04-07-09 Item 31X31
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, RELATING TO THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI'S
COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD (CRB); (1) AMENDING THE DUTIES OF THE
CRB TO INCLUDE WORKING WITH THE HOMELESS IN OUR COMMUNITY, TO
SEEK PROFESSIONAL AND ECONOMIC HELP FOR THE HOMELESS, AND
PROVIDE SENSITIVITY TRAINING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE
COMMUNITY AT LARGE TO THE NEEDS OF THE HOMELESS; AND (2)
REDUCING THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY,
ORDINANCES' IN CONFLICT, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission of the City of South Miami is concerned with the
growing number of homeless people in South Miami and Miami -Dade County; and,
WHEREAS, these economic hard times have caused men, women and children, entire families to
become homeless due to the decreasing job market and the foreclosure crisis; and,
WHEREAS, homelessness is a phenomenon that is affecting our community and the City of
South Miami desires to take a proactive approach to the situation to assist the entire community of South
Miami; and,
WHEREAS, the City's Community Relations Board duties should be expanded to include
outreach towards the homeless community to assist the homeless, and the Community at Large in dealing
with this social issue; and,
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission desire to amend the duties of the Community
Relations Board so that the needs and concerns of the homeless are addresses; and to ensure increased
sensitivity towards the homeless by the South Miami Police Department, and Community at Large; and,
WHEREAS, staff recommends reduction in size of the Board from 17 to 15 members, as it is
often difficult to obtain a quorum for meeting purposes.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The City's Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, section 2 -26.6, relating to the
"Community Relations Board" is hereby amended and states as follows:
Sec. 2 -26.6. Community Relations Board.
(a) Created. There is hereby created a community relations board for the City. Said board
shall consist of fifteen (15) members, with two (2) appointees between the ages of
eighteen (18) and thirty (30). The members shall be [of] diverse religious, and ethnic [backgrounds].
These individuals shall be selected because of their leadership role in their own groups, and can be a
member of the general public with personal experience with homeless issues.
(b) Appointment and terms of members. Members of said board shall be appointed by the Mayor
with the advice and consent of the City Commission mid all sefve- antil N4e&eh 1, 2000. Appointees shall
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1 e serve for a period of two (2) years or until their successor is appointed, whichever comes later.
2 Representatives from the police department as ex officio members of the board.
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(c)
Chair and vice -chair or co- chairs. The members shall meet promptly and select a chair and vice -
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chair
or co- chairs by a majority vote of the board.
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(d)
Quorum. A quorum for meeting of the board shall be a majority of the members of the board.
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(e)
Duties. The duties of the board shall be as follows:
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(1) Meet at least once every three (3) months.
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(2) To foster mutual understanding, tolerance and respect among all economic,
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social, religious, sexual orientation, people with special needs, age and ethnic groups in
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the City.
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(3) To make studies in the field of human relations.
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(4) To attempt to act as conciliator in controversies involving community relations.
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(5) To co- operate with federal, state, county and City agencies in developing
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harmonious community relations.
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(6) To co- operate in the development of educational programs dedicated to the
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improvement of community relations with and to enlist the support of civic leaders; civic,
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religious, veterans, labor industrial, commercial and eleemosynary groups; and private
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agencies engaged in the inculcation of ideals of tolerance, mutual respect and
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understanding.
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(7) To make studies, and to have studies made, in the field of community relations,
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and to prepare and disseminate reports of such studies.
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(8) To recommend the City Commission such ordinances as will aid in carrying out
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the purposes of this section, including increasing understanding, sensitivity, and training
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of the City's Departments, including the Police Department, towards the homeless.
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(9) To submit an annual report to the Manager and City Commission.
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(10) To accept grants and donations in behalf of the City from foundations and others
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for the purpose of carrying out the above listed functions, subject to approval by the City
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Commission.
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L 1) To facilitate, implement and empower the curative philosophy known as
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continuum of care for the homeless.
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(12) The committee shall have the power and duty to examine the issues of the
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homeless in the City and to recommend to the City Commission a comprehensive
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strategy on the homeless, including_ professional services, health services, and
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rehabilitation services for the homeless; and fostering, relationships with the City's police
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department, health care professions and the Community at large.
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Section 2. If any section, clause, sentence, or phrase of this ordinance is for any reason held
invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the holding shall not affect the validity of
the remaining portions of this ordinance.
Section 3. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this
ordinance are repealed.
Section 4. This ordinance shall be codified and included in the Code of Ordinances.
Section 5. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon enactment.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this day of , 2009.
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Luis R. Figueredo,
Office of City Attorney
APPROVED:
MAYOR
1St Reading —
2 °a Reading —
COMMISSION VOTE:
Mayor Feliu:
Vice Mayor Beasley:
Commissioner Palmer:
Commissioner Beckman:
Commissioner Newman:
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