HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Vice Chair Russell-Memo from FAUF.,
FLORIDA
ATLANTIC
UNIVERSITY
4° '�.0.'
MEMORANDUM
TO: Commissioner Ken Russell
FROM: Frank Schnidman
RE: Miami -Dade County Grand Jury Report:
"CRAB: The Good, the Bad and the Questionable"
Section IX: Recommendations
DATE: February 11, 2016
cc: Members, Miami City Commission
Mayor, City of Miami
Frank Schnidman, J.D., LL.M.
John M. DeGrove Eminent Scholar Chair in
Growth Management and Development, and
Executive Director, Center for Urban
and Environmental Solutions (CUES)
School of Urban and Regional Planning
777 Glades Road, Bldg. 44, SO 284
Boca Raton, FL 33431
tel: 561.297.4166
cell: 954.599.8715
E -Mail: schazidma@fau.edu
The Grand Jury made 29 Recommendations to improve the operation and impact of Miami -
Dade County Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs). The praise and the problems
identified are in fact directed at the elected officials that are responsible for the operation
and management of CRAB. County Commissioners and Iocal elected officials. The policy
makers. This Grand Jury Report does not identify problems with the staff of CRAs, but with
the elected officials that are responsible as CRA Board of Commissioners or as the County
Commissioners in charge of oversight, for the alleviation of slums and blight.
Many of the recommendations require State legislative action to amend the Community
Redevelopment Act. Some, however, do not. In response to your request for my thoughts on
what should be addressed TODAY by the City Commission, my two recommendations are
the composition of the CRA Board and operating procedures for the Board. In addition,
there is a caution to be considered regarding the recommendations relating to the Florida
Redevelopment Association (FRA).
Appointment of a County Commissioner and a Non -Elected Lay Person to the CRA Board
The Community Redevelopment Act, Sec. 163.357(l) Cc) states that "A governing body
which consists of five members may appoint two additional persons to act as members of
the community redevelopment agency." The CRA should seek a legal opinion that the
delegation by the County to the City of Miami to determine the appointment to the CRA
Board therefore allows the City to appoint a County Commissioner and a non -elected lay
person to the Board, as allowed by State statute.
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Submitted into the public
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With a legal opinion in support of such authority, the City could therefore appoint these
two new members and immediately address this Grand Jury Report recommendation.
Bylaws, Procurement Guidelines and Grant Application and Award Procedures
In addition, the CRA by its own actions can prepare and approve bylaws regarding its
operation, it can through those bylaws require the adoption of procurement guidelines
mirroring the City of Miami, and can also identify grant application and award procedures
to mirror that provide the best example of an honest, open and transparent process.
Recommendations for Guidance from the Florida Redevelopment Association [FRA)
My understanding is that currently the FRA is staffed by two individuals who serve part
time and who. also serve the Florida League of Cities. The address of both the FRA and the
League are the same. 1 simple state this fact so that you understand that there may lack a
perspective of the counties in any implementation of the recommendations of the Grand
Jury dealing with the FRA. Care should be taken to request the involvement of the Florida
Association of County representatives in any tasks undertaken by the FRA.
1 hope this has been helpful. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
My best regards.
Frank Schnidman