Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit ACITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM TO. FROM: Emilio T. Gonzalez, Phd. DATE: Thursday, January 10, City Manager 2019 Lillian Blondet Director, Office of Grants Administration SUBJECT REFERENCES: ENCLOSURES: FILE: API Allocation of $250,000 to Miami Bayside Foundation, Inc. from the District 1, Commissioner Gort — Four Fifth Waiver BACKGROUND The City of Miami ("City") created the Anti -Poverty Initiative to address poverty and focus on providing support to its residents. Miami Bayside Foundation, Inc. (Organization) is a nonprofit organization designed to advance economic development in Miami through the support of minority businesses and education. This entity oversees the Wi11y Gort Scholarship program. This scholarship program has aided students residing in District 1 over the last two years. In 2016, 21 vocational students received scholarships. They attended training programs at George T. Baker Aviation, Lindsey Hopkins, or D.A. Dorsey Technical Colleges as well as Miami Dade College and received a Certificate, Associate of Arts, or Associate of Science. In 2017, 172 scholarships were awarded; while in 2018, 382 scholarships were awarded to District 1 residents. The purpose of this allocation is to provide additional funds to the organization in an effort to continue the Willy Gort Scholarship program for assistance with tuition, fees, and stipends for 60 to 75 Gort Scholars. As the Organization is familiar with the scholarship and the Commissioner's objective, it would be advantageous for the City to expedite the allocation and waive procurement requirements at this time. Providing these funds to the Organization will allow students to obtain these services, 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. (APPROVFD/DISAPROVEI 7 L L-C. Emilio TGonzalez, Ph. D., City Manager