti would have approximately 20. Last year the essays were judged by the Board and it was hoped the Board could judge again. Prizes for the essay would be $100 for first place, $75 for second place, and $50 for third place. The art prizes would be the same. Ms. Francois requested Ms. Wilkinson print certificates again for this year. Ms. Francois also inquired whether the Board would be available on March 19 to assist in matting the art. This would be done at the Woman's Club. Ms. Francois requested information on the dates of the shredding event. She had numerous people asking her about it. Christina Gonzales, no address given, indicated she might be able to assist Ms. Francois on matting and setting up the artwork. VII. New Business None. VIII. Old Business A. Student Contest @ BBHS Chair Waldman indicated he was trying to run a student contest at Boynton Beach High School on contribution of African Americans. He had outside judges, including two school board members and the Mayor. He advised certain circumstances had changed due to conflicts such as testing, other contests and State competitions. It was now something he would do internally in the coming week. He would still give out trophies and possibly cash awards. He would plan on running the contest next year B. League of Cities Youth Delegate This item was discussed earlier in the meeting. 3 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL February 28, 2013 C. Tennis Carnival (4/27/13) Vice Chair Morera advised the time of the tennis carnival would be 9:30 -11:00 a.m. There was brief mention of the contribution Phyllis Stern has made in the past and that she will help where she can this year due to her medical issues. Chair Waldman suggested presenting a plaque of appreciation to Ms. Stern. There was consensus that something should be done for her. Motion Dr. North moved to approve the purchase of a plaque for Ms. Stern. Ms Colebrooks- Spencer seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Chair Waldman would handle the purchase. The maximum amount to be spent would be $35. D. Shred -A -Thon (5/4 or 5/18) Since Ms. Wilkinson was absent from this meeting, this would be discussed in greater detail next month. The last shred -a -thon brought in $940 after expenses. E. Fundraising Chair Waldman requested everyone to think of ideas to discuss at the next meeting. F. Youth Volunteer Bank/Bob Borovy Award Ms. Claude had nothing new to report. She reminded the members the deadline for the Borovy Award was March 29 All the information was available on the website. Last year's winner was Amisha Roberts. IX. Future Meeting Dates: March 28, 2013 April 25, 2013 May 23, 2013 X. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Colebrooks- Spencer moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Dr. North and unanimously passed. Ellie Caruso Recording Secretary 4