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Minutes 06-12-13 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2013, AT 7:00 P.M., IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS CITY HALL 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FL ORIDA PRESENT: Willie Swoope, Vice Chair Matthew Graham, Board Liaison Wendy Kelly Irma Khoja Ben Lowe Margaret Newton Carol Porter Floyd Zonenstein ABSENT: Vince Piraino, Chair Lesha Roundtree I. Openings A. Call to Order Vice Chair Swoope 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. Roll Call The Recording Secretary called the roll. A quorum was present. Vice Chair Swoope announced Chair Piraino could not attend the meeting. III. Approval of Minutes from May Meeting Motion Mr. Zonenstein moved to accept the April minutes as written. Ms. Kelly seconded the motion that unanimously passed. IV. Announcements Dana Rushing, the newest Board member, had resigned. Vice Chair Swoope announced he will not be available for the next meeting. Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL June 12, 2013 V. Approval of Agenda A. Additions, Deletions, Corrections A request was made by Mr. Lowe to add discussion of publicizing meetings to New Business. B. Adoption Motion Mr. Zonenstein moved to approve as amended. Ms. Khoja seconded the motion that unanimously passed. VI. Public Audience None. VII. Old Business A. Survey letters mailed to City Manager's office Vice Chair Swoope inquired if the members received a copy of the survey. Mr. Lowe was absent for that meeting and was concerned. He found out about it through the minutes, but it was too late to submit his as there was a deadline. He thought the Chair should collect the handout for members that are absent, or an email should be sent. Matt Graham, Board Liaison, gave a survey to Mr. Lowe and said it was not too late to submit his. He had spoken with Ms. Krusell yesterday and there were only a few responses received. If the members had not turned in their survey, they should do so or give them to Mr. Graham. The survey, once completed, would be presented back to the Board and Vice Chair Swoope assumed a report would come back to the Board in July. A preliminary report was supposed to be made at this meeting. B. Parking Enforcement. At the last meeting, there was discussion about parking enforcement and Vice Chair Swoope recalled there would be an update given. Ms. Kelly noted it was tabled, as some of the members felt there were some tensions and it was a sensitive issue. 2 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL June 12, 2013 VIII. Special Business A. Code Enforcement Presentation Vice Chair Swoope inquired if Chair Piraino secured a date for the Code Compliance speaker. Mr. Graham explained he received an email from the Chair to post the notice, and it would be advertised through the utility bills to be mailed the next day. He assumed that Diane Springer, Code Compliance Coordinator, confirmed her attendance. I. New Business Mr. Lowe thought the Board was supposed to find out if the City Manager approved the Citizen Complaint Form. Vice Chair Swoope agreed there was some discussion about the form at the last meeting, but Chair Piraino was supposed to contact the City Manager for an update on the survey and whether the complaint form could be used. The Board had also later discussed holding off on the form, in light of the survey, until the Board learned how the City wanted the Board to proceed. Mr. Lowe's main issue was he looked at the Sunday Palm Beach Post, in the "In Your Community" section, which lists all public meetings in Palm Beach County. It was quite comprehensive. He wondered why the Community Relations Board meeting was not listed. This was fairly simple to do, but the Board cannot get the word out. Mr. Lowe volunteered to contact the press so citizens would know the Board was meeting. Mr. Graham commented he added a note to do so, and he also spoke with Eleanor Krusell, the Communications Manager, yesterday, and she posted the meeting on Facebook. There was some outside advertising. There had been discussion about the meetings being posted in the newspaper once before. Mr. Lowe had contacted local reporters from the Palm Beach Post and Sun - Sentinel and one reporter said he would come. Mr. Kleinberg was less interested in attending, unless a big event was held. Mr. Lowe again offered to contact him regarding the Code Compliance event and hoped it would alert the public about the event. Ms. Newton inquired whether the City has an exit survey to find out why advisory Board members resign. She noted there are several vacancies. Mr. Zonenstein was unaware.of any and pointed out he has served on the Board since 2008. Ms. Newton thought it would be helpful to find out why individuals leave, as much as why volunteers want to serve. If they leave, an exit survey would be appropriate. There has been tremendous turnover on the Boards. Ms. Kelly liked the idea, as did other members. The Board was fairly full, but was not in the past. Compared to other Boards, the CRB was in good shape. Mr. Lowe thought once appointed to the Board, volunteers expect more to happen. When it does not, they leave. 3 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL June 12, 2013 Mr. Zonenstein explained it was discouraging coming to the Board to see empty seats each meeting. The Board appeared to be a "do nothing" Board. Mr. Zonenstein thought the City should be behind them and they were not. Ms. Newton, as a Board member, was very pleased the Assistant City Manager and Communications Manager spoke with them. She understood the City was reviewing the Board's purpose and would return with any or all changes. Vice Chair Swoope explained that was supposed to occur at this meeting, or a subsequent meeting. He requested Mr. Graham follow up and email the members with the response. The results could be discussed at the July or August meeting. Ms. Kelly suggested, depending on the outcome for the Board, teaming up with the ACLU Rights Restoration representatives to obtain greater visibility and create a positive outlook for the City. Police Officers could be involved and come across as being a part of the community in a positive way. The members agreed to consider the suggestion at the next meeting. Mr. Zonenstein announced Boynton Beach Police Chief Matt Immler was retiring, and Major Briganti may be the Interim Chief until a new Chief is appointed. Ms. Kelly suggested holding a meeting when that occurred, introducing him /her to the community. This could be done with the Mayor or other City officials. The July meeting will have a special presentation about code enforcement. Mr. Graham will also return to the Board with information about the Advisory Board Survey and any changes that will be made. 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 7:34 p.m. aw, WLL Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 061313