HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1979-09-25 MinutesGITY OF MIAIKI
SPECIAL
C 0 M MISS I ON
MINUTES
OF MEETING HELD ON September 25, 1979
PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
CITY HALL
RALPH G.. ON(3IE
CITY CLERK
1
lIQD
C1iY� i�� IIMERSRme,
(SPECIAL) September 25, 1979
SUBJECT
PUBLIC HEARING:
SOCIAL SERVICE FUNDING
FEDERAL REVENUE SHARING FUNDS
INANCE0Fj
sou rIoN No, PAGE ND.
Motion 79-635 1-50
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
CITY COMMISSION OP MIAMI
* * * * * * * *
On the 25th day of September, 1979, the City Commission of Miami,
Florida, met at its regular meeting place in said City in Special Session
to consider business of public import.
The meeting was called to order at 8:07 o'clock A.M. by Mayor
Maurice A. Ferre with the following members of the Commission present:
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore R. Gibson
Vice -Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
ALSO PRESENT:`
An invocation
Joseph R. Grassie, City Manager
R. L. Fosmoen, Assistant City Manager
George F. Knox, City Attorney
Ralph G. Ongie, City Clerk
Matty Hirai, Assistant City Clerk
was delivered by Reverend Theodore R. Gibson,
then led those present in a pledge of allegiance to the flag.
who
1.
PUBLIC HEARING:
SOCIAL SERVICE FUNDING
FEDERAL REVENUE SHARING FUNDS
Mr. Plummer: Ladies and gentleman, the reason that this meeting was called
was the time for the Administration go back and to develop a sixth option.
If you are not familar, it was proposed this year that five hundred twenty-three
thousand six hundred odd dollars be dedicated to Social Service Programs.
This Commission at it's last Commission Meeting told the Administration that
the five options were not quite what the Commission was looking for and asked the
Administration to go back and to adopt with some guidelines of this Commission
a sixth option. The Commission has all been furnished with a copy of the
Sixth Option. Mr. Grassie, are there copies available to the public?
Mr. Grassie: Yes,cthere are Commissioner.
Mr. Plummer: Alright, Mr. Grassie, let's turn it over to you or whoever you
designate for a few minutes of explanation on Option Six and then I would
assume we will then go forth with testimony from the public. Mr. Mayor, I think
this wouldbe a good time. I was going to bring to your attention and that of
the rest of the Commission, as your designate I have been sitting for two days
on the Tax Reform Commission. I'm going to circulate this which is asked to
be filled out by all speakers who wish to testify. It would alleviate
a lot of problems and maybe this Commission would like to adopt. I would
once ask that Mr. Grassie has completed any people who would like to testify
here this evening, give your name to the Clerk after Mr. Grassie has finished
so that we can run an orderly process and call on you in due time. Taking
the prerogative, Mr. Mayor would we like to set that a five minute time frame...
does anyone feel that their presentation would take more than five minutes
without being repetitious?Mr. Grassie will proceed once he has completed...
Mayor Ferre: J. L.,'let 's;find out howmany speakers... how many people
wish to be heard tonight? Raise your hands please.
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SEP 2 5 1979
Mk. Plummer: Fourteen is what I read, Mr. Mayor. Now, there might be some
late people..
Mayor Ferret Fourteen times five that's at hour and ten minutes. Does anybody
need to speak more than three minutes? 'Raise your hands..' Anybody need to
speak more than three minutes.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor and membersof the Commission
,
I like what I see here with one exception.
Mr. Plummer: Yes, sir.
Rev. Gibson: I hope if we should adopt this as a method of procedure, that
we will put a number on it and so that if you hold your hand up as the thirteenth
person, you will be the thirteenth person to speak rather than do what I
saw... don't ask me which, governmental agency, yesterday I saw this take place.
You put your letter in a tray and if you got there at 2 o'clock God help you,
those who got there at 2:30 or 3:00 o'clock were heard first. I want to make
sure we establish that as a rule before you even get to this. And tonight I
would hope that we would go clockwise and give these people a number and make
sure... and adhere to that time so that you know, we won't stay all night
repeating ourselves doing nothing. And I hope that will be taken with a lot
of thought.
Mr. Plummer: Father, that would have to have quite a bit of modification,
that and particularly the one used by the Legislature.
Commissioner Plummer
Rev. Gibson:
Mr. Plummer:
I understand, but, he beginning is good.
It's a step'" in the right direction.
Rev. Gibson: Right, and just make sure... note what 1 said. ,"Put -a number.on
"
it so that #1, #2, #3, #4 and don't,,have people come here and;:say "well,""I'm
repeatingwhat`;I saw yesterday. You ire to be on at 2 o'clock and.those:who
came on at 3 O'clock... came in at 3, got on before the people whowere there
at 2 o'clock got on, ok.
Mayor Ferre: Why don't you
the Clerk.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Grassie, you want to proceed with explaining that which
you have furnished to us?
Mr. Grassie: Mr. Mayor and members of the City Commission, in response
to the comtnents of the City Commission at the last meeting, we have prepared
another option for your consideration. I would like Dena Spillman to speak
to that briefly and of course, answer any questions that you might have.
Ms. Spillman: Mayor and members of the Commission, you have before you a
City Commission Agenda which has two memorandums, one is on Federal Revenue
Funds for Social Service Programs and the other one is a review and discussion
of the City's Day Care Program. I will be discussing with you initially
our recommendations for use of Federal Revenue Sharing Funds for Social Service
Programs which is #1 on the agenda. You also have before you a packet that looks
like this that has a list of agency names and a page number next to it. That
is the information that Commissioner Gordon requested last week which is the
funding... the total funding for each of the agencies. As Commissioner Plummer
has already stated the last time we met on September 13th, you the Commission
asked us to go back and come back to you with a new option for funding which
we are now calling Option #6. We did follow the following guidelines in
.recommending these programs to you. We only recommended existing programs,
we did not recommend any new programs under Federal Revenue Sharing due to
the budgetary problems which we are experiencing. So your recommendations
tonight only deal with programs that are currently being funded under revenue
sharing. What I'm going to discuss with you now and this is including Day
Care, although I will not be discussing Day Care with you, represents a three
hundred twenty-six thousand five hundred fifteen dollar deficit compared to
the funds that we have available currently under FRS for Social Service Programming.
If you look on page one of your memorandum you will find a chart which shows
all the options including Cption #6. What I would like to do if it's acceptable
to all of you, is explain the differences between Option #5, which we discussed
rather thoroughly and Option #6 which we are going to be discussing this evening.
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Is that acceptable? Alright, under Option #15 the last time we had recommended
funding for various agencies with certain small cuts that we felt they could
have absorded into their budget. We have kept those recomnenc:ations the same
For example, Accion Community Center currently funded at thirty thousand dollars
is being recommended for funding at twenty-seven thousand dollars. You will
note that Belafonte Tacolcy Youth Vocational Program and the Belafonte Talcocy
Sports Development Program are not recommended for funding at all. And I would
like to take a few minutes to go into the reasoning on both of these recommendations.
The Sports Development Program currently receives eleven thousand dollars in
Federal Revenue Sharing Funds from the City. No fulltime staff are associated
with this program. The people who work under this program are part-time and have
another job, so noone would be unemployed as a result of this action. The
City also funds a fifty thousand dollars sports program at Talcocy under the
Community Development Program and we feel that with our assistance the FRS
Sports Program can be joined with Community Development Program and the same
functions can be provided with the fifty thousand dollars that is currently
being provided. One of the problems that. exists with this program and I don't
know if Otis Pitts is here or not, is the. boundaries. He has discussed this
with me before under Community Development and we have told him that this
can be dealt with. So our recommendation is based on the fact that we feel
the program can be absorded. We feel the sane number of children can be served
and we also feel that in light of our budget problems because this is not a
program for the elderly nor a food program, nor a child care program, it
may be of a lesser priority to you. Again, I say it may be.
Mrs. Gordon: Question Dena, about the prevention of delinquency that the,
sports development type ,of program offers to young people and that appears to
me to be pretty up in,ithe.priority position.
Ms. Spillman: No,.I agree.: completely; that at program of this nature does`
have a great affect on juvenile delinquency.,
Mrs. Gordon:
Prevention.
Ms. Spillman: Right.`; I.think however thatwe can amalgamate it into the;.,
existing program; that the point... I think the same services can be offered
throught Tacolcy. without this funding.
Mayor Ferre: Into what program would you amalgamate`
the Tacolcy Program itself?
it. You are talking
about
Ms. Spillman: Tacolcy currently recieves fifty thousand dollars from.the
Community Development Program for a Sports Development Program. Now, it is
not the same program as Dr. Ferguson here is representing. However, we feel
the same function can be accommodated. And that's the basis of our recommendation.:
Now, I would like to continue, unless you have any further questions.
Mrs. Gordon: You can continue because we will ask questions, but later,.,,.
when we want to know the differences and whether or not it really could o'
whether that's, you know, a supposition that you are making.
Ms. Spillman: Alright. Alright, the second recommendation for Belafonte is
thatthe Youth Vocational Program not be funded also. I believe I. stated this
at the last hearing. Our recommendations in all cases are not based on the
quality of the program, it's based on budget problems and where we feel there
maybe a duplication of services. Now, in this particular instance we are
recommending that Community Schools be funded at Northwestern High School,
Allapattah`Junior _High School and Edison Senior High School.
Mrs, Gordon: Excuse me, Dena, did you skip over the day care?
Ms. Spillman:
Mrs. Gordon:
I'm still at'Belafonte...
alright, go ahead.
r
Ms. Spillman: It's third on your chart. We feel that this program is a
duplication of services that are offered by the Dade County School Board, as
you well know the School Board provides vocational training. We are also
recommending the funding of three community schools in that particular
neighborhood and the Community School Programs do provide some vocational
training and counselling. So we feel it's a duplication of service and it
can also be accommodated by existing programs. Under the Borinquen Health
Care Center we are recommending a slight reduction in funding and Commissioner
1111111111
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Gordon, I want to very clear this time. We are recommending funding for
the Health Clinic itself .
Mrs. Gordon. I understand. That is
of that community is essential.
Ms. Spillman: Alright, I wanted to
think I: was the last time. Now, we
Mrs. Gordon: The point is though,
want some clarification of what it
good use, because the health
very clear on that because I don.
are recommending....
the service that will be provided
will be supplementing, ok.
Ms. Spillman: Alright. The Catholic Service Bureau, the Overtown Day Care
and Neighborhood Center we are recommending for funding at the samelevel
as last year. I'm sorry, I skipped the Miami Bridge which is also
recommended for funding at the same level as last year. The reason why;
these two agencies were not recommended to be cut is because they havesuch
small budgets to begin with that any cut would be the end of the program.
We cut in programs that we felt were large enough to absorb the cut. The
City Day Care issue will be discussed by Hr. Bond andMr. Howard after'I`
get through with the private non-profit agencies.
Mrs. Gordon: But it appears to me that we took a and had a motion by
Commission to remove it from the Revenue Sharing Allocations and put
it into the General Fund. Why is it back here?
Mr. Grassier Commissioner, the Federal Revenue Sharing money really goes
into the General Fund in it's majority. The discussions that we have
had of Federal Revenue Sharing so far have included Day Care and you have it
here so<.that 'you ,will have a complete picture. Now, you know, we can treat
it either way. We can take the Federal Revenue Sharing money and put that
for some other program in the general fund and then simply take General
Fund money and put it for Day Care, but really you end up with the same
dollars and since you have had this in the past presented together, we are
bringing it to you so that you have the whole picture.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Grassie, at the last hearing we made a motion, it passed
unanimously, I believe, that Day Care be put into the General Budget so that
the parents and children would never have to be concerned about the allocations
of the Revenue Sharing from year to year and the suspense that accompanies
that allocation of always a short amount of funds. That passed this body
so therefore, in my opinion it doesn't belong here, it's just the two hundred
thirteen thousand that is a needed amount was-- and the Clerk can correct
me if I'm wrong--- was by a policy decision of this Commission removed from
this consideration and placed in the General Fund.
Mr. Grassie: Well, let me suggest a solution Commissioner, you will see at
the end of the discussion that we are three hundred twenty-six thousand dollars
over the Federal Revenue Sharing budget, so some of these items will have
to come out of here and I would suggest to you that, simply, you know, that
you identify this one as one to come out, that's all. It that simple.
Mayor Ferre:
Alright, continue.
Ms.,Spillman: The reason that Day Care is shown here is because we had
shown it in previous options and we wanted to be consistent basically. Again,
that will be taken up as a separate item. As far as the Dade County School
Programs go, we are recommending full funding for the After School Care
Program which is almost two and a half times as much as we had recommended
under Option #5 and we are recommending full funding for the Community School
Program in the City of Miami. For the First United Methodist Church we are
recommending funding at the same level as last year, the Industrial Home for
the Blind the same level as last year. J.E.S.C.A.-Coconut Grove has been
recommended for a slight increase over last year. However, we are decreasing
J.E.S.C.A. in Culmer. So the amount of dollars that are going to J.E.S.C.A.
from FRS will remain the same, we are just switching the neighborhoods due
to need. The Little Havana Activity Center is being recommended for a slight
cut of twelve hundred ninety dollars, the Miami Jewish Home and Hospital for
the Aged and in Douglas Gardens is being recommended for a cut of six thousand
two hundred sixty-nine dollars. Saint Alban's Day Nursery is being recommended
at the same level as last year and administration remains constant at
thirty-six thousand dollars.
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4
Mrs. Gordon: Why? Yt,. have administration this year and nothing Lq... ',•ar
for the same line items.
Ms. Spillman:
Mrs. Gordon:
Ms. Spillman:•
Mrs. Gordon:
I'm sorry Commissioner, where are you looking?
Under administtation.in the first t.olumn.
That should say twenty thousand dollars.
t doesn't; say anything in the balances, :does it?
Ms. Spillman:, I' know. It should say twenty thousand dollars. We
my... I was involved in this last year,: but initially we had thirty tlousanc
dollars allocated to us for administrative purposes and about six months into
the fiscal year that money was used by the Commission for fundint of agc:.c_.cs
and what resulted from that is a budget deficit in the Citizen Servic.o"
Department. And I think that I discussed this with you at our budget hearings,
if we do not receive administrative funds number one, we will be hampered
in the work we can do at the agencies in terms of monitoring and evaluation.
And two, we will have to fire at least two staff people who are cL:rently or.
board.
Mrs.•Gordon: You didn't do it last year though, you didn't fire anyone
Ms. Spillman: That's why we have a budget deficit.
Mrs. Gordon: How much
is your budget deficit?
Ms. Spillman: I believe it'ssixteen or eighteen thousand dollars
Mayor Ferre: For the'full year?
Ms. Spillman: Just for the FRS.;'
Mayor Ferre:-
Alright,
go ahead.
Ms. Spillman: Now, if you would. like... that's' the basic recommendation,
I can go.i:.to, more detail with you if`you care to I think. that we
discussed many of these the 'last time that we dismissed these programs.;
Mayor Ferre: Alright, well, ;let''s:>get into questions from :.he Commissio._
to you and then wewill hear from Mr. Howard -and -then we will -go to the
public portion of this.. Alright,.`.
Mr. Plummer: Dena, what did we allocate last year to
Mrs. Gordon:` What was your question J. L.?
Mr. Plummer: What did we dedicate to the Useful Aged
the Useful Aged?'
last year?
Ms. Spillman: The Useful Aged received no Federal Revenue Sharing Funds.
from the City last year, they received CETA funds. I will tell you in a
moment. It's on page nine of the attachment that I gave you. Useful Aged
received approximately thirty thousand dollars.
Mr. Plummer: Three positions?
Ms. Spillman: Thirty thousand, it will be a little more than ree.
Mrs. Gordon: Dena, the Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged, the o1•
Day Care Center that we are funding,,why are you reducing the budgetWheL
normally:you would expect an increase because of inflation.
Ms. Spillman: Well, Commissioner, we face that problem with .._I :ir agencies and we recognize that everyone is facing inflation, w,
their budgets very carefully and in every instance I believe,
discussed these cuts with the agencies. The Douglas Cardens c.Lt is
recommended in three different areas that we do not feel an, �h. r'ar;'=
responsibility. Again, it's certainly up to you to make that de .(.• ,n
Mrs. Gordon: What is that?
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SEP 2 5 197
Ms. Spillman: The first area is in pension costs. Douglas Gardens is the
only program for which the City out of FRS is paying pension costs.
Ms. Spillman: To the employees, it's a line item in their budget. It's'
only six hundred sixty-one dollars. We feel that it is inappropriate for
us to be doing that for them when we fund these programs on a year to year
basis. They also had a rather heavy budget in public relations and advertising
which we all agree is very nice when we can afford it, but it's certainly
not essential and we are recommending that it be reduced by thirteen hundred
forty-four dollars
Mrs. Gordon:
Ms. Spillman: Two thousand fifteen hundred dollars, so it's a little more
than half. Now, we understand, that they use this public relations and
advertising mostlyto gain new clients for their program and ve don't feel
this is a problem. We can certainly assist them in gaining new clients..
if that,is'a problem. and I'.m not. being facetious. I think it's a:very nice
thing to;;do"'if you„can afford. it, we are just all facing budget' problems
and they .will still 'have' some funds left for advertising.
Mrs. Gordon: Well, it must be some other areas you are recommending because
that doesn't add up to the six thousand.
Yes, we are Iecommending; that the line item' for food' be
Ms. Spillman:
reduced.
Mrs. Gordon:
Ms. Spillman:
Mayor
Ferre:`
Food
es:.
What are the
reasoning behind that?
Ms. Spillman: You all have to give me a moment to remember this. We were
recommending that they keep giving the same number of meals, but that they
reduce the cost per meal. Their food cost is the highest of any of the
programs` that we fund in the City of Miami. And we have reviewed this with
the Health and Rehabilitative Services Department in the County regarding
kosher meals because we understand that the meals must be kosher. And they
feel that a kosher meal maybe purchased from a dollar thirty-four to a dollar
ninety. We are currently paying under this program approximately two dollars
twenty-five cents.
Mrs. Gordon: Does that include the snacks that they serve the people during..
Mrs. Gordon: Well, that has a cost factor too.
Mayor Ferre: How much is the J.E.S.C.A and the Little Havana food cost per
person. They are less than that. I can get those figures for you in a minute.
There is a problem with the.'.. kosher meals are generally more expensive, we
understand that, but we think they can be purchased for less and we also feel
that the Douglas Gardens itself can subsidize the meals to a higher degree
than they have been. It...
Mayor Ferre: How much does that amount to?
Ms. Spillman: Well, we would be cutting them from seventeen thousand fifty
dollars in the food line to twelve thousand seven hundred ninety.
Mayor Ferre: Ok, so that makes up the six thousand. Basically what it is,
is food cost.
Ms. Spillman: That's right. Now, I might add that we did discuss this with
the agencies. There maybe other places where they could absorb the cut more
easily and we could talk to them about that. However, from initial discussions
we felt this was the best way that we could do it.
Mayor Ferre: Ok, other questions? Other questions from Ms. Spillman?
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Mr. Lacasa: Yes, I have a question. Dena, do we have any cuts in social service
programs in CD funding from last year? Any programs that were funded with
CD monies last year ,.that are not being funded this year. with CD monies?
Ms. Spillman: No. In fact we added additional programs.
Mr. Lacasa: So we have none?
Ms. Spillman: No, but there is something I would like to discuss with you
as long as you brought up Community Development, so you understand why
Community Development does not show up in this recommendation. Nancy
Bond is going to pass out to you the guidelines which must be followed under
the Community Development Program for Social Service Programs. There are
a lot of different guidelines. The basic one which applies here... I'm
just going to go straight to #5 because it's the one that really applies
for Federal Revenue Sharing. For a program which was funded under Federal
Revenue Sharing for the previous twelve months period Community Development
funds cannot be used to pick up this program. We have talked to the legal
counsel in Jacksonville and they have informed us that the Secretary of the
Treasury has determined that Federal Revenue Sharing Funds are local funds
and as such cannot be replaced by Community Development Funds. Now, and
Commissioner Lacasa to add to that, any program that was not funded under
FRS during the previous twelve month period could be considered for Community.
Development Funding if it tnet the other criteria that has to be met.
Mr. Lacasa: Yes, but that was not my question. My question was the reverse
This applies to no substitution of Federal Revenuemonies for City monies,'
but what about substitution of City monies for Federal Revenue monies. In',
other words, any programs that might have been funded under CD and that has
been cut'' in this present budget now.
Mr.
Ms.
Spillman Under Federal Revenue Sharing.'
Lacasa: Under' CD, under' Community Development
Spillman:
o, we didn'
cut any social services.:
Mr. Lacasa: We have no changes in the CD monies.
Ms. Spillman:'
We added`. We '.added.'
Mr. Lacasa: We added, so we have no programs that are being
or reduced from CD allocations last year to this year.
discontinued
Ms. Spillman: Ok, the problem with discussing CD is that our fiscal year
for Community Development runs from June to June, so I can't answer your
question at this time. We will be reviewing the social service agencies
funded under Community Development through December and in January and
February we will be coming to you with our recommendations on Community
Development. So at this point I can't respond to your question because
I don't know whether we will be recommending any cuts or additional services..
Because we arejust starting....
Mr. Lacasa: But so far there has been no program that has been cut?
Ms. Spillman: No It's a whole different ball of wax; really.
Mayor Ferre: Further questions? Further questions of Dena Spillman?
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, could we have
that are being funded by CD?
a list of the Social Service Programs
Ms. Spillman: Yes, I have a list that I can pass outto,you which shows
the social service agencies that are being funded currently'; through Federal
Revenue Sharing, Community Development and CETA.
Mrs. Gordon: That's fine.
Ms. •Spillman: Now, the CETA will change after; October lst;
because of the new allocations, but this will give you an idea of the City's
commitment to the various programs.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok.
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Mayor Ferre: Further questions? Ms. Spillman, you want to pas:, that out and
after we have an opportunity to look at it we will come back to Ms. Spillman.
In the meantime let's get Mr. Al Howard to step forward and cover the Child
Care--- Day Care Centers. Dena, we will come back to this. Give everybody
the opportunity to look through this. Alright, Mr. Howard?
Mr. Howard: Ok, as it shows on the sheet the funding now for Day Care would
be a hundred seven thousand dollars for Federal Revenue Sharing Programs.
With an increase in fee were actually lower than what we recommended last
week. We would make an additional hundred thirty-five thousand dollars. We
also have fifty thousand dollars from the trust and agency that was left
from last year which would make up the supplement for the lost and Federal
Revenue Sharing Programs. And it was approximately eighty thousand dollars
from two. grants.
Mrs. Gordon: What are you reading from Mr. Howard?
Mr. Howard: I believe you have the sheets dated September 25th...
Mayor Ferre: Yes, I have it, hut
numbered, but is it. the " firs t?
Mr. Howard:
Mayor Ferre: One, two, three, the one that starts with Family and Per
Child Subsidy City Progratn? At the top of the page.
what page specifically? They
Mr. Howard: What we have done is we have taken the gross family income to
from zero to five thousand of which we would have approximately forty-two
people and the fee would be 'eight fifty a week. Basically, the fee right
now is seven fifty, so this is only an increase of one dollar. Anybody
from five thousand to eight thousand nine ninety-nine would pay fifteen
dollars, this is approximately doubled. There would be about fifty-one people-
in this category. From nine thousand to twelve...
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Howard:
category
Mayor Ferre: And how many children?
you tell me that again, how many people?
would be fifty-one people-- fifty-one
Mr. Howard: Forty-two in the first one and fifty-one in the second one.
In the third one nine thousand or twelve thousand of the twenty-one dollars
there would be forty-six people. The next one to sixteen would be five
people and they would be increased to twenty-six fifty. The next one from
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Howard:
Mayor Ferre•
Is that family income or is that...
That's family incase.
Ok, go ahead.
Mr. Howard: Sixteen to nineteen would be four and they would pay thirty
three dollars. From twenty to twenty-four there is six and they would pay
forty-one fifty, twenty-five to twenty-nine there is only one to pay fifty
dollars and from thirty to thirty-five there would be one also of fifty-eight.
What we have done is raised the top level and yet keeping the lower level
very moderate to increase the fees, but with the hundred seven thousand dollars
from Federal Revenue Sharing and the fifty thousand dollars that we have left
over as a balance from last year along with the increase in the fees we have
approximately the same amount of money that we had last year and we should
have no interference with the program whatsoever. We are recommending however
that we do have a registration fee of ten dollars for each child, but on a
sliding scale for a second or third child there would only be five dollars.
So this...
Mrs. Gordon: What is the second child on this scale that you are showing us?
Mr. Howard: On the actual payment per week there was no sliding scale
each child would pay that amount of eight fifty or fifteen dollars whatever it
maybe. The sliding...
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Mrs. Gordon: Excuse me, but someone having four children them would pay
and if they are in the five thousand to eight nine ninety-nine class they
would be paying sixty dollars a week.
Mr. Howard; We have nobody in the Day Care right now with four children.
We only have two families with three children now and eighteen families
with two children.
Mayor Ferre: But the question is still a valid question and :I think as.
I understood what you are saying; you are talking about afee, it's not
a weekly payment of five dollars. In other words, it's a one time fee.
Mr. Howard:
1 o, that's a one time..
Mayor Ferre: In other words, it'sa one time fee.. that a child
Suppose ,a family "has ' three children: and the ;one ,time fee would
dollars..'::
register..
be : twenty;'
Mr. Howard: Twenty rather thanthirty dollars.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, now, assuming how many weeks does the average~
child stay in the Day Care Program during the fiscal year?
Mr. Howard: Usually it's an
entire year, usually fifty weeks.
Mayor Ferre: So if you take twenty dollars and divide it by fifty-two,.:
you are talking about forty cents a week average for the three children.
Is that correct?
Mr. Howard: Approximately, yes.
Mrs. Gordon: But. Mr.
Mayor Ferre:
it
Howard let me give another...
would be about fifteen cents per child per week?
Mrs. Gordon: Another for instance, a family with three children earning at
the maximum eight nine nintey-nine would be paying forty-five dollars a week
out of a total income on that basis as a maximum dollar amount of that
of only... out of let's say a hundred seventy-five dollars you would be
paying forty-five. If they were making a hundred which is the lower end of
the scale they would be still paying forty-five and they would have fifty-
five dollars to take care of the family.
Mr. Howard: We really tried to modify this and make it as fair as we
possibly can in it's bracket and keep the low salary zero to five thousand
actually only one dollar more than we had this year. We haven't even raised
it in comparison with the inflation. There is fifty-one people in the
five thousand to eight thousand. The majority of those are over the seven
thousand bracket. There were very few at the five thousand. I don't have
the exact amount, but there are more making seven than there are five.
Rev. Gibson: That's about eight percent across the board, is that right?
Mr. Howard: Pardon, Father?
Rev. Gibson: That's about eight percent across the board increased?''
Mr. Howard: From seven fifty to fifteen is about that. The dollar increase
is about only a twenty percent increase.
Mrs. Gordon: I want to read you the motion that was passed by the Commission.
Father Gibson wasn't here, but it was unanimous for those that were here.
"A motion authorizing and directing the City Manager to place the Day Care
Program in the General Fund and to provide the necessary funds from the most
suitable sources providing that the services rendered by City of Miami Day
Care operations shall be above the average of the services rendered by
Dade County. Provided that the City of Miami quality of service does not
substantially go over the average of quality of service provided at the Day
Care Centers throughout Dade County." What it says to me is that the Manager
is not at all interested in what we passed by way of this motion. And here
we are back at zero where we were before the motion was passed.
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9
SEP 25 797it
Mayor Ferre: I think that motion should also say quality and cost.
Mrs. Gordon
I am reading from the minutes
Mayor Ferre: Yes
Mr. Clerk? Madam
Ms. Hiari:
Mayor Ferre: Yea. ` Have they been ... they . have been "na'
and they haven't been approved by this Commission yet?
the Clerk supplied to inc.
well have those minutes been approved at this point?
Clerk?
It is not the ininutes sir, it's a copy of the city Clerk reports.
e in the 'minutes'
Ms. Hiari: The commission only approves the minutes, not the agenda and
the City Clerk Reports.
Mr. Howard:" If .I may, I' think you directed us last time, you said that you
want to be #I1<and you weren't looking to lower or modify our fees just sothat
we can be lowered. I think if you looked on the fourth page where it shows
the topic is a"; client "group served by the City, County wide theaverage of
26 were 29. Fees are twenty-two eighteen we are only twelve. Average fees
per program.:
Mayor Ferre::
Mr. Howard:
Alright, tell me that again.
of the page.
Mayor Ferre: County wide average users cost is twenty-eight eighteen per
week? Is that what you are reading from?
Mr.Howard: Twenty-two eighteen it shows there and we are twelve and yet
where twenty-nine hundred average cost per program. So our program cost
we are still maintaining a developmentally sound Day Care Program. We have
not shirked as far as the cost per child or the cost to the City. There
will be no reduction in the services offered with this money that we are
requesting today.
Mrs. Gordon: Are you again suggesting that this money will part of the
Revenue Sharing dollars plus the fifty-five thousand that you suggested
that you had left?
Mr. Grassie: Let's see if we understand your question Commissioner. Are
you asking whether we would expect that the Day Care Program would continue
to be funded through Federal Revenue Sharing? No, as we said just a little
while ago, we would anticipate that since this Federal Revenue Sharing
Budget is in deficit at this point we anticipate taking the Day Care Program
out of Federal Revenue Sharing and into the regular budget.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok. Then why are we discussing it now under Revenue Sharing
Mr. Grassie: Because you asked that we come back with the full picture.
It would seem to me that you would certainly object highly if we had not
brought this item back to your attention. You asked that we bring it back
and discuss with you how we intended to organize the program and fund it.
Mrs. Gordon: But we... I feel that the rates here are excessive. It does
not take into account the multiple child family and I think that's a very
serious flaw.
Mr. Grassie: Just to put that into prospective for you, I think what Mr.
Howard is saying to you was that the County wide fee on the average is
twenty-two dollars per child, ours is now twelve dollars. With the fees
that are being proposed to you we would be going to less than seventeen
fifty.
Mayor Ferre: I don't think we should do anything different from Metro,
I think we should charge the same exactly as Metropolitan Dade County does.
Mr. Plummer: What would... Let me ask you this, what would be the think...
Mayor Ferre: And give
the same service.
Mr. Plummer: What would be the thinking of why the City would provide the
service at a less fee, that's what I think has to be the rationale. If we
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10
SAP 2 5 1979
Mr. Grassier
Mayor Ferre: I thinkg
same services as the County.
Mr. Howard: ' The County Day Care, Jackson is using ` Title 20'funds which 'we
are not using right now. They operate a little differently than we do.' In
that particular case, the children there are fully... the cost is fully
absorbed under Title 20. So, when somebody pays in the County the average,
seems a little higher, they are not counting the number of children that are
actually subsidized by the Federal Government completely. What we did, we
took sixty-three organizations in the County public, non-profit, profit and,
private and took the average of everybody and that's what the average is -
twenty -two eighteen per child, per week in the County.
Mayor Ferre: Oh, that isn't... I see, these are private and
Mr. Howard: Private, nonprofit... it's all..
Mayor Ferre: Well,'now for example did you..
Coconut ,Grove have' a Day Care Center?
Mr. Howard: That....yes , they do, that may,have
give you ex
the act name of all of them, but :..
That's a` private Day Care and as I,recall J. Z;'."Plummer,; You
or five years ago say that was costing three thousand"dollars
We don't necessarily think you 'should do it for less.
we should char a the sameas the County, and render the
are providing exactly
see is, is that maybe
that's one thing, but
ex ec t the City to do
p
what the County is providing, the only thing: that I can
the County is over charging. Now, if that 's'`the case,
if this is on a break even basis, vhy would anybody
it for less than the County.
Mayor Ferre:.
used to four
a year.
Mr. Plummer
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer: Saint Stevens I pay for my child
no, about eighteen hundred a year, that's. what
Stevens.
Mayor Ferre: At the high rate here
public.`
there about twenty-one hundrei
Ipay for my child at Saint
Mr. Plummer: But now there is a difference Maurice. You know, "let's; put all
of the cards on top of the table. This Day Care is for longer hours than
what Saint Stevens provides. This I think goes to six o'clock atnight, if
I'm not mistaken.
Mr. Howard: We are recommending 5:30.
Mr. Plummer: Well, ok, 5:30, where my kid muster out at 2:30,
is. So there is additional three hours per day.
Mr. Howard:
Today this is an eleven hour program, we are recommending ten.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Howard, parents who have to be to work early in the morning
have to get the child to the Day Care Center and then get on the road to get
to their job. The same thing holds true for the parent who have to leave
work at 5 o'clock and it takes more than a half hour to get out of an office
or wherever, get into a car, get on the road, get to the Day Care Center and
pick up the child. I mean, be practical about it. What are you going to
do with the child when the parent isn't there?
Mr. Howard: We didn't do this 'unilaterally, we found and we know that at
7 o'clock in the morning, sometimes we don't have one chill there and yet we
are bringing two and three people in and that's why we have moved it to 7:30.
That's when the majority of the children start coming in. And likewise on
the other hand we find that most of the children are leaving earlier and when
it comes to 6 o'clock we don't have that many children there.
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11
SEP 2 5 19/J
Hrs. Gordon: I would like to ask Anne Wilson to give you the view point of the
Day Care Committee and representing the parents of the group if you would
listen. Anne would you come forward and answer the questions that you have
the answers to?
Ms. Wilson: I don't know I have the answers to, but I have a lot of respect
for Al, but I disagree on this. Number one, you can't mix apples and oranges
and take private centers and mix them with public centers because I happen to
know that the cost at Jackson Dade is higher than twenty-nine hundred per
child. I happen to know that the programs that they are putting in there are
private places that don't keep the hours and that don't give the services
many of them that are Day Care Centers does because of the income level of
our parents. Because they need that care that is not provided... let's face
it, if everybody could send there kid to Gulliver or to one of these other
places or you know or Saint Stevens it would be wonderful, but first of all,
they don't provide the care as early and as late as I understand it, that this,
program does. And you can't take twenty-two eighteen when the City of Miami
average salary is lower than the County's average salary. We know that we
have more people in lower income levels in the City per capita than they do
in the County if you are separating out the two. And by doubling these fees
on the lower level and not giving the parent with more than one child in the
program a break, you are really saying to the people in the lower levels of
income,"we don't want you in our program anymore", that's what it amounts to.
And I don't care how you write it, that's what it is. As simple as that, so
you can't take twenty-two eighteen. That's a great figure if you want to
pull something out of the air and if you want to average out forty-two
programs, but they, are not programs like the City's programs, so how can you
do it? And how can you take an income level that's higher than the City of
Miami income level to a... you know, you just can't compare those two things.
Mayor Ferre: Anne let me ask you a question with regards to those people
that are... that families have an income of thirty to thirty-five thousand
dollars a year of which there is one. Is fifty-eight an unreasonable amount
for people making thirty to thirty-five thousand?
Ms. Wilson: I won't think so, no, with one child, maybe with two,
could see where it would`be:
Mayor Ferre: Where there is.‘only one child.
2.
Ms. Wilson::. Yes, but I'm saying suppose you had the family with two children.
in that income level, I could see where that would be a problem. You know,
I think... the last time I checked a private fee somewhere where they kept
the children until 6 o'clock, it was somewhere around fifty dollars a week.
So fifty-eight would be a little high, but you know, I think somewhere around
fifty would be probably fair in that price, in that... I'm not arguing that
income level, I'm arguing the other income levels below that and I'm arguing...
Mayor Ferre: I tell you, I think there is a valid point of a family that makes
five thousand dollars and has three children...
Ms. Wilson: Or any... even with one.
Mayor Ferre: There is just no way that a family making that kind of income...
Ms. Wilson: Well even if you go in the great middle... you know, what we call
the middle class group, they are the people who are really getting it in the
neck with this Mr. Mayor, because it's doubling them if they have more than
children. It's double already and then you don't give them any break for
having a second child.
Mayor Ferre: Well, I sympathize a great deal with people like that, but I'm
afraid I must sympathize more with people that are at the poverty level.
Ms. Wilson: Well, I do too, but there is something to be said for both of
them.
Mayor Ferre: Absolutely and in relative values I would sympathize more for
people in the poverty level than I would for somebody in middle income no
matter how hard their life maybe just as in the same way that I feel a little
bit more sorry for somebody in the middle income than for somebody making
thirty-five thousand dollars a year.
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12
�7
SEP
Ms. Wilson: That makes sense.
Mayor Ferret And you, know... and I feel more sorry for that person than
somebody making a hundred thousand dollars a year. Imean, so..
Ms. Wilson: The bulk of the children are below twelve thousand in income
and that's considered you know, low income now. That's not even considered
middle income anymore.
Mr. Bond: Well, Mr. Mayor, what we'did, what I did in recommending this
to you was simply add one dollar,, I think Mr. Howard mentioned to you, to
the lowest fee and I found out what percentage that was of the five thousand
dollars and it turned out to be eight point three percent and recognized that
if the poorest could pay eight point three percent then let us try to
logically extend that to eight point three percent for each of the other
groups... salary groupings and it turned out as you see it here. And there
was nothing magic about it, it's just a recommendation based on the same
percentage that the poorest were paying, the most needy.
Mrs. Gordon:< Jack, you didn't take into consideration the multiple family...
multiple child family, 'you know, You didn't take that into consideration at
all.
Mr. Bond: Well,not in this scheme, we did not take that into consideration'`
except in the initial registration fee. But we are just simply putting to
you what we need to operation the program per child, per head, per individual
enrolled in the program. We need this kind of revenue from each one.
Mr. Grassie::;.We should mention Commissioner that, that is a policy choice
that of course, you will have to express yourself on, but just so that you
will understand how we are thinking, basically the City is providing a
service which it can't afford to make available to all of it's citizens and
we felt that if you structure the fees so that in fact one family can easily
take up three slots, what you are saying is that two others families, two
other citizens in your community simply don't have the opportunity. So that
the affect of this kind of schedule really does try and make the program
available to as manyfamilies as possible recognizing that you can't provide
it to everybody. Now, you may disagree with that or want to go a different
direction, but that's why it was structured that way.
Mr. Bond: A hundred fourteen families receive an approximate subsidy of
twenty-three hundred dollars per, eighteen families receive an approximate:
subsidy of four thousand six hundred and two families receive an approximate
subsidy of six thousand nine hundred dollars per family because of the
multiple children enrolled in the program. So that... what that really does
is say that the one family individual can work, but probably at the expense
of two other families working.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, Mr. Bond, I will tell you there are a lot of children
here and there are a lot of people that are getting restless and I... we can
be doing this on our own. I think we have gone into this to the point that
we have exposed the different issues involved, but... and of course, those
of you that wish to remain through the whole process are welcome to do so,
but in the interest of getting some of these children home, I think we ought
to hear from the Program Directors that wish to be heard. So unless there
is an objection from the Commission what I will do is take Father's recommendation
and we will start this way and we will work our way in this Direction. So
if you would state your name and address for the record please and who you
are here representing and then you will have three minutes to make your
statement. Now, you won't be interrupted by the Commission, but after that
some members of the Commission may ask questions.
Mr. Otis Pitts: Well, I won't take three minutes. My name is Otis Pitts,
my address is 2021 Northwest 194th Terrace, Opa-Locka, Florida.
Mayor Ferre Can you tell me your name again, sir?
Mr. Pitts: Otis Pitts.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, Mr. Pitts let me interrupt you because the Clerk just.,,
brought me a problem.' Dr. Thomas Ferguson seem to have an urgency. Is. there
anybody here who must speak out of term? I'm going to otherwise do it in
logical order unless somebody has an emergency in which they have got to
13
gi
SEP 2. 1;,79
go to a hospital or something of that nature which would preclude, you know,
something serious. I know you have got a lot of children here Tom and we will
take you up as soon as we can. Ok, sir.
Mr. Pitts: Ok, Mr. Ferguson and I are sort of related if you will, in terms
of our concerns. I'm the Executive Director of Belafonte Tacolcy Center and
I had come here at the last meeting to defend the Sports Development Club
Incorporated, Sports Development Program only to find that Belafonte Tacolcy's
Vocational Program was also on the chopping block. I will let Mr. Ferguson
defend his own program. I will briefly talk about a few concerns that we
have and I will let him come up and talk about his own program and his agency.
I have noticed here in the Option 6 that have been recommended by staff and 1
the only difference in this than Option 4 are about three items and they
appear... that's the Catholic Service Bureau, Overtown Day Care Center and
Option #3, the City of Miami Day Care and Option #5, Dade County Schools
M
and Option 4,2. So I don't know what is being recommended except that
other things that have gone into Option 6, if you will to include other
agencies that were previously excluded. It was said that Tacolcy was not
being recommended because the services it was providing in it's Vocational
Program were being provided by the schools, if you will, in the area.
Unfortunately in our area as a nine point six year educational level seems
to suggest that all youngsters are not in school in our area. In addition
to that the estimated unemployment in the Model Cities area is approximately'
twenty thousand youngsters. So that's just to me that the schools are not
addressing that problem or we think we are doing it.., we have done a
relatively pretty good job at it, if you will. One other observation I
would like to make is that of all the programs being recommended not one
of these agencies are providing services to the Liberty City/Model Cities
area. So I don't know what that seems to suggest, but it seems that Liberty
is being ignored and I don't think that's the intention of this Commission
of the City of Miami. The program we provide at Tacolcy is a Vocational
Program funded at twenty-two thousand dollars and last year we provided
services for some three hundred twenty-five youngsters. We found jobs for.
approximately hundred youngsters and.the total amount of income those
youngsters earn is over two hundred nine thousand dollars. There were
twenty-two thousand dollars made available in our commmunity some two hundred`
thousand dollars in the way of income for our residents there. I'm not
going to get all the participants involved in this,'I think this is simply.a moral
issue. I think it would be ignored and I don't think that's your intent. The last
time we were here. Dr. Ferguson and I talked about the very elocuent
delivery by Commissioner Lacassa and we are very :nappy. we felt that the
Commission-- rather the staff have been given a charge to go back and to
find funding for these programs only to come back and find that here you have
been ignored or someone didn't take you seriously. So I'm going to let
Dr. Ferguson talk a little bit tonight. I'm going to go back to my community
tonight and tell them what has happened here tonight. I hope I can take____
them some good news, if not we will take them the bad news and allow them
to react to it at some future time. Thank you, very much.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, Mr. Pitts. Dr. Ferguson?
Dr. Ferguson: My name is Dr. Ferguson, 1558 Northwest 71st Street, I'm
here because most of you'know about this program and it is a crime preventive
program within the City of Miami. The evaluation team came out statistically
and evaluated the program. They found that the program was outstanding.
We are servicing approximately two hundred fifty kids per program. We are
now in our flag football program where we have just recruited some two
hundred youngsters, not including the Cheerleaders. As I said this is a
crime preventive program within the City of Miami. the only kind through
sports. We bring these kids, we draw these kids from the City of Miami, but
we teach them values. The evaluation of drugs, crime and that kind of
values because they are the politicians and the administrators within the
City of Miami of tomorrow. The only source of funding that this program
has is from the City of Miami. If the eleven thousand dollars that they
are having now is abolished these kids go back into the streets. Most of
the programs that are being funded has other sources of funding and what
I'm saying that if you eliminate this program tonight, we are saying that
we are putting some four hundred and something kids back into the streets.
Donnie Horne was at our banquet, the Mayor has been there and sometimes
we have a thousand kids and their parents come to these banquets. They are
not here tonight, but their kids are here and they are going home shortly.
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14
SEP 2 7 1979
We could have filled this place up tonight with uu► p,nnght erH, hnt they
are not here. Those who are here because they are concerned nl,oI t thR'
instructional kind of information that they are getting, from a this prop,rnu►.
I came up through this program, that's why I'm Dr. Ferguson today. 11 came
up without a father and this kind of program assisted me and I cannot stand
by and see this program go down the drain because I don't know why. Thank
you, very much Commissioners. I'm hoping that we can get twenty thousand
dollars to continue to house this program. We got eleven last year, we have
asked for twenty thousand dollars and we can show why because they have went
out there, they have seen these kids in action, they know about these kids
and don't see how consciously they can turn these kids to the streets. Thank
you, very much.
Mayor Ferre:.'
Alright, thank you, Dr. Ferguson. Commissioner Lacasa?
Mr. Lacasa: Mr. Mayor, for the sake of discussion and to establish a
procedure.. We had two people talking on the Belafonte Program, my question
now is are we going to go into other programs or are we going to discuss
program by program because now I would like to know after having listened to
his presentation what--- I assume very heavy reasons-- have the staff to
recommend this program to be... not to be considered for funding. So what
I would like to know, because we listened to this presentation, now what I
would like to hear is the other side of the story.
Mayor Ferre: That's fine and we will do it just that way. I would rather
however, not to come to a conclusion this way because then... until they
are all concluded because I think we have to hear all of the presentations.
And in the past years, you know, we don't do it that wayor we will end up
with a couple of million dollars before we know it. I" think we have got...
we have always done it in the past this way and I think we should stick to
that system. Do you want.Comissioner Lacasa to hear the presentation on
the other side?
Mr. Lacasa: Yes.
Mayor Ferre:
..... ..... ......
Mr.. Bond: We have no... We don't take as an issue the value of the program.
We start it from a base of a few dollars in trying to accommodate as many
worthwhile programs as we can and I think that what Ms. Spillman said earlier
was the crux of the matter with respect to Belafonte Tacolcy. They are
receiving other City dollars, CD to be specific and we are asking that they
consider consolidating their programs with those that are operated and funded
to Otis Pitts. We are not saying it's a worthless program, not at all. We
are saying we are strapped for monies.
Dr. Ferguson: Mr. Mayor, I would like to answer Jack Bond. We were advised
by this administration two years ago to come under the umbrella of Tacolcy
Center because of the funding kind of condition and situation. We were
advised by the ... is a different kind of program totally. We serve different
clientele. The evaluation team that came out there could varify this,
the goals and objectives are different. The funding sources are different.
Mr. Lacasa: Are you saying Dr. Ferguson that if this, a recommendation of
the staff were to be taken and no funds be allowed to this program, there
will be an specific clientele that is being served now that will not receive
any services?
Dr. Ferguson: That's right. If this program is eliminated Harry Belafonte
Tacolcy. Center will not accept the responsibility of funding this program.
It's a different Board, different goals and objectives, a different concept
totally:
Mr. Pitts:: Let me add
something.
now... Father Gibson has a point.
Rev. Gibson: Did I hear you say that if you don't get the money out of this`
pot, that the same thing can be accomplished by getting the money out of
another pot or the same money can be used to accomplish what he is talking
about?
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15
SEP 2 5 1979
Mr. Bond: Well, that's what we would like to think, yes, s..r, thit it doesn't
have to be the way it's being painted... the picture doesn't have to be the
way it's being painted here now.
Rev. Gibson: I just want to make sure. I'm a little dense, but I didn't
think I was that.
Mayor Ferre: I tell you I still don't understand it Jack, because my problem in this is that the Tacolcy Program receives fifty thousand dollars from CD.
Now, those fifty thousand dollars they received last year and I assume they
are going to receive this year. Now, what do they spend the fifty thousand
dollars in? They had certain programs.
Ms. Spillman: The Tacolcy Program which is funded through Community Development
is a sports program, it's a very similar program. They have organized...
Mayor Ferre: Well, how does it differ from this Sports Development Program?
Ms. Spillman: Well, it differs in that it service a different clientele.
However, we can adjust the work program under Community Development so that
they can serve the clientele which is being served under the FRS Program.
That's a contractual issue.
Mayor Ferre: Has the Tacolcy... Have the Tacolcy people in the CD-- fifty
thousand dollar CD program accepted that?
Ms. Spillman: No, 'Mr. Pitts and "I have discussed it. I don't
has accepted it.
Mayor Ferre: Well, Mr. Pitts, I guess the question is very simple. If the
Belafonte Tacolcy Sports Development Program that was funded for eleven
thousand dollars last year and that Dr. Tom Ferguson runs is eliminate,
could you absorb it into your other program and serve these children in
same way?
think that 'h
Mr. Pitts: Firstof all, I don't think we can, but let me clarify something.
Mayor Ferre: I didn't hear that, I'm sorry.
Mr. Pitts: No, I do not think we can do that. But let me clarify` something.;
We are providing administrative support to the Sports Development, Club, Inc.;
which is a separate corporation in the State of Florida. Eleven;thousand
dollars represent the total funding that this entity has. We are providing
administrative support to them. I, just want to simply add as well, this is probably
one of the most cost affective programs operated anywhere in the City of
Miami and that also includes Tacolcy's Program. The job that is being done
by these folk is just... it's not being mastered by anybody. If we take
away their funding, we destroy that agency, if you will. This is not
Tacolcy's Program as such. There is a contract which Sports Development
Club, Inc. and we have an agreement to provide administrative support to
that group and that's the way the contract reads. So we are not taking. ~.
away Tacolcy's Sports Development... other Sports Development Program, you
taking away funding from Sports Development Club, Inc.
Mayor Ferre: Further questions? Alright,. the next speaker.
Hayle of Edison Day Care. Alright, Ms.' Hayle?
is Linnette
7722 Northwest 9th Avenue, Edison
Mayor Ferre: Oh, yes. Yes, I think this'is obviously going .to be concluded
this evening. I hope you will be around. You...
Mr. Pitts: Yes, sir, I will be here. I'm just
they have got to go to school in the morning.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok,
alright.
16
gettingmy kids hometo be
Ms. Linnette Hayle: I am Linnette Hayle,'
Day Care.
Mrs. Gordon: Excuse tne. Maurice, before Dr. Ferguson and the young people
leave downhearted, I think we should at least let them know that we are not
at the decision making point right now, but, certainly will be later in the
evening.
SEP 2 E79
Mayor Ferre: Yes. Ok, fine. Alright?
Ms. Hayle: First of all, I would like to ask if the city of Miami
competing with the private enterprisevbecauru thin+ reu;cn,. 1 um a divorced
mother of three. I have one baby just ten months old, 1 have to pay twenty
dollars per week for that baby. I have two children at Edison Day Care.
I could not afford... I'm not earning twelve... I'm not even earning ten
thousand dollars per year. I have my rent to pay, my car bill to pay, my
furniture bill, I have my eighty dollars a month for one baby, fifty-seven
at Edison for the other baby. I have food, I have clothes, I have gas. I
have not taken any incidentals and allowance because I cannot afford incidentals.
I want to know... Mr. Vice -Mayor is spending eighteen hundred dollars a
year for his one child, he can afford that. I cannot afford anything. I
cannot afford twenty-two dollars a week per child, if I can pay twenty-two
dollars a week per child at the City of Miami, I can send my child to a
private Day Care, I wouldn't be running here sitting down here night... this`.
is my second night being in here trying to get cheap Day Care services for.
my babies. I cannot afford it, I, just cannot afford it and I'm sure there
are a lot of other parents here who cannot afford eight point five, three
percent increase in their child care services.
Mrs. Gordon: I~totally agree with this lady and that's what I was saying
before. We are just closing our eyes and to the priorities that this
community requires. We don't need some of the things that are being budgeted
into the general funds. We can live without those things. We can live
without a four hundred thousand dollar item, new Department for Trade and
Commerce last year was funded with Community Development funds in the amount
of two hundred twenty-five thousand dollars as an office under the Planning
Department. I don't think that the people of the City are going to benefit
to the difference that it is going to be costing them. They would much
rather have the human service that they require and they would appreciate it
a great deal more, because the... Trade and Commerce for instance is being
supplied by Dade County and other governmental sources and... let's face
reality. If we are going to cut back, we are going to cut back on the things
that people don't need as dramatically as what this lady is saying now.
Ms. Hayle: Our food prices are so high and we are not... I, personally am
not eligible for food stamps, I cannot get food stamps with three children.
I have to purchase everything out of my one salary. I don't know the
where abouts of my childrens father. I don't know where he ran off to
and I thought by coming to the City of Miami, it would have been better
than going to a private Day Care which I cannot afford and if I am to pay ..
twenty-two dollars per week at the City of Miami. I'd better stay home with
my children and eat nothing. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, thank you. The next speaker
Monfort , Miami Mental Health Center. Dr.?
Dr. Monfort: Thank, you, very much." I represent the Miami MentalHeal.th
Center, but my original purpose was to make a request of;fifty,one thousand
dollars from the FRS funds.
Mayor Ferre:. `Excuse me, Doctor. Would the Clerk please pay attention
the tithing device; so that we don't .embarrass people?
Thank .you
Dr. Monfort: Make`a request of fifty-one thousand dollars..
Mrs. Gordon: Which program, sir?
Dr. Monfort: The Miami Mental Health Center, it's a comprehensive mental
health center serving a tricultural, bilingual community. But after hearing
the proposed budget for the FRS funds, I feel like a baseball player who
is given the opportunity to stand out in the batting play, but not pitch
the ball. But be as it may we accept the realities that certain things
have to go. This being a new program, obviously the prior commitment take
precedence. However, we are concerned that this trend might continue and then
we will really have problems in the future. We were able to bring to the
City of Miami a large amount of federal funds to create this comprehensive
mental health center and as federal monies goes we are sponsored for eight,
but beginning on the fourth year the money will begin to reduce. We`need to
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SEP 2 5 1S79
attract local funds to support the program. At this point what we would
like to do is to make ourselves known and to start a working relationship
so that we can be guided by the Commission as to how we require funds in the
future. Thank you, very much.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, thank you, Doctor. The next speaker... and by the
way the speakers numbers is now increased, we are up to fifteen. Is Mr.
Hector Gasca, Industrial Home for the Blind Foundations, Inc. Mr. Gasca7
Mr. Hector Gasca: My name is Hector Gasca, 1971 Southwest 4th Street. I'm
going to talk about the Industrial Home for the Blind Foundation, Inc. The
Industrial Home for the Blind Foundation, Inc. is a private non-profit
organization which has taken the task to rehabilitate the visually handicapped
intergrating them as useful members of our community. The organization has
five years of experience with an excellent record of performance. Presently
we are offering rehabilitation, educational, recreational, training and
employment program for the blind. We have written a letter to Mrs. Dena
Spillman, copy which was delivered to you, requesting an additional position of
which we are in great need. Community Development funds were allocated and
no money was allocated for this position. Therefore, we plead to the City
Commission that the Industrial Home for the Blind Foundation be granted a
total amount of thirty-five thousand seven hundred nine dollars from the
federal revenue sharing funds for the proposal we submitted and the original
twelve thousand dollar... I mean, is included in this twenty-five thousand.
There is a lady who works as a counselor for the blind who has been working
there for about three years and the blind are very sad to know that she is
finished because shebelongs to the CETA program and she is ending this
September. Thank you, very much.
Mr. Lacasa: And what is the reason for
Mr. Gasca: Wegot two increases. The other thirty-five thousand,;
and so on, contractual services and comrnodities. Do you want me to
Mayor Ferre: Well,... the two increases... you want to go up again... from
ten thousand to twenty-three, thousand seven hundred nine and you are being
recommended for ten thousand and the difference being, say fourteen thousan
dollars and that's for what?
Mr. Lacasa: No, no, it says twenty-three
Mr. Gasca: No, we requested thirty-five thousand seven hundred dollars,`
from there twenty-three thousand dollars are from different purpose and
twelve thousand dollars for that position of the counsel.
Mr. Lacasa: You see, this goes back. To understand this situation that
they are facing here today we have to go back about a few months ago when
there was an allocation being made, I think Dena Spillman, that was from
CD and they were requesting at that time fifty thousand dollars, fifty.
And by a mistake the person that was then representing the agency requested
fifteen instead of fifty thousand dollars and there was a difference of thirty
five thousand dollars and that is one of the reasons that they are in this.
predicament. The other reason is the discontinuation of CETA funding in
some of the positions, is that correct?
Mr. Plummer: Let me ask this question. Dena, it says here under CD qualifications
getting to your number _5, it;says here a quantifiable increase. Could these
people apply to this?
Ms. Spillman:
Mr. Plummer: Right.
could they be funded under Community Development?,
Ms. Spillman; Just off the top of my head I would say "yes" because they
already are receiving Community Development funds. .However,"the City would
have to continue funding them...
Ms. Spillman: ... ten and any additions, because we could consider that
an expansion of the program.
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41k
4'5
Mr. Plummer: Well, ok, the question has to be can the additional increase
of the twenty-five: come fro“D?
Ms. Spillman: 1 believe it can. I would have to review the work program,
but I would believe it. They have expressed to us that this would be an
expansion of the program.
Mr. Plummer: You see, that's where it might qualify.
Ms. Spillman: No, there is... there is two things...
Mr. Plummer: Well, the problem is you know, some of these other programs
would not qualify for an expansion of program and this one is what I see
as an expansion.
Mayor Ferre: Plummer, you are a smart man, you know that.
Mr. Plu:nmer: You only say that because it's true.
Ms. Spillman: Now, there is two points I 'want to make about the use of
CD funds that are not written here. One is that you know, we have just
created a Community Development Boards and obviously, it's your decision to
make, but this has not been taken to the Board. The second thing is that if
you should decide this evening or Thursday to fund any program additionally
or as an expansion with Community Development funds, we will not be able
to get any money from the Federal Government for at least forty days. In other
words, the program could not receive Community Development funds for at least
forty days from the point at which it is approved due to all the regulations...
Mr. Plummer: Alright, so if we give them the ten, if we give them the ten
that leaves twenty-five difference or two a month. So then if we give them
approximately three grand more that would carry them over that forty day
period. It's not how you skin the cat as long as the cat gets skinned. I
guess. Anybody else? The next speaker is Mr. Fred Hirt, Douglas Gardens.
Mr. Fred Hirt: Fred Hirt, 151 Northeast 52nd Street. I represent the Miami
Jewish Home and Hospital of the Aged and the Douglas Gardens City of Miami
Senior Adult Day Center. There are a few areas here which I think require
clarification. First deals with the client population and the reason for the
food increase aways known as public relations and the Retirement Program.
First with regard to the food which is 2.08 excluding the container as
compared to the dollar $1.29 to $1.90 which has been represented. First the
individuals in this program, this is not a routine Day Care Program. This is
a frail elderly program. The average age is eighty-one years of age in this
program, that's the average age of a recipient, eighty-one. Secondly, the
individuals in this program are classified either intermediate one or intermediate
two for nursing homes. Their average income is below three thousand dollars
a year. The diets and the foods which have been recommended and for a reason
for the increase is not primarily that of kosher food. The reason for the
increase is that these are not standard diets. The diets are low sodium,
bland, low fat and caloric balanced diets. So that it is not comparing
apples with apples. The County program, from what I understand, the Metropolitan
Dade County program a cost for the same program not served in bulk. These
are individually prepared, we provide these meals individually is $1.98
compared to the $2.08. So this is really decentralized and there are individual
meals. so again we are comparing apples and oranges. First we were comparing
decentralized food service were compared to bulk food service. Secondly, we
are comparing a medically prescribed diet to generally a loud diet. Third,
we are also looking at public relations and I think the title is a misnomer.
What this is, is basically information or referral brochures. It is not in
the common terminology of public relations, we don't have public relations for
the program.
Mrs. Gordon: I would suggest that .you 'wait until you have a full' Commission.
. .
. ,
. s-•.- .
Mr. Mirr: As further testimony to what has been taking place in this program,
I think that it's important to note that the individuals in this program also
require other services vhich were paid forand budgeted - and absorbed by Miarni
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19
SEP 2 '0. IS
Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged. Documented not inkind services,
medical services were seventeen hundred ten dollars in equipment and
supplies. Medical visits, there were three hundred visits which were not
paid for by the program which came to ten thousand five hundred dollars
paid for by the facility. Counselling was completely absorded with no
cost and medications which were given on an emergency basis came four
thousand four hundred eighty dollars which was sixteen thousand six hundred
ninety dollars which was not even placed in this budget, which was agreed
to by the Miami Jewish Home and absorbed, recognizing the problems that the
City had last year with Federal Revenue Sharing Funds. So I think I have
responded to the three areas. In addition to the retirement was one in
where when you compare like salaries and Programs with significantly less
and the salaries are significantly less... our driver who last year... our
driver's salary is a hundred fifty dollars a week, that was it and that
included the last increase which the person had received. So, we are talking
of basically minimum wage people, five, in addition there are two other
people not paid for by the program or functioning in this program. Again,
we are talking of about thirty-five to thirty-seven people a day who are
seen. These are not individuals who could function within the community,
these are individuals who have no where else to go and no one else to
turn to. If not for this program these individuals would today be in
nursing homes in this community as exhibited by the fact that they are
classified intermediate one and intermediate two, eligible for nursing
home care. Unfortunately, in this community there are no types of facilities
which accept people who's average income is below three thousand dollars
a year. That's the reason why we again come to this Commission for increased
support.
Mrs. Gordon: Would you also tell us the ethnic m
in the 'program?
Mr. Hirt: Surely. The... there are -I believe eighteen out of two hundred,
eighteen out of a hundred nintey-two individuals were Jewish. There are
approximately thirty-five ,percent-- I believe that the figure - thirty-five.
percent of the individuals are minorities.
Mrs. Gordon: The reason I asked for the clarification, theimplication
the terminology Kosher meals indicated that you may just be catering to
one ethnic group which I don't believe you are.
Mr. Hirt: No, obviously not. It's less than... I believe,it's"about
eight percent who are Jewish in the program which is less .than�the.percentage
and the population in the area being served. And I think it's
Mrs. Gordon: Thank you, for that clarification. I understand that the
First Lady will be--- of the State of Florida will be visiting your program
this week. I believe on Thursday, is that correct?
Mr. Hirt: Yes. We are very pleased that we have had now in,the past month
Adell Graham ` will be visiting the program, as did Lillian '.Carter .approximately
three week ago.
Mrs. Gordon: The reason that this program is receiving some much attention
in the... from the State level and from the National level ladies and gentlemen
is because this is a unique program which is a pilot type of program,
outstanding in the Country among all other programs catering to the elderly.
And I congratulate you on having such an outstanding program and we in the
City should be indeed proud to be a part of what is becoming a showcase
for the entire Nation.
Mr. Hirt:,.Thank you, very much Commissioner Gordon.
Mr. Plummer: The next speaker is Mr. Gregg Silverberg. Excuse me, did you
have something to say Dena?
Ms. Spillman: If only eight percent of your clientele require kosher meals,
then why is your food cost so high relative to the other food programs that
we fund in the City which are also for elderly people and who also have similar
problems as the clientele which you are serving?
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SEP 2 15742
Mr. Hirt: I think there are a few reasons for this. First is not to
discriminate against those individuals who require kustwr food. Secondly,
is that...
Ms. Spillman: Well, wait, let me ask you a question. Are all your meals
kosher?
Mr. Hirt: Yes.
Ms. Spillman: But that's not necessary, though.
Mr. Hirt: It is necessary if you have a dietitian who is not being paid
for by the program and these programs here are under medical supervision.
The average... the meals which are served, again, better than sixty percent
of meals are not standard meals. They are either low sodium, bland,
metabolic or low fat. This is not consistent with the other programs within
the County. As a matter of fact, we did contract for both meals with three
catering services and the cost were a dollar ninety-one, dollar ninety-seven
and I don't have the third figure similar to what area wide has been paying,
but this would be in bulk and would not include snacks. This program again,
is not in bulk or else we would have a salary line which would have to
be included in other to prepare those meals individually. So obviously
we are comparing apples with oranges in this particular area.
Mr. Plummer: Mir. Gregg Silverberg representing the Dade County Association
for Retarded Citizens. You have three minutes, sir. Set the clock.
Mr. Gregg Silverberg: Thank you, Commissioner. We are asking for thirteen
thousand five hundred dollars of Federal Revenue Sharing Funds to support
one position in the Citizen Advocacy Program of which I am Director. The
position that we are asking you to fund is the client representative. Three
percent of your population is retarded. They are elderly, they are young.
They are Black, White, Hispanic, it cuts across all lines. They are usually
low-income, they are all handicapped or multiply handicapped. We are serving
now in our Citizen Advocacy Program approximately four hundred fifty people.
We provide a match with a normal functioning individual to provide assistance,
guidance and intervention on behalf of these hundred individuals. That is
the client... the client representatives oversees these matches. Unfortunately,
we do not have all of the people who have applied for services matched with a
functioning individual. So we have three hundred fifty individuals per whom
the client representative has act in the capacity of an interventionist to
deal with systems, their problems, the overseeing of delivery of services,
the monitoring. This position at the present time is funded by a CETA
position, we are losing that CETA position, without this position we are
losing one third of our program. We can recruit and we can administer, but
we have trouble in serving the three hundred fifty people who do not have
matches and monitoring of one hundred people who do have matches. We are
as I said asking for assistance in continuing this program which has
national significance and has been seen on national television as recently
as last week. Thank you, gentlemen.
Mrs. Gordon: Dena, where is that on this list of programs that we have
here?
Ms. Spillman: This does not appear in this memorandum I have... that was
part of your last package which you received, which I can pass out to you
again. It's a new program.
Mrs. Gordon: You said new program?
Ms. Spillman: And we are not recommending new programs that's why you don't
see it here.
Mr. Lacasa: From where do you get the other funding for the other services?
Mr. Silverberg: We get funding from United Way for most of it. We hired
some CETA positions, we are looking to get funding from Vista, ve do some
of our own fund raising which is private charitable funding and we are
running a deficit budget so,... like everybody else I suppose.
Mr. Plummer: Alright, the next speaker is Mr. Rafael de Arazosa representing or
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21
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speaking in behalf of Day Care Centers.
Mr. Rafael de Arazosa: My tame is Rafael de Arazosa, 1932 Northwest 18th
Street, Miami. Commissioners, I don't know how to begin. I'm going to
try to be objective and speak very rapidly. I am very shocked tonight. I
am shocked because on September the 13th I attendee this Commission Meeting,
along with about sixty parents and at that time the City Commission in
opinion and again, I am no attorney unfortunately and sometimes I don't
understand the motions, but it was my understanding on September the 13th,
the Commission made a motion, adopted a resolution directing the City
Manager to appropriate the two hundred thirteen thousand dollars needed to
fund the Day Care Center to obtain that amount of monies from the general
funds. And I think it was some of the Commissioners, I don't know whether
it was Commissioner Lacasa or some of the other Commissioner pointed out
that this matter should never be brought up again. That these children
allocations should not be jeopardized and ladies and gentlemen here tonight
I am against, I am bewildered, I am very much angered when I see these
figures prepareo by the City Manager's Office intented to raise the fees
that the parent will pay substantially. When I say substantially, in my ---
the fees that I pay currently are twenty-six dollars a week. Under this
new sliding fee scale to take effect on January 1st, I will be paying
forty-one dollars fifty cents a week. That's an increase of sixty percent.
Now, I don't think this is fair for me as a parent. I have done a little
research and I understand that at Florida International University Day Care
Center the maximum fee paid by parents is thirty dollars a week. I understand...
I have a friend of mine who's kid is currently in a private Day Care Center
and he and his wife, I believe, are on the last salary range indicated on
this page and they only pay thirty-five or thirty four dollars a week. So
what is happening, I don't know.
Mr. Lacasa: Mr. Arazosa, let me tell you this. This is not unusual for the
staff to come out with an alternative which doesn't necessarily represents
the orientation that the City Commission has given them before. But one
thing I can assure you of is that the motion that I made on September the
18th,.I'`think it was, is going to made again today. And that I do hope that
I will have the same kind of`support that I had at the previous meeting. So
don't worry, this is just another view, but the view that in the final
analysis will be the one that will really decide the future of the program,
I think was pretty clearly expressed in the previous Commission hearing.
Mrs. Gordon: I don't know whether or not these minutes are wrong Mr. Lacasa,
but I made the motion and Ferra seconded it. So I don't know where you
came in making wnicn motion, put
Mr. Lacasa: Well, it was...
Mayor Ferre: It doesn't matter.
Mrs. Gordon: It doesn't matter, but let the records be correct always.
Mr. Lacasa: It was referring Rose, to my position that this question should
be funded through general fund and that should be never again be brought for
discussion here.
Mrs. Gordon: That's right, that's why I don't know why we are wasting time
this evening even discussing it when it was decided last time that it would
automatically be put into the general fund at the level it was funded last
year and there wasn't going to be any changes.
Mayor Ferre: No, no, that wasn't the motion. It's close, but not quite.
Mrs. Gordon:
it necessary,
Mayor Ferre:
Well, I will read it to you again. And if you feel you find
if not you can read it yourself.
Yes, that's good.
Mr. Arazosa: Well, again, let me close my statement by saying, I know that
several times it's been mentioned that maybe the fees that the parents should
pay will have to be proportioned to the average. Let me indicate that the
average that has been indicated by two gentlemen that has spoked before, I
think that's an extremely low average. I'm appointing out to the FIU program
and this other individual private entity who will charge much, much less than
the fifty-eight dollars here at the bottom of this page. And again, as a
closing statement, let me reiterate that at the last meetinglI think that the
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41114
Director somebody asked a question, I think it was Mrs. Filson. What's
going to happen to the teachers? Are there going to be any laid -off?? And
at that time she got a reply, that "no", from the City Manager I beleive, no
teachers will be laid -off and at this point in time these teachers are running
scared. They don't know what they are going to do and it's an awful feeling
when you have to go to work every day and you worry that maybe next week you
will not have a job. So please,... most of the parents are not here tonight.
They turned out in masses on the 13th. Please don't let it he said that on
a later date the City Commission came and did something else, because I
know that you people are all acting in good faith. Thank you, very much.
Mr. Grassie: Mr. Mayor, for the information of the City Commission you need
to know that all of the employees in the program were notified of the action
of the City Commission last week.
Mayor Ferrer The next speaker is Mr. Rafael Villaverde
Mr. Rafael Villoverde: Good evening, my name is Rafael Villaverde, c8i
Ocean Drive, Key Biscayne, Florida. First of all, l want to thank the
City Commissioner for supporting the .program in the last five years. Over
three thousand persons have been able to receive a hot meal on a daily basis
and we will appreciate the efforts of the City of Miami. Number 2, we
understand the constraints imposed on the City by the allocation of funds,
but by the same token we want to impress on the Commission the problems that
we have. For the last four years we have been able to maintain the cost of
a meal at a regular price, today it is not so. Inflation has hit us very
hard. It's hitting the nation around eight or nine or ten percent a year
and now we are going into an increase in our meal cost of sixteen percent for
the first time in four years. Unfortunately, we have not been able to maintain
it at a lower cost this year. What does that mean for us? That means that
we need approximately twenty thousand dollars more on a yearly basis than what
we used to have before. I'f not, what does that mean? That means that either
we cut-off the total Blind Program, no meals for the Blind Program plus cut-off
our regular funding for our regular clientele. We know and we understand
the hard decisions that are in front of five gentlemen and a lady here, but
we also understand that the actions that we take here reverse in the people
that are in need of eating a meal or not. I hate to be in the City Commission;
shoes tonight, but tomorrow it will be my shoes when I have to tell those
people that they cannot receive the meals that they are receiving today.
don't know from where... -I don't know if CD money could be used or not
according to the statements we received it's impossible to receive it. I don
know how do we stand in general funds, but in the name of the recipients of
the program. Number one, as I said before, I want to thank you for the
services provided in five years and number two, please have some mercy on the
hungry people that need their food every day.
Mr. Lacasa: Mr. Villaverde, I think that the record in the particular case
of your agency speak by itself. Little Havana Activity Center has a tremendous
record and if there has been an agency that has provided effective services
in a particular area has been that. So the City Commission has only done it's
duty by reciprocating and supporting your program.
Mr. Villaverde: Thank you, very much Commissioner Lacasa. But again, I
want to emphasize that we are in need and tomorrow I will, have to make ,decisions
in accordance to the decision you make here today. So, please have mercy
on the people. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, Mr. Rolando Otero?
Mr. Rolando Otero: I am Rolando Otero, 300 Southwest 12th Avenue. At the
last meeting.. Commissioner Lacasa, he requested for another Option 6 or 7.
onight we have Option 6 and I think that still,it doesn't satisfy our new
programs and, other present programs establishes. I unnerstauu �'
problem of lack of funding and I understand that the Commission would love to
finance., the present program and future program, but still have to face those
little inconveniences. Our program is a Crime Prevention Program with
the purpose to create an organization to establish a service of Para -professional
Counselors' in` the Dade County jails. The very unique of this program is to
the fact that we are going to deal with'emotional problems of the people
that are in this... in the jail over here in this ,community . This ro ram
is economic... it cost about a hundred ninety-eight ao11ar per persorj.
We expect to have five hundred clienteles and it is projected to the
socially disadvantaged. I would like to give some kind of progress
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23
SEP251979
and the purpose. Thank you, very much.
Mayor Ferre:
report to this Commission so you. can have a better evaluation of tht';progrn
How much is your request?
Mr. Villaverde'
Ninety-eightthousand dollars five hundred.
Mayor Ferrer Are you getting any funding
at all now from: any"other source?
Mr. Villaverde: No, at the presenttime:: we have been 'just assisted
the donation of businessmen and different people in the community.
with
Mayor Ferre: You are not getting any funding from Metropolitan Dade County
or from HEW?
Mr. Villaverde: No, 'sir.':
Mrs. Gordon:.
What ,'program i"s that?
Mr. Villaverde: .Project Freedom:78'. It's a crime: prevention program with
the purposeto assist prisoners as they comejail.
Mrs. Gordon: Did .we fund you last year?
No,.no, this is a new program.
Mr. Villaverde.
Mrs. Gordon:
Mayor Ferre:
program?
Mr. Bond: W
Mayor Ferre:
program?
Mr. Bond:
new program. Oh, ok.
Did we make any evaluation=at all or.we.just'rejected.any'new
e rejected considering any new program.
see, s0 in other vords,'there .weren't.no evaluation for the
There was an evaluation,;:"yes"..
Mayor Ferre: Oh, ..I.'see
Mr. Bond: Yes.
there was an evaluation..
Mayor Ferre: of all submittals and we
program and what have you. Ok.
Mr. Bond: Yes.
lookedatthe quality of the
Mr. Lacasa:. Is there any other program providing the type of services that
you are offering in this community now?
Mr.Villaverde: At the present time, no, sir. We have authorization from
the Director of Dade County jail, Jack Sandstrom and this is a very unique
program. We are going to visit the inmates in the different jails and
specially we are going to concentrate our energies with juvenile crimes.
As you understand juvenile crime, they are facing overcrowded problems over
there. The jail is overcrowded and they have lack of personnel. I think
probably inreference to crime prevention we need whatever program, you know,
tnat can affect the kind of service.
Mayor Ferre: Elizabeth Virrick is doing some work in rehabilitation with
former offenders, but I don't think that it's nearly enough and I'm not too
sure that, that's something that we could solve here tonight. But I do think
that we would spend a lot less money in some of the police work that we do
if we spent--- and I'm talking as a general statement, you know, as I see
in society--- we spent some time and some money on the program to rehabilitate
people. What the name, the technical name of re... when people repeat...
Mr. Grassie: Recidivist.
Mayor Ferre: What's that called again?
Mr. Grassie: Recidivism.
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SEP 2 5 197S.
Mayor Ferret Recidivism.
Mr. I'lummer: You go back for a second time.
Mayor Ferrel Recidivism is one of the serious probletns and I remember being
at a hearing with Maynard Jackson.
(BACKGROUND COMMENT INAUDIBLE)
• ,"
Mayor Ferre: From Raiford. I remember being with Burke Spy and Maynard
Jackson at a hearing in Atlanta on this and I was really shocked to realize
that there are certain... there is a certain problem in our society that we
have people that repeat the same crime over and over and over and they end
up going to jail four, five, six times and society is doing nothing about it.
You know, some where along the line Mr. Grassie and obviously it's not now,
I think we in the City and the County along with the State and the Federal
Government have really got to address this problem. I think everybody in
this Country is turning their backs totally and we are really paying through
the nose on it.
Mrs. Gordon: You know, it's ironic, I believe that you have the attitude tonight
because remember a couple of years ago when we worked diligently to try to
put in place the youth city and had the whole program worked out to the point
where we had everything in place until the Manager moved his staff into the
building and program had to be shelved. I think it's very ironic because that
program wasn't going to cost anything, it was going to be contributed
contributions from other agencies and the School Board in this community.
Mr.ViLlaverde: I would like to emphasize that keeping the inmate in jail
it would cost to the Government from seven thousand dollars up to nearly
sixteen thousand dollars. It depends on the allocation of the prisoner and
different facilities and conditions, but...
Mayor Ferre: You are saying seven thousand to sixteen per prisoner, per
year?
Mr.Villaverde: Yes, per year.
Mayor Ferre: Yes. In other;words, that's what it's costing society today
to maintain one prisoner in jail one year?
Mr.Vil.lavercie: You are right.
Mayor Ferre: Well, thank you, very much. Any other questions? Alright,...
Vill.atrerde: No, I would like to have the opportunity to give this
e
progress report to our City Corarnissi.on, if possible.
Mayor Ferre: Go right ahead. .
Mr .Villaverde: Thankyou, very touch.
Mayor Ferre: Do you have copies now?
Mr .Vill.averde : Yes.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, go right ahead. Alright, the next speaker is Mr.
Gusto Regalado and then after. that Mel 13aise of J.E.S.C.A. With my apologies
your name got lost in the shuffle here.
Mr. Plummer: We are at nuinber twelve?
Mayor Ferre: Yes, we are at number twelve. Mr. Regalado?
Mr. Regalado: Good afternoon Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission, I
don't have fluent English to explain my thoughts, but I have my own thoughts.
'In a recent letter I wrote to a person present here, I told him no soldier
can go to the war without ammunition. We a youthful age have certainly
goodwill and guts, but we have no ammunition in order to fight. Every year
we come to these meetings with great hope and with great patience. Every
year we have the same answer this year "no", maybe the next. Right. But
the years are dropping over us and life is shorter every year for us. I
have a question to do. Will be this year a new not year? I want to know
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25
SEP 25 197S
it because maybe I am making a great mistake. Perhaps I ought to retire
to. go home in order to expect the best. New generations are coming and
they have a place under the sun, but I want to beg you a great favor.
Please, tell me the truth. It is all what I want to know. No more
politics please. I think I deserve by my age a little respect and a little
rest also, then I beg you don't take my health. Tell me the truth, only,
the truth and I will go silently to home to think what is the thing I have
to do. Thank you, very much.
Mayor Ferre: Dr. Regalado, thank you.
Mr. Plummer: Well, Mr. Mayor, let me... I can't let that go by. I don't
know of one man in this community who single handedly fights the handicaps
that he himself suffered for his people as hard as what that man suffers.
And I want,to tell you-- I kept quiet and I was going to say it in the very
end. Mr. Mayor, for all of the years that I have sat here, I have used two
criteria and you have heard me repeat them and repeat them and repeat them.
And that criteria is that first and foremost we take care of the hungry and
the elderly. -Second, we take care of the sick and anything else, we will talk
about. My heart goes out to that man as it has every year and will continue.
to do so, because this man gives the people of that community which he so
ably represents a reason to get up every morning and to enjoy the day and to
go to bed with peace with their God at night.. And I will fight for that man
everytime I get the chance.
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor.Ferre:
I pronounce
Any of, you want to comment on that. You won't touch that one?
If Dena touches that one, she is crazy.
Alright, the nextspeaker will be Mel Baise of J.E.S.C.A. Did
that right?
Ms. Mel BaiseYes. Mel'Baise, I live at 6841 Southwest 63rd Avenue, City
of Miami. I represent James E. Scott Community Association and on behalf of
the elderly people who eat in our meals program at the Culmer and the Coconut
Grove meal sites. We have been recommended for funding with a reduction and
we would like to say that we are grateful for the amounts and to be included,
but we also would like to go on record saying with this reduction of Option
6 we will be reduced at the two place a total of six thousand thrpe hundred
seventy-five dollars which will represent a total of a hundred five meals
at one place and only fifty-five meals at the other place, which would mean
twenty-five meals a day or twenty-five persons a day who would not be served
a meal. And we are asking that we be considered for the full amount because
this is completely in... our budgets are completely on meals programs and
feeding the elderly and this is why we are here to say thank you, for what
you have recommended. We feel that you understand that J.E.S.C.A. has a very
viable program for the elderly and the exoffender and the whole thing, but
we would like to have the full amount. And we don't want you to feel that
we are ungrateful and selfish in asking that. But to say it is the meals
that we would have to cut out of our budgets. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, thank you. Is there any response the staff want to
make? Alright, the next speaker is Alicia Abreu, Overtown... C.S.P. Overtown
Day Care.
Ms. Alicia Abreu: 610 Jeronimo Drive, Coral Gables, Florida. I'm the
Director of the Day Care and Neighborhood Center Divison of 'Catholic Service
Bureau. I'm representing Overtown Day Care Center. First of all, I would
like to express our appreciation to the City Commission for their contribution
to the funding of Overtown Day Care Center for the last few years. Also,
I would like to thank the staff of the City of Miami for their revision of
their recommendation of the last September 18th. Their revision shows that
they are recommending on this Option 16 forty thousand dollars to fund for
1979-80 the Day Care of Overtown Day Care Center. I regret to express that
forty thousand dollars will not be enough to continue the operation of
Overtown Day Care Center at the same level that currently is working. Overtown
Day Care Center with forty thousand dollars will be forced to cut--- close one
room of children an amount of eighteen families as of--- eighteen children
as of October 1st. I would like to request and point out that with the
cooperation of the City they have mentioned that they will be able to make
available Title 6 positions for assistance in some of the supported
services of Title 2. This together with an amount of sixty-two thousand
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26
SEP 2 5 1979
dollars instead of forty will enable twenty-two thousand dollars more is
actually two staff members twenty thousand dollars what it will enable to
keep open the services for the seventy-five children. It had not bean
discussed or put into question the quality of the services provided by
Overtown. I would like to add to that, that Overtown is serving, is a
trilingual, tricultural Day Care Program. At this point in time that area
of the City have developed and changed their community that is living in
there. We are serving around ninety-six percent of Haitian families. The
children, ninety-six percent of the children arrive there only speaking
creolen french and with the trilingual program they are learning their
English and also we have Spanish in the Center. It's a most needed
program and I would like the consideration of forty thousand dollars be once
more thought about and the sixty-two thousand dollars be made available to
enable to continue to serve seventy-five children. Otherwise, the impact
will be down to fifty-six children next week. Any questions? We have worked
with the City and readjusted all of the staffing pattern and the services and
the budget and we have lowered the cost per child to approximately eight
dollars fifty cents daily or twenty-two hundred dollars a year..
Mayor Ferre: How much? Twenty-two hundred.,.
Ms. Abreu: Twenty-two hundred dollars a year.
Ms. Spillman: I just. ..:I...:This is -a: question. I- have of more -than one
agency. Whenwe had.discussi'ons with staff people earlier and we,discussed-
these figures with them. several agencies told us they could operate under
the figures we were recommending and including this one. And now all of the
sudden everyone is saying that they can't.
Ms. Abreu: I'm sorry, not all of the sudden Dena. You know that in each
proposal as is here since this current fiscal year we were able to obtain a
CETA Title 6 funding from the previous allocation of revenue sharing, that
was something like seventy-two thousand dollars or so, we went down to
forty thousand dollars. We did request CETA Title 6 but it was not possible
so we presented the allocation for a need of ninety-four thousand dollars.
When we were discussing the situation with reads, restore the old staffing
pattern, cut some positions,cook to six hours instead of eight since we
were considering that we are using a vendor in there, some other maintenance;
positions and so on and, on the conversation that'we had with your staff
during the previous week from the eighteen to here, we were thinking that
the minimum that we might be able to operate and not have to deduct services
of eighteen children will be maybe around fifty-six thousand dollars. That
was up to Friday. It was conveyed to your staff, but it was not able to be
added to your recommendation. On closest figure with the fifty-six thousand
dollars we will be without replacing for anytime, so we review figures and
with the five thousand dollars more we will be covered for the eventualities
of the program. That's why I appreciate the communication. Communication
had been going and actually the person that had been conducting the
negotiations with your staff, the administrator of the program Elaine Silvman.
I was expecting her here tonight, she had been communicating with Donnie
Horne in these figures of fifty-six, sixty-two thousand,T1 ut I think she might be
receiving her baby, because she was not feeling that good today. So that's
why she is not here to express with more facts the communication that she
had been having with your staff. Donnie Horne was there Friday, had been
talking figures of a minimum of fifty-six thousand to sixty-two. Ok. Anyway
there is the fact right now. It will not be possible. I just chopped all
other resources that we might have within all the private sources and definitely
we might have... if we only get the assistance and we appreciate, the forty
thousand and the parents of the children from the City, we will have to be
working with fifty-six children instead seventy-five on that area. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, thank you. The next speaker is Gabiel A. Palmer?
Mr. Gabiel A. Palmer: My name is Gabiel A. Palmer, I live at 3502 Southwest
26th Street. Mr. Mayor, I am also from a Day Care Center and Mr. de Arazosa
covered most,of what I was going to say, but there is one point that I want
to make to the; Commissioners and to you. I have a letter here that is a very
short letter and it states, it says "Day Care employees Department of Leisure
Services, from Joseph Grassie, City Manager. The City Commission at it's
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27
SEP 2 5 197S:
meeting of September 13, 1979, indicated it's hope that the City will be able
to continue to fund, the City operated Day Care Program. Until further:. changes
are made, please consider that the lay-off notices which you recently received.
are on hold.
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Palmer: Right. Now, I don't want to be an echo to what Mr.de Arazosa
said, but one thing that I'm really concerned is exactly what does that hold
means. Itmeans that it can go either way.` What we are trying to do'is...-
What are the plans for the teachers at the Day Care Center?
Mrs. Gordon: My understanding that the motion that we passed unanimously was
to instruct the Manager to retain the program'at it's present status with funds.
from the general fund. That included all the teachers.. I don't know what the
Manager meant by the on hold, I think maybe he has to answer that.
Mayor Ferre:
Again,..`. Alright, if I may... excuse me, for a moment Mr. Grassier
Mr. Plummer: Well,,that's not the answer to his question. The man asked what
does hold mean. Remember back... What it really means is this Gabriel. The
original letter they got said you are terminated, right?
Mr. Palmer Righ
Mr. Plummer: Ok. Now, what it means is that is in a hold position, they are
not terminated, but they are not guaranteed that they are going to proceed.
When you put somebody on a hold button on a telephone, you hold, then you see
what you go back to. But to answer your question. The initial action taken
by the administration was a letter of termination, that now has been held. It's
on a hold position, that's the answer to your question. You have not... don't
walk away scott free, but you are a lot better off by that letter than you were.
a termination notice. That's what it means.
Mr. Palmer: I don't know what... that's what I mean, that I'm speaking because
of the parents, that they are worrying about losing their teachers.
Mr. Plummer: Gabriel, we are worried about losing three and a half million
dollars less this year than we had the year before and your concern for your
child and your teachers is the same concern that this Commission has got to
show for every program that is now three and a half million dollars shorter this
year than last.
Mayor Ferre: Well, we will be coming to a decision on this very soon.
Mr. Palmer: Ok,
thank you, sir.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, the next speaker is Linda C. Alger, A-1-g-e-r, Silverbluff
Common Community School.
Ms. Linda C. Alger: My address is 2784 Southwest 29th Avenue. I came here to
beg and bargain for Silverbluff Community School and I'm getting a guilty
conscience. Some of you don't realize it, but some of you do. I walk all day
long while I'm working and I see what's happening, maybe a lot more than you
all have a chance to. I get built-in cost of living allowance, so I'm not
going through what ninety-nine percent of our community is going through. If
you raise Day Care, I'm sure I can pay it. People are scared. There is a lot
of single parents out there that need community schools. There is a lot of
old people out there who's families don't give a hoot. I've got a lady living
on my route now that went without food for two weeks and almost died and didn't
pick up her meals for two weeks and I started banging on her windows and HRS
came to her rescue. There is a lot of people out there that don't even speak
our language that don't even know where to go to get help. A11 I want to say to
you is that no matter who cut, it doesn't matter a whole community is suffering
right now and I think that we need to try to get the money... I don't understand
that much about the budget, but we need to try to get the money to help all these
programs because we are not going to feel it today or tomorrow. If we are going
to feel it a year from now and five years from now and ten years from now things
are going to just keep getting worse. I don't know if I have gotten my point
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28
SEP 2 5 197
across of what I'm trying to tell you. But people lived these scrvlee•5. 1
know and I'ehout there everyday. They keep asking me what to do and I can't
tell them what to do. I'm told not to get involved with these people by my
boss.
Mrs. Gordon: Who do you what for?
Ms. Alger: I'm a letter carrier. And I have walkedin the ghetto
walked in Little Havana and,I learn Spanish so I could communicate`
people there and "I have a route in the Grove right now.
Mrs. Gordon:
record?
Ms. Alger:
be congratulated. Did you get your name into the,
Mayor Ferre: Alright, thank you, very much. The next speaker is Colonel
Douglas Morris of the Salvation Army. Colonel Morris, Women in Distress Program.
Col. Douglas Morris: I'm Colonel Morris of 15 Northwest 204 Street. I'm
representing the City Commander of the Salvation Army, Captain Warren Fulton
who is absent from the City today. He asked me to be here tonight to speak
on behalf of the Salvation Army's request for twelve thousand dollars from.
Federal Revenue Sharing Funds for our Women in Distress Program. You are probably
aware of the fact that Roxy Bolton started this program sometime ago and was
unable to carry it on and asked the Salvation Army to take it over, whichwe
did. She was receiving a grant of twelve thousand dollars. She did receive
a grant of twelve thousand dollars the last year she operated the program,: but
when we took it over that grant was not available. Now, we would like it to
be reinstituted if it's possible because we need the money urgently to carry on
this program among women in distress. I would just say this much more we have
approximately three hundred fifty women annually being served in that program
over on Northeast 24th Street and we cannot really carry it on without the
necessary funds. The United Way is now providing us all but one thousand dollars
of the other amount necessary to carry on our program at a total of thirty-six
thousand dollars of which we are asking for one third from the Revenue Sharing",
Funds. Are there any questions that I can answer, I will be happy to do so.
Mayor Ferre: Any questions for Colonel Morris? Any statements? Alright,
you, very much. Anne Wilson?
Ms. Anne Wilson: Anne Wilson. 3710 Battersea Road, City of Miami. I' don't
want to beat a dead horse, but I just want to make a couple of comments. I
there have been many funding arrangments worked out for Day Care with all
different kinds of figures and some of them say that for instance, they closed
the... during the Christmas vacation. Well, you know, those parents still work
during Christmas vacation. That they cut the hours, that they cut the staff,
that they do all these different things and all I'm saying is that the program
cannot operate for lower income families when you do this to it. And I'm just
saying when you make your deliberation make it on the basis that it's going to
be maintained in it's present status if you please.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, any questions of Anne Wilson? Alright, the last speaker
tonight from the general public is Octavio Blanco. Mr. Blanco?
Mr. Octavio Blanco: My name is Octavio Blanco, I live at 8115 Southwest 16th
Street. I want to thank you, the City of Miami Commission for all the years
they have been supporting Accion Community Center. We have been able to give
transportation to the very needs the elderiy and the handicapped. I'm
just going to be very brief today. I want to say first that Dena was saying the
truth when she said "Blanco.... she asked me "Blanco, can you function with
twenty-seven thousand dollars?" and I say "yes, we can function. We have to cut
off some service, but we can do it." But I want to make it to understand to the
City Commission what is the common problem in everybody who comes down
here. When we prepared this budget we have to give it up in April or May. It
has to be there... The deadline is in May. As, you can see there I gave you
how much cost a gallon of gas sixty-nine dollars and nine point a gallon. Today
we are paying a dollar nine cents a gallon. Is it true what Dena said on the
report that we was able to get two positions from the Community Development money.
We are aware that the money that we get from Federal Revenue Sharing most of that
money is for operational money. And as you can see there, there is your proof.
I can give you sir, how much it used to cost to us a tire for one of the
vehicles that used to be twenty-six dollars, today are fifty-seven dollars. So,
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29
SEf 2 5 197S
I don't know what to tell you. I don't where you are going to get the money, but
we will try to do our best. Thank you.
Mr. Plummer: How good are those vans at bank robbery, sir?
Mr. Blanco: What?
Mr. Plummer: Can those vans be used for bank robbery?
Mr. Blanco: I was trying to sell one of them, because we got the new one from
Community Development and I was trying to sell one of the ones we got and we
got an offer for forty dollars.
Mayor Ferre: Just for the record, so that we don't explain what you passed out.
This is two gasoline bills, one is dated the 3rd of January of 1979 and the
twenty-seven three tenth gallons sold for eighteen dollars.
Mr. Blanco: Yes and twenty-eight...
Mayor Ferre: And.the•next one is in
Septeinbet 4th and it is for twenty-eight
gallons, whith.is,:almOst the dollars thirty-three
cents. Thank you.• •-•••
•
•
•••. •
Mr. B1anco Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, are tbere any other speakers from the public at this time?
If not we will take a five tninute break and ve will get back here and get back
to work.Can we keep it to five uiinutes?
- • .
. ....• .„ „.. „„.,.
NOTE: AT ThIS TIME THE
• „ •,..
Mayor Ferre: The Chair recognizes you for a motion.
(BACKGROUND COMMENT OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Mayor Ferre: You are?
(BACKGROUND COMMENT OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Mayor Ferre: Oh, you are not. Alright, Mr. P3.ummer?
Mr. Plummer: Yes, sir.
Mayor Ferre: The Chair
recognizes you sir, for the purposes of making a motion.
(BACKGROUND COMMENTS OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Mayor Ferre: mr. p3.uraner?
Mr. Plurmner: Yes, sir.
Mayor Ferre: The Chair recognizes you'
purposes
chic c' -ne
Plumrn . Fax w ,
er. hat? king a motion so Te/' c g°,7 herne:
Ferre: For the oft.maevetyho y ken oun.obody d
mayor Mayor, has _ No, _ head -
Mr. Plummer: It's m waY
Mayor , wyeels1.9 Mr. vote
the s w that.
Mr. pluinmer:
about time you to make a...
know •
a else has zh ke
out, we are all going
We ,are?
Mr. Plummer: Well, I don't think so.
Mayor Ferre: I think so.
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30
SE ' 2 5 197S
Mr. Plutmner: I would like to'believe that I have that wicison to spvaker for
Mayor Ferre: I think..
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor , let me give yoti my thoughts as we go down the line, ok.
And you can accept this or alter it or however you want. Accion Community Center,
Dena are you ready... I mean, it... you know, let's just admit it's going to take
more dollars.
Mayor Ferre: Just go.
Mr. Plummer: I want Accion Community Center back up to the thirty, the Tacolcy.
Sports Development I think at twenty.
Mayor Ferre: No; it's at eleven, J. L.
Mr. Plummer Be said he had to have twenty. Can you survive on anything les:?
Now, be truthful with me.
UNIDENTIF,IED SPEAKER: No, sir. No, sir.
Mr. Plummer: Alright. Alright, Borinquen Health...
Mayor Ferret Well, wait, wait, you skipped over the Youth Vocational Program.
Mr. Plummer: Alright, that one I want to come back to. Alright, Borinquen Health
I want to go to forty.
Mr. Lacasa: Which one is that?
Mr. Plummer: Borinquen Health Care Center.
' :
Ms. Spillman: Bori.nque Mr. Lacasa: Borinquefl
MrPlummerYes
Ms. Spillman: How much?
Mr. Plummer: Forty. The Day Care I want to take out and put in the general
fund. We can still discuss at a later time that which was the other discussi.on,
but I want it to go to the general fund.
Mrs. Gordon: Are you talking about the Catholic Service Bureau, Overtown Day
Care?
Mr. Plummer: No, City Day Care, Rose. Our own program. I want to get that
out of here completely and put it in the general fund where it, rightfully belongs.
Dade County Schools...
Mr. Lacasa: What about the Catholic Service Bureau?
Mayor Ferre: He has left that at forty thousand.
Mr. Plummer: Left that at forty.
Mayor Ferre: Go ahead.
Mr. Lacasa: And the Miami Bridge?
Mr. Plummer: I left that at fourteen. The Dade County Schools Mr. Mayor, has
not been set and I think it must be set, because that's almost two hundred thousand
dollars. That, that was a commitment that this City made to the School Board and
this City is living up to it's commitment.
Mayor Ferre: That's right. Alright, let it stay at a hundred ninety-two seventy.
Mr. Plummer: Ok.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, go on.
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31.
SEP 2 5 137S
Rev. Gibson: Let me add this J. L.
Mr. Plummer: Yes, Father.
Rev. Gibson: Just like we live up to ours,:I expect them to live up to theirs.
Mr. Plummer: Oh, you better believe it.
Rev. Gibson: I just want tomake sure that goes into the record,
Mr. Plummer: You better believe that, I'm showinggood' faith.
Mayor Ferre:. .First United Methodist the same.
Mr. Plummer: The same.
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Mrs. Gordon:
Industrial Home for the Euind?
thirty-five. Well,'Mr. Mayor, here''I have got a problem. If we.
J. L., excuse ,me.
Mr. Plummer Yes, Rose.
•
Mrs. Gordon: Severity thousand community schools ought to go into the general
fund. It was always in the general fund -and only, very recently has it. been,,
taken into revenue. sharing.
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
Rose?
Well, we'11...
Mr. Plummer:. Rose, I'm a man of my word and I have, shown it,here toda
want to annually remind them, as Father 'said to live up to theirs.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, I will recognize you in a moment Mrs. Gordon. Go ahead
Plummer.
Mr. Plummer: Alright. Mr. Mayor, I have a problem with the Home for the Blind
and my problem is I'm willing to go to fourteen to carrying that across that
forty days if you can guarantee me that the rest of it can be picked up by
CD.
Ms. Spillman: We had.,a discussion and we don't... they can operate with the
ten thousand of FRS through ,the<forty days.
Mr. Plummer:
Ms. Spillman:_
Mr. Plummer:
Ms. Spillman:
Alright.
In other words, use the FRS onthe front end and °the ,CD.on` the. ..
But you feel relatively certainthat can be picked up into. CD?
Yes
Mayor Ferre: Now
Mr. Plummer
we want a clear understanding of that.
Ms. Spillman: But how much?
Mr. Grassie: What's the total amount?
Mr. Plummer:
Spillman: i
The twenty-five.
n additional twenty- five:":thousand.
Mr. Plummer: Yes
Mayor Ferre: Y
Mr. Plummer: Well,
yes.
es, it goes up to thirty-five..
but not here.
It.would;stay at the ten here.':
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32
SEP 2 5 1979
Ms. Spillman:. And twenty-five out of CD.
Mayor Ferre: Ok
Mr. Lacasa: But, but, let me,see. Dena," we have 'an absolute"und'erstanding that
the Industrial Home for the Blind is:going,to get from CD without any problems,
we won't find any difficulties in the futurewith the CD allocations. So you
won't come to us three months from now and, tell us that now we have some kind of
limitation in the CD Legislation
Ms. Spillman: Let me make two comments. One is that if you would like to do
this, we would like to take this out of the street improvement project in Little
Havana. It has to come out of somewhere. Now, that's the first recommendation.
The second is that I can only assume because we are already funding part of this.
program from CD funds. It has been approved by HUD, but there will be no problem
in going back to:HUD to increase the funding. I mean, I'm ninety-nine percent
sure that they won't.
Mayor Ferre:::,Well, if it happens to be one_percent, you know that some where"".
we are going to get twenty-five thousand dollars.
Mr. Plummer:'.
Ms. Spillman: No, Ihave another question for you
Mr. Plummer
Ms. Spillman:;
Mr. Plummer: Right.
on anytime ,we want to use CD tnoney.
Ms. Spillman: You are telling us do this without going through a citizen.
participation process, because: if we do...
Mayro Ferre: Yes, we are telling You Ito do it that way. That's correct. In.
other words, we are telling you to -_take it;from.the.Street Improvement Funds
if that's where you recommend. And I"think street" improvements are fine, but
the blind need 'it more than the street improvements .'
Mr. Plummer:.
Mr. Lacasa:
That
Right:
Mayor Ferre: Ok
now...
Mr. Plummer: Alright, moving ,on down the:`J E.S.C.A.; is ",fine, they are in goody-
shape. Little Havana Activity:Center,"this is of course,;. feeding and I'm not
going to sit up here4ne"tell° fifty people to go outs and'sterve. I am... I
understood $1.05.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER:
Mr. Plummer:
$105
#1 10.
Mayor Ferre: Mr...'`$1.05? NOW, -there is an: honest:
Mr. Plummer: I projecting that
Mayor Ferre: He could, have. gotten $1.10`and he went for ";$1.05.
Mr. Plummer: He has always been an honest man with me.
Mayor Ferre: ::Ok.
Mr. Plummer Alright, Miami Jewish Home" for the Aged, one hundred fourteen thousand
dollars.
Alright.
Mayor Ferre:.
Mr. Plummer: St..Alban's Day Care stays, administration dropped
Mrs. Gordon: That
right,
second the motion.
o zero.
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3'
SEP 2 197S
Mayor Ferrer No no, no,
Mr. Plummer: The entire motion, Rose?
Mrs. Gordon: I said the whole notion. So I wish you would put the last Part
Mayor Ferre: Now, wait a maDmento wait a mcment, because this is veryfunny,.
but it isn't funny. Now, you didn't include that in your 'motion do you?
Mr. Plummer: No, Mr. Mayor?
Mayor Ferre: Yon didn't include that in Your motion, did you?
Mr. Plummer: No, sir, absolutely not.
Mrs. Gordon: Chicken'
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, there is not question...
Mrs. Gordon: J. L., you are a chicken'
Mr. Plummer: No, I'm not chicken Rose. Let me tell you where I'm not chicken.
I think I m very smart and I will tell you why.
Mayor Ferre: No, that's just... you are practical.
Mr. Plummer; Rose, if we don't put and let the people know that we are concerned
of where that money is going and we want good accepted practices of auditing.
Stop and think back in the CETA problems and the CD problems. You know what
happened? It wasn't that there was that much scandal, it's when our auditors
who used the standard accepted methods of auditing when these people used other
auditing. And I think that, that is an absolute must, that those funds have
got to be expended. We would like not to spend that for administration and
put it towards helping the people. But I want to tell you something, I'm going
to sleep a lot better knowing that everybody is playing by the same rules and
at anytime you or I or the administration can walk in and say open those books
then we are all playing by the same ball game. Now, Mr. Mayor, that only leaves
one area that I haven't discussed and I got to admit, I've got some problems
and that's in the Tacolcy Youth Vocational Program. And I iust... I really...
Mrs. Gordon: I am going to tell you something J. L., if you are going to
be as liberal as you are in everything else you have done, why should you cut
out the training of the young people to prepare them for something worthwhile.
Mr. Plummer: Well, you see, Rose, I will tell you why. I'm up front and I'm
going to continue to be up front. I took exception with what the gentleman
said. I understand what he said this evening and I understand what he is trying
to accomplish, you know. But I can't sit up here in good and accept that this
Commission has not done anything for that area. A hundred thirty seven thousand
dollars to the Martin Luther King Park for people, two million dollars in a
bond issue for that area... now, wait a minute, wait a minute, you know, you can
disagree with me. Alrigfit? I have been to Tacolcy and I know the work that
Tacolcy does, but how big can Tacolcy get, that's my problem. How much can you...
How many programs can you put into that area. Now, as others have been honest
with me, I will ask you to do it. What is the minimum you can run that program
in Tacolcy for?
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: The minimum we can run that program for as I look at it,
is about thirty-eight thousand dollars.
Mr. Plummer: Alright, second question.
Ms. Spillman: You already running it for twenty-two.
(BACKGROUND COMMENT INAUDIBLE)
Mr. Plummer: Second question, is this program the same as it was last year or
is it a possibility that this could come,from CD money?
(BACKGROUND COMMENT INAUDIBLE)
Mr. Plummer: Well, I don't know. Is it an expansion, it's more money? Or
is that strictly inflation or is it more children?
Ms. Spillman: Mr. Pitts, would have to answer that question.
gl
34
SEP 21979
Mrs. Gordon:
it out.
Mr. Plummer . Well
Ms. Spillman:
Mr. Plummer: ... I'm y
why the additional funds..
Mayor Ferret Alright, that's twenty-two to the
I'm just adding it up for you.
I tell you what.I'M ready to do,...
The twenty-two thousand is not a...
' read' to recommend` at twenty two: and then `.let you
Ms. Spillman: Can I make a recommendation?
Mrs. Gordon:. Yes, what?'
ustify-
ready,
Ms. Spillman: 1.feel like I have to say this on behalf of St. Albans.
have remained very quiet, it's. one, of, our better program.'and they haven't gotten
up and complained and they have asked for a five percent increase every single';
year...
Mrs. Gordon:
Ms. Spillman:
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Plummer
Mrs. Gordon..
Ms. Spillman:
I.would'rove that we give them that increase by all means.
It's just•five... it's a small amount'of money.
Alright.
To what, seventy
two?.
Yes, seventy
Almost
seventy-two.'
Seventy-one six sixty-three.
Mr. Plummer: I got no, problem with that.
Mrs. Gordon: What about the request from the Overtown Day Care, I believe I
heard theta say that they,were being cut.down so they had to remove twenty-five`
children, eighteen children. How much do you need to keep it at the full level?
Ms. Abreu: Sixty-two thousand dollars.
Mrs. Gordon:::`Ok, :then
J. L.
Iwould suggest you give them the sixty-two thousand,
(BACKGROUND;COMMENT OFF;THE,PUBLIC 'RECORD)
L. has got a„ pocket; full} of dough, he is handing
don't ,know,
Ms. Spillman: Can I ask a.question to her?
Mr. Plummer: Sure., ask the question.
Ms. Spillman: Alicia, I just... I'm confused because when
you said fifty-six thousand dollars and I don't understand
Mrs. Gordon: Ask J. L., he is making all these
(BACKGROUND COMMENT OFF THE PUBIC RECORD)
motions
ou.gave your presentation
Mrs. Gordon: Ok, if everybody else is getting a birthday present, you might';
as well get one there too.
Mr. Plummer: Well, I... who has got the calculator running?:; How much have we
increased right now. • I have got reason for doing this.
Mrs. Gordon:, I
bet you have.
Mr. Plummer: That's
(BACKGROUND COMMENT
Mr. Plummer: H
right, .I sure do.
INAUDIBLE).'
ow much?
gl
SEP 2 1979
(BACKGROUND COMMENT INAUDIBLE,)
Eight hundred four thousand from FRS without Day Care.
Mr, Plummer: With extracting Day
Care.
" .
Mayor Ferre: No, sir,I have... I beg yourpardon. My figures -are $814,000.
You are wrong by ten thousand Eight hundred fourteen thousand Without including
Day Care Centers and that doesn't include the Useful Aged or whatever: their
names.
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Lacasa:
Ms. Spillman:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Lacasa:_
Ms. Spillman:
Mayor Ferre:.
Alright,
is not?
Let.
go for twenty-fivethousand for the Useful Aged.
That can...,;
iow many to their need?
Twenty-three thousand. Twenty-three thousand
That can be funded out of Community Development..
Ok, well, let's fund that out of Community Development, o
Ms. Spillman." Can .I'.-:.
Let me ask a question. I want to get this on the record.
We have twenty thousand dollarbeaal�atchdfor the Nationalbudget
Endowmentnforfor CubamtheaAr s
Boulevard that was suppose to
which we did not receive. I would...
Mayor Ferre: Well, if we didn't receive the match, then how can we...
Ms. Spillman: • .• suggest that we takethat twenty, thousand and
the other three out of the street improvements.
Mayor Ferre:
Ms. Spillman:
Mayor Ferre:`
Ms. Spillman:
Mayor Ferre:
Ms. Spillma
e didn't get the match, huh?
o, we were rejected.
as it a dollar for dollar match?"
Yes.
Well, why was it rejected?
Other priorities.
Mayor Ferre: `; Alright,
Mr. Lacasa
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plumper
Mr. Lacasa:
1low much was the match, Dena?
Luinmer, you better close this or we. are
I'm:trying to.`..
.ow.much was the match
Ms. Spillman: Twenty.
Mrs. Gordon: J. L.?
Twenty and twenty.
supposed to be?
we can take.
going to'go broke.
Mr. Lacasa:
Mrs. Gordon:: J. L., did, Your motieinoncludees rthat the e Day Care go into the
General fund for the; same level of
Mr. Plummer: No, Ma'am. No, Ma'am, I said we can discuss that later. But to
transfer it now to the general funds, then we can discuss that matter. Alright,
let me: tell you where I'm coming from, alright?
Mr I'll I'll be darn if I know where you are coming from.
Mr. Plummer: Ok, go ahead. I know exactly where I'm going too.
36
SEP 2 5 1979
Ms. Spillman: Wait, can I please add one thing that weneglected to add?
Mr. Plummer: Yes, 'Ma 'ate,
Ms. Spillman: The Useful Aged currently does not receive any funds ftoM the
City, so that in order for them to operate before they get:.Community Development
Funds which is that forty-five day period, they are going'to need a percentage
of that twenty-three thousand from some where...
Mr. Plummer: What percentage?
Ms. Spillman: Forty-five days worth of
about.
Mr. Plummer
Ms. Spillman:
Mr. Plummer:
dollars.thousand.
Ms. Spillman,:
Mr. Plummer
twelvemonths.
o`two...one sixth
f what?.
Of twenty-three thousand dollars.
Six into that would be four thousand dollars.
Four o
Five? Please, tell me
Alright, five
Mrs. Gordon: Before you...
Mr. Plummer: Rose
Mrs. Gordon You better tell me where you are getting the money from, yes.
Mr. Plummer Alright, Rose,
I want to tell you exactly the way I have this thing
figured.You all can disagree if you want, you asked for a motion, I gave it
to you. If you take into consideration the total amount of dollars that we
got last year which was approximately ten point four, ten million four hundred
thousand;; dollars. This year we are getting approximately seven point eight,
am I correct in my figures?
Mr. Grassie: No, Commissioner, that's not strictly true. We did have that
tuch moneyto use last year, but that's because we were carrying forward from
a prior' year. ..
Mr. Plummer: I understand that. I understantwtthat.WhateI'ss mgettingisg at Mr.
Grassie, is that we are working on ten point percent
ear
than what we had last year.
(BACKGROUND COMMENT OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD
Mr. Plummer: Well, then you tell me...
five"
let e
tell you'where I'm coming from, ok?
Mr. Grassie: It's more than that less.
(BACKGROUND COMMENT OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Mr. Plummer: Well, now, you know, I had asked for the figures may be I did
an injustice to ask you so fast.
lator
er, but
h. Grassie: I havmy percentit on the differencelessumoney availablenthis yearaforausy
that's about twenty
to spend in FRS than there was last year.
Mr. Plummer: Alright, Mr. Grassie, if you take the figure is in column one.
Last year this City spent nine hundred seventy-one thousand eight hundred
seventy-seven dollars.
Mayor Ferre: That's right.
Mr. Plummer: Putting together all of those things of an increase that I have
outlined here and removing Day Care we are putting forth, about eight point four
percent less money to social services than we did last year. I can justify
that in my mind.
3?
SEF 25197E
that in my mind.
Mayor Terre: Yes, but you can't do that because City Day Care of the five hundred
seventy-one thousand Mr. -Plummer, you have to deduct two hundred thirteen
thousand that went to DayCare.
Mr. Plummer. We've taken that out of the rim. of Federal Revenue..'
Yes, please.: But you didn'ttake it out last year.
I understand that.
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre: So it... tocompare apples to apples .you would have to take it
out and therefore you would be down to seven hundred forty-seven thousand dollars
more or less, ok. So in effect... that's right, to compare apples to apples you
would go from seven forty-seven'to eight thirty-seven, that is an increase of
ninety thousand dollars. That is approximately about thirteen percent. It
is a thirteen percent increase over last year.
Mr. Plummer: But Mr. Mayor, as we have in the past, as we have in the past
taken things out:of Federal Revenue and put them over to the general fund is
the same thing we ;are doing with the Day:Care "Centers.
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:;.
Mayor Ferre: ;Yes, well I. mean... I'm just going on your statement that this
is an eight, percent decrease and think in effect what it is, is a thirteen
percent increase.
Mr. Plummer:,Well,,, don't lookat -
t that way. Now, ou are entitled to do it
and figure it from where you think, but I'm thinking of. services that we provide.
We are in effect in my estimation providing about eight percent less services,
dollars to services .than we did the year previous.
Mayor Ferre: :Is there a motion to your effect as you read off these figures?
Is that°a"form of 'a motion Mr. Plummer?
Mr. Plummer Mr. Mayor, it's opened for discussion.
Mayor Ferrev o, it's not. Let's...
Mr. Plummer You' asked;me to express.myself on how
wants to -speak.
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Lacasa:
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Tacolcy?
I, fee Let's see„who else
Alright,`is that a motion`Mr. Plummer?'
For the purposes of discussion, yes..
Alright ,'`is there a second?
Second.
Alright, ` is
Wait, a minute
there further discussion, call the roll.,
one..clarification. Where'did. we; come out on
Mayor Ferre Tacolcy was twenty-two thousand dollarsfor the Youth Vocational
Program and twenty-two thousand dollars for the Tacolcy Sports Development
Program.
Mr. Plummer I
Ms. Spillman:
Mr. Grassie:
Mayor Ferre:.
Ms. Spillman:
sixty- eight.
s that in the eight nineteen?
it's eight.
Twenty thousand
Twenty thousand,
total with
Our
six...
for Sports Development, Mr. Na
I beg your pardon.
the administration is eight sixty-seven
one
gl
38
SEP 2 51979
Mr. Plummer: Alright,
Ms. Spillman:
Mr. Plummer:
eight sixty-seven?
One sixty=eight.
You are removing all of the Day Care?
Mayor Ferre: Yes.
Ms. Spillman:
With no Day Care.
Mr. Plummer: Alright,
Mayor Ferre:;
es.
No City` Day Care.
give me one
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Gary, eight
seven point eight million?
Mr. Gary: Give it to me again, eight sixty-seven?;
last figure. We are under discussion now.
hundred sixty-seven thousand is what percent o
Mr. Plummer: I m using i h figures eight hundred sixty-seven thousand dollars
is what percent of seven point eight million which I understand isthe-figure
of the total of Revenue Snaring
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: eleven percent.
ing
M. Plummer: Eleven
percent
nationalthis
averageCity
wasused
five.pride
I canitself
live with thatat
twwentyypercent where the
Mrs. Gordon: On discussion...
Mr. Mr. Lacasa: Mr. Pitts, youwant to make a statement?
Mr. Pitts: Yes, I would like to make a statement. Our request this year is for
forty-eight thousand dollars. We repeatedly requested above what we always
receive. This program presently has one staff member in the program. We have
complemented that program at best with CETA folk.
The unilateral kinds of things
ry
stled ad
that have happened out
ditionalAmonieshas awe requestedrde this �Weehave none staffnthat's
person in
the reason for the ad
the entire project and this is...
Mr. Plummer: Did you understand my statement? I asked you had your program
expanded and your answer was "no", ok, which would have possibly qualified you
for the CD money.
Mr. Pitts: Well, I didn't understand you...
e
ed for
Mr. Plummer: I left it on a basis
be an additional reconsiderationthbutewe are
the additional money there would
at least funding you at the same level at what you were last year.
Mr. Pitts: Well, I hear that statement, I don't know if we could be improved
upon, but I know we definitedlY need the money and if we did not need it I
would not request it. That's the best statement I can make.
Mrs. Gordon: Are you talking about the Youth Vocational Program?
Mr. Pitts: Yes, I am.
Mrs. Gordon: Would you give us a brief overview of just what you do with
that program.
rovide a variety of service! to $Qvf� Engle.
Mr. Pitts: In this program we p i
We provide intake and vocational conseling, job referrals, o s t n,
job development, job placement, we test the youngsters. You know, we replace
them in workshops, we place them in vocational training programs through -out
the City. Last year we served three hundred twenty-five youngsters, we have one
staff person in the program.
Mrs. Gordon: That's all?
Mr. Pitts: We have been successful to date by accompanying that program with
other sources. We don't have that money available any longer that's why we
are asking for additional dollars.
39
SEP 2 5 1979
e-
Mrs. Gordon: How much do
Mr. Pitts: We need... We
at best, if we could take
thousand dollars we could
Mrs. Gordon:`
you need?
requested forty-eight thousand dollars and I have looked
a_tenthousand dollar cut in'that .for thirty-eight`
run an affective program.
You are saying thirty-eight thousand?
Mr.. Pitts: Total dollars.
does for the young.people... it helps
en
something he shouldn't. I suggest that this is money well spent
we are in a position we have suddenly
found
a well
his poof,
ggold.
I think the
thirty-eight thousand would be Well spent in
'Mr.Pitts: Thank you, very much Mrs. Gordon.
Mr Plummer: Rose, I will accept your substitute.
as long as
Mrs. Gordon: J. L., if this program
one child from getting on drugs, it keeps one kid straight from getting into
`
Mayor -Ferret Alright,. there is a substitute Motion -to increase that by that
amount. -IS there further •discussion,_ alright,. call• the, roll
want the motion`'reread in it's entirety.'.
Each one of the.agencies?
Mrs. Gordon:
Ms. Hirai'
Mrs. Gordon Everything. 'I want to knov what we are
Mr. Plummer: Yes read the whole thing
Ms. Hirai:' Alright,?h have for 'Accion onethat hasnity justCbeenramendedto thirtyaeight,.
for the Youth Vocational is the
Sports Development was the twenty thousand seven ninety-four...
Ms. Spillman: Twenty thousand.
Mr. Plummer: No, twenty thousand
Mayor Ferre: Twenty thousand even.
. Hirai: Yes. Catholic.
even.
Mrs. Gordon:
Ms. Hirai:
Mr. Plummer
ow much?
Fourteen.
:Fourteen,
voting on
Borinquen Health forty;, thousand.
Services I have fourteen thousand.
our eleven.
Miami Bridge, Miami Bridge. Catholic
s the bridge.
Ms. Spillman:.
Gordon: That
Mrs.
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre
Fourteen four eleven.
The Overtown Day Care Center.`
Services is Miami ;Bridge.
Mrs. Gordon: , Youth... oh, yes that one.
Mayor Ferre: Catholic Service Bureau OvertoWfl Day Care and
Center was sixty...
No
Mr. Lacasa Sixty-two.
Mrs. Gordon Sixty-two.
Ms. Hirai: Sixty-two thousand.
Mayor Ferre: The Day Care Center
was removed from this?
Neighborhoo
Ms. .Hirai: `Yes and into the....
Mayor Ferre: The school... The Dade County After School Care Program one
hundred ninety-two thousand seventeen and Community School seventy thousand.
40
SEP 25 1979
IS•
The First United Methodist stays the same, Industrial Home for fthe Blrom theind
dtstats
the sameewith the
ti nrof proviso
tareeanin theeLittleand is Havanacoming section. The.J.E.S.C.A.
improvement portion of revious amount....'..'
Coconut Grove and the Culmer are increased to their p
Ms. Spillman: No, wait, what?
Mrs. Gordon: What?
Ms. Spillman: Now, what?
Mr. Lacasa: Thirty-six thousand.
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre: No,'they don't stay the same. The motion that Plummer made was.
that he wasn't going to reduce the twenty -five -meals that J.E.S.C.A....
Mr. Plummer: No, that was from Little Havana.`
Mrs. Gordon: You got your places mixed.
Mr. Plummer: See Mayor... Maurice, what my figure was that it is just a
adjustment. If you take the total dollars of what they got last year they are
still getting the total dollars.
Ms. Spillman: No, that's not true.
Mr. Plummer: Well, now that was you statement.
Ms. Spillman: I know, I made a mistake. They were being
Mr. Plummer: Well, then I stand corrected, we stand corrected.
Mayor Ferre: Well, I will tell you, I would... I think if we are
do this in the same way...
Mrs. Gordon:
amount?
Ms. Spillman The amount that 'they received last year,
jointly that would have been a six thousand dollar cut.
Mrs. Gordon: Well, what should it be?
What did you say... I'didn't'hear you Dena.
Ms. Spillman: Well., I don't know what it should be
year was thirty-six thousand...
Mayor Ferre: Replace the six thousand dollars.
Ms. Spillman: ... thirty-six for each.
Mayor Ferret That's the way I understood it.
Ms. Spillman: But they requested a change so that Coconut
forty-two thousand four hundred eleven and Culmer would be
nine thousand six hundred eighty-three.
Mayor Ferre: I think my position is very simple, you can't do for Little Havana
what you are not willing to do for J.E.S.C.A. and vice versa.
Mrs. Gordon:
No, question about it.
Grove would receive
reduced to twenty -
Mayor Ferre: Now, if we went up to one hundred five thousand in Little Havana,
I think you have got to do the same thing for J.E.S.C.A.
Well, are you going to bring Coconut Grove J.E.S.C.A. down?
No, I'm going to...
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
Ms. Spillman: .Well, they requested that.
Mayor Ferre:
gl.
I got no problem.
41
That was at their
SEP 2 51979
rrqu0ta, Cucunut t;I uvr µuPn•u11 nI
Ms. Spillman: Culmcr goes down at their
their 'request.
Mayor Ferre: Ok, that's fine with me
Ms. Spillman;, So, it's forty-two thousand four eleven',for the Grove and twenty-
nine thousand six eighty-three for"Culmer.
Mayor Ferre: Ok.
Mr. Plummer. Wait a minute,forty-two four eleven for the Grove and what?
Mayor rerre:
Twenty-nine thousand "six hundred eighty-three. dollars'.'
Mr. Plummer Ok.
And . the Miami' Jewish'. Home for:, the Aged.
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre"
Mr. Plummer;
Mayor Ferre: The Miami Jewish Home for the Aged is one hundred fourteen
thousand' six hundred ninety-five dollars. St. Alban's...
Mr. Plummer.: Wait a minute, let me stop there. I got one problem with that
friend. I. thinkyou got to take those two items out, ok. Now, I'm reinstating.
you up to the present level offunding
and tthink thatsi item in reference to
pension puts us in an untenableposition
Mayor Ferre: Alright, then remove six hundred....
Mr. Plummer: Scott you can pay that from somewhere else.
Mayor Ferre: Make it then a hundred fourteen thousand even.
Mr. Plummer -Make it one fourteen even money.
Mayor Ferre: Ok. St. Alban's Day Nursery Dena, was how much?
Ms. Spillman: Seventy-one thousand six hundred sixty-three.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, Administration is thirty-six thousand and the
additional thing that we putin there is the Los Viejos Utiles...
Ms. Spillman: Viejos Utiles five thousand.
Wait"a minute; Little Havana?'.
Little Havana is a hundred five thousand.
Right.
Mayor Ferre:
'Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Plummer:
Mrs. Gordon:, Oh.
... for twenty...
What. What was that?.
The :old people.
Ms. Spillman: five thousand. FRS.
Mayor Ferre: The Useful Aged, I, think "he said.
Mr. Plummer: With the same proviso...
Ms. Spillman: Correct.
Mr. Plummer: ... that they can qualify for CD ninety-nine percent?
Ms. Spillman: Right.
Mr. Plummer: Ok.
Mayor Ferre: And I only have one other request Mr. Grassie, that I would like
to insert in this and that is that we give a very thorough review once again to
this program of project freul•think tha
issoatetst look
at and I would be very grateful wet J.E.S.C.A.p people
already have a functional program and even Elizabeth Virrick. I don't know
only,
42
gl
SEP 2 +979
how active and who she has.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, may I suggest Mrs. Gordon and I sit on the Criminal
Justice Board which doles out the funds from LEEA. If the administration would
prepare a presentation for either one of us to make at the next meeting I, if
Rose is tied up I would be happy to do such. I think there are monies available
through LEEA. I have a grantsman in Tallahassee with the Florida League maybe
he can find you some money. Let's explore all of those avenues and see what
we can do, but I will personally carry the ball for you.
Mayor Ferre: Alright.
Mrs. Gordon: Iwant the motion reread again so we have everything absolutely
clear.
Ms. Hirai: Alright. Accion Community Center- thirty thousand, the Youth
Vocational Program- thirty-eight thousand, Belafonte Tacolcy Sports Development -
twenty thousand, the Borinquen Health- forty thousand, Catholic Service Bureau -
fourteen thousand four hundred eleven, Catholic Service Bureauu/Overtown DayCre
and Neighborhood- sixty-two thousand, City Day Care just to gointo the general
fund and it will be discussed later, Dade County Schools/After School Care
Program/Community Schools, that's the one ninety-two and the seventy thousand,
First United Methodist Church, the same, it stays the same, inouscriai Home for
the Blind, that was to go to twenty-five for a total of twenty-five thousand...
Mrs. Gordon: No, no, no, ten thousand.
Ms. Spillman: No, no, no, ten.
Mr. Lacasa: No, no no for a total of
Mrs. Gordon: No,
Ms. Spillman:,; Ten thousand from FRS.
Mr. Lacasa: Ten and twenty-five.
Mrs. Gordon: The CD. doesn't come under this resolution.
Mr. Plummer: With a ninety-nine percent guarantee.
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Plummer:
Mrs. Gordon:
thirty-five thousand.
en thousand from here and twenty-five..
Yes, but that doesn't come into this resolution, I don't. think.
Not at all:.
Ok. You got it straighten?
Ms. Hirai: So how much will
Mrs. Gordon: Ten.
Ms. Spillman: Ten thousan
it be?
Mr. Plummer: It will come back later if it's not ninety-nine.
Ms. Hirai: J.E.S.C.A. Coconut Grove- forty-two thousand four hundred eleven.
Ms. Spillman: Can I make a request here? J.E.S.C.A. has requested that we
fund them... instead of funding them separately in the Grove and Culmer, we
fund them as one program for a total of seventy-two thousand ninety-four.
J.E.S.C.A. Coconut Grove and Culmer as one program..
Ms. Hirai: Little Havana Activity Center- one hundred five thousand, Miami
Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged/Douglas Garden Senior- one hundred fourteen
thousand, St. Alban's Day Nursery- seventy-one thousand six hundred sixty-three,
Administration- thirty-six thousand and Los Viejos Utiles with the proviso of
the CD funds for twenty-three thousand.
Mayor Ferre: That comes from CD.
Mrs. Gordon: No, five thousand.
Ms. Spillman: Five thousand FRS.
SEF 2 5 1979
Mayor Ferre: That comes from CD.
Mrs. Gordon: Five:
Ms. Hirai:Only five thousand.
'Mrs. Gordon: Alright,; onemore time.
•
Ms. Spillman: And Administration- thirty-six thousand.
Ms. Hirai:
Yes, I stated that.
Mrs. Gordon:
Ok, final resume.
Ms. Hirai: Alright, Accion Community- thirty thousand.
Mrs. Gordon: How much?
Ms. Hirai: Thirty thousand. Belafonte Tacolcy Youth Vocational- thirty-eight
thousand, Belafonte Tacolcy Sports Development- twenty thousand, Borinquen
Health Care Center- forty thousand, Catholic Service Bureau/Miami Bridge -
fourteen thousand four hundred eleven, Catholic Service Bureau/Overtown Day
Care and Neighborhood Center- sixty-two thousand, City Day Care just to go into
the general fund, Dade Schools and After School Care Program/Community Schools
one hundred ninety-two thousand seventeen plus seventy thousand, First United
Methodist Church the same, Industrial Home for the Blind- ten thousand, j.E.S.C.A.
Coconut Grove and Culmer...
Mr. Grassie: Could we... I'm sorry, could we have a repetition on the First
United Church, please?
Ms. Spillman:
Ms. Hirai It
Mr. Grassie:
Ms. Spillman: Which is nine three five eight.
Ms. Hirai: And the Industrial
he B
ten thousand,
JE.S.C.A.
Coconut and Culmer for abined total ofseventytwothoudandninety four, ur,
Little Havana Community Center- one hundred five thousand, Miami Jewish Home and
Hospital. for the Aged/Douglas Garden Senior Adult Day Care- one hundred fourteen
thousand dollars, St. Alban's Day Nursery- seventy-one six hundred sixty-three,
Administration- thirty-six thousand and Los Viejos Utiles- five thousand dollars
Federal Revenue Sharing, only five thousand.
Mrs. Gordon: What is the total? What's the absolute bottom line?
Mr. Blanco: Mr. Mayor, before you start to close that I would like to ask you
Dena some questions. Dena, I understand that on the Community Development money
issue, because we are going to have for next year eight buses, can we eigetin re
money from Community Development in accordance with the new
Because I don't know how can I... we survive with only... I mean, with the same
money that last year when we presented to the City Commission
for the same buses for forty percent or more just on gas and this morning
there (unintelligible) the federal revenue money that we use is for expenses
money and 1 showed you a receipt that I gave to you there, there is forty cents
more the gallon. It was fifteen dollars more for just one day work. How can we
succeed with the same money as last year?
Mr. Lacasa: Mr. Blanco, you think that... because I was saying the same thing
that you are saying now. Do you believe that with ten thousand dollars more
you can cover the additional expenses in gas?
Mr. Blanco: Armando, like I said before we will do our best, but as we can
come down here and fight every year if we have to cut the service, the City of
Miami people are the ones who will suffer.
Mr. Lacasa: J. L., would you accept...
Mr. Blanco: But there is no way, I don't believe that you people as citizens...
gl
She didn't give the figure.,
stays at the - same amount..'..
SE 2uI91D
just the gas, everybody know around here how much the
I brought you one proof, j with this:
gas and more -so our budget is based on the gas..We can't do nothing
same as last year.
Mt. Lecaea: I know, I realize that Would you accept to amend the Accion
funding up to forty thousand?;
Mr. Plutmner t:,
So be it.
Mr. Lacasa: _ .Alright.
Mayor
Ferret Alright, further discussion on the motion as amended one more
time? Call the roll.
Mrs. Gordon: Question?:
(BACKGROUND COMMENT OFF THE'
PUBLIC RECORD)
4' What is the total budget? What are we allocating
Mrs. Gordon: Question.
What is the bottom line? 'Sod►ebody give me an answer.
What
out?
three.
Ms. Spillman. Eight hundred ninety-nine. thousand five hundred forty
siblof more usefulness to you though is you need. to know that
Mr. Grassie.. .Pos Y
you have made the deficit grow. That is...
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Grassier
four hundred
Mrs. Gordon:
i from?
That's what I want to know. Where are we getting the money from ,'
... the amount of money for which we don't hive any funds to
fifty thousand dollars.
Alright, J. L. Plummer, will you tell me where the money -
.is
cote ng
Mr. Plummer: Rose, I have no problem of telling you the money has. been saved
by
by Rose Gordon in six hundred thousand dollars in future. that ou have
accept that, then I'm very happY Y:_
Mrs. Gordon: You are willing to
accepted that,great.
Mr. Plummer: Rose, you know,... no, I'm not accepting it
that's one place.
Great, ok, just wanted to know.
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Plummer:
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Plummer
Mayor Ferret
Mr. Plummer:
Mrs. Gordon:
but I'm'thinking
can save some money.
I buy that as one place of where we
That's fine.
You know, Rose, look, I have...
You don't have to do that J. L., we will have.money for it.
Look, what I'm saying is this. I can sleep very well tonight...
What about this double taxation bit?
well
ht
Mr. Plummer: Let me finish onRisegoingato•spendan about eighp typercentoofgit's...
knowing that this Commpeople
excuse me, eleven percent of it's
1have noal revenue problem sharing for p p
service orientated programs.
Mayor Ferre: Further discussion?
. Gordon: Aunt of =venue sharinge are just sthatting theythe receiveger then to take the
from federal government
appropriate amount of
and allocates it to these programs. Fine.
Mayor Ferre: Further discussion? And that was not part of the motion.
discussion, call the roll.
Further
gl
45
SEP 2 v -9?9
ON ROLL CALL:
Mrs. Gordon: With the proviso that the money will be made available
is "Yes".
Mayor Ferret Obviously,: the: money is made available.
west
the answer
Mrs. Gordon: From.
MayorFerret From nothing,
that: was not part of the motion The sources w
beill
be defined as we get into the final strokes of the budget.=
That is not part o
the motion.
The following motion
moved its. adoption:
was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who
MOTION NO.
79-634
A MOTION ALLOCATING FY-79-80 FLDERAL REVENUE SHARING FUNDS TO SERVICES FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE
AIN
AGENCIES TO PROVIDE SOCIA
CITY OF MIAMI AS FOLLOWS:
ACTION COMMUNITY CENTER
BELAFONTE TACOLCY YOUTH VOCATIONAL PROGRAM
BELAFONTE TACOLCY SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
BORINQUEN HEALTH CARE CENTER
CATHOLIC SERVICE BUREAU - MIAMI BRIDGE
CATHOLIC SERVICE BUREAU -
OVERTOWN DAY CARE & NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER
DADE COUNTY SCHOOLS -AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAM
DADE COUNTY SCHOOLS -COMMUNITY
CHURCH SCHOOLS
FIRST UNITED ME
INDUSTRIAL HOME FOR THE BLIND
J.E.S.C.A.-COCONUT GROVE E CULMER
LITTLE HAVANA ACTIVITY CENTER MIAMI JEWISGARDENS6SENIORTADULTAL RDAYECARED _
ST. ALBAN'S DAY NURSERY
LOSIVIEJOSTION UTILES ("The Useful Aged")
SUCH REVENUE SHAPING ALLOCATIONS $O113XCLODESEE CITYOOFOMIAOI DAY
CARE OPERATIONS IN THE AMOUNOF
79-635 FOR CLARIFICATION.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Lacasa, the motion was
passed and adopted by the following vote -
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
AYES:
NOES: None.
Mayor Ferre:
Alright, where are we now?
Mr. Lacasa: Day Care.
that it be
nded to
Mrs. Gordon: The Day Care Program. I would move hirteen thousand dollarsuas previouslyualienatedhe
same level'' the two hundred t
Mayor ll be : Thato was ndtthethe
same exacton that
motionseconded
Ilast
secondedtime.
last time..
I will be happy to sec
Mr. Plummer: Well, you know, Maurice..:
Mayor Ferre: Plummer, I will tell you do ithe proviso and this way, thatiweecharge and that we
ink it's
important that we... and I wan
$40,000
$38,000
$20,000
$40,000
$14,411
$62,000
$192,017
$70,000
$9,358
$10,000
$72,094
$105,000
$114,000
$71,60
S36,000
$5,000
gl
46
SEP 2 51979
render equal service to what other governmental programs in this community.
Mrs. Gordon: That's a nebulous thing, you have got to set a figure
you just can't... equal to what?
Mr. Plummer: Alright, Rose, let me tell you what I can live with that I think
will let these people go home and sleep as well as I will. _ I'm all in favor of
expending the two hundred thirteen thousand dollars for Day Care, that will
tell them they got their program, the teachers stay. I think this Commission
must go back into the rates of what the people pay to help support their own
program. Now, backing the two thirteen says to these people, you have got your
program, you have got your same teachers, but I think this Commission must go
back and examine as to what the quality of the program and what the individuals
contribute to the program. We might come out Rose, with the same figure. I'm
not saying that I won't, but I have been given enough information here that I
want to take another look in that area.
Mrs. Gordon: Alright,°J. L., I want to tell you what I feel. I feel that we
have a -Day .Care Committee which is a very competent group of people and we ought
to turn this over to them and let them come back and make a recommendation of;
what is.feasible.
Mr. Plummer:
no problem with that as long as they'. do_
Mrs. Gordon: Pronto?
Muy pronto.'
Alright, pronto, that's sitting here.
Mr. Plummer:
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Plummer: But I'm not bound by it.
Mrs. Gordon: You are bound by what?
Mr. Plummer: I'm not bound by their recommendation as a Commissioner voting.
I want their input, I want their ratification, their justification. I have
great faith in Anne.
Rev. Gibson: Plummer,
what weare saying.
ask a question? I don't understand'
Mr. Plummer: Alright, let me tell you, Father.
Rev. Gibson: No, no, no, I'm talking about going to the Committee let them
make a recommendation. I don't understand, what are you telling me?
Mr. Plummer: Father, those people deal in Day Care. Anne Wilson is probably
the foremost expert in that field in Dade County, South Florida and a lot of
others. I want them to take these figures furnished to us by the Administration
and I want them to chew those figures up and come back, "yes" they are right,
"no" here where they are off, then I as a Commissioner making a vote can sit
down and try to make a reasonable explanation.
Rev. Gibson: Wall, let me...
Mayor Ferre: Well, then what... are you making this as a...
Mrs. Gordon: That was the motion.
Mayor Ferre:... intention... a motion of intention?
Mr. Plummer: Well, the motion that Mrs. Gordon made and you seconded...
Mayor Ferre: No, no, I haven't seconded it. No. I said that I would only
second a motion previous to the... like the previous motion which specifically
had in it the proviso that we are not going to render additional service are
charge any less or more than what Metropolitan Dade County does in their Day
Care Centers.
Mr. Plummer: Alright, here again,...
Mayor Ferre: I don't care what St. Stevens does or what anybody else does.
Mr. Plummer: I don't know what the rationale that Metro uses to set their fees,
that's what I want to hold in the prerogative. If there is a motion made that
this City spend two hundred thirteen thousand dollars for Day Care Centers, I will
gl
4� SEP 2 196
vote for that motion. Alright.
Mrs. Gordon: Alright, we will do that. I will move it that way.
W. Plummer: But then my second motion..
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Plummer: My second motion. is that contribution by the parents, to the program.
in weekly charges is to be' reviewed' by ' the Child Day;CareCommittee..
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre:
That's_ fine..
and report back to this; Commission...
For final action.
Mr. Plummer: ... for final action and this Commission as always
by their recommendation.
Mayor Ferre: Within what period of
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I understand these new fees as proposed by the
Administration were to become effective January 1st, is that correct? So as
long as they report back to me by December 1st, I can still act.
Mayor Ferre: That's fine. .That's a second, Mrs. Gordon, do you accept that?
Mr. Plummer: Oh, very, definitely.
Mrs. Gordon: That was two motions, the first motion was to fund it and the
second motion J. L. wants to make it...
Mayor Ferre: No.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, that's what he said.
Mayor Ferre: That's not what I.
Mrs. Gordon: I understand English
time?
Mr. Plummer: I shall not enter into that discussion.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Plummer, as I understood that was all part and parcel of one
motion, you are not divide...
Mrs. Gordon: No, J. L. Plummer said it was two motions.
Mr. Plummer: Maurice, it's really immaterial whether it's one motion or two
as long as I got the assurance'that the second motion is going to pass.
Mrs. Gordon: Well, I'm going to vote with.
Mayor Ferre: Plummer, I think that it is part of the whole thrust of this
that you make it into one... I can't vote for it otherwise.
Mr. Plummer: Fine, fine, I will make it into one motion that...
Mrs. Gordon: J. L., I' made the first motion and I make it to fund it to the
tune of two hundred thirteen thousand.
Mayor Ferre: Is there a second to that motion? Is there a second to that motion?
Hearing none...
Mr. Plummer: I make a motion Mr. Mayor, that the City expend two hundred thirteen
thousand dollars from it's general fund for the purposes of Day Care and the
operation of 1979-78. That the same teachers be retained that presently serve
and at the same time the...
Rev. Gibson:
Mr. Plummer:
Rev. Gibson:
gl
I don't think...
Oh, I'm sorry, I can't tell him which teachers.
Right.
SEP 2 519?9
Mayor Ferre: Are you going to go before
you seconded or something?
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, in justification I think
Mrs. Gordon: You are cute. Mr. Mayor, you such a cute
Mayor Ferre: Very nice, Rose.
Mr. Plummer: I won't agree with that, Rose. I would rather fight than switch.
I think that in all reality to the parents that are here tonight and very concerned.
I'm sure that all of you are well aware that the price of everything has gone
up, ok and I got to believe that you fully expect some increase. You've got
to expect it. The teachers are making more, the supplies cost more and I
hope that this Commission can see it's way clear to raise your fees no more
than what the inflationary factor is. I would hope that, that would be the
case, but I don't think any parent in good justice is going to walk out these
doors tonight thinking that they are going to get it for the same exact amount
they had it for last year because you just can't do it. Don't argue when you
are ahead. If you argue when you are ahead, you are...
(BACKGROUND COMMENT OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Mr. Plummer: Sir, don't argue when you are ahead.
Rev. Gibson: J. L.?
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor Ferre: Go ahead.
Rev. Gibson: Why do we have to wait until December?
Mr. Plummer: Father, only because the Administration is besieged with problems
at the present time. We've got some bigs items that are still coming up and
I don't want to bind them Father. Well, look, let's put it this way. The
report coming back to us no later than...
Mayor Ferre: I thought you wanted to go home? No later than December lst,',
further discussion, call the roll.
Mr. Plummer: That those people on hold be in a go position. Is that...
Gabriel do you understand hold?
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Plummer:
Alright, alright, I will second
And that the...
Mayor Ferre: Let him finish the motion.
it.
Mr. Plummer: ... Child Day Care Committee` be: instructed to review with, staff
a proposed fee schedule for final action of this Commission no later than
December 1st for any possible alteration of fees charged tobecome effective
January 1st.
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. Lacasa:
Mrs. Gordon:
Alright, I second it.
Second the motion.'
I was already
seconding it. Jesus Christ, you,thirded,it.
Mayor Ferre: klright, further discussion
Mr. Plummer: Well, let's put it
call the roll.
this way Mr. Mayor...
another Committee andread:the motion
that the parents of the...
little boy.
The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who
moved its adoption:
MOTION NO. 79-635
A MOTION THAT THE CITY EXPEND $213,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND
FOR THE OPERATION OF CITY OF MIAMI DAY CARE CENTERS AND FURTHER
STIPULATING THAT THE CHILD DAY CARE COMMITTEE BE INSTRUCTED TO
49
SEP 2 5 1979
UM NIP
REVIEW WITH STAFF A PROPOSED FEE SCHEDULE FOR FINAL ACTION BY
THE CITY COMMISSION BY DECEMBER 1, 1979,.SUCH FEES TO BECOME
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1980.
Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gordon, the motion was passed
and adopted by the following vote -
AYES:
NOES: None.
81
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Rose Gordon'
Commissioner Armando Lacasa
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
There being no further business to come before the City Commission,;
on motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at:11 100'Clock'
P.M.
ATTEST: RALPH G. ONGIE
CITY CLERK
MATTY HIRAI
ASSISTANT CITY CLERK
MAURICE A. FERRE
MAYOR
' 41
q
•
1.
fah
SEP 2 5 1979