HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #44 - Discussion ItemC!TY CI •.!!AVt. FLC7IDA
INTF .0EFTC: MEMOPAN OLlf4
TO:
F'R04{:
Jeseph R. Grassie
City Manager
--7
J Parkins, Director
Citizen Services Department
,AT, February 174 1978
Action Community Center
On Wednesday, February 15, 1978, Joseph Owsiak, Richard Leopardi, and 1, met with
Mrs. Pilar Albo and Mr. Octavio Blanco, from the above subject agency. During this
meeting, we reviewed the contents of the attached memorandum, dated February 13,
1978, and,other than the fact that Mr. Blanco disagreed that his phone calls had
been returned, the balance of the memorandum was considered accurate. 1 did point
out, to Mr. Blanco, that it is my habit to note on any phone message slip the date
and time and action taken by me.
The second item discussed was that of the $10,000.00 in Community Development Funds,
due from Dade County, and we determined that Mr. Leonardi had received word yesterday
(February 14, 1978) that we could forward documents and invoices to Dade County and
in a week to ten days later we should have the check.
The third item of business was related to the three (3) C.E.T.A. positions that had
been promised to Action Community Center. Their concern was that they felt that they
had been led to believe that the positions would not require a lay-off (and Donnie
Horne had suggested that this might be possible), but a check of the C.E.T.A. Regula-
tions negated any effort to bypass the thirty (30)day lay-off requirement. And. this
they understood, but felt that they would prefer to close the Agency rather than
follow the thirty (30)day lay-off process. After much discussion, we reached an agree-
ment that Action would provide for the lay-off of the three (3) employees that had
been discussed previously, and that at the conclusion of the thirty (30) days. the
three (3) C.E.T.A. positions would be filled. This conclusion was reached after we
determined that the total cash out -lay for Federal Revenue Sharing for the three (3)
individuals approximates $26.000.00, and that. that amount would be - with prorated
allowances for the amount of the year passed - returned to the cash flow of the agency.
To simply close the agency rather than provide for the thirty (30) day lay-off would
be providing those employees with permanent lay-off. rather than just for thirty (30)
days. Ms. Albo is to check with the Action Community Center Board in order to verify
that they would agree with this approach. but it seemed that the likelihood of the
Board agreeing was great.
It is, therefore. our opinion that the C.E.T.A. positions provided to Action Community
Center can now be properly and legally utilized and that the request for $30,000.00,
in cash in lieu of the C.E.T.A. positions, is no longer necessary.
The representatives from Action Community Center, and the members of the Citizen
Services Department staff, mutually agreed that the break -down in communication between
the two organizations was unfortunate, and that all would make their best efforts to
insure that the kinds of circumstances just experienced are not repeated.
RWP:mb
cc: Action Community Center
TO: MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION
F. Y. I. er
TRANSMITTAL DATE .4 ' Wi" 7Q
t {i
TO:
tp
Joseph R, Grassie
City Manager
'W. Parkins, Director
Department of Citizens Services
,.. February 134 1978
=;LC
Action Community Center
It is my understanding that the representatives of the subject agency appeared before
the Commission on February 9. 1978, alledging that I had made promises to them that I
had not followed through on, and that I had refused to meet with them and had delayed
resolution of their problem related to three CETA positions.
The facts are, that we have promised three CETA positions to them, and that Donnie
Horne and I met with Octavio Blanco and Pilar Albo, and reviewed with them that the
CETA positions will be available effective February 1, 1978. We informed them that
it was highly likely that the "Maintenance of Effort Requirements" would require a
lay-off, for 30 days, of the three individuals who were to be converted to CETA
positions. Donnie Horne attempted to seek a solution that would not require a 30 days
lay-off, based upon the premise that if they would not be budgeted in their new
Federal Revenue Sharing year for the positions, that - similar to the dispensation
granted to the City of Miami - they might be able to fill the three CETA slots without
the 30 days waiting period.
0n February 2, 1978, we received a memorandum, copy of which is attached, wherein
Mr. Mario Molins has communicated with the Consortium relative to a decision. We had
no reason to believe that there would be a delay in permitting them to fill these
positions prior to this notice. Obviously. it is not our intent to harm the Agency.
and they were informed as to our progress on the decision.
Ms. Albo's telephone calls to my office were returned on January 19. 1978, at 8:27 a.m.
Ms. Albo was not available and my number was left for return. 0n Wednesday, February 8,
1978, Mr. Blanco and Ms. Albo came to my office at 10 a.m. They demanded to see me,
even though I was currently involved with an internal issue. and at 10:05 a.m., they
were asked if Mr. Horne could help them. They refused his assistance - even though
he could address their concerns immediately - and went out of the office at approximately
10:15 a.m. At 10:20 a.m., I asked their whereabouts. and I was informed that they had
left.
It is indeed unfortunate that a breakdown in communication developed. both from the
stand point of the Agency and this Department.
We will ensure that communication between the Department of Citizens Services and
Action Community Center is reinstituted and - in most instances discussions will be
verified in writing in order to prevent a future misunderstanding.
RWP:mb