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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOMNI CRA 2026-05-28 MinutesCity of Miami 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Omni C R A Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 28, 2026 9:30 AM (OR THEREAFTER) City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Damian Pardo, Chair, District Two Christine King, Vice Chair, District Five Miguel Angel Gabela, Board Member, District One Rolando Escalona, Board Member, District Three Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Board Member, District Four 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 May 28, 2026 CALL TO ORDER Present: Chair Pardo, Vice Chair King, Commissioner Gabela, Commissioner Escalona and Commissioner Rosado On the 28th day of May 2026, 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 11:10 a.fn., and was adjourned at 11:20 a.m. ALSO PRESENT: Carlos L Suarez, Executive Director, CRA Xavier Alban, Deputy General Counsel Todd B. Hannon, Clerk of the Board PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ALL ITEMS Chair Pardo: The public comment period is now open for all items, all resolutions on today's agenda. Marco Molinet: How are you doing? My name is Marco Mol -- Molinet. 1'd just like to say thank you. I do the 1st Take Youth Film Program at Dorsey Library. It's been going - - ongoing now going on our 11 th year. We've had the support of Commissioner Christine King, Commissioner Pardo, and many others in the past, Commissioner Keon Hardeinon, especially from the beginning who believed in us and helped us actually structure our company and build it to be what it is. We last year were able to give 11 scholarships out to kids helping them go to college and some -- one of them went to the military which is still a great success for him. And this year we're hoping to do 12 scholarships. And we put quite a bit of kids into the film industry, and it's been a great program. And I just really appreciate the support of the City getting behind and supporting some of the kids from the inner city. Thank you. Chair Pardo: Thank you. Any other public comment? Bobby Sanchez.. Mr. Chairman, thank you. Bobby Sanchez with the Florida Grand Opera. I'd like to congratulate the board and the executive director on the item with the MEC (Miami Entertainment Complex). It's been a long time coming. As many of you have known and met with us and our organization over the years, you know, we've been really looking for short-term space in the area. That is the area that we operate in. And any type of assistance that we could receive in the short-term to make sure that we have the ability to operate nearby our home, which is the Adrienne Arsht Center, will be greatly appreciated. And we look forward to working with all of you and working with the executive director, and hopejully, it'll be a great benefit to the community in sustaining a very great cultural environment there. Thank you very much. Chair Pardo: Thank you. Sir? Ramon Valentin: Good morning, everyone. My name is Ramon Valentin, and I am the owner of Wynwood House Cuts, LLC (Limited Liability Company). I want to take a moment to sincerely thank you for taking my business into consideration and helping making it a reality for our Wynwood community. But today, I'm standing here to thank you for something bigger and more meaningful than my business. I wanted to thank you OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 1 Printed on 6/3/2026 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 28, 2026 for all the affordable housing that you are bringing together to our city. A year and a half ago, I had my mom and my dad at the hospital at the same time. And besides the medical challenges that I was facing, I was also going through a situation that 1 couldn't afford a three -bedroom apartment for us. I immediately started looking for help. I reached out to you, Damian, via Instagram, and you advised me to contact your office where I find out more in deep about the Wynwood Works communities in Wynwood. I immediately put my mom's name on the lottery and she was the number one winner for a 30 percent AMI (Area Median Income) apartment. We're talking about $680 for a one -bedroom. My father and my mom had a place to call home. Unfortunately, my father is no longer with us. However, on behalf of my mother and my late father and the 120 families that live in Wynwood Works, I want to thank you all for the great job that you are doing bringing more affordable housing to our city who really need it. And we are deeply grateful for that. Thank you so much, so all of you. Chair Pardo: Thank you. Vice Chair King: Motion. Chair Pardo: Is there any other public -- any other public comment? Board Member Gabela: Second. Evalina Bestman: Good morning -- Chair Pardo: Ma'am? Ms. Bestman: -- to the Chairwoman and the Commissioners. My name is Dr. Evalina Bestman., and I am the owner of the property that's before you that the Omni CRA is sponsoring. I'm the EWB Holdings. You know, legally, we have to do these things. But I want to say from the depths of my heart I am so grateful to the City of Miami and its commissioners for really moving forward and acting on what you say you believe, and as affordable housing, for decent stable housing for the community. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to come into possession of property. This property is exactly across the street from where I was born. I used to play on that land. It was vacant then, 84 years ago. And my mother I know and father above are so happy because the second property that you're now -- you funded me for before is on 1st Court and across from the church, Mt. Olive, where I used to Sunday School. So, I'm so glad to really be able to provide affordable housing, which I never -- I had the dream, but you have made my dream a reality, and I'm so grateful. And I will be around when we open that first one to see the people in Overtown be able to really move into decent, affordable housing. So, I wanted to thank you from the depth of my heart and my family for your kind consideration of this resolution. Thank you. Chair Pardo: We're the ones who need to thank you, Mrs. Bestman. Ms. Bestman: Thank you. Chair Pardo: Thank you. Thank you. Is there any other public comment? Facing no further public comment, the public comment period is now closed. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 2 Printed on 6/3/2026 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 28, 2026 APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S): 1. OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY - REGULAR MEETING - APR 23, 2026 9:30 AM MOTION TO: Approve RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Christine King, Board Member, District Five SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Board Member, District Three AYES: Pardo, King, Gabela, Escalona, Rosado Chair Pardo: Good morning, everyone. I'm calling to order the May 28th, 2026 Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting. Is there a motion to approve the minutes for April 23rd, 2026 Omni CRA? Vice Chair King: Motion. Board Member Escalona: Move. Chair Pardo: All in favor? The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Chair Pardo: Motion carries. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 3 Printed on 6/3/2026 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 28, 2026 OMNI CRA RESOLUTION(S) 1. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION 19337 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), WITH ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S RECOMMENDATION AND FINDING, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," THAT COMPETITIVE NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE CRA 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; ALLOCATING AN AMOUNT OF GRANT FUNDS, FROM THE CRA'S FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 BUDGET IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($200,000.00) TO FLORIDA FILM HOUSE INTERNATIONAL, INC., A FLORIDA NOT -FOR -PROFIT CORPORATION ("GRANTEE"), TO HELP UNDERWRITE THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH JOB SKILLS TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ASSOCIATED WITH GRANTEE'S "1ST TAKE YOUTH FILM PROGRAM" OPERATING AT THE DORSEY LIBRARY LOCATED AT 100 NORTHWEST 17TH STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33136, LOCATED IN THE CRA REDEVELOPMENT AREA; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE FUNDS IN HIS DISCRETION, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING AND BUDGETARY APPROVAL; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL AGREEMENTS NECESSARY AND AMENDMENTS THERETO, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL, FOR THE PURPOSES STATED HEREIN; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-26-0021 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Christine King, Board Member, District Five SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Board Member, District Three AYES: Pardo, King, Gabela, Escalona, Rosado Chair Pardo: Madam Assistant City Attorney, please briefly read the agenda items for CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) Resolutions 1 through 4. Sorry about that, Xavi. You're not a madam, sir. Xavier Alban (Deputy City Attorney): It's okay. Not offended, it's fine. Chair Pardo: Please read them into the record. Mr. Alban: So, the first resolution is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Omni CRA, by a four fifths affirmative vote, after an advertised public hearing, approving -- ratifying, approving, and confirming the executive director's recommendation and finding, attached and incorporated as Exhibit "A," that competitive negotiation methods and procedures are not practicable or advantageous to the CRA pursuant to Sections 18-85 and 18-86 of the City Code; OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 4 Printed on 6/3/2026 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 28, 2026 waiving the requirements for competitive sealed bidding; allocating an amount of grant funds from the CRA's Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget, in an amount not to exceed $200,000, to Florida Film House International, to help underwrite the costs associated with job skills training and employment opportunities associated with grantee's "1st Take Youth Film Program" operating at the Dorsey Library, located at 100 Northwest 17th Street, Miami, Florida. Second resolution is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Omni CRA, by a four -fifths vote, ratifying, approving, and confirming the executive director's recommendation and finding, attached and incorporated as Exhibit "A," that competitive negotiation methods and procedures are not practicable or advantageous to the CRA pursuant to Sections 18- 85 and 18-86 of the City Code of Miami; authorizing the allocation of funds, in an amount not to exceed $1,700,000, to EWB Holdings, a Florida limited liability company, contingent upon the 80 percent completion of the mixed -income development project located at 1433 Northwest 1st Court and 1435 Northwest 1st Court, as approved pursuant to previous CRA Resolution CRA-R-25-0029 adopted on June 26, 2025, to underwrite costs associated with the construction and development of a multi -generational, family -centered duplex affordable housing project located at 1695 Northwest 1st Court, consisting of two five -bedroom units at or below 70 percent of the area median income. The next -- the third resolution is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Omni CRA authorizing the executive director to initiate the activation of unused and underutilized spaces located within the boundaries of the CRA at 50 Northwest 14th Street for short-term community, cultural, commercial, entrepreneurial, artistic, educational, and other temporary activations open to the public; authorizing the executive director to develop guidelines for temporary use of the property on a first -come, first -served basis; and authorizing the executive director to proceed with any necessary buildout, improvements, modifications, furnishings, and related work required for the initiative, subject to all necessary budgetary approvals at the time of need; authorizing the executive director to negotiate and collect fees, rent, deposits, and other cost recovery amounts based on the type and nature of the activation; providing that any proceeds derived from the temporary activations may be utilized to assist with building maintenance, security, utilities, upkeep, and related property expenses until final determination is made for regarding the future use of the property. And the final resolution is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Omni CRA, by a four -fifths vote, rating, approving, and confirming the executive director's recommendation of finding, attached and incorporated as Exhibit "A," that competitive negotiation methods and procedures are not practicable or advantageous to the CRA, after the expiration of the 30-day notice for the disposition of any real property or interests therein in the CRA's redevelopment area pursuant to Section 163.380, Florida Statutes; authorizing the executive director to negotiate and execute a sublease agreement in a form acceptable to general counsel with Wynwood House Cuts, a Florida limited liability company, for approximately 1,635 square feet of retail and/or commercial space located on the property identified by Folio Number 01-3125-100-0010, also referred to as Wynwood Works, for a rental amount not to exceed $8,000 per month, for a term approved the executive director. Chair Pardo: Thank you. [Later...] Chair Pardo: Is there any discussion on Items 1 through 4? Motion? Vice Chair King: Motion. Board Member Escalona: Second. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 5 Printed on 6/3/2026 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 28, 2026 Board Member Gabela: Second. Chair Pardo: All right. All those in favor? The Board Members (Collectively): Aye. Chair Pardo: Motion carries. And that's it. The meeting is adjourned. Thank you very much. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 6 Printed on 6/3/2026 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 28, 2026 2. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION 16968 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), WITH ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S RECOMMENDATION AND FINDING, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," THAT COMPETITIVE NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE CRA 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 ALLOCATION OF FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ONE MILLION, SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($1,700,000.00) TO EWB HOLDINGS, LLC, A FLORIDA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, CONTINGENT UPON THE EIGHTY PERCENT (80%) COMPLETION OF THE MIXED - INCOME DEVELOPMENT PROJECT LOCATED AT 1433 NORTHWEST 1ST COURT, MIAMI, FLORIDA AND 1435 NORTHWEST 1ST COURT, MIAMI, FLORIDA AS APPROVED PURSUANT TO CRA RESOLUTION NO. CRA-R- 25-0029 ADOPTED ON JUNE 26, 2025, TO UNDERWRITE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF A MULTI -GENERATIONAL, FAMILY -CENTERED DUPLEX AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT LOCATED AT 1695 NORTHWEST 1ST COURT, MIAMI, FLORIDA, IDENTIFIED BY FOLIO NUMBER 01-3125-048-1160 ("PROJECT") CONSISTING OF TWO (2) FIVE (5) BEDROOM UNITS AT OR BELOW SEVENTY PERCENT 70%OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME ("AMI"); FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A FORGIVABLE LOAN AGREEMENT AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR THE PURPOSE STATED HEREIN, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL; ALL BEING SUBJECT TO THE RENTS BEING RESTRICTED FOR THIRTY (30) YEARS AS MORE PARTICULARLY DETAILED IN A RESTRICTIVE COVENANT THAT IS TO BE RECORDED IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA. ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-26-0022 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Christine King, Board Member, District Five SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Board Member, District Three AYES: Pardo, King, Gabela, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number 2, please see Item Number 1. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 7 Printed on 6/3/2026 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 28, 2026 3. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION 19338 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO INITIATE THE ACTIVATION OF UNUSED AND UNDERUTILIZED SPACES LOCATED WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CRA AT 50 NORTHWEST 14TH STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33136 ("PROPERTY") FOR SHORT-TERM COMMUNITY, CULTURAL, COMMERCIAL, ENTREPRENEURIAL, ARTISTIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND OTHER TEMPORARY ACTIVATIONS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ("INITIATIVE"); AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DEVELOP GUIDELINES FOR TEMPORARY USE OF THE PROPERTY ON A FIRST -COME, FIRST -SERVED BASIS; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO PROCEED WITH ANY NECESSARY BUILDOUT, IMPROVEMENTS, MODIFICATIONS, FURNISHING, AND RELATED WORK REQUIRED FOR THE INITIATIVE, SUBJECT TO ALL NECESSARY BUDGETARY APPROVALS AT THE TIME OF NEED; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND COLLECT FEES, RENT, DEPOSITS, AND OTHER COST RECOVERY AMOUNTS BASED ON THE TYPE AND NATURE OF THE ACTIVATION; PROVIDING THAT ANY PROCEEDS DERIVED FROM THE TEMPORARY ACTIVATIONS MAY BE UTILIZED TO ASSIST WITH BUILDING MAINTENANCE, SECURITY, UTILITIES, UPKEEP, AND RELATED PROPERTY EXPENSES UNTIL A FINAL DETERMINATION IS MADE REGARDING THE FUTURE USE OF THE PROPERTY; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, REVOCABLE LICENSES OR TEMPORARY USE AGREEMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THIS INITIATIVE, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO GENERAL COUNSEL; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-26-0023 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Christine King, Board Member, District Five SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Board Member, District Three AYES: Pardo, King, Gabela, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number 3, please see Item Number I. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 8 Printed on 6/3/2026 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 28, 2026 4. OMNI CRA RESOLUTION 19315 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), WITH ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S RECOMMENDATION AND FINDING, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," THAT COMPETITIVE NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE CRA, AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE THIRTY (30) DAY NOTICE FOR THE DISPOSITON OF ANY REAL PROPERTY OR INTEREST THEREIN IN THE CRA'S REDEVELOPMENT AREA PURSUANT TO SECTION 163.380, FLORIDA STATUTES; WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPETITIVE SEALED BIDDING AS NOT BEING PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE CRA; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A SUBLEASE AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL, WITH WYNWOOD HOUSE CUTS LLC, A FLORIDA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED THIRTY FIVE (1,635) SQUARE FEET OF RETAIL AND/OR COMMERCIAL SPACE LOCATED ON THE PROPERTY IDENTIFIED BY FOLIO NUMBER 01-3125-100-0010, ALSO REFERRED TO AS WYNWOOD WORKS ("PROPERTY"), FOR A RENTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED EIGHT THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($8,000.00) PER MONTH, FOR A TERM APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A SUBLEASE AGREEMENT AND ANY ADDITIONAL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY MODIFICATIONS OR AMENDMENTS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL, FOR THE PURPOSES STATED HEREIN; PROVIDING FOR THE INCORPORATION OF RECITALS AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ADJOURNMENT ENACTMENT NUMBER: CRA-R-26-0024 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Christine King, Board Member, District Five SECONDER: Rolando Escalona, Board Member, District Three AYES: Pardo, King, Gabela, Escalona, Rosado Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number 4, please see Item Number 1. The meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m. OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency Page 9 Printed on 6/3/2026