HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1978-01-05 MinutesCITY OF MIAMI
SPE IAL
COMMISSION
MINUTES
FEDERAL REVENUE SHARING FUNDS
"Social Service Programs"
OF MEETING ;IELD ON JANUARY 5, 1978
PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
CITY HALL
RALPH G. ONGIE
CITY CLERK
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
.. * * * * *
0n the 5th day of January, 1978, the City Commission met in
Special Session to discuss business of public import.
The meeting was called to order at 9:10 0' Clock-A.M. with
the following members of the Commission found to be present:
Commissioner J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner Theodore R. Gibson
Vice -Mayor Manolo Reboso
ABSENT: Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
ALSO PRESENT:
Joseph R. Grassie, City Manager
R. L. Fosmoen, Assistant City Manager
George F. Knox, City Attorney
Ralph G. fn€ie, City Clerk
Matty Hirai, Assistant City Clerk
Mr. Reboso: Good Morning ladies and gentlemen. Mayor Ferre
spoke with me this morning and told me that he was not going to
be able to be with us this morning due to the fact that he has
to be in court related to his private business. So we will start
this meeting the allocation for the Federal Revenue Sharing Social
Services. At this time I will turn the mike to Mr. Parkins.
Mr. Parkins: Thank you Mr. Vice -Mayor.
Mr. Plummer: Well, Vice -Mayor, I do feel all kidding aside ....
City Manager can't be present that at least his desiglee be present
which I don't see.
Mr. Reboso: Is any Assistant City Manager here?
Mr. Plummer: Is the City Manager going to be here today? Well...
I do feel that it is only right that someone should be sitting in
that chair.
Mr. Reboso: Where is Mr. Green or Mr. Fosmoen? Ok. Let's
wait then for a few seconds.
Mr. Parkins: Mr. Vice -Mayor, Members of the Commission, very
quickly again, we just wanted to review with you the assumptions
that were the basis for the Revenue Sharing recommendations this
year. There are five. First is that there are limited funds.
Second being that the funds are reducing each year in the Revenue
Sharing category, and third that the City of Miami's funds are to
fill gaps in needed services not being adequately provided by those
primarily responsible, and the fourth is that we were to address
the city's needs in categories in priority order, and fifth that
the agencies were to be arrayed in those priority order within those
categories , and Don Horne will n w recap the recommendations and
'JJ1a1 r fi r,
suggest to you in order of discussion. Don.
Mr. Horne: Good Morning Commissioners. Before you you have a
package that outlines recommended allocations for fiscal year
77-78 for Federal Revenue Sharing Social Service Programs. It
also points out allocations that were made in previous years 76-77,
75-76. We will be using this package this morning as background
information and to answer questions related to our recommendations
for funding. As you see the package is composed of socio-economic
data and demographic data related to each of the eight target areas
and city-wide programs in the City of Miami that are being recommend-
ed for funding. If I may briefly direct your attention to page 23.
On page 23 we have a Federal Revenue Sharing Funds balance sheet
.... As I was saying Commissioners, as you see on page 23 we have
the Federal Revenue Sharing Fund Balance Sheet. At the top we have
the proposed Federal Revenue Sharing Funds for 77-78 which includes
our allocation from the total =eneral Revenue Sharing.Appropriation.
Unexpended Funds from Private, Non-profit Agencies for the 76-77
fiscal year and unexpended City of Miami Day Care Funds for 76-77,
which we plan to re -allocate this year for the 77-78 programs, which
gives us a total to be allocated of $1,173,053.00. Below that you'll
see the expenditures to date that we've incurred for the 1976-77
Federal Revenue Sharing Agencies which was used as carry-over funds
in the amount of $331,961.35 which leaves ur a balance to be allocat-
ed of $84-+1,091.65. Just below that you'll see our proposed expenditures
for the remaining funds which delineates the categories of Service
and the programs within those categories of service that are being
recommended to be funded. As I pointed out earlier we will be using
this package basically to answer questions related to our recommendat-
ions. At this time we would like to recommend that in order to
continue the discussion related to Federal Revenue Sharing Allocations
we would ask that the categories of Service be the basis for enter-
taining discussion related to programs within those categories of
Service in priority order and in that light we would start with
agencies in the category of Health that would like to speak about the
recommendations made for that category. We're suggesting that any
agencies that would like to speak related to their program be given
five minutes for the agency to make the presentation to the Commission.
There are approximately 19 agencies recommended for funding, I believe.
Fir. Reboso: How many agencies applied for funding?
Mr. Horne: Forty (40) .
Mrs. Gordon: J. L. speak in the mike, we can't hear you.
Mr. Plummer: I said I fail to see a reason for those that have been
funded who would want to speak unless they are unhappy with their
recommendation. I think that really more so we should emphasize on
those who have been either cut from funding or who have been denied
funding. Now I don't want to deny anybody the right to speak. But
just to get them up here for five minutes to speak and tell us how
happy they are they got what they wanted I see that as spinning, our
wheels truthfully.
Rev. Gibson: I agree.
Mr. Plummer: Let me ask you a question. One of the people that
came to see me and they are going to bring it during...
Mrs. Gordon: I have a question J. L. , but not a procedural question,
but a question on the form. If you don't mind Donny, would you please
explain to me the third item on page 23, $64,000.00 un-expended City
of Miami Day Care Funds, why is that going back into the pot? That
was supposed to go for the expansion by Resolution of this Commission
several months ago.
Mr. Horne: To my knowledge Mrs. Gordon the $64,000.00 that we're
referring to here are salary savings and was not included in the
original sum allocated for expansion of the Day Care Centers.
Mrs. Gordon: Well, the money for the expansion, where is it?
Mr. Horne: I have no idea Mrs. Gordon.
Mrs. Gordon: Who does?
Mr. Horne: Miss Wilhelmina Black, who is with the City of Miami
Day Care Program.
Mrs. Gordon: Wilhelmina, I asked a question. The Day Care
Expansion Funds, where are they?
Miss Black:
At the moment I really can't say where they are.
Mrs. Gordon: Who knows?
Miss Black: I understand that some how we had set them aside, but
again they slipped out of our control...
Mrs. Gordon: Ok, where they slipped, who got them, who caught them,
where are they? Mr. Grassie?
Mr. Grassie: If I understand what you're asking Commissioner. Toward
the end of the last budget year their was a suggestion and I don't
remember the part year exactly, but it seems to me that it was
approximately $135,000.00--- $112,000.00 that was requested for some
physical improvements and expansion in the Day Care Program,
particularly as I recall to make building modifications so that
more children could be accommodated into the program.
Mrs. Gordon: Correct. Right.
Mr. Grassie: My impression is that at that time the money was set
aside for that purpose. I would have to have oul Budget Office
simply go through the record to see how much of that has actually
been expended and how much would remain to be expended. I simply
don't know that from memory.
Mrs. Gordon: I realize you can't name it without asking your staff.
However, I would like to call atte!:tion to the fact that the money,
monies that were earned by the program should not have been put
back if they were into General Funding as I would assume that they
will be released and re -allocated if they have been to that need that
is there. Ok. This $64,000 then, you'll telling me is not part of
that expansion fund dollar, correct?
Mr. Horne: That's correct. Yes ma'am.
Mr. Reboso: Do we have a list of all the agencies that applied for
funding?
Mr. Horne: That was submitted to you Vice -Mayor Reboso at our last
meeting. However, we can have copies of that list made. It was
December 15th report.
Mr. Reboso: December 15th?
Mr. Horne: December 9th sir, I'm sorry.
Mr. Reboso: December 9th. I have that one.
Mr. Grassie: I wonder Mr. Vice -Mayor whether it would be helpful
if we simply took organizations by grouping. Just starting with
the Health Organizations and anybody who wants to speak. Funded
or not simply listening to their....
Mr. Reboso: The Health Organization you recommended
Mr. Grassie?
Mr. Grassie: Well, that is the first one listed. Any organizations
within that group that would want to be heard you might wish to take.
Mr. Reboso: Ok. Any organization in behalf of the group that wish
to speak will you please give your name to the City Clerk?
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JaN 979
Mr. Grassie: Yes, could we ask Mr. Parkins to read the organizations
named?
Mr. Reboso: Yes. Will you please Mr. Parkins?
Mr. Parkins: Alright, that would be Coconut Grove Family Clinic,
City of Miami Parks E Recreation Department,Program for the Handi-
capped, University of Miami School of Medicine, Dept. of Pediatrics,
United Cerebral Palsy Association of Miami,Inc., Association for
the Development of the Exceptional,Metatherapy Institute, Latin-
American Brotherhood Association, Ayuda, Inc., HACAD, Mt. Sinai
Medical Center, Village South for a series of programs, Industrial
Home for the Elind, South Florida Association of the Deaf.. Once
again in the health category the first groups would be Coconut
Grove Family Clinic, City of Miami Parks & Recreation Department,
Program for the Handicapped, University of Miami School of Medicine,
Department of Pediatrics, United Cerebral Palsy Association of
Miami, Association for the Development of the Exceptional, South
Florida Association of the Deaf , Metatherapy Institute, Inc., Latin-
American Brotherhood Association, Ayuda, Inc., HACAD, Mt. Sinai
Medical Center, Village South for a series of programs, and Industrial
Home for the Elind. Mr. Vice -Mayor, why those organizations are
completing their cards, if you'd like me to read the next category
of hot meals....
Mr. Reboso: Yes would you please do that?
Mr. Parkins: If this next category would thin submit their names
to the Clerk the order would be the First United Methodist Church
of Miami, Inc,, James E. Scott Community Association, Inc., and
Little Havana Activity Center.
Mr. Reboso: Alright at this time I'm going to call Roberta Fitzgib-
bons, Mt. Sinai Medical Center. Would you p.lcase state your name
and address for the record please?
Ms. Fitzgibbons: Roberta Fitzgibbons, ?,t. Sinai Medical Center and
I have with me Alina Herrera. In looking over page 23, I see the
funds ha''e been allocated for tariousagencies and I must agree that
I'm sure that their need is very great in all of these agencies
concerning patients and...
Rev. Gibson: I'm having difficulty hearing...
Mr. Reboso: Well, the problem we're having Father is that it's a
lot more people coming to this place. So that is exactly what I
was talking to the City Manager. I don't know if we can...
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Vice -Mayor, you know, everybody here is here because
they feel a deep-seated need for funds or they wouldn't be here for
agencies, particular agencies. Now, you know we put our staff through
months of research apparently, if I'm correct, you'll affirm that to
be a fac+.
Mr. Grassie: It is a fact Commissioner, yes.
Mrs. Gordon: And, I'm going to have to say that if our staff cannot
to a degree, to a great degree be relied upon then we better have
new staff because if we're going to put them through months of
research and analysis and they have come up with very bad recommend-
ations then they shouldn't be our staff. Am I correct?
Mr. Grassie: That's right.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok. So, therefore, Mr. Parkins, Mr. Horne, maybe we
don't like exactly what you allocated, but on the other hand,if we're
going to upset the work you've done,we better have some good and
valid reasons for doing it and I would say that to those agencies
that are here who are not on the list. I'm speaking for one person
and believe me there's not one other person that I think in govern-
ment that's more concerned with the delivery of social services
thar, I am and I think I can say that in all sincerity but I also
4
JAN 5 1978
know the impossibility of trying to allocate six million dollars
out of less than one million dollars of available funds. So we
might as well face reality,all of us. We here and you there and
let's all try in some reasonable way to make provisions for next
year that their be either a greater source of funds or other sources
of funds that be made available to the people who deserve to be
funded, but we ' ust can't do it. There is no way. We're not
magicians. I'rn going to sit here all day until mid -night and
listen to every person that wants to speak but before everything
is even said I want you all to realize our problem. Our problem
is very, very bad.
Ms. Fitzgibbons: Mrs. Gordon is very correct in what she's saying.
And, I think I'm here maybe for next year.
Mrs. Gordon: Correct.
Ms. Fitzgibbons: I would just like to make one comment and meaning
one and that is in the medical system or the health system of this
country the social and emotional needs of our patients are very
often overlooked and as social workers in that health system we have
been trying for many years to try to build that component into the
total care of the patient. And, we have many agencies in Miami and
Dade County, and Miami Beach and yet those patients who come to us
when they're sick and in crisis and in trouble are not seen by the
social workers to be referred to the meals programs, the day care
programs, the family agency programs, the drug programs, etc., with-
in our community and I feel that this is a legitimate request to
increase the social component and emotional component in the health
care system.
Rev. Gibson: I want to ash a question. You are from Mt. Sinai,
a lot of our people come over there?
ts. Fitzgibbons: Yes.
Rev. Gibson: Did you tell the staff when you were talking with then?
Ms. Fitzgibbons: Yes. 50`-: of our clinic is from Miami. 50% of our
emergency room patients are from the City of Miami. 27% of our
hospital admissions are from the City of Miami.
Rev. Gibson: It would appear to me t?-._r we need to be really con-
cerned and 50% of the people are from Miami going over there. Out of
the 50% of the patients, let's say 100% of our clinic patients we are
only seeing 40 of all those people coming to our clinic and that I
think is very negligence on the part of, not only our hospital, but
the community itself.
Mrs. Gordon: Roberta, may I ask you a question because you have a
problem, so do we ? Dade County is supposed to be responsible for
the medical care of the needy of this entire county. 'hat are they
doing to respond to your need? Are they doing anything?
Ms. Fitzgibbons: No.
Mrs. Gordon: I'll go with you anytime you want to go to Dade County
and put the responsible on their back because that's where it belongs.
And as a member of the Health Systems Agency of which you know I'm
a Board member I feel justified in going with you and pleading with
you for the proper funding to service the indigent that you received
at your ...
Ms. Fitzgibbons: I would welcome that. Thank you.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok. But Roberta you do know our problem. Ok. If you'll
leave your phone number I can get in touch with you. I'll be glad
to do that.
Mr. Reboso: Ok. Next speaker will be Mr. Max Foreman,Department of
Parks E, Recreation.
CAN r 1973.
Mr. Heggy: Good Morning Vice -Mayor, Members of the Commission,
Bob Heggy, City of Miami Department of Parks and Recreation. The
programs for the handicapped were as we referred to them today
programs for the exceptional, are a vital component of our total
leisure service operation. This morning I've asked Max Foreman to
appear before you and relate the problems that we will experience
this year with the recommended funding that is being granted to us.
Mr. Foreman: Good morning,members of the Commission, Grassie. My
name is Max Foreman. I am the Recreation Program Coordinator for
the Handicapped for the City of Miami Department of Parks and
Recreation. As you will note on page 1 of the documentation that
was given to you. You will see under Agency Funding for 1977-78
is $45,100.00 the same amount has been recommended or allocated for
fiscal year of 76-77 as well as fiscal year 75-76. These are the
problems that we are going to be incurring because of this amount
of funds. We experience a 19 of budget reduction with the allocat-
ions the sane amount of funds because the cost of living and salary
increase. If this same amount is allocated this fiscal year it will
equal another 19° therefore totalling a 38° total budget deficit
because of-- we have never received an increase of funding since
our allocation in 1975. One problem that we have occurred is that
back in September of 1975, it was identified that these programs had
been overlooked as far as funding under the general operating budget.
The only available sources funded at that time was Fe(]eral Revenue
Social Services, therefore funds from that category were allocated
for these programs. Since that time the same category has been used
for City of Miami Programs placing us in direct competition with
non -city of Miami, shall we say, programs for funding. A joke if
I may, we have to prepare like anyone else a Federal Revenue Sharing
application for funds. I've been doing it for every single year.
This is no problem. The problem comes in is that when we have to
list our name for our principle officers which is the Miami City
Commission and our senior program mover or the City Manager have to
be listed at the same time. To a certain degree it's an effort in
futility when you are applying to yourselves for your own funding.
This is what we're occurring. This is what's happening to us. If I
may I'd like to go into very quickly some of the problems, but let
me please preference by saying that we have exhausted to our knowledge,
every administrative procedure before coming before you today. I
have documentation that will indicate steps that we have taken to try
and increase our source of funding as well as trying to acquire four
C.E.T.A. positions since March of 1976. If we are able to acquire
these C.E.T.A. positions it will reduce our need for Federal Revenue
Sharing Funds. We have not received these positions as of yet. Sir,
receiving these positions we will not have to use FRS funds to pav
for salaries.
Mr. Plummer: Are you telling me that you have applied with a city
program for C.E.T.A. positions and have not got them?
Mr. Foreman: That is correct sir.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Parkins charity_atarts at home.
Mr. Parkins: That's right and we have within the contents ...
Mr. Plummer: Well- this man is telling me that ain't right.
Mr. Parkins: Well, we believe it is correct within the avai:..able
C.E.T.A. positions that we've had we've included Max's programs
a high priority.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Parkins, have we not been giving out dozens of
C.E.T.A. positions to outside people?
Mr. Parkins: We have yes.
Mr. Plummer: And, we're not taking care of our own?
Mr. Parkins: We have been taking care of our own as well, yes.
Those that are in the public service employment are handled by
s
Human Resources and there is a priority list for those as well.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Parkins let me tell you something. I speak for
one. Ok, but I want you to hear it very clearly. Don't let another
agenda come before me showing C.E.T.A. positions going to outside
agencies until these kind of things are eliminated.
Mr. Parkins: Alright.
Mr. Plummer: I'm speaking for one. Here we have a program and he
is running a city program and we're giving C.E.T.A. positions to
outside agencies and we're not taking care of our own. I'm sorry.
Mr. Parkins: We're actually doing both Commissioner.
Mr. Plummer: Well if this man is standing here and I'm assuming
he can justify the need of the four and we're not giving him these
CE.T.A. positions I seriously question that we're taking care of
our own. Now, if there is something... if this man is- not telling
me the truth or if this man is not saying as it should be I'd like
to know that too. Man, I come from an old theory that says you...
charity starts at home. Why was he denied?
Mr. Parkins: To my knowledge he was not denied sir. He's not a
priority....
Mr. Plummer: Well this man says that he's been asking since April
and hasn't gotten them. Now whose telling me the truth?
Mr. Foreman:
... give you some background history last year...
Mr. Plummer: Wait a minute, no, let me simplify it. Have you been
asking as I understood you to say for four C.E.T.A. positions since
April?
Mr. Foreman: March of 197C. Yes sir.
Mr. Plummer: Ok. N,-) ':r. Parkins you heard that?
Mr. Parkins: We've transferred that information to Human Resources.
As far as I know that's on a prinrit_' list. Is that not so Max?
Mr. Plummer: For a year and a half?
Mr. Parkins: Commissioner you know the constraints we've had on
C.E.T.A. from the standpoint of the question of lay-offs and so on.
There had been nc determination of all of the priorities until just
recently.
Mrs. Gordon: You don't allocate C.E.T.A. positions do you Mr. Parkins?
Mr. Parkins: Only on the external social service agencies.
Mrs. Gordon: You do?
Mr. Parkins: Only to the external social service agencies.
Mrs. Gordon: Only to the external, not internal?
Mr. Parkins: Within the confines of that which is clear through
Human Resources now we do. We request from the same as for example
in our Day Care Program. We would request the positions through
agencies.
Mrs. Gordon: Alright. Are those C.E.T.A. positions that he's
requesting now going to be forthcoming?
Mr. Parkins: Again, to my knowledge they're on the priority list
by H.R.D. and I presume that they can give us a date when those
would be scheduled to be released.
7
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Mrs. Gordon: Is there anyone here from that department?
Mr. Plummer: Is that Human Resources Department?
Mr. Reboso: Yes.
Mrs. Gordon: Is there so-reone that can answer the question? I
want some straight answers Mr. Grassie.
Mr. Grassie: Yes, and so do I. I don't think that this sort
of thing can be intelligently discussed in the abstract of all
of the rest of C.E.T.A. funding. Probably what we need to do for
you is to try and put it in context with all of the other requests.
Mrs. Gordon: Alright.
Mr. Grassie: One judgment that the departments have to make is
a judgment with regard to the ability of an organization to use
C.E.T.A. slots in relation to the supporting funds that they get.
I think that, you know, the City Commission needs tc be aware of
the fact that we are treating ourselves the way we are treating
other organizations in the sense of making ourselves justify the
need for positions. We are not simply giving them out because
somebody on the staff asked for them. I think the City Commission
should be proud of that in terms of the att'tude the city has
taken with regard to outside agencies.
Mrs. Gordon: We are not here really to discuss the C.E.T.A.
positions this morning are we?
Mr. Grassie: No. I don't think we can in the abstract.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok. Then,therefore I think that we register your
request as being a need and that we ought to have a meeting with
regard to that and that alone at another time.
Mr. Grassie: Certainly not this request alone Commissioner but I
do think that we need...
Mrs. Gordon: Oh I don't mean that request alone. I mean all
requests.
Mr. Grassie: To cover all of the C.E.T.A.plans with you and make
sure that you know where the positions are going.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Grassie I would be most interested in knowing
specifically where they've gone and where they're going? Who is
getting them:
Mr. Grassie: Certainly.
Mr. Reboso: Are you satisfied with the dollar amount ...
Mr. Foreman: No I am not sir. Simply because if this amount of
$45,100.00 is to remain the same we will have to incur a 38%
since fiscal year 1975-76 budget reduction because of salary
increases and cost of living increases. If this amount is remained
the ramifications are the programs that we have started for our
latin mentally retarded who are stroke victims, staff that we have
hired who are themselves handicapped will have to be laid off as
well as a severe reduction not only a need but I would estimate
approximate 50o of the present programming that is now provided
by the City of Miami for its handicapped citizens. If I may at
this time in order to keep this brief, I would like to ask if it
is possible for a Dr. John J. Barnes who is a Deputy District
Administrator State of Florida Health in Rehabilitative Services
as well as Mr. Lawrence Foreman, the former program supervisor
now Executive Director, State Association Retarded Citizens, who
will tell you very briefly the ramifications of this. Dr. Barnes
and Mr. Foreman.
r
Jar' 10'1
Dr. Barnes: Good morning. My name is J.J. Barnes I'm the Deputy
District Administrator Health & Rehabilitative Services District
11, State of Florida. I'm here this morning in support of the
budget request made by the Department of Parks & Recreation. I
hereby request your approval in support of this department and
its need. If in fact,the City, State and Federal Government are
to work together to foster independent in human growth and dev-
elopment the local government should play an important role in
the recreational services. T'-iese services are ones which cannot
be funded by any other resource. 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
states that activities and services for the general population
be made available to handicapped population. This mandate has
been met by this department. This program has received attention
not only from local b:t also by state and federal organizations.
Its cost effectiveness. It's easily demonstrated. We have a very
good working relationship with this department. We request your
strong consideration in this area. Thank you.
Mr. Foreman: Than}: you very much Doctor.
Mr. Foreman: My name is Lawrence Foreman. I'm the Executive
Director of the Dade County Association for Retarded Citizens.
I'd also like to make my comments brief and only address the
negative ramifications of the potential for negative ramifications.
There are approximately 30,000 retarded individuals and double that
in the respect to the number of developed mentally disabled people.
As you and I have basically the same needs for extra curricular
activities. Although they need it much more intensely because of
their handicap. The only municipality that I know of that's
supported recreations for the handicapped as strongly as your
municipality is the City of Miami. There is no other municipality.
If in fact, the handicapped is specifically retarded is excluded
from these activities I think you'll see an increase in the crime
rate. You'll see an increase in the independency upon health and
social service systems. I think you'll see a tremendous increase
in the dependency not only in the handicapped person himself but
the family who will have no other outside resource per assistance
with that child and will necessarily have to provide the 24-hour a
day, 7-day a week supervision. In final statement T'd like to say
that the tenuous position that we who provide services in the
community you're in is even more definitely increased by the tenuous
position that the city is in and when the recreation department plans
on a three months or a six months or a two months basis because they
can't say what they are going to have six or seven months down the
road,there is absolutely no continuity at all. Thank you very much
for this opportunity.
Mr. Reboso: Thank you very much.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Grassie I don't understand and I think some of
my fellow Commissioners already said it but I also would like you
to tell me why don't you take and fund the Parks Department to the
additional amount that's needed to use this program or fund this
program year in and year out. They're our agent,they belong to us.
They are serviced just as much providing any other service to the
community that we provide. So therefore'I don't see any need for
them to have to come here and stand in line with outside agencies
and that's what you were just saying. It just doesn't make sense
to me, Would you answer to that if you ..ave any rebuttal to it or
if you agree please say so?
Mr. Grassie: Wel1,I don't think that we want to rebut that sort
of thing Commissioner in the sense of arguing about it because you
know we of course,would like to fui.r. these organizations as fully
as possible. Now with regard to city programs,if it is a determinat-
ion that you would make that the city fund city programs first and
fund them fully,and then fund other programs with monies that remain!
we can certainly implement that direction. It would obviously mean
further cuts have to be made in other programs but if that is a
policy determination that we take we would be happy to put it in
the preference.
9
JAN 5 1978
3
Mrs. Gordon: Would you suggest that we do these one by one or we
do it as a iahole or is the policy in general or what?
Mr. '2ras..ie: Well I think that the comment that you made earlier
is very apropos in this case. We have a basic problem which is
we've got six times as much request as we have money. Now, the
only thing that you have to determine after that is should the
city treat its support of these social service programs as it treats
it support of those social service programs which we run through
other agencies. In other words should we take the service and
emphasize that or should we emphasize the fact that they happen to
be run directly by the city.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok.
Mrs. Grassie: Now we have chosen to do the first that is to emphasize
the kind of program rather than who sponsors it. But if you decide
to do differently of course we can.
Mrs. Gordon: Alright then I would like to move, this is the only
one that's come before us that is in need of this immediate attention.
I would like to move that this program be included in the funds
for be included in the Parks & Recreation budget and that the four.
C.E.T.A. positions that they're requesting be allocated to them so
they can operate efficiently. Ok. I so move.
Mr. Reboso: We have a motion from Commissioner Gordon.
Mr. Grassie: Just so we understand how we put that into practice
now.
Mrs. Gordon: You'd have to increase the Parks budget to that pro-
portion.
Mr. Grassie: Yes but from what source?
Mrs. Gordon: You'd have to... this year or either you take it from
this source or you take it from your continguency funds or from ,I
don't know. You know better than I from what source. But that you
take this and move this department funding into the department it
belongs in.
Mr. Grassie: Well, could I make a suggestion Commissioner; It
seems to me that in fairness to the other people who are going to
speak to you that,and in defense of the City Commission because
you going to be every time somebody stands up you're going to be
pressured to make a motion ok. In defers_ of the City Commission,
it seems to me wise that we not make any motions on individuals
programs until you've heard everybody elses case because obviously
what you give to this person you take from somebody else.
Mrs. Gordon: Alright.
Mr. Reboso: Do you agree with that Rose?
Mrs. Gordon: I don't consider him... he's us. He's the city
providing the city service just like Sanitation, Police and Fire,
Parks, Recreation, everything is all part of the same ballgarne it's
city serving people.
Mr. Grassie: Commissioner they all work for me and if you decide
that you want to give them preference,I'd be delighted.
Mr. Reboso: Rose i for one concur with you but I think we should -
wait.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok then this also although it's not directed to the
funding I still would iike to move it because of the urgency. I
would like to move you that the four C.E.T.A. positions they request-
ed since last March be allocated to them on an emergency basis.
That has again a position that you say we should do at a future
time but this is an emergency1others are not.
10
'JAN 5 197a
Mr. Grassie: Commissioner it's not an emergency, you know, they
have the same kind of emergency as 30 other organizations that are
represented here. Everybody has got an emergency here. Let us
review the whole program...
Mr. Plummer: I'll second your motion at the end of the day Rose.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok.
Mr. Reboso: Let's move. Thank yo-i very much 1; ix. At this time
I will like to call Mr. Jackson from Coconut Grove Family Clinic
please. Please come to the microphone.
Mr. Jackson: Good morning. Mr. Reboso, members of the City
Commission. First of all I would like to commend Mr. Grassie
and his staff.
Mr. Reboso: Mr. Jackson will you please state your name and
address for the record please? -
Mr. Jackson: Thank you. W. Charles Jackson, 3230 Hibiscus St.,
Coconut Grove Family Clinic Administrator. I would like to thank
the staff of the City of ?Miami for I consider doing a marvelous
job in respect to trying to fund programs. I will be very brief.
Here in Coconut Grove the Coconut Grove Family Health Center is
the only place that folks can go in order to get health services
other than Jackson Memorial Hospital. Secondly, I think that we
have and we are providing high quality, qualitative health care
to folks who live in our community. Thirdly, we are also receiving
funds on a matching basis from Dade County which has been communicated
to the City of Miami staff, therefore in order for us to continue
to provide health services and to receive dollars on a matching
basis from Dade County,we are again respectfully requesting the
allocations at the level that city staff recommended initially.
Thank you.
Mr. Reboso: Thank you very muc:l Mr. Jackson. Mr. Parkins will
you read again the list of the health agencies?
Mr. Parkins: Yes sir. Coconut Grove Family Clinic, City of Miami
Parks & Recreation; Department , Programs for the Handicapped, we've
already heard from. Next would be University of Miami School of
Medicine, United Cerebral Palsy Association, Association for the
Development of the Exceptional, South Florida Association of the
Deaf , Metatheray In=titute, Inc., Latin-American Brotherhood
Association, ! r . '.'ice-'•,avor ,Ayuda, Inc. has withdrawn. HACAD,
Mt. Sinai Medical .enter, Village South with a series of programs,
and the Industrial Home for the Blind.
Mr. Reboso: We don't have anybody else that wish to speak at this
time, so...
Unidentified Speaker: Can you ask everybody in here to be a little
quieter so we can here because we can't here?
Mr. Reboso: Ok. The Manager I think is taking care of that.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Vice -Mayor I would request respectfully that all
of the people here if they have an additional meeting which they
would like to conduct that they do it outside. I think it's a
matter of courtesy to the speakers. Those people out there are
speaking so loudly they can't even hear me and unless this kind of
conversation is kept to a minimum,I suggest that we adjourn until
more orderly quarters can be formed. Mr. P.S.A. if they won't
comply I ask you to at least escort them out?
Mr. Reboso: Dr. Ben Sheppard please. Go ahead please.
Dr. Sheppard: Mr. Vice -Mayor and Commissioners we didn't get what
we wanted but we accept what we got. I am unhappy that we didn't
get the finance. I am very grateful that you maintained the Over -
town Recreational Center in its funding as of last year but I do
11.
'JpN 5 1970
wish to remind you that two years ago we received 30 more than we
are getting now but I am not going to argue.The Miami Bridge we
worked out an agreement yesterday through Mr. Moran and we have
each gotten a copy of our statement there and I want that in the
record if you would please?
Mr. Plummer: Well, what are you getting Ben?
Dr. Sheppard: Uh?
Mr. Plummer: What are you getting for the bridge?
Dr. Sheppard: We're getting 8 cash and we're getting much more
in kind services. helping us renovate the things... we may
get two C.E.T.A. empl'yees if they are available. We're not get-
ting the cash but we are getting at least 10 more inkind services
and that's agreeable to me and to M Walsh who is the
Director. 1 am the Associate.
Mr. Plummer: Mrs. Gordon, you know, I don't know why I love this
dirty old man but I always have.
Mrs. Gordon: Well don't talk that way about my friend.
Mr. Plummer: If he wasn't my friend I wouldn't call him that, but
in that little notation you're making over there for the four
C.E.T.A. I want your motion to include the two that he is requesting.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok.
Dr. Sheppard: We'll ride with. Thank you.
Mr. Plummer: Go away and sin no more.
Rev. Gibson: Let me ask a question. Mr. Grassie...
Mr. Grassie: Sir?
Re\'. Gibson: Why is it difficult to get these C.E.T.A. positions
if the... I don't mean right now, for future. If these C.E.T.A.
positions are necessary to the smooth operation of an agency and
they are that, why can't they get them so .. can't we give a
sense of willingness to... ?
Mr. Grassie: What we have given Commissioner a sense of willingness
in the sense that we would recommend it. The only limitation and the
answer to your question is that the only limitation is that we have
already over committed the positions that we know are available.
Keep in mind that we have three different ways of doing this. We
have the regular C.E.T.A. positions that are already in the city
budget. We have all of the commitments that have been made already
to social service agencies and we have the new commitment that was
made recently and is opt in the final budget because you remember
that we took a whole set of positions from regular funding and put
them on C.E.T.A. so we have those three commitments that have already
been made and the only thing that we have to make sure of is that
we can release some of those commitments or get people to give up
some of those commitments so that we can give them to somebody else.
It's not that anybody is holding them back. If we have them avail-
able we want to make them useful and give them to these agencies.
Rev. Gibson: Maybe another approach is a re-examination.
Mr. Grassie: Yes no question about it.
Rev. Gibson: You know, some of those people who got them maybe
they don't need them any longer.
Dr. Sheppard: 1 agree with that.
Rev. Gibson: You know what I mean?
12
'JAN 5 1978
Mr. Crassie: I agree.
Rev. Gibson: And, I am very concerned about that. Ok. Thank
you Doctor.
Mr. Reboso: Thank you very much Dr. Sheppard. Is anybody else
from the Day Care Agencies that wish to speak at this time? Will
you please read the list again Mr. Parkins, Day Care?
Mr. Parkins: Hot meals would be the next category Vice -Mayor.
Those agencies would be the First United Methodist Church of Miami
Inc., The James E. Scott Community Association, Inc., and Little
Havana Activity Inc.
Mr. Reboso: Anybody that wish to speak cn the hot meals?
Mrs. Gordon: I have a question on the hot meals program in general,
not any one specific, but in total. The state has funds which they
make available for hot meals. I don't quite understand why we're
funding hot meals when the state has funds for that purpose?
Mr. Parkins: We were in contact with H.R.. as a matter of fact
just as recent as yesterday Commissioner discussing that very fact
and as in the case of Title XX, Title VII is already allocated to
a total amount. We're supplementing that which the state has
already provided.
Mrs. Gordon: In other words, these that you are recommending are
already receiving additional funds from the state.
Mr. Parkins: In most, yes that's correct. In most instances. I
don't believe that's so with First United Methodist.
Mrs. Gordon: Is that true everyone is receiving additional funds
from the state?
MY. Horne: With the exception of First United Methodist Church
who receives county funds.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok. When you... now this brings up a point that I
have personally felt is needed in this community at large and that
is a way of monitoring the sources of funds that are received by
any non-profit agency from various sources. As I understand it and
correct me if I'm wrong Rob. We are only monitoring our own funds
that we allocate. Is that correct?
Mr. Parkins: The last of that was correct. As you may recall the
last meeting we had we went through the organization chart for our
new department and emphasized that monitoring and new contracts would
be a strong point for us this year and we will be monitoring jointly
with other funding sources. All programs received our funds from
all sources.
Mrs. Gordon: Otherwise there will be no funds budgeted out from
the city to any agencies unless there are other sources of funds
are made available to you for - they are monitoring. Is that correct?
Mr. Parkins: That's precisely correct.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok.
Mr. Reboso: Mr. Parkins what's the next category?
Mr. Parkins: Day and Evening Care. That category would include
the City of Miami Day Care Program, Miami Jewish Home for the Aged,
Douglas Garden Senior Adult Center at Legion Park, Saint Albans
Day Nursery, Family Care Program, Wynwood After School Care, YMCA,
Allapattah, HACAD, Umbrella Center Inc., Miami Jewish Home and
Hospital for the Aged, Downtown Christian Day School.
Mrs. Gordon: Where are you reading from?
13 AN 5 1918
4
Mr. Parkins: From the packet that was provided on December 9th.
Mrs. Gordon: You're not on page 23 any longer?
Mr. Grassie: Page 23 Commissioner includes all of the agencies
that are listed lut the list from December 9th also includes
agencies that were not funded. So what you have on page 23 is
the funded agencies and in the earlier reports you have both
funded and non funded agencies.
Mrs. Gordon: Alright. What are you doing by reading those that
you're not recommending Rob?
Mr. Grassie: It simply gives the agencies an opportunity to speak
if they wish to that's all.
Mrs. Gordon: I see your point.
Mr. Reboso: If they wish to speak. Is there anybody else that
wish to speak? Come forward to the mike. State your name and
address for the record.
Mr. Bolton: I'm Steve Bolton. I'm the Director of the Allapattah
YMCA at 2 370 N.W. 17th Avenue. We have been trying for several
years to provide the Wynwood Community with After School Care.
There is no After School Care Facility in the Wynwood Community
at present. We have tried several other sources of funding to
be able to provide this service. I noticed that in the allocation
there are very little funds allocated to Wynwood from Federal
Revenue Sharing. I just wanted to state that case and we have
tried very hard for other types of funding. In fact it was only
after only two or three years of searching in other sources that
we have applied here. I just wanted to make that clear. This is
for an After School Center in the Wynwood Community.
Rev. Gibson: Let me ask this if you are in Allapattah how are
you going to take care of Wynwood?
Mr. Bolton: Ok. First the proposed center is to be located in the
Wynwood Community as an extension of the Allapattah YMCA. The
target area of the Allapattah YWCA is not the same time as the
Allapattah Target, as the Allapattah Community Development Target
Area. It serves a much larger part of town.
Rev. Gibson: Alright let me raise it another way or go further.
How involved will the Wynwood Community be in your operation?
Would that be... what is that representation without-- taxation
without representation, you know that kind of a verse.
Mr. Bolton: It wouldn't be that at all. The method that the YMCA
uses for working in any community is precisely to get together a
board or a cornittee of people from that community to help monitor
the project. Also the present board of the Allapattah YMCA is not
all from the Allapattah Target Area from all over town, all over
the general service area of the Allapattah YMCA which is not
restricted to the Allapattah Target Area.
Rev. Gibson: Ok, then tell me another thing.
Mr. Bolton: In fact this Wynwood Center would be only,be about
15 blocks away from our facility which isn't a long distance.
Rev. Gibson: Sir, let me tell you I'm an authority on that area.
So I look at that gulf, you know, I'm getting hip to what's happen-
ing in this community. I'm looking at that gulf. I want to know,
to be specific. I see some Wynwood people here and I want to make
sure that I sound a note of caution and warning before we touch a
dime. If you are considered I want to make sure that the Wynwood
people arc eminently, definitely involved, ok?
Mr. Bolton: Certainly.
14
JAN 5 197$
Rev. Gibson: Alright. I just want to make sure. Because if I
find out to the contrary. I'm going to be back here raising
eternal hp.11.
Mr. Bolton: I couldn't agree with you more. That is the way
that the Y operates.
Rev. Gibson: I just want to make sure.
Mr. Reboso: Ok next speaker please. Your name and address for the
record please.
Ms. Mc Queen: My name is Hattie Mc Queen, Girls Club of Greater
Miami, 3220 Virginia Street. I'm the Program Director for the
Girls Club. We opened in November 28, 1977. We need $15,000 to
hire an Executive Director to raise funds for us so that we won't
have to come to you to ask for city funds. We have 80 girls
currently attending in these after school activities, and our
bottom line would be that if you could just give us $10,000 maybe
our Board of Directors could raise the other five so that we can
help these girls out. Our program is really in need.
Mr. Plummer:
$5,000?
M s . Mc Queen:
S5,000?
Why couldn't you use one C.E.T.A. position and
Why couldn't we use one C.E.T.A. position and
Mr. Plummer: It would be S10,000.
Ms. Mc Queen: Well C.E.T.A. is not giving us the money.
Mr. Plummer: I say why couldn't you?
Rev. Gibson: What he is saying is if we could recommend or get
committed a C.E.T.A. position which is $10,000 and you find 5,000
to supplement it that's what he's saying.
Ms. Mc Queen: Yes.
Rev. Gibson: You aren't concerned about the methods you're
concerned about the money.
Ms. Mc Queen: The money, rig:t. We're concerned about the money.
Mr. Reboso: What agency did you say you represented?
Ms. Mc Queen: Girls Club of Greater Miami, Inc.
Mr. Reboso: Girls Club of Grcater Miami.
Ms. Mc Queen: Right. These are our little women of tomorrow.
Thank you very much.
Mr. Reboso: Thank you very much. Next speaker.
Mr. Alvarez: My name is Alvarez. I'm Director of Youth Co -Op.
Youth Co- Op is an agency that serves the latin youth in the Miami
area. We were funded last year for $60,000 which we used mainly
to cover our operational expenses in our agency. During the past
year Youth Co- Opserved around 700 kids in the area. We also
employed about 22 young men and women that worked as counselors
in our program and they are paid out of these monies. Those young-
sters that work in our program1they also use this money to pursue
their careers, either FIU or Miami -Dade Junior College here in the
area. We mainly with kids. They have problems, behaviour problems,
and scholastic problems in the Miami area. If we do not receive
those $60,000,we will have to lay-off these youngsters and we will
have to terminate our lease for our offices and we will not be able
to keep with our operational expenses that we mainly pay with these
expenses. We will do a great harm not only to our agencies but those
kids that we serve in the area and to those who also are pursuing
15
JA N 5 197$
their careers making a living at Youth Co -Op.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Alvarez are you receiving any funds from any
other sources except the City of Miami?
Mr. Alvarez: Yes we do.
Mrs. Gordon: Are you operating this same program, the same type
of program?
Mr. Alvarez: No we don'''.:, and the funds that we receive they
mainly are funds from the Consortium Manpower and they are
earmarked specifically for programs that they have to meet those
guidelines and also the administrative expenses that we can get
out of those programs they are minimum. Since most of the funds
have to spend in client' le.
Mrs. Gordon: In what?
Mr. Alvarez: In the clients. In the people that we serve.
Mrs. Gordon: You know, I'm not here to pick on you for any reason
at all except to be more knowledgedble. Because we have a very
serious res.nsibility here. We're dealing with human lives and
we're dealing with human needs and we want to do the best possible
job that we can in the allocation of the little bit of money we
have. Now since you're being funded with other sources...
Mr. Alvarez: Let me say for instance we reo,ivc money from Title
VI, ok, when you said you get 5150,000 from :itie VI that doesn't
mean anything because most of that 150,00,T, hao to go to provide
jobs for the people that you're going to hire. Title VI is an
emergency act program to hire people, to put people that are un-
employed to work. Now when they're giving me $150,000 they're not
giving me actually that money to operate my agency. They are
giving me that money to get 20 people that don't have a job and
put them to work.
Mrs. Gordon: To pay =_ilaries. Ok. That's Title VI.
Mr. Alvarez: Right. 5',` in reality the agency doesn't get anything.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok. What other titles are you getting besides Title
VI?
Mr. Alvarez: Title I.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok. What does that do?
Mr. Alvarez: 85% goes to pay salaries to kids, that's to put young
kids to work during the year and most of the money also goes to pay
their wages.
Mrs. Gordon: 85% and now is your grant there? You don't mind me
asking you do you?
Mr. Alvarez: No. $150,000.
Mrs. Gordon: Another, 150?
Mr. Alvarez: Right. Now Title V1 is only for one year. In June
it will be over.
Mrs. Gordon: Title VI. What about Title I?
Mr. Alvarez: Now that's a continuing program.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok and you're getting $150,000 from them to put
young people to work. Ok what other titles are you getting?
Mr. Alvarez: That's all.
16
JA N 5 1978
Mrs. Gordon: What about Title III?
Mr. Alvarez: I don't get any Title
Mrs. Gordon: You have no applications in that have been approved?
Mr. Alvarez: No. You mean Title....
Mrs. Gordon: The new Title III?
Mr. Alvarez: I have applied for Title VIII, and it tentatively
will be approved, but we don't receive any monies yet for Title
VIII.
Mrs. Gordon: Rob Parkins you are the Consortium. Would you explain
to me what is Title III?
Mr. Parkins: Title III currently is the Youth. :,onservation Core
and the Youth Employment Training Program and according to our
records Mr. Alvarez you have close to $560,000 in the Title III.
Mr. Plummer: How much?
Mr. Alvarez: Your records are wrong. I will get... I haven't got-
ten it yet, but I will get $00,000 and $99,000 from you, from the
city and from the County I was told yesterday that because you
recommended me for $99,000 they will not consider me for the
application I presented to them and I was told by
Mr. Parkins: That's information you have we did not have.
Mrs. Gordon: Again....
Mr. Alvarez: And that's just to put Lids to work also.
Mr. Plummer:
How can there be such a discrepancy: You're saying
that te man is getting $560,000. He's talking about $200,000.
What happened to the other $260,000?
Mr. Parkins: This information was given to us by the Consortium.
Mr. Plummer: Eut you know I'm going to tell you something. I don't
know how the rest of these Commissioners feel but when I hear these
kind of things I'm going to tell you truthfully. I got to put my
faith in these people. Ok I'm going to tell you I'm giving them
the edge until proven wrong.
Mr. Alvarez: Well, I wish I had the money.
Mr. Plummer: Ok. Now all I'm saying to you is I don't know about
the rest of you but $360,000 is a hell of a lot of money to me and
in one transaction we lost $360,000. Now, excuse me. That kind
of talk disturbs me to no end because I'm going to tell you some-
thing,,I don't want to proceed one bit further until we find that
$360,000. I mean it was just, he said he ain't got it. You said
he's got it. Now somewhere there's a $360,000 gap and I think it's
worth sitting tight right now until we find out where that $360,000
is and we can find it, if we can find it our problems are all over.
Mr. Parkins: Keep in mind now that would be consortium funds.
Mr. Plummer: Excuse me. You made the statement Mr. Parkins that
your figures relate that his organization is getting $560,000. Did
I hear you say that?
Mr. Parkins: I said from consortium funds and that would not
necessarily be available then for re -distribution here to the
Federal Revenue Sharing Program.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Parkins you stated that his organization is going
to get $560,000.00. I heard him say when I did some quick calculat-
ions a maximum of $200,000.00 now you know somebody is wrong.
I
JAN 5 ' 97a
Mr. Parkins: Well we're talking to the consortium now we'll get
the figures.
Mr. Plummer: Well, I sure would like to know who is right and
who is wrong.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok. I don't even think ..,
Mr. Plummer: I can't afford to throw S360,000....
Mrs. Gordon: J. L. I don't think that that was what I was attempt-
ing to get out, although if it cam out good.
Mr. Plummer: Rose, excuse me my dear. If we are that far off on
this one organization...
Mrs. Gordon: Yes.
Mr. Plummer: How far off are we on the others?
Mrs. Gordon: Ok. It's almost an immaterial fact really whether it's
a half a million or a three -quarts a million or ...
Mr. Plummer: $360,000 is a damn material fact.
Mrs. Cordon: Aw come on S.L. let me finish a sentence. I asked
the questions specifically because I'm trying to determine the
program and what the program is doing and where the funds are
coming from and why we need to give extra money or being asked to
give extra money to the program. Now if you're asking us for money
and you're already receiving quite a sum of money it appears to me
that maybe there ought to be some coordination between the monies
you're getting to take care of the program that you're asking us
to fund.
Mr. Alvarez: But that cannot be done Commissioner because when
you get funds,you get funds earmarked for certain things,especially
when you get money from the Labor Department. They give you $100,
030 to have 10 kids go out and paint walls that's what you have to
do. You cannot divert any of that money to do something else.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok. The money you're asking us to give you which
we gave you in previous years what did you do with it?
Mr. Alvarez: Ok with that money we have what we call our peer
counselors that they work with youngsters in elementary junior
high and senior high.
Mrs. Gordon. Do you pay them?
Mr. Alvarez: We pay them. We pay them out of this money.
Mrs. Gordon: Well why can't you pay them out of the consortium
money?
Mr. Alvarez: Because it's not earmarked for that. The guidelines
doesn't meet those things. The consortium money is to get drop -outs
and train them. To get unemployed people and put them back to work
in all of these specific areas there are different money for different
things to be done.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok. You answered my question.
Mr. Plummer: Well, sir let me ask you a question. Mr. Parkins
or maybe Donny can answer it. Donny this man came to see me this
morning and I want to ask a question because you know some ways I
look to you people to make recommendations. I don't always 100%
agree wits, you and that's not what I'm supposed to do, ok. But
your recommendations I'm assuming are based on some facts and those
facts I assume are your looking at the program, checking their
books and in fact one way or another determining that the dollars
which we have placed in their care are getting a dollar's worth of
18
service for this community. Now I assume that. Under normal
circumstances that's what I'm going to assume because I'm assuming
that's how you make your recommendation. This man expresses to me
this morning that at no time during the past year. I'm speaking
now of the fiscal year, I assume, that any team from the City of
Miami go and monitor in anyway, his program that he merely received
a call from your office asking if what he was funded last year
$60,000 is sufficient for this coming year?
Mr. Alvarez: We had a meeting....
Mr. Plummer: May I finish please? And that the only notification
that he got was the day before the last meeting at 3:00 o'clock
in the afternoon that he wasn't going to be funded. Now I think
somebody better do some explaining.
Mr. Horne: Commissioner Plummer as you met in the last meeting,
the evaluation team and the rest of my staff throughout the summer
months we took a look at all of the agencies that applied to us,
set-up with those agencies individual dates that we would go out
to the site and do an on -site interview, go over their client
files and other administrative and operational procedures within
the agencies. This was done for each and every agency that applied
to us for funding. I've met ... Yes sir we did. I've met with
Mr. Alvarez on several occasions to discuss the application and
evaluation process, recommendations and the functioning of its
program.
Mr. Alvarez: We met once in your office.
Mr. Plummer: Wait a minute. You have heard his statement that he
met with you. He has evaluated your program which is just contrary
to what you spoke to me this morning. Am I right or wrong?
Mr. Alvarez: They went and they evaluated the social service aid
Mr. Flummer: Excuse me. I don't understand.
Mr. borne: There is a Title I grant with the City of ?Miami and
my office in particular administers, it's a social service aid
program. We out station young individuals to the different public
private, non-profit agencies. We also conducted an evaluation of
their performance within the agencies that has social service aid
of which Youth Co-''p was one.
Mr. Plummer: But did you evaluate Youth Co-')p.
Mr. Horne: Yes sir we did.
Mr. Plummer: He said you didn't.
Mr. Alvarez: We are not aware of that. When did you evaluate
our program for this year?
Mr. Horne: All of that information sir is in the application
package which is on file in our office with the interview guides
and notes and dates of the meetings that my staff compiled.
Mr. Plummer: You'll of course forward a copy of that to me.
Mr. Horne: Yes sir.
Mr. Plummer: Thank you. Please I want you to understand before
the department. I'm not picking on you,but these accusations or
these contentions are being made and there's only one way of that
I know to lay them to rest forever and that's put it right here
on top of the table and put it on that microphone on the record,
ok.
Mr. Alvarez: The recommendations were based on the evaluations
of programs?
19
JAN 5 197$
Mr. Plummer: That's what he's telling me. That he's going to
furnish me a copy of the evaluations.
Mr. Alvarez: Your evaluations found out that my program was not
meeting the guidelines that we said in our proposal and that we
were mis-using the funds and that's why you recommend us not to be
funded?
Mr. Horne: No that is not the case. With all of the inherent
problems that we face this year which include a limitation of
funds, prioritizing of categories of service and other points of
our evaluation process through that and determining other funding
sources, how much was going where and to whom. We looked at that
and with the available dollars, made recommendations for those
categories of service that were in priority order.
Mr. Reboso: Any other questions?
Mr. Horne: One other thing Commissioner that I willforwardto you.
Our records also indicate that Youth Co-:p receives approximately
one million dollars in other funds from other funding sources.
Mr. Alvarez: From where?
Mr. Plummer: Well, now wait a minute. Whoa: Whoa! Now we've gone
from $560,000 to a million. Now we're losing S600,000.
Mr. Parkins: I'll read to you this specific information just given
to me by the Consortium or by title. Title I we're providing
approximately $150,000. Title III- $310,000, Title VI - $365,350
or a total of $625,350.00 from C.E.T.A. funding.
Mr. Alvarez: Title III how much?
Mr. Parkins: Title III is $310 which would be YCCIF of $211,000
combined bade County -City of Miami.
Mr. Alvarez: I ion't have it.
Mr. Parkins: Anj $99,000 YTF and you are correct since you were
getting the award from the city for YETP the County award was
declared no you're not going to get that part of it.
Mrs. Gordon: What was that total you just....
Mr. Parkins: $825,350.00.
Mrs. Gordon: $ 8 2 5, 0 0 0. 0 0.
Mr. Alvarez: So it came down frorn $550,000 to how much?
Mrs. Gordon: $825,000.
Mr. Alvarez: I get now $825,000.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes.
Mr. Parkins: Yes. The specifics again would be the YCCIP-$211,000
which is Dade County , City of Miami combined. YETP- $99,000 that's
a total of $310,000 under Title III. $154,000 - Title VI Grant,
$211,350 -Title VI Grant for a total of $365,350 from Title VI and
$150,000 for Title I.
Mr. Alvarez: And that's how much it is?
Mr. Parkins: That totals $825,000.
Mr. Alvarez: Ok. Now you mix in there. I know it's good for the
figures because they impress Title VI moneys. Title VI money will
be through when Mr. Parkins, in June right?
Mr. Parkins: In June or July...
20
JAN 5 197a
4
Mr. Alvarez: In June or July and that's it because that's a
one year shot. That's the emergency act program right?
Mr. Parkins: That's correct. You also are aware of I suggest
that the Department of Labor is revising the guidelines for the
Title VI for continuation...
Mr. Alvarez: Oh, so what happens if the Department of Labor
doesn't come up with that money next year: It has to be
legislation becaus,� you .here but you're actually
not coming up with facts.
Mr. Grassie: Mr. Vice -Mayor, so we help the process so it's
useful for the City CommissioneI would like the staff to direct
its responses to you and answer your questions and not get into
a debate with whoever is speaking.
Mr. Reboso: J. L.
Mr. Plummer: Staff how many people does this gentlemen take care
of? I'm sure your evaluation will reflect that.
Mr. Horne: The records and applications forms and our records
show that in their application and proposals and through our
evaluation it was determined that over the last fiscal year
Youth Co-op for this program served 300 clients.
Mr. Plummer: 300.
Mr. Horne: That's correct.
Mrs. Gordon: With the money that we funded or with the monies
in general or what?
?ir. Horne: With the monies that we gave them plus monies from
other source:.
Mrs. Gordon: Plus monies from other sources. So there was more
than... 300 clients were served in total with funded sources. Is
that what you're saying?
Mr. Alvarez: That's just with these funds.
Mrs. Gordon: No he said with all funded sources.
Mr. Alvarez: No, no...
Mr. Horne: They also listed in their application package to us
$21,075.00 from L.E.E.A. and United Way.
Mr. Alvarez: No, not United Way. United Way is not there.
We said we were going to apply for funds to United Way...
Mr. Grassie: Yes Commissioner.
Mr. Alvarez: Mrs. Gordon may I say something to you please. Every -
time we put in our application that we are going to request funds
from somebody else right away they assume that we got the money.
Now in the application I put we will apply to United Way. That
doesn't mean United Way is giving us any money.
Mrs. Gordon: I understand. I just think that what conversation
is coming up today indicate to us a need for some kind of a central
monitoring system in this community that will monitor all sorts of.
all funds to all non-profit agencies so that their not be an in
quality of allocation among some agencies and some not. Some yes,
some no. I mean this points it out. We're not even prepared to
analyze what you're gctting from other agencies. We're here only
to talk about the little bit of money we have to allocate. The
conversation I brought to you was simply because it had come to
my attention that you were a much bigger operation than what you
were requesting of us and consequently I questioned you so I might
21
JAN 5 1978
be more knowledgeable. Ok.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Manager, let me ask a question.
Mr. Grassie: Yes sir.
Rev. Gibson: To Mr. Horne. Mr. Horne, what is the date of that
application you're talking about?
Mr. Horne: The funds that I spoke of earlier was the application
and the monies they received for a fiscal 1976-77 for the operation
of this program as pointed out to us in their application.
Rev. Gibson: Now does that J.L. so we can get the record straight
and don't go away from here with any mis-apprehension. Mr.
Grassie I want you to hear me clearly that record you have there
gives what date? Give me the date.
Mr. Horne: So I can understand you clearly Commissioner....
Rev. Gibson: When did... does that record. Let my ask you this
way. What is the date on that application blank that record you
have?
Mr. Horne: They submitted their application in the month of June.
Rev. Gibson: June 19
Mr. Horne: 77.
Rev. Gibson: Alright .?une 1977 and this is January 78. Alright.
Mr. Grassie 1e=tt r. sn:', together. If he had on their 1977 June
and you're alre six months gone either you got the money or you
didn't get _ '"' :. '1rn er, wait a minute man, let's do this
together.
Mr. Flummcr :
Rev. Gibson: . . :.a7_ you been running for the last six
months and di =:.' ' ay.L that money?
Mr. . Alvarez: `,,:-: a' r oney , th e city money?
Rev. Gibson: The money that he's talking about on that blank.
Mr. Alvarez: United Way. No I haven't gotten United Way money.
Rev. Gibson: Alright, now that's easy to check. Mr. Parkins,
United Way is a public organization literally, why don't you call
them now and ask them if for the last six months they're been
getting that money?
Mr. Horne: Commissioner, the figures that I gave you regarding
the $60,000 that was allocated to them last year and the other
funding sources they listed in their application were from L.E.E.A.
and United Way for 1976-77. It is not at o'ir disposal or we have
not determined and have not been provided with information that
would show us whether or not the monies that they got in 76-77
are being carried over.
Rev. Gibson: Alright for the sake of the public. You know that's
what I do up here. For the sake of the public you've already
spent that money. Isn't that right? Mr. Grassie, you're the Manager.
You've already spent that money.
Mr. Grassie: We haven't but the agency...
Rev. Gibson: No, no, I don't mean you.
Mr. Grassie: They have. Yes.
Rev. Gibson: They told you they spent it.
22
Mr. Grassie: That's correct.
Rev. Gibson: Ok. Well now that's not what, you know, as I hear
you and I hear them and you say one thing and they say another.
I want the public to go away with the understanding that that money
was had and spent and that money is not anticipated funds meaning
I hope to get it. That means you already got it and you already
spent it.
Mr. Alvarez: Well I hope to get it plus; the $60,000.
Rev. Gibson: No, no, that is not what he said.
Mr. Alvarez: I don't know what he said.
Rev. Gibson: Read it again my brother. I went to school at night.
Mr. Alvarez: Me too.
Mr. Horne: Our records indicate that ...
Rev. Gibson: Give the date on the records sir.
Mr. Horne: As of the application received by our office in the
month of June 1977. Youth Co-'`p listed that they had served
approximately 300 clients and had received funding of SE0,000 from
the City of Miami, $21,07E from L.E.E.A. and `united Way which gave
them a total of $81,075 to operate this program from the funds they
listed for us.
Rev. Gibson: Alright.
Mr. Alvarez: We operated on the $60,000 that we get from the
City of Miami.
Mr. Reboso: F ather ,Mr. Parkins is calling United Way so we will
find out exactly what...
Mr. Alvarez: We never got funds from United Way.
Mr. Reboso: Ok Mr. Parkins.
Mr. Parkins: Mr. Gilford with United Way advises me that they
did apply at sometime back that they were advised that they would
consolidate their operations with another program and they have
not applied since then.
Mr. Reboso: So they have not received the money.
Mr. Parkins: That's correct.
Mr. Reboso: That is another thing completely different. Consolidate
with what agency?
Mr. Parkins: Little Havana Activity Center. To point out as Mr.
Horne I think was pointing out the information that he is using to
show the previous source of funds came from the application of the
agency itself.
Mr. Plummer: Wait a minute now. How much did you say they were
getting from the United Find? When you gave th"t 3rand total of
$825,000.
Mr. Parkins: That's purely consortium funds. Purely C.E.T.A.
funds.
Mr. Plummer: Boy oh boy. Are you still contendingthat that
man is receiving $825,000 to run his program?
Mr. Parkins: Yes sir.
Mr. Plummer: And he's contendingthat he only has a total of
23
$200,000 . Am I correct?
Mr. Alvarez: Let me Mr. Plummer.
Mr. Plummer: Please.
Mr. Alvarez: Ok. We're playing with words here.
Mr. Plummer: I'm not. I'm playing with dollars.
Mr. Alvarez: Ok. He's adding money that in June that will not
exist unless Congress meets again and come up with a new legislation
out of an emergency Manpower Title VI Act to employ people again.
If they don't do that those are emergency funds that all agencies
here in Dade County are receiving. As a matter of fact it's a
hundred million dollarshere in Dade County that every agency is
getting part o.f those funds.
Mr. Plummer: Alright, so Mr. Alvarez...
Mr. Alvarez: And in June they will be out.
Mr. Plummer: May I ask you sir, how many total dollars are you
getting to ...
Mr. Alvarez: Cash hard money $150,000 from Title I and $60,000
from the City of Miami. Everything ....
Mr. Plummer: That's $210,000. Is that correct?
Mr. Alvarez: That's correct.
Mrs. Gordon: But Angel you just said you're on Title VI but it's
going to expire.,.
Mr. Alvarez: In June.
Mrs. Gordon: Put are you getting any of it now?
Mr. Alvarez: That's what I said in June that will be gone.
Mrs. Gordon: That's not the question. The question is at today,
January 5, 1978 are you getting any Title VI funds?
Mr. Alvarez: Yes i ar..
Mrs. Gordon: O}.. The what's the answer. That's the answer.
I understand we a governmental body may not have revenue sharing
after it expires.
Rev. Gibson: Right, and...
Mr. Alvarez: But the thing is that if I don't get the $60,000
this is going to affect my agency so much that when Title VI goes
away I'm going to have to close down the agency because these
$60,000 this is our operating money that we get.
Mrs. Gordon: But Angel are you going to operate with the programs
they're funding you from the Consortium? Are you going to have to
close them up?
Mr. Alvarez: In June we'll have to.
Mrs. Gordon: Can't you switch your personnel.
Mr. Alvarez: You can't do that Rose. You can't do that. That's
against federal regu]_atio:4s.
Mrs. Gordon: Alright. I think the conversation is gone beyond
Mr. Reboso: Yes it's going... Father for your information I was
24
:JAN 5 197B
•
just told that the $81,000 from United Way he didn't receive it.
United Way confirmed that...
Rev. Gibson: No, no. Let's get this straight. The figure that
that man has on that record is money they've already gotten and
spent that's what he's saying. He's saying also that...
Mr. Plummer: That doesn't include United.
Rev. Gibson: Right. And, he's saying...you know that doesn't
even include the United Way. And, I don't want us to be mislead.
And especially when I see that sign move back. My friend move
back, move back. See that sign that says there- that man down
there saying cut the stealing give the multi ethnic program you
see that. Heck,you know I got to be concerned about what I get
and when I read that sign. You doggone right. I may not be the
smartest guy in the world but I could read and I understand.
Mr. Reboso: Is there any other questions please? If not, thank
you very much Mr. Alvarez. At this time let me call Ms. Linda
Singer, she's an attorney. She has to be back to court and...
Ms. Singer: Thank you very much.
Mr. Reboso: Your name and address please for the record.
;s. Finger: My name is Linda Singer. I'm an attorney for the
Miami -Dade Tenant Security Association which is located at 675
N.W. 62nd Street. I've been asked by the association to speak
for it today because of its need for funding. It doesn't have
any funding from any government sources at this time. It is only
getting money from donaticns it receives from people who come to
the association for help and I think in order for everybody to
understand the need for funding)it would help to know what the
program actually does. '''ne of the major objectives of the program
is to provide legal services to its members for helping its
members to assert their rights under the landlord -tenants laws
in the State of ilorida. They would have no other way to enforce
their right to get a security deposit or to withhold rent for a
housing code violation because there is no other agency that could
help them and provide them with free legal services. Legal Aid
Society doesn't get involved unless the person is very indigent
and most people are in either low-income or middle income families
and they need help. Private attorneys cannot help in these cases
because there isn't sufficient money to warrant going to a private
attorney in :-ost of cases. The courts don't award enough money fcr
attorneys fee's and therefore the only source for the members is to
go to the Miami -Dade Tenant Security Association to get this free
legal help it needs. The association also educates its members on
their rights and obligations under the Landlord -Tenant Law. It
does this over the telephone, through meetings and it passes out
literature. The association also relocates tenants who need new
housing, different housing and also assists moderate and low-income
people to buy a home when they can't otherwise afford to. The
association does this by referring the people to Real Estate Agencies
that are interested in helping such people by permitting them to
purchase a home with a low-down payment. And the association
also provides counseling services to help these people before they
buy a home or before they rent to keep their maintance cost down
and the rent down through preventative maintenance and good house-
keeping. Also it helps people who are interested in buying a home
by teaching them how to keep proper records of their tax payments.
The association encourages better citizenship by encouraging all its
members to become registered voters and teaches them how to use the
new voting machines. Rev. Profell will speak to you about the
actual need fcr funding.
Rev. Profell: Honorable Mayor I would use the term essential because
I don't think To the Vice -Mayor and to the distinguished
Commissioners we are happy to bring these few words to you. We are
interested in this program. It's a non-profit organization. I'm a
part of it and if I'm a part of a thing I must know the activities of
25
UAN 5 '1978
the situation. In this non-profit organization for the tenants
of Miami -Dade Tenant Security we need this program and without
your help _ I could well say
But I'm sure you'all are not going to let this program down be-
cause we're helping so many poor people who are under privileged
we need that for them. I always said "where there's a will there's
a way" and I'm sure it's a way.
Ms. Singer: Thank you very much for your attention.
Mr. Reboso: Thank you very much.
Mr. Horne: Vice -Mayor Reboso if we may now continue with the
categories of service that we were going through before the next
would be Employment and there is only one-- Excuse me, Mr. Parkins
has a list of --
Mr. Parkins: Under Employment Youth, Belafonte Tacolcy Youth
Vocational Training and Employment Program and the James E. Scott
Community association.
Mr. Reboso: Anybody from those organizations wish to speak at
this times If not let's go to the next one.
Mr. Parkins: The next category would be Recreation. Catholic
Service Bureau -St. Luke's Educational Center,Inc., the
Optimist Club of Coconut Grove, Belafonte Tacolcy - Sports
Development, Dade County School System, YMCA of Greater Miami
Allapattah Branch(two programs), Metro -Dade County Department of
Human Resources, Recreation and Social Services for the Elderly,
Girls Club of Greater Miami has already spoken. Jewish Community
Centers of South Florida Project Neighborhood Development of
Neighborhood Senior Activity Center. That concludes the recreation
category.
Mr. Reboso:
Anybody from those agencies that wish to speak at this
time.' Mr. Steve Bolton.
Mr. Bolton: Just briefly let me explain what the two projects are
that have been submitted to operate the Allapattah Target Area.
One is a recreation project which works with teenagers who live in
federally funded housing projects in the area.
ee Mr. Plummer: Mr. Bolton...
Mr. Bolton: Ok. I'm going to be brief.
Mr. Plummer: No, just hold up. Mr. Grassie, I don't know what
its going to take so I can hear the speakers but whatever it's
going to take I suggest you do. I exclude the baby, that I'm
used to. Proceed sir.
Mr. Bolton: Ok. I'll begin again. The two projects that we've
applied for are the following. One is a recreation project with
the residents of HUD Project Housing which was funded last year and
is not recommended to be continued at all. This particular project
was designed in response to many, many years of citizen&oFncern
about the young people that live in the project that are receiving
recreation services or much attention from anyone. The second
project is a sports project designed to serve youth throughout the
Allapattah Target Area. My main question here is after having done
such a thorough analysis" why is it that the staff has come up with
the recommendation that gives absolutely no funding, recommends no
C.E.T.A. positions, no federal revenue sharing fuming at all for
the Allapattah Target Area? There is nothing recommended for
Allapattah. I would like to hear from the staff why is it that
a target area can completely left out of this package, both of those
packages in fact?
Mr. Plummer: Staff you got an answer?
26
JAN 5 1978
Mr. Horne: Mr. Plummer to respond to that question as I pointed
and stated earlier. The limitations with the limited amount of
funds that we had this year the categories of service that were
prioritized in the manner that they were placing categories of
service deemed in a higher priority in priority order and through
the evaluation process and looking at the agency itself and its
other funding sources I recommended that those agencies that are
recommended be fundel in that amount because of the nee; in that
area for the services and the other factors mentioned prior to this.
Mr. Plummer: But in other words his contention is correct that
there are no agencies in Allapattah being funded but there are
agencies which are being funded which serve Allapattah is that what
you're saying?
Mr. Horne: That is correct.
Mr. Bolton: Excuse me. I would like to clarify that he says that
there are agencies being funded to serve Allapattah.- Could he
please tell me what agencies those are?
Mr. Plummer: My point being I think they're entitled to an answer
sir. I think you're entitled to an answer, but I don't think
you're entitled to ask it now., to tie up all of these other people.
I would defend your right to ask that question and defend your
right to get an answer either prior to this meeting or if you wish
afterwards, but he has made his contention and unless you can prove
him wrong I'm going to accept his answer and you've asked the
question and I think it behooves him to give you an answer. Ok.
Mr. Bolton: Dk, but my main point is simply that Allapattah has
been completely left out of this allocation for both the C.E.T.A.
positions and the Federal Revenue Sharing.
Mrs cordon: i.efore you leave the microphone. On C.E.T.A. positions
would they be in lieu of cash help to you?
Mr. 'Belton: Certainv.
Mrs. Gordon: And what amount of C.E.T.A. positions do you need?
Have you applied fo-- anv?
Mr. Bolton: Yes.
Mrs. Gordon: How many?
Mr. Bolton: We have applied for about - well the equivalent of
three full-time C.E.T.A. positions some of those being divided up
into part-time positions.
Mrs. Gordon: What will they be Recreation Directors?
Mr. Bolton: Outreach workers and recreation workers, tear:
organizers for sport programs, that sort of thing.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok. That's the Allapattah Y.
Mr. Bolton: Right. Any other questions?
Mr. Reboso: Thank you very much. Ms. Fanita Stone Pressman please,
Umbrella Day Care.
Ms. Pressman: My name is Fanita Stone Pressman. I'm on the Board
of Directors of the Center Umbrella and I'm trying to assist
Ms. Sylvia Miltares who is the secretary there. We have presented
an application for Hispanic Vocational School in the Day Care Center.
There are ten programs in this agency which includes -- yes, and
it includes special services for the elderly too. This agency is
asking $121,000 for the vocational programs and $11.2,000 for the
Day Care Center. I don't know too much about this complete program
so I will present Mr. Hall that knows more about it, about the Day
Care Center. Thank you.
27
rJAN 5 1978
Mr. Hunt: My name is L. Hunt. I am the Assistant Director of the
Umbrella Day Care Center,Inc. in the Little Havana Area. Cur
program started June 20th, 1977 with no funds whatsoever.
Mrs. Gordon: Are you licensed by the state?
Mr. Hunt: We have applied for license.
Mrs. Gordon: Are you operating without a license?
Mr. Hunt: The Health Department was here today and granted is a
permit. A temporary permit to work on.
Mrs. Gordon: A temporary permit. Well isn't it true that the
operation that you're operating is not equipped nor is it the
facility adequate for day care?
Mr. Hunt: It is equipped for day care.
Mrs. Gordon: It is adequately.. it does not meet the state
criteria for day care.
Mr. Hunt: It does meet the state as according to the state. As
the state inspector was here today it does meet the requirement
f the State of Florida.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Rob Parkins would you answer to that? Does this
meet the licensing requirements for day care?
Mr. Parkins: It's my understanding that under the temporary permit
there are exceptions provided that they must meet in a limited
period of time. Is that correct?
Mrs. Gordon: Temporary. That means there is a great amount of
physical improvements that had to be made which are a considerable
sum of money to make you a legal entity for day care.As you presently
operate the children are sharing the restroom facilities with adults
and with others.
Mr. Hunt: No. It has all been changed. No it is not. Children
have their private bathrooms and the State Department was here
today and it's completely locked. Only for the children and no
adults. That's right. It's directly for the children only and
it's a complete lock. In other words it's a dead bolt lock on it
wherein no one goes in except the children. You can see it's
ready. So our center has been operating since June as I fore said
with no funds,ok. So we're asking more or less help in this case,
We have 66 children in the center and we have four teachers and all
has been working since June. Now, the state hasp and I have it out
in my car, has approved this for temporary licenses. Ms. Goldie
Little was there this is why I'm late getting here and we were
approved. We are on our daily routine and each teacher has so much
work to do and the children are being well taken care of, well
handled throughout the center, there has been no problems.
Mrs. Gordon: The only operation then that you are doing is a
Day Care Center correct?
Mr. Hunt: Right. As far as I'm concerned we're doing the Day Care
Center.
Mrs. Gordon: As far as you're concerned. What about you?
Ms. Millares: My name is Sylvia Millares. I am the Director from
the Umbrella Center. It's an agency- non-profit agency. Pardon my
bad english. This is a bi-cultural and bi-lingual county.
Mrs. Gordon: Your program Umbrella is what else besides Day Care?
Ms. Millares: Yes the Umbrella belongs to the Day Care Center.
Mrs. Gordon: What else is it besides Day Care?
28
UAN 5 1978
•
Ms. Millares: In the Day Care....
Mrs. Gordon: What else?
Ms. Millares: The vocation, spanish vocation that we have,
a training vocation at the school for the young people for the
youth people is from 7 years old and 24 and sometimes we have
another...
Mrs. Gordon: I'm sorry could you explain it a little bit more
to me, I'm not sure I know what you're doing.
Ms. Millares: We have different branch. Another program like
a art crafts, home economic, journalist, opera -a music then we
have a director of the opera i•1r. Rubioo he's over there. Drama and
ballet, folklore dance, everything in the Little Havana in
the facility for the Little Havana Center, Community Center, no,
this is a new program. We have the vocational training. The child-
ren is coming from the Miami High, every high school and Saunder
Park and comes to the school, the Spanish Vocational School and
working in different vocational training until 10:00 o'clock the
Day Care is opening at 7 in the morning until 5:00 o'clock and the
spanish vocdtional is 2 to 10 o'clock...
Mr. Plummer: What, you knc , and Umbrella covers a lot of things.
What spoke of the Umbrella are you speaking for here today? Are
you speaking for the total Umbrella?
Ms. Millares: For the total Umbrella. We have two applications
... Excuse me Mr. Plummer...
Mr. Plummer: You have two applications into the city?
Ms. Millares: Yes and they are Revenue Sharing. One for the
Day Care and another for the Spanish Vocational Center.
Mr. Plummer: Ok.
Now how much was yvur request for the Day
Ms. Millares: For the Lay Care- c121,000 for the Day Care.
Mr. Plummer: Ho:: many children do you serve?
Ms.Millares: 70 now.
Mr. Plummer:
Ms. Millare_:: thi., moment.
Mr. Plummer: .: the c,ther program, the vocational, how many
children do >> here?
Ms. Millares: in this moment.
Mr. Plummer: Alright and how much is your request there?
Ms. Millares: $125,000.
Mr. Plummer: $125,000 ok. Now on the Day Care Center what was
your total operating budget last year?
Ms. Millares: No never have we been funded. It's a new program.
Mr. Plummer: Oh, it's not a present program.
Ms. Millares: We working voluntarily. Everybody volunteer because
Mr. Plummer: Alright, were either one of the programs existing
last year?
Ms. Millares: We started in May. May...
Mr. Plummer: Of 77?
A9
;BAN 5 1978
Ms. Millares: 77. May ...
Mrs. Gordon: Are you charging any money to the parents of the
children?
Ms. Millares: Only the parents pay. They're paying in the
Day Care. In the Spanish Vocation,the parents didn't pay, but in
the Day Care)pays V.00 a week for the lunch, only for the lunch.
The parents receive welfare. No pay, they didn't pay.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Parkins it the neeJ is there for a Day Care
Program in the Little Havana Community Center,why is it not a
recommendation of your department to enlarge our Day Care Program
and incorporate it into and under your own Umbrella?
Mr. Plummer: We ain't got the money.
Mr. Parkins: Thank you Commissioner.
Mrs. Gordon: Well if you're going to give money you've got to
have money to give and if you're going... the request is to give
funds and I'm saying if you're going to have a Day Care Program
why not be more efficient? Why not operate it with the same
operation that we already have in existence that's all I want
to kr o,.
Mr. Parkins: We do provide Community Development Funds as you know
to Centro Matr and this organization fell sixth in order of prior-
ity in that category.
Mrs. Gordon: I see. I understand . I'm not arguing the point. I
just don't know why if there is that need and apparently she seems
to think the-2e is a need and if the building does she says she will
get state approval then why don't you incorporate and enlarge upon
your Day Care Program and put a branch of it in there?
Mr. Parkins: That's possible.
Mr. Reboso: Any other questions? Thank you very much.
Mr. Hunt: Thank you very much.
Ms. Millares: Thank you very much.
Mr. Reboso: Dr. Mercedes Sandoval, Little Havana Activity Center.
Dr. Sandoval: I am representing here the concerns for the 'Ulti-
ethnic (.oalitior: which is formed by service provides consumers
and residents of former Wynwood,Allapattah, and Edison Little River.
I am only going to speak on one particular subject which is the
investigation that is taking place on the way that things are
handled in the Little Havana Activity Center. We are very concerned
of the fact that 4% of the funds that you are going to distribute
today will be allocated to a center that has been investigated by
the City of Miami, the Commission which Parkins has been sharing.
There has been also being investigated by the HRS Program and by
the aging services program of the state. There are
proofs in all of the reports that I have in here that that program
has engaged in a conflict of interest because at least 11 members
of the board are paid staff that seems to be quite an irregular
practice. There are also proof that irregularities have taken
place in the different process and all of the agencies that have
been investigated in the center have recommended a federal audit
process, fiscal audit process. Furthermore...
Mr. Plummer: Excuse me. Excuse me. Have recommended what?
Dr. Sandoval: A fiscal audit.
Mr. Plummer: A fiscal audit?
Mr. Grassie: A financial audit.
a
30
JAN 5 1978
Mr. Plummer: Ok. Alright. Thank you.
Dr. Sandoval: We also know that the F.B.I. special crime
unit is investigating this since. Also there are allegations
that terrorists meet frequen-.:ly in that center. As a matter of
fact the Director of the Center has not denied them. He claims
that he meetswith so-called terrorist, one of which has been
convicted to a jail sentence of over 65 years because he will not
deny social services to anybody coming to him. However, none of
the allege: or convicted terrorist is above the age of 60. So if
the funds are going to the elderly I don't see why the Director
has to meet reguarly with individuals that are below the age of
60 to give them social services. Several witnesses have come to
see Mr. Parkins and according to his own statement to me he has
never seen people so greatly afraid for their lives. This was
said to me by Parkins in a meeting with Ms. L. Calderin. So this
is a very serious problem because those people actually were
risking their lives to make those statements to that investigation
that you City Commissioners requested. I am here to ask that
justice be done in this particular case. That the funds for the
elderly be given to agencies that can provide services for the
elderly instead of engaging in meetings with terrorist
campaign and other such practices. I believe that there
are enough agencies in this county center for
instance, the Christian Community Services also that could very
well give those services to the elderly without the harassment
that it represents a Center Director that meets regularly with
terrorists.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Vice -Mayor I got to stop you. I'm sorry. You
know I'm just going to clear the record. Now the statements that
you are making, you're making with proof of this and proof of that.
Ok. Now, maybe you have the proof. ... Excuse me. May I finish
please? All I know as a City Commissioner at this date is allegations.
That's all I know. Now I think it is wrong while a investigation
which I am told is ongoing,to make statements here as absolute.
I don't think it is fair. Now, once that I have been furnished or
the rest of the members of this Commission have been furnished
proof of what these allegations are or/are not then I think your
statements would be fair. But I think at this time that the
statements of absolute proof about a pending investigation are
wrong. Now I'm putting that on the record. You know in this
country we are innocent until proven guilty and I am a firm
believer ,and at this point, I only know of allegations, and when those
allegations were made,I was the first to ask that they be looked
into and proven or disproven, but I have to come to the same
defense that we are innocent until proven guilty.
Dr. Sandoval: Commissioner Plummer...
Mr. Plummer: I'm merely making that for the re;.ord because you
are speaking in the context that this thing is finished. The proof
has been furnished and I've not seem it.
Dr. Sandoval: Commissioner Plummer I am referring to the report
that was handed to you. The proof that I am using is the report
that was handed to the City Commissioners.
Mr. Plummer: By who?
Dr. Sandoval: By Mr. Parkins.
Mr. Plummer: By Mr. Parkins in reference to the Little Havana?
Dr. Sandoval: Yes correct. On page 6. I am not using anything
but the City Commission report.
Mr. Plummer: What document are you referring to?
Dr. Sandoval: .... to Joseph Grassie, City Manager from
Robert Parkins, Director.
31
JAN 5 1978
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Parkins you are making accusations of terrorist
activities going on. May I have a copy please?
Mr. Parkins: We'll have to get copies of that report Commissioner.
Mr. Plummer: Well.... May I see the report which you're
referring to?
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Vice -Mayor would you bring order to the room
please?
Mr. Plummer: I'll tell you,you know what bothers me. I've not
read this report. I've read a couple of lines of this report.
Mr. Grassie, sir I would like to askkI've harped on this point
for a long time. How did this woman get a copy of this report
but I didn't? I don't think it's funny truthfully. I think it's
a damn serious thing when somebody knows my business better than
I do.
Mrs. Gordon: Ladies and gentlemen would you please?
Mr. Reboso: Ladies and gentlemen... Please be quiet. ?r. Grassie
would you please answer �ommi=si oner F1ummr?
Mr. Grassie: Commissioner, I don't know the answer to the first
part of your question which is how she got it. But in terms of
the process that is being followed,my understanding of what is
happened Is this. That the Department has done an initial invest-
igation. It is now in a second phase of that same investigation
with three other agencies and it has also consulted the State's
Attorney Office on what has to happen.
Mr. Plummer: Excuse me. ?r. Grassie, the process of the invest-
igation is not my business sir. My business in my concern is that
and this woman for all practical purposes is part of the public,
that got a copy of that report which is supposedly,I assume,a
secret investigation, is given to a member of the public.That within
itself is wrong. But that the public is better informed than this
Commission now that bothers me.
Mr. Grassie: Well, the reality o` it Commissioner is that is what
happened and I don't know where s'Le got the report. I suppose you
could ask her.
Mr. Plummer: Well I'll ask you. I'll ask you please.
Mr. Grassie: I could tell you what happens very simply.
Mr. Plummer: No. I would like to ask this woman to furnish me a
copy of a city report.
Dr. Sandoval: Let me clarify you tilt this woman has been threated
by the Director of that program.
Mrs. Gordon: I want to say something also J. L. with regard to
public information. This kind of infoi cation should not be secret and
available to everyone or anyone because it is public information
and we ---- ok ladies and gentlemen p ease. I know this is a
very emotional subject and a lot of us he1today are concerned,very
emotional with what's happening here and t is is just part of what's
happening but this issue of whether or not she should have a copy
or should not copy is an immaterial fact. 'ze's entitled to a
copy if she wants a copy and so am I and so ire you and so is every-
body else,and Mr. Grassie correct me' if I'm w ong,but any piece of
paper that's published and printed on city an taxpayers with
dollars that are furnished Ly taxpayers is available to public.
Am I wrong?
Mr. Grassie: No, you're right Commissioner, but so that we keep
it in context, you know ... excuse me, I can't see the Commissioner
32
rJAN 5 1978
3
•
you know just so we keep this in context the news media has asked
for this report two weeks ago. They received it. They ran four
or five articles on it. It is far from being a secret and only
through misrepresentation would anybody suggest that. It's not
true. If she is saying that somehow it's been denied her, you
know it's not a secret.
Mrs. Gordon: No, but J. L. ... J. L. Plummer made a statement
that I concur with. He said we haven't gotten copies. Well,
certainly we ought to have copies too.
Mr. Plummer: Well, but Rose let me tell you where we do disagree
and maybe the word "secret" is not the word to use. But Rose under
normal circumstances with accusations as heavy as what in this
particular area have been made. I don't know how the Administration
or other agencies could conduct an investigation in the open in
public. Now I have to say that in defense) the grand jury doesn't
investigate out in the open because they would never .get anything
done. The F.E.I. does not investigate out in the open. Now, once
their investigation is completed,then a public record is established,
and I think that is the only way you can conduct investigations of
this sort.
Mrs. Gordon: Am I wrong Mr. Grassie but as a procedural matter,
isn't it true that any information that you receive from any
departments are kept in a file which is supposed to be available
to anyone who wishes to examine as public information? Is that
correct or wrong?
Mr. Grassie: Well anyone who asks for a document can get it, yes.
Mrs. Gordon: And no matter what memorandum it might be if it comes
to you as City Manager from a city source.
Mr. Grassie: Yes we make anything that a person asks for.
Mrs. Gordon: I know. I know that. That's why I said that. Because
J. L. feels that maybe this should not be in her hands and I say
that I don't see anything wrong with it. It's just that it should
have been in our hands too.
Mr. Plummer: Well, but if it's an ongoing investigation Rose until
that investigation is compiete,it shouldn't be released to us or
anyone else until the investigation is finished.
Mrs. Gordon: Then it could not or should not J.L.,have been put
into writing because once it gets into writing and its addressed
to the Manager, it becomes public document.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Vice -Mayor let me ask the Manager this. Mr. Manager,
if this kind of an accusation can be made - let me back up. I am
terribly concerned and I want to make sure Plummer hears this because
Plummer has more knowledge of this kind of thing than I guess most
of us. I don't want you to make--- I want to make sure you don't
misinterpret what I say nor hear it second handed. I want the
Attorney to be alert to what I'm going to ask,because I want an
opinion. It would appear to me that to get up before this mike as
that lady is doing,that her life isn't worth a plug nickel. I want
you to hear that Mr. Manager. Alright if that is true and you know
it takes an awful lot of courage. I want Plummer to hear this be-
cause he challenged what was said. It took an awful lot of courage
to get up and say what she said and to produce that document that's
the second thing. The third thing that I'm concerned about is if
such an accusation has been and is being made, evert by our staff,, the
staff must have been or should have been reticient, cautious, careful;
about funding any such agency. Therefore, it seems to me Plummer, I"
want to follow your line of reason that that money ought to be
placed in escrow somewhere. Are there programs which say that people
must eat; I want you to hear this, so you can't tell me later on
because I expect you and me and all the rest of us to cut the mustard.
Right! Ok, this will check us out so the public will know where we
are. If that kind of accusation is being made at the peril of the
33
:IAN 5 197S
1
... and to have to cut out these funds, people must eat. The
Manager has the affirmative responsibility to make sure that
that money is made available where people with some agency)or
individual,where people can eat, while the investigation is
going on. Now you know you could tell me what the law says, but
aint no law is worth a nickel unless you keep this spirit up.
Mr. Manager I'm disturbed this morning. I'm shaking that/that
woman would have the temerity, the mitigated,gall and guts. Look,
... wait a mi:''ite this is serious business to stand up there and
... the woman told us that. Now I call upon this Commission
apronto,forthwith. When the Mayor gets back,' hope you come back
here say the same thinggand I want the public to see how we act
and react, that a portion of that money be made available to feed
the people,becaus- I know its you know hot meal money in there.
Now Mr. Manager,you and the rest of the Commission. You and the
City Attorney can't tell me otherwise, you know why, if your staff -
where is that paper, give it here. If your staff wrote such an
allegation,they must have had some doggone good hunches. Now I'm
not in law enforcement. By the way I have a son who.is a lawyer
and by the way my hussle is a preacher and when people come to me
and they start doing you know, I start getting really, really
concernedandI call upon, this Commission when the Mayor comes
here after the lunch period to put that woman on as number one and
if,and if, what she says is what was written by this staff I call
upon this Commission to take a vote. I want to put yo'1 on guard
now Mr. Manager you could have invoked it I believe, without even
coming here,or if you didn't want to take that responsibility on
your own. you could have called this Commission and alerted this
Commission. ‘.,Tat Plummer didn't say that I interpreted and I'm
interpreting and if I'm wrong)tell me. You know a matter as
serious as th at1if the public knew it since I'm the elected official
and I'm responsible to the publicjI should have been alerted, that's
all I'm saving. Now you answer for me.
Mr. Reboso: Father, I think...
Rev. Gibson: No, I want the Manager to answer. I don't want you
to answer. I want him to answer.
Mr. Reboso: Not the Manager to answer before--- I would suggest
that we hear the other side the people from the Little Havana
Activity Center.
Mrs. Gordon: Are they here?
Mr. Reboso: \'illaverde the Director is hire.
Mr. Plummer: Under point a personal priveleg':: Mr. Vice -Mayor.
Mr. Manager would you answer this question, is there an ongoing
present investigation?
Mr. Grassie: Yes there is sir.
Mr. Plummer: By other than the City of Miami?
Mr. Grassie: Including the city,but,yes by other than the
City of Miami. Yes.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Vice -Mayor I would say that proper procedure at
this time would be that we the Commission do not try to conduct the
investigation. It is improper. It is interferring with regular
law enforcement bodies who are charged with the responsibility. I
merely brought up this morning Father that this late Professor had
a copy of a document which was not afforded to me. Now I'm saying
that in my estimation as you will recall,I was the first one when
allegations were made,that they must be looked into. I am now going
to be the first to tell you that that is being done and let's not
let the Commission interfere with an ongoing investigation. Let them
complete their investigation. Let them make their findings to us
the Commission,as well as the public,and then we can make the proper
decisions. Now Father, let me second guess what you're say by saying
to you If in fact you feel that there is warranty the possibility of
34
JAN 5 197B
stopping the funds as they are presently allocated that is an
entirely different matter.
Rev. Gibson: That's all I'm saying J.L.
Mr. Plummer: I merely caution all members of this Commission,
don't conduct the investigation which we the Commission,ask that
those people charged with the responsibility) are presently doing.
Rev. Gibson: Alright let me respond. You know Theodore Gibson
weighs his words carefully and I'm very precise and decisive.
I think I have the capacity of being very very clear. I know
the English language. I majored in it. Ok. Ali I'm saying
is,note what I said. I did not say to conduct an investigation,.
If this - listen Plummer, the first step was this.,is your staff,
your staff is saying this. Nobody else is saying this. If
somebody from the outside- if that lady had said it. I would
have said she doesn't know whattishe's doesn't know what she's
talking about. Your staff wrote it, listen,to Joseph R. Grassie,
City Manager, from Robert W. Parkins, Director, Office of Community
Affairs, that's your staff. I'm saying and George don't you sit
on no doggone fench over there you're a lawyer. I'm not asking for
no investigation am I? I'm saying that that money doesn't have to
go the same way since we who voted it,have a responsibility to
protect it and that we have a right.
Mr. Reboso: Father, let me say something...
Rev. Gibson: I want the Attorney, man you're not an Attorney.
I want the Attorney Mr. Vice -Mayor. I want the Attorney don't
come giving me that.
Mr. Reboso: Be quiet please. Father, I have two memorandums here
in front of me. One that you just mentioned signed by Robert W.
Parkins to Joseph Grassie regarding the Little Havana Activity
Center aliegation,and I have another one; that memorandum is dated
December 9, 1977 and I have another one dated the same day,December
9, 1977 from Robert Parkins to Joseph Grassie recommending an
allocation of �126,415.00 to Little Havana Activity Center. The
same person sending the memorandums to the City Manager. So if you
mentioned one memorandum,you should mention the other one also be-
cause you have both in front of you.
Rev. Gibson: What are you... counsel. Mr. Vice -Mayor...
Fir. Reboso: And I am not a lawyer Father, you're right.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Vice -Mayor that's right I know that. That's why
I said what I did. You know it's very significant, very very
significant for this public, ok. Let me tell you something we pay
people very damn good salaries to be careful with what they write
and what they say,don't we?
Mr. Grassie: Yes we do.
Rev. Gibson: We do. I feel shaken in my boots that that woman would
stand there and say what she said,,and now we don't want to move. I
want to condone what Plummer said. I didn't know all of this, but
I am very disturbed. Plummer said something else Mr. Manager that
I trust you heard that he said. Strange and significant. She has this
document and w€ don't have it. Not only that. I raise another
question in the same vein. I don't have those Mr. Vice -Mayor that
you have. I would appreciate if you give me one.
Mr. Reboso: Yes you do Father.
Mr. Plummer: Yes you have one.
Rev. Gibson: Look, if you give me one I will be very happy ok.
I want us to re -introduce this matter. No I don't want us I'm
going to re -introduce it when the Mayor comes because,I feel - I
35
J A N 5 197a
•
•
feel strongly that if we are taking monies from the city and we are
not using them right and people are hungry and going without, it is
high time that we do something about it. Ok? You know my position;
that's the number one item when we come back after the lunch if the
Mayor is here. If he isn't here,I want to make sure it's the number
one item when the Mayor does hit that door.
Mr. Grassie: Commissioner Gibson, you know I waited to try and
give you an answer because you asked for one. If the report that
is g front of you had concluded that the agency in question should
not 'funded,we would have stopped their funding long before now.
A demonstration of that is the fact that we have conducted other
investigations,and in fact) have taken steps to stop funding. Now
one of the things that we have to do is what Commissioner Plummer
suggested/the investigation has to be completedIn the meantime,
we operate on the assumption that until we have some kind at least
some reasonable belief that there is reason to cut off the funds)
that we would not do it arbitrarily. Now you do need to discuss
if you wish how far the investigation has gone this far, and if you
would like to do that as a first item of business we can do that
as soon as we come back after lunch.
Rev. Gibson: I as a Commissioner demand, insist, urge, persuade,
praying that that is the first order of business when the Mayor
comes not after the lunch. When the Mayor cores.
Mr. Grassie: Whenever you like.
Mr. Reboso: Will you please continue Dr. Sandoval?
Dr. Sand.:,'al: I just wanted to say that this is also part of the
public record that the Metro Police as well as the Miami Police
have been following terroristSto the Little Havana Activity Center
during working hours and it has also been published.So the elderly
should not suffer, and the funds not to be cut that it should be
challenged through agencies that really care about servicing the
elderly and not about meeting with terroristsand slandering the
community. Thank you for your time.
Mr. Reboso: Thank you. Rafael Villaverde please.
Mr. Villaverde: Honorable members of the Commission.
Mr. Reboso: State your name and address for the record please.
Mr. Villaverde: My name is Rafael Villaverede. I want to thank
the City of Miami for the funding they have provided our agency
which in return has been converted into servicing two people
number one. Number two I think that any citizen that has any
complaint should present it, and the matter should be followed up,
and if proven guilty,corrective actions should be taken. Number
three,I have welcomed all the investigations that have taken place
at the Little Havana Activity Center and it just has not been the
City of Miami. It has been the Area -wide Aging Agency. It has
been the Health & Rehabilitative Services and the District 11. I
have been cleared of all cnarges. New charges could be brought up.
New allegations could be brought up,and they will be tested against
reality. We are an audited corporation by one of the worlds largest
independent CPA firms that certify all our financial statements
since the inception of the program. We are secure in the financial
aspects that no wrong doing has taken place. We have served over
14,000 persons since the inception of the agency. But we do not
want to be pronounced guilty if there are no proofs. If no invest-
igation has brought any wrong doing against the agency. I am not
willing to go to a trial on the press. I am willing to go on a
trial on facts,an investigation carried out by professionals who
understand the complicated procedures of data processing, of
accounting/and most of ally I strongly resent the accusation that
t errorists are frequently visitors to our center. Why? 80% of our
case load is composed of Cuban exiles that their idea is,to go back
to the country,and to be free. If it is to be considered a person
who believes in the freedom of their country lsterroristIthan it's
n
�6
JAN 5 1979
a different subject, but nevertheless what I want to say. is our
people need the services. All the evaluations carried our center
has been outstanding. We have never received a negative evaluation
from any of our funding sources and we are very proud of the
services that we have rendered and we will continue rendering them.
If your opinion is that further investigation should be carried
out fantastic. I am not afraid of any kind of any investigations
because it is not the matter of I being clean. It's the problem
of the agency being clean and servicing the people. Thank you
very much.
Mr. Reboso: Ingrid Grau.... She was together with Dr. Sandoval.
It's alright.
Ms. Grau: by name is Ingrid Grau. I represent the Multi -Ethnic
Coalition and I'm Director of Program. My previous
job was at Little Havana Activity Center and I'm a first witness
that I have seen De La Coba everyday in Little Havana and
he's not over 65, that I have supervised b o t e 1 1 a without
knowing that I was supervising botella . Botella is
people that are paid for not working, ok. And, I woulc like-- T
reported that to Mr. Parkins in his report. Thank you.
Mr. Reboso: M arieta Fandino. Hold it for a second. Do we have
anybody in the Administration that can translate: Luisa would you
please do the translation" Right there. You can do it right there.
Name and address Marieta please.
Ms. Fandino: try name is Marieta Fandino. I live at 3655 S.W. 14th
Street. The past December 24. The Honorable Maurice Ferre, all
the Commissioners and Mr. Grassie, City Administrator. I'm sorry
I have a cold. When I presented at the public meeting her allegations
I did it on behalf of the humble woman who pays my taxes who is an
editor of a small weekly newspaper. (Interpreter) She exclaimed
that it was time to make a clean-up of all federal funded programs.
and she accused Mr. Rafael Villaverde, Director of the Activity
Center of misuse of federal, state and city taxes. In no moment
has Mr. Viilaverde ha:_ he held bids for the catering services for
his agency. She says this is important because fraud can be proven
between the Activity Centers and Catering Construction owned by
Mr. Bencomo. '•".r. Villaverde serves 900 daily meals but with the
monies he pays "�? . Ben Corm he could serve approximately 1500 clients
This is the way hat he distributes the money in reference to meals.
Sne explained t,;at she has talked to 25 people who make statements
to Mr. Parkins in reference (the english translation would be
botella people who collect money without working.
Mr. Plummer: Hold it: We are not the Commission investigating
this matter. If she has this information letner present it to the
appropriate bodies. Now this is the very thing that I think is
going to lead this thing into total chaos. Now you know we are
not the investigators. And, Mr. Vice -Mayor I wish that we would
stick to our job and that is,once the investigation is completed
and copies are made available to uslwe will evaluate/but we are
not to conduct. If she has this documentation,then let us present
it to the Manager, to the State's Attorney, to whoever else is
investigating.
Mr. Reboso: I agree. Would you please translate that ...
Mr. Plummer: But would you please tell her what I'm saying? I
think that she is the one whose been fighting this from the
beginning. She is doing more harm to the investigation now by
trying to try it in this public body than anything.
Ms. Fandino: (Interpreter) She wants to know why we didn't send
a copy of the allegations to the State Attorney? Why didn't you
investigate yourselves;'
Mr. Plummer: The Manager informed me he did, is that correct?
Mr. Grassie: That's correct Commissioner.
37
JAN 5 1978
Mrs. Gordon: 4101 you interpret thos remar4P please:
Ms. Fandino: (Interpreter) Mr. Fandino says, she's in agreement with
Rev. Gibson, that an agency who is being investigated right now by
the F.B.I. should not receive funds by this Commission; that
terrorists have been going to the Little Havana Activity Center,
and that including they are minors who are terrorists that have
been going there not to get indoctrinated against terrorism
but foster it.
Mr. Plummer: Let me ask a question. Let's see if I can't hit it
on the head. Father, I want you to hear this. I went to school
during the daytime. 1:r. Parkins, your department sir makes the
recommendations to this Commission as to who gets funded and who
doesn't correct?
Mr. Parkins: That's correct.
Mr. Plummer: Your department did the investigation as outlined in
the memo December 9, 1977 to Joseph Grassie from Robert Parkins with
no reference listed,but basically I would assume that the investigation
�' e ra Activity Center. Is that
was �:`1�= Little � 3Va,+,_
Mr. Parkins: Yes there is a reference to the allegatiDn.
Mr. Plummer: Now it seems preposterous that if you four -
guilt involved with the allegations that you would recom::cn that
they be funded. Am I correct?
s
_ Mr. Parkins: That's correct.
Mr. Plummer: Then am I to assume that in your investigatcn which
is all that you can speak for, you found no reason t(m w ithhc.ld the
funds of the Little Havana Activity Center?
Mr. Parkins: We found no reason sir to deny the participant:; in
that program hot meals.
Mr. Plummer. That isn't what I said I',,. Parkins. That isn't
what I said sir. I'm going to repeat it for him. As Father said
the English language is pretty clear. I'll repeat my question
and I'll ask for a yes or no answer. ';y question in the course of
your investigations of the allegations made,and I assume the
conclusion of your investigation that you found nothing contained in
the allegations to warrant to deny the funding to the Little Havana
Activity as presently done.
Mr. Parkins: With one correction. The investigation has not
concluded,but that is correct. We have not found anything to warrant
discontinuation of funding.
Mr. Plummer: Thank you.
Mr. Reboso: Jose Molina from the Puerto Rican Opportunity Center
will you please come to the microphone?
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Vice -Mayor may I ask you a question. At point
are we going to take the lunch break?
Mr. Reboso: At what point do you want to take your lunch break?
Mrs. Gordon: You're conducting the meeting.
Mr. Reboso: But I am open for suggestions.
Mr. Grassie: 12:30.
Mrs. Gordon: It's obvious we can't hear everybody and still leave
this before midnight tonight.
Mr. Reboso: Well, Rose let's do one thing after the Puerto Rican
Opportunity Center is finished.
39
J A N 5 1978
Mr. Plummer: How long are you going to take?
Mr. Molina: Maybe five minutes.
Mr. Plumrr 1. Is that for the total Puerto Rican Center?
Mr. Molina: No. We got another speaker.
Mr. Plummer: How many more?
Mr. Molina: I guess three at least.
Mr. Reboso: After the Puerto Rican Opportunity Center is over,
let's take a break.
Mrs. Gordon: Would you say 12:30?
Mr. Reboso: I would say 12:30 or before 12:30 if they are over
before 12:30.
Mrs. Gordon: Well set a time.
Mr. Reboso: Ok. 12:30.
Mr. Plummer: May I suggest Mr. Vice -Mayor that we do what we did
the other day by Maurice and that is that we don't want tc hurt
anybody's feelings,but at 12:30 we're walking out the door with
and will continue when we resume. We will resume when
Mrs. Gordon: We'll be back at 2 : 00 o'clock.
Mr. Plummer: So we're not hurting anybody's feelings,but whoever
is speaking at 12:30,the Commission gets up and walks out, you walk
with us and we'll come back later.
Mrs. Gordon:
J. L. 12:30 until 2 and then we'll be back,
Mr. Plummer: I don't care set the rules and...
Mr. Reboso: Ok 12:30 and we will come back at 2:00 o'clock. Will
you please state your name and address for the record please?
Mr. Molina: My name is Jose Molina. My address is 3037 N.E. 1st
Avenue . Honorable Vice -Mayor, City Commissioners and I would like
to see hands from Culmer .and Wynwood. I am here just to introduce
the Multi -Ethnic Coalition of the Northwest of Miami. We are very
concerned about Culmer, about Wynwood, about Allapattah, Edison
Little River and Brownsville. We are talking of the Northwest
Area of Miami. The area of Miami with the people with the least
resources. We are talking on behalf of the people who live in the
worst living conditions,where we have the highest rate of unemploy-
ment. Where we have the most deteriorated housing and where people
pay the highest rent. Some of the programs which formed a North-
west Coalition of Arts . Puerto Rican Opportunity Center,
Tenants Education Association of Miami, HACAD Social Services for
the Haitians, JESCA, Allapattah Mental Health, Allapattah Wynwood
Mental, Village South, Borinquen Health Care Center, Old People's
Neighborhood Organization, Crime Prevention, Wynwood Elderly Program,
Holy Ghost Day Care Center, La Iglesia de la Santa Cruz, Holy Cross
Episcopal Church. We are here Vice -Mayor, Commissioners to ask you
why our programs that serve exclusively the social needs of the very
needed people of Northwest of Miami are being cut down? Why our
programs like Puerto Rican Opportunity Center and Tenants Association
and others Nicky Cruz Outreach and others are being punished when
they have clear records of just servicing poor people of northwest
of Miami. We are here1the Multi -Ethnic Coalition of the Northwest
of Miami to tell you our City Commissioners,please take a very close
look at the programs in the Northwest of Miami. We don't want at
this time the usual leftovers. We demand this time that we receive,
that we get our decent Revenue Sharing share. Thank you.
39
JAN 5 1978
Next speaker is par of our Northwest Coalition, Eufalia Frazie,r,
Director of Tenants Association.
Mr. Frazier: To set the record straight I'm not Eufalia Frazier.
I'm Leon Frazier, Staff Employee for Culmer Area. Our office is
located at 642 N.W. 2nd Avenue in the City of Miami largest slum
area known as Culmer, west of Downtown Area approximately 8,000
citizens with the staff of two personnel. Our employees under the
supervision of Ms. Eufalia Frazier director. I will briefly
summarize for you the highlights of our organization. In 1977
alone, our organization have prevented 103 families with approx-
imately 450 members from three apartment buildings from being
evicted. We have worked with 170 families directly in the Culmer
Area. We have an average of 50 people atten ing our community
meetings. 150 people attenting our tenant conference. We had a
Christmas party this last Christmas with approximately 1,000 residents
of the Culmer Community attending with Women's Council of Realtors
under auspices cf Commissioner Rose Gordon. Other activities
and I must say this, we do not charge for our service. Our service
is free and it's from non-profit organization. We have a voters
registration drive, a Voters Education Staff by teams volunteers in
the Culmer Community. We have a Citizen Crime Watch Program in
conjunction with Dade County Crime Watch working alone with the Miami
City Police Department. We have two youth organizations which have
been created to increase citizen's participation in the Culmer
Community. Due to the urgent need for a social service agency to
serve tenants in the City ofMiami) phone calls city-wide coming into
our office daily with an average of 30 calls a day. Our organization
act= as referral for the Citizens Information Center, the Better
Business Bureau, Legal Service of Greater Miami, Miami Herald Action
Line, Small Claims Court, the City of Miami Police Department, Private
Tenants, Public Housing Tenants and even Mobile Home Tenants calls
our office, and we have referrals from the City Mayor's Office. It
is utterly impossible for our organization to duplicate any services
in the Culmer Area because we are the only organization in Culmer
receiving 7,evenue Sharing to work directly with tenants and their
problems. Aain,I'1.1 make a personal plea to the Commissioners.
Commissioner Gordon, Commissioner Gibson, Comrfissioner Plummer, and
Vice -Mayor Manolc Rel osc not to cut off our funds, but to re -fund us
simply because we are working with the unseen and the untouched
tizens of the Culmer resident who are in desperate need of our help.
Than}: you.
Mr. Lope:: My name is Emilie Lopez, I'm the Executive Director of
Puerto Rican Health Care Center. Today I'm going to do something
a little bit different. I want to ask excuses for the people of the
English language but I have a constituency over here that speaks only
Spanish1and being this is a Ei-Lingual city, I would like to make my
presentation, I will read part in English and then Ms. Rosito Rai -
munde will read some in Spanish and so everybody can understand
what I'm saying; so with the permission of the Commissioners,we will
do that. In 1972, the Puerto Rican Health Care Center was created by
members of the Puerto Rican Community in response to the needs ex-
pressed by the residents. This center is presently one of the most
important health projects in Florida and its achievements are so
well known that they need not to be documented here. The experience
of the Health Center was that the delivery health services alone was
not totally curing the clients. The need to address all the social
problems which affect the health of the clients gave raise to the
Puerto Rican Opportunity Center in May 1976. The Puerto Rican Opport-
unity Center has become an arm for the social service components of
Borinquen Health Care Center.This should not be of minor significance
since the City of Miami has designated health as a priority for 1977
and 1978. The Puerto Rican Opportunity Center has not limited itself
to supplemented services of the client. In fact in a year and a
half of existence,the Puerto Rican Opportunity Center has become the
focal point for identity for the Puerto Rican Community in Miami.
For the Puerto Rican Community Center is the only Puerto Rican Multi
Service Agency in Miami. Although 75% of the clients served by the
Puerto Rican Opportunity are Puerto Ricans. Other groups are served
as well including Cubans, Dominicans, Columbians, Haitians, Hondurans
Blacks, Anglo, and others. Among the services currently rendered by
40
JAN519?8
•
the center are fund raising campaigns for individuals and families
that find themselve in emergenvj situations. In this connection
the Puerto Rican Opportunity Center raised $15,000 to help the
migrant workers during the 1977 crop freeze. Allocations conferences
and seminars for the benefit of the community. Activities to honor
important figures in the Puerto Rican Community as motivation and
identification for our youth. Radio and television programs as
means of improving communication and relations between the Puerto
Rican Community and other groups. The advocacy for the Civil Rights
for the Puerto Rican Community. The coordination of lectures to
colleges, high school and community gro'ips under history and
culture of Puerto Rico. The promotion of cultural activities to
commemorate important events under the history of Puerto Rico.
To provide facilities as a meeting place for all Wynwood Agency
Coordinators to discuss issues of importance encountered by the different
organizations and the citizens. To provide technical assistance to
other projects and organizations in developing new programs.In
addition to the above mentioned activities. The center deals on
the daily basis with problems that arise for individuals in Miami
Community such as housing, employment, food stamp, liquor, day care,
counseling, and other problems that individuals may have. One
very important function which the center serve during this time of
the year is to provide needed children with toys during the Three
Kings Lay what you will say the Christmas for the Latin Americans.
This event is celebrated tonight at the Wynwood Community and you
are all invited to witness the faces of the children light up as
they receive the toys which our center will provide. This kit have
been donated by merchants and individuals pursuant to an appeal
made by the Puerto Rican Opportunity Center. To close our center
or to limit our funding will have the affect of depriving our
community for vital services already identified as well to under
mind the contribution of the Puerto Rican C pportunity Center has
made to the City of Miami. As testimony of this we will call from
one of the many satisfied clients after a life of vices. We
provided needed services and helped returned to society as a
productive indivi lual. The letter that I'm going to make the
quotation io you have in your package and you can read it it's in
English. : don't want to go through the whole letter. The quotation
say "Than}: you m`: lucky stars that when 1 most needed help you were
there". The Puerto Rican Community considers it an injustice and
affro:.t to close the only agency which serves its need. It will
not stand by patiently and allow this to happen. Thank you very
much.
Mr. Reboso: Are you f inishe:i s
Mr. Lopez: No we're not.
Mr. Reboso: Ok. Quiet please.
Mr. Lopez: Now I would like to have a client that -- who would
like to say a few words.
Mr. Gon:7,alez: Mr. Mayor, Commissioners, and public. I am
Aristides Gonzalez resides at 750 N.W. 43rd Avenue, Apt. 506 in
Miami. I come before you because I see that you intend to dis-
continue funds for the Puerto Rican Opportunity Center and it is
only an agency in the entire State of Florida primarily serves the
Puerto Rican Community. During the last year and a half I have
personally witnessed the help given by this center to the
overall community in general. I have -known of persons who
arrive in Miami without a dime in their pocket, without a means
of obtaining food or a place to sleep. The staff of this center
have taken charge of the situation and solved their problems. I
also wish to give you couple of samples of this. My nephew was
illegally
I appealed to the Puerto Rican Opportunity Center and not only
was the amount of deposit to be found but the stuff also provided
stuff for him with which to buy his children milk. I also want
to mention that in the center I have received legal counsel a
number of times besides having referred persons to
obtain employment and financial assistance and each time they
41
JAN51978
have received excellent and prompt services. For this, and
many other re : ,ens in America and pay
by the amou..t that you are profited upon today to help
citizens wl-o are daily to the center in need of
assistance Thank you very much.
Mr. Reboso: You have 15 more minutes.
Mr. Lopez: I would like to introduce Ms. Gloria Yingsley who would
like to speak on behalf of the Tenants Association.
Mr. Reboso: Ok.
Ms. Kingsley: My name is Gloria Kingsley. I'm Chairman of the
Civic Action Committee of the Women Council of Realtors, Miami -
Dade South and a Member of the Democratic Executive Committee. I
have had the great pleasure of working with the Tenants Education
Association of Miami. iL'lfa_,ia Frazier, her son Leon, Mark P
Herman Frazier. and I have seen personally the great work that
they are doing in the neighborhood of Northwest 2nd Avenue and
6th street.We have bee;, involved with them in creating a park in
that area and they put on a magnificant party for the children
of the neighborhood. They are the only organization working to
nelp the forgotten people in that area and I urge you not to
withdraw funding from that organization. I don't know what the
people of the area would do without them. Thank you for your
consideration.
Mr. Reboso: Ok next speak Emilio. Next speaker please.
Mr. Lopez: Now I would like to introduce our last speaker and he
will give you the name and the purpose of his visiting here.
Mr. Reboso: Ok.
Ir. Franco: My name is Ruben Franco. I'm an Attorney from the
Boston Area. I'm also cooperating Attorney with the Puerto Rican
Legal Defense E Education Fund of 95 Madison Avenue in New York
City. This is an organization. It's a law organization which
initiates class action suits on behelf of Puerto Ricans throughout
this country whose civil rights have been violated. I'm here
however an observer and to let the City of 'iiarsi, the Commissioner5
of the City of Miami know that Puerto Rican Communities outside
of the Miami Area are extremely concerned with the threaten fina::ciel
cutbacks against the Puerto Rican Opportunity Center. We have
heard of the fine work of the Puerto Rican Opportunity Center. We
have also heard about the imminent cutback of its funds and we
want to let you know that we will not standby idly and let this
happen. Now I've been in the Miami Area now for two days. I have
visited the Puerto Rican Opportunity Center. I have seen its staff
at work. I have seen a lot of dedication. I have spoken to people
in the Miami Area and I have heard nothing but positive things about
this agency. I have done a lot of work with community agencies
throughout the country,and I must say that the Puerto Rican Community
Center is one of the most solid that I have seen in terms of staff
input as well as services output. I want to say this. If the funds
of the Puerto Rican Opportunity Center are cut,its going to be my
recommendation to the Puerto Rican Legal Defense & Education Fund
in New York City to look very very closely at the work of the City
of Miami, the services it renders to look to see if there are any
discriminatory acts on its part or if there are any acts on its
part which have a discriminatory affect with the purpose of bringing
suit against the City of Miami/and one of the reliefs that will be
requested of the court/would be that all revenue sharing funds that
are received by the City of Miami be cut back.
Mrs. Gordon: Are you threatening us?
Mr. Franco: No. I don't come all the way down here to threaten
you. I'm just telling you that that is a possibility and I'm also
here to show outrage and indignation on behalf of the Puerto Rican
42
JAN 5 197a
Community throughout this country, particularly in the northeast
at what is threatened against a Puerto Rico Opportunity Center
here. Now, if you thin}: that this action that I have just
described cannot be done,I urge the City Commissioners to ask
its attorneys to read a recent case that )ust came down from
the United States Court of Appeals titled'United States of
America against the City of Chicago'where discrimination in
employment was found/that all revenue sharing funds were cut.
Mrs. Gordon: That's a different situation sir.
Mr. Franco: Why is that a different situation?
Mr. Plummer: We're under a consent decree are you aware of that?
Mrs. Gordon: I think if you want to help this Opportunity Center
you're not helping them very much with your presentation.
Mr. Franco: As I indicated to you,I'm not here to threaten you.
I'm just saying that this is a possibi_lity,but I hope what does
come across is the outrage that the Puerto Rican Community feels
outside of the Miami Area toward what is being done tc the
Puerto Rican Opportunity Center here in Miami.
Mr. Plummer: Emilio rnv mother always told me you get a hell of
a lot more _ l es with soar than vinegar.
Mr. Retoso: We will meet together at 2:00 P.M. right here.
REC_!7,: :.00 P.M.
NOT Mayor Terre enters meeting after lunch recess.
Mayor :Terre: Tour members of the Commission present sent and if we
settle down a little lit now I think we canproceed.Mr,. \ •• 1 � hi.:}: Vice -Mayor
where did we leave off and where are we right now?
Mr. Reboso: The last person who spoke this morning was Jose Molino
from the Puerto Rican: _ rportunity Center.
Mayor Ferre: Alright who is the next speaker on the agenda?
Mr. Parkins: The next category would be the Counseling Youth
category Mr. Mayor. It would be Nicky Cruz Outreach of Florida,Inc.
Youth Co -Op has already addressed the Commission. Metatherapy,
Institute, The Stress Control for Police Officers that's on that
report page 38.
Mayor Ferre: Well, let's take them one at a time Rob. Who is next
on the....
Mr. Parkins: Nicky Cruz Outreach of Florida.
Mayor Ferre: Alright. That particular group I can't seem to find
here. What rage is it on?
Mr. Parkins: It would be page 38 of that package sirI think you
have a copy of my original.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, on page 38 which is Counseling Youth are
there any organizations that wish to be heard? If there are would
you step forward please and identify yourself? I'll read them
again. Nicky Cruz, Youth Co -Op, Metatherapy, Stress Control for
Police Officers, Miami Police Department, Edison Little River Project
S.T.O.P., Edison Little River Project Youth in the American Community
Church, Childhood Development Center, Senior Centers of Dade the
Missing Length, Umbrella, Inc. Hispanic Vocational Program- they've
spoken. Alright will you proceed?
Mr. Monnar: My name is Armando Monnar. I am the Operations
Supervisor of Nicky Cruz Outreach. Mr. Mayor, Mr. Commissioners,
a lot have been said today in regard to the money that we are about
to spend in the next fiscal year, but I would like to bring over
before I proceed to explain briefly about our program that we are
43
aAN5
overlooking the human needs that the City of Miami has in order to
solve this matter for the different agencies that have spoken here
this morning. The program that we represent as being one of the
best in the community. I think you all know about Nicky Cruz
operations in the past and I don't like to go into too many details
for our organization, however empathically would like to point out
that if our program budget is not approved by you people a lot of
people, clients, they're going to be hurt and they will be hurt in
many ways. First of all, because we have a major concern of the
adolescents in this community. The rates and the data that we have,
how the crime is increasing is verb, very concerned from the point
that we give counseling to all these youth throughout different
school systems and private other referral organizations. If our
program is not recommended,we are affecting approximately about
3 to 5,000 people. Let me sho;•: to you,I have the signature of
approximately 2,000 families involved in our program one way or
another related. We do not ask them to be here today and be heard
because of the time factor but as you may see all the signatures
is people concerned and related to our agency and our expectation
from you is to look and to consider our program and to finish. Let
me say this I'm going to read to you a remark done by Mr. Parkins.
I am quite impressed with the excellent improvement evidence within
the program. You have truly devoted much time and effort toward
achievement the objective of Nicky Cruz Outreach. You have surpass-
ed the agreement between Nicky Cruz Outreach and the City of Miami.
Knowing you I feel quite certain that the tremendous vitality and
energy that you have together with your dedication to the young
people of our community should provide nothing less than the very
best possible program under your direction. Certainly the City of
Miami Office of Community Affairs should be counted and to continue
to provide assistance both now and in the future. The reply is
yours.
Mayor Ferre: Thank you. Are there any other statements on behalf
of Nicky Cruz? Any questions from members of the Commission?
Alright the next organization under counseling youth are there anv
other speakers in this group? Are there any other speakers with
regard to counseling youth? Alright then we go on to the next
organization which is transportation, is that correct? Alright
in transportation we have Action and Metro Office of Transportation.
Does anybody want to speak to either of these organizations?
Alright your name for the record.
Mr. Blanco: My name is Octavio Blanco Mr. Mayor, members of the
City Commission. I came to you to appeal -- We came to you to
appeal today asking to you for don't cut off the funds for Action
Community Center Transportation for the Elderly and the Handicapped.
As you know on page 38, I believe it's 38 where transportation you
got transportation it's the only--- this organization is the only
who give you transportation to the City of Miami who serve only and
exclusive people who live down on the area of the City of Miami.
Nevertheless this transportation has to be out of the City of
Miami limits to transport those people where they need. Action
Community Center is a non-profit organization registered in the
State of Florida was organized for the purpose of serving the
Senior Citizens for the City of Miami and the Handicapped. In their
transportation need doctor's appointment, the rehabilitation centers,
food stamp office, shopping centers, entertainment and other agencies.
This Target Action Community Center was really funded by a federal
grant in 1974-75 with $10,000. With those funds the organization
obtained a 1975 Van Dodge for a cost almost $7,000 capable of
transporting 15 passengers. At this time,we have a staff consists
of a clerk, driver and a director. The funding of this fiscal year
was able to make us to have 3,000 clients and make it this year
3,800 people. The funding for the fiscal year program increased,
this was in 1975-76, with $20,000 from revenue sharing which allowed
us to increase our staff to five persons. This increase allowed us
to accommodate 2,000 persons and we transport 14,225 per year,
an average of 275 people a week. During this period we obtained
an extra $1,200 operational expenses from the City of Miami. For
the fiscal year from July 1st 1977 we obtained $10,000 from the
Community Development. In the third year our program looked more
44
JAN 5 VIM
bright. The City.of Miami with federal revenue sharing continued
to fund us with a budget of $26,730 and $10,000 was special grant
to purchase another equipment. This equipment was for the trans-
portation of the handicapped. This vehicle is equipped with hydraulic
platform which permits us to transport two -wheelchair cases. As
of December 1977 we have a 32 enrollment able to transport them to
rehabilitation center using the ... For the fiscal 1977 to
1978 we obtained $20,000 from the Community Development, $10,000
from the City of Miami. and $10,000 from Metropolitan Dade County.
During this year the _pror-ram received a donation of a 1978 station
wagon for us, staff was increased to four persons and five vehicles.
We have an increase for enrollment and I wanted you to press
attention to that. This is the third year that we started with
300. 2,798 this was two months ago and we were able to make
$38,037 this is an average of 731 trips a week. In addition from
the City of Miami we have six positions allocated for this year.
This means that we have from the City of Miami to date nine C.E.T.A.
positions and six that we have from Dade County. The person who
are using these programs, they have the income. They are
very low income, blindness and disability, handicapped. They can-
not pay bus fare. They need assistance to another destination.
... and whc can solve their problems. Our program reaches the
need for providing transportation to other agencies and services.
Break down into the group, the sthnic group, Action Community Center
and these are as the following: Spanish 58c, Anglo 210, Black 200...
Mayor Ferre: 1 want to make sure I understand that. You said
that of the people you're transportatin` Latins are 580.
Mr. Blanco: 58-s.
Mayor Ferre: And Anglo's are what?
Mr. Blanco: 22A.
Mayor Ferre: And Slack?
Mr. Blanco: 20` and 1°, in others. The above figure :hr.,
enrollment and service rendered have increased in large! r:_
than the funds received in order to serve a profession_; o;:
with no less than the budget transmitted to you for the f:-«-
1977-78 on $114,000 ner year. I want to make a point to yo; that
when we asked you for this money we didn't have any people from
the C.E.T.A. program. Now we do, we can't have any cuts because
for example, we're asking you for five drivers and we do have those
drivers already the C.E.T.A. program.
Mayor Ferre: We have five buses now.
Mr. Blanco: We do have the five buses.
Mayor Ferre: Five buses and you have five drivers on C.E.T.A.?
Mr. Blanco: And five drivers, yes. Now Mr. Mayor and members of
the City Commission one of the points that we want to come to you
today is because we disagree completely with the staff of the
Community Development, I mean with the Federal Revenue Sharing with
the Task Force recommendations. Because for example, I don't know
how they can vary the recommendations with the citizens recommendations.
For example, you got Day Care they give you the number one (1) and
it is (4) the city's recommendation. Besides that on this paper
they give it to you there are ... funding the responsibility from
the primary funds ... and secondary. For example on health the
first responsibility is supposed to be Dade County then the state
and then you keep on going ... employment, federal'government or
state. Hot meals - federal or Dade County. Day Care - Children,
federal government and Dade County. There for the first time
transportatio:. (this is where the City of Miami comes in). These
are the funding responsibility of the City of Miami according to
the people, the staff that you have. Nevertheless they are denying
those funds to the only transportation program that we do have.
Now if you keep on going through all the areas,for example, in
NOTE: Mrs. Gordon entered the meeting at 2:45 P.M.
JAN 5 1978
Allapattah I can see down here they the transportation number of
agencies providing those. (1) Type or claim service ...
It doesn't say how many give you by the Dade
County. I would like to ask this person who was doing this
information if they don't find either in Allapattah, in Coconut
Grove, in Culmer, in the eight areas, I don't see any
.... down here to the transportation the Action Community
Center was given to us 38,000 trips that we made last year under
3,000. I was " . the office the (:ay those people ... to make a
evaluation to our program and I was trying to show them the records
when everytirne these agencies give us a trip to any person has to
be signed by the person... or records are there and when
we were trying to show them they said, well, we don't need that.
To me even like Commissioner Plummer would say they was really
qualified. I don't believe so. When we tried to prove to them
and show them where they to go to check what type of service
we are givingiand on page 3, I believe it is, it says service has
been very strongly recommended by the Task Force and the evaluation
team and ... is target ..e service delivered.
Looks like the Action Community Center. These 3,000'clients that
we have on these 38,00 don't satisfy to those people. We do have
down here with us two clients they are handicapped. I would like
you to see. They asked me, they want to speak to you. Because
without this program, without this transportation, it's a lady
who can't go to school, and it's a man who can't go down to
•
Mrs. Gordon: I got a question .... could you answer me if you can?
I came in a little late, so the number of vehicles that you are
using are how much (5) ?
Mr. Blanco: Five.
Mrs. Gordon: Who owns them:'
Mr. Blanco: They arc owned by the programs.
Mrs. Gordon: Wrn<:r•e- did the come to buy them?
Mr. Blanco: The programs, let me tell you, the regulation of the
institution, the corporations own those vehicles. Now the City of
Miami when they allocate those funds and you buy anything. Anytime
the funding would be suspended, and those vehicles that you are buying,
they will be part of the City of Miami. Those that are under the
City of Miami. Tney are really on the name of Action Community
Center but they belong, to the City of Miami.
Mayor Ferre: Are there any other questions?
Mrs. Gordon: You mean there were papers on file that you have
signed that quit -claims your interest in the vehicles at termination
of your program, is that it?
Mr. Blanco: We can't claim any...
Mrs. Gordon: I mean they don't remain with the program for this
person?
Mr. Blanco: No. They are part of the City of Miami.
Mayor Ferre: Can you answer that? (repeat)
Mr. Horne: To my understanding Mr. Grassie, any programs funded
with federal dollars,be they federal revenue, or community develop-
ment, are and do belong to the sub -grantee of the federal government
who provides funding to those private non-profit agencies.
Mrs. Gordon: This title doesn't until the program is abandoned,
correct?
Mr. Horne: To my understanding Mrs. Gordon,anytime capital
equipment is purchased with federal funds/it becon:.zs the property
of the agency distrauting those funds.
46
JA N 5 1978
Mrs. Gordon: It's not so. The agency has title. The agency has
title until the time the agency does not any longer stay in business.
That's what I was just told by the agency.
Mr. Blanco: Mrs. Rose, ... the name of the vehicles has to be for
the purpose insurance on the name of the program but if the
program has been cut off those buses belong to the City of Miami
and we don't need...
Mrs. Gordon: Ok.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, further questions. Any other questions?
Any other statements you want to make?
Mr. Blanco: Well, yes, I just.. I want to tell you Commissioners
that on the last meeting we was told every agency down here they
will receive a copy of the recommendations, the whole thing.
Mayor Ferre: That's right.
Mr. Blanco: We was down three times in the Office of the Federal
Revenue Sharing and we asked to Mr. Horne and he's a staff member
for this document and the fourth time that we was there that we
was told that it has to be corrected, they can't make a copy.
Finally, one day we were there and tell them please we will stay
down here until we get it and we was enformed that the only thing
that we can do is leave it down there. The Program Director don't
have the time to look for all these and when I asked he said are
you going to give it to us? I was enformed by Mr. Horne. He's
right there in front of me he can tell me stop telling my lies,
and he told me he's got an order from the City Manager don't make
these papers available to anybody.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, excuse me Mr. Grassie you better listen to
this because I think there's acing to be a question coming to you
in a moment aLout it?
Mr. Blanco: A tne oecono point - just - goes to my argument.
I want to give- vcu a message to Er. Plummer. Plummer, Commissioner
Plummer pier_ e, yc.: remember on the last meeting you told to the
Office of t'if i eral Revenue Sharing and the one who control the
C.E.TA. I:. :,at you don't anybody complaining, that you want
everybody t, collect their money for the Christmas.
Mr. Plummer: That is correct.
Mr. Blanco: Well, let me tell you that Action Community Center
nine positions, C.E.T.A. SIX they haven't gotten paid yet, and
already the year pass by.
Mr. Plummer: Well, all I can do is ask Mr. Grassie to find out
the reason why and let me know, that's all I can do. Because I
was most insistent that the people were entitled to receive their
money for Christmas. I was most insistent and maybe there's a
reason for it and I'm willing to listen.if I'm not satisfied with
the answer then I'll have to deal with it appropriately. Let me
ask you a question how much are you asking for?
Mr. Blanco: Well, in the beginning like I told you we're asking
for $144,000. We do have five drivers there.
Mr. Plummer: I'll ask again what you're asking for.
Mr. Blanco: Now?
Mr. Plummer: Yes. The bottom line.
Mr. Blanco: Thebottom line for this. program Commissioner because
we do have to pay...
Mr. Plummer: How much?
Mr. Blanco: Let me go through the... The 15 employees that we do
47
JAN 5 1978
have from C.E.T.A. VI. Now this program has the Director, one
driver and a clerk who is paid from the federal revenue sharing
funds. Those three salaries only is $26,000 and let me tell you
that the Program Director, she is the only program director, she's
sick now. I don't know if she's sick with the flu or she's sick
because what happened, but the only program director is making
$10,000 on the City of Miami . These three
employees that we got will be`'26,000. Now we do need money to
buy gas, to pay for insuran to pay for the building, to pay
for a telephone, it's a lot of things that has to be paid. I
can't tell yoti $45,000. Now I can give you an idea.
I believe that maybe we can get the 526,000 that we pay in salary
to these three employees that we can get through a C.E.T.A. pos-
ition will be $20,000 less, so then will be with $20,000 or
$19,000 ...
Mayor Ferre: You want to elaborate or, that Rob? What he talking
about?
Mr. Parkins: I believe what he's referring to is that he currently
has three employees that are being paid out of the cash account for
federal revenue sharing.
Mr. Blanco: Federal Revenue yes.
Mr. Farkins: And I think he is suggesting that if they could be
replaced with C.r.T.A. funds, is that correct?
Mr. Blanco: Right.
Mayor Ferre: Fiow can you do that if C.E.T.A. VI requires a certain
requirement for an employment period?
Mr. Parkins: Well, the C.E.T.A. II and you'd still have an un-
employment requirement...
Mayor Ferre:
Oh I see.
Mr. Parkins: You can also have a question of maintenance of effort
I'm not sure if that's applicable ...
Mayor Ferre: You're talking- about C.E.T.A. II position?
Mr. Parkins: Yes, 30 days. 30 days unemployed for C.E.T.A. II.
Mrs. Gordon: I'm going to state my personal opinion Mr. Mayor
about a number of these programs that we have had to fund, we
funded in the past/which we face a insoluble problem of trying
to fund with revenue sharing. If there is a way of funding those
programs that serve a needed purpose with C.E.T.A. then we have
to try to find those dollars from C.E.T.A.,but I told these people
this morning, you weren't here. Those people that were here that
we are not magicians, and we cannot multiply dollars like this.
We have some very few dollars and the few dollars we have we're
going to try to place them with the most critical services that
the community needs, That's the way I feel/ and the other people
speak for themselves.That's the way I feel, and I feel also, I
may not agree totally with our staff) but they have been working
on it and let me tell you they haven't had an easy job and I would
hope that we can find a solution that some people are going to be
happy. Not everybody can. We should try either from Community
Development or from C.E.T.A. or some other sources of funding or
referral to the County or the State or the Federal Government
for a grant to try to help those that we can't help.
Mr. Blanco: You may Mr. Mayor please. I want to thank Rose
because you remind me that I was informed by the staff of the
federal revenue sharing that •.. the recommendations they do
make was part of the what you wanted and I came down here to the
City of Miami and asked for the minutes of that meeting that I
believe was in Septemberl0. In reading part of the records I can
4
JAN 5 1978
see why you said that I do believe that if we concentrated on the
care approach not only to the children2that we have and provide
day care but we enlarge upon the concern for the adults. This
program serves only the adults who are in desperate need for
facilities to take care of them. We do make a facility for them
... for home care to stay in their home and go to see the doctor.
Mrs. Gordon: I understand your program's valuable and I'm not
diminishing the value by my comments.
Mr. Blanco: No, no. no. I just want to say because I was
informed that part of this recommendation that was here was your
fault and I don't believe that this is what ...
Mrs. Gordon: .., you don't mean my fault. You don't mean that.
Mr. Blanco: This is.. I mean this is the way I was told.
Mayor Ferre: Well, let's not get into that because...
Mr. Blanco: No, what I got down here is ...
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Blanco let me ask you this if I may. In answer
to the question that Commissioner Plummer asked you you said the
minimum you need is $26,000 is that correct?
Mr. Blanco:
Mayor Ferre: No, no.
Mr. Blanco: If we get, because it's only $26,000...
Mayor Ferre: $26,000 J.L. because I got confused in the end. No
that's not what I heard you said $26,000.
Mr. Blanco: $26,000 is only to pay for the three employees
Mayor Terre: Lock, you see you try to be so thorough that you
get people complicated. Just a very simple answer, what is the
minimum amount of money that you'll need.
Mr. Blanco: I will answer to you the same way that I answered
Mr. Plummer $45,000 but then I told you that if we can cut
off the three positions that are paid with the cash revenue sharing
funding that we got will be $19,000.
':ayor Ferre: Plus,19 plus three C.E.T.A. positions.
Mr. Blanco: Right Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Ferre: C.E.T.A. II positions.
Mr. Blanco: Yes Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Ferre: Ok is that clear as to what they're asking for? I
just want to make sure we all understand because I didn't under-
stand that I thought he said $26,000 but what he's saying is what
he needs is $19,000 plus three C.E.T.A. II positions.
Mr. Blanco: Mr. Mayor I would like to see you allow the Ms. Ferros
to -- she would like to see you allow Ms. Ferros - she would like
to speak. She's sitting down there. She's one of our handicaps.
Ms. Ferros: Mr. Mayor, Vice -Mayor, and all Commissioners. The
main reason I'm here is because I was told those services of Action
Community Center will be cut. I am using this transportation
service for one year. I am handicapped and I know there are another
kind of services for transportation but they're expensive for me,
because my income is very low. I have paralysis on both of my
arms and I have to support my son and I have to go three times a
week for therapy in order to keep my arms flexible.besides I go
to college to improve my education and will be able to work and be
useful in this community. That's all. Thank you.
49
JAN 5 1978
Mrs. Gordon: May I ask the lady a question? May I ask you a
question?
Mayor Ferre: Miss can we ask you a question?
Mrs. Gordon: Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Dade County
furnish a service for handicapped people and pick them up and
take them to work or to medical treatment if they need it and I
think if they charge a very minor fee but you have to make arrange-
ments with them a day or two ahead.
Ms. Ferros: They charge $1.00 for every ride, but since I have to
go three times a week for therapy and besides once a week for
college it will be about $32.00 a month and my income is $177.00
and $92.00 for my son. I have to pav $140.00 rent plus electricity.
Mrs. Gordon: Th.e question is not that. I'm not asking you your
personal finances. I wanted to know if you knew about Dade County
Service.
Mayor Ferre: Yes, I thin}: she answered.
Ms. Ferros: Yes.
Mayor Ferre: She answered in the affirmative, and she said yes she
does but that she cannot afford to pay what it cost with the income
that she has.
Mrs. Gordon: Does Dade County subsidize those people who cannot
afford it?
Ms. Ferros: They charge $1.00 for every ride.
Mrs. Gordon: Even if you can't afford it?
Ms. Ferros: F.ve:: if you can't afford it.
Mr. Blanco: I would like to ask you a question Ms. Ferros when
you asked for thc service are they on time theres
Xs. Ferros: Well, sometime; they fail, sometimes.
Mayor Ferre: Wait, wait, I didn't catch that one. You asked
whether...
Mr. Blanco: The point is that the service that they get --
Mayor Ferre: From Metro?
Mr. Blanco: From Metro that's through the taxic company they
do receive $1,600,000 the service is lousy. They can't count
on them to be on time at any place.
Mayor Ferre: Now, was your answer that you call and sometimes
they don't come is that what you're saying?
Ms. Ferrcs: Well, that happened to me twice. You know, maybe,
you know they can make a mistake sometimes.
Mayor Ferre: Alright. ... Donny, on this are we, you've checked
out their numbers and all that. Are they servicing 3,000 people
or is that counting twice?
Mr. Horne: In our evaluation of the Action Community Center
transportation program Mr. Mayor to answer your question we sub-
mitted a report to Mr. Parkins based on the information that they
gave us in their application. In which, they, the center allegedely,
they provided 40,000 two-way trips to rehabilitation centers,
shopping plazas anG doctors offices. Our staff through evaluation
of the program determined that it would take approximately more
than an eight hour day, seven days a week in the 240 work days that
we work on for them to accomplish this•feat. In looking at the
Administrative capabilities it is in the drawing process such that
`0
JAN 5 1978
we are providing technical assistance to the agencies that were
funded. We would hope that in providing such technical assistance)
that they would become able to administer their programs both
financially and operationally,to the extent be no
questions about the operation of the program, but based on the
information that we got from them and the interview that we conducted)
we determined that the agency was not providing the amount of trips
nor the service that they alleged to be providing. However, at the
amount that they were funded last yearjthev did provide a needed
service and provided that well.
Mr. Blanco: Mr. Mayor our file is open in every trip. I believe
that every member of the Commission and you to Mr. Mayor has in
front of you a copy of the records weekly, how many persons this
program transports and I have one down here and you people I believe
to have one and these records for example we got down here in
November 1977 we say down here that from the week of November 1st
to November 4th, we did transport 596. I would like for anybody
to go down to those records and find out if the signature of the
people 596 signatures are there are not. We would like somebody
to go there and check.
Mayor Ferre: Let me, just so we can move on to something else
because there are other people that want to be heard. But as I
understand what you're saying is Donny you're saying theoretically
it doesn't seem likely but of course there's no way you can verify
it one way or the other. Octavio on the other hand is saying that
for a certain period the signatures are there they can be verified
and whether or not they can maintain the rhythm of 500 people in
four days throughout the year is something that maybe is or isn't,
but even at 500/that's 30,000 trips in four days for 240 days,
that's between 30 to 40,000 trips. So whether it's 30 or 40,000,
these people are moving people around with these five buses and'
it a needed service and I understood you said it was 58o Latin,21%
Anglo and 20` Elack.
Mr. Blanco: Yes.
... Mr. bejel please, you say you want to speak.
Mr. Bej ei : SP')KF IN SPANISH .
Mayor Ferre: Alright, the gentleman that spoke addressed himself
to the Commission and stated that he is very grateful for any help
that the City of Miami can give to this community project because
his alternatives are to spend $1.00 per trip Rose, which he says
that since she has no other income 1.e cannot afford and that this
is the only means that's he's been able to find in years that will
take him to the therapy that he peads to be able to function as a
human being,,and he's very happy that he's had this opportunity.
Mr. Blanco: Mr. Mayor before I finish I want to inform you people
that we have a long long list of the handicapped because the medi-
care and medicade normally before two months ago they used to give
the service to the people how many times they do need it. Also
these people who has handicap they do have to go to the center
three times a week. Now through Medicare or medicade they're
only allowed three trips a month.
Mayor Ferre: Three trips a month.
Mr. Blanco: Yes and we do have a long list of waiting people there.
Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: Alright thank you.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Blanco do you have a wheelchair lift?
Mr. Blanco: Yes we have a hydraulic lift. We can carry two
persons on a wheelchair, besides we do have a seat inside that
car. The car that's in front of there anytime that you want it.
Mrs. Gordon: You have a wheelchair lift on the vehicle?
Mr. Blanco: Yes.
51
JAN 5 1978
Mayor Ferre: Alright any other questions? Thank you Mr. Blanco.
The next speaker is in the information and referral area, Tenant
Education, is that right? Tenant Education F Association of
Miami, Culmer. I think we've heard from them this morning.
Mr. Parkins: Yes we did...
Mayor Ferre: Borinquen Health Care Center that was heard in the
morning. ;;t. Luke's Miami Bridge.
Mr. Parkins: I believe they did as well.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, Women in Distress. Is there anybody here
representing Women in Distress.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. bolton was here this morning and he said that
Ms. Dee Turner would be here this afternoon. I don't know if
she's here or not but he couldn't spend the whole day.
Mayor Ferre: Is Commander Bolton or Mrs. Bolton or anybody
representing...
Mrs. Gordon: No, not... Dee Turner was supposed to be here but
she teaches so she may still be in school.
Mayor Ferre: Alright well we'll leave her for later when she
gets... Alright, Eufalia have you already talked before.
Ms. Frazier: Yes. My organization spoke this morning.
Mayor Ferre: Well, then if you will forgive me, if you have to
add something after we give a chance to those that have not
spoken;then I will be happy to recognize you at that time. Alright.
Ms. Frazier: Alright.
Mayor Ferre: Dade County Community School, Jewish Family and
Children Service Project. Lino, Grove House, City of Miami OCA
Cultural Experience Division,New World Workshop Graphics and
Printing Project. Is there anybody in information and referral
agency category that wishes to be heard other than Eufalia Frazier?
Alright then we get into the area of Legal Services. Is there
anybody here for Legal Services of Greater Miami which is to be
heard? Alright.
Mr. Segal: Peter Segal. I'm the Executive Director of Legal
Services of Greater Miami. We were funded by the city for several
years up til last year. At that time we did some re -organization of
our program. We were perhaps one of the few agencies that admitted
we needed to take a new look at how we delivered services,For
that we got cut off. This year apparently although again we haven't
received any recommendation from Mr. Parkins Office, apparently the
recommendation is not to fund us. Frankly, the process here is
very difficult. It's very difficult to get up here and say that
we need the money anymore than any other of these agencies need the
money. I don't think we can say that. I don't think they can say
that. I'm not sure how you go about making the decision. But
my perspective the thing that concerns me about the city's process
is the city's failure or at least the staff's failure to enunciate
why particular agencies do or do not deserve funding, not so much
whether we're funded or not as being told why. What's the problem,
what are the reasons, I think that applies to everybody. We'd like
to why. We'd like to know the reasons. The Mayor may recall that
last year when Mr. Dixion was here he indicated that the City
Attorney's Office can pick up the slack. I'm not quite sure how
many clients the City Attorney's Office represented out of the
proverty community who needed legal services. I suspect not too
many. We're still in the same position. We provided service.
We provided service that works. We're a successful agency. We don't
have the funds to provide the level of services we need to provide.
Our coverage to the community is weak in that regard. I wouldn't
want to have to make the decisions you have to make, but I think I
ought to be entitled to know why they're made. Thank you.
52
JAN 5 1978
Mayor Ferre: Alright as I understand it at this time we have
now gone through all of the speakers and as I understand it
Eufalia Frazier stood up and wants to speak again. Now...
Mrs. Gordon: She didn't speak before Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Ferre: I thought she spoke this morning. I'm sorry.
Mrs. Gordon: No some of the other members of her group but not
Eufalia.
Mayor Ferre: I see. Alright.
Mrs. Gordon: She was saving her best for you.
Mayor Ferre: Alright. I would like to try to keep now, other-
wise we'll be here all afternoon. Those people that have spoken
before,I think it's important that we continue the process so
you did not speak this morning so I'll recognize you. I'll like
for you to keep it as brief as you can.
Ms. Frazier: Thank you Mr. Mayor and the Commissioners. I didn't
speak this morning but someone from my organization that was
speaking with the coalition did speak but I would like to say that
we helped service or been servicing Culmer now for the last four
years and we have been the voice of Culmer and I am asking the
Commissioners today if they would please continue to serve us so
that we could help people because the people in Culmer has been
looking to us. They have start talking to us. They have asked
us to be their voice and they are saying to us you asked us to
help pass the bond issue. Now we are looking for you to deliver
services for us and we're asking please to fund us.
Mayor Ferre: Alright Ms. Frazier.
Rev. Gibson: I want to ask a question. Ms. Frazier, I recall you
had some problems with Coconut Grove Area, what happened to that
problem Mr. Horne?
Mr. Horne: To bring the Commission and Mr. Mayor you up-to-date,
the situation that Father Gibson is referring to is one such that
Tenant Education Association of Miami was funded through the City
of Miami Community Development Office, the amount of approximately
$16,000,I believe it was. Over the summer months while we were
doing evaluations for revenue sharing programs,there was some
concern in the Coconut Grove Community regarding the Tenant Education
Association of Miami performance in that area related to services
being provided by that agency. After several meetings with both
the Coconut Grove Target Area Task Force,Ms. Frazier and Mr. Parkins
and myself, it was determined and Ms. Frazier decided herself)that
there was no reachable agreement between the two parties involved
such that the Coconut Grove Community Task Force asked for a
certain service to be provided. Ms. Frazier informed them that those
services could not be provided -she moved out of the area. She
relinquished the funds granted to her by the Community Development
Office and therefore no longer operates a program in the Coconut
Grove Area.
Ms. Frazier: Mr. Gibson, Father Gibson, may I say that the reason
why we discontinued our services;that the Community Task Force
in Coconut Grove was asking us to do things that we could not do)
to violate the law and we could not do that. They was asking us
to do things that was impossible to do and they was saying to us
what they wanted us to do and not what our contract were. We had
never had any problem with the City of Miami. Our reports we gave
them. You auditors,you came out and you never did say to us any-
thing that our program was not functioning like it were. It was
about 15 people in Coconut Grove, 54 people came down here to
speak to the Commissioners and we was convinced by the staff of
this city not to say anything. Father Gibson would meet with us.
He would meet with me and the leaders of that Task Force. When
we went out in the community it was not the leaders it was 15 people
I 1
53
JAN 5 1978
II tall Jr..
than what you say or misleading the people. I want to make sure
that's understood. I said then I want to reiterate now that if
what that lady said is true, if that what that lady said is true
that it took an awful lot of guts and temerity and stamina to get
up here and say what she said and that if what she said is true
I didn't say it wasn't, if what she said was truelthat I feel
that her life would not be worth a plug nickel after this is all
over. I was asked, T was asked if I thought, if I said that the
lady's life wasn't worth a plug nickel: I said that is not what
I said, that if what she said is true and if the danger that is
indicated by her presentation is true I feel then that her life
would not be worth a plug nickel that's an altogether different
thing, altogether different thing and I hope that the newspaper
will report Theodore Gibson accurately. I have the capacity and
I say it egotistically. I had the capacity of expressing myself
in no uncertain language and no uncertain term that not even a
blind man or deaf rnan if he can hear at all will misunderstand me;
that's what I do for my living and if I can't persuade people who
sit in that pew,man,they ain't going to buy it. I could speak both
ways. I could speak that ghetto language and I could speak ...
language that you white folks speak, you understand. I want to
make sure that's understood. Now, I Mr. Mayor gave the assurance,
my desire was that that lady would make her presentation in your
presence because to me if what she said is true and if the inference
is there)we of this Commission are in serious trouble. Now we
could go on from there. Just a minute, please ma'am, dear. Mr.
Mayor I don't want you to make the mistake that J.L. made on me
this morning and that was I'm not trying the case. I don't want
to interfere with the law, the due process. I want the Commission
to hear what the lady said and if we the Commission hear what she
has said,we have the affirmative responsibility to be aware, you
know in college,a white professor taught me beware of Athenians
bearing wreaths. I hope, I'm not asking that the case be heard. I
don't want to interferewith the judicial process. I believe that
anybody, listen to this,anybodv who would get up in the public and
say what she said if it is true, even if it isn't true" we the
Commission have a responsibility to hear it, not only to hear it,
but if the staff knew this when the staff made its presentation,
that the staff should have warned us. You need to know that Plummer
said, well when she got through, said you're making accusations
and she said, well, but your staff wrote a document. You remember
that? And, Plummer said we don't want to be trying it and getting
the judicial process. I said that's not my concern, not my desire.
I hope we can put it on and I just want you to hear it so that you
wouldn't be unaware of anything that we know.
Mayor Ferre: Dr. Sandoval, you can proceed.
Dr. Sandoval: I am representing the Multi -Ethnic Coalition formed
by service providers, consumers and residents of Culmer, Wynwood,
Allapattah, and Edison Little River. I am here as a spokesman for
that coalition on behalf of one concern, for the citizen concern.
Based on the fact that 4% of C.E.T.A. funds are being given to a
program whose director is being investigated for ••• practices
for a conflict of interest and also for possible connection with
terrorists. These allegations were made into the City Commission
on September 24th. The program and the director has been invest-
igated by the City Commission represented by Mr. Parkins. Several
of the witnesses,I know them personally and quote, Mr. Parkins
he have never seen witnesses that were frightened and afraid for,
their lives. This was said to me by Mr. Parkins on December 19th.
The result of the investigation of the HRS and the State Agency,
seem to prove the following;that most of the allegations are
founded such as 11 members of the Board of Directors are paid as
staff out of 25. This means that these people cannot be impartial
and that bidding process therefore in many instances is clouded
by their personal interest. Second, it has been proven also that
even when they have had everything processed, a lower caterer have
been refused and a higher catererhave been given the contract. But
to me)my concern is not really only that. My concern stands from
the fact that the director have been accused and allegations have
been made that he frequently meets with terrorist in the center.
55
JAN_5_ tam
I do not understand why a Center for Elderly has to be the
meeting place for terrorists. The Director has admitted and this
I refer you to the city report meeting with three alleged terrorists
one of them convjcted and a jail sentence of over 65 years
frequently because they were looking for social services and they
were long life friends. However, none of them meet the require-
ments of the elderly programs because all of them are below the
age of 6e. T de not understand why if this report was made by
the city and Mr. Parkins ... told me that the life of the witnesses
were frightened. This City Commission doesn't make those funds
available for the elderly which are needed to agencies that do not
engage in this unusual practices. There are several agencies in
this community that can do their job. I know very well that one
of the leaders of the elderly in the Little Havana Area sitting
right here Dr. Regalado and that actual he was the one
that started making advocacy for the elderly in Little Havana.
The Christian Community Services have been providing meals ...
... 45 in the Little Havana Activity Center in the
Wynwood Area for the Spanish speaking. Senior Center have also
been doing that. Now we know very well that the F.B.I. is
investigating this program. We have reports. They are public
record that the terrorize the citizens of the City of Miami and the
Metro Police have followed terrorist regularly since 1975 to that
center. Now why should a Director be rewarded? Why is it terrorist
activities have to take place in and Elderly Center? This is all
I have to say. Thank you for your time.
Mayor Ferre: Thank you Dr. Sandoval. Alright... We have other
speakers now so I will now Dr. Regalado...
Dr. Regalado: Honorable Mayor and Commissioners. I'm going to
beg you to excuse me because I have a great handicap for to speak
. My difficulty is I don't speak fluently the English
language. I am sorry I con't have more English to explain my
thoughts but I assure you that I know how and what I represent and
what are our desire and if in any moment you have to ask me a
question or some questions I beg you to give me an interpreter for
two reasons. First reason I am an old man. Second reason I am
a little deaf man too. I want to speak bi-lingually. Sometimes
in my own language, sometimes in the words that I know English
language. Excuse me for it.
Mrs. Gordon: I wish I could speak Spanish as well as you speak
English.
Dr. Regalado: In the first place we the useful agent are here
this afternoon to support Action Community Center. We have not
brought paper today. We have brought only ourselves
We support Action Community Center because we elderly people have
no transportation and Action Community Service has given us service
when we have need of this service. This is the reason because
we support Action Community Center,it is in the first place. The
Second place I want to say something very very important. I beg
your most attention to these words I am going to pronounce. The
only thing I hate in this world is patronage. I don't know how
to hate anybody or anything, but I have to speak about our
... The useful agency and all the City of Miami know it
is the first non-profit organization for ... to help the
Spanish -Speaking people of this city. We was born in May 31, 1971
then we have the first organization, non-profit organization in
this city to help spanish-speaking ... to say the truth we
have had no help in all this time. They have promised us the
past year a day care center for ... elderly. All you know it.
Mayor Ferre: Uh, Mr. Parkins you better listen to this because
you may be called to answer about the Day Center for the Elderly
in a little while.
Err. Regalado: We have had patience. You know it. .... SPANISH
It is impossible to get an interpreter.
Mayor Ferre: Well I will try to translate.
56
1
Mayor Ferre: Dr. Regalado says that they have requested and have
been very patiently awaiting for a Day Care Center for the Aged
and even though this has taken a long time,they have been and will
continue to be patient because they know that in the long run they
will prevail because what they're requesting is right. In the
meantime they have not stayed idly by waiting for other circumstances
but have been active and as I (he didn't get to the point) but I
think what he was beginning to say was that they started to make
candles on their own and they've had all of these wonderful
elderly people actually making Christmas candles over the holidays
and I think that's been a great success and a great therapy and it
certainly shows that they on their own have taken the initative.
Dr. Regalado: Thank you very much Mr. Mayor.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor may I ask a questior. or two that you're
dealing now in an area that I have a deep concern. Rob Parkins do
you know whether or not the County is still operating and functioning
the Day Care Center for the Elderly, Fragile Elderly in the church
on 18th and 3rd I believe it is?
Mr. Parkins: Yes I believe they are.
Mrs. Gordon: Well, that's close by to the arca that services these
people that might need Day Care Services. Not everyday needs a
Day Care Service per s but those who are fragile do need to have
a place where they can be during the day so they can be at home
in the evening. Dr. Regalado are you aware of the Day Care Service
that is available?
Dr. Regalado: (Mayor Ferre translates) He says, Commissioner
Gordon 8th Street and 3rd Avenue.
Mrs. Gordon: No, nc, 18th Avenue I believe, it's in the church
N.W. 3rd Street.
Dr. Regalado: It is a pleasure for me to answer Commissioner Gordon.
You have to excuse me because I have no English language...
Mrs. Cordon: I skiare you this, I can't speak in Spanish so that's
ok.
Dr. Regalado: I want to tell you something you have to think we
are we have no resort. W_ have no knowledge for to
use those programs. I'm sorry ma'am.
Mrs. Gordon: You didn't know it was?
Dr. Regalado: We have no lawyer. We have no means to use all the
means that I know exist that is the reason because I wrote a letter
to all you the Commissioners of the Miami City. Did you receive
it in the past day? Ok. In this letter I have been asking all you
and not only in the letter in the Spanish edition of the Miami
I have wrote something that I'm going to repeat here now.
In the recent Christmas we began the first workshop for the
other hand of my brother, all my brothers have made
nativity Christmas candles. You have seen the paper, no, I hope
so. This is an effort to demonstrate this community that we the
old people will not be apart in for this County. We decide we wish
to be useful to the community in what we are living. If we are going
to have a workshop the first thing we will need will be a home for
this workshop. We have not a home and I am asking to you Commissioner
and to you Mr. Mayor I have made the same question to the County,
the City County before this session do you remember? And, my
question is thislis there by chance any people of the property of the
city that can be rented to us for our workshop for a $1.00 a year?
This is the question that I ... ? We need it this house for uur
workshop.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, thank you very much...
Dr. Regalado: I beg your pardon, you Americans who cannot understand
57
my English because I'm only a broken english ... and I
will continue my fight with help or without help. You can be sure
... continue our fight with your help or without your
help be sure of this it is all. Thank you very much for hearing
me.
Mayor Ferre:
speaker.
Thank you sir. Alright, now ... Alright the next
Mr. Lopez: I just want to make a statement. My name is Emilio
Lopez and I would like to say that...
Mayor Ferre:
Mr. Lopez as I recall you have already spoken.
Mr. Lopez: I just want to make a statement that's it.
Mayor Ferre: Alright if you make it very quickly because we have
some blind people that have been here since 9 in the morning.
Mr. Lopez: I realize that. I just want to make a statement that
the Multi -Ethnic Coalition that is here today is in close support
of the work Dr. Sandoval said today.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, now at this time with my apologies to some
of you there have been a group of blind people that have been
waiting and they've sent me a message now,they must leave,they've
been here since 9:00 a.m. sitting here and that they would like
to be heard. Sc is there a spckeman for the New Horizan Industrial
Home for the Blind? You're the spckeman, alright sir I'll recognize
you at this time.
Mr. Belaez: My name is Gonzalo Belaez. I am a Vice -President of
the Industrial Home Foundation for the Blind and I want to first
to address Honorable Mayor, Honorable Commissioners. The loss of
sight does not mean the end of the world even though sight provide
us with most of the information we need. The other sense can be
the to achieve the necessary orientation in life, such as
learning the uses of the telephone. Hand writing, typing, using
the Braille System, handling tape recorders, and other activities
need in the daily life. Industrial Home for the Elind,Inc. besides
being a learning and cultural center for the Blind is a recreational
and entertainment center where these persons participate in the
different activities and who in spite of being sightless,feel happy
and useful to the society in which they live. The Spanish -Speaking
population in Dade and Monroe Counties is approximately 450,000
persons or 5'% of the total population of which .009c or 4,050
persons of all different age groups are in some way visually
disabled. Our purpose is to rehabilitate and return to meanful
employment,20 or more blind clients during the first operational
year who are either English speaking, Spanish, or any other
nationality, color, religion, or creed because we do not discriminate
any one for any reason whatsoever. To develop enterprising ability
in people showing ...
capability and to organize and administrate
a work center which will be non-profit. Our program is to establish
communication with the bi-lingual community who need training and
employment opportunities, enrollment, all these soliciting blind
clients who wish to participate in this rehabilitation program will
be duly interviewed and evaluated. Orientation free training
orientation and evaluation of the capacity and dexterity of the
blind applicants. Insitutional training, use of the available
resource to rehabilitation and learning at school and to the worship.
Citizen Senior Program - recreational and social programs speciality
formulated for the blind senior citizens. Transportation - all the
blind clients will be transportated to and from the
activities of the Rehabil Cation Center and Recreational Programs of
Industrial Home for the Blind Foundation,Inc. Industrial Home
Foundation, Inc. is sponsored by the following institution. Miami
Buenos Vista Lions Club, Miami Tropician Lions Club, Miami Sunshine
Lions Club, Hialeah Lions Club, Sky Lake Lions Club.
Miami Havana Lions Club, Village Green Lions Club, Cuban Lions in
Exile , Latin Chamber of Commerce, Salesman Association of the State
of Florida, and ... Colegio, National De Periodistas De La Republica
De Cuba in Exile. The service given to the sightless at Industrial
5$
JAN 5 19?A
Home are several and deserve to be presented to all the persons
who are willing to cooperate. The primary service rendered is
Education, which is the key to open the Universe. We teach the
blind how to read, write and type using the Braille System. We
also teach them History, Geography, Music, Literature, Humanities,
English and Spanish. Second, we train them to be able to perform
a skilled trade and earn a salary, in one word, we rehabilitate
them. Third, we give them a place where they can work with the
confidence and efforts that everything will go well under the
attention of the Factory Supervisor. Fourth, under our Educational,
Cultural and Recreational Sessions, they can get together and
enjoy many good times with professional artists who visits them
and at the same time, they have the opportunity to show any artistic
aptitude they might have. Fifth, we serve them a free well balanced,
tasty, nutritious and healthy lunch. Please gentleman help us to
continue with this work because of love for the benefit of those
who live in the darkness. Thank you very much.
Mayor Ferre: Thank you very much Belaez.
Ms. Corraller: My name is Silva Corraller. I'm the Professor in
Industrial Home for the Blind. Well Mr. Belaez mostly have covered
what we teach in the Educational Program. Our most purpose is to
teach the braille method that is the reading and the typing for the
Blind. i•e also have courses in nutrition. We give them exercises
and a class in sensory so that they will be able to feel different
things and know what they are. We have about 25 students and 108
in the Recreational Department which Mr. Belaez mentioned that we
have professional people coming Poetry, Singers,or anything in the
professional area to entertain them. Our program has given them
a new view of life for the sightless. It has given them a new
opportunity and interest in their lives. It has changed them
completely far most of them and they feel at home. Our key words
there are love and understanding. We give them a lot of love and
understanding because that's one of the most important things in
human needs. At this time I am going to introduce one of the
Eraille Professor's Antonia Montilla, she teaches Braille and she
was in Cuba... In Cuba she was a professor at the Varona-Suarez,
School for the blind.
Ms. Montilla: Good Afternoon, my name is Antonia Montilla and I
was a Professor in the Blind School in Havana and here at the
Industrial home for the Blind has given me the opportunity to work
again and I'm glad with my profession in Braille teacher because
I help my fellow students and please I beg of you1your cooperation
with our program. Thank you very much.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, thank you.
Ms. Corraller: I'm going to introduce also a silent lady name
Elizabeth Hensing. She is going to tell you how she feel in the
Industrial Home.
Mayor Ferre: Alright. Ms. Hensing.
Ms. Hensing: Good Evening everybody. I'm glad to be here to let
you know how much I've enjoyed myself being in the Industrial
Home for the Blind. You know you lose sight, but you don't lose
everything and I lost my sight just walking through the house and
then later the right one failed me but I've never lost courage and
I'm so glad that I found this school because I learned to love each
one in there and I believe they love me and we have marvelous time
when we get together and I am thankful the only thing I am reaching
trying to learn Braille and also Spanish and I'm trying to learn how
to type, and I know I will be able to do it if I just keep faith.
Thank you.
Ms. Corraller: Ai.�ther member of the Industrial Home is Rafael
Alvarez.
Mr. Alvarez: Well, I've been over there in the Industrial Home
for the Blind and I like, everybody treats me right like I expect -to
59
JAN 5 1978,
and I treat them the same way and I like to do Braille and work.
I was born and raised in Tampa. I went to the State School for
the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine and then I came here I found
this place so I thank you.
Ms. Corraller: One of the things I want to speak about is our
Receptionist Blanca Gonzalez she is sightless and she needs work.
She's a very efficient woman. Let me present her to you.
Ms. Gonzalez: I am the Receptionist of the Hogar Industrial for
the Blind. I have been working in this country during 8 years
and today I am working in the Hogar Industrial very happy to
be useful to my people because there I help my fellows to get
and to deliver all the messages that we receive during the day.
and there are a few. I ask God and to the Mayor and to the
Commissioners and any other personalities to approve this plan
that will help a lot to the Blind people, and especially in my
particular case because the Receptionist plan is ending already.
Yes it's already ending. Thank you very much.
Mr. Vidal: I want to state that the Transportation for the Blind
we got it in part through Action that gives a very good service
and also through the boss that we got from a marathon through a
radio station of this city.
MayDr Ferre: Sir, did you understand what he said? He said that
he's very grateful because they got a boss from a radio station
which is... and that they're also very grateful to Action for
all the transportation that they get from Action for the Transport-
ation of the Blind.
Mr. Vidal: (Mayor Ferre translates) He wishes to thank Dr. Amando
La Casa of who also has been very helpful an states that
he has faith in the Commission's sense of justice and fairness in
helping these 2E blind people who are not asking for charity and
they don't want to be put in the posture of begging but all they
want is to Le able to live and work with dignity and that's all
that they're asking us to help them with.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Villaverde...
Mr. Villaverde: Even though we are in the ?omen's Liberation I
am allowed to speak first. ...
Mrs. Gordon: I got an idea Maurice, we ought to sell some tickets
we'll raise more money and then we allocate more. ... We're having
a good show. Seriously though, I think... Mr. Mayor, may I
ask you to please have all of the speakers who are speaking in
Spanish have them interpreted into English for the benefit of those
who do not speak Spanish please.
Mayor Ferre: Alright I'll tell you in the case Mr. Grassie I am
not going to attempt to be an interpreter any more so I would be
very grateful if you would get somebody to do the interpreting. ...
Mr. Grassie, I am requesting that you officially get an interpreter
for whoever needs it from the City of Miami staff. Marieta, this
is a very serious matter that's before us. Let the Manager provide
an interpreter. Now the chair rules that you have the right and he
has the right to answer. I'm saying that I think it's essential
that we give both individuals the right to speak we will have an
interpreter and I wbuld be most grateful if there would be no
interruptions for each speaker.
Ms. Fandino: Honorable Mayor, Honorable Commissioners,
istrative of the City of Miami.
TRANSLATOR: I'm sorry she's speaking too fast I cannot
from that in the speech she is speaking.
Rev. Gibson: Sir, we don't... Mr. Grasssie, let me sr;y something
I want the public to hear this. I'm sure those of us who don't
speak Spanish don't know one word of what he said. And let me tell
GO
this Admin-
translate
.IA N 5 1978
you what somebody said to me after I went out here that's why I
came back fired up as I did. That lady accused that agency of
having 25 people or there about on the pay roll who were not
actually accounted for. You see if we the Commission is going
to sit up here in judgment and make some decisions,we ought to
be intelligent. I just say that for the benefit of everybody.
I don't plan to let anybody make the decision for me. I want to
make my own decision and please I don't think you're guilty. I
am not judging you. That's not what I'm here for, ok, and sir,
that gentleman can't speak any better than that, you know what,
find somebody else. You got a lot of Latins on this staff.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, let's give it another try.
Ms. Fandino: (Interpreter) On the past September 24th I presented
a denunciation against Mr. Rafael Villaverde for misuse of that
administration...
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor, let me say something in English
because I think most of the people here understand. Mr. Mayor this
is a City Commission meeting. We are here trying to make some
damn important decisions. The atmosphere that is prevailing I
don't personally feel is condusive to the spending of a million
dollars. Now I'm going to say very simply if this atmosphere
continuesiI'm going to walk out of the room until such time as the
atmosphere returns to what it should be for the honest conducting
of good sound business judgment without I'm not going to be a party
to it.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, let's proceed.
Ms. Fandino: (Interpreter) After presenting the denunciation
Mr. Parkins invited me to his office and I went to see him. He
asked for my cooperation. He showed me a memorandum from Mr. Grassie
where it said that there had to be an investigation on the
Activity Centers. He then asked me for proof. He not only asked for
proof but there are more than 25 witnesses. Cubans and not employed
that accused Mr. Villaverde that confirmed all the accusations that
we have presented, fraud in reference to the food of the Elderly.
Mr. Villaverdc has never taken to bid the food. H. is serving 900
meals at this moment with another contract with another Catering
Corporation he would be able to serve with the same funds1,500 meals
a day instead of 900. Mr. Parkins tcld us that he could not --
Mr. Parkins indicated that he could not go into Mr. Bencomo's books,
the President of Construction Catering which for years have been
charging $1.45 for each meal, which demonstrates that the investigators
of the city could not say the truth of what is happening unless these
books can be seen. Mr. Parkins can ask her to provide him with the
list of employed and non -employed or the terrorist that met with
Mr. Villaverde after 5 P.M. She gave the list to Mr. Parkins and we
know that Mr. Parkins did not give to the denunciation that
these people, that several people made to him, that these people are
risking their lives by doing this. Mr. Villaverde indicated that it
is true that terrorist do visit. He does not say that this is
untrue, saying that these people go to see him for his spiritual
help and social services, and I asked Mr. Parkins who I wish would
stand up . Mr. Parkins with all of my respect, I consider you a
decent and honest person that is why I ask that you answer to this
question. The list of the terrorist that I gave you were they elderly
older than 60 years old or were they younger people?
Mr. Parkins: To my recollection most of them -- Mr. Mayor to my
recollection they were below the 60 years of old.
Rev. Gibson: What was that
Mr. Parkins: To my recollection I believe they were not in the
elderly category.
(INTERPRETER) She did not give their specific ages really.
Mayor Ferre: I don't understand. What I don't understand is that
JAN 5 1978
are recipients of food and in the program?
Mr. Parkins: They were people alleged to have visited with
Mr. Villaverde.
Mayor Ferre: But, you know, people that visit there is not really
whats to remain to the question. The question is...
Mr. Plummer: Let me tell you what she's trying to bring out. That
they were not of an age to qualify them to be there for food;that
they were there for another reason that's what she's trying to
bring out.
Mayor Ferre: Ah,.. My question is they're not recipients of food
in other services?
Mr. Plummer: In other words, what she's saying is they're 26,
they're 27 years of age they were not there as senior citizens
to be fed they were there for another purpose, that's her
allegation.
Ms. Fandino: (Interpreter) Mr. Villaverde says that there exists
a desire to harm the Activity Center. I would never permit it,
because it is a program with a great amount of local, federal,
and state funds used to cover the necessities of the humble and of
the small minorities but it is 1,250,000.00 that well administered,
honestly administrated should honestly serve double the amount of
aged being served actually by Little Havana Activity Center.
I understand that our presence should clear our situation in
reference to these denunciations is correct because it is the
Commissioners, the Mayor and the City Administrator and 'r. Parkins
are the ones that have tc watch that these monies be honestly used.
Both reports from the city and the state report in reference
to the fraud of Mr. Villaverde the naming of the terrorist of
Mr. Villaverde . Eoth reports of the city and the state report
HRS three agencies partly exonerate ''r. Vi1laverde,but these reports
have no value until the FEl finis.'. ttleir investigation which (as she
understands it will produce fraud and other worst situations). This
agency the one that must exonerate Mr. Villaverde. If that happens
with the proof that we have we shall take Mr. Villaverde to court.
Tr. Villaverde: Honorable Mayor, honorable members of the Commission,
Mr. Manager. I am going to first speak in English and then I'm going
to make a short translation. Number one, I want to thank the City
of Miami Commission for providing us funds in the past three years
to serve hot meals for the elderly, transportation of social services.
Number two, the statistics show that we have been monitored for
every quarter and it shows positive reports. If we speak in a
vacuum and nothing judge against I could say that for the same price
I could serve not 1,000 meals or with the same money but 3,000 meals.
The fact is that with the smallest budget of the three main Senior
Centers Programs we have the largest case loads and the best monitory
reports therefore I think we're doing pretty good for the funds
that are made available to us and that's not my opinion or the
opinion of my detractors who now fights in the subject matter.
Number three we've been audited by professional auditors since the
first day of the program. Every financial statement made by our
agency to any of our funding sources has been found to be correct.
Number four, I am not going to judge who is what and let me correct
and here's the Commission that request our assistance during the
fishermen program that our agency had to go out and serve the people
that were affected by the ban on the lobster fishermen during the —
1974 and 1975 and constantly we are also providing services out-
side when the Tri-Cultural Program from the City of Miami Police
Department to go out and recruit minorities where was the center?
Our Little Havana Activity Center, how many people on a daily basis
go to the center? The one at 12th, around 500, 600 persons and am
I there to check everybody and say are you a terrorist, or you this,
or you that"? And we have to remember that we are serving an exile
community of 80% our case load and our people are happy and the
only people that go there to terrorize the senior citizens everybody
there knows who it is and to make sure I do not like the way that
this program problem has been handled. It should not come here and
62
JAN 5 1979
express all the points of view which is just detrimental to the
program. I think that professional evaluators were doing the
evaluations and they continue to do so. I think that auditors
from the FBI are familiar. They do their job. I don't complain
the only thing I do complain is to be judged in a mud slinging
campaign with no facts whatsoever to back them up. In the name
of the 1,400 persons that are receiving services from our agency
I just have to say thank you very much and let's hope that we
continu= your confidence and with your support. Thank you
very much.
Mayor Ferre: Ladies and gentlemen...
Ms. Fandino: (Interpreter) She says that his program does the
most in the city. How can not his program work if it has 1.2
million, how much money does the Puerto Rican get, why?
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor, if you can't control this meeting let's
take a recess.
Mayor Ferre: This meeting is going to continue if you want to
walk out you're perfectly free to do that. Go ahead and finish
your statement.
'is. Fandino: (Interpreter) I spoke about terrorist who meet
after 5 P.M.,not about Cuban Fishermen. He knows how much he had
tc pay the auditors...
Mayor Ferre: Alright, alright now, enough is enough and I would
be very grateful if you would all sit down. Alright the last
speaker that we have1i think Armando La Casa wanted to make a
summation here and after that you want to speak? Let's see if we
can get Mr. Plummer and Mrs. Gordon back.
?.r. Juste: Thank you Mr. Mayor, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioners
I'm going to able anymore the emotion that I draw...
Mr. r.gie : Your name please.
Mr. Juste: ?My name is Mr. Vida Juste and I'm from the Haitian
Community and Chairman of HACAD. Today I'm not going anymore on
the emotion that I brought when I spoke the first time on behalf
of the Haitian Children for a Day Care Center in Edison Little
River Area. The Day Care Center has been underlined as first
priority by CAA Community Action Agency and I understand in the
name of the children living in this area it was very necessary.
We understand that this Day Care Center wasn't, the fund was not
recommended because ... the city doesn't want to open up any-
more, to fund any new business. Some other people say there is a
lack of money. We do understand that nobody can deny or say yes
about the power of politics or the weakness of fund where we come
to the point of funding. But in the meantime we understand that
those funds must be taken into consideration, but on the same
behalf if I must refer my staff to the last Miami City Election
when so much was said about getting groups together. About coming
up to the needs of the needy. I understand and I keep hope that
lack of funds of politics won't prevail where need for the needy
can be seen so easily. In this respect Commissioner and Mr. Mayor
I am quitesure that somewhere, somehow you will find some way so
we can get a Day Care Center that we don't have. Again to see
nlJ� children dying in bad conditions that they should be done under the
50 stars of United States flag. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: Thank you. Alright we have Mr. M. Cruz of Allapattah
Community Development...
Mr. Cruz: My name is M. Cruz. I live in 1227 N.W. 26th Street in
Allapattah in the city and I come here today let's say as a taxpayer.
I've been here many times already. I would hate to see any cut-
back in any of these programs you got here with revenue sharing,
the revenue sharing being those programs is called
Little Havana Activity Center, Borinquen Health Clinic, Culmer
C3
JA N 5 7978
Tenant Association, The Haitian Program, Nicky Cruz, Youth Co -Op,
all of them, because I would like to see the Commissioners to use
the same criteria for their decision, the same criteria they use
at the time of the budget hearings when a lot of city employees
were going to be laid off. At the time, I remember being here
and I saw very few taxpayers here, very few, maybe, 4 or 500 city
employees here, the same thing in Bayfront Park that Saturday and
Monday. The only problem that those meetings happened dust before
election time, just before election time. So they put the
political_ pressure on the Commissioners, even though most of those
workers don't even live, or don't even vote in the City of Miami
and today I know that most of the people here, about 99% of the
people they don't work for the City of Miami, they pay taxes and
they live and they receive the benefits from the social service
providing the different agencies that receive money from the City
of Miami. How many here are city employees here?You the Commissioners,
you suppose to represent the people of the City of Miami being
taxpayers, not taxpayers, voters, no voters, Black, Cuban, Americans
purple, white, whatever , you suppose to represent them, right?
And, not the organized minorities -- I remember that night here
consultants from FIU, all these high paid lobbyist came here with a
bunch of figures and numbers and all that, they told the Administrator
and the Budget to find the money, not to lay off those people. Now
you're going to cut , how: much ... few dollars and $18,000 from
Allapattah YMCA, $18,000 a fireman, or sanitation worker gets more
than $18,000 from the City of Miami, right? I bet it cost more
between pension... Now the Police Chief, Chief Watkins, he's going
to retire, how much is going to be his retirement - $28,000 or
$30,000 a year, plus maybe a consultants people coming back here,
how much money, uh? All that money we're paying for that money.
Now these people here they pay for that money too because they live
in houses in the City of Miami and they pay taxes to the City of
Miami. Let then; receive some benefits. They all pay federal taxes
too, and this money is coming from federal revenue sharing. Now
I am going to be brief please. There have been some talk about
here now beside: the point. In talking about political influence
on the people being investigated, whatever, and I will say there
is a lot of inuendo and heresay in all that's been said because so
far I haven't seen any proo. I've seen a lot of trials by the
press in all thesF. things and one thing I'm going to tell you,
don't keep on giving anymore ammunition to the force that want to
detroy the City of Miami because if we keep on giving pretty soon
we won't have a City of Miami here. That's all I have to say.
Thank you.
In the name of Mr. Vidal from the Industrial Home
for the Blind. We are very thankful to Mr. Villaverde for the blind
having a very nice hot lunch, nutritious everyday.
Mr. Bowe: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission. My name is
Freddie Bowe. I reside at 10800 S.W. 221 Street. I make sure
I explained where I reside because it so happens to be where over
85% of my time happens to be spent in the City of Miami. So I just
want to make that clear, but however, and I can understand what's
going on here today similarly because I happen to be one,because of
you and because of these taxpayers here who made it possible over
the years when before the proverty program and all these funds
became available,now where everybody is fighting, when we were the
ones out here carrying the burden of the load and when the proverty
program first started they gave us a pencil and a yellow pad and said
go out there and work, and so I can very well understand what's
happening right here. The part that I want to address myself to
I hope, I hope that in the mechanism that is used for the equality
which is known as justice.that,that same scale is measured for one
phase of justice is measured for another. I say that for what its
worth, but let me say what I'm going to say,the gentleman that came
up here before me which was talking abcut a program known as HACAD.
Many of you don't know the name of what that mean, But it means
it's a Haitian Program and to many people when you talk about a
Haitian Program,they are led to believe that all Haitian are refugees
and I would beg to differ with you simply because in the City of
Miami and if you disagree with me do your research you'll find it
64
1
'JAN 5 1978
a
to be true. We have in the City of Miami a large group of nat-
uralized citizens of Haitians that live in the City of Miami and
not only live there they're actively involved, they're involved
in the polls as well, but I'm saying that I know that you the
Commissioners, the recommendations from your staff and all that
if you all today with the amount of money that is before you and
the requests, if you all worked that outrl would say that you all
the better genius than those who be in those meetings when we
go to Atlanta and go to Washington. All I'm saying is that the
scale of justice that is used,please let that scale be equal to
one as well as the rest. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, now I assume that there is only one speaker
left. Is that correct, are there any other speakers at this time?
And after that ladies and gentlemen I don't want you get angry at
me I am going to close off the public portion of this meeting and
I will not recognize any other member of the public to speak. Is
that clearly understood? Does anybody else want to be heard at
this time? Alright, you're the last speaker.
I)r. La Casa: For the record, Armando La Casa, 1408 S.E. Bayshore
Dr. Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission. It's been a long day
so I am not going to be repetitious about what has been said here.
As the Chairman of the Little Havana Community Development Program
I am primarily here to protest for the proposed cut in the existing
program serving the Little Havana Area basically four programs.
Action Community Center, a transportation program is an essential
element in our community. It serves not only Little Havana, A- 'on
serves the entire City of Miami and has been doing a very good
service, a service that is needed and that has been improving with
the times. Little Havana Activity Center has given much more than
a plate of food to the elderly,has been giving them a reason to live,
has been giving them activities, something to do, something to feel
rewarded for. Youth Co -Op and Nicky Cruz both programs in the respect-
ed fields are serving effectively our youth community. Still the
proposition is to cut this down from 21% that was what Little Havana
received last year down to 12%, and I was going to stop there, but
we have another very important program here before today and that
is the POCP program and even though, PCP program (the Puerto Rican
Opportunity Center Program)and even though I am speaking now here
as Chairman: of Little Havana I have had a lot of experience with this
particular program as Director of SABER. The program has been
highly effective and needless to say that the discontinuation of
this program will cost a tremendous setback, not only to the Puerto
Ricans but for the City of Miami in its entirety. We have to keep
a balance and we have to keep all the ethnic backgrounds here well
served. We have enjoyed a very good relationship with them so far,
and here I have detected today a very dangerous trait that a division
has been tried and this Commission has to avoid and this is not a
matter of dollars and cents. This is a matter of living together
in intergrated community for the benefit of all, and then to stop
here will be short of fairness. We have the Culmer people here
and in short we have the entire City of Miami. So we have talked
about needs and they exist and they are here to prove that. We
have talked about services and these services has been given and
they can be proved and the City of Miami through the staff could
give technical assistance whatever needed. We have talked about
accusations here and I quite frankly fail to see that this is the
appropriate place to talk about that. We have investigated agencies
in this community of ours at all levels that can deal with that
and to indict a particular agency in this particular moment is very
undesirable because the only people will suffer the consequences
of this show that we have seen today here are these people here
that are the ones that are being served and the others that are
suffering this is the City of Miami whose prestige is at stake here.
So with this I am going to enter, to submit to you what I feel are
constructive suggestions to solve the problem. We have a limited
amount of money with what Community Affairs, Department of the
City of Miami have tried and I believe has done its best. Still
that doesn't solve our problem. I propose to this Commission
consideration to two possibilities. We are in this predicament
today. I would say so because of a certain degree of short sight-
ness last year and now Mr. Plummer I have to say that I understand
well your concern for fiscal programs. Last year we had one
million dollars allocated for ree ue sharing funds to that half a
0145
JAN 5 1978
million dollars more were added. That money came from reserved
monies from 1976-77 fiscal year that we were supposed to use in
this 77-78 year. I have here a memorandum, what it says also
included was,this memorandum is from Howard Gary, Director of
Department of Management Services, Joseph Grassie, City Manager,
is dated August 22, 1977 and it says also included was $2,330,000
reserved in FY-77 for use in rY-78 that is this year as a
contribution to the general fund. This money is no longer avail-
able. One of the reasons because we are in this predicament today
is because those monies that were supposed to be used this year
has been spent. One particular item last year, the After School
Program, the Day Care Program After School sponsored by the
School Board of Dade County accounted for $200,000 and if that
were not sufficient for us for this city which is in precarious
financial conditions. We have to give them 70, at least$70,000
additional dollars to the School Board of Dade County for community
school at the expense of the needs, precarious needs of the City
of Miami, but this doesn't stop here. We give to the School Board
$465,000.
Mayor Ferre: No, that's not correct. You're talking about the
Police Program?
Dr. La Casa: Yes.
Mayor Ferre: No, we only give half of that.
Dr. La Casa: This doesn't come out of revenue sharing monies
Mr. Mayor. This is the police program which are city monies after
all.
Mayor Ferro: Wq, only pay for half of that.
Dr. La Casa: Oh yes, that was what I was going to say. We are
supposed to pay only for half of that. We are supposed to pay only
for half of that. We are supposed to pay for half of the $465,000
that this program costed, but we paid the whole thing because the
School Board of Dade County has not reimbursed to this time this
money to the City of Miami.
Mayor Ferre: What, is that right?
Mr. Grassie: For last year that's correct Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Ferre: Now wait a moment there was a specific commitment
by the School Board. This is the first thing that this has come
out in the public light. Have you, wait a moment, you've been
telling ... you didn't tell me, wait a minute, have you informed
this Commission of that Plummer?
Mr. Plummer: I told them last year and I told them ...
Mayor Ferre: This is the first time that I have ever heard, I may
be death but I want to ask the rest of this Commission, have you
heard before that the School System was not paying their 500?
Rose did you know that?...
Dr. La Casa: So here we have this situation with the School Board
of Dade County and still this year we don't have enoug:i federal
revenue sharing monies to solve the needs of our community in these
social program areas. We have these experiences with the School
Board of Dade County on two accounts the $465,000 plus the $270,000
we gave them last year. In spite of an adverse recommendation by
the city staff that both programs should not be funded with revenue
sharing monies. I have the memorandum here dated September 29, 1976
and let me underline one more thing here in this program. One, a
school•of those whose program which this program serves is not even
within the City of Miami limits,ok. One of them is not even with-
in the City of Miami limits.
Mayor Ferre: What school is that?
66
JAN 5 1979
Dr. La Casa: I don't know because it doesn't say here. I am going
to read from an of official memorandum and it says includes one
school that is outside of the City of Miami limits with only one
of the remaining two schools located in a City of Miami target area.
So only two schools.
Mrs. Gordon: Are you talking about Carver? Carver is in Coconut
Grove graphically it lies half way between Coral Gables. The
school is built on the line between the two but I think that's
what you're talking about.
Dr. La Casa: I am reading from the memorandum Mrs. Gordon.
Mrs. Gordon: I know. I realize that. You're reading it from a
memorandum. I'm just giving you the information.
Dr. La Casa: Sc here we have that in spite of all this when this
year we're faced with another shortage of monies to solve our
problems. We have another recommendation for $200 additional
thousand dollars to the School Board here again. So we don't
have money for the Blacks and we don't have money for POCP and we
don't have money for transportation in Little Havana and in the
City of Miami and we do not have money for Culmer, but we still
have an additional S200,000 here again for the School Board of
Dade County who do not even honor their obligation toward the
City of Miami by paying their half share of the $465,000. So here
Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission we have a possibility of
looking into $200,000 to help alleviate the situation that we are
facing now, and I am going to suggest another possibility1another
funding source the City of Miami Community Development Program has
been always very reluctant to fund social service programs. You
will note that I have come before this Commission several times
on this subject. Two years ago this Commission reversed an
Administration recommendation in this particular area. Last year
Community Development funded social programs in the City of Miami
with only 5.79c, of their available monies. This year recommendation
is again the same 5.7`_ cf the available monies. Still according to
the act we can go up to 20° and let me tell you that 20% or 15=a or
even 10;; of the City of Miami Community Development monies and a
lot of money because every year the City of Miami gets more money
from Community Development. So there you have another possibility
to subsidize whatever lack of funds we might find to help solve
this predicament in which we are in revenue sharing cronies. The
only alternative that I suggest to you that you don't take is to
cut down programs that are now serving our city and if possible to
try to help other agencies that has come with a track record and
with good ideas and good proposals because human services are very
necessary and here is an example today of what this means to these
people that has been here since 9:00 o'clock in the morning, and I
want to finalize my appeal to you by saying that this not only
applies to monies and to tangible services it goes further than that.
We live in a tri-ethnic community. We want to live well intergrated
and happy altogether and I as Chairman of Little Havana will not
live to see and will oppose the funding of any Little Havana Program
at the expense of the Puerto Rican Programs or at the expense of
the Culmer Programs because we get it all or we don't get nothing.
Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, now you want to be heard were you here when
I asked , are there any other speakers? You were not here?
Ms. Wilson: No I wasn't in the room.
Mayor Ferre: I see, alright then I will recognize you and this will
be the last speaker. Are there any other speakers? Now, I will not
recognize anybody else. Go ahead.
Ms. Wilson: My name is Anne Wilson, 3710 Battersea Rd., the City of
Miami. I'm with the Child Care Committee of the City of Miami.
Mr. La Casa spoke of the $200,000 that we do not give to the School
Board but we contract with the School Board to take care of approx-
imately 1,000 children in the City of Miami in Black, Latin and 80
67
JA N 5 1978
41
born American -White, none does a native born black- Latin-
American, native born white and any body else that comes along
because it's open to everyone. Mow this not only serves 1,000
children at a very low fee but it makes it possible for all
their parents to work and stay off the welfare roll so that is
not a program that is not serving the City of Miami and I think
that you will agree with me on that, that money is well spent.
Thats a 1,000 children that are not running the streets with
keys around their neck, they're not getting in trouble every
afternoon after school, they are being cared for, they're being
enriched, they're basically, I think the bulk of the children
are latin and the balance are Black -Americans and White -Americans,
so I think that we ought to get the record straight about the
$200,000 that does serve all the residents of the City of Miami.
Mrs. Gordon: Anne, would you also explain about the Community
School Program?
Ms. Wilson: Well, the $70,000 is the Community School Program
that serves citizens of all ages. There are thousands and thousands
of people who participate in that of all nationalities, races,
creeds, colors, and ethnic groups, as well as monitory level and
the community schools are a very important part of our function
of our city.
Mayor Ferre: Anne, let me ac}: you a question?
Ms. Wilson: Sure.
Mayor Ferre: The Day Care Programs how many thousands are being
served in that program?
?'.s. Wilson: We have 150 children and I would say out of that
another 800 to 900 people are served because they are people working
because those children are in Day Care.
Mayor Ferre: That's the program they got Y300,000 last year that's
earmarked for '200 and...
Ms. Wilson: 212 I thin}: this year.
Mayor Ferre: 212...
Ms. Wilson: Yes, Mr. Mayor ar: long as you brought that up...
While you brought up that subject because of their very, very
accurate and good way of operating that program there was a balance
of funds left over and as I remember three or four months ago, the
Commission directed the City Manager to find out about putting out
bids to expand those centers so that we could bring the cost per
child down. I hate to see that money go back in general funds when
it could be set aside to expand those centers and bring our cost
per child down. We did a study which you got in January showing
you that we could drop the cost per child greatly by adding on to
those centers that we already have. So I would hope that you would
look to not putting that money in the general fund but keeping it
aside for that purpose.
Mayor Ferre: Anne, if one of those programs had to go which do
you feel is the more important of the two?
Ms. Wilson: I couldn't say sir. I think it's important that
children stay off the streets and be taken care of no matter what
age.
Mayor Ferre: I think it's important that people get hot meals and
that they get transported and that the blind have little programs
and all the other things because they're all important.
Ms. Wilson: But Mayor, these people work because their children
are somewhere and ...
Mayor Ferre: These people don't work and don't eat some of them.
68
JAN 5 1978
Ms. Wilson: Well, these people wouldn't be working either and
maybe wouldn't be eating if we didn't have those centers. We have
to have them. You heard the Haitians they want them, they have
to work. We can't have everybody on welfare who have children
that somebody has to take care of these children because when they
get to the age where they get in trouble they cost us 13 to
$15,000 a year to keep them in a reformatory or a prison.
Mayor Ferre: I realize that and it's all a question of balancing
you know, we'd like to do an awful lot of things. The problem
as I see it is that unfortunately we have limited funds and we
can't dio everything and so therefore we have to weigh out how
many people are served by for example, the Culmer, the Tenant
Association, how many people, ..,
Ms. Wilson: They're a worthy program too.
Mayor Ferre: They all are worthy. How many people are served
by Action? How many people are served by all these different
programs, by P;,C: , now you know does it cost $50.00 a person to
serve or $100.00, a $1,000, S15,000, $2,000 and what is it that
we're getting in return for that. because the requirements in
this community are not S1,200,000. The true requirements are
$15,000,020 or $20,000,000 and the request for almost S5,000,000
so the problem is you know a group of people came to see me
yesterday about a program and they were a group of ministers and
I listened to them very patiently and then I said to them,let me
tell you what the dilemma is, you're all preachers, you're all
ministers, you're men of the cloth let me put it to you this
way, there are 20 people that are requesting things for their
livelihood in a little lonely island and there's only food for
15. Now what the Commission is going to be doing tomorrow is
.deciding who are the 15 that are going to live out of the 20 and
that's a terrible, terrible situation to be in and that's basically
you know as Rose Gordon told me when I talked to her the other day)
she said , we're going, no matter what we do everybody is going to
be angry, because those that get didn't get enough and those that
don't get are upset because they didn't get, and there's just no
way that we're going te be able to alleviate; so it isn't a question
as to how many people clap or how many people make noise or boob --
or come down and pressure us or who is doing what to who. I
think the key becomes what our priorities are number one, and number
twothat it be balanced. Let all of the community be served and
number three as I see it is that we get the most stretch out of a
dollar, that we serve as many people as well as we can and that's
just my---- -
Mrs. Gordon: I would like very much to express myself without
antagonizing anybody on this Commission. I find it exceedingly
difficult to not antagonize with what I'm going to say. However,
I'm going to say it. You know in the Day Care Programs, the After
School Care Programs. There is no specific individual or individuals
to whom you can point and say remember I funded your program, you
know. They're just little kids, little kids before school and
little bigger kids that need to be in a safe environment so their
parents can work and we don't even know who the parents are. We
don't really care. We want the kids to be safe. We don't want to
take away anything that will kecp a young child from having a good
start in life. That's all children,black children, white children,
latin children, City of Miami has made national history because
they have started Day Care Centers where all these little children
play together and work together and learn together and grow up
together and get ready to go to school together. Do you know what
that does for this community's relationship? Do you know what that
does for a understanding in this community? You can't measure that
in dollars, there's no way, no way. There's just no way.
Ms. Wilson: Well, I don't, I think if you're looking at client
ratio you have to look at the effect that these centers have had
on the neighborhoods around them as well. They've brought in
young people from the neighborhood who have gotten interested in
the centers and worked in them, the volunteers, the parents, the
69
JAN 5 1978
1
grandparents. I went to a program at Christmas time at
Shenandoah and there were a couple of hundred people there. They
weren't all parents, it was the neighborhood as well. It's
brought the neighborhood together and if the neighborhood is
tyrant, I think it's brought them together, I think
its brought them together and it serves not only those children
in each center but everybody around them.
Mrs. Gordon: Indeed it does. Co I don't think Mr. La Casa"s
solution, is a solution. It's simply saying shall we cut our
right arm off or our left arm off, which arm do we want to lose?
I don't think we can afford to lose either arm.
Mayor Ferre: Well, we might have a solution for this. Let me,
let's pursue some discussion here and we're through with the
public portion of this so this is now discussion amongst the
Commission and I don't want anybody getting angry at me I will
not recognize anybody else to speak. The public hearing is now
over. Alright now Mr. Grassie, how much are we going to get in
Community Development Funds this coming year?
Mr. Grassie: In round figures just over ten million dollars.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, now if we went up from 5.7 to 10 you
basically have 3 to;400,000 available. Now, if you fund your
secondary list which is what everybody or not everybody but
95`, of the people that are hereon you're talking about 213,000,
is that correct? And, if we go to '220,000, let's say S225 to
round it off you're talking about perhaps adding ... maybe 2cc,
2- of the - going from 5.7 to 7.7 in C.D. Funds.
Mr. Reboso: And, we solve the problem to everybody.
Mr. Grassie: Commissioner, I'm sorry, did you ask a question?
Xr. kebosc. ;o, no, _ didn't.
Mayor Terre: _ as:e.1 a question and _ asked it of you.
Mr. Grassie: Mr. Mayor, there is one thing that I would want to
clear up for you and for myself basically and that is whether or
not there is a new restriction on the use c` C.D. monies which has
taken effect in the last year. I seem to 1-....member that there is.
Are you telling me there is? Ok. Maybe I ought to ask Don, he
seems to remember this.
Mr. Horne: In my discussions with Dena Spillman, who is the
Administrator of the Community Development Program, she informs
me that social service programs recommended for C.D. funding would
have to relate to physical improvement programs in the same area
funded also by Community Development Funds.
Mr. Grassie: Let's interpret that and go through it again. The
rules have been changed as I understand them this way. You cannot
fund a social service program unless it relates to and supports
a physical improvement program which is the basic purpose of the
C.D. grant monies. In other words, the Task Force of Citizens
has to recommend a physical improvement program and they have to
judge that in support of that physical improvement one of the
things that's necessary is a software or a social program to make
the physical improvement successful.
Mayor Ferre: Well, let me ask you this, for example, in the
Little Havana Area we're building the Little Havana Activity
Center. We're building a new building, is that correct?
Mr. Grassie: That is correct.
Mayor Ferre: One of the things that are going to happen in that
new building is that we're going to house such programs as those
blind people that were here and Action for transportation purposes
and others. Now, under that interpretation are you telling me
1:0
JAN51978
•
that therefore they are compatible is that what we're using the
C.D. funds for?
Mr. Grassie: Well, I have not made a judgment one way or another
with regard to those programs. What I am saying to you is that
if in judging what it takes to make the physical development
successful you conclude that you need to have that social service
program then it is fundable. Otherwise it would not be.
Mayor Ferre: What are we building the building fo:, if it isn't
for exactly that purpose?
Mr. Grassie: Well Mayor you're asking rhetorical questions and
I presume that what you want is an evaluation, a serious evaluation
of whether or not we can make these programs fundable, but I want
to give you an off the top of my head kind of answer, maybe we can.
Mayor Ferre: Let me tell you where I'm at, I would like to in
addition to the recommended S505,90E.19 the proposed agency funding
for the ( is that right)? Am I reading the figures right here,
proposed funding? Page 23, the proposed funding is S1,043,053
for a total including the unexpected City of Miami Day Care Funds
of S1,17 ,053, but I'm recommending (this is my particular feeling
on this is that we increase that by S220,000 which basically would
include the proposed secondary recommendation and therefore the
total funding would be h1,333,000.
Mrs. Gordon: Donny, where is your secondary list, what page?
Mr. Horne: Secondary funding list wa7, included in the package
distributed to you on December 9th which I gave you a copy of
Mrs. Gordon.
Mrs. Gordon: And, the page?
Mr. Horne:
Fage 50, I believe it is.
Mr. Parkins: Fage 49 Commissioner.
Mr. Plummer: Er. Mayor since you have the figures can I see the
breakdown of what would be included in that i220,000?
Mayor Ferre: Well, it's .. .
Mr. Horne: That's December 9th report that was distributed to you.
Mayor Ferre: Well, the question is not right now where is the
money going to be spent because we can get into that in a second.
The question is where is the money coming from, and what I'm saying
is that it comes from increasing the social ... Now Mr. Grassie
let me put it to you this way I'd like for the Commission just to
follow me on this for a second. Rose, if we were able to spend
5.7% of C.D. funds last year for social programs then I think
obviously I haven't heard that that's been started, so we're spend-
ing 5.7% this year. Now 5.7% of last year is a lot less than 5.7%
of this year because last year from C.D. funds we got, what,
six million dollars, seven?
Mrs. Gordon: I'd like to know what programs we're funding with
that?
Mr. Grassie: In the year as I recall we got 8.5. I believe 8.5
last year.
Mayor Ferre:
0o we went from 8.5 to 10.
Mr. Grassie: A little over Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Ferre: So 5.7 of the additional million and a half is got
to be another 70 or 80,000 right there and if you can do it for
5.7 my question is why can't you do it for 6.7? Because there is
no restrictions. As I remember the restriction was that 20%
- ,IAN � 1978
restriction which we debated on. I think I don't know... where
is Armando La Casa? As you recall and I think that was before
when Paul Andrews, that was Paul Andrews's last budget, you came
before this Commission and made a big todo about that same point
and we debated it and it finally carve out that you were correct
and that's how we ended up adopting a 5.7% of C.U. funds for
social programs, now are you telling me that that is no longer
allowable? Is Dena Spillman available to clarify that or can
you do that?
Mr. Parkins: She's not here right now Mr. Mayor. She's out-of-
town.
Mayor Ferre: Well, is there anybody in the Administration that
can?
Mr. Parkins: I think I can.
Mr. Grassie: Yes Mr. Parkins can clarify it if you would like.
Mr. Parkins: If you can re -state your question for me I'll attempt
tc..
Mayor Ferre: Well here's my question Dick. Three years ago, three
budgets ago, we had a big discussion, when we first got Community
Development Funds about a clause in there that permitted up to
20', of the funds to be expended for social programs.
Mr. Parkins: In support of physical improvement activities.
Mayor Ferre: In support of physciai improvement activities and at
that time Mr. Andrews very emphatically fought against that because
and I understand his point, that those monies be earmarked for
physical imprcvem'_nts and developments, but after the presentation
of the community needs there was a compromise made which is what
we've ended up adapting in the past two budgets and that is the
use of up to 5.7 of tho Community Development Funds given to the
city for social programs. My question is out of the proposed
$1,173,000 including added to that $218,000 that's in the secondary
list and I'm rounding it off to 220, if that were added is there
sufficient funds so that we could get that additional money that
we've added which is $220,000 out of the CD's which as I quickly
would calculate it in view of the fact CD funds have increased from
8.5 to 10 million would be gcing from 5.7 to maybe 7c.
Mr. Parkins: There is not an easy answer to your question. I am
not aware of what the secondary categories are. I don't know
whether or not there would end Community Development Target Areas.
Mayor Ferre: Is that an alternative?
Mr. Parkins: It is an alternative sir but I can't answer you at
this point as to whether or not it's a viable alternative. One
other point if I may, and that is that we're talking about different
funding years. My impression is that we're talking about funding
now of $220,000. We are currently in the planning phase for fourth
year monies. Those dollars don't become available until July of
this year. We would have to look at constituencies of existing
CD dollars and we're getting fairly tight in all of the projects
have not been started and it may mean that we have to cut back on
the scale of an existing project.
Mayor Ferre: To Mr. Grassie then comes the question as to whether
or not this alternative has been in anyway pursued since obviously
it must be clear to you that we did use that alternative in the past.
Mr. Parkins: If I may Mr. Mayor,there is one other response that
I must make. The draft guidelines for Community Development which
are expected to be issued sometime this month or earlier next month
speak to not being able to substitute Community Development dollars
for other dollars in the provision of software services.
JAN 5 1978
We have I think a problem if we're talking about substituting
CD dollars for other dollars for social service programs. In
the draft guidelines they're suggesting that that's not possible.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor, in view of the fact that that question
is I think, there and paramount to us and we go in the direction
of taking this list you're talking about,plus what we have here
recommendedyclean it up, make no firm decisions, make no decision,
we meet next week, and not have a public discussion, but as far
as humanly possible)deal with this and also deal with this, clean
up the figures, and as many programs as we can possibly do based
on what you was saying Mr. Mavor,let's do it.
Mrs. Gordon: Furnish us with the ones that were funded with
CD last year so we may be knowledgeable about which agencies and
what they were getting monies for.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Lopez, I'll use you as a guinea pig. What is
your bottom line for the Health Care Center? What's your bottom
line that you can operate on? Come to the microphone.
Mr. Lopez: T P"tress tc your employees and discussion with ?",r.
Parkins and some of them �40,000.
Mayor Ferre: How much?
Mr. Lopez: 5140,000. Last year we operated with $27,500.
Mayor Ferre: Listen you're about to lose me. Mr. Lope: you're
about to lose me. You're just about to lose me. You're not going
to count on my vote in just about thirty seconds, because you and
I talked about this and you didn't tell me anv $40,000. I made a
statement to you that there was plenty of room for the bears and
plenty of room for the bulls but no rooms for the pigs and I just
want you to be realistic about what it is that you're talking about.
I don't remember any S40,000.
Mr. Lope:: Mr. Ferre, with all respect to you sir. I have been
having conversation with your staff for about a year in which they
had said to me that there won't be any monies available through
revenue sharing, that the programs like PCP have been funded was
going to try change some of the funds that we received, all my
employees are through C.L.T.A. All regular funds that I have for
operational funds. Would you allow me to express to you ...
Mayor Ferre: Emilio I don't blame you for trying but this is not
the time for that because we don't have that much room. Now when
you talked before, this morning,Father Gibson was just reminding me
that you said that your bottom line was $27,000 which is what you
got last year.
Mr. Lopez: Wait a minute Mayor Ferre. When I sat down with your
staff and explained to them that all my employees are C.E.T.A.
positions;that I have operational funds and they only make $10,000
I have people with PHD's and lawyers that are making $10,000 that
is allowable that some of the operational funds to be able to give
some raises to these people. Let me explain to you what I've been
talking to your employees. Now they told me what is my bottomline
and it was about 3 or 4 months ago I spoke to Mr. Parkins then he
came back to me when I found out that this program was not going to
be funded, I said, if they're going to take the only program that
we have for Puerto Ricans descent. Ok, out of this budget the only
funds that we received from anywhere in this city and this county
I said to them I would like to have at least so I can operate the
same amount of money that I'm receiving now. That was my statement
but the money that I need to operate this center and the proper
way so I'll be able to give a raise to my employees and because
the rent is going up acid other things that was it. I'm giving you
the answer that I spoke to your employees.
Mayor Ferre: Dr. Barrell I see that you're here and as I recall
you're a Vice -President of United Way in a rather important and
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JAN 5 1978
1
responsible position. As I understand it you have close to a
million dollars from the state for C.E.T.A., is it ?Manpower
funds? Now is it the intention of the United Way to go through
a procedure of evaluating some of the requirements, that perhaps
you might be able.. I'm thinking specifically of the Puerto Rican
Opportunity Center and the Health... If for example, we were to
come up with the $27,000 for POCP would it he possible that you
could study, I know you can't make a commitment now because you
don't make that decision you have committees and all that kind of
stuff, but is it possible that perhaps some of these things might
be supplemented?
Dr. Barrell: Well, Mr. Mayor as you have indicated even though
I'm Executive Vice -President of United Wav I do have a Board and
I do have other individuals that we have to discuss this matter
with but we will be happy to do so.
Mayor Ferre: I'm not talking about the full amount Mr. Lopez.
Let's make sure we understand. I'm just saying that if the
City of Miami is- if we come up with $27,000 that their might
be supplemental funds from the United Way, ok. What I'm saying
is that I don't think it's probable, now it could be possible, but
I don't think it's proLa:le that you're going to get S40,000.
Mr. Lopez: Mr. Mayer, Mr. Mayor, you know, let's get something
straight you know. I've been dealing with your employees, nobody
has talked to them I feel with the relationship that I have some
of them more straight than we are. When we talked to them at
no time I've been, you know, we put up a proposal of what we
feel it will take the program to run. We get 11 C.E.T.A. positions
let me tell you there's $100,000,000 to come to this town through
C.E.T.A. I know it's not your fault but the only people has been
giving us some C.E.T.A. positions is Mr. Parkins outfit and three
positions that I was able to get through the Consortium. The
Puerto Rican Community in this town has been excluded of all funding
agencies there is. We have gone to the United Wav, we have gone
everywhere and like everything that happens to us we have been
excluded. What : wool] like to tell you in reference to this you
check your system. You give me an opportunity to say something else;
you check your system to see how many Puerto Rican are employed in
tnis system. How many Puerto Rican are in any of your boards, all
these kind of sit•.:ations is happening to us over here. We produce
for this county and for this city taxes like anybody else. We are
part of this system so I think that we are asking for a fair share.
This is the only thing that I ask and I'm telling you at this
particular time with all the funding that come to Dade County, with
all the funding that comes to the City of Miami and all the things
that happen in this town the Puerto Rican Community has gotten, ok,
$27,500 to take care of the Puerto Rican Community of the City of
Miami. Ok, and that's it.
Mayor Ferre: I'm not arguing with that. I agree ...
Mr. Lopez: I want you to be aware of this because at the same time
that I have some employees, you know, like I told you $10,000 people)
they are professionals and have been able to put our staff together.
You have heard the things that's been said in here today about the
place. What you have to do, I have invited some of you people to
visit the place, you've seen it, you see the kind of work that the
people are doing. We do not discriminate against anybody. You
know what is the thing Mr. Ferre, one thing that happened to our
community is an irony. You know a lot of people come to this
country running away from oppression and my people come to this
country to be oppressed, and we're not asking for a lot of money.
Mayor Ferre: Alright. Dr. Barrell.
Dr. Barrell: Yes, I would like to make a comment Mr. Mayor. You
know let's take an example, Title XX, the State of Florida is
receiving $92,000,000 for Title XX funding various programs. We
in the State of Florida however are only utilizing 5.4% of Title
XX for elderly service when other states in the nation are utilizing
between 18 to 24% so there must be something wrong here in the State
74
JAN 5 1978
of Florida.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, we were previously pursuing something. Do
you want to give us an answer to that Mr. Grassie:
Mr. Grassie: Well, I think that the first answer that we'd
have to give you Mr. Mayor is an answer to the question raised
by Mr. Fosmoen and that is are we going to be into a impossible
situation because of the guidelines which say that we cannot
substitute C.D. money for Federal Revenue Sharing, now that I
guess we would have to get you some hind of a reading on before
we could recommend to you whether or not the programs could be
funded by C.D. If we get by that hurdle,then the next thing we
would have to do is to look at each one of these programs and see
whether they can be interpreted to support a physical improvement
activity in one of the C.D. Target Areas. If they can then the
assumption is that they would be fundable.
Mrs. Gordon: We have a meeting on the llth at 9 : 00 o'clock in the
morning would it give you and your staff enough time to do this
analysis if we met at 8:00 o'clock in the morning on that day?
Mayor Ferre: On the llth?
Mr. Grassie: Assuming that we can get an answer from the federal
government with regard to the guidelines that are coming out either
late this month or the first part of next month;the answer is yes.
If we can get an answer from the federal government.we can do the
work, yes.
Mayor Ferre: Father Gibson.
Rev. Gibson: Let me asp:, this isn't too costly why can't somebody
go to Atlanta or to Washington sit on somebody's door step so that
by the llth, you know, you'll have it all together?
Mr. Grassie: If they're willing to give us an answer we'll get
the answer Commissioner. It's the question of whether or not
somebody in the bureaucracy is going to be willing to commit them-
selves before the agency releases the rules, that's really the
question.
Rev. Gibson: Ok. Fine. Now, I can't tell you how to do that, but
you know we have some Senators who declare they love us. We have
some Congressmen who die of violence, and if you all were to call
them and the Mayor were to call them and say that we need that
answer and need it terribly, need bad, need terribly, you know what
would happen, we'll get that appointment with them and we will
get that answer.
Mayor Ferre: And we have Mark Israel in Washington.
Rev. Gibson: Yes. Yes. Right, Mark Israel will coordinate all
of that.
Mr. Grassie: Well, let us try and see...
Mayor Ferre: Alright is there anything else then...
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, just before you conclude the meeting if
that's what I draw is the sense of the way you're speaking.
Mayor Ferre: I think you're drawing right.
Mr. Plummer: Well, I'm not disagreeable of that, but Mr. Mayor I
do want to put on the record that as far as my one vote is concerned
I want it fully understood that there is no panacea and I don't
think that what you're trying to do if it can be accomplished is
going to win my vote because if what you're planning on doing and
I'm just making this for the record Mr, Mayor. If what you're going
to do is to get $220,000 from CD hopefully and implement it as it
is on this page I want to tell you you just lost 20% of the vote
1
5
BAN 5 191....
1
because there is no way that I am going to vote as outlined on
this secondary funding.
Mayor Ferre: Well, why don't you tell us the situation.
Mr. Plummer: Well, Mr. Mayor, alright, you know, I'm just going
to give you a couple of ideas, ok. First of all, I am going to
go for more money in the Health Care Center. The Miami Bridge
I think, Nor. Crassie has already been funded. Am I correct?
Mr. Grassie: We have taken care of their...
Mr. Plummer: So that should come out of this list.
Mr. Grassie: That is correct.
Mr. Plummer: That in my estimation can be moved up to combine
two and three.
Mrs. Gordon: J. L. may I make a suggestion?
Mr. Plummer: Well, he's asked me Rose,
so ...
Mrs. Gordon: Oh, I'm sorry. I just was going to say each of us
have some changes we probably would want to submit and we could
do that in writing to the Manager and the Staff could take and
evaluate that.
Mayor Ferre: Rose you can do that whenever you want, but Plummer
now has the floor and he has the right to stress... you go ahead
and say what you want to and then Reboso can say what he wants...
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I don't really feel that it's necessary
except you asked me to do it.
Mayor Ferre: I think it's important.
Mr. Plummer: In my estimation Nicky Cruz is a fabulous program
it's got to have more money. It cannot survive on $11,000, ok.
Mayor Ferre: What I'm saying to you J.L. is put it on the record
so that the Administration is aware of what the majority of this
Commission thinks.
Mr. Plummer: Well, ok, let me go down the line then, ok. My
priorities are number two of information. Ok, I'm going to put
the amount of $40,000,ok. St. Luke's now comes out. Women in
Distress, my personal feelings there that they need money/but we're
doing it in a lapsided type of fashion which is a disgrace to them
and a disgrace to us; I'd have to know more. The Community Schools
you know, if everything else is left over we're funding two programs
for children to the tune of a half a million or 500 of the money
now. I would have to take care of the others first and then we
could come to a third program. Action Community Center Mr. Mayor
there has been a demonstration here to me today that either I must
have a guarantee that they have those other three C.E.T.A. positions
or I'm going to fight for their funding, which would be an additional
$30,000. No, that's what I was told, $19,000 plus three C.E.T.A.
is roughly $50,000, ok. Well, if we can get the C.E.T.A. then I
don't have to use dollars. Alright, I'm going to put a plus three.
Nicky Cruz Mr. Mayor I feel is entitled to the same and I'm going
to put $40,000. Youth Co -Op - $50,000. They're asking for up in
... way beyond the $40's - 82 and I cut it in half as I recall, ok.
Youth Co -Op as far as I know,that is adequate. Whether it is not
or not1I am not that aware of the program, but I think $50,000 in
that area is fair. The only other area Mr. Mayor in which I feel
that this Commission has neglected I will tell you that normally I
disagree with Freddie Bowe, but the Haitian people of this community
are not just refugees. In my particular church which is GESU
downtown we have a lot of fine Haitian people that are nationalized
american citizens and they are entitled and as far as I'm concerned
they must be added to this list. Now only one thing Mr. Mayor I
76
JAWS 1978
want to say anu 1 have said to you before it's ironic. It's not
really ironic it's only right that a*white roan should push so
hard for a project in the black area and that's the Coconut
Grove Clinic. Every dollar over that hundred thousand that we
deny them they are losing two dollarsoand Mr. Mayor in my estimat-
ion as I laid my criteria prior1we take care of the sick and fe2i
the hungry first and we argue about the rest later,so I'm adding
to my list the additional $30,000 as far as Coconut Grove Clinic
and that's it. ... No sir I have not. Well, if you take the
money from St. Luke's and put it up there to the Health Clinic
that's... well no but it's not additional. St. Luke's has
already been taken care of .
Mayor Ferre: That's right so you don't count it as $19,000...
Mr. Plummer: I'm just taking it from one place where it's already
been provided for. No, Maurice it's provided for here now.
Mayor Ferre: J. L. what I'm saying is you're transferring this
$19,000 for some other program. I understood what you said.
Mr. Plummer: Ok. Well, it's not an additional funding. Ok. Now
what we're talking about with Action Community Center is possibly
$30,000 more or not depending on the C.E.T.A. availability. I'm
increasing Nicky Oro: roughly $30,000. The Haitians, I think the
request was fair in the area of $10,000 and Grove Clinic of $30,000.
Yes I'm increasing `80,000.
Mayor Ferre: You forgot one, which is POCP.
Mr. Plummer: Nc sir. I'm telling you I have moved this figure
up to here.
Mayor Ferre: Ok. Well, in other words, there's $20,000 here.
Let me do it another way. $20,000 for POCP addition.
?r. Plummer: Right, or $40 total.
Mayor Ferre: $20,000, $30,000 for Action.
Mr. Plummer: Not if they get the C.E.T.A. he told me $19,001
plus three.
Mayor Ferre: Ok, forget the C.E.T.A. for now. That's $50,000.
40 here $90,000, 10 for the Haitians that's a hundred, 30 for
Grove Clinic, that's 130 minus 20 that's 110 thousand dollars.
Mr. Plummer: Well minus 5, if in my estimation something has to
give it's got to be the community schools. Ok so that's what I'm
telling you,I'm setting my priorities. That's what you've asked
me to do and I have expressed to them what my priorities are.
Mayor Ferre: So in addition to 213 Mr. Grassie this 20%
I happen to agree with you...
Mr. Plummer: You agree with me I'm in trouble.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, Commissioner Reboso.
Mr. Reboso: Mr. Mayor I propose that he approve a lump- sum today
and then we decide ... Mr. Mayor I agree with J. L. ...Rose
number four stays.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes. Is that what they asked for, I thought it was
$70,000 in order to... I think it was $70,000 in order to fund
11 schools.
Mr. ReLoso: Well, Rose let me give my opinion.
Mrs. Gordon: No, that's each school gets $5,000 which the School
Board matches with a great deal more money.
77
JAN 5 1978
Mayor Ferre: Alright, the chair,you're out of order all of you.
Mrs. Gordon: Oh I'm sorry...
Mayor Ferre: You're all out of order. Commissioner Reboso has
the floor after he finishes I will recognize the next Commissioner
and then the next one and then you can go into ...
Mr. Rebcso: In principle I agree with J. L.)the only agency I
will like to add is the Industrial Home of the Elind that we
haven't taken care in this list and what I am proposing Mr. Mayor,
is that we approve a lump sue,, let' c say of S300,000 and each one
works at the priorities and then the next City Commission meeting
half an hour and we can solve all the problems.
Mayor Ferre: I would subscribe to the theory that the blind get
the $5,000 that they requested.
Mr. Plummer: I agree. I agree.
Mrs. Gordon: I think you've already made all your commitments
without giving the staff a chance to analyze it and decide which
programs ought to be ... Father and I have very little difficulty
seeing eye to eye. Go ahead Father.
Mayor Ferre: Are you finished Commissioner Reboso? Father Gibson?
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor I don't have any problem with r. Flummer's
recommendation. I'd like for the staff to take these figures and
add them up, having added them up,then you'all come visit us so we
can make sure we see these figures and...
Mr. Grassie: Why don't we bring them back to you after we've put
them in order to see whether we can make it a little more intelli-
gent.
Rev. Gibson: I like that better because... I'm like Plummer I
think some of the...
Mrs. Gordon: I don't thine: we should set the dollar value.
Rev. Gibson: Well, he's named my program...
Mrs. Gordon: I didn't hear anybody talk about those C.E.T.A.
positions we talked about this morning J.L. you said when the day
was over you'd want me to mention them. There were four C.E.T.A.
positions requested by the Handicapped Program. There were two
positions, C.E.T.A. positions requested by Bridge. There were
three C.E.T.A. positions requested by Allapattah Y.M.C.A. There
were two C.E.T.A. positions requested by Action - The Travel Agency.
ACC,yes, three, ok. But they needed C.E.T.A. positions and the
Culmer Group they needed two C.E.T.A. positions plus they said
they needed $20,000. Now I don't remember J. L. did you mention
anything about that? Culmer $20,000... Rob what have you got down
for Culmer?
Mr. Parkins: On the secondary funding it shows a $13,750.
Mrs. Gordon: Well, they requested $20,000 this morning when they
spoke and justified it and I want you to all know I went to that
Culmer Christmas Party and in my whole life I never ever have been
so touched by what took place there when those children received
their presents from Santa Claus, when that mini park program took
place and Gloria Kingsley is here who had everything to do with
working with Eufalia Frazier and getting it set-up and honest to
God really and truly,they need it. They need two C.E.T.A. positions
and the Industrial Home for the Blind requested three C.E.T.A.
positions. I move you that all the C.E.T.A. positions be explored
as quickly as possible. Ok.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor as much as we might have bickered here
today I think, I hope the public understand I think we're coming
78
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JAN 5 1978
out with a much better deal than we possible would have come out
with and I'm not opposed to bickering. I regret it however for
the sake of all of us that one program was, you know, dealt with
but that's part of life. I hope, I hope Mr. Mayor that nobody
goes away from here all huffed and angry with other people and
let's try to be positive for the next, you know, so when we get
that, when we begin to vote for that money, you know, we want all
be mad with each other.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, is there anything ease to come up before
this Commission?
Rev. Gibson: I want to raise a question, Mr. Mayor, I mentioned
this, I'm going to mention it now so that if it doesn't happen
I would have done what I really had in my mind. Those of you who
were not blessed and fortunate to have participated in the Orange
Bowl Classic one way or the ether don't know what you missed.
I heard some people talking about us in Miami as I'' never heard
people talk about us before,talking about, said people from
Arkansas and the people from Oklahoma talking about the ;ospitality.
Those of you who were not present at the half time in the Orange
Bowl missed a real treat. Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission
and Mr. Manager and staff we could not have paid for the image we
got on television, nor even if we were there in person. I think
somehow we need to congratulate either invite or work out an
arrangement to invite that committee here along with, and let me
add this Mr. Grassie specifically, your staff at that Orange Bowl,
you know sometimes we take people for granted. I tell my wife,
I say, look baby, you know cause I'm your husband, every once and
a while you say I'm your husband, you know what I mean, and I think
we... well, I think we ought to invite them to say thank you to
them because they put on a fanastic affair and I want to say that
for the record, and I hope Mr. Mayor somehow the Manager will work
out some sort of arrangement whether it's inviting them here and
saying thank you or whether it is a luncheon or dinner or I don't
know that's your problem. I'm not the staff but I think we ought
to say thank you to those people and e•ne other comment. When I
heard, Plummer you remember you and I and Rose, we went to the
carnation thing, business, you should have heard what those people
were saying and the reason I mentioned it is evidently we're doing
something here people aren't doing elsewhere. They ended with this
comment, we would like to be invited again. If you don't treat
people nice, people don't say that, ok. Alright.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor before you close the meeting, may I just
ask that -- if you want that it be prepared if not you can do it
on today because I don't think it should be delayed. Mr. Mayor,
while you were out-cf-town a good friend of all of us was lost
Bob Hurwitz and I don't feel that it should be delayed but however
you want to do it. I do feel that the proper recognition, valuable
asset that that man was to this community should be recognized by
this Commission the appropriate, whatever it is that you feel is
right should be prepared to present as soon as possible to his
family to express to them, that we share with them in their sorrow
and their great loss as he was to this community, to this city, and
to this Commission.
Mayor Ferre: That's Robert Hurwitz.
Mr. Plummer: I'll offer that in the form of the motion and it's
your will Mr. Mayor how you want to handle it.
Mayor Ferre: It's been moved and seconded. Further discussion.
All those in favor say aye. Opposed..
Dr. Sandoval: Mr. Mayor, I would like to know what is going to be
done about that investigation of the Little Havana Activity Center?
Mayor Ferre: IJr. Sandoval I think it can be answered this way. I
think you noticed that the Commission is about ready to adjourn and
I think that tells you that the conclusion as I understand it anyway
is that there is no conclusion, because the investigation done by the
79
1
JAN 5 1978
F.B.I. is in the hands of the very able Federal Bureau of
Investigation and that the investigation is being done by the
State is something that has to be done by the State. I don't
see that anybody in this Commission has made any motions to
any contrary sense, so I think what it means is that we're not
going to penalize the program for what maybe or may not be the
problems of the individual who...
Dr. Sandoval: Mr. Mayor...
Mayor Ferre: Excuse me please, I listened to you very carefully
and I want you to do the same with me now and I'll be finished
just 30 seconds. I think that if there's any wrong doing that
comes out of these investigations, I think there is no question
that the proper authorities will immediately move forward in what-
ever things that have to be done. In the meantime, I think I don't
see that this Commission has made any motions to the contrary.
Dr. Sandoval: Mr. Mayor you were absent this morning when Rev.
Gibson who was ready to make a motion.
Mayor Ferre: Well, I think anybody who wishes to make a motion
is perfectly free to make a motion. I certainly am not denying
anybody that right.
Mrs. Gordon: I'm going to say what I think, I personally feel.
I've heard all this debate back and forth and all the cheers both
ways and I don't feel that we, I, can make a decision. When a
decision is made by whatever investigating body is making it,that
will then direct us and certainly if we have aired in a decision
that we're going to make we can rescind it or revoke or change it
or whatever, but I think today based upon only what we have heard
and evidence that is, you know, is hearsay. We're not investigating
this program in anyway other than what it affects us in our funding
portion and our staff has cleared it so what more can we say?
Mayor Ferre: For the record Mr. Grassie and I want to ask you and
not Rob Parkins because this is somethinE I think can make major
magnitude, that is your recommendation isn't it, as I understand it?
Mr. Grassie: I have no information based on investigations that we
have had so far which would cause me to recommend or to do it
myself, to recommend a discontinuation of the funds for the Little
Havana Activity Center at this time.
Mayor Ferre: And if something should come up you would move as you
have.
Mr. Grassie: We have done it with other programs as I expressed
this morning and we would do it in this case.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, are there any motions by any members of the
Commission at this time? Hearing none then we stand adjourned.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the City
Commission the meeting was adjourned at 6:05 P.M.
ATTEST: Ralph G. Ongie
City Clerk
Matty Hirai
Assistant City Clerk
S9
MAU RI CE A. FERRE
Mayor
JAN 5 1978