HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEOPW OMNI CRA 1998-06-30 MinutesINDEX
MINUTES OF OMNUCRA MEETING
JUNE 3091998
ITEM NO. SUBJECT LEGISLATION
1. INTRODUCTION OF COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT 6/30/98
ADMINISTRATOR / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HILDA TEJERA. DISCUSSION
2
2. DISCUSS STATUS OF WTVJ / NBC - 6 STATION RELOCATION. 6/30/98
DISCUSSION
2-4
3. BRIEFLY DISCUSS STATUS OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK'S 6/30/98
AUDIT OF SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN TRUST FUND FISCAL DISCUSSION
YEAR 1997. (See label 6). 4
4. DISCUSS STATUS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
6/30/98
CONTRIBUTIONS TO OMNI TAX INCREMENT TRUST FUND —
OMNI/CRA R 98-1
AUTHORIZE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY TO
4-11
ENFORCE INTERLOCAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT
BETWEEN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY / THE AGENCY / THE
CITY / RELATED TO REDEVELOPMENT OF OMNI AREA.
5. (A) DISCUSS STATUS OF HOMEOWNERSHIP APPLICATION.
6/30/98
(B) DISCUSS STATUS OF BAME DEVELOPMENT
SEOPW/CRA R 98-9
CORPORATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA'S SINGLE FAMILY
11-33
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN OVERTOWN
(C) DISCUSS STATUS OF ST. JOHN LYRIC VILLAGE
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (96 UNIT TOWNHOUSE UNIT
DEVELOPMENT).
(D) DISCUSS STATUS OF POINCIANA VILLAGE PROJECT.
(E) APPROVE AMENDMENT OF SOUTHEAST
OVERTOWN/PARK WEST LEASE & DEVELOPMENT
AGREEMENT DATED JUNE 15, 1998 BETWEEN CITY AND
POINCIANA VILLAGE OF MIAMI LTD.
6. DEFER TO NEXT AGENDA STATUS OF KPMG PEAT 6/30/98
MARWICK'S, AUDIT OF SEOPW TRUST FUND FY'97. (See SEOPW/CRA M 98-
label 3). 10
OMNUCRA M 98-2
33-35
7. RATIFY HOLLAND & KNIGHT LLP, AS COMMUNITY 6/30/98
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY LEGAL COUNSEL — PROVIDE SEOPW/CRA R 98-11
BOARD MEMBER PLUMMER WITH SCHEDULE OF FEES. OMNI/CRA R 98-3
35-38
8• RATIFY ENGAGEMENT OF BERMELLO, AJAMIL, & 6/30/98
PARTNERS, INC. AS COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT SEOPW/CRA R 98-12
PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTANTS — 38-39
ACKNOWLEDGE POSSIBILITY OF SUB -CONSULTANTS.
9. DISCUSS OPERATING BUDGET FOR FY `97-98 — DISCUSS 6/30/98
PROPOSED FY `98-99 OPERATING BUDGET FOR DISCUSSION
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY. 39-40
10. BRIEFLY DISCUSS — TABLE CONSIDERATION OF 6/30/98
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS WITH PARKS AND DISCUSSION
RECREATION FOR MARGARET PACE PARK 40-46
IMPROVEMENTS UNTIL LATER IN SESSION. (See label 16).
11. DISCUSS OVERTOWN NORTHWEST 3 AVENUE HISTORIC 6/30/98
BUSINESS CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT — INTRODUCTION BY DISCUSSION
TERE GARCIA (BERMELLO, AJAMIL) OF JACKSON 46-48
BURNSIDE, ARCHITECTURAL AND URBAN DESIGN
CONSULTANT. (See label 15).
11.1 AUTHORIZE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY TO 6/30/98
EXPEND FUNDS AND SEEK ASSISTANCE OF CITY SEOPW/CRA R 98-13
MANAGER AND OFF-STREET PARKING TO PROVIDE 49-50
CONTEMPORARY PARKING AMENITIES ALONG BUSINESS
CORRIDOR.
11.2 AUTHORIZE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY 6/30/98
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY TO PROMOTE AND SUPPORT SEOPW/CRA R 98-14
COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT ALONG N.W. 3RD AVENUE 51-52
BUSINESS CORRIDOR.
11.3 AUTHORIZE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CRA TO PREPARE 6/30/98
AND APPLY TO U.S. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SEOPW/CRA R 98-15
ADMINISTRATION FOR $3 MILLION GRANT FOR FUNDING 52-54
OF QUALIFIED COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY IN
THE N.W. 3RD AVENUE BUSINESS CORRIDOR.
11.4 AUTHORIZE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CRA TO SEEK $1 6/30/98
MILLION IN GRANT MONIES — FOR ACQUISITION OF SEOPW/CRA R 98-16
BUSINESS EQUIPMENT — FURTHER MAKING SUCH 55-56
EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE BY LEASE, GRANT OR OTHER
ARRANGEMENT TO QUALIFIED BUSINESSES LOCATED IN
N.W. 3RD AVENUE HISTORIC BUSINESS CORRIDOR AREA.
12. AUTHORIZE CREATION OF POSITION FOR COMMUNITY 6/30/98
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY — FURTHER AUTHORIZE SEOPW/CRA R 98-17
RECRUITING AND HIRING TO FILL SUCH POSITION. OMNI/CRA R 98-4
57-58
13. DISCUSS NEED FOR ADMINISTRATION TO FIND SPACE AND 6/30/98
RELOCATE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY'S DISCUSSION
OFFICE TO MIAMI RIVERSIDE CENTER. 58-60
14. DISCUSS ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING ADMINISTRATIVE AND 6/30/98
PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT TO BE PROVIDED TO SMALL DISCUSSION
BUSINESS BY COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY. 61-63
15. (A) CONTINUED DISCUSSION REGARDING OVERTOWN 6/30/98
HISTORIC BUSINESS CORRIDOR AREA ALONG N.W. 3RD DISCUSSION
AVENUE FROM N.W. 8TH STREET TO N.W. 14TH STREET AND 63-66
N.W. 8TH STREET FROM N.W. 3RD AVENUE TO N.W. 4TH
AVENUE. (See label 11).
(B) COMMENTS BY ALFREDO SANCHEZ AND TERE GARCIA
(BERMELLO, AJAMIL AND PARTNERSHIP, INC.)
REGARDING MASTER PLAN DESIGN PLANS FOR
REDEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS CORRIDOR.
16. (A) COMMENTS BY DR. DOROTHY FIELDS REGARDING 6/30/98
NEED FOR ASSISTANCE TO PROCEED WITH MASTER PLAN DISCUSSION
FOR HISTORIC OVERTOWN FOLKLIFE VILLAGE. 67-70
(B) DISCUSSION REGARDING INTERLOCAL COOPERATIVE
AGREEMENTS WITH PARKS AND RECREATION IN
REFERENCE TO:
i. MARGARET PACE PARK IMPROVEMENTS. (See label
10.)
ii. GIBSON PARK ANNEX (MT. ZION CDC).
17. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS (FROM CRA STAFF PERSON 6/30/98
HAMMON NOREIGA, REVEREND RALPH ROSS, AND DEMAS DISCUSSION
JACKSON) ADDITIONAL COMMENTS IN FURTHERANCE OF 70-71
MASTER PLAN FOR N.W. 3RD AVENUE BUSINESS CORRIDOR.
18. PERSONAL APPEARANCES: PHILLIP YAFFA TO ADVISE OF 6/30/98
OMNI AREA CLEAN-UP SCHEDULED FOR JULY 11, 1998 — DISCUSSION
ELEANOR KLUGER, CHAIRMAN OF OMNI ADVISORY 72-74
BOARD TO ADDRESS BEAUTIFYING MEDIANS ALONG
BAYSHORE DRIVE — WILLY WILLIAMS, CHAIRMAN OF
OVERTOWN BUSINESS ALLIANCE TO THANK COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR EFFORTS IN OVERTOWN.
19. CHAIRMAN TEELE COMMENDS VICE CHAIRMAN GORT. 6/30/98
DISCUSSION
74
MINUTES OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST AND
OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MEETING OF THE
BOARD MEMBERS OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
On the 30th day of June, 1998, the Board Member of the Community
Redevelopment Agency, met at the Grand Condominium/Double Tree Hotel, 1717 North
Bayshore Drive, Miami, Florida in regular session.
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m., by Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr.,
with the following board members found to be present:
ALSO PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Board Member Tomas Regalado
Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr.
Board Member J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mr. Robert Friedman, Legal Counsel
Hilda Tejera, Executive Director for CRA
Walter J. Foeman, City Clerk
Maria J. Argudin, Assistant City Clerk
Board Member Wifredo (Willy) Gort
Board Member Joe Sanchez
Board Member Plummer: I do have to depart by eight o'clock. And second, I would
please beg of the Chairman to go back to Monday nights on the CRA (Community
Redevelopment Agency) meetings. I can make them easily because that's my night off.
Tuesday is my brother's night off and he is back right now ready to do me in. So that's
why I have to leave here at eight o'clock. So I would hope in the future we would go
back to Monday nights as we were before.
1 June 30, 1998
1. INTRODUCTION OF COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR /
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HILDA TEJERA.
Chairman Teele: All right, and I want to apologize to you and to anyone else. The
CRA administrator was responsible for coordinating, and this may be a very apropos time
to introduce the CRA Administrator. Commissioners, members of the public, as you
know the Commission and the CRA have approved an organization plan for the CRA that
includes several changes. One of the changes is that a CRA Administrator who will be
responsible for the administrative function much as the Clerk who, Mr. Foeman, who is
here would provide, as well as external communications and liaison. There is a
tremendous responsibility that I am not sure that we are fully meeting in coordinating
with various community organizations, community groups, et cetera, including the DDA
(Downtown Development Authority) and the Bayfront Trust as well as other activities
that really overlap. So Hilda, why don't you introduce yourself to the public and explain
to Commissioner Plummer how we got here tonight.
Board Member Plummer: I got here by an old Cadillac.
Ms. Hilda Tejera (Director/Community Redevelopment Agency): Yes, OK. Is this
working? OK, all right, my name is Hilda Tej era, Commissioner Plummer, and I am the
CRA Director. You asked how did we get here today. I am sure that it would be no
problem whatsoever in trying to convene the next meeting to accommodate you for
Mondays rather than Tuesdays. I have to actually, make a probably... I just... Usually,
what I did was ask what was done in previous years and this is the reason why it was
scheduled for a Tuesday.
Chairman Teele: But I think what you are saying is, we will accommodate the CRA
board members schedule in the future. And I apologize to you again, Commissioner
Plummer.
Board Member Plummer: No apology is necessary.
12. DISCUSS STATUS OF WTVJ / NBC - 6 STATION RELOCATION.
Chairman Teele: I do understand that Commissioner Gort has said that he will be here,
so we want to try to address... move the agenda as quickly as possible recognizing that we
have a quorum right now of three people, and Commissioner Plummer has indicated his
requirement of leaving. The first item on the agenda is the status of Channel 6 relocation.
Erdal, would you introduce yourself and just give us a brief update?
Mr. Erdal Donmez (Development Coordinator/Community Development Agency):
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My name is Erdal Donmez, I am the Development
Coordinator for Community Redevelopment Agency. As you know, the CRA board
2 June 30, 1998
passed a resolution back in May 14`' encouraging a new station development in the
Southeast Overtown/Park West area, particularly on lot 55. To this date, we don't have
any really new developments, you know to... to tell you. We have heard a number of
leads, some of them are rumors, some of them are contingencies. I spoke to Mr. Johnny
Winton who is the Lead Developer on this task. Unfortunately, he is not here today...
tonight because he had a family emergency, he had to go out of town, and he is not
coming back until ten o'clock tonight. And his staff assured me that there wasn't
anything new to the report at this point, so I am not going to be able to give you anything
new on that issue.
Chairman Teele: Commissioner.
Board Member Regalado: What was the period of time that we gave...?
Mr. Donmez: The period of time Commissioner, is 180 days from May 14t''
Board Member Regalado: All right, have they decided yet on Broward, on... to your
knowledge?
Mr. Donmez: It's my understanding there is really no decision made. They are
contemplating all opportunities in Dade County as well as Broward.
Board Member Plummer: All right, I can tell you a lot of the employees have expressed
to me they don't want to move.
Mr. Donmez: That's what we also heard, Commissioner.
Chairman Teele: You mean, they don't want to leave Miami...?
Board Member Plummer: They don't want to leave where their home... This is their
home, they are comfortable and they don't want to leave.
Chairman Teele: But...
Board Member Plummer: So, I have stroking that fire to try to help out.
Chairman Teele: The facility has been sold or acquired by the federal government for the
federal court expansions, so they are going to have to relocate soon.
Board Member Plummer: Oh, no, relocate. But they want to relocate where they are in
downtown Miami.
Chairman Teele: Within Dade County, yeah. Well, obviously, it's very important. And
again, Erdal it would be very important if there is anything each individual Commissioner
3 June 30, 1998
could do to let us know. But, it's most important that the Mayor be kept informed of
this activity as well. So, please keep the Mayor's Office informed.
Mr. Donmez: Absolutely, sir.
3. BRIEFLY DISCUSS STATUS OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK'S AUDIT OF
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN TRUST FUND FISCAL YEAR 1997. (See label 6).
Chairman Teele: The status of the Peak Marwick.
Mr. Erdal Donmez (Development Coordinator/Community Redevelopment Agency): I
believe Sandra is not here yet. We have received a draft audit report for the Southeast
Overtown Park West Trust Fund which is included in your package. Unfortunately, I
am not going to be able to tell you about this item because...
Chairman Teele: All right, let's temporarily pass it.
Mr. Donmez: Pass that one, yes.
Chairman Teele: Let's temporarily pass item three, four and five since Ms. Joice isn't
here.
Mr. Donmez: Yes, sir.
Chairman Teele: She was counting on me presiding, but not counting on Commissioner
Plummer leaving on time. So...
4. DISCUSS STATUS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY CONTRIBUTIONS TO OMNI
TAX INCREMENT TRUST FUND — AUTHORIZE COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY TO ENFORCE INTERLOCAL COOPERATION
AGREEMENT BETWEEN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY / THE AGENCY / THE
CITY / RELATED TO REDEVELOPMENT OF OMNI AREA.
Chairman Teele: Number six, the status of the Miami -Dade contribution to the OMNI
Tax Increment District. By way of background. Commissioners, as you know this has
been one of the subject matters of a lot of misinformation quite frankly, and frustration.
And this tax district was created, must have been in'89...
Mr. Donmez: Nineteen eighty-seven.
Chairman Teele: Eighty-seven. However, to date, the County has failed to execute the
necessary agreements of the City, and the County has failed to execute the necessary
agreements to allow the collection and retention of any of this money. Is that a fair
statement?
4 June 30, 1998
Mr. Donmez: Yes, sir.
Chairman Teele: So, and Commissioner Plummer, this is very important to you.
Board Member Plummer: What about the Interlocal?
Chairman Teele: The Interlocal Agreement has never been executed with the County
agreeing to remit the money to the district.
Mr. Donmez: Actually, it...
Board Member Plummer: Well, that was the... That was the trust of the Interlocal.
Mr. Donmez: Yes.
Chairman Teele: Well, the tragedy here is that for ten years the district has been
created, the monies have been collected, or the calculations are done, but there is no
money in the trust fund. Now, that's the bottom line.
Mr. Donmez: If I can step back, Commissioner. In June, 1996 which is about two years
ago, the Interlocal Agreement was executed by both parties, the City of Miami CRA and
Metropolitan Dade County.
Chairman Teele: J.L., do you recall that there was this issue of holding the district
hostage for funds to...
Board Member Plummer: To the homeless.
Chairman Teele: ... go to the trust and all of that?
Board Member Plummer: Yeah.
Mr. Donmez: That's correct. The agreement has been executed. In the past two
years, Miami -Dade County hasn't sent a penny of tax increment revenues to the trust
where these monies, you know, belong. We have been going back and forth on a number
of occasions. We have written to the County Manager's, you know, attention. On
several occasions, Merrett Stierheim wrote back to us in May, he was requesting
additional information before he would submit these, you know, monies. We responded
to his request, and I am going to actually defer that to, you know, Hilda to take it at this
point because...
Board Member Plummer: Well...
Mr. Donmez: ... she's been in touch with...
5 June 30, 1998
Board Member Plummer: ... may I inquire?
Mr. Donmez: Yes, sir.
Board Member Plummer: Is the Interlocal Agreement a binding document?
Mr. Donmez: Yes, sir.
Board Member Plummer: Then why don't we file a lawsuit?
Chairman Teele: Commissioner, let's hear it from Hilda. I have established this as the
number one priority, having sat at the County and heard you yelling, screaming...
Board Member Plummer: Absolutely.
Chairman Teele: And I know that this board would want to be very strong in getting this
issue resolved. And I think there has been a lot of movement. I know Michael Springs
has been a little bit more responsive. Hilda, where are we right now on this issue?
Ms. Hilda Tejera (Director/Community Redevelopment Agency): Sir, Michael Spring
is... he was on vacation, so he cannot attend the meeting, so is Mr. Parker Thompson
also out of town. Sue Camp from Michael Spring's office contacted County Manager's
Office, after I actually did the contact myself more than three times, about the status of
the OMNI tax increment contributions. She called back and say that no payment has
been processed by the County, because Bill Johnson has some issues he wants to discuss
with us as his staff. And now, Bill Johnson calls back and a tentative meeting schedule
of... with Mr. Johnson and other County staff is scheduled to take place on July 7'... for
July 17t', the next July 17`h
Chairman Teele: Mister... Commissioner Plummer....
Board Member Plummer: Don't hold your breadth.
Chairman Teele: ... this issue has gone back and forth.
Board Member Plummer: Eleven years.
Chairman Teele: Eleven years. I think we need, you know, to draw a line in this
issue...
Board Member Plummer: "Fish or cut bait."
Chairman Teele: ... on this issue. I am very pleased that the City Attorney is here,
because ultimately it's going to fall in his lap. But, I really think that we need a motion
6 June 30, 1998
to instruct the various counsels to be prepared to seek a mandamus or necessary legal to
get the money. Because, if they can stall until October 1, they are at another fiscal year,
so we out of... We out of gas for that year.
Board Member Plummer: I so move.
Mr. Donmez: There is a resolution prepared...
Board Member Plummer: Excuse me, I made a motion.
Mr. Donmez: Yeah. I am sorry.
Board Member Regalado: Second.
Chairman Teele: It's moved and properly second. Is there a resolution on that item in
here What's that item?
Mr. Donmez: Yes, sir.
Ms. Tejera: Yes, there is a Resolution 98...
Chairman Teele: What's the number?
Mr. Donmez: It's item number six in your package, sir.
Chairman Teele: I got more resolutions than I can...
Board Member Plummer: A hellacious agenda.
Chairman Teele: Yeah. Would you explain the resolution, counsel?
Mr. Robert Friedman (Legal Counsel): The, the resolution... The resolution authorizes
the CRA to take action to enforce the...
Chairman Teele: This resolution will be amended to allow the CRA counsel jointly
with the City Attorney.
Mr. Friedman: I think it provides that, yes. For, for... and it authorizes the CRA to take
action and to ask the CRA counsel and the City Attorney's Office to take any necessary
legal steps to collect the payments owed by the County.
Chairman Teele: And I would add an amendment if the maker of the motion will agree to
it. Prior to any action, the advise and consent of the Mayor should be consulted. I, just...
7 June 30, 1998
Board Member Plummer: I have no problem with that. I... I am only questioning why
the City Attorney.
Chairman Teele: Uh-huh.
Board Member Plummer: This is a CRA project.
Chairman Teele: I think it should be taken by the CRA, but I... Again, I think its
important that everybody know what everybody is doing.
Board Member Plummer: Well, keep him informed, but...
Mr. Friedman: The... the City also is a party to the agreement.
Chairman Teele: To the Interlocal Agreement?
Mr. Friedman: Yes.
Chairman Teele: It would... They would be a necessary party in any event.
Board Member Plummer: All right.
Mr. Donmez: If I may add, Mr. Chairman, Bill Johnson called me this afternoon,
actually called for, you know, Hilda and I tried to find out, you know, what his concerns
before they would release the monies. And what he told me was, there weren't anything
substantial but he has...
Chairman Teele: How much money is in controversy?
Mr. Donmez: We are looking at around seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000)...
Chairman Teele: OK, seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) times ten years is
seven million dollars ($7,000,000). That's how much money of inconsequential items
have been going on. So we need to bring this to a screeching halt...
Mr. Donmez: Yes, sir.
Chairman Teele: ... and move forward. And again, I think this is important,
Commissioner Plummer, because there is a large perception by the OMNI Advisory
Board that there is some pockets of money sitting around, four or five million dollars
($5,000,000). And the fact of the matter is folks, you are hearing the story, you know,
straight from the high command of the CRA. Mr. Joseph, you want to be heard on this
issue?
Mr. Fred Joseph: Yes, thank you. The Advisory Board...
8 June 30, 1998
Chairman Teele: Could you give us your name?
Mr. Joseph: I am Fred Joseph, the Grand Condominium. 1717 North Bayshore Drive.
I am also a member of the... your esteemed Board of the advisory board for the Omni
area. I am vice president. I also sit on the Performing Arts Trust. You have named
about five names on the Performing Arts Trust that really have no bearing whatsoever as
far as your Interlocal, other than they are going to receive a large chunk of the money.
We also had, if you remember, about one million two to one million four if the economy
stayed the way it was around '94 to receive back out of the Interlocal. Now that the
economy is robust and the tourist tax is greater, we would even be getting greater, so the
Chairman is absolutely right. You're seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) times
ten years. But the other problem about it is, they keep telling us not the Performing Arts
Parker Thompson and them, but the Bill Johnsons who tell us, in the County
Administration that every year that drops into General Funds. Well, they would love to
have something like that continue to drop. I asked for those letters with Erdal's help,
and as we got them, I said that I would be happy to take them to our local representative
who is Dr. Barbara Carey and say to her, help your neighborhood who she is our elected
official, after I went to our City Commissioner Plummer's Office first with the
documents. They never would produce the documents for us, so that we would be able to
say our CRA Attorney, Mr. Friedman, here, now what can we do with this instrument?
Let's go collect.
Chairman Teele: All right.
Mr. Joseph: Thank you.
Chairman Teele: Then we all are saying the same thing. I think we need to be very
focused here. Commissioner Plummer has for the last six years I know, as I have sat on
the other side demanded that this money be released, and we are renewing that demand
now, but only we are only to back it up with the potential of being able to seek the
appropriate action whether it be a mandamus or whatever, to get the money. Now, we
need to be very clear and there needs to be a memo, Mr. Friedman on the retroactivity,
because its my understanding that after two years, there is no retroactivity But rather than
discussing that here now, we need to know how far back we can collect dollars. But, the
truth is, once it does not... its not spent, it does go into the General Fund of the City... I
mean, of the County and it's distributed with accordance to the various taxing
instruments including the South Florida Water Management District, School Board, on
and on and on.
Board Member Plummer: Mr. Chairman, I would like to put a drop date... drop dead
date on that motion, and I am open to suggestions.
Chairman Teele: Last Commission meeting in July, I would think.
9 June 30, 1998
Board Member Plummer: All right, so in other words, if no action or money... If
money is not received by the first of August, in effect, what we are saying to the counsel,
legal counsel is to proceed with whatever legal action is necessary to collect the funds.
Is that...?
Chairman Teele: Right, yes.
Board Member Plummer: I am in concurrence with that.
Chairman Teele: But I would hope that the lawyers would begin to write Letters of
Demand and those kind of things so we don't wait until August to file a legal action, but
do a Demand Letter immediately.
Board Member Plummer: I am scared all that would do is waste thirty-two cents ($0.32).
Chairman Teele: All right, we have got a very heavy agenda. And again, we want to
thank everybody for...
Board Member Regalado: Was it voted on?
Board Member Plummer: Call the roll.
Chairman Teele: On the roll, on the vote. Mr. Clerk, call the roll, please.
The following resolution was introduced by Board Member Plummer, who moved its
adoption:
OMNI /CRA RESOLUTION NO. 98-1
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY TO TAKE THE NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE ACTION TO
ENFORCE THE 1NTERLOCAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN MIAMI-
DADE COUNTY, THE AGENCY AND THE CITY OF MIAMI RELATING TO
REDEVELOPMENT IN THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT AREA.
Clerk.)
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City
10 June 30, 1998
Upon being seconded by Board Member Regalado, the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Board Member Tomas Regalado
Board Member J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Chairman Arthur J. Teele, Jr.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Board Member Wifredo Gort
Board Member Joe Sanchez
............._._.._
5. (A) DISCUSS STATUS OF HOMEOWNERSHIP APPLICATION
(B) DISCUSS STATUS OF BAME DEVELOPMENT COROPRATION OF
SOUTH FLORIDA'S SINGLE FAMILY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN
OVERTOWN.
(C) DISCUSS STATUS OF ST. JOHN LYRIC VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT (96 UNIT TOWNHOUSE UNIT DEVELOPMENT).
(D) DISCUSS STATUS OF POINCIANA VILLAGE PROJECT.
(E) APPROVE AMENDMENT OF SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST
LEASE & DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT DATED JUNE 15, 1998 BETWEEN
CITY AND POINCIANA VILLAGE OF MIAMI LTD.
Chairman Teele: All right, on the status of the Housing projects, can we get a...? We are
going to limit everybody to three to five minutes, and Erdal would you give us a very
brief overview and maybe to expedite things if... When we get to BAME, if the BAME
representatives would just sort of join you there at the podium so that you... you can do
the talking and they can correct you, or add something if it's...
Mr. Erdall Donmez (Development Coordinator): Well, I invited them all here.
Chairman Teele: I understand that they are here. Why don't we talk about the
homeownership application first.
Mr. Donmez: OK.
Ms. Sandra Joice: My name is Sandra Joice, I am the Financial Coordinator for the
Community Development Agency. As you know, regrettably, we did not get funded for
the homeownership sum. The application that we submitted to HUD (Housing and
Urban Development) earlier this year. One of the projects that we intended on assisting
with, the funding that we were to receive however, is proceeding, and that's one of the
projects that will be... we are going to be reporting on a little later on.
11 June 30, 1998
Chairman Teele: Which one is that?
Ms. Joice: That is the Lyric Village Project.
Chairman Teele: All right. Now, I saw the Community Development Director here.
We allocated money in the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) process to
support the homeownership application. Have you all communicated with them and let
them know that those funds need to reprogrammed or readdressed at all?
Ms. Joice: No, I think what we have discussed is the homeownership counseling and
assistant monies that have been allocated.
Chairman Teele: No, no, no.
Ms. Joice: I understand your question. And, no, I don't think that that has been
addressed.
Chairman Teele: OK, then we need to do that. But one caveat that I will be very strong
on, is that that money should not leave the general area. It could go to a different agency,
but it should not leave the general area, because we get into the taking money from me
routine if you do that, OK?
Ms. Joice: OK.
Board Member Plummer: Is this on the homeownership?
Chairman Teele: This is on the homeownership zone application.
Board Member Plummer: All right, Mr. Chairman, let me benefit by the mistakes that
were made in the past. As you might recall, the unfortunate episode of a thing called St.
Hugh Oaks in a different section of town. I recall vividly when we went through a
lottery, because we had 44 applications for people with 23 units. Mr. Chairman, that was
five years ago, we've still have not sold all of the units.
Chairman Teele: All right.
Board Member Plummer: Now the problem is, is the people who thought they could
qualify, did not know how to go about qualifying, they were not qualified individuals. So
what I am saying is, is that I think if we really want to be helpful to people making
applications that in fact, we have to setup a procedure where we can assist these people in
showing them how the proper way to make these applications so that we don't get back
into the same problem that we had at St. Hugh Oaks.
Chairman Teele: Commissioner, you are 100 percent right. And the CRA staff pointed
that out. One of the things that has been done, and when we get into these other three
12 June 30, 1998
programs, we'll go into that, but, just make a footnote. One of the things that has been
done is that the CRA has been given more responsibility in assisting in the sale of these
various units that we'll be talking about, because there is a tremendous problem with
selling units and you have got to get out front on that. And the unit... the people who are
building them are not necessarily the best people to sell.
Board Member Plummer: Oh, I agree with that.
Chairman Teele: But on this particular item, this is the federal homeownership zone
application which was a competitive process, and it did not go through. Why don't we go
directly to the BAME CDC (Community Development Committee) and let's hear where
we are on that.
NOTE FOR THE RECORD: At 7:17 p.m., Board
Member Gort entered the meeting.
Board Member Gort: Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Teele: Commissioner Gort, thank you for being here. Commissioner Plummer
has indicated that he must leave at eight o'clock.
Board Member Gort: I apologize for being late. What have we taken up so far?
Board Member Plummer: Get the whip.
Chairman Teele: We temporarily passed...
Board Member Plummer: Here. We have done the pledge of allegiance. We have
done number two. We have skipped three, four and five. We have done six, we are now
on seven. We have just finished 7a, and we are going now to 7b. And that's the total of
what we have done so far.
Board Member Gort: What the station six? I mean... The station...
Chairman Teele: No word on Channel six. It's still up in the air.
Mr. Donmez: I would like to introduce, Bill Mauzy, he is the executive director of
BAME Development Corporation of South Florida. He has been working on this, the
first fee simple, single family housing development in Overtown, probably in the past 50
years He is very close to breaking the grounds. He has just gotten his estimates, bids
from the contractors, and I am going to leave it to him to continue from this point on.
Board Member Plummer: Excuse me, if I may? Mr. Chairman, do we have any backup
on 7a, b, c or d? Or is my folder is not complete?
13 June 30, 1998
Mr. Donmez: No, sir. These are presentations and just the status of the projects.
Chairman Teele: These are the status of the projects?
Mr. Donmez: Yes.
Chairman Teele: These projects were all approved prior to last Thursday.
Board Member Plummer: So, it's just an update.
Chairman Teele: Just an update.
Board Member Plummer: OK.
Mr. Bill Mauzy: Good evening, my name is Bill Mauzy, I am the executive director of
BAME Development Corporation out of Greater Bethel AME Church. As Erdal said,
this project has been going on for some time.
Board Member Regalado: Yeah.
Mr. Mauzy: I have been working at it for over two years, myself. Our last board
meeting our board authorized us to go into negotiations with a selected architect to come
back so that we can negotiate a contract.
Chairman Teele: Who from the City staff was monitoring this?
Mr. Mauzy: The... that would be the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant)
Office which would be Mr. Hepburn.
Chairman Teele: And, Mr. Hepburn was present and a part of all these negotiations?
Mr. Mauzy: No, no, he wasn't. When those.. He's the person that we have been
working with, but I don't know if anybody specifically has been assigned to this
particular protect from the City. All I know...
Board Member Plummer: That bothers me.
Chairman Teele: Well, if you don't, trust me, it doesn't matter.
Mr. Mauzy: Well...
Board Member Plummer: You're running the project, you're living with it day and night.
If you don't know of anybody, it doesn't matter if somebody has been or not.
14 June 30, 1998
Mr. Mauzy: Well, that's... that's where we are. We are in negotiations with Kaiso
Construction Company. We are trying to get the prices down for the money that we
have available. You have a budget in front of you, and you have a copy of the design.
Board Member Plummer: Excuse me. We do not have budgets available.
Chairman Teele: This is the document they had.
Mr. Mauzy: I just...
Chairman Teele: Is this entitled "New Hope"?
Mr. Mauzy: New Hope. New Hope Overtown... is the name of the...
Board Member Plummer: Where did you get the...?
Mr. Mauzy: I have put one in front of your...
Chairman Teele: A little card.
Board Member Gort: He just put it on there.
Mr. Mauzy: I just put it in the front of you.
Board Member Plummer: Oh, all right.
Mr. Mauzy: And soon as... We've met twice with the contractor. We are coming back
and trying to do a little project evaluation or what they call a value engineering so that we
can get the project down to the cost of the budget that we have available, and if we can
get to that, we intend to get... go into a contract with the contractor.
Chairman Teele: When did this project start?
Mr. Mauzy: The...
Chairman Teele: When did the first grant or whatever, it comes from the City, whether
it be surtax or HOME money, or City's subsidies of nine hundred and ninety-seven
thousand, has that been committed?
Mr. Mauzy: Yes, it has been committed. It started in 1995.
Board Member Plummer: Is this low income, moderate...?
15 June 30, 1998
Mr. Mauzy: This is low income. The monies that are used that are HOME monies,
surtax monies are those monies that are identified there that require 80 percent of the
median or below.
Board Member Plummer: Is the City receiving ad valorem taxes?
Mr. Mauzy: Not as yet. We haven't...
Board Member Plummer: No will you?
Chairman Teele: Yes, definitely.
Mr. Mauzy: Oh, yes, yes.
Chairman Teele: This is a fee simple that was... This is a fee simple deal.
Mr. Mauzy: This is a fee simple deal. I have completed an entire Economic
Development impact to include all taxes that will be received throughout the duration.
Actually, during the construction, and also as long as the people own their homes in that
community. And that's been turned over to the, City and that's in their... in their... I
think, if I recall, there will be about sixty-two thousand dollars ($62,000) a year of taxes
coming out of this project when they... when it's all sold out.
Chairman Teele: Now, be very clear because everyone I have learned talks about these
big projects, but then when you do the ground breaking or more importantly, the ribbon
cutting, you find out this is the first of 20 phases and the first phase... Am I correct, that
this is a one phase project?
Mr. Mauzy: Yes, it's 40 units. And we are not going to... We can't build 40 units at one
time, but it's... That's the funding for 40 units, and that's all the project was designed
for.
Chairman Teele: When will the project commence and when will it end?
Mr. Mauzy: We have a schedule on our construction out at 18 months from the
construction date. We don't know exactly when it will start, it will be up to the
contractor when he is able to pull the permits. We have to complete the contract with the
contractor and from that effective day on forward, whenever he begins pulling the permits
18 months out.
Chairman Teele: Questions? All right, thank you very much. Ah, one thing, would you
make sure when you do start, would you also make sure that you coordinate with the
Mayor's Office as well as the other officials that may have helped. I know we have State
Legislative Delegations and we have been asked to make sure that they are not left out of
the loop on this.
16 June 30, 1998
Mr. Mauzy: Yeah, the entire list is.(inaudible, off record).
Chairman Teele: OK. Commissioner Plummer?
Board Member Plummer: Sir.
Chairman Teele: I didn't want to... I don't want my comments to be directed at the last
speaker, but it's very important that between the CRA and Procurement and Community
Development that we understand who is doing what. I am very uncomfortable when
someone says they've selected a contractor, and then they are negotiating. You mean,
you can't... I mean, and I don't think we should ask private CDCs (Community
Development Corporations) to be knowledgeable, or to be as knowledgeable in the law
and in the responsibilities. But it is very, very clear that there is a third party contracting
responsibility. Community Development at a minimum should be approving all of these
contracts over any amount of money. It's required by OMB (Overtown Minority
Business)... by the federal government, and I am not sure what the CRAs role is in all of
this, but I really do think that you all could be opening the door to some very real
problems if we don't get a third party contract review. A... it's OMB circular, A102
attachment... that lays all of this exactly out. And, you know, this is how you can get us
into some real problems, and...
Board Member Plummer: Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Teele: Commissioner Plummer.
Board Member Plummer: Its my recollection of years ago that we established a policy
in the CRA that bound the CRA by the same bidding procedures and purchasing
agreements as the City of Miami.
Chairman Teele: It is, but the problem is, has to do with third party... third parties other
than the CRA, that is...
Board Member Plummer: I understand.
Chairman Teele: ... the area CDCs.
Board Member Plummer: The second part of my question happens to be the statement
that he made that I am very uncomfortable with is that no one from the City is directly
involved. Now, you know, who is monitoring?
Chairman Teele: Well, that's the point. And that's why I am raising it.
17 June 30, 1998
Board Member Plummer: That's... What I am hearing is, no one is monitoring. And,
that's not to be looked at as a reflection on BAME. Well, I am sorry, the question was
asked and I thought that was the answer, that no one directly is monitoring...
Chairman Teele: Look, look, it's real simple. Any contract that is out for bid, if it is not
a sealed bid, should have a third party contracting review. That's required by the federal
government under the CD... CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funding,
OK? If this was not a sealed bid...
Mr. Mauzy: It was a sealed bid.
Chairman Teele: If it was a sealed bid, then it is required to be signed off by them, and
that's all we are saying. Is that someone from the Community Development shop, or if
they delegate it to the CRA shop, should approve it. The problem, Mr. Mauzy is just this
issue. When you say we have selected a bidder and we're negotiating, I mean, all of the
lawyers are running for cover now, because...
Board Member Plummer: That's not a sealed bid.
Mr. Mauzy: Well, I... It is a sealed bid. Number one, Mr. Jeff Hepburn and Alfredo
Duran have been on this project, on top of this project day in and day out. There is a
dual... dual sets of dollars coming in, one from the County side and one from the City
side. We prepared the documents according to all of the regulations that governs the
government money as to how you go out with the RFP (Request For Proposal), what's in
the RFP.
Chairman Teele: Was it an RFP or a bid?
Mr. Mauzy: There were two. There was an RFQ which is a Request For Qualifications
and then there was an RFP. We've, we've have done it all.
Chairman Teele: By normal language, either one of those is viewed as what we would
call a sealed bid. They may be sealed, but an RFQ is a Request for Qualifications.
Board Member Plummer: Correct.
Chairman Teele: And that's looking at who is quali... and that's a fine way to select
someone. And an RFP is a Request for Proposal, and that's fine way to select someone.
But, it if not a bid, that is, with just a straight number, the problem becomes our
responsibility to conduct the kind of review that is necessary. And again, it's not
directed at you.
Mr. Mauzy: Yeah, I understand.
Chairman Teele: It's directed more at Hilda and at Ms. Warren than at yourself.
18 June 30, 1998
Board Member Plummer: How many bids were there... received?
Mr. Mauzy: There were five who responded to the RFP. We had eleven respond to the
RFQ.
Board Member Plummer: OK, my point I am trying to make to you, sir, is if you
accepted sealed bids, then unless you negotiate with all five...
Chairman Teele: That's...
Board Member Plummer: ... it's not a competitive bidding, OK?
Chairman Teele: That's the problem.
Board Member Plummer: You cannot when you put out a sealed bid, you are bound by
what is in that RFP. Now, when you come back and try to renegotiate it, you are going to
have four others claiming fowl, because you are negotiating from what was a deadline.
And, I am saying to you, unless I am wrong, I don't think he can do it. As a matter of
fact, I will say, I don't think you should be doing it. Now, whether you can do it legally
or not, I would have to question. And here again, where are the people who are
supposedly monitoring, who knows those answers that they are not standing here in front
of us telling us what's going on?
Chairman Teele: All right, St. John CDC.
Mr. Donmez: This project is...
Board Member Plummer: We will be getting an answer?
Chairman Teele: Yes, sir.
Mr. Donmez: This project as you know is... is being called as Lyric Village
Development. There project is located on the four point two acres, two blocks area, north
and south of 9t' Street... adjacent to Metrorail, surrounded by Northwest 8" and 10"
Streets, Northwest 2°a Avenue and Northwest, you know, I" Avenue. The project is a 96-
unit townhouse unit development. Most of Commissioners are quite, you know, familiar
with this project. The City has extended close to one million dollars ($1,000,000), you
know subsidy. Actually, it's more than one million, one million one with the SHIP
funds. Tomorrow is the ground breaking ceremony for the first 27 units which will be the
Phase I. And depending on the...
Board Member Plummer: Are we invited?
Mr. Donmez: ... the sales and that experience...
19 June 30, 1998
Board Member Plummer: We weren't invited, huh?
Mr. Donmez: I will leave that to... I have seen my invitation...
Board Member Plummer: Thank you.
Mr. Donmez: ... and I believe it was mailed to all of you.
Board Member Plummer: Thank you. Its all right. You just cut off your pigeon peas.
Mr. Donald Benjamin: Ten thousand parties, our... our meals aren't all... Mr. Chairman,
members of the CRA. We certainly had no intention of leaving you out, especially you,
Mr. Plummer, you have been a strong support for us. You are invited, sir, I am sorry for
the late invitation, but our miss... our list got a little messed up a bit, we realize that.
Yeah, we're having the ground breaking tomorrow. We are a little ahead of ourselves.
Board Member Plummer: What time?
Mr. Benjamin: Five thirty at the southern lot, and then a little reception at the Miami
Arena. We are a little ahead of our time in terms of the ground breaking. We have not
as yet selected a contractor. We are still on the final stage of some of our approvals, and
we have all... most of the money lined up for the first stage. And, our contact has been at
the CRA, Mr. Erdal Donmez, we have worked very closely with them. Mr. Jackson
McDaniel is our co -venture partner, and Jacks... Malcolm Stevens, our Director of
Housing, these are the people who have done most of work. I have just been messing
around, really.
Board Member Plummer: Do we get to see a budget?
Mr. Benjamin: Not as yet. We have a tentative budget, but we have not as yet gotten the
final estimates from the architects.
Board Member Plummer: Then, I have to ask you a question. How did you derive
Homeownership from five hundred and fifty-two dollars ($552), or six hundred and forty-
five dollars ($645) when you don't have a budget, and don't know what it costs?
Mr. Benjamin: Don't have a contract... you want to handle it?
Mr. Donmez: Commissioner, actually they do have a budget. Those figures are all...
Board Member Plummer: Then, I'll go back and start again. Do we get to see a copy of
the budget?
Mr. Benjamin: Eventually.
20 June 30, 1998
Board Member Plummer: When?
Mr. Benjamin: As soon as we get it.
Mr. Donmez: I can get it to you tomorrow morning.
Board Member Plummer: OK. Thank you.
Mr. Donmez: As early as tomorrow. Those numbers are, you know, based on...
Board Member Plummer: Didn't he say they didn't have a budget?
Mr. Donmez: ... the average unit sales of, you know, eighty-five thousand dollars
($85,000) and minus the subsidy, and based on 30 years amortization of a loan
somewhere around low 50s to upper 50s. And, that translates the monthly payments of
somewhere around, you know, five hundred to six hundred dollars ($600), you know,
range, depending on the interest rates.
Board Member Plummer: All right.
Chairman Teele: What's the total cost of the project?
Mr. Donmez: It's about eight point seven million dollars ($8,700,000).
Chairman Teele: And is it fully funded?
Mr. Donmez: No, sir. It's a condominium project, and it's funded as it goes along.
Chairman Teele: Is it fully funded from the public side?
Mr. Donmez: Ali, no. The public side funding will support probably 35 units. And the
way the funding... public funding...
Chairman Teele: Thirty-five of what?
Mr. Donmez: Thirty-five units. Thirty-five townhouses.
Chairman Teele: Thirty-five of how many?
Mr. Donmez: Of ninety-six. I am sorry.
Chairman Teele: So what the CRA board needs to know is that this project is one-third
funded from the public side?
21 June 30, 1998
Mr. Donmez: That's correct. One thing is interesting, you know, Commissioner. It will
be interesting, the response of the buyers. And some buyers may need ten thousand
dollars ($10,000) subsidy, some may need thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) subsidy. So,
that subsidy may be stretched, you know, beyond, you know, thirty-five, maybe even
forty. But, the experience is going to show. The whole idea is, you know, these are
going to be very quality units. The idea is to qualify individuals for the same units so
long the credit is, you know reasonable and they have, you know, income to, you know,
pay back at least, you know the first mortgage. And the second mortgage is going to be
soft, you know, and the amount is going to be determined based on the need.
Chairman Teele: Thank you, very much.
Mr. Donmez: Do you want to contribute anything?
Mr. Jackson McDaniel: Yeah, I'll just make a... Gentlemen, you have before you a work
in progress, and I apologize for the quality of the production. But, these are the two sub-
projects. One of them is a townhouse project, and they are all three bedrooms, three bath
units with interior garages. The other project that you see illustrated there is a
condominium project with two -bedroom and three -bedroom units with two baths. To
answer Commissioner Plummer's question a lit bit more fully. There was a budget that
was submitted when the proposal was accepted in early 1997. We have been working
with the City... with this very City's staff, our architects and engineers to obtain all the
approvals. We have no reason yet, to revise that budget until we are further into plans
and specifications, and we expect to be doing that... Well, we are doing it right now.
We'll begin to take off major quantities such as concrete and roofs and that sort of thing
within the next couple of weeks.
Board Member Gort: Mr. Chairman.
Board Member Plummer: I will only make a comment, if I may? The one to the left, I
like very much.
Mr. McDaniel: Good.
Board Member Plummer: I am a little concerned about the one to the right. And the
difference... and I see as visible, I... Is the one to the right looks very, very crowded. I
am hoping that the rendering is not doing justice.
Mr. McDaniel: Its the rendering. It's the rendering. As a matter of fact, the sites are
approximately the same size, and the one on the right has 45 units on it, and the one on
the left has 51 units.
Board Member Plummer: OK, we just don't need any more overcrowding.
22 June 30, 1998
Mr. McDaniel: No, as a matter of fact, that's a great concern, to make certain that these
units, particularly on the right which are the primary units. They have what you don't see
in there because of the perspective, because you don't see that there are interior corridors.
The other thing about that is, those forty-five units have a garage within each unit so the
number of parking spaces, open parking spaces on the site is considerably less than will
be the case over on the left unit. I don't believe if you see the site plans and look at it that
you will... that you will have that concern about overcrowding.
Chairman Teele: Commissioner Gort.
Board Member Gort: Mr. Chairman, to clarify something of importance. My
understanding is, before the City approves any funding, the applicants will always present
a plan with a budget and according to this, that's how the City does the funding.
Because, it's sounds in here like this presentation and the City has granted funding
without a budget. But my understanding is, and somebody correct me if I am wrong.
Before the City allocates any funding, a full plan, specs have been presented with a total
budget and the... part of the funding.
Mr. McDaniel: Mr. Gort, the funding that was originally done on this was done on the
basis of the budget which was a part of the RFP. And while I am not completely familiar
with your procedures, I do expect that before... We are working now with Mr. Duran and
Mr. Hepburn, giving them budgets before we expect to see any of the funding. They will
have budgets and they will have... they'll have complete information on how we propose
to do our bidding.
Board Member Gort: I understand that procedure, but I want to make sure that people
that are here for the first time understand the procedure.
Mr. McDaniel: OK. Sure.
Board Member Gort: Thank you.
Mr. McDaniel: Any questions?
Board Member Plummer: Quit while you are ahead.
Mr. McDaniel: Yes. Thank you.
Chairman Teele: All right. The next item is Poinciana Village ,7d.
Mr. Donmez: Poinciana Village is one of our older projects.
Board Member Plummer: Huh.
Mr. Donmez: In fact it dates back to...
23 June 30, 1998
Board Member Plummer: Huh.
Mr. Donmez: ... to 1988 when the first... the agreement was, you know, signed. It was a
pioneer project. That was the first for ownership condominium development. It was...
Board Member Plummer: Eleven years, and it's still not finished.
Mr. Donmez: It's been a while. The first 12 units were completed, in a subsequent 28
units. There are a total of 40 units completed back in 1991. The next phase of
development ran into troubles and some of it was funding, some of it was changes in
building codes., and after the impact of Hurricane Andrew. At any rate, to make the long
story short, the project was restarted about a year ago, and it's about 50 percent finished,
and the project stopped in December, or beginning of January of this year.
Board Member Plummer: And what was the gift, outright gift we gave them last year?
Three hundred...
Mr. Donmez: Three hundred and sixty
Board Member Plummer: ...and how much?
Mr. Donmez: ... sixty-three thousand dollars ($363,000).
Board Member Plummer: Three hundred and sixty-three thousand dollars ($363,000).
Mr. Donmez: That's correct, sir.
Board Member Plummer: As a gift. I mean, that we didn't have to give a...
Chairman Teele: It was a grant.
Mr. Donmez: It was a grant.
Board Member Plummer: It was a gift, OK. Call it what you may.
Mr. Donmez: Uh-huh.
Board Member Plummer: Now, why did the project stop?
Mr. Donmez: Well...
Board Member Plummer: You know, it's hell to sit around here and say that I was right.
Go ahead.
24 June 30, 1998
Mr. Donmez: You're right.
Board Member Plummer: Go ahead. Won't listen, will you?
Mr. Donmez: The project cost, you know, Commissioner is around two point five
million dollars ($2,500,000), and the project had a gap of three hundred and sixty
thousand dollars ($360,000).
Board Member Plummer: Is that our problem?
Mr. Donmez: No. We extended an assistance, you know, to the developer. The problem
of the developer is at this point, is not us, its the bank.
Chairman Teele: What's the....
Mr. Donmez: The banks, we don't want an estoppel letter. And this project is an old
project, and in past ten years there are a number of issues, you know, have come up and
those issues, you know, the banks and also the Fannie Mae's is a partner in the deal and
feels some of these issues have to be worked out before the bank would, you know lend
one point five million dollars ($1,500,000). And unfortunately, there is no one bank. It's
the consortium of seven banks, and getting seven banks agreeing on... one hasn't been,
you know, too easy.
Board Member Plummer: The Teatro Marti of yOvertown.
Mr. Donmez: Now, in front of you. We have distributed, in front of you, you know, a
package regarding this particular project. We have an amendment for your consideration
and action.
Board Member Plummer: To do what?
Mr. Donmez: To bring...
Board Member Plummer: More money?
Mr. Donmez: No. No more money. Its bringing the agreements to current and there
were some issues, you know and we had you know, to clarify it. There were issues
regarding the rent. There were issues about unpaid rent, and there were issues
regarding...
Board Member Plummer: You... you're taking off half of the rent? Fifty percent of the
rent?
Mr. Donmez: That's correct, sir.
25 June 30, 1998
Board Member Plummer: You are also eliminating a Performance Bond?
Mr. Donmez: The Performance Bond, Commissioner, was a...
Board Member Plummer: I know what a Performance Bond is. It's that you perform, or
you lose it.
Mr. Donmez: That's... that's correct.
Board Member Plummer: And, why are we eliminating the Performance Bond?
Mr. Donmez: It was a fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) third mortgage on a property. It
was...
Board Member Plummer: Have you ever heard of Eastern Airlines?
Mr. Donmez: Yes, sir.
Board Member Plummer: Did you work for them?
Mr. Donmez: I filed... Well... They are no longer around, sir.
Board Member Plummer: Well, I'll tell you something, as far as I am concerned, enough,
enough. I mean, how long can we sit here and drain City resources, CDBG (Community
Development Block Grant) sources, all other sources. I fought them when they gave
them the grant...
Mr. Donmez: Uh-huh.
Board Member Plummer: ... and everybody said I was a bad guy, even to the point that I
was a racist because I was denying them the money. You know what? I was right,
wasn't I? Huh? The project is dead in the water. Now, I don't know where we can come
out of it, we have got to come out of it. Can we take over the project ourselves and take it
out of their hands? Because, obviously, they are not succeeding.
Mr. Donmez: Well, Commissioner, we don't want to take over the project, we want the
project to be completed. What we are facing is, we have 24 units...
Chairman Teele: Well, why don't we answer the question this way?
Mr. Donmez: Yeah.
Chairman Teele: I have had the same conversation that Commissioner Plummer has had.
I had it privately, so everybody knows standing up there where I stand on this. The way
I tried to accommodate Commissioner Plummer's concerns was, that if they failed under
this agreement, we do have the right to take it over.
Mr. Donmez: Absolutely.
26 June 30, 1998
Chairman Teele: OK?
Mr. Donmez: Yes.
Chairman Teele: So, Commissioner, the answer is, we do not have the legal right to take
the project over. However, written into this agreement, Mr. Attorney, correct me if I am
wrong. Mr. Friedman...
Mr. Robert Friedman (CRA Legal Counsel): Yes.
Chairman Teele: ... Mr. Bland. Written into this agreement gives us the unilateral right
to step in and take over the project if they fail under this agreement.
Mr. Donmez: Yes, in fact, it's very specific, sir. The project has to restart in sixty...
Board Member Plummer: What's the deadline?
Mr. Donmez: Sixty days, the project has to restart, and it has to be completed within 185
days. If they don't, they are out. In... in return, they are going to sign on a release and
they are waiving all their rights with respect to the project, past, present, I can't say
future. And, this way, the 24 units will be completed. We have consulted with the
bank's attorneys and the lending officers and they will close on a loan, you know,
concurrently.
Board Member Plummer: How much profit have they made?
Mr. Donmez: They are in...
Chairman Teele: Their group... They are negative two point five million dollars
($2,500,000).
Board Member Plummer: No, no, no. I know the negative in the overall project. I am
asking how much profit they as corporate, or individuals have made.
Chairman Teele: They have lost two point five million dollars ($2,500,000).
Board Member Plummer: I don't believe it.
Chairman Teele: Commissioner, I didn't either.
Board Member Plummer: OK.
Chairman Teele: I didn't believe it.
Board Member Plummer: Well, whoever convinced you that they didn't, I would like to
come and have them convince me.
Chairman Teele: All right.
27 June 30, 1998
Board Member Plummer: Because, I'll tell you something, that as far as I am concerned,
I don't want to put another dime in this project unless we have an absolute guarantee.
You're eliminating in this amendment the Performance Bond which I think is absolutely
mandatory. But, of course, they are going to cry poor mouth as they did before, that they
don't have any collateral to put up in case it fails, and, then, we are going to go in there,
into a river of.. of slime to try to pull it out, and it's going to... We are going to have to
put in more money, and more money, and more money. It doesn't make any sense to
me.
Chairman Teele: Commissioner, let me tell you, I share your concern, not as... and I
share your pain. But let me... let me say this. We asked the architects and the engineers
to walk this project with Building and Zoning. I am going to be very candid with you. I
came in here feeling the way you did. I left with the numbers, the accountants, and
everybody saying they deserve a second chance or another chance.
Board Member Plummer: Oh, yeah.
Chairman Teele: This may be the... this may be the tenth chance, but let me just put
some things on the record. This is the only project that doesn't get government subsidy.
Now, the fact is, is that the City gave them, thanks to you and others, a three hundred
thousand dollar ($300,000) grant.
Board Member Plummer: That's my government.
Chairman Teele: That is a government grant but... but all of the other projects are getting
surtax money. They are getting CD money. They're getting... When you add it up... In
the first project I looked at, didn't I see two million dollars ($2,000,000) of soft money?
Mr. Donmez: Uh-huh.
Chairman Teele: This project... This developer must be distinguished, and I'm in... I'm
in a very difficult position, sir, trying to state your position. But, this project must be
distinguished by the fact that these are the only developers that have come forward
pursuant to a City's RFP (Request for Proposal) that have not asked the City as an
inducement to do the grant... the project for a grant. Now, once they got into this thing,
they lost one million four, then, they started the second phase. They've lost another eight
hundred thousand dollars ($800,000), but again, there is no soft money. You go to each
of these projects, BAME, St. Johns, the next one we are going to talk about, and the next
one, and the next one, and... and I will assure you there is going to be at least one million
dollars ($1,000,000) of what is called "soft money" in it. Maybe, the developer should
have taken a Community Development CDC (Community Development Corporation)
partner, I don't know. But, I do think that the original thinking that the City made which
is, we would like to encourage marketplace development into Overtown, is still a valid
consideration. Your concerns have been embodied in the resolution. I expressed the
same concerns that if they do not meet the very strict timetable, they will forfeit. Is that
a fair term, Mr. City Attorney?
Mr. Friedman: Yes, that's a fair term.
28 June 30, 1998
Chairman Teele: They will forefeit the rights to go forward.
Board Member Plummer: They will tie you up in court for years.
Chairman Teele: Well, I don't think so. I think, you know, this, this... I think we have
been very well served by the City Attorney and by Holland and Knight, Mr. Bland... Mr.
Bloom who is also the lead lawyer for the Heat Arena and other activities, has been the
principal lawyer working on this.
Mr. William Bloom: When we negotiated the document, we tried to set a clean schedule
proceeding. So, if the schedule does not satisfy...
Board Member Plummer: Sir, you have no clout. These people have nothing to hold
them liable for. They have nothing that we can collect on. Now, you are eliminating a
Performance Bond. Explain to me when you negotiated these new uses. You're giving
them the exclusive right if WTVJ goes in there to put up a hotel of 125 units. They can't
put up 40, how in the hell are they going to put up 125?
Chairman Teele: The reason for that, Commissioner, is, based upon the RFP that they
went out with in 1988, that they responded to, they said they would build a 91-unit of
housing. In conversations with the people in the area, the developers they say, we need a
hotel. And what we are doing and what they agreed to do was an accommodation for the
community to be able to provide that as an option. They could still build the housing
component or... or we are just making it clear that we will not forestall them from
building the hotel as required.
Mr. Bloom: Commissioner, with respect to the Performance Bond, the Commission...
the provisions in the lease requiring the bond had not be satisfied. So the developer was
not required under the terms of the lease to post the bond. So...
Board Member Plummer: Sir, I am still at a lost on the hotel, all right? If this developer
has not shown that he has the wherewithal to develop, I don't want him to develop
anything else in Overtown.
Chairman Teele: Commissioner, hold it. You got to understand what's happening here.
This is... what we have done now is, we put the gun, we put the heat on this developer.
We have told him look, you got this massive development rights. You've got a
development right to complete these 40 units.
Mr. Donmez: Twenty-four.
Chairman Teele: Twenty-four units. And you have got a development right to build this
91-unit housing condominium right there on 8�h Street, right in front of the Greater
Bethel. We are not giving him anything that he doesn't already have under the RFP
(Request For Proposal) that was approved in Sep... in 1988. The only thing that we are
clarifying that if the marketplace conditions are... If the market conditions are very
favorable, that we would not object to them building a hotel as opposed to a
condominium. That's all we are doing. We are not giving him... He already has the
right, and arguably under the law, he can convert that using your argument, you know,
about condominiums. He could convert that in any event.
29 June 30, 1998
Board Member Plummer: Mr. Chairman, I am not going to argue with you.
Chairman Teele: I am not going to...
Board Member Plummer: I think we're both trying to come about to accomplish the
same thing. All right.
Mr. Bloom: The... the key in the amendment...
Board Member Plummer: Then, why is it that this isn't in the amendment spelled out.
You know what we're... one of the reasons we're in court... Well, Mr. Bailey is not here.
What is the one on the north side of the Arena? What is that structure over there, the big
highrise?
Mr. Bloom: Arena Towers.
Chairman Teele: Arena Towers or Bayview...
Mr. Donmez:: Arena Towers and Biscayne View Apartments. [phonetic]
Board Member Plummer: OK. Why are we in court on that? Because it was said that
we never provided the proper Police protection, correct? And, we didn't get rid of
Camillus House, correct? Was that not part of the lawsuit.
Mr. Donmez: That's, that's...
Chairman Teele: Yes.
Board Member Plummer: Now, you are spelling out in this amendment here, that we've
got to provide the most bland wording I have ever seen, "proper police protection."
Chairman Teele: That's in the RFP.
Mr. Bloom: We're cleaning up the language already in the lease, and what it requires is
the...
Board Member Plummer: OK.
Mr. Bloom: ... same level of police protection that the City of Miami...
Board Member Plummer: I am sure...
Mr. Bloom: ... provides in the general area. So it's a higher standard.
Board Member Plummer: I plan... I plan on being a Commissioner for another 11 years,
and I might see it completed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
30 June 30, 1998
Chairman Teele: Would you, please read into the record, Mr. Bloom, allow the
gentlemen that are here with you to identify themselves for the record, please?
Mr. Ted Weitzel: Ted Weitzel, president of Poinciana Village.
Mr. Horace Davis: Horace Davis, vice president, Poinciana Village.
Chairman Teele: And, gentlemen, you all have agreed to bind yourselves in accordance
with this agreement should the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) and City
approve it?
Mr. Weitzel: Yes.
Mr. Davis: Yes, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Teele: All right. Commissioners, this has a strong recommendation, not only
of staff, but of the attorneys, and I would only remind you that the agreement that we, that
we entered into in 1988 requires that among other things, we provide the same level of
services that the Commissioner is talking about in this area. One of the specific
agreements, I might add, in that was that the impoundment lot would be removed and I
never wanted to put the two things together, because I never wanted to give them a reason
to justify the lawsuit now that the impoundment lot has bee moved. But, it was
specifically spelled out in the agreement approved by the City in 1988 that if they built
there the impoundment lot there on 8'h would be removed. And, that took the City ten
years to do as well. So, we need to move forward, and Commissioner Plummer, I really
would appreciate it if you would move the item or not...
Board Member Plummer: Don't hold your breath.
Board Member Gort: I move it.
Chairman Teele: Moved by Commissioner Gort.
Board Member Regalado: I will second it.
Chairman Teele: Seconded by Commissioner Regalado.
Board Member Gort: Discussion.
Chairman Teele: Discussion.
Board Member Gort: Under discussion. My understanding is, it was in... I can't recall
the specifics. But at one time we had... a refinance was going to take place in Overtown,
which if a refinance was to take place, this group would receive three hundred thousand
dollars ($300,000) that it was going to use in Poinciana.
Mr. Donmez: Uh-huh.
31 June 30, 1998
Board Member Gort: Now, my understanding is, the refinance never took place?
Mr. Donmez: It never happened, sir.
Board Member Gort: OK.
Mr. Donmez: Yeah.
Board Member Gort: Thank you.
Chairman Teele: I think the significant point to note here is that they have gotten a new
partner, it's the federal government, Fannie Mae, and we've got a lot of confidence that
with Fannie Mae's involvement we can bring this phase of the project to a conclusion.
Mr. Clerk, would you call the roll?
Mr. Walter J. Foeman (City Clerk): Roll call.
Board Member Gort: Yes.
Board Member Regalado: Yes.
Board Member Plummer: No.
Chairman Teele: Yes, sir.
Board Member Plummer: I have got to be consistent.
The following resolution was introduced by Board Member Gort, who moved its
adoption:
SEOPW/CRA RESOLUTION NO.98-9
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AMENDMENT OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN PARK WEST LEASE & DEVELOPMENT
AGREEMENT DATED JUNE 15, 1998 BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF
MIAMI AND POINCIANA VILLAGE OF MIAMI, LTD. AS
SUBSEQUENTLY ASSIGNED BY THE CITY OF MIAMI TO THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF MIAMI.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City
Clerk.)
32 June 30, 1998
Upon being seconded by Board Member Regalado, the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Board Member Wifredo Gort
Board Member Tomas Regalado
Board Member Joe Sanchez
Chairman Arthur J. Teele, Jr.
NAYS: Board Member J. L. Plummer, Jr.
ABSENT: None.
6. DEFER TO NEXT AGENDA STATUS OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK'S, AUDIT
OF SEOPW TRUST FUND FY'97. (See label 3).
Chairman Teele: Next item.
Board Member Plummer: Mr. Chairman, is that...? Now, did you just handle 7d...
Chairman Teele: Seven-d and eight.
Board Member Plummer: ... or did you do 7d and 8?
Chairman Teele: And eight.
Board Member Plummer: All right. Mr. Chairman, I would appreciate going back if you
could, and I would like to hear on item three before I leave, if that's possible.
Chairman Teele: All right, I really wish we could hear from you on item three and on
items twelve and thirteen before you leave. Item three.
Board Member Plummer: Item three, please. Because, I have had nothing in advance
from Peat Marwick.
Chairman Teele: Neither have we.
Ms. Sandra Joice: There should be something on your... Isn't there something in the
package?
Chairman Teele: Come on, Sandra, let's...
Ms. Joice: Or actually on the... On this particular item, we just received a draft from
Peat Marwick today.
Board Member Plummer: Today?
33 June 30, 1998
Ms. Joice: Today.
Board Member Plummer: Well, that's about how they normally do business.
Ms. Joice: So copies... Copies were made of it and I was under...
Chairman Teele: I have not seen one.
Ms. Joice: ... the impression they had been handed out. But let me...
Chairman Teele: I put it on the agenda, primarily to force them to give us something.
Ms. Joice: Yeah, but we have got something.
Chairman Teele: And what I want the board to know is that we have requested a full
audit of the CRA and of each of the tax increment districts. I know this is something
Commissioner Plummer has said in the past. We need to have more accountability and
Commissioner, please be assured that Peat Marwick has been engaged to do the audit of
the CRA, and as soon as we get the details we will ask that the staff and Peat Marwick
come by and discuss...
Board Member Plummer: Were they chosen by a bidding procedure?
Chairman Teele: Yes, sir, they were chosen by a bidding procedure, as I understand it by
the City of Miami. We, being a subsidiary or a instrumentality of the City.
Board Member Plummer: All right.
Ms. Joice: OK, I know you haven't had a chance to review any of this.
Board Member Plummer: Well, excuse me. Mr. Chairman, it's actually foolish to go
over a document we've just received to be... sit here and intelligently ask questions. I
would move that this be put over to the next agenda.
Chairman Teele: Moved, and seconded by the Chair that the Commission... that the item
number three, the audit, be put over to the next item. Or is there objection? All in favor,
say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
34 June 30, 1998
The following motion was introduced by Board Member Plummer, who moved its
adoption:
SEOPW/CRA MOTION NO.98-10
and
OMNI/CRA MOTION NO. 98-2
A MOTION TO DEFER CONSIDERATION OF AGENDA ITEM NO. 3
(STATUS OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK'S AUDIT OF SEOPW TRUST FUND
FY `97 TO THE NEXT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MEETING.
Upon being seconded by Chairman Teele, the motion was passed and adopted by
the following vote:
AYES: Board Member Wifredo Gort
Board Member Tomas Regalado
Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr.
Board Member J. L. Plummer, Jr.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Board Member Joe Sanchez
7. RATIFY HOLLAND & KNIGHT LLP, AS COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY LEGAL COUNSEL — PROVIDE BOARD MEMBER PLUMMER WITH
SCHEDULE OF FEES.
Chairman Teele: Before you leave, on item 12 and item 13. Is there a document on
item 12 and 13?
Unidentified Speaker: Yes, sir.
Board Member Plummer: I saw the document, and I would like to know what is the cost
factor? Holland & Knight?
Chairman Teele: What are the items, item numbers?
Board Member Plummer: You are showing a budgeted item of one hundred thousand
dollars ($100,000) which seems very high to me. So, I am asking, is there a per hour
basis on the legal counsel? Hello, am I calling collect?
35 June 30, 1998
Ms. Sandra Joice: Yes. No, we're here.
Chairman Teele: What's the item number?
Ms. Joice: We have to... They have to...
Board Member Plummer: Item... item...
Chairman Teele: ... respond to the item.
Board Member Plummer: Item 12, you said you wanted 12 and 13. I am speaking to 12.
Did this go out to a bid, if it did, how much...
Chairman Teele: Of what?
Board Member Plummer:... are they working for... On 12?
Ms. Joice: OK, this is the same agreement that we had approved... Yeah, I believe it was
a year ago, and it was extended. I don't know if we have...
Board Member Plummer: Well, why are you asking us to ratify if it's extended?
Chairman Teele: Commissioner, because I need a document. This was all done before I
got here. We need a document that basically says that we considered it, and that we are
in agreement. I am only asking you to ratify what you've already... what you all already
selected. I am the new guy on the block, but I just want to get everything straight.
Board Member Plummer: What is the hourly rate? What is the hourly...?
Ms. Joice: I don't have the schedule with me, sir.
Mr. Friedman: Commissioner Plummer, the hourly rate varies depending on which
lawyer is working on it. We...
Board Member Plummer: Can we get the cheap one?
Mr. Friedman: We are... we are giving the CRA a... a discount against hourly rates.
Board Member Plummer: Oh, oh. Yeah. Mark it way down. This was ninety-nine
dollars ($99). I would like to see the schedule, please, all right?
Ms. Joice: Absolutely.
Board Member Plummer: All right.
36 June 30, 1998
Ms. Joice: We will fax it to your office.
Board Member Plummer: All right. And if it's ratification, then, we have no choice as
the Chairman says. I'll move it.
Chairman Teele: Moved by Commissioner Plummer.
Board Member Regalado: Second.
Chairman Teele: Seconded by Commissioner Regalado. All those in favor say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Teele: All those opposed?
The following resolutions were introduced by Board Member Plummer, who moved their
adoption:
SEOPW/CRA RESOLUTION NO. 98-11
AND
OMNI/CRA RESOLUTION 98-3
A RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE ENGAGEMENT OF HOLLAND &
KNIGHT LLP TO SERVE AS THE LEGAL COUNSEL TO THE COMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City
Clerk.)
37 June 30, 1998
Upon being seconded by Board Member Regalado, the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Board Member Wifredo Gort
Board Member Tomas Regalado
Chairman Arthur J. Teele, Jr.
Board Member J. L. Plummer, Jr.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Board Member Joe Sanchez
8. RATIFY ENGAGEMENT OF BERMELLO, AJAMIL, & PARTNERS, INC. AS
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURAL
CONSULTANTS — ACKNOWLEDGE POSSIBILITY OF SUB -CONSULTANTS.
Chairman Teele: On item 13.
Board Member Plummer: Thirteen. Was there a bidding process?
Chairman Teele: It was...
Ms. Sandra Joice: Well, what we...
Chairman Teele: It was a bid... It was a competitive bidding process done by Public
Works Department through the so called architect/engineering selection process.
Board Member Plummer: Move it.
Chairman Teele: Moved by Commissioner Plummer.
Board Member Gort: Second.
Chairman Teele: Second by Commissioner Gort. All those in favor say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Teele: Those opposed?
38 June 30, 1998
The following resolution was introduced by Board Member Plummer, who moved its
adoption:
SEOPW/CRA RESOLUTION NO. 98-12
A RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE ENGAGEMENT OF BERMELLO,
AJAMIL & PARTNERS, INC. TO PROVIDE PLANNING AND
ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City
Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Board Member Gort, the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Board Member Wifredo Gort
Board Member Tomas Regalado
Chairman Arthur J. Teele, Jr.
Board Member J. L. Plummer, Jr.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Board Member Joe Sanchez
9. DISCUSS OPERATING BUDGET FOR FY `97-98 — DISCUSS PROPOSED FY
`98-99 OPERATING BUDGET FOR COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY.
Board Member Plummer: Mr. Chairman, I will only make one comment on the budget.
There is a number of items there that I would like to have the assurance that there is a
maximum that can be spent out of the budget without changing the line item. When I
look and I see one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for legal, I think it's a little high,
and that was the reason I asked for what was the rate of schedule for the attorneys, and
what control do we have over the amount of hours that are involved? There are some
other areas there, without nit-picking, that, I think, that we need to maybe go in, and I'll
do that with the Chairman at a later time. Can I...? Can I do that with the Chairman?
Chairman Teele: Yes, as long as we call it as a public meeting.
Board Member Plummer: Well, I'll do it with the new Executive Director, because she is
a lot prettier than you are.
39 June 30, 1998
Chairman Teele: All right. Commissioner Plummer, I think the point you're making is
a very valid point and a very important point. But I would only ask you, your... your
forbearance in letting us get this thing reorganized. We have a series of problems, lack of
documents, lack of agreements. We have gone through each agreement with... for
example, with Poinciana. There has been a lot of letters going back and forth. I mean,
I... Trust me, when you see the file, it's going to be that thick. And, I think you will
understand that we are in a much better position as a government agency today, because
we have used the... the accountants, the attorneys and the architects to help us understand
what we're doing.
Board Member Plummer: Mr. Chairman, I have to be excused at this time and I am
sorry.
END OF DISCUSSION
NOTE FOR THE RECORD: Board Member Plummer wants
to meet with Chairman.
10. BRIEFLY DISCUSS — TABLE CONSIDERATION OF INTERLOCAL
AGREEMENTS WITH PARKS AND RECREATION FOR MARGARET PACE
PARK IMPROVEMENTS UNTIL LATER IN SESSION. (See label 16).
Chairman Teele: Commissioner Plummer, there is one very important issue, and if we
could just sort of get a very fast overview of the Pace Park issue? I know that it's an
issue that you're concerned about.
Board Member Plummer: Absolutely.
Chairman Teele: Who's...? Erdal.
Board Member Plummer: Mr. Ruder was here.
Board Member Regalado: Al Ruder is there.
Mr. Fred Joseph: They can bring it in and set it up. All right, while they are bringing...
They can bring it in and set it up right here. Can you have them bring that in Erdal?
Chairman Teele: Hold on before you do. What I want Commissioner Plummer to be
aware of is this. Is that while the Parks Department has responsibility for all of the parks
in the City, the Parks Department and the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency)
jointly with the OMNI Advisory Board have been working very closely together. There
is a tremendous amount of... I'll use affectionately, caring, feeding that must go on in
this... in this particular park. There are a lot of issues and a lot of entries. One of the
40 June 30, 1998
things that we are going to talk about is an Interlocal Agreement whereby Parks, the CRA
and the OMNI Advisory Board are working together to get this thing expedited.
Ms. Sandra Joice: OK, well, basically what we have done as the CRA, we have been in
contract with Mr. Ruder to try and cooperate with his efforts from his... to see that
Margaret Pace Park not only gets done, but that it gets done expeditiously, and that it is
very responsive to community needs. In order to accomplish that, we have been in touch
with their office. We have also engaged in Bermello-Ajamil, the same architectural firm
that has been, you know, serving the CRA, the Southeast Overtown Park West CRA on
other issues, to assist us in designing a master plan for the park. That is something that
the community had indicated to us, something they felt was necessary to make sure that
all the funding that had been allocated to this project from the park bonds from the... from
the County, would be...
Board Member Plummer: How much?
Ms. Joice: Three hundred thousand.
Board Member Plummer: Three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000)...
Ms. Joice: That's correct. Well, of course...
Board Member Plummer: ... for a park that size?
Ms. Joice: Well... well, that's what we got. We are going to try to make the best, you
know, best use possible with that money, and we are also trying to come up with a budget
for an expended program for that park. We do not have funds appropriated for that, as a
matter of fact, not even budget... budgeted. But that is something that will be brought
before, you know, the CRA board for approval at a later date. For, you know, a portion
of that funding, perhaps. We're also trying to tap into different funding sources such as
the...
Chairman Teele: One of the things that the CRA has agreed to do with the OMNI
Advisory Board is take the pressure off of Parks, and we are going to go out and look for
money to help get the commun.. They community has a much higher expectation than
the three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000).
Board Member Plummer: Oh, absolutely. It always do.
Chairman Teele: ...and... and rather than shifting that over to the Parks Department, we
are agreeing to take responsibility to go out and get the rest of the money... to attempt to
find money sources.
Board Member Plummer: Well, what I would suggest to you is the same thing we did at
Virrick Park. That I think that you ought to develop a master plan which you ought to
have it in Plan A, B, C, D, and as you get the monies available, because you're not going
to get all you want in one year, I don't care how many sources you tap, that you can go
41 June 30, 1998
and continue to build and to better the park as funds become available. We went into
Virrick Park, we started with seven hundred thousand, I think it was...
Mr. Albert Ruder (Director/Parks Department): Yes.
Board Member Plummer: ...from the bond issue. And, they've gone and applied for
other private sources and other things, but we're still on an A, B, C, D, E, kind of a
concept, and I would say to you... Mr. Chairman, this is a park that, you know, is a
waterfront park. As I came here this evening, it is a used park. I mean...
Chairman Teele: It's fully used.
Board Member Plummer: ... soccer players are there the weekends. It's incredible the
amount... and then they play some crazy game there with a...
Mr. Ruder: Cricket, cricket.
Board Member Plummer: ... with a stick and a ball. I don't know what the devil it is.
Chairman Teele: Cricket.
Board Member Plummer: A cricket. A cricket. But, you know, it is a used park. The
one that I am going to eventually want to talk to is Martel. Now, Martel Park is still part
of the CRA? How far the CRA go north?
Chairman Teele: We don't go that far north.
Ms. Joice: We don't go that far north.
Board Member Plummer: No, OK. Well, that's, that's a different ball game. It's also in
my district. But, I think that what we need to do is, we need to come up and try to make
people understand that you only have so many dollars. That you have got to live within
you budget, that's very, very important.
Mr. Ruder: Ah...
Chairman Teele: But... Go ahead.
Mr. Ruder: Yeah, Albert Ruder, Parks Director. We welcome the CRA help in... in
Margaret Pace Park, and we have been working very well together. And we feel like they
could move... you know, with this partnership, the project can move a lot quicker. And
we also have some ideas of other funding sources that we'll be working with staff from
CRA to try to get.
Ms. Joice: What you are about to see is a presentation that Bermello-Ajamil has put
together for us of some of the concepts that we have been discussing. A lot of this was a
result of community input over the years to the Parks Department, to the CRA and to a
number of other City agencies. So, without further adieu.
42 June 30, 1998
Chairman Teele: ... from our Lead Planner and...
Ms. Joice: Yes we are. You want to come over here? Alfredo Sanchez.
NOTE FOR THE RECORD: Board Member Plummer
left the meeting at 8:11 p.m.
Mr. Alfredo Sanchez: Yes, good evening. For the record, my name is Alfredo Sanchez.
I am a partner with Bermello-Ajamil and Partners, and with me tonight is Tere Garcia, a
partner with Bermello-Ajamil, 28... 2601 Bayshore Drive. Tere. And I am going to turn
the floor over to Tere.
Ms. Tere Garcia: If it is pleasure of the board, we have some... some initial... our first
project that we have been working on and we want to report to you, is the Margaret Pace
Park. Then, we go into other projects. This is... this is it. It is your pleasure for us to go
through everything?
Chairman Teele: Why don't you go right through, right.
Ms. Garcia: OK.
Chairman Teele: Basically, it's been already discussed. The Board has approved
Bermello, Ajamil as the general architectural planning consultant to the CRA, Sandra,
not to Overtown Park West, but to the CRA. So, they're working on a series of activities
that relate to the CRA, both the Omni and the other with a view toward getting us to an
Interlocal Agreement so that we can expedite the various parks in the CRA area.
Ms. Garcia: And as the overall consultant we have those two responsibilities to... to
respond to two areas included in, in... within your jurisdiction. The first project that I
want to briefly go through is the Margaret Pace Park design. Obviously, we have met
several times with the Omni Advisory Board and it is from them and their past studies
and reviews and... and wish list, that we have come to do a preliminary conceptual plan
of the park. At this time, besides the assessment of the existing conditions, what we are
doing and what you are going to see are very conceptual designs which we will be
presenting to the development committee of the Omni Advisory Board which is chaired
by Mr. Fred Joseph and Mr. Phil Yaffa, and, then, eventually go back, after we have a
workshop then make a presentation to... to the Advisory Committee. Thank you. [sic] In
here, what we have done, these are just very quick alternative concept plans, bubbled
diagrams which you always have to see as you are accessing the area. And, in here are
several, all... all the items that had been included in that wish list. Together with this, we
started to create and.. and start to put together some visual images, not only of the
43 June 30, 1998
existing park conditions, but of what we would be seeing there. The Omni Advisory
Board has been working with the School of the Arts next to it, and we try to see how we
can best incorporate them. These are some of the issues that... that were on that wish
list. The lighting, the irrigation, landscaping and trees. Tennis courts, vitae courts, tot
lots as you see this. And these are some of the images that we are trying to... to put
together to bring... to really create a team between the Advisory Board and the designer.
This is a big file. So, we have the same thing here. These are all the... the cricket areas,
the soccer fields. This is a highly used park. During weekends, in the week days it is not
as much, but surely part of what we want to create there and that the Advisory Committee
is seeking is not only all the improvements, but also building a sense of security for the
area. These are images of perhaps... It's a beautiful site where we can put some... bay...
bay use, look out areas, the board walk or a baywalk that has been talked about for quite
some time now. And this is what we will be presenting to the development committee.
This is a talking document. It's... it's not a final plan. What we are going to be trying to
do with this is presenting it to them so that we can do a workshop and then continue
developing a... a complete plan for the park. There are some items that are ongoing. We
are doing a tree survey. There will be some environmental and permitting issues for the
baywalk, and all those things are included in there.
Mr. Donmez: Well these...?
Chairman Teele: Can we skip over this, because we are going to loose a quorum, and for
the purpose of voting and... Can we get to that Yd Avenue...
Mr. Sanchez: Absolutely.
Chairman Teele:... business corridor real fast?
Mr. Sanchez: Let me... Let me go back to the computer and do it real fast.
Chairman Teele: Mr. Joseph, did you just want to comment? Because I think
Commissioner...
Mr. Joseph: I don't want... Well, I am hoping that you are not looking at voting on
Margaret Pace Park.
Chairman Teele: No, no.
44 June 30, 1998
Mr. Joseph: We have not had the oppor
nor anybody else...
Chairman Teele: No, did you have any...?
OK, I understand. For... nor the committee,
Mr. Joseph:... have even seen this `till tonight. OK. Mr. Chair, what... I want to come
back to another item. With Mr. Ruder and the park and your idea of incorporating
backwards, bringing the funds into the CRA so that we can move forward is a superb idea
and I think discussing that with you, it enlightened me a lot. But the other side of the
coin, and I am sorry Commissioner Plummer is gone, this is his district, is that the CRA,
the Interlocal, and other funds that will be coming into this area, and what we should be
getting from Dade County Parks, we passed a bond issue. We're in this county. We need
your help. So, thank you.
Chairman Teele: Thank you, and again, on that issue. Commissioner Carrie who
represents this area and lives in this building, quite frankly, is the person, because we're
limited. The County Bond issues go before them. The Cities' are what we're trying to
administer. But, I think we have an agreement between Mr. Ruder, Mr. Jim Kay at
Public Works, with Hilda that it would be advantageous for us to enter into an Interlocal
Agreement, the CRA with Parks and with the association, the Omni Advisory
Association, to expedite this park improvement. And that's sort of what the CRA needs
to hear that this isn't a power grab or an in -run on anybody. There is a tremendous
amount of committee meetings that go on with the... with the various citizens groups
that... that must be done in this process.
Mr. Joseph: We're all ears. I mean, we will be glad to listen to it, because we want to
see how we can make this in our lifetime a reality.
Chairman Teele: Commissioner Gort...
Board Member Gort: Just let me ask...
Chairman Teele: ... and Commissioner Regalado is going to have to depart in a minute,
so I really want to go through the business corridor issues because we have a series of
resolutions that relate to them.
45 June 30, 1998
Board Member Gort: Isn't Eleanor Kluger your co -chairperson?
Chairman Teele: She is the Chair.
Mr. Joseph: Yes, she is the Chairman of our association...
Board Member Gort: Chairman.
Mr. Joseph:... over our overall...
Ms. Garcia: Advisory.
Mr. Joseph: ... Omni, but Phil Yaffa and myself and our other committee...
Unidentified Speaker: The developers.
Chairman Teele: They have committees.
Mr. Joseph: Thank you.
NOTE FOR THE RECORD: At this point, Item 14-A
was tabled for later in the SEOPW/CRA meeting.
11. DISCUSS OVERTOWN NORTHWEST 3 AVENUE HISTORIC BUSINESS
CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT — INTRODUCTION BY TERE GARCIA
(BERMELLO, AJAMIL) OF JACKSON BURNSIDE, ARCHITECTURAL AND
URBAN DESIGN CONSULTANT. (See label 15).
Ms. Garcia: And one of the things that Commissioner Plummer pointed out is, at the end
we will have some cost estimates. We have been including the things that have been
included in the Park mon... monies, and then so that we... this development can be
phased as funds become available. Just recently, you as a City Commission passed a
resolution creating the Yd Avenue Overtown Historic Business Corridor. Certainly,
this... the power behind this resolution and the purpose of it is, as you well know, is to
46 June 30, 1998
encourage the business development to really provide incentives for upgrading structures,
implementing the programs for training for development, search for the appropriate
mechanisms for land acquisition and identifying funding sources. And, basically, our
task is to study the corridor, corridor, coordinate with all private efforts that are ongoing
within this corridor which as... as we will point out to you has some of the most viable
businesses in the area of Overtown. And I think we want to maximize that. And the
intent of the resolution is to maximize those opportunities. Also, in... in our work, it is...
it is to identify the areas where the CRA needs to intervene, our government needs to
intervene to assist the private sector in coming up with viable solutions. What I would
like to do is, is in our contract anytime we need a specialist in one area we have the
approval of the CRA staff. At this point, we have asked Mr. Jackson Burnside to join us
in this effort. Mr. Burnside has over 25 years of architectural and urban design
experience in the Caribbean, the US (United States) and Europe. He is an expert on
resort and visitor attraction consultant and... and he has been a lecturer in the Caribbean
School of Architecture of UPEN (University of Pennsylvania). We needed to... to
include someone that could really bring the core and the real knowledge and the historic
on... on Caribbean culture, on the Bahamian architectural style, and that is why we have
here, Mr. Burnside which... He wanted just to address you for a second.
Mr. Jackson Burnside Thank you, very much Commissioners. It's my pleasure to be
here this evening. Obviously, we welcome the opportunity to work with you on such a
prestigious project and to be able to bring some of the... the character and the authentic
cultural identity into a project of this importance. As his... As you know, historically,
Overtown has had a very important role to play in the link between the Bahamas and the
United States and we hope that we can assist you in maximizing the potential of the
proj ect.
Chairman Teele: Mr. Burnside, you role will be to be an adviser to...
Mr. Burnside: As a consultant to...
Chairman Teele: ... to this group.
Mr. Burnside: ... the architects, yes.
Chairman Teele: OK. All right. And are you a graduate of an American University?
47 June 30, 1998
Mr. Burnside: Yes. Ah, yes, I am. I am a... I have two Masters degrees from the
University of Pennsylvania, and I am also a visiting lecturer at the University of
Pennsylvania, and the Caribbean School of Architecture in Jamaica. Also...
Chairman Teele: Oh, you are a professor at the Caribbean School of Architecture?
Mr. Burnside: Yes, I am. I am a visiting... visiting professor. I have also lectured at the
Architectural Association in the UK (United Kingdom), that's in London, England.
Chairman Teele: All right, thank you. Have you done the work for the government of
Bahamas?
Mr. Burnside: Ah, yes, I am currently working on a number of projects for the
government of Bahamas.
Mr. Alfred Sanchez: Thank you. Jackson Burnside and I both went to the University of
Pennsylvania, so we are both graduates of...
Chairman Teele: Oh.
Board Member Gort: Now we know.
Chairman Teele: Now we know.
Board Member Gort: Fraternity brothers.
Mr. Sanchez: I know. I want to get into the issues of the business corridor. Perhaps, if I
can just take this out and talk.
Chairman Teele: All right.
Mr. Sanchez: You are familiar...
48 June 30, 1998
11.1 AUTHORIZE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY TO EXPEND
FUNDS AND SEEK ASSISTANCE OF CITY MANAGER AND OFF-STREET
PARKING TO PROVIDE CONTEMPORARY PARKING AMENITIES ALONG
BUSINESS CORRIDOR.
Chairman Teele: Excuse me. We have four resolutions that relate to this. Item eleven
point one. Erdal, why don't you come up and go through the resolutions, or if Sandra,
whoever has got them. Three point... eleven point one, two, three and four. Just tell us
what they do very briefly.
Mr. Erdal Donmez (Development Coordinator): Thank you, thank you, Commissioner.
I don't have the resolutions in front of me, but I know of just about all of them. There are
two resolutions, you know, one of them is contemplating paving vacant, you know,
properties along Northwest 3Td Avenue just immediately between paved...
Chairman Teele: That's 11.1.
Mr. Donmez: Eleven point one.
Chairman Teele: This basically ratifies what the City has already voted to do?
Mr. Donmez: That's correct, sir. And we are asking the assistance of the City Manager
and also Off -Street Parking Authority.
Chairman Teele: Commissioner Regalado, are you comfortable with that one?
Board Member Regalado: I am.
Chairman Teele: Would you move it?
Board Member Regalado: Yes, sir. I'll move it.
Chairman Teele: Moved by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by the Chair. Is there
objection? All those in favor say "aye."
49 June 30, 1998
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Teele: Those opposed?
The following resolution was introduced by Board Member Regalado, who moved its
adoption:
SEOPW/CRA RESOLUTION NO. 98-13
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") TO EXPEND FUNDS
AND SEEK ASSISTANCE OF THE CITY MANAGER AND DIRECTOR OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF OFF-STREET PARKING IN CONNECTION WITH
PROVIDING CONTEMPORARY PARKING AMENITIES ALONG THE N.W.
3RD AVENUE BUSINESS CORRIDOR, FROM N.W. 8n' STREET TO N.W.
14"H STREET, AND N.W. 8'N STREET FROM N.W. 3RD AVENUE TO N.W.
4"H AVENUE, BY IMPROVING AND PAVING APPROPRIATE VACANT
PROPERTIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUPPORTING FOR THE NEW AND
EXISTING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City
Clerk.
Upon being seconded by Chairman Teele, the resolution was passed and adopted
by the following vote:
AYES: Board Member Wifredo Gort
Board Member Tomas Regalado
Chairman Arthur J. Teele, Jr.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Board Member J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Board Member Joe Sanchez
50 June 30, 1998
11.2 AUTHORIZE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY TO PROMOTE AND SUPPORT COMMERCIAL
DEVELOPMENT ALONG N.W. 3"D AVENUE BUSINESS CORRIDOR.
Chairman Teele: Eleven point two.
Mr. Donmez: Eleven point two is encouraging the CRA (Community Redevelopment
Agency) to take active roles and by constructing and building amenities such as new
sidewalks and parking structures and new lighting and promote commercial development
along the Northwest Third...
Chairman Teele: But you can't do any of this specifically, unless you come back to us
with the plan to spend the money
Mr. Donmez: Absolutely, sir.
Board Member Teele: OK.
Mr. Donmez: Yeah. We are asking your...
Board Member Gort: Move it.
Chairman Teele: Moved by Commissioner Gort.
Board Member Regalado: Second.
Chairman Teele: Second by Commissioner Regalado. Is there objection? Discussion.
All those in favor say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
51 June 30, 1998
The following resolution was introduced by Board Member Gort, who moved its
adoption:
SEOPW/CRA RESOLUTION NO. 98-14
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
COMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") TO PROMOTE AND
SUPPORT COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS ALONG THE N.W. 3'D
AVENUE BUSINESS CORRIDOR, FROM N.W. 8.. STREET TO N.W. 14TH
STREET, AND N.W. 8.. STREET
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City
Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Board Member Regalado, the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Board Member Wifredo Gort
Board Member Tomas Regalado
Chairman Arthur J. Teele, Jr.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Board Member Joe Sanchez
Board Member J. L. Plummer, Jr.
11.3 AUTHORIZE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CRA TO PREPARE AND APPLY
TO U.S. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION FOR $3 MILLION
GRANT FOR FUNDING OF QUALIFIED COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
ACTIVITY IN THE N.W. 3'D AVENUE BUSINESS CORRIDOR.
Mr. Donmez: And, 11.3 is a three point... three million dollars ($3,000,000) grant
application to Economic Development Administration (EDA). As the City passed the
resolution designating Northwest 3`d Avenue as a historic business corridor, we
mentioned that three million dollars ($3,000,000) of funding. We feel we should, you
know, ask for anything out there which will fund and qualify commercial development
in... along 3`d Avenue. And we feel EDA is a good funding source. We started to process
so we...
Chairman Teele: This is a request for a grant application.
52 June 30, 1998
Mr. Donmez: That's correct.
Chairman Teele: The grant application itself would come back. But this authorizes the
CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) to apply for money.
Board Member Regalado: Move it.
Mr. Donmez: Yes.
Chairman Teele: Moved by Commissioner Regalado.
Board Member Gort: Second.
Chairman Teele: Seconded by Commissioner Gort.
Board Member Gort: Discussion.
Mr. Donmez: Yes, sir.
Board Member Gort: The three million dollars ($3,000,000), are we going to have a
budget on how the project is going to be implemented?
Mr. Donmez: Yes.
Chairman Teele: Yes.
Mr. Donmez: And we are going to come back to you with every aspect of how the
money would be spent if the grant is funded. The last resolution is...
Chairman Teele: Hold it.
53 June 30, 1998
Mr. Donmez: Yes, sir.
Chairman Teele: All those in favor say "aye."
The Commissioner (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Teele: Those opposed? Unanimous.
The following resolution was introduced by Board Member Regalado, who moved its
adoption:
SEOPW/CRA RESOLUTION NO. 98-15
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") TO PREPARE AND
APPLY TO THE UNITED STATES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ADMINISTRATION ("BDA") FOR A $3 MILLION GRANT FOR THE
PURPOSE OF FUNDING QUALIFIED COMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
ACTIVITY IN THE N.W. 3RD AVENUE BUSINESS CORRIDOR, FROM N.W.
8THSTREET TO N.W. 14m STREET, AND N.W. 8m STREET FROM N.W. 3RD
AVENUE TO N.W. 4m AVENUE.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City
Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Board Member Gort, the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Board Member Wifredo Gort
Board Member Tomas Regalado
Chairman Arthur J. Teele, Jr.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Board member J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Board Member Joe Sanchez
54 June 30, 1998
11.4 AUTHORIZE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CRA TO SEEK $1 MILLION IN
GRANT MONIES — FOR ACQUISITION OF BUSINESS EQUIPMENT —
FURTHER MAKING SUCH EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE BY LEASE, GRANT OR
OTHER ARRANGEMENT TO QUALIFIED BUSINESSES LOCATED IN N.W.
3RDAVENUE HISTORIC BUSINESS CORRIDOR AREA.
Board Member Teele: Erdal.
Mr. Donmez: The last resolution is somewhat similar to the EDA (Economic
Development Administration) grant. We are asking your authorization to seek about one
million dollars ($1,000,000) funding. At this point, we are not quite sure the exact
funding source. This could be the part of... a portion of EDA grant, you know, proceeds.
What we want to do is set aside this million dollars ($1,000,000) to assist the businesses
there. Many businesses can't quite afford, you know, leasing equipment for purchasing
them, or they are operating it... They are operating with very old, you know, machinery.
Needless to say, it's very difficult for a small business to go out there, get loans, you
know, for working capital and for... for, for capital, you know for equipment, you know,
financing. The idea is to acquire the equipment, and now lease it back to the businesses.
Maybe at market, maybe below market, maybe at a grant. The whole idea is to promote
business development in the area.
Chairman Teele: One... one of the things that the Planning Department people have said,
that a number of businesses... I see a number of business owners in the room, have said
what they need most, is they need equipment. They don't need a lot of this.. these
loans, but they need equipment to operate. Some of them need freezers, steam tables, and
it's designed really to put us in a position where we can structure grant support to them
by equipment, so that we are not giving them money. They go out of business, we get the
equipment back. Hopefully, they don't go out of business, but it seems to be a low risk
way to apply. Now this is not necessarily an additional million, but this could be a part of
the three million...
Mr. Donmez: Yes.
Chairman Teele: ... from EDA.
Mr. Donmez: Yes, sir.
Chairman Teele: And they wanted that clarification.
Mr. Donmez: Yes, sir.
Chairman Teele: Is there objection or concern?
55 June 30, 1998
Board Member Gort: None. Move it.
Board Member Regalado: No.
Chairman Teele: Moved by Commissioner Gort.
Board Member Regalado: Second.
Chairman Teele: Second by Commissioner Regalado. Is there objection? All those in
favor say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Teele: All opposed?
The following resolution was introduced by Board Member Gort, who moved its
adoption:
SEOPW/CRA RESOLUTION NO. 98-16
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") TO SEEK GRANT
MONIES IN THE AMOUNT OF ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000) FOR
THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING BUSINESS EQUIPMENT AND MAKING
SUCH EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE BY LEASE, GRANT OR OTHER
ARRANGEMENTS TO QUALIFIED BUSINESSES, LOCATED IN THE N.W.
3RDAVENUE BUSINESS CORRIDOR, FROM N.W. 87H STREET TO N.W.
14m STREET, AND N.W. 8'H STREET FROM N.W. 3P-D AVENUE TO N.W.
4TH AVENUE, FOR CREATING NEW EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
FOR THE AREA RESIDENTS.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City
Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Board Member Regalado, the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Board Member Wifredo Gort
Board Member Tomas Regalado
Chairman Arthur J. Teele, Jr.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Board Member Joe Sanchez
Board Member J. L. Plummer, Jr.
56 June 30, 1998
12. AUTHORIZE CREATION OF POSITION FOR COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY — FURTHER AUTHORIZE RECRUITING AND
HIRING TO FILL SUCH POSITION.
Chairman Teele: Now there are two other items. One relates to the... We have... We
have had political people in the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), that is, what
do you call them? Non -career service people.
Mr. Erdal Donmez (Development Coordinator/Community Development Agency/CRA):
Unclassified.
Chairman Teele: Unclassified. And the CRA Director, the CRA Administrator is non-
classified. Hilda is non -classified. The Executive Director when and if he or she is ever
named would be unclassified. But there has been a move to get more professional
approach, that is, so that the staff people will come to us and tell us what they really think
without fear that they got to say what they want to be heard. So, there is a
recommendation by the staff to advertise a civil service position of a development
coordinator, and that requires a resolution. It is not adding a new staff, it means that
whoever is in that slot now would be able to bid for it, if they don't get it, they would
wound up going back to the City in another role and it would be limited to City
employees. In other words, this would not be opened for somebody to come off the street
and bid. Is that correct, Hilda?
Ms. Hilda Tejera: Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
Chairman Teele: Is there objection to that?
Board Member Gort: Not at all.
Chairman Teele: Moved by Commissioner Gort.
Board Member Regalado: Second.
Chairman Teele: Seconded by Commissioner Regalado. That resolution is before you.
All those in favor say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Teele: Those opposed?
57 June 30, 1998
The following resolution was introduced by Board Member Gort, who moved its
adoption:
SEOPW/CRA RESOLUTION NO.98-17
AND
OMNI/CRA RESOLUTION 98-4
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CREATION OF A POSITION ON THE
STAFF OF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND THE
RECRUITING AND HIRING OF AN EMPLOYEE FOR SUCH STAFF POSITION.
(Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City
Clerk.)
Upon being seconded by Board Member Regalado, the resolution was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Board Member Wifredo Gort
Board Member Tomas Regalado
Chairman Arthur J. Teele, Jr.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Board Member J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Board Member Joe Sanchez
13. DISCUSS NEED FOR ADMINISTRATION TO FIND SPACE AND RELOCATE
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY'S OFFICE TO MIAMI
RIVERSIDE CENTER.
Chairman Teele: Commissioner Regalado has to leave, but the CRA meeting will
continue as long as Commissioner Gort and I have time. Did you want to say anything?
Thank you so much for being here, Commissioner.
Board Member Regalado: No, on one of the last items. I am sure that Hilda will tell you
that the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) was looking for space in Miami
Riverside Center, and I told Hilda that...
Ms. Hilda Tejera (Asst. City Manager/CRA Administrator): Yes.
Board Member Regalado: ... the CRA can use my office in the building. So...
58 June 30, 1998
Chairman Teele: And, I guess, I kind of objected to using your office, because I didn't
want anybody to take that. Where is the issue, Hilda, on the office space? Is there a
motion or a resolution or something?
Ms. Tejera: No, sir...
Board Member Regalado: Well, just take it.
Ms. Tejera: But, I could try to... If Commissioner Regalado would like to... [inaudible
— off microphone]
Board Member Regalado: No, you know,
board would decide. I just told Hilda that...
and that I guess that...
whatever... Mr. Chairman, whatever the
She said that they were searching for space,
Chairman Teele: See, the politics, Commissioner, of a staff person going in and taking a
Commission office is something that, I have been in government, I know what's going
to happen. Everybody whose... doesn't have a nice office is going to be shooting at the
CRA, and I don't mind doing it, but I just want to be very clear, I don't support it.
Board Member Regalado: But, I
Chairman Teele: But I think they need space. They have been burglarized.
Board Member Regalado: That's the reason, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Teele: The women have been put in harms way and I really wish that the
Manager, I wish you would call the Manager and ask the Manager, and I wish you would,
Commissioner Gort, as I will, to find appropriate space. But I think, no matter how you
couch it, if the CRA starts taking Commission office space there is going to be some hell
to play down at the lower ends of the bowels of government.
Board Member Regalado: Mr. Chairman, I did speak to the other Manager and they
couldn't...
Chairman Teele: I did too.
Ms. Tejera: Yes.
Board Member Regalado: They couldn't find space for the CRA. I... I, personal...
Board Member Gort: Well, you didn't talk to... You didn't talk to the managing chief.
59 June 30, 1998
Board Member Regalado: No. OK, I know what happened in the Dupont Plaza
Building, and I think that you're right in that sense, but it's a matter of urgency and that's
why I told Hilda that... Whatever, you know, the board decides.
Chairman Teele: I will withdraw my objections to them taking your space, but I want to
be on the record, when their tires are... when they loose their parking spaces, when their
lights go out, don't blame me.
Board Member Regalado: At least they wouldn't get mugged, though.
Board Member Gort: Let's see what we can do, Mr. Chairman.
Ms. Gwendolyn Warren (Director/Community Development Department): Ah, yes, sir.
Board Member Gort: Mr. Chairman. Let me see what we can do. Regalado's office is
right next to mine, and there is an open space in there. What you can do is take both
offices and the open space there and make that your headquarters.
Chairman Teele: All right. Gwen did you have something to say?
NOTE FOR THE RECORD: AT 8:32 p.m., Board
Member Regalado left the meeting, leaving them
without a quorum.
Ms. Warren: Ah, yes, I wanted to say that I would like to make my
apologies for the Manager. I am here representing him this evening, he is home ill. And
he wanted me to make sure that you knew that he had intended to come to the meeting,
but was unable to attend. And, if you would like for me to discuss space for the CRA,
different than the ninth floors, Commissioners space, I would be more than willing to
work with GSA (General Services Administration) to see if we could identify some
appropriate space.
Chairman Teele: I think the Manager should take it under advisement.
Ms. Warren: Yes, sir.
Chairman Teele: Just know that they have got the green light to move into
Commissioner Regalado and Commissioner Gort and my space, but I don't think it's an
advisable thing to do for a number of reasons, having been in government. And, I would
wish that the Manager could fast... could move quickly to resolve this issue.
Ms. Warren: I'll bring it to his attention immediately in the morning.
Chairman Teele: All right.
60 June 30, 1998
14. DISCUSS ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING ADMINISTRATIVE AND
PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT TO BE PROVIDED TO SMALL BUSINESS BY
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY.
Board Member Gort: Mr. Chairman?
Chairman Teele: Commissioner Gort.
Board Member Gort: One of the questions I want to ask. Are we giving any
administrative, professional support to the...? One of the things in the businesses that I
have been in, I have found a lot of small businesses to be very successful, and
unfortunately when you go to the back, they don't have the records, especially the
finance, and really the way that some of the books... and that's why they... they have
problems getting a loan. I would like to see part of the support for those small
businesses, some professional... some money set aside to give professional advice and
professional assistance in accounting and marketing. Because, let's face it, you know, we
are going to need a lot of marketing, and we need these people to be supported and to go
into the future and to improve themselves. They are going to need some financial
planning, people who can sit down with them and help them in this... how to utilize, best
utilize equipment and make the best of it.
Ms. Sandra Joice: OK, your point is well taken, sir. As a matter of fact, we have
currently undergone contract, the National Development Council, they have been very
supportive of a number of our, you know, efforts in the past. One of the things that we
are putting together with them is something that's been very successful in Long, Beach,
California which is a version of their Decor America Fund, in Miami it would be called
the Decor Miami Fund, and it would be an additional source of, you know, SBAs (Small
Business Administration) monies for a small lending. A lot more flexible than a lot of
banks can do. That's one aspect. We're also trying to coordinate efforts with the
Enterprise Community Center which is, you know, put together by Dade County, the
City, and Florida City as a coordinated effort that resulted from the Enterprise
Community grant that this area received a couple of years ago. They have SBA staff
there, SCORE and a number of minority business development staff that are available.
We are going to try and coordinate all that. Of course, anytime when we feel that the
services that they are getting is not comprehensive enough, and is not coordinated
enough, that actually makes any sense to a small business, we fully intend to step in and
provide the support as needed.
Chairman Teele: Good. Let me give you a different spin on that. I think Miami Capital
has been instructed as a part of the City resolution, and what we plan to undertake is a
comprehensive planning study of all of the businesses in this corridor. The one thing
we're not going to do, Sandra is, we're not going to send people to the center like you're
talking about, and we're going to provide the services right there in the businesses.
61 June 30, 1998
Board Member Gort: In the business, sure.
Ms. Joice: OK, well...
Chairman Teele: Because most of these businesses, many of them are owner -operator
businesses.
Ms. Joice: Uh-huh (yes).
Chairman Teele: And every time they leave their business, they are leaving money. And
I think what Commissioner Gort is saying, we need to work with them to structure their
businesses so that they have the right kinds of records so that they can get them, and I
think we can work through Miami Capital in doing that.
Ms. Joice: OK, sir. I think that there may be an issue of lender liability that we probably
need to address. But aside from that, I fully agree with your comments.
Chairman Teele: Well what he's talking about is not getting them a loan, but just helping
them to get their paperwork in order so that they can qualify. And that's been one of the
big issues, and quite frankly, it is a continuing problem.
Board Member Gort: I agree with you. And right now, I am looking at a business that
wants to sell. They do about five million dollars ($5,000,000) a year, and yet when you
look at the papers, they are not there. They can't get any loans, they can't get any capital,
because of the reason they don't have the proper finances put in place, or the proper
accounting...
Ms. Joice: OK. Well, that is something that we can assist them with, and we have been
doing that, you know, in a very small scale.
Board Member Gort: You know, the marketing is very important. There are two places,
I go there constantly, which is Peoples and Jacksons, and they are wonderful places to go
eat, but we need to market it and let people know.
NOTE FOR THE RECORD: At this point, Chairman
Teele acknowledges the Chairman of the Overtown
Advisory Board and OMNI Advisory Committee.
Chairman Teele: Let me acknowledge the presence of the Chairman of the Overtown
Advisory Board, and the presence of the OMNI Advisory... the OMNI Advisory
Committee, both of whom are here. Why don't we... we have got to try to bring this
back into some semblance of completing it? Why don't we complete the 3rd Avenue
62 June 30, 1998
issue and then go, now that... Ms. Kluger is here - ...to the... complete the Margaret
Pace Park and the park presentations at that time?
15. (A) CONTINUED DISCUSSION REGARDING OVERTOWN HISTORIC
BUSINESS CORRIDOR AREA ALONG N.W. 3Rn AVENUE FROM N.W. 8"H
STREET TO N.W. 14m STREET AND N.W. 8'H STREET FROM N.W. 3`
AVENUE TO N.W. 4m AVENUE. (See label 11).
(B) COMMENTS BY ALFREDO SANCHEZ AND TERE GARCIA
(BERMELLO, AJAMIL AND PARTNERSHIP, INC.) REGARDING MASTER
PLAN DESIGN PLANS FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS CORRIDOR.
Mr. Alfred Sanchez: Quick, let me get back to the Business Corridor. I am going to hold
the microphone in my hands, because I can't speak without using my hands. But, I think
you are very correct in the approach. I think it has to be a multi-proned approach.
Number one, you have to give assistance to the businesses, you have to strengthen the
uses that we have there, and third we have to bring in additional uses. And there is a lot of
activity in the area. We are talking to private enterprises that want to come in. We are
under a number of projects that I think I want to appoint to you. One is strengthening the
Business Corridor providing facade treatments, providing new landscaping, creating the
Overtown Cultural and Technology Center. A... temporary parking area to serve existing
businesses both here and in front of the St. Johns. The vacant parcels, dealing with the
vacant parcels, and coordinating with the Folklife village projects, so that we can... we
have a coordination with all the projects that are going on in the area. And, this is going
to be very important as we develop this project to develop a strong coordination plan
which we.. we will have. Talking about bringing in...
Chairman Teele: On that point, Ms. Fields, and I would acknowledge Dr. Dorothy Fields
who just gave a very bid nod. She appreciates the coordination.
Dr. Dorothy Fields: I was hoping you wouldn't forget that.
Chairman Teele: No, ma'am. OK.
Mr. Sanchez: Wait, let me talk about the new businesses, and as an example to explore
opportunities, You know there is... there is a vacant site at 12'... at I I'h and 121h° and the
site is basically... In this area here, we have an existing building which is vacant now,
and a substantial amount of vacant land, and an existing vacant also, large apartment
building. What can we do with a parcel like this? How can we bring back this area little
by little, so that we have plans that are easily implementable, that will serve the
community and that will serve as a seed for the future development of the area. And one
thing we have been talking about is the idea of a public space. If you look at a lot of the
communities, they do not have a public space that characterizes the communities, and I
think a case in point is talking about Coco Walk. You know, Coco Walk, basically what
it brought to Coconut Grove was a public space. And one idea is perhaps, to create a
63 June 30, 1998
public space used for restaurants. They start putting new restaurants in the area. Open
the restaurant to a new plaza. Develop community activities in the plaza. We need to
take advantage of City -owned land, and we have to showcase all the community values
and... and the culture of the area. And I think this could be a great place, there could be
open-air festivals. There could be bands, dancing, a number of activities. And, for
example, let's go back to the area. Renovating an existing building, an existing
buildings that has a viable laundry shop, a number of restaurants and other uses.
Enhanced proposed restaurant, open it to the open-air plaza. Relocate as a historic
building here which serve as the first African -American architect's office. Relocate the
building either here or to another area, but preserve that building. Bring additional
parking, and as we develop this area, it's important to understand that parking will be a
big issue as activities increase., as uses become more and more attractive to other uses,
and build a retail area, a small retail area, six to eight thousand square feet, something
that can be easily implemented. Bring in the small businesses, you know, you have a
school across the street, a substantial number of kids. We have community services that
are needed This can provide incubator space for businesses. It can provide ice cream
shops, donut shops. Uses that are really needed in the area, and it's a project that's easily
implementable as a seed to create additional businesses coming in, and to strengthen the...
the existing businesses, and it's important to strengthen these businesses. Just for
information. You know there is a study done by the Harvard School of Business a few
months back, and it was in the Miami Herald, I think about two weeks ago, and it talked
about the retail power, the buying capacity of the inner-city and the needs that are not
being served by the retail and just as information, it's an important element to consider.
There is a market there I think we can... we can come in and use it, and create the kind of
project that we need, a small project that's, you know, implementable, that will serve as
seeds to create further development of the area.
Ms. Tere Garcia: There are other projects that... I want my... There are other projects
that are also in... in the agenda. Some of them, as you see here is, you know, a review of
all of previous planning studies that have been done in the Overtown area Park West, and
the Omni area to create a.. a master plan. Some of them, I think, will be done this year.
Some of them will be done in years to come. And these are the Little Haiti Commercial
Center "Due Diligence Report." That is something that is ongoing, that is something that
the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) is looking,... is meeting with a particular
person that wants to develop this, and we are assisting in the "Due Diligence" arena. One
of the projects on the...
Chairman Teele: One of the points is that the CRA...
Ms. Garcia: Yes, right.
Chairman Teele: ... don't have sufficient cash flow. So one of the things that the CRA
must do is become a little bit more entrepreneurial and go out and do things that can
generate dollars based upon what their capacity is. And so, that Little Haiti Commercial
Center study was an agreement made by Community Development and the CRA that...
64 June 30, 1998
We're doing the review, for example, for the Parrot Jungle. We're doing the review for
example for the 108 or the flat... CD (Community Development) float, which I guess
you are not going to do Phil, for that. I mean, all of those things, and we do those for
free. So what we're saying is, on the Little Haiti Commercial Center we're going to be
paid by CD, Community Development to do that study.
Ms. Garcia: So, a lot of this as you see are technical assistance to the community and
from... from our perspective and our... and our involvement as planning and architectural
engineering consultants for the CRA, these are some of the issues that will be coming in
the future.
Chairman Teele: Let's bring this to a close, really by getting right into the Parks issue.
Ms. Garcia: OK, the Parks, we did it at the beginning, but we can go back.
Chairman Teele: No, you did one of them.
Ms Garcia: Well, that's the one, the... As far as the other parks in there, it is our
understanding, and this was discussed before with Mr. Ruder and Ms. Joice as far as the
need of... of the CRA to establish an Interlocal Agreement with the Parks Department.
One of the things that the CRA has started to do is, as funds always for recreation and for
parks become so limited, is that we could assist working with the Parks Department in
taking all the parks that are within the CRA boundaries and start to do an open space
assessment and a design of, of... of those parks.
Chairman Teele: And a community... And the real issue is the community... liaison
community involvement. I know, Ms. Kluger...
Ms. Garcia: Absolutely.
Chairman Teele: ... is here, and Mister... We have heard from Mr. Joseph, but I think
that process.... and, Mr. Yaffa, who is co-chairing that committee, is moving along
satisfactorily. And, I think one of the issues is, we need to hear from the public as to
whether or not you all would support the CRA serving as the liaison with Public Works,
Parks and your agency or your... your community group to move these forward. We are
going to have a presentation, I think, from Adorno in the very near future, but there is a
real concern about the County and the City's abilities to move these projects to
completion. So, this may be the appoint in time, Mr. Yaffa, Mr. Joseph or Mr. Director,
if you all would indicate whether or not you would object or you would support the CRA
working with you on this, and the same thing is true for Overtown. I see, Mr. McKnight
left.
Mr. Albert Ruder (Director/Parks Department): Right. Albert Ruder again, Parks
Director. I think it's a very creative way to move these projects forward, and I support it
100 percent. There are some legal issues to be worked out and all that, but besides that, I
65 June 30, 1998
think it will ensure that these projects move forward, and that the appropriate community
input is gotten, which sometimes takes longer than actually constructing the project,
getting the community together. And, I think that's where the CRA can really help.
Chairman Teele: Thank you.
Mr. Fred Joseph: As I said, Phil Yaffa and I would love to be able to sit down and
understand as... as Commissioner, I mean, Chairman Teele and myself had the
opportunity, and I think it will work wonderfully. Anything to make it move forward.
To get it away from... from nothing taken from Mr. Ruder, I mean, but.. but, my gosh, if
we can move it anything faster, you know...
Board Member Gort: He needs help.
Mr. Joseph: ... my lifetime. I would like to see... Well, they planted trees then I said,
you know, I would like to live long enough to be able to sit under one instead of holding
it up.
Ms. Eleanor Kluger: We would welcome participation with Mr. Ruder. We have had a
meeting, a few meetings with them, and I think it works well. In fact, that's what we
really need is communication and also we need their expertise. The community would
give a lot of input and we wanted that master plan, and that was the main thing that we're
moving forward on.
Chairman Teele: All right.
Mr. Charles J. Flowers: Good afternoon. Charles Flowers, chairman of the Overtown
Advisory Board, and also...
Chairman Teele: Thank you for being here, Mr. Flowers.
Mr. Flowers: Thank you, sir. And I'll also speak for Mr. McKnight, he had to leave.
We... we really support and back the CRA, and the Gibson Park, and the other things that
you're doing in Overtown. We are so happy that these things are coming to light at this
time, and to you, Commissioners, and to the both of you, we appreciate your diligence
in doing something. I would like to hear from my right hand, she was the Chairman of
the Committee of the Overtown Business Corridor, Miss... Dr. Dorothy Fields.
66 June 30, 1998
16. (A) COMMENTS BY DR. DOROTHY FIELDS REGARDING NEED FOR
ASSISTANCE TO PROCEED WITH MASTER PLAN FOR HISTORIC OVERTOWN
FOLKLIFE VILLAGE.
(B) DISCUSSION REGARDING INTERLOCAL COOPERATIVE
AGREEMENTS WITH PARKS AND RECREATION IN REFERENCE TO:
i. MARGARET PACE PARK IMPROVEMENTS. (See label 10.)
I GIBSON PARK ANNEX (MT. ZION CDC).
Chairman Teele: All right.
Dr. Fields: Well, we've been working very hard in our committees. Actually, looking at
what is being proposed and the Gibson Park and Margaret Pace which we are familiar
with. Certainly, we should go forward with. While I am here, Mr. Chairman, certainly,
the historical... I am a wed ... I am in awe of what you are doing with 3`d Avenue. And,
certainly, it's something that needs to be done, but I would certainly ask...
Chairman Teele: ... Yes.
Dr. Fields: .... that you provide, Mr. Gort, technical assistance for us with the Historic
Overtown Folklife Village. I see that you have us listed on the agenda. We weren't
aware of it until we were told that a few minutes ago, or earlier today, so that we'll be
interested in what the staff is going to say. I noticed is says "Master Plans." There is but
one plan. The newest plan is an update of what was done in 1982 by Ron Frazier.
Chairman Teele: Right.
Dr. Fields: But, we do need, please, technical assistance, so that we can move forward
and that we can develop along with the 3rd Avenue Corridor. It's a wonderful vision and
we share it.
Chairman Teele: Mrs. Fields, while you're there, that's item number ten which actually
we sort of jumped over. The issue here is that the TIP, the Transportation Improvement
Plan, the Department of Transportation mandated study requires a master plan be
approved. The only plan that we have approved, that the CRA board has approved
Sandra, is the 80-1982 Plan, is that right?
Ms. Sandra Joice: [Inaudible — off microphone]
Chairman Teele: Is that correct, Ms. Joice?
Ms. Joice: [Inaudible — off microphone]
67 June 30, 1998
Chairman Teele: So, so what we have got to do is, take the 1982 Plan, sit down with you
and with the transportation people, the... all of the share... stakeholders, Greater Bethel,
everybody and update a plan. And, it's up, as you saw, we have the responsibility of
getting a plan for the Omni, a master plan for the Omni, a master plan for Park West, and
a master plan for Overtown. And, so that we weren't... So that we were very clear, we
specifically said that the master plan for the Folklife Village must be updated as a part of
the Overtown Master Plan.
Dr. Fields: Without a doubt, and...
Chairman Teele: Yes.
Dr. Fields: ... we look to your assistance for that. And, of course, we just presented it to
the community, June 10'h.
Chairman Teele: Now which one is that?
Dr. Fields: There is but one, and that is the...
Chairman Teele: The '82 Plan.
Dr. Fields: No, the plan... Well, there is one that has been approved, but we... the update
is what I am talking about chairman.
Chairman Teele: Yeah, see, that's what we're trying to deal with, is how do we get an -
how do we, as the board, approve an updated plan, and that hasn't come to us yet, and
that's what we're going to do. We are going to take the draft plan that we have from... I
think it's Elizabeth...
Dr. Fields: . It is completed, and we would ask that you work with
us. We don't... We're hearing about these things, but we want very much to be a part of
it.
Chairman Teele: But, you are the only person... You're the only person that we can
work with...
Dr. Fields: Yes.
Chairman Teele: ... but what we're trying to do is, agree on a scope of work. We've
got... trust me, we haven't done anything yet. And, and the problem is, is we haven't
even had the resources to do what we have done. As you see, we were ratifying things
tonight...
Dr. Fields: Sure.
68 June 30, 1998
Chairman Teele: ... that have already, sort of been done.
Dr. Fields: Yeah.
Chairman Teele: But that will be one of the... one of the three things, one of the three
plans that we must put together is a master plan for the Omni, a master plan for the Park
West area, and a master plan for Overtown, and included in the Overtown master plan
would be updated master plan...
Dr. Fields: Sure.
Chairman Teele: ... of the Folklife Village, which is a component of the overall
Overtown master plan.
Dr. Fields: Very good. We look forward to working with you.
Chairman Teele: OK.
Dr. Fields: Thank you.
Mr. Flowers: And, Commissioner, on that note. There is another updated plan which we
are working on which I appointed Dr. Fields as the chairperson of, and we hope that
would come before you and the Commission, that you could work it within the plan that
you are working on now.
Chairman Teele: Which one is that?
Mr. Flowers: It's the one for the 3`d Avenue Corridor. We are working on plans now,
and if you...
Chairman Teele: OK, and what we would ask you to do is submit those to the CRA
Director, and let us get them into a staff process so that they can be evaluated. What we
don't want is the CRA board and the City Commission trying to evaluate the plans, you
know, without the benefit of the various departments and the various consultants that
we're engaging.
Dr. Fields: It really isn't a plan, Mr. Chairman, it's a support to the resolution.
Chairman Teele: Right.
Dr. Fields: Yes.
Chairman Teele: And we need that.
Dr. Fields: Yes.
69 June 30, 1998
Mr. Fields: We know, OK. Thank you. [phonetic]
Dr. Fields: All right.
17. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS (FROM CRA STAFF PERSON HAMMON
NOREIGA, REVEREND RALPH ROSS, AND DEMAS JACKSON) ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS IN FURTHERANCE OF MASTER PLAN FOR N.W. 3`D AVENUE
BUSINESS CORRIDOR.
Chairman Teele: The final issue in this regard, speaking of the master plan, and we may
as well hear from Reverend Ross, if he hasn't gone - and that is, Mr. Noreiga and
Reverend Ross is as a part of the Community Development process. Mt. Zion is
proposed to build a culture and technology center. And that is, with a housing
component. With a housing component, that is something that we've heard about, and
what we would like to do is ensure that that also is one of the items that gets work
through the staff. We'll come up with an Interlocal Agreement, but it's going to require
an Interlocal Agreement with the Parks Department as well as with the City and the CRA,
and I understand you all are looking at the lot, the land that the CRA owns there on the
corner.
Mr. Hammond Noriega (Program Coordinator/Community Redevelopment
Agency/CRA): At the corner of 10`h and 3`d, yes.
Chairman Teele: Ms. Jackson, are you listening? On the corner of 3`d Avenue and 10`h
Street. You all are on the corner of 3`d Avenue and IW' Street?
Mr. Demas Jackson: Right.
Chairman Teele: And we want to make...
Mr. Noreiga: Across the street from there.
Chairman Teele: Across the street. We want to make sure that these plans are all
coordinated and that we work... But... but, we clearly are going to support what Mt. Zion
and the CRA are calling for.
Mr. Noreiga: As it is, the theory is, the City owns most of the property, but there is some
land to be acquired, and we're already getting... to having that done now.
Chairman Teele: All right, put your name on the record.
Mr. Noriega: Hammond Noriega, Program...
70 June 30, 1998
Chairman Teele: And...
Mr. Ralph Ross: Ralph Ross.
Chairman Teele: I am sorry.
Mr. Noreiga: I am the Program Coordinator for the CRA, and I am working on the
project with Reverend Ralph Ross.
Mr. Ross: And, I am Ralph Ross. I am the president of the Mt. Zion Development, Inc.
Chairman Teele: Great. Mr. Jackson, did you want to be heard on this before we leave?
Mr. Jackson: Yes. Jackson Soul Food.
Chairman Teele: Your name?
Mr. Jackson: Demas Jackson.
Chairman Teele: All right. OK, well, we certainly don't want to do anything to
negatively affect your business, but I would say for the record that it seems that you all
are parking all over our lot, and we're happy you're doing it, because anything we could
do to make your business work, we want to help you.
Board Member Gort: They got good prices, too.
Mr. Jackson: We appreciate that.
Chairman Teele: And, Commissioner Gort goes... goes there for breakfast, I know. In
fact, the DDA (Downtown Development Agency) Board has certain board meetings
there, and he is the Chairman of the DDA.
Mr. Jackson: Thank you for coming, and bring somebody else.
Board Member Gort: We will.
Chairman Teele: All right, Madam Director are there any other matters that you would
like to bring up at this time?
Ms. Tejera: No, sir. I think it would be all. I would say, everything went through, yes,
sir. [phonetic]
Chairman Teele: Mr. Attorney.
Mr. Robert Friedman (CRA, Attorney): No other matters.
71 June 30, 1998
18. PERSONAL APPEARANCES: PHILLIP YAFFA TO ADVISE OF OMNI AREA
CLEAN-UP SCHEDULED FOR DULY 11, 1998 — ELEANOR KLUGER, CHAIRMAN
OF OMNI ADVISORY BOARD TO ADDRESS BEAUTIFYING MEDIANS ALONG
BAYSHORE DRIVE — WILLY WILLIAMS, CHAIRMAN OF OVERTOWN
BUSINESS ALLIANCE TO THANK COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
FOR EFFORTS IN OVERTOWN.
Chairman Teele: Is there anyone from the public that would like to say something. Mr.
Yaffa, Phil Yaffa. We certainly appreciate you being here, and we appreciate the work
you have given with the Parks Department, the CRA in bring the Pace Park up-to-date.
Mr. Phil Yaffa: Thank you, very much. I just wanted to let the CRA know that through
the Chamber and the benefit and the goodwill of the hotels in the Omni area, the
Wyndham Hotel, the Doubletree Hotel, and the Marriott Hotel, we as a citizen space
group have organized a major Omni area clean-up for Saturday, July 11"'. The event will
begin at 8:30 in the morning where we're expecting approximately 300 people or more
from the neighborhood to show up at 16' Street and Bayshore Drive where the hotel will
erect a tent, and down by the Marina we'll be serving a free continental breakfast. And
then from nine to noon, we are going into the neighborhood, including Margaret Pace
Park, the 1-395 Exit ramps and blocks throughout West Omni area with teams to spend
three hours picking up rubbish and trash in the streets. Then, again, thanks to the hotels,
we will be coming back to 16" and Bayshore Drive for a free barbecue lunch. And, it's
going to be a terrific community based event. The... I want to give credit to Ana
Gelabert at the NET (Neighborhood Enhancement Team) office, who has arranged for
equipment and garbage bags, and trucks to pick up the trash. We are producing a T-Shirt.
Everybody that shows up will get a T-shirt, a nice pair of cotton gloves to go out and do
something feasible for the neighborhood. Thank you.
Chairman Teele: Thank you, very much.
Chairman Teele: Ms. Kluger.
Ms. Eleanor Kluger: I am Eleanor Kluger, and I am president of the Omni Advisory
Board. And I just wanted to say that we have had one year now of working very hard
together, and we are beginning to show some accomplishments. If you will look at the
planting, we have worked very closely with our NET Office, Ana Gelabert. And, she has
somehow confiscated, or gotten in some way the plants, the palm trees all along
McArthur Causeway and the gateways, and now along the medians going on Bayshore
Drive. And, this is something that is beautifying the whole area that all the community
can enjoy. And, I have had many comments on how they appreciate the beauty that Ana
has helped us get. And these are the kind of small steps that we can now take, and are
taking to improve the area. And, the tourist business is so important to the downtown and
to the Miami area, and this is where most of your tourists pass. And, so this was our
72 June 30, 1998
thought that we should beautify these areas. And I remember back six months ago, where
I had asked in a pocket item, and the Commission, or City Commissioners all agreed that
we should get some help on the gateways. And so, now that we are now getting trees and
our next step will be some flowers, we are hoping that the City Commissioners will find
it in their capacity to help us with paving of the streets, or at least black topping them, to
look at the lights, maybe have their City planners.... I understand that there are no City
Planners in our City planning Department that are assigned to the Omni area. Has
there...? There has never been. And when we go to talk to the City planners there is no
one there, one person, that is on our team so to speak. And, so I would appreciate
somehow getting some help from our City people to look at the gateways, because to us
that's the major issue to be done for this year. Thank you.
Chairman Teele: We certainly will pass that on to the Manager, but I want you to know
that we have assigned a planner to the CRA... to the Omni from the CRA. We operate
under the City, so whatever help we give, it's on behalf of the City, and we're going to
address those issues.
Ms. Kluger: All right. That is one thing I am really looking forward to doing, is working
with your planners. I am very happy that you were able to do this for us. Thank you.
Chairman Teele: Thank you. Are there any other matters to come before the CRA?
Mr. Willy Williams: Good evening.
Chairman Teele: Good evening.
Mr. Williams: My name is Willy Williams, I am the chairman of the Overtown
Merchants Alliance. I am owner and operator of Just Right Barber Shop. I have been in
business for 16 years in Overtown. This is the most that I have seen... seen and
witnessed to be done in Overtown, and I am just standing as a witness today, thanking
you for your recognition of Overtown and the things that you are doing. We are very
pleased to say that we are willing to work with the CRA in any capacity that they wish
for us to do. My business lie right in the area that you all are planning to develop, and I
just hope that we can work together in the near future.
Chairman Teele: We certainly will. And one of the things, Mr. Willimas, just so that you
know it. From a strict code point of view, it's... almost all of the buildings on 3`d Avenue
don't meet code if we were to rebuild them to date, because of parking. And one of the
things that we moved, just today, is to go in and find parking space right now before land
value start increasing, so that we can help the people that own the businesses on the 3`d
Avenue Corridor. One of the reasons we call it historic, is because, thanks to Dr. Fields, I
received a newspaper clipping the other day of one building that was purchased in 1944
by an African -American, and his granddaughter now has it. And we need to understand
that these buildings are pretty much like they were in 1944. You see the same building,
right there on 12`h and 3`d Avenue. If we can help you, the businessowners, and you the
73 June 30, 1998
landlord... you the property owners by helping with the infrastructures so that you can
improve the buildings and we pay for the infrastructure costs, that's sort of our basic
thrust. And, I am well aware that you... you're a prominent businessman and property
owner, and we want to work with you.
Mr. Williams: OK.
Chairman Teele: You have my pledge.
Mr. Williams: Thank you.
19. CHAIRMAN TEELE COMMENDS VICE CHAIRMAN GORT.
Chairman Teele: Are there any other matters? I just would like to publicly express my
appreciation to the City staff that is all here, and particularly City Commissioner Gort,
who I can tell you chairs the DDA (Downtown Development Agency), but he
understands also that what happens in Downtown Miami happens directly in the Omni,
the Park West and Overtown area. And he has been extraordinarily sensitive to this area,
and I think his testimony, by the fact that he goes down to Overtown and has breakfast.
So, I just hope that... that you can encourage Commissioner Gort and others to... to pay
this kind of attention, because I tell you, this City ireally would be not the City it is, if it
were... that it is were it not for Commissioner Gort. And that's not a campaign speech,
but I'll you this. It's important to remember that when he could have had a four year
term, and he had one, he stepped back, and he is here tonight. So, thank you,
Commissioner Gort.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE FOR
THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST AND OMNI DISTRICTS
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA), BOARD MEMBERS, THE
MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 9:02 P.M.
ATTEST:
Walter Foeman
CITY CLERK
Maria J. Argudin
ASSISTANT CITY CLERK
ARTHUR E. TEELE JR.
CHAIRMAN
74 June 30, 1998