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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-84-1438D E D N I C S E R Rescinded by R-84-1462 D E D N I C S E R Rescinded by R-84-1462 9 CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA 1 INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM TO, Howard V Gary City Manager FROM: Frank Castaneda Director Community Development DATE: November 28, 1984 FILE: SUBJECT: Resolution Allocating $100, 000 to the Miami Microcomputer Technolo- gical Education Foundation, Inc. REFERENCES: City Commission Meeting - December 13, 1984 ENCLOSURES: It is recommended that the City Commission adopt a resolution allocating $100,000 to the Miami Microcomputer Technological Education Foundation, Inc., to provide computer training and instruction to underprivileged youth. The City Commission directed staff to evaluate a proposal from the Miami Microcomputer Technological Education Foundation, Inc. Staff has reviewed the proposal and received follow-up inf oimation from the agency. The Foundation has requested to provide microcomputer training and instruction to 748 underprivileged youth. This program would enhance educational opportunities and upgrade the employability skills of these youth. The target population is youth, ages 7 to 18, and includes full- time students and high school dropouts. The program would be open to youth from all City of Miami Community Development target areas, with particular emphasis on recruiting inner city youth in overtown, Model City and Edison. Staff had several key questions which it determined significant issues regarding this request for funding. Foremost is the fact that the pro- ject is located in Hialeah, not the City of Miami. The project has re -affirmed its commitment to City of Miami youth, however. It has requested monies to cover transportation costs for City residents and has indicated that it will focus on City youth through advertising and recruitment efforts and actual program intake screening. The agency reports that it is bound to the existing training center by lease and would incur a logistical and financial hardship if it were to relocate at this time. However, the agency did agree to relocate prior to a request for refunding and subsequent to termination of the current lease. Staff also questioned the fact that the project appeared to provide primarily an educational service which should be provided by the school system. The agency agreed and submitted the proposal to the School Board for consideration. 84-1438 9 Howard V. Gary 11/28/84 page 2 Finally, staff sought a clarification of the relationship between the Miami Microcomputer Training Center and the Miami Microcomputer Technological Education Foundation. The "Center" is a for -profit corporation and the "Foundation" is a non-profit organization. The "Center" provides business computer services, programming, and computer seminars and the "Foundation" will provide computer train- ing to underprivileged youth as its only activity. While staff questions the allocation of funds to a non -City organi- zation, the benefits to City residents must also be considered. Therefore, it is recommended that $100,000 be provided for this project. Funds are available from Contingencies of the FY 10,84-85 Community Development Block Grant. The project would operate for a period of one year from January 1, 1985. The attached resolution allocates $100,000 to the Miami Miccrocomputer Technological Education Foundation, Inc., to implement the project. It further authorizes you to execute an agreement with the Foundation subject to approval of the City Attorney as to form and correctness. /r encl. 8` -1438