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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEOPW CRA 2018-06-26 MinutesCity of Miami 819NW2ndAve 3rd Floor Miami, FL 33136 http://miamicra. com Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 26, 2018 5:00 PM Camillus House 1603 N.W. 7th Ave., Bldg. B Miami, FL 33136 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Keon Hardemon, Chair Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Vice Chair Ken Russell, Board Member, District Two Joe Carollo, Board Member, District Three Manolo Reyes, Board Member, District Four ************************* SEOPW CRA OFFICE ADDRESS: 819 NW 2ND AVE, 3RD FLOOR MIAMI FL 33136 Phone: (305) 679-6800, Fax (305) 679-6835 www.miamicra.com Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes June 26, 2018 CALL TO ORDER Present: Chair Hardemon, Vice Chair Gort, Commissioner Russell and Commissioner Reyes Absent: Commissioner Carollo On the 26th day of June 2018, the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Miami met in regular session at Camillus House, 1603 Northwest 7th Avenue, Miami, Florida. The meeting was called to order by Chair Hardemon at 5:04 p.m., and was adjourned at 6:I0 p.m. Note for the Record: Commissioner Reyes entered the meeting at 5:43 p.m. ALSO PRESENT: Cornelius Shiver, Executive Director, CRA Allana Robinson Woods, Staff Counsel, CRA William Bloom, Special Counsel, CRA Rafael Suarez Rivas, Senior Assistant City Attorney Todd B. Hannon, Clerk of the Board Chair Hardemon: Good evening. Welcome to the June 26, 2018 meeting of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency. I want to note the presence of Commissioner Willy Gort; also, Commissioner Ken Russell; myself as Chairman. With three people here, we have a quorum. CRA PUBLIC COMMENTS Chair Hardemon: I'm going to open the floor for public comment regarding the -- Item RE.1 and RE.2. If you're a member of the public and you'd like to speak on the record regarding RE.1 and RE.2, this is your opportunity to do so. Please approach the lectern; state your first name and your last name; you may state your address; and then, which item is it that you're referring to; Item RE.1 or RE.2. You're recognized, ma'am. Cecilia Stewart: Good evening, Commissioner Hardemon and CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) Board. I'm here in reference to information that I received on your radio broadcast, the redevelopment; your last broadcast on WMBM (Where Ministry Blesses Many), 1490. And according to Michael Gardner, of the Headliner Market Group, Incorporated, visitors are asking the question, "Where is Overtown?" Overtown is the closest access and focal point to tourist attractions and public transportation sites, which include Brightline, Port of Miami, and Miami Beach, in addition to amenities, such as the Miami Trolley and the Metromover. For the good of marketing, engaging, and promoting the Overtown as a tourist destination, what action is being taken by the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA to install permanent Overtown entryway signs? In closing, Mr. Chair, I implore the Southeast Overtown community/Park West CRA to advance the Overtown community as a tourist destination by installing permanent entryway signs. And I just want to commend you on your passion that you have for housing for our community, and the CRA is much needed for that purpose. And Mr. Shriver [sic], I want to thank you for your steadfastness on focusing on ownership; that is key. We need ownership in this community, but I would like for us to -- being reminded, people need to know that a lot of things are going on in our community. We are advancing, and that's why I'm asking what is being done about signs. SEOPW CRA Page 2 Printed on 9/6/2018 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes June 26, 2018 Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. We'll get to your question. Ms. Stewart: My name is Cecilia Stewart. Chair Hard emon: Thank you. Ms. Stewart: Thank you, sir. Javornie Brathwade: Good evening, Commissioner Hardemon and the rest of the CRA. My name is Javornie Brathwade. I am an employee for Community Work Training Program, for Mr. Washington's office. Basically, I want to let you guys know, thank you, because I was born in Town Park South, where you guys have helped provide that renovation project. It has given me the opportunity to go off to school, because I went to school in Oregon. I've been able to come back and provide -- you know -- not only just help my community through the Community Work Training Program, but also, I'm a part of that change, giving me the opportunity to work within my community and see the growth that you guys have helped install through the redevelopment; us helping employ others, individuals in the community. It's a real great change, and I just wanted to say thank you for that, and that I see your efforts, and it's great to see that, from being a child growing up, and watching my community change through time, so I just wanted to let you guys know. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. Shaneetha Omuaka: Good evening. Chair Hardemon: Good evening. Ms. Omuaka: My name is Shaneetha Omuaka. I'm also with the Blue Shirts. Hello to everyone, name by name, CRA. I wanted to come up here because Mr. Washington has done a lot of things with the Blue Shirts. He's helped us in so many ways. As far as our - - my team, I make sure that they go to him for drug testing, because he does do the drug testing there. We also collaborate my team with his team to make sure that he can help my team also get jobs. He's placed a lot of my men in the construction companies. He's also placed them in other companies, as well, and he's also given them hope. And I also wanted to say one more thing: I really appreciate Nathaniel Joseph. He's very hard on us in a lot of ways, but he makes sure that we get our -- everything complete, done, where we -- everything complete done where -- Chair Hardemon: You know -- Ms. Omuaka: No, this is from the heart. Chair Hardemon: -- cooks don't like to be embarrassed. Ms. Omuaka: Oh, okay. -- where we make sure that we represent Overtown. And we've done a tremendous job, especially with the Blue Team out there, as well -- got to put my shouts out there. But I want to also thank one more person, and that's Suit for Success. They have helped my women with so much more confidence than what you can imagine; women who wish that they can buy certain outfits, and go to Suit for Success and get those outfits. So I just want to let you know as Commissioners, CRA, you guys have done a fabulous job. Thank you so much. Ketron Hadley: Good evening, fellow CRA, Commissioners. My name is Ketron Hadley, administrative -- SEOPW CRA Page 3 Printed on 9/6/2018 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes June 26, 2018 Vice Chair Gort: Pull the mike up. Mr. Hadley: My name is Ketron Hadley, assistant program coordinator for Community Work Training Program. I just want to say, to thy own self be true. I'm an honest person, and before meeting Mr. Washington, I was known as M94930; that was my DC (Department of Corrections) number. And he gave me an opportunity to work back in the community. I have a master's degree in psychology, and with working with him, I'm able to identify individuals that walk through our doors who feel overwhelmed with their past records, and we help provide them with job opportunities. And behind every great man is a great woman, they say. So I feel like behind what we do, there's the CRA; there's the backup from you guys. And we really have made an improvement. I heard you mention earlier that there's a 17 percent placement rate, what we have, and we're trying to bring those numbers up, but we do identf that the individuals that walk through our doors, they have criminal records. So we reach out to employers who would look past that, and hire them based on their experience, their qualifications and motivation, and drive to work. So I just want to say thank you, because, not only for myself but we're able to help a lot of people in the community. Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. Sonia Jacobson: Good evening, Commissioners and CRA staff. I want to thank our Blue Shirts leader for that nice plug. My name is Sonia Jacobson, and I'm the founder and executive director of Suited for Success and Dress for Success Miami. We have been in the community now for nine years in Overtown, but we're a countywide agency that -- we are now going into our 25th year, and have seen over 50,000 residents of Dade County. Our contract with the CRA was wonderful last year. You gave us funding to hire two Overtown residents; not just on a part-time basis, but on a full-time basis, and one of them is here with me today; Ms. Tranell. Since she has been working with us as our community liaison, we have seen more Overtown residents coming into the community. She personally goes out and knocks on doors, and makes phone calls, daily, to let them know about our training programs; what we are doing in the community, and how we help the residents; not just through the clothing that we give -- that's a given -- but we also have a career center now where we provide one-on-one help with resumes and training for going on-the-job interview itself. So the program -- Our contract actually ended the end of May. I have sent in a letter to the staff at the CRA, requesting a continuation of the contract until we can get on the agenda to be approved for this upcoming year, because we do not want to lose any continuation of services. And our two Overtown residents' salaries come directly from your funding, so we don't want to have to, you know, jeopardize them with us. I just would like to thank Mr. Joseph, also, because he comes into the office at least two or three times a week, knocking on the door, making sure that we're fine; that things are moving smoothly; if we have any problems. So he really has been a wonderful asset to us this past year, really checking in on us. And the whole CRA staff really has been wonderful in working with us. We are celebrating 25 years next year. We're going to have a very big celebration. I hope to see all the Commissioners there. Mr. Russell, I haven't had a chance to meet with you personally; yet, I hope to, in the very near future, to sit down with you and tell you more about our program. But I'd like Tranell just to say a few words. Tranell Harris: Hello. My name is Tranell Harris. Most of you all may know me. I'd like to come out to say I thank you very much for this opportunity, because three years ago, I lost my son to gun violence in Overtown. Since 2015, I lost all hope. But when I grabbed a hold of Nathaniel Joseph, he told me, "Girl, you can't give up right now, because Richard is smiling down." I'd like to thank you all for this opportunity. And I'm a resident of Overtown. I'm 43 years old. I thank you all so much. Suited for Success have brought so much joy back into my life after losing my son. I stand firm in front of you today to tell you all thank you. SEOPW CRA Page 4 Printed on 9/6/2018 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes June 26, 2018 Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Shoshana Lincoln: Good afternoon, board and staff. Commissioner, I'm here today to ask Shiver -- We have $14,500 left back from the grant money, which Clarence Wood and Brian Zeltsman has sort of coerced me to sign off the retainage; that they would do the rest of work after, and nothing has been done. I have sent bills to you and to the architect -- the accountant -- and nobody pays the money. $11, 000 bills was sent, and no money paid. Chair Hardemon: Can you state your name for the record, please? Ms. Lincoln: Reverend Lincoln, from People Helping People, 210 Northwest 16th Street. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. We'll address your question once we get finished with the public comments. Ms. Lincoln: Pardon? Chair Hardemon: We will address your question once we get finished with the public comments. Ms. Lincoln: Yeah. I would like to see those bills paid, because the money is pending, and Shiver is saying he's not coming to the board to ask for any more money. That's not the issue. The issue that the money is there; it's sitting in the City of Miami Finance Department. Chair Hardemon: Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Ana Birch: Hello. Good evening. My name is Ana Beatriz Santos Birch. Chair Hardemon: Bring the mike up. Ms. Birch: My name is Ana Beatriz Santos Birch. Sorry for accent. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) these days. I'm here for the Affordable Home Program, that it's -- the communit [sic] needs education, so I'm trying to help with a very simple workshop to help the communit [sic] goes through the step of learn how to owns [sic] a house, or how to get a loan, because banks are asking people to have some kind of education. I create the workshop. I think you have my program. So I wish I can help the communit [sic] with my knowledge on real estate business that I been for more than 17 years. Chair Hardemon: Thank you. Ms. Birch: Thank you. Earnest Milton: Good evening. Chair Hardemon: Good evening, sir. Mr. Milton: My name is Earnest Milton. I'm a resident of Overtown, native of Overtown. I'm in the OBRC [sic], along with Mr. Washington; just to speak a little bit about the Training Program. I do window treatments and I'm a -- and I do concrete. I'm a concrete service and window treatment company. Having Mr. Washington around has, you know, kept me afloat, because when I'm short on equipment, material, and employees, Mr. Washington comes through for me, you know. And so, I just want to thank him on that. I mean, I've spoken with Nate, I've spoken with Mr. Shiver a few times, and trying to expand my business. I hire out of the community, and so, I like to do SEOPW CRA Page 5 Printed on 9/6/2018 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes June 26, 2018 a lot of the same things Mr. Washington is doing, is get my company going and be able to assist in the community, along with everyone else. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much, sir. Seeing no further persons, I'm going to close the public hearing at this time. The first thing I want to do is address the question that was asked about, "What action is the CRA taking to install permanent Overtown signage?" Mr. Shiver, if you can give us an update on the signage that we accepted dollars for and we're supposed to have built in the CRA area. Cornelius Shiver (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency): Thank you. Commissioner, in furtherance of the request from the community, and in response to your directive, the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA has contracted with the City of Miami CIP (Capital Improvements Program) Office to construct and to erect what I would call at least one gateway monument and several "Welcome to Historic Overtown" signage. The gateway monument would be at 8th and 3rd, because there is enough room in the right-of-way to do such a project. And by the way, these projects are fully funded. And also, in response, Commissioner, and to the community, and to other boards, there is an encroachment on Overtown on the north border from Wynwood and on the southern border from downtown. And so, Ms. Steward is correct. And as a result, we are also erecting "Welcome to Historic Overtown" signage at every entry point in Overtown, in furtherance of and/or trying to brand Overtown, "Overtown." Chair Hardemon: And we all received a number of emails from -- I can't say that we all, because no one knows who "we all" are. But I know I'm cc'd (carbon copied) in emails from Reverend Lincoln, regarding her project. Can you give us some statements so the board is clear about what is and is not with her project? Mr. Shiver: Reverend Lincoln project is, for the most part, completed. It's a beautiful rehabilitation. I don't know how many units it is. It may be 69 units. In fact, she has tenants. In defense of Reverend Lincoln, your chief of staff and I did -- on a rainy day -- did visit the site, and there were some minor corrections. I think there may have been a window that showed some sign of water damage that may or may not be under a warranty, but we've agreed to take care of that. There was a few extra things that were probably not a part of the scope. Reverend Lincoln is exactly right; there is money. Believe it or not, we did have a project that came under budget; and so, there are some monies left into the project. We have agreed to make the necessary repairs that she has identified, and we will make them. Chair Hardemon: Okay. So I want to be clear for all of us, because I was always under the impression that her project was complete. So to hear you say that the project is not complete and that there are repairs that still need to be made, then they need to be made so that she does not have to continue to send emails regarding the issues. Mr. Shiver: Let me clarify. You know, the project is complete. There is a CO (certificate of occupancy). There are inhabitants. She has tenants. But the fact that there was money left in the budget and she had other wants -- right? -- we decided it was in the best interest to try to satisfy those things. For example, she wanted the stairs painted, which probably was not a part of the initial scope. Fine; we'll do it. It's a beautiful project. There was some water damage in one window that we believe is under warranty. That's the only thing that we think we have an obligation to do. But we have agreed, even though the project is complete, there is a CO, there are people living there -- right? -- but in the abundance of peace, we've agreed to expend a few more dollars in attempt to try to satisfy this particular resident. Chair Hardemon: The only issue that I have to ask you to be cautious of is that if -- I don't remember, I don't have the document in front of me -- of what the resolution was SEOPW CRA Page 6 Printed on 9/6/2018 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes June 26, 2018 when she -- when the CRA was tasked with actually renovating her building. But if you don't have the authority to go beyond the repairs or the actions that you have listed, then you cannot go beyond those unless you come back to this board and ask for some direction regarding that, so I think it needs to be made very clear that if there's a scope of work that's not included within her original scope of work, it cannot be completed or -- actually, additional funds cannot be spent. Ms. Lincoln: Commissioner, may I say something? Chair Hardemon: You may. Ms. Lincoln: Shiver is not aware of the blueprint. I have given Mark the blueprint, and Mr. McQueen, and the work in the blueprint has not been finished. The roof the border on the roof they didn't do. There's some columns that you didn't do. Now, the money left over, I don 't think they can do that. But when we had the hurricane, the yard was flood, and we had to remove all the grass, and we do a new landscaping, and the man did not finish the cement work, which Shiver was with McQueen, and he saw that. He's not aware of what he's saying, but I can prove that, and Shiver -- McQueen said, "The work will get done." The cement work was not done, because we have facility for wheelchair. We had to extend the cement work, which had cost 2,800, and the landscaping cost 8,000. So the money is there, and the money is supposed to spent [sic] in the roof or the columns, or whatever. They're supposed to give me one car park, which they didn't. He void many things from the blueprint. Chair Hardemon: So -- Ms. Lincoln: And all I am asking, the bill that I sent to them to be paid, because that's People Helping People money paid for these people to do the work, and the money's pending in the City of Miami. He's not asking the board to give any more money. Chair Hardemon: Right. So what I'm explaining to you, Ms. Lincoln, is that if there are -- if these is any work that has not been completed that was a part of the scope of work, the CRA is going to complete that work. Any additional scope of work that's beyond what was initially identified is another subject that's going to have to be addressed at another time, and what I don't want -- I'm speaking to the board; not to you, Ms. Lincoln -- well, to the staff -- is I don't want to have to settle these issues before a public body at a CRA meeting, where it is not on the agenda. So it shouldn't come back to us like this ever again. Understood? Ms. Lincoln: So the bill that sent, who is going to pay for that? Chair Hardemon: Thank you, Ms. Lincoln. They'll answer your questions, okay? Ms. Lincoln: Pardon? Chair Hardemon: They'll address all your other questions, okay? Thank you very much. Chair Hardemon: Now, regarding the -- and I'm closing the public hearing, as I stated before. SEOPW CRA Page 7 Printed on 9/6/2018 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes June 26, 2018 CRA PRESENTATION 1. CRA PRESENTATION 4375 PRESENTATION REGARDING THE OVERTOWN COMMUNITY WORK TRAINING PROGRAM RESULT: PRESENTED Chair Hardemon: What we'd like to do right now is move into our presentation, DI.1, from the Community Work Training Program, Inc. Emanuel Washington: Good afternoon, Commissioner, Chairman, board members. How are y'all today? Board Member Russell: Good, thank you. Mr. Washington: Mr. Clerk, staff of the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), and especially Mr. Nathaniel Joseph. I know you're around here somewhere. I just want to thank you all, and especially thank him, because he's the -- yeah, there he is -- handles the day-to-day when it come to the Community Work Training Program, making sure that we in line, and also be able to have the resources to make sure that we do what we do. If you don't mind, I have a brief summary here of what I'm going to be talking about. I'd like to give you guys a copy if you don't mind; got one for the -- Chair Hardemon: Pass it to Nathan. Mr. Washington: On the record? Okay. The Community Work Training Program is a community -based organization that focus on employment, and we have a five point approach that we utilize to help the resident with their employment. First thing we do is we provide them employment. Right now, we have about 47 employers that we work closely with that, as residents come into the office to register, we ask them to bring in four documents, which is a resume, a valid ID (identification), a social, and a piece of mail that identify their name and their current address on it. Those employers -- matter of fact, some of them are here -- IBEW -- actual full-time positions that help us as far as the union. We have JFC, which is a holding company that controls several Starbucks, Einstein Bagels. They are contracted with us to actually help us to employ those individuals. The second point of the five point is training and education, because once -- our goal is to get them a job, because we know that a lot of individuals in the community don't work, and the greatest thing that hinders everybody is having an income to take care of their family. So once we get them work, we begin to focus on their training and education. We have an affiliation agreement with Miami -Dade County School Board where they have a Career of the Year Program, where we mentor them and walk them through the process of making sure that they're in school to now better their situation; that they're doing general labor work. Maybe they may want to be electrician, or maybe they want to be a plumber. Well, Miami -Dade got Turner Tech, Lindsey Hopkins, all the trade schools that they can assist you in getting a career in a year, and we monitor that and work closely with them. The third component of our program is aid in financial literacy. We have guys currently working on, for example, the St. John project, right on 14th Street. We have about seven guys on that project right now. All of them make 19.90 an hour. They're bringing home eight, $900 a week. And believe it or not, on Friday, when they get paid; come Monday morning, a lot of them are broke, because they have not learned how to manage their money. So what we do is sit down with them and walk them through a basic process of showing them how to establish a budget. We walk them SEOPW CRA Page 8 Printed on 9/6/2018 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes June 26, 2018 through the process of taking the money and making sure they're writing down where their money is going, as well as what's coming in as part of the literacy program. And we also teach them about paying their self, first, recognizing that when the money do come in, you got to make sure that you put aside some money for you, because one day, you will retire. And we realize that two things work in life: People work for money, and money work for people, so we want to make sure they put away some for that; and then, just basically teaching them the concept of living within their mean. It doesn't mean you have to sacrifice everything, but recognize the fact that every dollar that come through your hand don't have to be spent, and you want to spend it in an organized fashion. So we do that as a third component. The fourth component is a homeownership/renters, where we now make sure that they understand the process that one day, they can be a homeowner if they get their finances right. And the fifth component, which is our most important component, is the mentorship. And we track every individual that come through our program with what we call an ISP, and the ISP basically is an Individual Success Plan that, when an individual come in our office, we have a process where -- that we make sure when they come in, they register, and the information you have right there is what addresses those things. Every visitor that come into the Employment Assistance Center -- and I stress that it is just that; it's an Employment Assistance Center, because when people come in for employment, it's not just about a job; it's about assisting them in everything they need. We have individuals come in, ready to work construction, but they don't have gloves, they may not have a hardhat, but we have supplies that are funded through the program that we're able to give a person a hardhat, a glove, their safety equipment so they can now go to work. So we make them prepared. We have some individuals who have skills and don't have a hammer or a belt. We provide that information -- that -- tools and things for them so they'll be effectively able to go on that job and work the job. So the visitation, as you see in here, over the last 11 months, we had over 1,100 visitors come through our doors, seeking assistance for employment. And once they come through the door, we actually register them. And I mentioned to you before, there's four documents that we require that they give us before we register them, and even though they may not bring those documents, we still try to work with them. But the ones that bring those documents, we officially call them a registered person. And over the last 11 months, we had over 330 people that we physically registered that came through our office; and then, of course, once we register them, they're prepared for us to refer them to one of our employers. And as you see here, we've referred over 508 to a job opportunity; and then, last, but not least, we placed them. Once we place them, we -- over that time, we had about 88 people that we've actually placed in part-time and full- time jobs. And one thing that we're doing that we're responding on, because we realized that in the community, they're always saying that -- what the CRA do and don't do and -- because they don't understand what you do. And you're providing a lot of resources to projects that are growing and being developed, and people are working on those jobs. But since nobody's tracking and showing you that information, I want you to take a closer look at that last item, which is the income, which -- Each month, what we've done is just identified just a portion of the CRA project that you put money into, and ident, the income that those individuals are making. And just as an example, the St. John project on 3rd Avenue and 14th Street, we have seven individuals working there. They generate over $25,000 a month in income that comes back to families within this community. So the effect of what you're doing is real, and it -- actually helping families. We have maybe a few of them here that have come into the room. But overall, during that last 11 months, over 348 -- almost $350,000 have come into this community in the hands of families to take care of their family. So these are some numbers that I put together so you can look at. And I have an email that, you know, with your permission and the staff permission, we can send you the backup documentation with each one of these areas, because we tracked this in Excel. Every person that come inside, we have them register with that. Every person that register, we have that on the register. Everybody that we place, who we send them to, all that stuff is a matter of record. And on a monthly basis, we have Mr. Nathaniel Joseph verify the information that you see here in this sheet. And outside of that, I mean, I don't know if you have any questions, pretty much, for what we do as a SEOPW CRA Page 9 Printed on 9/6/2018 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes June 26, 2018 work training program, but we provide a lot of ancillary resources. On our website, we have what we call our Resource Room, where an individual can go there, and we have the website of pretty much every resource that's available to a person so that if they need to go to the Social Security, they can come to our office, open up their laptop, and we can get them plugged into Social Security. If they need a driver's license, right there. So we provide a lot of resources for the community in various ways. But we also have some issues, and some of the issues is just working with the companies that -- who you give money to. I mean, a lot of them are working with us and understanding what we're doing, but a lot of them don't provide an open resource to go in and get some of those jobs. For example, you may have a contractor have 15 different subcontractors. Well, the subcontractors, the way they get their workers is normally through word of mouth from another worker instead of creating a pathway that we've established. And a lot of them are doing a great job; that's why St. John and Town Park South, we're able to make that successful and show you these numbers. But a lot of times, individuals will use their worker to say, "Do you have a" -- "somebody that need the work? And they'll bring their cousin or their uncle and bring them to the job, and nine times out of 10, that individual - - well, not that they shouldn't work, but they don't work in the -- they don't live in the community. So, in essence, it hinders the efforts of what you're trying to do, to just make sure the residents in the community get some of those jobs. So even though we're doing such a incredible job in these areas, we do have a few problems that we can address and overcome, but other than that, the program is very successful. And I just want to introduce -- do you mind standing? -- Ketron and Javornie, and Sandra; those three individuals right there. Sandra Washington is our administrative assistant. Ketron -- I mean, Ketron Hadley is assistant program coordinator, and Javornie Brathwade is our program administrator. These are individuals who -- born and raised in the community, who went off to college and came back, and we gave them a opportunity to work in the community. A lot of times, we have kids that go off to college, and there's no opportunity for them to come back, but in this case, the Community Work Training Program, we had a job opportunity; that now, they're employed through this program. So that's in a nutshell what we do. If you have any particular questions I can answer, I'll be glad to do that. Chair Hardemon: Any questions? You're recognized -- Board Member Russell: Sorry. I was just going to compliment all the work. It's a lot of job advocacy, it's a lot of placement, it's a lot of work, and these are the things that a lot of people don't see the CRA is doing. Mr. Washington: Right. Board Member Russell: And I appreciate your accomplishments. Mr. Washington: Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Gort. Vice Chair Gort: When you're talking about placement, is this job placement, or all kinds of different placements? Mr. Washington: Yeah, it's dierent type of placements. As a matter offact, some of them are construction, some are work management companies, some of them at grocery stores. Vice Chair Gort: They are job placements? Mr. Washington: Yeah, actually; yeah, full-time jobs. Like, for example, the grocery store that we opened up through the CRA -- SEOPW CRA Page 10 Printed on 9/6/2018 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes June 26, 2018 Vice Chair Gort: Right. Mr. Washington: -- in Overtown, we worked out where we had 10 Overtown residents work with them to make sure that 10 of the Overtown residents had a placement through the Career Source and the OJT Program, on-the-job training. As a matter of fact, it was a paid work experience. So 10 individuals from our community that we vetted went to work full time there. They currently have four of them still working. The other six went on to other job opportunities, because they -- time with the schedules, they changed, but they are working full time there. That's just one example. Vice Chair Gort: And when you're talking about referrals, people referring people to different agencies for help or assistance or --? Mr. Washington: Yeah. Well, it -- through our referral here, it's basically a referral that when an individual come in our office and register, when they bring in the proper documents, and we look at their resume, we decide that, based upon your resume, you're a great fit for this employer. So we refer them to various employers. And matter of fact, when you see -- we don't actually have it on here -- but on the monthly report -- and I can -- so we have that backup document. We actually list the company we referred those individuals to. So every single month on the referrals, for example, you -- Vice Chair Gort: You got about 17 percent in placement. Mr. Washington: Yes. And that number, like I said -- Vice Chair Gort: Next year, we'll do 20, right? Mr. Washington: Well, it can grow. And the thing is that the resource that I just mentioned to you, or the hindrances that we have, the issues -- like I said, we have things that can -- we can do that -- but, of course, it requires your help; and, of course, that's why I want to thank Mr. Nathaniel Joseph, because he's working hand in hand to make sure -- every project that you guys fund, he makes sure those contractors are making sure that they come through us to make sure we get individuals placed, because now, everybody that's -- we referred to them actually now is working, or if an individual come and register, so we're working closely now to bridge that gap, so everybody that we refer, we're tracking them to make sure that we're actually getting them placed so -- on a month -to -month basis. Vice Chair Gort: Thank you. Mr. Washington: Sir? Chair Hardemon: Seeing no further questions, thank you very much for your presentation. Mr. Washington: Okay, thank you. SEOPW CRA Page 11 Printed on 9/6/2018 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes June 26, 2018 1. CRA RESOLUTION 4374 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THE ASSESSMENT OF NEED STUDY ATTACHED; AND MAKING FINDINGS THAT THERE EXIST ONE OR MORE SLUM OR BLIGHTED AREAS IN WHICH THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF HOUSING AFFORDABLE TO RESIDENTS OF LOW OR MODERATE INCOME, INCLUDING THE ELDERLY, THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR REHABILITATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING AFFORDABLE TO RESIDENTS OF LOW OR MODERATE INCOME, INCLUDING THE ELDERLY, AND IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST AND WELFARE OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY THAT THE LIFE OF THE CRA BE EXTENDED; FURTHER DIRECTING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THE ASSESSMENT OF NEED/FINDING OF NECESSITY REPORT TO THE CITY OF MIAMI AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION. ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-18-0030 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Vice Chair SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Gort, Russell, Reyes, Hardemon ABSENT: Carollo Chair Hardemon: Regarding the items that are on the agenda, were there any modifications that need to be made to any of the -- to the items? Cornelius Shiver (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency): Yes. On Item 2, we'd like to make a modification on the resolution. We want to delete in the resolution -- Item 2 is the item dealing with the -- Block 46, amended, the -- and we just want to strike the language of -- "Any vertical construction to commence in February 28" -- "2019" should be stricken. Chair Hardemon: So this is on the -- one, two, three, four -- on the fifth "whereas" clause? Mr. Shiver: One, two, three, four -- the fifth "whereas" clause. Chair Hardemon: Now how -- but how is this -- how is it that the resolution -- and I'll let you finish making your comments -- but how is it the resolution has language that is not consistent with the -- what was negotiated by you and the --? Mr. Shiver: And I'll answer that. And I have the clean copies here, by the way. In a nutshell, Commissioner -- and the board, as well -- we were negotiating this contract probably up until, you know, a couple of days ago. And so, this was a moving target. And what we did -- at the time of putting the agenda out, when we have a notice requirement, we put it out, anticipating certain provisions. At the end of the day, we are satisfied with the agreement, but some of those were just anticipated, and they just didn't pan out in the final agreement. SEOPW CRA Page 12 Printed on 9/6/2018 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes June 26, 2018 Chair Hardemon: So can you explain to us then what are the changes that you need to be made; and then, what is being substituted in, please? Mr. Shiver: All right. So what I'll do is, the "whereas" clause should read -- and I -- let me just pass out copies of it. Chair Hardemon: Okay, read it. Mr. Shiver: I'm just on the resolution itself. It's only a one page resolution on Item Number 2. Chair Hardemon: In our books, it's page 304. Mr. Shiver: It's 8 -- Page 3? William Bloom: Page 304. Mr. Shiver: Okay. So the "whereas" clause should read: "Whereas the primary purpose of the amended and reinstated covenant is to modem the covenant to extend the timeframe for commencement of vertical construction" -- we struck out the date -- "to make provisions for the receipt of $3 million to the CRA, and to make provisions for affordable rental units, and to remove obligations in the covenant for the CRA to make payments to the developer." So that is the new "whereas" clause. Chair Hardemon: So let me ask you a question. You -- I was informed that there was a monthly fee to the developer for extending the vertical construction timeframe. There was a -- I believe a $10, 000 monthly payment. Mr. Shiver: Yes. Chair Hardemon: Is that stricken, as well? Mr. Shiver: That automatically distinguishes if this agreement is passed. If this agreement have passed, then it would -- that $10,000 a month was the fee for monthly extension up to July 2. After July 2, this deal is dead. If this item passes tonight, then this item supersedes that $10,000 a month, and we'll be looking now for 3 million. Chair Hardemon: Okay. Any questions about amendments? Vice Chair Gort: That commence -- say it again. It's going to be --? Mr. Shiver: Well, the commencement date now -- Bill, you want to chime in, or you want me to answer it? Mr. Bloom: You can keep going forward. Mr. Shiver: Okay. He says, "Keep going forward." All right. The commencement date now is keyed off -- Mr. Bloom: Let me jump in here. They have to get approval from the -- it's the Downtown Review Committee -- for the project, all right? And they have until December 31 to start to pay us the $3 million. They can elect to extend that payment for up to three months. So they're -- they initially are going to put $250,000 in escrow when they sign the document. When they get approval from Poinciana Homeowners Association to amend the covenant that required shared amenities, that $250,000 is paid to the CRA, and is non-refundable. Then the balance of the purchase price, $2, 750, 000, is paid on or before December 31. They can elect to extend that payment period for up to three SEOPW CRA Page 13 Printed on 9/6/2018 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes June 26, 2018 months by making additional monthly payments to the CRA that don't get credited against the $3 million as an extension fee. Mr. Shiver: But in a nutshell, Commissioner, it appears to me -- and Bill, you correct me if I'm wrong -- commencement of construction is now on or before two years from the effective date of the new agreement; is that correct? Mr. Bloom: Again, there's two issues. One is, when do we get the $3 million? And the second issue is, when do they commence construction of the project? And so, they have up to 36 months to commence vertical construction, and they can -- to do that, they have to pay extension fees. Chair Hardemon: Is there a time that you expect them to commence construction, or are we looking to see a whole new CRA Board before this thing actually gets developed? Mr. Shiver: In essence, Mr. Chairman -- you got it, Bill? -- because, in essence, this does -- in essence, is an extension. But I have to put on the record, though, that the first agreement was that we were giving them $1.5 million in TIF (Tax Increment Fund) agreements. They had a right to build whatever they wanted to build, and the intent was market rate units, right? And they also had shared recreational facilities. In this new deal now, we get $3 million. Yes, they do -- they get a new timeframe for those $3 million, and we also get affordable housing component or provisions in this particular deal that wasn't in the previous ones. Chair Hardemon: So time has been kind to this CRA for this deal. Mr. Shiver: Exactly. Chair Hardemon: I got it. The $3 million that we'll receive in cash payments, we'll be able to use that on existing housing developments that we have within the community redevelopment area? Mr. Bloom: Correct. You could use the $3 million for any purpose that you desire, and that's partly why -- you know, typically, we would not -- we would have wanted to -- them to start vertical construction, but we want to get the money up front, and that's why the deal was structured this way. So they have two years from when the document is signed to commence vertical construction. They can extend that timeframe for up to another 36 months by paying fees to the CRA. So it could be a long time until this project actually commences construction. The real benefit to the CRA is, you know, they're going to end up, hopefully, with $3 million paid no later than March 31, 2019, which we'll be able to use for other projects in the redevelopment area. Mr. Shiver: And Mr. Chair, could I put on the record, also that the Sawyers family --? Ms. Dorothy had owned this property. A couple of the descendants are present, and they are in the deal, too. And the CRA requested certain guarantees; that those families participate in the profit of this particular project, and that was important. I know you and I spoke about that, and you felt that was important to you, as well, so I just wanted to put that on the record, as well. Chair Hardemon: The -- now the Sawyers family, are -- they are -- are they still residents of Overtown? Mr. Shiver: I don't think so. I think they came down from Virginia, but I think their family owned the property back when Overtown was Colored Town. Right. Chair Hardemon: So how did the property even become to be named Sawyer's Walk in order for them to -- what brings them into the deal to participate? SEOPW CRA Page 14 Printed on 9/6/2018 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes June 26, 2018 Mr. Bloom: No. That was part of the name that Mr. Weitzel came up with, with his company when he made the proposal, and some of the land was originally owned by William Sawyer, and Mr. Sawyer invested in the project and not only -- you know -- and made capital contributions to the project; that's in part why, you know, the CRA has been advocating to make sure they were going to get some of their investment back as part of this transaction. Chair Hardemon: Okay. So that makes sense. Are you a representative of the family, ma'am? Bernice Sawyer -Watson: I am the family. Chair Hardemon: You're -- there it is. You can speak, ma'am. Ms. Sawyer -Watson: Yes. I just want to let you know that, yes, we are still residents. We own several condos at Poinciana Village at this time. However, I am a resident of Virginia, but this is like the summer home, and I had -- my parents were here. Unfortunately, my mother passed in 2015. To give you a little background -- and you probably already know -- I was like a baby when this started, when the City took the funding for the property in Overtown from all of the Overtown residents through eminent domain. And a commitment went out from the City saying that, "We want our Coloreds" -- okay? That's the terminology at that time -- "to be involved." And my father was able to hold on, and sacrificed basically everything -- and I was still in college -- just so that we could be part of this. And I promised him that I would continue with this, and I have, and it has not been easy. Everything was put into it back in '79, '80. I borrowed money from my girlfriends. I was not married, okay? Everything that my parents had, we put it in there. I personally wanted to get a nice house somewhere. He said, "No. I love Miami. I want to be part of what's going on in Miami. I want our people to be represented here." And I picked up on that. My son is now here. When the deal finally went through with Poinciana Village -- because first, it was Circa, Barnetts and Sawyer; that was the first one. And Circa -- and the -- it didn't come to fruition. Circa, Barnetts and Sawyer sued the City. My father would not sue the City. He loved his city, okay? We didn't get much of anything, but the little we did get, we were able to invest. And because of the name and the commitment from us, they were able to get, you know, Poinciana Village and so forth. This is my -- I'm not a lawyer, so I'm telling you to the best of my recollection. And the young man that's sitting back there now was in diapers on the table when the deal was sought. And I'm like 20 -- what? -- 6 years old, not exactly knowing all, but just signing. My daddy said, "Sign," and I signed. And we've been with this and we've been able to hold on throughout with whatever -- I'm a schoolteacher -- as a teacher. My husband was a social worker. So that's not big bucks, okay? -- just to hold on so we can say, "Yes, we're part of it." And I'm very proud of what I've heard about Mr. Johnson and what you're doing over here with the -- you know -- helping people to empower them, to learn. I grew up -- I went to school in Overtown, okay? I -- so I know. I'm -- the Chapman House, you know; Greater Bethel, that's where I -- you know -- went to school -- I mean, Sunday School. That's where I got married. So I am a Overtown resident. I was here about three months of the year every year of my life, because as a teacher, you can come down, because -- and I'm an only child, and I could see about it. So, no, the commitment has been there, and I'm very interested in the success of Overtown, and for us to be represented. When I say, "us," I mean people of color to be represented, because this is ours. This is one of the -- my father told me this is one of the best localities in the City of Miami, and it -- just a quick note. Do you ever notice that it doesn't flood in Overtown? You ever noticed that? Chair Hardemon: Or in Liberty City. SEOPW CRA Page 15 Printed on 9/6/2018 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes June 26, 2018 Ms. Sawyer -Watson: But do you know why? Because my grandfather who came here, was one of the first doctors here knew that -- because of the cliff and the -- whatever you call -- the buildup -- we're the highest point in Miami. I won't even worry when the hurricane really comes. This is it. Others have started to learn. We are the jewel. We are the diamond. I want to hold on. Why can't we hold on and be part of the diamond phase? That's how I feel. (Applause) Ms. Sawyer -Watson: Now I'm about to get ready to retire. Y'all better be ready for me. Chair Hardemon: Well, first, we just -- I just want to say thank you for coming to speak. Thank you for coming back home to Miami to visit this meeting. It's important for people to understand what Sawyer's Walk is, and it was important for you to say what that history was. And, you know, the executive director does all the negotiating in regard to this project. And, you know, when we learned of the fact that Sawyer's -- the Sawyer family had been invested in this from the very beginning, one of the things that we want to do within this CRA is not just eliminate slum and blight, but really have some sort of restorative justice for the people in Overtown. Ms. Sawyer -Watson: Yeah. Chair Hardemon: Yeah, that's why we have certain sorts of developments that we have that provide more affordable housing, that bring up the quality of life for people, increase the standard housing here, but also give the residents some sort of equity in the new developments that are coming and the renovations that are happening within this community. So I think what you stated is a perfect example. I mean, this is a family that suffered through the worst times in Overtown; times where government really abused its authority by rule of law, and took a community away from its people. And so now, when the community is being rebuilt and the community is growing to be something better than what it has been in the recent past, I think that those same people should also learn to benefit. And so, thank you very much for being steadfast in it, and I look forward to the tradition of the Sawyer family continuing in Overtown. Ms. Sawyer -Watson: Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Absolutely. Any statement or comments? Yes. Vice Chair Gort: Also, I understand -- I think they were part of the deal that -- when it first was put together, and so on. And that goes back, I think, 30 or 40 years. Chair Hardemon: Right. Vice Chair Gort: I wasn't here though. Chair Hardemon: I was 20 then, yeah. So if there are any -- if there aren't any further things to be said on the record, the Chair would like to entertain a motion to approve the two items with what was discussed -- Vice Chair Gort: Move it. Chair Hardemon: -- on the record. Vice Chair Gort: As amended. Chair Hardemon: As amended. It's been properly moved by Commissioner Gort; seconded by the Chair. Any further discussions on that? SEOPW CRA Page 16 Printed on 9/6/2018 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes June 26, 2018 Board Member Russell: Question: On the -- We're voting both Items 1 and 2? Chair Hardemon: Correct. Board Member Russell: What are the next steps on the process for Item Number 1 with regard to the Assessment of Needs Study? Where does it go from here? Mr. Shiver: Thank you. As you know, Commissioner, in support of extending the life of the CRA, there are three documents. You need the Assessment of Study [sic], which we're approving today. We need to amend the Redevelopment Plan, and we need a Interlocal Agreement between the taxing authorities and the CRA. So this is just the first step. I would like to bring the other two before my board at the next couple of meetings; that's the amended Redevelopment Plan, as well as the Interlocal Agreement. Once I bring it before my board, it has to go before the City of Miami, and then the County. And when it goes before the City of Miami and the County, we expect to have all three documents travel together; and so, that is the process. Board Member Russell: Thank you very much. It's good to understand. And timing - wise, as far as going to the City and the County, what's the hope? Mr. Shiver: You know, the earliest point I can get it out of the CRA body. What I'm thinking about doing, board member, is I'm thinking about maybe bringing the amended plan and/or the interlocal to a City Commission meeting. I have to speak with my Chairman about that. And maybe then at the noontime, we'll -- you change hats and we do both at that particular point in time. But I do know that historically, the Commission takes a break in August, so if we can't get it in August, then we'll be coming in the fall with the two remaining documents, and the two -- at least finish with the City and -- but the final resting place, the final decisions will be made at the County level. Board Member Russell: At the County. Mr. Chairman, I am dedicated to be here for this, for the CRA. And as the Chairman of a neighboring CRA, I empathize and understand the hurdles we have facing us with regard to this extension, but I also recognize how important it is to this community that we continue the work. And this finding of necessity, this Assessment of Needs shows what is left to be done. And I know it's going to be an uphill battle, but they say showing up is 90 percent of the success. I'm here, and I'm here to give you my chair toward quorum, and if we don't have quorum, I'll play piano until we do. And when it comes to the City, I'll fight for it there with you. And when it goes to the County, I'll advocate for it, as well, because, as you know, in our other capacity, we're trying to do the same at the Omni CRA with regard to an extension, and we see the importance of that. Obviously, this CRA is lightyears ahead in terms of the actual accomplishments done within the community; and so that's what I'm trying to watch, learn, and take from, and implement, as well, but to support you in all those aspects. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. I'll be there for you, as well. You're recognized, yes. Board Member Reyes: Mr. Chair, first of all, I want to tell you that I'm sorry for being late. I was in a meeting -- a bunch of meetings -- the agenda prep and a lot of discussion. But I wanted to be here. I met with Mr. Shiver and Ms. Robinson the other day, and to me, this is extremely important, and it's extremely important, because back at the beginning of the '80s, I was the -- I was working as an economist for Herb Bailey when we started the Overtown/Park West Redevelopment Project. And the first CRA was created, and I had the honor of being the economist of that project. I don't know -- life and the Lord works in a very mysterious way. After many fries and many failures, now I am a Commissioner. I was selected by District 4, and I happen to be sitting here as a SEOPW CRA Page 17 Printed on 9/6/2018 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes June 26, 2018 Commissioner in a meeting of the Overtown CRA, after so many years, you see. To me, it's an honor to be here. And to me, this is a very special project, and I want everybody to know that at the moment that it was created, it was created to foster economic development and to eliminate blight and slum from the area, but also, it was very important to us -- and I remember that I used to come around here and talk to -- about this with then -City Manager Howard Gary, my dear friend; and Herb Bailey, who is one of the smartest persons that I ever worked with -- about the need, not only to provide affordable housing, but to -- for people to come and live here as renters, no; that's not the idea. The idea is for the people of Overtown to own homes in Overtown; that was the main purpose of it. And now that you're extending -- we're extending this -- I mean, the life of -- or requesting the extension of the life of the CRA, I humbly ask the Chair and the executive director to place emphasis -- emphasis in ownership, ownership. Build affordable housing so people can buy it -- can buy it -- particularly residents from Overtown; that's what we wanted to do. We wanted to preserve the neighborhood, preserve the neighbors that -- make the neighbors -- I mean, provide them the ability to own either a condominium or a house or build -- I mean, own the place they lived. And I'm going to see to it, the time that I'm a Commissioner. I don't know if I'm going to be re-elected next year or not, but I'm -- this time that I have, for sure, you better be sure -- you be assured that I'm going to work very hard, and I'm going to be after this man. I'm going to be in his case, trying to get projects for ownership. And I promise you that, man. I'm going to be on you. I'm going to ride you hard, okay? We need ownership in Overtown. Thank you. (Applause) Vice Chair Gort: Question: When do you think you'll have the master plan? Mr. Shiver: Hopefully -- my team is currently working on it. We have a team in place. I haven't talked to -- gotten an update on them, but best -case scenario, I'd like to bring it at the next -- July board meeting. Shake a hand if that's doable. Vice Chair Gort: Make sure you check with him before you commit. Mr. Shiver: But it's a -- we -- Vice Chair Gort: I'd like -- we'd like to get a copy as soon as possible so we can go over it. Mr. Shiver: Okay. We've been working on it, Commissioner. And by the way, let me go on record saying that the current plan is not a bad plan. So we only have to do just a little tweaking. It's not like we're starting from scratch. We're just going and tweaking and updating, putting some better photographs in there, updating the cultural entertainment district. So it's not as much heavy ling as it was initially, and that's why I can represent that we'll get it to you guys relatively fast. Vice Chair Gort: Should be a lot easier now. Board Member Reyes: And I'm sorry, but I want to check with Mr. Shiver. And the last time that I talked to you, we talked about developing a program for business development and ownership in Overtown, for residents of Overtown. Mr. Shiver: Right. Board Member Reyes: And I think that -- I mean, I don't know how -- if you had started it, but I would love to see that. And maybe we can help, and we can definitely work with the Small Business Administration and try to get training, get seed funds, and money for SEOPW CRA Page 18 Printed on 9/6/2018 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes June 26, 2018 16 businesses or for start-up businesses in Overtown for residents and people from Overtown. Mr. Shiver: Yeah. And by the way, and so the public will know, the Chairman has requested the CRA look into programs where we can offer assistance to small business firms. It was interesting when you asked it. Commissioner Gort's office had sent me some information on a similar program in Detroit, where JP Morgan was giving money to a certain CDC (Community Development Corporation) to facilitate and to increase minority participation in certain contracts. Interesting enough, I met with JP Morgan this morning, Commissioner Gort, and I have assigned the -- what we call the Community Grant Program to my new job coordinator, Davie Madison, and at the next board meeting, we will bring that item before you. Board Member Reyes: Well, I think you are -- you cannot find better help than Commissioner Gort, because he has a lot of experience doing that with the Latin Chamber of Commerce, and if you need my help, I'm there to help you. Mr. Shiver: Thank you. Vice Chair Gort: You know, I'd like to see, if possible, a scholarship program for kids coming out of high school to go to college or trade school; not everybody has to go. Chair Hardemon: So -- no, no, you're perfectly fine. Mr. Shiver: So noted. Chair Hardemon: You're perfectly fine, and it's my executive director that gives me pause at times. You know, the -- I just want to make it very clear that, you know, I don't think it's as easy for items to make the agenda as it's always put; that sometimes, there needs to be additional work or findings necessary in order for items to be prepared to be on the agenda, because ultimately, we don't like to make serious changes on agenda items when they come before us. And, you know, I don't want people to get the impression that it's easy to extend the life of the CRA; it is not. There are many different facets that we must consider and many different battles that we will have on different levels of government that don't necessarily see things the way we see things in the CRA. And so, that's why I appreciate when our Vice Chairman said it, because it's -- it is real and it takes a real commitment to -- in order to extend the life of projects. It takes a real commitment to bring items to this agenda, and it's not always as easy as, "It'll be on the next agenda." I don't want anyone to get that impression, because that impression leads people to disappointment, and then the disappointment is always in the Chair, and it shouldn't be in the Chair. It should be in the person that sold you the dream. Okay? And second, I want to say that Commissioner Reyes, I really do appreciate what you said about homeownership. Homeownership is important to us in the CRA; it's important to us, and I think in the City of Miami, in totality, because, I mean, the rental housing can only take you but so far. It may provide some housing needs, but for the residents of Overtown, who greatly don't get an opportunity to actually live in those new rental buildings, it does nothing for them; that's why I think that the renovations of Town Park North, South and Village are really important to the neighborhoods; and especially where we're extending now, to touch people, single-family homes. But I will let you know, for instance, those 17, I believe, units that we purchased in the Town Park community, I want to ensure that those residents -- those residences actually go to residents of Overtown. And I'm not just talking about people who are ultimately credit- worthy, upstanding, stellar members of our community. I also want to give some housing to people who have been convicted of felonies; I want to give some housing to people who've been struggling to make it. I mean, I really want to touch the people who live in these neighborhoods. So when you see someone get a -- able to secure housing in these places, I want people of Overtown to say, "Man, he got a house. That's incredible. We SEOPW CRA Page 19 Printed on 9/6/2018 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes June 26, 2018 all know he lives here. We all know he's always been here. We all know he's been struggling. We all know he's made mistakes. But if he can get somewhere to live, then possibly, I can, too." I think that's the commitment we have to make, and I think if we are able to come up with a development, which I'm -- I think through all the time, and just on this dais, with what you just said, I thought about a potential way of doing something, if we're able to do that, for people who look like the people who live in these neighborhoods, then I think we'll greatly increase the amount of homeownership within the Overtown community, which is ultimately what it should be about, because the big deal is this -- and this is what I don't want people to get fooled about: Homeownership, just like in training, just like in education, but particularly homeownership can be your gateway out of poverty into a middle-class life, because your home -- especially in a neighborhood like Overtown -- if you own it and you choose to sell it later, the appreciation in value of that home could be so much that your life could end up changing; not saying that you sell your home. I want you to stay in Overtown, but you should understand that if you own something that's valuable, the value is more than just in the brick and the mortar. It changes your actual net worth. It changes your credit- worthiness. It changes your ability to secure other loans. It changes your ability to do many things that -- or not deal with many things that you deal with on a year-to-year basis. You won't face any sort of rent hikes if you own your own property. So we know that rents in Overtown were always affordable -- $350, $500, et cetera. If you owned a mortgage, your rent doesn't increase from five to a thousand; from a thousand to 1,500, from 1,500 to 2,000. And we know the rents in Overtown -- you're looking at commercial properties getting even higher than that, so that's what it's all about, and that's why ownership is really important to this neighborhood. And so, I really appreciate you saying that. But if there aren't any other things to be discussed on the record, I'd like to entertain a motion. Vice Chair Gort: Move to adjourn. 2. CRA RESOLUTION 4376 A RESOLUTION THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, WITH ATTACHMENTS, AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY TO EXECUTE A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE COVENANT REGARDING BLOCK 46 WITH SAWYER'S WALK, LTD. AND POINCIANA VILLAGE OF MIAMI, LTD., IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM. ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-18-0031 MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s) RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Vice Chair SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Gort, Russell, Reyes, Hardemon ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing CRA Resolution Item Number 2, please see CRA Resolution Item Number 1. SEOPW CRA Page 20 Printed on 9/6/2018 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes June 26, 2018 ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. SEOPW CRA Page 21 Printed on 9/6/2018