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02 07-08FY Wksp External RequestsSlat[c-i -fit GA44 City of Okeechobee 55 SE 3rd Av Okeechobee FL 34974 -2932 Office of the City Administrator Brian Whitehall Ph 863- 763 -3372 Fax 763 -1686 email: bhttehall(dcitvofokeechobee.com * * * * * Memorandum Date: for August 21, 2007 meeting TO: City Council FR: City Administrator RE: Budget The City has three (3) `external' requests that have been included back into the budget: Okeechobee Main Street $20,000 i Indian River College , public safety & Homeland security complex $9,088 ($27,262.81 / 3) Shared Services Network $8,000 Enclosed for each of the above requests is some detail that may be of use. aid uaiue.t • (seat a.i.tiacsm OKEECHOBEE MAIN STREET, INC. 111 NE 2nd Street - Okeechobee, FL 34972 - Phone 863.357.MAIN - Fax 863.763.1797 www.mainstreetokeechobee.com July 17, 2007 James E. Kirk, Mayor City of Okeechobee Mayor Kirk, The financial support provided to Okeechobee Main Street as budgeted by both the City and County should be considered as an investment, or asset, as opposed to an expense. The benefits to be realized by both governmental bodies by having an active Main Street organization within the community are limitless. Main Street's physical contributions to the community are evidenced by the strong alliance of the local business resulting from our continued membership growth, our sponsorship of numerous community events, beautification projects and promotional activity to exhibit and market the positive and wholesome attributes of Okeechobee. The less obvious benefit that Main Street provides is a strong return on the City and County's "investment" in the organization. An active and thriving Main Street organization provides an alternative resource for grant monies through programs designed to fund projects meeting specific criteria as outlined by the State. These monies are not available through direct application by the governing bodies. With the continued growth and development of our County and the impending tax cuts that have been proposed by the Legislature, it is anticipated that City & County budget cuts will be forthcoming. While it is important to reduce expenses for programs and services that are of minimal overall benefit, it is equally important to weigh those expenditures that provide a significant return. Your investment in Main Street is money well allocated and an investment that compounds every day that the organization continues to exist within Okeechobee. Sincerely Yours Maureen Burroughs President — Okeechobee Main Street, Inc. INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT April 3, 2007 Brian Whitehall City Manager 55 SE 3rd Avenue Okeechobee, FL 34974 Dear Mr. Whitehall: The responsibility to secure our nation's safety falls not only to the first responders and government leaders; it's a duty that must be shared by all, and it must include the contributions of innovative thinkers, dedicated researchers and enterprising entrepreneurs. Realizing this responsibility, Indian River Community College envisioned a public safety and homeland security training complex that would be unlike any other. This vision included a three tiered approach to safety and security training that would result in more knowledgeable first responders and prepared citizens. • As the project developed, input from your local agencies was key to ensuring that the facilities and training programs would be developed and enhanced according to your needs. This partnership has been vital and is one of the most successful to date. The programs, facilities and training services that will be provided have been vetted and endorsed by numerous state, national and international public safety and homeland security experts. The concept and input phase has now moved to design and construction. Rising construction costs, agency needs, and the goal to create a world - class complex have resulted in a total complex cost that's higher than first expected. Through the Every Citizen Counts capital campaign, IRCC has successfully raised more than $2.5M in private funds from local individuals, and law enforcement agencies including $89,000 from the Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin police and sheriff's offices. In addition, IRCC has received more than $25M in state appropriations. However, projected costs to complete this complex now exceed $37M. IRCC 3209 VIRGINIA AVENUE FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA 34981 -5596 continues to work on attaining additional state and federal funds, but now looks to our city and county municipalities to shore up the final fiscal needs. Using a formula based on total number of law enforcement officers, IRCC has determined a per municipality amount that would assist us in constructing this world -class complex in its entirety. The request for your municipality is $27,262.81 and will be matched dollar- for - dollar through the State of Florida Facilities Enhancement Challenge Grant program when made payable to the IRCC Foundation. Please consider how you can help IRCC meet this financial need and establish a center of excellence in public safety that will become a national model, a local resource and a magnet for economic development throughout our region. Sincerely, ‘4,416?/47- Edwin R. Massey, Ph.D President September 2006 Annual Report Shared Services Network of Okeechobee The Shared Services Network of Okeechobee was established in 1997 with grant funding. Executive Roundtable Members: John Abney, Okeechobee County Commissioner Cathleen Blair, Children's Services Council Shirley Brennan, Okeechobee County Judge Dr. Patricia Cooper, Superintendent of Schools Denny Davis, Okeechobee Chief of Police vacant, Okeechobee County Health Dept. James Kirk, Okeechobee City Mayor George Long, Okeechobee County Administrator Paul May, Okeechobee County Sheriff Vern Melvin, Department of Children S Families Sam Smith, Provost, Indian River Community College Brian Whitehall, Okeechobee City Administrator Chairperson: James Kirk Vice Chairperson: Sam Smith Funding: After the Shared Services Grant expired Roundtable members stepped forward to fully fund the Shared Services Network of Okeechobee. Funding has been secured for the 2006 -2007 project year by the City of Okeechobee, County of Okeechobee, Indian River Community College -Dixon Hendry Campus, Okeechobee County School Board, Okeechobee County Health Department and Children's Services Council. Thank you! Executive Roundtable members identified the following areas of concern in Okeechobee: > Teen Pregnancy > Gangs and School Violence Drug and Alcohol Abuse Dropout Prevention > Alter-School Community Activities > Foster Care Public Transportation Shared Services Alliance of Okeechobee and the Treasure Coast (Community -Based Care) Indian River County Shared Services Network Martin County Shared Services Executive Roundtable Okeechobee County Shared Services Network St. Lucie County Shared Services Network Okeechobee County Shared Services Network Executive Roundtable Members • Mayor, City of Okeechobee, Chairperson • Provost, Dixon Hendry Campus, Indian River Community College, Vice -Chair • Superintendent, Okeechobee County School District • District Administrator, Florida Department of Children and Families • Administrator, Okeechobee County Health Department • Executive Director, Children's Services Council City Administrator, City of Okeechobee County Administrator, Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners County Commissioner Chairperson, Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners County Judge, Okeechobee County Courthouse Sheriff, Okeechobee County Sheriff's Department Chief of Police, Okeechobee City Police Department . 1 • Okeechobee County . • . . . Community • Shared Services Network • Collaborative Council The key to a successful Shared Services Network is helping to Zink all interagency groups that already exist in the community. Boards, agencies, committees and activities that the facilitator of the Shared Services Network of Okeechobee collaborates with to address the areas of concern identified by the Roundtable: o Four County Executive Alliance of Okeechobee and the Treasure Coast o Facilitator attends monthly meetings in Ft. Pierce o Sam Smith, Roundtable Representative from the Shared Services Network of Okeechobee, attends monthly meeting o This small group meets to discuss issues from each of the four counties and then formulates an agenda for the full Alliance ❑ Shared Services Alliance of Okeechobee and the Treasure Coast o Facilitator attends monthly meetings in Ft. Pierce o Five Roundtable representatives (Jim Kirk, Sam Smith, Denny Davis, Cathleen Blair and Mike Hill- position now vacant) from the Shared Services Network of Okeechobee attend monthly meeting to represent Okeechobee 's view on issues ❑ Executive Roundtable — Shared Services Network of Okeechobee o Facilitator prepares Agenda with the Chairperson, takes minutes, schedules location, notifies newspapers and maintains contact with Roundtable members o Facilitator represents the SSN/Roundtable members at various meetings as directed o Coordinate the "Parents that Host Lose the Most" campaign. Flyers have been mailed home with final report cards to all 6-12 grade students for the last three years. Executive Roundtable members voted to have an English/Spanish version of the flyer sent home this year. o Public Transportation has been an issue of concern to Roundtable members. Facilitator attends FDOT /FHREDI meetings in Sebring. Shares information and applications locally to groups and individuals about the Transportation Disadvantaged Program. Reminds local agencies to allow for transportation funding when writing grants. ❑ Community Collaborative Council, a part of the Shared Services Network of Okeechobee o Facilitator prepares Agenda, takes minutes, schedules location, notifies newspapers and schedules guest speakers for monthly meetings o Facilitator maintains e-mail contact list for CCC members and other interested individuals o Notifies CCC members about grants and other opportunities for agencies and individuals assisting children and serving the issues of concern to the Roundtable o Promote and coordinate annual Back to School Supply Drive for foster care and needy children in Okeechobee o Partnered with My Aunt's House to facilitate the distribution of these supplies to foster and other needy children. August 2006 - over 160 children were able to start school with a backpack full of supplies o Promote and coordinate Christmas gift collection by CCC members for foster care and needy children in Okeechobee ❑ Partnered with My Aunt's House to facilitate the distribution of Christmas gifts to over 175 local families o Maintain contact with state level Shared Services staff for direction and assistance as needed ❑ Attend annual Shared Services Network workdays in Tampa o Assist Okeechobee County School Board in creating "The Successful Student". This is the fourth year for this publication; a 52 page guide to help parents help their children be successful in school. Publication is distributed to all public school children and throughout the community. o Serve as a local contact for KidCare; distribute new applications and information locally to insure that all children that are eligible know about HK insurance. o Maintain relationship with Okeechobee News, Okeechobee Times and WOKC to promote meetings, events and issues o Encourage local agencies to promote their services with the 2 -1 -1 network o UFF staff members are invited to present CBC updates at the Community Collaborative Council and Executive Roundtable meetings o Mentor a student in the Take Stock Program through IRCC o Florida Power and Light - Care to Share Program o Spring 2006 created the Summer Activity Guide, 24 pages, highlighting local summer activities for children o April 2006 assisted with the first Heart Gallery • IRCC-Dixon Hendry Campus provided the venue • Children's Home Society took the lead for this event o Share new grant opportunities with the community • Write letters of support for grant applicants ❑ Communities In Schools/Police Athletic League o Facilitator serves as Board member o CIS /PAL invited to present updates at Roundtable and CCC meetings o Support, promote and endorse the need for a Youth Center • Youth Center was first discussed during an Executive Roundtable meeting o Former Facilitator held Town Hall meetings to get community input on a Youth Center o CIS /PAL stepped forward to carry on with this initiative o TANF dollars were set aside for the building, fundraising continues, land has been donated; local contractors have offered to donate their expertise and city and county officials worked together on this venture. September 2006 CIS /PAL planning the new step. o Support, promote and endorse Skate Board Park • SkateBoard Park opened April 2004 • Roundtable members facilitated in opening the gate to this park o Back packs donated to CIS/PAL were shared with My Aunt's House for the Back to School Supply drive for children in foster care o Support CIS/PAL mentoring program funded by the DJJ Grant as a mentor ❑ Okeechobee Juvenile Justice Council o Facilitator serves as an officer of the Board and attends quarterly meetings o Assist with JJC initiatives • CIS /PAL has been the recipient of the DJJ for the last four years ❑ Mental Health Roundtable o Facilitator attends meetings to network with the Mental Health Providers providing services to children in Okeechobee ❑ Teen Pregnancy Prevention Task Force o Facilitator serves on committee o Committee meets to discuss issues and programs surrounding teen pregnancy o Healthy Start o Facilitator serves on HS Board o Board meets monthly to monitor Healthy Start Program, MomCare, and other issues surrounding pregnancy and children o Support Community Baby Showers for HS clients, Crisis Baby Bags, March of Dimes Walk ❑ Treasure Coast Coordination Coalition o Attend TC3 quarterly meetings o Legislative Summit/Breakfast of Champions ❑ Assist in the planning, set up and coordination of the Four County Legislative Summit held in Pt. St. Lucie ❑ Encourage participation by our local agencies and residents ❑ Hibiscus Children's Center o Recruiting and retaining foster parents has been a major focus in each of the four counties o Facilitator continues to present and promote this issue at all meetings throughout the county o American Red Cross — Okeechobee Branch • The Red Cross implemented a local Advisory Board and asked the facilitator to Chair that Board in 2005 • As Chair for the local Board also a Board member for the Greater Palm Beach Chapter, representing Okeechobee • Attend monthly Palm Beach meetings via conference call • Local Advisory Board still recruiting members, not meeting yet ❑ Okeechobee Educational Foundation, Inc. • Member of the Board, Treasurer • Network with local donors, scholarship recipients and colleges o Assist with Scholarship Night at OHS a District 15 Child Abuse Prevention Plan • Participated in the development of the four county Prevention Plan o September 2006 start the Building Developmental Assets in Youth training for all four counties ❑ Okeechobee Substance Abuse Coalition o August 2006 received second round of grant funding • Sending 3 reps to statewide Prevention Conference • Celebrating Family Day, Sept. 25, in partnership with Publix • Red Ribbon poster campaign with schools and churches o Winner to be printed in the Your Home Town Directory • PSA 's for the radio and newspapers regarding underage drinking • Community mobilization plan • April 2007 Alcohol Awareness Month activities planned • Write a Strategic Prevention Plan for Okeechobee by May 31, 2007 2005 -2006 Participants: • 2 -1 -1 Helpline • ACS • Alpha Ministries • Arbor Education & Training • Boy Scouts • • Breakthrough Recovery • Children's Home Society • Children's Services Council • Communities In Schools/Police Athletic League • Department of Juvenile Justice • Early Learning Coalition IR,M & 0 • East Coast Migrant • Eckerd Intensive Halfway House • Eckerd Youth Development Center • Exchange Club Castle • Family Preservation Services • FDLRS • First Baptist Church • Florida Atlantic University • Florida Community Health Center • Florida Power and Light • Girl Scouts of Palm Glades • Guardian Ad Litem • Healthy Start Coalition • Hibiscus Children's Center • Dice of Okeechobee • Innovative Treatment Services, Inc. • Lake Okeechobee Rural Health Net • Martha's House • My Aunt's House • New Horizon's • Okeechobee County Chamber. of Commerce • Okeechobee County Health Department • Okeechobee County Library-Youth Services • Okeechobee County School Board — Administrators, Case Worker, Crisis Counselor Counselors, Exceptional Student Education Department ,Guidance • Okeechobee Juvenile Offender Corrections Center • Okeechobee News • Okeechobee Substance Abuse Coalition • Okeechobee Times/WOW • Okeechobee Vision Care • Professional Photographer • Pinnacle After School Solutions • Planned Parenthood • Pregnancy Resource Center • Project HOPE • Project Recovery New Horizons • RO.A.D. • Reach Communications • Red Cross — Okeechobee Branch • Seminole Tribe • Student Assistance Program ■ Suncoast Mental Health • United For Families • Waste Management