Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2008-06-05 MinutesCity of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Meeting Minutes Thursday, June 5, 2008 9:00 AM SPECIAL City Hall Commission Chambers City Commission Manuel A. Diaz, Mayor Joe Sanchez, Chair Michelle Spence -Jones, Vice -Chair Angel Gonzalez, Commissioner District One Marc David Sarnoff, Commissioner District Two Tomas Regalado, Commissioner District Four Pedro G. Hernandez, City Manager Julie 0 Bru, City Attorney Priscilla A. Thompson, City Clerk City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 9:00 A.M. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Present: Commissioner Gonzalez, Chair Sanchez, Commissioner Regalado and Vice Chair Spence -Jones Absent: Commissioner Sarnoff On the 5th day of June 2008, the City Commission of the City ofMiami, Florida, met at its regular meeting place in City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida, in special session. The meeting was called to order by Chair Joe Sanchez at 9:20 a.m. and adjourned at 11:36 a.m. Note for the Record: Commissioner Gonzalez entered the Commission chambers at 9:24 a.m. ALSO PRESENT: Julie O. Bru, City Attorney Pedro G. Hernandez, City Manager Priscilla A. Thompson, City Clerk Pamela E. Burns, Assistant City Clerk Chair Sanchez: At this time, what we'll do is we'll go ahead and have the invocation, followed by the pledge of allegiance, and we'll proceed the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) public hearing. Please rise and bow your heads as we pray. The pledge of allegiance will be done by Commissioner Regalado. Invocation and pledge of allegiance delivered. Order of the Day Chair Sanchez: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the City ofMiami chambers, our historical City ofMiami chambers. Want to take this opportunity to welcome you to the June 5, 208 [sic] special meeting of the City ofMiami Commission in these historic chambers. The members of the City Commission are Michelle Spence Jones, the Vice Chair, Tomas Regalado -- Commissioner Tomas Regalado, Commissioner Angel Gonzalez. It is my understanding that Commissioner Marc Sarnoff will not be present, and myself as your Chair. Also on the dais is City Manager, Pete Hernandez, and our City Attorney, Julie O. Bru. Also, our City Clerk is present. This meeting was properly advertised here at City Hall for this date. We also have a CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting right -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: No. It's not a C -- Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Chair. Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): Chair, it's a special meeting for a CRA item -- Chair Sanchez: Right. Ms. Bru: -- but it's not a CRA meeting. It's a meeting -- Chair Sanchez: Okay. It's a special meeting. Ms. Bru: -- of this Commission. Chair Sanchez: Okay. Ms. Bru: Yes. City ofMiami Page 2 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 SP.1 08-00558 Department of Community Development Chair Sanchez: These special meetings of the City ofMiami Commission has been called to consider only the items that have been advertised, specifically the items in the first meeting pertaining to Department of Community Development. The second meeting will consider the extension request of Wagner Square, LLC (Limited Liability Company), pertaining to the construction date and the execution of the second amendment between the City, County, Midtown Miami Development District, Midtown Miami CRA, amending Section 3.3.1 and certain other provisions of the interlocal agreement. "[Later...]" Chair Sanchez: All right. As always, any person who acts as a lobbyist, pursuant to our City ordinance, must register as a lobbyist with our City Clerk. We ask that all those that will address this Commission, when you come up, please clearly state your name and address for the record. Also, today the City ofMiami starts live via Internet, and the City Clerk has given me certain instructions to follow. And first thing that we need to do is let her know when we're going to start the meeting so she could properly document and keep good records. Also, I ask each Commissioner, when you speak on an item, that it be that item that we're speaking on. As the Chair, I have to specifically state the item that we are discussing. Then we will vote on the issue and then I have to clearly state the item that we voted on for the sake of maintaining proper records. Those are the new procedures that we must follow as the world will have its eyes on Miami through Internet and technology nowadays. So Madam Clerk, we will work with you to make sure that all documents are properly maintained on the record. Ms. Thompson: Chair, ifI may make one more request of you, please? Chair Sanchez: Yes, ma'am. You're recognized for the record. Ms. Thompson: We need to make sure that all of those speaking before the Commission today also fill in a sign -in sheet. We need those for the record to have the complete record for CDBG (Community Development Block Grant). Chair Sanchez: All right. Ladies and gentlemen, each and every one of you who will be addressing this legislative body, we ask that you approach the City Clerk. One of her staff will provide you a form which you must fill out. It's a very simple form. You fill that form out, and then I would be able to call you up for the record to speak. So please do that if you have not done that, and we thank you for your cooperation on this. All right. This is a public hearing, CDBG. It has been properly advertised. Madam Clerk, for the record, these meetings have been properly advertised. Ms. Thompson: That is correct. Chair Sanchez: All right. Once again, all Commissioners are present except Commissioner Marc Sarnoff who apparently is not here. I think he's in trial, if I'm not mistaken. That's what I was told. PUBLIC HEARINGS Minutes are transcribed verbatim. Periodically, agenda items are revisited during a meeting. "[Later...]" refers to discussions that were interrupted and later continued. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING THE CITY OF MIAMI'S ("CITY") ANNUAL PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY ("PHA") PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009, City ofMiami Page 3 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, IN CONNECTION WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE CITY'S SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT THE ANNUAL PHA PLAN FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ("U.S. HUD") FOR THE CITY'S CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN SAID PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS AND CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR SUBMISSION OF THE CITY'S PHA PLAN TO U.S. HUD. 08-00558 Legislation.pdf 08-00558 Exhibit.pdf 08-00558 Summary Form.pdf 08-00558 Public Notice.pdf Motion by Commissioner Gonzalez, seconded by Vice Chair Spence -Jones, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Spence -Jones Absent: 1 - Commissioner Sarnoff R-08-0298 Chair Sanchez: So we'll go ahead and start with the first item. The first item on the agenda this morning is SP.1. Executive [sic] Director, you're recognized for the record on item SP.1. George Mensah: Mr. Chair, members of the City Commission, this is George Mensah, director of Community -- Department of Community Development. SP.1 is a resolution of the Miami City Commission, with attachments, approving the City ofMiami's annual Public Housing Agency (PHA) Plan for fiscal year 2008 to 2009, attached and incorporated, in connection with the implementation and administration of the City Section 8 housing choice voucher program; authorizing the City Manager to submit the annual PHA Plan for review and approval of US HUD (United States Department of Housing and Urban Development). Chair Sanchez: All right. This is a routine. We must submit the annual PHA Plan for review and approval by HUD, the City, to continue the programs. And therefore, that's what we're here today. All right. This is a -- SP.1 is a resolution. Before we bring it to the Commission, anyone from the public wishing to address this Commission on this resolution -- it is a public hearing -- please come forward and speak. Seeing no one, hearing no one, the public hearing is closed; it comes back to the Commission. Commissioner Gonzalez: I'll move SP.1. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Second. Chair Sanchez: All right. The item is under discussion. Any questions pertaining to this item? I just have a question on this. According to CD (Community Development), is this countywide? Mr. Mensah: I didn't hear the question, Chair. Chair Sanchez: Is this countywide? Mr. Mensah: No, this is not countywide. This is the City ofMiami list. Chair Sanchez: It's citywide. How many are in the waiting list? Mr. Mensah: We have more than -- I don't have the exact numbers, but I know we have more City ofMiami Page 4 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 than 10,000 people on the waiting list. Chair Sanchez: That's just the City's waiting list. Mr. Mensah: That's just the City's waiting list. Chair Sanchez: The County is anywhere around 68 to 70,000 -- Mr. Mensah: To 70,000. Chair Sanchez: -- ifI'm not mistaken. Mr. Mensah: Yes, Mr. Chair. Chair Sanchez: So it clearly shows the need that we have in our community. When do we do anticipate the -- opening the waiting list again? Mr. Mensah: Usually, we do it in a three-year round. After maybe three years, the list becomes stale, and then we advertise again and get a new list. Chair Sanchez: Do you, as the executive [sic] director, think that we do an adequate job in informing the public as to when the list is going to be opened? Mr. Mensah: Yes, I think we do. Before we advertise the list, we send it out to all our NET (Neighborhood Enhancement Team) offices; we advertise in the newspapers, and we give them at least 30 days for them to see before we request the application, so we do give an adequate notice. And that is the reason why we have so many people on the waiting list because everybody knows about it. Chair Sanchez: Okay. Any further question -- Commissioner Regalado: Yeah. Chair Sanchez: -- on item number 1? Commissioner Regalado, you're recognized. Commissioner Regalado: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. When would we know if we have the ability to take on County cases and more funding? Because, as you know, the County has gone through, in the last nine months, trying times; three bosses from Washington, and there is a backlog even in payment to property owners that have Section 8. And is it possible that we can take on cases from the County or funding from the County so we can alleviate our waiting list or the County's waiting list? Mr. Mensah: Commissioner, this is something that we'll be working on. We've been in contact with our consultant who will help us analyze our capacity and our ability to take on additional vouchers. So once we realize that we have the capacity without adding additional staff then we'll probably negotiate with HUD because only HUD can allow a transfer of cases to take place in the City ofMiami, then we will talk to HUD and see the possibility of transferring cases to the City. Commissioner Regalado: Okay. Chair Sanchez: All right. No further questions on the item. There was a motion and a second for the record on SP.1. All in favor, say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. City ofMiami Page 5 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 SP.2 08-00560 Department of Community Development Chair Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." SP.1 has been approved, 4/0, Madam Clerk. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF SECTION 8 MODERATE REHABILITATION HOUSING PROGRAM FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,307,482.27 FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE, AND IN THE AMOUNT OF $437,546.80 FOR PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION, FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $4,745,029.07, FROM FISCAL YEAR 2008 ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FOR SAID PURPOSE. 08-00560 Legislation.pdf 08-00560 Summary Form.pdf 08-00560 Public Notice.pdf 08-00560-Submittal-Section 8 List.pdf Motion by Commissioner Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Spence -Jones Absent: 1 - Commissioner Sarnoff R-08-0299 Chair Sanchez: We move on to the next item on the agenda, SP. 2. George Mensah (Director, Community Development): SP.2 is a resolution of the Miami City Commission authorizing the acceptance of Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Housing Program funds, in the amount of $4.3 million, for rental assistance, and the amount of $437, 546 for program administration, for the total amount of $4, 745, 029, from fiscal year 2008 annual contributions from US HUD (United States Department of Housing and Urban Development). Chair Sanchez: All right. Before -- can we get a motion and a second on this? Commissioner Gonzalez: Move it. Commissioner Regalado: Move it. Chair Sanchez: For the record -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Second. Chair Sanchez: -- the motion has been made on SP.2 by Commissioner Gonzalez, second by Commissioner Regalado. Before we open it up for discussion, it is a public hearing. Anyone wishing to address this item, please step forward and be recognized. Seeing no one, the public hearing is closed, coming back to the Commission on discussion. Any questions pertaining to SP.2? It's my understanding we have a waiting list of about 416 individuals, no? Mr. Mensah: Yes, we do. And we have the list of all the properties that's available, and we'll provide it to you after the meeting. City ofMiami Page 6 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Chair Sanchez: And this basically, it approves the -- accepting the Section 8 moderate rehab housing program fund? Mr. Mensah: Yes. Chair Sanchez: Okay. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: And Mr. Mensah -- sorry, Mr. Chair. Chair Sanchez: I would yield to you if you have a question. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Not -- and I know that in our briefings yesterday you were going to provide us with the existing projects that have already been done throughout the City, right? Mr. Mensah: Yes. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. I just want to make sure that we get a copy of that. Chair Sanchez: I requested -- and I know that I requested it a couple of days and -- Mr. Mensah: Yes. We have -- Chair Sanchez: -- you should have had ample time to work on it, but if you could provide -- Mr. Mensah: -- a list -- Chair Sanchez: -- me with the list of everyone in the City who is under this program -- Mr. Mensah: Yes. We have that -- Chair Sanchez: -- waiting as broken down into districts. Mr. Mensah: -- list right here, and I think -- I believe it to be going around. Chair Sanchez: Okay. All right. Any further questions? Commissioner Regalado. Commissioner Regalado: Briefly. This also is for home rehab, for residential home rehab? Mr. Mensah: No, Commissioner. This is -- Commissioner Regalado: And -- Mr. Mensah: -- just for the project -based Section 8 program. Commissioner Regalado: Right. I understand that, but in terms of home rehab, do we have the capacity to still do that program? Mr. Mensah: Yes, we do. Commissioner Regalado: What are -- are there new regulations for home rehab that --? Because people are having a hard time going through the motions in order to get the grant for the City. Mr. Mensah: We've not been able to get that information that require having a hard time. We -- our program is the same; it hasn't changed, and we have various parameters that they have to City ofMiami Page 7 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 SP.3 08-00559 Department of Community Development meet to be able to get a grant. As you know, these parameters are all from US HUD and the State of Florida, and we abide by those regulations. So if they don't meet those guidelines, then what we do, we work with them to see what we can assist them, enable to make them -- Commissioner Regalado: What -- Mr. Mensah: -- reach those guidelines. Commissioner Regalado: -- is the ratio of approval of 100 applicants? Mr. Mensah: I would say probably 99 percent. We really work with them. Except for those who apply and are not living in the City of Miami, almost everyone that we take on the application almost get approved because we -- this is not like a bank, so we rarely look at the person's ability to make their payment. After that -- I mean, that's it. Because this is not a loan where they have to make any payments to, so we're very relaxed in terms of providing this assistance. Commissioner Regalado: Thank you. Thank you, Chairman. Chair Sanchez: All right. No further question on SP.2. At this time, we will be voting on SP.2. It is a resolution. All in favor, say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Motion carries. And for the record, SP.2 has been approved, 4/0, Madam Clerk. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF STATE HOUSING INITIATIVES PARTNERSHIP FUNDS, IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $2,216,228, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009; ALLOCATING SAID FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,994,605, FOR HOUSING ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE SINGLE FAMILY REHABILITATION, SINGLE FAMILY REPLACEMENT HOMES, HOMEBUYERS FINANCING AND HOMEOWNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE PLAN, AND IN THE AMOUNT OF $221,623, FOR PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FOR SAID PURPOSE. 08-00559 Legislation.pdf 08-00559 Summary Form.pdf 08-00559 Public Notice.pdf 08-00559 Letter.pdf 08-00559 Pre legislation.pdf 08-00559 Housing Plan.pdf Motion by Commissioner Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Spence -Jones Absent: 1 - Commissioner Sarnoff R-08-0300 Chair Sanchez: Next item on the agenda, SP.3. City ofMiami Page 8 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 SP.4 08-00552 Department of Community Development George Mensah (Director, Community Development): SP.3 is a resolution of the Miami City Commission authorizing the acceptance of State Housing Initiative Partnership funds, in the total amount of $2,216,228, for fiscal year 2008 to 2009; allocating said funds, in the amount of 1,994, 605, for housing activities, including, but not limited to, the Single Family Rehabilitation, Single Family Replacement Homes, Homebuyer [sic] Financing, and Homeownership Development Programs, for the implementation of the Local Housing Assistance Plan for -- in the amount of -- and 221, 623 for program administration. Commissioner Gonzalez: Move it -- Chair Sanchez: All right. Commissioner Gonzalez: -- SP.3. Chair Sanchez: There is a motion by Commissioner Gonzalez. Need a second. Commissioner Regalado: Second. Chair Sanchez: Second by Commissioner Regalado. Before we open it up for discussion, it's a public hearing. Anyone from the public wishing to address this item, please step forward and be recognized. Seeing no one, the public hearing is closed, coming back to the Commission. Any question on SP.3, which is a resolution? Director. Mr. Mensah: Yes. Chair Sanchez: This is SHIP (State Housing Initiative Partnership Program) money. This is State money that we receive, and we're projected the amount of about 2.2, correct? Mr. Mensah: Yes, Mr. Chair. Chair Sanchez: All right. This is for single family rehab and replacement? Mr. Mensah: Mostly, yes. Chair Sanchez: Okay. How are we distributing these funds to each of those categories? Mr. Mensah: These funds are basically -- even though we have these categories here, they are basically used for single family rehabilitation and replacement home programs. So almost all of it will go to that category -- those two categories. Chair Sanchez: Okay. All right. Any further questions? If not, we're going to vote on SP.3, which is a resolution. All in favor, say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay" Madam Clerk, SP. 3 has been approved, 4/0. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ENTITLEMENT GRANT FUNDS, IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $25,406,036, IN THE AMOUNTS AS STATED HEREIN, FOR THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT, HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS, AMERICAN DREAM City ofMiami Page 9 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 DOWNPAYMENT INITIATIVE, HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS, AND THE EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THE ACCEPTANCE OF SAID GRANT FUNDS FOR SAID PURPOSE. 08-00552 Legislation.pdf 08-00552 Summary Form.pdf 08-00552 Public Notice.pdf Motion by Commissioner Gonzalez, seconded by Vice Chair Spence -Jones, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Spence -Jones Absent: 1 - Commissioner Sarnoff SP.5 08-00554 Department of Community Development R-08-0301 Chair Sanchez: Next item on the agenda is SP.4. SP.4 is a routine item, accepting HUD (Housing and Urban Development) grants. George Mensah (Director, Community Development): Yes, Mr. Chair. It's an item accepting HUD grants, in the amount of $25, 406, 036, from the Community Development Block Grant, Home Investment Partnerships, American Dream Downpayment Initiative, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), and the Emergency Shelter Grant, for fiscal year 2008-2009. Chair Sanchez: All right. That's 25 million, correct? Mr. Mensah: Yes. Chair Sanchez: All right. Let's get a motion. Commissioner Gonzalez: Move SP.4. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Second. Chair Sanchez: Motion by Commissioner Gonzalez, second by Vice Chair Spence Jones. Before we discuss the item, it is a public hearing. Anyone from the public wishing to speak on this item? Seeing no one, the public hearing is closed, and it comes back to the Commission. Any discussion on this item? Hearing no discussion on this resolution, we [sic] voting on SP.4. All in favor, say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay" Motion carries. For the record, SP.4 has been approved, 4/0. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM ("HOME") FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,475,258, FOR HOUSING PROGRAMS, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009, IN THE CATEGORIES AS SPECIFIED IN ATTACHMENT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO City ofMiami Page 10 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THE ACCEPTANCE OF SAID FUNDS. 08-00554 Legislation.pdf 08-00554 Exhibit.pdf 08-00554 Summary Form.pdf 08-00554 Public Notice.pdf Motion by Commissioner Gonzalez, seconded by Vice Chair Spence -Jones, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Spence -Jones Absent: 1 - Commissioner Sarnoff R-08-0302 Chair Sanchez: Next item on the agenda, SP.5. George Mensah (Director, Community Development): SP.5 is a resolution of the Miami City Commission, with attachments, authorizing the allocation of Home Investment Partnership [sic] Program funds, in the amount of 4,475,258 for housing programs for fiscal year 2008-2009, and the categories are as attached. Chair Sanchez: All right. Need a motion and a second. Commissioner Gonzalez: Move it. Chair Sanchez: Motion -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Second. Chair Sanchez: -- by Commissioner Gonzalez, second by Vice Chair Spence -Jones. Before we open it up for discussion, it's a resolution. We're on SP.5. Anyone from the public wishing to address this item, please step forward. Seeing no one, for the record, the public hearing is closed, coming back to the Commission. Any questions on SP.5, which is a resolution? Commissioner Regalado: No question. Chair Sanchez: I have a question. Director, this is -- out of this, District 1 homeownership is starting. They get allocated 1.5 from that. Mr. Mensah: Yes, Mr. Chair. Chair Sanchez: Okay. And then -- no. They get -- yeah. They get -- Mr. Mensah: One point five -- Chair Sanchez: -- 1.5. Mr. Mensah: -- million dollars, yes. Chair Sanchez: And then you're putting a million dollar [sic] towards the down payment assistance -- Mr. Mensah: Yes. Chair Sanchez: -- and then 1.5 for other housing programs. City ofMiami Page 11 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 SP.6 08-00555 Department of Community Development Mr. Mensah: Yes, Mr. Chair. Chair Sanchez: My question is not pertaining to District 1 'cause I know how that works. We have experience on our Little Havana Homeownership. Is this on a first come, first served basis? Mr. Mensah: On your down payment, it's on first come, first served basis, yes. And we do advertise it before we start taking applications. Chair Sanchez: All right. Any further questions on SP.5? No questions on SP.5. It's a resolution. All in favor, say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Madam Clerk, SP.5 has been approved, 4/0. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF AMERICAN DREAM DOWNPAYMENT INITIATIVE FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,682, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009, FOR THE FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER DOWN -PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THE ACCEPTANCE OF SAID GRANT FUNDS. 08-00555 Legislation.pdf 08-00555 Summary Form.pdf 08-00555 Public Notice.pdf Motion by Commissioner Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Spence -Jones Absent: 1 - Commissioner Sarnoff R-08-0303 Direction by Commissioner Regalado to the Administration for the City's lobbying team or its Congressional delegation to determine the criteria for the allocation ofAmerican Dream Downpayment (ADD) Initiative funds. Chair Sanchez: We move on to the next item, which is SP.6. SP.6 is allocation for first-time homebuyers down payment program. George Mensah (Director, Community Development): SP.6 is a resolution of the Miami City Commission authorizing the allocation ofAmerican Dream Downpayment Initiative funds, in the amount of $27,682, for fiscal year 2008-2009, for the First Time Homebuyer Down -Payment Assistance Program. Chair Sanchez: All right. Can we get a motion on that? Commissioner Gonzalez: I'll move it with -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Second. Commissioner Gonzalez: -- a comment. City ofMiami Page 12 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Chair Sanchez: Okay. Commissioner Regalado: Second. Chair Sanchez: There's a motion and a -- Commissioner Regalado: Comment. Chair Sanchez: -- second for the purpose of discussion. The motion was made by Commissioner Gonzalez, second by Commissioner Regalado. Before we discuss the item, it is a public hearing. Anyone from the public wishing to address this item, please step forward and be recognized. Seeing no one, the public hearing is closed; it comes back to the Commission for discussion. Commissioner Gonzalez, you're recognized for the record. Commissioner Gonzalez: You know, I just want to put on the record that this is really a joke; $27, 000 for a program to fund first-time buyers. The things that we have seen being done by US HUD (United States Department of Housing and Urban Development) lately in reference to the poorest -- the poor people of this country and the poor people of this county and this city are totally, totally ridiculous. How can you fund a program for first-time homebuyers assistance with $27,000? What are they trying to do? Are they trying to help one homebuyer, or are they planning on having a tent sale at Sears, maybe at a thousand dollars and then provide 27,000 home -- tents for 27,000 families? I mean, this is ridiculous. This is outrageous. I mean, it's a shame that they spend the amounts of money that they spend in everything, you know, throwing money out of the window on that war that they are taking on and -- you know, in Iraq and spending money on so many other programs, and on the real needs of the poor people of this country, this is what they do, fund $27, 000. Let me tell you, my motion -- or my opinion would be that if it were in my powers, I would write up a check and send them back the $27, 000 and tell them to buy 27,000 tents and send them down to Miami so we can distribute them in case of a hurricane. Thank you. Chair Sanchez: All right. Anyone else on this? Commissioner Regalado. Commissioner Regalado: Is this because of distribution by population? Mr. Mensah: Yes. But also, this is the program that was initiated by the current federal administration, and the idea was to help increase the homeownership rate. It started out -- I think the first time we probably started out getting somewhere in the neighborhood of $600, 000, and it dwindled down to this amount. Usually, this amount is added to our HOME allocation so that we can distribute it. With this particular amount -- the maximum amount any person can get is $10, 000, so with $27,000, we can only help three people at the most. Commissioner Regalado: But still, does the County get their share? Mr. Mensah: The County do get their share, yes. Commissioner Regalado: Do you know how much they got? Mr. Mensah: No, I don't, but it definitely will be more than $27, 000. Commissioner Regalado: Right, but still, we have the capacity to help people, first-time homebuyers, right? Mr. Mensah: Yes. In the City ofMiami, yes. City ofMiami Page 13 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Commissioner Regalado: But with what money, still federal or state? Mr. Mensah: Federal, we have -- as you know, in the previous allocation on the HOME program, we allocated $1 million for down payment assistance. That is basically what we use to help individuals. Commissioner Regalado: Okay. So this program is dwindling. Mr. Mensah: Yes, it is. Commissioner Regalado: Is it in the budget for next year, on the federal budget? Mr. Mensah: I think it was funded, but probably, it's either at the same level or less because what we have seen is that it keep going down every year. Commissioner Regalado: Okay. Thank you. Chair Sanchez: Well, I feel the same way as Commissioner Gonzalez on this. It -- you know, shame on the federal government. Commissioner Gonzalez: You know, and it's not only in reference to housing. I mean, you know, they keep squeezing and squeezing and squeezing, you know, even the agencies that do facade treatment; every single week, they come up with more regulations and more -- and make the -- each program more difficult and more difficult and more difficult, you know. I mean, without recognizing the need that we have in the city and in the county, and they're not doing anything to help out. This is ridiculous. I mean, they know the problem that is in the market now with buying housing. They know the problem with the mortgages. They know the crisis that the country's going through. They know that the need that there is throughout the country in reference to affordable housing, and look what they fund. I mean, it's totally outrageous. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Well -- Mr. Chairman, well, hopefully, this coming November, we'll have an open mind and a open heart -- Commissioner Gonzalez: I hope so. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: -- for change. Chair Sanchez: No. We'll see next coming November -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Chair Sanchez: -- when we first get our allocated back -- money coming back. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Right. We need to work hard to -- Chair Sanchez: But it -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: -- make sure we do. Chair Sanchez: -- but even the title is shameful. If you look at the title, it says the American Dream Downpayment Initiative. Commissioner Gonzalez: Yeah. Chair Sanchez: It really doesn't give people too much to dream about. City ofMiami Page 14 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Mr. Mensah: No. Chair Sanchez: It doesn't. Commissioner Gonzalez: Actually, it's a nightmare. Chair Sanchez: All right. So, listen, got to vote on this issue. All right. There's a motion and a second. The item has been discussed. It was opened up to the public. All in favor, say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." SP.6, how shameful it may be, it was approved, 4/0. Mr. Mensah: Mr. Chair, just for information, I guess (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that says that Miami -Dade got $35,587. Commissioner Regalado: So it's not by population. Mr. Mensah: It's not much either, no. Commissioner Regalado: No, but it's not by population -- Mr. Mensah: No. It doesn't look so. Commissioner Regalado: -- because that would be -- Mr. Mensah: It would be definitely more. Commissioner Regalado: -- two million and a half. Mr. Mensah: Yes. Commissioner Regalado: So it's got to be some ratio that they are having in effect, and I think that we should direct the City's lobbying team or the Miami congressional delegation at least to find out how -- what is the criteria because if the County gets thirty -something and we get twenty -seven -something, it means that we have the ability or the capacity to get more money because we're considered in more need even than the County. Mr. Mensah: Probably that is right, but Commissioner, the thing is that -- I think that if we're going to put our resources in looking for more money, this particular program is not where we should 'cause for $35, 000 and so -- I mean, it really is not -- I think that if we're going to challenge US HUD on the allocations, then my recommendation will be to challenge them on either the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Program or the HOME (Home Investment Partnership Program) Program, where we can get -- Commissioner Regalado: No. I understand that -- Mr. Mensah: Okay. Commissioner Regalado: -- but the point that we're trying to make here is that this is a smokescreen program. The federal government has a program and they just throw a bone to the poorest city in the United States just to say that they have a program, so we need to let them know that we know that it's a smokescreen. City ofMiami Page 15 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 SP.7 08-00557 Department of Community Development Mr. Mensah: Okay. I understand. Chair Sanchez: Madam Clerk, for the record, that discussion was pertaining to SP.6, which we voted on and it passed, 4/0. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT ("ESG") FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009, IN THE AMOUNT OF $352,693, TO THE CITY OF MIAMI HOMELESS PROGRAM, NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM AND THE AMOUNT OF $10,908, TO THE CITY OF MIAMI DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF GRANT -RELATED ACTIVITIES, FOR A TOTAL ALLOCATION OF $363,601; DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT A MULTI -YEAR WAIVER REQUEST TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT TO INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE OF ESG FUNDS THAT CAN BE USED FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THE ACCEPTANCE OF SAID FUNDS. 08-00557 Legislation.pdf 08-00557 Summary Form.pdf 08-00557 Public Notice.pdf Motion by Commissioner Gonzalez, seconded by Vice Chair Spence -Jones, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Spence -Jones Absent: 1 - Commissioner Sarnoff R-08-0304 Direction by Vice Chair Spence -Jones to the Administration to provide a report on the goals and success of the City's Homeless Program, and its plan to address the growing homeless population due to the current economic situation. Chair Sanchez: We move on to the next item on the agenda, which is SP.7. SP.7 is allocation money by categories. George Mensah (Director, Community Development): No. SP.7 -- Chair Sanchez: I'm sorry. Mr. Mensah: -- is -- Chair Sanchez: Yeah. I turned the wrong page. SP.7, the allocation of Homeless Program. This program runs well, and I believe they're doing a good job. Mr. Mensah: Yes. Yes, they do. SP.7 is a resolution of the Miami City Commission, authorizing the allocation of Emergency Shelter Grant, which is commonly referred to as ESG (Emergency Shelter Grant) funds, in the amount of 352, 693, to the City ofMiami Homeless Program for the Neighborhood Enhancement Team, and in the amount of 10,908, to the City ofMiami Department of Community Development, for administration. City ofMiami Page 16 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Second. Chair Sanchez: All right. We need a motion and a second. Commissioner Gonzalez: Yeah. I move it. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: (INAUDIBLE). Chair Sanchez: There's a motion by Commissioner Gonzalez -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Second for discussion. Chair Sanchez: -- second by Vice Chair Spence -Jones. Before we open it up for discussion, is there anyone from the public wishing to address this item? We're on SP.7. The public hearing is opened. Anyone from the public wishing to address this item, please step forward. Seeing no one, hearing no one, the public hearing is closed; it comes back to the Commission for discussion. Vice Chair Spence -Jones, you're recognized for the record. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Yes, Mr. Chairman. Your statement earlier was absolutely correct. The project has been very successful the last couple of years that we've been doing it. The only thing that would request is that we get an actual report on the success of the program, and also, I would like to understand kind of the goal -- I don't know if NET (Neighborhood Enhancement Team) is here now, but the goal of the actual Green Shirts Program. What I'm seeing happening now with the issue of what's going on with the economy, we're starting to see a rise, especially within my district, outside of the Overtown and downtown areas, which most of the Green Shirts work -- kind of where -- that's kind of where they focus most of their energies on is the downtown area and the Overtown area because that's where the larger homeless population is, but now what we're starting to see because of what's happening in the market or in the area or in the City, I'm starting to see more homeless people in Liberty City, more homeless people in Little Haiti. It's growing, so I'm just wondering -- or I'd like to get, at least from the NET -- not now, but just give us a report on what is the plan for this year to address that growing population. And it's only going to get worse with the economy being in the -- in its current state. Pedro G. Hernandez (City Manager): Commissioner, we'll provide that report. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Chair Sanchez: All right. Any further -- Commissioner Regalado: Chairman. Chair Sanchez: -- discussion, questions? Commissioner Regalado: Chairman. Chair Sanchez: Commissioner Regalado, you're recognized. Commissioner Regalado: Thank you. Is this -- does this include the jail watch program? David Rosemond: Good morning. David Rosemond, NET Administration. I'm sorry, Commissioner. I was engaged in another conversation. Commissioner Regalado: The program that the Homeless Trust approved for the City to do jail watch and counsel the prisoners that are released -- City ofMiami Page 17 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Mr. Rosemond: Right. Commissioner Regalado: -- out of jail. Mr. Rosemond: We are very excited, Commissioner, that we have -- we will be bringing to Commission next week approval of a grant of about $350, 000 a year that would allow us to have outreach workers inside of the jails and in the hospitals. So anyone that is being released from any of those institutions who do not have a home will be able to be captured at that point and will be able to be placed at a temporary shelter avoiding us many of the problems that you see in Overtown, where people are released from jail; they just go down 14th Street and happen to become homeless again and commit other crimes. So we will be having an intervention program that we feel is going to address in a great impact and great efficiency some of those problems that we have seen in terms of people who are released from jail who are either drug -addicted or have mental illnesses and the courts do not have places for them from within the jail system, we will be able to address them. So, you know, we are very excited at this program, and you will have an opportunity to vote on this on the 12th. Commissioner Regalado: And it would begin? Mr. Rosemond: Immediately. We are being funded for the last four months, June, July, August, and September, so by the time that this proposal comes before you on the 12th, next Thursday, we would already been having all of the details laid out so that we can begin expeditiously. Commissioner Regalado: No. It was approved, as you know, by the Homeless Trust -- Mr. Rosemond: Right. Commissioner Regalado: -- so I think we're ready to go, and I think that it's important that you get a report to all the members of -- Mr. Rosemond: Absolutely. Commissioner Regalado: -- the Commission. I know that we are going to get a report on the Homeless Trust, and hopefully, that would close a gap that we have with the homeless -- Mr. Rosemond: And -- Commissioner Regalado: -- population, either going north to Allapattah or south to -- Mr. Rosemond: Or to -- Commissioner Regalado: -- to Little Havana -- Mr. Rosemond: Right. Commissioner Regalado: -- or east to Overtown after they're released from jail. So I think it's a good pilot program. It was pilot -- it was mirror to one of the programs in Denver, Colorado and other cities, and it had work, jail watch. Thank you. Mr. Rosemond: Thank you. Chair Sanchez: Questions? Director, I have a question. As all the money that we receive from the federal government, they come with restrictions. I see here that this budget is contingent upon US HUD (United States Department of Housing and Urban Development) approving a waiver for essential services. Could you explain that? City ofMiami Page 18 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 SP.8 08-00556 Department of Community Development Mr. Mensah: Yes. The way we use the funds require us to have a waiver. And usually, every year we go to US HUD and ask for a waiver to use the funds that way, and we've always had success in doing that. Chair Sanchez: We've always been successful in getting -- Mr. Mensah: In getting the waiver. Chair Sanchez: -- that waiver? Mr. Mensah: Yes. Chair Sanchez: Okay. Based on those guidelines, we could only dedicate to essential services, what, 30 percent? Not -- explain that to me, the 30 percent. Commissioner Gonzalez: To what? Mr. Mensah: I'm not -- Chair Sanchez: The 30 percent. The program guidelines for ESG programs limit the amount of funds that could be dedicated for essential services to 30 percent. Mr. Mensah: Thirty percent, yes. Chair Sanchez: Okay. All right. Any other questions on the item? Commissioner Gonzalez: Nope. Commissioner Regalado: No. Chair Sanchez: All in favor, say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Motion carries, and that -- we voted on SP. 7. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING THE ALLOCATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009 HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS PROGRAM FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,370,000, AS SPECIFIED IN ATTACHMENT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, TO PROVIDE HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND HOUSING RELATED SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT(S), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM(S), FOR SAID PURPOSE. City ofMiami Page 19 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 08-00556 Legislation.pdf 08-00556 Exhibit.pdf 08-00556 Exhibit2.pdf 08-00556 Exhibit3.pdf 08-00556 Exhibit4.pdf 08-00556 Exhibit5.pdf 08-00556 Exhibit6.pdf 08-00556 Summary Form.pdf 08-00556 Public Notice.pdf Motion by Commissioner Gonzalez, seconded by Vice Chair Spence -Jones, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Spence -Jones Absent: 1 - Commissioner Sarnoff R-08-0305 Chair Sanchez: Now we go to SP.8. SP.8 is approving the HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS) funding -- George Mensah (Director, Community Development): Yes. Chair Sanchez: -- which is countywide. Mr. Mensah: Yes. Commissioner Gonzalez: Move -- Chair Sanchez: All right. Commissioner Gonzalez: -- SP.8. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Second for discussion. Chair Sanchez: There is a motion on SP.8 and a second. The motion was made by Commissioner Gonzalez, second by Vice Chair Spence -Jones. Before we open it up for discussion, anyone from the public wishing to address this item -- this is SP.8, which is the HOPWA funding for 208 [sic] through 209 [sic]. Anyone from the public wishing to address this Commission on that item? Seeing no one, the public hearing is closed, coming back to the Commission for discussion. Vice Chair Spence Jones, you're recognized for the record. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Yes, George. I just have one question based upon our last meeting that we had regarding the HOPWA funds regarding MOVERS (Minorities Overcoming the Virus through Education, Responsibility, and Spirituality). I know during this particular Commission meeting we -- or that particular Commission meeting, we directed the staff to get with MOVERS to, I guess, do the transition on -- you know, there was some dispute about what was, you know, actually owed and what was not. I just wanted to know from you guys if you made any headway on that. Mr. Mensah: No. We haven't come to a conclusion. What we requested is for them to give us an itemized bill of what those funds were used for and if those funds were used for any item that is currently exist in the properties -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Mr. Mensah: -- then those will be reduced by the amount. And after we've done that, we have to City ofMiami Page 20 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 SP.9 08-00553 Department of Community Development come back to Commission to reduce the amount that we've asked them to pay back. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: From that particular meeting there was someone that was from MOVERS that was here that said that they did have the invoices. Have they reached back out to you since that meeting? Mr. Mensah: No. We haven't got it back. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: So you have not heard anything -- Mr. Mensah: No. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: -- from them at all? Mr. Mensah: No, we haven't. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. I just want to make sure. Mr. Mensah: Yes. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Thanks. Thank you. Chair Sanchez: Any further discussion on this item? If not, it's a resolution. All in favor, say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Motion carries. SP.8, Madam Clerk, was approved, 4/0. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF 34TH PROGRAM YEAR 2008-2009, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,169,495, AND PREVIOUS PROGRAM YEAR INCOME, IN THE AMOUNT OF $150,074, FOR THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $8,319,569, TO THE ACTIVITIES SPECIFIED IN ATTACHMENT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2008; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS FOR SAID PURPOSES. 08-00553 Legislation.pdf 08-00553 Exhibit.pdf 08-00553 Summary Form.pdf 08-00553 Public Notice.pdf Motion by Commissioner Gonzalez, seconded by Vice Chair Spence -Jones, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Spence -Jones Absent: 1 - Commissioner Sarnoff R-08-0306 Direction by Vice Chair Spence -Jones to the Administration to include the technical assistance component administered by Miami Nice in the all -day seminar that's currently scheduled for September 27, 2008 for non-profit organizations in District 5. City ofMiami Page 21 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Chair Sanchez: SP.9. George Mensah (Director, Community Development): SP.9, Mr. Chair, is a resolution of the Miami City Commission, with attachments, authorizing the allocation of 34th Program Year 2008-2009 Community Development Block Grant funds, in the amount of 8,169, 495, and the previous program year income, in the amount of $150, 074, for a total amount of 8, 319, 569, and the allocation is to economic development, 4 million -- about $4 million; the administration, about $1.6 million; public services, about $1.2 million; Section 8 108 debt, about $1.3 million, for a total of 8.3 -- about $8.3 million. Commissioner Gonzalez: I'll move SP.9, but -- for -- and I want to open discussion. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Second. Chair Sanchez: Discussion. All right. SP.9 has been moved by Commissioner Gonzalez, second by Vice Chair Spence -Jones for discussion. But before we do that -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Well -- Chair Sanchez: -- before we open -- Commissioner Gonzalez: -- actually, it's not a discussion; it's a directive. Chair Sanchez: Okay, but let's open up to the public, and then we'll do the directives. Commissioner Gonzalez: All right. Chair Sanchez: Anyone from the public wishing to address this item, please step forward and be recognized. Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): And Chair, ifI might. Chair Sanchez: This is not the item, if you could just explain that. Ms. Thompson: Okay. I have a number of individuals who signed up to speak, and they're not sure if they're speaking on SP.9, 10, or 11, so I don't know if you want to give further clarification. Mr. Mensah: SP.9 is the public services -- sorry. Chair Sanchez: No. Mr. Mensah: SP.10 is public services; SP.11 is economic development, so if -- Chair Sanchez: S -- Mr. Mensah: -- you are here to -- Chair Sanchez: Most of you are here to speak on SP.10, if we could wait 'til that item, and then that's on the public service, and then economic development is the following item. Okay. So SP.9, the public hearing is opened. Commissioner Gonzalez: Well, SP.9 is also public service, right? It's not? SP.9, is that public service also or not? City ofMiami Page 22 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Mr. Mensah: That's just the allocation of the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds itself. Chair Sanchez: Just -- it's just the allocation. Commissioner Gonzalez: Just the allocation -- Mr. Mensah: Yes. Commissioner Gonzalez: -- to both funds. That's -- you know, and maybe ifI can make my statement, we will avoid a lot of people getting up and trying to -- Chair Sanchez: Okay. Commissioner Gonzalez: -- you know, plead a case that actually we have no way to solve. My -- Chair Sanchez: But the public could speak on 10 and -- All right. You're recognized for the record, Commissioner Gonzalez. Commissioner Gonzalez: And my directive is the same that I have been making -- or my motion is going to be the same that I have been making the -- for the past three or four years, and that is that the Administration fund the social service agencies at the same level that they have been funded for the last three or four years. Everybody knows that we cannot increase services. We cannot expand because there is a limitation, but at least we need to be able to provide services to the same amount of people that we have been providing services to, and that is my motion. Chair Sanchez: Okay. There is a motion -- Pedro G. Hernandez (City Manager): Commissioner Gonzalez, just for clarification, that relates to the feeding services. Commissioner Gonzalez: To the what? Mr. Hernandez: To the feeding services. Commissioner Gonzalez: That's correct. Chair Sanchez: My understanding is that, based on the Administration's meetings that we've had, they will be able to maintain at the same level, right, the same funding? Mr. Hernandez: Yes. We will be able to accommodate and cover the shortfall on any feeding services with funding coming from the Mayor's poverty initiative. Chair Sanchez: Okay, so, I mean, do you still want to present that motion even though the issue has been addressed? Commissioner Gonzalez: No. Then if it's been addressed, I have no motion. Chair Sanchez: Okay. Commissioner Regalado: Can I --? Commissioner Gonzalez: Okay. Chair Sanchez: Yes. City ofMiami Page 23 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Commissioner Gonzalez: I withdraw my motion. Chair Sanchez: Commissioner Regalado -- For the record, on SP.9, the motion that was proffered has been withdrawn. Commissioner Regalado, you're recognized for the record. Commissioner Regalado: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So this funding shows the actual amount that it will be distributed with the money that is coming from the general fund to the Mayor's poverty initiative, right? Mr. Hernandez: Correct. Commissioner Regalado: Okay. Mr. Hernandez: Well -- Commissioner Regalado: I don't think so. Mr. Mensah: No. This is -- this particular item is only CDBG. It's just the distribution of CDBG. Commissioner Regalado: Right, so we're approving the federal funding -- Mr. Mensah: Yes. Commissioner Regalado: -- but we're still missing the supplement -- Mr. Mensah: Yes. Commissioner Regalado: -- on this fund. Mr. Mensah: That will come later. Commissioner Regalado: That will come later. Later on -- Mr. Mensah: Not on this item. Commissioner Regalado: Huh? Mr. Mensah: Not on -- not at this Commission meeting. Commissioner Regalado: Okay, but we have legislation that supports that this funding at last year level for feeding programs will be coming for the next fiscal year. Mr. Mensah: Yes, as part of the budget. Commissioner Regalado: Okay, but we have not contemplated a gas surcharge. Mr. Mensah: No, but what we've done is that -- especially for the feeding, I think we've allowed them to go higher than this year's amount so that they -- it -- because there's increase in prices for food and for gas, like he said. So we're allowing them to be able to charge a higher per meal cost than we allowed this year. Commissioner Regalado: Because here's the thing. All year -- and Commissioner Gonzalez made a motion when we did the contract with the pari-mutuels, and we all know that the murals City ofMiami Page 24 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 also have an element, and we all know that the City -- the City, by the way, has taken the position that the federal government should have taken, and we are not sorry about it. It is what it is. It's our responsibility, but the thing is that throughout the United States, and especially in South Florida, we are seeing a pattern of every business, every public utility, every airline carrier imposing a surcharge for gas because there is no discussion worldwide, but locally, that we're paying 67 cents more for a gallon of gas that we were paying exactly one year ago. So the hot meal programs and the transportation of the elderly has -- the cost has skyrocketed. Mr. Mensah: Yes. Commissioner Regalado: So we need to understand that because two things can happen; either if we don't contemplate that possibility, either the quality of food goes down or the quantity of food goes down. And it is sad to be faced with that situation, so my point is, can we discuss and approve, along with the supplement to this funding, the possibility of a, I guess, six-month or a year surcharge that the City will be helping with so we don't reduce either the quality or the quantity of the meals because one of the two things is going to happen. I mean, there's no way that people are in -- who are in business keep doing business to lose money, and that's the point I was trying to make. Mr. Mensah: We agree with you on that, and that is the reason why we -- initially, we allowed the per unit cost to go up, but we will check and make sure that the -- we want the quality to remain the same, so we will check and make sure that the -- in our monitoring process to ensure that the quality do remain the same. And in the question of adding other additional funding, that is something that we will talk to the Budget Department and use the resources that you mentioned and see if there's a possibility of making that happen. Commissioner Regalado: Thank you. Chair Sanchez: Any further discussion? Vice Chair Spence -Jones: I just have one question, Mr. Chairman. Chair Sanchez: Vice Chair Spence -Jones. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Very quickly. I know in -- also in that past Commission meeting, we had an issue also with JESCA (James E. Scott Community Association). We've been frying to deal with that for the last year and a half regarding the issues, Mr. Mensah, and I know you've been working through them. But I know that, in our briefing yesterday, my -- one of my main concerns was really making sure that the elders that are part of the JESCA program within my district are being fed. Is that -- has that been resolved? I know you stated in the meeting that, you know, you found -- you guys found an additional way to address it. Can you just make sure that you put it on the record so I'm very clear that those seniors are still being fed. Mr. Mensah: Yes. My understanding is that those -- we visited JESCA and those seniors are still being fed. The last reports on the financial assessment that we did was, I believe, a month ago, and in that report, they stated that they are a work in progress. They're still working on those issues, and they anticipate, in six months, they should be able to finish all the financial issues. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. And I just want to make an overall statement really to all my colleagues on the dais, and I've been saying this, I know, for at least three years, and this year I've just decided to go 'head [sic] and do my own seminar, and that is, you know -- because of all the issues that I've had with a lot of my nonprofit organizations regarding them needing some sort of technical assistance, you know, a lot of these organizations get the resources, have good intentions, have great hearts and they want to do the right thing, and they're doing the right thing from the standpoint of servicing the people, but unfortunately, they have -- they do not have City ofMiami Page 25 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 the technical support that's required or that's needed in order for them to survive. So who fails in the end is not necessarily the organization; it's the individuals that's being serviced. So I'm just going to say -- and I know that we have been working together, your department -- your department has done an outstanding job, but I think it's extremely important -- I wanted to also appeal to my fellow colleagues that we have to figure out a way to continuously work along with these organizations so that they have technical assistance 'cause the residents shouldn't have to suffer because an organization just does not have the skills to operate. So I'm just going to, once again, say to staff that whatever we need to do, whatever, you know, workshops, whatever it is, you know, on how to run a nonprofit organization, how to balance their books, how to do their reports -- because all we're doing is really setting them up for failure, and I don't think the residents or the constituents should, you know, be placed in a position where they're not receiving services because one organization or two organizations didn't do the right thing -- Mr. Mensah: Madam Commissioner -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: -- because they don't know how to, that is. Mr. Mensah: -- I just wanted to let you know that actually we've done that. We responded to your directive, and we have found -- and one of them is actually Miami NICE (Network for Integration, Compassion & Empowerment), which Robert Ruano can discuss it, and we are putting together a program that we will ask them -- it will be required to take from next -- from the next year moving, so we really move hard on that because we agree with what you said. Robert Ruano: Yes. Robert Ruano, director of Grants and Sustainable Initiatives. As George mentioned, this year we were fortunate to receive a grant from the federal government, Compassion Capital, and it's called Miami NICE. It is a partnership with the Children's Trust, Miami -Dade County, the Alliance for Human Services, and the Center for Nonprofit Effectiveness, which will do a lot of that training. We're actually in the process right now. We award -- we're about to award some funding to nonprofits, and we're about to start technical assistance countywide, actually, for nonprofits, so we're -- and we're working with Community Development very closely. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: I know on September 27 we are having our overall seminar for just all of my businesses in the area and for nonprofit organizations that we also service. I would like to have that component also added into that all -day seminar 'cause it's really, really important that the -- at least the organizations I know in my district that are suffering, they really get the support, so if you could at least -- Mr. Ruano: We'll make sure we do that. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: -- just contact my office to see if we could have your participation, but I'm glad to see that that's finally happening 'cause we will continuously make the same mistakes over and over again. Mr. Ruano: And we also -- I have to -- I want to put on the record that we also have a VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) program that I think some of you are familiar with. We have a --15 VISTAs and nonprofits that are getting specialized service, and as they drop out -- this is our third year of the VISTA program -- we're putting them in other nonprofits to help them increase their capacity, do fundraising, volunteer management, and -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Mr. Ruano: -- other sorts of things. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: And I don't want to get into the VISTA program, but you know -- City ofMiami Page 26 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 SP.10 08-00562 Department of Community Development Mr. Ruano: Okay. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: -- VISTA program is a great program, but a lot of times, the people that we're placing to assist those nonprofits don't have the skills or the know-how to assist the -- Mr. Ruano: Sure. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: -- nonprofits. Mr. Ruano: Sure. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: And it's okay to have an additional body because they need it, but if they're not skilled or trained, it's like putting another person in a place that -- Mr. Ruano: No. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: -- doesn't know what they're doing. Mr. Ruano: Yes. We're working to train them. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Mr. Ruano: Thank you. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: That's it. Chair Sanchez: Any further discussion on SP.9? If not, we have a motion and a second. The public hearing was opened and closed, and we're going to be taking a vote on SP.9. It's a resolution. All in favor, say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Madam Clerk, SP.9 has been approved, 4/0. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF 34TH PROGRAM YEAR, FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,225,424, AND UNUSED 33RD PROGRAM YEAR INCOME IN THE AMOUNT OF $150,074, FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $1,375,498, IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE CATEGORY, TO THE AGENCIES SPECIFIED IN ATTACHMENT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2008; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORMS, WITH SAID AGENCIES, FOR SAID PURPOSES. 08-00562 Legislation.pdf 08-00562 Exhibit.pdf 08-00562 Exhibit2.pdf 08-00562 Summary Form.pdf 08-00562 Public Notice.pdf City ofMiami Page 27 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Motion by Commissioner Gonzalez, seconded by Vice Chair Spence -Jones, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Spence -Jones Absent: 1 - Commissioner Sarnoff R-08-0307 A motion was made by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Commissioner Gonzalez, and was passed unanimously, with Commissioner Sarnoff absent, directing the City Manager to ensure that each agency funded in the Public Service category will be able to maintain their same quality of service to the same number of people previously serviced and to report back to the City Commission concerning the additional funds needed. A motion was made by Chair Sanchez, seconded by Commissioner Gonzalez, and was passed unanimously, with Commissioner Sarnoff absent, directing the City Manager to work with Miami -Dade County to find a funding source that would enable Action Community Center, Inc. to continue providing transportation services to the elderly. Chair Sanchez: All right. SP.10 -- George Mensah (Director, Community Development): Mr. Chair -- Chair Sanchez: -- public service. Mr. Mensah: -- on SP.10, I will allow Alfredo to do the honors, but before I leave the podium, I just wanted to thank my staff Department of Community Development, for the good work that they've done so far reviewing all the applications and all the RFPs (Requests for Proposals) that came through, especially Alfredo and Lillian Blondet. I think they did a greatjob doing -- on this stuff so Ijust wanted to thank them before I leave the podium. Thank you. Chair Sanchez: All right. SP.9 [sic], folks, is the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funding for public service for 209 [sic] -- 208 [sic] to 209 [sic]. So what we'll do is - -director [sic]. Alfredo Duran (Assistant Director): Good morning. Alfredo Duran, with the Department of Community Development. SP.10 is a resolution authorizing the distribution, the allocation of the public service funding for the CDBG 34th Year funding. This process took us through an application, an RFP process that commenced in February of this year, and these recommendations -- these agencies were recommended by staff as a result of those RFPs. The agencies that are being recommended for funding are in Attachment A, and these agencies provide various public services, such as what we have discussed, the meals for the elderly, child care, youth services, et cetera. This is our recommendation, and we are requesting authorization to enter into agreements with these organizations. Commissioner Gonzalez: Alfredo, I have a -- Mr. Chairman, I do have -- Chair Sanchez: Yes, sir. You're recognized. Commissioner Gonzalez: -- a question. Aside from the agencies that provide meal services, the other agencies that provide social services, is there a deficit on the amount of money that they received last year to compare to this year? Mr. Duran: No, sir. Last year -- City ofMiami Page 28 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Commissioner Gonzalez: There is none. Mr. Duran: -- we made an attempt -- and one of the reasons why we have a program income addition to the CDBG is to make sure that all agencies that provide public services are being funded through CDBG at the same levels that they were last year. Commissioner Gonzalez: All right. That was my concern, and I'm very, very pleased with the answers. Thank you. Chair Sanchez: All right. Could we get a motion and a second -- Commissioner Gonzalez: I'll move -- Chair Sanchez: -- and then we'll open --? Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Second. Commissioner Gonzalez: -- it. Chair Sanchez: There's a motion by Commissioner Gonzalez, second by Vice Chair Spence -Jones. That's on SP. 10, which is a resolution. Before we discuss that item, we'll open it up to the public. This is where the agencies could come up. The only thing that we ask is that when you come up, state your name and address for the record and that you did sign in with the City Clerk. So all those wishing to speak on SP. 10, a resolution -- that's the CDBG allocations - - please step forward and be recognized. You'll be afforded two minutes. Commissioner Gonzalez: I believe it's very important that we state -- that we put on the record, you know, that consistently, every year, US HUD (United States Department of Housing and Urban Development) has been cutting our funding in every category; public services, housing, HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS), everywhere, and that we -- I mean, we don't have a machine to make money here. I mean, we can distribute whatever we get, but we don't, you know -- the federal government, they have machines that they can print money. We don't have that advantage, and even though they have that advantage, they don't increase the funding. So, you know, people have to know that we have limitations; that we are making a tremendous effort to keep them at the same level that they have been every year. So you know -- and we have to congratulate Community Development and the director and the deputy director and all the employees for the work that they have been doing providing assistance to all of these agencies and making sure that all of them can continue to provide services to the -- to our community. So I want to thank you. Chair Sanchez: All right. Let's have the speakers, and then we'll bring it to the Commission for discussion, comments, amendments. All right. First speaker, yes. Angela Vazquez: My name is -- Chair Sanchez: Good morning. Ms. Vazquez: -- Angela Vazquez, 2510 Miami Boulevard. I'm here on behalf of Lillyfrom Southwest Social Services. I would like to say thank you for your support on the last 28 years, butt want you to consider -- even if we cannot print money, if you raise the unit cost -- we are paid by unit cost. If -- with the same amount of money, it means that we still have to cut some meals, so if you find any extra, we will appreciate it very much. Chair Sanchez: Thank you. City ofMiami Page 29 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Ms. Vazquez: Thank you. Chair Sanchez: Next speaker. Saliha Nelson: Good afternoon. My name is -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Before -- Ms. Nelson: -- Saliha Nelson. Commissioner Gonzalez: Excuse me for interrupting you a minute. Ms. Nelson: Yes. Commissioner Gonzalez: The lady just brought up a good point, and that's a point that we need to emphasize. As Commissioner Regalado says, there has been an increase in everything, I mean, gas and every product. I mean, you go and buy a gallon of milk that used to cost $3, now it's 5.60. So they also, on the meals, have their prices increased. Are we being competitive? I mean, are we establishing a line where we can compensate them with the increases that they've been having on their services? Mr. Duran: Yes, sir, we are. We're conscious of what they're getting paid through other services, other contracts, and we're also very sensitive to any increases. And as we have done with the meal providers, we are also very open-minded to make modifications when needed. Commissioner Gonzalez: So the lady's concern has been addressed -- is being addressed? Mr. Duran: Well -- if it hasn't been addressed, it will be addressed, and it has been addressed -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Very good. Mr. Duran: -- and historically, we do address those. Commissioner Gonzalez: Very good. Commissioner Regalado: No. Can I say something? Excuse me. It has not been addressed because what we have done, the City, is allowed them to increase the payment for meal, but with the same budget, that means that they have to cut 10 meals, 20 meals, 25 meals a week. This is why I ask that we consider a gas surcharge because everything is about gas. If we do that, then, and only then, we will be able to maintain the same level of services that last year. No waiting list taken care of not -- but if we do the same level of last year and we allow them to increase what they pay for the food with the same money, they will have to cut, and this is the point that I was trying to make. There is no way -- eggs have gone up 20 percent,; milk, 17 percent,; gas -- well, we all know that. So all the providers are having a hardship, and they -- none of the providers will be able to maintain the same prices. Even them -- I think that they have had an issue on Badias (phonetic) on Southwest Senior Center that because Accion has been cut, the clients that are taken to Tamiami Boulevard in our district are not being transported by Accion. So they have to use their transportation from the Westchester Center, using their vans from the Westchester Center, which increase the cost of operating the center. So my point is that even if we fund at the same level, the services will have to be cut or reduced, and that is the point that we need to understand here now, you know, not like in six month and all that because then the crisis is a reality. And you know what? The federal government has been negligent in taking care of the people of this country who are in need. We all know that, and there's not much we can do but taking care of. I think that we should be more proactive with what we're paying to the lobbyists in Washington and in Tallahassee. The New York Times just had an article that the City ofMiami Page 30 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 economic stimulus, $107 billion, 50 percent will not stimulate the economy because it's going to go to pay debt in credit cards of many Americans. So the New York Times is recommending that the federal government give money to the local government in order to stimulate the economy and create jobs and pay for social services; that we should be proactive on that, but that's in the coming month. There is no way that today we can claim that we are funding at the same level of services the social agencies if we do not add to the level of last year more money, and you know, Commissioner Gonzalez is right. We don't have a money machine. However, this Commission, throughout the year -- and you all weren't here because you were working -- but this Commission, throughout the year, has been making sure that some of the reoccurring income, new income that the City will be getting or is getting is dedicated to social programs. So my question to you is, we should address this program -- this problem today, Mr. Manager, not -- Pedro G. Hernandez (City Manager): Commissioners, I think that our goal is to be able to serve the same number of people that we have been serving and at the same quality of -- quality service. Commissioner Regalado: Then we need more money. Mr. Hernandez: And in order to do that, the supplement that would be needed, yes, I agree, would be greater, and it's something that we have to look into to determine what amount that is, and then that would be added through the budgetary process from the poverty initiative. Commissioner Regalado: Well -- but it's not about individual, what do they need. It's about percentage, you know. You do the math; it's very easy, percentage in every program. So it is important that they understand all of the -- understand that the funding -- and by the way, it's all about the City. It's -- forget the Governor or the State of Florida, the Legislature. They're all being cut in any ways and means, but it is important that they understand that the City has stepped to the front and has understood the situation that the country, the county, the state, and the city and all these programs are on, so that was my -- and I would have loved to have the motion amended by Commissioner Gonzalez because I think that that would have been a right thing to do, to do the amendment today in order to supplement with a percentage -- small, but with a percentage. Commissioner Gonzalez: I will amend the motion to cover the cost increases in their operations Commissioner Regalado: And -- Commissioner Gonzalez: -- to maintain the same level of service. I mean, to keep providing services to the same amount of people that they have been providing service to. Commissioner Regalado: And you know, it's not that you need to ask every agency, well, how much more are you spending -- Commissioner Gonzalez: No. Commissioner Regalado: -- because one maybe does not compare to another, but it's about the inflation rate. The only thing that we need to do is measure the inflation rate in the last six month in Miami -Dade County and apply that to the budget. And mind you, we do have the biggest inflation rate in the country in Miami -Dade County. So I think it will be from a four- to five percent increase, and that would take care of the inflation rate. It would probably not cover to the last penny, but it would be fair. Thank you. Chair Sanchez: Okay. City ofMiami Page 31 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Commissioner Gonzalez: All right. Chair Sanchez: Wait, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. There's a motion and a second to -- I still haven't figured out exactly because I don't know what the per unit cost increase is going to be. Commissioner Gonzalez: Okay. That's -- Chair Sanchez: I haven't figured that number out, and I'm certainly not just going to increase two, three, five percent. We need to find out exactly -- because I think the purpose here is that we want to provide the same level of service to all those that are being benefited. We have done that in the past through the Mayor's poverty initiative where we come up with the money, and as some of the Commissioners just stated here, the burden falls on local government. The burden falls on us, and I think every year, at least the ten years that I've been here, that we have, as a local government entity, gone out of our way to make sure that no elderly person in our community goes without a meal. But am certainly not going to be making a motion on anything that don't know how much it's going to be costing, I don't know if it's justifiable, or I don't know if the agency can justify the cost because I haven't figured that out. But am one to tell you I don't want anybody to lose their meal. I don't want anybody to lose their service that we're providing, but the thing that we could assure you here is that every agency that will leave here today will be able to provide the same level of service that they have been maintaining for the last couple of years because, ladies and gentlemen, it's only going to be getting worse. The County right now has to cut their budget 200 million. We still haven't figured out exactly how many millions we're going to have to cut, but we're going to be faced with some tough challenges in local government as well as county government because the burden falls on local government, and we're the ones that have to provide it. Yes, we have been very creative in coming up with revenues. Every time that we have an opportunity, we put a category in that that money has to go to providing for the elderly, providing services for our needy, but we need to find out exactly what is the amount based on these agencies, and that hasn't been determined yet. Mr. Hernandez: Mr. Chairman, ifI -- Chair Sanchez: Mr. City Manager. Mr. Hernandez: -- may, a suggestion. I think what hear from the City Commission is that you would like for us to provide the same level of service on the meals to the same number of people that we have been assisting in the past. Chair Sanchez: Exactly. And as -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Exactly. Chair Sanchez: -- we speak -- and I can't speak for the other Commissioners, but could certainly speak for my office -- I have a list of elderly people in my district that have not been able to get meals yet, and we're working hard to fry to get them -- get meals. The need is there. We're not going to dispute because the need is there, but still, as we discuss all this to trying to find solutions to these problems, there're people out there that are not being fed. Mr. Hernandez: And Mr. Chairman, with -- ifI get that direction, I'll work with our staff in developing what the fiscal impact is, and then our proposal will be to include that as part of the supplemental budget support as part of the budget in order to achieve that goal. Chair Sanchez: I think that's the most reasonable thing that we could do here, to find out exactly how much is it going to be besides us saying, well, let's give them a five percent, ten percent -- we don't know. Let you come back with an exact amount of what it's going to take to main -- to City ofMiami Page 32 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 make sure that they maintain the same level of services, whether it's gas supplement, whether it's meal supplement, whatever the supplement may be, but at least you will have an opportunity to sit down with the agencies and they could tell you exactly what is it that they need. Mr. Hernandez: And to the same number of people. Chair Sanchez: Exactly. All right. Commissioner Gonzalez: All right. Chair Sanchez: So I think the -- I don't know if you want to continue with that motion. I think the proper motion is to direct the Administration to come back with the amount needed to be able to maintain the same level of service. Mr. Hernandez: Right, the fiscal impact and the additional supplemental budget that will be needed to support that goal. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Madam Clerk, does that mean Commissioner Gonzalez needs to withdraw that --? Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): No. The motion that was made and second was to actually approve the item as it is before you. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Right. Ms. Thompson: Then Commissioner Regalado offered a friendly amendment, which Commissioner Gonzalez accepted. As the seconder, you would have had to also accept that amendment if you want to change the original resolution. If you're now making a motion with a different direction, then we can do something else. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Commissioner Regalado: What we going to do, Mr. Chairman, is that I will withdraw the original amendment of the inflation rate and direct the Manager to explore the possibility of maintaining the services, which will increase the money that was allocated originally to supplement the cuts for this year, so that would be the -- Chair Sanchez: Okay. Commissioner Regalado: -- right thing. Chair Sanchez: But let's clearly define it. What you're asking the Administration to do is to come back with a physical [sic] impact as to what cost increase would be to all the agencies to be able to maintain the same level of services. Commissioner Regalado: No. What we're asking the Administration is to maintain the same level of services and then we will know the fiscal impact. The intention is to maintain the same level of services -- Chair Sanchez: We agree on that. Commissioner Regalado: -- not to know the fiscal impact and then decide. The intention is for the Administration to maintain the same level of services and quality and quantity. Chair Sanchez: But to come back with a physical [sic] -- City ofMiami Page 33 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Commissioner Regalado: Yes, yes -- Chair Sanchez: -- impact of how much -- Commissioner Regalado: -- of course. Chair Sanchez: -- it's going to be. Commissioner Regalado: But -- Mr. Hernandez: Right, and -- Commissioner Regalado: -- it's not about -- Mr. Hernandez: -- let the Commission know how much that would be -- Chair Sanchez: Exactly. Mr. Hernandez: -- where is it coming from, and how it will be incorporated. Commissioner Regalado: Right, right. Chair Sanchez: All right. Does the second of the motion -- Commissioner Gonzalez: I'll second -- Chair Sanchez: -- accept it? Commissioner Gonzalez: -- the motion, yes. Chair Sanchez: All right. It's been accepted, as amended. That's the motion that has been -- we're going to -- you want to add it onto this resolution, or you want to vote separately? Ms. Thompson: It's my understanding what you're doing is having a separate motion. Chair Sanchez: All right. No further discussion on that motion. All in favor, say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Motion carries. That motion has been accepted, and that is pertaining to SP.10. We're still on SP.10. Commissioner Gonzalez: Right. Chair Sanchez: All right. Public hearing. Can we just finish with the public hearing and then the Commission could discuss the item? Ms. Nelson: Good afternoon. Saliha Nelson, 1600 Northwest 3rdAvenue, Building D, 33136. And I just want to thank the Commission and the staff for recommending our first year funding for the Rights of Passage after -school prevention program, which services girls in Overtown, Little Haiti, and Liberty City with empowering opportunities and life skills, employability skills, and social skills. So thank you very much. And also, if there is an opportunity with recaptured funds over the course of our grant, we'd love to increase the services that we provide to them. Thank you very much. City ofMiami Page 34 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Saliha, I also want to commend you. You're a shining example of what nonprofits should be in my district. So -- Ms. Nelson: Thank you. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: -- I just want to commend you for the -- your hard work and how well you guys do servicing young people. Ms. Nelson: Thank you very much. Chair Sanchez: Okay. Before -- can we allow Dorothy Quintana? Could you please come up? I know that she -- Dorothy, hello. Pleasure to have you here. We'll allow you to -- if you could have someone help you up. Always a pleasure to see you. Dorothy Quintana: Well, I will say good day to every one of you people here. My name is Dorothy Quintana. I'm speaking for Maria De Hostos 'cause I'm on the board of Maria De Hostos, and the administrator is at -- she has been in today as -- she's in court today, and she told me to just speak for her. And she likes me to say thank you very much for what she receiving, and she like to continue receiving the same level if it's possible. And she's very grateful because you people hasn't forgotten her. And our seniors need this help very much, and I think that I have to, as a personally, thank every one of the Commissioners for trying to continue giving us the money that we need. Please don't forget and don't leave us alone, please. We'll appreciate it. I have to ask you a question. Somebody come and told her that the Commission is going to discontinue next year the money for Maria De Hostos, and Estelle would like to know if that's frue. Chair Sanchez: I don't believe it's frue. You're getting funded this year 75,000. I don't believe it's frue, but I can't speak for the district Commissioner. I don't think he would do that. Ms. Quintana: She's very worried about it. Remember, we have quite a few seniors in Wynwood that is -- you saw them. You saw them there. You see how many people are in there. So please find out and let us know if that frue. Chair Sanchez: Dorothy, this year you're receiving $75, 000. You do have a shortfall of $32, 000, but at least you're receiving $75, 000 that have been allocated -- Mr. Duran: IfI may -- Chair Sanchez: -- through -- Yes. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: And that -- to correct -- Mr. Duran: The funding you see before you is for next year -- Chair Sanchez: Yeah. Mr. Duran: -- so she is -- Chair Sanchez: Next year, yeah. She's -- Mr. Duran: -- funded next year. And the shortfall for meals is coming again from the Mayor's poverty initiative. Chair Sanchez: So you're covered. City ofMiami Page 35 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Vice Chair Spence -Jones: You're covered -- Chair Sanchez: You're covered. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: -- Dorothy. Chair Sanchez: This funding, as you are aware, is for next year; so you're getting funding for next year, as we speak. Ms. Quintana: Yes, but we want to know if they going to -- that's continuing next year. Chair Sanchez: No, no, no, no, no. Ms. Quintana: That's what they told us. Chair Sanchez: No, no, no, no. This funding you're getting now is for next year, so you're okay. Ms. Quintana: I appreciate, please, very much your concern because, really, I am worried because I'm on the board, you know, and I'm a senior also. Chair Sanchez: You're fine. Ms. Quintana: You know, I'm only 19. You know that. Chair Sanchez: Okay. I thought you were 16. Ms. Quintana: Thank you very much, every one of you. Chair Sanchez: You've been taken care of. All right, next speaker, please. Ciara Jones: Ciara Jones, 3617 Bayview Road. I am here on behalf of the Sundari Foundation, which operates the Lotus House Women's Shelter. And I would first like to thank the Community Development team for all of your efforts, and I would especially like to thank Commissioner Spence -Jones and Mr. Regalado. The money that we are receiving is definitely making a difference in the lives of elderly women and children, and children are definitely the future; they hold your positions, and it's important that we ensure that they are well taken care of. And I would just like to, again, thank you and let you know that you are definitely touching the lives of women and children in need. Chair Sanchez: If I'm not mistaken, I think you speak on the next item, economic development. Mr. Duran: Right. Chair Sanchez: Yeah, next item. Unidentified Speaker: Next item? Okay. Chair Sanchez: Yeah. Helena Del Monte: Good morning, Commissioners. Helena Del Monte, executive director of the Association for the Development of the Exceptional. As you all know, ADE (Association for the Development of the Exceptional) serves adults with developmental disabilities. We have three branches all over Dade County, but our biggest and the first founded branch is in the City ofMiami. I would be extremely ungrateful ifI would not come to podium today to thank you for City ofMiami Page 36 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 all the support, but most importantly, the support that we're receiving at the present when we are having such a difficult time with our other funding sources. You have no idea what these dollars are meaning to us right now. They are basically a lifeline on whether we close an agency or whether we can actually remain bare bottoms [sic], but continuing to operate one more year. So -- I mean, this is incredible work that you, the department, are doing for social services. I want you to know that our agency, we have been cut $200, 000 from the School system, and we just received a letter last Friday that our main funding source, which is the Department of Children and Families Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and we basically -- our dollars there go for enrollment and they pay us `X" amount of dollars per day for enrollment. We have been cut eight percent, so that means another 300 to $400, 000. I have already had to send about 20 consumers home. All of my consumers, except I would say for maybe one or two percent of my population, about 98 percent of the population is low income. So again, my heartfelt thanks to all of you on behalf of the special needs adults we serve and their family. May God bless you all. Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Next speaker. Elisa Juara: Good morning. My name is Elisa Juara, and I'm representing Little Havana Activities & Nutrition Center. I'm the nutrition director, and I want to thank all of you Commissioners for being so proactive and realizing the inflation that we have for all the programs that we are serving in the senior centers. We have five senior centers in the City of Miami, out of the fourteen that we have through all of Dade County. We have received cuts exactly like everybody else from the Legislation. Last year we were able to secure 400,000 that were spending meals, and this year it's not going to be there. And the County's going to cut 15 percent last year and maybe 10 this year. We don't know yet. So I really appreciate and -- Little Havana and their participants really appreciate all the help that the City ofMiami and the Mayor's poverty initiative and all of you are doing for us. Thank you so much. Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Ms. Juara: We'd like to see more elderlies, like Dorothy Quintana, being almost 90 -- she's 99 years old and at home, and that's what we all want, our elderly to be at home and happy and healthy. Thank you. Chair Sanchez: Good morning. Miriam Urra: Good morning. My name is Miriam Urra, and I representAllapattah Community Action. I'm here today to thank you, all of you, for your continued support for the poor people of the City ofMiami, and especially my community. I am very proud to be part of this City of Miami. And as my colleagues here just express, we are amaze seeing that the federal government continues to cut the Community Development Block Grants that are mostly directed for the poor people of this country. And I'll tell you, I don't know how to express my gratitude to all of you because of the support that you're giving us and for all your efforts to keep us, all the - - us -- all the agencies are [sic] all of the people that are receiving meals, child care services, and other very critical services. They won't be able to survive, actually, without them. And I see that this community has shown a strong leadership and keep us afloat, so thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you, and I'd like to congratulate -- a special congratulation to my Commissioner, Angel Gonzalez, for the leadership that he has shown in our community and for all those projects that he have bring to us, and I'm really proud of you, Angel, and all of you. Thank you very much. Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Commissioner Gonzalez: Thank you, Miriam. Andres Christie: Good morning. Andres Christie. I am the assistant director of Sunshine for City ofMiami Page 37 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 All. I'm here standing on behalf of the organization just to say thanks for the support to the Commission. And our main focus is to serve the needs of the people, and we're looking forward to being able to continue on that path; and of course, we are an organization that is coming up, and we're looking forward to any funding that can be helpful for us. So I just wanted to thank you, and we're looking forward to receiving any kind of funding that can help us in the organization. Thank you so much. Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Next speaker. George Castano: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is George Castano. I'm the executive director for the JPC (Josefa Perez de Castano) Kidney Foundation, and I'd like to thank the Commission for their continued support and also the Department for their recommendation; and I just hope that we get funded at least, like Commissioner Gonzalez stated earlier, at the previous year's level. I understand all the cuts from the federal government, but at least at the previous year's level; we would appreciate it. Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Mr. Castano: And thank you once again, Commissioners. Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Mr. Castano: Thank you for your support. Chair Sanchez: All right. Anyone else from the public? If not, the public hearing is closed on SP. 10; comes back to the Commission. We have a motion on the item. Any of the Commissioners want to be recognized on the item? If not -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: I just want to commend the staff for doing such a outstanding job. You guys were incredible this year with really working with our constituents, and it's really -- I just want to at least commend you for your work. When you do great, you should be acknowledged, Blanco, George, Alfredo, and I don't know if any of your team members are here, butt want to publicly acknowledge you for your work. Mr. Duran: Thank you, Commissioner. Chair Sanchez: All right. Before we vote on the item, let me just emphasize a couple of things here. The biggest concern that the agencies have was the shortfall of funds that you would be losing. If you look at the category for FY-208 [sic] funding shortfall, it adds up to $334, 000. That has been taken care of by the Mayor's initiative poverty, okay. That was the greatest fear that I had, that that money would not be there to be able to provide you the resources to accomplish your mission. That money is there. There is other concerns pertaining to, of course, cost, such as gas, and things that are really -- cost of living has gone up. Those issues will be addressed through the Administration coming back with a report to see how we could assist the agencies that are there. There is another issue of great concern, and I've heard it in two occasions when agencies spoke. That is that elderly could -- needs transportation to get around, but before I get to that. When we had our community meetings that each Commissioner had in their districts, I made it very clear that my priorities were going to be child care and senior meals based on the projections that we were looking at with all the budget cuts. Let me tell you why it's important. Child care, it is extremely important because if a parent, especially a single parent, has the opportunity for child care where she could drop off her child and leave that establishment with a peace of mind knowing that her child is safe and well taken care of and getting a good education, she could go into -- out into society and get a job and help herself help her family, and therefore, that is one less person that government has to help because she's helping herself; then we could focus on helping someone else who may need that help. Because City ofMiami Page 38 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 when you look at all this and you analyze all this, there's one thing -- a statement that was made here today -- we do not have a tree growing in the back of City Hall that bears the fruits of dollars. We don't have a printing machine where we could print money. One thing that we do have is a responsibility, as an elected officials, is to make sure that that dollar is stretched and that dollar is best utilized as possible by these agencies that are providing the best level of service that they can provide. Because when we don't invest in our children, when we don't invest in our elderly, down the line it costs us more. Perfect example is, I'd rather spend $8, 000 on a child today, any day of the week, and twice on Sunday, than have to spend $50, 000 incarcerating that child in the future. It makes sense. It's common sense. When an elderly person doesn't have transportation to get to a center, that person stays home depressed, not having anyone to take care of because you know what? We live in a rat race. Today we have to work. I wish we could all stay home and take care of our parents and take care of our children, but we can't; we have to work two jobs to be able to stay ahead, and therefore, we rely on those services to provide that assurance, that comfort level where we can provide. Ladies and gentlemen, prosperity has a purpose, and that purpose is to make us better angels; and each and every one of you out there are angels because you provide that service, and if we do not provide prosperity for those, such as that mother who was able to leave her child in a care center and go out and get a job, now she can provide for others, so it's important. On the fransportation issue that every year comes up, it's the issue ofAccion. We need to come up with a solution for transportation for the elderly because they depend on that transportation. The worst thing in the world that you could do to an elderly person is take away that ability to get from pointA to point B. Believe me, when you're 80 years old, you don't want to go to a nightclub. I don't know; maybe there are some that may want to go to nightclub, but you want to go get your hair done, you want to go do your groceries, you want to go somewhere where you really need to go; certainly, you want to go to church, and if you don't have anybody that provide that transportation, then you have no way of getting there, so it's important. Accion gives us -- leaves us a gap of funding, which I'm not -- after studying the budget, I don't know how much we got to come up with, but I'll tell you this much. It is important that we commit ourselves that we contribute to that problem. It is not our problem alone, and we should not accept that burden. I will be making a motion directing the City Manager to work with the County on those fundings to be able to make sure that we, working with the County -- because I'm one who likes to work with other governments, whether they cooperative or not -- to come up with a funding source to be able to continue to provide transportation to our elderlies. So I don't know exactly what the gap is. I know they can't use anymore finance -- they can't be financed by the PTP (People's Transportation Plan) and that's going to be a problem, so Mr. City Manager, my motion is to direct you to find a solution to that problem, working with the County because they have to come up with some money, too. We cannot continue to allow governments to put the burden on us. We cannot allow that. We could only stretch our dollars so far. We could only go into the Mayor's initiative funds -- we have a limit. But if we sit down with the County, I think that we could provide a solution to that; so therefore, that's my motion on the fransportation issue. Commissioner Gonzalez: Second. Commissioner Regalado: Mr. Chairman -- Chair Sanchez: You're -- Commissioner Regalado: -- will you allow? Chair Sanchez: -- the Chair. Okay, go ahead. There's a motion and a second. Commissioner Regalado: Just -- I think that your motion is the right one, but believe that the County is not going to come through and they have said it. Even Mayor Alvarez -- you got the letter that got -- said to me and to you that there is no more money. But do believe that we could get either a waiver from the CITT (Citizens Independent Transportation Trust) or work City ofMiami Page 39 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 with Accion so they establish one or two routes, and we could use the transit money. We can use it. I am sure of that. I have done the homework. I -- there is no way -- if you want me, I'll go to the County -- that they can say no ifAccion has only one route which will be a certain set route, and then we can supplement the other money. But they cannot say that we cannot use that money because STS (Special Transportation Services) is using that money, and STS is a semi private agency that goes exactly to do, to pick up the persons to take them to the doctor or to the -- to get their hair done or to the groceries. So that is the right motion. I think that the County is not going to fund this, butl think that the least they can do is allow us to use the transportation money to fund Accion. They might say whatever they want to say, but I'm telling you that we could go to CITT and ask for their blessing, their waiver, and only if we -- only if they set one route we can use some of the money, so that's an idea. Mr. Manager, I doubt that the County -- I've spoken to several County Commissioners; there's not going to be any funding for Accion from the County, but we could use that money and we can keep Accion going. Thank you. Chair Sanchez: Well, I -- before you say that, I think am and we're all committed to finding a solution to that transportation issue. I believe this is the right avenue to go by. I think, if it fails, then we have another solution, but think this is the right avenue to take right now. So you want to state something for --? Mr. Hernandez: Mr. Chairman, Commissioners, we will explore all the options, including the potential use of PTP to whatever extent we can do it and any other options in coming up with a plan that will support the program. Chair Sanchez: All right. Before we vote on SP.10, let's vote on that motion that was made by me and second by Commissioner Gonzalez, for the record. Can you call the question? I mean, can you --? I'll call the question; you just put -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: (INAUDIBLE). I have a motion; I have a second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: All right, this item passes. Chair Sanchez: That motion was accepted, Madam Clerk, and now we'll be voting on SP.9 [sic]. Commissioner Gonzalez: No, SP.10. Commissioner Regalado: 11. Chair Sanchez: I'm sorry, SP.10. Ms. Thompson: 10. Chair Sanchez: SP.10, the motion was made by -- Ms. Thompson: Commissioner Gonzalez -- Chair Sanchez: -- for the record -- Ms. Thompson: -- and seconded by Vice Chair Spence -Jones. Chair Sanchez: All right. So we'll be voting on SP.10, which is a resolution. The public hearing was opened and closed. We had public participation; everyone was afforded an opportunity to put their statements on the record. Therefore, all in favor, say "aye." City ofMiami Page 40 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." SP.10 is adopted, 4/0, Madam Clerk. SP.11 08-00561 RESOLUTION Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Community ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF 34TH PROGRAM Development YEAR, FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,010,172, IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CATEGORY, TO THE AGENCIES SPECIFIED IN ATTACHMENT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN THE 34TH PROGRAM YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2008; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORMS, WITH SAID AGENCIES, FOR SAID PURPOSE. 08-00561 Legislation.pdf 08-00561 Exhibit.pdf 08-00561 Exhibit2.pdf 08-00561 Exhibit3.pdf 08-00561 Exhibit4.pdf 08-00561 Exhibit5.pdf 08-00561 Exhibit6.pdf 08-00561 Summary Form.pdf 08-00561 Public Notice.pdf Motion by Vice Chair Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Spence -Jones Absent: 1 - Commissioner Sarnoff R-08-0308 Direction by Vice Chair Spence -Jones to the Administration to generate and provide a status report of all microbusinesses in District 5 that have received funding within the past two years, specifically including in said report the successes of said microbusinesses, such as the ability to hire more people, gain more business, and whether they were able to complete the microenterprise course at Miami Dade College. Chair Sanchez: All right. SP.11 is a resolution, and this one pertains to -- Alfredo Duran (Deputy Director, Community Development): This one pertains to -- Chair Sanchez: Economic development. Commissioner Gonzalez: Economic development. Chair Sanchez: This is where -- all right, let's go ahead and get a -- well, director, you go ahead. Mr. Duran: Yes. This is the distribution of Community Development Block Grant in the economic development programs, in the amount of $4,010,172. This again went through an RFP (Request for Proposals) process, same RFP process of February this year. Again, the RFP City ofMiami Page 41 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 process generated applications; they were recommended -- scored and recommended by the Department, and they are Attachment A. These are programs, such as the City's facade program, economic -- technical assistance to private businesses, as well as the micro -enterprise programs. Chair Sanchez: Okay. Before we get a motion and a second, let's go ahead and open it up to the public. The public hearing is opened. All those that are willing to provide statement to the Commission, please stand up and maybe you can get in line or -- all right. Have all of you filled out a form? Okay. Madam speaker, you're recognized for the record. Josie Correa: Josie Correa, Downtown Miami Partnership, 25 Southeast 2ndAvenue, Suite 240, Miami, Florida 33131. First, I would like to thank our District 2 Commissioner, Marc Sarnoff, and the District 2 office for their support of our technical assistance program for the upcoming year. Since beginning our technical assistance program over 18 months ago, DMP (Downtown Miami Partnership) has documented the direct creation of 16 jobs and assisted well over 30 businesses at various stages of start up. I'd like to compliment the Department of Community Development for their work and thank the City ofMiami Commissioners, all of you, for your support of DMP and our programs over the years. Thank you very much. Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Next speaker. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: I just want to add, as the next one comes up, Josie, I want to personally thank you for your outstanding work and all of the great things that you've in Overtown for all of our rehab work. Third Avenue is looking awesome, and it's looking awesome because of your support and your work with DMP. Ms. Correa: Thank you very much. Chair Sanchez: I just want to say the same for downtown. All right, next speaker. George Livatt: George Livatt, 3636 Williams Avenue, in Coconut Grove. I'm here to just thank the Commission for consideration for the monies that will be used for the micro grant, and at the same time, I would like to thank Hs. Holloman from the Coconut Grove Local Development Corporation and to any of the other concerned persons in that -- in their respective place. I've been connected with independent distribution for the past 45 years. This is the first time I've been inside of a meeting. I've been coming here for that many years, and under the different mayors that I've encountered, this is really a great Commission. And I want to recommend you for some type of consideration, Mr. Diaz, and Ms. Spence -Jones, and all of the other Commissioners that are in their respective place for considering West Grove in the micro grants and the independents that are concerned. I see that you're concerned with the elderly in their getting their meals and getting the proper nourishment that they need. I am an independent produce manager and distributor, so I'm concerned as well. I'm concerned that there are some folks that are -- don't get meals because they choose not to and they want to provide for themselves. They would like to cook their own stuff and that's where I come in. I've been a part of the distribution in Coconut Grove expressly, but now I've extended to South Miami, Coral Gables, University ofMiami. In that respective [sic], we are under the consideration that there are people that would like to get different kinds of food that they're used to, and they want to be able to get it to them. Whatever extra funds that are maybe available or considered down the road, I would like to have you know that they would be used wisely. Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Mr. Livatt: Okay? Thank you. Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Next speaker. City ofMiami Page 42 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Carrie Rozier: Good morning. Carrie Rozier, 3701 Grand Avenue, beautiful West Grove, Coconut Grove. I'm from the Gourmet Cookie Cafe. I just want to extend a heartfoot [sic] thank you to all the Commissioners here, as well, we have a couple of merchants and store owners that want to say thank you as well; they're a little shy, so here I am. We are really grateful and -- because the fundings in which you all have extended to our community will enable us to do renovations and other things to just keep the historical part of the community going. You know, there's -- right now is a downside for a lot of people because of the financial burden that, you know, this country is feeling. I had a break in a little while ago and I had one of the computers taken, and the students come in everyday to use the computers, and I was just about to give up and then there was the monies that came forth. I want to thank you. Also, Commissioner, I want to give you another thanks for your speaking up for us and getting monies to do the things that we need to do because we know how to really get those monies going. We know what we need the monies for, and they will be put to good use. And, again, we thank you. We're so grateful. Thank you again. Chair Sanchez: Thank you very much, ma'am. Next speaker. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: I just want to add, your district Commissioner is not here, which is Commissioner Sarnoff, but I'm sure he was a big support of making sure that the West Grove got support. All of us Commissioners sitting on the dais -- Ms. Rozier: Right. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: -- fruly support what's happening in the West Grove, and we know that it's a struggle to keep your businesses alive; and just know that we're going to continue to be here to support you in whatever way to make sure that you succeed. Ms. Rozier: In addition -- that's another thing. Chair Sanchez: That -- excuse me. Wait, wait. The same speaker is speaking. Would you state your name and address for the record again. Ms. Rozier: Yes. Carrie Rozier, 3701 Grand Avenue. In addition, I also would like to thank Commissioner Sarnoff, in his absence, and Mrs. Yvonne -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: McDonald. Ms. Rozier: --McDonald. I'm not good with names, butt know good people. We've been seeing a whole lot more police in our community, and that's a plus. We want the bus stops to be cleared off a little bit more, though. We have people hanging around on the bus stops, but other than that, we've been seeing a whole lot more police patrol and we're just -- man, we're very happy. So thank you again. Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Next speaker. Good morning. Dorothy Fortner: Dorothy Fortner, 3516 Plaza Street, West Grove, shy individual, as she said. I'm a new business owner, Dot's Ecclectic Hats-N-Things, and I'd like to thank everyone on the Commissioner [sic] and who are not here for being recommended for the micro -enterprise grant. Thank you -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: I like that hat. Ms. Fortner: -- from the West Grove. City ofMiami Page 43 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Vice Chair Spence -Jones: I like that hat. Ms. Fortner: Thanks. Chair Sanchez: Good morning. Adolfo Martinez: Good morning. My name is Adolfo Martinez, and I'm with CAMACOL (Latin Chamber of Commerce), the commercial facade program; and I'm here to express our gratitude to the Commission, particularly Commissioner Tomas Regalado and Joe Sanchez for your continued support of a program. I would also like to thank the entire staff of the Economic Development team with the City ofMiami for their support and cooperation. Thank you very much. It is a much -needed program, particularly during the difficult economic times that we're experiencing. Thank you, Commission. Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Commissioner Regalado: What -- will you wait just one second? On that point, are we getting the waiver or the ability to not have to go by the 51 percent on the next block so we can do facade in many areas where now we're not allowed? Because my understanding is that the City has a flexibility of going farther in order to show poverty levels and not just the block behind the actual facade either on Southwest 8 Street or Coral Way, which is the most affected area. Are we implementing that flexibility now, Alfredo? Mr. Duran: Yes, Commissioner. We always have to adhere to the 51 percent -- Commissioner Regalado: I understand that. Mr. Duran: -- median income. However, we are expanding -- after discussions with HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development), we are expanding the service areas of businesses and they no longer have to be only addressing the census tract where they are located in the surroundings, but a lot -- a wider service area, which might help in that regards. Commissioner Regalado: So this means that you will be able to go in Coral Way? Mr. Duran: That's right. That's correct. Commissioner Regalado: And in Southwest 8 Street? Mr. Duran: That's correct. Commissioner Regalado: Now, the other issue is that economic times are so difficult that some businesses don't even have the small percentages. Mr. Duran: This is frue. Commissioner Regalado: So would you be able to use the CAMACOL loan to help them pay for their share and do the facade? Mr. Duran: We have a loan program, a small finance company, which we can tap and assist some of those businesses with the portion of the five, ten, or fifteen percent that they have to make. We can do that, yes. Commissioner Regalado: So everything is a go for the facade? Mr. Duran: Yes. City ofMiami Page 44 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Commissioner Regalado: Okay. That's the best news that we can get on the economic development in terms of Disfrict 4. Thank you. Mr. Martinez: Okay. Thank you. Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Next speaker. Good morning, ma'am. Solange Aurelien: Good morning. My name is Solange Aurelien, from Balls of Fire Paradise Academy. I just come to thank you for your help because three years ago, I almost close the center; and you know the children is our future. The help that get, that's helped me to give the quality with safety for the children. Thank you so much because I never get that. Three years ago, I though I will close, but with that help, I will buy something to help the children. May God open the window of heaven and bless all of you for that. I cannot pay, but God will bless you. And thank you so much. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Could you put your name on the record? I think that's what they're trying to -- Ms. Aurelien: My name is Solange Aurelien, from Balls of Fire. Renald Ettene (Official Creole Interpreter): Solange Aurelien. Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Thank you. Ms. Aurelien: 4200 Northwest 2nd Avenue. Thank you again. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: And God bless you, too, okay? Anne Mary Jean (As translated by Renald Ettene, official Creole interpreter): Hello, good morning. My name is Anne Mary Jean. I'm coming here for Four Seasons, 4508 Northwest 2nd Avenue. I came here because I had a business that applied for for a grant and I came here. For now the business is very slow. I had another job, so when I go to the business at 5 o'clock and I stay there and I could not employ anybody else because business is very, very slow. I would like you to try to see if you can approve my grant because where I'm at, the business is not working. I would like to have -- to receive some grants so I can repair the business. Mr. Ettene: So she's saying that she needs some money so she can repair her business. Ms. Jean: (As translated by Renald Ettene, official Creole interpreter): The business at 4508 Northwest 2nd Avenue, and she will moving to another address at 7808 Northeast 2nd Avenue -- 7806 2nd Avenue. Mr. Duran: Yes. We had a great deal of applications for the micro -enterprise business and we were limited in funds again. Unfortunately, some organizations were not recommended for funding. However, those that were recommended for funding but did not get funded because of the lack offinancial resources will be maintained -- consideration will be maintained, and in the event that additional dollars do come up or the ones that did receive the monies, do not fulfill their obligations, we will consider those organizations -- those businesses. Mr. Ettene: Okay. Does -- also, does that mean that her file is still is with you? Mr. Duran: Yes. She is with Four Seasons? Mr. Ettene: Um -hum -- City ofMiami Page 45 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Mr. Duran: Did you say --? Mr. Ettene: -- Four Seasons. Mr. Duran: Yes. Ms. Jean: (As translated by Renald Ettene, official Creole interpreter): Okay. She say thank you and she's appreciate that. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: And I just want to make a suggestion to Marlene Bastien that see in the audience. Do you know this business right behind you? Okay. I just -- all right. Talmage Frazier: Good morning. My name is Talmage Frazier, 201 Northwest 7th Street, Unit 309. I'm the proud owner of Brother Frazier's Ribs. A year ago I came -- oh, yes, they are good -- before you to tell you thank you for approving my grant. I had no way of knowing that approving that grant would open up so many doors for me now. We have now been recognized as the best ribs in Miami. The trailer now has the ability -- Chair Sanchez: Well, sir -- Mr. Frazier: Yes. Chair Sanchez: -- you should have brought some samples. Mr. Frazier: I tell you what, if you give me a chance to go home -- I'll tell you what, I'll do better than that. Saturday we're doing ribs on the corner of 17th Street and 14th Avenue. If you come over, I will make sure you get your slab. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: The Chair wants you to bring it to the chambers. That's what -- Mr. Frazier: Oh. No, no. I'll tell you, I'll do one better than that. Give me a date and I'll bring the trailer and I'll fix dinners for you here. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Are we -- actually, we don't want any ribs because we don't want nobody to say you gave us some ribs -- we gave -- you gave us some ribs for a grant. Mr. Frazier: I ain't giving you no ribs. Ribs are $5 a sandwich. Chair Sanchez: Listen -- Mr. Frazier: We ain't putting nobody in jail, including me. Not only have we been able to grow, the barbecue sauce through the entrepreneurship, we talked earlier about technical support. I had a lot of ideas about how to run my business, but no directions. Through the Carrie Meek Center, which we were told we had to go through -- some of us -- not me now, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- but we found out that by going there, we became much better business people, and that's business sense that is priceless. We didn't know that all these opportunities on how to put together a business -- it's one thing to have the desire to run your own business; it's another thing to have a vehicle to do that, and that's what they gave to us. And that's why I strongly recommend that, that (UNINTELLIGIBLE) they always be part of the grant to make sure they go and get this education. Not only we want to be able to do this; we also hopefully going to be opening up a new sports bar in Miami. That's a future plan. This grant, if you approve it this time, this money will go for the next step in my business, which is the permanent place to provide the Overtown community with a high -end level of a sports bar. That attitude'll change that's going to create in Overtown. But ladies and gentlemen, I thank you very much, City ofMiami Page 46 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 and I want to thank you again for your time and help towards my business. Thank you. Chair Sanchez: Thank you so much, sir. Thank you. Next speaker. Twyman Bentley: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Twyman Bentley, 3340 Florida Avenue, and I'm owner of Twyman E. Bentley Accounting & Taxation Services. I want to first thank you all for consideration of this grant. This is my first time applying for the Micro Business Enterprise grant and these funds will be a tremendous help in getting my business to the next level. As you know, small businesses in their early stages -- this is my third year -- most of your funds, most of your profit that you make you reinvest it back in the business; but this grant will help me tremendously in getting the services and the resources that need to service the individuals and small businesses [sic] clients that have in the Coconut Grove and Miami area. And want to thank the staff of the Community Development Department and their workshops that we had that was very informative to help me to put together the package, and also with Commissioner Sarnoffs office and, particularly, Yvonne McDonald. So I just thank you very much, and I enlist your support. Thank you. Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Next speaker. Dominique Charles: Good morning. My name is Dominique Charles, 16950 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach. The economic development specialist Haitian Women ofMiami. First of all, I want to thank you for giving us again the grant so we can help, you know, small businesses, micro -enterprise to keep, you know, progressing. And as we have seen that the grant, even though it's good for the small businesses, but we fry to do more work with them to see how, you know, they can receive more resources; so we have kind of expand our reach to do more training with them, like customer service. You know, small business, they can have, you know, their business plan, then like bookkeeping and -- because those thing -- they ask for more resources because as we are mostly working with people from the Haitian community, but also we work also with some people from the Hispanic community and African American, but people coming from abroad, you know, they have a different ways of doing business back home, so as part of the program that we are planning to do is to (UNINTELLIGIBLE) all the people, they can know, you know, the regulation here so they can be better for them to make businesses. As part of that, we want for the City to kind of recommend, you know, additional, you know, resources for us so we can expand to make sure, you know, that people get more involved and we also -- I want to personally thank, you know, Commissioner Spencer [sic] Jones, which are the -- opportunity to work with (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Center and, you know, program in Little Haiti, and she has been really supportive of you know, getting the businesses to know about the opportunity they can get, and this is something I want to recommend that the people -- the City keep seeing the importance for micro -enterprise. You know, they can call because they do keep - - this is people that would maybe not have, you know, the opportunity to be working, but now so they are working, they have their own businesses, and they are hiring other people. I want you to recognize and know the importance of that. Thank you. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: And Dominique, I want to also acknowledge you. I know you have only been there for two months, and I tell you, you jumped in and you act like you've been there 20 years, so I just want to commend you as a young person that fruly has an interest in supporting the businesses in Little Haiti and going the exfra step to make sure that they receive support. I know you're learning from the best, but it's great to see that you're there and doing such an awesome job. Mr. Charles: Thank you. Marlene Bastien: You see, I didn't have to speak today. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: I see. You trained him well. City ofMiami Page 47 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Chair Sanchez: Okay. Next speaker. Good morning. Roland St. Gerard: Good morning. My name is Roland St. Gerard ofMCE Magazine, Miami Christian Entertainment, 845 Northeast 79th Street. Our magazine, we publish positive topics to inform, educate, and transform the mind of our readers. I really want to thank you all for considering the businesses and also mine, and I want to thank specially Mr. Leroy Jones, from Neighbors and Neighbors, who's doing a great job in helping out the small businesses. Thank you. Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Muhammad, good to see you. Grady Muhammad: Good morning, Mr. Chair, Commissioners. Grady Muhammad, representing Crossroad Development, Inc., 7035 Northeast 5th Court. We applied but we was not recommended for funding, the micro -enterprise grant. They were asking that staff and the Commissioners reconsider that. What we're doing is a security -- we have a security company, and we're doing, in the Upper Eastside, security with small businesses, and that's what the enterprise grant will allow us to continue to do. We're offering security services to private businesses in the Upper Eastside. We've start it roughly a year ago, and this is a private corporation; has anything to do with no one else. This is a private for profit corporation. And what we're asking is for the micro -enterprise grant, we need to be reconsidered because we was not recommended for funding. Thank you. Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Next speaker. Good morning, sir. Victor Gibson: Good morning. How y'all doing? My name is Victor Gibson, the owner of Domingo Electronics and Domingo Recordings Studio, 6130 Northwest 7th Avenue. I just came to say thanks for the grant that you all give to me, but I'm having a still a little problem because I want to do some marketing, but the funds is low. So I'm asking if y'all could help me out and give me some extras. Chair Sanchez: Okay. Mr. Gibson: Okay. Thanks. Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Next speaker. Robert Abraham: Good morning. How you doing? Robert Abraham, 3173 Mundy Street. Chair Sanchez: Wait. We need -- you need to get the mike. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Mr. Abraham: Yes. Robert Abraham. Chair Sanchez: Everything we say here is documented. Mr. Abraham: Okay. Robert Abraham, 3173 Mundy Street, Coconut Grove. I was not granted as the funds for District 2, and for some reason, I don't know why. Chair Sanchez: Did you apply? Mr. Abraham: Yes, I did. Chair Sanchez: But you were not -- City ofMiami Page 48 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Mr. Abraham: Right. Chair Sanchez: Okay. Mr. Abraham: Yeah. I mean -- Mr. Duran: The application, I believe in your case, was incomplete; it did not fulfill the thresholds of the RFP, but we'll work with you. Chair Sanchez: There you go. That's good news. He'll work with you. So, listen, get his number and call him every day. Leroy Jones: Good morning. My name is Leroy Jones, executive director of Neighbors and Neighbors Association, 1 -- Chair Sanchez: I don't think you even have to say your name; you just talk and the machine knows you. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Well, actually, the Clerk does know who's talking, right? Mr. Jones: Listen, first, I want to thank Community Development for their recommendation for funding us again this physical [sic] year, that's soon to start, so I'd like to thank Community Development and everybody who had any to do with it. Thank you, Commissioner Spence [sic]. We finally seeing some economic development -- Ms. Spence -Jones -- we finally seeing some businesses in District 5 get some help. I mean, we actually finally seeing some changes as relates to small businesses in District 5, so I -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: And that's happening, yes, we're doing our part -- Mr. Jones: Yes. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: -- but it's happening solely in part of organizations like NANA (Neighbors and Neighbors Association), organizations like Marlene Bastien's FANM (Fanm Ayisyen Nan Miyami), so the credit really is due on the other side of the podium, so -- Mr. Jones: Thank you, ma'am. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: -- thank you. Mr. Jones: I do want to -- I want to present to you copies of everybody who graduated from the micro -enterprise class from Miami -Dade [sic] College this year. Last year funded -- it was funded last year. So I brought copies of their certificate of everybody who graduated. I wanted to thank the people for -- here that graduated. Applause. Mr. Jones: I don't know if you know, but everybody that take the classes in the first fast track initiative stage has to do a business plan, so I also got on hand copies of everybody business plan that took the first fast [sic] class this year. I do want to say, though, in my quest of making sure the project and the program and the businesses, as well as the agencies in the City move along, I do want to recommend some things that I think will make the program better. The first thing is that it taking an awful long time to get the contracts executed. It taking too long for contracts to be executed. That mean no funding can be -- City ofMiami Page 49 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Chair Sanchez: Leroy? Mr. Jones: Yes. Chair Sanchez: What's too long? Mr. Jones: The con -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Give us an example. Mr. Jones: For -- Chair Sanchez: Six months, a year? Mr. Jones: Sometimes longer. Chair Sanchez: That's too long. Mr. Jones: Yes. So that's one thing. The second thing is I want the City Commission -- it don't have anything to do with Community Development, but I think the City Commission -- Chair Sanchez: Leroy -- Mr. Jones: Yes. Chair Sanchez: -- in all fairness -- Mr. Jones: Yes. Chair Sanchez: -- is it because him, or is it because the contracts aren't filled out, there's paperwork --? Mr. Jones: No, it's not because the contract's being filled out because as soon as we get them -- Chair Sanchez: Incorrectly -- Mr. Jones: -- they being filled out and they being submitted. They getting caught up in some department that has to sign off. It's about four or five people have to sign off on the contracts, so somebody desk it's sitting on too long. Chair Sanchez: Okay. Mr. Jones: You know, it's getting caught up in the system someplace sitting on a desk not being signed -- Chair Sanchez: So -- Mr. Jones: -- which mean the businesses can't access the money without a executed contract. Chair Sanchez: Okay. So, realistically, what are we looking at, timeframe here? You said six months to a year? Mr. Duran: May I? Chair Sanchez: Yeah. I want to hear from you. I mean -- City ofMiami Page 50 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Mr. Duran: No, that is not your typical situation. I'm not familiar what contract Leroy's talking about, but yes, there are a number of signatures that are required and there is a number of documents that are required also of the agencies in order to get a complete contract. But that's not the standard amount of time. If a contract is delayed one specific case, that's possible; it could happen. Historically, that's not the case. Chair Sanchez: Well, I understand somebody maybe not turning in a form, and then, you know, they're contacted -- Mr. Duran: Yeah. They -- Chair Sanchez: -- you need this form, and they bring it in, butt mean -- Mr. Duran: Yes. Chair Sanchez: -- can we work on simplicity, you know? Mr. Duran: You know, we do have a process that needs to be followed and -- but it never takes any more than 30, 45 days to get a contract signed. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: So 60 days, you would say -- Mr. Duran: Sixty days is -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: -- from this --? Mr. Duran: Yes, it should be 60 days. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: So from this particular hearing, he's making a commitment, Mr. Jones, that we should have these contracts -- Mr. Jones: Now, I -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: -- executed within 60 days. Mr. Jones: -- don't want to argue about the issue -- the situation, but I beg to differ, and it -- Chair Sanchez: All right. Mr. Jones: -- for example, in some of them -- let's get -- use this for an example, and it's one particular case, Proctor Car Care. He was the first -- he was approved for the first round of this funding, right? He just started getting checks because he changed his contract from Proctor Car Care to Proctor Car Care, Incorporated. He wanted to be incorporated because he wanted to take the advantage of what organizations get from the government for being incorporated, like things he can write off on his business because he incorporated. It took a year and a half before that contract was executed. Now, in -- the reason why -- and I'm not blaming CD on that -- because it has to come back to the board -- to the City Commission for any changes. And the problem is, unlike the facade program, you all designate a pot of money for the facade program so the businesses names don't have to be mentioned so the money don't have to particularly be tagged to a certain business like the facade. You sit [sic] aside a certain money; the businesses and the agencies can work together get the package done, and then they access the money. In this case, because it's done per business, any little change, even if it's the same business, if they change a letter on they business, it has to come back to the City Commission. If they awarded a couple of dollars exfra or whatever, it has to come back to you, and that depends on -- City ofMiami Page 51 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Chair Sanchez: Leroy? Mr. Jones: -- when it's placed on the City Commission. Now our thing's been being bumped to take the place of other things. For example, we done had where we had our items that's supposed to been in front of the City Commission, but it been bumped for priority, for other things the City felt was more important than us. But why I'm saying that is who get the blame for it? Who get chastised for it? Me. Because the businesses -- we working directly with them, so I'm blamed for it because it took Proctor two and a half years to access his money -- Chair Sanchez: Leroy? Mr. Jones: -- because it has to come back -- Chair Sanchez: Leroy? Mr. Jones: Yes. Chair Sanchez: I think you've made your point. Listen, let me just make a recommendation, okay? Let's schedule a meeting, bring your concerns and your recommendations, and we'll sit down with the Department and we'll take care of that, all right? Thank you. Mr. Jones: Okay. Chair Sanchez: All right? Mr. Jones: All right, that's fair. Chair Sanchez: Thank you. Mr. Jones: All right. Thank you. Chair Sanchez: All right. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: I think you have -- Chair Sanchez: Next speaker? Renita Holmes: Good morning, Commissioner, Commissioner Jones [sic]. Just want to make a matter of record, but thank you again for assisting my business and having the insight -- my name is Madam Renita Holmes. I am the owner of R. Holmes Business and Property Service, also known as Our Homes Opportunities for United Restoration. I was recommended for funding last year, and I'm receiving this second allocation; and I guess, the biggest part, which made such a big difference to me, is the fact that when you come along and you get funding the first year, that's great; but when you come back and you have that second year, that helps you meet the gap and it does help you go to the next level. However, this -- I also wanted to make note in regards to the technicalities because, you know, we know bookkeeping has a lot to do with funding in the process, accounts payables, you know, making sure that small technicalities - - and I know that it's almost like a pilot project, but there are technicalities where I think that maybe if there was some foresight that could assist. I'm now still awaiting and having an extension of the contract, and I'm concerned about the extensions because it does take a quite a bit of time, and by the time you access back funds and new funds, you can have a real big drop. Awaiting answers sometimes can cause a problem or not having any answers at all, and having four to five months have that happen could really make or break a business, but knowing that you've been recommended and it sometimes going to the other loan companies and stuff it still City ofMiami Page 52 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 gives hope and it says a lot, you know. So it does more good than harm, but sometimes just the small technicalities can just take all the advantages away. And I'm hoping that there will be some insight into the actual funding process from contract signing to actually paying out, you know, the checks and distribution; and these little ticks could really be a problem in the future, and I think they could be ironed out if there's more communication between the accounting department and compliance and perhaps, Ms. Blondet could offer more insight or foresight on it. but that period, like I said, could make -- and I've been able to withstand it, although for me, it's another season that I'm passing by where I could have had a lot of income. In my industry, seasons make a big difference. You know, it's cutting season. So if the check did not get there for a machine in time, or it did not get there for a supplemental machine, you've got one part -- you got a left hand and a right hand, and you know, I'm learning to work with disabilities as a person, but sometimes, in business, that's hard to do if you don't coordinate. I want to thank you again, and have a nice day. Chair Sanchez: Thank you so much. I guess that concludes our public -- briefly, right? Mr. Jones: Okay. The date for this meeting? Because I -- you know -- Chair Sanchez: Contact my staff and we'll meet. Mr. Jones: Okay. With CD (Community Development)? Chair Sanchez: Yes. Well -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: The Chairman is going to coordinate that meeting. Chair Sanchez: -- you contact and we'll meet. Mr. Hernandez: Mr. Chairman, if you allow me, I would like to get involved in resolving that issue because, obviously, the time should be around 60 days, and if we're taking more, I would like to know and work with him in resolving those issues. Mr. Jones: Listen, Mr. Chair, I'm not here beating up nobody. I just want the process -- Chair Sanchez: Leroy? Mr. Jones: -- to work better because when anything fall through, I'm blamed for it -- Chair Sanchez: Listen. Mr. Jones: -- and I just want to move things on. I just like to move things on. That's all I want to do. Chair Sanchez: Look, you need to bring things to our attention -- Mr. Jones: Okay. Chair Sanchez: -- here. We work with the Administration (UNINTELLIGIBLE). We're here to find solutions to problems -- Mr. Jones: Right. Chair Sanchez: -- all right? That's our job, to try to find solutions to those problems. That is a problem. There's no reason why anything should take six months to a year, so we'll address that issue. City ofMiami Page 53 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Mr. Jones: Okay. Chair Sanchez: All right. Anyone else? If not, the public hearing is closed and it comes back to the Commission. We are on SP.11, which is a resolution. There was a motion and a -- Ms. Thompson: No. Chair Sanchez: -- second to approve -- no, there's -- has been no motion. We need a motion. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: So moved. Chair Sanchez: So moved -- Commissioner Regalado: Second. Chair Sanchez: -- by Vice Chair, second by Commissioner Regalado. Any further discussion on the item? Vice Chair Spence -Jones: I just want to -- Mr. Chairman, I just want to say -- Ms. Thompson: We need you to turn your mike, please. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, Madam Clerk. I just want to say to staff ifI can get a report of all my micro businesses that received funding? At least I know there's a special project that we created with the agencies in my district over the last two years. The wins that they have gained from the project, whether or not, you know, they've -- were able to hire more people, whether or not they were able to gain more business. I would like to have a sense -- whether or not they completed the course. I would like to have a sense as to what were the wins from -- because as we move forth next year on funding additional businesses, there needs to be benchmarks for these businesses so that we know exactly how much we're helping them -- Mr. Duran: Yeah. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: -- so I think that it's really important -- Mr. Duran: The Department is working on a survey to evaluate just that, and we'll work closely with the technical support agencies that work with these micros to get that information. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. And then, last but not least, Mr. Chairman, if all of the CD employees, if they're here, if they can stand up for a minute? I saw Pedro leave. All my CD -- okay. I want to personally -- let's give them a hand for all of their hard work. Applause. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Their job, believe me, is not easy. And I know that you guys come to these hearings and feel like you're getting beat up left and right for whatever reason, but I'm sure the constituents to residents and the businesses truly appreciate everything that you do for them to help them with their situation -- with your issue, so I just want to personally thank you on behalf of myself and my fellow colleagues. We fruly appreciate your hard work. Mr. Duran: On behalf of our department, thank you very much. Chair Sanchez: Anyone else? City ofMiami Page 54 Printed on 6/19/2008 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 Applause. Chair Sanchez: If not, I just want to take the opportunity to echo on that, and praise your department, you going through this whole process, and of course, thank all the agencies that participated in the community meetings, in the entire process. You know, as I stated, we have to make tough decisions here. We're limited with funds, but believe me, I think all five of us, including our staff and City staff we do what we can. I mean, we wish we could do more, but we're limited with resources, so just want to take that opportunity to praise all of your for your efforts and your involvement in this process. If not, it is a resolution. All in favor, say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Madam Clerk, SP.11 has been approved, 4/1 [sic], okay. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Four/one? Chair Sanchez: Before we -- I mean -- I'm sorry, 4/0. It's not easy being the Chair, folks. You've made mistakes; I'm human, you know. SP.11, 4/0, Madam Clerk. All right, we need to adjourn this meeting, and I need a motion to adjourn. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: So moved. Commissioner Regalado: Move it. Chair Sanchez: There's a motion and a -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Second. Chair Sanchez: -- second. All in favor, say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay" Okay. This meeting is being adjourned. Now we need to wait about a minute, a minute and a half so we could call to order the special meeting -- the Special Commission meeting, reference the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), so we're going to take about a minute. A motion was made by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Vice Chair Spence -Jones, and was passed unanimously, with Commissioner Sarnoff absent, to adjourn today's meeting. City ofMiami Page 55 Printed on 6/19/2008