HomeMy WebLinkAboutOMNI CRA 2020-09-24 MinutesCity of Miami
3500 Pan American Dr
Miami, FL 33133
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Omni
C R A
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Virtual Regular Meeting
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
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, 2ntl Floor, Miami 33136
Phone: (305) 679-6868
www.miamicra.com
OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 24, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
Present: Chair Diaz de la Portilla, Vice Chair Carollo, Commissioner Russell, Commissioner
Reyes and Commissioner Hardemon
On the 24th day of September 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 3: 06 p.m., and was adjourned at 4:21 p.m.
ALSO PRESENT.
Jason Walker, Executive Director, CRA
Isiaa Jones, Chief Legal Officer, CRA
Victoria Mendez, General Counsel
Barnaby Min, Deputy General Counsel
Todd Hannon, Clerk of the Board
ORDER OF THE DAY
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Good afternoon.. The Omni CRA (Community
Redevelopment Agency) meeting will come to order. Barnaby, will you please read the
rules?
Barnaby Min (Assistant City Attorney): Yes, sir. Pursuant to Executive Order 20-193,
issued by the Office of Governor Ron DeSantis, on August 7th, 2020, the Omni
Redevelopment District Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners is
conducting this meeting without having a quorum of its members present physically, or
at any specific location, utilizing communications, media technologies, such as
telephonic or video conferencing, as provided by Section 120.54(5)(b)(2) Florida
Statutes. Since this is a virtual meeting, as authorized by the Governor of the State of
Florida, members of the public wishing to address the body may do so by visiting the
City of Miami's website, published in the notice, to upload video comments, or submit
written comments via the online comment form. 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 will be required to abide by all
state, county, and local emergency, orders and are urged to remain at home, practice
social distancing, and cover the mouth and nose. All these public comment options far
the Omni CRA meeting comply with Section 286.014 and Section 120.54 of Florida
Statutes. Section 286.014(4)(c) of Florida Statutes specifically authorizes the Omni
CRA to prescribe procedures or _forms for individual to use in order to inform the
Board or Commission of a desire to be heard, to indicate his or her support,
opposition, 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, and neutrality on the items and topics to be
discussed at the virtual Omni CRA meeting. The Omni CRA provided information on
how to submit its comments -- to submit comments, in the notice to the public, and on
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the City's and Omni CRA's webpages. If the proposition 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 on or votes on any proposition before it, it shall do so by roll call vote,
which shall be recorded by the Clerk and included inn the record. The Omni CRA is
using a -- is using Zoom to hold its September 24th, 2020 virtual meeting. Zoom is a
cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, collaboration, chat, and webinars
across multiple devices, desktops, telephones, and room systems. In order to ensure
that the public has the ability to view the meeting, the City ofMiami's Communications
Department will broadcast the meeting through all of the 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, on the City's Periscope channel, and on Comcast,
Channel 77. The broadcast will also have closed captioning. Additionally, the Omni
CPA has not selected a virtual platform that requires the public to purchase or
download any additional software equipment to watch this meeting. Aside from the
Zoom platform and that the participants will be appearing remotely; the public will
have no discernible difference in their ability to watch the meeting. Commissioners,
please confirm you are comfortable with these notice provisions as set forth in the
uniform rules and procedures as we've established for this meeting.
Board Member Russell: Yes
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I confirm it.
Mr. Min: Thank you, sir.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you, Barnaby
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OMNI CRA RESOLUTION(S)
1. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION
7928 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI
REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
("CRA") ACCEPTING THE PROPOSAL RECEIVED ON SEPTEMBER 11,
2019 PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NO. 992381 FOR THE
DEVELOPMENT OF PLAT BOOK "B" PAGE 107 WITH ADDRESSES OF
2035, 2037, AND 2043 NORTH MIAMI AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA AND
APPROVAL OF A PROJECT GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF NINE MILLION
NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($9,900,000.00) WITH MAGELLAN
HOUSING, LLC ("DEVELOPER"), DERIVED FROM SERIES 2018 B LOAN
AND THE CRA'S FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021 MANDATORY AFFORDABLE
HOUSING BUDGET SUBJECT TO A REVERTER; AUTHORIZING THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE THE
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE
GENERAL COUNSEL; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL OTHER
DOCUMENTS NECESSARY, INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS,
RENEWALS, AND EXTENSIONS, SUBJECT TO ALLOCATIONS,
APPROPRIATIONS, BUDGETARY APPROVALS, IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE
TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL
APPLICABLE REGULATIONS, AS MAY BE NECESSARY FOR SAID
PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-20-0013
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Board Member, District Four
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Board Member, District Two
AYES: Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Russell, Reyes, Hardemon
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Now we're going to go to the five different issues that we
have before our CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). Mr. Walker, you're
recognized to explain to us what those projects are. We also have on -hand the
different people involved in these different projects that's all for the advancement of
the Omni CRA area, the redevelopment that we want to do there, and I think these are
a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) very much vetted by our staff and by me, personally, to make
sure that they make sense for how we move forward, that part of our city. So, Mr.
Walker, can you walk us through it and walk evervbody through it? Walker, walk us
through it.
Jason Walker (Executive Director, CRA): Thank you, sir. A Resolution Number 1 is a
resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Omni Redevelopment --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Can you get closer because I'm having difficult), hearing
you.
Mr. Walker: Can you hear me now?
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yes.
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Mr. Walker: Okay, sorry. Resolution Number I is a resolution of the Board of
Commissioners of the Omni Redevelopment District accepting the proposal received
on September 11 th, 2019, pursuant to the request for proposals number 992381 for the
development of 2 -- 2035, 2037, to 2043 North Miami Avenue; approval of a grant in
the mount of $9.9 million with Magellan Housing, LLC, developer. Board Members,
this resolution -- we purchased this property about two years ago. We sent out an RFP
(Request for Proposals) for development of affordable housing. Three people
responded to that RFP in 2019. The City of Miami Procurement Office led the process.
That process resulted in a winner being recommended for approval. That approval is
for Magellan Housing, LLC. The project anticipates a total value of $39.9 million,
consisting of approximately 6,700 square feet of ground retail and approximately 104
mixed -income residential units. The CRA's contributions to this project is $15.9
million, consisting of a land contribution of $6 million, and a cash grant of $9.9
million. Rent for the apartments will be restricted for a 50-year term in accordance
with the development agreement and restrictive covenant.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Before you talk about the restrictions, talk a little bit about
the unique revenue share that we're doing in this project, which will be sort of a model
for what we want to do down the line in a lot of these developments.
Mr. Walker: Yes, sir. The developer is agreeing to share 45 percent of the annual rent
payment above the $30 per square foot that is received from the ground retail space of
the 6,711 square feet of commercial space.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: So, the retail space, the City -- the CPA and the City will get
45 percent.
Mr. Walker: Correct
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: So, it's the first time that we'll be getting to do something
that -- where government, all of a sudden, says we're going to make money instead of
spend dollars. Grants here and grants there, now we're going to get something in
return. We'll get the grants, we'll spur redevelopment, but we want, once it
redevelops, and they start making money, they have to start sharing that money with
the City.
Mr. Walker: Correct, sir.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: That's what's unique about it and I think that's important
because I sort of want to create that model for everything else that we do. Now, not
everybody is going to be agreeing to -- will be agreeing to doing that 45 percent
revenue share, but some people will do 3 percent, some will do 20. It depends on if we
give less money upfront and we'll get more revenue share. We'll figure it out, but
these are business deals that I think that are important, when government starts
thinking like a business and not like a government and be more efficient and be
generating dollars so that we have more dollars coming back to our city.
Board Member Reyes: Mr. Chair.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Commissioner Reyes, you're recognized, sir.
Board Member Reyes: Yes, I really congratulate you for this model. I think that it's a
fantastic private public partnership.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I can't hear you. Maybe it's my own audio
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Board Member Reyes: Well, my, microphone says that it's on. I said that this is a
great public private partnership. And this is the -- I think this is the way to go. We
should -- this model, we should implement it at every place. Now, one thing that 1
wanted to ask is inn the partnership, it extends to rentals also or it only is the business
part of the development, the one that is going to share the revenues?
Mr. Walker: Currently, it's --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: It's only the retail --sorry, Mr. Walker.
Board Member Reyes: The retail.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: It's the retail portion, which is the bottom part, I think. I'll
tell you the square footage. I don't know how much square footage we have.
Mr. Walker: 6,700.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: How much?
Mr. Walker: 6,700
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, yeah. So, it's a retail part, so it's a mixed -use
development, right. So, we have the retail space, we get a revenue share with that.
Then we have a number of units that -- at different AMIs (Area Median Incomes), I
know it's a big issue for you, Commissioner Reyes,
Board Member Reyes: That's right.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: So, I want Mr. Walker to walk us through everything we're
doing with AMI in this particular project. Remember, it's specific to this area. So, I --
you know, they come at you -- and I agree with you on this. They come at you and they
say, "Oh, 140 AMI works, " but that's not really -- because that's not true, because 140
AMI here is above market rate.
Board Member Reyes: That's right.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: But they'll come at you and say, "Oh, we're doing
affordable workforce housing at 140 AMI " That's not true, in this area. It may be true
5 years from now or 10 years from now when the area develops, but that's not true
today. So, we sort of worked out a deal that took that into account -- you know,
relative to the particular area in the City of Miami we're talking about. So can you
walk us through, Mr. Walker, what we're doing with the AMI --
Board Member Reyes: That was going to be my next question, Commissioner --
Mr. Walker: Yes, sir.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I know. That's why -- I expected as much. So, I want him
to explain it to you so you_feel comfortable with what we're doing. I think its a pretty
good deal for the City.
Mr. Walker: Yes, sir.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And before it's all over, I think that your dislike of CRAB
may improve over the next. few years or so as we --
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Board Member Reyes: No, no, no, no, no, no, let me correct that. Let me correct that.
1 don't dislike CRAB. I love CRAB and] want to remind you --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: You just want to make it more efficient. I get it, I get it.
Board Member Reyes: No, no, I have to remind you that the first CRA --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: You did it.
Board Member Reyes: -- that was established, I did it, in Overtown.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Board Member Reyes: But the thing is that there gets a time -- there's a time when the
old area -- older area is developed that it have to sunset and the additional revenues
that it's receiving should he spread out, I mean, in the City, and help the other areas
that they are underdeveloped, you see?
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And I agree with --
Board Member Reyes: And then (UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And I agree with you. So, 1 cannot, moving down the line,
because I try to see what's going to happen down the line, as we try to expand the CRA
to Allapattah and all of that. I have to figure out a way, as we make better deals in
these CRAs, to get your buy in to what we're doing. So that --
Board Member Reyes: Well, you know --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I agree, you know? And you know (UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Board Member Reyes: But let me finish.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) we can't have the private discussions,
but we can have the public ones and say, "Look --
Board Member Reyes: Absolutely.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: --help me make Allapattah a place that can benefit --
Board Member Reyes: Yes.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- from some of the -- of all the rich areas that we have here
in Miami, that Allapattah and our poor neighborhoods can benefit. " That's what I
want. And whatever that formula is and how we get there, that's the conversation we'll
have. And I want to get there.
Board Member Reyes: No, no, but I want you, I mean, to understand that I -- bejore
you came in, I'm a big proponent oj'having a CRA in Allapattah and other place that
we should put more -- I mean, put money on it and try to get more benefits in areas like
Little Havana and Liberty City.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Correct.
Board Member Re_ves: I mean, I don't need -- I'm not proposing a CRA for my district
because, I mean, we don't have so much blighted areas like you have. We have
poverty, which is different, you see? We have poverty. And I do understand the
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concept. I was an economist for the first one and 1 worked very hard in the first one
and I do understand that we need them, but I do also understand that it gets to a time
that has to sunset and let other CRAB come in.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Correct, and by the way, that expansion, which
Commissioner -- Chairman Hardemon, you're not going to be around because you're
moving to greener pastures, but we're going to continue to honor what you wanted to
do in expanding that CRA to some other areas of the district you now represent and
you'll represent again as a County Commissioner at the end of the day, right? So, I
know that when you get to the County Commission, you're not going to all of a sudden
become a County Commissioner, but in your heart, you'll always remain a City
Commissioner and our Chairman.
Board Member Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And that you will always understand our perspective,
especially when it comes to CARES dollars and all that, but that's a different
conversation we'll have later on.
Board Member Reyes: I hope we don't need it again.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Hopefully, we won't lose you to the dark side, I think, right?
You'll stay as a City Commissioner and the importance of the urban core, and urban
redevelopment, and these areas that have been neglected for too long, whether it's
Allapattah, or Liberty City, or parts of Little Havana, where I grew up in. Those areas
are important, that we have to, again, shift the wealth, and by the way, I had a friend of
mine --
Board Member Reyes: Absolutely
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- who's a hardcore republican, sent me a little text after I
made that ridiculous comment I made about redistribution of wealth, and he called me
Alex Ocasio-Cortez, and that's not a good thing. No, no, that's not a good thing. He
said, "Are you now Alex Ocasio-Cortez? " And I said, "No, no, I'm not, I'm not. " But
it's just a way of saying that we -- beyond partisanship and beyond politics, we have a
city that has a lot of poverty and I think that it's good for us to do things to help
redevelop some of these areas. So, I think CRAB help in that effort. They may not be a
perfect solution, I agree with that. They have their flaws, but they do help. It's a
mechanism to get there. So, I appreciate your words, Commissioner Reyes, and your
comments. And actually, before I was here, when. I was doing State stuff, you were
working in. the City and you were -- way before I was here. I'm not going to call you
old again because I think you got a little bit offended (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Board Member Reyes: No, no, no, listen.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: But you were doing all this stuff before I got around --
before I came around. You were doing all this stuff. I know. I get it and I thank you.
Board Member Reyes: Listen, I am old and the only thing that I tell the people that are
younger than me, " I got there. "
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Well, you know what --
Board Member Reyes: Now it is your problem. Now it is your problem to get --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: By the way, both you and I -- both you and I can talk -- can
say a lot about persistence.
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Board Member Reyes: Yes.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Right?
Board Member Reyes: Yes, sir, yes, sir. We have a common trait.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: We never gave up, Commissioner, right?
Board Member Reyes: Never. Never give up.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Exactly.
Board Member Reyes: And by the way, don't let the other side monopolize the -- I
mean, if -- I would say the titles, you know, that -- because you are a fiscal
conservative individual, just like I am.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yes.
Board Member Reves: It doesn't mean that we don't care, and we want to help people
that needs it the most and -- but the thing is that we go in different routes. We don't
believe that the government should be that (UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Correct.
Board Member Reves: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) model. We know that it doesn't work
because we know it by experience, and we go dif routes. Listen, a good example
is what you're doing with this development. That is a great, great, I would say,
partnership. It's a public private partnership that will benefit a lot of people, you see.
You don't have to -- I mean, the City of Miami doesn't have to confiscate
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) that land and then develop it and then give it to somebody that is
very inefficient and is going to manage it. That's what we are against, you see.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Now, are there any additional comments?
Board Member Russell: Yes, Mr. Chairman. Do we have a motion yet on Item
Number I?
Board Member Reyes: Yes.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: One moment. I'm sorry, Mr. -- I think Mr. Walker was
going to -- I think we're going to try to do them all together, right?
Board Member Russell: Oh, okay.
Board Member Reyes: Yes, I think it would be better.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Okay, yeah, jaster. So, Mr. Walker, do it very quickly.
Mr. Walker: Yes, sir.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: But, you know, be precise, but talk about -- a little bit of the
AMI, quickly, and not to take up too much time. We have a lot of work to do today, I
know, but talk about all the different projects and let's just get them passed if
everybody agrees. So, you know.
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Mr. Walker: Yes, sir. Like 1 said before, this agreement covers a 50-year restriction
on the rent. The Wynwood Works will consist of 42 studios, 43 one -bedrooms, 12 two -
bedrooms, and 7 three -bedroom apartment homes. The AMI breakdown is 10 percent
units at 30 percent AMI or below; 10 percent of the units at 50 percent AMI or below;
and 80 percent of the units at 120 AMI or below.
Board Member Reves: Why 100 -- so many at 120? Why don't you have 80 --some at
80 or 100? Because you're jumping from 60, I mean, to 120. In between, there is a
gap. I don't know, but I'm just making that suggestion, that you can work it out,
because from 60 to 120, that's a big jump, and then you have a great gap of people
that they are 80 percent and 100 percent, that they're going to be left out. That's what
I'm trying to say, okay?
Board Member Russell: Mr. Chair.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yes. You're recognized, Commissioner Russell
Board Member Russell: Thank you. I mean, obviously the amount of affordability that
can be given is a combination of what grants we put forward, and in this case, the 9.9,
plus the value of the land, and what's, you know, possible for the developer. You know,
we're doing this in a way that we're incentivizing a developer, but not putting it all on
their shoulders. That's -- I think this blend -- first of all, you should be really proud
that this is the onlv affordable housing project in all of Wynwood in an area that has
become so gentrified that the very artists who made it can no longer live there. Now
they can, again, especially in the way that you structured the units so that there are
live/work units, no lofts, so that artists can be there, make art, sell art, and then the
whole thing has a whole are element to it on the outside. I mean, this is a -- this, I
believe, is what the CRA should be doing, by having purchased land, and then putting
it forward fbr projects like this in the flavor that we believe is right, and it hadn't done
that before our generation of a CRA Board here. This -- and so I'm very much in favor
of this. I do believe it's a good blend and I think it's -- I think it's a win for its.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you, Commissioner. There's the 120 -- remember,
this is the Wynwood area. Wynwood has gotten very expensive, so we have to
understand that too, so that the market rate there is a lot more. My fight has always
been -- because I agree with you, Commissioner Reyes, that 140 is too high. I don't
completely agree with you that 100 is the right number. I'm probably somewhere at
110 in these dealings as I do it. And 120 for this particular project, in this particular
area, was kind of the place that I was thinking that we can land, but we did enough at
30 percent, and we did enough at 50 percent, to get some of those people that can now
live there that could never live there because of the high value now, the expensive
nature of Wynwood now. It was sort of like -- and every project, the way I'm looking
at it, to explain to you, Commissioner Reyes, the way I look at it is kind of like every
project, I deal with it individually, and this one makes sense, for me. And as I try to do
more of these -- as long as I'm here, right? -- as Chair here, I try to maybe come up
with better deals, okay? Not all my deals are going to be peg fect, but I'm trying to get
there, and there'll be others, you'll see them. There'll be others coming around the
corner that you'll see a little bit more of what you want to do. It'll be a balance, like
everything we do in government, there's a balance, right? Ad I think you'll be happy
with what we're doing in this particular project, and the others that Mr. Walker is
going to present now, as we move forward. You're muted, sir.
Board Member Reyes: Vicky, are you inuting me all the time?
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: No, no, I think Vicky's behind the whole thing here
Board Member Reyes: That's right.
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Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Blame it on Vicky.
Board Member Reyes: I'm going to blame Vicky.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): I can only mute you in Teams
Board Member Reyes: Okay.
Ms. Mendez: 1 can only mute you in Teams. I can't do it in Zoom, so it's not my fault.
Board Member Reyes: Okay, because you have that tendency of'muting me, you know.
I do understand that this is a deal and I'm glad that it came down fNom 140 to at least
120, but I think that there is a gap, and what I'm saying, I'm not so much opposed to
120, but what I'm saying is that there is apportion of the population that also could be,
and should be, also included, and those are the ones that are -- they are between 120
and 80 -- I mean --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Right. And what I'm trying to do
Board Member Reyes: And that is -- that is what I want.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Right, and what I plan to do -- my thinking is that I'm going
to have a lot of the 100 AMI stuff going on a little bit further west into Allapattah,
who's a neighborhood that's up and coming, but that we can still get away with a lot of
the 100 to try to create that mix.
Board Member Reyes: Let me --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: So, as we expand, I sort of want to go there and maybe we
do I10 and figure out where in between.
Board Member Reyes: Yes.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: But what I did with this particular investor or developer
was I'm going to take some ofyour retail, I'm going to make you do some -- or askyou
to do some 30 and 50 AMI, which is really low, and sort of create that mix that we
needed, some mixed -use development, different income levels, and kind of create that
synergy that we want to do and not go too crazy, on. the 140 because then the disparity
is too much in a particular building and it may not work, right? So, we have to find
that balance too.
Board Member Reyes: Yes
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And we have a situation where we have -- we do a lot of 60
or 80 AMI in a particular neighborhood, and people want that. They can't pay the $7
cup of coffee at Starbucks across the street.
Board Member Reyes: That's right.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: So, it's not a good blend. We have to find that blend, and
so, in some areas in Allapattah, and the district that I represent, that may work. It may,
not work in this area. So, that's what -- kind of why we did it this way just so you know
a little bit of my thinking.
Board Member Reyes: That's -- that is absolutely
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Chair Diaz de la Portilla: That's the only reason why I did it this way
Board Member Reyes: That is absolutely right, but I want you to understand when we
are offering -- I mean, we are -- this -- our developers (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- it's not
that we are not giving them a lot of benefits. We're giving them $9 million in grants.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: That's a lot of money. Yeah, I know, I get it, and --
Board Member Reves: That's a lot of money, and my point, all along has been that if
we are giving them so much benefits, but we will have to -- I mean, we have to receive
benefits also, and I -- amongst those benefits, and when we're talking about -- and we
been talking all along about affordable housing, I wanted it to be real affordable
because it is -- I mean, 120 still is people that makes close to $70, 000, you see? That is
something that we have to take into consideration, and (INAUDIBLE) that is making
around $30, 000, $40, 000 or $45, 000, that it might be included in future projects, you
say that are -- make -- spread the AMI, and spread it in a way that there is affordability
to all the income levels -- I mean, most of the income levels, okay? That's
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: The affordability issue -- Commissioner, the affordability
issue for me remains my number one priority as a City Commissioner.
Board Member Reyes: I know that. I know --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I know we had the conversation before when we --
Board Member Reyes: I know that.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- had it in City Commission meetings.
Board Member Reyes: And we're going to have it.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I deeply care about that issue, that's why I asked for a
special Commission meeting. I mean --
Board Member Reyes: Yes.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- these are things that are important to me. I want to leave
a good mark. I want us to leave a good mark in what we do to address that issue.
That's a major concern for me.
Board Member Reyes: That's right.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: The lack of affordable housing for our people in Miami
concerns me. Its one of the reasons why people can't live here and can't live in the
places -- they have to live in Homestead and West Dade and other parts, and they pay
$300 in tolls to get over here, that's another issue that we can't have no control over.
But we do have control -- what we do have control over is how we can restrict some of
these projects to create that workforce housing, and Commissioner Russell is correct.
There is an incentive issue here. If these developers don't feel that they're going to
make money, obviously, they're not going to do it because they're not going to make
money. We have to cut the best deal for the City of Miami, and we have to still make it
a win -win so they win something and we win something, and we get that affordability.
And in some cases, as Commissioner Russell has championed for his whole career, you
know, he'll create microunits and he'll create things that make it for different --
younger people, people that are moving into the workforce now --
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Board Member Reyes: Those --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: It's sort of a com --
Board Member Reyes: Those --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: It's a mix of ideas from --
Board Member Reyes: Those --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- different generations --
Board Member Reyes: Yes.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- and different kind of Miamians that we end up, on
October 13th or down the line, or we have enough meetings, that we all can come and
find common ground on --
Board Member Reyes: That's what I want.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- how we address the different kind of people that we have
here.
Board Member Reyes: That's what I want and that is important. And now talking
about that meeting, I'm going to ask all my fellow Commissioners if we can change it
because I find out that, the I5th, I have a very important meeting -- I mean,
appointment with my cardiologist, that I have -- it took me two months to get it in at
Cleveland Clinic. And I don't -- it's --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: No, no, I'll make the motion to move the meeting to October
14th, or 16th --
Board Member Reyes: That's right.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- or whenever you want to do it and --
Board Member Reyes: That's right.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Hold on a second. Hold on. I know, Vicky. When we go to
a City ofMiami Commission meeting, I'm fully aware.
Board Member Reyes: Yes, but I --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I've done this for about 20 years --
Board Member Reyes: -- I'm just (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Let me try to handle this.
Board Member Reyes: Okay, so --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, so when we're doing the City -- we're doing CRA now.
When we go to City Commission meeting, I got -- he made a request, and we'll do it in
the City -- when we come back to City Commission.
Board Member Reves: Absolutely. [just wanted to let you know now, talking about
that, that meeting is very important and what we're going to do is, at that meeting, we -
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- once and for all -- we will try to work at finding common ground that all this
discussion, you see, what 1 think, and 1 mean, we have to give and take and try to find
common ground and accelerate the development of affordable housing to save in costs.
We've been talking -- I mean, in my case, I've been three years, and we haven't been
able to offer a single building that would -- with any of those bond -- from the bond
money that we have. And I want to accelerate that and -- for every area, for every
area, okay? So, move it. I mean, I move this and that's it.
[Later...]
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Hi, Natalie, how are you? Okay, so those are the five things
that we have. Is there a motion? Let's approve them all --
Board Member Reyes: Yes, I move it.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- in one fell swoop, in one motion.
Board Member Reyes: I move it.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Does anybody have a motion to get them all approved? Are
there any -- before we do that, are there any additional comments? Commissioner
Russell? Commissioner Carollo? Anyone?
Board Member Russell: I'm good. I'll second it.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you, sir. So moved. All those in favor, say "aye. "
[Later...]
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: All right., all those in favor; say "aye. "
The Board Members (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: It passes. I think we're done with our business of the day
for this Ornni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), so this meeting is now
adjourned.
Board Member Reyes: Thank you
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2. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION
7929 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI
REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
("CRA") AUTHORIZING THE CRA TO REBATE TO WYNWOOD HAUS, LLC
("GRANTEE") THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCE ("TIF") REVENUES
GENERATED BY THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GRANTEE'S PROJECT IN
AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 95% OF THE TIF COLLECTED FROM THE
PROPERTY ANNUALLY UNTIL 2030, OR UNTIL 2047 IF THE LIFE OF THE
CRA IS EXTENDED TO 2047, FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$12,935,674.61; AUTHORIZING THE TIF PAYMENTS TO BEGIN UPON
SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT AND THE RECEIPT OF A
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY OR TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE OF
OCCUPANCY, SUBJECT TO THE RENTS BEING RESTRICTED UNTIL
2047; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CRA TO COLLECT THREE PERCENT
(3%) OF RETAIL GROSS RENT PROCEEDS THAT THE GRANTEE
COLLECTS FROM THE PROPERTY'S GROUND FLOOR RETAIL DURING
THE INITIAL 15 YEAR PERIOD AFTER SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION OF
THE DEVELOPMENT; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR TO FURTHER NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE, ALL IN FORMS
ACCEPTABLE TO GENERAL COUNSEL, FOR A MIXED -USE
DEVELOPMENT OF PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 01-3136-003-0140, 01-
3136-003-0150, 01-3136-003-0160, 01-3136-003-0170, 01-3136-003-0180,
AND 01-3136-003-0190, ALL LOCATED IN THE CRA REDEVELOPMENT
AREA.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-20-0014
MOTION TO:
Adopt
RESULT:
ADOPTED
MOVER:
Manolo Reyes, Board Member, District Four
SECONDER:
Ken Russell, Board Member, District Two
AYES:
Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Russell, Reyes, Hardemon
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number 2, please see
Item Number 1.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Okay, well, Mr. Walker, just walk us through the other four
projects then we'll move them together.
Jason Walker (Executive Director, CRA): Yes, sir. The Wynwood House Project is a
20-story, 224-unit rental development with 5,200 square feet of ground retail at the
bottom, $65 million total project cost. The developer is asking for a 95 percent TIF
(Tax Increment Financing) rebate, 60 percent of the total TIF until 2047. The past --
present day value is $6.3 million; over the life oj'the TIF, its $12.9 million, until 2047.
Additionally, the developer is requesting a $1.1 million grant. 45 percent oj'the units,
100 units will be rent restricted with a restrictive covenant until the sunset of'the CRA
(Community Redevelopment Agency) in 2047. The AMI (Area Median Income)
breakdown are as follows: 14 percent of the units at 100 percent AMI, 20 percent of
the units at 120 percent AMI, 11 percent of the units at 140 AMI As the Chairman
pointed out in the previous agreement --
Board Member Reyes: Wow.
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Mr. Walker: -- as the Chairman pointed out in the previous agreement, 3 percent of
the gross retail rent will be collected and shared with the Omni CPA for a 15-year
period after the completion of 'development.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: By the way, this is a development that --just to add this to it
-- that was going to be a market rate, but as a matter of right, they can build this. We
just got something in return from them, but we couldn't get as much as we could from
the previous one. So, that's kind of like it's not the best deal in the world, but it's not --
but it's a good enough deal for what they were going to do anyway. So, we kind of
tried to fix the deal --
Board Member Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- to be honest about this particular development.
Board Member Reyes: I mean, I don't want to start an argument but let me tell you
thisIf . they could do it -- if they were going to do it with our money, thev can do or
charge how many they, want. But they're asking more than the previous one. Well,
they are asking -- no, no. Thev're asking all the TIF mon -- the TIF proceeds, that is
the tax increment, that -- it is generated by this development. I mean, the CPA is not
going to get anything, and -- will the County also be part of this that they are -- that if
this is going to go -- instead of going to the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) area for
redevelopment, business is going to be going to this person that is making this
development. And besides that, we are also giving them some money. I mean, this is --
we are contributing a lot to this and then they are going to 140 which is, in that area,
140 I might be -- I will dare to tell you that it is market rate or a little bit more than
market rate.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: But -- it's above market rate, correct, today. It's restricted
until 2047, which means by when 2047 comes around, you're not going to be around,
I'm not going to be around.
Board Member Reyes: You might not be. I'm going to -- I'm planning on being
around.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: When 2047 -- I'm joking again. But when 2047 comes
around, then it's -- the 140 is going to fit. But we got 14 percent of the units at 100
AMI, which what I'm trying to do, it's kind of like ann overall vision I have for what I
want to happen in this new downtown, as I call it, north of 395. It's sort of to create
enough workforce housing --
Board Member Reyes: Yes, but --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- that people can live in the urban core. Whether it's 14
percent or 20 percent, we have some rezoning issues that we're going to be dealing
with in our regular zoning issues down the -- our zoning meetings down the line that
we are going to, you know, get 14 percent workforce housing. So, we get enough units
in these buildings that people can afjbrd, and that's kind of where I want to go here.
Board Member Reyes: Four --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And I know it's not going to be perfect along the way,
nothing is --
Board Member Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
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Chair Diaz de la Portilla: But 1 want to try to at least create affordability for same of
our citizens in the urban core, so they don't have to be so far out.
Board Member Reyes: But the thing --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Remember, I inherited a lot of'these deals.
Board Member Reyes: Yes.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: You know, some people say I'm not going to do it if it's
more than 3 percent of this and, you know, I get that, and I try to negotiate the best I
can and then bring it before the body for the body to decide.
Board Member Reyes: But --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: But the intention and the intent is to try to get as many units
for people -- real people, real Miamians, to be able to afford.
Board Member Reyes: Yeah, but --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: That's what I'm trying to do.
Board Member Reyes: But Commissioner, with all due respect, if you analyze the, you
know, Miami, AMI for Miami is around $36, 000, and when we're talking about Miami,
and what we'll be offering as affordable, I don't believe that 140 percent AMI is
affordable for 90 percent of'the people. If you find that -- I mean, if'you -- I'm going to
present to you an analvsis of all the salaries in Miami. You see, 90 percent of the
people in Miami -- 95, 96 percent of the people in Miami are young and below $67, 000
of income.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yes.
Board Member Reyes: You see, and many people are thinking, okay, the 140, 140 --
and this is the line of -- well, I'm talking about a lawyer -- I mean a police off cer and a
teacher that get married and that's what Commissioner Russell told me once, that it is
a police officer and a teacher, you see, a couple that is going to move in that area.
Well, a teacher starts with $47, 000 and police about (UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Well, our republican --
Board Member Reyes: And besides that --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Our republican governor just raised the salary so --
Board Member Reyes: To $47, 000, which I applaud him for.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yes.
Board Member Reyes: But I'm also thinking about the, you see, single parent, the
single mother, you see, that we have many, many, and they are professionals -- that we
have professional single mothers that they are making 45, $50,000, and they went to
school. And if when you find the salaries that these people are receiving, you see, they
won't be able to move in that area because it's going to go beyond -- it's not that they
won't be able to move that area. They will be able to pay that rent, but they will be
rent burdened, you see?
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Right, it --
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Board Member Reyes: It will have --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: It will be 50 percent of their income, right
Board Member Reves: That's right, and that's what I'm trying to avoid. That's what I
want -- that's why I'm fighting all the time so hard because there is a -- the
misconception that people are willing -- what Commissioner Carollo was expressing
this morning, we are building houses that it's not going to be for people that live here,
that work here, or are receiving the salaries here. We have -- we are building houses,
people that come from New York, people that come from other places, that they will be
able to afford it, you see? We have to think about our population. Our population
have -- what's the income of our population? And when you said, "Okay, it's going to
be./brpeople " -- I mean, will be 68,000, 70,000, people that have -- people are making
that much money or 140, which is $80,000, close to $80,000, I mean, it is kind of a --
we have to --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: There's no argument, Commissioner
Board Member Reyes: Okay.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: You will get no argument from me that 140 is not the
number we want to be at.
Board Member Reyes: No.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: There's no argument there. There's no argument to be
made there. I don't believe it's 100 either, by the way, because of the restriction and
the number of years it's restricted. I do believe it's something like 110, you know --
Board Member Reyes: Okay, the I10 --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- it's along the way, but we can have that conversation.
We can have that conversation.
Board Member Reyes: No, no, we're going to have that conversation and --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: We have to.
Board Member Reves: -- I believe, you see, I'm -- believe me, I'll stick to my, guns, and
I know that those people are going to be rent (INAUDIBLE). And affordable housing
means -- affordability means that a person is not (INAUDIBLE), you see? At 30
percent of their salary, it is -- anything above the 30 percent of their gross salary, that
is --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Beyond --
Board Member Reyes: -- considered rent burdened.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: They're rent burdened, of course
Board Member Reyes: They're rent burdened, and I -- that is even bad for the
economy, and I'm going to tell you why. Because if you have to use so much of your
income for rent, then you have less money to go and consume at the store, or buy other
things. It hurts the economy as a -- and it not only hurts the couple, or the person, but
it hurts the economy. You see what I mean? And I would like it very much to have this
discussion and this argument when we meet in October because I want -- I know that
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the developers are going to tell you -- I'm going to tell you -- listen, we are not -- I
mean, I cannot build. Listen, guy, you're a builder, okay, and we are offering $9
million --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: The developers
Board Member Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) offering you millions.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Commissioner Carollo has talked about this publicly, many
times. Developers are --
Board Member Reyes: Developer.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: It's not that they're greedy, but they like to make money, we
understand that.
Board Member Reyes: Absolutely, and more power to them. I'm a capitalist myself:
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And look, and they're going to come and say, "Well, we
want to make more money, and we're not going to make any money, " so we -- I get
that.
Board Member Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And that's not true because --
Board Member Reyes: They're going to be crying all the time --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And they require -- and they want, you know, and we're
going to talk about community benefits and, you know --
Board Member Reyes: Yes.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- how we build greenspace, how we tell them, "You got to
do this. You got to do that. " How we limit our AMI, where we take that conversation
to. I get it.
Board Member Reyes: Okay.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I'm not going to let them --
Board Member Reyes: Okay, let's move this --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: They're not going to rule the world.
Board Member Reyes: Okay.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: But, we also can't -- they're not going to rule the world but
we also can't make it so difficult so that they can't -- they won't do it. They'll go
somewhere else. We've got to find that balance. That's all that I'm trying to do, but I
agree with you --
Board Member Reyes: My dear friend --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: They will come, and they will fight. They will fight and they
will say, "Oh, we're not going to make any money. The world will end. "
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Board Member Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Give us this, or we have to pay community benefits. You
know what, we need community benefits --
Board Member Hardemon: May I add something?
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: They need to make -- to understand that they're not going to
make as much money.
Board Member Reyes: Absolutely, and I --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: They need to understand that there's a common purpose
here, that they should be part of that common purpose to help our city become
affordable in housing, period.
Board Member Reyes: That's right.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And if they don't like it, frankly, they can go somewhere
else, as far as I'm concerned.
Board Member Reyes: Yes, and Commissioner, just to end this conversation, you see, I
know that they are going to try to get from us as much as they can and I don't blame
them, I don't blame them. And I mean, if l am -- and they don't take into consideration
--for example, when we allowed some additional density, 208 additional apartments.
Well, those 200 additional apartments, that's revenue that they wouldn't have been
able -- they wouldn't get if they do it by right. If we don't give them any benefits, they
will build it anyways because that's what they know how to do. They don't know --
they're not going to open a grocery store; they're going to be building. So --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: They're developers. That's what they do, of course.
Board Member Reyes: They're developers. I mean, that's what they do. So, what I'm
saying is if -- I mean, we -- when -- to that argument, we have to -- also to include in
their argument the additional revenues that they are receiving, or the --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Correct.
Board Member Reves: -- $9 million that they are receiving, and also, if we give them
additional density, you see, the cost --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Of course, and --
Board Member Reyes: The average cost for an apartment is reduced, the land cost is
reduced.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Of course, and when we revisit our zoning laws --
Board Member Reyes: Absolutely.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And decide -- and Miami, all of a sudden, decides that we,
as Miamians, and government leaders in Miami decide that Miami is going to have to
go vertical, whether you like it or not, we're going to have to go vertical, since we
don't have that much land left. We had the conversation in our City Commission
meeting over at that little piece of' land, and what do we do there? Do we put air
rights, or we go vertical, what do we do? That we give them two more floors, or four
more floors, or we get more density or more intensitv, but then they can make more
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money, and then you know what? That more money you're going to make contributed
to community benefits to build the doggy park or to build -- fix the sidewalks, or the
lighting, and the things that they have to give back to the community. The culture --
Board Member Reyes: Absolutely. And just -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE) benefits.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: They have to give that. They can't plav the way they used to
play here for many, many --
Board Member Reyes: That's right.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- years. Many --
Board Member Reyes: Yeah.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- many decades ago, when I started in politics, that they
can come in and get whatever they want from government.
Board Member Reyes: Absolutely.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: They're going to get what they need from government, but
they're going to have to give something back to the people.
Board Member Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: That's what they're going to have to do, whether they like it
or not.
Board Member Reyes: We are in the same wavelength, and I need somebody
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: The philosophy is the same.
Board Member Reyes: -- adjusting the numbers.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: The philosophy is the same.
Board Member Reyes: It's the same philosophy --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: It's just how we get there --
Board Member Reyes: -- you see.
Board Member Hardemon: I wanted to add just something really quick, Mr.
Chairman.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, sir.
Board Member Hardemon: Plentv of times when we think about the area median
income, we talk a lot about the 30 percent (UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Can you come -- Commissioner, Chairman, can you come
up a little bit? I can't hear you very well.
Board Member Hardemon: I'm saying many times when we talk about the area
median income, we talk about 30 percent -- we talk about the lowest and then we also
talk about some of the highest, right? But I want to remind everyone that even at 100 -
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- 120 percent of the area median income for a household with one person in it, it's
about $76, 000, correct?
Board Member Reyes: Yes, sir
Board Member Hardemon: And the thought that we've always said is that, "Hey,
that's above the area median income. " Of course, most people that live in our
community don't make that money, et cetera. But I want to remind you, even at 120
percent area median income, if your household -- now you have a house -- let's say an
average household, for a two parent, two children household, that's four people, and
that amount is like $110,000, right?
Board Member Reyes: Exactly. The (UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Board Member Hardemon: $30, 000 is going in taxes, right?
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Correct.
Board Member Hardemon: You have 70 or so thousand dollars that's left, and then
you have to pay your housing costs. You have to pay, you know, all the other costs of
the community. My point is that, you know, it's not a lot of money.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: No.
Board Member Hardemon: You know, in one --just a single -- a single person who is
making, you know, $75, 000, gets married, has children, and now only makes -- because
he has another person in his household -- an additional 30 or $40,000, is still cost
burdened in our society. So, that's the only part, when I think about it, I'm saying, if
we want to be able to help families move into these spaces, and stay in these spaces,
grow in these spaces, and also attract people who are single,, who have differences in
income, low and some moderate, and above median income, then we have to be flexible
there. I'll never -- I always have come back to, when I graduated from school and I
came back here to live in the City of Miami, every single new development that I saw,
and I visited, was this thing called affordable housing. And as a single man, I made
too much money to live there, and there was nothing that I could do to be there. And
so I had to move outside of the City of Miami. I moved to Aventura, to a market rate
building in order to find appropriate housing. And of course, I had to pay a greater
share of my income, and I think that's what we're dealing with. If you look at 30
percent of the area median income, you're talking about people who make $19,000,
$21,000, $24,000, and $27,000. And you're going from a household size of one to
four. So, it's nice to be able to help everyone who lives under that circumstance, but
we also need to be able to attract people who make a bit more money, but still would
find themselves cost burdened and that's my only issue.
Board Member Reyes: That's what I m saying. That's what I'm saying.
Board Member Hardemon: That we are cognizant that in these spaces where
traditionally the area median income has been very low, that we also provide them
housing so they could stay there, but also attract people who would have higher
incomes to these spaces, and I think that's what's going to help change the dynamic of
these communities.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: That's correct. Commissioner Reyes, I think you're muted,
sir. Thank you, Commissioner Hardemon, and I agree with you, by the way.
Board Member Reyes: I agree with you also. We are not talking about different
things. What I'm saying --
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Chair Diaz de la Portilla: We're talking about the same thing in dif ways, yes
Board Member Reves: That's right, but I have to spread it. We have to provide for
every single income. Now, what I want to do and what I'm saying is that 140, it is, in
most cases, it is market rate, or above market rate, and that's been my discussion all
along, but that we need -- in those projects, we need people that are making
(INAUDIBLE) -- 180, you see, we spread it, because what -- when you go and jump
from 60 to 120, you're leaving out that person, that you were mention -- that you
mentioned a little while ago that makes $70,000, and it's a couple. You understand
what I'm saying? You see? And that's -- or making $60,000. And 1 have, right here,
that I'm going to show you later, I've been doing a lot of research about this and 1 can
tell you that, you see, only 15 percent of the population -- of ' the salaries, over 15
percent of salaries in Dade County are between 69 and $70,000, only 16 percent of
those salaries. And only 4 percent of the salaries in Miami are between 79 and 89.
And there's only, I mean, I or 3 percent -- I mean, I percent that makes 89 to 99. You
see, this is just an analysis that it was made by ZipRecruiter that they --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: The -- your knowledge of economics underscores the Miami
reality. We're a poor city.
Board Member Reyes: It is.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: We get that, right? We're a poor city. We're not --
Board Member Reyes: Okay. And the only thing that I'm saying --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: We're not what the world sees, we're not what the world
sees, what the world thinks they see when they see our skyline in downtown Miami. We
know. We know we're a poor city --
Board Member Reyes: Yes.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- and we have to figure out a way to accommodate our
residents (UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Board Member Reyes: I hope that we do that at the next meeting.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: We're on the same page.
Board Member Reyes: Okay. That's --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: We're saying the same thing in different ways.
Board Member Reyes: I said -- I'm going to say no more
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3. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION
7930 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, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, THAT COMPETITIVE
NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT PRACTICABLE
OR ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE CRA 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 FROM THE
CRA'S FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021 BUDGET LINE ITEM 24, TITLED "OTHER
GRANTS AND AIDS," IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ONE MILLION ONE
HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,100,000.00) FOR A MIXED -USE
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT CONSISTING OF PROPERTIES LOCATED AT
FOLIO NOS. 01-3136-003-0140, 01-3136-003-0150, 01-3136-003-0160, 01-
3136-003-0170, 01-3136-003-0180, AND 01-3136-003-0190, ALL LOCATED
IN THE CRA REDEVELOPMENT AREA, TO WYNWOOD HAUS LLC;
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE FUNDS IN HIS
DISCRETION; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL AGREEMENTS NECESSARY,
ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL, FOR THE
PURPOSES STATED HEREIN; ALL BEING SUBJECT TO THE RENTS
BEING RESTRICTED UNTIL 2047 AS MORE PARTICULARLY DETAILED IN
A RESTRICTIVE COVENANT THAT IS TO BE RECORDED IN THE PUBLIC
RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-20-0015
MOTION TO:
Adopt
RESULT:
ADOPTED
MOVER:
Manolo Reyes, Board Member, District Four
SECONDER:
Ken Russell, Board Member, District Two
AYES:
Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Russell, Reyes, Hardemon
Note for the Record. For minutes referencing Item Number 3, please see Item
Number I and Item Number 2.
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4. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION
7931 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, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, THAT COMPETITIVE
NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT PRACTICABLE
OR ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE CRA 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 FUNDING FROM THE
CRA'S FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021 BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $336,952.00
FROM LINE ITEM 11 AND $163,048.00 FROM LINE ITEM 24; AUTHORIZING
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN
AGREEMENT WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ALLOCATING GRANT
FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500,000.00 FOR
REHABILITATION OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1815 NW 1ST COURT
IN THE CRA REDEVELOPMENT AREA, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE
GENERAL COUNSEL AND SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-20-0016
MOTION TO:
Adopt
RESULT:
ADOPTED
MOVER:
Manolo Reyes, Board Member, District Four
SECONDER:
Ken Russell, Board Member, District Two
AYES:
Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Russell, Reyes, Hardemon
Note for the Record. For additional minutes referencing Item Number 4, please see
Item Number 1.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And you will -- and then, Mr. Walker, we're going to go to
our next one which is the Casa Mia one, which you may like, Commissioner Reyes,
because it's actually a good breakdown of a smaller project. It's only 12 units, but it's
a pretty interesting one that I think we're doing, because we also want to help smaller
developers that are doing -- you know, contributing to our affordability issue -- to
addressing our -- that are committed to addressing our affordability concerns. So,
let's do the other one, Resolution Number 4,,Wr. Walker.
Jason Walker (Executive Director, CRA): Yes, sir. Resolution number 4 is a gut rehab
project in Overtown, located at 1815 Northwest 1st Court. It's a 12-unit apartment
building, 6 studios, 6 two -bedrooms, two baths. This is a $500, 000 rehab grant. The
restriction -- AMA [sic] breakdown restrictions are at 75 percent of the units between
80 and 120 AMI (Area Median Income), and 25 percent of the units at market rate.
The rent restrictions will be therefor 20 years. The fifth item, sir, is the COVID-19 --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: So, this -- be -- you're going way too fast. I know
everybody is in a rush, but hold on a second. So, 75 percent of these units are going to
be between 80 and 120, and then we're going to do the breakdown. This is a small
project. It's a half -a -million -dollar grant. It's a small developer, and she wants to,
you know, just do her little thing, right? That -- it's another, you know, another bit of
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effort by a small developer to try to address that -- the concerns that we have. So, I
think this is a pretty good one that we did here, too.
[Later... ]
Natalie Duran: I wanted to say something, if that's okay?
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, of course, Natalie.
Ms. Duran: Hi, how are you all? Thankyou so much --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: How are you?
Ms. Duran: --fir having this meeting. I just wanted to give you a little bit of
information about what's going on in the Omni area that I've had to deal with. The
property that -- you guys passed the grant, thank you so much. It was flipped about
three times in one year. That means it got sold three times. The only way that we were
able to make this project affordable was because we received this grant from the CRA
(Community Redevelopment Agency). We paid about $1 million for a completely
dilapidated building and the only, way that we could keep the rents low is because we
were able to get a rehabilitation grant. So, I just wanted to say thank you so much
from our team, that we really appreciate this grant because it's going to keep us --
keep the rents at 100 percent AMI (Area Median Income) for the community. So, thank
you again, and I really, really, really appreciate all of your efforts.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla:
And Natalie, the fact that you're investing in our community
at this critical juncture and with our economy and everything, we appreciate the work
that you're doing.
Ms. Duran: Thank you.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla:
We need more Natalie Durans out there, okay?
Ms. Duran: I'll take that.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla:
All right.
Ms. Duran: Bye.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla:
So, now -- thank you for that -- the meeting is adjourned.
Ms. Duran: Thank you.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And how do you say, Commissioner -- Chairman
Hardemon?
Board Member Hardemon:
(UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Diaz de la Portilla:
How do you say that when you end your meetings?
Board Member Hardemon:
Oh, all hearts and (INAUDIBLE) --
Vice Chair Carollo: Adjourned.
Board Member Hardemon:
-- clear. All hearts and minds are clear.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: All right. We're now adjourned.
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5. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION
7932 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI
REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
("CRA") CREATING A CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 ("COVID-19")
EMERGENCY RELIEF MICROGRANT PROGRAM ("PROGRAM") TO
PROVIDE RELIEF FROM ECONOMIC DISTRESS FOR SMALL
BUSINESSES IN THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT AREA AFFECTED BY THE
COVID-19 PANDEMIC ("PANDEMIC"); ALLOCATING ONE MILLION
DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00) FROM PAGE 5, LINE ITEM 24 OF THE 2020-2021
OMNI CRA BUDGET FOR THE PROGRAM; ALLOWING AND AUTHORIZING
THE DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS SUBJECT TO THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR'S DISCRETION TO ELIGIBLE BUSINESSES IN AN AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($25,000.00) PER
BUSINESS TO MITIGATE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PANDEMIC
UPON THE PROVISION OF SATISFACTORY DOCUMENTATION FOR THE
PURPOSES AS STATED HEREIN.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-20-0017
MOTION TO:
Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT:
ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER:
Manolo Reyes, Board Member, District Four
SECONDER:
Ken Russell, Board Member, District Two
AYES:
Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Russell, Reyes, Hardemon
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number 5, please see
Item Number 1.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And then the Resolution Number 5 is the one that I'm most
excited about. Mr. Walker, tell them Resolution Number 5.
Jason Walker (Executive Director, CRA): Resolution. Number 5 is COVID-19
Emergency Business Grant. It's authorising $1 million for funding and COVID-19
Emergency Business Grant for each applicant to receive up to $25,000 to mitigate
costs associated with the pandemic.
Board Member Reyes: And that -- excuse me, that would be within the CRA
(Community Redevelopment Agency) boundaries, right?
Mr. Walker: Yes, sir.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, within the CRA, and it's exciting because it's going to
go real small businesses --
Board Member Reyes: Good.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- so this is like the anti (UNINTELLIGIBLE) proposal,
right, because this one is not for businesses that have 25 employees and make $2.5
million. This is going to be.for small businesses.
Board Member Reyes: Cafeterias and all that
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Chair Diaz de la Portilla: For real small businesses, right? For people that really are
hurting in an area of Miami that needs that kind of funding. So, we'll do up to $25, 000
for a business to help them stay afloat. And we've increased it, I think, Mr. Walker, we
were at $200,000. We've done it to $1 million. We didn't get any money from CARES
(Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securitv Act) Act, and you know, from
Gimenez, and any of that stuff. Forget about all that stuff, that's a different
conversation. But the reality is that we want to allocate $1 million to try to help these
small businesses in, this area, and say --
Board Member Reyes: Congratulations.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: --hey, I want to give you at least $25k to be able for you to,
you know, stay afloat for the next three, four months, whatever it is. Pay your rent, you
know, pay your employees, whatever you want to do with that. So, it's sort of 'a -- and I
wish we had more money to give, but $1 million is still $1 million, right? And I'm very
excited about this one because it really creates a real solution to Miamians, and what
they're going through, and a particular part of Miami that really needs it right now,
and for citizens of Miami that really need it right now. So, that's the fifth one that we
had.
Board Member Reyes: I congratulate you for it and I really hope that the extension
would've been greater so more people would benefit from it and 1--
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: We couldn't find more money, but -- I wanted to do $3
million but I had to give Carollo $2 million for Bayfront Park.
Board Member Reyes: Oh, but -- Mr. Carollo --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I would have done the $3 million, you know, but
Commissioner Carollo, you know, we had to live up to that commitment
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) commitment --
Board Member Reyes: I saw that coming. I saw that coming.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: You teed it up for me.
Board Member Reyes: Yeah, I teed it up. Okay.
[Later...]
Board Member Hardemon: I have one question.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, sir.
Board Member Hardemon: Yeah, thank you so much, sir. So, the only issue that I
have -- well, let's say this. I had a question about Item Number 5 when it comes to the
COVID-19 relief dollars. Now, I'm perfectly aware that we can give money for grants
for businesses, but I'm unaware of anything within the statute that kind of mentions
that we can write dollars for COVID-19 kind of'stuff. So, I know, ultimately, we're
making the decision to do what's right, which is provide businesses assistance, but my,
worry is just the language that's couched in the COVID-19, and I wouldn't want our
CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) to get kind of dinged for a title that is -- that
gives us an issue of not necessarily the substance.
Board Member Reyes: That's a good point
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Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I think it's actually a very good point. It's actually a
legitimate legal concern.
Board Member Reyes: It's a legal question and --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, yeah.
Board Member Reves: -- and before -- we can vote on it, but before it's implemented,
we will -- you will have -- we will have to be clear of that obstacle if it exists, you see?
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, and maybe our --
Board Member Reyes: The money has to --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- attorney, Ms. Jones --
Board Member Reyes: That's right.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- are you on? I thought Ms. Jones was on --
Isiaa Jones (Staff Counsel, CRA): I am.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Talk to us about that, and it's actually a very good point.
Does it matter what we label?
Ms. Jones: So, we -- the -- FS (Florida Statutes) 163 speaks about the CRAB being
able to distribute funds to businesses for business development due to blight. The
pandemic is in fact creating a lot of blight in the area because you now -- you're now
having empty, shop fronts, businesses going out of, you know, going out, completely
being zeroed out. So, what we're trying to do with this money is to save a lot of these
businesses that, you know,, are in the area that are struggling. As part of our
redevelopment plan, we are authorized to create financial resource pools so businesses
can benefit in the area. So, we are absolutely allowed to do this.
Board Member Reyes: Yes, but Ms. Jones --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Okay.
Board Member Reves: -- correct me ifI'm wrong, you see, what we're trying to do is
very similar when we place funds in order for business development.
Ms. Jones: Yes.
Board Member Reyes: In this case what we're doing is we are placing funds into the
businesses so that the consequences of these businesses going under, it is going to be
blight, you see? And the same way that we can help businesses -- I mean, we provide
seed money and training for business development and in order to foster economic
development, what we're doing here is retaining our businesses and providing them
funds so that they don't go under.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), right, so --
Board Member Reyes: That is my interpretation of it.
Board Member Hardemon: But I don't -- I --
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Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, no, its mine too, and I think that's why Chairman
Hardemon had --
Board Member Reyes: Yeah.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- a very, very logical question. Is it an issue if we label it
that way and how do we really define it? Or can we kind of work through that --
Board Member Reyes: Business retention.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: --just (UNINTELLIGIBLE) dollars and then figure it out
later?
Board Member Reyes: Business retention.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: In other words, we still do our business grants, and we do
the things that we do, right?
Board Member Reyes: Yeah.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: We'll label it as COVID-19 relief because it's really for
businesses that are hurting because of COVID-19 relief so they have to meet certain
criteria, I would guess, right? Certain --
Ms. Jones: Absolutely, they --for employment to put --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: So, that -- we haven't done that yet, we -- I'm sorry, go
ahead, Ms. Jones, I'm sorry. Go ahead.
Ms. Jones: No, see, a lot of this money would be going towards paying and helping
these businesses to pay (INAUDIBLE), which is one of the fundamental concepts of
redevelopment agencies throughout the state to fund the employment ofpeople that live
in the area. So, at least they could have, you know, the businesses will be able to pay
people to go on for a few months, or at least until they -- you know, things start to get
back to normal.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Okay.
Board Member Hardemon: I get it, I understand what we're doing, but what I'm
saying to you is just that it makes me worried because when you title things in a certain
type of way, it just makes it -- it gives the impression that it's for something that really,
it's not. Ultimately, the money is to help businesses. I know many times like we want
to title it, okay, a COVID-19 relief or something of that nature, but when you title it
that way, in my -- just from my perspective, and maybe I'm a bit conservative when it
comes to this but, you know, I think about what the State is going to do, what the
County is going to do, how they're going to react to us. And I can imagine them
saying, "Well, they used -- they went outside of the Florida Redevelopment Act, and
they said that this is_for COVID-19, and we don't have any parameters for that. Now,
do we have parameters for business development and all these other things? Yes. "
And ultimately, who wants to spend the money to fight that when we can just say that
this is a business assistance grant.
Board Member Reyes: Absolutely.
Board Member Hardemon: And you could say --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Okay, let's do that.
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Board Member Hardemon: -- that this is for business assistance
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: At the end of the day, you know -- I agree, Commissioner.
At the end of the day we could say the reason why this business is hurting is because of
COVID-19, because they don't have the same kind of patrons they had before. Let's
say it's a restaurant or a bar, whatever it is --
Board Member Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: --for whatever the reason it is. So, let's get rid of COVID-
19. Let's make sure the public understands that we understand --
Board Member Reyes: Business assistance.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Exactly, we make it business assistance, but the public
understands that we understand the reason why a lot of these places in the Omni CRA
geographic area are hurting because the patrons are not going there. The places have
been closed down. The County Mayor has, you know, given 50 percent occupancy
rules that we can't go beyond. So, people can't make money and they lose, you know,
the business is not the same as it used to be. So, we can call it business assistance, get
rid of COVID-19 --
Board Member Reyes: Absolutely.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- but we make it very clear that we understand,
intellectually, that it's for COVID -- that COVID-19 is causing the problem, right?
Board Member Reyes: And --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I agree, so get rid of COVID-19 and we'll just call it
emergency business grant program that --
Board Member Reyes: Business assistance.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- is just for unforeseen circumstances --
Board Member Reyes: Business assistance.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- that they have.
Board Member Reves: And if you want to make it more legal, we -- at the -- I mean, in
order for you to have the -- to qualfi for this business development, that you have lost
50 percent of your business in the past 6 months, or whatever.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Even better, of course, you say --
Board Member Reyes: The criteria -- we set the criteria --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- of course. If you used to sell $100 and now you're selling
$50, and you can prove it in document that you sold $100, now you sell $50, you know
what, you're entitled to get some help from us.
Board Member Reyes: That's right.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Because you can document that you're not making what you
used to make.
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Board Member Reyes: We set a set of criteria that --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yes.
Board Member Reves: -- that they are the actual, I mean, state of the businesses now,
you see? Because most of them --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And I'll make sure that Mr. Walker gets every
Commissioner, kind of like a diagram of how we're going to do this, right? Of what
criteria we're going to use to make sure that the businesses that are getting it are merit
based and they really deserve this money, because I think that accountability matters.
It matters a lot to me, and just to make sure they're getting their $25k. They're getting
it because they really need it. They could document that they were a restaurant that
was selling you know, $5,000 a month and now they're selling $1,500 a month, and
that's why they need the help to survive until we pass this crisis, right?
Mr. Walker: Yes, sir.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Something like that. All right,, so we'll change the name.
We got five things. We have two more -- a motion, I think, and a second.
Board Member Reyes: And a second. Let's vote.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: No additional questions? Any additional comments from
anyone?
Todd B. Hannon (Clerk of the Board): Chair, just to be sure, the mover and seconder
both accept the amendment to Item Number 5?
Board Member Reyes: Yes, sir.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, sir.
Board Member Reyes: Yes, sir.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, sir. All those in favor, say "ave. "
Board Member Carollo: Excuse me, what is the amendment?
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: To change the name --
Board Member Reyes: To change the --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- of COVID-19. It's called Business Emergency Grant, it's
just a label --
Board Member Reyes: Business assistance.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, just Emergency Business Grant, emergency
assistance.
Board Member Reyes: That's right.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: We're not calling it COVID-19 because Commissioner
Hardemon has a valid point, that, you know, to actually label it that way may create
some legal issues.for us, and that's correct, he's correct.
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Board Member Carollo: And so if COVID-19 --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: He's the only lawyer in the group, so we've got to listen to
him, okay?
Board Member Carollo: If COVID-19 is out of the question, then I guess the Chinese
created lab virus would be out of the question then too, right?
NA - NON -AGENDA ITEM(S)
1. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION
7948 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI
REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
("OMNI CRA"), AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A PAYMENT IN THE
AMOUNT OF TWO MILLION DOLLARS ($2,000,000.00), FROM THE OMNI
CRA FY 2020-2021 BUDGET TO THE CITY OF MIAMI TO BE ALLOCATED
TO THE MAURICE FERRE PARK FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS;
FUNDING TO BE ALLOCATED FROM THE OMNI CRA'S FY 2020-2021
BUDGET RESERVE ACCOUNT OR BUDGET LINE ITEM 24 TITLED
"OTHER GRANTS AND AIDS"; AUTHORIZING FOR THIS PAYMENT TO BE
DEDUCTED FROM THE TOTAL CRA CONTRIBUTION TO THE CITY OF
MIAMI FOR MAURICE FERRE PARK AS OUTLINED IN THE UPDATED 2020
OMNI INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF MIAMI AND MIAMI-
DADE COUNTY AS RATIFIED; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS
NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THIS PAYMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE
TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL.
:IZ/_C0111IJ,I=1► Ill i►01iyi11:1OWN :7_d:b11111114V
MOTION TO:
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Adopt
ADOPTED
Joe Carollo, Board Member, District Three
Ken Russell, Board Member, District Two
Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Russell, Reyes, Hardemon
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: So, we have a pocket item they're introducing right now to
deal with the Maurice Ferre Park, and Mr. Walker, can you walk us through that?
You're muted. So, unmute yourself and then walk us through it. Jason, you're muted.
Jason Walker (Executive Director, CRA): Sorry, sorry, sorry.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Okay.
Mr. Walker: This item is a pocket item of the Board of Omni CRA (Community
Redevelopment Agency) authorizing the issuance of a payment in the amount of $2
million dollars from the Omni CRA fiscal year 2021 budget to the City of Miami to be
allocated to the Maurice Ferre Park for capital improvements.
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Chair Diaz de la Portilla: 1 think the item is self-explanatory. This is a commitment
that I made to Commissioner Carollo publicly last time we had a CRA meeting and this
is just an item to live up to that commitment to Commissioner and to Maurice Ferre
Park for what -- things that are important to our city.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla. If I
may ask your Executive Director when he intends to send the money.
Mr. Walker: We will send the money as soon as this item is approved, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: All right. Ij' you don't mind, I'll gladly have the -- your
counterpart, the Executive Director from the Bayfront Park Trust go pick it up the
minute you have it.
Mr. Walker: I believe the last time -- we can check with finance, I believe we can cut a
check, but the last time you transferred $2 million, it was a general ledger transfer to
the City ofMiami. So, if the Board wants to do something otherwise --
Vice Chair Carollo: No
Mr. Walker: --you can (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to do that
Vice Chair Carollo: This is part of the problem, we were still playing under the old
City Manager and the games that he had, trying to punish me anywhere I was.
Nowhere in the deal that we had back then between the Citv, the County, and the CRA,
did it say that all this had to happen. Now, I surely don't mind but I don't want it
going to the City of Miami and then we're going to be going through what we did
recently that we had to wait a year, or more, in order to have that money transferred.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: That's not going to happen, Vice Chairman. I already
made it very clear to Mr. Walker that we want this money transferred. It's part of my
commitment. I think it's important what happens to Maurice Ferre Park. I think some
of the thi -- bad things that have happened there need to be addressed, but that's a
different conversation. But the commitment that was made many years ago, when I
wasn't Chair of this -- of the Omni CRA -- I think at least as long as I'm Chair of this
CRA, I'll make sure that I live up to my commitments and my word is my bond. I gave
you my word.
Vice Chair Carollo: I appreciate that very much. So --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And we'll get it to you.
Vice Chair Carollo: The statement that I made last time, I'll take this fiscal year out,
so that all that I've got to deal with is the fiscal years before you got there as
Chairman.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: You can blame that on Russell. Right now, focus on me,
and --
Vice Chair Carollo: Well --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And Commissioner Russell, you can laugh every once in a
while. It's okay to laugh --
Vice Chair Carollo: This is not --
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Chair Diaz de la Portilla: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) levity matters, but it is important, but
seriousness matters, too. There's a commitment that I made, and when 1 make a
commitment, virtually all commitments, whether it's a public commitment in particular,
that you are going to -- that your park was going to get what it was promised, what's
going to happen right now. So, if I -- I'll entertain a motion now to pass this. Anybody,
want to address it or anybody want to make a motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: I make the motion.
Board Member Russell: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I'll second the motion. Commissioner Russell, do you have
any comments? Or Commissioner Reyes?
Board Member Reyes: No, --
Board Member Russell: Yes, I do have a --
Board Member Reves: The only comment that I have is that thank you very much
because this will do away with all that controversy, and I think that we did the right
thing (UNINTELLIGIBLE) congratulations.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I think it's important to, you know, we have a lot of
important things to do in the City of Miami. And we can put away, take things off the
table that may, create issues and controversies and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) having so
many other serious conversations --
Board Member Reyes: Absolutely.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I think we shouldn't belabor the point and just get things
done. Commissioner Russell, you are recognized.
Board Member Russell: Thank you, no, and I'm glad to second the item. As with you,
there's never been an intention to go back on the obligation of the $2 million dollars,
whatsoever. There -- where the budget did pull some of that out and use it for
something else that got reallocated, that was not through my office, that was
completely through the City. And so that money was intended to be used by the
Bayfront Park Trust for Maurice Ferre Park, period, at their discretion. So, whether it
happens now or whether it happens at the extension., it doesn't matter to me, but I of
course have a sense of humor and I get that you're having levity, but I know that
Commissioner Carollo is serious. He really feels that there has been an impropriety
here.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: All serious. We're all serious.
Board Member Russell: And there has not. There has not been an impropriety. It's
been bookkeeping. The obligations are there and I'm happy to second this to make
sure he's comfortable that the promises are coming to fruition now.
Vice Chair Carollo: I appreciate that, Commissioner Russell, but let me say this, that
this is not about putting blame, you know? I'm not here to put the blame. I'm here to
collect the money. And while Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla has cure this fiscal
year, and I'm sure that as long as he's there, and at least as long as I'm at Bayfront
Park, we're not going to have this issue anymore, there is still the question that, in the
prior years, while you were Chairman, for whatever the reason, there's, I don't know,
7, $8 million dollars that are still outstanding. Do you know the amount, up to date,
not including interest, Mr. Walker?
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Mr. Walker: 1 believe it's -- not including this payment -- I'm sorry, not including this
payment, it's -- or including this payment, it's $6 million.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, it's $6 million that you're saying that's left, okay, not
including this payment. All right, well, you saw how long it took him to figure it out,
$6 million.
Mr. Walker: I had my microphone on mute, sir, I'm sorry.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, that's fine, but imagine if, you know, your microphone's
been on mute for all these years, how can you figure out how to pay this back? So,
how can you, for three past years, have been sent to the State statements, that you have
a balanced budget when you don't, and you have no idea where that money's going to
come from to make those pavments. And this is the point that I was trying to make but,
you know, we'll try to deal with that in-house, hopefully, and move forward into the
future. But I thank all of you. I thank Commissioner Russell for his vote, and in
particularly, the Chairman, for having done that and I am sure that you all are going
to be proud of what we're going to do there because we're going to go at it in a two -
prong expenditure. One is to spend the money in ways that is going to bring us
additional money, recurring revenue, to run Ferre Park so that Bayfront Park doesn't
have to put that much money into it every year. At the same time, providing the
additional parking that the park is going to need because as you all know, we have
these two huge museums there, not to mention, other activities in the park, and we have
very little parking space. Before COVID-19, with Off -Street Parking taking over, we
were doing quite well there. So, there's an area that we're looking to expand the
parking in that we could use that money for. Addition to that --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Is that area -- I'm sorry, Commissioner, to interrupt you, is
that area in front? Is it that median across the street or is it inside the park?
Vice Chair Carollo: No, it's right next door to the parking we have now.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: In back of the water plant.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: It's not being used, and you got these mounts that are really ugly.
So, we're ttying to figure out what's there so that we could accomplish that. Secondly,
we want to do a dog park that we're moving forward now. For the future, because I
don't think COVID-19 is going to be on us like this forever. We want to do a nice
playground for kids. I do believe in kids even though some don't want us to reproduce
anymore, I do believe in playgrounds for those of us that want to keep the human race
moving into the future. So, the kids --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And the doggy park is important too, so you want to do the
doggy park also, right?
Vice Chair Carollo: Absolutely, that's the first thing we're moving with --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: That's awesome.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- right now, as we speak.
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Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I'm a big dog lover. You may, have read about that in the
paper.
Vice Chair Carollo: We want to do something grandeur in the memory of Maurice
Ferre in particular that once we have some renderings, we will bring to you, but you
all are going to be really proud of it and it's going to be a central focal point for this
whole county. So, I thank you all jor it.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Well, Commissioner, your commitment to Bayfront Park
and Commissioner Russell's commitment to Green Space in Miami -- in the City of
Miami, The Underdeck that we're going to do over there by the Omni CRA and the
Overtown CRA, and these are things that matter. It's a quality -of -life issue for me and
I know that the doggy park over there, in that community, in that part of Miami is so
important, I think it's a real, real good venture that you're undertaking here, and I
want to thank you for that. And I think that's a good way to spend these dollars and
what you're doing -- what your vision is -- again, anything I can do to expedite the
delivery of those dollars, if Mr. Walker gets me a check tomorrow, I'll hand deliver it
to you to make sure that we can move forward and begin. to get this project -- these
projects that you in mind, that you envisioned for that area, done. So, I'm more than
happy to invest these dollars into the ideas and the vision that you have for Bayfront
Park and Maurice Ferre Park.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Chairman. Mr. Walker, you heard the Chairman. 1
won't say anything more. Thank you.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: So, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor, say
ave.„
Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Mr. Chair, Mr. Chair. Sorry, you need to open
it up to the public to comment --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Oh, I'm sorry.
Mr. Min: And because it's a pocket item I would suggest that (UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I'm sorry. I thought you told me there was no public -- is
there public comment? We open it up for the public to comment. Is there any public
comment? There's no public comment, so we'll close the comment period, and we'll
vote on it. All those in favor; we have a motion, a second, all those in favor; say "aye. "
The Board Members (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Diaz de la Portilla: All those opposed. I voted aye, of course. Itpasses.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:21 p.m.
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