Loading...
Minutes 09-11-96 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1996, AT 7:30 P.M. PRESENT Ron Washam, Chairman Elizabeth Jenkins, Vice Chairperson Ronald Bair Belky Cruz Joy Currier Blanche Girtman Natalie Macon Brenda Lee Williams Dee Zibelli ABSENT Arthur Berman, Alternate I. OPENING, PLEDGE, PRAYER Chairman Washam called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Vice Chairperson Jenkins. A moment of silent prayer was observed. II. ROLL CALL The Recording Secretary called the roll. III. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Chairman Washam welcomed Nellie Denahan, Chairperson of the Education Advisory Board, and Todd Kotas, Director of Economic Development, to the meeting. IV. AGENDA APPROVAL Ms. Cruz added the Wrice Process under Correspondence and Announcements. Motion Ms. Macon moved to approve the agenda as amended. Ms. Zibelli seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1996 V. MINUTES APPROVAL No additions, deletions, or corrections were made to the minutes of the last meeting. Motion Ms. Girtman moved to approve the minutes of the August 14, 1996 meeting. Ms. Currier seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Youth in Government Day Ms. Currier advised that she and Mr. Bair would appreciate another member of this board working with them on Youth in Government Day. B. First Annual Multi-Cultural Festival Ms. Zibelli advised that several of the members of this board will be making a presentation regarding the First Annual Multi-Cultural Festival to the City Commission at their September 17th meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m. In addition, Mayor Jerry Taylor will be presenting the board with a proclamation. Ms. Currier urged all the members of this board to attend. C. The Wrice Process Ms. Cruz advised that at the Unsung Heroes' Breakfast on Saturday, July 13, 1996, the Community Relations Board was presented with a plaque for its support of the Wrice Process. She turned this plaque over to Chairman Washam. VII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE A. Economic Development Coordinator Mr. Kotas introduced himself as the newly appointed Economic Development Director for the City of Boynton Beach. He advised that the City is focusing on targeting industries, increasing the wage scale of the citizens of Boynton Beach, and some redevelopment 2 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1996 projects in the MLK area, the Marina area, and elsewhere. He hoped to call upon the members of this board in the future to join in some of these efforts. Chairman Washam welcomed Mr. Kotas to the City. B. Holiday Projects for the Children and Elderly Ms. Currier announced that volunteers are needed for the Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas projects for the children and elderly this year. Please telephone her if you can help. VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Youth in Government Day - October 1996 Chairman Washam announced that Youth in Government Day will be held on Thursday, October 17th, starting at 8:00 a.m. He tried to find out from the School District and the various Chambers of Commerce if Municipal Week is going to be celebrated throughout the State this year, but no one seemed to know. However, usually the students study city government within the first nine weeks of school. Letters will be sent through the City to the schools, inviting them to participate. Ms. Currier and Mr. Bair are going to personally go to the schools to solicit their participation. One other volunteer is needed to do this also. Chairman Washam pointed out that there was a big turnout last year, and he attributed that to the personal contact that was made with the schools. Ms. Girtman volunteered to help contact the schools personally. Ms. Denahan commended the Community Relations Board on the wonderful job they did last year, and she was glad to be able to participate. She volunteered to contact Santaluces High School. Mr. Bair will contact Atlantic High School. Ms. Currier will contact Christa McAuliffe Middle School, and Ms. Girtman will contact Congress Middle School. At this time, Police Chief Marshall Gage arrived. As soon as the letters are sent to the schools next week, Chairman Washam will call everyone so that they can visit the schools personally. He advised that we want about six or seven students from each school to participate. He will work on getting some positive press. He stated that we also need to decide which schools will hold the seats on the dais for the mock City Commission meeting so that you do not have three students from one 3 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1996 school sitting on the dais. Last year, Congress Middle School had an election for the person they wanted to represent them. At this time, Chairman Washam welcomed Chief Gage to the meeting. Ms. Denahan asked for a list of the students' names who participated last year. She also asked if the media covered Youth in Government Day last year. She was told that there was an article in the newspaper after Youth in Government Day. Chairman Washam is going to try to get coverage prior to Youth in Government Day and do a press release. He will also contact the reporters personally after the press release. Ms. Denahan suggested contacting the Boynton Beach Times to see if they have a copy of last year's write up so that we can bring it to the schools with us this year. Mr. Bair suggested that the students on the school newspapers or year book committees cover Youth in Government Day. B. Multi-Cultural Festival Update Ms. Zibelli displayed the banner that was donated for the stage. She gave the Recording Secretary a memo regarding the festival and asked her to make sure the Chairperson of every City board gets one. She advised that a good sound system is needed for the stage. In addition, we need to fill about 30 more booths (food, informational, crafts, etc.). Chairman Washam thanked the board members for their diligence on this project and urged everyone to promote this festival. He stated that we are trying to get the schools to display their students' artwork at the festival. Ms. Currier felt this festival will be a success. Ms. Girtman inquired about the vendors' fees. Ms. Zibelli explained that these fees will help to pay for the entertainment. Many entertainers are not charging us. However, some of them are coming from out of town and will need traveling money. Chairman Washam urged all the members of the board to participate in the festival committee and attend the Thursday night committee meetings. At this time, Anne Centi, Vice Chairperson of the Education Advisory Board, arrived. Chairman Washam wanted every citizen of Boynton Beach to feel welcome and a part of 4 MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 1996 this festival. This is the kind of unity he wants to see the board present that day. Ms. Centi gave Ms. Zibelli a business card of a Native American group who might be interested in a booth. She also gave her a Christmas card representing all the religions in this country to use in publicity. She displayed an impromptu picture taken by a photographer of two girls passing the Olympic torch. The girls, who are from Boynton Beach, reached out and shook each others' hands before passing the torch. She felt this represents the spirit of unity. Ms. Currier suggested displaying this photograph at the Multi-Cultural Festival. IX. NEW BUSINESS None. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Eve Eubanks Recording Secretary (One Tape) 5