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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-13-2015 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OCOEE COMMUNITY GRANT REVIEW BOARD MEETING HELD AUGUST 13, 2015 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Sills called the regular meeting of the Community Grant Review Board to order at 7:03 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 Cortes, Member Dunn and Member Rainer (arrived at 7:05). Also present were Community Relations Manager Wright and Recording Clerk Heard. ABSENT: N/A APPROVAL OF MINUTES—Regular meeting held on February 11, 2015. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Dunn, moved to approve the minutes of the Community Grant Review Board Meeting held February 11, 2015. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 1 —Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ The applicant was not present to represent the organization. Chairman Sills deferred this application to be heard last. Application No. 2—Ocoee Elementary School Erin Murray attended to represent the organization and stated the funding will be used to purchase eight Android Tablets for the technology classes for kindergarteners. Currently Ms. Murray's classroom has three computers for 20 students. Vice-Chairman Carrington inquired if her classroom utilizes the Lexia program. Ms. Murray confirmed and advised of the following programs they will utilize with the tablets such as Imagine Learning, I-Ready and myON. Chairman Sills inquired if the tablets will be staying at the school. Ms. Murray responded in the affirmative noting the tablets will never leave school grounds. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Dunn, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of$500 to the Ocoee Elementary School. The motion carried unanimously. Application No. 3—The Gift of Swimming Susan Polder attended to represent the organization. Chairman Sills inquired what the funds will be used for. Ms. Polder responded to teach small children of Ocoee how to swim and float safely across the pool with private one-on-one lessons. Vice-Chairman Carrington inquired if the funds are only for Ocoee residents. Ms. Polder responded in the affirmative. Community Grant Review Board August 13,2015 Member Rainer inquired why residents wouldn't use the Jim Beech Recreation Center swimming program. Ms. Polder responded that she is not familiar with the program; however, any parent can fill out a scholarship with The Gift of Swimming to receive one-on-one swimming lessons. Member Rainer inquired if they have a pool. Ms. Polder responded they work out of SouthWest Aquatics on Windermere Road. Member Cortes inquired about their fundraising and if the organization currently awards children who live in the city of Ocoee. Ms. Polder explained they generally teach more children from Ocoee than the $500 grant, and they teach about six to twelve children from Ocoee yearly. Member Cortes noted the organization served 311 children last year and nine were from Ocoee; and further, inquired how many of the nine children were granted a scholarship. Ms. Polder explained all 311 children were granted scholarships and noted the organization primarily works with Orange County Head Start. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Cortes, moved to recommend that the City Commission award the grant funding of$500 to The Gift of Swimming. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 4—Ocoee Lions Club Steve Van Varick attended to represent the organization. Chairman Sills inquired what the funds would be used for if awarded the grant. Mr. Van Varick explained to help residents obtain eye testing, glasses, surgeries and hearing aids; and further, noted only residents of Ocoee can apply to the Ocoee Lions Club. Chairman Sills inquired that this is an international organization; however, these funds are only for Ocoee residents. Mr. Van Varick responded affirmatively. Member Cortes inquired how the residents apply. Mr. Van Varick explained this service is for residents of any age, and they can talk to a member or go to their website at Ocoeelionsclub.org to contact a member to further proceed through a financial determination. Chairman Sills inquired if the exams and tests are all provided free of charge. Mr. Van Varick responded in the affirmative. Member Rainer inquired how many residents could be assisted with the $500. Mr. Van Varick informed if they are only exams, 20 residents could be assisted. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Rainer, moved to recommend that the City Commission award the grant funding of $500 to the Ocoee Lions Club. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 5—Women's Club of Ocoee Jackie Titus, Vice President of the Women's Club of Ocoee, attended to represent the organization. The club currently assists six public K-5 schools by implementing a"Creative Expressions" contest. Each child receives a ribbon and certificate along with awarding the school $500. Further, the club provides six scholarships for three high schools including Wekiva, which 47 students attend that are from the incorporated Ocoee area. 2 Community Grant Review Board August 13,2015 Chairman Sills inquired if the essay contest is still underway. Ms. Titus explained that the Creative Expressions is the contest, which this year's essay was on bullying. Member Cortes asked how many scholarships were given out last year. Ms. Titus answered six at three different high schools; Ocoee High School, West Orange High School and Wekiva High School; and further, explained that several kids are attending other schools, but are residents in the incorporated Ocoee area. She further explained that the club makes sure the schools are incorporated in the Ocoee area before the scholarships are approved. (Member Dunn exits the meeting.) Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Cortes, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of $500 to the Women's Club of Ocoee. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 6—United Muslim Americans for Humanity, Inc., (UMAH) Shakeel Anjum attended to represent the organization. Chairman Sills stated this is the first time for this organization to apply for a grant. Mr. Anjum responded in the affirmative. Chairman Sills noted the organization serves 300, which 80 percent are residents of Ocoee. Mr. Anjum expressed that is correct. Chairman Sills inquired if they assist the homeless. Mr. Anjum responded the organization is an approved member of Second Food Harvest Bank; and therefore, they do not ask questions about their circumstances, but many residents use the food pantry to help pay their bills. Chairman Sills inquired of their screening process. Mr. Anjum responded that they take addresses and phone numbers for recall purposes, but do not require filling out any type of forms for the food pantry. Discussion ensued regarding their screening process. Member Cortes inquired what area the remaining 20 percent comes from. Mr. Anjum answered Pine Hills and downtown. Member Cortes inquired if they have solicited any help from the City of Orlando or west Orlando. Mr. Anjum explained this is their first time applying for help and most of the money comes from the core members who want to fund the program and help the residents. Vice-Chairman Carrington inquired about Second Harvest Food Bank. Discussion ensued regarding the food bank and their requirements. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Rainer, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of$500 to the United Muslim Americans for Humanity, Inc., (UMAH). Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 7—Bread of Life Fellowship, Inc. Mark Anthony attended to represent the organization. Chairman Sills commented about the 28,000 volunteer hours listed for 2014. Mr. Anthony responded that they have a lot of support in this area and all over. He continued to list off programs which they have supported in the Ocoee area such as Christian Service Center, West Orlando 3 Community Grant Review Board August 13,2015 Baptist, Ocoee High School, Food for Families Project (three times a year), Total Freedom Program, Lions Club of Winter Garden, Glad Tidings Church, Ocoee Police Department. Mr. Anthony expressed this grant is for fuel, which costs approximately $1,250 a month, because of extensive traveling across the state to find food. Vice-Chairman Carrington commented about the 3.3 million pounds of food distributed last year. Mr. Anthony replied that is correct; and further stated that they are efficient, and they just want to help people. Their cost to distribute is seven cents a pound compared to other banks at $1.56. He commented that a semi was donated this year, which can hold 20 to 27 pallets instead of 12 pallets. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Cortes, moved to recommend that the City. Commission award the grant funding of $500 to the Bread of Life Fellowship, Inc. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 8—Vine of Life Ministries, Inc. Guy Iannello, president and director, attended to represent the organization, which he describes as a multiple organization whose main purpose is to rescue the homeless. They have been in operation in this area for 20 years. They have nine homes, which can house 40 to 45 individuals for nine months where they teach them life skills, share with them how to be set free from drugs and alcohol and also volunteer at the Bread of Life Fellowship, Inc. They have helped the Ocoee Police Department by taking in the homeless in the middle of the night. Chairman Sills inquired about the inmates they house and if they are from the Ocoee area. Mr. Iannello responded that not all of them are from Ocoee, but the majority of them are off the streets in Ocoee. He responded they also pick up food from stores and distribute it to the needy. Vice-Chairman Carrington inquired if the grant money is going toward tires. Mr. Iannello responded in the affirmative; that they have nine vehicles for transporting. Vice-Chairman Carrington inquired if they receive federal funding for transporting to which Mr. Iannello responded in the negative. Chairman Sills inquired if their services are free of charge. Mr. Iannello responded in the affirmative. Member Cortes inquired if the residents volunteer themselves or if they make them volunteer and how they incorporate them back into society. Mr. Iannello explained that the residents have to qualify to be able to stay with them. Chairman Sills commented this is an unusual application. Member Rainer inquired as to why they do not have an Ocoee venue for them to volunteer at. Mr. Iannello explained that they are qualified for volunteers to come in there to do community hours. Most of the volunteers live in Ocoee. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Rainer, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of $500 to the Vine of Life Ministries, Inc. Motion carried unanimously. 4 Community Grant Review Board August 13,2015 Application No. 9—Ocoee Bulldogs Jr/Sr Football Sandra Hudson attended to represent the organization. Funding would be used to buy a new hood in the concession stand, which will be able to put out a fire. The funds from the concession stand help sponsor children that cannot afford to play football. Chairman Sills asked the location of the concession stand. Ms. Hudson informed him it's a building at the end of the field and invited him to the first home game, which is August 22nd. She further advised that the City does not maintain the concession building but does maintain the field; therefore, it is the organization's responsibility to maintain the concession stand and the press box. Vice-Chairman Carrington restated that the money will go to sponsor the athletes. Ms. Hudson corrected him stating the grant money will go towards the new hood. She further stated last year they assisted 37 athletes with scholarships, the majority being football players with 95 percent residing in the City of Ocoee. Member Cortes inquired if they are a 501(c)(3). Ms. Hudson answered in the affirmative. Member Cortes stated they do not have that document. Ms. Hudson explained that Sueann Cotanche filled out the application during Ms. Hudson's leave of absence. Vice-Chairman Carrington inquired with Community Relations Manager Write if they could continue as they had in the past with recommending a 501(c)(3). Community Relations Manager Write indicated the procedures are the same as they were before. Member Cortes stated they will need a letter of support. Community Relations Manager Write agreed. Discussion ensued advising Ms. Hudson of the procedures with a 501(c)(3). Ms. Hudson further advised the Ocoee Bulldogs is an entity under the umbrella of Florida Pop Warner's 501(c)(3). Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Rainer, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of$500 to Ocoee Bulldogs Jr/Sr Football contingent upon the submission of the organization's minutes or letter of support from their board and proof of their umbrella 501(c)(3) status under Florida Pop Warner. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 10—Standing Ovation Talent Group Terri Burns and Stoney Burns attended to represent the organization. They are relocating into the West Oaks Mall with a grand opening date of September 5, 2015, and the funds would be used to purchase a new sign. Mr. and Mrs. Burns have been Ocoee residents for over 25 years and are very excited about moving their organization to their hometown and offering their program to the Ocoee residents. Member Cortes advised that after reading their application she noticed that their 501(c)(3) has expired and asked if they currently have one. Ms. Burns indicated they do have a 501(c)(3), which expires in 2018. Vice-Chairman Carrington advised they will need to supply a letter of support and proof of their 501(c)(3) status. Vice-Chairman Carrington inquired what the grant money would be used for. Ms. Burns replied that it will go toward a sign; and further, explained the organization, which is a non-profit performing arts dance program which has been in Orlando since 1998. Their goal is to build self- 5 Community Grant Review Board August 13,2015 esteem, character, leadership, social skills and education excellence. Discussion ensued regarding the organization,their fees and budget. Member Rainer noted that they only have two participants that reside in Ocoee and asked if they are anticipating more. Ms. Burns indicated that they are anticipating many more residents from Ocoee to be participants in the future. She further explained that she is currently reaching out to Ocoee Elementary and Middle schools for after-school pickup. Chairman Sills expressed this is a difficult application. Vice-Chairman Carrington shared his concern that the purchase of signs add no value to their investment or have a direct impact on the community. Member Cortes also noted that the organization currently has only two participants who reside in Ocoee. Mr. Burns further explained the costs of the signs, which is $1,200, and other expenses. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Chairman Sills, moved to recommend that the City Commission deny grant funding of $500 to Standing Ovation Talent Group. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 11 —S.T.A.R.S. of West Orange Allisha Douglas attended to represent the organization. She explained the organization, which was started by Ocoee residents to help one local school and has grown assisting 66 Orange County public schools with providing school supplies. They have been located at the West Oaks Mall for the past five years. Funding would be used to help purchase thumb drives to help students bring their work to school. Chairman Sills inquired if the student will keep the thumb drive. Ms. Douglas responded affirmatively. Member Rainer inquired of the selection and/or distribution of the thumb drives. Ms. Douglas explained that the schools supply how many students are participating in the reduced lunch program. The schools will notify the students that the thumb drives are available. Member Rainer inquired if the thumb drives purchased from the grant money will be distributed to 66 Orange County public schools. Ms. Douglas stated that the thumb drives purchased with the grant money will only be used for the six Ocoee public schools. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Rainer, moved to recommend that the City Commission award grant funding of $500 to S.T.A.R.S. of West Orange. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 12 —Independence Elementary School Chorus Joyce Conley attended to represent the organization. Funding will be used to offset the costs to transport choir students to perform at various assisted living facilities within the Ocoee community. a, Independence Elementary School is a brand-new school located in Winter Garden. Chairman Sills mentioned this application is a difficult one, because the school is in Winter Garden; although, the choir will be visiting Ocoee residents at the facilities. Vice-Chairman Carrington agreed and continued by explaining what the City Commission is looking for when it comes to awarding the grant money. 6 Community Grant Review Board August 13,2015 Vice-Chairman Carrington recommends that Ms. Conley attend the City Commission Meeting so she may address questions and concerns the commission may have regarding this event. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Rainer, moved to recommend that the City Commission deny the grant funding of$500 to the Independence Elementary School Chorus. Motion carried unanimously. Application No. 1 —Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (Tabled) The applicant was not present to represent the organization. Vice-Chairman Carrington, seconded by Member Cortes, moved to recommend that the City Commission deny the grant funding of $500 to the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ. Motion carried unanimously. COMMENTS: Chairman Sills thanked the Board for a job well done. ADJOURNMENT: 8:10 p.m. Attest: APPROVED: a by He. d, 'ecording ecretary fmi Sills, Chairman gg7 }