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M I N U T E S
MONDAY, December 10, 2007 - 8:00 a.m.
PALM BEACH COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMISSION MEETING
McEaddy Conference Room
12th Floor, 301 N. Olive Avenue
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
Members Present: Members Absent:
Commissioner Burt Aaronson Dave Aronberg
Rosalyn Baker Moses Baker
James Barr Stephen Barborini
Steven Burdelski Sharon Bock
Barbara Cheives Ric Bradshaw
Douglas Duncan Delsa Bush
George Elmore Mike Driscoll
Rolando Garcia Randolph K. Johnson, Sr.
Carey Haughwout Kathleen Kroll
Feirmon Johnson Luis Perez
Harry A. Johnston, II Debra Robinson
William Kramer
Barry Krischer
Martin Millar
Jay Pickens
Gerald Richman
Richard Staudinger
Carmen Veneziano
Max Davis (Ex officio Exec. Committee)
Art Johnson (Ex officio Exec. Committee)
Guests Attending:
Edith Bush, CJSC West Palm Beach
Carlton Cartwright, The Children’s Coalition Inc. (TCCI)
Jack H. Cook, Court Administration
Mike Edmondson, State Attorneys Office (SAO)
Un Cha Kim, Clerk & Comptroller
Michael McAuliffe, McAuliffe Law Group
Daniel R. Reed, West Palm Beach Youth Empowerment Center
Craig Spatara, West Palm Beach Weed & Seed
Stephen Stepp, Palm Beach Gardens Police Dept.
Louis Tomeo, Clerk & Comptroller
Adly Trabal, Agency for Health Care Administration
William E. Wilkins, City of Riviera Beach
Staff Present:
Michael L. Rodriguez, Executive Director
Journey Beard, Crime Prevention Project Specialist
Minutes – Criminal Justice Commission Page 2
December 10, 2007
Arlene Burton, Administrative Secretary
Candee Carigma, Criminal Justice Analyst
Wayne English, Sr. Criminal Justice Analyst
Jenise Gibson, Sr. Criminal Justice Analyst
Katherine Hatos, Criminal Justice Analyst
Damir Kukec, Research & Planning Manager
Rosalind Murray, Program Development Specialist
Glenna Nowalk, Clerical Specialist
Brenda Oakes, Youth Violence Prevention Planning Coordinator
Mike Szakacs, Financial Analyst II
Becky Walker, Criminal Justice Programs Manager
I. Chairman Johnston called the meeting to order at 8:07 a.m.
II. Roll call was taken and a quorum was present.
III. Chairman Johnston welcomed members and guests were asked to introduce themselves.
IV. The agenda was unanimously approved after amended to move Item #XIV to #X, under
New Business – Updates on Youth Empowerment Centers.
V. The minutes of the November 13, 2007 Full Commission meeting was unanimously
approved after motion by Mr. Staudinger and second by Mr. Elmore.
VI. Under Chairman’s Comments, Chair Johnston noted that this would be his last meeting
as chairman and reflected how the first four months were spent trying to identify a
successor to Diana. He commented that he thought the procedure was excellent and that
we had an excellent committee that never missed a meeting even when some meetings
lasted eight hours. The committee was a great asset and he thanked them all for their
contribution. He advised that every meeting and vote was transcribed and available as
public record. He provided a background of how the meetings were conducted.
Another major issue at that time, Chair said, was the coming together of an agreement
with the County Commissioners and the County Administrator as to CJC’s autonomy,
noting that other than the Auditor and the County Attorney, the CJC was the only group
with direct access to the Board of County Commissioners. He said that there were nine
drafts before the tenth, authored and written verbatim by Barry Krischer, proved
successful. He noted that Vince Bonvento was very cooperative throughout the process.
Chair Johnston also stated that the Youth Empowerment Centers have been very
successful. He noted however, that the area he did not succeed in, is that of getting more
people in Palm Beach County to know about the criminal justice commission, commenting
that in the twenty years of existence, he did not think a press release has never been
issued. He remarked about his discussion with Mr. Krischer in which Mr. Krischer pointed
out that while speaking with the West Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce practically no
one knew about the CJC. Chair reiterated that we have to market ourselves and that he
think the county would be in real trouble were it not for the CJC. He again spoke of the
CJC’s uniqueness and it been the only one in the state of Florida, and that he was proud
to have chaired the commission this year.
VII. Under Executive Director’s Comments, Mr. Rodriguez indicated that feedback received
from persons who attended the Citizen’s Criminal Justice Academy as well as from the
Minutes – Criminal Justice Commission Page 3
December 10, 2007
Sheriff pointed to the idea of a Citizen’s Criminal Justice Academy for youth. As a
result, CJC staff are in the process of putting together an agenda and a program for four
nights to introduce youth to the criminal justice system and how it all works. Details are
to be determined but it is expected to start in late January 2008.
Mr. Rodriguez stated that he would proceed with the presentation of awards in a
different manner, which would have staff with responsibility for the different committees
presenting awards to their respective chair.
VIII. Business Consent items
There were no business consent items.
IX. Old Business
Mr. Krischer reminded members that two meetings ago he suggested that CJC look at
the funding for the youth empowerment centers, and expressed some concerns that
given the tax debate, some of that funding might dry up. After much discussion regarding
this issue, it was suggested that an independent taxing district be explored, and Mr.
Krischer asked that he be given an opportunity to speak to County Administrator, Bob
Weisman and others that would have direct concern with the CJC going down this path
again.
Mr. Krischer reported that he had four different meetings with different individuals and
based on their comments, he would recommend that the CJC reconstitute the permanent
funding solutions committee with an eye towards a recommendation for a permanent
independent taxing district. This would pay for, most especially, the juvenile programming
and other efforts through the youth empowerment centers.
Chair Johnston requested more specificity on how we proceed with this matter.
Mr. Krischer said he is willing to chair that committee again and hoped that the people
who previously served would be willing to do so as well to minimize the learning curve
and move the process forward.
Chair Johnston asked his successor, James Barr if he would appoint Barry Krischer as
chair of the funding solutions committee, to which Mr. Barr consented. Mr. Johnston
noted that this was a serious issue and indicated that we already have several taxing
districts and pointed to how the taxing bill is broken out in different areas.
Mr. Staudinger inquired if there were any discussion or direction to the funding solutions
committee.
Mr. Krischer replied that there was no discussion or direction other than to say that the
last time around, they investigated everything that was out there and that for Palm Beach
County’s purposes, that was the recommendation.
X. New Business
A. Request by Commissioner Aaronson for letter of support from CJC for the
implementation of cameras at intersections.
Chair Johnston remarked that he has heard Commissioner Aaronson’s pitch on
this subject several times and that he was impressed with his tenacity. He asked
to whom he needed the letter of support addressed.
Minutes – Criminal Justice Commission Page 4
December 10, 2007
Commissioner Aaronson stated that the support letter should be addressed to the
State House and to the State Senate. He said that the Commissioners have been
asking the State to allow them to install, if not statewide, on a local level, traffic
surveillance cameras which according to statistics can cut traffic fatalities by as
much as 41%, in addition to possibly saving the millions of dollars that it cost each
time fire rescue and the sheriff goes out. He noted that it is all about saving lives
and that they are looking for ways to overcome the objection of the state. He also
said that this is one of their top priorities on the legislative package that will be sent
to Tallahassee.
Mr. Rodriguez added that Todd Bonlarron of the Legislative Affairs of Palm Beach
County advised him that it got stalled in the Senate last year but that the Senator
of that Committee intends to push and allow it to get through this year. He said it
was brought before the LEPC and that they too would send a letter of support for
the concept of cameras at red lights. He said the actual Bill was not yet filed and
he is therefore not aware of what the specific language will be, but that the CJC
may want to look at it again once it is filed, but send the letter of support in the
interim.
Commissioner Aaronson said that the fear in Tallahassee is that the County will be
using the video as evidence in divorce cases and will use it as a money maker for
the County. He said the intention is to image the rear license plate only. The
monies will be used to pay for the cameras and the extra dollars used to help
juveniles in many ways for criminal justice, and not for the County to make a profit.
Chair Johnston inquired if the Bill was statewide or local.
Commissioner Aaronson said that it was initially meant to be statewide but that
they have asked for local options if they are not willing to pass it statewide.
Mr. Staudinger inquired about the estimated total cost. This was not available.
Mr. Rodriguez noted that if the Bill was introduced as it was last year it could not
be a money maker for the County, as it states that there would be a $125 fine and
none of that money except for administrative fee comes back to the County and
the remainder goes to the State.
Mr. Richman inquired if there was any restriction in the Bill in terms of the use of
data except for the intended purpose, for example its use in civil litigation where it
could become a burden on government to produce those records. He further
suggested that some kind of language be included that urges the use of data for
law enforcement purposes only.
Commissioner Aaronson again said he was not sure how the Bill read but that it
could possibly help homeland security as well. While he did not believe there are
restrictions, he could not say for sure, and promised to furnish Mr. Richman with a
copy for his review.
Mr. Rodriguez said that as soon as the Bill is filed, he will include it as an agenda
packet for the next CJC meeting.
Motion moved by Commissioner Aaronson and second by Mr. Richman for a letter
of support from the CJC for the implementation of cameras at intersections to be
Minutes – Criminal Justice Commission Page 5
December 10, 2007
sent to the State Legislatures.
Chair Johnston said that a draft of the support letter will be submitted to
Commissioner Aaronson for review before submission to the Legislatures.
B. Following a request by Chief Judge Kroll, Mr. Gerald Richman was appointed to
serve as the CJC representative on the Criminal Justice Information System (JIS)
Board, replacing former CJC member Roxanna Trinka. Appreciation was
extended to Mr. Richman for accepting the appointment.
C. Recommendation by the Law Enforcement Planning Council (LEPC) for approval
of $35,000 from the Youth Violence Prevention Project fund for overtime for the
Violent Crimes Task Force.
Mr. Rodriguez announced that the $100,000 from the $2 million that the County
appropriated for the CJC this year was set aside for law enforcement purposes,
hence the LEPC’s request for $35,000 be used for this purpose.
Ms. Haughwout expressed concern that this money is going toward the youth
violence aspect of violent crime rather than just supplementing law enforcement
needs for violent crimes.
Mr. Krischer added that he recently attended the Violent Crimes Task Force Board
meeting and that they support the efforts of the Crime Task Force. He noted that
the majority of overtime occurs between 1:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. in the morning
when the gang activity is active. He also said that there has been a run of
robberies involving juveniles that is began to get out of hand, and that this next
round of overtime was earmarked to try to stop that epidemic before it gets out of
hand. He remarked that we should be thinking that youth and combat gangs are
not all under the age of 18 but that we are talking about the gang activity in the
County.
LEPC’s recommendation for approval of $35,000 on a one time basis for overtime
for the Violent Crimes Task Force from the Youth Violence Prevention Project
funding was unanimously approved after motion by Mr. Davis and second by Mr.
Elmore.
D. Mr. Rodriguez stated that Commissioner Aaronson had previously approached the
CJC regarding the necessity of clergy representation on the CJC. He mentioned
the different options of having this done; a) requesting that the Economic Council
appoints someone in the private sector capacity who is a member of the clergy, or
b) change the bylaws to add clergy to the membership.
Commissioner Aaronson said he would like to see the bylaws changed to add the
clergy as he is not looking to see one clergy but rather to see many clergy men
involved in the CJC.
Mr. Staudinger said he is in agreement with the clergy being involved with the
youth but wondered about the correct approach in determining the religion of
choice in this regard, noting that one person for the County would not be sufficient.
Commissioner Aaronson remarked that any clergy is not interested in just one
religion, but rather in the people and that it should not matter but whoever wants to
Minutes – Criminal Justice Commission Page 6
December 10, 2007
serve should be allowed to.
Chair Johnston noted that the Ordinance states that the Economic Council has to
approve all appointments which then goes to the BCC for final approval. He
suggested that the bylaws could be changed to reflect that one of the eleven
private sector be a clergy.
Mr. Cartwright, an attending guest suggested that the Circuit 15 Juvenile Justice
Board has a Community network which involves a number of clergy members.
They meet on a monthly basis, and the CJC could approach that group to identify
clergy representation for the CJC.
Mr. Rodriguez questioned whether we would actually need to change the
Ordinance. He said he would investigate this and present findings at the JCJ
Executive meeting in January.
Chair Johnston remarked that as an outgoing Chair, he would recommend that we
do not change the Ordinance.
E. Mr. Davis in providing an update on the youth empowerment centers, reminded
the meeting that Dr. Blomberg of Florida State University College of Criminology
stated that a violent crime or murder cost the County (the tax payers) $1,000,000.
He advised that CJC had a workshop with the County Commissioners which did
not go well.
Mr. Rodriguez pointed out that the youth empowerment centers were on the
consent agenda for December 18th, and that in their last discussion, Commissioner
Greene made a commitment to approve them. He said she also presented a list of
concerns which are being addressed.
Mr. William Wilkins, City Manager of Riviera Beach, spoke of the importance of the
youth empowerment center to the city and that they have had some outstanding
results. Their youth council attended the National League of Cities conference in
New Orleans where they met with other youth. Although they have been meeting at
Hurst Chapel due to the lack of their own facility, they have just purchased a building
and are in the process of renovating and hoping to move in soon. They currently
have about 40 kids on a daily basis as well as police officers on site. He said that
with the exception of the lack of their own facility, the program is reaching the kids
that need to be reached. He gave credit to Channel 20 and Jim Kelly of the School
District for trailing a gang member who is involved in the program but has a
compelling story and he is now in the process of exiting rehab.
Ms. Walker added that the youth empowerment centers currently serve over 600
youths in regular programs and over 1500 during special events.
Mr. Reed Daniels from the Northwood Youth Empowerment Center pointed out that
all of our teens are susceptible to being involved in the wrong things, whether they
come from a great family or they come from a poor family. He said that they have
the best mentors in this County and that they are teaching the youths things beyond
the Center’s program structure and one has to be involved with them to make the
commitment work. Their teen council was recently taught the purpose of service to
others, and they actually distributed Thanks Giving dinner donated by the Breaker’s
Minutes – Criminal Justice Commission Page 7
December 10, 2007
Hotel throughout the neighborhood to the sick and shut-ins. He invited persons to
visit the Center and see first hand what goes on.
Dr. Johnson reminded the meeting that the Alternative to Suspension (ATS)
programs would start during the second semester with some of the most high
suspension secondary schools and that they would be using the youth
empowerment centers during the day since they do the bulk of their work is in the
afternoon. He said this represents 11,000 unduplicated individuals at secondary
schools and 65,000 days of suspension, noting that many of those students
probably have never seen the inside of the youth empowerment centers. He thinks
that once they get there with the ATS it’s very likely that they may say it’s “pretty
cool” and no doubt return in the afternoon.
Mr. Richman inquired if this was done in other counties, and suggested that in
keeping with the Chairman’s statement about press releases, it would be a great
thing to focus on to say that Palm Beach County is unique with the Criminal Justice
Commission.
Mr. Krischer remarked that it was unfortunate that the Commissioner had to leave
and not hear the comments, given that they are the source of the funding. He
suggested that the comments, not just from the CJC members but from all those
who spoke be typed and sent to the Commissioners. He said this is the reason for a
Commissioner on the CJC to bring back information, notiing that this has never
happened in the past, and this information is why the $2m is a good investment and
the Commissioners need to hear this.
Chair Johnston pointed out that after the workshop there were some criticisms
particularly of the Riviera Beach and that there were some misinformation by the
press particularly about computers not working.
Mr. Rodriguez said that the press interviewed him but did not print everything. He is
however in contact with the reporter and they are discussing how to proceed with
another editorial.
Ms. Cheives in agreeing with Mr. Krischer, said that the community also needs to
hear these comments. She said that if we are looking to hopefully make this a
taxing district, in order to make people feel better about it on their tax bill, they need
to see results like this. We need to feed the press with information that they may not
otherwise know. She referred to what Channel 20 is doing, but remarked that she
would like to see this into more mainstream media since everybody doesn’t watch
Channel 20.
Mr. Davis proposed that we have a Speakers Bureau to speak with a Chamber, a
Kiwanis, a Rotary or whatever, and hopes he has the support of all CJC members.
Mr. Rodriguez reminded the meeting that if everything goes well at the BCC’s
meeting on the 18th, we would have our official one-year evaluation by Florida State
University, possibly in February, 2008.
XI. Recognition of 2007 Chairman, Harry Johnston, II
Incoming Chair, James Barr, presented the Chairman’s gift to outgoing Chairman Harry
Johnston and in doing so, thanked and congratulated him for his outstanding leadership
Minutes – Criminal Justice Commission Page 8
December 10, 2007
which guided the CJC through the transition of a new Executive Director, the agreement
with the BCC regarding the CJC’s structure and the significant progress with the youth
empowerment centers, among other things.
Mr. Rodriguez presented a Commemorative Scrapbook on behalf of staff to Mr. Johnston
and thanked him for seeing the CJC through this year.
XII. Annual Recognition Presentations
A. Recognition of 2007 Officers
Presentation was made to James Barr, Vice Chairman; Feirmon Johnson,
Secretary and Barbara Cheives, Treasurer. Executive Director, Michael Rodriguez
recognized the 2007 officers for their commitment and support throughout the
year.
B. Recognition of Task Force and Committee Chairs and Liaisons to Affiliated
Boards
Presentation was made by staff members to their respective Committee chairs.
The following Chairs were present:
Stephen Stepp, Law Enforcement Planning Council - Wayne English
Max Davis, Youth Violence Prevention Initiative – Becky Walker & Brenda Oakes
Douglas Duncan, Corrections Task Force, Jenise Gibson
Edith Bush, Community Justice Service Center – West Palm Beach – Becky Walker
Harry Johnston, II, Community Justice Service Center Community Advisory Board
The following Chairs were absent:
Paul Damico, Probation Advisory Board
Jeff Koons, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Planning Committee
Andrew Lourie, Weed and Seed Steering Committee
Jack Goldberger, Court System Task Force
John Quigley, Community Justice Service Center – Westgate
Young Song, Education Commission of Palm Beach County
C. Presentation to Outgoing Criminal Justice Commission Members
Mr. Jay Pickens, Chiefs of Police Association was recognized for his contribution
to the CJC and congratulated as LEPC 2008 Chair.
The following outgoing members were absent
Dave Aronberg, County Legislative Delegation
Wendy Sartory-Link, Ackerman, Link & Sartory P.A.
Carl McKoy, City of Boynton Beach
Young Song, Song & Associates, Inc.
Roxanna Trinka, Baseline Engineering & Land Surveying, Inc.
Mr. Rodriguez pointed out that Mr. Carmen Veneziano, Crime Prevention Officer’s
Association was re-elected in his position and therefore remains as a CJC for 2008.
Minutes – Criminal Justice Commission Page 9
December 10, 2007
XIII. Swearing in of 2008 Officers
The Honorable Jack H. Cook, Judge of the 15th Judicial Circuit administered oaths of
office to James Barr, Chairman; Barbara Cheives, Vice Chairman; Richard Staudinger,
Treasurer and Douglas Duncan, Secretary.
XIV. Member Comments
There were no member comments.
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at
approximately 9:11a.m.
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