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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1978-09-27 Minutes1 I T.Y MI A. SPECIAL COMMISSION iMINUTES j OF MEETING HELD ON September 27, 1978 'PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK CITY HALL MM MM MM MEM MEM • • 4 4 • MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA ON THE 27TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1978, 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 7:10 P.M. BY MAYOR A.FERRE WItH THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION PRESENT: COMMISSIONER ROSE GORDON COMMISSIONER J. L. PLUMMER, JR. COMMISSIONER (REV.) THEODORE R. GIBSON ALSO PRESENT: R. L. FOSMOEN, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER GEORGE F. KNOX, CITY ATTORNEY RALPH G. ONGIE, CITY CLERK MATTY HIRAI, ASSISTANT CITY CLERK ABSENT. MAYOR MAURICE A. FERRE VICE -MAYOR MANOLO REBOSO CITY MANAGER, JOSEPH R. GRASSIE AN INVOCATION WAS DELIVERED BY REVEREND THEODORE R. GIBSON THOSE PRESENT IN A PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE PLAG. Mr. Plummer: Good Evening. For the record, this is a contuinuation of the budget hearings which concluded on Tuesday afternoon and so that the public could all be heard this meeting was re -scheduled for a night meeting for the convenience of those who had to work during the day. For the record, this is September 27t1i, 7:00 P.M. Mayor and Mr. Reboso I'm sure are in the building and will be along shortly. Dr. Barry, we concluded with you, terminated you in the middle of your presentation. If you'd like to continue... Once again, I would ask we have representing Community After School Program. We're going to designate three speakers hopefully and sign up. We have the Folk Festival, First United Church. Is there anyone else who wishes to speak or be heard this evening on S.U.R.F.? Mr. Rick Leonardi will want to speak on S.U.R.F. the surf is up . Anyone, else wishing to be heard? ...What do you want to be heard about? (BACKGROUND COMMENT MADE OFF THE RECORD) ... about what?. , }4e don't have any extra crutches tonight. Okay, is Dr. Barry in...(BACKGROUND COMMENT MADE OFF THE RECORD)... No, I think he wants us. Dr. Sheppard, of course, on Overtown for clarification. Is there anyone representing the Manager? Is the Manager around? MAYOR FERRE AND VICE -MAYOR REBOSO ENTER MEETING AT 7:10 P.M. Mr. Plummer: Maurice, I've asked the After School people it they would get together and elect three spokesmen, the After School Community School. Other than that, I've asked the rest of the people to please register which they've done. S.U.R.F., Overtown, First United Methodist, Morty Freedman on Folk Festival, and they've already registered with the Clerk, who will supply you with a list of those people. I've asked for Dr. Barry since we interrupted him the other day, but he seems obviously not prepared. Mayor Ferro: I think what... let's see, we have Mr. H. Ruiz, After School Care Program; Mr. Van Hess,of the First Methodist Church; Morty Freedman, International Folk Festival; Fred Hirt ,from the Douglas Gardens; Rick Leonard] from S.U.R.F. Dr. Sheppard,do you want to address the Commission? Alright, Dr. Sheppard,is there anybody else here who wants to address the Commission at this public hearing at this time? Now, that does not mean that I will preclude you from speaking in the future, it just means that we need to kind of know who the speakers are now so that we can establish an order and time frame and all that. Is there anybody else that. I have not mentioned? Write off their names,,., SEP 271S18 MM ■MM ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■MMMM ■ ■ ■ Wila Mould like to address the City of Miatni Commission at this public heating at this time. Alright] then father, why don't you start us off with... key. Gibson: We've already done it. Mr. Plummer: We've already done all that. You were not included in the prayet. Mayor Ferre: I was not included in the prayer, that's alright. Mrs. Gordon: I prayed for you Maurice. Mayor Ferre: Good for you Rose. I believe it and I'm happy about that. I want you to know I've been up since very early this morning,I was in New York, and I've been traveling all day and I'm willing to stay here until about eleven,heyond eleven I think I'm about ready to go home and go to sleep. Mr. Plummer: A11 decisions will be made at 11:15 P.M. Mayor Ferre: We've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow. Alright, Dr. Ben Sheppard we're always honored to have you with us. I'll recognize you at this time. Dr. Sheppard, how long do you think you'll need? Dr. Sheppard: I'm here to ask for clarification where 0vertown Rec stands, there seems to be some mix-up on the 0vertown Rec and the St. Luke's Baby Child Care Center and I'd like to find out if I could where does Overtown Recreation Center stand, it's an individual thing, it's not connected with St. Luke's at all, and we don't know just where, what and where we're getting. Mayor Ferre: Somebody wants to speak to this? Mr. Plummer: Parkins? Mr. Parkins: You'll recall in the meeting Monday that we had discussed the $259,996 Title XI grant that we were of the opinion had been allocated to the St. Luke's 0vertown Recreation Center. We determined in final review of the grant application itself that there had been a site at 3290 N.W. 7th Street that had been proposed with this Child Care Center. We have since resolved with Monsigneur Walsh that this grant should in fact be at the St. Luke's 0vertown Center at 1401 N. Miami Avenue. Dr. Sheppard: I still don't understand it. Mrs. Gordon: I don't either. Mr. Parkins: The detail sheets that September 20th. Dr. Sheppard: Are you saying that Mr. Parkins: That's correct. Dr. Sheppard:... Overtown as an individual unit. Mr. Parkins: For the Child Care Program of St.... Dr. Sheppard: Yes. Mr. Parkins: That's correct. Dr. Sheppard: Don't confuse us with St. Luke's because that's a different program. Mr. Parkins: That,I agree with you Doctor, however, St. Luke's Overtown Recreation Center had been carrying that name for a substantial period of time. St. Luke was used in a number of locations, that was why there was the initial confusion but it is a grant it will be directed to the 1401 N. Miami Avenue... Dr. Sheppard: Is there any... ? Mrs, Gordon: That will set-up a new Day Care Center is that it? M. Parkins: That's correct. (MR. GRASSIE ENTERS MEETING AT 7:30 P.M.) P 2719/8' Mrs. Gordon: That's your program. Sheppard: ... Is there anything from . �, do We get any monies ftoin federal Revenue Sharing? Mr. Parkins: We've been attempting to... at the instruction of the Cot1>z7iasion, we've been attempting to resolve some Revenue Sharing issues and at the ttotient I'm not prepared to answer that question. Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Bond, is... Is Mr. Bond here? Mt. Grassie, is Mr. Bond here? Mr, Grassie: I'm sorry. Mayor Ferre: Yes. Mrs. Gordon: There's a memorandum that We re supposed to have been able to receive and I don't have it here. I haven't been handed the memorandum regarding the allocation of the...reallocation of the Revenue Sharing dollars. Mr. Grassie: What we're trying to do Commissioner is to see whether we can accomplish what the City Commission thought might be possible. I think that it is possible to some extent. We're working on the business of taking some of the programs from Federal Revenue Sharing seeing whether we can pick them up with Community Development money. Mayor Ferre: Mr. Manager, Rose, I'm going to...and Dr. Sheppard, excuse me for the interruption, but we have some distinguished visitors that have just come into the room and this will take three minutes to recognize them and then we'll continue in our process. At this time I'd like to present to the Commission Dr. Raul Salaberren, who is. Minister of Economy of the Province of Buenos Aires in Argentina and with him is Dr. Robert J. Bullribge,uiioi's the President of the Banco de la Provincia, Buenos Aires, who has just opened up a branch in Florida, in Miami, we're honored to have then and I would like to ask them to step forward if.they would please. ... Ladies and gentlemen, Dr. Raul Salaberren kho is a Minister of Economy of the province of Buenos Aires and Dr.Bullribge,two distinguished visitors, who are here in our community. The Province of Buenos Aires is'half again as lame as the State of Florida and it is in population a very wealthy part of the Republic of Argentina and perhaps the highest per capitol of any Spanish -Speaking part of the world and they are important to us in the future of the economy of our nation and hopefully of our state and of our community. Dr. Bullribge,the President of a very important bank in the Argentine and they are opening a branch here in this community. Many of you may not think that affects you in anyway and perhaps it does not directly, but as it affects they economy of our community it affects the Folk Festival that Marty Freedman is here to ask money for. It affects the fiber of our social program and that includes our school system because it strengthens the economy base and then as we tax the property owners that develop in this community and the commercial were able therefore to have a stronger and healtier community. (SPOKE 1N SPANISH)... Mr. Reboso: Doctor, will you please proceed? Dr. Sheppard: I want to put three questions and I'll get out of your hair. The first question is addressed to the Manager. How much Title VI Grant for child care, how much money do we have in Title vI for child care for the Overtown Rec. , Mr. Parkins or somebody? Mr. Parkins: The only Title VI Grant that we currently have specifically for the of child care at the Overtown Recreation Center is the Title VI Grant I was referring to earlier, the $259,996 grant.. Dr. Sheppard: Second question, thank you Mr. Parkins. How much Federal Revenue Sharing, any at all, or you don't know yet? Mr. Parkins: We're in the process of seeking assurances from HUD on one program. We have clearances that we have to resolve on Community Development. Dr, Sheppard: Very good. And, the third question... (A1CKGROUt D COMMENT MADE OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD) . Mr, Parkins: Yes, but part of the entire problem as you recall was of one of the projects or Project II,,.ok! Community Development. the shifting 14t. Parkins: Thank you, sir, yes. t?r. Sheppard: I got that.. Mt: Plummer: I didn't. Mrs. Gordon: A question, J. L., 1 just want to ask this clarification on the giant monies, is it a flexible sum, can they utilize it for whatever needs they bay have for the care of the children that means including administration? Mr, Parkins: To a certain degree ves,within allowable percentages We have S26,087 that was originally programmed for administrative purposes hut within the client wages,Commissioner, S206,120 not including fringe, some of those client wages would also be directed to a form of administration. Mrs. Gorden: Well... Mr. Parkins: For example, program supervisors. Mrs. Gordon: Oka\, we11,I think they could probably know whether that fleets the needs they have or whether it doesn't better than I could. Mr. Parkins: Yes.•• Dr. Sheppard: It doesn't. Mr. Parkins: ... we've been meeting the last oay and a half or so both personally and on the phone . We have yet to really sit downs and get an opportunity to complete the review, the actual positions that had originally been programmed into this grant but we.arescheduled to do so. Mrs. Gordon: From what you've heard Dr. Sheppard, do you think that now the progr- will be able to continue and go en? Dr. Sheppard: We'llbe back ii it isn' Mrs. Gordon: Alright. Rev. Gibson: We knew that. Mrs. Gordon: We invite you back. Dr. Sheppard: I have two other interests, I can't, I would be remissed as a School Board member in not requesting that you give as much consideration as you possibly can to the After School Programs. I know the... sometimes you say like Pat Tornillo,that we got all the money in the world, but we haven't(repeat) and this is ... asyou see this is a very important question for the schools and the children in those neighborhoods. Now, one more point, one other program I have and I don't want you to ... I would like you to continue it, condider it in your federal allotments and that is the S.U.R.F. Program, where of which I am also a Director, the S.U.R.F. Program, which is probably the best program in the County. Mayor Ferre: You wear a lot of hats, don't you Dr. Sheppard? Dr. Sheppard: Yes. Mayor Ferre: And I think you wear them ..they all fit pretty good and you wear them pretty good. Well... Dr. Sheppard: Don't forget the S.U.R.F. Program,Mr. Mayor,will you ? By common consent of the Consortium this is the best program in Dade County, they care for about 90 children, organically disturbed and find placement for them. Mayor Ferre: We have a what? Mr. Grassie: It was item l on your list,Mr. Mayor, it's not a program funded before. Mayor Ferre: So you have no provisions for it? Mr. Grassie: That is correct we have no provisions, mm 55 Mayot Ferret I think it's important because I don't want Dr., Sheppard leaving hete and then being upset when he reads the paper tomorrow or the next day$ let's take sure we understand each other. Mts. Gordon: No, S.T.E.P, is not S.U.R.F., that's different. Mayor Ferre: S.U.R.F. is not being recommended for funding, it's item 31 66 your agenda. Mts. Gordon: Are you talking about S.U.R.F. or S.T.E.P,? Mr. Grassie: S.U.R.F. Mayor Ferre: S.U.R.F. Mrs. Gordon: Surf? Oh,... Mayor Ferre: S.U.R.F. Mrs: Gordon: Okay. Mayor Ferre: Now, the reason for that,Dr. Sheppard,is. that this Commission has taking a policy stand so far,I don't know whether that can change, that we will not fund any new programs. The reasons why we're not funding any new programs is because we have so many old worthy and valuable programs that we cannot fully fund and that we're cutting out so many programs that are so needy and important that we just,no matter what the merit,l don't think we can get involved in new programs at this time and I think there's no question because I saw Rob shake his head in a positive way that it is probably the best program that they've looked at and that maybe an inconsistency on our part of not funding the best program but then what happens is you open up Pandora's box and you end up having the problem as to making subjective decisions and that always creates more problems than it solves. Dr. Sheppard: Well, I don't want to create problems but I do want to remind you of the After Care Programs. Mrs. Gordon: Were you also talking about the Community Schools Dr. Sheppard? Dr. Sheppard: Community Schools and After Care. Mrs. Gordon: Because one is... there are separate funding parcels us. The request for the community schools is $70,000 request and the other was $100 and... Mr. Parkins, how much is the other one, the After School $100 and what? Mr. Parkins: I'm sorry Commissioner,I was looking up a figure. 4111 Mrs. Gordon: What's the funding request for After School? Mr. Plummer: The After School request was $208,000, they got $192,000 Mr. Parkins: Thank you. Mrs. Gordon: Okay, so... Dr. Sheppard: What did they get this year? Mr. Plummer: Zilched. Mrs. Gordon: They're not.... Mayor Ferre: They're not recommended. Mrs. Gordon: And also not recommended is the Community Schools, so you one has to take place first even before you can have the second one. know, like Mayor Ferre: So ;you see what kind of a problem we're facing. Now the other aspect of it is that the Manager and some members of the Commission whoever wants to and I will b.e going down to the School Board to meet with you on Wednesday, is it, in the afternoon? And, there we want to discuss with you After Care, School Resource Officer,... Mr. Plummer: Community Schools SEP 211978 mm EE i • s • Mayor Ferre: Community Schools and some real estate whicn we need for park purposes and forwhich youwant to charge us:top dollar for. I don't blame you for trying but we need to kind of talk about all these things together to see, you know, and about some money that the school system owes us on commitments that have been made and,through no fault of yours,have not been kept,but you know if we ate going to have good faith we need to keep good faith. It's got to be a two-way street. I don't want to... Dr. Shennard: We'll work it out...but without the Community school you can't have your After Care Programs. Mrs. Gordon: That's right. Mayor Ferre: That's right. Mrs. Gordon: That's why I brought that up because I know that you can't. Mayor Ferre: So ail these things are tied together and I think we need to for good or for bad,we need to kind of discuss the whole program and then ... I do not think it will be decided tonight and Rose, I'm sure and I will be down there to... not to negotiate because we don't do that, but to discuss in a friendly basis with our counterparts to see where we're going. Mr. Plummer: Just have the deeds ready. Dr. Sheppard: Thank you. Mayor Ferre: Okay. Mrs. Gordon: Thank you,Dr. Sheppard. Mayor Ferre: Alright, the next speaker is Mr. Van Hess. Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, since I was involved with Reverend Kirtley this afternoon let me -ask and I might be able to short circuit him because he's not been here previously-- Mr. Parkins, this of course, is my first criteria category,"food". I discussed with the Reverend this afternoon of apossible switching of funds in Social Services possibly from Federal Revenue over to Community Development. I think really what they would like to know, would their program, one of the target areas is Downtown, would that qualify for social services under the Downtown target? Mr. Parkins: The problem we have in C.D. funds for social services purposes, Commissioner is if the program had been funded frow Federal Revenue Sharing Funds it must not be funded for 12 months before it will qualify or it must be a new program component. Mr. Plummer: Well, I'm sure that can be arranged. (BACKGROUND COMMENTS MADE OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD). ... no, I'm ... you know, as it stands right now I am looking as one and I'm sure the rest are. We don't want to knock out any more than what we have too, and where this man is coming forth in my number one priority,that of feeding the hungry, I'm going to be forced to vote to knock something else out to put in this requirement. Now, is the mechanics available for this man to qualify, not this man, excuse me, what he represents, a hot meals program, is it possible for them to qualify to get C.D. money? Mr. Parkins: I can't answer that without actually talking with him to define the total program and the amount of funds that have been directed to each category. Mr. Plummer: Could Mr. Horne do it in the next ten or fifteen minutes? Mrs. Gordon: Which one of the programs on the list are you referring to? Mr. Plummer: First Methodist Church, Mrs. Gordon: Which number? Mr, Parkins: Number 18. Unidentified Speaker: The First Methodist Church, Mrs, Gordon,. Mr. Plummer: I mean that's really why he's here tonight. (BACKGROUND COMMENTS OF THE BPUBLIC RECORD), f SEP 271978 H yor )'erre: Would you tell me again now, J. L. how much they were asking for? $it. Plummer: 18 was asking $14,900, they receive $8,900 last year, they're asking for $14,900. Their total program I think is very interesting keeping• - and their total sources are up to 54 is what we show here. Actually Mr. Parkins: Actually, $40,000 from Senior Centers. Unidentified Speaker: Well, we get $40,000 from Senior Centers, but in addidtion to that we do get a little better than $15,000 worth of commodities which really has saved us and the cash flow of the $14,900 that we're asking for is we got $8,900 this past year and we actually have a short cash fall. We actually need $14,900 to round the figure out. Mr. Plummer: Why don't you talk with Mr. Horne, which then we can be tore intelligent in talking before the Commission? (BACKGROUND COMMENTS OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD). Mayor Ferre: Alright. (BACKGROUND COM NTS OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD). Mrs. Gordon: Which is the next one you've Aot, tir, Ma'VOt (BACKGROUND COMMENTS nFr TNF IUBLIC RECORD. Mrs. Gordon: What's your next one, Mr. Mayor? UUayor Ferre: What? Mrs. Gordon: Who are you calling u*' next? Mayor Ferre: Morty Freedman_International Folk Festival. Mr. Plummer: Well, Mr. Mayor, now Morty, excuse men I maybe,.I had background. Morty wants to speak on the regular budget and I think pretty much staying in FederL.I Revenue right now. too much we re Mayor Ferre: Let's not get Federal Revenue.. .alright, you're right. I stand corrected . Altight,Douglas Gardens, Fred? Mr.Fred Hirt: Mr. Mayor and Commissioners, I'm here to see what we can do and hopefully if we can receive some relief in some direction as to the Douglas Gardens, City of Miami Senior Adult Day Center at Legion Park, This program as you know is scheduled to close as of Friday. Mayor Ferre: Oh, I'll tell you, I think that this Commission feels fairly strong, I think,if I'm reading everybody right. 41/ Mrs.. Gordon: I wouldn't.... Mayor Ferre: I can't tell you when you're going to close or not close but you're not going to close Friday and no matter what happens, if push comes to shove which I hope will not happen so don't misunderstand what I'm saying and certainly is not going to happen on Friday. Now on the other hand,and Rose,l want you to hear this, I think it would be very unfair for the other programs to pass on one program without passing them all. I think we've got to make a decision across the board and what's going to be funded and not funded and then vote on the total package because otherwise I think we'd be unfair to other programs that are just as worthy but I think I can speak, if not stop me for this Commission in telling you that you will not be closed down on Friday, that there's just so way that's going to happen, okay? Mr. Manager? Mr. Grassie: We can see that that is accomplished in terms of their cash flow in the short run until this question get resolved. Mayor Ferre: And I want to reiterate... Mr. Grassie: They will be able to continue Mayor Ferre: ... that I think not only Rose Gordon and I feel strong about this but I think every member of this Commission and if I'm mistaken please speak put, Mr. Plummer : Well, Mr. Mayor, I think it will" take a motion of appropriation and I think a motion would be in order Rose that.., SEP 271978 1111110111E 11111111111111111111ii11 V11111 • Wt. Gordon: I would rove that we fund this program to $105,000. with the minimum it requires. Mr, Plummer: No,no, that... well, if that's what the ptogtati you WAtit to:make but I was going to make a totion... Mayor Ferre: Wait, wait, she has a right to make the thOtion, I'M nOtitt anybody want to second that motion? Mts. Gordon: Mr. Hirt, what is the minimum you can utilize for the year to Operate this program? 11±. Hirt: The program 's bare -bone budret is $105,000 and that is hoiding just to the bare services, not even including insurance there, there's additional insurance which has been requested to maintain the program. Mayor Ferre: Alright, there's a motion on the floor. Mrs. Gordon: Alright, I would move you then that we fund this program and we get this program moving for this coming year. Mayor Ferre: Is there a second to the motion? (repeat). Now, I Want you to understand that that in no way means that this Commission is going to vote against you. This is simply that we are not ready to do that until we do them all together, okay. Mr. Plummer: Can I make a motion? Mayor Ferre: Sure. Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I make a motion'at this time that the Douglas Garden Center be funded until such time as'this Commission makes a final determination. Mayor Ferre: That's fine. Rev. Gibson: Second. Mayor Fern::: There's a second to that motion. Mr. Plummer: That tells them they will not be closed on Friday, Mayor Ferre: Is there any further discussion on that motion? Call the roll please. The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who moved its adoption. MOTION NO. 78-584 • A MOTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO CONTINUE PRESENT FUNDING LEVELS FOR THE "DOUGLAS GARDENS CENTER" UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE CITY COMMISSION MAKES A FINAL DETERMINATION ON THE FY.78-79 BUDGET. :Upon being seconded by Commissioner (Rev.) Gibson, the motion was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner J. L. Plummer. Jr. Vice Mayor Manolo Reboso Commissioner Rose Gordon Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore R. Gibson Mayor Maurice A. Ferre ME4;• None, Mayor Ferre: Now, that wakes you feel a little better I .,ope. Alright, Mr. Leonardi is the next speaker. Rick... Mrs. Gordon: J. L. , you didn't mean if it was...if we find a final detettinatimi this week that that's it. Mr. Plummer: No Rose, until we make.a determination.,, Mayor Ferre: Yes. Mr Plummer: ... final determination, Mayor Ferre: We make a determination... Mrs. Gordon: For the whole budget. Mr. Plummer: It keeps them open until this thing is finished. Mrs. Gordon: Okay, as long as we budget it appropriately, Mayor Ferre: Alright. Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I hate to keep interjecting on you but I would strongly suggest since we're not and it's understood going to make decisions this evening that the Community School and After School be allowed to be heard to allow these kids to go home because they're dying to get in bed. Mrs. Gordon: Will somebody tell me what you did now; I didn't get a chance to vote on it. Mayor Ferre: Okay, calm down, and Rick will you sit down and I apologize to you we're going to .. we'll rearrange this. Now as I see it, the speakers here are Mr. H. Ruiz,After School Care Program, would you step forward, Mr. Ruiz and Ms. Louise Scala, a parent, and Sharon L. Bright, Milton Fuller, Kay Sullivan, Heather Jennings, and Kristina Katchis and Linda Alger. Now, all these people want to speak on the same thin_. Now, as I understand it,Mr. Plummer has requested that you get three spokemen. Now, you've got about ten. Now, here's the way we're going to do it.... Mr. Ruiz That was not the understanding sir. The understanding sir, he said that we should try to pick three or four. I asked him if we were by law or policy restricted to that, he said, no and I don't believe we are. Mayor Ferre: But by law or policy since we have more speakers I'm going to have to restrict youeach to two minutes. Now, I don't care, you know, because it'll be an hour before we're finished with this subject. Now, what I'm willing to do is this. If anybody,if you want to get together and combine, I don't care how you do it but right now we have one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven speakers. If we could go three minutes, plus you know there's always time in between,that'll be an hour by the time. It's thirty-three minutes but it'll be an hour. Mr. Ruiz: Eleven speakers for all the children of the community is not that much. Mayor Ferre: No, I think you should have 500 speakers, and I think that you should have $500,000 and I think that you should be serving everybody and I think we should stay up all night to do it but that's not the way we're going to do it, see, because and if we're going to get into antagonistic or protagonistic posture here I think that that's not the way to solve the problem. Mr. Ruiz: Sir, I am not antagonistic. I just want to express my views and I believe the community has the right to express their views. Mayor Ferre: Absolutely. Mr. Ruiz: ... especially, when only at most three or four days and in many cases only one day notice has been given.... Mayor Ferre: Absolutely. Mr. Ruiz: ... I don't feel that that clause that only three or four days by some reason of a reality have been given us of a new notice when I know there will be thousands of women that would like to be here tonight but they don't even 111111111111111111111111111 I1111111IIIII a i 111miti ii lummulms. Mrs. Gordon; I would 1 1 to ask ... Mayot Ferre: Would will you stop the time so that this doesn't run against Ms, Scala? Ors. Gordon: ... the parents and the representatives from the Aftet School Cate for the After School Care Program, how many are here from a school other than tittle River School, and which school ate you representing? Silver Bluff? Mayor Ferre; Silver Bluff? Mrs. Gordon:Okay, is there ahuone here from any other school? Okay, Okay, thank you. Mayor Ferre: Okay. is. Scala: That's it. Thank you, the tiro schools. Mayor Ferre: Okay, turn it off, do it cumulative because then that way, Mr. Ruiz might want to conic hack and finish up his statement, okay? The text speaker will be Sharon L. Bright. Ms. Bright. Ms. Bright: I just want to say... Mr. Plummer: Pull the microphone over. The address for the record. Ms. Bright: 5985 N.E. Fourth Court. Rev. Gibson: Speak in the mike. Ms. Bright: Okay. I just want to say that without the After School Care Program, I'm a working single parent and I have two children and without this program I can't work, because I can't afford to work, I don't make enough money to pay these other Day Care Centers or what have you to take care of my child, and they get good care where they are and it's a terrific outfit and to cut this is going to cut an awful lot of people, and... Mrs. Gordon: What age are your children? Ms. Bright: ... I don't want to go on welfare or food stamps just because I can't afford to have my children taken care of. It's unbelieveable,education is always cut first and I don't think it's really that fair, I really don't, it's not fair to the children, because they're the ones that are going to suffer. Mayor Ferre: You know, I want you to understand now, I don't want to take away the intensity of what you're saying. This Commission has not taken a position on this yet. This is a recommendation of people who are professionals on staff that have recommended this, but that's not the policy of the City yet. Ms.Bright: But it's close. Close enough to make you upset. Mrs. Gordon: What are the ages of your children? Ms. Bright: My son is seven and my daughter is 6. Mrs. Gordon: Six and seven. Ms. Bright; Yes, ma'am. Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor, I think you ought to explain to the people that this is a proposal, this is not a closed matter, madam. What I was trying to say to that gentleman a few minutes ago is that you may convince us not to go along. Ms. Bright: Well, we certainly hope to . Rev. Gibson: And all I'm saying is I didn't want him to prejudice his case and I hope you wouldn't think that this is already closed. You know, you present it and we may listen to you and,you know,you can turn us on, you understand?Ok. Ms. Bright: Okay, that's all I have to say except the fact I just ... Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, let me just interject one thing , and nobody sitting here tonight, nobody sitting here tonight,including this Commission, wants to hear what has not been said. We are not HoudinOs we have no magical, we don't 10 SEP2719783 kale a pot of gold, ok ? 11111 I■11111111111■11 Ms. Bright: I realize that. Mr. Plummer: What I want to tell you is we had requests and I think almost .everyone of them are prefectly legitimate,good requests for Social Services ofa $2.6 mullion dollars,because of the cut of Federal Revenue Sharingtwe have been reduced tonight to spending $445,000 total to appease requests of $2.6 Million dollars. Nobody wanted to hear that,we don't want to hear that. But our funds have been cut and you've got to hear like we've got to hear it. I'm not speaking to you as an individual of the program you're here for but every program has to hear that. We're not Houdini. We can only split $445,000 in so many ways. Mayor Ferre: Okay, are you finished Houdini? Mr. Plummer: I didn't make you disappear so I'm not successful. Ms. Bright: I have a petition that I would like to turn over,if it's alright. Mayor Ferre: Yes. Okay. Ms. Bright is there anything else you want to say? Ms. Bright: No, sir. Mayor Ferre: Okay, then the next speaker is Milton Fuller. Mr. Fuller? Okay, thank you very much Mr. Fuller and we'll accumulate those minutes for anybody who wants to speak a little bit more than that then. Alright, then we have Kay Sullivan. Ms. Sullivan? Ms. Sullivan: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, to the honorable Mayor and to the City of Miami Commissioners, I've written a letter and I'll read this letter, brief. "With all due respect, I am very unhappy to learn the Community Schools Program is not being considered for refunding. I find this news very distressing and wonder as I often have what kind of people do we have governing our lives. Do you as a Commission merely sit and accept recommendations from staff without sometimes questioning these recommendations? I have found it very disappointing and as I would be very disappointed if you did and that is why I feel somebody did not give careful thought to the discontinuation of the Community Schools, excuse me I'm nervous. Have you considered what effect this is going to have on the communities if this program is cut? Have you given any thought to what impact theclosing of the After School Care Programs is going to have on the working mother in this community? Have you given thought to those adults who are trying very hard, I'm sure after a hard days work,to improve their minds by attending evening classes in the community schools? Ladies and gentlemen, somebody made a recommendation to maybe cancel this program but they didn't think. Often times we,taxpayers,let you make decisions on our behalf without ,sent and most times you're right, but this time you are wrong if you recommend that this program not be refunded for the coming year. I am sure you have been apprised of what should happen in this type program, but don't take someone else's words, come out to Little River and the other community schools and see what the staff is doing with these children, you would then see how taxpayers dollars should be spent. Please reconsider the Community Schools Program , as it serves the entire community. You have been elected to do the will of the community. Think of the children of this community,for these little people need your assistance now through the future. Keep in mind that they are our future and that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and one other word for the elderly, protect our past, the elderly, save our future, the children." Thank you very much. Mayor Ferre: Alright, the next speaker will be Heather Jennings. Ms. Jennings, Community School. Ms. Jennings: Mayor, Council members, I have very little to add to what other people have already said except for perhaps a caustic comment. Today is my birthday and I sure as hell didn't feel like spending it here, right? Mayor Ferre: I feel that way everyday,by the way. Ms. Jennings: But you're the Mayor, I'm not. I am a secretary. I depend on the After School Program. Now,the feminist, women's lib people, they have a saying that between most women and welfare stands one man. Well, for me,fortunately, Ws not a man, it's the After School Program, but I'm finding it's just about as unreliable as any man I've come across and I'm fed up. I met this paper tonight at my child's school with anger, fs5ustrrthon,every year is the same story. When is it going to end? 11 SEP 271978 '8 Mot Ferre: Every y ? 'its. Jennings: Yes, every year I have to fight. I have to fight the School Board to keep Silver Bluff open. Mayor Ferre: Well, look, wait a minute, I don't want to get into an atgutent with you, but I find so much antagonism around here that.... Ms. Jennings: Well, of course we're antagonistic. Mayor Ferre: Well, let me tell you something. Ms. Jennings: You wouldbe antagonistic if you were a member of the poor class too. Mayor Ferre: Fine, look, let me tell you something... go ahead. Ms. Jennings: It's not personal against you or any of the members but I don't see why you can throw money away on some stupid film festival when the children are far more important. That's all I have to say.. Mayor Ferre: Ms. Kristina Katchis, please. Ms. Katchis: I wish to thank you for the opportunity to speaking here. I am also involved with the Community School Program and I just found out about the program 2-years ago,when I knew its facilities were available I was thrilled. I am also a single parent and I have had to work and go to school at night and I don't have 8-hour days,I have l6-hour days,day after day after day;and I know if the Community School Program were cut in anyway it would create a great deal of problems for me. My child has had to go to school with me at night because I cannot afford to have private child care. The one good thing that I can absolutely be proud of is the security that I have that my child is in a program that I do not have to worry about her, the people that are on staff are carefully chosen whether they're trained properly or not, the fact is that they are good people and my child is being educated, not only socially but with the tutoring programs that thoti hove had, the play session, the art work or whatever else they have had or will have or not have depending on the funding. If the community schools ceased, it would be a great disadvantage to many people in the community. Thank you very much. Mrs. Gordon: How old is your child? Ms. Katchis: 8-years old. Mayor Ferre: The next speaker is Mr. Ongie: That was her. Mayor Ferre: Is... oh, that was you? Oh, that was... Mr. Plummer: That was the birthday girl. to HeatherJennings? Mayor Ferre: Oh, okay. Alright, then the next one is Linda Alger. Ms. Alger. Ms. Alger: Your honor,Commissioners, every timel come up here I'm begging you, I'm begging you now. I'm working two jobs. I know that have to support themselves and their kids on their own. This program is important. The people love our kids , just come one day and see how good our kids are taken care of and you'll understand why so many people want to talk to you. Mrs. Gordon: How old are your children? Ms, Alger: 8 years old. Mrs. Gordon: One 8-year old, and you work two jobs, Ms. Alger: Two jobs. And, I'm due at work in a few minutes, but just come that one day and you'll understand why there's so much emotion and why so many people are coming here and want to talk to you. Mrs. Gordon: I know. Yes. MOW MEM SEP 2719783 MS. Alger: I know Mr. Auiz has antagonized you but he Knows how a lot of us. feel . That's all I can say. We're begging you. Mayor Ferre: That's enough. Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor, I don't know how much you want to heat or how Many pleas you want to hear but I can speak right now that we have to do something about two things. One,we have to take care of the Community Schools because they can't have After School Care unless we have Community Schools, and I don't know • whether they know that or not. Mayor Ferre: Rose, I'm going to recognize you to make a tnotion as soon as ... but let's everybody have an opportunity. m Mrs. Gordon: I know but what I'm trying to say to you is J.L. moved a Motion before for Douglas Gardens which was an assurance to Douglas Gardens that they II would not close the door on Friday and I think we owe the assurance to these people that we are not going to close the door on Friday, okay? II II m 1 • • 1 • • 4 • • • MM Mayor Ferre: Well, I think it's no problem with that. Mrs. Gordon: No, no, I would like to give them the same assurance that we gave to Douglas Gardens and then let us try to find some way that we can salvage the program. Mayor Ferre: Who wants to second that motion? Plummer seconds the motion. Further discussion. Call the roll on that motion. The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Gordon, who moved its adoption. MOTION NO. 78-585 A MOTION AUTHOhILIi G AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGEK TO CONTINUE PRESENT FUNDING LEVELS FOR "AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAM" AND"COMMUNITY SCHOOLS PROGRAM" UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE CITY COMMISSION MAKES A FINAL DETERMINATION ON THE FY-78-79 BUDGET. ,Upon being seconded by Commissioner Plummer, the motion was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner Rose Gordon Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr. Vice Mayor Manolo Reboso Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore R. Gibson Mayor Maurice A. Ferre NOES: None. Mayor Ferre: The next speaker is Ms. Martha Acosta. Ms. Acosta: Good evening gentlemen. Mayor Ferre: And lady. Rev. Gibson: And lady! Ms. Acosta: And lady. I'm sorry Mrs. Gordon, Rev. Gibson: Don't forget Rose. Mrs. Gordon: That's alright. Ms. Acosta: Okay. I just want to add a little thing that I'm feeling a little better to hear chat this is just only a proposal as you said. That makes me feel, you know more secure, because I trust as a working mother and mother of two boys which are 7 and 5 and both of them assist Silver Bluff School After School Care and I'm very happy and secure of my children, they're not on the streets, they're not watching t.v. for hours, they are doing their homework, they are directed on their own activities proper to their age and grade. I'm very pleased with the management that Mr. Mathis has done for Silver Bluff and I want to add also that I can work beeause I went to the community night classes to learn English, so I'm very proud of that .. and I might be nervous because it is nature and I am very glad to see you in person really because I for all of you and I trust you, and the same way with the rest of the mothers that cannot be here_tonight by we trust in ... and you know, we are confident that you will make the right selection for our kids. Thank you very much. Miffs. Gordon: We're going to try. Mayor Ferre: Alright, the next speaker is Ms. Dulce Maria Lazo, (tepeat). Ms. Lazo: (DELIVERED HER REQUEST IN SPANISH). Mayor Ferre: Ms. Sylvia Pardo. Ms. Pardo: Good Afternoon... (DELIVERED HER REQUEST IN SPANISH), Mayor Ferre: Ms. Amanda Cow. Mr. Ruiz : With your permission, I think some of these ladies are speaking Spanish should be translated into English so the Commissioners have the benefit of the words that they do say... Mayor Ferre: Alright, would you like to translate that? Mr. Ruiz I'll be very happy sir, but I think... Mayor Ferre: Well, why don't you go ahead and take the time and do that. Would you do that for the last lady? Mr. Ruiz: Surely, without the emotion unfortunately, what she said, she only lives two blocks from Silver Bluff and she will have to take a bus to go some other place at night to be able to learn English. That's the only way. How can you have citizens here that cannot learn English if you don't have a Community School in the afternoon? Mayor Ferre: Would you like to translate anybody else that has spoken before? Do you want me to call them back? Mr. Ruiz: I do not remember at this moment, but I think from now on we should be doing that. Mayor Ferre: Alright, Mr. Ruiz, thank you sir. Now we have Ms. Amanda Cow. Ms. Cow: Good evening gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, excuse my nerves. My name is Amanda Cow. I belong to the Silver Bluff Community After School Program. I'm the mother of two children, 8 and 10. There are so many beneficial things things done at this program that I would like to mention but time will not permit it. All I want to ask at this time in behalf of all the children who get these valuable benefits is to keep them open and I have a strong feeling all of us are responsible to prevent juvenile delinquency they're starting at this early age when working mothers and fathers can't be home to give the proper care and guidance the way they do it at the After School Program. I decided to talk at this time the very last minute by the way with the same obligation I go to vote at the election time to have the right people in the City of Miami. Thank you very much. Mayor Ferre: Alright, are there any other speakers that have not spoken yet that wish to address the members of the Commission with regards to the Community School Program or After School Care Program. Mr. Ruiz, would you like to add anything else at this time? Mr. Ruiz: You have ESP. Yes, sir. I would. if anything I shall be taking the time of Mr. Milton Chase which he dedicated to me so I have two minutes over there. Mayor Ferre: You have as long as you want now. Mr. Ruiz: Well, I don't want to take so much of your time. I think the points have been clear ;however, I would like to reinforce one thing even though the idea has been expressed the numbers have not shown the idea correctly. I think the issue is not only After Care and Community as Mrs. Gordon said because without the Community Program we cannot have the After Care Program, but I think this is a clear-cut choice also of mothers,working mothers, working women and children and I'd like to express with all due respect to the Commissioners that if this was a 14 WT • MK- NW • SEP 2 71971 FM ' tut* of law there wou be at least I'm sure an attorn saying here that' the women are not well represented by '.the Judges themselves. There are not enough working women here to represent the Judges themselves to represent the community in a fair manner. I say that with all deep emotion there should be more here to represent their voice and I would certainly hope that Mrs. Rose Gordon represent that and carry the vote and don't be put down by some male contiguous of my own weaker sex,please. • Mayor Ferre: What? Mrs. Gordon: I wanted to say, Mr. Mayor, that I noticed that... Mayor Ferre: Well, what is this anyway am I getting a lecture here froite'r+? Mts. Gordon: No, I'm not going... No, 1 want to ask you a question to ask the -people.- 1-didn't notice anybody here from Carver School. Is there anyone here from Carver? Apparently, Carver is not as concerned with the After School as the other two schools. Mr. Ruiz: I don't believe this concern along Mrs. Gordon. I believe also there's a matter of notice. We only have been able to let the people of the school know the parents within the last few hours that's my point that I made that only three or four or five-day notice was simply not enough. Mrs. Gordon: I know. Mr. Ruiz: And, I consider that somewhat prejudicial to the parents of the whole City of Miami the fact that they have not been able to be duly notified to express their opinions correctly, that I don't feel is quite justified, especially in the view that the whole School Board before on the issue with the School Board was very well notified in all the papers, etc., simply that the masses are not here because they do not know the issues, it's as simple as that. I'm sorry that you feel personally. Mayor Ferre: I do. I. don't like to be talked to the way you're talking to me because you're prejudging me. and I resent the 1he11 out of it just like you resent what's going on here Lec,.:use you don't know how I'm going to vote and I want to tell you somethi.ne. If you were here on a personal matter, on a personal matter,and you presented yourself the way you have here I'd vote against you a thousand times and the oely reason that keeps me from voting against this program are the many people that came up here who approached this unemotionally, intelligently, with logic. Mr. Ruiz: That's vary fine, sir, but were the mothers unemotionally here? Are you going to tell me the mothers are not going to be crying tonight with the husbands finding out place: Is that "unemotional"? Don't put me down, please, M- sir. Emotions are what rule the world, sir... Mayor Ferre: I don't believe that at all. Mr. Ruiz: I'm sorry, sir, the logic stays and the ideas are clear, but if they're not pushed by an emotion they go nowhere,it's as simple as that,and if you take it personally, if the seat is too hot,maybe you should get down off the seat. Mayor Ferre: Are you quite finished? The next speaker will be Mr. Rick Leonardi. Mr. Plumper: Mr. Mayor, I think it has been agreed upon that a decision is not going to be reached this evening as to the final. I think Mrs. Gordon if she wishes to make the motion and I would he happy to second it that this be funded until such time as... Mayor Ferre: We laready have. Mrs. Gordon: We did. Mr. Plummer: That's been voted upon. Mrs. Gordon: That was the motion we made. Mr. Plummer: What I think it should be said is that these people now are at liberty to leave because there is no decision going to be made this evening, 15 Mrs. Gordon: We said L.iat they wouldn't close on Friday, but J.L., I think we need to do a little bit more than that. I think that'we need to give them at least some time element. You know, we may reach a decision tomorrow or the next day and that would be the end and they are expressing to us a deep concern and you recognize ►you're a father, all of you are fathers and I'm a mother and a grandmother , that they cannot have two or three days of notice, they must, if it becomes an impossible thing for this Commission to fund this on a non -going year around basis then they need to at least have a 30-day cut off period or whatever period so they must make provisions for the kids some other way. We hope to God that won't happen but we're just trying to tell you that we don't want you to feel at the end of the week you can't go to work next week, and so we'll do the best we can. We are very short of money. I just want you all to know that. If we had the money you wouldn't have to be here begging us. We would be funding this automatically. Mayor Ferre: And, we would al:.o be funding the wonderful program that the senior citizens are so dependent upon at the Douglas Center.... Mrs. Gordon: Yes, of course. Mayor Ferre: ... which wants $105,000;and we would also be funding some people that need to eat every single day for $15,000 that we don't have in the program; and we would also be funding people that are handicapped and blind and don't have ways of making a living that we're also helping; and we also would he funding the Police Department and the people who protect your lives on everyday, who right now are getting nothing of an increase and who are demanding an increase and are rightfully entitled to an increase and we don't have the money; and we've got to deal with allthose problems right here, and this is where the buck stops, and you can cash your votes every 2-years depending as to how we vote here and the decisions we make. This is not an easy job. Nobody says that it is. I want you ladies to go when you leave here tonight with a full conviction as far as my vote is concerned, but I will not vote on this emotionally, but 1 will vote on this with full... conscientious, logic and try to do the very best that I can for the most people as well as we can do it. And, New York City, as you know, has a very serious proHem with City College, they have a serious problem with hospitals, there are 19 hospitals in New York City that have been closing down because there is just not enough money in New York to have these hospitals open and unfortunately we don't have enough money in this City of Miami to run the Police Department, to run the Fire Department, to fund the Douglas Center for the Aged, to fund the hot meals program, and fund all of the wonderful programs, all of them that are worthy; and therefore,we have to go on the advice first of what the management,...the Manager and staff come up with and we don't always followtheir advice, as a matter of fact the majority of the times we don't. In the past we've gone around and we've balanced these things and tried to keep programs alive and programs going. Please believe,ladies and gentlemen,that we will try our very best to come up with the funds to fund this and the other very worthy programs. I don't want to close the door on all those old people. Do you know that there are some people in that Douglas Center, there are about fifteen people that if we shut the door on them they're going to have to go in the hospitals; Do you know what it is for a Commissioner here to vote and know consciously that on our vote depends, maybe the lives of eighteen people? Those old people they go in the nursing homes and hospitals God knows what their future is going to be and we're keeping them going, that's a heavy responsibility and we are very aware of it and it's not based Ion emotion. Well, I didn't mean to sound off. I apologize to all of you. I didn't mean to offend anybody. It's been a long day and perhaps I'm a little bit more tired than I should be at a hearing and so I apologize to all of you for any emotional outbreaks that have happened here this evening, and we'll now... Thank you, and Rick you're on. Mr. Leonardi: Mr. Mayor, City Commissioners, Mr. Grassie, realizing the severe budget constraints that you are all are facing in your policy decision as it stands this evening,I still felt it was important for me to address you all for just a few moments. S.U.R.F. perhaps,as you are aware, is currently the only private, non- profit agency providing counseling, training, and job replacement to emotionally troubled handicapped and deaf youths of the community reaching every ethnic background within our own community. Over the past few months S.U.R.F. with the help and the hours of its volunteers and its staff has made itself perhaps the most outstanding agency in Dade County today. It has been credit to the South Florida C.E.T.A. Consortium and to the City of Miami. This is in fact, the first time to my knowledge that the young,emotionally troubled,handicapped and deaf youths are receiving services.Wefeel that it is important that this program continue and that it receive the support and the encouragement of the City Commissioners. The youths that we have served over the past six months,whic•h 16 SEP 2 T1978 ._ meets 86, have in fnos.t cases never worked before. They are 17, 18, 19 years bid yet this is theit first job opportunity, their first job placement. We feel that we need the continued support of the City of Miami to assist us in carrying bn this program at the level that we are now working. As 1 have mentioned the main support of our program has come from our volunteers who are doctors, lawyers, psychiatrists, City of Miami employees who have given of their own time since May to help make S.U.R.F. work. We ask you to please help us. Mayor Ferre: Rick, I'll tell you I wish we could come up with some money because if there is a program that is worthy of help, it's what you're doing with the handicapped. It really is almost in my opinion short of miraculous you know what you're doing and, you know, it just breaks my heart to see these handicapped kids not really get the kind of support that they all deserve from this Commission. I wish there was a way that we could you know. I'll tell you... Mrs. Gordon: How about Community Development funds on this one Maurice? Mayor Ferre: Huh? Mrs. Gordon: How about C.D. funds? Mayor Ferre: Can we do that from C.D.? Mr. Grassie: Well, we would have to look at the clientele,Mr. Mayor,and determine whether it is within a target area and whether it would be eligible for that particular kind of funding. Mayor Ferre: I wish... Mrs. Gordon: Would you look at it that way? Mayor Ferre: ... boy, I'll tell you,the hardest part of this job is this. Okay, Eufalia Frazier, is she here? Mrs. Frazier: To the Mayor and Commissioners, thanks again for giving me this opportunity to come before you begging again for funds for Culmer. I would like to say that in my 10-years working with the tenants in Dade County the conditions are worse now than it h:.s been since I got involved 10-years ago. In Culmer I would like to cite just three moving things that has happened within the last three months that you may or may not be aware of. Number one, was a family who has been living in a house since 1900 who thought that it was their house and they owned it and an accident occurred and when this accident occurred and it came to Tenant Education we discovered that this family did not own this house they don't even know when they lost this house. We had another case just three weeks ago, wherein the landlord was physically nailing a lady up in a house, nailing them in. We had another case in Town Park Villa, where 150 units was purchasing their homes and they are now at a default for $200,000. All of these people are coming to our office asking us for help. We have been able to refer them to someone who could help them. There is a need for someone to be in that community that is close enough to the people to be able to communicate or at least to help them. We have been a voice in that community. We was a voice when there was nobody else there but C.A.A. Today if Tenant Education is closed, if Tenant Education is not funded I can assure you that many of the problems that are out there they will be down here. We have been able to talk to people and to eliminate a whole lot of problems and the way the problems are in that community changing over, being devitalized there is no one there, no one there close enough to the community to be able to assist them. So I'm here tonight to make an appeal to the City of Miami and to the Commissioners to please fund us and not only if you can find funds to try to help us to find other funds some place so that we can run a decent program because peoples' lives are being wasted in Culmer... Thank you. Mayor Ferre: Mrs. Frazier, how much money did we fund you last year. Mrs. Frazier: You funded me last year $16,500 and that's what we have been operating our program on. Mrs. Gordon: Do you have any other funds coming in? Mrs. Frazier: We had a program lastyear from C.E.T.A., but this year it has been discontinued and that was the only program that we had in the Culmer area, 17 SEP 2"1978 Mayot Fetre: How about thisone, those of you that want to judge, that want to make judgment, how about people that are in poverty that don't know where they're going to sleep sometimes from day to day who are infested sometimes by Cats, children that are sleeping in conditions that are completely inhuman that your stomach wouldn't stand still if you saw some of the things that go on the way people have to live in this community in abject poverty? Sometimes these people come to this lady here,who really has been giving her all for years to help these people and that's the only hope they have, the only hope between that and absolute disparity. You know, that there is somebody out there even if they can't do anything about it but they're going to try to get somebody a better living condition and right now we're -urning her now,and it's $16,000. ME mm Mr. Plummer: Mrs. Frazier, let me ask you a question, most of your work is in the EH Culmer area, have you applied for Community Development funds to the Target Committee? ma ME Mrs. Frazier: Yes, we have. We have constantly applied. The County gives us ME $25,000 and of the $25,000 that we receive from the County and the $16,000 that TM we receive from the City, we hayP frnir staff nonnloc tonrkina. ME Mr. Plummer: No, no, you didn't understand my question. You're aware of the Community Development... Mrs. Frazier: Yes. Mr. Plummer: ... Community Committee, have you applied to them for funds? Mrs. Frazier: You mean for the City? Mr. Plummer: No, no... yes, City. Mrs. Frazier: Well, not for the City, but for the County, we are funded partially by the County and by the City for two staffs and one office. Mr. Plummer: You still don't understand. Rev. Gibson: He's asking you did you apply to Community Development Fund Task Force, meaning, (stand up,sir , where are you?), where are the Community Development people? Mrs. Frazier: We have applied. We have applied. Rev. Gibson: Wait a minute. Wait a minute, where are they? Don't they have an interest? Aren't they; here? . Mr. Parkins: They do Commissioner, the Community Development people are currently attending a meeting. We have one Community Developer representative. Rev. Gibson: Alright, stand up so she won't be no passing the buck after you leave here. See that lady? Mrs. Frazier: Yes. Rev. Gibson: When you get through you go right over there and find her, ask for her name, address, and telephone number, that's what Plummer is asking you. Mr. Plummer: No, that's what Plummer is telling her. Mrs. Frazier: Yes, sir. Rev. Gibson: Okay. Mrs. Frazier: Alright, thank you. Mayor Ferre: Alright, the next speaker is Hector Torres, Nicky Cruz Outreach, Mr. Torres: Please I need assistance in the English language. Mayor Ferre: Alright, could we have somebody help him Mr. Manager, got that ... Mr. Plummer: Good old Carlos. Mayor Ferre; Congratulations. 18 who have w $E? __ 7147A • Mt. Torres: (TRANSLATED FROM SPANISH BY CARLOS ARAUZ). Mr. Torres is the new Director o the Nicky Cruz Program. He wants to point out that the Nicky Cruz organization is the only organization that has redone it's Hoard of Directors and its Advisory Board. The accounting firm doing the audit of Nicky Cruz has not found any place where any cent may be missing from Nicky Cruz. Mr. Barry Evans said that some papers have been lost from Nicky Cruz, however no ibportant papers have been lost from Nicky Cruz organization that may put the organization in a compromising position. We maintain in our power all the tecords concerning participants of the program and of the accounting records mm that may be needed for any internal auditing to be available for the Internal Revenue Service. The problem with Nicky Cruz was that its past Director collect- Qd two checks,one through Nicky Cruz itself and the other one through Revenue Sharing. We feel, however, that since a new Board of Directors and a new Advisory Board has been formed we feel that we can continue the work of Nicky Cruz providing opportunities for the youth of our community. He says that all C.E.T.A. funds have been taken away from the Nicky Cruz organization mm and that other organizations with worse problems than Nicky Cruz have remained being funded under C.E.T.A. He feels that Nicky Cruz should also be funded under Revenue Sharing as it was in the past. We do not serve any special political party or organization,we represent a community that is willing to work for the youth in this program. We do not want any bureaucratic type of position. We just want to be able to help the community and the youth in it. We humbly request from you that you maintain the funding of Nicky Cruz under the Revenue Sharing so that this organization can continue providing the services to the youths ofthe community. Thank you. • Mayor Ferre: Thank you Mr. 'Torres. Alright, did we fund Mr. Parkins ...we're not talking about C.E.T.A. here tonight. We can't just make that decision. We're talking about Revenue Sharing. Mr. Parkins: Nicky Cruz received $30,750 in 77-78, it'll be line your ... Mayor Ferre: Item #F12? Mr. Parkins: Yes, sir. Mayor Ferre: And, what are the funding that they receivedother than that? Mr. Parkins: They have received South Florida C.E.T.A. Consortium Grants until we incurred some problems, some difficulties. The client is currently funded under the S.F.C. grant as being cared for through another program operator. For all intents and purposes the current Nicky Cruz operation is a new cooperation, new directors, new officers, with ... but a beginning of attracting personnel who have an interest or a past in dealing with young people. Mayor Ferre: Now, would you explain to the Commission so we can have a clearer picture. Is that program completely stopped now? Mr. Parkins: For all intents and purposes it is. The clients that had been housed in Nicky Cruz or had been cared for under the Nicky Cruz Program had been transferred to another program operator,so for all intents and purposes the program is starting fresh, brand new. Mrs. Gordon: Which one? Mayor Ferre: This is Nicky Cruz... Mrs. Gordon: No, which one are they transferred to? Mr. Parkins: I believe most of them were transferred to SABER,that was a decision made by the Executive Director of the Consortium. Mayor Ferre: Are they being served? Mr. Parkins: To my knowledge they are, yes, sir, yes. Now, of course, that will only last until the grant that h. been originally provided ... Mayor Ferre: Is this the program that... Mrs. Gordon: Who funds the SABER? Mayor Ferre: Excuse me, Rose, go ahead, 10 SEP 271978_ Mrs. Gordon: Who fu SABER? We don't fund SABER, w. funds SABER? fir. Parkins: The Consortium,I. believe, they attract from other federal funding, IIEW I think has some funds in SABER. Mre . Gordon: And, that's an identical program you say? Mr. Parkins: No, but it is an education, rehabilitation training program and it's had some experience with youth. Itwas the position of the Consortium that if we took simply an arbitrar�; decision to terminate programs because of problems that might have been experienced with Executive Directors or others within the Management part of the prograrr that we were causing clients to suffer, so we were looking for opportunities to transfer the clients. Mayor Ferre: So the clients have been taken care of and what you're saying is they've been transferred to another program. Mr. Parkins: 'that's correct. :iayor Terre: Ncn,, as T undcrstanc it, correct me if I'm wrong,that decision Vas basically maa.: by the County since the County was involved. Mr. Parkins: The County was involved. Mayor Ferre: Now, wait, wait, isn't Miriam Carnes somehow involved in With SABER in this Mr. Parkins: Yes, yes, 1 bel Mayor Ferre: So in other-words,what the County basically did was they created another program within the structure of SABER with Miriam Canas actually being the Director of the program asjar as the Social Services is concerned... Mr. Parkins: Yes. Mayor Furze:„. but SABER R and with that coryh nati or the decision is-r„,de' Mr. Parkins: Mayor Ferre: . Parkins: That's correct. r:inistrative or accounting work,so to speak, functioning until this thing is restructured serve the clients Mayor Ferre: Now, there's an accusation which I think must be answered and even though we're not speaking to it tonight since this is not a C.E.T.A. meeting, but since it impacts the accusation being that they,Nicky Cruz,were treated differentl'c than other organizations because the Director was accused,or has been accused. has he been indicted yet? Mr. Parkins: No, he has not. There is an investigation ongoing , there is an admission as well. Mayor Ferrc: That makes it even more complicated because there hasn't been an indictment. Mr. Parkins: That's correct. Mayor Ferre: And, sine there's been some accusations made,he was removed or removed himself, Now, the question then still remains before public opinion,if not before this Com:aissic.r, at this tirre,that hasn't been answered and the question is why then,once the a11odged culprits were removed from the scene ,was the program discontinued,because obviously if C.F.T.A. discontinued the program there's no need for funding from Revenue Sharing but the question is still, you know... W. Parkins: You're dealing though with... Mayor Ferre: Well, I think that when this process is over,the community has an awful lot of questions about wrongdoing and all that kind of stuff and once if the State Attorney gets involved and there are accusations or indictments •• that come forth out of the grand jury, once that process is behind us I think this Commission should know, have a report from you,Mr. Parkins,or from the Manager,on exactly,but specifically,where the clients are and their children(kids), 20 you know, have they been se d, who's picked up the slack, 's serving the clients, who's paying for it? The accounting, we need to know what if anything went wrong and all these things, and I think it's not for the Commission but I think it's in the interest of the Consortium. These things have ripple effects, the newspapers pick things like that up, with good reasons, they report it, that becomes a major issue, people sometimes only read the headlines they don't read the stories, editorials are written and somebody clipps out the editorial and sends it to Mr. bumpkin in... and then they send it to Ray Marshall, and Ray Marshall takes the editorial and writes on it "Dumpkin what's going on?" and then it appears in Times Magazine, you know, on a feature story, it says -if you want a job you know? And, then all of a sudden we have Mr. Krause with all good intentions but, unfortunately, malting statements about a history of corruption in the City of Miami, and that all you know gets together and it all gets out of pro- portion and all of a sudden you have a person like Mr. Billy Brown reacting one way, and the next thing you know is that Merret Stierheirn reacts another way, and then the City of Miami has to pay the price. Now, who's to blame? Well, we're all to blame, the people who did wrong in the C.E.T.A. programs, the Department of Labor, Metro- politan Dade County, the City of Miami, the C.E.T.A. Consortium, the individuals, the community, the nation, Congress providing the wrong kind of a social welfare program, everybody is to blame, but who tits the black eye? The City of Miami. And I think that even though it's post facto and even though it may not be the total answer...because the headline gets a two-inch headline, the story, once it's clarified, goes on page 4B in the right hand corner and there you know three -inches of space given to it, but even with that... and because of that, I'm not going to vote against the first amendment in Paris at UNESCO, you have my word on that, but beyond that, we have to deal with it, and I think that this community deserves an answer. Mr. Parkins: Very good. Mayor Ferre: Alright, do we have any other speaker? Mr. Torres, you want to address the Commission? Mr. Torres? Mr. Torres: (TRANSLATED FROM SPANISH BY CARLOS ARAUZ). Maybe Mr. Parkins is not aware that the records of Nicky Cruz are in the hands of the Board of Directors of this organization. The work of this organization has been taking place for a number of years and unless funds through Revenue Sharing are obtained this work cannot continue... (Mayor Ferre addresses Mr. Torres in Spanish and inquires as to whether he undersands Englisf Mayor Ferre: if you'll forgive me, does anybody not understand English? I'm going to say it in Spanish and in English. The problem is that there have been accusations which are not within the jurisdiction of the City of Miami Commission to decide on. Eventually, pos5ib)y, it might get to the State Attorney and to the Grand Jury. Now, you have a program which has now changed the Board of Directors, and I understand that; however, since the decision was made at the C.E.T.A. level, the Consortium made a decision. Now, it is purely academic for this Commission to give you funds from Revenue Sharing if that does not solve your problem, because if C.E.T.A. does not... has not funded your program then Revenue Sharing cannot solve it. Mr. Torres: (TRANSLATED FROM SPANISH BY CARLOS ARAUZ). Nevertheless, we would like to point out this agreement with the decision made by the C.E.T.A. Consortium concerning the funding is to point out that this is an agency and organization that has served hundreds of youths in this community and that there are at this time delinquent leaders of the youths in the community that can take the rest of the youths that are usually served under this program and can lead them down the wrong -path. He points out that they have called hundreds of parents of the youths in the community and they have all agreed that they should present a united front in order to fight the problems of the youths in the community, problems of the drugs. Mayor Ferre: Mr. Torres, you're repeating everything you said that before. Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, may I ask for one clarification? Carlos, if you would? Mr. Parkins has indicated that the real area of concern, the kids, are being taken care of by another program. Would he comment on that please? Mayor Ferre: Yes, I had that question written down. Let's be more specific. Mr. Torres said that there were 500 kids that were being served by Nicky Cruz. If this is the number, hDw many are being serviced by the new agency? Mr. Torres: (TRANSLATED FROM SPANISH BY CARLOS ARAUZ). He says that SABER, the agency that was charged with the program of Nichy Cruz and was transferred to them, he feels that they SEP 2 71978 hot doing anything concerning the participantsin the youth.. And if that is the caSe they request that an investigation be opened concerning SABER Serfot1ance. That is all. Thank you. Mayor Ferre: Thank you. Alright, are there any other speakers, at this public heating on matters dealing with Federal Revenue Sharing? Alright, if notithen tie will close that portion of the public hearing and we will now go on to the regular budget is that correct? The speaker is going • to be Morty Freedman.. Do you want to take a break ? Mr. Plummer: Take a five minute break. Mayor Ferre: Yes, but I'm not going anywhere so can we be here. in five itihutes,? Five minutes at the latest five minutes to nine, okay? (THE CO!flISSION TOOK A BRIEF RECESS) Mayor Ferre: What time do you have? Mr. Ongie: 8:55, sir. • Mayor Ferre: Do you remember hearing Mr. Plummer say something about a five minute break? Mr. Ongie: Yes, sir. Mayor Ferre: Would you tell the members of the public here exactly what Mr. Plummer said about the five minute break? Mr. Ongie: Let's take a five minute break, sharp. Mayor Ferre: And, he said that he would be back here at exactly five minutes to nine. 1 Mr. Ongie: Right. Mayor Ferre: And, could you tell us the time now again? Mr. Ongie: Five minutes have passed. It's 8:55. Mayor Ferre: Now does anybody... have you seen Mr. Plummer around? Mr. Ongie: No. Mayor Ferre: Alright, we're back in session without Mr. Plummer. Mr. Plummer: Oh, no, you don't. Mayor Ferre: Alright, Mr. Mendez. Mr. Plummer? Mr. Plummer: Yes, sir. Mayor Ferre: Alright, ladies and gentlemen we're back in session, please take your seats and I'd like to have some quiet... Alright, Mr. Mendez said that he was so upset that he didn't want to address the Commission and I told him that he has to express his feelings to this Commission, that we can't second guess and that if he has some feelings about the PROC program closing on Friday you've got to say it to the... Mrs. Gordon: What program? Mayor Ferre: PROC (Puerto Rican Opportunity Center). Mr. Mendez: Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Jose Mendez and I'm going to try to do my best in English since that Spanish is my native tone. I have not been able to learn as many years as I've been here. I don't know how many of you are aware that there is the place on 2627 Biscayne Boulevard called the Puerto Rican Opportunity Center. Because the name is the Puerto Rican Opportunity Center that does not mean by any chance that we only serve Puerto Ricans. Our files are open to anyone. You don't even have to go to the bureaucracy,all you have to do is go to the window and ask us to show you whatever you want to see, and we'll be glad to show it to you from payroll to anything that you wanted to see. Unfortunate, we cannot speak the same way that many people can come here and say I have a program on suchand such a street and another on such and such street and another on such and suchstreet and we're taking care of 1200youngsters and out of the 1200 I take care of 500 and other take care of the remaining. There is only one Puerto Rican Opportunity Center serving the entire Puerto Rican Community in the City of Miami 22 SEP 27197 atld Dade County. There _a only one. When we first came Lc) this Commission last year l don't know how many of you remember that we had a whole bunch of signs put up on the second floor and there was a whole lot of Puerto Ricans in this area. As the time passed by we recognize that we have such a beautiful demonstration that the City fathers and mothers only have appropriated $27,500;we were forced to operate with $27,500. I don't know how many of you remember,Mayor Ferre and the Commission,that one of the statements made by Commissioner Plummer was the fact that if we , the Commission,receive the money owed to them by the Board of Education that then we can be reconsidered for the balance of the money. Two days later. (repeat) I opened the newspaper, the Miami Herald and I read that the money has been returned, some money has been returned and that all those agencies that have requested extra money was granted but our Puerto Rican Opportunity Center remained with the $27,500. No money was granted to ue after the payment. Fine. So, somehow or other, tranquilize or I don't know what the right word to use, this year we submitted our request and we are told that we can only be granted $12,000, not only that we could not operate at that time but at this time our fiscal year I Le1 ie•:c en'n 'a-: after tororroY. Mayor Ferre: Mr. Lopez and Mr. Mendez, so that we can take care of that right now., I think we've done this for other operations and I would, if you want to *hake the motion at this time, Rose, or Plummer. Mr. Plummer: I'll make the motion. Mayor Ferre: You want to make it Mr. Plummer: Yes. Mayor Ferre: The motion is the same as before that this program will not he closed on Friday and on the same basis until the final decision is made before this Commission. Mrs. Gordon: Also, I don't know whether he knows it or not but he's got a recommendation for some money. Mayor Ferre: That's what he's been talking about. Mrs. Gordon: He already got $12,000 recommended. Mayor Ferre: We11., that's what he has talked about. Mr. Plummer: Yes, and what he's talking about is he's talking about. Mayor Ferre: That's... Mr. Mendez: More than 50%. Mayor Ferre: Wait a minute, lower your voice. Mrs. Gordon: Wait, I'm not going to lament anything because you know we've heard so, many tears tonight that people didn't get anything ,Jose, so you know, you're cut,we've been cut with the total amount of budget we have to give out to people, we just don't have it. Mayor Ferre: Rose, wait a minute, let's be fair now, you know. Mrs. Gordon: I'm being fair. I'll second the motion. You don't have to close Friday, but you know, that's the point. Mayor Ferre: Okay. The Douglas Center... Mrs. Gordon: J. L. Plummer says that' we've got to feed people, we've got to clothe the hungry or feed the hungry and clothe the poor, all this and that but you know let's take priorities and use them as we really say we're going to use them. Mayor Ferre: The Douglas Center says that they can't function for anything less than $105,000, and I understand the logic of that and I understand that there are questions of priority and these are things that we're going to have to be discussing, but that does not preclude the right of a group of Puerto Rican children and other people who are also dependent on what Puerto Rican Opportunity Center does to also have rights as do to people who get service by the Shenandoah After Day Care Center,and the Douglas Center for the Aged,and the Little Havana 23 SEP 21157 thi63afidi the Coconut Grove that and the...you know everybody has needs and the tittle Rivet group and the Black group and the Anglo group and the Cuban group and the Puerto Rican, everybody has needs. Now, we're not passing judgment tonight,and I don't think that we should start at this later hour to do what We haven't done with anybody else,and you know, I just want to ask you two questions. Well, let's vote on the motion first and get that behind us. Ca11 the roll. The following motion was introduced by Commissioner Plummer, who moved its adoption. MOTION NO. 78-586 A MOTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO CONTINUE PRESENT FUNDING LEVELS FOR THE PUERTO RICAN OPPORTUNITY CENTER ("PROC") UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE CITY COMMISSION MAKES A FINAL DETERMINATION ON THE FY-78-79 BUDGET. Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gordon, the motion was passed adopted by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr. Vice Mayor Manolo Reboso Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore R. Gibson Commissioner Rose Gordon Mayor Maurice A. Ferre NOES: None. Mayor Ferre: Now, let me ask you two questions. How many people,Mendez,and don't speak so loudly because you know that's when people don't listen, you know without speaking so loudly. I know you don't mean to do that but so that we can ... how many people does PROC serve in a year? citizens..,. Mr. Mendez: At this particular time Mayor I am not in a position to give you the exact figure. Mayor Ferre: More or less. Mr. Mendez: ... but I can do better than that by 10:00 o'clock in the morning... Mayor Ferre: That's fine. Mr. Mendez:... each one of you Commissioners will have that figure in your hand. Mayor Ferre: Yes, but I'd like to know in general terms. Are you talking about 1,000,or 500,or 100,or 10,000? Mr. Lopez: I'm Emilio Lopez, I'm the Executive Director of PROC. We serve more than 3,000 people a year. Mayor Ferre: Okay. Mr. Lopez:.,,a year, but that's not the only point I would like to make in relation to that. That I want to make this point is this those $27,000 or the $12,000 is the only money that the Puerto Rican Community receives of all the millions of dollars to come to this community this is the only thing, the $27,000 that this Commission has given is the only money that was received. Now, somebody is going to say you received some positions through C.E.T.A. Now we cannot operate with the new regulations of C.E.T.A. a program that is functional for our community.We'renot saying to you give us $100,000, we're saying to you give us enough money to be able to serve at least, you know there are about 60,000 Puerto Ricans in this community that if you go to other communities they are not served and they dump on us and this is the point that we're trying to bring to you today Mayor and the people of this Commission. Most of them live in the City of Miami. Most of them live in the City of Miami,they have needs like anybody else but because we are American citizens, it seems that every time we go to any agency they go right away and tell us some of them speak Spanish go to the Cuban Agency, when we go to the American Agency they send us to the Cuban Agency and we don't qualify in marry places and even the agencies that are supposed to serve us they dump them into our laps and we can prove to you that the Borinquen Clio!, and if;you know,everybody talks, I challenge anyone of you to go to the Borinquen Health Care Center, who is the only other institution that is here who receives funds from outside the system to see that we serve anybody who goes through those 24 __EEL 211971 doors tee serve... Mayor Ferre: I know that. Mr. Lopez:...and this is the kind of situation that I was speaking about. Out of the City of Miami and all the funds tha ccoteoto Dade hasmmunity CDade ty and oteetoundswhich come 1 through whoever profits come the Puerto obtain .the grandiose amount to be able to operate our program of S27,000 that Was last M year. This year you cut it, we have to close doors. Mayor Ferre: Mr. Lopez, the Health Client is not funded from the City of Miami is it or the County? Unidentified Speaker: No. 11 Mayor Ferre: Do you et funded mm Mr. Lopez: HEM tt Mayor Ferre: ... m program? II MO Mr. Lopez: Yes, ■ Mayor Ferre: Hova they Mr. Lopez Yes • haPPY sir). Mayor Ferro:_ Ate the Mrs. Gora.n:: I 'sit oon thL Board Hr- aynr of the Health Systems Agency which has the grant overview,as Emilia Lno , and:he's funded very well and he's got a good progra,:, he had little protblems, but: they seemed to have straightened out. When you said 3,000 people,Emilio,,what kind of services do you give 3,000 people. Mr. Lopez. ;•1: Gor,:rr.i n , ra=;`"' sr' Jhody need food stamps from the Puerto Rican Coz. ,unity the ,to!,1, in r center,which I got a stack and I can prove it to you, you eau gr-, rher- : t emo7 ; t:w like Mr. Mendez says it's opened to anyone to see it. 1 ;ot a ,-,t .of `rofc5sir'r.'r1 Puerto Ricans that have been able to break the system it: a:. .i'iE're• Taw'.: a look at your system over here, tell me where in the 1.dmi.n:.stratioo you have a Puerto Rican and take in the Dade County Syste.a also there's not a Puerto Rican or no one insour urlraceece waodo can an look tfor our community. you're going to say Mayor Ferre,fr deal with all the people, but the system that makes the decisions (repeat) and you're going to ask mr why is the need to have an Administrator to have some of my people in the system:take a look in your Administration, take a look in your system... Mayor Ferre: Mr. Lopez,you don't have to convince anybody here for the same reason that we want .,..omen eoverr.xent,and we want Blacks in government,and we want other minoritis, T ta+..,...t• the Puerto Ricans have the very same need and �.. I don't think anybody is going, to argue with that. Mrs. Gordon: that do they do?I'm trying to find out what the program is doing with 3,000 people? Mr. Lopez: In theram hey ike enIwas s mebodyling you, comes andthas do referrals, employment, take care of i t , you name any need... Mayor Ferre: Any soci.il need ..• Mr. Lopez: ...any need for human endeavor and we do it because no otheragencv isdoing it Mrs. Gordon: Can they qualify for C.D. funds? jr,fLopez: Excuse me. Mrs. Gordon: I'm not speaking toPart.insI'm cantalking qualifyhim. forCCommunityfunds, Development Community Development funds, Mr. Parkins, can the SEP 2 197 Mt, Parkins: Well, again, I have to remind you that if there is a maintenance bf effort problem, if we're talking about the same kind of program currently provided, it would have to he not funded by the current funding for at least twelve calendar months before it could be considered that's one. Second, there is a community process that it has to go through and it would have to be identified as a high need. Now, it's impossible for me to say yes or no. Mts. Gordon: Would you investigate that and see? Mr. Mendez: Since I'm the Chairman of Community Development, can I answer that, please? Mts. Gordon: Sure. I■uu11II ■uIII 1 Mr. Mendez: Just like Mr. Parkins indicated, there's 2 process that you go through and the money for Community Development has already been compromised for particu- lar projects for the last three nears. Mr. Plummer: No, we're talking about, Jose, for social services. Mr. Mendez: Monies for Community Development whether it's for Capital Improve- ment or social service has already been compromised in the area for particular projects for the last three years. Mr. Lopez: And, they will compromise for the next three already. Mrs. Gordon: Have you any money in your area allocated for social services at all? Other target areas do, and if you're the Chairman I would like you to answer me if you have or not. Mr. Mendez: Like every other area, I don't know how well you know the structure of Community Development but let me break it down to you, let me help you. There are 18 target areas in the County, there are 8 targets... (BACKGROUND DOMMENTS MILD::. OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD) . Mrs. Gordon: Yes, we have eardrums they're very sensitive to that loud noise. Mr. Mendez: There are 8 target areas in the City of Miami. Community Development Citizens Participation... if 7'ri wrong. Community Development Citizen Participation is delegated from the City of Miami to Dade County. Dade County Office of Community Development instead delegated to Community Action Agency, did you know that? And, that's the process. They have hearings and those hearings that they have which I shared in my particular community like anyone of those 8 communities the citizens decide where those monies will go prioritizing the needs of that community. So there are certain programs that are fortunately_ those communities that the money have already been compromised for the last three years. Every community functions that way. Mrs. Gordon: Yes, but what I'm trying to find out and you haven't answered me Jose, and it's for information. I'm not trying to be antagonistic to you. I'm simply saying that we've had a very, very emotional evening of demands for money from, you know, very sincere and dedicated people who are suffering, okay? Now, I want to know if you're in Community Development as a Chairman and in the controlling position as a Chairman to find out why or what social programs are being funded that your community feels are important and perhaps, you know, I'd like to know what they are, if there are any. Mr. Lopez: Mrs. Gordon, maybe I can answer that for you. Mendez, would you allow me to do that? One other thing is the process Mrs. Gordon...the process, you know. I'll give you an example, about a week ago, there was supposed to be a Community Development meeting. l)o you know when the people that were supposed to be in that meeting knew that there was a Community Development meeting? and I belong to the Community Development process, at 5:30 the day before I found out.... Mrs. Gordon: Well, whose fault is that? Who's responsible? Mr. Lopez: That's Community Development, C.A., whoever is in charge of publicity. They're supposed to be working and doing this stuff for us. So this is the process that we're having and then we might not be able to have enough participants because if you have a commitment like you, we're people that are busy with other commitments, and we cannot participate . Your staff is the one who makes the decision, if even we ask then,, you know we say and if you check the programs of Community Development that are actually 2C CGD 7 ion 4116 in the Wynwood area tod: okay, are the first programs *' t we had five gears ago when we starts . We initiated that, there's ot.., about three or four Programs and it's a miracle that they are still there. And, they according.... Mrs Gordon Do you have any social services? Mr. Lopez: We have two. Mts. Gordon: What are they? .Mt. Lopez: A Day Care Center Mts. Gordon: Yes. Mr. Lopez: ... and „Mendez, the Dav Ca that is... Mr. Mendez: It's a shame that I have to say this but I say it., Mrs. Gordon Mrs. Gordon: I just want an answer. What is the two... Mr. Lopez: Okay, the other one is the Elderly Program. Mr. Mendez: You workin that community. Mayor Ferre: Mendez, excuse me... Mr. Mendez: Your offir.L is only a couple blocks 'froth Mrs. Gorden: 1 car't get an answer,Jose? Mr. Lopez: Mrs. Gordon, Day Care and a Elderly Program that at this particular time do not have enough funds to operate and the City of Miami graciously offered me two positions for the clinic and because they don't have people to work I them, you know I outreached teem to that so they'd be able to operate. This is the way that we operate in our community. Mrs. Gordon: You have an Elderly Program, what is that? a Day Care Program or what? Mr. Lopez: A Jay Care where they sell food. They got $40.000 Mrs. Gordon: A hot meals program. Mr. Lopez: They get $40,000,and through Community Development we get $80,000, Mrs. Gordon: Is that the one in the church? Mr. Lopez: ... the church that's the only two programs we have. And, this is it, you know, it seems that every time we coma over here from our community everybody comes begging, but to us, it's even harder, it's like Mr. Mendez said for us to be able to make an impact, if I would have brought 500 people over here with the signs,"We are American citizens too take care of us", and we did it last year. I think it's a shame. I mean, it's a shame that we citizens of the United States that we fought in this war, we my blood and some of my people's was shed for this nation, ok7 that we have to come over here and do the shit that we have to do to get some money over here and to he able to be taken care of us. This is what I'm, talking about. lt's not only through this system,through Dade County, Dade County it's even worse. We don't have nothing from Dade County, through Community Development or Revenue Sharing or whatever, you check it out you people are our fathers; you are the one that is supposed to be looking after us, and the Black come over here and give you hell and I understand that and they have the right to do it. The Cubans over here they have the right to do the same thing and I admire them for their aggressiveness,and it's beautiful but here are,we come over here peaceful, 1 have gone to Mr. Grassie and asked him for some positions in the Administration. The other day I came to him and I got out of here more frustrated than when I came in. I'm telling you it's unbelievable I'll give you an example. 1 had gone to Mr. Grassie and Stierheim,I've gone through the whole system to pet a building for the clinic so I'd be able to operate better... two years of frustration when I almost had it in my hands because of the bureaucracy of the system,bingo!, they sold from under my toes. And you know,it's a shame you know, my people from Puerto Rico,we're human beings 27 SEP 271978 ■ 1 A d we're treated almo. equal. I'm not going to say... It's shame...it's an Itony you know that over there we're human beings and other people from..., you know, they come from other nations running from opression and my people come to the United States,American citizens to bP oppressed,and it'•s a real irony that this happens in this nation. You know, we come over here human beings we got needs like anybody have, we come here looking for opportunities like anybody else. I got professional Master Degrees, Phd's,and have put them through the system to see if I can put somebody in the system, none. I challenge you to tell me where in the system we have one and I owe to Mr. Parkins and I had to work three months with him so 1'd be able to put Mr.. Luis Carrasquillotthe only Puerto Rican working, and it's not even in a position who can make a goddainn decision;this is reality for all of you. Mr. Mendez: Maurice, let me say one last thing ... Mayor Ferre: Okay. Mr. Mendez: And, this you know,' don't know how many more opportunities I 'will have to speak to.... before all of you but I got to say this because if I don't say it, I'm going to be in pain. I remember some years back►Maurice Ferre came to the community of Wynwood and asked a group of people. how many were residents of that community, and two people raised their hands. Later on, Father Gibson walked into another meeting and asked somebody -where are the people?and when I came up to the guy I said the few that are here are the ones that are in doubt for whatever you are representing is what they're going to vote for or against, those that are not here are the ones that we won't presume and are not voting for whatever you are present. After that, when the election time came (repeat) my community is on record, I think, is the only Latin precinct, Latin community that has voted for the President of the United States, Jimmy Carter. My community is on record as supporting everyone of thesepersonsthat are sitting in this aisle and I dare anyone to call me a liar that we have not help to put each one of these individuals in here. Rose Gordon, her business office is in the Wynwood Community, in my community, a couple of blocks from where I work, and yet she is the only one that voted against us. Mayor Ferre: She didn't vote against it. Mrs. Gordon: What did I vote against,Jose Mendez? Are you resentful that we asked questions so we know what we're doing with the money we allocate? Mr. Mendez: ...I don't make,and I want to keep you posted., I don't make enough money to play games with anybody here, playing games is not my thing. I might not be a politican but I can assure you (repeat) that whether you vote in favor or against I will take a second thought in the next election. That doesn't mean Rose Gordon,or J. L. Plummer, Reboso, Maurice, or ... everyone. Thank you. Mrs. Gordon: I'm sorry I didn't hear you, you would do what in the next election. Mayor Ferre: No, what he's saying is that he was supportive of rapid... Mr. Mendez: ... I worked too hard for every one of you and I'm tired of going Mayor Ferre: Ok. What he's saying is that Rapid Transit passed through a great extent because they worked in the Wynwood community and they passed it, you know, they passed it as Father was pointing out, and that they've worked for a lot of other causes and that... (BACKGROUND COMMEENT)..:Iunderstand there is a level of frustration. Now, Mr. Mendez, I just want to correct you on one thing. Mrs. Gordon has not voted against anything,because we haven't voted on anything,and I hope that you don't do tonight what Mr. Ruiz just did a little while ago with me which is what you're doing and that is you're antagonizing one vote here and that doesn't make any sense because the way you... I don't know whether you believe this or not but I think you get a lot more with honey than with vinegar and 1 had a... I got very upset with some very arrogant and some very malicious emotional people who got up here and instead of helping their cause they hurt it because so you know, I'm not lecturing you,please,you're a man who knows your way around the community., my advice is that you approach it in a positive vein that you not give up. You don't know which way Rose Gordon is voting. She voted with you every time in the past. (BACKGROUND COMMENTS) She hasn't voted against it and I've been here with Rose Gordon for five years and I've yet to see Rose Gordon vote against any of the Puerto Rican programs. She may vote against it this time,but she hasn't so far. SEP fnpez; Mr. Ferre, , know the only thing I can sati, you,know,as E,xecutiVe Director of the Clinic and PROC with the amount of money that you're allocating $12,000.,is not enough to operate the program. I might have to close it. Okay? 14 yor Ferre: I understand Emilio. Mr. Lopez; Now, the only thing I can say to you is I've been grateful to get some positions from the City of Miami. All the positions that I had and all the things that we did in that particular project have been done with C.E.T.A, positions. Now, there are changes and we actually ... we might not be able. to run a program effectively by you cutting us of funds and just counting on the C.E.T.A. positions, and we are trying other means.., we have tried other means with the County, with the City, we have written projects for the other agencies, private institutions, foundations, and we haven't been able to get any help and the only thing I ask you is if you people vote your conscience remember that there are a group of people over here that are American citizens that have fought for this nation, have shed blood for this nation, they are in need and it's a shame to this community that we had to come over here and have a person like Mr. Mendez and some other people and did what we did last year and I promise you one thing that this year for $12,00.0 for no amount of money 1 don't think that I'm going to put my community through the same thing that I did last year. Mayor Ferre: Well, let me tell you that that's a mistake Emilio, because you see the people that come here for Silver Bluff,and the people that come here for Little River,or...well,you didn't bring any people this year, but the community that comes here and we had all these chairs full of children and mothers,and fathers,and people and that is an important part of this process and you're wrong,they should be here, Mr. Lopez: Maurice, let me tell you.. Last year we came over here with 300 people we were the ones who filled this place up and we got together with other groups of this community,we formed a multi -ethnic coalition if you remember,but we were the instigators or the ones who formed that. Mayor Ferre: I remember. Mr. Lopez: You re.mcmber real well, and we,you know, then the community and...I can bet you right now that half of these people, English speaking,are thinking why don't they Ego back to Puerto Rico?their mentality is that, why should we come over here and put a show when you have the responsibility to vote on your conscience and do what is supposed to he pretty fair to everybody? Mayor Ferre: And, you know what you say?, you say why don't you go hack to Mississippi or why don't you go hack to Ohio ...everybody...come on, that doesn't mean anything? Let's get... Mr. Plummer: Can I try to get by the election next year:, Jose is going to do what he wants;and Jose,I don't think feels that I'm antagonistic. Can I try to, get to an answer? Mr. Grassie, can you tell me sir, what is the allocation of C.D. monies to the target area Wynnwood? Mr. Grassie: Not without looking that up Commissioner, no. Mr. Plummer: Can you give me a ball park figure? Mr. Grassie: You had the C.D. people here but when you broke you indicated that that was the end of the hearings on Federal Revenue Sharing and they've gone home. Mr. Plummer: Jose, ... Mr. Grassie: It'll have to be tomorrow morning. Mr. Plummer: ... can you tell me what approximately? Mr. Mendez; No, Mr. Plummer, there's no way...I don' tthink I can do it either.There has no been a dollar amount set for any given community. We just started the process last week,something like that. Mr. Plummer: Well, no, I want to ask one more question. Jose, under C.D.,okay7, there has been an allocation of approximately 5% dedicated to social services, okay? 29 SEP 2 ?'1978 MMM EMW MEW Mt-. Mendez: True. Mt: Plummer: Alright., Mt. Mendez: A little bit better than that. Mt. Plummer: Okay, the national average is ten and theft purview of this Commission to increas.e that petcentagek Mts. Gordon: Move it J. L, Mt, Plummer: Excuse me? • Mts. Gordon: Move it from 5 to 10. 1'11 second it because • Mt. Plummer: No, no, I'm not... • mm Es Mrs. Gordon: ... that's the appropriate motion. Mr. Plummer;..Rose, in fairness, I'm trying Mayor that we don't do anything until we've percentage for PROC. to explore but I agree heard everybody, okay? Mrs. Gordon: Well, that's a different subject. MEM MEM with the Mr. Plummer: Okay, I understand that and that's why I'm not going to bring it up now, Rut do you feel that your community,if allowed to increase above whatever your percentage is now, would be inclined to vote that increase Mr. Mendez: You're talking from monies for Community Development? Mr. Plummer: I'm saying if you're getting $10.00 now to social service and we allowed you to go to $12.00 would that other two dollars do you feel your community would feel that PROC is high enough priority to dedicate that additional $2.00, I'm using, of course, just an arbitrary figure, would they feel inclined to us.e that in PROC? Mr. Mendez: Number one, J.L., you are asking me to turn my papers and become unemployed once that.... Mr. Plummer: No, no, I'm talking to you as a leader in your community,as Chairman,should know the pulse of that community. Mr. Mendez: No, let me explain to you sincerely why it cannot be done. Number one, the capital improvement, see I got to take you back one day before Community Development. One day before Community Development in the area of Wynwood there was completely nothing. Mr. Plummer: I remember. Mr. Mendez: There was not one single program in the very heavily deteriorated community of Wynwood so we brought in Community Development together with Dade County. The first thing that we did was to select a community center which is controlled by Dade County because they put the biggest bulk of the money.- .Then, the social service programs because it was already identified by Dade County and the City of Miami that the elderly, the heavy population of the elderly besides Miami Reach was in the area ofWynnwood then we say a hot meal program. I don't know whether you remember when we had to picket the United Way in order to get the hot meals consolidated into one program. Community Development was giving so much but another thing that is happening with Community Development that you can only serve and listen to this because you might want to write to Washington., you can only serve community development greatest percentage in the neighborhood strategy area. No one community was ever told that this was going to happen. We did that , we selected the neighbhorhood strategy area when we first started and we were never told that. Today, we are told that we can only serve the greater percentage of ... that money can only,be utilized in the neighborhood strategy area so we have to go after other monies, after other monies,that are not earmarked from Community Development for social service programs in the rest of the area. Mrs. Gordon: Are you saying there is a problem that the office is not in the target, is that what you're saying? 30 Mr. Mendel: It's, not i he neighborhood strategy area., Mrs. Gordon: Well, that's the. target, the strategy area, In other words, you're Operating the program but it's not located within the area you can allocate C.D. funds. Mr. Mendez: No. Let me go back. Mayor Ferre: Mendez let me see if I can cut through and get ... let the say something. The Puerto Rican Community lives mostly in Miami but they're people that live in Homestead, in Hialeah, and all over. Now, Puerto Ricans are not anydifferent than any other human ...group of human beings.,that's why ghettos exist;sometimes ghettos are imposed other times they form out of nature. I've been in Buenos Aires where I've seen american communities, where Americans live all together, and so don't think that the ghetto idea is just for Blacks,or Jewish groups,or Germans,gr Little Italy,or Chinatown; l've seen Americans living in communities with fences around them because they don't want to live with other people. And, that's human nature,you know. That's why you have Italian... even the third generation,you go up to North Miami and that's where the majority of the Italian community lives in Dade County, why? I don't know why, people are that way and the same thing happens with the Puerto Ricans, and what happens is that the Puerto Rican Community sometimes gets caught in its web of saying -well, you're not in the target area. Well, what's a target area? Well, then, you know, well, you live in Hialeah go out there and get service in Hialeah. Well, it doesn't work that way,see?because they'll travel all the way from Hialeah to Biscayne Boulevard because they want to be with their own people. Now, the question is are they being serviced? Well, in some things like in the Puerto Rican Clinic, yes. In other things, no. You say, well, why should they he entitled to any more than anybody else? They're not asking for any more. They're asking for parit:'. You know, now you get emotional and you say that Puerto Ricans fought in Knrea and in a second World War, I know and they're... (BACKGROUND C0MML;;41 I know, the people know that Puerto Rico lost more soldiers per capita than any other state of the union except one or two and everybody knows that, okay, that's fine and that's great and there were 100,000 soldiers and what have you but ... That's fine, but the point is that we're talking about trying to do justice with the community now. Jose, it's late we have a lot of other things to talk about we'd like to move on., I want to assure you and I speak I'm sure for everybody on this Commission,that we will be as fair as we have been in the past. We will try to do the best and there are a lot of people who need here. We have older citizens. We have children. We have working mothers to think about and that includes Blacks and Puerto Ricans and everybody else and we recognize the special needs of the Puerto Rican community and I think you've had faith in us enough in the past. I don't think we've let you down. Mr. Lopez : May I make a comment Mr. Mayor; one more comment and I'll leave. I would like the members of the Commission and the public in here blacks, pinks, blues, whoever is here, the Cubans, everybody to visit our community and they will learn a lesson on participation and different groups working together,that's the only thing I ask them.; I ask anyone of you to go there and you will you see... Mayor Ferre: Emilio, we've been there and I think everybody in this Commission knows the wonderful job that you and those who work with you and with Mendez have done in caring for Haitians, for Colombians, and for a lot of other people that you've rendered service to and we're very proud of that, and that's why you get funded every year. Mr. Lopez: Am I to understand that you are to continue funding... Mayor Ferre: Yes... no. Mr. Lopez: ... on the same level until on the same level until you come up with a decision. Mayor Ferre: That's right. Mr. Plummer: The final decision. Mr. Lopez: The final decision. Mayor Ferre: That's correct. And, that's the same thing we've done for everybody else no promises to anybody, but we will continue funding you and we will try our best. al SEP 2 / 19/6 know about it. Mayor Ferre: Alright, M . Ruiz. Rev. Gibson: Sir, I know how you feel because I have to feel that way quite ofte bvt I hope you will listen carefully to what I'm going to say. If you don't like what I say forget it, throw it out the window. If I were you I'd get the two or three people and the two or three could say all that those other folks ate going to say because they are going to say what needs to be said, and you know, I preach, you know what we learn22...,the Mayor doesn't want to do that but I want to tell you because... Mayor Ferre: No, no. they don't want to do that, and I think... Rev. Gibson: Okay, okay. No, no, I don't want him to do it if he doesn't want to do it but let me tell you what an old coon is telling you, you can get you three people, get up here and sell us and sit down. After you get over, you know, after you get beyond a certain reason,we don't hear you. I learned that from the pulpit all I do is watch my members and ever once in a while when I see they're sleeping, you know what I do?T cut that sermon off,and then they start and say, oh, Father quit, and then they say you know, . I'm just saying that to you, now ''ou don't have to pay what I say any attention. Do your thing. Okay? Mayor Ferre: We have now fifteen speakers and we'll go three minutes, so we'll start with Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz: I always pay attention to wisdom,sir. Rev. Gibson: Alright. Mr. Ruiz: Okay, let me make the points as brief as I can. What are the consequences of putting the kids out of our After Care School and a Community Program? Let me enumerate it, be specific. You are going to have working mothers, married or not, I don't care, they are going to have to quit working in this community to be able to take care of the school. That means unemployment, that means welfare in this community, it could be some of the secretaries that should be working in that bank of Buenos Aires. I think this is discrimination toward women,particularly women, particularly working mothers, one point. Second point, those kids will not be in school, they will not be anywhere, they're going to be taken care of, where are they going to go tc.? One of the answers of that is crime,sir. We have the Chief of Police of the City of Miami here. I was a police officer myself, you give them the opportunity to do nothing they're going to do something illegally, is that what you want them to do? You want to take them out of a place where they're having constructive education or at least a good sociological environment and get them out where they're doing nothing? The budget that you're not spending here you're going to have to upgrade right down therein the police.because-crime is going to go up there's no way about it. Drugs is going to go up there's no way about it. Accidents are going to happen there's no two ways about it. You're going to find truancy out there. Point number three, young people are going to be moving out of the community that does not support them,it's as simple as that. We are taxpayers. If as taxpayers this community does not support the women, the working fathers, the working mothers and the children they're going to be moving out of the City of Miami (INTERMIXED COMMENTS) ....That is it. I can't work on it. .That is basically it. Mayor Ferre: The next speaker is Ms. Louise Scala, Parent, Community Schools, After School. Ms. Scala: I, as a parent of a child who is an exceptional child and has been around to a lot of community schools, well, not community, excuse me, private habysitters and private day cares and everything and he's been refused and he's now at Little River and there's a lot of love there and a lot of concern and I'm quite disturbed that this is being considered,you know, let down, and as far as the other parents beta there's a lot of love in that school I haven't seen anywhere else .... Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor, may I ask a question? Mayor Ferre: Ms. Scala for the record we need, the Clerk needs, you know, so that when he types up the minutes, we have your name but we need your address. Ms. Scala; Oh, 647 N.E. 64th Street. Mayor Ferre: Mrs. Gordon? 3n IIIIIIII■I111111I ini11 Mr. Plummer: In other words, we're not taking the checkbook away Friday. Mayor Ferre: And. Mr. Manager, would you please have somebody review the special conditions and circumstances of this community which really I think has an important message for us just like I think Douglas Center,and just like the After Day Care,and all these other programs that we've looked at, but t think we should look at them, all of them, okay. Mr. Grassie: We certainly will Mayor. Just for clarification Mr, Mayor and members of the City Commission,now,you have adopted motions on three programs to continue them. There are some other programs that if we followed the list. . now,do you want us to assume that... Mayor Ferre: I assume that God help those who helps themselves and that's what I told Mendez. He said, I'm so angry I'm not speak tonight. I said, fine. then go away and your program is over Friday, if you want your program to be continued... God help those who helps themselves,and as far as I'm concerned,if the programs and those people didn't come here,and didn't care enough to come here and speak out for their programs, that's their problem not mine. Mr. Grassie: ... so then the assumption is that your motion applies to the programs that have been addressed by citizens. Mayor Ferre: Unless I hear otherwise. Okay, can we continue now? Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I just have a request of the Administration. Mr.Mana€er, before this vote is taken I want,and I'm assured that you will furnish the rest of this Commission,with at least last year's each project's area,monies that were devoted to social services, a list of how those monies were delegated, the total Mr. Grassie: When you say each project area Commissioner, are you talking about the target areas for C.D? Mr. Plummer: Let's use Downtown Mr. Grassie: Yes. Mr. Plummer: ... for C.D., okay, I'm assuming that they complied or did about what the rest of them did,about 5% was dedicated to social services, Mr. Grassie: In other words what you would like is ... Mr. Plummer: I want to know everywhere those dollars went for social services. Let me tell you what I hope I don't find, okay. I think this Commission has come to a reality this year of Plummer's preaching for 5-years. First,the food,we feed the hungry . Second, we take care of the sick and the elderly. Third, we take care of the kids and we'll talk about the rest. Now, I hope I don't find that we, the Commission, who have to stand up here and take the heat and have to stand for election,that we find that 57. which they have to delegate to social services is not addressing that same criteria. I hope I don't find that ,but I want to know. Mr. Grassie: Again, to review your question is for everyone of the 8 C.D.Target Areas in the City... Mr. Plummer: Correct. Mr. Grassie: ... what social service programs are there and Mr. Plummer: No. Mr. Grassie: ... what areas of the target -do they apply Mr. Plummer: That's not what I said. ... programs are there, Mr. Grassie: I'm talking about funded with C.D. Mr. Plummer: Funded through that 51/4 that they delegated to Mr. Grassie; Yes, of course... Mr. Plummer: Okay. Mr. Grassie: ,,, those that are funded with C.P. monies currently. 33 IIIIIII111A1I11111111111111111u1Mmi ii ammo N M • g m Mr. Plummer: I'll accept just last year's funding., In other words. Downtown area had 5% of their monies, total to spend for social services, okay., I want to know an accounting of where every one of those dollars went into what ptogtams for social services. And, I want to see how close they track what 1 feel is the sense of this Commission's priorities, because you know what, atone of those people have to stand for election and they only have to take,if they take heat,from their own community. Now, you know. the thing that maybe we ought to be a little bit more cognizant of is that I recall at the last C.D. hearing when the public hearing took place for the final approval of this Commission, okay. I recall about two people being here. I remember, I think, all but one of the area chairmen was were here saying that they were happy, that they were content,and they thought their money was being well spent. Yet tonight that's not what I'm hearing. I, in particularly want to know an accounting of where every dollar went for social services in each of the target areas. Rev. Gibson: J. ... 21r. Plummer: Yes, Father. Rev, Gibson: So I could be clear,you're saying that there are 8 target areas, Mr. Plummer: Correct, as I understand it Father in the City. Rev. Gibson: And that each area got x-number of dollars out of C.U., is that right? Mr. Plummer: Father, as I understand it each one was allowed to spend up to 5% of their total allocation for social services. Rev. Gibson: Alright, now you're saying that you want to make sure that each one of them got 5% and spent 5" for social services. Mr. Plummer: Father, I will accept the 5%, it might be 6% or it might be 4%. I want to know where those monies went because I hope I don't find that those three criteria were nor taken into consideration. Rev. Gibsc:1: So tiuic when we come back we'll be on the same track,if there are 8 and tht r; got say $1,OQ,:i.. Rev. Gibson: ... of that $1,000 5 is supposed to go want to make :sure that,vou know... Plummer: Rev. Gibson: Mr. Plummer: I want to know where that $50.00 went. Right. Alright, I just want to make That's right. Rev. Gibson: And, 1 hope the staff understands precisely that. Mr. Plummer: Well, Father you rest assured if the staff doesn't understand„ they're going to. Rev. Gibson: I see. Mrs. Gordon: Yes, but what I'm trying to... Mr. Plummer: I'm sure they do. They know exactly Mrs. Gordon: J. L., you said... Mr. Plummer: They stay up all night second guessing me. Mrs. Gordon: ... J. L., you said the three criteria, what are you talking about three criteria for C.U.? Mr. Plummer: Rose, I feel that this Commission this year in social service areas has pretty well tracked the priority, that priority being first to feed the hungry. Second, to take care of the sick/elderly. (1'm not putting them together)and third,to take care of kids and kid related problems such as drugs and things of that nature and then anything left over after that we'll talk about fur 34 SEP 27197 • other ptegtans. Nowt I'n just wanting to know how these monies because:.. let the ask this question, do you have any idea how much monies in C.D. were Spent tot social service programs? Mt. Parkins: In the neighborhood of $480,000. Mr. Plummer: You see, they've got as much money to dispense for social service programs as this Commission does, okay? (BACKGROUND COMMENTS MADE OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD) Mts. Gordon: See, and from what I understand, J.L., C.D. sets their own priorities I mean, what you've enumerated is our priorities. Mr. Plummer: Well, Rose, the buck stops here,we've got to approve that budget that they recommended. Mrs. Gordon: It's true but on the other hand it's a citizens participation program,as I understand it, am I right, Rob? Mr. Plummer: That's right. Mrs. Gordon: And, they have the right to set priorities for their area. Now. I believe we ought to expand on the percentage because some areas really don't need 5% but they'd have the right to use up the 5%. Other areas could use more than 5% and I think we ought to have that leeway of up to a higher number than 5%, if not, 10% then something like 8 or 9 or something for the areas that would require it. Mr. Plummer: You s.ee Rose, I agree with you in those areas that I can analyze and feel their money was well spent. I disagree with you when I analyze and if I find areas that the money,in my estimation,was not well spent, okay, but I don't know that, I don't have that information•But I'm going to tell you one thing, I'm not voting until I have that information. Mayor Ferre: Okay, can we move along now? Mrs. Gordon: Yes. Mayor Ferre: Alright. I assume now that we are through with discussion on Federal Revenue Sharing. Now, we can move along to other budget items. Who would like ... Mr. Plummer: Morty's been waiting. Mayor Ferre: Oh, Morty, yes, you're first. Mr. Freedman: Mr. Mayor, and members of the Commission, last Thursday, as you know, the Folk Festival Committee came before you and requested their new budget for the coming year. Any action on it was postponed until tomorrow so that the Administration would have the tine andthe Commissioners to go over the budget. As far as I knoi no one has discussed this with the Department of Publicity and I know they haven't with me. I understand that the same $11,000,excuse me, the same $11,000 in in -kind services and $19,000 in cash is included in the proposed budget and the reason I'm here tonight is that I, while we're on the agenda for tomorrow and the Mayor's been kind enough to agree that we could come in at 5:30 so our members can attend... Mayor Ferre: Would you try to make that 5? Mr. Freedman: Well, I've already told them all 5:30 Mayor, because you told me it was okay at 5:30. Mayor Ferre: No, no, when you said 5:30, I said 5:00 Morty, and the reason that I've got to be out to meet Mrs. Carter at 5;30, Mr. Freedman: I'll call them all hack then. I told them all 5;30. Mayor Ferre: We11, wait a moment because actually a difference between 5 and 5:30 and we really should all Rose you should specially be out there to meet Mrs. Carter. Mrs. Gordon: I don't know anything about it. Mayor Ferre: What? Mrs, Gordon; 1 don't know anything about it, 35 SEP 2i1978 ZAI liiui..uuiiiui iiiiii ■mumuiiiiii Mayor Ferre: Well, Mrs. Carter is flying in tomorro,, for Senator Pepper's dinner and she's arriving at 5:30 and we, I think we were all invited to go out and greet her. Plummer: But we're not going to the dinner. Mies. Gordon: Yes, but Zoning is tomorrow night. Mayor Ferre: I know we're not going to the dinner reason why we should be there to greet Mrs. Carter Mrs. Gordon: Well.. ifr. Freedman: I'd like to know because I've told all these people. Mayor Ferre: I've got to be there because Senator Pepper called me and they called me from Washington yesterday and they said that I have to be there and that this is something... so I've got to be there to greet Mrs. Carter even if it's for two minutes, shake her hand, welcome her to Miami, you know, the secret service people grab her and she goes, so it'-s just a question of just being there for a couple of minutes. Mr. Freedman: What time should I tell them? Mayor Ferre: Well, maybe the members of ... the rest of the members of this, Commission can be hear but I have to be at the airport at 5:30,1'11 come right back. I'm going to go for that and come right back. no more than, you know, twenty minutes one way or the other, half an hour. Mr. Freedman: Well, I'll tell them whatever you folks want. Mayor Ferre: Well, don't change it now. Mr. Freedman: Alright. At any rate, since I didn't know of any change in the recommendation by Mr. Grassie and no discussion about it as far as I know,I thought I should come here this evening so that this is not a fait accompli and that tomorrow we just have a ratification of the budget as recommended. Also, I understand that tomorrow morning there will be a discussion of the treatment of festivals and also a resolution to be adopted or presented for adoption regarding the treatment of festivals... Mayor Ferre: Well, I tell you after what we heard tonight from other places I'm not toosure that there are going to be any festival, the way we're headed, because I'm sure not going to vote, and I'm going to tell you with all sincerity and I'm going to tell my friends from Little Havana and 8th Street and everybody else that I'm just not too sure that I can vote against Community Schools and all these other things unless we can find some other sources of revenue. Mr. Freedman: Well, I have for more than a year now, suggested that there are funds for Folk Festivals from the Federal Government and the State but nobody has ever responded to that suggestion. Mayor Ferre: We ought to go after them. (repeat) Mt. freedman: Well, I don't know who's supposed to go after them but I've mentioned it several times. Mayor Ferre: Well, we got a full time guy that's supposed to be a grantsman doesn't he go after these programs? Mr. Grassie: The City has about $40 million worth of grants that are processed by .11 persons Mr. Mayor. Mayor Ferre: Mr. Grassie: !Mayor Ferre; Mr. Grassie: think that he Mayor Ferre; 1"m not knocking... In a question of Folk Festivals., that was a good answer and I apologize to you and to him. ... we are paying somebody,namely Mr, Freedman,S7,000 and I would could assume theresponsibility to go after that one grant. Okay, He got you. 3r SEP 27197P • Firs tteedtuan; No I don't think he's got me at all, Mayor Terre: You know what I heard about the.., Mt. Plummer: Wait a minute. Wait just a damn minutel YOU'knou, Mr Cltassie I'm sorry I disagree with you. I really do. Motty Preedtah is a PR man.' Morty Freedman is not a grantsman. Mayor Ferre: No, but no, the point is... 4r. Plummer: Now. wait a minute, now damnit you don't have to speak for me, Let me tell you something, we got a PR per department down here. You didn't choose them to go after grants. You hired a grantsman.. You got a man that's a professional in the field. Mr. Grassie: That's not true Commissioner. Mr. Plummer: It's not? Mr. Grassie: No. Mr. Plummer: You don't have a grantsman? Mr. Grassie: Every department is responsible Mr. Plummer: Well, a minute I made a statement you said where I'm wrong? Mayor Ferre: Let him answer it. Mr. Grassie: I'll have to do it in more than two words, please. Mr. Plummer: Okay. Mr. Grassie: Every department, whether it's the Police Department, Fire Department, Parks Department, all of these departments handle their own grants. Now what we do have is a person who attempts to review those grant documents, make them more polished, make sure that we have somebody looking at them from the point of view of the overall federal regulations. He does not happen to be a professional in that. As a matter of fact, he's an engineer whc has done this for many, many years has processed federal grant applications and that's how you to get to be a grantsman, but the point that I'm making for you is that the specialists in every department who know the subject matter are the ones who do 90% of the work on grants and there is no other way that we could possibly cover the ground if we didn't do it that way. Mr. Plummer: Has that service been offered to Mr. Freedman? Mr. Grassie: I'm not aware that he's asked for it. Mr. Freedman: Yes, I've mentioned it several times now. Rev. Gibson: J. L. Rev. Gibson: Yes, Father. Rev. Gibson: Let me ask a question. I want to follow your trend of thought Mr. Grassie, have you told that man that he could go forward looking... open get that grant in the name of the City,have you authorized him? to Mr. Grassie: Commissioner, I have had very little contact with this particular program. It is not the sort of the thing that I would personally tell anybody about, no, of course not. It is the only festival that I know of in which the City is actually paying for staff to do some significant work on it, and certainly I would not be telling him how to do that, no. Rev. Gibson: But Mr. Grassie, that's not what I'm saying. You just said, look well, let me go back. Morty said that ... Plummer, where are you, because you know, you are not going home, you better come on and don't bury no dead now. You just said, look, Morty said that there are funds in the federal government available for festivals. Mr. Freedman: Folk Festivals. tev. Gibson: Folk Fesals':..,Mr. Grassie said, and I want you listen to this Ali of you, Mr. Mayor. Mr ''Grassie said, we're paying a man S7.000 and I'll asenme you're the man. I'll buy both statements._ Now, you know, when you go out there you got to go with some authority,•youre'going to have to go in the name of Somebody, you're going to have to have.auttori:ty from somebody. Note my question, did you give nim the authority? Mt, Grassie: No, he hasn't asked for it. However, he has'it`:right now. Rev. Gibson: Ah, now, now! Morty, let me say this. ..,. (BACKGROUND COMMENT MADE OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD). Rev. Gibson: Oh, wait a minute let me go a step further. Let me go to the fourth point. I would hope Morty if we get that money , listen to what I'm going to say, this is the ringer. I hope if you bring that money into the City there won't be the tendency, you knew, to do the other thing, you know, to the victor goes the spoil, the guy who finds the money gets the pay. You understand what I'm talking about Mr.. Grassie? (BACKGROUND COMMENT) 0h. yes, you do. (repeat) And, you see, I want to make sure because what I heard then disturbs me. Morty, you know that there's money up there. You heard the Manager. Let's do it the other way. I'd like to offer a motion authorizing Mr. Freedman to contact the federal government in the name of the City for any and all funds pertaining to festivals. Mrs. Gordon: What's the title Morty? Mayor Ferre: There's a motion and a second.Let's see if we vote on it. seconded the motion? Mrs. Gordon: I'll second it, but I want to get the right title in the motion, Is that what we should call it? Mr. Freedman: What was the title? I didn't understand the... Mrs. Gordon: Father said, all the money available for festivals, way we... Mr. Freedman: Folk Festivals... Rev. Gibson: Mayor Ferre: And any other type, Folk Festivals and any other type of... Folk Festivals. Mr. Freedman: I must tell you that it would be too late for this apply now. coming year to Rev. Gibson: I'm not dealing with this year. Cross that hurdle when you get to it. Mayor Ferre: Let's vote on that and move on. Rev. Gibson: Right! Mayor Ferre: Alright, call the roll. The following motion was introduced by moved its adoption: Commissioner MOTION NO. 78-587 (Rev.) Gibson, who A MOTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING MR, MORTY FREEDMAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE "INTERNATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL COMMITTEE" TO MAKE ANY NECESSARY CONTACTS WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF RESEARCHING THE AVAILABILITY OF GRANTS WITH FEDERAL FUNDING FOR FOLK OR ANY OTHER FESTIVALS. Upon being seconded by Commissioner Gordon, the motion was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES; Commissioner Rose Gordon Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr. Vice Mayor Manolo Reboso Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore R. Gibson Mayor Maurice A. Ferre: ' one`°. 38 SEP 2 1978 I•■ uii.iuii■uu hill iiiiii iiiui ON kat CALL; :fY Plummer; Repeat themotion. iV..Gibson: The motion is that I want to authoitiie. Mayor Ferre; Morty Freedman. key. Gibson: ... Freedman, that we in the dame of the City to go after and all government funds that have to do with. Polk Pestiyal. Mayor Ferre: Alright. Mt. Freedman: Would we have the help of the City's grants people? Mayor Ferre; Yes, of course you would. Rev. Gibson: You have it all. Mrs. Gordon: That's in the motion. Mr. Plummer: Without question, I vote yes. Mayor Ferre: That's part of the motion. FURTHER DISCUSSION: Mayor Ferre: Alright, Morty we'll see you tomorrow1 Mr. Freedman: May I just ask one other thing? Mayor Ferre: Sure. Mr. Freedman: I'm sorry. Mrs. Gordon: Go ahead Morty finish. Mr. Freedman: I understand that tomorrow there is a discussion coming up of the handling of festivals and their funding and so forth and I would like very much to know. I understand it's coming at 9 in the morning , I would like to know whether that pertains just to the other festivals... Mayor Ferre: All festivals I would assume. Mr. Freedman: Well, now we are in a different category. We are produced and sponsored by the City, itself. Mayor Ferre: Right. Mr. Freedman; So, I'd like to know if the idea to include us with all these others or will we continue to be under the Department of Publicity? Mayor Ferre: Well, let's understand this ... Mrs. Gordon: I don't know Mr. Grassie, maybe you can tell us. Mr. Grassie: If you recall,Mr. Mayor and members of the City Commission,when you discussed the special account in your budget hearings which.has the money for festivals and all related activities,and that's on page 195 of your budget by the way, in discussing that we pointed out to you that the City does not budget on a line item basis by festival but rather that we have three categories one of them being city-wide events into which the International Folk Festival would fall, three categories which fund all of the requests of this type that comes to the City. Now, the policy that is proposed for your consideration comes out of your discussion of the proliferation of festivals , and what you wanted was some kind of a guideline that we could apply so that everybody would know ahead of time what the rules of the game were with regard to the City funding festivals. Now, that's the purpose of the item that's on discussion on the Committee of the Whole. Presumable, yes it would apply to this particular festival as it does to others, whether or not the funding comes through a depart- ment in the sense of their beirig...having a monitoring relationship to the festival Mould probably not influence your policy statement. 39 lira. Gordon: What'doe he'poliey mean, just to set tnr iwe... the timiag of it, is 'that what you're talking about? Mr. Grassie: No, no, it attempts to set for the City Commission a direction that you would take in deciding whether or not you're going to fund festivals, it would give us some kind of a guideline to apply 1 Mr. Grassie: ... to all of the requests, and we do not have that at this tithe MO Mts. Gordon: We already have that already over.. Mrs. Gordon: Okay. mm Mr. Grassie: terms of all these requests for festivals that we get, MI Mrs. Gordon: Okay, let's put it very simply then. In my opinion, all the others are entities existing outside of the family,so to speak, The family is the City, and Mortv's program is dart of the family's program, it's part of the budget of our Publicity Department., Consequently, I don't know why you even want to include that as part of a discussion relative to festivals which is an entity outside of the family structure. IN Mr. Grassie: Well, that may be a choice that you want to make. You may decide that you want to make a distinction between this particular event and other community based events that are brought to you by community organization. Mrs. Gordon: Exactly, hccaust it's just like we segregated and separated other ■ programs that the City runs in our parks, you know, I don't want to bring up the subject, it's a sore one from past experience,but we separated it because it was a City function and it belonged away and separated from those programs that were being run by entities outside of the City so that's the reason it was moved to another area for,you know, jurisdiction. • — Mr. Grassie: Well, you may want to do that Mrs. Gordon: The same thing. okay? Mr. Freedman: Well, tic Ful Commission. with this program. Festival was set up by a resolution of the City Mrs. Gordon: Yes. it's a separate entity. Mr. Freedman: It's a separate thing. Mrs. Gordon: Now, the amount of funding that it receives,I mean,is also a thing that applies directly to it and what it needs for a successful performance. Mr. Freedman: I don't know the exact mechanics of the budgeting. I just wanted to be sure that the Publicity Department budget would not be adopted prior to late tomorrow afternoon when we come to again ask for what we requested, that's why I'm here. Mr. Plummer: Morty, you rest assured,as long as I don't drop dead between now and in the morning, I know there's a lot of people praying that that'll happen, that... Rev. Gibson: And, I be glad to deliver the last rite if need be. Mr. Plummer: ... I know which way he's praying. Morty, you rest assured regard- less of whether Father gives. ... Mrs. Gordon: Morty, as long as you're standing at the mike can I ask you a question? Mr. Plummer: I don't know what the hell I even come for.. The Mayor speaks for me. You speak for the Mayor, what in the hell am I doing here? I'm going to remind you tomorrow ,I'm 20% of the vote. Rev. Gibson: Go ahead, J.L. Mr. Plummer: You ain't getting locked out. Okay, go ahead, Rose. Mrs. Gordon; That's okay you want to offer more money.,, Mr. Plummer: No, I had to say it i, a hurry. 4o SEP 27197 • ■ Mrs, Gordon: Motty, I want to ask you a question., For clarification. so we go to bed tonight and think about it, what is it you want for your progtah dollars -wise that you don't feel like you're getting or don't have and need to operate a successful program? Mt. Freedman: We're asking for $34,700 City appropriation, and $18,000 in in -kind services which is less than a lot of these others are actually getting; the Hispanic Festival and so forth. tors. Gordon: Well, we're talking about the family program now, so okay. So you're saying that the Publicity Department budget should be enlarged to the tune of the difference,not the in -kind portion but the cash portion. Mr. Freedman: Right. Mrs. Gordon: Okay, now we know what you want. Mr. Freedman: Because three years ago, we had $30,000 cash and $15,000 in -kind and then we were cut all the way back down. We're only asking to come up to a little bit more than three years ago. Mrs. Gordon: Okay, alright. Mr. Freedman: Thank you. Mayor Ferre: Alright, how many other speakers do we have tonight public hearing? Anybody else want to speak here tonight? Mr. Plummer: Well, Mr. Mayor, are you excluding Dr. Barry? Mayor Ferre: I'm not excluding anybody. I want to know if there is anybody here at this public hearing who wants to address the City of Miami Commission? Mr. Plummer: Tell,Dr. Barry he better get out of the bathroom in a hurry. Mayor Ferre: You want to speak after Dr. Barry? Alright, Dr. Barry, yes, he's coming, he's over at ... Mr. Plummer: He thinks he's the Mayor,he makes a grand entrance or something." Mayor Ferre: ... Chuck Hall's past. Nobody can do that like Chuck Hall. Mr. Plummer: That's true. Mayor Ferre: How long do you think you'll need this evening Dr. Barry? Dr. Barry: Mr. Mayor, I won't be long. That means less than two days I guess from past experience. I won't be that long. Mayor Ferre: Does that mean fifteen minutes, half an hour? Dr. Barry: Yes, sir, I think that'll suffice. Mr. Plummer: I'm glad you didn't say an hour. Mayor Ferre: No, I didn't. Dr. Barry: I wonder if everyone has had a chance to take a look at Herald today. Last year we gave a reprieve to the headline writers who said that the newsmen weren't to be held responsible for the headline writers because that was a different person from the ones who write the meeting. There was an interesting editorial this morning in the paper about $4 million lying around and it said"We suggest that the next expert outsider who comes to town and espies tax funds nobody else can see wouldbe hired on the spot for full time work." Mayor Ferre: Do what? the Miami Dr. Barry: Be hired on the spot for full time work. I'm not sure that was more than a facitious offer but I'd like to point out that it`s a second time I've been offered a job here in the... Mayor Ferre: By the Miami Herald? Dr, Barry: Yes, sir. 41 SEP D 1978 11111111111111111111111111111111111111III III III Mayor f'erre: Wc11, I wauc to congratulate you. Dre Batty: Thank you. Mayor Ferre: That's alright: Dr. Barry: That's the second time I've been offered a job here. Last year, you may remember Mr. Grassie said, that he'd be happy to offer Ine a job hete if the Money were available to keep the people on board without laying them off. Now, not only have I not been offered that job but I haven't seen Mr. Grassie happy about that fact either in the past year. Mr. Grassie: It's just that you didn't perform,Dr. Barry. Mayor Ferre: Oh, oh... Dr. Barry: It's because we didn't what, sir? What? Mrs. Gordon: You didn't perform. 1 don't know what you didn't perform... Mayor Ferre: Well, I think the point is that we should not have any more night meetings. You can go ahead now. Dr. Barry: Today, I spent several hours today down at the C.E.T.A. offices, the Office of Contracts Compliance Administration here in Dade County taking a look at the Manpower Planning Council Consortium budget Applications Summaries for the City of Miami, to get some more details about the individuals in the classified or non -classified pay plan the higher officials who are being covered by partial C.E.T.A. salaries. I mentioned,last time,as you may remember Mr. Mielke and Mr. De Koning are getting 5% of their increases this coming fall fr-- C.E.T.A. funds. In fact, in the application for this year there's quite a drastic increase in terms of what you could call staff salaries or administrative salaries being covered by C.E.T.A. In 1977-78 C.E.T.A. personnel summarv,staff salaries for the City of Miami of the higher level variety,represented just the Director of human Resources and the Assistant Director of Human Resources, both of whom are getting l0 of their salaries from C.E.T.A. source. The total amount that was going to the Administrators from direct funds amounted to,at that time $192,000. Now, on the card application which was just received by C.E.T.A. the staff salaries for direct administration have risen from $192,000 to $339,000 from the C.E.T.A. grant. While the participants wages that is paid to actual recipient of C.E.T.A. positions that remain roughly the same during that period of time , so that, for example, now the Human Resources Director and Assistant Human Resources Director are getting 1O%. The Labor Relations Director and the Assistant Labor Relations Director,top positions,The Assistant Labor Relations Director is listed for 10% and not 5% as it is in the case of the budget document, itself, but the main point I wanted to make about that is the quite substantial expansion utilizing C.E.T.A. funds for basically the same amount in terms of dollars received by C.E.T.A. recipients, those that are unemployed in terms of administrative direct salaries to the Administrators in the City of Miami. If anyone wishes to take a look at these applications... Mayor Ferre: What was the total amount now, the bottom figure? Dr.Barry: It's risen from $192,000, a little over ... Mayor Ferre: I didn't hear, from $192,200? Dr. Barry: $192,800 to $338,900 Mayor Ferre: From $192,000 to $338,000? Dr. Barry: Yes, sir. Mr. Plummer: And, that's of Human Resources? Dr. Barry: No, sir, that's in a number of agencies but it's for direct application to individual salaries for administration of the program. The program has remained in terms of C.E.T.A. recipients about the same as it was last year. Mrs. Gordon: Well, Mr. Grassie, could you tell me this in response to what I just heard? How many people of top level management, you know, upper echelon,are receiving C.E.T.A. supplements? Mti Grassie: The only people who receive that kind, of supplement,Coninissioner, Ate individuals whose work requites that they Mts. Gordon: I know. Mr. Grassie: program. perform some administrative task to suppor the C.ET.A` Mrs. Gordon: I mean, how many people are there that'll fit that? Mr. Grassie: I will have to count them. I would imagine that there must ... well, let's make a distinction between those who receive the kind of supplement that we're talking about here,5% or 10;.,and those who are entirely funded because they are an administrative person,like an Employment Supervisor for example, would be an administrative person running the C.E.T.A. program, that person would be 100% funded from C.E.T.A. Mrs. Gordon: Are they part of the $338,000 sum? Mr. Grassie: Oh, ves, of course. They are, I would guess, at least 90%.` Mrs. Gordon: 90% of themthen... Mr. Grassie: Of that amount of money. Mrs. Gordon: ... are full time C.E.T.A.'s and Mr. Grassie: Yes. Mrs. Gordon: ... 10% but I don't know how many people the percent means?: What does a percent of people mean? How many people? Mr. Grassie: Well, let me put it... Mrs. Gordon: I just want to know how to spread the load. Mr. Grassie: Let me see if I can help you this way, and you guess, Okay? Mrs. Gordon: Yes. Mr. Grassie: But, I would guess that we have 6 , possibily 8 people,who are receiving salary supplements because their general duties involve some responsibiltiy for administering the C.E.T.A. program. Mrs. Gordon: Okay, 6 to 8. Mr. Grassie: And, then you have dozens of people,who,of course, are involved ' in the day-to-day,middle-ievel administration of the C.E.T.A. program. Mrs. Gordon: Middle level, but top level we're talking about is 6 to 8. Mr. Grassie: Yes, now keep in mind that the only reason for doing that supplement it does not give any more money to the individual you know, whatever his salary is, that's what he gets. What the supplement does is it relieves the general fund. It is a legitimate wav of relieving the General Fund and trying to free up money to do some of the other things that you've been talking about today that you want to do. Mrs. Gordon: Yes, I just wanted to know how $338,000 was being distributed and what levels it was going. Mr. Grassie: We can give you that exactly if you want to know, you know, w& CW) list all of the positions and account for all of that money but... Mrs. Gordon: Okay. Mr.Grassie: ... if you want an immediate answer now it's approximately those relationships. Dr. Barry: The question raised by the C.E.T.A. Consortium today was, why has this figure gone up so drastically in one year when the number of dollars for salaries has remained roughly the same over the two year period, that was the question 43 SEP 2 ? 197 that was taised at out meeting earlier today with Mr. Jessup and myself:'The 6thef point I wanted to bring up; again was, in:relati'on to the material I raised last time concerning the status.of.the Capital Improvement Fund memorandum from Mt. Gary to Mr. Grassie; and;thete's been some misunderstanding I'm sure, accidental in thp media conce.ming.the real meaning of this particular fund, and I'd like once again, if.I tna'y; to try to clarify this particular issue to point out that the City's own'independent auditor, Peat, Marwick & Mitchell, in a memorandum that's been given.'to.the members of the City Commission, addressed to them, dated September: llth. I think you've received the copy or the copies of this from two sources now. And, what they say in this document on page 1-3 about the Florida Power''& Light franchise revenues is not my opinion of this particular Florida Power &.Light franchise revenue fund. It says in effect that due to the above -mentioned changes in the activities of the Capital Improvements Fundit no longer meets the definition of a Capital Projects Fund;that is, "to account for the receipt and disbursements of monies used for the acquisition of capital facilities other than those financed by enterprised funds. In fact, in 1976-77"and I'm continuing to quote from your own External Auditor , it says,"less than 6% of the total expenditures of the fund were for Capital Improvement purposes",then it concludes. and this,again,is the independent auditor,"we recocmiend that this fund be dissolved and the receipt and expenditure or transfer of Florida Power & Light franchise revenue be recorded in the General Fund." The reason why this is so significant is that this so-called and erroneously named,"Capital ImprovementsFund';as pointed out by the independent auditor,will not be brought up as pointed out two nights ago until sometime from now, jusi as was the case last year. In short,the money that's in the Capital_.so-called"Capitall Projects Fund"is not really in view tonight in the budget document that's in front of you. There is some allocated for transfer to the General Fund but there's also over four million dollars, in fact, it is not in view and will not be brought up for your consideration until after the matters of the General Fund have been resolved and the importance of that $4.1 million dollar figure,which I think was received not totalled up at the meeting last time,is the significance of the announcement in the memo written by more than just one senior official in the administration;that there has been one two many contributions and earmarking for Watson Island Fund, that $1.8 million dollars need not be earmarked for Witsor. Island.So last May in response to this news immediately two more projects were taken off the shelf and that was the so-called People Mover Downtown and the project for Convention Center. in fact, which allocated more money which has not been approved by you in terms of your... and as required for you to approve it in order for it to have to be expended. So what we have is ashe of capital projects that are immediately grabbed and placed to cover the void brought about by the pointing out of the fact that there is no need to have that second allotment for Watson Island but that doesn't mean those projects have been appropriated for , it doesn't mean from the history of this particular fund that those projects will ever be undertaken, in fact, its' pointed out by the auditor in that year,less than 6% of the funds that went through that particular fund were actual used for what could be called Capital Improvement Projects. So what I'm pointing out to you with this particular fund and these resources is the fact that if these funds should be spent on valid capital projects then in order to have a situation which would not be classified as sub optimal budgeting in public finance,that money should have been cleared as was directed by the auditors suggested by your own independent auditor into the general fund and left there for debate in this forum as to priorities as to where it should go, not kept away from the General Fund to be brought in a month or two from now after it's all final, sealed, and delivered and carved in stone than to be brought in separately and say here's four million dollars that we want you to allocate, that's the point I'm trying to make. I think it should be brought to the elected representatives of the people as the auditor that the elected representatives have hired to be discussed and to be prioritized in this particular meeting in which so many issues are at stake. Mrs. Gordon: Dr. Barry, which memorandum are you reading from? Dr. Barry: I'm reading from the memorandum of Peat, Marwick & Mitchell. Mayor Ferre: The Manager sent a letter to the .,. Dr. Barry: Some management points to you from the independent auditors discussing in more details, September 11, 1978. Mayor Ferre: That was received by us last week. You have it in your,., you received iL Dr. Barry... Mr. Grassie: Could I clarify that for Commissioner .Gordon? c. ° , Mayor Ferre:° .,Yps,;,,su e, 4 SEP2,>9; Mt, Grassie: I understand ftom the auditors Commissioner that they mailed to each member of the City of Commission directly;the auditors mailed to each City Commissioner ditectly copies of that management lettet. You should have received it at the same time 1 did which was about the 25th. Mayor Ferre: Yes. I received it and have it right here. Mr, Grassie: Just a couple days ago. .Mrs. Gordon: Did you receive it at your home or at the officer Mt. Plummer. I got mine today. Mr. Grassie: I think at:. Mrs. Gordon: I've had trouble "receiving my mail here at the office,Mr. Grassie, I have not received all of my mailings. I have not received a lot of the mailings from the StatewideHCC, and I can't understand what's happening that I'm not receiving it, and I had to put a double check on it. I had to mail me a copy to my home and a copy here to the City and I didn't receive the one in the City. So I'm not getting all my mail and there's something that I would like you to check into and find out why. Mayor Ferre: I think this was hand delivered, as a matter of fact. (MIXED BACKGROUND COMMENT) Oh, no, no, this was mailed because I opened it myself. Let me tell you why I remembered,and this is something that I just wanted to mention to you, would you tell Mr. Richard Jurgenmeyer partner of Peat, Marwick & Mitchell that he doesn't have to write personal on City business material of this nature. Now, maybe he wrote it because he wanted me to open it,which is what I ended up doing. Mr. Grassie: I think that's why they do it. Mayor Ferre: Oh, oh, okay. But you know,this is a public document. Mr. Grassie: Sure. Mayor Ferre: Okay. I understand. Mr. Grassie: I don't think it needs to be pointed out of course that this recommendation from the auditors, that Dr. Barry is making such a to us 25 days after the printed budget was in your hands. Dr. Barry: One point if I may.... Mayor Ferre: He was debate champion in high school. Dr. Barry: Oh, he was? Mayor Ferre: Yes. Dr. Barry: How did you do in college? Mayor Ferre: You were debate champion in college. He got you. Dr. Barry: No, the point is that you may remember last year,how forget last year? Although, it seems like... point of, came could any of us Mayor Ferre: Charlie, is that there the party is? (repeat) We ought to go over there, uh? Go ahead, Dr. Barry. Dr. 'Barry: The point is that there was a press conference,you may remember,I believe it was at the Fire Fighters Benevolent Hall last year prior to the inception of the budget hearings,at which time Mr. Jessup and I delivered a report on the various funds and the status of the financial condition of the City of Miami, and in that report we recommended the consolidation of these funds• into the General Fund,now it's been a whole year. The auditor is true,on.the . llth is the first time he's put it in his management notes that I've seen, but the point is it's now three days from the end of the month.and Y.t's plenty. of: time : for.. that to have been 'implemented .to you .to...allow you to prioritize people see fit and as: their. representatives, thaws my point In the last two weeks certainly there's been. opportunity to`,present ;this,: as an =option That's my` point, sir.•f 45 Mayor Verve: Dr. Barry? Dt. Batty: Yes, sir. Mayor Ferre: Some of these capital projects have been discussed by the Cite of Miami Commission openly and we have placed priorities on theirs for exattple, ee Watson Island. ME ME • i Dr. Barry: Yes, sir. Mayor Ferre: You know, now, I don't think that there are any projects and I would be amazed and I would hope that that's not the case, that we're reserving monies for that have not been discussed by the City of Miami Commission at one time or another and earmarked for that specific purpose. Mr. Grassie:You're entirely right Mr.. Mayor, but more significant than that there is no way of reserving money unless the City Commission does it. The only way that we reserve money is by bringing the Capital Improvement program to the City Commission... Mayor Ferre: Okay. Mr. Grassie: ... and, when you approve it at that point the money is reserved Mayor Ferre: Yes, Mr. Grassie: ••• there's no way of doing it otherwise. Mayor Ferre: Okay, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't... Dr. Barry: Mr. Mayor, if I understand.you're asking have you approved Convention Center and the Downtown People Mover? Mayor Ferre: Yes. Dr. Barry: And, voted on it, and earmarked those funds, ... Mayor Ferre: Yes, absolutely. Absolutely. And, Watson Island, Dr. Barry: Yes, sir, Watson Island, certainly. Mayor Ferre: And, the People Mover, absolutely. Dr. Barry: What meeting was that done in? Mayor Ferre: Well... Dr. Barry: Because I was told last time by Mr. Grassie... Mayor Ferre: I can get you the specific dates if you would, Mr. if you want that information we'd be happy to go back and get it you this, it was certainly discussed during the various times that we've approved the Convention Center that we were going to earmark specific money and that was later approved, I think,in the budget,in the Capital Improvement's budget, which I have a copy of and we all have a copy of, and we went over it and I was looking at it last week and it's in there very specifically, isn't it? City Clerk, but I'll tell Dr. Barry: Mr. Grassie, the question then is, last meeting, two nights ago, you said, that this budget would be presented for approval in the near future. Capital Improvements Program budget, does this mean that you intend not to incorporate these funds as suggested in the management points into the General Fund or what is the intention of the Administration? Mr. Grassie: Mr. Mayor, I'll response to any questions from the City Commission. I don't know that you intend that 1 debate with the Doctor. Mayor. Ferre: No, we don't want you to debate, but I think the hour is late and 'we.'re almost goingto break up. and I think he's in good faith asking a question and.L`think.we:ought to respond in equally good faith. r. Grassie:::: The :answe if you, remember all of it, that we_gave :a couple of days sago:-is-.:s,till .;trueand that ,is; that `the: City has° capital programs: whi.eh. include many more projects' thane there is money. This has` always been the' case 46 the City has as a matter of policy during the,las.t 20. years. maintained the balance itet the franchise fee for Florida Power & Light for the purposes of funding the only flexible Capital Improvement program that the City has. There is one Ocception to that and that is the exception that the City made in 1975 when it gave a general salary increase by using Florida Power & Light franchise money. In other words, it took over three million dollars out of the Capital Improve - bent Fund to finance a general increase. Since increases,once given,have to be maintained forever that same transfer which now has grown to $3,600,000 has continued to come out of the FP&L money every year. It may be significant for the City Commission's information to know that the revenues from FP&L franchise —and keep in mind that we're not talking about FP&L utility tax, we're talking about the franchise fee --those revenues run at approximately the rate of $5,000,000 a year. Now, the fund does have some fund balance which is caused by the fact that the City Commission has identified projects in the past which have not been spent yet. The money has been identified by you, has been allocated, but the money has not been spent, in the consequence of that there is a fund balance, but in terms of your revenue picture which is about $5,000,000 a year as against your commitment for salary increases which now is running at the level of $3.6 million dollars a year, you have very little flexibility, and that flexibility which is now approximately $1.4 million dollars, you can only use once. Once you use it,it will be committed and will have to come out of the FP&L franchise fund forever to pay for whatever ongoing recurring expense you dedicate it to. So, that is simply to put in context the question of the FP&L as a source of money. Mr. Plummer: Well, I think the next question that has to be asked Mr. Grassie, what is the fund balance if any, unrestricted? Mr. Grassie: Well, I guess you would have to first make a decision with regard to the capital projects that you are going to approve and that of course, is the result of your review of the Capital Improvement program but in the process of deciding what you will approve and not approve then you would establish the amount of uncommitted balance in that fund. Mr. Plummer: Well, what is the present fund balance? Mr. Grassie, I don't know how to answer you. Mr. Plummer: How much restricted, how much unrestricted? ... except the $3.6 as being restricted, okay? Mr. Grassie: that fund and is moved to the General Fund to support those increases that were Riven. Well, it is restricted only in the sense that it is taken from Mr. Plummer: I buy that. I understand that. Now, aside from that, what is accumulated in that fund restricted and unrestricted? Let me make it simple, what's the total fund balance? Mrs. Gordon: Not yet unallocated, that's the point, isn't that what you mean?. Mr. Plummer: Rose, what is the total balance of the fund? Mr. Grassie: Well, that is what is being prepared in the documents that constitute the Capital Improvement Program and I don't have that in front of me. I can ... let me check and see whether we have some preliminary figures. Mr. Gary is telling me that the best figures he has right now indicate a $2.6 million fund balance this year to cover ... assuming that the City Commission has not made any decisions about projects for this coming year, you would have something under $4.5 million dollars that could be decided upon. Mrs. Gordon: Okay, that's the point you wanted... Mr. Grassie: ..2h.atwould be committed to projects by you or which could be left uncommitted. Mrs. Gordon: Four point how much did you say, Joe? Four point what Joe? Four point. Mr, Grassie: Just under $4.5 million dollars. Mayor Ferre: Every year? Mr, Grassie: No, no... Mrs, Gordon; Right now. IIIIIIiii 1111 111111i111111t■IIi■■ii 1 Mrs Gtassie: Every year cu have about a $1.5 million. Mayot Ferre: Well, wait, wait, you know, if we get... let's say we take the full $4.5 million now. Now, we're not going to have $4.5 million next year? Mr, Grassie: No, if you take the full $4.5 million now for a recurring expense next year you will have created for yourself a $3.0 million problem because you will have a million and a half. Mayor Ferre: I'll tell you right now,I am open for discussion, personally, with regards to those uncommitted funds of the Florida Power & Light Franchise that Ate not committed for projects that we have approved, provided however, that whatever we touch this year we have the same amount available next year. I'm not about to get involved in one of these things where we use something that we've accumulated and then find ourselves with a monstrous problem that we've been through before in this City of Miami where we commit funds that we've ... and then we really have to stretch the next year to find ways of maintaining our balance because one of the reasons why we're having these kind of problems is because for the last ten yeare we've been doing exactly that and, you know, as Plummer tells us all the time"there are no free lunches,"and sooner or later you've got to pay the Pied Piper. you know. and it's just that simple. Mrs. Gordon: Okay. Mr. Plummer: As 1 understand Mr.-Grassie, what you are saying to me is that based on a $5,000,000 fee or payment to the City, approximately $1.4 million every year is uncommitted.' Mr. Grassie: That's correct. Mrs. Gordon: Yes. And, it's accumulated balance that amounts to a little under $4.5 million. Mr. Grassie: The answer is not simple because there is also this fund balance or this lag of money that you have appropriated in prior years but has not been spent. Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Grassie, aside for 5;<. it? I have another question also on appropriate1 funds but not spent, that maybe you can help me out with . Didn't we set some money increases that hasn't been given,and how much is it, and where is Mr. Grassie: Are we still talking about the FP&L fund? Mrs. Gordon: No. Mr. Grassie: Are you talking about the amount of money that we put in th currant year's budget? Mrs. Gordon: Yes. Mr. Grassie: What we did was budget an amount of $551,000 as I recall in the current budget for salary increases which has not been spent. Mrs. Gordon: Okay, now what I want to know is is that in a separate fund or in the General Fund right now? Mr. Grassie: No, it's part of the General Fund, Mrs. Gordon: Okay. Are we going segregate that into a special fund, you know, as in trust for that,or is that being allocated into the new budget and reallocated on different items, how are you handling that? Mr. Grassie: It is part of your lapse which becomes a resource for next year's budget. Yes. Mrs. Gordon: A resource. In other words, it's being removed and not kept for that purpose again, so therefore it will disappear when we adopt the budget tomorrow. Mr. Grassie: It would not remain as a special fund from this year's budget,.. no It would be a resource.... *Se Gordon: But is it reallocated again? Mt Grassie: To be reallocated for all of the kinds of expenditures that you wete talking about today. fits, Gordon: No, I mean is it being reallocated for the specific purpose it was allocated this year or not? Mr. Grassie: No, no. It is lapsed. It becomes a resource of the City to build next year's budget and will be used to support all activities. Rev. Gibson: Let me ask this? I think we agreed,or didn't we,that we would have x-number of dollars to make some settlements or increase some salaries, is that right? We set it aside. Mr. Grassie: Well, I did recommend to you when we approved the last budget that we do set that money aside, yes, and we did set it aside. Rev. Gibson: Alright, alright. Now, what I'm not too sure of is that we had that money set aside not to be touched at that time, is that right? It was allocated for a certain purpose. Mr. Grassie: They allocated it for the specific purpose of being a contingency, yes for this... Rev. Gibson: Alright, alright.... Now, this is 1978-79 coming up. What I'm trying to understand is what are you going to do with that money? Mr. Grassie: That money like every other resource that the City has to support the General Fund is drawn on in order to support the kind of departmental budgets which you have been going through for the last three weeks or so. Rev. Gibson: Alright, let me ask another question so I could be more intelligent. If that money was committed, have we fulfilled that commitment? Mr. Grassie: If you remember,Commissioner, the history of that money it was set aside specifically to take care of anticipated negotiations with the General Employees'Group. I think you remember the dispute between the two groups attempting to represent the employees so that we ended up with a period of over a year in which there were no negotiations because there was no union with which to negotiate. That now has been cured and we are finally in the process of dealing with that bargaining unit but,of course, during that period of a year while they were in the process of getting themselves organized there were no negotiations and the only expenditures that were made were for the 3Ya which the City Commission voluntarily gave on a sort of a cross -the -board increase, but the other has not been used for it's initial purpose and,of course, now it is simply a resource to build the next budget. Rev. Gibson: Okay, let me, this is the final question, Mr. Mayor, I hope you'll help me because you're an authority in money, I'm not. I deal with that thing you callspirituality and I'm not so sure I know very much about that sometimes, but I'm trying to avoid getting us in a bind. If we were moving in a direction and on an assumption, you follow me? Mr. Grassie: I think I follow you Father, my impression of what you're asking me is if we started out with a ... set aside $551,000 during the current year, should we in fact carry that same amount of money forward? And, I think the answer to that is the same kind of discussion that we had while we were talking about policy and how this City Commission would approach its budget. The basic policy question of whether or not it is reasonable to hurt people in the short long because of what you anticipate your needs might be in the medium run. And, you remember that we talked about the needs of this budget and,you know, you've been experiencing some of them all evening. We talked about the needs of this budget and we talked about how it was reasonable to affect people in the short run and get into the whole questions of layoffs in order to set money aside, because that's what it would amount to. You would have to make productions now in order to set a pot of money aside for something that you might do in a month. I don't think,frankly,that the question of making those adjustments can be avoided, you know, we have to face up to item but I do not think that it is reasonable to make people pay the consequences in the short run for what we might have to do a month from now. Rev,,Gibson Okay. I thou€ht I was shrewed but I'm not so sure I understand, Here's What I'�m trying. that we had to do certrj made proVisions. Are w: pick of at that point y.tra .,,r,, r, w, Stir:r;_. opera,,ing on the assumption s.,or•'we may hire to do certain things, may, so we ated, this is where I stand, are we obligated to they: {:Ante baek at us, you follow? Mt, Grassie: Well, I think what you're asking ne, Rather. is if the City Commission enters into an agreement following the negotiated process are we obligated to meet the cost of that agreement yang the answer is yes, We ate. Is that what you were asking? Rev. Gibson: No. Mt Grassie: Rev, Gibson: Loo1�,; did meet in a, reelrient'. Mt. Grassie: i.'r. sor Rev, C i." s c:— that money. Mr. Grassie: B agreement. Yi set . it caS i de Pcv Gibson: Pandora'. was necessary differi:nce be Mr. Grassie: R2V Mrs„ ce(t -4i th that you woOa d be n,akit,; that':; something we don't h Ceti that wa since year: and did notuse up :e did not have an tcmtin^ency.:We sae 3.nt; , ke,.l, ravbe I'm opeenine .:. ff. one year ago, we felt that this need, y4:t follow 7 What is the ut than need that we were going to a fair statement; that, You know, that r feelings are then we forget about that, concerned about now? Mr, Grassie No, I think we have two approaches to that kind of question and right now we are almost obligated to follow the approach that the City is engaged in which is to negotiates ;scout all of those questions. The whole question of how and we're talking in this case- about the general employees —of how the possibility of retroactive p_ry for that particular bargaining unit is handled is one of the major questions that they are bringing up and are talking about, so it is not something that will get ignored. You know, let me assure you that they have this in mind and that they will keep reminding us of it. Where we end up with that depends on the Thole process or negotiationsand what ends up being more important to the bargaining unit and to the City. So it is a give-and-take kind of process and at the end of that then we will know how we view that particular 5%. Rev. Gibson: Let try... this is the final... Mr. Mayor, you can help me if we negotiate now, say next month, this is the one thing I don't want to —have thrown at us, w,ho€_•ver these men are, whoever is affected , come to us, can they . that`- toe thin; I'm eoncerved, can they legally or are they morally able to core to us, and say-, look buddy, you carried me for a whole year and you did nothing about me. Now, we've come to are agreement, does the union then expect us to go back, one year aee,and come up to ..ln,ee .are? If you tell me that after all that stt:'...i? l init ' Ut: ._._,. .St t:: Cil i. i., ar_7,un.1 ji• _. that's where I want to jet. Mr. Grassie! F'atk.el, I thick it woo-1; be !lnrea1i.rtie of us if we did not anticipate that tile to t:aki? tht., pc iti?.•ail that we o+.'e them that, you know, 1 would Chit , 'I would.Ss that they will maintain that position as being something that they .�,oaul4 1'"r=�t er or not that ends up being reasonable in t.ta li t cf .the. 1 think is what the to deci4e•wheat ends t er thin.gf=4 th they also are going to want, eose they're going to have • 1t4 €'1thn et: Fsthet. Mayot Fette: 1 dot t t want anybody upset Vith the, but 1 said eatliet atound i , , Rev. Gibson: 11:00 O'clock. Mayot Ferre: ... that I was leaving at 11:00 O'clock, and 1 just want everybody to know that's sixteen minutes away. Mt. Plummer: A quick comment... Mr. Sherman: May I have the floor then? Mr. Plummer: ... wait a minute. I outrank him Mayor Ferre: I'm not too sure. Mr. Plummer: I sometimes wonder. You said the statement we spend hours on pennies and seconds Capital Improvements, Mr. Grassie, upstairs... other day Mt. on millions. Mr. Grassie: Sir? Mr. Plummer: ... you and the Mayor have executive bathrooms. Mr. Grassie: I can't claim that for myself. Mayor, you made a Speaking of Mr. Plummer: There's a Capital Improvement in this bathroom where us peasants Father and I have, I don't think Rose sneaks in, there's been a hold there for 30 days, it leaks more water down than I do. Now can we get that Capital Improvement taken care of please? ... Thank you. Mr. Sherman? Mr. Grassie: Yes, we'll handle that. Mayor Ferre: Mr. Sherman? Rev. Gibson: Plummer, you might have to do like the Yankee outfit you know you know have to tell Rose, well, you better put on... you know, and come on in there and use the same one. (INAUDIBLE BACKGROUND COMMENT) Mr. Sherman: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission, my name is A.G. Sherman. I'm President of the Miami -General Employees Association AFSCME Local 1907. In answer to the City Manager, we are in negotiations but we haven't even come close to money items. The money which was budgeted in 77-78 and set aside for the General Employees I've just heard it's $551,000, that wouldn't even be a 21% increase for the General Employees, other Employee Groups have received 5% and that's what I'm going to ask this Commission to put in escrow and to hold until we are able to complete negotiations for the upcoming year. As I remember the figure that was... had been appropriated is $1.2 million dollars, or thereabout round ball. I'm not a finance or CPA,but $551,000 spread over about 2,500 employees just don't cut 5% . So I would like to ask this Commission to make a motion to leave the monies which were appropriated and should be given to those employees who have been unable to negotiate a contract for 6-years the 5% which were given to the other organizations .ond which we feel we should be recipients of. Mrs. Gordon: Did you say $1.2 and... Mr. Sherman: Yes, ma'am, there's no way I can mathematically figure how as many General Employees who are currently without a contract and did not receive the 5% which was budgeted can come and be covered by $551,000. Mrs. Gordon: Howard, will you answer that please, that's your department? Mayor Ferre: Houdini. Are you Houdini? Mr. Gary; Sure. Mayor Ferre: Oh, here's Houdini, okay, I'm sorry. Mr. Gary: To clear up the picture,Mayor and City Commission, in 77'.78 you budgeted 51 SEP 27197 apptokithate1y $2.3 million dollars for salary increases. This $2.3 Million included salary increases other than police and fire. That was for 315% and a 5% for General Employees. Now, what occurred was that you decided to give Tit retroactive to the last fiscal year for which we had no funds,as well as to give employees a 31% on top of their range. Now, the cost of that was approximately $1.5 million which left approximately $800,000, of that $800,000 $500,000 is in the General Fund, the other $300,000 is in Intergovernmental Fund and Enterprise Fund. That $500,000 was placed into Special Programs and Accounts as a reserve for salary negotiations. So, when you talk about $1.2 million being available, that's not necessarily so, for the mere fact that you gave or we gave money retroactive back to the last fiscal year for which no appropriation existed, which meant that that 315% retroactive had to eat into that 5% that was budgeted beginning effective the new fiscal year. Dr. Barry: Might I? One point I'd like to clarify is that this type of splitting off of little parts of the budget I think is distracting from the big budget picture. One of the pictures that's not brought out is the estimates of salary savings by the Administration above and beyond the $1.5 million that have been budgeted as high as $1.1 million greater than that. Now, their figures coming down more towards the correct figure. The salary savings are far in excess even with the raises than whatwas originally anticipated in the original budget. So that's another savings factor that's brought right out of the employees because of the attrition that they are to fill positions and the over -budgeting on day one which was brought to your attention by Mr. Jessup and myself. Also, this year there's over -budgeting on day one, if the Manager doesn't change the emphasis of the program and expand in the Administrative areas of operations by increasing salaries of top Administrators. Right now with the same people on board through 26 pay -periods there is a $700,000 surplus on day one and that factor by the way is something that bears almost the same relationship to the expected salary savings of a million this year as did the $1.3 million on day one last year to the $1.5 million that was anticipated in a budget. So, I'd just like to point out that one other thing also is what we call theory of the shelf budgeting in terms of capital project, of course, there's a laundry list of capital projects that's longer than probably could stretch from one end of this room to the other. The City of St. Petersburg has a list of capital projects they'd like to get into someday or other that's larger than any annual general fund budget. Now, what I'm getting at is that when all of a sudden it's discovered that there was money inappropriately appropriated to a particular thing in a capsule called Capital Improvements project they pulled two off the shelf, but all I'm arguing with you is that -or pointing out to you and arguing with someone else actually — is the point that those two other things that are pulled off the shelf have to be viewed in light of the whole priorities of the City and I think that you're the body to view those in terms of priorities, not just to have them sholved in in fact, the $1.8 million dollar reduction because of the oversight and the error by the Administration resulting at $2.4 million appropriation in their mind that they like to propose, so actually the error led to a larger proposed utilization of funds then had existed prior to the error. So, shelf budgeting has never been a good idea from the point of view of optimizing the social benefit from any type of an expenditure in the public sector. The other thing is this earmarking of that three million dollars for raises. Now, how much -.you've appropriated each year of the budget., how much has the overall general fund budget risen since 1975? Since 1970? It's totally erroneous of any School of Public Administration or Budgeting to say we're going to take these funds from the franchise fund they don't go into a Special Fund that says"this is reserved only for salaries" on it and it will increase every year to cover salaries, it goes into the hopper on the revenue side. There's a transfer into the General Fund and it's utilized for anything that those funds are needed to pay for, and it's very myopic and misleading I think of the Administration to say this three million dollars was only utilized for salaries for some reason in the hopper those three million dollars had large S's stamped on them which said"salary,"whereas a lot of the other millions of dollars didn't have any S's on them. And, to say that that now has grown to $3.6 million, well, how about something else? How about some of the Capital Improvements up in the Manager's Office, how much are they worth now today as they build year-after-year,after year? When you put it into the general revenue side of the General Fund it all gets mixed into a hopper and you can't 3-years later say,"oh, that $3.6 million is salary money"anymore than you can say a million dollars of the property taxes went to a particular use or so many hundred thousand dollars of license taxes went to a particular use,it all falls into the revenue side of the General Fund, it's not earmarked. So, what I'm saying is that it's another chain of horrors to say, "well that three million has now become $3.6 million." You've got expanding revenues, you've got declining revenues, you've got expanding expenditures, declining expenditures, and to grab one just a three million dollar item in the budget and say this one we can identify over a period of three years is really erroneous. 52 �■I1uI IIIII1IIIIIIIIIIIIII1111 Mayor Fette: Dr. Batty, I want to... I think we're just about finished here in about five or six minutes and I want to thank you for your fifteen minute statement. Dr. Barry: I'm always a man of my word. Mayor Ferre: I'm just about dead tired. I've been up since about $:00 A,M, this morning, I was up in New York and I had to go up to Connecticut and rushed down to a meeting and catch a plane to get here in time. Dr. Barry : May I just make one closing commen t,sir? (BACKGROUND COMMENT OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD) Mayor Ferre: Well, you know that's life,Ma'am,and you know, and we'll be hearing it again,this is not over tonight. We'll be having another public hearing, and usually our public hearing go for ten hours. Tonight it's not going to go r ten hours, tonight it's going io3f 00 Oiclockhours, the morning,don't lmmnsorry,I'm okay? just not in the mood to stay here unti Dr. Barry Can I make one more sentence Mr. Mayor, please, ... Mayor Ferre: Yes. Dr. Barry: ... and then I'll stand loose, I'm quite looking forward to it myself. I wondered when Mr. Grassie was talking to you a minute ago, whether in fact, he was saying to you, quote,"just to make sure that Father Gibson understands and all the City Commission understands the burden of what we're trying to show you this morning,because in fact no money has been found, that there is no new money. you do not lay off employees you'll absolutely end in a deficit." If that's what he's trying to say that's exactly what he said at meetand ing gfoonr ttheis quoof tes because October 1977 and you can check the minutes on page that's exactly what he said, and the one thing that just was passed out to you for your edification because it was claimed that the reasonfor rathe n court actigeontwarth's somehow a disruptive nature of Mr. Jessup and myself, you order on opening up public records and I challenge the Administration to show in there Judge Whitworth's comments concerning some kind of disruptive behaviour. The point of that particular court order is that the City immediately open up its records to the citizensrequired eby state slaw Taand dkthere is no comment in there that we caused the problem in getting Mayor Ferre: Dr. Barry, before you leave I want to make one statement to you and to the record, but I have a question I would request Mr. Manager. I'd like to have a comparative study of pay at Metropolitan Dade County, City of Hialeah and Miami, I think we're the thremore proressive intheir respectiveucategoriesssoothatlice, fire, general employees, sanitation Mrs. Gordon: Yes, but what are you talking about Maurice, top echelon and all the way ... Mayor Ferre: Yes, fine, okay, top echelon too, but I'm... Mr. Plummer: Maurice, I've got the book from the Florida League shows every major city... Mayor Ferre: Okay, but... wait, wait a minute... Dr. Barry: That book is a six months to a year old. Mayor Ferre: ... I want the Manager to... please, 1 (BACKGROUND COMMENTS...) Mayor Ferre: Excuse me,.. Mr. Plummer: I have a new one. Dr. Barry: The new's wrong. Mayor Ferre: Excuse me. Dr. Barry: It is. Mayor Ferre: Excuse me, I'd like Mr. Manager for you to synthesize. I'm not interested in Tampa, Jacksonville, or Orlando. We all know that they pay substantially under Dade County and I don't want to go to Atlanta, or Biloxi 53 Of' you know, New Orleans, or any other city, Charleston or any other city in the south because I know they all pay less than the City of Miami, so I'm not interested in that, but I would like to know the differential between Metro, Hialeah, and the City of Miami in major categories and also in Administrative Positions if you wish, if you want to put that down and I'd like to have that include the recent negotiations because I understand some negotiations have now concluded. As to where we stand now and taking into the Dade County negotiations, that's my request. Mrs. Gordon: When do you want them to do that? Mayor Ferre: Well, as soon as possible, certainly, we're not going... Mts. Gordon: Tomorrow morning? Mayor Ferre: .., we're not going to finalize this until we have that kind of information as far as whatever negotiations ... but here's what I wanted to say, Charlie Hall and Chuck Salerno and Tony Fontana went to see me and others in 1967 to ask me to vote for the right of the Firefighters to be able to bargain with municipalities and I voted for that then and I don't regret it, and I voted and have voted and would vote for the right of collective bargaining for all governmental employees and I'm a firm believer of it and the thing that brings it to mind is that I got a letter from several of the Senators in Puerto Rico asking me what experience was and would I recommend it. and I'm mine+ to tell you what I'm going to answer him. I'm going to answer him absolutely it's the best thing that could happen to any government and I'll tell you why, when I started here in this Commission there was no question that for the most part the employees of this City were looking for Civil Service to protect them on the one side,and on the other side,this Commission really was like so to speak the court of last resort, and you know, even though we tried and none of these lady and gentlemen were on the Commission at that time , I'm talking up through 1970 and they've tried since and we all tried but in those particular yearsit was Steve Clark and Dave Kennedy and Athalie Range and Irwin Christie•You know, it was a special obligation, we had to go out and fight with Mel Reese and try to get this and try to vet that and as much as we tried we didn't do half or one-third,or one -tenth as good a job as Mr. Sherman and the respective counterparts that represent the Police ;:!nion, Fire Union, and General Employees in bringing forward expert testimony of people that are respected and can bring up that kind of information. And, that's the way it should be because it isn't that we're antagonistsbut there's no question that you cannot expect for the Manager to represent the employees' position ,and you really can't expect for Civil Service to be that much of a protective element,and you really can't expect for this Commission to do that job either, as much as we try it. And, I think that I am very proud of the way this City... the way we're structured now, because you have right now, the proper representation employees have the way it should've always 40, been in a collective bargaining process in an organized way that you don't represent anybody but the employees, you represent, and that's great, that's the way it should be, of course you have the City in mind, and of course you have the citizens in mind,but your firstresponsibility is to the employees. and that puts the Manager in a position where his first responsibility is to the Administration, and that leaves the City of Miami Commission with a responsibility it should always have had and that is to the citizens of Miami . So,we look forward to seeing you. See you tomorrow. Mr. Sherman: Mr. Mayor, may I approach the Commission tomorrow to continue my discussion on this 5% and 3'%? Mayor Ferre: Sure. Mr. Sherman: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. ADJOURNMENT THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE CITY COMMISC ON MOTION DULY MADE AND SECONDED, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT RALPH G. ONGIE CITY CLERK MATTY HIRAI ASSISTANT CITY CLERK MAURICE A. FERRE MAYOR 54