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Home My WebLink AboutR-02-1315J-02-1040 11/27/02 02-1315 RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ALLOCATING $50,000 OF STATE HOUSING INITIATIVE PARTNERSHIP ("SHIP") FUNDS TO ALLAPATTAH BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, INC. ("ABDA") TO PROVIDE ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO PARTICIPANTS OF THE SINGLE FAMILY REHABILITATION PROGRAM; AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH ABDA, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE. WHEREAS, at the June 27, 2002 Public Hearing, homeowners participating in the Single Family Rehabilitation Program were provided an opportunity to voice their concerns regarding home improvements and repairs that had either been completed or were underway at their respective residences; and WHEREAS, the City Commission directed the Administration to contract with an independent third party to serve as an advocate to resolve many of the concerns and complaints of the homeowners and participants of the Program; and WHEREAS, the third party homeowner advocate would serve as a mediator to resolve problems between the homeowner, contractor CGI MISSION KE=fG OF DEC 1 2 2002 02-1315 and City staff managing the program and providing inspection services; WHEREAS, the City Commission recommended that the Administration enter into a contract with an organization with an established proven track record in managing rehabilitation projects and housing construction to provide advocacy services; and WHEREAS, the City Commission suggested the Allapattah Business Development Authority ("ABDA"), a community based organization, be considered because of its successful commercial rehabilitation record and its experience in developing affordable housing; and WHEREAS, the Administration met with representatives of ABDA to develop a model that will address the City Commission's concerns and meet the needs of homeowners participating in the Single Family Rehabilitation Program; and WHEREAS, the proposed advocacy program is designed to assist homeowners currently going through the reconciliation process to resolve complaints regarding the quality of the workmanship, as well as assisting new participants entering the program to ensure that an independent third party can work to resolve issues that might arise between homeowners and contractors or City staff to ensure homeowner satisfaction, and Page 2 of 4 02--1315 improve quality control, evaluation and assessment of general contractor's work performance; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA: Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section. Section 2. The allocation of funds in the amount of $50,000 from State Housing Initiative Partnership ("SHIP") to the Allapattah Business Development Authority, Inc. ("ABDA") to provide advocacy and support services to participants of the Single Family Rehabilitation Program is authorized. Section 3. The City Manager is authorized!' to execute an agreement with ADBA, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney, for said purpose. Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and signature of the Mayor.V 1� The herein authorization is further subject to compliance with all requirements that may be imposed by the City Attorney, including, but not limited to, those prescribed by the applicable City Charter and Code Provisions. z/ If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten calendar days from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become effective immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission. Page 3 of 4 02-1315 PASSED AND ADOPTED BY TITLE ONLY this 12th day of December , 2002. ATTEST: PRI ILLA A.THOMPSON CITY CLERK APPROVED AS TO„rg'ORn AND ReRO RECTNESS(% ALELTJM CIT A W6757:tr:AS Page 4 of 4 PUEL A. DIAZ, MAY#--� #1 02-1315 CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROACity en�ez r RECOMMENDATION: 12 DATE: NOV L 7 %INS FILE SUBJECT: Creation of Advocacy Component to the Single Family Rehabilitation Program REFERENCES: City Commission Meeting ENCLOSURES: of December 12, 2002 It is respectfully recommended that the City Commission adopt the attached resolution allocating $50,000 of State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Funds to Allapattah Business Development Authority, Inc. (ABDA) Inc. to provide advocacy and support services to participants of the Single Family Rehabilitation Program. BACKGROUND: At the Public Hearing of June 27, 2002 in which homeowners participating in the Single Family Rehabilitation Program were provided an opportunity to voice their concerns regarding home improvements and repairs that had either been completed or were underway at their respective residences, the City Commission directed the Administration to look into the possibility of contracting with an independent third party to serve as an advocate for participants of the Program. During the discussion at the Public Hearing, it was apparent that an independent third party, acting as an advocate for the homeowners, could have resolved many of the issues that became a focus of the homeowner complaints. The homeowner advocate could serve as a mediator to resolve problems between the homeowner, contractor and City staff managing the program and providing inspection services. It is anticipated that the end result will be a more satisfied customer and that checks and balances would be established to ensure that the quality of the work is acceptable. The City Commission strongly recommended that the Administration contract an established organization with a proven track record in managing rehabilitation projects and housing construction to provide these advocacy services. It was suggested that the Allapattah Business Development Authority (ABDA) might be an excellent community based organization to consider because of its successful commercial rehabilitation record and its experience in developing affordable housing. The Administration concurs with this idea and has met with representatives of ABDA to develop a model that will address the City Commission's concerns and meet the needs of homeowners participating in the Single Family Rehabilitation Program. The proposed advocacy program is intended to assist homeowners currently going through the reconciliation process to resolve complaints regarding the quality of the workmanship as well as new participants_ entering the program to ensure that an independent third party can work to resolve issues that might arise 02-1315 between homeowners and contractors or City staff. The advocate's role in the process is expected to ensure homeowner satisfaction, and improve quality control, evaluation and assessment of general contractor's work performance. The basic Work Program outline of the Independent Third Party will include: 1. Initial review/overview of contract documentation and process 2. Initial site visit 3. Monthly project monitoring: a) Review of progress payments made to specific contractors b) Site visits to confirm work completion against payments c) Visit with homeowners to determine level of satisfaction d) Submission of written reports to the Department e) Meeting with Department Director & Assistant Director to discuss findings 4. Final review and written report on all closed cases 5. Assist the Department, as needed, with program updates to the City Commission It is recommended that the City Commission adopt the proposed Resolution that allocates $50,000 of SHIP funds to ABDA to provide advocacy and support services to participants of the Single Family Rehabilitation Program. 02-1315 PUBLIC NOTICE FOR PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ISSUES f, *' ueOAI ORATE 7 *' v1\y Isis f0�� The Miami City Commission will hold a Public Hearing to discuss the following Community Development issues: 1. Discussion and proposed resolution of the City of Miami Commission relating to funding for the 2002-2003 Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Program, by moving funding to four (4) previously approved agencies from the Supportive Housing Category to the Long Term Assistance Category, revising allocations to providers of Long Term Housing Assistance consistent with the absorption of clients resulting from the closeout of the contract with the Miami -Dade Housing Agency, eliminating the allocation of funds for the payment of Utility Assistance in the Long Term Assistance Program and moving the balance of previously approved HOPWA funds as a result of said revisions to a HOPWA Contingency Fund for future distribution following the completion of a needs assessment and development of a strategic plan to most effectively provide housing assistance and housing related services to low income individuals living with HIV/AIDS; allocating $50,000 of HOPWA funds to Apple Tree Perspectives, Inc. to complete the needs assessment; and further authorizing the City Manager to execute individual agreements with approved agencies, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney. 2. Discussion and proposed resolution of the City of Miami Commission allocating $50,000 of State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Funds to Allapattah Business Development Authority, Inc. (ABDA) Inc. to provide advocacy and support services to participants of the Single Family Rehabilitation Program. 3. Discussion on the allocation of Community Development Block Grant Funds in District 5 over the last five (5) years. The Public Hearing will be held at the City Commission to be held: Thursday, December 12, 2002 Miami Arena 701 Arena Boulevard Miami, Florida Interested individuals are encouraged to attend this Public Hearing. The meeting site is accessible to the handicapped. (AD NO. 09833) 02-1315