Resident Services Board - Regular Meeting

You guys have technical issues? Okay, Johnny says just to give him a minute.

Sure, no problem. Yeah, I just pulled my whole computer apart. Zoom wouldn't turn on.

Yeah, it wasn't you. Don't worry. It was us.

No, my camera wouldn't work or anything. It does that every once in a while. Oh, okay. Yeah, because we don't use Zoom at work. We use Teams. How's everybody?

Well, how are you?

Good, thanks. If the guys on the board could turn on their cameras, because we're going to do, we are going to take a vote tonight. So if you're able, please. Are we all set? Can I start? Yep, go ahead. Good. Okay, so a call to order at 605. So the role are now present present for him present. And Jose is not with us yet. Well, yeah. We'll turn the volume up because I can barely hear you guys. One second. Is there a full moon today? Because I'm having one of those days.

Okay.

So, let's see. First is approval of the meeting minutes for October 8th. Can I have a motion to approve the minutes, please? I need a second.

I'll be second.

Thank you for your hand. This is really short, so the agenda. So next is, oh, business. So Sophia and Maria said the memorial scholarships. We had discussed this last week. And Julie needs more detail and a vote, right, Julie, in order to present to the commission in December. Is that right?

Yeah, sorry, I was just letting Jose in. So from my understanding, correct me if I'm wrong, but in this case, we would have to. So I would think the board would have to recommend what I would do and pass that to commission. So. I think that, I mean, I think that's the case. So if you guys recommend something, I can put that on the December agenda, but we would need the commissioner to kind of lobby for us if that's what we want to do. Okay.

Okay, so let me summarize it. So on the budget line, there's 5,500, right? Yeah. Under the scholarship. Okay, last year we gave, Two $1,000 scholarships, one to a high school student and one to a middle school student, right? Okay. So obviously there's a lot more money to work with this year. So my recommendation is, if you all agree, is that we do $3,000 for a high school student, $2,000 for middle school, and $500 for the Optimist Club, which they give 72 every year towards theirs. What do you all think?

I like it. I think that's something we talked about on the last meeting, Lydia. Look, for me, I think the goal when we did this was just to get it started, right? And then I think my mindset was always, let's make sure we grow it. I think our consensus last year was, it's not a lot of money. I think we even joked that, look, it's barely enough to... paper books or whatever. So that was always the intention. Right. So if we can increase it, I'm all for it. I think and I think that'll be a good thing to message to the community. Now, this year, it's more, you know, in memory of the society family. We've we've continued this great commemoration of them. And this year, we're doing it more. And then we also do, are we going to do the same thing like where they have to write an essay? And my question would be, what are the qualifications going to be? And who's it going to be open to? Obviously, just we want to keep it within North Bay Village Kids. But are we still doing like a sixth grader and a senior? Or are we doing two high school students? What's the thought there?

My idea was one high school, one middle. Instead of splitting it into smaller pieces, I think it makes a bigger impact if you give it to one person each. Plus, we didn't have that many entries either. So I think it's just better to focus on one. What do you guys think?

On one? One each.

No, one each. I would say one high school student, $3,000, and one middle school, $2,000. And then there's $500 more, which we could give to the Optimist Club because they give something to them every year towards theirs.

I like it. I mean, so do you think because some of the feedback I heard was we should just make it for just two high school students. Right. Yeah. But so do you think we definitely want to have a middle school student?

I would think a middle school student because it there's not that many things out there to fund a middle schooler. And that's where you really you start, you know, waking up some of the creativity, creativity. And that some parents don't have the money for that. Those are very expensive art classes, dance classes, those things are very expensive. And that's what that's geared towards. And one of the girls was in middle school. That's why it's written that way.

You're right. Okay. I like that. Yeah. No. Okay. So I just wanted to see what, you know, what the reason was behind now hearing that though. I agree. Let's keep one for a middle school, one for high school, 3000 for the high school, 2000 for the middle school, 500 to the Optimist Club. I agree. I think it's a good, it's a good, good start. Arnell, any thoughts?

Yeah, Arnell.

Well, if it's, Look, the way I look at it is if part of the reason was because one of the children were in middle school, then I think it kind of follows the whole idea of it. So I'm good with it.

Yeah, that's how they originally started it. When the village wrote the rules out, they made one middle school because one of the girls was in middle school and the other one was in high school.

Okay, so that follows kind of the intent. So excellent. Thank you.

Yeah, and then I guess my question would be to Julie. Excuse me.

Faraheem also has a question. He doesn't have a chance.

What's that? Oh, sorry.

Faraheem.

Faraheem, sorry, sorry.

Well, I have no idea about, I have not much opinion on this, but I agree, yeah. I cannot relate much. I haven't studied here. I don't know how the off projects work. Like, I cannot relate much, so.

Okay. What were you going to ask, Jose?

Oh, I was just going to say back to Julie, I know, what can we do to maybe encourage more, you know, applications this year? I know that I think the challenge was, like you said, Lydia, we didn't get a lot of people apply. And is that because maybe we didn't get it out enough? I'm sure we did. Or is it because we just don't have a lot of, you know, kids, students?

here on the island or the islands that um yeah what was it what was the low application turnout a result of is it you know just maybe a lot of kids I imagine a lot of kids didn't know about it maybe or maybe not it's I think it's a combination maybe Julie can give more information but we they had a short time frame right Julie because we that was the first year so they had a short time frame that it was out there and historically I know the Optimist Club used to have a hard time getting applications for their scholarship and their scholarship is wider open because it's open to anyone in the area. It's not just North Bay Village. So just historically, I think it's kind of hard to get people to apply for scholarships, which is weird, right? You would think everybody would go for it. Yeah, I know.

Well, I would say it's twofold. So one, we did kind of throw it together at the last minute because we really wanted to get it out there in time ahead of graduations and when people are applying. looking for money. So this time around, I will do everything I can to make sure it's out there, posted everywhere possible, really try to market it well. And, you know, any contacts we have with different schools, I'll send the principals or whatever contacts somebody might have, I can send them the application directly. And then the other part of it is, you know, I did speak with a counselor, I think at Miami Beach Senior High School, and he had told me that, you know, from our qualifications. Like he said, it was a great scholarship, but you know, not everybody is, there was maybe 20 seniors that would qualify at that particular high school. And they maybe not go into the arts or maybe they were not applying. And, you know, I was a student that did that. You know, my mom was on me making sure I applied for every single thing that I could fit into a category. Not everybody's like that. And, you know, so all I can say is I'll do our best. We'll do our best to make sure it's out there. You know, we can try to hit those schools directly. And, you know, if you guys have any contacts, that would be appreciated, too. And hopefully, you know, if it's more money, I'm sure that is a better incentive as well.

So, yeah, we as board members, we can also repost it, you know, on social media and things like that.

I don't think I did on deck.

I don't think I did last year at all. Right. So, and we still, yeah, I know you did, but I like, you know, all of us should like just repost it on our, in word of mouth, just telling people, telling your neighbors that, you know, who may not know about it. So I think that'll help. Julie, what is not to get too much into this, but what was the qualifications? What do they have to do again? They have to write an essay. What was it again?

I don't know. Yeah. It's on our website. Everything is there under scholarships.

They had to show the portfolio. I remember that part. There was specifics, but there wasn't an essay. Writing, right? They had to show writing examples or...

Here, I have it open.

I thought we didn't, we look at their grades or something as well, or I couldn't remember.

It was, so for the Maria Saidi, it was samples of artwork, writing or other creative projects, 500 word essay about their passions and how Maria inspires them. And they need a letter of recommendation. For Sophia, it was original creative writing samples, copy of current transcript showing grades, 500 word essay about their passions and how Sophia inspires them and also a letter of rec. So that's what we got last time. We didn't go for grades last time.

I'm sorry, Julie didn't interrupt you.

Oh, no, sorry. I was just going to say we are asking for, you know, a good amount of stuff. So that's the other thing that weeds out people because it does take time. But I think that's good. I think that's what we want. We want a careful, thorough app that, you know, deserves it and fits our qualification.

We didn't ask for grades because almost every other scholarship does. We were trying to be different because this is more of an arts type scholarship. And we got really good. The people that did apply were really good. It was hard to choose. There was few, but it was hard to choose between them. So I think the qualifications worked.

Yeah, Lydia, we did ask for a transcript, but we didn't have a minimum GPA.

That would have eliminated me right from the jump if I had to show my report card. I would have been like, all right, I'm not applying.

It would depend on what year I was in.

Yeah, it depends. Depends on my good years. But yeah, I was just thinking that because that may shy kids away from like, oh, man, I got to show my report card or whatever. So, yeah, but I'm for it. I think it's, you know, if we're going to do it, it should be to a worthy, worthy student.

Yeah, now that it's more money, too, I think we'll get more because if you have to put that much effort into it, you don't want to do it for a small reward. Like you want a larger, so I think it'll make a difference. Commissioner, what do you think you're going to have to push this for us?

Yeah, no, no problem. I think these are all good ideas and happy to support on the commission.

Awesome. Do you need a vote or just our recommendations enough?

I think we have a consensus here. I think the recommendation's enough. So let's, I'll bring that up to commission and we'll recommend that as part of the Resident Services Board and go from there.

Okay, great. So just to reiterate, I'm writing this down for the agenda item, 3,000 for high school, 2,000 for middle, and then the recommendation is the 500 left for the optimist, if that's the procedure. Okay.

Yes. Okay, thank you. Okay. Update on Winter Wonderland event.

Hi.

Hi.

So I don't really have an update on Winter Wonderland. The last time we had talked, it was all pretty much already booked and set. I think the only thing that I've decided that I'm going to do a little differently is I was only going to have one vendor there for caramel apples and like chocolate things. But I think I'm going to have a more wide variety of food options just because I got a lot of positive feedback from doing that at Halloween. So I'm looking into some more food vendors. But other than that, everything is the same.

I think, Lily, I think you showed us last time the stages. Aren't you going to have several performers, like different stages of performers?

Nope, just one stage. And Vicky's going to be performing the whole time. So with the DJ, she's going to be singing Christmas carols, all the Christmas hits.

Are you going to have a giant snowman like you had that spooktacular giant pumpkin? Maybe we do a giant snowman?

I was thinking about it, but I don't know if I'll have the budget for it.

That thing was huge. I have a picture of my one-year-old nephew in front of it. It's so cute. Good. I'm glad you liked it.

Yeah, I loved it.

It looked like everything went well. I'm sorry. I wasn't able to attend.

No, no worries. Yeah. Yeah. It went great. I had fun. Good. And you convinced Julie to get dressed. I know. I know that was, that was a big one. Good job. Thanks.

Okay. Do we have any new business? Anybody?

No, the only comment I'll make is that I'm still researching the Tech 101 and the Finance 101 stuff. I think I found someone, actually someone who's a North Bay Village resident who does this. I was at a dinner and got introduced to this person, and they actually do these types of courses. More suited for adults, but they can cater one for kids. So I was actually going to have him join, but I wasn't sure since it wasn't on the agenda if it was worth it. But I think for the next meeting, I'd like to have that individual who's a North Bay Village resident join and talk about what he could do. And I think we start with, you know, the Tech 101, right? It's an easy one. I can help with that one and go from there. But I think just hearing the feedback from everybody, it's a great idea. It's actually come up just in conversations I'm having. Hey, yeah, we should teach our kids about finance and things like that. So we can have that for the next agenda meeting.

Well, the next would be, is it going to be in December, Julie? Because I know the commission has to reappoint now, right? Did you all put in an application?

Yeah, I'm not sure. I'll get back to you guys on that one because I know we have to have everybody do so.

So does Arnell also have to put in an application even though he just started?

I don't know. I'll ask Albert tomorrow and sort it out.

Okay. All right. And Jose, don't forget us. If you become commissioner, we still need to get this idea rolling.

Oh, I won't. Trust me. It'll be one of the things that I will continue to champion and I will not, I will not forget this board and all the great work you've done, Lydia. Kudos to you. You know, you're the backbone of this board. Yeah. I mean, so I just welcome Arnell. I welcome, I wish, I think we have room for one more, right? So I'd love to see, I've had some people talk to me about joining as well. So I think that, um, We'll probably have a new look to this board soon. But I will not forget this. And, hey, nothing's happened yet. So we'll see how that goes.

Two more days or one more day.

That's right. Okay. I had down Crystal Vasquez as a board member. Is she no longer a board member?

She never showed up.

Yeah. Okay.

Yeah.

$200.

Yeah, they reached out to her. Julie reached out to her and the clerk, and she never replied as far as I know. She never came to any meetings. She never replied.

So if you have someone in mind, Arnelle or Anahim or anyone, I think it's – I've received interest too. So I think, Julie, if I have someone that's interested, I can have them reach out to you, or how do we do that?

Yeah, there's actually an application online under the clerk's page if you want to speed it up. Otherwise, I can – I'll, I'll start on the flyer. But yeah, like they send their resume to the clerk. It's all on there. So just point them to the website.

Okay, thank you.

Okay, staff commission liaison updates. Nothing?

No updates from my end.

Okay. I just wanted to say two things. One, thank you, Lily, for an amazing event. I've never seen that many people before in North Bay Village. it extended beyond our islands and, you know, that's, you know, we're working for us, but it was just really nice to see, you know, kids and their families from ties that, you know, from the beach and from other places. And I mean, the pumpkin was amazing. And I don't think I've ever had so many people come up to me and say how amazing it was. And we've gotten such great feedback. So I just wanted to tell her, thank you. She already knows this, but, you know, just, And all you guys giving your input here and there and, you know, supporting all her ideas and efforts. I really appreciate it. So thank you, Lily.

I'll echo that, Julie. And I told Lily the night of the event, but so many people came up to me and were like, wow, we've never done this. The events have only gotten better and better. The only problem with it is every time you're going to be held to a higher standard now. So thank you. Both of you have done a phenomenal job. I mean, the events... since i've been here have not been this good right and and it really brings community together people like want to come out you know i was talking some of the other day was talking about the fourth of july event and how the barbecue was a hit you know and the barbecue the food we selected little things like that that matter that bring people out they bring the community together so it's huge it cannot be said enough the tremendous work both of you have done

And I'm going to do that as well. And I mean, you two are, I think a dream team to put a name to it because you work together so well and you just compliment each other extremely well. It's just all the events. And I think it's not just a job. It comes off like you're, you know, I mean, Lily does live here, but it comes, Julie, you don't live here, I think, but it comes off like you are a resident, like you're, you know, you live here and you care about what happens. It's not just a job. And I really appreciate that.

Oh, thanks, everyone. Thanks for saying that, Julie. Couldn't have done it without you either. And Frank had sent an email earlier this week. And I really I could not do it without our public works team. I mean, you should see those guys out there. It took me and five guys to put that pumpkin up. I wish someone would have recorded it from like far away and shown it to me later. Like one of our public works guys, it was so windy that day. It was literally like up in the air. Like, like the pumpkin was about to fly away. I was freaking out. We were running around for like two hours trying to put that thing up. It was tough, but I really, I could not do it without them. All the tents, all the tablecloths, everything. They, they helped so much. So I don't do it alone. It's an amazing team. And thanks so much to all of you for all your recommendations and ideas and

And then the only other thing I just wanted to add was that the North Bay Village Police Department is hosting the annual Veterans Day lunch. And it's going to be this Veterans Day on Monday at one here in Village Hall. The city hall is closed, but we'll open that portion for them. So if you know any vets, they can bring a guest and spread the word. There's going to be some raffles, giveaways, food. So if you know anybody who has served, we would love to honor them.

I've sent it out to a few people already, Julie. How are we getting the word out about that? Do we have a list of veterans that we know of? I'm just curious.

No, I'm just assisting PD with it. And so I just have it on our regular channels. But I can send you the flyer directly if you know some folks.

Jessica already sent it to me. I sent it to a few people I know. So hopefully we can get some good attendance.

Definitely. Do we have any public comment? No public comment? Okay. So I guess agenda items for the next meeting, we have to wait and see when they get back to us whether we have a next meeting or they just have to appoint a new board first. Anybody have anything else before we adjourn? I know you guys are going to go run right now, right?

I was about to say, Farahim, the MBV Club is a hit. So I just want to see it keep growing. I think it's a great event. And I hope to have on the agenda too soon. Wait for it. You know it's coming. The MBV 5K is coming back. I knew you were going to say that. Did you, I knew you knew I was going to say that, but you got to get it back. It's the more people I tell about it and we can make it in conjunction with the run club. It's like, we have to have more events that I think are focused around health and fitness. Right.

So you're changing the run walk club.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. We'll do the run-walk. We'll call it the MBB 5K run-walk, right? And we'll start the runners off first, then the walkers can go after. And we meet afterwards. We bring people together. It's another big community event. I think logistically it's not as tough as we may think. We just got to pick a date, I think, and figure out how to get it done. So that's another thing I want to make sure we get completed at some point.

Awesome. Okay, that's it then. We're going to adjourn at 628. And thank you, everybody. And Jose, good luck tomorrow.

Thanks. Thanks, Lydia. Thanks, everyone. Bye. Take care. Bye. Bye.