Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2000-05-11 MinutesVice Chairman Gort: To follow the agenda that we have here, if you all agree with me, what I'd like to do, I'd like to have the department go through this document. I'm sure it took a lot of time and research to put together. You're talking about 20 years -- how many years in this document? Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): This document represents the last six years of Community Development financing in the City. Vice Chairman Gort: You are? Ms. Warren: Excuse me. My name is Gwendolyn Warren, and I'm the Director for Community Development. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am. Go right ahead. Ms. Warren: OK. Commissioners, as you may -- Mr. Chairperson, as you may recall, the City Commission directed staff to provide the Commissioners a full overview of the most recent history of funding allocation in the City of Miami for those funds that are allocated to the City under our -- the Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development). As you may recall, for the last 24 years, the City has allocated its resources by what we call community -- CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) target areas. When the City initially became an entitlement City in 1974, we were a lot more of an affluent community at the time, and the Commission chose to use its federal resources to target certain communities and/or census tracks in the City. So, for a 24 -year time period, the City has received entitlement funds and the Commission has allocated monies to those selected targets. As you also are aware, the City is now divided up by districts, and over the last year or so, the Commission has been revisiting the distribution of Community Development funds, and also, as a result of the City's increased poverty level, we have now relooked at the poverty rates and how money has come into the City. So, what we've done is, we've provided a six year analysis of all of the funds; how they are distributed by the old Community Development target area, as well as the new Commission districts. Additionally, the Commission, this past year, funded a program, which is entitled First Time Home Buyers and also a new rehab program. We provided you some additional statistics on that. But if I could go through, very quickly, and give you an overview of what the staff has basically -- our analysis of the data. The first section, again, deals with the funds that 137 May 11, 2000 S are received and the monies and the information that we have provided is divided by the CDBG target area. That's found in section 1 of your book, tab 1. Again, I think the Commissioners are pretty familiar with that -- the next section, which is under section 2, it basically describeshow the monies are generated based on the three federal factors of poverty, population, and housing stock, in terms of how each census track and/or target area generates the money, and then, once the monies are received here in the community, how they are distributed by the City Commission. I think probably one of the things that I would hope that this information will do is, one, it shows how each community has received funds. And, again, the variances are in -- and if you care for me to go through them, I can. I think, if -- Vice Chairman Gort: Very quickly, why don't we go through the process, so people have a better understanding, how much each -- what percentage that should be received by each target area and how much they received. Ms. Warren: OK. Vice Chairman Gort: And I do understand there are some target areas that more resources should be placed than what is in existing there, and I think we have been done that in the past. Ms. Warren: Yes, sir. Of the 8C Community Development target areas, the -- using the federal formula, the Little Havana community generates approximately -- well, generates 37 percent of the resources; the Model City community, based on the HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) formula, generates 12 percent; Overtown, 6 percent; the Wynwood target area, 7 percent; Allapattah, 16 percent; Coconut Grove, 2 percent; the downtown area, 1 percent, and the Edison Little River community, 19 percent. If you were to look at all of the funds that's we receive through HUD over the six year time period, what we would look at is the variation, not the variance, but the variation between what that community draws and actually what the Commission distributes back to that community. You would see that Allapattah generates approximately 16 percent. It receives 11.5 percent of the resources or approximately four and a half percent, less than it generates. The Coconut Grove community generates two percent of the resources and receives 6.32. Downtown, 1 percent, and receives significantly more, 9.98; again, smaller numbers make things look bigger. But the Edison Little River community generates 19 percent. It received 9 percent over the time period or 9.66 percent, less than generated. Little Havana generates 37 percent, receives 24. Difference in 12. 79; Model City generates 12 percent. Received 12.57 percent. So, it received approximately a half a percent more than it generates. Overtown generates 6 percent. Its 138 May 11, 2000 received 22.22 percent or 14 percent more than it generates. Wynwood generates 7 percent, received 5. 86 or 1. 14 percent, less than it generates. I think the -- besides the facts that the figures are telling, but I think two things need to -- people need to keep in mind. One, although the communities may generate money based on population, poverty or housing stock, when the monies come into the City, it's anticipated that we will use the money in a way that would benefit the maximum community. So, for example, whereas downtown may generate a smaller amount of money, it does, in fact, generate the most number of jobs. So, whereas it may not be a major factor in terms of a low population in bringing the monies in; it is a major factor in terms of employing the City population. So, there are some things that you need to consider in that. The probably the most important thing, Commissioners, in looking at this information, is that with the exception of a few areas, the distribution is not that far off, but I think one of the things that is very true, and I think the reason why everybody's been sensitive to who generated the money and where it has been spent, has more to do with how we manage the money to make sure that when it gets here, that our residents benefit from it. You know, it's very obvious that Overtown, for example, has received a significant amount of money, but it's also very obvious that the residents there did not reap the benefits. So, the continued complaints on the part of your constituents that they haven't received money is not necessarily true on paper, but it's true in reality. So, I think that the City would be well advised to make sure that be problem properly measure every dollar and what the benefit is to the public, and I think that the report, even the district report, should dispel any myths that any one community is receiving the resources of another. What we really need to do is pay attention to the details and make sure that the public is getting the benefit of the money. Commissioner Regalado: Gwen? Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, Gwen. Ms. Warren: Yes, sir. Commissioner Regalado: You have people working through the Housing, through -- in trailers and different areas. Are they talking to people so they can go and register in the census? Ms. Warren: I would have to refer that to our Field Manager, Rafael Rodriguez. I really -- I couldn't tell you first answer. Commissioner Regalado: No. The reason I'm saying is that, you know, money is, as you know, is based on the tracking of the population, and we have read that Miami's under the national or even the state response on 139 May 11, 2000 the census. If we don't get counted, we won't get money. That's very simple. So, now the people are going to be visited. Is there any way that you can try to use the resources o,f your department to advise people? Ms. Warren: Absolutely. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. We could do it not only through our homeowner and community revitalization project, but all through our inspections program, our office of work force development serves a lot of the economically disadvantaged people. We're going to be participating next weekend in a community fair in the Upper Eastside. We can do that, yes. And we will get active. Vice Chairman Gort: I think it will also be very important, Mr: Manager, if we can -- on Channel 9, if we could put this, at the same time -- the enumerators are on the street right now. Those people that did not answer their census bureau questions, that questionnaire, are being visited by the enumerators right now,. but they have to make sure -- make sure you specify -- contact that Planning Department should be in touch with that - - that . the people identify themselves. They've got to have IDs (Identification) with the pictures on it. But the enumerators are in the streets right now, and it's very important that everybody gets counted because that's how we get the funding, according to those questionnaires. Mr. Carlos Gimenez (City Manager): Yes, sir, we'll do that. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you. Is there any other questions on the presentation of -- the empowerment presentation? Public hearing is not open yet. We'll go into that in a minute. Commissioner Regalado: I have another question. You went by districts on your -- Ms. Warren: Yes, I did, too. Would you care to look at that? Commissioner Regalado: No, no. District 4 is entitled to about .14 percent, is that one of the figures that I saw? Ms. Warren: Let me grab it real fast, sir. Fifteen percent. Commissioner Regalado: Fifteen? Ms. Warren: Uh-huh. Commissioner Regalado: But it has received -- 140 May 11, 2000 Ms. Warren: Again, the -- there are two issues for you, Commissioner. During the 24 -year time period that we had target communities, CDBG target areas, Flagami, primarily your district, was not eligible because it was not a target area. Only this year has your community become eligible and if we were to use the formula strictly, it would be up to fifteen percent. But going back, there were several programs that the Commission made a waiver of the entitlement rule, and overall, I think there was approximately two and a half million dollars ($2,500,000) that did go to the Flagami community, primarily in the areas of social services, and economic development, and some specialize loan programs for 8th Street. Commissioner Regalado: Right. But that is my point. The point is that, you know, for this coming year, it's important that not only we continue, but we try to maintain that -- because everybody needs to get something, and there is poverty everywhere and there is success everywhere. So, I just want to make that point. Ms. Warren: OK. I guess the last comment I'd like to make about the report, Mr. Chair, is the new program -- if you look under section 3, the big section in the back -- the last section, I should say -- we've been able to provide you some summary information about the single family rehab and first time home buyer program that the Commission authorized that we accelerate this past year in terms of using our SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) monies, and what we did is, we provided you a historical perspective of the City's loan program prior to the Commission revising, it, .and we've given you the information from 1977 through the year 2000, and in the year 1977, the City did 31 loans; in 1978, we did 46, and when you revised the program to allow us to use the SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) monies for second mortgages, in that year we were able to go to a hundred and forty-five single family rehab loans. This year, six months into the year, we're currently at a hundred and fifty six. We've spent some five million dollars ($5,000,0.00) in the last nine months on single family and rehab loans, and. we've also given you a break out, by community, where the single family and rehab projects are going. Most of the banks are working with us and it's turning out to be a really good. program. And I just thought you would want to know a little bit about the success. And the last thing that be provided for Commissioner Sanchez, based on his request, is in section 4. One of the mysteries about Community Development has been how much is our fund balance; where is the money? How are funds being districted? What we have in section 4 of this book, and we will be providing to you on a quarterly basis, is all of your contracts for the year, how much money has been spent and what is the balance in those contracts. So, you have a copy of our federal cash management report, and it has both your CDBG, HOME, HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons Living with AIDS), 141 May 11, 2000 and ESG (Emergency Shelter Grant) grants, so all of the approved grants by the Commission are in this book, and you will get an update son 'a quarterly basis. We were able to complete the reconciliation. Vice Chairman Gort: Is there any other questions on this information? OK. We'll go to item two. 142 May 11, 2000 Vice Chairman Gort: OK. We'll go to item 2. Item 2 is the citizen participation. My understanding, you have put a plan together for the citizen participation. Can you explain it and then we'll hear from the public? Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Yes, sir. As you may well know, the City, in order to receive its Community Development funds required under federal law to have a citizen participation process that requires that we receive the input of the public, through a public hearing process, so that it could be a part of the intricate planning. Some -- when we first became an entitlement City, the City put together their Community Development Advisory Board. It was established on a Citywide basis because, at that time, we were not in districts. Through a series of amendments, the Citizens Advisory Board is comprised of 18 members, 8 are representatives from each of the previous CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) target areas, through an election process, and each. Commissioner had the ability to appoint two members for a full compliment of 18. Over the last 24 years, the process has been a very helpful one, but, again, it's been a long time since we've revisited the process. Given the fact that the City Commission now is divided by districts and given the success that we had this past year, where the Commissioners held public hearings in their districts, and the full level of citizen participation, we're requesting that, again, that the current process is a little bit outdated because it has been in place for about 24 years. The Commission districts have -- and the fact that we are at a district left now -- have significantly influenced the process, and the most success that we .have had at citizen participation and probably the last five or six years is when the Commissioners chaired the public hearings in their districts. So, what .we're recommending is that the current Advisory Board process be retired, and that the new process include the process that was implemented last year, and, again, as a result of the districts, that the Commissioners hold district public hearings for CDBG and as well as we do them during the public hearing process here at the Commission. And that we amend that process. And we've also obviously because of the district change, we've also had .a problem with a quorum and keep, you know, full board, and that's made it extremely difficult. 143 May 11, 2000 0 . . Vice Chairman Gort: Let me ask you a question. When do you need to have this? I have a letter from one of the board members requesting -- and I don't know if you have a copy of it -- where they will requesting the -- they passed -- the CDBG Board passed a motion in their last meeting. What they are requesting is that the workshop consist of at least two meetings to review and clarify the present citizen participation handbook. The meeting should occur between the adoption of the new 26TH Year CDBG Board. This workshop must include all entities involved in the decision and distribution of CDBG funding. A representative for HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) federal government, representative from the five Commissioners, representative from the City Manager's office, represent ,three high-ranking decision-making CDBG staff, and seven members from the 25TH CDBG Citizens Board. I don't know if you received this or not and -- Ms. Warren: I was at the meeting where the. -- at the last Advisory Board meeting, where that was adopted by the Advisory Board. Since that time period, we've gone through the funding process. We have now received our 26TH year allocations. That would be implemented on October 1. And at this point in time, if the Commission opts to keep the current Advisory Board in place, staff would then proceed to try to hold the community elections. We would ask that you fill your positions and, as a -- and then we would go into a training process. What we're suggesting is that, perhaps, the whole process needs to change now. And this is the deal point. Otherwise, of course, we would implement that. Vice Chairman Gort: I think somehow it's very important that the target areas and we, the Commission, understand the process of the elections. And I recall when CDBG first began. The elections you would have hundreds of people coming out to vote. My understanding, the last election we had maybe one or two people running. Ms. Warren: We had two people attend and both of them are running. Vice Chairman Gort: And maybe you had a very few people participating. Now, my understanding to participate in this election, all you have to prove is residence -- that you're a resident of the area. Ms. Warren: Yes, sir. And, again, the Commission, through your five - year planning process, there are no longer CDBG target areas. So, one, the legislation was designed when you only had eight communities that participated. The whole City participates now. It was also prior to districting, district commissions. So, again, 23, 24 years ago, when the process was put in place, it was a different City. But to answer your question, the last two elections, one we had two people and the other we had four, and we have not been able to get a quorum. 144 May 11, 2000 Vice Chairman Gort: Right. Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman? Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, sir. Commissioner Teele: Look, we've got a long agenda here. I know that most of the Commissioners have met with the Manager or with the department on all of this stuff, and one of the things that I would like to do, as soon as we can finish this item, is go to number seven, .because we've had a lot of people waiting on just one item, and it's really a noncontro -- Vice Chairman Gort: No problem. Commissioner Teele: But the only thing that I would like to say is this. These district elections don't work. These CDBG districts. And let me tell you this. There are two reasons why they don't work. The first reason is, before you had at large voting, and everybody was representing everybody and there were a lot of people falling through the crack. Right now you have five districts Commissioners. I think it's very clear that all five district Commissioners, while we try to keep a Citywide perspective, we really do stay attuned to what's, happening in our districts, and the need for the Commission, as a body, to find out what's going on in different districts is no longer there. In other words, as an at large Commissioner, I was just as much responsible for the Grove or for Allapattah or Wynwood and it's just not logical that I know all of that. As a district Commissioner, while I'm trying to maintain a Citywide perspective -- and we all are -- I'm charged by my constituents of staying in contact. So, right now, that's sort of a redundancy. The second thing is this. I would like to approve the recommendation to eliminate -- since it's gone Citywide -- and come back in the next meeting with a resolution or an ordinance that allows, by option, each Commissioner to appoint,, you know, up to seven people from their district to be advisors to the Commissioner, with having access to the CD (Community Development) staff, as appropriate, et cetera. And that's the relationship we need. We need people advising us in our role, not people trying to advise the staff and trying to advise us as a collegial body. So, I think we can create something that's different, an appointed board of advisors. If your districts want to have one, you have it. If you don't, fine. It can't be more than some number of people will work that out with staff, and then we'll give staff access to them. They will be our facilitators when we have the district CDBG hearings. In other words, my. district is as different as the whole City. I've got Little Havana -- I mean, I've got Little Haiti, I've got parts of Wynwood. I've got parts of Model Cities. I 145 May 11, 2000 E share a piece of Allapattah with you. So, -- I mean, I need- people in my district, but I don't think we need to layer the entire process with this election process, because it really doesn't work anymore. Vice Chairman Gort: My understanding, what you're saying is, you need to amend this -- do we need to make a motion on the process -- on the procedure today? Commissioner Teele: I think we should -- Ms. Warren: The motion would be to accept the staff's recommendations and direct us to come back at the next meeting, based on what the Commissioners articulate. Commissioner Teele: I would so move, Mr. Chairman. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. What's the motion? Commissioner Teele: I would so move, Mr. Chairman. Commissioner Winton: Second. Vice Chairman Gort: It's been moved and second. Any further discussion? Being none, all in favor state by saying "aye." The Commission (Collectively): "Aye." The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 00-411 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ADOPTING THE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, WHICH ENCOURAGES CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN THE PLANNING AND ALLOCATION PROCESS FOR THE 26TH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT YEAR; AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 86-047 AS AMENDED, BY RESOLUTION NO. 87-1006 AND FURTHER RESCINDING ANY OTHER RESOLUTIONS RELATED TO THE CREATION AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CITYWIDE ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM. 146 May 11, 2000 (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Upon being seconded by Commissioner Winton, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Joe Sanchez Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Commissioner Johnny L. Winton NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Item 7. Ms. Mary Hill: No comments on this, now? Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Item 2, public hearings. Come on and speak. Ms. Hill: We have comments. Vice Chairman Gort: Go ahead. Go ahead, Mary Hill. Ms. Hill: OK. This is very important. Very important. Because I hear Ms. Warren coming up from 1974 and 1967, from 1962 the first anti- poverty programs legislated, constituted to hit these target areas, and I would like to ask Ms. Warren what area -- target area is she referring to? What do you mean when you say target areas? May I ask her? Vice Chairman Gort: Ma'am, all the questions will be answered at the end. Go ahead and continue your -- Ms. Hill: OK. Well, the target areas of this program is all poor areas, not only in Dade County, but throughout the nation, to help the poor, regardless to race, creed or color. Now, what we have here under 1974 privacy act, is EOPI continuation, and not what Ms. Warren is saying. This is a circumvented the intent and the services to these areas and diverting these monies to these areas, and this is not going to work. We have regional office. Economic Development, I've made it clear to you more than once, has been amended to re -- authorization of appropriation under regional offices to help assist with all of the functions and is services that come in from these funds, which they have been using, it's calling CDBG grants is not anymore CDBG grants. It's no more model 147 May 11, 2000 cities and all of this, by statutory laws. It is regional office, EOPI, and to be established by me, Mary Hill to complete what was from the White House, not from HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development). Those monies that Ms. Warren, in 1974 privacy act -- I have it right here. After this, they came up with this. This is circumvented, breaches, pleasure (inaudible) and diverting monies again and omitting the regional office to be established so we could carry out our national responsibilities. We want this corrected and we want a, reply right on from you, Mr. Attorney. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am. Mariano Cruz. Mr. Mariano Cruz: Mariano Cruz, 1227 Northwest 26TH Street. What I'm going to say about citizen participation is, what kind of citizen participation? I've been waiting for elections since January was suppose to be election. It's been delayed and delayed. I want to know because I was a member of the different boards (inaudible) since 1974, at the beginning. .And now they are talking about, "Oh, it's 20 years old, that process. It's too old." Well, the Constitution is over 200 years old. Get rid of the Constitution, too, right, if we're going (inaudible)? So, I don't know, but maybe (inaudible) about (inaudible) they going to meet without a board (inaudible) presenting things here without being presenting to the board, and we still have the citizen participation in place. In place. It haven't been abolished yet. We have to still go by the old one. So, I don't know. Is this a government of one person or a government of a democracy? Thank you. Vice Chairman Gort: By the way, it's a government of democracy. What we're saying is, the first time I ran in my life, I got elected by five hundred votes in Allapattah. That was back in 1960 something (inaudible) started. And I'm telling you right now, the process is not working. You were the only person that was there elected, and you're going to be my appointment to it. So, you're going to stay in it. You're going to be my first appointment. I want you to know that. Out of seven of five, you're my first appointment. And we're addressing item 2. Mr. Larry Williams: This is in reference to the grant? Vice Chairman Gort: No. We're addressing item 2, citizen participation. That's what we're addressing now. Mr. Williams: Yeah, OK, OK. Citizen participation. That's what I'm going -- Vice Chairman Gort: OK. 148 May 11, 2000 • Mr. Williams: In reference. My name is Larry Williams from the Overtown area. This is citizen participation is very vague when it's time, as one of the Commissioners was saying earlier about the board noticing people about the various things that transpire within the grant process, we talking about the grant process or we talking about citizens? Vice Chairman Gort: We're talking about a process where we have to have citizen participation, where citizens participate as part of the program. Mr. Williams: OK, yeah. I have it clear now. Vice Chairman Gort: The whole CDBG thing. Mr. Williams: Basically, what I'm saying sir, is I have tried to apply for grants and thing of that nature and I've been steered in the wrong direction on several occasions. I went before Mr. Teele's board on several occasions to try -- I have about five properties that I'm developing in Overtown, and the grant money seem to be steered around me, in the area -- for what reason, I don't understand. And maybe something I'm not doing appropriately to be considered, you know, for the grant money. It's -- I have a thirty room rooming house that helps -- that houses all types of people, whatever race, whatever economic background, whatever. But for some reason, I've been excluded for the past two or three years, in the process. I -- like I said, Mr. Teele's -- Commissioner, I went before his Commission on several occasions to -- and when I call around about applications, I get sidetracked and snow balled about what's happening, and then it's another board that I went before in reference to the grant process, you know, participating in it, and the same thing. You know, I just -- Vice Chairman Gort: Sir, my understanding is, there are certain guidelines, and I'll make sure that staff will sit down with you an explain to you what are the criteria and guidelines that need to be followed to put your application in, and what are the qualifications to be applied for a grantor whatever program you applied for. There are different programs within CDBG that get funding. . Mr. Williams: I understand. But these are housing, you know -- Vice Chairman Gort: Housing, that's Mr. Jeff Hepburn is here, and he can tell you what the procedure is. Mr. Williams: Well, I tried, you know; go through the process of contacting and speaking to people. 149 May 11, 2000 • 0 Vice Chairman Gort: Sir -- what I'm telling you, the gentleman is here that can sit down with you and tell you what the process is. Mr. Williams: OK. Well -- Vice Chairman Gort: And then you can come back and tell us if it's not working for you or not. Mr. Williams: All right. Thank you, sir. Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, Mr. Hepburn, and the gentleman, please use my office and I'd like to know how -- where the problem is. If you all would just -- and then we can just come right back, Vice Chairman Gort: Good afternoon, yes, sir. Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, are we on item number 2 still? I'm trying to get to item number 7. Vice Chairman Gort: Well, they want to speak on item 2. Commissioner Teele: OK. Well, fine. I tell you what. Let's just go right down the line and if everybody's just going to start -- I said I would move up item number 7. Now,'if everybody's going to come and talk about item number 2, then we're going to go to item number 3. I'm -- we're going from 2 to 7. So, please, let's just get a little cooperation. Otherwise, let's just go ahead and go down the line. Now., I'm trying to be -- work to what you asked me for. Mr. Leroy Jones: That's what we here about, item number 7.. Commissioner Teele: OK. Vice Chairman Gort: That's why they are here. They want -- Commissioner Winton: OK. Mr. Al Hardemon: Well, I'm hire for item number 2 right now. Thank you very much. Vice Chairman Gort: Go ahead, sir. Name and address, please. Mr. Hardemon: My name is Al Hardemon. I have a business in the model City area, and thank you for giving me an opportunity to speak. And I'm sure that this Commission is trying to do things fair. The comprehensive book for funding that the City of Miami is sending to Washington, to 150 May 11, 2000 federal government, you're saying Washington? As the Manager of your money, we have made sure that the communities problems have been heard; they have been researched, and so we are sending you the parties that we think the. community needs working on, will you please fund it? When it comes to the point that citizen participation is being removed because, in this creation, that is why it was done. Because 24 years ago we would have never thought of coming before this Commission without billy club upside your head. That is why you have citizen participation. It's fine that a Commission want to appoint others, but it's also important that the citizens remain independent of the government 's theory. You can have who you want on your board, but you must allow the citizenry to make the decision what they want in their community. The staff works for the government. We may want an ice cream parlor in our community. We need to be able to have the process in place to say, hey, we have 40 stores that can't get money. So, if you sent to the government in Washington that well, we need money for servicing -- and I'm Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. Your time is up, sir. Mr. Hardemon: Sir? Vice Chairman Gort: Your two minutes are up. Thank you. Mr. Hardemon: OK. Well, can I conclude, please? Vice Chairman Gort: Please. Make it quick. Mr. Hardemon: My conclusion is, that this board would be making a mistake to tell Washington that they have polled the citizens, knowing what they want, and apparently the City haven't because we're here now. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. Gwendolyn let me ask you a question. Gwendolyn, the rules and regulations from HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development), do they tell you how to do the citizen participation and they describe specifically how to do it or do we do it according to the needs? Ms. Warren: They provide minimum standards, which is that you must hold public hearings. They must be advertised ten days in advance, and once you make a decision about the use of the funds, within side the parameters of the federal guidelines, it must be listed for thirty days before you file your annual report. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you. Commissioner Sanchez: But does it mention -- 151 May 11, 2000 0 Vice Chairman Gort: What we're saying here is, we would not go into eliminate the citizen participation. Ms. Warren: Absolutely not. Vice Chairman Gort: The citizen participation is super important and we're saying is, since this is going to be some neighborhoods, we want those people in the neighborhoods that receiving the benefits to come and tell us they are working or they are not working. That's what we have. And, unfortunate, in the past, we have appointed people. We have had elections. And I've been at those public hearings, and very few people participate in those public hearings. So, I'm glad you all are willing to part.icipate in the future because I want to see you all in those meetings. But we are not eliminating citizen participation. Yes, sir. Commissioner Sanchez: Mr. Chairman, if I may? Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, sir. Mr. Sanchez. Commissioner Sanchez. Commissioner Sanchez: I have a question directed to Gwendolyn. Gwendolyn, in the language does it state that the boards -- the members of the Advisory Board must be elected? Ms. Warren: It doesn't require an advisory board. The City Commission must hold public hearings. The City Commission must ensure that there is public participation, as it's outlined. That's it. Commissioner Sanchez: I understand that. And we did that last year. I'm talking about the members of that -- Ms. Warren: That's a City process. That has nothing to do with the federal government. Commissioner Sanchez: OK. Ms. Warren: That's something that the City created. That is not a part of HUD. 152 May 11, 2000 Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, sir. Mr. Jones: My name is Leroy Jones. I'm the director of Neighbors and Neighbors, 180 Northwest 62"d Street. Today I brought some business owners. All of them, accept one, is located in the City of Miami, and the one that's not located in the City of Miami is thinking about relocating into the City of Miami. I'm proud to see them come out to be a part of this process. Most of them had to close down their business to come here. They've been sitting here patiently since 2 o' clock. I'd like to thank our Commissioner, who brought it up as soon as he could. I thank the Commission. Also, like to thank the Department of Community Development because on item 7, it talks about the commercial revitalization program. Looks like the City is getting interested this trying to create the same type of program that the County has, and I work real hard with the businesses last year on that County program. So, it do me great pleasure to see that is City is trying to come up with the same type of program, which would help these businesses, because I know y'all aware last year I got some of the businesses approved through the County, in which the City didn't have the same type of structured program that would help these businesses. Ms. Warren: Excuse me. Excuse me. Mr. Chair, you haven't closed the public hearing on item two and I think we're discussing number 7. Vice Chairman Gort: I already explained that to him, but he wanted to speak on this item. I asked him and Commissioner Teele tried to ask him and Commissioner Teele tried to tell them, we would like to bring item 7 up and he kept saying no, I want to speak on item 2. Mr. Jones: No, no. I'm - no, we're not speaking on item 2. We're speaking on item 7. Ms. Warren: Again, the public hearing for -- Commissioner Teele: We haven't finished -- Mr. Jones: Oh, I'm sorry. Ms. Warren: Is not closed. Mr. Jones: Oh, OK. Right. 153 May 11, 2000 Commissioner Teele: Is there anyone else, Mr. Chairman, that's here on item number 7? Mr. Jones: Right. Commissioner Teele: Number 2 -- Ms. Warren: There are people here waiting to speak to 2. Commissioner Teele: Number 2. Vice Chairman Gort: Number 2. Commissioner Sanchez: Item 2. That's what Teele was trying to do. Mr. Jones: Oh, I'm -- I thought he was the last -- I thought Mr. Hardemon was the last person speaking on item 2. I'm sorry. 154 May 11, 2000 Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, ma'am. Go ahead. Ms. Dorothy Quintana: My name is Dorothy Quintana. I'm from Wynwood. And I agree with Teele. Vice Chairman Gort: I'm sorry. Your name, again, was? Ms. Quintana: Dorothy Quintana, from Wynwood. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you. You'll be another board member, believe me. Ms. Quintana: I agree with Teele, what he says about getting the people from Wynwood from the neighborhoods. It's better this way -- it's easier this way, and I think we get better results. Because this way we could tell them about people that participate from Wynwood -- let's say from Wynwood,. so I know what's going on and I can bring it right up to you. I don't have to go to a meeting and it's easier. So, Teele, you have the right idea, and I think it's going to work. Commissioner Winton: Plus, ' Dorothy, when we draft you for service, you're not going to have any excuses for not coming because I'm going to come and make sure you're there. Vice Chairman Gort: He'll pick you up. Ms. Quintana: OK. Thank you. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Next. Item 2, citizen participation. Item 2, citizen participation. Yes, ma'am. Ms. Ellen Gilligan: Good afternoon. My name is Ellen Gilligan. I'm the corporate secretary at De Hostos Senior Center here in -- also in the Wynwood area. And we Vice Chairman Gort: Please, ma'am, speak into the mike. Ms. Gilligan: Oh, excuse me. And we are also, you know, are interested in the adoption of the citizen participation plan because who else would know better the problems that we have in the Wynwood area, which is underserved and we'd like you to know that you have our support on that. 155 May 11, 2000 Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am. Anyone else on citizen participation, item 2? Being none, I'll now close the public hearing on item 2 and we need to vote on it. All in favor state by saying "aye." The Commission (Collectively): "Aye." Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. 156 May 11, 2000 Vice Chairman Gort: Now, Leroy, we're going to Item 7, courtesy of Commissioner Teele. Item 7. Will you call Item 7? Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Mr. Chair, the staff is presenting the Community Revitalization Program. At your Commission meeting in January... Vice Chairman Gort: Go ahead. Ms. Warren: At the -Commission meeting in January, the Commission directed staff to review a Community Revitalization Program that was a piece of legislation that had been adopted by the County and to bring back legislation for the City to operate a similar program. The Commission again, even though there were no monies to allocate to the program at that time, instructed staff to put together the program in that the Commission, at some future date, may make appropriations available. The staff has reviewed the legislation and a program that is in operation in the County. We are making a recommendation and attached a resolution for the Commission that adopts a similar program for the City. On the second page of the back-up material, it provides an outline for the program, and the program that we're recommending for the City is that the City could provide up to a maximum of fifty thousand -- and I need to stand corrected, Commissioner Teele, because I misinformed you earlier. The staffs recommendation is that it be fifty thousand with a dollar to dollar match and it was not the 70/30. That's a recommendation. That all -- that the applications be reviewed by the Loan Committee and the City Commission for final approval; that any costs above the fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), that would be made available through the City, would be provided by the business. And, again, on the second page without going through all of the items, it outlines it again. The monies would be for the purpose of improvement of exterior, appearances of business, interior corrections, exterior code violations and also to assist any business in meeting the applicable American with Disabilities Act. And, again, this is boilerplate legislation recommendation based on staffs review of the County's ordinance. Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman? Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Commissioner Teele. Commissioner Teele: I would like to move the item for discussion so that we can focus a public hearing and I would like to place two amendments, if there's a second on the motion. Commissioner Winton: Second. Vice Chairman Gort: There's a motion and a second. Amendments? Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, this program is a giant step forward but it really doesn't meet the needs of what I believe this community requires. The problem is, we cannot financially meet 157 May 11, 2000 0 • the needs of what this community requires. This program, so that it's very clear, is about 50 percent of what Mr. Jones and others have been asking for: They asked us to come up with a matching program to the County. The County's program limit is one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). This program limit is fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). The County actually pays up to 90 percent if it is in unincorporated Dade County. The City is paying up to 50 percent if it's in the City of Miami. So, clearly, we have a situation where we're moving in the right direction. This legislation is great. It's good. But it doesn't go nearly far enough. The problem that the staff has -- and they've done a very good analysis -- is that we cannot meet the needs of the demand that's out there and we've got to start somewhere. I would like to ask that we move the matching ratios from 50 percent to 70/30 percent. And I want to know, Mr. Manager, through you or your staff, if you all would object to that? And what it means is that we're going to be able to do less projects, but I think it's important that what we do, we do right and we do it well. And, so, I want to understand if you had any objections to changing the match from 50 to 70 -- 70 City, 30 participants? Mr. Carlos Gimenez (City Manager): No, sir. Commissioner Teele: So, that's the first step. Now... Vice Chairman Gort: Commissioner, may I ask you a question? Commissioner Teele: Yes, sir. Vice Chairman Gort: This matching fund, it doesn't -- it could be another source of funding. In other words, it doesn't have to be from the owner itself It could be -- if he gets grants... Ms. Warren: We have remained silent on that because of the difficulty of doing business development in the City. And to answer your question, yes, it can be. It has to be a legitimate source so we can verify, but it does not have to be the owner's money. Vice Chairman Gort: Right. OK. Thank you. Commissioner Teele: So, in the case of the County, where the County has awarded in the case that we discussed at length -- and, Mr. Jones, you have been,extremely patient and appropriate in your dealings with the City and you have every right to be have been frustrated, but you've been very much a gentleman and I compliment you and the business owners for working with us. But in the case of the County awarding -- I think we've got down to three businesses in the City, where the County awarded them a hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). Mr. Leroy Jones: Two of them: One seventy-five thousand -- uh-uh. It was three packages. Because they was in the City of Miami, the most the County would match was 25 percent. So, that means the business would have to come up with the matching funds from the City of Miami. But the County program, that the business only have to put up 10 percent. Commissioner Teele: That's the point... 158 May 11, 2000 LJ Mr. Jones: Right. U Commissioner Teele: I mean, in the County, if the same business were in Dade.-- Unincorporated Dade County, they would put up 10 percent. Mr. Jones: Right. Commissioner Teele: So --but let me just follow --follow this with me. Mr. Jones: Yes. Commissioner Teele: The program that we're doing right now is actually better than the County's program, as strange as it may sound, because the County is putting up 50 percent -- I mean, is putting up a percentage but they're limiting theirs to 90 percent. It's theoretically possible, in this case that our program could wind up being 95 percent. Because if you've been selected for County money and you're going to get 25 percent of your money from the County and if you've been selected from us, you're going to get 70 percent, the difference is five percent. So, those three businesses in the City that have been selected -- now, the truth of the matter is, there are going to be a hundred businesses that won't get any County money and so, we shouldn't just talk about those. Most businesses will wind up with this being a 70/30 program and it's really going to be based upon first come first served of quality. The one thing that I want to write into this legislation is that we don't fund anybody to fail. In other words, if your needs are in excess of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), this is not the program for you, unless you're going to make up the difference. In other words, if you really need ninety thousand dollars ($90,000) to do this right and you applied for fifty, they should be turned down. Ms. Warren: Commissioner, I can even go further, if you will. The lending criteria is business criteria. You know, you have to have a business plan; you have to be a legitimate business. The Commission has a Loan Review Committee, which is made up primarily of outside financial people. The Commission's ordinance with them is that they must be approved by them in order to come to you. So, this is not just a lending program. You have to be a legitimate business with a plan that is -- we can capitalize on. Vice Chairman Gort: Now, let me ask a question. Since she's going to be -- my understanding, most of the businesses we're going to work with, the business are already being accepted by the County? Ms. Warren: Again, sir, for clarification, this is legislation to adopt the plan. There is no current appropriation attached to it. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Gottcha. Ms. Warren: And your 26 -Year -- or, again, based on Commission direction, staff may be 159 May 11, 2000 0 instructed to identify some resources. There are currently no resources available, just the implementation of the project itself. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you. Commissioner Teele, anything else? Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, there's one other amendment that I would like for you to consider and that is that infrastructure be added. Infrastructure associated with the business, such as parking, drainage, curbing or landscaping, be added as an eligible activity., And, again, it's very, very important that this infrastructure stuff get addressed. Because if you go to these businesses, most of them don't have sufficient infrastructure support for this. So, Mr. Jones, I know that that's something that's important to your people. It's usually the last thing we think about in business. But do you think that's helpful to your program? Mr. Jones: Yeah, I do. I think what -- I think that was a good point that you made and what Ms. Gwen said, if the businesses -- for example, the businesses that we got approved through the County had to get approved through the City in order for the County to do its part. If the City didn't do its part, then the businesses would lose the money, even if they had the matching dollar themselves. Now; I think 'it's good if we can use the County dollars and the City dollars as the matching dollars. But I think some technical assistance have to be provided to the businesses. For example, when my organization did it, we wasn't funded to do technical assistance. We done that on our own for these businesses. That's real important. Not only that, is that I don't think we should 'do two packages for the County and the City. I think both of them can compliment each other. Certain things that will be asked. For example, once we do the package for the County, we won't have to duplicate the license all over or do two packages. Both of them can complement each other. I think that will be... Vice Chairman Gort: Leroy, that's why I asked the question,. Mr. Jones: Yes, sir. Vice Chairman Gort: And they're shaking their head no over here. Ms. Warren: Again, we're not familiar with what the County may require of each individual agency. But in your legislation, there's specific lending requirements and as long as we have that information -- I'm sure' the County probably is requesting the same information. We don't have a special package, but you have to have the business tax and other kinds of information. Mr. Jones: Oh, the County... Vice Chairman Gort: Leroy, all I think you have to do is, more or less, get together, look at the guidelines and all you have to do is make a duplicate. Mr. Jones: Everything that the County... 160 May 11, 2000 Commissioner Teele: There may be an easier way to do this. I don't want to get into what you're saying right now because we need to have our own experience. Ms. Warren: Thank you. Commissioner Teele: But what I would do is I would offer an amendment that allows the Manager to transfer, by agreement, inter local agreement, funds to the County to be administered based upon an award that we may make, but that doesn't get to the issue of application. See, I know what they're saying. These business people don't have somebody that could run the store. I mean, most of them are owner -operators. They don't have time to go from the City to the County and back to the City to a Loan Committee to the Loan Committee. Somewhere we, in government, have got to figure out how to integrate these two things together in those cases. Ms. Warren: Commissioner, there's an item on your agenda that reinstitutes the Commercial Loan Program and it calls for the identification of agencies to assist City businesses in loan packaging, business planning and the whole nine yards. So, the City will be -- if it's up to the Commission, a process that could walk them through and be their agent, if you will. Mr. Jones: If I can say this, Commissioner. I've worked with these businesses every day. You know, and none of the agencies that I see -- and I'm not calling blame -- been able to do what really actually need to be done for these businesses. Because it have been businesses -- it has been agencies in the County and the City that get technical assistance dollars but for these special type of businesses, you know, nothing haven't changed, you know, and that's what I'm saying. I don't want to -- for example, I had to call them down here because I was -- I thought it was important that they be here today, but most of them had to close their business down and now they're losing money and I hate to have to call them here and sit here since 2 o'clock because I can't replace the money that they missing right now because they operate on a daily cash flow. Ms. Warren: But we funded NANA (Neighbors and Neighbors Association) to provide that technical assistance to these businesses. Mr. Jones: I know, but we haven't received the money yet. Vice Chairman Gort: Hold it. Mr. Jones: So, that's what I'm saying. We haven't received the contract or the money now yet. I understand. But I'm saying right now. I ain't talking about when we get the money. I'm talking about... Vice Chairman Gort: Leroy, wait a minute. We're not going to be arguing here back and forth all night. Mr. Jones: I'm not... 161 May 11, 2000 0 Vice Chairman Gort: We have a long agenda to go through. Commissioner Teele, what's your motion and let's go over it. Commissioner Winton: Could I make one comment, please? Vice Chairman Gort: Go right ahead, sir. Commissioner Winton: And that goes back to something -- a smaller point that Leroy made and that is about the two different applications, one for the County and one for the City. Because it does take -- I'm sure filling out those applications is a pain in the rear end and I bet they're pretty thick, and it seems to me that we, as government, really ought to take the step of finding out what the County's application process is, match it up with our own, and figure out how we can't -- working with the County end up with one application process, rather than two that they're going to have to go through because that will save them lot of time and effort. Ms. Warren: We can do that. Commissioner Teele: I would amend that as a part of the motion, that would further instruct the staff to try to come up with a combined application process. But, again, we're not transferring money -- because we're responsible for our money and that's the problem. Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, sir. Go ahead. Name and address for the record. Mr. Steven Higgs: Steven Higgs. I'm a member of NANA (Neighbors and Neighbors Association). This afternoon I just want to bring it to the attention of the Commission... Vice Chairman Gort: Your address, please, sir. Mr. Higgs: Beg your pardon? Vice Chairman Gort: Your address. Address. Mr. Higgs: Oh, I'm sorry. Twelve -fifty-five 72ND Street, 1891 62" Street. I have two addresses. However, that's not the reason I'm here. I'd really like to explain to the board that there's something of a great importance in this and, that is, that because of the impact of this program it cannot be readily assumed that we can just rush into this or rush into that. We really have to consider what we're doing here. Some of the same people that have been brought here or came here, voluntarily, however we came here, have been somehow impacted by the lack of funding, the lack of initiative, the lack of assistance, and so forth. I noticed a very important issue along the whole thing, that is, that when we have -- like Mr. Jones was saying -- an assistance -type situation, it can sort of remove some of the restrictions that would otherwise be imposed. And by that I mean, an accountant, someone of a business advisor, somewhat like NANA (Neighbors and Neighbors Association) is and forth. So, maybe, perhaps, maybe if you can consider something of that nature to implement that, then you could perhaps cut through the red tape for a business that maybe failed one time or 162 May 11, 2000 something. I don't know. But with that in mind, that would mean that the people who are really, really there, with good ideas -- and I mean, perhaps, a good business plan, that wouldn't be ostracized behind the reputation of the back of what happened then or what happened later and so forth. We would have some mechanism in place to assist them anyway and because of that, there would be something like a guideline or there would be something -- some guards on the funds and so forth that these businesses would receive. And I think that's a viable plan and if you give it some consideration, perhaps it'll work for us. Thank you. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Anyone else? Yes, sir. Mr. Velius Prince: Good evening everyone. My name Velius Prince. I am president of NANA (Neighbors and Neighbors Association) and I'm concerned, about all those small... Vice Chairman Gort: Address, please, sir. Address. Mr. Prince: Address. My business address 7300 Northwest 2nd Avenue. And, also, I'm concerned about all those small business because I'm in this program; we are go visit all this small business. They've been out like 25, 30 years. Just business is slow. It stayed down. Nothing ever been done. Those people don't have no money to help themselves; to impress our customer. We really need good paying job; good sign outside and then for people to walk to see what we do inside those buildings, that when we come to ask for help, it seem all these small business never can get help that easy because we so small, they don't believe we exist. We are exist. As a matter of fact, we don't ask for money, like Winn Dixie, Quik Check ask -- Publix ask. We don't ask for million. All we need little help to increase our business. My business doing good. I have three employees, including myself But I can do better. By doing better, get my own secretary. Now, if I try sell my business, someone ask me, how much money you make here, I couldn't tell you because I don't have no paperwork. But if I have enough money -- enough help, I can do all those things and it don't take much to do that. Thank you very much. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. Next. Mr. Al Hardemon: Al Hardemon again. Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, sir. Mr. Hardemon: Speaking on this item. I truly believe in my heart that the City of Miami, if you look at who's here speaking, that all these millions and billions, hundreds of millions through this Community Development Program that we, as black people, got to come begging. We are begging. You ain't got no money. We're begging for fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). Man, we begging. We're not citizens? We're not taxpayers? We trying to put our kids through college; we trying to send them to the best school, put on shoes. Right now we are standing here on public TV begging and I don't think it's right that the black community should have to beg for anything in this country. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. Next. 163 May 11, 2000 Mr. Arsene Omega: My name is Arsene Omega, the owner of Omega's Fashions and a member of NANA (Neighbors and Neighbors Association). I am one of the three business that been approved in the County program. So, I understand the number 7. I think it's a good step but meanwhile, before that could be put in place, the money that the County had approved before, they're going to withdraw it from me, simply because it's been approved so long, since last year, and I've been coming here back and forth tried to get the City to match it and on the vote now when we come up with these program, which might be better but, meanwhile, I'm losing the County money, then what am I going to have to do so? So, why can't we figure out how to help those three businesses, meanwhile, while we go ahead with the number 7 item? Vice Chairman Gort: OK. I think it's important to understand, no one here is begging. Unfortunate, the Federal Government, when they give out the grants, they go ahead and put certain criteria and guidelines and we have to follow. Our staff tells us the reason that we have follow. The reason you're here today because Commissioner Teele felt that there had to be some changes. That's why they're doing it. But there are certain criteria that we have to follow. We can't just go ahead and give fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) to someone because that's why they put this plan together, so we can pass it. Now, the question Gwendolyn is, the main reason this is here in front of us -- Gwendolyn? The main reason this is in front of us is because some County funds were allocated and these people can lose those funds if they don't get the matching funds from the City of Miami. Is there anything that we can do that, if we move, that we need to amend it so those people that already have the funds can be funded immediately? Ms. Warren: Again, Commissioner, at your last meeting, staff was very clear. There are no current year monies to operate this program. We were instructed to put the legislation together and that, again, it's up to the Commission, either in future years or when we go through our reallocation process, to identify some monies. But staff does not have funds identified to implement this program today. Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman? Vice Chairman Gort: Commissioner Teele. Commissioner Teele: At the end of this meeting, I intend to move a hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) for the three businesses that have been approved by the County for the purpose of negotiating, immediately, a relationship and getting the County to stand by and forbearing. I've talked to the director of the County. Once they've been very courteous about this and if we can get through this today and if there's three Commissioners or two Commissioners will join me, we'll make the money available for the three businesses that have been selected. Commissioner Winton: Great. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you. 164 May 11, 2000 Ms. Warren: Commissioner, the only thing I would add is that, if, in fact, that is the intent of the Commission, it would have to go back for a public hearing because we did not advertise such an allocation. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you. Next speaker. Commissioner Teele: Ms. Warren? Vice Chairman Gort: The lady is in front of you. She waive to you, I'll be more than glad to hear you. Commissioner Teele: Ms. Warren, when we did the advertisement, we instructed you to advertise that any other Community Development funds may be utilized at that time. I don't have any problem with it, but it was understanding. We can do it in the next meeting. But once we approve it, then we can negotiate it and that becomes a formality. I'd like to ask the attorney -- Madam Attorney that was my understanding, that the advertisement was broad enough. It's not? Ms. Warren: Commissioner... Ms. Ilene Temchin (Assistant City Attorney): Is this on? Commissioner, I'm Ilene Temchin, Assistant City Attorney. The advertisement had specific -- the specific 19 items on the agenda. You can approve this today. We can advertise it on May 25th. Commissioner Teele: We can advertise it for action on May 25th? Ms. Temchin: Yes, sir. Commissioner Teele: OK. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Yes, ma'am. Ms. Renita Holmes: Yes. Hi. My name is -- I am Madam Renita Holmes, and the owner of Holmes and Associates and also Women's Association Alliance Against Violence. My address is 200 Northwest 55th Street, Suite 212, I prefer to call it, but I am actually a home-based business. I am also a business owned and the owner, a person who's living with disability and a woman in business and, as you know, we have our own special criteria and issues to deal with. I consider myself to be what we would call a Section 3, with the utmost preference or priority preference. I hear you speak about federal funds and the criteria that it has to meet. In those federal funding criteria, it speaks about these priority preference listed in this sequence. It states that "businesses and/or persons who should receive this funding or be targeted with this funding as a resident in public housing," which, in this area, there are quite a few of housing developments. "B," businesses resident -owned businesses, which, unfortunately, I'm the only one. However, we have five graduates, who are also persons with disabilities, of very, very low income, who are doing home- based business within housing developments. Three, businesses located in the surrounding area. 165 May 11, 2000 • And, also, then -- I think fourth, it states that it's persons of very low income, which most of us small businesses are. This is as a result of the federal ruling 924CFR Section 3 and in order to target -- now, I do have a question in regards to how much money, out of the total allocations of the federal funding, perhaps for this particular resource, has been applied to these areas, particularly our area, where most of us are doing business; most of us are living within house developments or hiring people who are living within housing developments, or persons with disability at a high and enormous rate or women in business of low income. And I can tell you, in the last five years, that I've been trying to access funding; I've been without technical assistance, and some of the monies that have been provided through programs of the City, the technical criteria that's required is hard for us to meet, simply because we cannot perform four duties. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am. Your time is up. But part of the... Ms. Holmes: Excuse me. I didn't know how much time I had, but if you would allow me to finish, I really would appreciate it. Vice Chairman Gort: I'll let you. But part of the things that we're doing today in here, we're changing the criteria so it can fit in your neighborhood. Most of the other neighborhoods, they had to meet certain matching funds. Ms. Holmes: Yes, sir. I understand that. And that's just a point that, at this particular time, we're changing the criteria when, actually, the criteria with -- it comes along with that federal funding and we automatically qualify because we fit that criteria. It's just a matter of matching the funding that we've qualified the County and the City for all around. We haven't been able to access. And I just really feel like I qualify because the legal description states it for itself and I've qualified myself here at the mike and most of those persons with me have qualified. I just want to make sure that, if it states that we specifically qualify this County/City for -- is actually by who we are, then we should match that. And I think the amount that it says is 30 percent of every dollar that comes should be targeted to us. Thank you. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Next. Mr. Syne Rose: Syne Rose, S&M Food Market, 3727 Vice Chairman Gort: Speak into the mike, please. Mr. Rose: Twenty-seven thirty-seven Northwest 54TH Street. Further, I'd like to thank the Commissioners -- the Commission for allowing us to voice our opinions here. We have over one hundred and thirty businesses in our organization, NANA (Neighbors and Neighbors Association), from Coconut Grove to Carol City. We're a very active group and the majority of our members are business people. However, we feel that we have been getting -- we have not been getting our fair share of this deal. In order for us, as a people, to succeed, we need to have more help from the City in terms of CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) loans, in terms of training, and all that kind of stuff. At this time, I'm going to ask why we're not getting more training; why we're not 166 May 11, 2000 • E getting more assistance, and why is the black community being left out like this? Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. Next. Mr. Eddie Rollins: I'm Rollins... Vice Chairman Gort: Speak into the mike, please, sir. Mr. Rollins: My name is Rollins, owners of Rollins Grocery, 5520 Northwest 17th Avenue. And right next door to me, it was a lot. I believe it's owned by the City of Miami. Commissioner Teele: Hold on, Mr. Rollins. Is the Planning Director here? Would you state what you just said again? Mr. Rollins: My address is 5520 Northwest 17th Avenue, which is Rollins Grocery. I've been there since '64. I was also Overtown back in the 50's, before I-95 Express came through us. I was moved out of two businesses and I was asked, "Did I own the land," which I did not own the land then, but I had to move out of my business from Overtown back in '64 and I moved where I'm at now. But it's a vacant lot right on the corner from me and the City owns that property and I need parking awful bad. Commissioner Teele: Mr. Rollins, the lot next to you is a disgrace. Now, you're saying that the City owns that lot? Mr. Rollins That's what I heard. Commissioner Teele: In other words, you know, Asset Management, I drove by there the other day. It's not even smoothed out. Somebody had a building or a structure there. Mr. Rollins: Right. Commissioner Teele: And it's built up so high that you can't even park there and it attracts debris. There is no security around it, no fencing. I mean, it's -- and what you're saying is you'd like to do what with the lot? Mr. Rollins: Well, I'd like to lease it. Well, I know it's going to have to be fixed up for decent parking, but I can't do anything until I find out something from the City. Commissioner Teele: I would like very much if you could come back at another Commission meeting and give us about 30 days to look at that and ask the staff to make a recommendation. But, again, if that is a city -owned lot -- and I would like to see that from the Asset Management records -- that's on the comer of 17TH and... Mr. Rollins: Fifty-fifth Street. 167 May 11, 2000 Commissioner Teele: And Fifty-fifth Street. Mr. Leroy Jones: Commissioner, if I can say. Vice Chairman Gort: His address is 755 Northwest 17THAvenue. Mr. Jones: Right. Commissioner Teele: All he needs is a decent parking lot. Vice Chairman Gort: It's a lot right next door to it. Mr. Jones: If I could say, Commission, that the City had put the lot up for bid and Mr. Rollins bided twice. Mr. Rollins: I did. Mr. Jones: And the City took the bids back. They tore the building down and he only got, in the front of his store, maybe enough parking for four cars and he employ eleven people in his store. He needs that space. Nobody can better utilize that space than Mr. Rollins. It's right next to his store. You know what I mean? Commissioner Winton: We got it. Vice Chairman Gort: We got it. Yes. Ms. Laura Billberry: Lori Billberry, Direct of Asset Management. I am familiar with the site. It's 5500 Northwest 17TH Avenue and it is a City -owned property. It was formerly the Hardemon's Market. It was put out to bid and the Commission, at that time, did reject the bids and we ended up -- you know, we had three bids. We had a valid bid. The reason we were not able to proceed with Mr. Rollins was due to the nature that we would have to do a revocable license, if we were going to do that, and the investment required would not have permitted that he wasn't interested on a 30 -day revocable license to have to invest that kind of money. We can put it out to bid, though, again. Commissioner Teele: But the point is this. No, no. No, no. See, that's the whole point. Why are we even talk -- we own the lot. Why don't we improve the lot, using CB (sic) funds, as a commercial revitalization; give him the lot owner, on a 30 -day basis, and if somebody comes along, they want to build a high-rise grocery store, we still have that right. But why have a piece of property that is a detraction to the neighborhood? We don't need to sell it. We can improve it. If we gave him the lot, he continue -- well, I can't speak for him. He may be able to do anything. But the way, I think, to approach this is to be a good neighbor and to be a partner. So, we go in; we improve the lot; we bring it up to code, as a parking facility... 168 May 11, 2000 • Vice Chairman Gort: Rent to them. Commissioner Teele: ...and we give him a 30 -day permit for whatever it is. We ought to -- for the value of the property taxes, at least, because it's not -- with us owning it, nobody's paying taxes on it, is it? Ms. Billberry: That's correct. Commissioner Teele: So, at least, we could give him a lease that equates to the value of the taxes. So, now we're getting our tax dollars back; he gets the use of the lot, and it doesn't cost us anything. We can improve the lot using Community Development funds under commercial revitalization. Vice Chairman Gort: No. You can also use the Capital Improvement Funds. Commissioner Teele: Sure. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. Mr. Rollins: Thank you. Thank you very much. Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, ma'am. Ms. Corine Bradley: Good evening. My name is Corine Bradley and my husband and I own a grocery store on 1141 Northwest 2nd Avenue. Now, we was in business for 31 years. We are the oldest, black owned business in the Overtown. I think, Arthur Teele, you promised that we would get some funding. We have never got any help. Commissioner Teele: I never promised anybody life. Ms. Corine: No. You said be funding coming in. Well, fund was coming in to the Overtown. Commissioner Teele: In my live, I've been in public office -- I've been around long enough to know one thing: I've never promised anybody money from the government. Bradley: No. You said that the money was coming in to the Overtown and that the black business will get a part of it. That what was told. I'm not saying by you, but that's the money was allocated for the Overtown, that we would receive some of that funding, and we never got anything from anybody. Commissioner Teele: Well, believe it or not, the City Commission hasn't given the CRA the funding. That's on the agenda today. So, that was done 18 months ago and today is the first funding for that. Ms. Bradley: I have filled out your package... 169 May 11, 2000 • Commissioner Teele: I don't have a package. Ms. Bradley: ...for the City of Miami. I mean, the package for the City of Miami was filled from us. And I've met all -- we met all the criteria and when I asked why we was turned down, he just said "there wasn't enough money to go around." OK. That was fine. Commissioner Teele: No, no, no. That's the Congressman Meek. Ms. Bradley: But what I'm saying now Commissioner Teele: That's the -- the City has never had a package to put out and money to go around. Have you all had any packages going out and run out of money in the Overtown area? Ms. Warren: No, sir. Commissioner. Teele: The City has never -- so, if somebody gave you a package to fill out, it was a fraud. It was not a City package. Mr. Jones: Commissioner Teele, I think she just talking about the Facade package. That's all she talking about. Commissioner Teele: Oh, but those are Community Development -- those are CD -- that's St. Johns. Mr. Jones: Right. That's through the City. Commissioner Teele: Yeah. Mr. Jones: I don't think she here jumping on nobody about nothing. She just concerned because she been in business... Ms. Bradley: For 31 years and never got any help from anyone. Ms. Jones: ...for 31 years in Overtown. So, I don't think she jumping on nobody, Commissioner Teele. That's all. Just... Ms. Bradley: But, I mean, you would be angry, too, you know. Mr. Jones: ...understand her frustration. She been in for 31 years. That's all it is. She been there for 31 years, man, and she want her place to look better. Ms. Bradley: And we trying to hold on. 170 May 11, 2000 • Commissioner Teele: Mrs. Bradley, didn't you all qualify for the two point four million dollars ($2,400,000) of... Mr. Jones: Yeah, she got some... Ms. Bradley: Yes, I got some... Mr. Jones: ...Commissioner Teele, but it's not enough to do... Commissioner Teele: How much of the two point four million did Brad... Mr. Jones: She got a hundred and seventy thousand of the two point... Commissioner Teele: Has that money been distributed? Ms. Jones: No, she -- they hadn't started yet on the process. Ms. Bradley: The only thing I'm asking is, you know, that you -- not only me, but it was three -- it's other black business in the Overtown, and I'm speaking for all of us, that we be -- you know, don't just push us aside. When something come our way, you know, help us because we're here to stay. Commissioner Teele: Yes, ma'am. And I'll... Ms. Bradley: I could be a large market in a couple of more years. Commissioner Teele: Thank you, ma'am. Ms. Bradley: Thank you. Commissioner Teele: And I, personally, will come by and look at the situation and we'll work with you. I promise you. Ms. Bradley: Oh, OK. Thank you very much. Commissioner Teele: Thank you, Ms. Bradley. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am. Next. Ms. Diane Silverman: Good afternoon. My name is Diane Silverman. I'm the Executive Director of Working Capital Florida and Partners for Self -Employment, Inc. And I just want to let everybody... Vice Chairman Gort: Your address, ma'am, please. 171. May 11, 2000 Ms. Silverman: Three thousand Biscayne Boulevard. I just want to remind everybody that Working Capital Florida gives business training and loans. You don't have to take the loan. If you want the business training and learn how to fill out your paperwork and loan applications, we're there for you. We're open to everybody, all the time. If you come to 3000 Biscayne Boulevard, at 6 p.m., Monday through Wednesday, you will get free information on how to get into our program. It's there for everybody. We give loans up to twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for businesses that qualify. If you don't qualify for those amounts when you first come to us, we will put you in a working Capital Florida Program where you will build yourself up. You will build credit; you will build collateral; you will build business skills, and you can become a viable business. Many of the businesses that have spoken here today sound like perfect candidates, but they haven't come to us. So, I just wanted to remind everybody that we're therefor you and come and join the crowd. Other people are making --doing extremely well. You could also. Thank you. Vice Chairman Gort: Well, thank you, ma'am. I have you enough cards so you can give them out. Ms. Silverman: Enough what? Vice Chairman Gort: Cards. And you can give them out to the people. Ms. Silverman: I do. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Next speaker. Ms. Michelle Golden: Hello. My name is Michelle Golden. My address is 11023 Northwest 27th Avenue. Me and my husband, we own a beauty supply store in that zone and we're thinking about relocating into the Liberty City area. The problem is that we have invested most of all of our money into this business and now the manager of this property is selling the business -- is selling the building. So, we have to relocate our business and we thinking about coming into your zone. My question is: Do you have any type of funding that maybe could help assist us in relocating into your zone? Vice Chairman Gort: Gwendolyn? Ms. Warren: Yes. We have a staff person here who can talk to you about participating in our business loan program. Vice Chairman Gort: Also, let me ask... Ms. Warren: Carmen, could you assist this young lady? Vice Chairman Gort: Gwendolyn, another question. Most of the business is this district and within the Empowerment Zone. Ms. Warren: I'm not sure. 172 May 11, 2000 Vice Chairman Gort: If they're to going relocate back into the City of Miami, there's a large portion of the City of Miami... Ms. Warren: Absolutely. Vice Chairman Gort: ...that's within the Empowerment Zone. Somehow, I don't know if we're combining the CDBG with Empowerment Zones, so we can put the whole package to benefit the economic and technical assistance that can be put together. Ms. Warren: Yes. We do have staff that you can talk to and we'll help you identify the resources and also see if we can assist you, OK? Ms. Golden: OK. Thank you very much. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Ms. Warren: And, Carmen, could you help this young lady? Vice Chairman Gort: It's right there. Yes, sir. Mr. Ira Jackson: Ira Jackson, 5525 Northwest 2ND Avenue. I can't stand no longer. Only way I keep my head above water is, I don't have no overhead, no mortgage, no rent. I came by business through my father and I'm about to starve. I need some help bad. I am really about to starve and I don't want to have to, you know, ask -- you know, I can't put it no other way. I don't want to be a burden to nobody but I need some help bad. Real bad. Thank you. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. Mr. Jones: If I can wrap up and leave, Commissioner. I thank you all again for being so patient. I just want to say that Community Development and you all did approve us for some funds and it is to provide technical assistance to those businesses, and I appreciate Ms. Warren them and I appreciate the Commission for what -- I wasn't being hard on Community Development or the Commission because we have not received the money to start the funds, but I'm just saying, what about the people that live in the community that don't want to come to my organization and receive some help? Obviously, everybody not going to want to come to us for help, and we can't provide all the services to everybody in the community. I was just trying to think about all the businesses, even the ones that's not a part of my organization. And that's all I was talking about. So, I appreciate y'all being patient. Glad to have this program. I know it's going to be greatly utilized through the businesses that's a part of our organization. I really do. So, I thank you so much. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Next. Mr. Roy Hardemon: Yes. My name is Roy Hardemon in 655 Northwest 48TH Street. And I would 173 May 11, 2000 i 0 say to Commissioner Wynn is that these businesses and most of our businesses are begging and I would say that's simply because of the fact that, under the Model City Program, which was moved aside, not deleted, our programs was put aside for other communities and as -- since, say, roughly, 1982, a lot of the businesses was not given the proper technical assistance the way it's supposed to been; a lot of these dollars that was allocated to these businesses was set up for failure. Commissioner Teele was right when he said, "Don't give no more business -- no money for failure." Somebody should have been held accountable for this long time ago and now the business is suffering. You wonder why property staying in the condition it is? What -- Model City is only getting, what, six or 16 percent of the whole CDBG dollars and for economics? This is why our community is looking -- is such a shamble it is. We're dealing on minimum education and when we don't have the technical assistance that we need to provide to work our businesses, we will fail. (Unintelligible) for change sitting in the prime piece of the property and we're reaching out here crying and begging. Two for change (phonetic) should be held accountable for these problems that we're having in our areas, since they are the pillar of the economic portion for our community. And I'm upset and I'm going to be watching this stuff very closely as we go along because we should not have to come down every time begging, crying and pleading like we don't know what's going on. Thank you. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Yes, sir. Mr. Larry Williams: Yes. My name is Larry Williams. I want to direct this to Mr. Teele because -- I'm not going to take up too much of your time. I know you've got a long agenda. The application process, I've been sidetracked. I don't know whether you remember. About year ago, I came before your board and gave a dissertation on what I was doing in the Overtown area to better the properties we own. I have been like sidetracked in reference to application process, proposals. I've called Mr. Fernandez; I've called Ms. Waters; I've called various people and it seemed like it's a deliberate act on the part of the City, I should say, in diverting the information that I need in order to partake in the process. Like I said, I started this process on renovating, like I said, a 30 -room rooming house; 2 apartments, and this whole process just been sidetracked. My business was condemned without due process of law by the City -- Ms. Albury. Power was turned off where I can't work on my building. And, you know, really, it make no sense of what had happened, you know. You would think, having a building and starting out with my'own funds to renovate the building and thinking -- speaking to Mr. Teele and his Commission about a year or so ago -- that I would receive some grant money, he indicated that they would possibly assist me with some Code Enforcement violations, which is not any of, you know, no degree. But, basically, you know, the question -- and then I'm going to wrap it up -- who do I speak to in reference to the grant money? Like I think one -- you Commissioners was saying about participating. You know, it's exclusion. It's not participation. I mean, I -- you know, I work 16, 17 hours a day renovating buildings in Overtown. I invite any one to come out and take a look at it. Vice Chairman Gort: We'll put you to speak right now with the person in charge of Rehab. Jeff? And can we talk on this specific property? Ms. Warren: Staff will continue the communication. We'll have somebody talk to the gentleman. 174 May 11, 2000 • Mr. Williams: Well, that's what this whole process is, sir. It's a confusing process. They take you through vagueness; they tell you "well, it's going no grant monies for this, it's no grant monies for that," but then everyone around me is receiving grant money and I'm not getting any, you know. And the process I'm talking about -- if it's a reason or eminent domain or something, if they want my property... Vice Chairman Gort: Sir, we're putting you to talk to her. Staff is going to come back to us. They're going to report next Commission meeting what's happened with your application, OK. Commissioner Winton: And I think that... Vice Chairman Gort: I don't think there's much more we can do here. Commissioner Teele. Mr. Williams: OK. Well, I understand y'all got a long agenda but thank y'all very much for your time. Commissioner Teele: Larry... Vice Chairman Gort: Yeah, but get together with the... Commissioner Teele: Before you leave Mr. Williams -- and, Mr. Chairman and members of the Commission, Mr. Williams has had a very difficult process and he made reference to the fact that there was a condemnation of some sort, which was most unfortunate, in my opinion. Unfortunately, Mr. William believes that I had talked to the NET office. I've never talked to them about that before or since. But I do think that there needs to be a turning of the page, if you will, on the Williams -- on the Larry Williams affair. And I would very much like, Mr. Manager, if we could host a meeting next week, next Tuesday or next Thursday, at a location that's convenient -- maybe at the MRC building -- and I would personally come and let's see how we can resolve that. Because I think Mr. Williams is a property owner of good standing throughout this City and I realize there were some problems with the property. The NET office took an action that they deem to be appropriate. Mr. Williams: Excuse me. It was never (unintelligible). You know, I understand was some problems with it. Commissioner Teele: And let's just... Mr. Williams: It was some problems with it that some person wanted the property for some -- I don't know what reason. Commissioner Teele: But, Larry... Mr. Williams: Because we had no Code violations, Mr. Teele. You know that. I have records here 175 May 11, 2000 E to indicate that. Commissioner Teele: I don't know that. I've never read the record. Mr. Williams: Well... • Commissioner Teele: But what I'm saying to you is, in response to what you're saying, how can you qualify for funds? I'm very interested in coordinating a meeting with you and the staff next week, on next Tuesday or Thursday, or whatever is convenient for the management and you, in the MRC building and let's move forward to see how we can help you. Mr. Williams: Well, I'm basically, referring to the funds that you assured me that I would receive when you and I and your board had a discussion some time before my building was condemned. Commissioner Teele: What I told you, when you came before the Overtown Advisory Board, I believe, is that we have funds in the budget for Code violation issues. When I checked with the staff, they indicated that you had not had a proper application before them. But let's don't try to sort that out now. Let's sit down... Mr. Williams: Yeah, I understand. Commissioner Teele: And I'm willing to take the time, you know, and -- I think it's important that we try to figure out, positively, how we can help you. And I'm committed... Mr. Williams: Yeah. But I'm talking about the proper way to not have to get voice mail and things of that nature when you want to get application. See, all I want is an application to be denied or confirmed. That's all I want. I'm not going to hold you -- hold the board up any longer. Commissioner Teele: That's fair, Mr. Williams. Mr. Williams: OK. That's all I want, you know. Commissioner Teele: So, if you're available next week... Mr. Williams: But I hadn't been afforded that. I been sidetracked. You know, deliberately sidetracked, what I'm saying. That's what I'm say saying. Commissioner Teele: Mr. Williams, do you want to meet with the staff next week? Mr. Williams: Of course. Commissioner Teele: OK. Mr. Williams: What staff? 176 May 11, 2000 Commissioner Teele: The staff of the City. Mr. Williams: Yeah. Commissioner Teele: And we'll set that up and I'll come to that meeting. OK. Thank you. Mr. Gimenez: Commissioner, we'll set that up, that meeting up for you. Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, ma'am. Ms. Mary Hill: Thank you. I'm Mary Hill. And I really want this documented, what I'm saying, as a federal official. My badge, IV-TGS Training in Government Services, first of its kind, and also the Founder of Revenue Sharing and Title 20 Grants. First concept of bringing money in to these target areas and, from my effort, was brought into the State of Florida. This is an order that came into the State of Florida, also, to recognize me as Founder to establish a regional office. Now, I still hear Ms. Warren and the rest captivating on a concept that was founded in White House, matching funds, of the funds I founded, which is revenue sharing. OK. We have two-part program. One in Dade County; one at the City, and what have you, is just interfering, OK? Now, in 1969 here, the change -over and smooth transition period has been brought to the attention of Dade County and State of Florida more than once. In 1969 it was brought in here and it was recognized by Dade County. Instead of making smooth transition period, they took over and they claim that the Green Amendment allowed them to take over the programs. That's not true. Because the amendment they're speaking about in 1967, which I have credentials here, was the -- with the program and the laws that were founded by me and from my effort was constituted on the White House records, OK. Now, I'm hearing that we're going to put part over to the County. They've been dealt with. I let them know also. My duties are to let you know, so later on you can't say you don't know what's going on and what's supposed to be. I don't know where Mrs. Warren is getting her information from but as Founder and the one responsible for it on the White House books, I hear some conflict of interest that between the laws and what's supposed to be here and when it -- audits comes in, we set up programs, even at Dade Count at MMAP, which is a wear off, instead of letting this regional office be established, according statutory laws, read this involvement and participation is out. We want some community services, not only here in Dade County, according to these statutory laws, but throughout the nation, which we can carry out our national responsibility as permitted by law from the local level. Thank you. Commissioner Sanchez: Thank you, Ms. Hill. Ms. Hill: That's including businesses, too. That's under these laws also. And many more things, OK. Commissioner Sanchez: Sir. Mr. John Bryant: My name is Johnny Bryant. My address 1121 Northwest 50th Street. I'm here on 177 May 11, 2000 • behalf of Palmetto Homes of Miami, Inc., which was resolution, some property back in '97, in reference to Scattered Sites Program. I'm here today because, basically, we were given a year to produce these properties on these scattered sites and we weren't really given a fair chance on giving these sites. We were, like in that time of '97, that City of Miami was going through some kind of turmoil and funds were like ceased or the acquisition of the properties were not given full benefit to the company when we had -- all we had qualified buyers, which was meeting half of the qualifications of City of Miami SHIP and HOME Program. Now, we would like to bring this back up and given a second chance. Would you -- would that be consideration of the City of Miami, to be brought back to the table for consideration on these Scattered Site Programs? Commissioner Sanchez: Gwendolyn? Ms. Warren: Commissioners, at this time there's not an RFP out for Scattered Site. But if, at a point in time, the Commissioner were to -- Commission were to direct staff to do that, any eligible agency would be appropriate to apply. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Commissioner Winton: When do we technically do that? I mean, Gwendolyn, is there a timeframe in the year? I mean, we do it once a year, twice a year, or how does that work? Ms. Warren: We currently do not have a Scattered Site Program, but your RFP (Request for Proposal) and a design and your appropriations are on this agenda in terms of your planning calendar is the next item. Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, Ms. Warren, let me just ask this. It's two issues here. Number one, this group, what is it, Palmetto? Mr. Bryant: Palmetto Homes of Miami. Commissioner Teele: Were you all designated and given funds by the City? Mr. Bryant: Yes. Commissioner Teele: Hold on. Let me just ask staff the question. Mr. Hepburn. Mr. Jeff Hepburn: Jeff Hepburn, Assistant Director, Housing. If I recall, there was a resolution adopted back this 1970 -- I'm sorry, 1997. Basically, there were some lots the City owned in the Model City area and also Little Haiti that we provided development rights to Palmetto Home for one year. They were given one year to go out and develop those particular lots. Commissioner Teele: All right. Mr. Hepburn: They did not do that. 178 May 11, 2000 • .• Commissioner Teele: OK. Would it be fair to you to ask you to review that resolution and to give us a report in say, 30 days, on just the status of the land and the lots of that resolution? Mr. Hepburn: We could do that. Commissioner Teele: Now, the second question -- and I think that answers all of this -- is, Ms. Warren, we have a very aggressive and, I think, pretty well-functioning Scattered Site Housing Assistance Program for families -- for individuals, is that right? Ms. Warren: Correct. Commissioner Teele: Is that on the agenda today? That's on the agenda in here later on, right? Ms. Warren: We did a presentation -- well, you have several programs. You have the Model City Revitalization Project, which is on the agenda... Commissioner Teele: The Homeownership Program. Ms. Warren: The Homeownership Program, you've already reviewed it under Item 1, and there's some additional monies we're going to be asking you to award to that program. Commissioner Teele: So, in other words, if anybody's got a Scattered Site Housing... Ms. Warren: They can come... Commissioner Teele: ...all they've got to do is, they don't get the money is find somebody who qualifies to buy it and they could get up to what, ten thousand dollars ($10,000)? Ms. Warren: Forty thousand dollars ($40,000) for the home buyer. Commissioner Teele: So -- I mean, you don't need the government to be involved in a Scattered Site Housing Program today. Ms. Warren: That was your intent. Commissioner Teele: What you need is to go out and do it and find a buyer. Ms. Warren: Correct. Commissioner Teele: And the buyer can qualify for -- is it a grant or a loan? Ms. Warren: It's a grant. 179 May 11, 2000 0 • Commissioner Teele: Gee! That's pretty good. Mr. Ario Lundy: OK. Can I answer that question? Vice Chairman Gort: State your name and address for the record. Mr. Lundy: Palmetto Homes. The problem was never... Vice Chairman Gort: Name and address, please, sir. Mr. Lundy: Excuse me? Vice Chairman Gort: Name and address. Mr. Lundy: Eleven -fifty-one Northwest 50th Street, Palmetto Homes of Miami. We never had a problem finding the buyers. It wasn't a problem. The problem when we had was like trying to get the money for the buyers -because a lot of those people in those particular neighborhoods doesn't have the income. Right now, I went out of my pocket and built me a house ori a land that I went and bought because we supposed to had lots, they supposed made to us, and then we pay on five percent with the City that we had set up. So, I went out of my pocket, built me a house -- if I don't have no money, that money for the income people, how can I sell the property or do any -- put a person in a home? I went and built me one, so I need y'all to go out there and look at it. Commissioner Winton: Because your buyer could potentially qualify for the forty thousand dollar ($40,000) grant. Mr. Lundy: At the time when we first got this granted to us, the money was all messed up, from my understanding. Listen to what I'm saying. I went and built me one the other day. No, a year ago I went and built me one. That's what was said... Vice Chairman Gort: you have to speak in the mike, sir. Mr. Lundy: Excuse me, sir? Vice Chairman Gort: You have to speak in the mike. You have to put in the record. Mr. Lundy: That's what was said to me. That's all I'm saying. I'm not here to (inaudible) anybody. Vice Chairman Gort: Jeff. Commissioner Winton: Right. I understand. Mr. Jeff Hepburn (Assistant Director, Community Development Department, Housing Division): In 1997, what we were talking about is conveying city -owned lots to them to develop. Back then 180 May 11, 2000 0 we did not have this particular program, in terms of forty thousand dollars ($40,000). Commissioner Teele: Can you all take this and let's study that situation and those lots, so we're not talking theoretical? Sit down with them... Mr. Hepburn: We'll come back in 30 days. Commissioner Teele: ...and come back in 30 days. That would be the Commission meeting of June the 8th. Ms. Warren: Can we make it the second Commission meeting in June? Commissioner Teele: All right. So, June the 29th. Ms. Warren: Thank you. Commissioner Teele: And contact them and let's make sure that it's on there and we have a good recommendation. But we can't resolve that here, going back and forth. Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, sir. Item 7, is that what we're discussing? Mr. Demas Jackson: My name is Demas Jackson, Jackson Soul Food, 950 Northwest 3RD Avenue. I just want to say that the small business people was here today and the community, they have the problem. We don't any -- much money in the community and they looking for grant. In order to get a grant, you've got to have -- fill out the application. The application so thick, they can't understand it. And they can't come up with all the procedures in the application. And I ask y'all to look into it. Today -- Commissioner, look into it, in our community. Some -- these people stand up here today 15 hours, they believe in they store and they got to make enough money -- little money during the day to get to the store in the morning to try to put something on the shelf to try to sell the next day, and this is the predicament that our community is in now. It's no money circulating in our community, in the small business. And we have little stores. You go in there. You ask for one thing. They don't have it. You ask for another one. They don't have it. You've got to go somewhere else and get it, which, if they had stock in they stores, you go there; you can buy, and they can survive for another day. But these peoples here, they going day-by-day trying to survive. Fifteen hours a day and they don't carry enough money home, even not to come back to stock up for the next day. I'm asking the Commissioner, will you get with the County and see what kind of budget that you all can get up and figure out so that it won't be so hard on them to try to figure out a budget like this to try to get a grant. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. Mr. Jackson: They need the grant. We need the money in our community and we appreciate that y'all look into it and consider it. That you can cut down on the budget because these people, a lot of them cannot come up with it. 181 May 11, 2000 Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. Your time is up. Mr. Jackson: Thank you very much. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. OK. We'll close the public hearing. We're on Item 7, right? Commissioner Teele: As amended. Vice Chairman Gort: As amended. Any further discussion? Being none, all in favor state by saying "aye." The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 00-412 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION WITH ATTACHMENT (S), APPROVING THE GUIDELINES AS SET FORTH IN THE COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION PROGRAM, ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF AND ESTABLISHING A COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION PROGRAM TO IMPROVE AND ENHANCE CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ' CORRIDORS LOCATED IN THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ZONES OF COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION DISTRICTS. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) 182 May 11, 2000 Upon being seconded by Commissioner Winton, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Joe Sanchez Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Commissioner Johnny L. Winton NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. 183 May 11, 2000 Commissioner Sanchez: If we could take Item 6. Vice Chairman Gort: Back to Item 6. I don't know. Commissioner Sanchez: However, it's up to you. But we've taken almost all the items out of order, why not take six? Vice Chairman Gort: Item 6. Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Mr. Chairman, item 6, staff is recommending the reimplementation of our Commercial Loan Program. As .you may recall, historically, the City of Miami's Commercial Loan Program has'been administered by Miami Capital. Through a series of events, our contractual relationship with Miami Capital has been severed. Staff believes, and under the direction of the Commission, that the Commercial Loan Program is a very effective vehicle for -- to encourage and expand start-up businesses. Staff is recommending that we reimplement that program and that three agencies be designated, Citywide, to provide the administrative support for the loan program. The agencies that staff -- well, the agencies, when designated, would be responsible for assisting with the processing of loan applications, working during eligibility, assisting business plans, technical assistance and loan packaging. The staff is recommending that three agencies be designated: One in the northern/central and southern area of the County. The recommendation is that at least two agencies, at this time, CAMACOL and the Little Haiti Credit Union be designated as those two agencies and that three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) of the program income -- we have a million two of program income that has been generated from our loan program; that has been sitting in a reserve account. Staff is recommending that administrative support to both the Little Haiti Credit Union, as well as CAMACOL, be provided, in a form of a hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), to provide the technical assistance to business. We are recommending that the third organization to provide those services be the City Department of Economic Development. Under previous legislation, you have provided funding and we feel, at this point, that that would be sufficient to provide the support in the central area of the City. That's staffs recommendation and that we reinstitutes the program. Commissioner Sanchez: Gwendolyn, just for the record, can you name what they're responsible for, which is loan application... 184 May 11, 2000 Ms. Warren: The loan application processing eligibility determination, which should have been first, the develop -- assisting businesses with the development of a legitimate business plan, providing them technical assistance in the preparation of documents and, also, submission before the Loan Committee; loan packaging assistance, et cetera. Commissioner Sanchez: So moved with an amendment. Commissioner Teele: Second the motion. Commissioner Sanchez: The amendment be that it be a retroactive May 1, 2000. Ms. Warren: Thank you. Commissioner Winton: Who does... Commissioner Regalado: This is until when? Ms. Warren: These -- this particular program is recommended for implementation to date and we would come back under the new fiscal year at that time and make additional recommendations, but this is to implement the program, effective immediately. I might add -- I left out the amount of the loan. Staff is recommending that the maximum limit on the loans are fifty thousand. Vice Chairman Gort: I'm sorry. What was that again? Ms. Warren: Fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). Vice Chairman Gort: These are loans, not grants? Ms. Warren: These are loans, not grants. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. It's been moved. Is there a second? Commissioner Teele: Second. Vice Chairman Gort: Discussion. Commissioner Winton: Question. Who services the loans and monitors the status of the loans? Ms. Warren: City staff will provide the servicing. We purchased a servicing system for our loan portfolio. So, again, the servicing of the loan would be done through the City's regular finance system, but the administration packaging and technical assistance to the agencies would be provided by the organizations identified. 185 May 11, 2000 Commissioner Winton: All right. And a follow-up question then is, if a loan -- if an individual who has taken out a loan begins to fall behind either in timeliness of their payments or gets -- or really begins to move towards default, do we notify the existing agency that originally processed the loans, so that they can provide extra support to the borrower? Ms. Warren: That would provide not only notification, but also additional assistance to them. Commissioner Winton: Well, OK. Good. Thank you. Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, ma'am. Ms. Diane Silverman: Again, I'm Diane Silverman, Working Capital Florida, 3000 Biscayne Boulevard. What's the amount -- the total amount of the fund, the loan fund? Ms. Warren: The loan fund would start -- again, we have a million/two. We're recommending that three hundred thousand be used for the technical assistance administration to the agencies and that a pool of nine hundred thousand, the balance, be used as a revolving loan fund. Any principal in interest that is collected would be put back into that fund, so it will be a revolving fund to maintain the system. Ms. Silverman: Wasn't it -- at one time, wasn't there a consideration of putting out an RFP (Request for Proposal) for existing organizations to manage what was the -- I think was the Miami Capital money that the City decided not to... Ms. Warren: Staff is making a recommendation that the City, as well as other sub -contractors currently with the City, administer the program, and that it not be out to bid. Ms. Silverman: I'd just like to make the proposal. Based -- I'm not saying you won't be successful and I don't -- I mean, it looks funny because we're a loan fund and I'm not saying it because -- really, not for any reason, for our own benefit. But I think that the results have been, over the years, that government -run loan funds are not particularly successful. And I think that, considering that we have been extremely successful in giving loans into the low and moderate -income community, that we already have the infrastructure and a proven track record that we should have been given the opportunity to bid on running that loan fund. The neighborhood organizations can be given grants to do community outreach, but why duplicate the system, considering that ours is already highly successful, and that we do it in four counties successfully, with a 98 percent repayment rate? I think it should be reconsidered. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am. Yes. The gentleman wants to speak. 186 May 11, 2000 Mr. Al Hardemon: May I address the Commission? Vice Chairman Gort: Yes. Please, wait. Mr. Hardemon: Again, Al Hardemon. You know... Vice Chairman Gort: Your address, Mr. Hardemon, please. Your address. Mr. Hardemon: My address is 7750 Northwest 12TH Avenue. My issue here -- because I'm hearing, line for line -- because it's our money. It's our money. Again, I don't see where I live, American black live, where the City of Miami is paying any attention to me or my seven kids. You have -- on one end, so then you have the Latin Chambers. On the other end you have the Haitian Credit Union. And in the middle you have the City of Miami. Where I live, we're not in the Haitian community and we're not down south. There's nobody paying attention to the actual central district of Miami. Well, all these problems supposed had started, where all your riots supposed to fled up and everything else, everything I've heard all day has been around. No one have addressed our needs. They send us -- send me to the Haitian Credit Union, which may be fine. It may be set up fine. But you have to take a human thoughts and motives. You're going to have to look out for the Haitians because they need it. They need it. They needed it down there. But no one on this staff, on the community development staff, no one on this staff have yet showed me anything in this whole package that they are sensitive to the needs of the American blacks and it's disturbing and, as we go down this list, I'll be back. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. Gwendolyn. Ms. Warren: No comment. Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, sir. Mr. Jose Antonio Font: My name is Jose Antonio Font. I'm with the CAMACOL Loan Fund and just to clarify the record. The CAMACOL Loan Fund has been operating for over a year. We obtained a one point three million dollar ($1,300,000) grant from Beacon Council. We successfully put out that money. In over thirty loans, they're all current in payments, so we have been very effective in our underwriting capacity. We currently have approximately one million three hundred thousand dollars ($1,300,000) of applications pending. Among these are 80 micro -entrepreneurs for amounts under twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000). We have been building capacity. We have just been approved for second round from -- by the Community Development Financial Institution Funds of the Department of Treasury, which means that they have evaluated our capacity to run a loan program and in all aspects, and that's the implication was given, that we didn't have capacity is not quite correct. Thank you. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. Mary Hill. 187 May 11, 2000 Ms. Mary Hill: Mary Hill. I would like to say something, too, sir, with the Beacon Council. Will you please answer my question? Vice Chairman Gort: Ma'am, excuse me. Address the Commissioners. Thank you. Ms. Hill: Oh, I'm sorry. My name is Mary Hill. I'm so into it. Excuse me. My name is Mary Hill and I'm, again, the founder. I'm federal official, as you see, that's over city, county, state, and what have you, and also HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development). Now, I would like to address some of the things that he said about the Beacon Council. In 1986 or'87 there was supposed to be a mandate ordered concerning just what I just told you, and it was put in the hand of a legal official to straighten this out at that time. I mean, what we got back here was the Beacon Council. Now, I would like to know, how could these people come in -- Johnny, come late, not the one responsible for these laws, these funds, and brought -- from my efforts to brought in, to the State of Florida, is national director, founder, CEO (Chief Executive Officer) and creator; how could all of these departments come in after this -- and I'm well-documented from the White House. I'm federal. I'm registered on the White House books. I'm holding my effective community action programs, which I'm the founder too, the whole nine yards. All I'm hearing is words from these programs, OK. Now, how could they come in and have priority over the regional office, which, from my effort, was brought here, and the funding, earmarked to carry these programs out under these laws and under this regional office, which, on the outside looking in, regional office never been established? How could we have an oversight that stands here -- and I'd like to have just as much time now as these other officials because I'm the one who's responsible for it all. Give me a little more time, please. OK. I'd like to be respected to that. Respect. You know, a little more. And I want you to know, we're going to have to correct this because every time this happen and every time the feds and anyone come down, we're going to have the same problem. So, let's straighten it out now and get these programs and regional office and work with me as supposedly establish this regional office and bringing the staff. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am. Your time is up. Ms. Hill: ...to run these programs. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am. Ms. Hill: Thank you. Vice Chairman Gort: Gwendolyn, do we have any -- the statement was brought that the central district, there's no one agency that -- they could be doing the. job? 188 May 11, 2000 J Ms. Warren: We have not identified one at this time and we felt that the Department of Economic Development, given that it have funding to provide these similar services, would be sufficient right now. Vice Chairman Gort: Located... Ms. Warren: And if that wasn't, we would come back. Vice Chairman Gort: Where's your location at? Ms. Warren: We're at MRC (Miami Riverside Center). Vice Chairman Gort: Can we relocate, where we have the WAGES (Work and Gains Economic Self -Sufficiency), which is on 36TH Street Northwest... Ms. Warren: Absolutely. Vice Chairman Gort: ...and 14th Avenue? Ms. Warren: We can provide loan services... Vice Chairman Gort: And we make the information available to the neighborhoods and to the NETS (Neighborhood Enhancement Teams) within that area, so they inform the business people. Ms. Warren: Absolutely. Vice Chairman Gort: Is that all right with the Commission? Commissioner Teele: Well, Mr. Chairman, it's all right, and I support it. But CAMACOL has a very unique and a very outstanding network. I think one of the problems is not the 36TH area -- street area. The problem is north of 38TH Street up to 73RD Street. I have no objections to that and, quite frankly, I think having a three -party relationship is good because it gives you a way to compare and I like that recommendation. And I particularly like the recommendation that a government agency will be involved because if they don't perform, we can get them out. But I think there's a lot to be learned there. What I'm not comfortable with -- and I'm very uncomfortable with any references to ethnicity, even if it comes from black, white or Cuban about people even within that issue -- even within that same cultural group. So, my concern has nothing to do with that, with the ethnicity issue. I am really concerned about a credit union doing this. Because credit unions, normally, are not involved. And I have wrestled with this and wrestled with this. I'm going to ask that this resolution be amended to provide that the Little Haiti Credit Union will provide this service, effective July 1, and give them a chance to wrap up. Because I recognize that CAMACOL is doing this now, and I don't think we ought to have a one -shoe -fits -all. I 189 May 11, 2000 0 0 think we need to look at this thing, based upon what's there in the community. And I would like, by at least the last meeting in June, for this matter to be returned and for you all to bring us the experience of Little Haiti in this. Because it's the same principle. I don't want to fund something that's not going to succeed and I just need to know, as the district Commissioner, representing this area, that there is an experience factor or there is a plan to get that experience factor. And if you would allow that as an exception? This would relate only to the Little Haiti portion. That the Management shall return back to the Commission, by the second meeting in June, a finding and a recommendation to proceed, effective July 1, for Little Haiti or any other agency during that period of time that you may think is appropriate. Vice Chairman Gort: Will the maker of the motion accept the amendment? Commissioner Sanchez: Yes, I do. Vice Chairman Gort: The seconder will accept the amendment? Commissioner Teele: Yes, sir. Commissioner Regalado: Yes. Vice Chairman Gort: But most important is the technical support be placed in there and those people be somehow helped, that if the red flag comes up before they get in trouble, they can receive some help to make sure that they are successful. All right. Commissioner Teele: Ms. Warren, just so -- and I want to clarify this. I want to see the plan also in the second meeting in June for the City agency. Ms. Warren: OK. Commissioner Teele: OK? I want to see both of those plans. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Any further discussion? Being none, all in favor state by saying "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. 190 May 11, 2000 11 11 The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Sanchez, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 00-413 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $300,000 OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS TO PROVIDE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS TO REESTABLISH A COMMERCIAL LOAN PROGRAM, AS OF MAY 1, 2000, TO STIMULATE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, WITH SAID ALLOCATION INCLUDING INDIVIDUAL AWARDS OF $150,000 TO THE LITTLE HAITI CREDIT UNION, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AND THE LATIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (CAMACOL); AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT(S), IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, WITH SAID AGENCIES. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Upon being seconded by Commissioner Teele, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Joe Sanchez Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Commissioner Johnny L. Winton NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. 191 May 11, 2000 i •, Vice Chairman Gort: Item 3. Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Item 3 is a companion item to item 1. The assumption -- well, when you moved to resolve the Advisory Board, you selected option 1, which is a planning schedule. The Commission has provided us additional direction to come back at the next available meeting with a funding allocations, and the Law Department would legislation for individual Commissioners to be able to establish their own advisory process. So, at -- with the acceptance of number 2, you basically have selected option 1 on number 3, with the instruction that was also provided by the Commission to come back. Commissioner Teele: I would move option 1, as amended, as stated, and I have one additional amendment that I would like to make, and that is, is that you give us a date in which you're going to return back to this Commission before bids go out, with the recommended funding levels, by category, or percentages and the priorities, so that we can give you our instructions regarding priorities. In other words, the time to determine how many money is going to go into Housing and Economic Development and capital improvement is before you put out the RFP (Request for Proposal), not after you put them out, and that's not contained in here and I would -- I think we've had that discussion, and then we can have a discussion as to what the priorities' are by various districts. Because district priorities should not necessarily be the same. Ms. Warren: Yes, sir. We would -- in order to stay within the legal time frames, we would need to come back at your meeting of the 25TH for that discussion. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Commissioner Teele: By the way, what is the legal limit today that we can provide public service funding? Ms. Warren: Twenty-five percent, sir. Commissioner Teele: And what was it before, twenty percent? 192 May 11, 2000 Ms. Warren: Fifteen. Commissioner Teele: Fifteen. The current year that we're in now, what percentage of funding are we providing for public service? Ms. Warren: Twenty-five. Commissioner Sanchez: Twenty-five. Commissioner Teele: Well, one of the things that I would like to see, when you come back on the 25TH, I would like to see some lock ins, district by district, on the public service areas because what happens is this. We need to make sure that the public service categories -- that there is a minimum threshold for each of the five districts. Ms. Warren: Yes, sir. Commissioner Teele: OK. Vice Chairman Gort: Mr. Cruz. Mr. Mariano Cruz: Mariano Cruz, 1227 Northwest 26TH Street, and this, what I'm going to say, is a repeat of something I said few months ago, and Mr. Teele, at that time, agreed with me. Said I was right. You know, the advertising for this meeting, I found it on Sunday, April 30, page 32A, of The Miami Herald, 32A. Half a page, together with the national news and international news. It was nothing to do with local news or the neighbor section or anything. And I went to the E1 Nuevo Herald and I work with America Latina News, not in the section of the metropolitan news. The only paper that got in the right place was The Miami Times together with all the news that's supposed to be. I found it. Why that? Is it problem with The Miami Herald or a problem with the marketing or problem of who.? Because there you put a section of the Herald -- you're spending a lot of money because it goes to all over the County, and Broward County and the whole thing, instead of targeting, marketing the neighbor section, the people are going to read the -- I don't read the whole section A of The Miami Herald, the international news and all that. Why don't they put it in the neighbor, get it two weeks -- I start an article the City -- the continuation of the article about the City, you put the ad of the City, people will see that. When you put it here, you're confined with the legal obligation of putting an ad in the paper. Well, very few people are seeing this ad and you're spending a lot of money. (Inaudible) dollars here. You know, with the section on 32A, on the same thing. And now I see down here (inaudible) of the advertising. The Miami Times get a lot of advertising, whatever want to say about the bids, everything is in here. I don't see any of the tabloids of the -- Spanish tabloids getting any 193 May 11, 2000 advertising. That was suspended on account of the fiscal crisis of the City. Well, why don't you spend some of those monies in the Spanish press, too? What about that, the little weekly tabloids? The Miami Times is a weekly that you have to buy. (Inaudible) tabloids are free. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, Mariano. Mr. Cruz: You know, I have to come by here because they didn't pay attention the last time I was here, a few months ago, about this thing. It happen again. You want to reach people -- Vice Chairman Gort: Mariano, your time is up, Mariano. Mr. Cruz: Put it in the right place. I see people here that get the time off and they keep on talking, too. They don't live in your district. I am in your district. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, Mariano. Mr. Cruz: Election time will come again. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Next time I'll give you three minutes. I promise. Any further discussion? All in favor state by saying "aye." The Commission (Collectively): "Aye." The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved its adoption: MOTION NO. 00-414 A MOTION HOLDING IN ABEYANCE THE PUBLIC REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) PREDICATED ON THE CITY COMMISSION ACCEPTANCE OF THE RECOMMENDED 26TH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT YEAR FUNDING LEVELS BY CATEGORY; FURTHER INSTRUCTING THE CITY MANAGER TO PROVIDE "LOCK - INS" (MINIMUM THRESHOLD LEVELS) PER COMMISSION DISTRICT IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE CATEGORY; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO PROVIDE THE TIMEFRAME WHEREIN THE RFP SHOULD GO OUT. 194 May 11, 2000 Upon being seconded by Commissioner Winton, the motion was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort Commissioner Joe Sanchez Commissioner Johnny L. Winton Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Tomas Regalado 195 May 11, 2000 • 0 Vice Chairman Gort: Item 4. Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Yes, Commissioners. Item 4 deals with the Model City Community Revitalization District, particularly, the development of our home ownership zone there. As you may recall, the Commission approved a Five -Year Plan that designated seven communities in the City of Miami that would have homeownership zones. The first homeownership zone, which is our target area, is the Model City community. The Department of Community Development has been working for almost a year with the Planning Department to develop a plan for the revitalization of this homeownership zone. I would like for the Planning Director to do the presentation on the planning piece. There's three resolutions. One is to talk about the master plan; the second one is a funding appropriation, and the third resolution deals with a companion application. It would be a Hope 6 application that the County is intending to submit for development in that area, and that is the third resolution. But the first phase of it is the City of Miami's Model City Revitalization District, in particular, our Economic Development project for that area and our homeownership zone. And, Ana, can you do the presentation? Ms. Ana Gelabert (Director, Planning & Zoning): What you have in front of you is the area of Model City -- I'm sorry. Ana Gelabert, Planning. What we would like to do is hire the services of a consultant to help us prepare a master plan for the Model City area. The master plan on the area that you're seeing, what that would encompass would be the revitalization of the whole neighborhood. That would include the 17th Avenue Corridor; the Street Scape and the Commercial Facade Design; Street Scape within neighborhood; the identification of open space park land; the 196 May 11, 2000 0 9 expansion -- the possible expansion of the park that you have on the northern part of the boundary and, also, the design of housing prototypes, single family, duplex and town home for the area. What we -- you have in front is a resolution authorizing a hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for the services of the consultant, which he's here with us, is Richard Heisenbottle. I would like to make an amendment to the -- what you have of a hundred to a hundred and twenty-five because of the services that we would like to have this master plan have and show. We have added some team members to this -- to Mr. Heisenbottle. That would be Clyde Judson and Gary Moore, which, I think, would be good additions to this team, and Wallace Rover & Todd, who also would be participating. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Questions? Commissioner Teele: Move the item. Vice Chairman Gort: It's been moved. Is there a second? Commissioner Winton: Second. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Discussion? The number eight, which is the transitional zone, as I can see here, you already have certain plan that you have put together. Ms. Gelabert: What we have done, that the Planning Department felt that it was important is, that is a concept plan of when we started looking at the area, what did we feel we needed to talk to the consultant, as far as the scope of services? So, that that you're seeing in front of you is kind of an analysis from the Planning perspective of where we saw the effort being directed on the northern part, close to 62nd, because of the town homes and the density and the quality, the vacant lots. So, there were things -- so, what you're seeing really is an analysis but it is not firm because that's why we're bringing the consultants. Vice Chairman Gort: I understand. But what I'm looking at this is, when you get through with your analysis, you're going to come back to us and you're going to recommend certain zoning changes to implement your plans? Ms. Gelabert: Yes. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Most of that district -- and correct me if I'm wrong. And, Commissioner Teele, this is your district. There's not that many vacant lots in there. Ms. Gelabert: There's many. Vice Chairman Gort: There is? Ms. Gelabert: Yes, yes, there are -- there's plenty. Yes. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. So, there is. 197 May 11, 2000 Commissioner Teele: Not only is there a lot of vacant lots, there are a lot of CLUC-90 (County Land Usage Code) lots in there. I mean, it's probably more CLUC-90 lots in that block than there are in the rest of the City outside of District 5 -- outside of the district. Commissioner Winton: What's CLUC-90? Commissioner Teele: That's lots that effectively are abandoned but they still have the name of the person on it, but they don't pay taxes. They... Vice Chairman Gort: So, we're in the process where all those properties could put up -- OK. Thank you. There's a motion. Is there a second? Commissioner Winton: Yes. Vice Chairman Gort: It's been second. Further discussion? Being none, all in favor state by saying "aye " The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 00-415 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPROVING, IN PRINCIPLE, THE PROPOSED KING HEIGHTS/ORCHARD VILLA REVITALIZATION PROJECT WHICH WILL SERVE AS A GUIDE FOR FUTURE REVITALIZATION OF THE KING HEIGHTS/ORCHARD VILLA NEIGHBORHOOD BOUNDED BY NORTHWEST 62ND STREET TO THE NORTH, NORTHWEST 54TH STREET TO THE SOUTH, NORTHWEST 12TH AVENUE TO THE EAST, AND NORTHWEST 17TH AVENUE TO THE WEST, IN THE MODEL CITY COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION DISTRICT; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO RETAIN THE SERVICES OF THE ARCHITECTURAL FIRM OF R.J. HEISENBOTTLE ARCHITECTS, P.A.; ALLOCATING HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FUNDS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000, IN CONNECTION WITH THE PREPARATION OF A MASTER PLAN FOR THE REVITALIZATION OF THE KING HEIGHTS/ORCHARD VILLA NEIGHBORHOOD; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR THE AFOREMENTIONED PURPOSE. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) 198 May 11, 2000 Upon being seconded by Commissioner Winton, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Joe Sanchez Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Commissioner Johnny L. Winton NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): The second resolution, Commissioners, is that in July of '99, the Commissioners authorized a resolution that over a five- year time period, that we would allocate a million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) annually, for five years, to take care of the housing and other infrastructure -related issues for this particular community. What staff is — well, you have already, in your '99 allocation, set aside a million five — first million allocation. What staff is requesting is that you set aside both the current year and the new year's allocation so that we would have a pool of funds to implement the project and, particularly, at the point the master plan comes back to start some of the infrastructure improvements and economic planning in the area. Commissioner Teele: So moved. Commissioner Winton: Second Vice Chairman Gort: It's been moved and second. Question. My understanding is, we identified seven zones within the City of Miami. We're going to do implement in all these strategies. Ms. Warren: Yes, you did. The same thing. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Ms. Warren: This is the first of seven. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Discussion? Being none, all in favor state by saying "aye." 199 May 11, 2000 • The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 00-416 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, RELATING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP HOUSING UNITS IN THE MODEL CITY HOMEOWNERSHIP ZONE; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ALLOCATE THE AMOUNT OF $1,500,000 IN FY' 1999-2000 AND 2000-2001 HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FUNDS FOR A TOTAL I ALLOCATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,000,000 TO ASSIST IN PART WITH THE FINANCING OF NEW AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP HOUSING UNITS PLANNED IN THE MODEL CITY NEIGHBORHOOD. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Upon being seconded by Commissioner Winton, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Joe Sanchez Commissioner Johnny L. Winton Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): The second resolution, Commissioners... Commissioner Teele: Third. Vice Chairman Gort: Third. Commissioner Winton: Third. Ms. Warren: I'm sorry. The third — I'm getting a little tired. The third resolution, Commissioners, has to do with a Hope -6 application, and I will have the Housing Director, Jeff Hepburn, speak to this issue. 200 May 11, 2000 Mr. Jeff Hepburn: Commissioners, Jeff Hepburn, Assistant Director. The resolution that you have before you, essentially, is a resolution providing both financial and City support to the application that Miami-Dade County plans to submit for a Hope-6 application to US HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) on May 18th. What we're talking about here is, in terms of the County's application, is that they plan to demolish Liberty Square and Liberty Homes, which involves about seven hundred units, seven hundred and thirteen public housing units that dates back to the fifties, when it was built, and they plan to go in with new housing, both mixed use, in terms of homeownership, rental, and also redevelopment of the full area. We're talking about an area that expands north to about the railroad tracks of 71sT Street in Liberty City, and it goes south to 54 H Street; it goes to 17th Avenue on the west side, and I-95 being the eastern boundary. The County's application is roughly for thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000). Vice Chairman Gort: And you're asking us to be part of this application? Mr. Hepburn: That's correct. There are also... Vice Chairman Gort: That's what this resolution asks. Mr. Hepburn: The County's going to pledge about sixteen, eighteen million dollars of surtax, home, other County funding dollars to this project also. Commissioner Winton: So, we're going to — the City's going to put about, what, four and a half or is it five million dollars ($5,000,000) into this project? Ms. Warren: The way this works, if the Commissioners, approve this resolution, is that the application for the Hope 6 would include the project that Ana — the Planning Department previously explained, and it would use our monies, our land and our efforts in our Homeownership Zone as leverage. So, we would become a part of the application in that our homeownership zone is sitting right in the middle of the Hope 6 application project area. I also would add is that we have had discussions with the County, and there are some concerns that were raised regarding the participation, that there be an interlocal agreement between the City and County, and that there be some specific language'— and I'm sure Commissioner Teele will speak further to it — regarding — if awarded, the selection of contractors, joint planning related issues, and the like, and, again, I'm sure the Commissioner will go in more detail. But the resolution would be a resolution to support the application and also authorization for the staff to participate in making sure that our — that we could fairly articulate our leveraging that would go to the application. Commissioner Winton: But what I'm trying to do is be clear on this. Ms. Warren: OK. Commissioner Winton: The City's level of participation will be "X". What is "X"? Vice Chairman Gort: Three million. 201 May 11, 2000 Ms. Warren: "X", if you look at the five-year commitment at a million five... Commissioner Winton: Oh, it's a million and a half a year... Ms. Warren: A million and a half year... Commissioner Winton: So, that's seven and a half million. The County's is what? Ms. Warren: They are sixteen million... Commissioner Winton: So, the County is at sixteen million. Then we can get another thirty-five million, so our seven and a half million is going to generate forty-two and a half million dollars ($42,500,000). Ms. Warren: And, additional, the City also has, again, land in that area that would be part of whatever the value of that is. Commissioner Winton: That's pretty exciting. Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, it sounds exciting for a minute. Let me — this is a lot more complicated than it sounds. Here we go again. The City's about to get used if we're not careful. Now, this is a resolution that was passed out — the management has agreed to make some changes and this references changes. This is a conditional approval, which I want to support, because you don't want to leave thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) on the table if it's good money. That's a question. But, here we go again. The city is putting up -- the same thing we did on the Empowerment Zone. We're putting up our local match as a part of their application, but, yet, when asked, "Can we have an interlocal agreement?" the County said, "No." The County says the same things on the Empowerment Zone. We all said we'll never do this again. Here we are about to do it again. In other words, the thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) that is being talked about would be money that comes to the County, and that's all right, but the fact of the matter is is that the City will have very little, if anything, to say about how they design our community, our city once the money comes in. In other words, you're talking about a massive government housing unit that will be demolished called Liberty Square, which takes up literally everything from 62ND Street to 71s' Street; between 12TH Avenue and 17TH Avenue. Quite frankly, it is one of the high crime areas in the entire United States, historically. But the fact of the matter is this: We will have no control over our City limits than what they put in our City limits, unless we agree t it. Now, I think we need to be very careful in looking at these deals. Secondly, the County has the largest slum in Overtown right now. Right there between 3RD Avenue and 5TH Avenue on 20TH Street —what's the name of that unit? Mr. Hepburn: Townpark. Commissioner Teele: Townpark, which has been boarded up by the County for over how long, four years, five years, six years? Which is literally in dereliction and it is a terrible blight on the community. If it were in Coral Gables —I mean, if it were in Coconut Grove or Brickell or Miami 202 May 11, 2000 Lakes, if it were out there on Alex Penelas Way, that place would have been cleaned up in a minute, but the fact of the matter is, it's in the heart of the inner city and nobody cares. This is the same housing department that has these massive plans and ideas about what they were going to do at Townpark. I mean, just drive by and look at it. It goes for three -square blocks. Public housing. We've got to have assurances that that's not going to happen again. Now, on top of all that, the congresswoman, who represents this district, is saying, "This is a dumb, stupid idea of doing what the County wants to do." And if the press — if The Miami Times is correct, Congresswoman Meek has issued a very strongly worded letter urging the County to suspend its planned applications for the thirty-five million dollar ($35,000,000) Hope 6 of Liberty Square. Instead of serving the poor, she said, "I am concerned that these plans will simply removed them." And these people who have few options as to where to live, and some plans need to be made. It's the same problem in Liberty Square. They moved all those people out — and this -isn't something that happened 20 years ago. This is going on right now. I want to go ahead an support this, but I think there needs to be a timeline in here that we have to have an interlocal agreement by. I mean, 60 days, I think, is fair. If the County is not going to agree to something, then we need to make it very clear in this that our application is withdrawn, and to the extent you rely upon our application or our dollars, you're doing it to your detriment. And that needs to be in a worded letter to them. Because if we withdraw our application — our support, we're going to inform HUD. So, I think, you know, the County needs to think very clearly, do you want to use the City? I think this is fraught with problems. I think this is fraught with a series of issues that the County has not thought out. The problem that I have is this, Mr. Manager, is before the City staff sits down and starts falling in love with these kinds of things, when do we put our issues on the table? We should not even have this letter before us unless we have a decision and as agreement about Town Square and about all these other issues. Don't we have an agreement that Warshaw and Steirheim negotiated? Where is the City Attorney, the other City Attorney? Don't we have an outstanding issue right now the payment in lieu of taxes for public housing? Mr. Vilarello: Yes. We have approximately six issues that we still have outstanding. Commissioner Teele: I'm talking about housing. I don't want to — isn't there a huge issue about housing, where the County is supposed to be paying us and the agreement has sort of never been really... Mr. Vilarello: Yes. We have a one point six million dollar ($1,600,000) obligation on the part of the County that they have not yet agreed to compensate us for. Commissioner Teele: I mean, before we start agreeing to everything — this is the same body. No business would negotiate the way we're negotiating. We need to get the issues on the table. I don't want to hold HUD hostage on this. I would like to approve this, with some very clear time limits and limitations, but I would also instruct the Attorney, independently of this, to come back with this document again and tell us where we are on the HUD one point six million dollars ($1,600,000) or whatever those amounts are. We literally are giving away everything that we have. Commissioner Sanchez: Is there a deadline on this? Is there... 203 May 11, 2000 1 Commissioner Teele: May 18th they have to submit. Ms. Warren: There is a County representative here. And a 60 -day interlocal timeframe is agreeable, as well as all the other conditions that were discussed. Commissioner Sanchez: So, is May the 18th a deadline? Commissioner Teele: They're going to submit it on the 18th Commissioner Sanchez: They're going to submit it... Vice Chairman Gort: They have to submit it, but we can always bring it back. Ms. Warren: They have to — yes. Commissioner Sanchez: Well, then — I mean, we stand... Commissioner Winton: So, if we have an interlocal agreement, does that mean then that we will have control over our own destiny here/ Commissioner Teele: I think — you know, it's not about us controlling it. It's about us having a joint — I mean, you know, as long as the City Commission and the County Commission are agreeing on things — but what's going to happen is, you're going to get some run -away bureaucrats over there making all the decisions that we, as elected officials, can't overrule. Commissioner Winton: Well... Commissioner Teele: And I don't mind if the County Commission has the final word on certain things, because everybody can't be in charge, but at least, when we say something, it has to go to the County Commission. I don't want a mid-level governmental official having veto authority over the City Commission. Commissioner Winton: Well, it seems to me, however, that how this is planned is absolutely crucial. Without proper planning, we're wasting all of our money again. So, how this complex or this area is designed and how we figure out what the mix of single family housing will be, how the mix of multi -family and rental versus condominium or town houses and green space, all of those kinds of issues that are important to neighborhoods, if that isn't planned properly, Commissioner Teele, we're going to wake up fifteen years from now, after it's done, and it's going to be just another blighted area that you have to spend another fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) on. So, I think that the planning process, which seems to me, we ought to have a huge, huge, virtually veto power over, and, in fact, ought to guide the design process, is crucial to how this thing gets down. And, so, that's what I'm trying to understand here, is whether or not we will have that kind of control in this interlocal agreement, and I don't mean control in that we're trying to lock the County out. I'm saying control over the kind of process that will go into this so that we get the right plan done. 204 May 11, 2000 Vice Chairman Gort: Well, my understanding — correct me if I'm wrong — the reason we're doing the — the consultants are looking at the areas so we can implement certain zoning and, according to the plans —the master plan, they would like to create... Ms. Ana Gelabert (Director, Planning & Zoning): Well, there's two things. One is, within what is our project, the one that I presented, that we would have the control because that's —we would be working with the consultant now. What Gwendolyn was talking about on the County's side, right now, on the interlocal agreement we would need something that says that they would have to work with us on the planning and the design because, if not, we, the Planning Department, the City, would not have the power to other than just see the plans. So — on what we control, which is what I presented to you. Yeah, we will. But on the area of the County, I would recommend that, on the interlocal agreement, that is certainly something that has to be there, that the Planning Department/City of Miami would have a say with the Community Development. Commissioner Teele: But, see, you know — and I respect you very much, but see, my issue, I just don't like being the only heavy around here. This would— you know, you all had an agreement for us to sign that gave us no authority on this thing, and all that I'm saying is simply this: We need to work with the County, if they're going to go forward on it. We don't need to have, you know, a situation where it's them versus us. But it needs to be reduced to writing, the responsibilities and the obligations, and the overrules need to be with the various legislative bodies, not the City Manager and the County Manager. That's all that I'm saying. And on the point, the biggest issue in this whole thing, as far as I'm concerned, is that 62'd Street in Liberty City, in Model Cities, is just like Biscayne Boulevard or Brickell or Calle Ocho. Those are commercial corridors. Those corridors should not ever have had housing. They should be business and commercial corridors. And I really think getting the Hope 6, if we do nothing but just turn the commercial areas back to commercial. Right now you've got housing on the most... Commissioner Winton: But that's the whole point of the planning process, and maybe I didn't articulate it well, but those are exactly -- how we plan the big picture here is crucial. The interlinkage between commercial and the buffer between commercial and residential and the type of residential and park space, green space, landscaping, all that jazz, it all has to fit together, and that's what I'm hoping we control. Vice Chairman Gort: What we're saying is, we can control within the City of Miami, but across the street might be Miami -Dade County, and we might not be able to control that. What we're trying to do is make sure that we can put a master plan where we can incorporate that also. Ms. Gelabert: What we would like is to work with the County, precisely. Because what we're doing is what they're doing. What we need on that interlocal agreement is to make sure that we are partners, and that there are a definite, you know, control or — I don't want to use the word control, but it's a partnership of the design. Commissioner Winton: Better word. Vice Chairman Gort: A partnership. 205 May 11, 2000 r-1 Commissioner Winton: And I take mine back. Partnership is what we're looking for. Commissioner Teele: Partnership. But there's one other issue, and I'm going to put it on the record. The reason that Town Square is all in this chaos is that the federal government kicked back the method of selection and the political cronyism that was going on in that whole deal. That thing was selected inappropriately, and I will not allow the City of Miami to get drugged into the airport kind of foolishness that we have going on, and the kind of cronyism and corruption that is rampant over there at the airport and in the County. I want to be sure that whatever we're going to do, particularly in this community — because I represent this community. I have seen the City and the County Public Works Department go through that area to do work, and there is no African American on the job. I have seen the kind of insensitivity that goes in here. You will not be able to do that kind of massive work in Liberty City, in the heart of this community if there is not some element of sensitivity and some element of openness, unlike what happened in that Hope 6. It doesn't matter is you select a bishop or an elder or a preacher or whatever, it's not going to work if you try to package it like that, and I know how the County thinks. I know how they do business. All that I'm saying is, let's just do this in the openness so that the Inspector General of HUD doesn't have to come down and create the kind of problem we have now, where you all have a project that's been out there for five years, boarded up, because everybody's trying to give their political best friend the deal, you know. And it goes without saying, we all know who we're talking about and how that works, and I don't want that in my district. Commissioner Sanchez: He doesn't want to name... Commissioner Teele: Say again? The project of Town — what is it? Commissioner Sanchez: Come on. We've got a long agenda. Ms. Warren: Town Park. Commissioner Teele: Town Park. That's why it's boarded up. You know, they did a dah, dah, dah, dah, you know. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. There is a motion. Is there a second? Discussion. You want to discuss the motion? Ms. Warren: No, I do not, but there's a County representative who would like to speak to the Commission. Vice Chairman Gort: Let's listen from Hardemon and see what he says. Yes, sir. Mr. Roy Hardemon: Please. Roy Hardemon, 655 Northwest 48th Street. Mr. Winton, the community is not blighted. It looks beautiful. It's just poor. It don't have the businesses. That's the problem. It's not ugly. That's blighted to me. And the thing is that — the problems we having in that area is that everyone wants to plan for the people in the area without the people 206 May 11, 2000 being included. We have all these big processes going through where these houses going to cost ninety thousand dollars ($90,000); some folks banking on making a bundle on selling these homes to poor people, who will never qualify. We have yet to deal with the people of character and what they got in their pocket, the way Congress said do it. We ain't talking about HUD now. But the fact is that, in this process, we're going to need you'll to make sure that Dade County HUD test the soil on this before you turn out one property because I don't want to get down the road, when you start tearing it down, the soil is contaminated, and then we still have 20 years to wait to come back home. Commissioner Winton: And that's a great point. Mr. Hardemon: And we need to deal with all these issues. Commissioner Winton: Well, it seems to me you made two points. One is the environmental issue, but the other was community involvement, and — at least within the City — I've only been here five months, so that's not very long. But my — the short history that I have, I found that City staff — and I think it's a result of the urging of my colleagues, at least, over the last year or so, I think City staff has done a better and better job and will continue to do a better and better job at getting community involvement when we're doing these kinds of projects, so that the citizens will have some say as they begin to work on this plan and the development of the plan. And those kind of — that input is crucially important. Mr. Hardemon: And I'd just like to say this on the input, is that we have all types of resolutions that's supposed to include New Washington Heights, New Century, MLK (Martin Luther King), all these different CDC's to be a part of this, and then I hear you going to spend a hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) to give to a consultant to come in and look at these things. I'm really concerned about that, and I wanted to know why — wasn't these CDCs brought a part of these processes? Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you. Yes, sir. Mr. Al Hardemon: Al Hardemon, 7750 Northwest 12TH Avenue. Commissioner Teele went directly to the heart of my problem — of my country's problem. We are a capitalist society, so it's about money. When you can show that our community is in the construction part of it — building the infrastructure — I don't care what type of business you put on it. You could put a house on there. Right now, in my community, there's not one single contractor doing underground, doing demolition in my community. I assure you that the governing body of Hialeah won't allow an outsider to come in there and sell a watermelon, so this is something that we need to have written into the agreement with the County; because the County isn't doing a good job neither. That there are qualified contractors, but more than that, just having black contractors, I was hoping that we could take some of the expertise of the Hispanic construction industry — because they have it. They have it. That is what I'm praying for in Model City, that we — from this point on, start doing joint ventures with those other companies, and you'll find a lot of these things will get smoother. But I need to have that written in on the Hope 6. The other disadvantage companies, on the construction side, are allowed to do joint ventures. 207 May 11, 2000 Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. The motion was made — who made the motion? Commissioner Sanchez: Nobody made the motion. Nobody moved it. I still have questions that haven't been answered. My question is, what happens if we — if this is not filed by the 18th or we don't turn in... Ms. Warren: We're not eligible. Commissioner Sanchez: We're not eligible? And, then — so, on the 18th, if we don't file with the County... Ms. Warren: The County has to submit the application and what I'm understanding from the conversation with the Commission is that, within 60 days, we need to have an interlocal that basically says that the City would withdraw its support, including notifying the federal government if we don't have this coordination. Commissioner Sanchez: I'll move it. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. It's been moved and second. Commissioner Winton: Second. Vice Chairman Gort: Moved and second. OK. Yes, sir. Commissioner Teele: As amended — you're amending it to 60 days? Vice Chairman Gort: To include the 60 days of the contract, yes. Mr. Eddie Dean: Yes, sir. My name is Eddie Dean. Address, 820 Northwest 67TH Street, Palmetto Homes Loans, Inc. What I would like to say to the Commissioner is that who better knows — to touch on what Mr. Hardemon said — who better knows what the community needs than the people in the community? There are licensed general contractors there. If you don't believe me, take the wrecker as far as Palmetto Homes. We just built a house, out our own pockets, on what we thought that the City should look like, the type of houses that the people should be in, because we need not go to these different housing areas in this City and see what's going on. There are people who cannot afford quality living. You have families that are living 10, 11, 12 in a home, in a one bedroom apartment, and how can we stimulate economic development; how can we stimulate education in those type of situations? We are, again, robbing Peter to pay Paul, and it cannot exist and the people are getting very sensitive over in the Liberty City area, the Model City area, and they are tired of being misused, because this is not a black and white thing here. This is a human thing. And we have to deal with these people human rights, as American citizens, here in America. Thank you. Vice Chairman Gort: Mary, you want to address this item, too? Ms. Mary Hill: Yes, I have something to say on this, too. Because there have been orders here... 208 May 11, 2000 • 0 Vice Chairman Gort: I need your name and address. Ms. Hill: My name is Mary Hill, 146 Northwest 67TH Street, federal official, Economic Opportunity Acts and Amendments, policies in the White House, services for the poor regardless of race, creed or color, which I'm the founder of, and national director, which I am on the outside looking in, and I'm just directing and it look like no one, you know, is listening. This falling on deaf ears at this point. If it is not falling on deaf ears, I don't know any different, because I haven't received a reply and order to what needs to be done here. Now, what I would like to say, again, is that even Dade County government is in question, and, you see, we having problems not only with the City, the County, and the State, we have problems all over because you're not recognizing the statutory laws and policies that's supposed to be in place, according to statutory laws. And it seems as if, though, we are operating on old, outdated material, since Model Cities, I hear, is still here, and Model Cities -- and orders have come down and found Model Cities circumvented its EOPI and it was abolished, but, yet, they are here. They under Joseph Caleb Center and all other kind of departments, and you're recognizing these departments. It seems if though you all are not aware of updated on the policies and laws and directions (inaudible) mandated orders for you to follow regulations and guidelines of these policies and laws because you're still recognizing something that's not supposed to be there at this time. That's been amended. It's authorization of appropriation in regional office. That's the law. And it's covered under 1974 Privacy Act, and been legislated by Congress, signed by Congress. And, so, why does it take from September to now to understand that these things are not carried out according. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, Ms. Hill. Your time is up. Thank you. Ms. Hill: Please correct this. Call me in. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Yes. Thank you. Any further discussion? Being none, all in favor state by saying "aye." Commissioner Teele: As amended. Vice Chairman Gort: As amended. Commissioner Sanchez: As amended. Vice Chairman Gort: We have a "C" portion or we... Commissioner Teele: That's it. Ms. Warren: That was "C." Vice Chairman Gort: That was it. OK. The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Sanchez, who moved its adoption: 209 May 11, 2000 40 RESOLUTION NO. 00-417 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION - PENDING (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Upon being seconded by Commissioner Winton, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Joe Sanchez Commissioner Johnny L. Winton Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. 210 May 11, 2000 Vice Chairman Gort: We have a "C" portion? That was it. OK. Five. Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Item 5 is a housekeeping item. The Commission has a resolution that is adopted a Housing Loan Committee. As a matter of fact, I'll let the Housing director talk to this so it will be easier. Mr. Jeff Hepburn (Assistant Director, Housing): Commissioners, what item number 5, what we're doing here is amending Resolution 98-580, and in doing so, what we're recommending is that we eliminate the appointment that was once held by Miami Capital when they were in business, and replace that appointment with someone from the real estate lending sector, and we're also recommending that we expand the number of departments within the City that can sit on this particular loan committee. We're recommending that the Department of Building and the Department of Planning and Zoning be added to that selection. So, what we're doing is basically amending this resolution to allow for that. Vice Chairman Gort: Any questions? Do I have a motion? Commissioner Teele: I so move, Mr. Chairman. Vice Chairman Gort: It's been moved. Is there a second? Commissioner Winton: Second. Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman? Vice Chairman Gort: All in favor -- Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman? Vice Chairman Gort: Yes. 211 May 11, 2000 Commissioner Teele: I have one amendment on this. As it relates to the Department of Building, I think we should substitute that for the director of Real Estate and Economic Development. I take note of the fact that the director is no longer there; he's sitting somewhere else now. And I don't think these things should be oriented toward individuals. I think they should be oriented towards departments, and whoever those directors are, is who it is. That's where you've got all the Empowerment Zone expertise and all of that other stuff, and it just seems to make some sense. Mr. Carlos Gimenez (City Manager): Commissioner, we don't disagree with that. I think the idea was is that it was very limited in the original legislation and this added some more -- I would suggest that, if there is not an objection to building remaining, then we just add the other and then the option would be there when the -- Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Commissioner Teele: Mr. Gimenez: When the opportunity came. Commissioner Teele: OK. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Commissioner Teele: That's fine. Vice Chairman Gort: It's an amendment to the motion. Commissioner Teele: And planning. As well as the planning. Mr. Gimenez: That's correct. Vice Chairman Gort: Do I have a motion? Commissioner Teele: So moved, Mr. Chairman. Vice Chairman Gort: It's been moved. Is there a second? Commissioner Winton: Second. Vice Chairman Gort: All in favor state by saying "aye." 212 May 11, 2000 ® 0 The Commission (Collectively): "Aye." The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 00-418 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 98-580, TO CHANGE THE DESIGNATION OF INDIVIDUALS TO BE APPOINTED AS MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI HOUSING LOAN COMMITTEE BY (1) ELIMINATING THE APPOINTMENT OF AN INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTING MIAMI CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT, INC., (2) PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A THIRD MEMBER WITH PRIVATE REAL ESTATE LENDING EXPERIENCE, AND (3) PROVIDING FOR THE CITY MANAGER'S APPOINTMENT OF INDIVIDUALS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS OF PLANNING AND ZONING AND REAL ESTATE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AS ELIGIBLE MEMBERS OF SAID COMMITTEE. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Upon being seconded by Commissioner Winton, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Commissioner Johnny L. Winton NAYS: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Joe Sanchez , 213 May 11, 2000 0 i Vice Chairman Gort: Items 6 and 7 have been taken up. Item 8. Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Commissioners, this is an appropriation resolution. Under previous legislation, the Commission had designated two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars ($225,000) a year for a job creation Economic Development business expansion project for the Little Haiti community. Initially, it had been anticipated that the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) would operate that program. It has -- there are two issues. One, we're requesting the second year appropriation, which would be for two hundred and twenty-five additional dollars, and secondly, we're not able to -- since you established the resolution, it has been determined that the CRA has not eligible to operate a program in that area, and so, that's an informational piece. Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, I would move this item. This is -- again, Gwen, and members of the Commission, this is a frustration that you heard from these individuals. You know, we're making the commitment but the money is lagged up. I would, for the purpose of moving this forward, I would designate, on an interim basis, the Department of Economic Development to do this until you all have made another selection. But people need to go somewhere and start things moving, and that's what we're hearing throughout this process from people. So, I would move this, amending it to provide that the Department of Real Estate an Economic Development, on an interim basis, would administer this program until a more appropriate agency is found. Commissioner Regalado: Second. Vice Chairman Gort: Moved and second. Discussion? Commissioner Winton: Well, does the department have the resources to do it? Commissioner Teele: Yes. Commissioner Winton: They do? 214 May 11, 2000 Commissioner Teele: It's a planning function and infrastructure function primarily. Commissioner Winton: OK. Vice Chairman Gort: All in favor state by saying "aye." The Commission (Collectively): "Aye." The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 00-419 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $225,000, FROM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS ("CDBG") AND REITERATING THE CITY COMMISSION'S ALLOCATION OF 24TH YEAR CDBG FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $225,000, AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 98-402.1, FOR THE' LITTLE HAITI JOB CREATION PROJECT (THE "PROJECT"); FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO IDENTIFY AN ENTITY WHICH SHALL IMPLEMENT AND OPERATE THE PROJECT AND TO PRESENT SAME TO THE CITY COMMISSION FOR ITS REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION PRIOR TO DISBURSEMENT OF ANY ALLOCATED FUNDS. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Upon being seconded by Commissioner Regalado, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Commissioner Johnny L. Winton NAYS: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Joe Sanchez 215 May 11, 2000 0 0 Vice Chairman Gort: Item 9. Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Commissioners, item 9 is also an appropriations item, under previous legislation. You have identified a base year funding allocation for the community redevelopment agency, the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). One of those funding allocations, in their base year, included an award of two hundred and sixty-two thousand three hundred and twenty- two dollars ($262,322) to provide technical assistance, and a prequalification program in the CRA district. Staff is recommending that you award the second year allocation. Commissioner Teele: So moved, Mr. Chairman. Vice Chairman Gort: There is a motion. Is there a second? Commissioner Winton: Second. Vice Chairman Gort: This is to be implemented by the CRA staff? Ms. Warren: Yes. Commissioner Teele: Right. Vice Chairman Gort: Any further discussion? Being none, all in favor state by saying "aye." The Commission (Collectively): "Aye." 216 May 11, 2000 0 The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 00-420 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $262,322 FROM FY 1999-2000 HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP ("HOME") PROGRAM FUNDS TO THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), SAID AMOUNT REPRESENTING, IN PART, THE CITY'S SECOND YEAR BASELINE FINANCIAL COMMITMENT FOR THE PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, COORDINATION, MONITORING AND OTHER SERVICES REQUIRED FOR THE PROJECTS TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE CRA, PURSUANT TO THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE CRA; SAID FUNDING TO BE UTILIZED BY THE CRA TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO VARIOUS COMMUNITY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HOUSING PROJECTS IN THE SOUTHEAST OVERT OWN/COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENT(S), IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Upon being seconded by Commissioner Winton, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Commissioner Johnny L. Winton NAYS: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Joe Sanchez 217 May 11, 2000 Vice Chairman Gort: Item 10. Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Item 10. Commissioners, this is also a housekeeping item. ' You previously have awarded SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) monies for Ralph Plaza Housing Project that is being developed by ABDA (Allapattah Business Development Association), Allapattah Development Corporation. The SHIP monies have a two-year time limitation because of some unforeseen difficulties in completing the construction project. The SHIP monies would not be appropriate to fund the first phase, the construction phase. We're, recommending that those SHIP funds be substituted for HOME monies, and that, currently, back on schedule but, again, the time frame, due to the delay, has created a problem. Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, if you would allow, I would be please to preside and allow you to make the motion. Vice Chairman Gort: So move. Commissioner Teele: Moved by the Chairman. Is there a second? Commissioner Regalado: Second. Commissioner Teele: Seconded by Commissioner Regalado. Discussion? Objection? You have discussion? You've certainly been sitting there long enough, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mariano Cruz: Mariano Cruz, 1227 Northwest 26TH Street. It bothered me for the last two years to drive by 17TH Avenue and 38TH Street every morning. After I drink coffee at 17TH and see that eyesore there. Boarded up place. What are these unforeseen circumstances that happen? What it was, a political vendetta? A revenge against -- and I'm talking about ABDA. I am the founding member of ABDA (Allapattah Business Development Authority), and I was on the board when that money was appropriated for that, and they -- (inaudible) need the housing, 218 May 11, 2000 they stopped that thing there because -- you know, that's federal money. That's my money, too. My federal tax dollars there. And they did it and now they sit here -- the only answer they got unforeseen circumstances. Well, (inaudible). Vice Chairman Gort: My understanding, in talking to the director, executive director, the problem that they had, they had not been able to complete or sign the loan with the County. That's all they are waiting for at this time. Yes, sir. Mr. Al Hardemon: Yes. Al Hardemon, 6650 Northwest 12TH Avenue. I have -- I'm pretty familiar with this, and I support it, but I do have a question, and it's the same question. If this is being built in our community, there be some guarantees that some of me -- I can say, some of my twisted hairs or whatever. If they got trays, let them be able to come out there and work. That's all I ask on any project, and I do support this one, particularly. Commissioner Teele: All right. On the motion, all those in fav -- you have something to say on this? Mr. Eddie Dean: Yes. I just don't want to sit -- my name is Eddie Dean, again, for the record, 820 Northwest 67TH Street, (inaudible) home. I just don't want to set -- go out there and work. I want some of them to be awarded to some of these contracts to go out because there are qualified people to do it in that community. Commissioner Teele: All right. Thank you very much. All in favor state by saying "aye." The Commission (Collectively): "Aye." Commissioner Teele: Those oppose? 219 May 11, 2000 • • The following resolution was introduced by Vice Chairman Gort, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 00-421 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, RELATING TO THE FINANCING OF RALPH'S PLAZA TOWNHOMES PROJECT -PHASE I, CONSISTING OF TWENTY-ONE (21) UNITS, DEVELOPED BY THE ALLAPATTAH BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, INC. ("ABDA") IN THE ALLAPATTAH NEIGHBORHOOD; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO DE -OBLIGATE THE AMOUNT OF $504,450 IN FY 1995-96 STATE HOUSING INITIATIVES PARTNERSHIP ("SHIP") PROGRAM FUNDS PREVIOUSLY ALLOCATED TO THE PROJECT, PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 97- 94; AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO REALLOCATE $504,450 IN HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP ("HOME") PROGRAM FUNDS TO ABDA FOR THE FINANCING OF THE PROJECT; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TRANSFER ALL CONSTRUCTION RELATED COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECT FROM THE SHIP PROGRAM TO THE HOME PROGRAM. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Upon being seconded by Commissioner Regalado, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Commissioner Johnny L. Winton NAYS: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Joe Sanchez 220 May 11, 2000 • 0 Vice Chairman Gort: Item 11. Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Item 11, Commissioners, is also a housekeeping item. The Commission has, over -- through a series of resolutions, also provided financing to six CHDO's (Community Housing Development Organizations) or to do development and they've funded them through the SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) Program. The same issue as with the ABDA (Allapattah Business Development Authority) Project. The projects have not commenced and given the time frame of the funding award, the funds will reach a limitation. So, we're requesting that you de -obligate these monies; put it in your single-family rehab program and that when these projects are ready for implementation that we award funding at that time. Commissioner Teele: So moved, Mr. Chairman. Commissioner Sanchez: Second. Vice Chairman Gort: There's a move and second. Discussion. Under discussion. Is this going to affect any ongoing project? Ms. Warren: No. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you. Mr. Geory Durden: Excuse me. I have a comment. Vice Chairman Gort: You want to address this? Yes, sir. Mr. Durden: Yes, please. Commissioner Sanchez: Is this on 11? Mr. Durden: Yes, this is 11, yes. Did you want to speak on it first, Mr. Commissioner? Commissioner Sanchez: Yes, I will. 221 May 11, 2000 Mr. Durden: OK. Thank you. Commissioner Sanchez: Pertaining to one of the items, this will have an affect -- and I don't know exactly what happened. I don't know if they -- they're going to lose sixty-two thousand dollars ($62,000) of down payment closing costs. They just had the ground opening not long ago. I was there with Mayor Penelas and Commissioner Bruno Baredo at the ground opening. Their concern is that, by them losing -- Jubilee. Commissioner Teele: Who? Commissioner Sanchez: Jubilee Condominiums, a 30 -unit affordable condominium in my district. Ms. Warren: Yes. Commissioner, the reason why I said it would have no material effect is, the type of assistance that the SHIP monies were being used for was for down payment and closing assistance. Under the single family Home Buyer Program, they will still be eligible for their residents who have to be low income to apply, so we could basically provide them second mortgages. So, versus giving them a grant when they're moving the residents in, we can do a second mortgage. Commissioner Sanchez: The concern that Jubilee has is that this could jeopardize further funding that's given to them. If the money was taken from, they would have asked that they be taken from future allocations. That's the concern that they have. I just wanted to see if we could address that concern that they have. Ms. Warren: Again, if it has any effect on any funding that they currently have, we're more than willing to provide their funding source a letter that says that we will provide second mortgages up to forty thousand dollars ($40,000) to as many low income residents as they move in, which would far exceed the sixty-two thousand. Commissioner Sanchez: Let him address the Commission and explain exactly the concern that they have. Mr. Durden: OK. Thank you very much. My name is Geory Durden, representing Jubilee. That's our concern and that is that, we were -- you know, two years ago when we requested this money from the City of Miami, we needed this money, you know, for matching funds to access other dollars. And I'm sure you all are very familiar with the whole entire process. This development is for people who are going to be at 50 percent or less of earning median income. Fifty percent or less. This is homeownership. So, it's been very difficult going and we expect to close on the project next month. We were very surprised to see this notice in the newspaper, I guess, a few weeks ago or last week. So, we're concerned that, you know, our funding sources would see this and that they wouldn't... Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, I would move that we withdraw this for six -- you said 30 days? I'm asking you. You said you're going to close it when? Mr. Durden: We expect to close in June. 222 May 11, 2000 9 • Commissioner Teele: OK. So, I would move that we withdraw this for 60 days and bring it back in 60 days. The problem is this: SHIP funds are State funds. They have a life of two years. You got the money two years ago and if you don't use the money appropriately, we're going to lose it. And that's the issue here. It's not to penalize you but the rules are there. So, if you've got 60 days -- I mean, that's... Ms. Warren: Excuse me, sir. Mr. Durden: OK, sure. Ms. Warren: Again, maybe I'm not articulating this well. We will lose the monies within that 60 days. What we're recommending, again, is that if they need -- if they're going to complete their project, that means they're going to start moving people in; we could do the second mortgage so we will provide them with as much money as they want, and what we need to do is reallocate that sixty-two thousand dollars ($62,000) or lose it. Again, we could provide them monies from future years or we could do second mortgages. Either way you want to do it. Vice Chairman Gort: Right. Commissioner Sanchez: OK. So, they could take the money out and then reuse it, right? Commissioner Teele: Rescind it. Give it some other money. Ms. Warren: Again, we would fund them out of future — de -obligate this; fund them out of current year allocations, and we would do it in the form of second mortgages. Commissioner Winton: So, how much are you de -obligating? Ms. Warren: Sixty-two thousand. Commissioner Sanchez: Sixty-two thousand? Commissioner Winton: For them? Commissioner Teele: What is the total amount? Ms. Warren: I'm sorry. Vice Chairman Gort: The total amount is eight hundred... Commissioner Winton: Yeah, eight fifty is the total amount. Ms. Warren: For the whole -- for all of the six agencies, eight hundred and fifty-three thousand. Commissioner Winton: But for them it's only sixty-two thousand? 223 May 11, 2000 ® 0 Vice Chairman Gort: If not, we lose the money. Ms. Warren: It's sixty-two thousand. Vice Chairman Gort: Right. Commissioner Teele: See, it's eight -- this is one clean-up. Ms. Warren: A systemic problem. Commissioner Teele: It's eight agencies. It's not like it's targeted against any one person. But the fact is, is that we lose the money... Vice Chairman Gort: Right. Commissioner Teele: ...after two years. And what the staff is recommending is, they said you're going to hold them harmless. If you want to make a motion or amendment that Jubilee be held harmless out of future allocations, fine. Ms. Warren: We wouldn't hurt them. Commissioner Teele: But I don't think we ought to put the whole program in jeopardy because of one... Commissioner Sanchez: No, and I don't want to put the whole project in jeopardy. Ms. Warren: Yeah, it wouldn't hurt you. I promise you. Mr. Durden: OK. And... Commissioner Sanchez: So, you know, what I want to do is make the motion -- go ahead. Mr. Durden: Right. And I want to thank you. We definitely don't want to put the whole program in jeopardy. I mean, we want to serve low-income people. So, we're in agreement here that if we can -- I'll come by their office tomorrow. If we can get a commitment -- another commitment for -- from this pool of the next -- for at least sixty-two thousand five hundred dollar ($62,500) so that we could have that for our funding sources, we won't have a problem with that. Commissioner Winton: Great. Mr. Durden: I don't want to, you know, hold the process. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you. OK. Any further discussion? Commissioner Sanchez: So, is that agreeable upon? 224 May 11, 2000 Commissioner Teele: Just put it as an amendment. Mr. Hepburn: He wants a letter. Ms. Warren: Sure, we could do that. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Commissioner Sanchez: The amendment would be what? Ms. Warren: The minimum is that the Commissioners committing to a future SHIP allocation. Again, that project having to be eligible for sixty-two thousand dollars ($62,000). Commissioner Sanchez: Sixty-two thousand. OK. I move that. Commissioner Teele: Second. Vice Chairman Gort: It's been moved and second. Further discussion? Commissioner Teele: On the main motion. Vice Chairman Gort: Further discussion? Being none, all in favor state by saying "aye." 225 May 11, 2000 The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Sanchez, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 00-422 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO DE -OBLIGATE THE AMOUNT OF $853,727 IN FY 1996-1997 AND 1998-1999 STATE HOUSING INITIATIVES PARTNERSHIP ("SHIP") PROGRAM FUNDING ALLOCATED TO SIX (6) COMMUNITY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS (CHDO'S") IN CONNECTION WITH THE FINANCING OF SIX (6) AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP PROJECTS IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NOS. 97-864 AND 99-424; AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO RE -ALLOCATE THE AFOREMENTIONED AMOUNT FOR THE CONTINUED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CITY'S SHIP FUNDED SINGLE FAMILY REHABILITATION PROGRAM AND FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER' S FINANCING PROGRAM; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO IDENTIFY AND REALLOCATE FUTURE YEAR SHIP OR HOME PROGRAM FUNDS TO EACH OF THE HOUSING ORGANIZATIONS ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS, AS EACH ORGANIZATION SECURES THE BALANCE OF THE PROJECT FINANCING NECESSARY TO COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION ON THE RESPECTIVE HOUSING PROJECTS. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Upon being seconded by Commissioner Teele, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Joe Sanchez Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Commissioner Johnny L. Winton NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. 226 May 11, 2000 0 i Vice Chairman Gort: Item 12. Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Commissioners, a housekeeping item. As you're aware, we have a finding. We're recommending that in order to better negotiate the resolution of our audit that we have the flexibility, subject to bond counsel approval, to substitute the use of funding for this particular project of Northwestern Estates. Commissioner Teele: I move the item Mr. Chairman. Vice Chairman Gort: It's been moved. Is there a second? Commissioner Sanchez: Second. Vice Chairman Gort: This has been ongoing for a long time, so we -- Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, I am very disappointed. I think the Urban League is a wonderful organization. I think they have done a lot of good work, but on this item, which predates me by at least three years, again, we're holding up an entire process trying to come to a conclusion. We need to bring this to a conclusion, madam attorney, and get control of this project. And I want to work with the Urban League on other things, but I really think this should not have come to this point. It really should have been resolved sooner. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. There is a motion. Is there a second? Commissioner Sanchez: Moved. I moved it and somebody else seconded it. 227 May 11, 2000 i Commissioner Teele: I moved it and Sanchez -- Commissioner Winton: Yeah, you seconded it. Commissioner Sanchez: I seconded it. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. There is a move and second. Discussion? Yes, sir. Mr. Al Hardemon: Al Hardemon, 7750 Northwest 12TH Avenue. This is an atrocity for the Model City area, what Urban League did. Not just to our community, but to this body. The way it was raked over in the New Times, the federal investigations. Everything that went on was bad, and not once the Urban League come up and say that they had some responsibility in this. Now, we've been asked to de -obligate this de - obligate this to settle, but where is it -- where is the representative of Urban League say, "I'm sorry, City of Miami. I'm costing you nearly eight million dollars ($8,000,000)", when, when you total it up, three one -- four point seven. I'm sorry that 475 families been moved out. Your tax base has been wiped out. Probably sitting there desolate, but they had to nerve to actually say, " Oops, I made a mistake," when they had all the rules. Sure, they might have had a judge to say on one issue, you're right, but they have yet to come to this City and apologize for causing us this much money, and then to have the nerve to come back to the citizens say give us more, give us control? Somebody need to stand here and say, "No, it's not right," for all of us. . Mr. Eddie Dean: Eddie Dean, 820 Northwest 67TH Street. I grew up right there in northwestern -- what you call now Northwestern Estates, which was then known as Knight Manor Housing. I would like to say something about this, and it really disturbs me. I was away in the Army when -- once they just demolished these buildings. My mother was one of the people that was still living there. Now, the Urban League, as -- I just want to make the Commissioner aware of what is going on here. They settled with these people, but about some two months ago, my mother took her payments over a five-year period or whatever, but about two months ago, the check bounced from the Urban League. And I don't know how these people can be trusted with anything. Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, I have to take exception. I don't think we should use the -- the Urban League is not here. This is not a matter that's on the agenda, whatever check it was, I'm sure there is another side to it, and I think -- I think all of the speakers should only discuss -- this is about Northwestern Estates. This has nothing to do with any other building or the Urban League, and I really do think that, out of courtesy to them, we should not, you know, drag anybody through the 228 May 11, 2000 mud. Because this is all being aired and if there is an issue, I'll be happy to sit down with you and the Urban League and discuss it, but I don't think we should put this kind of stuff on TV all over this City and all over this community. Mr. Dean: Yes. Yes, Commissioner Teele. I understand exactly what you're saying, and I would agree with you one hundred percent in that, I am not bashing the Urban League, because I realize they have done a great job throughout the community. But I also -- I have to say what I believe in as a young man from the City of Miami. Now, I would like to see -- I don't want to see anything de -obligated and given back to Urban League. I would like to see -- they had enough time to do what it is that they had to do, and haven't anything happened. What, we're going to tie this up for another five years? And we still got 475 families out there with really -- when you really look at it -- with no place to go because there are no affordable homes for them yet. Thank you. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Yes, sir. Mr. Roy Hardemon: Roy Hardemon, 655 Northwest 48TH Street. Commissioner, when you're talking about money like this here -- and Urban League should have been here, but it was not. And it's no disrespect to you. But I was one of the young men that went to jail because of the neglect and the negligent that Urban League gave to our community when it came to job opportunities and business opportunities, and I would just like to say that it's wrong to give them -- keep giving them the open platter. You wouldn't give it to nobody else. Like I say, you look at New Century or New Washington Heights got all these projects that's there struggling and you can go and find money for everybody but the local little businesses that's trying -- CDC (Community Development Corporation) that's trying to make a move. You've got big old project on 71st Street sand 15th Avenue, Urban League also have, that's just sitting there in our City just empty, and this stuff need to stop from Urban League and any other organization such as Urban League. Vice Chairman Gort: Any... Ms. Mary Hill: I'd like to say something. Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, ma'am, go right ahead. I mean -- Ms. Hill: I have been watching what's happening here all day long, and I am a federal official that (unintelligible), investigates by statutory laws also, and what I noticed -- I'm Mary Hill. Let me identify myself. I'm Mary Hill. I live at 146 Northwest 67TH Street, and national director, by statutory laws. You all didn't give me my position. It was created under 229 May 11, 2000 the laws, which I have been neglected to carry out responsibilities, according to statutory laws, to solve these problems in the State of Florida, City, County and what have you, and put you on the right track of the Economic Opportunity Policy and their human services, according to statutory laws. I'm noticing you all paying attention to labeling. By that, I mean you're labeling -- different organizations labeling what they think they should be financed for. But we do have a plan under the regional office, that's suppose to be by statutory laws, to help carry out the specific standards, concepts, under the system that was created from my effort, or into the states. This is not being adhered to. We are adhering to labeling. We want this for singles ministry. We want this for this and this and that. That is not going to strain out the problems in Dade County. That belong to any other agency that's been coming in labeling, you are paying strict attention to, but I notice so far -- I can't say anything else but this -- you've been totally ignoring the founder, CEO (Chief Executive Officer), director, and regional office, national director to straighten out these problems here. Otherwise, we're going to have a lot of corruption still going on. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am. Ms. Hill: We want to correct it today. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am. Your time is up. Ms. Hill: We're tired of this putting up -- putting off. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am. Your time is up. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you. Any further discussion? Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, just one point of clarification. Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, sir. Commissioner Teele: The Urban League is not getting any money under this resolution. The money that the Urban League previously received is being taken back from them or de -obligated. There are no funds being given back to the Urban League, and I just think that needs to be said on the record, based upon some of the comments. Is that a fair statement, Ms. Warren? Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): That's correct. Commissioner Teele: All right. 230 May 11, 2000 0 Vice Chairman Gort: Any further discussion? Being none, all in favor state by saying "aye." The Commission (Collectively): "Aye." The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 00-423 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION RELATING TO THE PROPOSED NORTHWESTERN ESTATES HOSING PROJECT ("PROJECT") PLANNED FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE MODEL CITY NEIGHBORHOOD BY THE URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER MIAMI, INC., AND LHL HOUSING CORPORATION ALSO KNOWN AS LIBERTY HOUSING ASSOCIATES ("DEVELOPER"); AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO DE -OBLIGATE $4,750,000 IN HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP ("HOME") PROGRAM FUNDS ALLOCATED TO THE URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER MIAMI, INC., PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 95-853, IN CONNECTION WITH THE FINANCING OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ALLOCATE AND TRANSFER APPROXIMATELY $3,100,000 IN AVAILABLE 1976 GENERAL OBLIGATION HOUSING BOND FUNDS TO REPLACE THE AFOREMENTIONED HOME PROGRAM FUNDS ALLOCATED TO THE PROJECT, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF BOND COUNSEL OR CITY ATTORNEY; FURTHER AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO TRANSFER ALL INELIGIBLE HOME PROGRAM COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECT TO THE ABOVE -REFERENCED HOUSING BOND FUNDING SOURCE IN AN EFFORT TO CLOSE FINDING NO. 3 OF THE AUDIT REPORT ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MARCH 26, 1998. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) 231 May 11, 2000 Upon being seconded by Commissioner Sanchez, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Joe Sanchez Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Commissioner Johnny L. Winton NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. 232 May 11, 2000 Vice Chairman Gort: Item 13. Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Thirteen is an appropriations item. You currently have two service providers that provide housing assistance to people -- individuals under our HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons Living with AIDS) Program. Given our current client load, this would provide enough resources for the Economic Community Family Health Center and Miami -Dade Housing to continue to provide utility and housing assistance to -- for our clients through September 30th. Commissioner Teele: So moved, Mr. Chairman. Vice Chairman Gort: It's been moved is there a second? Commissioner Sanchez: Second. Commissioner Teele: I would ask amendment. Vice Chairman Gort: Discussion. Amendment. Commissioner Teele: I would ask to amend -- for you all to do a study, a detailed study, and to determine the eligibility of the Camillus House to participate in this as well -- in funding, as well, recognizing statistically that 50 percent -- is it 50 percent? Ms. Warren: Yes, sir. Commissioner Teele: -- of the people -- Ms. Warren: With AIDS are in the City of Miami and Dade County. Commissioner Teele: Fifty percent of all the people in Dade County -- Ms. Warren: Fifty percent of the HIV -- Commissioner Teele: -- with AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) or HIV (Human Immuno -Deficiency Virus). 233 May 11, 2000 Ms. Warren: -- population is in the City of Miami. Commissioner Teele: Has there been any studies about the Camillus House. I'm sure they've done some internally. Would you all work with them to determine -- Ms. Warren: Absolutely. We do and we do -- we will continue to, and we'll work with them on this: Commissioner Teele: Are they one of the CHDO (Community Housing Development Organization) or whatever this -- what do you call it? Your memo says there are seven -- Ms. Warren: Not currently. Commissioner Teele: Well, would you work to get them CHDO eligible? Ms. Warren: Yes, sir. Commissioner Teele: OK. Vice Chairman Gort: Further discussion? All in favor state by saying "aye." The Commission (Collectively): "Aye." 234 May 11, 2000 The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 00-424 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING AND ALLOCATING FUNDS IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $3,585,693 TO TWO SERVICE PROVIDERS: THE AMOUNT OF $1,742,900 TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FAMILY HEALTH CENTER AND THE AMOUNT OF $1,844,793 TO MIAMI DADE HOUSING AGENCY, FOR THE PROVISION OF HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND HOUSING RELATED SERVICES TO LOW INCOME PERSONS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THE FY 1999 HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS PROGRAM GRANT; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENT(S), IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO EFFECT SAID ALLOCATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Upon being seconded by Commissioner Sanchez, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Joe Sanchez Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Commissioner Johnny L. Winton NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. 235 May 11, 2000 Vice Chairman Gort: Fifteen, a resolution engaging technical assistance audit. Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Fourteen. Vice Chairman Gort: Oh, I missed 14? Commissioner Teele: Restructuring of the program? Ms. Warren: Yes. Commissioner Teele: I move it, Mr. Chairman, with one amendment. Vice Chairman Gort: With the basic changes. It's been moved. Is there a second? There is a motion. Is there a second? Commissioner Winton: Second. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Amendment. Commissioner Teele: As it relates to section three, where you're saying that Miami -Dade will implement the HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons Living with AIDS) Program for Housing for non -city residents throughout the County -- Ms. Warren: At the balance of the County, with the exception of the City of Miami. Commissioner Teele: I understand, but right now the City is the designated for the entire County. So, we're delegate -- sub delegating -- Ms. Warren: Correct. We would subcontract. Commissioner Teele: All right. So let's do that for one year -- for a one- year basis, and then let's see how that works. Ms. Warren: OK. Yes, sir. Commissioner Teele: OK. So, that would be for FY 2001? 236 May 11, 2000 ® 0 Ms. Warren: Yes, sir. Commissioner Teele: For the coming year? Ms. Warren: The 26TH year, yes, sir. Commissioner Teele: OK. Vice Chairman Gort: In other words, Miami -Dade Housing Agency will implement outside the City limits? Ms. Warren: Yes. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Commissioner Teele: For this coming year? Vice Chairman Gort: For this coming year. Commissioner Teele: And if it works out -- Ms. Warren: Two thousand/ two thousand one. Commissioner Teele: Two thousand/ two thousand one. All right. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Any further discussion? Being none, all in favor state by saying "aye." The Commission (Collectively): "Aye." 237 May 11, 2000 0 The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 00-425 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION RELATING TO THE CITY'S HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS ("HOPWA") PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO PROCEED WITH THE PROPOSED RESTRUCTURING OF THE HOPWA PROGRAM TO IMPROVE AND MAXIMIZE THE SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR THE PROVISION OF HOUSING AND HOUSING RELATED SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS; APPROVING THE ADMINISTRATION'S RECOMMENDATION THAT THE CITY SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE HOPWA PROGRAM FUNDS TO SERVE THE HIV/AIDS POPULATION LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY'S CORPORATE LIMITS AND THAT THE MIAMI-DADE HOUSING AGENCY SHALL IMPLEMENT THE HOPWA PROGRAM TO NON -CITY OF MIAMI AREAS THROUGHOUT MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ADMINISTER THE EXISTING HOPWA PROGRAM THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2000, AND TO WORK WITH THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY HOUSING AGENCY TO IMPLEMENT THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE PROGRAM FOR IMPLEMENTATION EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2000; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGE TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY WITH THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY HOUSING AGENCY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FY 2000-2001 HOPWA PROGRAM GRANT. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) 238 May 11, 2000 • 0 Upon being seconded by Commissioner Winton, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Joe Sanchez Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Commissioner Johnny L. Winton NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. 239 May 11, 2000 0 Vice Chairman Gort: Fifteen. Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Fifteen is a companion item. We're requesting that because of the redesign, that we be allowed to work with the Sharpton and Brunson, which is an auditing firm, to ensure that there is a proper transition of all financial records and audit of the program. Commissioner Teele: So move, Mr. Chairman. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. It's been moved. Is there a second? Commissioner Winton: Second. Vice Chairman Gort: Second. Discussion? Being none, all in favor state by saying "aye." The Commission (Collectively): "Aye." The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 00-426 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, WITH SHARPTON, BRUNSON & COMPANY, AN ACCOUNTING FIRM, TO PERFORM AN AUDIT OF THE CITY'S HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH. AIDS ("HOPWA") PROGRAM AND TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROCEDURAL MANUALS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION FO THE PROPOSED MODIFIED HOPWA PROGRAM, FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000; ALLOCATING FUNDS THEREFOR FROM HOPWA PROGRAM FUNDING. 240 May 11, 2000 • (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Upon being seconded by Commissioner Winton, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Joe Sanchez Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Commissioner Johnny L. Winton NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. 241 May 11, 2000 0 Vice Chairman Gort: Line of credit under expenditure. Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Commissioners, this is an informational item. As you may be aware, the federal guidelines require that no entitlement city have more than one point five fiscal years of funds available in their line of credit. Because of our funding calendar and our funding process for several years now, the City has had excessive funds in their line of credit, primarily due to, again, the way we used to have our fiscal year, which was June to May. In addition, it is as a result of the way the Commission has historically funded CIP (Capital Improvement Program) projects. And,. historically, what we've done is, we've identified parts of Public Works projects, and over a series of years have provided incremental allocations to those various parks or projects. That is basically not allowed nor the expenditure of those funds. And now we have approximately five million dollars ($5,000,000) of CIP funds. That's one major issue that's, again -- and not being able to get those contracts and those projects move forward has created a. problem. We also have a major contract with the DDA (Downtown Development Authority) for Flagler. It's a million dollars ($1,000,000) that was allocated in the 22ND and 23RD year. We're going to request that the DDA implement a contract with the City, within a 30 -day time period, and/or we will come back to the City Commission for some kind of reallocation process. Again, this is -- Commissioner Teele: You know, Ms. Warren, let me stop you on that. What you're saying now is very -- it needed to have been said a year and a half ago, two years ago - and just so we're very clear on what we're saying here, we have too much money in our balances? Ms. Warren: Correct. Commissioner Teele: And if we don't spend some of this money -- by what date? Ms. Warren: The federal government has provided us a correct it by the end of this fiscal year, which is September 30tH Commissioner Teele: We stand a substantial risk of having some of that money... Ms. Warren: Reallocated to other jurisdictions. 242 May 11, 2000 Commissioner Teele: By the federal government? Ms. Warren: Yes, sir. Commissioner Teele: And there is nothing we can do on that? Commissioner Sanchez: But what's the amount? Ms. Warren: Obviously we could appeal it, but no. We -- Commissioner Teele: Huh? Commissioner Sanchez: What's the amount? Commissioner Teele: What's a fair representation of the amount, about four million, five million? Jz Ms. Warren: The fair representation is a little less than five million dollars ($5,000,000). Commissioner Teele: Now, Mr. Chairman, you wear two hats, like I do, in the context of this DDA thing. I have requested and recommended, without a formal resolution -- and I won't do that out of respect for you and Commissioner Winton -- but let me tell you. Dollars are fungible. There are too many ways that we can take general fund money -- is Ms. Henry still around? Unidentified Speaker: Yes. Commissioner Teele: She left Broward yet? Vice Chairman Gort: No, no. She's here. She's here. She hasn't gone yet. Commissioner Sanchez: She hasn't left for Broward yet. Vice Chairman Gort: We're not going to let her go yet. Commissioner Teele: Ms. Henry, through the Manager to you, there are too many ways that I can think of here -- and this isn't my business. You're -- you know, I'll take your check and you can take mine any day you want to. So, I'm going to defer to you. But, there are parking surcharge dollars. There is general fund capital improvement dollars. There are just two sources, as an example. There the potential of even impact fund dollars. That's three sources. Would you all please -- how much does the DDA have this money for, is it two million, two point -- what is it? 243 May 11, 2000 Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): It's a million dollars ($1,000,000). Commissioner Teele: OK. Would you all look around and figure out some way to substitute the CD (Community Development) dollars, which never should have been allocated or -- and that's why you got into this problem. The feds in Atlanta stopped it because you need more and more paperwork -- Ms. Mary Hill: That's right. They took it out of their hands. Commissioner Teele: And if you could substitute the CD dollars for some general fund dollars and then use the general fund dollars for the DDA's project, you know, we can all move forward. You know, we've got snuff sidewalks or enough things that could be done through impact fees that may be available. I don't know exactly what the project is, but I really believe, Mr. Chairman, that there are general fund dollars that could be substituted for -- without anybody losing wherever the dollars are now, whether it be in a parks program or whether it be in a street program or somewhere, that we can try to swap the million dollars ($1,000,000) there. Because the reason that all of this issue comes up is that we've got a lot of projects that are just hung up, going back and forth between us and Atlanta or us and Washington. And the 108 was sent back from us, is that correct, by the federal government. for the marketplace? Ms. Warren: Yes, sir. Commissioner Teele: So, Mr. Chairman -- Ms. Warren: But, again -- yes. That's to answer the question. Commissioner Teele: So, Mr. Chairman, if you understand -- I think, you know, if you all could come back to us in the next two or three weeks or two meetings with a plan to swap it -- I mean, you know, dollars are dollars and they are fungible as long as it's -- no one is being penalized for it. But the DDA has had in project -- this has been going on for how long, three years? Vice Chairman Gort: Five years. Commissioner Teele: Five years. Commissioner Winton: Longer than that. Commissioner Teele: And we need to go -- 244 May 11, 2000 Vice Chairman Gort: Even before I -- even before our time. We weren't -- none of us were here when -- and let me tell you what we done, if you'll yield? We have done that already. I was able to find some funds that was never implemented. There was an impact fee -- there was a lot of money, not only within downtown, but in other neighborhoods that were not being used, and finally, we did trade it off an we -- some of the money was going to be used from capital improvement to sidewalk. We went ahead and utilized the impact -- I don't have any problem, but I think downtown Miami has not had any sidewalk improvements in over 15 to 20 years in the capital improvement. That's the -- and that's not within my district. But that's the living room to the City of Miami. This is one of the places that locates and places more jobs than any other. So, I don't have any problem, as long as we find and we can implement the plans that we want to do. Commissioner Teele: I mean, -- and, Commissioner Gort, all I'm saying is, we may have some general fund dollars allocated to a park or to a sidewalk or something, somewhere. If it's in my district or his district or anybody's district, as long as the project can go forward, so take the general fund money out of that community and give it to the DDA and then give that community the CD dollars. You see what I'm saying? Vice Chairman Gort: I don't have any problem. Commissioner Winton: And, by the way, Commissioner Teele, you've offered up several times to pull some of the parking tax revenue aside to do this. So, I went to see the Manager after you made that suggestion the last time, and I don't have all the numbers memorized exactly, correctly, so I might be off here a bit. But the point was, the lion share of those dollars, something in the neighborhood of -- Ms. Bertha Henry (Assistant City Manager): Eighty percent. Commissioner Winton: Eighty percent. Commissioner Teele: Taxable. Eighty percent for, tax reduction. Commissioner Winton: That's right. Were committed to tax reduction. So, there -- you know -- Commissioner Teele: Yeah, but 80 percent of 12 million, it still leaves a million dollars ($1,000,000). Commissioner Winton: But it get -- it went to other causes. So, this wasn't any -- there was a whole bunch of money generated out of that 245 May 11, 2000 community, but there wasn't any money going back into the community, and that's been one of the problems that -- downtown is the largest generator of jobs in the City of Miami. And, frankly, it's a lousy condition down there. We have an opportunity to generate a lot of additional jobs, but we've just got to fix the infrastructure. And I'm with you. I don't care how we do it. I don't care where the money comes from. But, so far, no one has been able to figure out where that money comes from, just to improve basic fundamental infrastructure. Ms. Henry: Bertha Henry, Assistant City Manager. The Community Development Director and I have begun these discussions and we're working two -prong. We're looking at opportunities for switching out some funds -- and I don't know if you've talked about the one that's later on the agenda. Ms. Warren: That's later in the agenda Ms. Henry: So, we're looking at starting to swap out funds, where we can legitimately do so. The second recommendation that I'll be discussing with the Manager to help move these capital projects along, is that we capitalize the project management. The problem is, we don't have the staff to move the projects and, so, if we're able to create a project management team and their costs is capitalizes part of all of these various projects, and we're able to make sure that they're truly distinct and separate and that's all they do, move capital projects, we can capitalize them as part of the project costs. So, those are two things that we're working on so that we don't keep the money in the capital fund and not really move the projects along. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Do you need -- you don't need a motion on this. Ms. Warren: No, sir. Vice Chairman Gort: This is just for information purpose. Ms. Warren: Yes. Vice Chairman Gort: Now, my understanding is, what you're saying is we have over four million dollars ($4,000,000) in surplus from previous years that have not been -- Ms. Warren: Your next item -- this was a discussion item, information. What the item says is that the next item and another one will deal with ways to resolve the issue. Commissioner Winton: (Inaudible). 246 May 11, 2000 Ms. Warren: That would be utilizing the four million and coming up with a quicker system of implementation, and also not doing multi year funding the projects. So, if you're going to do a project, the suggestion in the future would be fund it in the year that it's ready to start and fund it in total, and get it done. What we've done in the past is, every district or every target area got fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for their park, but it took you five years to generate enough money to fix the park, and that's what's created the problem. I'm suggesting that, on a priority basis, we decide to do the sidewalks in one community or do Flagler or do the CRA, but fund the project in total, with a time frame to get it done that year, instead of spreading it out and piecemealing it, and it's just ineffective and, right now, very costly. Commissioner Winton: Well, let me use -- and it's a misnomer calling it the Flagler Street Marketplace Project, because the fact of the matter is, it deals with -- not even. It deals with multiple streets in the core of downtown, all of which need the basic fundamental infrastructure improvements done to them, which is sidewalks and landscaping and lighting and those kinds of things that will attract new development in. that -- the original plan to implement that like 9 -block area of improvements on Flagler and 1st and 1st from the courthouse to Biscayne Boulevard, I think that original plan costs like -- something like sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000). There is another project going on, the Grand Avenue Project in Coconut Grove, was a pretty significant project. So, while the idea sounds good, the fact of the matter is, until we figure out how we're going to come up with real capital dollars to do real projects, that idea works pretty well when you've got relatively small capital improvement projects to do, but it doesn't work at all if you've got major projects where we simply don't have the funding or we won't have the funding all to do in one year. So, how do we deal with that again? Ms. Warren: Again, I would defer that question the budget persons. But, again, from what I'm understanding, there are a variety of funds that, if pooled and used in a project management concept, we may not be able to do 12 projects all over this City, but we could do three a year and make some significant difference. The problem has been is the spreading and the deluding of funds and trying to fund major projects over multiple years. Commissioner Winton: That brings me to another point that I just want to kind of alert my colleagues to, and that is a discussion I think, at some point, we need to have. I think to appropriately do some major capital improvement projects that are desperately needed in our community -- and I can think of three zones right off the top. One is the downtown core, which is in desperate need of just basic infrastructure improvements. The 247 May 11, 2000 other is the Miami River. And the third is the, Commissioner Teele, the FEC (Florida East Coast) corridor redevelopment area there. My sense is that we -- that the idea that Gwen Warren has to do two or three major projects a year will work, but it's going to take away all the -- it will suck all the dollars away from all the rest of the neighborhoods, and I'm not sure that works either. I think what we need to look to is to set up tax increment districts in some of these zones that are going to require significant dollars, and the tax increment districts will probably be set up in a fashion that it's a 50 percent increment, meaning 50 percent of the increment or 60 percent of increment goes to capital improvements and the other 50 or 40 percent -- whatever the formula is -- would go to long- term -- what's continued to come back to the general fund, and I frankly think that's -- in a City like ours, that's short of capital improvement dollars, I'm not sure that's going to be the only way that we can really solve this problem and really get on with -- in a relatively short time frame, improve all of our streets, all of our sidewalks throughout the whole City. Vice Chairman Gort: I have a question. These surplus funds are they all within capital improvement or one category or various categories. Ms. Warren: They are in diverse categories, but of the -- we're looking at, again, little in excess of five and a half million dollars ($5,500,000); four point seven million dollars ($4,700,000) of it is in capital improvement. Vice Chairman Gort: Four of them are in capital improvement. The rest is for the social services? Ms. Warren: Four point seven. We've -- no social service money whatsoever. Vice Chairman Gort: No social services? Ms. Warren: Again, a million dollars ($1,000,000) that's been set aside for the marketplace; four point seven million dollars ($4,700,000) of capital improvement; and then now that we've been able to go through and de -obligate and identify all of the -- and closeout all of the contracts, we actually have identified two point four million dollars ($2,400,000) that we're going to be talking to you about reallocating. So, if you look at all of those big issues, the monies that are for projects that were never implemented, the five -- the four point seven of capital improvement, and the million with the DDA, that is basically our problem in terms of having those monies sitting -- that need to be reallocated. So, again, this was to notify you that staff is going to be proposing some rather aggressive methods to deal with this issue, and we need to -- and that's coming up. 248 May 11, 2000 Vice Chairman Gort: It's important to understand, the project we talked about in the Central Business District, it's a small portion -- because the State is going to get involved and the County is going to get involved, and each one has their share of money. So, you're talking about maybe one million from us, but that's going to bring at least about another eight million dollars ($8,000,000). Ms. Warren: Again, my recommendation is not that.we take any monies away but that we think about ways of leveraging, swapping, and making sure we stay within the time frames, and use the money smartly. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. The resolution -- we do have a resolution on this one. Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Again, that was an information item. The next item is item 17. Vice Chairman Gort: Seventeen OK. Ms. Mary Hill: Could I -- I want to elaborate on that one before you get to 17. Commissioner Regalado: Sir? Vice Chairman Gort: Mary, it's 7:36 already. Ms. Hill: Yeah, but -- Vice Chairman Gort: Go ahead, Commissioner Regalado. Commissioner Regalado: OK. Ms. Hill: I'd like to say a few words. Vice Chairman Gort: Excuse me, ma'am. I have Commissioners first. Commissioner Regalado: On item 17, about two years ago -- Vice Chairman Gort: We haven't started yet. Let's -- she wants to discuss item 16. Commissioner Regalado: Oh, OK. Vice Chairman Gort: Go-ahead. 249 May 11, 2000 • Ms. Hill: OK. I'm Mary Hill, again. I live at 146 Northwest 67TH Street, and I heard Mr. Arthur Teele mention the fact that we're going to take CDBG monies and that is our problem. It's more to CDB (Community Development Block) monies in this -- for the problem here. The problem is that we also circumvented the philosophy of what needs to be done here, see, and the titles being circumvented, such as creating jobs under your road programs and we have also had other means of trying to finance, after they have held monies before that you cannot interfere with. We had the water company we added on under the sewage department. I meant, it's a lot of other money being created, but, yet, you reach back and you use CDC (Community Development Corporation) monies, where we need to take under consideration to not just push labeling. Let's don't just push, oh, we're going to do it this way or use money this way. Let's just straighten up and get the CDC monies coming according to statutory laws, to help the people, and not just low-income people. Low-income people are nothing but poor people. This program it takes care of poor people all over the nation, by statutory laws. We are talking about everything but correcting what the problem is here in Dade County, City and is the State of Florida at this time. Thank you. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am. 250 May 11, 2000 0 Vice Chairman Gort: Item 17. Commissioner Regalado: OK. Yes, Mr. Chairman. Two -- I remember that, almost two years ago, we went to the Miami Arena and held the town hall meeting and we promised some funds to different areas of the City, including... Commissioner Sanchez: Based on availability. Commissioner Regalado: Huh? Commissioner Sanchez: Based on availability. Commissioner Regalado: Based on availability, right. So, I was wondering if you could give us details about this issue. And, of course, we all have seen what the community has gone through in the last weeks or so, and I guess that even the discussion of this item sends a message that we are a City Commission for all the communities, so... Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Yes, sir. As Commissioner Regalado has indicated, on several occasions the Commission, through the form of resolution and/or ordinance, has directed staff to identify resources to fund the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) and other projects in that community. You've made two formal or three commitments. One, you have -- there's a resolution that the City has approved for three million dollars ($3,000,000) to do the Historic Overtown Business Corridor and, additionally, as a part of our agreed upon enter local agreement with the City and the CRA, we have agreed to a baseline funding for operation and other kinds of expenses over a five-year time period. And, additionally, what the Commission approved under City ordinance was that the staff was to identify, based on funds availability, five million dollars ($5,000,000) for a five-year time period for projects specific activities. Again, to be -- I'm sorry? Commissioner Teele: Is that a resolution or an ordinance? Ms. Warren: That's an ordinance. It was an appropriation ordinance and, again, the -- on at least two different occasions, the City Commission approved the and moved the ordinance and directed staff to go through the process of looking for the funds, which included the close-out, reconciliation, et cetera. Staff has completed the reconciliation and we do have some recommendations on the resolution and the ordinance adopted by the Commission. The first five years -- well, let's start with the business -- the Historic Business Corridor. Staff is recommending 251 May 11, 2000 i that one of the solutions to our current excess in our line of credit that we fund the Business Corridor Project at the three million dollar ($3,000,000) level. One -- and that those monies come from the current backlog or funds in our CIP (Capital Improvements Program) project. It does two things: It allows us to honor or to fund the resolution and, additionally, it would allow us to lower our line of credit to be in compliance with our HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) requirement that we spend those funds by September 30th. For those Commissioners who are concerned, we did indicate that there was a-- there was four million seven currently allocated to CEP projects that had not been spent. We're recommending that three million dollars ($3,000,000) of that be transferred to fund this obligation for the corridor study and that the balance, which is a million seven, go into a pool for CEP projects and on a priority implementation basis, the current CEP projects be funded. Again, prioritizing those projects that have been approved by the Commission that could be implemented and expenditures made by September 30th. Again, to assure you that the projects that are not funded, the new funding cycle for Community Development starts October 1. So, any projects that are in that stack, that are not a part of the priorities to be committed by September 30th, we could fund again with new monies, but that would allow us to allocate that four point seven million by dedicating three million to the commitment to Overtown -- or to the CRA, and the other million seven would go into a priority project to be implemented before September 30th. The second issue, staff is additionally recommending that, of the five million dollars ($5,000,000) that we were to provide annually, that we are recommending two million based on fund availability. That one million would come from CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds that have been de -obligated or that have been found as a result of the close-out, and that a million dollars ($1,000,000) be made available from our HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons Living with AIDS) line of credit, with the understanding that the HOPWA funds have to be used for housing -related activities. So, staff is recommending funding at a five million dollar ($5,000,000) level at this time. Three from current CIP projects; one from funds that we recapture through closing out projects, and one million dollars ($1,000,000) from HOPWA. That would leave the outstanding balance of twenty-three million dollars ($23,000,000), if you were to fund fully the ordinances and resolutions. Staff is recommending that the process of funding the CRA annually is cost -prohibitive. It also does not necessarily allow you to implement your intent of funding them, which is to provide a source of funds to do business development related activities in the CRA. We're recommending that the balance of the financial obligation comes from a business finance pool, if you will, through the identification of a 108, and that would be a loan guarantee program with a current interest rate of about six percent and that would allow us to provide resources for the CRA to be able to attract business into the area by us being able to provide business financing. It also -- because it would be attached to businesses -- we could package it in such a way that we could have the guarantees that would -- to the extent possible, guaran -- safeguard our line of credit. So, again, instead us using it for projects, we use it for business ventures and try to use it as a means of attracting industry or business into the CRA district. And, so, staffs recommendation is the five and that the balance be done in 108's, as I have indicated. The additional -- the correction is that we're -- the remaining balance in the CIP pool would be one point five million. I stand corrected. Staff is recommending that two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) be set aside for demolition. We have currently exhausted three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) that has been provided. And in light of the Model City Project and other areas of the City, it's a priority and we need additional resources. Commissioner Sanchez: Mr. Vice Chair? 252 May 11, 2000 Vice Chairman Gort: Commissioner Regalado -- yes. Commissioner Sanchez: That ordinance that I voted and every Commissioner here voted unanimously was subject to annual appropriation and based on money being there to provide. One of the concerns that I think I have and it could be clarified to assure that -- one of the paragraphs here that I've read concerns me, where it says "The 5 -year funding committed generates a potential drain of future CDBG funds that are intended to provide financial assistance to improve the quality of life in low income neighborhoods throughout the City of Miami; to ensure an equitable distribution of future CDBG funds throughout these areas of the City must in need -- most in need. It is recommended that the CRA complete a Section 108," which is the second phase of what you stated. Now, as a representative of what I consider the largest poor district with, I believe, the worst housing problem, based on the 1990 Census, which we will continue to Bold that title, I believe, with the census of this year -- now, the City -- after doing some research, 52 percent of the City qualifies for federal funding. That shows that the community is in need as a whole. We have needs throughout the community, and I've always made the argument on CDBG that, based on necessity, population, quality of life and of housing and poverty level, you know, you look at the reports given on all funding sources by previous CDBG target areas. It shows -- and I've targeted my area compared to the Overtown and I've looked at the numbers and this is just me representing my district, which I'm entitled to represent my district. You know, 37 percent of HUD formula allocation, I only get 24 percent. And when you look at Overtown, which gets 6 percent, they're getting 20.22 percent. So, that's one of the things that I am most concerned about, is that we provide the total funding and, of course, it has to be on money available. We would have an impact on the whole community as a whole. Now, the arguments that Commissioner Teele has made -- and if I had a project, I'd pick Commissioner Teele any day of the week and twice on Sunday to represent my project. He's made some valid arguments with merit that, in the previous CRA, developers got the funds and not the CRA. In that process, there were a lot of defaulted 108 loans, which, today, the City has assumed responsibility and we're looking at -- correct me if I'm wrong -- close to ten point six million dollars ($10,600,000) that the City has assumed responsibility. Now, the concern that I have, that allocating the five million dollars ($5,000,000) this year -- which I don't have a problem. We'll support your recommendation -- would be that, if we allocate for the next five years that amount of money -- in looking at the way it's broken down out of the approximately thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) that we get CDBG money, I would say about twenty percent goes to administration; five percent goes to social. That will leave, out of this year, which is twelve million dollars ($12,000,000), those five will leave us at about seven million dollars ($7,000,000), which I think might have an impact on non-profit organizations that are in that business of providing service in our community. I am all in favor of assisting an area that truly needs development. Forget redevelopment. It needs development. And I wear two hats. I'm a Commissioner. I'm also a part of the CRA. But I think that things have to be based on performance and I believe that, so far, the CRA has performed very well, but I think that we need to set standards so we could compete with other organizations in the future. So, if we are competitive, then we could continue to give money -- and when I say "we," I'm speaking now as the CRA. But what we want is basically to assure that what happened in the past -- and I don't like to bring the past because it's a completely different CRA, complete different Chairman -- but we want to assure we put guidelines to assure that we don't ever go through that same problems that we did before. So, that's just the concerns that I have. I want to assure that we do things right. And, of course, you know, 253 May 11, 2000 we have to look at the needs of the community as a whole, but I am in favor and I would be the one, when the time comes, to move the administration's recommendation on this item. Thank you. Vice Chairman Gort: Anyone else? Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, I move the item. Vice Chairman Gort: It's been moved. Is there a second? Commissioner Sanchez: Second. Vice Chairman Gort: Discussion? Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, let me just say one thing for discussion. I'm not going to deal with many of the concerns because I think those concerns are always valid concerns when expressed in the spirit of cooperation, as Commissioner Sanchez is stating just on the record. I think it's -- I think the first thing though is that we should not make or compare the CRA to CBO's (Community Based Organizations). The CRA is a State agency; it is a government; it is an extension of the City government and it is not a CBO and it should not be put in the context of a CBO. It is, in effect, no more than a compendium of the Planning Department, the Building Department, the Public Works Department, the Economic Development Department, with a single focus. And if it works, you'll have the same kind of thing that you have on South Beach. If it fails, you'll have the conditions that you have that now exist. And it's fair to say that many Community Redevelopment Authorities perhaps even most don't succeed. Redevelopment in the really tough areas of our urban corridors is very difficult and they're very long-term. One of the problems that the City has had is, you cannot fund, as any developer knows, a project without a five-year or a long-term plan. You can't do this dollar for dollar, sort of out of your checkbook. You've got to go and develop a plan. The Five -Year Plan, I've said repeatedly, if the CRA doesn't make more progress than it's made before, at the end of the fourth year, if I'm around, I'll be the one to pull the trigger and say, we've tried for -- I guess it's been in existence now 12, 14 years. We've tried for the other four. It didn't work. The last year, we're going to shut it down. But just understand this. The CRA is the only thing in the City of Miami where the County and the City are really working together as partners, in the sense that half of the funding source from the TIF (Tax Increment Funds) comes from the County and half comes from the City. In the Omni, for example, at the CRA, all of the money is half from the City, half from the County. All of it goes for the Performing Arts Center, which is a great thing and, I mean, I don't second-guess that, at all. The bottom line, Commissioner Sanchez, and what I want to say is this: Numbers can be very deceptive. If you take the area code or the zip code of where 90 percent of this money that you're talking about that Overtown got, it's back in your district; it's back in Commissioner Winton's district; it's on Miami Beach. Because 20 some million of that money that you're looking at was Section 8, and that's my whole problem about the way government does our money. It sounds like "This is the money we gave to Overtown" and that's the way that chart reflects, and it's correct. It's a great job, by the way. I think you've done an outstanding job of putting this together, if we haven't said it before. But it doesn't tell the whole story. Because when you had all these Section 8 mod rehabs, the developers, with the exception of one, were all outside of the African-American community. Most of them were in the Little Havana or the Miami Beach communities, the zip codes of where the checks were 254 May 11, 2000 mailed to, and 20 some million dollars of it went right out of the community, which is why, as far as I'm concerned, we ought to give the demolition department a million dollars ($1,000,000) and continue to do what should have been done 10 or 20 years ago. That's why you have to be very careful. But the final point of this is this: The CRA is thirty percent Overtown -- or thirty percent Overtown, 70 percent Omni and Park West. So, be very careful that we don't create that this is a lot of money going "to the black community." I spend more time working on the Park West issues proportionate -- I spend twice as much time on Park West as I do in Overtown and that's because that's where the need is. We're working around the clock with the Camillus House; we're working with the various issues relating to the NAP; the various issues relating to trying to create a pedestrian corridor so that we don't have the kind of foolishness that we have going now, where pedestrians and cars are, you know, head-on activity with each other as you leave the Heat game. By the way, I had the privilege of meeting, in his capacity as the chief; at the Heat game on the -- I guess that was -- what night was it? Wednesday night? Commissioner Regalado: Tuesday. Commissioner Teele: Tuesday night. I asked the chief, who was there at the game, to just go out and let's look at what we, the City of Miami, through your CRA, are doing or not doing. And I'm going to tell you; it's not a pretty picture. We could make this area a beautiful area. We can make Park West a beautiful pedestrian area that's a wonderful experience and with teams like the Nicks and the people that come here, we're not putting our best foot forward. As it relates to the other part of the area, we've got the Camillus House. I don't need to talk about that, what that represents. That's where this money's going. This money is going to go to try to begin to create the kind of infrastructure that we need. We're working to put a Chil-A-Plant (phonetic) line, for example, underneath 2nd Avenue, so that we could create a universal studio, a location, a destination where tourists will be lined up to be able to see a film production facility. We have that potential. All we've got to do is put money in the infrastructure. We don't have to put money with developers. Developers are going to have a hard time getting any money out of the CRA. We've got to do grants and we've got to do loans and those kinds of things. But I can assure you, that will be less than 10 percent or 5 percent of the money. What we need to do at the CRA is what this City needs to do throughout the community is put the money in the infrastructure. "If you build it, they will come," so the old saying goes. We have the potential of building, right in Park West, the most exciting destination of nightclubs and entertainment and even a gentlemen's club, perhaps. I voted against it. But the fact of the matter is that Park West, right now -- but it's not going to happen if we don't move right now to make it happen. One final point. There's a club over there called Club Space that's opened up. It has more people going to Club Space in the parking areas over there than it goes to the Arena game. I mean, it is packed wall to wall. Do you know how they're getting water capacity? With garden hoses running across the street because they don't have sufficient water capacity. That's not the club owner's fault; it's not the property owner's fault. It's Miami -Dade County Water and Sewer and City of Miami Commission fault that we've not done that. So, when we talk about this twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000), what we're trying to do is create a destination and a place in our downtown area that today is derelict; it's homeless. Tomorrow, if we work hard at it, could be a great destination. And I think we ought to try to join into that. I'm willing to work with the Commission, the Mayor, as chairman of the CRA, in getting that accomplished and, particularly, the Manager and his staff. But I really do think that this notion that there is five million dollars ($5,000,000) going "to the black community" needs to be put in a 255 May 11, 2000 different context or to the inner city. This is about redevelopment of an area called Park West Overtown. Overtown is less than half of its district. And when you talk about the CRA, which includes the Omni, where we're going to take at least a million of these dollars and put in a park at Margaret Pace Park because there's no money being generated out of the TIF. The reason there's no money is because we pledged it all to the Performing Arts Center. Every dollar will be spent; it will be very transparent, and I welcome your candid and critical analysis and tough analysis in keeping us focused on what it is we need to do. I think we have an opportunity to make a difference in that area and I join you in working with you to try to make it accomplished. Vice Chairman Gort: I'd like to make a -- I was a little kid when the plans for Park West/Overtown was being created at DDA (Downtown Development Authority). I was just a little boy at that time. I was doing a lot of volunteer work with Richard Kuper over there. And let me tell you, the plans that they had -- Richard, don't go away. The plans that they had for Park West/Overtown they were beautiful plans. I mean, that was going to be the growth of this City. Unfortunate, only two buildings, the Arena was built and two buildings. And the only reason that the development in that area did not take place, it was because of the Camillus House. That kept just about every investor and everyone within that area away from that area. In working with the DDA for the last four years, we worked in that area and we created the entertainment center. We saw the opportunity to bring in the film industry; bring in the entertainment industry from Miami Beach into this area. That is beginning to happen. You've seen what happened on Miami Avenue and 15TH Street. We need to work in our neighborhoods because I don't care how much money you spend in development, it will never work if we have the (unintelligible) and environmentalists. We need to work, not only in Overtown, but we need to work in all the other neighborhoods that surrounds those major developments that are going to be taking place. So, this is something that we need to look at. What is the affect that our decision is going to make in other major projects? And I think that's very important. Saying that, we have a motion. Do we have -- discussion. Mr. Cruz, I told you I'll give you three minutes. Go ahead, sir. Mr. Mariano Cruz: Mariano Cruz, 1227 Northwest 26TH Street. Remember, Miami is a municipality and we have to -- basically, municipal service fire, police, garbage collection, parks, infrastructure. First thing, us, taxpayers in the neighborhood, then the grandiose plans, fine. Remember, there's a lot of people that's not sitting there that were worried about the other people outside than the people in the neighborhood -- outside there. Then, when those people vote, they voting out of office. And I see now here -- what's this, kind of shell game? And you see over here cryptic message. Say reprogramming or now, because they use the other word many years, they use reallocation many years. They did away with reallocation. Now it's reprogramming. New bureaucratic lingo. Reauthorize CDBG funds to come from among the following CIP (Capital Improvement Projects) projects that are not in a position to be completed by September 30, 2000 as determined by the Assistant City Manager for operations. Who is that? Who is the Assistant City Manager for Operations at the time here? I don't see any name here. Commissioner Teele: Which date. Which date? Mr. Cruz: Which one was? Commissioner Teele: I said what day? 256 May 11, 2000 Mr. Cruz: Well, who was -- we don't know. Anybody. Because look at the names here. Look at the names here. Especially, I am impacted in my neighborhood. Money that will be taken away from Allapattah Comstock Park, which is wrong. Now, it's Juan Pablo Duarte Park. It's not anymore Allapattah Comstock. It was renamed as Juan Pablo — I'll be there on Sunday in a softball tournament in the neighborhood. That's a good use for the park. Curtis Park Improvement. Moore Park renovations. Allapattah sidewalk repair. Willie Gort. Allapattah Sidewalk Replacement, and that's important because we work the neighborhood. I don't want to fall down in a hole there and sue the City. Because -- you know, this is -- something. They want five million dollars ($5,000,000) yearly. One million is going to be for administration and four million dollars ($4,000,000) for CRA operation. What they create in there, another fiefdom like they say this morning? Another fiefdom. Maybe. Or part of the new nomenclature too or something. Because, you know, it's a lot of money. I remember about Camillus House because I think history repeats itself. Years ago they took a million dollar ($1,000,000) from the sidewalk in Overtown, Little Haiti and Allapattah to keep it for the move -- relocation of Camillus House. Now, they have the Camillus House there. The million dollars ($1,000,000) was gone in lawyer's fee, whatever, and no sidewalks were built in Allapattah, Overtown or Little Haiti. And, remember, the main problem there is Camillus House, which was there since 1962, before the Arena, before the American Airlines Arena, before Bayside, before Southeast Overtown/Park West. And many people left Southeast Overtown/Park West, like the American did because the City was not providing them with infrastructure, with service, with volleyball and you can ask the Klugers why they left the neighborhood. Thank you. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, Mariano. Yes, ma'am. Ms. Mary Hill: Yes. I'm Mary Hill again. I want this documented. 146 Northwest 67TH Street. I am so aggravated really of what I see that is happening here, not only in the City but at the County and the State level. I work all the way from the White House, all the way down. Now, let me make this clear. I hear Mrs. Warren keep saying "HUD this. HUD regulation that." HUD has no jurisdiction -- authority over the founder. I want you to understand this, Mary Hill. There were no such programs; no such services, until the concept of anti -poverty was created. And those fundings that I'm hearing that's being brought down, which is lobbied by HUD, labor and all the rest is coming directly from what I found, earmarked, that come back through these cities, to these neighborhoods to help the poor regardless to race, creed or color under anti -poverty concept and its neighborhood centers. So, you cannot put HUD regulation; its guideline -- because at the time, this is not accurate. I am the one, from my effort, worked to make sure this is into reality and outlines the guideline, which they are filling in and accurate what's supposed to be done at this time. You cannot put HUD or anyone else to keep lobbying for monies to bring back down here and come through the City and what have you. Let's get these programs and these things off the ground according to law. Let's get the regional office, 95.568. My duties is right here labeled under the laws. Executive Director. I talked to HUD. It was taken out of their hands 1980 and put it back on track. I don't know where Ms. Warren has had the jurisdiction or the authority or the Commissioners. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am. Your time is up. Thank you. I have a question. Looking at all those projects here, any particular reason why they were not 257 May 11, 2000 0 • implemented? Like we had the sidewalks and our parks and so on. Ms. Warren: There's no particular reason, other than just our bidding procedures that's just taken a long period of time. And these projects, again, if they're ready to go, we have money to implement them and new money can be allocated October 1 for anything that hasn't been completed. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. There's a motion and a second and there's a discussion. Any further discussion? Ms. Hill: Yes. October 1... Vice Chairman Gort: Excuse me, ma'am. You already spoke your two minutes. Thank you, ma'am. Ms. Hill: Oh, OK. Commissioner Regalado: Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to say to the new Manager that we have requested in the last Commission meeting to come up with some ideas and plans for sidewalk reconstruction, other than the one plan for the next month or so. And I agree with Gwen, there is money available. We just need to expedite those process and identify the most urgent, so that's something. Vice Chairman Gort: Well, let's vote on this and then I want to bring something up, which I think is very important within the CDBG target areas. Any further discussion? Hope not. Being none, all in favor state by saying "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. 258 May 11, 2000 0 The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 00-427 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION TO MEET PREVIOUSLY APPROVED FUNDING COMMITMENTS TO THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") BY ALLOCATING THE AMOUNT OF $1 MILLION OF UNOBLIGATED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ("CDBG") FUNDS, THE AMOUNT OF $1 MILLION OF HOPWA FUNDS AND REPROGRAMMING THE AMOUNT OF $3 MILLION OF CDBG FUNDS FROM PREVIOUSLY APPROVED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ("CIP") TO THE CRA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE CRA, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AND TO REPROGRAM THE AMOUNT OF $200,000 OF CDBG FUNDS FROM PREVIOUSLY APPROVED CIP PROJECTS TO THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT FOR DEMOLITION ACTIVITIES; AND TO ESTABLISH A STRATEGY TO PRIORITIZE CDBG FUNDED CIP PROJECTS; AND FURTHER TO ESTABLISH A POLICY TO ALLOCATE FUTURE CDBG FUNDS TO CIP PROJECTS. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Upon being seconded by Commissioner Sanchez, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Joe Sanchez Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Commissioner Johnny L. Winton NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. Vice Chairman Gort: One of the things I'd like to look at, I was looking at some property within the Northwest 11TH Avenue and 28TH Street and so on. Those properties are being utilized by homeless. In the future, there's going to be fire. It's going to be a problem. The three houses together creates problems. We finally demolished a house, after three years, on 14th Avenue. It was deteriorating the neighborhood. Once that was demolished, people were very happy. You can see some improvements had taken place within the neighborhood. Somehow, we need to expedite the procedure that we have to be able to do demolish and those things and take over those properties because that's the best way we're going to improve our neighborhoods and try to get 259 May 11, 2000 someone to take over the property and let them build. And, also, at the same time, the capital improvement, we can use those funds for sidewalks within those target areas. The sidewalks and the public structure is very important. If you look at downtown today, for the first time in the history, you see vacancy on Flagler Street. I mean, this is something you've never seen before in your life. You've seen it -- and part of it is the infrastructure that exist there. So, we need to look at all those things. 260 May 11, 2000 0 0 Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Item 18, de -obligation. Another de -obligation. Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Again, this is a housekeeping item. St. Johns Community Development Corporation has been awarded under previous resolutions, five hundred thousand from community development and five hundred thousand from our HOME program. Staff is recommending, again, enable to -- for us to de -obligate those funds. I understand that the Corporation is in the process of reworking some designs and when they are in a position to implement the project, staff would recommend that they be refunded at the time that the project is ready for implementation. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Commissioner Teele: In other words, the same thing that we're doing for Ms. Warren: Yes. Commissioner Teele: -- Mr. Days? The other things -- I would move the item, but the other thing that I would ask -- where -- is this a scattered site? Vice Chairman Gort: Mr. Mariano Cruz: No, sir. Oh, I'm sorry. Commissioner Teele: OK. Vice Chairman Gort: Name and address for the record, please. Commissioner Teele: Right now this item relates to -- Mr. David Days: The Lyric Village. Mr. Jeff Hepburn (Assistant Director, Housing): The Lyric Village Housing project. Commissioner Teele: It's CD -- is it CD (Community Development) and HOME money? 261 - May 11, 2000 Mr. Hepburn: Yes. Commissioner Teele: Yeah. I would move this item. Commissioner Winton: Second. Vice Chairman Gort: It's been moved and second. Discussion. Mr. David Days: Yes. I want to say.one thing. First of all, David Days, Director of St. John Community Development Corporation, 1324 Northwest 3rd Avenue. I had a (unintelligible) to come to talk in terms of having those dollars kept where we'll be able to utilize these dollars because we are certainly working with the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) now trying to determine what the Lyric Village is going to be after we've had to restructure it. But if I'm understanding Ms. Warren to say, those dollars will be put somewhere, when we come back to the table and ready to go and those dollars will be available, that I am ecstatic just 2 o'clock from now. OK. Ms. Warren: Again, the Commission would have to reauthorize it, but staff would recommend. We have a viable project that we come back to the Commission and ask for money in the year that we're going to implement. Mr. Days: As long as we can understand that will recommend it. Commissioner Teele: The thing that I wanted to say, though, Mr. Days, on the record, that I'd like to make a part of this, you all are working hard now on scattered site housing for homeownership? Mr. Days: Yes, sir. Commissioner Teele: The thing -- you know, and that's really what's needed. The thing that I would like to add to this as an amendment is that, in addition or -- we're de -obligating. That's what we're doing. But that they be -- that the St. Johns CDC (Community Development Corporation) be given priority consideration for residents, potential residents of their scattered site housing. In other words, the best way really to help St. Johns -- I'm not sure is this fund of money -- it's the scattered site housing where they find people to buy houses, and then we move them up the list in our priorities to help them move in. Ms. Warren: Correct, sir. Commissioner Teele: So, I think, you know, if you work with the staff, particularly on the scattered site housing, and work with them on the 262 May 11, 2000 people that you're trying to qualify to buy homes, we can do more help for you than anything else there. Mr. Days: Well, we'll certainly be willing to do that. That is certainly our intention. Ms. Warren: Absolutely. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. Ms. Warren: And, again, I just -- for the record, I'd like to say, this gentleman and his whole company have worked with staff through this whole process, an the de -obligation of these funds is not a reflection of the work or the efforts on the part of St. Johns. It's just, again, to correct previous policies of funding projects before implementation. Vice Chairman Gort: Let me ask you a question. In working with a couple of community based organizations, putting the funding together for affordable housing is very difficult. Ms. Warren: Yes, sir. Vice Chairman Gort: It's not an easy process, like in the private sector. You put your project together; you go to the bank, and you get your commitment right a way, your commitment letter. A lot of times it takes years for those people to put the funding together. Is there a way that we can somehow, without making the commitment of those funds and those years, we will not longer have the problem that we have today? Is there a system where we can establish a letter with future funding for when ever it's going to be ready? Will that help? Will that work? Ms. Warren: That is going to be recommendation of staff, that the Commission, like we do when we do the state applications, that the Commission provide applications of intent or letters of intent, and support the subject -- so that, again, they are able to get out there and pull the monies together with, again, a letter from the City saying that if we can get the financing and things come to fruition, we'll be a partner. But under some conditions. Our problem is, we're fund and then they have to go find three years into it, our money is frozen, we can't use it, and it's just creating a hardship. Vice Chairman Gort: Right. Because it's very difficult to put those fundings together. It's not easy. It's not an easy task. Mr. Days: OK. If I might just lastly add to Ms. Warren, that we want to make sure that we understand -- I'm looking at CDBG and HOME dollars, 263 May 11, 2000 0 • where I'll have a wide variety of things I can do with those dollars, not just second mortgage dollars, but with the CDBG dollars, I can also do construction and some of that kind of stuff. Ms. Warren: Yes. Mr. Days: Oh, OK. Thank you all. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you, sir. There is a motion. All in favor state by saying "aye." The Commission (Collectively): "Aye." The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 00-428 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION TO DEOBLIGATE THE AMOUNT OF $500,000 OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS AND THE AMOUNT OF $500,000 OF HOME PARTNERSHIP INVESTMENT FUNDS PREVIOUSLY ALLOCATED PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 98-1014, TO FINANCE THE LYRIC VILLAGE HOUSING PROJECT TO BE DEVELOPED BY ST. JOHN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Upon being seconded by Commissioner Winton, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Commissioner Johnny L. Winton NAYS: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Joe Sanchez 264 May 11, 2000 Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Item 20, Commissioner. Ms. Mary Hill: I had to say something on that. Vice Chairman Gort: No, ma'am. Sorry. We already moved on it. Next one, 20. Ms. Warren: Item 20, annually, the City participates in a summer youth employment program for economically disadvantaged children. We submitted an application. We have been awarded for a hundred and seventy thousand three hundred and seventy-five dollars ($170,375). Mr. Chairman, we would need to do this as an emergency ordinance because of the contracting time frames that we have, so it will take two readings. But this is to accept the appropriations for the summer program. Commissioner Teele: Are you all requesting this as an emergency ordinance? Ms. Warren: Yes, we are. Commissioner Teele: Mr. Manager, you -- Mr. Carlos Gimenez (City Manager): Yes, sir, we are. Commissioner Teele: I would so move it. Commissioner Winton: Second. Vice Chairman Gort: It's been moved and seconded. Let me ask you a question. We do this every year. Ms. Warren: Every year. Again, our funding source, from the date that we're awarded the funds, we have 60 days to finish the contract. If we do two readings, go through the negotiations, the Oversight Board, we can't complete the contract. So, we've got to have an emergency ordinance. It takes us three weeks to get on the agenda. I mean, it's -- 265 May 11, 2000 11 U Vice Chairman Gort: Got you. All right. Any further discussion? Commissioner Teele: How much was received last year? Ms. Warren: I think the same amount minus about three thousand dollars ($3,000). Commissioner Regalado: Last year -- Ms. Warren: There's two (unintelligible) different. Sorry, sir. Commissioner Regalado: Last year we requested that this program will mirror the City of Miami. Ms. Warren: Absolutely. Commissioner Regalado: And the results -- Ms. Warren: It mirrors the City of Miami. Commissioner Regalado: OK. Ms. Warren: Yes, sir. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. OK. Any further discussion? Read the ordinance. It's an ordinance, right? Roll call. Ms. Warren: Yes. Vice Chairman Gort: Roll call. 266 May 11, 2000 An Ordinance Entitled — AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL REVENUE FUND ENTITLED "2000-2001 WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT SUMMER YOUTH TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM"; APPROPRIATING FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $470,375, FOR ITS OPERATION CONSISTING OF A GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, ADMINISTERED BY THE SOUTH FLORIDA EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING CONSORTIUM ("SFETC"); AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO ACCEPT THE GRANT AND IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EMPLOY APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL TO IMPLEMENT AND ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM; CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE. was introduced by Commissioner Teele and seconded by Commissioner Winton, for adoption as an emergency measure, and dispensing with the requirement of reading same on two separate days, was agreed to by the following vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Joe Sanchez Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Commissioner Johnny L. Winton NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. Whereupon the Commission on motion of Commissioner Teele and seconded by Commissioner Winton, adopted said ordinance by the following vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Joe Sanchez Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Commissioner Johnny L. Winton NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. Said ordinance was designated Ordinance No. 11928. 267 May 11, 2000 Vice Chairman Gort: Item 21. Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Item 21. Again, at your May meeting, staff provided you information on the allocation of two million four hundred and thirty-three thousand dollars ($2,433,000) for a Welfare to Work Program, which is primarily an internship work while you earn program that will be administered through the various City departments. What staff is asking at this point, that we be allowed to hire ten staff persons to implement the program. These are counselors, job placement people, and other clerical support personnel. The City Commission, at your previous budget hearing, required that, even if it's the award of grants, if it requires additional personnel, you would have to approve the hiring of a minority -- implement the grant, we need case managers. Vice Chairman Gort: Question. Does any Commissioner have any question? I have a question. Ms. Warren: Yes, sir. Vice Chairman Gort: This is going to be very much like on-the-job training, OJT (On -The -Job Training)? Ms. Warren: Correct. Vice Chairman Gort: How many of these people being placed within the City department? Ms. Warren: Two hundred. Vice Chairman Gort: Within the City department? Ms. Warren: Yes, sir. Vice Chairman Gort: Well, I don't want this to be another CETA (Comprehensive Employment and Training Act). Ms. Warren: No, it is not. It is not. They are -- Vice Chairman Gort: Well, what happens after they are with the City? 268 May 11, 2000 Ms. Warren: These are trainees. The grant pays their wages, and at the end of it, they go work at another place. Vice Chairman Gort: In other words, they don't stay in the City? Ms. Warren: No, sir. Vice Chairman Gort: And they understand -- Ms. Warren: Unless they get hired as an employee. Vice Chairman Gort: Unless they get hired -- that, I understand. But I want to make sure -- because, right now, we have employees within the City of Miami, that's been with the City for 20 years -- Ms. Warren: Started with CETA (Comprehensive Employment and Training Act)? Vice Chairman Gort: -- 18 years. They got here because of CETA, and that's not fair. Ms. Warren: This is not CETA. Vice Chairman Gort: I think it's very important that we let them know up front that, if they qualify and they can get hired, fine. But we can't commit to keeping them within the City, OK? Ms. Warren: Correct. Yes, sir. Commissioner Regalado: And, Mr. Chairman -- Vice Chairman Gort: Do I have a motion? Yes, sir. Commissioner Regalado: Just a reminder. The new Chairman of the WAGES (Work and Gains Economic Self -Sufficiency Coalition) coalition is a person who is willing to work with the City of Miami, and, as a matter of fact, he's member -- he's a member of two boards in the City of Miami, so -- I know, Gwen, that you have been in touch with him and I think that he knows the City of Miami very well, and the needs. So -- Commissioner Winton: Mr. Chairman? Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, sir. 269 May 11, 2000 Commissioner Winton: Gwen, this is maybe an unrelated question and, if it is, well, I'll just shut up. But where is there -- and I'm sure we're not qualified to do it, but in this whole training program, is there a focus on getting people that need this training in the building trades? Ms. Warren: There is a major focus in the building trades, and, again, through the -- there is a variety -- there is a whole network in the WAGES coalition, but the community college, as well as the vocational training schools. Commissioner Winton: Are focused on building training. Ms. Warren: -- major concentration on building training. Commissioner Winton: Because when we went to -- you know, on one of the days when we went with staff to do inspections of a building, we went to Brickell Key, to the New Mandarin Hotel, and a lot of the building trades, people that were working there -- in fact, not a single person that I talked to, that I stopped as we were walking along, not a single one of those.people lived in the City of Miami. They were from Palm Beach and north Broward County, and they weren't minority either. So, it seems to me there is a great opportunity, if we can figure out how to get more of our people who need work trained in the building trades, those are darn good jobs that pay good salaries, so -- Ms. Warren: We are working on a project that will probably bring to you in the fall, which involves the building trades. Commissioner Winton: Great. Ms. Warren: We're just not ready yet. Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Do I have a motion? Commissioner Teele: So moved. Vice Chairman Gort: Second? Commissioner Winton: Second. Vice Chairman Gort: Discussion? Being none, all in favor state by saying "aye." The Commission (Collectively): "Aye." 270 May 11, 2000 The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 00-429 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EMPLOY APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL TO IMPLEMENT AND ADMINISTER THE FISCAL YEAR 2000-2001 WELFARE - TO -WORK EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM, FUNDED THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND ADMINISTERED BY THE SOUTH FLORIDA EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING CONSORTIUM. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Upon being seconded by Commissioner Winton, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Joe Sanchez Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Commissioner Johnny L. Winton NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Ms. Mary Hill: Yes, yes. Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. You all have a good evening, and take care of yourselves. 271 May 11, 2000