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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2003-07-15 MinutesMINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI, FLORIDA On the 15th day of July 2003, the City Commission of Miami, Florida, met at its regular meeting place in the City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida, in special session. The meeting was called to order at 9:13 a.m. by Chairman Johnny L. Winton, with the following members of the Commission found to be present: Commissioner Angel Gonzalez (District 1) Chairman Johnny L. Winton (District 2) Commissioner Joe Sanchez (District 3) Vice Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. (District 5) ABSENT: Commissioner Tomas Regalado (District 4) ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Joe Arriola City Attorney Alejandro Vilarello City Clerk Priscilla A. Thompson Assistant City Clerk Sylvia Scheider 1 July 15, 2003 Chairman Winton: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. We're going to bring this Special Commission meeting of July 15, 2003, to order. Commissioner Sanchez, could you lead us with an invocation, and Commissioner Teele, the pledge. Prayer and pledge of allegiance to the flag delivered. 1. AUTHORIZE SUBMISSION OF JOINT APPLICATION FOR BROWNFIELD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (BEDI) GRANT PROGRAM, $1,500,000, AND APPLICATION FOR SECTION 108 GUARANTEE ASSISTANCE LOAN, $3,000,000, TO UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) FOR REMEDIATION AND REDEVELOPMENT OF 1.88 ACRE SITE OWNED BY GOODWILL OF SOUTH FLORIDA INC. TO EXPAND ITS CURRENT OPERATIONS TO INCLUDE GOODWILL SUPERSTORE AND PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE STORE AT 2121 NORTHWEST 21sT STREET; FURTHER AUTHORIZE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CITY'S CURRENT 5 -YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN TO INCLUDE PROJECT AS ACTIVITY TO BE COMPLETED UNDER SCOPE OF SAID PLAN. Chairman Winton: Let's move to the first agenda item. Keith Carswell: Hi. Keith Carswell, with the Department of Economic Development. I have with me Mr. Pastrana, who's the president of Goodwill Industries of South Florida. We've been - - at the previous Commission meeting, staff was -- the Administration was asked to move forward with looking into submission of a BEDI (Brownfield Economic Development Initiative) application and a 108 loan for development of a parking garage. This is part of an expansion program with Goodwill Industries of South Florida, and this is one of three components with Goodwill. The parking garage that we're contemplating will be approximately 350 spaces. It will be approximately 52,000 square feet, and we're seeking, which is different than what we initially discussed, a $1 million BEDI grant. Initially, when we met with the Commission, it was 1.5 million. Also, what has been reduced, initially, we talked about a $3 million 108 loan, and that has since been reduced from three million to two million. Goodwill is on the verge of a huge expansion in the Allapattah area. They recently acquired two businesses; one in Fort Lauderdale, which is good because they're relocating that business to the Allapattah area, and one also in Dade County. Now, Goodwill plans to relocate those businesses into their main headquarter building, which is across from the proposed development site. Now, with the relocation and consolidation of those operations, two things are going to occur: One, on the proposed site that will be developed, they will develop a 22,000 square foot super store. Adjacent to the super store will be the proposed parking garage. Now, the parking garage will accommodate the additional staff for employees that Goodwill envisions hiring. Now, it is also important to note that over 90 percent of Goodwill employees, total household income is around $5,000, and a lot of the individuals that we're talking about in terms of employees are individuals that have mental and physical challenges and would otherwise be unemployable. The expansion -- the parking garage will also serve a two -fold purpose. The Allapattah area, this particular community, is a bustling business area, and one of the challenges that the businesses have had in the community is ample parking for the customers that come and patronize the businesses in this 2 July 15, 2003 area, so Goodwill also intends to utilize the parking garage for the businesses in the community. They will also charge revenue to those business -- charge rent to those businesses to help subsidize the financing for the 180 loan. Now, Goodwill plans -- on the weekends, the parking garage will be available to all the businesses in the area. Goodwill will occupy the business Monday through Friday, from 9 to 5. Overall, the development project is in excess of $14 million as part of this expansion, and I have Mr. Pastrana here to say a few words. Commissioner Sanchez: I'm sorry to interrupt you. Could you provide me with the amended resolution? I believe this resolution -- Mr. Carswell: Yes. Commissioner Sanchez: -- has been amended. Mr. Carswell: Yes. Let me get a copy of the resolution. Commissioner Sanchez: Thank you. Commissioner Gonzalez: Mr. Carswell. Mr. Carswell: Yes. Commissioner Gonzalez: For the record, because what you just said is kind of confusing. Goodwill is going to build 350 parking spaces, of which they're going to use, during the week, about a hundred parking spaces, right? Mr. Carswell: Correct. Commissioner Gonzalez: So, actually, 250 spaces are going to be used during the week for clients that come to do their shopping in the Allapattah area, specifically out on 20th Street and 21st Street and 21st Terrace. Now, on weekends and holidays, the 350 parking spaces, the totality of them will be available for the general public because they are closed on holidays and weekends; is that -- Mr. Carswell: You're correct, Commissioner. Commissioner Gonzalez: OK. Because you know, the way you explained it is -- you know, it gave the perception that they're going to be using the 350 parking spaces throughout the entire week, and then weekends, the general public was going to use it, so actually, the general public is going to have about 250 parking spaces the entire week. On weekends and holidays, they will Chairman Winton: Total amount. Commissioner Gonzalez: -- use 350 parking spaces. 3 July 15, 2003 Chairman Winton: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). OK. Mr. Carswell: OK. Chairman Winton: Continue, please. Mr. Carswell: Mr. Pastrana. Dennis Pastrana: Mr. Chairman, members of the Commission, Dennis Pastrana, 2121 Northwest 21st Street, president of Goodwill Industries. I think that Keith did a very good job in summarizing what we are planning. Essentially, we are going to -- at the present time, we manufacture military clothing in large quantities, so the plan is to add another $30 million annually of military clothing to launch the manufacturing of commercial uniforms. We have bought a very small flag company, but the idea to develop a very large flag manufacturing company, not only the United States of America, but make all international flags, all the states. All of that work create 400 jobs. Now, actually, we have 150 parking spaces and that is what we need, but we believe that we can serve the community by doing this project, so there will be about 200 parking garage available -- parking spaces available for public use. Now, Goodwill is taking the responsibility not only to do the project, but to provide some of the subsidy that will be made necessary to make the projects. We have submitted our financial information, our audit, and you know, the City have already determined the staff that we are in a very strong financial position. Thank you. Chairman Winton: Thank you. Commissioner Gonzalez: Mr. Chairman, I have a resolution in front of me that I would like to move for discussion. Read -- Chairman Winton: We have a motion. Commissioner Sanchez: Second. Chairman Winton: Second. Discussion. Commissioner Gonzalez: Should I read the resolution? Vice Chairman Teele: We need to have a public hearing first. Chairman Winton: Do we? Alejandro Vilarello (City Attorney): This requires a public hearing. Chairman Winton: OK, thank you, thank you, and thank you. This is a public hearing, so anyone from the public interested in speaking on this item, please come forward. Anyone from the public. Being none, we'll close the public hearing. 4 July 15, 2003 Commissioner Sanchez: Mr. Chairman. Chairman Winton: Yes, sir. Commissioner Sanchez: Just for point of clarification, since I just received an amended resolution, for a point of clarification, this authorizes the City Manager to sign the joint application for the BEDI grant and the 180 loan, and then it's coming back for City Commission approval. Is that correct? Mr. Carswell: Correct. Commissioner Sanchez: No further discussion. Chairman Winton: Commissioner Teele. Vice Chairman Teele: Mr. Chairman, I don't have any discussion, other than to salute the Commissioner and Goodwill. This is a very important project, and I can't think of anything anywhere in this City that's going to have more of an impact on the poverty and the conditions that we've so well documented based on the census. I would just hope that the City staff -- before I say that. The only concern that I have is that this process did not go through a -- how do you say it? I don't know if we're giving -- I don't know if the City is giving the Commissioner and the grantee the best thing that could be provided. I know that we're giving you what you asked for, and that may be the best thing, but I, for one, want to be on record as saying that if there is more that we can do in a different way or pursuing this way, I will be in support of supporting this project. I want to also put on the record that while we talk about Allapattah, probably as much as 30 percent of the people that will be employed and will use the resources, and -- are from the surrounding areas, in particularly the Overtown/Liberty City/Model Cities areas, and I don't see this really as just an Allapa -- I see it based in Allapattah, but I really think this has Metropolitan significance, and if there is more that we can do, then I want to make sure that I'm on record as saying I want to do that, so I fully support it. Mr. Carswell: Commissioner, if I may chime in. What the Administration is also looking at other funding opportunities for this project because the project, as you indicated, is going to have such a significant countywide impact. We are looking at grant opportunities, as well as other subsidized financing opportunities. Vice Chairman Teele: The Beacon Council's resources, which are our tax dollars also -- you know, we should not be overlooked as a resource for this. You know, I don't -- it would be very interesting, Mr. Manager, to see the dollars that come into the City from the Beacon Council, but I don't want to get into a tangent. The point of the matter is, we should leave no stone unturned, or more particularly, we should leave no dollars on the table in support of this activity. Chairman Winton: OK. Any other discussion? This is a resolution, so it -- Vice Chairman Teele: Commissioner Regalado want to be here for this? 5 July 15, 2003 Chairman Winton: I don't think he could. Didn't we get a letter saying -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Yes. Chairman Winton: -- that he couldn't be here this morning? Commissioner Gonzalez: Won't be able to attend. Chairman Winton: So, he's not going to be here. Any other discussion on this item? If not, all in favor, "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chairman Winton: Like sign, opposed. The motion carries. The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Gonzalez, who moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 03-750 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF A JOINT APPLICATION FOR A BROWNFIELD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE ("BEDI") GRANT PROGRAM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,500,000, AND AN APPLICATION FOR A SECTION 108 GUARANTEE ASSISTANCE LOAN, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $3,000,000, TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ("HUD") FOR REMEDIATION AND REDEVELOPMENT OF A 1.88 ACRE SITE ("SITE") OWNED BY GOODWILL OF SOUTH FLORIDA INC. TO EXPAND ITS CURRENT OPERATIONS TO INCLUDE A GOODWILL SUPERSTORE AND PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE STORE AT 2121 NORTHWEST 21sT STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE REMEDIATION AND REDEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE BEING NEGOTIATED BY THE CITY AND THE MIAMI PARKING AUTHORITY; FURTHER AUTHORIZING A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CITY'S CURRENT 5 -YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN TO INCLUDE THIS PROJECT AS AN ACTIVITY TO BE COMPLETED UNDER THE SCOPE OF SAID PLAN, PLEDGING FUTURE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS FOR THIS PURPOSE; AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR PURPOSES DESCRIBED HEREIN. 6 July 15, 2003 Upon being seconded by Commissioner Sanchez, the resolution was passed and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Chairman Johnny L. Winton Vice Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. Commissioner Angel Gonzalez Commissioner Joe Sanchez NAYS: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Tomas Regalado Chairman Winton: Congratulations and best of luck. We think this is a great project. (Applause) Mr. Pastrana: Thank you very much. We'll do very well for you. Chairman Winton: Thank you. Vice Chairman Teele: Is it one resolution or two? Mr. Vilarello: Just one. Commissioner Sanchez: It's one. It was amended. Shouldn't -- should the Attorney read it for the record? Commissioner Gonzalez: I think that you should read it for the record. Commissioner Sanchez: I think the Attorney should read -- the amended resolution be read on the record. Mr. Vilarello: The resolution is substantially as was attached in your package; it just clearly describes that the Manager has the authorization to execute the applications, both 108 and the BEDI grant, and that he's authorized to negotiate. Subsequently, the negotiated agreement has to come back to the City Commission for approval. Other than that, it's just substantially what was attached in your package. Chairman Winton: And that's the only item we had for Commission meeting, right? Vice Chairman Teele: Mr. Chairman. Mr. Vilarello: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) special meeting, sir. Chairman Winton: Yes, sir. 7 July 15, 2003 Vice Chairman Teele: I thought we had asked the staff, in particular, to provide us with the loan capacity of the 108. I mean -- Chairman Winton: We did. Vice Chairman Teele: Do we have an analysis of where we are with our 108 loan capacity? Chairman Winton: Loan capacity. Vice Chairman Teele: I know that we -- Chairman Winton: That was a question that -- in fact, Commissioner Gonzalez brought it up -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Right. Chairman Winton: -- and asked about that. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) you were -- Vice Chairman Teele: -- and we even asked them to use outside consultants -- Chairman Winton: Right. Vice Chairman Teele: -- if they needed to to get that, because we've had about three different numbers floating around, including a memo from the Manager, which was not correct. Mr. Carswell: It was approximately eight million, including the two million 108 loan. Chairman Winton: Well, I think that -- the problem that Commissioner Teele's going to have, certainly the problem I have, is that words aren't meaningful in this situation. We need a breakdown that shows what our capacity is, and what is committed to different projects, and how that commitment works that gets you to that $8 million number, so could you please have -- make sure you have that for us in writing -- oh, our next Commission meeting's the 24th, is that not correct? I mean, it's Thursday. When is it? Mr. Vilarello: This Thursday. Chairman Winton: This Thursday, so you can have it for us -- Mr. Carswell: Yeah. Chairman Winton: -- first thing Thursday morning? Mr. Carswell: Yeah. Vice Chairman Teele: Does the eight million include a takeout of the Parrot Jungle or not? 8 July 15, 2003 Mr. Carswell: It included the Parrot Jungle. Let me look. There is availability. I'm not sure of the number offhand. I don't want to commit to a number right now, but there is availability. Chairman Winton: That was my point. Vice Chairman Teele: But you just asked us to commit Mr. Carswell: Beg your pardon? Chairman Winton: No, we did just commit. Vice Chairman Teele: You don't want to commit -- Mr. Carswell: Right. Vice Chairman Teele: --but you've just asked us to commit. Mr. Carswell: No, no. Chairman Winton: Not only asked us to, we did, so we have committed, so please bring that back for Thursday. We need it. Mr. Carswell: Will do. Chairman Winton: And I would hope that y'all, you know -- because both Commissioners asked for that at the last meeting, so in the future, let's make sure we've done our homework and this isn't kind of a seat -of -the -pants deal, OK? Thank you. Mr. Carswell: Thank you. Chairman Winton: OK. Vice Chairman Teele: Mr. Attorney, on that, would you also give us an opinion letter regarding the viability of the Parrot Jungle 108? Mr. Vilarello: Yes, sir. Chairman Winton: OK. We only had one agenda item for this Commission meeting. Is that correct? Mr. Vilarello: That's correct, that's the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) called the meeting. Chairman Winton: So, we can adjourn the Commission meeting. The Special Commission meeting is now adjourned, and Chairman Teele. 9 July 15, 2003 Note for the Record: The City Commissioners immediately thereafter convened as the Board of Directors of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) of the Omni and the Southeast Overtown/Park West districts. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE CITY COMMISSION, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 9:29 A.M. ATTEST: Priscilla A. Thompson CITY CLERK (SEAL) MANUEL A. DIAZ MAYOR 10 July 15, 2003