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Minutes from the General Meeting of April 13, 2015

1.     Meeting Called to Order at 7:00 by President Maryann Polizzi 
2.     A motion was made by Brian Luongo to remove Tracie Copeland as social director.  The motion was seconded by Joanne Kelly and the motion passed.
3.     Roll Call and self-introductions
4.     A motion was made by Brian Luongo to accept the minutes from the 4-6-15 board meeting.  The motion was seconded by Loretta Sharpe and the motion passed.
5.     Treasurer’s Report.  Irene Guthrie reported:
            March Balance:            3,027.63
                        Dues Receipts:            140
                        Paypal Receipts:            197.40
                        Total Distributions:            314.95
                                    Starbucks gift cards:                        50
                                    Banner design                                    200
                                    Ted Johnson reimburse:            20
                                    Palm Beach Post ads:            41.95
                                    Bank Charge:                                    3
            New Balance:                        $3,050.08
A motion was made by Mark Herbert to accept the Treasurer’s Report.  The motion was seconded by Coleman Veach.  The motion passed.
6.     Ted Johnson received a $900 check from the county as reimbursement for the median plantings as part of the median improvement grant.
7.     Facebook Discussion.  There was a discussion about the SPPA Facebook page.  The page right now is secret, meaning even if someone was looking for it, they could not find it or its content in a search and needed to be invited to become a member.  The page had recently been changed to closed, meaning somebody still needed to be invited to join and participate, but its banner and members could be viewed by outsiders.  Members have been told that the page was only visible to the group (secret).  There was a discussion of the differences between closed and secret.  The concern for people that wanted the page to remain secret was privacy.  People that want to become part of the Facebook page can visit southpalmpark.org or their block director (block captain) to do so.  Mark Herbert made a motion to keep the Facebook page secret.  Bob Rashkin seconded the motion.  A vote was taken and the motion passed...the Facebook page will remain secret.    
8.     Commissioner Andy Amoroso was in attendance.  He is commissioner of District 3.  Maryann reached out to newly elected commissioner of District 4, Ryan Maier.  He was not in attendance and did not respond to Maryann’s invitation to attend.  Also in attendance was city manager Michael Bornstein, Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell and former Commissioner John Szerdi. 

Some updates from Commissioner Amoroso:  The mayor and commissioners have been frequenting Tallahassee and Washington lately looking for money for Lake Worth.  To be successful with that endeavor, it is always best to bring something to the table.  The Lake Worth bond measure that failed in 2014 helped in that regard. 

Vice Mayor Maxwell added:  one of the main challenges for Lake Worth is it is in desperate need of jobs.  The Park of Commerce could be an opportunity.  The project came about 15 or 16 years ago.  The land was annexed to the city and some promises were made to the land owners.  The city is trying to make good on those promises.  Lake Worth needs infrastructure to bring in industry and jobs.  The last couple of years a great deal of planning and design has been put together, something that has not been done in the past.  There are shovel ready projects that need funding.  Lake Worth had never done any planning so it was difficult to get any money out of Tallahassee.  But now design elements have been brought to the table.  Lake Worth is currently asking Tallahassee for $7.5 million.  There is a good chance that the city can be successful.  Lake Worth is now on the map.  The hope is that the money from Tallahassee would be split over two years.  If there is a commitment the first year for half of the $7.5 million, the thinking is that the second half of the money would come the second year because Tallahassee would be committed to the project.  Also important is that Lake Worth now has skin in the game, offering money to match. 

Vice Mayor Maxwell reiterated that this is all about creating jobs here in Lake Worth and that we have great geography and a perfect location for industry.  He reminded the audience that this is not “found money” but rather grant money that has been paid into by the taxpayers. 

Commissioner Amoroso had a few more facts:  The CRA money has been spent, partially to buy up abandoned and dilapidated property.  In the last two years, Lake Worth has brought up the taxable base over 20% and over 30% in the CRA district but that still only amounts to a little over $300,000.  We are heading in the right direction but still need to bring up the taxable value.  Parts of the city still have low property values.  The city has a lot of nontaxable value properties.  That is one of the things that make us unique, but we need to find the offset. 

Over 40 new ordinances have been written.  Residents are encouraged to call in code violations.  As the city brings in new development such as the units across from John Prince Park, residents that used to rent from “scumbag landlords” will rent new units, forcing bad landlords to do something, either fix up their properties or sell. 

Another example of progress Commissioner Amoroso gave was the fact that the Bank of America has had no business license since 2008.  Point is, that is revenue for the city and if small business owners need to have a business license, so do big businesses.  The staff is now being more thorough with such issues. 

Finally, infrastructure is still a big concern and needs to be fixed.  The water pipes are bad and Lake Worth does not have the money to fix the pipes and the streets all at one time.  At some point a proposal for a smaller bond might be put forth, after some items have been taken off the table.  Commissioner Amoroso mentioned that he is always available to answer residents’ questions and he will return calls and emails. 
9.     City manager Michael Bornstein was given a contract renewal for five years and a $10,000 raise.  It was mentioned that he is Lake Worth’s CEO and having him on brings stability and structure.  Mr. Bornstein said he was honored to continue to work for the city and the people.  He invited all to come to city meetings and to send him an email or call with questions or concerns.    
10.  Former commissioner John Szerdi thanked his supporters and backed up the words of Mr. Bornstein, Mr. Amoroso and Mr. Maxwell that Lake Worth still has a lot of momentum.  He was upset with what happened but is still around to help out.  He thanked the group for the opportunity to say thanks.
11.  Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Eley was also in attendance.  Here are some of the crime statistics for our area from March 12-April 12:  one vehicle burglary, seven thefts of tags and decals, one stolen vehicle, five burglaries to residences, three vandalisms and two robberies to persons.  Regarding the two robberies to persons, they took place at addresses that tend to be more in-house private issues rather than random crimes. 

Deputy Eley mentioned that there has been a task force operating in our area over the past month.  It involves six unmarked officers looking for crimes of opportunity, violent crimes, prostitution and drug crimes.  One of the target areas has been the gas station at 6th and Dixie.  It is making a difference but you will see increases in the crime stats because arrests are being made.  The task force stretches all the way to the south end of our neighborhood.   

In response to a question, Deputy Eley mentioned that when neighbors call the PBSO because of suspicious activity in the neighborhood, an event number is generated.  He will look into getting the stats to see if those event numbers have changed since we started promoting the Make the Call Y’All program. 

Deputy Eley mentioned to call to report graffiti.  The graffiti unit can come out but the unit (only two people) services the entire area from Belle Glade to Tequesta, so if you can get rid of it yourself sooner, please do. 

He reminded residents to call the Sheriff’s office if they see anything suspicious.  He stated that he prefers residents “call 1,000 times and be wrong 999 times to get the one that’s right.”

Vice Mayor Maxwell mentioned that crime has decreased in every category every year since PBSO took over in Lake Worth.

12.  Median Report.  Chip Guthrie reported that the city did a trimming concentrating on the end caps and middles of the median.  He was appreciative that they spared more than we thought and that the work on the medians looks really nice.  17th Ave. South is coming back.  The city will also clear cabbage palms around the lights on the medians.
13.  Reap Grant.  A big thanks to Sharon Chapnick for all of her hard work on the grants.  If you see her, please thank her for her efforts. 
14.  Crime Watch.  The first meeting of the South Palm Park Neighborhood Crime Watch was held on March 17.  The group is now officially registered with the PBSO.  Most of the time since the last meeting was spent collecting information to be included in the REAP Grant application for funding the crime watch program.  Thanks to the city and the PBSO for helping us get the documents we needed for the applications.   

The next meeting of the SPPA Neighborhood Crime Watch group will be Monday, April 27 in South Palm Park at 6:30.  Bring a chair and your favorite beverage.  Anyone can come and be a member.  All that is asked is if they see anything suspicious in the neighborhood, they call the PBSO.  There is no other “work” involved.  Members of the group get a window sticker.  While in its infancy, these crime watch meetings will stay separate from the board meetings and general meetings.    
15.  A motion was made by Chip Guthrie to make Danielle Herbert and Ron Richard directors of the social committee. Joanne Kelly seconded the motion and it passed.
16.  At the last minute the Easter Egg Hunt was changed to the morning which may have contributed to the lower-than-normal attendance.  Thanks to those who attended and helped out.    
17.  The Progressive Dinner will be held on April 25.  Loretta Sharpe has volunteered to provide appetizer and entrĂ©e.  The cost is $10 per person.  There is no limit to the number of attendees.  It’s a lot of fun and is sure to be a success.
18.  Thank you to Kathleen Holmes who donated $50 to the SPPA to be used for card stock to be used for a calendar of events for all SPPA meetings and activities.
19.  NAPC is selling ads for the new neighborhood guide.  Volunteers are needed to help sell ads in the NAPC Neighborhood Guide.  May 8 is the deadline to have camera ready ads submitted.  The cost is $200 for a half page ad and $300 for a full page ad.  There will be no limits to the number of ads.
20.  Raft Race.  This year’s theme is “Books on Water.”  Members were encouraged to submit their idea for this year’s raft theme.  “One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish” was the most popular submission and came from Brian Luongo.  “Ship of Fools” will be the alternate idea.
21.  Thanks to Irene Guthrie, Chip Guthrie and Maryann Polizzi who volunteered to sell beer at Pride Fest.  It was a great success for Lake Worth.
22.  Thanks also to the Guthries for providing water at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  
23.  The Nextdoor site, while still showing promise, has some issues that need to be worked out.  No decisions were made and it will be discussed at the next board meeting.
24.  Thanks to Theresa DeVeaux for all of her hard work on the gift bag program for new residents.  She has been funding the program out of her own pocket.  Going forward, she will submit receipts for reimbursement. 
25.  The SPPA is hosting the Front Porch on May 1.  The Foleys have volunteered but more volunteers are needed.  Joanne Kelly, Lynne Lamstein and Chip Guthrie volunteered but more are still needed as we are also selling beer that night. 

We are responsible to staff the event on July 3 as well and more volunteers are needed.  Ted and Maryann have volunteered. 
26.  The Bryant Park Derby Day is May 2nd at South Shores.  The Cost is $15.
27.  The Earth Day Festival is taking place in the Lake Worth Cultural Plaza on April 25th.
28.  Thanks to Ted Brownstein for helping with the Snook Island clean up.
29.  Welcome new neighbors Bonnie and Bill Robeson.
30.  Congratulations to Irene Guthrie, Daren Hamberger, Ted Johnson and Bill Hoffman who were the evening’s raffle prize winners.  Thanks, as always, to The Beach Club for hosting and providing the gift certificate.  Thanks also to Lynne Lamstein for providing the marlberry plant that was given away tonight. 
31.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:35.

Submitted by:
Chris Diserio