97-22259 RESO
RESOLUTION NO.
97-22259
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, OR
HIS DESIGNEE TO SUBMIT A CONCEPT PAPER TO THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, OFFICE
FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME, FOR ASSISTANCE IN THE AMOUNT OF
$100,000; AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE GRANT, IF
AWARDED; AND APPROPRIATING THE FUNDS IN COMPLIANCE WITH
THE TERMS OF THE GRANT.
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) is soliciting
concept papers for innovative demonstration, training and technical assistance programs l:)r
funding consideration in FY1997 and the purpose of their effort is to identify innovative ideas f::alli 19
within OVC's statutory authority to improve the response to the nation's crime victims throug.l t!' Ie
provision of training and technical assistance; and
WHEREAS, organizations with the highest scoring concept papers will be invited to subr lit
an application for funding in FY97, and concept papers are due February 1, 1997; and
WHEREAS, the approximately 93,000 residents of the City of Miami Beach serve as hcst
to approximately 3 million overnight tourists per year, this tourist activity contributes to I\ilia ni
Beach's cultural vitality and economic life, and it is expected to continue to increase; and
WHEREAS, the City's Office of Tourism and Conventions has identified a need to provide
assistance to tourists who have been victims of crime in Miami Beach and has been wo'-killg
closely with the Police Department since 1994 in establishing a number of services to tourints in
Miami Beach; and
WHEREAS, the City's Office of Tourism and Conventions developed a concept paperwhi;h
would allow the City to establish a more comprehensive system to provide services to tOllri~ ts
visiting Miami Beach as well as residents, who have been victims of crime; and
WHEREAS, the concept paper requests the assistance of the Office for Victims of C rirle
in the amount of $100,000 to establish an office where victims of crime can access services alld
WHEREAS, the proposed program would also enhance current activities, including a 24-
hour crisis hotline, the Police Department's Victims Help Center, and the distribution of hotlille
cards to all local hotels; and
WHEREAS, the program could serve as a model to other cities throughout the natior alld
will allow the City to identify existing resources, fill in the gaps left by these resources, and leverale
existing funds to provide an enhanced amount of services; and
WHEREAS, there are no matching requirements to this funding; and
WHEREAS, the City's Office of Tourism and Conventions will have responsibility l:)r
administering the grant, if awarded, and will also be responsible for compliance with the terms 0
the grant.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission authorize the Citl,
Manager, or his designee, to submit a concept paper to the U.S. Department of Justice, OffiCE! 0
Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime, for assistance in the amount of $100,000; authori2 in~
the acceptance of the grant, if awarded; and appropriating the funds in compliance with the term~
of the grant.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 22ND DAY OF JAN
Mayo.
Attest:
~w-f~
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
(. ~.J. ~. --)
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City~
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CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH FLORIDA 33139
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM NO. 3 s -.9 '7
TO:
Mayor Seymour Gelber and
Members of the City Commission
DATE:
Jose Garcia-Pedrosa
City Manager
January 22, 1997
FROM:
r
SUBJECf:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, OR
HIS DESIGNEE TO SUBMIT A 'CONCEPT PAPER TO THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, OFFICE
FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME, FOR ASSISTANCE IN THE AMOUNT OF
$100,000; AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE GRANT, IF
AWARDED; AND APPROPRIATING THE FUNDS IN COMPLIANCE WITH,
THE TERMS OF THE GRANT.
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution.
-. BACKGROUND
The U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) is soliciting concept papers for
innovative demonstration, training and technical assistance programs for funding consideration in
FY1997. Organizations with the highest scoring concept papers will be invited to submit an
application for funding in FY97. The purpose of their effort is to identify innovative ideas falling
within OVC's statutory authority to improve the response to the nation's crime victims through the
provision of training and technical assistance. OVC is seeking input from the victim assistance fie Id
for new ways of meeting the needs of crime victims that may be widely applied. Concept papers
are due February 1, 1997.
ANAL YSIS
The approximately 93,000 residents of the City of Miami Beach serve as host to approximately 3
million overnight tourists per year. This tourist activity contributes to Miami Beach's cultural vitality
and economic life and it is expected to continue to increase. The City's Office of Tourism and
Conventions has identified a need to provide assistance to tourists who have been victims of crime
in Miami Beach and has been working closely with the Police Department since 1994 in
establishing a number of services to tourists in Miami Beach.
DATE
C.1(~
,-~';(,.(.~.
AGENDA ITEM
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
JANUARY 22,1997
PAGE TV!/O
The City's Office of Tourism and Conventions had responded to a previous solicitation by the O\/C,
requesting funding in the amount of $100,000 to establish a pilot Victims 2000 program in Miami
Beach. OVC responded to the City's application by informing the City that, while the reviewers
found that the City's proposal addressed a serious unmet need, the City did not have a
comprehensive range of victim services or a coordinated service system in place in Miami Beach
and suggested that the City submit the proposed program as a concept paper.
The Office of Tourism and Conventions has developed a concept paper which would allow the City
to establish a more comprehensive system to provide services to tourists visiting Miami Beach, as
well as residents, who have been victims of crime. The concept paper requests the assistance of
the Office for Victims of Crime in the amount of $100,000 to establish a site office where victims
of crime can access services. The proposed program would also enhance current activitiEls,
including a 24-hour crisis hotline, the Police Department's Victims Help Center, and the distribution
of hotline cards to all local hotels. The program could serve as a model to other cities throughout
the nation and will allow the City to identify existing resources, fill in the gaps left by these
resources, and leverage existing funds to provide an enhanced amount of services.
There are no matching requirements to this funding. The City's Office of Tourism and Conventions
will have responsibility for administering the grant, if awarded, and will also be responsible ":or
compliance with the terms of the grant.
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends the adoption of the attached Resolution authorizing the City
Manager, or his designee, to submit a concept paper to the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of
Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime, for assistance in the amount of $1 00,000; authorizing
the acceptance of the grant, if awarded; and appropriating the funds in compliance with the terms
of the grant.
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