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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEOPW CRA 2013-02-25 MinutesCity of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Di • IN O9▪ IEP 19 1i? Meeting Minutes Monday, February 25, 2013 5:00 PM Frederick Douglass Elementary 314 NW 12th Street SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Michelle Spence -Jones, Chair Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Vice Chair Marc David Sarnoff, Commissioner Frank Carollo, Commissioner Francis Suarez, Commissioner SEOPW CRA OFFICE ADDRESS: 1490 NW 3rd Avenue, Suite 105 Miami, FL 33136 Phone: (305) 679-6800, Fax: (305) 679-6835 www.miamicra.com SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ORDER OF THE DAY FINANCIALS 1. 13-00211 Present: Chair Spence -Jones, Commissioner Suarez and Vice Chair Gort Absent: Commissioner Sarnoff and Commissioner Carollo On the 25th day of February 2013, 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 5:12 p.m. and was adjourned at 6: 11 p.m. ALSO PRESENT: Clarence Woods, Executive Director, CRA Rafael Suarez -Rivas, Assistant General Counsel, CRA William Bloom, Special Counsel, CRA Jessica N. Pacheco, Special Counsel, CRA Todd B. Hannon, Clerk of the Board Chair Spence -Jones: All right, we're going to officially start our meeting for February 25, 2013, City of Miami CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), Overtown/Park West meeting. With that being said, we're going to officially open up the meeting. I'm going to ask for Clarence to at least grace us with grace and prayer, and then I'm going to ask that we please stand for the pledge of allegiance. Invocation and pledge of allegiance. Chair Spence -Jones: First of all, I want to thank everyone for coming out to our last meeting in the month, of course. And this is Black History Month. We are at Frederick Douglass Elementary, and I want to acknowledge the principal for allowing us -- for us to be in this space once again. We have a pretty short agenda today. And basically, we want to kind of move through it rather quickly. I would like to put on the record quickly I do have an engagement that's -- that I need to deal with right after this. CRA REPORT FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR PERIOD ENDING JANUARY 31, 2013. 13-00211 Financial Summary.pdf PRESENTED Chair Spence -Jones: But let's move on to the financial report for CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). Miguel, if you can give us a quick update on that. Miguel Valentin (Financial Officer, Community Redevelopment Agency): Yes. Good evening. On page 1, we are disclosing the cash balance in the amount of 33,823,621. You're able to see the breakdown as to how we have allocated the money. And this combined statement of financial position was prepared as of January 31, 2013. Even though there are 33, 823, 621, 86 -- 87 percent out of that amount is being allocated through resolution. City of Miami Page 2 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 Commissioner Suarez: Move it. Mr. Valentin: I brought here the itemized -- since we're going to be presenting the budget for fiscal year 2013, the amended version -- Clarence Woods (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): That's going to be the next item, Commissioner. Commissioner Suarez: Got it. Mr. Woods: We're still on item number 1. Commissioner Suarez: I'm with you. Chair Spence -Jones: Still on item -- Commissioner Suarez: I'm with you. My apologies. Chair Spence -Jones: Do we have any questions at all on any of the items? I know you know that we are definitely -- one of the complaints that we received in the past is really making sure that we move money. We're definitely making sure that money is moved and is actually getting on the streets in the Overtown CRA area. But if you have any questions, please. Commissioner Suarez: I can wait 'til the next item. Mr. Valentin: Okay. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. So this is really just a discussion. No other questions? So all in favor? Commissioner Suarez: I think this is just discussion. Vice Chair Gort: No, no, just discussion. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, all right. All right, no other questions? Commissioner Suarez: Not on the discussion. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, so we move on to the next item. 2. CRA RESOLUTION 13-00212 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CRA'S TAX INCREMENT FUND AND GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2012 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013; DIRECTING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO TRANSMIT COPY OF THE AMENDED BUDGETS TO THE CITY OF MIAMI AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY. 13-00212 Cover Memo.pdf 13-00212 Legislation.pdf City of Miami Page 3 Printed on 5,2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 Motion by Board Member Suarez, seconded by Vice -Chair Gort, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Chair Spence -Jones, Vice Chair Gort and Commissioner Suarez Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Sarnoff CRA-R-1 3-0009 Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, we're going to go on to item number 2. Clarence Woods (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Commissioners, item number 2 is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency, with attachments, approving and adopting the CRA's (Community Redevelopment Agency's) tax increment fund and general operating budget for the fiscal year commencing October 1, 2012, and ending October -- I mean, and ending September 30, 2013; directing the executive director to transmit a copy of the amended budgets to the City of Miami and Miami -Dade County. Commissioner Suarez: Move it for discussion. Vice Chair Gort: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: We have a motion and second for discussion. Commissioner Suarez: Madam Chair, ifI may? Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Commissioner Suarez: First of all, I want to thank Clarence because what he provided to me was a very, very detailed breakdown, and it even has like all the subcategories, almost every single -- it appears to me almost every single expenditure -- or every single approved expenditure. I think there -- it says here 52 categories. I just had one question on the available for other affordable workforce housing project, which is Town Park Village. It looks like we have a fund balance of seven and a half million. How's that looking in terms of getting that going? Oh, sorry. Mr. Woods: Say that -- I'm sorry, repeat that, Commissioner. (UNINTELIIGIBLE) as soon as it came on. Commissioner Suarez: Yeah. All of the categories seem pretty -- Mr. Woods: Right. Commissioner Suarez: -- straightforward. I mean -- Mr. Woods: Right. Commissioner Suarez: -- it's pretty -- they're pretty obvious what we're doing. Mr. Woods: Right. Commissioner Suarez: The only one that I see a big balance in is the workforce -- is the Town Park Village project. So I just want to know what the progress is on that and -- Mr. Woods: Well, as you know, with the bond issuance that we are seeking to get funding for major projects, Town Parks, all three -- well, actually all two Town Parks are projects listed in that bond issuance. That funding -- the available for workforce housing, we have that as a City of Miami Page 4 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 backstop. Remember, what was approved or what we had capacity for is up to $42 million. Commissioner Suarez: Right. Mr. Woods: We don't know that we'll get 50. If we -- Commissioner Suarez: Right. Mr. Woods: -- can get 50, then we can add the Town Park -- Miguel Valentin (Financial Officer, Community Redevelopment Agency): Exactly. Mr. Woods: -- projects into the bond issuance. But if we don't -- if we just get -- Commissioner Suarez: Right. Mr. Woods: -- 42, then that additional 7 million will go towards the Town Park. Mr. Valentin: Let me add. According to the number runs that we have prepared, they -- the experts, they say that we're going to be able to raise up to $43 million in debt. Commissioner Suarez: Right. Mr. Valentin: Still, we don't know. This is the scenario that they gave us. Since I know that for the Commissioner and for the CRA, Town Park is -- Mr. Woods: Priority. Mr. Valentin: -- a priority, always we have ensured that we have enough money to cover the improvements in that area. You know that the resolution that the board passed previously was asking authorization to raise up to $50 million -- Vice Chair Gort: Fifty, okay. Mr. Valentin: -- in debt. That doesn't mean that we're going to be able to raise that amount of money. Commissioner Suarez: Of course. Mr. Valentin: That's why we have been very cautious and, out of the fund balance that we -- currently we have -- this is money that we have in our checking account. Commissioner Suarez: Right. Mr. Valentin: We wanted to put it aside in order to make sure that we are going to be able to carry out that project. Commissioner Suarez: But I think the difference is -- ifI may? You want me to yield? Vice Chair Gort: No, no. Commissioner Suarez: I think the difference is that now, based on our board's insistence, I think, over the -- since I've been here, at least, since we've all been here together, there's a level of specificity and detail in the budget that was never there before. So I commend you for doing that because that's what provides the level of transparency that people feel that either, A, things are City of Miami Page 5 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 UPDATES 3. 13-00088 being spent on this or, B, if money's being reserved, it's being reserved for a reason and that's the reason why it's being put in that area. I think a lot of this is also just to inform the public as to what -- you know, what it is that we're spending our money on and why things have happened or haven't happened. Vice Chair Gort: Question, is this part of the $10 million we had in reserve that we had to set -- we had set aside to --? Mr. Woods: Yes. Mr. Valentin: Yes, sir. Vice Chair Gort: So what's left of that $10 million is seven point something now? Mr. Woods: Yes. Mr. Valentin: Yes, sir. Vice Chair Gort: Okay. Mr. Woods: Yes. And I just like to add for the record, we are entering all the budget detail into the item so that it could be part of the record. Vice Chair Gort: Okay. Chair Spence -Jones: Any other comments? Any other comments from Miguel? Vice Chair Gort: No comments. Mr. Valentin: No, ma'am. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. This is a resolution. So do we have a motion on the item? Todd B. Hannon (Clerk of the Board): Yes, ma'am. Vice Chair Gort: Move and second. Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. All right, all in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: This item passes. CRA REPORT UPDATE ON ECONOMIC INCENTIVE AGREEMENT WITH UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI LIFE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY PARK File # 13-00088-Cover Memo-1-28-2013.pdf 13-00088 Cover Memo.pdf PRESENTED City of Miami Page 6 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 Chair Spence -Jones: All right. As you know, we have updates, and these -- some of these updates we'll deal with today and they could just be very brief updates. I know the first one, which has a -- has something to do with the University of Miami Life Science and Technology Park, I want to acknowledge one of our board member, Suarez, for being a tough negotiator with the University of Miami to finally move this along. I know that he's had several meetings, but I would like for him to update in the spirit of transparency so that at least people know what's happening. Commissioner Suarez: Thank you, Madam Chair. I appreciate the fact that the board, by and through the Chair's leadership, entrusted in me the responsibility of negotiating with University of Miami and the developer on the project. The negotiations have been intense and have been comprehensive and ongoing. We feel that we have an agreement in principle. We have not yet committed it to writing, but we should -- I think it's safe to say, Mr. Woods, that by the next CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting, we should have the agreement in writing. Do you think that's a fair statement? Clarence Woods (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Yes. Yes, sir. Commissioner Suarez: Okay. And you know, the way I like to do it is, you know, give it to the board members with plenty of time so that they can be briefed fully on all the -- because it is a complicated -- it's very complicated, I have to admit. It took me a while just to kind of get up to speed on the first phase and how that interacted with the second phase and all the different components. And so, I think it's -- in fairness and just educating the board before we make a decision -- 'cause it is a lot of money too. Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Commissioner Suarez: It's a big deal. So, you know, I want all the board members to feel comfortable that it's been negotiated to the best of our ability and that it's something that's in the best interest of the residents of the CRA community and all parties concerned. So I just want to report that there has been significant progress from our first meeting, where we were kind of very far apart. And then we worked our way towards what we feel is an agreement in principle, and the particulars of that agreement will be reduced to writing and should be given to this board by the next meeting, in advance, with plenty of time so that everyone could take a look at it. And if they have questions, you know -- 'cause I don't presume to be able to do everything that you guys want to accomplish. But to the extent that you have questions, concerns, comments, I welcome them. I don't feel that that's in any way, shape or form an intrusion on what you've entrusted me to do. I just feel very honored, given the responsibility to do it, and I think it's a vital project for this community. So, hopefully, we'll get it done and completed and we'll move forward. Chair Spence -Jones: Any comments? All right. So our next steps, just so we're clear, Clarence, is? I don't know if there's anybody from University of Miami here. Okay. Mr. Woods: Well, we've actually been in contact with them. There's some due diligence that they're doing on their side, and they've assured us that they will be getting with us before the next board meeting. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Woods: But I'd just like to say thank you for appointing Commissioner Suarez to lead up the charge. He has been a zealous advocate for the redevelopment area -- I mean, for the CRA, as well as the residents of the redevelopment area. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. City of Miami Page 7 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 Mr. Woods: Thank you, sir. Commissioner Suarez: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. -- Clarence. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. And I know that you guys have been, hopefully, working diligently Mr. Woods: Mr. Ivory. Keith Ivory: Right. How are you doing? Keith Ivory, Overtown Alliance. Also, I would like to say that also would like to meet with Suarez and -- Commissioner Suarez: Absolutely. Mr. Ivory: -- also the CRA, Clarence, to get an update of -- Commissioner Suarez: Absolutely. Mr. Ivory: -- on the negotiations. Commissioner Suarez: Count on it. Mr. Ivory: Okay. Commissioner Suarez: If you -- the person behind you with the blue shirt is my chief of staff. Mr. Ivory: Okay. Commissioner Suarez: He will give you the information so we can get right away and sit down and go over it with you as well. Mr. Ivory: Okay. And I'd like to publicly thank a lot of the members and the family who support it and the other groups and organizations and institutions here in Miami, Overtown, Dade County that have supported the Overtown Alliance also with negotiations with the University of Miami. Commissioner Suarez: Thank you. Mr. Ivory: And we looking forward to continue to monitor that process even after the benefits -- Commissioner Suarez: Absolutely. Mr. Ivory: -- to make sure everything moves down the pipeline. Commissioner Suarez: And that's also -- Mr. Ivory: And like to thank you -- Commissioner Suarez: -- been part of the agreement as well, making sure that not only what is agreed to is agreed to and that's beneficial to the community, but that there's an ongoing process to make sure -- Mr. Ivory: Exactly. Commissioner Suarez: -- that it's being adhered to. City of Miami Page 8 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 4. 13-00089 Mr. Ivory: Okay. Thank you very much. Commissioner Suarez: Absolutely. Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: I want to just, once again, thank him and his organization for staying on top of it. And I know that now that we do have at least Suarez in the mix and -- you know, at least we'll finally move forward. So I'm glad to see that they're happy, the community's happy on it. So hopefully we continue to move in a very positive direction, so that was just a CRA update. CRA REPORT UPDATE ON POLICE VISIBILITY/COMMUNITY POLICING INITIATIVE File # 13-00089-Cover Memo-1-28-2013 pdf 13-00089 Cover Memo.pdf PRESENTED Chair Spence -Jones: I'm going to move on to the item -- item number 4, which is the police visibility community policing initiative. We have put the project on hold at this point. I don't know if there's anybody from Police here right now. The only thing that I would like to mention on the issue of police -- and I know that was something that we have given to Commissioner Carollo to work on. As you know, every year, annually, in the budget we provide funds to assist with policing in the area. And what we're asking now is to come up with other innovative approaches to address this issue of crime. Commissioner Suarez, your whole idea on the sharp -- what is it? It's not called SharpShoot. What is it called Shoot --? Commissioner Suarez: Yeah, no, you got it. It's called ShotSpotter. Chair Spence -Jones: ShotSpotter. I mean, maybe if we can come up with other innovative initiatives. And I did speak to the chief today about maybe piloting it in key areas, and maybe Overtown is a place that we can pilot it since we do have the resources to kind of assist with that. Maybe we want to try that. I know we did have a shooting on -- Commissioner Suarez: We've had several. Chair Spence -Jones: -- I believe, Saturday night. I believe there were four young men that were shot here in Overtown, but they were not from Overtown. They actually were here actually shooting, I believe, a video or something to that effect. So it didn't actually take place in Overtown, but I believe we did have a single person did get shot last week. So to me, I think that we have enough evidence in this area to mandate a pilot project. And I wanted to see if that's something you would be mindful of speaking to the chief about to maybe -- you know, if that was a issue of resources, maybe we can try it, Commissioner Gort, here. Commissioner Suarez: Absolutely. And in my -- first of all, thank you for believing in that idea that I followed up on. And I think you're absolutely right that what's happening right now in many parts of your district -- and by the way, in my district 'cause two -- a week ago, last week, there was a homicide with someone who came -- you know, had some mental illness issues and apparently shot his son four times, 14 year -old son, shot his -- I'm sorry, 14-year-old daughter, 11 year -old son, his wife and himself. So the issue of gun violence is one that I think affects us all. But you know, we've done a variety of things to try to solve the problem and it doesn't seem like it's getting solved. And so I think we have to start thinking outside of the box. And I think that's what you and your comments to the chief that day at the Commission meeting, that was what I -- what most impacted me, which is, Listen, we need to start thinking outside of the box. And I think one of the good things about the ShotSpotter technology is that it allows us to do City of Miami Page 9 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 different things. It's not just an investigative tool, although it is very useful for investigations. It's very useful for locating ballistics. It's very useful for closing out crimes. It's very useful for finding witnesses. But it's also useful for being able to set up a perimeter to catch a perpetrator who has -- you know, it all depends on how aggressive the system is implemented. Like I said at the Commission meeting, technology -- you can -- you have a phone, and it can be used for a variety of things. It can be used for text messaging, but it can also be used for taking pictures. It can be used for Facebook and Twitter and all that stuff. So technology is what you make of it. So I'm really interested in following up on that, so thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: So I'm just going to -- Vice Chair Gort: I'm a great believer in pilot programs, especially the problems that we've had in this area. And I think we have specific areas where we can start using the pilot program. And with the amount of shootings that we have, we all know where it's got to go. And maybe some of the funds that you had for the reason for the police, the pilot program could be use the funds a lot better. Chair Spence -Jones: Right. And I think that's what we were going to try to ask 'cause maybe, perhaps, you sit down with the chief to just look at other -- and I think that this program might be -- It's not really a program. It's actually a -- Clarence Woods (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Well, a tool. Commissioner Suarez: It's a technology. Chair Spence -Jones: -- it's a tool. Right, tool. Vice Chair Gort: It's a tool, but it has to be a program behind the tool. In other words -- Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Vice Chair Gort: -- you got the tool, but at the same time, you got to be able to react to whatever information you get. Commissioner Suarez: Absolutely. Vice Chair Gort: Like the Commissioner was stating a little while ago, you got to have a team ready -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Vice Chair Gort: -- to react to any information they receive. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Vice Chair Gort: Okay. Mr. Woods: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. 5. CRA REPORT 13-00213 OVERTOWN CHILDREN AND YOUTH COALITION City of Miami Page 10 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 13-00213 Cover Memo.pdf PRESENTED Chair Spence -Jones: So we're going to move on to -- thank you, guys -- item number 5. I'm not sure if Saliah's here at all. Clarence Woods (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): She's here. Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, good. And then if you can, Saliah, all of the individuals that have been working very hard with you, if they could please stand up, I would like for them to stand where they are. And if you can at least acknowledge who each one of them -- if they're here, acknowledge who's a part -- who's been a part of it. Saliah Nelson: Hi. Saliah Nelson. And I'd like to recognize Sonia Jacobson from Dress for Success/Suited for Success. She's our lone other member that could make it here this evening. But I'm here to -- Is there time for a PowerPoint? Chair Spence -Jones: No. Ms. Nelson: Okay. All right, how about a handout? Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, yeah. Ms. Nelson: Okay. Chair Spence -Jones: And while she's doing that, let me just kind of tell you what -- why we're doing this. As you know, every year we give money out of our funds towards the Children's Trust. And I don't know if there's any representatives from the Children's Trust, but I've been -- over the last three or four years, I've been very diligent about really trying to make sure if there's dollars coming from the Overtown CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), that they actually benefit the programs from the community. And what had been happening, not purposely, but it just happened, those dollars that were -- revenues that were collected from the Overtown area and Park West area, organizations and groups from the outside were basically coming in and presenting programs and receiving all the funding, not to say they didn't support the kids. But we wanted to kind of put a halt to that and come up with an initiative that focused strictly on the kids from Overtown and the organizations that have been serving for a very long time for -- or not even a long time, but just serving in general and not getting the kind of support that they needed. So I want to commend this group because, basically, Saliah and Sonia and a whole group of others came together and met almost every other week on coming up with an Overtown initiative. And I believe Saliah is going to let you know. We have 1,700 kids in Overtown. There's no reason in the world that we cannot put together an initiative or put them on the right track so -- for them to be successful in life, and that's what this group is going to do in support of the Children's Trust funds, but we will direct how the money -- or at least make recommendations of how the money should be spent in the community that we serve. Ms. Nelson: Commissioner, that's a very good summary. But I'm going to add that a key piece to this Overtown Children and Youth Coalition is to build capacity of anchoring community -based organizations serving children and youth. And the anchoring community organizations is very important because, as we -- if we don't build the capacity of the organizations that have made a continued impact to be here regardless of money but are committed to the community, we are doing those organizations a disservice and the kids a disservice because there'll be no sustainable change when money comes in and comes out, comes in and comes out. And so that is one of the key things that we are looking to inform as we move forward and building capacity of all the organizations who are anchored in the community who have their hands on the kids. But not only building capacity, we also want to make sure that we're setting up a strategic framework to not only provide services, but to change the system in City of Miami Page 11 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 which all of us are cooperating amongst each other. And to do that, one of the key things is that there's an initial investment that is made to help us build our collective impact. And so, you have a colorful handout here that kind of outlines some of the key things that would be needed to make that happen. And one of the key things is that the increment that is allocated to the Children's Trust would then be reinvested specifically to build capacity for the anchoring community -based organizations here in the community so that we can be empowered to have the resources that we need to determine what are the goals, objectives, and the community change efforts that we have decided upon. Because too often, when those things are decided from outside of the community, there is a mismatch. And so to alleviate that mismatch, we are going to be holding a series of strategic planning sessions over the next couple of months to engage not only parents and community providers and institutions working here, but also the young people because without the young people's involvement, there will be no viable, sustainable opportunity for them to really be involved moving forward because too often we do things on and to young people and not with young people. And they have a lot of skills, assets, and talents that we need to be building upon, and we don't know all the answers as adults, so that's going to be a key constituent in involving in this change process that we want to go through. So we're going to be coming back to you with three requests. The first request is that when you turn over the allocation to the Children's Trust, that you are recommending that they invite us to negotiate with them to put together a capacity -building planning grant that will help us accomplish several things. One, to provide a strategic network of services to create a shared measurement system so that we all know and are working together on key goals and we're looking at key communitywide indicators that we can track over time. Whenever you're embarking upon a community change effort, you have to give it at least ten years of sustained commitment of resources time and political support. And so, we have a unique opportunity in all of those ways. The second thing is that this area is -- it meets the criteria to pursue obtaining a designation by the State to be a children's initiative. Some of you may be familiar with the Miami Children's initiative, but we're proposing to create an Overtown Children's Initiative. We have an interesting opportunity that we're a small circumscribed community. All the key indicators are here that lets us know we are very underresourced. And so, once we create a designation to be a children's initiative for the Overtown community, that sets the stage for us to begin to draw down additional dollars from a variety of sources, including foundations, because you have to have several elements. You have to have the political will. They want to know that key government entities are behind a collective effort and that they're going to be targeting resources in those ways. And it also kind of sets the stage for everyone to get on the same page. So we're going to be coming also to the City of Miami, as well, to request this special resolution to support. But the first thing when we come back to you is we would like for you to recognize the Overtown Children and Youth Coalition as the official planning team to create the Overtown Children's Initiative. And once that happens, we will be able to move forward very quickly with the strategic planning process and coming back to you and then to the City of Miami with the support that is necessary to move it up to the state level. And we've talked to several key stakeholders, including our School Board member, Dr. Bendross-Mindingall, who was instrumental in helping the children's initiative pass at the State when she was a state legislator. She has lended [sic] her support to this effort in providing us technical assistance as we move forward. And we have reached out also to the lieutenant governor, who is supportive of our efforts, and Overtown is on her radar to -- she wants to support us in that move forward. And so she is also helping to align the state and the senate representation for the area. So the stars are aligning around this effort, but the buck starts with you. And so, we'll be asking for your support very shortly. Chair Spence -Jones: Well, let me say -- I don't know if any other Commissioners have any comments, but this is what's so important, you know. When we empower the residents and the organizations that have been working together -- we gave them a task and we say, hey, guys, we want you to come back and give us the recommendations of how we should ask the Children's Trust for the money to be spent in the neighborhoods, and they have actively been working on that, coming up with measurable things that they can -- that can be created so we know we're not just spending money on programs and initiatives and not knowing the value of what's actually City of Miami Page 12 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 come out of it. And what I really love about it, guys, is the fact that for the first time in a very long time in OT (Overtown), all of them are communicating. So all my youth -based organizations are sharing information and sharing resources. Before, you know, for whatever reason -- and it could be because the money pot is, you know, always so tight and, you know, people are always fighting to try to figure out a way to survive, that a lot of people were not working together as much as they should have been. And now to see that they're actually working together and if one person does or provides a service greater, then the group is supporting that group -- that individual in those efforts, and that's what it's all about so that we can get the best out of whatever investment that we're making into our program. So I want to -- I think Saliah has done a great job with organizing and making sure that we stay on target with that, and that's what this is all about. And so that you guys know, as we prepare for, I would say, the future of Overtown -- and we are transforming and things are happening in a mighty way. Thanks to my Vice Chair, for the first time in more than close to 40 years, we're going to see major construction projects happening, hopefully starting by this summer, at least coming out of the ground or at least groundbreaking on those. And we just want to make sure in the midst of all of this transformation and wonderful things that are happening in the heart of Overtown, that we're not only doing bricks and mortars kind of things, which we think are really, really important for transforming neighborhoods, but we're also building people. That's why these training programs are important. And we're instilling certain values in our young people and investing in them because, guess what, we're going to be gone and our young people are going to be the folks that stay around here that will either go off to school or -- you know, get some sort of training and live right here in their neighborhoods. And it's up to us to make this environment safe for them, but also an environment that's viable for them to live, for them and their families. So I want to commend Saliah for that. I don't know if you guys have any questions or comments for Saliah. Commissioner Suarez: I was just going to say very briefly, I mean, I think you summed it up very well. It was a -- I wanted to jump in a couple times and I heard everything that you said and you were kind of like reading my mind. I think -- if I can be so bold as to say that we're talking a lot about strategies to try to curb the violence, but I think the most effective strategy is to interact with our youth, and it's a cultural, you know, interaction, where we give them hope, where we give them opportunities, where we give them education. And you know, you create an environment where there's no incentive to get involved in anything that's not productive, you know. And I think -- I thank you, Saliah, and I thank the chairwoman for creating this and for helping us reach out to the community and get the community really to push this, rather than just, you know, policymakers or whatever. So I'm fully on board. Vice Chair Gort: You know, you have a great opportunity in here. I've done a lot of seminars with young people and their opinion is very important 'cause they can tell you what works and what doesn't work. And they're the -- like the Commissioner stated before, they're the future of this community and that's very important. Every time you go to someone that has problem and you start talking, it goes back to their childhood, so that's why the programs so important. You have the opportunity in here to establish a pilot program that can work all over. In other words, you can make a -- you can have our support 'cause I think it's very important that pilot program, if it works, you can show the world how it works. Ms. Nelson: Absolutely. And for the lawyers in the room, which I think there's a couple -- Commissioner Suarez: Yep. Ms. Nelson: -- three key things: means, motive, and opportunity, and that's what we want to provide the young people. We want to give them the means, that mean resources are important. The motivation, caring adults, the community wrapping around and supporting them, and so building that hope piece. And the opportunities. And without opportunity, the means and motive goes where? Nowhere. So those three things are at the forefront of the focus and keeping our City of Miami Page 13 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 young people on the front burner. Commissioner Suarez: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: Well, let's give Saliah a hand and the whole entire group that have worked very hard for our young people. Applause. Ms. Nelson: And I want -- the coalition, all of us are so busy, but we know that there's a sense of urgency and for us not to take time out and really get this right, we are doing a disservice to the community. So thank you for putting the fire under us, and we are fired up and ready to go. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, great. Vice Chair Gort: Thank you. Ms. Nelson: Thank you. Oh, I'm going to put the slides on SlideShare, and I'm going to send out a link so you guys will -- Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Ms. Nelson: -- see the presentation, okay? Chair Spence -Jones: That's fine. Ms. Nelson: All right. Chair Spence -Jones: And they only reason why we're not going through it today is I know that we do have -- and hopefully, the Miami Dade College one isn't a very long presentation, but you know, I do want to -- I don't want to lose a quorum, and I know I'm going to have to leave, so that's the reason why I'm trying to, you know, not have the long presentation. Yes. Shoshana Lincoln: Commissioner, I just have -- just a few second. As you're well aware that my Chair Spence -Jones: Name -- put your name on the record, boo. I mean -- Ms. Lincoln: I'm Reverend Lincoln, from People Helping People, here in Overtown. My concern for this prime real estate we do have in this region or this neighborhood, per se, whatever money is being distributed to take care of this community, particularly with the police, the money that was given to the police, we're not having any protection. Again, gunshot is going off very often in Overtown, and it appears it's going off like 4 and 3 a.m. And whenever money is given out in Overtown, I suggest strongly that people should be hired from Overtown, one. And two, the Commissioners should know if the money's going -- spent more on technical assistance or practical assistance and what progresses are children making in Overtown. This -- there should be some check going on as to what is happening because from what I am seeing, knowing that I am the only person in Overtown who walk the streets and know the streets, as I've mentioned once before, than anyone else here in Overtown. I could challenge for that. We are not making the great progress that we should in connection with the kind of resource that are giving out. And one more thing, please. I mean, I am not supposed to speak but -- Chair Spence -Jones: No. You can always speak. Ms. Lincoln: Okay, building community centers and building more infrastructure, whatever, in City of Miami Page 14 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 6. 13-00215 Overtown, we need to have a better Overtown for housing, one; protection, two; beautification, three, to attract investors here. Investors will never come in here and we can't build this prime real estate without foreign investors. And I -- Chair Spence -Jones: Thank -- Ms. Lincoln: -- kindly ask the Commissioners all together to take this into consideration because I don't know -- I do know that you guys know what kind of real estate we're sitting in here. Chair Spence -Jones: I want to say this, doc, we're -- as you leave. I -- first of all, thank you for being positive and productive. And I think that you put some great ideas on the record. And I just want to make sure that we're all clear, all the residents and the individuals that are here that are fighting hard to make sure that Overtown gets its fair share; that one of the reasons why we did -- this last week, as a matter of fact, our first town hall community meeting last week was to really make sure that we begin to roll out all of our initiatives, whether or not they be training, whether or not they be construction, whether or not they just be, you know, focused on the general transformation is to make sure that the residents become very involved in that process. So we are creating these subcommittees, just like you see Saliah came to the mike. Groups of individuals meet every other week to discuss those issues so that whoever's chairing that particular area, they address that -- those issues. And that's the reason why I put updates on the agenda now because I want to make sure that everybody remains engaged in the process and their thoughts and their ideas are a part of whatever we're doing, and that the other Commissioners hear them as well. So I thank you for putting that officially on the record. CRA REPORT PROPOSED LOCATION OF MIAMI DADE COLLEGE'S HOSPITALITY AND CULINARY INSTITUTE 13-00215 Cover Memo.pdf PRESENTED Chair Spence -Jones: At this point, I'm going to ask for the Miami Dade College Hospitality and Culinary Institute to come up. And while they come up, I want to -- first of all, can they all stand that's in the room? I'd like to see them. Great. Let's give them a hand. Applause. Chair Spence -Jones: And I want to commend -- especially commend Randy and Miami Dade College. I don't know if Julie's here today, which is a private businessperson here, that has from the very beginning of this program, been pushing hospitality, pushing it from the extent of her giving her own money to this project, to her going out and finding additional money. I believe even Norman Braman from Braman also put monies into the Culinary Institute to make sure that it supports -- so we've taken our dollars, the dollars that we have, and leveraged it by getting more support. But I have to say this: It started as a pilot program. And Randy wasn't here, but Clarence Woods (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: -- I don't know where Shelly is -- Where's Shelly? Mr. Woods: Shelly's here. Chair Spence -Jones: Shelly -- City of Miami Page 15 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 Commissioner Suarez: She's there. Chair Spence -Jones: -- knows we had a lot of bumps along the way. Whenever you're doing anything for the first time, you learn a lot, but you don't know it until you actually go through it. So that doesn't mean you stop and you give up and you don't do anything. You got to try. You got to push. And I'm just so grateful and so thankful that I never gave up on the Hospitality Institute and now it's growing into the Culinary Institute. And I'm very excited about this partnership that we're getting ready to do with Miami Dade College. And Randy, if you can officially put, you know, something on the record and let us know where we are with the growth in your program. Randy Wiscombe: Absolutely. My name is Wiscombe, and I'm with the Hospitality Institute of Miami Dade College. Let me give you the statistics first, and then well do a little celebration, okay. Right now we have 20 individuals in -- over at Miami Dade College campus, at Wolfson Campus, and they are doing culinary training. They work with Chef Timothy Tucker and Chef John is over there all the time from Miami Culinary Institute, and all the other chefs kind of pitch in. They love them. They're known as -- affectionately, because of the black uniforms, the ninjas. And you know, and they've made a name for themselves on campus. So we have individuals who have gone to work from the first cohort -- we graduated 19 -- and they are now working at paid internships at Eden Roc, Best Western, Big Pink over on Miami Beach. One just got hired out at the Doral. So, you know, we're really doing very, very well. We also have four individuals who have registered at Miami Dade College to continue on with their culinary training. So, you know, and it brings joy to my heart to see that happening where the other day I was at the chef coat ceremony and one actually moved forward with that and it was great. We have for the year 2012, Commissioner, I'm very glad to tell you that -- and we talked about it this morning at the meeting about the statistics -- 454 individuals were trained at the Hospitality Institute in 2012; 183 have been placed. That's 39 percent. Commissioner Suarez: Wow. That's incredible. Mr. Wiscombe: And it's growing. Our next training will be March 19 through 22, at the -- at Greater Bethel AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Church. And we also want to let you know that 430 individuals received the SafeStaff food certification for safe food handling, and that is now required by the State of Florida. So, you know, things are moving along, and I'm very pleased to do that. I know that, unfortunately, because of your time scheduling and everything, you weren't able to come to the graduation, so we will quick -- I'm going to just quickly show you what took place and what they did, if you will. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. And Chef -- Where's Chef Richards? Is he --? Chef come on up here. We want to see you, too. I want to just say, as he's putting this in, if you guys haven't had any of his food, if you haven't had a conversation with him, he is beyond the word committed to making sure that people do well in life. And he's been a blessing. They opened -- I don't know if you got a chance to go to Tuyo's in Miami. Commissioner Suarez: That's awesome. It's awesome. Chair Spence -Jones: It's an awesome restaurant. Commissioner Suarez: Expensive, but it's awesome. Chair Spence -Jones: And we're excited about, you know, this project that we're expanding to -- as you know, we bought the Ebenezer Church, right, Clarence? Mr. Woods: Yes. City of Miami Page 16 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 Chair Spence -Jones: We're turning that now into a culinary institute in the neighborhood. Mr. Woods: Slash hospitality. Chair Spence -Jones: Slash hospitality. We'll have training on the bottom of the church, which means, every -- a full training center 'cause right now we're operating in someone else's space and we appreciate Greater Bethel and what they've done. But we do need to have the space in order to grow, and we're going to have a full, you know, commercial kitchen, and hopefully, we'll have our -- some sort of -- something similar to a Tuyo's happening right here in the heart of Overtown, where these students have the opportunity to work themselves right in the heart of our areas. So I just wanted to mention to you what we're working on now. We got a chance to -- our lobbyist -- we work our lobbyist in the -- in -- Mr. Woods: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: -- Overtown CRA -- identified a grant that's available through -- Mr. Woods: Through EDA -- Chair Spence -Jones: EDA. Mr. Woods: -- Economic Development Administration, under the US (United States) Department of Commerce. Chair Spence -Jones: And they wanted us to go visit Atlanta. Atlanta had a few of these -- I guess they're called community kitchen type concepts -- and thought that this would be a great project to maybe perhaps fund. And instead of taking our 1.5 million to actually redo the whole building and get everything going, that we would use their money for construction and then use the additional dollars to continue the program so that people are hired and working and the facility's working. So I'm very excited about us moving. And that grant is due when, Clarence? Mr. Woods: The 13th of March, which, Commissioner, just dovetails right into item number 6 and 7. You guys passed a resolution last year which allowed for the CRAs to do revocable licenses. But in that resolution, you asked that we come and give you ten days' notice before we issue a revocable license, so item 6 and 7 is that notice. We want to issue a revocable license to Miami Dade College, who will be our partner in the EDA grant, as well as PULSE (People United to Lead the Struggle for Equality), who will operate in the mezzanine as an office space, so that's what those two items are. Vice Chair Gort: Let me tell you, I talked to Clarence today. And when we originally decided to buy the church, it was to use it for the community to have social events, and that -- and this is ideal. When you can have the kitchen in there and you can have things taking place in there -- we might need a vote. Don't we need a resolution? Chair Spence -Jones: No. I don't think we need a vote on this. Mr. Woods: No. We don't need to vote. We just -- Vice Chair Gort: Okay. Mr. Woods: -- not. Vice Chair Gort: I think it's great the -- that not only we going to employ the people from there, but the people can have their parties and we can have the -- all kinds of events taking place. City of Miami Page 17 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 Chair Spence -Jones: Banquets -- Vice Chair Gort: Now, if we want to create -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- baby showers. Vice Chair Gort: -- banquets and we going to create a tourist attraction out of this area here, you need that type of facility to bring the people in. So I -- it's a great idea. Chair Spence -Jones: Are we ready? Mr. Wiscombe: I'm not sure here. It's not reading -- Chair Spence -Jones: Chef did you want to put anything on the record while he's doing that? Want to say something about your students that have just graduated? John Richards: Not necessarily. For the record, John Richards, director of the Miami Culinary Institute. But what an honor it is to be here to continue the work that we're doing changing lives. It's quite an experience and wouldn't be possible without you. Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, thanks, J. Vice Chair Gort: And let me tell you, now you all have your own shows and everything and you chefs are very popular. You're more popular than the actors. I mean, my kids, that's all they talked about, the Food Channel and we're going to do this, we're going to do that. So that's great. I'm glad to hear that. Chair Spence -Jones: And I -- and part of this is -- and we're just trying to make sure that we move right along while they try to figure out what's going on over there -- Commissioner Gort, part of this is is what we talked about earlier. It's really about training people and preparing them for the future. You got to build the people. And as we begin to see all the major development that's happening around OT (Overtown), whether or not that be the World Center, whether or not that be the train, the new train that's coming. Mr. Woods: All Aboard (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Chair Spence -Jones: You've got restaurants. You got hotels. You got all of this stuff that's going to be coming in the next three to four years in the area. We have to make sure that people are ready and we have to make sure that they're prepared to receive the benefits from all of the development stuff that's happening. So I'm a strong proponent of training people and preparing them. If you have any ideas or concept -- what concepts of training programs that prepares people, please let us know 'cause that's what it's about. We have a training institute almost for everything. We got it for landscaping. We have it for beautification. That's the blue shirts you see with people cleaning up. We have it for hospitality, culinary. We have it for film, the film institute for younger people to keep them engaged 'cause they need something different. And then we have the tourism institute. So we institute around here 'cause we want to make sure -- we're going to start -- we're going to create a longshoremen institute in a minute. Anything to provide people with an opportunity, that's what we're doing. That's what we want to do. So I don't know where Nathaniel is. He's around here somewhere. I didn't get a chance to introduce him the last time. Mr. Joseph has joined our team. He worked with South Florida Workforce. His main focus and his attention has been on working with these training programs to make sure they're not just trained, but they transition into real jobs. So any ideas that you have on training, please see him afterwards 'cause we're very open to, you know, anything that we can do to prepare people for the future. Communication, I think I'm talked out right by now. Do we --? City of Miami Page 18 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 7. 13-00216 Mr. Wiscombe: I think we all are just -- Mr. Woods: Well, can we go ahead and hit the next two items or --? Chair Spence -Jones: Right. I don't -- I just want to -- so we're not going to see the presentation at this point. Randy, is there anything that you want to put on the record? Mr. Wiscombe: No, just that I really appreciate, you know, the support that all of you have provided for us, and that, as we move forward, all I see is bigger and better things coming. And the energy in, you know, the meetings that we're having in the community and working together and communicating is the key. Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Mr. Wiscombe: And it's certainly beginning to happen. And I see the changes, you know, within the indi -- not just the individuals, but also the hope that they have for finding something tangible and that it will be self-sustaining, and I really enjoy that. So it's great working with them and it's great working with all of you. Due to technical difficulties, I guess the -- it's not reading the disc, but what I will do is provide one for each of you -- Vice Chair Gort: It's looking for it. Mr. Wiscombe: -- and make sure that you get a copy of that so you can look through it, and invite you all to come to the next training session, March 19 through 22. I would really encourage you to come. It's changed a lot over the last year, and the staff has been great. And if you -- if-- I'd like to invite anybody in the community that has anybody who is looking for work and needs training and help and assistance, we've got a great team going, and you're more than welcome to attend and just come down and see us and register at Greater Bethel. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank -- Mr. Wiscombe: On that note -- Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, Randy. Sorry for the technical difficulties. Mr. Wiscombe: Yeah. You know, last night was the Oscar's. We're all burned out now. Chair Spence -Jones: No problem. Commissioner Suarez: Madam Chair, if may? Chair Spence -Jones: Shelly, anything in closing from Miami Dade College? Shelly Fano: Thank you very much. Chair Spence -Jones: We appreciate everything that Miami -Dade College does. The training part is essential, and we're happy to have you as partners. CRA REPORT PROPOSED LOCATION OF P.U.L.S.E. 13-00216 Cover Memo.pdf City of Miami Page 19 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 RESOLUTIONS 8. 13-00214 PRESENTED Chair Spence -Jones: All right. We're going to move on -- we don't have to deal with item number 7, unless you want to officially put something on the record. Clarence Woods (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: We discussed it. And basically, we know PULSE (People United to Lead the Struggle for Equality) is operating out of -- what's the building? It's the park. Mr. Woods: Biscayne Park. Chair Spence -Jones: Biscayne Park. And I'm sure Commissioner Sarnoff is ready to move forward on doing whatever is going to be happening in that park, so they'll be transitioning into this space because we think that it's important for the building to be a part of the community. 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, TO NEW WASHINGTON HEIGHTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE, INC., TO UNDERWRITE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF 2013 "FOLKLIFE FRIDAYS," A MONTHLY OPEN-AIR MARKET TO BE HELD ON THE 9TH STREET PEDESTRIAN MALL; 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; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW, "OTHER GRANTS AND AIDS," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.883000.0000.00000. 13-00214 Cover Memo.pdf 13-00214 Financial Form.pdf 13-00214 Backup.pdf 13-00214 Legislation (2).pdf Motion by Vice -Chair Gort, seconded by Board Member Suarez, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Chair Spence -Jones, Vice Chair Gort and Commissioner Suarez Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Sarnoff CRA-R-13-0010 Chair Spence -Jones: So we're going to move on to item number 8, and I believe -- Clarence Woods (Executive 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 issuance of a grant, in an amount not to exceed $80, 000 to -- Vice Chair Gort: Move it. City of Miami Page 20 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 Commissioner Suarez: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: We have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: Very good. This item passes. And just wanted to acknowledge Ms. Jackie Bell. She's been a pioneer on -- in Overtown for -- I'm not going to call you a pioneer. I'm going to call you a very refined young lady -- Jackie Bell: Old lady. Chair Spence -Jones: -- that has been -- Ms. Bell: Old lady. Chair Spence -Jones: -- that's been pushing very hard. And we did not have an opportunity to do our Folk Life Friday in January or February. We thought that it was extremely important, and especially, Ms. Bell did, that this item passed with the Commissioners first. So we are moving in the right direction to make sure that we begin -- and I think that -- we'd like to see you guys at the next one. We're doing it -- we're trying it in the evenings now, very similar to how you do -- Vice Chair Gort: Viernes Culturales. Mr. Woods: Viernes Culturales. Chair Spence -Jones: Right. Vice Chair Gort: Cultural Fridays. Chair Spence -Jones: Right. Vice Chair Gort: Yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: To get -- because we think we might get a better result at night, so we're going to give it a shot because, you know -- You want to pass those flyers? Unidentified Speaker: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: And Andrea actually -- even though I know Ms. Bell is at the mike, it is Andrews -- Andrea is the -- Ms. Bell: Executive director. Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, okay. Ms. Bell: I'm Jackie Bell, 1600 Northwest 3rdAvenue. And thank you for continuing to support us because with all of what is happening, we still need economic development, and that is what we provide. I would like to invite this whole group of people to come to Jazz in the Village, on Friday night, March 1, from 6 to 10. We have Alice Day, and I'm sure all of you jazz lovers know who she is. But the Commissioner is doing something even greater. She is honoring four living legends. Two of those living legends are children from this community; Garth Reeve, who finished from Booker Washington, 1936,- Dr. James Bridges, who finished from Booker Washington, 1952. We have Noel Williams, known as King Sporty, who put reggae on the City of Miami Page 21 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 market. He wrote Buffalo Soldier for Bob Marley, okay, and he is an international recording artist. And Justin Bieber just today bought one of his songs. So how -- Chair Spence -Jones: I thought you were going to say Justin Bieber was going to be here. Then we were going to ooh. Ms. Bell: No. Chair Spence -Jones: That would have been great, huh? That would have been interesting. Ms. Bell: Well, maybe some time soon, okay. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Vice Chair Gort: You never know. Ms. Bell: And we have Attorney George Knox. And I know most of you know him, the first African -American attorney of the City of Miami. Vice Chair Gort: Great work. Ms. Bell: So how better can you get, living legends, especially since I am the original living legend from the Commissioner. Applause. Ms. Bell: But please come and enjoy the evening. We will have 30 small businesses selling their products, the African -American cuisine. So we don't only have a chef but we got African -American food. So please come out and join us. We would love to have each one of you. And thank you again, Commissioner. But the one person that have shown to be a legend is Commissioner Spence -Jones. Applause. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you. I haven't gotten those stars or points as of yet, so I'm still working. I'm still working. Item number -- Thank you, Ms. Bell. Item number 9. As we come up for item number 9, thank -- good to see you, Joe. I would like to ask -- because I know that you were the original creator of Cultural Fridays. Viernes -- Vice Chair Gort: Viernes Culturales. Commissioner Suarez: Culturales. Chair Spence -Jones: Viernes Cul -- Vice Chair Gort: Cultural Friday, yes. Chair Spence -Jones: You got to teach me how to say it. Viernes -- Commissioner Suarez: Culturales. Vice Chair Gort: Viernes Culturales. Chair Spence -Jones: -- Culturales. City of Miami Page 22 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 Commissioner Suarez: That's good. Vice Chair Gort: Culturales. Commissioner Suarez: That's good. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. That's the last Fridays, though, right? Vice Chair Gort: Right. Chair Spence -Jones: So what we want to try to do is we really want to try to build the connection between when people come to hang out and listen to jazz, that we do some sort of trolley back and forth to get people to go into Little Havana and hang out there and then come over. So I really would like for you to work with our team on trying to make that happen 'cause we believe that you guys are successful over there. Vice Chair Gort: Well, one of the things we were talking about with Carol Ann Taylor is to try to have it in different Fridays so people can go from one to -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Vice Chair Gort: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the third Friday for Overtown, then you got Little Haiti also you can do it, then you have Allapattah where you can do it. The different neighborhood really create an ethnic tourist attraction out of this thing. And that was the goal about five or six years ago. We're finally beginning to see it. It took us 15 years, but now you're beginning to see -- in Little Havana, you're beginning to see at least about ten buses every day full of tourists. Chair Spence -Jones: I know. Vice Chair Gort: And that's what really is helping the businesses right now, economic development through the tourism Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Well, we need your help on this one. Vice Chair Gort: Oh, I'm there. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. 9. CRA RESOLUTION 13-00219 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A LICENSE AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, WITH CBS OUTDOOR, INC., FOR THE PURPOSE OF INSTALLING AND OPERATING AN ADVERTISING SIGN AT 1490 NW 3RDAVENUE, IN OVERTOWN. 13-00219 CoverMemo.pdf 13-00219 Legislation.pdf 13-00219 Legislation with attachment.pdf File # 13-00219 2-25-13 Signed Legislation.pdf Motion by Board Member Suarez, seconded by Vice -Chair Gort, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. City of Miami Page 23 Printed on 5,2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 Votes: Ayes: Chair Spence -Jones, Vice Chair Gort and Commissioner Suarez Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Sarnoff CRA-R-13-0011 Chair Spence -Jones: Last item. Clarence Woods (Executive 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 the execution of a lease agreement in substantially the attached form -- I'm sorry, license agreement -- Commissioner Suarez: Move it. Mr. Woods: -- in substantially the attached form, with CBS Outdoor, Inc., for the purpose of installing and operating an advertising sign at the Overtown shopping center. Commissioner Suarez: Move it. Vice Chair Gort: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: We had a motion and a second. All in favor on the item? Joe, do you want to put something on the --? Joe Little: Not if you're going to vote. Vice Chair Gort: He's smart. Chair Spence -Jones: We're very happy about having the -- Vice Chair Gort: He's smart. Chair Spence -Jones: -- resources go into the neighborhood. Rivas, I'm -- Attorney Rivas, did you want to add something? It sound like you were mumbling a little bit. Rafael Suarez -Rivas (Assistant General Counsel): Oh, no. I was just mumbling revocable license as opposed to lease. That's all -- Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, okay. Mr. Woods: No, no. Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, you was correcting. Mr. Suarez -Rivas: -- I was mumbling. Mr. Woods: Yeah, license. Mr. Suarez -Rivas: So, yeah, right. The license -- Vice Chair Gort: It's a license agreement. Mr. Suarez -Rivas: -- as opposed to lease. There's a very big legal distinction. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. City of Miami Page 24 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 Mr. Woods: My bad. Vice Chair Gort: Okay. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Mr. Suarez -Rivas: And for the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) too. Chair Spence -Jones: Well, all in favor, then? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: This item passes. Mr. Little: Commissioner -- Chair Spence -Jones: I want to thank the City Commissioners for coming out today. [Later..] Vice Chair Gort: I think he wants to make a statement. Chair Spence -Jones: Oh. Mr. Little: Commissioner, if you could just bear with me for 30 seconds. Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Mr. Little: I did have one thing I wanted to say. And I just wanted to commend to the Commission the professionalism and -- thatl received at the CRA, Mr. Woods, in particular. I mean, he handled himself very well in what I thought were some pretty thorny negotiations for a short while. But I just didn't want to leave here without expressing my gratitude. Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, wonderful. Commissioner Suarez: And I have to say, I think, if my memory serve me correctly, that the CRA got more than what the City gets for a like sign. Mr. Woods: Yeah. Commissioner Suarez: Is that correct? Mr. Little: As someone said, by a few dollars. Todd B. Hannon (Clerk of the Board): Excuse me. Chair Spence -Jones: So, I'm just curious, who was the attorney working on that? Mr. Woods: Jessica. Chair Spence -Jones: Ah, so let's give Jessica a little shout out for being thorny. Applause. NON -AGENDA ITEMS City of Miami Page 25 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 NA.1 13-00303 CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION BY CHAIR SPENCE-JONES REGARDING A SHOOTING IN OVERTOWN ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2013. DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: As you know, this shooting situation has been really, really out of control this past weekend. And already, I know I've had at least two fatalities and about -- at least about three additional shootings that actually took place. So we really have to do something to address -- I've been in meetings today with police, not only from the City of Miami side, but also from the School Board side and also working along with the County. This -- we can no longer wait on addressing this issue. And I know police, homicide, everyone's working real hard. But our young people are afraid to go to school. Something has to stop. If young people can't go to school feeling safe or play in their own playgrounds, we really have an issue. So, you know, my time is really -- has been spent dealing with that today and dealing with that family that has lost her son on Saturday night. So I really want to get back to addressing them on that issue. [Later...] Chair Spence -Jones: So with that being said, we ask that you continue to pray for the families in my district. I do want to say that before I close. I think it's extremely important that we band together to address this issue. It is out of control. And I do want to make sure I remind you that we are doing the retreat and we wanted to make sure that everyone knew. All right, with that being said have a blessed evening. Commissioner Suarez: Thank you. Vice Chair Gort: Thank you. Same to you. Applause. NA.2 CRA DISCUSSION 13-00304 CHAIR SPENCE-JONESACKNOWLEDGED THE PRESENCE OF RAFAEL SUAREZ-RIVAS, ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY. DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: I want to also acknowledge we do have another City Attorney that will be joining us. It's glad to -- we're glad to see you here with us. He'll be our official City Attorney that will be sitting in our meetings and just providing just some oversight for us, so we're glad to see you here, Mr. Rivas. Rafael Suarez -Rivas: Madam Chair, Rafael Suarez -Rivas, from the City Attorneys office, assistant City Attorney. Glad to be joining you. Thank you for your welcome. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. All right. Clarence Woods (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Commissioner -- Chair Spence -Jones: Any other comments? NA.3 CRA DISCUSSION City of Miami Page 26 Printed on 5/2/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes February 25, 2013 13-00305 ADJOURNMENT BRIEF DISCUSSION BY CHAIR SPENCE-JONES REGARDING A STAFF RETREAT FOCUSED ON THE REDEVELOPMENT EFFORTS HAPPENING IN THE CRAAREA. DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: I do want to just tell you that we are working really fast. I want to thank staff on putting together a retreat focused on -- I want to make sure you guys know this -- all of the development efforts that are actually happening in the neighborhood. University of Miami, the School of Advancement, received a grant from JP (John Pierpont) -- Clarence Woods (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Morgan Chase. Chair Spence -Jones: -- Morgan Chase -- and I think they're coming to see you as well, 'cause I think the two communities that got it was Overtown and Allapattah, which is great. So they're providing a lot of technical assistance and support with all the planning and design. So we're having like a day -and -a -half retreat -- Mr. Woods: Yeah. JP -- yeah, it's JP Morgan Chase, and it's the University of Miami's Office of Civic Engagement. Chair Spence -Jones: Right, so we're doing that with staff. The meeting was adjourned at 6:11 p.m. City of Miami Page 27 Printed on 5,2/2013