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4.Senior_Affairs_Committee_Meeting_Minutes_03_28_2022_APPROVED1 Minutes – Senior Affairs Committee Senior Affairs Committee Meeting Chair: Debi Quade, Cervera Real Estate 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: March 28, 2022 SUBJECT: MINUTES OF THE SENIOR AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON MARCH 28, 2022 – VIRTUAL MEETING Attendees: Carolina Cuadros, Natacha Fernandez, Debbie Quade, Magui Benitez, Gaby Baglietto, Gabriel Paez, Oscar Llorente. Absentees: Maria Marrero, Gladys Navarro, Sandra Ala, Ana Rabelo, Enilda Thomas, Larissa Cajiao Special Guests: Suzy Trutie, Miami-Dade County Department of Elections. Kirsten Castillo, Office of Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine-Cava. Daniel Reyes, Office of Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins Alice Waters and Bianca Montenegro, Miami Beach Department of Housing and Community Services. I. Introductions and Roll Call Chair welcomes and shares the Committee’s mission statement Roll Call Natacha Fernandez, Gaby Baglietto, Carolina Cuadros, Gabriel Páez,Magui Benitez, Debra Quade Oscar Llorente II. Approval of February 2022 minutes Motion to adopt the minutes from the previous meeting held on February 2022. Motion made by Oscar Llorente Motion seconded by Magui Benitez Motion passes unanimously, 7-0 III. Voter protection presentation by Suzy Trutie, Miami-Dade County Department of Elections and Kirsten Castillo, Office of Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine-Cava Chair introduced Suzy: Suzy Trutie is the Deputy Supervisor of Elections for Government Affairs and Media Relations for the Miami-Dade County Elections Department. She brings more than 30 years of marketing, communications, and operations experience. She has held this position since 2017. Suzy began her presentation with the following information: 2 Minutes – Senior Affairs Committee - Noted the importance for residents to vote in their municipal elections. - Miami Beach it’s traditionally 25 to 35% voter participation, truly do care about their community. - Miami-Dade County has 1.5 million registered voters. - We are the largest county in the state of Florida: 589.000 Democrats. 475.000 No party Affiliation. 426.000 Republican. 22.000 other minors Parties. - Statewide there are 14 million voters throughout Florida: 5.1 Million – Republican 5.0 Million- Democrat 3.8 Million – No party Affiliation. A discussion was held on changes to voter registration. - Any changes to your political party, address, name(s), and/or signature can be done directly with the elections department or online. Need for personal information was mentioned. (Florida ID, driver license). - Importance of not allowing anyone else change/update/ fill out voter registration form was noted. Questions and Comments. Debbie Quade: Asked about language on registration forms. Yes, they are in English, Spanish, and Creole. Translators are available for someone who does not speak one of those three languages. • You can bring a family member to assist you to fill out that form, particularly if they have a language or disability issue, per state law. • Our website is www.registertovoteflorida.gov. • Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm – 305-499-VOTE (8683). Oscar Llorente: Asked about third-party voter registration at Senior Communities. Third-party voter registration organizations are required to show ID. • For any fraud or illegal activity, please report it to the Miami-Dade state attorney’s office of voter protection Hotline: 305-547-3300. Magui Benitez: Complemented and thanked the Elections Department. Debbie Quade: Asked about a presentation to update committee on any new policies or programs. Suzy Truite: Suggested that the best months would be July or August so the voters will have enough time. Kirsten Castillo: Noted that she is happy to connect everyone and available to assist with County government. IV. Mobile DMV Event Q & A with Daniel Reyes, Office of Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins. Daniel Reyes, District Coordinator for Commissioner Eileen Higgins. Discussed a Mobile DMV event that will take place on April 5th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach. The purpose of it is lots of Seniors have trouble making an appointment online or getting over to the City of Miami to renew their license or their Florida ID. They need 30 participants. For Questions or Appointments call 786- 498-8455. • Birth Certificate – First Time • Florida ID or US passport, or Citizenship • Social Security 3 Minutes – Senior Affairs Committee • W2 Form • Proof of residence V. Introduction of Susan Holtzman VI. Tax filing services presentation by Alice Waters and Bianca Montenegro, Miami Beach Department of Housing and Community Services. Discussion of the program was held: • The City has offered a free Tax filing Service to individuals who make less than $58.000 a year. • For more information, call the Department’s Office at 305-673-7491 to schedule, we are located at City hall 1700 Convention Center Drive at first floor. We star February 1st to April 12th. • The most missing document: Social Security The Health Insurance Market Place, but the insurance will mail that to the seniors or anyone. • Documents to bring: Your ID Social Security All types of returns VII. Senior Center Representative Report and Discussion A. Blackstone Apt - Maria Marrero: Absent B. Council Towers South - Natacha Fernandez: Mentioned that the repairs for all the apartments and parking lots continue and are doing well. The residents are doing art and dancing. C. Council Towers North: Gladys Navarro: Absent D. Federation Towers - Magui Benitez: Mentioned that the building is doing zumba and yoga and that they share the space with Council Towers North and South. E. Four Freedoms House - Enilda Thomas: Absent F. Rebecca Towers – Vacant G. Stella Maris House - Gaby Baglietto: Mentioned that they are painting the entire building. Thank you for the all information we got today and also thank you for responding about the traffic signs for pedestrians and bus stop. H. UNIDAD of Miami Beach- Larissa Cajiao: Absent I. At-Large - Debbi Quade: No update J. At-Large - Carolina Cuadros: Mentioned an upcoming event – “Seniors Champion Soccer” program by Alex Avellanet. Asked Luis to send the flyer to the committee. 4 Minutes – Senior Affairs Committee K. Hispanic Affairs Committee Chair - Gabriel Paez: Discussed the Hispanic Affair’s Committee interest in looking for ideas to include Seniors. Mentioned that the Simon Bolivar commemoration event is upcoming in July at Collins Park. Additionally, the Hispanic Affairs Committee is waiting for an answer if the City will receive a gift bust of Benito Juarez by the Government of Mexico probably in May to be shipped to Miami Beach and placed at Collins Park. Lastly, the Human Rights Committee wants to hold a joint meeting with all Committee chairs to discuss updates from and coordination of all Committees. L. Jewish Community Services of South Florida - Sandra Ala: Absent M. Vice-Chair Oscar Llorente: No Update VIII. Discuss March Calendar of Events Calendar of upcoming events was reviewed. IX. New Business A. Proposed 2022 Meeting Dates i. Monday, May 23 ii. Monday, June 27 iii. Monday, July 25 iv. Monday, August 22 v. Monday, September 26 vi. Monday, October 24 vii. Monday, November 28 viii. Monday, December 26 B. March Meeting Topics Chair stated that the Committee’s April meeting will include an update from Susan Holtzman: Older Adult and Special Needs Advocate, Office of Miami-Dade County Mayor Levine-Cava. C. Staff Liaison’s Report City Liaison Callejas introduces his activities and provided an update on the upcoming food distribution activities put together by his Commissioner, David Richardson. The city will continue to hold two walks-up distributions per month: • March 31 food Distribution at 7501 Collins Ave. • April 21 food Distribution at 833 6th Street. • April 28 food Distribution at 7501 Collins Ave. Noted that a Pride Mass was scheduled at All Souls Episcopal Church for Sunday, April 3 at 4025 Pine Tree Drive at 10:30am Provided a summary of March City Commission. • The next City Commission is April 6, 2022. 5 Minutes – Senior Affairs Committee X. Closing Chair states that the next meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 25, 2022. Motion to adjourn was made. Motion made by Gabriel Paez Motion seconded by Magui Benitez Motion passes unanimously, 7-0 Meeting Adjourned at 10:43am.