Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEOPW OMNI CRA 2002-12-16 MinutesCITY OF MIAMI CRA MEETING MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON DECEMBER 16, 2002 PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK/CITY HALL Priscilla A. Thompson/City Clerk MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST AND OMNI DISTRICTS On the 16th day of December 2002, the Board of Directors of the Community Redevelopment Agency for the Southeast Overtown/Park West and Omni Districts of the City of Miami met at the Double Tree Hotel, 2648 South Bayshore Drive or 1717 North Bayshore Drive, Miami, Florida. The meeting was called to order at 5:23 p.m. by Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr., with the following Board Members found to be present: Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Vice Chairman Johnny L. Winton Board Member Tomas Regalado ABSENT: Board Member Angel Gonzalez Board Member Joe Sanchez ALSO PRESENT: Carlos A. Gimenez, City Manager, City of Miami Frank Rollason, Assistant City Manager, City of Miami Priscilla A. Thompson, City Clerk, City of Miami Sylvia Scheider, Assistant City Clerk, City of Miami Annette Lewis, Executive Director, CRA, City of Miami William R. Bloom, Special Counsel, Holland & Knight David Hernandez, Director, Construction Management, CRA, City of Miami Anna Rojas, Chief Deputy Clerk, City of Miami Chairman Teele: Would you be kind enough as to offer a very brief and appropriate prayer, followed by the pledge of allegiance? Would you please stand? An invocation was delivered by Reverend Nevins, followed by Chairman Teele leading those present in a pledge of allegiance to the flag. December 16, 2002 �,: 1. AUTHORIZE SALARY TO BE RECEIVED BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AS STEP 5 OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION CHART DEFINING EXECUTIVE BENEFITS TO BE RECEIVED BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND OTHER MEMBER(S) OF CRA EXECUTIVE STAFF. Chairman Teele: Board Members, we've received written confirmation that Commissioner Sanchez -- Board Member Sanchez will not be able to join us. Welcome to the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) Board meeting. And this is our holiday meeting, so we are here at the Double Tree, which is within the redevelopment boundaries. Following the meeting, it's my understanding that next door the restaurant, Veranda, will be some social activities afforded to any of us that would like to partake. And so we would like to invite you to the Veranda Restaurant immediately following this meeting. I understand light music, jazz music, et cetera. Before we start, I would like to yield to Commissioner Regalado. Board Member Regalado: Motion to adjourn. Vice Chairman Winton: Very good. Board Member Regalado: Anyway, Mr. Chairman, I -- the Board, you directed me to follow through with the new Executive Director. And I have a resolution that could start the process, in terms of the new direction of the Community Redevelopment Agency. It's a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Southeast Overtown/Park West and Omni Community Redevelopment Agencies authorizing the salary to be received by the Executive Director, as identified as Step 5 of the Executive Compensation Chart, exhibited by Attachment "A"; and further the finding executive benefits to be received by the Executive Director and other members of the executive staff of the CRA, as exhibited by Attachment "B"; further incorporating Attachments "A" and "B" as part of this resolution. I so move. Vice Chairman Winton: I'll second the motion. Chairman Teele: Discussion. Is there objection? Discussion. The only thing that I want to make sure is that Frank Rollason, as the new Executive Director, understands that this is not a City agency. And it is expected that when dignitaries, people come to town, that you will function in the same manner as a corporate officer. And the CRA is not going to accept bills for repayment for dinners, receptions, et cetera. But as an executive, you're expected to handle that on your own. You know, this is not the City. This is the CRA. So, I hope that under the expenses, you know, that those expenses are something you all work out very closely. But the one thing that I've said to each of the directors, we are not going to pay for lunches and dinners and all that. That's on the Executive Director and the executive staff to pay for out of your salary, just so it's on the record. Board Member Regalado: OK. Chairman Teele: Same as if you're working for Wynco, or any other company. 2 December 16, 2002 Board Member Regalado: Now, he has a large -- Frank Rollason (Assistant City Manager): I think it should be "same as somebody else." Board Member Regalado: And I'll see you tomorrow at six. Chairman Teele: All right. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor say "aye." The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. The following resolution was introduced by Board Member Regalado, who moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. CRA/SEOPW 02-175 RESOLUTION NO. CRA/OMNI 02-95 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN PARK WEST (SEOPW) AND OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES AUTHORIZING THE SALARY TO BE RECEIVED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS IDENTIFIED AS STEP 5 OF THE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION CHART EXHIBITED BY ATTACHMENT "A"; DEFINING EXECUTIVE BENEFITS TO BE RECEIVED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND OTHER MEMBER(S) OF THE EXECUTIVE STAFF OF THE CRA AS EXHIBITED BY ATTACHMENT "B' ; FURTHER INCORPORATING ATTACHMENTS "A" AND "B" AS PARTS HEREIN. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Upon being seconded by Vice Chairman Winton, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Vice Chairman Johnny L. Winton Board Member Tomas Regalado NAYS: None ABSENT: Board Member Angel Gonzalez Board Member Joe Sanchez Chairman Teele: All right. That's a very good -- thank you very much for that. 3 December 16, 2002 2. DISCUSSION ON REPORT FROM CRA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REGARDING CRA DIRECTIVES. Chairman Teele: The Consent Agenda, accepting a report from the Executive Director, work in progress. Is there anything that anybody would like to call out on that? Vice Chairman Winton: Well, it isn't in our book anyhow. So, I'm assuming it's an update to the one we had at the last meeting. So -- Chairman Teele: Exactly. Annette Lewis (Executive Director, CRA): That is correct. Vice Chairman Winton: But it'll be in our next book, I've been told, for sure. Ms. Lewis: That is correct. Vice Chairman Winton: Thank you. 4 December 16, 2002 3. AUTHORIZE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO PROVIDE FUNDING REQUEST OF DR. MARVIN DUNN, CHAIR FOR DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY AT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, FOR "ROOTS IN THE CITY" PROGRAM, $76,650 FOR FY'03 FISCAL YEAR.. Chairman Teele: All right. Then Item Number 3 is the Roots in the City. Is Dr. Dunn here? Dr. Dunn, it's an honor to have you here, as always. The program, Madam Director, would you like to just explain it, very briefly? Annette Lewis (Executive Director, CRA): The program is as -- it's a continuation. In December, almost a year ago, we had approved 23,700 for the same program. Because what it aims to do is to not only beautify one of the gateways within the Southeast Overtown area, but it also provides jobs for individuals living in Overtown. And these individuals would face hiring challenges. And, at our last count, we were up to three full-time individuals. That may have changed since -- he's indicating that -- Marvin Dunn: We have five now. Ms. Lewis: Dr. Dunn, there are five now? Mr. Dunn: Yes. Ms. Lewis: And this 7650 represents only a portion -- I think, 37 percent of the total program, which exceeds two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000), which the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) is one of the organizations that's contributing to this program. Chairman Teele: Dr. Dunn. Mr. Dunn: Yes, sir. Chairman Teele: The only thing that I was concerned about is that these are not CD (Community Development) dollars, is that correct? Ms. Lewis: That is correct, sir. Chairman Teele: Well, we need to make sure that we get that in the resolution. Now, what about the retroactive expenditures? Don't you all -- did you have some amount of money that was owed to Miami -Dade Water and Sewer or something in this program? Was that ever handled? Ms. Lewis: Yes, sir. That was handled by a separate resolution of the Board. Chairman Teele: Is there a motion to approve it? Mr. Dunn: May I just comment about the expenditures that you did ask about, though? 5 December 16, 2002 Chairman Teele: Yeah. Mr. Dunn: We do have some retroactive expenditures that we're asking to use a portion of these funds for. We simply did not let people go. We kept them on the payroll. We bought the things that we needed to buy from private funds, and, hopefully, we'll be able to recoup some of those expenses. Chairman Teele: Does the resolution allow for retroactive -- Ms. Lewis: Sir, the resolution addresses this fiscal year, which begins October 1. And from what we have -- Vice Chairman Winton: Which begins or began? Ms. Lewis: Began, sir. Vice Chairman Winton: Oh. Ms. Lewis: I'm sorry. I stand corrected. Chairman Teele: So, October 1 is -- that covers everything? Mr. Dunn: That would help us a lot. Yes, sir. Vice Chairman Winton: I think -- Mr. Chairman, if you don't mind, I think that Dr. Dunn -- I'm sure there are a number of people in the audience who don't understand what this program is and don't have a visual on what you're doing. Would you mind kind of helping people get a visual in terms of what you're doing? Mr. Dunn: Yes, sir. Vice Chairman Winton: Because it's -- once they can see it, they're going to have a real clear understanding what we're doing here. Mr. Dunn: Yes, sir. We -- our main garden is located at the corner of Northwest P Avenue and 141h Street. We planted three of those corners -- three of the four corners at that intersection. We're now attempting to install a holiday display for the season. We've asked for that to be considered as a separate matter, under private funding. We also have another garden at Northwest 14th Street and 7th Avenue, that was funded with money from the Empowerment Trust Allapattah Neighborhood Assembly. And we have another site that we started at the ramp of I- 95, 81h Street northbound ramp. We just started that program about three months ago. It's just beginning. And we have two nursery areas that we are developing. One of those, I might add, is on CRA property, but we just started putting trees on it because it was vacant. Essentially, the men and women who work for us are all from Overtown, as it was mentioned. And these jobs have been carried, for the most part, by FIU (Florida International University). And now we're attempting to broaden the base of support for the jobs that we're providing. We're attempting to 6 December 16, 2002 buy about 600 poinsettias for the season. So, hopefully, that item will be received favorably before the Board. Board Member Regalado: All I can say is that it's beautiful when you drive by I-395. Mr. Dunn: Thank you. Board Member Regalado: It's really beautiful. It's been how many years that we did programs - Mr. Dunn: Fifth year. Board Member Regalado: No, no. You and me, how many years we did programs together? Mr. Dunn: Oh, yes. Board Member Regalado: Twenty. Mr. Dunn: Twenty, at least. Chairman Teele: You want to move it? Vice Chairman Winton: So moved. Board Member Regalado: Second. Chairman Teele: The point that I would make is it's very -- Dr. Dunn is a psychologist, and I really do think that there's a very positive impact on children who are walking to school, who see too many things that children shouldn't see from their residence walking to the school. And I think looking at flowers, subconsciously, helps to prepare a child for a better experience that day. And I really appreciate what you're doing, because some of the things that children see walking to school in Overtown is really not what children should be confronted with. Mr. Dunn: Thank you. Chairman Teele: So I strongly support it. The other caveat is this, is that Murray, the gardener over there on the south side of Overtown, is a part of your program. Mr. Dunn: Yes, sir, he is. He's a consultant to us. He handles our irrigation problems. Chairman Teele: Right. Mr. Dunn: Yes. He works for us. Chairman Teele: And I really would hope that you could continue to work with Murray, but, at the same time, I hope that we could have let -- that you could support Murray's program, as well. 7 December 16, 2002 M Mr. Dunn: Yes, sir. We buy him topsoil. We provide the assistance to him, whatever he requests from us. Chairman Teele: And I know that you've stepped in -- the NET (Neighborhood Enhancement Teams) Office used to do a lot for him, and you all have been doing more. And I just want to make sure that those two programs are not necessarily the same, but they are closely working together and that you continue to work with him. Mr. Dunn: That's correct. Chairman Teele: On the motion, is there further discussion? If not, all those in favor say "aye." The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Chairman Teele: Those opposed have the same right. The following resolution was introduced by Vice Chairman Winton, who moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. CRA/SEOPW 02-176 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO PROVIDE THE FUNDING REQUEST OF DR. MARVIN DUNN, CHAIR FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY AT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, FOR THE "ROOTS IN THE CITY" PROGRAM IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $76,650 FOR THE FY'03 FISCAL YEAR. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) 8 December 16, 2002 Upon being seconded by Board Member Regalado, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Vice Chairman Johnny L. Winton Board Member Tomas Regalado NAYS: None ABSENT: Board Member Angel Gonzalez Board Member Joe Sanchez Mr. Dunn: Thank you. 9 December 16, 2002 4. AUTHORIZE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE 6,908.18 TO SETTLE DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAXES AND SPECIAL ASSESSMENT FEES, $5,836.18 AND $248.00 IN ACQUISITION OF 842-48 NW 3RD AVENUE; FURTHER TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FROM FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (FDOT) IF SAID PROPERTY IS LATER UTILIZED SOLELY FOR `TRANSPORTATION' PURPOSES BY FDOT. Vice Chairman Winton: Move 4. Chairman Teele: Motion. Seconded by Commissioner Regalado on delinquent property taxes, et cetera. All those in favor say "aye." The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Chairman Teele: All opposed? The following resolution was introduced by Vice Chairman Winton, who moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. CRA/SEOPW 02-177 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE SOUTHEAST/OVERTOWN PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (SEOPW CRA) AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE FUNDS NOT TO EXCEED $6,908.18 TO SETTLE DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAXES AND SPECIAL ASSESSMENT FEES IN THE RESPECTIVE AMOUNTS OF $5,836.18 AND $248.00 IN THE ACQUISITION OF 842-48 NW 3' AVENUE FOLIO NUMBER 01 01030401010; FURTHER TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (FDOT) IF SAID PROPERTY IS LATER UTILIZED SOLELY FOR `TRANSPORTATION' PURPOSES BY FDOT. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) 10 December 16, 2002 Upon being seconded by Board Member Regalado, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Vice Chairman Johnny L. Winton Board Member Tomas Regalado NAYS: None ABSENT: Board Member Angel Gonzalez Board Member Joe Sanchez 11 December 16, 2002 5. ESTABLISH ACCOUNTING PROJECT NUMBERS FOR COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT AND COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT LOAN PROGRAMS, FURTHER AUTHORIZE TRANSFER OF BUDGETS RELATING TO PROJECT AND PROGRAMS ACTIVITY. Chairman Teele: Item Number 5 is a commercial revitalization. This has been up for five times now. Annette Lewis (Executive Director, CRA): No, sir. This item, as well as Item 6 -- Chairman Teele: Six. Ms. Lewis: -- and there is a handout that supports this request. All this does, sir, is establishing the accounting projects. So this will be set up in our ledgers as a result of the last 18 months that I've been involved at the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). What I've found is that we have projects, but there's no indication on the books or in the record as to the purpose of the project. Even though Items 5 and 6 is not necessary at this level, what it does is set an audit trail for the organization, sir. And that's all we're doing. Chairman Teele: By way of background, this program has been moving through the CRA and the process for over two and a half years. In fact, we promised the people who moved out of Mr. Yukon's building a year ago, that they would get support under this program, which has not happened because all of the authorization hadn't been done. But, in effect, this is to help businesses with commercial equipment. And it's been called the "Lend/Lease Program" and several other programs. But the goal here is to try to help barbershops, shoe shine shops, et cetera, get equipment so that they can operate more efficiently, et cetera. And I think it's a good work. On Item Number 5 -- Vice Chairman Winton: Move 5. Board Member Regalado: Second. Chairman Teele: Is there objection? All those in favor say "aye." The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. 12 December 16, 2002 The following resolution was introduced by Vice Chairman Winton, who moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. CRA/OMNI 02-96 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ESTABLISHING ACCOUNTING PROJECT NUMBERS 686010 AND 686011 FOR THE COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT AND COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT LOAN PROGRAMS RESPECTIVELY, FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF BUDGETS RELATING TO PROJECT AND PROGRAMS ACTIVITY AS AUTHORIZED BY FY '03 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET, RESOLUTION NO. 02-74 AND MOTION M-02-75 AS PASSED AND ADOPTED ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2002. (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: Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Vice Chairman Johnny L. Winton Board Member Tomas Regalado NAYS: None ABSENT: Board Member Angel Gonzalez Board Member Joe Sanchez 13 December 16, 2002 6. ESTABLISH ACCOUNTING PROJECT NUMBERS FOR COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT AND COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT LOAN PROGRAMS, AUTHORIZE TRANSFER OF BUDGETS RELATING TO PROJECT AND PROGRAMS ACTIVITY. Chairman Teele: And Item Number 6. Vice Chairman Winton: So moved. Six is the same as 5, just one for Omni and the other's for Overtown. Annette Lewis (Executive Director, CRA): That's correct. Chairman Teele: One's for Southeast Overtown, is that correct? Ms. Lewis: That is correct, sir. Vice Chairman Winton: So 6 is for Southeast Overtown/Park West. Five is for Omni. So moved. Board Member Regalado: Second. Chairman Teele: Is there objection? All in favor say "aye." The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. The following resolution was introduced by Vice Chairman Winton, who moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. CRA/SEOPW 02-178 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (SEOPW CRA) ESTABLISHING ACCOUNTING PROJECT NUMBERS 689010 AND 689011 FOR THE COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT AND COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT LOAN PROGRAMS RESPECTIVELY, FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF BUDGETS RELATING TO PROJECT AND PROGRAMS ACTIVITY AS AUTHORIZED BY FY '03 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET, RESOLUTION NO. 02-147 AND MOTION M-02- 148 AS PASSED AND ADOPTED ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2002. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) 14 December 16, 2002 Upon being seconded by Board Member Regalado, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Vice Chairman Johnny L. Winton Board Member Tomas Regalado NAYS: None ABSENT: Board Member Angel Gonzalez Board Member Joe Sanchez Chairman Teele: Commissioner Winton, it's my understanding that you wanted the program in Omni. When the program was initially authorized, it was only authorized for Southeast Overtown/Park West and, you know, I just wanted to do that. 15 December 16, 2002 7. DIRECT INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO MEET WITH NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND CITY'S DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO SEE IF THEY WILL HELP DESIGN LOAN PROGRAM FOR CRA. Chairman Teele: Item Number 7, is this the item regarding -- the item that was deferred from the last meeting? Vice Chairman Winton: Yes. Annette Lewis (Executive Director, CRA): Yes, sir. And this was based on the request to have loan terms and a policy, which is being handed out right now, sir. Chairman Teele: All right. You just want to give us, essentially, what the -- Ms. Lewis: The concern, if memory serves me, was the eligibility and the terms or the interest rates. And, as you can see, to be eligible, you have to be private for -profit businesses located within the boundaries of Southeast Overtown/Park West and the Omni Redevelopment area. Those are based on a first come, first served basis, and it's based on the relationship to the mission and the objectives of the existing redevelopment plan for the respective area. The amounts, of course, are subject to approval by the Board, but that will be based on recommendation from staff. The loan or line of credit, the upper limit will be 55,000. And what I'm recommending is that the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) does not fund more than 25 percent of the project amount. The lower limits of -- or the minimum loan will be fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000). The equity requirements will be, of course, three to one, which means that the business would have to put up at least 75 percent of the total request, and the CRA, of course, will consider the other 25 percent. And the 75 percent can be in the form of cash, property, and/or equipment. Skipping down to collateral, which addresses the property and/or equipment, it will be evaluated to ensure that the property and/or equipment should not experience substantial depreciation over the life of the loan. The terms of the loan will be either 20 years -- up to 20 years or based on the life of an existing lease. Now, the 20 years will apply if -- Chairman Teele: Is this for equipment? Ms. Lewis: No, this is for construction, because you have a separate equipment -- commercial equipment policy. But we will accept equipment as collateral. Chairman Teele: I'd ask that the item be deferred. Let me tell you. I don't want the CRA to become a loan agency. I thought we were loaning on equipment. This request that came in on -- Ms. Lewis: W.H.E. aka (also known as) SAKS on the Beach. Chairman Teele: Yeah. That was a unique thing, but I really would like to study what you're doing. Because this policy sounds great for Omni, but it sounds horrible for Southeast Overtown. 16 December 16, 2002 4. Ms. Lewis: OK. Chairman Teele: I mean, it's just a world of economic differences. Vice Chairman Winton: Well, as -- Chairman Teele: I did not review this document. I apologize. Vice Chairman Winton: Well, as I told Annette, I said -- you know, I saw this thing the same time you did, which is just now. And in -- particularly, in situations like this, I thought it was valuable to hear what Annette -- let her walk us through this. But this is the kind of thing that you really do need to -- you look at it, you talk about it a little bit, and then you've got to go to think about it, because there's lots of different ways to look at these things and you don't want to create a program that you can never use because it's too restricted. You don't want to -- and, conversely, you don't want to create a program that is so loose that you never get any of your money back either. So there's a balance you have to strike here, and I have -- you know, I just don't have a clue whether this is -- this does any of those things or not. It's the kind of thing that you need time to think about. So I'm in favor of -- now that we have this in front of us, I'm all in favor of deferring it and -- although I'm not opposed to having some dialogue right now, just to hear what people think. Chairman Teele: I'm not opposed to having dialogue, but let me say this, Commissioner. I strongly believe that the CRA should not involve itself heavily in loans for a lot of reasons, for a lot of reasons. We started out with lending equipment. It's a world of difference where we buy some equipment, like a shoe shop -- a shoe lather or whatever they call them that the guy needs there, and we lease it to him or something. That -- you know, we're paying 100 percent of it. The guy is going to use it. We get our money back. We get more job activity going on and all of that. I think, you know, if the CRA staff is recommending that we have a loan program, then, I, for one, would say let's ask National -- Ms. Lewis: NDC (National Development Council). Chairman Teele: NDC to come in, design a program. Let's try to figure out how to leverage our money with their money. We could probably leverage three to one. Let them run a loan program. But, you know, loans are something -- when a governmental agency loans money, the potential liabilities that would not be, if you borrowed the money from the bank on the borrower, are such that I don't want to put anybody in harms way on that. I mean, I would have no problem working maybe with a not -for -profit, in some cases, et cetera. But I just think that the City of Miami should take the responsibility for loans and not the CRA. And, remember, the CRA operates concurrently with the City. We don't operate separately from the City. And if there's an overwhelming need for a loan program, I think we ought to work with the City and National -- what is that? Ms. Lewis: NDC, National Development Council, sir. 17 December 16, 2002 Chairman Teele: National Development Council, or some appropriate not -for -profit. But I am adamantly opposed to the CRA going into the loan business. Vice Chairman Winton: Well, look at the City's loan program. I mean, it ultimately got closed down because it couldn't be managed. Chairman Teele: But every municipal loan program, the County loan program, the airport, all these programs get closed down, because to access them, you can't be credit worthy. You've got to be turned down by a bank, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. And I'd much rather do grants and try to tie it to job creation than to do loans. So, if we could defer this item, and I would request that you bring the National Development Council in and see if they've got a program. Don't they have -- they used to have a program -- what was that, Grow -- Ms. Lewis: Grow America, sir. Chairman Teele: Where we could put up 100,000, they'll put up 200,000 or something like that. Ms. Lewis: There is -- we had discussed that in our last meeting, and we do have some sources that we can consider to work with that program that they have available, sir. Chairman Teele: What's the leverage? Ms. Lewis: There is five to one, sir. Chairman Teele: We put up one, they put up five? Ms. Lewis: We put up one. It can loan up to five. Chairman Teele: But they would run the program? Ms. Lewis: That's correct. Vice Chairman Winton: I like that. Ms. Lewis: Grow America assumes all the responsibility of the underwriting and the servicing of the loan, sir. Chairman Teele: Well, I hope you could meet with them, and try to get some discussion with that and meet with Community Development, as well. Ms. Lewis: OK, sir. Chairman Teele: And see -- because I don't even mind putting up money and letting the City work off some of the leverage. In other words, if we do a program that's a three -level program with the City, the CRA, we put up money, they -- you know, they can get some of the leverage off of it and, you know. 18 December 16, 2002 Ms. Lewis: They're due back in January, and we'll -- I'm sure that that's a part of their discussion. Vice Chairman Winton: I like that. Chairman Teele: But they run those programs? They administer the loans. Ms. Lewis: Grow America -- all we will, for simplicity's sake, is give them the source and they do everything else. And, as a matter of fact, they -- think we get even a two percent return, potentially, even after they've done all the servicing and underwriting. 19 December 16, 2002 8. AUTHORIZE ADVANCING OF $150,000 FY '03 CRA BUDGETED PROJECT FUNDS TO CITY FOR PREPARATION OF PD&E FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF NORTHWEST 11TH STREET BETWEEN BISCAYNE BOULEVARD AND NORTHWEST 5TH AVENUE. Chairman Teele: All right. Item Number 8. Annette Lewis (Executive Director, CRA): Item Number 8 is the lltn Street improvements that had been -- that the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) has approved in the fiscal '03 budgeted projects and funds. Chairman Teele: Is the Public Works Director available? Is there anybody here from Public Works -- City Public Works? Is the Manager or the Assistant Manager that has capital in Public Works -- Board Member Regalado: But that's not CIP (Capital Improvement Project), is it? Chairman Teele: Well, I don't know how the -- Frank Rollason (Assistant City Manager): I think it will. I think design and everything will go over -- will be in the CIP department. Those things that we historically think of being as Public Works have been combined in all these capital projects in the CIP. Chairman Teele: All right. Let's -- Board Member Regalado: The PDE (Project Development & Environment) -- Mr. Rollason: Right. And they do the design, or they will contract out and do the design with a consultant. Chairman Teele: All right. Let's be real clear what we're talking about. We're talking about advancing a hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) to the City of Miami. Ms. Lewis: Correct, sir. Chairman Teele: Or -- Vice Chairman Winton: For design and engineering. Mr. Rollason: Right. Chairman Teele: For design and engineering on 1 It" Street. Ms. Lewis: That is correct. That's -- Chairman Teele: And that's from Biscayne Boulevard down over to P Avenue? 20 December 16, 2002 Mr. Rollason: Fifth, I think. Ms. Lewis: Our -- Chairman Teele: Fifth Avenue. Ms. Lewis: Correct. Our project has it as 51h Avenue, sir. David Hernandez (Director, Construction Management, CRA): And I'm sorry. With one note: Northeast, Northwest 1 lth Street, between the Boulevard and Northwest 5th Avenue. Chairman Teele: OK. Mr. Hernandez: Northeast, northwest. Chairman Teele: From the Boulevard through Northeast through Northwest 5th Avenue? Mr. Rollason: Right. Mr. Hernandez: That is correct. Ms. Lewis: That is correct. Vice Chairman Winton: I'll move it. Chairman Teele: Moved. Where's Tomas? Second. Is there objection? All those in favor say aye. The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Chairman Teele: Those opposed have the same right. 21 December 16, 2002 The following resolution was introduced by Vice Chairman Winton, who moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. CRA/SEOPW 02-179 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SOUTHEAST/OVERTOWN PARK WEST (SEOPW) COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE ADVANCING OF UP TO $150,000 FY '03 CRA BUDGETED PROJECT FUNDS TO THE CITY OF MIAMI FOR THE PREPARATION OF A PD&E FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF NORTHWEST 11TH STREET BETWEEN BISCAYNE BOULEVARD AND NORTHWEST 5TH AVENUE. (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: Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Vice Chairman Johnny L. Winton Board Member Tomas Regalado NAYS: None ABSENT: Board Member Angel Gonzalez Board Member Joe Sanchez 22 December 16, 2002 9. AUTHORIZE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CRA CONSULTING ENGINEER TO UPDATE EXISTING ARCHITECT ESTIMATES ASSOCIATED WITH RENOVATION AND EXPANSION PROJECTS OF THREE OVERTOWN BUSINESSES AWARDED UNDER COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT PROGRAM; AUTHORIZE GENERAL COUNSEL TO UPDATE GRANT AGREEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID PROJECTS TO REFLECT LEGISLATION ADOPTED BY BOARD AND INCORPORATE UPDATED FEE ESTIMATES. Chairman Teele: All right. Item Number 9. Annette Lewis (Executive Director, CRA): Item Number 9 is authorizing our consulting engineer to work with our architects to update the estimates for the three businesses in the Commercial Revitalization Grant Program. That's currently Jackson Soul Food, Two Guys Restaurant, and Just Right Barbershop. We have executed grant agreements that are based on figures from 2000. So, we would like to have the consulting engineers and the architect review the material and update the numbers, as well as the agreements, but that will be a later item. Also, we -- the Board has had several other resolutions since 2000, which we also need to look at and update. Chairman Teele: OK. Can this be amended to require that the report be in January? Ms. Lewis: Yes, sir. Chairman Teele: At the next Board meeting. Ms. Lewis: We can do that, sir. Chairman Teele: This is just authorizing the consulting engineer, that they -- did you move it? Vice Chairman Winton: No. I'll move that. Chairman Teele: Seconded by Commissioner Regalado, provided that this is back before us in January with the updated numbers. We cannot continue to -- for whatever reasons that there are holds on these, we've got to move them forward. And I'm imagining that the project numbers are going to increase dramatically, based on these delays, at least in one or two (INAUDIBLE). Ms. Lewis: Yes, sir. Based on our initial reviews. Chairman Teele: All right. All those in favor say "aye." The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Chairman Teele: Opposed? 23 December 16, 2002 The following resolution was introduced by Vice Chairman Winton, who moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. CRA/SEOPW 02-180 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SOUTHEAST/OVERTOWN PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CRA CONSULTING ENGINEER TO UPDATE THE EXISTING ARCHITECT ESTIMATES, CURRENTLY DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 2000, ASSOCIATED WITH THE RENOVATION AND EXPANSION PROJECTS OF THREE OVERTOWN BUSINESSES AWARDED UNDER THE COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT PROGRAM ("CRSGP"); FURTHER AUTHORIZING GENERAL COUNSEL TO UPDATE THE GRANT AGREEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID PROJECTS TO REFLECT LEGISLATION ADOPTED BY THE BOARD, AND INCORPORATE THE UPDATED FEE ESTIMATES BASED UPON THE SCOPE OF SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED. (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: Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Vice Chairman Johnny L. Winton Board Member Tomas Regalado NAYS: None ABSENT: Board Member Angel Gonzalez Board Member Joe Sanchez 24 December 16, 2002 10. DEFER PROPOSED RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING LIFTING OF RESTRICTIONS THAT LIMITS EXPENDITURE TO COST OF ACQUISITION OF WARD ROOMING HOUSE, LOCATED AT 249 NW 2ND AVENUE, Chairman Teele: Item Number 12 -- I'm sorry, 10. Annette Lewis (Executive Director, CRA): Number 10 is authorizing the lifting of restrictions on Resolution 00-133. What 00-133 -- Chairman Teele: Did you brief Commissioner Sanchez on this? Ms. Lewis: I -- we spoke with his Chief -- Chairman Teele: I think that item should be deferred until he's present. He's the one who put those restrictions on it. Ms. Lewis: OK. Chairman Teele: But let me say this, for the record. The Ward Rooming House is a historic property. It doesn't matter who owns the property. The project is an eligible project. In other words, there's no reason to restrict the use of CD (Community Development) or TIF (Tax Increment Fund) funds on this project, because it's a 100 percent historic preservation project. The problem is this, just so that everybody's aware. Land -- getting clear title of land in a redevelopment area -- there are encyclopedias that have been written about this in law manuals -- it is a nightmare. The reason that most urban core areas stay the way they are is you can't get clear title to land. Now, we've instructed the outside counsel to clear this title over a year ago. So, you want to tell us where we are on the title, Mr. Bloom? William Bloom (Special Counsel, CRA): Yes, sir. Yes, Commissioners. There are still numerous outstanding title -- estate issues that have to be clarified, as you said, in many redevelopment areas, because the land has small dollar values, large families. What's happened in numerous cases is people died without wills. They had, in one case, eight children. Of the eight children, numerous of the children had died, again, without wills. And you have to probate each and every one of these estates, and you have to find all their heirs to be able to get all the necessary sign -offs to be able to clear a title. Vice Chairman Winton: What if you don't -- what if you can't do that? I mean, what if you never get all those sign -offs? Mr. Bloom: If you don't get all those sign -offs, those individuals' heirs still have rights to that property. So, they may only have a two percent or five percent interest in it, but they're the legal owner of the property. Now, the issue is -- Chairman Teele: No. You didn't answer his question. What if you don't get those sign -offs from those two percent and one percent heirs? 25 December 16, 2002 0 Mr. Bloom: You have a risk, that they eventually will come back out of the woodpiles and say, "Hey, wait a second. I own that property." In reality, these people have no clue that they have any assets, and, therefore, the chances of them coming back are diminimous to the extent you would approve the property and you're going to resell it, someone would review the title and would raise the same issues that we raised when we were buying it in the first place. I'm not sure, though, Commissioner. At the end of the day, when you've done all your searches for the heirs, I believe there has to be a means of having guardians appointed for unknown heirs to get to the bottom of it. You can't just get to the point you've tried and you just -- you know, you can't find all the kids. Chairman Teele: Realistically, this could take another two years, right? Mr. Bloom: Yes, sir. Vice Chairman Winton: Is that right? Chairman Teele: Yeah. Mr. Bloom: The estimate I got from my (UNINTELLIGIBLE) people was nine months. Vice Chairman Winton: Nine months more? Mr. Bloom: Right. Chairman Teele: Realistically, it could take nine months. It could take two years. And you know what -- Vice Chairman Winton: And what does that mean to us? Chairman Teele: I'll tell you what it means. It means that, at the end of the day, the reason land in redevelopment areas never gets developed is that nobody can afford the legal costs, with all due respect, to doing it. It's going to cost us more in the legal fees than it costs us to buy the building. Vice Chairman Winton: By a long shot. Mr. Bloom: I mean, you're looking at the numerous people that have 3.89 percent interest in a lot. The lot may be worth twelve thousand dollars ($12,000). So their interest at three percent of it is so diminimous that there's no reason for anyone to ever bother, except, obviously, we have to -- Vice Chairman Winton: But we -- we're trying to clear title because we're going to do something -- presumably, someone's going to do something next. What is the "next" we're going to do, which is going to require the clear title? 26 December 16, 2002 Chairman Teele: That's a very -- Mr. -- Commissioner, that is a very important question. And that is the question, I think, that this Board failed to look at, when we really approved this delay. I had no objections to giving the lawyers a chance to do it. The answer to your question is, the Ward Rooming House, which was slated and is still under a demolition order, should have been demolished. OK. But for the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) saying, "This building was built in 1915, 10, 20, somewhere in that area. It was a historic property. It was a historic hotel rooming house. We don't want it destroyed." So we've secured the building. We probably have spent three or four of five, six thousand dollars ($6,000) re -securing the building. We run the homeless out every two or three months, et cetera. We painted it. But it stands as a tower of blight in the heart of the -- it's on 9th Street and 3rd -- and 2nd Court. It stands as a tower of blight. So we're sitting here holding on to a piece of blighted property, which has historic value. Now, what are we going to do? We're going to fix the building up. The original plan calls for to turn it into an art gallery, and it's going to be a historic property. If Donald Trump owned it, we could do it, and we could give Donald Trump the grant. So my view is, there is no downside, at all, to spending the money to restore the building, because it's going to be used for a public purpose. And if somebody comes up later on -- it's not like we're going to build a forty million dollar ($40,000,000) hotel, you know, for private use. Then you do have a problem with the two percent interest coming in. Mr. Bloom: Now, the other thing you should be aware of, when we bought the property, we only dispersed to the people who gave us deeds, based upon their percentage interest in the title. And so the balance -- the sales proceeds is in escrow. So when we find someone, it's real easy to say Vice Chairman Winton: Well, actually, that's what I was going to say. Mr. Bloom: We would check for -- Vice Chairman Winton: Isn't there a way for us to set up an -- Chairman Teele: We did. Vice Chairman Winton: -- interest (INAUDIBLE) escrow account, so that if these people show up 25 years from now, it's sitting there and they can be paid off? Mr. Bloom: The issue is, though, the people that we haven't found never agreed to the sales price. It's as if, you know, you and a cousin owned a piece of property -- Vice Chairman Winton: I understand exactly. So -- Chairman Teele: But if we were using -- if we were going to sell this for a development, I would still say let's take the time to do it. But we're not going to sell this for a development. We're going to use this for a public amenity, like a library, like a public building, so there's no downsides to this. Vice Chairman Winton: Well, at least, minimal. 27 December 16, 2002 Chairman Teele: Certainly minimal. Vice Chairman Winton: And that's why setting up -- maybe set up a higher reserve account, that I'm talking about, that can -- that's just an insurance policy 25 years from now. Ms. Lewis: Sir, to add, in terms of Community Development dollars, this would qualify as a public facility under the historic preservation portion of the CFR, sir. Chairman Teele: Which means, again, the Community Development dollars will underwrite this, even if it were a private purpose. Vice Chairman Winton: OK. Chairman Teele: But I think, out of respect for Commissioner Sanchez -- Vice Chairman Winton: Yeah, I agree. Chairman Teele: -- we should defer the matter, and then try to bring it up and move forward on it. 28 December 16, 2002 11. DEFER STATUS REPORT ON ATHALIE RANGE #1 DOMINO PARK. 771 Chairman Teele: Number 11. Annette Lewis (Executive Director, CRA): Number 11, I will defer to Ms. Arscott-Douglas, who is our Planning Administrator. Chelsa Arscott-Douglas: Number 11 is a status report on Athalie Range #1 Domino Park. It was requested by Board Member Sanchez at the October 29th meeting. In your packet -- Chairman Teele: Well, we need to defer, if he requested it. But let me just say this. I strongly object to the CRA (Community Development Agency) now trying to rename parks. That park was never named. Was that the official name of the park? Ms. Arscott-Douglas: Actually, the name of the park is Athalie Range #1 Mini Park. We're not renaming it. Chairman Teele: But that's not the way this title reads. Ms. Arscott-Douglas: No. If you look in the package, it's actually Range #1 Park and we have it as a domino park component. Chairman Teele: Yeah, but let's be careful we don't start, you know -- as we take license, that we don't start renaming parks, OK? Could we defer this to Commissioner Sanchez, since he requested a report? All right. 29 December 16, 2002 12. ACCEPT OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN AND OVERTOWN GREEN -PRINT THAT WAS COMMISSIONED BY TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND (TPL); AUTHORIZE CRA TO PROVIDE UP TO 50% OF COST, TO IMPLEMENT BOTH PLANS. Chairman Teele: Item Number 12. Annette Lewis (Executive Director, CRA): I'll defer to Ms. Douglas again. Chelsa Arscott-Douglas: Number 12 is a resolution formerly accepting the Overtown Greenway Plan and Green Print Plan. At our last Board meeting, a motion was made to accept the plat, in principle, and to fund up to 50 percent of the implementation costs. We have Dr. Marshall here from the TPL (Trust for Public Land), who can answer any questions relating to both plans. And, basically, the plans are consistent with our existing Overtown/Park West document, as well as with the amendment. We inducted a plan by Dover Kohl and Partners, our planning consultants, and it serves to link Overtown to all the other greenway areas planned for the City, including the Miami River Greenway and the (INAUDIBLE) and other key areas of the City. Chairman Teele: Doesn't this include Park West? Ms. Arscott-Douglas: It does include Park West, yes. Chairman Teele: All right. Ms. Marshall -- Brenda, are you here? Dr. Marshall. Vice Chairman Winton: I have one question. Did you get -- did you figure out whether or not this plan for the Southeast Overtown/Park West and Omni areas is the twenty-four million dollar ($24,000,000) ticket or is it the eight? Ms. Arscott-Douglas: I think that's a question Ms. Marshall can answer. Brenda Marshall: The actual greenway itself, which connects from the 12th Avenue bridge along 1 lth Terrace, drops down to the 91h Street Pedestrian Mall to Bicentennial Park. The estimate for the entire project is eight million. The pilot project, though, that everyone penned a consensus on, at least starting initially, is that area on 1Ith Terrace, between the two schools. And the idea that came from the community is exactly what you were saying, Mr. Chairman. They wanted a safe, more attractive way for the children -- Chairman Teele: Aesthetically common. Ms. Marshall. Exactly -- to cross between the two schools. Maybe I should just briefly explain the difference between the two plans, just so you have that clear. Chairman Teele: Which one are we -- is before us today? Ms. Marshall: Both of them, actually. 30 December 16, 2002 Vice Chairman Winton: Yeah. And see, what's important is that, since we passed a resolution before and said we'll fund 50 percent of the cost of implementation, you know, this is a minor detail. So I think we need to have a very clear -- you know, maybe we've got the cart before the horse. So -- Chairman Teele: We sure do. (INAUDIBLE) eight million dollars ($8,000,000). Vice Chairman Winton: Yeah. So -- Ms. Marshall: We'll keep seeking grant funds. The main plan -- Chairman Teele: It's Brenda Marshall. Ms. Marshall: It's Brenda. Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Can you please just state your name for the record, so we'll have a complete record on (INAUDIBLE). Ms. Marshall: I'm Brenda Marshall. I'm Associate State Director for the Trust for Public Land. The overall Green Print Plan -- and, again, this was funded by the Knight Foundation -- was really to look at the entire Overtown community, to look at the improvement of the physical, social, and economic quality of life of the residents of the neighborhood. It was a very involved public process, conducted over about four or five months. Workshops, group meetings, interviews, community presentations, a public survey. We had a Steering Committee comprised of people -- a very broad cross-section of the community. And the Green Print Plan was really looking at the community as a whole. And it's -- if you will, it's green infrastructure need. And there were eight major issues that the community came forward with. One was to renovate their existing parks. Actually, Overtown is blessed with a number of good City parks, but they do need to be renovated. Develop community gathering places, community pathway, a new neighborhood park, and we've actually started with this on the acquisition of two lots adjacent to the YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association) for a new playground in Southwest Overtown. Work on the existing sidewalk network, and to really, also, emphasize the Black Heritage Trail. The two remaining components -- that's what we've really started working on already -- develop greenway and to develop gateways and community gardens. And the greenway, then, is this plan of the major greenway connecting from the Miami River at the 12`h Avenue bridge, through the community, past all the major assets in the community, and ending at Bicentennial Park. The Gateway and Community Gardening ProT am. We hope that you would come tomorrow morning at 11, to the corner of 14'h Street and 3' Avenue, where we're going to have the unveiling of our first of our gateway signs. We've been working with Dr. Dunn on the beautification of these areas and that's part of the program, the overall Green Print Program that we're beginning to initiate. Chairman Teele: I think, though, it's really important, between Ms. Arscott and yourself, that the CRA's commitment is couched not in terms of the total project, but in the context of the CRA eligible activities. So, I still need an approximate cost of what this is as it relates to the CRA. 31 December 16, 2002 Ms. Marshall: And we can certainly come up with that. Much of this -- Chairman Teele: The number you all threw out was eight million dollars ($8,000,000), you said? Ms. Marshall: For the total building of the greenway. Vice Chairman Winton: But I think you've got to -- Brenda, I think what Commissioner Teele said is right. I think -- and I know -- recognize it's going to be a little extra work, but the only way we can get it figuring out how much our contribution over a period of time will be, is to understand what's really eligible. And y'all are going to have to break that out some way or another. Ms. Marshall: OK, and we'll do that for you. Vice Chairman Winton: I mean -- because I've looked at these numbers, the two big numbers, the 24 and the 8, and, you know, I can't figure out what's eligible and what's not eligible. And that's just going to create a big problem for us. Ms. Marshall: OK. And we'll certainly work on that. Vice Chairman Winton: Thank you. Ms. Marshall: You're right. It's going to be over a period of time, and we'll continue -- and especially, I think you know that we'll use the local dollars to leverage as many grant funds -- Vice Chairman Winton: Right. Ms. Marshall: -- as we possibly can. Chairman Teele: Ms. Green. Rosa Green: Rosa Green, 415 Northwest 6th Street, Miami. I know you guys are tired of seeing me, and I'm tired of coming down here. But I think it's terrible that these people come up with all these big figures and want to do all these great things for Overtown, and they haven't even consulted with the community over there. I don't know that young lady. I've never seen her. I go to all the meetings over there. And, furthermore, we don't need no more greenway, gardens, flowers, bushes. We need economic development. We have thousands of young girls, who are actually over there, that don't have no work. They're contemplating putting them out of the projects. They don't have high school --even high school education. I just can't believe that we have Commissioners that can't seethe forest for the trees. I mean, this is awful. I'm totally concerned because I am those people. In my family, I have these young girls. I have a lot of people over there. They don't even have any jobs. And, mostly, it's public housing over there. And when those people move out of there -- and for years -- for 10 years, I know, they've been coming down here getting money to plant flowers on the side of the Department of Transportation. They need to go stand in that line and pull them up and plant them again. What 32 December 16, 2002 kind of foolishness is that? And money is being wasted. People don't have jobs. They can't pay their rents. They're uneducated. None of the parks in Overtown have a fence around it. If a ball rolls in the street, the kids could get killed. And nobody seems to care. The streets are filthy. I mean, I do see a little improvement, thanks to you, Commissioner Teele. I see the little -- cute little bus bench. I just hope you put a few more over there, because we could use some on 61h Street. And, thanks to you, I hear that that's your project, Commissioner Winton, the bowling alley. I just hope I'm not too old that I can't roll a ball down there. Chairman Teele: That ain't his project. That's my project. Vice Chairman Winton: Absolutely right. That was not my project. Chairman Teele: Tell you that right now. Ms. Green: It is your project? Chairman Teele: Yes, ma'am. Ms. Green: See there. I'm glad I said it in this meeting. Chairman Teele: Three million dollars ($3,000,000). Go ahead. Ms. Green: OK. All right, Mr. Teele. Chairman Teele: And they've committed -- Ms. Green: See, that's why I didn't sign the papers. Just keep on now. Keep on. Chairman Teele: -- to hire residents from Overtown. Ms. Green: OK. That's what I'm talking about. Because I'm telling you -- Chairman Teele: Ms. Green. Vice Chairman Winton: Yeah. Chairman Teele: Let's do this, though. Let me get Ms. Marshall back up. Ms. Green: Yeah. Because I don't even know Ms. Marshall. Chairman Teele: Hold on just a minute. Ms. Green: She talking about eight million dollars ($8,000,000). Chairman Teele: Ms. Marshall -- no, no. Ms. Marshall, you made the presentation. Just come on up now. Have you all presented this to the Overtown Advisory Board? 33 December 16, 2002 Ms. Green: No. Ms. Marshall: Yes. Chairman Teele: Ms. Green -- just please answer, Ms -- Ms. Marshall: Yes, we have. Chairman Teele: Did you all get a vote on that or a decision on that? Ms. Marshall: Yes. They approved the plan. Chairman Teele: It was my understanding and I read minutes of a meeting in which this was presented, and it was overwhelmingly supported. But let me say this, Ms. Green. You have your perspective, and I respect it, and you're right about some things. Jobs and economic development are the key. But the way -- one of the ways we're going to revitalize Overtown is, we've got to get more people to come back to Overtown , to use our restaurants, to use our barber shops, beauty shops. I mean, if you go and you talk to the people that own the shoe shops, the beauty shop, the biggest problem they've got is getting people to come in and use the facility and the infrastructure, lighting and all that. One of the things that a greenway is going to do is, it's going to have people beginning to move through, to walk through. It's going to become like a new highway, but it's going to be a pedestrian highway. And so, what we're asking you to do is work with us. If you've got some specific proposal that you would like to make -- and I would invite you to work with our staff -- and let's deal with those proposals. This proposal has very little to do with what you're saying. For example, in the bond initiative, we put up how much money for greenways, three million dollars ($3,000,000), two million -- two million dollars ($2,000,000). Somebody's going to get that money. And I, for one, am not going to let all the money go to District I or District 2 or District 3 or District 4. Some of it's got to come to District 5. And so, I don't want to be associated, you know, with the view that we don't want money for greenways, because greenways are going to be a part of the new infrastructure of this City. There's going to be a greenway from the mouth of the Miami River all the way to the Miami Airport almost. And we need to be on the ground floor of where this City is going. This City's going to wind up spending 20, thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) on greenways over the next 10 or 15 years. Ms. Green: That's right. And if these people don't find some jobs, I mean, who's going to use the greenway? Because they're already saying now the plan is to get all the Black people from Overtown and put a whole new bunch of people over there. So, I mean -- Vice Chairman Winton: Where do you think the jobs -- Ms. Green: -- a lot of stuff is being spreaded over there. Vice Chairman Winton: Ms. Green, where do you think the jobs are going to come from? Where are the jobs going to come from? 34 December 16, 2002 I.. Ms. Green: Well, if they do -- Vice Chairman Winton: How are the jobs going to get there? Ms. Green: If they build some buildings with the millions of dollars -- Vice Chairman Winton: If you build some buildings, what's going to get a job into a building if you don't build it? Ms. Green: And put some things in there that you can train these people. Because if they undereducated, they're going to have to be trained to do these things. And if you don't have the facilities to train them -- because just the other day they had a -- Vice Chairman Winton: Aren't there training facilities -- Ms. Green: -- a job fair. Vice Chairman Winton: There are a number of different training facilities -- Ms. Green: And think about the pedestrian mall that we have there that is a pink elephant. Vice Chairman Winton: Do you want to hear -- Ms. Green: And I voiced that to Commissioner Teele. Vice Chairman Winton: Do you want to hear something back from us, Ms. Green? Ms. Green: Yes, sir. Vice Chairman Winton: Or do you just want to -- Ms. Green: No. But you asked a question. I was trying to answer it, Commissioner. Vice Chairman Winton: Thank you. Ms. Green: Little man with the big voice. Vice Chairman Winton: That's clearly me. Ms. Green: Yes, sir. Vice Chairman Winton: There are training facilities scattered around Overtown currently, a number of different kind of training facilities. The key is to figure out how you're going to get jobs into the neighborhood. You're not going to get jobs into the neighborhood until you create an environment in the neighborhood that makes employers want to come and start a business. 35 December 16, 2002 And it could be an entrepreneur that's from the neighborhood, it could be a business from outside the neighborhood. And it's things like fixing the sidewalks, improving lighting, creating greenways, creating parks that are safe, getting the drug dealers off the streets, cleaning up the trash; all of those things go together in an effort that makes -- creates an environment that makes businesses want to come in. And when you get businesses that come in, you end up with jobs. If you don't do all of those things and do them simultaneously -- and there's long histories of that all over this country -- you will see that there was failure in generating economic development, because the people who want -- you're going to create an environment that creates jobs because somebody's trying to make money. Whether it's an entrepreneur from within the neighborhood, whether it's an entrepreneur from another neighborhood, or whether it's a corporation from somewhere else that decided to come in and invest in the neighborhood, their mission in life is to make money. And the byproduct of that is the creation of those jobs. And if you don't have the appropriate environment, which is all of these things -- and none of them happen overnight. None of them -- we have to work at it and work at it hard. Whether it's in Park West, whether it's in Overtown, whether it's in Little Havana, whether it's in Lemon City, we have to do all of those kinds of things in our City that's going to make these jobs come. And I'm probably as frustrated as you are about the fact that we haven't made more progress than we've made. But I could tell you, at least from where I sit, I think there's a lot of pushing to make those kinds of things happen. If there wasn't any pushing, we wouldn't have any conversation about the Greenway Plan. There wouldn't be any conversation about the drug busts that have gone on recently to help run the drug dealers out of the damn neighborhood so we can take it back. Commissioner Teele's effort to create parking lots, which has been hugely controversial, and everybody really upset about this whole parking lot thing -- and, if you remember, I was not enthusiastically supportive of the idea of starting off with parking lots. But I can tell you, from an economic development standpoint, whether it should have been the first thing or the fifth thing, it should have been in the range of one to five. Because if you don't have parking for businesses, you don't have any customers that are going to go to the business, because it's a pain in my rear end to go to the business because I don't have any place to park. These are all elements in a bigger process that ultimately gets us to a point where jobs start coming back. And, Ms. Green, you just look at some of the stuff -- you know, is it on the fringes? Yes, it's on the fringes. But look at the kind of businesses that are beginning to come in, some right on the edge of Overtown in Overtown, some of them in Park West, some of them in Omni West, where there's more and more businesses beginning to come. They're not coming by accident, Ms. Green. They're coming because this body and the City of Miami Commission has taken a lot of tiny little steps trying to create the environment that will bring more people here. There's people sitting in the audience here that have bought property, in particularly, in Park West and Omni West, not necessarily in Overtown. They come to me and yell at me constantly because we're not doing more to get the -- clean up the streets and spend more money on infrastructure and do all those things. But I can't -- you know, I, for one -- I've been here only three years. Ms. Green: That's right. Vice Chairman Winton: I think we've made a hell of a lot of progress in this City, including these neighborhoods, in only three years. But I'm no magician. I can't wave a magic wand and make all the bad stuff that's happened in the last 30 years go away in three. But I can work with Dr. Dunn. I can work with other people that are trying to take those individual little steps that 36 December 16, 2002 make the neighborhood a better place to walk in, to live in, and to feel better about. And as we take those little steps, over time, they add up, they add up and add up. And in five years, two more years from now, I will guarantee you, Ms. Green, you're going to see real byproduct of these efforts. You're going to see them in the form of the bowling alley that's going to hire jobs. And I'm shocked that the bowling alley's coming, by the way, and I had absolutely nothing to do with it. Chairman Teele: You don't know the whole deal on the bowling alley. Vice Chairman Winton: But those are the kinds of things that we're encouraging to go on in these neighborhoods, that's going to lead to more jobs -- real jobs coming, that are accessible to the citizens of Overtown. We're not going to get all this done overnight. You're going to be frustrated, I'm going to be frustrated. But I'm telling you, we're taking the steps to make this thing work. Chairman Teele: The issue is the Overtown/Park West Greenway Plan. Are there further comments on the Overtown Greenway Plan? Dr. Dunn, yes. Mr. Dunn: I just wanted to make a comment about the public process, through which the plan was approved at the community level. I was a member of the committee. I went to, I think, all of the meetings. Brenda Marshall was at all of those meetings. She was at none. So -- Chairman Teele: Hold it, hold it, hold it. There's no need to get -- Mr. Dunn: Excuse me. Not to interrupt you. Let me just finish what I'm saying. Chairman Teele: No need to start pointing -- Mr. Dunn: I'm just saying -- Chairman Teele: Make your comments to us. Mr. Dunn: The meetings were held. They were public. Ms. Marshall was a part of that. Several other folks in the community were. And I just wanted to confirm that fact. Chairman Teele: All right. Yes, sir. Ms. Green: Can I -- Chairman Teele: Hold on, Ms. Green. Let's let everybody else speak, and then we'll give you -- Ms. Green: OK. Because I wanted to say something to Commissioner Winton. Charles Cutler: Good evening, distinguished community leaders and fellow concerned citizens of this community. My name is Charles Cutler. As you know, we are living in some very trying times. The City of Miami and District 5 remains to be the poorest district of this size in urban 37 December 16, 2002 America. We do not expect a quick fantasy of -- to occur overnight. However, the CRA has, in the past, addressed the Black community in a restive and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) distorted manner. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) leadership has led to a myopic view, associated with the perfidious stereotypes of the past. Freedom, justice, and equal access economic opportunity must be ubiquitous throughout this entire community, in order for us to develop and become a mecca of tourism and international trade. The current chicanery involved in the landing of City contracts and the structure that they have produced is a ubiquitous -- is a -- no. Excuse me -- is a lugubrious reminder of the economic apartheid that exists in this community. Now, Mr. Winton has said that you're making some inroads. That's true enough. But what we're not doing, we're not really addressing the issue of racism here, because you -- economic development is occurred in this community. However, all of the buildings that's going up in this community, they are being structured by people that's not even residents in this community. And, as a result of that, since that's the model of what you're seeing, we don't -- we're not even sure that we're going to even be a part of this bowling alley and anything else that you're doing. Because with the structures that you're putting up now, you're not even hiring people within the community. The Hispanics are getting the majority of the contracts and we're getting little or no activity, period. Chairman Teele: All right. This is on the greenway. Are there any other comments on the proposed greenway? Ms. Green, did you want to just close, please? Very briefly. Ms. Green: Yes, sir, I wanted to close. And I wanted to say to Commissioner Winton, I will agree there has been a lot of progress since you have been on that Commission Board there, but we're talking like 25 years of little by little, OK? And that big building, when you come down off of Northwest 8ch Street, right across from the Lewises, it has been vacant for ten years, to my knowledge. The big three-story eyesore there. This is your exit to go to the arena. Vice Chairman Winton: The green one. Ms. Green: Well, you could call it green. Chairman Teele: OK. But let's stay on the greenway, Ms. Green. Ms. Green: OK. But I'm just saying about the progress. He's promising us a lot, and he's talking five years from now. The time is now. Vice Chairman Winton: I said two more. We've been in it three. I said two more, Ms. Green. Chairman Teele: Right. Vice Chairman Winton: And that's exactly what I said. Ms. Green: Yes, sir. But I hope somebody will try to give us some consideration, because all we get now is really promises. And those cornfields over there is so distracting. And that little school there, the Rosa Parks School, needs a fence around it. We need -- take that seventy-eight thousand dollars ($78,000) and put a fence -- 38 December 16, 2002 Chairman Teele: Ms. Green. Ms. Green, we're -- Ms. Green: I'm just tired. Chairman Teele: This is the CRA. You know that area's way outside of the CRA jurisdiction. And even the green building, which I don't know why the City Attorney -- Ms. Green: What about the parks? We don't have a park there with a nice fence around it. Vice Chairman Winton: No. Ms. Green: And the dust bowl over there, where you want to spend over a quarter of a million dollars ($250,000), under the Department of Transportation, the dust bowl, which is called Dorsey Park, has been a dust bowl since I was a girl. You know, if you really want to improve parks and recreation in City's -- I mean, in the inner city -- and we're right downtown, but we're so well overlooked. And we need something done now, not, you know, years from now. And I really think the last thing you consider -- I'm going to say this one more time -- is flowers and plants. We need some economic development. Vice Chairman Winton: Well, we don't happen to agree on that. Chairman Teele: All right. On the motion regarding Number 12, moved by Commissioner Winton. Board Member Regalado: Mr. Chairman, what are we -- Chairman Teele: Item Number 12 -- Vice Chairman Winton: Just accepting the plan, right? Chairman Teele: -- is accepting the plan. Vice Chairman Winton: So moved. Board Member Regalado: But not the funding? Vice Chairman Winton: No. Board Member Regalado: Not approving the funding. Chairman Teele: No. Vice Chairman Winton: No. Just accepting the plan. Board Member Regalado: OK. I'll second it. 39 December 16, 2002 Chairman Teele: All those in favor say "aye." The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Chairman Teele: Those opposed? The following resolution was introduced by Vice Chairman Winton, who moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. CRA/SEOPW 02-181 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SOUTHEAST/OVERTOWN PARK WEST (SEOPW) COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADOPT THIS RESOLUTION FORMALLY ACCEPTING (1) THE OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN AS DETAILED IN EXHIBIT "A" AND (2) THE OVERTOWN GREEN -PRINT AS DETAILED IN EXHIBIT `B" THAT WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND (TPL); FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CRA TO PROVIDE UP TO 50% OF THE COST, TO IMPLEMENT BOTH PLANS SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS. (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: Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Vice Chairman Johnny L. Winton Board Member Tomas Regalado NAYS: None ABSENT: Board Member Angel Gonzalez Board Member Joe Sanchez 40 December 16, 2002 13. AUTHORIZE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO PROVIDE IN -KIND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SANDWICH BAR L.L.0 IN PREPARING AND EXPEDITING APPLICATION TO CITY'S ZONING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR WAIVER OF CITY'S OUTDOOR DINING REGULATION FOR GILT'S CAFE & BAKERY, LOCATED AT 30 NE 14TH STREET. Chairman Teele: Item 13 and 14 involves technical assistance and in -kind support for the -- helping to expedite the applications with Zoning and Public Works, for a waiver of outdoor dining. And this is in the Omni area. Ms. Lewis. Annette Lewis (Executive Director, CRA): Yes, sir. These items are in -kind and technical assistance only, as you mentioned. The first one, which is 13, was to expedite an application of the Gil's Caf6 and Bakery so that they can open. They had planned originally for December of 2002, but, of course, that has to be amended. And their applications are currently placed with the City of Miami Zoning -- Building and Zoning Department. Chairman Teele: Is there any particular assistance -- sir, would you give us your name and address for the record? Is there any particular assistance that you're requesting from the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency)? Gil Terem: Yes. My name is Gil Terem. My address is 757 Northeast 77th Terrace, in Miami. First of all, Commissioners, ladies and gentlemen, I'm very proud to announce the first cafe in the Omni area. It's been a while since anything's been open in the neighborhood, and I see it as the first step to reviving (INAUDIBLE), Park West, the Omni, and Overtown. The assistance I'm asking right now is for the in -kind assistance and promoting for the opening that -- this is what is stated was postponed to January. Chairman Teele: What is the assistance you need from the City? In other words, we are very eager and happy to help any property owner get their business open. That's one of the things that we think is our role, to assist the private sector in dealing with government. What is it, in particular, that you're looking for from us? Mr. Terem: I've been investing in this project so far more than six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000). Now, we're opening the caf6 there. And next to me there will be open, also, a lounge, moving from the Design District down to the Omni. What I'm asking is help with the equipment, some security expenses that I have in order to maintain the place, the condition of the neighborhood. Right now, I'm asking for some help in promoting the place and getting the word that there is a new business in the neighborhood. Chairman Teele: Well, let me tell you this. What's before us in Number 13 is getting a waiver -- is to help you to get a waiver from the City Outdoor Dining Regulation, and that's the only item that we're voting on on Item Number 13. Now, do they have that waiver? Have you all talked to Planning Department? And is there going to be a problem with that? 41 December 16, 2002 Chelsa Arscott-Douglas: Yes, we're talking with the Planning Department and also Building, because there are two different -- depending on where he needs the waiver -- because he has a lot next to the restaurant, where he doesn't have outdoor dining. And if he plans to have it on the sidewalk, it's two different departments who are responsible for those dining regulations. We're working with -- Chairman Teele: Two different departments of the City? Ms. Arscott-Douglas: Yes. One is Public Works and one is Planning and Zoning. Chairman Teele: And this resolution will authorize the CRA staff and our consultants to work with the City in getting the process moved forward? Ms. Arscott-Douglas: Yes, sir. And -- Chairman Teele: That's all that's before us now. Mr. Terem: Commissioner, if I may? Board Member Regalado: One second. Mr. Chairman. How much you said you invested, eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000)? Chairman Teele: Six hundred. Board Member Regalado: Six hundred? Mr. Terem: Six hundred. Board Member Regalado: Six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000). Mr. Terem: I bought the building, and the renovation, and the opening of the restaurant now, yes. Board Member Regalado: How many seats do you plan to have? Is it outdoor/indoor cafe -- Mr. Terem: Well -- Board Member Regalado: -- restaurant? Mr. Terem: It's -- the building, as a whole, is 5400 square feet. I'm using about 1/3 of it for the cafe and restaurant. And the seating would be in front of the cafe, on the sidewalk, but I'm using my area. I'm not using the City area. And I'm also using the lot behind me as a garden patio, and inside. Altogether, we're going to start with about 50 to 42 December 16, 2002 60 seats, and then we'll move -- if everything would be all right and needed more, so we'll move to more seating. Next to me, there will be a lounge. Chairman Teele: OK. Let -- the resolution that is before us is on this one. We have two resolutions. One is to help you get a meeting with the City Public Works and Planning process and our staff, to make sure that what you're proposing is consistent with the long- term and short-term plans of the CRA, and to explain that to the City staff. Vice Chairman Winton: I'll move that resolution. Chairman Teele: Move. Will you second it? I'll be happy to second it. Board Member Regalado: I'll second it, but -- Vice Chairman Winton: That's the resolution on in -kind services to get -- Chairman Teele: That's the resolution that's before us. Board Member Regalado: Yeah, I know that. But we need to modify the resolution -- Chairman Teele: No. I don't want to -- Board Member Regalado: -- to include Building Department. Because he is talking about -- you're only saying Zoning and Public Works. Vice Chairman Winton: It should be any -- Chairman Teele: It should be the appropriate agencies of the City of Miami. Vice Chairman Winton: Exactly, instead of identifying them. It should be any and all agencies within the City of Miami. Board Member Regalado: Any and all. Chairman Teele: Any and all. Yes, sir. Board Member Regalado: OK. I'll vote for that. Chairman Teele: All right. Further discussion? All those in favor say "aye." The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Chairman Teele: All opposed? 43 December 16, 2002 The following resolution was introduced by Vice Chairman Winton, who moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. CRA/OMNI 02-97 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO PROVIDE IN -KIND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SANDWICH BAR L.L.0 IN PREPARING AND EXPEDITING AN APPLICATION TO THE CITY OF MIAMI ZONING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR WAIVER OF THE CITY'S OUTDOOR DINING REGULATION FOR GILTS CAFE & BAKERY, LOCATED IN THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT AREA AT 30 NE 14TH 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: Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Vice Chairman Johnny L. Winton Board Member Tomas Regalado NAYS: None ABSENT: Board Member Angel Gonzalez Board Member Joe Sanchez 44 December 16, 2002 14. AUTHORIZE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO PROVIDE IN -KIND ASSISTANCE IN PROMOTING GILTS CAFE & BAKERY AND COORDINATE OFFICIAL GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY WITH CITY OFFICIALS UPON COMPLETION OF RENOVATION PROJECT. Chairman Teele: Now, on Item Number 14, you're asking for in -kind and technical assistance and support in the -- Vice Chairman Winton: In money. Chairman Teele: -- in announcing the project, and trying to move it forward and catapulting. It's a good thing. Board Member Regalado: Mr. Chairman. And that is why I'm asking. I think -- I don't know. I think that the purpose of the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) is precisely that. Chairman Teele: Yeah. Board Member Regalado: And I really think -- what you're asking, I don't know if we can give it. You're asking for permanent security -- Chairman Teele: But that's not what's in the resolution. Board Member Regalado: But that's not -- but what I'm seeing here is to give you assistance in promoting Gil's Cafe and Bakery, and coordinating an official ground breaking ceremony with City officials. What I really think we could do is, the day of the opening, the City could and should provide security, parking facilities. And the CRA should get involved in promoting the opening, and we should get involved by getting the help of the NET (Neighborhood Enhancement Team) Office, of the CRA Office, in order to promote here at the Grand Doubletree. All the community, the Edgewater community. Because I think, you know, if you were to do a mailing to the impact area, it would cost you several thousand dollars. We can do that through the NET Office, through the CRA, in order to promote the -- as a matter of fact, I think that you should wait after we have the ceremony on Margaret Pace Park, because that could be a place that we could promote, too, with signs, one of the new businesses in the area. So, I think that, Mr. Chairman, we should have -- I don't know. Is Hilda -- Chairman Teele: Hilda's back there. I see her walking around. Board Member Regalado: Yeah. OK. Well, she's there. I think, you know -- Mr. Chairman, I think that we should get Hilda. She understands what I'm saying, in terms of marketing to help this and other -- any other business. I think there are two here. Is it one or two? Yours is Gil's -- Mr. Terem: I'm talking about the cafe. Board Member Regalado: Caf6 and bakery, right? 45 December 16, 2002 Mr. Terem: Yes. Board Member Regalado: The other is a sandwich shop, which is not -- Mr. Terem: No. It's the same. Board Member Regalado: It's the same. Mr. Terem: It's the same one. Board Member Regalado: Well, anyway, I think the CRA should get involved, because it falls within the impact area. Chairman Teele: So do you want to move it? Board Member Regalado: Yeah. I'll modify, asking the Executive Director to get a point person to work with them, and decide on the opening, and the ceremonies and the needs that you will have for the opening. Vice Chairman Winton: Second. Chairman Teele: All right. And I take it that means coordinating with NET, coordinating with the Police Department? Board Member Regalado: Absolutely. Absolutely. Chairman Teele: All of that. And those are the kinds of things that I think are most appropriate for us to do. On the motion, all those in favor, signify by the sign of "aye." The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Chairman Teele: All opposed have the same right. The following resolution was introduced by Board Member Regalado, who moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. CRA/OMNI 02-98 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO PROVIDE IN -KIND ASSISTANCE IN PROMOTING GILI'S CAFE & BAKERY AND COORDINATING AN OFFICIAL GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY WITH CITY OFFICIALS UPON COMPLETION OF THE RENOVATION PROJECT. 46 December 16, 2002 (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Upon being seconded by Vice Chairman Winton, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Vice Chairman Johnny L. Winton Board Member Tomas Regalado NAYS: None ABSENT: Board Member Angel Gonzalez Board Member Joe Sanchez Annette Lewis (Executive Director, CRA): Sir, if I could interject, before we move on to the next item. Just for your information, this is -- Gil's Caf6 has a three-part request into the CRA, and the third is a loan component. But as these two were non loan items, we're still reviewing the third portion of it. So that will appear on the -- hopefully, January. Chairman Teele: I hope you heard, I am not in favor of making loans. If it's business, if it's -- I mean, the City of Miami has a loan program and everybody needs to be referred. We don't need to try to take over the City's role. The City has a loan program. The CRA is within the City, et cetera. If it's a commercial equipment kind of thing, then I think those are the kind of tailored programs that we can provide to expedite the redevelopment. But I think we need to be very careful opening up this loan stuff. Because when a businessman makes a loan with government, every -- we're a government agency. And the fact of the matter is, is that the things that happen in the normal commercial process could very well be a crime, when you're dealing with governmental agencies, I mean, technical things, you know. Mr. Terem: Yeah. Well, I asked for a grant and loan. So I'll be happy to take grant, instead, for the equipment. Chairman Teele: Yeah. Mr. Terem: Thank you. Chairman Teele: Thank you. I'm very supportive of commercial support for equipment. 47 December 16, 2002 15. REAFFIRM INTENT OF CRA BOARD TO LEASE PARKING LOT P-7 TO BLACK ARCHIVES; INSTRUCT SPECIAL COUNSEL AND INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO COME BACK. WITHIN 30 DAYS WITH LEASE TO FACILITATE P-7 FOR PRIMARY USE BY LYRIC THEATER. Chairman Teele: Item Number 15. Are you here on the Lyric Theater? Leroy Jones: No, Commissioner Teele. If I can have 30 seconds? Chairman Teele: We'll give you some time. Mr. Jones: OK. Chairman Teele: But let's hear from the agenda -- Lyric Theater, if it's all right. Thank you. Valerie Robinson: Good evening. I'm Valerie Riles -Robinson. I'm the Interim Executive Director of the Black Archives. And this evening we're here to give you an update on the expansion of the Lyric. Originally, as you know, we were going to expand on the north, east, and south side. Since then, we've decided, because of the pending land issues, to phase the project. So we will begin -- Phase I schematics, in fact, are being completed at this moment. And a part of the schematics, one of the things you talked about was creating a space that is inviting to tourists, and one that will increase the amenities to the residents of Overtown. The expansion Phase I will have a retail gift shop, and it will have a concessions area, as well as more bathrooms and things like that. We have the project architect here, Richard Heisenbottle, who has some schematics to share with you. And he will detail them a little bit more. Richard Heisenbottle: Well, Valerie's going to assist me in the detailing a little bit more, because she's going to go right up to the front of those boards and point out all the things that I try to explain. First, on the site plan that's in front of you, you'll see that on the very south side is the property that used to be called Parking Lot -- what parking lot number? That was a parking -- 7? Seven. In any event, we are here to ask you to lease the Black Archives History and Research Foundation that parking lot, so as to provide necessary load -in and load -out to this theater, as well as to provide close -- Chairman Teele: I thought we had instructed staff to work with you all to arrange for an appropriate use. The concern was the absolute sale of the parking lot on that -- for a non- commercial activity. Have we not done this three or four times? Mr. Heisenbottle: We -- Commissioner, if I may? We have discussed it here, and there was, in fact, a vote. At that vote, if I recall correctly, you had instructed staff to arrange for a lease, a long-term lease to the Black Archives. Now that has not ever happened, and, frankly, we'd like you to reaffirm it tonight and tell us it's going to happen. It's really important to provide the additional staff parking, the loading to the theater -- Chairman Teele: Is there any reason that this has not happened, Mr. Bloom? 48 December 16, 2002 Mr. Heisenbottle: -- and the handicapped parking. Chairman Teele: Hold on. We'll absolutely reaffirm it. There's no issue on that. William R. Bloom (Special Counsel, CRA): Commissioner, in reviewing notes from various meetings on this particular issue, at times there were issues raised by the Board, with respect to the rights of adjoining property owners -- not adjoining property owners, but the properties across the street from the Lyric Theater, to also have rights with respect to those -- Chairman Teele: See, the concern that everybody -- where's Mr. Judy? Is Dick Judy still here? Mr. Judy. Look, you all need to -- please. Everybody that's on staff, you all need to pay attention to what's going on here, please. The concern that we have, and that we've had, is that there are more parking lots in Overtown behind fences. And with all due respect to the churches and the religious leaders, everybody wants to have their own parking lot, OK? So we've got three churches right in that area with parking, and nobody can access it. Our goal is to try to get some of this parking available for commercial activities. In other words, the various not -for - profit entities have a lot of parking already controlled. In fact, some of the land even belongs to the CRA. The concern was -- and we're dealing with this issue from the Poinciana Village people -- was to try to create a parking lot that would have a primary use for the Lyric Theater, but would have a nonexclusive use. In other words, any time the Lyric Theater wants it. But we've got problems with the longshoremen, for example, parking too close to the -- and they use the lot anyway, in the mornings, in any event. So what we were trying to get was some multiple uses, as opposed to everybody just saying, "I want my parking lot." That's what we've done in the past. The parking lot at Greater Bethel AME (African Methodist Episcopal) is largely owned by the CRA. Nobody really knows that, but we own it. And, again, we can't even get access. We can't even talk to them about it. They don't even pay us a rent on it, probably. But the fact of the matter is, we need to make a clear commitment, I think, on P-7, that's the parking lot that has a lot of commercial value. People use it to park for the arena right now, et cetera. I don't know who gets the money. I assume that -- Vice Chairman Winton: Is P-7 the one on the south side of the Lyric? Chairman Teele: P-7 is -- Vice Chairman Winton: Is that the one we're talking about? Chairman Teele: -- the one adjacent to and on the south side of the Lyric. Now, P-7 also has a -- it was formerly a service station, right? And that was the whole issue, that nobody's ever done all the things that need to happen there. Vice Chairman Winton: No Phase II done? Chairman Teele: No, sir. Mr. Heisenbottle: Phase II is not done. 49 December 16, 2002 Chairman Teele: But could -- would you be willing -- would you preside? Let me yield. And I would like to move that the CRA Board reaffirms and instructs the special counsel, counsel, and the Executive Director to come forth with a lease, within 30 days, to facilitate P-7 for the primary use by the Black Archives, preserving whatever necessary -- consistent with all of the discussion that has gone on over the last three years. Mr. Bloom: Commissioner, to give you an example, Off -Street Parking operates a parking lot adjacent to the Coconut Grove Theater. It's a public parking lot. However, the theater has priority when there are events at the theater -- Mr. Heisenbottle: There are a few situations with that, that we have said it in the past, are unacceptable here. One of those situations is we need, desperately, to expand this stage house. Anyone that has been on -- and I think all of you have been on the stage of the Lyric. It is too small to do what this theater needs to do. So that parking lot does provide us a level of stage expansion. Valerie can point out where that occurs. Down the road, after we deal with the issues of remediation, we would, in Phase II -- assume we would also get that alley closed -- expand the stage to make this house workable, Counsel, for everyone. And I failed, I'm sorry, to give my name. My name is Richard Heisenbottle, President of R.J. Heisenbottle Architects, and one of the architects for the Lyric Theater project. Vice Chairman Winton: You know -- Chairman Teele: I move, again, that a legal document be presented at the Board that is satisfactory, in principle, to the Black Archives, that includes leases, easements, and whatever other legal instruments are necessary to facilitate the primary use by the Lyric Theater of P-7. I would so move. Vice Chairman Winton: I will second for discussion. Board Member Regalado: OK. We have a motion and a second. Board Member Winton. Vice Chairman Winton: I guess I see this issue, maybe, just a little differently than you, Commissioner Teele, in that I see the Lyric Theater, particularly as they get the ability to do the expansion they need to do, which then puts them in a position to get the kind of ongoing consistent programming that you need to make that successful. I see this lot maybe a little differently. I, frankly, wouldn't mind seeing this lot go -- I don't care if we do a minimal long- term, long-term lease or whether we transfer title of the land to the Lyric. But I see this as an opportunity for them to generate revenue from the parking to support a crucial not -for -profit entity in the community. Chairman Teele: I don't object to that, at all. There has been tens of thousands of dollars being made on this parking lot, for which the CRA, the City, nor the Black Archives is -- they're nameless, faceless people in the community that look forward to events. And I drive by everyday and say, you know, "Hey. I'm not going to get in everybody's business." 50 December 16, 2002 Vice Chairman Winton: Whether it's the arena that needs the parking or whether -- frankly, whether it's the longshoremen across the street that needs the parking during the day. Chairman Teele: But I don't object to that. I don't object to the lease agreement providing for that. Vice Chairman Winton: OK. Chairman Teele: And if they can manage it. Vice Chairman Winton: OK. Fine. I just wanted to understand. OK. Chairman Teele: I don't have that as a concern. Somebody's got to manage it, and I don't think that it should be the CRA. Vice Chairman Winton: Right. Chairman Teele: I think it should -- very well could be the Black Archives. I just think it needs to be accountable. Vice Chairman Winton: OK. And I agree. Board Member Regalado: I just want to say something. Thank you, again. I just want to say something. The Lyric, it's a beautiful, beautiful theater, with great acoustics. Everything is fine, from the stage up to the door. From the stage inside is a disaster. It's no good. You never are going to get a good act at the Lyric, until and unless you have dressing rooms in the back, you have comfortable stairs, you have a large stage. Because if you were to do an opera or whatever, there is no way you can do it at the Lyric. So I think that the priority is to expand, and the only way that they can expand is to the back and to the south of the theater. Chairman Teele: Actually, the north is where their main expansion is going to be. The whole vacant lot -- Board Member Regalado: Right. Right. Mr. Heisenbottle: The stage expansion is, as Commissioner's suggesting, in both directions, but also to the south. The load -in will also be to the South, because right now, there is no way to load in. Board Member Regalado: Because, you know -- because let me tell you. I know a little about theaters. I've done a lot of programs in theaters. That stage is not a working stage. It's no use for anything, other than a solo singer with a guitar. Mr. Heisenbottle: Exactly (INAUDIBLE) change. 51 December 16, 2002 Board Member Regalado: Other than that, it is nothing. So, you know, for me -- your priority and our priority should be go ahead with expansion, and let's work on expansion. And then when you expand, you will need the parking lot. Meanwhile, nobody's going to go. Vice Chairman Winton: Call the question. Board Member Regalado: OK. We have a motion and a second. All in favor say "aye." The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Board Member Regalado: It passes, Mr. Chairman. The following motion was introduced by Chairman Teele, who moved for its adoption: MOTION NO. CRA/SEOPW 02-182 A MOTION REAFFIRMING THE INTENT OF THE CRA BOARD TO LEASE PARKING LOT P-7 TO THE BLACK ARCHIVES; FURTHER INSTRUCTING SPECIAL COUNSEL AND THE INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO COME BACK WITHIN 30 DAYS WITH A LEASE TO FACILITATE P-7 FOR PRIMARY USE BY THE LYRIC THEATER. Upon being seconded by Vice Chairman Winton, the motion was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Vice Chairman Johnny L. Winton Board Member Tomas Regalado NAYS: None. ABSENT: Board Member Angel Gonzalez Board Member Joe Sanchez Vice Chairman Winton: So that's in three days they have to bring that back? Chairman Teele: They have 30 days to come up with the right kind of documentation, leases, easements, whatever is necessary. Ms. Robinson: Thank you very much. Chairman Teele: Dr. Fields, I -- Dorothy Fields: We were here two years ago, Christmas, and so we're happy to be here again. We appreciate all that you do. And it's not easy for you, and it's not easy for us. But we all have the same goal. And thank you. 52 December 16, 2002 Chairman Teele: Well, I tell you. I'm really concerned that this has not moved forward. What about -- is there an issue on the environmental? Ms. Fields: Yes. Chairman Teele: Let's put that on the table now. What is the status of the Phase II? Ms. Fields: Well, they've had remediation, I think. They've gone for the second level of remediation, but there's another that has to be done. Vice Chairman Winton: Well, then, they must have done a Phase II if we're doing remediation. Chairman Teele: Somebody gave me a note. CRA advanced Phase II remediation. Get reimbursement from the City. What does the City have to do with this? Chelsa Arscott-Douglas: Yes, sir. The discussion from our -- over the last two years, the discussion was that the City had acquired the property -- Chairman Teele: Oh. Ms. Arscott-Douglas: -- and, in the process, they should have paid for those costs. And, if anything, the CRA could advance the funds and seek reimbursement from the City for those costs. Vice Chairman Winton: Well, it just seems tome we need to expedite whatever we're doing and get the damn thing -- get the thing -- you know, get it remediated. Chairman Teele: I think -- Vice Chairman Winton: And do whatever testing we have to do and remediate the thing, and figure out who's -- Chairman Teele: I think a motion from either -- instructing the staff to move forward with the remediation, to advance the funds, and to negotiate with the City after this is all over. Vice Chairman Winton: So moved. Now that includes -- because I don't know where we are in the process. So if my motion would say, check the records to determine what kind of environmental testing we've done, get the right level of testing done to make sure we know what the environmental issues are, and if we already happen to know that, then bring us back a price in terms of what the remediation would cost so we could approve that. And if we don't, we need to get pricing on the remediation so we can approve that. Board Member Regalado: Second. 53 December 16, 2002 Mr. Bloom: Based upon what we know, that there was a Phase I -- obviously was a gas station -- requires further testing, which was not done. So we can go forward with a lease, at this point -- Chairman Teele: Has the Phase II been done? Annette Lewis (Executive Director, CRA): No, sir. Ms. Arscott-Douglas: No, sir. Chairman Teele: But we instructed it be done. Ms. Arscott-Douglas: Yes, sir. It was instructed to the B & A (Bermillo Ajamil) firm and it never moved forward. Vice Chairman Winton: So, do we need a new motion to get a Phase II done on this site? Chairman Teele: Well, if they've got a motion already -- Vice Chairman Winton: An old motion. Chairman Teele: -- an old motion, they just need to move forward on it. Board Member Regalado: But did they get paid? Chairman Teele: No. Mr. Bloom: And B & A wouldn't do it now. So you would have another consultant, who's going to -- Chairman Teele: They can pick somebody off of the miscellaneous list. Vice Chairman Winton: Absolutely. Ms. Lewis: Sir, we can select ATC, our environmental engineer. Vice Chairman Winton: Well, whoever is on our approved list, y'all just make a decision and get it done. Chairman Teele: But, Mr. Manager, the issue -- Unidentified speaker: (INAUDIBLE) is on your list now, John. Chairman Teele: Yeah. Mr. Manager, the issues is this: The City bought the lot that we're talking about, and -- but we don't need to argue between the City and the CRA. Vice Chairman Winton: No, not now. That's later. 54 December 16, 2002 Chairman Teele: You know, obviously, we've got a right to come back or whatever. But the fact of the matter is, it's owned by the CRA now, right? Ms. Lewis: That is correct, sir. Chairman Teele: So, let's just go ahead and do it. Vice Chairman Winton: Get it done. We can deal with the City later. OK. Mr. Heisenbottle: Who, from staff, is going to be the point person on the ATC, because guess who's got to follow up on it? Unidentified speaker: David, right? Ms. Lewis: Cesar Calas. Chairman Teele: The consulting engineer should be Cesar Calas, and he works directly with David Hernandez. Vice Chairman Winton: And David will be point. Chairman Teele: So David Hernandez -- Mr. Heisenbottle: David's fine. Chairman Teele: -- through his last day here. What's your last day here, David? David Hernandez: The 6th Chairman Teele: Through the 6th of January? Then make sure you pass it over to Mr. Rollason. Mr. Hernandez: We'll get it done before then. We'll work together. Vice Chairman Winton: OK. Chairman Teele: OK. Vice Chairman Winton: Next. Chairman Teele: All right. Item number 17. Vice Chairman Winton: We didn't to vote on it. Chairman Teele: Vote on what? 55 December 16, 2002 Board Member Regalado: We did vote on it. Vice Chairman Winton: No. The second motion we decided we didn't need, because they already had an authorization to do this stuff. So we started off on a motion, but we decided we didn't need it, because it had been authorized 14 years ago or something. 56 December 16, 2002 16. DIRECT INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO PREPARE WRITTEN RESPONSE TO ALL OF MR. LEROY JONES' CONCERNS ON REQUIREMENTS OF CRA COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION AND COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT LOAN PROGRAM. Chairman Teele: All right. Items 16, 17, 18, and 19, but let's defer a moment and hear -- Vice Chairman Winton: Sixteen, 17, 18, 19. I only have 16 and 17. Chairman Teele: Sixteen and 17, 18 -- let's just hear from Mr. Jones. Mr. Jones, you're recognized. Leroy Jones: Leroy Jones, Neighbors & Neighbors, 180 Northwest 62nd Street. I know I came a little late and missed -- I don't know what you all decided about the Community Equipment Loan Program policy. But I have a copy of the draft here, and I want to take one minute to give the Commission and staff a few things to look at for consideration. Chairman Teele: CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) present. Mr. Jones: CRA. OK. On Section 5, where it says the applicant will be required to submit a monthly report. The applicant must be required to submit a monthly report in the five years of the quarterly report each year thereafter, until the duration of the remaining five years of the term of the loan agreement. That means someone has the authority to come in there and request -- or the applicant have to submit a monthly report based on the equipment that they got. It's kind of a little harsh to ask small businesses to do every month. The next thing -- that was "C." Number " B" is the property and liability insurance. Well, liability insurance, in areas like Overtown and Liberty City, is real, real high. And I don't know -- reading this, the whole goal is to help the businesses with equipment, not with any -- not helping with permits or liability insurance or property insurance. So that's going to be another bill that the property owner has to take on, that is responsible for anyway, in order to get this equipment. And most small businesses can't afford it, or the insurance agency won't provide it based on the location. Because some businesses is just turned down for insurance because where they're located at. Number "G" is, applicant must work with the local City of Miami NET (Neighborhood Enhancement Teams) Office. Why do we want the NET Office to work with business owners to provide a service to the community? That should be the job of community -based organization or the CRA staff, not the NET Office to come in and tell the business owner what to do with a residence or who to hire. You know, that's not the NET Office job. I don't think the NET Office should have that responsibility to do that. Section 6, review maintenance and insurance documents quarterly. That means, quarterly somebody from the CRA going to come in and review -- to make sure the property owner is maintaining the equipment. So that means every there months they're going to have to have a servicer come in and service the equipment, which is another cost. So, I want you to be aware of that. Section 7, minimum number of new jobs that will be created for residents of low and moderate income in the CRA. Now, remember now, these loans slash grants -- I hope y'all -- every place where it say a loan, put slash grant, because my understanding, it's supposed to be a forgivable loan, right? And I might be mistaken. Chairman Teele: No. There is -- we -- there is no requirement that it be forgivable. No. 57 December 16, 2002 Mr. Jones: So it's a loan? Chairman Teele: It can be a loan. It can be forgivable. Mr. Jones: And the CRA is going to give this out? And I just heard that the CRA didn't want to be responsible for giving out loans. And now, in this case, with equipments, we're fixing to give out loans. Kind of confused on that one there. So I thought this was going to be a loan slash grant, based on the business owner staying in business for five years. But, you know, I didn't design this program. So maybe I'm making some mistakes. But that means review maintenance and insurance documents quarterly. Every month somebody from the CRA got the authority to come in there and ask for the documentation that the business owner have to get a service provider to come in and service the equipment three months, which is another cost. Still on number -- yeah, number 7. Financial stability of the business. Do that mean the business have to give the CRA a financial plan or a business plan in order to get this fund? And, if so, how many years? Do they have to give a two-year, a three-year, or a five-year plan? That's debatable. That's open. And the maximum amount is fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). And you want the business owner to create one job for every fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000). Now, under the federal regulations, you're only required to create one new job for every thirty-five thousand, but, yet, under this program, you're asking the business to create one job for every fifteen thousand. Now, how many jobs you think fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) going to create a business? Couldn't we have in here either "create" or "retain"? A job retention, instead of holding them and forcing them to create a new job, which, in most cases, they struggling anyway, trying to hold on to the existing employment that they have. So couldn't we make this, instead of create, create or retain? And shouldn't we increase not to fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), but to thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000), that the federal government requires that one job is created for every thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000), which means they would have to create one job and a half for the fifty thousand dollars ($50,000)? So those some things that I want the CRA to take into consideration. And remember now, the CRA is supposed to be in the business of loaning money and wanting to give grants. So, you know, it's unfortunate that this loan program -- and, by the way, some of the businesses -- if I'm not mistaken, six of the businesses in Overtown just got new equipment, so that means they won't need the new equipment. So that means they won't be able to qualify for this program, if they need money for something else, because most of them don't just need equipment. They need other things; advertisement, other things that are going to help them -- make them compete against the big boys. So, if we're going to do this program, it should be a loan -- a grant program or a loan slash forgivable grant program, based on them following the requirements, if the requirement is made comfortable enough where they can follow the requirements, and only hire one person and a half based on the federal regulations. Chairman Teele: Thank you. Item Number 18 -- Madam Director, would you all prepare a written response to each of the points, and make sure that Mr. Jones and the Board receive it? Annette Lewis (Executive Director, CRA): Yes, sir. Chairman Teele: Thank you. 58 December 16, 2002 17. DIRECT CRA SPECIAL COUNSEL AND CLERK OF BOARD TO MEET WITH BOARD MEMBER SANCHEZ AND BRIEF HIM ON TODAY' S DISCUSSION ON ACQUISITION COST OF WARD ROOMING HOUSE; CLERK OF BOARD TO PROVIDE VERBATIM TRANSCRIPT OF THIS DISCUSSION TO SPECIAL COUNSEL AND BOARD MEMBER SANCHEZ. Chairman Teele: Mr. Attorney. William R. Bloom (Special Counsel, CRA): Number 17? Chairman Teele: Seventeen -- 18, yeah. Mr. Bloom: I think we already addressed that, Commissioner, when we were talking about the expenditure of money on the Ward Rooming House. Chairman Teele: But let's make sure that we get Ward Rooming House agenda, when Commissioner Sanchez is present. Mr. Bloom: OK. Chairman Teele: And it really would be helpful, I think, if you all would meet with him and go through all of the discussion that they -- the Clerk may be able to make the transcript available. Mr. Bloom: We will make sure we meet with Commissioner Sanchez before the next meeting, and review all the situations. 59 December 16, 2002 18. AUTHORIZE CRA TO ENTER INTO PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH JEJ PROPERTIES, INC., SOLE RESPONSIVE RESPONSIBLE BIDDER TO INVITATION TO BID FOR SALE OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 936 N.W. 3RD AVENUE, (P-5) AND AUTHORIZE CRA TO PROVIDE PURCHASE MONEY FINANCING, $41,600.00 TO BE SECURED BY PURCHASE MONEY MORTGAGE ENCUMBERING P-5 TOGETHER WITH ADJOINING PROPERTY. Chairman Teele: Item 18, please. Mr. Bloom, Item 18, please. William R. Bloom (Special Counsel, CRA): Item 18 deals with the sell of P-5, which was the parking lot next to Jackson Soul Food Restaurant. J.E.J. Properties Inc. was the only responsive bidder, where a minimum fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) bid was required. They bid fifty-two thousand dollars ($52,000). The provisions in the RFP (Request for Proposal) provided that there could be a financing contingency. What is now being proposed is that the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) provide purchase money financing for the acquisition. It becomes somewhat of a complicated financing tool, at this point, because to redevelop the Jackson Soul Food Restaurant, the property has to be replatted and there has to be a Unity of Title Agreement prepared, which causes the Jackson Soul Food Restaurant, the parking lot, and the adjacent property owned by the same people be treated as one parcel, so it will comply with the City of Miami zoning requirements. So that to the extent we're providing purchase money financing in connection with the acquisition of the property, we also have to encumber the adjoining property, which is, in itself, subject to a first, and we're told, a second mortgage. Vice Chairman Winton: Why do we have to encumber the other property? Mr. Bloom: There would be a Unity of Title Agreement -- Vice Chairman Winton: Oh, OK. Mr. Bloom: -- that would require it to be treated as one parcel. So the way -- could catch the resolution as a purchase agreement that conforms with the provisions of the RFP. However, interwoven into that agreement is the providing of financing. It would provide for us to have a first mortgage on P-5, which we're selling, and a third mortgage on the balance of the property, which is currently encumbered by a forty-one thousand dollar ($41,000) mortgage in favor Pacific, a national bank. And we are told a two hundred and fifty thousand dollar ($250,000) loan to the father or the owner of the restaurant. At this point, we haven't seen any of the documentation with respect to that loan. They're required to provide us that documentation, which would be an exhibit to that purchase and sale agreement. There's also standard provisions that would require that there be no future advances, so we can't lose our position any further. I think it's important to take into consideration here the appraisal that the CRA has for this property is approximately twenty-nine thousand dollars ($29,000)? Annette Lewis (Executive Director, CRA): Twenty-eight thousand dollars ($28,000). Mr. Bloom: And their bid was fifty-two thousand dollars ($52,000). They have to put 10 percent down, and there's a bid bond. They also have to put another 10 percent down. 60 December 16, 2002 Vice Chairman Winton: At closing. Mr. Bloom: At closing. Basically, when they sign the contract, they have to come up with another 10 percent. And so -- plus, they have to pay our costs associated with doing the RFP in the first place. Vice Chairman Winton: And what's the finance in terms -- on the 80 percent that they're financing? Mr. Bloom: It's a 15-year mortgage, two years interest only. The interest rate is 4.35 percent, which is the municipal bond interest rate. For a 15-year term, the loan, at the low value -- Ms. Lewis: Correction. Mr. Bloom: -- based upon the schedule -- Ms. Lewis: Mr. Attorney, that's 3.75 percent. Mr. Bloom: The reason I did that was because 3.75 percent was for a five-year loan. This was done for a 15-year term, and the rate, under the chart, was higher for the longer term. It's interest only for two years, the balance would be amortized on a 30-year amortization -- Vice Chairman Winton: On a what? Mr. Bloom: Thirty-year amortization, with a balloon payment due 15 years from the date of closing. Chairman Teele: Well, let me just say, there is a very important public policy issue here that I've learned, I guess, over this CRA period. One of the reasons why the redevelopment areas in the black communities, generally throughout this nation, are poor is because you don't have comparable values. And as long as the City and the CRA give away land for a dollar ($1), you destroy any ability to create value in the redevelopment area. I know that this City and the CRA have traditionally given out land for one dollar ($1), and I think we should reserve the right to do that in the future. But for commercial establishments, the best way for the business to have a higher value three years from now, four years from now, is to have comparable value that the appraisers come in and say, "Look, this vacant lot sold for twenty thousand. This vacant lot sold for fifty thousand. Therefore, the value of a vacant lot is, you know, thirty-eight thousand dollars ($38,000)." And part of what we've done, inadvertently, in government is kept the black community poor by policies that we take to keep things, you know, artificially low. By providing the kind of financing that we're providing in this case, we're doing two things. First, we're changing the comparable value. Everybody who owns land in Overtown, if this transaction goes forward, everybody's value of their land is just going to go up. Because if you look at the comparable values of land -- of vacant lots, we've bought vacant lots at P-2, and we paid approximately 12, fourteen dollars ($14) a square foot. This lot is going to wind up being close to the thirty dollars ($30) a square foot, which means the value of land that people have in 61 December 16, 2002 Overtown is going to begin to go up. It's the same thing that we see happening all over Park West. The reason that Park West is so hot is that everybody's buying the values -- buying property at a higher value than the last person bought it. And so -- I mean, I think this Commission, candidly, the CRA, owes Mr. Jackson a debt of gratitude for supporting prices -- land values in Overtown and, obviously, you're not doing it as a gesture of charity. You're doing it because you're smart enough -- smarter than most folks that I've talked to -- to realize that by the value of this going up, the value of the building next to it is going to double. That's what's going to wind up happening, or substantially be increased. So you're creating value in that. By getting favorable financing then, you know, I think it's the kind of thing that the CRA can support. I do want to recognize that there's been a lot of discussion in the public that this lot should be given away for one dollar ($1). And I just wanted to say to Jackson -- to Mr. Jackson that, as you have heard -- and you come to all of our meetings. You know our policy is to help business owners. But our policy is to help business owners to increase their value of their business, not just to put money in your pocket. And so I think what you all have done is really a giant step in substantially altering the value of the overall business, particularly, if you plat all of this together as one parcel. So, did you want to make a statement or anything, Mr. Jackson? We're delighted that you've come forward. Just give us your name for the record, please. Demas Jackson: My name is Demas Jackson, 950 Northwest 3rd Avenue, Jackson Soul Food. I just want to thank the City of Miami. I just want to thank CRA for being so patient with this, and doing what they can to advise my business. Thank you. Chairman Teele: Thank you. All right. BAME (Baptist African Methodist Episcopal). Bill Mauzy: Good evening, Commissioners. Bill Mauzy, President and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of BAME Development Corporation. I've heard so much doom and gloom, I thought I'd bring some good news. All right. We were talking about -- you were talking about parks earlier. BAME has just been awarded an NFL (National Football League) Park/Recreation Grant to redo the Gibson Park at the corner of 14th and 3rd in Overtown. And in collaboration with the City, Al Rubin and his crew will probably end up with about five or six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000) worth of improvement. And we're going through the data now to decide what's in the CPA so we can work that out, see what we're going to be able to put in it, based on what our application spoke to to win this award. And this was a national award. I'm not sure how many the NFL gave out around the country, but we did win one. So I thought I'd bring that to the Commissioner tonight. [APPLAUSE] Chairman Teele: Commissioner Regalado, would you move Item 18? Board Member Regalado: Yes, I will. Vice Chairman Winton: Second. Chairman Teele: Further discussion? All those in favor say "aye." 62 December 16, 2002 The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Chairman Teele: All those opposed? The following resolution was introduced by Vice Chairman Winton, who moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. CRA/SEOPW 02-183 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (the "CRA") AUTHORIZING THE CRA TO ENTER INTO A PURCHASE AGREEMENT IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE FORM ATTACHED HERETO AS EXHIBIT A (THE "AGREEMENT) WITH JEJ PROPERTIES, INC. ("JEJ") WHO WAS THE SOLE RESPONSIVE RESPONSIBLE BIDDER TO THE INVITATION TO BID FOR THE SALE OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 936 N.W. 3RD AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA ("P-5") AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CRA TO PROVIDE PURCHASE MONEY FINANCING IN THE AMOUNT OF FORTY-ONE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED AND NO/100 ($41,600.00) TO BE SECURED BY A PURCHASE MONEY MORTGAGE ENCUMBERING P-5 TOGETHER WITH THE ADJOINING PROPERTY AND FURTHER DIRECTING THE CRA AND HOLLAND & KNIGHT, AS SPECIAL TO COUNSEL TO THE CRA, TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO JEJ WITH RESPECT TO THE REPLATTING OF THE PROPERTY AND ANY UNITY OF TITLE AGREEMENTS REQUIRED WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPERTY TO ENABLE THE PROPERTY AND THE ADJACENT PROPERTY TO BE REDEVELOPED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CITY OF MIAMI ZONING CODES. (Here follows body of resolution, omitted here and on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) Upon being seconded by Board Member Sanchez, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Vice Chairman Johnny L. Winton Board Member Tomas Regalado NAYS: None ABSENT: Board Member Angel Gonzalez Board Member Joe Sanchez Chairman Teele: The only thing that I would add, Ms. Lewis, I noted in this resolution, it says that, "We authorize the provision of technical assistance in the platting," and all of that stuff and all that. We need to make sure that that includes -- it says technical assistance regarding Unity of Title. That's the legal -- it doesn't spell that out, but I assume that's the legal. 63 December 16, 2002 Ms. Lewis: Sir, the twenty thousand addresses surveying costs, civil engineering costs, and legal fees, sir. Chairman Teele: OK. So, let's try to get it moved forward -- further discussion. 64 December 16, 2002 19. AMEND SELECTION COMMITTEE REVIEWING RESPONSES TO REQUEST FOR LETTERS OF INTEREST (RFLI) FROM PLANNING AND URBAN DESIGN FIRMS APPLYING FOR AMENDMENTS TO 1986 OMNI AREA REDEVELOPMENT PLAN BY ADDING TWO VOTING MEMBERS THAT ARE PRIVATE BUSINESS OWNERS THAT HAVE SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS OWNERSHIP OR PROPERTY WITHIN OMNI AREA, Chairman Teele: All right. Next item, Ms. Lewis, is what? Annette Lewis (Executive Director, CRA): The next item is an update on the Letter of Qualification for the amendment of the 1986 Omni Redevelopment Plan. That was also another bid that -- I'm sorry -- invitation that came in on December 10`h. And Chelsa Arscott-Douglas will address that, sir. Chelsa Arscott-Douglas: Yes, sir. A package has been distributed to the Board, and it, basically, lists the nine firms who had submitted a Letter of Interest in response to our RFLI (Request for Letters of Interest). It also recommends a nine -member selection committee, seven voting and two non -voting members, and that's also listed there, as well as the proposed milestones for the selection committee. In addition, we also enclosed a copy of the draft scope of service for the Omni amendment. We intend to submit this to the Planning Director for her review, as well. And it is our intent to provide this to the nine firms for them to be apprised of the kind of work we will be looking from them. In January, we intend to have a -- I'm sorry. In January, we intend to have interviews with the nine firms, and I have a short list of the firms. And, at that time, we intend to pose questions that will serve to garner their experience, as it relates to the amendment of the Omni plan. Chairman Teele: Discussion. Commissioner Winton. I assume that Dover Kohl is involved in this in some way? Mrs. Arscott-Douglas: Yes, sir. As a matter of fact, he is a non -voting member on the committee as well. Chairman Teele: OK. OK. Commissioner Winton, the only thing -- I don't know what instructions or requests you've made on this. I feel very strongly that we should add two more voting members that are private business owners in the Omni area. This thing is just too much government people, the City of Miami, CIP (Civilian Investigative Panel) -- Vice Chairman Winton: I have no problem with that, at all. Chairman Teele: -- the City of Miami Planning, the Performing Arts Center. You know, we need people out there that's got to make sure that they've got to pay their rent or the light bill. Vice Chairman Winton: I have no problem with that. Chairman Teele: So we would be amending this to add two additional business owners that have substantial business ownership or property within the Omni area. 65 December 16, 2002 Vice Chairman Winton: Agreed. Chairman Teele: And, hopefully, you will sit down with Mr. Rollason and Ms. Lewis, and you all will try to figure out who those two people should be. But they should be substantial property owners. Yes, sir. Gil Terem: I just want to add that I'm also a member of the Committee Board of the Omni and the Park West, and we have been requested in the past to let one of our representatives, which we represent 14 property owners in Park West and the Omni, to take part of this committee. So we would like to maybe appoint one of our members, which are -- all of us are property owners -- Chairman Teele: Julie Grimes is representing the Omni Advisory Board. Mr. Terem: What about the Committee Board? Vice Chairman Winton: But see, you know, this is the selection committee, which is the important first next step. Then, once you get the selection committee, then you've got to hire the firm. Once the firm gets hired, there's going to be a whole new makeup of volunteer people that are going to help think through the process that leads to the master plan. So this isn't the first step and the last step. This is simply a first step, which is the selection committee for the -- for hiring the right urban planning company to do this urban plan. And if you guys end up having somebody else on this group, you need to make sure that whoever it is, has a pretty clear understanding and can relate the scope of services back to the expertise that these people may offer. You don't want just anybody on this selection committee. You need people with the right skills that's on the selection committee. After the firm is hired, there will be a whole new group of volunteers from within the community that are going to be actively involved in the planning process. Mr. Terem: All right. Thank you. Vice Chairman Winton: You bet. Chairman Teele: On Item Number 19, we have the motion by Commissioner Winton, second by Commissioner Regalado, with -- as amended. Is there objection? All -- is there objection? All those in favor, signify by the sign of "aye." The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Chairman Teele: All those opposed? 66 December 16, 2002 The following motion was introduced by Vice Chairman Winton, who moved for its adoption: MOTION NO.CRA/OMNI 02-99 A MOTION TO AMEND THE SELECTION COMMITTEE REVIEWING THE RESPONSES TO THE REQUEST FOR LETTERS OF INTEREST (RFLI) FROM THE PLANNING AND URBAN DESIGN FIRMS APPLYING FOR THE AMENDMENTS TO THE 1986 OMNI AREA REDEVELOPMENT PLAN BY ADDING TWO VOTING MEMBERS THAT ARE PRIVATE BUSINESS OWNERS THAT HAVE SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS OWNERSHIP OR PROPERTY WITHIN THE OMNI AREA. Upon being seconded by Board Member Regalado, the motion was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Vice Chairman Johnny L. Winton Board Member Tomas Regalado NAYS: None. ABSENT: Board Member Angel Gonzalez Board Member Joe Sanchez Chairman Teele: Commissioner Regalado, we promised you we'd get you out. 67 December 16, 2002 20. DIRECT CRA ADMINISTRATION TO PREPARE RESOLUTION FOR NEXT BOARD MEETING TO MR. CUTLER'S ORGANIZATION AND ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION INTERESTED IN OFFERING STAFFING TO COMPANIES THAT ARE AWARDED CONTRACTS IN OVERTOWN AREA. Chairman Teele: Is there any other matter, Madam Director? Annette Lewis (Executive Director, CRA): No, sir. Chairman Teele: Mr. Counsel? William R. Bloom (Special Counsel, CRA): No, sir. Chairman Teele: Are there any other matters, members of the Board? If not, the meeting stands Charles Cutler: Mr. Teele. Board Member Regalado: When is the next meeting? Chairman Teele: January the -- Ms. Lewis: January 27th, 2003, sir. Mr. Cutler: I appreciate the fact that the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) is working -- with the work that you're doing in the community. But it's just that when I see things come up, like in terms of the economic development, and how the process can actually work to directly affect the residents of Overtown, I will be bringing it to your attention. But I really do appreciate it. And I want to make one suggestion. As the contracts are approved and actually awarded -- I work with the Department of Labor. I would like to have the opportunity to, at least, approach those contractors before they start doing their hiring, so that we could probably help them with the screening process or whatever, just to help them to provide assistance. Chairman Teele: Mr. Cutler, without objection, I will ask that the Board -- that the staff prepare a proper resolution for the next meeting. Get with them so we can get the designation of the organization to include your organization and any other group, you know, that has staff and capacity. We welcome that. Mr. Cutler: Oh, OK. Chairman Teele: We would welcome that. One of the problems, though -- let me just say this. The CRA -- and I don't want to start a debate -- Mr. Cutler: OK. 68 December 16, 2002 Chairman Teele: Ninety percent of the big stuff that happens here, it's not a contract done by the CRA. It's something like the Gil's Cafe and Restaurant. It's something like the Jackson Soul Food. It's something like the bowling alley. Our job is to help them and to facilitate them. We don't necessarily give them contracts. In most cases, the building right next door over here, Mr. Haylor, we supported him in that. That was a forty-five million dollar ($45,000,000) -- but we didn't give him money. The role of the CRA is not to do development. The role of the CRA is to do development of public infrastructure, that is, City kind of things; sidewalks, streets, parking lots, lighting. The role of the CRA is also to support the private developers who own the land, who say, like the gentlemen came in from the cafe, "We need help doing this." That's where we come in. So even though he's going to create 10 jobs -- and this may be a good point, Commissioner Winton -- even though -- where's the gentleman from the restaurant, Gil's Sandwich? The memo says you're going to create 10 jobs. Let me introduce you to Mr. -- Mr. Cutler: That's what I'm talking about. Chairman Teele: Right now -- and maybe some of those jobs could wind up coming from the Overtown area. And so, we would be more than interested in getting those services from you at the -- we'll be more than interested in getting those services from you in the future, and any other organization that could help us to provide support. 69 December 16, 2002 21. DIRECT CRA ADMINISTRATION TO REVIEW STREETLIGHTS AROUND IBO'S MARKET LOCATED ON 1034 NW. 2ND AVENUE; INSTRUCT STAFF TO WORK. WITH MS. MAY, OWNER OF ZBO'S MARKET, TO TRY TO FIND ADJACENT LAND NEXT TO MARKET FOR PARKING, AND TO COME BACK WITH REPORT. Chairman Teele: Ms. Lee, I understand you have the final item. The Board -- at the last City Commission meeting, we had a presentation from a lady named Ms. Betty Mae. And we said that we would refer the matter, at the City Commission, to the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). What are we doing on that? Brenda Lee: Good evening. My name is Brenda Lee, 500 Northwest 19th Street, Miami, Florida. I'm here on behalf of Ms. Betty Mae, who's the owner of Ibo's Market, located at 1020 Northwest 2nd Avenue. Chairman Teele: Or 1034 Northwest 2nd Avenue. But go ahead, either one. Ms. Lee: OK. What she was inquiring about was -- she's sorry she could not be here this evening. But she had located the property within the CRA boundaries, located at 2025 -- Chairman Teele: Ms. Lee, we're not going to take an action. We're going to direct the staff to come back with a report on that. Ms. Lee: OK. Chairman Teele: And what we need to do is the two things we promised, that we would have the City or CRA staff to go out there and look at the lighting -- Ms. Lee: Great. Chairman Teele: -- situation. And, Mr. Hernandez, can you do that? And then the CRA would go out and work with her and try to find out adjacent land to determine whether or not there's some way we can help her address the parking situation. Ms. Lee: OK. I will give her that report. Chairman Teele: OK. And we'll ask Michael if we can get a written report on that, and get that on the agenda for the next meeting. Ms. Lee: Thank you. Chairman Teele: And it's going to be controversial, because she wants a parking lot. 70 December 16, 2002 22. CLOSING COMMENTS BY REVEREND NEVINS Chairman Teele: Reverend Nevins. Brenda Lee: Thank you. Chairman Teele: Did you want to give us the benediction? Reverend Nevins: Yes, sir. But can I say something before I do? Chairman Teele: Yes, by all means. Mr. Nevins: Commissioner Teele and Commissioner Regalado and Commissioner Winton, I am an old preacher, and I heard -- there's a story in our bible of ten men who were healed, and only one returned to say thanks. And I'm very, very proud of Mr. Jackson, who stood here and said, "Thanks." For 21 years, I have been coming to Commissioner's meetings, and you three Commissioners are relatively new in 21 years. But I'm proud to hear of the things that you have been doing for Overtown. We have been looked down upon. Nothing has been done for 21 years, until you came on the scene. And there's a parking lot. For those who do not use parking lots, it doesn't seem good. But for us, who have churches and members, and they do not have places to park, we want to thank you. Because, at least, you're discussing something good for Overtown, and we say, "Thank you." And we ask you to keep up and carry it on. Thank you very much. [APPLAUSE] Chairman Teele: Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, the meeting stands adjourned. However, the -- is it through this door? Why don't somebody open the door then, please? The Veranda Restaurant is inviting all of us to come by and participate. It is cash, on your own. Thank you very much. 71 December 16, 2002 There being no further business to come before the Community Redevelopment Agency for the Southeast Overtown/Park West and Omni District, the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. ATTEST: PRISCILLA A. THOMPSON, City Clerk SYLVIA SCHEIDER, Assistant City Clerk (SEAL) ARTHUR E. TEELE, JR., Chairman 72 December 16, 2002 RECEIPT DATE: January 7, 2003 SUBJECT: Minutes for the December 16, 2002, CRA Meeting. MAYOR DIAZ VICE CHAIRMAN WINTON COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ COMMISSIONER SANCHEZ CHAIRMAN REGALADO COMMISSIONER TEELE CITY MANAGER Received By: i tey- - O'F-(:;Cc,,