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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOMNI CRA 2020-04-09 MinutesCity of Miami 3500 Pan American Dr Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com ..ga rf Omni C R A Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 9, 2020 9:00 AM Virtual Meeting Online OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Chair, District One Joe Carollo, Vice Chair, District Three Ken Russell Board Member, District Two Manolo Reyes, Board Member, District Four Keon Hardemon, Board Member, District Five OMNI and MIDTOWN CRA OFFICE ADDRESS: 1401 N. Miami Avenue, 2nd Floor, Miami 33136 Phone: (305) 679-6868 www.miamicra.com OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes April 9, 2020 CALL TO ORDER ORDER OF THE DAY Present: Chair Diaz de la Portilla, Vice Chair Carollo, Commissioner Russell and Commissioner Hardemon Absent: Commissioner Reyes On the 9th day of April 2020, the Board of Commissioners of the OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Miami conducted and broadcasted a virtual meeting from City Hall located at 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida in regular session. The meeting was called to order by Chair Diaz de la Portilla at 1:55 p.m., and was adjourned at 2:31 p.m. ALSO PRESENT. Jason Walker, Executive Director, CPA Isiaa Jones, Chief Legal Officer, CPA Barnaby Min, Deputy General Counsel, CRA Todd Hannon, Clerk of the Board Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Good afternoon, the Omni Community Redevelopment Agency will come to order. Mr. Barnaby Min, will you please read us our rules of'procedure? Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Yes, Mr. Chairman. Pursuant to Executive Order Number 20-69, issued by the Governor -- Office of Governor Ron DeSantis on March 20th, 2020, the Omni Redevelopment District Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners is conducting this meeting without having a quorum of its members physically, or any specific location, and utilizing communications media technology such as telephonic or video conferencing as provided by Section 120.54(5)(b), subject to the Florida Statutes. Since this is a virtual meeting that's authorized by the Governor of the State of Florida, members of the public wishing to address the body may do so by visiting CityofMiami.AZI.Qtialtrix.com/JFE/Form/SV 6EASI04ROTJPUSI, as published in the notice of -- to upload video comments via the dedicated Omni CRA (Community, Redevelopment Agency) public comment voice -- I'm sorry, to upload online comments. Members of the public may also call (305) 679-6866 to provide comments via the dedicated Omni CRA public comment voicemail. All comments submitted will be included as part of the public record for this virtual meeting and will be considered by the Board of Commissioners prior to any action. taken. The Omni CRA will also accommodate any speakers desiring to appear in person subject to all applicable emergency measures in place to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Speakers who appear in person will be subject to screening for symptoms of COVID-19. Any persons exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 will not be permitted to enter City Hall. All interested parties are required to abide by all state, county, local emergency orders and are urged to remain at home, practice social distancing and cover their mouth and nose. All these public comment options for the Omni CRA meeting comply with Section 286.014, and Section 120.544 Florida Statutes. Section 286.014(4)(6) -- I'm sorry, Section 286.014(4)(c) of the Florida Statutes specifically authorizes the Omni CRA to prescribe procedures or forms for an individual to use in order to inform the Board or Commission of a desire to be heard, to indicate his or her support, opposition, or neutrality on a proposition. The Omni CRA, through its multiple public comment options has provided different procedures and forms to indicate, among other things, his or her support, opposition, neutrality, on the items and topics to be discussed at the virtual Omni CRA meeting. The Omni CRA provided information on how to submit comments in the notice to the public, and on the City's and Omni CRA's web pages. If the proposition OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 1 Printed on 310112023 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes April 9, 2020 is being continued or rescheduled, the opportunity to be heard may be at such later date before the Board of Commissioners takes action on such proposition. When the Board of Commissioners takes action or votes on any proposition before, it should do so by roll call vote, it shall be recorded by the Clerk, and inchided in the record. The Omni CPA is using Zoom platform to hold its April 9th, 2020 virtual meeting. Zoom is a cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, collaboration, chat, and webinars across multiple devices, desktops, telephones, and roan systems. In order to ensure that the public has the ability to view the meeting, the City of Miami's Communications Department will broadcast the meeting through all usual channels and avenues that are provided when a City Commission meeting is held fully in Commission chambers at City Hall. The meeting can be viewed live on Miami TV at miamigov.com, through the City's Facebook page, at Facebookcom/CityofMiamiGov, on the City's Periscope channel at Twitter.com/CityofMiami, on Comcast, Channel 77. The broadcast will also have closed captioning. Additionally, Omni CPA has not selected a virtual platform that requires the public to purchase or download any additional software or equipment to watch this meeting. Aside from the Zoom platform, and that the participants will appear remotely, the public will have no discernable difference in their ability to watch the meeting. Members of the Commission. -- the Board of Commissioners, are you comfortable with. the notice provisions as set forth to use these uniform rules and procedures that we have established for this virtual meeting? Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you, Barnaby, someone who talks faster than me. That was very good. Thank you very much. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR OMNI CRA ITEWS1 7389 OMNI CRA DISCUSSION PUBLIC COMMENTS SUBMITTED ONLINE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR THE APRIL 9, 2020 VIRTUAL OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) MEETING. RESULT: PRESENTED Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Let the record reflect that we have a quorum. We have some public comments. I think one comment. Mr. Clerk, how many do we have? We have three voicemails. Mr. Clerk, will you play the public comments for us on the items? Jenny Vargas: Good evening. My name is Jenny Vargas. I live at 4171 Pamona Avenue, Miami, Florida, 33133, and I'm calling with regards to Item 5 for tomorrow's agenda. I just wanted to voice my support for the West Grove and anything that can be done to revitalize the area around Grand Avenue especially. I'd like to see more affordable housing for the longtime residents with the West Grove. I would hate to see more gentrification of the area. And I, of course, would like to see those ugly and abandoned buildings gone and replaced with healthier (UNINTELLIGIBLE). It's clear, especially in times like this, that people shouldn't be living in those conditions. Thank you very much for your attention. Bye-bye. Melissa Meyer: Hello, this is Melissa Meyer of 3161 Ohio Street, in the Coconut Grove Village West. My family has waited 25 years for our neighborhood to be included in the Omni CRA (Community, Redevelopment Agency) expansion Item Number 5. That's 25 years of community meetings, 25 years of political rallying, and 25 years of Commission meetings, to finally have the opportunity for new, substantial tax revenue generated within our own neighborhood stay within our own neighborhood for rehabilitation, street and park improvements, historic preservation, and desperately OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 2 Printed on 310112023 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes April 9, 2020 needed affordable housing. To have this item heard during the middle of a global pandemic, when many of those who have worked so hard to expand the Omni CRA cannot participate in a virtual Commission meeting at this time because they are busy saving lives, at a time when we are jacing the worst economic calamity in the history of the United States, when we know that even more displacement is on the horizonn is unscrupulous, unjust, and immoral. This item must be tabled until we resume normal working conditions and the community that fought so hard to expand the Omni CRA to Coconut Grove Village West can fully participate. Clarice Cooper: Greetings. My name is Clarice Cooper. 1 live at 3735 Oak Avenue, in Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida 33133. I'm requesting to speak to the chairperson and the members of the board of the Omni Community Redevelopment Agency, also known as the CRA, in regards to the item whereby the expansion of the Omni CRA into Village West, or West Grove, would be terminated, and this is the statement. "We, the Executive Board of the Coconut Grove Village West Homeowners and Tenants Association, of which I am the president, and is also known as HOTA, are not in favor of the Omni Board CPA Board's intention to cease the negotiation process of expanding the CRA into Coconut Grove Village West. From its inception, HOTA resoundedly supported the proposal of then chairperson of the Omni CRA, who was District 2 Commissioner Ken Russell, to expand the CRA into Coconut Grove Village West. We anticipated that effectuating the expansion proposal would provide more timely availability of access to funding for affordable housing, employment opportunities, and other vital infrastructure, which this community sorely is in need of and which is long overdue. I would like to add here that the City Commission unanimously supported the expansion in January of 2018, and also the finding of necessity proved that we -- this community met the criteria for the expansion. Therefore, in the absence of a better suited alternative proposal that has been fully collaborated with the community, stakeholders, and without which Village West would be completely left in limbo fbr an unknown period of time, we cannot support scuttling the expansion plan. " Thank you. Barnaby Min (Deputy Citv Attorney): Commissioner -- Chairman, I believe that is all the verbal comments. There are written comments that have provided to all the elected officials and that are now entered into the record for the Commissioners' consideration. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: So, all written comments have been provided to you, Commissioners. APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S): 1. OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY - REGULAR MEETING - SEP 26, 2019 9:00 AM MOTION TO: Approve RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Board Member, District Three SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Board Member, District Five AYES: Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Russell, Hardemon ABSENT: Reyes Todd B. Hannon (Clerk of the Board): Chair, there's one last order of business, if I could just have a motion to approve the minutes. AM.1 and AM.2. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 3 Printed on 310112023 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes April 9, 2020 Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Oh, okay. There's a motion to approve the minutes by Commissioner Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Hardemon. Seeing no objections, show it adopted. This meeting is now adjourned. Thankyou. 2. OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY - REGULAR MEETING - OCT 30, 2019 5:00 PM MOTION TO: Approve RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Board Member, District Three SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Board Member, District Five AYES: Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Russell, Hardemon ABSENT: Reyes Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Minutes Item Number 2, please see Minutes Item Number 1. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION(S) 1. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION 6717 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S RECOMMENDATION AND FINDING THAT COMPETITIVE NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 18-85 AND 18-86 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, AS ADOPTED BY THE CRA; WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPETITIVE SEALED BIDDING AS NOT BEING PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE CRA; ALLOCATING GRANT FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $5,500,000.00 FOR A MIXED -USE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT OF PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 70 NE 17TH STREET, 90 NE 17TH STREET, AND 1642 NE 1ST AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, ALL LOCATED IN THE CRA'S REDEVELOPMENT AREA, TO NR INVESTMENTS 11, LLC, SUBJECT TO THE CRA BEING ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY SECURE FUNDING FROM A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION AND SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL AGREEMENTS NECESSARY, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL, FOR THE PURPOSES STATED HEREIN. ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-20-0001 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Ken Russell, Board Member, District Two SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Board Member, District Three AYES: Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Russell, Hardemon ABSENT: Reyes Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Let the record reflect that we have a quorum, which I didn't say earlier in the meeting when I started, and we have the first item is resolution one. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 4 Printed on 310112023 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes April 9, 2020 I'm going to recognize Mr. Jason Walker, Executive Director, to go through it. You're recognized, Mr. Walker. Jason Walker (Executive Director, CRA): Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have five items on the agenda today. Before we move forward, I would like for a motion to withdraw resolution number two and number three. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, we're going to do that in a minute, but go ahead and - - let's present resolution one, Item 1. I just want you to do that first. Mr. Walker: Oh, I'm sorry. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Then we'll withdraw it. Mr. Walker: Oh, I'm sorry. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Okay. Mr. Walker: I'm sorry, I was told the other way around, sorry. A resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Omni Redevelopment District Community Redevelopment Agency by a four -fifths affirmative vote, after an advertised public hearing, ratifying, approving, and confirming the executive director's recommendation and finding that competitive negotiation methods and procedures are not practicable or advantageous pursuant to Sections 18-85 and 18-86 of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended, as adopted by the CRA; waiving the requirements for competitive sealed building -- bidding as not being practicable or advantageous to the CPA; allocating grant funds in an amount not to exceed $5.5 million for a mixed -use development project of properties located at 70 Northeast 17th Street, 90 Northeast 17th Street, and 1642 Northeast Ist Avenue, Miami, Florida, all located in the CRA's redevelopment area, to NR Investments, LLC, subject to the CRA being able to successfully secure funding from a financial institution and subject to the availability of funds; authorizing the executive director to negotiate and execute any and all agreements necessary, all in a form acceptable to the general counsel, for the purposes herein. Board members, this is a companion item to a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) agreement that was passed in October. This is for a 252 multi -family mixed -use development in the Omni CRA which would completely be in the affordability category. 50 percent of the building would be at 140 percent AMI (Area Median Income) and the other 50 percent would be a mixture of affordability. We're asking for approval for this item. I think the proposer of the grant is on the line and may have a presentation available. If you have any questions, we're here. This is also -- by the way, this item was heard in October and since October; through the Chairman's office, we've been able to negotiate a million dollar reduction in the request for the grant. So, this is for $5.5 million instead of the $6.5 million that was originally contemplated. Board Member Russell: Mr. Chairman Mr. Walker.- Chairman, I see that the proposer is now on, if he would like to start with his presentation. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Well, I think Commissioner Russell has a question of you, Mr. Walker. Board Member Russell: Thank you. You mentioned that 50 percent is at the 140. 1 know there had been some changes, so I'd just like to make sure it's on the record what the new mix is.for the other 50 percent. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: That's a very OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 5 Printed on 310112023 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes April 9, 2020 Board Member Russell: Or was it 60 percent Chair Diaz de la Portilla: That's a very good point, Commissioner. We were going to have Mr. Shoshani do the presentation and walk through all the different breakdowns, but yes, there are -- we're at 60, 80, 100, 120, 140 -- give us a breakdown of how many units in each category. We were very adamant and I was very adamant that we -- number one, we had to reduce it by a million dollars that they were requesting. It was initially 6.5; we brought that down to 5.5. I was also very adamant that we keep as many units we could at the 60 to 100 percent AMI level to have this workforce and supportability for the people in that area that desperately need it. So, we had some tough negotiations. Mr. Shoshani has been a great negotiating partner, a fair man, who I think has a good proposal for a building that's going to do good stufjfor this part of'the community. Let's hear his presentation. If you have any questions then we can go back and we'll address them as we move forward. Is Mr. Shoshani on the line? Marc Sarnoff• Mr. Chair, can you hear me? Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I hear you there, yes. Mr. Sarnoff. All right. Mr. Chair, yes, Marc Sarnoff on behalf of Shutts & Bowen, and on behalf ofNR Investments. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: You're recognized, Marc Mr. Sarnoff.• Thank you. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Good afternoon. Mr. Sarnoff We have a Po werPoint presentation. I don't know if we have the ability - - I guess we have it coming up. There you go. So, I thought we'd start with who we are, what we're doing, and go on from there. So, NR Investments. NR Investments is proposing the only fully restricted workforce project in the City of Miami where we will present to you 240 -- 252 affordable housing projects and as you know, this is Miami's first 100 percent fully restricted workforce housing project. We're -- a little bit about us. We are a vertically integrated real-estate firm. We've been in Miami since 2001. We focus primarily on development construction of asset management. In 2019, we had 120 employees. We had 4,000 units in the central Florida area that we converted from market to workforce affordable. In. around 2012, NR Investments purchased the abandoned filling station, I think you all know where that is, and in doing so, they also created what was known as the Arts and Entertainment District, investing approximately $2 million dollars to create a sense of place, if you will. In 2014, the filling station was completed and they in. fact purchased three additional lots, one of which is the one we're looking at right here, which will be the first fully restricted workforce project 29-story tower with 252 units. It is not only mixed income, it is equally mixed -use. Now, what we did do, or what you did, Mr. Chair, in your negotiations, which I would categorize as pretty rigorous, we have some structure to the deal that you wanted to hear, which is 60 percent AMI, or 12 units, for making up 5 percent of the deal are now part of that 250. 80 percent AMI, or 26 units, make up 10 percent; 100 percent AMI, or 39 units, make up 15 percent; 120 percent AMI, or 49 units, make up 20 percent; 140 AMI, or 50 -- 126 units, make up 50 percent. What is vet), important to you, Mr. Chair, was that the AMI weighted average was 99.4 percent, so it was below the 100 percent AMI The rental lots associated with this particular building for market is about $18 million, $17.9 million to be pretty damn accurate, or $8.2 million in what they call present value. The permit fees for this particular project will be approximately $3.2 million, with $2.3 million going to the County, WASA (Water and Sewer Authority), and the City of Miami. So, we are today asking you for the Chair's, if you will, your negotiation to be culminated in this $5.5 million grant. We would have the only completely workforce units in the City of OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 6 Printed on 310112023 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes April 9, 2020 Miami, 100 percent dedicated. We are right in the Central Business District. Why we think that is important? As you know, we're taking advantage of the workforce that exists here and trying to attract others to come here. Specifically, we're looking to get hospitality service workers, teachers, police officers; firefighters, and recent college graduates. We are looking to be in the category of approximately $46, 000 to up to about 53 to $56, 000 for employees who need that help instead of travelling so far south to -- or from Homestead, that thev can be in the Central Business core and here in the City of Miami. The win. of this, it happens very, very shortly. We are a phased permit, which is going to begin in May. Estimated groundbreaking will be in .Tune of 2020, and the delivery will be by September of 2022. So, we are, in that famous colloquial term, we are ready to go and we are a project that is here right now, with a firm who has a great deal of experience in doing this, and if you have any further questions, we are more than willing and able to answer them. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you, Commissioner Sarnoff. Members, are there any questions? Vice Chair Carollo: Yes. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Commissioner Carollo. Vice Chair Carollo: Where's Mr. Shoshani? Mr. Sarnoff.• Here he is. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: He's here with us. Nir Shoshani: I'm right Here, Commissioner. We haven't had the pleasure. Vice Chair Carollo: That's right. How do you do, sir? Mr. Shoshani: I'm very well, sir, how are you? Vice Chair Carollo: Good, good. I was just wondering if you were here or not, but I was forced to be the Vice Chairman. Mr. Shoshani: I remember. I remember that meeting well. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Commissioner I don't know any human beings that would force you to do anything. So, I think -- Vice Chair Carollo: Nah. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I think you acquiesced, and you said, "Okay, let me help them out. " Vice Chair Carollo: I was told that the new bylaws of the Omni CRA is that after the chairman negotiates, the vice chairman finishes it off. So, I don't know if we should start here or -- Chair Diaz de la Portilla: We haven't approved those yet. We're going to do that at the next meeting, Commissioner. Vice Chair Carollo: Anyway, I trust that the executive director that's been around.for a while and was helped during the leadership of Commissioner Russell, as chairman, and the new chairman will -- would have negotiated with you sufficiently that you can't OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 7 Printed on 310112023 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes April 9, 2020 squeeze anything more out of this deal. From what I'm seeing, it certainly seems the case. You're putting in $1 million more. We're putting in $1 million less. And the numbers certainly seem more in line with what I consider workforce and is certainly the first full building where its all workforce. Mr. Sarnoff: Yes, sir. Vice Chair Carollo: I think that's important because we need to have more of a -- of that happening. Sometimes when you mix too much in one building, it doesn't get the response that people are really looking for surely, for those that are coming in. So, by having a building that's for the first time all workforce, I think that'll make a big difference here. So, I appreciate you being here. 1 was just wondering if' the guy that spoke before had a new nickname, but I'm glad that you're here. I would leave it to nay other board members, if they have any further questions, but I have none at this point in time. Thank you, sir. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. Mr. Shoshani: Commissioner Carollo, if I may. There are 50 -- 52 affordable projects in the City of Miami. Not one is completely dedicated to workforce. I think that workforce right now is very important, it's probably more important than ever, and I believe that having that location within the Central Business District will do the City well and will allow us to serve those who truly serve us. Vice Chair Carollo: I agree. I agree. Mr. Shoshani: Thank you, Commissioner. Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, sir. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you, Vice Chair. Commissioners, any other questions -- Commissioner Russell? Board Member Russell: Yes, Chairman, thank you. And I certainly appreciate as well that this is also a new adventure for NR Investments which was, four years ago, not in the affordable game at all. So, recognizing what part of the town -- the city they're in, and the objective of the Omni, I think they've adjusted well. My question is, is this within the T6-24B designation and are you taking advantage of the additional FLR (Floor Lot Ratio) through that zoning change in order to fill the gaps, financially, to help its get there? Mr. Shoshani: Well, we've -- this was part of your inclusionary zoning, Commissioner, that you put in place a couple of years back. So, that's where we took advantage of the T6-24B -- Board Member Russell: Right, obviously you're going way above and beyond that through this -- between the TIF deal and the grant, you're able to get much more than what's required even in the inclusionary, but would you be able to do it without the inclusionary? Like, if the inclusionary wasn't in place and the FLR wasn't there, the additional FLR, would this grant and TIF deal still be able to get as good of an affordable picture for us? Mr. Shoshani: I think that the additional FLR definitely helped out to reach the maximum amount of units we could get. So, I think that the additional FLR wasn't booked. Board Member Russell: The reason I ask, and for the benefit of the other Commissioners, I really believe this could be a template, moving, foa ward, throughout OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 8 Printed on 310112023 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes April 9, 2020 the Onmi. It could be our best potential for tons of workforce housing, but it has to be in combination with that T6-24B zoning, which has not yet been applied. The map hasn't been applied. So, it's something we'll look at on the other side when we're wearing our hats, but I just want to finish by saying that I really believe in this crisis, and what we're facing right now, and the recovery from this crisis, these housing options are going to be very, very crucial. And the CRAB could be one of our strongest weapons to help as recover economically and be a provider of jobs, housing, and just economic recovery, even though that's not their primary mission, it's going to fit perfectly with what we're going to be needing to do. So, I -- I'm certainly supportive of this effort right now. Mr. Shoshani: Thank you. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you, Commissioner. Any additional Commissioners? Mr. Sarnoff, you have any closing comments? Mr. Sarno#' Sorry, Mr. Chairman. No, no, no. Thankyou very, much. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: All right -- Mr. Sarnoff.• We appreciate your rigorous negotiations. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: ]promised the Commissioner we were going to get through this meeting quickly, so let's just call the roll. Todd B. Hannon (Clerk of the Board): Chair, is there a motion? Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I move that we adopt resolution one. Mr. Hannon: Sorry, other than the Chair -- Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Oh, sorrv. Commissioner Russell moves -- Board Member Russell: I'll move it. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Seconded by Commissioner Carollo. Vice Chair Carollo: Second it. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I was getting used to my role as chairman. I'm used to making motions, so I'm getting there. Mr. Hannon: So, either you can do a roll call or vote it up or down. Your choice, sir. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Let's do a roll call. Mr. Hannon: Okay. Roll call on Item RE.1. Commissioner Hardemon. Board Member Hardemon: For. Mr. Hannon: Commissioner Carollo. Vice Chair Carollo: Yes. Mr. Hannon: Commissioner Russell. Board Member Russell: Yes. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 9 Printed on 310112023 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes April 9, 2020 Mr. Hannon: Chair Diaz de la Portilla. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, (UNINTELLIGIBLE). The item passes. Congratulations, Mr. Shoshani and Mr. Sarnoff. Mr. Shoshani: Thank you very, much, Commissioners. Thank you, Chairman. 2. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION 6724 (MAY BE WITHDRAWN) A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S RECOMMENDATION AND FINDING THAT COMPETITIVE NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 18-85 AND 18-86 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, AS ADOPTED BY THE CRA; WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPETITIVE SEALED BIDDING AS NOT BEING PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE CRA; ALLOCATING GRANT FUNDS IN THE NOT TO EXCEED TOTAL AMOUNT OF $696,000.00 FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1815 NW 1ST COURT, LOCATED IN THE CRA REDEVELOPMENT AREA TO CASA MIA APARTMENTS LLC, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL. MOTION TO: Withdraw RESULT: WITHDRAWN MOVER: Joe Carollo, Board Member, District Three SECONDER: Ken Russell, Board Member, District Two AYES: Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Russell, Hardemon ABSENT: Reyes Chair Diaz de la Portilla: We're going to -- Commissioners, we're going to withdraw Item 2 and Item 3. Without any objections so that's withdrawn. We're now on Item 4. Todd B. Hannon (Clerk of the Board): Chair, I'm sorry. I would prefer a motion. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: There's a motion by -- Vice Chair Carollo: So moved. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- Commissioner Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Russell. So, without objection, show that withdrawn. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 10 Printed on 310112023 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes April 9, 2020 3. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION 6726 (MAY BE WITHDRAWN) A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF THE DECLARATION OF RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS RUNNING WITH THE LAND REGARDING THE MIAMI WOMEN'S CLUB LOCATED AT 1737 NORTH BAYSHORE DRIVE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, EXECUTED IN FAVOR OF THE CRA, AND RECORDED AT BOOK 27102 AND PAGE 4686, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A"; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL, FOR THE PURPOSES STATED HEREIN. MOTION TO: Withdraw RESULT: WITHDRAWN MOVER: Joe Carollo, Board Member, District Three SECONDER: Ken Russell, Board Member, District Two AYES: Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Russell, Hardemon ABSENT: Reyes Note for the Record. For minutes referencing Item Number 3, please see Item Number 2. 4. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION 7369 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), WITH ATTACHMENTS, ACCEPTING GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $500,000.00 FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA'S DEPARTMENT OF STATE TO AID IN THE RESTORATION OF THE CRA'S PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1367 NORTH MIAMI AVENUE, MIAMI FLORIDA 33136, KNOWN AS THE HISTORIC BANK BUILDING; RATIFYING THE ATTACHED DOCUMENTS AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL, FOR SAID PURPOSE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-20-0002 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Board Member, District Three SECONDER: Ken Russell, Board Member, District Two AYES: Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Russell, Hardemon ABSENT: Reyes Chair Diaz de la Portilla: We're now on Item 4. Mr. Walker, you're recognized. Jason Walker (Executive Director, CRA): Yes. Mr. Chairman, the resolution -- a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Omni Redevelopment District Redevelopment Agency with attachments accepting grant funds in the amount of $500,000 from the State of Florida's Department of State to aid in the restoration of the CRA's (Community Redevelopment Agency's) property located at 1367 North OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page I Printed on 310112023 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes April 9, 2020 Miami Avenue, Miami, Florida, 33136, known as the Historic Bank Building; ratifying the attached documents and further authorizing the executive director to execute any and all other necessary documents, all in a form acceptable to the general counsel, for said purpose. This is a grant that we went out to seek last year for help with the restoration of the bank building that we purchased two years ago. We received a grant in the amount of $500, 000 and this is the resolution accepting that grant. Vice Chair Carollo: Move. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you, Mr. Walker. Moved by Vice Chair Carollo. Seconded by -- is there a second? Board Member Russell: Sure, second. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Russell. Let's call the roll on Item 4. Todd B. Hannon (Clerk of the Board): Roll call on Item RE.4. Commissioner Hardemon. Board Member Hardemon: For. Mr. Hannon: Commissioner Russell. Board Member Russell: Yes. Mr. Hannon: Commissioner Carollo. Vice Chair Carollo: Yes. Mr. Hannon: Chair Diaz de la Portilla. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yes. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 12 Printed on 310112023 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes April 9, 2020 5. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION 7370 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), WITH ATTACHMENTS, DIRECTING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO CEASE ALL NEGOTIATIONS WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND/OR THE CITY OF MIAMI (COLLECTIVELY, "PARTIES") CONCERNING THE EXPANSION OF THE CRA INTO THE AREA KNOWN AS WEST GROVE; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO CONTINUE NEGOTIATING WITH THE PARTIES ABOUT ALL OTHER POTENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT AND ALL OTHER AGREEMENTS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO EXTENDING THE LIFE OF THE CRA (COLLECTIVELY, "AGREEMENTS"); FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO AMEND THE CRA'S REDEVELOPMENT PLAN ("PLAN") CREATED BY PMG ASSOCIATES, INC. AND ANY AND ALL OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS WITHOUT THE WEST GROVE PORTION; FURTHER DIRECTING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO TRANSMIT THE UPDATED AGREEMENTS AND PLAN FOR APPROVAL TO THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSION FOR APPROPRIATE ACTION. ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-20-0003 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Ken Russell, Board Member, District Two SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Board Member, District Three AYES: Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Russell, Hardemon ABSENT: Reyes Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number 5, please see "Public Comments./or Omni CRA Item(s)." Vice Chair Carollo: Can we defer Item 5, Chair? Chair Diaz de la Portilla: You serious? It's going to be a short debate and we'll talk a little bit about it, if you'll allow me, Commissioner, because it's very limited in nature and this is an item that -- it's a beginning of a very long process. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: What we want to do is just simply de -- take the West Grove part of this -- of the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), and their effort to become a part of the CRA, out of the mix. I had made comments -- I assume the Chairman could hear that I -- publicly, and I had, you know, told Commissioner Russell, publicly, that he would -- I would support if he had a proposal -- in the future, a CRA for the West Grove, that I would be very supportive of that proposal. That I would have no problem with the Grove area having their own CRA so they could pursue and address the blight in that area, which is a concern to all Miamians, including me. The problem that we have is it's a very long, long process of first, getting rid of this particular part of it and then we have to move forward with the interlocal agreements that we have, as you're aware of, Commissioner Carollo, that we still need to negotiate. We have to move with the study of necessity. We have to move with the expansion that I committed to Commissioner Hardemon to do, that includes parts of Liberty City, obviously, parts of Allapattah, the district that I represent, to make it a contiguous to this particular CRA. It makes more sense to have it all in that one area instead of'jumping from one end of'the city to another end of the city, areas that are not continuous are not contiguous are not, you know, are not part OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 13 Printed on 310112023 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes April 9, 2020 of the same overall community. L support any future efforts to have the same kind of efforts and independent CRA for the West Grove area, but I think this is the first step in probably what will be a -- at least a year -long process, and if we don't start to move it forward, we're not going to get to where we need to get and begin to address some of these blighted areas that need to be addressed. We can't delay it anymore, Commissioner Carollo, that's why I prejer not to defer. It's very limited in nature. It's only decommissioning, if you want to call it that, that part of the existing effort, or not pursuing that effort in, what was never part of the Omni CRA, it was just an effort to pursue it. They've been pursuing it for many, many years. I think Commissioner Russell's done a fantastic job and I think he can do that in his district out in the Grove and with an independent CRA. All this does, it doesn't touch any of' the agreements that we have to meet with the Bayftont Trust, with the Miami -Dade County. We're going to discuss all those. All those need to be negotiated. I think we're going to have -- I'm a pretty tough negotiator but I know you are too, Commissioner Carollo, so we're going to get there, but we want to begin the process. All we're doing today is beginning that process. We're only doing that particular part of it. We're not doing anything else. Vice Chair Carollo: All right. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: So,1 would move that part forward -- Vice Chair Carollo: As long as you, as Chairman, have counted your votes, that's all that I would caution you on, and that's fine. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Well, that's why we have it. We can't -- we can only -- I have pretty good political instinct, but we -- I can't count votes, I can just guess, but it's a guestimate, I guess. I think that Commissioner Russell may be supportive if we have -- ifI've given him this commitment that we'll explore his own district's CPA out in the West Grove. Vice Chair Carollo: What ever did happen with the County approving or disapproving the expansion? Board Member Russell: Mr. Chairman. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: You're recognized, Commissioner Russell. Board Member Russell: Thank you. So, we voted onn this and I think one of the public comments mentioned it was February of 2018, I thought it was 2019, and in time -- these things do take a long time. It's been sitting at the County, waiting for the political will to bring it forward to the board to accept the finding of necessity for the West Grove. We proved the need for slum and blight so long ago, but they haven't taken action. And part of it may have been the politics that it was tied together with this Omni. The Commissioner for the district of the Omni area at the County level was not supportive of them being together, and I really believe that's what has held it up and I've worked on that for so long, but I have to have a political reality and understand that it's just not going to happen at this point. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Board Member Russell: So, I've asked the City Manager and the attorney to draft an item for the next Commission meeting that would direct the manager to work with the County, to push that finding of necessity forward. It's already there. We don't need to do anything else at our level to get them to accept that finding of necessity, to my understanding. Even though it's -- it's not married, exclusively, to the Omni. The County can do whatever they want in terms of breaking it up and then bringing it back to us, and we could bifurcate the redevelopment plan and everything. So, I've asked OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 14 Printed on 310112023 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes April 9, 2020 them to bring something that would solidify our vote on that issue, directing the Manager to do that, and that would send a message to the West Grove that this is not a negative. That taking it out of the Omni is just the first step of creating its own standalone. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Right. Board Member Russell: And that's the hope. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Correct, and the -- again, all this is obviously a political will has a lot to do with it, the politics always plays a role in this. This part is a non- controversial part. There'll be other parts. We do have a change in government coming at the County level. There are going to be six -- seven -- I think seven new commissioners, a new mayor, and that's going to happen in August. So, there is a political change coming, that we'll wait for, and that's when we take the next step. So, it's a -- everything in politics, as you all know, commissioners, is about timing. There's a right timing for this to begin to decouple the West Grove's dreams, which will be fulfilled through, the City Commissioner -- what we have -- they have their own CRA, and begin to create a district that's contiguous and that makes more sense, physically and economically, for what we're trying to do, and all the next steps that will happen, will happen at the appropriate time, including the negotiations for the -- which I think is a little bit -- that we're giving the County too much. We don't know who's going to be the commissioner -- Dade County Commissioner in this area. I have a gut feeling who it's going to be, and I think that commissioner may very well be very receptive to what we're trying to do for the Allapattah area, for the Liberty City area, and for the existing Omni CRA. So, we have to wait for the right time for everything and I think this is a good time to just begin the process, because like Commissioner Russell said, it'll take -- I said a year, I'm very aggressive with my politics in terms of truing to get things to move quickly. But I realize here in the City of Miami, it takes a little bit longer, but my goal is a year, maybe it'll take a little bit longer, but I want to try to get there and we have to begin today. Its preferrable to have the meetings in an open -- in a more -- you know, not a virtual meeting, but this is the reality we're facing in governing today. Miami must continue to govern. Its citizens must be -- feel confident that it's government is functioning on all cylinders and moving forward and this is the first step in this process. Board Member Russell: Mr. Chairman. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Commissioner Russell, you're recognized, sir Board Member Russell: Thank you, I'd just like to ask Barnaby if I'm correct on those steps. I'd like to make sure that the West Grove has a path. If we're removing it from the Omni application, what is the correct legal path for us to create, as a City working together with the County, a standalone CRA for the West Grove? Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): I'll work with the Manager's Office. We should be able to work on the previous study that was conducted that found that there was slum and blight within the West Grove and the need to comm -- to create a CRA. I'm obviously going fi^om recollection, but I believe based on that information, we should be able to proceed. Board Member Russell: Thank you. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Are there any other comments, Commissioners? Seeing none, I think I'm more or less closed with that. So, let's just call the roll on it. Todd B. Hannon (Clerk of the Board): Chair, is there a motion? OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 15 Printed on 310112023 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes April 9, 2020 ADJOURNMENT Chair Diaz de la Portilla: There's a motion -- I'm sorry, there's a motion by Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner -- Vice Chair Carollo. Let's call the roll. Mr. Hannon: Roll call on Item RE.5. Commissioner Hardemon. Board Member Hardemon: For. Mr. Hannon: That's for, sir? Board Member Hardemon: Yes. Mr. Hannon: Commissioner Carollo. Vice Chair Carollo: Yes. Mr. Hannon: Commissioner Russell. Board Member Russell: Yes. Mr. Hannon: Chair Diaz de la Portilla. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, and by your vote -- Mr. Hannon: Passes 4-0. Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- the item passes 4-0. Thank you, Commissioners. I really appreciate the indulgence. I told you it was going to be a short meeting. Thank you, Barnaby. Thank you, Isiaa Jones, our attorney -- didn't say much but she was here, present -- Mr. Walker, Jason Walker, Executive Director,, and Commissioners for joining us, and have a good afternoon. Let's go to lunch now. The meeting adjourned at 2: 31 p.m. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 16 Printed on 310112023