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Home My WebLink AboutSEOPW CRA 2025-09-11 MinutesCity of Miami 819 NW 2nd Ave 3rd Floor Miami, FL 33136 www.seopwcra.com Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 11, 2025 10:00 AM City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency Christine King, Chair, District Five Miguel Angel Gabela, Board Member, District One Damian Pardo, Board Member, District Two Joe Carollo, Board Member, District Three Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Board Member, District Four X k k******WW W:Y:Y****iiiiiii SEOPW CRA OFFICE ADDRESS: 819 NW 2ND AVENUE, 3RD FLOOR MIAMI, FL 33136 Phone: (305) 679-6800 www.seopwcra.com Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes September 11, 2025 CALL TO ORDER Present: Chairwoman King, Commissioner Pardo, Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Rosado Absent: Commissioner Gabela On the Ilth day of September 2025, the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West 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 Chairwoman King at 11:44 a.m., and was adjourned at 11:49 a.m. ALSO PRESENT: James McQueen, Executive Director, CRA Vincent Brown, Deputy Executive Director, CRA Domini Gibbs-Sorey, Assistant City Attorney Todd B. Hannon, Clerk of the Board CRA PUBLIC COMMENTS Chair King: At this time, I'd like to open the floor for public comment. If there's anyone here that would like to speak on any of the items before us. Silvio Pupo-Casco: Chairwoman, Commissioners. Yes, I have a public comment for the Overtown CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). I wanted to thank you for hosting your Constituent Tuesdays at the CRA. There's a project that I'd like to highlight that's been led by a professor, Professor Vasquez, at Miami -Dade College redrawing, based on all tax cards, historic Overtown. I want to include and retake this historic Overtown experience to make it more widely available for the general public. Also, the Miami -Dade Heritage Trust is working on getting a historic designation for historic Overtown. And I believe that taking the work that Miami -Dade College has done, making it more widely available, making it a virtual reality, an augmented reality experience people can experience in person or from their homes, would really help elevate the opportunity here in the Overtown area. And what we would like to do is not just do that, but take it a step further, Director, and think about how we might be able to highlight specific areas in Overtown CRA, like the police district -- the police precinct, the historic theater, some of the hotels, and actually bring them back to life, including with historic characters and personas. So, I'd like to support the historic Overtown CRA and give a public comment in support of this particular initiative to see how we might be able to make this work. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. James McQueen (Executive Director): I look forward to any opportunity to highlight what's going on in Overtown and look forward to the opportunity to talk to you about how we can work collaboratively. Chair King: Seeing no one else for public comment, public comment period is now closed. SEOPW CRA Page 1 Printed on 10/27/2025 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes September 11, 2025 MINUTES APPROVAL 1. SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST CRA - SPECIAL - JUN 17, 2025 10:00 AM MOTION TO: Approve RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Board Member, District Three SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Board Member, District Four AYES: King, Pardo, Carollo, Rosado ABSENT: Gabela Chair King: May I have a motion to approve the minutes? I have a motion. Board Member Rosado: Second. Board Member Pardo: So moved. Chair King: All in favor? The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Thank you. 2. SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST CRA - REGULAR - JUN 26, 2025 10:00 AM MOTION TO: Approve RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Board Member, District Three SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Board Member, District Four AYES: King, Pardo, Carollo, Rosado ABSENT: Gabela Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number 2, please see Item Number I under "Minutes Approval." SEOPW CRA Page 2 Printed on 10/27/2025 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes September 11, 2025 3. SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST CRA - REGULAR - JUL 24, 2025 10:00 AM CRA RESOLUTION(S) MOTION TO: Approve RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Board Member, District Three SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Board Member, District Four AYES: King, Pardo, Carollo, Rosado ABSENT: Gabela Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number 3, please see Item Number 1 under "Minutes Approval." 1. CRA RESOLUTION 18125 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("SEOPW CRA"), WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE PROPOSED GENERAL OPERATING AND TAX INCREMENT FUND ("TIF") BUDGET OF THE SEOPW CRA ("BUDGET"), ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED HEREIN AS EXHIBIT "A," IN THE AMOUNT OF TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY MILLION NINE HUNDRED NINETY- SEVEN THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED NINETY-TWO DOLLARS AND ZERO CENTS ($280,997,692.00) ("FUNDS"), FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2025 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 ("FY 2025-2026"); FURTHER APPROVING THE COMPENSATION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR FY 2025-2026; FURTHER DIRECTING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THE BUDGET TO THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ("COUNTY"); FURTHER REVISING AND RATIFYING THE AMENDMENT TO, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF, THE SEOPW CRA'S EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK ("HANDBOOK"), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE FORM ATTACHED AS EXHIBIT "B," EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1ST, 2023; PROVIDING FOR THE INCORPORATION OF RECITALS AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-25-0047 MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s) RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Damian Pardo, Board Member, District Two SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Board Member, District Four AYES: King, Pardo, Carollo, Rosado ABSENT: Gabela Chair King: We are going to begin the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting for September 11 th, 2025. I see the Deputy Executive Director. Good morning. Vincent Brown (Deputy Executive Director/Staff Counsel): Good morning, Madam SEOPW CRA Page 3 Printed on 10/27/2025 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes September 11, 2025 Chair. Chair King: You may begin. Oh, I see the Executive Director. I didn't see him there. Good morning, Mr. McQueen. James McQueen (Executive Director): Good morning, Commissioner. How are you? Chair King: I am doing wonderfully. You may begin your meeting. Mr. McQueen: Good morning. Chair King: If you could please brief us; read the agenda items. Mr. McQueen: Good morning. I'm going to allow Attorney Brown to read the agenda item. Chair King: Okay. Mr. Brown: The first item is a resolution with attachments approving the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA operating budget and tax increment fund with attachments, Exhibit A, in the amount of $280,997,692.00; further revising and ratifying the amendments to the Southeast Overtown/Park West Employee's Handbook, effective October 1, 2023, with attachments as Exhibit B. Item Number 2 is a resolution authorizing the executive director to engage the law firm of Ko yak, Tropin, and Throckmorton, LLP (Limited Liability Partnership) to act cis special counsel in representing the CRA in a housing settlement agreement matter between us and the Avanti Housing Group. And Item Number 3 will be withdrawn. Chair King: Okay. [Later...) Chair King: May I have a motion to approve Items 1 and 2, I as amended? Board Member Pardo: So moved. Board Member Rosado: Second. Chair King: All in favor? The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Motion carries unanimously. Board Member Carollo: By the way, Mr. Chairman, that was $280,000, right? $280, 997? James McQueen (Executive Director): Could you -- could you repeat the question, SEOPW CRA Page 4 Printed on 10/27/2025 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes September 11, 2025 Commissioner? (COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD) Board Member Carollo: Yeah, that was $280,997? Mr. McQueen: It's supposed to be $280 million. Domini Gibbs-Sorey (Assistant City Attorney): $280 million. Board Member Carollo: Million? Mr. McQueen: Yeah. Ms. Gibbs-Sorey: $280,997,000. Chair King: At this time, the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting is concluded. Thank you all for your advocacy. Board Member Pardo: Thank you very much. Mr. McQueen: Thank you, Commissioners. SEOPW CRA Page 5 Printed on 10/27/2025 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes September 11, 2025 2. CRA RESOLUTION 18126 A RESOLUTION OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("SEOPW CRA"), PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-72(B)(16) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), AS ADOPTED BY THE SEOPW CRA, AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ENGAGE THE LAW FIRM OF KOZYAK, TROPIN, AND THROCKMORTON, LLP, A FLORIDA LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP ("KTT"), FOR THE REPRESENTATION OF THE SEOPW CRA IN ALL MATTERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE HOUSING SUBSIDY AGREEMENT ("AGREEMENT") BETWEEN AVANTI RESIDENTIAL — ARTE GRAND CENTRAL TIC I, LLC; AVANTI RESIDENTIAL — ARTE GRAND CENTRAL TIC II, LLC; AVANTI RESIDENTIAL — ARTE GRAND CENTRAL TIC III, LLC; AVANTI RESIDENTIAL — ARTE GRAND CENTRAL TIC IV, LLC; AND AVANTI RESIDENTIAL — ARTE GRAND CENTRAL TIC V, LLC; EACH A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (COLLECTIVELY, "AVANTI") AND THE SEOPW CRA ("PURPOSE"), AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID ENGAGEMENT, WITH FUNDS ALLOCATED FROM ACCOUNT NO. 10050.920101.531010.0000.00000; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SEOPW CRA AND KTT; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, AND EXTENSIONS, SUBJECT TO ALL ALLOCATIONS, APPROPRIATIONS, PRIOR BUDGETARY APPROVALS, COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE CITY CODE, INCLUDING THE CITY'S PROCUREMENT ORDINANCE, ANTI -DEFICIENCY ACT, AND FINANCIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES, AS SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 18 OF THE CITY CODE, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO COUNSEL, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS, AS MAY BE NECESSARY FOR THE PURPOSE STATED HEREIN; PROVIDING FOR THE INCORPORATION OF RECITALS AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-25-0048 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Board Member, District Two SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Board Member, District Four AYES: King, Pardo, Carollo, Rosado ABSENT: Gabela Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number 2, please see Item Number I under "CRA RESOLUTION(S)." SEOPW CRA Page 6 Printed on 10/27/2025 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes September 11, 2025 3. CRA RESOLUTION 18127 A RESOLUTION OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("SEOPW CRA"), PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-72(B)(16) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), AS ADOPTED BY THE SEOPW CRA, AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ENGAGE THE LAW FIRM HOLLAND & KNIGHT, LLP, A FLORIDA LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP ("H&K"), FOR THE REPRESENTATION OF THE SEOPW CRA IN COMPLEX REAL ESTATE MATTERS ("PURPOSE"), AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID ENGAGEMENT, WITH FUNDS ALLOCATED FROM ACCOUNT NO. 10050.920101.531010.0000.00000; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SEOPW CRA AND H&K; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, AND EXTENSIONS, SUBJECT TO ALL ALLOCATIONS, APPROPRIATIONS, PRIOR BUDGETARY APPROVALS, COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE CITY CODE, INCLUDING THE CITY'S PROCUREMENT ORDINANCE, ANTI -DEFICIENCY ACT, AND FINANCIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES, AS SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 18 OF THE CITY CODE, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO COUNSEL, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS, AS MAY BE NECESSARY FOR THE PURPOSE STATED HEREIN; PROVIDING FOR THE INCORPORATION OF RECITALS AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Withdraw RESULT: WITHDRAWN MOVER: Joe Carollo, Board Member, District Three SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Board Member, District Four AYES: King, Pardo, Carollo, Rosado ABSENT: Gabela Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number 3, please see Item Number 1 under "CRA RESOLUTION(S)." Chair King: And may I have a motion to withdraw? Which one do you want to withdraw? Board Member Carollo: Move. James McQueen (Executive Director): Three. Board Member Rosado: Second. Chair King: I have a motion and a second to withdraw Item 3. All in favor? The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. ADJOURNMENT SEOPW CRA Page 7 Printed on 10/27/2025 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Meeting Minutes September 11, 2025 The meeting adjourned at 11:49 a.m. SEOPW CRA Page 8 Printed on 10/27/2025