Minutes 01-26-23 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
HELD ON JANUARY 26, 2023, AT 6 P.M.
AT CITY HALL COMMISSION CHAMBERS
100 E. OCEAN AVENUE, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
PRESENT:
Dr. Valerie Valcourt, Chair (Arrived 6:10 p.m.) Sherrie Claude, Recreation Administrator
Lori Wikinson, Vice Chair
Nicole Prado
Chevette Gadson
Pedro Macedo
Jessica Wilkinson
Kate Houseweart
Chevette Gadson
ABSENT:
Frando Patterson
I. Call to Order
Vice Chair Wilkinson called the meeting to order at 6:04 P.M.
II. Pledge of Allegiance
The members recited the Pledge to the Flag, followed by a moment of silence.
Ill. Roll Call
A quorum was present.
IV. Approval of Agenda —January 26, 3023
Motion
Ms. Calixte-Dieuvil moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Macedo seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
V. Approval of Minutes — December 7, 2022
Motion
Ms. Calixte-Dieuvil moved to approve the minutes. Mr. Macedo seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida December 7, 2022
VI. Announcements/Presentations/Correspondence
Justin Johnson, Outreach Manager for Parks and Recreation, introduced himself. He
advised that there are copies of FunFare in the back of the room, but some activities were
not included which were:
• A tree giveaway by Community Greening in Centennial Park on Saturday, January
28th at 10 A.M. in collaboration with the Kinetic Biennial Event.
• Boynton Beach Gold Coast Band Concert on Sunday, January 29th at 2 P.M., at
First Baptist Church. Tickets are $10.
• Pickleball Court Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at 10 A.M. on February 4th
The event will be followed by an exhibition match and two pickleball clinics that
day. On February 6th, regular admission charges will apply.
• Magic Wheels and Special Deals, on Friday, February 10th at 8 P.M. at the Boynton
Beach Arts and Cultural Center.
(Chair Valcourt arrived.)
• February 11th at 7:30 A.M., is the Barrier Free 5K commencing at Barrier Free,
Park continuing into Hunters Run
• The night of February 11 th is the Daddy Daughter dance with a photo keepsake at
the Art and Cultural Center, from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M.
Vice Chair Wilkinson added that February 31d is the First Friday concert. She also added
that the Magic Wheels event is being held indoors on the second floor of the Cultural
Center.
VII. Public Audience
Vice Chair Wilkinson passed the gavel to Chair Valcourt who opened Public Audience.
No one was present.
VIII. New Business
A. Board Purpose and Duties, Ordinance Review
Mr. Macedo mentioned that Section 27.54, Purpose and Duties, was relevant to the
discussion. He said that the rest of the information contained membership information
and processes.
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida December 7, 2022
Chair Valcourt suggested that the members concentrate on quality over quantity when
selecting Goals and Objectives, so that they will be attainable this year.
Ms. Houseweart recalled that there were prior conversations about creating relationships
with schools and businesses, and going to the SAC meetings, but stated that they do not
have a Facebook page, social media, or a contact number, if a member of the public has
a question or comment or needs assistance. She questioned if there was a general email,
or if people have to attend the meeting to ask a question.
Vice Chair Wilkinson stated that there is a trail on the City website to access the Board,
but she was unsure if there was a contact number.
Vice Chair Wilkinson also commented that there is a form to fill out for those interested in
soliciting funds.
Ms. Claude explained that the form is not on the website, it has to be requested, and that
a long time ago they set up an email for the Board, but it was never used and it may be
deactivated.
Mr. Macedo commented that there are ways to reach out to the Board, but they could be
improved and he agreed with Chair Valcourt. He thought some of the 11 goals and
objectives could be merged with other departments. He said that as for improving parks,
he thought that it was something they were already doing, he was unsure if it was an
objective for the Board to pursue.
Chair Valcourt said that one goal that was aligned on the agenda was identification and
dissemination of information that provides beneficial services to families, and that could
be tied to the Youth Summit.
Ms. Houseweart said that she thought businesses could be involved in the Youth Summit
and be vendors.
Chair Valcourt said she liked item 7, pertaining to developing strategies for
communicating with the School Board. She said that this year, she would like two of the
Palm Beach County School Board members, Erica Whitfield and Mr. Ferguson, to come
to the Board and partner with them as a goal this year. She commented that another goal
could be the development of child and youth advocacy programs and she thought that it
could be part of the summit.
Vice Chair Wilkinson also thought that items 7, 8 and maybe 9, which ties into Steve's
Club, which is an effort to assist students grieving the loss of loved ones, should continue
and the Board should support that organization and recommend it to the County.
Ms. Houseweart suggested that they should have a Steve's Club for Boynton Beach
students, perhaps at the Library.
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida December 7, 2022
Vice Chair Wilkinson explained that Steve's Club is already in some schools and the
founder is trying to get it statewide.
Mr. Macedo asked if the Board ever mapped what type of support and advocacy groups
are in the area for children.
Ms. Claude replied that the Library has literacy and recreation programs, and she could
ask what else is offered.
Chair Valcourt thought that the Board should see what already exists so they could see
where the need is, then provide that information on activities the City has, to the schools.
Chair Valcourt said that the Board should start with three goals.
There was discussion and agreement that the Youth Summit was a goal, and establishing
solid relationships with Boynton Beach Schools was the second goal, and mapping and
supporting child and youth advocacy programs within Boynton Beach was the third goal.
Mr. Macedo said that after the work on the three goals comes to fruition, they should send
a letter with their accomplishments or make a presentation to the City Commission. He
asked about initiatives for fundraising.
Chair Valcourt stated that the next steps were to create objectives for each goal.
Mr. Macedo questioned if the fundraising initiatives would be tied to the goals.
Vice Chair Wilkinson commented that she thought this may not be the venue to discuss
it and that they should meet. She said that they can have another meeting in early
February.
Ms. Houseweart stated that she found information on planning a youth summit, giving
examples of other cities that have held one, which she will email to Ms. Claude and she
will distribute it to the Board Members.
Mr. Macedo suggested that each member work on an objective and when they meet and
discuss it.
Chair Valcourt commented that she was willing to meet earlier than February 23rd, and as
early as next week.
B. Goals and Objectives for 2023
This item was discussed with the above.
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida December 7, 2022
C. Introduction Letter for Schools
Ms. Houseweart asked how the schools would contact the Board.
Ms. Calixte-Dieuvil suggested that they use City letterhead.
Discussion followed the letterhead has the City's contact information.
Ms. Claude explained that in the past, when the Board sent correspondence, they used
their personal email.
Mr. Macedo suggested that at the end of the letter to the schools, the Board request that
they be invited to attend a SAC meeting or other event, or request to be put on their
mailing list and ask for the SAC dates. He stated that his second suggestion is to describe
some of the things they have supported in the past, not necessarily associated with
funding. He commented that he did not want the schools to think the Board was there for
monetary support.
Chair Valcourt said that they have attended school meetings in the past, or made
presentations to the School Board, and that the Board is in an advocacy role.
Chair Valcourt asked if they should they send a formal letter to introduce the Board to the
School Board Members and invite them to a meeting. There was agreement to do so.
D. Youth Summit Event
Chair Valcourt stated that they need to establish a committee to meet as frequently as
they can to plan the event.
Ms. Claude explained she was informed the Legal Department recommended the Board
vote to approve the event, and then they can coordinate on their own without having to
do so in a public setting.
Chair Valcourt asked for a motion to approve a Youth Summit Event in June 2023.
Motion
Vice Chair Wilkinson moved the EYAB put together a subcommittee to support and plan
a Youth Summit in June 2023. Mr. Macedo seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously.
After discussion, the Board selected to meet on Wednesday February 1 st at 6 P.M. at the
Library, in one of the meeting rooms.
IX. Old Business
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida December 7, 2022
A. Fundraising Proposals
Vice Chair Wilkinson advised that SunFest was going through serious changes and have
reduced the number of days of the event from four to three days, from Friday to Sunday
and have two stages instead of three, with bigger headline names. She said that the
event was still reeling from Covid and was trying to re-establish itself, so it is possible they
may not have the beer tent at SunFest to use as a fundraiser. She also stated that she
got a note from the person disbursing the money for the Sweets Foundation that was
donating $5K to the Board, and they said to provide an address to send the check, but
she did not receive it and was still waiting. She said that she sent a note informing them
she has not received the check and to make sure it was not cashed.
B. Outreach
This item was previously discussed.
C. Bob Borovy Student Citizen of the Year Award
Vice Chair Wilkinson advised that the application is online.
X. Future Meeting Dates: February 23, 2023
XI. Adjournment
Motion
There being no further business before the Board, Vice Chair Wilkinson moved to adjourn.
The motion was duly seconded. The motion unanimously passed.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:06 P.M.
Catherine Cherry
Minutes Specialist
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