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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEOPW OMNI CRA 2006-01-30 MinutesCity of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.ci.miami.fl.us * IMCORP GROTED lEmSIE Co l 11, • Meeting Minutes Monday, January 30, 2006 5:00 PM MEETING LOCATION THE DOUBLE TREE GRAND HOTEL in the GRAND BALLROOM 1717 NORTH BAY SHORE DRIVE MIAMI, FLORIDA SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Johnny L. Winton, Chair Michelle Spence -Jones, Vice Chair Angel Gonzalez, Board Member Joe Sanchez, Board Member Tomas Regalado, Board Member ************************** CRA OFFICE ADDRESS: 49 NW 5th ST, SUITE 100, Miami, FL 33128 Phone: (305) 679-6800, Fax: (305) 679-6835 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes January 30, 2006 On the 30th day of January 2006, the Board of Directors of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) for the Southeast Overtown/Park West and Omni Districts of the City of Miami met in regular session at the Double Tree Grand Hotel, Miami, Florida. The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Michelle Spence -Jones at 5:18 p.m. and was adjourned at 5:54 p.m. ALSO PRESENT: Frank Rollason, Executive Director, CRA, City of Miami James Villacorta, Assistant General Counsel, CRA Anna Medina, City Clerk's Office ABSENT: Chair Johnny L. Winton Board Member Joe Sanchez Priscilla A. Thompson, Clerk of the Board Present: Board Member Angel Gonzalez, Board Member Tomas Regalado and Vice Chair Michelle Spence -Jones Absent: Chair Johnny L. Winton and Board Member Joe Sanchez The minutes are transcribed verbatim. Periodically, agenda items are revisited during a meeting. "[Later.'" " refers to discussions that were interrupted and later continued. FINANCIALS 1 05-01560 CRA REPORT FINANCIAL SUMMARY THROUGH MONTH END DECEMBER 31, 2005 Financial Summary.pdf MOTION A motion was made by Board Member Gonzalez, seconded by Board Member Regalado, and was passed unanimously, with Chair Winton and Board Member Sanchez absent, to accept the CRA financial summary report through month end December 31, 2005. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Call the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting to order. First order of business is CRA report. Frank Rollason (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): All right. The first is a financial summary, and -- for the month through December 31, and our Chief Financial Officer Miguel Valentin will make that presentation. Miguel Valentin (Chief Financial Officer, Community Redevelopment Agency): Good afternoon, Commissioner Jones, Commissioner Gonzalez, and Commissioner Regalado. I am Miguel Valentin. I am the financial officer for CRA, and I'm here to present the financial report for the month of December 2005. As you can see on page 1, you can see this is the combined statement of financial positions as of December 31, 2005. The first item you will see that we categorized this item as cash unrestricted. That represents the available cash as of December 2005, and further down you will find some footnotes which are going to describe the items that we disclosed above. Also, I wanted to let you know that the external auditors, they are here to report the conclusions of the audit conducted for -- as of September 30, 2005. They are here to do the report. Do you have any further questions? Board Member Gonzalez: No. Madam Chair, I move to accept the report. City of Miami Page 2 Printed on 2/1/2006 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes January 30, 2006 Board Member Regalado: Second. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: OK. All those in favor, say "aye." The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. 2 06-00046 CRA REPORT "PRESENTATION OF FY '05 AUDIT RESULTS CONDUCTED BY SANSON, KLINE, JACOMINO & COMPANY, LLP, BY RICHIE TANDOC, PARTNER", Cover Memo.pdf Back-Up.pdf DISCUSSED Frank Rollason (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): All right. Item Number 2 is a presentation. Richie Tandoc from our auditors will make that presentation on the audit from 2005. Richie. Richie Tandoc: Good afternoon, members of the Board. My name is Richie Tandoc. I'm a partner with Sanson, Kline, Jacomino & Company, in charge of the CRA's (Community Redevelopment Agency's) audit engagement for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005. I just want to give you a brief presentation on the results of our audit. First, I'd like to thank Frank and his staff for their cooperation in assisting us in completing the audits of the agencies. We continue to complete the audits in a timely manner, more timely than in previous years, in cooperation with the City's Finance staff. Now, we completed the audits and issued our reports on the Omni Community Redevelopment Agency and the Southeast Overtown/Park West Redevelopment Agency back in November 2005. We did deliver copies of the financial statements for each agency along with our opinions included therein in our management letter to each of the board members back on December 8. Our opinions are both unqualified, meaning the agencies have clean opinions, and were both dated November 17, 2005, which was our last day of fieldwork. In addition, we issued our reports on internal control and on compliance and other matters, also known as the yellow book report, which is required for governmental entities, both of which were also unqualified opinions and dated November 17, 2005. During our audit we were not aware of any significant unusual transactions recorded by the agencies during that fiscal year, or any changes in the accounting policies. In fact, the accounting policies used by the agencies were consistent from prior year, and with those policies prescribed by accounting standards. We are not aware of any fraud or illegal acts that occurred during the fiscal year involving senior management, or any fraud or illegal acts involving any employee that would cause a material misstatement to the financial statements. In addition, we had no significant adjusting journal entries during our audit. Now, with regards to our management letter issued for the agencies, that report was prepared in accordance with the rules of the auditor general of the state of Florida. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005, we had no new significant material observations, reportable conditions, or material weaknesses. The one observation from the prior year, fiscal year ending September 30, '04, which is listed in Appendix A to that management letter, was resolved during fiscal year 2005. In all, this is reflective of the overall continuous improvement of the agency's accounting operations from year to year. If you have any specific questions about the audit or the management letter, I'd be happy to address those. Board Member Gonzalez: No questions. Mr. Rollason: This does not require any action of the Board; it's just a report to the Board of the -- Board Member Gonzalez: Right. City of Miami Page 3 Printed on 2/1/2006 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes January 30, 2006 RESOLUTIONS 3 05-01485 Mr. Rollason: -- findings. Board Member Gonzalez: I don't have any questions. You have any questions? Board Member Regalado: No, thank you. Mr. Rollason: Thank you, Richie. Board Member Gonzalez: All right. Next item. CRA RESOLUTION A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST AND OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES ("CRAS") AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXERCISE THE CRAS' OPTION TO EXTEND THE AGREEMENT FOR EXTERNAL AUDITING SERVICES WITH SANSON, KLINE, JACOMINO & COMPANY, LLP, FOR ONE YEAR AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $46,000; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO REQUEST SINGLE AUDIT SERVICES, IF REQUIRED, AT AN ADDITIONAL COST NOT TO EXCEED $14,000; FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED AS FOLLOWS: $34,500, PLUS $7,000 FOR A SINGLE AUDIT, FROM SEOPW TIF FUND, "PROFESSIONAL SERVICES -ACCOUNTING," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 689001.550108.6.280 AND $11,500, PLUS $7,000 FOR A SINGLE AUDIT, FROM OMNI TIF FUND, "PROFESSIONAL SERVICES -ACCOUNTING," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 686001.590320.6.280. Cover Memo.pdf Financial Form.pdf Back-up .pdf Legislation.pdf Motion by Board Member Gonzalez, seconded by Board Member Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Board Member Angel Gonzalez, Board Member Tomas Regalado and Vice -Chair Michelle Spence -Jones Absent: 2 - Chairman Johnny L. Winton and Board Member Joe Sanchez CRA-R-06-0001 Frank Rollason (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Item Number 3 is a resolution to extend the contract with SKJ (Sanson Kline Jacomino) for an additional year for auditing for 2006. The contract that we have with them is a five-year outside contract,• two years were automatic, and then three one-year renewals. This would be the second one-year renewal, and we're recommending that we renew with them for an additional year. Board Member Gonzalez: I move it. Board Member Regalado: Second. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? City ofMiami Page 4 Printed on 2/1/2006 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes January 30, 2006 The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. 4 06-00044 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), WITH ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING IN PRINCIPLE, THE ATTACHED AMENDED 2006 OMNI AREA REDEVELOPMENT PLAN (THE "PLAN"), PREPARED BY ZYSCOVICH, INC.; DIRECTING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO TRANSMIT THE PLAN TO THE CITY OF MIAMI CITY MANAGER WITH THE REQUEST THAT IT BE PLACED BEFORE THE CITY OF MIAMI'S PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD FOR REVIEW AND ANALYSIS, AND BEFORE THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION FOR A FINDING THAT THE PLAN IS IN CONFORMITY WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY AS A WHOLE. Cover Memo.pdf Legislation.pdf DEFERRED A motion was made by Board Member Gonzalez, seconded by Board Member Regalado, and was passed unanimously, with Chair Winton and Board Member Sanchez absent, to defer Item 4 to the February CRA meeting. Frank Rollason (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): All right. Number 4 was to be a presentation by Zyscovich on the Omni Plan update, and being that we only have three of the Commissioners present, I mean, what's your pleasure on going forward? Board Member Gonzalez: Madam Chair, I'm suggesting that we hold this report until -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: I -- Board Member Gonzalez: -- we have a full board because, you know -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: We need to make sure everyone's here -- Board Member Gonzalez: Right. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: -- to be a part of it. Board Member Gonzalez: Right. Mr. Rollason: All right, so we'll defer that till -- Board Member Gonzalez: I would like to defer -- Mr. Rollason: -- the February -- Board Member Gonzalez: -- that -- right. Mr. Rollason: -- meeting. Board Member Gonzalez: I'll move to defer for the next meeting. City ofMiami Page 5 Printed on 2/1/2006 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes January 30, 2006 Board Member Regalado: Second. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor, say "aye." The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. 5 05-01487 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. CRA-R-05-0049, ESTABLISHING THE OVERTOWN SMALL BUSINESS GRANT INITIATIVE, TO INCLUDE WORKING CAPITAL AS AN ELIGIBLE USE OF GRANT FUNDS PROVIDED THAT THIS USE SHALL NOT EXCEED 25% OF THE TOTAL GRANT. Cover Memo.pdf Back-up.pdf Legislation.pdf Motion by Board Member Gonzalez, seconded by Board Member Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Board Member Angel Gonzalez, Board Member Tomas Regalado and Vice -Chair Michelle Spence -Jones Absent: 2 - Chairman Johnny L. Winton and Board Member Joe Sanchez CRA-R-06-0002 Frank Rollason (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): All right. Item Number 5. This is a resolution to modify the existing resolution that we passed for the 3rd Avenue Business Corridor Business Enhancement Grant Plan for Overtown. What this resolution is asking of the Board is to allow, as an expense, some of the operational expenses that they have to go in concert with the capital projects that are done. What we have found is, is that some of the businesses require a portion of working capital for -- even for the equipment that they purchase to have it installed. They need a plumber, an electrician, or some of the stock that they buy, they would like to hire somebody from the community to work as an employee and be able to fund them for a short period of time, so what we are suggesting here is that that be allowed to the extent of no more than 25 percent of the total grant, so if they had a $25,000 grant, you're talking roughly $6, 000 would be allowed for working capital, and again, they would have to submit to us a budget as to why -- what they're going to do with that money, the same as with the capital side. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: As you know, I have a couple comments that I have on this, fellow Commission. Mr. Rollason: All right. Somebody would move it and second it, and you can discuss it, and -- Board Member Gonzalez: Yeah, I'll move it. Board Member Regalado: I'll second it. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: OK. All in favor, say "aye." Mr. Rollason: No, no. You got -- Board Member Gonzalez: No, discussion. City of Miami Page 6 Printed on 2/1/2006 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes January 30, 2006 Commissioner Regalado: No. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, discussion. Mr. Rollason: Right now you want to bring up those items that you -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Rollason: -- were talk -- OK. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Well, I have a discussion on it. Mr. Rollason: OK. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Couple things. First of all, I know we have some of the businesses that are here in the audience that are going to address us. First of all, I want to thank Frank and his staff. I got a chance to go and present some of the checks -- or a check last week to one of the businesses on 3rd Avenue. It was great to -- I think one of the businesses is with us here today, so I think the project is definitely moving along, and the businesses seem very excited about that. One of the things I'd like to add to this -- or amend to this is the ability to provide support to businesses that want to expand into Overtown. The current -- the way that it's written now is really focused on the businesses that are there, which I think we definitely need to provide support to those businesses, but as you know, it's very difficult to get businesses to come into Overtown, so one of the things that I'd like to see happen is this -- these funds be also available to support businesses to come into the area. As a matter of fact, I think we have one of those businesses with us also here tonight. I don't know if he's arrived as of yet. Tim Hardaway's House of Wings, which is owned by Mussaddiq Muhammad, which is doing very well in Coconut Grove right now for the last two years. He's currently now, hopefully, expanding into Overtown into that 3rd Avenue plaza, which I think is going to be a great addition, and this grant now will allow for him to do that; same thing with Lorenzo's from L&J. He has a grocery store there now. Now he'll be able to put a pizza shop on 3rd Avenue, and these are the kind of things that we need to be able to provide support to in order to assist the businesses or to get people back into Overtown, so I'd like to at least make sure that is amended to it also. Board Member Gonzalez: I accept the amendment. Board Member Regalado: And as the seconder, I do, and the Vice Chairman is right. If you look at the County's agenda, you'll see a lot of incentives that they -- I mean, they would do whatever it takes to bring people, especially where they want to bring to the Doral area and the Dolphin Mall area, and you know, they're offering big-time grants and permitting process fast -tracked, and I think that you're right, Madam Chairman. I think that, you know, it's not -- we need first to go and help the business that are established there because these are people that are in the trenches -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Board Member Regalado: -- but the only thing that people would look as a success, if we are able to bring another new business to the Overtown area, and that would dispel any talk of you know, we're -- they want to destroy Overtown and all that. What we should do is expand, and I guess that this is about the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency. In South Miami, there is a CRA that they did it, and the reason that they did it is because they want to bring businesses to the poor part of the city, and so I commend you, and I, you know, think that the executive director should look for funds so we can focus on specific projects and charge you with trying to bring people. That's what many County Commissioners do, you know. They bring the business, and they have the support of the County, so I'm fully supportive of that. City of Miami Page 7 Printed on 2/1/2006 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes January 30, 2006 Vice Chair Spence -Jones: If I can just also add -- the one thing I forgot to add to this is also to - - as a part of your existing resolution, Frank, is to make sure it also includes the marketing. It could also be used towards marketing because many of these businesses, you know, while there may be new businesses in the area, they need support with marketing their businesses outside of the area to get people to utilize their services, so these are things that I think are, you know, very important in order for these businesses to sustain themselves, but not only sustain themselves, but also, once the new businesses come in, they're going to have challenges with getting people to know that they're there, so just to make sure that one item is also added on your existing list that you already have. Mr. Rollason: And then the maker and the second would also have to agree to that. Board Member Gonzalez: I'll accept the amendment. Board Member Regalado: And by marketing, I mean, you know, there should be some money set aside for a public relations firm that the executive director will look and, you know, with experience in minority -owned business, and in fact, we do, in-house, have a -- Mr. Rollason: Yes. Board Member Regalado: -- person that is an expert on public relations, which is Hilda, and -- because she's done that all her life, and you know, just by the fact of doing a grand opening or ground breaking -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Board Member Regalado: -- and bringing people, you make the news, and you make people aware, so that marketing, the agency can do it. I mean, even with organizing an event, I think it's important. Just by announcing that this business or that business is willing to come, it would be newsworthy. Mr. Rollason: And you're correct, and that's one of the reasons that, you know, sometimes it may be looked at as a little bit of pomp and ceremony, but the idea of presenting a check and visiting the site rather than me just sending a check to them in the mail makes the community and everybody aware that these programs are ongoing and that they may be able to participate in them, and that they really do work. Somebody does actually get a check, and that's an important part of it, too. Board Member Gonzalez: All right. Board Member Regalado: Vote. Board Member Gonzalez: 6. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. [Later.] Vice Chair Spence -Jones: I just want to at least say, too, in closing, as we talked earlier about attracting businesses to the area, I believe Brother Muhammad has just arrived. I asked for him to come and at least bring some words. I'm very excited about having one of the businesses come -- his particular business come to the Overtown area, and our office and Frank's office will City of Miami Page 8 Printed on 2/1/2006 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes January 30, 2006 be working together to do that. He also brought some samples of his wings. I believe there are like 45 different flavors, and they're the hottest now. Is Mr. Mussaddiq available to come to the mike just to at least say one or two words? Mussaddiq Muhammad: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Board Member Gonzalez: Good evening. Mr. Muhammad: My name is Mussaddiq Muhammad. I represent Hardaway's House of Wings, and Tim Hardaway is a partner of mines. We're very excited that Commissioner asked us to -- or gave us a business opportunity to come to Overtown, and we're very, very excited. Mr. Hardaway is looking forward to coming Overtown to, you know, be a part, I guess, the revitalization, and being -- I guess a lot of people have a lot of doubts about Overtown, but we're excited about Overtown. We're very excited about the new Commissioner and direction in which she's going. As a young black man here in Miami, you know, we're in Coconut Grove. What we do right now, we've establish two scholarships a year. We will, in Overtown, put on six people or six youths, males and females, a year and guarantee at least two summer jobs every year that we're there, so I just want to say that, you know, we're happy. We're happy with the Commissioner for inviting us, and all we have to do is let's say get the ball rolling, and it's something that we will continue in every neighborhood and facet of Miami and Broward and Dade County. Thank you. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you. Board Member Gonzalez: Thank you. Mr. Muhammad: Enjoy the wings. Applause. Board Member Gonzalez: Motion to adjourn. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Motion to adjourn. Board Member Gonzalez: Second. Board Member Regalado: Second. 6 05-01557 CRA RESOLUTION A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST AND OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES ("CRAS"), RATIFYING THE ACTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN RENEWING THE CRAS' GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE WITH NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH PARTNERSHIP, INC. FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2006, AT AN ANNUAL COST NOT TO EXCEED $36,000; FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED FROM GENERAL OPERATING FUND, "GROUP INSURANCE CONTRIBUTION," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 689004.550011.6.130. Cover Memo.pdf Financial Form.pdf Back-up.pdf Legislation.pdf City of Miami Page 9 Printed on 2/1/2006 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes January 30, 2006 Motion by Board Member Gonzalez, seconded by Board Member Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Board Member Angel Gonzalez, Board Member Tomas Regalado and Vice -Chair Michelle Spence -Jones Absent: 2 - Chairman Johnny L. Winton and Board Member Joe Sanchez CRA-R-06-0003 Frank Rollason (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): All right. Item Number 6. The last two items are ratifications of action that I've already taken. They're really administrative in nature. The first one is dealing with the ratification of the health insurance renewal for the employees of the CRA. Board Member Gonzalez: I'll move Item 6. Board Member Regalado: Second. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor, say -- The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. 7 06-00096 CRA RESOLUTION A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST AND OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES ("CRAS"), RATIFYING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S RENEWAL OF THE CRAS' WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE COVERAGE WITH PREFERRED GOVERNMENTAL INSURANCE TRUST, FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR, COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2005, FOR THE AMOUNT OF $5,594; FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED FROM GENERAL OPERATING FUND, "INSURANCE LIABILITY," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 689004.550011.6.650. Cover Memo.pdf Financial Form.pdf Back-up.pdf Legislation.pdf Motion by Board Member Gonzalez, seconded by Board Member Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Board Member Angel Gonzalez, Board Member Tomas Regalado and Vice -Chair Michelle Spence -Jones Absent: 2 - Chairman Johnny L. Winton and Board Member Joe Sanchez CRA-R-06-0004 Frank Rollason (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): OK, and the 7 -- Item Number 7 is a similar. This is the worker's compensation insurance coverage, and it renews it for an additional year. Board Member Gonzalez: I also move Item 7. Board Member Regalado: Second. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? City ofMiami Page 10 Printed on 2/1/2006 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes January 30, 2006 The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. NON -AGENDA ITEMS NA.1 06-00159 CRA DISCUSSION A MOTION WAS MADE BY BOARD MEMBER REGALADO, SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER GONZALEZ, AND WAS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY, WITH CHAIR WINTON AND BOARD MEMBER SANCHEZ ABSENT, TO RESCHEDULE THE FEBRUARY 2006 REGULAR BOARD MEETING FROM MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2006 TO THURSDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2006, TO BE HELD AT CITY HALL NOT BEFORE 10:00 A.M. MOTION Frank Rollason (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): All right. I have one item to bring as a motion, which I would like to have made to change the February meeting because I have a rather small agenda, even with placing the Zyscovich item on there, and this is a motion of the Board of Directors for both the Southeast Overtown/Park West and Omni Community Redevelopment Agencies moving the date of the regular February CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) Board meeting from Monday, February 27, not before 10 a.m., to coincide with the second Commission meeting in February, currently scheduled for February 23, 2006, to be held at City Hall. Board Member Regalado: I move it. Board Member Gonzalez: All right. Second. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Mr. Rollason: And that concludes the business from this end, unless you have something you wish to bring forward. NA.2 06-00161 CRA DISCUSSION A motion was made by Vice Chair Spence -Jones, seconded by Board Member Regalado, and was passed unanimously, with Chair Winton and Board Member Sanchez absent, to fast -track the creation of an Overtown ad hoc committee that will work with the City's Capital Improvement Projects Department, the CRA staff, and the consultant assigned to the 3rd Avenue roadway project, with members to be selected by Vice Chair Spence -Jones and the CRA Executive Director. MOTION Note for the Record: Vice Chair Spence -Jones encouraged both CRA and City staff to encourage the same level of interest and community involvement and participation on the 3rd Avenue roadway project as was received during the planning and implementation of the MLK project currently in progress. Note for the Record: Board Member Gonzalez suggested that Vice Chair Spence -Jones give a directive to the CRA Executive Director to communicate her concerns on the 3rd Avenue roadway project to the Capital Improvements Program Department to ensure that her concerns City ofMiami Page 11 Printed on 2/1/2006 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes January 30, 2006 will be taken care of. Note for the Record: Board Member Regalado suggested that the CRA go door-to-door and business -to -business, as was done by FDOT in the 27th Avenue project, to inform residents and business owners of the upcoming project, and to receive feedback from the community regarding their needs through the duration of the project construction. Board Member Gonzalez: Madam Chair, you're recognized. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: OK. I have actually two items that I really want to get some clarity on, an update actually on the 3rd Avenue roadway project. Is there anyone from City staff here today to at least give us a update as to where we are with the 3rd Avenue roadway project. Cesar Gonzalez: Good evening. My name is Cesar Gonzalez, from the Capital Improvement Department -- Board Member Gonzalez: Yes, sir. Mr. Gonzalez: -- and the update for this particular project is Northwest 3rd Avenue, between 8th Street and 14th Street. Our department is working creating the scope of work to develop this project. In addition of that, the director of the department is going to have a meeting with the Commissioner district and Frank Rollason to discuss the proposal and possible alternatives that the project will take. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: OK. I have a few questions on that. As you know, we just completed -- or we're beginning to start on the roadway project for MLK (Martin Luther King) with your department, which is great. We have a nice project now; it began. I want to see the same level of interest and community involvement and participation as we did with MLK. I'd like to make sure, just as we put things in place, to include the community in organizing or deciding what happens on 3rd Avenue, from a street roadway improvement standpoint. The same thing needs to happen on 3rd Avenue in Overtown. I understand that there's some questions around whether or not we're going to be removing some of the parking off of 3rd Avenue. If we're talking about initiatives like this to bring businesses to the area, I'm really fearful that this will only hurt the businesses, so I just do not want any decisions to be made in a vacuum without including the people, so I know that we did on the MLK project -- we included an outside consultant that worked along with us. I guess that person was a JOC (Job Order Contract) contractor, correct? Mr. Gonzalez: That's correct. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Will the same thing happen on 3rd Avenue? Mr. Gonzalez: Well, yeah -- that's -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Will an outside firm, like Kimley-Horn -- I'm not -- I'm just using this as an example. Will an outside firm be used to work along with the residents to decide -- or the business owners, because those are the folks that are going to be affected by this. Will an outside firm be -- will work along with the community to do that? Mr. Gonzalez: All I can tell you that our director decide to do that project in-house, so employees from the City will work and they -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Gonzalez: -- design that project, so I will transmit this message to the director. City of Miami Page 12 Printed on 2/1/2006 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes January 30, 2006 Vice Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Board Member Gonzalez: What I suggest -- if you allow me -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Board Member Gonzalez: -- is that you give a directive to the executive director to make sure that whatever you want in this project, you know, is communicated to the CIP (Capital Improvements Program) Department, and make sure that your concerns are taken care of. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: OK, so I just direct -- Board Member Gonzalez: Just direct the executive director -- Board Member Regalado: If I may? Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Board Member Regalado: Madam Chair and -- I think that what she is asking is exactly the right thing to ask because you don't want collateral damage -- Board Member Gonzalez: Right. Board Member Regalado: -- out of a project. The City is being proactive in terms of notifying the persons. For instance, we're doing a project in Flagami and people are getting letters, but I think that, in this case, it has to be more than that, and I'll tell you why. FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) is doing a project in my district now. It's going to start in two weeks, on Southwest 27th Avenue, from US 1 to Southwest 9 Street. It all encompass District 4. Now, FDOT will be doing major reconstruction on 27th Avenue, and not only they have sent a letter to every business and neighboring residents, but they have people knocking on every business door and saying, "Did you get the letter?" because, you know, it's going to be inconvenience. If -- what are your needs? How would you like us to work; during the night, during the day? What is the peak hour of your, you know, store? And people feel much better, and we're going to do this curb here, and you're going to lose this parking, and the people say, no, you know, I need that parking. We're going to close 25th Terrace so people won't cross over, and some of the neighbors said, well, OK, but then what happen to my street, 24 Street, and then people are going to use it as a thoroughfare, so you know, FDOT is very meticulous about this because they don't want problems, and we had had that situation on Southwest 8th Street when many years ago there was a (UNINTELLIGIBLE), so I would suggest that -- yes, use CIP, but this is a CRA area, and eventually, CRA is going to be blamed for any problem, so I will suggest that CRA staff will visit, should visit the business and explain to them the whole thing, you know, with your consent and say, well, you know, this is what we're going to do. The City is doing this, but CRA is here to support the City because for them it's easier to reach CRA than CIP because, you know, in CIP, they going to get eventually, most likely a voicemail, and here -- so I would suggest that you work with the staff with the CRA to be more proactive on that particular issue because when it's done, it's done, you know. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. If I can just add, I would like to kind of maybe, you know, mirror what we did on MLK because I thought it was very successful with how we included the community participation. We created an MLK ad hoc committee that worked along with CIP and that worked along with the consultant that was hired to do the work. I would like to suggest we do the same thing; that includes an Overtown ad hoc committee -- Mr. Gonzalez: That is -- City of Miami Page 13 Printed on 2/1/2006 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes January 30, 2006 Vice Chair Spence -Jones: -- that would include -- Mr. Gonzalez: -- correct, yeah. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: -- but I want to make sure I put it on the record that we're going to create an Overtown ad hoc committee that will work along with CIP, will work along with the CRA staff and whoever the consultant is, is going to work along with making sure that it gets done. I think it's important that we include the residents on -- and I'll identify those ad hoc committee members, along with Frank, from the neighborhood to make sure that we include everyone that's going to be somewhat affected by it. I don't want to take a lot of time to get started, however, on the 3rd way -- on the 3rd Avenue roadway project. I don't want it to be two years before we see the road getting done, so if we can at least kind of Frank, fast -track us putting together this Overtown ad hoc committee so that we can begin on the roadways. Frank Rollason (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Well, we're certainly on board with that. I mean, we can help put together the committee, and from Mary Conway's shop, as to whoever the consultant's going to be, if that's what they decide to do so that we can pull those people together and start meeting about what the concerns are of the businesses along that corridor. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Gonzalez: That's why the -- our department is seeking a meeting with Mr. Rollason and the Commissioner to have the proposed -- to propose the actual work, and then obtain their approval through also the community and continue with the design. Mr. Rollason: I'd like to further suggest that when we have this meeting that Ms. Conway be there so that when some decisions -- Mr. Gonzalez: She will -- Mr. Rollason: -- have to be made -- Mr. Gonzalez: -- be there. Mr. Rollason: -- we got the person to make the decision, and we don't have to have another meeting. Board Member Gonzalez: All right. Is that a motion that you're making? All right. We have a motion -- Board Member Regalado: And a second. Board Member Gonzalez: -- and we have a second. All in favor, say "aye The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Board Member Gonzalez: Those opposed have the same right. NA.3 06-00162 CRA DISCUSSION Update from City Staff on Overgrown Lot located at 240 Northwest 11th Street. Note for the Record: Vice Chair Spence -Jones requested that the discussion on the overgrown lot be carried over to the February 9, 2006 Commission meeting, where proposals for City of Miami Page 14 Printed on 2/1/2006 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes January 30, 2006 development of the lot compatible with HUD requirements will be discussed. Board Member Gonzalez: Yes, ma'am. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Last thing, there's -- I don't know if there's anyone at all from CD (Community Development) here tonight. I just need to get some clarity on -- I need an update on a lot that we have. Can you please step to the mike? As you know, over the last four weeks, our office has really been working very hard to go to various parts of the district, and Overtown is a very sensitive area for us, as you heard us talk about it earlier. There's a lot, I know since I've gotten in office, that I've been asking to be cut, and it's like the hot potato. Nobody wants to cut the lot, and it's become a drug haven for that block. It's on 11 th Street, right behind -- 11 -- off 3rd Avenue; correct, Frank? Frank Rollason (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Right. It's 240 Northwest 11 th Street. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: OK. I really -- I'm understanding that the hot potato is actually in CD's lap, so I'd like to ask that we please, please work on getting that lot cut because right now, you know, kids have to pass it every single day, you know. It's a colony of people in the bushes, so if there's any way that we can work on getting that lot cut, if you have any updates as to where we are with that, I would greatly appreciate hearing that now. Daniel Rosemond: Daniel Rosemond, Community Development. Commissioner, the issue with that lot is, in fact, it was purchased with CD dollars, but the problem that we've had is that we cannot use federal dollars for what they consider to be lot clear -- maintenance, and so we have to work with other departments that have maybe funds allocated for that purpose, and we will do that. We will work, I think, with Public Works and see if they have some -- either some dollars -- from my understanding, they've done that in the past with other lots -- until we can get to the point where we convey the parcel to someone to develop it into, preferably, affordable housing or make a final determination as to what we're going to do with that parcel. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Can -- based upon what we know that we can use funds for or the lot for, can it be used for parking at all? Mr. Rosemond: Yes, we can. We can develop it and use it for -- as a public facility and an improvement. The problem is that the federal government doesn't want dollars going toward things that they perceive to be normal government activity, which maintenance would be in that category. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: But if we're cutting the lot -- I'm just asking -- to perhaps look at putting -- at one time, we had discussed, based upon the notes I've seen, putting parking, paved parking along with a small tot lot, which we're going to talk about next Commission meeting, as a part of it. Because my concern is we're attracting businesses to the area, and they're going to need the additional parking, especially if we lose some off the street. That parking lot is really right around the corner from these new businesses that we're trying to bring to, you know, that particular area, and that lot can be a great lot, but it needs to be clean, and we need to begin moving in the direction of doing that, so can we move at -- can we look in the direction of putting a lot there, a paved -- ? Mr. Rosemond: We can certainly do that. Once we designate the use of that parcel and determine who is, in fact, going to develop it, then we can put federal dollars into cutting it, and then preparing it for development. What HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) doesn't allow us to do is to just simply put federal dollars into the continual maintenance without identifying what the long-term use of the parcel is going to be, so if we identify it as -- we're going to develop it as public parking, we can certainly do that. City of Miami Page 15 Printed on 2/1/2006 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes January 30, 2006 Board Member Regalado: But Code Enforcement has the fund to clear the lot. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: They do? Board Member Regalado: I mean, Code Enforcement can cite the City and go in and clean it up, and that's it. I mean, it will be a little embarrassing, but what she wants is the lot clear, and you can get the lot clear if Code Enforcement goes in, cite the City, who's the owner, and just move in; clean it up with the fund that they have for lot clearing, and that's the story, and then the City complies, and that's it. You can designate for whatever, but you know, if you're going to wait -- it's about the egg and the chicken, you know. If you're going to wait to decide how the lot is going to be used, it's going to go there unclean for several months. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: I -- can we decide that tonight? Because -- I mean -- Board Member Regalado: Well, you can -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: -- can that be -- ? Board Member Regalado: -- I will suggest that you can direct the executive director to work with Code Enforcement and the City to go in and clean it. I mean, it's done throughout the City, so I don't see why not. Mr. Rollason: Well, I -- let me give you a little historical perspective of this. The CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) has gone in there on two occasions and spent a considerable amount of funds when the lot has gotten beyond what it should be, like you say with the people that are now back in there living, and we have spent the funds on an emergency basis and had the lot cleaned, and sent the photographs and so forth, the before and afters, to Community Development to ask somebody in the City to pick up the gauntlet from that point and go forward, and to reimburse the CRA. What we have done is we have taken TIF (Tax Increment Fund) money and we have spent it on a property that doesn't belong to us, which we're not supposed to do, but just from the sense of what you're saying, with that lot being right where the kids walk going to school on the corner, and the element that's in there, we have gone in and done that. We have done that on two occasions, and we continue to hear that Community Development doesn't have the money to do it, and it doesn't seem to go past that point, so I think, from our administrative side, we have done what we can with the City. I have no problem with sending more requests to have the lot cut, but I think with your request of Community Development to follow up with the City Administration to get it cut, I mean -- Board Member Gonzalez: Frank -- Mr. Rollason: -- I'd be glad to send another series of photos -- Board Member Gonzalez: -- may I? Mr. Rollason: -- and I'll also be glad to cut it again, and get it in shape again to go forward and try again. Board Member Gonzalez: Danny, who owns the lot? Mr. Rosemond: It was purchased with CD dollars, so the City, essentially -- Board Member Gonzalez: The City owns -- Mr. Rosemond: -- owns it. City of Miami Page 16 Printed on 2/1/2006 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes January 30, 2006 Board Member Gonzalez: -- the lot. Mr. Rosemond: Correct. Board Member Gonzalez: OK. What I suggest that you do -- I suggest that, yeah, you send e-mails (electronic mail), or whatever, or -- Mr. Rollason: Sure. Board Member Gonzalez: -- notices, whatever, but since the City owns the lot, what I suggest that we do is that you bring it up at the next Commission meeting in February, and then you give a directive to the City Manager -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Board Member Gonzalez: -- to cut the lot, as an emergency item, and then, you know, get a directive from the City Commission to take care of business. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: No problem, and if we -- Board Member Gonzalez: That's my suggestion. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: -- can't -- Board Member Gonzalez: What do you think? Board Member Regalado: I think the Overtown NET (Neighborhood Enhancement Team) can also -- Board Member Gonzalez: Right. Board Member Regalado: -- get involved. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: The lot is five feet tall right now, so to me, that means it hasn't been cut in a very long time. Mr. Rollason: Yeah. I mean, there's people living in there again. When you go back in there, they've started to move the furniture back in. Board Member Regalado: But you see, it pose a philosophical problem because if we don't cite ourselves -- Board Member Gonzalez: But you know -- Board Member Regalado: -- how can we cite the other people that have (UNINTELLIGIBLE)? Board Member Gonzalez: You know, what really concerns me is that if this is a case of a private citizen -- Board Member Regalado: Exactly. That's what I'm saying. Board Member Gonzalez: -- we cut the lawn -- Board Member Regalado: And we go in and cut it. City of Miami Page 17 Printed on 2/1/2006 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes January 30, 2006 Board Member Gonzalez: -- we fence the property, and then we lien the owner. In other cases, we cite the owner of the property. We make him maintain the grass cut and build a fence on the lot, so you know, we apply to other people what we don't apply to us, so -- Board Member Regalado: That's what I said. Have Code Enforcement cite the City and clean it up. Board Member Gonzalez: Let's take care of business on the 9th. I mean, you know. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: OK, so we will -- we'll definitely bring it back on the 9th, but in the meantime, though, because we'll be talking about this six months from now, Frank, if we can look at utilizing, or you providing us with a proposal for the next meeting for the proposed parking on the lot and the tot lot because the kids in that immediate area need a place to play, too, so -- Mr. Rollason: Well, the -- I can do that. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Rollason: However, the issue is, as Danny is saying, we don't own the lot. In other words, whoever -- Vice Chair Spence -Jones: So who do I -- I'm (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- Mr. Rollason: Right. In other words, if you're wanting the City to develop that as parking and with a tot lot for the use in that community, then that would be a use that they could pursue through CIP or -- Board Member Gonzalez: Community Development. Mr. Rosemond: We can -- Mr. Rollason: -- Public Works, or -- Mr. Rosemond: -- convey it to whoever -- in other words, if we want to give it to the CRA to develop it as a parking -- if we want to give it to the Parking Authority to develop as a public parking lot, that can be done. That's really the issue, is determining what the final use is going to be, and from our perspective, making sure that that final use can be funded with federal dollars, which has really been our issue, so we can certainly do it. Whatever your directive is, we can certainly follow through on that. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: OK, so -- Mr. Rollason: And again, we have asked for that lot over a year ago to be conveyed to us. We would do those things exactly what he's talking about. The issue was what were our limitations on being able to -- I mean, I don't want to get the lot and then be told you can't do this, you can't do that. Tell me what the strings are, and if we can do it, we'll take the lot and we'll do the development through the CRA. Board Member Gonzalez: You can always make a motion at the Commission level to transfer the property -- Mr. Rosemond: Right. City of Miami Page 18 Printed on 2/1/2006 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes January 30, 2006 Board Member Gonzalez: -- to the CRA. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Board Member Gonzalez: Once you have the votes, then you give a directive to transfer the property. Board Member Regalado: It's easier, it's easier. Board Member Gonzalez: It's easier. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Board Member Gonzalez: And then the CRA will -- Mr. Rollason: Sure. Board Member Gonzalez: -- be taking care of the plans to develop whatever you wish to develop for the community, so I think that's the best shot. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: All right. That's what we'll do. In the meantime, though, we'll work on getting it cut, though, right? Board Member Gonzalez: Right. Mr. Rosemond: Yes. Vice Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Thank you so much, Mr. Rosemond. Mr. Rosemond: You're welcome. Board Member Gonzalez: Thank you. A motion was made by Board Member Gonzalez, seconded by Board Member Regalado, and was passed unanimously, with Chair Winton and Board Member Sanchez absent, to adjourn today's CRA Meeting. City of Miami Page 19 Printed on 2/1/2006