Please check out our meeting notes to see what we discussed and what you might want to be a part of in the future.
In attendance:
Holly Zickler, Annick Sternberg, Fabian Kahn, Gray Read, Mari Chael
Pablo Alvarez, FIU Biscayne Campus, Sr Journalism (South Florida Media Network) Emily Gorman, OrganizingRepresentative, Sierra Club/ Ready for 100 Campaign
1—Public Space Challenge Grant awarded to the South Miami Neighbors: Painting the Rainbow:
Tasks:
--Meet w Meg Daly and get a better feeling for Art Master plan & to facilitate volunteer participation, etc.
--Meet w Bo Droga, who can add perspective on the process, etc.
--Possibility of getting additional sponsorships for materials, labor, etc. Possible Sponsors &Community partners (the list can be expanded):
South Miami Hospital FNBSM
Grass River/ Fed Realty The Underline
Sherwin Williams along Underline Ace along the Underline
Rotary
CRA/ City of South Miami Chamber South
Red Merchants
2—Garage Sale Update:
Annick & Holly spoke at last commission meeting in support of a citywide garage sale day in resident’s yards. Although the resolution did not appear on the agenda, commissioners seemed supportive. If passed, the garage sale will be scheduled for 2020 because the holidays are upon us. Date of garage sale TBA once a resolution is approved.
3—Potluck on Dec 15, Dante Fascell Park. On the issue of corporate food sponsorships: the potluck is not a venue for this.
Task: Have info at the potluck to encourage growing membership in South Miami Neighbors ($15 per family) &sponsorships on projects: SoMi Rainbow Underline/ Alternative to College Fair/ Candidates Forum
Think about and prepare a more formal sponsorship to ask for participation in the future. Develop a procedure/guidelines.
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5—Tentative date for Candidates Forum: Monday, Jan 27, 2020, is available at the Elks Club (the venue for the last Forums). Fabian is our go-to guy. This year if we wish to have food (which is optional), the cost for cleanup is $200 (non-negotiable). Do we wish to forego food?
6—Emily Gorman, representing the Sierra Club discussed the Ready for 100 Campaign, Readyfor100.org. South Miami has committed to 100% renewable energy by 2050. The city has submitted a $300,000 grant proposal to the SE Sustainability Directors Network and will learn if they will receive it by the end of November. It will be used for implementation and consulting related to the 100% Renewable commitment and other citywide sustainability efforts. If they get the grant, the goal for the next 2 years will be to set its implementation plan. (6 cities already implementing this.)
Having open communication with the community, understanding the needs and the wishes of the residents is vital to the success of the program. The South Miami Neighbors could play an important role in the communication process. Helping to identify the needs and wishes of residents, organizing with other community organizations to tap into other groups of residents and tirelessly requesting/demanding from the city to recognize what residents want and updates on their decision making and progress. We could also help organize listening sessions and bringing in experts from other cities farther along in the process.
Gray will contact the City Manager to set up a meeting to ask what is the city’s timeline for this program and how they plan to keep the residents informed. Holly will join her for the meeting.
--can be a topic for discussion at Candidates Forum & a component for Lovable Cities discussion (Holly offered to host a potluck dinner on May 6th or 7th 2020)
--How can we cut electricity consumption? Seal doors, windows, roofing, plant trees, add insulation (program in place in CRA to insulate houses)
--FPL customers can organize; sign up for a purchasing program (Solar Together)
--There are 2 bills in Tallahassee targeting 100% renewables statewide
--Gray hopes the grant includes newsletter w topics: recycling, composting
--Idea: CRA as the pilot area because it includes public housing, private residences with onsite solar
7—This year let’s get out there and participate in Give Miami Day, on Nov 21, https://www.givemiamiday.org. And a thought: If we participate annually we can make our membership day concurrent w Give Miami Day. Update, need a real website and not a blog. We might need to budget for that in the coming year.
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