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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEOPW CRA 2021-11-18 MinutesCity of Miami 819 NW 2nd Ave 3rd Floor Miami, FL 33136 http://miamicra. com Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 18, 2021 12:00 PM City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Christine King, Chair, District Five Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Vice Chair, District One Ken Russell, Board Member, District Two Joe Carollo, Board Member, District Three Manolo Reyes, Board Member, District Four SEOPW CRA OFFICE ADDRESS: 819 NW 2 d AVE, 3rd FLOOR MIAMI, FL 33136 Phone: (305) 679-6800, Fax (305) 679-6835 www.miamicra.com Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes November 18, 2021 CALL TO ORDER Present: Chair King, Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla, Commissioner Russell, Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Reyes On the 18th day of November 2021, the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Miami met in regular session at Miami City Hall located at 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida. The meeting was called to order by Chair King at 12:48 p.m., and was adjourned at 1:03 p.m. ALSO PRESENT: Cornelius Shiver, Executive Director, CRA Anna -Bo Emmanuel, Chief Legal Counsel, CRA George Wysong, Assistant City Attorney, Supervisor Todd B. Hannon, Clerk of the Board CRA PUBLIC COMMENTS SEOPW CRA Page 1 Printed on 1/1912023 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes November 18, 2021 CRA RESOLUTION(S) 1. CRA RESOLUTION 11071 A RESOLUTION THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("SEOPW CRA"), WITH ATTACHMENTS, AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND IRREVOCABLE GENERAL RELEASE, IN THE AMOUNT OF $374,000.00 FOR THE RE-ACQUISTION OF THE LAWSON EDWAED THOMAS OVERTOWN LAW OFFICE ("THE LAWSON BUILDING"), LOCATED AT 1021 NW 2ND AVENUE, MIAMI, FL 33136-3412; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE FUNDS, AT HIS DISCRETION, UPON PRESENTATION OF SATISFACTORY DOCUMENTATION; FUNDS ALLOCATED FROM SEOPW, ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.661000. ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-21-0034 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Board Member, District Four SECONDER: Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Board Member, District One AYES: King, Diaz de la Portilla, Russell, Carollo, Reyes Board Member King: Good afternoon, everyone. I'd like to call to order the November 18, 2021, Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting. Mr. Executive Director, please briefly read the agenda items. Cornelius Shiver (Executive Director, CRA): Thank you. And first and foremost, congratulations, newly appointed Chairman of the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA. You know, there's just no substitute for hard work; you've earned it. Chairman -- Chairperson and the Board, we have two items on the agenda. The first item -- and I'll just summarize it -- is a settlement agreement. Back in April 15, 2021, the CRA came before the Board to seek authorization to bring a lawsuit against Miami -Dade County, as well as a private company called Alexandria LLC (Limited Liabilitv Company). It was concerning property owned by the CRA, the CRA being a tax-exempt -- property, tax- exempt entity. And we lost a property in the CRA name for failure to pay taxes, so that's why we sued the County, and we sued the bona fide purchaser of the property. At the end of the day -- and I want to congratulate the attorney who worked on this, the City Attorney -- Henry Hunnefeld and Deanna Rasco -- because, at the end of the day, the person who purchased it -- whether it was a mistake on the County for sending it through, or whether it was a mistake on the CRA for not picking it up earlier -- we were able to reach a settlement to get this property back, notwithstanding that the purchaser had done nothing wrong. So, the first item is to authorize a purchase price of $374,000, Of which we will get 180 -- approximately $184,000 back -- and so for a net price of $190,000, the CRA is able to recover the Lawson law office building. And as many of you know, Judge Lawson was the first black judge to hold a public office in the South and also in Miami -Dade County. And so -- and then let me go -- and I can talk more about the actions. We have Henry Hunnefeld here who can tell you more about the settlement if its necessary. And Madam Chairperson, the second item is a resolution where the CRA is a corporate sponsorship for the Camillus House 22nd Annual Hope for All Gala. This is an annual sponsorship we do with the Camillus House, the Camillus House being an entity that's within the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA boundaries. So that is a summary of the two items, and I'm open, for any questions on any of those items. SEOPW CRA Page 2 Printed on 1/1912023 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes November 18, 2021 Board Member Reyes: I move it. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I second. Board Member King: Is there anyone here for public comment on either one of these items? Seeing no one for public comment, we move to -- Board Member Reves: Vote? Board Member King: -- approve both items. Board Member Reyes: Yes. Board Member King: First, I'd like to disclose that 1 am a board member of the Camillus House. I've gotten an opinion from the City Attorney that there's no conflict as I do not hold office. I'm not a paid person with the Camillus House, so there is no conflict with me having voted on it. Board Member Reyes: Clarification taken. Board Member King: So move -- Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Second it. Board Member King: All in favor? The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. 2. CRA RESOLUTION 11073 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING FUNDING IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10,000.00, FOR SUPPORT FOR CAMILLUS HOUSE'S 22ND ANNUAL HOPE FOR ALL GALA AS A CORPORATE SPONSOR; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE; FUNDS ALLOCATED FROM SEOPW - "OTHER GRANTS AND AIDS" ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.883000.0000.00000. ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-21-0035 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Board Member, District Four SECONDER: Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Board Member, District One AYES: King, Diaz de la Portilla, Russell, Carollo, Reyes Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number 2, please see Item Number 1. SEOPW CRA Page 3 Printed on 1/1912023 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes November 18, 2021 CRA NON -AGENDA ITEM(S) 1. CRA RESOLUTION 11105 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SEOPW CRA, THE CITY OF MIAMI, AND MR. CORNELIUS SHIVER AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WITH ATTACHMENTS; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE NEWLY APPOINTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-21-0050 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Board Member, District Four SECONDER: Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Board Member, District One AYES: King, Diaz de la Portilla, Russell, Carollo, Reyes Board Member King: And if I may add an item to the agenda. You have been given a separation package for the executive director, Mr. Shiver. I'd like to thank him for his service. And for your review is his separation package, and I'd like for you to approve that. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: What's the amount? Board Member King: The terms are three months and two and a half weeks of sick pay. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: So moved. Board Member Reyes: Second. And it has been mutually agreed, right? Cornelius Shiver (Executive Director, CRA): Mutually agreed, yes. Board Member Reyes: Yes, sir. Okay, that's -- Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: So moved. Board Member Carollo: Can I ask a question -- Board Member King: Yes. Board Member Carollo: -- that I quite don't understand it? It says we'll pay him 90 days' pay, 100 percent of'earned but unused sick leave as of November 18 o_f'this year. Are we saying that what we're giving him is unused sick leave? Board Member King: Yes. Board Member Carollo: Okay. Board Member King: It's approximately two and a half weeks. SEOPW CRA Page 4 Printed on 1/1912023 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes November 18, 2021 Board Member Carollo: Okay. But let me be sure. We're not giving him the 90 days and then on top of that the sick leave. It's just the 90 days is the accumulated sick leave that he had. Board Member Reyes: No. Board Member King: No, no, no. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: No. Board Member King: He's going to be paid three months and two and a half weeks of sick time. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And what's the total amount? Board Member King: I don't have the total amount. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I'm sure he does. Mr. Shiver: On what? On my, sick? Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: On the whole severance package, Mr. Shiver. Mr. Shiver: I haven't broken it down. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: You haven't broken it down? Mr. Shiver: Because we just settled it. Well, really, I was -- Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Really, you haven't broken it down? Mr. Shiver: -- asking for -- I turned 65 in August and I was trying to get nine months until I can retire at 65. And -- but we resolved it for three months. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Right. Mr. Shiver: And so I don't know the exact amount because I get direct deposit, and you know -- and I live from paycheck to paycheck so I'm not being -- you know, I'm not avoiding the questions. I really don't know but it's not that much. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I know. Mr. Shiver: It's not -- Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: No, I know it's not that much Mr. Shiver: -- commensurate to my years working with the City and working with the CPA (Community Redevelopment Agency). But I am in agreement with it because this is the right thing to do, the right time for the right Commissioner. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Because you believe that we have a new chairman of the CRA, that the Commissioner or the new chairman has the right to pick their own executive director and their own staff, correct? Mr. Shiver: I'll go beyond that. I'm from the old school. I call you guys the Fabulous Five and I don't think there's nothing that you can do wrong because I was trained to always make my decisions consistent with the wishes of'the City Commission. And so I SEOPW CPA Page 5 Printed on 1/1912023 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes November 18, 2021 truly believe -- and I articulated this to the newly -elected Commissioner -- that she -- like any of you -- have a 100 percent right to work with any executive director that you feel comfortable with. That was never the issue. The issue 1 raised -- and has been resolved - - is as long as the process is amicable -- because what 1 did not want is to leave the impression that something was wrong, or something was bad. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Correct. Mr. Shiver: And so that -- and I'm very relieved that I wasn't the only person, thinking like that, you know. And so, at the end of the day, will this get me where I want to be? Who knows. But it's a good clean break. There's no animosity. I'm still available to assist the new administration and I'll have further conversations. But Commissioner Russell, Commissioner Reyes, Commissioner Carollo, I just want to go back home. I'm from Coconut Grove, the first black community. And the wonderful things that we have achieved -- right? -- in Overtown needs to be duplicated where I'm from. The Overtown CRA is emerging. It has emerged from poverty and there's a lot of work that's still to be done, and that was because of your leadership and the many executive directors that came before me, and I put my spin on it too. So at the end of the day -- Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Thank -you. Mr. Shiver: -- this is a good day. Board Member Carollo: How many -- Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you, Mr. Shiver. Board Member Carollo: -- years have you worked as the executive director? Mr. Shiver: I think it's about four years. Prior to that I was the chief of staff for Commissioner Spence -Tones. I was the chief of staff for Jeffery> Allen when he came in after Arthur Teele, so I've been around. I've worked on a lot of CRA-related activity prior to going over there. But think I've been an executive directorfor like -- Board Member Carollo: Okay. Mr. Shiver: -- four years. Board Member Carollo: So about four years. So what were giving you is about a month for each of those four years if we included the unused sick leave. Mr. Shiver: Which is not that much but I'll be -- Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla. It's not, it's fair. Board Member Carollo: Okay. Mr. Shiver: -- I'll be gracious if you, you know -- Board Member Carollo: Yeah, all right. Mr. Shiver: -- think that it needs to be -- Board Member Carollo: Are you satisfied -- Board Member King: Yes, I am. SEOPW CPA Page 6 Printed on 1/1912023 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes November 18, 2021 Board Member Carollo: -- with this? Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And by the way -- Board Member King: Yes, I am. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- thank You -- Board Member Carollo: All right. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- for your service. ]seconded the motion so I'm already there. ]just wanted to ask you some questions to make sure. Mr. Shiver: And I appreciate that. And my work --and I'll let the Commissioners --you -- but my work is not done. And 1 think the accolades should go to you all -- okay? -- because we have accomplished a lot in Overtown. I'm not leaving Overtown. I'm just, you know, five blocks away. Board Member Reyes: Mr. Chair -- Madam Chair. Board Member King: May I have a motion? Board Member Reyes: Yes. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: You already have the motion; I seconded. Board Member Carollo: There's a motion. Board Member King: Second? Board Member Reyes: Motion has been made and second. But I want to thank -- Mr. Shiver, I don't know if you recall the first time that I went to one of your meetings. The first thing that I asked was "Where is the business development and training program?" And you developed one immediately. Thank you. And I think that we have to keep that, Madam Chair, because it is the most important that residents of Overtown are able to establish their own businesses and manage their own businesses there; also, homeownership, which is very important. Board Member King. Is there anyone here that would like to speak on this item? Keon Williams: Good afternoon. Keon Williams, 1235 Northwest 52nd Street, Miami, Florida. I just want to say to Neil, as a Towner, born and raised, and as a businessowner, it's been a pleasure. I remember at the last meeting when Clarence was stepping down and they were announcing you at the Lyric and I was happy and I'm still happy today because I've seen the growth and evolution of Overtown as a kid who used to get mangoes out of Purvis Young's backyard, who used to sell those same mangoes and Spanish limes along 2nd Avenue, now where my current business is. And so I've seen the evolution. I've seen all of the fights that have taken place for this vision to come about. And I just want to let you know that as a kid born and raised in that community when all of'the conversations were going on about the Overtown for the next 20, 30 years, I was in high school when those conversations were going on. And I am glad to say today, that I see the vision. I'm glad that you were a part of the steering of the ship. And it means a lot to me to have known you in such a way and I do consider you a friend. So thank you for your service. And I'm sure -- I can speak on quite a bit of the community in Overtown to say we're thankful to have had you. SEOPW CPA Page 7 Printed on 1/1912023 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes November 18, 2021 Mr. Shiver: And thank you for the warm words because you represent the future of Overtown. Mr. Williams: Thank you, sir. Board Member King: Thank you. Seeing no one else for public comment, all in favor? The Board Members (Collectivelv): Aye. 2. CRA RESOLUTION 11106 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY APPOINTING MR. JAMES MCQUEEN AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-21-0051 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Board Member, District Three SECONDER: Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Board Member, District One AYES: King, Diaz de la Portilla, Russell, Carollo, Reyes Board Member King: One more item, gentlemen. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Oh, Jesus. Board Member King: I'd like to appoint as acting CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) director, James McQueen until such a time that I can find -- Board Member Carollo: Moved. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Second. Board Member King: All in. favor? The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Todd B. Hannon (Clerk of the Board): If you'd just open up the public comment. Board Member King: Oh. Is there anyone hereon public comment for the appointment of James McQueen as acting CRA director? Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And we thought -- Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Reyes -- we had gotten rid of McQueen but now he's back. Board Member Reyes: Hold on. I want -- Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I thought he was out at the County -- Commissioner Reyes: Listen, I wanted -- Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- doing his other stuff. Board Member Reyes: -- to keep it -- SEOPW CRA Page 8 Printed on 1/1912023 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes November 18, 2021 Board Member Carollo: Quick McQueen. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: I thought that McQueen was gone. Board Member Carollo: Quick McQueen. Board Member Reyes: No, no, no. I'd rather -- Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: The more they take him out, the more we pull him back in. Board Member Reyes: No, no, no. I'd rather have him here in City Hall -- Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: So we can watch him. Board Member Reyes: No, and he cooks real good ribs, man. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: He does. Board Member Reyes: I mean, I'll miss his ribs, okay. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: But -- Board Member Reyes: So you have to bring it back. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- I want to know -- Board Member Reyes: And I'll only vote for him if he brings -- Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: --where he is right now. Where's Mr. McQueen? Where is he? Cornelius Shiver (Executive Director, CRA): We can let him, sit in his chair. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, let him sit in the chair because I want to ask him about what we're going to have for dinner tonight. Board Member King: Go ahead, Mr. Williams. Keon Williams: Again, Keon Williams. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla. Sorry, Madam Chair. Mr. Williams: I just want to say this is something I actually -- I support because as I've been going through what I've been going through my business here in the City of Miami, this was one of the guys under the past Commissioner Hardemon that I would call on a daily basis. And when I say "call on a daily basis, " Commissioners, you guys got to know that this is somebodv that answers the phone. This is somebody that wants to attend to the needs of the public. And so I'm just -- I'm happy that this transition is happening. Christine King -- Commissioner King, thank you for making all of this happen. I definitely appreciate this man here and I think there could have been no one better to have handed off this transition to. So thank you for -- Board Member Carollo: McQueen. Mr. Williams: -- that. SEOPW CPA Page 9 Printed on 1/1912023 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes November 18, 2021 Board Member Carollo: McQueen -- Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: And Madam Chair -- Board Member Carollo: -- so that you don't get comjortable just yet, I think what was agreed upon was that as long as you can make some good ribs for dinner tonight -- Board Member Reyes: Absolutely. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah. Board Member Carollo: -- that we've been missing, you know, we could consider the -- Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: But Commissioner Carollo, we could always reconsider. We could always reconsider -- and Madam Chair, through you, of course -- we can always reconsider your appointment so we'll see how the food tastes tonight, right? Board Member Reyes: Can. -- Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: We'll see how the food tastes. Board Member Reyes: -- I place a covenant that every month each -- Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Oh, I agree, I agree. So there's an amendment. There's an amendment, Madam Chair. Board Member Reyes: An amendment -- Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: There's an amendment. Board Member Reyes: -- that every month we should -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That every CRA meeting -- Board Member Reyes: -- provide ribs -- Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: -- you have to bring food. Board Member Reyes: Okay. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Is that a good amendment, I think? Board Member Reyes: That's a good amendment. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Okay. Madam Chair, does that work? Board Member King: That works for me. James McQueen: May I speak? Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Congratulations, Mr. McQueen. Mr. McQueen: I'd like to thank the Board for allowing me this opportunity. You know I'm a child of Overtown. I grew up at 318 Northwest 10th Street and attended and still attend Historic Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church. I still get my hair cut Overtown and eat regularly Overtown. SEOPW CPA Page 10 Printed on 1/1912023 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes November 18, 2021 ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: What hair? Mr. McQueen: And I want to say -- Board Member Reyes: What hair? Mr. McQueen: -- that, you know, Neil has done -- what little hair I have. Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah. Board Member Reyes: What hair are you talking about? Mr. McQueen: You know, and I want to say that Neil has done a fine job in bringing the CRA to where they are today. And I also want to say that we look forward to trying to take it even further. And thank you all for the confidence. Board Member Reyes: Okay. Mr. McQueen: I really appreciate it. Board Member King: So I'd like to close the public comment at this time. And -- Vice Chair Diaz de la Portilla: All those in favor. Board Member King: -- all in favor? The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Board Member King: Thank you, gentlemen. Board Member Carollo: Okay. Board Member Reyes: Thank you. Mr. Hannon: The meeting is adjourned. Board Member Reyes: Meeting is adjourned. The meeting adjourned at 1: 03 p.m. SEOPW CRA Page 11 Printed on 1/1912023