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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEOPW CRA 2013-06-24 MinutesCity of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Di • IN Q9▪ IEP 99 i �YD Meeting Minutes Monday, June 24, 2013 5:00 PM CAMILLUS HOUSE 1603 NW 7TH AVE. MIAMI, FLORIDA 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 June 24, 2013 INVOCATION AND PLEDGE ORDER OF THE DAY Present: Chair Spence -Jones, Commissioner Sarnoff and Commissioner Suarez Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Vice Chair Gort On the 24th day of June 2013, the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Miami met in regular session at Camillus House, 1603 Northwest 7th Avenue, Miami, Florida. The meeting was called to order by Chair Spence -Jones at 5:05 p. m. and was adjourned at 6:17 p.m. ALSO PRESENT: Clarence Woods, Executive Director, CRA Maria Chiaro, Assistant General Counsel William Bloom, Special Counsel, CRA Jessica N. Pacheco, Special Counsel, CRA Todd B. Hannon, Clerk of the Board Chair Spence -Jones: We'd like to officially call the meeting to order. Go, Heat. Marc, you changed. Board Member Sarnoff- I had a shower. Chair Spence -Jones: I didn't get a chance to. Okay, okay. We're going to open up with prayer. Do we have flags? Where are the flags? Okay, flags. All right, we're going to officially open up with prayer by Commissioner Suarez and a pledge by Commissioner Sarnoff. Board Member Suarez: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: Please stand. Invocation and pledge of allegiance delivered. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, we're going to officially go through the agenda. I think we have a few discussion items. I know that we have some items that will be pulled as well, so, Mr. Executive Director, could you please let us know what you'd like to have pulled first before we go through the agenda? Clarence Woods (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency): Item number 12, item number 12, Commissioner. Chair Spence -Jones: Item number 12? Mr. Woods: Yeah. That's the one -- Chair Spence -Jones: Are we just deferring it to the next --? Mr. Woods: Yeah, we're going to defer it to the next meeting. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, great. All right, so let's go ahead and -- Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Excuse me, Chair. Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Do I have a motion on that? City of Miami Page 2 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 FINANCIALS 1. 13-00717 Board Member Suarez: Move it. Chair Spence -Jones: We have a motion. Board Member Sarnoff. Second. Chair Spence -Jones: We have a motion, a second. All in favor? The Board (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: This item passes. Later... Chair Spence -Jones: All right, we said we were not dealing with number 12, but I do see Leroy and I see the group over here. I'm assuming that there was a discussion as to why we're holding off on this thing? Mr. Woods: Yes, yes. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Woods: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, and everybody is okay with that? Silence, okay. Mr. Woods: Yes. Leroy Jones: Not really, Commissioner. Not really. Mr. Woods: I think it's better that we hold of Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, I'm going to listen to the executive director on this issue. I just didn't know why it was being -- I thought -- this is the second time it was on the agenda. It's being pulled again, but I will respect your decision. CRA REPORT FINANCIAL SUMMARY THROUGH MONTH ENDING MAY 31, 2013. File # 13-00717 06-24-13 Financial Summary.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: Just really quickly, I know we have a few discussion items, and I guess we're going to do our financial summary first. I just wanted to let my fellow colleagues know at 6:15, I'm going to have to leave, so I want to try to get through at least those items pretty quickly, and I know we're going to lose the quorum, so let's deal with the financial update really quickly, and then well go into the updates. Miguel Valentin (Finance Officer, Community Redevelopment Agency): Good evening, Commissioners. I'm going to be presenting the combined statement of financial position as of May 31, 2013. We are disclosing the cash amount of $30,093,981. City of Miami Page 3 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 UPDATE ITEMS 2. 13-00727 3. 13-00728 Chair Spence -Jones: You have any questions? You have any questions on this item at all, any of my fellow colleagues? Board Member Suarez: No, thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, thank you, Miguel. CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION ITEM ON THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE 1-395 ALIGNMENT. File # 13-00727 06-24-13Cover Memo.pdf CONTINUED Chair Spence -Jones: All right, let's move on to our updates. Just so that we're clear, I've asked the Administration before we actually vote on real items regarding funding to at least comment, briefing, so that's why many of these items are on here. We've asked for discussions about them first. The first one, however is the FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation). I don't know if FDOT is actually here. Is FDOT here today? Okay, if they're not here, I'm going to pull this item, but I can just -- 'cause they need to be here. That's the whole purpose of the FDOT. Just for my fellow colleagues to know, from the last Commission meeting we had, remember, the issue came up in Brickell, Commissioner Sarnoff, about how important it was for FDOT to be here to communicate to the residents about what's happening or their plans. Gus actually attended that meeting and said that they would have someone at this meeting to make sure the residents in the community knew what was happening, not just for, you know, the item that we talked about, but just in general. So they're not here, so that discussion is not happening this morning, but I am going to ask the Administration to set up a separate meeting outside of this board meeting in the community for them to really brief the overall public as to what is actually happening for their plan, so we're going to not deal with this item now, so we'll just defer it to the next meeting. CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION ITEM ON THE BLACK POLICE PRECINCT MUSEUM. File # 13-00728 06-24-13 Cover Memo.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: Let's move on to the next item, item number 3, Black Police Precinct. If there's somebody here from the Black Police Precinct, please take the podium. While they're coming up, I just want to acknowledge all of the members of the Black Police Precinct; if they're in the audience, please stand where they are. Most of them are probably at the podium. As you know, the City of Miami several years ago put a substantial amount of money to rehab the Black Police Precinct. It has become a jewel for us in Overtown. Part of what we're trying to do is really make sure that from a historical standpoint that we preserve the history of the legacy of Overtown, and these former officers are definitely dedicated. Many of them volunteer their time to do the tours. As a matter of fact, I know for a fact we've had a lot of tourist buses that have actually come through and have enjoyed the tour, but they have been working very hard, and we wanted to give them the opportunity to kind of present their proposal. You have the floor. Thomas Pinder: Thank you. IfI may, I have a three minute opening statement I'd like to present. City of Miami Page 4 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 Good evening, Honorable Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Development Agency. I'm Dr. Thomas Pinder, president of the board of the Black Police Precinct in the Courthouse Museum and the Retired Officers Benevolent Association. I'm honored to appear before you today to request funding to successfully launch the museum's transition from an all -volunteer institution to one that is professionally operating a revenue stream. We are proud of our achievements today, successfully preserving the building with the assistance of the City of Miami and the State of Florida. We have served thousands of tourists, visitors, and many students have been entertained and educated. We know the museum can be an effective positive economic force in the Overtown community and a major player on the field of Miami heritage tourism. The museum will be an economic engine in the community, providing jobs, stimulating revenue for our local businesses, restaurants, and bringing visitors from across the country and around the world to this unique venue; the only police precinct and courthouse of its kind in America. It was uniquely designed and built specifically for the Negro law enforcement officer , Negro judges and the Negro community in an era of racial discrimination and separation. This has become a popular tourist attraction. Lady and gentlemen, tourism in Florida is the largest industry which has had 87.3 million visitors come to the state in 2011. According to the Florida Tourism Report of 2003, the economic impact of historical preservation in Florida reached, researched and compiled by the University of Florida and Rutgers University reports the following: In the year 2000, visitors to the state of Florida spent $3.7 billion visiting historic sites. Of domestic visitors to Florida, 9.1 percent of them visited historic places such as museums, which is ranking above golf courses, cultural events and sporting events. In 2000, 61 percent of Floridians who took vacations participated in a history -based activity. Heritage tourism in Florida generated 107, 607 jobs, 2.3 billion in income, and 1.1 billion in taxes, and 4.1 billion within the state wealth creation. It is the statistical information like this that supports our assertion that the Black Police Precinct and Courthouse Historical Museum will be a revenue generator for the Overtown community and the City of Miami. I am here with several of my colleagues. We are most happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you for allowing us this time. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Well, first I'm going to allow for my colleagues to ask any questions, but I think that we're -- at least from my perspective; can't speak for them -- we're very clear how important it is to support the Black Police Precinct, and we definitely understand that tourism is one of -- if not the number industry for us, so we know that those two things go together automatically. I think that we just would really want to hear -- at least I would want to hear from someone from the group the main things that you guys would like to see the Board support with. I know that I met with you, and you talked about, you know, launching off a new exhibit, so I think it's important to put that on the record as to what you would want to have your support with. Mr. Pinder: We have with us -- and may I just take a second to introduce my colleagues that are standing here with me? Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Mr. Pinder: This is Captain Davie Madison from the City of Miami Police Department, a retired major. This is chief -retired Marvin Wiley standing next to me here. Behind me here is Sergeant Willy Jackson. I wanted to say "William, " but he keeps telling me, "My name is Willy, not William." Next to him is our licensed curator for our museum, and I'm going to ask her to speak in a moment, Ms. Donna Shelly, and -- wait a minute, I don't want to forget her. Part of our board and staff is Ms. Stephanie Van Vark that is standing here. She's on our board. And ladies and gentlemen, I'm just going to take this second, 'cause this is very important. Back in the 1940s, when they had discrimination, it wasn't until 1960 that they allowed the first black to enter the white police academy. That first black went on to become in 1983 the first black police chief in a metropolitan city area, and that was in the City of Miami. He has been through a lot and survived and helped to promote women and minorities in the City of Miami Police Department, and we're so happy to have him tonight with us. I'm going to introduce to you Chief City of Miami Page 5 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 Clarence Dixon, retired of the City of Miami Police Department. He's standing right here. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you. Let's give Chief a hand. Applause Chair Spence -Jones: We just honored him in our last Board meeting, and we're excited to have you with us, and we definitely support you, Chief in everything that you're doing. I guess, Ms. Shelly, you want to just speak for a few minutes on what the request is? Donna Shelly: Yes. For the record, my name is Donna Shelly. I got involved with this museum in 2008 when I was an employee with the City of Miami, working in the Grants Department, and I was put on special assignment by the City Manager to help the museum put together something I would call an emergency exhibit so that they could get the doors open and start to have people come through the museum. This was a low-cost, extremely low-cost exhibit that we put together with the help of the City and City staff in about two months. We are still -- no offense to anyone -- limping along with that exhibit, and what we would like to do is to be able to hire a professional staff, professional exhibit designers who can come in and make the best of this building. It's not a very large building. It's a significant building, but not very large, so we would want to use the space wisely for our exhibits. We're looking to incorporate electronics, as much electronic exhibitory as we can; archives that would be at people's fingertips; you could go and just look through; places to look at photographs and all of it electronic, so that we could basically serve people better instead of having the story on the wall type of museum. So that is one of the largest expenditures in the budget, and that would be for the first two years to put the exhibit together. After that, it would be a matter of maintaining the exhibits, and so the costs would start to go down quite a bit by year three. The other areas that we're looking for funding would be professional staff, people who can come in and run the operation on a daily basis, be there when tour groups come through, and basically to build the traffic in the museum, which is what we are projecting as a way to build our revenue side of the budget. Also on the revenue side of the budget, we would be building membership, an endowment, and have an annual fund drive, and we believe that all of these things together would certainly help our revenue, but of course we need your assistance in getting all of it started. If you have any other questions, I'd be happy to answer them. Chair Spence -Jones: Only thing that I would like to add, Ms. Shelly -- and thank you guys for coming in and making the presentation. Again, this is the first step as to how we're starting to fund programs, but I do want to just add that there's, I know, three areas that I'm very excited about that you guys have been participating in and engaging in through the museum : One, teen courts, which now happens and takes place actually, I believe, in that same building. As you know, we have a little small courthouse or courtroom in that building at the Black Police Precinct, so Miami -Dade County, I believe, through MDEAT (Miami -Dade Economic Advocacy Trust) actually does its teen courts upstairs, which is great to have them actually come there and actually participate in the courtroom. Also, the ball and chain weddings I know that Stephanie is starting, I'm very excited about that. Instead of people having to go to downtown to get married in the courthouse, we have these 1930s and 1940s weddings, ball and chain weddings that you can come and get the whole historical things done. So Marc and Commissioner Suarez, if you want to ever think about getting remarried, you definitely can do it with a ball and a chain. Board Member Suarez: I'm very happily married and my wife is a wedding planner, but thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: So you should definitely -- well, she should think about this wonderful historic site. Board Member Suarez: It's a great venue. It's a great venue. City of Miami Page 6 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 Chair Spence -Jones: Great venue for it. And Marc, also, I'm sure Theresa would love to be -- Board Member Sarnof What is a ball and chain wedding? Chair Spence -Jones: A ball and chain wedding -- Stephanie, would you like to put that on the record in closing? Stephanie Van Vark: Yes. Hi, how are you? I'm Stephanie Van Vark with Stephanie Creates, 201 Northwest 7th Street. Yes, ball and chain weddings are Vegas style weddings. As you know, there's a courthouse in the facility, so we will marry you upstairs and downstairs, and depending on what you would like to have happen, we will have a reception area, or you can have pictures with yourselves taken in a jail cell or -- Board Member Sarnoff- I like this. Ms. Van Vark: -- you got to have a sense of humor, but we do want to make it feel very historic as well as very fun; a different brand for something that doesn't happen here in Miami. Chair Spence -Jones: And I just think it's -- first of all, I think it's great to see the generations coming together like you see it now, and we saw that this weekend, Marc. I mean, I know you didn't attend yesterday, but just the mere fact of bringing the various generations together, you know, to come up with innovative approaches to our facilities or to these facilities that are historic sites, I think are awesome. And then the other thing that we -- just so that the public knows, today we official launched the red bus, the big red bus in Overtown. It actually will now take passengers through Overtown, Wynwood, and Midtown, which is awesome, so Overtown now becomes a stop for that, and there's a major promotion around it so people can actually jump off from one spot to the next. So we're very excited about the things that are happening from a historic perspective. My only recommendation, I think that -- at least I'm clear -- I don't know if any of my Commissioners have any questions before we move on to the next item -- is to really make sure we present to the Administration exactly what the request is in writing, and by all means, the item should come back in the next CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) Board meeting, and then we'll decide from there where we go, but I think it's great that you're bringing on a curator. I think it's important. Donna Shelly has been excellent with you guys from day one to actually put different exhibits in place for people to, you know, view and experience when they come to the actual Black Police Precinct. Any questions from you guys on them at all? Board Member Sarnoff- I would like to see your pro forma. I mean, I've not seen it. I was there when the Black Precinct opened up. I wasn't aware that we had -- I don't know -- two months to curate it. I just wasn't aware of that till right now, actually, and I just would like to see what your -- I heard -- I wrote down all your numbers, and I think that's great, but I just want to see how you are going to create revenue opportunities when you're asking for revenue from SEOPW (Southeast Overtown/Park West), and I just want to see your pro forma going forward four years out, three years out, two years out. And let me just say this: I think that's a wonderful building. Unfortunately, there's not a lot around it, but the building itself is absolutely stellar. I was hoping at one time to see the County maybe actually having some courtrooms up there and handling some functions up there, but if this is the direction you want to go, I just want to see how sustainable it is and, you know, how you're going to create revenue opportunities once you no longer take SEOPW money. Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. And I -- let me just say I think that's definitely -- I think not only this, but for anything that's coming up in front of us, especially when we're talking about programming, and we've been doing this for a minute now, is making sure that we see also not just from the perspective of how sustainable you're going to be, but other dollars that are also City of Miami Page 7 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 being put in outside of the CRA's money; what other grants, what other fundings you have also secured, private sponsorships just to make sure that there is skin in the game from -- I'm taking your word, Marc -- skin in the game from others, as well. But we do support what you're doing, so we just want to make sure that there is something put in place to make sure you're able to sustain outside of us. Ms. Shelly: Thank you. And we are prepared. We do have a five-year projected budget that shows us being solvent by year five, so we'd be happy to present that to you as soon as we can get it to you. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. All right, thank you. You got any other -- Ms. Shelly: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: -- questions before we move on? Okay, let's move on. Ms. Shelly: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, guys. Ms. Shelly: Thank you all. 4. CRA DISCUSSION 13-00729 DISCUSSION ITEM ON POINCIANA VILLAGE MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS. File # 13-00729 06-24-13 Cover Memo.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: We're going to move on to item number 4, which is Poinciana Village maintenance and improvements. I know we have a few residents from Poinciana. I know you guys have been waiting for a while, and finally, we're able to address these issues. I'm going to ask the executive director to speak on this matter. I see Ted. Ted, are you coming up or is someone coming up from Poinciana just --? Ted Weitzel: No. I think other people are though. Chair Spence -Jones: I see my seniors back there, sitting on the side of you, from Poinciana. Unidentified Speaker: Hello. Chair Spence -Jones: Hello. All right, good. Ted and Devon is coming -- oh, all right. Ted, you been in this for a long time, so we got to have you up there. Clarence, do you want to just speak, too? I know that we've been talking about improvements that need to happen for them. Clarence Woods (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency): Yes. Yes, Commissioner, Board Members. Relative to Poinciana Village, as you mentioned, we have met with the board on several occasions. We've also had Brian to go out and look at some of the improvements that they were suggesting that they need help with, and at this time, we are doing some additional evaluation. But what I would like to say is that there are some global issues that we are looking at relative to not just the current Poinciana Village, the 65 units that are already built, but even the development of what was promised to the residents of Poinciana Village Phase 2. City of Miami Page 8 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Woods: So we are in the process right now of putting together a package. We're actually going to put phase 2 out, you know, for bid, an RFP (Request for Proposals), and at some point, you know, obviously, we want to look at any life safety issues that the residents are dealing with at this point in time, but the hope is to -- you know, with an RFP, we can kind of address all of Poinciana Village at one time. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Devon, I don't know if you want to put anything on the record, and just so we're clear, you know where Poinciana is, right? I know that Clarence has put out or the Administration has put out the blocks behind it. I saw that in the newspaper, right? Mr. Woods: Yes, yes, yes. Chair Spence -Jones: Block -- Mr. Woods: Forty-five and 56 and then Block 55, as well. Chair Spence -Jones: And I think that, Marc, you were at least working on those plans? Board Member Sarnoff.- Forty-five, right? Mr. Woods: Fifty-five. Board Member Sarnoff Fifty-five, sorry. Chair Spence -Jones: So I know that you were -- you've already gotten with Clarence, so that's moving, hopefully? Mr. Woods: Yes. Board Member Sarnoff.- I think it is. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, good. So we're going to put something great behind these residents? Board Member Sarnoff I think there will be an opportunity. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, great, all right. Devon Harrington: Yeah, hi. I'll be brief. My name is Devon Harrington, and I've been a resident at Poinciana Condominium for five years. I bought in 2005. Basically, I would say thank you all for allowing us, first of all, the opportunity to come here today to speak on behalf of Poinciana. One of the things that I wanted to just point out, that it's imperative that in trying to obtain this money is in regards to our leakage that we have at Poinciana. Again, I bought in 2005, and I've been having water damage since 2005. I have to keep a plastic sheet over my bed all the time, so just in case it rains, which I've taken pictures to show all the rain that's coming into my home, which I shouldn't have to live like this. So I think that if you guys -- you know, you had a copy of the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) items that we provided in terms of priority needs, that's definitely one. And one of the things that we asked for was 100 percent roof for building 269 and for building -- I think it's 209 -- in regards to 25 percent -- 201, I'm sorry -- for 201 to have 25 percent of the roof repaired for there. So that's all I have to say. Chair Spence -Jones: Ted, do you want to put anything on the record? Mr. Weitzel: Ted Weitzel. I live at 201 Northwest 7th Street, Unit 401, Poinciana Village. I'm City of Miami Page Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 the developer of Poinciana going back to 1988 I think is when we started, and it was delayed, and we're hopefully going to get going with the last stage very, very soon is our plan. So -- Chair Spence -Jones: So you've been there from the beginning? Mr. Weitzel: Say that again. Chair Spence -Jones: You've been there from the beginning. Mr. Weitzel: Almost the genesis; almost before the beginning, right. I've actually been in Overtown since 1980. We were involved in a number of rental units in Overtown in 1980, and then we sold those units and got involved in the redevelopment program of Southwest [sic] Overtown. I think it was Herb Bailey that originally brought us in, and fortunately, we've been here ever since, so it's been -- what? -- 30-some years, I guess. I'm long-time Overtown resident. I'll be glad -- I'm sure that Devon and I or anyone else will answer any questions that you have, okay? Chair Spence -Jones: All right, I think that -- I just wanted my fellow Commissioners to know this is going to be an item that comes back. I know Brian has been working very hard with them to look at exactly what the needs are. This is no different from any other building or property owners that we have in Overtown that we rehab or we upgrade any buildings, and we just think it's important to support this particular development that's in Overtown. A lot of working families live in that building. A lot of retired people live in that building, so we just wanted them to bring it back in front of us, and so hopefully, in the next CRA Board meeting, you guys will be bringing back something in front of us, Brian, that will be submitted on the next agenda, and this is a part of our affordable housing upgrades improvement dollars. Mr. Weitzel: Okay, thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: Any questions on this? Any questions? Commissioner Suarez: Start spending that money. Chair Spence -Jones: I know, right? We need Frank in here. Frank, you (UNINTELLIGIBLE). 5. CRA DISCUSSION 13-00730 DISCUSSION ITEM ON LOTUS HOUSE. File # 13-00730 06-24-13 Cover Memo.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: All right, so let's move on to the next item, and then, hopefully, we can get through the final discussion and go straight to the business as to why we're here. That's Lotus House, if we can have Lotus please come up, item number 5. As Constance comes to the podium, we all know -- have you guys had a chance to visit Lotus House? Okay, so we know the incredible work that Constance is doing for the women and children and babies -- Constance Collins Margulies: Lots of babies. Chair Spence -Jones: -- and I can honestly say I knew -- I remember when she was like one building, and now to see four or five buildings. And this is a perfect example of "sustainable," Marc, how not -- I think this is her first request actually coming to the CRA (Community City of Miami Page 10 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 Redevelopment Agency). Ms. Margulies: It is. Chair Spence -Jones: She has not ever come to the CRA. I've given her money out of my CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) dollars, but she's basically done it on her own private sponsorships and whatever dollars she can get to make it happen. So they're now asking for support for a new facility. Do you have, Constance, the --? 'Cause I would like for them to see that map so they, you know, know what you're doing. Have you seen this at all, guys? Board Member Suarez: I've not seen it. Chair Spence -Jones: She has created -- yes. They went from one building to five now? Ms. Margulies: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, thank you. That's easier. I think he needs a copy. Constance, he needs a copy. And I believe we started with Constance a program called Lilies of the Valley in the very beginning. I think Maria Chiaro was a Lilly in the Valley, and these were women that we basically mentored and supported as a part of this program, but you can see how much they have done. They're really transforming lives. And just as you mentioned, Marc, how they've created other sustainable ventures, they now have a consignment shop that's doing pretty well and getting ready to open -- I'm doing your whole presentation, right? I'm sorry. Ms. Margulies: That's okay. Chair Spence -Jones: And you're getting ready to open another one on 7th Avenue, correct? Ms. Margulies: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: So they're doing good work. They're a great model. But go 'head, Constance, I'm sorry. Ms. Margulies: Okay, all right. Well, thank you so much for giving us an opportunity to make a little presentation today on the latest building that we are working on. This is a building that is designed to serve our high -school -aged youth who need a longer period of time in which to receive the wraparound support that Lotus House provides. Just by way of background, Lotus House opened its doors on March 1 of 2006. I think Commissioner Spence -Jones was there for our opening so many years ago. Since that date, we have served over 970 women and children through our facility, and we started very modestly with one small residential building that served women only and have grown since to include a maternity program and a Children and Families program. And frankly, what has happened is that we've seen so much need from high -school -age youth, female youth who come from very traumatic circumstances and need a support system in which to be nurtured and to thrive and to complete their education and eventually move on to college or additional vocational or even the Service. I want to mention that we just graduated seven young women from Lotus House going to local high schools -- Booker T., Miami Central, Edison -- we're very proud of who accomplished that goal against all the odds, and we have another young woman coming in August with her graduation. Our thought behind this is that a building that was next to our existing facilities and was the subject of a great deal of frustration for us because of the amount of drug trade that was going on at the site seemed like an appropriate expansion for us when it came up for sale. It was in very poor condition, largely empty, now currently empty; actually, it was empty before we purchased it. And it has four apartment units that are all two bedrooms, so it's ideally suited for young people who are in high school and who need to work together and need to work late into the night to do homework and things like that. My resident managers have been staying up till all hours so that these young City of Miami Page 11 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 ladies can do their schoolwork, and our goal in the new building is to allow them to live together, more dorm -like in a sense, even though it's only two people per bedroom, and to provide a wider range of support for their educational needs. Currently, we provide everything from uniforms to prom dresses. There's pretty much no limit in terms of things that we can draw upon in the community as resources to support this program, and it's critically important. We know that a young woman who graduates high school will earn an average of $6, 000 more a year in her lifetime and that this is an inter -generational issue, because not only do young women who do not graduate high school have more health risks throughout their lifetime, are more likely to be unemployed, are more likely to be on some form of welfare, and are more likely to have children who do not graduate from high school. So this is an opportunity for us to not only support these young women, but future generations in their growth and prospering in our community. We have purchased this building, as I said, and in terms of skin in the game, we received $200, 000 to purchase this building from the Brahman Family Foundation as part of a match grant that they provided to Lotus House. We told them that we would be applying; no promises, but that we would be applying in hopes of matching their investment in this new building. We need these funds to renovate the building, and our goal would be, if possible, to open it for the school year. I realize that doesn't seem realistic on some level, except that we have a pretty good track record of renovating very quickly when we have the resources to do it, and we have been getting bids and preparing ourselves in hopes of getting through this process as soon as possible to open the building. Commissioner Spence -Jones: I don't know if my fellow Commissioners want to add anything. Board Member Suarez: I just want to add a few things. I think -- I mean, I've been to Lotus House. It's an amazing, amazing organization -- Ms. Margulies: Thank you. Board Member Suarez: -- amazing facility and it does something that's a critical need in this community. I looked through the budget. There's nothing in the budget that I see that seems out of whack in any way, shape or form. We've talked often here about, you know, the resources that we have as a CRA and making sure those resources are being utilized effectively, efficiently, quickly, and you are, as the Commissioner mentioned -- as the Chairwoman mentioned, you are a performing organization. You have a record, a track record of performance for many, many years, and so that's something that gives me a lot of comfort. The mission, the track record -- Ms. Margulies: Thank you. Board Member Suarez: -- the detail, those are all good things that make it easier for us to make a decision to invest in something like this. Ms. Margulies: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: Marc -- thank you -- you want to say something? Board Member Sarnoff I'm just still reading. Ms. Margulies: Okay, sorry. Chair Spence -Jones: Let me just add again, this is an organization that I've been supporting from day one in my district. We have been involved with them only from the CDBG level, and for the most part, Lotus House has never come to us for any support at all, and at the end of the day, when you walk through those facilities, you see that many of the people that Lotus is serving are young women and children and many of them African -American and many of them from our district. We talked about this in our last meeting, guys, in reference to finding beds for people City of Miami Page 12 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 that are formerly homeless and transitioning. This is the kind of stuff that we need to, you know, do because it provides at least permanent -- more permanent housing until they transition into something that they can really afford to do but in an environment where there are women that are sensitive to what their issues are, which is really, really important. Many of these women -- I know that I've seen personally -- have come from battered situations where they're running from bad relationships, and they have nowhere else to go, so -- and there's very few women shelters, period, that we have that really just focus strictly on them. I know the Camillus House has done a great job with their program, but this -- as we know, Lotus House is now expanding to reach out to youth and teens, which I think is brilliant, because there is a population of young people that, quite frankly, where do they go? You don't really want to put them or mix them in a shelter Ms. Margulies: Right. Chair Spence -Jones: -- with adults. That's not really a -- I don't think it's the most safe thing for young people to -- environment for them to be in. So -- and for the most part, I know for a fact that you guys keep your properties in immaculate, clean, you know, way, so I'm fine with it, and I just would ask for the Administration to get with Lotus House to make sure we have the item come back in front of us. I don't know how you're going to get things through our City permitting over -- Board Member Suarez: Whole 'nother issue. Chair Spence -Jones: That's a whole 'nother story, but hopefully -- Board Member Suarez: I have some ideas but I'm -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- I see my NET (Neighborhood Enhancement Team) director there, Mr. Overtown; will work with you to make sure that that happens in a very significant way, to make sure we push to make that happen. Board Member Suarez: Absolutely. Chair Spence -Jones: Marc, you have any questions? Board Member Sarnoff No, I read it. I got it. Chair Spence -Jones: You go it, okay. Ms. Margulies: Okay. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, thank you. Board Member Suarez: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: Really appreciate it. Board Member Suarez: Congrats. Ms. Margulies: Thank you very much. Board Member Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) presentation. Ms. Margulies: We -- I think, in some way, when we started in 2006 investing in existing buildings and bringing resources into Overtown inspired others around us, and it's been really City of Miami Page 13 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 6. 13-00731 an enormous pleasure to be part of Overtown and to have so much support from the community all these years, so we want to thank you for your consideration. Board Member Suarez: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you. And I just want to say in closing before we move on to the next item -- I don't know if Loren has any comments after that. Thank you so much, but let me just add, I know that, you know, our main objective is to make sure that we have mixed housing happening in the Overtown area. There are several people -- there's a feeling that we don't want to get into too many homeless or housing shelters, and I think that that's the purpose for all these new buildings that we're actually putting in place, to make sure that there's a balance. But there's a reality, and that reality is there are some individuals that need more than housing. They need supportive services. They need other things that go along with that to at least make sure that their lives are put back in pieces, so we appreciate the work that you're doing on that level. Yes, Loren. Loren Daniel (Neighborhood Enhancement Team Administrator, Overtown): Good afternoon, Commissioners, audience. I ditto everything that was said concerning Lotus House. You know, she's a partner of mine. We work closely across the street from each other. However, we do have some differences concerning the need for additional programmatic agencies in Overtown. Overtown is surrounded by homeless entities, and I can't see this community moving forward in the plans that we have if we continue to bring people that have issues into Overtown when Overtown has its own issues. I struggle to find where the community benefit off of the residents of Overtown; nothing against Overtown -- I mean, Lotus House and the work that they do. They do great work. But the issue is here how much more can that community absorb of these kind of programs? There is no community benefit for the residents of Overtown by any expansion. Thank you for your time. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, Loren. And as I said earlier, I think that we have additional housing units that are coming up that are going to be for working class families. I think it's important for us to have a balance, and I'm sure every resident sitting in here knows someone that has a teenaged young person, especially female, that is in a situation where they have nowhere else to go, and quite frankly, we have no other teen -based shelters at all, at all in Overtown that I know of so I think this will be a great addition to what we need to have happen in the area, so I support it 100 percent. CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION ITEM ON ART BASEL. File # 13-00731 06-24-13 Cover Memo.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: All right, so we're going to move on to item number 6, and that is the discussion item on Art Basel. Clarence Woods (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park /Community Redevelopment Agency): Commissioners, this item is, you know, a traditional -- well, I guess it's basically housekeeping. It's the same item we bring before you guys each and every year basically to discuss whether or not we want to continue to do -- fund the program. The last two years, we've had great success with Art Africa. It's been different from what we've done traditionally, and we believe that by doing it the way we are doing it, we can continue to build on the success that we've had in the past. Chair Spence -Jones: Again, I just wanted to have this item on to discuss it. I see Mr. Neil Hall City of Miami Page 14 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 here. They did Art Africa last year. I didn't know if there were any comments at all on, you know, Art Basel, but we know how important it is to have our face in the mix of all these wonderful artists that are coming from all over the world and to at least have an exhibit that actually takes place in our neighborhoods. I would like to say -- at least put on the record, we did have the opportunity to meet in Harlem this year -- and Neil, I wanted to make sure you knew that. I don't know if Clarence had briefed you. -- to do a partnership with Harlem. I think it's the BID (Business Improvement District), the 125th Street BID folks to create some sort of like sister city partnership. As we know, Overtown in the 1930s and '40s was called "Little Broadway," which was kind of, you know, a mimic off the old Harlem, so one of the things that we want to do before the Lyric Theater opens this year or next year is to really make sure that we have something programmed throughout the whole entire year, so we would like to kind of partner, and as I said, I wanted to kind of chat with you afterwards to talk to you about that partnership. Their councilwoman -- I can't remember her name. I met with her while we were there -- but is very interested in doing a `Harlem meets Miami, " you know, partnership in some way; maybe perhaps the Studio Museum of Harlem, but definitely would like to do that. Neil, do you want to put something on the record? Neil Hall: Yes. Neil Hall, 3246 North Miami Avenue, Miami, Florida. I would like to echo the wonderful work of Lotus House. We have had the pleasure of visiting that place, and I'm pleased to see the work that they have done and the impact they have had on those who are in need. I wanted to talk a little bit about Art Africa. Last year -- no -- the first year that we did Art Africa or Art Africa during Basel was to showcase the idea that Overtown used to be the epicenter of culture in Miami during the '30s and '40s, and it was necessary for us to bring that back. One of the things that we are seeing just recently, as of last week, where we have the Heat winning their second championship, after all of these things happen, they go to the Beach to celebrate. It is important that we bring them back home, and if we were to recall, years and years ago our entertainers entertained on the Beach, but having to come back to Overtown to live. We think that it is important for Art Africa and the celebration of culture to reinforce again the idea of Overtown and to begin to stamp as an imagery or a brand that Overtown is the center again for culture in Miami. One of the things that we have done this year; we have expanded our idea to 54th Street and 4th Avenue. We have another building; it's 5,000 square feet of space that we are developing right now in terms of "Caribana. " One of the things that we feel very strongly about is that we need to have a continuum of programs that has to do with art and culture in Miami throughout our spaces -- Liberty City, Overtown, Little Haiti -- so that when visitors come to Miami during Basel, there is places that they need to be, and one of the complaints that we had from the visitors that came in last year was, `Neil, that is overwhelming. Art Basel is so big, so many things going on, what do we do? How do we see the things that is important for us? " And it was necessary for us then to begin to capitalize on some of the ideas that you, Commissioner, talked about -- how do you begin to build these cultural centers within our communities? And so this year we are developing a major exhibition on August the 3rd called "Caribana" that is taking all of the islands within the Caribbean -- Cuba, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Haiti, Jamaica, et cetera -- and putting all of the masters in one space. It is going to be one of the most exciting exhibition that Miami is going to be seeing in July of this year. I also wanted to make a very, very wonderful comment that we got from Nigeria this year thanking the City for their support. We had the first Nigeria art exhibition showcased, Nigeria now in Miami during Basel's second. It has toured the United States, and their first stop was in our space called Overtown. They wanted to thank us for that because they sold all of their pieces. Unfortunately, we didn't get anything from it, but we did get the publicity for that, but the revenue that was generated by the sales of those works did not come back home. So I thank this Commission for supporting the idea again. We just came back from Washington this afternoon. We're celebrating this year Angola's multi -billionaire -- what's her name? -- Mrs. Santos. She'll be coming here to celebrate with us this year, and hope that the City would open their arms to her. She is the largest collector of African art in the world, and we are having her here. And the other thing that we're having next year is "Hollywood," which the center MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) in North Miami would be bringing the -- one of the largest -- I'm going to call it a film in the City of Miami Page 15 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 continent here called "Nollywood." It's similar to "Bollywood" in India and `Hollywood" in the United States. So I'm hoping that all of you would be able to attend those functions next year during Basel. And I thank you again for listening to my rambling. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, Neil. Thank you, Neil. So any questions on Art Basel? Again, this is a process. We'll be putting out an RFP (Request for Proposals). I'm asking for that to take place, but I wanted Neil to have the opportunity to talk about what we did this year. Any questions on Art Basel before we move on? Mr. Woods: Commissioner, I would just like to make one comment -- Mr. Hall: Yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Mr. Woods: -- is that the local artists not be forgotten, if you will -- Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Woods: -- that we should have a strong local presence, 'cause that's what it's always been about. Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Mr. Woods: I mean, I understand the inclusion of art from the diaspora -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Mr. Woods: -- and I think that's great, but we do want to have an emphasis on the local artists, as well. Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Well, I know. I went to the exhibit last year and there were local artists there. I mean, I knew some of the local artists. Mr. Hall: They're always -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Mr. Hall: And I must make a comment to that effect. As a result of the talent that we have here, one of our artists were selected to attend Yale School of Art, their master's program, T. Mansur (phonetic). It is an incredible program that he was selected in Miami, and we're doing fundraising for him to make sure that he has a successful master's program. It is always our intent to support the local artists here. May I just make a request? Last year we did have a shortfall. We had a shortfall of over $12, 000 from the Christina Tent. I am seeking some help in relieving that bill, since that bill is on my shoulders, and I'm seeking support from the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) to relieve that bill. We're hoping that this year we don't have that issue because we have a building, and we are looking to Christina to give us a better deal than they did last year. Thank you again. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, Neil. So let me say two things: One, any of those administrative issues would definitely have to be brought to the executive director to decide how they're going to handle that. Again, we are putting the -- putting an RFP in place for -- so it's open for anyone that's going to apply, and I think we normally put about $50, 000 aside for that, so that number is going to kind of somewhat remain the same, so we're asking for those individuals that, you know, want to do an exhibit and be a part of that to make sure that you have City of Miami Page 16 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 RESOLUTIONS 7. 13-00732 sponsorships and those things in place before even applying so that, you know, it's very clear that's what we're giving. We're not giving anything beyond that amount. All right, so we're going to move on, 'cause we spent a lot of time in discussion and I know that I -- Does anybody have any questions on Art Basel before I move on? CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING AN EXPENDITURE OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $350,000, FORA TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,350,000, FOR THE RENOVATION AND REHABILITATION OF THE OVERTOWN SHOPPING CENTER, 1490 NW 3RDAVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA ("PROPERTY"); AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, "CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.670000.0000.00000. File # 13-00732 06-24-13 Cover Memo.pdf File # 13-00732 06-24-13 Financial Form.pdf File # 13-00732 06-24-13 Legislation.pdf File # 13-00732 Signed Legislation.pdf Motion by Board Member Suarez, seconded by Board Member Sarnoff, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Chair Spence -Jones, Commissioner Suarez and Commissioner Sarnoff Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Vice Chair Gort CRA-R-13-0038 Chair Spence -Jones: And I don't want to lose a quorum at 6:15, so let me move to item number 7, which is a resolution. Executive Director, can you please? Clarence Woods (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency): Yes, Commissioners. Item number 7 is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency authorizing an expenditure of additional funds in the amount of 350, 000 for a total amount not to exceed 1,350,000 for the renovation and rehabilitation of the Overtown Shopping Center at 1490 Northwest 3rdAvenue in Miami, Florida; authorizing the executive director to execute all documents necessary for said purpose; allocating funds from SEOPW (Southeast Overtown/Park West) tax increment fimd, construction in progress. Commissioners, back in March of this year you guys authorized us to enter into an agreement with TGSV, which was one of the respondents to our RFP (Request for Proposals) for the build out of the Overtown Shopping Center. Along with that resolution, you authorized us to be able to spend $25, 000 to do an assessment to find out what the true cost of renovating the shopping center was. You set aside $Imillion at that point in time. We've gotten the assessment, and we have the budget actually here. We do have the budget, and I want to enter this into the record. Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah, I'm going to ask Brian -- I also want Brian to kind of put something on the record, as well. I know that Brian has been working very hard to get this shopping center moving; very excited about finally seeing the 14th Street Plaza moving for a change, so the -- I just want to be clear, Brian. The reason for the increase is? City of Miami Page 17 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 Brian Zeltsman: Okay, well, as Clarence mentioned, part of the previous resolution was to do an assessment, so when we got the results of the assessment -- I mean, it's a 30-year-old building. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Zeltsman: It was worse than we expected, basically. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Zeltsman: The roof alone is totally beyond its designed life, and that line item alone is close to 200, 000. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, I gotcha. Mr. Zeltsman: And the additional amount -- you know, so the contract that we're entering into with TGSV is for $1.23 million. This resolution is for an additional 350, so that extra 120,000 is to cover -- there's some costs that the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) has to bear. The building has asbestos, and we're going to have to abate that -- Chair Spence -Jones: I gotcha. Mr. Zeltsman: -- new surveys and some other miscellaneous things. Chair Spence -Jones: So after you did the assessment is when you found out that it was actually going to be more than expected. Mr. Zeltsman: Correct. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. All right, do you guys have any questions on this? Mr. Woods: Also, Commissioner. Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Mr. Woods: The initial million dollars that we requested was not a number that came from any professionals. It was our educated guess in trying to overestimate what we thought would be the actual cost, so the $25,000 did allow for us to get professional cost estimations, so -- and this is what it actually turned out to be. Chair Spence -Jones: And ifI could just say, this would probably -- or at least above 14th Street, this is probably one of the biggest renovation projects that we're going to be doing, outside of Town Park. This is the shopping plaza that we own, the City owns that will now, once rehabbed, once -- one -- this $1.3million will put jobs, construction jobs -- Mr. Woods: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: -- in motion at least in the area immediately. But also, beyond that, I know that we have -- Brian, I don't know if it's you that's working on it or Clarence that's working on it -- but several retailers that are interested in coming in already -- Mr. Woods: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: -- which I'm very excited about, which will provide lots more jobs, so -- Mr. Woods: Yes. City of Miami Page 18 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 Chair Spence -Jones: -- I don't know if you want to speak to, you know, how important it is to move this. Mr. Zeltsman: The space -- the largest space, the grocery, is in high demand, let's say. We have three larger -name potential tenants that are negotiating with our management company. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Zeltsman: And then the other bays that are smaller bays are -- we're getting the occasional interested party, but I think once the grocery takes off, that'll -- the whole place will be filled up. Chair Spence -Jones: And so we're not going to have any food deserts at all in Overtown, right? Mr. Zeltsman: Shouldn't be, no. Chair Spence -Jones: So we want to make sure it's a grocery store that understands the importance -- Mr. Zeltsman: It will be a grocery, It will be a grocery store. Chair Spence -Jones: -- of not having food deserts. Mr. Zeltsman: That's right. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, I'm sorry. Mr. Woods: And as a matter of fact, Commissioner, the idea of the supermarket coming into the space has created the necessity or at least the desire for our management company to ask us to get out. Chair Spence -Jones: Meaning our CRA office. At this point, I guess the spot -- the space has really become something that many retailers are really interested in. Of course, you know that Overtown CRA, our office is in there, and, of course, if we're going to get rent for the space, the Overtown CRA will be moving -- Mr. Woods: Right. Chair Spence -Jones: -- so that we can have a tenant go into the space. But I know that originally, we were talking about a Family Dollar, and I know that Clarence is kind of pushing away from the Family Dollar. Mr. Woods: Because of the jobs. Chair Spence -Jones: Because of the jobs. Mr. Woods: And if you didn't say a name -- Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Woods: -- but we've actually met with certain -- Chair Spence -Jones: You don't have to say who they are. Mr. Woods: Okay, yeah. City of Miami Page 19 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 Chair Spence -Jones: I just -- again -- and this is just taking the temperature from many of the residents. I know that Family Dollar was something that they were asking for because there's not a Family Dollar anywhere close or near and everything from paper goods to smaller things that they may need for their homes -- well, that's a whole 'nother conversation. Let's get to that bridge when we cross it, but the idea is that we'll have jobs from this building moving. So any questions on this item at all? All right, do we have a motion on item number 7? Board Member Suarez: Move it. Chair Spence -Jones: We have a motion. Board Member Sarnoff: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Board (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, this item passes. 8. CRA RESOLUTION 13-00733 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING RESOLUTION NO. CRA-R-12-0061 ADOPTED BY THE CRA ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2012, AS AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTED BY RESOLUTION NO. CRA-R-13-0025 ADOPTED BY THE CRA ON MARCH 25, 2013; WHICH RESOLUTION PROVIDED FOR THE ISSUANCE OF TAX INCREMENT REVENUE BONDS OF THE AGENCY TO FINANCE OR REFINANCE THE ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION OF COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN /PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREAAND PROVIDED FOR AND AUTHORIZED THE ISSUANCE OF ITS TAX INCREMENT REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2012 IN THE ORIGINAL AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000,000 AS THE INITIAL SERIES OF BONDS THEREUNDER FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING CERTAIN GRANTS TO BE USED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OR REHABILITATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND FINANCING THE CONSTRUCTION OF OTHER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN THE REDEVELOPMENT AREA; FOR THE PURPOSES OF (A) INCREASING THE NOT TO EXCEED ORIGINAL AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE INITIAL SERIES OF BONDS TO $60,000,000, (B) AMENDING THE DESCRIPTION OF THE "LYRIC PLACE - BLOCK 25" PROJECT REFERRED TO IN EXHIBITAATTACHED TO SUCH RESOLUTION, AND (C) AMENDING THE DESCRIPTION OF THE "ST. JOHN OVERTOWN PLAZA" PROJECT REFERRED TO IN EXHIBITAATTACHED TO SUCH RESOLUTION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. File # 13-00733 06-24-13 Cover Memo.pdf File # 13-00733 06-24-13 Legislation.pdf File # 13-00733 Signed Legislation.PDF Motion by Board Member Suarez, seconded by Board Member Sarnoff, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. City of Miami Page 20 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 Votes: Ayes: Chair Spence -Jones, Commissioner Suarez and Commissioner Sarnoff Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Vice Chair Gort CRA-R-13-0039 Chair Spence -Jones: We move on to item number 8. Clarence Woods (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency): Commissioners, item number 8 is a resolution of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency amending and supplementing Resolution Number CRA-12-0061, adopted by the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) on September 17, 2012, as amended and supplemented by Resolution Number CRA-R-13-025, adopted by the CRA on March 25, 2013, which resolution provided for the issuance of tax increment revenue bonds of the agency to finance or refinance the acquisition and construction of community redevelopment projects in the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment area, and provided for the -- provided for and authorized the issuance of its Tax Increment Revenue Bonds Series 2012 in the original aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50 million as the initial series of bonds thereunder for the purpose of financing certain grants to be used for the construction or rehabilitation of affordable housing and financing the construction of other capital improvements in the redevelopment area for the purposes of "A," increasing the not -to -exceed original aggregate principal amount of the initial series of bonds to 60 million; and "B," amending the description of the Lyric Place Project Lot 25, referred to in Exhibit "A," attached to such resolution; and "C, " amending the description of the St. Johns Overtown Plaza Project referred to in Exhibit "A," attached to such resolution, and providing an effective date. Commission, all that to say that will increase the "up to" amount to $60 million, as stated in the resolution, and make some changes on two of the projects -- Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Woods: -- St. Johns and Lyric Place. Chair Spence -Jones: Bill, I know that you're our counsel on this, and you've been doing an outstanding job. I don't know if Jessica's been working along with you, as well, so, Bill, you get all the kudos right now. Do you want to add anything to this at all? William Bloom: No, I think it's very complete, what was in the description. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Any questions on this at all? All right, do we have a motion? Board Member Suarez: Move it. Chair Spence -Jones: Second? Board Member Sarnoff.- Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Board (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: This item passes. It's great that we have the opportunity to have more money to support these projects to get things moving. Mr. Woods: Well, now, that's not -- what this does is it allows us to be able to -- Board Member Suarez: Increases the capacity. City of Miami Page21 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah, what I'm saying, it gives us the -- Mr. Woods: If -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- opportunity to have -- Mr. Woods: Right, right, right, if the capacity should become available. Chair Spence -Jones: Right. I gotcha. Mr. Woods: Okay. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, all right. 9. CRA RESOLUTION 13-00734 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH AKERMAN SENTERFITT, LLP FOR REPRESENTATION AND FEDERAL LOBBYING SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH LEGISLATIVE ISSUES AND APPROPRIATIONS REQUESTS, FOR A PERIOD OF TWO (2) YEARS, EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2013, AT THE ANNUAL RATE OF $24,000, FORA TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $48,000 FOR THE TWO-YEAR PERIOD, PLUS REASONABLE EXPENSES AS APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, "PROFESSIONAL SERVICES," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.531000.0000.00000. File # 13-00734 06-24-13 Cover Memo.pdf File # 13-00734 06-24-13 Financial Form.pdf File # 13-00734 06-24-13 Legislation.pdf File # 13-00734 Signed Legislation.pdf Motion by Board Member Suarez, seconded by Board Member Sarnoff, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Chair Spence -Jones, Commissioner Suarez and Commissioner Sarnoff Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Vice Chair Gort CRA-R-13-0040 Chair Spence -Jones: All right, let's move on to item number 9. Is any -- this is -- is anybody from Akerman here? Clarence Woods (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency): No, not at this time. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. I would like for them to come -- to actually come and do a presentation for us to, you know, fully understand. I know that they've been working on a lot of stuff for us, but I would like to know their legislative agenda going into next year. I know there's a few things that we have them working on: A major grant for us with ED -- is it E -- Mr. Woods: Yeah, EDA (Economic Development Administration). They've already supplied the letters from Senator Nelson's office. We've gotten that from them. They're actually working on a City of Miami Page22 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 letter from Congresswoman -- Chair Spence -Jones: Ileana -- Mr. Woods: -- Wilson. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. But we need Ileana and we need Marco Rubio. We need all of them to put letters in to kind of support pushing the item, not just the -- we need a bipartisan -- we need bipartisan support, okay? Mr. Woods: They actually mentioned that. Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Mr. Woods: They did mention that. Chair Spence -Jones: Please. Mr. Woods: Okay. Chair Spence -Jones: I mean, it should be everybody supporting it. Mr. Woods: They did mention that. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Woods: This resolution just -- it allows for us to renew their services. Chair Spence -Jones: No, I know. I just wanted to make sure that, one, they come back here to -- Mr. Woods: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: -- present to us what the legislative agenda is. Mr. Woods: Absolutely. Chair Spence -Jones: But second, if they are working on this ED thing, we want to make -- EDA thing, we want to make sure -- The grant goes in in June, correct? Mr. Woods: EDA, yes, it's -- yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: It's this month. Mr. Woods: June 14 is when we made the submission. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Woods: Yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, so we want to make sure that whatever needs to go -- to say that there's support, that that happens. Mr. Woods: Absolutely. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, do we have a motion on this item? City of Miami Page23 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 Board Member Suarez: Move it. Chair Spence -Jones: Second? Board Member Sarnoff. Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, this item passes. 10. CRA RESOLUTION 13-00735 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA") AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,000, FROM THE MIAMI-DADE ECONOMIC ADVOCACY TRUST TO SUPPORT THE CRA'S REDEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES AND INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THE 2013 OVERTOWN RHYTHM AND ARTS FESTIVAL; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE. File # 13-00735 06-24-13 Cover Memo.pdf File # 13-00735 06-24-13 Legislation.pdf File # 13-00735 Signed Legislation.pdf Motion by Board Member Suarez, seconded by Board Member Sarnoff, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Chair Spence -Jones, Commissioner Suarez and Commissioner Sarnoff Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Vice Chair Gort CRA-R-13-0041 Chair Spence -Jones: We move on to item number 10, which is MDEAT (Miami -Dade Economic Advocacy Trust). Clarence Woods (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency): Yeah, this one is a good one. It's a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency authorizing acceptance of a grant in the amount of $30,000 from the Miami -Dade Economic Advocacy Trust to support the CRA's (Community Redevelopment Agency's) redevelopment activities and initiatives, including the 2013 Overtown Rhythm and -- Chair Spence -Jones: Do we have a motion on this item? Board Member Suarez: Move it. Board Member Sarnoff. Second. Chair Spence -Jones: This item passes. All in favor? The Board (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: This item passes. Board Member Suarez: No objection. City of Miami Page 24 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 11. 13-00736 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING A GRANT INITIATIVE, IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500,000, TO PROVIDE TENANT IMPROVEMENT GRANTS FOR PROSPECTIVE TENANTS AT THE OVERTOWN SHOPPING CENTER, 1490 NW 3RDAVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA; PROVIDING THAT GRANTS IN EXCESS OF $4,500 SHALL BE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD FOR APPROVAL OR RATIFICATION; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, "OTHER GRANTS AND AIDS," ACCOUNT CODE N O.10040.920101.883000.0000.00000. File # 13-00736 06-24-13 Cover Memo.pdf File # 13-00736 06-24-13 Financial Form.pdf File # 13-00736 06-24-13 Legislation.pdf File # 13-00736 Signed Legislation.pdf Motion by Board Member Suarez, seconded by Board Member Sarnoff, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Chair Spence -Jones, Commissioner Suarez and Commissioner Sarnoff Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Vice Chair Gort CRA-R-13-0042 Chair Spence -Jones: Item number 11. Clarence Woods (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency): Commissioners, item number 11 is actually a companion item to item number -- let's see. Chair Spence -Jones: Eight was it? Mr. Woods: Eight. Chair Spence -Jones: Or 7? Mr. Woods: Seven, yes. I'm sorry. It's a resolution of the -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Mr. Woods: -- Board of Commissioners of Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency authorizing a grant initiative, in an amount not to exceed $500, 000, to provide tenant improvement grants for prospective tenants at the Overtown Shopping Center; providing that grants in excess of $4, 500 shall be presented to the Board for approval or ratification, and authorizing the executive director to execute all documents necessary for said purpose. Chair Spence -Jones: Now this is -- just so we're on the same page -- the same shopping center that we were talking about earlier. Mr. Woods: Right. City of Miami Page 25 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 Chair Spence -Jones: But if we have a prospect that wants to actually come to the building -- Mr. Woods: Right. Chair Spence -Jones: Sorry. -- who wants to come to the building, we're able to now give them some resources to help with any of the improvements after we do any other business, so -- Mr. Woods: Right. Chair Spence -Jones: -- that -- but this 500 is not going into any particular group; it's for anybody that comes that's actually going into the space, correct? Mr. Woods: It allows for us to have some flexibility in our offering. I mean, it's not necessary that we will give actual cash. We might be able to trade -- or not trade, but allow for rent abatements, but it does provide us the flexibility to be able to work with big box, like a supermarket, as well as some of the other tenants if we can get some national retailers. Chair Spence -Jones: Wonderful. Do we have a motion on this -- any questions on this item first? All right, do we have a motion on this item? Board Member Suarez: Move it. Chair Spence -Jones: A second? Board Member Sarnoff: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Board (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, this item passes. 12. CRA RESOLUTION 13-00737 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING A GRANT, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $80,000, TO NEIGHBORS AND NEIGHBORS ASSOCIATION, INC., TO UNDERWRITE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH IMPLEMENTING THE COMMUNITY WORK TRAINING PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE FUNDS, AT HIS DISCRETION, ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS OR DIRECTLY TO VENDORS, UPON PRESENTATION OF INVOICES AND SATISFACTORY DOCUMENTATION; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE 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. File # 13-00737 06-24-13 Cover Memo.pdf File # 13-00737 06-24-13 Financial Form.pdf File # 13-00737 06-24-13 Backup.pdf File # 13-00737 06-24-13 Legislation.pdf File # 13-00737 Signed Legislation.pdf City of Miami Page 26 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 13. 13-00739 Motion by Board Member Suarez, seconded by Board Member Sarnoff, that this matter be CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Chair Spence -Jones, Commissioner Suarez and Commissioner Sarnoff Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Vice Chair Gort CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY DELALLOCATION $200,000 PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED BY RESOLUTION NO. CRA-R-12-0032 FOR THE 2012 SUMMER YOUTH ENTREPRENEUR ACADEMY; AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A GRANT, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $155,000, TO URGENT, INC. FOR 2013 SUMMER YOUTH TRAINING INSTITUTE; 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 PURPOSE; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, "OTHER GRANTS AND AIDS," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.883000.0000.00000. File # 13-00739 06-24-13 Cover Memo.pdf File # 13-00739 06-24-13 Financial Form.pdf File # 13-00739 06-24-13 Backup.pdf File # 13-00739 06-24-13 Legislation.pdf File # 13-00739 Signed Legislation.pdf Motion by Board Member Suarez, seconded by Board Member Sarnoff, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: Chair Spence -Jones, Commissioner Suarez and Commissioner Sarnoff Absent: Commissioner Carollo and Vice Chair Gort CRA-R-13-0043 Chair Spence -Jones: All right, so let's move on to item number 13. Clarence Woods (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency): Commissioner, item number 13 is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency de -allocating $200, 000 previously authorized by Resolution Number CRA-12-32 for the 2012 Summer Youth Entrepreneur Academy and authorizing the issuance of a grant, in an amount not to exceed $155, 000, to Urgent, Inc. for the 2013 Youth Summer Training Institute; 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. Basically -- Chair Spence -Jones: Urgent, Inc. is here, right? Mr. Woods: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Mr. Woods: This is for the summer youth -- City of Miami Page 27 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Mr. Woods: -- 2013 summer youth. Chair Spence -Jones: Andl think in our last meeting, I -- were you here, Commissioner Suarez? Board Member Suarez: Yeah. I'm always here. Mr. Woods: Yeah. We did apply for a grant through DJJ (Department of Juvenile Justice). Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. So -- Board Member Suarez: I move it. Mr. Woods: Right. Chair Spence -Jones: We had a motion and a -- Board Member Sarnoff.- Second. Chair Spence -Jones: -- second on this item. This item -- All in favor? The Board (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: This item passes. Saliha Nelson: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: Wait, wait, wait. Board Member Suarez: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, you don't get out that easily. Chair Spence -Jones: So just in our last meeting, I thought that we were automatically on the road; if that item did not pass, that we would just get started. I'm just concerned that we're now in June. So the summer youth program will -- Ms. Nelson: We still will have a full six weeks of programming for the summer. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, great, all right. So they'll start on what day? Ms. Nelson: We're looking to start that Monday right after July 4. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, so we can send every kid that needs a job over to you now? Ms. Nelson: We only have 50 slots, so -- Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, just wanted to ask. Ms. Nelson: -- the first 50 who come work ready. 'Cause it's not a work readiness program, they have to be work ready. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Ms. Nelson: Okay? City of Miami Page28 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Ms. Nelson: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, thank you, Saliha. NA.1 CRA DISCUSSION 13-00794 DISCUSSION BY CHAIR SPENCE-JONES REGARDING THE AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL EVENT. DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: All right, I think that is it. I do want to say this in closing: Thank you so much for coming out. I want to thank the chairman once again of the Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). Yesterday we had -- with the closeout of the American Black Film Festival and our wonderful staff of the CRA, and it was a wonderful day of community films where we highlighted many filmmakers from local -- from the local area. They did an outstanding job. And then we had the actual viewing of "Playing for Love, " which was the program that we did in partnership with the Omni CRA, with Robert Townsend and the students, and the film was the cutest film. It was such a great film. So I wanted to at least acknowledge staff for doing a great job and thanking Commissioner Sarnoff for his support. Let's give him -- Applause Board Member Sarnoff- And could I just say something? Because, you know, everybody up here has never walked ten miles in anyone else's shoes. I've not walked ten miles in Spence's shoes and she's not walked ten miles in my shoes, and I became a real believer last night. I told Commissioner Spence -Jones and the audience that I guess to bend steel is, I guess 10,000 pounds per square inch, put it in exactly the right spot and steel will bend. And I said to her, `I never knew what it took to change an attitude." But last night, I'll be candid with you all, I think my attitude changed a great deal, and I really saw what a small or reasonably small investment in people can do. And Spence [sic] said something that I don't -- I think she didn't even realize the impact it would have on me. She said, "I've tried to bring the food services industry here, the hospitality. I've tried to bring the landscape services here, but some of these kids just don't want to do it." And it's very true, not everybody wants to either be in food services or hospitality or be a gardener of sorts. And she said, "But a lot of them want to be in film or acting," or as I put it, sometimes acting out, because a lot of the kids, at least in the school that I went to -- and we've had two very famous people come from my school, and I'll leave out who they are for right now, but they weren't good kids in school. They were actually -- it surprised me they even graduated, and I really understood what she was saying, and, you know, I came here today, quite candidly, very much a doubting Thomas on a couple of issues here. And I may still have my doubts, 'cause, of course, everybody comes here thinking they know the right thing to do, but I became a believer in Commissioner Spence -Jones last night, andl am now willing to listen to her viewpoint and not more give her the benefit of the doubt; become a part of her view and play it out for a while, see how it works, because while I always think I'm right -- 'cause I think she always thinks she's right -- I've learned that I can change my attitude, and to change an attitude -- I really did change my attitude last night with regard to a little more investment in people and maybe a little less investment in hard -- hard-scape, if you will, or hard projects. But I think it takes a Spence Jones and a Sarnoff Chair Board Member Sarnoff- -- to really get a community's economic development going, but I just want to extol her virtues. I thought what you did last night was first class. I thought what your Southeast Overtown/Park West did last night was first-class. Clarence, my absolute hat off to City of Miami Page29 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 you. If you know Robert Townsend, he's like a life force, and I can't say enough good things. And obviously, I'm coming here to your neighborhood, to your Commissioner, extoling her virtues, and I wish I'd got to see this two or three years earlier, 'cause I'm -- I wish we had more time. Applause Chair Spence -Jones: I want to cry. It took eight years. Board Member Suarez: I was there last year, and it was awesome. Chair Spence -Jones: But I do want to say in closing, I really -- you do not know how much, Marc, that means to me. Board Member Sarnoff.- We had a good moment. Chair Spence -Jones: I am truly about -- you know, a lot of my focus is about people because I really do believe if you can restore the hope in people, then you can change, you know, communities. People have to believe not only in their communities, but first, they have to believe in themselves, and sometimes, it takes us a lot longer to get to that point because people have been stepped on, been pushed aside, people have not believed in them at all, so for those kids to show up last night -- and you heard them in the audience, you know -- to see their names on the credit roll, on the roll -- credit -- was it credits? Unidentified Speaker: Credits. Chair Spence -Jones: They were screaming. I mean, if nothing else happens for them in their life, if they never accomplish anything else, the one thing that they will never forget is that they participated in this project, and every time it rolls on TNT (Turner Network Television) or BET (Black Entertainment Television), you know, that's the one thing they can (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to their kids and their grandkids, "That was me in that scene, " or "That was me that did the makeup," and it's not always about being in front of the camera. There's so many other careers the young people can participate in this business, and whatever we need to do to stop them from getting involved in shooting and, you know, early pregnancy and all the things that stop them from being everything that they need to be, you know, whatever we need to do, we have to do it, 'cause we cannot continue to see young people die without having, you know, any hope. Board Member Suarez: May I -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Board Member Suarez: -- wrap it up for the two nostalgias here? I just want to say that, you know, I'm very proud of the meeting today, because you saw organizations that were here with a positive agenda -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Board Member Suarez: -- you know, that actually are contributing or want to contribute to a positive future for the City of Miami, and what all too often happens, and we are the victim of it in many cases, is so much negativity, so much venom -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Board Member Suarez: -- so much, you know, pessimism, and it's sad, because the fact of the matter is that this is an organization, just like our City Commission, that has a tremendous City of Miami Page 30 Printed on 9/9/2013 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 24, 2013 ADJOURNMENT amount of resources and a tremendous amount of ability to do good. We have -- are blessed with a very short time, whatever that time is, to give back to our community and to do good and that's what we're focused on. And, unfortunately, there's a lot of haters in this community. I mean, the Miami Heat knows all about that. You know, there's a lot of haters in this community, but, you know, I really appreciate everyone who is here today and just everyone and my colleagues who I get to serve with, who I know, despite all the "Hater -Aid" that they have to be -- constantly, constantly thrown on them, they -- we persevere through that in a hope of trying to have a better tomorrow for the City of Miami. Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you. With that being said -- thank you, Commissioner Suarez. With that being said, I want to thank Dr. Ahr and the Camillus House for hosting us. Thank you very much. Applause. Chair Spence -Jones: Did you feed us, too? Did you feed us, too, or we brought our own food? Unidentified Speaker: No. Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, you fed us, too. With that being said, this meeting is officially adjourned. Board Member Suarez: Thank you. The meeting adjourned at 6:17 p.m. City of Miami Page 31 Printed on 9/9/2013