HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #04 - Discussion Itemi
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM 41
TO: The Honorable Mayor and Members DATE: FEB ' 2000 FILE:
of the Cit ommission t!U
SUBJECT : Neighbors and Neighbors
Association
FROM: onald H. Warshaw REFERENCES: City Comi-nisslon Agenda
City Manager February 10, 2000
ENCLOSURES:
At its meeting of January 27, 2000, the City Commission directed the Administration to report
back at the February 10, 2000 regarding a discussion item pertaining to Neighbors and Neighbors
Association, Inc. Mr. Leroy Jones, Executive Director of Neighbors and Neighbors, Inc.; had
specific concerns relating to pending proposals of three (3) businesses that he had been assisting
to the Miami -Dade County Commercial Revitalization Program.
The Department of Community Development has secured the program guidelines to evaluate
Miami -Dade County's Commercial Revitalization Program. The County Program is designed to
improve the exterior physical appearances of businesses, correct interior and exterior code
violations and meet applicable Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. The County
provides grants up to $100,000 for projects located in unincorporated areas of Miami -Dade
County and non -entitlement cities. The business is required to provide a 10% up front match.
However, there are restrictions for properties located in entitlement cities such as the City of
Miami. The County requires projects located within the City to secure a 75% match from the
City and the County will provide the remaining 25%, with a maximum County contribution of
$50,000. The three (3) businesses Mr. Jones is attempting to assist, Omega Fashion, Shaker
Couch House and George Williams Investment Firm, have submitted proposals to Miami -Dade
County for consideration.
The City Commission has authorized funding for the Commercial Fagade Program and the Code
Compliance programs, but the funds available through these programs is not sufficient to meet
the needs of the three (3) programs. Omega Fashion would need $75,000 from the City to match
the County's $25,000 contribution; Shaker Couch House $45,000 to receive $15,000 from the
County; and George Williams Investment Firm $60,000 to match $20,000 of County assistance.
The City's Commercial Fagade Program currently provides a 70% grant to counter a 30% match
by the business owner for improvements up to $2,000. As designed, the maximum grant
provided through the City's existing program is $1,400, with the remaining $600 provided as the
business owner's match. The Code Compliance Program maintains a similar 70/30 match
requirement, but the program provides assistance up to 70% of $10,000 of repairs for businesses
that have been cited by the City for health and safety code violations.
Available 25th Year Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds -have been committed
and funding isnot available to assist the businesses Neighbors to Neighbors is attempting to help.
As directed by the City Commission, staff has requested from Miami -Dade County copies of the
proposals submitted by the aforementioned businesses.
Following its evaluation of the County's program, staff will develop a program for consideration
in the 26th CDBG Year to enhance economic development opportunities to businesses in the City
and possibly complement the County's Commercial Revitalization Program.
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