HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2000-07-11 MinutesCITY OF MIAMI
SPECIAL
MEETING
MINUTES
OF MEETING HELD ON JULY 11, 2000
PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK/CITY HALL
Walter J. Foeman/City Clerk
ITEM NO.
INDEX
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING (CDBG)
JULY 11, 2000
SUBJECT
LEGISLATION
1. TABLE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO RESOLUTION
7/11/00
NO. 00-427 TO BY TRANSFER $3 MILLION
DISCUSSION
COMMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
1
(CDBG) FUNDS FOR HISTORIC OVERTOWN
PRIORITY BUSINESS CORRIDOR PROJECT (See #5).
2. APPROVE DESIGNATION OF PALMETTO
7/11/00
HOMES OF MIAMI, INC. AS DEVELOPER TO
R-00-579
UNDERTAKE DEVELOPMENT OF FIVE (5) NEW
2-5
SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES AFFORDABLE TO
FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS OF VERY LOW,
LOW AND MODERATE -INCOME ON THREE (3)
CITY -OWNED VACANT PARCELS LOCATED IN
THE MODEL CITY NEIGHBORHOOD, SUBJECT
PARCELS TO BE CONVEYED TO
AFOREMENTIONED CORPORATION AT NO COST
IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICY ESTABLISHED BY
COMMISSION IN THE FIVE (5) YEAR
CONSOLIDATED PLAN (1999-2004).
3. ESTABLISH FOUR SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS
7/11/00
AND APPROPRIATE FUNDS AS SPECIFIED:
ORDINANCE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
NO. 11939
(TWENTY-SIXTH YEAR) - $12,700,000 AND
6-8
$732,250 OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM INCOME AS
APPROVED BY DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING
AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) TOTAL
$13,432,250; HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
(HOME) - $4,881,000; EMERGENCY SHELTER
GRANT (ESG) - $451,000; AND HOUSING
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS
(HOPWA) - $10,139,000.
4. (A) DISCUSS PROPOSED GRANT APPLICATION
AND PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2000-2001
ANNUAL ACTION PLAN TO U.S. DEPARTMENT
OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
(HUD) FOR FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
(CDBG) PROGRAM, HOME INVESTMENT
PARTNERSHIPS (HOME) PROGRAM, HOUSING
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS
(HOPWA) PROGRAM AND EMERGENCY
SHELTER GRANT (ESG) PROGRAM.
(B) ORDER OF THE DAY.
(C) PUBLIC HEARING: PUBLIC SERVICE
CATEGORY — COMMENTS BY
COMMISSIONERS.
(D) APPEALS MADE BY PUBLIC SPEAKERS.
(E) APPROVE ADMINISTRATION'S
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 26TH YEAR
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
(CDBG) FUNDS; DENY APPEAL OF ANY AGENCY
OR ORGANIZATION, WHICH PROPOSALS
WERE, INELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING.
(See #6)
5. APPROVE ADMINISTRATION'S
RECOMMENDATION TO WITHDRAW ITS PRIOR
REQUEST FOR TRANSFER OF $3,000,000
PREVIOUSLY APPROVED COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS
FROM HISTORIC 3RD AVENUE BUSINESS
CORRIDOR TO COMPLETE FIRST YEAR ANNUAL
COMMITMENT OF FIVE YEAR FUNDING TO THE
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) —
COMMENTS REGARDING SALE OF CAMILLUS
HOUSE.
7/11/00
M-00-580
9-53
7/11/00
M-00-581
54-75
6. (A) AUTHORIZE MANAGER TO SUBMIT GRANT
APPLICATION AND PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR
2000-2001 ANNUAL ACTION. PLAN TO U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT (HUD) FOR PROPOSED USE OF
FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG)
PROGRAM, HOME INVESTMENT
PARTNERSHIPS (HOME) PROGRAM, HOUSING
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS
(HOPWA) PROGRAM AND EMERGENCY
SHELTER GRANT (ESG) PROGRAM; ALLOCATE
$5,842,000 OF 26TH YEAR CDBG FUNDS AND
$732,250 OF PROGRAM INCOME TO ,APPROVED
PUBLIC SERVICE, HOUSING ADMINISTRATION
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES;
ALLOCATE $6,858,000 OF 26TH YEAR CDBG FUNDS
TO ELIGIBLE CITY DIRECTED ACTIVITIES;
DESIGNATE CATEGORIES OF FUNDING FOR
$5,971,715 OF HOME FUNDS; DESIGNATE
CATEGORIES OF FUNDING FOR $10,139,000 OF
HOPWA FUNDS; ALLOCATE $451,000 OF ESG
FUNDS FOR ELIGIBLE ESG ACTIVITIES;
AUTHORIZE $50,000 OF 25TH YEAR CDBG FUNDS
FROM OVERTOWN OPTIMIST CLUB, INC. TO
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION. (See
#4)
(B) APPROVE ADMMSTRATION'S
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 26TH YEAR
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
(CDBG) FUNDS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE CATEGORY;
DIRECT RESERVE OF $30,000 TO PUBLIC SERVICE
CATEGORY IN DISTRICT NO. 5 BE SET ASIDE FOR
HAITIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION, INC.,
IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR PUBLIC
SERVICE AGENCIES WITHIN DISTRICT NO. 4.
(C) MANAGER TO REPORT BACK TO
COMMISSION WITHIN 60 DAYS TO DETERMINE
AVAILABILITY OF ANY LETF FUNDS TO ASSIST
AND PROVIDE SUPPORT TO ALTERNATIVE
PROGRAMS INC.
7/11/00
M-00-582
M-00-583
M-00584
M-00-585
M-00-586
R-00-586.1
M-00-587
76-106
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING (CDBG) OF THE
CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
On the 11th day of July 2000, the City Commission of Miami, Florida, met at its regular meeting
place in the City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida, in special session.
The meeting was called to order at 2:08 p.m. by Presiding Officer/Commissioner Wifredo Gort
with the following members of the Commission found to be present:
Commissioner Wifredo Gort (District 1)
Commissioner Johnny L. Winton (District 2)
Commissioner Joe Sanchez (District 3)
Commissioner Tomas Regalado (District 4)
Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. (District 5)
An invocation was delivered by Commissioner Teele, after which, Commissioner Winton led those
present in a pledge of allegiance to the flag.
1. TABLE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO RESOLUTION NO. 00-427 TO TRANSFER $3
MILLION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS FOR HISTORIC
OVERTOWN PRIORITY BUSINESS CORRIDOR PROJECT (See #5).
Vice Chairman Gort: Item 1.
Alejandro Vilarello (City Attorney): Mr. Chairman, the notice that was published with regard to this item
was properly published, and is properly before you. However, there was a courtesy notice that was
provided that advertised this item for 3 o'clock. In the abundance of caution, I would recommend to you
that you consider this item only after 3 o'clock, so if any members of the public who might have read that
advertisement will be here at the time that the item is discussed.
Vice Chairman Gort: That takes care of Item 1.
7/11%00
2. APPROVE DESIGNATION OF PALMETTO HOMES OF MIAMI, INC: AS DEVELOPER TO
UNDERTAKE DEVELOPMENT OF FIVE (5)' NEW SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES AFFORDABLE TO
FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS OF VERY LOW, LOW AND MODERATE INCOME ON THREE (3)
CITY -OWNED VACANT PARCELS LOCATED IN THE MODEL CITY NEIGHBORHOOD,
SUBJECT PARCELS TO BE CONVEYED TO AFOREMENTIONED CORPORATION AT NO COST
IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICY ESTABLISHED BY COMMISSION IN THE FIVE-YEAR
CONSOLIDATED PLAN (1999-2004).
Vice Chairman Gort: Two.
Commissioner Sanchez: Item 2, Willy, what's Item 2 on?
Vice Chairman Gort: Item 2, is a resolution awarding three City -owned parcels to Palmetto Homes of
Miami, Inc.
Jeffery Hepburn (Assistant Director, Housing): Jeff Hepburn, Assistant Director for Housing. Item 2, we
were told to bring back to you today, and it's a recommendation to transfer three City -owned lots to a
group called Palmetto Homes of Miami. And basically, we're giving them 12 months to start construction
on these units.
Vice Chairman Gort: Now, my understanding is from reading through this, they were to pay back the City
once the houses were sold. They're to reimburse the City for the lots.
Mr. Hepburn: No. We're recommending that the land be transferred at no cost. And this is based on the
Five -Year Plan that adopted that particular policy.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Question. Was this -- As I recall, I think it was one or two years ago that we
talked about that there was a lot of single parcels within the City of Miami that should be going out for
bids, and the person that could build the house for the lowest cost should be awarded it in order to have
affordable houses and homeownership in the different neighborhoods. Is this part of that transaction?
Mr. Hepburn: If you go back about, I think 1997, '98, this particular developer, along with Wind and
Rain were awarded sites in both Coconut Grove and Model City, Little Haiti. At that time, we did have a
cost fixed to what the land cost was going to be. But again, the consolidated plan that you recently
adopted last year talks about a policy of transferring property at no cost.
Vice Chairman Gort: I know. And these savings we'll pass on to the property owner, whatever it is, by
lowering the price of the house?
Mr. Hepburn: Yeah, the savings would, that's correct.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you.
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, sir..
2 7/11/00
Commissioner Teele: This item is coming back from the staff, and I want to again commend the staff.
This is something that actually was done in '96. If you look at the backup, this is a '96 resolution. And
through a series of situations and circumstances of no fault of, either the City or the developer, the lots
were lost for development purposes. The time expired. However, they have had sort of a right, if you
will, or at least a claim — I won't use the word "right." And this is just, in effect, an equity to make them
whole. And I want to commend the City staff in coming back with the recommendation. I would move
the recommendation after the public hearing with one amendment, and that be that they be afforded 12
months after title has been cleared, and further that they be required to report back in 90 days on the status
of the title clearing. And we're having horror stories about title clearing. And Mr. Chairman, if you'll
recall, this is a very similar situation that happened with BAME (Bethel African Methodist Episcopal),
where we gave them property, but it took almost three years for the City, in fact, to clear title. Title
clearance in the inner City is a unique problem, and I think we're beginning to recognize that. So I'm
moving the staff recommendation with a proviso that the developers be given 90 days — that the
developers shall report — that the 12 months shall be from the time title is cleared, and that they will report
back within 90 days on the status of the clearance.
Commissioner Winton: Second.
Vice Chairman Gort: It's been moved and seconded.
Commissioner Teele: It needs to be, I guess, public —
Vice Chairman Gort: Any discussion? We'll open it to the public hearing. Anyone in the public who
would like to address this item? Anyone in the public who would like to address this item? Close the
public hearing. Any —
Commissioner Teele: It might be good, Mr. Chairman -- if you all would just put your names and address
on the record, and acknowledge on the record that you can comply with the 12 months after the title has
been cleared.
Johnny Bryant: Yes, sir. Palmetto Homes of Miami, Inc., 1151 Northwest 50th Street.
Commissioner Teele: Your name, sir.
Mr. Bryant: Johnny Bryant.
Ario Lundy: And Ario Lundy.
Commissioner Teele: And can you all live with the amendment that I'm placing that gives you all 12
months after the title has been cleared, but requires that you come back within 90 days and give us a status
report or the staff a status report?
Mr. Bryant: Yes, we can meet those stipulations. That's appropriate for us to conduct our title research.
Commissioner Teele: And are you satisfied?
3 7/11/00
Mr. Bryant: Yes, sir.
Mr. Lundy: From day one, we were satisfied.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Any further discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by saying
aye.
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you.
The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 00-579
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPROVING
THE DESIGNATION OF PALMETTO HOMES OF MIAMI, INC.
("DEVELOPER"), A FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION, AS DEVELOPER
TO UNDERTAKE THE DEVELOPMENT OF FIVE (5) NEW SINGLE-
FAMILY HOMES AFFORDABLE TO FAMILIES AND
INDIVIDUALS OF VERY LOW, LOW AND MODERATE INCOME
ON THREE (3) CITY -OWNED VACANT PARCELS ("PARCELS")
LOCATED IN THE MODEL CITY NEIGHBORHOOD, MIAMI,
FLORIDA; AUTHORIZING THE CONVEYANCE OF THE PARCELS
TO DEVELOPER AT NO COST, PURSUANT TO THE POLICY
ESTABLISHED IN THE FIVE (5) YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN
(1999-2004), SUBJECT TO DEVELOPER: (1) AGREEING TO PAY
THE COST OF ELIMINATING ALL TITLE DEFECTS EXISTING ON
THE PARCELS; (2) PROVIDING EVIDENCE ACCEPTABLE TO THE
CITY OF FIRM COMMITMENTS FOR PROJECT CONSTRUCTION
AND PERMANENT FINANCING FOR PURCHASE BY QUALIFIED
HOMEBUYERS; (3) COMPLETING CONSTRUCTION ON THE
PARCELS WITHIN TWELVE (12) MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF
CONVEYANCE BY THE CITY; (4) COMPLYING WITH OTHER
TERMS AND CONDITIONS, INCLUDING PARCEL REVERTER
PROVISIONS, AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE CITY
MANAGER AND THE CITY ATTORNEY, AND (5) PROVIDING THE
ADMINISTRATION WITH A STATUS REPORT CONCERNING THE
TITLE TO THE PARCELS WITHIN NINETY (90) DAYS FROM THE
DATE OF CONVEYANCE; 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 the resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
4 7/11/00
CJ
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Winton, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following
vote:
AYES: Commissioner Tomas Regalado
Commissioner Joe Sanchez
Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr.
Commissioner Johnny L. Winton
Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
5 7/11/00
3. ESTABLISH FOUR SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS AND APPROPRIATE FUNDS AS
SPECIFIED: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (TWENTY-SIXTH YEAR) --
$12,700,000' AND $732,250 OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG)
PROGRAM INCOME AS APPROVED BY DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT (HUD) TOTAL $13,432,250; HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP (HOME) --
$4,881,000; EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT (ESG) -- $451,000; AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS (HOPWA) -- $10,.139,000.
Vice Chairman Gort: Item 3. Let me ask you a question, Jeff. At the same time, as I recall, and we're
going back in '96 — I need you to help me out. We've also allocated some lots in Coconut Grove. I
thought that was here today, also. No?
Jeffery Hepburn (Director -Housing, Community Development): No.
Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Those are fine.
Mr. Hepburn: Yeah, those are fine. Those are being developed.
Vice Chairman Gort: Those have been developed and it's been done?
Mr. Hepburn: I think we have one left, yes that has title problems.
Vice Chairman Gort: Then we have other vacant lots within Coconut Grove. I thought I read that
somewhere. No?
Mr. Hepburn: There's very few City -owned lots in Coconut Grove that we own.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you. Item 3.
Ms. Warren: Commissioners, we have before you an ordinance to accept revenue and it's for four special
funds under our Community Development Block Grant. And we're requesting that you enter an
emergency ordinance authorizing the acceptance of twelve million, seven hundred thousand dollars
($12,700,000) from CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds from the Federal Government,
with an additional seven hundred and thirty-two thousand, two hundred and fifty dollars ($732,250) of
expected program income. We are also requesting that you accept under this ordinance four million, eight
hundred and eighty-one thousand dollars ($4,881,000) for the Home Investment Program, and an
additional ten million, one hundred and thirty-nine thousand dollars ($10,139,000) under our HOPWA
(Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS) Program, and four hundred and fifty-one thousand dollars
($451,000) under our Emergency Shelter Program. The U.S. Department of HUD (Department of
Housing and Urban Development) has advised the City that we will be receiving an entitlement for our
2000/2001 year in this amount, and we've prepared a special ordinance, and we're requesting that the
Commission the appropriation.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. This is an ordinance to establish the four special revenue funds for the HUD to
accept the grant. Is there anyone in the public who would like to address this? OK. Do I have a motion
among the Commissioners?
6 7/11/00
Commissioner Teele: So move, Mr. Chairman.
Commissioner Winton: Second.
Vice Chairman Gort: It's been moved and seconded. Discussion? Being none, all in favor —
Alejandro Vilarello (City Attorney): It's an ordinance.
Vice Chairman Gort: Read it.
NOTE FOR THE RECORD: The City Attorney read the pending ordinance into the public record
by title only.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Roll all..
An Ordinance entitled —
AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY
COMMISSION ESTABLISHING FOUR (4) SPECIAL REVENUE
FUNDS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS AS HEREIN SPECIFIED:
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (TWENTY-
SIXTH YEAR) -- $12,700,000 AND $732,250 OF COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM INCOME
AS APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) FOR A TOTAL APPROPRIATION
OF $13,432,250; HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP (HOME) --
$4,881,000; EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT (ESG) -- $451,000;
AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS
(HOPWA) -- $10,139,000; 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: Commissioner Tomas Regalado
Commissioner Joe Sanchez
Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr.
Commissioner Johnny L. Winton
Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
7 7/11/00
0
•
Whereupon, the commission on motion of Commissioner Teele and seconded by Commissioner Winton,
adopted said ordinance by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Tomas Regalado
Commissioner Joe Sanchez
Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr.
Commissioner Johnny L. Winton
Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
SAID ORDINANCE WAS DESIGNATED ORDINANCE NO. 11939.
The City Attorney read the ordinance into the public record and announced that copies were available to
the members of the City Commission and to the public.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you.
7/11/00
4. (A) DISCUSS PROPOSED GRANT APPLICATION AND PROPOSED . FISCAL YEAR
2000-2001 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN TO U.S. DEPARTMENT OF. HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT (HUD) FOR FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
GRANT (CDB'G) PROGRAM, HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS (HOME) PROGRAM,
HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS (HOPWA) PROGRAM AND
EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT (ESG) PROGRAM.
(B) ORDER OF THE DAY.
(C) PUBLIC HEARING: PUBLIC SERVICE CATEGORY COMMENTS BY
COMMISSIONERS.
(D) APPEALS MADE BY PUBLIC SPEAKERS.
(E) APPROVE ADMINISTRATION'S , RECOMMENDATIONS FOR .26TH YEAR
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS; DENY APPEAL OF ANY
AGENCY OR ORGANIZATION WHICH PROPOSALS WERE INELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING.
Vice Chairman Gort: Item 4.
Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Commissioners, as you are aware, we have
completed the RFP (Request for Proposals) process for the distribution of some of the 26th Year funds that
you've adopted. Staff is respectfully recommending that the City Commission adopt the attached
resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit the proposed agencies list as a part of our annual plan
for the 26th year to HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development). The funds that we're
recommending is an allocation of five hundred — five million, eight hundred and forty-two thousand
dollars ($5,842,000) for the 26th year CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds with an
additional seven hundred and thirty-two thousand, two hundred and fifty dollars ($732,250) of program
income. Those funds would provide contracts and services under the areas of public service, housing
administration, and economic development. The total allocation is six million, eight hundred and fifty-
eight thousand ($6,858,000) from the — for these directed activities. We also have an additional five
million, nine hundred and seventy-one thousand, seven hundred and fifteen dollars ($5,971,715) of
HOME (Home Investment Partnership Program) funds, which were also out to RFP. But as you are
aware, the allocation — those RFP's would go to the Housing Loan Committee for review for brick and
mortar projects. Additionally, the Commission has made an allocation — two current allocations from that
money. One would be to satisfy the third year of our five-year commitment for homeowner pre -
qualification program for the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), and an additional one million -
five the Commission has allocated as a part of our continued commitment to the Homeownership Zone in
the Model City community. The balance of the funds, we have received RFP's. They are currently under
review, and will be going to the Housing Loan Committee within the next 30 to 60 days. We're also —
again, we've asked you to designate various categories. for expenditures for HOPWA, which would
include the ten million, one hundred and thirty-nine thousand dollars ($10,139,000). So we have specific
categories that are referenced in the letter. We're also recommending that the four hundred and fifty-one
thousand dollars ($451,000) be allocated to the City's Homeless Program. Under your RFP, the —
Commissioner Teele: How much? How much did you authorize for the Homeless Program?
Ms. Warren: The administrative allocation is three percent, and the balance would go to the City's
Homeless Program. That's staff's recommendation. You currently have a Homeless Program that
9 7/11/00
operates within the City, and we're recommending that the — that appropriation fund that agency, that
activity.
Unidentified Speaker: What was the total amount?
Vice Chairman Gort: Let me ask you a question.
Ms. Warren: Four hundred and seventy thousand.
Unidentified Speaker: Four thirty-seven.
Ms. Warren: Four thirty-seven. I'm sorry.
Vice Chairman Gort: On this HOPWA,. as I look at the breakdown, we don't charge them for
administration, administration expenses on HOPWA, on the ten million dollars ($10,000,000).
Ms. Warren: Yes, we do. The City takes three percent for administration. The balance of the funds goes
to program operations, which is, again, long-term, short-term and other kinds of assistance to that target
group.
Vice Chairman Gort: The reason I'm asking, you have a total of ten, one thirty-nine. And then in your
breakdown, I don't see the administration fee.
Commissioner Teele: Program administration, three hundred and four thousand, one hundred and —
Vice Chairman Gort: Oh, I'm sorry. Yes, OK. Thank you. I stand corrected. Thank you.
Ms. Warren: That's OK. Again, to — it's your pleasure. We did receive a series of applications. The total
number of applications or requests for funding under the three categories, again, Public Service, Economic
Development, Housing, Administration and Brick and Mortar. We received twenty-seven thousand
dollars ($27,000) — twenty-seven million, eight hundred and forty-seven thousand dollars ($27,847,000)
worth of requests. Nine million, five hundred ninety-four, eight thirty-three was in the area of public
service. Fourteen million, four hundred and eighteen thousand, sixty-one was in housing and three
million, three thousand, four hundred and twenty-four were in requests under economic development. If I
could briefly tell you about the process. After receiving the applications — again, it's published in the RFP
process. There was an initial screening for sufficiency. And in this screening of all of the proposals
received, the first thing we did was to look for legal qualifications from the competing agencies, and that
they had to meet the legal requirement to contract with the City. They would have to be a 501(c)(3) in
good standing. They would have to — or a public agency, and not in default to the City. The second was
the completeness of the proposal submitted. We had a series of criteria -- the project plan and the ability
to implement it, the cost effectiveness, the budget community linkages, resource development, the
organization's capacity to deliver the services, and obviously, the consistency with the five-year plan
that's been adopted by the City. The next area that again we looked at was the default status relating to
any previous financial obligations to the City. And also in this review, we looked at any outstanding — and
10 7/11/00
I'm talking about significant compliance issues that a contractor may have with their current contract. In
going through those steps and reviewing the initial 145 proposals, the agencies that did not pass that first
review, that sufficiency review would have been Acorn Housing Corporation; Alternative Program, Inc.;
Agape Academic Enrichment Center; Coconut Grove LDC Corporation; Dominican -American National
Foundation; Florida Housing. Cooperative; 55 Years and Up, Inc.; Greater Miami Service Corps; Greater
Bethel AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Church; Haitian -American Community Association of Dade
County, HACAD; Haitian -American Foundation, Inc.; Little Havana Development Authority; Martin
Luther King Economic Development Corporation; Model Housing Cooperative; Overtown Advisory
Board, Inc.; Overtown Community Optimist Club, Inc.; and Tri -City Community Association. There was
one — we've notified all the agencies of their area of deficiency and why they did not pass the screening.
There was one agency that did file an appeal. We reviewed the application, and when reviewing it again,
we found that the agency_ should be screened in and should be — we are recommending that they be
funded, and that is the Greater Miami Service Corps. There were some papers that were missing out of
their file, but they were found in another file. They produced the documents that we needed, and again,
under appeal. We're recommending that they do be funded. They're a current provider. This year, they
received fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) a year as a new organization. All of the agencies who were
funded for the first time this year, if they pass their evaluations, we're recommending that they be re-
funded at the same level until such time as we have a track record. So we are recommending that Greater
Miami Service Corps be re -funded at fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), which is .what their current year
allocation is. And because of the limited funding, we're recommending that that fifty thousand dollars
($50,000) come from the four hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($450,000) that has been set aside for the
facade program, in anticipation that we will be able to, once we do closeouts, identify sufficient funds to
continue the facade program at the original recommended level. So that's an agency that, again, initially
was screened out, .but we're recommending that they go in after the appeal. The first group of agencies
was our housing agencies. And again, just to talk about some policy issues. The RFP was for — the
amount available under the RFP was one million, five hundred and twenty-four thousand dollars
($1,524,000). The Commission gave staff a series of directives over this last year regarding performance
and equitability in the funding of housing programs. We had an opportunity — we received their
proposals. We had an opportunity to review them. And one of the things that staff would recommend is
under the area of performance, there are four agencies that we're — two agencies we're recommending no
funding for as a result of performance, and those agencies are Model City Housing Cooperative. If you
will note, this organization has been funded for a series of years. I'm trying to find the numbers here.
OK. The Model Housing Agency is not recommended due to a lack of a viable housing project. They
have received funding for approximately six years, in excess of three hundred thousand dollars
($300,000), and have not been able to complete a housing project. We're recommending that based on
prior performance that they not be re -funded as a housing agency.
Commissioner Regalado: Excuse me.
Ms. Warren: Yes; sir.
Commissioner Regalado: Gwen, the problem with Model Housing was that they didn't have a site plan.
But they did have — presented to you a letter from the County, first of all, extending the deadline. And
second, there is a letter from the Community Development Department of the County supporting --
11 7/11/00
0 •
Vice Chairman Gort: Commissioner Regalado, if you would allow me, what I'd like to do, if possible is
let the staff make their whole presentation. Let's listen to the public hearings —
Commissioner Regalado: But I just wanted, so we don't get confused, we don't get confused. I just want
to make that, because I will follow up with that.
Vice Chairman Gort: I'm sure every agency that is not being accepted wants to speak and wants to
address their problem, and we can address them one by one.
Commissioner Regalado: OK.
Vice Chairman Gort: Is that OK with you all?
Commissioner Regalado: Sure.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. We'll follow that procedure, then.
Commissioner Regalado: Sure.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you.
Ms. Warren: For Model Housing Cooperative, our records indicate that we provided administrative
dollars of support at the level -- for four years, up to two hundred and sixty thousand dollars ($260,000),
and there has been no housing developed by that agency during the time period of that four years that
we've been providing administrative support. The other agency is Florida Housing Cooperative. Again,
performance issues. We have provided administrative support for seven years at an amount of three
hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars ($325,000), and there has been no housing developed. We have
two other agencies that are currently under probationary status from the 25th year due to
underperformance. We, one, would like to applaud their efforts during their probationary status to
reorganize and to develop projects. But again, given the need to build 5,000 houses over the next five
years and unlimited resources, based on history and the fact that both of these organizations, which is
Rafael Hernandez Housing and Economic Development and Edgewater Economic Development are both.
economic development and housing agencies. Staff's recommendation is that Rafael Hernandez
Economic Development Agency receive fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) this year to phase out all of their
housing activities with -- and additionally that they be given an additional fifty thousand dollars ($50,000)
of economic development moneys to increase their capacity in that area. Our rationale is that although
their efforts have been commendable this year, over the last six years, they've received administrative
support, the total amount of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000). They've completed on home, and
they have predevelopment activities on five others. We feel that the fifty, thousand dollars ($50,000)
would be sufficient to transfer or to phase out their housing activities. And again, we feel that their area of
expertise is in economic development. This would not preclude them from doing housing, but not with
administrative moneys from the City of Miami. We feel we should support their economic development
activities and not housing, again, because of the five hundred thousand dollar ($500,000) expenditure.
The other agency is Edgewater Economic Development Agency. The same statements from staff. This
year, they have reorganized. The administrative issues that they've had in the past no longer exist. But
again, this is their sixth year of housing support. We have provided three hundred and fifty thousand
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dollars ($350,000) of housing administration, and they have developed no homes. At this point in time,
they are in a stage of doing predevelopment activities. Again, we're recommending an increase in our
economic development support, and again, because of capacity issues that we phase them out of housing
development under the City of Miami. The other two agencies — so that's agencies we're recommending
no money, two agencies we're recommending phase down, and two agencies that we're recommending
probationary status, which is that they would be given an opportunity with intense technical support to
again increase their development activities. The organization, one is Word of Life. They have, in housing
administration, they've received — they've been in it for two years at a hundred and ten thousand dollars
($110,000). They're currently in the predevelopment phase on projects. But again, we would recommend
that they receive additional technical support, probably from Greater Miami Neighbors and that, again,
that they go into probationary status. The other organization who has an excellent history of housing, but
yet again, for the last six years, we have provided, housing administrative support to a sum of three
hundred and ninety thousand dollars ($390,000), and currently, we do not have a development project, nor
a time frame, and that we're requesting that they are on probation, and that is St. John's Community
Development Corporation. The final thing that I would add is that those are the organizations that either
we're recommending no funding, probationary status or a phase out, and that they move into another area
of activity. Additionally, what we looked at was the administrative support that was going to housing
agencies in general. And we felt that there was a significant inequity in terms of the amount of.houses or
homeowner activities, housing, or — housing assistance or housing activities that were going on in the City
of Miami relative to the administrative support being provided those agencies. So if you would indulge
me just a moment. We looked at the agency's request for funding and their productivity level. And in
that, one of our — all of our recommendations for housing administrative support for the balance of the
agencies is based on the number of housing units being produced in the City of Miami. In that regard, we
are recommending that Allapattah Business Development Authority, which is developing 21 homes. They
requested fifty thousand. We're recommending that amount. BAME Corporate Development is in the
process of developing 266 units. They requested fifty thousand, one hundred and forty-three. We're
recommending that. We would have recommended more, but they did not apply for more. And again, we
did not award any money above the request of the agency. CODEC is in the process of developing 246
units. They request — they are currently funded at a hundred and fifty. They requested two twenty-five.
We recommended the two hundred and twenty-five thousand. East Little —
Commissioner Teele: Excuse me.
Ms. Warren: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Teele: How much did you recommend for CODEC?
Ms. Warren: Two hundred and twenty-five thousand. East Little Havana Community Development
Corporation currently receives four hundred and forty thousand. They requested four hundred and forty
thousand. They're developing this year 125 units. We recommended two hundred and twenty-five
thousand, which is a reduction. It has nothing to do with the performance, the organization. But again,
consistent with the number of units, we felt that their number needed to be adjusted. Edgewater Economic
Development, again, two units. They asked for fifty. We're recommending fifty thousand as a phase
down. Greater Miami Neighborhood is developing 200 homes. They currently receive a hundred and
fourteen thousand. They requested a hundred and eighty-six thousand. We're recommending the full
amount. Habitat for Humanity is building 20 homes. They are receiving seventy-five thousand. They
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i
requested a hundred and forty. We're recommending seventy-five. Jubilee is building 131 homes. They
are receiving fifty-one thousand, two eighty-one. They wanted eighty-six thousand, two twenty-nine.
We're recommending the full amount. Little Haiti Housing Association is currently building 73 homes.
They requested — they received fifty thousand. They requested a hundred and ninety-nine thousand.
We're recommending a hundred thousand. Rafael Hernandez, again, ,they're building five homes. They
receive fifty. We're recommending fifty for a phase down. St. John's Community Development
Corporation, again, their information indicates 28 homes. We're recommend — they receive fifty. We're
recommending that they receive the fifty, but intense technical assistance and be placed on special
probationary status. Word of Life is building two homes. They're funded at sixty thousand. They
requested a hundred and nineteen. And they're — they're funded at sixty thousand. They requested a
hundred and nineteen. We're recommending fifty thousand.
Commissioner Teele: You're recommending what?
Ms. Warren: Fifty thousand.
Commissioner Teele: For who?
Ms. Warren: Word of Life. And again, the recommendations and the adjustments are consistent with the
number of units under development by that organization. And obviously, the agencies not recommended
or placed on probation is based on performance.
Vice Chairman Gort: Let me ask you a question. That was very well explained, the criteria you used for
housing. Now, did you do the same thing for public service? Because when I go through the numbers, I
see where some of them you took some funding away, and some of them you have additional funding.
What criteria did you use there?
Ms. Warren: If you would like to go to the public service agencies. Public services agencies, what we
consistently did again, setting aside those agencies that did not make the screening, due to some of the
initial criteria. What we did is for those agencies who were current providers who were performing well,
we recommended the same level of funding or increased, funding. In no case did we reduce funding of
current providers who are performing well. The Commission funded another series of agencies this year
for the first time. - Those agencies that you funded for the 25th year as their first time of operation, we've
recommended funding at the same level until we get an established track record. You have approximately
four other agencies, which are also first-time funded, but they were not funded at the beginning of the
year. They were funded in the middle of the year, which means their funding goes through March of the
year 2001. And those agencies, we're recommending that you provide them six months more of funding
that would take them through September 30th of the year 2001. That would give us a 12 -month track
record, and then they would be in line with all of the rest of the agencies. So all current providers either
were funded at the new level, a six-month extension and/or additional money. We also funded some —
recommended funding new agencies. Primarily the most important area of concern for us was Overtown.
The issue there is that there is an abundance of need for youth programming in the Overtown community.
We had several organizations that did apply that were screened out before doing a sufficiency check.
What we're recommending is that fifty thousand plus this year's allocation that we have not been able to
contract for, which would be another fifty thousand, that a hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) be
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awarded to the City Parks Department to put in a youth program in the Overtown community. There is
not one currently there. In the Model City area – sorry. Yes, sir.
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, I know our rule. I just want to clarify the point. You said that the
organizations that received the fifty thousand last year –
Ms. Warren: We have not been able to contract with them.
Commissioner Teele: Have not been able to contract with. But I think – I think we need to be very
careful that we don't say that there is no one there. That's – because that organization was the Overtown
Optimist. And that organization is extremely active and doing an outstanding job. One of the problems,
of course – and we can't have two sets of rules. We can't have the rules over here and the rules over there
– is that they've not been able to – but I—
Ms. Warren: Yes, sir. I stand corrected.
Commissioner Teele: Yeah. And I just – I don't want to leave the impression that there is nobody in
Overtown doing anything with youth. What you're saying, I think, is that there is no one that's doing
things with youth that are able to meet the rigid governmental requirements of contracting, et cetera. And
I don't at all take exception from your recommendation, but I just wanted to put that in a little bit different
context before you left.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you.
Ms. Warren: Yes, sir. Again, during the meetings with the community, that was a concern. And I guess
the issue is that there's Federal funds available, but to insure that enhanced services and additional
services go to youth in that community. We're recommending that the Parks Department step in, so we
can have some additional resources flow in that area. Again, under the Commission instruction, historical
preservation has always been an eligible criteria, but it was not listed in the RFP with a distinct place so
that it would encourage historic preservation. We received one proposal from Spring Gardens Civic
Association for four hundred and thirty-one thousand dollars ($431,000). It was one of our highest ranked
proposals. However, given the limitation on funds, staff, has recommended that it be funded at two
hundred and seventy-one thousand dollars ($271,000), and not the full amount, and that given the nature
of the project that between – excuse me – that additional resources be sought through grants and other
means to round out that project, and that the City make a contribution of two hundred and seventy-one
thousand. So this would be our first historic preservation project that we would fund under our RFP
process. Additionally, at the last Commission meeting, we had some concerns during the May – March –
I'm sorry – funding process with Tri -City Community Association, which provides "weatherization" and
home improvement services in the community. There were some significant concerns about the cost for
providing the services. At your last meeting in March, the Commission provided an additional six months
of funding so that there would be an orderly phase down. Again, the project is deemed to be duplicative
of the single-family rehab. project. It is cost -prohibitive. The costs for the activities are excessive. And
staff is again, per Commission instruction, recommending that we phase that program down.
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman.
15 7/11/00
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. At this time, Commissioner Teele, I'd like to recognize Commissioner
Rolle. It's a pleasure to have you with us and see you at the City functions. And if we can get the County
and the City to work closer together — allocating the CDBG's, maybe we can maximize in the
neighborhoods. Commissioner Teele.
Commissioner Teele:, Mr. Chairman, I was only about to ask, now that she's at that portion of her
program that the Commission take note of the presence of Commissioner Rolle. And obviously, he's not
here in his official capacity as a Commissioner, but consistent with the way we've handled other
Commissioners, I wonder if you would comment specifically on the matters relating to the James E. Scott
activities that I know that Commissioner Rolle has an interest in.
Ms., Warren: Again, Barbara Rodriguez, who is our contracts monitoring manager will talk to the
specifics. But again, consistent with our sufficiency review, those agencies that had significant
monitoring findings, audit issues, IRS (Internal Revenue Service) issues, contract compliance issues are
not being recommended for funding. And to deal with the specifics of JESCA (James E. Scott
Community Association), I'll let Barbara respond to -that.
Barbara Rodriguez (Manager, Contract Compliance): Barbara Rodriguez, Contract Compliance Manager.
We have been monitoring JESCA for a couple of - beginning the 24th year, first of all. We have some
issues about the quality of service, number one. We had visited the one at the Overtown with our
Advisory Board on the 24th year, and we did so on the 25th year. One of the things that we found is that
the people that were there, the food was cold. We provide for meals for the elderly. The meal was cold.
There was no entertainment for them. The bus driver was never around. So we have been receiving
complaints from the type of services we have. Also, we have been having problems receiving reports.
We have been having problems receiving reimbursements. So those are some of the issues that we have in
our monitoring file.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, Barbara.
County Commissioner Dorrin D. Rolle: Mr. Chairman, do I get a chance to respond?
Vice Chairman Gort: Commissioner Rolle, yes, sir.
County Commissioner Rolle: Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And honorable Commissioners, I'm
Dorrin Rolle, president and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of the James E. Scott Community Association.
And we have our corporate headquarters at 2389 Northwest 24th Street. We've come down today to
appeal the decision that has been made in reference to the James E. Scott Community Association. First
of all, we received the letter on Friday indicating that we would not be funded in this fiscal year. So we
don't know if we have enough time to appeal the process or not. We were told to come down today to
make our request known. With me is Althea Jackson, who is the program administrator of the program,
and she can deal with, I'm sure, some of the day-to-day concerns that your office has. But I'd like, if you
will, to just give her a chance to respond to some of the significant concerns that have been brought to us.
I have not received what the monitor has alluded to, and we'd like a chance to be on probation or whatever
the case may be, so that we can make sure that our seniors that live in Little Haiti, two centers in Little
Haiti, one in Overtown, and one in Coconut Grove. We'd like the opportunity to continue our services to
16 7/11/00
0
those particular seniors whose back this community has been built on. So if you will, please allow Althea
Jackson to say a word or two about the concerns. Thank you.
Althea Jackson: Good afternoon. My name is Althea Jackson. I reside at 1865 Northwest 52nd Street,
Miami. I am the program director for the Multipurpose Centers for the Elderly. And I'd like to address
the counsel's visit to the site. I was there the day that they did come. I wasn't informed that they were
going to come, which I had no problem with them coming, anyway. But they did come and they met with
me at the request of, I think a community activist or something of that sort. But I did meet with them. We
discussed some activity, discussed about the activities or the lack of activities that they felt in the Culmer
Center. Since that time, we have gotten some things for that Culmer Center. We were working closely
with them. I have an additional staff person that comes over and works with the site manager there to
enhance some of the activities. We have purchased a stereo system for the seniors. They also have a
brand new bus. Their activities has increased 100 percent. If you could just take the time to just go over
to the site, talk with the seniors there themselves; they'll bekable to express that type of information to you.
There were some problems. I do have another staff person that goes over and works with the site manager
there to try to enhance the activities. They have a full-time driver that's over the site there now. They
have a brand new 18 -passenger bus. They go on a lot of outings. So we feel there has been a lot of
improvement in that center.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am. Commissioners, the procedure that we're going to follow is
we're going to open up the public hearing. We'll hear from all the agencies, and after we hear from all the
agencies and the Commission, we'll make decisions based on the allocations. The allocations haven't
been made yet. This is just the staff recommendations, and we'll be analyzing them and we'll be
discussing them. We're going to have the public hearing first, and then we'll make the decision. OK?
County Commissioner Rolle: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Teele: With due respect to the Chairman's wishes, Mr. Chairman, I think, so that we can
stay focused and not get caught up in apples, and grapefruits, and watermelons, and oranges, and bananas,
we —
Vice Chairman Gort: Stay with the bananas. I like them. The potassium gives you strength.
Commissioner Teele: -- that we deal with this on a program — I mean a category — in other words, let's do
the public service.
Vice Chairman Gort: Right. Well —
Commissioner Teele: So that we don't have people jumping up and talking about housing while we're
talking about —
Vice Chairman Gort: Well, that was my intention.
17 7/11/00
E,
Commissioner Teele: OK.
•
Vice Chairman Gort: My intention is — I'm sure all those agencies that are recommended not to be
funded, they would like to speak and address the -- And I have only one question. How long, with the
individuals that were not going to be funded, when were they notified that that was going to take place?
And do we have an appeal process for those people that were denied or that were recommended not to be
funded?
Ms. Warren: All of the recommendations of who would be funded was published in the newspaper.
Vice Chairman Gort: Right.
Ms. Warren: This week, after going through again and waiting for the appeal time, everybody received a
letter saying that — where they failed and who they could talk to about it. Several agencies did come. One
did appeal, and we are changing our recommendation. And again, the turnaround time is real tight.
Vice Chairman Gort: How much is the time? What was the turnaround time?
Ms. Warren: The turnaround time for the appeals, we're looking at three days.
Vice Chairman Gort: Three days. And this was noticed — two days.
Ms. Warren: They went out Friday — Thursday.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. These are notices that went out in the mail, and the mail could have been
delivered the next day, within two days and three days.
Ms. Warren: Correct.
Vice Chairman Gort: So some people might have had just one day, two days and so on. OK.
Ms. Warren: What we did do, in light of the fact that we did have a short turnaround time frame, what we
did is we went back through, and on those agencies that we're not recommending due to sufficiency
reasons, if you'll look at the package that staff provided you, they're all related to corporate status, IRS
audits that we do have on file. We did do corporate background checks on all of the corporations. We do
have copies of audits, and we know, what the deficiencies are. So again, the agencies that would have had
a performance issue -- and especially we're talking about the social service programs. I think we're.
looking — I believe it's one organization or two — Alternatives and JESCA. Everybody else was for a legal
sufficiency finding that would — and the appeals would have to do with law or fact. In other words, they
would have to prove that the audit that we have on file was incorrect, or that the IRS was incorrect and/or
that they cleared all the audits, and we know this not to be the fact.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you. I would like to do — if we can save all our questions for later, after
we hear from the public, and we'll do it — we'll take the public services first. And all those individuals
18 7/11/00
that would like to speak on the public service funding requests, you can use either mike. You all will have
three minutes.
Commissioner Regalado: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Regalado: A question on public service funding before the public hearing and the appeal
process. 55 and Up, which, by the way, is mistaken here, because it also would have served District 4,
because this is a hot meal dinner, not lunch. And their request was fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).
However, they were told that a paper was missing.
Ms. Warren: No, sir. They're not a Florida corporation. We have —
Commissioner Regalado: They are. They say that they notified and they had a letter. As a matter of fact,
they are doing the same thing in West Miami and in Sweetwater, and at the time that they made the
application, they included a letter saying that they will get their certificate, and now they have their
certificate.
Ms. Warren: At the time of application, they were not a Florida corporation.
Vice Chairman Gort: Commissioner, are they here to make a presentation? Are they going to be here?
Commissioner Regalado: I don't know if they are.
Vice Chairman Gort: Well, let's listen to the public. Then at the end, we'll take each individual and we'll
address each one. What I would like from staff is —
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, before you -- Could we hear from those public service agencies that
were not funded first?
Vice Chairman Gort: That's what I'd like to do.
Commissioner Teele: The appeals.
Vice Chairman Gort: I'd like to hear from them, and then I want staff to make sure we can respond to all
those. OK? Yes, ma'am.
Georgia Ayers: What did you call me?
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, ma'am.
Ms. Ayers: Oh. I thought you just called me a name. My name is Georgia Jones Ayers. My office
number is 151 Northwest 60 Street. I am the founder, Executive Director of the program called The
Alternative Program. Under the auspices of The Alternative Program, I have been receiving from the
CDBG City of Miami funds. I started with fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) ten years ago. And
19 7/11/00
subsequently, during the previous years — following years, the money has decreased while my work has
increased. I have applied for additional moneys every year. And this year, I applied for one hundred
thousand dollars ($100,000) because of the influx of more people coming into the City of Miami. My
complaint from the City is not dealing with the type of service that I render to the people, because all of
my work is geared toward housing, clothing, getting people out of jail. I'm the only agency in the State of
Florida — anywhere in Dade County, for that,matter — that gets people out of Dade County Jail. I have the
Chief Judge's proxy to sign folk out of jail who have committed various crimes. The majority of my
clients in the City of Miami are Hispanics, and my. office is in what you call Little Haiti, but I call it
Lemon City. I have invited you, Commissioners — some of you, the older ones -- and I'm not talking from
the point of age, from the point of service — to come to my office and see exactly what I do.
Commissioner Gort has acquiesced. He has come there, and he's seen what I have done there. I've
invited Commissioner Teele, but I know how busy he is. I know he is coming. For those of you who
don't know me, don't know what I do, I don't think you got anyone in Dade County that can out -do me as
it relates to social service, criminal justice in this County. I have — I did apply for, while Commissioner
Teele was with Metro -Dade County, and I give him credit for it. He can pat himself later. I have applied
for moneys to renovate. the building. The building that I have is 48,000 square feet. It was owned by the
Yahwehs. Congresswoman Carrie Meek, at the time that I purchased that building -rented that building
back in 1995 said that she would try and get moneys for this program to purchase it. During the time
Commissioner Teele was with the Board of County Commissioners, he did all he could to work with us to
purchase that money (sic). He was going to work with us, but unfortunately, that year, Congresswoman
Meek was moved from her position. Subsequent to that, she was placed back in the position, and — and
this is related to the finding that your people found. Had they done the right thing, they would have found
out that they are not telling the truth. You see this? It says: Pay to the order of The Alternative Program
of Dade County two point two million dollars ($2.2 million). That money was given to me by the state — I
mean, excuse me — by the Federal Government to purchase that. building. And I said that in relating to the
audit, what they were talking about. I'm sorry, but I'm out there doing the right. If you want me to hush,
I'll leave, but I'm —
Vice Chairman Gort: No, I don't want you to hush; I don't want you to leave. I want to hear —
Ms. Ayers: OK. All right. I have to tell it the way it is, Commissioner. I deal —
Vice Chairman Gort: I want to hear from staff.
Ms. Ayers: All right. I will — OK.
Vice Chairman Gort: We're going to have to hear from them.
Ms. Ayers: All right.
Vice Chairman Gort: I mean, we haven't addressed yet the —
Ms. Ayers: This is the only money that I have spent, and this is over three hundred thousand dollars
($300,000), as relates to that money. The other issue she's talking about in that is where you're talking
about the boards having board meetings. I don't run the board. Athalie Range is out ill. She's just out of
the hospital, and she is recuperating. She told me to tell you she's sorry she couldn't be here today. The
20 7/11/00
other issue is, if I can remember correctly, is nepotism. I wrote a letter. Maybe they don't like me
because of the way that I wrote it. And I stand by it. I don't — my board will not put nepotism in our
program. I'm the founder of that program. I've been the founder of that program since 1982. I say no to
nepotism, because the City of Miami has members that mother, father, brother, sister, husband and wives
working at the City of Miami. And if you can have those people working in the City of Miami, certainly I
can hire folks that I know, and my grandchildren. I built this program based on my own son —
Vice Chairman Gort: Georgia, please.
Ms. Ayers: OK. You know -
Vice Chairman Gort: We have over 60 people that want to speak. OK?
Ms. Ayers: OK. Well, you know what, Commissioner? I'm going to say this, and you all probably won't
welcome me back. But I was born in the City of Miami. Here's the paper to show where I was born here.
My mama bought property in the City of Miami in 1916, and the same City of Miami foreclosed. This is
the paper to the property my mama bought. The same City of Miami foreclosed on two lots, because she
couldn't read or write. And it hurts me when I come up here to talk. And, damn it, when you have the
riots out here, I'm the person that goes out there and stop them. And you're going to give — put me on --
Before these people came over from where they were, I'm the one that go out there. It's on the record.
And if I can't speak for the people that I serve, I don't need it. I have never received one dime from the
City of Miami, not one dime. Stand up, staff, who work in the City of Miami projects. Stand up. Stand
UP.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am.
Ms. Ayers: No, no, no. One other thing, Commissioner. The two people that are paid this forty-four
thousand — all you're paying me for this, now, is forty-four thousand, three hundred and thirty-four dollars
($44,334). The two people who are being paid for that sit down, the only two people who are paid on that.
Now, that's what you get from me. I have four loads of files in my car, and I have 17 more at the office.
And if you all don't want to give me that measly forty-four thousand dollars. ($44,000), I'll bring those
files to you. And when the clients call me, I will tell them to call every one of your offices. Thank you
for listening.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am.
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes. What I'd like to do is, since the agencies are going to speak, the ones that have
not been funded, I'd like for staff to let us know what's been the deficiencies that they have found, and let
them answer to those deficiencies. OK?
Commissioner Teele: Yeah. Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to say that not only did Ms. Ayers' family buy
the land; the foreclosure by the City was for six dollars ($6) for two lots, for six dollars ($6). So I just
want to make sure that the record is complete. Ms. Warren, we — years ago, years ago, 19 -- the land was
bought in 1913, actually.
21 7/11/00
Commissioner Winton: And when was it foreclosed by the City?
Ms. Ayers: But the land was bought. For your information, we (inaudible comments off record) that was
a cemetery.
(Inaudible comments off record)
Ms. Ayers: That's right, a cemetery.
Commissioner Winton: When was it foreclosed?
Ms. Ayers: This is the abstract title to this deed when the City of Miami purchased it. (Inaudible) right
here.
Commissioner Teele: When was it foreclosed, Ms. Ayers?
Ms. Ayers: Excuse me, Commissioner. This is it. And on the front page, you see that? It says — here,
turn it over.
Commissioner Teele: Colored Town.
Ms. Ayers: That's Railroad Shop Colored Edition. That's where I was born in 1928.
Commissioner Teele: When did the City foreclose?
Ms. Ayers: August 1, 1947, the police came to our area at 11 o'clock on a Friday morning, August 1,
1947. And at 1 o'clock, they had boarded up the house that I was born in October 21, 1928, the house that
my grandmother purchased when she moved from Lemon City in 1916, and boarded up the house, this
house -- I have a picture of the house — and put us on the street. The Red Cross didn't do a darned thing
for us. Nobody did anything for us. Those of you who remember Railroad Shop Colored Edition, nobody
did anything for us. And you wonder why I'm bitter? I cried last night to keep from crying here today.
And (inaudible)
Unidentified Speaker: I know you right.
Ms. Ayers: This is my granddaughter here. This picture was made in Lemon City. (Inaudible). My
grandmother, my mother and all of her sisters were born two blocks (inaudible).
Vice Chairman Gort: Georgia, please.
Ms. Ayers: There it is. (Inaudible) no more folks to talk when they get up here, because.(inaudible).
Vice Chairman Gort: No, ma'am. The reason is I want everybody who wants to speak; I want everybody
that's here to speak. That's why I have to, because everyone here wants to speak. And I have to give the
22 7/11/00
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right to everyone to speak. And if I don't put a limited time to it, we won't be able to listen to everyone,
and I want to make sure that everybody speaks. Thank you.,
Ms. Ayers: You know what? I'm going outside.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, ma'am.
Ms. Ayers: When the riots come — and I'm going back, so I'm not going to let you do this to me. When
the riot comes, I'm the one that's out there 24 hours a day with your Police Department.
Unidentified Speaker: That's right.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, ma'am.
Ms. Warren: Commissioner, I would like to echo what Ms. Ayers says. The program is a fantastic
program. We have no problems. It's a priority for the City. The issue is this: The Federal Government
requires that — as she indicated, she's received money in excess of two million dollars ($2,000,000) for a
building. She receives funds from us and others. The federal law requires that any organization receiving
over three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) must do an audit. We've asked for copies. We have not
received them to date. The second issue is, is that the federal law requires — again, the federal law
requires, the federal law requires that.— unfortunately, the nepotism provision in receipt of federal funds is
a requirement. It's a part of the regulations. It's a part of — they have to have it as a part of, you know, the
personnel procedures. The issue of board meetings, to us, that's a real minimal thing. What we basically
said is that if your by-laws say you're going to meet once a month, you should meet once a month. If it
becomes prohibitive, your board merely only has to say, we'll meet once a quarter. Please amend your
by-laws to be consistent with the availability of your board. That's the only thing we ask.
Vice Chairman Gort: And it could be once a year. Depends on what the board members need.
Ms. Warren: Well, whatever the minimum the IRS requires. Whatever the by — and I think it's quarterly.
But if it's once a year, we don't care, as long as they're consistent. So our finding was, is you're supposed
to meet once a month, you're supposed to have minutes. We don't mind, we don't care if you don't, but
amend your by-laws. And again, the nepotism provision is a Federal requirement, and so is the Single
Audit Act. It's not ours.
Vice Chairman Gort: And this is.to all agencies that receive more than how much?
Ms. Warren: Three hundred thousand.
Vice Chairman Gort: Three hundred thousand.
Ms. Warren: Regardless of the source. They're required to —
Vice Chairman Gort: So the only reason you're applying the law to this program is because they received
the two million dollars ($2,000,000)?
Ms. Warren: They received other funding. Ms. Ayers?
23 7/11/00
Ell
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Ms. Ayers: See, that's why — if you would come out there and find out for yourself.
Vice Chairman Gort: Well, that's what we're here for.
Ms. Ayers: No, I did not receive -- The only money that I have received from the Federal Government is
this money. I have not -spent not even one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) this funding cycle. They
had — if you — you know, I've been receiving moneys — that's why' you need to do your job before you
come. Dade County and the state money is Dade County money and, the State of Florida money. It is not
federal. I have been sending you my audits ever since I've been here, darling.
Vice Chairman Gort: Excuse me. Let me ask you a question.
Ms. Ayers: Yes.
Vice Chairman Gort: The funding that you receive from the County, is that CDBG funding?
Ms. Ayers: No. The CDBG money, I have not spent that. I have — but I have not spent that amount. My
auditor is fully aware of when to file an audit when you're receiving Federal dollars. And I have sent
them an audit every year.
Ms. Warren: And the issue is, is that regardless of the source, if a 501(c)(3) receives any federal moneys,
which would be ours, and their organization receives as a budget of more than three hundred thousand, it
could be County, State, private foundations, it doesn't matter, they're required under the Single Audit Act
to complete audit and provide us a copy.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. And this applies to all agencies receiving more than three hundred thousand
dollars ($300,000)?
Ms. Warren: Every agency. Every agency.
Ms. Ayers: The subject — sir, I have not spent that money. The money, I just got it. It is impossible for
me to do an audit until the time comes.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you. Next. Would you state your name, and address, and the agency
you represent?
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman may -- Before you leave, I just need to understand the facts. Did
The Alternative Program receive forty-four thousand last year?
Ms. Warren: They received forty-four thousand last year, and they completed an audit. And the audit had
a finding, and we asked for a response.
Commissioner Teele: Did they expend forty-four thousand last year?
Ms. Warren: Yes, sir.
24 7/11/00
! 9
Commissioner Teele: So they got their award, they got contract, and they expended it. Now, let me just
understand this. And Mr. Chairman, you know, part of what we're doing here now is this — and I just
want to be very clear. The Community Development Office has got some tough standards from the
Commission that's told them don't do this, and don't fund organizations that don't — and in some ways,
we have to take some of the responsibility for those that are not funded. It was my understanding that
before we didn't fund anybody, that we would put them on probation. At least that was the precedent all
of last year. When we didn't fund people, we gave them notice, we put them on probation. And what
we're hearing now is a decision was made regarding this organization not to fund them. And the danger
of what we have is this, is that the public service recommendations have been made without these persons.
So—
Ms.
o—
Ms. Warren: Commissioner, this is not a recommendation. You have told us — we have been consistent —
if it's about performance: This is not a performance issue. The law requires a nepotism provision for
agencies receiving federal funds.
Commissioner Teele: Well, let's get past the nepotism issue.
Ms. Warren: That's it. They have — we have to get the audit, and they have to respond to it.
Commissioner Teele: I mean, because, see, the problem with that is that everybody knows people got
wives working right up under them and this, see. And you see, you can't do that to Ms. Ayers, because
Ms. Ayers knows, you know, when you got people whose wives work for them, and this, that and the
other. So, you know, let's have one standard rule. And, you know, that's why this whole "Do the Right
Thing" thing is going to wind up blowing up on everybody's face, too, because on one hand
(APPLAUSE)
Commissioner Teele: No, no, no. On one hand, Mr. Chairman, we can't hold the public to a different
standard than we hold ourselves to. And if somebody doesn't have an audit, we're still funding other
organizations that don't have audits. I mean, we read about it in the Miami Herald every day. So, you
know, we've got to be very careful that we don't —
(INAUDIBLE COMMENT NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECORD)
Commissioner Teele: You don't think what?
Commissioner Winton: I don't think that happens.
Commissioner Teele: Absolutely. Law Enforcement Trust Fund. Ask your lawyer. We're the big
funder.
Commissioner Regalado: Of course.
Commissioner Winton: I think the funding has stopped.
25 7/11/00
Commissioner Teele: Not to my knowledge.
Commissioner Winton: (Inaudible, speaking off mike:)
Commissioner Teele:. Well, look. The problem is, is that Ms. Ayers is in a unique position. She works
with the City of Miami, Dade County and the court system. The people that we're reading about in the
newspapers she knows, not just from the reading. She deals with them every day. And I think, you know,
Ms. Ayers has a lot of frustration. And the Chairman is trying to run this meeting.
Vice Chairman Gort: Well, let me ask you a question. Do you — and, you know, I'll go by the majority.
Do you want to handle each case and make a decision at this time, or you want to wait till we hear —
Commissioner Teele: We need to know the facts.
Vice Chairman Gort: Right.
Commissioner Teele: I don't want to resolve it. I need to know —
Vice Chairman Gort: I want to hear the facts. That's what we're listening to right now.
Commissioner Teele: I still don't know why Ms. Ayers — I mean, in other words, why can't we have had
— put them on probation? That's my issue. And it is just simply, why can't we put them on probation?
Ms. Warren: Simply, what we're requesting is, for legal reasons, please put a provision in your personnel
policies regarding the federal requirement for nepotism. That's it.
Commissioner Winton: No, it isn't. You said something about an audit a minute ago.
Ms. Warren: And we're requesting that the issues raised in your audit — one, we need the audit. Issues
raised in your audit, we are not making a judgment, but you are required to respond to us and tell us what
corrective action you're taking. Other than that, we have no problem with Alternative Programs. It's a
great program. But those two legal issues, you've got to respond to the audit and you've got to have a
nepotism provision. And I'm sorry about all the extraneous issues, but the law requires it. And we're
required to request it. We've requested it. Please respond. There's no issue. Everything goes away. But
you got to respond.
Ms. Ayers: I'd like to ask the Commission, can you prepare for an audit for funds that you just got? Can
you prepare until that audit year comes up when you have other funds? No, I can't.
Vice Chairman Gort: Excuse me, Ayers your address (inaudible)
Commissioner Winton: An audit isn't for the funds you got. An audit is for your organization that's done
once a year. Every organization has to have an audit done.
26 7/11/00
Ms. Ayers: That's the precisely what I'm talking about. And I have an audit every year, consistently.
And they have that audit for the last year. My audit for this year does not begin until September, and
that's when this will be a part of it.
Commissioner Teele: Then let's do this, Mr. Chairman. Let's ask the Manager to have the department
and the internal auditor or somebody to sit down jointly with them, so we can get a report back before we
leave today on the audit and the status of all of this, and move on to the next item.
Vice Chairman Gort: My understanding is the statement is that the audits are being presented to the --
Ms. Warren: And we've requested that they provide us a corrective action. And that's the problem here.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK.
Commissioner Winton: So did you get the audit or didn't get the audit?
Ms. Warren: We got — we received the audit. The audit has identified, the nepotism and other insurance
issues. What we're basically saying is, we've gotten your audit. Can you please tell us what your
agency's corrective action is? One of them is that you got to add nepotism. You need to amend your by-
laws or you meeting status. And they said that you didn't have insurance on the building. We need to
know, did you purchase the insurance? And what we're being told is, is that we don't give you enough to
respond. So if we just get a response, we're happy.
Commissioner Teele: Let me ask you this: Is the United Way — do you all get United Way money at all?
Ms. Ayers: No, sir.
Commissioner Teele: Other than the City, who funds you?
Ms. Ayers: The City of Miami, Dade County, Dade County School Board and the State of Florida.
Commissioner Teele: Can't you adopt a nepotism law related to the City of Miami money?
Ms. Ayers: Well, let me say this, Commissioner.
Commissioner Teele: Related to the City money.
Ms. Ayers: I'm an honest person. There's no sense in me telling you that if Georgia Jones' grandson
needs a job, that there ain't no need in me telling you, if I got an opening that I'm not going to let him
work in one of the five or six departments that I have. If I hire your "Habla Espanola's" child, who don't
have a job, I'm sure going to hire my colored child. I'm an honest person. You don't have to worry about
me when I leave. I'll love you when this is over with, but you're wrong this time. I'll do anything I can
for you. That's me. I don't change.
Ms. Warren: You got the issue.
27 7/11/00
Vice Chairman Gort: OK.
Commissioner Regalado: So one of the issues is that they don't meet? That the board should meet once a
month, that's your problem?
Ms. Warren: These are really non -issues. What we really need is a letter saying, OK.
Commissioner Regalado: This is a non -issue, but you said it was. You said it was.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Would the management please get together with them to see if they can come
up by the end of today? I think we'll be here all night, so no problem.
Commissioner Teele: Oh, no.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, ma'am.
Commissioner Regalado: I don't have any problem, but I — you know, I think the issue of board meetings
once a month was raised, you know. I mean the boards that we appoint don't meet, because the staff, the
staff does not —
Commissioner Winton: We're not giving those boards funds.
Commissioner Regalado: No, no, no, but that's not the point. The point —
Commissioner Winton: Yes, it is.
Commissioner Regalado: No, that's not the point. The point is the issue was raised. And as a matter of
fact —
Vice Chairman Gort: Commissioners, this is the first item. This is the first person we hear from.
Commissioner Teele: The second.
Vice Chairman Gort: We've got at least 60 individuals that would like to address this Commission.
We're probably going to have about 60 problems that we need to work with. My understanding is
Commissioner Teele requested that the staff get together with Ms. Ayers and try to come up with some
solutions. But the end of the meeting we'll be taking —
Commissioner Sanchez: Mr. Vice Chair, if I may.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Sanchez: If any other agency has the same problem, you know, they should all meet with
the Administration. If we're going to set a precedence here of being fair, well, let's do it across the board,
fairly for everyone.
28 7/11/00
9 •
Vice Chairman Gort: For everybody, of course. Yes, ma'am. You state your name, the address, the
agency you represent. We'll hear from the staff what the audit shows,. and then you answer that. Thank
you.
Leonie Hermantin: First of all, I'd like to say that I'm glad to see that Ms. Warren has met her match.
Ms. Warren: Always.
Ms. Hermantin: 'My name is Leonie Hermantin, Haitian -American Foundation, 6660 Biscayne Boulevard.
Is the staff going to
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, ma'am.
Commissioner Teele: Give your presentation.
Vice Chairman Gort: Haitian -American. You recommended no funding.
Commissioner Teele: Public service.
Ms. Warren: The — excuse me. Haitian -American Foundation was not recommended for funding,
because again, we require all agencies by federal law with City contracts are required to annually
complete an audit, provide us with copies of the audit. The audit for 1998 nor 1999 has been provided to
the City of Miami. Has not been provided to the City of Miami. We have some outstanding IRS issues in
regard to back payroll taxes, the possibility of disallowed costs. The City has provided, because we do
reimbursements to agencies, money for payroll and taxes to employees. The taxes were not paid to the
IRS, and in some cases, the employees were not paid. We have some possible disallowed question costs.
There's money owed the IRS, and we have not received the audit for the last two years.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Yes, ma'am.
Ms. Hermantin: Well, as I — I mean, I will agree with some of the *comments that Ms. Warren has made.
We are working. As you know, when I became the executive director, you know,
I inherited an agency with an incredible amount of problems.
Commissioner Winton: When was that?
Ms. Hermantin: And that was in 19 — what was that? Last May 1999?
Commissioner Teele: '99.
Ms. Hermantin: '99. And we've been working really around the clock, again, with the assistance of the
Department of Community Development to clean up our act. We have — we — when I started, we had
something like fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) back salary. We're down to thirteen thousand now.
We're really working, raising funds, doing all different — working very diligently to straighten out the
problem. We have also — we are repaying also, and we can — we definitely included that in our report — a
repayment to the IRS, as well, as a repayment plan to the IRS. We are not now conducting the audit, and I
29 7/11/00
know that again, the auditor has been in touch with the Department of Community Development. And by
October 2000, we should have completed both 1998 and 1999 audits. We are providing — we have been
providing services to the community for the past ten years. We have applied for a job placement program,
and a child abuse prevention program. Our job placement program really focuses on the needs of very
low-income folks with very limited skills, people who can't write, who can't read, and whom we place.
And I know the City, again, in its own monitoring reports acknowledges that we're providing a service to
the community by placing these people, finding employment for these people. Our child abuse prevention
program, again, has been very extensive. We go into the community. We teach parents about child abuse
prevention. We know that there are cultural issues in terms of hitting children, and we also know that
parents have issues with the schools. They don't know what their rights are. And what we've done — and
we have letters of support from the churches and the schools where we have been very active. We have.
really created a network where parents just walk in. They know that we can help them. We can provide
them with the counseling that's needed to help them be better parents and have stronger families. I know
that we have problems. I will be the first one, I will — sorry — I will acknowledge that we have problems.
But I know that we've worked with the Department of City Development, and they have been extremely
helpful in helping us get back on the right path. So I would like to ask that we be continued funding,
again, under the — with, you know, Bob Rodriguez, with Ms. Warren, because I think that it really helped
us get back on the right track.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am. Next speaker.
Ludnel St. Preux: I'm Ludnel St. Preux. I'm the director of .HACAD, Haitian -American Association
Community of Dade County. We received —
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Hold it. Yes.
Ms. Warren: Significant audit findings, outstanding IRS issues, possible disallowed costs. Same issues as
with HAFI (Haitian -American Foundation, Inc.)
Mr. St. Preux: With all due respect, we were not aware of the possible disallowed costs, because that was
not communicated to us. However, I will address the IRS issues. It is — we're very — we're shocked to
receive that letter of non -recommendation, because the — back in April, in negotiations with the City, they
had requested that we enter into negotiation with the IRS. On May 17th, we had provided to the City a
letter of agreement with the IRS that deals with previous liability issues. Let me say that I have become
the director of that agency back in February, and as the previous speaker, I have inherited a problem
where there were some irregularities in our fiscal in We have. cleaned house, and we are on the
right track. We have a letter. We have — we sent a letter to the City basically stating our plan to make
payment on the previous liability issues. We are current with the IRS, as far as the current liabilities are
concerned. We do make payroll deposits as we do the payroll. As far as the audit is concerned, we have
provided to them a corrective action plan that to this day, we have not received any response to our
corrective action plan. So I don't think it is fair for them to not recommend any funding to us when we
are in the middle of negotiations with them and trying to resolve the problems, especially that this current
year, even though we have three months left in our contract, we already — we just have about 25 or 30
vouchers to give out to these people. I think it will be a great injustice to the community, and I will urge
you to please allow us to continue to provide that service to the community, because the problems stated
are problems that deal with the past. We are — we have cleaned house. So therefore, I would recommend
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that, please, any deliberations, to please allow us to help the community of Miami Edison, Little River and
Little Haiti. Thank you.
Commissioner Winton: Is your 1999 audit completed?
Mr. St. Preux: Not yet.
Commissioner Winton: So you don't — but you're — so your audit isn't done for 1999.
Mr. St. Preux: Basically, we have until June 30th to provide the '99. However the — in our contract with
the County, they have requested that we set out three proposals of new account — new CPA's (Certified
Public Accountants). We are in the process of doing that, and that's what's holding us up from doing the
audit, because we have to change. We have to provide them with a new CPA.
Commissioner Winton: So your '98 audit is done then?
Mr. St. Preux: '98 is, yeah, they have it.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you. Next.
Barbara Rodriguez: Commissioner. 9
Vice Chairman Gort: Barbara, yes.
Ms. Rodriguez: On reference to HACAD, the 1998 audit showed a ninety-six thousand dollar ($96,000)
deficit. It also shows that they owe IRS eighty-one thousand, nine hundred and forty-nine dollars
($81,949). We have met with HACAD. They have expressed that they will pay that through fundraising.
As of now, they are in the middle of settlement. The last meeting we had with HACAD, they're only
current from the quarter of March to June. From there back, they do have the deficit that they're trying to
work out with IRS. And in reference to their 1999 audit, legally, they have until September to finish that
one.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you.
Ms. Warren: And their performance under their contract is excellent. Again, it's an IRS issue. Their
performance for service under their contract is excellent.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you.
Mr. St. Preux: Let me just_ make a clarification. The ninety-six thousand dollars ($96,000) is not a tax
liability. What it is, it's a deficit showing that for the year of 1998, we have overspent our budget. It is
not a tax liability. We do owe IRS about sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) that we right now are in
negotiation with them to make installment payments to take care of that liability. Thank you.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you. Next.
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Lucie Fondreau: My name is Lucie Fondreau. I'm a board member of Haitian -American Community
Association of Dade County, HACAD. This agency has been servicing the Haitian-American,community
for 25 years. Next September, we're about to let everybody know how great we are doing. We have had
so many problems in the past, and right now, we're trying to clean our act. Ms. Gomez is one of our
witness that we've been meeting with her on Saturdays, being on the phone with her over the weekends,
working, trying to put the agency back on its feet. Right now, if we cannot have any funding for the
agency — as we say, there is a saying back home that says that whoever controls your stomach controls
your heartbeat. Let's say we're going to have to learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) in order to
keep that heart going in the community, because the need in the community is very strong. And I would
urge Mr. Chairman and the Commissioners to please consider that decision for them to cut the fundings
for HACAD. Thank you.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am. Next.
Rev. Ted Greer, Jr.: Reverend Ted Greer. I'm the African-American advocate on behalf of Haitian -
Americans. I'm advocating for HACAD. I'm a volunteer with the organization. The organization, as
Lucie said, has been in existence for 25 years. I applaud their efforts to provide social services in a
community that's devastated, that is often slighted in terms of funding from Dade County, from the City
of Miami, from the State of Florida, from the Juvenile Justice, from United Way. This is a community
that just needs a lot of help. And there's some great organizations in the Little Haiti community who may
not have the technical know-how, but with their desire to learn, if you'll give them an opportunity, I'm
sure that they'll begin to make a difference, as far as the organizational standpoint. But the services are
critical to Little Haiti. And I think if we can at least get this Commission to support Little Haiti through
HACAD, I think you will be making your commitment to this area that are also taxpayers in this
community. Thank you very much.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you.
Dr. Clyde Pettaway: I'm . Dr. Clyde Pettaway, senior administrator, James E. Scott Community
Association. I'm speaking in behalf of Commissioner Rolle, who had to leave. All I want to do is sort of
go over some of the things he said, and to show that we have made corrective actions. When they took —
when they came and did the monitoring, we took the monitoring very seriously. We looked at it, and we
have made attempts to make corrective action in the following areas. When food is supposed to be hot, it
will be hot. And when it's supposed to be cold, food will be cold. And we're working on that. We have
extra people in there to make sure that happens. Secondly, we had a problem with activities, because we
had a problem with transportation. We had a raggedy bus over there. Since that time, we have a brand
new bus there. We have something else we did not have. We have a full-time driver dedicated to that
center, and that center, only. We have an array of activities on the outside now, based on the point of
transportation. We have inside activities. We have established a state-of-the-art music system in there
with extra games, activities and et cetera. Reports that were sometimes delinquent or a little late, we have
developed a new procedure to make sure that all reports are in your office -- the reimbursements are there
presently — and on time. I think at this point in time that all reports are current, as we speak. And we are
going to make sure that they stay current. Now, we may have been a little negligent, but when you look at
an organization that's been around 75 years, been providing food to senior citizens in the City of Miami
for over 25 years, we're going to make some mistakes. And we made some mistakes. You brought it to
our attention. That's what monitoring is about. And I'm here to assure you that we have made corrective
32 7/11/00
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actions, and we will only try to make it better. We do not want to interrupt the services to over 700
seniors. We do not want to interrupt over 44,000 meals that are going to these seniors because of some
minor mistakes that we made. I assure you, we have made corrective actions. And if there is something
else that we need to do, I assure you, we will do that. But we do not want to in any way interrupt the
services to over 700 seniors based on some things that we may have been a bit negligent upon. I'm not
even here to argue that. So I would appreciate it if we were placed on whatever system you have, whether
we get with the Manager, whomever he designates that we sit down and talk with, go over the deficiencies
that we have now taken care of, so that we may continue to provide the service to the seniors that look
forward to these meals daily. Thank you so much.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. Let me ask a question. Commissioner Teele, did you pull Item 1
and 2 with the Administration? Item 1 and 2 was pulled? I mean Item 1?
Commissioner Teele: Say again?
Vice Chairman Gort: Item 1, was that item pulled?
Commissioner Teele: I didn't pull it.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you.
Mr. Pettaway: Thank you very much.
Alicia Del Toro: Good afternoon. My name is Alicia Del Toro, and I work for Catholic Charities
Emergency Services, 970 Southwest 1St Street. I want to thank Ms. Warren and the Department for
allocating twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) for the Little Havana area. However —
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman we're —
Vice Chairman Gort: At this time, we only want to hear from those people that — the appeals, the people
that have been denied funding.
Ms. Del Toro: Oh.
Commissioner Teele: Could we ask the police or someone to please help us with a little order outside,
please, Mr. Chairman?
Vice Chairman Gort: Next.
Yvonne McDonald: Good afternoon. My name is Yvonne McDonald. I'm the president and CEO of the
Coconut Grove Local Development Corporation. This year, our funding — we've been denied funding.
And I'm here this afternoon to ask the Commission to reconsider our proposals that we submitted to the
City for funding for this fiscal year. We submitted five applications.
33 7/11/00
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Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Hold on a minute. We'll hear from staff now, and then you can respond to
staff.
Ms. Rodriguez: Barbara Rodriguez, Contract Compliance Manager. Coconut Grove has a couple of
issues. One is that we conducted a monitoring on one of their contracts, and it was -determined that they
do owe us forty-five thousand dollars ($45,000) of disallowed cost. So that's issue one. There is an
outstanding debt. Issue number two we have is that we did receive their external auditor's audit. There
were seven findings, one of which stated that they did sell one of the properties to a board member. The
property was in the books for ninety-four thousand dollars ($94,000). They sold it for sixteen thousand
dollars ($16,000) without appraisal. The other item that was mentioned by their external auditors was that
there was a certificate of deposit for five thousand dollars ($5,000), which has disappeared. One of the
third issues is that they really couldn't vouch for their accounting records. They were — they had some
concerns that their financial records were not totally accurate. Right now, the Coconut Grove LDC has
100 and plus deficit in their books that we don't know how they will be able to absorb such loss. So based
on those issues and the money that they owe that is why we are recommending no more funding.
Ms. McDonald: All of the items that Ms. Rodriguez just stated are clearly items that were in our audit.
We have addressed every one of those items in the recent past. As far as, first of all, the issue with the
selling of the property. We've addressed that with our board. We know that we have to make some
serious changes, and we have already addressed that, and we're working on that. The sale of the property,
as we know, was undersold. There was literally nothing illegally done. We know that there is a conflict
of interest, and we have addressed that. All of these issues that are in the audit are issues that were
previously done by previous administration of the LDC. And over the last couple of years, within the last
year that I have been the director of the LDC, I have basically been treading water to try to deal with these
issues; exactly what Ms. Rodriguez is talking about. As far as our deficit, the LDC has operated at a
deficit and it's been evident for many years. We're working to address that. In the last year, I've had to
terminate two positions on my staff, and one person recently resigned, which again helped to bring down
our overhead. Unfortunately, when we do that, it also affects our performance, because now, we have
very few staff on.board. But we're working to .remedy that situation. As far as the accounting, one of the
people who was terminated, unfortunately, was our accounting, our bookkeeper. So, of course, that
affected our bookkeeping, but that has been rectified. We have an outside accountant that has come in,
and all of our records are up to date. We have addressed all of these issues. And we feel that the LDC
right now, we're on the right track. We've hired a consultant that has been working with us. And in
addition, the need for that was because we realized that because of the history of the problems that we
incurred, basically due to decisions that were made by previous administration, we needed to get someone
on board that could help us through this transition to deal with these pending issues. We have done that.
We've addressed that. We've submitted our applications. We think that they're very, very good
applications, and we're asking for the City to review those and to review those, hopefully, fairly and give
us a fair opportunity to correct these mistakes. The LDC is 20 years in business in Coconut Grove. And
we have provided a lot of services to the community. We know that the community supports us. We
know that the service that we're providing is vital, and critical for our community not only economic
services and housing services, but we also have a very outstanding social service program that's working
with many, many families, in the community.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am.
34 7/11/00
Ms. McDonald: And this effort that — to de -fund — to close my statement, I just would like to say that in
essence, what de -funding our agency would do would really literally close our doors. And we're asking
you to really reconsider and review our applications. Thank you.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Next.
Commissioner Winton: Could I ask one question? How -- Do you not have a plan for dealing with the —
not only the operating deficit, but the forty-five thousand dollars ($45,000) in disallowable expenses?
Ms. McDonald: We submitted our response to the City in regards to how we will resolve that issue. We
are in the process right now of selling some property that we own that will not only repay the City the
outstanding debt, but it would also help us to develop one of our properties that we have as a project that
we have on the way.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am. Yes, sir.
Dr. Yoel Camayo-Freixas: I'm Dr. Yoel Camayo-Freixas. I'm a =sorry. I'm Dr. Yoel Camayo-Freixas.
I'm a consultant, City of Miami. I work with essentially distressed community development corporations.
Vice Chairman Gort: Your address, sir.
Dr. Camayo-Freixas: 1601 Miccanopee Avenue, Coconut Grove, Miami. I'm the consultant that has been
made reference to. We have been with the Coconut Grove LDC for three months. It is not enough time to
basically turn around a number of problems that were inherited from previous administrations. I can
vouch and present evidence to City staff and the Commission as to all of the steps that have been taken,
and how all of the elements that have been identified will be resolved within the period of time that I
understand was originally agreed upon, which was that the LDC, within this fiscal year, would get its act
together, including paying the — you know, the money, et cetera, et cetera. All of the elements will happen
within this fiscal year, except that if you make a decision to de -fund them now, there would not be enough
time to put everything in place. And in fact, they would not happen. I may also want to point out that
were you to reconsider review, item by item what the issues are, which are bona fide concerns, and what is
in place to resolve them, you .can; in fact review their application, make decisions, and you still have until
December. And if the LDC has not fulfilled its commitments to the City, as per the evidence that we
have, you just simply don't have to sign the contracts. And de facto — though nothing will have happened.
Whereas at this point, they're being denied the opportunity to actually have their proposals even reviewed.
Thank you very much.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. Mariano, at this time, we're being addressed by agencies that are
appealing the denial.
Mariano Cruz: Yeah. This is related to that. It's a public hearing.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK.
Mr. Cruz: OK. Just listen to me.
35 7/11/00
Vice Chairman Gort: Which agency are you —
Mr. Cruz: Mariano Cruz —
Vice Chairman Gort: You're speaking on behalf of which agency?
Mr. Cruz: -- 1227 Northwest 26th Street. I come here as taxpayer, as a former member of the board of
community Development. Many — as watch — City Commission sits there as watchdog for my federal
dollars. Whatever you got to do, it's got to be done.
Vice Chairman Gort: Mariano, Mariano.
Mr. Cruz: You know why? Because most of that money —
Vice Chairman Gort: My question is what —
Mr. Cruz: I'm going to speak about Allapattah Community Action, for example. OK? In Allapattah. It's
not —
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. You're addressing the Allapattah Community Action.
Mr. Cruz: It's not denying anything. But there, the executive director lives two blocks from the place
there. Name me any other agency that take — they take the money. The minute they get the money, they
move to Pembroke Pines, Coral Gables or whatever it is. I'd like to say most of the hiring of these social
agencies don't, in their community, within the community that will impact with those salaries, the
community, they're trying to serve. And they will have credibility when they say, oh, we serve the
community. Now, because I live in Allapattah. When Allapattah Community Agency was founded, 100
percent of the people were from the Allapattah area. Name me any other agency that does that. They
want the money, but they don't serve, really. They are serving themselves. And look at the duplicity, the
overlapping. People chasing the same customers, the same clients.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you, Mariano. You'll get a chance to speak again in the next public
hearing. This is just for appeal. OK? Just thought I'd let you know. Thank you. So if you appeal for
Allapattah, Allapattah, you're'not going to get any funding. Go ahead. Yes, sir.
Irby McKnight: Irby McKnight, 1600 Northwest P Avenue, Overtown Advisory Board.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, ma'am. Overtown Advisory Board.
Ms. Warren: Excuse me. Overtown Advisory Board filed their corporate status in 1983. Currently,
they're inactive. No taxes filed. I have it's an inactive corporation. It's not an active 501(c)(3) in the
State of Florida.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Yes, sir.
36 7/11/00
Mr. McKnight: The Overtown Advisory Board passed the hat around us board members — what? Three
months ago, Ms. Slater?
Ms. Lillian Slater: Yes, three months ago.
Mr. McKnight: And paid its corporate dues.
Ms. Warren: Again, the original filing was in 1983. The record indicates that there was an update and a
name change, but your current status with the State and Federal Government, although you have made
some amendments to your original application, you have not been deemed an active corporation.
Mr. McKnight: Thank you. We were not aware of this at all, because we did pay these fees. We will
look into it. Thank you very much.
Ms. Warren: Again, and we'd be more than willing to help you process whatever, take care of your
paperwork. But you're not active.
Mr. McKnight: OK. Before my three minutes are up, this is Mr. Hanks, from the Overtown community
who works well with youth in the community and plays in the NFL (National Football League). So we
don't want this to just fly over our heads. We do have people in the community that can really produce on
any level. Thank you.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, sir.
Ben Hanks: I want to speak on behalf of Overtown Optimist. My name is Ben Hanks. I'm born and
raised in Overtown, and I'm speaking in reference to where you said Overtown Optimist won't be
receiving any funds this year. And Mr. Teele made a point about the Allapattah people, putting them on
probation. And I can agree or will agree that I think our Optimists hasn't been run smooth as it should,
but at the same time, we've done a great job incorporating our kids, and providing things for them to do in
the community. And I think if we take that away from them, we will find more problems on the streets
and things that's going on. If we can establish some type of organization or staff, because every
successful Optimist Club that's run have a staff. And if we could provide a grant or something that could
help them get a staff to run that Optimist with a specifically deemed to run that Optimist (SIC), I think the
organization would be run smooth. But when you're trying to get people to do CPA and volunteer their
time, I don't think things are going to be as smooth as they can be run.
Ms. Warren: Yes, sir. I think Commissioner Teele accurately made this statement. The Optimist Club
does provide services. And what we're merely trying to do is provide some money through the Parks
Department to work in the area of youth, and that was not a reflection of your commitment to the
community.
Mr. Hanks: Would they receive their funding from last year or this year? Because I've been going —
Ms. Warren: We're recommending both years, that the total hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) go to
youth programming in Overtown community.
37 7/11/00
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Mr. Hanks: Well, where would —
Ms. Warren: And I guess — well, the Commission would obviously direct us on how that would occur.
Vice Chairman Gort: How to do it.
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Teele: There's one other person from the Overtown Optimist. Before I make a statement,
if we could just hear from her.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, ma'am.
Ms. Lillian Slater: I just want to say —
Commissioner Teele: Your name and address for the record.
Ms. Slater: Oh. Lillian Slater, 1640 Northwest Fourth Avenue, Apartment 10-C. Myself and Ms.
Watson, we first started the Optimist Club. We were the old-timers. And we just kind of got away from it
a little bit. But we really need somebody to oversee the Optimist Club, and this is what the problem is.
But because we got this thing going on account of the kids, because they was in the street. And we don't
want this to fall through, because we don't have nothing in Overtown. Not even a theater or nothing for
these kids, and it's something these kids has to do. They'll be going around snatching pocketbooks —
mine, yours, anybody's. So — and now is the time we must keep it. And if we -- We're going to keep it if
we have to come down here and fight for it.
Ms. Warren: We're recommending you keep it.
Ms. Slater: But again —
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, let me just say this. Commissioner Gort stepped out for a minute.
The Overtown Optimist is one of the real success stories of Overtown. I don't think there is any question.
We've had a lot of things that have come and gone, you know, for the youth. But the Overtown Optimist
is something we must build on. We spend tens of millions of dollars locking people up. And then when
it's time to provide an alternative, we have these difficulties. I think the staff has made a very intelligent,
a very smart recommendation. And this recommendation is that the full funding, as applied for by the
Overtown Optimist, is being recommended for funding to the Parks Department. The Parks Department
really didn't apply for the money.
Ms. Slater: No.
Commissioner Teele: OK? But the staff is protecting you and protecting the children of Overtown by
making the funds available. The identical thing happened in 1993 with the largest Optimist in this entire
County. That's the Liberty City Optimist. And with the Liberty City Optimist, we did the same thing. I
38 7/11/00
was on the County. We took a transit — a man who works for transit, a guy who's a certified operator, and
the City put him on — the County put him on loan to the Liberty City Optimist, and he's there right now
running the largest Optimist program in the country. So I think what we're going to be doing is we're
going to work with the Manager and with the staff, and at the time that the recommendation comes up,
we're going — I'm going to move and try to get the majority of my colleagues to agree that the full
founding of the fifty thou — of the first year fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) will be made strictly available
for the Optimist activities next year, so there will be no prejudice. And then I'm going to see if we can
come up with a one-time staff person for one year to work to fund the — to provide the activity. One staff
person is going to cost over fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), when you add up the fringe benefits, the
unemployment. Look, you pay somebody thirty-five, thirty thousand dollars ($30,000); you're paying
fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) when you finish with it. So the point of view is that we need to get a full-
time staff person in Overtown that can work with the Optimist, do nothing but this. And this is one of the
things I'm going to be working on between now and October to protect the Overtown Optimist.
(APPLAUSE)
Vice Chairman Gort: By allocating it to the Parks Department, we'll be able to do that. Now, is that all
the appeals that have to be taken place? Now —
Commissioner Teele: Could we close the public hearing? Mr. Chairman, let me just say I have three real
concerns. Number one, Little Haiti. I don't disagree with the staff finding and staff recommendations. It
is what it is. But we cannot not provide the service that is required. We all know that the domestic
violence issue in Little Haiti as a matter of culture is one that is very, very unique. They have a program
there to help with youth violence and domestic violence, as well as youth training programs. Who's going
to provide those services? The same thing goes for the elderly in Overtown. It's fine to say that the food
isn't hot, that JESCA hasn't provided hot food, or the cold food is hot and the music isn't loud enough.
But the fact of the matter is by zeroing those — that agency out and not providing the service, who's
providing those services? And so as we get through this, I'm going to be just as concerned, not about the
agency, but about the people that they're serving. I know that Commissioner Winton perhaps has some
concerns about who's going to provide the services in Coconut Grove or other parts. But I think it's fine
to say that an organization doesn't do the work. The real question is, the moneys should be available for
those areas or those neighborhoods to provide the service. And maybe that's something we can discuss in
a different context.
Vice Chairman Gort: I have a question. In adding all this up, this comes out to four hundred and sixty
thousand, five -o -one, dash thirteen. Is that fund in reserve or is that fund being allocated to other
agencies?
Ms. Warren: Those funds have been allocated to other agencies with a particular sensitivity to what the
Commissioner just raised in terms of the programs that are currently being provided by HAFI, the food
program. We're recommending that it goes to the Center for Haitian Studies, so that the food program
will be available in the Haitian community, but by another organization, and that the child abuse program
be provided by the — the Center for Information and Orientation. They've put, in an application for a child
abuse project and we're recommending full funding for that project. So again we — in those areas where
there has been a loss of services to that community, we've either recommended an alternative such as the
Parks program, or if another agency put in an application with the background to do the work, we've
39 7/11/00
recommended funding an alternate agency. Again, the issues with the IRS and the audits are unfortunate,
but they are either required by policy or by law.
Vice Chairman Gort: So. you're telling us that the funding would not leave that community?
Ms. Warren: Absolutely not.
Vice Chairman Gort: That the funding will continue to be provided in that community, but it will be
delivered by a different agency you recommended.
Ms. Warren: These are established agencies in the community.
Vice Chairman Gort: That's the decision that we'll have to take later on.
Ms. Warren: Yes.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Any questions for the board members, Commissioners.
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, I notice that in the Catholic Charities, Number 13, they're showing
services in Little Haiti — Little Havana. Does that mean Little Haiti or Little Havana? Because it says
District 5. And I'm wondering, are those dollars in Number 13 carried over in the totals, because if they
are, they need to be readjusted there. I thought I saw two.
Ms. Warren: It is. There's a corporate name, but the services are for Little Haiti, where it's correctly in
District 5.
Commissioner Teele: So the Catholic Charities of Little Havana will be providing services in Little Haiti.
Ms. Warren: Correct.
Commissioner Regalado: Can we move —
Vice Chairman Gort: Commissioner Regalado, we're talking about the non -funding, the appeals that have
been in front of us right now.
Commissioner Regalado: OK. On, Gwen —
Ms. Warren: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Regalado: C -A, C -A Casa, under Public Service not being funded, it says non-responsive
to RFP.
Ms. Warren: Yes, sir
Vice Chairman Gort: Which was that?
40 7/11/00
PJ
Commissioner Winton: Number 10.
Commissioner Regalado: First of all, CASA is not in District 3. It's located in District 4, 3138 Coral
Way. Casa, I'm told they went and applied, presented their RFP. What I'm told is that yesterday, they
received — they haven't heard anything from the department, and yesterday, they received a phone call that
there was a hearing today, that they should be here. I don't -- The only thing I know, the only thing I
know is that first of all, this is in District 4, which, by the way, it's under -funded, as you know. Second,
this organization, as you know, has a specialty, giving counseling and doing all this work for especially
members of the Colombian -American community, which, by the way, it's growing in numbers here
because of the political situation there. So could you' fell me what is the problem that they were not
funded at all?
Commissioner Sanchez: They didn't meet the RFP.
Ms. Warren: Well, they did meet the legal requirements, so unlike some of the other agencies that are not
eligible, this group is eligible. So I want to make that distinction. When reviewing their RFP, they were
basically non-responsive in terms — in the areas of stating the program, the goals and objectives, those
kinds of areas. It was very — it was a weak proposal.
Commissioner Regalado: Very weak, because this is the first time that they do this.
Ms. Warren: Probably. Probably.
Commissioner Regalado: So they should try how many years?
Ms. Warren: No comment. I'm saying that they are an eligible agency, and they weren't as descriptive as
they could have been of what they intended to do, and how they intended to go about it. But again, that's
a human thing.
Commissioner Regalado: So you think it's a legitimate agency. That's what you think.
Ms. Warren: Absolutely, it's a legitimate agency.
Commissioner Regalado: Were they notified that they were not
Ms. Warren: All agencies received a fax and a certified letter. We send all of our mail out certified. So
again, I don't know if they received it. But I know it went out with everybody else's.
Commissioner Regalado: We,have here a representative of Casa. State your name, please.
Gloria Velasquez:' Good afternoon. Gloria Velasquez. I'm a volunteer in the organization. I'm a
member of the board of advisors. And it's my understanding —
Vice Chairman Gort: Your address, ma'am.
Ms. Velasquez: Excuse me?
41 7/11/00
0 •
Vice Chairman Gort: Your address.
Ms. Velasquez: 1221 Brickell Avenue is my place of employment. I understand that the organization
received a call yesterday that there was a hearing today, and that's how they received notice of this
hearing. The organization would be happy to work with the department to outline in more detail the
program. It's a program that's been in effect since 1994. And it's very detailed. And we'd be happy to
work with the department to see it through.
Commissioner Regalado: Can they appeal?
Vice Chairman Gort: That's the process right now.
Ms. Warren: Again, this is the Commission that — staff Administration's recommendation is that they are
an eligible agency. They scored low. It is at this point up to the Commission to make a recommendation.
And staff would work with them, obviously. Yes, sir.
Commissioner Regalado: OK.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK.
Ms. Velasquez: Our original request was for twenty-eight thousand, and at this time, we've
accommodated the budget through private donations. And we would ask the Board to consider ten
thousand of the moneys, and that would meet our needs.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. The one thing we need to realize in making a decision today, in making
a decision. Staff has recommended certain funding to certain agencies. My understanding is the appeals
that have been in front of us today, like I stated before, it's equivalent to four hundred and sixty thousand
dollars ($460,000). So it's up to us to take staff's recommendation. We'll take that funding from
wherever they recommend it and allocate it where you think it should be allocated. Yes, sir.
Commissioner Sanchez: Mr. Chairman — Mr. Vice Chairman. Mr. Vice Chairman, thank you. You
know, every year, we are faced with the task of having a lot of organizations come in front of us, asking us
for funding. And I will not dispute the fact that every organization that comes in front of us, thinks they do
a good deed for our community. However, like every year, the funding isn't there to please everybody.
So we, as Commissioners, have to rely on the judgment of the administration. The City administration
then looks at the proposals and reviews them and makes sure that every one of them, you know, follows
the guidelines and the agencies all are based on performance standards, and of course, based on
productivity and service to the satisfaction to the people that they provide. Now, the money that is
allocated and put out is the taxpayers' money. It is everyone's money here. And when we are asked to
support the administration that really finds — that looks at everything and makes sure that it meets the
guidelines, and are under the proper rules of procedure, we have to take that in consideration. And a lot of
the denials that I heard here today have very valid reasons. For whatever reasons, they didn't meet the
deadline. For whatever reasons, they didn't file their taxes. For whatever reasons, they didn't do an audit.
And I think that even though we deny them — And I, as a Commissioner up here will have to support the
administration, because they are denying it based on the rules that had to be followed and weren't
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followed. Now, I could see that sometimes, some of the Commissioners up here, including myself, incline
to certain organizations. They feel that, you know, they need a chance or a little boost to come up to
standard, the proper standards. But what happens is if we're able to say yes to one organization, then we
have to say yes to all the organizations. And that's not right. And I know that some of the Commissioners
up here use the word, you know, "double standards" and stuff. But when you cannot please one, then you
can't please everybody. And it's tough when you come .in front of this Commission and ask for funding
and we don't have the funding. Now, each Commissioner up here could take money out of their allocated
district from one project service and give to another. They could do that. But once you start doing that
and you start taking money from one to another to please one, then they have the argument to say, wait a
minute. You did it for them. How come you did not do it for me? And sometimes, you've got to set a
precedence. And it hurts to say the word, "no," but if you did not meet the requirements and you did not
meet the guidelines, then this year, you're not going to get any funding. Now, I suggest that the
administration — and they have a tough job — Gwendolyn Warren has a tough job, Barbara and everything
in that department, because they have to say the word, "no." You did not meet the requirements. You
didn't follow the paperwork. And, yes, some of those paperworks are tough to fill out. But the
administration has an obligation to help you and assist you in filling out those paperworks. But when it all
comes down to it, it's that there's not enough funding to help everybody. So I'm going to set a
precedence here today. And I know that you're not going to like what I have to say. But if you were not
funded by the administration, I'm supporting the administration, because I know that they went through
the paperwork, and they're giving a valid reason why you did not get any money. And the taxpayers that
are out there watching Channel 9 are saying, you know what? Although it's probably bad, and I feel bad,
it's not right. And I know that you people might think, well, you know, one certain group got something
and another group didn't get anything. And really, I hope they don't take it that way. But I think that we
have to set a precedence here, and there has to be just one standard for everybody. And if your
organization did not meet the criteria, then you're not going to get any money. Thank you.
Vice Chairman Gort: Commissioner Winton.
Commissioner Winton: I would like to somewhat echo Commissioner Sanchez' comments. I have two
agencies in my district that were recommended for non -funding in this proposal, and two more that are
recommended for radical change that we haven't heard from yet. So that's a goodly number out of the
percentage here. And I have talked to the — frankly, the agency heads of the two agencies that were
recommended for de -funding in my district are two really outstanding people, both of whom are relatively
new at their jobs and have had to suffer the consequences of what I consider to be absolutely gross
mismanagement on the part of those in the past. And there's a message on all of this for each and every
agency that's here before us today. And that message is, you better make sure that you have a board of
directors that's paying attention to these precious community dollars. We all know that there's not nearly
enough money to meet the total need, not even close. We're just kind of sprinkling it around out there.
But a couple of key decisions have been made. One is that the message is loud and clear. Have a strong
board, pay attention to the details, get your audits done, get your. financials done, don't commingle funds,
do it the right way. But the other message is — and I think this is an important one, also — that we're — and
we seem to be moving in a direction here. And that is to try to get folk — try to funnel the money into
those organizations that have an outstanding track record. And one of the things that -- you have all heard
this about different agencies and different mechanisms for funding in the past, where we, as a Commission
over the years have given everybody just enough money to fail. Commissioner Teele has said that 20
times since I've been on this Commission. And I agree with him 100 percent. We can't continue to grow
43 7/11/00
more agencies in these neighborhoods. We need to put the money into those agencies that give us the real
bang for the buck. And so that's another part of the process that's going, on here. Now, I've made a
commitment to the two agencies that are in my district who got de -funded in this round. And I'm going to
help them figure out how we get them back on their feet, because they do have outstanding leadership
today. And we're going to convert that leadership into something very positive. And both of them, by the
way, have been around for a long time, which is really disturbing that they've got long track records.
Much of that length of time, though, has not been good track records. But nonetheless, they've been
around in the community and are well recognized in the community for a long time. So we're going to
make them work. So the final point — and I just recap, as I'm being reminded here — and that was a good
point, thank you.
(INAUDIBLE COMMENT NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECORD)
Commissioner Winton: Oh. They're — you know, we've talked about it. The final -- And so to recap
here, I think what we're trying to do today is send a message that we're going to do two things differently.
We're going to make sure that you've got the appropriate oversight in your agencies, and you all need to
be doing that. And secondly, we're going to put the money where we're getting a real bang for the buck,
so we can truly deliver services to those who need services, and not money to feed organizations who
happen to employ a few people in the neighborhood. And that's the direction we're moving in. And so I
hope that everybody pays attention to that. And like I said, I will be working with my two agencies.
They're going to do very well in the future. They've got good leadership. So we'll figure out how to solve
the problem.
Vice Chairman Gort: Commissioner Regalado and Commissioner Teele. First let me say we closed the
public hearing just for the appeal cases that we have in front of us. Then we'll reopen for the rest of the
other public services. Any statements from —
Commissioner Regalado: OK. Question.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes
Commissioner Regalado: There has been a lot of talk about Law Enforcement Trust Fund money. Are
there any public service agencies that are getting or could get Law Enforcement Trust money?
Ms. Warren: From my knowledge, juvenile prevention and diversion programs are programs that are
appropriate for funding under the Law Enforcement Trust Fund. I have had a couple of conversations
with members of the Police Department who work in that area. They've been very positive in terms of
working with us. And so other than that, I can't tell you anything specific. But youth diversion programs,
juvenile prevention programs are the eligible activities.
Commissioner Regalado: Oh. The reason I'm asking this is because on Number 32, FOCAL (Foundation
of Community Assistance and Leadership), Public Service, they requested ninety-three thousand. They
got last year fifty thousand. They will — they are recommended for fifty thousand. It's a new agency with
the City. And this is the purpose of all these hearings, to start new agencies that would do good. You
recommend the same level of funding until track record is established. There's fifty thousand dollars
($50,000). And I'm sure that FOCAL is a great organization. I don't know what they do exactly.
44 7/11/00
Ms. Warren: They do youth programming in Model City. There's only two. That's the Liberty Optimist
Club, and FOCAL is a new organization.
Commissioner Regalado: OK. That's fine with me. On the draft agenda, July 20, Consent Agenda
Number 7, Chief Martinez is asking the Commission to authorize contribution to FOCAL of twenty
thousand dollars ($20,000) from the Law Enforcement Trust Fund. So it is doable. What I mean is, if we
are such hungry for money to fund other agencies, here is an example. You are giving them fifty thousand
dollars ($50,000), which they deserve, no question about that. But we have millions of Law Enforcement
Trust Funds. Apparently, they requested without your knowledge, because you didn't know, from the
Law Enforcement Trust Fund, and they got some money. So my question is, well, is it possible to fund
this agency solely with Law Enforcement Trust Fund and use that fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) to
support other agencies? What I mean is, instead of twenty thousand, you give -- Law Enforcement Trust
Fund will give them seventy thousand, and you would be able to free fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in
order to help other agencies, appeals and the like.
Vice Chairman Gort: Mr. Manager, you know, this is a very good point. I think this is two sources of
funding that's supposed to be helping the youth, and somehow, we need to bring them together, and
somehow, we need to work the — try to get the -- I think it's an excellent idea from Commissioner
Regalado. We need to bring these two agencies together. And you guys need to sit down and talk to each
other, and see how we can maximize in all the funding availability that we have. I think it's an excellent
idea. We need to do that, because. if we can do some of the funding — Now, remember, that could be a
one-time source. It's not a recurring revenue. I think that's an excellent idea, to commit to the
development Trust Fund.
Commissioner Regalado: Well, Mr. Chairman, remember that the Law Enforcement Trust Fund funds
every year the Boys' Club and other —
Vice Chairman Gort: No, I understand. I think it's a great idea.
Commissioner Regalado: And it's a yearly —
Vice Chairman Gort: I think they should sit together; and some of the agencies that agree with you that
qualify for that funding should be funded through that vehicle. So somehow, I think they need to get
together on that. It's an excellent idea. Now, the question that we have in front of us right now, the
decision we have to take — because, we have Item 1 that we have quite a few people waiting, so we can
take up — is on this appeal and addressing the concerns that the — and the statements made by one of our
Commissioners. Commissioner Sanchez, I understand what you're saying, and I think that staff has to
follow recommendations from the Federal Government and so on, but at the same time, staff has made the
statement that a lot of these agencies are providing their services, that the reason that they cannot
recommend for funding is because of some technicality. And I think those are the ones we have to look
at. If there's a certain technicality and that has been taken care of, I think we need to look at it, because
those that have been doing the services in the community for a long time, then if there's no complaint
about the services, and we're talking about a technicality, that's what each one of you have to look at. I
tell you, the agencies that I have, I don't have any problems. They're doing well. They're functioning
well. But you as a Commissioner for your district and for the City, that's a decision that you have to
45 7/11/00
make. I take it away from this one and who I give it to — or don't give it to anyone. OK? We have to
make a decision, people, on the appeals. What would you like to do?
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Teele: Before you make the decision, let me say three things. Number one, I commend the
staff process in coming forward with the recommendations. We pay staff to make recommendations. And
my tenure here is that the staff has been more political than the people sitting behind this dais, this side of
the dais sometimes. And so ' I think it's very helpful when professional recommendations are coming
forward and not political; or trying to anticipate where three votes are, et cetera, et cetera. And Mr.
Manager, I'd like, if I may, to acknowledge you and compliment you, Mr. Nachlinger. I guess this is your
first time being back with us in this new reincarnated life as — this is your first day and your first moment
that at least I've had an opportunity to publicly acknowledge and to commend you for your outstanding
years of service on Miami Beach, and in Homestead. And now, this is your first day, your first
opportunity, and I'm looking forward to working with you. You have an outstanding record and an
outstanding legacy of public service, and I'm excited about working with you. So I'm not complimenting
you for these staff recommendations, per se, because I think Ms. Warren and her staff have come up with
them. However, I want to say very clearly that some of my colleagues have said some things that I respect
their right to say it, but I don't want to be associated with those comments. Number one, I am not a potted
plant. I will not be a potted plant. I will never rubber-stamp a staff recommendation. If that's what we're
here for, then we can make this real short. We can send it to a computer and let the computer approve the
staff recommendations. I think we're here to try to fashion a system of justice and to some extent
compromise from very difficult decisions. It pains me that Ms. Ayers is treated exactly the same as
everyone else. And for those who think everyone has to be treated exactly the same, I don't think that is
justice at all. I think that's something totally different. Every case needs to be evaluated on its own
merits. And there should be, as Chief Justice Benjamin Cardoza once said, there should be a remedy for
every wrong. And I see my role here is at least trying to provide a remedy in the district that I represent.
I'm not trying to be the Commissioner of the City, although I want to have a Citywide view. But I am
going to work hard to remedy the circumstances in the district that I represent. I will not ascribe or buy
into a philosophy that we have to treat everybody the same, because God didn't make us all the same, and
our circumstances that bring us here today are not the same. I am deeply concerned with the notion that
organizations cannot be funded, because I've served much longer as an administrator in government than
a legislator in government. I administered a four billion dollar ($4,000,000,000) agency for the U.S.
Government. And I think most of the people in Miami know that when the President said that we couldn't
fund the Metromover and Dave Stockman, the O&B Director said we cannot fund it that I went and
appealed to my boss, Jim Baker, the Chief of Staff, and got my favorite Congressman, Bill Lehman, who
was the Appropriations Chairman, and we figured out a way to do it. So I mean I think history is repleted
with those of us in government who work to make things happen that need to happen. I am totally
committed to the notion that the Little Haiti Foundation must exist as an organization. It has, to some
extent, a reputation, somewhat like the NAACP (National Association .for the Advancement of Colored
People), although not as long. And the decisions that we are making today are tantamount to eliminating
that organization. And that is something that I will not be able to live with as a Commissioner, at least not
willingly. And I want to pledge publicly to the foundation that I'm going to be working to work with you
to develop alternatives. When I was a County Commissioner, the Miami Herald editorialized that Jackie
46 7/11/00
Bell's organization; New Washington Heights should not be funded. They also editorialized that JESCA
should not be funded. There was a strong editorial saying don't fund JESCA, because of IRS audit
problems, and I'll get you copies of 'those editorials. But we found a way. to do that. The staff came forth
with the recommendations, and we found ways to go ahead and fund them. In the case of New
Washington Heights, we funded them through Greater Miami Neighborhoods. There is nothing wrong
with using another organization that can administer. And Ms. Warren, I think you know very well, and
I'd like for you to put that on the record that you can use a straw man or a third acceptable organization to
fund organizations.. Is that — and we certainly have done that in the past, and I'd like to just put that on the
record.
Ms. Warren: That is true. It is consistent, especially in' the areas where you have special social or
economic problems, and it would create a void in the community.
Commissioner Teele: So I just want to respond to some of the thinking here that we can just only do what
-- We're here to create solutions. The similar situation, of course, is true with JESCA. And I want to
commit to JESCA that we're going to look at that. The issue relating to job employment in Little Haiti
and the job employment activities, who's going to be providing the employment services that last year was
funded in Little Haiti to the tune of forty-two thousand dollars ($42,000)?
Ms. Warren: The City's Employment Training Program, plus an organization called Jobs for Miami,
which is located on 79th and 2nd Avenue.
Commissioner Teele: Jobs for Miami?
Ms. Warren: Yes
Commissioner Teele: OK. I think, again, the important thing, Mr. Chairman, is that we have to look at
these individuals individually. I think the staff, as I've said, has done an outstanding job of addressing the
problem in Overtown of the youth situation through the Parks Department, and I'm going to be supporting
that recommendation. . And at this time, I am not going to move to change any of the staff
recommendations, but know that I'll be sitting down meeting with the Manager and the individual
organizations that I've outlined to try to seek a redress or a remedy. I firmly believe for every wrong,
there ought to be a remedy. And I don't agree that one size fits all. We've got to fashion our government
to our districts. What goes on in District 1, 2, 3 and 4,,l care about, but I'm — but the people that were
elected up here from those four districts are here to deal with those issues. I'm going to be concerned
about District 5, and I will not accept the notion, at least in District 5, particularly when you have the
history that District 5 has had that we've got to treat everybody the same way. So I just want to be very,
very clear that I do not agree with any of those comments or those thoughts, that this is not a situation
where one size fits all. We've got to fashion the shoe size to fit the district. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK.
Commissioner Sanchez: Mr. Vice Chairman, if I may.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes.
47 7/11/00
Commissioner Sanchez: You know, we have a community that has a need as a whole. We have needs
throughout the.entire City of Miami. If we're going to compare one district to another —,and I hope it
never gets to that point where we have to compare districts. You know, I have organizations in my district
that didn't get funded that I want them to get funded. Nuestra Cultura, which is — it's a great organization
for ballet, you know, teaches kids how to dance, gets them off the street. East Little Havana
Development, Community Development Corporation, they got two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000)
taken off of their budget. Little Havana Cultural Center of Miami. I mean, we have needs as a whole in
our community. We just can't. fund everybody. And if you look at the numbers, how they're divided, and
we want to make it fairly, because, yeah, one shoe can't fit everybody, but let's make it fair for everybody.
We have — if you look at the numbers, how they're broken down. District 1, which HUD formula
allocation is 20 percent, is getting 21 percent. District 2, which is — should be allocated, HUD formula 16
is getting 15 percent. District 3, which is mine, was getting 23 and now I'm getting 28. District 4, which
was getting — and should be by HUD, 15 percent, is getting 6 percent. District 5, which is your district,
Commissioner Toole, should be getting 26 percent, is getting 30 percent. And if we're going to make — if
we're — the money is going out there. I don't know where the money is going out there, but the money is
going out there. If —
(Inaudible comments from audience not entered into public record.)
Vice Chairman Gort: Excuse me. We have one meeting going, please. Hello? Excuse me.
Commissioner Toole: I hope you're not responding to anything I said, because I didn't say anything about
your district.
Commissioner Sanchez: No, no, no. Not at all. Not at all. No, no.
Commissioner Toole: All I said, and I'll say it again, what goes on in District 5, I'm going to work within
District 5 to move dollars around. You can come meet with anybody at midnight. You can violate the
Sunshine Law. You can do anything you want to do in meeting with people in direct violation of the
Sunshine Law —
Commissioner Sanchez: I didn't violate any Sunshine Law.
Commissioner Teele: The Overtown Advisory Board —
Commissioner Sanchez: If you got any accusation, you go to the State Attorney's Office.
Commissioner Toole: The Overtown Advisory Board is a Sunshine Law activity, and if you have
meetings with people that you don't call a meeting for and people are calling, board members are calling
me, wanting to know what's going on, if you want to do that, that's your business. But the only point that
I'm making is this: I'm going to represent my district. I've said nothing about anybody else's district.
Commissioner Sanchez: And so am I, Commissioner Toole.
Commissioner Toole: And I'm going to represent District 5 —
Commissioner Sanchez: And so am I.
48 7/11/00
Commissioner Teele: -- and I'm going to move dollars around within —
Commissioner Sanchez: Your district.
Commissioner Teele: -- in District 5 --
Commissioner Sanchez: Thank you very much.
Commissioner Teele: -- to meet the dollar requirements. And I cannot live with the Cuban —
Commissioner Sanchez: No, no, no.
Commissioner Teele: -- the Haitian -American Foundation being zero funded in the end. The fact that
there is an IRS problem for them is the same problem that we had with JESCA in 1993, when everybody
said you got to de -fund them. If we had de -funded JESCA in 1993, where would we be today? So my
issues relate to my district. I don't know anything about - I don't even know what district you represent.
All I'm telling you is I'm. going to continue to stay focused on District 5. That's — I was elected
overwhelmingly by the people to represent that district, and that's exactly what I'm going to do, sir.
Vice Chairman Gort: Excuse me. Gentlemen, my understanding — gentlemen —
(APPLAUSE)
Vice Chairman Gort: Hold it, hold it, hold it. Excuse me. Gentlemen, my understanding, my
understanding is the staff is not removing any funds from any district to any other district. What staff is
recommending is -- We have the funding there. What staff is recommending is this company should not
do it, somebody else should do it. And I think the Commissioner within the districts, they go and visit and
talk to the different agencies and can make the decision how they think it could be run better.
Commissioner Sanchez: Mr, Vice Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Sanchez: I'm just saying that the community, we have a need in the community as a
whole. I supported the Overtown when we met in 1998 over at the Arena for the three million dollars
($3,000,000) for the 3rd Street Corridor. I've supported Overtown. I'm just saying that we have
organizations that come in front of me who are in my district, and I'm telling them no. So how would I sit
here and have other Commissioners say yes to these organizations? Because you're taking money away
from my district, too. And you know I'm going to stand up for my district, too. That's the argument that
I'm making. It's a simple argument. Put it across the board, fair playing field, standardization for
everybody.
Commissioner Teele: And I'm not living with standardization. I'm looking at each individual problem.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK, gentlemen. We have a motion to make on these appeals. Do I have a motion
to make on these appeals?
49 7/11/00
Commissioner Teele: So move, Mr. Chairman.
Commissioner Sanchez: Second.
Vice Chairman Gort: What's the motion?
Commissioner Sanchez: Motion to approve CDBG.
Vice Chairman Gort: Recommendations; staff recommendations at this time.
Commissioner Sanchez: Without any —
Vice Chairman Gort: Without any changes. There's a motion. Is there a second?
Commissioner Regalado: Excuse me.
Vice Chairman Gort: Further discussion.
Commissioner Regalado: If the motion is without any
changes—
Commissioner
hanges—
Commissioner Teele: We're talking about appeals of organizations that were not funded.
Commissioner Regalado: Right. So what are we voting? Are we saying that those that were not funded —
Vice Chairman Gort: We're saying we're supporting staff at this time —
Commissioner Regalado: Those that were not funded will not be funded? That's —
Commissioner Teele: At this time.
Commissioner Regalado: At this time. And what does — Mr. City Attorney, what does this mean, "at this
time"?
Alejandro Vilarello (City Attorney): That means that the legislation before you will not include these
agencies for funding.
Vice Chairman Gort: But that does not preclude you from in the future, if you want to change some of the
— this has got to come back to us for final decision. What month for final decision?
Mr. Warren:. This is final decision, sir.
Commissioner Regalado: This is the final decision.
50 7/11/00
Commissioner Sanchez: Well, and I'd just say if there's going to be any meetings with the administration
pertaining to allocation to some of the funds, it has to be from within their district, because, you know, I
would like to meet with the administration, too, because I have three that I would like to get funding for.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Further discussion?
Mr. Vilarello: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes.
Mr. Vilarello: Just if I can clarify. You've split out your vote on the appeals. You've only decided on the
issues of the appeals. The resolution that's before you, I don't believe that was part of the motion.
Vice Chairman Gort: I understand. Right now, all we're addressing is the appeals, what you all want to
do with the appeals. The motion is to support staff recommendation, and there's a second. Discussion.
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, I'm supporting the motion with the understanding that I'm going to
come back and visit with The Alternative Youth Program, with Ms. Georgia Ayers' program. I think, you
know, Ms. Ayers is right. When this town riots, in history, there's been no one more in the forefront of
trying to maintain community stability. And you don't just throw people out and say, oh, you got to treat
everybody the same way. Everybody didn't go out and stand for this community at the same time. So I'm
going to come back. I'm making a public commitment that I'm going to work with the management and
with the department to see how we can fund The Alternative Programs. I'm going to work with the
management to see how we can fund the Little Haiti Foundation, and I'm also going to be working
regarding the JESCA issues. But I'm supporting the staff recommendation at this time, without prejudice,
to come back.
Vice Chairman Gort: Commissioner Teele, then I'd like to inform you my understanding was that we
have the opportunity for this to come back in front of us and make some changes. My understanding is
we're being told by our attorneys that this will not come back, this is the final decision. Now, we're
talking about the issues you addressed. We're talking about four hundred and sixty thousand dollars
($460,000) more or less, and I'd like to hear from staff if something can be done.
Ms. Warren: Staff has —
Vice Chairman Gort: Because my understanding is, Commissioner Teele, what staff has done is the funds
that were removed from one agency were allocated to another new agency.
Commissioner Teele: Exactly.
Vice Chairman Gort: Well, that's the decision we have to make now.
Commissioner Teele: That's the box that we were in when — that's what I kept saying when we started
out.
51 7/11/00
11
0
Vice Chairman Gort: Well, you can change that. You can take that away from that new agency and
allocate it to the — and work with the staff.
Commissioner Regalado: Mr, Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: But you cannot fund the agency and then take it away.
Commissioner Regalado:. Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Teele: Well, Mr. Chairman, what I'm saying is, right now, we're dealing with the appeal.
When we bring up the full allocation of funding, I'm going to ask that several be put aside for the time
being, at least in my district, and that they — that we have another hearing on that.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. OK, I got you. OK. All right. There's a motion. Is there a second?.
Commissioner Regalado: Mr. Chairman that is precisely what I was going to suggest.
Commissioner Sanchez: Are you going to second his motion? He made a motion.
Vice Chairman Gort: That motion has been moved, and the motion is to at this time —
Commissioner Teele: I have moved we approve the staff recommendation —
Commissioner Sanchez: Right. And I second.
Commissioner Teele: -- regarding the zero funding of the organizations that we have heard the appeals
from.
Commissioner Sanchez: And I have seconded it.
Vice Chairman Gort: And, then what you are saying is that the second item we have to discuss is the
allocations of the funding of the other agencies where we can make some changes. OK?
Commissioner Teele: Exactly.
Vice Chairman Gort: All in favor state --
Commissioner Sanchez: And all five Commissioners can make the same changes.
Vice Chairman Gort: All in favor state it by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): - Aye.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK.
52 7/11/00
0 •
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved for its adoption:
MOTION NO. 00-580
A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION'S
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 26TH YEAR COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS; FURTHER
DENYING APPEAL OF ANY AGENCY OR ORGANIZATION
WHICH PROPOSALS WERE DETERMINED TO BE INELIGIBLE
FOR FUNDING BASED ON ESTABLISHED CRITERIA DURING
THE AFOREMENTIONED BUDGET CYCLE.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Sanchez, the motion was passed and adopted by the following
vote:
AYES: Commissioner Tomas Regalado
Commissioner Joe Sanchez
Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr.
Commissioner Johnny L. Winton
Vice Chairman WifTedo Gort
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
53 7/11/00
THEREUPON, THE CITY COMMISSION, UNDER AUTHORITY OF SECTION 163.01,
FLORIDA STATUTES, AND PART III, CHAPTER 163, FLORIDA STATUTES, CONSTITUTED
ITSELF AS THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, IN
ORDER TO DEAL WITH THE FOLLOWING ISSUE:
5. APPROVE ADMINISTRATION'S RECOMMENDATION TO WITHDRAW ITS PRIOR
REQUEST FOR TRANSFER OF $3,000,000 OF PREVIOUSLY APPROVED COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS FROM HISTORIC 3' AVENUE BUSINESS
CORRIDOR TO COMPLETE FIRST YEAR ANNUAL COMMITMENT OF FIVE-YEAR FUNDING
TO THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) — COMMENTS REGARDING SALE
OF CAMILLUS HOUSE.
Vice Chairman Gort: Before we go into the second phase, we have Item Number 5 that's supposed to be
heard at 3 o'clock. I understand we have quite a few people here. Do you want to call Item 1 and then
we'll go back to Public Service?
Commissioner Teele:. Good job, Gwen. All right. Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, on Item Number 1, I know that Dr. Fields and Mr. Dayes were here,
and they've gone, and they had expressed an interest to be heard on this. Is Bob Tyler available? Mr.
Chairman, this is an item that is not a secret or anything. Number one, in 1998 — let me first of all
acknowledge that there is a memorandum dated today's date from Mr. Tyler, and I'm just going to read
this into the record:
"It is respectfully recommended that the City Commission withdraw our request to amend section 4 of
resolution adopted May 11, 2000. Our initial request was to transfer three million dollars ($3, 000, 000) of
previously approved Community Development Block Grant Funds from the Historic 3rd Avenue Corridor
to complete the first year of annual funding commitment to the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency),
previously approved by Ordinance Number" — this.
This recommendation, the recommendation that Mr. Tyler is making has not yet been ratified by the CRA
Board of Directors, but is consistent with the request of Board Member Sanchez. And the Chairman has
indicated — that is the Chairman of the CRA, myself — has indicated that I have no objection to their
recommendation. I told Mr. Tyler last week that he could recommend anything that he wanted
professionally, and that I would support that recommendation. Mr. Chairman, let me just put on the
record two or three things. Number one, three years ago, the CRA undertook a process that was a
planning process, an intensive planning process. It included community meetings, it included town hall
meetings, it included workshops. Among the recommendations that came out of the town hall meetings
and the workshops as it relates to the CRA is that the number one need in Overtown was not housing,
which is what the CRA had spent the last ten years focused on, but was on job creation, on job creation --
finding, and creating and expanding new jobs. And in that regard, a process consistent with Dade County
which identified the notion that there is not one place in entire Dade County where African-Americans can
go to from out of town and visit, like Calle Ocho, or like Ocean Drive, or like Brickell, should be
54 7/11/00
designated, and that area should be in Overtown. The area that was studied and designated was the area
known now by my resolution in 1998 as the 3rd Avenue — Historic 3rd Avenue Corridor, which actually ran
from 4th Avenue and 8th Street due east to 3rd Avenue, and then up 3rd Avenue from Eighth Street to 14th
Street. The number one focus of the Planning staff in that regard on 3rd Avenue was the following: That
there is insufficient City infrastructure to support any type of expansion in that area. And that is the
lighting doesn't work, the sidewalks don't work, the drainage doesn't work, the streets are not clean, and
most of all, there is an absolute inability and inadequacy of parking in the entire area. You cannot bring
people in if you don't have sufficient place for them to drive and go. The 3rd Avenue Business Corridor,
which was approved by resolution in 1998, was a specific program of the CRA designed to enhance and to
create the infrastructure support for this destination, the new destination for African-American all over
Dade County to be able to go to, and with a view that businesses would be expanded, and support would
be developed for them. Subsequent to that resolution, this City Commission passed an ordinance that
provided twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000), or a total of twenty-eight million dollars
($28,000,000) for a five-year plan for the redevelopment of Overtown and Park West. That five-year
plan, which was to begin this year in September of 1999, or October 1St of 1999, details an array of
activities and projects that are outlined in a five-year plan, which have been approved. So you have
twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000), plus the three million dollars ($3,000,000). However, the three
million dollars ($3,000,000) is a part of the overall five-year plan. Recently, the five-year plan was
funded on May 11th and — I'm sorry — the 3rd Avenue Business Corridor and the first two of the three
million — two of the five million dollars ($5,000,000), leaving a three million dollar ($3,000,000) deficit
for the five-year plan was funded on May 11th. In addition, the three million dollars ($3,000,000) was
funded. The resolution today is simply to move the three million dollars ($3,000,000) from the 3rd Avenue
Business Corridor into the first year of the 3rd Avenue — of the five-year plan. The 3rd Avenue Business
Corridor is a part of the five-year plan. So in effect, what you're doing is you're making dollars available
for the entire area, including Park West, that would only be available right now on 3rd Avenue. For
example, the project at the Lyric Theater, the parking lot, if this request is not approved and is withdrawn,
as he's recommending, the plans on that parking lot will stop, because that is not a part of the 3rd Avenue
Business Corridor. Simply stated, everything in the five-year plan includes the 3rd Avenue Business
Corridor, but the 3rd Avenue Business Corridor doesn't include everything in the five-year plan. The
bottom line is this: Unfortunately, I was advised — I was advised at the time and subsequently that there
were meetings of some select members of the Overtown Advisory Board. A number of members were not
conferred with. I've checked with the Clerk's Office and the Attorney's Office. There was no public
notice on those meetings, but there was a supposed meeting in which one of my dear colleagues has
indicated that he does not want to see the money go to the five-year plan. Now, I didn't call any names.
I'm going to finish my statement. The simple fact of the matter is, is this: Everything that is available
under the five-year plan that can be done on 3rd Avenue can be spent from that plan. However, everything
from 3rd Avenue cannot be spent in the plan. I'm well aware of the fact that there's issues relating to the
Camillus House. But let me just tell the public, and make it very, very clear. Is Angel Gonzalez here and
others? What bothered me most is this: On May 11th, when the City designated the three million dollars
($3,000,000), the City used funds that were unallocated all over the City. In other words, you had funds —
a little bit of money in this project, a little bit of money in that project, a little bit of money in that project.
The three million dollars ($3,000,000) which was allocated May 11th, just a month ago, came from, among
other places, the North Bay Vista Park, the Riverside Park, the Shenandoah Park, the Virrick Park, the
Allapattah Sidewalk, the Coconut Grove Sidewalk, the Edison/Little River Sidewalk, the Manuel Mar -time
Sidewalk, the Tower Theater, the Little Havana Softball, the Lemon City, the Jose Marti Park, the Miller
Dawkins Park, the Moore Park, the Athalie Range Park, the Hadley Park. These were little bits and
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chunks of money making up three million dollars ($3,000,000). Now, let me tell you what happened.
Each of us held a public meeting in our district. You may recall the meeting that I held was in the Elks
Club. My colleagues held meetings. Do you know what the number one issue in many of those meetings
were? You're taking money out of our community and sending it to Overtown. Because the 3rd Avenue
Business Corridor says 3rd Avenue Business Corridor in Overtown. In fact, I had very tense
conversations with a number of my Cuban and Hispanic friends. I said, look, why would you attack
Overtown in your town hall meeting? I know that Commissioner Regalado heard it in some of his
meetings. I said to the staff, look, let's take the race issue out of this money. This money, the three
million dollars ($3,000,000) that we're talking about was a sweep. It came from all over the City. But
you know what people think? They think very small. They say; it came from my community. The most
ridiculous thing that I've heard to date is somebody now says, by moving the money from the 3rd Avenue
Business Corridor in Overtown and moving it into the five-year plan for Overtown and Park West, you're
taking money from my district. You're taking money from — when the money just came from all of these
other parts of the community. So when the director of the Community Development Agency
recommended that the request be withdrawn, I said, look, you can withdraw anything you want to, but I'm
going to say my piece. I'm going to let each of my Commissioners say their piece. If anybody else want
to say their piece, they can say their piece. But this is very clear, and I'm going to break the Code real
clear for everybody, right here, right now. Overtown hasn't gotten any money for anything in the last 20
years, except for a bunch of absentee landlords for the Section 8 housing pickup. As soon as money goes
into Overtown, some people — and I ain't calling no names — in the dark of night are going to come into
the community and create some mess. Well, ladies and gentlemen, it's been going on since slavery. It's
going to continue to go on until you tell people, stay in your district and take care of you district, and let
my Commissioner take care of my district. I'm through with it.
(APPLAUSE)
Commissioner Sanchez: Mr. Vice Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: Commissioner.
Commissioner Sanchez: You know, if you could afford me the opportunity. Just, you know,
Commissioner Teele, I got to give you an applause. He's -- First of all, each — in 1989 — it is a serious
matter. In 1989, when each Commissioner met at the Miami Arena, we made a commitment based on the
needs of the citizens of Overtown. That arena was packed. You came in front of this Commission and
you stated you wanted the money for Overtown. You stated it was the will of the people fighting for what
they have been deprived from many, many, many blue moons ago. And you came in front of that
Commission, and each Commissioner here voted to give you the money, because you know what? You
deserve it and the community needs it. Now, what happened? The money was allocated for 3rd Street
Corridor. I have the minutes here. Nowhere in these minutes did anybody say, give me the money to buy
Camillus House, or give me the money to go to Park West, or give me the money to go to Overtown — I
mean downtown. People said, and it's full of documents here, it's — all of you can read it, and I'll provide
it to you. And it was — you know what? I wish all the members who were there on that day — and it was
close to about three or four hundred, even more that wanted the money to go to Overtown. Well, we gave
it to you. And you know what I'm doing right now? I'm looking to make sure they don't take it out of
Overtown, because there's a good chance it won't go back into Overtown. Thank you very much.
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Commissioner Teele: Mr. Attorney, the resolution that we voted on, did that resolution limit the money to
Overtown, or to the Redevelopment Authority of Overtown and Park West? From the beginning of the
day that the Overtown/Park West Redevelopment Agency was created, the date — to Maurice Ferre's
credit, he said, we are not going to treat Park West different from Overtown. We're not going to treat
Overtown different from Park West. I've seen the nasty flyers about the money that went for the NAP
(Network Area Point) and all of that. But any fool can understand one thing. If you've got one tax
increment district -- a rising tide lifts all votes. If you've got one tax increment district, any money that's
made in Park West flows for the benefit of Overtown, and any money in Overtown flows for the benefit of
Park West, because it's one district. And my friends, I've got to tell you something. You're going to see
high-rises coming up in Park West a lot sooner than you're going to see high-rises coming up in
Overtown. And any tax dollar increment that goes into that district is not for that particular area of Park
West. It must flow into Overtown. There's going to be a lot more money from this tax increment district
coming from Park West going to Overtown than buildings, and constructions. The NAP building alone,
the Center for the Americas alone is fifty million dollars ($50,000,000). Fifty million dollars
($50,000,000) in one pot. It's going to be built in 12 months. That is going to generate an additional forty
— that is going to generate an additional two hundred million — two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) a
year, forever. What he is not saying to you is, and what people don't understand is that we made a
commitment that the CRA would cease to exist after five years if we don't turn it around. That is, if the
CRA doesn't become self-sufficient, there will be no CRA; there will be no redevelopment focused in that
little part of Overtown and that little part of Park West. And the simple fact of the matter is this:
Removing the Camillus House -- which is not the issue, but it's in the flyers — removing the Camillus
House will do more to ignite the tax increment district and to create a base. The tax increment district is
not the City of Miami. It is a special district that gets its money from the taxes that are paid. And the only
way you're going to get money in that district is you've got to develop. And the problem that Overtown
has and the problem that Park West have had for 20 years after the City of Miami has spent over a
hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) is that there has not been development. So the fact of the matter
is, if your request is to withdraw the request, I accede to that request.
Commissioner Sanchez: It's not my request.
Commissioner Teele: Well, that's what you said to Mr. Tyler.
Commissioner Sanchez: It's Mr. Tyler's request.
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Tyler, did you call Mr. — Mr. Tyler, did you call Commissioner Sanchez and
ask him what he would like to do?
Robert Tyler (Director, Operations, Administration & Development, CRA): Yes, I did.
Commissioner Teele: And what did he ask you to do?
Mr. Tyler: He said to let the money remain on the P Avenue Corridor.
Commissioner Teele: So that's what you want to — that's what you're recommending?
Mr. Tyler: Yes, sir, that is.
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Commissioner Teele: Then I move the recommendation.
Commissioner Sanchez: Second for discussion. And I just want to elaborate a little bit on it.
Vice Chairman Gort: It has been moved and seconded. We'd like to hear from the public.
Commissioner Sanchez: Wait, hold on, hold on. This isn't based on money. It isn't based on high-rises.
It's based on the need of the community. It's based on your needs. You, who have waited far too long to
bring good quality housing to Overtown, build up Overtown, you have the funds available now. If you
move those funds, my only concern is that you may not get them back, or it's going to prolong what you
have already waited for, for years. You know, we could talk about high-rises. Let's talk about high-rises.
Let's talk about Poinciana. Let's talk about the two buildings next to the arena. How many residents of
Overtown can afford to live there? How many? Listen. Reverend Lloyd told me so. He may look like
your brother, but he ain't your brother. Remember those words. I'm sticking up, and it ain't easy for me
to stick up here, because I'm looking out for your best interest. The money was allocated, and the
argument was made it was the will of — you; you wanted the money to go to Overtown. And now we're
giving it to you. I have no problems. This all came about when we said; let's buy the Camillus House.
And I said three million? Take money out of Over -- And then what hit me hard was taking money out of
the 3`d Street Corridor, which has basically been the dream of Overtown. It's a great concept. I support it,
and every Commissioner here supports it. But when you have a dream that you have built, and you want
to build, and all of a sudden, that dream is going to be transferred someplace else, it's a concern that I
have. I'm just looking out for your best interest, as a Commissioner who represents not only his district,
but the community.
Commissioner Teele: You mark my word ladies and gentlemen, mark my word. You will hear more
people, and you will hear one Commissioner on this dais coming up with more mess to try to create
confusion, because as long as you can divide people and get them confused, you know what's going to
happen? Nothing. And just as sure as the three million dollars ($3,000,000) for the 3`d Avenue Business
Corridor, which is earmarked for Overtown, it doesn't -- He talked about housing. It's not one dollar
($1), not one cent is for housing. Just listen. Just listen. Just listen. And before it's over, you'll hear a
new request coming back. Well, rather than doing this, let's do something different. The whole idea is
going to be, I'll give you some money over here, I'll give you some money over there. The reason that
Arrison Field House wasn't built is what? Somebody got paid to stand up and say, we don't want the field
house. And Mr. Arrison is just going to give us a two million dollar ($2,000,000) field house and can't
give us a ten million dollar ($10,000,000) field house. We don't want it.
Commissioner Sanchez: It's irrelevant.
Commissioner Teele: I'm telling you, I will accept this request, but I'm telling you right now, there will
be one Commissioner who is going to do everything he can to keep anything from happening in Overtown
by divide and conquer, by trying to create dissention and to create discord. And I'm saying it. I said it
publicly. I will say it the next time he does it. And you mark my word; he'll do it again.
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Commissioner Sanchez: That statement is not true. It is your will. If you want to let him take the money
out of Overtown and transfer it -- The reason why I was approached by the Overtown Advisory
Committee, they were very concerned, because they felt they didn't —
Commissioner Teele: When was that meeting? When was that meeting?
Commissioner Sanchez: I was called.
Commissioner Teele: When was the meeting?
Commissioner Sanchez: After I left the meeting that we had at the CRA, which I was, the only one that
didn't support you on that. Their concern is that once it -- Hey, listen. If you want to allow that money to
be transferred into Park West, I'll support you.
Commissioner Teele: The motion is —
Commissioner Sanchez: I'm telling you, it's bad.
Commissioner Teele: The motion is very simple. Ain't a person out there got to vote. The only person
up here — there are five people up here, OK? So there's no need to try to appeal — there's no need —
Commissioner Sanchez: But you represent them, and we represent them.
Commissioner Teele: I represent them, and you can't run in my district, that's for sure. That's one thing
for sure. And if you do run or try to run, I'm going to send you a message in that district. But the fact of
the matter is very simple. The fact is very simple. The motion on the floor is to withdraw the
recommendation. I would so move the withdrawal and call the question, unless there is someone who
obj ects.
Commissioner Sanchez: I want to hear from the residents of Overtown.
Commissioner Regalado: Excuse me.
Vice Chairman Gort: There's a motion and there's a second. Discussion. Commissioner Regalado.
Commissioner Regalado: Excuse me.
(INAUDIBLE COMMENTS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Commissioner Teele: To withdraw.
Commissioner Sanchez: Well, what they want to do. Let them.
Vice Chairman Gort: Commissioner Regalado, go ahead.
Commissioner Regalado: It's —
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Commissioner Sanchez: It's a public hearing.
Vice Chairman Gort: It is, and we'll hear from the public.
Commissioner Regalado: It's very uncomfortable to sit here and to listen to this controversy, because, I
mean, this Commission has been accused by the Miami Herald, and the Mayor, as even corrupt, and
crooks, and everything bad that has happened in the City, this Commission has taken the brunt of it. But
never, ever anybody has been able to say that this Commission is divided, because this Commission has
been behind the Mayor when we had the Mayor as a voting member during the crisis. This Commission
has had — and I took — and I took the time to check some of the old agendas that the City Clerk sends back,
and the voting record has been 95 percent five to zero in most if not all the issues. Of course, everybody
has an opinion and is entitled to it. But what I can tell you is that if you guys want to withdraw this
project, you can do so. I will not vote for it. And the reason that I will not vote to withdraw this project is
Unidentified Speaker: Change the funding.
Commissioner Regalado: Yeah, the project of buying Camillus House. That is the bottom line, isn't it?
Commissioner Teele: That's not the bottom line. That is really not the bottom line.
Commissioner Regalado: OK.
Commissioner Teele: Because there's sufficient funding mechanisms that the -- Look, this City has
strangled with Camillus House, you know, much longer than you and I have been on the Commission,
combined. The only way the City of Miami Redevelopment is ever going to take hold is you've got to get
rid of the Camillus House, because that's the number one drag. And nobody wants to deal with it. I'm
going to deal with it, but I'm not going to deal with it in this kind of context.
Commissioner Regalado: No, no. But, you know, what I was going to say is that, you know, it could be
today. It could be tomorrow. But sooner, what I would say, sooner than later, we're going to have to deal
with that issue. We cannot run away anymore from Camillus House, right in the middle of an economic
development area. Whether, you know, they tell you something or that we're going to use that money or
that money, I will tell you that elected officials should have, first of all, vision. And we have to look
through the smoking mirrors and try to see the future. I really believe, regardless of what they can say,
that it's a bad deal or whatever, I see the deal of Camillus House not as a deal, but as an investment in the
future of downtown, Overtown, Edgewater, Little Havana, because that's the way it is. If you have an
engine on a train pulling stronger than when it has a problem in the engine, it's something that helps to
pull all the wagons. And this is what we are doing if we help downtown Miami, if we help Park West, if
we help Overtown. So, you know, I don't have a problem at all in not changing these moneys, but I will
tell you that maybe next month or two months from now, we're going to have to deal with it. It's
something that is there that people resent that. Yeah, just one second. I'm done. So, you know, I don't, I
don't have a problem in not doing this, but I think that it's important that we understand and that the
people understand that sooner or later, we're going to have to deal with the Camillus House issue and
that's something that is a must if we want to develop the area.
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Commissioner Sanchez: And Commissioner, I don't have a problem —
Amri El -Amin: Excuse me. I'd like to start.
Vice Chairman Gort: Excuse me. The Commissioners have priority.
Commissioner Sanchez: I don't have a problem buying Camillus House. I just don't think that they
should relocate the funds that were set and put two, you know, do the P Street Corridor. That's the
problem. See, it's called the Community Redevelopment Agency. The community, the community has to
have involvement. If the citizens of Overtown say, we want the money to be transferred, then the money
will be transferred. But I still think that the residents of Overtown do not want to see that money be taken
out of Overtown into Park West.
Commissioner Teele: Excuse me, Mr. Chairman. The citizens of Overtown, with all due respect, will be
given consideration. But the citizens — this is not going to be a pure democracy. This is a representative
democracy. And as long as I am the Commissioner here that represents that district, I'm going to have the
say-so. You may not agree with me, but I'm going to have the Commission say-so about what is best for
the district that I represent. In the context of the Redevelopment Authority, I welcome and invite anyone
to come into the district, into the Redevelopment District. But let's be real clear, ladies and gentlemen.
Let's don't get played against each other. The Redevelopment District is Overtown and Park West. The
twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) is for what, Mr. Attorney? Is it for Overtown, or is it for the
Redevelopment District, in accordance with the ordinance that the City has approved?
Mr. Vilarello: The allocation is for the CRA.
Commissioner Teele: It is not. So please, ladies and gentlemen, don't get caught into that, because I'm
going to tell you right here and now, I'm going to be fair to Omni. I'm going to put funds in the Margaret
Pace Park for Omni. So I don't want to hear somebody saying, well, I'm taking money out of Overtown
and putting it in the Omni. The entire redevelopment area includes the Omni area, the Park West area,
and the Overtown. And yes, the vast majority of the people who marched with me in the rain were from
Overtown. And yes, the focus is Overtown. But let's don't get into this name calling, pitting one group
against the other game. The funds, the twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) is for the Redevelopment
Authority. Primarily, it's going to go into Overtown, Park West, and Omni. And so when we put up
money next year to go into Margaret Pace Park, Commissioner, you can give your speech about it's
coming from Overtown if you want to, but I'm going to try to do the right thing for the entire
Redevelopment District. The number one problem with this district is the Camillus House.
Vice Chairman Gort: Commissioners, I'm going to open it up to the public hearing, but before I do so, I,
as the Chairperson, wouldlike to address this. And as the elders and the — although I've only been here
six years, I feel like I've been here 60. I can give you a little history on this. Originally, originally, the
CRA was going to be just Park West. It was an idea that came out of the Downtown Miami Development
Authority. And Park West was going to be the CRA. It was then the Commissioners — and I don't recall
who was the Commissioner at that time that was here representing the African-American districts that said
we want to include Overtown. The reason being — and this is very important that we understand —
whatever takes place, building or whatever in any of the area of Park West, that increases the amount of
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money that goes into Overtown. Now, the one thing you need to understand is, in Overtown, for some
reason, I think we've had 350,000 studies. We've had 350,000 different plans. And I think it's about
time, and like we stated before, if we cannot do it in five years — because we were not members before.
This has really become active in the last three to four years, has become active. So this — and if we're
right, I'm going to have the public hearings. You all decide what you want. There's plans outside, and
you decide what you want to do. Yes, sir.
Mr. El -Amin: Yes. My name is Amir El -Amin, and I'm a resident in Overtown by a situation that's
called homeless. And since I came here to discuss this situation about Camillus House, I'm kind of
surprised at some of the Commissioners falling asleep up here, getting lost in the topics going on at hand.
I know he's a human being. I have other Commissioners that would like to say, he may sound like our
brother, but he really ain't your brother. But then I sit out here in the audience and say that he wants to
sound like a brother. Now, I'm going back to the issue. This whole thing about Camillus House is
overlooking the whole fact of Overtown's development. This is why I'm homeless. I'm usually a quiet
man in Overtown. I don't be this clean. I have to save these clothes. You, Mr. Sanchez, say we have
communities who have needs for the whole, and we just don't have enough funds for everybody. Then
where is your human concern? If you want to talk about districts, then there's human beings in each
district. Each one of you sitting up there has demonstrated and showed some form of character —
leadership, a child, and a man that's so old, he's just losing his mind. Every individual up here showed
me some type of character. I would like to also say since you also say we intend to deliver the services to
the people who need the services, then I say this: I've gotten away with a lot of things in Overtown, and I
might be about a lot of things, but it's time that we stopped putting up with being overlooked in Overtown.
Our senior citizens, they do not have the places they can go to. You do not live down there. Your parents
don't live down there. And if I catch you down there late at night doing things that you think you can
sneak and do, because this is what goes on down here. This is why they now want to come and talk about
redeveloping, but then the landlords, and the empty buildings, and the trash and everything else -- When I
first get up in the morning, I'm going to say it, I smell human waste. And I got human beings here telling
me that they want to take the money out of the hands for the development of human beings, even the
children that represents the future of Overtown, which can also help the other districts that each and every
one of you represent. I'm trying to talk without anger. But gentlemen, greed is greed and rape is just that.
If you, the Commissioners of Miami approved the three million dollars ($3,000,000) to take out of the
development of Overtown and get into your "bigger than thou" mentalities and attitudes, and go off into
your private neighborhoods, then that's what it is. It's rape. It has nothing to do with sounding like a
brother —
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir.
Mr. El -Amin: -- or looking like a brother. I got six seconds.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Your three minutes are up.
Mr. El -Amin: But I wanted to say in these six seconds here, Camillus House has got a secret. temporary
job service where they pay a man a dollar and twenty-five cents ($1.25) in Overtown to work in the work
program. These are check stubs. These are the names of the people that are working in work bids. And
then when all the people come up here, and they only making ten dollars ($10) a day, a dollar twenty-five
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cents ($1.25) an hour, and then you want to go ahead and support that to escalate it into more poverty for
the people in Overtown, then I ask you, where is your "humanality" and concern of the development?
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. What you're saying — let me ask this. What you're saying is don't
move the funds from 3rd Avenue, right?
Mr. El -Amin: Don't move none of the funds.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you.
Mr. El -Amin: I need to see the development of Overtown.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you.
Mr. El -Amin: But you need to look into the community of Camillus House.
Vice Chairman Gort: Sir, thank you. Your three minutes are up. Yes, ma'am.
Rosa Green: Good evening, Commissioners. Rosa Green, 415 NW 6th Street. That's located in the heart
of Overtown. I am here -- First, I'd like to say this: Let the work I do speak for me. I'm here because of
something that I heard. I was not at the meeting, but I heard that the three million dollars ($3,000,000)
was going to be used to buy Camillus House. And I certainly hope that that is just hearsay. For 25 years,
I understand that the CDBG funds has been being — has been sent to Miami for the poor people. But we
are not beneficiaries. We have made our deposits in the bank, but we don't get our interest. Myself and
my husband for 60 years have been living in Miami. I don't own anything, but I been paying my taxes.
The CDBG funds, I want everybody to know is taxpayers' money. So I feel that I have contributed
something. Too many years have Overtown and we poor people have been promised. And what we get,
instead of first class things, we get the Salvation Army, you know, the leftovers. Nothing do we have.
Our kids don't have a decent recreation center. When I grew up here in the `40's, we had four theaters
that we could go to. We had a nightclub. We had a hotel with a swimming pool that we could go to.
When we get 50, 60, we are not dead. We still like the same things that you guys like. And as a matter of
fact, we could enjoy it much better, because we don't have to get up and go punch the clock. And when
you get this age, you're going to understand, because when I was 20, I thought 50 was old, old. But when
I got there, then you know that's not so old. So when a person have worked all their lives -- And most of
these people here, they don't even know — as a matter of fact, I don't know. Eight years I been retired,
and eight years I been trying to find out why hasn't Overtown grown when all around us — we're like a
peacock, you know, a beautiful peacock, it spreads its wings. But when he look down at the feet, he has to
drop his head, because they're rusty. That's what Overtown looks like. Right in the heart of a
multibillion -dollar industry, and we can't even walk down a decent street. And they're planting gardens
over there where women, I know for a fact, died of AIDS, used to sleep on those grounds. And as the
young man said, human filth are on those grounds, because those men that sit on the street, they don't
have no porta-toilets out there. So what you think they do? Go home to use the restroom? No. They use
it right where they are. And when I'm driving down the street in my —
Vice Chairman Gort: Ma'am, thank you.
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Ms. Green: Wait a minute, Mr. Gort, just a little bit more.
Vice Chairman Gort: Ma'am, we still have — we have a lot of people to listen to.
Ms. Green: When I'm driving down the street, I see them using the restroom in the street. So let me tell
y'all something. The most underserved people in this City are the people of Overtown. We need, we
want exactly what you want for yourselves and your people.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, ma'am.
Ms. Green: We are the people.
Vice Chairman Gort: Right.
Ms. Green: Thank you.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Next.
Arlo Lundy: Hi. 1151 NW 50th Street. Look here, when we elected whomever on this Board right here to
represent the community or whatever the situation is, everybody said that whomever is elected, these guys
ain't just walk into the situation in the last two, three, four years. These guys been in this situation for a
long time. So why don't you give them a chance to handle their districts and do what they necessarily
need to be done? Because they have an agenda of what they need to do. So give them a chance to handle
their district, like they're supposed to handle their district, and stop fighting the situation down. You don't
think when you went up there and handle that ballot; you knew that -- you said to yourself that this man is
going to do his job, whomever he is? Let him handle it and do what he has to do. Give him a chance. If
you don't give the man a chance and keep fighting the man, we'll never get nowhere. And stop this in this
room, everybody.
Vice Chairman Gort: Calm down. Yes, ma'am.
Jackie Bell: My name is Jackie Bell. Most of you know me. New Washington Heights was established
in October 28, 1973 with homeowners and business people from that community, and community
activists. And maybe we are not an institution, but we have been in that community from then till now.
As a girl, I was raised in that community. And as Ms. Georgia Jones -Ayers talked about losing their
property in Lemon City, so did my family in Overtown. But before that, my grandfather came to this
town as an engineer to help lay out the railroad track, not as a laborer, but as a professional. I don't
disagree with Commissioner Teele. Commissioner Teele is a decent man. I think he have the right idea
about redeveloping Overtown, but I think this one, Commissioner, might be a little bit foggy, and are
probably foggy simply because for umpteen years, it is "Overtown next time." And we truly — Irby
McKnight and myself, you will know that we begged you to run for this district. And we went out and we
made sure that you got it. And the reason for that was we knew you were intelligent. We knew that you
would be with us. We knew that if anybody that we — had the intelligence that would do this that you
would lead. But you kind of left — OK. You left us and now you got us down here, and we got a group of
people up there, and everybody think we fighting. But remember two things. We got one arena that they
took our money and built, and they said Overtown next time. Go back and read. Maurice, your good
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buddy, my good buddy, George Knox and those will tell you the same. Then we get another arena, and
it's Overtown next time. Now we — you did it. Nobody else. You put the money for the 3rd Avenue
Corridor. And you put it there because you said you all have been treated badly. Now, you come back
and you move it. Commissioner, don't do that, and don't make us be down here like we are fighting you.
That's not right.
Commissioner Teele: Ms. Bell, I'm glad you said what you said, because, you see —
Ms. Bell: OK.
Commissioner Teele: -- the moving of the money doesn't move it from the 3rd Avenue Business Corridor.
Ms. Bell: But it does.
Commissioner Teele: No, it doesn't. No, it doesn't.
Ms. Bell: It does.
Commissioner Teele: Everything in that — everything in that first year is eligible activity. Look, right
now, I've committed architectural support — listen. I've committed --
Ms. Bell: Hold on. Can I say something? Then you can -- Then take it off and come and sit down with
US.
Commissioner Teele: We've going to have a — I've already agreed.. I've met with leaders last night. I
met with leaders this morning.
Ms. Bell: No, not -- no, meet — hold it, hold it, hold it.
Commissioner Teele: We're going to have a town hall meeting.
Ms. Bell: Not a town hall. You ain't got to have a town hall meeting.
Commissioner Teele: Oh, yes, I am. I'm going to have a town hall meeting.
Ms. Bell: Well, when I say town hall meeting —
Commissioner Teele: I'm going to clean up some of this stuff, you can believe that.
Ms. Bell: OK. Wait a minute. Hold on. When I say a — wait a minute. And I apologize. When I say
don't need a town hall meeting, you don't need a "feel good" meeting. You need a meeting with the
people who been there, who understands this and who helped. I mean, we ain't here to fight you. We are
here for you to respect us.
Commissioner Teele: Ms. Bell, Ms. Bell, I know you and you know me. But let me just say this: If the
money were being taken away from the 3rd Avenue Business Corridor —
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•
Ms. Bell: Then don't —
Commissioner Teele: -- I wouldn't support it. Listen.
Ms. Bell: Hold it. Then don't even give the perception.
Commissioner Teele: No, no, no. The perception was given by one of my dear colleagues —
Ms. Bell: No.
Commissioner Teele: -- who may — who took the interpretation—
Ms. Bell: No, no, no, no.
Commissioner Teele: -- that by doing that, you're moving it.
Ms. Bell: No, no, no.
Commissioner Teele: Look, let me tell you what the real issue, Jackie, is.
Ms. Bell: I know what the real issue.
Commissioner Teele: The real issue is this: After the town hall meetings that we held in each of these
districts, there were a lot of people in other communities very upset. I was trying, and I continue to try to
say, look, the money, it's not like it went to Overtown and it's being redirected. The money was just
allocated 30 days ago from these other communities.
Ms. Bell: Doesn't matter. It does not matter. OK. The matter — hold it.
Commissioner Teele: Ms. Bell, I am going to support the recommendation of not moving the money.
That's the only motion on the table.
Ms. Bell: OK. The matter is — hold it.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Excuse me. Excuse me.
Ms. Bell: The matter is that we read in the newspaper, we hear everywhere two point four million dollars
($2.4 million) going to be —
Commissioner Teele: No. The matter is this. A man came into that Overtown community —
Ms. Bell: That's not the —
Commissioner Teele: -- met with a handful of people, and said some things, got a whole lot of people --
But it just shows you that whole mentality of —
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Ms. Bell: Hold it. No, no, no, don't. No, no, no.
Commissioner Teele: -- of what goes on. If you --
Ms. Bell: You wrong now. Hold on. Remember now.
Vice Chairman Gort: Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me.
Ms. Bell: Hold on.
Vice Chairman Gort: Excuse me.
1\
Ms. Bell: But remember — wait, and I will shut up. One minute. But --
Vice Chairman Gort: Ms. Bell, Ms. Bell, excuse me a minute. Ms. Bell, excuse me a minute.
Ms. Bell: I apologize.
Vice Chairman Gort: We have about a hundred people that would like to speak. We still have a lot of
items —
Ms. Bell: If they don't —
Vice Chairman Gort: Excuse me, excuse me.
Ms. Bell: Hold on. Ninety percent —
Vice Chairman Gort: Excuse me, ma'am.
Ms. Bell: -- of them who want to speak don't live, haven't worked, OK?
Vice Chairman Gort: Ms. Bell, Ms. Bell, excuse me.
Ms. Bell: And none of that. Per — and I'm going to hush.
Vice Chairman Gort: Just listen to me for a minute.
Ms. Bell: Yes, sir.
Vice Chairman Gort: I'd like to expedite this. There's a motion not to move the money from 3rd Avenue,
and that's it.
Commissioner Teele: It's my motion.
Vice Chairman Gort: Let's address the motion. That's his motion.
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Ms. Bell: Great.
Commissioner Teele: Do you support the motion or do you oppose it?
Commissioner Sanchez: She supports it.
Ms. Bell: No. Leave the money where it is.
Commissioner Teele: Fine.
Ms. Bell: And then come and talk to us.
Commissioner Teele: Fine.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Next.
Leroy Jones: Leroy Jones, 180 Northwest 62"d Street. No, I don't live in Overtown, but I spendt 17 years
of my 37 long life into Overtown. I got a vast interest in Overtown. It's a lot of people talk about what
they do and how long they been in Overtown. They ain't done nothing, nothing but run their mouth.
They can talk about they lived there for 30 years. They been on everybody board. They did all this. Ain't
brought nothing there. Ain't did nothing but talked. I can honestly say that when I ride through Overtown
now and see Bradley's Market, and see Moore's Grocery, and see the businesses that was awarded the
money through the MAP (Metro -Miami Action Plan) Program that I played a major role in that. And.I'm
sure that the people who allocated the money can tell you that if it wasn't for me, those businesses
wouldn't got that money. So I'm proud. Even though I don't live in Overtown, I'm a taxpayer of the City
of Miami. I own property in the City of Miami. So when I come up here, I ain't going to hold my head
down low, saying that I can't speak for the people in Overtown, because I don't live in Overtown. I got a
track record in Overtown, although I been left Overtown years ago. But like I said, I spent 17 years of my
long, pretty, beautiful life in Overtown that I wouldn't change for nothing in the world. I'm kind of proud
of my agency and the people that work for me in my agency, and the reason why is because they trust my
leadership. And we go to the table, and sometimes we hash things out, and when the end of the day over,
they say, you know what, boss? You right. We trust you. Although I got people that work for me that got
college degrees and I never finished high school, you know what I mean? Left the 12th grade, couldn't
read a "Sally, Dick and Jane" book. I got very educated people that work for me that trust my leadership
and my judgment. And that's all I ask them to do, is trust that. All I'm asking the people in Overtown,
you elected Commissioner Teele. Listen to what the man is saying, man. That money, in five years, if it
ain't accumulating nothing, it ain't going to be no CRA. Then what next? Invest the money into
something that's going to make some money. You elected the man. I know you live in Overtown. I
know you been there for 30 years, you been on every board. You ain't did nothing. Show me what you
did. Nothing. But — OK. And the same people who been on them boards for 30 years made promises and
ain't did nothing. What I'm saying is, you elected the man. You elected the man. Trust him, man. You
can always hold him accountable, but you got to give him a chance. If you don't give him a chance,
you're not going to know what's going to happen. And that's all I ask.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. Next.
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Elsie Hubbard: My name is Elsie Hubbard. And I been living in Overtown for 50 years. And I wouldn't
have elected Arthur Teele if I didn't think he had the knowledge to see what was best for Overtown. All
these people get up here. The money was allocated to a lot of them. They supposed to build houses.
They didn't do anything with the money. So, you know, and when we elected this Commissioner, we
wanted him to come over and speak to our community, not another Commissioner to start up
"confusement" over there. We have a City we trying to build now as it is. We have so much corrective --.
If one City Commissioner stay in this district and let us try to learn love and all these Commissioners,
we'll be much better off. I trust Art Teele with my life, because he the only person we can trust. When he
wasn't up there, wasn't nobody doing nothing but doing promises. So what these people did? They is
letting you all know that they have a weak mind. Art Teele isn't taking the money from Overtown. He —
it's a little come from all you all's district. So why can't it be used for the best benefit of Overtown.
Because by them talking, when they get up here wanting funds, they going to say you didn't qualify. So
now what? You going to qualify some people out here? No. You going to go along, because you just
have one vote up there. And you cannot leave me. I'm an old coon, and I been over there working with
kids for a long time. I work in the Police Department, and I do understand people like you. You know,
our community won't be like this if we all sit down and agree on something together, not one sit up there
and divide the whole City. No, I don't appreciate that. You stay in your district and let me run mine.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Next.
Lillian Slater: My name is Lillian Slater, 1640 Northwest Fourth Avenue, Apartment 10-C. I'm on the
board of the Overtown Advisory Board and you Commissioners sit on the board and you has a say-so to
elect the ones that's on the board over there to represent the people in the community. Now, the people in
the community, they are looking at the Overtown Advisory Board. So this is what I'm saying, that we
have to have the Commissioners to back our Overtown Advisory Board, and this is not happening. And,
you know, we got to be real with this thing. And these people in the community, they are really saying
that you don't need no Overtown Advisory Board, because you all is not doing nothing for us. You see,
just only a few of you will come out in the Culmer Center over there. It's the black area over there. We
all are the same. We not the same color, but we all are the same. And you need to come out and see, and
be in the Overtown Advisory Board meetings. Commissioner Teele, he comes. But the idea is we don't
want this money going nowhere, because, honey, we don't even have our house in order over there.
Where we living over there, that I-95 and 836, 12 lanes coming straight across and going to carry all our
buildings right there back of the Culmer Center, the church and all. And I don't think it's fair to us. Some
of this money need to be fixing up them houses over there, and some — we need a place for the children to
go to the movie. I need a place to sit down, and maybe I might want to play some cards. I'm old, too.
Y'all ain't as old as we are over there. And it's a lot of us old people over there. And nobody comes to
see what the old people doing. Commissioner Teele, he's been over there to our center in there, in Town
Park Village. And we was the first building there. It's a co-op was built. And nobody knows what's
happening over there. They throw the dead people off the expressway, everything. Nobody care about
nobody over there. I went to Commissioner — what's his name? — Carollo. I went up there one day. I told
him about it. All them bushes down there. People can throw people out, off of their cars over on where
we live. The snakes are coming down. It's just too much. And you all need to give us some money.
Don't put none nowhere until you give us some in Town Park Village.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am. Next.
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Demas Jackson: Demas Jackson, Jackson Soul Food Restaurant Overtown. I just want to say a few words
that I know that everybody knows and understand what's happening in Overtown. We haven't had
anything happen in Overtown. You go at night, it look like the Everglades. You come down the street,
the only thing mostly you can see is your headlights Overtown. So the Commissioners sitting up there in
the stand now. You don't see them fighting about their district, because they get what they want. And
Overtown been promised and promised, and haven't got anything. So right now, we getting a park, we
getting a little work done. We can see a little something done. And I ask my own people there in
Overtown to don't put their foot in the way, because our Commissioner is doing a wonderful job. He
can't do it all in one day. It been happening for 20 years. And I see more this year than ever happening in
Overtown, because I been right there. And you can count — I wouldn't say it's Overtown. I'd say it's
downtown Miami. And it take effect on the Commissioner, City Manager and everybody else for people
to come, tourist in Overtown and see what kind of shape it's in, downtown Miami. We are downtown
Miami, and we should be ashamed to see people coming in Miami and see what kind of condition it is in
downtown Miami. Now, it don't take effect just on me. It take effect on the whole Dade County or
Miami. And the Commission sitting up and see what happen, and they is what they call a organization,
and see one Commissioner is in trouble. They should get in there and help him to get out of trouble and
make the City what it is. Because Miami is a great City, beautiful City, sunshine City. And I don't know
why we can sit up and let things go and talking about Overtown, and here we are downtown, together, and
look. You got the new arena, and they have different organizations. Everything going big. But, look, you
can ride down 3rd Avenue and 10th Street and look at the apartments, rags hanging out the door, the air
conditions, they aren't in the window. Hey, but you go other places, you don't see that. They got central
air, they got nice apartments. They ain't talking about renovating apartments. How you going to renovate
apartments and they going to be the same little net? You put one bed, and you can't get nothing else in the
room. And right now, you won't even find —
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Jackson: OK.
Vice Chairman Gort: You had over —
Mr. Jackson: Now, you won't even find your dog —
Vice Chairman Gort: You had six minutes because she didn't punch the clock. So you had an advantage,
OK?
Mr. Jackson: All right. Thank you.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Yes, sir, name and address.
Imeall A. Bappo: Mr. Chairman, I'm Imeall A. Bappo. 152 NW 13th Street. I hail here from Maryland
and New York. I came here because you were a failure. Hopefully, something would have been done by
now. It have not been done. Overtown is a failure. I came here, as a designer, and it seemed that you as a
whole didn't know what you were doing. I have spoken with you personally before. So now, let's not
continue the failure. Let's put the money Overtown. If we put the money Overtown, we'll be able to do
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something Overtown. The multi -complex building was posed for a 56 -apartment building to prevent the
on street living, and it was utilized otherwise. It went from one point seven million dollars ($1.7 million)
to three point some million dollars, and it was not done properly. I called the figure for that and the design
— forgive me, Mr. McKnight, but they did not show me the statute or — not the statute, but the program for
the building. They didn't show me the blueprints for the building, because they were wasting the money.
So let's not waste this money. Let's put it Overtown. And, oh, by the way, you've already heard my
name, so you're going to remember me. But by the same token, let's put the money Overtown. I didn't
vote for you, Mr. Teele. Let's put the money Overtown. If the apartment needs renovating, let's renovate
it. Whatever needs to be fixed Overtown, let's fix it Overtown and be done with this, and become a part,
because I left the north coming here, hoping to invite them down to visit me in my tailor shop. I have yet
to be able to do that because Overtown cannot afford a tailor. I have worked throughout the City, and the
number one (unintelligible). So most of you haven't even been there, and most of you don't even know
what I do, and haven't even met me, and haven't worn anything of mine. Only a few of you have. So I
would appreciate if you kept the money Overtown. Thank you.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. Next.
John Bryant: John Bryant, 1151 NW 50th Street. I don't live in Overtown, but my situation is on an
educated report of what's going on Overtown. Do anybody here have an educated report on what it takes
to spawn development in your community? Well, have you —
Vice Chairman Gort: Excuse me. Excuse me, sir. Excuse me.
Mr. Bryant: You know, I really don't —
Vice Chairman Gort: Address the Commission, not the public.
Mr. Bryant: OK. It's dealing with a whole bunch of issues here. But, you know, the thing is that we have
to get something done in our community. We've elected a person who has an educated review of what's
going on in our community and what it takes to develop the community. Now, if we give the person an
opportunity to —
(INAUDIBLE COMMENT NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECORD)
Mr. Bryant: Yes. And that's why I recommend him to do what he's supposed to do. Anyway, the thing
is, if you have no educated report on what it takes to spawn development in your community, don't speak
on it. Don't come here with an agenda of what's going on and what you think need to be done, because
you live there and you haven't done nothing yourself. But when you argue over what's there, nothing gets
done. It's going to — nothing is going to get done. But I recommend for it.
Ms. Green: Well, whose daddy are you?
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you, sir. We'll now close the public hearing. Mr. McKnight.
Irby McKnight: Yeah. Irby McKnight, 1600 Northwest P Avenue. I'm here today — I did not meet with
anyone in violation of the Sunshine Law, at all. I was in Columbus, Ohio attending a Whitehouse
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Conference on the Empowerment Zone. And one of the breakout sessions that I attended in the
Empowerment Zone was if you don't develop the people in your community, you will not develop your
community. Now, that was the theme of the conference. And I'm here today as the chairperson of the
Neighborhood Assembly for Overtown, as well as a member of the Overtown Advisory Board. And to the
gentleman that just left, I can really read rings around him. The real deal is we who live in this
community have a stake. It is our community. If I go there and smash windows tonight, it'll be me
rioting in my community. If I go there and rouse my neighbors up to say we need to clean up the area —
we just had a major cleanup. Commissioner Winton was there. And he found me there cleaning up when
he arrived. So it's not like I crawled out from under a rock. That is not the case. I know that in CDBG
funds, we allocated seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) to build a foot bridge from Town Park Village
to Booker T. Washington — at that time middle school; today, historical high school. We did that because
children had been killed crossing the many expressways that run through our community. Those seventy-
five thousand dollars ($75,000) went to another project. Today, there is no footbridge, at all. It's not
there. And I can just keep — 35 years of being active in that community, I can just go year after year after
year after year for 35 years of, "OK, you will get this." Ms. Bell already touched on "Overtown is next."
That was the theme and a song and dance routine that we did as well as any Broadway troupes could do.
Well, we have to draw the line someplace. None of this is anti-Teele. And we want — I personally want to
thank Commissioner Sanchez for shedding such light on this project, because let me say this. Without
your input, Commissioner Sanchez, no matter what adjective or name now used, believe me, you were a
light at the end of the tunnel for Overtown. Now, I understand that someone said Commissioner Teele is
very astute. Well, is most people. That's not new. But the real deal is, if that astuteness does not parlay
into a better life for us, then it wasn't nothing, now was it? Let's keep the money in Overtown. Let's, for
one time, one time, let your word mean something. It's a lot of men who sat here ahead of you and
promised us stuff that did not come. I'm going to not put you — brand you with that iron. I am saying that
each and every one of you five gentlemen who sit there along with our Mayor is there because people
elect you. And they did that because they wanted you to represent them, not think for them. Represent
them. There is a fine difference. And with that, I say keep the money in Overtown. See if you can get
some more to put there. Thank you.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Thank you, sir. I'm going to have one more speaker, and then I'll close
the public hearing, because we have many other items in front of us. Yes, sir.
Rev. Leroy Lloyd: Reverend Dr. Leroy Lloyd, and I am the chair of the Overtown Advisory Board. I'm
here because the community that elected me as a member of the Overtown Advisory Board does have
some concerns. And those concerns stem from the fact that we are tired of seeing buildings being pushed
down or town down in Overtown. We're tired of seeing nothing being built. We're tired of seeing things
that we would like to see done in Overtown not done. And I'm here to say that we want the money kept in
Overtown. We want the buildings that had been owned by many of the families in Overtown for years
kept in the hands of those families by providing money so that they can rehab, so that they can do the
things that's necessary to make our community a viable community in the City of Miami. Thank you.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. Now we'll close the public hearing. Are there any further
comments from the Commissioners?
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman.
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Vice Chairman Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Teele: We've spent one hour and about 30 minutes. I want to apologize to you, Mr.
Chairman. You've been extremely courteous, and most of all, to my colleagues who were not a part of
creating this artificial issue. I want to apologize to the people who watch this network, because obviously,
what you've seen is exactly what the people who created this situation wanted to see. That is a
community that's always had very little arguing about even less. This is, quite candidly, a very sad day
for me as an elected official. I don't know when I've served in an elected office that I have seen or felt the
kind of bitter anxiety that I feel, and that is -- The first thought is to say, what the heck? You know, the
whole idea of the 3rd Avenue Business Corridor came from my pen one night riding around Overtown, as
many of you know. And I strongly believe, and I want to put it on the record that I chaired the County
Commission when the "snatch and grabs" were going on along 95. We shut the town down. There was a
Police Chief who came to me, and Reverend Dr. Wise, and said, Commissioner, we're going to keep the
tourist out of the areas that are dangerous, but we got a problem. Every black area in this town has been
cordoned off. In other words, tourists are not going to be able to participate in any of the economic
turnover in the black community unless and until we create a tourist attraction, a destination in the black
community. You can go to Opa Locka, you can go to Florida City. There is no place in Miami, the
number one tourist destination in the world — people come here from all over the world to go to South
Beach. People come here from all over the world, from all over Latin America to go to Calle Ocho. ' Lady
told me the other night she had her retirement party at Casa Juancho, a black lady. I thought it was
wonderful. It's a wonderful statement. And she said, we have nowhere to go in our community. Now,
there are some people who don't like it. They're talking about we don't need any parking lots. Well, they
don't own any business. They're just people running around knowing everything, and don't know
nothing. The number one problem with every black business in Overtown is there's not one parking lot.
You can't go get your hair cut and park legally in Overtown. You can't go get a shoeshine legally in
Overtown. And Mr. Jackson stood up here and did all that talking. I'm going to tell you something, Mr.
Jackson. You ain't got one parking lot at Jackson Soul Food Restaurant. And there are people who stood
up here today, including Overtown — so-called Overtown Advisory Board, stood up and said, we don't
want any more parking lots. We don't need any parking lots. We don't want to see the money go that
way. We want to see the money go — and this is what's getting ready — this is the first step toward what
Willy Lynch preached and talked about in 1620. Keep them divided, keep them arguing, separate them,
and they will never do anything. Willy Lynch is alive and well, my brothers and sisters. And I want to
apologize to everybody who sees this on TV that sees this spectacle as we fight over what I know many
people believe to be their views and my views. And I don't disdain anyone's own view. But I will say
this: Everybody can't lead. And I get to get — I have an election in one year. Anybody think they can do
a better job is welcome to come and take this district and lead it. But as long as I'm the district
Commissioner -- I created the 3rd Avenue Business Corridor. I found the money for the 3rd Avenue
Business Corridor. I'm going to build parking lots in that community. I'm going to do the right thing.
And all this stuff this man is talking about, about some housing, and doing that, that's not what the 3rd --
The 3rd Avenue Business Corridor does not provide one dollar ($1) for housing. So don't get confused,
because the next meeting that there's some confusion is going to be this, you mark my word: We don't
want to do that, we don't want to spend the twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) the way it's been
planned. We got some other ideas. And all we're going to have is going back and forth, if I don't put my
foot down. And I'm telling you right now; I'm coming out. I'm going to have a town hall meeting within
the next 60 days of the entire community. And let me just say this: The Overtown redevelopment area
represents about one eighth of Overtown. The redevelopment area does not consider Overtown. If the
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Overtown Advisory Board, if the Overtown Empowerment Zone wants to do something, you got eight
tenths of Overtown to worry about. OK? But on this little two tenths, this little piece that goes from 8th
Street to 14th Street, the boundary stops at 3rd Avenue. That's all that's in there. Park Village, ma'am,
with all due respect, that's outside of the jurisdiction of the Redevelopment Authority. That's within my
district as a Commissioner. And I would welcome and I would challenge the Overtown Advisory Board.
Come up with some ideas in some other areas, and come up with some money to fund them. But right
now — I've come up with these ideas using professional staff, using the Overtown community as a
sounding board, which I will come back to. And I am not going to sit back and have everybody doing
what I know Willy Lynch taught to be done. Divide it, and conquer, and nothing is going to happen. As
long as this community gets divided, nothing will happen. The Overtown Redevelopment Area is a very,
very small area. It's only about eight blocks, from 8' Street to 14th Street. Everything north of 14th Street
is outside of the boundary. Everything to the west of 3rd Avenue is outside of the boundary. All the way
over to 12th Avenue is Overtown. And so, ladies and gentlemen, you've had your say. I'm going to have
my say. I'll meet with anyone on this issue. The redevelopment of Overtown is of number one
importance. But in the context of Park West/Overtown area, this is one redevelopment district. And I will
not play Overtown against Park West. I will not play Park West against Overtown, because at the end of
the day, the funds to fund the redevelopment of Overtown after the next five years are going to come from
Park West. And the moneys that are made and made available over this five years will fund the
redevelopment of Overtown for the next 25 years. And so, Mr. Chairman, I would call the question and
ask that we move on with the order of the day.
Commissioner Sanchez: Call the question.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. All in favor state if by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK, thank you.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved for its adoption:
MOTION NO. 00-581
A MOTION APPROVING THE ADMINISTRATION'S
RECOMMENDATION TO WITHDRAW ITS PRIOR REQUEST FOR A
TRANSFER OF $3,000,000 PREVIOUSLY APPROVED COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS FROM THE
HISTORIC 3RD AVENUE BUSINESS CORRIDOR TO COMPLETE
THE FIRST YEAR ANNUAL COMMITMENT OF FIVE-YEAR
FUNDING TO THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
(CRA).
74 7/11/00
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Sanchez, the motion was passed and adopted by the following
vote:
AYES: Commissioner Joe Sanchez
Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr.
Commissioner Johnny L. Winton
Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Tomas Regalado
NO'T'E FOR THE RECORD: Although absent during roll call, Commissioner Regalado requested
of the Clerk to be shown in agreement with the Motion.
75 7/11/00
6. (A) AUTHORIZE MANAGER TO SUBMIT GRANT APPLICATION AND PROPOSED
FISCAL YEAR 2000-2001 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN TO U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
URBAN DEVELOPMENT (USHUD) FOR PROPOSED USE ` OF FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM, HOME INVESTMENT
PARTNERSHIPS (HOME) PROGRAM, HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS
(HOPWA) PROGRAM AND EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT (ES'G) PROGRAM; ALLOCATE
$5,842,000 OF 26TH YEAR CDBG FUNDS AND $732;250 OF PROGRAM INCOME TO APPROVED
PUBLIC SERVICES, HOUSING° ADMINISTRATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AGENCIES.; ALLOCATE $6,858,000 OF 26TH YEAR CDBG FUNDS TO ELIGIBLE CITY
DIRECTED ACTIVITIES; DESIGNATE CATEGORIES OF FUNDING FOR $5,971,715 OF HOME
FUNDS; DESIGNATE CATEGORIES OF FUNDING ,FOR $10,139,000 OF HOPWA FUNDS;
ALLOCATE $451,000 OF ES'G FUNDS FOR ELIGIBLE ESG ACTIVITIES; AUTHORIZE $50,000 OF
25TH YEAR CDBG FUNDS FROM OVERTOWN OPTIMIST CLUB, INC. TO DEPARTMENT OF
PARKS AND RECREATION. (See #4)
(B) APPROVE ADMINISTRATION'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR• 26TH YEAR
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT .•(CDBG) FUNDS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE
CATEGORY; DIRECT RESERVE 'OF $30,000 TO PUBLIC SERVICE CATEGORY IN DISTRICT
NO. 5 BE SET ASIDE FOR HAITIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION, INC.; IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL
FUNDS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE AGENCIES WITHIN DISTRICT NO. 4.
(C) MANAGER TO REPORT BACK TO COMMISSION WITHIN 60 DAYS TO
DETERMINE AVAILABILITY OF ANY LETF (LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND), FUNDS TO
ASSIST AND PROVIDE SUPPORT TO ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS, INC.
(D) APPROVE ADMINISTRATION''S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 26TH YEAR
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS FOR ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT CATEGORY WITH AMENDMENTS; INCREASE SMALL, BUSINESS
OPPORTUNITY CENTER BY ADDITIONAL $10,000 EARMARK $25;000 TO.CITY'S PLANNING
DEPARTMENT, FROM LITTLE HAITI JOB CREATION PROJECT.
(E) INCREASE $50,000 TO MODEL HOUSING• COOPERATIVE FOR ITS LITTLE
HAVANA PROJECT FROM 26TH YEAR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS.
'(F) APPROVE ADMINISTRATION'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR .26TH YEAR
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS FOR HOUSING CATEGORY.
Vice Chairman Gort: Let's go back now. We need to make a decision now on the public services, the
recommendations by staff. I will now open the public hearing for those agencies who would like to
address us on the funding that is taking place. The persons that were denied funding, they've already
spoken. So now I will hear from anyone who would like to speak on public services funding requests.
Anyone? OK. We'll now close the public hearing. Comments by Board Members. Come up. No, no,
you need a mike. You need to be recorded. That's all right. No problem, no problem, take your time.
We've got budget afterwards. No problem.
Helena Del Monte: Helena Del Monte, Association for the Development of the Exceptional. And on
behalf of the 150 adults with disabilities that we serve, I would really like to thank all of the
Commissioners for their support and the Office of Community Development. Thank you very much.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Anyone else? OK. We'll close the public hearing. Questions.
76 1 7/11/00
® 0
Commissioner Regalado: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Regalado: On the question —
Commissioner Sanchez: We're on public services first.
Commissioner Regalado: On the question of the different groups that were not funded, I would like to ask
the Administration, Gwen, to find some money and set it apart in order to, look for ways of helping some
of those organizations. One idea that I think would work. There are many, many of these agencies that do
work that qualify within the rules of the Law Enforcement Trust Fund. And I think that we don't — we
don't wish for millions, but as we are now, stretched as we are with the money from CDBG (Community
Development Block Grant), if we can get fifty, sixty, seventy thousand dollars ($70,000), we can at least
start some agencies on their way to the process of next year. So that would be some ideas that I would ask
the Administration to consider.
Vice Chairman Gort: Mr. Manager, I'd like to add that Commissioner Regalado came up with a very
good idea. We have the Police Fund — what do you call those?
Gwendolyn Warren (Director, Community Development): Law
Enforcement Trust.
Vice Chairman Gort: The Law Enforcement Trust? Somehow, we need to bring these funding sources
together. And a lot of the funding that we're doing from CDBG, the programs that qualify, the good
programs, that way it gives us an opportunity to go ahead and be audited by all departments. And if we'd
be able to combine them, that way, we can really maximize on the funding that we have from the two
different sources.
Carlos Gimenez (City Manager): I agree with the process of it. What I've talked to the Police Chief about
was that we really need to just set aside whatever money we're going to take from LETF (Law
Enforcement Trust Fund) for these types of programs, and basically, we'd go through a similar
comparative process as CDBG.
Vice Chairman Gort: We have to comply with the guidelines and the criteria. I understand that. But a lot
of the people that go through CDBG — for.example, the Dominican — the ones that we did not recommend
funding through CDBG, which is the National — what's the name of the -- ?
Ms. Warren: It's the Dominican -American Foundation.
Vice Chairman Gort: The Dominican -American Foundation do qualify for that other type of funding.
OK. Thank you. Any other discussion? Do I have a motion to approve the staff recommendations?
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, Commissioner Teele.
77 7/11/00
Commissioner Teele: I would move that the staff recommendations be approved, except as it relates to
public service in District 5; that a reserve of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) be set aside for the Haitian -
American Organization. The funds may not be released until a satisfactory disposition or agreement has
been worked out with the IRS. The funds would be available to carry out public service activities broadly
in the Little Haiti area, and the funds will be generated by a reduction of four percent of the public service
activities in District 5. That would be four percent — I'm sorry — five percent at six hundred thousand
dollars ($600,000) is thirty thousand dollars ($30,000). I would move the balance of the recommendations
as requested by the staff.
Commissioner Winton: Second.
Vice Chairman Gort: There's a motion with an amendment and a second. Discussion.
Commissioner Regalado: Discussion. On the case of District 4, which, by the way, is under -funded --
again, I say that it is — I'm not requesting to set aside any amount. I'm just saying that we have a
legitimate organization in need in District 4. And we would like the Administration to try to look for
ways of at least starting the process for that organization, and that would be an amendment to the
amendment.
Vice Chairman Gort: Well, your amendment would have to — would require, in order to instruct staff, to
put a percentage to it, like Commissioner Teele did, or a number.
Commissioner Regalado: It does not need a percentage, because what I'm looking for is some money that
could be found probably within District 4 in order — it doesn't have to be a certain amount.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. All right. Gotcha. Does the maker of the motion accept the amendment,
second amendment?
Commissioner Teele: Yes, sir.
Vice Chairman Gort: Does the seconder of the motion accept?
Commissioner Winton: Yes.
Vice Chairman Gort: Any further discussion?
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Teele: I would also like the opportunity to ask by separate resolution that the Manager and
the Chief of Police determine the availability of funding through Law Enforcement Trust Fund for any
activities that Ms. Ayers is involved in, and to report back to us within 60 days, if there is availability and
a recommendation. In other words, we cannot direct him to do anything other than to just look at
something. So I'm not trying to direct money for them. I'm asking him to look at it.
78 7/11/00
Vice Chairman Gort: Any further discussion? Being none, all in favor -- Is this an ordinance or
resolution? Resolution. All in favor state it by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved for its adoption:
MOTION NO. 00-582
A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION'S
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 26TH YEAR COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS FOR THE
PUBLIC SERVICE CATEGORY; FURTHER DIRECTING THAT A
RESERVE OF $30,000 GENERATED BY A REDUCTION OF FIVE
PERCENT (5%) OF THE FUNDS ALLOCATED TO THE PUBLIC
SERVICE CATEGORY IN DISTRICT NO. 5 BE SET ASIDE FOR
HAITIAN -AMERICAN FOUNDATION, INC., TO CARRY OUT
PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES BROADLY IN THE LITTLE HAITI
AREA; FURTHER STIPULATING THAT SAID FUNDS MAY NOT
BE RELEASED UNTIL A SATISFACTORY DISPOSITION OR
AGREEMENT HAS BEEN WORKED OUT WITH THE INTERNAL
REVENUE SERVICE (IRS); FURTHER DIRECTING THE MANAGER
TO TRY TO IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR PUBLIC
SERVICE AGENCIES WITHIN DISTRICT NO. 4.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Winton, the motion was passed and adopted by the following
vote:
AYES: Commissioner Tomas Regalado
Commissioner Joe Sanchez
Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr.
Commissioner Johnny L. Winton
Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, I would move that the Manager report back within 60 days after
having met with Community Development and The Alternative Program to determine if there is any
interest in the law enforcement area of assisting in providing support for the very credible, very
outstanding work that Ms. Ayers does, provided that they—
Vice Chairman Gort: She qualifies.
79 7/11/00
Commissioner Teele: -- provided that there is an anti -nepotism rule as it relates to any City funds, as well
as board meetings, as required by staff. I would so move.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Is there a motion and a second?
Commissioner Winton: Second.
Vice Chairman Gort: Any further discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved for its adoption:
MOTION NO. 00-583
A MOTION DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO REPORT BACK
TO THE CITY COMMISSION WITHIN 60 DAYS AFTER HAVING
MET WITH DESIGNATED PERSONNEL IN THE DEPARTMENT OF
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND REPRESENTATIVE (S) OF
THE ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS, INC. TO DETERMINE
AVAILABILITY OF ANY LEFT FUNDS TO ASSIST AND PROVIDE
SUPPORT TO SAID AGENCY, SUBJECT TO INCLUSION OF AN
ANTI -NEPOTISM CLAUSE AS IT RELATES TO DISBURSEMENT
OF ANY CITY FUNDS.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Winton, the motion was passed and adopted by the following
vote:
AYES: Commissioner Tomas Regalado
Commissioner Joe Sanchez
Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr.
Commissioner Johnny L. Winton
Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Now we go into economic development.
Ms. Warren: Again, Commissioners, in the area of economic development — excuse me — we received a
total of proposals for three million, three thousand, four hundred and twenty-five ($3,003,425). We had
24 agencies apply. The same criteria regarding sufficiency was applied. The only two significant issues
that we would raise, again, that the recommendation to increase the funding level to Edgewater Economic
Development Corporation from the current level of fifty-four thousand to a hundred and four thousand,
and the Rafael Hernandez Economic Development Corporation from fifty thousand to a hundred thousand
80 7/11/00
be contingent upon their phase-out of their housing -related activities in the City of Miami. The criteria in
terms of those agencies that were funded mid -year, such as the Black Archives, staff is recommending that
they be extended the additional six months, which would take them through September 30th of the year
2000, and provide us with an — so that would be an increase — an award of forty thousand — so that, again,
we can get a sufficient track record. And the other recommendations are before you. And I would say
that ABDA (Allapattah Business Development Association) Business Development Corporation requested
a hundred and fifty thousand. Current funding level, a hundred and forty-two. Staff is recommending the
full amount of a hundred and fifty thousand. Black Archives' current funding level, first-year agency, is
eighty thousand. They requested a hundred and twenty-six thousand. We requested that they be given six
months of additional funding at forty thousand through September 30th of the year 2000 — 2001. Pierre
Toussaint requested a hundred and fifty. They're receiving a hundred and thirty. We're recommending a
hundred and thirty. Center for Haitian Studies, the RF -- are non-responsive for the RFP (Request for
Proposals), so no recommendation for funding. Coconut Grove LDC, again, the issues of the audit
question costs and monitoring findings. Commercial Fagade, which is a payment to businesses, we're
recommending the same level as this year, which is four hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($450,000) set
aside. I will remind you that staff did modify their recommendation so that Greater Miami Youth
Services, which won their appeal, that their fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) would come out of that four
hundred and fifty thousand. We anticipate being able to manage both programs. The Communities
United is a new organization that made a request. They propose to do a charrette in the Edison/Little
River area. We are referring that to the Planning'Department, which is funded for those related activities.
Dominican -American Foundation, again, they didn't meet the RFP requirements. Miami Downtown
Partnership, we're recommending the funding of their facade program. Their marketing program was not
recommended for funding, because of limited funds available. But we are recommending that they keep
their facade program at a hundred and twenty-two thousand, seven hundred and fifty. Again, economic
development is — Edgewater is contingent upon the phase-out of housing. Haitian -American Foundation,
again, the same issues with the audit. Latin Chamber of Commerce, current funding level is a hundred
and fifty thousand. They requested two hundred thousand. We're recommending the two hundred
thousand. Little Haiti Gateway, which is a project, they requested a hundred and twenty-five thousand.
They were non-responsive to the RFP, so we're not recommending funding. Little Haiti Job Creation
Project, this is the third year of your five-year funding commitment for that project in the Little Haiti
community. So we're requesting that we reserve those funds. Little Haiti Development Authority is
currently funded at a hundred and twenty-nine thousand. They requested a hundred and fifty thousand.
They did not meet the RFP requirements. We also have two agencies that are providing similar activities
in the area. We're not recommending them for funding.
Vice Chairman Gort: Excuse me. You said Little Havana Activity — I mean Little Havana Development.
Ms. Warren: Development Authority. I said the wrong name?
Vice Chairman Gort: You said "Little Haiti."
Ms. Warren: OK. Little Havana Development Authority. We're recommending no funding. Martin
Luther King Economic Development, zero funding as a result of defaulted loan. Neighbors and Neighbors
Association, again, the same criteria. They were funded mid -year. We're recommending six months to
complete the year, which would be forty thousand, and that's half of the current year allocation. They're a
new agency. Partners for Self -Employment, the same criteria. New agency, funded mid -year,
81 7/11/00
recommending six-month extension. Rafael Hernandez, again, the recommendation is subject to the
phase-out of housing activities. Recruitment and Training, we're recommending — they requested a
hundred and seventy-five thousand. They currently receive five thousand. Their proposal was not
competitive to other proposals in that district. We're recommending no money. Small Business
Development Center, current funding level is a hundred and seventy-four thousand, two fifty. They
requested two hundred and fifty thousand. We're recommending the two hundred and fifty thousand.
They're doing, again, both the fourth and third district and anticipating they would absorb the activities of
Little Havana Development Authority. Tacolcy Economic Development Authority — Development
Corporation has requested sixty thousand dollars ($60,000). We're recommending the sixty thousand
dollars ($60,000). The recommendation is to do business development and fagade activities on Seventh
Avenue. Work America requested a hundred and three thousand. We — again, non-responsive to the RFP.
Little Havana Activities and Nutrition had a capital improvement request in for four hundred thousand
dollars ($400,000). We're recommending no funding at this time, due to limitations in funds, et cetera.
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Teele: I would move the staff recommendations.
Commissioner Winton: Second.
Ms. Warren: I may — may I add one more thing? In the past, the City Commission, for economic
development agencies, had provided a base funding level, and then based on performance, you have, at the
end of the year, provided them an incentive bonus. This recommendation alleviates the incentive
program. It makes the project even. We will do the — the performance will be based on the contracts, and
there will be no awards bump at the end, which is also, again, trying to leverage out the program, given
that each area's economic development needs are unique to that area. And when you provide the bonus
based on number of businesses served, it has made an inequity, because obviously, fagades are solely
generated by the number of businesses, and there are other performance standards that we're inserting. So
this assumes that their full level of recommendation is based on their base, plus the bonuses they received
last year. We'll have performance standards. We'll' make recommendations next year based on
performance, as we've done this year. But this does eliminate the bonus award system. It's performance
only.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Question. The capital improvements, that comes under economic
development? I thought we had —
Ms. Warren: Capital improvement was not an area that was out to bid. They submitted a proposal. It is a
needed project, but there's no moneys available at this time for this project.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Thank you. OK. There's a motion and there's a second. Under discussion.
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: Moving it over to the public.
82 7/11/00
Commissioner Teele: Public hearing?
Vice Chairman Gort: Public hearing. Anyone in the public that would like to address the Commission,
you're welcome to do so. You have three minutes.
Elisa Juara: Good evening. Thank you so much, Vice Mayor. I don't remember. Well, I'm here because
we put —
Vice Chairman Gort: Name and address.
Ms. Juara: I'm sorry. Elisa Juara. I'm representing Little Havana Activities and Nutrition Center, 700
Southwest Eighth Street. Yes, we asked for capital improvement to buy the parking lot at Malaga in order
to expand the services at the Little Havana Activities and Nutrition Center, the Rainbow Child Daycare
and the Adult Daycare. Also, we need additional parking for the One Stop Center, a training and job
placement program which targets low-income individuals, refugees and the homeless. We also are funded
by the City of Miami for our "Pro Salud", and we have a contract with the Department of Health, Office
of the Refugee Health. And this has increased the amount of parking we need. So we know we have not
been funded. We know there's not enough funding, but if you can do anything about it, we'd really
appreciate it. Thank you so much.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am. Anyone else? Anyone else to address the Commission? Thank
you. We'll now close the public hearing. Commissioner Regalado.
Commissioner Regalado: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On the economic development funding requests, I'd
like to commend staff and the Administration for what they've done. I think that they have mirrored the
City of Miami. However, there is one issue that — a question that I have. The Little Havana Development
Authority will not be funded. I guess that the Small Business Opportunity will be taking some of the
responsibilities. They might. They could do that.
Ms. Warren: As well as CAMACOL.
Commissioner Regalado: Right. The funding — and this agency is — every day has a bigger task in
District 4, and this is because of what the Commission did in order to help the people west of 27th Avenue,
especially the merchants of Southwest Eighth Street. So I still think that they would be a little short, in
order to take on the responsibility that the other agency that has not been funded was doing. So I would
try to amend the funding recommendations from two fifty to two sixty. Do we have the — do I need a
motion to do that?
Ms. Warren: Again, all of the agencies are eligible. We anticipated that with the increase of fifty
thousand to the Latin Chamber, as well as the additional seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) to Small
Business Development. But in terms of money, it would have to be taken from another program.
Vice Chairman Gort: In other words, if you want to allocate any funds, you'd have to take it from —
Commissioner Regalado: I know, I know.
83 7/11/00
Vice Chairman Gort: OK.
Commissioner Regalado: We can take it from the fagade, the City Fagade Program, can't we, this half a
million? Actually, they do the same.
Ms. Warren: It's four hundred thousand now.
Commissioner Regalado: Well, they do the same.
Ms. Warren: All of the agencies that are doing facades draw from that pool of money. That's the
reimbursements to the businesses. And again, you've reduced it by fifty thousand, so it's four hundred
thousand. But, yes, you could take it from that pot if the Commission desires.
Commissioner Winton: Well, but the problem with that is that then we move it, out of the pot that goes to
one organization. Then we've got to open up everybody to — wanting to talk about how they get a piece of
that pie, Commissioner Regalado. That's the problem there.
Commissioner Regalado: Yeah, but my concern is that one agency was not funded. And so that agency
can or has to take on the responsibility of that same agency. That's my concern. It is serving the
community.
Ms. Warren: Commissioner.
Vice Chairman Gort: Commissioner, my understanding from conversations they had with me, they want
it that way. And the other agency, they said they could take over the functions.
Commissioner Regalado: That's what I'm saying, but I'm doing the numbers here.
Vice Chairman Gort: No, no, they told me they could do it. They're the ones that requested it.
Commissioner Regalado: Then I'm doing the numbers. Yes, Gwen.
Ms. Warren: Dan basically made.a recommendation that if it was the Commission's desire for the ten that
when we close out the books, we can look at it at that time.
Commissioner Regalado: OK.
Ms. Warren: It's economic development would be — but again, staff's recommendation, based on the
agencies involved is that they could perform the tasks.
Commissioner Regalado: OK. Then I would like an amendment to the motion that when you close the
books, if you find the ten thousand additional dollars, you move it to that account.
Ms. Warren: We will bring it back.
84 7/11/00
0
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. Any further discussion? Any further discussion?
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Teele: Number 19, the Rafael Hernandez , Economic Development, I know that
Commissioner — that's in Commissioner Gort's district, isn't it?
Ms. Warren: It is in Commissioner Winton's district, as well as your district.
Commissioner Teele: That's Wynwood?
Ms. Warren: Yes, sir.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Teele: OK. I guess one of my concerns was to insure that Wynwood activities did not
.really slip between the cracks.. And I think —
Vice Chairman Gort: It's part of your district, too.
Commissioner Teele: It is. I know it. And one of the problems has been that we need, you know,
Commissioner Winton and I, I guess, need to coordinate a little bit better as to how we're — because
there's always been this concern that Wynwood does not get sufficient attention. And I just wanted to
make sure that the Wynwood activity was covered. The other issue, I guess Commissioner Regalado just
said it. Mr. Manager, I want to, I guess —.again, I think you all have done an outstanding job with the time
constraints of trying to rationalize this. One of my concerns — and not to be picky, but the facade program
in Model City, which is, as I said repeatedly, is 55 percent of the district that I represent. Overtown, by
the way, is about four percent of the voters of my district, to keep this in context. I have more voters in
Wynwood than in Overtown — just doesn't have a fagade program. We have got a fagade program, I
know, in Little Haiti, through the Catholic — Toussaint. And that bothers me. But what we had done
before was we had made some dispensation. And at some point, I'd like to talk to you about that. I guess
the thing that continues to bother me is this whole issue of the Haitian Foundation and the Little Haiti
community. Dade Community United has an outstanding program. What I would like to do, in that the
Management is administering under the agreement the Little Haiti Jobs Creation Program —
Ms. Warren: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Teele: -- is that I would like to earmark at least twenty-five thousand of those dollars to the
City Planning Department for the purpose of planning activities in Little Haiti, as opposed to giving it to
the Dade Community-- Dade United, and they can work with Dade United. But one of the problems, you
know, that I've always said is I don't think we do a good enough job of taking care of our City
departments. So rather than asking the City Planning Department to do that as an additional duty, I would
like to at least give them the dollars by reducing that in that manner. And so I would seek to amend the
recommendations by providing or earmarking twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) from the Little Haiti
85 7/11/00
Creation Project, which is under the Management at this point, anyway. It's under a different department
-- I guess economic development — to the Planning Department to be coordinated with Dade United and
the neighborhoods in that area to have a really good planning process. And I think that should meet
everyone's approval.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. Would the maker of the motion accept the amendment?
Commissioner Teele: I was the maker. Yes, sir.
Vice Chairman Gort: You will accept it.
Commissioner Winton: Second.
Vice Chairman Gort: And the seconder will accept it. OK. Any further discussion? Any further
discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved for its adoption:
MOTION NO. 00-584
A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION'S
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 26TH YEAR COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS FOR ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT CATEGORY, WITH THE FOLLOWING
AMENDMENTS:
1. INCREASE SMALL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
CENTER BY ADDITIONAL $10,000, IF FUNDS ARE
AVAILABLE, AFTER CDBG FUNDS ARE CLOSED;
2. EARMARKING $25,000 TO THE CITY'S PLANNING
DEPARTMENT TO BE TAKEN FROM THE LITTLE
HAITI JOB CREATION PROJECT, TO PLAN
ACTIVITIES IN LITTLE HAITI TO BE COORDINATED
WITH DADE UNITED AND OTHER AFFECTED
NEIGHBORHOODS IN THAT AREA.
86 7/11/00
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Winton, the motion was passed and adopted by the following
vote:
AYES: Commissioner Tomas Regalado
Commissioner Joe Sanchez
Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr.
Commissioner Johnny L.Winton
Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
Vice Chairman Gort: Housing.
Ms. Warren: Again, Commissioners, the — under our housing category, we received a total of fourteen
million, four hundred and eighteen thousand, sixty-one dollars ($14,418,061) worth of requests from
housing agencies. That figure does, in fact, include both housing administration and brick and mortar.
Under the housing administration, three million, seven hundred one thousand, two hundred and four
dollars and twenty-six cents ($3,701,204.26) was requested for housing administration. The rest of the
applications are under your brick and mortar program. Again, your four million, eight hundred and
eighty-one thousand dollars ($4,881,000) of Home moneys that were slated under the area of brick and
mortar are going to your Housing Finance Committee. Those moneys primarily are being awarded under
the categories of the Model City Homeownership Zone. You've allocated a million -five. Under a
previous Commission ordinance, we set aside two hundred and sixty-two thousand dollars ($262,000) for
a funding commitment for a homeowner pre -qualification program to the CRA (Community
Redevelopment Authority). The balance of the moneys, again, have been put out for new construction,
brick and mortar projects consistent with Commission recommendations. Seventy-five percent of those
dollars for construction have been allocated for homeownership, twenty-five percent for rental. Those
proposals, again, will be going to the Lending Committee within the next 30 to 60 days. The balance of
the funds, you have staff recommendations. Again, just to discuss our policy. Once again, there are two
organizations. Florida Housing Cooperative, which has been recommended for no funding, based on
performance over the last seven years. Model Housing Cooperative additionally has been recommended
no funding, based on performance. Both Rafael Hernandez and Edgewater Economic Development
Corporation have been recommended for fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) to phase down their housing
activities as a result of performance and also --
Commissioner Winton: Phase out.
Ms. Warren: Phase out their housing activities as a result of performance. And two organizations, both
St. John CDC (Community Development Corporation) and Word of Life are recommended for
probationary status, which would do two things: It would provide them with additional technical
assistance. We currently fund Greater Miami Housing to do technical assistance, so they would be a
priority candidate under that contract, plus additional staff support. And also, it's a manner of giving
notice for performance. Those are staff recommendations. The other issue, just to go through and
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summarize. We have received a total of 23 proposals. Acorn Housing Corporation requested seventy-five
thousand. They did not meet the RFP requirements, as we indicated during the beginning of the
presentation. ABDA Business Development Authority requested fifty thousand. We're recommending
fifty thousand. BAME (Bethel African Methodist Episcopal) Development Corporation requested fifty
thousand, one hundred and forty-three. We're making the full recommendation of that amount. Carr Four
requested fifty thousand. They were deemed non-responsive to the RFP. Catholic Charities New Life
Family Center were non-responsive. We referred them to the Homeless Trust. Coconut Grove LDC
(Local Development Corporation), for the previous reasons stated was not recommended for funding.
CODEC Economic Housing Organization was recommended — I'm sorry, let me get that. They are
currently funded at a hundred and fifty thousand. They requested two hundred and twenty-five. We're
recommending the full amount. East Little Havana, East Little Havana Community Development
Corporation, currently funded at four hundred fifty thousand. We're recommending two hundred and
twenty-five thousand. Again, that recommendation is consistent with the number of houses being
developed. They are currently developing 125 houses. We have organizations that are developing 250
houses. Again, we're making the — bringing the balance there. So we're bringing them down to the level
of funding for the other organizations. Last year, the Commission, as a result of their decrease in funding
from the County, as well as some anticipated housing projects; we did provide an additional increase, a
significant increase. And again, due to limited funds and the number of houses under development this
year that it's consistent with the recommendations for every other agency. Again, they're making —
they're doing 125 and the recommendation is consistent with that level. Edgewater Economic
Development Corporation again recommended for phase-out. So Little — Florida Housing Corporation, no
recommendation. Greater Miami Housing — just one second so I can be consistent with this. It's easier to
use this sheet. Greater Miami Neighborhoods, just to give you the information, they're developing
currently 200 homes. They currently receive a hundred and fourteen thousand. They requested a hundred
eighty-six thousand. We're recommending the full amount. Habitat for Humanity, developing 20 homes
this year. They currently receive seventy-five thousand. They requested a hundred and forty. We're
recommending seventy-five thousand. Jubilee Community Development Corporation is building 131
homes. They currently receive fifty-one thousand. They asked for eighty-six. We're recommending the
full amount. Little Haiti Housing Association is building 73 homes. They currently receive fifty
thousand. They requested a hundred and ninety-nine thousand. We're recommending a hundred
thousand. Rafael Hernandez Housing and Economic Development is building five homes. They received
fifty thousand. We're recommending phase out. St. John Community Development Corporation is
building 28 homes. They receive fifty thousand. We're recommending — they requested a hundred
thousand. We're again recommending fifty thousand. And because — ask that they be placed on
probation. Word of Life is currently doing two homes. They receive sixty thousand. They requested a
hundred and nineteen. We're recommending fifty, and again, with the technical assistance and probation.
And just to go back, ABDA' is building 21 homes. They've requested fifty thousand. We're
recommending the fifty. BAME has 266 homes or units that are going up. They requested — they receive
fifty. They requested fifty thousand, one hundred and forty-three. We're recommending that amount.
CODEC, for 246 homes, they're requesting two hundred and twenty-five. We're recommending the two
twenty-five. And East Little Havana is building 125 homes. They get four hundred and forty. We're
recommending two twenty-five.
Vice Chairman Gort: I have a question. My understanding is you're allocating the funds for the housing
according to performance.
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Ms. Warren: No, we were not —
Vice Chairman Gort: According to the apartments and the —
Ms. Warren: Number of units under construction.
Vice Chairman Gort: Number of units under construction. If any of these that you've under -funded or
you cut the funding, they come out with more construction towards the end of the year —
Ms. Warren: We would bring that back to the Commission.
Vice Chairman Gort: -- you will bring back to the level. OK. Thank you.
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Teele: I move the staff's recommendations.
Commissioner Winton: Second.
Vice Chairman Gort: There's a motion. Is there a second?
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, I want to pay particular note of the fact that the staff is
recommending two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars ($225,000) to CODEC, two hundred and
twenty-five thousand dollars ($225,000) to the East Little Havana Community Corporation. And I'm not
going to include Greater Miami Neighborhoods, which is really doing a lot of technical assistance to other
organizations. But a hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) to Little Haiti Housing. And certainly, there
are three organizations that have really worked and hustled to do a good job, I mean. And, you know, I
don't know CODEC and East Little Havana personally, but I do know the work they're doing, as well as
Little Haiti. And I think it really does send the signal that performance is being rewarded. I am very
interested in getting the details of these units that you all have recommended. For example, is the BAME
Development —
Vice Chairman Gort: Commissioner, can I interject for a minute? I need to ask a question of our
Attorneys. At one of the meetings of the CRA, I think I had a conflict of interest because of Greater
Miami Neighborhood Association. This is part of the applications that are here. Do we make two
separate motions, eliminating one with the Greater — where I would have a conflict?
Commissioner Teele: I'd be happy to move — I think in the efforts of caution, I would be happy to move
the one excluding Greater Miami Neighborhoods at this point.
Vice Chairman Gort: Would that be all right?
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C
Alejandro Vilarello (City Attorney):
recommendation. Certainly, the
Neighborhoods. But —
•
I'd like to address the issue of a conflict or not before I give that
motion would be in order to move it without Greater Miami
Commissioner Sanchez: Excluding it.
Commissioner Teele: But then you can research the conflict issue. There's no conflict here, no harm's
done.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK?
Commissioner Regalado: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: We can do it that way then?
Commissioner Teele: Yeah.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK.
Commissioner Regalado: Mr. Chairman, before we vote on —
Commissioner Teele: We've got to hear from the public.
Commissioner Regalado: Right. But before we vote, I'd like to include something in the amendment. So
Vice Chairman Gort: I'm sorry. I interrupted Commissioner Teele. Let Commissioner Teele finish and
then you can speak.
Commissioner Teele: No, I mean, I don't have anything, other than to say that it seems to me that you all
are laboring to try to do this on a merit basis. And at the same time, I think we've got to make sure the
development moves in all aspects of the community. I won't say — I do think — I was distressed,
Commissioner Winton, to read in the newspaper that story in Coconut Grove involving a development
corporation. But I — and I don't represent, and I will not interfere, but I want you to know that I do believe
that Coconut Grove has had a very difficult West Grove part, and I'm a little bit distressed to some extent
that we have not figured out a way to do that. And I would hope that Greater Miami Neighborhoods, as a
part of their tasks would be given a specific task of working with the Commissioner from that district to
see how we can support housing activities in West Grove, if Commissioner Winton would accept that as a
Commissioner Winton: Absolutely. And Mr. Chairman —
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Winton: I would like to make a point about the distribution of dollars here, and how this
seems to be playing out to me. And it seems to me that there's a signal being sent here, frankly, that I'm
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in support of and that I think Commissioner Teele made an interesting point of just now, and that is that
we are rewarding here, clearly based on performance. We also — and I think that's good, because we get a
bigger bang for the buck. When people are developing five houses a year, there is no economy of scale.
You do 5,000 -- you get fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) to build five homes, that's ten thousand dollars
($10,000) a home. That's cost. That's not very efficient. When you look at the three, or four or five that
Commissioner Teele identified there, their cost per unit ranged from a low of six hundred and fifty-eight
per unit to a high of eighteen hundred per unit. Still all pretty good ratios there. And so it makes a lot of
sense for us to focus more dollars on those organizations doing a really good job. We do, however, have
to make absolutely sure that those organizations are capable of building not just in their back yard. We
really — this is a Citywide effort, if we're going to win this war on housing. And so we need to make sure
that those really good housing development groups can develop housing not only in their own immediate
neighborhoods, but in surrounding neighborhoods, as well, so that we can gain those economies a scale
and continue to spread the wealth, if you will. And I think they all need to pay particular attention to —
Commissioner Teele and I have talked about this a number of times. The building trades unions in our
community I think have done a terrible job at recruiting people into the building trade, minority citizens
from the City of Miami and Miami -Dade County. And there's an opportunity for the developers of
housing in our City to, in fact, recruit young people that would like to learn the building trades and get
them into your organizations on the, construction side so that they can do some of their apprenticeship
work, if you will, in getting housing built. And it's a great way to get them going. So I hope that these
organizations are paying attention to that as well. So end of my comment.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you. What I'd like to do now, if there isn't any other comments from the
board members, I'd like to open it to —
Commissioner Sanchez: Well, I have a concern that I want to bring out.
Vice Chairman Gort: Go ahead.
Commissioner Sanchez: And it's concerning the East Little Havana Community Development
Corporation. I have a big concern with their funding. I hear that their administrative operational cost is
close to six hundred and twenty thousand dollars ($620,000). They do have a major project underway in
Little Havana, the Little Havana Quality Center. The Little Havana Activity — what is it called? The
Little Havana Specialty Center.
Anita Rodriguez-Tejera: Latin Quarter Specialty Center.
Commissioner Sanchez: Latin Quarter Specialty Center. And we just wanted to know exactly where
we're at on that, and would that have an effect on your project, the funding.
Ms. Rodriguez-Tejera: My name is Anita Rodriguez for the record. I'm the Executive Director for the
East Little Havana CDC.
Vice Chairman Gort: Anita, Anita, wait a minute. Are there any further comments from the
Commissioners?
Commissioner Sanchez: No. Just —
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Vice Chairman Gort: OK. I'll now open the public hearing. Yes, ma'am, go ahead.
Ms. Rodriguez-Tejera: I'm answering his question. Certainly, the funding will affect our ability to
proceed on projects. We have two major projects. Latin Quarter Specialty Center that is about to start
construction. We've cleared most of ...or actually all of our issues with the Building Department.
Vice Chairman Gort: Anita, Anita, let me interrupt again. This is a technical question again. Mr.
Attorney, I'm a member of the Board of Directors of this organization. I don't get paid. I don't get any
benefits. Would I have a conflict if I vote on this one?
Ilene Temchin (Assistant City Attorney): You should not vote on this.
Vice Chairman Gort: I'm sorry?
Ms. Temchin: You should not vote on this, Commissioner.
Vice Chairman Gort: Should not?
Ms. Temchin: Right.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. We have to amend the motion and pull this one out, also.
Commissioner Regalado: Excuse me?
Commissioner Sanchez: There is a conflict of interest on your behalf.
Vice Chairman Gort: Doing a conflict. I'm on the Board of Directors, although I don't receive any
benefits.
Mr. Vilarello: Is that East Little Havana?
Vice Chairman Gort: Yeah.
Mr. Vilarello: I understand you're a volunteer. Do you receive any reimbursement of costs mccurred?
Vice Chairman Gort: No. It cost me money.
Mr. Vilarello: OK. As a volunteer member of that Board of Directors, you do not have a conflict.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you.
Ms. Rodriguez-Tejera: Thank you. That's the same opinion we had heard a few years ago.
(INAUDIBLE COMMENT NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECORD)
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Ms. Rodriguez-Tejera: Thank you. Currently, the organization submitted applications for a scope of
work that included the development of a Casa Grande Phase II, 80 -unit development that includes 80 units
of housing. But it also includes a commercial development included within that, as well.
Commissioner Winton: How much commercial development did you say? I'm sorry. How much
commercial?
Ms. Rodriguez-Tej era: That commercial space for the Casa Grande Phase II is 5,000 square feet. Latin
Quarter Specialty Center is the other development that is about to commence construction, and it's 45
units, with a multi-level parking structure, and a commercial component of approximately 15,000 square
feet.
Commissioner Sanchez: And when would it start the construction? Because, I mean, we've been — I've
been here two years, and we've been waiting for two years.
Ms. Rodriguez-Tejera: I know. We've been — we've been going back and forth. We've cleared all of our
pending issues with the Department of Community Development in terms of a contract, and the Building
Department has provided all the most critical approvals for being able to pull the building permit. So to
answer your question, we're looking at a 30- to 45 -day time frame to be able to begin. But we're very
close. So in those two developments alone, we're talking about housing, but also two commercial
developments that are included in there that — so when staff is recommending based on housing units
alone, it kind of undermines a little bit the totality of what we do. Also, we're involved with three
developments that are in the final stages in which we're closing units. And also, we commenced a phase
of training in condominium management for the homeowners, so that they become self-sufficient. It's a
very critical component of our development, so that the condominiums are well-maintained long term.
Those three components were not recognized as part of the programs that we have underway. And we
also have a homeownership -training program for future homebuyers. So in essence, we're fairly busy.
We have a ten -person staff, all of which I need on board in order to undertake the two new major
developments, as well as complete the last phases of the developments that have already been constructed.
What we're asking of you is to consider providing us the same level of -funding as last year, never mind
salary increases or staff. We'll go without that as long as we can maintain the staff that we currently have
in place with last year's funding. And also, one last item. I know I think my time seems to be up, but I
think, and I haven't heard in the recommendations for funding any differential between homeownership
projects and rental projects. For me, it's not the same to develop a tax credit or a Section 202
development of 150 units versus a homeownership development. There is no long-term proceeds or
revenues to maintain the organization, as you would have on rental projects. So I think the complexity of
homeownership projects needs to be taken into account when making recommendations. Thank you for
your time.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am.
Ms. Rodriguez-Tejera: One last thought. If not enough CDBG funds are available; if you would consider
some of the CHDO (Community Housing Development Organization) funding that is available under the
Home (Home Investment Partnership) Program would serve us just as well as CDBG, but we really need
to keep staff in place. Thank you.
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Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you.
Commissioner Sanchez: Gwendolyn, what can they do? I hate to jeopardize both of these major projects
that we've all been anxiously anticipating. The Latin Quarter Special Center, which is a 45 -unit
condominium, and the Casa Grande Phase II, what can they do to seek additional funding, whichever way
that could be? Maybe through the Community Housing Development Organization Program or any other
program that you may be directed to sit down with them. Because, you know, these are two major
projects that we — they're on their way. I think everyone is anticipating these projects in the district. I
think one of them is in my district and the other one — both of them are in my district. So, you know, see
what we could do. Maybe direct her to sit down with you and find funding. Because, I mean, the
argument here is these two major projects are underway. One starts in a couple of months. So, you know,
maybe we can work something out. Maybe direct the City Manager to sit down with your staff and her,
and find funding for her.
Ms. Warren: Staff would be more than willing to sit down. Just a letter of — For the record, we did
consider the excellent job, the fact that they have two projects that are starting. That's why you will see
that although CODEC is doing 240 units and East Little Havana is doing 125, we recommended funding
equally, because we do know that they're starting up. They do have a shortfall. But the number of units
that they're doing is approximately 100 less. And that is why we said, because we know they're closing
out some projects and administrative shortfalls that we recommended them at the same level. At the same
time, I think that staff, because of the nature of the projects, would be more than willing to sit down and
see what we could bring back to you.
Commissioner Sanchez: OK, thank you.
Vice Chairman Gort: Next. Mr. Cruz, go ahead, sir.
Mariano Cruz: I'm going to speak a little bit about housing.
Vice Chairman Gort: Go ahead.
Mr. Cruz: Yes, sir. Mariano Cruz, 1227 NW 26th Street. The things I'm going to say about housing is the
way they've been impacting in my neighborhood. I'm going to refer specifically to the Bobby Maduro
Miami Stadium. In February, the Commission approved moneys, and changed the zoning and everything
for housing there for Zuzi (phonetic) Realty. And they were supposed to give it some money, too. And
you go there. We are in July 11, 2000. Still, there's nothing there. I have to call Zuzi (phonetic) Realty
the other day to clean the lot there and keep the place nice. Because decisions are made here, and people,
they don't go there to the neighborhood to see what's going on, you know. It really bothers me when they
do that to the stadium. So much talking, and so much — even like I said that day, the item was supposed to
be tabled. Still, I came, because I don't do like these lobbyists. I come here all day long. I got to ask for
a revised schedule to be here today. It's not easy for me to be here. But that day, something was done fast
in the morning on the moneys. And then also in the afternoon, they even brought — now the other day, I
found out he's a lobbyist for the City — Ron Book. I think there is some kind of conflict there. A lobbyist
from the City is a lobbyist from — somebody asking for changes here and moneys in here. I don't know.
It looks like Cesar's wife. You only don't have to be honest, but look honest. I don't think that's — really.
And he's the lobbyist in Tallahassee. And I can't even find him; because I can't write how much money
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he paid for political campaign. But go there to the Miami stadium, all the housing that was supposed to be
built there, and see what's going on there. Come out from the ivory towers. I know Willy goes by 12th
Avenue instead of going by 10th Avenue. Go around.
Vice Chairman Gort: Mr. Cruz, Mr. Cruz, let's set the record straight so people will understand. Those
people paid two million dollars ($2,000,000), two point something for that lot. Those people, we were
told we would give them seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($750,000) if they would bring
financing for twelve million dollars ($12,000,000). In other words the money — and we would not give the
money unless they bring the —
Mr. Cruz: Yeah, but —
Vice Chairman Gort: Excuse me — unless — I let you speak.
Mr. Cruz: OK.
Vice Chairman Gort: -- unless they get the revolving funding for the whole project which would benefit
that area. At the same time, we got them to put the fences up. Unfortunately, you know, the
neighborhood just as good as I do. The fence has been knocked down two or three times. They put it
back up again. Our staff is after them constantly for them to maintain that place clean, which you and I
know is not an easy place to maintain clean because of all the problems we've had in the past. But I just
wanted to state that that money would not be given unless they come up with the full financing for the
project.
Mr. Cruz: I don't think the same situation would happen in Coconut Grove that we .allow to others to
happen.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. Next.
Roberto Godoy: Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Commissioners. My name is Robert Godoy, Executive
Director of Model House Cooperative, 782 NW LeJeune Road, Suite 3, Miami, Florida. We just received
the fax that we were not recommended just last Friday afternoon. Very inconvenient, very late. The
certified letter we just received yesterday. Previously, it was stated by Ms. Warren the following: That
we received financial assistance for six years. That is incorrect. This is only our second year that we
received for administration. Only this is the second year, not the sixth year. That we did not complete the
project, that is incorrect. We complete the projected located at 1262 Northwest Fifth Street in which the
former tenants are now cooperative owners. Commissioner Regalado and Mr. Fulgueira, assistant to
Commissioner Sanchez and Miami -Dade County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro were the honored guests
when we opened that building, and the former tenants become co-owner. The reason that Miami Dade -
County did not complete yet the closing for the acquisition of the property for Villa Dr. Godoy, located on
West Flagler Street and 15th Avenue for 32 condominium cooperative apartments was a dispute between
the Office of Community Economic Development of the County and the Miami -Dade County Housing --
Housing. Finally, on July 10th, yesterday, we were informed and it was decided by the Miami -Dade
County to complete the closing using the funds for the acquisition of the land. They are urging the City of
Miami to support this project in the CDBG or HOME funding allocation. All you Commissioners I gave a
copy of the letter of Mr. Tony Crapp. Model House Cooperative, Inc. made two applications. One for
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CDBG for administration, and another for HOME for new construction. But Model House Cooperative,
Inc. was not recommended, because the closing was not completed. Now Dade County say yes, they're
going to do the closing. We need to get support from the City of Miami in order that Miami -Dade County
continues helping and Model House can build — one second only more — the 32 apartment buildings for
the benefit of 32 new owners working — needy families. We have received and we have for the
construction three hundred and eleven thousand from HAFTA (phonetic). We have one hundred and fifty
from HOME. All this is the County. But we have half a million dollars from HOME from the County,
too. And we are requesting now from the County another three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) and
two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for the construction. This is not for administration. The amount
that I gave to you is not for administration. It's for the construction to help 32 families. Ms. Warren, we
finished one project in 1262 Northwest Fifth Street. And we are receiving help, and this is the second
year, not sixth year. I'm sorry to give you — I don't know who gave you that information, but that
information is incorrect. This is only our second year, not the sixty year. And we completed one
program. Mr. Regalado went there. The assistant of Sanchez was there, too, when we did the project.
Thank you.
Commissioner Winton: When did you finish that project, and how many units was it?
Mr. Godoy: OK. This project, there are people that there were tenants, and now, those people, with the
assistance of Dade County, Dade County was the one that paid for — excuse me — for the surtax. This
building, they just became the owners in 1997.
Commissioner Winton: You finished it in 1997?
Mr. Godoy: 1997. But —
Commissioner Winton: And how many units is it?
Mr. Godoy: There are six units.
Commissioner Winton: Six?
Mr. Godoy: Six units. And right now, we are doing for 32. Now —
Commissioner Winton: How many? Thirty-two?
Mr. Godoy: Thirty-two. Let me explain to you, Commissioner, these people, they were — it's the first
time that they are owners. Right now, we are not receiving any money from the County or from the City.
But we continue administrating that building, because we are teaching these people, you know. Every,
every week, we go there and we — in the month to teach them how to become owners, because they are
now cooperative owners. That mean we continue paying the bill, everything for them, and we are not
receiving any money from the City or the County. But because the City put the money and the County put
the money, we are protecting, you know, the County and the City. Let me -- The last thing about this
project, the project Dr. Villa Godoy — not for me, for my late — for my late father. Was delayed, too,
because the original price, when I become Executive Director, was half a million dollars. They have
already contracted for less amount. I went, I fight to save the money to the County and to the City.
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® 0
Instead of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), the price is three hundred and fifty thousand dollars
($350,000). That means it's a savings of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). That's what
caused, too, the delay.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, Dr. Godoy. Appreciate it. Next.
Commissioner Regalado: On this case, Gwen, last year, you used some of the funds of CHDG
(Community Housing Development Organizations) (sic) for administration, provided that you or that the
agency would make an economic development request, and I think that they have done that. They have
the site plan already. So how can we fund them now that they have complied with everything that the
department requested?
Ms. Warren: Again, Commissioner, the recommendation is before the Commission. Staff has reviewed
our financial records. It is for four years. It is two hundred sixty thousand dollars ($260,000). The
housing, apparently — we're not saying that they didn't build some houses in '97. But for the last four
years, we know what our awards have been. The recommendation is to the Commission, and we'll pretty
much rest, sir. And they're an eligible organization, and it would be up to the Commission at this point.
Commissioner Regalado: So — but I'm talking about the funds. Where can we get the funds to fund the
administration for this new project that they are undertaking?
Ms. Warren: You would have to reduce it from one of the other housing agencies.
Commissioner Regalado: Why can we not take it from the seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000)?
Ms. Warren: The CHDO moneys are out for — they have been out for bid.
Commissioner Regalado: Community Housing Development Organization Program.
Ms. Warren: Again, the Commission directedthat we put the balance of the Home moneys out for bid.
There are CHDO's (Community Housing Development Organizations), including Model Housing, East
Little Havana, CODEC, Jubilee. All of your housing agencies have bid for those moneys. If they're
CHDO's, they'll be funded out of that pot. If they're not CHDO's, they'll be funded out of another pot.
But they're out for bid and we have proposals against them. And that would include all of the agencies
that you're funding. So it would reduce that pot for construction.
Mr. Godoy: Mr. Commissioner, we are a CHDO organization. We qualify. And more, we received last
year money from the County, because we are a CHDO organization.
Ms. Warren: And again, you've received money from us because you're a CHDO. And again, the
agencies have submitted that are CHDO's for that brick and mortar money. And —
Commissioner Regalado: But last year, you used that money for administration.
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Ms. Warren: No. It's been several years, a couple years now. All of the money for — for the last two
years, the Commission has awarded it for brick and mortar and for construction of housing, and that's
what it has been allocated under the RFP for in your plan.
Commissioner Regalado: So can you tell me what would you, if you have to move money around, from
where, in order for another project to be funded?
Ms. Warren: The housing funding recommendations, there are agencies that have been recommended.
And I guess if you chose, the Commission's will, you could reduce the staff recommendations and include
this agency.
Commissioner Regalado: Do we do any motion?
Vice Chairman Gort: You have to make a decision today.
Commissioner Regalado: No, no. I mean now, you're going to continue with the public hearing.
Vice Chairman Gort: No, let's continue with the public hearing.
Commissioner Regalado: And then after that, we do it.
Vice Chairman Gort: There is a motion already, and there is a second. We're having the public hearing
now.
Commissioner Regalado: OK.
Vice Chairman Gort: It can be amended later.
Commissioner Regalado: OK.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes, sir.
Dr. Antoine Auguste: Thank you. Good evening, Mr. Mayor. Good evening, Commissioners. I am Dr.
Antoine Auguste, the Executive Director of Little Haiti Housing. Good evening, as well, to the staff and
the other members of the dais. I thank you, the staff — I thank the staff for its recommendation, partly
because we've been increased. However, I would like to humbly suggest that our request be increased by
another fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). And the reason for it is mostly administrative purposes, which
are critical for us to build the housing units that we're trying to build in this fiscal year. In addition to it, I
think it dovetails very nicely with what Commissioner Teele and Commissioner Winton talked about. The
idea is for those of us who had performing organizations to help other organizations perform, as well, in
their area. And I think that additional fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) would go a long way in trying to
help us do that, as Commissioner Winton just finished saying, basically spreading the wealth. So I would
like, to the extent possible, for the staff to consider the possibility of increasing us by another fifty
thousand dollars ($50,000). Thank you.
Vice Chairman Gort: Next.
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Leonie Hermantin: Leonie Hermantin, Haitian -American Foundation. And I'm here again to support
Little Haiti Housing. Thank you for funding Little Haiti Housing, and also requesting that the funding be
increased by fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). As we know, you know, the City of Miami, itself, has
identified housing homeownership as one of the priorities for the Little Haiti community. And therefore,
it's really important. I mean, this is a community that's under incredible pressure of gentrification. So we
really have to promote homeownership in that community. And so I think that Little Haiti has proven —
has a proven track record, both in performance and in fiscal responsibility. And so I really, really urge
you to increase their funding by fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). Thank you.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, ma'am. Next.
W.D. Vance: My name is W.D. Vance. I'm the project director for the Home Improvement Program for
Tri -City Community Association. I'm here this afternoon on behalf of Tri -City. I heard earlier Ms.
Warren was talking about a phase-out period. And I've talked with staff of the City of Miami in reference
to Tri -City numerous times. And my understanding was that Commissioner Teele made a suggestion a
couple of months ago that after the September 30th moneys was used that he would come back and do an
evaluation of Tri -City's program, along with the City of Miami Rehab. Program. The program in Tri -City
is the only one of its kind within the City and the County of Dade County. And the City has the other part
of the program. City staff is constantly telling the Commissioners that it's a duplication of their services.
First of all, Tri -City was the first one in doing rehab within the City of Miami. And the difference
between the City of Miami rehab program is that the City of Miami may do a bathroom, a ten thousand
dollar ($10,000) bathroom whereas Tri -City may do a seventy-five or hundred dollar ($100) redesigned
door. And that's a big difference. It's not a copycat. But the City's staff is continuously saying that it's a
copy of their program. It's a totally different program. We do rehab. We do minor rehab. The City of
Miami has a rehab program where they do major rehab within the homeowners program within the City of
Miami. It's a totally different program. It's a program that is needed. I have over 400 homeowners
within the City of Miami the last seven, eight years that we have did rehab on their homes who are very
satisfied with the program. And I just don't understand the situation between a hundred and fifteen
thousand dollars ($115,000), what the City gave us for the last two years, and they're constantly saying
they want to phase us out; they want to phase us out, because it's a duplicate program. And it's not a
duplicated program. I would like the City Commission to check into that for me, please.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. Next.
Ralph Packingham: Good afternoon. My name is Ralph Packingham, ex -board member of Tri -City
Community Association. I'm here in support of this organization. As Mr. Vance just said, and I will not
duplicate, but this is, indeed, a unique organization. The services they render, I'm not — I don't think that
there's another organization that can provide the services in my community. They do service Citywide,
and I feel they should be funded. They have a track record. They have lived up to all of their contractual
agreements and gone beyond., I ask you to consider that. Thank you.
Vice Chairman Gort: Thank you, sir. OK. We'll now close the public hearing and come back to the -- I
have a question. I don't see Tri -City here anywhere.
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Ms. Warren: It's on Page 3 of your package under Housing. It's under Housing. Both Tri -City and
Jewish Family Services are funded out of Housing, as well as Spring Gardens Civic Association Historic
Preservation.
Commissioner Regalado: Mr. Chairman, I am ready to amend the motion that is on the table.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK. What's your amendment?
Commissioner Regalado: That fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) be taken out of the Code Enforcement
fund to fund Model Housing, in order for that project not to be lost for Little Havana, the one that they are
ready to start in Little Havana area.
Commissioner Teele: Which one is it?
Vice Chairman Gort: Are we going to put a time certain for this, or limit? Are we going to put a limit of
time on this?
Commissioner Sanchez: Time certain, project certain and cost certain.
Commissioner Regalado: Time certain? What's the time certain? They have already the site plan and
everything.
Mr. Godoy: Everything — right now, it was a conflict between the Director, Tony Crapp and his — Rene
Rodriguez to see who give the money. The money is available there.
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, Mr. Chairman, we're not going to get anywhere -- I will second the
motion with the caveat that the lawyers and the department come back to us on July 27th with a clear
written agreement and time lines, timetables and everything that has to be done, because it's just going to
go back and forth. We need the lawyers and the staff to sit down, tighten this thing up. If he catches a
cold and has to go to the hospital, then he's going to lose the money. It's just that simple.
Commissioner Regalado: He'll lose the money, of course.
Vice Chairman Gort: There's an amendment to the motion. Does the maker of the motion accept the
amendment?
Commissioner Regalado: Yes, absolutely.
Vice Chairman Gort: Does the seconder of the motion accept the amendment?
Commissioner Teele: Yes, sir.
Vice Chairman Gort: Okie doke. Any other additions?
Commissioner Teele: Call the question as amended.
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Vice Chairman Gort: OK. All in favor state it by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Regalado, who moved for its adoption:
MOTION NO. 00-585
A MOTION INSTRUCTING THE CITY MANAGER TO INCREASE
FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000 TO THE MODEL HOUSING
COOPERATIVE FOR ITS LITTLE HAVANA PROJECT FROM 26TH
YEAR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS
CURRENTLY RECOMMENDED FOR CODE ENFORCEMENT;
FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY AND THE
ADMINISTRATION TO COME BACK TO THE COMMISSION AT
THE MEETING OF JULY 27, 2000 WITH A CLEAR WRITTEN
AGREEMENT INCLUDING TIMELINES AND TIMETABLES AS TO
WHEN SAID PROJECT WILL BE DEVELOPED AND COMPLETED.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Teele, the motion was passed and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Tomas Regalado
Commissioner Joe Sanchez
Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr.
Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Johnny L. Winton
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Teele: The Little Haiti Housing Association has — is doing an outstanding job. And not
only are they doing an outstanding job, I participated in a Federal workshop with the Federal Reserve
Board in which they had bankers and — I mean, they're doing a tremendous job of networking and
bringing, I think, some real dignity and credit to the community. I would hope that the staff would look to
see if there is funding that may be available over the course of the year, and that they be given
consideration for additional fundings consistent with -- I'm not making a motion, but I'm just putting it on
the record, because I really do think that we need to support what's going on. Specifically, the other two
African-American — you know, and this is not an African-American issue. But the Coconut Grove is out
of business. Word of Life is on probation. St. John's is on probation. And I think, you know, if we're not
careful, we're going to wind up with a large segment of the population not being -- So if we've got
something working, let's at least give them the juice to, and the carrot, if you will, to run harder and go
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forward. And I would just like to put on the record that if there are funds available, we'd like to work
with them.
Vice Chairman Gort: OK, sir. Thank you. That concludes the CDBG's meeting. Do you need to adjourn
this meeting?
Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Teele: There was one CD item that I asked staff to put on the Agenda. It didn't get on the
Agenda, and it relates to the Seventh Avenue parcel of land there between 60th Street and 61St. As I said to
staff in the community meeting and then in the subsequent meeting, I'm not comfortable giving this to
Jubilee, or Tacolcy, or Little Haiti. I think we ought to go out with a solicitation, a request for interest. It
doesn't have to be anything elaborate. We ought to select someone, and I think we ought to provide an
incentive for the private sector to bid on it on a non -supported basis. That is, if a private developer wants
to come in and relieve us the obligation of having to provide soft money during the project from then on,
then we ought to do that. And I just —
Ms. Warren: It's on the Agenda for the 20th
Vice Chairman Gort: Commissioner Teele, my —
Commissioner Teele: She just corrected me, and I apologize.
Vice Chairman Gort: Commissioner Teele, my apology. You need to make another motion on the
Greater Miami United.
Commissioner Teele: Yes. Is there a motion, Commissioner Winton, to approve the recommendation of
the housing for Greater Miami United?
Commissioner Winton: So move.
Commissioner Teele: Moved by Commissioner Winton. Seconded by Commissioner --?
Commissioner Sanchez: Second.
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Commissioner Teele: Second by Commissioner Sanchez. Is there objection? All those in favor, say
44aye.
aye.
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Commissioner Teele: All those opposed, say "no." So the full Housing Program is done. And
Commissioner Gort, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Vilarello: That will be by separate resolution.
Commissioner Teele: That's by separate resolution.
The following motion and resolution were introduced by Commissioner Winton, who moved for their
adoption:
MOTION NO. 00-586
A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION'S
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 26TH YEAR COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS FOR HOUSING
CATEGORY.
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RESOLUTION NO. 00-586.1
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT A GRANT
APPLICATION AND THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2000-2001
ANNUAL ACTION PLAN ("PLAN") TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ("USHUD") FOR THE
PROPOSED USE OF FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT THE FOLLOWING
PROGRAMS: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
("CDBG"), HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS ("HOME")- '
"HOME")-,
HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS
("HOPWA"), AND THE EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT (`BSG");
ALLOCATING TWENTY-SIXTH (26TH) YEAR CDBG FUNDS, IN
THE AMOUNT OF $5,842,000, AND PROGRAM INCOME FUNDS,
IN THE AMOUNT OF $732,250, TO APPROVED PUBLIC SERVICE,
HOUSING ADMINISTRATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AGENCIES; ALLOCATING 26TH YEAR CDBG FUNDS TO ELIGIBLE
CITY DIRECTED ACTIVITIES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,858,000;
DESIGNATING CATEGORIES OF FUNDING FOR HOME FUNDS
IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,971,715; DESIGNATING CATEGORIES OF
FUNDING FOR HOPWA FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,139,000;
ALLOCATING ESG FUNDS FOR ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES IN THE
AMOUNT OF $451,000; AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF 25TH
YEAR CDBG FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000, FROM THE
OVERTOWN OPTIMIST CLUB, INC. TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
PARKS AND RECREATION; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO ACCEPT THE FUNDS AND EXECUTE THE
NECESSARY AGREEMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE
CITY ATTORNEY, WITH US HUD, UPON APPROVAL OF THE
PLAN AND GRANTS BY USHUD, AND WITH THE INDIVIDUAL
AGENCIES APPROVED AND AT THE AMOUNTS AS SPECIFIED
HEREIN, FOR ACCEPTANCE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
FUNDS.
(Here follows body of the resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
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Upon being seconded by Commissioner Sanchez, the motion and resolution were passed and adopted by
the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Tomas Regalado
Commissioner Joe Sanchez
Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr.
Commissioner Johnny L. Winton
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Vice Chairman Gort
Commissioner Sanchez: So we would have to adjourn this meeting and start the budget meeting.
Commissioner Teele: But it's on the Agenda for the 20th, Ms. Warren?
Ms. Warren: I'm sorry?
Commissioner Teele: It's on the Agenda for the 20thq
Ms. Warren: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Teele: And the only issue there, just so that we can clear it up, is that Asset Management
needs to be responsible for getting that stuff platted and in a position that we can do it. We need to take
the responsibility of platting it. We've had the lands for how long? For ten years?
Ms. Warren: A long time. Nine.
Commissioner Teele: Huh?
Ms. Warren: Nine.
Commissioner Teele: Nine years?
Ms. Warren: My ear is saying "nine."
Commissioner Teele: Nine years. And, you know, Asset Management, you all need to work with them to
make sure that land that we own that we clear titles on them, that we plat them and we get them ready, we
don't just warehouse this land, because it winds up taking another year or two at the end of the tail. You
know the problem we had with BAME, the problems we had with all of these inner City lots, titles and all
that. So thank you very much.
Ms. Warren: And thank you, sir, Commissioner.
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Commissioner Teele: Mr. Chairman, with your permission, Mr. Mayor, with your permission, I would
move that the Community Development Special Meeting be adjourned.
Mayor Carollo: There's a motion.
Commissioner Sanchez: Second.
Mayor Carollo: Second by Commissioner Sanchez. All in favor signify by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Mayor Carollo: Can we take a five-minute recess before we proceed with the budget?
Commissioner Sanchez: Five minute recess.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Teele, who moved for its adoption:
MOTION NO. 00-587
A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE SPECIAL MEETING IN
CONNECTION WITH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Sanchez, the motion was passed and adopted by the following
vote:
AYES: Commissioner Tomas Regalado
Commissioner Joe Sanchez
Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr.
Commissioner Johnny L. Winton
Vice Chairman Wifredo Gort
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
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There being no further business to come before the Commission, the Special Meeting (CDBG) of the City
Commission of Miami, Florida was adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
ATTEST:
WALTER J. FOEMAN
City Clerk
SYLVIA LOWMAN
Assistant City Clerk
MAYOR JOE CAROLLO
(SEAL)
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