Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEOPW OMNI CRA 2007-07-30 MinutesCity of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Meeting Minutes Monday, July 30, 2007 5:00 PM ICE PALACE (AT BIG TIME PRODUCTIONS) 59 Northwest 14th Street Miami, Florida 33136 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Michelle Spence -Jones, Chair Marc David Sarnoff, Vice Chair Angel Gonzalez, 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 July 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: Commissioner Gonzalez, Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Absent: Commissioner Sanchez and Vice Chair Sarnoff On the 30th day of July 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 at the Ice Palace, 59 Northwest 14th Street, Miami, Florida 33136. The meeting was called to order by Chair Michelle Spence -Jones at 5: 00 p.m. and was adjourned at 6:53 p.m. Note for the Record: Commissioner Gonzalez entered the meeting at 5:11 p.m. ALSO PRESENT: James Villacorta, Interim Executive Director, CRA Gail A. Dotson, Assistant General Counsel, CRA William R. Bloom, Special Counsel, CRA Pamela E. Burns, Assistant Clerk of the Board ORDER OF THE DAY Chair Spence -Jones: OK. We're going to officially call the meeting for the Park West/Overtown Community Redevelopment District -- Southeast Overtown also, and the Midtown Community CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) to -- officially to order for June -- excuse me, July 30. I guess our City Attorney is on her way, but we do have our executive director ready to start, so we're going to start with the presentations. A couple things real fast. We are deferring item number 16 until a later meeting. We're going to start with our presentations first, and as Commissioner Gonzalez arrives and sits, then we'll start with the rest, but for right now, we'll deal with the discussion items first. Actually, what I'm going to ask for each person that's presenting to take no more than three minutes. We are trying to be finished and completed -- I know Commissioner Gonzalez has a -- another engagement right after; I have one at the Little Haiti Park, so we're going to be officially closing this meeting down at 6:30. Whatever we have not had a chance to reach to by 6:30, then we'll move to the next meeting. FINANCIALS 1. 07-00702 CRA REPORT FINANCIAL SUMMARY THROUGH MONTH ENDING MAY 31, 2007 Financial Summary.pdf MOTION A motion was made by Commissioner Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, and was passed unanimously, with Commissioner Sanchez and Vice Chair Sarnoff absent, to accept the financial summary report through the month ending May 31, 2007. Chair Spence -Jones: So I'm going to take it to item number 1, which is the financial summary. Where's Miguel? James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Miguel had to be out of town for a -- Chair Spence -Jones: OK -- City of Miami Page 2 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Mr. Villacorta: -- family -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- so -- Mr. Villacorta: -- matter. Chair Spence -Jones: -- I guess, Jim, you'll be giving us a update -- Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: -- on item number 1? Mr. Villacorta: Yeah. Item number 1 and item number 2 are the financial reports for May and June. The -- in your package is a memo from Miguel. He's advising you that the financial summaries for the month of May and June present fairly in all material respects the respective financial position of each community redevelopment agency and each major fund of the agencies, and there are no reportable conditions for the month of May and June. Commissioner Gonzalez: All right. That's what my question was going to be, if there was any findings, so I'm ready to move to accept the financial summary. Chair Spence -Jones: We have a motion on the floor. Commissioner Regalado: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. This item passes. 2. 07-00703 CRA REPORT FINANCIAL SUMMARY THROUGH MONTH ENDING JUNE 30, 2007. 07-00703 Finacial Summary.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: We move on to number 2 -- item number 2. James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Item number 2 was the financial report for the month of June. Commissioner Gonzalez: All right. Mr. Villacorta: Again, they fairly represent the respective funds of each agency and their positions as of June 30, 2007, and there are no reportable conditions for the month of June. Commissioner Gonzalez: All right. Move to accept it. Chair Spence -Jones: Got a motion on that. Commissioner Regalado: You don't need a motion. Mr. Villacorta: Yeah. City of Miami Page 3 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Villacorta: Usually we just accept the report. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. He did it on the first one, so -- OK, so we're going to move on to the second [sic] item. This item, I guess, passes, so we're going to move to the next thing. REPORT 3. 07-00633 CRA REPORT COMMISSIONERS' SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATES. Memo.pdf Memo 07-00633.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: Commissioner Regalado, you have any other things to report on -- I know your area was marketing and the homeless issue. Is there anything that you want to bring to our attention from the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) standpoint? Commissioner Regalado: On last week, Homeless Trust began a census, countywide census, and it would be ongoing, so it would -- I think that we would have the results in -- we have really several serious issues with the homeless and the down -- the core of downtown, which I don't think is the CRA, but it could be a spillover. Last week, I toured with our Homeless office and the executive director of the Homeless Trust, and the City of Miami Police Department some of the areas, and we're having a lot of problems in the Metromovers [sic] stations, and on the Metrorail that is very close to the CRA office, and the County is talking to their attorneys because there is no security at night at the Metromover station, and they are going -- using the Metromover to jump into vacant buildings, and there was a raid the other day by City of Miami Police Department in a vacant building, which is going to be demolished for the Loft 3 site, and there was a situation there of you know, drugs and all that, so I'm just warning that because the City of Miami is being proactive in the downtown area -- Chair Spence -Jones: That's what I was going to mention too. Commissioner Regalado: -- the displacement will come to -- Chair Spence -Jones: Overtown. Commissioner Regalado: -- Overtown. James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): I can tell you that I've seen an increased presence outside the CRA offices when we leave at night. There's a few cutouts in the footprint of our building, and it's -- Commissioner Regalado: And -- Mr. Villacorta: -- pretty much every night there's people sleeping there, and this morning, I was in the area of 14th and Northwest 2nd Court, and again, loth Street and Northwest 1st, and there's -- it seems there's an increased population of people sleeping on the sidewalks. Commissioner Regalado: So I'm just -- Chair Spence -Jones: Putting it on our radar screen. I was going to mention that to you. As a City of Miami Page 4 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 part of the homeless thing, I've had several Overtown residents that have said or stated that they are seeing an increased number of homeless people now in the area -- Commissioner Regalado: And it will be more. It will be more because of City police being proactive. In certain areas, there will be displacement, and mind you, there could be an accident on the Metromover because of -- Mr. Villacorta: Yeah. I've -- Commissioner Regalado: -- fires and all that. Mr. Villacorta: -- ridden the Metromover lately and seen that there are a number of homeless people that are just riding it. Chair Spence -Jones: So, Commissioner -- Mr. Villacorta: On a positive note, I can let you know that Camillus House is making progress with the additional roofing that they were -- that we gave them a grant for on their property to try and increase the number of people that they can serve. I thought they were going to be here tonight to speak to you about that, but -- Commissioner Regalado: I mean, had not been -- Mr. Villacorta: -- they're moving along very quickly. Commissioner Regalado: -- for that roof over the parking lot, the situation -- Mr. Villacorta: Would be -- Commissioner Regalado: -- would have been -- Mr. Villacorta: -- even worse. Commissioner Regalado: -- worse -- Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Commissioner Regalado: -- in downtown and Overtown, so -- Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Thank you, Commissioner Regalado, for your report on the issue. If there's anything you can come up with to -- that we can begin to do from the, at least, Overtown side of it, and also, certain parts of Omni, the Performing Arts Center, because it's also going to float in this area too, any suggestions that we may need to follow up on, please let Jim know. Commissioner Regalado: OK. RESOLUTIONS 4. 07-00698 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY'S METROPOLITAN CENTER, IN City of Miami Page 5 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $25,000, TO UPDATE THE FINDING OF NECESSITY STUDY FOR THE AMENDED 2004 SEOPW REDEVELOPMENT PLAN AND TO EVALUATE ADDITIONAL EXPANSION OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AREA; FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED FROM SEOPW TIF FUND ENTITLED "PROFESSIONAL SERVICES," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.5310000.0000.00000. Memo.pdf financial form.pdf back-u p. pdf legislation.pdf 07-00698 Memo.pdf back-u p. pdf legislation.pdf Motion by Commissioner Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Absent: 2 - Commissioner Sanchez and Vice Chair Sarnoff CRA-R-07-0028 Chair Spence -Jones: We're going to move to number 4 so we can get some of these items out of the way. Jim -- Commissioner Gonzalez: I am ready to move number 4. That's a no-brainer. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Any questions, Commissioner Regalado? Have a motion on the floor. Commissioner Regalado: Well, the Chairman for the City Commission said that this is a no-brainer. We could have just the people from FIU (Florida International University) stand there and said, "Do you recommend to expand the boundaries? Say yes or no, " and they would say yes, and you got $25, 000. Chair Spence -Jones: Well, is that -- I mean, is --? Commissioner Regalado: I mean, you know -- I mean -- Chair Spence -Jones: Jim, Commissioner Regalado's -- Commissioner Regalado: -- this is -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- making a point as to -- Commissioner Regalado: -- redundant, right? James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): We performed a finding of necessity study for the 2004 plan prior to developing the plan, and then we submitted the plan to the County. In recent meetings with the County -- it just sat at the County. In recent meetings, they have stated that they feel the Finding of Necessity study is stale since it's over two years old. The statute -- Florida Statutes doesn't speak to these studies going stale. I think it would be a challenge to say that the area that we're seeking to add is any better off than it was in 2004. Chair Spence -Jones: But we have to do it, correct? I mean, can we --? City of Miami Page 6 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Mr. Villacorta: They've asked us to do it. We've also considered adding additional areas, the Town Park area, which was excluded in the -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Mr. Villacorta: -- plan that we sent over. Chair Spence -Jones: Currently, boundaries stop on 14th Street, and quite frankly, a lot of the homeowners and a lot of the people living in Overtown go beyond 14th Street, so we're trying to now include up to 20th Street so that we can pick up all of those residents in those areas to assist, so it does happen for -- help from that perspective, but I don't know if you're answering Commissioner Regalado's question. Is it -- I guess, in order for us to include it in the boundaries, we have to do the impact study, correct? Mr. Villacorta: To increase the boundaries beyond those that are already in front of the County, we would need to do a finding of necessity study to show that these additional areas are required. I believe there's a map showing the boundaries that we're proposing -- that we proposed in 2004 in your materials. We'd like to go and pick up the Town Park area. Commissioner Regalado: I don't have any problem. I'm just saying that for ages we've been told the County will expand the boundaries in exchange for, in exchange -- Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Commissioner Regalado: -- for -- Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Commissioner Regalado: -- but the question is, how long will this take? Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. How long does it take, Jim? Mr. Villacorta: To do the study would be a matter of months. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Villacorta: To go back and verify the expanded boundaries that we proposed, to add in the additional areas, I think, could be done efficiently in that same amount of time. Then you then need to do the develop -- you have the County do -- the City approves the finding of necessity; the County approves it; we then develop a plan. The plan goes to the CRA, then to the Planning Advisory Board, then to the City Commission as head of the Planning Advisory Board, then back to the CRA, then to the City, and then to the County, so it'd be nice if they would approve the boundary expansion that's over there and then allow us to work on including this additional area. Chair Spence -Jones: Can we encourage them to do that? Mr. Villacorta: We have, and we'll continue to do so vigorously. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. We had a motion on the floor. Do we have a second on this item? Commissioner Regalado: OK. I second. City of Miami Page 7 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: OK. All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. This item passes. 5. 07-00730 CRA RESOLUTION A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE BOARDS OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST AND OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES ("CRAS") AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS TO CIVIL ENGINEERING FIRMS FOR PROVISION OF MISCELLANEOUS ENGINEERING AND RELATED SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH CRA PROJECTS. Memo.pdf Legislation.pdf memo.pdf Legislation.pdf DEFERRED A motion was made by Commissioner Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, and was passed unanimously, with Commissioner Sanchez and Vice Chair Sarnoff absent, to defer Item 5. Chair Spence -Jones: We're going to move to item number 5. Jim. James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): This item -- in the past, the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) has had an engineering firm on call. In recent years, we've handled all of our work through CIP (Capital Improvements Program). Recently, there was a request for services regarding old fire station number 2 and the Ward Rooming House, where we needed the design work to prepare the interior of the Ward Rooming House and to preserve the fire station. CIP was in between contracts with architects. I think this originally came up in May, and they stated they wouldn't have anybody on board till they did their own RFP (Request for Proposals), and they expect that that could be as late as September. This resolution would allow us to do an RFP to have an engineering firm -- Chair Spence -Jones: Available. Mr. Villacorta: -- on call, as needed. We would still continue to work through CIP with most of our projects, but if we needed it, we could have an engineering firm available for these miscellaneous projects. My understanding -- and I know Ola's -- if Ola's still here -- I think they have since managed to get a group of architects on board. Chair Spence -Jones: I think Ola's on his way to Little Haiti Park. Mr. Villacorta: Oh, has he --? Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, no. He's here. He's going to be on his way to Little Haiti Park. Mr. Villacorta: This would allow us to issue an RFP and have the engineering firm on board for those projects that were out there. Chair Spence -Jones: You want to bring a comment to it, to this item? Ola O. Aluko (Director, Capital Improvements Program): Yes. I will confirm we do have a list City of Miami Page 8 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 of miscellaneous architects and landscapes on -- landscapers on board, and in September, after the ratification of the negotiation, you will be free to use those architects for your projects, yes. Chair Spence -Jones: Now that's for what we have on our end, but what he's passing today, he -- so he understand what's going on. Mr. Villacorta: Well, I guess CIP is saying they have -- Chair Spence -Jones: They have their own. Mr. Villacorta: -- architects now on board, so this might be superfluous. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, so what Jim was trying to have passed today was the ability to have our own engineers if he needed a project to move, which would still be coordinated through your office -- Mr. Aluko: Of course (INAUDIBLE). Chair Spence -Jones: -- but I guess his fear -- not even fear, but concern, sometimes CIP has a lot going on -- Mr. Aluko: Of course. Chair Spence -Jones: -- and that he may need to have his own engineer that's available to rehab units or whatever the -- or look at units that need to be rehabbed, and he doesn't want to be in a place that he doesn't have anybody at his fingertips. Mr. Aluko: It does not hurt to have yours, Jim, as we had discussed in the past, but we're more than willing to accommodate the CRA, but it is a good supplement to have that in the event that we are overloaded, but right now we're good. Mr. Villacorta: OK. Chair Spence -Jones: I'm going to leave it up to you, Mr. Executive Director. What do you feel you need to have? Mr. Villacorta: Why don't we defer this -- Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Villacorta: -- and see how we function with the --? Chair Spence -Jones: No problem. Mr. Villacorta: This originally came up in May, and there was -- Chair Spence -Jones: No problem, so we're going to move to defer. Do we need to move to defer this item or just defer? Commissioner Regalado: Move it. Commissioner Gonzalez: Motion to defer. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. City of Miami Page 9 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Commissioner Regalado: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Thank you, Ola. Thank you. Mr. Aluko: Thank you. Commissioner Regalado: All in favor? Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. 6. 07-00731 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR COMPLETE SERVICES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INCREMENT III OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST MASTER DEVELOPMENT ORDER. memo.pdf Legislation.pdf Memo.pdf Motion by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Commissioner Gonzalez, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Absent: 2 - Commissioner Sanchez and Vice Chair Sarnoff CRA-R-07-0030 A motion was made by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Chair Spence -Jones, and was passed unanimously, with Commissioners Sanchez and Sarnoff absent, to adopt Item 6. Note for the Record. The second vote taken on Item 6 is reflected as the current vote on the item. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. We're going to go into number 6, and this is for the increment. Jim, you want to explain? James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Yes. The CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), in 1988, passed a Development of Regional Impact Order -- master development order for the CRA area. This means that when a developer comes and his project is over the threshold size for triggering this redevelopment order, they know that they already have those credits in place; that they're allowed to build units of -- a certain number of units. You know, we have approval for 20,000 housing units, and we have approval for an arena, and we have approval for office space, and we've demonstrated that the roads, and the water, and the noise, and et cetera, the environmental aspects are in -- will be able to withstand that sort of development; the transportation infrastructure is there. The development order is -- we've about -- it's about to expire. Luckily, the Legislature -- the State Legislature passed an extension. The DDA (Downtown Development Authority), which overlaps the CRA in certain areas, has already begun updating their DRI (Development of Regional Impact) to go towards the third increment, and the Law Department has opined that the CRA should go ahead and update theirs at the same time. This would allow us to do an RFP and seek letters of interest. Typically, it's a law firm that comes forward with their consultants, and they prepare the application and obtain the development credits. It encourages developers to come to the City of Miami Page 10 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 area because they know they won't have to go through that whole development of regional impact process. Commissioner Gonzalez: All right. We have lost quorum, so we can take no action now. Commissioner Regalado: Oh, she's here. Commissioner Gonzalez: All right. We have quorum again. Is there a motion on the item? Commissioner Regalado: I move. Chair Spence -Jones: Second. Commissioner Gonzalez: We have a motion, and we have a second. All in favor, say "aye." The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Commissioner Gonzalez: Those opposed have the same right. Motion carries. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you. [Later..] Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Let me -- Ms. City Attorney, I was just -- it was just kind of communicated to me that we did not do something right procedurally for the increment. I just wanted to make sure 'cause I just came back from the little lady's room, so I kind of missed -- OK,so-- Commissioner Regalado: 171 move it. Chair Spence -Jones: He move -- Commissioner Regalado: 171 move it. Commissioner Gonzalez: No, I didn't move it. Gail A. Dotson (Assistant General Counsel): You second it. Is that --? I think that's the issue. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Let's just take this item back again. Ms. Dotson: OK. Chair Spence -Jones: Item number 11. Just to make sure we got it -- item number, excuse me, 6. The -- I just want to make sure we did it properly. I was told that we were not -- Commissioner Regalado: 171 move it. 171 move it. Chair Spence -Jones: I have a motion. Commissioner Gonzalez: I second it. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. City of Miami Page 11 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: OK. This item passes. 7. 07-00753 CRA RESOLUTION A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE BOARDS OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST AND OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES RATIFYING THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO WITH CREATIVE IDEAS ADVERTISING, INC. AND ED O'DELL & ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICES, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000; FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED AS FOLLOWS: $25,000 FROM SEOPW TIF FUND ENTITLED "PROFESSIONAL SERVICES," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.531000.0000.00000; AND $25,000 FROM OMNI TIF FUND ENTITLED "PROFESSIONAL SERVICES," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10040.920101.531000.0000.00000. Memo.pdf Financial Form.pdf Back-up.pdf Legislation.pdf Memo.pdf back-u p. pdf Motion by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Commissioner Gonzalez, that this matter be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Absent: 2 - Commissioner Sanchez and Vice Chair Sarnoff CRA-R-07-0026 Chair Spence -Jones: All right. We're going to move now to the Commissioners' subcommittees updates. As you know, the last time we were all together, we assigned various people to various subcommittees, and I want to thank you for really sticking to your commitment in running these subcommittees and making sure things move. I'm going to start with the first one, which is Commissioner Regalado, and I think what we're going to do is take up item number 7 because it kind of ties into his report, which is the -- I believe it's the marketing agency, Creative Ideas, so I'm going to turn it over to Commissioner Regalado to give us an update on where we are with the marketing. Commissioner Regalado: Well, this was an item that was approve by the Board several -- I don't know, two meetings ago, right, or one meeting --? James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Two -- yeah, two meetings ago. Commissioner Regalado: Two meetings ago. It was a bid for marketing of the CRAs (Community Redevelopment Agencies), and -- Mr. Villacorta: Yeah. Commissioner Regalado: -- the company, Ed O'Dell & Associates and Creative Ideas joined together and won that contract. The only thing is -- I'll move to approve the contract -- the only thing that we didn't know at that time -- or we thought, at that time, there was $50, 000 all, and I would rather have that figure -- because remember that the other people that bid had a figure similar to $50,000, and I just don't want to give the impression that, you know, we're -- City of Miami Page 12 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Mr. Villacorta: I think at the -- Commissioner Regalado: I mean, these people are paid by hour -- Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Commissioner Regalado: -- so -- Mr. Villacorta: That was the major distinction between the two bids was that this firm was willing to bill at an hourly rate, and this contract provides for them to provide proposals for each element that they'll be working on. It's for -- if they're going to work on Web site design, they will provide a proposal, and the hourly rate will apply to that. The -- during our discussion, we discussed that there was a hundred thousand available in the Overtown CRA. What we did was we took 50 from Overtown and 50 from Omni, so while it appears there's a larger total than $50,000, it's really coming from each CRA, and as they work in -- the work has to be paid for out of the CRA that's receiving the benefit, so if they are doing something for an event in Omni, we can draw down on the Omni fund, but in no event can they take more than fifty thou -- can they be paid more than 50,000 from either CRA, though they can go up to 50 in both CRAs, and that's how you get to a hundred. I'm not sure that we will ever exhaust that amount, but we might. In the Web site, that would be billed against both CRAs. If we're having a jazz event in the Overtown CRA, that would be billed against the Overtown CRA. If we're providing the public with notice of what's coming on Bayshore Drive and that there'll be closures and we want to reach out and have some public informational meetings, that would be paid for out of Omni because that's the CRA that's involved. Commissioner Regalado: So I understand, they cannot be pay -- I mean, they cannot work if we don't have -- Mr. Villacorta: Yeah, two different funds to -- Commissioner Regalado: -- two different -- Mr. Villacorta: -- draw from -- Commissioner Regalado: -- contract. Mr. Villacorta: -- but each fund is $50, 000, so it's essentially a contract with each CRA. Commissioner Regalado: Well, you know, I would say take 25 and 25 and start working with them, and option to renew according to the executive director and the Board. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. I just want to just add on real fast. First of all, I want to thank them - - I know -- and you, Commissioner Regalado -- because we did have a wonderful activity in June, and I believe the agency was on board at that particular time making sure we got media and then the message out for all of the things that we were doing in the Overtown area, and I know that they started based upon your recommendation that they be brought on to do that, so I'm not really sure where they are at this particular point, but I think everything is on hold at this point until their agreement is handled, correct? Mr. Villacorta: The agreement is retroactive to -- it was supposed to be brought back as a ratification. We now have it signed -- Chair Spence -Jones: OK. City of Miami Page 13 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Mr. Villacorta: -- but it was effective in time to -- effective on May 14, which would have allowed for us to cover some of the work that they did during the jazz event in Lyric Theater. Again, for each element that they do, they have to give us a proposal and a budget and deliverables, and they will bill at the hourly rate. You know, we -- what we've done is agreed on an hourly rate. Commissioner Regalado: Would you --? Mr. Villacorta: I mean, I feel comfortable with the 50 from each -- Chair Spence -Jones: That's what I was going to say -- Mr. Villacorta: -- CRA -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- Commissioner Regalado -- Mr. Villacorta: -- especially -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- if we could cap it at 50 for each. Mr. Villacorta: Right, and then we would come back if they -- Commissioner Regalado: Twenty-five. Mr. Villacorta: -- approach that. Twenty-five. Commissioner Regalado: Twenty-five for each, and then you come back. Have you assign them or they come up with the ideas? Mr. Villacorta: Well, there are some things that we know we need. We need help with -- Chair Spence -Jones: The Web site. Mr. Villacorta: -- the Web site. We need help with press releases, which was another thing the other firm wasn't able to handle. The -- there's some outreach that needs to be done in connection with these construction projects. There's something like a thousand units over in the Grand, in that area. You know, you've got -- you know, we need to meet with that community and advise them that we'll be tearing up the road in front of their development for a while and help them, you know, find alternate routes in and out of their building. Commissioner Regalado: What alternate route? Mr. Villacorta: Hopefully, we'll only block one lane at a time. Commissioner Regalado: The bay? They're going to come by boat? Mr. Villacorta: Well, just to -- Commissioner Regalado: Well, anyway -- Mr. Villacorta: -- help minimize the impact over there. Commissioner Regalado: -- I think that you should assign them -- Mr. Villacorta: Yes -- City of Miami Page 14 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Mr. Villacorta: -- yes, the tasks, yeah. Commissioner Regalado: -- you know, the different tasks because, otherwise, they would think and probably they would think very nice things to do, but like you need that and if you want to use it, just go ahead, so I move the -- Chair Spence -Jones: We have a motion on the item. Commissioner Regalado: -- as amended. Chair Spence -Jones: As amended, 25 for both areas, bringing back any additional projects -- Mr. Villacorta: Funding requests, yes. Chair Spence -Jones: -- in front of the CRA to go higher, if needed. I have a motion with amendment. Do I have a -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: -- second? All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. 8. 07-00800 CRA RESOLUTION A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE BOARDS OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST AND OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES ("CRAS"), RATIFYING THE ACTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN PURCHASING INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THE CRAS' OFFICES FOR THE PERIOD COMMENCING JUNE 24, 2007 AND ENDING JUNE 23, 2008, AT AN ANNUAL COST NOT TO EXCEED $5,982.15; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM GENERAL OPERATING FUND, "INSURANCE," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10030.920101.545000.0000.00000. memo.pdf Financial Form.pdf Back-up.pdf Legislation.pdf memo.pdf financial form.pdf back-u p. pdf legislation.pdf Motion by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Commissioner Gonzalez, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Absent: 2 - Commissioner Sanchez and Vice Chair Samoff CRA-R-07-0029 Commissioner Gonzalez: Move to number 7. City of Miami Page 15 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Commissioner Regalado: No, we did number 7. Chair Spence -Jones: Number 7, we're done. James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): We did 7. Commissioner Gonzalez: I'm sorry. Chair Spence -Jones: We're on number 8. Commissioner Gonzalez: 8. Mr. Villacorta: This resolution seeks ratification of my actions in purchasing insurance coverage for the CRA's (Community Redevelopment Agency's) offices for the period commencing June 24, 2007 and ending June 23, 2008, at an annual cost not to exceed $5, 900. Commissioner Regalado: Move it. Chairman Gonzalez: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. 9. 07-00802 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), RATIFYING THE EXERCISE OF THE FIRST TWO YEAR OPTION TERM UNDER THE AGREEMENT WITH UNDER POWER CORPORATION FOR MAINTENANCE OF CRA OWNED STREET LIGHTS, AT A COST OF $9.40 PER FIXTURE PER MONTH, NOT TO EXCEED $40,000 A YEAR; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW TIF FUND, ENTITLED "OTHER CONTRACTUAL SERVICES," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.534000.0000.00000. Memo.pdf Financial Form.pdf Back-up.pdf Legislation.pdf Memo.pdf Motion by Commissioner Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Absent: 2 - Commissioner Sanchez and Vice Chair Sarnoff CRA-R-07-0031 Chair Spence -Jones: Item -- James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Item number 9. Chair Spence -Jones: Num -- City of Miami Page 16 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Commissioner Regalado: Number 9. Mr. Villacorta: It's a resolution ratifying the exercise of the first two-year option term under the CRA's (Community Redevelopment Agency's) agreement with Under Power Corporation for maintenance of CRA-owned streetlights. [Later...] Chair Spence -Jones: Now we move on -- I'm sorry, back to number 9, which was the ratification. Commissioner Gonzalez: Right. I'll move number 9. Chair Spence -Jones: I have a motion. Commissioner Regalado: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: Good. I just want -- OK, this motion -- this item passes. Real fast, Jim. This is the item regarding the lighting fixtures and the CRA streetlights. We have several of them on different -- in different areas, and I just really need for y'all -- you guys to look at the lights themselves because they're very dark. Some of them are broken in areas, and it's becoming like homeless havens in certain areas, so I really want to make sure -- hopefully, this will allow for you to correct the problem, but we need to keep it as bright as possible, especially if there's nothing happening in those areas, it at least needs to look bright. Mr. Villacorta: We'll do that. This group is pretty responsive to our requests. They -- these are the lights on the Grande Promenade -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah, I know. Mr. Villacorta: -- on 9th Street Mall, and in the parking lots that we operate -- Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Villacorta: -- but we'll definitely -- Chair Spence -Jones: I just want to make sure, OK. Mr. Villacorta: -- work with them to make sure that they're -- Chair Spence -Jones: No problem. 10. 07-00881 CRA RESOLUTION NOT USED Chair Spence -Jones: Number -- you have an item number 10, Jim, but it's not -- James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Not used. Chair Spence -Jones: -- really an item, so we can move on, right? City of Miami Page 17 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Mr. Villacorta: Right. 11. 07-00883 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE FORMED TO REVIEW THE RESPONSES TO THE PROPOSALS RECEIVED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CRA PARKING LOT P-3, AT 345 NW 10TH STREET; DIRECTING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ATTEMPT TO NEGOTIATE A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION; FURTHER DIRECTING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO PRESENT ANY PROPOSED AGREEMENT TO THE BOARD FOR ITS CONSIDERATION AND, IF SATISFACTORY, APPROVAL AND AWARD; CLARIFYING THAT THIS RESOLUTION IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN AWARD OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS OR TO OTHERWISE CREATE ANY RIGHTS WHATSOEVER IN THE RECOMMENDED PROPOSER. memo.pdf legislation.pdf Motion by Commissioner Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Absent: 2 - Commissioner Sanchez and Vice Chair Sarnoff CRA-R-07-0027 Chair Spence -Jones: I'm going to go ahead and turn it over to our next subcommittee chair, Mr. -- Commissioner Gonzalez, and I believe his focus is all of the redevelopment things that are happening, at least, in the Overtown area at this point. He's leading up that effort, and Commissioner Gonzalez, I'm going to turn it over to you, which is for the -- we're going to deal with item number 11, as a part of his. We've already dealt with 7 and 11 [sic], so that's off now, so now we're going to deal with number 11. Commissioner Gonzalez: Thank you, Madam Chairman [sic]. At the last meeting, you requested and the Board requested that I start working on putting out a new RFP (Request for Proposals) in reference to a housing project. We proceeded to do that. We had, I believe, three companies that responded to the RFP. A panel was assembled to evaluate the proposals, and I believe that they came up with the number one proposal, and number two, and number three, and I think Larry Springs [sic] -- Mr. Larry Springs [sic] is here to give us an update on the issue. Larry Spring: Yes, I will. Good evening. Larry Spring, chief financial officer, City of Miami. I'm here today to present the results of the committee review for the P3 proposal evaluation. The committee consisted of myself Jose Cintron, the director of OCD (Office of Community Development) from the County, and Chelsea Arscott, a local lender in the community here. We met, and there was actually four proposals that were submitted. We received proposals from ADG, a company called UDG/Jazz Village, Folklife Village, which was Pinnacle, and a Carlisle proposal. The committee evaluated each of the proposals based on the demonstrated experience in building units, the requested subsidy as a percentage of the total development cost, local participation, the mixed -use components of the proposal, being rental housing, homeownership, retail, and office; consistency with the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) plan principals, which included cultural, historical sensitivity, open space, and pedestrian friendly streetscapes. The actual -- what -- were the proposals complete, meaning did it include City of Miami Page 18 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 proforma, site plan, and the written -- the clarity of the written presentation, and finally, timeliness of the promised construction completion date. Based on our review, the committee recommended as its number one -- the number one proposal, the UDG/Jazz Village proposal. The second -ranked proposal was the Folklife Village/Pinnacle project. The third -ranked proposal was the Carlisle, and the fourth -ranked, AD -- was ADG proposal. Based on these recommendations -- or based on our review, the committee formally recommends that the CRA Board consider UDG/Jazz Village as its -- as the successful bidder on this RFP. The solicitation documents will be on file with the CRA, so -- for everyone's perusal. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Any questions or comments from any of the colleagues on it? Jim, do you have any questions or comments? Were you able to review the four proposals? James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): I reviewed the proposals. I wasn't part of the evaluation committee, but the proposal they ranked number one was very thorough, as a number of letters of recommendation from the funding sources that they will be seeking. The County has written letters in support of this development. We have a proforma on the development. They fulfilled entirely our request in the RFP for that financial information, for the description of the principals of the project, for their work history. It was a very thorough report. Again, I wasn't on the committee. I would concur that the -- of the proposals received, that was the most complete, and had I been ranking, it would have concurred in the ranking of number one. I also want to say that the committee worked very hard and put in some late hours, and also showed up on Saturday to put in even more hours. I would thank them for their efforts. Chair Spence -Jones: Chairman [sic] Gonzalez, this was your committee. It's the first project that you're going to have moving in the Overtown area. I really appreciate your staff and everything that you've done. I think having this process put in place, Jim, and having a -- an actual committee that sits down and goes through each one of the proposals -- and I thank you too, Larry, for at least sticking to it and at least coming out with a resolution for us to move something ahead in the Overtown area. Do you have any other comments, Commissioner? Commissioner Gonzalez: No. I would like to move to accept the recommendation of the committee -- of the selection committee -- Commissioner Regalado: Second. Chairman Gonzalez: -- that we accept the company that ranked one on the proposal. Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. The item passes. I just wanted to add, before we move on to number 4 -- because now we're back to number 4 -- Larry, we have dealt with P3, and again, we're trying to move projects. You know that this issue has been somewhat handled with the reverter, at least, for a short period of time. We do want to move -- Commissioner Gonzalez, I mean, you did a great job of putting the last P3. Can we have you move with this committee to do P -- what do you have left, Block 25 and Block 36, correct? Mr. Villacorta: Right. Chair Spence -Jones: Is that out? Mr. Villacorta: Block -- the County, on Tuesday, authorized an extension of the reverter on Block 36, so -- City of Miami Page 19 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Villacorta: -- we've moved forward with putting all of the CRA properties, including the smaller lots and Block 25 and 36, out for proposals. The -- hopefully, the County, between now and December, will give us a longer time to develop Block 36 since six months won't be enough, but at least developers that are looking at it can see that the County is working with us on getting that block developed. Chair Spence -Jones: So, Mr. Chairman, is there any way that we can at least, in the next 30 days, have something prepared to at least go out to get something back? Mr. Villacorta: We are prepared. Commissioner Gonzalez: No. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Villacorta: We have prepared the RFP and are ready to put it into the newspapers -- Chair Spence -Jones: OK, good. Mr. Villacorta: -- so it'll be coming out. On this item 11, though, this is authority to negotiate an agreement. Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Commissioner Gonzalez: That's correct. Mr. Villacorta: I just wanted to make clear. OK. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. All right, so I just wanted to make sure -- Larry, I'm assuming you will have a team of people working on Block 25 and -- Mr. Spring: Yeah. We're more than prepared to assist with the CRA. I think we've established a good criteria in providing more consistency in the review process consistent with what we're doing in our Community Development Department, so we have no problem with assisting. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Thank you very much, Larry, and let me just be clear before we leave -- move to number 4. First of all, all those did -- that did apply, the other three companies, please, by all means, there's more proposals that's going out. We want to encourage you to also move ahead on that. We definitely need as many people building to help rebuild the Overtown area, so please, by all means, do not be discouraged by this, but continue to push hard because we do need to get things moving, and also, let me just put this on the record too so that everybody's clear. When you're going after a proposal and you know you're going after a proposal, please, once it goes to staff to evaluate, don't call us. Don't call -- Mr. Villacorta: Right. Chair Spence -Jones: -- either one of the Commissioners asking us about anything or leaving any messages for us. Do not do it. Wait till the decision has been made, then call us if you feel you need to, but for me, I think that is truly a no -no, and I don't want to see that happen at all, so I want to encourage that you do not do that. Mr. Villacorta: And it's -- City of Miami Page 20 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: You can call Jim, though. Mr. Villacorta: -- yeah, call the CRA. The statute requires us to give you -- Florida Statutes requires us to give you any information we have that's available on the proposal -- on the parcel that is out for proposals. We're happy to do it. We'll make copies. It's not a problem. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, Jim. We're going to move on to number 4. I'm going to turn the -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Larry, you left before giving me an opportunity to also -- Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, yeah. Commissioner Gonzalez: -- thank you, OK, for your support, for your effort, and for your work. I really appreciate it. Mr. Spring: Not a problem, Commissioner. You know I'm here. Chair Spence -Jones: Thanks for not -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: -- sleeping. Commissioner Gonzalez: Thank you again. Chair Spence -Jones: Well, you might want to stay around for the other -- you're going to be here for -- Mr. Spring: Yes, I'll be here. Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, OK All right. We're going to move to number -- Thank you, Commissioner Regalado, for your -- Gonzalez for your report. 12. 07-00884 CRA RESOLUTION A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE BOARDS OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST AND OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES AMENDING RESOLUTION CRA-R-05-0038, PASSED AND ADOPTED, ON NOVEMBER 3, 2005, TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF THE GRANT FOR DOWNTOWN MIAMI PARTNERSHIP'S ("DMP") "WRAP -AROUND BUILDING REHAB PROGRAM" TO INCLUDE PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE; ALLOCATING ADDITIONAL FUNDS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $225,000 FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, "OTHER GRANTS AND AIDS," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.883000.0000.00000, AND IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $225,000 FROM OMNI TAX INCREMENT FUND, "OTHER GRANTS AND AIDS," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10040.920101.883000.0000.00000. memo.pdf financial form.pdf legislation.pdf City of Miami Page 21 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Motion by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Commissioner Gonzalez, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Absent: 2 - Commissioner Sanchez and Vice Chair Sarnoff CRA-R-07-0032 Chair Spence -Jones: And number 11, we've already taken up, so now we're going to move on to item number 12. James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): This resolution expands our existing grant program with -- through DMP, Downtown Miami Partnership, for their Wrap -Around Building Rehab Program. Currently, the program encompasses commercial buildings, residential buildings, and hardscape and streetscape improvements. It's being expanded to include preservation and restoration of historic buildings and additional funds are being allocated to the program. Chair Spence -Jones: IfI can just speak on this item real fast, this is an item -- of course, you know we have several historic buildings in both CRAB (Community Redevelopment Agencies) that need a lot of work and need a lot of help, especially, I know, in the Overtown area. This is a program that we're doing through DMP with their support and their assistance to help us preserve some of these very, very old buildings. I wanted Ms. -- Madam Attorney to really clear up a fact or an issue regarding churches and whether or not this will have an impact because I do have three historic churches in the Overtown area that need a lot of repair. I do know that we voted to assist Bethel AME (African Methodist Episcopal) with their roof which was great, and I'm sure they're happy they have a roof but because of the inside and the rain that got inside of the -- from the actual -- the storm that took place -- and even though we dried it out, there's still some damage that has taken place on the inside, so what we wanted to do is just create a program that will focus on these type of historic sites that need assistance, and it's basically a pilot program for now to see how well it works, but we definitely want to make sure we preserve it, but I want -- the question came up as to whether or not because it was a church, whether or not it violated the church -state issue, and I'd like for Madam Attorney to please clear up that matter for us so that we don't have this as an issue or discussion anymore. Gail A. Dotson (Assistant General Counsel): Yes. Thank you. We did some research on this issue, and we were directed by the executive director to look into that, and we did, and we found that because the churches are historically designated, that the TIF (Tax Increment Fund) funds can be used for these churches. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, for the churches, but they have to be historically designated. Is it designated by the State of Florida, or just we know that they're really old? Ms. Dotson: No, just historical preserva -- preserved facilities. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, so I just want to be clear because there is a difference between the two, correct, Jim? Or it doesn't matter, just as long as it's a very old church; is that what you're saying? Ms. Dotson: Well, there are very old churches, and there are historically preserved facilities, but our opinion is that it does not matter. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Ms. Dotson: You can make the -- you can use the TIF funds for -- City of Miami Page 22 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: To support it. Ms. Dotson: -- either one. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, and only thing that I would like to add on this -- there is key things -- I don't know if I have the Masonic Lodge -- are they here, the Masonic Lodge? Where are they? Unidentified Speaker: Right here. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, just raise your hand. They're a prime example. I know that they participated in the Wrap -Around Program. They themself[sic] put up some match money to assist with painting the outside of the building, and the building looks beautiful off 3rd Avenue, but we're looking -- we're talking about up -- the upstairs area, where we want to try to do some sort of museum -type, gallery -type of space on -- in the top of the facility for those that are traveling to the Overtown area, and also to be able to use this as work space for those that would like to rent it or do whatever in the neighborhood, so it gives us an additional space in the area, so this particular project will allow for people like the Masonic Lodge, like the churches, like Women's Club, or whoever to tap into this particular program, so that's what we're trying to -- that's what I need my colleague's support on, to make sure that we're able to put something like this in place. Jim, I just want to just also double verifir with you regarding the issue -- is there any other issues on this grant, at all, that you think needs to be addressed? I know that there were some concerns about the match that we had attached to it. Mr. Villacorta: Right. This grant has had a match where we match 3 to 1 each dollar that the building owner puts up. I've been told that's going to be a difficulty for some of these churches. I think even the Lodge ended up taking out a loan to put up their portion of the match and has found it somewhat difficult. Chair Spence -Jones: So is your recommendation to have a match or not have a match? Mr. Villacorta: I think, you know, having put -- helped to reroof -- to temporarily reroof that -- some of the churches, to help the Masonic Lodge, I think some of these people will have difficulty finding the matching funds. Each grant comes back to the -- if it's more than 4,500 -- Board anyway. Perhaps we can attempt to have the match, and if they want to show up and say why that match would be a hardship for them -- Chair Spence -Jones: Then we can choose to -- Mr. Villacorta: -- they could do that. You could -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- waive it? Is that --? Mr. Villacorta: -- choose to waive the match, and we would do that at the time we brought each grant forward for the Board to approve. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Thank you. Commissioner Regalado, Commissioner Gonzalez, you have any comments on this? Commissioner Regalado: No. Commissioner Gonzalez: No. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Do --? City of Miami Page 23 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Commissioner Regalado: Move it. Chair Spence -Jones: Got a motion. Chairman Gonzalez: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Commissioner Spence -Jones: This item passes. 13. 07-00899 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXPEND UP TO $75,000 WITH HOLLAND & KNIGHT, LLP, CRA SPECIAL COUNSEL, FOR LEGAL SERVICES AND COSTS; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW TIF FUND ENTITLED, "PROFESSIONAL SERVICES - LEGAL," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.531010.0000.00000. memo.pdf financial form.pdf legislation.pdf DEFERRED A motion was made by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Commissioner Gonzalez, and was passed unanimously, with Commissioner Sanchez and Vice Chair Sarnoff absent, to defer Item 13. A motion was made by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Commissioner Gonzalez, and was passed unanimously, with Commissioner Sanchez and Vice Chair Sarnoff absent, to authorize the Interim Executive Director to expend up to $10, 000 as payment to Holland & Knight Consulting, LLC. until the Board reaches a decision on Item 13. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. We're going to move on to item number 13, which, Jim, you really need to provide some clarity on. I'm understanding, are we pulling this item or we're not pulling this item? James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): We -- this item sought $75,000 for general services for the law firm of Holland & Knight. The last time we authorized general service money was in 2004. It was $50, 000. It's carried us this far. The 75,000 wouldn't be spent in one year. It would, you know, be spent over -- Commissioner Regalado: But we -- Mr. Villacorta: -- a period of time. Commissioner Regalado: -- have an item at the City Commission. Mr. Villacorta: Yeah. There's an issue is that Holland & Knight represents other clients; for instance, the Miami Herald. The Miami Herald makes public records requests. It's a different attorney at the firm -- Commissioner Regalado: But Miami Herald, no; Michael Vasquez. City of Miami Page 24 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Mr. Villacorta: It's a -- yeah. It's a different attorney that represents them. However, they have requested that we waive any potential conflicts. Holland & Knight has been your special counsel since at least 1998. I believe they were special counsel to the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) before then, but at that point they were designated. The City Attorney, I understand, met with Holland & Knight, and maybe the Assistant City Attorney will -- Chair Spence -Jones: I just wanted -- Mr. Villacorta: -- want to speak. Gail A. Dotson (Assistant General Counsel): We're -- yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: -- I wanted to make -- Ms. Dotson: We're -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- sure we have clarity on it because I talked to -- Ms. Dotson: This -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- Ms. City Attorney maybe 30 minutes before we came, and Bill -- Ms. Dotson: OK. Chair Spence -Jones: -- you're here. William R. Bloom (Special Counsel): I'm here. Chair Spence -Jones: You can speak up. Ms. Dotson: OK. Just from our owce, we are requesting that you defer this item because we have not reviewed this item for legal sufficiency. Commissioner Regalado: So move to defer. Commissioner Gonzalez: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: Jim, do you have a comment? Because you look like you -- Mr. Villacorta: Well, the problem is that the Crosswinds settlement needs to be redrafted It's going -- coming before you on Wednesday. I'm out of funds to pay Holland & Knight to -- Chair Spence -Jones: But you said we had not used everything as of yet, right? Mr. Villacorta: I think I had a thousand dollars left in one of the accounts. If you want to defer it and give me authority to exceed that for -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Motion to reconsider. Mr. Villacorta: -- some small amount. City of Miami Page 25 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Commissioner Regalado: No, just give him the authority to -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Give him $10,000. Commissioner Regalado: Yeah. Let's give you authority for up to $10, 000, and then -- Mr. Villacorta: OK. Commissioner Regalado: -- when the City Attorney revises the contract and the expenses -- Mr. Villacorta: All right. Well -- Commissioner Regalado: -- we'll decide -- Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Can I get this in a motion then? Commissioner Regalado: I move that we authorize the executive director, at his discretion, to use up to $10,000 until the Board decides otherwise. Mr. Villacorta: OK. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. I have a -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: -- motion. Commissioner Gonzalez: Second that motion. Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. This item passes. 14. 07-00900 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL FUNDING, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $550,000, FOR POST DESIGN FEES AND CONSTRUCTION, 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 of Miami Page 26 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 memo.pdf financial form.pdf legislation.pdf memo.pdf Financial Form.pdf Legislation.pdf Motion by Commissioner Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Absent: 2 - Commissioner Sanchez and Vice Chair Sarnoff CRA-R-07-0033 Chair Spence -Jones: OK. We're going to move on to number 14. We're moving right along, and again, we have about 20 more minutes. Item number 14, Jim. James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): This resolution authorizes construction funding for the improvements to North Bayshore Drive, between Northeast 15th Street and Northeast 17th Terrace in the Omni redevelopment area. The Board has previously authorized 16 -- 19, 000 for a traffic study, and then up to a hundred thousand for the design services. I don't believe that we spent that much so far, but we are now ready to move ahead with letting this contract -- there may be a delay because of the hotels going into their high season, so -- but this does authorize the construction funding. Commissioner Gonzalez: Move number 14. Chair Spence -Jones: Have a motion. Commissioner Regalado: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. I guess there's -- any discussion on it at all? I do want to recognized Fred -- Commissioner Regalado: No, no. We know about this for years. Chair Spence -Jones: No. I'm just -- Fred -- I'm just trying to respect Fred -- Commissioner Regalado: Oh, OK. Chair Spence -Jones: -- from the Omni Advisory Board. I mean, do you have a comment, Fred? Fred Joseph: All we -- Chair Spence -Jones: I want to at least acknowledge you. Mr. Joseph: -- no. We're in favor of it. We need preparation because, as Jim said, our season is coming in, and again, back to that signage, how we're going to get in and out. Like Commissioner Regalado said, our only alternative would be the bay, so we have to know how we're going to move. Just in the Grand alone is 2,700 people, and in the Marriott, there'll be many thousands, and the Doubletree as well, so please make sure somebody's working with us. Commissioner Regalado: I think that this is the first big task for the marketing contract; that they should be in contact with CIP (Capital Improvements Program) because, you know, they going to close both lanes, and they need to understand the flow of the people. Maybe, you know, City of Miami Page 27 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 they need to work on weekends. Maybe they need to work, I guess, not at night, because it's hundreds of apartment, but they need to do something. They need to know where to stage the equipment. It's a lot of things there. That is a very narrow streets, and you know, I would think that you need to do outreach with the people there in the Grand and in the Marriott because, otherwise, it's going to be a nightmare. Mr. Villacorta: I know that CIP and our staff met with the operators of the Grand and the Doubletree, and we invited the Marriott; they weren't able to make it, but we have considered that, and we also thought this would be a good project for the marketing people to get the word out to those residents. Commissioner Regalado: I mean, the marketing firms should be really -- Chair Spence -Jones: Is the marketing firm here? Commissioner Regalado: -- involved in -- Chair Spence -Jones: Commissioner Regalado, is the marketing firm -- is anybody here at all from --? No. Mr. Villacorta: Maritza is -- Chair Spence -Jones: Oh. Commissioner Regalado: Yeah, Maritza. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, Maritza. This is -- I guess this is your first real project. Unidentified Speaker: I'm listening. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, and Fred -- I'm assuming you want her to connect with -- she needs to know Fred, right, or --? Commissioner Regalado: Of course. I mean, Fred is the representative there in -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Commissioner Regalado: -- the Grand, and you know, I think it's important that they know, and it's important that they know, you know, the pattern; you know the pattern of the people, early afternoon, and it's important that they design a plan for CIP to study and follow. I remember DOT (Department of Transportation), I work with them on Southwest 8th Street and Coral Way. We study the patterns of the business, the condos, and then they made a decision, you know; we're going to work these hours; we're going to go that hours, and it, in Coral Way, work perfectly. They work at night sometimes. They stage the equipment in a different area, so -- Ola O. Aluko (Director, Capital Improvements Program): Commissioner, you could not have been more correct. The plan, as Jim had mentioned, is prior to -- Chair Spence -Jones: Ola, please put your name on the record for the Clerk. Mr. Aluko: For the record -- I'm sorry -- Ola Aluko, director of CIP, City of Miami. Prior to bringing the contractors on board, we do plan to have, at minimum, one community meeting with the stakehold -- with the citizens, and what you had mentioned, though, Commissioner, is very correct. We must study their plan, in terms of how they operate during the day and in the evenings because that is a very narrow area, but we will take that under advisement. City of Miami Page 28 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Commissioner Regalado: OK. Chair Spence -Jones: Did we pass this item? You finished, Fred? Mr. Joseph: No. Thank you very much, and I will see that he has the information as board of director of the Grand. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. I think we already passed this item, right? Commissioner Regalado: Yeah, we did pass this item. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, this item has -- Mr. Villacorta: I just want to point out that CIP would be ready to start in October, but again -- Chair Spence -Jones: October 1. Mr. Villacorta: -- but -- no, but they're making an accommodation to the businesses because of their high season and plan to start March or April. Commissioner Regalado: Yeah, but I mean, DOT starts doing the outreach -- Mr. Villacorta: Yes, yes. Commissioner Regalado: -- a year before. Mr. Villacorta: Yeah. Actually, when the designers were designing the project, they met with the stakeholders in the area and will continue to do that. Commissioner Regalado: How much time we have? Chair Spence -Jones: We have one more item on this, and then we take yours. Commissioner Regalado: OK. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Pamela E. Burns (Assistant Clerk of the Board): Excuse me. On Item 14, I have a mover and a seconder. Do -- I don't show a vote. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. 15. 07-00901 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") AUTHORIZING A GRANT INITIATIVE, IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500,000, TO PROVIDE GRANTS FOR RENOVATION/TENANT IMPROVEMENTS FOR BUSINESSES IN THE GENERAL VICINITY OF THE CRA's 3rd AVENUE BUSINESS CORRIDOR; PROVIDING THAT GRANTS IN EXCESS OF $4,500 SHALL BE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD FOR APPROVAL OR RATIFICATION; AUTHORIZING THE City of Miami Page 29 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE; FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, "OTHER GRANTS AND AIDS," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.883000.0000.00000. Memo.pdf Financial Form.pdf legislation.pdf Motion by Commissioner Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Absent: 2 - Commissioner Sanchez and Vice Chair Sarnoff CRA-R-07-0034 Direction by Vice Chair Gonzalez to the Interim Executive Director to include a list of the improvements that will be accomplished with the grants provided to businesses in addition to the amount of funding for each grant. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, so we're going to move on to item number 15. Commissioner Gonzalez: I have a question on -- Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Commissioner Gonzalez: -- 15. They're requesting $500, 000 to provide grants for renovation -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Commissioner Gonzalez: -- for businesses. Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. This is what we -- I believe we passed this item -- almost a year and a half ago we brought this item up, correct? This is a -- James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): As a -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- part of -- Mr. Villacorta: -- discussion, I believe, was it? Chair Spence -Jones: This is an item that I remember we needed to come back with exactly what the -- each business gets a small -- gets a portion towards them building out their businesses. Commissioner Gonzalez: Yeah, but -- OK, that's exactly what my question is. Chair Spence -Jones: This is not to one person. Commissioner Gonzalez: They're talking about $4,500 per business? Mr. Villacorta: No. Chair Spence -Jones: No. Mr. Villacorta: Any grant in excess of 4,500 -- this authorizes a program with a total budget of 500, and any individual grant in excess of 4,500 will come back to you for your approval prior City of Miami Page 30 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 to. Commissioner Gonzalez: What kind of improvements are you talking about? Mr. Villacorta: There's a number of vacant retail spaces along 3rd Avenue. New Arena Square has eight or nine spaces. There's businesses that want to move into there. Chair Spence -Jones: I don't know if Clarence wanted to at least let him know. Mr. Villacorta: OK. Chair Spence -Jones: These are the -- I remember us having a discussion about these business already being ready to go. We just had -- Mr. Villacorta: Yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: -- a issue with the space build out, right? Mr. Villacorta: Right. At one point, the Board had authorized Tools for Change to work with businesses in the area, and they identified a number of businesses that would be willing to move into the New Arena Square space if they could get some assistance with the build out of the tenant improvements. Chair Spence -Jones: And then we decided to expand it beyond Arena -- Mr. Villacorta: Right, right. Chair Spence -Jones: -- because I don't want it to just be for that building. It needs to be for any smaller businesses on 3rd Avenue, after we do all of the street improvements. Mr. Villacorta: Yeah. The -- some of the businesses along there could use -- even the existing businesses could use interior improvements to bring them up to the next level. Again, each grant would be brought back before you for approval. Commissioner Gonzalez: All right. I would appreciate it that when you bring a grant here, in addition to bringing the amount of money, bring the improvements that are going to -- Chair Spence -Jones: I agree. Commissioner Gonzalez: -- be taking place. Mr. Villacorta: Actually, I think we have five businesses or -- Clarence Woods (Assistant Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Yes. Mr. Villacorta: -- in New Arena Square. We have a set of blueprints to have one contractor come in -- the landlord is going to have one contractor come in and put in the basic amenities for the whole space, and then the individual tenants -- Chair Spence -Jones: And each one of the businesses are actually coming in for their own in -- because we're not -- Mr. Villacorta: Right, right -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- giving it to the landlord. City of Miami Page 31 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Mr. Villacorta: -- the grant. Chair Spence -Jones: We're giving it to the business owner, correct? Mr. Villacorta: Right. They're working out their own agreement with the landlord. They can use his contractor or get their own, and they're going to come to us with their budget for the project and the amount they would like to see the CRA match or put up for their tenant space. Chair Spence -Jones: I just want to hear from Clarence 'cause you -- I know you've been working hard on this. Put your name on the record. Mr. Woods: Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair, rest of the Commissioners. My name is Clarence Woods, and I'm the assistant executive director of the CRA, and as has been said or mentioned already, we do have a particular business or a building where there's five storefronts that are unfinished at this point in time. The owner of that particular establishment has gotten some prices as to what the build out could be, just white boxes. He's also permitted plans, and he's basically ready to go, and as Jim mentioned, though, we just basically need to have the owners to sit with the -- well, the owner sit with the businesses and come up with an agreement and have that agreement taken to our City Attorney and come back before you guys and have that approved. Chair Spence -Jones: Can I ask --? Commissioner Gonzalez: That -- Chair Spence -Jones: I'm sorry. Commissioner Gonzalez: I'm sorry. That was one of my concerns, and you just mentioned it; to make sure -- because I'm sure that not necessarily the business owner is the property owner, and you want to make sure that you have the approval of the property owner for whatever you're going to do in his building, so you don't end up -- even though you're trying to do something good -- Chair Spence -Jones: Good Commissioner Gonzalez: -- you don't end up -- Mr. Woods: Right. Commissioner Gonzalez: -- being in court, so make sure that you have the signature and the approval of the property owner. Mr. Villacorta: We've worked with the property owner. He's actually hired the architect to come in and prepare the -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Great. Mr. Villacorta: -- set of plans and -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Great. I'm just -- Mr. Villacorta: -- has arranged for the permitting. Commissioner Gonzalez: -- asking you -- City of Miami Page 32 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: He's just making sure it gets done. Commissioner Gonzalez: -- based on my experience. Mr. Villacorta: Definitely, definitely. Chair Spence -Jones: And actually, if we can, we're looking at bringing this back in September, right, because we need -- we've been talking about this since February. Mr. Woods: Right. Chair Spence -Jones: This is a project that's been going on since February. Mr. Villacorta: Right. I know he's working with one of the businesses to -- they have smoke evacuation and other things associated with restaurant equipment, and he's provided them with his plans for the basic space, and that's being turned over to their architect to incorporate these items that are needed for a restaurant, and once those come in, we should be able to move forward Chair Spence -Jones: So Mr. Woods, can we have this ready to go back -- come back in September? Mr. Woods: Commissioner, it's our hope that we can have it come back in September, barring any unforeseen acts of God or any other omissions that we have -- Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, sir. Mr. Woods: -- (INAUDIBLE). Commissioner Gonzalez: All right. I'm ready to move 15. Chair Spence -Jones: I have a motion. Commissioner Regalado: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. This item passes. 16. 07-00959 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL FUNDS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $7,500, FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE SURVEY AND REPLAT OF BLOCK 36 IN OVERTOWN; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW TIF FUND, "PROFESSIONAL SERVICES -OTHER," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.531000.0000.00000. Memo.pdf Financial form.pdf Legislation.pdf City of Miami Page 33 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 DEFERRED 17. 07-00930 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CRA'S PROPOSED GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET AND TAX INCREMENT FUND BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2007 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2008; AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF EACH BUDGET TO THE CITY OF MIAMI AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY. Memo.pdf Legislation.pdf Motion by Commissioner Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Absent: 2 - Commissioner Sanchez and Vice Chair Sarnoff CRA-R-07-0024 Chair Spence -Jones: Let me just say this. We're kind of jumping around on the agenda only because we're trying to cover some key issues, so since we are dealing with the budgets, I would like to move to that right now, and I'm going to take the budget a little out of order. Jim had it on -- as item number -- James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): 17 -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- 17 -- Mr. Villacorta: -- 18 -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- and 18 -- Mr. Villacorta: -- and 19 [sic]. Chair Spence -Jones: -- correct? Mr. Villacorta: 17, 18, and 23 [sic]. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, 17, 18, and 23 [sic]. Mr. Villacorta: 17 is the proposed -- Chair Spence -Jones: There's no 23, at least not in my agenda. There's a 22, unless you guys have a 23. Commissioner Gonzalez: I have a 17, but I don't have a 23. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, so let's get started for now, Jim. Oh, in Midtown, so it's actually in your books. It's under Midtown agenda, so let's move so we can be conscious of time. Mr. Villacorta: Item 17 is the proposed general fund and operating tax increment fund budgets for fiscal year 2008 These numbers are based on projections received from the City of Miami City of Miami Page 34 Printed on 8/15'2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 and Miami -Dade County, and as the tax changes and the legislative session ended June 15, these numbers are somewhat preliminary and may need to be adjusted in a budget amendment, approximately January or February, when we have the actual numbers received. They're conservative and fully fund the CRA's (Community Redevelopment Agency's) operations. Commissioner Gonzalez: I'll move 17. Commissioner Regalado: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. I just want to be very clear. Jim, this still has to come back to us in September, correct, so any additional ad ustments that we may make, we may be able to make them before the October 1, correct? Mr. Villacorta: No. Our budgets need to come in early, and typically, this happens each year. We use numbers that are estimates early in the year, and our budget gets included in the CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report) with the City of Miami in September. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Villacorta: They adopt their budgets before your September meeting, and that's why it's done, usually in June. June, we lacked a quorum, so they're being presented to you now. They -- it was likely there'll be a budget amendment in January, after we receive the actual receipts from the City and the County for the TIF (Tax Increment Func,) funds, but again, we've used conservative numbers in estimating the budgets, and presently, these numbers fully fund the CRA operations. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, but my question is, if we do have to make an adjustment for whatever reason, for instance, Commissioner Sarnoff is not here with us today, andl do know the Omni area is an important area; falls within his district, so if he does need to make some additional adjustments, or I may need to make them, we just want to make sure -- even if we have to do it at the regular City Commission agenda then, you know, take a break and come back to it, we can; we do have that option -- Mr. Villacorta: Yes. The -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- 'cause he's not able to be here, and I definitely want to make sure he has his input. Mr. Villacorta: -- budgets could be amended at the will of the Board. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, so we already had a motion, and we -- right, Ms. City Attorney and it's always -- already has passed, correct? All right. 18. 07-00966 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CRA'S PROPOSED GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET AND TAX INCREMENT FUND BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2007 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2008; AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTIVE City of Miami Page 35 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 DIRECTOR TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF EACH BUDGET TO THE CITY OF MIAMI AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY. Memo.pdf Legislation.pdf Motion by Commissioner Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Commissioner Regalado and Chair Spence -Jones Absent: 2 - Commissioner Sanchez and Vice Chair Sarnoff CRA-R-07-0025 Chair Spence -Jones: So we're going to move to the next item, which is 18, correct, Jim? James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Yes. Item 18 is the budget for the Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). It's the operating and tax increment fund budgets for the fiscal year 2008. These numbers, again, were provided by the City of Miami and Miami -Dade County and will be adjusted to the actual amounts at the time of receipt. Again, this budget fully funds the operation of the CRA and is based on conservative estimates of the tax increment funds that the agency will be receiving. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Commissioner Regalado: Conservative estimates before the rollback or --? Mr. Villacorta: They include the County's rollback. They City is exempt from the rollback due to the financial -- Commissioner Regalado: It was a mistake. Mr. Villacorta: -- position. The City has authorized a highest millage cap of 7.9. I believe these figures are based on a millage of 6, so again, they're conservative and should account for the City's usual practice of lowering the millage that they charge from the maximum allowed. Chair Spence -Jones: Are there any other questions on it? You got any other questions or thoughts on it? Commissioner Regalado: I mean -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Ready to move 18. Commissioner Regalado: -- I'll vote for it, but you know, you're voting hypothetical. Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Mr. Villacorta: I mean, it is a disability that we're under is that we estimate our revenues -- we have to estimate them in June so we can get it on in June or July and become part of the City's CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report) in September, and we don't meet till the end of September, so the City has the benefit of using estimates that are later in September, and presumably, more accurate. Last year, we came back with a budget adjustment in January to -- Chair Spence -Jones: But if we -- Mr. Villacorta: -- reflect -- City of Miami Page 36 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: -- can -- if we need -- Mr. Villacorta: -- the figures actually received. Chair Spence -Jones: -- to convene during that other meeting, then we -- Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: -- can definitely -- Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: -- ask for that to happen, just to make sure we take in account, you know, Commissioner Regalado's point. Mr. Villacorta: Definitely. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, so did we have a motion and a second on this item? We had a motion, but we didn't have a second. Commissioner Regalado: I'll second. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Great. DISCUSSION ITEMS 19. 07-00675 CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION REGARDING CREATION OF A REDEVELOPMENT AREA AMBASSADOR PROGRAM. Memo.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: So at this time, I'd like to move to the first discussion item, which is the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) item regarding creation of a redevelopment area ambassadors program. Like I said, I'm going to give you at least three minutes to bring, at least, a briefing on this, and -- first of all, I'd like to say thanks to Mr. Rodriguez for allowing us to be in his wonderful Ice Palace space, and he's giving me the look like they're not ready. Eugene Rodriguez: No, I'm ready, but honestly -- I'm speaking and Chief DeLuca is speaking, and three minutes over an issue as big as this, I don't know if -- I'll try to squeeze it in in three minutes. He's parking right now. Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, he's parking? OK. Pamela E. Burns (Assistant Clerk of the Board): I'm sorry. What -- Mr. Rodriguez: I could start with my -- the general over -- Chair Spence -Jones: I tell you what. I'm going to move on to number 21 since we have Jim here now, and that'll give you some time. City of Miami Page 37 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 [Later...] Chair Spence -Jones: I want to apologize. We did get through the agenda rather quickly. I do have -- Commissioner Gonzalez had to leave. I do have to leave. I'm already 45 minutes late for my next meeting, but I do want to say this to Eugene -- Eugene, you can come to the podium -- which has an awesome ambassador's program that he wants to see happen in this overall area, which is the Performing Arts District/Omni District/Club District, which I do think we need to have some sort of program put in place, and I support that 100 percent. I know that the executive director's been trying to work on putting something or working with you on -- I look -- just looked through what you provided us today, and it didn't really have any numbers. It kind of just talked about the concept. I would just like to make the suggestion to you -- and I think you have somebody with you -- Mr. Rodriguez: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: -- too. Mr. Rodriguez: Yes, Chief DeLuca, from the -- Chair Spence -Jones: Chief. Mr. Rodriguez: -- the former chief of police for the City of Miami Beach, which -- Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Rodriguez: -- is going to help with all of this. Chair Spence -Jones: Chief can you at least step up? You're still a chief in our eyes. By all means, we want to continue to work with Eugene on putting something together that makes sense for the overall area. I know we need something, and Jim has been singing your praises on putting this together. I do just want to add -- and I don't know if you want to take a minute to say something, but whatever it is that you're creating -- I thought this had more of a policing kind of Mr. Rodriguez: It -- basically, it's from the private sector; from me, from a business person -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Mr. Rodriguez: -- and like -- other people like me. Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Mr. Rodriguez: I want to continue to make this area great. I own -- Chair Spence -Jones: Right. Mr. Rodriguez: -- a bank building. I want to get two more restaurants in here. There's obstacles that are stopping this from happening -- Chair Spence -Jones: Right. Mr. Rodriguez: -- and part of it's security, parking -- part of it is parking, and part of it is identity issues -- City of Miami Page 38 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Rodriguez: -- which all of them can be cured with not a lot of money either, and so the presentation I left you is solutions I've come up with that I think will cure these things that will allow the business sector to come in and redo a lot of these buildings that exist that will help clean the neighborhood with the private sector doing it, so I have -- I've defined the obstacles that I've come -- encounter with that I think, if they're resolved, you'll see a big difference, not only in this neighborhood, but in 11 th Street and the Jazz, Blues & Gospel District, and the Design District, Calle Ocho. I think these problems are problems that everyone encounters from the private sector trying to open a business in these specific assemblage areas. Chair Spence -Jones: Can I ask this real --? And I'm so glad, Eugene, that you've come up with some sort of initiative and program, and I don't know if you want to add anything onto it, Commissioner Regalado. We so desperately need something like this because no matter how much we do to attract people to the area, no matter how much we do to promote the area, or whatever the case may be, until we begin to change the perception of what people actually see, feel, and touch here, it's not going to change, and sometimes that takes having people visibly on the streets. I would like to ask -- I saw Brother Gerald Muhammad here. It's very different, as you cross over the tracks on 14th Street. We have a whole nother perception going on on that end. Mr. Rodriguez: But I can assure you -- you know, I opened here seven years ago. I've had five major movies done here, high -end events, you know, fundraisers. This neighborhood can change, so can Overtown and so can 11 th Street, but these obstacles need to be removed, otherwise nothing will happen. It'll stay the same. Chair Spence -Jones: Can I request this, Chief and I request this from you, Eugene, and I don't know if you want to add -- I know Commissioner Gonzalez has -- I mean, Regalado has some things he might want to add but is there any way -- because I would like to see this happening from a joint CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) perspective, and I think the Chief can really add some insight on some creative things that we can do for both the CRAs. I mean, clearly, in Overtown, we got some other type of issues that we need to really clean up that, Chief you might be able to give us some insight. Brother Gerald -- is there any way that I can have or make a suggestion that you guys come together to look at a real plan that kind of would address those things that the -- Mr. Rodriguez: Taking it further west. Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Mr. Rodriguez: Yeah, I agree -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Mr. Rodriguez: -- with you. I'm the first one to say -- Chair Spence -Jones: Just because -- Mr. Rodriguez: -- that -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- if you clean it up -- you know, when you go clean it up, it's going to go right across the tracks -- Mr. Rodriguez: Yeah, no, no, no. I -- City of Miami Page 39 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: -- so I don't want you cleaning it up, and as Commissioner Regalado said earlier in downtown, they have this serious task force happening in that area, but guess what? Those people are now going to start moving to you on this side -- Mr. Rodriguez: I know. Chair Spence -Jones: -- or across the tracks, so -- Mr. Rodriguez: Oh, it's gotten worse here. Seven years ago, it was safer than it is right now today, believe it or not -- Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Mr. Rodriguez: -- so I agree with you, and I'm sure he would -- Chief DeLuca would embrace taking it further west. We'll -- I'd like to reschedule this, but with more of a time window. Chair Spence -Jones: Can you come back for the end of September with a real proposal? Mr. Rodriguez: Yes, end of September, yeah. Well, I can try. Chair Spence -Jones: Well, can Chief come back? Mr. Rodriguez: The Chief can, for sure. Chair Spence -Jones: Brother Gerald, can you -- can -- Brother Gerald, can you just put your hand up so he at least --? Can y'all get in one room? Commissioner Regalado: Yeah, but you know -- Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Commissioner Regalado: -- everything that you're saying, everything that you're saying, everything that they're saying can be done, but it can only can be done with resources -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Commissioner Regalado: -- and if you divert resources to the tunnel -- Chair Spence -Jones: To where now? Commissioner Regalado: Tunnel. Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, OK. Commissioner Regalado: -- if you divert resources to the performing art, then -- Mr. Rodriguez: Yeah. Commissioner Regalado: -- you know, you cannot -- because you don't have a money tree. You know, you have -- Mr. Rodriguez: But -- Commissioner Regalado: -- so much money, and it's all about money because it's all about fixing sidewalks. It's all about fixing streets. It's all about having lights, not one or two, but City of Miami Page 40 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 plenty of lights, and the Chief would tell you that light scares -- Mr. Rodriguez: Yeah. Commissioner Regalado: -- a criminal. It's all about having an ambience -- Mr. Rodriguez: Yeah, identity. If you look at the identity -- Commissioner Regalado: -- an identity -- Mr. Rodriguez: Yeah. Commissioner Regalado: -- and -- Mr. Rodriguez: Each neighborhood needs an identity. Commissioner Regalado: -- you don't -- you know, you cannot ask Gene or the guy next door, "Hey, Gene, you know, you got to paint your building, and you got to fix your street." Government has to pitch in because until now, the government -- this has been an era of hopes that have been postponed. You know, they give you hope and they you hope. It's like downtown, the same story, so I'm just saying, you know, you want to do it; you have the energy and you have -- I mean, you have the patience, but if government doesn't respond with capital improvement, infrastructure, it's nothing you can do about it. Mr. Rodriguez: And honestly, I wouldn't be asking for anything if I could do it myself -- Chair Spence -Jones: No, I know. Mr. Rodriguez: -- but these are obstacles that the government has to get involved in. It just is no choice. Chair Spence -Jones: And I think you have two Commissioners up here that support it, and you see that Commissioner Regalado's taken the port tunnel money that they were -- Mr. Rodriguez: Oh, no. I -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- thinking of -- it's a joke. Mr. Rodriguez: -- yeah, he's completely correct. Chair Spence -Jones: -- and moving it to your program. Mr. Rodriguez: He's completely correct -- Chair Spence -Jones: Right. Mr. Rodriguez: -- in everything he's saying -- Chair Spence -Jones: Right. Mr. Rodriguez: -- because if these neighborhoods are cleaned up, they help the general tourism, business tourism, and the impact is greater than the tunnel -- Chair Spence -Jones: Right -- City of Miami Page 41 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Mr. Rodriguez: -- economically, I think. Chair Spence -Jones: -- so can we -- because we need to really close out -- Mr. Rodriguez: Yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: -- on this meeting -- can -- Is there any way that Eugene --? And I would like to be a part of that ambassadors program, maybe the first meeting I'll participate in before you head out of town. Mr. Rodriguez: Well, I leave August 11, again, so if we can meet before -- Chair Spence -Jones: Well, if we can do it before August 8, it would be great for me. Mr. Rodriguez: OK. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, and if we can just round up -- tonight I'm doing a drive -by tonight in Overtown to look at some key areas around 9 and 10 o'clock tonight, where trouble areas are, so hopefully I'll be able to share that when -- Mr. Rodriguez: OK, so -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- I finish tonight. Mr. Rodriguez: -- who do we schedule it with? Chair Spence -Jones: All right. You should schedule it with, I guess, CRA. Mr. Rodriguez: OK, very good. Thank you. Pamela E. Burns (Assistant Clerk of the Board: Excuse me. Eugene, could I have your full name for the record, please? Mr. Rodriguez: Eugene Rodriguez. I'm the owner of the Ice Palace Film Studios and landlord of (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Ms. Burns: Thank you. Mr. Rodriguez: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. 20. 07-00868 CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION REGARDING THE USE OF CRA FUNDS FOR THE POTENTIAL PORT TUNNEL PROJECT & THE CARNIVAL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. memo.pdf Memo.pdf DISCUSSED Direction by Commissioner Regalado to the Interim Executive Director to bring Item 20 back for discussion at the special Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting currently scheduled for August 1, 2007. City of Miami Page 42 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: We're now going to move to item -- Commissioner Regalado's asked that I take his item, and I want to respect the Commissioner on this, and this is item number 20. Commissioner Gonzalez: What about 16? Chair Spence -Jones: Six -- we deferred -- James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): We deferred. Chair Spence -Jones: -- 16 today. Commissioner Gonzalez: Defer? Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah -- Mr. Villacorta: Deferred. Chair Spence -Jones: -- so we're moving to number 20, which is discussion regarding the use of CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) funds for the potential port tunnel project and the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts Center, so I'm going to turn this over to our Commissioner for his discussion. Commissioner Regalado: Thank you very much, Madam Chair. The reason that I brought this discussion is because there was a draft agenda item at the Miami City Commission several weeks ago about the tunnel and the $50 million that the City will be providing. That agenda item was pulled because it wasn't -- it didn't say where the money will be coming from. All we know of the tunnel is that every time that we read something about the City's agreement between the City and the County and the State, we hear that it will be coming from the CRA. This Board, several month ago, voted to decide not to use funds for the streetcar project -- Mr. Villacorta: And the baseball stadium. Commissioner Regalado: -- and baseball stadium, and yet, here's a magazine, Revolution 2007, an activity convention here in the City of Miami from October 31, Halloween, to November 3, Miami, Florida. One of the highlights, if you see page 11, is a tour of the streetcar route, and to show the plans of the streetcar of the City of Miami, so I'm just trying to understand the funding. In the tunnel thing, it seems to me that the only possibility would be the CRA and the expansion of the boundaries and all that. My problem is two fold. Number one, the City of Miami has been called to participate in the tunnel project for $55 million; $5 million in land $50 million in cash. That is what is being said for the tunnel, yet the only excuse or argument that we are being given is that we are going to have better traffic in downtown Miami. Miami -Dade County will be partner owning the tunnel with the French company that was awarded when the State of Florida DOT (Department of Transportation) -- and it's the County that decides whether or not they're going to have a toll at the -- on Biscayne Boulevard, a toll at the tunnel, and this is the problem. The problem is that not even Miami -Dade County knows where the money is coming from. We know for certain that they have $100 million in GOB (General Obligation Boncl bonds, but the rest, we don't know if it's going to be like 3 millions; I mean, 3 to $8 the toll. We probably will say the County use the money, allocate it for the roads repair up to the year 2040, and yet, the City of Miami is being called to come up with $50 million just because we need to have a better, lighter traffic in downtown Miami. We are not the stakeholders. As a matter of fact, the County Charter is very specific. No municipality is -- has the power to participate in any traffic and transportation. It is the County's responsibility. We don't know if the funding is going to be correct because the County does not know exactly how much money. Actually, we don't know if the State, with the budget cuts, is going to be providing what they say they will. I know I have City of Miami Page 43 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 this statement here from the Chair of the Urban and Local Affairs Committee of the Florida House of Representative [sic]; Representative Julio Robaina saying that he's going to fight the funding by the State of Florida. Not one penny from the federal government, and yet, the tunnel will fall under the Homeland Security Agency because -- we were told that there was not going to be traffic in downtown, yet all the hazardous material cannot go into the tunnel; it has to go through downtown Miami. That is a chilling effect, ladies and gentlemen, because if I'm driving on Biscayne Boulevard and I see a container next to me, I think it's radioactive material because it cannot go through the tunnel, so you know, money of the CRA is being asked to be used for grandiose projects, and it's wrong. It is wrong for the streetcar. It is wrong for the tunnel. It is wrong for the performing art. You know, the Board may do whatever the Board wishes, and in the past, I try -- but I think it's important that we be clear on one thing now today. Are we ready to participate without any attachment, without any string attached in the port tunnel, which, by the way, is going to balloon to more, although they say that the company will cover their cost overrun, so in principle, I would like to introduce a motion stating that the CRA does not want to be part of the tunnel; that the CRA money belong for redevelopment of the area. That is a motion. If I get the support, I get the support; if not, fine. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. We have a motion on the floor, but before I do that, I don't know if you want to -- OK. Do I have a second, first of all? Commissioner Gonzalez: I have expressed my opinion that I will not support the tunnel, but -- or not the tunnel, using the money from the CRA for the tunnel, but I don't think -- it's not appropriate to try to pass a resolution now that we don't have a full board sitting over here. I would like to see the other members of the Board sitting here and also voting on the issue, and hear them -- hear their arguments. You and I know, according to what you said and what I'm saying, where we stand, but -- Commissioner Regalado: And Mr. Chairman, you are right. As a matter of fact -- do we have a CRA meeting on August I? Mr. Villacorta: Yes. We have a -- Chair Spence -Jones: We do? Mr. Villacorta: Yeah. It'll be during a recess during the City Commission meeting. Chair Spence -Jones: That happened today? Chairman Gonzalez: I haven't been notified of that. Chair Spence -Jones: Huh? Chairman Gonzalez: I haven't been -- Chair Spence -Jones: I'm saying I didn't even know it was -- Chairman Gonzalez: -- notified of a meeting. Chair Spence -Jones: When did this meeting happen? Mr. Villacorta: No. It -- William R. Bloom (Special Counsel): The notice came out today. Mr. Villacorta: -- it'll be -- no. It was pub -- the notice was published ten days ago or so. The -- City of Miami Page 44 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Commissioner Regalado: Yeah. I read the note in the paper -- Mr. Villacorta: Yeah. Commissioner Regalado: -- so -- Mr. Villacorta: The agenda came out today. Chair Spence -Jones: I just got a briefing today on it with our City Attorney. I'm just -- Commissioner Regalado: Well -- Chair Spence -Jones: I don't have a problem with it coming up. I'm just saying I didn't -- Commissioner Regalado: -- anyway -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- as the Chair, I should know that it's happening, though. Mr. Villacorta: It's -- Commissioner Regalado: Yeah. I -- Chair Spence -Jones: Chair not know the meeting's happening? Commissioner Regalado: -- read it in the paper, so don't feel bad -- Mr. Villacorta: No. Commissioner Regalado: -- but that's OK. That's not the point. The point is that we have a CRA meeting -- Mr. Villacorta: August 1. Commissioner Regalado: -- August 1, and we have a full board August 1 at the City Commission so, Jim, could you bring -- Chair, could we bring -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yes, by all means, we could -- Commissioner Regalado: -- this to a vote? Chair Spence -Jones: -- definitely bring it then. I don't have a issue with it at all. Commissioner Regalado: OK. Chair Spence -Jones: I mean, I think that all three of us don't support it happening, so -- Commissioner Regalado: Huh? Chair Spence -Jones: All of three of us -- I mean, I'm assuming all three of us don't -- are not -- Commissioner Gonzalez: As -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- supporting it happening. City of Miami Page 45 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Commissioner Gonzalez: -- the Chair of the City of Miami Commission, can you tell me how many items have you placed on that agenda? Mr. Villacorta: On that agenda are three items; the amendment of the Sawyer's Walk settlement agreement, the approval of the reverter extension, and now this item. Commissioner Gonzalez: But I don't think they are CRA items. I mean, they're -- Commissioner Regalado: Yeah, there are CRA. Commissioner Gonzalez: -- they are on the agenda as City of Miami Commission items, not CRA. Is that correct, Larry? Commissioner Regalado: No, no. Mr. Villacorta: They're on both agendas because the CRA and the City are parties to the Cross - - to the Sawyer's Walk settlement agreement, to the reverter settlement agreement. Commissioner Regalado: In the briefing with the Manager today, he told me about the -- Mr. Villacorta: Right. Commissioner Regalado: -- supplemental -- Larry Spring (Chief Financial Officer): Well -- Commissioner Regalado: -- and the CRA agenda. Mr. Spring: -- I know we have the, like you just said, the two items that are -- Commissioner Regalado: Three. Mr. Spring: -- addressing -- Commissioner Regalado: Three. Mr. Spring: Well -- Mr. Villacorta: Well, now it's three. Mr. Spring: -- no, I'm talking about the City Commission. Commissioner Regalado: Oh. Mr. Spring: The City Commission has the two items that Jim just described which is the Crosswinds settlement agreement -- Mr. Villacorta: Yes. Mr. Spring: -- extensions and then the reverter. Mr. Villacorta: Both the City and the CRA and Poinciana Village -- Chair Spence -Jones: Have to vote on the item. City of Miami Page 46 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Mr. Villacorta: -- and Sawyer's Walk were the parties to the lawsuit that the Sawyer's Walk settlement addresses. The reverter was a lawsuit between the County, the City, and the CRA, so since we're amending that settlement agreement, all three parties have to sign on. Since it was in front of the City Commission, I spoke with your chief of staff ten days ago, and he said he didn't see it as a problem to bring it on, so we do it both in the same day, and I spoke with you, Commissioner, about bringing this item on August 1 when we're doing those items in front of the City, which is how we handled the settlement agreement originally. Chair Spence -Jones: I mean, you're saying it now, but I just asked my chief of -- Mr. Villacorta: OK. Chair Spence -Jones: -- legislation. I had no idea that this was -- I got briefed today on my agenda from -- Mr. Villacorta: Yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: -- the City Manager, and never was this brought up, but I don't want to make it a issue, and I don't want to like not support what Commissioner Regalado's trying to do, but I would ask the Administration, you know, to at least make sure that we're thoroughly briefed. It might have been advertised, but I know I got briefed today by the City Manager today and August 1 agenda was discussed, and never was it discussed -- Commissioner Gonzalez: Exactly. Chair Spence -Jones: -- at all that the CRA items had to come in front, and I know that -- Mr. Villacorta: Yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: -- on the regular City Commission meeting it was, but never was -- that we had to convene, and I think, as the Chair, that that should really be communicated to me so that I know it. Commissioner Gonzalez: That's right. Mr. Villacorta: Let me refresh his recollection, and I think we'll be able to -- Chair Spence -Jones: I mean, I'm just letting you know. Commissioner Regalado: OK. On the other item, the Performing Arts, I think that the issue has been solve. The County Mayor has increased their budget from 3.75 to 9 million, I think, so there is no need for the CRA to participate and God speaking to you -- and there is no need to participate in the monies for the CRA. Mind you, the Performing Arts Centers [sic] owes the CRA $90,000 'cause they broke the pavers for -- when they were placing the tents for the grand opening, they broke all the pavers that the CRA had paved, and it's a cost of $43, 884.50 that they owe the CRA. Chair Spence -Jones: Forty-three thousand? Commissioner Regalado: Huh? Chair Spence -Jones: Forty-three thousand? Commissioner Regalado: Yeah, in pavers. City of Miami Page 47 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Mr. Villacorta: Yeah. The -- Commissioner Regalado: Is that correct? Mr. Villacorta: It's in that -- I don't have the exact figures in front of me, but it's in that range. There was a crane used to erect the tents for the grand opening, and it ran over the pavers, and we had to reinstall those. There was some of those unique light fixtures that were given to their contractor that were lost, and we replaced those. The DOT donated -- or allowed them to use the one from in front of the School Board building, and that one has still not been replaced. There is -- there was a service point conduit across Biscayne Boulevard that the City, through the CRA -- funded by the CRA -- installed because the PAC's (Performing Arts Center's) contractor couldn't get to it in time. There was a check flow valve on a sewage line -- Chair Spence -Jones: OK. I just got to ask my CRA director, as the Chair -- I mean, obviously, Commissioner Regalado has gotten this information. Have you gotten this information at all? Commissioner Gonzalez: No, I don't. Chair Spence -Jones: You -- Commissioner Regalado: It's public record. Chair Spence -Jones: Well -- $43, 000? Commissioner Regalado: Yeah, public record. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, well, I definitely don't have it, and if my CRA director has it, I shouldn't have to go searching for it. Mr. Villacorta: OK. Commissioner Regalado: But anyway, the -- this is the thing. The CRA is already, for many years, have been supporting the Performing Arts. Now the CRA is called, I heard, to provide 35 percent of all the Omni just because this is good for redevelopment. What is good for redevelopment is to -- infrastructure, build Bayshore. What is good for redevelopment, parking that we can rent to the Performing Arts. I mean, we are being called to spend millions and millions of dollars in grandiose projects that do not belong to the City of Miami, and my point is, you know, if we pay it, we own it because, I mean, otherwise it doesn't make sense, so I mean, hopefully, the Performing Arts, before they keep talking to you, maybe they can pay the $90, 000 that they owe us because they broke all the pavers. Chair Spence -Jones: I think the Performing Arts Center is here. Do you -- would you like them to come to the mike, Commissioner -- Commissioner Regalado: Huh? Chair Spence -Jones: -- Regalado? The Performing Arts Center. Is there a representative from here that's speaking on this? And I apologize for not being briefed thoroughly. Commissioner Gonzalez is going to have to actually leave, and then I'm going to have to leave also because I do have another City -- but I do want to hear this before you leave. Commissioner Regalado: OK. Michael Hardy: Michael Hardy, Performing Arts Center, 1300 Biscayne Boulevard. I had heard about this verbally from Mr. Villacorta before. I just today received the paper that City of Miami Page 48 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 itemized all the costs, apparently costs of the construction project, and I will talk tomorrow with the construction project and see if they could write a check as quickly as possible. Commissioner Regalado: OK, that's fine. Mr. Hardy: It's our first written notification today to my office. Chair Spence -Jones: Well, I have to say, as the chairperson, this is my first written one too, so -- but at least you're resolve -- we're resolving one issue right here with the Chair -- I mean, with Commissioner Re -- Commissioner Regalado: But you are OK with the budget from Mayor Alvarez in terms of the need? I mean, the budget has what is in there today, plus the $4 million. It would be permanent, so there's no need for CRA money. Do you agree with that or --? Mr. Hardy: The Center has never asked for CRA money for operations. There's an item between the County and the CRA, but that is not to do with the Performing Arts Center, and we are -- I believe we're all right with the County. They still have to pass the budget for next year, which they won't do until September, but our budget looks to be in good shape there. Commissioner Regalado: So the Center is not going to ask for CRA money for operation, but for maintenance and debt payment? Mr. Hardy: I beg your pardon? Commissioner Regalado: Are you going to ask the CRA for other monies other than operation -- I mean --? Mr. Hardy: We have no anticipation of asking the CRA for anything, other than maintaining the super block area that it (UNINTELLIGIBLE) was responsible for. Mr. Villacorta: I believe the County was looking to use the CRA funds for debt service on the bonds. Commissioner Regalado: Oh. Mr. Hardy: And there is a representative from the County here, if you want to talk to the County. Commissioner Regalado: I mean, money is money. I mean -- no, no. Go ahead. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Regalado: I mean, money is money, for whatever use it's used. I mean, I don't distinguish -- I just think that the CRA money needs to be used for the area redevelopment, but then I agree with the Chairman. We need to have a full board to vote, so the other day at the City Commission, three could vote and two to one made -- so maybe if we vote two in favor, yeah, we got -- but you know, it is wrong. It's just plain wrong to be talking about $50 million for the tunnel, 35 percent for the Performing Art [sic] when we have so many infrastructures that is what CRAB are all about, and that is what I wanted to say. I know the Chair has to go. I know you agree with me, Larry, and -- Mr. Spring: Madam Chair, may I address the Board? City of Miami Page 49 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Commissioner Regalado: She wants to -- he wants to -- Mr. Spring: I just -- Commissioner Regalado: -- fight me. Mr. Spring: No, I don't want to fight you, Commissioner Gonzalez [sic]. I just want to put on the record that, you know, the Administration is listening to what the Commission is saying. However, I think it's important to note that a lot of the things and the negotiations that we undertake with the City and the County, we do thinking of the benefit of the citizens and this Commission's direction. I am not the executive director of the CRA. I'm the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) of the City. However, I understand that the primary -- your primary goal is to deal with infrastructure, affordable housing first, and those are the things that I've been focused on in dealing with my negotiations. I do -- and would appreciate the opportunity, again, perhaps it will be on Wednesday, to put some more information on the record. I think that, you know, not giving an opinion on the PAC, but it does provide a lot of economic stimulation to this area; it has, and I think you agree with that, and you know, we're partners with the County in most things that we do, so I -- you know -- Commissioner Regalado: We're partners. You said it -- Mr. Spring: We're partners. Commissioner Regalado: -- but you know, life is a two-way street. Mr. Spring: Absolutely, sir. Commissioner Regalado: We just don't pay and don't get anything, and that's the -- Mr. Spring: I hear you. Commissioner Regalado: -- motto of the County; pay and don't get anything, and that's wrong. Well, tell them, you know, how 'bout [sic] if we can operate the tolls, the CRA can? They're going to extend the boundaries anyway, so we -- we'll own the tolls, and we can use the redevelopment. Mr. Spring: If you'd like -- Commissioner Regalado: They can give us the Rickenbacker tolls because, after all, the City of Miami have more land in that area than the County does. Mr. Spring: Well, I guess, if the Commission wants to -- Commissioner Regalado: You got to be tough, man. Mr. Spring: -- proceed in giving me those negotiating instructions, I will go after them. Commissioner Regalado: OK. Chair Spence -Jones: I just want -- Thank you, Larry -- to add. I think probably some of the frustration you may be hearing from Commissioner Regalado -- it's very difficult -- and I know, as the chairperson -- to have media or anyone call me and say, you know -- and I know you've explained it, Larry, that you didn't -- did not have a conversation with anybody regarding the port tunnel and what dollars be used from the CRA funds, but I don't know if Regalado was getting those same calls, but I got those calls, and my response was I don't even know why City City of Miami Page 50 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 staff is having a conversation with the County about this issue, especially since we've been very clear from the CRA that nothing should be happening with any of the funds until there's a discussion amongst us on this board, so I think that that's probably what you're hearing some of the frustrations from, and then we see things in papers, and you know, people calling us about it, so I think that we just need to be mindful. If that is something that you're working on or there is that thought or possibility of something like that happening, it needs to be clear with us that that's what you're doing. We don't want to hear it any other way, so I think that that's -- I don't - - I can't always speak for Commissioner Regalado, but I can say that that is one of the concerns that we have from this end, so thank you, Larry, on that issue. 21. 07-00676 CRA DISCUSSION UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE CRAS' STREETSCAPE AND ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. Memo.pdf DISCUSSED Direction by Chair Spence -Jones to the Interim Executive Director to ensure that staff works with the Overtown Advisory Board/Overtown Community Oversight Board and the Omni Advisory Board to coordinate with the businesses and residents in the roadwork project areas prior to the commencement of said projects, to include town hall meetings to inform businesses and residents of upcoming roadwork projects. Chair Spence -Jones: And then also, I think, Jim, you have someone from CIP (Capital Improvements Program) -- James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: -- also? Mr. Villacorta: I believe Kevin Brown's here from CIP, the -- Chair Spence -Jones: So we're going to take item number 21. You're the lucky person, Kevin Brown, to start first, and this is the status of the CRA's (Community Redevelopment Agency's) streetscape and roadway improvement projects. Eugene, if he has not arrived by then, then we're going to take Commissioner Regalado's item, number 20, regarding the port tunnel and the Carnival Center. Commissioner Regalado, did you want to wait till Commissioner Gonzalez get here for this discussion or no? Commissioner Regalado: If I could. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, so then we won't take number 20. Then we'll just keep moving, so let's go; three minutes or less. Just give us an update as to where we are -- Kevin Brown (Program Manager, Capital Improvements Program): OK. Chair Spence -Jones: -- the status of the streetscape projects. Mr. Brown: All right. Let me start with Northwest 3rd -- Kevin Brown, with the CIP Department. Northwest 3rd Avenue project. This is a roadway improvement project along Northwest 3rd Avenue, between Northwest 8th Street to Northwest 14th Street. Elements of design are drainage improvements, signal upgrades, widening of sidewalks, landscaping, decorative streetlights, and so forth. The project is on schedule, and we are keeping to the original deadline to have the design completed in late August. We just had our final utility coordination meeting last week, and everything is being wrapped up as we speak. The City of Miami Page 51 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 contractor already priced out the project and submitted a proposal, which is being reviewed right now, so everything is on track to begin construction in September, as promised. North Bayshore Drive operational improvement project. This is operational improvement project on North Bayshore Drive, between 15 -- Northeast 15 Street and 17 Terrace. We had a scoping meeting last week Friday, on the 27th of July, with members of the Omni Hoteliers Association, where we went over the project's objective, and everybody is in agreement to what we're doing, and so, therefore, we move forward with getting a consultant on board. There's a scoping meeting tomorrow with the consultant. We're hoping to have the design completed in four months. However, some of the restrictions that the hoteliers said that they would want construction to begin before February or March of next year because during that time, that's when they have the boat show, and it will be least impactful [sic] to them if construction begins after that date. The North 14th Street project. This project is on -- along 14th Street, between Northeast 2nd Avenue and the FEC (Florida East Coast) track; also on Miami Avenue, between 15th Street and 13th. We had again, another scoping meeting with -- I think you're going to have a presentation about this, but we had a scoping meeting with the owner of this facility here, and also the people who operate (UNINTELLIGIBLE) about, basically, a conflicting -- a conflict in the, I guess, conception they have for this area, and because of that, the design is currently on hold until we get further direction. The design right now is 85 percent complete, and what it does was to -- the original scope was to continue the treatment -- the street treatment, what we did around the Performing Arts Center, to continue along 14th Street and also on Miami Avenue, but again, there is a conflict with the concept or the vision of this area, so that needs to be clarified in order for us to move forward, and I think there is -- somebody's going to expand on that further in a further presentation, and I think that's it. Those are the only three projects that we have. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Jim, did you have a comment? I do have a comment, but I will yield to you. Mr. Villacorta: On the 3rd Avenue project, we've met with WASA (Water and Sewer Authority), and they'd talked about replacing the waterline from 10th to 14th Street -- Mr. Brown: Tenth to Fourteenth. Mr. Villacorta: -- but we're verdying that -- they'd like to upgrade that line to 12 inches, and right now, CIP is having a contractor do sofi digs to ver the size of the line that's in there. I know that's been a concern of yours that WASA take a look at that project. Chair Spence -Jones: I just want to add, Kevin -- and also, to Commissioner Regalado -- we do have three major -- these three major roadway projects that are going to be very important to us, and at least we're going to be able to point to some solid, tangible things that we have been able to produce in the CRA, so I think it's awesome. Fourteenth Street, as we talked about earlier, that's really -- abuts the Performing Arts Center and all of the stuff that's going on in that area. Regarding that, though, I want to just be very clear on the 14th Street. I know -- and when -- as we know, Mary Conway is no longer with us, but there was a discussion, at one time or the other, that the roadway improvements would not stop at the railroad tracks; that it would actually carry down into Overtown, which I believe 3rd Avenue is where you pick up on the streetway [sic] improvements over there. Mr. Brown: Correct. Chair Spence -Jones: Are we -- have we been able to figure out a way to address that shortfall between the Performing Arts District and Overtown? Mr. Brown: Well -- City of Miami Page 52 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: Because I think it's -- I don't know who originally -- I wasn't a part of the original plan, Commissioner Regalado, but I'm not really understanding why we would do just, you know, that part of 14th Street and not pick up the rest. Mr. Brown: I think the reason why it was stopped at the FEC track because that's the, I guess, western boundary -- Chair Spence -Jones: Right. Mr. Brown: -- for the Omni CRA, and that's basically a no-man's-land for the CRA. Before Mary left, she instructed staff to, you know, assign a project number for that gap, and she was in the process of finding funding for that gap, but that hasn't been done yet. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. I'd like to at least -- I know that's not really a CRA thing, but it is a Capital Improvement thing -- and I don't know if Ola's going to be here tonight -- but if we're going to beautify 14th Street -- I mean, I know the City picked up -- and the CRA picked up for around the Performing Arts Center. Mr. Brown: Correct. Chair Spence -Jones: If there's a way that we did it for that side from the City dollars, I think that we need to find out from Mary if we're going to be able to do -- 'cause it's going to look very odd on 14th Street not to have anything happening on those streets, and Mary did make a commitment that she would find it, so if you can also find out from Ola if that is actually going to happen. Mr. Brown: All right. I will. I'll follow up on that. Ola is on his way, but he's running a little late, but I will follow up on that. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. I don't know if you have any other questions regarding the other streets, Commissioner Regalado. It's three different -- Commissioner Regalado: No. I have a question. You said that the work stop at the railroad tracks? Mr. Brown: Right, because right now that's the western boundary for the Omni CRA, and because of that, we can't spend CRA funds west of the FEC tracks. Commissioner Regalado: And that was just a technical question that you decide or the department decided they have to stop at the boundaries, but in these areas, you also have to study the historical questions -- Mr. Brown: OK. Commissioner Regalado: -- and the question historically is what does the railroad track means for the Afro-American community. Can't cross it; that's the boundaries. It's something that is offensive, and that is a problem, you know, and -- so people -- I mean, if we go out here with a $10 bill and ask anyone, `I'll give you $10 if you tell me the boundaries of the CRA." Chair Spence -Jones: They wouldn't know it. Commissioner Regalado: That's -- Mr. Brown: Correct. City of Miami Page 53 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Commissioner Regalado: -- the point. That's the point, so I'm just saying it's either you don't do it or you do the whole thing. Mr. Brown: Correct. Chair Spence -Jones: I think Ola's here, the -- I hate to put you on the spot, Ola. You just walked in the room, and you're -- kind of walked in at a time where you'r kind of being put on the hot seat, but I'm sure you're accustomed to that by now. Commissioner Regalado: Another problem for you, you know, just another one. Chair Spence -Jones: Commissioner Regalado, would you like to express to him what the issue and the concern is? Commissioner Regalado: Well, it's about 14th Street, Ola. It's about reconstruction east of the railroad track and not any work west of the railroad track, and the reason is technical; is, well, you can't spend CRA Omni redevelopment money when you pass the boundary, but the problem is that, historically, as you know, railroad tracks have been known to separate communities, and this is very uncomfortable. It becomes very uncomfortable because the first thing you see is -- what jumps at your eyes is what is wrong with this picture; it's good here and -- Chair Spence -Jones: Bad there. Commissioner Regalado: -- bad here, so that's the whole thing. Ola O. Aluko (Director, Capital Improvements Program): Commissioner -- or Commissioners, rather -- Chair Spence -Jones: State your name. Mr. Aluko: Ola Aluko, director of CIP (Capital Improvements Program), City of Miami. I understand your concern, and you are absolutely correct. Across-the-board, across the country, railroad tracks usually demarcate "rich " from "poor." We do know that there are -- there is funding for the eastern part of this FEC track. However, currently, there is no funding for the western part. What I can do -- there are two options; either I can go back -- we can go back and revisit the District 5 allocation, which maybe that particular Commissioner may not want us to do at this moment, but what I can guarantee is that we would go back and seek funding. There are various means of fundings, and we can go back and seek funding. Chair Spence -Jones: Well, let me just say real clear that the District 5 Commissioner, which happens to be right here, right now, by all means, she would be supporting, if the money is there, the resources there, for that to happen because I do think it's a very small area, and it just makes no sense to do all of this work on 14th Street and not at least pick it up between the next major devel -- major road development, so I don't have a problem with it. I just -- before you got in, it was stated that Mary said that she was going to find the resources to do it, so -- Mr. Aluko: And we'll do that. Chair Spence -Jones: -- we just want to make sure that that -- Mr. Aluko: We will certainly do that, Commissioner. Thank you for your support, also. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, too. Any comment -- other comments? All right. We're going to close out on this issue, so we have four -- Commissioner Gonzalez has now joined us. We have three major road development projects, Commissioner Gonzalez, that we're very excited City of Miami Page 54 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 that we'll have some tangible things to look at this year and early next year, which is great, that will be completed by the CRA. That was 14th Street, which is what we just finished talking about; 3rd Avenue, which is been going great, and we should be getting started with that in September, and North Bayshore Drive. The only thing I want to say to staff, in closing on that, is that I really want to make sure that you work with the Overtown Advisory Board and also the Omni Advisory Board to make sure there's some coordination before those roads start to be broken up for whatever reason so that the businesses and the residents that are in those areas at least know what's going on, so if there's any way that there's some formal meeting or town hall meeting or whatever, just to let people know what's going to be happening in those areas when you start. Mr. Brown: Definitely. We've actually had one meeting with the Overtown Advisory Board, and we just met two weeks ago with the merchants association, and we have a commitment to meet with them again before construction begins to get their input along with the contractor there at the table. Chair Spence -Jones: OK. Thank you so much, Kevin. Mr. Brown: You're welcome. Chair Spence -Jones: Let me just go ahead and say this, Eugene. We're going to go back on -- now that I have a quorum, I want to get back to the meeting itself. I don't know if the -- is the sergeant here or the -- ? Sergeant, can you be patient with us? Can you be patient with us? Unidentified Speaker: Yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: OK, good. Let me just mention real fast. Commissioner Gonzalez has just joined us. We wanted to be finished with the meeting by 6:30. He has a meeting after this. I have a meeting after this also, so we're going to try to at least get through our major items, and we have a lot because we will not be here in the month of August, and we also missed last month because we did not have a quorum. 22. 07-00983 CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION REGARDING CREATION OF AN ART AND JOURNALISM PROGRAM. Memo.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: The last item on the agenda, which we're not going to be able to get to -- once again, we do not have a quorum. It's basically a project that we're trying to do at Mount Zion. The project is a journalism institute or academy for kids in the Overtown area, for them to create their own paper. We will -- I will ask for Jim to come back maybe at the next meeting in August -- excuse me, the end of September. I wanted it to start when the school year started, but obviously, we don't have the support for that tonight. If there's any way you can bring it back again the end of August, and Jim, you already have the details on the program. Commissioner Regalado, it's just kind of creating a project that will allow for the kids to really explore things that are happening in their neighborhoods and being able to voice their opinion by writing it, but we don't have the support for it tonight, but Jim, if you can bring it back -- James H. Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): OK. Chair Spence -Jones: -- I would greatly appreciate it, and if you could work along with Legal to get it done, that would be great. All right. We'd like to officially adjourn -- City of Miami Page 55 Printed on 8/15/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes July 30, 2007 Commissioner Regalado: Adjourn. Chair Spence -Jones: -- this meeting. Thank you for corning. Commissioner Regalado: Thank you. City of Miami Page 56 Printed on 8/15'2007