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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2010-06-21 MinutesCity of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com IMCORP GROTED IL E y. • Meeting Minutes Monday, June 21, 2010 9:00 AM SPECIAL City Hall Commission Chambers City Commission Tomas Regalado, Mayor Marc David Sarnoff, Chairman Frank Carollo, Vice -Chairman Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner District One Francis Suarez, Commissioner District Four Richard P. Dunn II, Commissioner District Five Carlos A. Migoya, City Manager Julie O. Bru, City Attorney Priscilla A. Thompson, City Clerk City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 RESOLUTION 10-00577 City Manager's A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING THE Office DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ("DEP")TO SUSPEND FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT'S ("FPL'S") SITE CERTIFICATION APPLICATION FOR TURKEY POINT UNITS 6 AND 7, WITH REGARD TO PLACING 85 TO 105 FOOT OVERHEAD HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINES ON US HIGHWAY 1, TO CONNECT THE TURKEY POINT POWER PLANT TO THE DOWNTOWN SUBSTATION ON SECOND AVENUE, WITHIN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY"), FLORIDA; AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO USE ALL LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE MEANS NECESSARY TO ENSURE DEP'S SUSPENSION OF THE APPLICATION, AND ALLOW THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO HAVE ADDITIONAL TIME TO THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATE AND FULLY ADDRESS THE CITY'S CONCERNS; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS STATED HEREIN. Roll Ca11: Present: Vice Chairman Carollo, Commissioner Gort, Chairman Sarnoff, Commissioner Suarez and Commissioner Dunn II On the 21st day ofJune 2010, 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 Sarnoff at 9:26 a.m., recessed at 12:08 p.m., reconvened at 1: 48 p.m., and adjourned at 2: 47 p.m. Note for the Record: Commissioner Suarez entered the Commission chambers at 9:27 a.m. and Commissioner Carollo entered the Commission chambers at 9:28 p.m. Julie O. Bru, City Attorney Carlos A. Migoya, City Manager Priscilla A. Thompson, City Clerk Pamela L. Latimore, Assistant City Clerk Chair Sarnoff I want to welcome everybody to the June 21, 2010 meeting of the City ofMiami Commission in these historic chambers. The members of the City ofMiami Commission are Frank Carollo, the Vice Chairman, Francis Suarez, Wifredo Gort, Reverend Richard P. Dunn, and myself Marc David Sarnoff, the Chairman. Also on the dais are Carlos A. Migoya, the City Manager, Julie O. Bru, the City Attorney, and Priscilla A Thompson -- welcome back -- the City Clerk. The meeting will be opened with a moment of silence, followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Commissioner Gort. Please all rise. Invocation and pledge of allegiance delivered. Chair Sarnoff We'll now begin this special meeting. The City Attorney will state the procedures to be followed during this meeting. Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): Good morning, Mr. Chair, members of the Commission, Madam City Clerk, Mr. Manager, Mr. Mayor, members of the public. Any person who is a lobbyist must register with the City Clerk before appearing before the City Commission. The material for the item on the agenda is available during business hours and at the City Clerk's office and online at www.miamigov.com. Anyone wishing to appeal any decision made by the Commission for any matter considered at this meeting may need a verbatim record of the item. Please, no cell phones or other noise -making devices. Silence them now. Any person making offensive remarks or who becomes unruly at the Commission chambers will be barred from further attending Commission meetings. And any person with a disability that requires auxiliary aids, please see City ofMiami Page 2 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 the City Clerk now. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Chair Sarnoff All right. Just so everybody knows the order of the business today will be conducted. We will hear SP.1, SP.2, SP.4, SP.6, SP.3, and SP.5. I see we have the Mayor here. Mr. Mayor, would you like to be recognized? Mayor Regalado: Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Commissioners. I think this is important day. You have several resolutions, and I'll just wait for my turn, for the Mayor's Poverty Initiative. I would like to say, though, that although there have been many cuts from the federal government, from the State, from the County, the ultimate responsibility with the residents is with us, the City ofMiami. So we are here trying to do the best for the people of Miami and, hopefully, many thousands of people will be protected after today's meeting. Thank you. Chair Sarnoff Thank you, Mr. Mayor. PUBLIC HEARINGS SP.1 RESOLUTION 10-00676 Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE Community ACCEPTANCE OF SECTION 8 HOUSING PROGRAM FUNDS, FROM FISCAL Development YEAR 2010-2011 ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,272,582 FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE, AND IN THE AMOUNT OF $448,842 FOR PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION, FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $4,721,424, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FOR SAID PURPOSE. 10-00676 Legislation.pdf 10-00676 Summary Form.pdf 10-00676 Public Notice.pdf Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Dunn II, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Carollo, Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Dunn II R-10-0253 Chair Sarnoff All right, let's begin the meeting with SP.1. George Mensah: Good morning, Mr. Chair. George Mensah, director of Community Development. SP.1 is a resolution authorizing the acceptance of Section 8 Housing Program funds in the amount of $4.7 million for fiscal year 210 [sic] and 2011. And these funds is [sic] used for our Section 8 program, primarily paying rent for Section 8 moderate rehab and the Section 8 voucher clients. Chair Sarnoff All right, let's do this. Let's open up a public hearing. Does anybody wish to be heard on SP.1, which is the rental assistance program? Anybody wish to be heard on SP.1? All right, hearing none, seeing none, the public hearing is closed, coming back to this Commission. Is there a motion? Commissioner Gort: Move it. City ofMiami Page 3 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Commissioner Dunn: Second. Commissioner Suarez: Second. Chair Sarnoff Motion by Commissioner Gort, second by Commissioner Dunn. Any discussion, gentlemen? Hearing no discussion, all in favor, please say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. SP.2 RESOLUTION 10-00677 Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE Community ACCEPTANCE OF UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND Development URBAN DEVELOPMENT ENTITLEMENT GRANT FUNDS, IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $27,224,171, AS STATED HEREIN, FOR THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT, HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM, HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS, AND THE EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENT(S), IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE ACCEPTANCE OF SAID GRANT FUNDS, FOR SAID PURPOSE(S). 10-00677 Legislation.pdf 10-00677 Summary Form.pdf 10-00677 Public Notice.pdf Motion by Commissioner Dunn II, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Carollo, Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Dunn II R-10-0254 Chair Sarnoff Okay. SP.2. George Mensah (Director, Community Development): SP.2 is the acceptance of all the funds received from HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) and it's in the amount of 20 -- about -- approximately $27.2 million and these are in the following categories: 8,950, 890 for the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) program; 4,974, 286 from your HOME (Home Investment Partnership Program) program; 12,935,584 for the HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS) program; and 363,411 from the ESG (Emergency Shelter Grant) program. Chair Sarnoff All right. Let's open up a public hearing. Is there anyone from the public wishing to be heard on SP.2, which is essentially the HOPWA money? Mr. Mensah: No. It's the combined, the total money. Chair Sarnoff Combined? Okay. Mr. Mensah: Yes. Chair Sarnoff SP.2. Does anybody wish to be heard on SP.2? Hearing none, seeing none, public hearing is now closed, coming back to the Commission. Is there a motion? Commissioner Dunn: So moved. City ofMiami Page 4 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Chair Sarnoff Motion by Commissioner Dunn -- Commissioner Suarez: Second. Commissioner Gort: Second. Chair Sarnoff -- second by Commissioner Gort. Any discussion, gentlemen? Hearing no discussion, all in favor, please say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. SP.3 RESOLUTION 10-00678 Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Community ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF HOME Development INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,974,286, FOR HOUSING PROGRAMS, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011, IN THE CATEGORIES AS SPECIFIED IN ATTACHMENT "A", ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FOR SAID PURPOSE(S). 10-00678 Legislation.pdf 10-00678 Exhibit.pdf 10-00678 Summary Form.pdf 10-00678 Public Notice.pdf Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Carollo, Gort, Sarnoff and Suarez Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Dunn II R-10-0257 Chair Sarnoff Whatl would like to do is continue to table SP.6. We'll bring it up at [sic] the last item for the agenda. What I'd like to do is go to SP.3. Alfredo Duran (Assistant Director, Community Development): (INAUDIBLE). SP.3 is a resolution authorizing the allocation of Home Investment Partnership Program's HOME funds in the amount of 4,987,286 for housing programs for fiscal year 2010 and '11 as described in the Attachment A; housing programs in the amount of 2,976,857; administration, 497,429; and District 1 homeownership zone, one million five. Chair Sarnoff All right. Let me open up a public hearing. Anyone from the public wishing to be heard on SP.3, investment partnership program funds in the amount of $4,974,286? Anybody wishing to be heard on SP.3? Hearing none, seeing none, coming back to the Commission. Is there a motion? Commissioner Gort: Move it. Commissioner Suarez: Second. Chair Sarnoff Motion by Commissioner, second by Commissioner Suarez. Any discussion, gentlemen? Hearing no discussion, all in favor, please say "aye." City ofMiami Page 5 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Sarnoff Okay. That passes. SP.4 RESOLUTION 10-00679 Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Community ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF 36TH PROGRAM Development YEAR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011, IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,950,890 TO THE ACTIVITIES SPECIFIED IN ATTACHMENT"A", ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2010; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS FOR SAID PURPOSE(S). 10-00679 Legislation.pdf 10-00679 Exhibit.pdf 10-00679 Summary Form.pdf 10-00679 Public Notice.pdf Motion by Commissioner Dunn II, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Carollo, Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Dunn II R-10-0255 Chair Sarnoff All right. SP.4. George Mensah (Director, Community Development): SP.4 is a resolution categorizing the various funding for the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) program, in the amount of eight point -- $8,950,890 to the following categories: economic development activities, $3, 868, 078; CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) program administration, $1,719,178; public service activities, $1,342,634; Code enforcement activities, $850,000; repayment of Section 108 debt, 1.1 million; for a total of $8,950,890. Chair Sarnoff What was the total? Mr. Mensah: Eight million nine hundred and fifty thousand, eight hundred and ninety dollars. Chair Sarnoff All right. Is there anybody wishing to be heard from the public on SP.4? All right, hearing none, seeing none, the public hearing is closed, coming back to this Commission. I believe -- is this the one that you wanted the --? Vice Chair Carollo: No. Chair Sarnoff It's SP.6, right? Vice Chair Carollo: Um -hum. Chair Sarnoff Okay. Is there a motion? Commissioner Suarez: So moved Commissioner Dunn: So moved. City ofMiami Page 6 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Chair Sarnoff Motion by Commissioner Dunn -- Commissioner Gort: Second. Chair Sarnoff -- second by Commissioner Gort. Any discussion? Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Sarnoff You're recognized for the record, the Vice Chair. Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a question for the director. Do you have a line -item budget to present to the Commission? Mr. Mensah: For? Vice Chair Carollo: For the $1, 790,178 that's going to go to CDBG program administration, which I believe is 20 percent. Mr. Mensah: No, not at this point. We're currently in the budget process. Vice Chair Carollo: Well, it's my understanding that you're allowed to accept up to 20 percent, but you could actually reduce -- you could actually accept less than 20 percent, so why are we giving you the whole amount if you haven't even presented a budget to us? Mr. Mensah: The regulation is 20 percent, and throughout the entire country, almost every city that know of use 20 percent. In addition, CDBG is the program that provides a lot of assistance. You will notice that when we go to the HOPWA program for management of a $12 million grant, we can only use $334, 000. You'll also notice that for ESG program, we only get $3,000. So the CDBG program is the one that allows us to be able to manage all the other programs that are not even CDBG related, and that is the reason why it's 20 percent. We don't have a budget now because we, as you know, the City starts its budget process, I think, around this time, and we are in the process of putting together our budget. Vice Chair Carollo: Well, it seems like we just approved SP.2, and I think that was 10 percent -- hold on -- if I'm correct. But either way, it seems like we're -- you're taking it for granted that we're going to give you 20 percent of the funding when you don't even present a line -item budget. At the same time, can some of that money -- if it doesn't go to administration cost, can some of that money be used for facade programs, for paving streets, for curbs, gutters, sidewalks, acquisition of lands? And should we be successful and lobby correctly and the public services sector go from 15 percent to 25 percent, that money can also be used for that, correct? Mr. Mensah: I wouldn't say correct, and the reason is that in the past, HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) had admonished us for using program funds, administration funds for other program activities. And even though I agree with you in the sense that if you don't use, you can take some of the program administration to actually do program delivery, I know for a fact that in the past, we've done that in the past, and HUD has said this is not an allowable activity for program (UNINTELLIGIBLE). So before I would say yes to you, I would have to have an opinion from HUD to be able to say that. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. With that said, I don't want to comingle the items. Forget about public services, okay? Mr. Mensah: Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: We'll put public services aside. However, if we don't use that money for City ofMiami Page 7 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 administration, we could use it for facade programs, paving curbs, gutters, sidewalks, all that. Mr. Mensah: Like I said -- and repeat what said. What said was that in the past, we've used administration funds for other program delivery and HUD (UNINTELLIGIBLE) told us we shouldn't do that. So I'm saying that even though technically, I agree with you, but only suggest that we talk to HUD and make -- get the understanding before we -- if you want to do something like -- you do something like -- But also want to put for the record that, yes, CDBG administration is high, and it's high because of the fact that the federal government realize the intricacies in administering this program, and that is why they allow you to go up to 20 percent. Assuming that don't have staff to go and monitor the programs and somebody does something wrong, what happens? You end up -- I would have to come here and say that I'm sorry, but we didn't administer this program very well and therefore I have to pay $1 million. So all I would say is that it's just a matter of mitigating risk. We can decide that, okay, we only need 10 percent for program administration and don't administer the program very well. What we end up being is that some of the programs will not be administered very well. HUD will come and say, well, now you owe $8 million. So instead of having additional 700,000 to get a program done well, you end up paying HUD $8 million, but that's a decision that the City Administration will have to make when the time comes. Vice Chair Carollo: Well, my only point is this. You're asking us to approve the maximum, according to HUD, that could be given for administration cost. Yet, you have provided no budget to us saying how you're going to expend those monies. Therefore, my point is, I think that for the future, you should present that to us so -- maybe you're correct. Maybe, you know, you need the staff or -- I don't know. But the bottom line is, right now we don't know that. You just asked us to approve the maximum amount allowed by HUD, which is 20 percent. Mr. Mensah: If you -- Commissioner, if you want me to provide you our current budget line item, we can do that. As you know, we're already in June. Today is June 21. And basically, you're asking us to provide you a line budget item for a year that start from October 1, and we just started the process. So if you allow me, I'll give our current budget that shows you how the 20 percent from last year is being used, and then from there, you know, whatever you want us to do, we're prepared to do that for you, Commissioner. Vice Chair Carollo: Right. And by the way, Mr. Director, just understand what I'm saying. You're asking us to approve the budget right now. You're ask -- not necessarily the budget. You're asking us to approve the -- up to 20 percent, which is the whole 20 percent right now. You're asking us to approve that right now. Not two or three months from now; you're asking us to approve it right now. I think you should provide a budget on how you're going to spend these 20 percent, which is $1, 790,178 in order for us to say yes, you're justified in receiving the whole 20 percent. If not, in all fairness, I'd rather give 15 percent and use those other 5 percent, you know, for streets or for curbs or for public facilities or -- and I'm not going to go into all the different things that we can use because you're quite aware of all the things that we could use that money for. So that's all I'm asking. For future references, please provide us a budget because I don't think I'm going to be so forthcoming in approving an item -- Mr. Mensah: Okay. Vice Chair Carollo: -- to the maximum. Mr. Mensah: No problem. We will do our budget maybe in April/May so we can present it at this time in the future. Chair Sarnoff Commissioner Gort -- Mr. Mensah: Thank you. City ofMiami Page 8 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Chair Sarnoff -- you're recognized. Commissioner Gort: Let me give you a suggestion. I think it's a very good questions [sic]. And my understanding is you have the budget from last year. Maybe you could show a copy of last year's budget, what you spent in administration. And also, I think we could pass a resolution stating that any funds that are left over should be used in other useable category. Mr. Mensah: Yes. Commissioner, that is what we've always done. When we can -- the last time I came and I did a closeout funds -- closeout funds means that at the end of the year, if you have money that's left in administration, you can't use that because you're only allowed one year. So those funds, we always put it together and then we're able to use it for other purpose because they are no longer eligible for adminisfration, so they're eligible for the activities, and that's what we've continuously done. Chair Sarnoff Anybody else? All right. Commissioner Gort: Can we make the amendment or --? Chair Sarnoff What amendment exactly are we making? Commissioner Gort: That if the funds -- first of all, as soon as he can, to show us a line -item budget. You can always show him the one from last year, the adminisfration expenditure. And the amendment would be any funds not utilized in adminisfration could be shift to any other use. Chair Sarnoff Will we inevitably approve your line -item budget? Mr. Mensah: You can -- if you ask, we definitely will provide that information. Chair Sarnoff So why don't we do this. Why don't you come back to us in 90 days --? This is for the next fiscal year, right? Mr. Mensah: Yes. Chair Sarnoff So why don't you come back to us in 90 days with your line -item budget; we'll approve it, subject to a secondary review of your line -item budget, which will be approved by this Commission. Carlos A. Migoya (City Manager): Mr. Chair. Chair Sarnoff Yes, sir. Mr. Migoya: You will review the line -item budget as part of our overall budget that has to be done September 30 anyway, so -- Chair Sarnoff But I -- what I think what Commissioner Gort's trying to do is -- Mr. Mensah: -- which goes back to the 90 days, so we're fine with the 90 days. Chair Sarnoff -- but I think he's frying to capture -- let's say Commission -- the Vice Chair decides I think you're $500, 000 too high in your number and I want to only approve a million. And I'm just using round numbers. And I think without that amendment, we would lose that ability. Mr. Mayor. Mayor Regalado: Thank you. I think that Commissioner Gort is right, and there should be a City ofMiami Page 9 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 separate resolution stating that any funds that are not used for administration should be hold [sic] for future projects. Because the Vice Chairman is correct, we don't know. Nobody knows what is the stat -- actually, everything depends on the budget and the number of employees and - - so everything has to do with the budget process. But it's important that we notify HUD, and this is why it's very important. On the last item, we will discuss what we going to do directly, this Commission and myself and the Manager, with HUD. But think that we cannot miss one single dollar. And the Vice Chairman is correct, we could use that for so many things that it would be worth passing a resolution stating that provided -- and I will say to you not 90 days. I will say to you 60 days because they're able to bring their line -item budget soon. The Manager has to do the budget anyways. So I think it's important because we will be keeping that money and it could be used for other things. Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Sarnoff You're recognized. Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you for that, andl appreciate my colleagues, you know, listening to what I'm saying. The purpose of this is realistically -- because pretty soon we're going to hear a whole lot of organizations coming before us, good organizations that really need this funding and so forth. And the fruth of the matter is we need to do a lot more with less, we need to make sure that we fund all these organizations, but a lot of times we have our hands tied. And I don't want to just give 20 percent to the administration just because the maximum that we could give them is 20 percent. I want to make sure that we have accountability. So I thank my colleagues for this, and I think we should pass either an amendment or so forth for them to come back because I think it's important, and I think we need to let everybody know out there that this is a new Commission, this is a new Administration. We are really looking at accountability and making sure that every dollar counts. Chair Sarnoff All right. Let's -- Commissioner Dunn, you're recognized. Commissioner Dunn: Yes. I would need to remake that motion. Chair Sarnoff 'Cause you're moving -- Commissioner Dunn: I amend it. Chair Sarnoff -- for the amend -- Commissioner Dunn: I will amend it. Yes. Chair Sarnoff -- the amendment? Commissioner Dunn: Yes. I don't know what a time certain because I know someone -- the Mayor mentioned 60 days, but that puts us in August. That -- Chair Sarnoff Right. I think 90 is -- Commissioner Dunn: -- so that -- Chair Sarnoff -- the more appropriate number. Commissioner Dunn: Yeah, or 75 maybe. I don't -- Chair Sarnoff Within 75. City ofMiami Page 10 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Commissioner Dunn: Yeah. Chair Sarnoff Before we get to this, I have a question actually in the funding of a number of things, Mr. Mensah. Mr. Mensah: Yes. Chair Sarnoff You indicated that you apparently have vetted all these programs? Mr. Mensah: You mean for -- which programs, Mr. Chair? Chair Sarnoff Well -- maybe you're right. Mr. Mensah: This is the -- Chair Sarnoff Maybe -- you know what? I think I'm looking at your notice. I apologize. Commissioner Gort: We're not there yet. Chair Sarnoff Right. Okay. Let's -- do we -- the best way to handle this is as amended or do a separate resolution? 'Cause I think if we approve this, we are approving the 20 percent. Vice Chair Carollo: Subject to. Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): The clari -- and I wanted to ask that clarification, and thank you, Chair. There was a mention by the Mayor for a separate resolution. Chair Sarnoff Right. Ms. Thompson: But as I understand, Commissioner Gort's original amendment was to the existing resolution. And I thought I heard that you would be putting in some wording for a time frame in that one. So I'm saying it's up to you all how you want to draft your language for that. Chair Sarnoff Well, let me confirm one thing with Mr. Mensah. If we do this as amended, do we do any harm to the amount of allocation from HUD? Mr. Mensah: If these -- we have to do the annual action plan, which has to be available for 30 days, and we rely on the approval here to be able to -- that is due to HUD August 15. And so I think that what -- the statement that was made in terms of allowing us to come back with a budget, you know, so you're approving it subject to that. Now, if we -- if, for some reason, we come back with a budget -- line -item budget and then the Commission decide that, you know, they only allow 10 percent or 15 percent, then we have to do an amendment to HUD and tell HUD that instead of using 20 percent, we are going to use 10 or 15 percent, and that has to be done through the -- HUD's process again. Chair Sarnoff All right, so help us under -- maybe Commissioner Gort can help us. Commissioner Gort: No. My understanding is -- and I understand the point of view, they have to put the whole proposal together so when they get it up in Washington to get it back, I think we locally have to make the amendment that if anything's not -- we want to see their budget. We want to make sure if they can reduce it, they can reduce it, and they can always amend it afterwards -- Mr. Mensah: Yes. City ofMiami Page 11 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Commissioner Gort: -- after the award has been done. So in other words, the amendment would state that if any fund not used for administration should be relocated to any other issues that could be used. Chair Sarnoff All right. And are you comfortable, Commissioner -- Vice Chair getting a budget within 75 days? Vice Chair Carollo: Sure. I just -- once again, I just think we need to have some accountability. If -- in other words, if they -- Mr. Chairman, if they tell you, you have to -- you -- okay, administration cost could be up to 20 percent, up to 20 percent. Chair Sarnoff Right. Vice Chair Carollo: Why are we taking it for granted, without even a budget or anything, and saying okay, we'll give you the 20 percent, especially when that money could be used to -- could be used for many of these organizations that do a very good job and are struggling right now. And the fruth of the matter is in these tough financial sometimes, a lot of people come to these organizations for more services. So I think, you know, if we've all tightened our belts from the Mayor to the Commission to the City Attorney, City Clerk, City Manager, I think we all really need to see our own budgets and so forth. And I'm not ready, you know, just to blanket a 20 percent administrative cost. I'd like to see a budget. I'd like to -- you understand? And I think what I'm asking for is reasonable. Chair Sarnoff Okay. Do you think we've stated an adequate --? Can you make heads or tails of what we've done if we do this as amended? Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): Mr. Chair, can I make a suggestion? Chair Sarnoff Sure. Ms. Bru: Okay. Just to -- so that we are clear on the record, what we're doing. Since this attachment to the resolution which sets forth the specific allocations has to be provided by [sic] HUD and it has to be provided to HUD with an amount of certainty, what I suggest is that we could perhaps include here a footnote that indicates and expresses that the allocation for CDBG program administration is at this time, you know, tentative, and it'll be finalized when the City's budget is approved in accordance with state law, and any monies that is not authorized under the budget would be used for eligible CDBG expenses. Mr. Mensah: No. Ms. Bru: No? Mr. Mensah: No. We have to be specific on this. What I said was that -- Commissioner Gort: You have to have a specific budget. Mr. Mensah: -- we have to go with a specific number. Commissioner Gort: We can change it later. Mr. Mensah: It's based on that that HUD will -- Chair Sarnoff Okay. So do we need to amend it? Mr. Mensah: -- put the money in the allocation -- City ofMiami Page 12 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Commissioner Gort: We can change it later -- Vice Chair Carollo: Yes, yes. Mr. Mensah: -- to use for administration. Commissioner Gort: -- with the amendment. Vice Chair Carollo: I think so. Mr. Mensah: So the -- Chair Sarnoff So we don't need to amend it? Mr. Mensah: -- best thing is -- Vice Chair Carollo: I don't think so. Mr. Mensah: Okay. Vice Chair Carollo: I just don't want -- Chair Sarnoff All right, let's -- I think the best way to do this is not to amend it. I don't think anybody wants to risk HUD funding. Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman. And I agree. And again, you know, I didn't want to be the bad guy. I didn't want to throw a wrench into this whole ordeal, butl think it's very important. And, again, I'm not saying that we should amend it because I don't want to, you know, run the risk of losing any dollars. However, it's a heads -up for everybody, the Administration, you know, Mr. Director, for future references, and I think this Commission. I think, in all fairness, you know, we're going to be a lot more stricter in approving some of these fundings [sics] and the percentages. Chair Sarnoff All right. Madam Clerk, I don't think there was a -- the maker had an amendment, and I don't think the seconder accepted an amendment. Ms. Thompson: What heard the seconder say is that he thought he might have to restate it. It was not restated. So according to my records, I have no amendment -- Chair Sarnoff Okay. Ms. Thompson: -- that was accepted by the mover or seconder on this resolution. Chair Sarnoff Understood. All right, so we have a motion and we have a second. Any further discussion, gentlemen? Hearing no discussion, all in favor, please say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. SP.5 RESOLUTION 10-00680 Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Community ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF COMMUNITY Development DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $428,545, FROM NEIGHBORS AND NEIGHBORS ASSOCIATION, INC.- OSUN City ofMiami Page 13 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 VILLAGE PROJECT; ALLOCATING SAID FUNDS TO NEIGHBORS AND NEIGHBORS ASSOCIATION, INC. ("NANA"), FOR THE NORTHWEST 7TH AVENUE COMMERCIAL BUILDING REHABILITATION PROJECT; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, WITH NANA FOR SAID PURPOSE. 10-00680 Legislation.pdf 10-00680 Exhibit.pdf 10-00680 Exhibit 2.pdf 10-00680 Summary Form.pdf 10-00680 Public Notice.pdf Motion by Commissioner Dunn II, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Carollo, Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Dunn II R-10-0258 Chair Sarnoff Let's go to SP.5. Lillian Blondet (Assistant Director): Lillian Blondet, Department of Community Development. SP.5 is a resolution requesting the transfer of CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funding in the amount of $428, 545 from Neighbors and Neighbors Association, Inc., Osun Village Project to NANA (Neighbors and Neighbors Association) for the Northwest 7th Avenue commercial building rehabilitation. This project was not able to be completed, the Osun project, as expected and originally designed so the City did not exercise its option to renew the contract. And now we're recommending that we reschedule or we expand the boundaries and change a little bit the scope of the project so that we can rehabilitate the properties on Northwest 7th Avenue. Chair Sarnoff All right. Let me open a public hearing. Public hearing is now open on SP.5. Mariano Cruz: SP.5. Mariano Cruz, 1227 26th Street. You know, this use of Community Development money, that's what I like to see, money that goes to community development, office maybe to bring more jobs to the 7th Avenue 'cause 7th Avenue corridor is being built now with the UM (University ofMiami) building, the facility, Camillus House too. A lot of things going on 7th Avenue Northwest. And the business, especially coming from NANA -- I know NANA. They go to the County Commission. They lobby for funds for the mom-and-pop store, for the little guy, not for the big developers or anything, but the little guy on the street there, mom-and-pop store, the foundation. The economy of this country is based on the little company, not the Wall Street companies, no, no. The little companies are the one that carry this country. And I like to see that money going there because that's community development. Community development. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. You're recognized. Leroy Jones: Good afternoon. Leroy Jones, Neighbors and Neighbors Association, 180 Northwest 62nd Street. Asking this Commission to approve the recommendations from CD (Community Development). I want to say a little something about CRP, Commercial Rehab Projects. When NANA first got involved in getting support from the City back in 2000, the only project small business could be involved in in the inner city through CDBG was facade programs. That was the only program. And at that time, facades, the -- I think the max was only 2,000, and it wasn't working in inner-city neighborhoods because most of the properties is single -structure buildings that set [sic] alone separate from what you see downtown in some of the areas where they got five and six and ten businesses conjoined together where the money can expand more. And given that the businesses had to invest some of their own money into the City ofMiami Page 14 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 project, it was rarely -- facades in CRP was rarely done. Back in 2002 -- Commissioner Gort sat on the dais then -- we got the first commercial rehab projects ever done in the inner city. And I'm talking about doing interior and exterior work. Three projects, one in Little Haiti -- two in Little Haiti and one in Liberty City. That was the first time ever the City ever done projects of that magnitude. To this day, we have done over 40 projects like that. Ninety percent of the projects we done has been interior work and exterior work, unheard of in the County and unheard of in the City. So only thing we asking for a chance so that we can complete this project. We expanded the boundaries because we did have some complications with FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation). It took us two years to get FDOT to approve some of this stuff. Some of the properties had setback because on 7th Avenue, they don't have parking. So we was [sic] dealing with the whole parking issue. And back there in the '60s when they took the property from the people, they didn't have any -- they couldn't expand or couldn't get approved or qualify because they didn't have parking. We -- through this project, we have -- we helped some of the businesses on 7th Avenue get some of the property back from FDOT that was tooken [sic] from them because of this project. So the only thing we asking for this city -- this Commission to support us so that we can complete this project. Again, we expanded the boundaries. We have some other businesses that want to be involved in this process and we - looking for y'all support. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Anybody else --? Ms. Blondet: Let me ask Leroy -- Chair Sarnoff Yes. Ms. Blondet: Leroy, 'cause -- when we drafted the original resolution, we had not -- we were not able to put the boundaries -- Mr. Jones: Right. Ms. Blondet: -- that we're recommending. So if we can just amend that -- Mr. Jones: The new boundaries now -- Ms. Blondet: -- with the boundaries now. Mr. Jones: -- is from 46th Street to 71st Sfreet. Since we expanded the boundaries, I think we had four new property owners that want to participate in this process. So just in case any of the old property owners fall out -- some of the properties now that we had under the first process is not being used, is vacant, and we didn't want to invest money in properties that nobody is renting anymore. So we expanded the boundaries. Chair Sarnoff All right. Any Commissioners have any questions? Commissioner Gort. Commissioner Gort: That area is Northwest 7th Avenue and 62nd Street. I mean, that's one that we've been working on it for a long time. I remember in 1980, the Census Bureau had the office in those new buildings. Are you going to be working with any of those property [sic] within 62nd and 7th? Mr. Jones: You know, the City -- I think the City and the County just finished a joint project on 62nd and 7th Avenue. We expanded it in that area. So any property owners that's in that area that want to participate -- we passed out flyers to every business from 46th Sfreet to 71 st Street, so all of them is welcome to participate. Commissioner Gort: 'Cause east of -- I mean, south of 62nd is a good target area. You have City ofMiami Page 15 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 some small business there that could really use the help. Okay. Thank you. Mr. Jones: Okay. Commissioner Gort: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chair Sarnoff Anyone else? Commissioner Dunn. Commissioner Dunn: Yes. I -- well, I just -- I mean, I just want to just reiterate what has already been expressed. I'm familiar -- very familiar, have been with the area as it relates to the need to expand for the business corridor, which is really in my district, in the Model City area. It is -- it's the hub really. And so I'm definitely in support of supporting NANA in this endeavor because of the fact that they have a great reputation in revitalizing the area. Chair Sarnoff All right. Anyone else from the public wishing to be heard on SP.5? Hearing none, seeing -- George Williams: I'm sorry. I'm not familiar with the process here, and I beg your pardon. My name is George Williams. I'm an owner and operator of a business on 7th Avenue in the District 5, namely 5656 through 5660 Northwest 7th Avenue. Feel nervous before this august body and delighted that y'all would even hear me. I just wanted to say very briefly that I'm very much in favor of the proposal as it was explained to me by NANA and Leroy Jones. Please pardon my nervousness. But also wanted to say that there was a project, a proposal -- I don't know the exact terminology -- that's been pending now for some four, almost five years. I think there was an allocation of some resources and whatnot, and I think that the great delay is very burdensome for the business section. You know, as I said before, I do own and operate a business. We're in need of some of the resources that are proposed here. We believe that we could increase the employment of some of the disenfranchised citizens in our area if we could receive some of the support that is being proposed today. And so I would like to now thank you for having heard us, and I urge you very strongly, if you would please, consider and approve the recommendation here. Thank you for your time. Chair Sarnoff Thank you, sir. Thank you for coming. Anyone else wishing to be heard on SP.5, please come up to the microphone. Hearing none, seeing none, coming back to this Commission. I don't know if we've had a motion. Commissioner Dunn: So -- I'll make one if -- Chair Sarnoff Motion by Commissioner Dunn, second -- Commissioner Gort: Second. Chair Sarnoff -- by Commissioner Gort. Any discussion, gentlemen? Hearing no discussion, all in favor, please say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Sarnoff SP (Special) -- Mr. Williams: Thank you. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. SP.6 RESOLUTION 10-00681 City ofMiami Page 16 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Community ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF 36TH PROGRAM Development YEAR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,342,634, IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE CATEGORY, TO THE AGENCIES SPECIFIED IN ATTACHMENT "A", ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2010; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT(S), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM(S), WITH SAID AGENCIES, FOR SAID PURPOSE(S). 10-00681 Legislation.pdf 10-00681 Exhibit SUB.pdf 10-00681 Exhibit 2.pdf 10-00681 Summary Form.pdf 10-00681 Public Notice.pdf Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Commissioner Dunn II, that this matter be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Carollo, Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Dunn II R-10-0263 Chair Sarnoff Okay. SP.6 Lillian Blondet (Assistant Director): Good morning. Lillian Blondet, Department of Community Development. SP. 6 will be allocating some of the funding that Mr. Director now just allocated to the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) categories. This one specifically is going to be allocating funds to public service activities. The $1,342,634 for public service activities to be allocated to agencies, this year we had a request for proposals that was opened for all the agencies to apply for funding. We received about 46 applications; of those, we selected the ones I will mention later. We have a panel of three people reviewing the applications; two people from the outside, one person from the City who's not directly involved with the programs, and they evaluated all the proposals; and based on that, we make the recommendations. So at this time we are requesting the Commission to approve the allocation of funding for public service activities to the following agencies, and I'm going to mention all of them just for the record. Allapattah Community Action, $275,151; Aspira Florida, Inc., 15,500; Association for the Development of the Exceptional, 32,500; Belafonte Tacolcy Center, $8, 000; Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami - Centro Hispano, 8,700; Catholic Charities - Notre Dame, 10,200; Catholic Charities - Gesu, 19,300: De Hostos Senior Center, $72, 000; 55 Years and Up, $21, 450; Josefa Perez de Castano Kidney Foundation, $10, 000; Little Havana Activities & Nutrition Centers of Dade County, $143, 600; Our Child Care, Inc. - Our Little Ones Learning Center, 19,600; Southwest Social Services Program, Inc., $115, 000; St. Alban's Day Nursery, $21, 000; Sunshine For All, 55,000; The Alternative Programs, Inc., 16,450; The Sundari Foundation, $50, 700; Theodore Roosevelt Gibson Memorial Fund, 8,800 -- $8, 700; Urgent, Inc., $5, 000; World Literacy Crusade of Florida, Inc., 20,820; Youth ofAmerica, 23,400; and the City ofMiami Department of Community Development Reserve Account, we have $390, 563. Chair Sarnoff All right, let me do this. Let me open it up to a public -- Commissioner Gort: Okay. Chair Sarnoff Do you want to do that? Do you want to --? Commissioner Gort: No, no. Go 'head, open it to the public. Chair Sarnoff Let me open it up to a public hearing. Mr. Mayor, you want to be recognized? City ofMiami Page 17 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Mayor Regalado: IfI may. Just to clarify, there are some agencies on appeal at this moment, and it's important that we understand the process of appeal. In case of Centro Mater, Sister [sic] and Brothers, they are on appeal process right now. I think Rafael Pena Bert (phonetic) too is under appeal, but I'm not sure. And Curley's House is under appeal too. And these are programs that in the past have been funded, but I just wanted to tell you that this could change. I don't know what is the process of appeal, but the people should know because uncertainty is the worst that could happen to an agency. Commissioner Gort: We're on item 6, right? Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Sarnoff Vice Chair is recognized. Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In line with what the Mayor said, could the appeal process be explained to me? And why are there appeals? What are the reasons for them and so forth? George Mensah (Director, Community Development): The process usually starts with an RFP (Request for Proposals). And in the RFP there are appeal proceedings that is available for respondents or the applicants. The major thing is that if you get your scores -- and usually, we provide the scores, and we have a minimum cutoff of where people will get funded. The scores are then provided to the applicant. The applicant has within three business days to send an e-mail (electronic), a fax also saying thatl think that you made a -- a mistake was made in the scoring of my application. After they provide the appeal to us, then we convene a third -- a second panel that reviews all the appeals. They review the information that was provided by the applicant, goes through the application to see if there's any information that was not looked at or that was not seen by the three scorers; and if there was, then the score was adjusted to reflect the new score and then we -- if there was nothing else that was missed during the scoring process, then the score remain the same, and we send them a letter saying that after reviewing the -- the second panel saw that your scores had a change to this. The score might change, but you might still not meet the minimum criteria. That's how (UNINTELLIGIBLE) process works. Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Sarnoff You're recognized. Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. Could you go into a little bit about the scoring process, how do you score? Do you look at informations [sic] they provide? Do you look at their books, records? How does the scoring process occur? Mr. Mensah: An RFP usually ask you several questions. Vice Chair Carollo: Right. Mr. Mensah: Some of the questions will be that to provide a budget and your budget has to be balanced. And so there will a score that will say that if you provide a balanced budget, you get ten points. So if we look at your budget and your budget shows that you are missing -- you don't have a balance, then instead of ten points, you might get five. Now these are all spelled out in the RFP. The RFP includes a scoring sheet. And anybody that does this kind of work, grants work, knows that usually take your -- the evaluation, the RFP scoring sheet and you look at the RFP to make sure that these things are in order, so those are -- that's how it's score. So we look -- based on the document that they provide in the application. One thing you have to note is that we've also, as part of the RFP, that if we currently fund you and you have any finding or you are City ofMiami Page 18 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 missing any information or anything, then that goes against you. And that is how the RFP process works. Chair Sarnoff All right. Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Director. So there is a quite extensive process, from what I'm seeing? Mr. Mensah: Yes, it is. Vice Chair Carollo: And as far as the three scores, are they part of CD (Community Development)? I think Hs. Blondet mentioned it, but still, I want to verify. Mr. Mensah: The scores, usually we have two outside panel who are not, in any way, involved in the City ofMiami, and then we have one person who's a City ofMiami employee. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. And they have -- Mr. Mensah: It could be somebody from CD. It could be somebody from a different department. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. I just want to verify that the scorers also have a vast amount of knowledge with -- Mr. Mensah: Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: -- these -- Mr. Mensah: Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: -- organizations -- Mr. Mensah: Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: -- and so forth. Okay. Commissioner Gort: Mr. Chair. Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. Chair Sarnoff Commissioner Gort, you're recognized. Commissioner Gort: Who are the outside score -- the outside participants? Mr. Mensah: We didn't bring the list here, but the list is available -- Commissioner Gort: No, no. The outside -- the two individuals from -- not from the City. Mr. Mensah: Two individuals, they are different -- we have like six also -- Ms. Blondet: Lilian Blondet. We have about ten, twelve people from outside the City that work for different organizations and they're grant writers -- Commissioner Gort: And we select two. Ms. Blondet: -- so each panel had two outside -- City ofMiami Page 19 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Commissioner Gort: Gotcha. Ms. Blondet: -- and one from the City. Commissioner Gort: And they have the expertise and the social service and the -- Ms. Blondet: They had expertise in nonprofits -- Commissioner Gort: -- Community Development and so on? Ms. Blondet: Yeah. Commissioner Gort: Okay. Thank you. Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chair. Chair Sarnoff Commissioner Dunn. Commissioner Dunn: I think for the -- thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Mensah, for the benefit of -- I guess for the benefit of the Commission, as well as for the general public, this is not a final, final process. Is that what I hear you saying? It is final in some regards, but it's -- it can change possibly during the appellate process as well as reconsideration of -- is that what I hear you saying? Mr. Mensah: Yes. I think that our process is very unique, and it's very unique in the sense that we have five Commissioners, five districts, and each disfrict has different needs. So what we've built into our process is that after the RFP process has completed, we allow a disfrict to look at its needs and determine which needs they want to meet first. And so that allows the district to be able to make a determination of whether elderly feeding is much more important, and therefore, even if a scorer scored below the mark that we would not recommend, a Commissioner can say, no, I cannot do without feeding the elderly in my district; therefore, I'll go ahead and fund that agency. That is what we've built in this process, which is very different from maybe a process in other places. And so, yes, you're right, there could be changes that's made to these particular recommendations. Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chairman, one -- Chair Sarnoff You're rec -- continue. Commissioner Dunn: Thank you. Also -- and I -- it's important to realize that even if there are some changes that are weighed in by the district Commissioner, it will not overlap the overall budget. It will be within the purview of the budget, so it wouldn't be anything gained or lost. We wouldn't lose anything from the City's perspective. Mr. Mensah: That's correct. Chair Sarnoff All right, let me open it up to a -- anyone else want to be heard before I open up to a public hearing? All right, let me open it up to a public hearing. This is on SP.6. Anyone from the general public wishing to be heard on SP.6? Mr. Cruz, you're recognized for the record. Mariano Cruz: Mariano Cruz, 1227 Northwest 26th Street. You want to refresh information about what the Community Development program is. I've been in Community Development since the beginning of this, '74, '75, the early '70s. Before, there was no problem. Community City ofMiami Page 20 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Development (UNINTELLIGIBLE) economic housing, the whole thing. It was not intended for social services. At that time we have revenue sharing. Revenue sharing, you went to revenue sharing and all the money was -- also, at the time the population ofMiami was younger, a lot younger, but now -- I came here 23 years old. I am 71 years old, butt know the system. I don't have to use the social services because I got the VA (Veterans Association), I got Social Security, I got Blue Cross/Blue Shield, I got 401 k, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) no problem, investment property. But I play the game by the rules of the system, but many of the -- all the people here, they don't know the system. They depending on the social services. And at the time we have -- that the Congress raise the cap on 15 percent to 25 percent, what -- that's the only way because now we don't have revenue sharing. You could do anything you want with that money, revenue sharing, but now you are bound by federal guidelines and you get too many problem chasing few dollars in Community Development, and that's very hard. I would like to be sitting there now because you will see the people calling because you cut me, you cut my program, you cut my program, you cut me. That's not the point, because you got few dollars. People don't realize that. Few dollars. And Community Development was not intended to be for social services, and I know the system because I've been in Community Development since the beginning, okay. And I see the people here. They say, oh, they cutting me. They cutting my program. No. Because they have to, they have to. If you get -- if you have less money, you got -- at the time Miami was full of properties that were paying taxes to the City. Now we don't have anything paying taxes. And the only thing we do is spend money and spend money and spend money that people require services. Chair Sarnoff In conclusion. That's it. Mr. Cruz: Yeah, that's it. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Mr. Cruz: I did it under the wire. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Mr. Cruz: A minute fifty-nine. Chair Sarnoff You were almost under the wire. All right, you're recognized for the record. Mr. Cruz: Okay. Thank you. Nilsa Velazquez: Good morning. My name is Nilsa Velazquez. I'm the executive director/CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of KIDCO Child Care, and I'm here with some of my staff. Sivia -- Dr. Sivia La Villa, she's the associate director. And Rosa Casamor, social services directors [sic], and one parent representative that is going to be affected with the cuts from the City. And the reason I bring them is in case you have any questions to ask that we can -- they can also ask -- answer. We've been with the City ofMiami CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) for 34 years. That's an intrinsic part of our budget. The City ofMiami, 34 years ago, CDBG, the community got together and they asked for child care. They went to the Commissioners and the Commissioners at that time provided this funding. Through the years we have received cuts, we have receive increases, but mostly cuts from the CDBG funding. But we have been represented the City ofMiami very well, and we are here to ask for your support. We were not recommended this time for the funding, but we are appealing to you not to let the point system be a barrier for us to obtain the funding. We are accredited by the National Association of the Education of Young Children. We are continue to partner with the City ofMiami. And for Wynwood, it will be a big loss if we lose these monies. Even though there are nine children that we serve, it's a small community, and we really need to serve these families. Do you have any questions for us? City ofMiami Page 21 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Chair Sarnoff How many, of the children that you take care of parents are employed? Ms. Velazquez: We -- total of the agency is 450 children, but with the City ofMiami CDBG, it's nine children. We serve within Wynwood and Little Haiti. All those children are served by KIDCO Child Care. And we take pride in what we do because we have a beautiful training program. I would invite you to go. Chair Sarnoff Lisa [sic], Lisa [sic]. Ms. Velazquez: Some ofyou have seen KIDCO and the services we offer. Chair Sarnoff Lisa [sic], stop. I asked a direct question. How many of the children's parents are employed? Ms. Velazquez: Nine -- 449. Chair Sarnoff Okay. So only one is unemployed? Ms. Velazquez: Yeah. We only -- Chair Sarnoff Okay. Ms. Velazquez: -- have one over income. The rest is hundred per -- almost hundred percent low- and moderate -income families. Chair Sarnoff Okay. Thank you. Unidentified Speaker: Employed -- I'm sorry. Ms. Velazquez: Unemployed. Rosa Casamor: They're all -- for the -- I'm sorry. Hi. Good after -- good morning. I'm Rosa Casamor, Social Service director. For the City CDBG fund, we have nine children. All of them are working. They have been with us for many years, parents that have other kids. And we have success stories not only that are working right now; parents that had continued their education and therefore -- Chair Sarnoff Wait, wait. I realize there's a tendency to want to -- it was a direct question. Ms. Casamor: Sure. Chair Sarnoff Of the nine children -- Ms. Casamor: They all working, parents work -- working parents. Chair Sarnoff Okay. That's a direct question. Ms. Casamor: Okay. Thank you. Chair Sarnoff All right. And I know you guys all want to, you know, get your reasons down, but fry to be direct 'cause there's a lot of people here; we'll be here for -- Ms. Casamor: Sure, sure. Chair Sarnoff -- a long time. Any Commissioners have any other questions? All right, thank City ofMiami Page 22 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 you very much. Ms. Casamor: Thank you. Ms. Velazquez: You're welcome. Lavern Elie Scott: Good morning. Chair Sarnoff You're recognized. Ms. Scott: I am Lavern Elie Scott, Curley's House, 6025 Northwest 6th Court. We're here this morning to speak about our elderly meals program. We -- that's a program we have been funded by the City ofMiami for the last four years. This year we have not received any funds so far. Our seniors in our community that we love and cherish are here with us this morning, a few of them. They receive $600 a month, a lot of them. That's their income for the whole month to live off of. They receive 5 to $10 per month in food stamps. That's why our elderly meals program is so important to our community. When I hear you -- Commissioner Carollo, Commissioner Suarez, and Commissioner Sarnoff, when I hear you all speak about your community and your elderly people in your community, I hear so much passion from you all, so that's why we bought [sic] our seniors here because we have that -- we share that same passion for our seniors in our community as well, and we need all of you all support to continue feeding them. A lot of them -- if it was not for Curley's House, these people would not be able to eat at all, okay. And our seniors cannot go to other districts to receive service because a lot of time it depends on your ZIP (Zone Improvement Plan) Code. So if you not in their ZIP Code, they're not going to feed you. So with our program, we provide food to everyone from all districts all over the City. It does not matter. If people are in need, we are there to provide that service. Whether we have the dollars or not, we still sacrifice to make it. But with your help, we will be able to continue feeding our program [sic] and providing to these people here that have worked all of their life. We will be able to help them with more power than what we do. So that's why we are here to ask for each and every one of you all support to continue helping Curley's House. Commissioner Dunn, we support you, and we'd like for you to continue supporting us. Mayor Regalado, we appreciate all your help. We embrace each and every one of you all. And like I said, we come out to ask for your support to help us continue doing the great work that we have done for the last ten years. Thank you very much. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chairman. Chair Sarnoff Yes, sir. Applause. Commissioner Dunn: Before she -- Lavern -- Ms. Lavern -- Ms. Scott: Yes. Commissioner Dunn: I want to, ifI may, just ask a quick question 'cause -- Ms. Scott: Okay. Go ahead. Commissioner Gort: Ask her if she was funded last year. Commissioner Dunn: Yeah. That's what was going to -- yeah. How much were you funded last year? City ofMiami Page 23 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Ms. Scott: Last year we were funded 20, 000 from -- LaVerne. LaVerne Holliday: Twenty thousand from CDBG funds from the City and five thousand dollars from the Mayor's poverty fund. Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): I'm sorry. Chair -- Chair Sarnoff We're going to need to have your name for the record. Ms. Thompson: Yeah. Ms. Holliday: Okay. My name's -- Chair Sarnoff A name and address. Ms. Holliday: -- LaVerne Holliday, assistant director of Curley's House, 6025 Northwest 6th Court. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Ms. Holliday: Can I just make --? Ms. Thompson: Sir, I'm sorry. Chair, the statement that she made on the way up is not on the record. Chair Sarnoff Can you repeat your statement since the Clerk did not get your statement. Ms. Holliday: Okay. We received $20, 000 from the CDBG funds and $5, 000 from the Mayor's poverty fund. And since I'm here, can I just add a few things? Ms. Scott: Go ahead. Ms. Holliday: I want to say thank you, guys. We -- right now we are the only food bank in the north side of town since JESCA (James E. Scott Community Association) closed that's feeding these seniors. This has been -- it's been a tremendous increase on us, and we try our best to do what we can to help them. So we sincerely need your support because the north side is really at a real disadvantage. And we know that we all going through tough economic times. We all got to tighten our belts. But please think about us and our seniors. Thank you. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Commissioner Dunn: Thank you. Commissioner Suarez: Thank you. All right, you're recognized, ma'am. Elisa Juara: Good morning. My name is Elisa Juara. I'm the nutrition director for the Little Havana Activities and Nutrition Centers. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, all Commissioners, and staff. Little Havana has been serving the community for over 37 years. Of the 14 senior centers that we have, 7 are in the City ofMiami. And the population that we serve are very poor. You know, like the person before me, the elderly, they are in need of this service. It's not only a meal. It's much more than that because they go to the centers, they have transportations [sic], they have activities, they have classes. They have many things that are interactive and it's good for their health. Good nutrition is good health. When you are involved in your life, you also are a part of this community. Most of us -- we have over 300 volunteers in our elderly participants. The ones City ofMiami Page 24 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 that are stronger help the very frail. Of the -- last year we serve over a million meals between home delivery and congregate. With the City ofMiami funding, that is important because we are multi funded, but we need all the funds because there's a big need in this community. And right now the process for the Miami -Dade County, we all know what is going to happen because it's open for RFP. But we're always there looking for extra funding. And there's a lot of people at home that they cannot go to the center, and we have a big waiting list for those people too. But we do a lot of preventive and education at these centers. And I know all of you are aware of the program that we do and what we have served this community with pride and honor. Thank you very much -- Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Ms. Juara: -- for all your help. Chair Sarnoff Any questions? Go ahead. Commissioner Suarez, you're recognized for the record. Commissioner Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just have one question. What -- could you estimate the cost per meal, just a rough estimate as to how much it cost you per meal? Ms. Juara: A meal? Commissioner Suarez: Yeah. Ms. Juara: You know, you just cannot -- Commissioner Suarez: I know. Ms. Juara: -- there's the catering cost -- Commissioner Suarez: Right. Ms. Juara: -- okay, and then you have to put the staff the insurance -- Commissioner Suarez: Right. Ms. Juara: -- the garbage pick-up, and all of those things because -- Commissioner Suarez: Right. Ms. Juara: -- it's not come and get a meal, no. Commissioner Suarez: Of course. Ms. Juara: Okay. It's like $6. Commissioner Suarez: Right. That's including all that overhead. Ms. Juara: Exactly. Commissioner Suarez: When you take out all the overhead, it's probably -- Ms. Juara: Like -- well, last -- this year there is running -- it's like 2.87, 2.90. Commissioner Suarez: Two dollars and eighty-seven cents? City ofMiami Page 25 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Ms. Juara: Right. And for the home -deliver meals, it's 3.57 -- Commissioner Suarez: That's what I wanted to -- Ms. Juara: -- for -- you know, that's the catering cost, without any overhead. Commissioner Suarez: So it's less than Burger King -- Ms. Juara: Yes. Commissioner Suarez: -- basically? Okay. Ms. Juara: And it's more nutritious, okay. Commissioner Suarez: Yeah. Ms. Juara: It's called -- the menus are elaborated by a registered dietician, and they have to follow the approved -- the RDAs (Recommended Daily/Dietary Allowances) and all the -- and we have to do nutrient analysis for all the menus and all the meals that we provide. Commissioner Suarez: Congratulations. Ms. Juara: Thank you. And for most of the clients -- the participants that we serve are over the age of-- 79 is the average age that goes to the center. Chair Sarnoff So they're all young. Ms. Juara: Very young and full of life, okay. But there are the ones at home that are very -- also very frail, but when they go to the centers, we keep them out of institution, which is cost-effective for everybody -- Chair Sarnoff Thank -- Ms. Juara: -- for all -- and I know you all have a tough job because money is tight everywhere. Commissioner Gort: It's not there. Ms. Juara: So thank you very much. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Your recognized for the record, ma'am. Saliha Nelson: Good morning. Saliha Nelson, 1600 Northwest 3rdAvenue, Building D, 33136. Hi. I'm here today on behalf of Urgent, Inc., and Urgent, Inc. is a nonprofit working in the Overtown community. And we had been fortunate to receive CDBG money for the last two years and we're recommended this year and we thank you for that. However, as the agency to receive the smallest amount out of all the allocations, our feelings are a little bit hurt. Primarily because we serve girls in District 5, and girls in this community face a lot of risks. This district has the highest number of teen pregnancy, women contracting HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), STIs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases), low performing in school. And what our mission is is to empower girls to become self-sufficient, empower young women so that this community can really empower themselves going forward. And so what am I here asking today? As the agency who was recommended for $5, 000, we would ask that you would reconsider restoring our funding to the previous level of $20,340. That money would help to serve -- we serve about 100 girls each year, but that money would City ofMiami Page 26 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 help to serve 16 youth in the after -school program and 17 girls in the summer camp program. And as much as I would like to have filled the girls here in the chambers today, we have 65 of them starting summer camp and another 25 starting career -based summer internships. And I want to thank the Commissioner of Disfrict 5 for welcoming one of our girls this summer in this career -based internship. And so our mission is to create career development and skill pathways so that we don't have to come back asking for affordable housing or extra help; we want them to be prepared, to be self-sufficient. And so we would ask that you reinvest in the youth, in the girls in District 5. Thank you very much. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. All right, you are recognized for the record, ma'am. Helena Del Monte: Helena Del Monte, executive director of the Association for the Development of the Exceptional. ADE (Association for the Development of the Exceptional) has been operational for 32 years in Miami, and we have had the support of this dais, the ever -changing dais, for many, many years; so first, a thank you to our Mayor, to our Chair, and to all of the Commissioners. But today, I am here in front of you with a very, very small pocket of money, which is going to leave us with a great hole for services for the forgotten -- I want to repeat it -- forgotten population, adults with developmental disabilities. Recognize what developmental disabilities mean. It's not just a physical disability. It's autism and cerebral palsy, it's mental retardation. It's all the words that are no longer politically correct but they exist. These consumers, even though they're 21 and older and no longer serviced by the Dade County schools, they are children. They were born children and they will be intellectually impaired until the day the Lord calls them, and that is when a program such as ours step in. We're not a babysitting service. We're an academia, specialized academia for these adults so that we can focus on their abilities, not on their disability so that we can teach them skills, so that we can prepare them for independent living, and further on for supported employment. Where you go to a Publix or a Winn Dixie or a McDonald's and perhaps the young man or lady that is, you know, packaging your groceries is because of the skills ofADE. Now I am very proud of running an agency with a perfect internal audit, perfect, perfect, perfect. And please ask the wonderful Department of Community Development that my -- the reviews that they do every year, I have zero findings. So from perfection in a year when I know that there was more CDBG dollars than last year, I want to see the dignity that at least I receive the same as I did last year. Perfect grant, perfect service, perfect audit, and perfect monitoring from the Department of Community Development. I want to thank the -- I'm not going to mention names, but you know the ones that have helped me, and you also know the ones that have still not contributed. This is your time. I beg you. I beg with a lot of dignity because I do not beg for myself I beg for them. I beg you, give me the same dollars as last year. Thank you very much. Chair Sarnoff Ms. Dela [sic]Monte, stay there. What was last year's numbers? Ms. Del Monte: Last year, sir, we were more or less at the 45,000 figure; this year, 32. Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Sarnoff Yes, sir. You're recognized. Vice Chair Carollo: Ms. Del Monte. Ms. Del Monte: Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: Is your organization citywide or for a -- Ms. Del Monte: We are citywide. Vice Chair Carollo: -- specific district or --? City ofMiami Page 27 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Ms. Del Monte: We are citywide. Vice Chair Carollo: You are a citywide organization, not a disfrict organization? Ms. Del Monte: No, we're not a disfrict orga -- we're citywide. Vice Chair Carollo: Citywide. So you're requesting each one of the Commissioners to --? Ms. Del Monte: I'm requesting all Commissioners, yes -- Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. Ms. Del Monte: -- as I always have. Thank you very much. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Yes, ma'am, you're recognized for the record. Ginette Riguad. Good morning. My name is Ginette Riguad. I'm the assistant director for Our Child Care, Inc., an early learning facility for young children in the Little Haiti area. I'm here to thank every one of you for the continuous support that you have shown to the families of Little Haiti and for being recommended this year. Thank you very much. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Commissioner Gort: I'm sorry; I didn't get the name of the organization. Ms. Riguad: Our Child Care, Inc., doing business as Our Little Ones. Commissioner Dunn: Doing business as what? Pardon me. Ms. Riguad: Our Little Ones. We're a child care service in Little Haiti. Chair Sarnoff Are you being funded? Ms. Riguad: Yes, we are currently being funded, and we are recommended for refunding this year. Our Child Care, Inc. Commissioner Gort: Yeah. It's here. Chair Sarnoff Oh, I see it. I see it. Okay. Any questions? All right, thank you very much, ma'am. Ms. Riguad: Thank you. Chair Sarnoff You're recognized for the record. Lindsay Merrill: Hi. Lindsay Merrill, 217 Northwest 15th Street, on behalf of the Sundari Foundation and the Lotus House. Unfortunately, when the date of this meeting was changed, Constance Collins Margulies had a trip she wasn't able to change, but she asked me to be here today to thank Mayor Regalado, Chairman Sarnoff, Commissioner Dunn, all the Commissioners and the staff at the Community -- Department of Community Development. In these difficult times, we are extremely grateful for your continued support for the homeless women and children in our community. So thank you so much. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Any questions? All right, thank you very much. You're recognized City ofMiami Page 28 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 for the record, ma'am. Evangela Queen Davis: My name is Evangela Queen Davis. I live at 1555 Northwest 115th Street, butt volunteer at the Curley Food Bank, and I've been working with them for like five years, working with the seniors because I am a senior and I know how hard it is. And some of the seniors don't even get what I get, and I know it's very hard because sometimes we have to eat what we can eat and it's not good for our health. So I'm putting ourself [sic] on the mercy of the County Commissioner that they could (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Curley [sic] House with more money; that we could do more for the seniors, buy them more healthy food for the seniors. So you know how when we get a certain age, we have all kind of sickness and different things come in our body, and we just can't eat anything; and as a senior, I know this and this why I can stand here and plead with you all. If you all -- and throw myself on the mercy ofyou all, that you all could come up with some more money for the Curley Food Bank 'cause we feed so many seniors. And I know for a fact they -- the seniors don't get what they supposed to get, and we have to do whatever we can do to try to make it. But even if -- with that in my life, I still look out for other seniors because I feel like I'm in some better shape than some of these. So this is why I'm putting our -- putting Curley [sic] House -- the mercy on [sic] Curley [sic] House on you all, that we could come up with some more money to help feed our seniors healthy and better food. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. All right, you're recognized for the record. Merline Barton: Good morning. My name is Merline Barton, the executive director of the Thelma Gibson Health Initiative, a subsidiary of the Theodore Gibson Memorial Fund. This morning, I'm here on behalf of our seniors, over 300 seniors in the Gibson Stirrup housing and the seniors in the community of Coconut Grove and the homebound clients or residents of Coconut Grove. We are the agency that is closest to this City Hall, and yet, we feel that we're always overlooked. We are advocating for our seniors, allowing them to age in place to live the rest of their lives in some kind of comfort and dignity before they pass on. We help them to navigate the systems of health care. We provide emergency assistance to them by donations, wherever we can get them. We do food delivery for them, food bank delivery, I should say; and yet, each year we have an excellent audit, zero findings from the monitors by the Department of Community Development. Our seniors' numbers grow each year, and each year we get less money. So today, I'm asking you all if there is any way you could find some exfra money to help our seniors. It is becoming desperate. Just two weeks ago I had to find a wheelchair for a client that is 76 years old because she could not afford to get it. And it's just becoming so enormous for us. We get $8, 000 this year. It -- we need some help. Chair Sarnoff Ms. Barton, what'd you get last year? Ms. Barton: Eight thousand six hundred and twenty-eight. This year, I think we're down to 8,200 --? Chair Sarnoff Eight thousand seven hundred? Ms. Barton: -- 700. So a hundred -- every year we get less and less, and we are desperate. We need your help, all ofyou, if you could -- even donations. I don't know where else to turn because when we applied for funding outside of the City and they look at our budget and see that the City gives us the least amount of money, of course that doesn't look very good for us when we're asking other -- the County and other private organizations to give us more. The question is well, you're right there in the City ofMiami; why are they giving you the least amount of money? So I thank you for the $8, 000, but again, please, we need some help. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Ms. Barton: Thank you. Any questions? No. City ofMiami Page 29 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Chair Sarnoff All right. Ms. Barton: Thank you very much. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. You're recognized for the record, sir. Levert Jordan: Mr. Chairperson -- Chair Sarnoff Yes, sir. Mr. Jordan: -- Mayor, and fellow Commissioners. My name is Levert Jordan. I'm chairperson to New Horizon Tenants Association, 690 Northwest 60th Street, Miami, Florida 321 -- 33127. I'm here for two reasons. Matter of fact, I find out when I got here, I was here for two reasons. I came here primarily to speak on behalf of the Curley Food Bank. However, being the tenant association chairperson at New Horizons, which is primarily a senior citizen complex that mostly Section 8 -- people with Section 8 certificates there, so you know what that means. They're low, low income. And I found out this morning, as I conversing with the directors there, that they were getting a sum of money to take care of supposedly, 50 people. I say, I see myself when I come up here to -- I'm a recipient myself of the food stubs. I see more than that coming in here every month. And I look out my window, I see they're coming there all during the week. I say how you're going to take that paltry amount of money and take care of that? He say, we -- somehow we scrape and scratch, and we frying to make it, but it's coming a little harder, and I can very well understand it by just simply standing and looking out the window. However, they are trying to do it. But I'm here to speak on that -- their behalf and because I'm seeing firsthand, and when I have my meetings, of how they so badly need help till it kind of hurts my heart because -- number one, because I'm a deacon and I feel these things, and I try to do everything I can within my power. But then something has to be done. That's why I'm pleading with the Commission and -- the whole Commissioners -- oh, by the way, ifI may, may have my senior citizens stand up. Senior citizens, would you please stand up? Those that can't get up, somebody help them up, give them a hand. Be neighborly. Strong survive -- support the weak, okay. All right. All right, thank you. But we need help, and we figure we'll come here and plead with you to give us some help. But we have a good Commissioner in District 5. He's done the best he could to help us, our tenant association, but we need something a little beyond that. Whatever help you can give us, we would highly appreciate it. Thank you very much and blessings be upon you. Chair Sarnoff Thank you, Mr. Jordan. You're recognized for the record, ma'am. Mr. Jordan: No questions? Chair Sarnoff No. Muriel Walker: Good morning. My name is Muriel Walker. Chair Sarnoff You might want to pull the microphone a little closer to you, Muriel. Ms. Walker: A little closer, okay. Right there? Chair Sarnoff That's good. Commissioner Dunn: Yeah. Ms. Walker: Oh, okay. Don't do that. My name is Muriel Walker and I'm from the community of Liberty Square -- Liberty City/Liberty Square/Overtown. When I was a little girl, you see this City ofMiami Page 30 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 lady here, I had to follow her around to all the little food banks when y'all gave us beans, cheese, Spam, chicken on the bone, and whatever. We had to do the best we could. Now we got Curley [sic] House in the community and we been there for about ten years. This is not my first time speaking and not going to be my last 'cause God knows I'm asking all of y'all, all, please look out for us. My grandmother and other grandparents -- we got a lot of parents out there. You know, Mr. Bert (phonetic), he's from the New Horizon. They have people over there that cannot come and get our food. I take my time out and go over there and take food. Some of them tell me it's not enough. I say, well, I have to give you what the Commissioners them gave us. So now I'm asking you please, please -- we are all too blessed to be stressed. We need some of them dollars and we need them bad, so would y'all please --? Commissioner Dunn, you had told me at the last meeting over at Hadley Park to call you and you was coming in our neighborhood. You ain't got there but one time. You went over there to Edison Towers building. Now, we around the corner from Edison Towers. We help the people in Edison Towers also. When people over there don't have food, they call on me, Muriel Walker, Muriel Walker, and I take time and go see that they get they [sic] food. So I'm quite sure -- Mr. Dunn, you was Overtown when I was a young girl too, so you ain't too far from me. Commissioner Dunn: No comment. Ms. Walker: Tomorrow, God spare our life, I'll be 69 years old, 69. I've been out here struggling, begging, kicking. I used to stay in the Grove one time before y'all separated all the Commissioners, one here, one there, one there. Now we need all y'all to get together, get together -- not only us; help everyone, but we need you badly. I'm telling you, we need you badly. Thank you very much. Chair Sarnoff Thank you, Ms. Walker. Ms. Walker: Oh, I got my little young granddaughter. Sheshbazzar Payne: Hi. My name is Sheshbazzar Payne, and I'm here on the behalf of Curley [sic] House also. And I would like to say, as a young member of the group, that it's very important for us to be involved, which we have other young representatives for Curley's. I was saying because I started out as a client, which was helping me to provide food for my child because I was a young mother, at a young age, and Curley [sic] help me a lot to grow into becoming a better woman. And we asking you today, the young members of Curley's also, to continue to provide in these type of things to help our community, which is what we're also trying to do very much, which we are doing. It's not based on just the seniors. Like Ms. Elliot say, it's based on the community, which is all of us. All of us is [sic] having a chance through Curley [sic] House. You know, it's -- well, that's my point. Okay. Thank you. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Yes, ma'am. You're recognized for the record. Isela Iglesias: Hi. My name is Isela Iglesias. I'm here in behalf of Centro Mater. It's 418 Northwest -- I mean, Southwest 4th Street. I'm a mother of two. I went there -- well, my brothers and sisters went there, and I grew up there also. My kids are going there now. I don't think it's right you guys to cut the funds for Centro Mater 'cause -- could you imagine you going to work and not knowing if your kids are safe, who are they with. Before my daughter was in that day care, she was in another day care. I would always pick her up after four hours of having her there 'cause I wouldn't know if the teachers were good, how would they be with them. Centro Mater is like a family to me, so I don't think it's right for you guys to like cut the funds there. I think you guys should really reconsider on that. Okay. I am also speaking in behalf of all the childrens [sic] and family [sic] that have been served by Centro Mater over the 42 years. I want to thank you for your time and your consideration, and there's a special thanks going out for Mayor Regalado. Thank you. City ofMiami Page 31 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Ms. Iglesias: Do you have any questions? Chair Sarnoff Guess not. Thank you very much. Ms. Iglesias: Thank you. Chair Sarnoff You're recognized for the record, sir. Manuel Fraguir: Good morning. I just want to thank the Commissioners for giving me an opportunity to speak before you today. I -- Pamela L. Latimore (Assistant City Clerk): Your name for the record. Chair Sarnoff Name and address. Mr. Fraguir: Okay. My name is Manuel Fraguir, and I'm the executive director for Regis House. Regis House is a non -for -profit organization that's been in the community for 25 years, and we are in the City ofMiami, and we've been providing services for prevention at Citrus Grove Elementary. And this year, for some reason, we were not funded. We've been in the community for 25 years, like I said, and at that particular school, we've been there since 2002. Again, we've had great success. We provide the utmost quality services there. These are children that need our time and dedication. We provide prevention services in the after -school scenario. We talk to them about drugs, et cetera, et cetera. We have right now over 150 kids that need our services there in that particular school. These children have a preponderance of joining gangs and being involved in delinquency and after -school care if they're not assisted by us. I have parents that have gone to my office requesting our services. And we keep on getting less and less monies also from the County. So right now we've solicited two RFPs that were very, very important and promising to serve more than 85 students that are needing our services, and we were told that there was no funding for us. So what I'm requesting is a consideration for those services. I say it again, we've been there since 2002 providing extremely excellent services, great monitorings, no findings, so we're vital to this community. We've been here for a long time, and I think that the kids and the parents deserve to be funded. Chair Sarnoff Thank you, sir. Any questions? Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Sarnoff You're recognized for the record, the Vice Chair. Vice Chair Carollo: How many children did you say? Mr. Fraguir: Right now we have over 150 kids that are in need of those services. Right now, as of last year, we were awarded $10, 000; so we're only providing services for 10 students and the rest for monies that we raised and private donations, for a total of 45 students. Vice Chair Carollo: So what you're saying is from those $10,000 was approximately $1, 000 per student? Mr. Fraguir: Correct, correct. Vice Chair Carollo: And those students that would -- I would believe that they're in the City of Miami? Mr. Fraguir: Correct. City ofMiami Page 32 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Thank you. Mr. Fraguir: In your district, as a matter of fact. Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. Mr. Fraguir: Thanks. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. You're recognized for the record, ma'am. Cristina Penedo: My name is Cristina Penedo, and I'm executive director of Southwest Social Services program. We serve the elderly mainly in the area of Flagami at Badia Senior Center, and I cannot say enough how important these services are for the seniors. Once you get old and you retired and maybe you lose your life partner, people become depressed, they stop eating, they stop becoming active, and before you know it, they end up in a nursing home without really and truly needing to be there. It's just that they become deteriorated because they have nothing to look forward to. When the seniors come to the center, you see slowly how they become more open, they become more talkative, and all of a sudden, you have one of them, you know, leading a group of volunteers to plan a field trip to Fairchild Tropical Gardens, or something like that. Our meals, like Elisa said before, are held to the highest standards. Their menus are approved by a registered dietician. They have to have a nutrient analysis. We also provide the homebound meals for frail elderly, and sometimes the difference between staying home and being placed is that one meal that they receive, because their children can go out to work and know that the parent is not going to be turning on the stove, turning on the water, opening the door to a stranger. The gentlemens [sic] that deliver the meals at the home are trained to call us if they see something that is not -- that doesn't look normal when they deliver the meals, so they know that sometime in the middle of the day, somebody's going to be going by and checking in on their parent. And like I said, I want to thank the Mayor, the Commission, the CDBG staff for the support that they have given us for the past 29 years. And I hope we can continue to provide services to the residents of the area of Flagami. Thank you. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. All right, you're recognized for the record, sir. Alton Lewis Franklin: Yes. Good morning. Alton Lewis Franklin, 131 Southeast 1st Street, Apartment 412. I'm here on behalf of Curley's House of Food. I'm a 12 year -- a 10 year recipient of the harvest that they shelled out. At the time, ten years ago, I was a Mr. Mom; Sherell (phonetic) and Terell (phonetic), 12year-old twins. And the things that Curley [sic] came through then with me was a blessing, you know, that you never, you know, really understand. And they grew out and everything. Now they grown and on their own. But I'm not here now in my behalf. I'm here in the single parents' behalf and all the senior citizens that still need that harvest, you know, to reap, and you know. I mean, hoping you could sure help us sow it, and we appreciate the consideration, you know. And as a ten-year recipient, I hope I be there another ten years because I like, you know, the benefits. And thanks for the consideration. I'm looking forward to hearing from you. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Yes, sir. You're recognized for the record. George Castano: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is George Castano. I'm the executive director for the Josefa Castano Kidney Foundation. Our program is elderly meals for people afflicted with kidney disease. Our target populations are elderlies, 62 and up, that are affected with kidney disease. And I'm here to ask for your support for -- from each and every one of you Commissioners because we -- our program is citywide. We just don't serve in one area. And we're asking for the support of every Commissioner to please help our program. And we've been around for ten years serving this community, and we would really appreciate your help. City ofMiami Page 33 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 And I'd like to thank specially Mayor Tomas Regalado for his support. Thank you. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Mr. Castano: Any questions? Chair Sarnoff All right, thank you. Mr. Castano: Thank you. Chair Sarnoff Yes, ma'am. You're recognized for the record. Thema Campbell: Good morning. My name Thema Campbell and I'm the president and CEO for the Girl Power program. We're in Liberty City. The address is 6015 Northwest 7th Avenue. And I prepared some notes on my Blackberry to say to you today, but this is really not about me and what I do. This is about all of these nonprofits that you have sitting in this room this morning. And I'm really appalled at this dog -and -pony show. Every year we have to get up from our offices and the important work that we do in the community to come down here and beg for money. And I think that you gentlemen are brilliant men. Mayor Tomas Regalado, you need to come up with a better solution because we shouldn't be coming to you to beg you for money. You should be coming to our offices, coming to our agencies, visiting our clients, and seeing the work that we do in this community. Nonprofits do the work that the government cannot do to support and to sustain this nation, and you all need to recognize the important work of nonprofits. I get so sick of coming down here every year begging you for money. I heard two women this morning begging for money. When I get to my office in Liberty City at 9 o'clock in the morning, do you know who I see on the sfreets over at Curley's House? This lady back here. This is a old woman. She do not need to be on the sfreets frying to find money for other senior citizens. You all are squandering our money. You are not doing what you're supposed to do with the money and you need to get it together. I'm sick of coming down here every year begging you, seeing other people beg you. We do important work in the community, and we want to know that you recognize that. And you should be coming to us. Come to our offices. Come to see what we do. Drop in one day; we don't mind. We want to see your face. We don't want to have to see you like this. Every time I see you guys is when I come to your functions. I do at least five functions a year, and I send every last one ofyou an invitation, and none ofyou show up. And I only see you when I come down here to thank you for the $20, 000 that you've been giving me, by the way, for the last four years. I really appreciate it. It help me do a lot of work that I need to get done. But this is not right, you guys. We have to find a better way. Ms. Walker, Curley's House, this lady help me with my business. My agency, we cannot afford snacks for our students when they come from school in the afternoon. They are hungry. She help me. She provides snacks for our girls. And she help a lot of people in the community. Urgent, Inc., we do some of the same type of work with young girls. But you guys got to find a better way to solve this problem. Stop squandering our money. We don't need another baseball stadium, and I got to get it out. But you guys got to find a better way to do this and stop dragging us out of our office once a year to come down here and beg for money 'cause we have better use for our time. I'm Thema Campbell. Thank you. Applause. Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chair. Chair Sarnoff You're recognized. Commissioner Dunn: Ms. Campbell, I understand your frustration. I understand perhaps even the humiliation process that it may feel that you have, but believe me, people who have funding -worthy projects are being heard. That's why, before we started public hearing process, I City ofMiami Page 34 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 made those comments, that this is not -- what has already been approved is not a final process. So as superfluous as this may seem, it does weigh in and it does matter. So I don't want people to think that by them coming out that you're not being heard. You are. We have a dilemma in -- where there's a million agencies that want to be funded and we're frying to stretch the dollars. I understand your frustration. I understand your humiliation. But this process is, at least at this time -- I've not been on -- it's one of -- I don't know of a better way to try to revisit -- I hear what you're saying in terms of -- and I do -- I will publicly commit to coming to see your agency in action, butl believe -- I can't think of a better public process than this because this is the only way that we can get a chance to revisit some of the agencies that might have either been overlooked or maybe something was omitted in the application. So I don't think that it's just a total waste. Trust me, when people -- Ms. Campbell: I don't think it's a waste, Commissioner Dunn, with all due respect. And I appreciate you as my Commissioner. But think speak for a lot of people in this audience when I say that we -- you know, we appreciate the public process and we understand that it has to take place, but don't make us come down here every year and beg for money. You know, it's just not right. It's just not right. I mean, that's all I can say. And I'm not going to take up any more of your time because I know there's other people waiting to speak. And I thank you all for listening and have a good day, all of you. Commissioner Dunn: Thank you Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Mr. Mensah: George Mensah. I just wanted to -- I think she corrected it and said that this is a required process. We cannot get the funding without having this process. Chair Sarnoff Well, let me say this. HUD requires us to do exactly what we're doing. By law we have to be doing exactly what we're doing. So even if you all find this to be a tedious, burdensome, or unfair process, if we don't go through this process, you would get zero dollars. So anybody who thinks they can do it better -- we can adjourn this right now, call it a day, and nobody gets funded. Does anybody want to do that? I didn't think so. So this is the process that the federal government mandates that we go through, like it or not. All right, madam, you're recognized for the record. Ms. Holliday: Thank you once again. I did not -- once again, my name's LaVerne Holliday, the assistant director of Curley's House. And wanted to bring up some points that didn't get a chance to bring up. Chair Sarnoff I'm going to ask you to hold your points 'cause other people have not had the opportunity to speak. Ms. Holliday: Okay. Chair Sarnoff And you've taken your opportunity. So I'm going to let the people who may have a time bind, who have not had the chance to speak, to speak first. Ms. Holliday: Okay. At -- Chair Sarnoff All right. At the end, I will let you -- Ms. Holliday: Thank you. Chair Sarnoff -- speak again. You're recognized for the record. City ofMiami Page 35 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Clara Mae Jenkins: Good morning, all Commission [sic], Reverend Dunn, House of God pastor. I'm Clara Mae Jenkins. My address is 2053 Northwest 4th Court. I come in the behalf of the senior citizen from Overtown. The churches, they depend on Curry [sic] House when they run short of food; and the senior citizen that not able to get the food, I call Ms. Walker. We get together and get the address and we call them and make a way that they get food. And not only Curry [sic] House; other senior citizen place need help, too, and I'm asking you in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost, please help the senior citizen. They depend on you. Chair Sarnoff Thank you, Clara. Yes, sir, you're recognized for the record. William Lopez: William Willie (phonetic) Lopez, City resident. I live at 615 Northeast 22 Street, downtown. First of all, I want to thank the Commission for holding this meeting today, and I think you all have been doing a great job. And I also see that every time we look, our Mayor is present at these meetings, which tells you about the love that he has for this community. I'm here. I'm a retired police officer, as most of you know, and I worked in the Wynwood area as a NRO (Neighborhood Resource Officer). I left that job five years ago. I have such a love for the Wynwood area that lived out in southwest Kendall and moved to Wynwood. And now living in the area, I keep working as a volunteer for other organizations that used to help when I was a City ofMiami police officer. There's a lot of great organizations here, believe me. I hear the names. They're well respected, have a lot of credibility. And I also know that the greater majority, ones that are here today, are very legit and are doing the right things. But here I'm -- today, I'm here to speak for KIDCO Child Care in Wynwood. Currently, they're serving 450 kids from underprivileged homes, low income. And before I get involved with an organization, I like to do a little homework and know what they're all about. They asked me to become a member of their board of trustees, and I did. And I did my homework. I want to make sure thatl affiliate myself with the right people, and I went into their books and looked back for years and years. KIDCO has been around for 34 years, never a scandal, never misappropriation of funds. It has grown. It's credible. They have four locations. The last one that helped open -- and I helped raise $200, 000 of donations to build -- was the one in Little Haiti. KIDCO -- if you visit KIDCO -- and some of you have and I know you will -- you can eat off the floors. The place is clean. It's respectable. It has dignity. And it -- I'm really proud to be affiliated, not -- we can't always say that about a lot of the nonprofits. Sometimes, you know, we see that there's problems. And I'm just asking you -- you have a very tough job, Commissioners, Mayor. I mean, everybody from a President Obama, who took this country in such disarray, to Mayor Regalado taking over this city in the condition -- and now with a new business administrator that's, I know, one of the best that is trying so hard to find money and to do the right thing with the money. I'm asking that we all do our homework, that we all look for every bit of stimulus money out there, any federal or state grants that we can get, that we have not discover so that we can keep these great programs coming. And ifI can be a volunteer in any committee that researches for grants -- because this City needs their money. And I know it's tough for your today. I know you don't have a bucket of money laying next to your chairs right now where you can just give out -- money has to come from somewhere. And, again, people here, I feel their pain. So again, I'm representing KIDCO, and I -- they're going to lose nine slots, two jobs, and that would be a step in the reverse. That would be going reverse, not proactive. So please, work as hard as you can so that we can find other funds that may be out there that we can start trickling down to our nonprofits. And if there's anything I can assist the City with, I would volunteer my hours. Thank you. Chair Sarnoff Thank you, Mr. Lopez. Yes, ma'am, you're recognized for the record. Dorothy Blount: Good morning. My name is Dorothy Blount. I am a supporter of Curley [sic] House. What would like to say -- I'm going to make it short and briefly. Curley [sic] House, we founded sometime altogether. But would like to say to the Commissioner, Chair (UNINTELLIGIBLE), I'm one of the people who help Curley [sic] House come more of a member of feeding the people. I'm a foster parents [sic]. I have been a foster parents [sic] for 41 years. Still am. And we have foster parents who are raising their grandchildren, which the City ofMiami Page 36 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 government give the grandparents a little supplement to help feed those grandkids, but it's still not enough. I recommend them to go to Curley [sic] House of Style to get the food to help feed the children. As well as feed the children; seniors. I am a strong supporter of the community. And as Reverend Dunns [sic] know, I volunteer my time to feed the seniors as well. My restaurant, I give a day to feed the seniors as free of no charge. And I know, ifI can do it free -- feed the seniors and free of charge, I know you can help us continuously feed the elderly. And also, keep doing a great job you're doing. And you have my deepest and strong supporter of you. Reverend Dunns [sic], you know that I do these things on my own and I have nothing, but I do this. We help any other countries come in a crisis who need, we pull together. Now -- I'm asking you now to pull together to help Curley [sic] House continue to run about others. Thank you. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Yes, ma'am. Madelyn Rodriguez: Good morning: My name is Madelyn Rodriguez. I'm the program administrator for Cenfro Mater. I thank you, everyone, for your time and your attention. And I'm here just to briefly say that Cenfro Mater has been providing services to the East Little Havana community for over 42 years. And I'm also here to personally invite Commissioner Carollo to visit our site and see the wonderful work that we have been doing for the last 42 years. Currently, Cenfro Mater is serving over 500 children of the Disfrict 3, and other districts in the City, and we have been receiving CDBG funding for more than 30 years. Actually, CDBG was the first funding that Centro Mater ever received to open its after -school program. This year we have been -- we have not been recommended for any dollars, and it would represent a reduction of services to over 25 children in our after -school program, and 4 teachers will be losing their jobs. And it's not only about the children not being served and the teachers losing their money -- I mean, their jobs and their way of making a living; it's that every year we lose more and more services, and these services are so needed for this community. We have working parents that frust Cenfro Mater to take care of our -- of their children. And it's very painful to sit in front of a parent that needs the help and tell them we have no funding to serve your child next year. It's very difficult. I understand that the monies are short. The elderly needs the assistance. I do know that they're very important to the community, but the children are the future as well. And I urge you, Commissioner Carollo and all the Commissioners, to help us. And once again, I want to thank Mayor Regalado for his support and for listening and Commissioner Suarez for meeting with us and Mr. Gort also that has been a long-time supporter of Centro Mater. Thank you very much. Chair Sarnoff You're recognized. Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a few questions for Ms. Rodriguez. Ms. Rodriguez, you mentioned over 500 students? Ms. Rodriguez: Yeah. Vice Chair Carollo: So is that citywide? Ms. Rodriguez: It's mainly District 3, and we also have some from district -- form other districts, but mainly District 3 Vice Chair Carollo: So you're asking funding for Disfrict 3 or from each Commissioner since - _? Ms. Rodriguez: Basically District 3. Vice Chair Carollo: District 3. Now those 500, I have a list that 20 families live in Disfrict 3. Is that correct? City ofMiami Page 37 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Ms. Rodriguez: No. Vice Chair Carollo: That's what I was provided; and it's my understanding it was from you all, that 20 families live in District 3. No? Ms. Rodriguez: I don't know who provide that information, but most of the families live in the 33130 ZIP Code, which is the one from Centro Mater. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, 'cause -- and I believe this information was provided to --from Community Development to me from you all, and we have just 20 families, so I'm just -- Ms. Rodriguez: That's probably 20 families of the 21 we -- 25 we serve from CDBG. But the 500 is in total of all the families that we serve in the -- in Centro Mater. Vice Chair Carollo: Throughout the City ofMiami? Ms. Rodriguez: Throughout the City ofMiami, but mainly from District 3. Vice Chair Carollo: So -- and I just want to verify. The four teach -- you said four teachers were going to lose their jobs if you didn't receive this funding? Ms. Rodriguez: Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. And I'm just, you know, doing quick math real quick and I'm seeing 20 -- you know, do you need four teachers for 20 --? Ms. Rodriguez: They're part timers in the after school. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. 'Cause, you know -- and again, I'm just going by the information I received, and it seems, from District 3 you're serving 20 families. And when you say that four teachers are going to lose their jobs, I -- right away I'm thinking four teachers -- Ms. Rodriguez: Well, because this is an after -school program, and the teachers work part time. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. And you know where I was going; four teachers for 20 students. I was -- well -- Ms. Rodriguez: Well, they get paid not only for teaching; they also do -- we do tutoring, sports activities that is also inclusive of the services that we provide to the children. Vice Chair Carollo: All right. Thank you. Ms. Rodriguez: Thank you. Vice Chair Carollo: All right. You're recognized for the record, Ms. Quintana. Dorothy Quintana. I'm sorry because I can't -- you all can see that I can't see. But anyway, I just say good morning to the Mayor and to all of the Commissioners. I'm here just to say thank you for the funds you have given us, senior centers in Wynwood. I'm only asking you to continue the same than last year. We appreciate very much that you are helping us an awful lot. We're very thankful. The seniors told me to say thank you to you all for let us stay there and help us. Thank you, again, every one of the Commissioners and my dear Mayor. Thank you all. Commissioner Gort: Could you give your name and address? City ofMiami Page 38 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Unidentified Speaker: Your name and address. Ms. Quintana: Huh? Commissioner Gort: Your name and address, please. Ms. Quintana: Oh, I'm sorry; I didn't give my name. Dorothy Quintana, from Wynwood, hundred years old. That's all. Applause. Ms. Quintana: And in two month, I'll have the two. Instead of one, it be two. I hope I get there. Commissioner Gort: You will. Ms. Quintana: But want to continue coming here to thank you all because you alone -- especially my dear Commissioner Marc Sarnoff. He knows he's my friend. I always remember him. Commissioner Gort: You used to tell me that. Ms. Quintana: Well, anyway, I repeat again, thank you, all the Commissioners. I don't want to take your time 'cause other people are waiting to speak. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Continue the same thing you give us last year. We all appreciate if you continue, and don't let us down; help us. Chair Sarnoff Thank you, Dorothy. Ms. Quintana: Good day. Thank you. Chair Sarnoff All right. You're recognized for the record, ma'am. Bibiana Arias: Yes. Good morning. My name is Bibiana Arias. I work at Centro Mater. I am the head teacher for the after -school program. And I would like to -- I know you're all really carrying out a very difficult task because all of the people here have dire needs and they're all important. However, I wanted to clarify to you -- and I brought four of the students that are enrolled in our program and maybe to give you a better understanding, Honorable Carollo, of really our system and our program. Right now we have a summer camp going on. During the regular school year, we do the after -school program. This after -school program serves low-income families on 4th and 4th that without that, most of them would not be able to afford. Our teachers work part time without benefits and at an average of about $9 an hour. We're not talking luxury. And some of them have been there almost 30 years because of the dedication and they [sic] love they feel. As you were inquiring, the four teachers that we serve -- you know, our classes are jam-packed right now. They're really almost like at 30 per class. It's not one teacher for four students or for five students. We are -- you know, we have a high ratio and we -- a lot of our students, most of them are -- you know, they're very low income. I believe that, you know, you either -- and I'm not saying you personally, but you either address the need of the youth right now or it will be addressed in our jail systems later on. These kids that brought, they are good kids and they're being nurtured, they're being cared for. Their teacher tells -- teaches them skills, life skills, not only literature, not only music, not only all the other things that make a well-rounded citizen, but they get conflict resolution skills in how to behave in difficult situations. And, you know, they can vouch for themselves, you know, that it is very effective. As I said, you know, we're not making huge salaries. We're not there, you know -- but do implore that you just take a second look, come and visit us. We welcome your visit, you know, and just City ofMiami Page 39 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 take a second look so that you see for yourself the impact we're having in the community. Again, I understand it's very difficult, but you know, with a little revision, I'm sure that, you know, something can be done about it. I really appreciate your time. Thank you. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. All right. Anyone else wishing to be heard on PZ.6 (Planning & Zoning) [sic]? Yes, ma'am, you're recognized Martine Theodore: My name is Martine Theodore. I am the economic development director for Haitian Women ofMiami, FANM. I am here on behalf ofMarlene Bastien, our executive director, who cannot be here this morning. We -- the Haitian community this year has been in turmoil for many, many reasons. First, the economy downturn; second, this terrible earthquake that hit Haiti on the 12th ofJanuary. FANM has become for 19 years the pillar of Little Haiti Haitians looking -- for the women in their families looking for betterment of their lives, economic development services and so on. Currently, in public service we are not recommended and we missed the process by a mere 12 minutes. We are requesting that an allocation be made for FANM to continue with the 150 children that we serve year round at our after -school program and that we serve during the summer full time. It would be terrible, terrible for us not to be able to continue these services to the children. Chair Sarnoff Were you funded last year? Ms. Theodore: Yes. We were funded for public service for $30,000, which was already a cut in our services. Chair Sarnoff Okay. Ms. Theodore: Thank you. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. You're recognized, sir. Roy Hardemon. Roy Hardemon, 655 North [sic] 48 Street. Commissioners, Chairman. I'm here on the behalf Curley [sic] House. I am the current chair of the Model City Advisory Board CAC for Miami -Dade County, and we're looking to work with Curley [sic] House to make some things happen to keep their doors open. And they did not get recommended on this turn from the City ofMiami, and I would please beg of you to consider Curley [sic] House and keep their doors opens because we really need the food. Thank you. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Grady Muhammad: Good morning, Mr. Chairman, Commissioners. Grady Muhammad, 721 Northwest 56th Street. The question I have is looking at this -- and I don't know whether we can have a colloquy, Mr. Chair, but the question is how much funding, if any, has come for District 5 for the elderly, for the seniors, out of this budget? I also see there's $390, 000 of unreserved public service allocation. And I'm hearing all the speakers speak about Curley's House. I'm just asking how much money has come to District 5 or to any organization in the northern part of the City ofMiami, as well -- including Disfrict 5? How many organizations that the City is funding to assist the elderly, to assist the seniors, because that's a very good question? Every Commissioner loves their elderly. Every Commissioners [sic] love the seniors. And every Commissioner support the seniors and elderly. I'm just asking what about Disfrict 5? And let's be fair. Thank you. Chair Sarnoff All right. Anyone else wishing to be heard, you better step up to the podium now 'cause I'm going to close the public hearing. So if you're not standing there, I will not consider you as wanting to be heard. All right, you're recognized for the record, sir. City ofMiami Page 40 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Sam Johnson: Thank you. Good morning, Commissioners. Sam Johnson, Liberty City Optimist Club, executive director, 1350 Northwest 50th Street. I'm going to try to be as brief as possible with this because -- I guess I been around this process somewhat -- at least around about ten years now, not funded ten years but been round the process. And we didn't get recommended for funding. And this organization, which is located at Hadley Park, in District 5, been serving hundreds of kids annually; and we have young people that are back now with degrees and are back -- giving back and what -- giving back to the program, which we asked for them to do once they did move forward in life. But I'm really throwed [sic] off with this. And, Commissioner Dunn, I have to say it. I'm really throwed [sic] off and it's almost -- I'm at this point, and I don't have no problem saying it. I'm at this point and I'm trying to figure why did I do this? Why put 20-something years into something, butt see my young people when they move forward and they come back. But then I don't see the resources making sure that we get this job done. Commissioner Gort, you was here previously while we was -- when he was here in office also. All the programs are here because they need the resources, but also, the main thing is about for me when I got involved was to get the job done. So if we're getting funded according to getting the job done, then I shouldn't be standing here as far as that. That's the way I feel. If I'm not getting the job done, there's no use even coming down here. But I do believe you understand, especially in the community where we at. All communities need, but to get the job done day in, day out, year in, year out, and to see generations now where once they -- they were the young, for better words, participants at five years old. Now they're 29 and 30, got decent jobs, done got degrees right out of that community, and now they're coming to give back. But now we got facilities that are going on being built, but the actual operation is not meeting -- or the funding is not meeting what we getting done no kind of way. So now there's only one thing can come of out this. Eventually, the lights supposed to go out. Just like when they don't give the funding, I under -- so to me, the lights supposed to go out. That's going to be real hard in that community because this program -- when October comes, it's going to be the 20th anniversary, 20-year anniversary. Now, with that said, we're not just -- we're more than that because we've been the seed for the other programs that started in District 5 and that was a good thing because one program cannot take care of Overtown, Liberty City, Range Park, Moore Park, so our initiation actually spreaded [sic] amongst other communities. Chair Sarnoff And in conclusion. Mr. Johnson: In conclusion? Chair Sarnoff Uh-hum. Mr. Johnson: The resources need to be put in place. Chair Sarnoff Okay. Thank you. Mr. Johnson: Thank you. Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chairman. Chair Sarnoff Yes, sir. Commissioner Dunn: I just want to say Mr. Johnson, we are aware of the work that you have put in, as well as Liberty City Optimist, and certainly, that will all be taken under consideration. We know about Liberty City Optimist. I believe as recently as this year, Darryl Sharpton's son, who came through that program -- Mr. Johnson: Exactly. Commissioner Dunn: -- was draft -- I'm very much aware -- City ofMiami Page 41 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Mr. Johnson: Exactly. Commissioner Dunn: -- of what happens at Hadley Park and what's been taking place. Mr. Johnson: Thank you. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. All right, ma'am. This is the last public speaker. Anyone else wishing to be heard? This is the last public speaker. All right, you're recognized, ma'am. Ms. Holliday: Thank you. Thank you for recognizing me once again. I wanted to bring up the point that we did an econom -- we also submitted an RFP for the Economic Development. Where we -- presently, we have a confract with the Dolphins stadium where we hire people and give them a second chance and they -- we, at every -- during the football games, we employ 38 people per game and out of that -- with that confract with them, five of the people that we have sent there have gone on to be hired permanently by Dolphin stadium. So we're not -- we're ask -- we're providing job sources or job creation sources as well, and we're also seeking other means of funding. Our community hurts a lot and always, and I'm sure it's the same in every other community where we have low to moderate income. But please would like for you to reconsider because Community Development has denied our appeal as well. I wanted to make that sure -- clear because that -- my understanding, that that was not clear, that they were just -- that they didn't recommend us. They didn't recommend us and we were denied the appeal as well, so please take its [sic] to a heart. I know -- we see -- even though the funding that we received from them for the last four years was for 50 seniors, we need 150 seniors. We employ -- over from last year's season, we employed over 200 people at the stadium for the games, so it's -- we know that we have to find other sources of income or resources to continue to keep our doors open and we're working we creatively at that. So thank you once again. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. All right, public hearing is now closed. It's coming back to this Commission. Commissioner Gort, you're recognized. Commissioner Gort: Let me ask a question. In the past you would have the amount of requests, the total amount of funds requested, and the total amount of what we have. Do you still have that this year? Chair Sarnoff Mr. Mayor, you're recognized. Mayor Regalado: IfI may, Commissioner, I -- since we've done this for many, many years and it's a difficult task, but there is a reserve that you all can modify now in [sic] the floor to supplement. There's still also the item of the Mayor's poverty fund that you all be voting on and I will explain to you that in details. But now as you're voting, you can modify the allocations or create new allocations because this is what we do every year. There is a reserve that you can draw from. That's -- that would be, I think, the appropriate thing to do. Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chairman. Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Sarnoff Let me go to Commissioner Dunn and then Commissioner -- then Vice Chair. Commissioner Dunn: Okay. Come on, Mr. Mensah -- George. I wanted to ask that question because my understanding was that these items could be -- would be revisited and it would meet the threshold prior to Sep -- October 1 or September 30, am I correct? Mr. Mensah: Yes. That's correct. And I wanted to answer -- City ofMiami Page 42 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Commissioner Dunn: And -- Mr. Mensah: -- Commissioner Gort's -- Commissioner Dunn: Oh, go ahead, Commissioner Gort. Mr. Mensah: Commissioner Gort had asked, we -- in the RFP process, we had 46 applicants apply and the total amount that they were seeking is $3.4 million. Commissioner Dunn: The other -- Mr. Mensah: But as to your question, yes. Commissioner Dunn: -- there was a part two question. In terms of each disfrict having a certain -- do you provide an amount that would be available for each Commissioner -- Mr. Mensah: Yes. Commissioner Dunn: -- as a -- per -- broken down per district? Mr. Mensah: Yes. Based on the way HUD allocates the funding to every city, we use a formula that allocate the funding to each disfrict, and so each district has a certain amount of monies by which they can allocate to the public service agencies. Yes. Commissioner Dunn: One -- Mr. Chairman, please. Chair Sarnoff Please. Commissioner Dunn: Okay, yes. One other question, Mr. Mensah. I just -- so that I'll be clear. I know the Mayor mentioned about doing the actual modifications now. What is the timeframe for that? Do we have to do that today or do we have some additional time without running into a conflict with the deadline of the budget? Mr. Mensah: These public dollars has to be used within one year. And our recommendation is that by September, maybe the first meeting in September, that all these monies that are in reserve should be allocated so that the agencies can get the funds and use them for the year. Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Commissioner Gort: Wait a minute. Chair Sarnoff You're recognized, sir. Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. I appreciate the Mayor saying that. And yes, I was planning on doing some modifications, and that's why I request to have some type of recess in order to overlook some of these numbers. However, I just want to point out that I am going to maintain monies in my reserves because it could be visited, you know, further down the road and so forth, so, you know, with your words, Commissioner Dunn, I agree. It's not like we have to do everything today. However, I will have some modifications. And there are, you know, areas in my disfrict that needs some improvement, you know, transportation. That's one area that, you know, since the first day I came here, I've mentioned to Community Development I need transportation in my area. There's a big need and so forth. But with that said, Mr. Chairman, before we actually take a final vote, if we could just recess for, I don't know, 15 minutes or so forth so that I could, you know, allocate some of this and save me from doing some of the work City ofMiami Page 43 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 later on, and you know -- and Mr. Mensah, how will we go about future allocations? Will we just bring it up in any Commission meeting as a resolution or --? Mr. Mensah: No. We need a 30-day advertising period. So if you intend to -- if you let us know, we will make sure that it's -- we'll advertise it 30 days and then bring it to the Commission. Vice Chair Carollo: So it needs to be advertised 30 days in advance -- Mr. Mensah: Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: -- to -- for any --? Mr. Mensah: Any changes. Vice Chair Carollo: So let's say, if you would like -- it's not a need because these funds actually begin October 1. Mr. Mensah: October 1. That's correct. Vice Chair Carollo: Right. But you would like for September, but it's not a requirement. But let's say for September 1, we would need by August 1 to be advertised and so forth, correct? Mr. Mensah: Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you for that. Commissioner Gort: Mr. Chairman. Chair Sarnoff Commissioner Gort. Commissioner Gort: My understanding is this reserve that you have here, you're going to divide it equally among all five districts? Mr. Mensah: The public service -- Vice Chair Carollo: No. Mr. Mensah: -- no, it's not -- Commissioner Gort: No. Mr. Mensah: -- divided equally, no. Vice Chair Carollo: No. Commissioner Gort: Okay. Chair Sarnoff No. District 2 gets -- Mr. Mensah: The reserves are based on each district -- Chair Sarnoff -- by far the less. Mr. Mensah: -- and what they have allocated and what is left on it. City ofMiami Page 44 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Vice Chair Carollo: Yes. I -- Commissioner Gort: Do you need to make the allocations today? Mr. Mensah: No. Commissioner Gort: No. Okay. Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Sarnoff You're recognized. Vice Chair Carollo: Just for the record, I know that -- you know, and always keeping the transparency, there was a question. I don't know if the public has Attachment A, but it clearly stipulates how much funding each district gets, each district receives, so it should be public record. I don't know if you want me to read it for the record. However, it's there for public record. IfMr. Mensah or someone -- Commissioner Gort: Read it. Chair Sarnoff Go ahead, read it in. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Out of a total funding of one point -- $1, 342, 634, District 1 is receiving $284,101, District 2 is receiving 101 -- $191,003, District 3 is receiving 290, 000, District 4 is receiving 254,160, District 5 is receiving 323, 370. Chair Sarnoff Mr. Mensah, I have a question for you. Mr. Mensah: Yes. Chair Sarnoff And I don't want any Commissioner to take any particular -- I'll just say it. The Alternate [sic] Programs [sic] -- Mr. Mensah: Yes. Chair Sarnoff -- they were subject to a criminal investigation by the City ofMiami. You still recommend them? Mr. Mensah: Yes. Before -- during the recommended -- we did an RFP. And the RFP process -- they applied the RFP process and they scored within the maximum amount. We don't have -- those are recommendations and I think that before we can disallow any -- that we need to get -- be able to get an opinion from HUD or from the CityAttorney's Office that indicates to us that we cannot fund these agencies before we can withdraw the amounts. Chair Sarnoff I'm not -- and I'm going to let Commissioner Dunn speak 'cause it may be central to his neighborhood or maybe even his district, but I'm trying to figure out, the City ofMiami did a criminal investigation. That criminal investigation has resulted in some issue of honesty with these Alternate [sic] Programs [sic]. Tell me how that factors into your RFP. Mr. Mensah: During the RFP process, I mean, we didn't go into whether an agency has a criminal activity or not, so that did not factor into the RFP process. Chair Sarnoff Then I have complete lack of frust in your RFP process because if you haven't factored into the equation that possible dishonesty is being visited on a program -- and this is not a program for elderly meals, this is not child care services, this is not the aid to the City ofMiami Page 45 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 developmentally challenged. These are legal services. Mr. Mensah: Commissioner, Community Development is not in a position to be able to make a legal decision on whether an agency such as this -- because it's -- I know -- I understand that it's still in the court and I haven't seen any adjudication of this particular issue. If we say to any agency -- and I think that this issue has been brought up before -- that because -- I mean, the cause may be a staff member did something wrong and for that reason, you -- that agency is not going to be funded, somebody will come to us and say well, what proof do you have. I don't have any proof so I will rather prefer that maybe the City Attorney's Office give us guidance on this particular issue and -- because our process started long before the indictment also happened. And so in this case, I would probably defer to the CityAttorney's Office and I'll get guidance on whether this agency can be funded or not based on this. Chair Sarnoff Commissioner Dunn. Commissioner Dunn: Yes, Mr. Chairman. The only thing I understand the nature of the question and respect that the only thing -- the charges subsequently were dropped, so I think that would have to -- to my understanding -- Are you privy to -- are you aware --? So that would have to be factored in as well. And -- I don't know. Ms. Bru: What I'm hearing is that the director is saying that he will be asking us to look into this before he makes a funding, where he actually funds. And with respect to, Commissioner, the fact that an agency was -- or a member or an employee or a director of an agency is charged with something and then the charges are dropped really is an independent inquiry from whether or not that agency is performing with the proper measures in place to make sure that the money is not being misspent because those are different standards. One standard is what the prosecutor uses to determine whether or not they can get a convention, and another standard is what I'm sure George Mensah uses to determine whether or not an agency is performing well enough to receive funding. Chair Sarnoff Well, when was the last -- what is the right word, audit? When was the last time Mr. Mensah: Monitoring. Ms. Blondet: My understanding, during the monitoring, the people that were involved in this allegations were not part of the program that we fund. Chair Sarnoff Were not part of the what? Ms. Blondet: Part of the funding -- the program that we fund. The people that were, you know, mentioned in the indictment. Chair Sarnoff I read the indict -- I read the information, and you can dance on this pen all you want. At the very intake section of their program, money was misappropriated. Ms. Blondet: In the monitoring we did, what we paid for was accounted for. Chair Sarnoff Okay. All right. I know the Vice Chair wants to have a recess. Why don't we do this? Why don't we see if we could take some of the other resolutions, and then we'll take a recess for lunch, and then we'll come back? Vice Chair Carollo: Sure. Chair Sarnoff Is that all right with the Commissioners? City ofMiami Page 46 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Vice Chair Carollo: That works for me. Commissioner Dunn: That's good. Chair Sarnoff All right. So we're going to -- Mr. Migoya: Mr. Chair. Chair Sarnoff -- table RE.6. "[Later...]" Chair Sarnoff All right, SP. 6. Commissioner Carollo, do you want to be recognized for the record? Vice Chair Carollo: Sure. I could go first or I could yield to my colleagues. I think -- at least I'm going to have some -- I don't know if you call them adjustments -- Mr. Mensah: Amendments. Commissioner Carollo: Amendments. So I could either go first or I could yield to my colleagues. Chair Sarnoff All right. Who wants to go first? Commissioner Gort: Not me. Commissioner Dunn: I'm going to probably -- Vice Chair Carollo: Go by districts. Commissioner Dunn: -- pass on most of mine so -- Chair Sarnoff Let's go by -- Vice Chair Carollo: Go by districts. Chair Sarnoff -- District 1. Commissioner Gort: Mr. Chairman, we have a Allapattah Community Action, Incorporation [sic] that provides services to most of the senior citizens within the Allapattah area and the -- and they were funded before. They received funding from the Mayor's special funds and -- for $125, 000. This year they were not going to have that. So I would like to provide the same services, if possible. I mean, the amount of individuals that receive the meals -- and not only the meals but like that was stated before, the art classes, English classes, computer classes, and entertainment that they receive. It's a great service to our senior citizens. I would like to see that have funding. Chair Sarnoff All right. I'm going to go to Commissioner Suarez. Commissioner Suarez: In recognition of the fact that I have the least amount of money, I'd like to go last to see, you know -- Chair Sarnoff Well, if you want to go by least amount of money, that will always be me. City ofMiami Page 47 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Commissioner Suarez: You can go after me, if you want. But want to see what other Commissioners who have more money available allocate to see, you know, if there's anything that need to allocate for or reserve money for. Chair Sarnoff All right. We'll -- tell you what, we'll go to Commissioner Carollo. I know he spent some time on this. Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to make an amendment. I'd like to add to the Association of [sic] Development of the Exceptional, Inc. an amount of $8, 000. I know, you know, it's a cut from what I provided last year, but also, you know -- I know that it's a citywide program and last year I think we funded 33 percent of it or so forth. So, you know, maybe some of the other districts could help out and so forth. So again $8,000 to the Association of [sic] the Development of the Exceptional, Inc. I'd like to then go to Centro Hater Child Care Services. Last year, they were funding $44, 736. I believe from the Mayor's Poverty Initiative they were funded $30, 000. Mr. Mensah: Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: So I'm going to fund them $14, 750, which would increase their amount from last year. I want to now go to the Josefa Perez De Castano Kidney Foundation. I want to allocate $2,500 to them. I want to then go to Catholic CharitiesADOM (Archdoicese ofMiami), Inc., Sagrada Familia Child Care Center. I want to allocate $22,375 thousand -- I'm sorry, $22,375 to them. Sagrada Familia. It's not there. You have to look at prior years. I would like to go then to Regis House, Regis House, Inc. I would like to allocate $6, 000 to them. And last, I would like to go to Little Havana Activity [sic] and Nutrition Center [sic] of Dade County. And give me a second. I just want to verify my facts. It seems like last year from my district they were funded $124, 772. The recommendation from CD (Community Development) was 125, 000. However, they also received additional fundings [sic] during the year -- Commissioner Gort: From the Mayor's -- Vice Chair Carollo: -- about 9,000 so -- from -- Mr. Mensah: Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: -- program income -- Mr. Mensah: Program income, yes. Vice Chair Carollo: Yes. And with the Mayor's initiative -- poverty initiative from last year, I think their grand total was 250, 204. Mr. Mensah: Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. I'm going to increase my amount of 125,000 to -- give me a second - - $131, 705 so total amount allocated will be more than last year. Mr. Mensah: Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: And then the restl will leave in a reserve account of 104,670 -- Mr. Mensah: Okay. Vice Chair Carollo: -- for future references, like Commissioner Dunn said -- stated. And please City ofMiami Page 48 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 note that, you know, I'm looking at transportation with some of these fundings [sic] -- a large portion of these fundings [sic] and so forth. So it's not there -- you know, and I'm always cautious when there's money in reserves because I've always stated government cannot hold onto money because as soon as anybody knows that there's monies somewhere in a reserves account, everyone's on top of it. So it's on a reserve account. However, the large majority of this money is being looked at for a need in my district. With that said, that's my amendment. Chair Sarnoff All right. Commissioner Dunn. Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chairman and colleagues, I'm going to postpone my decisions until the last -- perhaps the last meeting in July. But will be supporting, I can't say at what level, some of those agencies that serve citywide. So I just want to go on record as saying that. 'Cause if it's going to benefit the entire City, certainly it only makes good sense and it's only fair to do that. So I will be doing that, butt have not prepared myself today to do all of it. As you can see, I've got quite a challenge ahead of me, but will be making those final decisions on the last -- in the last meeting in July. Mr. Mensah: Commissioner, we can only do it in -- first meeting in September so we need to work so we can advertise it and give enough notice. Commissioner Dunn: So ifI -- Chair Sarnoff Your -- continue (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Commissioner Dunn: -- make my decisions in July, that would be ample time for the first --? Mr. Mensah: Yes, definitely. Commissioner Dunn: Okay, fine. Mr. Mensah: Definitely. Chair Sarnoff All right. Commissioner Suarez. Commissioner Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Commissioners. This is probably one of the happiest moments since I've been here -- since I've been elected, the ability to help these organizations because I've visited them all. And I've witnessed firsthand the impact of this money which, in the grand scheme of things, is not a lot of money when you consider the kinds of monies that we talk about here at 3500 Pan American Drive. When you talk about feeding someone for $3 a meal, you know, it reminds me of those commercials that you see on television where they say if you just give $1 a day, you know, you can feed a child. You know, this is -- it is with great pleasure that have increased every single agency that was previously funded by the Mayor, who was the district Commissioner from last year. And with the little monies that had in reserve, I wanted to further increase some of those agencies that I feel are very, very deserving, who have come here today, and who have asked for additional funds. I'd like to -- with the $14,160 that have left in reserve, I would like to amend my schedules -- my recommendations, so that Little Havana Activities and Nutrition Centers of Dade County, Incorporated, who has, thanks to the Vice Chairman and thanks to the Mayor, received more funding than they did last year, I'd like to increase it an additional $5, 000. I would also like to increase Southwest Social Services program who's here, Christina and -- where is --? She had to go? Okay. It's another agency that is incredibly responsible. They go above and beyond. You know, these agencies go above and beyond. And that's part of the sentiment that wanted to convey here today, that they not only give services -- they not only provide a high percentage of the money that they receive in services, but they go beyond. And so I'd like to increase them another $5, 000 to put them -- I had already increased them in the initial allocation. I want to City ofMiami Page 49 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 increase them an additional $5, 000. And thanks to the Vice Chairman, which is kind of part of the reason why I wanted to go after him, and he essentially restored the level of funding for the Association for the Development of the Exceptional. I'd like to give them an additional $2, 000. And with the remaining $2,160, I'd like to give it to Centro Hater, who has been an organization that does also serve District 4 and has been a responsible organization for decades. So, you know, I wish I had more money to give. IfI did, I would give it gladly. I think we have a half -a -billion -dollar budget in the City ofMiami, and we spend money on a lot of different things. And one of the things that I'm urging us to do within this new budget year is to really look at our priorities and what we're spending our money on because, at the end of the day, even though it's a lot of money, it's a finite amount of money, and we need to make every single dollar count, and I believe that every single dollar that I'm allocating to these worthy organizations counts. It counts. So I do it very happily. Chair Sarnoff All right. I'd like to make the following amendments. To the Association of [sic] the Development of the Exceptional, I'd like to give them $12, 000, Mr. Mensah. Mr. Mensah: Yes. Chair Sarnoff For Little Havana Nutritional [sic] Centers of Dade County, I'd like to give them $10, 000, additional sum. For St. Albans, I'd like to give them an additional $10, 000. For Theodore Gibson, I'd like to give them an additional $10,000. And I'd like to give KIDCO $10,000. So is that a motion we can make as amended? Does the maker accept? Commissioner Suarez: I will make the motion as amended. Chair Sarnoff All right. Commissioner Dunn: Yes. Chair Sarnoff Seconder accept? Commissioner Dunn: Yes. Chair Sarnoff Any further discussion, gentlemen? All in favor, please say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Applause. Chair Sarnoff I guess motion to adjourn. Vice Chair Carollo: So moved. Commissioner Gort: Move it. Commissioner Suarez: Second. Chair Sarnoff All right. All in favor? Mayor Tomas Regalado: Mr. Chairman, ifI may. Chair Sarnoff Yes, sir. City ofMiami Page 50 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 SP.7 10-00682 Mayor Regalado: Just wanted to thank you, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Vice Chair, Commissioner Suarez, Commissioner Gort, and Commissioner Dunn. Thank you very much. I think this is money well spent. And, you know, we want to be a big city. We want to be an international city, but we cannot eliminate poverty by running the poor out ofMiami so we have to take care of our own. And we thank you very much for what you've done today. I'm really proud that all these agencies will be able to come back tomorrow and say what we have said to them. You are not going to be cut by the City ofMiami. So thank you. Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Sarnoff Yes, you're recognized. Vice Chair Carollo: I just wanted to point out to everyone here present from the organizations, today we made a real tough decision. The Mayor brought it before us with the Mayor's Poverty Initiative, and I just want to let all these organizations know that, you know, not only the Mayor but this also Commission made a tough decision and because working jointly, all your funds were not cut drastically. So please don't take this for granted. Know that next year, we don't want to have cuts, but you know, we need to all work together. We need to push to see if we could get the public services up to 25 percent. And you know, I ask for all of you to get involved. I mean, we all need to work together. Thank you. Pamela L. Latimore (Assistant City Clerk): Excuse me, Chairman. Chair Sarnoff Yes, ma'am. Ms. Latimore: Can I please have a clarification on the mover and the seconder on SP.6? Chair Sarnoff I believe the mover was Commissioner Suarez, the seconder was Commissioner Dunn. Ms. Latimore: Thank you. Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chairman. Oh, go ahead. I'm -- "[Later...]" Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chair. Chair Sarnoff You're recognized, Commissioner Dunn. Commissioner Dunn: Thank you, Mr. Chair, and to the Commission, to the Mayor. I just want to say I held back on something and I know that it's very fundamental. It's a biblical principle, but it's true, and it simply says whatsoever you do to the least of mine, you've done it also unto me. So -- and I just -- I have to say to the ladies in the second row, I could appreciate -- I don't know if you saw their tears of joy knowing that they will have another opportunity to serve, and we will do everything we can within the constraints of the budget but even beyond that to at least allow agencies to continue to serve the poor, so that poverty initiative is a very good initiative because I -- without sounding too preachy -- believe we'll be judged by that in how we treat our fellow human beings. So I just want to say thank you. Chair Sarnoff How can a reverend sound too preachy? RESOLUTION City ofMiami Page 51 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Community ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF EMERGENCY Development SHELTER GRANT ("ESG") FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011, IN THE AMOUNT OF $352,509 TO THE CITY OF MIAMI HOMELESS PROGRAM, NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM AND THE AMOUNT OF $10,902, TO THE CITY OF MIAMI DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF GRANT -RELATED ACTIVITIES, FOR A TOTAL ALLOCATION OF $363,411; 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 FOR SAID PURPOSE(S). 10-00682 Legislation.pdf 10-00682 Exhibit.pdf 10-00682 Summary Form.pdf 10-00682 Public Notice.pdf Motion by Commissioner Dunn II, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Carollo, Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Dunn II R-10-0259 Chair Sarnoff SP.7. Lillian Blondet (Assistant Director, Community Development): SP.7 is a resolution to allocate the ESG fund, the Emergency Shelter Grant funds, to the City ofMiami Homeless Program at the Neighborhood Enhancement Team. The NET (Neighborhood Enhancement Team) office is the one that oversees the essential services program and they do outreach for the City. They're part of the continuum of services that the County has for the Homeless Trust. So this resolution really has two parts. One is to allocate the funding to the Homeless Program and also allocate $10,902 to the City ofMiami Department of Community Development for administration, and to the NET office, $352, 509, and also to ask for -- to direct the City Manager to request a waiver of the 30 percent that the -- that is allowed for regulation to be used for these type of services. So on a yearly basis, we send HUD a request for this waiver. That's it. Chair Sarnoff All right. Is there anyone from the general public wishing to be heard on SP.7, which is the Emergency Shelter Grant, ESG funds, for 2010-2011 ? Hearing none, seeing none, coming back to this Commission. Do we have a motion? Commissioner Dunn: So moved. Commissioner Suarez: Second. Chair Sarnoff We have a motion by Commissioner Dunn, second by Commissioner Suarez. Any discussion, gentlemen? I guess I have a question. Ms. Blondet: Sure. Chair Sarnoff Three hundred and sixty-three thousand dollars is being directed or is it three hundred and fifty-two thousand? Ms. Blondet: Three hundred and fifty-two thousand, five hundred and nine to the NET office for City ofMiami Page 52 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 the Homeless Program and ten thousand, nine hundred and two to the Department for administration. Chair Sarnoff All right. So let's just talk about NET for a moment. That affords -- that will serve as part of NET's budget? Ms. Blondet: It serves -- yes. It serves for the group that provides the essential services, like the outreach program that they have. We've been always -- you know, we've been funding it for a long, long time and -- Chair Sarnoff Has NET -- Ms. Blondet: -- it's part of their budget. Chair Sarnoff -- always been the one responsible for the outreach program? Ms. Blondet: Yes. Chair Sarnoff So -- Ms. Blondet: As far as I know, yes. Chair Sarnoff -- Mr. Manager, we funded NET last year -- was it 1.7 million? Don't know? Carlos A. Migoya (City Manager): Yes. Chair Sarnoff She's good. I was -- Mr. Migoya: There's nothing like timing. Chair Sarnoff All right. So if we're to fund NET this year at the same level, are we then looking at a million three fifty? In other words, are we looking in terms of other grants but general fund dollars of a million three fifty? Mr. Migoya: Yeah. The budget for the NET is separate from the Homeless Program budget. They're not related. They're not cross -related. Chair Sarnoff They're not related? Mr. Migoya: No, they're not. Sergio Torres: Sergio Torres, Office of the Homeless Program and the administrator for the Homeless Program. The Homeless Program works under NET management; however, the budget is different. NET has their own budget and Homeless Program has their own budget. This portion is supported by the Community Development Emergency Shelter Grant and from $2.1 million. The rest of the money is coming from the Homeless Trust and general funds. Chair Sarnoff So from the Homeless Trust and general funds. And the purpose of putting it under NET doesn't give them any kind of ability, let's say, for a director to receive any of the money from this? In other words, what's the point of having NET manage you? Mr. Torres: That decision was made a few years back, and I have no idea why. Chair Sarnoff So then NET's not allowed -- and I'll recognize Commissioner Dunn in a moment -- but NET's not allowed then to use any of this money as an administrative fee? City ofMiami Page 53 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Mr. Torres: No. Chair Sarnoff Okay. Commissioner Dunn. Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chairman, you -- correct me if I'm wrong. I believe NET kind of serves as a central location for -- they are known as the green shirts. And I -- as long as the Homeless Trust has been in existence, which really was started back probably around 1996 with Mayor Alex Pinellas. The reason I know this is because our church was involved in it. And what they do ifyou have someone -- they actually are on the streets in the various areas and if it is someone from say District 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 -- you know, I know some districts maybe have less, but they can go directly there and be referred, so it can serve as a service to us as Commissioners in our district when people come to us who have no place to stay. Chair Sarnoff Right. Okay. All right. Any further discussion? All right. We have a motion, and we have a second. All in favor, please say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Sarnoff Okay. SP.8 RESOLUTION 10-00683 Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Community ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF 36TH PROGRAM Development YEAR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011, IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,868,078 IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CATEGORY, TO THE AGENCIES SPECIFIED IN ATTACHMENT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN THE 36TH PROGRAM YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2010; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT(S), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM(S), WITH SAID AGENCIES, FOR SAID PURPOSE(S). 10-00683 Legislation.pdf 10-00683 Exhibit SUB.pdf 10-00683 Exhibit 2.pdf 10-00683 Exhibit 3.pdf 10-00683 Exhibit 4.pdf 10-00683 Summary Form.pdf 10-00683 Public Notice.pdf Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Commissioner Dunn II, that this matter be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Carollo, Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Dunn II R-10-0260 Chair Sarnoff SP.8. Lillian Blondet (Assistant Director, Community Development): SP.8. This is a resolution -- again, this is part of the RFP (Request for Proposals) that we had this year for Community Development grant funds and we're allocating the economic development funding to specific agencies that applied through the RFP. So we're recommending to allocate $3, 868, 000 -- $68, 078 in economic development funds to the following agencies, and let me read them for the City ofMiami Page 54 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 record. Allapattah Business Development Authority for the Commercial Facade Code Compliance Program, $130, 000; Little Haiti Housing Association for public facilities and improvement, $53, 000; Neighbors and Neighbors for technical assistance for microenterprises, $150, 000; the Rafael Hernandez Housing and Economic Development Corporation, $50, 000; the Bascomb Memorial Broadcasting Foundation, WDNA, $45,500; the City ofMiami Facade Code Enforcement, the hard costs, we are recommending $900, 000; for public facilities and improvement reserve account, $850,977; and for City ofMiami economic development reserve account, $1, 688, 601. Chair Sarnoff All right. Let me open it up to a public hearing. Anyone from the general public wishing to be heard on SP.8, please step up. Nilsa Velazquez: Hello. Chair Sarnoff You're recognized for the record. Ms. Velazquez: My name is Nilsa Velazquez. I'm the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of KIDCO Childcare. I mentioned what we do in the community -- for the community for the last 36 -- 34 years. And we submitted an application for funding of $100, 000. Thanks to the -- to this Commission, and especially Marc Sarnoff we were able to purchase a facility in the Wynwood community to service 32 children. We have -- now we are facing a problem. And it's that we have two facilities, one in Commissioner Dunn's district and one in Marc Sarnoffs district, and we have secured some funding for the renovation. The renovation cost for both buildings, $690, 000. We have secured 225, 000, plus 75 -- $300, 000. We still need 390, 000. We submitted the application for 100,000 from the City ofMiami, and we also submitted an application for CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funding on the OCED (Office of Community and Economic Development) Miami -Dade County budget. We're depending on these funds really to move forward with the construct -- with the renovation. We have already hired for build -- for design and build, an architect, and everything is pending on the monies that we can get. For the second facility we purchased, we were not able to secure government funding so we had to mortgage that building. So as of now, we have -- we only depend on government funding to help us renovate both facilities. We're doing our best. The -- Head Start gave us 225, 000 from the region for those -- for one of the facilities, and then we secured 75, 000 for the other. So we're still short 290, 000, but in hopes that we can get a match from the City and the County, as well as we had from the region. It's federal funding. Both facilities have the federal interest. They're not going to be sold or done anything because we want it for child care. And the main thing is that we have to displace KIDCO I -- children in KIDCO I to move to these two facilities because (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Corporation, which is the owner, they want their property back. So we're facing -- we're in a rush right now to get this done as soon as possible. Chair Sarnoff Nilsa, how much did I give you to purchase that building? Ms. Velazquez: Three hundred thousand. Chair Sarnoff Right. Ms. Velazquez: Thank you. And that's what it cost exactly. (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Chair Sarnoff Okay. Any Commissioners have any questions? Mariano Cruz: Yeah, me. Chair Sarnoff You want to be heard on this issue? Mr. Cruz: Sure. Why not? City ofMiami Page 55 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Chair Sarnoff If you're not number one, we cannot hear you. Mr. Cruz: Mariano Cruz. I -- 122726 Street. I am the chairperson ofABDA, Allapattah Business Development Authority, and I don't get paid a penny, you know, butl am here 'cause I am the person who signs the checks and check the work outside to make sure everything's -- and we don't do only work in Allapattah. We go Disfrict 1, 7th Street. We also go on 12th Avenue, 3801 12th Avenue, which is in Disfrict 5. And we usually do more with less in a way because we use all the money and we still need more money for that, but that's one of the best programs that the City got 'cause the taxpayers get to see the result. Like they go by La Mia now and they see all the new awnings and thing. They don't have to stand outside now in the wind and rain and the sun. When they play Lotto, they got nice awnings there. That's good. And that's our -- no, your tax -- my tax dollars because that's federal money at work. And I -- that's some of the projects I would like to see. Because the people, they ask me and I say go to ABDA and apply, okay. Don't complain. 'Cause usually people, blah, blah, blah, blah. No, don't complain. Go to ABDA and see Mrs. Sandoya (phonetic) and you can apply for it. Thank you. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Anyone else from the general public wishing to be heard on SP.8, please come up. Yes, sir. You're recognized. Luis Cuervo: Yes. Good afternoon, honorable Chairman and honorable Commissioners. My name is Luis Cuervo, and I'm the executive director for CAMACOL (Latin Chamber of Commerce) loan fund. We had an unfortunate mishap that we failed to submit our RFP on time, and as a matter of fact, we didn't submit one due to the fact that we were in the middle of moving from one building to another. We just for now moved ourselves to our new quarters. However, just for the record, I would like to be known that we've handled Districts [sic] 3 and Districts [sic] 4 for the past. And we do bring into the community, in this past year, a little bit over $1.2 million worth of facade business. I would like the opportunity to come back and, at the Commissioners' discretions, to see if there's any available fundings [sic] that we may be able to reapply on an outside source basis and that is basically my concern right now. Chair Sarnoff All right. Thank you, sir. Mr. Cuervo: Thank you. Chair Sarnoff Anyone else from the general public wishing to be heard on SP.8, please come up. Hearing none, seeing none, the public hearing is now closed; coming back to this Commission. Is there a motion? Commissioner Gort: Before I vote, I have a question of the Attorney's office. I'm a member of the board of the CAMACOL. Do I have a conflict of interest in voting on this? Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): You are a member of the board and this -- Commissioner Gort: Of the board of directors, and I don't get any -- Ms. Bru: Board of directors. Usually a question dealing with the conflict of interest, the key question is will any of this inure to your private gain? Commissioner Gort: None. Ms. Bru: So -- Commissioner Gort: It costs me. City ofMiami Page 56 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Ms. Bru: Or the private gain of a relative or -- Mr. Cuervo: No. Commissioner Gort: None of the above. Ms. Bru: And this is -- you just serve on a nonprofit. Commissioner Gort: That's correct. Ms. Bru: I could tell you now, without looking any further, that I don't think that this presents a conflict. Commissioner Gort: Okay. Thank you. Chair Sarnoff All right. Do we have a motion? Commissioner Suarez: So moved. Chair Sarnoff Motion by Commissioner Suarez, second by -- Commissioner Dunn: Second. Chair Sarnoff -- Commissioner Dunn. Commissioner Dunn: With discussion. Chair Sarnoff You're recognized for the record. Commissioner Dunn: Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I believe, Lillian, if I'm not mistaken, I have about -- ifI can make this part of the motion -- $150, 000 in reserves in District 5 for economic development. I would like to, if I'm within legal ground here, fransfer that to provide some microenterprise assistance to low-income business owners or business owners who serve in the low-income area. Is that something I --? Ms. Blondet: Yes. You do have the money in reserve, and we can fransfer 150,000 to the microenterprise -- Commissioner Dunn: That's right. Ms. Blondet: -- grant program, yes. Commissioner Dunn: Right. And my understanding is that would help to provide a micro loan of approximately $10,000 to 15 businesses, am I correct? Ms. Blondet: That's correct. Even better, a grant. In the microenterprise program, it's a grant. Commissioner Dunn: It's a grant. Ms. Blondet: Up to -- Commissioner Dunn: So it's a grant. Ms. Blondet: -- $10,000, where the owner is low -- City ofMiami Page 57 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Commissioner Dunn: Oh, so it's a grant. Ms. Blondet: -- income and the businesses are located in District 5. That's the way we've done it. Commissioner Dunn: When you -- okay, so the owner has to be low-income? Ms. Blondet: Yes. Commissioner Dunn: Okay. All right. Ms. Blondet: We've been able to help a lot of businesses -- Commissioner Dunn: I still want to do -- Ms. Blondet: Yes. Commissioner Dunn: Yes. Ms. Blondet: -- and there a lot of success stories -- Commissioner Dunn: Okay. Ms. Blondet: -- under that program. Commissioner Dunn: If that would be acceptable in -- Ms. Blondet: So it's amended. Chair Sarnoff Is that as amended? Ms. Blondet: As amended. Chair Sarnoff As amended. All right. So does the motioner accept the amendment? Commissioner Suarez: I accept the amendment. Chair Sarnoff Seconder accept the amendment? Commissioner Dunn: Yes. Chair Sarnoff He does, obviously. Okay. Any further discussion, gentlemen? All right. All in favor, please say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Sarnoff Okay. Unanimously passes. SP.9 RESOLUTION 10-00684 Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Community ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF HOUSING Development OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS PROGRAM FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011, IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,935,584, AS SPECIFIED IN ATTACHMENT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, TO PROVIDE City ofMiami Page 58 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 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(S). 10-00684 Legislation.pdf 10-00684 Exhibit SUB.pdf 10-00684 Exhibit 2.pdf 10-00684 Exhibit 3.pdf 10-00684 Exhibit 4.pdf 10-00684 Summary Form.pdf 10-00684 Public Notice.pdf Motion by Commissioner Dunn II, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, that this matter be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Carollo, Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Dunn II R-10-0261 Chair Sarnoff SP.9. George Mensah: George Mensah, director of Community Development. SP.9 is approving the allocation for fiscal year 2010-2011 for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) program, known as the HOPWA program, in the amount of 12.93 --12,935,584, as specified in Attachment A, and I'll go over it. Program administration, 3 percent, $338, 067; technical assistance by Apple Tree Perspectives, 50,000; project -based operating support, Miami Beach Community Development Corporation for Westchester Apartments, 27,000; Carrfour Supportive Housing for Harding Village, 28,000; Carrfour Supportive Housing for Del Prado Gardens, 21,000, for a total of 76, 000 for project -based support. Long-term Tenant -based Rental Assistance Program, housing specialist services, which includes move -in, compliance, walk-through, exit and HQS (Housing Quality Standards) inspections. We have Community AIDS Resource, Incorporated, doing business as Care Resource, $134,625; Center of Information and Orientation, Incorporated, 403,875; Empower U, Incorporated, 403,875; Miami Beach Community Development Corporation, 314,125; Sunshine for All, Incorporated, 314,125; then we have a HOPWA reserve account of 224, 375, for a total of $1.795 million. And you have long-term rental based assistance. This is for paying -- making rental payments, 10,625,517 [sic]. And then for legal services to the clients, we have 58,000 [sic] to HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) Education and Law Project, Incorporated, for the total of$12,935,584. Chair Sarnoff All right. Let's open up a public hearing. Anybody wishing to be heard on SP.9, which is the HOPWA funding grant? Anyone from the general public wishing to be heard, please step up. Hearing none, seeing none, coming back to the Commission. Do we have a motion? Commissioner Dunn: So moved. Chair Sarnoff Motion by Commissioner Dunn. Commissioner Suarez: Second. Chair Sarnoff Second by Commissioner Suarez. Any discussion, gentlemen? Commissioner Dunn: I would like to just -- this is a very sensitive area to me, ifI may, for the record. I once served as a counselor -- a pastoral counselor in working with a outreach program that dealt with individuals who were infected by the HIV virus, AIDS virus, so I really City ofMiami Page 59 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 appreciate this program, and I know it's a need. And if I'm not mistaken, we are the representative for the entire county, is that correct? Mr. Mensah: That's correct, Commissioner. Commissioner Dunn: Yeah. So I think that's a feather in our cap. How did that -- ifI may ask, how did that happen? I mean, how did we end up being the sole representative for --? That's a good thing, but how did that happen? Mr. Mensah: I think that HUD -- what HUD does is they -- at that time when the program was established was look at the largest -- one of the largest cities in a county, and then also the city with the most incidents. Commissioner Dunn: With incidents, yes. Okay. Chair Sarnoff George, I have a question. Of the $12 million, 10, 600, 000 of that goes towards long-term rental assistance? Mr. Mensah: Yes. Chair Sarnoff I mean, it's a very big line item in a budget -- Mr. Mensah: Yes. Chair Sarnoff -- but it doesn't say what you're doing with it. Mr. Mensah: That's -- long-term rental -- this is actual rental payments. Long-term rental assistance is providing housing assistance for the individuals who have AIDS. And usually HUD requires that they use 30 percent of their income for rent. So if somebody makes, let's say, $600 a month, then 30 percent of that $600 goes towards their rent, in this case $200. So the difference between what the actual rent is and what the $200 is what we pay. So, for example, if their rent is -- and it's within HUD guidelines. We have a fair market rent that we use. So if the rent is $1, 000 and the person can only pay $200, then $800 has to be paid by the City -- by this program. Chair Sarnoff So that requires $10, 600, 000? Mr. Mensah: Yes. I think we have about 1,000 -- Roberto Tazoe (Assistant Director): We currently -- Roberto Tazoe, Department of Community Development. -- serve around 12 -- last year we were budgeted for about 1,200 clients. This year we're budgeting for 1,000 clients. And each -- if you do the math, the 10 million comes out to about 800-plus change per month, per person, that we serve. Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chairman. Chair Sarnoff Go ahead. Commissioner Dunn: And we're the sole representative -- Mr. Mensah: Yes. Commissioner Dunn: -- for the entire county. Chair Sarnoff Well, that's true. That's true. You're right. I'm looking at it -- I'm thinking it's a City ofMiami Page 60 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 City allocation. Commissioner Dunn: Citywide, I know. Chair Sarnoff But you're right, it's County. You're right. All right. Any further --? Yes, sir. Commissioner Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I see, George, that we have -- or Mr. Mensah, sorry -- a reserve here of 224, 375? Mr. Tazoe: That is correct. The reserve was left available because at the time that we did the recommendation, the appeals were in process. Unfortunately, the two agencies that appealed did not make it through the minimum 75 points so the reserve is open that we can allocate to the current agencies that are being recommended. The allocation can happen now if you have a candidate or we can come back to the Commission with a proposed allocation. Commissioner Suarez: I would like to make a recommendation because I see that some of these agencies are not from this area and one of the ones that is from this area, which is Sunshine for All, is a very responsible organization that goes above and beyond not only in the HOPWA program but in other programs. And I don't know to what extent I'm allowed to, but I'd like to increase their funding, if possible. Chair Sarnoff Commissioner Gort. Commissioner Gort: I would like to see the appeal -- the agencies that -- my understanding, one of the agencies that there was -- that went through the process of appeal had been providing the services for a long time, which is SABER (Spanish American Basic Education and Rehabilitation) I understand they've been providing the service for a long time. There was a change in the criterias [sic] and the guidelines on the RFP and for that reason, they were eliminated. So I'd like to see if we consider that again. Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chair. Chair Sarnoff Commissioner Dunn. Commissioner Dunn: And if -- I will support my colleagues on their recommendations 'cause I know it is needed. Chair Sarnoff So what you're saying, Mr. Mensah, is if we vote for this, do the Commissioners get to look at the appeals process and have a second look at this? Mr. Mensah: Yes. We can do that. What we've done is that -- the appeal -- we only have two agencies that appealed that actually didn't make it. They appealed the scoring. We had a second party look at the scoring, and they still did not make it. However, this is the decision of the Commission. We can decide to aid SABER. We can decide to allocate some of these funds to SABER, and the additional fund to Sunshine. We'll still be able to be within the 274, 000. And what we did was -- as a matter of fact, we -- because of the nature of this particular program, because the -- the amount of funding they receive is tied to a number of clients that they oversee. So if we make any changes to any agencies, then we have to kind of rearrange the number of clients that each of them has so that they can be able to -- so before we came, we kind of anticipated that there will be a request to look at it, so we looked at the numbers before we came. If we did decide to give SABER 97 clients for them to manage, that amount will total $174, 375 and then we can add additional clients to Sunshine for All to the total of $50, 000. Commissioner Dunn: Okay. Fifty -- okay. City ofMiami Page 61 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Commissioner Suarez: That sounds good with me. Mr. Mensah: If that is the will of the Commission. Commissioner Dunn: That's good with you? Yeah. Can we do that today? Mr. Mensah: Yes. Chair Sarnoff So -- Mr. Mensah: It will be as amended. Chair Sarnoff -- ifI understand you correctly, SABEL [sic] will get 1 74,000 additional dollars and Sunshine for All will get 50,000? Mr. Mensah: Yes. Commissioner Dunn: Okay. Chair Sarnoff And that's based on the number of clients they serve? Based -- Mr. Mensah: Yes. Mr. Tazoe: Mr. Chair -- Chair Sarnoff 'Cause I mean, I'm about to vote for something that I've not looked at. Mr. Tazoe: No. Based on what you just recommended, if we allocate additional $50, 000 to Sunshine for All, they will jump to about 203 clients, and for SABER, 1 74,3 75 would equal to about 97 clients. Chair Sarnoff Yeah. My only concern is I'm not looking at any documents. That's -- Do you have anything you could show me? Mr. Tazoe: This is your original recommendation where you have the HOPWA long-term reserve, and this is the projected, where you're allocating $50, 000 to Sunshine and the rest for SABER. Chair Sarnoff So they go up by how many clients? Mr. Tazoe: They were being recommended for nothing. Chair Sarnoff So now they go to -- Mr. Tazoe: So they get 97 clients. Chair Sarnoff -- 97 clients? Mr. Tazoe: And they will be going up for about 28 clients. Chair Sarnoff And everybody gets a certain amount on a per client basis? Mr. Tazoe: Correct. Chair Sarnoff All right. City ofMiami Page 62 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Commissioner Dunn: So do we need to --? Mr. Chair, I'm sorry. I apologize. Chair Sarnoff Does the maker accept the amendment? Commissioner Dunn: I -- yes. Chair Sarnoff So you're the maker? Commissioner Dunn: Yes. Chair Sarnoff Does the seconder accept the amendment? Commissioner Suarez: Yes. Chair Sarnoff You all right, Madam Clerk? All right. All in favor, please say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Sarnoff Okay. Pamela L. Latimore (Assistant City Clerk): As amended. Chair Sarnoff As amended. SP.10 RESOLUTION 10-00685 Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Community ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING PALMETTO HOMES OF MIAMI, INC. TO Development MODIFY THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT TO BE LOCATED AT 1320 NORTHWEST 61ST STREET AND 1370 NORTHWEST 61ST STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, LEGALLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A", ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FROM A GREEN TOWNHOME PROJECT TO SEVEN (7) GREEN SINGLE FAMILY HOMES, SUBJECT TO ALL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS PROVIDED IN EXHIBIT "B" ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, AND ALL OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FOR SAID PURPOSE. 10-00685 Legislation.pdf 10-00685 Exhibit.pdf 10-00685 Exhibit 2.pdf 10-00685 Exhibit 3.pdf 10-00685 Summary Form.pdf 10-00685 Public Notice.pdf Motion by Commissioner Dunn II, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Carollo, Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Dunn II R-10-0262 Chair Sarnoff SP.10. City ofMiami Page 63 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 George Mensah (Director, Community Development): SP.10 is authorizing the City Manager to modify the affordable housing development, located at 1320 Northwest 61 st Street and 1370 Northwest 61 st Street, which the City Commission approved for seven townhomes and for -- because of appraisal issues, the developer, Palmetto Homes, has requested that instead of building seven townhomes, that he builds seven single-family homes. So we come back to Commission to acquire the approval so that he builds single-family homes instead of townhomes. Chair Sarnoff I don't mean to ask you to rerun that again. Can you do that again? I was -- Mr. Mensah: Yes. Chair Sarnoff --I didn't get it. Mr. Mensah: Yes. We came -- we -- the City Commission approved the transfer of property to Palmetto Homes to build seven townhomes. The developer is saying that the townhomes is not appraising for him to be able to sell it. Instead, a single -- green single-family homes appraised because he recently completed one. So he's requesting that instead of building townhomes, that we allow him to build single-family homes. Chair Sarnoff That seems counterintuitive, but okay. Commissioner Gort. Commissioner Gort: My understanding, this is funding that was allocated before to do the certain project with the town houses. Instead of town houses now, he's going to do single-family homes which cannot have a value in excess of $250, 000 -- Mr. Mensah: Yes. Commissioner Gort: -- like the one he's done in the past. Commissioner Dunn: Exactly. Mr. Mensah: Yes. Commissioner Gort: I mean, I've seen some of the -- Mr. Chairman, I've seen some of the homes Chair Sarnoff I've seen his -- right. Commissioner Gort: -- that they've built, and they do a good job. Chair Sarnoff All right. So he goes from how many homes to how many homes? Mr. Mensah: Seven town -- Chair Sarnoff Seven town houses -- Mr. Mensah: It's the same seven, just instead of town homes, he's now going to do single-family homes. Chair Sarnoff How many? Less -- Mr. Mensah: Seven. Chair Sarnoff Same number? City ofMiami Page 64 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Mr. Mensah: Yes. Chair Sarnoff How does that work? Mr. Mensah: Well, what he was -- Chair Sarnoff That reminds me of the School Board's budget. How does that work? I mean, one -- a town house has one roof has one stack of plumbing. A house has -- I'm sorry -- two -- you get two roofs out of one roof so to speak. You get two plumbings [sic] out of the stack. I mean, how does that work? How do you build --? Mr. Mensah: Initially, what I saw is he was building -- these type of homes were attached homes and leaving green spaces in between to make it a very beautiful project. Chair Sarnoff Okay. Mr. Mensah: And that wasn't appraised -- appraising. So now he's going to individual -- single family. Chair Sarnoff Oh, so he was building more elaborate -- Mr. Mensah: Yes, yes. Chair Sarnoff -- town homes, and now he's building less elaborate single-family homes. Mr. Mensah: Yes. Chair Sarnoff Gotcha. Okay. I guess that could be done. All right. Is there a --? Well, let me open a public hearing. SP.10, Palmetto Homes modifying as you now hear from seven townhomes to seven single-family homes. Does anybody wish to be heard? Hearing none, seeing none, the public hearing is closed; coming back to this Commission. Is there a motion? Commissioner Dunn: So moved. Chair Sarnoff Motion by Commissioner Dunn, second -- Commissioner Gort: Second. Chair Sarnoff -- by Commissioner Gort. Any discussion, gentlemen? Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chair. Chair Sarnoff Yes, sir. Commissioner Dunn: I just wanted to acknowledge publicly -- I know back -- I think it was Commissioner Suarez -- back in February -- February or March, one of those months, I can't remember -- we attended a ribbon -cutting ceremony -- no, that was Commissioner Carollo -- Vice Chair, I'm sorry. I'm getting my Commissioners mixed up. That was Vice Chairman Carollo, where he built, I believe, probably one of the first green homes in this area. So I -- that's the same company, same gentleman, just to give you quality of work that he does. Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Sarnoff Yes, sir. City ofMiami Page 65 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 SP.11 10-00738 Honorable Mayor Tomas Regalado Vice Chair Carollo: Yes, Commissioner Dunn. Actually, I remember quite clearly and I was very impressed, and obviously, I will be voting in favor of this. Commissioner Dunn: Thank you. Chair Sarnoff All right. Any further discussion, gentlemen? Hearing no discussion, all in favor, please say "aye. " The Commission (Collectively): Aye. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS, IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $400,000, IN THE AMOUNTS AND TO THE AGENCIES AS SPECIFIED IN "EXHIBIT A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR PUBLIC SERVICES ACTIVITIES; ALLOCATING SAID FUNDS FROM THE MAYOR'S POVERTY INITIATIVE ACCOUNT; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT(S), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM(S), WITH SAID AGENCIES, FOR SAID PURPOSE(S). 10-00738 Legislation.pdf 10-00738 Exhibit.pdf 10-00738 Exhibit 2.pdf Motion by Commissioner Dunn II, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Carollo, Gort, Suarez and Dunn II Noes: 1 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff R-10-0256 Chair Sarnoff And Mr. Mayor, you want to be heard for a particular issue? Go ahead. Which one's that? Mayor Tomas Regalado: IfI can, to do the item, the last item, which is the Mayor's Poverty Initiative? Chair Sarnoff So we'll take SP.11. You're recognized, sir. Mayor Regalado: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for hearing this. I mean, it's fitting that we do it now since we have all this discussion about public service funding. You know, it's - - there are several things here. In the past we saw -- in the past years we saw federal funding decrease, not in the amount, but in the categories. There were [sic] a time where the past Administration, the federal -- the Bush Administration felt and the Clinton Administration felt that more money should be allocated for economic development and housing to create jobs, and they sort of forgot the public services program. Then the City started getting less and less. And several years ago, the Mayor's poverty fund was created. What I am presenting to you here is a relocation [sic] of funding. These are monies that were not used in programs that were approved by the City Commission two years ago, three years ago. One example, one program that where -- that was created by the District 5 Commissioner before you, Commissioner Dunn, regarding jobs and the stadium and all that, that never happened, so that money is being relocated [sic]. And the reason that we're doing this is because there are -- number one, they were funded on the last three, four years by the Mayor's poverty fund, more or less, the same City ofMiami Page 66 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 amount. And most of these monies that we're allocating, that I'm asking that you approve are for meals and services to residents. For instance, we have all seen the debate about Curley's House and they're right. This is the only provider in the north for meals after JESCA (James E. Scott Community Association) was closed by the County. We are also facilitating money for the Sundari Foundation in District 5. This is a foundation that most of the money comes from the private sector, and yet, they done a tremendous work. De Hostos -- you know, the De Hostos senior center, the ZIP (Zone Improvement Program) code 33127 is the largest with persons in need, elderly -- with persons with need. And by the way, they service daily 130 City ofMiami residents. Centro Hater is another center that serves City ofMiami. There are Sunshine for All, Meals on Wheels. You know, there is a waiting list of legitimate disability -- persons with disability of more than 70 to 100 persons for Meals on Wheels, and this is the only meal that they get a day with this Meals on Wheels. The Southwest Social Services, we all know that there is a waiting list there. We know the services. Little Havana, you know, you -- out of 14 centers, 7 in the City ofMiami. It's a huge population. And you might say well, you know, this originally came from the general fund when times were good and all that, and we have a tremendous need. This money is not ftom this year, nor from last year, but ftom three years. But we would like to make a commitment to the City Commission that we will try to get the federal government to supplement either with a waiver or more funds what was taken from the general fund five years ago so we're not working in this coming budget thinking that we can draw from the general fund money to supplement what the programs are receiving. This year we are presenting to you this resolution; although, we will be bringing an amendment because there is one center in District 1. And in this -- by the way, in this resolution, we have all four districts, but District 1, so we need to bring an amendment, Commissioner Gort, on the first meeting in July for the Allapattah center. And transportation, we're working with the Administration to bring an item because Tallahassee has already approved the use of half a penny transportation monies for the transportation for the elderly thatAccion does. So there is a law that was signed by the Governor two weeks ago and that allows the flexibility to use that to the -- for the City ofMiami. Butl am committed to social services andl know that those ofyou who follow the City Commission in the last 14 years as a Commissioner, I was always defending social services. And I don't believe, you know, when other Commissioners, none of those here now, said, well, it's time that you go seek funds from the private sector. There are no funds from the private sector. Nobody gives to this [sic] facilities or agencies, so it's our responsibility. So I am asking you to approve this resolution with the commitment, and I think -- and we spoke, Commissioner Carollo. The Vice Chairman and I were talking in the past days of how do we lobby HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) and Congress to raise the 15 percent to 25 percent. Let me tell you something. It really works. We did that in the late '90s. Commissioner Gort was here. And it really works. I remember that the late Commissioner Teele, when I pushed for the motion, said it's okay, it's very good, but what happens when with the three years end, what do we do then. And we said, well, we'll try it again. But at that time, the Administration didn't do the due diligence and we couldn't get it, so the Mayor's international -- the Mayor's poverty fund was created and that's the story of it. As we speak, we are organizing meetings with HUD in Miami and in Washington to lobby because this year we could have received that waiver. Senator Bill Nelson communicated to us that the reason that we didn't get it is because it was late. It got late to the committee. So now we have two ways, do it through HUD or through the Congress. And we plan to do this for, of course, next year, in next year budget. And that would mean probably, I don't know, maybe more than a million some dollars that we can distribute to social services. So it is my commitment. We already are trying to get the meetings with at least the undersecretary of HUD and, of course, the local HUD director to start the process and do it early and do it fast so we can get it for next year. So -- Chair Sarnoff All right. So SP.11, let me open up a public hearing. Does anybody wish to be heard on SP.11 ? It's the Mayor's Poverty Initiative. Hearing none, seeing none, coming back to this Commission. Is there a motion? Commissioner Dunn: So move. City ofMiami Page 67 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Commissioner Suarez: Second. Chair Sarnoff Motion by Commissioner Dunn, second by Commissioner Suarez. Any discussion, gentlemen? Commissioner Dunn: Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Sarnoff You're recognized for the record. Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As the Mayor well know -- well knows -- we spoke about it yesterday -- I'm not a big proponent of using general funds money for this. However, in speaking, there is a great need and in all fairness, that's why, you know, I proposed -- I was the sponsor of the resolution and, thank you to all my colleagues, you know, it passed unanimously, 'cause I foresee this issue coming about. And the resolution, which was R-10-0221, was asking the federal government to increase the public service amount from 15 percent to 25 percent. I think it's something that we desperately, desperately need, and it's something that should have been done this year. I spoke to the Mayor about it yesterday and you know, I asked him, you know, to join me and possibly go up to Washington and lobby for this. It seems like, you know, in the past we have paid lobbyists large sums of money. And in all fairness, I think that, possibly, we may be able to do a better job and really go up there and be active and lobby for this because it's needed. And hopefully next year, instead of using general funds money, which, as I stipulated, I truly believe that's for public safety, for police, fire, public works and so forth, and you know, the basic needs, garbage -- However, you know, we have to be pragmatic about it. I know there's a great need out there, so you know, I will be in favor of this resolution. However -- and I'm not going to put subject to, but -- however, I want to clearly state that I'm asking everyone out there to join me. You know, I think we really need to make a big push. When you send letters to me, you know what, also send letters to your congressmen, to your senators, ask them, you know, that we really do need this change so public services, instead of 15 percent, can go up to 25 percent. You know, I've always said here that action speak louder than words, and I believe my actions speak for themselves. Not only that, I've asked the Adminisfration, do we have to -- do you need 20 percent? You know, I don't want it to be just as a, you know, for -sure thing that just because we can give you up to 20 percent that we're going to give you 20 percent, especially when some of that money can be used for services or for other areas in CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funding for, you know, people that desperately need it, organizations that, you know, have come up here, and yes, to a certain degree, begging. And you know, it's part of the process -- and I don't want to say that's begging. I want to say as -- it's part of the process because you're letting us know, hey, listen, there's a need out there. There truly is, you know, a service that we are providing that is good for your community. And with that said, Mr. Mayor, you know, I will be in favor of this. However, you know, I ask that we really do follow up on Resolution R-10-0221 and really lobby Washington, maybe even go up there and really, you know, be active on this 'cause it's something that we desperately need. Thank you. Mayor Regalado: Commissioner, I commit to you and the members of the Commission that we'll be doing this in July. The first thing I did when I was sworn last November was to ask the Adminisfration to request that waiver 'cause I knew exactly what was coming and you know it's very important to fund this [sic] programs. It doesn't -- it is impossible to explain to people that are getting a meal or a service that there is no funding from Washington while, you know, you read in the papers this Obama stimulus millions of dollars to create jobs and all that, so it's very difficult. And we are, and especially you Commissioners, the frontline of battle. How can you explain to Curley's House people that, you know, the federal government has a process that knocks you down because you failed with three points or, you know, in Smather's or in Southwest City ofMiami Page 68 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Social Services, we have to cut the number of clients. It's not easy to explain. And I will tell you that I will fight for that waiver. I think it makes sense. We have already the commitment of Senator Bill Nelson to work with us. We have Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Congressman Kendrick Meek, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz that we are contacting, but we also will be going directly to HUD in Washington and in Miami to get that waiver and frust me, it will not be in the hands of the lobbyists or the Administration. We are pressed for time and I invite anyone from the dais to join us in this. It will be important if we can all go hopefully, but whoever needs to go. And -- so I -- we will be doing this in July and hopefully, we will have at least the results of the first meetings so -- Chair Sarnoff Mr. Mayor, when I asked CDBG -- and I thought I heard something different -- where the funding source for the $400, 000 was, they said ask the Mayor. I heard you say earlier today that it's two -year-ago program dollars. Mayor Regalado: Right. Chair Sarnoff And then I think I heard the Vice Chair say this is general fund. Mayor Regalado: Yeah. He's right. I'm right. It -- this came from the general fund several years ago, has been on a rollover basis, programs that were allocated by us two years ago that were never happened because of changes, because of programs. Actually, it's not from this year, not from last year, but it's coming from the last -- I think it was three years ago. So that was taken -- the Mayor's poverty fund was created from the general fund and that's the problem that we have, that when this money runs out, we won't be able to go -- or come to you in the budget and say, you know, we want to allocate 1 million, which was the figure that was allocated back then for the Mayor's poverty fund. It did came [sic] from the general fund. It was approved in the budget. The thing is that we are lucky that some of the programs that were approved never happened, so we are reprograming this money. Chair Sarnoff But correct me if I'm wrong, that would mean that that money when we're running a deficit from last year's -- last year's '09-'010 [sic] was in deficit of $53 million, and now we're running a deficit of approximately $20 million. Mayor Regalado: Right. Chair Sarnoff It wasn't like this money was put aside. This money's part of our deficit. Mayor Regalado: This money is not part of the deficit. It was put aside. It was allocated because these were programs that were approved. That's the problem. Chair Sarnoff Well, let me ask 'cause I don't -- Mayor Regalado: Yeah, maybe -- Chair Sarnoff Mr. Manager, were these monies held in escrow? Carlos A. Migoya (City Manager): I -- the only thing -- Tony, you want --? Tony Crapp (Chief of Operations/Assistant City Manager): Yeah. Mr. Migoya: Please. 'Cause he's the one that deal -- dealt with it. Tony Crapp, if you don't mind. Mr. Crapp: Tony Crapp, Jr., Assistant City Manager. This money -- for example, if you recall the Miami Works program that was discussed during the stadium discussions last year, money City ofMiami Page 69 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 was allocated by the previous District 5 Commissioner for that program. This money was allocated toward an initiative like that, but this item is recapturing that money and allocating it for something else. Chair Sarnoff Here's my question and I want a direct answer to my question. Was this money held in escrow? Mr. Crapp: No. To my knowledge, the money was not -- Chair Sarnoff So then this money is -- Mr. Crapp: -- held in escrow. Chair Sarnoff -- part of the deficit? Mr. Crapp: Yeah. It's part of the budget. Chair Sarnoff So we are actually just going further in deficit? Mr. Migoya: As I understand it, this money was part of last year's budget, so it was escrowed -- Chair Sarnoff Correct, part of a $53 million -- Mr. Migoya: That is correct. So if you were to say no to this, we would have a $400, 000 positive towards -- Chair Sarnoff So the money wasn't escrowed? Mr. Migoya: No. But -- well, I don't know about escrow per se, but it was allocated within the budget. Chair Sarnoff Well, allocated yet unspent -- Mr. Migoya: Correct. Chair Sarnoff -- just simply means that the money is part of our deficit, that if you choose -- that -- I think we're sugarcoating something here and I have no intentions of sugarcoating it. At a certain point in time, we are simply going to run out of money. You choose not to run out of that money right now, that is certainly a policy decision that this Commission can make because it feels like it's doing good deeds, good things. Yet, I don't want anybody to be in any way obscured. This is just part of the money that we're deciding we're going to remain $53 million in the red from last year's budget, correct? Mr. Migoya: According to Larry Springs [sic], who I justgot an e-mail (electronic) from, says it was in a special revenue account and it was not part of last year's deficit. Chair Sarnoff So it's been escrowed? Mr. Migoya: It's been escrowed. Commissioner Gort: Been escrowed. Chair Sarnoff That's a different scenario. Okay. Commissioner Dunn: Mr. -- are you --? City ofMiami Page 70 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Chair Sarnoff You're recognized. Commissioner Dunn: Okay. Mr. Chair, just so that I get a clear understanding, this is somewhat synonymous to being recaptured funding then, am I correct? Is that a -- appropriate terminology for it? Mr. Crapp: Yes. Commissioner Dunn: It's like recaptured funding. Mr. Crapp: Right. Chair Sarnoff Now when the monies are recaptured, they have to be used for a specific area? Like in the -- when you recapture funding in Community Development? Mr. Crapp: In Community Development, yes, but this -- Commissioner Dunn: It has to be -- Mr. Crapp: -- isn't CDBG. Commissioner Dunn: So it -- pardon me? Mr. Crapp: This isn't CDBG. Commissioner Dunn: It's the Mayor's -- I know. It's the Mayor's initiative. Mr. Crapp: This is general fund. Commissioner Dunn: But it's like recaptured in that area? Mr. Crapp: Right. Commissioner Dunn: Okay. Mayor Regalado: And it has been always my understanding that this money was allocated in escrow in a segregated account because the programs were supposed to be on the way but they weren't. Some of the programs that you can, you know, say the -- Access Miami jobs, that never happened in that area. Chair Sarnoff And Mr. Mayor, all I want to know is -- I'm holding the budget right here -- just somebody direct me to what account it's held in. Mr. Migoya: I will -- it's unfair because Larry's the one that has that information. He's not here. What he's saying was that this was in a special revenue account of several years ago. Officially, it's not in an escrow account if you have the actual cash in an escrow account for it. It is not, but it is -- it was escrowed for several years back, so it was not in last year's deficit nor in this year's deficit. Now having said that, if you were not to spend this money and chose to take it out of that escrow and bring it back as a credit, we would have a credit of $400, 000 into this year's budget, but it would not increase our deficit any further by spending this money this year. Chair Sarnoff Well, I'm holding here the general fund fiscal year proposed budget, which you graciously put last year's budget in it as well. It lists every transfer in, transfer out. Every department is listed. All I'm asking, where was the money allocated? What account? Total City ofMiami Page 71 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 nondepartmental account? That could be one. Mayor Regalado: It's not there. It's not in the budget. Mr. Migoya: It's from previous years. Mayor Regalado: It was allocated two years ago. That's why I'm saying to you that it wasn't part. It was not in last year's budget because it was allocated by past Commissions in other programs that were -- Chair Sarnoff Well, then the question belies, Mr. Mayor, how much money is held for fiscal year '06, '07, '08, '09, '010 [sic] that are in budgeted accounts that -- call it what you'd like, money's just held somewhere. 'Cause I know there's going to be a lot of people, including unions, that are going to want to understand that and I'd like to understand it myself. Mayor Regalado: If there is any other than this one, we should bring it to the public, give it to the unions, give it to you because that's the commitment we made and -- Chair Sarnoff No. I understand. I just think -- I don't I'm frying to understand accounting lingo. Mr. Migoya: Mr. Chair, we're happy -- it's five 'til 12. If you'd like, we can come back this afternoon and give you specific detail on how that money came into the special revenue fund. As I understand it, this special revenue fund started around the year '03 or '04 and it may have stopped in the year '08. But we'll -- if you like, we can give you specific identification as to when that money came in. Chair Sarnoff Well, the Vice Chair is going to look at some numbers during lunch anyway on this issue. Well, maybe not on this issue. So why don't we do that. Why don't we table this one as well, along with SP.6. Vice Chair Carollo: SP.6. And actually, this coincides with SP.6, so it -- we'll revisit it when we come back from lunch. And if the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) could also be present -- I don't know if he's out of town or -- if he's not present. He's here? Mr. Migoya: We'll make sure he comes -- he'll be here whenever you -- we decide to bring this up. Chair Sarnoff All right. Here's our dilemma, gentlemen. I think it's probably not a bad time to go to lunch. However, we lose our sign language -- Pamela L. Latimore (Assistant City Clerk): We're going to call and try to get someone else to come over since you guys are running a little later. Chair Sarnoff All right. Let's take a lunch 'til 1:30. Fair enough? Mayor Regalado: And before you go, Mr. Chairman, this resolution, the only thing it does is brings the programs, most of them, to the level of last year. Should we say now, okay, let's reduce this or transfer to the general fund, programs would have to be cut drastically because that's the way it was done in the last three years to bring to the minimum level. This is not increasing. This is just the minimum level of last year. Chair Sarnoff Mr. Mayor, didn't we get -- Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. -- City ofMiami Page 72 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Chair Sarnoff -- the same -- didn't we get a higher allocation of CDBG money this year than last year? Mayor Regalado: Yeah. That would -- Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Mayor Regalado: Maybe you see other programs being funded. Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Sarnoff You're recognized. Vice Chair Carollo: The Mayor's Poverty did fund last year also CDBG -- no, not CDBG -- funded some of these organizations. So that's why the Mayor is saying should he not use monies from his Mayor's Poverty, then all the services will be reduced because we used -- or at least the Mayor's Poverty monies were used for last year's funding. That's why he's saying that. Chair Sarnoff Okay. All right. Mayor Regalado: That's -- you know -- Commissioner Gort: Question. Mayor Regalado: -- that's basically -- Chair Sarnoff Go ahead, Commissioner Gort. Commissioner Gort: One question. How long is this funding being used by the Mayor's office? Chair Sarnoff How long have they had a poverty initiative? Commissioner Gort: Yes. Mayor Regalado: I think five years. Commissioner Gort: Five years? Thank you. Mayor Regalado: Five years, six years. Four years. Yeah. That's what I -- four years. Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Sarnoff Yes, sir. Vice Chair Carollo: I clearly understand it like I did, you know, yesterday when I spoke to the Mayor with regards to, you know, this item, you know, and it's going to be, you know, a decision we're going to have to make because, I mean, in all fairness, we're facing a lot of tough decisions, and I think -- you know, and that's why I mentioned, you know, how I was not crazy about using general funds money for this because it should go to public services, you know, police, fire, and so forth, but at the same time, we have a great need out there and, you know, I think that tough decisions are starting to come before us, and that's why, realistically, I wanted to push for this -- you know, a resolution that we all pass unanimously to change from 15 percent to 25 percent so, you know, the money comes from CDBG funds instead of it coming from the general fund. And like we promised, that we will go and lobby, Mr. Mayor -- City ofMiami Page 73 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Mayor Regalado: Absolutely. Vice Chair Carollo: -- and anyone from this Commission. At the same time, I do want to, you know, make sure everybody out there knows if we lobby for this 15 to 25 percent, that's just so we don't have to use general funds money anymore and we use CDBG. Mayor Regalado: Right. It would not be to increase -- Vice Chair Carollo: Exactly. Mayor Regalado: -- next year's program. Vice Chair Carollo: Exactly. Mayor Regalado: So I would just like to ask as a favor, since the Manager and I are supposed to be meeting with some people in the afternoon -- we thought that this was easy, but then nothing is easy. If you can -- I would ask to vote on this resolution -- Chair Sarnoff First -- Mayor Regalado: -- because it's the only way out for us and then you -- if you can in the afternoon discuss the other resolution, I would ask that you vote on it instead of tabling. Chair Sarnoff Okay, we'll do it first thing. Mayor Regalado: What? Chair Sarnoff First thing, right? That's what you're asking for, first thing? Mayor Regalado: Or you do it now? Do it -- I mean -- Commissioner Dunn: It's -- Mayor Regalado: I mean, it's a -- I understand. And I understand the need for information, but the -- see, the bottom line is, this is how we bring this -- all these agencies to function. If we don't do this, then you have a bigger problem because it falls on you to go out of the reserves or move funds from an agency to another, defund one agency to fund other agencies. That's -- it's the reality, so that's why I'm asking if you can vote on this and with a commitment, of course, that for next year's budget there will be no general fund, that we have to look for other sources. Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chair, ifI may. Chair Sarnoff Yes, sir. Commissioner Dunn: There was a comment made I believe by the Manager about -- now this will not be an add -on to the deficit. Am I correct? So this will not affect -- only thing we would possibly lose a plus -- we could have probably recaptured for a plus, but it's not going to be an add -on to the deficit? Mr. Migoya: That's correct. Chair Sarnoff All right. Let's call the question. Do it by roll call. Mayor Regalado: You need a motion and a second. City ofMiami Page 74 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Commissioner Dunn: There was -- it was one already. Commissioner Gort: There's a motion and a second. Ms. Latimore: Yeah. Commissioner Dunn: There's already one already. Mayor Regalado: Oh. Ms. Latimore: Commissioner Suarez? Commissioner Suarez: Yes. Ms. Latimore: Vice Chair Carollo? Vice Chair Carollo: Yes. Ms. Latimore: Commissioner Gort? Commissioner Gort: The reason I vote yes for it is my understanding, this is something that took place about four years ago. It was a million dollars that was set aside to do these programs, is my understanding. And this is leftover from programs that were not approved -- or they were approved, but they were not utilized so it's like a rollover and those are the reasons why I'm voting for it. Yes. Ms. Latimore: Commissioner Dunn? Commissioner Dunn: Yes. Ms. Latimore: Chairman Sarnoff? Chair Sarnoff Mr. Mayor, I have the utmost respect for you and I have the utmost respect for every agency listed here. Yet, I can't throw common sense out the window. I know exactly what this City's doing. This City is essentially taking money that should be put towards a $53 million deficit and is doing a good deed, butt know how the captain of the Titanic must have felt when he looked at a vessel filled with 3,000 people and he had lifeboats for 800. I guess he could have said to them, `Run for the boats, who cares." And in some respects, we usurped our responsibility because we're saying, `Run for the boats, who cares." Hard decisions are going to have to be made. This is today the very beginning of what I think some people on this dais are about to see next year's budget's going to look like. I can't add to the compounding effect of what's happened. I do have the utmost respect for the Mayor. I have the utmost respect for the City Manager, but I can't throw common sense out the window, so my vote is no. Mayor Regalado: And thank you, Commissioners and Mr. Chairman. And you know, those words should have been said by you, me, and the others when the past Administration was bringing items of millions and millions of dollars and spending -- Chair Sarnoff I think we did -- I think you and I did say that on occasion. Mayor Regalado: I did that. Miami 21 -- Ms. Latimore: The resolution passes, 4-1. City ofMiami Page 75 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 Applause. Mayor Regalado: -- millions of dollars that were spent when we could use that in social services or building roads, all - the master planning that have been throw [sic] out of the window. And I'm glad that you all feel like that -- I am committed to go to Washington with the Vice Chair and anyone, Commissioner Suarez. That will be good because it will show unity and that the legislative body is behind the Administration in getting this and hopefully we will not be spending more millions and millions and millions in grandiose items, you know; that we first take care of the police, we first take care of the fire, public works. And these are the people -- and the garbage -- that we need to take care, and then the residents. By the way, we're still paying, I think, $800, 000 for a letter of credit for the tunnel, which I didn't vote for, and it will be budgeted, Mr. Manager, in this coming budget, the letter of credit. Eight hundred thousand dollars for the letter of credit for the tunnel. Mr. Migoya: No, it won't be that much 'cause it's for 90 days, but we will have a budget towards that letter of credit, yes, sir. Mayor Regalado: So it will be close to what? Mr. Migoya: It'll be a quarter of that 'cause we're only going to extend it for 90 days 'cause we're planning on doing the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) bonding, so we will have to extend it by 90 days. So it'll be -- Commissioner Dunn: Two hundred. Mr. Migoya: -- 800,000 -- Commissioner Dunn: Two hundred thousand. Mr. Migoya: -- about 200, 000, more or less. Mayor Regalado: -Two hundred thousand, which is half of what you all have just approved. Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chair. Chair Sarnoff Yes, sir. You're recognized. Vice Chair Carollo: Which, by the way, I want to add to that Museum Park, when I mentioned in the last CRA the $68 million that we're going to, I would think, bond or have to bond in the near future so -- you know, I have raised a lot of you know, concerns over my short time here. And you know what, Mr. Chairman, all -- you know what. We make our decisions here. All I ask is for us to be informed, you know. That's all I ask, is for us to be informed. You know, I want to make sure, you know, that we knew it does come from the general fund. However, you know, we have all -- everything in front of us to make, you know, educated -- and make the decisions. Thank you. Chair Sarnoff All right. We're on recess for lunch. Commissioner Dunn: Yes. Commissioner Gort: What time are we coming back? Mayor Regalado: Thank you. Chair Sarnoff 1:30. City ofMiami Page 76 Printed on 7/19/2010 City Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2010 NA.1 10-00835 END OF PUBLIC HEARINGS NON AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSION ITEM BRIEF DISCUSSION BY MAYOR REGALADO REGARDING A PRESS CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR JULY 28, 2010 AT BONGO'S CUBAN CAFE TO ANNOUNCE AN EVENT CELEBRATING THE CITY OF MIAMI'S 114th BIRTHDAY THAT WILL RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITY. Mayor Tomas Regalado: IfI may, just along that line. For the first time many years, we are going to celebrate Miami's birthday on the 28th ofJuly. I believe that we have a press conference that I would really like all of you to participate. We can even change the schedule in order to accommodate everyone. But it will be, I think, at Bongo's, courtesy of Emilio Estefan. And in that press conference, we are going to announce an event that will be used for charity. And people will be able to buy their tickets through Ticketmaster and it goes directly to the charity that works in the City ofMiami. I think that probably that will help a lot. And we have not finalized the details, but -- so you know, we have been able to have American Airlines Arena free for one night to celebrate this event. We will be sending tomorrow all the details to your office, but everything that is done will be done for charities in that night of the 114th birthday of the City ofMiami. So, again, I want to invite you and thank you for what you've done today. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Dunn, and was passed unanimously, to adjourn today's meeting. Vice Chair Carollo: Meeting adjourned? Chair Sarnoff Meeting's adjourned. City ofMiami Page 77 Printed on 7/19/2010