Item K01BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: August 19, 2009 Division: BOCC
Bulk Item: Yes _ No x Department: George Neugent
Staff Contact Person/Phone #: T. Marble 4512
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Discussion with staff and BOCC regarding the use of the "Old Stiglitz House" on South Street near
Watson Park on Big Pine Key for the Boys and Girls Club after school and summer programs.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
Boys and Girls Club provides a positive environment for youth to play and learn life skills.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
TOTAL COST: INDIRECT COST: BUDGETED: Yes No
DIFFERENTIAL OF LOCAL PREFERENCE:
COST TO COUNTY: SOURCE OF FUNDS:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes No AMOUNT PER MONTH Year
APPROVED BY: County Atty _ OMWPurchasing — Risk Management
DOCUMENTATION: Included Not Required
DISPOSITION:
Revised 7/09
AGENDA ITEM #
Date: July 29, 2009
To: Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
From: Ceee Williamson, Lower Keys Unit Director
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Keys Area
Subj: Boys and Girls Club Location Proposal
The Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Keys (B&G Club) provides a valuable
community -based service on Big Pine Key and the surrounding areas. It offers organized
youth activities, after school care, and safe summer programs for over 50 children on a
daily basis. B&G Club provides a positive environment for youth to play and learn life
skills. There are opportunities to foster knowledge about the environment, education,
health, drug/alcohol and pregnancy prevention, gang prevention, leadership, the arts,
careers, and athletics.
After five years of success, the community is at risk of losing this successful and much
needed resource. Since its inception, the B&G Club has been sharing space at the Big
Pine Academy. However, the expansion of the school is requiring the club to seek a new
home. As of today, the B&G Club has no facility on Big Pine. For the remainder of the
summer, the staff and children use the Big Pine Academy playground an hour before
being bused to participate with the Key West B&G Club and an hour upon returning from
Key West. The club remains committed to serving the local families and has begun the
search for a new location that provides outside recreational potential, a safe indoor
learning environment, and proximity to community resources.
B&G Clubs proposes to use the County owned parcel located on South St. in Big Pine
commonly referred to as the "old Stiglitz home". As of now, the Big Pine Fire
Department operates out of this home with the anticipation of moving into the newly built
fire station located on Key Deer Blvd. The B&G Club proposes to use this facility
Monday -Friday throughout the school year as well as during the summer/winter breaks.
The club proposes to pay for all utilities, renovations, and to assist with maintenance
upkeep,
The Boys and Girls Club of the lower Keys is the "positive place for kids," with a
program that fills a critical need for the unincorporated lower keys. Keeping the club on
Big Pine Key will reduce the number of vehicular trips to Marathon or Key West. It will
keep the local community intact by allowing families to continue accessing quality after
school and summer care. The families who rely on the services provided by the B&G
Club are seeking to be part of a cohesive "Livable Communikcys Plan" that considers the
social, physical, recreational, and educational needs of the lower keys residents. Please
consider allowing the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Keys to make its new home at
the County owned parcel located on South St.
Please contact me at (305)296-2258 (w) or (345)766-8467 (c) for a better way to serve
the needs of the families in our community.
Sincerely,
CECE WILLIAMSON
cc: Roman Gastesi, County Administrator
Debbie Frederick, Assistant County Administrator
Dent Pierce, Public Works Director
3obn King, Facilities Maintenance
Dan Dombroski, Executive Director Boys and Girls Club