Item Coversheet

NEW BUSINESS  16.

COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM

TO: Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee Members


FROM:
Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager


DATE: December 20, 2017


SUBJECT:

DISCUSSION REGARDING A POTENTIAL RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH FREE SWIMMING LESSONS FOR EVERY INFANT AND CHILD IN MIAMI BEACH


HISTORY:

On December 13, 2016, the City Commission referred a Discussion Regarding a Potential Resolution To Establish Free Swimming Lessons For Every Infant And Child In Miami Beach to the Neighborhoods/Community Affairs Committee Meeting.


ANALYSIS:

The Parks and Recreation Department offers free learn-to-swim programming to Miami Beach residents. The pools at Flamingo Park and Normandy Isle Park host Aqua Babies I for ages 6 months to 2 years on weekends (April to September), and the pool at the Scott Rakow Youth Center offers a 12-week Infant and Toddler Water Safety Program twice a year, for ages 6 months to 5 years. Additionally, children in grades K-5 enrolled in the After-school programs at the Flamingo, Scott Rakow and North Shore youth centers also receive free swim lessons during the fall and spring months.

 

From fall 2016 to date, 158 infants and toddlers have participated in both Aqua Babies I and in the Infant and Toddler Water Safety program (34 – Infant and Toddler Water Safety, 124 – Aqua Babies I). From January 2017 to date, 252 After-school program participants have taken advantage of free learn-to-swim classes.

 

At the time of this memo, the Parks and Recreation Department has been in conversation with H2Os Foundation, Inc. (the “Foundation”) to expand free swimming lessons. As part of the City’s grant funding awarded to the Foundation pursuant to the Miami Beach Fit Fest Grant and Sponsorship Agreement, the Foundation has committed to provide swim lessons to City residents at the Normandy Isle Pool.


CONCLUSION:

Committee discussion and possible direction on this item.