Mayor Bell opened the public hearing on August 25, 2008.
Business Incubator Executive Director Hilda Hall Dennis stated they have been funded by the CRA for
two years. She gave an overview of how the funding has had a major economic impact on the community
that exceeded $25 million. The Business Incubator has created 49 full time jobs and provided assistance to
750 businesses. She stated because of the funding three major technologies and four patents have been
created Ms. Hall Dennis mentioned the Business Incubator was an important facility to have in the
community and requested to continue to receive funding.
City Manager Shehadeh stated originally the TRDA was to fund the project completely and they have walked away from the program and left a deficit. He felt the program is beneficial to the City but they would have to find another source of funding. He stated he could not propose to Council to continue to fund this program knowing the City of Homestead is not the only beneficiary. He questioned how the citizens of Homestead benefited from this program because the only successful business he was aware of was the
dressmaker and she moved to Hialeah. His recommendation as a manager was not continue to fund the program.
Councilwoman Waldman stated she recalled the college joined in to apply for the grant from NASA with
the City.
Acting Executive Director Wick replied that information was correct.
Councilwoman Waldman provided her recollection of the terms of reuse.
City Manager Shehadeh stated they were not proposing to change the use he proposed not to fund the City share.
Councilwoman Waldman questioned how the program would exist. She mentioned the dressmaker did not leave the city. She stated she had concerns the City would be liable for the property and what would happen to the program after the funding was cut.
City Manager Shehadeh stated they have taken everything into consideration and the Business Incubator
could continue to operate if they find their own funding.
Ms Dennis stated the feasibility study stated a full technology incubator would not make it in this
community and it had to be a multiuse facility. She provided an overview of the benefits of their facility. She
stated she understood if the City decided not to fund the program and asked if they would review the
reports and visit the site before making a decision
City Manager Shehadeh stated his recommendation was to not continue to fund the program He
mentioned he did not like the way the program was funded and he was going to stick to his
recommendation.
Mayor Bell stated she had not received any reports from the Incubator.
Ms. Dennis stated all of the reports are sent monthly to CRA and her understanding is the CRA sends them to the City Manager.*
Mayor Bell stated there are many not for profits in the area and the City cannot financially support them all.
She stated the idea is to initiate funding and then wean them down She supported the Manager's
recommendation and offered to assist with obtaining grants. She mentioned this has to take place. They are seeing the funding come from the City of Homestead and making an impact outside of Homestead. She encouraged her to continue to do what she is doing and work hard for grants
Ms. Dennis thanked the Council and stated she would have liked advance notice to prepare for alternative
funding.
*City Manager Shehadeh stated for the record he did not receive any reports.
Kemetra Driver Executive Director of We Care stated the money received from the City helps the
Homestead citizens with their utilities not We Care. She thanked the Council for their past support and
hoped to continue the partnership.
City Manager Shehadeh stated this was CRA budget and We Care is funded with the General Funds.
Councilwoman Lobos stated she supported the City Manager's decision to discontinue funding because the City was left holding a $75,000 tab when the federal funding from TRDA stopped.
This tab was not fair to the City of Homestead and in previous years the CRA could absorb that amount. She stated the CRA has a lot of cleaning up to do and she would like to see them repay the money owed to the General Funds. She believed the Business Incubator should continue to exist and offered suggestions to Ms Dennis to look into the Carrie P Meek Foundation for funding. She felt in the future the City of Homestead might be in a better position to partner with other entities.
Mayor Bell closed the public hearing
Vice Mayor Burgess Yes
Mr Nelson Yes
Ms Lobos Yes
Ms Sierra Yes
Mr McCormick Yes
Mayor Bell Yes
Ms Waldman No
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