Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Bertha Henry
Department: County Administration Division: Intergovernmental Affairs/Board Section
Information
Requested Action
title
A. MOTION TO ACCEPT external recommendation of Legal Aid Services of Broward County, Inc. & Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, Inc. to appoint Meghana Saoji to their shared Board of Directors in the category of "attorney."
ACTION: (T-11:13 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 9-0.
ACTION: (T-11:14 AM) The Board reconsidered the Consent Agenda to remove Item 80 from the Consent Agenda, as read previously by County Attorney Andrew J. Meyers. (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)
VOTE: 9-0.
B. MOTION TO APPOINT Meghana Saoji to Legal Aid Services of Broward County, Inc. & Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, Inc. to their shared Board of Directors in the category of “attorney.”
ACTION: (T-11:13 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 9-0.
ACTION: (T-11:14 AM) The Board reconsidered the Consent Agenda to remove Item 80 from the Consent Agenda, as read previously by County Attorney Andrew J. Meyers. (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)
VOTE: 9-0.
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Why Action is Necessary
The County Commission appoints two members to the shared Board of Directors of Legal Aid Service of Broward County, Inc. & Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, Inc.
What Action Accomplishes
Accepts the recommendation from the Legal Aid Service of Broward County, Inc. & Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, Inc. and appoints Meghana Saoji to serve on the organizations' shared Board of Directors.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
None.
Summary Explanation/Background
Legal Aid Service of Broward County, Inc. (LAS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, began providing legal services to residents of Broward County in 1973. In 2003, Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, Inc. (CCLA), also a 501(c)(3) organization, was incorporated in a split from LAS, and effective January 1, 2004, began providing legal services to the low-income population of Broward County, primarily to address the needs of clients who could be served under federal Legal Services Corporation (LSC) funding. The two organizations, however, share a common Board of Directors and history.
The County Commission appoints two members to the shared Board of Directors as follows:
1. A majority of the Board shall be attorneys who are supportive and have interest in and knowledge of the delivery of quality legal services to the poor.
2. One-third (1/3) shall be eligible clients selected one each by: the Haitian Outreach Partnership for Empowerment; the Urban League of Broward County; the Broward Homebound Program; the Broward House; the NAACP; and the Broward County Commission.
3. One member shall be a CPA designated by the Broward County Chapter of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
4. One member shall be an at-large member chosen by the Board of Directors.
5. An attorney (appointed by the Broward County Commission).
6. An eligible client (appointed by the Broward County Commission).
Meghana Saoji has expressed interest in serving for a three-year term (1/1/2021 to 12/31/2023) in the "attorney" category, and the Legal Aid Service of Broward County & Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida have recommended her appointment to the Board of Directors. If appointed by the Board, this would be Ms. Saoji’s first term serving on the Board of Directors. No member may serve more than two consecutive three-year terms.
The resume of Meghana Saoji is on file with the Intergovernmental Affairs/Boards Section.
Source of Additional Information
C. Marty Cassini, Manager, Intergovernmental Affairs/Boards Section, (954) 357-7575
Orlando A. Garcia, Boards Administrator/Legislative Policy Analyst, Intergovernmental Affairs/Boards Section, (954) 357-5934
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
None.