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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEOPW OMNI CRA 2007-04-30 MinutesCity of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com CPI • IN Q9P 99 1i? ▪ I1JYD Meeting Minutes Monday, April 30, 2007 5:00 PM FREDERICK DOUGLASS ELEMENTARY 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 April 30, 2007 Minutes are transcribed verbatim. Periodically, agenda items are revisited during a meeting. "[Later...]" refers to discussions that were interrupted and later continued. Present: Vice Chair Gonzalez, Commissioner Sanchez, Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Absent: Commissioner Sarnoff On the 30th day of April 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 5:10 p.m. and was adjourned at 6: 07 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 PRESENTATION 1. 07-00525 CRA PRESENTATION A PRESENTATION EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO YISSELL DIAZ, OF BOOKER T. WASHINGTON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, FOR HER DESIGN OF THE JAZZ AND BLUES BANNERS CURRENTLY BEING DISPLAYED IN THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA. Cover memo.pdf PRESENTED Chair Spence -Jones: OK. First up -- first of all, welcome to the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting for April 20 [sic]. We have a quick -- pretty quick agenda, some quick things that I'd like to provide some updates to to the overall public, but I would like to excuse myself pretty early because I do have another engagement that I have to attend almost immediately after this. I want to start first with the presentations, and I'd like to have -- or have - - call up to the front the principal of our wonderful school here of Frederick Douglass. Principal McGinnis, can you please come up to the mike? Let's give her a hand. Applause. Presentations made. FINANCIALS 2. 07-00522 CRA REPORT FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR MONTH ENDING MARCH 31, 2007. Financial Summary.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: OK. We're going to get through this rather quickly. Commissioner Gonzalez, Commissioner Sanchez, as I stated earlier before you got in the building, we're going to try to get this -- get through this meeting pretty quickly. I do have another engagement, and I City of Miami Page 2 Printed on 5/9, 2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes April 30, 2007 know everyone needs to get home, so we're going to go to the second thing on the agenda, which is the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) financial summary for the month ending March. Miguel. Miguel Valentin (Financial Officer, Community Redevelopment Agency): Good evening, Chairman [sic] and Commissioners. As you can see on page 1, the combined statement of financial position, as of March 31, 2007, discloses as cash unrestricted, 80,000 under Southeast Overtown/Park West, and Omni, 100, 000. That amount hasn't -- these amounts haven't changed in comparison to last month. Also, further down, I want you to look at the item where disclose that we have expended the amount of 24, 000 out of 746, 744. Those monies are being committed to the affordable rehabilitation program that we established. Also, I wanted to state for the record that there is no reportable condition that you should be aware of and also, on the other hand, I would like to put on record that we are working on the checklist that you told us that we need to work on regarding the grants, and Jim, and Evelyn, and myself, we are working on that. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Valentin: OK. Chair Spence -Jones: Any questions? Commissioner Gonzalez: No. Chair Spence -Jones: No questions? OK, thank you, Miguel. Mr. Valentin: OK. RESOLUTIONS 3. 07-00523 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), WITH ATTACHMENTS, APPROVING THE ATTACHED SCOPE OF WORK TO BE PERFORMED BY ROOTS IN THE CITY, INC. PURSUANT TO THE GRANT FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF NORTHWEST THIRD AVENUE AUTHORIZED BY RESOLUTION NUMBER CRA-R-06-0050, ADOPTED ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. Cover Memo.pdf Back-up.pdf Legislation.pdf Motion by Vice Chair Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Sanchez, that this matter be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 4 - Vice Chair Gonzalez, Commissioner Sanchez, Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Absent: 1 - Commissioner Sarnoff CRA-R-07-0018 Chair Spence -Jones: We're going to move on to number 3, which is a resolution, and I'm going to turn this over to the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) director, but I just want to make a comment real fast on this issue. This is the beautification project that we launched as a City of Miami Page 3 Printed on 5/9, 2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes April 30, 2007 part of this whole campaign to beautify the 3rd Avenue corridor, and part of this was to make sure that we hired local residents from the Overtown area to participate in the beautification. On your way coming up, you should have seen, already on 3rd Avenue, the plants and the trees, and some of the buildings already being painted. Over the next 90 days, you'll begin to see the new windows going in, the new awnings happening in the area so the buildings will truly be transforming. I wanted to be very clear -- and I want to say this to Miguel and to the executive director. You know, when we decide to give out these grants, it's very important that we do all of our due diligence to make sure that all of the key things are put in place with anybody that we're providing grants for, and I don't want it to be an afterthought, you know, after we've already passed an item, and now we're trying to clear it up for whatever reason, and on this particular issue, on Roots in the City, this is not your typical landscaping type of project. This is a job placement/job training type of program where, after the residents participate in the program, they will hopefully be placed in other landscaping -related jobs within either the Overtown area or in the City of Miami, period, so we cannot look at this as a general landscaping project, so I know that Mr. Dunn -- or Dr. Dunn is here, and he's been doing an outstanding job. I know those people have been seeing that all the way around, but I didn't know if the executive director needs to add on anything to this before we address the item. James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): This resolution just approves the scope of the grant. The original resolution approving this work on 3rd Avenue had a budget attached to it and a scope of work that was not as detailed as what eventually is being put into place here. About halfway back into your materials, you'll see the detailed scope and a progress assessment as of April 19, giving the proposed plantings at each location, what's actually been installed so far, and a detailed landscaper training plan as part of the grant. There's also a revised budget, which comes within the original budgeted amount, but reallocates funds between the different landscape locations to reflect the plantings that are -- that will be placed there or that have been placed there. Commissioner Gonzalez: Madam Chairman [sic], I'm ready to move the resolution. Mr. Villacorta: I'd like to just offer that we'd like to amend this resolution so that we can move off of 3rd Avenue to do some landscaping on 2nd Avenue, which was the financial district in Overtown, and includes the Lyric Theater, so if we could just widen the scope without -- we have $15, 000 in contingency funds, and like to amend the resolution to provide that some of that -- these funds may be spent on landscaping on 2nd Avenue. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Great, and I just want to add on that, if we can also add a final report. I think every grant that we give out in the CRA, it should -- we should make it our responsibility to get a final report from anybody that we give any monies to. It needs to be an official document that's in place so that we can respond to anyone that has any questions about monies that we decide to give away, so that's the only thing that I'd like to amend it to, so do I have a motion on this -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Move it. Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- item, amended? Commissioner Gonzalez: Move it, as amended. Commissioner Sanchez: Second, as amended. Commissioner Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. City of Miami Page 4 Printed on 5/9/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes April 30, 2007 Commissioner Spence -Jones: All right. This motion carries. 4. 07-00531 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING A GRANT, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $117,900, TO CAMILLUS HOUSE, INC. FOR ROOFING AT ITS FACILITY AT 726 NORTHEAST 1ST AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AT HIS DISCRETION, TO DISBURSE THE GRANT ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS FOR COMPLETED AND APPROVED WORK, OR DIRECTLY TO SUPPLIERS AND VENDORS, UPON RECEIPT OF INVOICES AND SATISFACTORY DOCUMENTATION; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, "OTHER GRANTS AND AIDS," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.883000.0000.00000. Cover Memo.pdf Financial Form.pdf Back-up.pdf Legislation.pdf Motion by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Commissioner Sanchez, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 4 - Vice Chair Gonzalez, Commissioner Sanchez, Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Absent: 1 - Commissioner Sarnoff CRA-R-07-0019 Chair Spence -Jones: So we're going to move on to number 4, and I believe this is an item that Commissioner Regalado is championing. I don't know if you want to speak to it. Commissioner Regalado: Thank you. Thank you very much, Madam Chair, and this is an important item, although it may not explain itself in the resolution. It's about Camillus House. Let me tell you what is happening, and the amount of homeless that, in the last count, we found, according to the Homeless Trust, was down. However, because of the weather in the north, the late winter, apparently, there is a surge, and Camillus House has been holding on to the increase population. Some of these population is now trying to just spend the day in the enclosed area that Camillus House has. However, that area does not have a roof. There have been some rains. The rainy season is about to start, hopefully, and if we were not to act on this, that population will be displaced. People would start looking around downtown for other ways to cover themself [sic]. It is important because, according to the City of Miami Police Department and the area lieutenant, the best thing can happen to these people, for their own protection, is to be where they are. However, they need some cover in order to pass the day, pass the night. The other day, David Raymond of the Homeless Trust and the Trust, we were discussing what seems to be a surge of attacks on homeless. There've been two overdose already in the plaza across County Hall because some of the homeless are given drugs by bad people that are congregating there, and I think that this is a -- sort of a first step to the new facility that you all have supported. It is important that we do this quick. My understanding is that they have -- that, Jim, you have already three bids and -- James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Four. City of Miami Page 5 Printed on 5/9, 2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes April 30, 2007 Commissioner Regalado: -- oh, four bids -- Mr. Villacorta: Four bids. Commissioner Regalado: -- and there is -- the amount, I think 117, 000, is it? Mr. Villacorta: Yes, $117,900. Commissioner Regalado: And let me tell you. They should do this with our help or without our help, but we need to contain and protect at the same time that population, and we're talking, I don't know, maybe 50, 60, 70 because they all have their bicycles. I went there. They -- some of them have their bicycles and their bags and stuff, and the question is, if we don't do this -- Chair Spence -Jones: They're going to scatter everywhere. Commissioner Regalado: -- they going to scatter, so that's the logic behind this resolution. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Commissioner Regalado: We have -- so I -- Commissioner Sanchez: No. It's -- Commissioner Regalado: -- would just ask -- Commissioner Sanchez: The public would like to speak. Commissioner Regalado: -- I just was ask to understand -- I understand the item, but I think that our colleagues and the people should understand why this is needed. Peter England: Peter England, Camillus House, 336 Northwest 5th. Thank you, Commissioner. I'm not sure I could have expressed it as eloquently as you did. Madam Chairman [sic], members of the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), we have, on certain nights, had up to 200 homeless within our walls, so we have now fenced off this area that was previously the parking lot, and as you point out, these individuals, their belongings are all exposed to the elements. Up to this point, we have not experienced any of the heavy rains that we normally do in the spring, but it's only a matter of time. You can drive down Northeast 1st Avenue in the evening now and not see a single homeless person, and we have remove -- we were not sure when we opened our gates that the street population would, in fact, come in; they did, and they are happy. They're feeling secure to be inside the gate at Camillus House because, as you point out, the people that prey on the homeless can't get to them there. They're safe, and they're -- we want to set an example in our current site of what our new site is going to be when it finally gets opened on Northwest 7th Avenue, so we thank you very much for your consideration today, and we appreciate your support, as always. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, Mr. England. Is there any other discussion on --? Commissioner Sanchez: Madam Chair, as the chairman of the DDA (Downtown Development Authority), let me just take this opportunity to praise all those that are out there protecting and doing everything they can to assist the homeless. We have seen a reduction of about 50 percent in homelessness in the City of Miami, and that has been because of the efforts that have been applied. The facility now bringing in the homeless, not only do they provide 'em protection, they feel safe, and really, you bring 'em into an area that's controlled and supervised, which is very, very important. That's why I think it's paramount that we do everything we can to provide that shelter, that roof over their head so they have a place where, if it does rain, they're in a site, and City of Miami Page 6 Printed on 5/9/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes April 30, 2007 they have a roof over their head and they have some type of supervision on that, so once again, I just wanted to say that, you know, if you drive by downtown, you see the difference, and now with the new facility -- the new facility, the way it's being designed, it does have shelters where, I think they're going to be feeling comfortable going to those shelters, so once again, I think this is one of the best way to spend our money that the CRA could do to address a concern that affects us all citywide. Mr. English: Thank you, Commissioner. I would be remiss also if I didn't point out we've had enormous help and support from the City of Miami Police Department. Without them, we could not have done it, and we have been able to accommodate this population without incident, and we're very grateful for that. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Is there a motion on the floor? Chair Spence -Jones: Is there a motion -- Commissioner Regalado: I move it. Chair Spence -Jones: -- on the floor? Commissioner Sanchez: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: This item passes. I just want to make a -- Thank you, Mr. England -- Mr. England: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: -- and thank the Camillus House for coming out. Jim, I just want to make sure that we're very clear that we've already identified -- Miguel -- exactly where the funding's coming from to accommodate this, correct? Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: And can you just -- so we're real clear about where is it -- where you've identified the funds to be coming from? Mr. Villacorta: The funds are coming from Southeast Overtown/Park West tax increment fund, other grants and aid, and I won't read you the account number. It's a long number. Chair Spence -Jones: No. I don't need that. I just want to make sure you've already identified -- Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: -- the source. Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Commissioner Sanchez: Just -- Mr. Villacorta: We have funds. City of Miami Page 7 Printed on 5/9/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes April 30, 2007 Commissioner Sanchez: -- for the point of clarification, executive director, all the items that are in front of us are recommended for approval by you, correct? Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Commissioner Sanchez: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. 5. 07-00539 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING A GRANT, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $16,050, TO THE CITY OF MIAMI TO UNDERWRITE THE PAN AFRICAN ART AND BOOK EXPO HELD APRIL 22, 2007 IN MARGARET PACE PARK AND AT THE MIAMI WOMAN'S CLUB; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AT HIS DISCRETION TO DISBURSE SAID GRANT FUNDS ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS, OR DIRECTLY TO SUB -GRANTEES AND VENDORS, UPON PRESENTATION OF INVOICES AND SATISFACTORY DOCUMENTATION; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO GENERAL COUNSEL; FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED FROM OMNI TAX INCREMENT FUND, "OTHER GRANTS AND AIDS," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10040.920101.883000.0000.00000. Cover Memo.pdf Financial Form.pdf Back-up.pdf Legislation.pdf 07-00539 submittal Pan African Art & Book Expo 04-30-07.pdf 07-00539 submittal Pan African Art & Book Expo - Expenses - 04-21,22-07.pdf Motion by Vice Chair Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Vice Chair Gonzalez, Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Absent: 2 - Commissioner Sanchez and Commissioner Sarnoff CRA-R-07-0020 Chair Spence -Jones: All right. We're going to move on to number 5 on the agenda, and I know this is an item that Commissioner Sarnoff was in support of He's not here today. I believe he's out of town. This is in reference to the -- an event that just took place not too long ago. This is the revised budget that Evelyn is passing out now. This is for the Pan African Art and Book Expo that took place in the Omni area, and I think Dr. Tinnie, our wonderful Dr. Tinnie is here. I don't know if she wants to give us a quick update, but I do know that the -- Commissioner Sarnoff was very much in support of this project. Wallis Tinnie (Protocol Officer, City of Miami): I just want to thank everyone here on the Board for considering our grant request. We are asking to have it amended to an increase of about $1, 200 from the amount, 16,000, and we have -- and in terms of the event, it was, I think, a stellar success, and we had several people here. Mr. Derek Cole is here; he went to several of our events, and as a matter of fact, he appeared on the cover of Neighbors magazine, one of the hot -- the Neighbors newspapers because he was at the art opening that we had for Hush Harbor City of Miami Page 8 Printed on 5/9, 2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes April 30, 2007 art exhibit, so that the event was, I think, a ten-day event, we're asking for support for the all -day book fair at Margaret Pace Park, and the reception, the gala reception the evening before at the Miami Women's Club, and I think that we appreciate your support, and we hope we'll be able to continue something like this in the future. Commissioner Gonzalez: Madam Chairman [sic], I'm ready to move item 5. Chair Spence -Jones: All in fa -- I mean, I have a motion. Do I have a second? Commissioner Regalado: I'll second, but we have a mod -- Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Commissioner Regalado: -- budget. James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, so you need to modJ -- Commissioner Gonzalez: A motion, as mod. Mr. Villacorta: To -- as modified, to -- Commissioner Gonzalez: As modify. Mr. Villacorta: -- an amount of $17,221. Commissioner Regalado: I'll second. Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: This motion carries, and move on to the next item. Thank you, Dr. Tinnie, and please, just provide us an updated report afterwards so that we have all of that for our records, and I do know that Hilda worked very hard with you from the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) staff, correct? Ms. Tinnie: Yes, she did, very hard. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, Hilda, for, you know, putting in some hard work to assist Dr. Tinnie. 6. 07-00541 CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION ON MARKETING FIRM REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP). Cover memo.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: So we're moving on to number -- Commissioner Gonzalez: 6. Chair Spence -Jones: -- 6, which is just a discussion item. Just real fast, I would like to say, one of the things that -- what I'd like to see, as a chairperson happen, is to have you guys' support City of Miami Page 9 Printed on 5/9/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes April 30, 2007 with key things that we need to have moved throughout the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). I mean, it is a lot to swallow, and you have the expertise in several thing -- in several areas that I don't, and I'd like to be able to lean on you for certain issues. This next item, which is a discussion on the marketing firm request for proposals, I would like to see if Commissioner Regalado can head up the effort to ident the best firm. This is a request that we talked about some months ago about having a PR (Public Relations) firm on board that can really promote the wins and the things that the CRAss doing, and who better knows about marketing and PR than Commissioner Regalado? First of all, I would like to ask if he'd like to lead that effort so that we can get somebody on board immediately? Commissioner Regalado: Sure, no problem, so how do we do this, Jim? James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): We -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Do we have a list of the firms? Mr. Villacorta: Yes. We placed an RFP (Request for Proposals) in late March. The bids were due the middle of April, and we received two proposals; one from a firm Creative Ideas, and the other from Anthony Burdock (phonetic), and we're preparing an evaluation of those -- a spreadsheet of those firms' qualifications and their proposed fees, and history of clients and projects that they've worked on. We could work with Commissioner Regalado and come back at the next meeting with a recommendation. Commissioner Regalado: Oh, absolutely. I think that all the board members should get all the information, and then, you know, in the next meeting, we'll discuss this. I would look at the proposals and give you guys my views on the proposal, and also look to the executive director to see what are basically the needs, and it is important to understand that there are -- this is a unique area because you need to market and promote two areas that are different, and yet, at the same time, they are together, which is the Omni and Overtown/Park West. You have many things to promote, many issues to clarify, and so I think it's important. I think that the decision to have a group working for the people to understand what the CRAs are doing, it's a good decision, and hopefully, in the next meeting, well have a report for the boards members and the executive director's recommendation, so -- Mr. Villacorta: I know that the DDA (Downtown Development Authority) has put out an RFP for marketing services, and the Civilian Investigative Panel is in the process of putting out an RFP so that their agencies can get their messages out. We'll be -- provide each Commissioner with a copy of the proposals and work with Commissioner Regalado so that we can come back at the next meeting and let you make a decision. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Thank you so much, Commissioner Regalado. I appreciate your support on that, and just while we're talking about these subcommittees -- and I'm going to really rely on Commissioner Regalado to assist us with our marketing efforts for both CRAs. NON -AGENDA ITEMS NA.1 07-00616 CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION REGARDING ASSIGNMENT OF COMMISSIONERS TO CHAIR SUBCOMMITTEES FOR HOMELESS -RELATED ISSUES, LEGISLATIVE -RELATED ISSUES, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT -RELATED ISSUES, AND BOND -RELATED ISSUES. DISCUSSED City of Miami Page 10 Printed on 5/9/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes April 30, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: But I also wanted to see, if you didn't mind, Commissioner Regalado, also helping head up the homeless -related initiatives and things that we do in the overall area to address it -- to kind of be the person that provides us with direction and information on the best way to address the issues in the area, so I wanted to ask you if you're comfortable with doing that for us? Commissioner Regalado: Sure. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Commissioner Regalado: Well, no problem at all. I think, you know, the Homeless Trust has been a great experience, and the Homeless Trust, actually, it does a countywide work, but the main focus is around here. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Commissioner Regalado: It's around County Hall; it's around downtown; it's around Overtown, and so it is something that we can help. It's something I always said -- and I said it to you in these meetings -- that we should be looking at the Homeless Trust for help in dealing with the homeless issue, and in fact, you know, I think that Jim went in a tour with David Raymond regarding the different buildings that could be used for that, and although we were not able to get a lot of support on those buildings because the amount of money needed. Mr. Villacorta: Right. The -- they -- the City CIP (Capital Improvement Projects) Department came back with estimates that were prohibitively expensive. I think the lowest estimate was around $2 million to put a single building back into operation, and they were rooming houses. Chair Spence -Jones: Well, I'm glad that you're actually speaking on that, Commissioner Regalado, because one of the things that -- so, first of all, I got a yes on that, right -- Commissioner Regalado: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: -- that you'll head that up? Just real fast on -- Commissioner Sarnoff, he's agreed to chair the subcommittee for legislative -related issues, and also, to work along with Miami -Dade County on the negotiations happening between Miami -Dade County and the City of Miami, so he'll head up that portion of it, and Jim, the executive director, will make sure that he stays in the loop when meetings are taking place so that he's a part of that, and I believe Commissioner Sarnoffs staff is here tonight, but I just want to make sure that that part is happening and he's in the loop. I wanted to ask Commissioner Gonzalez, because he's done such a great job with all of the stuff he's done from a Community Development standpoint for housing and for a lot of these small businesses -- I want to ask that the executive director work along with Community Development. I've already talked to the Manager about it, but I would like to see if Commissioner Gonzalez can help lead this effort to make sure we get some projects moved. I'm very concerned -- we passed several items, over the last six months, in the CRA, and none of the projects are moving the way that they need to move, and I'm very, very concerned about that. You know, out of all of the areas that I have within the City of Miami, at least, within my district, at least the CRA has money to get projects done, and for some reason, we're just not able to get them moved, so do you guys know that we passed an item in Liberty City for "Shantytown" to address that issue, and I tell you, in 90 days, they got the building rehabbed, ready to go, and people moved in it on last Monday, and we passed this item as a board, I believe, what, back in November or December to find -- I think you put about half a million dollars in to rehab some units, and we have not been able to move it, so I would like Commissioner Gonzalez to help me lead up that effort to address these issues of these units, and Barbara has already -- Ms. Gomez has already agreed to, you know, help with the process to get it moving to work along with staff so that we can make sure these projects move. I do not want to be the chairperson of a board City of Miami Page 11 Printed on 5/9/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes April 30, 2007 and turn around and look back and see that nothing actually got done when we made commitments to the residents of Overtown, so I'm going to ask the executive director to work closely with the CD (Community Development) Department, and they will work with handling or assisting with making sure these RFPs go out properly. As you know, Commissioner Gonzalez, we have Block 25, Block 36, a lot of lots that we're trying to prepare to go out, and I just need to make sure that that's happening, so I know that you're extremely busy, but whatever insight that you can give Barbara to help me on that, I will greatly appreciate it so we get some projects moving. Commissioner Gonzalez: I sure will. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, and then, Commissioner Sanchez, you are the chairperson of the DDA. I know you have fifteen million hundred things going on over there, but I'm trying to share this burden a little bit, just to ask for your assistance and your help. I did meet with Dana Nottingham, and Dana is doing an outstanding job over there with the DDA and has agreed to assist in any way possible. Commissioner Sanchez: Absolutely. Commissioner Spence -Jones: If you can assist us -- you know, there's several bond -related issues that are going to come up, and I know Dana's working on his own bond -related issues for the DDA. If you don't mind, I really would like for you to, at least, weigh in to assist us on -- you know, there's some key issues, I believe, that Commissioner Regalado mentioned in the last meetings that we've around the bonds and what funds should be used for, and all of that, but what I would really like to have your assistance with making sure -- I don't profess to know everything, so that's why I'm asking for you guys' help so we can get these projects moving, so if you can assist us with that, I really would appreciate it. Commissioner Sanchez: You have my -- you've always had my support. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Thank you so much. NA.2 07-00617 CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION REGARDING COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) BOARD STAFF RETREAT CURRENTLY SCHEDULED FOR MAY 19, 2007. DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: And in closing, I just wanted to add, you know, just a couple things. One, we will have a board retreat on May 19 for all staff members of the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). I think it is -- Commissioner Sanchez: I'm out of town. Chair Spence -Jones: -- important -- huh? Commissioner Sanchez: I'm out of -- I'm out of the country. Chair Spence -Jones: You're out of the country? You can't fly back for us? But we are having it on May 19. I think that it's important that we have the board retreat, and also, the staff retreat more so than anything else. The staff has gone through so much over the last nine months, and I know that their morale is, you know, a little shaky at this point, and I want them to feel very -- I want them to feel comfortable in knowing that we want to make sure that they do well in what they're doing, and so we're doing a board retreat on May 19. City of Miami Page 12 Printed on 5/9/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes April 30, 2007 NA.3 07-00618 CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION REGARDING REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS (RFPs) TO BE ISSUED ON COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) LOTS. DISCUSSED Direction by Chair Spence -Jones to the Interim Executive Director to issue the RFP (Request for Proposal) for Lot P-3 separate from the other CRA land being put out for bid to allow developers to meet Miami -Dade County funding deadlines. Chair Spence -Jones: Also, I just wanted to remind you that the RFP (Request for Proposals) for all of these major lots that -- we have had a workshop with the staff, and we did have some builders and different people that came out and put their opinions on the record about what -- some things that they'd like to see. Commissioner Gonzalez and Barbara will work on -- along with Jim, to put the actual -- or complete the actual RFP so that stuff can go out, along with the input from LISC (Local Initiative Support Corporation), so we're definitely moving on those things. Last, but not least, I wanted to just -- you know, I want to always keep the skunk -- put -- I don't know who says this term, but I know it's one of the Commissioners. Put the skunk on the table -- is that -- who's -- is that you? Commissioner Sanchez: I say the skunk at the family picnic. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, the skunk at the family picnic. As you know, these lots that we just got ready to -- that we we're getting ready to put out to go for bid so that we can get some housing on them, we agreed a few months ago, almost six months ago, actually, or five months ago, with the Collins Center and with Albert Milo, to move a project. We all voted on it, and we supported it; it's the P-3 lot. What I'm asking for -- just because we've been having -- the City Attorney has been having some issues with trying to work out exactly what's going to happen in this agreement. I believe William Bloom has been a part of those discussions, and what I would prefer to have -- because I don't want anything to be floating around that there's not enough transparency; there's, you know, certain things being offered. I don't like to have those kind of games be said, so what I would want to do is, just as we're putting the other lots out, I would like to make sure -- and I know that the developer and Collins Center is here tonight, and I don't know if they have any comments they'd like to put on the record but I -- there's some concerns with the negotiation, and I don't want us to have these type of issues, so I'd like for Kevin, in a nutshell, to just tell us, you know, what the concerns were so we can officially put those on the record, and then I would ask the Commissioners to, at least, join me and support me just adding this additional lot to all of the RFPs that are going out, and Mr. Milo and the Collins Center can definitely reapply, or whatever the case may be, but I just think that this makes the most sense for everybody. Kevin, do you have any comments? Kevin R. Jones (Assistant General Counsel, Community Redevelopment Agency): Yes, ma'am. [Later...] Mr. Jones: Now, back to the Jazz Village project. After the project was selected, and during negotiations, there became an issue surrounding a parking garage. In the original proposal, the parking garage was, I guess, proposed to be built by the developer. During the negotiations, it became clear that there would need to be some assistance from the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) to build this parking garage. Now any time that there's a negotiation for a contract, certain variances can be made, minor variances. This parking garage was estimated to be in the neighborhood of $4 million, which would -- goes well beyond being a minor variance, so in the abundance of caution, it's our opinion that the RFP for that park -- that lot be sent back out, and after the 30 days, after the appropriate wait, whoever wants to apply to develop that property needs to just apply to develop the property and put whatever things that City of Miami Page 13 Printed on 5/9/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes April 30, 2007 they would like to see happen, whatever assistance that they would like to get, they need to put it in the RFP, and at that point, it would be up to the Board to select whichever developer they think is best suited for that lot. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you -- Mr. Jones: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: -- Mr. Kevin, and thank you, Mr. Bloom, and Mr. Executive Director for working on it. I just think that it's important. You know, we have a lot of things happening in the Overtown area. We're trying to move projects, and that was the original intent. As you know, one of the biggest concerns that came back -- or an outcry was that particular lot and needing the additional parking. We cannot get around -- you know, if we plan on bringing or attracting new businesses to the area on 3rd Avenue, the reality is we're going to need more parking than that's there now, so it is my thought -- and I'd like to have your support -- that this P-3 be added to the overall RFPs that are going out so that we put everything out at the same time, and if there's additional requests -- because we know that people are going to need it. You're going to need assistance. That's just what it is. That's what the CRA, quite frankly, should be doing anyway, but let's just put it out now so that we don't have any issues later on, and I don't know if the Collins Center or Mr. Milo would like to, at least, speak regarding any of these issues. We would greatly appreciate you stepping to the mike. Don't look so sad. Philip Bacon: Madam Chairman [sic] and the Board, the -- we have -- as you know, we were a part of this original bid as a private nonprofit entity, and as such, we had and have contractual relationships with the developer at this particular site. We always thought that it was a good idea to try to combine the properties so that we could do a number of things that we felt would address the CRA's overall mission. At this point in time, we would at least, like to ask that if this Board desires to go out to rebid this, that in consideration for the six or eight months that have already transpired, that you would consider this as a separate item that could get started immediately if this item is going to be rebid so that if we decide, or if the developer should decide to rebid this, that for the sake of everybody involved, we don't have to wait another -- any more time than is necessary to try to get this project accomplished, if, in fact, you know, we should decide to rebid. Chair Spence -Jones: Let me just say -- Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): Excuse me, Madam Chair. Can I get a name for the record please? Mr. Bacon: My name is Philip Bacon, and I'm with the Collin [sic] Center for Public Policy. Chair Spence -Jones: Mr. Bacon -- and I want to say thank you so much for your time and patience, and that is one of the reasons why we're trying to, at least, work along with CD (Community Development). I think there's been a lot of you know, work that the CRA staff has been kind of somewhat overloaded with just trying to put in order, and that is the reason why I've enlisted the support and the help of the CR -- of CD to assist us, and quite frankly, have asked Commissioner Gonzalez, which is -- probably can build houses with his eyes closed -- to at least be able to help us move some of these things, and I'm under the impression that the RFP should be going out before the end of the month, correct? James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): We have drafted the RFP. We're waiting on your instruction for LISC's (Local Initiative Support Corporation) proposal for the design standards for the Folklife Village. That's the only thing that's holding us up, but we can -- City of Miami Page 14 Printed on 5/9/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes April 30, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: But the intention is to -- Mr. Villacorta: -- publish it tomorrow. Chair Spence -Jones: -- have it out before the end of the month, and I know that -- I'm seeing it -- I'm seeing the expression on your face, and that is the reason why I've enlisted the support of my fellow colleagues to assist me with key issues so that we can move some of these projects, so I'm assuming I'm getting the support from my colleague to say that we will push very hard to make sure these lots go out. Mr. Bacon: OK. Madam Chair, I just want to say that, you know, we had some contractual relationships with the developer that this obviously affects if -- and I'm going to let Mr. Milo talk about it, but I'm just saying, from our standpoint -- Chair Spence -Jones: I understand. Mr. Bacon: -- there is a -- there's a time element and a contractual relationship that we had that was involved with trying to put this project together. Chair Spence -Jones: Commissioner Gonzalez, do you think that this is something that --? I mean, they have the RFP together. Barbara said she definitely would be able to help you push it. I mean, is this something that you think we can push through to make sure -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Definitely. Chair Spence -Jones: -- it get --? We're not going to -- and I see the expressions on your faces, that's why we're pushing it. Yes, Mr. Milo. Albert Milo: Albert Milo, Urban Development Group. In theory, I don't have an issue with the concept, and we're obviously getting caught up, in my opinion, a tech -- a legal technicality, but we've had a lot of dialogue, as it relates to that. My only caveat is if we're going to put this out to bid -- and I would have to sit back down with Collin [sic] Center, who is the acjoining landowner, and make a business decision as to whether we're going to rebid or not rebid, and we'll do that coming up, but my only caveat is that if we're going to bundle this RFP along with all the other CRA land, what I think hasn't happened -- and I don't know if you're going to be able to do that in a quick fashion -- is to decide the amount of dollars that is going to be set aside, I guess, for any and all bidders that are going to put properties or bids for these properties so there isn't any more of this wasted time and effort because, unfortunately, and we're not going to rehash, you know, why we're here to where we're at, but the reality is there needs to be some fiscal thought to the monies that the CRA has and is committed to putting along with these RFPs for these properties to move forward. It's not a secret; nothing can happen without those subsidies. Nothing of the magnitude that you're going to want to see happen, which is predominantly affordable housing and workforce housing, and some type of economic development imitative, so by putting out an RFP with land, it might sound nice, but unless there's some fiscal thought behind it, it's not going to happen, and I don't know if you're going to be able to get that in the timely fashion that I know you're expecting. Chair Spence -Jones: Well, I do know that the Board itself we voted -- and again, here's something that Commissioner Regalado expressed to me over and over again. We -- the Board, itself, approved about -- and announced about $30 million that we were allocating towards affordable housing in the Overtown Folklife District area. We know that it's not going to come all at one time -- Mr. Milo: Right. City of Miami Page 15 Printed on 5/9/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes April 30, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: -- but it will come over a period of five years is what we were looking at. Now this is all contingent on if this property tax issue does not knock us in the butt, but for the most part, that's what we were relying on, so I'm going to say to, you know, Commissioner Gonzalez, you know that we've identified about $30 million that, you know, could be this pot of money for anybody to, at least, identifir the additional resources they may need to have to assist with these individual lots. The mon -- that's what we've identified this for -- Commissioner Gonzalez: OK. Chair Spence -Jones: -- so if the Board does not have an issue with it -- I do know any affordable housing -related project or low income -related housing project or transitional housing that we put in the Overtown area, people are going to need to have support, so I don't have a problem with them -- with it as the Chair to make sure that there's some formal process put in place with CD, and of course, with the executive director on what people can apply for when they're trying to go after the parcels of land to build on. I don't have a problem with it. Does any of the Commissioners have a issue with that? Commissioner Gonzalez: No. Commissioner Sanchez: No. Chair Spence -Jones: Do you have --? OK. All right, so thank you so much, Albert Milo, and we have heard you today, and I'm sorry for the inconvenience over the last six months, but I'm sure Mr. Bloom, our attorney, Mr. Bloom, and Mr. Kevin, and now you're getting ready to jump into this whole thing, will at least know that we can move on to the next level and not haggle on this issue anymore. I just want to see projects moved. That's it. Mr. Villacorta: Commissioner, if might ask that -- Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Mr. Villacorta: -- in the proposals, the proposers should include a sources and uses of fund and their funding gap so that we know what the gap is going in when the proposal comes in, and that will allow us to better evaluate the proposals, and you'll be able to know whether you're within the funding range that you have available. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, and I would like to, at least, add -- again, that's the reason why -- you know, Community Development has been doing this for a while, you know, and unfortunately, the CRA -- that's -- this is not really -- we don't have a track record of moving projects like this, so it becomes extremely difficult to be able to know exactly what we're doing because we just haven't -- you haven't done it, and none of your staff members have done it, so I need to make sure we can rely on somebody -- if Commiss -- if, excuse me, Barbara Gomez, through the CD Department, has $30 million to operate or to, at least, assist her with moving some projects, you can best believe some projects will get moved. Do you not agree? Commissioner Gonzalez: Definitely, but let me ask you. I have a couple of questions. Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Commissioner Gonzalez: From what I understand, there are some lots ready to be built -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah. Commissioner Gonzalez: -- right? City of Miami Page 16 Printed on 5/9/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes April 30, 2007 Mr. Villacorta: We've owned Block 25 for some twenty -odd years with no restrictions on that lot, and for some reason, the Board has not seen fit to put it out for bid. Chair Spence -Jones: Right. Mr. Villacorta: Block -- Commissioner Gonzalez: But the -- Mr. Villacorta: -- 36, we've owned for quite a few years; it does have a reverter. Commissioner Gonzalez: But my question -- you haven't answered my question. My question is, do we have any lots that are ready to be built -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Commissioner Gonzalez: -- yes or no? Mr. Villacorta: We have a number of smaller lots that are -- Commissioner Gonzalez: OK. Mr. Villacorta: -- appropriate for -- Commissioner Gonzalez: That are ready to be built. Mr. Villacorta: -- they're appropriate -- Commissioner Gonzalez: OK. Mr. Villacorta: -- for single-family homes, for whatever can be built -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Madam Chair, what are you looking for? You're looking for single-family homes; you're looking for multiple or --? Chair Spence -Jones: I'm looking for both, and to answer your question, Commissioner Gonzalez, we do have some lots ready to go. I can't speak for why nobody wanted to move Block 25 or Block 36. That is not my concern. That happened, quite frankly, before I was here. Right now, the lots are available. They're vacant; they're abandoned, basically, in the neighborhoods. Something needs to be built on them, so to answer your question -- Commissioner Gonzalez: So we have the lots. Chair Spence -Jones: -- we have plenty of land right now to build something on. Commissioner Gonzalez: We have lots. We have -- do we have money to build? Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. We have -- Commissioner Gonzalez: We have -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- money to assist -- Commissioner Gonzalez: -- money to build. City of Miami Page 17 Printed on 5/9/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes April 30, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: -- with the building, yes. Commissioner Gonzalez: Do we have a development team? Do we have a developer? Are you the developer? Mr. Milo: Yeah. Well -- Chair Spence -Jones: Well, that was just for that one particular lot. Mr. Milo: For this particular project. Commissioner Gonzalez: For that particular lot, but you know, the thing is that you need to start -- Chair Spence -Jones: I know. Commissioner Gonzalez: -- and you need to say, you know -- if you really want to build, you can't keep prolonging and procrastinating and procrastinating. You know, you have to say I want to build ten houses by September 2007. I want to see them built, and that's it, and let's work at it. I mean, you have to set, you know, date; you have set goals; you have to -- and work at them because, otherwise, it will continue to be meeting after meeting after meeting debating and debating and debating, and the neighbor -- and let me tell you. Commissioner Sanchez has been here. Commissioner Regalado has been here. That has been my constant complaint about the CRA, and I've been absent to many meetings because you know what? I believe this community has a lot of needs. This community has a great leader, OK? So we need to put the leadership together with staff and the developers and everybody and provide to this community what this community needs, and one of the things that this community needs the most is affordable housing and good housing and quality housing, and I don't see why if we have the land, if we have the money, and if we have a developer, why we're not building. I mean, can someone give me a --? Because I build some affordable housing when I work in Allapattah as their executive director, and all I needed to have was the land, the money, and the developer, and I had to do it through multiple financing. I had to had City mon -- I mean, HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) money; I had to have private financing, and I had to had County, so I had to go after three funding sources and put them together in order to build a project, and it was done, but we were committed to do it. We knew that the community had a need, and we were committed to get it done, to get it done, and that is the word. I mean, you have to, you know, get it done, so -- Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, Commissioner Gonzalez, and I -- Commissioner Gonzalez: -- I think we're going to have to start by meeting -- you and I are going to have to meet. I'm going to meet with Barbara. You and I are going to have to meet so we can go to the bottom of you know, where the stop is to see if we can -- Mr. Milo: Can I say one more -- Chair Spence -Jones: And -- Mr. Milo: -- issue I think that's important to remember as it relates to affordable housing? The - - there's also going to be a County contribution that's going to be needed to make any of these affordable housing projects work. The County RFP cycle comes out in June or July of every year, so it's around the corner. Chair Spence -Jones: I think it's in June -- City of Miami Page 18 Printed on 5/9/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes April 30, 2007 Mr. Milo: Yeah. It's -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- as a matter of fact. Mr. Milo: -- usually in June; it's around the corner. If because of red tape -- let's call it red tape -- we can't get this deal back on track, you've now missed the County cycle. You're going to have Commissioner Gonzalez: But let me tell you. That -- Mr. Milo: -- a larger gap -- Chairman Gonzalez: -- let me tell you. That's a very important issue. If you -- if the RF -- if the County RFP is coming out in June -- Mr. Milo: Every year. Chairman Gonzalez: -- by next month, you got to have -- identify projects, how much money you're going to need in each project from the County, and start completing application and submit your application on time, otherwise, you will have to wait another year -- Mr. Milo: That's correct. Chairman Gonzalez: -- before getting a chance to get to the (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Mr. Milo: I mean, that's the pickle that we're in because -- Chair Spence -Jones: So can I ask this question? We're looking out -- actually putting -- Jim, next, what, two weeks, three weeks, can we have a RFP go out in the market? It has to be out for at least 30 days, correct? Mr. Villacorta: It can't be out for more than 30 days. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Villacorta: Thirty days is the maximum. We are ready to go now, but we are waiting on LISC to provide their development scheme for the Folklife Village District. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Can I ask, Phil -- because, Phil, you are on that whole Overtown Folklife District team, can you please make sure that information gets to them almost immediately so that we can go head [sic] and put this back out? And let me just say -- and Commissioner Gonzalez, because we've already said we're going to go head [sic] and put it out, let's go ahead and put it out and give people the opportunity -- Mr. Milo, you have the opportunity to definitely put it back in and say exactly what your need and what your request is, and I believe in Commissioner Gonzalez being able to really move it and make it happen, so I mean, if anybody can get it built, I know he can get it built -- I mean, get things moving, so if you don't mind Commissioner Gonzalez, just because we've already stated that -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Oh, no, no. Chair Spence -Jones: -- we want to put it out, you know, I don't want to just earmark it just for Jazz Village now. I want to say this is for any project. We can separate this proposal from the different parcels that we have; that's fine, but I think we need to put it out just for sake -- the sake of transparency and making sure that whatever your needs and your requests are are actually put in the proposal, and that goes for everybody, and that way we don't have to start all over or City of Miami Page 19 Printed on 5/9/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes April 30, 2007 have any issues on that. Mr. Milo: Yeah. I think it would be wise because -- it will probably be wise to segregate P-3 from the rest of the proposal from a timing perspective because if you approve that today, tomorrow's May 1. It's got to be out for 30 days. They can't put it out for 30 days. You're already going to get a response in the beginning of June, then you need to vote on it as a Board to allow the development rights. You can't apply -- you're going to miss the County cycle, even if you were approving that today. I mean, the time frames are -- you're just going to crash. You just can't do it, so -- Commissioner Gonzalez: What is the -- Mr. Milo: -- and you need site control in order to apply for the County cycle. Commissioner Gonzalez: -- deadline on the County, June 30? Mr. Milo: It always comes down in June, so it'll be some time in July, but you have to prepare the package; you have to have site control; you have to have a lot of your development -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Yeah, you're right. Mr. Milo: -- criteria in your packet, so you know, you're swimming upstream unless you somehow segregate P-3 from the rest of the stuff. That's reality. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, so when we say separate it, still go out -- Mr. Milo: Yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: It still has to go back out, and I think to give everybody the opportunity to apply and no one feels like no one got anything over anybody because I'm so tired of hearing this person got this -- I don't want to hear it anymore, so let's put it out, and those that -- everybody in the land of, you know, wanting to develop can come and ask us or put in a proposal, and then from that point, we'll rely on CD, the executive director, and our chairperson -- excuse me, our subcommittee chair, Gonzalez, to give us the input on how we need to proceed, but do you have a problem with separating this one so that we can go head [sic] and get this out now? Commissioner Gonzalez: No, no, of course not. Chair Spence -Jones: Does anybody have a problem with this? Commissioner Gonzalez: No. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Commissioner Sanchez: I don't have a problem with it. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, so we'll separate -- Commissioner Sanchez: That's the only way you're going to -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- this one out -- Commissioner Sanchez: -- be able to do it. Chair Spence -Jones: -- and let's just go ahead and get this back out in the market or in the area, City of Miami Page 20 Printed on 5/9/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes April 30, 2007 and then we'll keep this separated, so we don't need the LISC plan, per se, for this. We'll just go Mr. Villacorta: No. Chair Spence -Jones: -- head [sic] and put that out. Mr. Villacorta: Right. We can put this out. I can meet with Commissioner Gonzalez this week, and we can put it out by Monday. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Does it --? OK. All right. Would that --? OK, that's fine, so that's what we're going to do on this particular parcel of land, but the additional ones, you'll get with Barbara on getting those out. Thank you, Mr. Milo -- Mr. Milo: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: -- and thank you, Mr. Executive Director. I really appreciate it. Thanks so much for your help. NA.4 07-00619 CRA DISCUSSION INTRODUCTION OF GAIL A. DOTSON AS THE NEW COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL. DISCUSSED Kevin R. Jones (Assistant General Counsel, Community Redevelopment Agency): Before I begin, Madam Chair, if you'd allow me to, and Commissioners, introduce Ms. Dotson, who is going to be transitioning in as the -- Chair Spence -Jones: Welcome. Mr. Jones: -- City Attorney for the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), as I transition out. NA.5 07-00620 CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION REQUESTING THE RESCHEDULING OF THE MAY 28, 2007 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) BOARD MEETING TO COINCIDE WITH THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING CURRENTLY SCHEDULED FOR MAY 10, 2007. DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: In closing, just a reminder, I wanted to ask the Chairman of the City Commission if he minds -- you know, we have -- we won't have our CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting on the week of the 25th. I believe that's the -- James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Or 28th. Chair Spence -Jones: -- Memorial Day weekend, or something to that effect, so we're looking at doing it on the 21 st, but I'd like to see if we can just combine it on May 10, if you don't have a problem with that. That's what is being recommended by the staff. Mr. Villacorta: Right. We have a special CRA meeting that we're going to hold during a break in the City Commission meeting to consider the amendment to the Crosswind [sic] settlement agreement. It should be a very light agenda. There's just a couple of parking lot maintenance City of Miami Page 21 Printed on 5/9/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes April 30, 2007 contracts and lawn mowing contracts, so it would be very short, if the Chairperson of the City Commission would allow us to just extend by another ten or fifteen minutes the special CRA meeting that we'd be holding on May 10. Chairman Gonzalez: How many items are you planning on having? Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Mr. Villacorta: Three or four. Chairman Gonzalez: All right. We'll try to squeeze it in. Mr. Villacorta: Appreciate it. Thank you. NA.6 07-00621 CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION REQUESTING THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA), DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (DDA), AND THE BAYFRONT PARK TRUST TO PROVIDE STAFF MEMBERS FROM EACH AGENCY TO ATTEND MEETINGS OF THE CRA, DDA, AND BAYFRONT PARK TRUST. DISCUSSED Commissioner Sanchez: Madam Chair? Chair Spence -Jones: Yes, sir. Commissioner Sanchez: Madam Chair, before we adjourn, if I could just be recognized for an item that's not on the agenda -- Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Commissioner Sanchez: -- but I -- the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) is going through a transition, and I could see it; so is the DDA (Downtown Development Authority) is also going through a transition now. We -- since recently being appointed at the DDA, we've had new members, and as we are focusing on our overall mission, we looked at the DDA's mission, and it's very similar to ours, and one of the things that I suggested was -- and it's a big problem here -- is that the right hand many times doesn't know what the left hand is doing, to be very honest with you. You have the DDA, you have Bayfront Park, which I am also the chair of Bayfront Park, so basically, that allows me an opportunity to know what's happening in the DDA, and also what's happening at Bayfront Park, but then there's the PAC (Performing Arts Center) that plays a very important role in the development and future development of the entire area. There's Bayside that also plays a very important role and makes -- and of course, there's the CRA, and it's just for me to make a suggestion as to -- as we have meetings, I think that there should be representation, at least, at the DDA, from someone from the CRA -- Chair Spence -Jones: I agree. Commissioner Sanchez: -- and someone from the DDA should also be here at the CRA so we can know exactly what's going on. Why? Because the future of downtown continues to change, and it has an affect on the entire area in itself. Now more than ever, we're faced with so many things that'll be coming in front of this Board as well as the DDA, and in front of the City Commission, that the more that we are informed with the proper facts and not being misled, or confused, or with innuendos and rumors, at the end of the day, our decisions are based on policies, and policies should be based on facts. I think it's paramount that we have an City of Miami Page 22 Printed on 5/9/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes April 30, 2007 understanding, a communication avenue between all these organizations that have a similar mission and goal, and that is to enhance and revitalize, whether it's economic vitality, whether it's beautification, whether it's employment, whatever it may be. I think it's important that we all sit down at the table, maybe in the future. I suggest that we have some type of either so-called summit where -- Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, good. Commissioner Sanchez: -- all these agency [sic] could sit down and really learn from each other because we're going through a master plan at the Bayfront Park; the DDA is also going through a master plan, and things are happening in the City. There is a master plan for the museum park. There's so many things going on that some of us here don't even know, so it's important that, at least, the executive directors and the staff is aware of all these transitions and all these changes that are being face here, not for the sake of today, but for the sake of the future of this entire area because we all benefit, whether we succeed or fail. I think that, at the end of the day, we all will either join hands and say we've succeeded, or we all join hands and say that we failed, so that was just something that I wanted to state, and maybe the executive director could attend the DDA meetings, as I will ask the DDA executive director or staff members to participate also at the CRA meetings. Thank you. James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): I'd be happy to do that. NA.7 07-00622 CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PLAN TO IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS COORDINATED BY THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA). DISCUSSED Direction by Chair Spence -Jones to the Interim Executive Director to provide a plan for the implementation of the various projects and programs that the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is charged with implementing at the CRA meeting currently scheduled for June 25, 2007. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, Commissioner Sanchez. We're going to officially close out. I just want to give a directive to the executive director. In the interest of moving projects and increasing some efficiency, I'd like to direct the executive director to come back to the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), at the June meeting, with a plan for implementing the various projects and programs the CRA is in charge of implementing. I think it's really important for us to understand who's doing what at the CRA. Jim, if you can bring that to us back at the end of June and get -- provide us with an official report -- because I think even your staff needs to have full clarity on who's doing what, and that is all that I have to say. Is there any other comments before we close? Madam Clerk, is there anything that you'd like to add before we close? Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): No, thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Thank you, and you guys have a blessed night. The meeting is officially adjourned. City of Miami Page 23 Printed on 5/9/2007