HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEOPW OMNI CRA 2009-09-24 MinutesCity of Miami
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 24, 2009
10:00 AM
or thereafter
City of Miami City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
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
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Community Redevelopment Agencies
Meeting Minutes September 24, 2009
Present: Commissioner Gonzalez, Commissioner Sanchez, Commissioner Regalado, Chair
Spence -Jones and Vice Chair Sarnoff
On the 24th day of September 2009, 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 Miami City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida. The
meeting was called to order by Chair Michelle Spence -Jones at 3:20 p.m. and was adjourned at
4: 08 p.m.
ALSO PRESENT:
James H. Villacorta, Interim 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
Chair Spence -Jones: I'd like to officially call the September 24 meeting for the Overtown/Park
West and Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). We're going to -- I know that we
have a long night ahead of us, so I'm going to make this as quickly -- go through this as quickly
as possible and as painless as possible. So let's officially call the meeting to order. I believe my
executive director -- I just saw him walk in, Mr. Jim Villacorta.
1. 09-01072 CRA REPORT
FINANCIAL SUMMARY THROUGH MONTH ENDING AUGUST 31, 2009
09-01072 Financial Summary 09-24-09.pdf
DISCUSSED
Chair Spence -Jones: All right. I think the first thing on the agenda is the financial report. Is
Miguel here? And while Miguel's getting set up, remember, we did not -- I believe we did not
have a meeting this -- in August, correct?
James Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): No.
Correct.
Chair Spence -Jones: So this is the meeting to make up for that, correct?
Mr. Villacorta: No. This is actually the September meeting. August, we don't normally have --
Chair Spence -Jones: Meet.
Mr. Villacorta: -- hold meeting.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. All right. Thank you, Jim.
Miguel Valentin (Financial Officer, Community Redevelopment Agency): Good afternoon,
Chairman [sic] and Commissioners. I'm going to be presenting the combined statement of
financial position as of August 31, 2009. The first item, cash unrestricted, it hasn't changed
100,000 on both CRAs. For the second item related to the affordable workforce housing project,
to date we have budgeted 8, 893, 575, of this amount 7,612,682 has been encumbered and
3,089,965 has been expended, leaving an available balance of 1,280,893. For the month of
August, there is no reportable condition to report to the Board. Also, I wanted to put on record
that the external auditors, they have commenced the annual audit; and the financial report,
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we're expecting to have it ready by November 2009.
Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you. Any comments or questions? All right. Thank you very much,
Miguel.
2. 09-01075 CRA RESOLUTION
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE BOARDS OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST AND OMNI REDEVELOPMENT
DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES ("CRAS"),
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO RENEW THE CRAS'
WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE COVERAGE WITH BROWN &
BROWN OF FLORIDA, INC. FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR, COMMENCING
OCTOBER 1, 2009, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10,000; FUNDS TO
BE ALLOCATED FROM GENERAL OPERATING FUND, "INSURANCE"
ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10030.920101.545000.0000.00000.
09-01075 Cover Memo 09-24-09.pdf
09-01075 Financials 09-24-09.pdf
09-01075 Legislation 09-24-09.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Sanchez, seconded by Commissioner Gonzalez, that this matter
be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Vice Chair Sarnoff, Chair Spence -Jones, Commissioner Gonzalez, Commissioner
Regalado and Commissioner Sanchez
CRA-R-09-0045
James Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Item
number 2 is a joint resolution of the Boards of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park
West and Omni Redevelopment District Community Redevelopment Agencies authorizing the
executive director to renew the CRA's (Community Redevelopment Agency's) workers'
compensation coverage -- that should say through Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc., for a period
of one year, commencing October 1, 2009, in an amount not to exceed $10, 000.
Commissioner Sanchez: So moved.
Commissioner Gonzalez: Second.
Chair Spence -Jones: All right. We had a motion and a second on that item. So we're going to
move on to item number 3, Jim.
Mr. Villacorta: Item -- yes. Item --
Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): We need a vote.
Chair Spence -Jones: We had a motion and -- oh. All in favor?
The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Spence -Jones: All right. This item passes. We move on to --
Ms. Thompson: The question -- I'm sorry, Chair. Question to the executive director. That small
note that he made there, the change, will that be modifying your resolution?
Mr. Villacorta: Yes.
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Meeting Minutes September 24, 2009
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
3. 09-01074 CRA RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY ("CRA") RATIFYING ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS, IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10,000, FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED $110,000, TO ROOTS IN THE CITY, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE OF
REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT AND FENCING NECESSARY FOR THE
CULTIVATION AND SALE OF PRODUCE FROM THE COMMUNITY GARDEN
AT THE CORNERS OF N.W. 3RD AVENUE AND N.W. 9TH STREET, MIAMI,
FLORIDA; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL
DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO GENERAL COUNSEL; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM
SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, "OTHER GRANTS AND AIDS," ACCOUNT
CODE NO. 10050.920101.883000.0000.00000.
09-01074 Cover Memo 09-24-09.pdf
09-01074 Financials 09-24-09.pdf
09-01074 Backup 09-24-09.pdf
09-01074 Legislation 09-24-09.pdf
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Sanchez, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Vice Chair Sarnoff, Chair Spence -Jones, Commissioner Gonzalez, Commissioner
Regalado and Commissioner Sanchez
CRA-R-09-0046
Chair Spence -Jones: Item number 3.
James Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Item
number 3 is -- relates to a direction we received from the Board at our last meeting to provide an
additional $10, 000 to Roots in the City who is work -- who has the vegetable garden among
other sites in Overtown and is working with a grocery store chain to have them purvey those
vegetables and they needed some additional equipment. So the Board directed me to expend
those funds and to come back with a resolution to ratify it. So this is a --
Chair Spence -Jones: Is this the --? Go 'head [sic].
Mr. Villacorta: -- resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park
West Community Redevelopment Agency ratifying issuance of additional funding, in an amount
not to exceed $10,000, for a total amount not to exceed 110, to Roots in the City for the purchase
of refrigeration equipment, fencing -- and fencing necessary for the cultivation and sale of
produce from the community gardens at the corner of Northwest 3rd Avenue and 9th Street;
authorizing the executive director to execute all documents necessary for said purpose in a form
acceptable to general counsel.
Chair Spence -Jones: Do we have a motion on this item?
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Move it.
Chair Spence -Jones: I have a motion --
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Commissioner Sanchez: Second.
Chair Spence -Jones: -- and we have a second. All in favor?
The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Just want to make a quick comment for those -- this week, as you
know, the garden is going extremely well in the heart of Overtown. Would like to encourage all
of you guys to come out. Coca-Cola's actually -- their whole staff is going to be in that garden
this weekend, correct, Jim?
Mr. Villacorta: Yes.
Chair Spence -Jones: And they're doing this -- and putting this whole rainwater drain drum
system in place so --
Mr. Villacorta: Yeah. We're going green.
Chair Spence -Jones: -- we would love to have as many of the Commissioners come out to
support it.
Mr. Villacorta: Yes.
Chair Spence -Jones: All right.
4. 09-01073 CRA RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY AUTHORIZING PAYMENT, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$361,239, TO THE CITY OF MIAMI FOR THE CITY'S ADVANCE OF THE
DEBT SERVICE RESERVE REQUIRED BY THE COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 1990; ALLOCATING FUNDS
FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, "INTERFUND TRANSFER - DEBT
SERVICE," ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.891000.0000.00000.
09-01073 Cover Memo 09-24-09.pdf
09-01073 Financials 09-24-09.pdf
09-01073 Backup 09-24-09.pdf
09-01073 Legislation 09-24-09.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Sanchez, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Vice Chair Sarnoff, Chair Spence -Jones, Commissioner Gonzalez, Commissioner
Regalado and Commissioner Sanchez
CRA-R-09-0047
Chair Spence -Jones: Resolution number 4.
James Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): It's a
resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community
Redevelopment Agency authorizing payment, in an amount not to exceed $361, 239, to the City of
Miami for the City's advance of debt serviced reserve required by the Community Redevelopment
Revenue Bonds Series 1990.
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Commissioner Gonzalez: Move it.
Chair Spence -Jones: We had a motion. Do we have a second?
Commissioner Sanchez: Second.
Chair Spence -Jones: All in favor?
The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Spence -Jones: This item passes.
5. 09-01076 CRA RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI
REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY,
WITH ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THE ATTACHED AMENDED 2009
OMNI REDEVELOPMENT PLAN ("AMENDED 2009 PLAN"), PREPARED BY
ZYSCOVICH ARCHITECTS, INC. AND UPDATED BY THE CITY OF MIAMI'S
PLANNING DEPARTMENT; DIRECTING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO
TRANSMIT THE AMENDED 2009 PLAN AND THE CRA'S
RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL TO THE CITY MANAGER FOR
REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION, AND TO REQUEST SUBSEQUENT
TRANSMITTAL TO THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AND MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY COMMISSION FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION.
09-01076 Legislation 09-24-09.pdf
09-01076 Amended 2009 Plan Attachment 09-24-09.pdf
09-01076 Cover Memo 09-29-09.pdf
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Sanchez, that this matter be
CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Vice Chair Sarnoff, Chair Spence -Jones, Commissioner Gonzalez, Commissioner
Regalado and Commissioner Sanchez
Note for the Record: This item was continued to the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)
meeting currently scheduled for October 26, 2009.
Chair Spence -Jones: We move on to item number 5.
James Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Item
number 5 is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Omni Redevelopment District
Community Redevelopment Agency, with attachments, accepting the attached amended 2009
Omni Redevelopment Plan prepared by Zyscovich Architects, Inc. and updated by the City of
Miami's Planning Department; directing the executive director to transmit the amended 2009
plan and the CRA's (Community Redevelopment Agency's) recommendation for approval to the
City Manager for review and consideration and to request subsequent transmittal to the City --
to the Miami City Commission and Miami -Dade County Commission for legislative action.
Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Do we have a motion on this item?
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Move it for purposes of discussion.
Chair Spence -Jones: We have a motion --
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Commissioner Sanchez: Second for the same.
Chair Spence -Jones: Second for discussion. The door is open. You're recognized.
Gregory Gay: Good afternoon. Gregory Gay, with the City of Miami Planning Department, on
behalf of the Manager's office.
Chair Spence -Jones: Well, let me ask the -- I'm sorry, Greg. Do you want to have them make
the presentation first or --?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Oh, absolutely.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, go 'head [sic].
Mr. Gay: I'm presenting to you a resolution from the City of Miami basically accepting the
Omni Redevelopment Plan as presented. Just to bring you up -to -speed as to where we are, this
plan is a change in the boundaries of the former Omni master plan. We're extending the
boundaries to the south and to the west over to Northeast 1st Place and incorporating part of the
Wynwood Free Trade Zone into the Omni redevelopment area. And the other primary focus of
the plan in changing the -- extending the timeline of the CRA district to March 2030. If there's
any questions, I'll entertain them at this time.
Chair Spence -Jones: Commissioner Sarnoff, you are recognized
Vice Chair Sarnoff What's the present time expiration for this CRA, 20 --?
Mr. Villacorta: Twenty twenty-seven.
Commissioner Sanchez: Twenty seventeen.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Twenty seventeen, so 13 additional years. In the documents you provided --
Mr. Villacorta: No, no. Three additional, 2030.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I'm sorry? Did somebody say 2017?
Mr. Villacorta: Twenty-seven.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Twenty twenty-seven.
Mr. Gay: Correct.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. I thought I heard 2017. So three additional years, okay. I guess I was
surprised to see there's something called the Zyscovich master plan, and I've been here now for
three years and for three years I've been asking for a master plan and suddenly emerges on my
desk a master plan. And I don't know if I get -- is it like going to a restaurant and I have to order
off the menu or can I go a la carte. There are things I don't agree with here. There are things I
don't think the voters would agree with. I predominantly agree with the boundary extensions,
and obviously, the timeline's not much. But I'm not sure that I agree with a number of issues on
here. For instance, I don't believe we're ever going to -- well, I shouldn't say that. I don't
believe in the very foreseeable future you're going to have a streetcar. I don't think that would
be a prudent use of our resources right now. A number of -- I'm looking at -- with all due respect
to the Miami Herald and unless some of the reporters are getting some of this, there's a huge
amount of money for Herald Square, something like 20 or $30 million. And I just, in my own
mind, tried to present to myself how much is that a square foot for a bay walk. It's a lot more
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than I would pay or I think most of the Commissioners up here would pay. So my question to you
is -- I will not beat the horse to death, especially on a day like today -- by approving this, is there
any way that I am implicitly implying or suggesting that I agree with what's in this document?
Mr. Gay: IfI can answer the question. Basically, when we present to you a master plan, a
master plan is to be approved in concept. All of the proposals that are included within it, even
with the financial information included does not necessarily mean that those particular projects
will go forward. There may be other projects that will be substituted over a period of time. The
whole purpose of this particular master plan is to ident the areas to be redeveloped and to be
able to attract the TIF (Tax Increment Fund) amounts that are going to be contributed into that
particular project area so that it could be distributed for infrastructural and project -- projected
improvements within the redevelopment area.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Well, if what you're saying to me is, Commissioner, it's really important that
you look at this and you extend the boundaries to where we want them, and we also want you to
vote for the timeline for where it is and just look at this as a concept and not a blueprint, I might
be able to say yes. But if you're telling me you can take one or two variations -- 'cause this is the
master plan for the Omni. Number one, how is it that the district Commissioner of the Omni
learns about this three days before a hearing? How could that be? I mean, I pay attention. I'm
not out to lunch. I've been asking for a master plan for Omni for three years. What happened
Mr. Director?
Mr. Villacorta: I'd have to check to make certain, but probably when you came into office, I
know we submitted a lot of documents to your office. It may have been in that. This has actually
been voted on, this plan, by the CRA in 2006. It wasn't forwarded to the County because after
that period, it became clear that the boundaries were going to be changed and the original plan
didn't call for changing the boundaries. So this has kind of been on hold since then, but --
Chair Spence -Jones: Can I just add this because I thought you already had it. I thought you
already had --
Vice Chair Sarnoff This plan?
Chair Spence -Jones: -- a copy of -- yeah -- the plan. You never had a copy?
Vice Chair Sarnoff.. Never saw this plan.
Chair Spence -Jones: So, Jim, did you guys do brief -- I mean, Mr. Villacorta, did you guys do
briefings with --?
Mr. Villacorta: We briefed the chiefs of staff of the --
Chair Spence -Jones: All right.
Mr. Villacorta: -- various Commissioners.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Well, you briefed my chief of staff less than a week ago --
Mr. Villacorta: That's true.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- and -- this is 170 -- well, it's got two C-1s to it, so it's about 180-page
document.
Mr. Villacorta: It's a lot of reading at a time when you had a lot of other things on your plate.
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Vice Chair Sarnoff No, no. I don't mind the reading part.
Mr. Villacorta: No. It's --
Vice Chair Sarnoff There are just some things here that post -October 2008, they're not going to
happen, wouldn't be fiscally smart to happen. There are some issues here -- I don't know how
you do a square foot of bay front -- or bay walk, but it's three times what the private sector
would pay. And all I want to know is -- by no way, shape or form am I voting for by implication,
by express vote, for any of these issues found in this master plan.
Mr. Villacorta: Any of the projects listed here are for the purpose of illustration as to how the
redevelopment could be carried out. But any particular project would have to come to the CRA
Board for its approval and funding. This is a conceptual plan. It's not locking you into funding
these particular projects at these particular levels. This is an estimate performed by
architectural consultants as to what the cost might be. It also mentions it's going to take 20
years to carry out this plan, so who knows what costs will be then.
Chair Spence -Jones: Jim -- Commissioner Sarnoff, I think you -- if you feel like you need more
time to really go through this document, why don't we just put it on the next agenda?
Mr. Villacorta: Yeah.
Chair Spence -Jones: Is there an issue -- I'm seeing -- are you --
Mr. Villacorta: No.
Chair Spence -Jones: -- I'm seeing Larry -- Okay, it's fine. So I think that you should -- and I
think the other Commissioners, as well, should be thoroughly briefed on this issue. Do you have
another question on it, Commissioner?
Vice Chair Sarnoff No.
Commissioner Sanchez: No.
Vice Chair Sarnoff If we're going to continue it, I have no problem, if it can be continued. I
don't know what your timeframe is.
Mr. Villacorta: The City Administration asked us to bring it on this agenda.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay.
Mr. Villacorta: If they're good with allowing it to be deferred --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Larry, are you going to run over and yell at us and say like there's going to
be stamp costs and the earth is going to fall?
Chair Spence -Jones: No. Larry's okay --
Commissioner Sanchez: All right.
Chair Spence -Jones: -- with it.
Commissioner Sanchez: Let's get a motion to defer the item if that's --
Chair Spence -Jones: But do you have --?
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Commissioner Sanchez: No.
Chair Spence -Jones: You don't want to put your comments on it?
Commissioner Regalado: I --
Chair Spence -Jones: Commissioner Regalado does.
Commissioner Regalado: No. I -- if this -- if what we vote is to defer so we can have more time,
I'm fine with it. But here's the thing. The Baylink has been all but eliminated. The streetcar has
been scratched from FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation). And the problem is not that
this is a concept. The problem is that we send the message to the people, the residents, the
stakeholders saying, well, the CRA is on its way to just go ahead and work on the streetcar or
Baylink or what, and that confuses people, and not only confuses people, it would delay plans
that other people, private people may have. So it's a little dangerous to just go ahead and
approve the concept because everybody knows that concept is a guideline for work. So it would
be sending a very different message of a reality if we were to approve all of this. So I'm just --
hopefully, we can bring back this next month.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, so we've asked for this item to come back next month. I see Larry's
hand going up, and I also -- Commissioner Sanchez, you still want to have something to say?
Commissioner Regalado: But Madam Chair, I'm just curious. Why would the Administration
want the CRA to bring this? I mean, what is the special --
Larry Spring (Chief Financial Officer): That's what I was going to -- I was going to address that
issue.
Commissioner Regalado: -- need for this?
Mr. Spring: I was going to address that issue, Commissioner. Larry Spring, chief financial
officer. The reason why obviously the Administration has been pushing this is consistent with all
of the plans under the global agreement. As you know, a few months ago you considered the
Southeast Overtown/Park West plan and those amendments. This was just the next in line, so we
were just moving forward with that process. Again, all of those things -- you know, they have --
the other important thing I wanted to put on the record our plan on financing Museum Park,
port tunnel contribution were tied up into the extension of the Omni CRA. So that was the other
reason 'cause those plans are moving forward as we speak. So that was -- the issue was to just
get it from the City because it still has to go through a significant process over at the County,
then we come back with a bond plan that I think you also know we're working on on the
Southeast Overtown/Park West side as well. And we're doing all -- we're just moving forward
with the directives of the Commission, so that was the reason.
Commissioner Regalado: Larry, has the CRA or any CRA or the City spent any money already
on the tunnel project?
Mr. Spring: I would have to say yes, we have. Under the port tunnel agreement, the City had to
obtain a $50 million letter of credit. Unfortunately, it took a year and plans were up and down.
In fact, I'll just take the opportunity today. We're close to executing the new one, and we may
need to bring in an item to the City Commission to inform the Commission of the terms
associated -- the new terms associated with the new letter of credit 'cause it is a significant
increase in interest rates, as you might imagine on that type of (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Regalado: No. The reason I asked is because I'm sure that you seen the letter
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that Mayor Alvarez sent to Secretary Ray LaHood saying that they're short $5 million for the
tunnel project.
Mr. Spring: It has nothing to do with our contribution. We are set at 50.
Commissioner Regalado: We are?
Mr. Spring: We are set at $50 million. That is our agreed upon --
Commissioner Regalado: Fifty million dollars -- it's $88 million.
Mr. Spring: Well, we write a check today, it's $50 million. If we do it at the next period in the
contract, which is at substantial completion, we estimated it around 80. If we pay along with the
concession payments, obviously it'll be more because you're stretching the time out -- the present
value out so.
Commissioner Regalado: Okay, thank you.
Chair Spence -Jones: Commissioner Sanchez, you have any comments?
Commissioner Sanchez: Yeah. I'm okay with the additional time to have the Commissioners and
all of us look at it more, but we voted on this in 206 [sic], as you stated, at the CRA. This is
basically just a concept. We could do something or we could do nothing at all. It all depends on
the economy. It all depends how things move forward into the future. But once again, it's
important to say that it is a concept and it is important to say that no matter what we decide to
do, it comes back for a vote to the CRA. Whatever project it may be as in phases, whatever it's
going to be, it comes to us for a final vote. We just -- today, just -- we would be -- if we don't
approve it today, we're going to defer it for another month to look at it. It's just basically
approving the concept.
Chair Spence -Jones: All right. Commissioner Sanchez -- any other comments, Commissioner
Sanchez? Okay. So we have at this point -- Madam -- do we need to take a vote on that?
Commissioner Sanchez: no.
Chair Spence -Jones: We need a motion to defer this item. We have a --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Motion to defer.
Chair Spence -Jones: -- motion to defer. Do we have a second?
Commissioner Sanchez: To date certain, time?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Next CRA.
Chair Spence -Jones: Next CRA meeting.
Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): It is going to be -- that would be October 26.
Commissioner Sanchez: All right. Second.
Chair Spence -Jones: All right. All in favor?
The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye.
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Chair Spence -Jones: All right. This item passes.
6. 09-00850 CRA RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN
AMENDMENT TO THE 1983 INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, WITH THE CITY OF MIAMI AND
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY.
09-00850 Cover Memo 09-24-09.pdf
09-00850 Legislation 09-24-09.pdf
09-00850 Amendment to Interlocal Attachment 09-24-09.pdf
Motion by Chair Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Sanchez, that this matter be
ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Vice Chair Sarnoff, Chair Spence -Jones, Commissioner Gonzalez, Commissioner
Regalado and Commissioner Sanchez
CRA-R-09-0048
Direction by Chair Spence -Jones to the Interim Executive Director to schedule a town hall
meeting for Park West and for Overtown before the bonding process starts so that the community
is informed and educated about the upcoming steps in the process.
Direction by Commissioner Regalado to the Interim Executive Director to prepare a report
regarding the possibility of using CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) funds for permanent
police officers to be deployed within the CRA areas, to be brought back as a discussion item at
the CRA meeting currently scheduled for October 26, 2009.
Chair Spence -Jones: I'm going to pass the gavel over to my fellow colleague, the Vice Chair,
Commissioner Sarnoff.
Vice Chair Sarnoff We have -- what I have is number 6 on the agenda. Mr. Director.
James Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Yeah. Item
number 6 is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West
Community Redevelopment Agency, with attachments, authorizing execution of an amendment to
the 1983 interlocal agreement in substantially the attached form with the City of Miami and
Miami -Dade County. As a condition of expanding and extending the life -- expanding the
boundaries and extending the life of the Overtown CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), the
County Commission provided us with a document at the time of the hearing, which was a
proposed amendment to the interlocal agreement. The amendment seeks to have the CRA fund
three projects, Alonzo Mourning's redevelopment of the Culmer Center, the move of Camillus
House, and a halfway house called Mama Hattie's House. It also asks that we dismiss the
reverter lawsuit. When the County exercised a reverter on three blocks in Overtown, the CRA
filed a lawsuit, and they're asking that we dismiss that lawsuit, all of that as a condition of
expanding the boundaries and extending the life of the Overtown CRA. It's required that the
CRA sign this amendment and the City. The CRA reviewed the County's document and thought
that it did not provide the protections that were needed. We redrafted it. The City has also
proposed a redraft. Since this went to print, we've met with the City attorneys and are able to
accept their version with a small amendment so you won't have two version -- you know, a CRA
version and a City version.
Chair Spence -Jones: Mr. Chairman, ifI -- you guys have --
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Vice Chair Sarnoff.- Yes, you're recognized for the record, Madam Chair.
Chair Spence -Jones: All right. First of all, I just have a couple of comments that I want to make
on this. Once again, I want to thank my colleagues. This is the tail end of the expanded
boundaries and the expansion of life for the Overtown CRA. And many of -- all of you guys
played a great role of that. I just want to at least state for the record, for me it's really more
about the people of the Overtown/Park West area, making sure that we definitely put people over
politics and focus on really delivering on our promises. This item actually arose out of the
County's expansion of the CRA boundaries. It appears that as a condition of the expansion, the
County wants us to amend the interlocal agreement, which I don't have an issue with. I just want
to make sure that all three attorneys or four attorneys that are working on it are all on the same
page. So in the original document, as Jim stated, it left the City vulnerable, and now I
understand that you guys have come to some sort of consensus around what needs to change on
it. I had -- most of my concerns were dealing with the paragraph five, which involved Block 36
and the litigation with the County. In our understanding, based upon what Jim has told us and
what Bill has told us and what Madam City Attorney has told us, we have been doing pretty well
on our lawsuit in regards to this land in general with the County. So I just wanted to be very
clear -- I know that there're some things that we're changing in the language on that section, so
I'm going to ask Madam City Attorney to actually put that on the record to make sure that we're
all on the same page. If she can read that into the record, I would greatly appreciate that. And
this is in regards to the section that deals with the additional charities and individuals that will
be receiving funding as a part of the overall interlocal agreement. And then I have one closing
statement, and if any of my colleagues have any comments, I would greatly appreciate them
chiming in.
Gail A. Dotson (Assistant General Counsel): Okay. The approval of the amendment to the 1983
interlocal agreement shall not be deemed or construed as an approval of the Southeast
Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency developments consisting of the
Camillus House project, the Alonzo Mourning Charities, Inc. affordable housing project and
Mama Hattie's House, all of which must be submitted to and approved by the CRA Board of
Commissioners and the Miami City Commission in accordance with all applicable laws and
subject to the approval of the amount of funding to be provided for each project by the CRA
Board of Commissioners and the Miami City Commission.
Chair Spence -Jones: Great. So the only thing that I want to make clear to Larry -- 'cause I
know after we vote on this -- and again, I don't want to hold anything up. I think that we were
able to come up with language that makes the most sense. But if Larry can touch the mike for a
second, I just want to be clear on these particular issues. We worked very hard in the area to
finally get something moving, so -- and respecting and empowering the people at the same time
that I do not want to see that go away. But I just want to make it very clear. I know that you're
in the midst of pulling together all the packaging to see whether or not we can go out for bonds
on clear -- or projects that are actually in the area. But I'd like to make it clear that from my
perspective from where I sit -- and hopefully, I have the support of my fellow Commissioners -- is
that I think that there's three things that have come out from all of the meetings over the last
three and a half years that we've had in Overtown that's extremely important to the people that
live there. One was the improving of the existing housing stock, which means places like Town
Park that have been waiting for God knows how long, they at least are in the mix of all of this
stuff that's going on or providing the gap funding necessary for projects that are ready to go,
meaning they have permits, they have land, they have everything that's necessary so that we
don't have an issue as far as our bonds are concerned because we were not able to move that
money as quickly as we needed to. The second part of this was the parks and green space. As
we know, we have a park in Overtown that truly needs some serious upgrades, Gibson Park.
One of the things we've been working on for the last two years is to get that done. A lot of the
funding is already in place. I believe this would only provide some of the gap funding. Is that
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correct, Jim?
Mr. Villacorta: Correct.
Chair Spence -Jones: And then third, but not least, is infrastructure. We know that there's some
serious infrastructure needs that are not only just in the Overtown neighborhoods but also in the
Park West areas. With all of the major development that is there now -- and I'm actually
speaking out of turn. I'm on your side of the railroad track, but there's a lot of stuff that needs to
happen on the railroad, the connection between Overtown and the other side of the railway. We
need to make sure that serious upgrades happen in the overall area. So I'm just suggesting and
actually asking for the support to make sure that those three things that are things that we look
at from a criteria standpoint -- and I understand that the staff has been working hard from the
CRA and working on criteria to make sure that that happens, but I think that these things are
extremely important. And I just want Larry to put on the record why this is extremely important
that whatever these projects are, they have to be shovel ready.
Larry Spring: Larry Spring, chief financial officer. Commissioners, obviously, I've been
meeting with the staff and working with them on developing these criteria. The reason why it's
important, when you go out to the municipal bond market, you have deadlines regarding
spending. So if we have projects -- particularly when we talk about housing projects where
we're going to provide gap financing. Those projects have to be delivered in 36 months. You
know, you may have a little bit more time -- leeway after that, but they absolutely have to be
delivered in a three-year timeframe. I think this Commission probably recalls when we issued
the first tranche of the HD (Homeland Defense) bonds. It took us a little while to ramp up, to get
our CIP (Capital Improvements Program) Department in place to start spending and we almost
had a little issue on the tax-exempt ability of those bonds because we weren't spending. So we
want to make sure as we've, you know, now instituted these types of internal controls with
regards to all of our municipal debt issuances that we apply them here in the same way at the
CRA.
Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you. And I -- and all -- we already know that of course the market
has changed dramatically, like everyone said that it probably would. So, you know, what we
were initially trying to go after, we may not be able to go after, but anything helps in the heart of
Overtown and Park West. So we just want to make sure that those dollars are really -- you
know, we have some sort of system put in place as to determine where they actually go. I know
that -- I just want to verify this in closing with my executive director. The few things that I think
are extremely important as we move ahead, one, there is a selection criteria that's been put in
place, correct, or you guys are working on?
Mr. Villacorta: Yes. We are developing it. That's -- the next item on the agenda is a discussion
item regarding it.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. And then the second thing that I want to make sure that I add is that
I think it's important for those groups and people that are here, business owners -- I see Camillus
House and I see all of the different groups that are here represented today 'cause I understand
how important it is for you to get your projects done. We support Camillus House. We know you
guys are ready to come out of the ground and you need the support. But I think that it's really
important for all of the newcomers, the folks that are actually coming in to get projects done,
that we respect the process that we put in place. The CRA has been working very hard to make
sure that things are transparent, that people are involved in the process, that they feel
empowered, and we do not want to send a message from a board perspective that we're not
following the guidelines that we put in place. I don't want this to become a free-for-all. And
what happens is when people think that there's a pot of money over in Overtown, then people
that never even thought about Overtown start running to Overtown to create projects. We got to
take care of the people that have been there the longest. We got to take care of the projects that
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are truly ready to go, and we have to take care of the projects and the business owners -- I see
one of the business owners is from Park West, looking right at me now, which is in Commissioner
Sarnoffs district. These people have invested in the area, and they've been there and they want
to see something happen and I respect that. And in closing -- and I will shut up after this -- I just
want to make sure -- to my CRA staff to make sure that there's some sort of town hall meeting
because I know people came out actually to talk about the issue today, but I would ask for them
to do some sort of town hall meeting before we actually begin to go through the process for both
sides, I'd say Park West and for Overtown, so individuals can come present, talk about or learn
exactly what's going to happen with the process. I do not want us to send a message that there's
a 200 million, $300 million out there and everybody can come over there and there's going to be
a check written out to you. It's not like that. So I think it's important to educate the community
so they understand what happens next. And my understanding from Larry is that this will be
going -- you'll be, I guess, creating all the documents so that you can go out to bond some time
in October, correct? Or November.
Mr. Spring: Larry -- probably November. We've already -- the underwriting team has already
been put together -- the bond -- well, actually, bond counsel's already been working on putting
all the necessary documents together. We've been working on the deal, putting the deal together.
We -- the process will be that we will come back to the City Commission, get the bond -- or
rather, the CRA, City Commission for our bond authorization, then it has to go to the County.
Now to help expedite that process, we intended on having, if they will accept, the County
Attorney's office attorney work with us as we're developing the deal so it's quicker review on that
side so --
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. So it doesn't have to come back -- the bond doesn't have to come in
front of us?
Mr. Spring: Yeah. The bond authorization ordinance does have to come back to the CRA and
the City Commission, but we'll do that simultaneously as we're doing --
Chair Spence -Jones: No problem.
Mr. Spring: -- all these other items.
Chair Spence -Jones: And thank you so much. I want to give a special thanks to the CRA staff
for working very hard. I know you guys have been going crazy trying to make something
happen. Thanks to Bill Bloom for his support and going back and forth and our Madam City
Attorney for almost pulling out her hair, but I appreciate all the work that you guys do and all
my people from the community that have come out to support this item and that things are finally
moving and moving in the direction that we can finally see progress happening in the overall
area. So Mr. Chairman or Mr. Vice Chairman, I really appreciate you allowing for me to speak
on this issue. I just want to say thank you.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Commissioner Regalado, then Commissioner Sanchez.
Commissioner Regalado: Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I think that it's about time that
we start this process. But the chairperson mentioned something that is important. We have to
take care of the people that have been living there for many, many years. And today we're about
to discuss a budget that may or may not have huge cuts in services. We don't know. But
certainly by next week, we may have a budget with almost 170 less police officers. That's a
possibility. It's a reality and less services. So my question to you, Mr. Director, and to the
Chair, is I understand that we need to move forward in this project and we don't know yet how
much the bonding is going to cost because we -- today we saw that Miami Parking Authority was
-- got the approval from this Board to do a swap and change the interest because it was really
high and only the swap cost $6 million. So I don't know if we have the money to afford the
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interest on the bond which we do need. But I really like to hear from the Director and put this on
the table of the chairperson and the area Commissioner, the Vice Chair, that the CRA also could
be the vehicle for hiring police officers. And I understand that the money that is used has to be
used within the CRA boundaries, but it is in the CRA boundaries where the police force is more
needed. I mean, the shootings in Overtown, the Performing Arts with the crime, the Omni area --
now that the boundaries are extended the Bayside. I think it's time to be creative, and I think
that there cannot be progress if you don't have safety. There cannot be development if the
people don't feel safe. And it is important, Madam Chair, to consider because just -- we don't
know. We don't know what's going to happen come the 30th. And I would urge you and ask Jim
to think and bring back information about the possibility of going into the CRA budget and
looking for permanent police officers that will be deployed within the CRA's areas. And I know
that we can do this because we have done it. So Madam Chair and --
Chair Spence -Jones: I just want to add -- first, I think that's a brilliant idea. It's something
definitely we should be looking at. I know that we have had a conversation, Jim and I, regarding
not only just the Police Department but other shortfalls that we may have that are essential
services that we may lose in the Omni area and we may lose in the Overtown area. I just -- what
I don't want to have happen -- 'cause there're two different questions -- it's more of a
recommendation for the existing budgets that are coming up to consider. I just don't want to tie
the people in Overtown and Park West that have been waiting for God knows how long -- right
now the County's waiting for us to say yes on this so that Larry can do what he needs to do so
that people like from the Town Park area, Dr. Ahr from Camillus and whoever else is going to be
doing projects, they're not held --
Commissioner Regalado: No, no.
Chair Spence -Jones: I'm just saying. I just want to make sure --
Commissioner Regalado: No, it's not --
Chair Spence -Jones: -- because the Administration will hear you say that and then, all of a
sudden, we will close out on this agenda and they'll say Commissioner Regalado said before we
did anything else, we needed to do this, and that's why this got held up.
Commissioner Regalado: No, no. It's --
Chair Spence -Jones: So I just want to be very clear that they're two separate communications.
Commissioner Regalado: No. It's two separate issues, but at the same time, they go along
because development needs security.
Chair Spence -Jones: I know, but I just don't want one thing to stop --
Commissioner Regalado: And --
Chair Spence -Jones: -- because of the other.
Commissioner Regalado: -- one thing is different than the other, but it needs to be consider
because we just don't know what's going to happen come next week. So I would request that the
executive director look at this and maybe even we can -- he can communicate it to the board
members and probably a discussion item come the next meeting of the CRA on the 28th [sic] so -
Chair Spence -Jones: No, I definitely agree. If we can have that put on the next CRA meeting in
October, I think that'll be a great thing to definitely do.
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Mr. Villacorta: Yeah.
Chair Spence -Jones: I know that definitely we need the -- more visibility in the Overtown area
and especially if we get the expanded boundaries, we definitely do need it. I know for a fact, by
the Performing Arts Center, Commissioner Sarnoff, you've been having some little light incidents
between people parking and trying to get back and forth. There's been some incidents that I
don't know if you're aware of. And just having the extra eyes on the street will only help. So I
don't want to stop that process 'cause I know we do need the extra eyes on the streets and we
definitely don't have a problem with that as well.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Commissioner Sanchez.
Commissioner Sanchez: Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. My concern is I don't want to stop
progress here. I think we need to get this to the County as quickly as possible and get the ball
rolling. But I just want assurance that the two versions that the CRA and the one that the City
has now have been modified to, one, Executive Director, you're comfortable with, CRA attorney,
you're comfortable with. Because I think if we don't come to a compromise and we don't come to
an agreement and we don't get in the same sheet of music with the County, this could delay the
progress that we're trying to get -- that we're trying to accomplish here. So are you okay with
this compromise and with this -- the amendments?
Mr. Villacorta: As amended, as the executive director, I recommend passage, as amended.
Ms. Dotson: Yes. And I neglected to say this. We want to make sure that the record reflects that
we are amending this particular CRA resolution and we're substituting it with the interlocal
agreement that was just provided to you, which was approved by the -- which has been -- not
approved by the City Commission, but approved by the City Attorneys office, and it is also
subject to negotiations of non -substantive changes acceptable to the CRA's special counsel and
the general counsel.
Chair Spence -Jones: And ifI could just add. Bill, you also said in our briefing during lunch,
Jessica, Bill and Madam City Attorney, we said that also even though we pass it today, you will
continue to work along with the County to massage the language so that it's something that we're
William R. Bloom (Special Counsel, Community Redevelopment Agency): That's correct. We
will meet with the County Attorneys Office, hopefully, setting up a meeting, you know, in the next
couple of days to go through some non -substantive changes that are acceptable to the County
that'll make the document better for the City and the CRA so it can be signed off and then you'll
be able to start spending money in the new area.
Commissioner Sanchez: Mr. Attorney, I think we could agree on that. The thing is that we don't
want to modify it where -- to a point where it goes back to the County and the County has to go
through the whole process and we're just going to continue to delay. As long as you feel that it's
comfortable with the language that you have proffered with the City's version of it and it could
go to the County and be, you know, approved or whatever needs to happen in the County, we
could move forward. Are you comfortable with that?
Mr. Bloom: Yes.
Commissioner Sanchez: Okay.
Ms. Dotson: Yes.
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Vice Chair Spence -Jones: Thank you.
Commissioner Sanchez: All right.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I don't mean to throw a monkey wrench in this for you, Commissioner
Spence -Jones, 'cause I think you're threading a needle, but I have to say some things. The
Camillus House and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) home is probably our biggest charitable venture that
we do. As a matter of fact, I'm very proud of my wife, who just had a fundraiser for them and
raised $35, 000 in one evening. So the Camillus House, I think has been an issue that has
brought before this Commission. Commissioner Gonzalez, I know all about that, and I want you
to know I think it's a great idea. Andl think the movement of it andl think the facilitation of that
is a great idea. However, how two additional -- I'm going to call them "community -based
organizations" get presented to this Commission, the Alonzo Mourning Charities, Incorporated
and Mama Hattie's House, how that ends up in an open forum sitting on our shoulders here
today without any of us actually knowing an extreme amount about them -- and I have done as
much investigation as I can do, including asking them to meet with my office, and there are just
no good answers. I mean, the minor investigation I was able to do for Alonzo Mourning
Charities, it doesn't rate well in terms of its ability to get tax increment financing. Mama Hattie's
House, we are taking away one halfway house or shelter, with all due respect, Dr. Ahr, and
we're putting in very much a female halfway house of sorts. Now my point being, if I was
brought up -to -speed and someone were able to tell me, can you imagine if Marc Sarnoff
proposed this? Where's the Miami Herald? I'd be all over the front page. I'd be castigated,
re -castigated, groused, re -groused. I'd be field propped, drawn, quartered because I decided
two charities would be funded, because I decided they'd be there. Now I'm not aware of any
public forum, any public meeting where these two charitable ventures -- and by the way, they
may be laudable and they may not be. And Alonzo Mourning, who knows? Guy's got a name
that you don't step on in this community, I get that. But nonetheless, is it Alonzo Mourning or is
it Alonzo Mourning lending his name? Is it Mama Hattie's House, and for what purposes --?
My point is how did it get so far under the radar and here we are essentially saying, yeah, we
just about approve it. That's the needle I know you're threading. And I'm not asking you to
respond to anything I'm saying, but I'm going to go on the record. You know, being in the CRA
is tough enough, but not everybody up here sits on it as often as they maybe should or could
because it's a very tough place to be. But to allow something to go under a radar, for whatever
reason anybody can concoct -- and I have my thoughts, but I won't share them.
Chair Spence -Jones: Please don't.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I just want to go on record as saying this is no way to conduct a fair and
open government. Now I'm going to vote for this 'cause I'm going to do some more due
diligence, and I want to know that there's no requirement in the amounts of funchng. And I don't
want to get into litigation what `funding" means. Is that fair, Mr. Bloom?
Mr. Bloom: Yes.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I'm not going to --
Mr. Bloom: Commissioner, that's why the City Attorneys office read the language stating that
these projects are subject to approval by the CRA Board and by the City Commission in
accordance with applicable law dealing with the -- under the radar and the amount of funding
for these projects is subject to the City Commission's approval and the CRA Board's approval so
we don't have that problem.
Vice Chair Sarnoff So in the event it's the will of this Board that they not be funded at
significant levels, we would not be in breach?
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Mr. Bloom: That's correct.
Ms. Dotson: That's correct.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Okay. Well, I would just hope that the Miami Herald would treat everybody
equally in this town so that we'd all know how things get on different documents and papers that
we read. Thank you.
Chair Spence -Jones: Well, you know I don't have anything to say about Miami Herald, right,
Chuck? With that being said, any other comments on this issue?
Vice Chair Sarnoff No, ma'am. Andl will take this for a vote. So we had a motion and we had
a second.
Priscilla A. Thompson (Clerk of the Board): No, we have not.
Vice Chair Sarnoff We have not. Is there a motion?
Chair Spence -Jones: You have a motion.
Commissioner Sanchez: Second.
Vice Chair Sarnoff And we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All right,
hearing none and seeing none, all in favor, please say "aye."
The Commissioners (Collectively): Aye.
Ms. Thompson: And let the record show that that vote was on a modified resolution.
Mr. Villacorta: Yes.
Chair Spence -Jones: Yes.
7. 09-01077 CRA DISCUSSION
DISCUSSION REGARDING THE CRITERIA FOR PROJECTS TO BE
INCLUDED IN THE POTENTIAL CRA BOND ISSUE.
09-01077 Cover Memo 09-24-09.pdf
DISCUSSED
Vice Chair Sarnoff All right. We have number 7, and I will retender to the Chair.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. Well, you can go 'head [sic] and handle that.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Okay.
James Villacorta (Interim Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): Item
number 7 was just a discussion regarding the criteria for projects to be included in the CRA
(Community Redevelopment Agency) bond issue, and I think we've covered a little of that with
Mr. Spring, and the direction of the Chair is that we'll be holding community meetings, but the
projects need to be shovel ready. They need to have demonstrated site control, financing. They -
- the project design must be completed -- 50 percent complete within six months of disbursement
of the bond proceeds to the CRA. The project should be designed and built within three years
from the date of issuance. We'll be posting these criteria up on our website so that the public --
and have it available in the office for the public to see what the criteria are. But this is going to
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be a process with definite benchmarks and milestones for people to even be considered.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay. We're going to officially adjourn this meeting. Before we do this,
though, Charles, I do know that you probably want to add something to the record, but ifI have
you add something to the record, I would need to have everyone. So because we have a long
night ahead of us --
Charles Cutler: I'll be here tonight, too.
Chair Spence -Jones: -- a long night ahead of us, so I'm going to ask for any comments that you
may have to at least share it with the staff. But definitely, in October, you'll have the opportunity
to participate in any of these meetings that we have going on. If we didn't have to be here until
probably like, what, 11 o'clock tonight -- and I see these other -- I see Ms. Wimms and all of
them have come out today 'cause they want to talk as well. So I just don't want to be
disrespectful, so I'm going to ask that you, you know, please communicate with staff on whatever
issue that you may have.
Mr. Cutler: All right.
Commissioner Sanchez: All right.
Chair Spence -Jones: All right. I'd like to officially adjourn this meeting.
Commissioner Sanchez: Move to adjourn.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Second.
Mr. Villacorta: Thank you.
Commissioner Sanchez: All right. Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes the CRA meeting.
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