017-2000 LTC
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
http:\\cLmiami-beach.f1.us
L.T.C. No. 17-2000
LETTER TO COMMISSION
February 1, 2000
TO: Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
FROM: Lawrence A. Levy ,~
City Manager ~\ .
SUBJECT: LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT
This Letter to the Mayor and City Commission is to provide background on questions raised by the
Commission regarding the Public Hearing for the proposed uses of the Law Enforcement Block
Grant Program.
This is the fourth year that the City has benefitted from the Block Grant Program. In each of the four
years, the grant process that has been followed is detailed below. Please note and understand that the
City Commission is required to approve any grant the City applies for before the application is sent
and the City commits to it.
On October 6, 1999, then City Manager Sergio Rodriguez presented this item to the Mayor and
Commission. This included a Commission Memorandum and Resolution which completely detailed
all of the proposed uses ofthe grant funds as requested by the Police Department. The Commission
approved the uses as proposed under Resolution No. 99-23343.
As a requirement of this Grant, it required approval by the local Criminal Justice Council. In our
case, this is the Dade-Miami Criminal Justice Council. This Council reviewed the proposed uses of
the grant funds, in a public hearing held on November 23, 1999 and approved the proposed uses of
the Grant funds as stated.
Unique to this Grant is the requirement by Congress that a Public Hearing be held on the proposed
uses ofthis grant in order to grant "an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed uses
of the Block Grant Funds. " On January 12,2000, the Mayor and Commission heard this item and
set a Public Hearing for 11 :OOAM, January 26, 2000.
On January 26, 2000, the Public Hearing was held for the purpose of allowing the public to comment
on the proposed uses previously approved by the Mayor and City Commission and the Dade-Miami
Criminal Justice Council.
It is clear that all of the appropriate procedures were followed by the Administration and the Police
Department and perhaps because of the time delay between the meetings, the issue became confused.
We will endeavor in the future to see that this confusion does not happen again.
LL/d/~/fs/MMS
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