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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOMNI CRA 2016-03-24 MinutesCity of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 24, 2016 2:00 PM Miami City Hall OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Ken Russell, Chair Francis Suarez, Vice Chair Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner Frank Carollo, Commissioner Keon Hardemon, 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 March 24, 2016 DISCUSSION ITEM(S) 1. 16-00382 Present: Vice Chair Suarez, Commissioner Carollo, Commissioner Gort, Commissioner Hardemon and Chair Russell On the 24th day of March 2016, 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 Russell at 2: 50 p.m., and was adjourned at 3: 58 p.m. ALSO PRESENT: Pieter A. Bockweg, Executive Director, CRA Barnaby L. Min, Assistant General Counsel, CRA Todd B. Hannon, Clerk of the Board CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION REGARDING THE OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION. 16-00382 Back -Up Documents.pdf 16-00382-Submittal-Pieter Bockweg-Redev Plan.pdf 16-00382-Submittal-Pieter Bockweg-Accomplishments.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Russell: I'm excited to work together with my fellow Board Members, and looking forward to the great things that we can do using this tool in the Omni area of downtown in Miami. A lot of people heard when I campaigned on CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) reform that I was -- thought that I would be against CRAs, and that is not the case at all. I look at them as a tremendous tool that can be used for good. It's a tremendous way to generate the funds that can be expended in a positive way to lift up a community, and help put it on the map in a positive way; help empower the people that live there; help develop an area in a way that cherishes the people that live there. My vision going forward is not a statement on what's been done in the past. I'm not looking to criticize, or characterize any of the decisions that the Board's made in the past. I simply have a vision of what I think is important moving forward. In my interpretation of the original finding of necessity 30 years ago of the redevelopment plan that came out of that, and the second redevelopment plan that was done in '09, I think we should re-evaluate those and look at those again. And I see in every single one of those instances that we've called for affordable housing, workforce housing, the need to develop the community in a positive way for the people who live there. Yet, the decisions we've made in the Omni CRA haven't reflected those calls to action, and in my research, and meeting with the executive director over this last few months since I've been in, and leading up to this meeting, I've really started to hone my vision of what I would like to see. That being said, one of the habits of CRAB is that they're -- or reputations, anyway -- is that they're known as the domain of the local district Commissioner, and I want to dispel that notion and really welcome the rest of my Board Members to have full input on every decision that we make, which may turn some heads as to the memorandum that I sent out this week, which called for this meeting. I want all of you to know that this is simply my recommendation on the vision that I'd like to bring forward, but that's why we're here today; to discuss that vision moving forward, and the recommendations that I've made. There's three basic things that we will be looking at. The item on our agenda is a new executive director. This, in itself, is not a statement against Mr. Bockweg, who has served this agency for the last six years. He's carried out the will of this Board very effectively. He has followed procedures that were not even called for within the CRA to follow as best he could the practices within the City, in terms of procurement, in terms of expending funds. I simply have a City of Miami Page 2 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 vision moving forward that has a lot to do with affordable housing, and that's something that I've recognized hasn't been focused on here, and it's something that I really want to focus on moving forward. So the first thing -- well, before I go on, I just want to bring attention to the Redevelopment Plan of 2009. I just want to highlight a couple things where -- the Redevelopment Plan, basically, is our roadmap, and that's built out of the finding of necessity, which basically surveys the area covered by a CRA, and says this is what we are tasked with doing. And in our overview, it talked specifically about the western areas of the Omni presents an opportunity for the development of affordable workforce and mixed income housing. So if you're familiar with the Omni footprint, there's a lot going on there, and there's a lot that's been developed positively there. This is the area of the Arsht Center and the Performing Arts Center. This is the area of waterfront that has really seen incredible growth there. We have some beautiful parks there. We have some historic sites there. But the western side of the Omni still remains very undeveloped, and in need of a lot of help. This is the Overtown community. There are 10 blocks from the western edge of the Omni CRA, which, in my opinion, could really use some love; whether it's specific incentive for affordable housing; whether it's simply helping make -- helping an investment that makes a better place to live for the residents that are there. The Dorsey Library, which is mentioned, as well, in this Redevelopment Plan sits in shambles, completely. This is something I'd really like to redevelop for the community as a -- it's a historic library and landmark, and a very important thing to Overtown. We have a big responsibility, and I'm very excited about this. So I don't want anyone to feel as though this is a negative condemnation of the past, or of any person. We recently received a recommendation from the State's Attorney Grand Jury, which had a report on things they -- 29 recommendations of changes for CRAs throughout Florida; over 170 CRAs in Florida. They never named any in particular, but I read through that, and I really want to see, little by little, that we can possibly use the Omni CRA as a testing ground for some of these changes, and I look forward to bringing that to you in the future. One thing I would like to task with today was a recommendation on executive salaries. And so, you'll see in the memo that I sent to you, I had a recommendation of reducing both the executive director, as well as the assistant director salaries by 20 percent. This, to me, is important. It's a message we're trying to send that if we're running an agency that's tasked with helping the least fortunate in our community, we need to have salaries that reflect the humility in the job that we're doing, and that need to be appropriate, and in line with like jobs throughout the City. So I'm going to ask for a motion on that; as well as the -- Vice Chair Suarez: So moved. Chair Russell: Thank you. Board Member Carollo: Second. Chair Russell: It's been moved by Commissioner Suarez -- I mean by Board Member Suarez -- and seconded by Carollo. Board Member Gort: What is the motion? Chair Russell: The motion is to reduce the executive director and the assistant director salaries by 20 percent. I'd like to open the floor for public discussion on this item, if there's anyone who would like to speak on this specific motion. Seeing none, hearing none. I'll open the discussion to the dais. Vice Chair Suarez: I think you articulated the reasons well. You know, obviously, we're not only talking about reforming the salaries, but potentially going in a totally different direction from the perspective of the organization, and, you know, from your public comments and the comments that you've made here today, obviously, you know, based on my -- the things that I've legislated and done as a City Commissioner; and even as a CRA Board Member, particularly in Overtown, you know, obviously, affordable housing is probably one of the most acute needs, not only in the City of Miami Page 3 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 Omni area or in Overtown, but in the entire City of Miami, and really in Dade County. I mean, we've seen -- and I cited and brought to the attention of the Commission article after article that talks about the income discrepancies, high cost of living, et cetera, et cetera. So I welcome the change in direction. I agree that, you know, with that is -- it's a good time to look at some of these other policies, and I -- you know, I've had to negotiate salaries before for high level officials, like the City Attorney and the City Clerk, and I can tell you that in my negotiations, there's been reductions that are commensurate with what you're proposing. So I don't -- you know, I think that's where leadership has an impact. And, you know, just like your predecessor had a certain -- as you said -- agenda, and a certain set of goals, and I thought, you know, it was fair to let him lead in his role -- and I think, in his way, he was successful -- I think you have every right to promote your vision, as well, and I think that's what you were elected for, to be quite honest with you. So I'm in favor of this, and I think it sets the right -- sends the right message. Chair Russell: Thank you. Any other discussion? Board Member Hardemon: You know, one of the things that I always like to make a comment about is when people talk about the need for affordable housing. The need for affordable housing exists within Miami -Dade County. Vice Chair Suarez: Yeah, precisely. Board Member Hardemon: And I say that -- and I know you mentioned it and you touched it -- but the reason I say that is because it bothers me a little bit when we say the need for affordable housing only exists within, for instance, our black communities. That's not true. So, for instance, ifI thought about Pinecrest, I would say, well, there's a need for affordable housing in Pinecrest. I would like to live in Pinecrest, right? But I wouldn't be able to live there if there was not affordable housing. The need for affordable housing exists in Coconut Grove; not, you know, historical Coconut Grove, but, you know. So there's a need for affordable housing, and that's why I say throughout Miami -Dade County. Now, the Overtown community has picked up the mantle and really led the charge in providing affordable housing for people to move into that area. More particularly, for Overtown, what we need is the eradication of slum. You know, we want standard housing. We want for you to live in conditions that people who live in other communities live in. And so raising the standard of living in that area is important; however, we still provide affordable housing there. And so, I always just want to make it very clear, before we start to say blanket statements like, you know, This area needs affordable housing, that area needs affordable housing,7 can point to a lot of well-to-do areas that need affordable housing. Now, that leads you to a whole 'nother discussion, because then those areas don't want affordable housing, but that's -- you know, that's just how things happen. But I do believe that you, as Chairman, deserve an opportunity to implement the plan that you see best forward for the area that you serve; that is what you're tasked with. You know, when I came became a Commissioner, same way as when Commissioner Carollo became a Commissioner; same way as when Commissioner Suarez and also Commissioner Gort became Commissioners, we were keen on the issues that affected our community the most; that's what you are tasked with. And so I haven't spent as much time on Calle Ocho, on Flagami, or any of those places as the other Commissioners have, and so that's why I've always, you know, had some deference to them when it came to those issues that affect those communities the most. But, I mean, as you've seen, when it comes to votes that I think are things that I can't decide with, I don't vote that way. But, certainly, they're only things that really just touch me in that fashion. So, if this is the direction that you believe that you want to go that's best for that area and for that -- for this agency -- then I can support you with this vote. Chair Russell: Thank you. Vice Chair Suarez: Let me just -- City of Miami Page 4 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 Board Member Gort: Mr. Chairman -- Vice Chair Suarez: I'll yield to the Commissioner, because I already spoke. I yield to you, Commissioner. Board Member Gort: No, very -- let me tell you, you're the -- it's your -- you're the Chairman of that. You have a right to make the changes and come up with your own agreement, which you would like to do. And I don't think there's anyone in this dais that has done more in affordable housing than myself, and I been doing it even before I was a Commissioner, and I done it all over the City of Miami. And I'm a great believer in affordable housing; especially right now, the way we need to keep employees in here and we need to keep it -- but at the same time, the Grand Jury report gave a perception that I think is very important for people to understand, because back in 1998, I was there; I sat on those board meetings. And we had a lot of meeting at the hotel, the Grant Hotel over there, with all the community from that area, from the Omni area would go to those meetings. They're the one that helped create the plan that was put together. Now, my understanding, as I recall it, part of it was the museums, bringing the museums into downtown; keep historical property changing; create economic development, because that area was going down. All the merchants on Biscayne Boulevard were scared that they were going to have to close and were going to lose business, so that was part of the agreement. The film industry, which is something that was criticized by the Grand Jury; that was something that was required and was asked to be done, because it existed already, the film industry in there. They establish themselves way before the Omni took place. So I want to make sure people understand that. And then, they talk about the (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Our meetings were very well attended. There were more than 50, 100, 150 people in those meetings, so they were well attended. So I just want to make sure I clear those so people understand. I agree with anything that you going to do. I will support you, because that's your district and that's -- you're the Chairperson. But I want to bring some -- a little bit -- because history is very important. We also have the global agreement. We also need to work with the County. I mean, the County is part of this. Chair Russell: Yes. Board Member Gort: So we can have all that in mind. Thank you. Chair Russell: Thank you. Vice Chair Suarez: Mr. Chair, if I can? Chair Russell: Suarez. Vice Chair Suarez: Yeah. I just want to say just one -- add one point to what the Chair of our City Commission was saying, which is that, you know, the affordable housing crisis, it's not necessarily a neighborhood -driven issue as much as it is -- it's definitely a City issue, and I'll explain to you what I mean by it. First, you know, it's an -- in some cases, elderly, who are living on fixed income, who don't have the ability to pay rents, and want to live close to other family members. They also -- I mean, if you look at our census numbers, our wealthiest areas are increasing in population; whereas, our poorest areas are decreasing in population. So that's happening; I mean, that's objective. That's not -- we're literally pushing people out of our City, and that's -- you know, some of that is out of our control. Obviously, people are investing, and there's a certain amount of natural gentrification that's taking place. But, you know, part of I think, our role, and particularly some of these organizations, is to try to undo that or stem that or to make sure that everyone in our City doesn't feel like they're getting pushed out, and that they're -- they have an opportunity to be successful in our City, in our economy, and in whatever future economy that we help create. And so that's what I see in terms of the phenomenon that's happening, objectively speaking, and I want to make sure -- and I think all of us here, the work City of Miami Page 5 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 that we've done since we've all arrived in our each individual capacities has been very much focused on reversing that, or at least slowing that down to the maximum extent that we can with the resources that we have, and I just wanted to sort of clarifir what I meant by that when I said it. Chair Russell: Absolutely. Thank you for mentioning that it is a citywide issue. The need for affordable housing is a broad spectrum that goes all the way from workforce, which could be a young professional lawyer -- Vice Chair Suarez: Right. Chair Russell: -- you know, who really can't afford, you know, full market rate rents, all the way down to low to moderate income. Vice Chair Suarez: Let's vote. Chair Russell: And this is the harder part to incentivize, and as a city, it's very hard to incentivize. As a CRA, we actually are tasked with handling it, and we are given a tool with which to generate the funds to do it. And for those who don't fully understand, we have a TIF (Tax Increment Fund). We have an increment funding, which is a capturing of the taxes -- of the tax base -- and we can increase that tax base by incentivizing development in the area. Sometimes, that is misconstrued as Ihisuse,'but if we're increasing the TIF, that is an okay thing, in my opinion, as long as we then expend that TIF appropriately on the right projects to carry out the mission of the Redevelopment Plan. So it's -- Chair Hardemon is absolutely correct. It's not just about affordable housing. There's so many other things that we can be doing to improve the community. You know, certainly, in Overtown, you've seen a lot of strides toward affordable housing, and at all levels of the spectrum. But as I said, even before, it says in our Redevelopment Plan how hard it will be, even in this area, because the Omni CRA hasn't bought properties to then give to a developer to incentivize affordable housing. So we're missing some tools, but we can expend our funds in ways that will improve the existing housing that is there. There are people that are living in poverty, in slum and blight, and we can improve their infrastructure. We can improve their transportation needs. We can address job creation and education, all within the Omni CRA, using this tool. And so I'm very excited. I'm very glad to see the interest in working with me on this, but I am very, very open to challenge and opposition, and debate, as Commissioner Carollo said earlier. This is a group effort. This is not my baby; this is not my district. This is us, as the CRA Board, and I welcome that from all of you, so keep me in check if you ever feel otherwise from me as the Chair. So we have a motion and we have a second. Is there any further discussion on the reduction of salaries? Mr. Clerk, do we need a roll call on such a thing? Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): No, sir; you can vote it up or down. Chair Russell: Great. We have a motion -- Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Mr. Chair, prior to your vote, just so it's clear, is this going to be a resolution of the Board of Commissioners; is that what you would like us to draft? Chair Russell: Yes, please. Mr. Min: And again, just so I'm clear, is it a cap, so that any future executive director for the rest of eternity would be capped at this; or is it simply a reduction of the current salaries? Chair Russell: It is a reduction of the current salary that we offer for our -- it can be changed obviously. City of Miami Page 6 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 Mr. Min: Okay. And it's just the salaries and not any other compensation or --? Chair Russell: At the moment that's all we've decided on. Mr. Min: Thank you, sir. Chair Russell: Yeah. So we have a motion and we have a second. All in favor? The Board (Collectively): Aye. Chair Russell: Motion -- resolution passes. Now, I'd like to introduce you to someone who I have found a little over a year ago as I was campaigning. I met a man named Jason Walker, and as it became clear that I would be the next district Commissioner, he reached out to offer his services to the community. I also did extensive interviews, as well, and searching. And again, this is just my recommendation. I'm open if one of you has another idea of how this should be done, or whether there's someone else that you particularly have in mind; I'm open to that. I liken this to as we would choose the Manager of the City. The Mayor appoints, the Board approves; this sort of thing. But it's a -- this is the process that I've chosen to take in terms of starting with something to bring something to the Board. I wanted to do it with enough time so that you could study his resume, possibly reach out and talk to him; if you wanted to do your own research, to where if the appetite is here that we could make a decision on this today. So all of you have Jason Walker's resume. He's here today and wanted to just say a few words to us, and I'd welcome him. We don't have any -- Board Member Gort: Mr. Chairman -- Chair Russell: -- have any specific -- Board Member Gort: -- if you allow me, I'd like to introduce Claudia Cubillo, who is the Mayor of El Portal. Vice Chair Suarez: You got ahead of me. Mayor -- she's on my executive board at the League; you got ahead of me. Board Member Gort: Thank you for being here. Vice Chair Suarez: Come on. Chair Russell: Hello, and thank you for coming. And this is one of the job references that my office reached out to as we were vetting Mr. Walker. He has been for the last 10 years the City Manager of El Portal, where he has a good reputation as a city administrator who has worked within all departments of that city. And before that, he actually did work in the District 2 office, and worked within the CRA. And beyond that, he actually lives within the Omni CRA, so he has extensive knowledge of this community. His experience and his willingness, and eagerness to take on what I see as an important vision is why I brought him here to you today. Commissioner Suarez. Vice Chair Suarez: Well, first, I also want to recognize the Mayor, who is one of my executive board members of the League. If I don't say it, you know who is going to be giving me a hard time; Executive Director Kuper. So -- Board Member Gort: Just -- Jason Walker: Have to do that. City of Miami Page 7 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 Vice Chair Suarez: I have to acknowledge. Let me tell you something. I had never met Jason until I got a chance to meet him at my office very recently. It's -- usually, when you are interviewing somebody, you have to call their references; very seldomly do their references call you. So I found that particularly interesting; that people who I respect, you know, and who I've gotten a chance to work with in the community for many, many years took the time to reach out to me and sort of give me their perspective on Jason, and I got a chance to talk to him. You know, I don't have -- we can debate process forever as to what's the best process or the right process. We've done a variety of different -- we've done it on a variety of different ways. The way -- once you sent the memo out and I got the memo, for me, it was simply about educating myself and making sure that, to the extent that I would be asked to, vote on the candidacy of someone that I felt comfortable, and took the time. And so I immediately reached out to him and asked him to come visit with me, and I did, and I got a chance to visit with him; and of course, talked to people who have worked with him and have a good opinion of him. I'm prepared to decide today if that's the will of this Board. Having said that, I think, you know, one of the concerns that I had is we do have an executive director, and I know that in your memo, you talked about the executive director getting a severance of 30 days. And, you know, I think in fairness to him, in fairness to Mr. Walker, in fairness to the City of El Portal, you know, what might make sense is in addition to that, that there be some sort of a transition period. Even if we vote on Mr. Walker today, and on his nomination today, maybe the start date should be sometime in the near future; maybe 30 days from now, so that he has time to transition with the City of El Portal; so that our executive director has time to transition out of his job and have everything set up so that when a potentially new executive director comes onboard, he can hit the ground running. That's something that would make me feel a little bit more comfortable. I have to make a decision, you know, in terms of being the Chair of the Midtown CRA as to how this will impact the Midtown CRA, so once we get there, I'll give you my thoughts on that. But in the meantime, I had a feeling that we might have to make the decision today, so I took your memo as an invitation to reach out to Mr. Walker; I did. I spent a good amount of time with him; again, spoke to people and got good references. And his mother is someone who I absolutely adore. I got calls from people who I didn't expect to, I hadn't heard from in a little while, and people that I very much respect. So I've gotten that comfort level with him. I'm excited about working with him, as I am about the new direction that you seem to indicate that we're heading, so -- but those are my thoughts on the issue, and other than that, I'm ready to proceed. Chair Russell: Thank you. Just a moment. To answer, my intention was to take Jason Walker under the agenda, and once we make a decision on that, that we would then address Pieter and the severance package issue, and such as that. So we'll definitely have a full discussion on that if we get past this step. Vice Chair Suarez: I'm okay with that. Chair Russell: And I -- a little history, because, obviously, this is the first time that we, as a Board, can speak to this. Due to sunshine rules, I've never spoken to any of you about how we got to where we are today. So I know there's been some speculation. I reached -- I've been meeting with Pieter regularly since we -- since I first got in office, or shortly afterward. And probably a month and a half, almost two months ago, I did sit down with Pieter to sort of let him know about my vision; obviously, all of this hinging on the decision of the Board. That discussion actually got blown out of proportion into the newspapers and such, and it went a direction I was hoping not to, but my intention was to give him that transition period; to sit down with him, to let him know what was potentially coming so that he could start to get things in order, and have time to start looking for employment; which I offered to help, as well. And we had discussions on how this meeting might go, and here we are today. So I do feel that there has been a sufficient transition period. I'm very excited to get rolling very quickly, but you'll see in my package there, in addition to the severance, there is a one -week transition period, where, at the discretion of the new executive director, if he wishes for that transition period, he would work together with Pieter in, you know, transferring over any outstanding existing initiatives and City of Miami Page 8 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 things like that. If it's not wanted, that would then just become another week of pay, but we can get into that in a moment if that's all right. Vice Chair Suarez: Sure. Board Member Hardemon: I just had a -- for me, it's just my thought about this. You can do with it as you wish, because you're the Chairman, how you wish to navigate these waters. It's just a little uneasy for me to discuss Jason and/or how great Jason may be without first discussing Mr. Bockweg. And so my thought was that maybe we handle Mr. Bockweg first, and then move into discussing possibly who will be replacing Mr. Bockweg. It's just -- you can tell me better -- it's just my mind the way it wraps around this whole thing is just -- it's a little odd for me to go into discussing Mr. Walker and then have Mr. Bockweg sitting, as acting executive director today, before us right now. So that was just my thought, but as Chairman, you can decide how you want to move forward. Chair Russell: Understood. And I completely share your sentiment that this is not an easy moment for any of us; at least, of course, Mr. Bockweg, as well, and I really appreciate his patience through this process, and his cooperation. He has been very forthcoming with me from the very beginning, and that's why I wanted to make sure everybody knew that this is not a decision about personality or management style; in fact, he's been very helpful with my transition to get to this point. The only reason I had thought that we should take the issue of a new executive director up is that to make sure that it's the will of the Board that we go that direction; and that if we are choosing a new executive director, then we will be deciding a severance package. But actually, your way may be more appropriate, and I'm very open to that. So if you'd like, we could discuss at this point Mr. Bockweg's severance package. Is that the will of the Board? Vice Chair Suarez: Yeah. Board Member Gort: I think it would be very important, because you're changing the strategy that's going to take place, and you want a new person to work with, but Pieter Bockweg has not done anything wrong. He's done his job. Chair Russell: Correct. Board Member Gort: He's done a great performance, and I think that should be considered. Vice Chair Suarez: Yeah, and that's why I sort of wrapped the two conversations up into one, because I didn't think you could really proceed without, you know, sort of having that discussion. Again, even though I understand that from your perspective, you know, your conversations with him might have appeared to be to him sufficient transition time and all that. Really, as you said, this is a Board decision, and so from my perspective, this is the point at which we're saying potentially, We're going to part ways, and we're going to move in a different direction. "So I just think, in fairness to him, you know, that he should have a transition period; which, to me, I think 30 days is reasonable. I spoke to Mr. Walker about it. I know he has a -- he may -- maybe the Mayor is willing to waive it, but he has a 30-day -- you know, he has to give 30 days' notice at the city. I don't know when that would take place, but I suspect this would be the day for that, hopefully. And, you know, and I think that's orderly and smooth. You know, he has 30 days; plus, he has his severance and whatever accumulated sick time or whatever he hasn't taken up, you know, that would have been his normal compensation. And, you know, I think, you know, and then we can proceed forward. I'm ready to proceed forward with the selection. Chair Russell: So your recommendation is a 30-day transition period, plus a severance package? City of Miami Page 9 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 Vice Chair Suarez: Well, yeah; the 30 days that you negotiated. I mean, I don't want to get into my philosophy on some of this stuff. I'm just saying that I think that's the fair thing to do at this point, given where we're at. Chair Russell: Yeah. Vice Chair Suarez: And, you know, and I think that's something that we can all be comfortable with and move on, and hopefully have consensus on, because I think the best thing here is for us to have consensus, and for there to be an orderly transition, without -- you know. Chair Russell: Just to put it in numbers, Mr. Bockweg's current salary, at about $150, 000, plus benefits, probably coming to around 170,000; the four -week severance that I've offered; plus, we do also have to discuss his accrued sick time, because he really hasn't taken any sick days in all of his six years, so he has a tremendous amount of sick time that's accrued up. And in that issue, what I did was I looked to other similar positions within the City, and how is sick time handled. And ifI understand properly, the policy for anyone who's been with the City seven years or more, they can take 25 percent of their sick -- their outstanding sick time. Obviously, we're -- this is not a City position, and Mr. Bockweg hasn't been seven years fully, but I'm open to discussion on that amount, and anyone can correct me if I'm incorrect on those statements of -- regarding sick time. About the transition period, basically, that would add another month of pay, but we're not actually -- there's nothing left on the agenda that we're actually tasking for work. So if it's really about trying to just increase the cushion that will allow him to have more time -- I mean, during this transition period, I assume this is not for him to work full-time at the CRA for the next 30 days, and then move on, but rather to give a little more financial cushion for him in the time period, because, currently, we don't have a lot of you know, physical daily tasks that, you know, are pending at the moment. So, really, this would be an additional month and -- which would, in a sense, hinder us from getting on to the next step, but if it's what you're trying to achieve, I'm open to actually increasing that severance to help make up for that transition period, but that would give him a further financial cushion, but allow us to start the transition process and move on. Board Member Hardemon: Personally, I wouldn't use the term, L'ushion,'fn regard to discussing this package. If you use an additional month, as Commissioner Suarez expressed for transition, I mean, there's -- I'm sure there's a tremendous amount of information that Mr. Bockweg could pass along to Mr. Walker, if he is deemed to be the person that replaces him. These CRAs, they seem from the outside, to laymen, such as a -- those who might be on a panel tasked with giving recommendations to us -- they may seem to be easy things, but, I mean, this is no easy matter, and it takes a lot of study; it takes a lot of conviction; it takes a lot of time to really make yourself in a position where you can defend and you can support the goals of a CRA. I mean, just thinking about the fact that Mr. Walker will have to become familiar with all the plans that have been established, he should at least make himself familiar with the documents that gave birth to the Omni CRA. He should look at the future of the plan, and even what it takes to change the plan. I mean, you've expressed many times that you think that the plan needs to be reconsidered, but there's a part in the statute that talks about how you go about reconsidering it. There's -- and you have to know the players, the stakeholders, how to bring them together; and I think even going around to meet the various people that have a hand in this, so the process of meeting each County Commissioner; being introduced to the players that may have a role in the film studio; even each individual Board Member. I've never -- I don't recall ever meeting Mr. Walker. So, I mean, there are a number of things that I think that during the transitionary period that Mr. Bockweg could assist him with, and I think that it would be prudent, I think it would be smart of Mr. Walker to accept that type of assistance from someone who has been in a position of service six years. If Commissioners had a transitionary period on the City Commission, I'm sure that many of us would have been like, Okay, well, this is good, 'but that's probably why many of us choose to maintain -- even if you change office, you keep someone with you for a month, two, three, before you decide, Okay, everyone on this staff needs to go,' many times, not all the time, City of Miami Page 10 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 but it just depends on, you know, how you go about doing things; but, certainly, I think there's some good that can be transitioned from Mr. Bockweg to Mr. Walker, if he is deemed to be the person that takes along that mantle. And I think that if we're going to have that transfer of information, which I think is smart, that Mr. Bockweg should be compensated along the way. Chair Russell: Thank you very -- Please. Board Member Gort: It's very important. It's a lot of agreements that have been signed that have to be checked out, and they have to -- whatever changes you want to make, they have to go through a process; not only us, but the public hearings and also the Miami -Dade County Commissioner [sic], because they play a big part in this also. So that's -- those -- that's important. Board Member Hardemon: There was (UNINTELLIGIBLE) remember where the bathroom was in the CRA when I visited just recently, so I know there's some things to learn. Chair Russell: Okay, I understand that very well, and I'm very open to that. So ifI understand correctly, though, contrary to what Commissioner Suarez mentioned, 30 days where Mr. Walker would stay at El Portal and then come over, you're considering a transition period where they overlap during this 30 days, so that there can be a transfer of information; is that right? Board Member Hardemon: The time period -- Chair Russell: They can work together. Vice Chair Suarez: Yeah. Board Member Hardemon: -- would be for -- Mr. Bockweg would have an opportunity of 30 days or so to work with Mr. -- Board Member Gort: Walker. Board Member Hardemon: -- Walker in the CRA. So I don't know if -- it may not do much good if Mr. Walker is -- Vice Chair Suarez: Of course. Board Member Hardemon: -- in El Portal and Mr. Bockweg was there, because then you still miss the opportunity to pass along information. However, listen, when I transitioned from different roles -- for instance, at the Public Defender's Office. If -- I went from Juvenile to felony -- to become a felony attorney, there -- I has 120, 130 cases, and I wanted to make sure that the case information that I passed on along to the next lawyer was of sufficient quality, where they were actually prepared; that everything was in the right way, so that when they accepted it, it wasn't a burden that they needed another six months to kind of get through. So even if you decided that he -- Mr. Walker would be one place and Mr. Bockweg would be another, at least it allows the leadership to transition in a way, and prepare for that transition, because leaving can be abrupt. I mean, if someone decided today to quit from any one of our offices, especially if they were a leadership role -- chief of staff or something of that nature -- it could be troublesome. It could be troublesome. And so that's all that I'm saying. It's for you to decide if you want them to be together, if you want them to be apart, but I do think that there needs to be time to begin officially that transition period. Even ifI had -- if someone had a discussion with me -- if one of -- ifI had a boss, and my boss had a discussion with me about my tenure at that place of employment, if he did not tell me that, You're gone and you need to find another place to go, 'then I would not expect to be gone; I just -- I heard him, I need to step up, I need to do better, and -- if that was the case -- and I would expect to be able to do that. City of Miami Page 11 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 Board Member Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Russell: Yes. Board Member Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Do you happen to have the dollar amount of the total package if we were to depart with Mr. Bockweg that you're recommending? Chair Russell: The -- my recommended severance package is about $30,000, if I'm not mistaken. And so this transition period would -- it would -- he would be working, obviously, so it's not severance, but he would obviously be open to be working on his transition time, as well. He wouldn't be expected to be there 40 hours a week, because this is a part of his time to help move on, as well, so I think we'd be very lenient with it. I'm very open to this, and perhaps -- it's two weeks now to wrap up his own affairs at the CRA; the second two weeks with Mr. Walker in place, as transition. That totals out the month that both of you have mentioned as a transition period. And beyond that, it would be a 30-day severance pay. And then the issue of the sick days, I need a decision on and perhaps some guidance. My recommendation is 25 percent of his outstanding sick days be given to him, and that would total up to that 30,000, ifI'm not mistaken. Board Member Carollo: Okay. And that was my other question, Are you taking into consideration the sick days? "And if you're saying 25 percent, that 30,000, did that include 25 percent or more than that? Chair Russell: No; that includes that. And so -- Board Member Carollo: It's your recommendation. Chair Russell: -- if, for example, he were to take 100 percent of his sick days -- Board Member Carollo: Yeah, understood. Chair Russell: -- it would be well over a $70, 000 severance package. Any other discussion? Then I guess I should pass the gavel and make a motion on the severance package, then. Board Member Gort: Do it. Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Omni Community Redevelopment Agency): Mr. Chair, ifI may? Chair Russell: You're recognized, Mr. Bockweg. Mr. Bockweg: Sorry, since we are discussing me, so let -- ifI may, Mr. Chair. First, the Policy and Procedures Manual within the Omni CRA does not reference 25 percent. It is either however the Board deems fit as far as from a severance package. I do not feel that it's particularly fair to penalize me for going to work and not taking sick time. Chair Russell: I'm sorry, is there a Policies and Procedures Manual for the Omni CRA? Mr. Bockweg: Yes. Chair Russell: Because as far as I understand, we don't even have active bylaws that are -- that have been adopted within the CRA, so we're kind of flying on a meeting -by -meeting basis. We have -- there are bylaws which were initiated, but the process was never completed. We actually don't have active bylaws within the Omni CRA. City of Miami Page 12 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 Board Member Hardemon: There may be policies and procedures, because, remember, that's an organization that's separate from the Board. So, for instance, the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA has a document that the executive director utilizes when he gives direction to his employees, et cetera, so he must follow certain guidelines when he's acting on behalf of his employees. I'm sure that's what you're referring to. Chair Russell: Thank you. Mr. Bockweg, is -- does the Policies and Procedures Manual expressly state what the sick -day policy would be? Mr. Bockweg: Ultimately, what it states is that it's up to the Board -- defers to the Board about sick days they want to provide. Now, my position, of course, being that we are discussing me and -- me and my departure, I would -- I don't think it would be very fair to punish me, or, you know, for not -- for going to work; in essence, for not being sick. So that would be my position on that. Chair Russell: Understood. My recommendation came out of a comparison with other positions within the City, and I think we actually looked at the Auditor's position, the Clerk's position, and what would a typical severance be in that case, in terms of sick days. And the policy said 25 percent if you've been with the City seven years or more. And this is -- this time frame is actually six years, if I'm not mistaken, so that was where my recommendation came from. Mr. Bockweg: Well, I think, Mr. Chair, if I may, I apologize. But, obviously, I am not a City employee. Chair Russell: Right. Mr. Bockweg: You know, I'm appointed. I answer to the Board. Chair Russell: Understood. Mr. Bockweg: And I don't think that comparison should be made for a City employer or City bylaws as it relates to sick time or whatnot. I think it should be looked at as independently. Chair Russell: Thank you; it's noted. I'm open to discussion on this item, this part of the package. Board Member Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Russell: Yes. Board Member Carollo: I thought what you recommended was fair. Chair Russell: Thank you. Vice Chair Suarez: Second. Chair Russell: All right. So I'm going to pass the gavel, then, and make a motion to thank Mr. Bockweg for his service very much, and offer a severance package which includes a one -month transition period; during which time, he will work two weeks with the incoming executive director, once that's decided. In addition to that, he would receive a 30-day severance package, and 25 percent of any outstanding sick days. Mr. Min: May I, Mr. Chair? Just to be clear, it would be effective -- April 24 would be his last day; that would be 30 days from today and then a 30-day -- Chair Russell: That's 30 days from today, correct. City of Miami Page 13 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 Mr. Min: -- severance package. If I could suggest -- obviously, it's up to the Board -- because there is no entitlement to severance, if you are going to give severance, my suggestion to the Board be that it be in exchange for a release -- Vice Chair Suarez: Yes. Mr. Min: -- to the CRA. Vice Chair Suarez: Yes. Chair Russell: Thank you. And one other -- in my memo, I did also make a condition of this severance package that Mr. Bockweg would waive any and all claims that he would have possibly -- Vice Chair Suarez: Yeah, that's what he just said. And I think that's -- Chair Russell: Oh, thank you. Vice Chair Suarez: -- what sort of offsets the value argument. Someone might make the value argument. I think there's an exchange of value there, so. Board Member Carollo: I think Dr. Bockweg [sic] wants to say something. Chair Russell: Yes, please. Mr. Bockweg: Yeah. Thank you, Commissioner. I have prepared -- if you'd allow me to say a few things on my way out, if you will? If you would give me a minute to present something to you, so you can understand where I'm coming from, if you don't mind, Mr. Chair. Chair Russell: Of course. How much time do you need, Mr. Bockweg? Mr. Bockweg: Well, I -- couple pages, couple minutes. Chair Russell: Thank you very much. Mr. Bockweg: So thank you, Mr. Chair, for allowing me to speak. I feel it's prudent for me to come to you after six years and kind of give you my point of view on things and how to proceed, and our past, and I know the Chair has touched upon it, as well as the different Commissioners on the Board. Much has been discussed regarding the objectives and the priorities of the CRA and Miami -Dade County. As all of you know, each individual CRA, under the objectives set out in the respective Redevelopment Plans -- the 1986 Redevelopment Plan, the 1988 Feasibility Study, prepared by the City of Miami Planning Department, RPPW, Inc., and Parkins and Partners, respectively; as well as the 2009 Redevelopment Plan, prepared by the Zyscovich Architects, these are areas specific to the Omni CRA; its boundaries: 20th Street, on the north; Northwest 1st Place, on the west; Biscayne Bay, on the east; and Museum Park, on the south. It is my opinion, and I am pleased to report to this Board that the Omni CRA has met and continues to meet all of the high, medium, and low priorities set out in the 2009 Redevelopment Plan. It is the Board's vision, your vision, and your policy that I have implemented over the last six years. The Omni CRA has met, like I said, every high, medium, and low priority, per the Redevelopment Plan. And I can tell you for one, I would think that we should all be very proud of that. Additionally, as you can see from the handout, the Omni CRA continues to fill our legal obligations stated in the 2009 Global Agreement. This includes the port tunnel, Adrienne Arsht Center, Museum Park; all of which have significantly influenced the area within the boundaries of the Omni CRA and the City of Miami. As you all know, the Omni CRA is structured very City of Miami Page 14 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 similar to that of a municipal form of government. The body politic of the CRA Boards creates the policy. The executive director executes that policy given by the Board politic -- the body politic. Simply put, it's the executive director's role to execute that policy set by the body politic. I am surprised and disappointed that the subject of a new executive director for the CRA would come up. Why is it the recommendation of the Chair to have me fired for doing my job of executing the policy of the Board; this, after putting on the record that I have done a good job? Today, more so than ever, we debate employment opportunities. I am not -- I feel that I am not being afforded the opportunity to demonstrate that I am able to carry out the new vision of the body politic. And as you all know, one Commissioner cannot set the policy of this Board. Over the course of the last six years, the Omni CRA became one of the most respected CRAs in Miami -- not only in Miami -Dade County, but in the State of Florida. We have established a modus operandi where results matter, with minimal operational costs, allowing the money to be designated and dedicated to the community and its revitalization. We accomplished this by keeping the operational budget at two percent. Even though the State Statute allows 20 percent, we felt the greater need was with the community. The Omni CRA was the only CRA in the State that was generating revenues above the yearly TIF contribution -- Tax Increment Financing. The handout we have just passed out clearly demonstrates the accomplishments of the Omni CRA has completed over the last six years, and also includes some of the accolades that I have gratefully and been honored to receive. Neither the executive director nor one Commissioner sets policy. This body politic, through transparent and open debate, subject to public input, sets its policy. The Board of the CRA should maintain this transparent and public input. That being said, the Board can do one of two things to maintain their integrity: One, allow me to continue to serve the Board politic -- body politic and implement the policy you determine to be appropriate, as I have successfully done over the last six years. Two, the Board can implement a standard of transparency so demanded of the political climate of today. This would be to have an open and completely fair process, which would include publishing a request of RFLIs [sic] to ensure the community obtain the most qualified and capable of applicants. The applicants and qualifications will be presented in the Board for public hearing, so the job can be awarded to the most qualified applicant; not by one Commissioner, but the CRA, as the body politic. Commissioners, I have been in government for 11 years now; six of those years as the CRA executive director. I have devoted six years of my life to providing the Omni CRA community and the Board an environment of professionalism, integrity, and ethics. The CRA executive director is not a political position. It is one of professionalism, experience, and capability. What I'm asking for; and more importantly, for my family -- as you know, I have a nine -year -old son -- a sufficient severance, so that as the sole provider, I am confident that I can be his support. To do that, I ask for an open and very public process to select a new executive director, a smooth transition period, and my sick leave hours established. I believe this is reasonable considering how much that the Omni CRA has accomplished over the last six years under my directorship as the longest running executive director, and my continued commitment to the community and to the Board. Finally, Mr. Chair, the Chair has also required me to waive my legal rights to every -- to acquire my sick leave and severance. To me, this remains separate and apart from the accrued rights, and should not be coupled together. I thank you for the opportunity that was provided to me when I was appointed executive director of the Miami CRAs. I am extremely proud of how far the CRAs and the community have come over the last six years. The CRAs have grown into a place where people want to live, work, and play. And I look forward to continuing to be a big advocate for the betterment of the community we live in. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Chair Russell: Thank you. Board Member Hardemon: Mr. Chairman, I have some unreadiness about the vote. The vote says that we have the severance; and then, I'm confused about whether or not there's an actual month for -- of transitionary period, because I heard two weeks, but I wasn't sure if there was an additional month. Chair Russell: It's a month. City of Miami Page 15 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 Vice Chair Suarez: Yeah. It's two weeks transitioning out of his role, and then two weeks transitioning in the new executive director's role. It's a month; 30 days, correct? Board Member Hardemon: Okay. So that's the 30 days -- Vice Chair Suarez: Right. Board Member Hardemon: -- plus the severance. Vice Chair Suarez: Right. Board Member Hardemon: But along -- part of my -- also, part of my unreadiness is the very, very end, we talked about a release. And so, I mean, as I understand some releases were being -- I'm sure it's about releasing the CRA or any claims against the CRA. But there has to be some value for a release, you know. And so, part of what I was thinking in my mind is that maybe for -- hear me out. IfI had never taken a sick day, and I had accumulated lots of sick time, I would want to either have the ability to take my sick time. And ifI would have thought back on that, I should -- maybe I should have been sick once a week for the entirety of my time in the position; or be compensated at least more fairly than -- it was described earlier that it was fair. And maybe 25 percent is fair. But when you have 25 percent, and then you say, fi release, for something that I have no idea what we're releasing people from, maybe that has some value, too. So all I'm saying is that I would be -- I would entertain, for me, a friendly amendment to make it 50 percent, at least, of his sick time for the exchange of the release. That's just my thought. If -- I mean, if it's -- if the -- if this Board sees differently, then it sees differently, but, you know, to -- that's an additional bargaining item after the vote came along that I didn't hear from the very beginning. Board Member Gort: You're recognized. Chair Russell: I would like to quant that, if possible. I don't know if anyone's done the numbers, but if we were to do 50 percent of the sick time, rather than the 25, I would estimate that we're looking at now a severance package, in addition to the one month of pay, probably another $50, 000 that we're giving Mr. Bockweg. I mean, recognizing that we are tasked with using our resources for slum and blight and everything that's ahead of us, every dollar we -- that we don't expend in that way is -- can be construed as a misuse of it, if it's inappropriate. Board Member Hardemon: Well, I -- Chair Russell: I do recognize what you're saying. I do see, under -- I understand what you're saying, and in fairness to Mr. Bockweg, his -- you know, his attendance has been impeccable, and that has a value. Board Member Hardemon: Mr. Chairman. Board Member Gort: Yes, sir. Board Member Hardemon: I'm saying -- I don't want to -- I have to be careful with my words. I don't want to say, ffive him," he's earned his sick time, and so, you know, I'm not sure exactly how each and every one of someone -- and I'm sure everyone in their mind is thinking to themselves, how is their sick time accumulated, and whether or not they're going to be sick tomorrow. But, I mean, this is something that he's earned. I think, you know, it's being -- and it's being taken away from him because of this action. So I at least think that that could be bargained for in exchange for the release. Board Member Gort: Okay. Any further discussion? City of Miami Page 16 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 Chair Russell: Two of us feel that 25 percent is suff cient; one of us feels that 50 percent is sufficient. Would the other two like to weigh in at all, or --? Board Member Gort: I don't have any problem. I think he deserves it. Chair Russell: 50? Board Member Gort: He's earned it. Yes. Vice Chair Suarez: What don't you have a problem with? Chair Russell: 50 percent of the sick time -- Board Member Gort: Sick time. Chair Russell: -- that he can take 50 percent of his sick time. Vice Chair Suarez: Look -- Board Member Hardemon: I don't think it's waste. Vice Chair Suarez: -- will you release any and all claims if you get the 50 percent? Mr. Bockweg: Yes, sir. Vice Chair Suarez: Okay. And let me tell you why I would potentially go for it, because I have a very dramatic philosophy on this, and I'm not going to get into it right now; you don't want me to, trust me. Okay? These are at -will employees, okay? Having said that, we've been sued by some of our at -will employees for going in a different direction, okay? And so, there is a value to getting a release, okay? And we're currently in a lawsuit where someone is seeking, if I'm not mistaken, $2 million; isn't that correct, Mr. Attorney? Mr. Min: Yes, sir. Vice Chair Suarez: An at -will employee; isn't that correct? Mr. Min: Yes, sir. Vice Chair Suarez: Whose term expired? Mr. Min: Yes, sir. Vice Chair Suarez: Right. So I think there's a value, which is why I specifically said on the record that, to the extent that there's a severance, because there is no contracted severance -- Board Member Gort: Right. Vice Chair Suarez: -- and there is no contracted vacation payout. I'm a Ilse it or lose it'uy. So you don't really want to know where I come from. I'm a itse it or lose it'guy. That's what vacation is for; you either use it or you don't need it. It is what it is. But I think there's a value in walking away from this situation peacefully, for all of us, and moving on, okay? We did that recently, very recently with the independent counsel from the CIP (Civilian Investigative Panel), you know; one where I had to also, you know, sort of pinch my nose. So I'm willing to go a little bit further, just because he's put on the record that he's willing -- he didn't seem to be willing to City of Miami Page 17 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 do it before. Now, he seems to be willing of -- to sign the release. We do this, and we move on, and I really hope that we do this united, in a united fashion. Board Member Gort: Okay. Any further discussion? Vice Chair Suarez: No. Chair Russell: Yes; just that we're -- ifI may? Board Member Gort: Yes, sir. Chair Russell: I just want to make one comment on Mr. Bockweg's statement, because -- Vice Chair Suarez: Well, he's got to amend the motion. Chair Russell: -- you know, I certainly didn't want to go down the route of his performance as a part of the reasoning for this. I certainly don't want to affect his future employment ability or anything like that. I simply want to clam for the record one thing, in that he said he had met all of the high, middle, and low priorities of the Redevelopment Plan of the CRA; at which point, Hilda passed out this packet of the Redevelopment Plan. And if you turn to page 50 of that Redevelopment Plan, he's actually highlighted for us a paragraph called Variety of Housing." And in there, there is a sentence that says, Strategically located among major job centers of the Miami area, the western areas of Omni present an opportunity for the development of affordable, workforce, and mixed -income housing. 'Workforce housing' refers to the ability of people who work in and around the community to be able to find housing that they can afford to live within the community. "It goes on and it says, Numerous strategies and programs outlined in Appendix D,' the housing policy and housing plan may be implemented in order to attain these goals. "If I'm not mistaken, in the first time I met you, you said, We've met all of our high and medium priorities,'but that ibe had not addressed lower"- The affordable housing and low-income housing. "And then you later told me that that wasn't even part of our task; that it wasn't in the Redevelopment Plan. And I have to disagree that it is there. We have been tasked with that, and we haven't done it. Board Member Gort: You're recognized. Mr. Bockweg: Mr. Chair, you're absolutely correct. What I remember saying was that in the Redevelopment Plan, it focused on a variety of housing; not any type of housing, specifically. And I'm -- I feel confident as the executive director advising this Board that we have met market rate housing; workforce housing -- a building has just come up just now, where the CO (certificate of occupancy) is coming in for workforce housing; and, yes, the affordable housing component, we did have. If some of the Board Members recall, we did negotiate a TIF agreement with a development called Mercado, where we was -- where there was affordable and elderly housing included as part of that deal. So, obviously, that building did not go through. Why? Because of the market and the market conditions caused that. So I apologize if that was not clear, Mr. Chair, but I looked at the plan as what it says in the heading. It says fi variety of housing,'{vhich, to me, includes all of them. Board Member Gort: Thank you. Mr. Bockweg: So I apologize that was not clear. Chair Russell: As the mover, I'm willing to accept the friendly amendment. Board Member Gort: So the friendly amendment -- City of Miami Page 18 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 Vice Chair Suarez: Accepted as the seconder. Board Member Gort: -- any further discussion? Board Member Carollo: Yes, Mr. Chairman. Board Member Gort: Yes, sir. Board Member Carollo: What is the friendly amendment; to move it from 25 percent -- Vice Chair Suarez: Yeah. Board Member Gort: to 50. Board Member Carollo: -- to 50? Vice Chair Suarez: Yeah. Board Member Carollo: And I know it's approximately an additional $50, 000. Do we have the exact number -- Vice Chair Suarez: I don't -- Board Member Carollo: -- so we could see? Vice Chair Suarez: -- think it's that much. Chair Russell: We don't at the moment; unless Pieter does. Board Member Carollo: Mr. -- Mr. Bockweg: The exact amount for the sick balance, if it's 50 percent, would be $16, 000 -- $16,900 -- Vice Chair Suarez: It's not 50. Mr. Bockweg: -- hold on. Board Member Gort: You're getting -- Unidentified Speaker: With all this -- Chair Russell: In addition to the one -month severance. Vice Chair Suarez: Right. Board Member Carollo: So the total package would then be -- Vice Chair Suarez: Like 31. I mean, one month is like 15. How much is -- Board Member Carollo: No. Vice Chair Suarez: -- 150 divided by 12? It's a little more than 12; it's like 12; plus 16 is 28. So I don't know where else the other money is coming from, but that's simple math. 150 divided by 12 is 12. 12 times 12 is 144. So -- last time I checked. And if he's saying it's 16, 12 plus 16 is City of Miami Page 19 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 28. So am I missing something, guys? Does anybody in the audience want to correct my math? Chair Russell: Plus he's just earned an additional 30 days of time for the transitional period he's going to work through to -- Vice Chair Suarez: He's going to be working, right. Chair Russell: Right; add to that. Vice Chair Suarez: Exactly. However, he can take those as sick days -- the other half -- if he wants to. Board Member Gort: Okay, any further discussion? Mr. Min: Mr. Chair, ifI can just clam, just to the record is clear? Board Member Gort: Yes. Mr. Min: The effective date, his last day in office will be April 24, 2016. During that time, there will be a two -week overlap with the incoming executive director. Upon his separation, there'll be 30 days of severance. 50 percent of his sick leave will be paid out, and that will all be in exchange for a release of the CRA from any potential -- Vice Chair Suarez: Correct. Mr. Min: -- lawsuits. Board Member Gort: Is that correct? Vice Chair Suarez: Yes. Board Member Gort: Okay. All in favor, state it by saying aye." The Board (Collectively): Aye. Board Member Gort: Thank you. Vice Chair Suarez: Thank you. Mr. Bockweg: Thank you. Chair Russell: Thank you. And thank you, Pieter. And now, reassuming the Chair position, I would like to introduce Mr. Jason Walker. Mr. Walker: Good afternoon, Commissioners, Mr. Chairman, Board Members, Pieter. First of all, let me thank you for this opportunity to serve once again in the City of Miami. I've been in government for 17 years; 10 years at the Village of El Portal; seven years working in Commissioner Johnny Winton office as a policy advisor; and even spent two summers as an intern for old Commissioner J.L. Plummer, when I was in high school. So I've been around government all of my life. I've been in government, around government, because my mom, who is sitting here; my family; my Mayor -- she used to work for Maurice Ferre and Xavier Suarez, your dad. So as a kid, I was playing in -- on this dais. So I've been in the City of Miami for a long time, and it's good to possibly be able to come back home. I've also been a resident of the Omni area for over 24 years. I've seen the Omni when it was real slum and blight. I've seen, you know, when the CRA works, you know, when we worked with Commissioner Gort back then and City of Miami Page 20 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 Commissioner Teele to put together the Margaret Pace Park. I mean, that was the catalyst to build all the new condos that were on North Bayshore Drive now, when there was nothing. I think my record speaks for itself. You know, the old saying goes, You measure success by whether the place was better after you left it than when you found it, 'and I can say that in El Portal. And I look forward to this opportunity with the Omni CRA to embrace the vision of Chairman Russell, and working with all the Board Members to continue the progress. And, you know, we don't have to look very far to see what new vision could look like, and new set of eyes, only in Overtown. We've seen a turnaround there with the Overtown/Park West CRA. So I look forward to this opportunity, and I thank you again for your confidence in me. And I thank my family and my boss for being here, and my friends, and I look forward to this opportunity. Chair Russell: Would anyone like to address Mr. Walker, or ask any questions? I know that only Commissioner Suarez has discussed with him -- Vice Chair Suarez: I would be willing to make a motion to accept his candidacy, beginning 30 days from now, so. Chair Russell: 15, I assume, for the transition period. Vice Chair Suarez: Okay, fine. Board Member Carollo: Second. Chair Russell: Do we need to -- it's been moved and seconded. I would like to discuss the actual package that would go along with bringing Mr. Walker in. Vice Chair Suarez: Can we be clear on the issues upfront? Chair Russell: I'm sorry? Vice Chair Suarez: Can we be clear on the issues upfront? Because I had this discussion with him. I told him, 1'want to be clear on these issues upfront,U. Chair Russell: Yes. And in my original discussions with him, he was very amenable to the 20 percent reduction from the current executive director's salary. In addition to that, he's been very willing to look at additional cuts within the benefits package. The car allowance, the cellular phone, as -- I believe I circulated a package with a memo -- it's $300 a month for the car allowance; $100 a month for the cellular phone allowance. There is health, vision, dental insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, disability. These were all created, as I mentioned earlier, trying to find a comparable position within the City and the type of package that such an employee would receive, and that's where that -- and that happens to be quite a bit lower than the existing benefits that are there. The only thing that Mr. Walker expressed a concern about -- and I'm very open to discussing here -- is a 401 package, which would be acceptable within a similar position within the City, and I'm wondering if there is an interest within this Board to offer a 401(k) package that would be, you know, commensurate with a similar executive position within the City. Vice Chair Suarez: It's fine. Board Member Carollo: Yes. Chair Russell: Yes. So if anyone would like to make a motion, or should I pass the gavel on this? Vice Chair Suarez: Moved as amended, with that compensation package. City of Miami Page 21 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 Board Member Carollo: Second as amended. Chair Russell: Thank you. Mr. Min: Mr. Chair, again, for clarification, the 401, would that -- would there be a CRA contribution? Is there an employee contribution? Do we have what that proposal would be? Chair Russell: It would be similar to the executive director 401(k) package that's offered at the City. Mr. Min: So you want to mirror the -- Chair Russell: Yes. Mr. Min: -- packet that's currently offered to executives in the City of Miami? Chair Russell: Yes. Vice Chair Suarez: The match. Board Member Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Russell: Do you need the numbers on that or --? Board Member Carollo: No. What I want is, I want to know, what's the max contribution from the CRA? So can you get me -- tell me the max contribution on the typical package? Because it may vary from package to package. I want to very exactly what would be the max contribution from the CRA. Mr. Min: If you could give me a moment, please. Board Member Carollo: Sure. Just so we're clear. Mr. Min: From my understanding, the current package that is offered to executives in the City of Miami is a 10 percent employee contribution with a eight percent City match; so eight percent of the annual salary. So if the annual salary of Mr. Walker would be 120, 000, it would be eight percent of 120. Board Member Carollo: Right. So the contribution from the CRA to this 401 plan would be -- Board Member Gort: Eight percent. Board Member Carollo: -- eight percent of his $120,000 salary. Mr. Min: Right. Board Member Carollo: Okay. Board Member Hardemon: Question, Mr. Chairman. The current package, does it include a 401(k)? I'm not sure. It does not? Mr. Min: Mr. Bockweg's package? Board Member Hardemon: Correct. City of Miami Page 22 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 Board Member Carollo: Oh, yeah. Board Member Hardemon: Yeah? Mr. Bockweg: Yes, it did. Board Member Hardemon: Okay. No, I was just -- Board Member Carollo: Oh, yeah. Chair Russell: So are we clear? Mr. Min: Yes. And also, just so the record's clear, the effective date would begin April 11. Chair Russell: That's two weeks from now; is that correct? Mr. Min: It's off by two days, unless you wanted to come in on a Thursday. Chair Russell: Mr. Walker, is that going to work? All right, I think we have a motion and we have a second, as amended. Vice Chair Suarez: That's it. Chair Russell: All in favor? The Board (Collectively): Aye. Chair Russell: Passes. We welcome Mr. Walker. And if I'm not mistaken, that is all that I have on today's agenda for the Omni CRA. I really appreciate everyone working together to come to this decision. Board Member Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Russell: Yes. Board Member Carollo: Before we adjourn, can we just -- is it possible to have a date when the next CRA meeting would be; or at least, more or less, would it be at the next Commission meeting or the second Commission meeting in April? Just so we could have -- not to put you on the spot, but it's not going to be in the next -- Vice Chair Suarez: Got to do Midtown. Board Member Carollo: -- week or so. It's going -- Chair Russell: No, absolutely not. The transition -- certainly not during the transition period. For the next month, we won't have another meeting, and once our executive director is up to speed, we'll look to him for some recommendations on where to move forward with regard to the Redevelopment Plan and any other future decisions we make. Board Member Carollo: So it's fair to say that any CRA Omni meeting will be at least in the month of May? Board Member Gort: A month. City of Miami Page 23 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 Board Member Carollo: It will not come beforehand? Chair Russell: Yes, yes, yes. Board Member Carollo: Okay, thank you. Chair Russell: I think that sounds right what is now. Yes. Board Member Carollo: It will not be. Okay. Board Member Gort: Thank you. Chair Russell: Any other discussion? And we are adjourned. Thank you. (1.) CRA RESOLUTION 16-00382a (1.) 16-00382b (1.) 16-00382c A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENTAGENCY ("CRA") DIRECTING THAT THE SALARIES OF ALL EXECUTIVES OF THE CRA BE REDUCED BY TWENTY PERCENT (20%) WITH AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE. Motion by Vice -Chair Suarez, seconded by Board Member Carollo, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Commissioner Gort, Vice Chair Suarez, Chair Russell, Commissioner Hardemon and Commissioner Carollo CRA-R-16-0011 Note for the Record: Please see item 16-00382 for minutes related to item 16-00382a CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOMPENTAGENCY, WITH ATTACHMENTS, APPROVING A SEVERANCE PACKAGE FOR PIETER A. BOCKWEG. 16-00382b Exhibit.pdf Motion by Chair Russell, seconded by Vice -Chair Suarez, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Commissioner Gort, Vice Chair Suarez, Chair Russell, Commissioner Hardemon and Commissioner Carollo CRA-R-16-0012 Note for the Record: Please see item 16-00382 for minutes related to item 16-00382b CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI City of Miami Page 24 Printed on 5/23/2016 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes March 24, 2016 ADJOURNMENT REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), WITH ATTACHMENTS, APPOINTING JASON MAURICE WALKER AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CRA; FURTHER SETTING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS, AS DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A", ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF, EFFECTIVEAPRIL 11, 2016. 16-00382c Exhibit A.pdf Motion by Vice -Chair Suarez, seconded by Board Member Carollo, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Commissioner Gort, Vice Chair Suarez, Chair Russell, Commissioner Hardemon and Commissioner Carollo CRA-R-16-0004 Note for the Record: Please see item 16-00382 for minutes related to item 16-00382c The meeting adjourned at 3: 58 p.m. City of Miami Page 25 Printed on 5/23/2016