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Home My WebLink AboutCRA-R-26-0043 MemorandumSEOPW Board of Commissioners Meeting September 10, 2026 SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM To: Board Chair Christine King Date: September 4, 2026 and Members of the CRA Board File: 19812 From: James McQueen Executive Director Subject: 4/5th Vote: Grant to A.M. Cohen Temple, Church of God in Christ, Inc. Enclosures: File # 19812 - Exhibit A - Signed 4-5ths Recommendation - A.M. Cohen Temple File # 19812 - Backup - SEOPW Resolution No. CRA-R-22-0052 File # 19812 - Backup - A.M. Cohen Temple Sunbiz File # 19812 - Backup - A.M. Cohen Temple Proposal v08_27_2026 File # 19812 Backup - A.M. Cohen Temple Property Search File # 19812 - Notice To The Public BACKGROUND: A Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency ("SEOPW 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 herein as Exhibit "A," that competitive negotiation methods and procedures are not practicable or advantageous, pursuant to Section(S) 18-85 and 18-86 of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended ("City Code"), as adopted by the SEOPW CRA, and waiving said procedures, authorizing the Executive Director to execute a Grant Agreement, in a form acceptable to General Counsel, and award a grant, in an amount not to exceed Thirty -Eight Thousand Three Hundred Fifty Dollars and Zero Cents ($38,350.00) ("Funds"), to A.M. Cohen Temple, Church of God in Christ, Inc., a Florida not -for -profit corporation ("Grantee"), to address critical infrastructure repairs of the "A.M. Cohen Temple, Church of God in Christ," a house of worship, located at 1747 Northwest 3rd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33136 (Folio No. 01-3136-029-0330) ("Property") ("Purpose"). Grantee has designed "A.M. Cohen Temple, Church of God" to continue serving as a vital anchor in the Overtown community, providing worship services, youth programming, educational activities, community meetings, outreach ministries, and family -centered services in the SEOPW CRA Redevelopment Area. The "A.M. Cohen Temple, Church of God" previously received funding for an amount not to exceed One Hundred Seventeen Thousand Nine Hundred Seven Dollars and Zero Cents ($117,907.00) on November 17, 2022, by Resolution No. CRA-R-22-0052, for critical repairs and improvements at that time. However, additional critical improvements are needed to address aging infrastructure. Specifically, the Funds will be used to install handicap safety railings, perimeter fencing, and parking lot re -surfacing to improve accessibility, security, and safety at the Property, in addition to improving the community as a whole. It is recommended that the Board of the SEOPW CRA approve and adopt the attached Resolution, authorizing the allocation of the Funds to the Grantee for the Purpose stated herein. JUSTIFICATION: Pursuant to Chapter 163, Florida Statutes, the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency ("SEOPW CRA") is responsible for carrying out community redevelopment activities and projects within its redevelopment area ("Redevelopment Area") in accordance with the 2018 Updated Southeast Overtown/Park West Redevelopment Plan (the "Plan"). Section 163.340(9), Florida Statutes (the "Act"), community redevelopment means "undertakings, activities, or projects of a ... community redevelopment agency in a community redevelopment area for the elimination and prevention of the development or spread of slums and blight...." Section 2, Goal 1, of the Plan, lists the " preserv[ation] of . . . community heritage," as a stated redevelopment goal. Section 2, Principle 6, of the Plan, discusses "address[ing] and improv[ing] the neighborhood economy and expanding] the economic opportunities of present and future residents," as a stated redevelopment principle. Lastly, Section 2, Principle 8, of the Plan, provides that " [o]Ider buildings that embody the area's cultural past should be restored," as a stated redevelopment principle. On August 24, 2007, the City of Miami, acting as General Counsel to the SEOPW CRA, issued Formal Legal Opinion No. 07-014, opining that the SEOPW CRA may use TIF funds to repair or renovate churches within the SEOPW CRA Redevelopment Area for the purpose of improving the community as a whole. FUNDING: $38,350.00 allocated from SEOPW "Other Grants and Aids" Account No. 10050.920101.883000.0000.00000. FACT SHEET: Entity name: A.M. Cohen Temple, Church of God in Christ, Inc., a Florida not -for -profit corporation Page 2 of 9 Address: 1747 Northwest 3rd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33136 (Folio No. 01-3136-029-0330) Funding request: $38,350.00 Scope of work or services (Summary): A.M. Cohen Temple, Church of God in Christ requests emergency funding to address critical building repairs, including new safety railings to better serve elderly members and individuals with mobility challenges, perimeter fencing to improve security and protect members, visitors, and church assets, as well as parking re -pavement to eliminate safety hazards and improve accessibility. Page 3 of 9 AGENDA ITEM FINANCIAL INFORMATION FORM SEOPW CRA CRA Board Meeting Date: September 10, 2026 CRA Section: Brief description of CRA Agenda Item: AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A GRANT AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO GENERAL COUNSEL, AND AWARD A GRANT, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THIRTY-EIGHT THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS AND ZERO CENTS ($38,350.00) ("FUNDS"), TO A.M. COHEN TEMPLE, CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, INC., A FLORIDA NOT -FOR -PROFIT CORPORATION ("GRAN I LE") Project Number YES, there Account Code: (if applicable): are sufficient funds in Line Item: 10050.920101.883000.0000.00000 Amount: $ 3 8 , 3 5 0.0 0 NO (Complete the following source of funds information): Amount budgeted in the line item: $ Balance in the line item: $ Amount needed in the line item: $ Sufficient funds will be transferred from the following line items: ACTION ACCOUNT NUMBER TOTAL Project No./Index/Minot Object From $ To $ From $ To $ Comments: Page 4 of 9 Approved by: Approval: Executive Director 9/3/2026 Miguel A Valcntiri, Finance Officer 9/3/2026 Page 5 of 9 Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency File Type: CRA Resolution Enactment Number: CRA-R-26-0043 File Number: 19812 Final Action Date:9/10/2026 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("SEOPW 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 HEREIN AS EXHIBIT "A," THAT COMPETITIVE NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS, PURSUANT TO SECTION(S) 18-85 AND 18-86 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), AS ADOPTED BY THE SEOPW CRA, AND WAIVING SAID PROCEDURES, AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A GRANT AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO GENERAL COUNSEL, AND AWARD A GRANT, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THIRTY-EIGHT THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS AND ZERO CENTS ($38,350.00) ("FUNDS"), TO A.M. COHEN TEMPLE, CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, INC., A FLORIDA NOT -FOR -PROFIT CORPORATION ("GRANTEE"), TO ADDRESS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIRS OF THE "A.M. COHEN TEMPLE, CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST," A HOUSE OF WORSHIP, LOCATED AT 1747 NORTHWEST 3RD AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33136 (FOLIO NO. 01-3136-029-0330) ("PROPERTY") ("PURPOSE"); FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE FUNDS, AT HIS DISCRETION, ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS OR DIRECTLY TO VENDORS, UPON PRESENTATION OF INVOICES AND SATISFACTORY DOCUMENTATION, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING, FROM ACCOUNT NO. 10050.920101.883000.0000.00000 — "OTHER GRANTS AND AIDS"; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO COUNSEL, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, A RESTRICTIVE COVENANT TO BE RECORDED IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, FOR SAID PURPOSE, WHICH SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT UNTIL MARCH 31, 2042; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency ("SEOPW CRA") is a community redevelopment agency created pursuant to Chapter 163, Florida Statutes, and is responsible for carrying out community redevelopment activities and projects within its Redevelopment Area in accordance with the 2018 Updated Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Plan ("Plan"); and Page 6 of 9 WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 163.340(9), Florida Statutes, "community redevelopment means projects of a ... community redevelopment agency in a community redevelopment area for the elimination and prevention of the development or spread of slum and blight"; and WHEREAS, Section 2, Goal 1, of the Plan, lists the "preserv[ation] of ... community heritage," as a stated redevelopment goal; and WHEREAS, Section 2, Principle 6, of the Plan, discusses "address[ing] and improv[ing] the neighborhood economy and expand[ing] the economic opportunities of present and future residents," as a stated redevelopment principle; and WHEREAS, Section 2, Principle 8, of the Plan, provides that " [o]Ider buildings that embody the area's cultural past should be restored," as a stated redevelopment principle; and WHEREAS, on August 24, 2007, the City of Miami, acting as General Counsel to the SEOPW CRA, issued Formal Legal Opinion No. 07-014, opining that the SEOPW CRA may use Tax Increment Financing ("T.I.F.") funds to repair or renovate churches within the redevelopment area for the purpose of improving the community as a whole; and WHEREAS, A.M. Cohen Temple, Church of God in Christ, Inc., a Florida not -for -profit corporation ("Grantee"), requests financial assistance for the "A.M. Cohen Temple, Church of God," a house of worship, which has been designed as a vital anchor in the Overtown community, providing worship services, youth programming, educational activities, community meetings, outreach ministries, and family -centered services; and WHEREAS, on November 17, 2022, by Resolution No. CRA-R-22-0052, the Board of Commissioners awarded a grant for an amount not to exceed One Hundred Seventeen Thousand Nine Hundred Seven Dollars and Zero Cents ($117,907.00) to Grantee for critical infrastructure repairs at "A.M. Cohen Temple, Church of God" located at 1747 Northwest 3rd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33136 (Folio No. 01-3136-029-0330) ("Property"); and WHEREAS, following the completion of the repairs and improvements authorized by Resolution No. CRA-R-22-0052, Grantee identified additional needs, including new safety railings, perimeter fencing, and resurfacing the parking lot, which are all necessary to improve the safety, security, accessibility, and overall functionality of the Property, resulting in the need for an additional grant to fund such improvements; and WHEREAS, the Grantee is requesting financial assistance from the SEOPW CRA to address the foregoing issues ("Purpose"); and WHEREAS, the Executive Director wishes to execute a grant agreement ("Agreement"), in a form acceptable to General Counsel, with the Grantee, and award a grant, for an amount not to exceed Thirty -Eight Thousand Three Hundred Fifty Dollars and Zero Cents ($38,350.00) ("Funds") for the Purpose stated herein; and WHEREAS, based on the recommendation and findings of the Executive Director, attached and incorporated herein as Exhibit "A," it is in the SEOPW CRA's best interest for the Board of Commissioners to authorize, by an affirmative four -fifths (4/5ths) vote, a waiver of competitive sealed bidding procedures, pursuant to Section(s) 18-85 and 18-86 of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended ("City Code"), as adopted by the SEOPW CRA, to allocate said Funds, subject to availability, and to authorize the Executive Director to negotiate and execute any and all documents necessary, all in forms acceptable to General Counsel, with Grantee, for said Purpose; and Page 7 of 9 WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners wishes to authorize the execution of the Agreement, in a form acceptable to General Counsel, with the Grantee and award the Funds, for said Purpose; and WHEREAS, a Restrictive Covenant, to be recorded in the public records of Miami -Dade County, shall be recorded on the Property, and any other land or interest transferred in furtherance of the Project stated herein, in the event Grantee fails to be in compliance with the Agreement, and as described herein, which shall remain in full force and effect, and shall be binding upon the Property and owner, and its successors and assigns until March 31, 2042 ("Term"); and WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners finds that adopting this Resolution would further the redevelopment goals and objectives of the SEOPW CRA; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY: Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are adopted by reference and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this Section. Section 2. Pursuant to Section(s) 18-85 and 18-86 of the City Code, as adopted by the SEOPW CRA, by a four -fifths (4/5'h) affirmative vote, after an advertised public hearing, the Executive Director's recommendation and written findings, attached and incorporated herein as Exhibit "A," that competitive negotiation methods and procedures are not practicable or advantageous to the SEOPW CRA, and waiving the requirements for said procedures, are hereby ratified, approved, and confirmed. Section 3. The Executive Director is hereby authorized' to negotiate and execute an agreement, including any and all necessary documents, all in forms acceptable to General Counsel, for the Purpose stated herein. Section 4. The Executive Director is hereby further authorized' to disburse the Funds, at his discretion, on a reimbursement basis or directly to vendors, upon presentation of invoices and satisfactory documentation from "Other Grants and Aids" — Account No. 10050.920101.883000.0000.00000, subject to funding availability, for said Purpose. Section 5. The Executive Director is hereby further authorized to negotiate and execute any additional agreements, including any and all documents necessary, all in forms acceptable to General Counsel, including, but not limited to, a Restrictive Covenant to be recorded in the public records of Miami -Dade County, for said Purpose, which shall remain in full force and effect and shall be binding upon the Property and owner, and its successors and assigns for the entirety of the Term. Section 6. Sections of this Resolution may be renumbered or re -lettered and corrections of typographical errors which do not affect the intent may be authorized by the Executive Director, or the Executive Director's designee, without need for public hearing, by filing a corrected copy of same with the City of Miami City Clerk. Section 7. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption. APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGAL SUFFICIENCY: 1 The herein authorization is further subject to compliance with all legal requirements that may be imposed, including but not limited to those prescribed by applicable State law, City Charter and City Code provisions, as adopted by the SEOPW CRA. Page 8 of 9 ounsel 9/3/2026 Page 9 of 9