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Meeting Minutes
Monday, April 30, 2012
5:00 PM
Frederick Douglass Elementary
314 N.W. 12th Street
Miami, FI.
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 April 30, 2012
ORDER OF THE DAY
FINANCIALS
1.
12-00410
Present: Chair Spence -Jones, Commissioner Sarnoff, Commissioner Suarez and Vice Chair Gort
Absent: Commissioner Carollo
On the 30th day of April 2012, 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, 314 Northwest 12th Street, Miami, Florida. The meeting was called to
order by Chair Spence -Jones at 5: 00 p.m. and was adjourned at 5: 44 p.m.
Note for the Record: Commissioner Sarnoff entered the meeting at 5:11 p.m.
ALSO PRESENT:
Pieter Bockweg, Executive Director, CRA
Clarence Woods, Assistant Executive Director, CRA
Veronica Xiques, Assistant General Counsel, CRA
William R. Bloom, Special Counsel, CRA
Priscilla A. Thompson, Clerk of the Board
Chair Spence -Jones: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to officially call the meeting to order for the
Overtown Southeast Park West meeting. At this time, we'd like to stand for the pledge of
allegiance and we'd like the prayer by our City Clerk.
Invocation and pledge of allegiance delivered.
Chair Spence -Jones: The other item we have are discussion items and I really don't want to take
a lot of time, so some of them I'm going to let roll over to the next agenda. I know that on 8, 9 --
8 and 9 for sure with Bill -- ifP'm not mistaken, you're still in the midst of working on those. I
don't want to get into the -- that's a longer discussion.
William R. Bloom (Special Counsel, Community Redevelopment Agency): Yes. No, I --
Chair Spence -Jones: So let's just be prepared to have them ready for the next agenda.
CRA REPORT
FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR THE PERIOD ENDING MARCH 31, 2012.
File # 12-00410 04-30-12 Cover Memo.pdf
File # 12-00410 04-30-12 Financial Summary.pdf
DISCUSSED
Chair Spence -Jones: We're going to go ahead and get started. I just want to say quickly, I do
have another engagement, so you're going to be losing me in a few minutes, but I wanted to at
least get through the Overtown meeting first, so we're going to go ahead and get started. Good
to see you back, Miguel.
Miguel Valentin: Yes. Good evening, Commissioners. I'm going to be presenting the financial
summary for the month of March 2012. As cash balance, we're disclosing the amount of
31, 547, 757. And for the month of March 2012, there is no reportable condition to report to the
board.
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Meeting Minutes April 30, 2012
RESOLUTIONS
2.
12-00416
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Any comments? Thank you.
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 $80,000, PAYABLE ATA RATE OF $26,666 PER QUARTER, FOR
THE PERIOD BEGINNING MAY 1, 2012 AND ENDING JANUARY 31, 2013,
TO NEW WASHINGTON HEIGHTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CONFERENCE, INC. FOR PRODUCTION OF A MONTHLY OPEN-AIR
MARKET TO BE HELD ON THE 9TH STREET PEDESTRIAN MALL
("FOLKLIFE FRIDAYS"); CONDITIONING THE GRANT ON THE QUARTERLY
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; 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 FUNDS FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND,
"OTHER GRANTS AND AIDS," ACCOUNT CODE NO.
10050.920101.883000.0000.00000.
File # 12-00416 04-30-12 Cover Memo.pdf
File # 12-00416 04-30-12 Financial Form.pdf
File # 12-00416- 04-30-12 Backup.pdf
File # 12-00416 04-30-12 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Board Member Suarez, seconded by Vice -Chair Gort, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: Vice Chair Gort, Chair Spence -Jones and Commissioner Suarez
Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Sarnoff
CRA-R-12-0030
Chair Spence -Jones: Pieter.
Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Clarence, number 2,
please.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, item number 2.
Clarence Woods (Assistant Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Good evening,
Commissioners. Item number 2 is a resolution of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community
Redevelopment Agency authorizing the issuance of a grant, in an amount not to exceed eighty --
Commissioner Suarez: Move it.
Chair Spence -Jones: We had a motion.
Vice Chair Gort: Second
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Meeting Minutes April 30, 2012
Chair Spence -Jones: Second. All in favor?
The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Spence -Jones: I just want to put a quick little item on -- Where is New Washington
Heights? I believe that's Ms. Jackie Bell. Okay. We just want to just quickly just acknowledge
the fact that we are working hard to grow the outdoor monthly festival on Fridays. I believe our
numbers have been picking up and we're very excited about that, so we want to continue to
market and promote it. Also, just so that the general public knows, I want to thank -- I see Sosa
out in the audience. We're working very hard to put together the Shop, Dine and Explore tour
with Miami -Dade County and the cruise ships. So this will be a nice great stop for them in the
area. So we actually piggybacking or copycatting my fellow Commissioner here with his event
that he does in the heart of Little Havana called -- it's First Fridays, right?
Mr. Woods: Viernes --
Chair Spence -Jones: Viernes --
Mr. Woods: -- Culturales.
Vice Chair Gort: Viernes Culturales.
Chair Spence -Jones: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: There we go.
Chair Spence -Jones: Viernes --
Vice Chair Gort: Last Friday of the month.
Commissioner Suarez: You got it. You got the accent and everything going.
Chair Spence -Jones: Viernes Culturales.
Vice Chair Gort: Viernes Culturales, Cultural Fridays.
Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Thank you, Ms. Bell.
Vice Chair Gort: I have a question.
Chair Spence -Jones: Sure.
Vice Chair Gort: Are we going to have --
Commissioner Suarez: Madam Clerk --
Vice Chair Gort: -- the trolley -- the downtown trolley coming by on Fridays during the event?
Chair Spence -Jones: Sosa.
Vice Chair Gort: The downtown Omni trolleys.
Albert Sosa: Albert Sosa, director of Capital Improvements for the City of Miami. We currently
do not have plans for bringing it into the Little Havana area on Friday -- Fridays during that
event, but that's something we can definitely discuss and implement. It would --
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Meeting Minutes April 30, 2012
3.
Vice Chair Gort: I think you should.
Mr. Sosa: -- make sense to do so. So we'll take a look at that.
Vice Chair Gort: Okay.
Mr. Sosa: We have also an Overtown/Health District route that we will be launching end of
June, beginning of July. And if there's any type of event like this that we need to feed as well --
not feed; that's not the right word -- service as well, we can definitely discuss it. I mean, we want
to serve these types of events and we definitely, when we can, we want to do it. So we just need
to coordinate it and make sure it happens.
Jackie Bell: Thank you. And thank you to the Board for continuing to support us and support
Overtown. Thank you.
Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you.
Commissioner Suarez: Thank you.
Chair Spence -Jones: And I just want to say to my fellow colleagues, I'm really trying to make
sure all of the projects that we support, that we continue to help build them, but we also start
reducing costs that we -- monies that we spend. I believe in the beginning they were receiving --
right, Pieter? -- 100,000?
Mr. Bockweg: That's correct.
Chair Spence -Jones: So we've reduced it down to 80. And what I want to try to do is at least
work in the direction of them, you know, creating an environment where they can sustain
themselves with their sponsorship. So every year this thing should be reducing itself so that it
can stand on its own because I believe that the other festival you guys are doing now in Little
Havana, they're kind of like standing on their own, correct?
Vice Chair Gort: Yes.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, so that's what we want to move in that direction. All right, item
number --
Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): Excuse me, Chair. I do need a vote, please.
Chair Spence -Jones: Oh. All in favor?
Commissioner Suarez: Move it.
Chair Spence -Jones: We voted.
Ms. Thompson: No. I just need the vote.
Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, all in favor?
Commissioner Suarez: All -- yes, aye.
The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye.
CRA RESOLUTION
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Meeting Minutes April 30, 2012
12-00428
4.
12-00480
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXPEND UP TO
$80,000 WITH HOLLAND & KNIGHT, LLP, CRA SPECIAL COUNSEL, FOR
LEGAL FEES AND COSTS TO PROVIDE SPECIALIZED LEGAL SERVICES
TO THE CRA; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT
FUND, "PROFESSIONAL SERVICES," ACCOUNT CODE NO.
10050.920101.531010.0000.00000.
File # 12-00428 04-30-12 Cover Memo.pdf
File # 12-00428 04-30-12 Financial Form.pdf
File # 12-00428 04-30-12 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Board Member Suarez, seconded by Vice -Chair Gort, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: Vice Chair Gort, Chair Spence -Jones and Commissioner Suarez
Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Sarnoff
CRA-R-12-0031
Chair Spence -Jones: All right, moving on to item number 3.
Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): Thank you.
Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Item number 3,
Madam Chair, is the resolution authorizing --
Commissioner Suarez: Move it.
Mr. Bockweg: -- $80, 000 for special counsel.
Chair Spence -Jones: All right. We had a motion.
Vice Chair Gort: Second
Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor?
The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Spence -Jones: All right. That item passes. I assume that we are very happy with Mr.
William Bloom. You've been doing a great job. We really appreciate you.
CRA RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS, IN AN AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED $200,000, FOR THE 2012 SUMMER YOUTH
ENTREPRENEUR ACADEMY; 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; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID
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PURPOSE, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO GENERAL COUNSEL;
ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, "OTHER
GRANTS AND AIDS," ACCOUNT CODE NO.
10050.920101.883000.0000.00000.
File # 12-00480 04-30-12 Cover Memo.pdf
File # 12-00480 04-30-12 Financial Form.pdf
File # 12-00480 04-30-12 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Board Member Suarez, seconded by Vice -Chair Gort, that this matter be
ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: Vice Chair Gort, Chair Spence -Jones and Commissioner Suarez
Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Sarnoff
CRA-R-12-0032
Chair Spence -Jones: All right. We're going to move on to item number 4, which is the summer
youth entrepreneurship academy.
Clarence Woods (Assistant Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Commissioners, item
number 4 is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West
Community Redevelopment Agency authorizing the allocation of funds, in an amount not to
exceed $200, 000, for this year's summer youth entrepreneurial academy. And this year it's going
to be different than what's it's been in the past, in the past three or four years. Actually, what
we're looking to do is -- well, what this item does is just allocate the funds. And I'm going to ask
that we scratch the next section of this particular resolution where it says authorizing the
executive director to disburse funds at his discretion on a reimbursement basis. 'Cause right now
we don't have the actual project. What we'll do is we'll come back with all the specifics of the
project and at that time -- right now, this is just to allocate the funds and to set it aside.
Chair Spence -Jones: So that it's set aside. And I can --
Mr. Woods: Yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- explain further if you -- my fellow colleagues need to
understand it.
Vice Chair Gort: I think it'll be important to come up with what are the changes, what are the
difference and what the budget's going to be like and how it's going to be utilized
Mr. Woods: Well, when we come back that's -- you'll have a full scope and budget. Right now,
this is just allocating the money and setting it aside. But when we come back, you'll have the
scope of the project, as well as the budget and all of the other due diligence that we normally do
before we bring items before you.
Commissioner Suarez: Madam Chair.
Chair Spence -Jones: Sure.
Commissioner Suarez: Thank you. So just to be clear, we're deleting Section 3 from the
resolution? Is that what we're doing?
Mr. Woods: You said Section 3, yes.
Commissioner Suarez: Okay.
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5.
12-00459
Mr. Woods: Exactly.
Commissioner Suarez: Move it, as modified.
Chair Spence -Jones: And a motion and a sec -- Do I have --?
Vice Chair Gort: Second.
Chair Spence -Jones: Second. All in favor?
The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Spence -Jones: Great.
Commissioner Suarez: Madam Chair, ifI may?
Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. I want to add something to it too. Go ahead.
Commissioner Suarez: I just -- yeah. I just want -- last year we went and we had a very, very
detailed review of the program, so I think the expectation at least for me -- and I can't speak for
my colleagues, but I'm sure they feel the same way -- is that we get the same kind of level of
review that we got last year so that we can --
Mr. Woods: Absolutely.
Commissioner Suarez: Okay. Thank you.
Mr. Woods: Absolutely.
Chair Spence -Jones: The only thing that I wanted to add to my fellow colleagues, this year we
wanted to do something a little different when it came to the summer youth employment. When I
first got elected, we started, you know, the summer youth program and I believe we hired like a
hundred -plus young people as a part of that. My concern, however, is it became very tedious for
the service providers to, every week or every month, pay people, which was driving a lot of
people kind of crazy on both sides. So what we wanted to try to do is kind of partner with the
University of Miami and Miami Dade Community College, which is what we're working on to do
an entrepreneurship program that focuses on the area of building the film industry in the area,
along with doing a project that we're working on called Occuponics, which 171 tell you a little bit
about later on. But I just really wanted to make sure that at least we got this set aside 'cause I
know a lot of parents in the Overtown area are concerned about their young people having a
place to work this summer. So I wanted to at least make sure that it's moving ahead.
CRA RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY (THE "CRA") AUTHORIZING THE CRA TO SEEK A
NON -RECOURSE BOND ISSUE LOAN SECURED BY A PLEDGE OF TAX
INCREMENT REVENUES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED FIFTY MILLION
DOLLARS ($50,000,000.00) TO FINANCE REDEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES;
APPROVING THE PROJECTS FOR THE USE OF THE PROCEEDS FROM
BOND ISSUE; AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ISSUE A
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS WITH RESPECT TO THE BOND ISSUE.
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File # 12-00459 04-30-12 Cover Memo.pdf
File # 12-00459 04-30-12 Backup.pdf
File # 12-00459 04-30-12 Legislation with Exhibit.pdf
Motion by Vice -Chair Gort, seconded by Board Member Suarez, that this matter be
ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: Vice Chair Gort, Chair Spence -Jones, Commissioner Suarez and Commissioner Sarnoff
Absent: Commissioner Carollo
CRA-R-12-0028
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, so we're going to move on to item number 5.
Clarence Woods (Assistant Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Commissioner, item
number 5 is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West
Community Redevelopment Agency authorizing the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) to
seek a non -recourse bond issue loan secured by a pledge of the tax increment revenues, in an
amount not to exceed $50 million, to finance redevelopment activities. Commissioner, as you all
know, we have sought to get a loan, as the resolution speaks to, against our revenues. We have
several projects that are a part of this packet where we want to conduct redevelopment activities
within the Southeast Overtown/Park West redevelopment area. Commissioner Gort -- Vice Chair
Gort has been working with us, along with our FA, financial advisor, and we are doing all the
due diligence right now at this point in time in order to be able to at some point put out an RFP
(Request for Proposals) for this loan. If you guys have any questions, we --
Chair Spence -Jones: Vice Chair, I know that you've been really -- and I want to thank you
because you have kind of been cracking the whip on this whole thing, but if you can kind of just
give an update on where you are with it.
Vice Chair Gort: Well, my understanding, last meeting I attended to, there was a couple of
questions came up that was questions to the financial advisor and also legal questions, the ways
that we can utilize the -- how we can issue those bonds. I have not received the latest
information so I'd like to get it as soon as you can.
Mr. Woods: Absolutely, and you did ask for that.
Vice Chair Gort: I mean, I don't have the latest -- I don't know if they answer -- the questions
were answered or if we have all that.
Mr. Woods: Yes. We can make that information available to you, Commissioner Gort.
Chair Spence -Jones: Is the financial advisor here, FA? Is he here?
Mr. Woods: No, he's not here. He's supposed to be here --
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay.
Mr. Woods: -- but he's not here yet.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay.
Mr. Woods: I don't know if he is going to show up.
Chair Spence -Jones: So I would just suggest that -- definitely make sure that before we move on
with the process, that Commissioner Gort has, you know, fully vetted it.
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Mr. Woods: So can we then approve this, you know, with --
Vice Chair Gort: No. I don't mind moving it --
Mr. Woods: Okay.
Vice Chair Gort: -- but I'd like to see the numbers and also like to see the RFP before it goes
out.
Chair Spence -Jones: Yes.
Mr. Woods: Absolutely, absolutely.
Chair Spence -Jones: So we had a motion on the item.
Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): Excuse me, Chair. I'm sorry. I was informed that
there was supposed to be a modification to this resolution and to the exhibit.
Chair Spence -Jones: Is there a modification, Carmen?
Mr. Woods: Well, it's to the Exhibit A.
Chair Spence -Jones: You want to put it on the record, Carmen?
Carmen Cabarga (Staff Counsel, Community Redevelopment Agency): Yes. There's a
modification. A section was added, Section 4. Would you like me to read it?
Unidentified Speaker: Well, explain it.
Ms. Cabarga: That's fine?
Vice Chair Gort: Section 4.
Ms. Cabarga: Section 4 is language of non -recourse towards the City of Miami, State of
Florida, and any political subdivisions thereof. That's what that addresses.
Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Vice Chair Gort: I'm sorry. What's that again?
Ms. Cabarga: Section 4, the section that was added, just has language that the City Attorneys
office wanted to include that this bond is a non -recourse bond towards the City of Miami, the
State of Florida, and any political subdivisions thereof. It's also a non -recourse for the CRA.
Ms. Thompson: And there is a scrivener's error correction in the exhibit.
Ms. Cabarga: Yes.
Mr. Woods: That's on Exhibit A.
Ms. Cabarga: On the exhibit, there is a scrivener's error. If you see Exhibit A attached, the last
sentence is going to be deleted and I will mod fy that and correct that.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
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Commissioner Suarez: I'll second it --
Vice Chair Gort: Move the modifications.
Commissioner Suarez: -- for discussion.
Chair Spence -Jones: We had a motion and a --
Commissioner Suarez: Second for discussion.
Chair Spence -Jones: Second for discussion.
Commissioner Suarez: Madam Chair.
Chair Spence -Jones: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: Thank you. My question just has to do with some of the language, the
verbiage, which is that it's -- we talk about it being a bond and my understanding is that it's not
really a bond; that it's going to be like a lending transaction --
Mr. Woods: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: -- a private loan of some sort.
Mr. Woods: Private placement loan, yes.
Commissioner Suarez: So I'm just concerned about, you know, stating it as a bond versus for an
available loan or an available lending transaction when it's not really a bond per se.
Chair Spence -Jones: Does it say --? I just want to make sure. It does say the CRA to seek a non
Mr. Woods: Recourse loan.
Chair Spence -Jones: -- recourse bond issue loan.
Commissioner Suarez: Right.
Chair Spence -Jones: So it does -- and to my understanding, I have two attorneys that --
Veronica and Carmen -- have looked over this agenda before it was printed. So is this incorrect
or correct?
William R. Bloom (Special Counsel, Community Redevelopment Agency): No. I think what it is
-- 'cause I would also call it a loan --
Chair Spence -Jones: Three attorneys.
Mr. Bloom: -- but I'm told by bond counsel they refer to it -- even though it's a private placement
by a bank, they refer to it as a bond issue. So it's their term of art --
Commissioner Suarez: So even though it's not a bond they would call it a bond?
Vice Chair Gort: Yes.
Mr. Bloom: They call it a bond even though it's not the type of bond --
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DISCUSSION ITEMS
6.
12-00412
Commissioner Suarez: Okay.
Mr. Bloom: -- would --
Vice Chair Gort: Yeah.
Mr. Bloom: -- we normally call.
Commissioner Suarez: Okay. That's what we pay you the big bucks for.
Vice Chair Gort: That's for the bank to take advantage of the CRA compliance for them.
Commissioner Suarez: That's fine.
Chair Spence -Jones: So we had a motion and a sec --
Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): We have.
Commissioner Suarez: Yes.
Chair Spence -Jones: -- and a second?
Vice Chair Gort: Yes.
Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor?
The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye.
Ms. Thompson: As modified.
Commissioner Suarez: As modified.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. All right. The other items I believe we have -- Item passes, sorry.
CRA DISCUSSION
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT A DISCUSSION ITEM, REGARDING SEOPW
PROJECTS OVERSEEN BY CIP, HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST
OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
("CRA").
File # 12-00412 04-30-12 Cover Memo.pdf
DISCUSSED
Chair Spence -Jones: And since I have Albert Sosa here for number 6, I would like for him to
give us a quick update on where we are with the CIP (Capital Improvements Program) projects
in Southeast Overtown/Park West.
Albert Sosa (Director, Capital Improvements Program): I'll be brief.
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Chair Spence -Jones: Okay.
Mr. Sosa: Albert Sosa, director of Capital Improvements, with the City of Miami. We work in
partnership with the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) on these projects and help them
get developed and into the ground. We currently have a few active projects and I'll briefly
provide the status of each. I'll begin with 300 Northwest 11 th Street community center. That's a
project that is currently in the design phase. We're working on the schematic drawings. We did
meet with the CRA probably a few weeks ago to finalize that and we hope to have a -- we'll call it
a final schematic drawing -- by next week. And what we call final is a draft, basically, and from
there we'll share it with everybody and we'll get input and begin the final design process on that
project. Gibson Park, which is just across the street from here --
Chair Spence -Jones: Looks great.
Mr. Sosa: -- we're finalizing the construction of that right now. We anticipate having TCO, the
temporary certificate of occupancy, at the end of this month, May. And the Parks Department is
in the process of fitting it out. So they'll be purchase -- they are purchasing furniture, fitness
equipment, et cetera. They intend to have it operational shortly after the end of May, beginning
part to middle part of June. We're also working on Northwest 14th Street, which is -- the entire
corridor of 14th Street actually begins in the Omni area -- in the Omni CRA, goes into the
Overtown CRA, and it also goes beyond that into the Health District. So we are working on the
entire corridor of 14th Street. The portion in the Omni CRA is under construction. The portion
in the Overtown CRA is currently at 100 percent designed, and we're working on implementing
some final comments. The idea is once the portion in the Omni is complete, we'll begin working
on the portion here in Overtown. And last but not least, we have the Overtown greenway, which
is just actually to the south of us here on 11 th Terrace. The idea is to beautify this street here in
the vicinity of this street and the high school next door; provide bicycle lanes, a lot of
landscaping, a lot of lighting and really help beautify this corridor. And it's -- that one, in
conjunction with the CRA funds, we have an FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) Safe
Routes to School Grant that is also funding that project. And that concludes my presentation.
Chair Spence -Jones: I just want to commend Albert Sosa. You know you got nominated like
three times for the Believe thing.
Mr. Sosa: Thank you.
Chair Spence -Jones: So obviously, all of us Commissioners really enjoy, you know, just how
committed you are to making things happen. And people driving down 3rdAvenue seeing the
park now -- just that football field alone just -- it's bringing so much hope to the area, so we
really appreciate that. I just want to make sure that you continue to work with the Overtown
CRA to make sure that the local residents have the opportunity to participate in the work that's
going to be made available. So --
Mr. Sosa: Absolutely.
Chair Spence -Jones: -- I just wanted to tell you thank you. Does anybody have any discussions
on that?
Commissioner Suarez: Just real quick, Madam Chair.
Chair Spence -Jones: Sure.
Commissioner Suarez: I just want to echo your sentiments about Albert. He's got probably one
of the toughest jobs in the --
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Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you.
Commissioner Suarez: -- City of Miami. He's got to keep five Commissioners happy and get
projects going and get them on the ground and do them quickly and efficiently. And I couldn't
agree with you more about the impact that finishing Gibson Park is going to have for this
community. And he's just finished one very similar -- Robert King High -- in my district.
Chair Spence -Jones: I saw it. It was nice.
Commissioner Suarez: And he's finishing another one -- yeah -- which is Coral Gate Park, and
we still have a couple more to do. So he is really been kind of a breath of fresh air. And he was
-- his predecessor was pretty good too.
Mr. Sosa: Yeah.
Commissioner Suarez: So --
Mr. Sosa: I appreciate the sentiment and I definitely will accept the thank you on behalf of my
staff who works very hard, and they're the guys and the gals that make this happen. I'm just the
pretty face, so to speak, on the front of it.
Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, Albert.
Mr. Sosa: Thank you.
[Later..]
Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Okay.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay.
Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): So --
Chair Spence -Jones: All right. So we like to --
Commissioner Suarez: So recess the --
Ms. Thompson: Then you'll have to --
Grady Muhammad: Madam Clerk --
Ms. Thompson: -- recess --
Mr. Muhammad: Madam --
Chair Spence -Jones: Yes.
Mr. Muhammad: I just wanted to speak on a couple items, the discussion items.
Chair Spence -Jones: Sure.
Mr. Muhammad: Briefly. With the CIP (Capital Improvements Program) --
Chair Spence -Jones: Put your name --
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7.
12-00414
Mr. Muhammad: Grady Muhammad, president/CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Miami Dade
First, 5426 Northwest 7th Avenue, Miami, Florida. In a nutshell, with the CIP, is very, very
similar to what the Marlins. The CIP is doing a great job, but when it comes to those jobs --
Chair Spence -Jones: Yes.
Mr. Muhammad: -- for the residents, they're failing miserably. I watched all the work that got
done in front of Jackson Soul Food, Metro Express. I'm watching all the jobs that's getting done
in Liberty City, Metro Express. All of the funds that we keep giving to the CRA (Community
Redevelopment Agency) -- the CRA's giving the CIP, we should ensure whatever records that you
all make that residents get an opportunity to get jobs, that's what the CRA should be doing. And
giving it to the City is great. It cuts a lot of things out, but the City doesn't have a great
procurement program to ensure residents get jobs from these projects. They job is to give -- put
it out, get the lowest bidder. They don't have a Section 3. They don't have job requirements, as
is the CRA, and that's what we should do.
[Later...]
Chair Spence -Jones: And then on Clarence, just a response on the issue of the jobs in the
community. We need to make -- Albert, did you -- were you going to respond to it? Okay.
Mr. Sosa: Albert Sosa, director of Capital Improvements. This -- the statements that were made
about the job opportunities -- local jobs, I guess -- it's one that we've heard before and we have
respond -- we're trying to respond to it. And in the next month or so at the City of Miami
Commission meetings, we're going to be presenting for first reading an ordinance modification to
the City's procurement code that will require in certain instances -- it will mandate a certain
percentage of the on -site labor be local City residents and it will also promote City small
businesses. So that change to the procurement code will be before the City Commission. We're
targeting the second meeting in May. It may be the first meeting in June, but it's coming up for
first reading.
Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Thank you, Albert Sosa. And I don't see Emanuel Washington
here, but I know that he's working very hard to make sure that he puts a strong program in place
to make sure that local -- the local residents have a opportunity to participate.
CRA DISCUSSION
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT A DISCUSSION ITEM, REGARDING DC
LOBBYING AGENDA, HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR THE
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK
WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA").
File # 12-00414 04-30-12 Cover Memo.pdf
DISCUSSED
Chair Spence -Jones: We're going to move on to item number 7, which is just to make sure we're
all on the same page with the lobbyists that we have on board. Are the lobbyists here today,
Pieter? Okay, you want to give an update really quickly on where we are? How many people
actually going to D.C. (District of Columbia) for -- the D.C. trip with the City?
Commissioner Suarez: I'm not sure which one 'cause there's several. I know that we have one
for CDBG (Community Development Block Grant). I don't know if that's the one that you're
talking about.
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Meeting Minutes April 30, 2012
Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Commissioner Suarez: I think I'm going to that one.
Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. When is it?
Vice Chair Gort: The 8th.
Commissioner Suarez: It's coming soon.
Chair Spence -Jones: Eighth of March?
Vice Chair Gort: May.
Chair Spence -Jones: May --
Commissioner Suarez: May.
Chair Spence -Jones: -- or March?
Commissioner Suarez: Next week.
Chair Spence -Jones: May, I'm sorry.
Vice Chair Gort: May.
Commissioner Suarez: Mike says next week.
Chair Spence -Jones: May.
Vice Chair Gort: The 8th of May, next week.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, May.
Commissioner Suarez: We're going, right, Mike? I'm going to that? Yeah.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. I just want to make sure -- I know that the -- I just want to be clear.
The City does not have a lobbyist, correct, Pieter? The City of Miami doesn't, but the CRA
(Community Redevelopment Agency) does.
Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): The CRA has one for
the state and one for federal.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, so I just -- I think it would make a lot of sense to make sure that
when we get up there, at least if there's additional meetings -- like I know that we talked about --
you mentioned, Commissioner Sarnoff, the -- what do you call it, urban deserts -- not urban
deserts --
Unidentified Speaker: Food deserts.
Mr. Bockweg: It's food deserts.
Chair Spence -Jones: Food deserts. So I know that we've asked the lobbyists to set up an
appointment with us with the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to see how they can support
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Meeting Minutes April 30, 2012
the efforts of the, hopefully, grocery store chain that we have come. But any additional meetings
that you think are relevant, I think we need to askAkerman to do it while we're there. If we're
able to set up those additional meetings, are you able to -- would you guys be willing to meet
with some of the --
Vice Chair Gort: Sure.
Chair Spence -Jones: -- secretaries or the individuals that are responsible so we can --
Commissioner Suarez: I would.
Chair Spence -Jones: -- plug in stuff on your schedule? Okay, all right. Any updates you want
to give on that, Pieter --
Mr. Bockweg: Well --
Chair Spence -Jones: -- on the lobbyist part of it?
Mr. Bockweg: -- what I can briefly do --
Chair Spence -Jones: Are you happy with them?
Mr. Bockweg: As so far, yes. I thought our trip to D.C. was very productive. We went up there
for several reasons; one having to do with Town Park and then HUD (Department of Housing
and Urban Development) issues they were having there with the deferment. We looked at the
CDBG issues that were going on. We're looking for other opportunities where we can find
federal grants to help us out with certain grants that we provide; for example, Hospitality
Institute and those type of grants, to increase employment. We met with FTA (Federal Transit
Administration). There's a special -- and I think I've briefed most of the Commissioners here as
far as a program that they're doing in conjunction with HUD to seeing what dollars might be
available for transit -oriented development and monies that could assist us in developing those
PODs (Pedestrian Oriented Developments). We had several meetings with Congressman
Riviera, Nelson, Fredericka Wilson, Diaz-Balart, and of course, Willie Ramos, who is the deputy
director of Commerce, all of which that we are following up with. I think -- and Clarence can
speak more to that, but we have been successful in the deferment of the payment for Town Park,
but I think Clarence can elaborate on that. And we're following up with our contacts there to see
what other opportunities there are for employment and grant possibilities and development. But
Chair Spence -Jones: I think the goal is really to leverage whatever dollars we have from the
CRA with possible federal dollars to make sure we're able to do more.
Mr. Bockweg: Yes, ma'am.
Chair Spence -Jones: Any questions on that from my colleagues? Okay.
Mr. Bockweg: IfI may --
Chair Spence -Jones: Sure.
Mr. Bockweg: -- Madam Chair. The -- I did speak with our local lobbyist, meaning our state
lobbyist, Doug Bruce. He is preparing a summary, so to speak, of our activities this year. I can
tell you personally -- and Commissioner Sarnoff was there with me -- we have been very
successful this year in making sure that there are no bills that would adversely affect the
operations of the CRA or any other TIF (Tax Increment Fund) contributions. But as soon as I
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Meeting Minutes April 30, 2012
8.
12-00475
9.
12-00483
10.
12-00473
have that summary, 111 be distributing it to all of you.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Does he work with Kirk from the City, the City's lobbyist on the
state?
Mr. Bockweg: No. Doug Bruce is --
Chair Spence -Jones: He does it on his own?
Mr. Bockweg: -- the CRA's lob -- state lobbyist.
Chair Spence -Jones: I mean, do they work together though?
Mr. Bockweg: If need be. If I ask -- sometimes I did ask Kirk to contact Doug Bruce or vica
[sic] versa on -- collaboration. But for the most part, he is the CRA's lobbyist.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. All right. Thank you, Pieter.
CRA DISCUSSION
PLEASE BE ADVISED THATA DISCUSSION ITEM, REGARDING THE
CARLISLE AND GATEHOUSE DEVELOPMENTS, HAS BEEN PLACED ON
THE AGENDA FOR THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY ("CRA").
File # 12-00475 04-30-12 Cover Memo.pdf
CONTINUED
Chair Spence -Jones: So on 8 and 9, I said we were just going to go ahead and defer them to the
next CRA agenda, Bill. So hopefully, we will have an official, you know, document completed to
bring --
Mr. Bloom: Right. We should be able to circulate documents well before the next meeting on all
the projects.
Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, Bill.
CRA RESOLUTION
PLEASE BE ADVISED THATA DISCUSSION ITEM, REGARDING THE UM
LIFE SCIENCE CENTER ECONOMIC INCENTIVE AGREEMENT, HAS BEEN
PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY ("CRA").
File # 12-00483 04-30-12 Cover Memo.pdf
CONTINUED
[For minutes related to Item 9, please see Item 8.]
CRA RESOLUTION
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Meeting Minutes April 30, 2012
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT A DISCUSSION ITEM, REGARDING THE BLACK
POLICE PRECINCT, HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR THE
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK
WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA").
File # 12-00473 04-30-12 Cover Memo.pdf
DISCUSSED
Chair Spence -Jones: On number 10, real fast. This is an item that you guys passed actually
when I was on hiatus, item number 10, the black police precinct. I wasn't really sure why it got
passed to the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), but this was -- this is definitely a City
facility and I don't know if you want to -- if anybody wants to expound on it, but the whole idea
was that this should have remained with the City and not a CRA asset. The CRA, as you know,
we're not in the business of managing properties. That's the reason why we're putting the
shopping plaza out to bid for us to find a management company to manage. So I just really
wanted to make sure that at least I ran this item by you guys. I would like to bring it back in
front of the CRA Board.
Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): It would have -- first
have to come to CRA Board and then City Commission, Madam Chair.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. You guys have any comments on it, 'cause you guys were here for
that item and not me? Okay. All right, so I want to just make -- Yeah.
Vice Chair Gort: Well, my understanding, what I recall is the -- it was requested by --
Chair Spence -Jones: By who?
Vice Chair Gort: I don't recall at this time who requested it, but the -- it needed some funding to
do some improvement and that's the reason why it was passed to the CRA at that time.
Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. I just -- that is a City -owned property, so I just don't want us to --
the CRA is not in the business of managing properties so --
Mr. Bockweg: We'll prepare the item and have it on the next month's agenda.
Commissioner Sarnoff.- Well, have you, Pieter, looked into working with Miami -Dade County to
see if you could bring a judge there and actually conduct court out of it?
Mr. Bockweg: The initial intent was to maintain the historic nature of the building and include
some classes and some educational purposes of that facility and not necessarily have the CRA
run that facility, but have somebody else. We have not taken the steps necessary to reach out to
Miami -Dade County in creating those classes as of yet. But the intent was to have that
educational component but maintain its historic nature.
Commissioner Sarnoff.- Well, I don't know about a historic -- I don't know about educational. I
do know that if it was functioning as a courthouse --
Chair Spence -Jones: It'd be creating revenue.
Commissioner Sarnoff.- -- it might be interesting to people and it will create a certain life to it.
And I'm just a little surprised that nobody's reached out to either the County court chief or the
circuit court chief although I think it would probably be a County court chief judge that would
be interested, to see if they'd be willing to operate a courthouse out of it. You -- I mean, it even
has a functional jail cell if it needed to be used as such. And I'm not saying it needs to be used
like that, but I just think it'd be interesting for the community and I think it would be a good use
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11.
12-00457
of the facility if you reached out to the court to see if they have any interest in operating as a
courthouse.
Mr. Bockweg: We can take the lead in getting back to you next month and report to you what we
have found from the court's standpoint. Currently, Commissioner, it is being operated as a
museum and solely as a museum. You're right. In the past, it was -- it used to be a courthouse
and whatnot, but right now it's just for educational purpose and a museum. But we'll take the
lead in seeing if there's any interest of a courtroom setting being -- taking place there.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Thank you, Pieter.
[Later..]
Grady Muhammad: And then on the other one with the police precinct --
Chair Spence -Jones: Yes.
Mr. Muhammad.- -- in a nutshell, I have a young lady who's here --
Chair Spence -Jones: Where is she?
Mr. Muhammad: I just want her to stand up and come give you all -- she's also the board of
Luther Campbell.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay.
Mr. Muhammad: She's a accomplished publisher. She has books for you all tonight as well.
And she looks at boards and programs, which you're talking about, within the precincts because
what she's doing is what most of -- we're not doing right now, teaching our youth how to read,
teaching the parents how to read. Because with the FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment
Test), all they're doing is teaching to an FCAT. The children do not know how to read. They
don't know how to communicate verbally 'cause they're texting and that's not a way to be able to
communicate verbally and they have non verbal communication skills. And what she's been
doing is for the last few years, she's been doing this in Liberty City. She's expanding it. She
wants the CRA to help look at -- continue to be able to expand this program. And I can assure
you, what she's doing is what is needed 'cause she's doing it from a holistic approach and she's
dealing with the children and the family. Thank you.
Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you. Chelsa, just wave your hand real fast. You can see Chelsa
after the meeting.
CRA RESOLUTION
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT A DISCUSSION ITEM, REGARDING THE
LEADERSHIP OF THE SEOPW CRA, HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE AGENDA
FOR THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST
OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
("CRA").
File # 12-00457 04-30-12 Cover Memo.pdf
File#12-00457 4-30-12 signed legislation.pdf
DISCUSSED
(11.) CRA RESOLUTION
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Meeting Minutes April 30, 2012
12-00457a
(11.)
12-00457b
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY ("CRA"), WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING CHANGES IN
DISTRIBUTION OF ADMINISTRATION COSTS, IN THE ADOPTED GENERAL
OPERATING BUDGET, COMMENCING MAY 1, 2012 AND ENDING
SEPTEMBER 30, 2012.
Motion by Board Member Suarez, seconded by Board Member Sarnoff, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: Vice Chair Gort, Chair Spence -Jones, Commissioner Suarez and Commissioner Sarnoff
Absent: Commissioner Carollo
CRA-R-12-0033
CRA RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY ("SEOPW CRA") APPOINTING CLARENCE WOODS AS THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SEOPW CRA.
Motion by Board Member Suarez, seconded by Board Member Sarnoff, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: Vice Chair Gort, Chair Spence -Jones, Commissioner Suarez and Commissioner Sarnoff
Absent: Commissioner Carollo
CRA-R-12-0034
Chair Spence -Jones: I think item number 11 we're kind of going to talk about when we get into
the Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) portion of it, so I'll just defer that. I have a
few more minutes until we're able to do that. 1'll wait a few minutes for the Omni side of it.
[Later..]
Chair Spence -Jones: So with that being said, I'd like to officially adjourn the --
Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): No.
Chair Spence -Jones: -- Southeast Overtown --
Mr. Bockweg: No, no.
Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): I'm sorry. If you're going to take up item number
11, you have to recess right now. Let us --
Chair Spence -Jones: No recessing?
Mr. Bockweg: No. I can address that item now because, in essence, it's the same item for Omni
as for Overtown and both boards need to vote.
Commissioner Sarnoff. So why don't we do this? Why don't we maintain --
Chair Spence -Jones: But this is discuss -- Oh, it's a resolution. I'm sorry. You're right.
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Commissioner Sarnoff -- both meetings being open simultaneous.
Ms. Thompson: Because I can't record it that way.
Commissioner Sarnoff.- It could be done that way. You could have a joint meeting opening.
Ms. Thompson: I'm sorry. I can't record it that way. I'll have one recording, then I --171 have
to see if we can bifurcate the recordings because we have two separate agendas, two separate
discussions. We already started on the Omni on Thursday of last week; you remember?
Commissioner Suarez: I have an idea, Madam Chair.
Chair Spence -Jones: That's fine. So you want -- what you want me to do, just take number 11
then itself and then --
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah.
Chair Spence -Jones: -- close out on this meeting?
Commissioner Suarez: And then when we open up --
Mr. Bockweg: Yeah, 'cause we can just --
Commissioner Suarez: -- the next meeting, just say whatever we said for --
Mr. Bockweg: If you allow me, Madam Chair, to --
Commissioner Suarez: -- 11 and --
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay.
Mr. Bockweg: -- go ahead and --
Commissioner Suarez: -- incorporate it by reference.
Mr. Bockweg: -- then --
Chair Spence -Jones: All right.
Mr. Bockweg: -- do what I did on Thursday and then we can go --
Chair Spence -Jones: You taking the leadership.
Vice Chair Gort: Whatever we going to say here, we going to say on the other one.
Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Mr. Bockweg: Right. If you allow me.
Chair Spence -Jones: The ball's in your court.
Mr. Bockweg: Thank you, Madam Chair. This is a -- Commissioners, this is a continuation of
the item that was discussed last week. If you recall, just to give you a quick synopsis,
Commissioner Spence -Jones have been talking for some time now about looking for ways to
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Meeting Minutes April 30, 2012
possibly restructure the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) or looking how to possibly
separate Southeast Overtown/Park West from Omni and Midtown. A couple weeks ago, I met
with the Commissioner and I received a directive to come up with a proposal that will be most
efficient and effective in making that bifurcation, however, not affect productivity and making
sure it's as smooth as possible. Within that time, I met with executive staff, myself Clarence,
Miguel, Bert, and we came up with the proposal, which I have presented to you last week and
briefed you on last week on how to, in essence, separate the CRAs and allow for Southeast
Overtown/Park West to operate independently, if you will, from Omni and Midtown. There's a
couple points that I think are important to know and point out. First, this only affects the
operational side of the operations. This does not affect the special revenue budget whatsoever.
The proposal before you is what we believe is the best way to make that separation, however, not
affect productivity or any projects that are undergoing as of right now. Also, the second point,
which I think is important to point out, is that what is before you is the cost -- a reallocation of
the cost on the operational side. This proposal before you is only from May 1 until the end of the
fiscal year. As you know, we propose our operational budget and special revenue budget every
July for the upcoming year due to the scheduling with the City of Miami and their budget
process. However, from an operational standpoint, our fiscal year does end September 30. So
before you is only a change in the cost reallocation from May 1 to September 30. This will also
allow us not to affect operations, and would also give us some more time to see how far or to
what length the board would like to separate the CRAs -- the Overtown from the Omni and
Midtown. And when I say that, meaning, you know, does Omni want to hire its own staff? The
proposal before you gives a -- gives some of the staff purely to Overtown and Omni takes a
couple of staff, and then percentages of some other staff for example, finance and legal. And the
reason for that is because during this time we can get a better understanding in how far the
separation the board would like to take but still not affect operations ; for example, signing
invoices, you know, preparing resolutions, et cetera, et cetera. That is the proposal before you.
I'm willing to answer any questions you may have. In essence, it cuts the operational cost 80/20;
80 percent Overtown, 20 percent Omni, except for all the properties that are owned by Omni.
Obviously, those will be taken care of 100 percent by Omni and vica [sic] versa for Overtown.
The budget before you will also move me solely as the executive director of Omni and Midtown.
And subject to the Board approving the budget, I will be resigning from Southeast
Overtown/Park West, effective immediately. And here -- I'm here to answer any questions that
you may have.
Chair Spence -Jones: I just --
Vice Chair Gort: My -- I'm sorry.
Chair Spence -Jones: Go ahead.
Vice Chair Gort: My understanding is it's always been separated. I mean, they been two
completely different entity. The only thing is we use the same personnel in some of the -- what
we doing here is just splitting the personnel. You have a person that director of the -- to
Overtown and you have a person that direct to Omni. Is that my understanding? All the debt
services by the different entity will continue to be the debt service of those entities, right?
Mr. Bockweg: You're 100 percent correct, Commissioner. The monies in Overtown are solely
used within Overtown and the monies in Omni are solely used within Omni. The operational
expenses, of course, are divided equally. However, the proposal before you will change that
percentage, depending on the individual, as well as the properties within Omni or Overtown will
be taken 100 percent by each respective CRA.
Commissioner Suarez: Madam Chair, ifI may.
Chair Spence -Jones: Yes.
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Commissioner Suarez: A couple things. One is the people in this reorganization that are being
paid 100 percent out of one entity or the other, they're basically -- what you're saying basically is
that they're going to be spending 100 percent of their time working on the matters of that
particular agency, correct?
Mr. Bockweg: With the exception of a couple individuals, that is the case.
Commissioner Suarez: So in -- just to take you as an example, you're not going to be signing any
documents for Overtown/Park West and Clarence is not going to be signing any documents for
Omni.
Mr. Bockweg: Absolutely not.
Commissioner Suarez: It's going to be completely segregated in that sense.
Mr. Bockweg: That's right. I will be responsible just for Omni and Midtown. And whoever
would be the director of Overtown will be responsible for Overtown.
Commissioner Suarez: Okay. No, listen, I don't have any issue with this reorganization. I could
tell you one of the frustrating things of my very short elected career is being a CRA board
member sometimes because, you know, you see how much need there is and how much money the
CRA has. So whatever creates stability for the organizations and whatever gets that money on
the street faster, it's really what we should be focused on. And if this does that, then I think the
history will show that we made a very wise decision at this point.
Chair Spence -Jones: The only point that I -- Thank you -- really wanted to just make sure -- and
Miguel, if you can put it on the record 'cause we've been going back and forth. Just to make sure
we're clear with the 80/20 split that that will -- you know, we will be able to sustain ourselves
from the Overtown side of it. I think it's important for you to put that on the record 'cause I know
that that was one issue or concern. So I want to make sure that that's no longer an issue. So if
you can put that officially on the record, I would greatly appreciate it.
Miguel Valentin: Miguel Valentin, CRA financial officer. According to my assessment, I think
we are not going to be having any problems since we are going to be splitting our operational
cost from October until April 50/50, and then from May to September, 80 percent and 20 percent
from Omni.
Chair Spence -Jones: And if I'm not mistaken, guys, most of the work now -- You want to add?
Commissioner Suarez: No. I just want to know if we need to do anything. Do we have to make
a motion or is it --?
Mr. Bockweg: Well, I would need the Board to approve the cost reallocation as proposed today.
Commissioner Suarez: But it's not a budget amendment, correct?
Mr. Bockweg: It's not an amendment.
Commissioner Suarez: Okay.
Vice Chair Gort: Not yet.
Mr. Bockweg: It is purely a --
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Commissioner Suarez: Important to clarify.
Mr. Bockweg: -- cost reallocation.
Commissioner Suarez: Okay.
Mr. Bockweg: That's all it is.
Chair Spence -Jones: So we have -- do we have a motion on the item?
Commissioner Suarez: Move it.
Chair Spence -Jones: Have a motion.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Second.
Chair Spence -Jones: Second. All in favor?
The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye.
Mr. Bockweg: So --
Chair Spence -Jones: Item passes.
Mr. Bockweg: If I may, Madam Chair.
Chair Spence -Jones: Now we what?
Ms. Thompson: Hold --
Mr. Bockweg: I would just like to say a couple things regarding --
Ms. Thompson: I am so sorry. I apologize. I just want to make sure I'm clear on everything. I
was handed the budget. You just had a motion, a second and a vote. But I thought -- and this --
I'll defer to legal -- that when you're dealing with this, you would need a resolution. Is that
correct? Am I --?
Veronica Xiques (Assistant General Counsel): Madam Clerk, this is not a budget amendment.
Ms. Thompson: Okay.
Ms. Xiques: This is actually a reallocation of a current budget. So because it's a reallocation of
line items, the board is authorized to pursue the -- take this action.
Ms. Thompson: As a motion?
Commissioner Suarez: Is it a directive?
Ms. Xiques: Well, it's a resolution. It could also be a directive. Our -- the CRA in-house counsel
has prepared resolutions for everything that can go into the record after -the fact, but it's
something -- because, again, it's a reallocation of budget --
Commissioner Suarez: I'll move that resolution.
Chair Spence -Jones: All right.
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Commissioner Suarez: That makes it clearer for you, Madam Clerk.
Chair Spence -Jones: We have a mo -- So do we have to take the other one back?
Ms. Thompson: You're amending your motion to be a resolution.
Commissioner Suarez: That's correct.
Ms. Thompson: Okay.
Commissioner Suarez: As proffered by the City -- that's to be proffered by the CRA attorney --
Ms. Thompson: And your seconder?
Commissioner Suarez: -- and drafted by the CRA attorney.
Ms. Thompson: And your seconder?
Commissioner Sarnoff.- Seconder understood it to be a resolution, so I'm now as perplexed as
when I first seconded it. I thought it was a resolution.
Ms. Thompson: That's what I wanted to make sure.
Commissioner Sarnoff Okay.
Ms. Thompson: Okay.
Chair Spence -Jones: Right.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chair Spence -Jones: So we had a motion and we have a second.
Ms. Thompson: On --
Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor?
The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye.
Mr. Bockweg: Madam Chair --
Chair Spence -Jones: So --
Mr. Bockweg: -- I would like to say -- I ap -- I'm sorry.
Chair Spence -Jones: No problem. No. I just want to know what's the next --
Mr. Bockweg: I would just like to say that I -- effective immediately, I will be resigning from
Southeast Overtown/Park West, and I would like to express that I have thoroughly enjoyed
working for Southeast Overtown/Park West and learning the community. And I can tell that
there is a lot of progress being made and a lot of opportunity in the future. And I hope to
continue to collaborate and Clarence and whoever the director will be, will -- we will be working
together to make sure that transition is as smooth as possible. But I'd like to thank the Board for
the opportunity and I'd like to thank the community for the opportunity in getting to know them.
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Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you so much, Pieter. Mr. Clarence Woods, you are officially the
director of the Overtown Southeast Park West.
Applause.
Chair Spence -Jones: The community is very happy to see you here. Don't get emotional. But
this means you got a lot of work to do.
Clarence Woods: Well, Commissioner, this means that the work doesn't stop.
Veronica Xiques (Assistant General Counsel): I'm sorry, Commissioner.
Pieter Bockweg (Executive Director, Omni Redevelopment District Community Redevelopment
Agency): You need to vote on that.
Ms. Xiques: You actually need to take a vote on this.
Commissioner Suarez: Move it.
Ms. Xiques: It's a statutory requirement that the Board --
Commissioner Suarez: I move it.
Ms. Xiques: -- actually --
Commissioner Sarnoff.- Second.
Chair Spence -Jones: Do I have a --? Okay. So we have a motion and a second.
Commissioner Suarez: Motion --
Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor?
Commissioner Suarez: -- to name --
Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): On a reso --
Commissioner Suarez: -- Mr. Clarence Woods the executive director of Overtown/Park West.
Applause.
Ms. Thompson: As a resolution.
Chair Spence -Jones: All righty.
Ms. Thompson: As a resolution. Am I correct, Ms. Xiques?
Ms. Xiques: Yes.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chair Spence -Jones: All righty. Anything else?
Mr. Bockweg: We can adjourn this meeting and then --
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Ms. Thompson: Oh, I'm so -- no.
Applause.
Commissioner Suarez: Yes. We have to vote. Yes.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay.
Ms. Thompson: I'm sorry.
Chair Spence -Jones: All --
Ms. Thompson: Who was your mover? I --
Commissioner Suarez: I moved it.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Commissioner Sarnoff.- Seconder.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chair Spence -Jones: All in -- Do I say all in favor now?
Commissioner Suarez: Yes.
Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor?
The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye.
Commissioner Suarez: Passes unanimously.
Chair Spence -Jones: This item passes. Welcome aboard.
Applause.
Commissioner Sarnoff Boy, that was a tough voting process.
Mr. Woods: Thank you, Commissioners. And --
Commissioner Suarez: What a vetting.
Mr. Bockweg: We can adjourn --
Chair Spence -Jones: Order.
Mr. Bockweg: -- Overtown, and then we need to vote on it for Omni.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. So --
Mr. Bockweg: Adjourn the Overtown meeting, if you're done, Commissioner.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, I'd like to officially adjourn this meeting.
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NON AGENDA ITEMS
NA.1
12-00528
ADJOURNMENT
Vice Chair Gort: Move to adjourn.
Chair Spence -Jones: Move to adjourn.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
CRA DISCUSSION
CHAIR SPENCE-JONES OPENED THE MEETING TO COMMENTS FROM
THE PUBLIC ON ALL AGENDA ITEMS.
DISCUSSED
The meeting adjourned at 5: 44 p.m.
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