Homeless Committee Meeting Minutes 02.2023
Agenda
I. Call to order & Introductions, 2 min
Darren Cefalu, Chair
Action: Meeting called to order at 4:38pm. The following members were present:
Darren Cefalu Tiffany Heckler
Lori Bakkum Beatriz Herman
Karen Fryd Karen Edelstein
Corey Narson
II. Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes, 2 min
Darren Cefalu, Chair
Action: Karen Edelstein made a motion to approve January’s minutes; Motion seconded by Beatriz Herman.
Unanimous approval.
III. COVID-19 Update
Janay Guerrero, Homeless Program Coordinator
The following updates were provided:
• Shelters still have their respective COVID-19 restrictions in place
• Reports have been status quo; no major outbreaks reported
IV. Lazarus Project Update
Janay Guerrero, Homeless Program Coordinator
The following updates were provided:
• Camillus House has identified a Case Manager for the Miami Beach Lazarus Project and they are
currently in the hiring process.
V. Miami Beach Police Dept. presentation, 10 min
Sgt. Jerome Berrian, MBPD
The following updates were provided:
• MBPD will be conducting a drone detail over the Dunes from South Point to 87th Terr. on 2/21/2023 for
visual of homeless encampments.
VI. Homeless Outreach presentation, 10 min
Janay Guerrero, Homeless Program Coordinator, Housing & Community Services
The following updates were provided:
• The City has added two (2) additional shelter beds at the Lotus House for women and children.
• A $125,000 grant agreement with the Miami Dade County Homeless Trust has been executed to provide
hostel stays for homeless individuals that are employed in Miami Beach and to aid in transitioning to
permanent housing via a housing navigator.
• The Office of Housing & Community Services has been awarded $2.6 million for the Hand Up and MB
Cares projects. Grant funds will be utilized to provide supportive services to the unsheltered homeless
population.
Committee on the Homeless
February 14, 2023
Virtual:
Zoom meeting location emailed/posted
4:30pm
• The Office of Housing & Community Services is currently in the negotiating stages of a $1Million interlocal
agreement with the Miami Dade County Homeless Trust to provide shelter beds for the elderly and
housing units for chronically homeless individuals.
• For Fiscal Year 2023, the Homeless Outreach Services Team has facilitated 226 shelter placements, and
115 relocations.
VII. Follow-up Items
• Mural/Art Project
o With input from the Chair & Vice Chair, the Homeless Program Coordinator submitted responses
for the Bloomberg application for the proposed Collins Park homeless art project.
o The mural project is currently halted via the direction of Commissioner Fernandez
• Invitation to Environmental to discuss Dune maintenance
o Environmental & Sustainability staff will be present at the March meeting to answer questions
related to the maintenance of the Dunes.
• Mobile Shower Units
o The Committee discussed the possibility of advocating for mobile shower units to service the
homeless on Miami Beach. Committee will gather more information on the service revisit
discussion in future meetings.
VIII. Public Right to be Heard, 5 min
IX. Adjourn, 1 min
Darren Cefalu, Chair
Action: Meeting adjourned at 5:32pm
Next Meeting:
March 14, 2023
4:30pm
Virtual