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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEOPW CRA 2016-10-31 MinutesCity of Miami 819NW2ndAve 3rd Floor Miami, FL 33136 http://miamicra. com Meeting Minutes Monday, October 31, 2016 5:00 PM Camillus House 1603 N.W. 7th Ave., Bldg B. Miami, FL 33136 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Keon Hardemon, Chair Wifredo Gort, Vice Chair Ken Russell, Board Member, District Two Frank Carollo, Board Member, District Three Francis Suarez, Board Member, District Four SEOPW CRA OFFICE ADDRESS: 819 NW 2ND AVE, 3RD FLOOR MIAMI FL 33136 Phone: (305) 679-6800, Fax (305) 679-6835 www.miamicra.com Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 Roll CaII Present: Chair Hardemon, Vice Chair Gort and Commissioner Suarez Absent: Commissioner Russell and Commissioner Carollo On the 31st day of October 2016, 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 Hardemon at 5:07 p.m., and was adjourned at 7:21 p.m. ALSO PRESENT: Clarence E. Woods, Executive Director, CRA Renee A. Jadusingh, Staff Counsel, CRA William Bloom, Special Counsel, CRA Barnaby L. Min, Deputy General Counsel Todd B. Hannon, Clerk of the Board INVOCATION APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETING PRESENTATIONS 1. CRA PRESENTATION 1269 PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT A PRESENTATION BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("SEOPW CRA") TO DISCUSS RECENT AGENCY UPDATES HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SEOPW CRA. RESULT: PRESENTED Chair Hardemon: Welcome to the October 31, 2016 Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency meeting. Present at the meeting at this time are our Board Members. You have Commissioner Suarez, Commissioner Gort; and myself, as Chair. So we'd like to start this meeting. First of all, thanking everyone for their attendance, always being involved with what's happening in Overtown, but the first thing we have on our order of business is a presentation from the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). Clarence Woods, III (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency): Commissioners, good afternoon. We'd like to present some of the happenings in the CRA. There's three videos we'd like to show, and then just kind of talk a little bit about what has happened within the last month or so, regarding acknowledgements from agencies; more particularly, the FRA, the Florida Redevelopment Association, and then South Florida Community Development Coalition. So we'll go ahead and start the video. SEOPW CRA Page 2 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 Note for the Record: Video presentations were made. Mr. Woods: Commissioner, I'd just like to also mention that about a year ago, this Board approved a package, a $200, 000 package to what -- we would do marketing and promotions. The producer of these videos, he is here today. Where is he? Mr. Wills Philin (phonetic). Wills' done an excellent job in capturing a lot of the work that we're doing in the redevelopment agency. These are clips that we are running on City TV, YouTube, Twitter, and many of the other outlets that we were admonished by this Board to get the word out about what it is that we're doing in the redevelopment agency. The last clip that you just saw was the focus of the Best Housing Award at the annual FRA, which is the Florida Redevelopment Association Conference. We submitted, I think, at least three or four projects. We walked away with winning two of them, and those two projects are highlighted in the FRA's brochure for this year. The other project is the Overtown Performing Arts Center, which actually won the Presidential Award, which is the highest award for the FRA. So along with the Presidential Award for the Overtown Community Center, as well as Island Living, we also received recognition from South Florida Community Development Coalition, which chose the CRA's work in the area of affordable housing as a winner for this year's Affordable Housing Award, as well. So we've been receiving quite a bit of recognition for the work that we're doing, and we owe it all to you, this Board. As a matter of fact, at the FRA Conference, we were asked to put on a workshop on how we have been able to redevelop our community while including residents from the community; not just rehabbing and -- or redeveloping the community and pushing people out, but we're doing it and keeping people here, and that's all because of the leadership that this Board has provided. Board Member Suarez: Mr. Chair. Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir. Board Member Suarez: Thank you. I just want to say that I think it's a great idea that we did this video. I think we put a lot of time and energy and effort and made some sacrifices and worked hard, and pushed each other. I really want to commend you, because, as I said, when you arrived that a lot of this was going to be contingent on your energy and effort, and your drive. And you have not disappointed in any way, shape, or form. I think, you know, we had some things that were beginning into motion before you got here, but we needed somebody to really push us forward, and I think you've done that and you've continued to do that, and so I'm just happy to be a part of it. I'm happy to play my role, because I think, as you said in the video and as, you know, Commissioner Gort has said, you know, and as everyone here, I think, can witness, and I think you said this in your election speech, you know, things are coming to Overtown, you know. And I think anyone who has good eye -- decent eyesight can see that things have changed dramatically from food deserts to community centers to affordable housing. I mean, like you've said, and you've reminded me many, many, many times, it's not just about affordable housing. It's been about the spectrum of services that a community needs to have to thrive. And I think, you know, we have to remind ourselves and others, because we do so many things that sometimes, we forget what we do. And we work so fast and go so fast that sometimes, we just don't look back. And so, I think what's great about this video is that it helps us look back. And I think there's one project that is missing from the video, which is the Alonzo Mourning Project, and I hope that -- I'm sure that there'll be another one coming, because that one was a beautiful grand opening, too. Chair Hardemon: Not just because you play basketball, right? Board Member Suarez: Not just because I play basketball. SEOPW CRA Page 3 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 Vice Chair Gort: Mr. Chairman, I believe a lot of the people that sit here today and -- including myself -- have been working on this for years after years, and people says, "We don't see anything," but it takes a while to get the funds to be able to do that. And the person that inherit all the work has been done before by the leaders, but you took -- really took it ahead and really -- I've never seen anyone negotiate as good as you have. Matter of fact, if I ever need to do any negotiation, I'll make sure you'll be my lawyer, because -- But I'd like to add to this. I believe everybody has seen the facilities being built in here, but I want to show also the economic impact it has made for the residents of this area. I know it's -- we going to need to do a lot, lot more, but I think it's important people understand the economic impact of these buildings; at the same time, how many people were employed by these firms, and how many people have learned a trade where they continue to work, which is what's important. People need to work and make a living. So thank you all. Chair Hardemon: First of all, I'd like to thank my Board Members for helping me do all of this. I mean, without your support, we would not be able to get anything done. Thank you to our staff. It's good to be recognized as a Board. I mean, you're talking about the Florida Redevelopment Association, so this is the entity that looks at all of the redevelopment agencies in the State of Florida. You know, this isn't an entity that's biased towards Miami -Dade County. I mean, this is an entity that thinks about all of it as a whole. So to be able to receive an award for the work that we're doing, keying in on the work that we're doing is -- I think is a huge deal. And so, thank you all for continuing to work, to make sure that the Overtown CRA is one of the best CRAs in the State of Florida, and I would argue probably in the nation. Clarence, you and I have gone to different redevelopment agency discussions across this country, and the information that was being presented was very elementary to what we do here. And so -- Mr. Woods: Absolutely. Chair Hardemon: -- I've seen elsewhere, where we look at what we're doing, how far superior we are as an agency here than what people are doing in other places. Mr. Woods: Absolutely. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR REGULAR ITEM(S) Chair Hardemon: So at this time, what I'm going to do -- well, first all, I know that there is a discussion that was brought up from our last meeting that we need to also discuss, and we'll -- we can do it after we tackle the resolutions -- but it's obviously in regards to SFRTA (South Florida Regional Transportation Authority) and All Aboard Florida, and things of that nature. So we want to get to that discussion, but before we get there, what I'd like to do is open up the floor for public hearing. And so this is the public comment section of our agenda, and what I'm going to do is, I'm going to open the floor for anyone who'd like to speak on any of the resolutions, so RE.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. If you'd like to make a public comment on any of those items, now is your opportunity to walk to the lectern and have your two minutes to speak. When you come to the lectern to speak, please say your name, your address, and which item it is that you're concerned about or you're speaking to. So right now is the public hearing -- or the public comment section of this meeting. If you'd like to be heard for public comment, now is the time to be heard. Barron Channer: Chair, you're going to be addressing a point that relates to Block 55. We'll have an opportunity to speak then, or is this the only opportunity? SEOPW CRA Page 4 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 Chair Hardemon: No. In regards to you, I will allow you to speak, because you're inextricably intertwined with what's going on with Block 55, so you'll have an opportunity to speak. Mr. Channer: Okay. Chair Hardemon: So this wouldn't be the appropriate time. Mr. Channer: Okay. Chair Hardemon: Okay. Sam Gilmore: Good afternoon, gentlemen. Sam Gilmore; address is 2230 Northwest 193rd Terrace, Miami Gardens, 33056. I'd like to speak in reference to the agenda item in reference to Block 55, to be developed by a -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Peoples and the partnership. As the president of the only black contract association in Dade County, the Allied Minority Contractors Association, we have verified more than 33-man membership on that. We're one of the few contracting associations that actually hire black people. Personally, I've hired more than 600 black people in this town and I've had more than $17 million in payroll in this town. And I firmly understand how black people are hired, how they go to work, how they're educated, how they're trained, how they learn new skills. Barron and his partner were the only group that actually contacted Allied for the requirements or the things that we wanted them to have in their contract for subcontractors; they're the only ones. I mean, I've seen every project you guys have looked at and worked with. I've looked at the results; I know what they are. I don't guess what they are. Their organization is going to help black contractors, as opposed to what may have been thought was going to happen on a lot of the projects that took place. I urge you, I ask you, I beg you to look at what you're doing with black contractors in these projects. We're not participating on these projects. Many of your people are not being trained. They're being hired to sweep areas. They're being hired for a short period of time, and they're rejected, dejected, and sent away. I'm not telling you what I think. I'm telling you what I know. I'm the president. I hear it all. I ask you to reconsider your actions. I ask you to leave the project in his company's hands. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much, sir. Leroy Jones: Good evening. I guess, first, I want to start this meeting off by -- with a public apology. And I've learned, in order to get things accomplished, you got to learn to work with people. And I don't want to lose sight of that. And at the last meeting -- I don't want anybody to think that I feel that I'm ungrateful for anything, and if that left a taste in only one person mouth that might felt that way, I'm publicly apologizing. And I want to apologize to you, Commissioner Hardemon, because I could have spoke to you about how I felt about the situation before it got to this point, and I didn't. So that come with maturity and growth, and so I'm not -- I haven't forgot where I come from. So when things are good, I want to acknowledge it, and when I do good, I want to acknowledge it, and when I make a mistake, I want to correct it. So I just hope this Board will consider that comment. What I'm saying is, you know, I publicly apologize. It could have been handled in a better manner, Commissioner. Apology to you. Chair Hardemon: Apology accepted, brother. I appreciate it. Mr. Jones: Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Giving out hugs today, too. I'll give you one later, okay? SEOPW CRA Page 5 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 Mr. Jones: Thank you, sir. Yeah, we can hug. Naw, let me hug you now. Chair Hardemon: It's not in his two minutes, right? Applause. Mr. Jones: So I want Ms. Worsley -- because, you know, a part of being a leader, you got to learn to give out responsibility, and her responsibility as the manager of the Overtown Resource Center, she should learn how to do this part, and so you can tell them the success we're having now. Yolander Worsley: Okay. Mr. Jones: Your name first -- Ms. Worsley: Yolander Worsley -- Mr. Jones: -- and your position. Ms. Worsley: -- from Overtown Business Resource Center, manager. Good afternoon to the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) Chair and the Board Members. Speaking on line item 3, 1257, NANA (Neighbors and Neighbors) and the Overtown Business Resource Center extends gratitude to CRA for the current office space at 1490 Northwest 3rd Avenue, Suite 110. The current office space benefits small businesses in the community in Overtown, as well as several other businesses that come to Overtown from other zip codes for our available services. Within the past fiscal year, July 1, 2015/June 30, 2016, OBRC (Overtown Business Resource Center) has provided hub space for 12 tenants. Five pending -- we have five pending applications awaiting available hub space. We have assisted approximately 300 small businesses within that year with different services; provided services to approximately 1,400 residents and other visitors from outside of Overtown, and from different zip codes; conducted 12 workshops, with approximately 260 attendants; issued approximately 750 referrals, of which about 250 were hired. We've made conference room available for at least 600 business owners and visitors to conduct their business meetings in the conference area. Now, with all of these services and assistance being provided in about 975 square foot -- feet -- I'm sorry -- NANA and OBRC would be able to house at least three more tenants and all of their businesses and their customers -- the business owners and the customers, so they can have -- they can conduct their business in a more private -- with more privacy than they can now. And also, NANA would be able to provide far more services to the business owners in the communities and others that come here for our services. Again, thank you, CRA -- Mr. Jones: So, Commissioner, in closing -- Ms. Worsley: -- for the operation. Mr. Jones: -- I just want to say three things that I think is important here that this new space is going to bring. One: Some privacy, because you know our space was all open. So when my staff needed to talk to someone private, they used to have to walk out the door, because even if you whisper in there, you can hear what everybody say. So they used to have to go outside to speak to clients if they didn't want other people to hear what they was saying. So that'll alleviate that. The second thing, we'll have a conference. Because we don't have a closed conference room now, we've been conducting our workshops at the CRA building. And so now, it allow us to have our own conference space, which would help. And I'm going to tell you what I think is most important. In SEOPW CRA Page 6 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 most buildings, in most shopping complexes in small neighborhoods like this, they don't allow people got to walk outside and use the bathroom. My staff can tell you that's one thing I'm hard about. I don't care who that person is, if they got to use the bathroom, let them use the bathroom. When they leave, just make sure they clean up after themselves, or you clean it up if you don't make sure they clean it up, but I'm not going to conduct an office where people that live in the neighborhood can't come and use the bathroom; I'm not going to do it. Now, it can be unhealthy and unsanitized [sic], based on who the person is, but I'm not going to allow my staff or any space that I occupy to not let people that live in the neighborhood use the bathroom. Other businesses can do that, but I'm not going to do it. So those three things, I think is very important, and that's going to bring to this new space. So, again, please accept my apology from the last meeting. It could have been handled in a better way. I'll do better next time, and thank you for your consideration. Chair Hardemon: Thank you, s ir. Commissioner Gort: Thank you. Mr. Jones: Thank you. Oh, and this my backup crew. Billee Haynes: Hello. Good evening. My name is Billee Haynes, and -- thank you. Good evening. My name is Billee Haynes, and I'm one of those current occupants of one of the offices. And our business is OC Staffing, okay, and I would like to first thank Mr. Keon Hardemon and his -- (INAUDIBLE) for the support that they give us. I just pretty much want to thank you and your Board, and your colleagues for all the support. With everything -- this is our first year in business. You know, we're minority owned, and this is my colleague, Phillip Bain. We're the managing partners. And what we're proposing to do is to bring jobs within the community by providing staffing services. And our staffing services are going to cover the residents of the local community, within the local demographic. So what we want to provide is training for these individuals, job placement, and also a good rapport for the community in which they live. Our whole thing now is for us to find partnerships or find employers to give these local residents an opportunity to work. Currently, we have just about -- maybe 79 residents of Overtown who's ready, trained -- we've already given them their assessments -- who are ready to work. Right now, we're just looking to partner with local businesses, employers who are interested in able bodies from the Overtown community and who can potentially provide them an opportunity for work. Currently, we're just -- we're working hard. We're thankful for the opportunity for us to show these residents that they can be a contribution to their community while the businesses that they have are here for them, and it's afforded to them. So I just want to thank Keon Hardemon and his Board for the support. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. Dana Milson: Good evening. My name is Dana Milson, from Town Park Village Board of Directors. Before I ask the questions, I would like to thank the CRA and the City of Miami Commission for giving us funding previous years to help beautify our complex. We really appreciate the work that you guys have done, and we're really grateful and thankful for you guys' support in funding us to repair certain things that we needed to have done immediately. Okay, the reason I'm here today is I'm speaking on item 5. You guys are going to select a contractor for our rehabilitation, and the board and I have questions in regards to that, and we wanted to make sure that the contractor design/build team is qualified and that we want to know if they've done a project as large as ours before, okay? Another thing: The contractor and their partners, it was not clear on the RFQ (Request for Qualifications), you know, what their plans were in how they were going to do the work, as far as the relocation was not clarified or actually inputted inside SEOPW CRA Page 7 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 the report. And the third item is we are requesting the CRA to set up fund sides [sic] for Town Park to hire a owner's rep. We want to do this because we've had experience in dealing with a contractor that the CRA has picked before, and we know how important it is for us to have a owner's rep. We need someone to look out for our interest and make sure that the rehab is done smoothly, in accordance with the contract and the specs. So that's all I have for now, and I guess I'll wait on your resolution for item 5. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Clarence, you're taking note of that, right? Clarence Woods, III (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency): Yes. Chair Hardemon: Okay. Marcia Carty: Good afternoon, Board Chairman Keon Hardemon and also the Commissioners of the Southeast and Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency. Also, I just want to say thank you, first of all, to everyone that have supported our company, Human Resources of Miami, with the Overtown Blue Shirts Beautification Team. And I'd like to say thank you to Mr. Woods and all of his organization; but more importantly, to our community liaison, Mr. Nathaniel Joseph, for the leadership that he has provided. Amen? Oh, I'm not at church. I didn't mean to say "amen." Mr. Woods: Amen, amen. Ms. Carty: Sorry about that. Anyway, I really, really just want to also say thank you to the Overtown community. You know, we love this community. I've been here since I was five years old. I'm -- that's more than 50 years that I've been around this community, and I love it so much. I used to sell conch fritters and, you know -- what else I used to sell as a kid? -- peanut candy and all that kind of stuff. On Friday nights, I used to go around as a little girl and sell on 3rd Avenue. So I love Overtown. I love it. I can't find another spot in the entire United States. And I've traveled over to Israel and other countries, and there's just nowhere like Overtown. I love it. And so, I'm so grateful that you all have empowered us to help the community. Over -- since March, for this particular contract period, we've hired more than 20 crew members, and of which, I guess about eight or nine have now been employed. And so, we still managed to stay with our 11 and our two on -call people, but I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for considering us worthy, and we appreciate all assistance that we are provided. Our broke down trucks, we love our trucks, but we're very appreciative to be able to cover more of the geographical area. And some things we do that we don't ever mention is the ones that interview to be a part of the team. Wait a minute. I forgot to say thank you to the Blue Shirt. Chair Hardemon: There it is. Ms. Carty: And I'm on item number 8. Thank you very much. So thank you, Blue Shirts. But there's a lot of people that apply that do not get the opportunity to work with the Blue Shirts. And what we do historically, just for your own information, we generally bring them in, we assess them, we refer them back out to One Stop, and we still try to reach out and help them until the next period. So thank you. Ms. Omoaka is the contract manager. I don't know if she want to say anything. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair -- Shaneetha Omoaka: I just want to say thank you. Mr. Hannon: -- I'd like to just get the speaker's name. SEOPW CRA Page 8 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 Chair Hardemon: The new speaker? Ms. Carty: Oh, you want my name? Oh, it's Marcia Carty, okay, and Shaneetha Omoaka. That's it? Ms. Omoaka: Just want to say thank you to all. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. Chair Hardemon: Now, thank you to the Blue Shirts. I mean, the people that you hire are always very nice people. Whatever I need when I'm driving around Overtown, I need some assistance with, they help me -- Ms. Omoaka: Thank you. Chair Hardemon: -- and it was just in driving around and seeing them working, and seeing the sweat pour down some of their faces -- Ms. Carty: Right. Chair Hardemon: -- that I realized that they needed something comfortable for them to work and drive around in, to be able to collect the garbage that they've collected -- Ms. Carty: Yes. Chair Hardemon: -- in Overtown, so thank you all very much. I know every time you see me, I speak, because, you know, I appreciate what you do. So keep it up. Ms. Carty: And y'all want to say, "It's our pleasure." That song y'all said, say it. THE AUDIENCE: It's our pleasure. Ms. Carty: Okay. So it is our pleasure. Okay, thank you. Applause Renita Holmes: Good evening, Mr. Chair, each and every one -- Chair Hardemon: Good evening. Ms. Holmes: -- including the audience. I am Madam Renita Holmes, executive director and founder of Wave of Women in Public Housing, Education, Finance and Development -- WOW -- as well as the executive of Our Homes, Opportunities for United Restoration of our Homes, Business and Property Services; coming straight out of extremely low income and public housing, and rising to a level of professionalism. And when we talk about economic opportunity, an agenda in item 1, I'm very pleased. But I speak in regards to those of us -- and persons like myself and my experience, as a person with disability. When I look at the population of our Overtown, we have enumerous [sic] gentlemen and women who are very low income, like myself that are persons with disability. And the only economic opportunity or professional opportunity that we will have, will have, more than likely, to be much like mines, home -based business. And most of us who are home -based business are dealing with professional industries, such as consultants, overseers, but when you're a African American inner city woman, or you're SEOPW CRA Page 9 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 a veteran that has a dishonorable discharge, it doesn't deny you the right to serve or the right to (UNINTELLIGIBLE). But those niche programs that we provide that niche population that you hardly ever see here and which inspires my passion is that it's hard to get us together when it comes to being on the agenda, and that's why I'm continuing to make the presentation that I am. It's hard to get out to meetings in the rain in your wheelchair. It's hard to get off at the right bus stop and have to walk three backs -- three back. And sometimes, our disabilities aren't visual, but one thing we all see and we all do agree upon is that we want the economic opportunity to extend to our self. And I'd like to talk about creating a better system or coordinate -- at a later date -- a coordinated system and the services that we provide to that niche population, because we know that the extremely low income and those that are not participating are those that do not walk, those that do not have transportation, and some of us who do not have resources or have been denied because of our military status. And I don't see that on the agenda, but I do know we're in the neighborhood, and I don't see many service providers. It requires a level of expertise and knowledge of the policy and innovative programs occurring throughout, but it's the hardest population to serve. And I know I ain't easy to get along with, but we do prosper. Please help us. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Javier Fernandez: Mr. Chairman and Members of the Board, Javier Fernandez, here with Stearns Weaver Miller. I just want to speak very quickly to items RE.1 and RE.4. On RE.4, on behalf of MDM, I just want to voice our support for the resolution to select E.L. Waters as the consultant to complete the finding of necessity. As you all know, it's a very important first step to completing an extension we've been talking about for some time, and so we're excited to see that item advance. On RE.1, on behalf of All Aboard Florida, just want to voice our support again for the resolution. As you know, we submitted an unsolicited bid some time ago that, unfortunately, was not accepted by this body, but we look forward to participating in that future process, and bringing much - needed services, like a full service grocer, a Publix on Block 56 to Block 55, as well. So thank you for your consideration of that item. Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, ma'am. Berlinda Faye Dixon: Hi. My name is Berlinda Faye Dixon, 1128 Northwest 7th Avenue, Apartment 401; board chair for Smash the Slumlords, also known as SMASH, a 501(c)(3), Struggle for Miami's Affordable and Sustainable Housing. I want to piggyback and ditto what Renita Holmes said. I, myself, am a low-income resident. I'm a retired nurse of 18 years, and my income is $1,484. So when we talk about, quote/unquote, "affordable,"I couldn't afford a $700-a-month rent with my medications being $400; and my co pay for my meds, just to have the prescription plan is 150. So, yeah. And I use a walker at times. Although I look normal -- I had to become an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) advocate so I get -- so the discrimination stops, because I look normal and I'm not in a chair, and I've worked very, very hard to not be in the chair and to not use that walker, and not use that cane. And I train very aggressively on a daily basis with a harness, with my service dog, running. And you might see me running around Culmer Train Station a lot of times, and up on the bridge. So I want to encourage the CRA to please look at the population that is being underserved. But more importantly, I would also like to just say that I would like slum and blight to be properly addressed, and the lack of enforcement of true code enforcement fines, and then the building is -- the fines are waived and the building is sold to the next person. But I wanted to speak on item number 3, in reference to NANA (Neighbors and Neighbors). I think that is definitely a fantastic move, because it's all partitions. Nobody has any privacy, like they said. Ditto everything she said. It's been a fantastic agency. I mean, even as a community service, if I needed to fax something, this or that, to take care of what I needed to take care, as a low-income resident, they've been extremely helpful in SEOPW CRA Page 10 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 helping me with services. And also, the services within NANA have been extremely helpful, so I encourage that. And as far as on item number 8, really quickly, I wanted to say that I really appreciate the Beautification Team. They're doing a wonderful job. But I'm wondering if, as part of their team, can they do a walk-through assessment, block by block? Like, this is a broken sidewalk. The handicap ramp is broke. The bus bench is broke here. Can they do that as part of it? Because now, they're going to have more, and we have a lot of issues. And I'm sitting on the County board, too. You know I'm on the Oversight Board; you appointed me. And we're going to be doing walk-throughs, and I'd like to address those as -- for the CRA to address those issues, block by block, within our area, too. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: That's a good idea. You can make sure you let them know after -- they just walked out. And then that way, they can give that information to the NET (Neighborhood Enhancement Team) office, so that the NET office can properly start to address those issues. Thank you. Ms. Dixon: Thank you so much. Jackie Bell: My name is Jackie Bell. I'm not here on any item. I'm here to request from you. Booker T. Washington Senior High is having a serious problem with the children going to school, because they don't have the activities. What they have done is, they have contacted New Washington Heights with Folklife Friday, and each first Friday, they will be bringing -- I don't know how many kids, but they're going from grade to grade. Last -- second Friday, they brought three busloads of children to the festival. I don't want the children to come to the festival to just walk up and down and enjoy the music. That is not going to be helpful. But what I do want and what I am asking from you is, we have so many of you who are sitting in here, who are real professionals, who understand that the children need to go to school, need to help make sure that they understand. And I would like to ask that each one of you here, would you all please give me one month -- one day out of one month, so that you can come and talk to them, and encourage them to keep going to school? Because it -- each one of you know what it means to go to school and -- Chair Hardemon: I quit school in fifth grade, ma'am. I'm sorry. Ms. Bell: I know. I went and signed my name and left. Board Member Suarez: We'll do it, we'll do it. We'll do it, for sure, Ms. Bell. We'll do it. Ms. Bell: Each one of you know how important it is for these children, and this Friday -- he don't know it yet -- but Mr. Woods is going to speak to them. Board Member Suarez: We'll do it. We'll do it, for sure. Ms. Bell: Okay. I mean, he don't know it, but he's there. Board Member Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Ms. Bell: So I -- if I send you all a letter and ask you, would you be willing to come and speak to them so that they know that there are people in this community that knows what it means to go to school? And then, my great-granddaughter go over there, okay, so that's how they got in touch with us, is because she go there. And they didn't believe that her grandmother and great-grandmother had such a project. So thank you, Mr. Woods, for being there Friday. And -- SEOPW CRA Page 11 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 Mr. Woods: I'll be there. Ms. Bell: -- I will be sending each one of you a letter to please -- I know you'll come, Todd, okay? Because all of you are very good people, and please help me with this. Mr. Woods: Yes. Ms. Bell: Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you. Lillian Slater: Commissioner, I'm no stranger. For many years, Commissioner Gort -- Chair Hardemon: Can you tell everyone who you are, please? Ms. Slater: Oh, my name is Lillian Slater, 1640 Northwest 4th Avenue, Apartment 10-C; Town Park Village, for 40-some years. Commissioner Gort, all of you, Commissioner Suarez and the Commissioner there, he was kind of -- he wasn't here at that time. So when -- Vice Chair Gort: They weren't born yet. Ms. Slater: -- Ms. Marie Acker was living, many years ago -- Board Member Suarez: You got me. You -- Ms. Slater: -- we used to go down -- Jackie Bell, all of us down there. And I'm just asking -- I know Mr. Woods and -- where is Emilie? Oh, okay, I didn't see him. Board Member Suarez: Couldn't see it? Ms. Slater: He over there. Board Member Suarez: Shining over there. Ms. Slater: They all my guys, but sometimes, I have to put a little fire on they sheet and let them know who I am. You know, I was here before they got there. So I want you all to look into this. Commissioner Gort, Commissioner Suarez, and my man there in the middle, I want you to look into this. I want this done right, because this is our home for all them years, and we the only one has been there them -- that length of time. When they was first built, those buildings -- it's three of them. Town Park was the first one; then the South and the North. So I'm always there, and I want you all to come out there and look at Town Park. I might buy -- give you something to eat if you come. If you don't come, you ain't going to get nothing. Mr. Woods: That'll be a treat. Ms. Slater: Okay? Because you all done had y'all treat. Mr. Woods: That'll be a treat. Ms. Slater: So I ain't worried about y'all two. So these others going to get theirs, if they do right and look at this construction thing, because I ain't going nowhere, because I'm SEOPW CRA Page 12 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 going to be fighting like a cat. So you all know just that, Commissioner Gort and Commissioner Suarez. You all know me very well. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much, Ms. Slater. You're recognized, ma'am. Cecilia Stewart: Cecilia Stewart, 1899 Northwest 1st Court. Good evening. I'm here in reference to item number 3, with the Overtown Business Resource Center. I would like to request that there be a marquee in front of the shopping plaza, the commercial area at 1490 Northwest 3rd Avenue, so that people would know what's inside the areas that are in the back; those different businesses, those units that are not visible; some type of marquee that can be changed as a business change. They are available, if you know how to go market that. But it's necessary to keep those businesses open that people know that they are there. So I'm asking you, Mr. Woods, if the CRA could see into providing a marquee to name the different businesses that are in that shopping plaza. As well as item number 8, dealing with the Beautification Team Program, I would like to just bring to your attention that we need to maintain our gateway entry at the Northwest 8th Street and 3rd Avenue, by the Mount Zion Church, the CRA sign that's there. That area, we need to keep that so beautiful that when people come off of 95, when they are going on 95, they can see that and know that we care and respect our area. Please, Mr. Woods, could you maintain that and make sure that's done for us? I really would appreciate it. I never come to these meetings, but I thought it necessary for that particular purpose. Thank you. Mae Christian: Good evening. My name is Dr. Mae Christian, 4824 Northwest 15th Court, Miami, Florida. I'm also a member of the Overtown Oversight Board. I have two major concerns and issues. One of them is, how could we keep riding by past those bridges with all those homeless people? A lot of them are veterans, and I think we need to do something about it. Some of it is our fault; our fault for not saying anything, and the government fault for not doing anything for these people. And the reason I'm saying this is you all have made it so difficult for people to obtain housing in some instances. Affordable housing needs to be reviewed and redefined. We -- maybe these people and -- under the bridge, because they can't afford the cost. We building these buildings through HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) and Federal funding, and you got all these homeless people. It's a shame. Even veterans are homeless. I also want to say that in Overtown, around 1974, Federal funds, through the Overtown Committee, the board got this money for that community center. I don't know where the County got the deeds from, but it was paid for through the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds. I'm saying to you that this community should be able to have activities in that facility; whether it's weddings, the different activities in that building need to be opened up so that they can use it with activities that they need for community issues, as well. Why is it closed? I remember one night -- you remember -- they asked the Commissioner, all us out at 6 o'clock. That is a community facility. Those are two of the issues that I'm concerned about. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Is there any other person that'd like to speak during the public comment? Seeing no other person, I'm going to close public comment. SEOPW CRA Page 13 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 RESOLUTIONS 1. CRA RESOLUTION 1247 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE RE -ISSUANCE OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF BLOCK 55. File # 1247 Backup part 1 File # 1247 Backup part 2 ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-16-0055 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner AYES: Hardemon, Gort, Suarez ABSENT: Russell, Carollo Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing item RE.1, please see "Public Comments for Regular Items." Chair Hardemon: RE.1. Mr. Woods. Clarence Woods, III (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency): Resolution Number 1 is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency, authorizing the reissuance of a Request for Proposal for development of Block 55. Chair Hardemon: Can you give some background, so we understand where we are? Mr. Woods: Commissioners, Block 55 is one of three parcels that we put out at -- all at one time, and we received several responses; I think, for Block 55 itself, maybe three or four responses. We selected the Overtown Gateway Partners to develop that particular block, along with Block 45. We have been in negotiate -- we had been in negotiations for almost three years, and just maybe two months ago, we felt that we were at an impasse, where we could not bring that item to the Board for approval of Overtown Gateway and them being the developers of that block. Chair Hardemon: Mr. Channer, is there -- Do you want to address the Board at this time? Barron Channer: I do. Chair Hardemon: Please. Mr. Channer: Barron Channer, principal, Overtown Gateway Partners, with address of 2020 Biltmore Way, Coral Gables, Florida. Chair, appreciate the opportunity to present here on this item. First, just to clam our position, our position is to encourage the Board to reject staffs request to put out an issuance, and quite simply, it has to do with SEOPW CRA Page 14 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 the issue of fairness. We came here in -- when we came here and proposed for Block 55, as well as Block 45 -- when we proposed for Block 55, as well as Block 45, it was with one simple expectation. You know, I -- not sure that it was necessary to be stated, but the expectation was to have a fair opportunity to fail or succeed on our own merits. Block 45 - - and I'll talk briefly about -- First of all, Chair, how much time will you -- will I be afforded, just so I understand? Chair Hardemon: A reasonable amount of time. Mr. Channer: Okay. I appreciate it. With Block 45, which your staff saw fit to attempt to terminate us on, then ultimately changed their mind and decided mutually with us to cease negotiations, with Block 45, they sent us a termination notice, alleging that we had not performed. What they failed to address in sending that termination notice is that the conditions under which we could perform were never arrived at, through no fault of our own. What do I mean? You're a lawyer; not sure to what extent you have transactional experience. But, Commissioner Gort, you're an investment banker, so I know you have direct real estate experience. And similarly, Commissioner Suarez has real estate experience. If you are a developer or an investor and you have not finalized the contract in the form that the counterparty has approved the contract, the person on the other side of the table has approved the contract, you're not in a position to perform. In this circumstan -- in the situation of Block 45 -- then I'm going to tell you -- and then we'll get to Block 55, because it's -- all lays out an important context here. In the case of Block 45, you have a development agreement that was also married to three other agreements - - we all acknowledge those -- a grant agreement, a covenant agreement, and some other - - and another agreement. Those three agreements, your staff suggested to us we had not performed on in June of 2016, so they sent us a termination notice then. What they don't address in that process was the year and a half almost of time, from March of 2015, when those documents were effectively finished and in a position that they could go to the Board, April. Then you have your own executive director in May, I believe it was, of 2015, recommending to the Chair and to the Board that you authorize him to negotiate and enter into the agreements with us. So he is saying that those documents that go with finalizing Block 45 are prepared to be signed; that is May of 2015; item taken off the agenda. Fast forward to June of 2016. Despite our continuous plea -- pleas, almost begging, "We need to get that document approved, so we can move forward," those items never see the light of day and are never brought to the Board. Now, in our position, all I can do is come here and stand in front of a mike and accept the amount of time that you offer me. I can't force your staff to put a document before you, so I'll leave that point on Block 45. It's -- we were never given the opportunity to perform and it's through no fault of our own, and we would welcome an opportunity to delve into that further. Okay? Fast forward now to Block 55. And by the way, they terminated us, and we said, "To be peaceful and respectful of the overall process, if you guys don't want to do business with us, okay; not sure what the circumstances are, but it can't be about our performance. We will remove ourselves from that situation," which we did; no salacious comments to anybody. We were invited on a numerous term -- numerous circumstances to -- suggesting -- did not imply anything -- just simply said, "We were unable to get to an understanding with the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency)," and moved on. We moved on with the expectation that, at a minimum, the goodwill shown there in the face of no goodwill being shown to us would buy us some level of understanding on Block 55. September the 16th, they send us a termination notice on Block 55. Today, they're asking for your approval to do an RFP (Request for Proposals). They sent us a termination notice on September 16, after, on September 9, having sent us what is effectively a semi- final version of the agreement for Block 55. So the agreement is essentially done. We've got an issue with -- there's some -- a request in there as it relates to housing and affordability, but essentially done, that agreement. By their own admission, they sent it to us and we were ready to go. Now, what transpired between September the 9th and September the 16th? Simple. We thought the agreement was finished. We expected to be SEOPW CRA Page 15 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 able to enter that and have the chance to legitimately fail or succeed, and then you judge us on the merits of us being able to do something. But as developers, we can't get out of the gate if we can't actually get an agreement. We have the agreement. We think the agreement is finished. We start being presented with requests that we were uncomfortable with, and rejected them. In the face of rejecting those requests, we were -- it was implied and suggested to us that those were known by yourself. We did not believe that to be the case. We took it upon ourselves, suspicious of that, to send you a letter and notification raising those concerns. Why did we do that? We attempted to -- and no statement as to intent, but we attempted to arrange to speak with you, we attempted to arrange to meet with you, and we were not successful. We did that out of a sense of urgency, and that urgency came from having it being communicated to us, quite simply, that if we had not accepted the things we were uncomfortable with, our rights would be terminated. Waiting for our rights to be terminated before we appealed to you, the one person who we thought and still do think would be in the position to assist us would have been foolish. You don't call the authorities after you've been killed, you call them before; you think you're going to be killed. So we reached out to you. A week later, no one -- still, to this day, no one has asked us how -- what are the issues, what's the -- what are the facts behind those issues, still to this day. A week after that letter was sent -- and I suspect that, you know, the tone of that letter struck you the wrong way -- they then terminate us; not because we don't have an agreement, but because they wanted to punish us. And that's under -- I'm a big boy, and our team, we are okay. All I'm saying is the process you are running has to have at its heart some level of fairness. And if people are going to be punished -- mind you, we've done two and a half years, couple hundred thousand dollars' worth of effort to get here, all right; not millions, but a couple hundred thousand dollars' effort just to get here; two and a half years of my life and members of our team, simply for the right to be able to fail or succeed on our own. And the second we think we have an opportunity with Block 55, having quietly had Block 45 taken away from us, despite our feelings, we allowed that to happen. We thought it was unfair, believe that it is unfair -- the second we have Block 55 on the cusp of being able to finally be in our hands, we're now being asked to do things that put us in a position of compromising our integrity. And we can never do that, it's just -- it can't be done. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. I'm sure no one would ask you -- well, I guess that's a matter for the executive director -- Mr. Channer: I'd like -- Chair Hardemon: -- to comment on. Mr. Channer: Okay. Chair Hardemon: Can you please respond to the comments? Mr. Channer: And I have some final comments, by the way, if you'll allow me, Chair. Vice Chair Gort: Go ahead. Chair Hardemon: Well, and I want to be clear. We're not going to be here all night. Clarence Woods, III (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency): Okay, good. Board Member Suarez: No, I promise you that. Chair Hardemon: So this is -- SEOPW CRA Page 16 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 Mr. Woods: Great, great, great. Chair Hardemon: -- so these are -- this is in response to that. I'm sure, just in the same way that the letter that you sent to me spoke of legal action that you were going to take and -- Mr. Channer: No, we didn't -- we -- Chair Hardemon: -- no, but hear what I'm saying to you, because I responded back to you, and in the letter, I think I was very clear in it, and I wish you luck in this whole process. But I will say that you have the same avenues that are afforded to any other person that has the nego -- well, has won an RFQ -- RFP, and that has not yet been awarded to. And so, I'm sure that whatever legal ramifications that come from this will come, based off of what decision the Board makes at this time; but, Mr. Woods. Mr. Woods: Well, just to speak about Block 45, which really shouldn't even be a topic of conversation -- Chair Hardemon: So just address 55, then. Mr. Woods: Okay. Well, so we won't address Block 55 [sic]. There were some mischaracterizations, but we'll move forward. On Block 55, Mr. Channer is correct, and I'll only say that after about two and a half years, as he states, of us going back and forth over the development agreement, on September 9, when we submitted to them what we felt was a document that was as complete as it could possibly be, what he's not saying is that they rejected that document. They rejected that document. Mr. Channer: That's not -- Mr. Woods: It's -- it was rejected, and we were told that that was not the document they wanted, because they wanted to be able to preserve two options instead of one defined project. They wanted two options. After two and a half years of going through this, and they're telling us -- where we believe that we've gotten to a place to where this is what it is, as far as the development, itself, we were told, "That's not acceptable and we're not going to accept that document." So we then get a letter -- we got a call from you, stating that you got a letter -- alleging certain improprieties, and legal action and whatnot. So, for us, that again -- and that letter did state that they wanted to be able to preserve a couple of options. For us, that was a rejection of what we felt was the best option to be able to bring before our Board. So we then terminated, because we felt that it -- I mean, the situation had progressed where there's now innuendo and accusations about improprieties, not only from us, but from our Chair, as well. So we felt like, you know, we need to cut this off and we need to start fresh and anew. We feel like that sanitized the whole process. Chair Hardemon: Now, Commissioner Gort, you mentioned earlier about my ability to negotiate and how -- especially in our CRA. I think that's how we started to really move projects forward, with expectations that were going to benefit those of us in our community. I'm happy to say that I didn't participate in this negotiation one -- Mr. Woods: No, you didn't. Chair Hardemon: -- not one -- SEOPW CRA Page 17 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 Vice Chair Gort: I know. Chair Hardemon: -- minute. And in fact, the only time that I spoke in reference to this agreement or the -- your couple of agreements -- because I always get confused on the two projects, 45 and 55 -- and I sat right here in this seat, and I fought to have your organization be granted the ability to sit and negotiate with our executive director to move forward, because you could remember at one point, you were asked to split the baby on one, and the other on the -- Board Member Suarez: Both of them, really. Chair Hardemon: Yeah. -- on the cusp of being taken away, if you will, or that -- not -- the opportunity not being provided to you. So, you know, I've been an advocate for your organization on principle. And today, you know, I sit here, still a principle man, thinking about how it is that we move forward with our community with responsible development, within our area. And the reason I said that I think that you should be happy that I'm not intimately involved throughout the whole process, because you -- I think you'd find that many of the requirements that we've set forth for our Community Redevelopment area and the agency, with responsible wages and all -- things of that nature, you know, they would be included within a project like this. But just like every other project that moved forward, except for one that our wonderful Bishop Adams helped us improve on his own merit, except for that one, they all moved forward as they were, because I thought it was important that we start to have some development within the area, and so we're past that stage, and we're starting to look forward towards the new development that's coming. And the one project, I think, that has not yet moved forward is this one, and it's not because of the Chair; I'm sure it's not because of any of my Board Members. It's all been in the hands of the person who won and our executive director. And so, at this point, you know, I want to be able to see something happen positively within our area. I wanted it to be with your organization; that's why my vote was in favor of you when we granted this whole agreement. I must say, receiving a letter like that -- I mean, you saw my response. Mr. Channer: I read the letter. Chair Hardemon: So my response was very clear. There's nothing for me to be ashamed about, and, you know, it's still not my decision whether or not you move forward or not. The negotiation is through the executive director. He handles negotiation. He gives his recommendation to us as a Board. And so, now, we're here dealing with that recommendation. Mr. Channer: Yeah. Chair Hardemon: And so if I don't have -- Mr. Channer: I have a couple of comments, Chair, if I have the opportunity. Chair Hardemon: Well, one second. Like I said, we're not going to be here -- if anyone has an issue, if there's some discussion that the Board Members want to have, then I'll take that discussion now. Board Member Suarez: I just have a couple points that I want to make. One is, you know, we vote on things, and I was -- I voted with you on that. And I also supported the project, and it was a 3-2 vote, I think, right? Chair Hardemon: Yes. SEOPW CRA Page 18 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 Board Member Suarez: I don't -- Chair Hardemon: It was a tough one. Mr. Channer: It was actually 3-1. Board Member Suarez: It was a tough one. And -- sorry? Mr. Channer: 3-1. Chair Hardemon: 3-1. Board Member Suarez: 3-1. And -- which was basically a winning vote -- Chair Hardemon: A winning vote. Board Member Suarez: -- because if it was a 2-2, it would have been a tie, and it would have been a "no." So I think it had to be a -- it was contentious and a gut -wrench, you know, gut -wrenching vote. But, you know, for me, here's the problem that I face -- or that I feel: When we take a vote on something, you know, oftentimes, what I'm learning -- and I can't believe after seven years, I'm still learning things here -- is that there's almost like a second war, because of everything that happens after the vote, you know? And, you know, we have to draw a line in the sand -- right? -- as -- I think -- as far as how long after a vote we're willing to negotiate one of these deals, because three years is a problem. You know what I mean? It's a big problem, and it presents my second concern, my second problem, which is speculation, because -- and what I mean by "speculation" is, if you have a deal that languishes for three years, well, guess what? Last year, our property tax base went up by 11 percent; the year before that, it went up by 14 percent. So that's 25 percent appreciation right there. And so, what ends up happening is somebody who has rights, some sort of rights, or who thinks they have rights, you know, may want to trade those rights. And then the people that get left out are the owners of the property, which is us. And so, you know, I really think we need to take a hard look at that, and maybe say, when we do these kinds of things, it takes -- we'll give you three months, you know, 60 days, 90 days, maybe 120; maybe 180, if we think it's really, really complicated, but no more than 180 days, you know. And I think -- and we have to think about -- we should think about and talk about what kind of flippable [sic] rights, if you will, or exchangeable rights or -- Mr. Woods: Assignments. Board Member Suarez: -- assignable rights should or shouldn't be given, because -- Chair Hardemon: Look, I -- we've had assignable rights in some agreements that I've said, "I don't think we should be able to assign these rights" -- Board Member Suarez: I agree. And by the way, I'm thinking that -- Chair Hardemon: -- "especially not being able to (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Board Member Suarez: -- we should relook at that, is what I'm trying to tell you. And so, I think we're agreeing with each other. I don't think anybody should be making money off us, you know, or if they want to broker a deal, they can get a broker's commission, but that's about it, you know, and that's the fear that I have. But that requires a certain level SEOPW CRA Page 19 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 of diligence on our part, too, because we should be hammering these deals out in 30 -- you know, 90 days; you know, maybe six months, on the long end, if it's a really complicated deal. But I think if we really put our heads together and we really focused on a deal, I think we could get it done in 60 to 90 days. Vice Chair Gort: My question is, how many negotiations took place? I'm sure that you put a document together. He rejected that document. You put another document together, and they rejected that, also. Mr. Woods: Yeah. Vice Chair Gort: So there must be something very particular that they're rejection -- Board Member Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that language (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Chair Hardemon: Yeah -- no, but one of the things that I'm saying, look, if a deal has been out that long trying to come to an agreement -- Look, if I ask you a question, you're going to give me your position. If I ask him his position, he's going to give me a different position. And many times, they're going to be different from each other. They may have some similarities, but there's going to be a fundamental difference that is something that gets you to the point where you do not agree. Mr. Channer: Right. Chair Hardemon: And so, that's what I'm seeing today. And so, after the amount of time that I've been Chairman of this organization and seeing the deal that's been out, this is much longer than three months, six months, nine months, one year. And we've extended the ability to negotiate. We've done many different things to keep this deal alive. And what I'm seeing now is that I don't think it's going to work, from my perspective, from what's been explained to me by my executive director. And so, that's why we want to move forward with what's best for the Overtown area. Mr. Channer: I agree. Chair Hardemon: Okay. So you want to say something briefly? Mr. Channer: Referring to the Chair. Chair Hardemon: Please. You could say something brief. Mr. Channer: Okay. Couple of things, first of all. You're correct about the fact that it's a war. After -- it's a war -- there's a war after the war. Board Member Suarez: "A war" now. Mr. Channer: It took us five months after the Board designated -- directed negotiations to receive the first draft of the document. And you asked, Commissioner, about negotiations. If it takes you five months to get the document, and in between, there've been multiple other spans of time, where three to four months will pass with literally no response and no progress being had -- we can't control -- we don't control the document. All we can do is control our response. And I can show you the dates we responded relative to the draft we received. So two and a half years, we have made no money in that time frame, so this has not actually rewarded us with anything. If anything, I'd argue we've probably gotten to a point where the market is a little bit more challenging SEOPW CRA Page 20 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 than it was at that point in time, so we've probably been harmed in the process. Okay? But we -- so we didn't fashion this. On the issue as it relates to the terms, Commissioner, actually, it's quite the opposite. The deal we started with, we proposed to you all, and it was prior to you, but you were there for the first -- your first meeting, I believe it was, happened to be the last meeting where this designation was being awarded, or this negotiation was being directed. The deal that we proposed in 2013, ultimately to get to you in 2014, included market rate rental, above ground floor retail, with land at no cost. The deal that we have today, as of September the 9th, and I'm asserting to you, as a representative of the organization that we have maybe one issue. We've actually never said that we rejected it. It may have been interpreted, but we never said that. The deal we have today actually reflects all of the responsible wage requirements that you have imposed on others. We've effectively accepted those. It includes the land at $9 million. It includes 7,000 square foot of free space being granted to the CRA. So they have done a pretty marvelous job negotiating the business terms. If this were about resolving the business terms and sitting in a room and doing business with us, that'd be done, literally, in two hours. Why we're here and why you received the letter you received, two things: One, we were asked to do something that we were uncomfortable with doing. Chair Hardemon: You made that point. You made that point very clearly. Mr. Channer: And two, we were told, which we did not believe, that this was something that you were aware of. And we thought the right thing to do at that time, given the circumstances, was to reach out to you. Could the letter have been worded differently? Maybe. But we're not here because of a disagreement on the actual terms of the document. We're here because we're being punished for having done that. Chair Hardemon: Well, I will say in the letter, my response to you, it was in the negative. I was unaware of anything that you spoke of. I asked my staff "Were these things being communicated to you?" My staff responded back to me, "no." And so, here we are again, you know. So I don't know what it is that you would want me to do besides try to move everything that we're doing forward. And so, if you're saying that you have a -- you agree to the terms of the agreement, then there is no need for this. But if you're saying you reject the terms of the agreement that staff was presenting to you, then here we are with this resolution. Mr. Channer: There was one thing in the agreement that we wanted the chance to discuss with staff and that related to the income restriction on the housing. So what's transpired since -- Chair Hardemon: But, see, this is what I'm saying. You -- that's what you just described to me -- Mr. Channer: Right. Chair Hardemon: -- which doesn't sound like a big issue. But the executive director just said that you wanted two options as to far -- as far as what you wanted to build. And so, that's a different -- Mr. Channer: That's actually not the case. We're -- Chair Hardemon: These are -- Mr. Channer: -- we proposed a -- I'm sorry, I interrupted you. Go ahead. Chair Hardemon: -- two different characterizations of the same agreement. SEOPW CRA Page 21 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 Mr. Channer: We proposed a plan that was a residential development about -- above, ground floor retail. We are prepared to go forward with a plan that's residential development above, ground floor retail. We don't have -- We've never made a demand for there to be a second plan. All we have ever demanded was that our plan, which was our original plan, be the core part of the agreement instead of -- Chair Hardemon: Somebody's not being -- Mr. Channer: Okay. Chair Hardemon: -- forward with this. I'm getting two different fact patterns here. I'm just -- I'm telling you that, right? Same way as you sent me the letter and I addressed you back -- or your lawyer sent the letter and I addressed you back personally in that letter. I'm getting two different stories about the same issue. Mr. Woods: Yes. Board Member Suarez: You know, and I think the other part is, to me, it's the aggregate issue, which is this has been going on for -- what? -- two and a half years? Mr. Woods: Yeah. Board Member Suarez: So the property is a different -- it's -- maybe the financing of it has changed, which I won't necessarily dispute your characterization of that, but the property itself has appreciated significantly in terms of value. Mr. Channer: Yeah. Board Member Suarez: So, you know, things have changed. And so, my concern is -- and we could blame each other, or we could throw blame around, but it's taken two and a half years, and I think that's -- that, to me -- we really need to buckle down and we really need to figure out -- maybe, in the resolutions, when we approve these that we say, "We're going to negotiate for X' number of time," or whatever the case may be, because otherwise, it has to come back to the Board, you know, for some sort of discussion, or some sort of decision to continue to negotiate or not or put it out for an RFP, because, you know, that is a long time and I -- Chair Hardemon: Yeah. Board Member Suarez: -- you know. Mr. Channer: We're in the -- Chair Hardemon: Members -- Mr. Channer: -- oh. Chair Hardemon: -- is this -- after hearing the discussion, is there a motion that's in favor of the Resolution RE. 1? Board Member Suarez: I'll move it. SEOPW CRA Page 22 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 Chair Hardemon: Been properly moved. Vice Chair Gort: Second. Chair Hardemon: Seconded. Is there any further discussion on the issue? Board Member Suarez: No. Chair Hardemon: Seeing none, all in favor, say "aye." The Board (Collectively): Aye. Chair Hardemon: Motion passes. 2. CRA RESOLUTION 1266 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000, TO UNDERWRITE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH EMERGENCY REPAIRS TO THE FORMER LAW OFFICE OF THE HONORABLE JUDGE LAWSON EDWARD THOMAS LOCATED AT 1021 N.W. 2ND AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE FUNDS, AT HIS DISCRETION, ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS OR DIRECTLY TO VENDORS; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, ENTITLED "OTHER CONTRACTUAL SERVICES," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.534000.0000.00000. File # 1266 Backup ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-16-0048 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner AYES: Hardemon, Gort, Suarez ABSENT: Russell, Carollo Chair Hardemon: Commissioners, is there a motion to approve at least items RE.2 through RE.8? Board Member Suarez: So moved. Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved. Is there a second? Vice Chair Gort: Second. Chair Hardemon: Seconded by -- Vice Chair Gort: 2 through -- what? SEOPW CRA Page 23 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 Chair Hardemon: 2 -- Vice Chair Gort: 2, okay. Chair Hardemon: -- through 8. Vice Chair Gort: To 8? Chair Hardemon: Yeah. We can still have discussion on the items. Vice Chair Gort: Beg your pardon? Chair Hardemon: We can still have discussion on the items. Vice Chair Gort: Yeah, but I wanted the -- a little discussion on item 5. Chair Hardemon: On 5? Board Member Suarez: So all that but 5? Vice Chair Gort: Yeah. Chair Hardemon: Okay. Board Member Suarez: 2, 3, 4; not 5; 6, 7, 8. Chair Hardemon: All right. So it's been properly moved and seconded to approve 2, 3, and 4, and items 6, 7, 8. Any discussion? Mr. Woods, there was a question from a woman from Town Park. Clarence Woods, III (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency): Yes. Commissioner, of the three questions asked, the question regarding the qualifications of the top -ranked proposer, we believe, as we vetted all of the docu -- Chair Hardemon: Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah. Vice Chair Gort: It's the same one. Chair Hardemon: 5 is a part of 1. Vice Chair Gort: Yeah, yeah. Chair Hardemon: So it's 2, 3, and 4; 6, 7, and 8. Mr. Woods: Right. Chair Hardemon: Is there any further discussion on any of the items, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8? Hearing none, all in favor, say "aye." The Board (Collectively): Aye. SEOPW CRA Page 24 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 Chair Hardemon: Motion passes. Vice Chair Gort: I'd like to make some recommendation, item 2. Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, Commissioner. Vice Chair Gort: Should -- the building we acquired from the judge -- I apologize, I forget the name right now. Was it Jackson? Board Member Suarez: Lawson. Mr. Woods: Eli Thomas -- Vice Chair Gort: Okay. Mr. Woods: -- Lawes. Vice Chair Gort: Thomas? I think that building could be very useful if we can fix it up and try to rent it to young attorneys that trying to come up into -- in the industry. So somebody starting as an attorney, an independent attorney, it makes it very difficult for them to get a location. And since that was a law firm before, if we could maybe continue to create a law firm, and give an opportunity to some of these young lawyers coming in to have a space where they can provide the businesses; just a suggestion. Mr. Woods: Yeah, yeah, yeah. 3. CRA RESOLUTION 1257 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A COMMERCIAL LEASE AGREEMENT WITH NEIGHBORS AND NEIGHBORS ASSOCIATION, INC., FOR THE LEASE OF COMMERCIAL SPACE AT 1490 N.W. 3RD AVENUE, UNIT NOS. 105 & 106, MIAMI FLORIDA; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-16-0049 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner AYES: Hardemon, Gort, Suarez ABSENT: Russell, Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing item RE.3, please see item RE.2. Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing item RE.3, please see "Public Comments for Regular Items." SEOPW CRA Page 25 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 4. CRA RESOLUTION 1249 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") ACCEPTING THE SELECTION COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION TO SELECT E.L. WATERS AND COMPANY, LLC, AS THE TOP RANKED PROPOSER TO PREPARE A FINDING OF NECESSITY/ASSESSMENT OF NEED AND AMEND THE CRA'S REDEVELOPMENT PLAN; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE TOP RANKED PROPOSER TO PERFORM THE PROJECT. File # 1249 Backup ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-16-0050 rOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner AYES: Hardemon, Gort, Suarez ABSENT: Russell, Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing item RE.4, please see item RE.2. Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing item RE.4, please see "Public Comments for Regular Items." 5. CRA RESOLUTION 1250 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ACCEPTING THE SELECTION COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION TO SELECT CAZO CONSTRUCTION, CORP., AS THE TOP RANKED FIRM TO PERFORM THE RENOVATION AND REHABILITATION OF TOWN PARK VILLAGE NO. 1, 1680 NW 4TH AVENUE, MIAMI, FL, 33136 (FOLIO #: 01-3136-067-0001) ("PROJECT"); FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE TOP RANKED FIRM TO PERFORM THE PROJECT. File # 1250 Backup ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-16-0051 SEOPW CRA Page 26 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Suarez NAYS: Gort ABSENT: Russell, Carollo Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing item RE.5, please see "Public Comments for Regular Items." Chair Hardemon: Let's call RE.5. Clarence Woods, III (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency): Commissioners, Resolution Number 5 is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency, accepting the selection committee's recommendation to select Cazo Construction Corp. as the top -ranked firm to perform the renovation and rehabilitation of Town Park Village Number 1. The address is -- the address, 1680 Northwest 4th Avenue. Further, authorizing the executive director to negotiate with the top -ranked firm to perform the project. Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Gort, you had a question about the -- Vice Chair Gort: My understanding, the job was going to be performed by the individual that's going to be -- they're going to do an analysis, what are the needs -- Mr. Woods: Yes. Vice Chair Gort: -- for the building. Mr. Woods: Right. Vice Chair Gort: So they're going to do the analysis and they're going to make the recommendation. Mr. Woods: Yes. Vice Chair Gort: You're also going to award them the contract? Mr. Woods: Well, yes, if we can come to an agreement. What's going to happen is basically what happened with Town Park South. We'll enter into an agreement, and they'll be the first phase, which would be an analysis and assessment of the conditions, to determine exactly how much it's going to cost. And once we have that figured out, if we can come to an agreement on the price, then we will award the contract, so it would be two phases. Vice Chair Gort: My problem is that it is two phase. You got these guys telling you, "This is what you need, and I want to build it, according to what I told you it needs." Mr. Woods: Well -- SEOPW CRA Page 27 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 Vice Chair Gort: I think it should be two parties. If you're going to have somebody doing an analysis, what the needs are, then put it out to bid; somebody else then for construction. Mr. Woods: What we did was we put out an RFQ, which was a Request for Qualifications, and we believe that we have the most qualified firm -- Well, when I say "qualified," it's -- many of the other firms were qualified, as well. This particular firm, with everything that we considered in our due diligence, was the top -ranked firm. So to answer -- I'm forgetting her name -- Dana -- Dana's question, yes, we believe that they're more than qualify -- well, they are qualified, just as some of the others were, but they also had the renovation -- or the relocation team, one of the most difficult aspect -- and this is what we found -- or we've been finding with the other two Town Parks. It's not so much of the construction itself. Vice Chair Gort: It's the relocation. Mr. Woods: It's the relocation. And Cazo has teamed up with the Urban League of Greater Miami, who is a organization that has been in the neighborhood, and they have done many other -- Vice Chair Gort: I know the Urban -- Mr. Woods: -- large-scale projects. Vice Chair Gort: -- League very well, and I think did a wonderful job in the City of Miami, especially within this district. Board Member Hardemon: Yes. Vice Chair Gort: But I've talked to a couple of peoples -- or some of the people that live there. They were not too happy with the selections. They were -- the board does not consider they were being considered when it was taken, the decision, so just feedback. That's what I received there. Mr. Woods: And you know what? We had this conversation earlier. I think I understand where you were coming from. There was -- we -- this is the second time we've put this solicitation out. The first time, we only had one respondent. There were others that were interested, but they didn't make it to City Hall in time, you know, in order to get their proposals in, in time. We didn't feel that it would be in the best interest of the homeowners, as well as the CRA, just to have one proposal and not many to be able to choose from, and have the Board to be able to select from a number of different proposers. So we put it back out, and we had six -- seven responses. And of the seven responses -- Our review committee consisted of three CRA members and two members from Town Park. We've had meetings with members from Town Park since then, and we were of the understanding that they were good with the selection. And the one issue they had was the issue of the owner's rep. And we told them that what we would like to see is that the money go into the project. Hiring an owner's rep with the money could potentially be belts and suspenders, since we also have a project rep in Brian, but if it gave them a level of comfort, we would consider having an owner's rep for them, depending on how much that would actually cost. Chair Hardemon: So that's to be negotiated in the -- Mr. Woods: Yes. SEOPW CRA Page 28 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 Chair Hardemon: -- contract. Mr. Woods: Yes. Chair Hardemon: Is there any further discussion about it? Board Member Suarez: Yeah. I mean -- Mr. Chair, if I may? Chair Hardemon: Sure. Board Member Suarez: I just want to echo Commissioner Gort's comments. You know, I think there were -- some people were frustrated about the process, obviously, so I think we should definitely take into consideration what the residents are saying, because I think their concern is based on a real consternation. Obviously, what makes me feel better is when you see a video like the one that we saw, and we see sort of the product of what has been done. That makes you feel good that we can accomplish it well, and I think it should make the residents feel good, too. But, certainly, there are some concerns that have been expressed by multiple people about the process, and how we got to it. Okay? Mr. Woods: Well, again, the process was an open process. Board Member Suarez: I get it; no, I know. Mr. Woods: And it wasn't just CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). We had board members from Town Park Villages, both. Board Member Suarez: I know, I know. Mr. Woods: So -- and we've had subsequent conversations with board members, and we did not get the type of dissention that I'm hearing now about the process. Board Member Suarez: Listen, solicitations -- Mr. Woods: This is kind of new to me. Board Member Suarez: -- well, you know solicitations are always -- can always be somewhat contentious. Mr. Woods: Absolutely. Board Member Suarez: And it's a competition, and competition brings out -- Mr. Woods: Yes, the best out of all of us. Board Member Suarez: -- hopefully, the best out of all of us; sometimes the worst out of all of us, unfortunately. But -- Vice Chair Gort: It's always the best. Board Member Suarez: -- no, but the truth is that they have a tendency to become contentious, particularly because they're big deals. But at the end of the day, what we have to ensure and I think what we've all ensured from the time that we've been here -- SEOPW CRA Page 29 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 certainly, you have done a great job and the CRA has done a great job of executing once Mr. Woods: Yes. Board Member Suarez: -- our Chair got here, and has sort of put his stamp and his -- sort of the pedal in the metal, or the metal in the pedal -- we've been good at executing. So this is something that we're doing out of deference to the process that you established and out of our belief in you and your ability to execute, but we definitely want to keep in mind the residents that have expressed some concerns and some doubts. Chair Hardemon: Need to be -- are we dance -- what's going on? Pattie Walker: Could I say something, please? Chair Hardemon: It's not the time for public comment. Are you from Town Park? Ms. Walker: Yes, I'm from Town Park. Chair Hardemon: Yeah. Come -- you can come up, ma'am. One of the things we want to ensure that we remember is that the benefit is bestowed upon the residents. And so, a lot of what we're doing, especially in our Town Park communities, is trying to ensure that they have the development that they've been desiring for this long time, but we also have to ensure that we do it in a fiscally responsible manner, but also encourage competition, like we discussed. And I think any time that you have -- sometimes you have -- you send in an RFP (Request for Proposals), you get one respondent, and then that's what it is, you know. Board Member Suarez: Yeah, which doesn't look good. Chair Hardemon: One person responding. Board Member Suarez: Yeah. Chair Hardemon: Many times, you send out an RFP -- and in this case, from what I've seen, when you get seven responses back, I think that's better -- Board Member Suarez: Much better. Chair Hardemon: -- for you -- for us to choose from. Board Member Suarez: Sure. Chair Hardemon: So I know that it may be frustrating for people when they are the only respondent and you get seven and you either didn't respond, or you're number one, or you're number two, three, four, or five. But we have to keep in mind that just because you respond to an RFP or an RFQ doesn't mean you win. You know, even if you're ranked the highest doesn't mean that you're the community -- the person that's best for the job. So we try to ensure, especially at the CRA level, that people have some expectation that if they win an RFQ that they'll end up being the developer or the person that is in charge of the project that was bid. And so, in this situation, what I want to ensure is that the Town Park Village has a successful rehabilitation, because we're dealing with people's homes. And for many people, it's the largest investment they've made in anything besides education, for those of us who are paying high on those student loans; but other than SEOPW CRA Page 30 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 that, this is it. So I hold you all to a very high bar when it comes to ensuring that these projects are completed, because we want to ensure that the same way as people moved in Town Park North -- and that's not complete yet -- that they have an opportunity to move back into their homes with a successful completion. Mr. Woods: Yeah, absolutely. Chair Hardemon: And I'll open up the public comment for you -- Ms. Walker: Thank you, sir. Chair Hardemon: -- because you're from Town Park. Ms. Walker: Thank you. Chair Hardemon: And I don't want no problems with nobody from Town Park. Okay? Ms. Walker: Thank you, sir. Board Member Suarez: Ditto. Chair Hardemon: Can you state your name -- Ms. Walker: I just wanted to make -- Chair Hardemon: -- and address for the record? Ms. Walker: My name is Pattie Walker and I'm from Town Park Village, and I'm a member of the board. I just wanted to make a comment, respectfully, sir, that when they chose the people who were to make the votes, it was -- we were always outnumbered. It's three of their members and only two of ours. So regardless of how we would vote, you know, it wouldn't make a difference, because they outnumbered us. And also, he said that we had -- We didn't always say that we were okay with Cazo, because we're concerned about when they relocate people. We want it to be done, you know, with our units that are there, and we didn't see that when we looked at their -- when they presented their information. So we just -- we really want -- we appreciate what you all are doing, we really do. We appreciate it, but we want it done where our people can remain there; that they won't be displaced somewhere else, and we want the best. Chair Hardemon: Ma'am -- Ms. Walker: We really appreciate it. We don't want you to think that we're -- Chair Hardemon: -- I know -- Ms. Walker: -- you know, ungrateful, but we want -- we did -- when we voted, there was only two of us. So regardless of how we voted, we were going to be outnumbered. Chair Hardemon: Well, a couple things. We all, I think, understand exactly how you feel with you wanting the best for your residents, and you shouldn't think that just because there are two of you on the board and there are three from the CRA that you're always outnumbered, because you have to remember, the way that these processes are set up, it is a point system. And so, everyone -- it's not like you're just voting for one person. It's a SEOPW CRA Page 31 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 point system for each of the different categories. So if you had a person who was on the board that didn't agree necessarily with an organization, it depends on how much you give each team some points. And so, at the end of the day, we all want to ensure that everyone is happy with the project once it's complete. And, you know, what I've seen is that on our route to happiness, sometimes, you know, we're not so happy. It's not a straight line. Board Member Suarez: Yeah. Ms. Walker: I know. Chair Hardemon: Right? There are highs and there are lows. And so, in this, we want to ensure that your development gets completed. We want to ensure that we're talking about this issue, putting it out, ensuring that there's action being done -- Ms. Walker: Yes. Chair Hardemon: -- because for a very long time, either we didn't have the money or we didn't have the action. Ms. Walker: Right. Chair Hardemon: And so, now we have the -- we have the action; hoping we have the money, but I guess that depends on a number of different things, too. So -- but we're trying to get this done for you all, because we want you all to celebrate in the redevelopment of Overtown, just the same way as anybody who moves into these new -- brand-new buildings. Okay? So we ensure that that's what we're trying to do for you. Okay? Ms. Walker: Okay. Thank you, sir. Chair Hardemon: No problem. Ms. Walker: Thank you. Mr. Woods: Commissioner, can I just address one of the concerns that she just expressed? Obviously, if we can relocate -- and remember, relocation is temporary -- but if we can relocate people on the premises, that's better for everybody. Ms. Walker: Yes. Mr. Woods: And we do understand that Town Park Village has a number of units that are empty, and you guys have held those units specifically to allow for relocation to happen on campus. The more units, the better. But, obviously, you can't have too many units, because that means they're empty and, you know, that creates other issues. But the relocation team will be responsible for finding those tenants who are -- whose units are being worked on, finding them a place to go temporarily, and if it can be right on campus or -- I say "campus" -- right on the premises, then, obviously, that works best for everybody. We don't want to make you a promise that everybody will be able to stay there, because that's also a function of the amount of units that get done and how long you will have to be outside -- out of your units. If we can find units in -- within the Overtown area and move some folks in other areas of Overtown, that means we can rehab more units all at once, so you won't have to be out of your unit for so long. So it's all to work -- it's all supposed to work together for the residents' good, and we will be SEOPW CRA Page 32 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 going through all of this with you all individual -- well, not individually, but as a group; and maybe even individually, if it takes that. Okay? Ms. Walker: Thank you. Lillian Slater: I just wanted to piggyback on her with these units that -- Chair Hardemon: That's Ms. Slater for the record. Ms. Slater: -- we have old peoples been there every [sic] since day one. And the units we have, what you all said was that you going in phases, and we not going to put our people anywhere Overtown. They going to stay right there where they came from. Chair Hardemon: Yes, ma'am. Ms. Slater: Okay? And this is what's happening. But some things, I didn't like. I -- you know, I sit and I listen to things, but, you know, the old girl is not crazy. She's been here too long to be crazy. But -- Vice Chair Gort: We get better. Ms. Slater: -- you know, I just want the contractor, you know, to know that you all Commissioners, and I know you will do the right thing, because this is our home. We love it. We been there all these years. And in the meanwhile, Town Park will be standing for many years. I might not be there, but it's somebody'll take it over for me. You all going to take it over. The City or the County, somebody going to be there and hold this Town Park Village, because I'm holding you all accountable. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much, Ms. Slater. Ms. Slater: And I thank you so much for it, and I love you all, but I want it done right. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Ms. Slater: Okay. Chair Hardemon: Is there a motion to approve RE.5? Board Member Suarez: So moved. Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved. Is there a second? Seconded by the Chair. Any further discussion on the item? Hearing none, all in favor, say "aye." The Board (Collectively): Aye. Chair Hardemon: All against? Vice Chair Gort: No. Chair Hardemon: Motion passes. SEOPW CRA Page 33 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 6. CRA RESOLUTION 1251 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ACCEPTING THE SELECTION COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION TO SELECT CIRCLE OF ONE MARKETING, INC., AS THE TOP RANKED PROPOSER TO PERFORM VENUE OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES AT THE OVERTOWN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, FORMERLY THE OVERTOWN COMMUNITY CENTER, LOCATED AT 1074 N.W. 3RD AVENUE, MIAMI, FL; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE TOP RANKED PROPOSER TO PERFORM THE PROJECT. File # 1251 Backup ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-16-0052 rOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner AYES: Hardemon, Gort, Suarez ABSENT: Russell, Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing item RE.6, please see item RE.2. 7. CRA RESOLUTION 1252 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY RATIFYING AN EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $15,000, FOR THE TRAMCON-TRAINING FOR MANUFACTURED CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM THAT TOOK PLACE IN OVERTOWN SEPTEMBER THROUGH OCTOBER 2016 TO TRAIN RESIDENTS IN MANUFACTURED CONSTRUCTION; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE; FURTHER 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; FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, ENTITLED "OTHER GRANTS AND AIDS," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.883000.0000.00000. File # 1252 Backup ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-16-0053 SEOPW CRA Page 34 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner AYES: Hardemon, Gort, Suarez ABSENT: Russell, Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing item RE.7, please see item RE.2. 8. CRA RESOLUTION 1267 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL GRANT FUNDS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $40,000, TO HUMAN RESOURCES OF MIAMI, INC. TO UNDERWRITE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PURCHASING A NEW TRUCK AND TRAILER FOR THE OVERTOWN BEAUTIFICATION TEAM PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE; FURTHER 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; FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, ENTITLED "OTHER GRANTS AND AIDS," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.883000.0000.00000. File # 1267 Backup ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-16-0054 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner AYES: Hardemon, Gort, Suarez ABSENT: Russell, Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing item RE.8, please see item RE.2. Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing item RE.8, please see "Public Comments for Regular Items." SEOPW CRA Page 35 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 NON -AGENDA ITEM(S) 1. CRA DISCUSSION 1350 A DISCUSSION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") REGARDING AN UPDATE STATUS OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI, THE CRA, AND THE SOUTH FLORIDA REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY ("SFRTA"), PASSED BY CRA RESOLUTION CRA-R-15-0031. RESULT: DISCUSSED Chair Hardemon: There was one final item that we needed to discuss, and that was -- I'm sorry to -- This is Halloween. I felt so bad when Commissioner Suarez said to me -- I bought -- and I bought a costume this year. Board Member Suarez: 2.7. I've (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the pictures, by the way. Chair Hardemon: I -- listen, I know, and I bought a costume this year. I never bought a costume. I -- candy I'm supposed to be giving away to the kids in Buena Vista. We're giving some out in Overtown, and we have this issue that, unfortunately, we have to discuss before it gets to the point where this last agenda item was, and -- Clarence Woods, III (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency): It kills me. Chair Hardemon: So, Mr. Woods, can you introduce the discussion item, please? Mr. Woods: The discussion item is a discussion on the Tri-Rail -- well, it's the tri-party agreement between Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), the City of Miami; and SFRTA, the South Florida Regional Transportation Association -- Authority. Board Member Suarez: Mr. Chair, if I may? Chair Hardemon: Yeah. Board Member Suarez: Yeah. I -- you know, at the last meeting, we tried to discuss this. I think you brought up the point that it was a non -agenda item, and I -- and, you know, obviously, we respect -- and I respect that. As the MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) Vice Chair and the MPO Board Member from the City, I've been very intimately involved in this deal and negotiations, not only as a CRA Board Member -- and by the way, I agree with you, Commissioner Gort. He did a fabulous job of negotiating the outstanding number, which was, I believe, in initial discussions, somewhere in the vicinity of $40 million, and I think -- Chair Hardemon: $69 million. Board Member Suarez: Oh, 69, and has now whittled down to under a third of that; under maybe even a fourth of that, so -- thanks to your negotiation, you know. And we had a sunshine meeting, if you recall, on the Commission side, and we got Commissioner Barreiro involved and the Chair Monestine, and the Mayor came, and they were -- This SEOPW CRA Page 36 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 was a long, contentious item, but this -- you know, it goes to the point of what we were -- and really, the video, because, to me, in the video, what I saw was, I saw, you know, obviously, all the accomplishments that we've had on affordable housing. Obviously -- we just recently went to a ribbon -cutting for the grocery store. It seems to be the same three Commissioners, by the way, that attend all these events. We went to the -- well, you -- I went on Saturday to -- and I think Mr. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Miles is here. He did a magnificent job on the Overtown Community Center, which is just spectacular. I went there on Saturday. And so, you know, what you talked about a long time ago was this holistic approach to bettering Overtown, and I don't think you can have that approach without having mass transit that's free for Overtown residents that connects them. So I've been working very vigorously. I have gotten very involved in the negotiations, and one of the things that I've learned is, when you put seven lawyers in a room -- it reminds me of the book by Tom Clancy, "Sum of All Fears," where he says, "When you put a bunch of generals in the room, what do you get? You get the sum of all their fears." So at some point, what ends up happening is the negotiations are just endless in terms of all the different permutations and things that could possibly go wrong. And you do, at some point, have to say, "stop." And you have to do the very best that you can and anticipate every single possible negative scenario that can be out there, and just make a decision, a policy decision, and say, "Look, we've done the best that we can to tighten this agreement up. We're not going to continue to delay this on the one percent chance that something may happen that's not right. And, you know, I really think it's time for us to sign this document and move on so that we can provide the much needed mass transit connection that the Overtown community deserves, and really begin as a catalyst for what I think is going to be mass transit throughout Dade County, and we're going to be the ones that started it. And I think it'd be one of our proud achievements that we'll be able to put up on our video once that station is completed. Chair Hardemon: You know -- Board Member Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Chair Hardemon: No problem. You know, Commissioner, one of the things -- Overtown and mass transit is a tough issue, because I think everyone understands what happened with Overtown -- Board Member Suarez: 95. Chair Hardemon: -- and the ability to bring people through our community. And so, one of the things that we wanted to ensure in that was that Overtown had an opportunity to participate in mass transit. So it wasn't just people who are leaving from Hollywood that want to come into downtown Miami that benefited from it, but the person that lives in Town Park Village -- Board Member Suarez: Absolutely. Chair Hardemon: -- that wants to go to Hollywood -- Board Member Suarez: Absolutely. Chair Hardemon: -- because they have a new job there. And so, that's key. And I think, from the very, very beginning, it's always been a negotiation that we in the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA, and certainly, myself, as Chairman, has looked at with a great -- with, one, a great responsibility; and two, ensuring that the neighborhood benefited from it. But there is something that, as I understand, that this bottleneck that we've come to in this agreement is regarding the dollars for the TIF (Tax Increment Fund) structure. SEOPW CRA Page 37 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 From the very beginning -- and I'm saying this to my Board Members -- the one thing that I've been very clear about, and I think that my executive director has also reiterated this when the item was passed, et cetera, was that this would be -- this -- the giving of the dollars would be based upon the revenue that is generated from -- at that time, and it was always from that portion of the platform that was being built. Board Member Suarez: Generated. Chair Hardemon: Right. And so, from there, I was always skeptical that the value would be created from that portion, but as was explained to me that, no, we could move forward with the value from that portion of the project that All Aboard Florida builds, and we can generate the revenue to move forward. And it was always -- and up to that amount, because -- just in case the project doesn't generate the revenue. And the reason I'm saying this to everyone is because you can imagine a time where, if, for instance, if that portion of the project doesn't generate, say, $17.5 million in proposed revenue and it only generates 12, well, then, where are you going to get the rest of the few million dollars to make that contribution for the project? And so, my heartburn in all of this is, as I'm being told, is that what's being represented is that it was never a deal that was, one, up to $17.5 million. That was all based on the TIF revenue structure. It went from -- this deal has changed in many different ways. It was a question of 69 million. It went further down. It was based on -- the part that was being given to the Tri-Rail or SFRTA, that portion was going to be what generated the TIF revenue; then, it became the project itself. And now, as I understand, it's the total redevelopment area. And what my real concern is, is here we are with a project, where it was first told to us that the SFRTA -- am I -- "TA," right? Yeah, SFRTA couldn't participate in -- with dollar structure in this deal, right? They were the poorest pot that we had. But, of course, the State didn't come through with their funding the way they should have for this deal, even though we said we would move forward with it, and that organization went out and bonded 20-something -- or a note for $20 million. And so, you know, here I am, sitting, and I'm saying, "Well, okay, now there's some participation there." And the way that these deals start to happen -- I want everyone to be clear about this -- is that there's always a part that says, "Well, if you don't give this, then there's no deal, and you can't build the project." So, of course, that was the -- what was said to us in the very beginning, and all the way to the point where we had the $17.5 million. But now, I'm being told that, well, if we don't base all of this off of the revenue from the entire CRA, giving them a grant of $17.5 -- I think it's $17.5 million -- not based on the revenue that they generated; and then, moreover, to cover the gap, because there may not be enough revenue generated from the project from the -- in the early years; then, this deal won't move forward. And I'll just say publicly that I don't believe that's true. Board Member Suarez: I agree with you. Chair Hardemon: I don't think anyone is going to walk away from a deal at that junction, where you've now acquired a loan in excess of $20 million, and all these other entities have given their word that they're going to participate in this. But second, you know, I'm very thoughtful about what it is that we choose to do here in our CRA. And I think that the language in the agreement, as it stands right now, really puts me at alarm, because it makes me wonder whether or not this CRA is going to be able to do the holistic things that we talked about to build more projects, based off of the revenue or the way that this agreement is organized. So if you like the fact that these kids in Overtown have an opportunity to have summer jobs or we're trying to train the residents that live here, all these 300, 200, or the million dollars that we give to our organizations to redevelop their businesses so they can attract better -- well, attract more clientele -- for instance, Two Guys, Jackson Soul Food, People's Barbecue -- you know, all these entities that are now benefiting from the CRA that I think are happy, if -- the way that I see it -- and someone can tell me different from my team -- if we move forward the way that we're SEOPW CRA Page 38 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 doing it now, we're going to put those organizations and people like them at risk of not being able -- and handcuffing ourselves -- and not being able to really move the agenda forward in other ways for the Overtown CRA; compared to if we just make it a deal structured on the revenue coming directly from -- however you want to do it now, I'm not sure -- but definitely, certainly not the entire CRA. Vice Chair Gort: Yes. Board Member Suarez: Let me just say a couple things. So, one, I think, as opposed to the prior item that we just had to deal with, which I think was tough for all of us, you know, because it's tough sometimes to say to move on; particularly when we fought so hard to get to that point in the first place. As opposed to that, you know, this is an entity that is already building the structure, so we see that they're performing. I think, secondly, the fact that the State sort of welched on a $20 million deal, that's not something that we should -- that was a problem. That was a big problem. I called the Senate President, you know. He didn't know who -- he doesn't know who I am; he probably still doesn't know who I am -- and, obviously, fought very, very hard, because -- and also, by the way, fought hard to put more contribution in the City, based on your negotiations, because, if you recall, at some point, we were discussing putting some -- like you said, the number has changed from 69. I think at some point, it was like 37. And then, you know, I called the County Mayor, and we decided to put the City's PTP (People's Transportation Plan) money; which is, by the way, money that we have dedicated from the half cent that we get that we use for our Trolley Program. So to a certain extent, we're saying -- which is why we created the Miami Transportation Trust Fund; to make sure the Trolley Program doesn't go bankrupt. But all of these decisions do sort of have a down -the -line consequence, but we did put more of the cash from the PTP up front. The deal is, from my perspective, I thought we were committed to this project, because this is part of the holistic revitalization of Overtown. Like you said, it's not about the highway that puts people through Overtown. This is something that is destined in Overtown, and will benefit Overtown residents. And so, for me, it's as important as a shopping center. It's as important as affordable housing, because we need -- You know, one of the three -- the three largest costs of a home, of a family are transportation cost, are food cost, and are housing cost. So that is the holistic approach that you're talking about. And so, I firmly believe that -- and I say -- and I'll say this on the record -- I really, really firmly believe that the project will generate the TIF; that all the money that we have to use to pay back this -- whatever indebtedness it is, whether it's a bond or whether it's a commercial loan -- By the way, we already did this in Omni with the Port Tunnel -- will come from the project's generation of TIF, and then some, because, really, if you think about it, our estimations at the time were that it was only going to be 25 percent of the TIF, if you recall, with the 17 million. So I have no doubt that the project financing costs will come from the TIF that's generated from the project itself to a very low extent. The concern -- what I think is, and I've been very intimately involved, and I've talked to all the lawyers, ad nauseum. I really believe in my heart that this is a situation that's being a little bit over-lawyered, with all respect to the lawyers. Chair Hardemon: But, you know -- but this is the thing about it: Just like with our other TIF deals that come to us, when we -- all the TIF deals that we've ever negotiated, they gave us a number in which they believed was going to generate or think they -- a TIF, a revenue stream that they believed. And Mr. Bloom, Mr. Min, you always said in our TIF deals -- because this is what our Board has always approved -- that, "Okay, well that's your estimation. Now, the CRA is not going to be harmed from your estimation, because you're only going to get a percentage of the revenue that you generate. So if you over- estimated your contribution in revenue, then it's going to be an issue that's going to bite you in the butt, because you're not going to be able to generate the revenue in which" -- "that we're going to rebate back to you," okay? In this situation, we -- I expected the exact same type of information. So the drafts of the agreements that I received from Mr. SEOPW CRA Page 39 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 Bloom that detail that, to me, make sense. And -- because someone, an entity that's asking for public dollars is saying, "We're going to generate this TIF revenue." The public, who we -- when it's our time to be able to rebate that revenue back to them, we're going to say, "Well, look, we're going to give you back on a percentage of what it is that you actually generated," because that's responsible. But here, I think we're starting to go a little bit to the left; and by that, I mean that here, we're being asked to give revenue where it's beyond what -- or it could be beyond what's generated. And the reason it could be that is because the language that's being asked to be approved is one that does not specify that the CRA is going to give a percentage of the revenue that's generated from that project; it's a lot -- more broad than that. And additionally, when you start to -- no, I'll stop there. Board Member Suarez: No, see, I don't really disagree with anything that you're saying. The one thing I would say is this is a little bit different, because I think we were talking about a fixed amount in terms of what our contribution -- each entity's contribution was going to be towards the project. Everyone had their silo of monies. Now, we estimated that that concrete amount -- and I still believe that that concrete amount is justifiable. What ends up happening is -- and I say this respectfully to the lawyers, because their job is to protect us -- but everyone starts to -- their game plan. "Well, what is this happens and what if that happens and what if this happens, and what if that happens?" And part of my involvement in the negotiations back and forth was game planning, what happens - - "Well, what's the backstop of this if this doesn't happen? And what's the backstop of that?" And I'm comfortable that we have put a -- you know, and I think I'm a pretty decent negotiator, too. I'm comfortable that we have pushed the envelope in terms of getting -- trying to get the relevant promises and the relevant language in there that does the very best that it can to guarantee that we're going to get that sum of money, with the understanding that there is always a possibility that we don't. Chair Hardemon: But that's the part that troubles me, because the $17.5 million was the ceiling. Board Member Suarez: Right. Chair Hardemon: It was an amount up to -- Board Member Suarez: Right. Chair Hardemon: -- $17.5 million, and there's not one attorney that could seriously, from any of the sides and all the tables that we sit at that could say that, I've never negotiated that type of -- that language. Now, we said that this is an amount that we're going to give. This is it; we're giving no more than this amount of money. But, now, the reason why saying, "Okay, well, this project is going to generate that TIF revenue and more," is uncomfortable to me is because I'm sitting on the heels of Miami Worldcenter that promise of a million square feet of retail space that now is saying they want to give -- just hear me out -- now they say they want to give me, say, four. Right? I'm -- Board Member Suarez: I got it. I understand. Chair Hardemon: -- looking at MD -- I'm looking at Worldcenter that had language about responsible wages that wasn't quite the County's specifics that we had to -- that we found in MDM and we tried to -- that we clarified that. So now, I'm getting someone telling me, "Oh, well" -- "No, no, no. You promised to give me 17.5, and we're going to -- the investment is going to be there, we promise." Clearly, clearly, they're doing something there. Right? Clearly. But that doesn't mean that the timeliness goals are going to be there to generate the revenue that they're talking about when they need to do SEOPW CRA Page 40 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 it. That doesn't mean that, you know, all the amount that they go -- said they are going to invest is going to be there. And I don't want Overtown to be caught holding the bag -- Board Member Suarez: I get it. Chair Hardemon: -- this bag, you know. Board Member Suarez: I get it. I get it. My issue is -- I get it. And I think part of the problem, too, is -- and it goes to the prior item, too -- is, you know, we can't be, a year after we resolve to do something, still negotiating over it. We have to wrap these things up in an efficient manner, one way or the other, by the way; one way or the other, so that we can move forward, because at some point, then, the delay does create a problem and that the delay does create financial issues. And so, you know, for me, you know, this is a project that I believe in for Overtown, for the City, for the County. It is the catalyst that will, hopefully, begin a process of connecting our entire County. And I think Overtown's contribution to it was well negotiated on your part, continues to be well negotiated on your part, and I don't think you have anything to worry about, and I don't -- I -- but I do think, at some point, we got to cut it off, because otherwise, it's just going backward and forward and backward and forward, and then the time actually becomes our enemy and does put some of those things into jeopardy that you're worried about. But I think if we get this deal done and we move on, you know, I don't think the doomsday scenario is going to happen, based on everything I know about real estate and based on what I already see happening. And sometimes, you do have to take some of these things on a leap of faith and, you know, and go on the merits of what your colleagues are trying to accomplish. Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Gort. Vice Chair Gort: The way I look at it is very simple. There's certain -- uncertainty. There could be a financial problem in the future that -- not be enough revenues derived from the project. Whose liability is it? Chair Hardemon: Well, right now, it's ours, with the way that it's being (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Vice Chair Gort: This is -- there's ways that can be figured out with the -- Board Member Suarez: Yeah, of course. Vice Chair Gort: My understanding is that -- how many projects that the All Aboard are doing within the corridor? And mainly, we need to make sure that we don't use the tax- exempt transit corridor. That's something that we have to make sure doesn't happen. Javier Fernandez: Commissioners, just a point of clarification. Javier Fernandez, for Stearns Weaver. The first phase is -- I got three -- sorry -- five (UNINTELLIGIBLE) project elements; three which are already under construction. The other two project elements are being constructed up to 120 feet as part of the ongoing improvements, and are permit -ready at this point. So we are comfortable that the first phase that we've represented is going to go forward without issue. We've provided staff dates, and what we think are pretty conservative estimates of value, based on our hard construction numbers and a reduction of that -- about 85 percent of that -- in terms of what would be taxable value, and that provides a debt service coverage of about 2.34, the -- what we project to be the payment required of the CRA annually to cover this debt service okay. SEOPW CRA Page 41 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 Board Member Suarez: That means you'll be generating two and a half times what you feel will be sufficient. Mr. Fernandez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) by 2020. And so, you know, to address the timing issue, frankly, what happened going forward, we had an agreement that was on the record July of 2015. The risk allocation in that agreement reserved the downside risk to the CRA. Over the course of the subsequent year and a half about nine months ago, this issue kind of came to a head between the City and the CRA. Speaking for SFRTA, at no time -- we were asking for a fixed amount, not to exceed 17-5 and change, always trying to stall for that $69 million that the Commissioner rightly pointed out was a total ask between all the partners, including the State. And, you know, we had been consistently reducing the request of this agency by solving for that problem by getting dollars -- hard dollar commitments from third parties. So we've always seen this as if there were -- unlike a typical TIF deal, which I agree with the Commissioner, the developer comes in and takes the downside risk appropriately, because they also get the benefit of the upside. They get a percentage of the revenues, and if they out perform those expectations or those revenues, they're going to get the benefit of that. Here, you have a public agency, does not have a profit motive. Its sole motive is to deliver the transit improvement. And so, they need the same certainty that this agency would require if it were moving forward with a capital project. So our goal has been to get to a number. We are satisfied with net proceeds of that number. We don't want a dollar more. We're asking for a dollar less. In the actual draft, I would -- just want to highlight some numbers. There actually is a scenario where -- worst -case scenario, we do have downside risk. We potentially will get less than the net proceeds that we're asking for, which is risk that SFRTA never contemplated taking, as it never contemplated having to go out and ask for $20 million to finance the real improvements. So I think, whereas the risk before, nine months ago, when we were having other conversations was going to be exclusively borne between the City and the CRA, SFRTA now shares in some of that risk and uncertainty. So, again, we are all entering into, I think, waters where we are similarly apprehensive, and I think that speaks to the quality of the deal we have in front of us. Board Member Suarez: Mr. Chair, if I may? Yeah, I was going to say, in having discussions with our counsel, with our bond counsel, with our City Attorney and with all the other attorneys, you know, a lot of this has been just sort of trying to manage the risk or manage what could potentially be the risk. And I think, you know, we've put in -- we put statements in there that give assurances that the project is going to generate the kind of TIF that it's supposed to generate. But you get to a point where you don't -- and I think at one point, Clarence said it right on the call, you know. We are -- we can only give what we can give. And by the way, I think the future viability of the CRA goes to another project -- another item that we have on our agenda, which we've -- I haven't had a chance to talk to you about, because I haven't been able -- I wasn't there the only time that we talked about it, which is the extension of the CRA. I think the fact of the matter is the future viability and ensuring the future viability of the CRA is going to be contingent on that issue, which I support, by the way. I'm just -- because I've never had a chance to talk to you in open on the record about that. And I think that really is the future funding viability of the CRA; otherwise, we're talking about a very limited amount of money, regardless. And I think -- you know, I felt your frustration in the last item, and please feel my frustration in this item, because I have really delved into it, worked really hard on this, and I really think this is something we need to move on from, and move on to other items that are important to both of us -- to all of us. Chair Hardemon: Look, you know, and, Commissioner, I will say that all of us realize the importance of transportation. We talked about how these deals are negotiated. And one of the things that has frustrated me about this deal is that I feel like there's been a different representation about the deal that was negotiated than what's -- than what we're dealing with right now. And that, to me, is unsettling, and it's unsettling and it makes me SEOPW CRA Page 42 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 think -- just like how you said, how you learn something every step of the way, I'm learning every step of the way that now, dealing with an organization or many organizations or lawyers who represent those certain organizations, it makes me feel that maybe we shouldn't move forward unless we have a structured deal. Maybe, when there's an attachment that needs to be -- that -- you know how we -- many times, we do it Board Member Suarez: And by the way, I don't necessarily -- Chair Hardemon: -- sufficient to form and things of that nature -- Board Member Suarez: -- disagree with that. Chair Hardemon: -- because here we are -- Board Member Suarez: Right. Chair Hardemon: -- with a situation where there's a fundamental difference in what I believed that I was voting on in the past, and what we're trying to move forward with now, and that's the reason why we're talking about it right now, because -- Board Member Suarez: I don't blame you. Chair Hardemon: -- I would not have agreed to a deal where we didn't have a guarantee or we didn't have protections, as Mr. Bloom tried to provide to us in this deal, in the funds that were available. I don't want anyone to tell me -- Board Member Suarez: I hear you. Chair Hardemon: -- how this is a great deal, it's going to generate the funds, don't worry about it. I'd rather Mr. Bloom say, "No, no, this agreement will guarantee that we have nothing to worry about." And so, to me -- Board Member Suarez: There's no such -- I don't -- Chair Hardemon: -- to me -- Board Member Suarez: -- yeah. Chair Hardemon: -- I have something to worry about. And when we talk about extensions -- hear me out. When that's inter -- that's tied to this. When we talk about extensions, what the County wants us to agree to for extensions is suicide, and that's not something that I'm -- Board Member Suarez: But that's a whole 'nother discussion. Chair Hardemon: Okay. Board Member Suarez: But let me just go back to -- let me just go -- he's right, by the way. Let me just go back. Let me just go from what I know -- the little that I know of it. Let me just go back to your original point. I agree with your original point. I wish we could have every time the document ready to go, and then we vote on that document. Here's why I think this is a good document: I think if we would have done it that way, SEOPW CRA Page 43 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 this is where we would have ended up, because what's happening here is, with anything in the future, you have -- you're trying to -- with a document to predict the future. You don't know what's going to happen in the future. This is not monies that you have in that moment. This is the future, so we don't know anything. I mean, for God's sakes, a lot of catastrophic things can happen. We're not going to, hopefully do -- none of them will happen. But we -- the future is not guaranteed. So part of the problem with these documents, as I was in conference calls with all the lawyers, is we're trying to predict every single possible future outcome, no matter how remote; no matter how remote; no matter if it's less than one -tenth of one percent chance. And there were many times where the lawyers would say, "It's one -tenth of one percent chance." And I would say, "Well, you know, you can't write that out of a document." I mean, there's no such way to do that. So I don't know that we would have ever been at a better place, is what I'm trying to get at. Chair Hardemon: And I understand that, but I feel like, right now, the risk is being leveraged on the CRA; not on the -- not on the portion that was developed; not on the project, as a whole, but on the entire revenue from the CRA, and that is a fund -- those -- that point and up to 17.5 is the fundamental difference I have with it. Now, on this, there is no resolution that we're going to come up with right now. I think that the executive director just wants a bit of direction, and I'll be clear -- so we can all go celebrate with our loved ones this holiday -- that I am not happy and I'm not for the way that this agreement has come. Now, I know that the executive director has to negotiate an agreement, and that's something that he'll do. And -- Vice Chair Gort: Let me ask a question. How many agencies involved in this project? William Bloom (Special Counsel to the SEOPW CRA): Three (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Vice Chair Gort: Primary, but it's more. Board Member Suarez: SFRTA, Miami -Dade -- Mr. Woods: Three. SFRTA -- Board Member Suarez: City of Miami, CRA, that's four right there. Vice Chair Gort: Can't you -- Board Member Suarez: Omni is also, so that's five. Vice Chair Gort: -- state a document that -- Mr. Woods: Oh, well, you're talking about the whole. I'm talking about just this tri-party agreement. Board Member Suarez: No. I'm saying there's five people, you know. Mr. Woods: Oh, yeah; at least. Vice Chair Gort: The question is: Can't you discuss and look at the document where you can maybe have the different agencies make some kind of commitment, where each can take a responsibility, their portion? Mr. Woods: I think we've gotten to the point where everybody is all in. SEOPW CRA Page 44 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 Board Member Suarez: Everybody's committed. Everyone has -- Mr. Woods: We've shaken -- Board Member Suarez: -- performed except for us. Mr. Woods: -- the trees, as well. Board Member Suarez: Everybody has performed except for us. Chair Hardemon: The last document that I had an opportunity to read from Mr. Bloom that I had support from -- before I ended up getting entirely different documents -- was one that basically stated that if they didn't come up -- if they didn't generate the revenue to -- if they didn't generate revenue sufficient to get to $17.5 million that the CRA would not be liable for the shortfall, which I thought made sense. Any lawyer that, I think, that's negotiating in the benefit of their client would write that type of language, because it's not saying that the other seven people at the table won't contribute. It's just saying that, "We won't be a part of it, because we don't have the revenue to support it." And so, here, from that position to where we are now, is a deal that's very different, because you're looking at revenue from the entire CRA to support this. And you may be right; we might come to the -- Board Member Suarez: I'm telling you, brother, I'm telling you -- Chair Hardemon: -- same point. Board Member Suarez: -- I've been there. I've been there. Chair Hardemon: We might come to the same point that we might -- Board Member Suarez: -- I've been working this hard, I'm telling you. Chair Hardemon: -- we talk about all of this, and then at the end of the day, say, "You know what? We think that it's important as a function of all of our revenue to give $17.5 million." You may be absolutely right, and I give you that deference. But what I'm saying is that the way that we got here is not right, and the deal that we initially negotiated -- Board Member Suarez: But -- Chair Hardemon: -- maybe deals change, and maybe that's what this is a reflection of. Board Member Suarez: Here's the problem -- Chair Hardemon: But let's be honest about what deal we had -- Board Member Suarez: -- but here's the problem -- Chair Hardemon: -- and where we are, and not make it seem as if -- Board Member Suarez: -- but trust me -- SEOPW CRA Page 45 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 Chair Hardemon: -- it's the same thing from the beginning. Board Member Suarez: Here's the problem: The way -- I would love -- I wish, when we've had a lot of these conference calls that you could be on the call, but you can't, because of sunshine. So it's a very frustrating thing, I think, for all of us to work hard on something, try to make it as good as possible, and then you know that it's contingent about somebody else looking at it freshly, and they don't hear the benefit of the arguments and the back and the forth and the tugging and the revisions, and the -- trying to get the document as tight as it possibly can be, given the uncertainty of the future, which is un -- an unfortunate reality. And so, what I'm saying is that sometimes, you have to take a leap of faith. And that's just life and you got to do what you got to do, and there's not going to be a perfect document. It's not going to be perfect. And, you know, we can struggle over the language, but -- You know, I don't think it can get any better, to be honest with you. Chair Hardemon: Some last words you want to say to us? Vincent Signorello: Yeah, please. So, Commissioners, thank you. Vincent Signorello, the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Florida East Coast Industries. So the project you're discussing is the project that our company's actually building. And so, like anything, context, I think is really important here. There were words being thrown around, like "leap of faith" or like "being very uncomfortable with the process" or "we're taking risk" I think it's important to understand the leap of faith that Florida East Coast Industries took, as this project moved ahead. In order to guarantee the cost to all of the public agencies involved -- so the CRA, the City, the County -- Board Member Suarez: The Omni CRA. Mr. Signorello: -- multiple CRAs, SFRTA, we had to go ahead and move forward with the construction in order to make sure that the construction cost did not exceed $69 million. Okay? And so, that was a year ago. And so, unlike some of the other conversations that have occurred this evening around developers waiting or optioning land as market conditions change, we, in fact, did the opposite. We moved ahead, on behalf of all of those agencies to commence the construction of the station, which would include these additional -- the additional trackage [sic] for SFRTA, and have, in fact, committed to a significant component of that construction, and as of today, have spent over $18 million on behalf of all of the agencies, and have only been reimbursed just over a million dollars. Okay? And that was all in the spirit to make sure that this station, unlike lots of other projects, you know, that are monitored or moved ahead, you know, in the public realm that this thing get -- that was -- it was delivered on time and it was delivered on budget, because we firmly believe that it was an important thing for the -- you know, for the CRA, for the City, for the County, and for all parties involved. The other context that I think it's important for you to understand is that all of the components of the commercial real estate that will generate this tax increment are actually currently under construction. So there are 300,000 square feet of office that's been constructed. You now have an 11-story building that's topping out, which includes the CRA's first significant grocery store in quite a long time. That 300,000 -- Board Member Suarez: Second -- it's all right. Chair Hardemon: You're not that fast. Board Member Suarez: It's our second. Chair Hardemon: Fast, but not that fast. SEOPW CRA Page 46 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 Board Member Suarez: Right. Chair Hardemon: Flash; not quick. Mr. Signorello: We're still very proud of the grocery store, but thanks for the advice. Board Member Suarez: Second is good, by the way, because that means we have two in close proximity, which was the point of what we were trying to accomplish. Mr. Signorello: But the -- we have 800 multi family units under construction; 130,000 feet of retail, and then the station itself. So it is not a theoretical project. Okay? It is under construction. And the estimates of the tax increment generation, you know, related to the project are extremely conservative, as noted -- You don't have to take my word for it. There's been a number of people that have analyzed that, as well. In -- different than other moments or other projects, where it is the developer that receives that tax increment back, in this case, it was being reinjected into the project to capitalize a component of the station that would otherwise have been borne by some other public agency; the CRA or otherwise. So I hope you take that context as being an important part of this dialogue. Chair Hardemon: And I appreciate you giving your thoughts about it. I appreciate all of my Board Members for giving their thoughts about it, because, look, you know, when I'm looking at a deal, there are a number of things that I look at. But, certainly, the variables that you talked about -- the TIF revenue stream that generally goes to the benefit of a private developer; the benefit to the general public, especially to the ones that live in the Overtown area; the changing market conditions and whether or not we would end up in this same position, because it's a priority of the agency, I mean, particularly that -- and these are all things, I think, that will change your mind about where things are going. And I didn't necessarily hear that point of view or that argument about it, so I appreciate that. But, certainly, still, I've learned throughout this process. And generally, when I learn something throughout a process, it's not going to benefit the lawyers, like the one standing behind you. It's going to benefit us. So I just figure you should know that. Board Member Suarez: And I think your negotiations have; I mean, not only in getting us to the 17 million, but you also -- and I'll remind you that you fought to bring it up to 18 million, I think, 500,000, because there was an attempt to bring in an extra $750,000 of cost into the project. Mr. Woods: Carrying cost. Board Member Suarez: Correct. So, you know, at the City Commission, you successfully fought back an attempt to bring it up to eight -- you know -- 18,500, 000. So I think you're - - you know, you're sort of under -selling your abilities in this. I just -- I think sometimes - - and I'm going to say this with all due love and respect. Being a great negotiator is great, but you -- at some point, you do have to say, "Okay, we have negotiated this deal to the maximum potential capacity" -- Chair Hardemon: You think that's where we are? Board Member Suarez: I do; I really do. Chair Hardemon: Clarence, do you think that's where we are? SEOPW CRA Page 47 Printed on 1/24/2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes October 31, 2016 ADJOURNMENT Mr. Woods: Yes. I can't get any more out of it. Chair Hardemon: There's no more to talk about then. Yeah? Meeting adjourned. Mr. Woods: Can I sign the document? Board Member Suarez: Yes. Chair Hardemon: You're the executive director. I don't know what to do. Board Member Suarez: Yes; yes, please. Thank you. The meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m. SEOPW CRA Page 48 Printed on 1/24/2017