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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMCRA 2024-09-26 MinutesCity of Miami 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 26, 2024 10:00 AM (OR THEREAFTER) City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Joe Carollo, Vice Chair, District Three Miguel Angel Gabela, Board Member, District One Damian Pardo, Board Member, District Two Manolo Reyes, Board Member, District Four Christine King, Board Member, District Five MIDTOWN CRA OFFICE ADDRESS: 1401 N. Miami Avenue, 2nd Floor Miami, FL 33136 Phone: (305) 679-6868 www.miamicra.com Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 CALL TO ORDER Present: Vice Chair Carollo, Commissioner Gabela, Commissioner Pardo, Commissioner Reyes and Commissioner King On the 26th day of September 2024, the Board of Commissioners of the Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Miami met in regular session at Miami City Hall located at 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida. The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Carollo at 5:21 p.m., and was adjourned at 6:38 p.m. ALSO PRESENT: George K. Wysong III, City Attorney Todd B. Hannon, Clerk of the Board APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S) 1. MIDTOWN COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY - REGULAR - SEP 9, 2023 10:00 AM MOTION TO: Approve RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Christine King, Board Member, District Five SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Board Member, District Two AYES: Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes, King Todd B. Hannon (Clerk of the board): Chair? My apologies, Chair. There are minutes to approve for the September 9, 2023, Midtown CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting. Board Member King: Motion. Vice Chair Carollo: Of what year? Board Member Pardo: Second. Vice Chair Carollo: September 9th -- Mr. Hannon: September 9th, 2023. Vice Chair Carollo: -- 2023. And for $86,000 plus dollars, they couldn't have brought that to me to have a meeting to do before. We have to wait over a year later. Okay. There's a motion, there's a second. All in favor, signify by saying "aye." Members of the Board (Collectively): Aye. Vice Chair Carollo: It passes unanimously. Anything else we have? Mr. Hannon: No, sir. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Well, thank you everyone for being here today and this meeting is now adjourned. Those who would like to apply for the executive director position, please send it to the City Manager, since the Midtown CRA does not have an address or a phone number. Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 1 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 MCRA RESOLUTION(S) 1. MCRA RESOLUTION 16531 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE MIDTOWN COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), WITH ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING AND APPROVING THE 2025 PROPOSED BUDGET OF THE MIDTOWN COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A", IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,838,550.00 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2024 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2025; DIRECTING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THE BUDGET TO THE CITY OF MIAMI AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY. ENACTMENT NUMBER: MCRA-R-24-0001 MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s) RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Christine King, Board Member, District Five SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Board Member, District One AYES: Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes, King Note for the Record: Direction by Vice Chair Carollo to the City Clerk to transmit a copy of the video from today's meeting, including all documents associated with Commissioner Carollo's presentation, to the Miami -Dade State Attorney's Office, Broward County State Attorney's Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Miami -Dade County Commission on Ethics and Public Trust. Vice Chair Carollo: Good afternoon, everyone. 1 am calling to order the September 26, 2024, Midtown CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting. I am the vice chair of the Midtown CRA. I wasn't aware, I guess it's my fault for being involved in so many things at one time, that I have become the chairman by default, because somehow we -- somehow, we did not name a chairman for the Midtown CRA, either last December I think it was, or this January, whichever the time was. However, we did have an executive director. I never heard from him all during that time, never came to me for anything, not even to say hi. And then the last meeting that we had, when I arrived, I had the CPA (Certified Public Accountant), the gentleman that is the CPA for a firm, that does the accounting for the Midtown CRA; he also does the accounting for the Omni and the Southeast Overtown CRA, was waiting for me in my office to give me the budget that I was supposed to bring to nay colleagues, sitting as members of the Midtown CRA, to approve. I'm not good at rubber stamping. And I looked at the budget and the first thing I saw was that I'm just given big numbers without any explanation. So, this is why I asked my colleagues to defer this item until today so I could find out what was going on. And there's still some things that I haven't gotten to, but I've seen enough to have concerns. Karen, can you begin with the first one? This is a text that was sent to the -- slow, slow there -- to the -- if you could move it down just a little bit. Okay, that's fine. This text was sent to the executive director of the Midtown CRA, Anthony Balzebre, as you see there, on Thursday, September 19th, 2024, last week. That was sent from my Chief of Staff, Will Ortiz, on my. behalf. And he says, "Hi, Anthony, I hope you're doing well. Commissioner Carollo would like to meet with you tomorrow in our district office, 1300 SW 12th Avenue, at 1:30 p.m. in order to prepare .for the Midtown CRA budget meeting. Please bring all relevant documentation to the meeting. Thank you. " And if you all could see, that was sent at 10:38 a.m. on that date. 10:38 a.m. You can go to the next one. This email at 10:44 a.m., six minutes later, only six minutes later, was sent by the executive director of the Midtown CRA, Anthony Balzebre, to the City Clerk, Todd Hannon, copying two other government employees. I Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 2 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 was not copied there. And he says, "Good morning, Mr. Clerk. I'd like to make you aware for your records that this email shall serve as my resignation from the executive director position of the Midtown CRA, effective September 19, 2024, " that same day. "Thank you, Anthony Balzebre." Six minutes after I requested a meeting with him to go over the budget and what had transpired through that year. Maybe it just happened by chance, but to some people it might look a little funny. And I'm one of those that Ion starting to add two plus two and I'm not getting four. If you could go to the next one, please. Board Member Pardo: Chair, whenever you have a minute and you're done. Vice Chair Carollo: No, no, when I'm done, sir. Board Member Pardo: Okay. Vice Chair Carollo: You could speak all you want, and I'm not going to be like anyone else, or like you with me, to try to hold me to what can say. I'm the chairman here, and I will give you all the time in the world, the same time I'm going to allow to myself. The amount that was being paid to the executive director of the Midtown CRA was a salary of $40, 000, FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) of $3, 059 on that $40,000, $2, 000 for employer's contribution to his pension, $2, 400 for a cell phone allowance, $6,000 for a car allowance, $1,153 for Guardian Health Insurance for himself and his whole family, another $5, 623 for an APL (American Public Life) Health Insurance, insurance for himself and his whole family, another $25,867 for United Healthcare, health insurance for himself and his whole family, for a total -- stop there -- of $86,102. We could go to the next one. His salary and benefits as we have gone over, amounted to, based upon what I've been given, $86,102, as executive director for the Midtown CRA. But he also had a job, you would think a full-time job, as chief of staff for Commissioner Pardo, which I am told his salary is $150, 000 there. I don't know what benefits, if any, goes along with his salary. I haven't been provided that yet. The total amount for both positions came to a total of $236,102. This is what we pay some of our assistant city managers. This is twice -- more than twice as much that we earn with benefits as commissioners. I think we're about 101 and change. The problem here is several. And frankly, I have to admit, I don't have all the answers, and I shouldn't, and I don't have the time to deal with something like this, so others are going to have to deal with it. The problem is that it's several folded. And let's keep going in the presentation that I have before I get into what I see the problems there. This Exhibit A here, please go up, this is part of the budget that was made for the Southeast Overtown CRA. If you could look at the areas that are in yellow, the CPA that did this, which is the same CPA that did our Midtown, included here clearly a line item for life and health insurance and another line item for retirement contribution. Go to the next one. This other one is the Omni tax increment fitnd budget for the Omni CRA. If you see in the yellow lines, the CPA did a line item for life and health insurance for the employees', and another one for retirement contributions for the employees. That's the pension, and you see them in yellow. You can go to the next one. But this is how it was done for the Midtown CRA. Right off the bat, you could see that it was different than it was done in the others, because all the monies being given and paid for Mr. Balzebre's health, vision, dental insurance for him and his family, and the pension being given to him, was listed available for other administrative expenditures. That's not health insurance, vision, dental, or pensions. In fact, I thought originally that maybe they were going to be hiring somebody else. Administrative expenditures. This is what was being asked of us to approve for this next fiscal year, but in fact, we got sucker into it the last fiscal year, the one before Mr. Russell left, that had the same wording and one could very well feel that we did not approve a budget for health insurance, dental, vision insurance, for Mr. Balzebre and his whole family, or a pension. for him, because it did not say it here like you saw the other CRAs that where it was spelled out. And you see here that the pension contribution, the dental, eye, Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 3 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 health insurance contributions totaled almost $35,000, thatl don't believe the board of the Midtown CRA had approved before, nor if we would have approved this last meeting, like I was asked to present, we would have been approving that, because he didn't spell it out. He talked about other administrative whatever. Now, let's go to the next one. This happened -- this article here was -- I think it came out yesterday. Mr. Pardo is becoming a regular writer, you know, maybe that's a new gig, I don't know, in our local Miaini Herald. I've already been scolded by them not to call them tabloid, they get mad. They could come after you if they get mad. And in this article yesterday, he said, "I have been a champion for more transparency from our government." I have been a champion for more transparency from our government. That's what he said yesterday in the article, besides many other things that we might deal with at the next meeting. And I know that for quite some time now, he's been talking that he came here to fight corruption and so on, so I got to wonder, I have been a champion for more transparency from our government. Champ, how could you miss this? How could the champ miss this when the corruption was right under his feet, because when I've asked, what does the Midtown CRA do, to the administration, oh, they're just a pass -through, just a pass -through. And what I've been shown is that Mr. Balzebre's involvement was in signing five, maybe, if anyone will lump them together, to the City, six checks the whole year. Now, I haven't seen any audited numbers. I haven't seen copies of our bank statements. But I'm going in what I've been given and what I've been told. How can anybody think that it is all right when all you're doing is being an executive director in a CRA that is a pass -through only, that there's no real work, like in the others, that it's okay to be getting in salary and benefits, can we go back to that? Karen? Thank you. Keep going. Keep going. Keep going. Right there. Okay. How can anyone think that it's okay to receive $86,102? You know, when Mr. Diaz de la Portilla chaired the Omni CRA, and 1 found out, among other things, that there was a young lady there that was working, or should I say was employed by the CRA, the Omni, but was not showing up to work. And rightly so, people said that was a ghost employee. If I'm supposed to he the chair, I'm the vice chair, and I never have heard from the executive director, the Midtown CRA, that I know, doesn't have its own offices. I don't know if it even has a phone number. I guess you need an office to have a phone number, maybe it was the cell phone that we paid for Mr. Balzebre. I have to wonder, is this another Jenny? Another ghost employee that we had? Now, I don't know if Mr. Balzebre violated any ethical provisions or anything other, on dual office holding. I don't know if there are any other provisions, but I do know this whole thing stinks. And when 'found out about it, I asked to have a meeting with him. Within six minutes after I asked for that meeting, he's resigning. So, what I am going to be doing today, out of the budget that was proposed, since everything I'm told is a pass -through, and so it seems like it is, the $134,363 that was being sent Omni CRA to pay, because the Midtown didn't even pay itself. Even though it paid a CPA $26, 000 a year or so, a little more. I'm going to be amending this budget so that amount would be placed in reserve. So, the budget that I'm going to propose will be the pass-throughs, as we have here, with the exception that this $134,363 would be placed in reserve. I am further going to be requesting of the City Clerk to send a copy of this meeting with everything that we presented, and we have more that we can provide, to both the Miami -Dade and the Broward State Attorney. I don't know who is going to want to look at this. You can even send it to Palm Beach in case it gets that far, I don't know, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Ethics Commission, because the one thing I do know is that if this would have been Joe Carollo doing this, or one of my employees, the local Miami Herald, among others, would have been the one screaming the loudest, hang him, hang him, get the rope out. And they would have been asking for every investigation in the world against me, including sending the Boy Scouts to investigate me. Now, I will be extremely interested to hear if anybody can try to explain to me if the two plus two is actually four, and not another number that I've looked at this. Maybe others didn't know about this, like I just recently, found out, and I still don't have all the information. But for a City employee to be having two jobs like this, in particularly, one job when there's nothing to do, to be paid over $86,000 a year in salary and benefits, and for Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 4 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 nobody to have said anything about it, that's wrong. That's wrong because if they're making $150, 000 from another City job, how can they make $86, 000 plus from another one? 1 mean, Mr. City Attorney? George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, sir. Vice Chair Carollo: Can my chief of staff, I'm sure he'd be glad to do this work for $10,000 less than Mr. Balzebre was making. Can he do it? Or would he have a problem in doing it? Mr. Wysong: If he were to be your chief of staff, as well as the executive director of the CRA, I believe we have researched that and determined that he could, he would just have to fill out the outside employment forms and the extra source of income forms every year. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. So, the outside employmentjbrnzs. Mr. Wysong: Correct. Vice Chair Carollo: That as of last night were not filled. Is that correct, Mr. Clerk? Todd B. Hannon (Clerk of the Board): Yes, sir. Vice Chair Carollo: When 1 inquired. So, after all this time, after the fact, after somebody resigns, run to the hills and see how you could get some cover, even if they're right in what they're saying, because some of the rumors that I've heard is this was asked in the past, and not that long ago, to have gotten a legal opinion to give him cover and it was not provided. So, I will begin with Mr. Pardo, and then anybody else that -- from this body -- that would like to address this can address it. Board Member Pardo: Thank you very much, Commissioner Carollo. Vice Chair Carollo: You have all the time that you would like, Mr. Pardo. Board Member Pardo: Can Igo now? Vice Chair Carollo: Go ahead. Board Member Pardo: Thank you. I appreciate that. Vice Chair Carollo: Don't put the clock. All the time he wants. Board Member Pardo: Thank you, I appreciate that. First thing I want to say is I think it's apparent to most people that this is never the way something like this should be handled. You kind ofproved my whole point of political theater and taking something which may all be very easily explained, very well explained, and creating a fiction around it to hurt someone, an employee of the City of Miami, who happens to be my chief of staff and does an amazing job, and I value highly, and is one of the people who has helped every CRA, and helped every person in the City, and I bet you can talk to most people through the offices, and they're going to tell you the exact same thing. A resolution, and I'm sorry you didn't know you were the chairman of the CRA, but that's your job. You're the chair. You're the chairman of the CRA. September 2021 -- Vice Chair Carollo: I'm aware of that. That's why I didn't touch that. Board Member Pardo: You said I could speak, right? So, let me speak. Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 5 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 Vice Chair Carollo: Absolutely. Board Member Pardo: So, let me speak. Vice Chair Carollo: And I'm going to let you speak. Board Member Pardo: So, let me speak, please. Vice Chair Carollo: But what I don't want you to do is try to confuse. Board Member Pardo: Let me -- Vice Chair Carollo: That resolution, I'm aware of that. The City is aware of that. Board Member Pardo: So, let me read the resolution, please. Vice Chair Carollo: But what I talked about was different, not the resolution. Board Member Pardo: I am going to read the resolution. A resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Midtown Community Development Agency with attachments, appointing Anthony Balzebre as the executive director of the CRA, authorizing the Midtown CRA's chairman to negotiate and execute any and all necessary agreements setting the executive director's compensation and benefits, all in form acceptable to the counsel and Midtown CRA for said purposes. The letter, which was March 2022, dear Mr. Balzebre, this will confirm the action of the Board of Commissioners of the Midtown Redevelopment Agency. By the way, you were the motioner on this. Vice Chair Carollo: That's correct. Board Member Pardo: Okay. Vice Chair Carollo: That is correct. Board Member Pardo: Effective Monday, September 13, 2021, you will be employed as Executive Director of the CRA with a salary of $6,000. Benefits will include $500 vehicle allowance, $200 cell phone. I mean, you are defaming someone without them having an opportunity to stand up for themselves and give information. This should not be handled like this. Vice Chair Carollo: Bring him over. You have him there. He can speak. Board Member Pardo: This should not be handled like this, Commissioner. This is not the way that we should act as a City with each other or with the public. This is disingenuous and it's false. And we shouldn't be doing this at all. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Anything more? Board Member Pardo: And by the way, we can go into Bayfront Park Trust. There's a million things that we have, Miguel Ferro (phonetic) and where he was employed. There's a million things. We shouldn't be doing this. We should simply get the information as appropriate and if there're measures need to be taken, take them, but everything here was approved above board. Vice Chair Carollo: Sir, at no time did I say here that the salary and the additional information that you read in that resolution was incorrect. I directed the attention to approximately $35,000 of health insurance and pension that was not approved based on what was given to this body in the past or what was being asked for us to approve Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 6 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 now. And it certainly seemed it was being hidden by the example that 1 gave with the other two CRAs, including yours, where it was very open. Now, let me explain to you the big difference on September 21st, or whatever the date in September it was, 2021. Mr. Balzebre was not working as a chief of staff. Mr. Balzebre was suddenly given that job. That is a major, major difference. He did not have dual jobs in the City of Miami. He was not making $236, 000 plus dollars, in supposedly two jobs. Now granted, you know, clearly say it, even then, we should have looked at that even closer. And this is why I've stated many times I haven't been wanted part of any of the CRAs, and I've wanted to see how I could get myself in not being a board member. But I'm told because of the way that they've been made, I have no choice but to be a board member. But for you to try to confuse by saying that this is all approved, no sir. Part was approved, part was not, but the big difference was that he was only working then for the Midtown CRA. Board Member Pardo: All I have to go on are your statements made at this moment on the dais. There is no time to investigate this, other than the text that I've received, which he tells me he has his outside employment forms filed. That I know of he's an above -board person that complies with everything. So, he's not here -- Vice Chair Carollo: What -- Board Member Pardo: -- he's not here, I don't think, 1 think this is like bordering on defamation. This is an employee of the City. Vice Chair Carollo: Listen, he is not here because he doesn't want to be here. Let's go back to that September 2021, he wasn't there either. When this was supposed to be brought up to this commission, that Ifound out that I'm the guy that's supposed to be running the meeting, and I'm being given stuff to rubberstamp it, and to ask all of you to rubberstamp it. He wasn't here that day either, at our last meeting, because he didn't want to be around. He should be in your office. Call him out. I'll give him all the time that he wants. Board Member Pardo: I wouldn't do that to an employee in my office. And I wouldn't do that to any employee. What you're doing right now, I wouldn't do to anyone. Vice Chair Carollo: Listen, he's an employee in your office, but he's also a political operative. That's why you have him in your office. First and foremost, he's a political operative. Board Member Pardo: He's a chief of staff. Vice Chair Carollo: Secondly of all, as an employee. The problem that you have is, no matter how you like to paint it, you can't justify what I just showed here. And furthermore, where's the copy, where's the date of when he filed all these public notices that you're telling me? Board Member Pardo: I'll go find them. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Very good. He was supposed to have filed according to what the attorney said -- Board Member Pardo: I mean, you said you were chairing the meeting before, but you didn't know you were chairman now. So, I mean, I just don't know where this information you've gathered, and I have nothing to -- Vice Chair Carollo: I've gathered this between the last meeting and this meeting, just why I said last meeting -- Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 7 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 Board Member Pardo: Listen, I've always been in favor of transparency. Vice Chair Carollo: -- that I needed the time. Board Member Pardo: I'm in favor of full transparency, and I will commit to investigating all of this on our behalf and share it. Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Pardo, you can investigate everything that you like, but if you didn't investigate it before, champ -- Board Member Pardo: I'm not the chairman of the Midtown CRA, sir. You are. Vice Chair Carollo: No, no, no. Board Member Pardo: No, you are. Vice Chair Carollo: No, you are the one that have hired him for $150,000 -- Board Member Pardo: As my chief of staff, I'm very well aware of what he does. Vice Chair Carollo: Were you aware that he had this other job for that money? Board Member Pardo: Yeah, I knew he had a job under you. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, and how are you working out the hours for him? Board Member Pardo: I don't have a specific hours set for him as chief of staff or for your job as the Midtown CRA. Vice Chair Carollo: I see. But I do not get any money. I didn't even know this individual was doing this work. I have enough with what do already than to be babysitting somebody. Board Member Pardo: Well, he has enough with what he does, too. And so do we all. Vice Chair Carollo: Then, you know what, get for us all the hours that he claimed that he put down in this CRA. But in the meantime, it's not for you, for L Like I said, I don't have the time for this, let somebody else, whether it's Ethics or anybody, else they want, figure out what he had to file and when he had to file it. Not that he ran out to file it today because he heard the Clerk say that as of last night he had not filed anything pertaining to what the City Attorney said. Board Member Pardo: Commissioner, Pin happy to work with you on this issue, and I suggest that we move on. We have pressing issues with our budget, and I think it would be better served for the City if we did that. Vice Chair Carollo: I've covered the areas that I needed to cover, but Mr. Balzebre, nor you are victims of this at all, whatsoever. Board Member Pardo: No one is saying that. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Board Member Gabela: Can I -- Vice Chair Carollo: Yes. Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 8 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 Board Member Gabela: -- weigh in? How much is in reserve over there now? Board Member Pardo: Ask him. Vice Chair Carollo: Where are the people for the Midtown CRA here? Board Member Pardo: Aren't you the chair? Vice Chair Carollo: Hold on. You're going to be surprised at what he tells you, because it's not much. Go ahead. Miguel Valentin: Good afternoon, everybody. I'm Miguel Valentin, Southeast Overtown/Park West financial officer, and 1 work in the capacity of expert consultant for the Midtown CRA. Vice Chair Carollo: You're not an employee. You're outside -- Mr. Valentin: The City, Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: -- the City. I just want to make that clear. Mr. Valentin: Yes. Well, just to answer your question, in the grand scheme of things, this Midtown CRA is a single purpose CRA. This CRA is obligated to pay -- to contribute towards the debt service for the Midtown CDD (Community Development District), and also we put aside 1 percent for administration. The remaining balance, that needs to be distributed between the taxing authorities, meaning 60 percent goes to the City and 40 percent goes to the County. And we started distributing the remaining funds, I think, since last year as a result of an audit that we -- Vice Chair Carollo: But Valentin, I'm sorry to interrupt you. The board member, Commissioner Gabela, his question is -- Board Member Gabela: How much in reserve? Vice Chair Carollo: -- how much of a reserve do you have there. Board Member Gabela: How much money have you got in liquid -- in a bank, wherever you keep it? Mr. Valentin: Well, remember, in the Midtown CRA, it's supposed to be zero at the end of the day. Board Member Gabela: So, you don't have any reserves? Mr. Valentin: No, right now, we have -- Vice Chair Carollo: You do. Mr. Valentin: -- $4 million. Board Member Gabela: Okay. Mr. Valentin: Four millions, that they are meant to be distributed to the City pertaining to fiscal year 24 -- 2024, and those monies need to be distributed by early October. Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 9 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 Vice Chair Carollo: And if1 can add this so the Commissioner, and all of them are informed, based upon what you told me, this will he the first time -- Mr. Valentin: Yeah. Vice Chair Carollo: -- that monies that were available from the Midtown CRA are going to the City of Miami. Mr. Valentin: Correct. Board Member Gabela: Okay, so you have $4 million in reserve because you -- Vice Chair Carollo: Almost five. Almost five. Board Member Gabela: Almost five. Okay, so -- Mr. Valentin: This is without -- excuse me, Commissioner Gabela, this is without including the portion corresponding to 2025. Board Member Gabela: What is that? How much is that? Mr. Valentin: This is another $5 million that the City will be getting. Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, but you haven't collected that yet. Mr. Valentin: Yes, we're going to be collecting this by January 2025. Board Member Gabela: January 2025. You know, I look at this thing and these CRAs are starting to bother me. You know, a lot offunny business going on here. I mean, I'm not passing judgment one way or the other. I'm hearing what you're saying, Commissioner. I'm hearing what you said, you know, but it seems to me that maybe we're just better off dissolving all CRAs, you know, and putting that money into a pool in the general fund and then distribute that money within the five districts and let's call it a day because I'm getting tired of this business, let me tell you. You know, I suggest, sir, that while this is going on and we find out who's what, and who's not, we -- we freeze what's going on over there where you are because apparently there's a lot of funny business going on here from what I'm hearing, you know. And like I said, quite frankly, I'm getting tired of this business going backwards and forwards, you know, and everything is, you know, how long have we been hearing about the CRAs, problems in the CRAs, you know, with my predecessor, with the other one, you know what I mean? And it seems to me that maybe we should just abolish the CRAs when they come to set, and that's it, let's call it a day and let's collect those funds, put it into general accounting and then we distribute it within the five commissioners. And the other thing is, you guys, it's always that business that, you know, what I don't like, oh, I need the money because if I don't get the money by next October, you know, something will happen. And there's always something happening. You know, with all due respect, Commissioner Pardo, same thing with you guys, when I made the argument, "Hey, I need help over here." You know, in my quarter, because I'm absorbing all of your problems as am I absorbing my problems. No, no, no, let's not do that, because I've got to get things done, and there are projects that need to be done. And the funny one to me is, you know, and I voted for it, the one -- I think it was 1.5 million to Kush, okay? And that's the restauranter. I got nothing against the restauranter. He seems to be doing good. My wife knew him, I had no idea because I'm not a foodie in that way, but my wife knew of him, and my question is, so we take this money, we're supposed to be helping blight, which is what -- which I made that argument again, and again, and again, we're supposed to be doing infrastructure. But in this case, we're helping a Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 10 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 gentleman that has already been established to open a restaurant for $1.5 million. If that's what CRAs -- Board Member Pardo: Commissioner Gabela, that's not what was happening in that transaction. Board Member Gabela: No? Board Member Pardo: I don't know if you've seen the building -- Vice Chair Carollo: Excuse me. Board Member Pardo: -- but it is a blighted building and it's 10 affordable housing units. Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Pardo, Mr. Pardo, please, through the Chair, okay? Let him finish and then you can speak. Board Member Gabela: Okay. So, I'm sorry. So, what you're saying is it's a building and it went to refurbish the building? Board Member Pardo: It's a really dilapidated, falling apart building that runs that restaurant, the employees need to live there, and they're rehabbing the top, I believe it was 10 units. If you come to the building and look at it, and you follow the resolution that was passed, you will feel very good about the project. It is not something -- and Pm a big proponent of CRAs and I want to say that Omni CRA has adopted all of the state best practices, and you certainly know because you work with Omni CRA, and so we don't have these issues of you know, what's how -- I mean, how do you feel about Omni CRA? Mr. Valentin: Listen, in my capacity -- Vice Chair Carollo: He's an employee of yours there. Well, let me rephrase that. He's - - his company is hired by you. What do you think he's going to say to you? Board Member Gabela: Yeah, I don't think he's going to say anything. Vice Chair Carollo: You know? Mr. Valentin: Let me if I may, I'm going to be -- Vice Chair Carollo: Listen, you don't have to answer that. Board Member Pardo: I would like to answer it. Vice Chair Carollo: Because we know what you're going to say. He's going to say what a wonderful thing it is. Board Member Pardo: No, he's not. Vice Chair Carollo: In, particularly when Mr. Diaz de la Portilla came in to get rid of everybody there, one that was not gotten rid of because Mr. -- your chief of staff protected him was him. Board Member Pardo: No, that is so not true. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, not true. Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 11 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 Board Member Pardo: After Diaz de la Portilla left, there was a complete audit, there were implemented operations. Vice Chair Carollo: That's not what I'm talking about at all. I'm not talking about money. But 1 will say this, that your argument, it reminds me back of the argument that Diaz de la Portilla gave on good old Jenny, when she was found that she wasn't working. The same argument, and what happened with Jenny? Well, not what should have happened, but she at least got a thousand dollar fine. Boy, a thousand dollar fine. Board Member Pardo: Commissioner, 1 would like to let him answer the question. Mr. Valentin: Just respectfully to all of you, I've been working for -- as Southeast Overtone/Park West financial officer since 2002. And when it comes to the Omni CRA and the Midtown CRA, I've been doing work for them, accounting work, since 2016. These transactions that we are talking about, they were audited, and they were reviewed by the auditor general as well. Vice Chair Carollo: It's only five or six transactions, right? Mr. Valentin: Well, but I only -- Vice Chair Carollo: Only five or six. Mr. Valentin: You're right about that. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Mr. Valentin: But remember this, there was a very comprehensive audit conducted by the auditor general, as well as the CRA staff, in which, honest to goodness, the director was heavily involved because we needed to talk to too many parties in order to resolve the issues at hand. And the problem was that the Midtown CDD at that time, they were not forthcoming at all. And that was a daunting task, honest to goodness. I understand what you're saying. I understand what you're saving as well. But when it comes to the CRAs, I've been there for over 20 years and knock on woods, I don't need to be ashamed of anything that I'm doing there. Board Member Gabela: Let me answer your question. Are you done? Mr. Valentin: Yeah. Board Member Gabela: Let me ask you a question. That isn't the same tune that you were talking about four or five months ago when you and Isiaa Jones came to my office, voluntarily, by the way, I never called you. I never knew what was going on in the Omni C -- now we're talking about the Omni CRA. Mr. Valentin: Yeah. Board Member Gabela: You seem to be now saying that everything is flowers and everything is beautiful. Mr. Valentin: Well -- Board Member Gabela: But yet, let me explain then you can tell me. If I remember correctly, Isiaa Jones and yourself came to our office about three different times. And in the first time you wanted an investigation, you guys asked me to issue an investigation into the film studio business that the -- that we have a stupid deal with Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 12 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 them, or I don 't know who the hell made that deal, hut that's the stupidest deal 1 've seen in my life as a businessperson. You know, where you -- you -- Pm going to let you do this -- Board Member Pardo: No, that -- Board Member Pardo: -- I just got five more minutes. Where we subletted [sic], we -- not subletted [sic], we were the landlords. We rented for $3 a square foot, I believe it was, and then those guys were turning around and duplicating the money like 10 or 20 times. And they're still there, you know, and you guys walked into my office, and you wanted an investigation on that. And then you also wanted an investigation on the security company, if1 remember correctly. 1 think you were here -- Mr. Valentin: Yeah, we -- we -- Board Member Gabela: Yeah. And then you came two -- maybe two more times. I think you came for a total of three times. Then all of a sudden, when Isiaa Jones was appointed director of the Omni CRA, you guys never asked for an investigation -- you know, that went all the way. As a matter offact, she was right over there and when that happened, that I voted for her, to appoint her, I think she's a good person. You know, I even said, hey, you're not interested anymore in the -- what happened to the investigations, what happened that you wanted to, you know, and everybody, silent, you know what 1 mean? So, don't tell me, you can't tell me one thing, you can't speak both sides of your mouth. You can't tell me that five months ago, you were having a little problem. And then you told me also of the letter of the gentleman, I'm not going to mention his name, of the gentleman that was signing off stuff and not following procedure. Remember that? You don't remember that? Mr. Valentin: It doesn't ring a bell right now, but 1 rely on what you're saying. Board Member Gabela: Fair enough. No, you don't recall. But there was another gentleman that then quit, that then quit because of this, because I believe you guys said that the gentleman, my predecessor that was here before, made him do certain things that he didn't want to do, and he was forced into it. That's what was said to me by you guys. Remember that, Frank, that you were in that meeting? And what's amazing to me is that after you guys, she was appointed director, and again, I've got nothing but respect for Isiaa, okay? I treat her very well and yourself when you come into my office, and we've had long conversations. But what's amazing to me is, you know, that there was a problem back then. Now, all of a sudden, there's no problems. And apparently there is problems. You know, and that's why I say again, I'm tired of these CRA businesses, and you guys have this business. And the other thing is I figured out, you know, CRAs, you know, the Hispanics don't have one CRA in the city of Miami. I don't understand this. Everybody else does, but the Hispanic -- there's not one Hispanic CRA in the city of Miami, okay? My point is, you know, don't tell me that CRAs are not problematic, some of them, okay? Because I haven't been hearing good things from these, especially the Omni CRA, before your time, by the way, before your time. But now, the fact of the matter is, you guys are now there. Okay? And like he needs to take responsibility, so do you guys. Board Member Pardo: We did though. Board Member Gabela: What happened to the investigation? Board Member Pardo: Well, I'm not -- Board Member Gabela: How come nobody's calling for an investigation? How come everything now is roses, and you know, that's what I want to know? Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 13 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 Board Member Pardo: Commissioner Gabela. Board Member Gabela: Yes, sir. Board Member Pardo: After the audit, all of those operational things were implemented, the new audit standards, you know that, Miguel, because you were part of that as well. Board Member Gabela: When do those audits happen? Wye years from now? And then we say, oh, this is not going to happen again, and this and that, and then we move on, and it happens again. Is that what we're talking about here? Mr. Valentin: No. Board Member Gabela: And then we spend $200,000 on a forensic audit, which anyway, I've been told by some that the second guy that comes, unless he sees a red -- a real red flag, a smoking gun, he's not going to make another decision. There's something wrong. Vice Chair Carollo: Listen, I think we need to bring Jenny back to the Omni CRA or maybe Midtown. We made a mistake, you know. We've got to treat everybody alike. But I do have a question for you. Mr. Valentin: Yes, sir. Vice Chair Carollo: Before we move on. Mr. Valentin: Yes, sir. Vice Chair Carollo: Since so much of the Omni CRA was brought out, the monies to pay you from the Midtown CRA, to have paid Mr. Balzebre, was given to the Omni CRA to handle, correct? Mr. Valentin: That has been done since 2010. Vice Chair Carollo: I just want to get that on the record. Mr. Valentin: Yes, sir. Vice Chair Carollo: Now -- Board Member Pardo: Since 2010. Mr. Valentin: Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah. I just want to get it on the record. Last but not least -- but since 2010, no one has made anywhere near close to $86, 000 plus. Board Member Pardo: I don't know that. Vice Chair Carollo: While having another job that paid him $150,000 in the same City of Miami, and I don't know what benefits you give him there. Board Member Pardo: None. Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 14 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 Vice Chair Carollo: How --I'm glad, because he's certainly gotten enough already. How much and how are you paid? Do you have a firm that you're paid through, or do you pay individually? Mr. Valentin: No, in -- Vice Chair Carollo: I would imagine a firm, right? Mr. Valentin: -- in the way that we're making payment is we're making a transfer from the -- Vice Chair Carollo: No, no, no. I'm not saying that. You misheard me. You are paid through a firm that you have or individually? Mr. Valentin: Individually, yes. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, individually. Okay. You're an accountant -- Mr. Valentin: A CPA. Vice Chair Carollo: -- and you're taking the money individually? It's costing you more instead of going through a corporation. Mr. Valentin: No. Vice Chair Carollo: It's up to you, you know, but how much are you paying for the Omni CRA yearly? Mr. Valentin: It's -- I have -- Vice Chair Carollo: In the new budget? Mr. Valentin: In the new budget, $90,000. Vice Chair Carollo: How much? Mr. Valentin: $90,000. Vice Chair Carollo: $90,000. Mr. Valentin: Yeah. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, $90,000. Okay. Board Member Pardo: Is this going to be like a thing now for all employees? Vice Chair Carollo: No, I would want to keep that job too, you know? Anyway, thank you. I think we've gotten all we need from you. Mr. Valentin: Okay. Vice Chair Carollo: I appreciate it. Mr. Valentin: Thank you. Board Member Pardo: Thank you, Miguel. Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 15 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 Vice Chair Carollo: Now, as 1 stated, the pass-throughs that we were given before in the Midtown budget, we are making a change that the $134,363, that was for the salary, FICA, and fringe benefits, plus available for other administrative expenditures, whatever they meant by that. Mr. Wysong: Mr. Vice Chair, I think you read the wrong column. We're -- the -- Vice Chair Carollo: Well, no, I'm reading -- this has $134,363. Xavier Alban (Assistant City Attorney, Supervisor): Yes, Vice Chairman, that is for the fiscal year 2024 adopted budget. If you look at the column over. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, it would be the -- Mr. Alban: Fiscal year 2025, the 139, yeah. Vice Chair Carollo: Or is it the one for 24-25 is how much? Mr. Alban: It's $139,181. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, $139,1 -- Mr. Alban: 81. Vice Chair Carollo: -- 81. Okay. You have that, Mr. Clerk? Mr. Hannon: Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: So, the $139,181 will be put in the budget as a reserve. And depending on what it's needed for, it will be used for that. If not, a part of it, 60 percent will go back to the City, and a 40 percent will go back to the County. That is the budget proposal. Is there a motion? Board Member King: Motion. Board Member Gabela: Second. Vice Chair Carollo: There's a motion, there a second. Hearing no further discussion, all in favor? Mr. Hannon: Public comment. Mr. Wysong: Before you vote, we need to have a public comment. You have to open a public comment. Vice Chair Carollo: I'm sorry. Is there anyone from the public that would like to comment before we vote on this? Now, don't everybody rush for the job for executive director, please. Brenda Betancourt: Oh, it's not open for applications for $135, 000, I'll take it. And I work 24 hours, 7 days a week. Vice Chair Carollo: You're not going to do a Jenny on me, right? Ms. Betancourt: Brenda Betancourt, 1436 Southwest 6th Street. I believe that it's concerning. And I was a County employee for many, many decades ago. And to have two jobs is very disruptive because you have too many responsibilities and this is Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 16 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 supposedly very important jobs. We depend on you guys, depend on your staff to answer the phone, actually make appointment when we want to make appointments, and not be ignored. If your chief of staff have two jobs, I think it's something wrong, because for a person who is the chief of staff of the commissioner is supposed to be the person to hear, answer the phone when the commissioner is busy. And we need to just eliminate all the CRAs. I'm sorry to say that, but they are too many problems, and they find a way to manipulate the money from the people. And a restaurant is going to get a million five from me, then I'm going to lookfbr a property and I'm going to go to the CRA and get you guys to give me money. Because we have people in different areas of the city of Miami that doesn't get a penny. But they're still paying taxes. Taxes of the business, taxes of the property appraisals for the houses, for everything. And don't get me wrong, it's just sometimes the perception from us for what you guys do. And it's not just one, it goes to all of you. Because even though you guys try to help in one sense, but if you make a mistake, as sad as it is, then all the good that you did went down. And we expect a lot from you guys, and sometimes maybe more than what we think. But we expect a lot from you, and really disappointed. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. We're done with you. We don't need you for anything more. Go ahead, ma'am. Kristen Browde: Kristen Browde, 888 Biscayne Boulevard. We care -- we're here on the other budget item, but we care about all the money that this town spends. And, Commissioner Gabela, 1 think you're on to something. I think you're on to something. If we're doing these pass-throughs, what for? Why add the administrative expense? Why do we need this? I appreciate your concern, and 1 appreciate your answer. We obviously haven't seen the documents that all of you have, and 1 hope you will be transparent with us, just as those in the DDA have to be transparent with us. But if we don't need these organizations, if all they're doing is passing through money, we can save the taxpayers money, which is our money. All of us are paying these taxes, and if we don't have to, nobody wants to. You know, Florida's inflation rate is 40 percent higher than the rest of the nation's. Maybe we can do something about that by lowering some taxes right here. Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, ma'am. James Torres: Good afternoon. Through the Chair, I've been listening to something all day today and something hit home here, what Commissioner Gabela said. You've been fighting for your community on the Omni CRA and all these budgets and talking about transparency. And then we have to echo the same thing because we just went through the DDA's scenario. And I think it's important that you start looking at every Omni CRA and every component that is paid as a special interest here. Because it's not fair. I think, you know, by the Chair turning around and saying that he's going to move the money here or there, that could have been your money, for Allapattah, technically. Or the expansion of the Omni CRA with the borders and all these other components. Because it is tax dollars that are being hurt here. And the end result, if you're able to move that money, guess what? We get out of that blight that we've all been talking about. So, we echo that. It may be time to start looking at all of these organizations as a whole. Thank you. Vice Chair Carollo: Sir. Stanley Young: Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Commissioners. It's really not fair for the rest of the city of Miami being neglected because they don't have a CRA in their community to help out their community to be what the community needs. I'm part of that community, and I get none of that fiinding. Igo out every week, and I get none of that help. I5n for eliminating all the CRAs and distributing that money to all the Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 17 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 commissioners, and they should be over that to distribute that money to their neighborhoods as they see it fit. Thank you. God bless. Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. Anybody else that would like to address this Midtown CRA? Sir? Ed Cooke: My name is Ed Cooke. I live 1717 North Bayshore Drive. We seem to be talking, and the papers have been talking lately about the CRA, especially they mention the Omni CRA and the millions and expanding and things like that. While you're at it with your millions of dollars, would you come along North Bayshore Drive, immediately behind the Omni. The very street needs to be repaired. Potholes and everything. So, we need somebody who is backing up these efforts. Thank you. Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Manager, do we have anybody from the administration here? Anybody from the City administration here? Board Member Reyes: You have the City Manager -- Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Manager, can you get from the Clerk, the gentleman's concerns and the address, and if ,you can send somebody from Public Works tomorrow and have them look at it. If there are potholes, we would be greatly appreciative if they could be repaired. And if the whole street needs to be repaired, then I'm sure that the commissioner of the district will sit with you and see when it can be done. Board Member Pardo: Its in the Omni CRA district. It also involves the County and Florida Department of Transportation. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Anybody else? Art Noriega (City Manager): Yeah, Public Works director is in the back. So, he's -- Vice Chair Carollo: Anybody else? Okay, last but not least, Mr. Valentin. Mr. Hannon: I'm sorry, I'm sorry -- Mr. Wysong: Yeah, close -- Mr. Hannon: -- Commissioner. So, we're just going to close the public hearing, officially closing the public hearing. Vice Chair Carollo: The public hearing will be closed. I understand that I think Monday is your last day -- Mr. Valentin: Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: -- for this fiscal year. What I'd like for you to do tomorrow, if not, then do it on Monday, if you could bring a copy of the budget that we passed to the County, because I believe we have 10 days to get it to them. Mr. Valentin: Yeah, I need to -- if you're asking me, gladly, I will do it, but it's not only Vice Chair Carollo: Well, we paid you, so -- Mr. Valentin: No, and again, my duties are going to end by September, but what I wanted to tell you is -- Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 18 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 Vice Chair Carollo: Maybe. Mr. Valentin: -- whatl wanted to tell you is it's not a matter of providing a copy to the County. There is some paperwork that it needs to be prepared. You know, there is some work that needs to be done. And statutorily, there should be an executive director. Somebody needs to be doing some work that I was doing the accounting work, because in the Omni CRA that am the financial officer is Overtown. I was doing the accounting work, and there are some things that they need to be taken care of. There is an audit that needs to be complete. The audit needs to be submitted to the State. There is a transfer that is due to the City, that somebody needs to approve it. That's why the executive director position is important. Vice Chair Carollo: Well, let me make that real clear. Mr. Valentin: Yeah. Vice Chair Carollo: The minute that we approve this new fiscal year budget, I will place a motion to approve the transfer. I was under the impression that we included this transfer in this budget. That's what you had here. Mr. Valentin: But someone needs to provide the journal entry to the Finance Department. Somebody needs to upload -- there are some logistical work that needs to be done that somebody else needs to take over. Vice Chair Carollo: I -- I understand that. Mr. Valentin: It's not going to be (INAUDIBLE). Vice Chair Carollo: It seems to me you're making it like there's so much work, and it's not, I'm sorry. Mr. Valentin: Well -- Vice Chair Carollo: It's not. Mr. Valentin: Okay. Okay. Vice Chair Carollo: So, can you handle this tomorrow or not? Between tomorrow and Monday? Mr. Valentin: If you -- let's put it in this way. Since I want to do things correctly, I will do it. You don't need to pay me a dime. But honest to goodness, there are some things to be done, there is -- the auditors, they are calling me, this is something that do outside my regular job. But I just want you to factor that in, whoever is taking over, they need to understand this, if you want me, I will cooperate for a smooth transition. If you don't want me to do this, I understand that, but I just wanted to raise awareness. Vice Chair Carollo: We will be having another Midtown CRA meeting -- Mr. Valentin: Okay. Vice Chair Carollo: -- soon enough to deal with. I don't think the sky is going to fall. Mr. Valentin: No, it's okay. I understand. And if you need me, I will -- I will meet you and I will deliver everything to the person that you think. Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 19 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, but for the record, since we have 10 days to provide that to the County. Mr. Valentin: Yes, correct. Vice Chair Carollo: Will you do it or not? I just need to know. Mr. Valentin: If you're asking me, I will do it, but -- Vice Chair Carollo: It's exactly what I'm asking you. Mr. Valentin: There should be some paperwork that 1 need to do. It's not like that. It's not as easy as it sounds. Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. City Attorney -- Mr. Wysong: Could I sort of translate? I guess the issue is that the fact that you're zeroing out all the administrative function in the budget, and I'm not going to suggest an amount or anything like that I think -- I understand what you're doing, but what they're saying is they need somebody there, other than yourself because right now they're -- upon the conclusion of his contract, there'll be nobody other than the vice chair. So, you should perhaps consider having a de minimis amount in the budget so that you could have somebody sending the emails, providing the documentation, meeting with the auditor general, because there are going to be things that come up that you're probably not going to -- Vice Chair Carollo: Is this -- is this something that's not going to be able to hold until we meet again on October 18th? Mr. Wysong: Well, see, here's the problem, and that's an excellent question. That was my question. Can we just change the budget and let me answer that. Vice Chair Carollo: Well, look what I've done with the budget, the amount of the $139, 000 plus, it's been put in reserve. And I did that purposely so when we meet again, we could use a portion of that money for whatever we need. But the one thing that you will never get my vote is to get $86, 000 plus to anybody, and particularly, somebody making 150,000 in another position in the City, in an agency that's only a pass -through. Now, I know that he wants to make this sound much more complicated than it is. I don't think it's that much more complicated. Now, you're the City Attorney, that you guide all of us. You meet with me tomorrow and get whoever we need to in the City, because we should have at least one person somewhere that's qualified -- Mr. Wysong: Yeah. Vice Chair Carollo: -- to sign those six checks, and meet with an auditor. I mean, how many audits do we need? Mr. Wysong: Well, I believe there's one external auditor that does -- that's done it for years, and that's a requirement. Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, well it's only six checks, my God. Mr. Wysong: Understood, but could I just have Mr. Alban explain the problem that would occur if you just put the money in the reserve? Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 20 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 Mr. Alban: So, then what you are saying is that it's going to be $139,181 placed in reserve to be budgeted and appropriated at a future date for whatever administrative expenses occur at the time of the administrative expenses being incurred? Vice Chair Carollo: Let me be clear. I'm not saying that there's a blank check, so we get a bill for whatever amount for minute work that's been done. Before Midtown pays anybody, we want to see what we're going to be charged. Mr. Alban: And I -- Vice Chair Carollo: So, what I'm saying is that it was my intention to wait and meet with legal before the next meeting so we could resolve all these minor, loose issues. But 1 know that this is part of government to try to make things much bigger than they ever are. Board Member Gabela: Mr. Chairman? Vice Chair Carollo: Yes, sir. Board Member Gabela: Can I just say something real quick? Vice Chair Carollo: Go ahead. Board Member Gabela: In light of what everything, and, you know,1'll stop it there, but here's the thing. You know, we go backwards and forwards, but at the end of the day, the CRAs continue, you guys continue to do business, we continue, you know, investigations left and right, but the game continues. You know, and meanwhile, I ask a simple question, you know, and October 7th I believe we have a sunshine meeting, and then we have the October 12th [sic] meeting. I'd like from the City Manager, Wysong, the City Attorney, I'd like an up or down vote to get something done for my area, period, end of story. I don't want this business anymore of here and let's wait there and let's defer this and that. I'm asking you guys, please, okay, because I see what's going on here, you know, and, you know, we have problems, but your business continues. And you guys continue to build, and you guys can -- and we talk and blah, blah, blah, but it continues, so meanwhile -- Vice Chair Carollo: And they'll keep you here for the next four years that way. Board Member Gabela: No, no, no. That's what I'm seeing. That's what I'm seeing. I want a vote, a straight vote on what I'm asking. I'm the commissioner of the area. I proposed a map. I want to vote up or down on that map, okay? And I want it on October the 12th when we have the meeting. I don't want this business, here's what we're going to do for you, and I don't want other commissioners telling me what need to do in my area because I don't tell you guys what to do in your area. I appreciate your help, and I know you're trying to help me, but I know what's best in my area. Just like I cannot know better than you, D2 (District 2), I cannot be better than you, D3 (District 3), sir. Same thing for Commissioner Reyes, I cannot know his area better than him, or your area, Chairwoman. So, what I ask, please, on October the 12th, we have an up or down vote, and whatever the plan is going to be, that's going to be the plan. I am not going to be continuing this fight in limbo and limbo after hearing all this stuff that you guys got going on in Omni CRA and over there and over here. I want to get my things done. My people deserve it and they're waiting for it, and I think I've made my case. So, please, City Manager, Wysong, I'd like an up or down vote on whatever it is we're going to do, and I'd like my proposal submitted, and I want an up or down vote if there's no other alternative. Period. End of story. Thank you. Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 21 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 Vice Chair Carollo: Commissioner, thank you for those comments. 1 want to be very respectful to what you stated, and 1 think that's a position thatl could understand why you're taking. But 1 don't think it matters on how everything's moved, I think what's important is that you have sufficient dollars to do what you need to do in Allapattah, and to make that the first Hispanic area where sufficient dollars are going to go through, in the city, the Hispanic area in the city of Miami that is in most needs. So, with that in mind, Mr. Manager, and the commissioner can work out the areas that he wants to go into, and he showed a map. If he wants to keep that map, extend it, or whatever, it's up to him. I want to have a spot saved for the next Commission meeting that I'm going to make a presentation where monies will be coming to what I think is going to solve a lot of the concerns that we have in Allapattah and more in Overtown, next door. So, save a spot for me because I'm going to be bringing a whole presentation. It will be backed up with solid numbers so that hopefully we could do what Commissioner Gabela has said here. Mr. Noriega: Mr. Chair, if I may, I know we're trying to solve for a problem here in terms of whatever administrative responsibilities are required for the next, say, 30 days or so. I'm happy to volunteer someone from our staff to do that, to take care of that in an interim basis so that there aren't really any costs incurred. And then as you further meet and decide if .you're going to assign somebody or hire somebody, we can certainly do that. But we certainly can assign somebody to do that. Vice Chair Carollo: Look, 1 don't want to throw money away. So, what 1 would like is to be able to meet with the law department, with you. The first obligation that we have is that we have to get this budget to the County in whatever way they want it. I'm sure you've got people that know what to do. That's not a big deal in doing. And then I will ask for advice on how to proceed in placing someone as the executive director that will sign those five or six checks, and we don't have to pay $86, 000 plus a year in salaries and benefits. Board Member Reyes: You can assign somebody (INAUDIBLE). That's it? Okay. Vice Chair Carollo: You know, maybe -- well, let nie leave that be. We have a motion to approve the budget with the amendment that was made on the reserve of the $139,000 plus dollars. There was a motion, there was a second. Hearing no further discussion -- Board Member Reyes: (INAUDIBLE). Vice Chair Carollo: -- all of -- you want to speak now? No, you don't get to speak now. You're too late. Board Member Reyes: What I'm saying is -- Vice Chair Carollo: You're too late. Board Member Reyes: Finally. Vice Chair Carollo: You're too late. Board Member Reyes: That's what I'm saying. Finally. Vice Chair Carollo: All in favor, signify by saying "aye. " The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Vice Chair Carollo: It passes unanimously. This meeting of the -- Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 22 Printed on 10/08/2024 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 26, 2024 ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6: 38 p.m. Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency Page 23 Printed on 10/08/2024