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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOMNI CRA 2024-09-07 MinutesCity of Miami 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Omni C R A Meeting Minutes Saturday, September 07, 2024 10:30 AM (OR THEREAFTER) City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Damian Pardo, Chair, District Two Joe Carollo, Vice Chair, District Three Miguel Angel Gabela, Board Member, District One Manolo Reyes, Board Member, District Four Christine King, Board Member, District Five OMNI CRA OFFICE ADDRESS: 1401 N. Miami Avenue, 2nd Floor Miami, FL 33136 Phone: (305) 679-6868 www.miamicra.com OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 7, 2024 CALL TO ORDER Present: Chair Pardo, Vice Chair Carollo, Commissioner Gabela, Commissioner Reyes and Commissioner King On the 7th day of September 2024, 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 Pardo at 12:03 p.m., and was adjourned at 12:49 p.m. ALSO PRESENT: Isiaa Jones, Executive Director, CRA George K. Wysong III, City Attorney Domini Gibbs-Sorey, Assistant City Attorney Todd B. Hannon, Clerk of the Board APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S): 1. OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY - REGULAR MEETING - JUL 25, 2024 9:30 AM MOTION TO: Approve RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Christine King, Board Member, District Five SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Board Member, District One AYES: Pardo, Carollo, Gabela, Reyes, King Chair Pardo: Good afternoon, everyone. I'm calling to order the September 7th, 2024, Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting. Is there a motion to approve the minutes for July 25, 2024 -- Board Member Reyes: Move it. Chair Pardo: -- Omni C -- okay. Board Member King: You're not going to open public comment first? Todd B. Hannon (Clerk of the Board): Public comment isn't necessary if we're just voting on the minutes. Board Member King: Okay. Motion. Board Member Gabela: Second. Chair Pardo: All those in favor? The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Chair Pardo: Motion carries. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 1 Printed on 10/01/2024 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 7, 2024 OMNI CRA RESOLUTION(S) 1. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION 16538 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CRA'S PROPOSED GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET AND TAX INCREMENT FUND BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2024, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2025; DIRECTING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THE BUDGET TO THE CITY OF MIAMI AND MIAMI- DADE COUNTY. ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-24-0054 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Board Member, District Four SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Board Member, District Two AYES: Pardo, Reyes, King NAYS: Carollo, Gabela Chair Pardo: Madam Executive Director, could you please briefly read the agenda item resolution number one into the record? Isiaa Jones (Executive Director): Good morning, Commissioners, Chairwoman King, Chairman Commissioner Pardo, Commissioner Gabela, Commissioner Reyes, Commissioner Carollo. Before I elaborate on the details of the Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) projected budget, 1 would like to highlight some of the successes of the Omni CRA, right? We have rebuilt a small team, but we are making big waves in the city of Miami. For the very first time since 1987, in 2015, the CRA began to focus on affordable housing. The CRA also adopted a number of initiatives that became state law. Our share of Overtown represents approximately 30 to 40 percent of the entire Omni CRA. It is only recently that the Omni CRA has begun to focus on Overtown portion, our District 5 portion of the Omni CRA. Since February of this year, we have allocated $11.7 million through direct investment and property acquisition in Overtown and South Wynwood, which I still call Overtown. The work has just started, and I must say that our residents are excited about the focus and attention that the CRA is providing in the Omni portion of our city. We have so many projects. We have won state awards for historic preservation of the Historic Citizens Bank building. We have done the Dorsey Memorial Library. I've listened to public comments today, and we are going to be focusing on the Dorsey Park. We are going to make sure that we support the necessary needs that our residents have been asking for. We're going to be doing transformational projects to the Miami City Cemetery. We have completed 252 affordable and workforce housing units at the Uni Tower property. We have done 16 corner, 44 affordable housing units in Overtown. We have completed the Casamia building, 12 affordable housing units in Overtown. We have done Wynwood House, 224 workforce housing units. We have completed the Bowles apartment, six affordable housing units. We had the ribbon -cutting and it was very, very informative to the community because we have a property that was owned by someone who was born and raised in Overtown. We were able to offer the necessary repairs and assistance. And you know what, Commissioners? Those are projects that are in completion. And guess what? These are the projects that we have coming online. We are going to he focusing, Commissioner Reyes, on the small business incentive programs. We're going to be incentivizing all of our small businesses in OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 2 Printed on 10/01/2024 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 7, 2024 Overtown and in Omni. We are going to he doing the renovations at Dorsey Park. On September 16th, I'll be meeting with the Parks Department to go over our engineering assessment and budget. Commissioner King, 1 understand that we are funding the Robert T. Graham Park, and we have those money set aside in our reserve. I received on March 20th, 2024, a request from the city. Board Member King: It's the Edward T. Graham, and you can't call it a park but -- Ms. Jones: Or space, our green space. Board Member King: Okay, but Reverend Edward T Graham. Ms. Jones: And we are going to be connecting our communities. With the extension of life of the Omni CRA, we will be completing continued community enhancements to our green space. We also have housing projects that we're bringing to the board. And Commissioners, guess what? Every project that we bring to you, we are making sure that they're better than all of the ones that we've completed before. We're only trying to make things better. We have the Bestman duplex. We have the Bestman apartments that are in the pipeline. It's a multi -generation duplex owned and to be further developed by Dr. Evelina Bestman. We have the Eldoris on 14th Street. We have 1428. This is a small lot and we're going to do a home ownership project. We have St. John Village Homes. We have Chapman West. We have a homeless shelter that is in our district, the Chapman Partnership, and we are making sure that we are committed to transitional housing for our most vulnerable people in this district. We have Unidos. We have committed $15 million to affordable housing for Unidos. These are projects that, Commissioners, they're in our redevelopment plan and we plan to bring forward to you better than ever before. Commissioners, I present to you the Omni CRA budget in the amount of $73, 650,407. Thank you. Chair Pardo: Okay, the public comment period is now open for Resolution Number 1. Grant Stern: Hi, my name is Grant Stern. I live at 425 Northeast 22nd Street. I'm here to comment on the Omni CRA. I think it's very important that we extend the life of the CRA, which is something I've been against in the past, the way it was done wrong in the past. Now it's going to be committed to affordable housing, but we need to do more than just that. The Omni CRA is doing a great job at trying to spread money throughout the community, but we need to do something more systematic because the Omni CRA, even if we extend the life, it's going to disappear. We need to create something that's going to last, not just through our generations, but for generations to come. And this is why I'm asking the CRA to investigate Chapter -- Florida Chapter 189 and 190 dependent and independent special districts. These districts are the same kind of actual district that the CRA is. The CRA is just a special, special district. And after the County did a referendum a few years ago, they're under the management of the city if the special district is wholly within the city's limits. And by doing that, we could create infrastructure districts that connect our communities and that are specifically designed to help with our parks, with our streets, even with micro local security and things like that. If you look at Midtown as a model, they have a CRA, and a special district called the CDD (Community Development District). Now these community development districts also have bonding capability. So, you can actually borrow money to make improvements immediately and then pay that money back over time. According to some people that I've spoken with at County Hall, they're very receptive to making these and they have to be because it's created through County Hall with their charter powers, as long as it's not taking money out of the county budget. This is a way that we can snake these CRAs expand through greater communities without having to expand the border of the CRA, without disturbing the mission of affordable housing. In fact, it'll OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 3 Printed on 10/01/2024 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 7, 2024 help the CRA focus more narrowly on affordable housing and business development than just doing everything all at once. I think we're at that point where the Omni CRA needs a little bit more focus on its higher value goals, which is the housing, and to leave a legacy of these special districts, you know, that can connect our communities. Thank you. Roy Hardemon: Again, good morning. Commissioner Pardo, I'm glad to see you doing stuff that looks like Overtown. You're working on projects that are small, that affect the community of Overtown and not the world. Thank you for that. Chair Pardo: Thank you. Stanley Young: Chaplain Stanley Young, 500 Northwest 2nd Avenue. It's in the big time over there in Overtown. I'm so glad to hear all the wonderful things you guys are doing over there. I most definitely would love to talk with you, to collaborate with you concerning inmates that are needing to come out and get into a right relationship with the city again. It's an amazing thing to hear all the wonderful things that you all are doing there. And I most definitely would love to be in talks with your organization to see what we can do to make these inmates, get them a better situation. Thank you. God bless. Chair Pardo: Is there any discussion among the board members on Resolution Number --? Todd B. Hannon (Clerk of the Board): Chair, my, apologies. Can you close your public hearing? Chair Pardo: Oh, I'm sorry. Public hearing is now closed. Is there any discussion among board members for Resolution Number I? Board Member Gabela: Yes, I'd like to speak on this issue. I, for one, with all due respect to everybody here, including yourself Commissioner, that you represent the Omni CRA, will be voting no today on this until the question, okay, of the CRA, whether it's coming to Allapattah, is answered. Because everybody seems to act here like that question does not exist, and I can assure you that that question exists, okay? And I'm not going to go through the whole litany. I'm not going to take ten minutes, you know, to say the whole thing, but since we are talking about the CRA and the gentleman spoke, you know, 1 can assure you that my vote is going to be no. The gentleman said that the CRA needs to be expanded. Well, there's not going to be -- as for me, there's not going to be no expansion, unless on time, unless there's an expansion on the boundaries. Let me make that crystal clear, okay? Crystal clear. Because 1 am tired, okay, of people dumping on Allapattah, bringing, for example, Camillus House to Allapattah, promising things, then 10 years later, everybody disappears, and we end up footing the bill, the consequences and everything else including crime. Okay, so I want to make that crystal clear to everybody. And by the way, I have been trying for the longest, okay, to have a Sunshine meeting so we can talk about the boundaries. It doesn't have to be set in stone. Last year, and I keep saying this and I'll say it again, we seem to ignore that there's a document, which I call the controlling document, okay, that was passed by this -- Commissioner, you were not here, sir. I was not here. I believe you were here. Chairwoman was here. Carollo was here. And you were here, Manolo. And so we seem to pretend that that document doesn't exist. But that document does exist, okay? And obviously, we're going to have a discussion next Thursday about it. So, I'm going to stop there. I'd like to ask you one more thing, Isiaa, with all due respect. What happened to the -- you came up in my office several times telling me that there was problems in the past CRA, a lot of abnormalities. Can you report to me what happened with the movie thing that the guy was subletting that we've been for eight years trying to collect? OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 4 Printed on 10/01/2024 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 7, 2024 The rent difference, what happened there? Or did that all of a sudden just go away now and nobody's interested in that anymore? Ms. Jones: Commissioner, if I may, we have sent out the default letters and we're working on both leases in the CRA to address those concerns. Board Member Gabela: Right. Ms. Jones: And we've also are working currently on our standard operating procedures to make sure that any discrepancies that we've had in the past do not reoccur. So, we are working on them. We are in -- we sent out the default letters or the notices and then on the lease for the Firehouse restaurant, we have entered into, you know, settlement or mediation, 1 should say, my apologies, mediation with the restaurant tenant. Board Member Gabela: Thank you. You know what I can't understand for the life of me? I can 't understand how this has been going on for about eight years. For the life of me, I can't understand. I mean, when you're in business and you don't fulfill your obligations on a lease, you're out. You know, you're out. You know, what's going on here? Who's backing these people up? I want to know because I'm tired of these shenanigans going on in City Hall. What did we rent for these people? Like three dollars a square foot? I believe it was three dollars a square foot and then they're making money on us and we can't collect for eight years and then at the same time we can 't throw them out. I mean, you know, something's got to give here, you know what I mean? And then the last time I spoke to you, we had this discussion and you guys said, you know, no, we're going to wait to see what they see. Wait to what they see. Who 's in charge of the property here? are we -- is the City, of Miami the owner of the property, or are they the owners of the property, you know? I mean, I know you're working on it -- Ms. Jones: Commissioner, I agree. Board Member Gabela: -- but eight years I think is a long time to be putting up with this. Ms. Jones: Commissioner, I agree with you 100 percent on this initiative that we need to do because this is an asset of the CRA and ultimately will be City of Miami assets. And we are working -- you know, one, we have an agreement. We must honor the agreement, firstly, and follow the rules that are outlined within the agreement. And we have submitted those notices to the respective tenants. And I can assure you that every meeting -- Board Member Gabela: But it seems to me, Isiaa, excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt you. But it seems to me like somebody was protecting these people. Because again, I don't see, or unless, you know, in government, you know, they say the wheels of government, it turns too slow. When I get in here, I'm not used to this because I've been in business all my life, you know what I mean, and we got to get things done. You know, and for the life of me, I again say, you know, I mean, what's going on here? You know what I mean? Because for eight years, you know what I mean, this has been going on. By the way, you were the one that told us this. I didn't call you guys, hey, what's going on over there? You guys walked into my office, Miguel did also, and you guys explained to me what was going on. You know what I mean? And you know, and I ask, and the reason I'm saying this right now, and it's not to pass judgment on you, by the way. Ms. Jones: No, I know, Commissioner. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 5 Printed on 10/01/2024 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 7, 2024 Board Member Gabela: But I've got to be clear, we've got to be clear with the taxpayer here. How the hell, excuse my French, can we be renting for $3 a square foot and those guys are going on the other side, you know, making money off of us and we can 't get them out for eight years is what I'm saying. I'd like to please let us proceed. We can have the property back and we can rent that property and maybe make some revenues so maybe we can reduce the tax load like Commissioner Carollo is rightly saying because I agree. By the way, I will not be voting on any tax increase whatsoever. Thank you. Board Member King: Executive Director Jones, it has just been brought to my attention. I know Commissioner Gabela had requested a Sunshine meeting for us and I told the City Clerk, because I was advised that the Chair of the Omni CRA couldn't attend and I didn't feel like we should be discussing the Omni CRA without the chair. And I would think that we're going to discuss it on Thursday. But this has just been brought to my attention and I need some clarity on it. This extension of the Omni CRA includes an expansion that goes into the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA. Ms. Jones: So, I will -- Board Member King: The boundaries, is it the same boundary or is there a change? Because I will not be voting on anything today or Thursday, let me be clear about that, that if the boundaries of the Omni CRA which I have not been briefed on extend into the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA. Ms. Jones: So, Commissioner, I would like to clarify. Board Member Gabela: And that's what I've been talking about, having the Sunshine meeting so we can negotiate these boundaries. I've been saying -- I've been trying to get a meeting and I want to put it on the record. For the last month, I've been trying here for a Sunshine meeting. I've even tried into the future. And nobody has -- not even -- you know what frustrates me is that nobody from your office, from anybody has said, "Hey, Gabela, let me just ask you a question out of curiosity. What are those boundaries that you want to negotiate?" Not even that. You guys don't have no curiosity like if you guys are going to ram this thing through, you know what I mean, and be the old CRA that you were. You know, and I'm just, I mean, don't tell me you guys didn't get the memo, right, that I'm requesting for a Sunshine meeting from many moons ago. Ms. Jones: No, we did. May I answer your question, Chairwoman King? Board Member King: Yes, I would like for you to answer my question because I have no, no knowledge of until staffjust brought to my attention that the boundaries of the Omni CRA have changed and it is not what -- and it goes into the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA. Ms. Jones: Okay, so I would like to clarify this for the record. The item on Thursday only addresses the extension of life, only the extension of We. It does not address the boundaries of the Omni CRA. Board Member Gabela: But you guys seem to act -- you guys seem to act like if there 's -- Ms. Jones: You're in the -- Board Member Gabela: -- not a document that was passed July of last year by certain members that are here. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 6 Printed on 10/01/2024 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 7, 2024 Ms. Jones: And that document -- that document, Commissioner, is the one where there is an issue that we have to work with your office on with the boundaries, because that document -- there is -- Board Member Gabela: But how are we going to work on that issue? How are we going to work on that issue? How am I going to express, for example, to Commissioner Pardo -- Ms. Jones: We will -- Board Member Gabela: -- or Commissioner King, hey, let's do this over here. If I can't have a Sunshine meeting, how am I supposed to do this? Chair Pardo: You can just meet directly with the Executive Director. Board Member Reyes: Madam -- Madam Chair. Board Member Gabela: I want to meet with you guys. I want to meet with you guys. We're the ones that decide here. I want to meet with you guys and talk about it. Board Member Reyes: Madam Chair, Board Member Gabela: And let's put it on the table. Let's talk about it. Board Member King: I'm not the chair of this meeting. Board Member Gabela: Because I tell you what, we're not going to keep waiting because you guys, I hear a lot about you guys, we've got to build this and we've got to build that. What about us? What, we keep waiting for 10 years to build our stuff? You know, we keep continuing to absorb the crime, to absorb the homelessness everybody dumps on us and we continue -- Board Member Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Board Member Gabela: Nobody wants to talk about that. Chair Pardo: Okay, listen, can we speak one person at a time? Board Member Gabela: (INAUDIBLE). Chair Pardo: Okay. Board Member Reyes: Okay. Chair Pardo: No, that's -- you don't need to be done. Board Member Reyes: Madam Chair, Madam Chair, please. Chair Pardo: Commissioner Reyes. Board Member King: Not Madam Chair Commissioner Pardo is the chair. Chair Pardo: Commissioner Reyes. Board Member Reyes: Okay. Madam Chair, to clarify this -- Vice Chair Carollo: (INAUDIBLE). It's Mr. Chair. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 7 Printed on 10/01/2024 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 7, 2024 Board Member King: Pardo, he's the chair. Chair Pardo: It can be whatever you like. Board Member Reyes: Oh, Mr. Chair, oh, I'm sorry. You see, I get all confused because of this discussion. I don't know if we were talking about expansion in a regular meeting or if we were talking about Omni -- the Omni budget. You see, I mean, we get sidetracked sometime. Commissioner Gabela, we received the request twice, but we were on vacation. It didn't work for us. You see, now everybody is here. Commissioner Pardo, who is the chair, wasn't here. You see, now I can meet with you under a bridge whenever you want. You see, I mean, my position... (MULTIPLE PARTIES SPEAKING IN UNISON) Chair Pardo: Okay, folks, one at a time, please. Board Member Gabela: One at a time, one at a time (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Chair Pardo: Gentlemen -- Board Member Gabela: I'm not going to take it. It's a disrespect to my district not wanting to talk about the problems of my district, sir. It's a disrespect to me. You were on vacation, that's fine, but let me tell you this. Multiple times, two in the past and two into the future, that we could have had this meeting. Okay, so please don't tell me -- Chair Pardo: Gentlemen. Board Member Gabela: -- that everybody's on vacation for the whole month of August, okay. Chair Pardo: Let's -- let's -- let's -- Board Member Gabela: Because Tin here taking care of this place with the thing. I'm here. Chair Pardo: Let's -- let's -- let's go one at a time. Board Member Gabela: With all due respect, I'm sorry. Board Member Reyes: That is an issue that we can ask whenever you want. Board Member Gabela: Okay. Board Member Reyes: And that's it. And I'm moving the Omni CRA budget as it is now because this is what it is in question right now. Chair Pardo: Can I just make a point of clarification here and give an opportunity? Madan Executive Director, can you explain why that document that exists, which is not part of the extension of life, it's not on the budget -- it's not on the agenda for Thursday, why it's a problem which requires to basically start that process all over? Domini Gibbs-Sorey (Assistant City Attorney): I mean, we're here for the budget item, so we probably should stick to the budget item, but I defer to the executive director if you want the question answered, Mr. Chair. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 8 Printed on 10/01/2024 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 7, 2024 Ms. Jones: Okay, so -- Chair Pardo: This has come up and -- Chairwoman? Ms. Jones: And Commissioner, you know, as I mentioned before, the item on Thursday is only the extension of life of the Omni CRA. It does not address the boundaries, right? The item that addresses the boundaries, as I've mentioned to you before, and we have been working together on this. There needs to be modification to the boundaries of the area. We are trying to organize a tour of that area with you and with your office so that we can identify your priority projects in the areas of most need so that we can address the boundaries and any other discrepancies accordingly. We will also, Chairwoman, address any other concerns in regards to the -- Board Member King: Okay, can you -- can you -- it's a yes or no. Whatever your proposed boundaries are that we haven't seen, do they overlap into the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA? Because I want to make sure what staff is telling me -- Ms. Jones: The -- Board Member King: -- I need to get clarity for what staff has just reported to me. Ms. Jones: In 2023, last year, the item that was brought to the City Commission for approval does overlap. And that is why we are recommending that we make modifications to that resolution because it is not accurate and it is not legal as it stands. Because you cannot have a CRA that overlaps. So, we are making that recommendation and Commissioner Gabela, we will be working with your office to outline the areas as we've discussed. Make sure that they are accurate so -- Board Member Gabela: So, let me ask you this. The study that was done prior to last year when the vote was taken here, there was a study done, and at an extended time, there was a study done, and you mean to tell me they made a mistake because it overlapped into that? Ms. Jones: Yes. Board Member Gabela: Okay, accepted. Now, second part of the thing, so what you guys are telling me, you're coming over to my area to see and to verifY what I'm talking about. So what I'm going to do is I'm going to go to your area and see what you guys want. Ms. Jones: Absolutely. Board Member Gabela: No, no, but now I'm going to go with a fine-toothed comb. Ms. Jones: No, no, Commissioner. Board Member Gabela: Because if you're going to scrutinize my area, I'm going to scrutinize your area. Okay, we'll play that game. Okay, because let me tell you what the problem is. The problem is I can't tell you I want to build a certain thing right here and there because you guys have been at it for many years with the CRA. And that's why, by the way, that's why mission accomplished. That's why you guys, the extension of the time ends in 2030, because you were given that 24 years ago, I believe, okay, or something of that nature, and you fulfilled your promise. You can't say to me that 90 percent of your area, 95 percent of that area has not been, you know, mission accomplished. In other words, you got rid of crime, your infrastructure, it's a very nice place to live now, you have some of the highest prime OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 9 Printed on 10/01/2024 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 7, 2024 properties in the city of Miami. You go down to my area just west of I-95, it's a disaster, a complete total disaster. Okay, complete total disaster. Okay, so you can't expect me, if we're to create this thing, you can't expect me to say, oh, 1 want to do this, this, this, this, and that. Yeah, you know what? Let me tell you some of the things I want to do. We need to address the homeless situation. The other day, every day, my team and I, Raul, me, Steve, my wife, all of us, we identify homeless and we call. The other day, there was a gentleman with a dog. There was no home for the gentleman in Camillus House. No home. But Miami Beach has a home. They have 18 or 20 beds. They could -- but I can't, we couldn't take that guy to house him in Camillus House because Camillus House, ladies and gentlemen, was full. Okay, so therefore we have them on the street. By the time they figured out that three hours later that they found the bed, the guy was gone. He's gone. So, then our police department have to go over the whole cycle again. We're wasting resources because we're just simply putting a Band-Aid on this problem, and we are not fixing the problem. Okay, it's a hard problem to fix, but we need a temporary, permanent solution here. We cannot, and then you've got the October 1st problem, and then the January 1 problem that's among us. And so what I'm saying to you is, you know, look, at the end of the day, I understand what you're saying, okay, but at the end of the day, okay, you guys need to realize that we have a serious problem in Allapattah, okay. We are not going to take it anymore; we are not going to say yes to everybody else in the district. I got one more. Tell you what, you know the only way that I'll vote for this, you know, the one that you're telling me? Very simple. Tell you what, let's build another Camillus House in everybody's district here, okay? And then we can (UNINTELLIGIBLE) consequences all together. Board Member Reyes: Madam Chair. Board Member Gabela: But nobody will do that because nobody wants it in their backyard. Board Member Reyes: Mr. Chair, Mr. Chair, I think this is -- we're going to go over. Chair Pardo: Yeah, I agree. Board Member Reyes: And I want to make something clear. I was a strong proponent of building, and if you remember, of having a CRA in Allapattah. I have said that for the record. Board Member Gabela: That doesn't work. That doesn't work. You're never going to get funding for 9 or 10 years. You can't wait 9 or 10 years. Board Member Reyes: Listen, listen, listen, Fin not going to argue with you. The only thing is that we are right now, but it is the agenda is the Omni CRA budget. Chair Pardo: Correct. Board Member Reyes: I move. Chair Pardo: And I'll second it. Board Member Reyes: That's it. And let's vote on it and then we discuss all the things later on. Vice Chair Carollo: I haven't had an opportunity to speak on the budget, on the statements that were made by our executive director. Madam Executive Director, this is what I would like before our September 12th meeting, where we're bringing OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 10 Printed on 10/01/2024 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 7, 2024 the items up that have been discussed here. This CRA was established with a 30-year life, correct? Ms. Jones: Yes, Commissioner. Vice Chair Carollo: 24 years have passed, correct? There's six years left. Ms. Jones: Or more. Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, six years left. So, based upon some of the statements you've made, and I'll go back to them in a second, I'd like the following from you. I would like to have a breakdown in the last 24 years of how much money has come in to that CRA from the City, from the County, and three from any other sources; that's one. Secondly, how much of that money has been spent in Overtown in the last 24 years versus the other part of the CRA district. You could break down a list throughout the years of the monies that have gone through the Port tunnel, the opera houses and everything else that were really the intention of some why this was created, while hiding behind blight. This way we can see what has been done with those monies in the last 24 years. Now, at the same time, I want to make sure I understood what you said. You mentioned something that 30 to 35 percent, did I hear right? And maybe I got it wrong. And if I did, I apologize, hut that's why I'd like for you to explain it. 30 to 35 percent of the Omni CRA is Overtown? Ms. Jones: Yes, Commissioner. I have the map right here with me. If you take out the parks portion of the Omni CRA, this is the map that reflects the Overtown portion of the Omni CRA, which is a significant portion of the Omni CRA. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, I was given a map recently. It didn't come anywhere to 30, 35 percent, so -- Ms. Jones: It may he more. Vice Chair Carollo: If ;you could sit with me, can you show me that so I can see what the map that was sent to me? Because it doesn'tjive at all. Then let's see what parks you've taken out, if you've taken out any more of the district, or whatever other reason that we do. But a district is a district, whether it's got parks or it doesn't have parks. So if you could give me that. Secondly, you mentioned something that now you are going to concentrate in Overtown, or something to that effect. Ms. Jones: Yes, Commissioner. Vice Chair Carollo: What does that mean exactly? We weren't investing monies in Overtown before, or very little monies? Ms. Jones: At the Omni level, Commissioner, no. If we look back at the project history list, a lot of money was not given to the Overtown portion of the Omni CRA. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so -- Ms. Jones: So, through this -- Vice Chair Carollo: So now that we're six years away from the Omni CRA being wiped out, to get the expansion is when we're raising the Overtown flag. And what guarantees do we have into the future again? But it's interesting. Twenty four years go by before Overtown is going to be mentioned. And it's only mentioned when it's starting to look a little shaky. And it's not a slam dunk like some developers thought it would be to get this expanded so they could make a heck of a lot of money, more OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 11 Printed on 10/01/2024 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 7, 2024 money, in their projects. Okay, now 1 didn't know until today, 1 don't know about the rest of you here, but 1 had no idea. No one ever told me that there was an overlap between these two CRAs. How long has that been going on? Ms. Jones: So, Commissioner, I have been asked by Commissioner Gabela to take a look at the expansion area and through myself looking at all of the items that passed last year, I went in and I started to look at the data and analysis, look at the boundaries, and then I realized through just me looking at the data that was submitted that there are discrepancies and that we need to address. Vice Chair Carollo: You still didn't answer my question. How long has it been going on? Ms. Jones: How long? I started to do the mapping maybe about a week or two ago on the information that was submitted last year in 2023. And then we've also been looking at the numbers and realized that the numbers as projected from last year by the prior administration, there are discrepancies with that too and that is why we have been recommending that we readdress and we look at the boundaries as they are because they're -- they -- because of the overlap, we recommend that we -- Vice Chair Carollo: Madam, and for the third time, I just want to find out how long has this been going on. You haven't given me a year. Ms. Jones: Two, three weeks ago on the exact map discrepancies, Commissioner. Vice Chair Carollo: Well, you still haven't given me an answer. You've danced around the question four times now. But I want to know -- in fact, let me tell you, not even before I vote into anything here, we could defer it if need be. But I want to know how long, what year, was there overlaps? When did it begin? Because I've never been told anything until today. Ms. Jones: Currently -- so Commissioner, currently -- Chair Pardo: Commissioner -- Vice Chair Carollo: If you don 't mind, I'm speaking to her now. Ms. Jones: Okay, Commissioner. Vice Chair Carollo: When I'm done with her, you could pipe in. Chair Pardo: 1 was hoping to help you. Ms. Jones: Commissioner, currently there is no overlap. Chair Pardo: Right. Ms. Jones: We're saying the proposed expansion that was brought to the board, to the City Commission last year, the boundaries have to be updated because there's an overlap on the proposed boundaries. So, we're saying let us address it because we all know that we have to make it smaller to address the community concerns better. So, now is the time for us to go back to square one and redo that process. Vice Chair Carollo: So, I'm sorry. From having an overlap, now there's no overlap. The overlap is to the future. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 12 Printed on 10/01/2024 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 7, 2024 Ms. Jones: It has not been approved by the County as yet. So, the item -- there is no Allapattah CRA that is created because the item has not been approved by the County Commission. Vice Chair Carollo: We weren't talking about the Allapattah CRA. We were talking about the overlap. Ms. Jones: That is the overlap. It's the overlap along 7th Avenue and I-95 with the Overtown CRA. The proposed area, that is where there is an overlap. So, we're saying because the item has not been taken up by the County as yet, this is the time and this is the opportunity to make all the changes that we would love to make. So, currently, as established, there is no Allapattah CRA, Commissioner, and we're saying we have the opportunity now to right a lot of the wrongs and discrepancies and to make those changes and a lot of the work has already been done so it's easy. Board Member Gabela: Can I --? Chair Pardo: Wait, Commissioner Gabela. Just give me a minute. Ms. Jones: So, we're saying and we're recommending based on what we have heard from you, Commissioner Gabela, that we address your concerns. We look at the boundaries. We make sure that there is no overlap with the Overtown CRA because the Overtown CRA has been already established since 1985. So, we are recommending that we do not push forward with the boundaries as is because it's over 2,700 acres of city land. So, we're saying let us make the amendments on those proposed boundaries and let us address that concern. But Commissioner, I wanted to mention also that the item at play for the Omni CRA public hearing meeting today is the budget. So, I believe we are also out of capacity to really address the extension and expansion item. And we should see if we could pass the item that is in front of us here today, which is the budget. Chair Pardo: Agreed. Board Member Reyes: That's what I've been saying. Chair Pardo: We have a motion. We have a second. Board Member Gabela: Can I --1'm sorry, can I just say, real quick -- Chair Pardo: We just -- we've -- Board Member Gabela: No, wait, this is what I'm going to say, real quick. Actually, what was passed last year of the extension of the boundary, with the time span to 2047, actually that went to the County, okay? And the only problem was that there was a problem going on with who was going to sit on that board, whether it was a city commissioner or a county commissioner. I personally have spoken to Keon Hardemon, the County Commissioner for part of my area, and he explained to me what really was going on. This had passed, but the only problem was that we couldn't decide whether it was going to be a city commissioner or a county commissioner on that. Okay, so it's not entirely correct, you know, saying that this did not go to the County. No, they were discussing who was going to sit on that board, okay, and it was almost there. Now, I heard what you had to say on the (UNINTELLIGIBLE), but I just want to put that on the record. That's all. Chair Pardo: Okay, we have a -- we have a -- Board Member King: I want to put one more thing on the record. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 13 Printed on 10/01/2024 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 7, 2024 Chair Pardo: Okay. Board Member King: And I'd like our city attorney, George, if you could step forward, put it on the record, because I've heard more than one time from my constituency that things happen in the city of Miami. We pass one thing and it's quite another. I want to make sure for the record, George, we are only in this moment passing the budget for the Omni CRA. It does not address any expansion and it does not address the extension of life. George Wysong (City Attorney): Absolutely correct, Madam Chair. Board Member King: Okay, now I have one other question because there was going around and around and around that we could not extend the boundaries of the Omni CRA to include Allapattah. But now I'm hearing that you have to amend the boundaries because the boundaries are wrong because you've stepped into the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA. So, there is a possibility or an option to include Allapattah in the boundaries of the Omni CRA? Mr. Wysong: So -- Board Member King: Because I thought it was -- and I had asked staff to give us a report at our meeting before we convened for recess that -- because Commissioner Gabela was concerned and we tabled extending the life of the CRA for a feasibility study, but now I'm hearing there are efforts to address the Omni CRA's boundaries. I don't understand. Mr. Wysong: So, there's two items, and I tried to explain it in other meetings, but there's two items. There's one item that relates strictly to extending the life of the CRA, and that one has been approved by the CR -- the Omni CRA, by the City, and it was sent to the County. The County modified it and sent it hack after approving it. So, that one only needs the City approval, and all it will do is extend the life of the CRA. There's no expansion associated with that. However, there was another item that was adopted where the -- it was an extension of the CRA plus an expansion into Watson Island and into large swaths of Allapattah. That was approved by the Omni CRA, approved by the City. It has not been approved by the County yet. So, that would require approval. However, there may be some question as to whether we actually want all that territory to be expanded into the Omni CRA. So, if you want -- so you could move that one forward as is, request the County to vote on it, and see what happens. Or you could modify it, which would then require a new study, because the study has to match the territory. The study that currently exists that is required by the state law is for the expansive area. So, you can't -- Board Member King: But how can you extend the life if you don't know the boundaries? Mr. Wysong: Well, so -- Board Member King: I -- how can you extend the life if you don 't know the area -- Board Member Gabela: Because if you do that, then they don't have to negotiate anymore. Board Member King: -- for which you are serving? Chair Pardo: No, the boundaries -- OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 14 Printed on 10/01/2024 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 7, 2024 Board Member Gabela: That's it. They're done. They got their way. Mr. Wysong: Because item one is the current boundaries. And that would be the extension of the current boundaries only. Chair Pardo: Current boundaries, current. Board Member King: Okay, I believe -- I believe -- I just wanted to put that on the record, that it is the current boundaries and not any other boundaries. Mr. Wysong: No. Chair Pardo: Yes, yes, yes. Board Member King: Okay. Chair Pardo: We're good? Okay. Vice Chair Carollo: The -- Chair Pardo: We have a motion on the floor -- Vice Chair Carollo: Excuse me. Chair Pardo: -- a first and a second. Vice Chair Carollo: Based on what was being discussed here, I believe I have something else that I'd like to inquire about. I'm sorry, I thought 1 would speak softly and maybe it would be more gentle on the ears. George, I don't know if you could answer this question, if not, maybe someone else can answer it, the Executive Director. As I understand it, what the County approved for the expansion is that they get 35 percent of both whatever they put in and whatever we put in, which is more than what they put in. Is that correct? Mr. Wysong: I believe that's for the extension, right? Ms. Jones: So, the current interlocal agreement that we have with the CRA, the City and the County, was established in 2007. It outlines that the CRA gives back 35 percent of its annual revenue back to the County. And that goes to pay for the debt service on the Performing Arts Center and also for services that the County provides within the Omni CRA boundaries. Vice Chair Carollo: So, that is presently happening, 35 percent -- Ms. Jones: Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: -- and that's going to extend at the same 35 percent going forward? Ms. Jones: Yes, Commissioner. Vice Chair Carollo: And the expansion, which in essence -- Ms. Jones: Extension. Extension of life. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 15 Printed on 10/01/2024 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 7, 2024 Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, and the extension, which in essence, so if we could be clear, the County's taking all their money back. And maybe, maybe, they might even make a couple of bucks on it from our money. Chair Pardo: And I just want to add, a lot of the projects, when you talk about the Port Interest Tunnel, when you talk about the PAC (Performing Arts Center), those are County dollars given back. So, when she mentions 74 million, that figure, it's really more like 40, which is the City TIF (Tax Increment Financing) that Omni CRA works with. Vice Chair Carollo: Well, this is why I'm asking that, because I want to bring down that 70 million, because it does sound like a lot -- Chair Pardo: Yeah. Vice Chair Carollo: -- but once you start cutting it down, it's not as much as it sounds like -- Chair Pardo: Exactly. Vice Chair Carollo: -- because the County gets back a big bunch. And they're expecting to get the same at the very least. Chair Pardo: And I'll also say since we haven't extended this since 2020, we haven't extended the life. We've given up about $24 million in funding capacity for not extending this. So, there is an urgency to doing this, and there's way more projects and way more needs than what the capacity holds, even within Omni CRA. Vice Chair Carollo: In all respect, Commissioner, we're not getting anything from the County. There is no urgency. We're in the drivers seat, and I'm going to be presenting some ideas to this body on how we could resolve this and spend our dollars in the areas that are most needed right now in the city so we could take care of those needs now, not 10 years from now, or more. We're not getting anything from the County, so big deal. The County is going to give us an extension. So what? We don't need their money because we're not getting it. We're not getting their money. Now, if they were leaving all that money in, well, maybe that's a little different. Chair Pardo: No, it's our money, the City TIF. Vice Chair Carollo: But they're not -- yeah. Because, yeah, they're only taking 35 percent of what they're giving us, but they're taking also 35 percent of what we're putting in that's more than what they're putting. Chair Pardo: All right, listen, we have the budget, so let's go ahead. Board Member Reyes: Let me add to this, because that was my argument when first the extension came, and I went against it. I was very adamant about it. Because for all practical purposes, we are working with our own TIF -- Chair Pardo: Right. Board Member Reyes: -- not the County TIF. Chair Pardo: Right. Board Member Reyes: And the purpose of a CRA, it is that both TIF, both TIF, that's tax increment funds, that they will be reinvested in the area. You see, that's the way OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 16 Printed on 10/01/2024 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes September 7, 2024 ADJOURNMENT that -- I know this because 1 was the economist for the Overtown/Park West (UNINTELLIGIBLE). In order for us to reinvest the TIF in an area, we don't need to form a CIA [sic]. We can get together and decide between us, and that's what I'm trying to say, and I said, okay, this area around here, you know, we are going to set aside any tax increment in this area, and it is going to set aside for this area for roads, I mean, earmark it. Chair Pardo: We can. Board Member Reyes: You see? And that will be faster. That will be faster and more efficient than going about. But we have a budget. Please, let's get to it. Chair Pardo: That's good. I agree. Board Member Reyes: I mean, we can discuss that later on. Chair Pardo: We have a first, a second. Let's go ahead and vote on it. All those in favor? The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Board Member Gabela: No. Chair Pardo: Motion carries. Mr. Hannon: And then just for the record, the motion passes 3-2, with Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Gabela voting no. And that's as is. Board Member Reyes: As is. Mr. Hannon: Understood. And just for the record, Chair, if you would like to adjourn the meeting, you may -- Chair Pardo: Go ahead and adjourn the meeting. Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair. If I could just get just a minute to flip the tape. And Chair, if it's okay, while we have members of the public in the chambers as well as watching online and on Channel 77, the Midtown CRA for today has been canceled. Board Member King: Correct. The meeting adjourned at 12:49 p.m. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 17 Printed on 10/01/2024