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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEOPW CRA 2011-10-24 MinutesCity of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Di • IN O9▪ IEP 19 1i? Meeting Minutes Monday, October 24, 2011 5:00 PM FREDERICK DOUGLASS ELEMENTARY 314 NW 12TH STREET MIAMI, FL. 33136 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Michelle Spence -Jones, Chairman Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Vice -Chairman Marc David Sarnoff, Commissioner Frank Carollo, Commissioner Francis Suarez, Commissioner CRA OFFICE ADDRESS: 49 NW 5th ST, SUITE 100, Miami, FL 33128 Phone: (305) 679-6800, Fax: (305) 679-6835 www.miamicra.com SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 ORDER OF THE DAY FINANCIALS 1. 11-00948 Present: Chair Spence -Jones, Commissioner Suarez and Commissioner Gort Absent: Commissioner Sarnoff and Commissioner Carollo On the 24th day of October 2011, the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Miami met in regular session at Frederick Douglass Elementary School, 314 NW 12th Street, Miami, Florida. The meeting was called to order by Chair Spence -Jones at 5:12 p.m. and was adjourned at 6: 39 p.m. ALSO PRESENT: Pieter Bockweg, Executive Director, CRA Clarence Woods, Assistant Executive Director, CRA Maria J. Chiaro, Assistant General Counsel, CRA William R. Bloom, Special Counsel, CRA Priscilla A. Thompson, Clerk of the Board Todd Hannon, Assistant Clerk of the Board Chair Spence -Jones: I'm going to ask Madam City Clerk to at least open us with prayer. You know I always put you on the spot, right. Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): You never put me on the spot when it's time to pray. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Invocation and pledge of allegiance delivered. Chair Spence -Jones: Andl believe we will only have -- at this point, I know Commissioner Sarnoff is out at this point. I think he's got some meetings or something tonight, big election night on next Tuesday, so I'm sure that's what everybody's working on. And I'm not sure where we are with Commissioner Carollo. I'm sure he should be on his way. But I'd like to thank everyone for coming out. This is my first CRA meeting. It's a pleasure to be back. I'm going to ask though before we -- Applause. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Thank you. CRA REPORT FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR THE PERIOD ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2011. File # 11-00948 10-24-2011 Financial Summary.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: So we're going to go ahead and get started on the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting. I believe I will be chairing the Overtown meeting and Commissioner Suarez will be chairing the Omni meeting today. I'm going to ask my chairman of the City Commission -- I'm a little rusty 'cause I haven't chaired a meeting in about two years, so if I'm doing something wrong, then just, you know, nudge me on the side. But I do want us to kind of move pretty quickly through the agenda. And we're going to start, I guess, with the Overtown CRA meeting. City of Miami Paget Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 RESOLUTIONS 2. 11-00949 Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Madam Chair -- Miguel, item number 1, please. Miguel Valentin (Financial Officer, Community Redevelopment Agency): Good evening, Commissioners. I'm going to be presenting the combined statement of financial position as of September 30, 2011. We are disclosing the cash amount of 25, 566 -- 76,715. Just I wanted to put on record that the auditors, they just commenced the CRA audit for fiscal year 2011. We are expecting that the audit statements -- financial statements are going to be released by early January 2012. And there is no reportable condition to report to the Board. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Thank you, Miguel. Any questions from any of the --? Vice Chair Gort: Let me ask a question. The -- you show these as restricted funds, the new funds (UNINTELLIGIBLE) is also restricted? Mr. Valentin: Which figure are you referring to? Vice Chair Gort: The -- when you look at the current year -- fiscal year of 2011. Mr. Valentin: The current year fiscal year, this is the surplus -- Vice Chair Gort: Right. Mr. Valentin: -- that we have reflected in this fiscal year. If you -- just to answer your question, if you see item cash reserve for projects and operations, 25 million -- Commissioner Gort: Right. Mr. Valentin: -- that means that those monies are restricted. Commissioner Gort: They are restricted also. Mr. Valentin: They are allocated -- Commissioner Gort: Okay. Mr. Valentin: -- towards projects. Commissioner Gort: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, great. CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE RENEWAL OF THE CRA'S COMMERCIAL GENERAL LIABILITY, PROPERTY, AND WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE COVERAGE, FOR AN ADDITIONAL ONE-YEAR PERIOD, WITH BROWN & BROWN OF FLORIDA, INC.; IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TEN THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY THREE DOLLARS ($10,723); City of Miami Page 3 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 ALLOCATING FUNDING FROM SEOPW GENERAL OPERATING FUND, ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10030.920101.545000.0000.00000. File # 11-00949 10-24-2011 Cover Memo.pdf File # 11-00949 10-24-2011 Financial Form.pdf File # 11-00949 10-24-2011 Backup.pdf File # 11-00949 10-24-2011 Signed Legislation.pdf Motion by Member Suarez, seconded by Vice -Chair Gort, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Commissioner Suarez, Chair Spence -Jones and Commissioner Gort Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Sarnoff CRA-R-11-0049 Chair Spence -Jones: And the second item, I'm going to turn over to Pieter to explain to us what's happening. Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Miguel. Miguel Valentin (Financial Officer, Community Redevelopment Agency): Yeah. The second item is a -- it is recommended that the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency approve and adopt the attached resolution authorizing the renewal of the CRA's (Community Redevelopment Agency's) commercial general liability, property and worker's compensation insurance coverage for an additional one-year period through Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc. (Incorporated), in an amount not to exceed $10, 723. Commissioner Suarez: Move it. Chair Spence -Jones: I have a motion. Vice Chair Gort: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, this item passes. Moving on to item number 3. Mr. Valentin: Yes. Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): I'm sorry. Just to refresh, you have a mover and a seconder. You need to take your vote. Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, all -- Commissioner Suarez: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Ms. Thompson: All in favor. Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: Great. 3. CRA RESOLUTION 11-00952 City of Miami Page 4 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO TRANSFER FUNDS THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED SEVENTEEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($17,500) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011, AND AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED SEVENTEEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($17,500) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012, TO THE CITY OF MIAMI'S OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK FOR SERVICES RENDERED AS THE CLERK OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY. ALLOCATING FUNDING FROM SEOPW GENERAL OPERATING FUND, ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10030.920101.891000.0000.00000. File # 11-00952 10-24-2011 Cover Memo.pdf File # 11-00952 10-24-2011 Financial Form.pdf File # 11-00952 10-24-2011 Legislation.pdf 11-00952 10-24-2011 Signed Legislation .pdf Motion by Member Suarez, seconded by Vice -Chair Gort, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Commissioner Suarez, Chair Spence -Jones and Commissioner Gort Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Sarnoff CRA-R-11-0050 Chair Spence -Jones: So we're moving on to item number 3. Miguel Valentin (Financial Officer, Community Redevelopment Agency): Item number 3, it is recommended that the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency approve and adopt the attached resolution authorizing the executive director to transfer funds in an amount not to exceed 17,500, for fiscal year 2011, and an additional amount not to exceed 17,500, for fiscal year 2012, to the City of Miami's Office of the City Clerks [sic] for services render as the clerk of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency. Commissioner Suarez: Move it. Vice Chair Gort: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: I'm getting -- I'm rusty, so you got to help me. Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): It has been moved by Commissioner -- Chair Spence -Jones: We have a motion -- Ms. Thompson: -- I'm sorry, Board Member Suarez, seconded by Board Member Gort. Chair Spence -Jones: All in -- Ms. Thompson: You take -- right, all in favor. Chair Spence -Jones: -- favor? City of Miami Page 5 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Ms. Thompson: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: This item passes. 4. CRA RESOLUTION 11-00950 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXPEND UP TO ONE HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($125,000) WITH HOLLAND & KNIGHT, LLP, CRA SPECIAL COUNSEL, AS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY THIS BOARD IN THE 2012 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET, FOR LEGAL FEES AND COSTS TO PROVIDE SPECIALIZED LEGAL SERVICES TO THE CRA; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.531010.0000.00000. File # 11-00950 10-24-2011 Cover Memo.pdf File # 11-00950 10-24-2011 Financial Form.pdf File # 11-00950 10-24-2011 Legislation.pdf File # 11-00950 10-24-11 Signed Legislation.pdf Motion by Member Suarez, seconded by Vice -Chair Gort, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Commissioner Suarez, Chair Spence -Jones and Commissioner Gort Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Sarnoff CRA-R-11 -0051 Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Commissioner, item number 4 is the allocation of $125, 000 for our outside counsel. This is a item in our line item budget that was approved in July, as well as accepted by the City Commission in September for specialized services having to do with Southeast Overtown/Park West. Obviously, this is -- Bill Bloom is our special outside counsel. It is important to note that there is no retainer as it relates to our agreement with him and it is pay as we go, so we only pay whenever we use him. And it's also important to note that last year, even though this money was allocated in the budget for last year, that money was not used. So in essence, we are just rolling it over to this year's budget. But we are anticipating to use more of Bill Bloom's services particularly with the RFPs (Requests for Proposals) that were approved last year and moving forward with the settlement negotiations. Commissioner Suarez: Move it for discussion. Chair Spence -Jones: I have a motion. Vice Chair Gort: Second for discussion. Chair Spence -Jones: You have the floor. Commissioner Suarez: Thank you, Madam Chairman [sic]. You said a couple of things I just wanted to clarify for the record. One, you said that it's an -- it's used on an as -needed basis. Mr. Bockweg: That's correct. City of Miami Page 6 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 Commissioner Suarez: So whenever we need his services, that's what we'll be charged against that allocated amount? Mr. Bockweg: That's correct. There is no retainer. Commissioner Suarez: Okay. The other thing, I think -- and I think this goes to the Chairman's [sic] point, her initial point when she talked about the CRA and her passion for the CRA. I think one of the big issues that we've been talking about here and that we've been trying to get our arms around and ultimately we have to solve -- it's a big problem -- is our carryover balance. And so when you talk about getting money on the street -- and we continue to talk about getting money on the street -- I think we want the general public to understand that a lot of that entails legal documentation. Mr. Bockweg: An enormous amount of that entails legal documentation, and it's specialized, Commissioner. Commissioner Suarez: And I think the message that I'm getting today is that we as a board need to do whatever we can and whatever needs to happen to get that money into the community. Mr. Bockweg: That's correct. Commissioner Suarez: So, you know, I think -- and I don't mean to speak -- put words in the mouth of the chairperson, but you know, I could speak for myself in saying that, you know, we need to get this money on the street. There's all kinds of reasons why we need to do it, but the most important reason is because that's the mission of this organization so -- to improve this community and to redevelop this community and we cannot be sitting on $25 million. So I think I'll leave it at that. I know we had approved the general counsel and I think you have another budgeted attorney position that has not been filled. Mr. Bockweg: That's correct. Commissioner Suarez: So, you know, just by way of bringing that up -- I don't know if you've had a chance to explain that to the chairperson. Anyhow so -- that's it. I don't have any other questions. Vice Chair Gort: My question is -- my understanding is we allocated X'hmount of funds. My understanding is we did not utilize all of the funding that was put last year. Mr. Bockweg: You're referring to Bill Bloom's contract? Vice Chair Gort: Right. Mr. Bockweg: The $125,000 that was allocated last year was not touched -- Vice Chair Gort: Okay. Mr. Bockweg: -- so we are carrying that over to this year. Vice Chair Gort: Thank you. And I think it's important for people to understand that we do have to have a contract. We need to have attorneys to make sure that in five years somebody comes back and says, oh, wait a minute. You didn't do it correctly so we're going to sue you for X" amount of money. Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? City of Miami Pagel Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: This item passes. 5. CRA RESOLUTION 11-00953 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $13,000, FOR THE PAYMENT OF 2011 REAL ESTATE PROPERTY TAXES ON THE CRA OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1201 NORTHWEST THIRD AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA; FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED FROM THE SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.549000.0000.00000. File # 11-00953 10-24-2011 Cover Memo.pdf File # 11-00953 10-24-2011 Financial Form.pdf File # 11-00953 10-24-2011 Backup.pdf File # 11-00953 10-24-2011 Legislation.pdf File # 11-00953 10-24-2011 Signed Legislation .pdf Motion by Member Suarez, seconded by Vice -Chair Gort, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Commissioner Suarez, Chair Spence -Jones and Commissioner Gort Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Sarnoff CRA-R-11-0052 Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Clarence, item number 6, please. Chair Spence -Jones: Item 5, right? Mr. Bockweg: Oh, I'm sorry. This is -- Commissioner, this is the tax money that we have to pay as far as the property taxes for the 1201, the two (UNINTELLIGIBLE) tenants within our 1201 property, Two Guys Restaurant, as well as the barbershop. Commissioner Suarez: Move it. Vice Chair Gort: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: We have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: The only comments -- This item passes. The only comments I have for Clarence and the Administration just in general, I know that, you know, we're moving on this issue because at this point Two Guys is actually in the building. I just want to make sure -- and I need you to put on the record -- that we are moving in the direction of them at least having their space because we don't want to keep paying taxes on a building when we want people working or at least the business up and running. So can you at least put on the record where we are with the new -- once that -- once -- I'm assuming once the -- what's the next steps on Two Guys? 'Cause they're the only people that are there and that's the only reason why the building's not getting knocked down. City of Miami Page 8 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 6. 11-00954 Clarence Woods: Thank you, Commissioner. Clarence Woods, the assistant director for the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). Yes. You're correct in saying that -- well, they're not the only ones that's there right now. Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, okay. Mr. Woods: We also have Mr. Green, who operates the barbershop, who once we are ready to move forward, he's going to retire -- Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Woods: -- and he'll be gone. But at this present -- Mrs. Meadows from Two Guys Restaurant, we're practically finished with the build out of the space that we're going to be moving her to. We should be finished with that either the end of the year -- the end of this year in December or the beginning of January, where we'll be able to move her over into the new restaurant that we are building out for her. And then at that time, we will demolish that building. But let me say this, currently, Mrs. Meadows is paying for the taxes that we pay on that building. She does pay rent. Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Mr. Woods: And so the rent is being covered by not only her, but Mr. Kelly as well. Chair Spence -Jones: To have to (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- okay. Mr. Woods: Right, so -- Chair Spence -Jones: All right. I just want to make sure we're -- the plan of action is to keep it moving so it'll be, you know, handled. Mr. Woods: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, thank you. We're going to move on to -- Thank you, Clarence. CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A GRANT, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $97,000, TO MIAMI DADE COLLEGE, FOR ITS HOSPITALITY INSTITUTE JOB TRAINING AND JOB PLACEMENT PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE FUNDS, AT HIS DISCRETION, ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS OR DIRECTLY TO VENDORS, UPON PRESENTATION OF INVOICES AND SATISFACTORY DOCUMENTATION; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO GENERAL COUNSEL; ALLOCATING FUNDING FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.883000.0000.00000. City of Miami Page 9 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 File # 11-00954 10-24-2011 Cover Memo.pdf File # 11-00954 10-24-2011 Financial Form.pdf File # 11-00954 10-24-2011 Backup.pdf File # 11-00954 10-24-2011 Legislation.pdf File # 11-00954 10-24-2011 Signed Legislation.pdf Motion by Chairman Spence -Jones, seconded by Member Suarez, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Commissioner Suarez, Chair Spence -Jones and Commissioner Gort Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Sarnoff CRA-R-11 -0053 Chair Spence -Jones: All right. We're going to go ahead and move on to item number 6, which is the Hospitality Institute. Clarence Woods (Assistant Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Commissioners, item number 6 is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency authorizing the issuance of a grant, in an amount not to exceed $97, 000, to the Miami Dade College for its Hospitality Institute job training and placement program; authorizing the executive director to disburse funds at his discretion on a reimbursement basis or directly to vendors upon presentation of invoices and satisfactory documentation; further authorizing the executive -- the execution of all documents necessary for said purpose. Vice Chair Gort: Okay, thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: So moved. Commissioner Suarez: Second for discussion. Vice Chair Gort: It's been moved and second. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Vice Chair Gort: Is there any further discussion? Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Charles Cutler: Y'all moving too fast. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, one second, Mr. Cutler. One second. Vice Chair Gort: Excuse me. Yes, ma'am. Chair Spence -Jones: Second for discussion, okay. Let me just say this real fast -- and I see that Miami Dade College is here. I see that Julie's here. And this is basically us handling whatever resources for, I'm assuming, last year, correct? Okay. So what I do want to have come back in November is I really have asked -- I've got a chance to meet with the college and we've had a great discussion along with the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) staff and we need to look at really, as far as these institutes are concerned and training programs are concerned, is making sure we actually expand to include other training opportunities. I know that -- I don't see -- I see Emanuel over there from the construction institute. They're already getting that going. And I'm assuming Cut -- Charles Cutler is still working -- are y'all still working together, you and Emanuel? Right. So we just need to make sure that as we move along, we know that training is essential, you know, for our community in order to empower them so that they're City of Miami Page 10 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 prepared for whatever growth and whatever development's going to take place that they are a part of what's happening. So we're extremely excited about the partnership with Miami Dade College to continue that relationship so that we can have long-term -- a long-term commitment, not just one year, but two or three years that would not only include hospitality, but will also include culinary and entrepreneurship. So I look forward to working on that. Now I'm not really sure -- Mr. Cutler -- how y'all handled your other agendas for the CRA or how the other chair handles the CRA meeting, but I handle mine a little differently and you guys know that that's how I handle that. So I'm dealing with all my items and I'll take the discussions afterwards, but I want to keep the agenda moving. So at this point, we'll take any questions or comments after I've dealt with the agenda items. Commissioner Suarez: Madam Chair. Vice Chair Gort: Okay. You're recognized, sir. Commissioner Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Cutler: In lieu of that, once you make a decision, then we stuck with that. Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): Excuse me, Madam Chair. Vice Chair Gort: Excuse me. Sir, you're out of order at this present time. You'll get an opportunity to speak. Ms. Thompson: But -- Vice Chair Gort: Board Member Suarez. Ms. Thompson: -- because we've recorded him, we do need -- Mr. Cutler: After y'all vote. Ms. Thompson: -- the name on the record. Chair Spence -Jones: Right. We -- Mr. Cutler: Then I get an opportunity. Vice Chair Gort: Sir, sir, sir. Mr. Cutler: After you vote. Chair Spence -Jones: I got it. Vice Chair Gort: You want to conduct the meeting or you want me to conduct it? Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Vice Chair Gort: Thank you. Board Member Suarez. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you. Commissioner Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Chair. First of all, I could not agree more with the Chair's comments on the institute. I've been a big fan of the institute since last year -- actually, since my first year. It's already been two years. I can't believe it. But in any event, I think the City of Miami Page 11 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 mission of the CRA is to redevelop the area. And part of redeveloping the area is not only building affordable housing, which of course you all know I've been a big advocate for, it's also training people for the jobs that are available that live in that area. And right now one of the biggest drivers in our economy as we all know is the hospitality industry. We receive a monthly jobs report, and one of the industries where we continually see turnover and jobs available is in that hospitality industry. And I could not agree with the Chair more that we should not only have hospitality training, but we should have construction training and other kinds of job training in sectors where, first of all, if we're giving out all kinds of construction -related funding, we should be training people in our CRAs to work on those projects. It's logical and it's in concert with the mission of this organization. So, I mean, to me this is a no-brainer. I just wanted to reiterate my support. I've been to the Hospitality Institute. I've seen the programs. I participated in them. And we have to train people for the jobs that are available. We can't try to make the square peg fit in the round hole. We can't train people for a variety of jobs -- and that's one of the big mistakes that happens with a lot of job training organizations. They train people for a variety of jobs that don't exist. So I commend the CRA for bringing this item again this year, and it's my honor to be able to support it again. Vice Chair Gort: Thank you, sir. My understanding also is the health industry, which surrounds all of our city, it's very important too so -- and I know Miami Dade has got some great health programs and that'll be very important to get people to work and I'm all for it too. I think training is very important. We all seen the changes that have taken place in different industry within the City of Miami. At one time, we used to manufacture -- everybody used to work on the manufacture in Hialeah, manufacturing chairs and we had the clothing manufacture in here, but things changed and we got to change and educate our people. The most important thing to get our economy back is place people to work. People need to spend money, but they need to work and earn money so they can spend it. Thank you. Any further discussion? Commissioner Suarez: Nope. Vice Chair Gort: You want to open to the public? Chair Spence -Jones: This is -- no. I'm going to -- I deal with that in the end. But this -- one of the things that I do want to just mention really fast, I think -- again, I'm not really sure how it was -- how it's been ran for the last two years. I can only go by what my history is. I think it's extremely important on any of the agenda items that if there are any questions or concerns that anybody has on it, I think the first step that one should always make is to make sure that you reach out definitely to the CRA staff to vet out some of this. I -- we don't -- and I'm just going to just tell you from where I sit. I can't speak from any other place but from where I sit. We cannot afford to be in a position where we're not moving the agenda of Overtown. And if we got issues and things that we need to work on, then our community, we need to be able to get together and work through those issues without creating, you know, public spectacles on any level. We've always had an open-door policy in our office. We've always -- I've always made sure that everybody has an opportunity to participate. And even -- I see a lot of faces in this audience that have come to me with projects, initiatives that you wanted to start and do and our office has always been supportive of making them happen. So I think it's extremely important -- 'cause it's not going to help us if we fighting against each other or hurting each other. The reality is we got to work together. We already know that there's major projects happening. We hear about them every single day, Genting and Sands or whatever -- all this major stuff that's happening in downtown. And I'm telling you, if we're not ready, we're going to be moved aside. So we can sit here and argue and debate all day long, but if we don't have our community prepared to deal with what's going to happen as development happens, we will be left behind. And I'm saying to everybody that's at least an Overtown resident or that's a part of it, we need to be at the table as it's happening, not after it's happened. So I just think it's extremely important to say that because if not, we're going to be here 20 more year -- 20 years later talking about the same thing, and that's not how -- y'all know that's not how I operate. So I'm sorry about that, Mr. Chairman. City of Miami Page 12 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 7. 11-00955 Vice Chair Gort: Thank you. Any further discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by saying aye." The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A GRANT, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000), TO SUITED FOR SUCCESS, INC., TO UNDERWRITE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING TRAINING AND FREE PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE TO JOB -SEEKERS FROM THE REDEVELOPMENT AREA; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE FUNDS, AT HIS DISCRETION, ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS OR DIRECTLY TO VENDORS, UPON PRESENTATION OF INVOICES AND SATISFACTORY DOCUMENTATION; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO GENERAL COUNSEL; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.883000.0000.00000. File # 11-00955 10-24-2011 Cover Memo.pdf File # 11-00955 10-24-2011 Financial Form.pdf File # 11-00955 10-24-2011 Backup.pdf File # 11-00955 10-24-2011 Legislation.pdf File # 11-000955 10-24-11 Signed Legislation .pdf Motion by Member Suarez, seconded by Vice -Chair Gort, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Commissioner Suarez, Chair Spence -Jones and Commissioner Gort Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Sarnoff CRA-R-11-0054 Clarence Woods (Assistant Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Commissioners, item 7 is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency authorizing the issuance of a grant, in an amount not to exceed $50, 000, to Suited for Success, Inc. (Incorporated), to underwrite costs associated with providing training and free professional attire to job seekers from the redevelopment area; authorizing the executive director to disburse funds at his discretion on a reimbursement basis or directly to vendors upon presentation of invoices and satisfactory documentation; further authorizing the executive director to execute all documents necessary for said purpose in a form acceptable to general counsel. Commissioner Suarez: Move it for discussion. Chair Spence -Jones: A motion. Vice Chair Gort: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: You're recognized. City of Miami Page 13 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 Commissioner Suarez: Thank you, Madam Chair. Again, this kind of goes back to the same issue with the Hospitality Institute. We have to train people, and the people that live in the Overtown area, in many cases we have to do things more than just training them. We have to make them -- help them have the tools to be presentable so that they can be successful when they're applying for jobs. I've also been to this program and I've seen it firsthand. It's a wonderful program and it's helping people in our community. So we have to continue to do these things not only because we have to -- we have a legal obligation to spend down the money, but that goes to the core of the mission of the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) and to the legal requirements as Vice Chairman Gort stated. This is -- these are highly, highly, highly restricted funds. And one of the reason why it's so important to have good legal advice is because we're dealing with a carved out section of our Florida state statute, section -- Statute -- Chapter 163. So, you know, this is -- these are the kinds of projects that we have to support and I'm fully, fully behind it. Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: Mr. Chairman, I just have one comment on it. I know that this is actually operating in the Dorsey House, correct? Mr. Woods: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: I don't -- I know I saw Dr. Fields somewhere, okay. We know that Dorsey -- the Dorsey House actually houses this program. And the only suggestion that I made -- because it's one of the -- at least one of the historical buildings that we still do have left in Overtown -- I've made the recommendation from my tour that it should -- it needs help. We need to fix the building up, preserve it as much as possible, and I've asked the CRA from my tour to assist them and to give us an assessment on whatever needs to happen with that building. I know that there needs to be some work, and I know it's been extremely difficult for the Black Archives to do that. So I just wanted to make sure that we officially put that on the record. Suited for Success, I got a chance to tour you guys as well. It was wonderful to see Overtown residents corning in there actually being trained, actually getting suited for success. And these are the kind of things that we definitely need to have happen in order for our community to actually be prepared. Commissioner Suarez: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, all in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: This item passes. 8. CRA RESOLUTION 11-00956 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES AND GRANTS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000), IN SUPPORT OF 2011 ART BASEL-RELATED EVENTS WITHIN THE REDEVELOPMENT AREA; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AT HIS DISCRETION, TO DISBURSE GRANT FUNDS ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS OR DIRECTLY TO SUB -GRANTEES AND VENDORS, UPON PRESENTATION OF INVOICES AND SATISFACTORY DOCUMENTATION; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO GENERAL COUNSEL; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, ACCOUNT City of Miami Page 14 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 CODE NO. 10050.920101.883000.0000.00000. File # 11-00956 10-24-2011 Cover Memo.pdf File # 11-00956 10-24-2011 Financial Form.pdf File # 11-00956 10-24-2011 Legislation.pdf File # 11-00056 10-24-2011 Signed Legislation.pdf Motion by Vice -Chair Gort, seconded by Member Suarez, that this matter be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Commissioner Suarez, Chair Spence -Jones and Commissioner Gort Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Sarnoff CRA-R-11 -0048 Chair Spence -Jones: We move on. Clarence Woods (Assistant Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Commissioners, item number 8 is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency authorizing the expenditures and grants, in an amount not to exceed $50, 000, in support of the 2011 Art Basel related events within the redevelopment area; authorizing the executive director at his discretion to disburse grants -- grant funds on a reimbursement basis or directly to sub -grantees and vendors upon presentation of invoices and satisfactory documentation; authorizing the executive director to execute all documents necessary for said purpose in a form acceptable to general counsel. Vice Chair Gort: Move it. Commissioner Suarez: Move it. Chair Spence -Jones: We have a motion and a -- Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Excuse me. Vice Chair Gort: Second. Mr. Bockweg: Madam Chair, just a slight amendment. I need to amend one of the whereas clauses and include subject to board approval, a portion of which will be paid to a selected proposer of RFP (Request for Proposals) 11-007, subject to board approval. We are -- we have put out an RFP as far as an open and fair process to coordinate the Art Basel process, and of course that'll be coming back to you in November for board approval, but that's the amendment for that reso. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Any other comments on that? Go ahead. Commissioner Suarez: Just a couple questions. Mr. Executive Director, can you explain to us how this is going to help get the Lyric Theater up and running? Chair Spence -Jones: Which one, though? You're talking about -- Commissioner Suarez: Oh, are we -- Am 1 on the wrong item? Chair Spence -Jones: No. You're on the wrong item. Mr. Bockweg: No. This is Art Basel. Vice Chair Gort: This is Art -- City of Miami Page 15 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 Commissioner Suarez: Oh, I'm sorry. Vice Chair Gort: -- Basel, the art -- Chair Spence -Jones: 8. Vice Chair Gort: -- exhibits. Commissioner Suarez: Sorry. See -- Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Commissioner Suarez: -- I'm rusty too. It's been a while. It's been a couple months. Chair Spence -Jones: Just real fast so we're on the same page. We're dealing with a issue with the RFP for Art Basel -- Commissioner Suarez: Sorry. Chair Spence -Jones: -- and I just wanted to ask one quick question just to make sure that that process gets out. We know thousands of people come in for Art Basel. I know that it already happens in the Omni area, and basically, we want the public to know if there's any RFPs that they may have that they would like to request or at least put a proposal in, that the monies would be made available to do some sort of art -based event happening in the heart of Overtown to at least draw people into the area. Mr. Woods: Commissioner, just somewhat of a clarification of how we're looking at doing this issue. Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Mr. Woods: In the past, we've given grants to individual artists, around five, no more than seven or eight thousand dollars to do, I guess, standalone events throughout the community. Well, this year we kind of took a step back and we looked at the possibility or if it would be better to just have one large event. The idea is to erect a tent on Block 25. We'll get a large tent with all of the pertinences to go within the tent and we'll have someone to kind of program the operation of the tent. That's what the RFP is about. Basically, we'll have somebody to go out and get talent and then they'll be able to display their talent within the tent during Art Basel week. We're going to have a trolley that will go throughout both redevelopment areas and that trolley will provide drop-off services to this one location. In the past, you know, it was kind of scattered out and it was kind of like hit and miss. People may not go to, you know, if it's St. John's Church or if it's Mt. Zion Church, to see an exhibit that was there. But with this particular -- with the way we're doing this this year, we're going to have one big event or one tent where all of the artists can come and, you know, put their wares in this tent and kind of make it more of a -- more of an event with just one static location. So that's the idea. Commissioner Gort: It'll be a centralized exhibition. Mr. Woods: Centralized, yes. Commissioner Gort: One thing about art -- I mean, art is one thing that brings a lot of people together. And we've seen in other neighborhoods where we utilize art to bring people and it's an economic development. And my understanding -- Mr. Woods: Absolutely. City of Miami Page 16 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 Commissioner Gort: -- is we have quite a few artists here in Overtown -- Mr. Woods: Yes, absolutely. Chair Gort: -- that do live here in Overtown that have some real good art. Mr. Woods: I'm glad you said that, Commissioner, because it is an economic development activity. It's not just a festival. But we have a lot of artists in Overtown and we believe that we have some of the best artists around and they'll be able to sell their wares at this particular event. Mr. Bockweg: And just to -- also, just as a -- for the public to know that we are working in conjunction with the DDA (Downtown Development Authority) to make sure that part of the trolley that will be part of Art Basel will be stopping in locations within both Overtown and the Omni CRAs to make sure that we bring that economic development to the area. Chair Spence -Jones: And I think that's extremely important. Again, the more people coming in, they're going to shop in our stores. They're going to eat in our restaurants, and that's what it's all about, building up the traffic. Did we have a motion and a second on the item? Commissioner Suarez: Thank you, Madam Chair. Mr. Woods and -- Mr. Woods: Yes. Commissioner Suarez: -- executive director, this is something that we've been harping on or that I've been harping on for the last few meetings and particularly the last year. We have to -- and if it's a matter of resources, I think this board has demonstrated, or at least the three people who are here, that we want to do whatever we can to put that money again on the street and to make sure that it is going to redevelop the area, you know, to accomplish its Chapter 163 mission, to really help the people of Overtown, in the case of Overtown, and Omni, in the case of Omni. One of the things that I'm concerned about and that I would like us to entertain in the future is we don't really have a mechanism -- and this is something that I think the Chair has actually brought up at Commission -- for auditing contracts given, you know, to make sure that if it's an economic development that we're trying to push, you know, quantify the economic development, quant fy the number of people that come and report to us as a board on a constant basis so we have an objective measurement of you know, the monies that we're spending so that we know that they're actually working in the community, they're actually having an economic impact. And it's something that, you know, like I said, the Chair brought it up with reference to a contract that the City had given, a large contract. And her kind of following through, making sure that that contract was providing the community benefits that it had initially promised. If we're not doing our homework, if we're not doing our due diligence, if we're not doing our audit -- if we're not auditing these contracts ourself [sic] -- First of all, we have no way of knowing whether -- you know, whether or not, you know, the ultimate benefit is being received. And there's no comfort for any of us who are continually voting on, you know, what can be considered very large grants of money. And we know that they have legal obligations tied to them because you put that in your grant agreements, et cetera, et cetera. But we don't know if the people are actually following through. Mr. Bockweg: As part of the grant process, Commissioner, is that we do include a grant monitoring form that will make sure in a sense audit the grant that we have given to make sure they are complying or have complied with the actual grant given. Also, as part of the RFP, which will be coming back to you in November, there will be -- hopefully, and we'll make sure that it is, a list of all the participants that will be coming and partaking within the Art Basel location. And I understand what you're saying and you're looking more of a quantitative and City of Miami Page 17 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 seeing how -- Commissioner Suarez: Right. Mr. Bockweg: -- that event quantitatively helps the community. Commissioner Suarez: Here's what we've been doing at the Commission level. We've been urging the Administration for some time now to talk about the budget of the City on a continual basis. We've finally, I think, gotten the message through and I think now we're going to start talking about it on at least a monthly basis, okay, our budget, our overall budget. What I'd like to see is some sort of an audit report, a periodic audit report where it says, you know, we have X" number of contracts out on the street. Those contracts, we've been selectively auditing them. We've been auditing them, you know, randomly, and this is the performance of those contracts so that we have a comfort level that we know that the money that we're -- that is out on the street that we're putting out there -- 'cause it's important for us to get the money out there, but it's also important that the money that we're putting out there is actually benefiting the community. Mr. Bockweg: I -- Commissioner, 1100 percent agree with you and that is why we implemented the grant monitoring form. And I know that last year you had mentioned and requested quarterly updates as far as how those grants are going that we have been issuing. We are -- we will be presenting those to you on a quarterly basis. And not only that, that we -- as far as the CRA is concerned, we continually, as part of the grant operation and reimbursement, audit to make sure that those expenses are going where they're supposed to be going and are justified. And those reports, you know, how many people have been trained, how many people graduate, you know, what is the progress report of those grants, we will be presenting those to you on a quarterly basis, as you had recommended last year. Commissioner Suarez: Thank you. Mr. Woods: Commissioner, and I can give you some numbers real quick for both the Hospitality Institute as well as Suited for Success. Commissioner Suarez: Please. Mr. Woods: With the Hospitality Institute, we had 149 individuals registered for the training sessions that they conduct. Eighty-nine individuals completed the training session. The number of individuals that completed the training session identified residents who reside within the redevelopment area, we had over 22. The number that -- Commissioner Suarez: You have somebody there coming behind you, Mr. Woods -- Vice Chair Gort: You're going to get -- Commissioner Suarez: -- to help you out. Vice Chair Gort: -- some help. Mr. Woods: Yeah. There you go. Unidentified Speaker: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: And actually, Clarence, if you can give him that information 'cause I want to make sure you're reporting it and not the public. Mr. Woods: Right. City of Miami Page 18 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 Chair Spence -Jones: So if he -- you can give hips that information 'cause I want to be fair across the board. Can I get Suited for Success while --? Mr. Woods: Suited for Success, they had 180 folks registered for the training sessions. They had 174 to complete the training sessions. How many individuals obtained a job following the completion of the training sessions? 33. So we have that right there. Unidentified Speaker: To date -- Chair Spence -Jones: And Clarence, if you could report it, please. Mr. Woods: For -- up to date, 43 placements for the Hospitality Institute -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Woods: -- so we are doing those -- doing that monitoring and getting reports on what our grant funds have provided, you know, to the community. Commissioner Suarez: By the way, ifI may just add one quick thing. Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Commissioner Suarez: And again, I'm not an expert on South Florida Workforce, but those numbers that you're saying seem to be a lot higher -- Chair Spence -Jones: Of course. Commissioner Suarez: -- than what South Florida Workforce -- Chair Spence -Jones: South Florida Workforce -- Commissioner Suarez: -- yeah. So I think that's the point that I was trying to make, which is that, you know, at the end of the day, you know, it's not only important for us to train people in our community, but ultimately -- Chair Spence -Jones: Get them placed. Commissioner Suarez: Right. Train them for the jobs that are available and then place them in the jobs that are available. And I think, you know, those two programs are showing a high level of success when you compare it to other like programs in the community. Vice Chair Gort: My understanding is, according to the figures you gave, we have 40 percent placement -- Mr. Woods: It's pretty much. Vice Chair Gort: -- around 40 percent. That's not bad. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, so -- did we have a --? We had a motion. Vice Chair Gort: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. All in favor -- we already -- City of Miami Page 19 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, that item passes. We're going to move on to -- Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): As modified. Commissioner Suarez: As modified. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, as modified. 9. CRA RESOLUTION 11-00957 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000), TO UNDERWRITE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SURVEYING/ENGINEERING AND LEGAL FEES TO REPLAT THE CRA-OWNED LYRIC THEATRE PLAZAAND BLOCK 36 IN OVERTOWN; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.531000.0000.00000. File # 11-00957 10-24-2011 Cover Memo.pdf File # 11-00957 10-24-2011 Financial Form.pdf File # 11-00957 10-24-2011 Legislation.pdf File # 11- 00957 10-24-2011 Signed Legislation.pdf Motion by Vice -Chair Gort, seconded by Member Suarez, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Commissioner Suarez, Chair Spence -Jones and Commissioner Gort Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Sarnoff CRA-R-11-0047 Chair Spence -Jones: Item number 9. Clarence Woods (Assistant Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Commissioners, item number 9 is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency authorizing an amount not to exceed $50, 000 to underwrite costs associated with the surveying, engineering, and legal fees to replat the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) owned -- well, the -- to replat property that's owned by Miami -Dade County and the CRA has a legal claim to behind the Lyric Theater on Block 36, in Overtown. Vice Chair Gort: Move it. Commissioner Suarez: Move it. Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Commissioner Suarez: Can I just ask one quick question on that? Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Executive Director, I was actually there, I want to say two or three City of Miami Page 20 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 weeks ago, maybe a month ago. Can you just explain to us a little bit about where we are with the Lyric Theater and how this will help them get open and going 'cause I think the community's really anxiously waiting for the theater to get going? Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): There's an extensive history as it relates to the replatting and the Lyric Theater, and I would ask that Clarence go back -- as it goes even beyond the time that I have spent in the CRA, just so that you're fully briefed. Mr. Woods: Well, to be as succinct as possible and not keep us here all night, there were two other shots at replatting Block 36. Initially the City -- or the CRA took on replatting Block 36, which is the parcel directly behind the Lyric Theater. A portion of that parcel we had to dedicate to the Lyric Theater, both we and the County. This actually started before Block 36 was reverted back to the County. Once the litigation happened, when the reverter -- Block 36 and 45 and 56 were reverted by Miami -Dade County, that stopped our replatting process. Actually, we had a TCO (Temporary Certificate of Occupancy) at that point in time. But when they took the blocks back, that stopped the replatting process that the CRA was involved in. Then the County, because they had the property in their hands, they started to replat Block 36. There was an issue with, I think, the owner's rep for the development of the extension of the Black Archives, and that then stopped the replatting of Block 36. Now they're coming back because the County has exhausted the funds for this particular item on the build out of the Archives. They've come back and they're willing to work with us in order to get this replatted so that the Black Archives doesn't get delayed in their opening another, what is it, 18 months is what they're looking at having to -- in order to get the replat done. They're talking about 18 months. So we're providing the funds to try to get this replat done again for the third time, which will allow them to be able to go ahead and finish their build out of the Archive portion of the Lyric Theater. Chair Spence -Jones: And -- okay. I just want to add on just real fast -- and then I guess we're going to move to the discussion items that I have placed on the agenda. We all know that the Lyric Theater is vital to the redevelopment of Overtown. It's extremely important. Whatever we need to do to support it happening, we need to do that. It is the beacon site for us, the site that, you know, once it's completed, will draw people to the area and hopefully either spend money, either want to live there or want to be a part of whatever's going on in the heart of Overtown. So whatever it takes for us to support making that happen with the Lyric, we support that 100 percent. I support it 100 percent. I'm glad that all the historic based organizations are coming together and working together as a team to get it done. So at this point, I -- Do we have a motion and a second on this? Vice Chair Gort: Yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. All in favor on this item? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Mr. Woods: Commissioner, let me just put on the record and have that -- I just want to put on the record and have it verified by Tim Barber, who is the executive director of the Black Archives, that this request not only came from the Black Archives, but it also came from Miami -Dade County as well. They actually came to us with the Black Archives to request the funds. So we are working in tandem -- well, in conjunction with the Lyric -- I mean, the Black Archives, as well as Miami -Dade County in order to make this happen. Verify that. Unidentified Speaker: Verified. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. I think we had a motion and a second. We're done on that item. Vice Chair Gort: Yes, ma'am. We're done. City of Miami Page21 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 DISCUSSION ITEMS 10. 11-00959 Direction by Chair Spence -Jones to the Executive Director to include the discussion items on today's agenda as official items on the November agenda of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency. CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION ITEM OF HISTORIC OVERTOWN FOLKLIFE DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION PLAN. "HOFDIAP" File # 11-00959 10-24-2011 Cover Memo.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: All right, so we're going to move on to -- just quickly, I really want to wait to Commissioner Suarez comes back because it's just a discussion that I really put on the agenda -- there's a few items that I wanted to at least talk about and at least put out in the open so that at least -- since we're not able to really talk to each other outside of these meetings, I wanted to use this as an opportunity to at least have a discussion with my colleagues. Really quickly, I just want to be very clear of this discussion of what the main purpose of a CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) is, and that is to remove slum and blight. And I know that part of our mission has been to actually do that, you know, with these training programs and key things that we have been doing to rehab the buildings and things like that. But the real work begins when we start seeing things come actually out of the ground. So that's what I really want to make sure that over the next two years being in office we focus on really making sure that we see hard, tangible projects happening coming out of the CRA, especially in the Overtown area. So for me, it's extremely important that every project that we have coming out of the ground or any project that we have going on, that they're transparent, they're efficient, and they're effective, especially when we're talking about making something happen in the overall area. So I really wanted to make sure that -- there were a few items on here that I wanted to at least make sure my fellow colleagues understood the purpose behind them because I'm not really sure if you knew kind of the things that were going on with them. So I wanted to be kind of -- be brought back up -to -speed and make sure that we're all on the same page. I'm asking for staff, however, after we do discuss the item, to have them come back in November as official items on the agenda, which also gives the community the opportunity to actually vet out these projects to make sure that we're all on the same page. So the purpose of this exercise -- and I see a lot of faces out there. The purpose of this exercise was for me to at least be able to discuss the item first amongst -- or with my colleagues -- and hopefully, he should be coming soon -- and then from there advise the staff to begin their due diligence to get the projects moving. But as a part of that, also provide the community that's here with the opportunity to, over the next 30 days, get with the CRA staff to hammer out any issues and concerns that you may have or just suggestions that you may have that you want to have included. So this is my exercise of transparency to give you 30 days to work along with the CRA staff to make sure that we have your input. So I was trying to go slow -- Commissioner Suarez: Sorry. Chair Spence -Jones: -- until you got back but -- Commissioner Suarez: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: -- you good now? Commissioner Suarez: I'm good. City of Miami Page22 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Commissioner Suarez: We lose quorum ifI go to the restroom. Commissioner Spence -Jones: So -- no problem. So I'm going to move on to -- really quickly, and again, it is strictly just kind of an update from my perspective, but I -- what I wanted to be very clear on was on item number 10 -- I'm going to move to that -- and that is the Historic Overtown Folk Life District. Can I get my members for the Overtown Folk Life District Improvement Association to please stand? I believe I have the longshoremen. I believe I have the Black Archives. I believe I have Bethel AME (African Methodist Episcopal). I believe I have Historic Mt. Zion. Did I say Black Archives? Yes. So what I wanted my fellow colleagues to see -- You guys can sit now. -- was that part of our -- my main mission, the four years being in office, was to really make sure that we mobilized these organizations to be together in deciding on what they wanted to see happen in the Overtown historic district. I thought it was extremely important for the City not to sit and create a plan but to actually involve the people in the plan. And there were several exercises that this group, you know, met with and not just them, but members from the community. There was an Overtown neighborhood redevelopment plan that was done on October 15, 2006. We had Saturday meetings. And I see a lot -- I see Ms. Rosa -- where's Ms. Rosa -- or I might have saw her over there -- Ms. Green. A lot actually sat on a couple of our committees. We all sat -- and y'all know how hard we worked on them Saturdays and throughout the week trying to make sure that we included everybody's viewpoint. And this -- I wanted to provide this to my fellow colleagues because a lot of times people talk about Overtown as if we don't know what we want to see happen. And I'm here to tell you that -- I see Ms. Bell in the back with her hat on. Ms. Bell, wave your hand; sat on many committees. And my point was, we wanted to make sure that we really put together a plan that came from the community, that included the community, and that really had their thought and input in it. So I'm saying this to all of the individuals that are here that are interested in doing projects with the CRA, you need to start here first. You need to look at what the people of Overtown and the community -based organizations wanted to see happen. I see -- I don't know if Power Uwas here. I -- when Denise was here, we sat down. Is Power U here at all? Unidentified Speaker: Yes. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, all right, but Denise is not. Where is Denise? Unidentified Speaker: Denise is no longer the director of Power U. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, who's the director now? Unidentified Speaker: Conteh Davis. Commissioner Spence -Jones: All right, so all of that's in here. So I'm saying to all of the builders, the developers and all of the people that have an interest in doing anything in Overtown, one must start with this document first. The second part of that that I wanted to share with my fellow colleagues is that I also made sure and the community made sure that we had a vetting process on how we wanted to see, you know, all of the buildings look, meaning, you know, that this was a historic district and we wanted to make sure that we followed the design elements. And I see Greg Gay -- if you can stand up for me. Greg came out on Saturdays too, making sure that the paint on the buildings, the structures on the building, everything had a historic look and feel to that portion of Overtown. And people have put a lot of hard work into this. And we want to make sure -- and I've already had a discussion with one of the projects that's already built and hopefully they're moving in a direction of making sure that that change happens. We want to make sure if the colors are brown, whatever the colors are that the community has vetted on, that's what they need to be. They don't need -- the buildings don't need to look like they're, you know, for 2050. They need to fit in the frame of what was created by the City of Miami Page23 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 people. And I'm thankful -- I know that there's -- I think I see the Carlisle folks -- if Mac can stand up for a minute. And I drug him through the mud for a minute on that building they got built. But the issue is we need to make sure that everything falls in line with what the people voted on and wanted to see happen in their areas. So I wanted to at least say to our historic associations today that I'm asking for any of these projects that are coming in front of us to vote on and support that there is a meeting held with at least the historic district association. That needs to happen and make sure that we are meeting those requirements. I'm also asking that any of the Overtown Oversight Board or any of the board members here for Overtown Oversight Board -- if you are, please stand up so I see you too. I want to acknowledge y'all for y'all hard work. We want to make sure this stuff actually passes by the Overtown Oversight Board as well so that there's some communication happening on all these projects. We must be prepared and we must be ready for the development that we're -- that's going to happen, and we need to be a part of that. So I just really wanted to make sure that I shared that. There's really not any other discussion from my point on just making sure that there was transparency on it. If you have any questions on this, I would definitely -- Commissioner Suarez: I'd just like to jump in and say -- Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Commissioner Suarez: -- one thing. I can't agree more with what you said and how the vision of this entity should go forward. I just want to say and kind of add to that by saying that there is money available. There's a lot of money available. And the fact of the matter is we have a legal requirement to spend it. Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Commissioner Suarez: And we have to spend it somewhat quickly. You may think that some of those laws are arbitrary and maybe they are, but the fact of the matter is, they exist and if we don't follow them, we could put that money in jeopardy for this community. So we really, really need to work together, as the Commissioner said. I love her idea of making sure that the right amount of community input is had on these projects. But once that input is -- has been completed, we need to go. Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Commissioner Suarez: We need to go. And we need to get that money down there and we need to spend it and we need to make it happen. Because if we don't, you know, we're going to be in a bad situation. Chair Spence -Jones: And -- Vice Chair Gort: Madam Chairperson. Chair Spence -Jones: Yes, you're recognized. Vice Chair Gort: As a grandfather of the group, for the last 20 years, I have seen so many studies in Overtown from so many different individuals, which I think this is -- I've not had a chance to go through it, but just going a few pages, this is very comprehensive and I think it's time that we start implementing studies. I mean, we have to put them to work. Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. And that's -- and the whole purpose of me having this conversation and even mentioning it and having Historic Overtown Folk Life District, I think that before we didn't have an association in place and you had so many people after you created -- like there was three other plans. What we tried to do is consolidate the plan all into one but dealt with the City of Miami Page 24 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 11. 11-00960 new players, not the players that were here 20 years ago necessarily, but the players that were here 20 years ago and the new ones that were there now because we thought that that was extremely important if you're talking about redeveloping and also transforming in the overall area. I just wanted to put it on the record so that people understood here how important the historic based organizations are in that process. And I think that we accomplished that in that -- in this item. So I'm just asking that you guys get together with them to make sure that they're also included. CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING BLOCK 25 & 36 GATEHOUSE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT. File # 11-00960 10-24-2011 Cover Memo.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: So I want to go ahead and move on to the discussion item number 11. And again, it's just to make sure there's transparency and we're all on the same page. This item, which is an item that deals with Block 25 and Block 36, which is the Gatehouse Development project -- and I want to be very clear on, you know, any developments that have taken place or will take place in the district, we need to make sure there's as much community inclusion as possible. I have had a great opportunity to sit down with the district Commissioner of Miami -Dade County, Commissioner Edmonson, to talk about this issue of the reverter, this issue of the lots. And I am very thrilled to know that we are working in a very positive direction to get the projects moving. The question came up on Block 36 as to whether or not it was actually -- 'cause I know that some people had issues and concerns about that. The Commissioner has assured me that she will work through these issues to make sure that at least we're able to make sure that there's no issues on the reverter for that portion of it. Now I want to be clear, these are not lots that were given to anyone. These were lots that actually went through a process. As a matter of fact, some of these same faces that are sitting in this room actually sat in the meeting as a part of identifying which projects were selected. I believe there are about six people or six companies that actually went after these two lots. And I believe, if I'm not mistaken, Gatehouse was actually selected for this. And Commissioner, in talking to her, said that if there was a process, she's in 100 percent support of making sure that the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) continues on those issues. I just wanted to make sure we vetted it out and at least my fellow colleagues knew that that was the case on this particular project. And I know that Gatehouse is actually here now -- and just wave your hand so we know who you are 'cause everybody after the meeting need to go see you afterwards. We just wanted to make sure -- and I see Commissioner Edmonson's office here in the meeting. I see Basil. He's no longer a City person. Basil, great to have you. Commissioner Suarez: Welcome back. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you for coming. But in this particular project, I know that Gatehouse included the Black Archives and the Lyric Theater. They -- I believe they are the CBO (Community Based Organization) partner in this development, which means resources will go back to assist the Black Archive [sic]. Also, I believe the longshoremen is also included in this as well. Their biggest issue was parking, making sure -- 'cause as everything begins to build and develop around the area, we have many longshoremen that come in town -- come to their facility that need a place to park, so they will be handled also as a part of this overall agreement. The purpose of this item is to make sure, again, we put it out and to -- so that everyone knows where we're moving with it and to ask -- make sure staff Pieter and Clarence, actually begin the process of negotiating and working along with the County. Basil, we see you over there. Basil, make sure your boss -- yes. I did -- tell her I did everything I was supposed to do to make sure that you guys sit down and work it out so that we can move past that. I see my City Attorney here City of Miami Page 25 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 and I see Bill, that also handles the CRA for us as well. We just need for -- they're going to -- her and I will take the lead on addressing this issue, and we would like for you guys to work along with us so we can bifurcate this particular item. And I just wanted to make sure that we put it out there and that staff and everybody knew the next steps in order for us to get things moving. Commissioner Suarez: Madam Chair, ifI may -- Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Commissioner Suarez: -- jump in with a couple of things. First, you gave us -- what was just handed to us was a report -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Commissioner Suarez: -- on housing transportation plan. Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Commissioner Suarez: And I just want you to know that one of the things that I'm proudest of in my two years here that hopefully this community will be a big beneficiary of was that we amended Miami 21 at the Commission level specifically to support transit -oriented developments of affordable housing. And it's something that -- it's something that's very near and dear to my heart. I think it's the next wave of affordable housing, affordable housing that is done close to transportation nodes. I think it makes all the sense in the world. And it will help us not only because our community needs and deserves to have good quality affordable housing, but because our transportation systems need the ridership so that we can get more federal funding so we can continue to expand our mass transit system. You know, it's good to know that we're -- this study has been done, and I'll definitely look through it very, very carefully. That's it. Chair Spence -Jones: Clarence, also if you could just real quickly update us on the HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) study that did come back or the congressional Clarence Woods (Assistant Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Well -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- finding on this. Mr. Woods: -- what you have here is a study that is the result of a congressional inquiry where Congress asked for HUD as well as FTA (Federal Transit Administration) to study the true cost of affordable housing. This goes back to when gas had went out the roof and understanding the way our urban areas are now, you have sprawl where everybody commutes from the suburb into the central business district for work. And they wanted to understand exactly what was the true cost of housing, so they partnered HUD along with transit to come up with what is the true -- what's the true cost. They -- it was maybe like 28 different cities that FTA and HUD were going to look at to try to come up with a model housing project to do a transit -oriented development. Those 28 cities got shortlisted to 12. Of the 12, Miami was one and eventually Miami became the city that they wanted to do this model housing transit -oriented development that they would then take back to Congress and use the model that we do here as the model that would get national recognition in how you can build transit -oriented developments that will help with lowering the gas cost and the cost of housing. So initially, they were looking at the Omni area -- and I need to say I've -- let me not forget. This was done all through the City of Miami's transportation department. They're the ones that responded to the RFP (Request for Proposals) and they were looking for sites and they called our office and they talked about a site that was actually in the Omni area. And we were like, well, you know what, we got a -- we have a better site that we probably would like to have you look at because we already have something similar City of Miami Page26 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 12. 11-00961 to what you're looking for going on on Block 25 and Block 36. After several meetings, they agreed that, yeah, Block 25 and 36 was the perfect location because it already had transit and we had a development project that we were already looking at doing. And what you see here is -- this first -- this letter here is a letter congratulating us because they actually chose this particular site. And this large packet is the result of the planning meeting that we held for like two or three days, where myself Pieter, Bert, and the guys from Gatehouse, several different develop -- well, several other folk, community development partners -- I think Don Patterson was also a part of that -- we all got together and we came up with this particular study that would be the model for transit -oriented developments that will be presented to Congress once this is completed. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank -- Commissioner Suarez: Congratulations. Chair Spence -Jones: -- you. So we just wanted to really make sure that you understand the marching orders, and I wanted to make sure my colleagues understood kind of what the whole purpose was. Yes. Commissioner Suarez: I just wanted to mention one thing. And since we can't talk outside of -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah, I know. Commissioner Suarez: -- these open forums, it's always a good opportunity when -- and I appreciate the Chair bringing up these items because then it allows us some time to talk about things a little bit broader. Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Commissioner Suarez: One of the things that I was working on as an MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) member was the FEC (Florida East Coast) line and supporting the passenger rail on the FEC line. And I don't know how the Chair feels about it, love to hear her thoughts at some point in an open meeting, but that's something that I think we should talk about at some point in the near future because that's what I was doing as an MPO member on behalf of the City was advocating for that. We had I think passed a resolution at the City Commission level supporting passenger rail on the FEC line, which goes naturally through Overtown and downtown and would help have, you know, greater access to -- for the community to affordable -- not only affordable housing, but affordable transit and mass transit. And that's one of the major challenges that we have as a community in having true mass transit because everyone always says you can't go underground, it's too expensive, et cetera, et cetera. So at some point for us to become the city that I think we all know that Miami can be, we're going to have to tackle that problem and address it. Mr. Woods: And Commissioners, let me just say the end game to this was that FTA and HUD would provide funding for these type of projects. Chair Spence -Jones: And in closing, on the Block 25 and 36 so that the audience is clear and then we're going to move on to item number 12, is Block 25 and Block 36 actually are -- one of the lots is on the side of the Lyric Theater and one of the lots is in the back of the Lyric Theater. This includes housing on the Northwest 2ndAvenue side of things and on the backside of the Lyric is more retail and some housing as well. So the whole purpose of this particular project is to make sure that we have multi -- I guess between retail and also housing included in the overall project, also housing, like I said, the longshoremen and Black Archives. CRA DISCUSSION City of Miami Page27 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING 1201 CARLISLE & PALMETTO HOME DEVELOPMENT. File # 11-00961 10-24-2011 Cover Memo.pdf DISCUSSED Direction by Chair Spence -Jones to the Executive Director to conduct a survey in the community to determine the best way to achieve a state-of-the-art library for the residents of Overtown. Chair Spence -Jones: So we're going to move on to the next item, and then I want to just deal with one quick little issue and then we can move on. [Later..] Chair Spence -Jones: That takes me back to number 13 really fast. Clarence Woods (Assistant Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Number 12. Chair Spence -Jones: Or number 12 real fast. I'm sorry. Number 12, again, this opportunity is for me to talk so that everybody understands what's going on. Apparently, while I was not here, there was also a -- and you guys know more about it than me -- proposal that was put out for Carlisle and Palmetto Homes. Is Carlisle here? If they are, can they please stand? 'Cause I want everybody to see who you guys are so they know who to see afterwards. No, stand up. I want everybody to see y'all. Okay, I want Palmetto Homes to stand up too. Okay, y'all see them, okay. Vice Chair Gort: I don't know about Palmetto Homes. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. So everybody sees who they are, so there's -- everything is transparent and everybody knows who to go see when the meeting's over. The whole purpose of this meeting is by the time it gets back on the agenda in November, you have the opportunity to sit down with the individuals to make sure the key things are included that you think are important. All right. So on this, I just want to be clear -- Shirley from Two Guys, this is the building that they're in that is across the street from the park that truly needs to be torn down, that it is, you know, already a drug -infested, you know, issue, hopefully will be knocked down and this new building is going up. To my understanding, this should be about six to eight stories on this building, will include a library -- or there's talks of a library. I want to make sure I put it out on the record, there are some people that want a library in the building. Some people want to keep the library that's there. I'm asking for the staff to make sure they do some sort of survey in the community to find out what is best. Personally, I feel it's important for our kids to have a state-of-the-art library in the heart of Overtown, so I'm hoping that everybody can work together to get that done. And for the most part, I believe, if I'm not mistaken, the whole purpose of today's meeting was to at least give you guys the opportunity to begin the negotiations to start with the block across the street, correct? Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Correct. Chair Spence -Jones: Is there anything else I need to know, Pieter, or we need to know, Pieter or Clarence, on this issue of that -- those blocks? Mr. Bockweg: We -- board members, Madam Chair, we are sitting down negotiating with Carlisle and Palmetto Homes in conjunction with all three agencies and we will be coming back to the board, of course after the community involvement and as far as presenting to you with the development agreement that we have come to. And obviously, we'll be briefing all of you along the way. We are hoping to have that finalized by November so that we can get the projects moving, and of course, address the board's concern in getting that money back on the street. City of Miami Page28 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. There's a lot of noise. Can I just get you guys to quiet down just a little for me, please? We're almost done. I know it's taking a little longer, but I'm just trying to get caught up and make sure that everything is moving properly. Can I get my developers to please stand up, the individuals that are going to be doing projects in the heart of Overtown? Right, 'cause there's not just -- it's not -- yeah, it's not just them. It's also -- if my -- Black Archives, aren't you guys doing a -- Black --? Anybody that's building something in Overtown, please stand up. Charles Cutler: I can't stand it no more. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, one -- excuse me. Mr. Cutler: Please, Commissioner. Chair Spence -Jones: I'm going to finish what I'm doing, okay. All right. So I want to be clear on a couple of things -- and I -- so I thought it was important for me to say it with my colleagues . There are five elements that are extremely important that in -- from any negotiation that takes place that are included in what needs to happen for the people of Overtown. The first element -- and I want to make sure we're on the same page -- is that we must have some sort of CBO participation. So any local CBO organization from the Overtown area, whether or not it be Bam or -- whoever they are. I'm not telling you who for them to be -- who they should be. But there needs to be that type of investment going back into the people of Overtown and those organizations in the area. So we're asking that at least one of the CBOs are at least included in the area. I don't care who it is but -- yes. Commissioner Suarez: Thank you. And just on that note, I just wanted to kind of expand a little bit on that. Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Commissioner Suarez: Which is that, you know -- and this is something that the executive director and I talked about and I just wanted to share it with -- Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Commissioner Suarez: -- the rest of the board members, which is basically that we, as an organization, have to do a better job of identing the people that live in our community, the skills that they have, creating lists -- you know, creating information databases. We should know instantly with the push of a button how many people there are living in the, for example, Overtown/Park CRA. Exactly. Chair Spence -Jones: It's already done. Commissioner Suarez: Well, we should have an update 'cause it changes every year, as you know, as you can imagine. I mean, people move and it's changing year after year. So, you know, we have to keep updating these studies. I think this is great, and we have to continue to do this. And then we have to implement it, as I think you're already pushing to do that. So it's kind of a breath of fresh air to have someone who is, you know, really focusing on putting together the study and getting it implemented, you know, and I support it so. Chair Spence -Jones: I just want to -- Thank you -- make sure -- don't -- keep -- that's why I didn't want them to sit down. Stand up. Y'all know how we do it in -- Vice Chair Gort: Don't hide. City of Miami Page29 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 Chair Spence -Jones: -- stand up, please, okay. Those folks that are building stuff in Overtown, I want to be clear. So the first thing was the CBO participation. I don't need to tell you who they are. You can get a list of them from the CRA. It's important that they're a part of it. The second part -- second element that I'd like to see at least in the development that's happening in Overtown is that there needs to be some owner participation from the community. I don't need to tell you who they are. You need to figure it out, but you definitely need to make sure that that happens. It's extremely important for the people that are part of what's going on in their own neighborhoods they are a part of it. The third thing is jobs. I'm so tired of talking about jobs and the people not getting the jobs. It's out of control, okay. So what I'm -- what I want to make sure for the folks that are developing, these are going to be the requirements so we want to be clear. Forty percent of the labor needs to come from the community. Forty percent of the labor needs to come for [sic] the community. I cannot tell you how the last month has drove me crazy going on projects in my district and I'm having people explain to me or make excuses why they can't find people that can work or why people aren't qualified. It is absolutely ridiculous. So I see Emanuel in the back. We went to go visit a City park that we're building on, which is right across the street from here -- and yes -- and I love Charles' love and power and, you know, he's very much into making sure that -- and his brother -- the people of the community get the work. You don't even have to tell -- Charles -- Mr. Cutler. Mr. Cutler: Yes, ma'am. Chair Spence -Jones: You know you don't even have to have that conversation with me, but it's not going to make -- Mr. Cutler: Yes, ma'am. Chair Spence -Jones: -- right, it's not going to make any sense until I tell people and my colleagues agree with me that it's in writing. Mr. Cutler: Yes, ma'am. Chair Spence -Jones: So I'm saying to the CRA staff and hopefully having the support of my colleagues that at least 40 percent of the labor should come from the community. We have enough job pools to make that happen. Also, I would like to see 20 percent of the subcontractors come from the City as well. We don't have a lot of small businesses or subcontractors in Overtown, but there's enough throughout the City of Miami that can participate in the -- in all these projects. It makes no sense for that not to happen. Mr. Cutler: Thank you, ma'am. Chair Spence -Jones: And -- right. So we all get it, but it's not going to be real until they put it in the overall agreements, and that's the reason why I want to make sure that the individuals that are working to build these projects understand the importance of it. The number four thing is design standards. We need to make sure that everything that you design and put up in this area, especially in the historic district, that you include the design standards in those buildings. It's extremely important that the buildings look the way that the people want to see them look in their areas. And then last, but not least, I'm asking that there be community involvement. And I understand that a lot of times these things slow up the process, but I am willing, as the district Commissioner, to have whatever town hall meetings we have on your projects to make sure that at least you have your input. That's extremely important to me. That's always been the case, and we will make sure that that process is included when we move along with this. So I just want to make sure that those five elements are included in any of these agreements that the CRA is dealing with. And I'm going to say this to my residents and I'm going to say this to my community activists, we don't have a problem -- I don't have a problem with making sure that this City of Miami Page 30 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 language is included. And believe me, we will make sure that there's penalties put in place when they don't meet the requirement because that's what their purpose is to make sure they give back so that we remove slum and blight and that we empower the people in the community. That's what they should be doing, okay. So if you want land, if you want money, if you want support, if you want all those things, you -- and if you're going to get it from us, you got to make sure that you include the things that are important to the people. Jobs are important. The small businesses are important, and their livelihood or what's happening in the neighborhood is important. We don't want to see people coming from Broward County working on our projects. Unidentified Speaker: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: And we don't -- Applause. Chair Spence -Jones: And we do understand that some of them have to come from Broward County and other places, but that 40 percent -- and I hope -- hopefully, I have my support from my colleagues on that -- should come from the City of Miami and 40 percent should -- we should have a very strong push for the people in the neighborhood first. So I just want to be very, very clear. I have given the CRA staff a mandate. We must spend the money. We do not need to hold on to this money anymore. And I'm -- hopefully, I have my Commissioners' support -- Commissioner Suarez: Absolutely. Chair Spence -Jones: -- on these items. When y'all come back in November -- when you guys come back in November, we need to be ready and prepared, Pieter -- Commissioner Suarez: To move. Chair Spence -Jones: -- to say we're moving these items. They've spoken to the community. These are -- the partnerships are in place and we're making the projects happen. And that's it. No arguing back and forth on all these issues. It's time to build. It's time to transform. It's time to stop just talking about stuff. It's time to start walking it. It's -- really. Applause. Chair Spence -Jones: It's time to make it happen. So I just hope I have my Commissioners' support on these five elements and I'm assuming that my builders and developers have no issues with that. Is that correct? I don't hear y'all. Is that correct? Mr. Cutler: Yes, ma'am. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. So that is my only issue on the last part of item number 12. I am not dealing with item number 13. I will deal with item number 14 later in the next meeting. Quiet down one second, guys. Mr. Woods: Commissioner, before you move forward, can we --? If we're not ready with development agreements in November because that might be pushing it a little bit, it may be December. Development agreements, we're talking about two development agreements -- Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Woods: -- might need to be in December or maybe Jan -- Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, let's push for November. City of Miami Page 31 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 Mr. Woods: We'll push for November. Mr. Bockweg: Our goal will be November, Commissioner. Mr. Woods: But if we don't make November -- Mr. Bockweg: Our goal will be November. Mr. Woods: -- I mean, you know -- Chair Spence -Jones: No problem. Let's push for November, guys, to make sure that we have at least something to present and ready to go. And I look forward to hearing from the community to make sure that there's been outreach, proper outreach for your projects -- for the projects that are actually going to be taking place. I'm going to quiet down for a second 'cause I know we still have -- Commissioner Suarez: I think we could do November. Chair Spence -Jones: Commissioner Suarez says he feels very confident that we can do November. Do you think we can do November, guys? Can we put our hands together -- Commissioner Suarez: I believe in you. Chair Spence -Jones: -- for November? We believe in you. Mr. Woods: Well, we'll be back asking for more money for the legal services real fast. Chair Spence -Jones: Well, Bill -- Commissioner Suarez: We need to get it done. We need -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- whatever we need to do to get it done. Vice Chair Gort: You better use it wisely. Commissioner Suarez: -- to get it -- we got to get it going. We got to get it -- Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Bockweg: We'll strive for November, Commissioner. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Bockweg: If there's a reason that we're not there, then there will be a good reason for it. Chair Spence -Jones: No problem. 13. CRA DISCUSSION 11-00962 DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING THE CITY OF MIAMI POLICE VISIBILITY PROGRAM. File # 11-00962 10-24-2011 Cover Memo.pdf City of Miami Page 32 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 14. 11-00986 DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: Chief I'm not sure if you're here for Item number 13? Are you here for Item number 13? Interim Police Chief Manuel Orosa: I'm here just to learn and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, just to learn. Okay, well, I just -- is there somebody here for item number 13, the visibility grant for police? Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Yeah, Commissioner. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. I asked for staff -- that was just -- I wanted to have a clear understanding of what was going on with it. I know that you have a PowerPoint presentation, but we have not made it to the Omni one as of yet. So what I asked staff to do is to be prepared for the November meeting, but I would like to have a in-house briefing on how the police visibility grant, it actually going. And I would like to really sit down with the chief. I know one of the things that the office -- and commander -- has asked for is that we have a Beat officer put back in place on 3rdAvenue for my businesses. That's extremely important to have that going back again, and then whatever other operations. I will have a police meeting. I want to have some sort of police and chief meeting with the residents of Overtown, and then Loren from the NET (Neighborhood Enhancement Team) office -- Loren, raise your hand so everybody knows who you are. We love you here. I really want to make sure that relationship, chief and commander, between the residents and the business owners and the police department is a very good solid relationship that's a trustful relationship. So I will be calling that meeting. But right now I don't want to deal with the issue of that grant until we meet again in November. So I just wanted to let you know that, okay. CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING DE -ALLOCATION OF FUNDS. File # 11-00986 10-24-2011- Cover Memo.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: The reallocation of funds on 14, make sure -- item 14, make sure we reallocate some of those dollars. I want you to bring back in November what you're reallocating for the November agenda so that we can make sure the gym part of this actually happen. That was a promise to the people and that's what we must deliver on is making sure that they have a gym. And with that being said, I think that I am clear on my CRA items for Overtown. Vice Chair Gort: Move to adjourn. Commissioner Suarez: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. 15. CRA DISCUSSION 11-00985 DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING GIBSON PARK GYM. File # 11-00985 10-24-2011 Cover Memo.pdf City of Miami Page 33 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 NON -AGENDA ITEMS NA.1 11-01117 DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: And last but not least -- and I will shut up after this, the -- okay. Okay, we're back on and this is the last item, and then we're going to move on. We are very clear. I just want to say on item number 14, as we close -- I'm removing item number 15. We already know that Gibson Park, we need the gym, so staff is very clear on that. CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION REGARDING THE STATE OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AREA. DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: Just a quick thing before we actually get into the agenda. I think we're going to have a pretty -- most of the items really are just housekeeping items more so than anything else, correct, executive director? Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): That's correct, Madam Chair. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. But I do know that there are some items that -- discussion items I have on the agenda that I want to also address, which I think that'll be more of the discussions that we'll have today. But I wanted to at least put a few things on the record just so that my constituents, which I see a lot of them here tonight. I'm so thankful and so grateful to have them here in the audience at Frederick Douglass. But I really wanted to kind of make sure that at least they were kind of brought up -to -speed as to where we are. So I'm going to ask my fellow Commissioners just to indulge me for one quick moment on some things that I'd like to at least bring you up -to -speed since we can't really talk about anything else unless we're in an open forum. I have taken the last I'd say 30 days to really assess my entire district, to really look at where we are in Overtown. I thought it was extremely important for me to come back in the area to meet with all of the key stakeholders, the City department heads and the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) staff to really have an understanding about where we are. For those -- the two of you guys didn't serve with me prior to now, but the last four years being -- those four years being in office, I really, really tried, especially in Overtown, to really, really change some things. We surveyed the public here for their needs and their wants. We made sure that we put programs in place, like the Hospitality Institute to train the people. We really, really wanted to make sure that as we prepared Overtown for growth, that the people were empowered to really see the change and be a part of the change. And as you drive -- drove in today, you see some of those programs and projects, whether or not they be rehabbed projects or roadway projects that started all of this. But I have to say -- and I wanted to make sure I put it on the record because as we talk about these items, I want to make sure that it's in the right context. You know, I have to say when I did do the tour with the Administration, I was a bit concerned, you know, of what I saw because I know that we put a lot of money on the streets. I know that, you know, people put -- took their time and their energy for Saturday meetings. You know, my associations, I see them here. We really worked hard to get people in Overtown to really believe in the place once again, to have hope again, and that was the greatest challenge that I had as a new leader in Overtown was to really get people to believe again. And I don't know if you know how difficult that is. If you've been in a situation where people have felt hopeless or they felt like for whatever reason they've been lied to, whatever reason they've been given broken promises, and for the first time in, you know, a very long time, people started to see things change. And for me, it was difficult to come back and actually be really engaged in looking at what was going on and see the streets not cleaned, to see the windows not cleaned, to see, you know, the plants that we put down in the City of Miami Page 34 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 NA.2 11-01118 major -- like 3rdAvenue and just the things that we really took our time in doing, you know, deteriorated. And it's exactly what people had fear about from the very beginning, is you start something and you don't complete it. And I just say this, you know -- and I'm not necessarily making the CRA or Pieter or Clarence or anybody responsible wholly for it because I think that it is a leadership thing. It is, yes, on their part, you know, the CRA is responsible for certain things, but leadership lies on both sides of the track. Government has to do its part, but the people have to assist in that effort. And I think that over those four years being in office, the one thing we did well was the two worked really well together, the people and government, meaning we have to back each other up. And somehow along the way in the last two years, that clearly got lost. And I just want to say that as we get ready to spend money in -- at least in the Overtown area, can't speak for any other area, we have to make sure that the commitment goes beyond the person that's serving, you know, the person that's elected to do the job. It is a commitment that we both make, associations, organizations, everybody that's going to be a part of rebuilding Overtown. If we see trash on the floor, we pick it up. We don't wait for the City, you know, workers to pick it up. We pick it up. If we see that there's not a trashcan there, we report -- I mean, I'm surprised -- I just -- and I'm going to get off my soap opera [sic] box, but it's just very -- it's very hurting to see so much energy you put into something and now you have to take the two years that you lost to try to clean it all up and get people to believe again. So I just implore everybody in the room, as we begin to move this agenda, we have to get beyond our infighting. We have to get beyond our personal differences. We have to get beyond our issues because at the end of the day, it's about making sure that beyond me, my children's children, Francis children, Gort's grandchildren, all of us -- I don't know. You might have some babies, right? Vice Chair Gort: Yeah. My baby is 27 years old. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, your baby's baby -- that they have something to be proud of. I don't want to leave this seat and leave out of a building and -- out of this building and not see, you know, good money go down the drain. So I just implore everybody -- and I see you guys out here now -- that we got to work together and we got to, you know, push this agenda to make Overtown truly, truly a beautiful place. This is the history of Miami, black Miami right here, and to see it not be in its glory stages I think is shameful. So I say to my CRA staff -- and I'm very thankful. Pieter has been actually great with getting me back in the -- on the track and making sure that I understood kind of where the agency was. And I'm thankful for Clarence still being here and now taking more of a leadership role in the Overtown area. Let's give Clarence a hand, too. Give both of them a hand. Applause. Chair Spence -Jones: Because I do believe that it needs a very focused attention in order to get it done. So I look forward to serving you and being a part of what I know could be a great place to live, work, and play, and that is Overtown. So with that being said, I'm going to move on with the agenda. CRA DISCUSSION CHAIR SPENCE-JONES ACKNOWLEDGED THE PRESENCE OF INTERIM POLICE CHIEF MANUEL OROSA. DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: We're going to move on to item number 6, but before I do that, I would like to acknowledge our Chief of Police that's here. I don't know if everyone's had a chance to meet him, but if you haven't, please, let's give him a hand for joining us tonight. Applause. City of Miami Page 35 Printed on 1/4/2012 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 24, 2011 Motion to Adjourn Chair Spence -Jones: Manny Orosa. And Chief has been great with our district in really making sure we stay on top of the real issues and we're working on a lot of great initiatives. So I just wanted to at least acknowledge you, Chief for being here tonight. A motion was made by Vice Chair Gort, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, and was passed unanimously, with Commissioners Carollo and Sarnoff absent, to adjourn today's meeting. City of Miami Page 36 Printed on 1/4/2012