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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-06-13MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OCOEE COMMUNITY GRANT REVIEW BOARD MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 6, 2013 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Sills called the regular meeting of the Community Grant Review Board to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Commission Conference Room at City Hall. Chairman Sills called for a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The roll was called and a quorum declared present. PRESENT: Chairman Sills, Vice - Chairman Carrington, Member Butler, and Member Dunn. Also present were Community Relations Manager Wright and Recording Clerk Turner. ABSENT: N/A Chairman Sills read into the record the resignation of Member Shakeel Anjun. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — Regular meeting held on August 8, 2012. Vice- Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Butler, moved to approve the minutes of the Community Grant Review Board Meeting held August 8, 2012. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 1 — American Legion, Tommie C. Sanders Memorial Post 109 Lester Dabbs, American Legion Member, attended to represent the organization. Funding would be used for the Florida Boy's State Program, S.M.A.P. Elementary School Medal Day, J.R.O.T.C. Medal Program, and to assist veterans in receiving benefits. Chairman Sills asked if the majority of the boys attending the Florida Boy's State Program live in the city of Ocoee. Mr. Dabbs replied that all but two of the boys do, and that the American Legion Ordinance does not limit acceptance to Ocoee residents. Vice - Chairman Carrington, seconded by Chairman Sills, moved to recommend that the City Commission award the grant funding of $500 to the American Legion, Tommie C. Sanders Memorial Post 109. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 2 — Bread of Life Fellowship, Inc. Mark Anthony attended to represent the organization. Funding will be used to purchase diesel fuel to help keep their trucks on the road to pick up and deliver food to needy families in the local area. Chairman Sills asked if the annual contributions remain the same as in previous years. Mr. Anthony stated that the month of January is very slow for contributions. Member Butler commented that Bread of Life Fellowship does a wonderful job assisting local organizations in servicing needy families. Member Butler, seconded by Member Duun, moved to recommend that the City Commission award the grant funding of $500 to Bread of Life Fellowship, Inc. Motion carried unanimously. Community Grant Review Board February 6. 2013 Application No. 3 — St. Vincent De Paul Resurrection C Tony Calabro, President, attended to represent the organization. Funding would be used to help supply local residents with food, pay utility bills and rent, and provide a free medical bus for parishioners. Chairman Sills commented that of the 727 clients served by the organization, only 10% are Ocoee residents. Mr. Calabro confirmed, and explained that the organization aided Ocoee residents with almost $5,000, furniture, and other necessities. Member Butler asked if his organization refers clients to other organizations. Mr. Calabro stated his congregation collects food items and brings them to the Christian Service Center and Matthew's Hope. Vice - Chairman Carrington asked if St. Vincent De Paul Resurrection Church only aids parishioners. Mr. Calabro explained that the church aids everyone; however, the medical bus is limited to parishioners. Vice - Chairman Carrington stated that the application shows the $500 grant money is to be deposited in their general funds, and asked if the grant money could be earmarked for Ocoee residents. Mr. Calabro stated that they help everyone. Member Dunn inquired about home visits. Mr. Calabro explained that there is a team of volunteers that visit individual homes to determine the family's need. Member Butler stated that the program is a great program; however, without the ability to earmark the grant money for Ocoee residents, does not feel comfortable granting the funds. Member Butler, seconded br Vice - Chairman Carrinmton, moved to recommend that the City Commission deny the grant funding of $500 to St. Vincent De Paul Resurrection Church. Motion carried unanimously. — -- —— ------ - - - - -- _-- - - - - -- --------------- Applicatio N o. 4 — Ocoee Little Lea Carol Heard, OLL Secretary, attended to represent the organization. Funding will be used for the opening -day event expenses. Chairman Sills asked how many children the organization provides services to. Ms. Heard explained that the program services approximately 200 -250 children during the fall season, and 300 -350 children during the spring season. Vice - Chairman Carrington asked Ms. Heard to explain what the opening -day event entails. Ms. Heard explained that the opening day event is a fundraiser to help purchase uniforms and equipment, and to purchase provisions for the concession stand. Vice - Chairman Carrington expressed his concern regarding how the $500 grant money will benefit the community. Board discussion ensued regarding the benefit to the community. Ms. Heard explained that some parents cannot afford to pay for registration fees and equipment, and in those cases, fees are waived. Member Butler spoke in support of the Ocoee Little League, and confirmed that no child is ever turned away. 2 Community Grant Review Board February 6. 2013 Vice - Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Butler, moved to recommend that the City Commission award the grant funding of $500 to the Ocoee Little League. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 5 — Winter Garden Heritage Foundation Kay Cappleman, Director, attended to represent the organization. Funding will be used to help underwrite the expenses associated with school education programs. She continued by saying that the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation provides education programs to three Ocoee elementary schools. Member Butler, seconded by Member Dunn, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of $500 to the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 6 — ACYS Sprint United Premier FC Elite Lad U -12 Girls Donna Ellis, Assistant Coach, attended to represent the organization. Funding will be used to assist with tournament fees and soccer equipment. She continued by saying that some of the girls are on scholarship and have all the associated fees paid for by the league. Vice - Chairman Carrington inquired how many of the girls that live in Ocoee receive scholarship monies. Ms. Ellis responded, "three ". Member Butler explained that it is difficult to justify awarding grant money when only six of the eleven girls on the team live in Ocoee. Member Butler, seconded by Chairman Sills, moved to recommend that City Commission deny grant funding of $500 to the ACYS Sprint United Premier FC Elite Lady U-12 Girls. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 7 — Garden Community Choir Nancy Gracey attended to represent the organization. The funds will be used to improve the spring performance by engaging musicians, and to help offset the expenses of the Christmas concert. Chairman Sills asked what events the choir performs in. Ms. Gracey stated that they recently performed in the Martin Luther King Celebration, and have been challenged to sing in the Fiesta de Colores event. Vice - Chairman Carrington asked what happened to the Christmas concert that led to unforeseen expenses. Ms. Gracey explained that the venue cost more than anticipated. Vice -Chair Carrington asked what the bulk of the budget goes for. Ms. Gracey explained that the budget goes for the purchase of music and the cost for contracted staff. Vice - Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Dunn, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of $500 to the Garden Community Choir. Motion carried unanimously. 3 Community Grant Review Board February 6, 2013 Application No. 8 — Foundation for Or Cou nty Public Schools, Arts & Jazz Festival Christine Moore attended to represent the organization. The funds will be used for event banners for Ocoee Schools: high school, middle school, and elementary schools (Ocoee, Citrus, Spring Lake, Clarcona and Thornebrooke), and to provide event goody bags. The event is a fundraiser for Apopka, Ocoee, and Winter Garden schools. Member Butler inquired if the city of Apopka is helping absorb some of the cost for the event, and Ms. Moore explained that they are providing the amphitheater. Member Butler, seconded bl Vice- Chairman Carrington, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of $500 to the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools, Arts & Festival Program. Motion carried unanimously. Ap No. 9 _O range County Library System, West Oaks Branch Library Gregg Gronlund, Branch Manager, attended to represent the organization. Funding will be used to help purchase Snap Circuits Extreme Educational kits to initiate a series of science- oriented electronics programs. He explained that the program promotes STEM knowledge. Vice - Chairman Carrington inquired about the projected on -going cost of the program. Mr. Gronlund stated it is unknown at this time. Vice - Chairman Carrington asked how committed the library is to continue this program. Mr. Gronlund explained that the annual budget has been increased, and they have not cut back any programs. He continued by saying the library system has a robot program that is doing well, and feels this program will receive positive participation as well. Vice- Chairman Carrington, seconded by Chairman Sills, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of $500 to the Orange County Library System, West Oaks Branch Library. Motion carried unanimously. Applicatio No. 10 — S.T.A.R. of Wes Ora nge, Inc. Chesta Hembrooke attended to represent the organization. Funding will be used to provide basic school supplies to economically challenged students. Chairman Sills asked how many students the program helped last year. Ms. Hembrooke stated the program aided approximately 15,500 students. She continued by saying that the program lost one of their major contributors; therefore, have had to cut back on backpacks and focused on purchasing supplies. Chairman Sills asked how many schools are currently enrolled in the program. Ms. Hembrooke stated they are assisting students at 62 schools in Orange County. Vice - Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Butler, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant fundink of $500 to S. T.A.R.S. of West Orange, Inc. Motion carried unanimously. il Community Grant Review Board February 6. 2013 A p plication No. 11 — Total Freedom Program Carlyn Edmond attended to represent the organization. Funding will be used to provide basic needs for people that are in desperate need of a life change. Ms. Edmond explained that the Total Freedom Program provides rehabilitative services to people with substance abuse, and people who may have had issues with the law. She continued by saying the program has eight homes off of Wurst Road and Lady Avenue. Mark Anthony with Bread of Life, Inc. agreed that the program is wonderful. Chairman Sills commented that the application was missing supporting documentation. Liaison Wright stated she has the organization's 501 -3c status, but no other supporting documentation. Ms. Edmond stated she will provide the supporting documentation. Member Dunn inquired who administers the prograrn. Ms. Edmond stated that the program is administered by the pastor of True Ministries Church. Member Dunn inquired if the homes have been purchased. Ms. Edmond explained that the eight homes are mortgaged by the pastor and his Wife. Vice - Chairman Carrington inquired if the program receives any funding from the state of Florida. Ms. Edmond stated, "no ". She continued by saying that Total Freedom Program is often used as a pre - diversionary program. Vice - Chairman Carrington, seconded by Chairman Sills, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of $500 to the Total Freedom Program upon receipt of the formal orzanizational support documentation. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 12-0 coce M iddle School FFA Caroline Dunham, Vice - President of the Ocoee Middle School FFA Chapter, attended to represent the organization. Funding will be used to purchase mortar, sand, block, and wire paneling to finish the hog barn stalls. Member Butler asked where the animals are housed. Ms. Dunham explained that they are housed at the land lab at West Orange High School. Member Butler asked where the organization performs volunteer work. Ms. Dunham stated they volunteer with the Second Harvest Food Bank, Boy Scouts, Elks I_,odge, and Ocoee Elementary School. Member Butler, seconded by Vice - Chairman Carrington, moved to recommend that the City Commission aivard zrant fundin- of $500 to the Ocoee Middle School FFA. Motion carried unanimously. Application N o. 13 — Cub Scout Pack 210 Clifford Cox, Sr., Assistant Den Leader, attended to represent the organization. Funding will be used to construct and erect a 16 -1,111it purple martin habitat birdhouse at a City park or other designated land. 5 Community Grant Review Board FebruarN G. 2013 Chairman Sills inquired if the money awarded goes to Cub Scout Pack 210, Tiger Scouts, or the entire organization. Mr. Cox, Sr. stated it goes to Cub Scout Pack 210. Member Butler inquired where the habitat will be built. Mr. Cox, Sr. explained he would like to build it in a City park; however, if the City does not approve the project, he has already received approval from local churches. Mr. Cox, Sr. explained that the cub scouts will initially build the habitat, but future generations will add to the project. He continued by saying that project teaches the boys social skills. Board discussion ensued regarding the purple martin's migratory journey. He informed the board that the Florida Chapter of the Audobon Society will help the scouts with their mission. Chairman Sills inquired how many families in the Ocoee area belong to Cub Scout Pack 210. Mr. Cox, Sr. stated, "42 ". Vice - Chairman Carrington, seconded by Chairman Sills, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of $500 to Cub Scout Pack 210. Motion carried unanimously Application No. 14 — West Oaks Academy, A D epartme nt Thomas Parlier, West Oaks Community Church Pastor, attended to represent the organization. Funding will be used to irrigate the church's athletic fields. Mr. Parlier explained that the athletic fields have been used by the Ocoee Little League, and the City previously sent City staff to service the fields for joint use. He continued by saying that due to the erection of a multi- purpose building, the fields were destroyed, and lost a lot of the irrigation. He concluded his presentation by saying that he would like to open the fields for various Ocoee functions. Member Butler inquired if West Oaks Academy is currently partnering with Ocoee Little League, and Mr. Parlier stated, "no ". Vice - Chairman Carrington asked if a fee was going to be charged for groups to use the fields, and Mr. Parlier stated that it has not been decided. Member Dunn stated that she has reservations regarding this application, and Member Butler agreed, and stated that West Oaks Academy is not currently partnering with any local entity. Mr. Parlier explained that the athletic fields are not used for school ministries, and would be used for the enjoyment of the community. Chairman Sills, seconded by Member Dunn, moved to recommend that the City Commission dent grant funding of $500 to the West Oaks Academy, Athletic Department. Motion carried unanimously. Chris Adkins, Ocoee Resident, spoke on behalf of West Oaks Academy. He explained that the fields could be used as a facility for higher skill -set baseball players. Chairman Sills explained that this is a recommendation board, and the City Commission has final say. 6 Community Grant Revicw Board 1=cbruary 6. 2013 Ap plication No. 15 — Adult Literacy Leag Inc. Catherine Carpenter attended to represent the organization. Funding will be used to provide workbooks and learning materials to approximately 25 students in the Ocoee area. Member Butler if the grant funds could be earmarked for the Ocoee students. Ms. Carpenter answered, "yes ". Member Butler asked about the program's success rate. Ms. Carpenter explained that it depends on the personal goal of the student. Ms. Carpenter also informed the board that the Adult Literacy League is always accepting volunteers. Vice - Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Butler, moved to recommend that the City Commission award -rant fundin- of $500 to the Adult Literacy League, Inc. Motion carried unanimously. NOMINATION OF OFFICERS FOR NEW 1 -YEAR TERM Chairman Sills opened the floor for nominations of chairman. 0 CHAIRMAN Member Butler, seconded by Vice - Chairman Carrin -ton, moved to nominate Jim Sills as the Community Grant Review Board's Chairman. Nominations were closed and a vote was called Motion passed (3 -1), with Chairman Sills opposin -. Chairman Sills opened the floor for nominations of vice - chairman. • VICE- CHAIRMAN Member Butler, seconded by Member Dunn, moved to nominate Keith Carrin -ton as the Community Grant Review Board's Vice- Chairman. Nominations were closed and a vote was called Motion passed unanimously. COMMENTS Chairman Sills thanked Liaison Wright for her hard work. Vice - Chairman Carrington inquired if the City would consider surveying the recipients for verification of grant fund use, or have the recipients file an affidavit of use to quantify the impact in Ocoee. I le continued by saying this would be helpful when there is a higher volume of applications. Liaison Wright explained that as a board, they would need to propose this to the City Commission. She continued by saying that the intent of this program is to award small grants, and not make it too involved as the Most Valuable Partnership application process. Vice - Chairman Carrington asked if the minutes could be distributed to the board in a reasonable amount of time. Recording Clerk Turner answered affirmatively. ADJOURNMENT at 8:46 p.m. Community Grant Review Board February 6, 2013 Attest: Tana Turner, Recording Secretary APPROVED: im Sill , Chairman