Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEOPW OMNI CRA 1998-09-14 Minutes0 MINUTES OF OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING OF THE BOARD MEMBERS OF MIAMI, FLORIDA On the 14th day of September, 1998, the Board of Directors of the Community Redevelopment Agency met in the City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida in regular session. The meeting was called to order at 8:22 p.m. by Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr., with the following board members found to be present: Board Member Wifredo Gort Board Member Tomas Regalado Board Member J.L. Plummer, Jr. Board Member Joe Sanchez ALSO PRESENT: Hilda Tejera, Executive Director William Bloom, CRA Attorney Walter J. Foeman, City Clerk Maria J. Argudin, Assistant City Clerk 1. DISCUSS/DEFER REAFFIRMATION OF AMENDMENT TO SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN / PARK WEST LEASE AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH POINCIANA VILLAGE, LTD., PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD - BRIEFLY DISCUSS FANNIE MAE FOUNDATION NEW PARTNERSHIP INVOLVEMENT WITH POINCIANA VILLAGE, LTD. - SEE LABEL 3. Chairman Teele: Mr. Chairman? Board Member Plummer: Mr. Teele. Mr. Teele. Please. Chairman Teele: Mr. Chairman, the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) Board meeting... Board Member Plummer: Mr. Teele, go ahead. I think you can out talk them. Chairman Teele: Mr. Chairman, the CRA Board Meeting, which you called for a special meeting today, immediately following this, is now convened. You had a number of ... you had several questions relating to that. Mr. Vilarello (City Attorney): Commissioner, I had requested earlier, in my conversations with Commissioner Plummer, an opportunity to further review this item and advise ... and review 1 September 14, 1998 this item and advise the Commissioners some time between now and next week, and with regard to that item, I request a deferral until the 22nd. I believe that's next Tuesday. Board Member Plummer: Whatever. Chairman Teele: All right. The question is this ... and, again, as the CRA people come in. The question is this, it is my understanding that there was to be a closing and that Commissioner Plummer has requested that there not be a closing until he is satisfied? Board Member Plummer: That is correct, sir. I've asked for additional information on the bank notes and other items that I have asked of the City Attorney, who was unable to produce such, and so I have asked, without having to invoke any rule, that, in fact, I am asking for those documents and that, in fact, we would have a meeting any time two days after the documents have been produced. I so move. Chairman Teele: You so move what? Board Member Plummer: I move the deferment. Chairman Teele: The motion to defer is moved and seconded by the Chair. For purposes of discussion, Commissioner, let me just say this to you. This Board authorized the bank, Mr ... the developer to move forward. I think, if any member of the CRA Board has a question, great deference should be given but I must tell you, I think, if the developer chooses to take an action against the CRA Board, I think the Board is basically placing not only this Board but the City of Miami in peril. I would call your attention, Mr. Plummer, to the fact that this Board has been sued in the past by a developer long before I got here and most of us got here and the City wound up paying two million dollars ($2,000,000) in just out and out fees for Board misconduct and City of Miami's failure to properly execute. And so, with your permission, I would ask Mr. Weitzel, the developer, if he would come forth and agree on the record to the deferral of closing so that the Commissioner can properly apprise himself of the matters that he would like to be apprised of. Mr. Attorney, do you have a problem with that? Mr. Vilarello: No, I don't. Chairman Teele: Mr. Weitzel. Mr. Ted Weitzel: My name is Ted Weitzel, President of Poinciana Village. I live at 269 Northwest 7th Street, Miami 33136. Chairman Teele: Hilda, can you all pass out the budget, please, real fast? Yes. Mr. Weitzel, do you have a ... can you live with this request, please? And I hope that you will be able to live with this request that Commissioner Plummer is making. 2 September 14, 1998 Mr. Weitzel: No, Mr. Commissioner. We were ready to close this afternoon. We were delayed from closing. We're ready to close right now. Board Member Plummer: I can't hear his answer. I'm sorry. Would you speak a little louder, please? Mr. Weitzel: Let me tip ... is that better? I said, in all due respect, Mr. Commissioner, we're ready to close this afternoon. The only thing that delayed it was, we were supposed to come down here and we're told not to close. We're ready to close tomorrow. Mr. Vilarello: Commissioner Teele, if I may? The documents that Commissioner Plummer requested to review were not made available to him until today. I think it's an appropriate request to ask for an additional eight days so that Commissioner Plummer can review, any other members of the CPA can review, those documents prior to closing. Chairman Teele: I am not going to argue with you and I will support the request of any Commissioner who wants more time but I will tell you on the record, I think it is an absolutely inappropriate request. It goes well beyond our matters. As it relates to a Board of Directors, we don't review closing documents for any other developer, to my knowledge, since I've sat here. We have never reviewed closing documents. I think it's beyond the purview of this Board to do so but I will tell you right here and right now, I will support Commissioner Plummer's request to get more information. Board Member Plummer: And, Commissioner Teele, I appreciate that and my only comment will be brief. No other project has ever had the 10-year history that this project has had. That's why I'm asking... Chairman Teele: And, Commissioner, I've been here for less than 10 months and this project has been waiting for 10 years and I have called this man every day of the week for the last six weeks, moving this project forward, and the only thing that I'm saying is that I think, if there is a request for information, that information could have been made to the developer and gotten it the same way that I've gotten it and I just think this is a terrible, terrible, terrible precedent and I want to be very clear on the record, I will support your request and anybody else's request but I think these requests need to be reasonable and they need to be timely. Board Member Plummer: Sir, I said and I'll say again, once the documents are presented to me, I would ask you, as Chairman, within 48 hours, to call a special meeting. Chairman Teele: Well, I'll do one better. Let's agree on the meeting now because the one thing we don't want to do is to continue to delay this matter. Commissioner, for the first time 3 September 14, 1998 in the history of this city, a major public corporation, the Fannie Mae Corporation, is participating in an inner city development. Mr. Weitzel came to us and we approved bringing the Fannie Mae Foundation on board as a part of this development team and I think this sends a very, very, very mixed message to people who really want to do development in the inner city and I would remind you that this is in the poorest census track in the entire City of Miami. But on the motion... Board Member Plummer: I don't think Fannie Mae would have any problem with this City trying to make sure that we are protecting every aspect of what we are doing. I can't imagine. And that's all I'm asking for, is the ability to have the documents... Chairman Teele: And I support your right and any Commissioner's right to get information. Board Member Plummer: Thank you, sir. Chairman Teele: On the question, all those in favor, say "aye." All those oppose? Board Member Plummer: Let the record reflect that Mr. Weitzel did not agree and I think that Is part of the history, so he has that choice and it was voluntary on his part and he chose not to do it. 4 September 14, 1998 The following motion was introduced by Board Member Plummer, who moved its adoption: MOTION NO. 98-18 A MOTION TO DEFER REAFFIRMATION OF THE AMENDMENT OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST LEASE AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND POINCIANA VILLAGE OF MIAMI, LTD., PREVIOUSLY APPROVED (PER SEOPW/CRA R-98-9) BY THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD. 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 Board Member Joe Sanchez Board Member J.L. Plummer, Jr. Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. fNt.N09 None. ABSENT: None. 2. ACCEPT IN PRINCIPLE THE FISCAL YEAR 1998-1999 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BUDGET. Chairman Teele: All right. Mr. Chairman...I mean, Commissioner Plummer, before you leave, I would ask that Commissioner Regalado move the CPA budget for purposes of a CRA review and then we, as the City Commission, will have the time to review it in more detail. Board Member Plummer: And I second the motion. Board Member Regalado: I so move. Chairman Teele: Moved by Commissioner Regalado. Seconded by Plummer. All those in favor, say "aye." Those oppose have the same right. The following motion was introduced by Board Member Regalado, who moved its adoption: MOTION NO. 98-19 A MOTION ACCEPTING IN PRINCIPLE THE FY `98-'99 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) BUDGET, FOR PURPOSES OF A CRA REVIEW BY BOARD MEMBERS, THUS ALLOWING FOR A MORE DETAILED BUDGETARY REVIEW BY THE CITY COMMISSION, OF PROPOSED BUDGET, WHICH WAS MORE FULLY OUTLINED IN BUDGET DOCUMENT ENTITLED, "COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY" (REVENUES/PROJECTED EXPENDITURES") SUBMITTED TO THE CRA BOARD AND ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD ON THIS SAME DATE. Upon being seconded by Board Member Plummer, the motion was passed and adopted by the following vote: 5 September 14, 1998 AYES: Board Member Wifredo Gort Board Member Tomas Regalado Board Member Joe Sanchez Board Member J.L. Plummer, Jr. Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. 3. SCHEDULE MEETING OF COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR SEPTEMBER 22, 1998, AT 6 P.M., IN CITY HALL - FOR CONSIDERATION OF POINCIANA VILLAGE PARTNERSHIP CLOSING - SEE LABEL 1. Chairman Teele: And if there's no other matters, I think we should agree right now on a date and time for the meeting. Commissioner, what is convenient... Board Member Plummer: How about next Monday? Chairman Teele: Monday at what time? We have budge meeting... Board Member Plummer: Monday ... no. Board Member Regalado: No, we don't. Chairman Teele: Monday is a budget hearing, isn't it? Board Member Plummer: Next Monday is the 21st and if you want to have a meeting next Monday, it's fine with me. Mr. Donald H. Warshaw (City Manager): Budget is the 28th. Board Member Plummer: You're not listening. We're not talking about budget. Mr. Vilarello: Twenty-first or the 22nd are available. Board Member Plummer: We're talking about Mr. Weitzel. And that would be on the 21st, a week from today, at 5:00. Chairman Teele: Why don't we do it at high noon? What time is convenient? Board Member Plummer: On Monday, the 21st? Chairman Teele: When are you available, Commissioner Gort? Board Member Gort: I'll be back Tuesday and I'll be able to meet Tuesday night. Chairman Teele: All right, Tuesday... 6 September 14, 1998 Board Member Plummer: That's tough for me. Chairman Teele: Wednesday? Board Member Plummer: Tuesday during the day I can meet. Chairman Teele: He won't be back until the night Board Member Plummer: You won't be back until Tuesday night? Can you make it five o'clock? Board Member Gort: I'll try, see what I... Board Member Plummer: Five o'clock, I can make it without... Chairman Teele: Five o'clock. Board Member Plummer: Yeah. Board Member Gort: See if I could push... Chairman Teele: Tuesday at City Hall. Board Member Plummer: Wherever you wish, sir. Whatever's convenient. Mr. Weitzel: Mr. Commissioner, the reason I objected to the delay, is the CRA has had all these documents from day one. They've been a party to all these negotiations. All the documents are in the hands of the CRA and have been from day one. Board Member Plummer: Mr. Weitzel, you could be very true. They've not been furnished to me. Mr. Weitzel: And I apologize for that but I didn't realize that was my responsibility. So, what is the end result now? Chairman Teele: The end result is, there is an informal request made of you not to close until after this coming... Board Member Plummer: Would be the 22nd. Chairman Teele: The 22nd at 5 p.m. and, at that time, the Commission will vote ... the CRA. Board Member Plummer: And that's assuming that the documents will be provided to me no later than Monday at 8 a.m. Mr. Weitzel: When you say informal, what if I chose to go ahead and close? Chairman Teele: I can't advise you on that. Your attorney can and our City Attorney can. I can't offer you any advice. 7 September 14, 1998 Mr. Weitzel: Fannie Mae called me today and said close. That that was Fannie Mae's position. Board Member Plummer: And I think that's only two hundred and forty-three dollars ($243) out of a million and a half, is that a correct statement? Chairman Teele: That's totally incorrect. Fannie Mae is the only reason this document is closing. If you review the correspondence, I'm almost... Board Member Plummer: I'm asking for the dollar amount. Is it not two hundred and forty-three thousand? Mr. Weitzel: Three hundred and ten. Board Member Plummer: I'm sorry. I stand corrected. Two hundred and eighty thousand out of a million and a half. Chairman Teele: Three ten but their money is different. Board Member Plummer: Well, wait a minute. Now, you know, that bothers me. When the attorney is telling me one figure and you're telling me another, somebody's got to be wrong. Now, who is it? Mr. Weitzel: OK. The amount was changed from two... Board Member Plummer: I didn't ask you. Thank you. I want to know, the attorney said 280. Commissioner Teele said 310. Somebody's got to be wrong. Chairman Teele: I thought... Board Member Plummer: It ain't be me because I didn't make the numbers. Chairman Teele: I thought today Fannie Mae agreed to fund the settlement matter related to one of the partners. Mr. William Bloom: The two hundred and eighty thousand number comes from the partnership agreement, which reflects what Fannie Mae's contribution is. Chairman Teele: You need to come to the... Board Member Plummer: OK. Hey, it's really... it's a small deal but it's just the idea of what I was told. OK. Chairman Teele: Go ahead, Mr. Bloom and say who you are for the record. Mr. Bloom: William Bloom, Holland and Knight and I represent the CRA. The partnership agreement with Fannie Mae coming as a partner reflects a contribution of two hundred and eighty thousand 8 September 14, 1998 dollars ($280,000). Chairman Teele: All right. Again, Mr. Weitzel, I cannot advise you but I think the Clerk is asking that Commissioner Plummer make the motion that we meet on Tuesday... Board Member Plummer: Six o'clock. Chairman Teele: Six o'clock on Tuesday. What is it? Board Member Plummer: The 22nd. Board Member Gort: Twenty-second. Chairman Teele: September 22nd, at City Hall, for the purpose of reviewing the documents or for the purpose of acting on the Poinciana Village Partnership closing, and it's seconded by the Chair. All those in favor say "aye." Those oppose have the same right. The following motion was introduced by Board Member Plummer, who moved its adoption: �[i�i]�i�[i]�I II•Ii; A MOTION SCHEDULING A MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CPA) FOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1998 AT 6 P.M. IN CITY HALL CHAMBERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING CRA BOARD ACTION ON THE PROPOSED POINCIANA VILLAGE PARTNERSHIP CLOSING. 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 Board Member J.L. Plummer, Jr. Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Board Member Joe Sanchez. Board Member Plummer: This meeting adjourned? Chairman Teele: The meeting is adjourned. Board Member Plummer: Thank you, sir 9 September 14, 1998 THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE CITY COMMISSION, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 8:34 P.M. ATTEST: Walter J. Foeman CITY CLERK Maria J. Argudin ASSISTANT CITY CLERK ARTHUR E. TEELE, JR. CHAIRMAN 10 September 14, 1998