DISCUSSION REGARDING THE FOOD SERVICES BUREAU FOR THE MIAMI-DADE CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION DEPARTMENT
Indexes:
CORRECTIONS & REHABILITATION
Sponsors:
Sally A. Heyman, Prime Sponsor
Sunset Provision:
No
Effective Date:
Expiration Date:
Registered Lobbyist:
None Listed
Legislative History
Acting Body
Date
Agenda Item
Action
Sent To
Due Date
Returned
Pass/Fail
Health and Public Safety Committee
4/12/2007
1D3
Presented
REPORT:
Assistant County Attorney Valda Clark Christian read the title of the foregoing discussion item into the record.
Commissioner Heyman provided a brief overview of the intent of the foregoing item.
Commissioner Sosa recommended this item be deferred to the next Committee meeting since the department director was not able to attend and needed to be aware of these important issues being presented.
Commissioner Heyman advised that she had spoken with the director, who was indeed aware of this issue. She noted other departmental representatives were present today as well as individuals from the public concerning this matter. She requested the Committee proceed with this presentation today.
Ms. Debbie Grant, Commander, Miami-Dade Food Services Bureau, appeared before the Committee and provided an overview of the concerns her agency was dealing with. She noted she had met with past and current directors of the Corrections Department regarding their concerns. She pointed out issues concerning the infrastructure, old equipment, and other problems existing in the various corrections’ kitchen facilities, which had been cited by the Department of Health for violations during inspections. Ms. Grant gave a detailed description of the services provided by the Food Service Bureau and presented a PowerPoint presentation.
Commissioner Heyman thanked Ms. Grant for her presentation and acknowledged her efforts to maximize the delivery of services with efficiency and at a cost savings.
1D4
Assistant County Attorney Valda Clark Christian read the title of the foregoing discussion item into the record.
Commissioner Moss provided a brief overview of the foregoing discussion item and noted a potential ordinance coming forth that concerned this matter. He pointed out that the City of Miami Beach Fire Department’s interest in contracting services from the Town of Surfside was a source of major concern for the union.
Commissioner Sosa noted the importance of this issue as it related to the protection and safety of the residents of Miami-Dade County. She stated the public’s safety was the Commission’s responsibility and when a fragmentation in public safety existed, the public was not protected.
Mr. Herminio Lorenzo, Director, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR), responded to Commissioner Sosa’s inquiry regarding the placement of a fire station in the Town of Surfside. He advised that after six years, the MDFR had identified property adjacent to the Surfside City Hall facility suitable for a fire station. While in the process of negotiating the purchase, he noted the department was informed that the City of Miami Beach was providing quotes to various municipalities in the area to provide them with municipal services. Chief Lorenzo noted he attended the Surfside City Commission meeting where the City of Miami Beach presented a formal proposal to provide the Town of Surfside with fire rescue protection via a rescue unit part-time, at half the cost they were currently paying into the District. He summarized the discussion held regarding this matter. He stated that the aspects of the mutual aid agreements would be revisited and recommendations would be presented to the Commission. He advised that he had met with the Mayor and City Manager of the Town of Surfside to discuss these and other public safety issues.
Commissioner Gimenez spoke in support of the forthcoming ordinance and noted a policy establishing equilibrium was needed to set boundaries. He noted he would like to co-sponsor Chairman Moss’ ordinance when brought forth. .
Commissioner Heyman spoke in support of the potential ordinance and stated she too would like to be listed as a co-sponsor of Chairman Moss’ ordinance. She concurred with Chief Lorenzo’s comment regarding the potential for cherry-picking practices in this matter. Commissioner Heyman recommended fire and rescue services be regionalized.
Commissioner Sosa noted she would like to be added as a co-sponsor whenever Commissioner Moss’ ordinance came forward. She asked that if a public safety task force was required that she be designated to initiate those efforts
Commissioner Moss asked Assistant County Attorney Valda Christian to prepare a written proposal for presentation at the May 17th Committee meeting and to also present this proposal for discussion the League of Cities before the May 17th meeting.
Assistant County Manager Hudak clarified that the item would appear for first reading at the appropriate Commission meeting, then it would come back to the Committee for public hearing; at which time the municipalities would be notified.
Chairman Moss announced that the dedication of the County’s “Fire Boat” would be held tomorrow (4/13) in the Town of Surfside and congratulated Chief Lorenzo on this accomplishment.
County Manager
4/10/2007
Additions
County Manager
4/9/2007
Referred
Health and Public Safety Committee
4/12/2007
Legislative Text
There is no text currently available online for this item.
