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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-12-14MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OCOEE COMMUNITY GRANT REVIEW BOARD MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 12, 2014 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, Members Butler, Dunn and Henderson. Also present were Community Relations Manager Wright and Recording Clerk Turner. ABSENT: N/A APPROVAL OF MINUTES — Regular meeting held on August 7, 2013. Vice - Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Dunn, moved to approve the minutes of the Community Grant Review Board Meeting held August 7, 2013. Motion carried unanimouslv. Chairman Sills thanked the board members and grant applicants for attending the meeting, especially considering the inclement weather. He also noted that the Community Grant Review Board recommends the grant awards to the City Commission. He further explained that the City Commission is strict on making sure that the grants that are awarded serve the citizens of Ocoee in the best manner. Application No. 1 — American Legion, Tommie C. Sanders Memorial Post 109 Tom Mottlau, American Legion Member, attended to represent the organization. Funding will be used for the Florida Boy's State Program, S.M.A.P. Elementary School Medal Day, and the J.R.O.T.C. Medal Program. He continued by saying the American Legion hopes to send two Ocoee High School students to the Florida Boy's State Program in Tallahassee; the program allows young men to learn how government works. Vice - Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Butler, moved to recommend that the Citv Commission award the grant funding of $500 to the American Legion, Tommie C Sanders Memorial Post 109. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 2 — Ocoee High School Drama Department Member Butler informed the board that she will abstain from the vote as the applicant, Justin Butler, is her son (completed Form 8B). Justin Butler and Niamh Hays attended to represent the organization. Funding will be used to provide scholarship monies to students qualified to attend the State Thespian Competition in Tampa. The applicants explained that the grant money will provide for a full scholarship for one student to attend, or provide for several partial scholarships. Community Grant Review Board February 12, 2014 Vice - Chairman Carrington, seconded by Chairman Sills, moved to recommend that the City Commission award the grant funding of $500 to the Ocoee High School Drama Department. Motion carried with Member Butler abstaining from the vote. Application No. 3 — 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 inquired how much food was given out to families by the organization. Mark Anthony explained that the organization assisted approximately 65,000 families with 2.7 million pounds of food. He continued by saying that the Bread of Life Fellowship is the only food bank in Central Florida that offers everything gratis. The organization has four part-time, one temporary, and one full -time employee. Vice - Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Butler, moved to recommend that the City Commission award the grant funding of $500 to Bread of Life Fellowship, Inc. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 4 — Garden Community Choir Nancy Gracey attended to represent the organization. The funds will be used for the purchase of music. The grant will allow for the purchase of two to three pieces of music for a 75 -100 member choir. Chairman Sills asked what events the choir performs in. Ms. Gracey stated that they recently performed in the Martin Luther King Celebration. Chairman Sills inquired if there are members of the choir that reside in the City of Ocoee. Ms. Gracey answered in the affirmative. Vice - Chairman Carrington asked if the grant money will pay for the music. Ms. Gracey explained that it will assist with some of the cost of the music. Vice - Chairman Carrington inquired if due to royalty fees, the music will need to be purchased every year. Ms. Gracey explained that the choir's director chooses the music to be purchased. Once purchased, the music is added to the choir's existing library. Member Henderson, seconded by Vice - Chairman Carrington, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of $500 to the Garden Community Choir. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 5 — Barkie's Legacy Jennifer Bark attended to represent the organization. She explained that Barkie's Legacy is a large -breed dog rescue organization. Funding will be used to help offset the cost of dog food and treats, supplies, and crates for the animals. Chairman Sills asked if the organization takes in unwanted animals. Ms. Bark explained that approximately 12 dogs have been saved from the streets of Ocoee within the past year. She continued by saying that she assists a local veterinarian with rehoming surrendered dogs. Chairman Sills asked if she provides spaying and neutering services. Ms. Bark explained that if the dogs come from shelters, they are generally already spayed or neutered. If not, then she contacts 2 Community Grant Review Board February 12, 2014 local programs that offer those services. She continued by saying that she is looking to obtain a grant from Orange County to assist City of Ocoee residents with spaying or neutering their pets. Vice - Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Butler, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of $500 to Barkie's Legacy. Motion carried unanimously, Application No. 6 — S.T.A.R.S. of West Orange, Inc. James Kearns attended to represent the organization. He informed the board that Chesta Hembrooke has since retired; therefore, he is present to represent the organization. Funding will be used to provide basic school supplies to economically challenged students. Chairman Sills asked how many schools are currently enrolled in the program. Mr. Kearns stated they are assisting students at 52 schools in Orange County. He continued by saying that the organization provided 11,000 students with backpacks filled with school supplies. He continued by saying that if awarded the grant, S.T.A.R.S. will provide 50 backpacks to local students. Member Henderson inquired if transparent backpacks are offered to the students. Mr. Kearns stated they are supplied upon request. Discussion ensued regarding transparent backpacks. Vice - Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Butler, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of $500 to the S.T.A.R.S. of West Orange, Inc. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 7 — Adult Literacy League, Inc. Joyce Whidden, Executive Director, and Katherine Carpenter attended to represent the organization. Funding will be used to provide workbooks and learning materials to approximately 21 students in the Ocoee area. Ms. Carpenter shared with the board that the she is currently tutoring an Ocoee resident that started the program not knowing the alphabet, and in four years, he has succeeded to a fourth grade reading level. She continued by saying that a local article described the challenges of the job market in the local area, and attributed much of the joblessness to a lack of education. She continued by saying that the local area has a large population that need their General Equivalency Diploma (GED), and the Adult Literacy League assists with this accomplishment. Vice- Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Butler, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of $500 to the Adult Literacy League, Inc. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 8 — Orlando School of Cultural Dance Foundation Julie Coleman, Program Director, attended to represent the organization. The funds will be used to offer City of Ocoee children a $50 scholarship certificate to the Orlando School of Cultural Dance Foundation. The foundation is willing to match the City of Ocoee's grant. This will give children exposure and access to the program being newly introduced to the Ocoee /Orlando Community. She continued by saying the organization recently participated in the Martin Luther King Parade and Celebration. 3 Community Grant Review Board February 12, 2014 Vice - Chairman Carrington inquired what it means to be a fiscally sponsored program of the United Charitable Programs. Ms. Coleman explained that a fiscally sponsored program is one that falls under the administrative umbrella of a much larger organization. The Orlando School of Cultural Dance Foundation is administratively managed by and is under the 501(3)(c) umbrella of the United Charitable Programs. Board discussion ensued regarding the foundation's 501(c)(3) status. Member Butler commented that she believes that this is similar to how the Girl Scouts operate. Member Butler continued by saying that Executive Director Janet Ridgley with the United Charitable Programs endorsed the foundation's certificate and grant application. Vice - Chairman Carrington inquired how the grant money will directly benefit Ocoee children. Ms. Coleman explained that applicants will need to show a need for the scholarship to the foundation's board. She continued by saying the grant money will go to United Charitable Programs, and will then be disbursed to the Orlando School of Cultural Dance Foundation. Member Henderson, seconded by Vice - Chairman Carrington, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of $500 to the Orlando School of Cultural Dance. Motion carried unanimously. DISCUSSION OF APPLICATIONS None NOMINATION OF OFFICERS FOR NEW 1 -YEAR TERM Chairman Sills opened the floor for nominations of chairman. • CHAIRMAN Member Butler, seconded by Vice - Chairman Carrington, moved to nominate Jim Sills as the Community Grant Review Board's Chairman. Nominations were closed and a vote was called Motion carried (3 -1), with Chairman Sills opposing. Chairman Sills opened the floor for nominations of vice - chairman. • VICE - CHAIRMAN Member Butler, seconded by Chairman Sills, moved to nominate Keith Carrington as the Community Grant Review Board's Vice - Chairman. Nominations were closed and a vote was called Motion carried with Vice - Chairman Carrington abstaining from vote. COMMENTS Chairman Sills informed the board that Member's Butler's appointment term has expired, and she wishes not be reappointed to the board. The board thanked her for her services and wished her well. Member Butler thanked and counter exchanged kind words and salutations with the members. Staff - Liaison Wright advised the applicants that the City Commission has final approval on the board's grant recommendations; she will notify the applicants of the date of the Commission Meeting. 2 Community Grant Review Board February 12. 2014 ADJOURNMENT at 7:37 p.m. Attest: Diana Turner, Recording Secretary APPROVED: im Sills, Chairman FORM 813 MEMORANDUM OF VOTING CONFLICT FOR COUNTY MUNICIPAL AND OTHER LOCAL PUBLIC OFFICERS T N H EE FiRST NAStE RIDDLE YAME OF BOARD, C CIL. COMMISSIO AUTHORITY, OR C04LNI Y t�' It l��i� Cam► bJ \ICING ADD THE BOARD, COU CIL MMISSION, AUTHORITYOR COMMITTEE W W CH I SERVE IS A UNIT OF: COUNTY C Q COUNTY Q OTHER LOCAL AGENCY N E OF POLITICAL SUBDIVISION: TE ON WHICH VOTE OCCURRED '010l �t . POSITION IS: 1 Q ELECTIVE .APPOINTIVE WHO MUST FILE FORM 88 This form is for use by any person serving at the county, city, or other local level of government on an appointed or elected board, council, commission, authority, or committee. It applies equally to members of advisory and non - advisory bodies who are presented with a voting conflict of interest under Section 112.3143, Florida Statutes. Your responsibilities under the law when faced with voting on a measure in which you have a conflict of interest will vary greatly depending on whether you hold an elective or appointive position. For this reason, please pay close attention to the instructions on this form before completing the reverse side and filing the form. INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 112.3143, FLORIDA STATUTES A person holding elective or appointive county, municipal, or ocher local public office MUST ABSTAIN from voting on a measure , Nhich inures to his or her special private gain or loss. Each elected or appointed local officer also is prohibited from knowingly voting a measure which inures to the special gain or loss of a principal (ocher than a government agency) by whom he or she is retained °"including the parent organization or subsidiary of a corporate principal by which he or she is retained); to the special private gain or loss of a relative; or to the special private gain or loss of a 'business associate. Commissioners of community redevelopment agencies under Sec. 163.356 or 163.357, F.S., and officers of independent special tax districts elected on a one -acre, one -vote basis are not pro- hibited from voting in that capacity. For purposes of this law, a `relative" includes only the officer's father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, brother, sister, father - in -law, mother -in -law, son -in -law, and daughter -in -law. A "business associate" means any person or entity engaged in or carrying on a business enterprise with the officer as a partner, joint venturer, coowner of property, or corporate shareholder (where the shares of the corporation are not listed on any national or regional stock exchange). ELECTED OFFICERS: In addition to abstaining from voting in the situations described above, you must disclose the conflict: PRIOR TO THE VOTE BEING TAKEN by publicly stating to the assembly the nature of your interest in the measure on which you are abstaining from voting, and WITHIN 15 DAYS AFTER THE VOTE OCCURS by completing and filing this form with the person responsible for recording the minutes of the meeting, who should incorporate the form in the minutes. # # # # # APPOINTED OFFICERS: You must abstain from voting and disclose the conflict in the situations described above and in the manner described for elected offi- cers. In order to participate in these matters, you must disclose the nature of the conflict before making any attempt to influence the decision, whether orally or in writing and whether made by you or at your direction. IF YOU INTEND TO \MAKE ANY ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE THE DECISION PRIOR TO THE MEETING AT WHICH THE VOTE WILL BE TAKEN: lu must complete and file this form (before making any attempt to influence the decision) with the person responsible for recording the minutes of the meeting, who will incorporate the form in the minutes. A copy of the form must be provided immediately to the other members of the agency. • The form must be read publicly at the next meeting after the form is filed. IF YOU MAKE NO ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE THE DECISION EXCEPT BY DISCUSSION AT THE MEETING: • You must disclose orally the nature of your conflict in the measure before participating. You must complete the form and file it within 15 days after the vote occurs with the person responsible for recording the minutes of the meeting, who must incorporate the form in the minutes. A copy of the form must be provided immediately to the other members of the agency, and the form must be read publicly at the next meeting after the form is filed. i �,� � DIS C LOSURE OF LOCAL OFFICER'S INTEREST 1, t �`�� ``�` hereby disclose that on (a) A measure came or will come before my agency which (check one) inured to my special private gain or loss; inured to the special gain or loss of my busines. X inured to the special gain or loss of my relative inured to the special gain or loss of whom I am retained; or inured to the special gain or loss of is the parent organization or subsidiary of a principal which has retained me. (b) The measure before my agency and the nature of my conflicting interest in the measure is as follows: Date Filed Si ture oy which NOTICE: UNDER PROVISIONS OF FLORIDA STATUTES §112.317, A FAILURE TO MAKE ANY REQUIRED DISCLO- SURE CONSTITUTES GROUNDS FOR AND MAY BE PUNISHED BY ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING: IMPEACHMENT, REMOVAL OR SUSPENSION FROM OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT, DEMOTION, REDUCTION IN 3ALARY, REPRIMAND, OR A CIVIL PENALTY NOT TO EXCEED $10,000. CE FORM 8B - REV. v95 PAGE 2