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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOMNI CRA 2025-10-30 MinutesCity of Miami 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Omni C R A Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 30, 2025 11:30 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 Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Board Member, District Four Christine King, Board Member, District Five OMNI CRA OFFICE ADDRESS: 1401 N. Miami Avenue, 2"d Floor Miami, FL 33136 Phone: (305) 679-6868 www.omnicra.com OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 30, 2025 CALL TO ORDER Present: Chair Pardo, Commissioner Gabela, Commissioner Rosado and Commissioner King Absent: Vice Chair Carollo On the 30th day of October 2025, 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: 05 p.m., and was adjourned at 12:13 p.m. ALSO PRESENT: Isiaa Jones, Executive Director, CRA Domini Gibbs-Sorey, Assistant City Attorney Nicole N. Ewan, Assistant Clerk of the Board APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S): 1. OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY - REGULAR MEETING - SEP 25, 2025 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, Gabela, Rosado, King ABSENT: Carollo Chair Pardo: Good morning, everyone. My, name is Damian Pardo and I'm the chair of Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). I'm joined by my colleagues, Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela, Chairwoman Christine King, and Commissioner Rafael Rosado. I'm calling to order the October 30th, 2025 meeting of Omni CRA. Is there a motion to approve the minutes for the September 25th, 2025 Omni CRA meeting? Board Member King: Motion. Board Member Gabela: Second. Board Member Rosado: Second. Chair Pardo: All those in favor? The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Chair Pardo: Motion carries. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 1 Printed on 11/7/2025 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 30, 2025 PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ALL ITEM(S) Chair Pardo: The public comment period is now open for all items on today's' agenda. Ines Saran: Hi, everybody. My name is Ines Saran. I applied for a leadership scholarship for Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) 70 days ago, and I have not get any answers so far, so that's why I'm here to see what you can do or provide me some answers. Thank you. Chair Pardo: Thank you. I'm sure someone can help you. Appreciate it. Ms. Saran: Thank you. Chair Pardo: Yep. Any other public comments? Okay, seeing no further comments, public comment period is now closed. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 2 Printed on 11/7/2025 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 30, 2025 OMNI CRA RESOLUTION(S) 1. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION 18391 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE SEPARATION OF ISIAA JONES ("MS. JONES") AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CRA, SUBJECT TO THE BENEFITS OUTLINED UPON HIRE IN RESOLUTION NO. CRA-R-24-0030 AND THE TERMS OF THE CRA'S EMPLOYEE'S MANUAL, AS OUTLINED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED HEREIN; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE NEWLY APPOINTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR THIS PURPOSE, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-25-0066 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Christine King, Board Member, District Five SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Board Member, District Four AYES: Pardo, Gabela, Rosado, King ABSENT: Carollo Chair Pardo: Ms. Assistant City Attorney, please briefly read Agenda Items CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) Resolutions 1 through 3. Domini Gibbs-Sorey: Good afternoon, Board. Domini Gibbs-Sorey, on behalf of the City Attorney's Office, serving as General Counsel to the Omni CRA. Item 1 is a resolution of the Board of the Omni CRA authorizing the separation of Isiaa Jones as executive director of the CRA, subject to the benefits outlined in Exhibit A, attached and incorporated herein. Item 2 is a resolution of the Board of the Omni CRA appointing Carlos Suarez as executive director of the CRA. And Item 3 is a resolution of the CRA authorizing Damian Pardo, Erica Paschal, and Larry Spring to serve as the Auditor Selection Committee pursuant to Sections 218.391 Florida Statutes for terms as designated herein. [Later...] Chair Pardo: I'd like to make just a couple of brief statements on the resolutions. First of all, Isiaa Jones, I have deeply enjoyed working with you. I've enjoyed your professionalism. I've enjoyed the outreach in the community and everything you've done. I can only and we can only wish you the best with this new chapter that's corning up for you. Are there any words you would like to share with us? Isiaa Jones: To the Chair and Board of Commissioners of the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), I'm deeply grateful and honored to have been given the opportunity to serve as executive director. Thank you for your trust, your guidance, and your partnership throughout this process. Over the past two years, my team and I have worked tirelessly through long days, sleepless nights, driven by a shared commitment to serve this community. Together, we've created over 30 resolutions, implemented strong operating procedures, and produced more than 1,500 affordable housing units. There are a thousand more units in the pipeline. We've committed OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 3 Printed on 11/7/2025 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 30, 2025 record funding to the Overtown community. We've extended the life of the CRA until 2047 successfully, and we've unlocked over 160 million in bonding capacity. And there is the ability to do more. This work has never been about recognition, but about service, the selfless act of answering the call of duty and to build something that will outlast us all. As I pass the baton, it is not the end of the race, but I will pass the baton, and I do so with pride, gratitude, and confidence in the incredible people who will continue this mission. And as Marcus Garvey said, a people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots. The Omni CRA's strength has always been in its roots, its people, its history, and its purpose here in the city of Miami. May you continue to build upon that foundation. Thank you. Chair Pardo: Ms. Jones, we're deeply grateful to you and your service. I'd also like to -- Applause. Chair Pardo: Absolutely. We were very fortunate in that Carlos Suarez, who is the chief of staff for Mayor Suarez, was available and had many, many options that he reviewed, and we were very fortunate that he chose the opportunity we were putting forward to advance the mission of Omni CRA in a new chapter of Omni CRA, which will happen with the extension of life. So, we couldn't be, you know, more thrilled as well to welcome Carlos Suarez. And Carlos, if you have a few words that you'd like to share, please do so. Carlos Suarez: So, thank you all. I'm truly honored to take on the role of chair [sic] for the Omni CRA at such an important time for our city and the district. The Omni CRA represents the very best of Miami, where culture, business, and community come together. Our job is to make sure that growth benefr,ts everyone, that revitalization means opportunity, that development includes housing, small businesses, and public spaces that serve residents just as much as investors. I want to extend a special thank you to you, Commissioner Pardo, for your leadership as chair and for your steady commitment to this district and to the other CRA -- the other Omni CRA board members who supported my appointment and believe in me and the work we're going to do here. I look forward to working with the CRA team and our partners across the city. Together we would advance projects that make Omni a model for how thoughtful redevelopment can be done transparently, inclusively, and with a long-term vision. I'm excited to get to work and keep building a stronger, more vibrant Omni for everyone. Thank you. Chair Pardo: Thank you. Applause. Chair Pardo: I really also want to take a second and I want to thank all of the staff of Omni CRA for your very hard work all this time. Thank you so much, big round of applause for you. Applause. Chair Pardo: Is there any discussion amongst board members? Board Member Gabela: I have. Before the vote, I'd like to say a couple words. Yeah, so I want to, first of all, thank Isiaa. You've been in my office a couple of times, and I know you do good work. So, I wanted to thank you for your services to the city of Miami. I also want to say that 1 have met Carlos through the months, and he's a man of good character. He's funny. I like his personality. And I want to state on the record, Commissioner, that I -- under the circumstances that this was brought, OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 4 Printed on 11/7/2025 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 30, 2025 people have been talking. And there's a side of me that's not comfortable because the salary, is higher than what Ms. Jones was getting. And people are questioning that. But I'm going to go along with this because 1 know Carlos's character. I know he's going to do a good job. And 1 hear you as the chairman of the Omni CRA and I respect you. And if this is the tool that you need, I am going to vote for you. I don't want to do what was done to me in the Bayfront Trust to hinder you in any way possible. I want to afford to you having a successful run in the Omni CRA and hope that you all will support me when we create the Allapattah CRA later on this year. So, having said that, I wish the best of Carlos and to you, Isiaa. Chair Pardo: Thank you, Commissioner. I really appreciate the support. Of course, you know, this is Miami, so there's always going to be stories out there. I did want to say one thing for the record, and that is the salary is very competitive, but not greater. So, I just wanted to set that up for the record, so you also feel comfortable with the vote that we're about to take. So, as far as Resolutions 1 through 3, can I have a motion? Board Member King: Motion. Board Member Rosado: Second. Chair Pardo: All in favor? The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Chair Pardo: Motion carries. That concludes our Omni CRA meeting. Thank you, everyone, for being here. If you have questions or you want any other discussions, we'll be here. So, thank you. 2. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION 18393 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPOINTING CARLOS I. SUAREZ ("MR. SUAREZ") AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CRA AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-25-0067 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Christine King, Board Member, District Five SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Board Member, District Four AYES: Pardo, Gabela, Rosado, King ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number 2, please see Item Number 1. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 5 Printed on 11/7/2025 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes October 30, 2025 3. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION 18394 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), AUTHORIZING CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS TO SERVE AS MEMBERS OF THE AUDITOR SELECTION COMMITTEE, PURSUANT TO SECTION 218.391 FLORIDA STATUTES, FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ADJOURNED ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-25-0068 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Christine King, Board Member, District Five SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Board Member, District Four AYES: Pardo, Gabela, Rosado, King ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number 3, please see Item Number 1. The meeting adjourned at 12:13 p.m. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 6 Printed on 11/7/2025