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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEOPW OMNI CRA 2007-09-24 MinutesCity of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com CPI • IN Q9P 99 1i? ▪ I1JYD Meeting Minutes Monday, September 24, 2007 5:00 PM DOUBLE TREE GRAND (in the grand ball room) 1717 NORTH BAYSHORE DRIVE MIAMI, FLORIDA 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 September 24, 2007 FINANCIALS Minutes are transcribed verbatim. Periodically, agenda items are revisited during a meeting. "[Later...J" refers to discussions that were interrupted and later continued. Present: Commissioner Regalado, Chair Spence -Jones and Vice Chair Sarnoff Absent: Commissioner Gonzalez and Commissioner Sanchez On the 24th day of September 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 Doubletree Hotel, Grand Ballroom, 1717 North Bayshore Drive, Miami, Florida. The meeting was called to order by Chair Michelle Spence -Jones at 5:16 p.m. and was adjourned at 6: 27 p.m. ALSO PRESENT: Clarence Woods, Assistant Executive Director, CRA Gail A. Dotson, Assistant General Counsel, CRA William R. Bloom, Special Counsel, CRA Priscilla A. Thompson, Clerk of the Board Pamela E. Burns, Assistant Clerk of the Board 1. 07-01026 CRA REPORT FINANCIAL SUMMARY THROUGH MONTH ENDING AUGUST 1, 2007 Financial Summary.pdf DISCUSSED Direction by Chair Spence -Jones to the Executive Director and the Financial Officer to provide a detailed status report to the Board at the next board meeting regarding the funding provided by the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to the Children's Trust, to include the areas and programs in which the money is being used, further directing the Executive Director to provide a status report on the meetings to be held with the Childen's Trust; and that prior to the next CRA Board meeting, the Board is to receive a full understanding of the CRA's relationship and commitment to the Children's Trust, and the prior vote on this issue. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. We're going to go ahead and get started. I'm going to ask Miguel to please join us to go over the financial summary. As I stated earlier, it's a pretty quick meeting. We don't have a lot of items to cover, but if there's some clear things that we need to go over -- have further information on, then we will indulge, but for the most part, I know that Jim kept the meeting pretty tight. Our assistant director, Clarence Woods, is here to fill us in on most of the resolutions that are being brought forth, but in the meantime, we'll just address the first one, which is item number 1. Miguel Valentin: Good evening. Miguel Valentin, financial officer. As you can see on page 1, the state -- the combined statement of financial position as of August 31, 2007, as cash unrestricted for Southeast Overtown/Park West, we are disclosing the amount of 80, 000; and for Omni, 100, 000. Down the bottom, you can -- you might see as to how much we have expended for the affordable rehab project. We have expended, as of today, 80,185.50 out of 746, 744. Also, I wanted to tell the Board that the external auditors, they have commenced the audit, and nothing has come to my attention, and there is no reportable condition to report to the Board. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Any questions? Okay. I just want to make a comment real fast to the assistant director and to Miguel. I'm glad that, once again, we're always keeping everybody on the same page regarding this affordable housing rehab dollars that we talked about many months ago. It's been extremely difficult to move some of these projects to rehab many of these City of Miami Paget Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 buildings that are in that Overtown area. It's glad -- I'm glad to see that some things are finally moving, and I just wanted the assistant director to at least speak on that for a few minutes. This is allowing for us to have additional units in the area that have been rehabbed and people moving in them -- either they either have moved in already or they're on their way of moving in, so just -- I just want to get a quick update with you because that was a major push that we had to make sure that this happens, where we are with that. Clarence Woods (Assistant Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Yes. Commissioner and members of the Board, we have engaged another property owner within the Overtown area. It's Jint Properties. They have about 66 units. I've visited all six units, along with the engineer from the office. There is extensive rehab that needs to be done to those buildings. They have gone out and gotten three quotes from three licensed engineers. We've sat with the City Attorney to come up with some sort of agreement and a restrictive covenant. We believe that once we have all that ironed out, we'll be able to move quickly on putting some funding into rehabbing those buildings. It's three buildings with a total of 66 units. Chair Spence -Jones: And I can say this is one particular building I know we had a chance to visit where there are a lot of elderly folks that are living in those buildings, and it would be great to have -- upgrade those units so that they can live in decent -- in a decent environment, so -- Mr. Woods: It's really needed. Chair Spence -Jones: -- I'm just hoping that by the next meeting Miguel and our directors will definitely be saying we're at least in the motion of getting started on those. Mr. Woods: Yeah. We'll -- we're pretty close. We just need to finish -- finalize the agreements, and we'll release the lowest bidder to go ahead and begin construction, and we'll build -- we'll fund in a reimbur -- on a reimbursement basis -- Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Woods: -- directly to the contractor. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. All right. Thank you, Miguel. All right. Commissioner Regalado: Miguel -- Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Commissioner Regalado: -- Miguel. How much are we paying to the Children [sic] Trust every year from -- Mr. Valentin: Actually, we are not paying anything. Commissioner Regalado: I mean, how much are they taking from the TIF (Tax Increment Funcl for the Children [sic] Trust? Mr. Valentin: Honestly, I don't have that amount with me, but I'm able to request information to the appropriate parties at the County, and I will answer that to you in detail. Commissioner Regalado: 'Cause remember that we made a motion here to pay the County -- I think it was two years ago, was it? Chair Spence -Jones: For the Children's Trust. City of Miami Page 3 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Commissioner Regalado: For the Children's Trust. Chair Spence -Jones: Right -- well, no. It wasn't two years ago. It was less than -- few month -- Commissioner Regalado: Less than -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah, like less than a year ago. Mr. Woods: Yeah. No, it was -- Chair Spence -Jones: We talked about that, and we voted on the item -- Commissioner Regalado: Right. Chair Spence -Jones: -- and we also put on there that -- we restricted the dollars to make sure that that monies didn't go into the -- Mr. Woods: Stayed within the TIF. Chair Spence -Jones: -- overall pot; that it stayed in the Overtown area or in the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) area. Commissioner Regalado: The reason I'm asking is because the Children's Trust just approve $158 million in contracts for this fiscal year. They just approved their budget, and I was wondering how many programs in Overtown/Park West, Omni have gotten -- Chair Spence -Jones: Funding. Commissioner Regalado: -- funding from the Children [sic] Trust. Chair Spence -Jones: I'm sorry. I do know that Jim is supposed to be setting up a meeting with the Children's Trust director or chairman to go over that. We just voted on that. I know -- Mr. Woods: Yeah. That was -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- it's been less -- this is just -- Mr. Woods: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: -- most recently. It might have been prior to me getting here, the incident that you're talking -- what you're talking about, Commissioner Regalado, but just recently I know we did vote on something, and Jim is not here to speak on it, but I do know that he's supposed to be sitting down with them to work on some sort of detailed plan on how we do the outreach in the area to make sure those dollars stay within. Commissioner Regalado: No. We did debate that when the other executive director was here, debate it for the longest time, and finally, the County said you have to pay, and this was like -- and I know that recently we did approve the transfer of this funds, but the caveat was that -- Chair Spence -Jones: It stay within the area, so Miguel, if you can let Commissioner Regalado -- all -- really, all of us know, just give us a detailed report on that, and when Jim returns, if he can at least give us a status report on where we are with that meeting with the Children's Trust. Mr. Valentin: Okay, perfect, but as of now, we haven't pay anything out of CRA. City of Miami Page 4 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Mr. Woods: For some clarification, I think it was at the July -- the -- our last meeting, where we -- you guys approved a resolution to allow for the County -- what happens is the County's supposed to send to us the monies -- that portion of the funds that's supposed to come to the CRA. It has not been -- they have not been paying it to us. They've just been sending it directly to the Children's Trust, which is, you know -- that's income that's supposed to come to the CRA. What we approved was that they would send the money to us, and if there is no bond -- outstanding bond payments, then we would then turn around and give it back to the Children's Trust, provided that they would spend the money within the CRA area. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Woods: They had not been sending the money to us, and they issued some sort of ordinance that said they wouldn't act on any CRA items unless the CRA agreed to give the monies to the Children's Trust, which was also caught up in the other issue, the Crosswinds issue -- Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Woods: -- so we did go head [sic] and enact that resolution so that we can formalize our relationship with the Children's Trust. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Commissioner Regalado: Yeah, but then what that means -- and that was my -- I wanted to get to there. What that means is that the Children [sic] Trust is not oblige to spend the money here because -- Chair Spence -Jones: Well, I think -- Commissioner Regalado: -- the pressure came from the County, and the County stop everything regarding the CRA until -- Mr. Woods: Right -- Commissioner Regalado: -- the monies -- Mr. Woods: -- we would agree to give the money -- Commissioner Regalado: -- we would agree -- Mr. Woods: -- to the Children's Trust. Commissioner Regalado: -- so the fact that the Children [sic] Trust has the CRA money is because of the County -- Mr. Woods: Right. Commissioner Regalado: -- put pressure, not because we gave them -- Mr. Woods: Right. Commissioner Regalado: -- and put the condition -- Mr. Woods: Exactly. Commissioner Regalado: -- so I don't think that the area is going to get the same amount of City of Miami Page 5 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 money that we get. Chair Spence -Jones: So if we can, for the next -- even before the next meeting, if we can get a full understanding as to where we are with that Children's Trust relationship and the commitment, and even the vote that we made on this issue, just to make sure that the Commissioners get a follow-up, and I do want to make sure that whatever dollars that come from the CRA stays within the area, so even if that means we have to meet with them individually, I would prefer for that to happen. Mr. Woods: Yeah. That was a part of the resolution. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, so anything else, Miguel? Mr. Valentin: Everything is fine, and there is no reportable condition, as I said before. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, so thank you, Miguel. RESOLUTIONS 2. 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 Motion by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Vice Chair Sarnoff, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Vice Chair Sarnoff, Chair Spence -Jones and Commissioner Regalado Absent: 2 - Commissioner Gonzalez and Commissioner Sanchez CRA-R-07-0037 Chair Spence -Jones: We're going to move on to item number 2 on the agenda. Clarence Woods (Assistant Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Item number 2, 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 the Southeast Overtown/Park West TIF (Tax Increment Fund) Fund. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, and this is basically for the Lyric Plaza. I believe I did see Black Archives somewhere. Okay, yeah. This is the replat for their project that they have going on, and this is something that was supposed to be on the agenda at least two meetings ago, so we're finally addressing it now. I don't know if any of the Commissioners have any questions -- Commissioner Regalado: No. Chair Spence -Jones: -- on this issue? So do I have a motion on this item? City of Miami Page 6 Printed on 10/11, 2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Commissioner Regalado: Move it. Commissioner Sarnoff Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. This item passes. Oh. All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: Any opposed? This item passes. 3. 07-01027 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $3,600,000, FOR A PROJECT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $4,350,000, FOR STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS ALONG THE 3RD AVENUE BUSINESS CORRIDOR IN OVERTOWN FROM NORTHWEST 7TH STREET TO NORTHWEST 14TH STREET; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE SAID FUNDS, AT HIS DISCRETION, DIRECTLY TO PROJECT VENDORS SELECTED BY THE CITY OF MIAMI OR TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF MIAMI TO ISSUE PURCHASE ORDERS TO PROJECT VENDORS, PROVIDED THAT COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE AWARD OF CONTRACTS TO SAID VENDORS HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED; AND REQUESTING THAT THE CITY OF MIAMI WAIVE ALL ADMINISTRATIVE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROJECT AS ITS IN -KIND CONTRIBUTION; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, "CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS," ACCOUNT CODE NO 10050.920101.670000.0000.00000. Cover Memo.pdf Financial Form.pdf Back-up.pdf Legislation.pdf Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Vice Chair Sarnoff, Chair Spence -Jones and Commissioner Regalado Absent: 2 - Commissioner Gonzalez and Commissioner Sanchez CRA-R-07-0038 Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, so we're going to move on to number 3 on the agenda. Clarence Woods (Assistant Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): A resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency authorizing the expenditure of additional funds, in an amount not to exceed $3, 000, 600 [sic], for a project total not to exceed $4,350,000, for streetscape improvements along north -- along 3rdAvenue Business Corridor in Overtown from Northwest 7th Street to Northwest 14th Street; authorizing the executive director to disburse said funds, at his discretion, directly to the project vendors selected by the City of Miami or the authorize -- or to authorize the City of Miami to issue purchase orders to project vendors, provided that compliance with all applicable rules and regulations governing the award of contracts to said City of Miami Pagel Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 vendors has been demonstrated; and requesting that the City of Miami waive all administrative fees associated with this project as its in -kind contribution; allocating funds from Southeast Overtown/Park West Tax Increment Fund, "Construction in Progress." Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, great. I think we do have -- Thank you, Clarence -- somebody from Capital Improvement, and while he walks to the mike, I do want to say that this is a project that all of the businesses on 3rd Avenue have very much been involved with. A lot of the organizations, over the last six to seven months, have been working in some sort of community process to design the street. The street looks awesome. The buildings have already starting to -- they started painting many of them. I think the windows and the awnings go in over the next 60 to 90 days, so 3rd Avenue is definitely going to look like a different street in the heart of Overtown, but I wanted to at least give Capitals [sic] Improvements the opportunity to speak on the item. Kevin Brown (Program Manager, Capital Improvements Program): Kevin Brown -- Chair Spence -Jones: We can hear you. Mr. Brown: -- with the Capital Improvement Department. Can you hear me? Chair Spence -Jones: It's a little low, but I don't know if the sound -- it's on? Mr. Brown: Sorry about that. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Brown: Kevin Brown, with the Capital Improvement Department. This project is along Northwest 3rd Avenue, and it starts at 8 Street and goes all the way to 14 Street. As the Commissioner alluded to earlier, this is a community effort, where we had people from the community involved in the actual design elements that should go into the project. A streetscape committee was formed, and with this streetscape committee, along with members of the community, be it residential or business owners, they were involved in the entire design process of this project. The elements of the streetscape project includes a signal upgrade or reconstruction at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and loth Street. We're widening the sidewalks. We're putting in landscaping that's necessary for the area to make it more pedestrian friendly. In addition to that, we're upgrading all the drainage in that area. We are putting in unique crosswalks, which was one of the desires of the people in the community to have basically the same kind of feature that we have at 3rd and 9th, where there's a unique crosswalk pattern at every single intersection. We're also improving the lighting for the area, putting in decorative lighting. We're putting in trash receptacles, and we're also, at the request of the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), upgrading the water main that's from loth up to 14th Street. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Does anybody have any questions on it? I do know that the chairperson or chairwoman -- Is she here? Oh, yeah. Stephanie, I don't know if you want to step up to the mike. They -- she's been awesome, her and her whole team of business owners, Gerald Muhammad, all of them have been working very hard to, you know, pull this whole thing together. My only concern on it is the start date because we were -- Mr. Brown: Right. Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- supposed to start end of August, and it's now what? Mr. Woods: The end of Sep -- City of Miami Page 8 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Mr. Brown: Let me just speak to that. The design was supposed to be completed by the end of August. What we did find out is that there were a lot more utilities underground than we expected. This is a atypical street. We found a total of 20 underground utilities in that area. Mr. Woods: That's a lot. Chair Spence -Jones: That's a lot. Mr. Brown: It's a lot, and what we didn't want to do is to start construction and then having to delay it, so in order to avoid that, what we did was to have to actually go out there and physically locate where the utilities are underground so when we start construction we'll avoid all the different conflicts. One of the major ones that we found was that there were underground FP&L (Florida Power & Light) transmission lines. Now these lines are live lines, and they're in oil. If a backhoe should ever hit that, it could shut down, you know, a City grid, you know, electrocution of people, so to avoid all of that, we made sure that we went out and did the additional soft digs required to ensure that when we start construction there wouldn't be an issue. The schedule, as it stands right now, the design -- the plans should be completed in two weeks, and we already have a contractor on board -- Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, good. Mr. Brown: -- and you know, we should hit the ground -- well, plans are completed in two weeks. We should be able to start construction four weeks from now. Chair Spence -Jones: So when we have our next CRA meeting, you'll say they are on site already? Mr. Brown: You will see them on site. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. You're on the record. I just want you -- to remind you of that. Mr. Brown: Okay. Vice Chair Sarnoff Wait, Madam Chair. Did you say you were undergrounding [sic] the lines, the electrical lines? Mr. Brown: No, no, no. They're underground already -- Vice Chair Sarnoff They are underground. Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Mr. Brown: -- and the issue is we're doing a lot of drainage because on 3rd Avenue the drainage is lacking. There are no drainage structures at all. A lot of the on -street drainage is left there in the gutters to evaporate, and to avoid all of those conflicts, we have to ensure that, you know, we did the soft digs to locate them. Some of the information that came from the utility companies was completely wrong. Places where their as -built or their plan says this is where I have a utility line, when we actually went out there to try and locate it, it wasn't there. Some of them, you know, they said it was eight feet below the surface, some of them were three feet below Chair Spence -Jones: Wow. Mr. Brown: -- and because of that, causes some conflict. We had to do some redesign to avoid those kind of conflicts, and that's why we have this four -week delay. City of Miami Page Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: Well, thank you very much. I know your team has been doing a great job. Stephanie, do you -- could you just at least step to the mike? And it's really great to see young people from Overtown really involved in what's happening. I just want to be clear on the issue of the businesses because we have a lot of businesses that are there, new businesses that are going in. The construction schedule -- I mean, has this been communicated to the businesses so that they're all on the same page and they're not going to be --? We know they're going to be interrupted, but at least they're communicated and there's some system put in place on how they're going to get to their businesses. Stephanie van Vark: Okay. I'm Stephanie van Vark, again, chair of the 3rd Avenue Streetscape. We recently had a meeting wherein we invited all of the business owners to come in and kind of talk about the timeline so they'll understand exactly what's going to happen. We've -- had a commitment from one of the inspectors to circulate flyers, a mass flyer campaign to all the business owners with the timeline and also to follow up with another flyer to let everyone know when they're coming to their block. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Ms. van Vark: There's been plans to make sure there's no interruption with their business; that people will be able to use ramps to come in and out of their business, and we've also -- we will also be circulating a communication line that we will give them contact people along the street, which consist of members of the board -- of the committee that they can contact if they're having any problems and we can contact the inspector and try to get it resolved very quickly. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, Stephanie. Any other questions from the Commissioners? Commissioner Regalado: No. Chair Spence -Jones: No? All right. Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): Resolution. Chair Spence -Jones: This is a mo -- I'd like to -- Ms. Thompson: A resolution. Chair Spence -Jones: Read the resolution? Ms. Thompson: You need a mover, a -- Chair Spence -Jones: Right -- Ms. Thompson: -- seconder. Vice Chair Sarnoff So moved. Chair Spence -Jones: -- so is there a mover? Vice Chair Sarnof So moved. Commissioner Regalado: Second Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? City of Miami Page 10 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. This item passes. Thank you. 4. 07-01032 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), DEALLOCATING $214,637 IN REMAINING FUNDS ASSOCIATED WITH COMPLETED PROJECTS, AS MORE SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN ATTACHMENT "A." Cover Memo.pdf Legislation with attachment.pdf Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Vice Chair Sarnoff, Chair Spence -Jones and Commissioner Regalado Absent: 2 - Commissioner Gonzalez and Commissioner Sanchez CRA-R-07-0039 Chair Spence -Jones: We're going to move to number 4. Clarence Woods (Assistant Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): A resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency, with attachments, deallocating $214,637 in remaining funds associated with completed projects, as more specifically set forth in an Attachment "A." Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Miguel. We just want to understand why things are being deallocated Miguel Valentin (Financial Officer, Community Redevelopment Agency): Well, last time when we met, you instructed us to come up with any encumbrance that we're not carrying out at the moment, and what happen is those monies, they were hanging since 2005 in some of the items that we -- that we're showing there, and what happen is since we already completed those projects and they're already closed, we want to transfer those monies into our fiend balance, and in this way you can use this -- that amount of money for other projects. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. All right. Any other questions, Commissioners, on this? All right. Do I have a motion on it? Vice Chair Sarnoff. So move. Commissioner Regalado: Second. Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. This item passes. Commissioner Regalado: I just have a question. Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. City of Miami Page 11 Printed on 10/11, 2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Commissioner Regalado: That money, for what can be used? There's any strings attached to --? Mr. Woods: No. That's part -- money that'll go back into the general fund to be used as the Board desires, as the Board wishes. Commissioner Regalado: Okay. 5. 07-01114 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF MIAMI'S DEPARTMENT OF OFF-STREET PARKING, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO GENERAL COUNSEL, FOR MANAGEMENT OF CRA PARKING LOTS ON BLOCKS 45 AND 56 IN OVERTOWN. Cover Memo.pdf Legislation.pdf Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Vice Chair Sarnoff, Chair Spence -Jones and Commissioner Regalado Absent: 2 - Commissioner Gonzalez and Commissioner Sanchez CRA-R-07-0040 Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. We're going to move on to number 5, which is -- You're ready, Clarence? Clarence Woods (Assistant Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): A resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency authorizing the executive director to execute an agreement with the City of Miami's Department of Off -Street Parking, in a form acceptable to general counsel, for management of CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) parking lots on Block 45 and 56 in Overtown. Chair Spence -Jones: Any questions on this? I just -- is there anybody from the Parking Authority here at all today -- tonight? Okay. I just want to say to the assistant director, I know that there's a special arrangement for the longshoremen on these lots, correct? Mr. Woods: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: I just want to make sure that as a part of this whole thing that agreement still stays in place because I know that that -- it was a big issue for them to make sure that they have parking for their (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in the morning, so -- Mr. Woods: Absolutely, Commissioner, and that's a -- that's really what this is all about is making sure the lots are clean and maintained so that parking can take place on those lots. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. All right. Thank you. Do we have a motion? Vice Chair Sarnoff. So move. Chair Spence -Jones: All in -- City of Miami Page 12 Printed on 10/11, 2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Commissioner Regalado: Second Chair Spence -Jones: -- favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: This item passes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. 6. 07-01122 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING A GRANT, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $90,000, TO THE HISTORIC GREATER BETHEL A.M.E. CHURCH; PROVIDED THAT THE GRANT IS APPLIED FIRST TO FUND EXTERIOR STUCCO REPAIRS, CAULKING, WATERPROOFING, AND PAINTING; FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED FROM SEOPW TIF FUND, "OTHER GRANTS AND AIDS," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.883000.0000.00000. Cover Memo.pdf Financial Form.pdf Back-up.pdf Legislation.pdf DEFERRED Direction by Chair Spence -Jones to the Assistant General Counsel to provide Vice Chair Sarnoff with the data he has requested regarding the legal opinion rendered by the City Attorney in connection with Item 6. A motion was made by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, and was passed unanimously, with Commissioners Gonzalez and Sanchez absent, to defer Item 6 to the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting currently scheduled for October 29, 2007. Chair Spence -Jones: We're going to move to number 6. Clarence Woods (Assistant Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): A resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency authorizing a grant, in an amount not to exceed $90, 000, to the Historic Greater Bethel AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Church, provided that the grant is applied first to fund exterior stucco repairs, caulking, waterproofing, and painting; funds to be allocated from the Southeast Overtown/Park West TIF (Tax Increment Fund) Fund, "Other Grants and Aids." Chair Spence -Jones: I'd like for the City Attorney to kind of speak on this issue because this was a concern in the beginning regarding the issue of historic churches or churches -- church and state, so I want you to clarify that so we don't have any issues on this. I know we voted on it not last CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting, but the meeting prior to that the Commissioners voted to support a lot of the historic sites and the churches in the area, so I just want to be clear so that we don't have any issues and we put it on the record based upon your research and your opinion. Gail Dotson (Assistant General Counsel): Yes, Commissioner. The City Attorney issued a formal legal opinion on August 24, 2007, and the question that was presented was whether a community redevelopment agency may expend tax increment fimds to repair and/or renovate churches in the Overtown -- the basic question is whether tax increment fitnds could be used to repair or renovate churches in the Overtown area, and -- the question that was asked is whether City of Miami Page 13 Printed on 10/11, 2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 tax increment funds could be used to fund repair and renovation for churches in the Overtown area, and we answered the question in the affirmative, and after doing a considerable amount of research, it was determined that Florida law, for the most part, follows the federal law, and the standard that is used is called the Lemon Test, which is outlined in a few federal court cases, and basically what the court has said is that sometimes you have to look at the overextending purpose in which the funds will be used and because of that, then if you end up using funds for church purposes or sectarian purposes, it is okay. You have to look at the bottom line or what the overall purpose is, so that was basically the holdings that we found, and that was the opinion that we rendered, and we looked at one of the -- one of the cases that we looked at was a case involving Bush versus the State of Florida, and in that -- or Bush versus Holmes, I'm sorry, and in that case they talked about the fact that whether you could use funding to -- to use government funding or state revenue for church schools, and the answer in that was no, but the Supreme Court made sure that it said that this only -- this opinion is only specifically for church funded schools; that you should not take this holding to apply it to any other type of funding for church purposes, but it was limited specifically for the schools, and then when the constitution was enacted, that was really the intent of the constitution to state that Florida did not want to use its funds to fund church schools. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Vice Chair Sarnoff Do you have that LSR (Legal Services Request)? Ms. Dotson: I'm sorry? Yes. Vice Chair Sarnoff You have -- can I see that? Ms. Dotson: Sure. The LSR or the opinion? This is the opinion. Vice Chair Sarnoff Well, I want to see what the City Attorney says -- Ms. Dotson: Okay. Vice Chair Sarnoff -- and then do you have the opinion? Ms. Dotson: That's the -- Chair Spence -Jones: Opinion. Ms. Dotson: -- formal legal opinion. Vice Chair Sarnoff Well, this is the -- this is what the City Attorney thinks the case says. Ms. Dotson: That's our legal opinion. Vice Chair Sarnoff Right. Do you have the case? Ms. Dotson: Do -- I don't have the case with me, but I'll be happy to send it to you. I can send you all the cases that were relied on to reach that opinion. Chair Spence -Jones: And the reason I wanted to make sure we addressed it, we put it out there - - we voted on this item, I believe, not last CRA meeting, but the prior one, and I wanted to be very clear about us being able to use dollars, and it's not just -- the idea was -- well, this particular church, for instance -- it's probably the oldest church that we have in the City of Miami that has had a lot of issues, and we've assist with the roofing less than a year ago, and because of the roofing issues that took place with the church, a lot of the water damage came on City of Miami Page 14 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 the inside of the church, so -- and then there's a hospitality institute that we've just started maybe three months ago that now there's a lot of people coming there to be trained, and we just didn't want to have a situation where they're coming in an environment that is not safe or, you know, that has issues, so I just wanted to make sure the City Attorney addressed the issue by getting us an opinion so that we wouldn't have an issue later on. Commissioner Regalado: But it was the intention of the CRA always to help, not because it was a church, but because it was a historic -- Chair Spence -Jones: Historic building -- Commissioner Regalado: -- building. Chair Spence -Jones: -- yes, exactly. Commissioner Regalado: Because if we want to help all the church, it's fine by me, but that was -- that building needed repair because it was historic -- Chair Spence -Jones: Right. Commissioner Regalado: -- and the fact that it was a church is what trigger the request for -- Chair Spence -Jones: The opinion. Commissioner Regalado: -- the opinion, but we seen historic buildings being help throughout the world and the United States everyday, so -- Chair Spence -Jones: I just wanted to make sure that we were clear, so any other questions on the item? Vice Chair Sarnof Yeah. I'd like to defer this. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Are there -- is there any emergencies attached to why this has to be done today? Mr. Woods: Well, there's work that's being done on the building right now -- Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Woods: -- and there were some emergency issues regarding sealing and getting the building watertight, and -- Chair Spence -Jones: With the rainy season -- Mr. Woods: Yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: -- us being in the middle of hurricane season. Mr. Woods: Right, and you know, absent this funding, they do have contractors that's out there right now working on it. If you remember that resolution that was passed, it was to utilize the DMP (Downtown Miami Partnership) Wraparound Program and Bethel has already given a match. Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. City of Miami Page 15 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Mr. Woods: They brought on a contractor that had done the work on the roof. Chair Spence -Jones: So they've already put some dollars into it -- Mr. Woods: Right. Chair Spence -Jones: -- to start -- Mr. Woods: Right. Chair Spence -Jones: -- but I -- let me just say this, Mr. Assistant Director. I do want to at least allow my colleague the opportunity -- 'cause if he does not have all of the information here, which is, I'm assuming, the reason that he wants to defer an item is that he'd like to at least see -- Vice Chair Sarnoff I -- no, I have a concern. I have a concern using citizens' tax dollars to fund any religious organization, whether it be a temple, a church, or a mosque. It just -- I don't think it's an appropriate use of funds -- Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Vice Chair Sarnoff -- and I think it does violate not only the United States Constitution, but I think it could violate the Florida Constitution. What -- I've done some -- researched this on the past. I'm surprised that he reached this conclusion because I don't think the Bush decision was as restrictive as he's reading it, and I think, on a policy decision, it's difficult for a city that is so restricted and so much going to be in a cash crunch, as we'll find out in a couple of days, that we are providing money towards -- it could be historic; it could not be historic -- a church, a temple, a mosque. I don't think it's an appropriate use of citizens' dollars. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, so you're asking that we defer the item until the next Commission meeting -- I mean, CRA meeting, until you get further clarification on it. Is that what you're asking? Vice Chair Sarnoff Well, I -- yeah, I'd like to do -- Chair Spence -Jones: And I'd like -- Vice Chair Sarnoff -- research on my own. Chair Spence -Jones: -- right -- to respect your -- his request on it, and Ms. Gail -- Ms. Dotson, if you could provide him all the data that you have on it. Ms. Dotson: I will, and Commissioner Sarnoff, once you read the opinion, you can see that there are other cases that we relied on, cases that are clearly on point, and you look at the purpose of the Community Redevelopment Agency, and as I said, the Lemon Standard is the standard in which Florida follows, and it's the federal standard. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, so we're going to defer this item until the next meeting. Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): May I have a motion? Chair Spence -Jones: I have a motion to defer? Vice Chair Sarnoff I'll move. Commissioner Regalado: Second. City of Miami Page 16 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, so we're going to move on to number 7 on the agenda. I just want to make sure that you get that information to him so that we can be prepared to address it. Ms. Dotson: I will do it right away. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, cool. Vice Chair Sarnoff. Is it all right to keep this? Ms. Dotson: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. 7. 07-01133 CRA RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $450,000, FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR THE BUILD OUT OF THE WARD ROOMING HOUSE, AT 249 NORTHWEST 9TH STREET IN OVERTOWN; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE SAID FUNDS, AT HIS DISCRETION, DIRECTLY TO PROJECT VENDORS SELECTED BY THE CITY OF MIAMI OR TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF MIAMI TO ISSUE PURCHASE ORDERS TO PROJECT VENDORS, PROVIDED THAT COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE AWARD OF CONTRACTS TO SAID VENDORS HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED; REQUESTING THAT THE CITY OF MIAMI WAIVE ALL ADMINISTRATIVE FEES AS ITS IN -KIND CONTRIBUTION; FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, "CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.670000.0000.00000. Cover Memo.pdf Financial Form.pdf Back-up.pdf Legislation.pdf Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Vice Chair Sarnoff, Chair Spence -Jones and Commissioner Regalado Absent: 2 - Commissioner Gonzalez and Commissioner Sanchez CRA-R-07-0041 Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter be RECONSIDERED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Vice Chair Sarnoff, Chair Spence -Jones and Commissioner Regalado Absent: 2 - Commissioner Gonzalez and Commissioner Sanchez City of Miami Page 17 Printed on 10/11, 2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Motion by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Vice Chair Sarnoff, that this matter be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 3 - Vice Chair Sarnoff, Chair Spence -Jones and Commissioner Regalado Absent: 2 - Commissioner Gonzalez and Commissioner Sanchez Chair Spence -Jones: All right. We're going to move on to number 7, and Clarence, just give us the -- you don't have to go through -- Clarence Woods (Assistant Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Okay. You said don't -- This is a resolu -- Don't read the whole thing? Chair Spence -Jones: You -- I mean, you can, but -- Mr. Woods: A resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency authorizing the expenditure of funds, in an amount not to exceed $450, 000, for design and construction services for the build out of the Ward Rooming House, at 249 Northwest 9th Street, in Overtown; authorizing the executive director to disburse said funds, at his discretion, directly to project vendors selected by the City of Miami or to the authori -- to authorize the City of Miami to issue purchase orders to project vendors, provided that compliance with all applicable rules and regulations governing the award of contracts to said vendors has been demonstrated; requesting that the City of Miami waive all administrative fees as its in -kind contribution; funds to be allocated from the Southeast Overtown/Park West Tax Increment Fund, "Construction in Progress." Chair Spence -Jones: I think we also have Capital Improvements here for this item also, correct? Is this a Capital Improvements item? Mr. Woods: Yes. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Kevin Brown (Project Manager, Capital Improvements Program): This project will be using the miscellaneous services contract that the CIP (Capital Improvements Program) Department has their contractors -- I mean, designers that should be coming on board within the next two weeks, and design will commence after a design fee is negotiated with them. The construction costs for this project is approximately $300, 000. It includes adding a mezzanine to the -- Chair Spence -Jones: What was the dollar amount again? Mr. Brown: Three hundred -- Vice Chair Sarnoff Three hundred and eleven thousand Mr. Brown: -- for the construction. Mr. Woods: For the construction. Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, okay. Mr. Brown: It includes adding a mezzanine. It needs to be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant, so therefore, they need to install an elevator. Also, they will be putting in the necessary plumbing, electrical, and it also includes work to the parking lot -- Chair Spence -Jones: Oh, okay. City of Miami Page 18 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Mr. Brown: -- for this project. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Any questions on this at all? Vice Chair Sarnoff Yeah. I wanted to get some background on this. How much money has been spent thus far on the Ward Rooming House? Chair Spence -Jones: I guess that's a Miguel question. Miguel Valentin (Financial Officer, Community Redevelopment Agency): Well, Ward Rooming House, at one point, we pass a resolution appropriating the amount of 600,000 even, and we have expended the entire amount. Vice Chair Sarnoff So what -- so $600, 000 has been expended on the picture I'm looking at in front of me, right? Mr. Valentin: Exactly, exactly. Vice Chair Sarnoff And that did not net them -- you didn't build that building, right? Mr. Valentin: No. Chair Spence -Jones: No. Vice Chair Sarnoff That's a rehab, right? Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Vice Chair Sarnoff And that does not have a second floor? Mr. Woods: No interior. Chair Spence -Jones: No, it doesn't. Mr. Woods: It's all exterior. Vice Chair Sarnoff Right, and how many square feet is this? Mr. Valentin: I'm sorry? Chair Spence -Jones: How many square --? Vice Chair Sarnoff How many square feet? Chair Spence -Jones: Well, that would have to be a Capital Improvements -- Mr. Woods: It'll be about -- Mr. Valentin: I don't have that answer. Chair Spence -Jones: Is it --? Vice Chair Sarnoff.- Does anybody have an approximation? City of Miami Page 19 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Mr. Woods: Yeah. It'll be about 1,500 square feet. Vice Chair Sarnoff Fifteen hundred square feet, so this is coming to over three hundred and something dollars a square foot? Chair Spence -Jones: I think you also need -- Capital Improvement needs to step up to the mike. I -- from day one, I've always had a issue with the Ward Rooming House and the amount of dollars that we're spending on to secure the project or secure the building, but this is something that was moving prior to -- and I don't know if Commissioner Regalado wants to speak on it, but I guess the prior Commissioners to me were big supporters of making sure that the building itself got rehabbed. I don't know if you have any history on it, Commissioner Regalado, but I've always had concerns about the amount of dollars that actually went into the building, but it was communicated to me when I first came on board that the building -- it wasn't just for the construction of the building, but apparently, because it was a historic site. The building was really falling apart, so a lot of it was security; a lot of it was the fact that the columns were -- needed to be held up. There were a lot of issues surrounding -- it wasn't just straight rehab. There was additional things that were attached to the overall building. Mr. Brown: That's correct. Also, take into consideration that this 300,000 that's quoted here, it's not only limited to the building. They're also doing work on the parking lot. This is for budgetary purposes. The design hasn't been completed. We still have the designers to come on board. They need to design the details of the project. This is just for budgetary purposes. Vice Chair Sarnoff But what you're telling us, if all goes well, if everything goes as to plan, you will have spent $1, 030, 000 on a 1,500 square foot building. Mr. Brown: I'm not aware of what happened prior to this particular project, the build out on the interior. Vice Chair Sarnoff You realize that's a thousand dollars a square foot? Mr. Valentin: You're right. If you analyze things in the way that you are analyzing them -- Vice Chair Sarnoff How else should I be doing it? Mr. Valentin: No. You are right. We -- Chair Spence -Jones: Well, actually, you should -- as I explained to you earlier that there were a lot of issues -- Commissioner Regalado: Can I --? Chair Spence -Jones: -- with the -- Sure. Commissioner Regalado: It's just a historical perspective. Many years ago, the Board at that time decided that we should save the Ward Rooming House because it was the first and only rooming house hotel in the Overtown area, but there was a issue with the title. The -- if I remember, there were many people that became heirs to part -- and the City spent several years trying to clear the title, but meanwhile, the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) agency took ownership, sort of of that, and most of the money has been hiring security guards because people would steal like doors and stufffrom the place, and a lot of money has been spent in security. A lot of money has also been spent in securing the original structure, and it's just, I mean, one of those things that when I think -- or what has happened -- and I have been supportive of the will of the Board on that item, and I think that the Board has apply the same philosophy that was apply to the Performing Arts Center. Well, we started building it, so we City of Miami Page20 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 need to finish it, and that, I think, is the problem with the cost. Hopefully, it will not reach $500 million, but -- Chair Spence -Jones: And I just want to be very clear, for those that, you know -- from me being here the last two years on this whole -- almost two years on this Ward Rooming House. From day one, I've always had a issue and concern with the amount of dollars that was -- and even -- I think even Black Archives -- a lot of people had issues with the amount of monies that were being spent on it. The question really became, as Commissioner Regalado just stated, is, you know, you started the project, and at this point, what do you do to finish it because you don't want to have a situation where you have the building that you rehab the outside of it, and then you can't use the building at all now. It doesn't have a restroom; doesn't have anything. It doesn't have lighting; doesn't have anything in the building, so it was decided from the CRA and from the Board members that we needed to complete it, and that's the reason why I was asking about the dollar amount because I remember the amount being around $300, 000, and that we had a cap on what we would spend to rehab the inside of the building. Commissioner Regalado: But if you look at the history, I'm sure that you will find that -- and to explain to Commissioner Sarnoff -- most of the money, or at least a lot of money has been spent - - and I think clearing the title -- is that one of the issues? Mr. Woods: Yes. Commissioner Regalado: -- and security guards. Mr. Woods: Yes. Commissioner Regalado: I mean, like you have to pay like a 24-hour security guard in the place like forever. Mr. Valentin: Exactly, and we needed to do it, as you said, because many people -- or some people, they were stealing things -- Mr. Woods: Well -- Mr. Valentin: -- from that place. Mr. Woods: -- some of the equipment that was used to prop the building up was getting stolen. A lot of the construction equipment was getting stolen. It wasn't that they were stealing bricks and mortar, but they were stealing -- they had to use wedges to prop up the building what had not fallen down, and those things were getting stolen. Vice Chair Sarnoff Well, with all due respect, I'm just looking at the budget. Three hundred and eleven thousand dollars, I take it to be bricks and mortar to go into the second floor; $68, 000 -- excuse me, $68, 400 -- I'd hate to cheap somebody out -- for the architectural drawings of those; $35,420 to make sure you build the second story; $15,400 in just expenses. For what? Folks, on -- the Legislature, on October 3, is about to give us a nine percent haircut, and everybody's saying, well, this was in the past. Look at what you're doing in the future. Look at the way you're spending the money. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. I want to also be clear on -- again, I want to be clear on this issue. Now these dollars that we're talking about will not be affected by legislation. What we're talking about on October 3 has nothing -- absolutely nothing to do with these dollars at all, correct? I want to just be clear. Mr. Valentin: We have the monies as we speak. City of Miami Page21 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Mr. Woods: Right. Chair Spence -Jones: All right, so this has already been budgeted for us to do. If not, the question becomes what do we do with the building that we've already started that has absolutely nothing in it now, so do we just sit here and let it rot and then the monies that we put in it go to waste? I mean, I had the issue from day one, but I -- it was voted on; everyone agreed that that's what they wanted to do; I support it. The question becomes where do we go from here, and what do we do now? So -- Vice Chair Sarnoff Well, you could very simply let the premise to a private user who could then finish it up for possibly an art gallery, art showroom, but I think to turn around and spend -- you're making a $740 a square foot building. I could go anywhere on Biscayne Boulevard right now at the penthouse level and buy a penthouse and get $200 a square foot less. Chair Spence -Jones: I don't know if you could do that on historic building, though. Commissioner Regalado: Well, I'll -- Vice Chair Sarnoff Well -- Commissioner Regalado: -- tell you -- Chair Spence -Jones: I mean, I just -- Commissioner Regalado: -- something. Chair Spence -Jones: -- don't know if you could do that on a historic building. I mean, I -- Vice Chair Sarnoff Then maybe we should reconsider what we categorize as historic when the dollars become -- Chair Spence -Jones: Well -- Vice Chair Sarnoff -- tight. Chair Spence -Jones: -- I mean, again, this is important to the African -American community, and they felt, you know, very important -- that it was very important to save the Ward Rooming House, and apparently, my predecessors, you know, they believed that this was important. Black Archives is here -- and several other people from my community felt it was really important. The Board voted on it and said that they felt that it was important, so I mean, if you -- you're not comfortable with doing that, I hear you, so at this point, if we -- do I have a motion on the item? We can defer the item. We -- whatever you feel we need to do on it, but it doesn't make sense for us to go back and forth on something that you're not going to support. Vice Chair Sarnoff No. I'm going to vote, so take -- call your vote. Commissioner Regalado: But I just want to say -- and you may remember this because I've been saying this for years. Somebody should use that building -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Commissioner Regalado: -- and I even suggested, you know, several years ago, the CRA offices. You know, instead of be paying rent all the time, well, CRA offices should be there, and they should -- and we should have like a sort of a conference room, a meeting room for community to City of Miami Page22 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 gather there, you know, strategize and plan for the community. I suggested that a social agency could have their office there because it would serve a purpose. It would keep the building as it was, but at the same time, it would save money to CRA community groups and all that. You know, there may be some agencies that are paying rent and could use that, and they could defray the costs of that. I suggested that, I think, eight years ago. I don't know. When we started talking, I said, look -- and Dr. Fields is here that she can -- and -- but I understand what Commissioner Sarnoff is saying, but I just want to, again, say that most of that money that has been spent is because of security, because of problems with the titles and going back and forth with the title, and clearing the title, and finally taking over, and then having security guards there, and there was an issue that we have Wilma -- Hurricane Wilma, and it sort of -- the building tilted or something like that, and there was much to do, so I guess -- Vice Chair Sarnoff Well, let me ask. What does the CRA pay in rent right now? Chair Spence -Jones: Miguel. Mr. Valentin: How much? Vice Chair Sarnoff Yeah. Mr. Valentin: Fourteen thousand roughly. Vice Chair Sarnoff A month? Mr. Valentin: Month. Commissioner Regalado: See. Vice Chair Sarnoff So -- Commissioner Regalado: See. Vice Chair Sarnoff -- the CRA -- Commissioner Regalado: That's what I'm -- Vice Chair Sarnoff -- could easily be paying that 14,000 to pay the City back for putting this second story on. Mr. Valentin: Well, I know -- Vice Chair Sarnoff You could even build to suit, so to speak; probably cost us, based on the numbers I'm seeing, an additional $68, 000. Mr. Valentin: I know that our lease agreement is going to expire by next year, and this is something that the Commissioner and Jim needs to determine. Vice Chair Sarnoff Is this an adequate number square footage for you? Chair Spence -Jones: We would need to verify that 1,500. Mr. Valentin: Well -- Chair Spence -Jones: I mean -- City of Miami Page23 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Mr. Valentin: -- I don't know -- Mr. Woods: Yeah. Chair Spence -Jones: -- wouldn't you need to -- Mr. Woods: Yeah, we -- I mean -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- don't you need to verify that number? Mr. Woods: Right. That's a guesstimate as to the size; it could be smaller, actually. I know the floor plate is probably about 500 square feet on the bottom -- Commissioner Regalado: But you would have four corners -- Mr. Woods: -- so -- Commissioner Regalado: -- office -- Mr. Woods: Right. It may not -- Commissioner Regalado: -- but I mean, if you have to downsize, you have to downsize. The point is -- Chair Spence -Jones: There's some use for the building. Commissioner Regalado: -- that you use that building and that you're saving a lot of money and saving a historic building, and by the way, it's safer for the building to be used for a government office than to have that for, say, okay, let's have it for the community because every time that you need to do something, you have to bring security, you have to bring staff, and it becomes more. Having the CRA office, which, by the way, symbolizes the redevelopment of the area, and having the NET (Neighborhood Enhancement Team) office, in case you can accommodate, you would have a hub of service to the Overtown/Park West community, or the Overtown, for that matter, so I would think -- I mean, I don't know how much the NET office is paying. I don't know how much exactly CRA is paying. I mean, how 'bout CIP (Civilian Investigative Panel)? It's paying a lot of rent. I mean, not that we want to put everything in that building, but that building should be used to house an agency of the City, and that way we keep the building -- we maintain the building, but we save rent in using the building, so you should consider that -- Chair Spence -Jones: As an option. Commissioner Regalado: -- both of you, the Chair and the Vice Chair, because it is -- it make sense. If we're going to build like another little theater with this and that, we are going to see that we're going to need staffing, that we're going to need maintenance. We have the Lyric just a few steps away, and I think that if we were to use that for offices, I don't think that even the Vice Chair will have a problem in using the money because we are building an office. We are not building a building that we will not use. Vice Chair Sarnoff Well, Commissioner, not knowing what the design has netted but I would offer a friendly amendment, if there is a motion, that the CRA must move in there at the expiration of their lease; that they must immediately contact the production phase design people and build to suit. I will not join any other motion. Commissioner Regalado: And I would support that. I mean, you stole my motion of six years ago, but no, I would support that. City of Miami Page 24 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Vice Chair Sarnoff. My mom called me slow. Chair Spence -Jones: And I definitely don't have a problem with the CRA being in Overtown. Commissioner Regalado: And I think, you know, it's a great idea. I believe it's a great idea. CRA -- Chair Spence -Jones: But you always have great ideas. Commissioner Regalado: No, no, but it makes sense. CRA symbolizes the area. Chair Spence -Jones: Now listen, you -- I'm fine with it being there. I think it'd be great for Overtown to have it there. Commissioner Regalado: So I second the motion. Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: This item passes. [Later..] Vice Chair Sarnoff Madam -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yes. Vice Chair Sarnoff -- Chairman [sic]. Madam City Attorney, can we legally require minority participation? Gail A. Dotson (Assistant General Counsel): You know what? I'm not sure how that works in this context, but I would have to look into it and get back to you. I'm not prepared to answer that right now. Chair Spence -Jones: I'm almost sure the answer is no, but I mean, you can -- Ms. Dotson: I'm not prepared to answer it right now, but we can get back to you on that. Chair Spence -Jones: Local -- you can say local participation because that's one of the questions I always ask, and I get beat up every time I say that. Commissioner Spence -Jones, you can't say minority participation; you have to say -- Vice Chair Sarnoff Well, if that's the case, then I'll amend my motion, and I'll do a motion for reconsideration, since I'm one of the favored people that voted, and I will put in there 25 percent local participation. Chair Spence -Jones: On -- he's talking about on number -- Vice Chair Sarnoff On the one we just passed -- Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah. Vice Chair Sarnoff -- which was number 7, I believe, CRA resolution for the -- City of Miami Page25 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Mr. Woods: Build out of -- Vice Chair Sarnoff -- Wards [sic] Rooming House. Chair Spence -Jones: So do I need to bring that back? Vice Chair Sarnoff Well, I'll do a motion for reconsideration. Commissioner Regalado: I'll second it, but why don't you do another motion and -- Vice Chair Sarnoff Well, because you already have a motion that's been passed. I'm asking that it be -- Commissioner Regalado: I understand -- Vice Chair Sarnoff -- reopened. Commissioner Regalado: -- but as a condition to the construction that you -- that 25 percent should be local, you say. Chair Spence -Jones: Local partici -- Vice Chair Sarnoff Right -- Commissioner Regalado: Okay. Vice Chair Sarnoff -- so -- Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, so we got a motion? Commissioner Regalado: And why 25 percent? Vice Chair Sarnoff I'm just coming up with a number -- I'm going to assume that some general contractor's going to come and say, you know, there's not enough requisite talent -- that's what they usually say; that there's not enough talent; that these people can't get it done, or usually complain some way or another. Commissioner Regalado: But what -- Chair Spence -Jones: These people. Commissioner Regalado: -- is local? Vice Chair Sarnoff Local, to me, would be the Overtown area. Commissioner Regalado: Not the City? Vice Chair Sarnoff You may only be allowed to say the City, I don't know, but I -- that's why I asked the Madam City -- that's why I asked if we -- Chair Spence -Jones: Well, before we make any changes on it at this point, Commissioner Sarnoff, if you're okay with it, so that we don't make a decision on something that we're not clear about, just know that that's the intentions of both of the Commissioners, and all of us, really. If there's any way -- and not just for this particular contract -- City of Miami Page26 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Commissioner Regalado: No, no, but just -- let's pass the motion with local, and then the definition of local -- Mr. Woods: Can be defined. Commissioner Regalado: -- can be defined Chair Spence -Jones: Are we defining it now? Mr. Woods: Overtown. Commissioner Regalado: Overtown. Vice Chair Sarnoff Why don't we say local participation to be --? Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): Excuse me. Chair Spence -Jones: Yes, ma'am. Ms. Thompson: Let's make sure that we're on target here. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Yes, ma'am. Ms. Thompson: You have a motion on the floor to reconsider item number 7. I don't have a vote on that yet. You need to do that before you go into your discussion -- Vice Chair Sarnoff Right. Ms. Thompson: -- of what you want to do as your reconsideration -- Vice Chair Sarnoff I thought I was right, not -- Ms. Thompson: -- so -- Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- that you'd ever acknowledge that, but I thought I was right. Ms. Thompson: -- on your motion on the floor to reconsider, do you have a vote on that yet? Commissioner Regalado: No. We need to vote, right? Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Commissioner Regalado: Okay. Chair Spence -Jones: And -- Vice Chair Sarnoff. Now we can bring it up. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Commissioner Regalado: Now -- City of Miami Page27 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Vice Chair Sarnoff Go ahead. Let the elder statesman speak. You're much better at these -- Commissioner Regalado: The elder? Chair Spence -Jones: I know, right? Commissioner Regalado: Elder? Chair Spence -Jones: Who's that? Vice Chair Sarnoff Well, better looking. How's that? Commissioner Regalado: I'll go for that. No. I think it's just a motion to approve number 7 with the condition -- with two conditions, actually; the condition that the Vice Chair introduce of -- that the CRA must use the office, and that the CRA must meet with the designer to work about the space, and that the CRA must move when their lease expires -- Chair Spence -Jones: So that means they have -- Commissioner Regalado: -- so if it -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- it has to be built. Commissioner Regalado: -- doesn't have a roof you guys are in trouble. Chair Spence -Jones: Well, first of all, that means CIP -- when is it -- excuse me. When is the lease over? Mr. Woods: In August of '08. Chair Spence -Jones: Of next year. Vice Chair Sarnoff Oh, plenty of time. Chair Spence -Jones: With CIP? Vice Chair Sarnoff Plenty of time. Let's put it like this. Commissioner Regalado: With CIP? CIP? Vice Chair Sarnoff If the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- Chair Spence -Jones: I know, not you, Kevin. This is not -- but, no, no, no. Commissioner Regalado: But anyway -- Chair Spence -Jones: Come to the mike. No. I just wanted -- Commissioner Regalado: No, no, but -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- to make sure -- Vice Chair Sarnoff There is -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- that we don't say -- City of Miami Page28 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Vice Chair Sarnoff.- Let me tell you something. Private industry could get this done in five months; you guys could get it done in ten months, no problem. Mr. Brown: No. The issue is, you know, when the design is complete, we have to put that out to bid. Commissioner Regalado: Well, I mean, that's your problem. The fact of the matter -- Mr. Brown: There's a -- Commissioner Regalado: -- is that the Board is saying -- Chair Spence -Jones: That's where they want it to go. Commissioner Regalado: -- we're not going to extend the lease. We're not going to pay a cent more in rent, so by August, you should be there regardless. You know, hey, a blue roof we have seen that a lot, so what he wants is you guys out of the office by August; that's fine, and the second amendment to it was that the construction should be handled by 25 percent of local labor -- is that -- or contract? Is that --? Vice Chair Sarnoff I think labor would actually suit better. Commissioner Regalado: Labor, I think it would -- Chair Spence -Jones: Well, I mean -- Commissioner Regalado: -- be easier. Chair Spence -Jones: -- well, you just can't leave it open, and if it's labor or if it's sub -contracting? Because there're some businesses in Overtown that -- Commissioner Regalado: I'm just -- Chair Spence -Jones: -- could benefit from it. Commissioner Regalado: -- trying to help, as the old person here, but anyway -- Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Commissioner Regalado: -- that's -- that would be the -- Vice Chair Sarnoff. Elder statesman -- Commissioner Regalado: -- new motion. Vice Chair Sarnoff -- not old person. Elder statesman. You can't have all that -- Chair Spence -Jones: So do -- Vice Chair Sarnoff -- gray hair and not be an elder statesman. Chair Spence -Jones: Madam Clerk is looking at me, so Madam -- so do I have a motion? Ms. Thompson: I'm just making sure that the individual who's moving the motion is? City of Miami Page29 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Vice Chair Sarnoff Commissioner Regalado. Ms. Thompson: Thank you. Commissioner Regalado: It would be me, and then -- Vice Chair Sarnoff And it'd be seconded -- Commissioner Regalado: -- it would be second -- Vice Chair Sarnoff -- by Commissioner -- Chair Spence -Jones: Second. Vice Chair Sarnoff -- Sarnoff. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Ms. Thompson: Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor? The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. This motion passes. DISCUSSION ITEMS 8. 07-01193 CRA DISCUSSION UPDATE REGARDING CRAS' ABILITY TO ISSUE BONDS. Cover Memo.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: The next item, real fast, is the -- just a discussion item on this issue of the bonds. I know that this has been a big thing that's been going on with the Supreme Court ruling, and I've asked for the City Attorneys Office to at least give us some sort of briefing on this issue. I understand that there's been some changes since I've been out of town, and I don't know if there's an update on all of this. Gail A. Dotson (Assistant General Counsel): Yes, there is an update. The -- several -- the appellee, as well as several other agencies, filed a motion for a rehearing, a motion for clarification. As a matter of fact, several school -- county school boards, several counties, the -- as well as the Florida League of Cities and -- Clarence Woods (Assistant Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Attorney General. Ms. Dotson: -- the redevelopment -- the Florida Redevelopment Association, as well as the Attorney General have filed motions for clarification or rehearing, and the court, on -- I think it was on September 18, the Supreme Court accepted the motions -- the rehearing and clarification motions from the Florida School Boards Association, from the Florida League of Cities, from the Florida Redevelopment Agencies, and they made that ruling saying that those are representative of all the other individual municipalities or school boards that filed a motion, as well, and -- City of Miami Page 30 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Commissioner Regalado: Yeah, but the clarification that they're looking, if -- well, it's not if we need to bond. If -- who should vote, either the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) area, the City, or the County. Ms. Dotson: Right. Their -- the Attorney General's Office filed their motion for clarification and rehearing based upon the fact that they felt that it was of great public interest. That was the crux of their rehearing motion. The Florida League of Cities said that they had not had an opportunity to be heard on that specific issue, and they did not know that the court was going to look at this particular issue, so the court has not been fully briefed. In essence, several of the motions for rehearing, clarifications are for numerous reasons, including that, and the court has said -- the Supreme Court has said that they would hear from all of those particular entities to address those issues, and the rehearing has been scheduled for October 9. Vice Chair Sarnoff Oral argument. Ms. Dotson: I'm sorry. The oral argument has been scheduled for Sep -- October 9, and all the briefs were due today, so they have already been filed, and suffice it to say, the City of Miami will -- we're with the Florida -- Vice Chair Sarnoff League -- Florida League -- Mr. Woods: Redevelopment Association. Ms. Dotson: -- League of Cities, and the CRA is with Florida Redevelopment Agencies. Commissioner Regalado: Okay, but what are they looking for? Are they looking for the Supreme Court overturning its own decision, or are they looking for clarification as who should vote? Ms. Dotson: Well, they're looking for several things. They are looking for -- some had asked that the court overturn the decision. The Attorney General has not asked that the court overturn the decision. The Attorney General has just said that it's an issue of great importance, and they felt that it has had an impact on Florida government and the bonding business, so there have been several reasons why they've been asking for a rehearing, but that would be part of the rehearing because when you look at the Florida Leagues of Cities' motion for rehearing, they have asked -- they want the Miami Beach case to be reinstated. They want the School Board of Sarasota County case to reinstated and -- as well as some other issues -- Vice Chair Sarnoff That was a -- Ms. Dotson: -- that they addressed. Vice Chair Sarnoff -- unanimous decision, right? Ms. Dotson: I'm sorry? Vice Chair Sarnoff That was a unanimous decision? Ms. Dotson: I believe -- Mr. Woods: Yeah. Ms. Dotson: -- it was. City of Miami Page 31 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Commissioner Regalado: It was, but it was going to be pretty hard. Vice Chair Sarnoff It'll be history -making. Commissioner Regalado: It'll be pretty hard to -- Vice Chair Sarnoff It's never happened before. Commissioner Regalado: -- overturn that one. I just think that the whole clarification issue will be who should vote. Vice Chair Sarnoff Right, right. Commissioner Regalado: Not that if we don't have to vote, but who should vote. Should it be the CRA area? Should it be the City, or should it be the County? Chair Spence -Jones: County. I just wanted to make sure I brought this up as an issue 'cause I know the executive director was very concerned. We all are very concerned because, quite frankly, you know how important it is for a lot of the projects that we need to have happen in all -- both areas, you know, not having the capacity to do this or have this attached to it can create some real issues for major projects that -- one is the thing we voted on regarding the housing issue and our ability to do some additional housing in the area, so I just wanted Ms. Dotson -- Commissioner Regalado: No. We can use the tunnel money for that. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, so -- Vice Chair Sarnoff Okay. Forget the elder statesman comment. I've got -- you just lost that. Chair Spence -Jones: All right. I just wanted to make sure I brought that up. NON -AGENDA ITEMS NA.1 07-01229 CRA DISCUSSION MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THE MOTHER OF COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JAMES VILLACORTA, WHO IS UNDERGOING SURGERY. DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: We're going to go ahead and start the meeting. First of all, we'd like to officially call the meeting to order of Monday, September 24, for the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). Before we get started, though, I'd like to at least take a moment of silence for our director and his mom. I know -- I don't know if you -- everyone knows this, but his mom is going through some sort of surgery today, so I wanted to at least take a moment of silence for Mr. Jim Villacorta and his mom. Thank you. NA.2 07-01230 CRA DISCUSSION DISCUSSION REGARDING LOCAL PARTICIPATION ON COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN OVERTOWN. DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: We're going to move to discussion -- City of Miami Page 32 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 Commissioner Regalado: He wanted to -- Chair Spence -Jones: Oh. Charles Cutler: Yes. Charles Cutler, 706 -- Chair Spence -Jones: Sure. Mr. Cutler: -- Northwest 4th Avenue. I'm a resident -- long-time resident of Overtown. I've been living there for over 30 years. There's a couple of issues that it's come up before me. I represent the vets, but right now I'm here as a private citizen. The CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) is designed -- is to remove slum and blight from the neighborhoods, and what we're finding is that -- especially, like with the Jackson Soul Food project and the projects that's being implemented through CIP (Capital Improvements Program). We really don't have any participation by the local residents, and the bottom line is -- and I must humble myself as a citizen and as a taxpayer in this community because I'm a property owner. We must include our residents in all these projects that's coming forward in terms of the streetscape projects, which Mr. Dunn, through Roots in the City, he's been very instrumental in doing that, but it's more to it than that. We have a serious issue with unemployment in Overtown and in the district that reaches out even into District 2 because we serve the entire City of Miami, and the reason that we came on board is because Miami was designated as one of the poorest cities of its size in the country, so we work with residents throughout the City of Miami, andl admonish you, especially through your CRA projects -- Jackson Soul Food, we're not getting any cooperation whatsoever because they said it was a CIP project. We realize that we have a first source hiring agreement, and since you have the attorney here, I need her to weigh in on that because it's not working for us -- Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Ms. -- Mr. Cutler: -- and the bottom line is we got a lot of people out there on the street, and it's a sad commentary when we go out and we try to sell government and the projects to the community, then when they get ready -- when they get up and go out in the streets, they kids get up and go to school in the morning, and we see other people working in our community; it's not us. Then when we stop -- then when we come out and say, well, what's the problem? Then they always put the problem back on government, and my thing now is I'm working with the young people. We're putting together a crime watch. We're putting together various programs. Y'all got to help us. Chair Spence -Jones: Right. Mr. Cutler -- and you -- I know that you know that your district Commissioner does everything she needs to do to make sure that -- Mr. Cutler: Yes, ma'am, you do. Chair Spence -Jones: -- you -- that my -- Mr. Cutler: You do. Chair Spence -Jones: -- district and the residents are participating, so I want to just -- want you to stand clear on -- because when you speak about Overtown, you speaking about my district -- Mr. Cutler: Right. Chair Spence -Jones: -- and you know every single project, if there's a project that's going on there, I'm always pushing to make sure that there's inclusion from the local residents. Now if that is not happening, then we'll address that issue with the assistant director or with the director City of Miami Page 33 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 to make sure that that happens. CIP is here now. Kevin, the comment that -- Mr. Cutler: And see, Commissioner, you've been very responsive, and the only thing I'm saying is that, you know, by the way government being shaped, we don't even -- we're not going to even put all that responsibility on you. Chair Spence -Jones: I understand -- Mr. Cutler: Thank you, ma'am. Chair Spence -Jones: -- but I want to make sure that I'm hearing you loud and clear regarding the fact that there's already a project that's started now, Jackson Soul Food, that apparently, you're not seeing enough inclusion from local residents, so -- and your response that you got back was that CIP was hand -- no, I got you. I heard everything you said, and I just want to make -- Kevin is kind of like behind Dr. Fields and kind of slumping down in the back. Clarence Woods (Assistant Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Well -- Chair Spence -Jones: I just want to -- I just -- I don't want to make this a long, drawn -out discussion. I just want to make sure that you hear what the residents are saying to make sure that there's a serious outreach that goes to the local residents of Overtown and the surrounding areas, so they can participate in the projects. Mr. Woods: Just real quick, Commissioner, before you let Kevin address -- the project that's being done by Jackson Soul Food, CIP is not involved in that. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Woods: CIP is not involved in that, but I can say Ray went out today and took pictures of the gentlemen working on Jackson Soul Food, and there -- you know, I don't know if they're from Overtown, but there is minority participation, and I'm not just talking about Hispanics. The contractor -- the electrical contractor for that project -- Chair Spence -Jones: Right. Mr. Woods: -- is an African -American firm. Chair Spence -Jones: Right. I think -- but I want to hear -- I want you to hear what they're saying. Mr. Woods: I hear -- Chair Spence -Jones: Okay -- Mr. Woods: -- what he's saying. Chair Spence -Jones: -- so -- and -- we work for the constituents, and that is -- that's okay that they're from other places, but it's important that local people that live in the neighborhood that walk back and forth in front of these sites are participating in the projects, so there needs to be every effort made on all of the projects to ensure that that happens. I'm not going to have an open conversation on this. It's been -- it's loud and clear. It's heard. I run tight -ship meetings, okay? We -- if there's issues that need to be addressed, we put it on the agenda, but I hear you, Mr. Cutler. You know that we work very hard to make sure that that happens, and I'm glad you put it on the record so that staff will do what is necessary to make sure that it gets done. Capital Improvement, any of the new projects that are getting ready to take place, please make sure that City of Miami Page 34 Printed on 10/11/2007 SEOPW and OMNI Community Redevelopment Agencies Meeting Minutes September 24, 2007 there's some sort of outreach made with the folks in the neighborhood to make sure that they're participating. If that means disseminating flyers or whatever's necessary, we need to make sure that that happens. NA.3 07-01231 CRA DISCUSSION FORMAL REQUEST BY MIAMI WOMEN'S CLUB TO BE PLACED ON THE OCTOBER 29, 2007 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) AGENDA. DISCUSSED Chair Spence -Jones: And I think the last thing, real fast -- it's not on the agenda, but I think that Commissioner Sarnoff, someone from your district -- Vice Chair Sarnoff.. Right. Noreen Timoney wanted to come up. Noreen Timoney: Good evening, Madam Chair, Vice Chair, Commissioner, CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) staff, City Clerk staff, and all interested parties. We would like to formally request being on the agenda for October. The Miami Women's Club is not only one of the longest standing community organizations in the City of Miami, founded in 1900, but the building itself is a historic landmark, and I'm very pleased to hear about the new commitment to our -- reinforced commitment to preserve historical landmarks. Our building is adjacent to this building, and it sits in the midst of many new developing buildings going up around us, and we've partnered with the City for many years, for a hundred years now, and we look forward to continuing our relationship, and we want to give you an update. We've been in discussions with the CRA for over a year now, and we want to give you an update. We have a master plan, and I know the assistant director has met with us, and we've met with the executive director, and we're meeting with the Commissioner October 2, and we will have a master plan ready for you to review and give you an update on our progress for recertification and for different things that we're doing. We're also partnering with the Overtown community on various community events currently, in terms of domestic violence workshops, in terms of mentoring programs and some other things, and we look forward to continuing that and giving you that update in October, so we would like to make sure we're on the October agenda. Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. I don't think no one has any issues with that. We'll make sure that you are on the agenda. Ms. Timoney: Great. Thank you. Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you, Ms. Timoney. Unidentified Speaker: Thank you. Ms. Timoney: Good evening. Chair Spence -Jones: At this time, I'd like to officially ad -- Is there any other questions? Okay. I'd like to officially adjourn the meeting. Thank you. Unidentified Speaker: Thank you. City of Miami Page 35 Printed on 10/11/2007