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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOMNI CRA 2018-05-24 MinutesCity of Miami 3500 Pan American Dr Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 24, 2018 12:30 PM Commission Chambers 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Ken Russell, Chair Keon Hardemon, Vice Chair Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Board Member, District One Joe Carollo, Board Member, District Three Manolo Reyes, Board Member, District Four ************************* OMNI and MIDTOWN CRA OFFICE ADDRESS: 1401 N. Miami Avenue, 2"d Floor, Miami 33136 Phone: (305) 679-6868 www.miamicra.com OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 CALL TO ORDER Present: Chair Russell, Vice Chair Hardemon, Commissioner Gort, Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Reyes On the 24th day of May 2018, the Board of Commissioners of the OMNI 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 Chair Russell at 2:13 p.m., and was adjourned at 3: 06 p.m. Note for the Record: Commissioner Carollo entered the meeting at 2:24 p.m. ALSO PRESENT: Jason Walker, Executive Director, CRA Isiaa Jones, Chief Legal Officer, CRA Barnaby L. Min, Deputy General Counsel, CRA Todd B. Hannon, Clerk of the Board Chair Russell: Good afternoon. Calling to order the meeting of the Omni Community Redevelopment Agency. APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S): 2. OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY - REGULAR MEETING - APR 18, 2018 5:00 PM MOTION TO: Approve RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner SECONDER: Ken Russell, Chair AYES: Russell, Hardemon, Gort, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Chair Russell: Could I get an approval of the minutes from April 18, please? Is there a motion? Board Member Reyes: Move it. Chair Russell: It's been moved; seconded by the Chair. All in favor, say "aye." The Board (Collectively): Aye. Chair Russell: Motion carries. OMNI CRA DISCUSSION ITEM(S) 1. OMNI CRA DISCUSSION 4166 DISCUSSION REGARDING THE UPDATED TERMS AND PREVIOUS APPROVAL OF THE OMNI CRA'S BANK LOAN SERIES 2018B WITH BANK UNITED. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 2 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 RESULT: DISCUSSED Chair Russell: Item Number 1, Mr. Executive Director. Jason Walker (Executive Director/Omni Community Redevelopment Agency): Yes, Mr. Chairman. Item Number 1 is a discussion item regarding the Series 2018E Loan with Bank United. At the last board meeting, you all approved the purchase of a property in Wynwood. In order to be able to draw down on that money, we need to have a discussion about the terms today, and Sergio's here to discuss that. Sergio Masvidal: Good afternoon, Commissioners. Sergio Masvidal, PFM Financial Advisors. We're advising the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) in this transaction, sure. This is the second part of the financing that was approved earlier in the year. I believe it was about January of 2018, we came to the board and closed on the first round of funding for 10 million, as the director referred to. This is the second round of funding for the remaining 15 million under the authorization we're requesting today. You will have the same final maturity as the first round, which is 2029, and the not -to -exceed rate on the taxable loan at this point will be 4.50 percent. So again, that's the not -to -exceed rate on the taxable loan going out to 2029, at four and a half percent. We're still negotiating with the bank to try to bring that down, but right now that's the not -to -exceed authorization we're requesting from the board. Chair Russell: Thank you. Are there any questions? Mr. Executive Director, any comments? Mr. Walker: No, sir. Chair Russell: All right. Thank you very much. Mr. Walker: Thank you. Chair Russell: Item Number 2. I'm sorry, Item Number 1, the Morgans. Board Member Reyes: Sir, I have a little question. Chair Russell: Of course. Board Member Reyes: I (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and -- sorry. This is an existing building that's going to be rehabbed, right? Mr. Walker: No, sir. This is -- at the last meeting, the board approved a purchase of land in Wynwood, at -- 2051 North Miami Avenue? -- 2037 North Miami Avenue. So this is to purchase the land and also construct the building of 80 units. Board Member Reyes: This is Item Number 1? Mr. Walker: This is Discussion Item, Item Number 1. Chair Russell: Discussion item. Board Member Reyes: Oh, discussion item. Chair Russell: Are you already -- are you moved on to the --? OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 3 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 Board Member Reyes: I'm talking -- I'm in the resolutions. I'm sorry. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION(S) 1. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION 3484 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S RECOMMENDATION AND FINDING THAT COMPETITIVE NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 18-85 AND 18-86 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, AS ADOPTED BY THE CRA; WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPETITIVE SEALED BIDDING AS NOT BEING PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE CRA; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY AGREEMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL, FOR THE PURPOSES STATED HEREIN; ALLOCATING GRANT FUNDS OF $400,000.00 TO MORGANS 2829, INC. FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 130 NW 14 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS. ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-18-0027 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Keon Hardemon, Vice Chair SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Hardemon, Gort, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Chair Russell: Okay. We're about to start the resolution right now, if the -- Jason Walker (Executive Director, Omni Community Redevelopment Agency): Yes. Chair Russell: -- Executive Director will present it, and then questions. Mr. Walker: Yes, sir. Board Member Reyes: Yeah. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Chair Russell: Thank you. Board Member Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Mr. Walker: It's a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Omni Redevelopment District Redevelopment Agency, by a four -fifths affirmative vote, after an advertised public hearing, ratifying, approving, and confirming the Executive Director's recommendation, and finding that competitive negotiation methods and procedures are not practicable or advantageous, pursuant to Sections 18-85 and 18-86 of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended, as adopted by the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency); waiving the requirements for competitive sealed bidding as being practicable or advantageous to the CRA; authorizing the Executive Director to execute any and all necessary agreements, in a OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 4 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 form acceptable to the general counsel, for the purposes stated herein; allocating grant funds of $400,000 to Morgans 2829, Inc., for the rehabilitation of the property located at 130 Northwest 14th Street, Miami, Florida, subject to the availability of funds. Chair Russell: Commissioner Reyes, you have a question on this item? Board Member Reyes: That is -- that -- my question is, this is an existing building that is going to be rehabbed? Mr. Walker: Yes, sir. Board Member Reyes: Right. This is not a -- the last pocket that we have in that area, which is blighted. Mr. Walker: It's not the last. There will still be blight there afterwards. Chair Russell: There's a lot of blight left. Board Member Reyes: Isn't this --? Well, okay. Chair Russell: Is there anyone who can present on the item? I saw a graphic of the Morgans structure in my office. Mr. Walker: Yeah, it's coming down. I don 't know why it's in your office. Vice Chair Hardemon: So moved to approve it. Chair Russell: It's been moved. Is there a second? Board Member Gort: Second. Chair Russell: It's been seconded by Commissioner Gort. You had a comment, Commissioner Gort? Board Member Gort: Discussion. My understanding is -- how are we going to make sure that the funds are going to be utilized to do the completion of the --? What steps are we taking to make sure that funds are spent the way it should be? Mr. Walker: So, first of all, this will be done on the -- first of all, the funds will only go to the rehab of the building -- Board Member Gort: Right. Mr. Walker: -- itself And the funds will be done on a reimbursable basis. Board Member Gort: Reimbursement basis. Mr. Walker: Yes. Board Member Gort: Okay. Mr. Walker: And we will have our own over-- construction oversight person to look at sign -off on all of the payment requests. Board Member Reyes: Okay. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 5 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 Board Member Gort: All right. Mr. Walker: And this is important -- we feel -- why is he going all the way around? We feel it's an important block. It's on one -- on 1st and Northwest 14th Avenue, right under the underpass, where a lot of activity takes place. We think the idea of bringing new attention to the area is good, and I want to show you the picture of the building. Board Member Gort: I have another question. Chair Russell: Yes, Commissioner Gort. Board Member Gort: As we going to put a term -- are we going to put a term? Because after we spend $400, 000, they fix it, that they won't flip it? Mr. Walker: Yes, absolutely. There will be -- I think we had a meeting yesterday. I think we're putting in a five-year -- is it five? Board Member Gort: Five years? Board Member Reyes: How many units in that building? Mr. Walker: Right now it's ten efficiencies; four are vacant and six are occupied. And by law, we have to find -- make a good effort to find spaces for the other six gentlemen to -- Board Member Reyes: By the time you finish with it, I mean, what will be the -- how many -- are they going to be efficiencies? Are they going to be apartments? Mr. Walker: This particular item, they will no longer be efficiencies. It will be fully -- a full-fledged restaurant on both floors. Board Member Reyes: You're saying that they're going to be efficiencies? What's the size? Mr. Walker: No, no, no. The efficiencies will be gone, and only a restaurant will be in its place. Board Member Reyes: Oh, it's going to be a restaurant? Mr. Walker: Yes. Board Member Reyes: Oh. That means -- but we are displacing how many people that live there? Mr. Walker: Six people we will relocate. Board Member Reyes: You're going to relocate them to where? Mr. Walker: We are in the process of depending on this item -- Board Member Reyes: So you don't -- not going to start until those people are properly -- Mr. Walker: Absolutely, absolutely. Board Member Reyes: -- relocated to --? OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 6 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 Mr. Walker: Absolutely. And as a matter of fact, the owner -- there were ten -- has been holding off on renting the place out because of -- this item has been held for several months. He's not releasing any new apartments, and he's making a good effort. Morgans has said that they would make a good effort, and we, by law, have to make a good effort to find those six gentlemen places to stay once this thing is approved. Board Member Reyes: Okay. And why a restaurant, ifI may ask? Mr. Walker: Well, right now -- and I can have our Planning and Policy person, Adam, to explain it. Right now the building is a nonconforming building. Actually, it's not supposed -- Board Member Reyes: Yes, but is it owned by the City or is it owned by them? Mr. Walker: It's owned -- the ownership is with the Scott family of Overtown. They've owned it -- Board Member Reyes: Yeah. Mr. Walker: -- for the past -- Board Member Reyes: I know them. Mr. Walker: -- 25 years. The lease is between the Scott family, the owners, and Morgans. Board Member Reyes: Okay. Mr. Walker: And our grant is just going to the rehab of the building. Morgans will be putting their own money in to also help build it out, because it's going to take a lot more than -- Board Member Reyes: Okay. Mr. Walker: -- 400,000 to get this done. Board Member Reyes: What we're going to do is try start businesses in that area, right? Mr. Walker: Yes, sir. Board Member Reyes: Okay. It's okay. Mr. Walker: Thank you. Board Member Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Chair Russell: Are you comfortable? Board Member Reyes: Yes, sir. Chair Russell: Thank you very much. No, I'm looking forward to this. And the time frame? Mr. Walker: Richie, you want to --? OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 7 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 Chair Russell: Please state your name and -- Richard Effs: Richard Effs. I'm one of the co -owners for Morgans. Don't run the restaurant; the wife does that. I'm just the backup guy. And what the question you had? Chair Russell: Time frame for the buildout, redevelopment, and have an actual restaurant in place and jobs for the community. Mr. Effs: Depends. Probably eight months. Depends on how the workers go. Chair Russell: So structurally, it's pretty good? Mr. Effs: Yeah, structurally, it's pretty good. Chair Russell: The (UNINTELLIGIBLE) are good. Mr. Effs: It's going back and refurbishing and knocking out walls and just doing making it into a restaurant. Chair Russell: And how many jobs will this provide, and will those jobs go to the community? Mr. Effs: Yeah, most of those jobs -- probably 120 people -- 60 to 120 people we'll hire, and some will come from the neighborhood if they're qualified. Chair Russell: Do we have any requirements within that? Mr. Walker: We have a basic requirement, which they have obviously gotten over, of one job for every 30,000 -- $35, 000. Chair Russell: One job -- Mr. Walker: For every $35, 000 that we give them. Chair Russell: One job from where? Mr. Walker: From the community. We start out with the Omni CRA. Chair Russell: Yep. Mr. Walker: And then if they can't -- they have to make best efforts within the Omni CRA. If they can't make that effort, then it's the Overtown CRA boundaries. Board Member Reyes: Sir -- excuse me. Chair Russell: Of course. Commissioner Reyes. Board Member Reyes: When you said, "the Omni area," the Omni area is too big, but this is in Overtown. Mr. Walker: Yes, sir. Board Member Reyes: I will prefer that you have the right to give -- offer these jobs mainly -- try to hire as many people from Overtown. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 8 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 2. Mr. Walker: Yes, sir. Board Member Reyes: You see. Because the Omni, it's a huge area, but Overtown, I mean, it's the one that needs -- I mean, there's a high index of unemployment, and try to -- if we're going to spend that money, you see, try to create jobs for people that live there. Mr. Walker: Yes, sir. Noted. Board Member Reyes: Yes, sir. Chair Russell: All right. Mr. Effs: Thank you. Chair Russell: There's been a motion. There's been a second. Any further discussion? Is there any comment from the public on this item? Hearing none, I'll close public comment. All in favor, say "aye." The Board (Collectively): Aye. Chair Russell: Any opposed? Motion passes. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION 3984 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S FINDING THAT COMPETITIVE NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS, PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-85(A) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, AS ADOPTED BY THE CRA; WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SAID PROCEDURES; AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF GRANT FUNDS FROM ACCOUNT NO. 10040.920501.883000 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $600,000 TO REBUILDING TOGETHER MIAMI-DADE, INC. TO PROVIDE PARTIAL FUNDING FOR A "HOME IMPROVEMENT FA?ADE PROGRAM" ("PROGRAM"); 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; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE PROGRAM, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL. ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-18-0028 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Hardemon, Gort, Reyes NAYS: Carollo Jason Walker (Executive Director/Omni Community Redevelopment Agency): Item Number 2, Mr. Chairman, is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 9 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 Redevelopment District Community Redevelopment Agency, by a four -fifths affirmative vote, after an advertised public hearing, ratifying, approving, and confirming the Executive Director's finding that competitive negotiation methods and procedures are not practicable or advantageous, pursuant to Section 18-85(a) of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended, as adopted by CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency); waiving the requirements for said procedures; authorizing the allocation of grant funds from account number -- in an amount not to exceed $600, 000, to Rebuilding Together Miami -Dade, Inc., to provide partial funding for a Home Improvement Facade Program; 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; authorizing the Executive Director to negotiate and execute any and all documents necessary to effectuate the program, in a form acceptable to the general counsel. Chair Russell: Thank you, Executive Director. Can you give in laymen's terms the story here? What are we doing? Mr. Walker: This item is a continuation of the rehab -- residential rehab program that we approved last year. We're putting an additional $600,000 for this year to continue rehabbing residential units in Overtown. Chair Russell: Commissioner Gort. Board Member Gort: Let me ask a question. Are you leveraging this with CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds also? Mr. Walker: We have not, but we -- the -- we have -- Rebuilding Together has put some of their own funding to -- into this program as well. Board Member Gort: But you qualify for CDBG funds for facade, don't you? Mr. Walker: Yes. Board Member Gort: Okay. Chair Russell: How many units will be renovated with this? Mr. Walker: We have -- I can't answer that question for you right now, because the request -- the number of requests we have is just not adding up to the amount of money we have. Chair Russell: Let me take it a step back. In this past year with -- how much funds did we allocate, and what did we -- what would -- did we do with those funds in terms of renovation? Mr. Walker: Last year we allocated $750,000, and we rehabbed approximately 27 homes, and it's various rehab -- some was just a coat of paint; some were more detailed, like replacing roof impact windows, paint, landscaping, fencing; and some was just, you know, a small coat of paint, but that's -- but we have apartment buildings, for example, that are owned by people that live in Overtown that need help that this $600,000 won't even touch. I mean, we probably have several million dollars' worth of requests for improvements, so we need to go through the list and see which is the most important and the biggest bang for our buck. Chair Russell: Within the issues of slum and blight and housing, obviously, building new housing, making new stock is always a good thing, but I think your bang for your buck goes so much further when you can help those who live in the community OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 10 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 stay in the community. And if you can help them through efficiency, through repairs, through even just a simple coat of paint and the pride that that brings, you're eliminating slum and blight, and you're entrenching a people in a community that will have a better ability to stay there. So I think this is a great initiative. Thank you very much. Do we have a motion and a second on this item? Board Member Reyes: I move it, and I agree -- Board Member Gort: Second. Board Member Reyes: -- with Commissioner Russell. And I think we have to do more of these type of home improvement programs to try to help people that are actually living in these areas, and they are low-income people; that they need assistance in renovating and putting the homes up to Code or protecting them against hurricanes and all that. I commend you for doing this. And you answered my question, because I was going to ask if this was only for facade or if it was for renovation, you see; repair and renovation, because I would like to see some of these funds go into repair and improvement. Okay. Chair Russell: Thank you. It's been moved by Commissioner Reyes; seconded by Commissioner Gort. Is there any further comment from the dais? Board Member Carollo: I have additional questions. We're in number one, Omni CRA, and -- Chair Russell: We're on resolution number two, sir Board Member Carollo: On number two, okay. This resolution is the total amount of $600, 000? Mr. Walker: Yes, sir. Board Member Carollo: How come we're not going out for open bids, like we normally would? I'd like to get that on the record. Mr. Walker: We can do that, if that's the will of the board. Rebuilding Together Miami -Dade is an organization that is well known throughout the State; Miami - Dade County, Broward County, that they do this type of work. The City of Miami uses them. The City of Miami has acquired their services. And so, we thought because this is the work that they do that they would be the best organization to carry this out. If the board feels different, we'll be more than happy to go out for an RFP (Request for Proposals). Board Member Carollo: This is nothing that pertains to this organization. I don't know much about them. I'm sure they're a fine organization. The issue that I have here is that we're determining, without knowing for sure, if there are other organizations that are also good that could give a better price for this so it could extend our monies even more so, and the only way that you could find out is by putting it out to bid, and we're not doing that. So that's the problem that I have. I mean, can you give me a hundred percent assurance that this is the best bid, the best price that we could possibly get? Mr. Walker: Well, I can tell you that we're -- the item is to engage with Rebuilding Miami -Dade. Rebuilding Miami -Dade then is -- they're kind of the go-between. They do the administrative work of fixing up the building, so they get a 15 percent, which is what I've been told is normal by City staff -- 15 percent administrative fee off of this, and the rest of this is direct payments to the contractors that actually do OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 11 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 3. the work. And Rebuilding Together, they will do three bids. They're required to do three bids for every project and every discipline. Board Member Carollo: But you really didn't answer my question. Mr. Walker: Okay. Board Member Carollo: What someone might tell you is normal might not necessarily be normal; it might be abnormal. And that 15 percent doesn't necessarily apply. It could be higher; it could be lower. And I will tell you that from a lot of the work that I've done in this field in rehabs and affordable housing and looking into it -- Mr. Walker: I'm sorry, Commissioner, I can't hear you. Board Member Carollo: I said, in a lot of the research that I've done in this area, I have found numbers that are lower than 15. Obviously, there are others higher than 15 in bids that have come out throughout the years. I will tell you, as one member of this body, I will not vote for this item or any item that's before us that is not going to a bid. If they're as confident in that price as you tell me that you are, they shouldn 't have any problems in doing that, and that's true transparency; otherwise, this might appear to some that we're just giving contracts to some people that we prefer over others. So having said that, it could go to a vote. Chair Russell: Thank you very much. Is there any public comment on the issue? This is resolution number two, regarding Rebuild [sic] Together, a renovation project in the Omni CRA. Hearing none, I'll close public comment. With no further comments from the dais, all in favor, say "aye." Board Member Gort: Aye. Chair Russell: Aye. Board Member Carollo: No. Chair Russell: Any opposed? Board Member Carollo: No. Chair Russell: Motion carries. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION 3980 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S FINDING THAT COMPETITIVE NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS, PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-85(A) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, AS ADOPTED BY THE CRA; WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SAID PROCEDURES; AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF GRANT FUNDS FROM ACCOUNT NO. 10040.920501.883000 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $175,000.00 TO CAMILLUS HOUSE, INC. TO UNDERWRITE A PORTION OF COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE "MIAMI SHELTER PROGRAM" ("PROGRAM"); AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 12 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 TO EFFECTUATE THE PROGRAM, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL. ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-18-0029 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner SECONDER: Ken Russell, Chair AYES: Russell, Hardemon, Gort, Carollo, Reyes Chair Russell: Item number 3. Jason Walker (Executive Director/Omni Community Redevelopment Agency): Item number 3, Mr. Chairman, is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Omni Redevelopment District Community Redevelopment Agency, by a four -fifths affirmative vote, after an advertised public hearing, ratifying, approving, and confirming the Executive Director's finding that competitive negotiation methods and procedures are not practicable or advantageous, pursuant to Section 18-85 of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended, as adopted by the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency); waiving the requirements for said procedures; authorizing the allocation of grant funds from account number -- in an amount not to exceed $175,000, to Camillus House, Inc., to underwrite a portion of costs associated with the Miami Shelter Program; authorizing the Executive Director to negotiate and execute any and all documents necessary to effectuate the program, in a form acceptable to the general counsel. Chair Russell: Thank you very much, Mr. Executive Director. Is there a motion on this item? Board Member Gort: Move it. Chair Russell: It's been moved. Is there a second? Board Member Carollo: Questions. Chair Russell: Is there a --? Board Member Carollo: Same question -- Chair Russell: Just a moment. Is there a second on the item? I'll second. Board Member Carollo: There was. Chair Russell: Second by the Chair. Question, Commissioner Carollo. Board Member Carollo: Thank you. The same question that I previously had: Why is this not going out to a bid? Mr. Walker: This is something that was a -- comes from the previous Administration; a partnership with the City of Miami, the DDA (Downtown Development Authority), the Overtown CRA, and the Omni CRA. They pulled their funds together. I think if -- Mr. Vickers was leading us on the behalf of the City of Miami. This is just our contribution to that agreement. It's a Miami agreement. It's a Miami Shelter Program agreement, so we're just funding our portion of that agreement. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 13 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 Board Member Reyes: Yes. Board Member Carollo: But why is this not going out to a bid? Is there anybody that could answer the question to me? Mr. Walker: I would wait -- I would ask Mr. Vickers to come in and -- Chair Russell: Yeah. While we're waiting for Mr. Vickers, clearly with -- this is a three- or four-way agreement. Mr. Walker: Yes. Chair Russell: It's a four-way agreement. Mr. Walker: Yes. Chair Russell: So for us to go out on a bid on our own would actually just take us out of the agreement. So really, the whole thing falls apart if all four parties don't come together and fund this initiative. Board Member Carollo: Well, I understand what the Director is saying -- or has said, I should say. What I want to find out is why the originator of this agreement that brought it to us for our portion has not brought it out to bid. Mr. Vickers. Milton Vickers: Commissioner, I'm sorry; I missed most of the question. Board Member Carollo: Well, I'd just like to know -- a very simple question: Why is this item not going out to bid? Mr. Walker: He's talking about -- Chair Russell: The Camillus House four -fifths. Mr. Vickers: Okay. The other two shelters in the City of Miami did not choose to participate in the purchase of Pottinger beds, because these are Pottinger beds; beds that are based on the consent decree between the Federal Court, ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union), and the City. Initially, it was only Camillus House who had a real interest in this, and we've continued the relationship with Camillus House over the years. I think this is our third or -- at least, this is the third year that I've actually negotiated the agreement with Camillus. It's 75 beds. The City s portion, which you approved, I believe, at the last Commission meeting, was 460,000; Omni CRA, I believe is 70 -- 170, and the DDA is 40,000, I believe. That gives us 75 beds that police officers can actually offer an individual on the street, which is, as a part of the Pottinger Agreement, we have to offer the bed before any police action can take place. Board Member Carollo: So the bottom line of what you're saying, Mr. Vickers, is that out of the three potential bidders that we have, more or less, there's only one that showed an interest -- Mr. Vickers: Yeah. It would be -- Board Member Carollo: -- on this? Mr. Vickers: -- either Chapman's House or Salvation Army, which is about two blocks outside of the City. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 14 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 Board Member Carollo: Well, that's sufficient for me. You've answered my question. And I will say that the Executive Director placed it on this agenda a lot clearer than it was placed on the City Commission agenda, so I compliment you for that, and this is the way it should be. So I'm ready to vote on this, and this is different than the one previously voted upon. Chair Russell: Thank you very much. I'll open the floor for public comment on this item regarding the funding of the Camillus House Program. Is there anyone here who would like to speak on that item? Seeing none, I'll close public comment. Any further questions or comments from the dais? Vice Chair Hardemon: You know, the -- I don't -- I just don't think that any other entity besides the Chil -- what is it? -- the Homeless Trust should have to continue to put money into these sorts of issues. We know that we're overburdened with -- "we," meaning the City of Miami -- our general -- our city is overburdened with a disproportionate share of homeless facilities to service people who are homeless. Additionally, we have the overlay of the Pottinger, and now we're putting in more dollars from various entities to help support something that the Homeless Trust certainly has the capability and the financial wherewithal to do. And so, you know, every $200,000 that we give, besides the money that we gave to build Camillus House facility in the first place, are dollars that we're not using to continue to eliminate the slum and the blight in the areas that matter the most. And so, it's -- you know, I'm going to support my Chair with this, but, you know, I certainly struggle with why we have to provide or reserve beds for -- at a facility that we paid to build, that -- if anything, the Homeless Trust should be holding us up as a model citizen when it comes to helping the community with these homeless issues. But really and truly, it seems to be more antagonistic, and I think that's not right, but, you know, I'm going to support what it is that the Chairman's asking to do in this situation, but, you know, the City of Miami is in an interesting place. I had an opportunity to visit Los Angeles, and they just passed -- I believe it was like a 500-something million -dollar initiative -- it might be yearly -- to address homelessness. And one of the things they're trying to do -- Their idea is to eliminate homelessness by building permanent housing, but now the question is, "Where do you build the housing?" And so -- and as you can imagine, the land values in Los Angeles are extremely high. They're higher than they are in the City of Miami. And so, they have a really big issue. They do lots of outreach. I had a chance to visit Skid Row; it is unlike anything I've ever seen in the City of Miami. It is unfathomable, if you would say that. And the funny part about it, though -- or ironic, rather -- is that I don't think that there is anything that can actually stop that from happening to Miami. There is not something that we've created, besides the fact that we probably have more shelter beds than -- probably -- because Los Angeles is a big place, but I didn't see them build really any Camillus House sort of facility, but there's nothing to really stop that from happening. And so, when you add the Pottinger restrictions upon us, we really have a recipe for disaster. And there, they are having to evict people from public right- of-ways [sic]. And when I say, "public right-of-ways" [sic], I don't just mean the street, the sidewalk; I mean the swale by your house. So, you know, I really see these issues becoming a public safety issue, and not just for the homeless or those who are living on the street or those who pitch a tent, but for the people who live in the communities as well, and their children, who walk to and fro in the community. So, you know, I -- we've already had a death in our community that involved someone who was considered to be homeless, and by no means, do we want to politicize that. But, you know, when you think forward into the future, if the Homeless Trust doesn't get very serious about how they address homelessness, you could really have a big issue between two sorts of populations that are existing in the City of Miami: those that choose to live on the street and those that chose to buy a home in that same neighborhood, so. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 15 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 Board Member Reyes: Yes, sir. And Mr. Chairman, I agree with you a hundred percent. And I want to ask Mr. Vicker [sic] -- because this is something that has been bothering me a lot -- is this problem that we have with homeless in the City of Miami. How many homeless do you think that we have in the City of Miami? Mr. Vickers: The last census count was couple of months ago. I believe it was somewhere between 6 and 800. Board Member Reyes: 600 -- Mr. Vickers: 6 to 800. Board Member Reyes: Let's say 600. Question, how much money does the Homeless Trust receive a year? Sergio Torres: My name is Sergio Torres. I'm the Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs/Homeless Services. Board Member Reyes: Yes. Mr. Torres: I can speak for -- it's an estimate. I don't have the exact number. The budget of the Homeless Trust is about 50, $60 million. Board Member Reyes: $60 million divided by 600 is $100, 000 per individual. I mean, the math is very simple. Where are we using if --? With $100,000 for homeless, you can place them in a two -bedroom apartment and pay $2,000 a month, and it's only $24,000. Mr. Vickers: Commissioner, we will not argue nor debate that with you. We think you're absolutely right. We're sort of tempered by what we can say here, because we have been in mediation -- Board Member Reyes: Yes, sir. Mr. Vickers: -- on the Pottinger Agreement, but I can tell you, the position of staff has sort of aligned with some of the things that have been said here. Board Member Reyes: Mr. Vicker [sic], you are the expert on it. And City Attorney, is there anything that we can do that instead of those funds going to that Trust to come to the City of Miami so maybe we can provide some shelters in housing and -- ourself [sic]? Because it seems to me that $65 million -- or $60 million a year to take care of 600 people and you still see -- you drive through downtown Miami, and you still see the homeless population, and as the Chairman said, you see, it's a problem for everybody, you see. Vice Chair Hardemon: You know (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Board Member Reyes: And we're receiving $100,000 "per" individual, and they're still on the streets? Well, what can we do since we are the City -- or the region that is most affected -- Vice Chair Hardemon: But Commissioner -- Chair Russell: Commissioner Hardemon. Board Member Reyes: -- by the homeless? OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 16 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 Vice Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Reyes, I mean, one thing I will say is this: The -- I don't know what the exact Homeless Trust budget is. It certainly has to be north of $30 million a year. Chair Russell: 57. Vice Chair Hardemon: How much is it? Chair Russell: 57, I believe. Vice Chair Hardemon: 50 -- about 50, so -- Board Member Reyes: Still about 100,000. Vice Chair Hardemon: The Chair is saying about $57 million a year. And I'm telling you this: Miami -Dade County has put a tremendous amount of resources into addressing this issue, and it's one of those things, without going too far into a philosophical conversation or debate or discussion about it, but it's one of those things where you say -- Board Member Gort: Mr. Chairman. Vice Chair Hardemon: -- where I've said before that there are people who are receiving services who are visiting our communities that get more resources, that get more assistance, and those are the people who live in our communities. And I say that to say, there's not much of a difference between a senior citizen who is on a fixed income, whose rent is being raised every single year, who has to choose between food and their medication; who, if not, but for the grace of God, is going to be on the street, than the homeless get -- well, the people living on the street get more resources to address that issue than those people. Board Member Reyes: That's right. Vice Chair Hardemon: And so, we have a lot of people within our communities that are really suffering in silence, and, you know, if -- that's really where the whole birth of the anti poverty initiative came from; the sense that we have to put money towards things that you may not see, but we know are going on within our neighborhoods. And so -- Board Member Reyes: Absolutely correct. Vice Chair Hardemon: -- you know, I think it would be the fair thing to do, to allow the Chairman to pass this budget item, because I -- we want to be able to do everything that we need to do to continue to abide by Pottinger, which is our responsibility; it is the law, and -- Board Member Reyes: Don't get me wrong. Vice Chair Hardemon: -- but then also, have the discussion about how it is that we can be able to not only address what's on the street, but what's happening in our neighborhoods. Board Member Reyes: That's right. And don't get me wrong; I'm going to vote in favor of this item, because I know Mr. Vicker [sic] explained, you see, I mean, and nobody else want to participate. But I took the opportunity, this opportunity that we're talking about homelessness, that -- I mean, to raise the question and to raise OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 17 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 also the argument, how are we using those funds? Because I don't see any improvement, you see. I think that -- I don't see any program that tries to rehab. I don't see any program trying to relocate or house them, you see. And there is a hell of a lot of money, you see; $100, 000 per individual. You can keep it in an apartment and buy grocery every month -- I mean, every week, you see. They don't have to be on the street. That's a lot of money. Chair Russell: Commissioner Gort. Board Member Gort: Let me go back. And Commissioner Carollo, you went back with me when this all started back in the '90s. One of the biggest problems we had, we had the Pottinger, the case that came out in front of us, and the -- and it's important that people understand that the Court, in an agreement, forced us to do what we're doing right now. Now, part of the things that we're doing is, we went back to court to modify the Pottinger Agreement so we can start putting some of these people in place and get them out of the way, because let me tell you, nobody respects the rights of the residents of City of Miami. Vice Chair Hardemon: Nobody. Board Member Gort: I mean, the burden goes into the residents and business in the City of Miami, but they don't have -- don't want to really represent. So the agreement was, we are able -- if we could provide a room, we're able -- the police is available to ask them, "Do you want to go? We have a room for you?" and take them there and get them off the street and give them the assistance, the help they need. Unfortunate, I would say 80 percent of these homeless, they're mentally ill. Board Member Reyes: Yes. Board Member Gort: There's not much you can do by giving a house (UNINTELLIGIBLE); they need treatment, and this is something they've been working on. My understanding also, because of decision we took in the last Commission meeting, we are working with the Administration and try to come up with the agreement with the Potterman [sic] or -- Board Member Reyes: Yes. Board Member Gort: -- maybe get out of it; or if we're going to continue to do so, it should be all the cities within Miami -Dade County that be -- provide the same law. Board Member Reyes: My question was -- Commissioner Gort, goes like this: If we are the ones that are responsible for -- according to the Pottinger, we -- everybody -- Coral Gables doesn't have any problem. Board Member Gort: No. We're the only one. Board Member Reyes: Miami Beach doesn't have any problem. Shouldn't we be, I mean, administering or trying to use, or demanding the use of those funds so we can provide that room that you just -- that you talked about? And then when -- then we might get out of the Pottinger. Board Member Gort: My understanding is, is the County -- originally, the Homeless Trust was created by the County and the -- some of the taxes are being paid, which we pay the majority of those taxes. Board Member Reyes: It is paid, but, I mean, we are the ones that are suffering. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 18 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 Board Member Gort: My understanding is -- Board Member Reyes: I mean, the ones that have that burden, and we're the ones -- Board Member Gort: Correct. Board Member Reyes: And I think that we should be demanding -- Board Member Gort: Okay. Board Member Reyes: -- that -- some of those funds, though, so we can use them in the way that we can help those people. Chair Russell: Commissioner Reyes, the Mayor, I believe, has a seat for the City on the Homeless Trust -- Board Member Reyes: Okay. Chair Russell: -- and you carry that seat right now. Board Member Reyes: Yeah. Chair Russell: I've -- the Mayor once asked me to sit in that seat, and I have attended Homeless Trust meetings, and it's an interesting experience. If you're ever interested, I'm sure Mr. Vickers would share that board seat with you. Board Member Reyes: I will ask him. And I don't care if -- Board Member Gort: Commissioner Reyes. Board Member Reyes: -- whoever comes here, I will ask the same question: Where is the money going? Board Member Gort: Commissioner Reyes, we've been asking that, and hopefully, we'll be getting some answer, but at the same time, the decision that we made at the last Commission meeting -- Board Member Reyes: Yes. Board Member Gort: -- we instructed the Administration and their Law Department to do something, and hopefully, they're working on it. Board Member Reyes: Yes. I'm glad that we did it, but I still -- I'm still wondering why, if we are the ones that are --have all the burden, we are not having the -- I mean, we are not obtaining the funds to try to solve those problems? Chair Russell: Mr. Vickers. Board Member Reyes: Okay. Mr. Vickers: Mr. Vice Chair, Commissioners, I indicated that census count was 600 to 800. As in any census, including the U.S. (United States) Census, there's always an undercount. So I want to make sure that you understand that. Secondly, the Homeless Trust is funded by food and beverage taxes that's collected all over the County, except Miami Beach and I believe Sunny Isles. The City contributes a substantial amount of those food and beverage taxes to the Homeless Trust. Again, we're presently in mediation. We've had two mediation sessions, so I really don't OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 19 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 want to give up very much of our strategy, but I can tell you, the Manager has asked for audit reports from the Homeless Trust -- Board Member Reyes: Okay. Mr. Vickers: -- so we can see how those funds have been spent, but staff has a strategy with that. I can tell you that partners, like the DDA, the Omni CRA, and your contribution that you passed last week does a tremendous amount to help those individuals who are chronically homeless -- Board Member Reyes: Yes. Mr. Vickers: -- City of Miami. I'd like to make that very clear. Camillus House provides excellent wraparound services. Your Homeless Outreach staff provides services in partnership with Camillus House to address those individuals who have various forms of psychosis. The Lazarus Project literally takes medication to those individuals who have issues, mental issues, that are dealt with through medication. Homeless Outreach just hired -- or will be hiring shortly a clinical social worker, so those -- that clinical social worker can now actually Baker Act or mental -act an individual who is acting out on the street. There's a lot that you are doing within either the general fund budget or whatever funding that we do get from the Homeless Trust, but the Homeless Trust is geared to transitional housing. That is the new mandate from Washington, and that's what their programs are centered. That's a centerpiece of their strategy. Vice Chair Hardemon: May I ask -- Mr. Vickers: But I say, if you -- Vice Chair Hardemon: Is that because -- Mr. Vickers: Yeah. Vice Chair Hardemon: -- I know the Homeless Trust gets dollars from the Federal Government as well. So is it that the Federal Government is saying, "With our dollars, we want to look towards transitional housing"? Because that's wrong. When I think about Los Angeles, Los Angeles taxed themselves to create this funding, and then with that funding, they're trying to create permanent housing. Mr. Vickers: Attracting Federal dollars to do that. But Mr. Commissioner -- Mr. Chairman, I can tell you, if you can't move an individual who is chronically homeless from the street to shelter, you'll never be able to move him from shelter to transitional housing. So there is an issue in terms of funds being spent to get an individual employment -ready with pre -employment preparation; getting that individual to the point where they can begin to address self-sufficiency; and if you can't do that, you're not going to get an individual to transitional housing. So that's a issue that we have in the City of Miami with the Homeless Trust. We're going to work with them. Hopefully, we can put -- you know, through our input, we can have some influence there, but I can tell you, the Manager's strategy at this point is to look to see how we can expand or address the County's contribution to the Homeless Trust. If we can do it in a better way, does that mean staying with the Trust, or does that mean looking independently of the Trust? Board Member Reyes: I'm real glad to hear that there is a strategy going on to try to be more efficient with our homelessness. Mr. Vickers: That strategy is one that benefits both. And keep in mind, we're trying OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 20 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 to weigh the residents of the City, in terms of their livability; the homeless, in terms of providing and maintaining a sense of humanity. This Commission approved $100,000 for the Day Program; that was cut by the Homeless Trust two years ago. That Day Program allows an individual who's homeless to come into shelter during the day, have a bath, have a shave, have clean clothing, have a meal. If the only sense of dignity that individual has is that -- during that four- or five -hour period during the day, then I think we have to do everything we can to at least make sure that that individual has that covered. But at some point, the responsibility has to shift. Local government or municipal government is a stair step, and we're only at the bottom. Regional government, which is County, has to take control. Chair Russell: I absolutely agree. Where responsibility should be shifted, we must advocate. And in the meantime, where the gaps are, we must do our best to fill, much like the Transit System. Why we run a trolley system when it's not our responsibility? We serve our residents the best we can, in the most efficient way possible. At the very least, I'm glad to say Chapman, Camillus, Lotus, these are incredible stewards of this money, and they are effective. You know, it's not a permanent place for people to go. This is a process to get them back on their feet, and for those who need help, to get it to them. So I thank you for your support on this item. I know there's a lot of different philosophies on this, and it is a lot of money, but it's just part of a bigger solution. So thank you. Board Member Carollo: I would like a couple of more questions of staff. Mr. Vickers, you stated that it's approximately 600 to 800 individuals that are homeless. Board Member Gort: It's more than that. Chair Russell: It's more. Board Member Carollo: How did you come to those numbers? Mr. Vickers: Twice a year, Homeless Outreach and the Homeless Trust actually go out and do a physical census, but again -- Board Member Carollo: Where? Mr. Vickers: -- as in any census, there's always that undercount. Board Member Carollo: No, I understand that. But I think your numbers and the real numbers are very far apart. I don't think it's anywhere near 6 to 800. Chair Russell: You think it's more or less? Board Member Carollo: A lot more. Board Member Gort: More. Board Member Carollo: I would say that we're probably looking at three- to four - times more if we included citywide, like it should be. Mr. Vickers: It is citywide. Board Member Carollo: Well -- Mr. Vickers: Yeah. Board Member Carollo: -- I will tell you, just in the downtown area, you probably OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 21 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 have a couple of thousand that shift from place to place; and then, if you go into the neighborhoods, you're going to find a lot more. This is why I'm asking, how did you go about it? Because the difference is night and day to me. Secondly, what time of the year did you do the census? Mr. Torres: Once again, Sergio from the Veterans Affairs/Homeless Services. The census is conducted twice a year. It's mandated by HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development). Board Member Carollo: Yeah, but when? What month or year? Mr. Torres: January and August -- July/August, so one on the winter -- during the winter and the other one during the summer. Board Member Carollo: Did you find any difference between January and August? Mr. Torres: If we found -- I'm sorry? Board Member Carollo: Any difference in your census between January and August? Mr. Torres: Believe it or not, the tendency is to believe that we will see more people on the wintertime, but we see more people during summertime. We tend to believe that there are more people migrating from the north because of the winter, so they come to refuge here for the hot weather -- the cold -- the warm weather, but it's on the contrary; we see more people on the summer than in the wintertime. Board Member Carollo: What percent more have you seen in the summer, according to your census? Mr. Torres: I would say, close to 10, 20 percent increase. Board Member Carollo: In that same census, have you gone above and beyond just County? Have you actually gone, spoken to each individual you find to find out where they're from, how long they've been out there, or any other questions that could be pertinent? Mr. Torres: During the census, we focus just on count people, because the census is conducted at night, but we -- after the census, and we -- when we identift those areas where they congregate, we go back to them to engage them and we get that information; where they came from, and the reason why they became homeless, they're chronic homeless, they have any issue. Board Member Carollo: So what information have you gotten as far as percentages on where these people are coming from? Mr. Torres: I will tell you that we do that same day -- during the day -- during the daytime, so -- Board Member Carollo: You're not understanding me. When you do that additional census, what percentage of the people that you ask where they're from are out of Miami? Mr. Torres: I will say 30 percent of them. Board Member Carollo: 30 percent? OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 22 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 Mr. Torres: Yes. Board Member Carollo: Okay. And is that out of the City of Miami or out of Miami - Dade County? Mr. Torres: Out of the City of Miami. Board Member Carollo: Only 30 percent. Well, I tend to think that either you're being lied to or you're not going far enough, because I will tell you, 70 to 80 percent of the people, if not more, that I run into at any given time -- and I do, that I engage them -- they're not from here; certainly not from the City of Miami, and the vast majority are from some other areas, some other parts of the State of Florida or other parts of the country. And the biggest challenge that we have -- this is why what Mr. Vickers is saying is right on target -- is that the reason the majority of people are out there is not that it's a couple, an individual, a family that fell under real hardship and they can't afford a home, they don't have a home to pay for, and they're out on the street; you find very few of that. The bulk of the people that you have out there are individuals that have mental problems, serious mental problems in many of them; they're individuals that are serious, very serious drug addicts; very serious individuals with alcohol problems; and individuals with a combination of drug and alcohol problems, and this is why you don't get that many that will volunteer to go to a shelter. And least of all -- I mean, we could give them mansions; they still don't want to go. So that's not the issue or the problem. The reason that I've kind of kept quiet on this whole issue is that I don't want to say anything that could hurt us on us going forward on my resolution to challenge the Pottinger bylaws that we have now to -- have to live by. I'd like to get to the court as quickly as we can, even though there are people out there that are trying to put every roadblock that they can. Maybe they really believe that they're doing some good for the people out there, but I think by some of the questions and statements that have been made here, it's clear that that's not the case. So I don't want to say anything else that might even encourage others to be opposing us on this, but this has got to stop. We can't be the only city in America that's handcuffed; that's being forced to do what we're doing to -- or we're having to do; that we're carrying in our shoulders the homeless; where all the Greater Miami -Dade County and anybody in the State of Florida or the rest of the country can send people to us, like they have been doing, and we pay for it. I mean, it's the best deal in America, you know. You get your ticket paid for to come to Miami; winters are light in cold; summers are warm; you get free meals; you get even more free medical attention, and you could pick any place you want and go to sleep; it don't matter. So you tell me one other city in America that has to allow this. I don't know of any. So this is why I believe that a Federal judge, when we go back to him and present the facts as they are, and not the facts that some want to create, I think that we stand an excellent opportunity to have the handcuffs taken from us. Chair Russell: Thank you, Commissioner Carollo. I'm looking at numbers right now that show in the last census count, it was 665 in the City of Miami unsheltered, which is up 9 percent from the year before; of that 600, 413 of them alone are in downtown, so it's a very concentrated population. And I appreciate your support on doing -- Board Member Carollo: Let me -- Chair Russell: -- what we can on this issue with the Camillus House shelter bed program. So Mr. Clerk, we have a -- Board Member Carollo: Let me say this to you, Commissioner. The reason that census is centering downtown, because that's the easy way of doing it quickly. I find it difficult to believe that they've gone through neighborhood through neighborhood. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 23 Printed on 7/9/2018 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 24, 2018 ADJOURNMENT Just in Little Havana, if they go through the inner neighborhoods, they're going to find hundreds of people that that census has not picked up. Chair Russell: It's not a perfect science, for sure. I've done it, the overnight census, where you stay out till 3, 4, 5 in the morning, doing the walk. I highly recommend it. Certainly, folks are going to get missed. It is a countywide sweep. They know where a lot of the hot spots are. They utilize the police, they utilize the Green Shirts, and the County does take part in this. It's a cooperative effort to get this. But you're absolutely right, it's not a perfect science; and certainly, the number could be higher. So, Mr. Clerk, we do have a motion and a second on this item. Is there anyone from the public who'd like to speak on this item regarding the Omni CRA funding of the Camillus House Shelter Bed Program? Hearing none, I'll close public comment. Any further questions or comment from the dais? All in favor, say "aye." The Board (Collectively): Aye. Chair Russell: Any opposed? Motion passes. Thank you. Meeting adjourned. The meeting adjourned at 3:06p.m. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 24 Printed on 7/9/2018