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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-11-2015 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OCOEE COMMUNITY GRANT REVIEW BOARD MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 11, 2015 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 Cortes, Dunn and Rainer. Also present were Community Relations Manager Wright and Recording Clerk Turner. ABSENT: N/A WELCOME NEW MEMBERS—Jane Rainer and Eneida Cortes Chairman Sills welcomed Members Rainer and Cortes to the Board. The new members offered a brief history and stated their interest in joining the Board. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—Regular meeting held on August 13, 2014. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Dunn, moved to approve the minutes of the Community Grant Review Board Meeting held August 13, 2014. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 1 —Ocoee Middle School FFA This application was not considered as they did not include a "letter of support" from the principal; however, the principal of Ocoee Middle School did offer a letter of support for application #2, Ocoee Middle School SAFE. Also, as per the Community Grant guidelines, "Only one entity from each organization is eligible to apply for a grant,per cycle." Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Chairman Sills, moved that Applications #4 and#12 be moved to the beginning of the agenda and then revert back to the original agenda (Application #2). Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 4—West Orange Seniors Wendell Singrey attended to represent the organization. Vice-Chairman Carrington inquired if the West Orange Seniors is a non-profit organization and if Mr. Singrey could provide the organization's letter of support. Mr. Singrey .confirmed the organization's 501(c)(3) status, and offered Community Relations Manager Wright both supporting documents. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Chairman Sills, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of$400 to the West Orange Seniors. Member Dunn inquired what the grant funds would be used for. Mr. Singrey explained the funds will be used to keep Ocoee seniors active in the community. Community Grant Review Board February 11,2015 Member Rainer inquired if the organization charges membership fees. Mr. Singrey responded there are no membership dues; however, there are some costs for the activities. After Board discussion: The motion carried unanimously. Application No. 12—Orlando Chargers Organization Sharmice Hudson attended to represent the organization. Vice-Chairman Carrington inquired if the Orlando Chargers Organization is a non-profit organization. Ms. Hudson answered in the affirmative. The vice-chairman directed Ms. Hudson to provide the City with the 501(c)(3) status letter should the Board award the organization with grant funds. Ms. Hudson explained funding will be used to purchase equipment for the basketball organization. She continued by explaining the organization is an AAU basketball program. Vice-Chairman Carrington inquired if all the players reside in Ocoee. Ms. Hudson responded they do not. Member Rainer inquired how members are made aware of the program. Ms. Hudson explained by passing out flyers and word of mouth. Member Cortes inquired how the organization intends to volunteer in Ocoee. Ms. Hudson responded if invited, the organization is willing to volunteer. Board discussion ensued regarding the location of practices. Ms. Hudson advised the practices are held at Ocoee Middle School and other local facilities. The cost per player is $650; this fee includes a uniform, shoes, duffle bag, face towel, water bottle and tournament fees. Member Rainer inquired what other funding sources the organization receives. Ms. Hudson explained through fundraising efforts and from the parents of the players. Member Dunn inquired Ms. Hudson's role within the organization and how the players are selected to participate on the team. Ms. Hudson explained she is the director and coach. The players are selected through try-outs. Member Dunn noted that 12 players reside within the city of Ocoee and inquired where the majority of the players reside. Ms. Hudson responded Orlando, Clermont and other local cities. Chairman Sills explained the Board is charged with the responsibility of making sure that grant monies awarded serve the citizens of Ocoee in the best manner. Vice-Chairman Carrington inquired the funding avenues offered by AAU. Ms. Hudson responded the organization's charitable status is offered by AAU. 2 Community Grant Review Board February 11,2015 Vice-Chairman Carrington expressed that he struggles with recognizing the impact the organization would have to Ocoee residents. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Dunn moved to table Application #12, Orlando Chargers Organization, to the end of the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 2—Ocoee Middle School SAFE Denise Reed attended to represent the organization. Funding would be used to subsidize and improve the food baskets that the SAFE Department prepares for Ocoee Middle School families in need over the Thanksgiving, winter and spring break timeframes. Approximately sixty percent of the school's students participate in the free or reduced lunch program. The SAFE program provides those students with breakfast and lunch during the three school breaks. Member Rainer inquired how those families in need are identified. Ms. Reed explained they are identified through other charitable services. Further Board discussion ensued. Member Cortes inquired how many baskets are being distributed during those breaks. Ms. Reed responded 40-60 baskets during each break. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Rainer, moved to recommend that the City Commission award the grant funding of$400 to the Ocoee Middle School SAFE program. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 3—Matthew's Hope Ministries, Inc. Cynthia Underwood attended to represent the organization. Funding would be used to offset transportation costs for the homeless guests by providing them with bus passes, bicycles, bike locks and bike lights. This will allow them to search for jobs and attend doctor's visits. Chairman Sills inquired, once rewarded with a bicycle, do the guests continue working with the organization. Ms. Underwood answered in the affirmative. Member Rainer inquired if Matthew's Hope is a national organization. Ms. Underwood responded it is not. Ms. Underwood explained more than 50% of guests and volunteers are from the city of Ocoee. Also, the organization will be opening the doors of a daycare and preschool to assist local homeless and underserved families. Member Dunn inquired the safeguards Matthew's Hope has in place from issuing multiple bikes to the same guest. Ms. Underwood explained the bikes are issued serial numbers and are labeled. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Chairman Sills, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of$400 to Matthew's Hope Ministries, Inc. Motion carried unanimously. 3 Community Grant Review Board February 11,2015 Application No. 5—Junior Achievement of Central Florida Mary Lee Walker attended to represent the organization. Funding would be used to deliver the programs at Ocoee Elementary School. The program is designed to instill leadership, literacy and entrepreneurship skills in the youth of Central Florida. Board discussion ensued regarding the impact the program has on the students. Ms. Walker explained that 95%of the students tested have shown a positive impact. Member Rainer inquired if elementary school-aged children can grasp the concepts. Ms. Walker explained they are taught basic concepts. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Vice-Chairman Sills, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of $400 to Junior Achievement of Central Florida for the youth at Ocoee Elementary School. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 6—American Legion, Tommie C. Sanders Memorial Post 109 Terry Titus, American Legion Member, attended to represent the organization. Funding would be used to send two high school students to the Florida Boy's State Program in Tallahassee; the program allows young men to learn how government works. Member Rainer inquired the selection process for the program. Mr. Titus explained the boys are selected by the organization's review board. Chairman Sills inquired if the boys will be from Ocoee. Mr. Titus responded "generally, yes". S Member Cortes inquired what other funding sources will go towards funding the trip. Mr. Titus explained there are no other funding sources. Member Rainer inquired if the students are children of American Legion members. Mr. Titus stated not necessarily. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Dunn, moved to recommend that the City Commission award the grant funding of $400 to the American Legion, Tommie C. Sanders Memorial Post 109 to send Ocoee youth to the Florida Boy's State Program. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 7—Ocoee High School FFA Peter Jordan, Hannah Wagner and Megan Pearce attended to represent the organization. Funding would be used to start a poultry production project at Ocoee High School. In order for the project to become viable, the purchase of heat lamps, chicken eggs, coop material and feed is necessary. The chickens will be for show and egg production; the eggs will be sold at local farmers' markets, and to school staff and students. Vice-Chairman Carrington inquired if there is a process in place to obtain permits and licenses for this project. Mr. Jordan explained there are no regulatory requirements for the sale of under 200 dozen eggs per year. 4 Community Grant Review Board February 11,2015 Member Cortes inquired the organization's budget information. Ms. Pearce explained the budget balance has been accumulating over the years. The school does not help fund the organization. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Cortes, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of $400 to the Ocoee High School FFA for their poultry production program. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 8—Ocoee FFA Boosters Donna Sue Gable attended to represent the organization. Funding would be used to purchase items to be raffled in order to raise funds for the "We Need a New Truck Benefit". The event will be held at Bill Breeze Park on September 19th & 20th, 2015. The funds would be used to help purchase a truck to transport the animals to the fair. Ms. Gable explained the Ocoee FFA Boosters is non- profit organization that fundraises for the needs of the livestock fields of the Ocoee Middle School FFA. Ms. Rainer inquired the owner of the insurance policy for the truck. Ms. Gable explained the truck will become Orange County Public School's (OCPS) property, and OCPS will provide the insurance and maintenance for the truck. Member Cortes confirmed that the money requested is for a grill and patio set. Ms. Gable confirmed and explained those items will be purchased from Wal-Mart and raffled at the event. Ms. Gable explained the venue will showcase many vendors; the fee per vendor for both days of the event is $50.00, and 25 vendors have been confirmed thus far. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Chairman Sills, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of$400 to Ocoee FFA Boosters to purchase the items outlined in their application for their September 2015 fundraiser. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 9—Garden Community Choir Nancy Gracey attended to represent the organization. The funds would be used for the purchase of risers for choir use at performance venues. The Choir identified the need for risers as many members find it difficult to see the music director, and the sound is not the same when all members are at one level. The Garden Community Choir recently performed in the Martin Luther King Celebration. Vice-Chairman Carrington inquired what other funding source the Choir will receive towards the purchase of the risers. Ms. Gracey responded through fundraising efforts. Some risers will be purchased soon and some over a period of time. Member Rainer inquired how the residents of Ocoee benefit from the Choir. Ms. Gracey explained they service the entire West Orange community. She continued by saying, if the Choir is invited by the city of Ocoee to perform at events, they would accept the engagement. Member Cortes inquired if the Choir is making efforts to recruit members from the city of Ocoee. Ms. Gracey stated they do make recruitment efforts in the local area. 5 Community Grant Review Board February 11,2015 Chairman Sills inquired if the Choir receives grant monies from the city of Winter Garden. Ms. Gracey responded Winter Garden does not offer grants, and Ocoee is "light years ahead". Member Dunn inquired if the two contractors who provide the artistic direction for the Choir are paid positions. Ms. Gracey explained there are three paid positions. Member Dunn believes this is a Winter Garden choir and grant monies would be best awarded to organizations that primarily serve the city of Ocoee. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Dunn, moved to recommend that the City Commission deny grant funding of $500 to the Garden Community Choir. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 10—Barkie's Legacy Jennifer Bark attended to represent the organization. She explained that Barkie's Legacy is a dog rescue organization. Funding would be used to help offset the cost of dog food and treats, supplies, and crates for the animals. Board discussion ensued regarding Barkie's Legacy receiving $1,000 grant funding in FY 2013- 2014. It was concluded that the organization was erroneously awarded two grants in the same funding cycle; however, the organization would be eligible to receive funding for this grant cycle. Vice-Chairman Carrington noted that Ms. Bark has been travelling out-of-state to deliver dogs to their adopted families. The vice-chairman inquired if Orange County assists with adoption fees. Ms. Bark explained they do have special rescue fees and also run specials. Vice-Chairman Carrington moved to recommend that the City Commission award the grant funding of$400 to Barkie's Legacy. Member Dunn inquired if the vice-chairman would agree to recommend grant award funding in the amount$500.00. The vice-chairman withdrew his original motion and offered a new motion: Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Dunn, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of$500 to Barkie's-Legacy. Motion carried unanimously. Chairman Sills asked that Ms. Bark attend the City Commission Meeting so she may address questions and concerns the commission may have regarding her program. Application No. 11 —Center for Multicultural Wellness and Prevention, Inc. Marie Jose Francois attended to represent the organization. Funding will be used to purchase refreshments for staff and volunteers at the 13th Annual Caribbean Health Summit to be held at the Central Florida Fairgrounds. The goal of the organization is the health of the community. Outreach attempts are made via churches and radio announcements. 6 Community Grant Review Board February 11,2015 Board discussion ensued regarding the organization's charitable status; the organization's 501- (c)(3) status was confirmed. Vice-Chairman Carrington expressed his appreciation for such an event, but shared his concern that the event does not have a direct impact on the community. Member Cortes also noted that no members of the organization live in Ocoee. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Dunn, moved to recommend that the City Commission deny the grant funding of $500 to the Center for Multicultural Wellness and Prevention,Inc. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 12—Orlando Chargers Organization Vice-Chairman Carrington inquired how the organization is registered with the State. Ms. Hudson responded, "Orlando Chargers Organization". Member Dunn opined the organization does not directly impact the community, and the benefit to the community is not sufficient. Member Dunn inquired Ms. Hudson's role in the organization. Ms. Hudson responded that she is the founder and a coach. Vice-Chairman Carrington agreed with Member Dunn that the organization does not appear to have a large impact on the community. Board discussion ensued regarding other local competitive leagues in the area. Member Cortes inquired if scholarships are offered to some of the players. Ms. Hudson responded they do not currently offer scholarships, but may consider granting scholarships in the future. Vice-Chairman Carrington opined this is a good group, with a great focus, but does not see how it fits within the scope of the grant program at this time. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Dunn, moved to recommend that the City Commission deny the grant funding of $500 to the Orlando Chargers Organization. Motion carried unanimously. DISCUSSION OF APPLICATIONS The board offered to reallocate some of the remaining grant funds: Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Dunn, moved to award an additional $100, bringing the total grant award to $500 to: Ocoee Middle School SAFE, Matthew's Hope Ministries,Inc., West Orange Seniors, Junior Achievement of Central Florida,American Legion, Tommie C. Sanders Memorial Post 109, Ocoee High School FFA, and Ocoee FFA Boosters. Motion carried unanimously. 7 1 Community Grant Review Board February 11,2015 NOMINATION OF OFFICERS FOR NEW 1-YEAR TERM Chairman Sills opened the floor for nominations of chairman. Member Dunn, seconded by Vice-Chairman Carrington, nominated Jims Sills for chairman and Keith Carrie'ton for vice-chairman for the 2015 calendar year. Motion carried unanimously. COMMENTS Chairman Sills thanked the board for a job well-done! Vice-Chairman Carrington welcomed the new members. Board discussion ensued regarding awarding Barkie's Legacy two grants within one grant cycle. Staff-Liaison Wright advised she would research the matter. ADJOURNMENT at 9:01 p.m. Attest: APPROVED: Dia urner, Recording ec .ry Sills, Chairman 8