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Meeting Minutes
Monday, May 22, 2017
5:00 PM
Camillus House
1603 N.W. 7th Ave., Bldg. B
Miami, FL 33136
SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency
Keon Hardemon, Chair
Wifredo Gort, Vice Chair
Ken Russell, Board Member, District Two
Frank Carollo, Board Member, District Three
Francis Suarez, Board Member, District Four
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MIAMI FL 33136
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Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA
Meeting Minutes May 22, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
Present: Chair Hardemon, Vice Chair Gort and Commissioner Carollo
Absent: Commissioner Russell and Commissioner Suarez
On the 22nd day of May 2017, 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 6:06 p.m., and was adjourned at
6:55 p.m.
ALSO PRESENT:
Clarence E. Woods, Executive Director, CRA
Renee A. Jadusingh, Staff Counsel, CRA
William Bloom, Special Counsel, CRA
Rafael Suarez -Rivas, Assistant City Attorney, Supervisor
Todd B. Hannon, Clerk of the Board
APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS:
1. MINUTES OF FEB 27, 2017 AT 5:00 PM
MOTION TO: Approve
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Gort, Carollo
ABSENT: Russell, Suarez
Chair Hardemon: Welcome to the May 22, 2017 Southeast Overtown/Park West
Community Redevelopment Agency meeting. Noting for the record the presence of a
quorum, we have Commissioner Gort, Commissioner Carollo; and myself the
Chairman. The first item of business that we have is the regular meeting minutes of
February 27, 2017 and March 21, 2017. Is there a meeting -- is there a motion to
approve?
Board Member Carollo: Move it.
Board Member Gort: Second.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved and seconded that we approve the meeting
minutes. Any further comments? Hearing none, all 'for," say "aye."
The Board (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
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2. MINUTES OF MAR 21, 2017 AT 4:00 PM
PUBLIC COMMENTS
MOTION TO: Approve
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Gort, Carollo
ABSENT: Russell, Suarez
Chair Hardemon: At this time, I'm going to open up the floor for public comment for
RE.1 through 7. That means that if there's anyone here from the public that'd like to
make a comment about any item that is on the agenda today, RE's.1 through 7, this is
your opportunity to speak.
Felicia Hatcher: Good afternoon, Commissioner and the Board. My name is Felicia
Hatcher. I'd love to just make a comment about Item Number 6. I'm the cofounder of
Code Fever, as well as Black Tech Week, and the work that we've done over the past few
years has been to dramatically increase the number of African American and Caribbean
youth and adults that are engaged in technology as entrepreneurs; but then also in STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields, and pursuing STEM careers.
What we would like to do, from all the work that we've been doing all across South
Florida, with a concentration in Miami, is actually bring all the work that we've done
from Black Tech Week, which last year got over 1,600 participants throughout the entire
week; Code Fever, where we've trained over 3,000 students; and touch points around
STEM technology, intro to computer programming and digital literacy, and bring that all
into one space on 3rd Avenue in Overtown, in a co -working and innovation space.
Studies have shown that in order to increase the number of African Americans that are
hired for job opportunities, you first have to increase the number of black entrepreneurs,
because minority groups are more likely to hire people that look like them and give them
their first chance. So when we talk about a pipeline issue of increasing the number of
people that pursue some fields, but then also increasing the number of companies that we
are opening, we have to tackle that problem from both ends. Having a space like this and
being a collision point for innovation, technology, creativity, and also culture, I think will
ultimately become the fabric of the identity of Overtown. You know, it's not for a lack of
ideas or lack of genius in our communities; it's for a lack of deal flow and a lack of
resource magnetism. And from the work that we've been able to do thus far from our
coding programs to our digital literacy programs, from bringing a number of really
accomplished people in the STEM field of people of color to Miami, we want to be able to
house that in Overtown. And for us, we want to be able to kind of unleash the genius
through training; there being able to increase jobs, but also increase the number of
funding that comes to these entrepreneurs right here. We have the talent, whether they're
pursuing a STEM field or whether they are entering the gig economy and helping them to
be more equipped, and helping traditional small businesses to be more tech -enabled.
Thank you guys so much.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Is there anyone from the public that'd like to
make a comment about any item that's on the agenda?
Emanuel Washington: Good evening, sir. Mr. Chairman, Commissioners, I'll be brief; I
know you guys want to get in and out. My name is Emanuel Washington. I'm the
president of Community Work Training Program for Item Number 4. Just first of all, I
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just want to come and at least thank you all for the opportunity to fund the program, and
today, I just want to acknowledge that. I brought a few of the people with me; they don't
have to speak, but I just want you to see who they are. This is Alponya (phonetic)
Hudson, vice president, from Florida International University, who actually wrote the
program, as far as helping the individuals in the seed program. We call it our career
enhancement employability path. The problem is that when people get jobs -- it's not so
much getting the job; it's keeping it. And we wrote a 10-module program to help them to
actually do just that. And also, a part of the program is to deal with financing. I have
Mr. Alex with me, so individual -- once we get their finances in order, he help them
actually purchase homes. So we be able to get the individuals on track financially, and
they also be able to get homes. So today I just want to thank you and the rest of the
community's support for what we're doing. Thank you very much.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you. That's item --
Board Member Gort: 4.
Chair Hardemon: -- 4. Is there any other person from the public that'd like to make a
comment on any item on the agenda? Seeing none, I'm going to -- Please, ma'am.
Thema Campbell: Good afternoon. I got here kind of late, so I'm not sure where we are
on the agenda, but my item is 1; 2350. I'm Thema Campbell from Girl Power; also
known as World Literacy Crusade. And I want to say thank you so much to
Commissioner Hardemon, to Neil (Cornelius) and to Clarence for putting this item on the
agenda for our Summer STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math)
Camp. This is the third year of our STEAM Camp, and we serve about 30 girls from the
Overtown community. Our location is in the Culmer Center, on 16th and 3rd. And I
want to say that Felicia Hatcher that was here previously, they run our Summer STEAM
Camp, and our girls love it. This is an opportunity that our kids don't get to participate
in. Last year, they got to start -- do start-up businesses, internet businesses. They did
research, they did market analysis, and this was a new experience for these girls. So this
is very important and key to us, so I want to say thank you so much for working with us
this year, and I look forward to coming back and letting you know how successful we
were, and I would like all of you to come and visit our STEAM Camp this summer, so you
can see where your dollars are going. Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Is there any other person?
Alexandre Vallee-Smejda: So this is -- first time here, so thank you for taking the time to
hear us; especially for, like Mr. Washington did note. I did get to know Mr. Washington
last year. I had the chance to encounter some of the members. He's already helping in
the community with their work and finances, so I'm just here to show the support for his
program, and look forward to work even more with him.
Chair Hardemon: What's your name again, sir?
Mr. Vallee-Smejda: Alexandre Vallee-Smejda.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you.
Mr. Vallee-Smejda: Thank you, sir.
Chair Hardemon: Seeing no other person here for public comment, I'm going to close
the public comment period at this time.
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CRA RESOLUTION
1. CRA RESOLUTION
2350 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY, AUTHORIZING A GRANT, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$10,000, TO WORLD LITERACY CRUSADE OF FLORIDA, INC.'S "GIRL
POWER" TO UNDERWRITE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2017 GIRL
POWER STEAM SUMMER CAMP; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY
FOR SAID PURPOSE; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO
DISBURSE FUNDS, AT HIS DISCRETION, ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS
OR DIRECTLY TO VENDORS, UPON PRESENTATION OF INVOICES AND
SATISFACTORY DOCUMENTATION; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW,
"OTHER GRANTS AND AIDS," ACCOUNT CODE NO.
10050.920101.883000.0000.00000.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-17-0025
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Gort, Carollo
ABSENT: Russell, Suarez
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item 1, please see "Public
Comments."
Chair Hardemon: Members of the body, if there is any discussion that you want to have,
or any motion that you see forth that's necessary? Sir?
Board Member Gort: Summer camp, move it.
Chair Hardemon: Here is a motion to approve the agenda -- Item 1. It's been properly
moved to approve Item 1.
Board Member Carollo: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor of the motion, say "aye."
The Board (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
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2. CRA RESOLUTION
2351 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY, AUTHORIZING A GRANT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$50,000, TO LIL GREENHOUSE GRILL, LLC, TO UNDERWRITE COSTS
ASSOCIATED WITH THE BUILD OUT OF "LIL GREENHOUSE GRILL"
LOCATED AT 1300 NW 3RD AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA; FURTHER DE -
ALLOCATING FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $63,251 FROM
CRA-R-12-0010; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE
ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE FUNDS, AT
HIS DISCRETION, ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS OR DIRECTLY TO
VENDORS, UPON PRESENTATION OF INVOICES AND SATISFACTORY
DOCUMENTATION; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW, "OTHER
GRANTS AND AIDS," ACCOUNT CODE NO.
10050.920101.883000.0000.00000.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-17-0026
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Gort, Carollo
ABSENT: Russell, Suarez
Clarence Woods, III (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community
Redevelopment Agency): Mr. Chair.
Chair Hardemon: Yes, sir.
Mr. Woods: I'd like to add for the record two items that we need to make some changes
to. In item number 2, as well as item number 6, we need to switch the maps. The maps
were transposed, so we just need to switch the maps. Renee will hand those to you. And
then on item number 4, the amount of the grant was somehow left out. That grant amount
is 150,000.
Board Member Carollo: It was it in the backup.
Mr. Woods: Yes, it was in the backup.
Board Member Carollo: Yeah.
Mr. Woods: We're still working with this new system.
Chair Hardemon: Can you present item 2, please?
Mr. Woods: Yes. Item 2 is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast
Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency, authorizing a grant in an
amount not to exceed 50,000, to Lil Greenhouse Grill, LLC (Limited Liability Company),
to underwrite costs associated with the buildout of Lil Greenhouse Grill, located at 1300
Northwest 3rd Avenue; further, deallocating funds in an amount not to exceed $63,251
from CRA-12-0010; authorizing the executive director to execute all documents
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necessary for said purpose; further authorizing the executive director to disburse fiends at
his discretion or on a reimbursement basis, or directly to vendors, upon presentation of
invoices and satisfactory documentation.
Chair Hardemon: Is there a motion to approve?
Board Member Carollo: So move.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved; seconded by the Chair for approval for item
RE.2. I don't think the chef needs any introduction, I think, to the Overtown community.
He's been around for a long time, providing meals for the kids at the park; and now, he
has his own location, the Lil Greenhouse Grill. I haven't had shrimp with grits. I saw
today he posted online shrimp with grits, so I have to make sure I come out and get that
for breakfast. I usually have the shrimp with the mac 'n cheese, but, you know. What it's
called; sweet and sour? It's not sweet and sour. It's --
Unidentified Speaker: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Hardemon: There we go. So it's good food at a decent price. They have a happy
hour, so all the residents that don't believe that you have a good happy hour -- I think it's
like a $4 happy hour that you can get, right?
Unidentified Speaker: 3 and 5.
Mr. Woods: 3 and 5.
Chair Hardemon: That was in the middle.
Mr. Woods: Just --
Board Member Gort: The location is 1300 Northwest 3rd Avenue, correct?
Mr. Woods: Yes, yes. Just for information purposes, they are the caterers for this
meeting tonight.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. All right. Any further discussion on the item? Seeing none, all
in favor of the item, say "aye."
The Board (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
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3. CRA RESOLUTION
2352 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY ("CRA") AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH UNITED ARCHITECTS, INC., IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $85,000, TO PROVIDE ARCHITECTURAL
SERVICES FOR A PROPOSED COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AT CRA
OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 925 NW 2ND COURT, MIAMI, FLORIDA;
FURTHER DE -ALLOCATING FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$453,810 FROM CRA-R-13-0061; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID
PURPOSE; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO
DISBURSE FUNDS, AT HIS DISCRETION, ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS
OR DIRECTLY TO VENDORS; FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED FROM SEOPW
TAX INCREMENT FUND, ENTITLED "PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ,"
ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.531000.0000.00000.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-17-0027
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Gort, Carollo
ABSENT: Russell, Suarez
Chair Hardemon: RE.3.
Clarence Woods, III (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community
Redevelopment Agency): Resolution Number 3 is a resolution of the Board of
Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment
Agency, authorizing the execution of a professional services agreement with United
Architects, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $85,000, to provide architectural services for
a proposed commercial development at CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) -owned
property located at 925 Northwest 2nd Court; further, deallocating funds in an amount
not to exceed $453,810 from CRA Resolution 13-0061; authorizing the executive director
to execute all documents necessary for said purpose; and further authorizing the
executive director to disburse funds at his discretion or on a reimbursement basis, or
directly to vendors. This item, Commissioner, is to secure funding for architectural
plans. As you are aware, Commissioners, as you are aware that we purchased what we
call "the old watermelon building," which is just on 2nd Avenue -- it's actually 2nd
Avenue and 9th Street -- and we want to basically do what we've done with a lot of the
assets that we have already, and that's to repurpose them, and put them back into
circulation. This is a three-story building. The idea is to make the ground floor some
sort of a restaurant or cafe -type space; and the other top two floors, they could be some
sort of co -working space. We had an idea about artist lofts, but I think the idea of having
co -working space, whether it's technology or professional services probably would better
serve the area right now.
Chair Hardemon: Is there a motion on this item?
Board Member Gort: Move it.
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Board Member Carollo: Second. Discussion.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized.
Board Member Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to verify. We're
deallocating 453,000?
Mr. Woods: Yes. The 400 -- that $453,000 was, as is stated here, a resolution that we
passed in 2013 for the purpose of purchasing land, and that land has since been
purchased by a private developer, so that's funding that we need to go ahead and
deallocate, and put it into other projects.
Chair Hardemon: But --
Board Member Carollo: Yeah. It just seems like we're doing two separate actions within
one, because what is -- other than you're using 85,000 from the 453, what does one have
to do with the other, approving --?
Mr. Woods: Well, in order to free up funding, in order to get that $85,000, we needed to
deallocate the 453.
Board Member Carollo: What happens to the rest of the 453?
Mr. Woods: We will put that -- no -- okay, yeah, that's part of the funding for Code
Fever, right. I -- yeah, I forgot. Yeah, it's going to be part of the funding for Code Fever.
We didn't -- as you will see, Code Fever is actually item 6, and that's where that money
will go.
Board Member Carollo: So the defunding of the 453, part of it will go to the -- these
architects, for 85,000, and the rest will go to Code Fever; that's what you're proposing in
item 6, correct?
Mr. Woods: Yes.
Board Member Gort: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) business. Okay.
Chair Hardemon: I personally thought that they should have done separate items; a
defunding allocation item; and then, also, then you should have done a -- in my belief
you should have done a -- an item that was for allocation; but instead, we put it all in
one. I just kind of felt like I was going to have that type of -- I know I had that thought, so
I was --
Mr. Woods: You did mention that, Commissioner; you did ask that we do it. The idea
was to minimize the number of items. It's an action that -- We've done it this way many
times, but we'll take it in advisement and do it in separate resolutions.
Chair Hardemon: Because it almost gives you the impression that you're giving -- you're
taking this for that; you know what I mean? Like, it's --
Mr. Woods: Right, right. We did have that discussion; you did have that concern.
Again, we thought it would be -- it would facilitate the process without having more
resolutions. The deallocation of that resolution where we were going to purchase land, it
could have stood on its own, but we felt that it would facilitate --
Board Member Gort: But it gives transparency. It shows people where the money
coming from. There was a commitment that was made, but unfortunately, we were not
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able to buy it, so we had to get the funds back, and we're still going to utilize those funds
for the benefit of the community.
Mr. Woods: Absolutely, absolutely.
Chair Hardemon: You know, Board Members, what I will say about this item is that --
Mr. Woods: The resolution that we're deallocating, the one that we're deallocating is in
the backup. The resolution that's being deallocated is part of the backup, so you could
see exactly where that funding is coming from; the resolution, itself.
Chair Hardemon: And Board Members, one of the things I like about this item is that it
provides something that we do not have a lot of in the Overtown area, and that's co -
working spaces. And so, what you're looking at in the watermelon building is the
opportunity to have at least eight, 16 -- at least 17 or 18 different businesses that will be
operating out of this space. And so, what it gives is people who have small businesses an
opportunity to have a space that people can come to. It also gives them an opportunity to
expand their space, because if you look at just the proposed second and third floors,
these walls are moveable walls. So if you, say, for instance, are leasing Space 2A, you
can expand into Space 2C, so now you have a space that's larger than what you had
before. So it repurposes a building that hasn't been used for quite some time in the
Overtown area; and then also provides a rooftop terrace, if we can deliver on it, that
gives us another space that we can use within the community for events, for -- you know,
just to activate the Overtown area, so.
Board Member Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: Yes.
Board Member Carollo: Thank you. And, listen, I don't have a problem approving the
85,000, but, you know, my issue is -- I'm asking the question because you're defunding
453, and then 85 is going there. By the way, in item 6, there is no mention, whatsoever,
about this deallocation, and the large majority of the monies from this allocation --
Board Member Gort: Is going there.
Board Member Carollo: -- or this deallocation -- is going to RE.6 or -- and there's no
mention of this allo -- this deallocation.
Mr. Woods: Well, look at the financial form in item 6; the financial form on item 6, and
the comments on page 104 of your packet, in the comment section. It's page 104.
Chair Hardemon: But I think this is part of the issue, as well. When you think about the
fact that once it's deallocated, it's deallocated.
Mr. Woods: Right.
Chair Hardemon: So the funding goes back to the --
Mr. Woods: General --
Chair Hardemon: -- general funds of the CRA. So I don't think that it's necessary to put
it twice, because it's already deallocated, so why would you deallocate it again for
another item? However, I think that's why it makes more sense to have a deallocation
item by itself, because once you deallocated it once, you don't have to worry about
mentioning it anymore with any other document.
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Mr. Woods: Exactly. Page 104, Commissioner, down at the very bottom in the comment
section, it refers to --
Board Member Carollo: You mean in the small print?
Mr. Woods: No.
Board Member Carollo: Or in the extra -small print?
Chair Hardemon: It's right here.
Commissioner Gort: De -obligated. Yeah, it's in the bottom.
Chair Hardemon: But that's for item 6. Right now, we're on item 3. Is there any further
comment on item 3?
Board Member Carollo: No.
Chair Hardemon: Seeing no further comment, is there a motion -- I think there was
already a motion. All in favor, say "aye."
The Board (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes.
4. CRA RESOLUTION
2353 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY, AUTHORIZING A GRANT, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED, TO
COMMUNITY WORK TRAINING PROGRAM, INC. FOR THE "OVERTOWN
EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE CENTER" THAT WILL BE LOCATED AT THE
OVERTOWN BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER - 1490 NW 3RD AVENUE,
SUITE 106, MIAMI, FLORIDA; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE
FUNDS, AT HIS DISCRETION, ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS OR
DIRECTLY TO VENDORS, UPON PRESENTATION OF INVOICES AND
SATISFACTORY DOCUMENTATION; FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED FROM
SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, ENTITLED "OTHER GRANTS AND AIDS,"
ACCOUNT CODE NO.10050.920101.883000.0000.00000.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-17-0028
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Gort, Carollo
ABSENT: Russell, Suarez
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing item 4, please see "Public
Comments."
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Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing item 4, please see item 2.
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing item 4, please see item 6.
Chair Hardemon: RE.4.
Mr. Woods: Commissioners, Resolution Number 4 is a resolution of the Board of
Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment
Agency, authorizing a grant in an amount not to exceed 150,000, to Community Work
Training Program for the Overtown Employment Assistance Center that will be located
at the Overtown Business Resource Center, 1490 Northwest 3rd Avenue, Suite 106;
authorizing the executive director to execute all documents necessary for said purpose;
further authorizing the executive director to disburse funds at his discretion or on a
reimbursement basis, or directly to vendors, upon presentation of invoices and
satisfactory documentation.
Chair Hardemon: And why would you be recommending this for the Board's approval?
Mr. Woods: Why would I recommend it?
Board Member Hardemon: Yes.
Mr. Woods: Well, we've been working with the head of Community Workers Training
Program for some time now. When we initially established the Overtown Business
Resource Center, the idea was to make that a hub for residents who would need -- well,
actually, who we wanted to attract to get some of the jobs that we knew were coming
down the pike; all four affordable housing developments. What they've done is something
that nobody else has done. They've been able to gather information and collect a
database of residents from within the redevelopment area, and we feel real comfortable
that that database is representative of folks in the redevelopment area. When we have
developers who suggest that there aren't enough people who -- within the redevelopment
area to meet the goals that we set for local participation, we tell them to go over and see
the folks at the Business Resource Center, because we know that there are people in this
community. They have a database of folks. Those folks have had some screening.
They've -- some have gone through drug tests; some have been referred to areas where
they can get certifications, you know, their OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health
Administration)-10, OSHA-30. So what they have -- what they can provide is a ready
worker to be able to fill the space -- job slots that are out there. For instance, just last
week, it was last week where we -- and I -- can I say this publicly? Well, our project, St.
John's Apartments, we stopped the flow of the checks, because they weren't hiring people
on the job. We stopped the checks and we sat down with the contractors, as well as the
owners, and we said, "If you don't get people out there, you know, you're going to have a
problem." They went to these guys. I think it's -- how many, Emmanuel; eight? Eight
folks are now -- from the community are now on that project, and they were able to go to
them because they had a database. And that's how it was supposed to work from the
beginning. They were to go to them; they had a database. And they've been doing it
without -- well, they were compensated somewhat through the Business Resource Center,
but they had not had any resources that was dedicated to them. And we see the job that
they're doing, and we think that they're doing a great job. And not only does St. John's
take it -- St. John's Apartments taken advantage of it, but Miami Worldcenter, as well.
Board Member Carollo: Move the item.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved; seconded by the Chair. Is there any further
discussion about the item? Seeing none, all in favor of the item, say "aye."
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The Board (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes.
Todd B. Hannon (Clerk of the Board): As amended.
5. CRA RESOLUTION
2354 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY, AUTHORIZING A GRANT, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$220,000, TO URGENT, INC., TO UNDERWRITE COSTS ASSOCIATED
WITH THE 2017 SUMMER YOUTH TRAINING INSTITUTE; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL
DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE; AUTHORIZING THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE FUNDS, AT HIS DISCRETION, ON
A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS OR DIRECTLY TO VENDORS, UPON
PRESENTATION OF INVOICES AND SATISFACTORY DOCUMENTATION;
ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW, "OTHER GRANTS AND AIDS,"
ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.883000.0000.00000.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-17-0029
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Gort, Carollo
ABSENT: Russell, Suarez
Chair Hardemon: RE.5.
Clarence Woods (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community
Redevelopment Agency): Resolution Number 5 is a resolution of the Board of
Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment
Agency, authorizing a grant in an amount not to exceed $220,000, to Urgent, Inc., to
underwrite costs associated with the 2007 [sic] Summer Youth Employment Training
Institute; further authorizing the executive director to execute all documents necessary
for said purpose; authorizing the executive director to disburse funds at his discretion or
on a reimbursement basis, or directly to vendors, upon presentation of invoices and
satisfactory documentation.
Board Member Gort: Move it.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved and --
Board Member Carollo: Second.
Chair Hardemon: -- seconded. Is there any discussion about this item?
Board Member Gort: What I'd like to have, the -- all those grants that we've -- when you
come back, I'd like to get a report from them on performance.
Mr. Woods: Yes.
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Chair Hardemon: I think Urgent, Inc. actually just turned in --
Mr. Woods: Yeah. It's in the backup, I think.
Chair Hardemon: You can please take the lectern. Neil, can you pass that out for her? I
think she has something she wants to give out. One of the things, Chairman -- I mean,
Board Member -- is that I know Urgent, Inc., they -- within their budget, they always
allocate fimds for review, if you will; evaluation of the program from the year, and so this
is the new evaluation that just recently came out, but you can introduce it if you'd like.
Saliha Nelson: (INAUDIBLE).
Board Member Gort: Mike; IT (Information Technology), wake up.
Mr. Woods: Mike check.
Board Member Gort: Mike check.
Ms. Nelson: Hello? Okay. Address, 1000 Northwest 1st Avenue, Suite 100. All right.
It's a late day. Yes, every year, we perform an external evaluation of the program. What
you'll see here is the 2016 report. We are continually learning and growing in terms of
improving the program, but have made great successes in improving young people's --
building young people's 21 st Century work skills. And so, as we know, today, one of the
most important things outside of skill acquisition, which this program begins to do in
growth industries recognized by One Community, One Goal, is also to build those 21 st
Century work skills that make hiring great employees, so -- and also, entrepreneurs and
business owners, as well. So this is an introduction to what's required. If you'll see -- I
don't have the stats memorized, but typically, over half of the young people who
participate in this program, this is their first summer employment. And so, with this
professional internship experience, they're exposed to very specific evaluation
requirements, assessments, and also access to industry professionals in each one of these
high-level careers that are growing in Miami -Dade County.
Board Member Gort: Thank you for that. But I was talking about all the other grants.
I'd like to --
Mr. Woods: Yes.
Board Member Gort: If you recall, there was the -- there was a historic building that we
had; it used to be a supper club at one time.
Mr. Woods: Yes.
Board Member Gort: And we allocated some funds to there --
Mr. Woods: Yes.
Board Member Gort: -- and there was an RFP (Request for Proposals) that was issued.
Mr. Woods: Yes, yes.
Board Member Gort: Where are we in that project?
Mr. Woods: We're still working --
Board Member Gort: Because this is the type of things I like to get back.
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Mr. Woods: -- with the owners of the Marcus Samuelsson Group, getting the contracts
together. I think we've turned in some documents [sic], the actual contract. It's now in
their court. They need to review them and come back to us. We're just trying to work out
the actual -- the terms of the deal, and make sure that we all on both sides have a good
understanding. And once they do that, then they'll go ahead and get started on the actual
-- not necessarily renovations, but improvements to the old Clyde Killens Pool Hall.
Board Member Gort: See, the reason I asked those, we understand how the public sector
works, and it's a lot of difference between the private and the public sector, but it's good
to give a report every once in a while so people understands why sometimes you take a
decision and it takes maybe a long time before it gets implemented.
Chair Hardemon: Right.
Mr. Woods: Right. We're waiting -- actually, we're waiting now; we're waiting on them -
- on their lawyers, actually.
Ms. Nelson: If I could also do a commercial, Urgent, Inc. is participating in Connect
Miami, Adventure Cafe, on Thursday, where our FACE (Film, Arts, Culture and
Entertainment) interns will be sharing what they have learned about their community, but
also, what they've been learning in their internship. I invite all of you to come by at 4
o'clock; Adventure Cafe, in the CIC Building, and you can hear personally from our
interns themselves what they've been learning and what they've been producing, as part
of their internship experience, and what they're going to be working on in the summer.
Chair Hardemon: I know -- Ms. Nelson, I know you told me that you were going to be
able to get some funding from some different funding sources for the summer program,
and I just want to make sure that we -- I know you all do a very good job of getting
grants. But certainly, for the summer program that the City -- the CRA (Community
Redevelopment Agency) has been instrumental in funding every single year, we want to
ensure that it keeps going, you know, past the life of the CRA, so we want to ensure that
you start to really mix in some funding sources, so just in case things change.
Ms. Nelson: Don't scare me; but, yes.
Chair Hardemon: I'm not trying to scare you. The State scares me.
Ms. Nelson: Also --
Chair Hardemon: You didn't hear me. No, seriously --
Ms. Nelson: -- no, I understand.
Chair Hardemon: -- the State scares me, because they come all the time, every year,
trying to strip the CRA of its funding --
Ms. Nelson: Strip?
Chair Hardemon: I mean, how do you want me to put it?
Ms. Nelson: Oh, yes, yes.
Chair Hardemon: Rob, take, end; you know.
Ms. Nelson: Absolutely.
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Chair Hardemon: But, I mean, we -- the -- certainly, the money that we have, we try to
use the best way that we know how within the neighborhoods. If it's for renovating
different people's apartment buildings to training for youths and adults, we want to give
the money to this community. But every single year, on many levels, the State negotiates
with the County. It ends up always taking additional dollars out of Overtown. And so,
you know, I just want to recognize that, because when monies are taken away, we have to
really do what we call "tighten your" -- what do you call it? -- "tighten your bootstraps"?
Ms. Nelson: Tighten the belt.
Chair Hardemon: Tighten your belt; however you put it.
Ms. Nelson: Yes.
Chair Hardemon: But we have to, you know, allocate dollars, especially, you know, in
the -- in an environment that is not kind to us, so we just want to ensure that this type of
program keeps getting funding, because we know it's an asset to the neighborhood.
Ms. Nelson: Well, I would love to work with your office to identify some other potential
opportunities, as well as through -- I know you guys have a grants management piece
through the City of Miami, so I would be happy to sit down with who may -- a good
partner to explore those opportunities. But I also want to say that, fortunately, the
Children's Trust is one of the match partners for the Summer Growing Summer Program,
so with your support and the Children's Trust, we've been able to hire more young people
over the summer, so that's a beginning. And we look forward to hopefully growing the
program with some additional resources, and I'd be happy to follow up with your office
afterwards.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. Thank you.
Ms. Nelson: All right. Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Mr. Clerk, was there a motion on the floor?
Board Member Gort: Yes.
Todd B. Hannon (Clerk of the Board): Yes, sir.
Chair Hardemon: Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor, say "aye."
The Board (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
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6. CRA RESOLUTION
2355 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY, AUTHORIZING A GRANT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$352,000, TO CODE FEVER MIAMI, INC., TO UNDERWRITE COSTS
ASSOCIATED WITH THE BUILD OUT OF "TRIBE" — A HUB AND
INCUBATOR SPACE FOR STARTUP TECHNOLOGY BUSINESSES
LOCATED AT 937 NW 3RD AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL
DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE FUNDS, AT
HIS DISCRETION, ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS OR DIRECTLY TO
VENDORS, UPON PRESENTATION OF INVOICES AND SATISFACTORY
DOCUMENTATION; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW, "OTHER
GRANTS AND AIDS," ACCOUNT CODE NO.
10050.920101.883000.0000.00000.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-17-0030
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Gort, Carollo
ABSENT: Russell, Suarez
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing item 6, please see "Public
Comments."
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing item 6, please see item 2.
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing item 6, please see item 3.
Chair Hardemon: RE.6.
Clarence Woods (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community
Redevelopment Agency): Yes. Commissioners, Resolution Number 6 is a resolution of
the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community
Redevelopment Agency, authorizing a grant in an amount not to exceed $352,000, to
Code Fever Miami, to underwrite costs associated with the buildout of The Tribe, a hub
and incubator space for startup technology businesses, located at 937 Northwest 3rd
Avenue; further authorizing the executive director to execute all documents necessary for
said purpose; further authorizing the executive director to disburse funds at his
discretion or on a reimbursement basis, or directly to vendors, upon presentation of
invoices and satisfactory documentation. Commissioners, this is the item that Ms.
Hatcher just spoke of at the beginning of the public comment. If I might add, this is an
item that -- well, this is an issue that I've been chasing her and her husband for like
maybe four or five years, trying to get them to come to Overtown, recognizing the
importance of having tech jobs in the area. I think we do a great job with providing
those entry level jobs for our residents who may have some issues with backgrounds, as
well as those who may not have had any work training history -- the Blue Shirts -- as well
as these construction jobs that we provide. But if we're going to keep our residents in the
neighborhood and have them to be able to take advantage of some of the wonderful
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buildings that we're building, all of the new development that's happening, it's important
that we increase their skill levels and their ability to be able to attain higher paying jobs,
and I think this is an item that will help us to do that. It'll go a long way in helping to
train our workforce or those who want to be trained in the tech -- in tech and coding.
And she didn't get a chance to talk about it, but I think they also have a good track record
at placing folks once they've actually trained them, so this is a very important item as we
look to stave off gentrifying forces in the neighborhood.
Chair Hardemon: Is a discount offered to Overtown residents for this monthly pricing
that I see?
Mr. Woods: Well, the discount is going to be offered to -- they'll actually -- and correct
me if I'm wrong -- they'll have rent abated for the first five years. So the benefit that goes
to them will, I think, also --
Chair Hardemon: Who will have rent abated?
Board Member Gort: Right.
Mr. Woods: I'm sorry?
Chair Hardemon: Who will have rent abated?
Mr. Woods: Code Fever.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. No, what I'm asking about is, on the presentation, there's a
monthly pricing. You see a mailbox/address, $7 a month; a youth lab startup package;
shared desk membership; full-time member and office space. And so, what I was
wondering was, is there -- for those -- I guess, if you have businesses that go inside, for
people who have membership, is there a discount that's available for Overtown
residents?
Felicia Hatcher: Yes. So the way that the business model for the space -- We are a
nonprofit, but we also want to make sure that we are sustainable. And so, what you see
in the package is twofold: One, we have shared desk; we have dedicated desk; we have
office space; we have a dedicated lab for our Code Fever Program, as well as conference
room space; and then, open space for our entrepreneurs and those that want to be a part
of the space to be able to work. We have free and low-cost space for Overtown residents
and businesses; and then, everyone else that's outside of that area, they would have to be
-- they would pay into the membership, so those are the prices that you see.
Chair Hardemon: Can you describe what the free and low-cost spaces for the residents
would look like?
Ms. Hatcher: Yeah. So the shared desk and then the dedicated desk are what is
completely free. And then we have a number of spaces, of office space that is also free,
on an application basis, for businesses from the Overtown area. But again, I want to
make sure that what we're building is sustainable, so we do have to charge, and we do --
We're an organization that is revenue -generating so that we can continue to provide
those resources and those opportunities for those entrepreneurs that are in the space.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. Is there any discussion about this item?
Board Member Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: Yes.
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Board Member Carollo: Thank you. Not necessarily about Code Fever; just still about
the whole defending of it. So, yes, somewhere in there, there's some mention about the
deallocation, but where's the other 16,000 going to?
Mr. Woods: That'll go back into the general fund.
Board Member Carollo: And that's where the lack of transparency is not there; that's
where I wish, if you have an item that's defunding and it's going to different sources, I
would like that to be expressed in its own item.
Mr. Woods: Okay.
Board Member Carollo: So -- because, like I -- My original question was the 453 --?
Okay, so I get it. You're defunding to fund the 85. If it was an even swap or an even net,
I could see it, but it's not, and it's going to fund yet another item and -- like we see here,
RE.6 -- and then there's still monies left over, which I'm not sure where, really, they were
going, so that's why I think --
Chair Hardemon: Well, I want to say something, Board Member. It -- The language that
I was originally given for -- I think it was the resolution -- stated that it was to be a
allocation for 352; and then also, it was -- it stated, once again that CRA-R-13-0061 was
to be deallocated. And so, the discussion that I had with Clarence was that it doesn't
need to be deallocated twice. If it's deallocated once, it's already deallocated, so it's not
necessarily deallocated again, and then that's when it led us to the whole situation where
I was saying that we should have an item, in and of itself --
Board Member Carollo: Right.
Chair Hardemon: -- for deallocation, because at the end of the day, if something is
deallocated, the money goes back to a pot. So the fact that it -- if you deallocated and
you're giving it to -- You don't have to track the money that closely if you deallocate; give
50 percent of it to this organization and 50 percent to that organization. It all goes back
to the pot. It seems to be -- and I don't know if Miguel is here.
Board Member Gort: Miguel.
Chair Hardemon: But this was done to show that there was enough dollars to meet --
Mr. Woods: Yes.
Chair Hardemon: -- the obligation. But Mr. -- Miguel, can you please take the record?
Miguel Valentin (Financial Officer, Southeast Overtown/Park West/Community
Redevelopment Agency): Yes, sir. First off -- Miguel Valentin, CRA financial officer.
First off, if you want me to provide that breakdown, I'm able to provide that at a later
time. The main reason as to why we disclose it is in order to -- basically to show that we
don't have -- We have some unrestricted funds, but they are going to be used for some
major projects that we have, and that's why we need to start de -obligating items that they
were approved back in 2013, but for whatever reason, we did not use the funding for that
particular purpose, because after approving that item, maybe the decision changed, but
we were having that money locked in. And I think now it will be -- I think it was the right
decision to de -obligate that and to use it for future projects.
Board Member Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: Yes.
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Board Member Carollo: And that's exactly my point. That breakdown that you're
speaking about that you could provide in a later date, I wish it would have been provided
when we were deallocating the fiends. And you had the majority of that breakdown
already, because it was 85 plus 352; and then the difference, let's say, roughly 16,000
that was sent, you know, back to this fiend or so forth, and that's where, you know, I wish
it was said like that, because you could clearly see that the way -- In the actual language
of the resolution, the way Number 4 was done is much different than Number 6, you
know. And, yes, you don't have to defund something twice, but once you defund
something, where is the money going to?
Chair Hardemon: And I guess --
Board Member Carollo: That was --
Chair Hardemon: And I understand that. I mean, I took it as, if you're defending, it goes
back to general fund.
Commissioner Gort: To the general fund.
Chair Hardemon: And so, the funding is available now to be allocated, and that's the
way that I took it. But particularly, that's why I didn't want them coupled, because it
gives you the impression that it's going from one thing to the next, when actually, it's just
going back to the general funds of the organization.
Board Member Carollo: Miguel, do we have a general fiend category? What's it called
for the CRA?
Mr. Woods: An (UNINTELLIGIBLE) balance, fund balance.
Mr. Valentin: Fund balance.
Chair Hardemon: Fund balance.
Board Member Carollo: Okay. So it's going to the fund balance.
Chair Hardemon: General fund balance, yeah. All right. Is there any further discussion
on this item? Is there a motion? There's no motion. Is there a motion to approve?
Board Member Carollo: I'll make the motion to approve. I do have one more comment.
Miguel was mentioning about all these different deallocations. Can you provide me a list
of fixture deallocations that you're planning, and the projects that you're -- think that this
Board is --?
Mr. Valentin: As a matter of fact, this after -- this morning, I emailed the financial
summary as of May 22, and if you make reference to that, you will see the breakdown as
to how we have allocated the fund balance that we have.
Board Member Carollo: And it's itemized?
Mr. Valentin: Yes; pretty much so, yes.
Board Member Carollo: Okay. We'll look at that email. I haven't seen it --
Board Member Gort: Second.
Board Member Carollo: -- but I'll look at that email.
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Mr. Woods: Commissioners, as a practice, what we normally do is, at the end of the
year, when it's time to do our budget, which will be -- Miguel will be preparing the
budget for our July meeting -- we usually defund projects that we've completed and there
are some balances still left. That's when we usually undertake that particular exercise;
it's just that while we were trying to find the funding for these two items, we just
deallocated that one reso. But as a practice, usually, around budget time, when there is
funding still left over from projects or projects that we're not undertaking, we all -- we do
a one-time deallocation of all of the remaining balances that are not being utilized.
Chair Hardemon: Seeing no further discussion, all in favor, say "aye."
The Board (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Against? Motion passes.
7. CRA RESOLUTION
2356 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY, AUTHORIZING A GRANT, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$570,000, TO TOWN PARK VILLAGE NO. 1, TO UNDERWRITE COSTS
ASSOCIATED WITH PRE -CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR THE
REHABILITATION OF TPV, LOCATED AT 1680 NW 4TH AVENUE, MIAMI,
FLORIDA (FOLIO #: 01-3136-067-0001); AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID
PURPOSE; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO
DISBURSE FUNDS, AT HIS DISCRETION, ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS
OR DIRECTLY TO VENDORS, UPON PRESENTATION OF INVOICES AND
SATISFACTORY DOCUMENTATION; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM TAX
REVENUE BOND ISSUANCE PROVIDED FOR BY RESOLUTION NO. CRA-
R-12-0061.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-17-0031
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Gort, Carollo
ABSENT: Russell, Suarez
Chair Hardemon: RE.7.
Clarence Woods (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community
Redevelopment Agency): Yes. Commissioners, Resolution Number 7 is a resolution of
the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community
Redevelopment Agency, authorizing a grant in an amount not to exceed 570,000, to Town
Park Village Number 1, to underwrite costs associated with the pre -construction services
for the rehabilitation of Town Park Village, located at 1680 Northwest 4th Avenue,
Miami; authorizing the executive director to execute all documents necessary for said
purpose; further authorizing the executive director to disburse funds at his discretion on
a reimbursement basis, or directly to vendors, upon presentation of invoices and
satisfactory documentation. This is funding for the assessment and architectural services
for Town Park Village, to go ahead and get our third and final Town Park project
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underway and finalized. I think we do have Cazo and the Urban League here, if they'd
like to put something on the record, but --
Chair Hardemon: They probably should. Is Cazo or the Urban League here?
Especially so we understand exactly what it is that we're doing with Town Park Village.
We don't want any fake news sites to say that we're --
Mr. Woods: Yeah.
Chair Hardemon: -- we spent $570,000 to take Town Park Village away, so. You're
recognized, sir.
Oliver Gross: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Oliver Gross, on behalf of the Urban League and
Cazo Construction, 8500 Northwest 25th Avenue. We want to first thank you for, again,
the opportunity to be a part of the revitalization that you guys are being the force behind
in Overtown. The item that you're considering today is for us to start to do a robust due
diligence in the project, relative to the redesign or the rehab of the units, along with also
taking a look at those issues around relocation, and being able to come back to the staff
and the Board, ultimately, with the whole redevelopment program of the 140-plus units
there at the site. And we welcome the opportunity to be a part of it, and again, thank you
for the consideration today.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Are there any questions or discussion about
this item? Seeing none --
Board Member Gort: This is the South, right?
Mr. Woods: This is the Village. We did South.
Board Member Gort: Village?
Mr. Woods: Yes. This is the Village; the third and final one.
Chair Hardemon: South has already started. They've already got their roofs --
Mr. Gross: Yes, right.
Mr. Woods: Yep. They've started with windows, roofs and doors, and they are coming
right behind. You know, we staggered them to -- because it's just a huge undertaking.
Chair Hardemon: We have a -- I have a radio show on WMBM (AM-1490, Miami,
Florida), and on the last show, we talked to a resident from Town Park North, Mr.
McKinsey, and so, he's back in his unit now. So we have lots of residents that are
actually back in their units that have been rehabbed. And one of the things that he talked
about, besides the fact that it was a real gut rehab, so, I mean, he took everything out,
and I don't just mean -- meaning the sub floors all the way down to the beams -- to make
sure everything was structurally sound, and replaced it all with quality material, which
I'm sure is what you're looking to do --
Mr. Gross: Absolutely.
Chair Hardemon: -- if that's necessary. There's a standard that's been set, if you will, by
-- in Town Park North and the quality of the rehab. But what he said to me was, "My
electricity bill went from $400 a month to 200, just from the rehab." So besides the fact
that people are getting, you know, a brand-new roof over their head, new bathrooms,
kitchens, bedrooms; besides all that, their bills are being cut in half, you can imagine that
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ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Gross: Because of the energy efficiency components that you add to the projects,
Cazo (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and we've worked on -- probably -- this is probably our third
or fourth one of these endeavors. We welcome you to come out and visit any of our
existing sites. You'll be getting an invitation to a project that we just started moving
people in recently, just east of Northwestern High School, the Villages Project. And I
think, in terms of what our standards of delivery of a product is, you'll get a real good
idea of that, in terms of the quality of construction finishes and all of the rest.
Chair Hardemon: It's important, because, you need -- the individuals from Town Park
North went from having a -- what do you call those? -- Challis windows? Some had --
Mr. Woods: Yeah, jalousie.
Chair Hardemon: Yeah.
Mr. Woods: Jalousie windows.
Chair Hardemon: I can't spell that, but that -- those type of windows, bars on their
windows so you could hear everything that, you know, passes through in the night to --
Mr. Woods: Impact windows and doors.
Chair Hardemon: -- high -impact windows and doors, brand-new electrical units. So you
know how in our communities, they tend to steal electricity -- or not electricity, but the --
Mr. Woods: They do that.
Chair Hardemon: -- electrical wiring. I mean, we have brand-new wiring going through
each of the -- all of the homes. Asbestos has been removed from different homes; sewage
that was coming into the walls of people's homes is no longer there. So, I mean, these
are effectively brand-new units that the people still own, so we look forward to this
change, because, like the Commissioner said, this is the third one. This is the third one.
Is there any other question or discussion? Seeing none, is there a motion to approve the
item for Town Park Village?
Board Member Gort: Move it.
Board Member Carollo: Second.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved and seconded. Is there any further
discussion about the item? Seeing none, all in favor of the item, say "aye."
The Board (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
Mr. Gross: Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: All right. The meeting comes to an end.
The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
SEOPW CRA Page 23 Printed on 6/20/2017