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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEOPW OMNI CRA 2007-02-26 MinutesCity of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com * IMCORP GROTED lEmSIE Co l 11, • Meeting Minutes Monday, February 26, 2007 5:00 PM FREDERICK DOUGLASS ELEMENTARY (in the cafetorium) 314 N.W. 12th STREET MIAMI, FL. 33136 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Michelle Spence -Jones, Chair Angel Gonzalez, Vice Chair Marc David Sarnoff, Commissioner Joe Sanchez, Commissioner Tomas Regalado, Commissioner ************************** 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 February 26, 2007 Minutes are transcribed verbatim. Periodically, agenda items are revisited during a meeting. "[Later...1 " refers to discussions that were interrupted and later continued. Present: Commissioner Sanchez, Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Absent: Vice Chair Gonzalez and Commissioner Samoff On the 26th day of Februaiy 2007, 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 in the Cafetorium of Frederick Douglass Elementary School, Miami, Florida. The meeting was called to order by Chair Michelle Spence -Jones at 5:18 p. m. and was adjourned at 6: 38 p.m. ALSO PRESENT: James H. Villacorta, Interim Executive Director, CRA Kevin R. Jones, Assistant General Counsel, CRA William R. Bloom, Special Counsel, CRA Priscilla A. Thompson, Clerk of the Board Pamela E. Burns, Assistant Clerk of the Board FINANCIALS 1. 07-00113 CRA REPORT FINANCIAL SUMMARY THROUGH MONTH ENDING JANUARY 31, 2007 07-00113 financial summary.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: Good afternoon. We're about to start the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting for February 26. We'd like to officially welcome everyone to the meeting. We'd also like to, at least, welcome back our wonderful, wonderful Clerk that has been out for a while on back surgery -- Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): Thanks. Chair Spence -Jones: -- so let's give her a hand for joining us back. We definitely missed her. Applause. Commissioner Sanchez: She's back. Chair Spence -Jones: We're glad to have you back, and we make -- we'll make sure we won't put your back back out of whack again, OK? Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Thank you. I appreciate it. Chair Spence -Jones: We're going to actually have a pretty quick meeting tonight. I want to try to be in and out by -- in the next hour, hour and a half, but we're going to start with the financial report by our CRA director. James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Miguel Valentin, chief financial officer, will update you on the financials. Miguel Valentin (Chief Financial Officer, Community Redevelopment Agency): Good evening, Commissioners. I just -- I want you to refer to page number 1 for the combined statement of City of Miami Page 2 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 RESOLUTIONS 2. 07-00114 financial position. For the first item, name as cash unrestricted, we're disclosing the amount of 80,000, and for Omni, we're disclosing the amount of 100 -- Commissioner Sanchez: Thousand. Mr. Valentin: -- thousand. Also, I want you to look at item number 2, where you see the amount that we're disclosing this time for the rehabilitation and construction of low-income affordable and workforce housing in the Overtown area. As of now, we are disclosing the amount of 746, 744. Chair Spence -Jones: So it's higher than what it was the last time, right? Mr. Valentin: Yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: And can you explain why it's a little higher? Mr. Valentin: Yes. Because what happened is we received a check from Holland & Knight pertaining to the Bayview Tower transact -- sale transaction. We received the amount of 890,127. Out of that amount, we took 200, 000, and we allocated that toward to that project. The remaining balance, we took it to -- Mr. Villacorta: The 3rd Avenue Streetscape Project -- Mr. Valentin: Yeah. Mr. Villacorta: -- which is a $4 million rebuild of 3rd Avenue, of which we've got about 2.2 million funded, and as additional cash comes in, we're allocating it to that project and putting some balance towards the rehabilitation, and this rehabilitation number excludes the roughly 50,000 we've paid to date to rehabilitate the St. Johns [sic] apartments, correct? Mr. Valentin: Fifty-four thousand -- Mr. Villacorta: Right. Mr. Valentin: -- and then, as far as reportable conditions is concerned, there is nothing that should be communicated to the Board. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you. Any questions? Commissioner Regalado: No. Commissioner Sanchez: No. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you so much. CRA RESOLUTION A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE BOARDS OF COMMISSIONERS 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 City of Miami Page 3 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 YEAR AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $46,000; FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED AS FOLLOWS: $34,500 FROM SEOPW TIF FUND ENTITLED "AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING SERVICES," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.532000.0000.00000, AND $11,500 FROM OMNI TIF FUND ENTITLED "AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING SERVICES," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10040.920101.532000.0000.00000. 07-00114 cover memo.pdf 2-financial form.pdf 2- backup.pdf 2-legislation.pdf Motion by Commissioner Sanchez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Sanchez, Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Absent: 2 - Vice Chair Gonzalez and Commissioner Sarnoff CRA-R-07-0005 Chair Spence -Jones: We're going to move on to resolutions, and Jim, I'm going to turn it over to you. James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Item number 2 is a resolution authorizing the exercise of the option year in the agreement with the -- our external auditors, Sanson, Kline, Jacomino. We originally put this contract out for an REP (Request for Proposals). A selection committee made up of the City's treasurer and Budget director, among others, selected this firm. They were selected for three years, with option years, and this is the last option year. Commissioner Sanchez: Madam Chair, so move. Commissioner Regalado: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. I guess we have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. This item is passed. 3. 07-00132 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING FUNDS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000, FOR THE PREPARATION OF DESIGN DRAWINGS, TO BE PERFORMED THROUGH THE CITY OF MIAMI'S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS & TRANSPORTATION OFFICE, FOR TRAFFIC AND ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING SIGNAGE, ALONG NORTH BAYSHORE DRIVE BETWEEN APPROXIMATELY NORTHEAST 15TH STREET AND NORTHEAST 17TH TERRACE, MIAMI, FLORIDA; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FOR SAID PURPOSE; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM OMNI TIF FUND, "CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10040.920101.670000.0000.00000. City ofMiami Page 4 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 3-cover memo.pdf 3-financial form.pdf 3-Legislation.pdf Motion by Commissioner Sanchez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Sanchez, Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Absent: 2 - Vice Chair Gonzalez and Commissioner Sarnoff CRA-R-07-0006 Direction by Chair Spence Jones to the Interim Executive Director to coordinate the North Bayshore Drive improvements with the Omni Advisory Board to ensure that the Board is kept informed regarding the project. Chair Spence -Jones: We're going to move to number 3. James II Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Item number 3 is a resolution authorizing funding for the preparation of design drawings for improvement to North Bayshore Drive between, approximately, Northeast 15th Street and Northeast 17th Terrace. This is over in the Omni area, and we've previously commissioned a traffic study that's found traffic deficiencies. This will allow us to begin the design project with the City's Capital Improvement Projects Department. Commissioner Sanchez: All right, and this is -- what's the amount, a hundred --? Mr. Villacorta: Not to exceed $100,000. Commissioner Sanchez: So move, Madam Chair. Commissioner Regalado: Second. Who's going to pay for the improvement? Mr. Villacorta: We have budgeted money in our -- Chair Spence -Jones: Omni. Mr. Villacorta: -- budget for that project. The City is rebuilding North Bayshore Drive, north of 17th, up past Margaret Pace Park, to address a flooding issue and elevation -- problems with the elevation of the road in that area. This is south of that area. We're hoping that we would be included in their project, and we would fund the additional at this point. Commissioner Sanchez: Is there any way that we could fast -track this? Mr. Villacorta: We're trying to combine it with the design that's currently underway with the north part of Bayshore Drive, and we would -- assuming the plans were ready, we would ask that CIP (Capital Improvement Projects) have one contractor build the whole area, and we would pay for that portion that we had budgeted, unless the City found money in their budget to do this portion. Chair Spence -Jones: My only suggestion is to make sure that this is really coordinated with the Omni Advisory Board. I think it's really important that they're, at least, in the loop of what's happening on that street, and as I stated to you earlier, Jim, I think it's really important that before we start to tear up streets on Bayshore Drive, that we take in consideration -- tear up streets from the standpoint of the water and sewer study that was already completed that we'll be beginning some of that work on, that we don't pave it only to have to come back and tear the City of Miami Page 5 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies streets up again, so there needs to be some sort of coordination happening, and I'm hoping that the Omni Advisory Board would take a leadership role in that. Mr. Villacorta: We have somebody from CIP here to speak on it, if you have the time. Chair Spence -Jones: CIP. Mr. Villacorta: CIT (Capital Improvements & Transportation). Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Jose Gonzalez (Assistant Transportation Coordinator): Good evening, Madam Chair, members of the Board. Jose Gonzalez, with the City of Miami Capital Improvements & Transportation Department. I was the project manager for the traffic study that Jim Villacorta mentioned that was completed about a year ago. What was your question again, Madam Chair? Chair Spence -Jones: I just want to make sure that the water and sewer study -- remember, you -- we commissioned that probably a while ago, and eventually, there's going to have to be some upgrades that are going to take place. My question for Jim was I wanted to make sure that we didn't start paving on North Bayshore Drive or Bayshore Drive only to go back again, Fred, because we figured out now we need some upgrades, for whatever reason, so just want to make sure there's some sort of coordination happening from the study itself that -- what needs to take place in the upgrades to this particular project, and I think that because the Omni Advisory Board is very much in tune to what's happening in the area, there needs -- this needs to be a project that that group takes on as one of their lead projects, and I don't know how Fred feels about that, but -- Fred Joseph: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) very pleased, Chair. Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): I need you -- Mr. Joseph: Yes, Chair, very happy to. Chair Spence -Jones: You need to state -- Mr. Joseph: I'll get with the -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- your name for the record. Mr. Joseph: -- executive director. Mr. Villacorta: Your name -- state your name. Commissioner Sanchez: State your name, sir, please. Mr. Joseph: Fred Joseph, Omni Advisory Board. I'll be happy to, at your direction. Chair Spence -Jones: OK We're directing you. Mr. Joseph: We haven't seen what they had before, so that would be a good start. Mr. Villacorta: We can get you a copy of the traffic study. It just noted deficiencies. This would be moving to the next step of -- Mr. Joseph: But if it's going to be what the Chair has asked in regards to the sewer and water, we'd like to -- City of Miami Page 6 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. It just needs to be all coordinated because, you know, sometimes we tend to move on a project only to figure out that we have to go back to start all over again, so can we please just make sure that coordination happens with the Omni Advisory Board for both projects that are going to happen in the area? Mr. Joseph: Sure. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Joseph: Thank you. Mr. Villacorta: And to fast -track it with the existing project -- Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Villacorta: -- north of 17th. Chair Spence -Jones: It's a lot happening in that area now. Mr. Gonzalez: That's the intent. Chair Spence -Jones: I think we had a second and -- Ms. Thompson: You have a motion and a second. Chair Spence -Jones: -- a motion and second -- Ms. Thompson: You need to vote. Chair Spence -Jones: -- so all in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, so this item passes. 4. 07-00160 CRA RESOLUTION A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE BOARDS OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST AND OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES ("CRAS"), AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXPEND FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $8,500, FOR REQUIRED UPGRADES TO THE CRAS' TELEPHONE SYSTEM USING THE CITY OF MIAMI'S CURRENT PROVIDER; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE; FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED FROM THE GENERAL OPERATING FUND, ENTITLED "COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATED SERVICES," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10030.920101.541000.0000.00000. 4-cover memo.pdf 4-financial form.pdf 4- backup.pdf 4-leg islation. pdf City ofMiami Page 7 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Motion by Commissioner Sanchez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Sanchez, Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Absent: 2 - Vice Chair Gonzalez and Commissioner Sarnoff CRA-R-07-0007 Chair Spence -Jones: We move on to number 4. James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Item number 4 is a resolution authorizing the purchase of upgrades to the CRA's (Community Redevelopment Agency's) telephone system, as recommended by the City of Miami's Information Technology Department, and using the City's current provider, BellSouth Communications. Commissioner Sanchez: So -- Mr. Villacorta: The amount is $8,500. Commissioner Sanchez: -- move, Madam Chair. Commissioner Regalado: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. I have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. That item passes. 5. 07-00178 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY RATIFYING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S ISSUANCE OF A GRANT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $54,024.31, TO ST. JOHN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, INC. FOR EXTERIOR REPAIRS AND PAINTING OF THE ST. JOHN APARTMENTS AT 220-250 NW 13TH STREET AND 1300 NW 2ND AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AT HIS DISCRETION, TO DISBURSE THE GRANT FUNDS ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS OR DIRECTLY TO VENDORS UPON PRESENTATION OF INVOICES AND SATISFACTORY DOCUMENTATION; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW TIF FUND, ENTITLED "CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.670000.0000.00000. 5- cover memo.pdf 5- financial form.pdf 5- backup.pdf 5- legislation.pdf Motion by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Commissioner Sanchez, that this matter be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote. City ofMiami Page 8 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Votes: Ayes: 2 - Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Noes: 1 - Commissioner Sanchez Absent: 2 - Vice Chair Gonzalez and Commissioner Sarnoff CRA-R-07-0008 Chair Spence -Jones: We move on to number 5. James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Item number 5 is a resolution ratifying a grant, in the amount of $54, 000, to St. Johns [sic] Community Development Corporation for exterior repair and painting of the St. Johns [sic] apartment complex at 220 to 250 Northwest 13th Street and 1300 Northwest 2nd Avenue. At the December 18 board meeting, the Board of Commissioners authorized the director to quickly identify housing units in need of rehabilitation to bring the vacant units back online or preserve their habitability. This project was identified. Part of the project involved painting the -- and sealing the exterior of the building. I'm bringing that expense back to you for ratification at this time. Commissioner Sanchez: Madam Chair, if I may? Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Commissioner Sanchez: Executive Director, you are recommending this? Mr. Villacorta: Yes. We've -- there were three bids taken. The work was performed. We've inspected the work. There's photographs of the work in your materials. It was permitted and passed by the Building Department. Commissioner Sanchez: Madam Chair, so move. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. I'd like to -- before there's a second, I do -- I'd like to make, at least, a quick little statement. Commissioner Regalado: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Just real fast on -- this is a part of our whole initiative to look at the existing units that we have within Overtown that can be rehabbed for people to move in immediately. As you know, this is in regards to our tour that we took and the housing shortage that's taking place, period, within my district, and I think we identified about ten units that were made available that were vacant units at St. Johns [sic], and altogether, I guess, you'll give us a report at the end, Jim, but I just want to make this statement regarding these contracts and these agreements. It's really important that we understand the scope of work before we put these projects out, and -- because I don't want to have a situation where we approve amount, and then we have to come back because something else was not included in the original bid. We have about another 27 or 30 units that we have identified, and I don't want us to be in that position where we put something out and we did not account for other issues that were going on, as far as the project is concerned. Now I do understand that there was, in this particular case, the amount of 50 -- I want to put it all out because we need to make sure that we clear -- we need these ten units. These are like three -bedroom apartments and some four -bedroom apartments, and you know how difficult -- three -bedrooms, I believe -- it is to find these type of units in our area, so I got to get families in them, but my concern is, you know, whatever is bidded is what it should be, OK, so I understand that there's an issue that what was not included in this particular project was the cost of the -- David Alexander: The lift, Commissioner. You know, we rent -- we had to rent a high lift City of Miami Page 9 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 because the units weren't reachable by a ladder -- Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): May I have your name for the record. Mr. Alexander: -- and -- Chair Spence -Jones: Name for the record. Mr. Alexander: I'm sorry. I'm David Alexander. I'm president of St. John CDC (Community Development Corporation), and this was just an unfortunate situation. The contractor thought he could do the job without the lift, but it didn't work out that way, and then we had to rent the lift, and because we had rain days -- you know, it was really raining during the period -- the lift ran over the time that we thought it would, so -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Mr. Alexander: -- it's $6,000 is what it is, but we don't think it's fair to penalize him for actually making a mistake that I can see how he would do that. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, Jim, how much money do we actually have budgeted for --? I mean, this is for this project itself, this pilot project, correct? Mr. Villacorta: Right. This is coming out of the rehab -- rental rehabilitation money. Chair Spence -Jones: OK Mr. Villacorta: This -- a bid was submitted of 48,000. That -- the next highest bid was 56,000. We changed the paint color in the middle of the bid, which resulted in a change order to the contractor, which is how it got to 56. I was willing to consider paying for rain days, extra days required by the lift -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Mr. Villacorta: -- but my opinion was the lift -- or, you know, we didn't raise the height of the building from when he bid it. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. All right. I think it -- I -- it was important for me to bring this out to both of my colleagues so that they understand. You know, one of the things we're trying to do is make sure that we hire, at least, mino -- local minority contractors in the area from the community to make sure that they benefit from it, and I have to say that DMP (Downtown Miami Partnership) -- I haven't seen them out -- they've done an outstanding job with what they're doing on 3rd Avenue to make sure that local folks are included in those projects, and many of the local people are actually working on these projects, but I wanted to bring it -- I'm going to leave the decision, really, up to my colleagues as to whether or not they would like to, at least, add the additional dollars that's needed for the lift that was -- had -- that needed to be rented for it. I'm not going to make -- I would rather them make that decision. Mr. Alexander: Commissioner, if I may. I would just like to, for the record, say that under the DMP program, we were able to access all the buildings that we painted with standard ladders. Chair Spence -Jones: Right. Mr. Alexander: This building is much higher than those buildings, another 20 feet higher than the other building, so that's why we had the problem. City of Miami Page 10 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: OK, so -- Commissioner Regalado: Well, if the cost overrun is only $6,000, right? Mr. Alexander: Yes, sir. Commissioner Regalado: Then we have to congratulate you because, you know, if we look at other projects, it's millions of dollars, so I move to add the $6, 000. Chair Spence -Jones: Do I have a second? Commissioner Sanchez: I'll second it for the purpose of discussion, but -- Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Commissioner Sanchez: -- let me just say that this is what exactly got the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) in trouble many years ago; that we went out, we bidded something out, we awarded it, and then they would come back in front of the CRA with changes, and that's what concerns me. I mean, I -- I'm very sympathetic to you that you're $6, 000 short, but if we're going to continue the path that we have under the new leadership as you, Madam Chair, of doing things right, this will open up Pandora's box, where you'll have people coming back again later on, making a valid argument as to, you know, I was number two, and if, you know, you would have counted my -- what I was proposing, you know, my deal would have been better for you, so these are the things that I -- you know, I'm very sympathetic to you, but I couldn't support it. Mr. Alexander: But I did speak with the executive director, Mr. Sanchez, and we did have a lengthy discussion about it, and I told him that I was coming here today to ask for the change order and approval by the Board. If the Board doesn't feel comfortable doing it, then, you know, we will have to have a compromise. St. John CDC is on the hook for the money. We actually used our corporate credit card because the contractor didn't have the facility to get the rental company. You know, it's a small business, so he didn't have that capability, so we put our corporate credit card on the line to do it, and that's why I'm really trying to get the funding back to the project because, otherwise, we have to reduce this contract by that amount to get it. Jim suggested that he would pay for a portion. However, my feeling is that we put a lot of pressure onto this contractor. He painted four build -- three buildings, three different buildings in three weeks. Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. They did an out -- there's no question about how hard they worked, and if you ride down 3rd Avenue -- Mr. Villacorta: They did a good job. Chair Spence -Jones: -- and the folks that are living in Overtown, you definitely see that there's a difference in the buildings, just along with all the work that has been done, so by all means, the issue is not about the work ethics and how well that they've done, and they're continuing to work, and the people in the neighborhoods are working. The issue that, I believe, Commissioner Sanchez is bringing up -- and this is the reason why I'm putting it out on the table, is -- you know, and I'm saying to my executive director, it's really important that when we put out a bid, you know, for -- you know, we say that, you know, these are the things that we want to have done, we understand what the work is entailed because, if not, it's going to have to come back in front of us for us to reapprove [sic] -- for us to, you know, rethink it or reapprove [sic] it, or whatever the case may be, so -- I mean, I don't want to spend a lot of time on it, and I think that you've made a valid point, and hopefully, this is our lesson to make sure that we don't continue to travel down that road. Mr. Executive Director, just to make sure that whatever happens -- you know, whatever we approve is what it is. City of Miami Page 11 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Mr. Villacorta: Exactly. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, so I know I got a motion, so a motion was on the floor. Ms. Thompson: You actually have two; one amended the original motion to increase it by $6, 000. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, OK, so -- Ms. Thompson: Are you going to accept the amendment? Commissioner Sanchez: I'll accept the amendment. Ms. Thompson: Then you only have to make one vote on that motion. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, so all in favor? Commissioner Regalado: Aye. Commissioner Sanchez: It's going to be 2/1. I'm voting "no." Mr. Alexander: Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you. Mr. Villacorta: And -- Chair Spence -Jones: So, item -- Mr. Villacorta: -- Commissioners, could we make that subject to providing invoices for the lift that -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Mr. Villacorta: -- are satisfactory? All right. Chair Spence -Jones: No problem. Commissioner Regalado: If it's only a lift. Chair Spence -Jones: It's just a lift. Commissioner Regalado: The issue is the lift. Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Mr. Villacorta: Right, but -- Commissioner Regalado: The issue is not a cost overrun of the work itself. Chair Spence -Jones: Right. Commissioner Regalado: The issue is the lift; that they had to use it because that's the one we want, right? Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. City of Miami Page 12 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Commissioner Regalado: Oh, OK. Commissioner Sanchez: The issue is bad practice, period. That's just my suggestion, but it passed. I second it for the purpose of discussion. It passed, 2/1. 6. 07-00190 CRA RESOLUTION A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE BOARDS OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST AND OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES ("CRAS"), AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO TRANSFER FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $35,000, TO THE BUDGET OF THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK FOR SERVICES TO BE RENDERED DURING FISCAL YEAR 2007 AS CLERK OF THE BOARD, CONTINGENT UPON ANY UNUSED FUNDS BEING RETURNED TO THE CRAS AT THE END OF THE FOURTH QUARTER OF FISCAL YEAR 2007; FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED FROM GENERAL OPERATING FUND, ENTITLED "INTERFUND TRANSFERS," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10030.920101.891000.0000.00000. 6- cover memo.pdf 6 -financial form.pdf 6-leg is lation. pdf Motion by Commissioner Sanchez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Sanchez, Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Absent: 2 - Vice Chair Gonzalez and Commissioner Sarnoff CRA-R-07-0009 Chair Spence -Jones: All right. We're going to move on to number 6. James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Item number 6 is an authorization to transfer funds to the City Clerk for fiscal year '07 services. The attached joint resolution transfers 35, 000 from the CRA's (Community Redevelopment Agency's) general operating fund to the City of Miami's Office of the City Clerk for services rendered as Clerk of the Board for the Community Redevelopment Agency. Commissioner Sanchez: So move. Commissioner Regalado: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: Great. Madam -- Commissioner Sanchez: Money well spent. Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: Madam Clerk, do you have any comments, statements, or anything that City ofMiami Page 13 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 you have regarding, you know, the working relationship that's happening? Ms. Thompson: Oh, no. As you all know, I'm straight forward IfI have a problem, I'll let you know about it, and we do the best we can to provide the service that you should have. Commissioner Sanchez: Madam Clerk, would you like to amend the resolution, too? Ms. Thompson: No. I'll wait. I'll have a conversation, and then we'll do it like that. Thank you. Commissioner Sanchez: All right. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. That item passes. 7. 07-00271 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING REIMBURSEMENT TO CARLISLE DEVELOPMENT GROUP, LLC, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10,285.75, FOR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE TAX CREDIT HOUSING APPLICATION IN CONNECTION WITH THE LYRIC PROMENADE DEVELOPMENT ON BLOCK 36 IN OVERTOWN UPON PRESENTATION OF INVOICES AND SATISFACTORY DOCUMENTATION; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW TIF FUND, ENTITLED "CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.670000.0000.00000. 7- cover memo.pdf 7- financial form.pdf 7- backup.pdf 7-leg is lation. pdf Motion by Commissioner Sanchez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 2 - Commissioner Sanchez and Chair Spence -Jones Noes: 1 - Commissioner Regalado Absent: 2 - Vice Chair Gonzalez and Commissioner Sarnoff CRA-R-07-0010 Chair Spence -Jones: We're moving on to number 7. James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Item number 7 is a resolution authorizing reimbursement of tax credit application fees in connection with the development of Block 36. The attached resolution authorizes the reimbursement of $10,285.75 in costs associated with the preparation and filing of a tax credit housing application in connection with the development of the Lyric Promenade Project on Block 36 in Overtown. Due to the reverter and the timing of the negotiations for the development of Block 36, if we were to receive tax credit for the development of housing on that block and have the project start in -- City ofMiami Page 14 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 by August 1, 2007, the application had to be turned in before we had turned over site control to the proposed developers. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Villacorta: That was done, and eventually, the -- they were unable to finance the rest of the project, and this will reimburse them for the cost of the tax credit application. Commissioner Sanchez: So move, Madam Chair. Chair Spence -Jones: Do we have a motion? Commissioner Regalado: No. I -- I'll second for discussion. I think that that's the cost of doing business. You lose, you lose -- Mr. Villacorta: Yeah. Commissioner Regalado: -- so I mean, I am -- as much as I am in favor of paying for the lift because it got the thing done, I'm not in favor of this because when you get into a project, you can lose or you can win a lot of money so, to me, that's bad practice to reimburse if you don't succeed on a project. I mean, you walk away, and you say, well, OK, but give me the money that I spent. Imagine all the condos that will not be built if we have to reimburse for the money, but - William R. Bloom (Special Counsel, Community Redevelopment Agency): Commissioner, in response, during the negotiation -- you know, this transaction was negotiated for over a year, and this is the only thing that's being reimbursed as part of the process. The developer brought up the issue with the tax credits, and during the negotiations, the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) proffered to reimburse them for the cost of the application to induce them to try to get the application in so that they could -- because if they missed the cycle, it would further delay the project, so that's where it came from. Commissioner Regalado: So why are we voting if it's in a contract? Well? Mr. Villacorta: I didn't hear the question. Mr. Bloom: Why are we voting? Chair Spence -Jones: He's saying -- let me just add on. He's asking why are we voting on it. Why is this item even coming up? It was a part of the contract. Now -- Mr. Villacorta: The contract was never executed. The -- they submitted a proposal. The negotiations went on for over a year. They thought they had their hotel developer and their condominium developer lined up. The tax credit developer was approaching his deadline. He said I can't -- without site control, I cannot make the application. I won't have site control by the application deadline, and in that case, the project will die today because it will not be in place by August 1, 2007. The director at the time conferred with the Chair and recommended that the application go in and we would seek reimbursement. Mr. Bloom: There is no contract, so there is no contractual obligation on the part of the CRA Board to make the payment. Commissioner Regalado: Oh, OK. Commissioner Sanchez: But was there an RFP (Request for Proposals) put out? City of Miami Page 15 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Commissioner Sanchez: Was an agreement reached between the group? Chair Spence -Jones: The parties? Commissioner Sanchez: The parties? Mr. Bloom: There was never an agreement reached between the parties because the developer wasn't able to perform. They weren't able to contractually obligate themselves to build the project that they committed to when they responded to the RFP. Chair Spence -Jones: And if you recall, we -- this is an item that we voted on in December, when Black Archives and John Hall actually made their presentation saying, at the time, that he just -- at that particular time, he could not pull the project together. This is one of the first issues that I had to deal with as a City Commissioner, which was trying to really move an item or a project on Block 36 in Overtown, so this is one of the issues that was kind of advised to me by not -- really not Jim at the time, but the former CRA director, stating that, you know, this is something that, you know, in order to move the project, we needed to do that. Mr. Villacorta: We're trying to facilitate the development of this parcel by the minority development group that could not get the financing for the other portions of the project, the hotel and the condo, though they were working diligently on it and different proposers would come, and then when required to provide substantial assets, were unable to do so. The tax credit developer saw this approaching and said, unless I get an application in by this deadline, the project will die as of today. At that point, we were not prepared to turn over site control, and he asked that he be permitted to seek reimbursement of his tax credit application, which he originally projected at $25, 000. Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. It was actually lower than what it would have been. Commissioner Regalado: So what's there now? Chair Spence -Jones: On Block 36, you mean? Mr. Villacorta: Nothing. Chair Spence -Jones: I think that what we're doing now is -- Commissioner Sanchez: There's nothing there. Chair Spence -Jones: Right. We're trying to prepare to actually put it back out, and in the last meeting that we had in December, remember, it was stated that Black Archives needed to sit down to meet with the -- Commissioner Regalado: Right. Chair Spence -Jones: -- CRA to kind of at least, put some of their ideas and concepts out before we got ready to put it back out to bid. Commissioner Regalado: No. The question is what is there because you're mentioning the reverter on August of this year. City of Miami Page 16 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Mr. Villacorta: Yes. The reverter is still in place -- Commissioner Regalado: So -- Mr. Villacorta: -- and -- Commissioner Regalado: -- it's no time -- Mr. Villacorta: No. Commissioner Regalado: -- for anything. Mr. Villacorta: Actually, all three blocks, the Cross -- the two that are being used in Crosswinds and this block are subject to the reverter, August 2007. Commissioner Regalado: Right. Mr. Villacorta: My understanding is the Manager has issued a letter to the County Manager asking that, in light of our efforts to get these blocks developed and the process of those negotiations, including the lawsuits that have hindered the Crosswinds project from going forward, the reverter be extended by the County. What you may want to do is amend this resolution to require that the -- if a developer is chosen for Block 36, they reimburse us for this cost -- Chair Spence -Jones: That sounds like -- Mr. Villacorta: -- which was done on one of the CD (Community Development) parcels west of I-95. Chair Spence -Jones: Are y'all fine with that? Commissioner Sanchez: Madam Chair, I would amend my motion -- Chair Spence -Jones: OK Commissioner Sanchez: -- to seek reimbursement from the development group. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Based upon -- oh, whoever takes -- Mr. Villacorta: Yeah, whoever -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- on the project. Commissioner Sanchez: Yeah. Mr. Villacorta: -- would develop the property would reimburse us for this cost. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. I have a motion. Commissioner Regalado: Second for discussion. I -- it is different, but it's the same because we don't know if the County is going to agree. Chair Spence -Jones: Right, and we -- City of Miami Page 17 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Mr. Villacorta: Right. Chair Spence -Jones: -- have -- so -- Commissioner Regalado: So it's the same. The motion is -- Mr. Villacorta: Yeah. Commissioner Regalado: -- exactly the -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Commissioner Regalado: -- same. The probabilities are -- but anyway, I'm not going to delay the vote. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, so you second it already, right? Commissioner Regalado: Yeah, I second it. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, so we're moving -- so that item passes, right? Commissioner Sanchez: No. We got to vote -- Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): You didn't vote. Commissioner Sanchez: -- on it. Mr. Villacorta: Vote. Chair Spence -Jones: Oh. All in favor? Commissioner Sanchez: Aye, as amended. Commissioner Regalado: One "no" vote. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. DISCUSSION ITEMS 8. 07-00147 CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION OF THE OMNI ADVISORY BOARD'S CONCERNS REGARDING THE USE OF MARGARET PACE PARK. 8-cover memo.pdf 8-backup.pdf DISCUSSED Direction by Commissioner Sanchez to the Interim Executive Director to schedule a discussion item on the City Commission agenda regarding the closure of public parks for events held by for profit businesses, with input from the district Commissioner and residents. Chair Spence -Jones: Alrighty, so we are now moving on to discussion items, and we're moving pretty quickly. Omni Advisory Board. Fred, actually -- Mr. Joseph asked to, at least, come and address the Board. City of Miami Page 18 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Fred Joseph: Thank you, Madam Chair. Chair Spence -Jones: You got to put your name on the record, Fred. Mr. Joseph: Fred Joseph, 1717 -- Chair Spence -Jones: On the mike. Mr. Joseph: Fred Joseph, chair, Omni Advisory Board, 1717 North Bayshore Drive. We had a situation during the Orange Bowl that this committee was kind enough to give away $50, 000 for a good cause, the Orange Bowl, but the problem was the park activity was well over shot. We've had problems with this in the past. We weren't aware, at the end of that meeting -- and we were all in support of it until, after the meeting, we found out they were charging. That was number one. Number two, we also didn't realize they were closing the park, and they fenced in the entire park, the tot lot, tennis courts, the volleyball, and that restricted all our residents from going there, all our people that live all around it. If you'll notice the drawings I brought you, what's going to happen in the future, besides the 2, 700 people live next door to it today in the Grand, which we lived through Margaret Pace Park, through the slums, and we committed to putting $4 million in there, with your help, of the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) money and made it a beautiful place, but coming are those new buildings on the last page that's going to overlook that entire park, and if we allow something like this to ever happen again from, you know, everybody's good intentions, we need to look at them way out in advance. We have committed to this area, you and us, the owners, and we want you to help us protect it. This is not a -- this is a passive park. It's not a park that has a lot of open space. It's not a Bicentennial that can have commercial ventures and loud music and bright lights all night long because these are working-class people, as well, that live around there and have to get up and function the next day. The problem is their lights were blaring right into the main buildings, 2121 and the Grand Condominium and the Doubletree, and the Marriott, and also, the music just blared and rattled our doors, which is -- we understand the problem, but we have to be sensitive to our neighbors. We can't allow, number one, that kind of venture; number two, a paid venture that shuts down -- they were -- you could go; they were $25 a ticket. I couldn't find any of our people that live around the park that could come up with $25 instantly to walk in to go do what they usually do, play in the tot lot, and so it really hurts us. I would like for you to look at this seriously, give your executive director a way to go with it, and help the Parks Department understand you can't allow the permits for things like this and these types -- in your city. I mean, it happens to be in Commissioner Sarnoffs district, but the Chair's district comes to our park, and they love it. I mean, it's beautiful -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Mr. Joseph: -- so you don't have a lot of areas in your district that needs that park and they come, so we're all very neighborhood friendly, but we're not -- we just need your help to see that good things like this don't happen in good parks. I mean, it was a wonderful venue. There's no doubt about it, but it just doesn't work in a small park like this. Chair Spence -Jones: Any comments? Commissioner Regalado: I would like to comment on the Omni area, not specifically about the park, but I do think that you're right in saying that the CRA and, you know, the neighbors -- and I lived through that experience with the park, and I remember that park when it was used only to play soccer, and it was a mess, by the way, and the homeless and all that, and I just don't think that we should allow to have paid events in that park. This is the park for the people, and it's different totally than Bicentennial or Bayfront, when they have their activities, so I mean, I agree. I think it was a mistake. City of Miami Page 19 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Mr. Joseph: And I'll allude also to Bicentennial because you're going to have the same problem. It's not my district. I -- but I oversee the area because I live up there and I see it. Bicentennial's going to have some problems because you've got 17,000 units coming up and down that road, and you're going to end up with people -- your voters are going to be coming to you and saying you've allowed these beautiful condo towers to be built there and you want people to come, and that activity is going to be strained on them as well, but that's not for today, but I'm just giving you an insight as to owners. You walked the park with me, Commissioner. I know what you did to help us get that park. You walked the park with me, Commissioner. Now the new Commissioners that are on here, they love our park, and we had the homeless. We had the crackheads, and we had all -- we couldn't allow our children to go out, and I'm just fortunate enough to have grandchildren to go there now, and I want you to enjoy the park with us. Commissioner Sanchez: Madam Chair, if I may. Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Commissioner Sanchez: Mr. Joseph, I received the letter you sent all the Commissioners and the Mayors [sic] with your concerns, and they were very valid concerns. I tend to agree with you that the use of free public parks for rope -off private admission events that are charging should not be in those parks. It is up to us to possibly entertain a resolution where we won't have any more events there that are events that profit for events. In other words, if it's open to the public for free and put some restrictions, but I don't even think it's up -- it's us. I think it's the Parks -- Mr. Villacorta: The City Commission. Commissioner Sanchez: -- and the City, right? The City Commission with the Parks Department Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Commissioner Sanchez: -- but your concerns are very valid, and once again, as the City continues to grow in downtown and we continue to expand, we realize -- and I speak from experience because I'm the chair of Bayfront Park -- that we're going to have to come with some more restrictions how we're going to have the downtown residents and those parks being there together. I could tell you that, last year, we had to change the sound system to face different directions. We had to tone down the music. We had to add certain hours to the parks, and those are the things that we could do to alleviate some of those concerns. You were not the only one that contacted my office expressing their concerns for the loud music, the traffic congestions, and basically, whenever you put `X" amount of people in those parks, you do not realize the damage that you do to those facilities. I mean, people walking and running -- first of all, you destroy the grass, and then it all depends how people act as to the damage that's caused to the park, so that is something that we're going to have to address in the future at the City Commission, with the Parks Department, to come out with some type of legislation where we're able to restrict the use of those parks, so once again, both the residents and the park could coexist in that area. Mr. Joseph: Thank you, Commissioner, and your executive director for Bayfront Park, Tim Schmand -- Commissioner Sanchez: I'm the chair. Mr. Joseph: -- is a wonder -- Commissioner Sanchez: Tim Schmand, the executive director. Mr. Joseph: Yeah. Your executive director, Tim Schmand, is a wonderful individual. He's City of Miami Page 20 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 worked with us for years trying to make sure they put the speakers facing the bay, the lights facing the bay because here's what the problem is. You're a hundred percent right. We're abused for that one event, and then it really sours the taste of people wanting to ever go to that event again, so you know, you're right, but again, right now it's Margaret Pace Park with all the congestion. We're just a tiny park. We're very small in size. We have tot lots, activity. You can come anytime; you'll see hundreds of people playing, and to fence them off for a beautiful weekend just seemed criminal. Commissioner Sanchez: We hear your concerns. Mr. Joseph: I -- Chair Spence -Jones: So I just want to make sure that I -- because you proposed something. Commissioner Sanchez: Well, that resolution really should come from the City Commission. Mr. Villacorta: Right. It's the City that controls the -- Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Villacorta: -- events in that park. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, so you will bring it to their attention or --? Mr. Villacorta: I'll let the Manager know. Chair Spence -Jones: Commissioner Sanchez, are you bringing that as an item or --? Commissioner Sanchez: Well, I think that we should bring it up as a discussion item in the Commission meeting and discuss it, and you know, I think it's important to have the district Commissioner have the input, as well as the residents to show up and lay it -- lay down their concerns, and I'm sure they have plenty of concerns, anywhere from parking to loud music to trash being left all over the park and outside the park, so we want to listen to their concerns, and then we'll take the appropriate actions -- Mr. Joseph: We'll be happy to get it together. Commissioner Sanchez: -- to find a solution. Thank you. Mr. Joseph: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, Mr. Joseph. REPORTS 9. 07-00146 CRA REPORT UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE GRANTS TO THE MIAMI WOMAN'S CLUB. 9-cover memo.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: All right. We're going to move on to reports, and I'm going to start with number 9 on the report status of the grant to the Miami's -- Miami Women's Club. Is anybody here? Yes, and -- City of Miami Page 21 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Yeah. This -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- I asked to have this on here because I really want to make sure that the Miami's [sic] Women Clubs [sic] project is moving at the pace that it needs to, and are you -- and making sure that you're getting everything you need in order to move the project, so that was why I requested to have it. Mr. Villacorta: The CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) passed two resolutions; one in November of '05, allocating $100, 000 for various architectural studies, and another in October of '06, authorizing up to $250, 000 for elevator repairs. To date, we spent $165, 000 on the elevator repairs. There's pictures of the repaired elevators and equipment in your package, and we've spent 14,800 of the various architectural studies, including land surveys, structural and electrical inspections, and asbestos surveys. Linda Joseph: Hi. I'm Linda Joseph. I'm on the board of directors and the house director for the Miami Woman's Club, and I live at 1717 North Bayshore Drive. Yes, we're very happy with how things are moving along. We have elevators that are working, finally. Commissioner Sanchez: Finally. Ms. Joseph: Finally. We have a service elevator even. The surveys and everything, we're kind of holding off right now until we get the structural engineering survey and everything back until we get our 40-year certification, so once we get the 40-year certification and get all those things in order, then we'll probably be moving ahead with complete restoration of the building. We've talked to Mr. Heisenbottle, and he's been doing a lot of work and getting things in order. We had a meeting and had fact-finding with the rest of the membership and everything, trying to find out what our goals are and where we plan to go with the Women's Club, but we're taking things a little bit slow so that we don't waste money and so we don't have a lot of surveys and a lot of programs and everything put together that are going to take a lot of money right now, but we want to make sure that we know everything that we need before we come back to the CRA, and hopefully, be able to get some help from you to completely restore this building to the wonderful jewel that it was. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, Mrs. Joseph. I just want to just -- I don't know if the Commissioners have any comments first before I make mine. Do you have a comment on this? Commissioner Regalado: No. Chair Spence -Jones: OK Commissioner Regalado: I'm fine. Chair Spence -Jones: One of the things I suggested to the executive director, I would love for us to, at least, host one of our meetings there. Do you have the space or capacity to --? Ms. Joseph: We would be happy to do that. The problem is that, right now, the building has been kind of in disarray since we had Casa Decor there, and until we get our structural engineer and get a 40-year certification, we really don't think that we should hold any kind of -- Chair Spence -Jones: Public meetings. Ms. Joseph: -- public meetings -- City of Miami Page 22 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Ms. Joseph: -- so as soon as that's done, we'd be happy to host anytime. Chair Spence -Jones: OK Commissioner Sanchez: And I think there was an agreement made -- Ms. Joseph: With some parking. Commissioner Sanchez: -- where we could use the parking lot. Chair Spence -Jones: Parking, yeah. I want to make -- so that is still happening, right? Commissioner Sanchez: Absolutely. Ms. Joseph: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: No. I was waiting for Ms. Joseph to say it. Ms. Joseph: Yes. Commissioner Sanchez: Their word -- your -- their word is good. Ms. Joseph: Yes, it's good. You have parking when you want it. Mr. Villacorta: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Thank you, Mrs. Joseph. 10. 07-00273 CRA REPORT UPDATE ON OMNI WATER PROJECT. 10- cover memo.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: We're going to move on to number 10, which is a update on the Omni water project. We talked about this almost six months ago, so Jim, I'm just trying to really get an update from you on where we are with it. James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): We've reached agreements with Miami -Dade County for the update of the -- upgrades of the water lines in the Omni area and a small portion of the sewer lines. The project documents have been prepared -- the agreements, and Dade -- the Dade County Commission must approve the use of WASA's (Water and Sewer Authority's) forces, which we requested to stretch the amount of monies. This is a $3.5 million project, which has been budgeted, and the resolution appropriating it has also been passed. It's in the process of going through the committee system, and then will appear before the Dade County Commissioners granting WASA authority to perform this work using its own forces. Chair Spence -Jones: What's the expected time frame? Do you --? Mr. Villacorta: I would hope, within the next 90 days, we'd be able to start work on the project. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Just make sure Omni is somehow in the mix. Any comments before I City of Miami Page 23 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 move on? Commissioner Regalado: No. Chair Spence -Jones: OK 11. 07-00274 CRA REPORT UPDATE ON SEOPW CRA WATER AND SEWER STUDY. 11- cover memo.pdf DISCUSSED Direction by Chair Spence Jones to the Interim Executive Director to present an official update at the CRA meeting currently scheduled for March 26, 2007, regarding the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Water & Sewer preliminary study being conducted by the Water & Sewer Authority. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, so we're moving on to number 11 on the agenda, which is -- James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Number 11 is the -- an update on the Southeast Overtown/Park West water and sewer study. At the time that the Omni project was passed, you requested that WASA (Water and Sewer Authority) perform an analysis of the water and sewer systems in the Overtown area. The -- they agreed to, at least, take a cursory look at it. Because we have not allocated funding for the project, they were somewhat hesitant to devote engineering time to redesigning the water and sewer systems there, and the Omni project was a result of the development that was coming. We brought those lines up to the maximum that would be required. There wasn't that development pressure in Overtown yet, though there is the -- certainly, the need, but the developers were not as in the wings in that project. The -- and I've probably been remiss on this. I have not gotten a report back from them on the preliminary study, but I will follow up on that. Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. I just -- and the reason I put this on -- this is a request I made almost nine months ago, and -- regarding the water and sewer study, and I remember the man standing up at the mike saying, "No problem, Commissioner. We'll go ahead and get started on that," so you know, while I do understand the Omni is moving and things are being built and things are happening over there, the same thing is -- you know, we anticipate for Overtown, so if we're going to attract development there to begin to rebuild it, we need to make sure the infrastructure is in place. We need to know what exists there presently, and I'm sure that stuff needs to really be all done over, so I'd like to make sure that the next meeting that we have coming up, Jim, that you come back to the meeting -- Mr. Villacorta: Sure. Chair Spence -Jones: -- with a official update from WASA as to what their preliminary study states, if they've worked on it at all. Mr. Villacorta: Yes. As an aside, on the drive over here, I saw someone sweeping water in the gutter along 3rd Avenue towards the drain, so I'll -- I think there is a need for some work to be done in the Overtown area. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, so we will have an update from you -- Mr. Villacorta: Yes. I'll -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- regarding that, and then you probably -- City of Miami Page 24 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Mr. Villacorta: -- try and get WASA here. Chair Spence -Jones: -- need to begin to identify where, you know -- I know that there's a grant that we're going from the -- for the State on; is that correct? Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Actually, we've applied for grants from the State of Florida and the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) grant for $3.5 million to upgrade the water and sewer lines, and hopefully, we'll hear something positive on that. Chair Spence -Jones: So, hopefully, our wonderful lobbyists that are in Tallahassee will -- Mr. Villacorta: They are specifically working on that, and we've also mentioned it to the federal lobbyists that this water project would help the citizens of Overtown live in comfort and dignity within that area. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, so we're going to move on to number -- any questions on number 11 before we move on? OK. 12. 07-00275 CRA REPORT UPDATE ON THE 3RD AVENUE FACADE PROJECT. 12- cover memo.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: Number 12, which is the streetscape 3rd Avenue facade project, beautification. I don't know is [sic] DMP (Downtown Miami Partnership) is here. Are they here? James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Actually, DMP was unable -- Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Villacorta: -- they had to cancel at the last minute -- Chair Spence -Jones: No problem. You want to give us -- Mr. Villacorta: -- as did -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- a update? Mr. Villacorta: -- Stephanie van Vark. This project involved painting the facades of the buildings along 3rd Avenue, and you may have noticed on the drive in, most all of them have been painted. There's one a little north that's had the base coat but hasn't had the finished coat put on it. The DMP will be coming back to install impact glass in the windows in the hopes that we can persuade those business owners to remove the metal shutters and give the place a more appealing look, and beyond that, they will be installing canopies and signage as far as the funds allow. That project was $525, 000 project. I think, to date, we've spent 125 painting the various buildings. I've also identified some sites adjacent to 3rd Avenue as additional project sites. We also have the banner program. Those banners were supposed to be rolled out today, but there was an installation problem. Some time during this week, we expect to see the banners go up along 3rd Avenue. The -- Dr. Dunn has performed -- Chair Spence -Jones: Dr. Dunn, are you here? Can you -- do you mind stepping to the mike? City of Miami Page 25 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Because I want to, at least -- Mr. Villacorta: Yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: -- publicly acknowledge you and your Overtown crew. Let's give him a hand for, at least, beautifying the place -- Applause. Chair Spence -Jones: -- from 14th to 8th. Commissioner Sanchez: What a difference. Chair Spence -Jones: What a difference. Mr. Villacorta: He's performed extensive landscaping along -- Commissioner Sanchez: What a -- Mr. Villacorta: -- 3rd Avenue. Commissioner Sanchez: A little landscaping can make a world of a difference. Marvin Dunn: Thank you, Commissioner. Marvin Dunn, Roots in the City program. We haven't started yet. We have a lot more to do on 3rd Avenue. Commissioner Sanchez: Well -- Mr. Dunn: We have a few setbacks here and there. People will take some things, but -- Commissioner Sanchez: Yeah. Mr. Dunn: -- we'll replace what is stolen. We're using people from Overtown. We have 11 people working for us now; most of those are part-time, but we're going to have, at least, three full-time jobs created as a result of what we're doing. We have not gotten access yet to the area underneath the Metrorail, but that's soon coming. We have insurance issues there, but we're about to get those worked out, so we're moving along. You'll see a lot more improvement as we go along. Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. I am getting a number of calls in my office in Overtown with people just saying. "Something's happening in Overtown. What's going on in Overtown?" Commissioner Sanchez: It's being beautified. Chair Spence -Jones: The buildings look -- yes -- brighter, cheer -- you know, cheery. The planting that you guys have done has been excellent -- Mr. Dunn: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: -- and it just does a lot for the morale of the people in Overtown, and that's what it's about. We have to start instilling, you know, just that feeling of goodness in Overtown. Mr. Dunn: Thank you, Commissioners. Commissioner Sanchez: Thank you. City of Miami Page 26 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, Dr. Dunn. Mr. Villacorta: Thank you. Last Friday we received the permit drawings for Overtown signage on 3rd Avenue, just south of Mt. Zion Church is the location. We're working with FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) to remove that piece of chain link fence, and we'll have an entrance feature at that location. We're also working on a mural for the overpass, the Metrorail overpass at 11 th Street. Purvis Young artwork will be placed on both the north and south faces. We're in the final stages of the logistical aspects of getting that in place with the banner company that'll be mounting it on the Metrorail overpass and gaining access for Dr. Dunn, as well. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you. Any questions for Jim? Commissioner Regalado: Not on this one. Chair Spence -Jones: OK 13. 07-00276 CRA REPORT UPDATE ON THE RENTAL REHAB PROJECT. 13- cover memo.pdf 13-backup.pdf DISCUSSED Direction by Commissioner Regalado to the Interim Executive Director to prepare a follow-up story on Shaniece Jones, new resident of a recently rehabilitated unit in Overtown by the CRA. Direction by Chair Spence Jones to the Interim Executive Director to meet with David Alexander, St. John Community Development Corporation, regarding the feasibility of rehabilitating eight apartment units at 1201 NW 3rd Avenue. Chair Spence -Jones: So we're going to move to the last item on the agenda, which is the update on the rental rehabs. Again, this is the initiative that we wanted to identify as many units as possible that are vacant in Overtown, and if anyone in this audience knows any property owners in Overtown that has vacant units that could be rehabbed and put back in the marketplace, please, by all means, let staff know, but, Jim, if you can give us a very quick update so that we can --? James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Right. Chair Spence -Jones: How many units have we identified to be rehabbed? Mr. Villacorta: We -- well, we identified four buildings that we were investigating for rehab. We brought the City's CIT (Capital Improvements & Transportation) engineers out there, and they came back with estimates. Four of those buildings were rooming houses, and they were determined by CIT to be prohibitively expensive. Chair Spence -Jones: Could you tell them the amount so we all -- Mr. Villacorta: Yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: -- know what we're not spending money on? Commissioner Sanchez: Millions. City of Miami Page 27 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Mr. Villacorta: Yeah. The Larry Williams building -- Commissioner Sanchez: Three point two. Mr. Villacorta: -- 30 rooming -- 30 rooms was 3.3 million; the Dunn Hotel, 2 million. Some of these buildings were built with beach sand, which has corroded the rebar within the building. They haven't met their 40-year certification. They would have to be brought up to the current Code, which would involve cutting vertical columns because there's no poured concrete column every eight feet. The Divine Mission building, which is an apartment building owned by the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), was estimated to be 2.2 million. We're in the process of getting a contractor to review that bid and see if he can do it for less. Reverend Williams had some rooms above his shop; those were in the 660,000 range to bring -- Chair Spence -Jones: Into Code. Mr. Villacorta: -- three rooms back above each. Chair Spence -Jones: So which units did we find? How many units have you found? Mr. Villacorta: Those we have investigated and found to be prohibitively expensive. We have also found a building behind the Clyde Killens house, a six -unit apartment building. The contractors are preparing pricing on that. We're optimistic that this is not as far deteriorated as these buildings. We've also worked with a company, capital management, who has proposed 17 vacant units in its buildings that they think can be rehabbed for approximately $9, 000 a unit, and we're working on doing the investigation of that construction work, verifying their numbers and coming up with a document that would be acceptable to the CRA that would guarantee reduced rents in exchange for our funding the rehab of those vacant units and bringing them back on line, and we have the ten units at St. Johns [sic], which we've painted the exterior, but we are now working on the interior renovation, and I understand that one of those units has already been brought back online, and the woman that we met over the holidays, who has -- Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, Shaniece has moved in? Mr. Villacorta: -- moved in already, and this is a young family with two small children and another on the way -- Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, good. Mr. Villacorta: -- and my understanding is that they've moved into the St. Johns [sic] apartments. Commissioner Regalado: They move in? Chair Spence -Jones: Um -hum. Mr. Villacorta: They have moved in, is my -- Mr. Alexander. Commissioner Regalado: And they were before? Chair Spence -Jones: Shaniece -- Mr. Villacorta: They -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- this is Shaniece off 62nd and 17th, right? She was a young lady that -- City of Miami Page 28 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 when I went out to visit 62nd and 7 -- she was living at the building right off of Shantytown, on the -- Commissioner Regalado: Right. Chair Spence -Jones: -- side of Shantytown that had the roach -infested building -- Commissioner Regalado: Right, right, right. Chair Spence -Jones: -- and the baby had all the roach bites on him. Commissioner Regalado: I remember. Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah, and you know, she really needed a place to go, so -- Commissioner Regalado: No. I know, but -- we know, but does the people know? Chair Spence -Jones: That's why -- Mr. Villacorta: No. Chair Spence -Jones: -- I'm waiting for my -- Mr. Villacorta: No. We're -- hope to have a -- Chair Spence -Jones: Say it again, Commissioner. Mr. Villacorta: -- press date to announce -- Unidentified Speaker: She just moved -- Chair Spence -Jones: No, no, no, no. Commissioner Regalado: We know. Chair Spence -Jones: Commissioner, go -- Commissioner Regalado: We know, but does the people know? Mr. Villacorta: No. Commissioner Regalado: It's -- I mean, Shantytown is news. Building next to Shantytown has been all over the news. You [sic] mean, we were there, and it's all over the news, and I'm just saying, if we move a family for a better condition with the people's money, that should be news. Mr. Villacorta: We were hoping to get those other nine units on line shortly, and then have a press day; bring them down 3rd Avenue, show them -- Chair Spence -Jones: But I think that -- Mr. Villacorta: -- what's been done. Chair Spence -Jones: -- what the Commissioner is saying, it's important that any win that we have where we're taking people off the streets and providing them -- and I guess your marketing person, whoever -- City of Miami Page 29 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: -- that bid that you're putting out -- Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: -- will assist with that, but here's something that can be put out now, correct? Is that what -- that's your statement? Commissioner Regalado: Hey, I will bring the cameras in to show how she's living now. I mean, it only makes sense -- Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Commissioner Regalado: -- because it's a follow-up story -- Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Commissioner Regalado: -- and people in the media will do it. It's not -- this is not propaganda. This is just using the money of the people to move for a better life a family with children. That's all that there is to it. The reason that Shantytown is so -- is attracted the media by Shantytown is because the people are living there and they don't have a place to go, so if they do, then it's news. Chair Spence -Jones: So that's 33 units that I'm hearing that we should, at least, be able to move on, correct? Mr. Villacorta: I mean, we're still investigating the construction, but we've identified 33 more units that do not seem to be in as poor a state as these buildings, and I hope to be able to come -- Commissioner Sanchez: Require $3 million. Mr. Villacorta: -- back at the next meeting and report -- Chair Spence -Jones: Huh? That doesn't -- Mr. Villacorta: -- yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: -- so -- and please, on Commissioner Regalado's recommendation, I think that we should definitely let people -- Mr. Villacorta: Definitely - Chair Spence -Jones: -- know what we're -- Mr. Villacorta: -- definitely. Chair Spence -Jones: -- doing. Mr. Villacorta: I'll get with -- David Alexander: Commissioner. Chair Spence -Jones: Saint -- City of Miami Page 30 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Mr. Alexander: Thank you, Commissioner. I just wanted to come up to talk about our project, to thank the CRA for working with us so diligently. We have been able to actually accommodate three families; one is in process now. There is a gentleman that is a paraplegic, and we're working with him also, and there's another family that we helped in another building that we have at 1445 Northwest 1st Court. We have eight additional units, Commissioner, that we have identified. We would like the assistance of the CRA to purchase this building so that we can go after the funding for rehab. This building is at 1201 3rd Avenue, one of the commercial structures that was just painted, and we have a contract with the owner, which we have negotiated but not executed until we can get some sign that we can have the financial backing. The deal will put the building in the hands of St. John CDC (Community Development Corporation) for about $1.15 million. It has currently 12 rooms of a rooming house and eight apartments and six stores. We would like to get the approval of the CRA to give us financial backing to purchase that. We're not asking you for a grant. We're asking you for maybe an interest free loan that we can purchase the property and we will go out there and find the money outside of the CRA to purchase the property and to do the renovations. It's important to us because this property is, as you know, a very crucial space on the corner of 12th Street and 3rd Avenue. I'm very reticent to ask my board of directors to sign a loan right now, contract right now because we know the building probably won't appraise at the price that we're purchasing at. The problem really is, much of the property in Overtown today, as you probably well know, is overpriced, and it's overpriced because we can't get the income base to support the purchase price, but with the eight units, which we can rehab, we can put eight units, in addition to the ten that we have promised you already, back into the market. Deal's a good one simply because if -- Jim, did you ever do a study on the per -unit cost of those units that you were looking at that were not feasible? Chair Spence -Jones: To my understanding, the units themself [sic] were in such bad shape -- is that correct, Jim? Mr. Villacorta: Right, most of them -- Chair Spence -Jones: That building is not a building that we would -- Mr. Villacorta: Yeah. I mean, it wouldn't be fair to com -- it wouldn't be comparing apples to apples. The Divine Mission, the roof had leaked so badly that the second and third floors, which were made of wood, had rotted and were falling into the first floor. Mr. Alexander: Right, but -- Mr. Villacorta: There was mold everywhere. Mr. Alexander: -- what I'm saying is, though, if you just look at it from the point of view of what the cost to rehab would be for those units, seems to me like you're spending over $100, 000 a unit, if you were to do the deal, right? So we -- Commissioner Sanchez: Well, that's why we're not doing it. Mr. Villacorta: I think that's -- yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: That's why we're not doing it. Mr. Alexander: No. That's what I'm saying, but that's what it is in the market today, but I think we can bring these eight units at 1201 back on line; that we can acquire the properties and we can rehab the properties and bring those units in, and then try to do something -- I don't know -- City of Miami Page 31 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: David, you and I had this discussion, right? Mr. Alexander: And? You know, we need the help, Commissioner. Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, I -- I -- you know I need -- I know we need the help, but we also know that the building is in bad shape, so -- Mr. Alexander: The rooming house part of the building is in really bad shape. We intend to -- Chair Spence -Jones: Right, right. Mr. Alexander: -- lock that up, but there are eight apartments on the other side of the property that are in pretty good shape, in terms of their livability, so with some rehab, we can do that at about twelve and a half to fifteen thousand a unit. The acquisition price, though, really is what is holding us back right now, so we need some help from the CRA in that direction, if you would consider maybe coming and taking a look at it again. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank -- definitely, we'll -- I'm going to have staff give me a recommendation on what they feel is the best thing, but I definitely don't -- Mr. Villacorta: I'll meet with -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- have a problem with -- Mr. Villacorta: -- David and -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- looking at it. Thank you -- Mr. Alexander: OK. Chair Spence -Jones: -- David. Mr. Alexander: Thank you, ma'am. Mr. Villacorta: -- take a look at what he's proposing. Chair Spence -Jones: We're actually getting ready to adjourn the meeting. I do want to just say special thanks to my wonderful principal -- where is she? -- for hosting us at Douglass. We really -- Mr. Villacorta: Ms. McGinnis. Chair Spence -Jones: -- appreciate it, and the school is looking absolutely wonderful. Commissioner Sanchez: I came to this school. Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, yeah. I forgot. You have an alumni right here, and I just want to say one -- to Reverend Broomfield, thank you, from BAME (Bethel African Methodist Episcopal) being out here with us this afternoon. I understand that there are still some issues that we need to work with on all of our historic churches. I believe we're going to be working with the staff to do that so that we can look at an overall plan, and then last, but not least, veterans -- hopefully, our -- Mr. Villacorta: We will bring you that on the -- City of Miami Page 32 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: -- we will -- you'll bring back to me -- Mr. Villacorta: -- agend -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- this whole job training placement initiative that we're still waiting to get from -- Mr. Villacorta: Right, on the March agenda -- Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Villacorta: -- we're planning on bringing the -- NON-AGENDA ITEMS NA.1 07-00310 CRA DISCUSSION BRIEF DISCUSSION REGARDING ZONING NOTICE FOR PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 1501-03 NW 1ST AVENUE. DISCUSSED Fred Joseph: I know it's not appropriate because this was not an item, but are you aware of something in 15th --1501-03 and 51 Northwest 1st Street -- I'm sorry, 1st Avenue, in regards to the nightclub district there? I received a zoning notice. Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Commissioner Sanchez: No. Chair Spence -Jones: I think we might have received some information on that, but you can check with Koteles. I'm not -- I don't have all the details on it, no. Mr. Joseph: OK, because you had a concern before and I saw it, so I wanted to make sure you knew about it. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Joseph: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you so much. NA.2 07-00311 CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION REGARDING A LETTER ADDRESSED TO THE CRA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FROM THE CHAIR OF THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER TRUST REGARDING TRASH, PANHANDLING, INACTIVE STREETLIGHTS, AND THE SLOW PACE OF RESTAURANT DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA SURROUNDING THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. DISCUSSED Direction by Chair Spence -Jones to the Interim Executive Director to prepare a written response from the CRA to the letter written by the chairman of the Performing Arts Center Trust; further directing the Interim Executive Director to schedule a meeting with the Downtown Development Authority, the Downtown Neighborhood Enhancement Team office, the Performing Arts Center City ofMiami Page 33 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Trust, the Miami -Dade County School Board, City of Miami Code Enforcement Department, and the CRA to address the concerns presented in the letter from the Performing Arts Center Trust. Commissioner Regalado: Madam Chair, if I may -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yes, you may, sir. Commissioner Regalado: -- on the Omni. Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Commissioner Regalado: I read this letter that it was sent to the executive director of the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) by the chair of the Performing Arts Center Trust, and I'm very intrigued by the letter, and also, I'm a little concerned because the Carnival Center is thanking the CRA for the improvement and streetscapes and improvement around the Center. However, they have concern about trash on the street and sidewalks, panhandling in the neighborhood on nights of performance, the failure of some of the stalled street lighting to work, and the slow pace of restaurant development in the area, and they invited to -- they invited you to go, I guess it was today -- Chair Spence -Jones: Who, the executive --? They actually invited me, too, to attend, but -- Commissioner Regalado: No. They invited -- the letter is addressed to the executive director. Chair Spence -Jones: They -- I think they sent it -- they should have sent it to all the -- all of the Commissioners. I know I received one. Commissioner Regalado: They won't invite me. Chair Spence -Jones: I didn't go. Commissioner Regalado: No, but anyway, my point is that I don't know if they understand the system. I don't know if they think that the CRA has to take on the responsibility of arresting homeless only on events nights -- which, by the way, this is what brought the Pottinger case against the City of Miami -- that to clean the streets -- by the way, I -- did you took this picture, your staff? Chair Spence -Jones: Um -hum. James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Yeah. Our staff took -- Commissioner Regalado: They're clean. Mr. Villacorta: -- that picture this -- Chair Spence -Jones: I know. Mr. Villacorta: -- afternoon. Commissioner Regalado: They're clean -- Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Commissioner Regalado: -- so until now, they didn't know that there was panhandling and City of Miami Page 34 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 homeless in that area. That's a very inconvenient truth that they had until now, so I wonder, are we about to do some kind of deal regarding the Performing Arts Trust? Are they seeking something from the CRA? I mean, this look, to me, as a guilt trip, you know what I mean? Because the panhandlers and the homeless have been there like forever; Margaret Pace Park, trash, forever. Construction debris -- and mind you, they start the Performing Arts Center show without any parking, so they use illegal parking, which the City is allow to park, and now they say that we have to get rid of the trash and the panhandling only on concert nights, so I mean, should we place signs? You know, you can panhandle on Mondays and Tuesdays because Performing Arts events are -- I mean, this is very wrong because, number one, these are issues for the City, and I don't know what they told you at the meeting, Jim, if you went, or if you -- the Chair -- Chair Spence -Jones: No, I didn't go. Commissioner Regalado: -- went. I really don't know, but to me, it's very offensive. Chair Spence -Jones: Commissioner Gonzalez -- I mean, Regalado, if I can just add. I see we have somebody from the Carnival Center here, and I don't know if you -- Commissioner Sanchez has anything to -- Commissioner Regalado: Good. Chair Spence -Jones: -- add on it. Personally, when I got the letter, I felt the same way that you felt, you know. I mean, at the end of the day, I mean, you know, the first thing that came to my mind -- and I understand that it's not in my district and it's -- you know, so to even make the comparison is probably not right or fair, but you know, not even a mile away, right across the tracks, I mean, I can't even keep the streets clean, you know, so you know, to see now that we have a beautiful Performing Arts Center -- by all means, I support the arts 100 percent. Everyone knows that about me, but you know, to receive this letter as if -- and maybe you can clear it up for us. It was offensive. When I read it, I said I wasn't going, and I think that, if I would have gone, I probably would have went off, so that's the reason why I didn't go, and then I was also trying to respect the fact that it is not in my district and that it is in Commissioner Sarnoffs district, and I don't know if you know this, Commissioner Regalado, he did attend the meeting today -- right, Jim? Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: -- and he made -- Mr. Villacorta: Commissioner was there. Chair Spence -Jones: -- some commitments to support whatever is necessary for them to feel comfortable with the panhandling and the -- this trash on the streets or whatever, so I'm going to respect that, as the district Commissioner, that's what he's choosing to do, but I think that we have to be good neighbors, regardless, and I'm hoping that the Performing Arts Center will be that to not just, you know, the Omni area, the folks that live close to the Performing Arts Center, but the people that are right down the street from there, you know, and -- so I was personally -- I want to just echo that I was, personally, offended by the letter and the tone and the manner that it was written. Commissioner Regalado: I just say -- just want to say something, that if we do -- are to spend one cent of the CRA in trying to get rid of the panhandling or the trash around the Performing Arts Center, that the CRA has to spend the money that has to spend to clean all the streets -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. City of Miami Page 35 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Commissioner Regalado: -- within the CRA boundaries -- Chair Spence -Jones: And I'm hearing that we're trying to buy a sweeping truck -- Commissioner Regalado: -- Overtown -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- a truck. Commissioner Regalado: -- Park West, Omni. Chair Spence -Jones: They want us to buy a streeping [sic] -- what do you call it, a street sweeping --? Commissioner Regalado: Yeah, sweeper. Chair Spence -Jones: The comment came up, right, Jim, that they -- the suggestion --? Mr. Villacorta: Well, that was a suggestion when we were exploring options with the Commissioner after the meeting. Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, OK. Mr. Villacorta: At the meeting they were concerned about trash, panhandling, street lighting, and the pace of restaurant development. The area -- we spoke with Solid Waste. They say they have four street sweepers downtown and they cover that area every night. They -- two to three times a week, hand crews are dispatched to the area to pick up litter. The NET (Neighborhood Enhancement Team) Office has its litter busters working in the area, and Solid Waste has also ordered additional trash receptacles for the area. Chair Spence -Jones: Fred, I mean, you're in the area. Is it like extremely dirty to you now over there? Fred Joseph: Let me tell you. I was there last night, and I did walk the area, and some of the problems has -- some of the streets have some problems, but they're not what they used to be, but the lighting problem is one of them that we spoke about -- Mr. Villacorta: Yeah. Mr. Joseph: -- and I've been writing our executive director about the lighting. We just put, out of our money, 2.5 million in the lighting, correct, on a fast track? And some of it's not working. Now I've been told it's FP&L (Florida Power & Light) has a problem with some of the connectors, correct, I've been told? Mr. Villacorta: Right. There was a fault in the FPL system that was preventing the lights from working. They had to order parts. This has been going on for about 45 days. The parts showed up two weeks ago. I drove the area the middle of last week. Most all of our decorative lights were on. There were two on the east side of the PAC (Performing Arts Center) that were out. Part of the reason the east side of the PAC seems so dark is that the Herald is not turning on the lights in their parking lot to the east of the PAC. Mr. Joseph: So we got to ask our good neighbors, the Miami Herald, to turn on their lights because we're walking between them and the Herald to go back to our building, and -- Commissioner Regalado: It doesn't belong to the Herald anymore. City of Miami Page 36 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Mr. Joseph: No. I'm sorry. The -- Mr. Villacorta: McClatchy. Commissioner Regalado: Ask Pedro Martin. Mr. Joseph: Yeah, Pedro Martin. Commissioner Regalado: Yeah. Mr. Joseph: They should light up the lights to make it, you know, more neighborhood friendly. Chair Spence -Jones: Friendly. Commissioner Sanchez, do you have a comment on this before - -? OK, do you have a --? I'm sorry. Valerie Riles Robinson: Yes. Just for -- as a point of clarification. Name is Valerie Riles Robinson, Carnival Center for the Performing Arts. On behalf of -- I think that letter was from Dr. Hardy or, I'm not sure, Parker Thompson. I apologize if it had an offensive tone to it. That letter was a response, actually, to some complaints that we received from not only the neighborhood, but also from some of our patrons. It's my understanding, to echo what Mr. Joseph just said, and perhaps, he was the source of some of those complaints, that the CRA had spent a significant amount of money in terms of redoing the streets and redoing the sidewalk, and that now the Carnival Center was allowing all of that to go to pot. That is not our intention. I think the gist of the letter that I remember was that they had invested the money, but it is kind of the habit of governments in Miami to build something, to spend the money, and then not to maintain it, so that was the reason why that letter was written to say -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. I think the offensive part, for me, Ms. Riles [sic], was -- and this is something that was -- been there before the Center was there, and probably, before I was born, was the panhandling in the neighborhood. Ms. Riles Robinson: Oh. Chair Spence -Jones: I mean, my goodness. I mean, that's been going on -- Ms. Riles Robinson: I ab -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- for God knows how long -- Ms. Riles Robinson: I absolutely agree. Chair Spence -Jones: -- and you know, to -- the statement -- you know, just adding on to it -- and I don't want to belabor it. We just need to know that you guys have to be -- we all have to be good neighbors, and you know, making the statement of panhandling on performance nights -- it should just be -- if there's an issue with panhandling, it should just be -- Ms. Riles Robinson: Every night. Chair Spence -Jones: -- you know, panhandling period -- Ms. Riles Robinson: Right. Chair Spence -Jones: -- you know, but in other words, just don't bother me. I don't have a problem if it doesn't, you know, enter my space -- City of Miami Page 37 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Ms. Riles Robinson: Right. Chair Spence -Jones: -- so I think that that's where the -- and then the other part of it, adding to what Jim stated, was the pace of the restaurant development in the area. I mean, everyone knows that the -- if anyone's complaining, you know, about development in the area -- I mean, we hear that all day long, so I mean, we can't force anybody to go into restaurants faster than they're going in them. Ms. Riles Robinson: No, and we absolutely agree. Again, it was a reaction to the number of complaints that we received not only from the neighborhood groups, but from a number of our patrons saying, well, you all -- what are you all doing? Have you contact the CRA and the City of Miami? This morning Commissioner Sarnoff did, in fact, attend the meeting, and I know that he had a briefing with staff afterwards, where they committed to -- well, they said to us in the meeting that these are really items that should be discussed with the NET Office, and that's the most -- more appropriate place, so I thought that was helpful. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, Mrs. Riles [sic]. Commissioner Sanchez: Now I will add something to it -- Chair Spence -Jones: OK, sure. Commissioner Sanchez: -- and I don't get offended. I quit getting offended nine years ago, but I could tell you this much, it is a problem, and the only way that we're going to address that problem if we unite ourselves with all the efforts that we have and get it done, and we do have a lot of efforts out there. You have the downtown NET office. You have the DDA; the CRA's going to have to do its part; the PAC's going to have to do its part, and we're going to have to do everything we can to make sure not only that area, but the entire area is maintained properly and well kept and clean because, if we don't, we're failing ourselves, so it's not pointing the finger at anybody; it's just making sure that it gets done, so I'm glad that Commissioner Sarnoff met today and is addressing the issue, because your failure is our failure -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Commissioner Sanchez: -- in the City. I know some people may not agree with the PAC. I think -- I agree with it. I think it's giving us a different prospect in our city where, you know, everyone could be a part of it, everyone could get educated on it. Not every kid's going to be a rap star. You know, they could go and see what a ballet is or an opera and get educated. I think that that opens up door, and if we want to be a world -class city, I think we need to have facilities such as this one, whether they criticize it or not, but now that we've built it, we have to maintain it. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, so just on this -- closing out on this matter, I don't know if there's any other comments, but I would like for the executive director to, at least, prepare a response back to the PAC regarding -- I guess, just a response back from us to them, and I would suggest that you, perhaps, get with the district Commissioner of the area and make sure we, at least, respond back to them in writing from the CRA's perspective. Again, we do want to be good neighbors to them, but we also want them to be good neighbors to us, too. Mr. Villacorta: The -- Commissioner Sanchez: May I give -- Mr. Villacorta: Sure. City of Miami Page 38 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Commissioner Sanchez: -- you a suggestion to add on to that? Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Commissioner Sanchez: What we should do is get everyone involved at the table, bring everyone to the table, and let's find a way to solve this problem and everyone put their efforts into it and let's try to resolve the issue. That's the DDA (Downtown Development Authority), the downtown NET, the CRA, the PAC itself, and even get the School Board. The School Board's right there. They're a part of it, and they're as guilty as anyone else of you know, maybe not putting trash where it should be going, so -- because I've seen it. I mean, I went out there, and I took a walk around the place, and there was a lot of trash, and a lot of that trash is people that are pedestrian, but let me tell you the fault also. You walk through there, there isn't that many trashcans. You got to walk three blocks to find a trashcan, and if you expect people to walk with trash in their hands for three blocks to find it somewhere, I think you're wrong. They're just going to drop it on the floor [sic], so that's an issue that we need to look at, maybe putting trashcans around the PAC center, and getting the business owners to get involved, and getting some of the property owners to maintain -- Code Enforcement should be involved in this meeting. Should -- Code Enforcement should also be in this meeting to go out there and enforce the Codes. As a matter of fact, right in front of the School Board, there's a Port-O-John. What is that doing there? I mean, unless there's some construction going on, but it's right in the middle - - right next to a building on the sidewalk. Ms. Riles Robinson: From my recollection, that Port-O-John's been there for about a year and half, so I have no idea. Commissioner Sanchez: Well, I don't see any construction around it. Ms. Riles Robinson: No. There -- it's not construction -related. I think someone, perhaps -- Commissioner Sanchez: Then it needs to be -- don't you agree it needs to be moved? Ms. Riles Robinson: Yes, we agree, but -- Commissioner Sanchez: There you go. Ms. Riles Robinson: -- it's -- yeah. Commissioner Sanchez: That's a start, getting rid of one -- Chair Spence -Jones: OK, so we -- we're PAC'd out. Commissioner Regalado: But -- Chair Spence -Jones: You got another question? Commissioner Regalado: -- I just have a question -- Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Commissioner Regalado: -- maybe -- Commissioner Sanchez: Ms. Riles [sic]. Commissioner Regalado: Thank you. What is the percentage of the patrons that use valet parking? City of Miami Page 39 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Ms. Riles Robinson: Commissioner, off the top of my head, I don't know. I could get that number for you and get it to you tomorrow. Commissioner Regalado: No. I'm just saying because if you do use valet parking, you don't have to walk around, and the letters that I have been reading in the paper, Neighbors and the Miami Herald, the complaint is actually not about the streets, but about the delay of valet parking, people missing events because the valet parking takes two hour and a half or something like that. I read that. Ms. Riles Robinson: I have known that it has taken longer than we would like for it to take. I have not been aware of two and a half hours. Commissioner Regalado: No. That's what I read -- Ms. Riles Robinson: Right -- Commissioner Regalado: -- but I'm just saying -- Ms. Riles Robinson: -- but -- Commissioner Regalado: -- really -- Ms. Riles Robinson: -- you're absolutely right, and that's one of the foundational issues that we're working on because, as you know, there is limited parking in the area, and what happens, unfortunately, as you know, is the valets have to run a ways to get the cars, and then they get stuck in the traffic bringing the cars back, so that's a part of the delay, so there are a number of factors that actually contribute -- Chair Spence -Jones: Contribute. Ms. Riles Robinson: -- to the delay, and -- but the big one, from what I understand, is when they go get the cars, they get the car and then they sit 15 minutes trying to get it back to the patron because of -- Commissioner Regalado: But I just really think that getting a street sweeper is the least of the problems that you have now in the Performing Arts Center, you know. You have -- Ms. Riles Robinson: Yes, sir. Commissioner Regalado: -- other issues. Ms. Riles Robinson: I think that was a staff recommendation from the CRA, yes. Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: OK I just want to just say this real fast, Ms. Riles [sic], and then we're going to move on to number 9. I know, in one of our last -- it wasn't our last City Commission meeting; it was the other one prior to that -- that it was recommended that we, at least, have two of the City Commissioners sit on -- Ms. Riles Robinson: Right. Chair Spence -Jones: -- that board. Did you get that recommendations from the City? Ms. Riles Robinson: Yes, and Dr. Hardy did write back to the Clerk saying that that was fine, and what they laid out in the letter was that sometimes for our board -- today we had three City of Miami Page 40 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 NA.3 07-00312 committee meetings -- that, perhaps, the time commitment was required was much more than a Commissioner wanted to do, but if not, we were -- you know, we're more than happy -- Chair Spence -Jones: Well, I know Mayor Gibson, she sits on that board. I was understanding that she sat on that board. Ms. Riles Robinson: No. Commissioner -- Chair Spence -Jones: Braynon? Ms. Riles Robinson: -- Mattie Bower sits on the board, and Vice -Mayor Braynon sits on the board, so yes -- Chair Spence -Jones: OK, so you do have other elected officials --? Ms. Riles Robinson: Oh, absolutely, so we would -- Chair Spence -Jones: And I think that -- Ms. Riles Robinson: -- love to have you. Chair Spence -Jones: -- out of -- Ms. Riles Robinson: Absolutely. Chair Spence -Jones: -- I mean, we are the most affected by it -- Ms. Riles Robinson: Oh, absolutely. Chair Spence -Jones: -- so I mean -- and I think having our presence on there somehow will also help us address these overall issues. Ms. Riles Robinson: Absolutely. Chair Spence -Jones: -- but thank you, Mrs. Riles [sic] for -- Ms. Riles Robinson: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: -- coming out. CRA DISCUSSION BRIEF DISCUSSION REGARDING THE MARLINS STADIUM. DISCUSSED Direction by Commissioner Regalado to the Interim Executive Director to place a discussion item regarding the Marlins Stadium on the CRA agenda currently scheduled for March 26, 2007. Commissioner Regalado: On the -- question about the -- Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Commissioner Regalado: -- March agenda. Last month we discussed the stadium and the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), and we were told that you'll be back or somebody will be back with the information. Today there was another discussion -- if you see the papers, the City of Miami Page 41 Printed on 3/20/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007 Herald today, Miami Today, last week, other media, you'll see that the whole discussion about the Marlin stadium in downtown is being driven by County Commissioners, so my question is, are we out or are we just not talking? James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): I have had no discussions with anyone regarding the placement of the Marlins stadium. Commissioner Regalado: So we can -- we could say that this agency has nothing to do with the planned stadium? Mr. Villacorta: I've never been approached by anyone regarding locating the Marlin stadium -- Commissioner Regalado: I'm just saying. Mr. Villacorta: -- in or out -- Commissioner Regalado: I'm just saying. Chair Spence -Jones: Well, I have definitely seen a lot of discussion going on in both papers -- I mean, all papers regarding it, and most of it is centered, really, around County discussions. Commissioner Regalado: So what I'm -- Chair Spence -Jones: I mean -- Commissioner Regalado: -- saying is, my motion is still -- it's viable -- Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Commissioner Regalado: -- you know. The CRA will not participate in whatever, but -- so we'll put it on the agenda for next month -- Mr. Villacorta: March. Commissioner Regalado: -- and discuss it because if the debate is in the County, well, then we don't have to debate it. Mr. Villacorta: OK. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Regalado: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: The meeting is now officially adjourned, right? All in favor? Well -- Commissioner Regalado: All in favor in going? Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): You don't have the quorum; you just do it. City of Miami Page 42 Printed on 3/20/2007