HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit - MemoR0, 80,Y 330708
DANIEL J. i 6W.["MI. SO MIAM],FL0A10a332S3-S?700
CITY MA.NAOak x50-6400
V PAX 000) 216 .0-0410
TO: Daniel J. Alfonso, Kly Manager
FROM: cker e _Vd-visor to the City Manager
DATE: April 15, 2016
RE: CC -5 - Allocation of grant funds from District 5 Anti -Poverty
Initiative Program to Martin Luther King Economic Development
Corporation — Kitchen Incubator
Matter ID No.: 16-813
BACKGROUND
The City of Miami ("City") created the Anti -Poverty Initiative to address poverty based on
principles outlined in Gateway to Self -Sufficiency which focuses on providing support to its
residents in achieving self --sufficiency. Accordingly, the City has donated to programs which
provide access to work, job skills training programs, and scholarships to advance education. One
way to self-sufficiency is business ownership.
Martin Luther King Economic Development Corporation, Inc. (MLKEDC), a not for profit
company, has identified a serious need affecting food -based business owners. The expense of
buying and maintaining a commercial kitchen is high and remains a major barrier for small
businesses to enter the market. As the City has financially assisted and contracted with
MLI{EDC on various matters from capital improvements to commercial fagade, MLKEDC has
proven to be a reliable and successful entity in the past. Kitchen incubators, or culinary
incubators, are expensive and MLKEDC is a non-profit that does not have the capital to create
the needed share space. Kitchen incubators help smaller or new business owners share
commercial kitchen space to prepare and package their products, which assisting local business
owners is within the Anti -Poverty Initiative mission.
RECOMMENDATION
In light of the above stated, approval of a waiver of the formal requirements of competitive
sealed bidding methods as not being practicable or advantageous to the City as set forth in the
City Code of Ordinances, as amended, specifically Section 18-85 (A), and the affirmation of
these written findings and the forwarding of the same to the City Commission for ratification by
a four-fifths vote is respectfully requested.
APPROVED/DISAPPROVAL: