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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOMNI CRA 2016-05-26 MinutesCity of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 26, 2016 12:00 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 May 26, 2016 FINANCIALS 1. 16-00373 RESOLUTIONS 1. 16-00374 Present: Vice Chair Suarez, Commissioner Carollo, Commissioner Gort, Commissioner Hardemon and Chair Russell On the 26th day of May 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 4: 06 p.m., and was adjourned at 4: 59 p.m. Note for the Record: Vice Chair Suarez entered the Commission chamber at 4: 06 p.m., and Commissioner Gort entered the Commission chamber at 4: 07 p.m. ALSO PRESENT: Jason Walker, Executive Director, CRA Barnaby L. Min, Assistant General Counsel, CRA Todd B. Hannon, Clerk of the Board CRA REPORT PRESENTATION OF EXTERNAL AUDIT REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015. 16-00373 Cover Memo.pdf 16-00373 Report-OMNI External Audit for FY2015.pdf PRESENTED Chair Russell: Sony, but we're in the meeting of the Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). First item, we have a presentation of external audit report for fiscal year. Jason Walker (Executive Director, Omni Community Redevelopment Agency): Mr. Chairman, the auditor had another meeting and he had to leave, so they won't be here today, but you have the report in your agenda. They can come back at the next meeting, or meet with you individually to discuss the audit. Chair Russell: Thank you. There's no action on the item? Mr. Walker: There's no action item, and it was a clean audit. Chair Russell: Thank you, Mr. Executive Director. Mr. Walker: You're welcome. CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENTAGENCY ("OMNI CRA") OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A FIRSTAMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH THE SOUTH FLORIDA REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY ("SFRTA"), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM AND City of Miami Page 2 Printed on 2/16,2017 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 26, 2016 SUBJECT TO GENEAL COUNSELS REVIEW, PROVIDING FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS TO FACILITATE THE EXTENSION OF DIRECT TRI-RAIL SERVICE INTO DOWNTOWN MIAMI ("TRI-RAIL DOWNTOWN MIAMI LINK"); ELIMINATING CERTAIN PRE -CONDITIONS TO THE OMNI CRA'S FUNDING COMMITMENT REQUIRING THE PARTICIPATION OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ("FDOT") AS A NECESSARY PARTY TO CERTAIN AGREEMENTS IDENTIFIED IN THE AGREEMENT; FURTHER AUTHORIZING MONTHLY DISTRIBUTIONS OF THE OMNI CRA'S FUNDING CONTRIBUTION SUBJECT TO THE ANNUAL FUNDING CONTRIBUTION LIMITS; FURTHER AUTHORIZING SFRTATOASSIGN ITS RIGHTS TO THE CRA CONTRIBUTION SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS. 16-00374 Cover Memo.pdf 16-00374 Legislation.pdf 16-00374 Backup.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-1 6-0027 Chair Russell: First resolution. Jason Walker (Executive Director, Omni Community Redevelopment Agency): First resolution is an amendment to the agreement with SFRTA (South Florida Regional Transportation Authority), regarding the Tri-Rail connection. I believe this has gone before all of the funding agencies, including the City of Miami. This is requiring a -- Basically, FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) backed out of the funding formula. Vice Chair Suarez: Move it. Board Member Carollo: Second. Chair Russell: There's been a motion and a second. Mr. Director, if you'd just like to finish explaining what it is really quickly? Mr. Walker: Basically, it's a amendment to the SFRTA agreement for the Tri-Rail connection, substituting FDOT for -- what's the name of the organization? Vice Chair Suarez: SFRTA. Mr. Walker: SFRTA. Board Member Carollo: SFRTA. Mr. Walker: And also changing the payments from an annual payment to a monthly payment. And we've budgeted 1.8 million from this year's budget and 1.8 million from next year's budget. Chair Russell: So the amendment won't change any of the commitment from the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) or anything like that? Mr. Walker: No; only -- the only thing would change is that we would submit a monthly payment instead of an annual payment. City of Miami Page 3 Printed on 2/16,2017 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 26, 2016 Chair Russell: Thank you. It's been moved' it's been seconded. Is there any discussion from the public? We'll open for public discussion. Hearing none, we'll close public discussion. Any discussion from the dais? No. Do we need a roll call on this? Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): No, sir. You can call the question. Chair Russell: Thank you. All in favor? The Board (Collectively): Aye. Chair Russell: Any opposed? Motion passes. 2. CRA RESOLUTION 16-00381 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("OMNI CRA"), WITH ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING AND ADOPTING THE OMNI CRA'S AMENDED BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2015 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2016; FURTHER DIRECTING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO TRANSMIT COPY OF THE AMENDED BUDGET TO THE CITY OF MIAMI AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY. 16-00381 Cover Memo.pdf 16-00381 Legislation.pdf 16-00381 Exhibit.pdf Motion by Board Member Carollo, seconded by Vice -Chair Suarez, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Commissioner Gort, Vice Chair Suarez, Commissioner Hardemon and Commissioner Carollo Noes: Chair Russell CRA-R-16-0028 Chair Russell: Item number 2. Jason Walker (Executive Director, Omni Community Redevelopment Agency): Item number 2, Mr. Chairman, is the amendment to the fiscal year '15/16 budget. There was a slight decrease from the previous adopted budget in the City of Miami increment fiords. We've also made a couple of changes in the budget reserve, where we've taken out 1.7 million in future capital improvement projects that were not determined at the time, so we took that back and put it into the reserve. We've also saved money on our lobbyists. We're not going to renew their contract as of June 1. We'll wait a couple of months until session is actually -- or committees are actually starting before we engage them. We've also cut back on the PR (public relations) firm, Wragg & Casas, to save money there. Those are the basic highlights. And one of the other things that we've done is, instead of reserving 100 percent of future debt payment, we've only reserved 50 percent, so that's created a reserve balance of nearly $3.7 million for now until September. Chair Russell: Thank you. So everyone understands, these are some changes -- recommended changes from the executive director -- Mr. Walker: Yes, sir. Chair Russell: -- to the original budget. City of Miami Page 4 Printed on 2/16,2017 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 26, 2016 Mr. Walker: Yes, sir. Chair Russell: And we're voting on the amended budget, including these changes. Mr. Walker: Yes. And if you'd like for me to go line by line -- I'm not sure what the will of the Commission is, but we can go -- Chair Russell: Have you visited with each of the Commissioners on these items so they know what --? Mr. Walker: I visited with each of the Commissioners. One of the biggest changes is, we also transferred $850, 000 in this new budget for the rehabilitation of the Dorsey Library to supplement City of Miami funds for that. Vice Chair Suarez: Move it. Board Member Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Russell: Yes. Board Member Carollo: I was going to move it. Vice Chair Suarez: Go ahead. Board Member Carollo: I'll move it. Vice Chair Suarez: 171 second it. Board Member Carollo: And discussion. I think one of the areas that our executive director failed to mention was also reductions in administrative expenses; those were also cuts that were made. And I also want to mention that -- briefly -- there might be a future commitment that the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) has, regarding Museum Park. I don't think now is the time to get into the details, but I just want to make sure of it. The executive director knows what I'm speaking about, and I think it's something that will -- Chair Russell: It's not included in this budget, though, right? Board Member Carollo: No, it is not, so that's why I'm mentioning it. It's not that I'm blind to it; it's just that, once again, it's something that I think we could take up in the future, at a later date, but with that said, you know, I move the item. Vice Chair Suarez: I second the board member's motion. Mr. Walker: Mr. Chairman, to piggyback on Commissioner Carollo, he's absolutely right. As you all know, we received a letter from the City Manager's Office, regarding a $2 million a year commitment that was made in the global agreement for public -- for capital improvements to Museum Park going forward. There's $4 million in arrears that we're at right now. I've talked to the City Manager. He's willing to work with us on a payment plan; and also, to develop a project and a vision for what that money is to be used for. Because of those conversations, we're going to deal with the debt and future payments in future budgets, starting in September. Chair Russell: Well, we will need to discuss that, because I don't like surprises. And for sure -- for some reason, this hasn't been collected in years past, and suddenly, it's a bill we owe for years past, correct? City of Miami Page 5 Printed on 2/16/2017 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 26, 2016 Mr. Walker: Yes, sir. Chair Russell: So we will need to discuss about that later, but that's not in this budget. It's been moved; it's been seconded. I would like to offer an amendment, ifI may, with the gavel. Is that appropriate? Vice Chair Suarez: You can offer it, and we'll -- I mean, you can entertain it. Chair Russell: Of the recommended changes, one of the changes that wasn't made was regarding the -- a new grant to the PAMM (Perez Art Museum Miami) Museum, and I wanted to open it up for discussion, rather than just putting it in as an assumption on the amended budget. And so, my amendment would be to remove that from this budget. My opinion -- and I've been -- I haven't been shy about this from the days I was campaigning to the day I became the Chair of the CRA -- we are tasked with eliminating slum and blight. We are capturing tax monies that would otherwise go to the City and the County for services in the general fund, and our job is to spend it to eliminate slum and blight. We had two things that are the smell test for me of what we can spend money on: Does it generate TIF (Tax Increment Fund)? Will it create more money for us to then attack slum and blight, or does that money actually attack slum and blight? Creating a museum from scratch in a blighted area, absolutely, I think that's a worthy cause; creating a park in a blighted area, absolutely, a worthy cause. Spending money to run an existing museum or park, especially on the eastern side of the Omni CRA, where I think we are pretty much at ihission accomplished'L- we have eliminated slum and blight on the eastern side of the Omni CRA -- I don't think it's the correct expenditure. And ifI understand correctly, this was a one-time grant that was given last year. This was not a continuing obligation; there was no inference of a promise of continued obligation. And Mr. Executive Director, if you could tell us what sorts of expenses that million dollars went toward, or were requested for, when it was to be reimbursed. I'm a little curious as to what we, as a body that's tasked with eliminating slum and blight, actually spent that money on. And I want to make sure everybody realizes this is not a negative statement about the museum or that the museum should get support, but where it comes from is important; where it comes from does matter. And because the CRA has a large pot of money, so it seems, we're often the easy access for that money, but I think there are very clear rules on how we are meant to spend or not spend that money. Mr. Bierman, I'll give you a moment in just a second, for sure. You don't have to go line by line for the full million dollars, but if you could give us some examples. Mr. Walker: Examples would be -- I mean, there's a second Saturday/first Thursday event that was supported through this grant. Also, there were -- Chair Russell: What is that? Mr. Walker: It's basically a -- if you want to explain? Board Member Carollo: Yeah. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Sirmans is here. Franklin Sirmans: Hi. Franklin Sirmans, director of Perez Art Museum Miami. Thank you, Chairman Russell; thank you, Commissioners; thank you, Jason Walker. That money that you're talking about goes towards funding a variety of programs, and you mentioned a couple of them. I'd like to point out a couple more, and I would just say that we're greatly appreciative of the past funding, approved in 2014 and paid in 2015. We were informed we would get a second cycle of funding -- a million dollars -- in September 2015, and approved and committed to our fiscal year 2016 budget, based on this information. One of those programs -- one of them, of the many that I'm incredibly proud of, and I just -- I have to say, you know, thank you for the opportunity in this context, because this is what we're here for; we're here for the City of Miami and its citizens. PAMM in the Neighborhood is one of those programs. We serve 7,000 people through that City of Miami Page 6 Printed on 2/16/2017 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 26, 2016 program, and what it does is, it allows for us to have programs for youth that are in summer camp, youth that are in youth programs that already exist; it allows for them to come to the museum to be served freely; that is one of them. Another one that I'm particularly proud of right now is our Brick by Brick Program, which serves specifically community residents who are not so well off, those who cannot afford to come to the museum. It's a program that was just recently, within the last month, recognized by the National Endowment of Humanities as one of the most important programs for youth and art space learning in our country for the year 2015. We're one of 50 honorees and nominations that have been put forward in that regard. We also have free daily drop -in tours, and this is something that has been incredibly good for senior citizens, in particular. We've run programs that are specifically around things like Alzheimer's, where we have our docents, and there are about 40 different docents who are at the museum, and there to serve whoever would like to have a specific tour around the museum. These are a few of the ways; I could go on. There are about 10, 12 programs that have been funded by the money from the CRA. Chair Russell: Thank you very much. And I understand some of it goes to programming, but a lot of it goes to marketing, as well, I understand, from the expenses: events, parties, DJs (disc jockeys); these are all things that this money goes to. I don't want to give the false impression that all of this money goes toward folks of poverty or folks of need, because I understand it's helping the bottom line of the museum operate. Mr. Sirmans: Yes, but it's going very specifically towards initiatives that are about our surrounding community; all of those programs are about that. And the DJs that are there, are there on those evenings when we are free; not other times. So it's very specifically tied to making sure people in our community can come into the museum for free at that time. Chair Russell: I'm very appreciative and sensitive of the idea of having free evenings at the museum, but just based on the geography of the museum and the neighborhood, I'm wondering, how many folks from the actual western portion of the Omni District, where folks of need actually use those Thursday evening parties or -- you know. And I just feel like the -- we have a job here, and we are subsidizing an effort for a very good cause, but not the cause we are tasked with, and that's my concern. I feel that if we, as a City, believe it's important to subsidize the museums within our City, we should do that as a cultural, scientific, artistic effort, as an initiative of the City, but not from money that's been given to us by the taxpayers to eliminate slum and blight in a very specific district that still has areas of residential poverty; still has homeless tent encampments; still has the Dorsey Library, with the roof caved in; all these things that we haven't been doing as a CRA that we should be doing that I'm excited to get down and do it. And we won't be able to do as well without the million dollars we'd be spending -- Mr. Sirmans: I'm right there with you. I'm here to talk about the money that we've been promised, and that, specifically. What happens beyond that, I think, is a conversation that we're certainly open to. Just to give you an idea of some of the specific places that it's gone; not on the eastern side, but on the western side: Girl Power, in Liberty City and Overtown; Edison Senior High School, in Little Haiti; Miami Bridge, in Little Havana. Those are three of the people that we are directly working with on these programs, and that's specifically Brick by Brick, the one that is -- probably hits most closely, in terms of being there and initiated specifically to affect people who would not be coming into the museum normally. I definitely understand your concerns. Board Member Carollo: Mr. -- Chair Russell: Thank you. Board Member Carollo: -- Chairman -- City of Miami Page 7 Printed on 2/16/2017 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 26, 2016 Chair Russell: Yes. Board Member Carollo: -- ifI may? I don't necessarily disagree with what you're saying. What I am also seeing is this was originally passed October or September of last year. So even though at the time and now, I still haven't seen all the programs, I have heard Mr. Sirmans say about summer camp or -- summer school or summer camp, and we're around the corner. So I don't want to jeopardize a program that they already were considering, because of a vote that a previous board already took back in September. So going forward, I will tell you that I am in agreement with what you're saying. I just don't know right now if that cut should be completely, or what percentage of that cut should occur. Chair Russell: I understand. I guess -- Board Member Carollo: Because of commitments, because of commitments that -- and by the way, I did not vote for the budget. I did not vote for the budget, so let's start by there. But I also understand that a previous CRA Board made a commitment. I believe PAMM has acted in a commitment -- I could tell you firsthand, I have seen that they have reached out to various communities' at -risk youth and so forth, to bring them into PAMM and offer them arts and another avenue; not just, you know, streets and gangs. Now, with that said, doesn't mean that I disagree with you. I just think, if there's been commitments already made and they're acting on some of those commitments, I don't want halfway during the -- you know, I don't want to say kame"- but during the time to pull the rug under them. Chair Russell: Thank you. But you -- Board Member Carollo: That's what I'm saying. Chair Russell: Thank you very much, Commissioner Carollo. You used two words, though; that you said, We had 'promised' it, and we had 'committed' it. "And I'm going to look to our attorney to help me understand exactly the budgeting process. Was this money promised to anybody? Was this committed? Has a check been written? Is there anything on which that PAMM should have acted with confidence that this money was theirs? Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Mr. Chair, without speaking on behalf of the Perez Art Museum, what occurred is, in June or July of 2015, the CRA -- the Board of Commissioners of the CRA approved a budget, which included a line item for the Perez Art Museum. That budget was subsequently approved by both the City Commission and the Miami -Dade County Board of Commissioners. Chair Russell: For last year or for this year? Mr. Min: 2015; for this current fiscal year. Chair Russell: For this current -- Mr. Min: However, what I would suggest is, as was done last year, last fiscal year, in order to award a grant, there would be a grant agreement that says everything that -- the expectations, what the money is supposed to be used for, how it's going to be used for, how it's going to be reimbursed. That occurred in 2014/2015. While the budget was approved with a line item for 2015/2016, no such agreement has ever been approved by the Board of Commissioners of the Omni CRA, nor has an agreement been executed between the two parties; the Omni CRA, nor the Perez Art Museum. So in my humble opinion, there is no agreement that says money is to be forwarded to the Perez Art Museum, or how that money is to be expended. Chair Russell: So there's no -- not even a draft agreement in place on what that grant would City of Miami Page 8 Printed on 2/16/2017 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 26, 2016 consist of and how it could or should be spent? Mr. Min: No, sir. Chair Russell: Yes. Vice Chair Suarez: I think what the Commissioner is trying to say is that there was an expectation. You know, maybe there wasn't a formal agreement, but there was an expectation that it was going to happen. And I understand where you're coming from, because coming in -- First of all, you were very -- like you said, you were very adamant about your position on this issue. And I think, secondly, you inherit, essentially, a CRA that you're looking to do good with, you know, and you're finding -- trying to find the resources to do it with. And I think it's hard, because a lot of those resources were pledged to other things that maybe you would not have pledged them to. And I -- you know, it's perfectly fair and -- you know -- but I do somewhat feel, similar to Commissioner Carollo, that, you know, this board, rightfully or wrongfully, committed to this in a variety of different contexts, and, you know, I think it's a little bit -- I don't know if the word is -- I don't if it's wrong to -- you know, I don't want them to feel that we're trying to pull the rug out from under them. The policy that you've articulated, I think you've articulated and backed it up very well. You know, we can de -- we can have a very long debate here about it, whether it, you know, makes sense or doesn't make sense. I think, you know, we give a lot of deference, rightfully or wrongfully, on each of our boards to our Chairperson on our CRAs. I know I -- and as Midtown CRA Chair, I get a lot of deference from you guys, but -- that was a joke -- but, you know, the point is that we do; and particularly, on public policy matters, partly because it -- the reason why you guys have historically been the Chair of your districts is because, you know, these areas are mostly encompassed in the district, so -- and I think that's what the -- you know -- sort of what the Commission has done in the six years that, you know, we've -- Chair Russell: I may be about to regret requesting collaborative input from everybody, and maybe I should be the iron -fisted Chair, because I do welcome the input, and I do see where you're coming from. I think part of the problem has been there always has been this expectation of what a CRA will pay for, and I'm here to say that's got to stop. We have a job, and I'm very excited about the opportunity of what we can do. And I'm certainly not trying to pull the rug, but I don't think that the expectation was solidified, and that's why I'm proffering this amendment. So -- Board Member Gort: Mr. Chairman. Chair Russell: Yes. Board Member Gort: My understanding, in going back in the '90s, one of the main purpose of the CRA, according to the people that got -- put the -- allocated the most funds, it was to really create the museum, because they believe the museum was going to be very helpful. I mean, we were there the other day for a press conference, and we saw the buses of kids going to the museum; kids that probably never had an opportunity to do so. Although I understand what you're saying, they receive notice that a budget was approved for them, so they planned and they have their budget according to this. To cut it today, this could be a lot of harm. I understand where you coming and you're the Chairperson and you have a right to change all the plans and so on, but I think this is something that's ongoing already, and it'll be a hard feel [sic] for them -- it'd be a hardship. Vice Chair Suarez: And I would say you're being very firm. I think they've got the message; I'm pretty sure. Mr. Sirmans: Absolutely. City of Miami Page 9 Printed on 2/16/2017 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 26, 2016 Mr. Walker: Excuse me, Chair. Chair Russell: Yes. Mr. Walker: I have a question for the attorney that I'd like to put on the record. Chair Russell: Of course. Mr. Alfonso: It was pointed out that there is no current agreement. We're already in June. So are we to be paying for expenses that have already been made prior to --? I mean, we have no formal agreement. There's only a couple more months left in this budget season. So are we retroactively paying back? Or when do we come back with an agreement; in July, June? Mitch Bierman: Mr. Chair, may I just be heard on this issue of the agreement for one moment? We had in place an agreement for the '14/15 budget. We had always understood that that agreement would -- because the grant was, you know, on the same grounds and everything -- that that agreement was essentially being renewed, along with the budget. So we proceeded on that, and we proceeded and -- I'm sorry. I'm Mitch Bierman, with Weiss, Serota, Helfman, Kohen, Bierman, and I'm pro bono counsel to the museum. We had proceeded under the understanding that we were proceeding under the same agreement, which had us submit our request for reimbursement of funds expended in furtherance of the programs that we were funding through the grant, so we would have expected that to work the same way during this year. And as the director has said, we do -- we have performed a lot of those programs, and we still have some to come, including the summer camp. Chair Russell: Understood. So I've offered a friendly amendment to the mover. You have the choice, obviously, to accept the amendment and we vote on the amendment, or -- I'm sorry -- no, we wouldn't be voting on the amendment. We would accept the amendment to vote on the issue -- on the item. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): That's correct, sir. So, essentially, what you're asking is for the mover and the seconder to accept a friendly amendment; if they do so and there's no further discussion, then you may call the question. Chair Russell: And at which point, they would either have to -- so they either have the choice to accept the amendment, and we vote up or down the entire thing; or not accept the amendment, and we vote on it, as is. Mr. Hannon: That's absolutely correct, sir. Chair Russell: Thank you. Board Member Hardemon: May I clarify for the record? Chair Russell: Please. Board Member Hardemon: What the -- is the amendment to remove $1 million from the program? I just -- Chair Russell: Yes. Board Member Hardemon: -- because I stepped out. Chair Russell: Yes. The rest of the budget would stay as amended; that the executive director City of Miami Page 10 Printed on 2/16/2017 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 26, 2016 already has made some changes. Board Member Hardemon: The -- and that million dollars was for the programming that you do for children and youth, et cetera? Chair Russell: Also marketing and nighttime parties, and DJs. Board Member Hardemon: I've been to one of those parties before; they're pretty good. Chair Russell: I just don't want to dress it up for what -- it does very good things, but I don't want to say that's all -- you know, that's -- it's not all about children. This is about the bottom line of the museum that we are subsidizing: their marketing budget, their events budget. I understand we were even requested to reimburse parking tickets at one point, which we rejected as a CRA, but this isn't just about programming for kids. Board Member Hardemon: The thing I'd like to -- Mr. Sirmans: The majority -- Board Member Hardemon: -- ifI could. I've taken over a CRA and had to make some tough decisions. I did it before, and my colleagues supported me. And there were some individuals that were upset about some of the programs that I stopped. And I stopped it because there were many people in the community who lived in the area that really told me that they weren't really benefiting from those programs. And the one thing that I've learned about CRAs in all of my reading about them and in sitting as Chairman is that a CRA -- it does improve upon an area, but one thing it does, also, is attract people to the area. And so, CRAs can use their budgets to attract individuals to an area, especially if they've never been there before. I would dare to say that when you attract young kids from very different backgrounds to experience art and culture, that's something that they probably could not have done before. I know that, just looking at the structure, which is incredible, I can see that, even ifI were someone making below median income in Miami, I probably would be afraid to drive into it -- Vice Chair Suarez: No doubt. Board Member Hardemon: -- because I would think that the parking would be, you know, $25. Speaking of $25 parking, I parked on Miami Beach in one of those fancy parking garages that didn't have a price on it. I think everyone knows which one it is. Vice Chair Suarez: 40 bucks or something like that. Board Member Hardemon: It was incredible. And I was there for an hour and a half. I'm glad I had money or they might not have let me out. But, no, I say that in all seriousness to say that structures like that can be very intimidating. And so, when you give a grant and you have parties and you have festivals or programming or things of that nature, it's all intended, I believe, to attract people to the area and to that asset, because it makes no sense for us to build this wonderful place if no one comes to it. And so, I can foresee you saying, Look, I think that if you can"- The bottom line is this: Even if you believe that that's the right -- I believe that's a perfectly good expense. If you have to make the choice between that expense and something else, because you're trying to really bring some changes to your area, sometimes we have to make tough choices, and I can support you in making a choice, one way or the other. But for the record, I think that the expense, from what I've heard, is an allowable expense under the CRA. But when you have to choose between this and that, you know, we'd love to follow your direction on it. The only thing that I don't -- I wouldn't like is that kotcha''pirit that's -- Okay, we don't have the agreement because of X ' 'Y,' and 'Z.' Gotcha. "You know, I think that that's the only thing that makes me a little uncomfortable about it. The gentleman who is now the new -- what City of Miami Page 11 Printed on 2/16/2017 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 26, 2016 do they call you? They call you &irector, T fight? -- director of the -- of this facility, he certainly didn't create the budget, didn't create the programming; he walked into this. And it would be, I think, unfair to him, running an organization as such, to start in the hole, if you will. But like I say, I think the CRAs -- and I saw the numbers that you tried to crunch, Jason -- I think there's a harsh reality that we face when it comes to the CRA and our ability to be able to do things within it, because there's a money deficiency that we have in operating budget each year, and I think that that's -- I'm -- and I'm with you in trying to figure out how we do it. I don't know if everyone -- and I can -- and you can sense everyone's kind of uneasiness about it, and I know many times, like on our last vote, I wasn't -- I didn't want it to -- I wanted to go one way, and not another way. I didn't want to compromise on that, because I felt like it would send the wrong message. Maybe on this issue, you would earn some support if you modifir the amount, maybe, but not just outright taking it out. And I don't know if that'll work. I don't know if everyone feels comfortable with that, either -- Vice Chair Suarez: If I may? Board Member Hardemon: -- but just -- I'm just -- I just don't want -- I don't want to be a part of an outright -- Chair Russell: I understand what you're saying; that we try to wiggle out on a technicality -- Board Member Hardemon: Right. Chair Russell: -- where there was a promise or commitment made, and I think that's where -- and obviously, I wasn't here back then, so not knowing whether this was an expectation that it would just be renewed on an annual basis going forward and it was just put in a line item, or if there was an actual promise and commitment, and the grant was in any way discussed on what it would be. If the previous year's grant was reviewed was it spent well? I would love to know what sort of outreach was done to the actual area of need within the Omni CRA -- Vice Chair Suarez: That's fair. Chair Russell: -- because, you know, I -- like you say, the -- someone who's not of means would drive by that museum and not feel invited. And just because there's a free party going on there, they may not know of -- even about the free party. Who communicated that? That -- what outreach was done to that area of need? And so these are concerns that I have; that if we're going to spend the money that it's very laser focused on eliminating slum and blight. And I would say that the CRA has done a good job of eliminating that slum and blight on the eastern side of that CRA. Now, we've got to get to the western side, which has been left ignored. Board Member Carollo: Mr. Chair. Chair Russell: So this is an alternative suggestion, which I had not thought about, which I would be open to thinking about, but obviously, that would take some time for us to consider what that amount would be. We'd need to talk with the museum, see where they are on their spending. You know, I'm certainly not trying to pull the rug, as you say, but what I see is, we have an assumption of monies that we're going to spend that have not yet been committed, and in that sense, I need to interject my opinion that I don't think we should be spending them in this way. Board Member Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Russell: Yes. Board Member Carollo: Also, I heard that in the previous year, we paid on a reimbursement, so City of Miami Page 12 Printed on 2/16/2017 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 26, 2016 we could set parameters on what they can't spend it on, because, as I remember, from the past, and even now, I haven't seen a plan on what they're spending it on, or what they would like to spend it on. I heard, with regards to summer youth programs and things of that nature. And again, I'm not -- listen, I voted against the budget, so -- and you took a 4-1 vote the other day. It's not the easiest things, you know. We actually do work as a collegial body up here, and nothing is personal, okay? I consistently voted against that budget; many different reasons we could discuss in the future. But with that said, I also understand that there is expectations, if you'd rather use that word. And with that said, that doesn't mean that it should be a blanket check. I think there should be checks and balances. Chair Russell: An analysis of last year's grant and see how it was spent, and what could change for this year. I think all of that should have been done before committing for the next year. But, yeah, I hear you. Board Member Carollo: Well -- Mr. Walker: Mr. Chair. Board Member Carollo: -- I'm not going to say again that I voted against the budget -- Chair Russell: I know. Board Member Carollo: -- but with that said, I don't think we should outright take the money out. I think maybe we should do an analysis; and not only that, for this -- I don't want to call it a krant' - I guess it is a grant -- but I just don't -- I don't want anyone to think that we're just going to write out a check and hand it to them. It's on a reimbursement, so it depends on what they're spending it on. We will write -- you know, we will write a check and reimburse them, and maybe that's your opportunity to do parameters. And again, we could say, subject to it coming back to this board and voting on it, and agreeing. Chair Russell: I mean, in my opinion, museums should be offering free days to children of need Board Member Carollo: Yes. Chair Russell: -- with or without our help. Board Member Carollo: Yes. Chair Russell: If we feel it's good to buy tickets for kids of need, we could do that as a CRA, but to give a -- I know a million dollars of tickets to kids of need are not going out. This is -- it's a big expenditure for the CRA that could be spent better. And if that hole were created, there are parties who could and should fill it. Maybe we, as a City, should be looking at subsidizing it and supporting it. Maybe the philanthropic name at the top of the museum itself should be helping fill that gap. I mean, I was invited to --and, thankfully, very much -- a nice gala, where -- I mean, it was tremendous, the amount of fundraising that was going on there, and it's good to see that sort of philanthropic community in Miami coming together and supporting these efforts, but I don't think it should be at the expense of money that could be spent for families of need, a community of need that we have the job to take care of. Board Member Carollo: So, Mr. Chairman, ifI may, consider this -- andl guess I'm trying to find consensus. Consider this: Just because it's in the budget doesn't mean we're going to spend the money. Chair Russell: Well, if we approve the budget at this point, I would definitely feel that it's a bait City of Miami Page 13 Printed on 2/16/2017 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 26, 2016 and switch to not go forward with it at that point. Is that what you're implying; that we would approve this, but --? Board Member Carollo: That doesn't mean that we make -- that we actually spent the money. I mean, go back in history. The CRAs have done it for years. But anyways -- so, realistically, that's what I'm saying. You could set parameters, and just because it's in the budget doesn't mean we have -- you know, we could say that we bring it back to this board to approve any of those reimbursement expenses towards that million dollars. Chair Russell: Right. Board Member Carollo: So, in other words, that doesn't mean that $1 million is going to be expense and that's it, it's gone. No. You know, there are carryovers; and like I said, if you look back in history, there's a lot of carryovers in the CRAB. So that million could be carried over; or, once again, we could approve what it should be spent on, you know, regarding PAMM. Vice Chair Suarez: I think he said it. Chair Russell: Oh, that's what you were --? Vice Chair Suarez: Yeah. I think he said it. I think he got it all. Chair Russell: Yeah. If this -- I mean, if this budget gets approved, which, I mean, if you voted for it in the past -- If I had been there then, I would have voted against it, as well, and that's why, if this portion of it -- Board Member Carollo: That was two. You need three. Chair Russell: Yeah. Well, if it stays the way it is, I would vote against it now; my own budget, as the Chair. I'd -- Board Member Carollo: Adjusted budget. Chair Russell: Yes. So I've proffered an amendment. You guys can do with it as you will. So does the mover and the seconder accept the amendment to remove this amount from the budget -- from the original budget? Board Member Carollo: To eliminate the whole $1 million? Board Member Gort: Yeah. Chair Russell: I'm sorry? Board Member Carollo: To eliminate the whole $1 million from the budget? And if we eliminate that $1 million, where is it going to go to? Chair Russell: That would be up to our executive director at our next session, as we start laying out the plans for the CRA as we move forward here. There's a lot of good ideas that are already brewing, and I'm really excited for him to present to us what he's already found in his own, you know, few weeks of being in the -- as the executive director. Yes. Mr. Walker: Mr. Chairman, I'm sorry. I would just like to put my two cents on the table. First of all, Chairman Hardemon, when I brought up the agreement, it wasn't to play P-otcha,'but it was to bring up exactly what Commissioner Carollo said, which is, maybe if you don't do the full million, you can do some of it for half of the year that's left in the budget, if that's what your will City of Miami Page 14 Printed on 2/16/2017 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 26, 2016 is, so that we could come up with an agreement from now -- from June until September for them to spend the money at a less amount. My other opinion -- and I've told this to the museum, and I've told this to each one of you -- if I were doing the budget back in September, I would not have recommended this be in the budget; and September coming, this year, I will not be recommending that it be in the budget for next year, so. Chair Russell: Mr. Bierman. Mr. Bierman: Thank you. If I may just have one more moment of your time. The -- what I hope that you can understand is that we began our -- we made our budget based on the total amount of funds that we believed were available, including the more than two-thirds of our budget that is paid for that is not public subsidy of any kind all right? That's all earned revenue, donated revenue. I mean, it's very unusual for a world -class cultural institution in Miami -Dade County to fund itself at that level and rely that little on subsidy from government. Honestly, the goal for this museum from the beginning has been to create an endowment that will eliminate completely the need for any public subsidy. And then, there'll be the occasionally grant, or you can buy tickets and all that. But in -- when we created this year's budget, and we spent in accord with that budget, it included the entire million dollars. And so, a great part of that is already done. At this point, to reduce that substantially, to reduce the amount of public subsidy that we get in a very substantial way -- I mean, it actually means like sending employees home and it means eliminating programs, and it means that the -- I mean, there are just so many, so many incredible disruptions that would happen, and hardships, as a result of a significant change in the expected funding, so I hope you'll consider that. I agree with you that on a going forward basis, we have no expectation of coming back here, and, you know, we -- our partnership with the CRA will take a very different form. But I -- for this past -- for this year, which is more than halfway over, we -- you know, that -- a significant disruption like that would be, I dare to say, devastating to the programming that we're trying to provide for this entire community. Chair Russell: So ifI'm under -- to understand correctly, it's not just programming that the monies went toward; you've actually already hired employees on which this money that is going to be coming -- Mr. Bierman: We have not hired employees. We haven't hired specific employees, but our employees have various responsibilities, and we have a budget that is a whole budget. And then the -- certainly, the money that we have gotten from the CRA has paid for programs up to this point, through this fiscal year, and is intended to pay for them through the end of the fiscal year. If that money disappears and we don't have any of it, we have to make a lot of cuts to make up for that -- Vice Chair Suarez: Mr. Chair. Mr. Bierman: -- and that would include employees. Vice Chair Suarez: Mr. Chair. Chair Russell: So -- and I don't mean this in a scolding way in any sense, because people are still kind of getting used to me and how I am and operate, and I've only been lobbied now for about four months. But those who have lobbied me know that I love to hear the full story so that I could make a complete decision, rather than getting, you know, the parts that the lobby -- that suit the lobbyists, and then I have to talk to the other side and hear the other side of the story, and then do this puzzle. So to make the impression that this money is going toward programming for children is not accurate; I mean, that is happening, but there is not a million dollars of programming for children happening. This is supporting the bottom line of a museum. Mr. Bierman: Well, you know, all of our grants that we receive support the bottom line to -- of City of Miami Page 15 Printed on 2/16/2017 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 26, 2016 the museum; I mean, that's true. And if we didn't have this money, we would still try to find a way to do the kinds of programs that we're doing. We certainly wouldn't be able to do all of them. We wouldn't be able to make the museum free for as many, as often as we do; it would just -- it can't be done. It sounds easy, but it requires, you know, having people on duty that whole time and it requires all -- you know -- security and it affects insurance rate -- and it affects everything. So to say that you can, yes, isolate something and take it out and all that, it's not that simple. We've got a -- you know -- an overall budget and overall costs, and costs are allocated to those free programs and those programs for children from the total. So, you know, in fairness Chair Russell: I understand. And I actually apologize, because I don't -- I'm very passionate about this, and I don't mean in any way to demonize the museum in any of the efforts you do, because none of the expenditures you make -- I'm not trying to make a judgment about them. What the museum does is good, and what you choose to spend your funds on is the decision of the museum. How we task the grant, I think we should be very specific on, and if -- I'm hearing from a couple of my fellow Commissioners there is a potential appetite to alter; ifI were to alter my amendment within the amount that there might be some interest; is that a potential? I'm open to that. I had not thought of that before. Vice Chair Suarez: Can we -- can I offer another solution? Chair Russell: Yes. Vice Chair Suarez: Maybe you can break it up into two parts, and the second part's subject to your analysis that you wanted to see as to how funds were spent in the past, which you wanted to analyze, and, you know, I think that's a very appropriate analysis, but maybe break up the potential grant into two allocations and subject to your review of the way that they spent the money and in that way, you have sort of -- you keep the other half on your side of the ledger until you feel satisfied and comfortable that the money's been spent in the way that they've promised to spend it. Chair Russell: I do, because that's -- I think that's an excellent idea, and it's really the executive director's analysis and his recommendation to us that we would act upon. I'm -- you know, because to write a blanket check and then it gets spent, for me, if it's spent improperly, that's our name on it, because we didn't watch it carefully enough; and not improperly in the sense of deception; improperly in the sense of what we are tasked with spending our money on. And -- Mr. Min: Mr. Chair. Chair Russell: Yes. Mr. Min: Can I make another suggestion? Chair Russell: Please. Mr. Min: I will respectfully disagree with counsel for the Perez Art Museum. The agreement that was executed on August 26, 2014, indicates that it expires upon the full payment of the $1 million. I don't know if that full payment has been made, but assuming it has, then this new $1 million, if that's what's going to be approved by this board, effective September -- October 1, 2015, that would be subject to a new agreement. So if this board wanted to pass a resolution directing the executive director to draft a new agreement, subject to general counsel's approval, we could work with putting in the language that you want, as far as ensuring that the payments are for the proper types of expenses that you're expecting, to ensure that it's done in a more thorough review that you're expecting; if you want it to be reported to the board on a quarterly basis, a monthly basis, whatever it is that this body wants that's something you can draft into the City of Miami Page 16 Printed on 2/16/2017 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 26, 2016 agreement. But right now, there is no agreement for the October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016. Chair Russell: There's just an assumption. Mr. Min: There is an assumption. So if you want to grant $1 million, there needs to be some kind of a document that ties how that $1 million will be ex -- will be spent, and that is something that -- if you want to direct the executive director how to ensure that money is spent correctly, that's something that we can work with. Board Member Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Russell: Yes. Board Member Carollo: And that's what I was saying, and that document would have to come back or should come back to the CRA Board. Chair Russell: Which document? Board Member Carollo: Whatever -- Vice Chair Suarez: Whatever agreement. Board Member Carollo: Yes. So, once again, just because it's in our budget doesn't mean that they're getting a blanket check, and that we're going to expend that money. We still need to do the agreement, and that's why I said that you will have the opportunity or latitude in order to draft language with board counsel as to if it's a reimbursement, exactly what is going to be reimbursed and things of that magnitude. Vice Chair Suarez: Yeah. Chair Russell: That's an easy direction to make. Vice Chair Suarez: Yeah. Chair Russell: My amendment still stands as it is, but if I have a recommendation from an alternative amendment, I would be open to change that. Vice Chair Suarez: So the alternative is, according to what the board Commissioner has -- I guess we'll say Board member'in these forums -- but to what the board member has suggested, which is to leave the amended budget as is, but to direct the CRA director to come back and work with this board on the grant agreement itself that sets the parameters for how the money is spent. Chair Russell: Mm-hmm. Mr. Min: And if may -- Board Member Hardemon: The other -- Mr. Min: -- I would just add that there should be a time period that's added, only because we are now -- Board Member Gort: Yeah. Vice Chair Suarez: 30 days. City of Miami Page 17 Printed on 2/16/2017 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 26, 2016 Mr. Min: -- closer to the termination of the fiscal year. Vice Chair Suarez: 30 days. Chair Russell: I mean, that's -- Board Member Gort: It's got to be less than 30 days. Chair Russell: -- you know, if this was approved last September -- Board Member Carollo: Yes. Mr. Min: By the Board of Commissioners, it's either June or July of 2015; by the City of Miami and Miami -Dade County, in September of 2015. Chair Russell: Yet, no grant agreement was put together between then and December, when I was placed in -- Mr. Min: Yes, sir. Chair Russell: Yeah. And so, I mean, I -- I'm stuck. Board Member Hardemon: Mr. Chairman, I mean -- Chair Russell: I can't -- I -- my amendment -- I'm -- I would be going against my own principle to simply remove my amendment. I mean, if we're going to start -- if we're going to regulate how they spend the money with a very strict grant agreement, each item is going to have to pass the test of the CRA, and, really, what can that budget be spent on, other than free entrance for kids; perhaps programming that's directed toward --? That's a lot of programming. Board Member Hardemon: Mr. Chairman. Chair Russell: Yes. Board Member Hardemon: When you read your Florida Redevelopment Act, the monies can be spent on a plethora of different things. The grant -- whatever the grant was approved for, do you have an idea of what they intend to spend the dollars on? Because in the grant agreement -- or even when the resolution or whatever it may be that they submitted to the CRA, it would stipulate that there are some things that they're looking to do with that money. I have yet to see someone say, f want a grant of $1 million, 'and then have no details about what it's for. Now, and what we're trying to explain to you is that there's no such thing as a blanket check, if you will; blank check or check that's just overarching, pays for everything, because the CRAs operate on a reimbursement system. And so, therefore, every time an expense is created, it's submitted to the CRA; as I understand, it's submitted to the CRA. The CRA then reviews that expense to determine whether or not it meets the test of the chapter that pertains to the CRA; if it does, it's something that's allowed; if it's not, then it's rejected; and if it's rejected, then it's an expense that they have to take care of. So there is a system in place. The system is as good as the executive director. Chair Russell: Understood. All right. So I will take that as my amendment to the amended budget has not been accepted by the mover and/or the seconder. So if there's no further discussion, we will go ahead and vote on the budget as is; the amended budget, as is. Any further discussion? Is this an fill in favor,'br is this a roll call vote? City of Miami Page 18 Printed on 2/16/2017 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 26, 2016 Mr. Hannon: Up or down. Chair Russell: Up or down. You have another thing, please? Board Member Carollo: Yes. I want to make sure that, if we vote in favor of this budget that that $1 million is not a blanket check; that there is an agreement that has to come back to this board, and we discuss what would be a adequate reimbursement item and what will not be. Mr. Walker: Yes, sir. We will schedule another CRA meeting for next month, and at that meeting, we will sit -- between now and that meeting, we will sit down with the museum to come up with a new grant agreement. Chair Russell: And you'll analyze the previous grant? I know you haven't had much time yet. Mr. Walker: Yeah, because -- yes, because, I mean, some of the stuff that I've looked at, you know, I don't think we should be spending money on, period. Board Member Carollo: And, again, no funds will be expense [sic] until it comes back to this board. Mr. Walker: We can't expend the funds until the grant agreement is approved by the board. Board Member Carollo: I just wanted to confirm that. Chair Russell: But by approving this within the budget -- this is not an lip to $1 million grant." This is a million dollar grant. Mr. Walker: So a million dollar grant, but if you don't approve the -- Chair Russell: Expenses, of course. Mr. Walker: -- agreement next month, for example -- Mr. Min: My legal advice to the body is, just because the budget has been approved does not mean the money can be spent. Mr. Walker: No. Board Member Carollo: Exactly. And that was my point the whole time. Chair Russell: Understood. Yes, okay, so all in favor? Chair Suarez: Aye. Board Member Gort: Aye. Board Member Hardemon: Aye. Board Member Carollo: Aye. Chair Russell: All opposed? No. Motion passes. City of Miami Page 19 Printed on 2/16/2017 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 26, 2016 DISCUSSION ITEM(S) 1. 16-00375 CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION REGARDING FIREHOUSE 2 LEASED RESTAURANT SPACE ON FIRST FLOOR. 16-00375 Cover Memo.pdf DISCUSSED Vice Chair Suarez: Mr. Chair, if we can go back to the regular agenda -- Chair Russell: Thank you. Vice Chair Suarez: -- because I have to leave soon? Chair Russell: Absolutely. Vice Chair Suarez: I know the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) -- Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Sorry, Chair. Just briefly, there are two discussion items. If they only take a minute for each one, we can knock it out? Jason Walker (Executive Director, Omni Community Redevelopment Agency): Yeah, we could take one. We'll defer -- Chair Russell: Just the first one, and we'll defer the second one, which is a general discussion of future plans, but I believe the firehouse issue is something that's a bit time sensitive. Mr. Walker: Yes. Board Members, there is a -- as you all know, there is a lease that was -- an RFP (Request for Proposals) went out. It was responded for a restaurant -type facility at the bottom of the Firehouse Station 2. There is a lease signed with FH-2 LLC (Limited Liability Company). They subsequently were asked by the former Administration to cease their due diligence during their contract period, where they were supposed to start submitting rent payments. There was an 18-month period. The board voted in December of 2015 to put the property up for sale. So for the four to six months that the property was up for sale, they asked for an additional time in order to come up with their first lease payment; that would have taken them to February of 2016. So, technically, now, because they have not made a payment in February of 2016, they would be in default of the lease. We're bringing this back to you just so that you know, and if you -- without objection, you know, we're willing to remedy the default and move forward. They promised that they can have this thing running in -- by August or September. They've already submitted a deposit and the rent check for May; not February or March, but for May of this year, which we have not deposited depending on this vote, but that would be our recommendation, to move forward. Chair Russell: Thank you. So you feel that they stopped paying rent on good faith -- Vice Chair Suarez: Representations. Chair Russell: -- representation from our executive director at the time that the building was going to be sold, so they shouldn't waste their money? Mr. Walker: Yes, sir. And it's a matter of public record that the building was up for sale. It's a City of Miami Page 20 Printed on 2/16/2017 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 26, 2016 matter of public record that you took it off of the market -- Chair Russell: Understood. And we're willing to remedy that now? Mr. Walker: And they're willing to remedy that now, and we'll give them this one chance to do that. I think that it is time that we see some activity on that corner in that area. I think a restaurant space will entice other type of businesses to open up in the area, instead of delaying the process more. Chair Russell: Do you need specific action from this board, or just a direction? Mr. Walker: I don't believe I need a specific action. We just wanted to bring this to you in a manner of transparency, to see if you had any objection; and if there is no objection, we would move forward. Chair Russell: I have none. Vice Chair Suarez: I have none. Chair Russell: Thank you, gentlemen. I think we are adjourned with the CRA. 2. CRA DISCUSSION 16-00377 ADJOURNMENT DISCUSSION REGARDING COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES REDEVELOPMENT PLANS. 16-00377 Cover Memo.pdf CONTINUED Note for the Record: The OMNI CRA Board, via unanimous consent of all members present on the dais, continued Discussion Item #2 to the next Regular OMNI CRA Meeting. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And sorry, Chair. Just for the record, item -- Chair Russell: Yes. Mr. Hannon: -- discussion item 2 will be continued to the next Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting. Chair Russell: Yes. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Mr. Hannon: Thank you. Chair Russell: Adjourned. Mr. Hannon: And Chair Hardemon, I just need two minutes just to change over. The meeting adjourned at 4: 59 p.m. City of Miami Page 21 Printed on 2/16/2017