Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 111543
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File Number: 111543 File Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Version: 0 Reference: R-634-11 Control: Board of County Commissioners
File Name: QUALITY OF LIFE GALLUP WELL BEING INDEX Introduced: 7/13/2011
Requester: NONE Cost: Final Action: 7/19/2011
Agenda Date: 7/19/2011 Agenda Item Number: 14A4
Notes: Title: RESOLUTION SUPPORTING COMMUNITY EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THE WELL BEING OF FLORIDA’S CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 17, WHICH WAS RANKED THIRD-TO-LAST IN THE NATION FOR OVERALL SOCIAL, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL QUALITY OF LIFE BY THE GALLUP WELL-BEING INDEX; DIRECTING THE MAYOR OR DESIGNEE TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS TO SUPPORT THESE EFFORTS
Indexes: DISTRICT 17
Sponsors: Barbara J. Jordan, Prime Sponsor
  Audrey M. Edmonson, Co-Sponsor
  Jean Monestime, Co-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

Board of County Commissioners 7/19/2011 14A4 Adopted P
REPORT: County Attorney Robert Cuevas read the foregoing proposed resolution into the record. The Commission proceeded to vote on the foregoing proposed resolution. Following the vote, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson acknowledged Commissioner Jordan for sponsoring this important resolution. She explained that Congressional District 17 was the most suffering Congressional District in the nation according to the Gallup-Healthway’s annual “Well Being Index”. Congresswoman Wilson said that the suffering was taking place in Liberty City and Overtown and she was determined to use these findings as an opportunity to further address problems which were being faced by these communities. She noted that the County Commission had difficult decisions to make in the midst of a national economic crisis. Congresswoman Wilson commented that we must care for those who could not care for themselves and have compassion for individuals and families who, despite hard work and determination, found themselves staring at record unemployment, home foreclosure and business failure. She said that courage was needed to make the right decisions to save Miami-Dade County for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, even though those decisions may be politically unpopular. Congresswoman Wilson noted that she called together all Congressional District 17 elected officials and other stakeholders to meet with Gallup representatives to discuss the survey and the methods used for its findings. The Congressional District 17 Well Being Task Force was formed with Mr. T. Willard Fair serving as its Chairperson, said Congresswoman Wilson. She noted that Commissioners Jordan, Edmonson, and Monestime attended Task Force meetings along staff members from Commissioner Heyman’s office. Congresswoman Wilson said the Task Force was assessing the community’s health needs and outlining an action plan to address those needs. She noted she was working with Commissioner Monestime to build a Federally Qualified Healthcare Facility in Liberty City with financial support from the State of Florida and also anticipated receiving funds from the federal government. Congresswoman Wilson asked the County to provide support staff and assistance in making important decisions impacting Congressional District 17. Congresswoman Wilson said that the Congressional Black Caucus would sponsor a job fair promoting employment efforts for Congressional District 17 and County residents at the James L. Knight Convention Center on August 23rd. She noted City of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado and Commissioner Richard Dunn had offered their support to the Congressional Black Caucus and asked Mayor Gimenez and the County Commission to participate. Congresswoman Wilson commended Commissioner Jordan for sponsoring home foreclosure clinics and financial assistance projects. She said that improving the quality of life for the entire County would be possible by working together. Congresswoman Wilson noted that the legislation proffered by Commissioner Jordan and approved by the County Commission at today’s (7/19) meeting outlined the specific actions to support community efforts to address the well being of Congressional District 17. Congresswoman Wilson advised the County Commission that Congressional District 17 consisted of the following cities: portions of Aventura, Biscayne Park, El Portal, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Miami, Miami Gardens, Miami Shores, Miramar, North Miami Beach, Opa Locka, Pembroke Park, Pembroke Pines, and West Park. She noted Liberty City and Overtown was in the middle of these areas and was suffering and asked the County Commission to support the proposed community efforts. Commissioner Jordan expressed appreciation to Congresswoman Wilson for making the community aware of the critical nature of this issue. She noted that many jobs were lost during the recession; that a many of those jobs would be replaced by government; and that retaining jobs was critical. Commissioner Jordan said that a New Times article entitled “Miami-Area Congressional District is the Most Suffering in America” was distributed and asked Commission members for their compassion in considering these concerns during the budget process. Commissioner Moss encouraged the County Commission to consider the issues presented by Congresswoman Wilson when setting the millage rate. He referenced a recent Miami Herald article about the unemployment rate in the black community and asked the Commission to remain flexible when setting the millage rate to address this pertinent community issue. Commissioner Monestime expressed his appreciation to Congresswoman Wilson for attending today’s (7/19) County Commission meeting. He concurred with Commissioners Moss and Jordan’s sentiment and commented that the Commission would be considering a District 2 economic development proposal at today’s (7/19) meeting. Congresswoman Wilson said she always tried to identify solutions to problems. As an example, she noted she initiated efforts to continue providing postal services to Liberty City residents after the closure of the Edison Branch Post Office in cooperation with the Curley’s House of Style, Inc. Congresswoman Wilson noted recent local and national efforts reversed the attempt to close Miami Edison and Miami Jackson Senior High Schools, both located in Congressional District 17. She said the Creole speaking community and its children needed library access and asked the Commission to consider alternatives that would keep the Edison Branch Library open or perhaps partner with the Dade County Public Schools to provide this community with ongoing library services. Congresswoman Wilson also noted concern over the potential Head Start privatization. She said she was a Head Start teacher who became a Congresswoman and also was the first Head Start Assistant Education Coordinator for Miami-Dade County. Congresswoman Wilson noted that significant change and growth was experienced by children participating in Head Start programs. She asked the County Commission to remember the struggling and suffering in the heart of Congressional District 17. Commissioner Suarez welcomed Congresswoman Wilson and thanked her presenting her concerns to the County Commission. He noted that County libraries provided residents with essential services; including educational programming and Internet access and that he sent a memorandum to Mayor Gimenez requesting the Varrick Park Branch Library in Coconut Grove remain open. Commissioner Suarez said that the County needed to properly allocate its approximate $7 million operating and capital funds. Chairman Martinez clarified that the proposal to close libraries was Mayor Gimenez’ recommendation and was not a final decision. He noted various discussions would be held at the committee and commission level as well as at public hearings before the final decision was made on September 22, 2011. Commissioner Souto concurred that libraries were important to the community and needed to remain open, especially in low and middle class communities. He noted that it was crucial to prevent the proposed closure of 25 percent of County libraries. Commissioner Souto said some of the libraries being considered received 60,000 visitors annually and recommended the consideration of alternative service reductions. He noted a small investment in libraries and education today would prevent unintended consequences of gangs, drugs and violence later. Congresswoman Wilson concluded with an appeal that the Commission not privatize Head Start. Commissioner Sosa asked Congresswoman Wilson to support efforts to balance the federal budget.

County Mayor 7/18/2011 Additions 7/19/2011

County Attorney 7/13/2011 Assigned Jess M. McCarty

Legislative Text


TITLE
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING COMMUNITY EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THE WELL BEING OF FLORIDA�S CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 17, WHICH WAS RANKED THIRD-TO-LAST IN THE NATION FOR OVERALL SOCIAL, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL QUALITY OF LIFE BY THE GALLUP WELL-BEING INDEX; DIRECTING THE MAYOR OR DESIGNEE TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS TO SUPPORT THESE EFFORTS

BODY

WHEREAS, District 17 was listed as one of the most �suffering� Congressional district in the United States by the Gallup Well-Being Index (WBI); and
WHEREAS, Congressional District 17 is comprised of municipalities or portions of municipalities such as: Biscayne Park, El Portal, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Miami, Miami Gardens, Miami Shores, Miramar, North Miami Beach, Opa Locka, Pembroke Park, Pembroke Pines and West Park; and
WHEREAS, Gallup studies human nature and behavior and assesses a society�s well-being as measured by several metrics considered vital to community health and economic growth; and
WHEREAS, the WBI�s statistics were gathered by polling more than �350,000 Americans to track emotional and physical health, work environment and perception of access to resources such as water�; and
WHEREAS, Congressional District 17�s rank reportedly fell 183 spots from 2009 to 2010, with the greatest decrease coming from residents� perspectives on their �life evaluation� and �work environment�; and
WHEREAS, the WBI statistics should spark the beginning of serious and critical research, conversations and actions to improve the well-being of Congressional District 17; and
WHEREAS, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson of Congressional District 17 has taken the lead in addressing the WBI report, and has begun efforts to form a task force geared at determining the underlying causes of the District�s poor showing and to encourage open dialogue and active interchange regarding ways of enhancing the prosperity of each neighborhood in Congressional District 17; and
WHEREAS, the Congressional Black Caucus plans to include Miami, Florida in their four-city national �For the People� Jobs Initiative Tour scheduled for August 23, 2011, and is calling upon national and locally based private and public sector partners to help immediately remedy the current jobs crisis and participate in the job fair to provide legitimate, immediate employment and job readiness opportunities for underserved communities throughout our nation; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County should join the Congressional Black Caucus in their effort to address the unemployment crisis and the need for job creation solutions in underserved communities across the nation, including Congressional District 17; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County should not only join in the discussions concerning Congressional District 17, but should also follow the example of the Congressional Black Caucus in encouraging vibrant and effective public � private partnerships to provide employment opportunities in our community; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County should further make County personnel available to the District 17 task force, so as to ensure that the difficulties facing Congressional District 17 are quickly understood and expeditiously resolved,


NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Supports community efforts to address the well being of Florida�s Congressional District 17, which was ranked third-to-last in the nation for overall social, mental and physical quality of life by the Gallup Well Being Index.
Section 2. Directs the Mayor or Mayor�s designee to (a) play an active role in the Congressional District 17 task force discussions and make County personnel readily available to assist the task force in understanding the problems facing the community and in determining ways to improve the quality of life of residents; and (b) pursue creative mechanisms to encourage new, vibrant and effective public � private partnerships to benefit communities such as Congressional District 17.



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