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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #04 - Discussion ItemU PRESENTATION TO MIAMI CITY COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 25, 1980 CITY'S RESPONSE TO CIVIL DISTURBANCE t # CITY'S RESPONSE TO CIVIL DISTURBANCE The City's actions to alleviate the conditions that led to the May civil disturbance and its aftermath can be divided into three phases: Immediate, Mid-term and Long-range responses. In addition, there are number of ongoing activities which are also identified. Immediate Response The immediate strategy was to erase the scars caused by the civil distuubance, provide recovering assistance to affected'businesses, and to increase the employment opportunities available to city re- sidents. This was accomplied by: - Debris Clearance Clearing debris from burned buildings on the public right- of-ways. - Demolition Unsafe Structures Allocating $247,000 of 5th year Community Development funds to demolish unsafe structures as a result of the civil dis- turbance without assessing the property owners the demolition and clearance cost. Presently, thirteen of the twenty-one structures have been demolished; agreements with the owners have not been received as four of the structures and the four remaining contracts are to be awarded the week of September 22nd. - Job Programs: a program started in July is providing employment for 350 persons for a period of six months under CETA, special Title II-D, until December and the EDA program is providing employment for 464 participants until the end of September. Damage Assessment and Analysis Planning Department coordinated the preparation of the Damage Assessment Report in conjunction with the Building and Fire Departments. Locational maps of damages resulting from the civil disturbances were also prepared. - Business Recovery Task Force - Outreach to Impacted Businesses under the coordination of the Department of Trade and Commerce Development, an outreach effort was initiated and a survey was conducted of the affected businesses, analyzed the data from 87 respondents and prepared a report entitled, May - Civil Disturbances, A Survey of Businesses Affected ough Miami Capital Development, Inc. assistance was provided in packaging applications for SBA Disaster Loans. - Economic Adjustment Planning Grant_ Prepared an application to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration in conjunction with Dade County. A grant for $100,000 was jointly received by the City and Dade County. The consultant selection process has been initiated. - Discretionary Funds - HUD Application Prepared, in conjunction with Dade County, ah application for $10,000,000 in disaster assistance funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Discretionary Funds. The primary emphasis of this program is economic and business development assistance. Application submitted on September 17, 1980. -1- Downtown/Overtown Community Redevelopment Area - Tax Increment Financing District Prepared the documentation for the establishment of Downtown/Overtown Community Redevelopment Area for the purpose of tax increment financing. This was approved by the Miami City Commission and is pending approval of the Dade County Commission. _ Neighborhood Economic Development Program Selection of community based organizations to provide neighborhood economic development outreach services in the Community Development target areas. Emergency Food Program $34,690 of City funds were spent for 23,600 meals served in the Overtown area on the weekend subsequent to the riots. Housing Development A request was made to US Housing & Urban Development for Section 8/Public Housing Bonus funds to construct or rehabilitate 1,000 units, (joint City -County). A request was made to HUD 11312" Program Bonus funds to rehabilitated 1,000 additional housing units, (joint City -County). Overtown Multi -Family Rehabilitation Program - Program to accept proposals October 1, 1980, for multi -family housing rehab interest loans in the area bounded by Northwest 8th Street, the F.E.C. railroad, Northwest llth Street, and I-95. Up to fifty apartments can be rehabilitated with existing funds. Rehabilitation of a city -owned apartment as a demonstration program to demonstrate the type of rehabilitation that can be done to a deteriorating structure. - Community Development Block Grant Program Community Development projects in the target areas such as parks development and public works projects are being exped- ited in the affected areas in order to improve the living conditions of the areas. Contractors Bonding and Revolving Loan Fund - EDA Application Prepared an application to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration in conjunction with Dade County for a grant of $400,000 to expand an existing minority contractor's bonding assistance and revolving loan fund program. The grant has been awarded. Overtown Shopping Center - EDA Application An application for $1,800,000 from the Economic Development Administration for the Overtown Shopping Center in conjunction with the Overtown Economic Development Corporation has been submitted and is under review by the Federal government. f - Overtown/New Washington Heights and Douglas Road Joint Development Applications Submitted applications in conjunction with Dade County to the Urban Mass Transportation Administration for joint development projects adjacent to the Overtown/New Washington Heights Rapid Transit Station ($6,000,000) and the Douglas Road Rapid Transit Station ($8,000,000). - Secondary Impact Area Meetings Conducted a series of meetings with representatives of business areas lying adjacent to areas directly impacted by the civil disturbances in order to ascertain extent of loss of business activity and assist in the formulation of a business recovery program. MID-TERM RESPONSE Many jobs were lost as a result of the civil disturbance. The mid-term strategy will focus on expanding economic opportunities for area residents, as well as providing decent housing and a suitable living environment. This will be accomplished by. - Miami Challenge Program This entails the formulaion of overall economic redevelopment strategies and the designation of specific economic revita- lization projects for areas impacted by civil disturbances. The first phase of this project is complete and it will be coordinated with the Economic Adjustment Planning Grant. - Model City EDA Project The presentation of an application to EDA for an economic redevelopment project in,the Model City area. Estimated project cost $2,000,000. - Overtown-HUD Urban Development Action Grant The preparation of a $2,000,000 HUD Urban Development Action Grant to facilitate the construction of 275 units of moderate cost home -ownership apartments is being developed for Overtown. - Overtown - Tax Increment Financed Housing Pro ram A tax increment financed program for housing construction and. rehabilitation is under development in Overtown for an undetermined amount of funding. - Update of the Model City Redevelopment Plan Development of a revised economic and housing development plan for Model City. Report will incorporate King Heights Redevelop- ment Plan currently under review by the community. - Grand Avenue Improvement and Revitalization Program The preparation of a comprehensive program for the revitali-. zation of the Black Business District. - Allapattah Commercial Revitalization Study The development of an overall redevelopment strategy for the 36th Street Business District. -3- - Application to CETA for Garment/Fashion District Vocational Training School Job development and training program geared to residents of Overtown and Wynwood. - Zoning, Transportation and Redevelopment Planning For The Culmer, Santa Clara and Allapattah Areas Development of implementation programs for approved station area plans. LONG-RANGE RESPONSE - Implementation of the Miami Challenge Program - Implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the City. . On -going Economic Planning Program Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization Projects by Community -based organizations in selected commercial districts. Business Development Financing Program through Miami Capital Development, Inc. - Implementation of the Economic Development Adjustment St_rate. ON -GOING ACTIVITIES - Implementation of the Overtown Redevelopment Plan Implementation of the Garment Center/Fashion District Redevelopment Plan Neighborhood Planning Services - Area Market Studies and Data Collection - Community Development Block Grant Activities (1st-6th Years) - Housing Development . Section 8 a) Forty-five units of family housing at`Overtown (.Town Park), estimated value, $1.5 million. Construction to start in fall, 1980. b) Sixty-five units of elderly and twenty-four units of family housing in Coconut Grove, estimated value, $1.2 million for each project. Construction to start in fall, 1980. Second mortgage housing for families for sale. Fourteen units in Coconut Grove, fourteen in Model City and thirty in Overtown are to start construction in the fall of 1980. Public Housing - Construction of seventy-five units of family public housing are to start in Overtown in January, 1980. Public Housing - Construction of seventy-five units of family public housing are to start in Overtown in January, 1980. -4- Section 235 Homeownership - Construction of fourteen units is scheduled for the fall of 1980 in the Overtown area. Single family housing rehabilitation - Neighborhood Strategy Area of Model City, Edison, Wynwood, Allapattah, and Coconut Grove. This will provide low interest loan to rehabilitate owner -occupied properties. Technical assistance to Community -based organizations involved in the City's Neighborhood Economic Development Program and Local Merchant's and Business Associations. Business Development Assistance and Outreach Programs Business Retention and Expansion Business Attraction Financial Packaging through Miami Capital Development, Inc. i -5- IN'T'_:R-OFFICE MEiPYORANDUIM Richard Fosmoen70 City Manager City Commission "- Motion M-80-625 Kenneth 1. Harms Chief of Police , (�ILC . LIA 2-2 Pursuant to a motion passed by the Miami City Commission at .its last meeting on September 15, 1980,(M-80-625) expressing the firm desire that more uniformed, sworn Police Officers be put back on the streets by September 25, 1980 and requesting the Chief of Police to come back to the City Commission to explain implementation of the plan, I offer the following data and information reflecting the Police Department's progress and objectives in achieving this goal. Manpower depletion statistics between 1975 and the present reflect significant decreases in both sworn and civilian positions. The following figures represent actual sworn and civilian personnel employed as of the last day of the designated fiscal year. SWORN CIVILIAN FY 174-75 - 791 FY 174-75 - 260 FY 175-76 - 788 FY 175-76 - 255 FY 176-77 - 736 FY '76-77 - 255 FY 177-78 - 700 FY 177-78 - 211 FY 178-79 - 680 FY 178-79 - 211 *FY '79-80 - 656 *FY 179-80 - 233 *As of September 17, 1980 Additionally, calls for service continued to increase by 121'6 over 1979 levels while manpower levels have steadily decreased. The calls for service/available manpower ratio has resulted in a 163116 increase in calls held or delayed. (A delayed call reflects our inability to dispatch a unit within established time parameters necessary to meet the criteria for a proper police response;) While the 163% increase in calls held appears disproportionately high when compared to the smaller increase in calls for service., we were already at a calls for service response optimum prior to the 12% increase. Current trends Indicate increased demand for police services and a contuing strain on our already depleted resources. Therefore, I have implemented an immediate plan of action to provide increased uniform officer coverage throught the City of (Miami in an attempt to provide the citizenry with improved levels of service. I must point out that this is a stop -gap measure and will not have drarrratic and visible impact on our already pverloaded system. Our purpose here is to improve our ability to respond to emergency and Richard Fosmoen Page 2 C, SEP 2 3 1980 high priority calls for service. After a careful assessment of this plan, 1 intend to contact you again in the near future to discuss the possibility of further overtime needs if current demands for police service escalate. This short term response to the problem will impact well into the fiscal year'80-81, when you consider it takes approximately nine (9) months from the first in -hiring step to place a new officer on the street in an operational capacity. The plan Is represented by two (2) phases. The first phase calls for the reassignment to uniform patrol of fifteen (15) officers previously functioning in administrative positions. Many of these administrative jobs represent participation in various innovative and important programs we are temporarily curtailing as a result of these changing priorities. For example, the abolition of three (3) school resource officer positions reflect a cutback in an area where we have definitive commitments in the future. f fully intend to reinstitute these vital administrative and support services functions as manpower levels increase to acceptable levels. I Phase two consists of department -wide voluntary overtime within the uniform patrol section. This phase has been In effect for several weeks and has proven successful, however, a third contingency phase has been prepared in the event voluntary overtime decreased below desired levels. This would involve involuntary/mandatory overtime and we are assessing the possibility of future use, If warranted. Phase I Reassignment and transfer of fifteen 05) officers 8.5 man days x 30 days = 255 man days per month Phase 11 Voluntary overtime - 16 man days average x 30 days = 480 man clays per month Phase 1 - 255 man days *Phase II - 480 man days Total - 735 man days per month *Phase II Cost Breakdown Sixteen man days Daily x average P.U. salary (@ time and one-half) $14.55 per hour = $2,328 per day x 30 days = $69,840 per month. Another mechanism to provide additional sworn operational positions is the civilianization of previously designated sworn functions. There is a continuous ongoing effort to replace sworn administrative personnel with qualified civilians. The 1980-81 budget contains approximately twenty (20) positions targeted for future civilianization. The process of civilianizing key or command level positions can be a tedious task as qualified applicants with the proper blend of training and experience are difficult to find. As an example, the Police Property Unit Commander should possess expertise in the collection and preservation of evidence, inventory control, purchasing and overall administration and supervision skills. Richard Fosmoen Page 3 S E P 2 3 1980 This mix of knowledge and experience in both the public and private sector is a prerequisite for a position of this magnitude and importance. The Miami Police Department is committed to a continuing effort in the area of civilianization. The Police profession provides a most unique working environment and quality Individuals will find a rewarding and satisfying career within its civilian ranks. I am confident the aforementioned plan of action and related data will provide you with a comprehensive picture and understanding of our current program to supplement uniform officer coverage within the City. The delivery of police services and the safety of our officers are of utmost importance to me and the maintaining of minimum acceptable standards must not be impeded below current levels. K IH:sbb ; N�s6nA�Ikt+.Miieiinaua�wmiiiei:nr�a+u.sew+.wwww.�r�:�M�u'iupdti4d+nahvt�Mn6vsat�ottday.SG�wnomaa-.---.--.__^.. __._..r WE, the undersigned businessmen of Downtown Miami, concerned about the extraordinary increase in violent crimes committed in this area, demand more effective police protection from the City of Miami. We are alarmed by the City of Miami Police Department's �1• Preoccupation with parking violators while people are robbed / and beaten in broad daylight in our busiest streets on a daily basis. The highest priority in law enforcement should be the protection of people against violent crimes and not the towing away of illegally parked vehicles. We do not want the Public's safety compromised. We strongly demand a greater police presence in the Downtown area and more emphasis in the prevention of violent crimes. !� , /'<ij x r. A/ ice/ ✓� ��/�,r r e