2.Senior_Affairs_Committee_Meeting_Minutes_02_27_2023DRAFT/
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
Senior Affairs Committee Meeting
Chair: Debi Quade, At-Large
Vice-Chair: Oscar
Llorente, Director Network Development Mount Sinai
City Liaison: Luis Callejas, Aide to Commissioner David Richardson
-----------------
TO: Members of the Miami Beach Senior Affairs
Committee
DATE: February 27, 2023
SUBJECT: MINUTES OF THE SENIOR AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 27, 2023 – VIRTUAL MEETING
Attendees:
Magui Benitez, Enilda Thomas,
Larisa Cajiao, Debbie Quade, Carolina Cuadros, Jessica Perez Waleck, Oscar Llorente
Absentees:
Natacha Fernandez, Ana Rabelo, Gaby Baglietto, Carmen Datorre,
Special Guests:
Paul Guasto, Criminal Investigations Division, Miami Beach Police
Introductions and Roll Call
Chair introduced two new members to the Committee. Jessica Perez Waleck
representing Jewish Community Services. Carmen Datorre representing the Hispanic Affairs Committee was recognized but was absent.
The Chair shared the Committee’s mission statement.
Attendance was taken.
Selection of Chair and Vice Chair
Oscar Llorente nominate Debie Quade for Chair
Debbie Quade nominated Oscar Llorente for Vice Chair
Both approved unanimously,
6-0.
Approval of November 2022 minutes
Motion to adopt the minutes from the previous meeting held on November 28, 2022.
Motion made by Carolina Cuadros
Motion seconded by Enilda
Thomas
Motion passes unanimously, 6-0
Presentation from City Attorney’s Office, Farosha Andasheva, Sunshine Law Update
Introduced herself and introduced the topic of the presentation: Sunshine Law.
Key takeaways included:
- Sunshine Law is a constitutional right for the public to attend and have access
to meetings of public elected official.
- It applies to Board members such as Senior Affairs.
- Two or more members cannot meet to discuss a topic that can potentially be voted upon
at a meeting.
-Communications include texts and emails.
- She explained what is and what is not allowed.
- She explained the penalties involved when law is violated.
- An explanation
of how Sunshine Law involves public records requests was made.
- A recommendation on how to keep public records was made.
- Debi Quade asked how to best communicate with the staff
liaison.
- Oscar Llorente asked about best practices regarding social media.
- Jessica Perez Waleck asked about meetings dates.
- Luis Callejas spoke about best practices when communicating
with committee members.
Discuss March Calendar of Events
Schedule was shared.
Senior Center Representative Report and Discussion
Blackstone Apartments – Vacant
Council Towers South
– Natacha Fernandez: Absent
Council Towers North – Vacant
Federation Towers – Magui Benitez: Made three motions:
MOTION 1:
The Miami Beach Seniors Affairs Committee (the “Committee”)
urges the Mayor and City Commission to prioritize the safety of elderly residents at Federation Towers (757 West Avenue, Miami Beach, FL. 33139) and urge the building administration
to prioritize the repair of the back parking lot gate and the back door to prevent unregistered persons from entering the building. Additionally, the Committee urges the Mayor and City
Commission to increase Police visibility in the area to increase building security.
A discussion was held.
Motion made by: Magui Benitez
Motion seconded by: Carolina Cuadros
Motion passes: 7 – 0
Members Present by Zoom for Motion: Magui Benitez, Enilda Thomas, Larissa
Caijao, Debi Quade, Carolina Cuadros, Jessica Perez Waleck, and Oscar Llorente
Members Not Present: Natacha Fernandez, Ana Rabelo, Gaby Baglietto, and Carmen Datorre.
MOTION 2:
The
Miami Beach Seniors Affairs Committee (the “Committee”) urges the Mayor and the City Commission to urge the building administration (at Federation Towers [757 West Avenue, Miami Beach,
FL. 33139]) to open the dining room, already renovated and with all equipment necessary, for lunch and for the residents to get the opportunity to meet and greet, which is very important
for the elderly residents.
A discussion was held.
Jessica Perez Waleck explained prior Jewish Community Services service at the meal site and what is currently being done. She stated
she would abstain from voting.
Motion made by: Magui Benitez
Motion seconded by: Debi Quade
Abstentions: Jessica Perez Waleck
Motion passes: 6 – 0
Members Present by Zoom for Motion: Magui
Benitez, Enilda Thomas, Larissa Caijao, Debi Quade, Carolina Cuadros, Jessica Perez Waleck, and Oscar Llorente
Members Not Present: Natacha Fernandez, Ana Rabelo, Gaby Baglietto, and
Carmen Datorre.
MOTION 3:
The Miami Beach Seniors Affairs Committee (the “Committee”) urges the Mayor and City Commission to ensure the City Administration appropriate the donated
funds of $20,000.00 from the Barry S. Sternlicht Foundation and the Barry and Mimi Sternlicht Foundation accepted by the Mayor and City Commission at the February 1, 2023 City Commission
Meeting.
The Committee wishes to thank Miami Beach resident Barry Sternlicht for his passion for supporting senior programming and activities such as Zumba, Tai Chi, Yoga, Arts and
Crafts, and field trips to sports and cultural programming come to our Seniors under the hard work of Mrs. Gloria Campos, who was the first free Zumba instructor more than 11 years ago
and has since been vital in the creation of the Miami Beach Senior Chorus and the Golden Rainbow Art Exhibition.
A discussion was held.
Motion made by: Magui Benitez
Motion seconded by: Oscar Llorente
Motion passes: 7 – 0
Members Present by Zoom for Motion: Magui Benitez, Enilda Thomas, Larissa Caijao, Debi Quade,
Carolina Cuadros, Jessica Perez Waleck, and Oscar Llorente
Members Not Present: Natacha Fernandez, Ana Rabelo, Gaby Baglietto, and Carmen Datorre
Four Freedoms House – Enilda Thomas:
All is well with the building. Did highlight resident Manny Sanchez for his community involvement.
Rebecca Towers – Ana Rabelo: Absent.
Stella Maris House – Gaby Baglietto: Absent.
UNIDAD of Miami Beach – Larissa Cajiao: Highlighted schedule of events and lunch. Noted distinction of field trip registration.
At-Large – Debbi Quade, Chair: No update.
At-Large
– Carolina Cuadros: Reminded the Committee of the Senior Soccer every Tuesday from 10-11am.
Hispanic Affairs Committee Chair – Carmen Datorre: Absent.
Jewish Community Services of
South Florida – Jessica Perez Waleck: Chair asked about the organization’s transportation service. Jessica explained requirements and services provided. All services are free for seniors
above 60 years. Phone number: 305-899-8301.Re-opening of a new building was mentioned.
Mount Sinai Medical Center – Oscar Llorente, Vice-Chair: No update. New phycians are joining
and he noted that there is a shortage in specialist. Noted work to make pace makers more accessible.
New Business
Proposed 2023 Meeting Dates
i. Monday, March 27, 2023 (Conflicts
with City Commission)
Moved to Wednesday, March 29, 2023
ii. Monday, April 24, 2023
iii. Monday, May 22, 2023
iv. Monday, June 26, 2023
v. Monday, July 24, 2023
vi. Monday, August 28, 2023
vii. Monday, September 25, 2023
viii. Monday, October 23, 2023
ix. Monday, November 27, 2023
x. Monday, December 25, 2023
March 29, 2023 Meeting Topic
Agreed
that the topics will be voter registration and the tax preparation services.
Staff Liaison’s Report
Provided an update on crosswalk at 87th and Harding Avenue.
Provided update on
important topics discussed at the City Commission meeting held in September. Next Commission meeting will be on March 27.
Provided food distribution update.
Public Comment
Cindy Esquivel
commented on the Baylink discussion and how that will impact the availability of busses. She opposes M line being removed. Encouraged the Committee to keep an eye on it.
Magui Benitez
thank Dabi and Oscar for being the chair and vice chair for the upcoming year. She also thank Luis for his assistance with her presentation.
Closing
Next meeting is scheduled
for Wednesday, March 28, 2023.
Motion to adjourn was made.
Motion made by Oscar Llorente
Motion seconded by Enilda Thomas
Motion passes unanimously, 8-0
Meeting Adjourned at 10:43am