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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOMNI CRA 2010-11-18 MinutesCity of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 18, 2010 3:30 PM Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, Florida OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Marc David Sarnoff, Chairman Francis Suarez, Vice -Chairman Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner Frank Carollo, Commissioner Richard P. Dunn II, Commissioner CRA OFFICE ADDRESS: 49 NW 5th ST, SUITE 100, Miami, FL 33128 Phone: (305) 679-6800, Fax: (305) 679-6835 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 18, 2010 FINANCIALS 1. 10-01311 Present: Commissioner Gort, Commissioner Dunn II, Chair Sarnoff, Vice Chair Suarez and Commissioner Carollo On the 18th day of November 2010, the Board of Commissioners of the Omni Redevelopment District Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Miami met in regular session at Miami City Hall, 3500 Pan Amerian Drive, Miami, Florida. The meeting was called to order by Chair Sarnoff at 4: 40 p.m. and was adjourned at 5: 23 p.m. Note for the Record: Commissioner Dunn entered the meeting at 4: 44 p.m. and Vice Chair Suarez entered the meeting at 4: 48 p.m. ALSO PRESENT: Pieter Bockweg, Executive Director, CRA H. Bert Gonzalez, Assistant Executive Director, CRA Veronica Xiques, Assistant General Counsel, CRA Priscilla A. Thompson, Clerk of the Board Pamela L. Latimore, Assistant Clerk of the Board CRA REPORT FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR THE PERIOD ENDING OCTOBER 31, 2010. File 10-01311 11-18-2010 Financial Summary.pdf PRESENTED Chair Sarnoff. All right, so let's start -- we'll just go through this quickly. The financial report for the period ending October 31, 2010. Miguel Valentin: Miguel Valentin, CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) financial officer. I'm going to be presenting the combined statement of financial position as of October 31, 2010. The cash that we're disclosing on that date is 29,151,568. Also, I wanted to put on record that the external auditors, they just advised me that they finalized the external audit for fiscal year 2010, and we are intending to release the financial statements any time in January 2011. Chair Sarnoff I'm sorry. Are we audited? Are you saying that the -- Mr. Valentin: Yes, sir. Chair Sarnoff -- audits are done? Mr. Valentin: Yes, sir, for 2010. Chair Sarnoff This is not this issue, Pieter, but I had asked you to work extensively with the City to make sure that any possible bonding issues could be resolved and it is a financial issue. Where do we stand on that? Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): It is my understanding -- and I will defer to our legal counsel, Jamil, but we have collected the majority of the data that is required. We have now requested from the County to receive the remaining of the data for the issuance of the bond. Jamil, if you'd like to expand on that. Jamil Fraser: Jamil Fraser, CRA staff counsel. So far we've collected, I would say, between 85 City of Miami Page 2 Printed on 3/23/2011 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 18, 2010 RESOLUTIONS 2. 10-01313 and 90 percent of the documents needed for the bond issuance. There are these notices that went out back in '86 when the Omni was first created that we're having difficulty finding. It's either at the City or at the County, but it's not in the CRA's office, so we need to either figure out if we don't have it, what's the next course of action that we can say -- or take to say, you know, can we issue these bonds without these documents or find a way to, you know, track down these documents, see -- if we don't have it, if other departments have copies of it. Chair SarnoffWell, let me suggest something to you, Mr. Bockweg. When a bank loses a note, game's not over. It's called account for missing note. I got to believe if a bank can still foreclose and sue on a promise and a note that you either deter -- let's say you've now deter -- and I want a definitive date that you're going to say to me, Commissioner, these documents don't exist. And I need that date 'cause this has been going on and on and on. And then I need to know from you that there is a procedure of -- and I'm just going to use an analogy -- and I think Commissioner Gort's well aware of this -- it's called a missing note count or lost document count. Maybe that's the better way of calling it. And I want to know what the procedure is for that, but I want this done. I want this finalized. Mr. Bockweg: Commissioner, as we had spoken before, this is one of our priorities at the CRA, to make sure this gets done as quickly as possible. I am meeting with the City CFO (Chief Financial Officer) next week to see -- to find ways to expedite it so that we can get this done, and I will work expeditiously as possible to make sure I can give you that date, whether we have that documents or not and then how to proceed from that point on. Chair Sarnoff All right. Okay. I didn't mean to cut you off, Miguel. Were you done? Mr. Valentin: Yes. And also, there is no reportable condition to make you aware of. Chair Sarnoff That's an important last -- Commissioner Gort: That's the most important. Chair Sarnoff -- moment. CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GRANTS, AS MORE SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN ATTACHMENT "A," IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000, TO (1) BRAINSPEED PRODUCTIONS, INC., (2) ESPACIO MIAMI PROPERTIES, LLC, (3) METRO 1 PROPERTIES, INC., AND (4) MIAMI-MIAMI BEACH BIENNALE, INC., UNDER THE 2010 ART BASEL GRANT PROGRAM AUTHORIZED BY RESOLUTION NO. CRA-R-10-0073; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE FUNDS, AT HIS DISCRETION, ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS, OR DIRECTLY TO VENDORS, UPON PRESENTATION OF INVOICES AND SATISFACTORY DOCUMENTATION; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO GENERAL COUNSEL; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM OMNI TAX INCREMENT FUND, "OTHER GRANTS AND AIDS," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10040.920101.883000.0000.00000. City of Miami Page 3 Printed on 3/23/2011 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 18, 2010 File 10-01313 11-18-2010 Cover Memo.pdf File 10-01313 11-18-2010 Legislation.pdf File 10-01313 11-18-2010 Attachment A.pdf Motion by Board Member Dunn II, seconded by Board Member Suarez, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Commissioner Gort, Commissioner Dunn II, Chair Sarnoff and Vice Chair Suarez Absent: Commissioner Carollo CRA-R-1 0-0095 Chair Sarnoff. All right, CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) number 2. Chelas Arscott: Chelsa Arscott, CRA program administrator. Item number 2 is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Omni CRA authorizing the issuance of grants set forth in Attachment A of your package, in the total amount not to exceed $50, 000, to Brainspeed Productions, Inc., Espacio Miami Properties, LLC (Limited Liability Company), Metro 1 Properties, Inc., and Miami -Miami Beach Biennale, Inc., under the 2010 art exhibition grant program authorized by resolution number CRA R-10-0073; authorizing the executive director to disburse funds at his discretion on a reimbursement basis or directly to vendors upon presentation of invoices and satisfactory documentation; further authorizing the execution of all documents necessary for said purposes. Once -- I'm sorry, after the board had adopted the resolution, the CRA had publicized the solicitation notice in the Miami Today and Miami Times. We received eight responses to the program with funding requests totaling $421,115. The program was capped at 50,000, and the four entities listed previously are the ones that we are recommending that you fund. Chair Sarnoff Back up a moment. Just try to tell us substantively what this is. Ms. Arscott: The CRA had issued a program in support of activities already taken place within the CRAs during the Art Basel week, December 2 through December 5. Chair Sarnoff There you go. Ms. Arscott: We realized that there were a lot of opportunity to showcase the CRA areas to support the businesses within the CRA and to allow stakeholders of the CRA to participate in venues that they otherwise would not be able to participate in. One of the requirements of the program was that one -- at least one day had to be a free event to the public. For the most part, the respondents had agreed to make all the days available free to the public, so that was an added benefit. And you will see in the companion item on the agenda we're also linking it to be able to widely promote all the activities within the CRA as well as other venues within the immediate vicinity of the CRAs with other entities to ensure that these venues are sufficiently promoted. Chair Sarnoff And ifI understood you correctly, is it $50,000 each to these --? Ms. Arscott: No. Chair Sarnoff It is 50,000 in total. Ms. Arscott: In total under the Omni funding cap. Chair Sarnoff Okay. Ms. Arscott: And we also want to make sure that we leverage the funds. So for the most part, City of Miami Page 4 Printed on 3/23/2011 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 18, 2010 3. 10-01319 the entities that we're finding had other finding sources to match. Chair Sarnoff. And who ensured that, the director? Did you ensure that there was -- that we were only a part of the funding? Mr. Bockweg: As part of the application process, they had to provide other funding sources. Chair Sarnoff. Of what magnitude? Mr. Bockweg: Well, one of the provisions -- one of the stipulations that I made is I refused to fund 100 percent of the actual event, and I needed to be assured -- or the CRA needed to be assured that not only will they get additional funding but the funding that we provide at the CRA will be stifficient for them to carry forward their show, so to speak, or expedition -- exhibition. And we -- we're fully satisfied that the funding that we provide along with the extra funding they have will bring their expeditions -- exhibitions to fruition. Chair Sarnoff All right. Ms. Arscott: And Commissioner, in your package you will see the list of eligible expenses. We basically categorized the expenses under four categories; marketing, interior/exterior improvements -- because we understand that's part of the expenses -- installation setup, and then event operational costs. And the entities are providing us with their revised budgets and revised schedule because, for the most part, we did not fund any entity at the amount that they were requesting, so they had to revise their budgets. Chair Sarnoff Okay. Is there a motion? Commissioner Dunn: So move. Chair Sarnoff There's a motion by Commissioner Dunn, second by Commissioner Suarez. Any discussion, gentlemen? Hearing no discussion, all in favor, please say aye." The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A GRANT, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $5,000, TO DOWNTOWN MIAMI PARTNERSHIP, INC., TO UNDERWRITE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE OPERATION OF A SHUTTLE TO EVENTS WITHIN THE REDEVELOPMENT AREA DURING ART BASEL WEEK; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE FUNDS, AT HIS DISCRETION, ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS OR DIRECTLY TO VENDORS UPON PRESENTATION OF INVOICES AND SATISFACTORY DOCUMENTATION; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO GENERAL COUNSEL; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM OMNI TAX INCREMENT FUND, "OTHER GRANTS AND AIDS," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10040.920101.883000.0000.00000. City of Miami Page 5 Printed on 3/23/2011 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 18, 2010 File 10-01319 11-18-2010 Cover Memo.pdf File 10-01319 11-18-2010 Financial Form.pdf File 10-01319 11-18-2010 Legislation.pdf File 10-01319 11-18-2010 Backup.pdf Motion by Board Member Gort, seconded by Board Member Suarez, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Commissioner Gort, Commissioner Dunn II, Chair Sarnoff and Vice Chair Suarez Absent: Commissioner Carollo CRA-R-1 0-0096 Chair Sarnoff. CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) number 3. H. Bert Gonzalez (Assistant Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Good afternoon, board and Chairman. And Commissioners, I'd like to pass out a document that support the item that I'm presenting. Chair Sarnoff Please state your name for the record. Mr. Gonzalez: My name is H. Bert Gonzalez. I'm assistant director for Omni CRA. This item is -- as my previous colleague, Chelsa, mentioned, it is a joint effort to help and transmit good community services along the Art Basel project week. And this project is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Omni Redevelopment District Community Redevelopment Agency authorizing the issuance of a grant, in an amount not to exceed $5, 000, to the Downtown Miami Partnership, Inc. to underwrite the costs associated with the operation of a shuttle to events within the redevelopment area during Art Basel week; authorizing the executive director to disburse funds at his discretion on a reimbursement basis or directly to vendors upon presentation of invoices, satisfactory documentation; further authorizing the execution of all documents necessary for said purpose in a form acceptable to general counsel; allocating funds from the Omni tax increment fund, other grants and aids. Chair Sarnoff Mr. Gonzalez, do you know what kind of facility is going to be used to transport people? Mr. Gonzalez: We have here -- in case you want further discussions, we have the director from the DMP (Downtown Miami Partnership), but we're using three bus services. We were personally also checked to make sure that they bid -- get the best price for this shuttle. It should run on a 13-hour basis daily during the Art Basel week, stopping at those locations that you see in the documentation that I provided you. It will run through -- from the central business district through the Southeast Overtown, into the Omni and as far as the Midtown CRAs. Chair Sarnoff How will you advertise this? How will you get this information out there? Mr. Gonzalez: DMP has provided information and has personally gone through all the sites to facilitate it through their downtown media. We have put it in our newsletter as well and through -- I know through Soho, for example, Studios there, they're also forwarding information to the community and to the Art Basel community. Chair Sarnoff Since this is going extremely downtown, have you been able to coordinate with the DDA (Downtown Development Authority) to make sure their e-mail (electronic) lists are equally provided? Mr. Gonzalez: DMP has taken charge of this, Commissioner. I can have Josie answer better to City of Miami Page 6 Printed on 3/23/2011 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 18, 2010 that question, but I know that we have worked with the DDA in this matter through DMP. Chair Sarnoff. Well, all I'm saying is let's ensure that we do it. Let's ensure that everybody knows that there's a means and manner of getting downtown, down to Wynwood 'cause I'd hate for somebody to say, you know, I just didn't know. Mr. Gonzalez: Okay. Very well, sir. Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Well put the word out, Commissioner, 'cause I think it's important that we get as many people within -- to showcase the local artists as possible, so we'll get the word out. Chair Sarnoff All right. Is there a motion on CRA 3? We've got a motion by -- Vice Chair Suarez: Second. Chair Sarnoff -- Commissioner Gort, second by Commissioner Suarez. Any discussion, gentlemen? Hearing no discussion, all in favor, please say aye." The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Mr. Gonzalez: Thank you. 4. CRA RESOLUTION 10-01320 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (THE "CRA"), WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ("FDOT"), FOR THE SALE OF A PORTION OF THE MIAMI SKILL CENTER PROPERTY, LOCATED AT 29 N.W. 13TH STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA ("MIAMI SKILL CENTER"), WHICH THE CRA IS ACQUIRING FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA ("SCHOOL BOARD"), TO FDOT, AS A CONDITION OF THE SCHOOL BOARD APPROVING THE SALE OF THE MIAMI SKILL CENTER TO THE CRA, AND THE LEASEBACK OF THE PROPERTY SOLD TO FDOT FOR $1.00 TRIPLE NET UNTIL FDOT IS PREPARED TO START CONSTRUCTION OF THE EXPANSION OF 1-395. File 10-01320 11-18-2010 Cover Memo.pdf File 10-01320 11-18-2010 Legislation.pdf File 10-01320 11-18-2010 Attachment.pdf Motion by Board Member Gort, seconded by Board Member Dunn II, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Commissioner Gort, Commissioner Dunn II, Chair Sarnoff and Vice Chair Suarez Absent: Commissioner Carollo CRA-R-10-0097 Chair Sarnoff CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) 4. Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Commissioners, this City of Miami Page 7 Printed on 3/23/2011 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 18, 2010 is an agreement that we negotiated with FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) related to a property which was approved by the board for the CRA to buy on May 12 of this year. It is the skills center located on 14th Street. We wanted to purchase that land and have plans of creating a cutting edge production facility and attracting the entertainment industry back to South Florida. We had a hiccup, so to speak. Our friends at FDOT were also interested in the property, and we had decided to work together for the greater good. We were concerned that they were going to use the property as a staging area, contributing to slum and blight. And they recognized our concern, so we sat down, negotiated an arrangement where they will be able to purchase the south portion of the property for the possible realignment of 395. The total purchase price of the property, which was authorized by the CRA board in May, was $3.1 million. That was the winning bid for the RFP (Request for Proposals) that went out by the School Board. We look forward to completing that purchase on November 24 of this month. And also, the back portion of that property will be sold to FDOT for a million dollars -- a million, eighty-seven thousand dollars. We will be able to then lease it back for a triple net lease of one dollar per year. Chair Sarnoff First, Pieter, I just want to -- I should publicly commend you 'cause I don't do that very often. I've ridden you pretty hard on this. Would you mind mentioning a number of the people that you brought out there and who's expressed an interest and has suggested they are writing letters of support? Mr. Bockweg: We have spoken with numerous people of the industry, some of who are here, who I would -- if the Chairman allows, give an opportunity to speak and share their shared vision that we have. We have spoken with individuals like Gary Nader, Emilio Estefan. I have shared my vision with Stanley Krieger, who, as you know, is the attorney for Norman Brahman, all of which -- Randy Nader has given us a -- Gary Nader, I'm sorry, has given us a letter of support. Emilio and Stanley have both understood, but wanted a little further explanation as far as concreting our vision of that property, but they are in support of what we're trying to accomplish not only for that building but also for the area as a whole, which will hopefully create jobs, bring an industry down here that will exponentially help the City of Miami. We have spoken to people in California, Sony Pictures, who have shown interest; Terry Miller has shown interest, who is the producer of Burn Notice, who has a letter of support, which you will see as part of the packet that was handed out, and various other people who are here today not only from the industry but also from the immediate area in the entertainment district. Chair Sarnoff Is there -- you said there were some people in the entertainment industry that wanted to speak? Mr. Bockweg: I would welcome anybody who is here to support, please come up. I know you -- well, one person wants to -- one of the visions that we have, Commissioner, is to have a animation section as part of that building. Animation is a huge part of the industry and I'd like this gentleman to kind of give you a brief -- Chair Sarnoff State your name for the record. Ahmed Shetala: Yes, Ahmed Shetala. I'm at 1756 North Bayshore Drive, in the Omni area. I'm the owner of Sync Animation Studios, which will basically do high -end visual effects for Hollywood films and also just local commercials come from South American and, of course, City of Miami. We've been basically in business for the past nine years and in the downtown area for the past four. We committed to the downtown area and to Miami and we actually supporting the CRA of establishing the skills building and the plan for attracting more of the film industry from California towards South Florida, and especially Miami. The reason we here today because the California industry itself in film making is actually changing and it's shifting direction towards outsourcing most of the work to outside Los Angeles especially. So we have a City of Miami Page 8 Printed on 3/23/2011 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 18, 2010 lot of contracts and a lot of people are interested of actually bringing this work down here, but they just in question about the skill set, basically people that want -- who can do the work here in Miami. So by simply supporting this plan, we can actually create jobs in South Florida and try to establish more of that industry. With that -- if the Chair is going to allow us, we actually have a video -- Chair Sarnoff. Go ahead. Mr. Shetala: -- that we'd like to play. I'm not sure if you can switch the screen. Thank you. An audiovisual presentation was made at this time. Mr. Shetala: So basically this is our company demo reel where we actually do all the work here in Miami with all the talents that we train in-house. I've always been -- for the past nine years, I've been the full-time faculty at Miami International University where we train all of our students to do this type of work here in Florida. So if we actually get to do the plan for the skills building, the skills center, we can actually employ a lot of those students and train the community to do such work and in return establish more jobs in Miami. Chair Sarnoff All right. Thank you very much. Mr. Shetala: Thank you so much. Chair Sarnoff I appreciate it. Anyone else wishing to be heard on the skills center for the general --? You're recognized for the record, sir. Yes, sir. Damon Martin: Hi. I'm Damon Martin. I'm in from California and I'm a producer. I'm a Hollywood producer. I have been producing films for about ten years now in Los Angeles and New York. I've also been financing films. I've been the co -manager of a fund, and with that fund, we've been able to provide finishing funds to independent filmmakers, producers, work with directors and writers. I've also owned two post -production facilities in the last ten years. So I met with the CRA and I met with Pieter and Bert and Harry Gottlieb, who's been a terrific chaperone for the City. And you know, I took a look at the building. I think it's a terrific building. It has the -- you know, it has the square footage. It has, I think, a great purchase price. I understand that it's going to be a budget that's generated for building out the -- you know, finishing out the construction of the building and providing the infrastructure. You know, just going back to the goals for the CRA -- I mean, the redevelopment of the area, you know, one of the commitments that I think this building could provide for the neighborhood is, you know, a program that actually works with the youth of the neighborhood, of the City, in a real -world sort of practical training commitment that we could provide at this location. You know, I think that we could bring in real -world filmmakers, producers, writers, directors and have that kind of commitment at this location. You know, in terms of the parking, Harry and I drove by yesterday and took a look. I think there's ample parking for the neighborhood. I think he'd want to have that for especially productions coming in from the outside. I think, you know, it's pretty historic and pretty obvious what kind of revenue that these types of locations can provide for the City. I don't think you could ask for a better neighbor than somebody like Eugene Rodriguez with Ice Palace and Big Time Productions who's already well established and in the neighborhood, a neighbor. And I think, you know, in terms of committing to the building, in terms of marketing this building towards Hollywood or Hollywood film producers or New York film producers, I think you want to try to look at -- the percentage that you guys are offering in terms of overall incentives, tax incentives, you know, you're competing with Michigan. You're competing with New York, Los Angeles in terms of convenience for both New York and L.A. (Los Angeles), Connecticut, Louisiana. And you know, I think you have a lot of incredible assets in this city. For one thing, you know, location wise, you have a very attractive City of Miami Page 9 Printed on 3/23/2011 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 18, 2010 city to film and it's very cinematic andl think there are a lot of independent producers that would like to be here and like to be taking advantage of these locations. But then they're looking at their bottom line and they're saying, well, you know, this is the percentage that's being offered versus, let's say, double that perhaps in Michigan. So they wind up shooting in Michigan and that Michigan location -- that Michigan shoot is supposed to be somewhere else. And I'd like to see that kind of work coming here. I've been coming here for a dozen years. I go back with Chris Blackwell about 12 years, in terms of visiting the City, and you know, he was able to bring in a lot of terrific talent just because of what he represented and the brands that he was about to, you know, provide to the world and be able to back those up. In terms of moving forward with this, I mean, I think you have the visibility from the freeway. I think that you have a location that's central, and I think that the proximity is very good. I think that there are other producers like Terry Miller who want to shoot here and want to be here and they're looking for a building like this. They're looking for a program like this. Chair Sarnoff. What films have you been associated with that some of us might know? Mr. Martin: Well, most lately I just did the closing night picture for Tribeca Film Festival, which was Freakonomics, and I just completed a project called The Reasonable Bunch, with Kate Bosworth and Demi Moore and Thomas Haden Church. I've done a lot of films. I've done about 75 films to date, and a couple of TV (Television) series, about 50 national commercials. Chair Sarnoff Okay. Mr. Martin: So -- in terms of my, you know, experience, I think I'm pretty much -- you know, on the independent film side or as a budding television producer, I think I'm the client. I think I'm the guy who you're marketing towards with a building like this. And so I'd like to continue to work with, you know, the CRA to help, you know, give ideas for programming the building. Chair Sarnoff Would you equally be helpful in terms of any improvements the building may need? Mr. Martin: Absolutely. You know, again, I think there's what I would imagine to be about 60 -- probably 68,000 square feet that's probably usable at the end of the day. I think there's a question in terms of programming. You know, there's already big stages in the neighborhood, so in terms of building a big stage, I think that would be something that might be redundant for that particular neighborhood. That said, that same square footage could be put towards a post production component in combination with pre production offices. I think when producers come into a location or a building like this, if this is going to be the hub for their production, they want to be able to expand and contract. So if they come in and they have all of their keys working, every single department is working simultaneous in pre production, they maybe need a dozen offices, fifteen offices. As they -- as an independent film goes out to location and starts filming, they can shrink down to maybe two or three offices. And as they move into post, they may be with just one or two offices ultimately. So I think you want to have this sort of plug -and -play office commitment with what I understand is to be about maybe 12,000 square feet of the building that could be dedicated towards plug and play. So in other words, they can call up even on a week's notice and say, look, we need to do, you know, some reshoots in a couple of weeks. We're going to need four offices, and those could be made available. The fixed overheads, the shared costs of let's saying, having a shared reception and a switchboard so that if people are trying to reach their production, even if they're on location, somebody's there to support their production if it's a small production, if it's a small independent shoot. It's nice for them to have that kind of infrastructure. Chair Sarnoff Okay, thank you. City of Miami Page 10 Printed on 3/23/2011 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 18, 2010 Mr. Martin: Terrific. Chair Sarnoff. Commissioner Gort, do you --? Commissioner Gort: No. I think the -- we at the CAMACOL (Latin Chamber of Commerce) have been working on this for quite a bit now. And I think the State of Florida now with the new bond financing that they -- the incentive that they're giving to the industry and not only to the national industry, but we have a lot of international individuals that are very interested in coming to Miami and filming. And I can understand in some of the other cities, they're offering a little bit more, but I think we have the weather, we have the facilities, and we have the international atmosphere that exists here that does not exist in the other city. At the same time, I think you have a lot of talent right here in Miami. It's an idea -- I know there's -- I think it's called Wallyhood [sic] or the guys from India. Chair Sarnoff Bollywood. Mr. Bockweg: Bollywood. Chair Sarnoff Bollywood. Commissioner Gort: Bollywood, yes. They're very interested in renting some space. And just want you to know that that building is going to be great, and if you run out of building, we have a lot of -- in District 1, in Allapattah, we have a lot of warehouses where we can -- they just open up and that you can create a lot of studios in there. So I just want you to know that. We have plenty of room where you can come in. Mr. Martin: Right, exactly. Chair Sarnoff Commissioner Dunn. Commissioner Dunn: No. I'm -- there's anything that will be a bolster to the economy, and certainly Miami is on the cutting edge, the City of Miami. And to hear you represent that, having been exposed to some of our leading areas, such as California, certainly is encouraging and encourages me even the more. Mr. Martin: Right. And I think, you know, there's a marketing campaign that could continue to grow for the City where you're saying, look, you know, this officially is the incentives that we're providing is roughly 20 percent, but here's all these other things that we can provide for you. So if you tally all of that up, including a center like this, a hub like this, a producer starts to look at that as maybe closer and much more competitive with something like Michigan. Chair Sarnoff All right. Mr. Martin: So -- Chair Sarnoff Mr. Bockweg, you want to be heard from? Mr. Bockweg: Yeah. Mr. Chairman, I just realized that when you had asked me, you know, what are the kind of people that we've spoken to in the industry, I forgot a very important bureau that we've spoken to, which is the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau. We met with them extensively yesterday, not only the CRA but also a major stakeholder, Eugene Rodriguez, and really shared our vision of that area. And they too, from the meeting -- from the image that I got from it were very excited about what we're trying to do there as a whole and attracting those -- this industry back to Miami. City of Miami Page 11 Printed on 3/23/2011 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 18, 2010 DISCUSSION ITEMS 5. 10-01284 Chair Sarnoff. Great. All right. Commissioner Suarez, you want to be --? All right. So we -- Do we have a motion for CRA 4? Commissioner Gort: Move it. Chair Sarnoff Motion by Commissioner Gort -- Commissioner Dunn: Second. Chair Sarnoff -- second by Commissioner Dunn. Any discussion, gentlemen? Hearing no discussion, all in favor, please say f#ye. " The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING STATUS OF MIAMI WOMAN'S CLUB GRANT. File 10-01284 11-18-2010 Cover Memo.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Sarnoff. Okay. Discussion item number 5. Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Mr. Chairman, I wanted to bring -- as you know, the Women's Club was funded in 2008 for the 40-year certification. It's my understanding that they are pretty much complete with that construction and renovation of the building, so I wanted to have them present to you an update of where they are and how long they will be trying to obtain that 40-year certification, and when that process will end. Chair Sarnoff. I just want to thank (UNINTELLIGIBLE) for coming by the way. Thank you, (UNINTELLIGIBLE). All right, go ahead. Mr. Bockweg: And I've asked Richard Heisenbaum [sic] here to -- the architect to go ahead and brief you exactly where we are on the Women's Club. Richard Heisenbottle: Commissioners, for the record, my name is Richard Heisenbottle, and I am the architect for the Miami Women's Club, with offices at 2199 Ponce De Leon Boulevard, in Coral Gables. What I've just passed out to each of you is in fact a letter that I sent to the director to try to bring him up-to-date subsequent to a meeting he and I and the staff had on the status of the Women's Club and how close we are to actual completion. In general, I am very pleased to say that this very challenging project is coming along well and is finally nearing completion. To kind of quickly summarize, I have some field reports that are attached over there that outline things that -- work that still needs to be done. But right now on the electrical side of this 40-year recertification, the Beauchamp Construction Company has pulled their secondary electrical service wiring. They've had their inspections and approvals for the third, fourth, and fifth floors. They're expecting approvals for the ground and second floors by the end of the week. New electrical light poles are set to be placed outside, which is a requirement of the 40-year recertification as well. At this time, Beauchamp is waiting for FP&L (Florida Power & Light) to give them temporary power so they could begin testing the building's life safety systems. However, the good news on the FP&L side is that the power transformers are City of Miami Page 12 Printed on 3/23/2011 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 18, 2010 NON -AGENDA ITEMS NA.1 10-00537a set. FP&L has pulled the cable from the primary transformer to the secondary transformer. This means that we should have temporary power before the end of the month. When that happens, the new fire alarm system can then be inspected and the new electrical switch gear photo I think is attached. So we're getting very close on that side and it's really up to how quickly we get FP&L to finally energize the building. On the structural side of the product, Beauchamp has completed some very sophisticated carbon fiber wrapping of beams and columns that were problematic and is proceeding now to install the fire (UNINTELLIGIBLE). So all of the -- generally speaking, all of that repair work is done. There's some decking that needs to be done on the roof to add additional stability to the building. That's supposed to be done by next Wednesday. They continue to finish minor work items as doors and windows, but as you can see from those photos taken today that are attached to the letter, all the railings and the roofing, the painting and the stucco work is already complete. So our structural engineer is in the process of creating a final punch list for their remaining work, and our electrical engineer will prepare that -- his punch list as soon as that FP&L temporary power is turned on. When the work has been completed and fully inspected, we'll ultimately be filing the requisite recertification reports with the Building Department and also a copy to the CRA and their construction team. Beauchamp's current target date for completion of the 40-year recertification is the end of the month. However, I estimate that it will actually take them to the end of the year to tie up all of the associated loose ends. This is highly dependent, again, on FP&L and their providing the final service. If you have any questions, I'd be delighted to answer them for you. Chair Sarnoff Anybody have any questions? Thank you very much for coming. Mr. Heisenbottle: Good. You're welcome. Chair Sarnoff. All right. I think that concludes the Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). Do you need to rewind for --? Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): What you need to do is officially adjourn this meeting, your -- Chair Sarnoff I'm sorry, right. Ms. Thompson: -- Omni, if you're finished. Then we'll have to take a break, start machine again. Chair Sarnoff All right. Motion to adjourn? Commissioner Dunn: So move. Chair Sarnoff We have a motion and we have a second by Commissioner Gort. All in favor, please say Eye." The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. CRA-R-10-0046 TO INCLUDE, AS AN ELIGIBLE EXPENSE, A REIMBURSEMENT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO City of Miami Page 13 Printed on 3/23/2011 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 18, 2010 EXCEED $40,000, TO THE BAYFRONT PARK MANAGEMENT TRUST, FOR THE INSTALLATION OF IRRIGATION FACILITIES AND STAIRCASES AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION AT MUSEUM PARK, 1075 BISCAYNE BOULEVARD, MIAMI, FLORIDA; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE FUNDS, AT HIS DISCRETION, ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS OR DIRECTLY TO VENDORS, UPON PRESENTATION OF INVOICES AND SATISFACTORY DOCUMENTATION. File 10-00537a 12-16-2010 Cover Memo.pdf File 10-00537a 12-16-2010 Backup.pdf File 10-00537a 12-16-2010 Legislation.pdf File 10-00537a 12-16-2010 Legislation (Signed).pdf NO ACTION TAKEN Chair Sarnoff I want to welcome everybody to the Thursday, November 18, 2010 CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) agenda for the Omni Community Redevelopment Agency. I understand that the Vice Chair wishes to open up with a pocket item, and he's recognized for the record. Commissioner Carollo: Yes, Mr. Chairman, and thank you. If you all remember, a few months back we had a long debate with regards to the remediation of Bicentennial Park for the museums. And after much debate, it was a unanimous vote to allocate $2 million towards that effort of remediation. Now it's my understanding that although all of the $2 million has -- have not been expensed [sic] and the remediation project has been complete, unfortunately, that remediation process cost Bayfront Park Management Trust some expenses that, in my opinion, were necessary in order to make sure that the event of Cirque du Soleil would continue in a matter [sic] thatl think is appropriate. We -- unfortunately, due to the remediation, the land that was going to be used for parking was full of water puddles and mud and so forth and we had to go in there and actually do a drainage project. At the same time, there was stairs that had to be installed and it all was in total of $40,000 . As you all very well have seen me and I have demonstrated over my tenure here, I am also very much business conscious and I think that, in all fairness, Cirque du Soleil has been here for many, many years. We have profited -- the City of Miami have profited, and I think it's only reasonable that we actually did these repairs, for lack of better words, or maintenance in order for the parking to be adequate for the Cirque du Soleil. And we are respectfully requesting reimbursement to the Bayfront Park Management Trust in an amount that is $40,000. And again, I think it's extremely reasonable. Chair Sarnoff Mr. Vice Chair, let me just say this. I -- first of all, I have the utmost respect for you, as you know. I have the utmost respect for Mr. Schmand and the Bayfront Trust and Bayfront Park. My only issue with this is really procedural versus substance. As you know, bringing up a pocket item of monetary impact is kind of taboo and we've always respected that. Can I suggest that we bring this back to the --? Unless you need the money -- Is this anything that needs to be taken care of right now? Commissioner Carollo: If -- I see Mr. Schmand here. He is the executive director -- Chair Sarnoff. Want to come up? Commissioner Carollo: -- of Bayfront Park Management Trust, if he would come up. And by the way, we have pictures, if need be. You know, I just have them ready. I'm choosing not to put them up unless you all tell me, yes, we would like to see it, and only because of -- you know, time is of the essence. But Mr. Schmand, according to the question that the Chairman has, is this something that we have to do at this meeting, or could we do it for the next meeting or so forth? City of Miami Page 14 Printed on 3/23/2011 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 18, 2010 Tim Schmand: Tim Schmand, Bayfront Park Management Trust, 301 North Biscayne Boulevard. I don't see that it's that pressing an issue that it couldn't be, you know, tabled or put off 'til the next meeting and then I could go around and brief each member of the CRA to bring you up -to -speed on what happened. Chair Sarnoff And understand Tim, I've known you a long time and I've come to know him now and I suspect everything is going to be completely up to snuff. I just don't want to break a barrier and then find ourselves doing it somewhat -- you know, if it ever comes up again, maybe not with you and maybe not with the Vice Chair. So I don't want to seem indiscriminate. I -- could you -- if it's not immediate, I'd just as soon, you know, that you bring it back up. Substantively, I'm sure this is going to pan out just fine. Procedurally, I just -- Commissioner Carollo: Now, Mr. Chairman -- Chair Sarnoff. Go ahead. Commissioner Carollo: -- you're talking to the Commissioner that sponsored the five-day rule. You're talking to the Commissioner that I'm sure we could go back on the record and has provided the least amount of pocket items. You're talking to the Commissioner that was absent only because -- well, I had a previous engagement and so forth. But the bottom line is, was absent when this board did a pocket item to remove the executive director and to name a new executive director in a pocket item. So, again, I will respect your wishes. And if need be, we will have to come back. But at the same time, let's make sure we're all on the same page because I think a $40,000 reimbursement pales in comparison to removing the executive director and naming a new executive director on a pocket item. Chair Sarnoff Well -- and you might be right on that and that doesn't mean two wrongs make a right, so -- but I hear you. And my -- you know, every -- half my body is saying just give the Vice Chair what he needs, but there's going to come a day when some other Commissioner is going to come up here, it may not be a Tim Schmand up here and it may be a different issue. I mean, I could look at Tim; Tim will go this is right and I know exactly what he means. I had the opportunity for him to be my director for about two years, and I got to say, Tim, it was probably the most enjoyable directorship I've ever had. I hear what you're saying. I'm just trying to be -- I'm trying to be consistent and maybe get on a better footing myself. And I'm -- I will take your words to me a moment ago as a fair admonishment of maybe some actions taken before. Commissioner Carollo: That is fair. And the only thing is that, you know, I don't mind abiding by that. I think, you know, it's not that pending. But at the same time, moving forward, I will also be, you know, reflecting back to this day and, you know, mentioning when, you know, we abided by the rule so we all, you know, in essence play by the same rules. Chair Sarnoff And like I said unless -- if Tim said it was an emergency and you said it was an emergency, I'd break that rule. Mr. Schmand: I don't feel the need. I'll get with Pieter and get it on the next agenda and brief in between now and then. Chair Sarnoff Commissioner Dunn. Commissioner Dunn: Okay. Well, basically, I mean, I -- all of the points that have been made by the Vice Chair as well as Chairman Sarnoff, certainly, we cannot deny some of the things. But I do know, even though I might have been party to the reference that was made, which is respected, I respect that, at the end of the day, I guess two wrongs don't necessarily make a City of Miami Page 15 Printed on 3/23/2011 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 18, 2010 Motion to Adjourn right so -- you know -- and so moving forward -- but I know, as you said, this particular day -- and I know you don't forget so -- and if it's not an urgent, I'll follow the lead of the Chair of the Omni, then I would abide with the wishes of this Commission. Chair Sarnoff Bring it back up. We'll put you number one on the agenda, Tim. Mr. Schmand: Thank you very much. Chair Sarnoff And Mr. Vice Chair -- Mr. Schmand: Have a nice night. Chair Sarnoff -- you will be number one on the agenda, and I suspect it won't even have to be much of a discussion. Commissioner Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Commissioner Carollo: And thank you to my colleagues. Chair Sarnoff Thank you. A motion was made by Commissioner Dunn, seconded by Commissioner Gort, and was passed unanimously, with Vice Chair Suarez and Commissioner Carollo absent, to adjourn today's meeting. City of Miami Page 16 Printed on 3/23/2011