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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOMNI CRA 2013-01-24 MinutesCity of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com CPI ` '1 1`:" 47,: • IN Q9P 99 1i? ▪ I1JYD Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 24, 2013 12:00 PM or thereafter Miami City Hall Commission Chambers 3500 Pan American Dr. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Marc David Sarnoff, Chair Francis Suarez, Vice Chair Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner Frank Carollo, Commissioner Michelle Spence -Jones, Commissioner OMNI & MIDTOWN CRA OFFICE ADDRESS: 1401 N. Miami Avenue, 2nd Floor, Miami 33136 Phone: (305) 679-6868 www.miamicra.com OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes January 24, 2013 RESOLUTIONS 1. 12-00613 Present: Commissioner Spence -Jones, Chair Sarnoff, Vice Chair Suarez and Commissioner Gort Absent: Commissioner Carollo On the 24th day of January 2013, the Board of Commissioners of the OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Miami met in regular session at Miami City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida. The meeting was called to order by Chair Sarnoff at 12:16 p.m. and was adf ourned at 12:31 p.m. Note for the Record: Vice Chair Suarez entered the Commssion Chambers at 12:23 p.m. ALSO PRESENT: Pieter A. Bockweg, Executive Director, CRA Veronica A. Xiques, Assistant General Counsel, CRA Todd B. Hannon, Clerk of the Board CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SELECTION COMMITTEE AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH BERMELLO, AJAMILAND PARTNERS, INC. FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE DESIGN CRITERIA PACKAGE FOR THE MIAMI ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX LOCATED AT 2601 S. BAYSHORE DRIVE, 10TH FLOOR, MIAMI, FL, 33133, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $200,000; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE FUNDS, AT HIS DISCRETION, UPON PRESENTATION OF INVOICES AND SATISFACTORY DOCUMENTATION; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AND AMEND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO GENERAL COUNSEL 12-00613 Cover Memo.pdf 12-00613 RFQ Documents.pdf 12-00613 Signed Legislation.pdf Motion by Board Member Spence -Jones, seconded by Board Member Gort, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Commissioner Spence -Jones, Commissioner Gort and Chair Sarnoff Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Vice Chair Suarez CRA-R-13-0001 Chair Sarnoff. I want to welcome everybody to the Thursday, January 24, 2013, Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting. Mr. Director, please present resolution number 1. Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Mr. Chairman, thank you. Commissioners, thank you. And we haven't met since last year, so happy New Year. I hope you all -- you had a nice holiday. The item before you is the progress of moving forward with the MEC, the Miami Entertainment Complex, to approve the design criteria -- I'll wait. Commissioner Gort: Go ahead. City of Miami Page 2 Printed on 5/2/2013 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes January 24, 2013 Mr. Bockweg: Thank you. This is to move forward with the ultimate building and the vision of the Omni CRA and the board to -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved. Chair Sarnoff We have a motion. Commissioner Gort: Second. Chair Sarnoff We have a second. Any discussion? Hearing no discussion, all in favor, please say liye. " The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Sarnoff All right. We are now in -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: Mr. Chairman, I would like to put something on the record. Chair Sarnoff Absolutely. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. I just wanted to just say to Bert -- to both Bert and to Pieter -- 'cause I know this has been a long day coming, so finally, the project will be moving and things will be happening and wonderful jobs will be coming from the area. Mr. Bockweg: Yes, ma'am. Commissioner Spence -Jones: But I want to also thank you for your support on our -- you too -- you, as well, Mr. Chairman, on your support with the Robert Townsend project. It was a great project. A lot of young people learned a lot from the project. We learned a lot about Hollywood, which is why, you know, we are in government and Hollywood is in Hollywood. But I do want to say I appreciate your support and participation in making that happen. And we look forward to seeing the end results of it. And I'm hoping the whole goal of the center now -- I don't know if you've fully decided what's going to be the full goal as of yet, of the center. I know that it's going to be a sound stage. Is it going to become a training center or something along those lines? Mr. Bockweg: That is part of the reason why we're taking this step with the design criteria to guide us in that process. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Right. Mr. Bockweg: The scope of the RFP (Request for Proposals) was very specific on certain things we were looking for, and we're looking for other things that possibly would benefit and enhance what we're looking to have in that building. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. And then in the meantime, just in closing, I know that over this next year, part of the issue -- I know that you know this -- that Robert had on the project was really making sure that we get people trained from the community that may not have had the experience in certain areas, maybe worked on one or two projects, but clearly didn't have the wealth of knowledge in this area of film. Hopefully, before the building actually comes, the goal would be to make sure that we begin to generate, you know, a group of -- a workforce that can actually do projects. I mean, we have it in Miami already, but most of them are working on big projects. So the question becomes us being able to now train people on the ground level so that there's a big enough working pool. So I'm assuming that before the building actually gets started or completed, there'll be a series of various things that you'll be doing on the Omni side to, you City of Miami Page 3 Printed on 5/2/2013 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes January 24, 2013 know, cultivate that. Mr. Bockweg: We are -- as part of the overall project, Commissioner, is that there -- we do want to make sure that we enhance the talent in Miami, and more importantly, also keep the talent that are in the film industry in Miami. And we believe that this building will enhance that and allow that -- for that to happen. So I guess the short answer of it is, we are looking into doing that and making sure that talent pool stays here and is enhanced. Commissioner Spence -Jones: And the only reason why I'm saying that -- I think it's important for you to put this kind of stuff on the record because, at the end of the day, you are doing a lot of work to really try to cultivate the business. And I know that as far -- and people need to hear that. Mr. Bockweg: Right. Commissioner Spence -Jones: And as far as the Tallahassee, I know that that's one of your major pushes. Mr. Bockweg: I am flying to Tallahassee this afternoon to make sure that we do increase and maintain the tax rebates for the film industry 'cause as we all know, that is the primary source -- Commissioner Gort: Very important. Mr. Bockweg: -- and reasoning for coming down and filming in Miami. And I'm actually leaving this afternoon to start that process. I will be going back several times this year to make sure that that happens. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. Just want you to put it on the record. Mr. Bockweg: Thank you, ma'am. Chair Sarnoff Commissioner Spence -Jones, I want you to bear in mind one thing, though. We are responsible for the tunnel payment and we are responsible to build the building. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes. Chair Sarnoff And I'm going to tell you that 95 percent of our resources or efforts are aimed at those two objectives. And we want to get the building built. We want, of course, Mr. Bermello to design the building, but then it has to get built. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes. Chair Sarnoff And wherever and whenever we can, at the appropriate times, we understand it takes a training center, an education center, all the ancillary things, or as you would say, the people capital -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes. Chair Sarnoff -- to make these things work. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes. Chair Sarnoff But understand, I'm focused primarily on financially being able to afford the building; finding every strategy, every way we can to build the building and, as the building progresses, then throwing people resources towards the building. Not doing it too much ahead of City of Miami Page 4 Printed on 5/2/2013 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes January 24, 2013 time, so that we make sure we can build the building. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes. No, I'm clear on that. I just -- you know, one of the questions and concerns always is, you know -- and you know this. We've talked about this, you know. There were concerns in the very beginning about building a building and not having the people to actually, you know, be a part of the building. So I think that you have to do both things hand in hand. You have to cultivate the workforce, which is what you guys are doing or you have supported or what we're doing, more or less, on our side, in the Overtown CRA side, is training the people. But it's just -- it's not been an easy, you know -- it's been a, you know, very interesting journey. But I just wanted to at least -- I think it's important when people see us vote on things that they understand that you have a vision, Pieter, and you have to communicate that. I mean, the Chairman can communicate it, but I think your executive director has the responsibility to also communicate it so that people understand that you have a bigger vision on the issue. You know what I mean? Mr. Bockweg: Without a doubt, Commissioner. The Omni CRA does have a bigger vision, and that's really bringing together 14th Street and the surrounding communities into that arts and media and movie industry and making sure they are part of that as that progresses as the community, obviously, starts to revitalize. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. Thank you, Pieter. Chair Sarnoff Commissioner Gort. Commissioner Gort: Let me ask a question. Have we been in discussion with the University's communications department? Mr. Bockweg: We have -- we -- Bert and I, either together or separately, have met with all the higher education -- University of Miami, Miami Dade College, Dade -- Miami -Dade Public Schools, and seeing their interest level and seeing how we can integrate them into the process. My meetings with them have been very good, very positive, and they definitely see the benefit of us moving forward with building a film studio. Commissioner Gort: Great. Okay. Chair Sarnoff Commissioner Suarez. Vice Chair Suarez: Mr. Chair, thank you. You know, it's great to be a part of this process, you know. We've been working on this since you first came up with the idea several years ago, and it looks like we are headed in the right direction. And I'm excited about not only the design function of it and having a local firm -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes. Vice Chair Suarez: -- do that, which I think is very important. In some of our recent discussions over the last few weeks, you know, it's money that comes from our community and that's staying in our community, so that's -- you know, it's an honor to have someone of Mr. Bermello's distinction and a local person here participating in that. You know, we've talked a lot about -- and you've harped over the years about bringing in flagship industries to the City of Miami. And the film and entertainment industry is one that is a natural fit for the City of Miami. But it's not a fit that is as simple as people think it is. I would have thought that the film and entertainment industry would have been tripping over itself to come to the City of Miami, but it's not that simple. It requires a lot more than just our beautiful weather and, you know, the natural things that we have. They'll go film in South Dakota because of the credit program in South Dakota, rather than film in the City of Miami. And that was something that I didn't know until I started City of Miami Page 5 Printed on 5/2/2013 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes January 24, 2013 investigating this process myself. The other thing is, you always talk about base industries. And I just saw a report in the last few days where Dade County's unemployment rate is at 9.1 percent, which is higher than the national average, I believe. So we have to do everything -- it's incumbent upon us as leaders in this community to do everything we can to bring new industries that obviously are high paying job industries. So we're, as a community, making an investment in this industry, and we're also asking the state to concur with us in their investment in this industry. I think those things, in combination with our natural advantages, should make it very, very easy to attract the film and entertainment industry, but we do have work to do. And I think this is -- it's great that we're taking another step here today. Thank you. Commissioner Spence -Jones: And ifI can just add, Mr. Chairman. And you and I sat in this meeting with -- was it Mayor Gimenez? Commissioner Gort: Yes. Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau -- Commissioner Gort: Right. Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- the one that you no longer sit on, Commissioner Suarez; that I sit on now. But even the Mayor in that -- in his statement as a part of the board meeting, he mentioned about a major -- what did he say, a major film -- Commissioner Gort: A studio. Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- studio that's actually coming in Miami -Dade County. So -- I'm seeing you shake your head. That's not true? Chair Sarnoff. No. I -- we've heard of the Donald Trump studio. We've heard -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: No, but he just -- did he not just --? Commissioner Gort: This is a different one. Chair Sarnoff Okay. Commissioner Gort: It's up to the north, I understand. Commissioner Spence -Jones: See -- so, see what your vision has birthed. Chair Sarnoff Well, I hope so. But I hope it doesn't -- I hope we don't lose focus. This is achievable. This is, within the next two years, in our grasp. And I -- you know what, I hope five other studios open up, I really do. I hope one in Homestead; I hope one in northwest Dade; I hope one in northeast Dade. I hope they all open up 'cause it just -- you know, it's like restaurants -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes. Chair Sarnoff -- you'd rather go to a restaurant district than you'd rather go to a small restaurant by itself. Commissioner Spence -Jones: And I don't think it's anything wrong with having more than one -- Chair Sarnoff Agreed. Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- option or choice. It's just great to see that now everyone is kind City of Miami Page 6 Printed on 5/2/2013 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes January 24, 2013 of -- the CRA kind of -- honestly, we kind of like pushed the whole envelope on it and now there's like a rebirth or interest in making it happen. So I just think that it's great. It's a great thing, you know. Imitation is flattery. Commissioner Gort: If they want to film in Miami, they can use the studios. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Right. Commissioner Gort: They don't have to go all the way back. Chair Sarnoff Commissioner Suarez said something which was very true, which was -- you know, I've always seen Miami as the three-legged stool, only it's never had three legs in its entire life. It's always had tourism, construction -- which is boom and bust -- and you're always looking for that third leg, and you could argue years ago or maybe you could argue today, South American banks. You could -- Commissioner Suarez: We have a robust legal. Chair Sarnoff -- argue -- Commissioner Gort: International (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Chair Sarnoff -- there's been some others. But the film industry just has such a large potential and -- maybe I shouldn't even try. Commissioner Gort: It's a $52 billion industry, and right now, Miami's taking a lot of it. The -- because of the Hispanics filming that is taking place in here. The telenovellas are really -- a lot of them are being filmed here in the studios opened by them, so there is a great future for the City in that. Mr. Bockweg: Mr. Chair. If I may, you were talking about the multiple studios in the City of Miami or in Miami -Dade County, as such. If you recall, the KPMG (Klynvelca Peat, Marwick, Goerdeler) study that was done by the -- Dade County calls for at least eight sound stages within Dade County. So the research definitely supports multiple sound stages within Dade County. Commissioner Spence -Jones: And people like Eugene, you know, they were the pioneers that decided to, you know, push this industry to make it happen. So, you know, we always want to acknowledge and support those that were the pioneers in all of this. But it's just great to give people additional options, you know. And this sound stage/studio, and perhaps, maybe training center, or whatever you decide it's going to be in the end, is just another option. It's another choice, you know. So I applaud you guys for getting it moved. And I want to -- I don't -- I never met Mr. Bermello. You know, as Commissioner Suarez has stated, you know, we really love the idea that you are a local businessman that's going to benefit from, you know, what's coming from the overall project. That's what it's all about, is making sure we're able to pour back into the residents and the people that, you know, pour back into our city. So I'm happy that you were selected. Chair Sarnoff Let's -- the only thing I'll say to you guys is let's stay focused because -- Commissioner Gort: Yes. Chair Sarnoff -- there's going to be a lot of people that are going to say, you don't need to do this at the very end. And let's just stay focused and say, let's get the studio that's properly built that nobody else has. And I don't care if Dade County builds five. I don't care if Donald Trump City of Miami Page 7 Printed on 5/2/2013 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes January 24, 2013 ADJOURNMENT reconsiders. I don't care if MGM (Metro -Goldwyn Mayer) Grand opens up next door. Let's not lose the opportunity that we've created, whether we spurned others to think about this or not. Because I'll -- what Suarez said a moment ago is very true, you know. Film industry follows the money. Whoever's giving the money is where they're going. And all things being equal, Miami and Hollywood are probably where they want to film, all things being equal. And what are the two states that you have seen huge filming going on. They're not -- one of them is one of my favorite states, Louisiana. Louisiana took its FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) money, its Hurricane Katrina money, and threw it into the film industry. I don't know if it's a good or bad investment, but if you ever think of True Blood, if you ever think of all these other movies that were made there, all from the FEMA money. What's the other -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: Treme. Chair Sarnoff -- state that you didn't see --? Michigan. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah. Chair Sarnoff Getting all the money for the car industries, you know. They're probably the most depressed -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: Atlanta. Look what's happened in Atlanta. Chair Sarnoff Atlanta. They're all realizing that they have to participate. And you know, when this first came up five, six years ago -- and I remember meeting with then Manny Diaz. And we were both like opposed to putting money into an industry because it's hard to do. But when your competition is doing it and everybody else is doing it, you'll never get the industry here unless you compete on the same playing field. So having said that, you know, I ask you, remember this vote here 'cause there's going to be a next vote after this. It's going to be to build the movie studio. So if you don't want to build the movie studio, don't vote for this. But when you vote for this, vote to build the movie studio. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah. Commissioner Gort: Mr. Chairman, let me tell you. I think we're committed because whatever -- whoever comes in here is going to take the time. We can do ours first, and that'll be very important. Chair Sarnoff All right. All in favor, then, please say Eye." The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Sarnoff Okay. We're in adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 12:31 p.m. City of Miami Page 8 Printed on 5/2/2013