2.Senior_Affairs_Committee_Meeting_Minutes_01_24_2022_APPROVED1
Minutes – Senior Affairs Committee
Senior Affairs Committee Meeting
Chair: Debra Quade, Cervera Real Estate
Vice-Chair: Oscar Llorente, Director Network Development Mount Sinai
City Liaison: Luis Fernando Callejas, Aide to Vice Mayor David Richardson
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TO: Members of the Miami Beach Senior Affairs Committee
DATE: February 28, 2022
SUBJECT: MINUTES OF THE SENIOR AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 24, 2022
– VIRTUAL MEETING
ATTENDEES:
Carolina Cuadros, Natacha Fernandez, Maria Marrero, Oscar Llorente, Debbie Quade, Gabriel
Paez, Gaby Baglietto, Larissa Cajiao.
Special Guests:
Charles L. Cyrille, Interim Director, Miami-Dade County Office of Emergency Management
Kirsten Castillo, Governmental & Community Liaison, Office of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava
Absentees:
Magui Benitez
I. Introductions and Roll Call
Chair welcomes and shares the Committee mission statement
Roll Call
Maria Marrero, Natacha Fernandez, Gaby Baglietto, Carolina Cuadros, Gabriel Paez, Larissa
Cajiao, Oscar Llorente, Debra Quade
II. Approval of December 2021 minutes
Motion to adopt the minutes from the previous meeting held on December 2021.
Motion made by Gabriel Paez
Motion seconded by Carolina Cuadros
Motion passes unanimously
III. Selection of Chair and Vice-Chair for 2022 Calendar Year
Chair explained that she and Vice Chair have agreed to stay on but want to ensure the positions
are open to new members as well and are willing to have someone else take over as chair and
Co-Chair
Motion to select Debbi Quade as Chair and Oscar Llorente as Vice-Chair.
Motion made by Gabriel Paez
Motion seconded by Carolina Cuadros
Motion passes unanimously, 5-0
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Minutes – Senior Affairs Committee
IV. COVID Update
Chair introduced Mr. Charles L. Cyrille, Interim Director, Miami-Dade County Office of Emergency
Management.
Mr. Cyrille provided an update on COVID-19. He highlighted that the County has been putting
together a multi-program to vaccinate and mitigate the spread of COVID in partnership with multiple
municipalities, state and federal partners, private infrastructure and business.
There is a 26% positivity rate and over 32 different sites throughout the county (not including
municipal and other sites where testing is available), and homebound testing for individuals 12
years and older. Teams were sent out to the long-term care facilities to provide vaccinations and
boosters. Requested that members contact any long-term care facility to ensure they have been
contacted.
Emphasized that anyone needing a vaccine or appointment can visit www.miamidade.gov/vaccine
and restated the requirements. Shared data on sites over the 2021 holiday season.
Chair inquired about where to go for monoclonal treatment. Mr. Cyrille shared that the treatment
should be scheduled within the first 48 hours of feeling symptoms and a COVID test should be
taken to prove positivity before receiving treatment.
Mr. Cyrille commented that the City receives daily dashboard updates with many facts and useful
information.
Chair inquired about knowing the next steps after someone tests positive to learn the variant and if
that data is shared. Mr. Cyrille shared that this information is managed only by the county and is
not normally something that is provided to the public because it doesn’t change treatment
Ms. Kirsten Castillo (Office of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava) shared that she is available as needed
and shares information with the Vice-Chair and City Liaison. Her work is praised by the Chair.
V. Senior Center Representative Report and Discussion
A. Blackstone Apt - Maria Marrero: Absent
B. Council Towers South - Natacha Fernandez: The repairs for all the apartments and parking
lots continue and are doing well. Thank you for the Christmas party at the Convention Center
and to Carolina Cuadros, Commissioner David Richardson, Melina Almodóvar for the first
Three Kings festival at Collins Park.
C. Council Towers North: Vacant
D. Federation Towers - Magui Benitez: Absent
E. Four Freedoms House - Enilda Thomas: Absent
F. Rebecca Towers - Yliana Gonzalez: Absent
G. Stella Maris House - Gaby Baglietto: Thank you to Diana Fontani and welcome to Luis
Callejas. The building is following all COVID-19 recommendations and continuing to take the
classes offered Monday to Friday in the dining room (Tai-Chi). The building is appreciative of
former City Liaison Diana Fontani’s interest in providing Crosswalk safety at 87th Collins Ave
and would like to continue to ensure their resident’s safety.
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Minutes – Senior Affairs Committee
Chair requests that City Liaison reaches out to former Liaison Fontani to inquire on this project
so that a motion can be made at the following meeting recommending action to the
Commissioners for a similar action on Harding Avenue.
Vice-Chair added that the City could survey the area, which was brought up about two years
ago because it is like a blind spot for individuals crossing the street. Vice-Chair requests that
City Liaison follows up with former Liaison Fontani for an update on the survey.
H. UNIDAD of Miami Beach- Larissa Cajiao: UNIDAD is open Monday thru Friday, 9:00 A.M. to
5:00 P.M. with resources to schedule a vaccination or COVID test. Regular yoga, ta-chi, and
Zumba classes continue as well as the lunch program.
I. At-Large - Debbi Quade: No update
J. At-Large - Carolina Cuadros: No update
K. Hispanic Affairs Committee Chair - Gabriel Paez: Informed the Hispanic Affairs Committee
would host a Jose Marti event on Thursday January 27 at Collins Park at 2:00 PM with
refreshments.
Larissa Cajiao requested a flyer to share with seniors; the City Liaison agreed to acquire one
and send to the Committee
L. Jewish Community Services of South Florida - Sandra Ala: Absent
M. Vice-Chair Oscar Llorente: provided an update on Mount Sinai stating that many residents,
seniors, and tourists have been reaching out to get tested and vaccinated, but they are note a
testing site.
Larissa Cajiao requested information to share with seniors
Gabriel Paez emphasized the Hispanic Affairs Committee’s willingness and commitment to
assist the senior population as needed and requested their Committee City Liaison Leonor
Hernandez be contacted as needed.
VI. Discuss February Calendar of Events
The proposed meetings dates are held on the 4th Monday of every month at 9:30 a.m.
A. Flamingo Park - water aerobics, dance fusion and Tai-Chi
B. North Shore Park & Youth Center
C. Scott Rakow Youth Center
VII. New Business
A. Proposed 2022 Meeting Dates
i. Monday, February 28
ii. Monday, March 28
iii. Monday, April 25
iv. Monday, May 23
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Minutes – Senior Affairs Committee
v. Monday, June 27
vi. Monday, July 25
vii. Monday, August 22
viii. Monday, September 26
ix. Monday, October 24
x. Monday, November 28
xi. Monday, December 26
B. February Meeting Topics
Chair stated that the Committee’s February meetings will include an ethics and Sunshine Law
briefing from the City Attorney’s Office, as coordinated by the City Liaison. Requested topics
from the Committee.
C. Staff Liaison’s Report
City Liaison Callejas introduces himself and his activities and provides an update on the
upcoming food distribution activities put together by his commissioner Vice-Mayor David
Richardson. The City will continue to hold two walks-up distributions per month:
• One in North Beach on February 24, 2022 (7500 Collins Ave behind the library)
• One in South Beach on February 17, 2022 (South Shore Community Center at 833 6ths
between Meridian and Jefferson)
City Liaison Callejas provided a summary of the January City Commission:
• Ocean Drive reopening to southbound traffic
• Commissioner Richardson was able to have the 72nd Street Complex proposal
approved in North Beach
• The next City Commission is February 9, 2022
VIII. Closing
Chair stated that the next meeting is scheduled for Monday February 28, 2022.
Motion to adjourn.
Motion made by Gabriel Paez
Motion seconded by Carolina Cuadros
Motion passes unanimously
Meeting adjourned: 10:34AM