Homeless Committee Meeting 10212015
Committee on the Homeless
October 21, 2015
Welcome & Introductions
•The Committee:
•Gail Harris
•Lior Lesser - absent
•Debra Schwartz
•Calvin Kohli
•Jonathan Kroner
•Dan Nagler
•Freddy Funes - absent
•Valerie Navarrete
Action(s): Attendance was taken.
•Staff:
•Alba Tarre
•Maria Ruiz
•Guests:
Approval of Meeting Summary
•Review of prior meeting summary
Action(s): Summary approved unanimously.
Old Business
•Committee Report to Commission
•Finalize Resolution Language
Action(s): Discussion and review was held deleting “devastatingly” and
replacing it with “significantly.” Motion by Mr. Kroner and second by Ms.
Navarrete. Passed unanimously.
Old Business
WHEREAS, homelessness in Miami Beach has a significant adverse impact on our community;
WHEREAS, up to 85% of the City’s homeless come from other communities; they have not
resided in the City prior to becoming homeless;
WHEREAS, the number of non-Miami Beach residents seeking homeless services from the City
devastatingly taxes the City’s limited resources;
WHEREAS, most of the City’s homeless are resistant to engagement and refuse shelter
services due to mental illness, addiction and the adoption of homelessness as a lifestyle choice;
WHEREAS, the City has taken deliberate and substantial steps to address homelessness by
funding its Homeless Outreach Program, paying overtime for police, purchasing shelter beds,
and establishing a variety of services to encourage the homeless to leave the streets; and
WHEREAS, the response to homelessness in Miami Beach requires strategic planning and
actions beyond the plan currently in place.
Old Business
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COMMITTEE ON THE HOMELESS RECOMMENDS THE MAYOR AND COMMISSION
ACCEPT AND ADOPT THE FOLLOWING STRATEGIC ACTIONS:
1.ENCOURAGE THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY HOMELESS TRUST TO COMPEL ALL MUNICIPALITIES IN
THE COUNTY TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AND ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE
COMMUNITIES;
2.AMEND THE CITY CODE TO INCLUDE A POLICE OFFICER AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE
HOMELESS TO ENSURE POLICE PARTICIPATION AND INVOLVEMENT IN THE FORMULATION OF
STRATEGY AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS IN THE CITY;
3.ENCOURAGE THE MIAMI BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT TO ENFORCE TRESPASS STATUTES AFTER
HOURS IN PUBLIC SPACES (INCLUDING THE CITY HALL CAMPUS, LINCOLN ROAD, CONVENTION
CENTER AND PUBLIC PARKS) AND TO UTILIZE DATA ACCESS WHEN ELECTING WHETHER TO MAKE A
REFERRAL OR AN ARREST; AND
4.ENCOURAGE THIS CITY’S BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TRESPASS SIGNAGE
PROGRAM AND REGISTER THEIR PARTICIPATION WITH MIAMI BEACH POLICE. THIS ENABLES
POLICE TO ENFORCE AFTER HOURS TRESPASS LAWS AND INCREASES EXPOSURE TO HOMELESS
SERVICES.
Old Business
•Coordinator’s Report
1
29
99
3
11
26
7
8
Weekly Totals
12-Oct-15
3
10
1
1
26
101
Weekly Totals
5-Oct-15
7
14
0
1
14
27
4
7
1
27
102
1
13
31
5
6
Weekly Totals
28-Sep-15
5
12
1
N/A
N/A
N/A
Weekly Totals
21-Sep-15
6
16
1
1
15
23
5
6
1
27
101
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Weekly Totals
14-Sep-15
N/A
N/A
N/A
0
28
110
Weekly Totals
7-Sep-15
3
16
1
2
12
19
5
8
0
26
92
2
15
30
8
7
Weekly Totals
31-Aug-15
4
10
6
1
26
109
Weekly Totals
24-Aug-15
8
10
2
1
17
27
5
7
1
31
109
1
16
24
5
7
Weekly Totals
17-Aug-15
7
21
1
93
Weekly Totals
10-Aug-15
3
13
1
2
15
24
6
6
1
32
103
Lincoln Road
Weekly Totals
3-Aug-15
5
17
1
3
16
17
3
6
0
25
Washington Avenue
555 Portico
Collins Avenue
Alton Road
Flamingo Park
Location
Collins Park
Lummus Park
Marjorie Stoneman Park
Maurice Gibb Park
93
103 109 109 110
92
0
101 101 102 99
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
3-Aug-15 3-Sep-15 3-Oct-15
Average Morning Count
Average Count
Old Business
Action(s): Updated data was provided.
Since April 2015, the City has
been tracking the number of
homeless sleeping in the City’s
tourist hotspots. This data is then
used, in conjunction with eGov
and resident service requests, to
deploy staff resources to the
field.
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
April 13 - 17, 2015April 27 - May 1, 2015*May 11 - 15, 2015May 25 - 29, 2015June 8 - 12, 2015June 22 - 26, 2015July 6 - 10, 2015July 20 - 24, 2015August 3 - 7, 2015*August 17-21, 2015August 31-September…September 14 - 18,…September 28 -…October 12 - 16, 2015*Morning Counts Week
Morning Counts Week
Morning Counts Average
Old Business
Action(s): Ms. Ruiz provided updates on above.
1.Miami Strike Force – increase in new homeless since start of this effort
2.Homeless Trust Request for Alcohol Tax Funds – City Manager has
shared correspondence summarizing City’s $1.1 million annual commitment
to address homelessness
3.Budget Update – 2 part-time outreach workers have been upgraded to full
time devoting 50% of their time to high-tourist area
New Business
Action(s): Report on town hall meeting provided.
City Commissioner Michael Grieco called a town hall
meeting on October 5th to discuss homelessness in our
community :
•Three Commissioners attended
•Strong turnout of residents and business owners
•For the most part, attendees surprised by data and services provided
•Overall reception was positive except for those homeless engaging in
criminal acts
Good & Welfare
Action(s): No items raised.
Adjournment
Our next meeting:
November 18, 2015
4pm
Housing Conference Room
555 – 17th Street
(Homeless Office)
Action(s): The next meeting date was announced. Motion to adjourn by Mr.
Kohli and seconded by Mr. Kroner. Motion passed unanimously.