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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEOPW OMNI CRA 1996-05-20 MinutesOMNI AREA / COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON MAY 20, 1996 PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK CITY HALL WALTER J. FOEMAN CITY CLERIC INDEX MINUTES OF OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY May 20,1996 ITEM SUBJECT LEGISLATION PAGE NO. NO. 1. MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION: (1) DISCUSSION 2-11 DATE OF NEXT MEETING; (2) WHO IS 5/20/96 ELIGIBLE TO SERVE ON CRA BOARD; (3) OPTION TO APPOINT INDEPENDENT BOARD CONSISTING OF SEVEN PRIVATE CITIZENS TO CONDUCT CRA BUSINESS; (4) ATTENDANCE / NONATTENDANCE OF MEMBERS AT BOARD MEETINGS; (5) NEXT AGENDA TO CONTAIN (a) FORMAL SELECTION OF DEVELOPERS REGARDING TWO BLOCKS OF OVERTOWN LAND, AND (b) APPROVAL OF LEASE AND RENOVATION FOR PROPOSED CRA OFFICE BUILDING IN OVERTOWN; AND (6) POTENTIAL APPOINTMENTS TO 10- MEMBER PANEL FOR OMNI INCREMENT DISTRICT. IQ MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF THE OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY On the 20th day of May, 1996, the Omni Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) met at the Grand Condominium/Double Tree Hotel, 1717 North Bayshore Drive, Miami, Florida in regular session. The meeting was called to order at 6:59 p.m. by Chairman Miller J. Dawkins with the following members of the Board found to be present: Chairman Miller J. Dawkins Board Member J.L. Plummer, Jr. ALSO PRESENT: ABSENT: Walter J. Foeman, City Clerk Maria J. Argudin, Assistant City Clerk Herbert J. Bailey, Executive Director Robert Friedman, Special Counsel Vice Chairman Stephen P.Clark Board Member Joe Carollo Board Member Wifredo Gort An invocation was delivered by Chairman Dawkins who then led those present in a pledge of allegiance to the flag. 1 May 20, 1996 W -----------w---------------------w-----------------------------------------------------------------------..-..---.. 1. MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION: (1) DATE OF NEXT MEETING; (2) WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO SERVE ON CRA BOARD; (3) OPTION TO APPOINT INDEPENDENT BOARD CONSISTING OF SEVEN PRIVATE CITIZENS TO CONDUCT CRA BUSINESS; (4) ATTENDANCE / NONATTENDANCE OF MEMBERS AT BOARD MEETINGS; (5) NEXT AGENDA TO CONTAIN (a) FORMAL SELECTION OF DEVELOPERS REGARDING TWO BLOCKS OF OVERTOWN LAND, AND (b) APPROVAL OF LEASE AND RENOVATION FOR PROPOSED CRA OFFICE BUILDING IN OVERTOWN; AND (6) POTENTIAL APPOINTMENTS TO 10-MEMBER PANEL FOR OMNI INCREMENT DISTRICT. Chairman Dawkins: We cannot make a decision with two people. Now, if Board Member Plummer agrees with that, so be it. If he doesn't, let him state his reasons or his alternative. Board Member Plummer: It's 7:12. I'll be watching the Rats on TV. Chairman Dawkins: OK. All right. Where is Mr. Joseph? Mr. Joseph? Mr. Fred Joseph: Yes, sir. Chairman Dawkins: This is an important meeting to you, to us and the community, but we cannot conduct business without a Board. So if... And it's unfair to put you and others who have come in here at a disadvantage of sitting here waiting on us, who are supposed to be here. So we'll let... Rather than J.L. Plummer and I deciding on a date, we will let you and the members of the Grand decide on another date next week sometime, and we will hold this meeting, if that's agreeable with you. But if you have something else that's not agreeable, it's all right, still. Mr. Joseph: Well, with the holidays rolling in. Board Member Plummer: Excuse me. That's what I was going to say. Mr. Joseph: Yeah. With the holiday... Board Member Plummer: You got Memorial Day. Chairman Dawkins: Beg pardon? Board Member Plummer: You got Memorial Day coming. It's going to be a long... Mr. Joseph: You got the holidays rolling in. I think we'll probably be into June, and then you have one scheduled for the Overtown in June so... Chairman Dawkins: But there again, we'll just have to have two in June. We'll have to have one here at the Omni, and one Overtown, at the Overtown, for Overtown. Mr. Joseph: That's... It's your pleasure. But, I mean, we could do them both on that date, if that is your pleasure. 2 May 20, 1996 Chairman Dawkins: Well, it... I don't... I'm not in favor of that, because I would rather each CRA have its day. Mr. Joseph: No, that's what we... Yes. Chairman Dawkins: See? But when we combine the two, then we have people from Overtown worrying about their issues, and we got the people from the Omni worrying about their issues, and... But there again, I'll be bound by the wishes of the majority. Mr. Joseph: I appreciate it. Chairman Dawkins: OK? Mr. Joseph: But as I said, if you'll give me an opportunity to look at some dates, I'll try to set something. Chairman Dawkins: OK. Mr. Joseph: But let's... You want to wait until ten minutes after, and then we'll decide? Chairman Dawkins: Yes, sir, but give me... Get a date while we're deciding. Mr. Joseph: Thank you. Chairman Dawkins: Will you, please, sir? Thank you very much, sir. Mr. Joseph: Thank you. Chairman Dawkins: Thank you, sir. Board Member Plummer: Mr. Chairman, while we're waiting, we maybe might ask or inquire of anybody in the audience, assuming - let's assume that the meeting is going to be deferred - that if they have any questions about anything that was going to be discussed this evening, they can make the questions known now, and at the next meeting, we'll have answers where we don't have to say we'll defer it out until that time. I just offer that as a suggestion. Chairman Dawkins: OK. The only thing I see wrong with that, if we're going to have a meeting, let's meet. Board Member Plummer: No, no, no, not a meeting. Chairman Dawkins: If we're not going to have a meeting, let's not meet. Board Member Plummer: OK. Chairman Dawkins: Now, if we're going to let people discuss it... Board Member Plummer: No, no. Chairman Dawkins: I mean, I don't want to cut a person off in the middle of their discussion, you know. So, hey, just... But I'd like to piggyback on Board Member Plummer's suggestion, and that is that anybody who has questions that we did not get to, give them to Mr. Joseph, and Mr. Joseph will give them to us, J.L. 3 May 20, 1996 Board Member Plummer: That's trine. Chairman Dawkins: And we will make sure that we have the answers to those questions. Board Member Plummer: That's fine. Mr. Joseph: OK. I'm looking on the calendar at the present time, and it says the 17th, I was told, is the next one. And if you wish, unless you have opposition from Overtown... And I guess Mr. Bailey can give me an answer, maybe. Is there... Would there be a problem having that meeting here? And so we'll combine them. Mr. Herb Bailey (Executive Director): I'll defer to the Chairman. Mr. Joseph: The Chair... OK. That's up to you, Chair. Chairman Dawkins: Well, I've already said no. Mr. Joseph: No. OK. You don't want them together. Commissioner Dawkins: No, I don't. Mr. Joseph: But I meant just because of this re... Chairman Dawkins: No. No, I don't. Mr. Joseph: All right. Can I... Chairman Dawkins: The Tuesday after the Monday will be fine, if you want, or the Wednesday, whichever one you want. Mr. Joseph: See, I'd have to look at my board calendar. Can I defer till after? Chairman Dawkins: Yes, sir. And we'll get notices out in the mail of what the date is. Mr. Joseph: In other words, we don't have to say it today, right now. Chairman Dawkins: No, sir. No, sir. Mr. Joseph: OK. All right. Thank you. Chairman Dawkins: OK. Thank you. Mr.... Manolo, "Boom -Boom." Mr. Manuel Gonzalez-Goenaga: No, no, ,no. I'm changing my name to "Broom -Broom." Chairman Dawkins: Oh. Sweep -Sweep. Mr. Gonzalez-Goenaga: Because I have to sweep all of Dade County. Well, I come all the way from Puerto Rico to this meeting. Chairman Dawkins: OK. Mr. Gonzalez-Goenaga: And I come right on time. Chairman Dawkins: OK. 4 May 20, 1996 IR Mr. Gonzalez-Goenaga: And they say that it is going to be deferred. Chairman Dawkins: Yes. Mr. Gonzalez-Goenaga: Could I get... besides the quorum, could I get another explanation why it was deferred, it's going to be deferred? Chairman Dawkins: OK. The meeting... Mr. Gonzalez-Goenaga: Can you pay me for my parking ticket, valet parking and all of that? Chairman Dawkins: I will pay you for everything but your airline trip from Puerto Rico. Mr. Gonzalez-Goenaga: Puerto Rico, OK. Chairman Dawkins: Anything else, I will give it to you. Mr. Gonzalez-Goenaga: Well, Cesar will pay for that. Chairman Dawkins: But no, all jokes aside, we cannot conduct any business without a quorum, so it's no point in us even attempting to conduct any business. Yes, Mrs. Anderson. Ms. Sheila Anderson: Chairman Dawkins. Chairman Dawkins: Yes. Ms. Anderson: Mr. Carollo hasn't come to any of these meetings. Is it possible to substitute him for a member of the community, selected by the people here, or anybody in any other fashion you would wish, so that you can have a quorum on a regular basis and we don't have to spend the time and the money it takes to do this? Board Member Plummer: That's not a true statement. Mr. Carollo has attended a couple of meetings. He has not been in 100 percent attendance, but he has attended meetings, because I remember very well that he was here. Chairman Dawkins: And the last meeting, he was not here because he was negotiating the Heat settlement or whatever it was, he was not here. Ms. Anderson: Well, wherever he is is irrelevant to... Chairman Dawkins: He's not here. Ms. Anderson: He's not here. And it is an enormous expense to everybody here, including the City, to have to do this. Chairman Dawkins: OK. I take... Ms. Anderson: So I think we need at least, perhaps, a substitute, like they do on a jury, if someone can't show up, someone else can fill in. It's legal to have citizen participation. Chairman Dawkins: OK. I take that as constructive criticism, and we will do so. What we will do is, we will make sure that we have a registered letter from each Commissioner that they will or will not be here, so that we will not, like you said, have people like Mr.... I mean, people... Everybody sitting around here has some things to do. 5 May 20, 1996 Ms. Anderson: That's right. Chairman Dawkins: Here's a gentleman coming in here with a handful of... I don't know what. See? Ms. Anderson: But if it is legal to have a citizen participant on the board, and if you can appoint somebody as a backup, that would solve some problems for all of us. Chairman Dawkins: OK. But the State of Florida designated the Commissioners as the board. So I don't know how... Ms. Anderson: I've never seen that. Chairman Dawkins: And there's no substitute for Commissioners at Commission meetings. There's no substitute. So I don't see how we could substitute from a board that was designated by the State... Mr. Bailey: By the County. Can I say something? Chairman Dawkins: Yes, sir. As soon as Mrs. Anderson finishes, Mr. Bailey. Ms. Anderson: Chairman Dawkins. Chairman Dawkins: Yes, ma'am. Ms. Anderson: It was my understanding - and I haven't seen it in writing in any way, so perhaps I'm misinformed - but it was my understanding that members of the community who had a vested interest in an area could serve on the CRA, as well as Commissioners, and that the choice could be made either way. So if you could... Chairman Dawkins: Well, I will... Ms. Anderson: ... research that, I would appreciate it. Chairman Dawkins: No, ma'am. You research it. I already know. Now, if you want to research, you may be my guest, because I'm not... If I was in error, I'd go back and research it. But I've researched it, and what I'm telling you is what it is. Ms. Anderson: Can we all get a copy of the statute that refers to it? And then we'll all know. Mr. Bailey: It's not a statute. Chairman Dawkins: I'll do that for you, but I'm not going to research it for you. Ms. Anderson: That's what I'd like. Chairman Dawkins: OK, then. All right. Mr. Bailey has something. Mr. Bailey: In response to her question, the County ordinance was very specific. Only the City Commission can be the CRA. However... And it's not a statute or anything. It's an ordinance. It's in the Ordinance... And we have been informed very clearly by our legal counsel that that's the way it has to be. However, it is suggested, or can be suggested, depending on what the CRA decides, that they can still act as the CRA and the City Commission, and appoint an independent 6 May 20, 1996 private board to carry out the... conduct the business of the CRA, very similar to what they do at the Sports Authority. It's just a comment that I'm making, because it has been made to me several times. And that board, it can be made up of seven private citizens. However, the final decision on all matters, as it relates to the CRA and the authority to do business, would have to be ratified and confirmed by the CRA, which is the City Commission. Commissioner Dawkins: So therefore, the City... If the CRA Board did not desire to follow through on anything that you just said, and do not bring it up, it wouldn't happen. Mr. Bailey: That is correct. Chairman Dawkins: Thank you, sir. Anything else? Board Member Plummer: Mr. Chairman, I... Just for the record, I think that I need to say that I visited this afternoon with Mayor Clark. He was not feeling well, and for that reason, is not here. And I should also note for the record that Commissioner Gort in Costa Rica, is there representing the City of Miami as its Vice Mayor, and for that reason, he is not here this evening. Chairman Dawkins: I take that as news, but there again, Commissioner Gort knew prior to today that he wasn't going to be here, or he should have arranged his meeting in Costa Rica after the meeting here. These people here are as important as anybody else. These are the people who vote. Nobody in Costa Rica can vote for me. OK? So therefore, this is my concern, and that's what I think everybody else should feel like. Yes, ma'am. Ms. Eleanor Kluger: I'd just like to say that I did send a fax to each and every one of the Commissioners on Friday: To Joe Carollo, to Mayor Clark, and so on. And I'm sure the ones that are here did get that fax. Chairman Dawkins: Yes, ma'am. Commissioner Plummer: Yes, ma'am, I received it. Ms. Kluger: Just as a reminder. Chairman Dawkins: All right. What time is it, J.L,.? Board Member Plummer: You have one more minute, sir, according to my watch. Chairman Dawkins: Yes, sir, Mr. Joseph. Mr. Joseph: I can... The 24th of June, that would be the following Monday after your CRA... Chairman Dawkins: 17th, OK. Mr. Joseph: ... on the 17th, and I will leave that open as of today's date, and I will discuss with your office and the City Clerk on confirmation, if anybody wishes. Now, as you've instructed or asked people, they can send any items to me at 1717 North Bayshore Drive, Suite 3856, and I will compile a list for that next meeting, as you've requested. I'll take on myself. If there's any conflict on that 24th date, I will inform your office immediately within the next few days. I wanted to go into July, but I saw then, the next one was the 1st and the 4th of July is coming up. When's the torch coming down, Commissioner? Board Member Plummer: 4th of July. 7 May 20, 1996 Mr. Joseph: It's coming the 4th of July. Board Member Plummer: It will be here on the 4th of July. Mr. Joseph: OK. So it passes through here, so I think that will be a very busy week for us, and I... Board Member Plummer: Well, that's also a long weekend, isn't it? Mr. Joseph: Yeah. Board Member Plummer: Yeah. Mr. Joseph: That will be sold out here at the Grand so... Double Tree. So I don't want to put a jeopardy there. But right now, I'm going to mark the 24th, Chairman. Chairman Dawkins: OK. Mr. Bailey, we have two issues or three issues that are very important. Is that a true statement? Two issues on the agenda? Mr. Bailey: We have two. Chairman Dawkins: Two? Mr. Bailey: That are very important for us. Chairman Dawkins: If it's OK with Board Member Plummer, I would like to take the liberty of asking that prior to the meeting on Thursday - these have only to do with the CRA in Overtown, and also a building that we are purchasing - that we meet at eight -thirty for a CRA meeting, deal with these two items, and the go into the regular Commission meeting at nine o'clock. Board Member Plummer: I have no problem with that, sir. Chairman Dawkins: You have any problem with that, Mr. Bailey? Mr. Bailey: No, I don't. Chairman Dawkins: OK. Board Member Plummer: Just so long as it's advertised. Mr. Chairman, what I would suggest in the future, that the day of each of these meetings, that Mr. Bailey be instructed to get a commitment from each Commissioner. Chairman Dawkins: I'll do that. No, I'll... Board Member Plummer: And make sure that we're going to have a quorum. Chairman Dawkins: OK. I... See, when I send the agenda around, and Commissioners sign for the agenda, then I assume that when you sign for it, that means you will be there, or you would say, "I am accepting the agenda, but I will not be there." I will take that responsibility. I mean, I'm not going to put that on anybody, because that's... I send the agenda around personally to every Commissioner. I have every Commissioner sign a sheet that he received the agenda, which... And I just assume that when you say, "I got it," that I'll be here. All right. So I'm sorry we don't have a quorum, and the meeting is called. Yes, ma'am. 8 May 20, 1996 Mt) Ms. Kluger: Can I do one thing? Chairman Dawkins: Yes, ma'am. Ms. Kluger: We talked about a panel of ten people for the Omni Increment District. Chairman Dawkins: Yes, ma'am. Ms. Kluger: And could we at least have people sign up? Chairman Dawkins: Yes. Ms. Kluger: Or how could that be implemented? Because people are now asking for dollars they are funding. Chairman Dawkins: OK. If... In my opinion... I mean I have to ask the legal coun... I mean legal opinion. If the Overtown has an Overtown Advisory Board for the CRA, in my opinion, there's no reason why the Omni cannot have an Omni Advisory CRA Board. Now, that's my personal... I don't know. Mr. Robert Friedman (Special Counsel): There's no legal problem there. Ms. Kluger: Commissioner Plummer said something about a ten -people panel last meeting. Chairman Dawkins: OK. No, ma'am. Board Member Plummer: I have no problem with it. Chairman Dawkins: He just said it's legal. So get your list together and we'll take it up at the next meeting. Yes, sir. Mr. Joseph: At that CRA on Thursday at eight -thirty, is that general... Are we going to bring up any of our... Chairman Dawkins: OK. Mr. Bailey, will you tell them what two items we have to discuss so that they will... Anybody can come, but will you tell them what the two items are that we must get out, Mr. Bailey. Mr. Joseph: Is that the 23rd? Chairman Dawkins: Yes. Mr. Bailey: The two items we have that pertain to Overtown is the formal selection of the developers who have submitted to redevelop two blocks of land in Overtown, and the other one is to approve our lease and the renovations for the office building that we're going to move into, and that's also in Overtown. Mr. Joseph: All right. Thank you. There was one item on... There's no vote on it? Chairman Dawkins: No, sir. Mr. Joseph: Do you mind having an open forum for a second? Chairman Dawkins: On what? 9 May 20, 1996 K 'X Mr. Joseph: On the appointments that are coming before the Commission. Chairman Dawkins: No, I do not want to. Mr. Joseph: OK. Thank you. Chairman Dawkins: OK. The appointments should be with you over here, and then if you direct me to, I will ask legal counsel to draw up something legal for you to follow. Mr. Joseph: OK. All right. Chairman Dawkins: See, but there's no sense in us discussing it, if we don't even know what it is or how it's done. Mr. Joseph: I understand. Chairman Dawkins: OK? Mr. Joseph: I'll try to have that by Thursday. Chairman Dawkins: All right. Mr. Joseph: Thank you. Chairman Dawkins: Adjourned. Mr. Joseph: Refreshments are here, please. Ms. Kluger: All right. And one other thing. If anyone would like to be on that ten -member panel... Mr. Joseph: Come to the mike. Ms. Kluger: I'm going to put the paper over here and have you sign up, and then you would be telling us that you want to be on the panel. And the panel is to decide how to spend the tax increment monies that we... funding that we are supposed to get for this area. Mr. Walter Foeman (City Clerk): We're adjourned. Ms. Kluger: And so these people would then help the CRA Board in deciding how to spend it. Mr. Joseph: Anybody that has any agenda items, bring it to my attention or send it to me, same address, the Grand, Suite 3856, or you can... If you can't remember that or write it down, you 10 May 20, 1996 W could send it to the concierge's desk and my attention, Fred Joseph, and I will try to get it on the agenda. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE CITY COMMISSION, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 7:15 P.M. ATTEST: Walter J. Foeman CITY CLERK Maria J. Argudin ASSISTANT CITY CLERK MILLER J. DAWKINS CHAIRMAN 11 May 20, 1996