Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutOMNI CRA 2013-02-28 MinutesCity of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 28, 2013 12:00 PM (OR THEREAFTER) Miami City Hall 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 February 28, 2013 FINANCIALS 1. 13-00261 RESOLUTIONS 2. 13-00258 Present: Commissioner Spence -Jones, Chair Sarnoff, Vice Chair Suarez and Commissioner Gort Absent: Commissioner Carollo On the 28th day of February 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 12:11 p.m. and was adf ourned at 12: 22 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 REPORT PRESENTATION OF EXTERNAL AUDIT REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012. 13-00261 Cover Memo.pdf 13-00261 Report- OMNI CRA External Audit for FY 2012.pdf PRESENTED Chair Sarnoff. Thank you. I want to welcome everybody to the Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting of February 28, 2013. I understand, Mr. Director, that we have the financial audit. Would you have the presentation made? Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Yes, sir. We -- I'm happy to report again that the Omni CRA has also had a clean audit once again, and I do have our external auditor here to make a brief presentation. Richie Tandoc: Again, my name is Richie Tandoc, with Sansone Kline Jacomino & Tandoc & Gamarra. Instead of going through the presentation again, it's the exact same presentation as the Om -- as -- I'm sorry, as Midtown's. Again, being we issued an unqualified opinion, which is a clean opinion. And second point is that we issued our report on the financial -- on the internal control over financial reporting and on compliance and other matters, which was also clean. We noted no material weaknesses, no material noncompliance issues, or any new significant report or observations for the year. Chair Sarnoff All right. Mr. Tandoc: Do you have any questions? Chair Sarnoff. Do you have any questions on CRA item number 1? Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Mr. Tandoc: Thank you. CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI City of Miami Page 2 Printed on 5/2/2013 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 28, 2013 3. 13-00259 REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CRAAND AD -PRO USA, INC. TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE SERVICES ON THE CRA OFFICE BUILDING FORA PERIOD OF ONE (1) YEAR, AT A TOTAL COST NOT TO EXCEED $6,000 PER YEAR, WITH THE OPTION TO RENEW FOR FOUR (4) ADDITIONAL ONE (1) YEAR PERIODS; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM OMNI TAX INCREMENT FUND, "OTHER CONTRACTUAL SERVICES," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10040.920501.534000.0000.00000. 13-00258 Cover Memo.pdf 13-00258 Legislation.pdf 13-00258 Back -Up Document.pdf Motion by Board Member Gort, seconded by Vice -Chair Suarez, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Commissioner Spence -Jones, Commissioner Gort, Vice Chair Suarez and Chair Sarnoff Absent: Commissioner Carollo CRA-R-13-0012 Chair Sarnoff. All right, CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) number 2, Mr. Director. Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Bert. H. Bert Gonzalez (Assistant Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Good afternoon, Commissioners, board. This item is to authorize the director to execute a professional services agreement between the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) and AD -PRO USA (United States of America) to provide maintenance services on the CRA new office building for a period of one year, not to exceed $6, 000 per year, and to renew for four additional year periods. Chair Sarnoff All right. Is there a motion? Commissioner Gort: Move it. Chair Sarnoff We have a motion. Is there a second? Vice Chair Suarez: Second. Chair Sarnoff We have a second. Any discussion? Hearing no discussion, 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 ("CRA") AUTHORIZING THE EXERCISE OF THE FIRST ONE-YEAR RENEWAL OPTION UNDER THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CRA AND HORSEPOWER ELECTRIC, INC. TO PROVIDE STREETLIGHT MAINTENANCE SERVICES ON CRA MAINTAINED STREETLIGHTS, AT A TOTAL COST NOT TO EXCEED $15,000 PER; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM OMNI TAX INCREMENT FUND, "OTHER CONTRACTUAL SERVICES," ACCOUNT CODE NO. City of Miami Page 3 Printed on 5/2/2013 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 28, 2013 4. 13-00260 10030.920501.534000.0000.00000. 13-00259 Cover Memo.pdf 13-00259 Legislation.pdf 13-00259 Back -Up Document.pdf Motion by Vice -Chair Suarez, seconded by Board Member Gort, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Commissioner Spence -Jones, Commissioner Gort, Vice Chair Suarez and Chair Sarnoff Absent: Commissioner Carollo CRA-R-13-0013 H. Bert Gonzalez (Assistant Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Item number -- Chair Sarnoff CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) number 3. Mr. Gonzalez: -- 3 is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners authorizing the director to execute a one-year renewal option, a professional service agreement, with the CRA and Horsepower Electric, to provide streetlight maintenance for the super block and other streetlights in the Omni area, not to exceed $15, 000 per year. Chair Sarnoff Is there a motion? Vice Chair Suarez: Move it. Commissioner Gort: Move it. Chair Sarnoff We have a motion. Is there a second? Second. All in -- Any 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 REDEVELOPMENTAGENCY ("CRA"), WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CRA'S AMENDED TAX INCREMENT FUND BUDGET AND GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2012 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013; FURTHER DIRECTING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO TRANSMIT COPY OF THE AMENDED BUDGETS TO THE CITY OF MIAMI AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY. 13-00260 Cover Memo.pdf 13-00260 Legislation.pdf 13-00260 Exhibit 1.pdf Motion by Vice -Chair Suarez, seconded by Board Member Spence -Jones, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Commissioner Gort, Vice Chair Suarez and Chair Sarnoff Absent: Commissioner Spence -Jones and Commissioner Carollo CRA-R-13-0014 Chair Sarnoff CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) number 4. City of Miami Page 4 Printed on 5,2/2013 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 28, 2013 Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Number 4, Mr. Chair, is the -- approving the amended budget, which, of course, takes effect October 1, 2012. Before you is both the special revenue and the operating budget for the Omni and the operating -- operating budget for Omni and Midtown and special revenue for Omni. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second for discussion. Chair Sarnoff All right. We have a motion -- Vice Chair Suarez: 171 move it. Chair Sarnoff -- and a sec -- Oh, we have a second. Vice Chair Suarez: All right, that's fine. Chair Sarnoff Go ahead. You're recognized, Commissioner Spence -Jones. Commissioner Spence -Jones: First of all, I wanted to -- I just wanted to just have a frank conversation, since we don't have an opportunity to have it because of the sunshine. And this, in no way, is any reflection of you, Mr. Chairman, as the board chair for the Omni CRA. As a matter of fact, I want to commend you for your support in helping in the Overtown area, in which we kind of share, and even supporting the initiatives that we're trying to get done to make sure that something changes in the heart of Overtown. So this is -- in no reflection is a reflection of you and your effort to do that. I have to say that I am a little disheartened and I'm a little hurt and disturbed by some of the most recent actions that have taken place in the Omni CRA regarding the film project that you and I were working -- as a matter of fact, in the seven years that we've been here working together, this is the first time ever that we've done a project together. And I am little dis -- I'm just a little -- I'm a little bothered with what I'm seeing happening with this project. I feel -- and I just want to be able to put on the record -- that sabotage has happened and backstabbing has happened on this project. We have tried our best to move the project, as you know, and as we stated in our last Overtown CRA meeting, I made it very clear, whenever you're doing a pilot project -- and Commissioner Gort, you added on to it -- you always have bumps in the road. It's never easy. But the only way you know whether or not it works or not is if you give it a shot; you give it a try. And in no means was the Overtown CRA trying to take the position or the place of what the Omni was doing with the MEC (Miami Entertainment Complex), in no way we were trying to do that. We were simply trying to provide support to some kids and to neighborhood folks to restore hope and to bring about some form of change. Everyone sitting up here knows that Overtown has gone through much in the last 40 years. And my biggest issues, whether or not it be crime or lack of jobs or, you know, all kinds of issues that I have to deal with just to get people to feel good about where they live and where they are. And I just -- I have to let you know, Marc, you know, that I am -- I'm a little hurt and I'm a little disappointed with the games that have been being played, you know, by the Administration on this. The film project was clearly a training project, you know, and we do several training institutes in the heart of Overtown. And just not one other training program I've ever had this many issues with. I'm not saying that along the way we haven't had challenges from all both sides, but the idea in the end is that we're trying to do something good and that should, to me, outweigh anything else that could be negative. And I just have not gotten that support from that side. I have to say this, you know, at the end of the day, we have good people that stood up that wanted to do something good. To see University of Miami, in any way, their reputation be tarnished by any of this, it's not right, you know, to see that, you know, a great producer -- may not be great to some others in their eyes, but to African Americans, he means a lot to not only Miami, but he means a lot to, you know, our country, to our community. That's important to us, you know. And then, you know, last, but not least, the Miami Heat. How can you make an issue with the Miami Heat, you know, pitching in to kind of support and do City of Miami Page 5 Printed on 5/2/2013 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 28, 2013 something good? And I just, you know -- I have really been praying and meditating on this issue, but I am really up to here with it right now. And to have businesses that maybe perhaps go out of business for us trying to do something good is not okay, you know. And, you know, every single time that we try to push to get something done and get it resolved, there's always these bumps in the road. This will be the last time -- and not having anything to do with you, Marc, at all. This will be the last time that we partner to do anything together because I really feel as though the whole time it's always been about trying to create a problem and an issue for the project happening, and it's wrong. Chair Sarnoff. What's the crux of the issue? Is it reimbursements or is it --? What is the crux? Commissioner Spence -Jones: I mean, it's not even just the reimbursements. The reimbursements, you know, are the -- this is the -- we're at the end of the road now, you know. You got a situation where local vendors, yes, needed to be paid for a service. They're still waiting on getting paid for the service, you know. Yes, there was an issue -- I'm just putting it out 'cause I don't have any reason to not, and I want my fellow colleagues to know what's happening. Yes, there were issues where, you know, the camera was broken or something happened, you know, on the set, but that's why people have insurance. These kind of issues happen all the times with any major productions, you know. But to know that a business has been struggling just to get paid to close out on the program, it's ridiculous. And the list goes on of the issues. My point is, this will be the last and only time that I ask to partner with the Omni CRA because I don't want the drama, you know. For us, we partnered with a university that we respect in this town, and quite frankly, because we wanted to have accountability in the end, you know. We did everything the way we felt would at least protect our participation in the project, you know. Kids got a chance to participate in something that they would have never had an opportunity to participate in. And I'm just really at the point that I'm like right here with it. So I'm just -- you know, when I see, you know, an increase on somebody's salary, you know -- quite frankly, we bust our tail in the Overtown CRA to get things done, you know, and you know, it ain't easy. It's hard getting things done. And we push and we push and we push, you know, and to have anyone in any way trying to create a problem, you know, for a little, small project, a little, small project, you know, this is just -- it's really out of control. So I wanted to make sure you were clear that it ain't about you, Marc, at all. But I'm not really happy about what I'm seeing coming from the Omni CRA on their side. And I just -- I would just ask that you speak to staff on this issue to resolve the issue so that the vendors do get paid for whatever work that they put in, you know. It's just not right, and that's really, at the end of the day -- and I want to be very clear. This has always been a training program. This was never an investment in a film project, you know. It was never that. It was always a training program, you know, and now it's become like this big animal. And on all levels, I feel sabotaged when it comes to the project. But in the end, you know, the truth will prevail. It will rise to the top, you know, but I'm just -- I had to put it on the record that I'm very dissatisfied with what has happened with the project. And all I ask for you to do, Mr. Chairman, is to make sure that it officially closes out properly so that we can move on and continue to do what we need to do. Chair Sarnoff All right. I'm hesitant to have you speak, Pieter, 'cause I'd rather speak to you privately. All right, there's -- there was a motion. There was a second on CRA 4. And Commissioner Spence -Jones, it is my intention to do further projects with you, and I hope whatever it is we can fix can be fixed together. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Well, the only way that would change is if there were some serious changes over there because, you know, when I'm getting phone calls of people telling me and letting me know that, you know, people from inside of the organization is trying to hurt the mission of Overtown CRA, that's just not okay, Marc. And I think you and I have come a long, long, long way, and I will not allow for people to get in the middle of it and create an issue because they have their own issues. It's not right. City of Miami Page 6 Printed on 5/2/2013 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 28, 2013 ADJOURNMENT Chair Sarnoff. All right. So on our CRA number 4, any further discussion? All in favor, please say aye." The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Sarnoff. All right, thank you all. We're in adjournment [sic] 'til 2 o'clock for the regular Commission meeting. The meeting adjourned at 12:22 p.m. City of Miami Page 7 Printed on 5/2/2013