HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRA-R-16-0047 Cover MemoSEOPW Board of Commissioners Meeting
September 26, 2016
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
To: Board Chair Keon Hardemon Date: September 16, 2016 File: 16-01271
and Members of the CRA Board
Subject: Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of a
Grant from the Institute of Museum and
Library Services in the Amount of $150,000;
Furthering Authorizing a Grant to City of
Miami Black Police Precinct and Courthouse
Museum, Inc. ("COMBPPCM") in the Amount
of $235,000; and Ratifying the Execution of
an MOU with COMBPPCM.
From: Clarence E. Woods, III References:
Executive Director
Enclosures: Supporting Documentation; Legislation
BACKGROUND:
The attached Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community
Redevelopment Agency ("CRA") authorizes the acceptance of a grant, in the amount of $150,000, from the
Institute of Museum and Library Services ("1MLS"), Museum Grants for African American History and Culture to
hire a Museum Director and formulate a long term sustainability plan for the Black Police Precinct and
Courthouse Museum ("Project"). Further, this Resolution authorizes a grant in an amount not to exceed
$235,000 to the City of Miami Black Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum, Inc. ("COMBPPCM") to execute
the Project. This Resolution also ratifies the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding by and between the
CRA and COMBPPCM in furtherance of the Project.
The IMLS, established in 1996, is an independent agency of the United States federal government that provides
support to libraries and museums within the United States. The stated mission of IMLS is, "to inspire libraries
and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement...through research,
policy development, and grant making." As such, IMLS supports a full range of museums including art, history,
science and technology, children's museums, historical societies, tribal museums, planetariums, botanic
gardens and zoos.
In 2011, the City of Miami conveyed the Black Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum ("Black Police Precinct")
to CRA for the purpose of continuing redevelopment efforts in accordance with the CRA's Redevelopment Plan.
Currently the Black Police Precinct is operated by COMBPPCM, a 501(c)(3) non-profit established by group of
local retired police officers who have led efforts to preserve the building and maintains the museum's daily
operations on a volunteer basis.
In an effort for the Black Police Precinct to become a self-sustaining facility, the CRA submitted a grant
application to IMLS for $150,000 on behalf of the Black Police Precinct and as part of the application, the CRA
would contribute $85,000 to the Project. In order to execute the Project, the CRA would issue a grant to
COMBPPCM for $235,000 and COMBPPCM would contract with Florida International University ("FIU") for the
services stated below. The CRA would maintain oversight and control of the Project and grant funds throughout
the duration of the Project from September 2016 through March 2019.
The Project Team would consist of: CRA, serving as lead applicant, fiscal agent, and project evaluator;
COMBPPCM; and FIU, serving as the project management consultant and coordinator in charge of conducting
a nationwide executive search for a full-time Museum Director with advisement from a Hiring and Planning
Committee consisting of community stakeholders. The museum's newly appointed Director would work in
consultation with the Project Team, American Association for State and Local History, American Alliance of
Museums, and IMLS to lead a comprehensive institutional assessment and strategic plan for future
implementation. The strategic plan would address all museum functions, including operations, programming,
curatorial, staffing, community engagement, technology, and collections acquisition and management.
On June 17, 2016, the IMLS awarded the CRA $150,000 as a result of the application. This Resolution accepts
that same. This Resolution also authorizes a grant in the amount of $235,000 to COMBPPCM to execute the
Project with the CRA's oversight and ratifies the execution of a MOU with COMBPPCM in furtherance of the
Project.
JUSTIFICATION:
Section 2, Goal 1, at page 11, of the Plan lists the "preserv[ation of] historic buildings and community heritage"
as a stated redevelopment goal.
Section 2, Principle 6, at page 15, of the Plan states, "local cultural events, institutions, and businesses are to be
promoted". Further, Section 2, Principles 8 and 14, at page 15 of the Plan states that "older buildings that
embody the area's cultural past should be restored" and the area's sense of community should be restored and
unified culturally.
The Plan, at page 90, lists Black Police Precinct as being a structure of major importance and emphasis should
be placed on its preservation. Further, the Black Police Precinct was renovated by the City of Miami to be used
as a museum and to promote cultural activities for the Overtown community.
Pursuant to the Plan, at page 128, the CRA shall be empowered "[t]o apply for financing and to borrow money
from the Federal Government, the State, the County, the City or other public body or from any public or private
sources in the form of loans, bonds, grants, contributions, and any other form of financial assistance to be used
for redevelopment activities".
FUNDING:
$85,000 allocated from SEOPW Tax Increment Fund, entitled, "Other Grants and Aids," Account Code No.
10050.920101.883000.0000.00000.
Of the $235,000 grant to COMBPPCM, $150,000 will be funded by the grant awarded to the CRA by the IMLS
and $85,000 will be funded by the CRA.