HomeMy WebLinkAboutAttachment ACITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: Daniel J. Alfonso, City Manager
FROM: Milton Vickers, Senior Advisor
DATE: May 8, 2017
SUBJECT: $50,000 from the Office of
Community Investment on behalf of the City
Manager to Overtown Youth Center, Inc. for
the Summer Reading Program
BACKGROUND
The Overtown Youth Center, Inc. ("the organization") was founded in 2003 by NBA Hall-of-Famer
Alonzo Mourning and real estate developer Martin Z. Margulies in hopes of creating a safe haven
for children living in Overtown. For over 13 years, the organization has been providing holistic
programming to help youth avoid falling victim to poor education, poverty and crime.
The organization has agreed to partner with the City of Miami for the purpose of operating the
Summer Reading Program. The Summer Reading Program was designed to assist all grade levels
become better readers. It will run multiple park locations Overtown Youth Center, Elizabeth Virrick
Park, Belafonte Tacolcy Center, Shenandoah Park, and Jose Marti Park. Students will receive
training from reading instructors and math tutors; in addition, students will benefit from guest
readers from across the City of Miami, in addition to an end of summer backpack giveaway. The
goal of this program is to increase the success rate of students and lead to a higher rate of high school
graduates, as well as engage the community and families to support the children's success.
As they are familiar with the needs of the community and requirements imposed by the City, it would
be advantageous to the City to expedite the allocation and waive procurement requirements at this
time. Providing these funds to the organization will allow more youth to obtain these services
immediately, with no added time for the procurement process, which could take over 30-40 days.
RECOMMENDATION
In light of the above stated, approval of a waiver of the formal requirements of competitive sealed
bidding methods as not being practicable or advantageous to the City as set forth in the City Code
of Ordinances, as amended, specifically Section 18-85 (A), and the affirmation of these written
findings and the forwarding of the same to the City Commission for ratification by a four -fifths
vote is respectfully requested.
PPROVE P PPROVAL:
Daniel Tfonso, City Manager