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Home My WebLink AboutCC 2018-01-11 MinutesCity of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com TY EDI6 Ar T i * INC0RP CBATE0 1 is 08 0__ It__ �r Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 11, 2018 9:00 AM Regular City Hall City Commission Francis Suarez, Mayor Keon Hardemon, Chair Ken Russell, Vice Chair Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner, District One Joe Carollo, Commissioner, District Three Manolo Reyes, Commissioner, District Four Daniel J. Alfonso, City Manager Victoria Mendez, City Attorney Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 9:00 AM INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Present. Chair Hardemon, Vice Chair Russell, Commissioner Gort, Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Reyes. On the 11th day of January, 2018, the City Commission of the City of Miami, Florida, met at its regular meeting place in City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida, in regular session. The Commission Meeting was called to order by Chair Hardemon at 9:04 a.m., recessed at 12:50 p.m., reconvened at 3:21 p.m., recessed at 6.02 p.m., reconvened at 6:47 p.m., recessed at 6:49 p.m., reconvened at 7.10 p.m., recessed at 7.11 p.m., reconvened at 8:22 p.m., and adjourned at 8:23 p.m. Note for the Record. Commissioner Reyes entered the Commission chambers at 9:04 a.m., Vice Chair Russell entered the Commission chambers at 9:05 a.m., and Commissioner Carollo entered the Commission chambers at 9:48 a.m. ALSO PRESENT. Nzeribe Ihekwaba, Chief of Operations /Assistant City Manager Victoria Mendez, City Attorney Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk Chair Hardemon: Welcome to the January 11, 2018 meeting of the City of Miami City Commission in these historic chambers. The members of the City Commission are Wilfredo Gort, Joe Carollo, Manolo Reyes; Ken Russell, the Vice Chair; and me, Keon Hardemon, the Chairman. Also on the dais are Daniel J. Alfonso, our City Manager; Victoria Mendez, the City Attorney; and Todd Hannon, our City Clerk. The meeting will be opened with a prayer by Commissioner Gort, and I will lead the pledge of allegiance. All rise, please. Invocation and pledge of allegiance delivered. PR - PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS PRA PROTOCOL ITEM 3491 Honoree Presenter Protocol Item Lewis E. Sparks Vice Chair Russell Certificate of Appreciation Ministerial Alliance Mayor Suarez Proclamation City of Miami Page I Printed on 0212612018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 RESULT: PRESENTED 1) Mayor Francis Suarez, Assistant City Manager Nzeribe Ihekwaba, and Director of Solid Waste Mario Nunez paused in their deliberations of governance to commend and honor Lewis E. Sparks of the Solid Waste Department. For 25 years, Mr. Sparks demonstrated a commitment to his duties as a valued member of the community. Beginning in 1987 as a Laborer for the Solid Waste Department, Mr. Sparks eventually rose to the position of Sanitation Supervisor. His expertise in solid waste management has served a vital role to the department and our residents. Elected leadership ofMiami, expressed their best wishes for Mr. Sparks' retirement. 2) Mayor Francis Suarez and Vice Chair Ken Russell paused in their deliberations of governance to pay highest tribute to the Coconut Grove Ministerial Alliance, a partnership of 13 neighborhood churches that has served the community for more than 15 years. Ministerial Alliance has lead several critical battles for community justice, including fighting against the "Old Smokey" incinerator that caused significant environmental and health impacts, advocating against locating an industrial trolley garage in a residential neighborhood, opposing building heights out of scale with the character of the neighborhood. Additionally, the Alliance has been a champion for residents facing displacement due to demolition or development in addition to having a partnership with various government, non-profit, and business interests to bring programs such as, "Coconut Grove Drug Free Coalition, " annual "Book Bag Give -Away, " annual "Toy Drive and Toy Give - Away, " youth summer swimming programs, "Prison Re -Entry Program, " and several gun buy-back workshops. Ministerial Alliance has established the annual "New Year's Eve Night Watch Service" and `Breakfast in the West Grove Village, " the annual "Holy Week Services" in the West Grove Village and supported the "Coconut Grove Ecumenical Network Annual MLK Program" since its inception. Elected officials proclaimed January 11, 2018 as "Coconut Grove Ministerial Alliance Day" in the City ofMiami. Chair Hardemon: We will now begin to make presentations and proclamations. There's only one? Who is it? Is it the Mayor or is it --? I think it was the Mayor. Presentations made. AM - APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS: AM.1 City Commission - Regular Meeting - Oct 12, 2017 9:00 AM MOTION TO RESULT: MOVER: SECONDER AYES: ABSENT: Approve APPROVED Manolo Reyes, Commissioner Ken Russell, Vice Chair Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Reyes Carollo Chair Hardemon: Is there a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes -- Commissioner Reyes: So move. Chair Hardemon: -- of October 12, 2017? Vice Chair Russell: So move. City of Miami Page 2 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Chair Hardemon: Been properly moved by Commissioner Reyes; seconded by the Vice Chairman. Vice Chair Russell: Second. Chair Hardemon: Any further discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR REGULAR ITEM(S) Chair Hardemon: What I'd like to do now is open up the public comment for the morning agenda. If there's anyone from the public that'd like to speak on any item that is on the morning agenda, please approach any of the two lecterns at this time. Now, please, would you state your first name, your last name, and you may state your address, and especially what item it is that you're speaking about. So once again, if you're here to speak on any morning agenda item, please approach any of the two lecterns, and state your first name, last name; you may state your address, and which item it is that you're speaking about. You're recognized, sir. Donald Worth: Hi. Good morning. My name is -- Chair Hardemon: You have two minutes. Mr. Worth: -- Don Worth. I'm a resident of 1390 Ocean Drive, in Miami Beach, and I'd like to speak in favor of Resolution Number 4, which is Federal Historic Designation for the Miami Marine Stadium. This is a letter from the World Monuments Fund in support of that. I'm not going to take up your time reading it. The World Monuments Fund is no stranger to the Marine Stadium. They named it to their Watch List; one of the few buildings in the United States on their Watch List; the only building by a Cuban architect on their Watch List. They also provided an engineering grant for the stadium. It's all to say, this building is considered internationally significant. This should be an easy decision for you. There are no additional Federal regulations that come with it. Let me repeat that again. No more regulations that come with it. All it means is the building gets a plaque; it makes it more attractive to grants, because it's prestigious; the stadium has gotten some, and it also makes the stadium eligible for financing through Federal historic tax credits. I don't want to oversell that. It depends how the City organizes and structures the transactions, but it's reasonable. And if you make it work, it's worth about $6 million to the project. Finally, just one more request. Please move forward on this project; we're losing time. The City issued a request for operators a year ago. There are at least two organizations that would like to make proposals to operate the Marine Stadium. They're getting a little tired of waiting. They'd like to propose it. I know we've been through a transition and a new Mayor, and I hope we can do it. To me, the operation and the sustainability of the stadium may be the most important things. I think you'll also find it will improve your negotiations with the Village of Key Biscayne, because while they may be comfortable with the boat show, they want to know what happens after that. I think the final thing is that if you don't make this a priority, my concern is that the stadium will drift to the bottom of the pile, things will continue to babble along, and we will lose the window of opportunity that we have. Plus, on a positive note, the stadium's a great place; the sooner it gets done, the sooner we can all go and enjoy it. Thank you. City of Miami Page 3 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Chairman, could I make a quick direction to the Manager based on that comment, please? Mr. Manager, when can we get a presentation at City Commission based on the status of the Marine Stadium renovation? Is that possible later this month or next month? Nzeribe Ihekwaba (Assistant City Manager/Chief of Operations): Yes. Mr. Parjus? Vice Chair Russell: We could do it as a discussion item; that'd be fine. Alberto Parjus: Good morning. Alberto Parjus, Assistant City Manager. Commissioner, we're ready to make a presentation on the next Commission meeting as to where we are. I'm pleased to announce that we reached an agreement with the current architect and engineering firm to continue the process of the production of the drawing necessary for the repair of the stadium. Mayor Francis Suarez: Mr. Chair, if I may? Chair Hardemon: Mr. Mayor. Mayor Suarez: Thank you. I'd like to add to that, if I can, a schedule for when the bond is going to be issued and when -- obviously, an approximate time of when construction will commence on the renovation of the stadium. Mr. Parjus: Will do, Mr. Mayor. Mayor Suarez: And of course, completion. Obviously, commencement and completion are all contingent on the bond and a variety of other factors, some of which are flexible in nature, but at least your best guesstimate. Mr. Parjus: Absolutely. Mayor Suarez: Thankyou. Mr. Parjus: You're welcome. Commissioner Gort: Mr. Chairman. Chair Hardemon: Yes. You're recognized, Commissioner. Commissioner Gort: Also, I'd like to get a report on the RFP (Request for Proposals) that was issued about a year ago for the Manager. Okay? Thanks. Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir. I apologize. Antonio Gonzalez -Sanchez: That's all right. Good morning. My name is Antonio Gonzalez -Sanchez, and I'm the chairman of the board of Senior Citizens Advisory Board for the City of Miami -- well, at least I was until Mayor Suarez became Mayor. So my concern to you today is that we were created as a need to help the senior citizens of the City of Miami, and unfortunately, for whatever reason, there is a lack of quorum. We haven't been able to pass any resolution or bring any advice to you, because like, at this moment, there's only two members. The -- there is a vacant position for District 5. There's a vacant position for District 3, 1. And then, Maria Campos, that used to be one of the members; also, her time expired on November; and just like me, once the Mayor became Mayor, my term also expire. So my concern is that I -- City of Miami Page 4 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Chair Hardemon: Mr. Jones, he --from District 5, he resigned -- right? -- late in the year? Mr. Gonzalez -Sanchez: He resigned. Chair Hardemon: The -- but don't you serve -- Mr. Clerk, doesn't he serve until they're replaced? So I don't want you to think that you (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Commissioner Gort: Yes. Mr. Gonzalez -Sanchez: Yes, I can serve as a replacement, but the thing is like there's -- to meet quorum, we need at least four people to pass anything, and we don't have those people, because most, either their term expire, and then they have no interest in continue, or the Commissioner hasn't name anyone. Chair Hardemon: Okay. Mr. Gonzalez -Sanchez: So my concern is that we have a big amount of senior citizens here in Miami. I know that we are known in the world as the 'party city, " but we can have parties also at nursing homes and retirement communities, so let's take this as an important item, because we haven't been able to advance, because we don't have members or the Commissioners haven't taken the time to name someone from the community that will do that. So I just came today, because regardless, I'm not trying to be nominated again or -- but whoever you want to nominate, do it fast, because I think this is urgent to take care of the senior citizens of Miami, because we are all going to get old. Eventually, you will get old. I -- Commissioner Gort: I am already old. Mr. Gonzalez -Sanchez: You already old, and I -- Commissioner Gort: So I want to see those benefits. Mr. Gonzalez -Sanchez: -- and I'm on the way. So please, nominate someone. And one other thing is like it will be good, the person that you nominate is really interested in helping out, because once again -- I'm a nurse, retired nurse, and I know what it takes to grow old in a city, so please, let's do that. Thank you so much. Commissioner Gort: I'll make my nomination today. Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. Ma'am, you're recognized. Christine Rupp: Happy New Year. Good morning. Christine Rupp, Dade Heritage Trust. I'm here to speak in support of RE4, Federal Designation of the Miami Marine Stadium. Just -- and I want to duplicate Mr. Worth's words, but certainly, Don, Dade Heritage Trust, Friends of Marine Stadium, have been working on the preservation restoration for many years, and this really completes the package on every governmental level. The City of Miami, County, State, Federal, a variety of nonprofit organizations all understand the significance of Marine Stadium. And this really is the next logical step for the City to promote the Marine Stadium and move to recognize it federally. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir. Samuel Latimore: Okay. Good morning. My name is Professor Samuel H. Latimore. I reside at 937 Northwest 55th Street, Miami, Florida. My parents have been a resident of Miami and living in that location since the 1950s. I'm here in City of Miami Page 5 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 support of Resolution Number 8, a resolution of the City of Miami, allocating grant funds to the Liberty City Revitalization Trust for the Youth Employment Program. And I say that with deepest and sincere commitment that there are youngsters in the community that I grew up in that feel disenfranchised and are unable to get jobs. The notion among many people who even look like me, that these kids are lazy, they don't want to work. What I can tell you, after 45 years of working with youngsters in various levels, children want to work. And by granting this grant, you will allow these youngsters to learn some valuable skills that they need to compete in an increasingly competitive environment. So they -- Hadley Park Neighborhood Association, which I am president, wholeheartedly, along -- as well as the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) Program, and some other senior programs that the gentleman alluded to. The last thing I want to say, I want to thank the Commission for last year's support of District 5 projects and programs. Our hearts have -- are going out to you for all of the things you did from the Nancy Dawkins issue to the -- all of the programs, the Veterans Day thing. And we want to let you know we appreciate that. The last thing is our goal this year is to deal with environmental justice, and our notion is to save the children. We're going to go back to a old Marvin Gay song; that we got to do something to save the children. They're not doing it to themselves. We talk about gun violence. As a criminal justice police officer, I know that these children are placed in environments that look ugly. They look like the Vietnam training I received. So we're going to be working on environmental justice. And lastly, my -- the now -City Manager to be, or have already been approved, visited us, and he asked what did we want, and he warned my report by -- he said that "When you schedule to see it through the eyes of a child tour, count me in. " And from that point on, I realized that there was a person that really understood that the way you feel about a community is to see it. So on behalf of our organization, we appreciate and support that resolution. Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. You're recognized. Lissette Martinez: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Lissette Martinez. I'm an attorney at Sterns Weaver Miller, with offices at 150 West Flagler Street. I'm here on behalf of Maria Gralia, who's out on medical leave. We're simply here on behalf of Flagstone Limited Island Gardens to preserve the limited objection for future transfer of land to the Museum of Children, only to the extent that it -- that the transfer will interfere with Flagstone's leasehold interest or easement rights. We're not hereto ask for anything differently. We're just hereto preserve our objection on record. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, ma'am. Qiana Mays: Good morning. My name is Qiana Mays. I'm a homeowner in West Grove. My address is 3797 Frow Avenue. What I'm bringing here, I don't think -- it's not on agenda. I was unaware how it worked, but I needed to get attention. I purchased my home a year ago for $185,000; it's now worth 231, 000, within a year. A friend of mines purchase hers for the same price; it's now worth 350, 000. The problem is our taxes. Our homes have now become within the last -- you know, unaffordable for us, for new homeowners. I have contacted your office, Mr. Russell. I have contacted property appraisals [sic]. I have contacted affordable homes. I have contacted a bank. I had did everything, tried to figure out how come when we bought our homes, we're not advised that living in West Grove that our taxes will be so high. Me being a young person, owning a home, my taxes are now $4,600; her taxes are $7,000. There's noway we can afford what our now mortgage rate will be, starting in February. No one seems to be listening. Everyone is saying that they -- I'm assuming, when they put the houses in Coconut Grove, they never thought of the taxes being so high; that how it will remain affordable. So I'm trying to figure out where do I go and what do we do so this problem won't continue to happen? And City of Miami Page 6 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 from my understanding, there will be 21 more houses built in West Grove, particularly. We all are going to have the same problems, because you have to meet a certain income restriction to receive these homes. So once we receive these homes, (UNINTELLIGIBLE), you give us the homes that we can afford, but then a year or two later, the taxes are extremely high; we no longer can afford the homes. And we can sell the homes and make money of it, but where are we going to buy the home for the difference of the money? And we still have to sell it to someone who within the same economic restrictions that we have. So that was my only concern, and wondering who I can go to and who can assist us with this problem. Vice Chair Russell: My office will continue to talk to you about this -- Ms. Mays: Okay. Vice Chair Russell: -- Qiana. It's very important to know that what we're trying to do as investment does come in is not just make a profit, but to make a home. It's very important to recognize that these aren't just financial investments or speculative investments; these are where people want to live, and we want to make sure that when people want to live there that they can. We've been trying to explore various opportunities that we've seen other cities do, such as Philadelphia, where they've been able to cap the real estate taxes in order to preserve communities. So far, legally, we have not found a way to do that in this case at the moment, but we do have an item on this agenda today which I do believe could provide relief and future support and subsidy for local residents who are trying to stay in the community. So let's stay in touch. Ms. Mays: Okay. Will it be something --? You know, time is of essence, but we're under time crunch here. So when you said you're working on it, is that working on it a year from now when we default on our homes, that we -- you know, what's the agenda on how quick it's going to get done? Because we don't have time. I've been working on this since October -- Vice Chair Russell: Yeah. Ms. Mays: --and been passed around and passed around and passed around. Vice Chair Russell: So you're not homesteaded yet on yours? Ms. Mays: Yes, I have my homestead addition [sic]. Vice Chair Russell: You are. Ms. Mays: It's the first thing -- it's -- with my homestead addition [sic], it's still unaffordable. My tax is at 4,600, and this is within a year. Vice Chair Russell: Is it the annual increase? Because that's capped once you're homesteaded, you're okay -- it's that the total amount is just too high is what you're saying? Ms. Mays: Because the -- in West Grove is that we're still a part of the Grove, so our property -- it's good that our property values are going up, but if the purpose of this program was to keep people like me, who was born and raised in the Grove, to stay in the Grove -- and not only just stay in the Grove, but to become homeowners -- if we're going to be -- Chair Hardemon: Well, what program are you speaking or City of Miami Page 7 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Gort: What (UNINTELLIGIBLE)? Ms. Mays: Neighborhood Housing. It's through the City of Miami. Miami -Dade has a similar program with a restricted covenant; however -- Chair Hardemon: So is it like a -- Ms. Mays: -- the City of Miami doesn't offer it. Chair Hardemon: -- it's an affordable housing program -- Ms. Mays: Yes. Chair Hardemon: -- so you buy (UNINTELLIGIBLE)? Commissioner Gort: You can -- Ms. Mays: Yeah. Commissioner Gort: -- ask for an extension and stuff like that. I mean -- Ms. Mays: Right. Chair Hardemon: Right. So your taxes are set at the price that you bought your -- Ms. Mays: The value of my home. Chair Hardemon: --that you --no --purchased it for, your initial purchased price -- Ms. Mays: No. My taxes -- Chair Hardemon: -- the assessed value. Ms. Mays: -- are based on -- Chair Hardemon: And it's capped -- Ms. Mays: No. It's based -- Chair Hardemon: -- as it grows. Ms. Mays: -- on the value of my home. When I purchased my home for 185, my tax was about 2,200. It's been -- and September made a year for me, so this is completely new for me, being clueless. My taxes are now $4,600. Chair Hardemon: That may -- it may end up being a mistake, so I want you to see that young man, also, in the gray suit, because, you know, you can file --protest, if you will -- Commissioner Gort: Yeah. Ms. Mays: Which is whatl'm in -- Chair Hardemon: -- with the property appraiser. City of Miami Page 8 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Ms. Mays: Right. That's what I'm in the process of doing, but I have come -- even before coming here, I have spoken to the Property Appraiser's Ojfice since October, and they're telling me there's nothing I can do. The -- Chair Hardemon: That's not true. There's always something you can do, you know. Because -- I mean, there are attorneys who focus specifically on issues like yours, so -- You want to add something as well? George Mensah (Director, Community and Economic Development): Yes. Chair Hardemon: Okay. Mr. Mensah: George Mensah, director of Community and Economic Development. This issue has been brought to our attention. It's an issue that we faced from the last 10 years, since we build single-family homes; and that is, after we build the single- family homes, we sell it at below market price. And what happens is that the Property Appraiser's Office use the market rate of the property to be able to tax them. What we've been able to do in the past is that we had an agreement to the Property Appraiser's Office that if we put a covenant on the property, then they're able to use the value -- the sales price to be able to do that. So what we are doing is that we will be talking to the Property Appraiser's Office, and we'll have to get her permission to put a covenant on the property, which means that she cannot sell it for the next few years, so that we'll be able to get her taxes lowered, and that's what we're working on. Ms. Mays: I'm aware of that. I have the restrictive covenant. However, the City of Miami has no record. I have documents signed saying that there was a record of the covenant when the covenant wasfiled; however, I haven't [sic] not found it. The title company has not found it. Chair Hardemon: All right. Well, let's do this. We can't solve your problem in front of everyone. Ms. Mays: No. Chair Hardemon: No, no. I'm just saying, you know, we have to move through our public comment, but make sure you link up with the Commissioner's office -- Commissioner Gort: Yeah. Chair Hardemon: -- and our Administration, and we'll help you with this. It's important -- I understand --for all of us to understand the sort of investment that's necessary when buying a home. So we want to make sure that we solve this so we won't have this problem replicated over and over again. Okay? Ms. Mays: Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you. Commissioner Gort: Its part of the special program, they got to have some (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- Chair Hardemon: Yeah. Commissioner Gort: -- some exemptions, I'm sure. Chair Hardemon: Okay. You're recognized, sir. City of Miami Page 9 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 J.S. Rashid: Good morning. Happy New Year. Welcome, new Commissioners and our veterans. IfI may, as two items; briefly on one. I think it's RE. 1, the designee of the new City Manager, Emilio Gonzalez. I had an opportunity to meet him. He has hit the ground running. It's unprecedented that we've had a City Manager to be so expansive --a prospective City Manager --and I'm duly impressed. And on behalf of the community, I urge that you seat him today. The other item -- and I'm sorry; I think I should mention, my name is J.S. Rashid. I'm president of the Coconut Grove Homeowners and Tenants Association, at 3628 Grand Avenue. The other item here is the RE.3. This item is of immense importance to this community. I've labored here over 30 years, and there has never been a greater crisis with the continued tenure of this community; and with respect to affordable housing, there's a lot of efforts being made. And I understand, unfortunately, that there are some concerns about passing the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), and this message is to the fellow Commissioners. And I'm going to poll each of you and ask that -- one, about your concerns. I heard about legality. And two, is it something appropriate for this area? We can learn from the mistakes that have been made from other CRAB, and further, craft something that fits us. We also can pass this measure and meet the legal challenges, if they are raised. And thirdly, what is important is that the urgency, the urgency. We have a scourge, a tsunami of gentrification that we don't have a lot of time to figure something else out. We have something that has all the elements that we need to revitalize the Coconut Grove Village West community and work with its citizenry. And I definitely believe in government for the people, by the people. And this day, this January 11 day, you will find that you never had as much unanimous support from this community on one issue, and I'll be surprised that we have one dissenting vote. So this community is urging you and asking you as people -- government for the people, by the people, is asking that government to accede to our request, and I will even say demands, because, unless each of you -- if you have something today, Commissioner Reyes, Commissioner Hardemon, tell me about it. I believe Commissioner Russell has something. Commissioner Gort, we've been in the trenches a long time; you know me, and I've been here. I've never been more passionate about any issue that -- when I'm standing here at this dais. This community needs this, and I'm sure that everybody that follows will urge you to strong support. We don't have another minute, another day to delay this. So today, this day, I'm asking you to pass this measure, RE.3. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, ma'am. Linda Williams: Good morning. I'm Linda Williams. I live at 3523 Charles Avenue, here in Coconut Grove. I am speaking to you all today as a resident. While I sit on many panels, various community organizations, I was born and reared here, and I'm speaking to you today with that regard. For more than 50 years, we've had surveys, we've had workshops, we've had charrettes. What happened to the data? The same cry, the same request is being asked. We need housing. We need jobs. We need infrastructure. We need training. Nothing much has changed. The Omni CRA expansion into Village West will be a tremendous help to this community. We've been hearing for more than 50 years, "There are not enough funds. We can't do it. We don't know how. We don't know where. " This is an opportunity to fund various projects that will help older citizens, like myself, maintain our homes, upgrade, and possibly build affordable housing so residents of this community can stay here. This is all that we're asking. We don't want to hear, It can't be done. " We want to hear what can be done. The CRA expansion helped with the Art Center and the Port Tunnel; why can it not help Village West? Commissioners, the Village West community is requesting your support. This is an opportunity to provide that support, and we depend on it. Thank you for your time. Chair Hardemon: Thank you. You're recognized, sir. City of Miami Page 10 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Thaddeus Scott: Yes. Thank you. My name is Thaddeus Scott. I'm a resident at 3794 Florida Avenue, in Coconut Grove. I want to comment on a item -- agenda item RE.3, the possible expansion of the CRA to Village West. We stand in support -- I stand in support of it, because I've lived in Coconut Grove my whole life. I've seen Village West as a vibrant community, and now I see it as a community that's devastated by non -obtainable housing, first of all, for the long-time residents of, and the -- I don't want to put a negative tone on anything or anybody, but let's just be blunt here today. I've seen the gentrification come, and the re -segregation starting all over again. I believe that one way to combat that is through this CRA being expanded to the Grove, where even the lowest of income people will have a level playing field, or somewhat of a level playing field that some high-end developer who comes and buys a property and does whatever he or she -- money allows them to do. The point -- the part that has been dysfunctional in Village West is that the people who have always been long-time residences [sic] haven't been able to sustain, haven't been able to hold on; haven't been able to tell this developer, as he or she comes with all of this money to purchase, "no, " even though they want to remain there. You know, the money is just too great for them not to. The CRA, I believe, will allow that homeowner, that tenant to remain in a safe environment, in a community that they've known their whole lives, and not be displaced. I think it stops that. I think it halts that. I think it combats that, you know. And I just want to encourage you guys to, please, just hear us today. Just hear us today with an open mind, an open heart. You know, just hear our cry today. Thank you very much. Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. You're recognized, ma'am. Dorothy Wallace: Good morning. I'm Dorothy Wallace, and I reside at 12605 Southwest 93rd Avenue, but I am represented and property owner at 3680 Grand Avenue; and also, my daughter, Doris Denise, lives on Frow Avenue and Elizabeth. We are in support of the -- this R3 [sic] Omni CRA expansion into West Grove, but we have, as you have already heard stated by others, the need that is there, but not only the need, but the growth and the revitalization of this community. Now, I have been a citizen of Coconut Grove since 1951, which means I have seen the growth of the Grove, and I've also seen it diminished, but more than that, I am a member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, which is the oldest church in Miami -Dade County, and represents the community well, and has represented it. So you can see that we are really concerned; the Wallace family really concerned about the Grove being vitalized, because we own the Ace Theater, which has been placed on the National Register. There's much that can be done in Coconut Grove with additional funding and support; and so, the Wallace family supports the expansion of the Omni CRA into the Grove. Thank you. And I have letters of support from my daughter; we'd like to distribute to each of you. And my daughter is Attorney Doris Denise Wallace. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Ms. Wallace: Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Can you give it to the Clerk, the gentleman with the gray suit. Ms. Wallace: Thank you. Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, ma'am. Kristin Hart: Good morning. My name is Kristin Hart. I'm at 3334 Charles Avenue. And as a member of the West Grove, I just wanted to show my support for City of Miami Page 11 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 RE.3, the expansion of the CRA. I think people have said it better than I could, so just wanted to show my support. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you. Sir, you're recognized. Hank Sanchez -Resnik: Good morning. I'm Hank Sanchez -Resnik, resident; 3259 Gifford Lane, Coconut Grove. I'm also a member of the Coconut Grove Village Council, and I'm here to speak on behalf of the entire Village Council. We have adopted a resolution supporting the item RE.3, and we had to do it without a meeting, which required a unanimous vote. So we unanimously support passage of RE.3, your acceptance of that resolution. We're deeply concerned about Village West and its future. We're completely committed to working to improve Village West and maintain affordable housing and amenities in our community, and make it a community that everybody can be proud of, and where people who want to live there can afford to live there. So I will be -- I'll give the resolution to the Clerk, and urge you to pass your resolution supporting the expansion of the Omni CRA. Thank you. Hannah Curry: Good morning. My name is Hannah Curry. I live at 117 Frow Avenue. And as a resident of the West Grove, I am here today in support of RE.3, and ask that you would approve the expansion of the Omni CRA, as has already been discussed. As a proponent of low-income and extremely low-income housing in our neighborhood, I think this could be a great opportunity for revitalization in a way that our community, the residents of the West Grove, actually want to see happen. So thank you so much. Reynold Martin: Good morning. I'm Reynold Martin. I'm a property owner at 3325 Percival Avenue. I'm hereto speak in favor of RE.3. My family has been apart of the Grove since the late 19 -- 1800s, and we've seen a great change in the Grove. When I was coming up, the Grove was so -- Can you hear me? Vice Chair Russell: Pull the mike up. Mr. Martin: Can you hear me now? All right. -- the Grove was so dense with people of color that there were two elementary schools that were filled. Now we barely have 200 students from our community that go to the Ponce De Leon Middle School. Our community has been decimated. If ever there was needed a Finding of Necessity, that Finding of Necessity needs to be done today so that we can move forward with this Omni extension to West Grove. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, ma'am. Andrea Honore: Good morning. My name is Andrea Honore, and I live at 3249 William Avenue, in Coconut Grove. I come to you this morning as a resident of the Grove, as a descendent of Bahamian settlers from the 1800s that moved here from the Grove, that has been part of the whole development. And I also come here as the representative of the Historic Christ Episcopal Church in Coconut Grove, which I'm sure you're aware of its support in grounding -- in the building up of Coconut Grove. So I'm here to support the CR -- the R3 [sic] and the -- to support this project with the Omni extension. On behalf of our priest, he will be sending a letter of support. He couldn't be here today, because he's at a clergy retreat. But I just wanted to come and bring our support, and as the community has said, for all the vital reasons that we know to revitalize our community and the needs in the community. Thank you very much. Chair Hardemon: Thank you, ma'am. Sir, you're recognized. City of Miami Page 12 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Anthony Witherspoon: Good morning. Happy belated New Year to you as -- to all. My name is Anthony Witherspoon. I reside at 3629 Grand Avenue. Like many of the residents that have spoken before me, I also grew up in Coconut Grove, within the Francis S. Tucker Elementary School, George Washington Carver; went to Coral Gables High School; like many of the young people, left, went to college to Atlanta, and I've decided to return to my beloved Coconut Grove; sold my home in Atlanta, and I'm back here, working with several of the community residents, establishing nonprofit organizations, working with youth in the community; also working to develop small business, workforce development programs that would improve the economic and affordable opportunity housing for residents of Coconut Grove. I'm here today in support of the RE. 3, CRA expansion funding, and I hope that you all will do the same. However, without the incentive dollars that the CRA expansion funding will provide, the opportunity would not come a reality, see the West Grove revitalization take place. I strongly recommend the CommissionerBoard to approve the funding of the RE.3 of CRA dollars, appropriation for the West Grove. Thank you very much. Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. You're recognized, ma'am. Mary Colzie: Good morning. My name is Mary Colzie. I am a resident of the West Grove. My parents resided in the Grove for 65 years, East and West Grove. So I'm here representing my family, which is the Colzie family. And I am for the expansion for the CRA and for the Village West, because it will bring money to the community. It will also help those that are very much in needed [sic] of these funds. Please take this expansion seriously and into consideration. Thankyou. Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir. Anthony Dawkins: Good morning. Chair Hardemon: Good morning. Mr. Dawkins: Happy New Year. Pastor Anthony Dawkins, Project Hope Outreach Ministries/Strategies for Funding. I also just want to say --because we're not going to take all the minutes -- but Kevin Willis, will you please stand? Kirk and Vince are part of our team in support of R3 [sic], the Omni Expansion Advisory Board. I also want to say that -- and I'm sure everybody else who is here in support of this, it'll be a great time to stand and just know that our presence is here if we're supporting this and if you're not going to speak. But Commissioner Russell, Mr. Mayor, Commissioners, Commissioner Hardemon, want to say to you that this is a great opportunity, a great opportunity -- Commissioner Gort, go ways back -- to really change what's going on in the West Grove and really address not only just the housing, but the job training, the youth, the education components, the sports component, things that really needs to happen in the West Grove. I think today, you cannot allow this opportunity to go -- pass. You need to address this today. You need to move it forward. It will show that you are true champions of this community and true supporters of what needs to be done in the West Grove. So I urge you today. I call on you to stand up and do the right thing; support the CRA expansion. We're in total support of this. We will not let you down as a community. We will stand behind you and support it. We urge you and ask you today. Thank you very much for it. I know it will get done. John Chambers: My name is John H. Chambers. I reside at 3642 Thomas Avenue. I'm the president of the Coconut Grove Ministerial Alliance, and the senior pastor of Believers of Authority Ministry. As I look over what's really going on, what time it really is, as you can see, there's a lot of things happening in the government, even in the churches, of things that were wrong that's now being exposed. I ran across a City of Miami Page 13 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 map that showed that back during another tenure, there was a collaboration to exclude West Grove for monies. It was all areas in the Grove, except the West Grove. That was wrong, in my eyesight. I believe that we're in a dispensation of time now where we can right the wrong from yesterday, and do what's needed to be done for tomorrow. We are unanimously for the CRA being passed, for the Omni to be apart -- West Grove, rather -- to be apart of the Omni, but above everything, I look at prophetic signs, and we now have a Commissioner in our district that is listening to the people and pushing for what we want. For so many years in time past, it's -- "I'll give you this and you take this, and that's okay." We're now in a place where I believe that the people should be heard. And as you can see in this audience, we are totally for the Omni CRA being expanded to West Grove. So I ask you, I beseech you to pass this for the Omni CRA to be apart of West Grove. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, ma'am. Barbara Mills: Good morning. My name is Barbara Mills, business owner, 3743 Grand Avenue, in West Grove; residence, 3637 Florida Avenue, in West Grove, which is a family home. I am here in support of the CRA expansion to West Grove for various reasons. The Grove need plenty -- not just a little, but a lot of help. Now, I'm here to speak not only for the living, but for the dead. My grandparents came here -- James Cecil Rolle and Marian Rolle -- and they helped build West Grove. I'm also speaking on their behalf. They had 12 children. So from generation to generation, my mother still lives, at 90 years old. She, too -- okay? -- blood, sweat, and tears, helped build West Grove. We are a very well-known family in the Grove. We are the Rolle, R -O -L -L -E, family. Chair Hardemon: Now, they -- Ms. Mills: Many last names have changed because of marriages, but I am one of the original Rolles from my mom, with my grandparents coming from the Bahamas. Now, I have a list here of at least a hundred, if not more, names that I am speaking for, living or dead. The ones that are living -- if you want to randomly pick one of the names and call and speak, I'll give you the number -- that they also support, but they are not able to attend a 9 o'clock morning meeting. So I am here again to say that we all, the Rolle family, for our neighbors, for our friends, for the entire community, is in support of the CRA being expanded to the West Grove, because it is desperately needed for many, many, many reasons. So I thank you for listening to me. If you have any questions, my phone number is on here. You may -- and you have the privilege of calling me. It's my business number. I don't give out my personal number, unless you approach me personally, one on one. So I would like to pass this on to the Clerk, and thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much, ma'am. You're recognized, sir. Gordon Fales: Good morning, and Happy New Year. My name is Gordon Fales. I'm a member of Plymouth Congregational Church, at 3400 Devon Road, in the Grove. I represent my church in the Ministerial Alliance and also in the Ecumenical Network. The network is comprised of schools, churches, and social service organizations, and each year we have a memorial church service in recognition of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King. As a matter of fact, this year's will be on this coming Sunday, the 14th, at 3p.m., at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, and you're all invited. In addition to honoring Dr. King, we often find a local person that lives and works in the light of Dr. King's principles, and this year we will be recognizing pastor emeritus, Rudolph Daniels, and his wife, from Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, and that's also where the service will be. I also serve on, as I mentioned to you before, the Coconut Grove CDC (Collaborative City of Miami Page 14 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Development Corporation) Board and the Thelma Gibson Health Initiative Board, and on the Virrick Park Committee. So I've spent time around and in the Grove, and working particularly with Commissioner Russell and his staff. And my statement to you this morning is then that a well-run CRA, focused on the real needs of rehabilitating an impoverished historical neighborhood will be a major improvement, looking throughout the City of Miami, Miami -Dade County, and beyond. Affordable housing, job training, and jobs are the major pieces of what this particular neighborhood truly needs, and that working together with a strong existing CRA partner will be the most effective way to move forward in a positive manner. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. You're recognized, sir. Jeff Berkowitz: Mr. Mayor, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Vice Chairman, and honorable members of the Commission. My name is Jeff Berkowitz, with offices at 2665 South Bayshore Drive. I am the chairman of the Miami Children's Museum, and I am speaking on behalf of and in favor ofRE2. I have been involved with the Children's Museum since its founding, almost 30 years ago, and I'm passionate about the museum, which is a jewel which very well represents the City of Miami. The Children's Museum is located on land leased from MSEA (Miami Sports & Exhibition Authority). We have a 56,000 -square foot, $25 million facility that we have built with money raised by the Children's Museum. That building belongs to the City of Miami. There is a 25,000 -square -foot parcel adjacent to the Children's Museum, which is a poorly maintained landscape area that we are asking for permission to absorb into the Children's Museum. We would do so without the intention of expanding the charter school. There have been some questions raised by some adjacent property owners, like Flagship -- Flagstone -- I'm sorry -- as to whether we are encroaching somehow on easements that were previously granted to them. We have had surveys performed by Flagstone's own surveyor, and have demonstrated and are prepared to demonstrate that we do not encroach on any of the easements owned by any of the stakeholders on Watson Island. We opened in 2003. We're one of 10 largest Children's Museums in the country; and I would maintain, if not the best, certainly one of the best in the United States. Since opening, 6 million people have visited the Miami Children's Museum. We average about 430,000 visitors a year. City of Miami residents are entitled to 50 percent off our base admission cost, and about 15 percent of our visitors are from -- within the City of Miami. The new building that we are proposing on the adjacent land will be for early childhood development, among other uses, and that building, too, will be built with funds generated by the Miami Children's Museum and, ultimately, will belong to the City of Miami. City of Miami receives a guaranteed payment of $126,000 a year out of our billboard income. We have agreed and do provide 75,000 in free or subsidized programming every year. We provide free admission scholarships to more than 42,000 children, valued at $300,000 annually. And I would urge the Commission to support the annexation of this 26, 000 -- slightly over half -acre parcel --for use by the Children's Museum, coterminous with our existing lease, and we will continue to make the City ofMiami proud to have the Children's Museum as one of its highlighted starlight tenants. Thankyou. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Mr. Berkowitz: Thank you for your consideration. Chair Hardemon: Ma'am, you're recognized. Renita Samuels -Dixon: Good morning. Vice Chair Russell: Good morning. City of Miami Page 15 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Ms. Samuels -Dixon: My name is Renita R. Samuels -Dixon. I'm here representing the Ross, Jackson, Samuel -Dixon families, along with Greater St. Paul AME (American Methodist Episcopal) Church. Our congregation asks for your continued support and adoption of RE.3, which you, the sitting Commissioners, which are all members of the board, are asked to accept the findings of the fund to include West Coconut Grove, which is in District 2; I have six reasons why you should. The (UNINTELLIGIBLE) report thoroughly substantiates what's -- visually has been apparent for over 30 years. Many of our children and family members now live in a slum -infested and blighted community. Two, the City of Miami, through nonfinancial support, has systemically [sic] continued the same blatant economic racist tactics, implemented through annexation since 1925. Three, West Grove, known to many of us as "The Grove, " was built by African American and Bahamian Americans, whose ancestors, such as my grandparents, Melvin and Hattie R. Jackson, fought alongside father and Mrs. Gibson, along with Jacob, Solomon Sanders, and Mr. Higgs, and many others, to eradicate the slum conditions and its black residents endured in 1925. Four, we want to become a more wholesome, healthy, 2020 neighborhood; vibrant, supported by the independent, locally -owned businesses, which, according to the American Independent Business Alliance Multiplier Effect Report, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) circulates a great percentage of revenue locally than absent -owned businesses. We want to reestablish a self- sustaining community to create more local wealth and stable jobs. Five, you might remember, the Village Council was established because the Coconut Grove community paid taxes without representation. We want some of our property taxes allocated to TIF (Tax Increment Fund), tax increment financing, in efforts to support taxation with representation. And six, the Coconut Grove targeted urban areas score card, a socioeconomic conditions report, on Miami -Dade County Commissioner's voters, located and targeted urban areas are also validated in the Finding of Necessity analysis, which was funded by the City of Miami tax dollars, approved by many of you on the dais today, and for which the Commission is here to vote on today. The Finding of Necessity proves the Grove has reverted to 1925. Lastly, in summary, as you have read the facts of your investment, as our representatives, seen with your own eyes, touring West Coconut Grove, and heard verifications by many of us in attendance today, we ask for you the pass the Omni CRA expansion. Please do not do what was done in 1925. Lastly, even though there are parts of the plan to develop the Housing Authority for the City of Miami, doing so should not impede West Coconut Grove's development. Please abide by the wishes of our community and vote in favor of the Omni expansion to West Coconut Grove. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much, ma'am. Ma'am, you're recognized. Ruth Ewing: Thank you. Good morning. My name is Ruth Ewing, 3620 Percival Avenue. Good morning, Mr. Commissioner, Chair, Vice Chair, and the Mayor. I'm a descendant of Bahamian settlers in West Coconut Grove. And first, I would like to thank Commissioner Russell for working diligently for his constituents, especially within West Grove, which was determined to be a blighted area during the Finding of Necessity Study. The Omni CRA expansion has potential to bring cash flow into the West Grove to increase affordable housing, infrastructure improvements, especially in the face of sea level rise. And I encourage the continued education and engagement of residents of all Coconut Grove and West Grove with respect to the Omni CRA in its future and its development. I'm in support of all efforts in regards to this, but I caution, and I would like to encourage continued -- assuming this resolution is passed -- mechanisms for community involvement in the funding application so that it includes to preserve the historic character and secure the future of the residents of West Grove. Thank you. City of Miami Page 16 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Cornelia Dozier: Good morning, and Happy New Year to everyone. My name is Corky Dozier. I am soon to celebrate 50 years in the arts. And around me, I see many people, but I feel that in my years, I certainly have trail blazed and worked American unity to realize the importance of the arts and how -- if you actually recognize throughout the nation that art and culture have become those tools for urban revitalization. I'm here to support the CRA initiative. I'm here to support it, because the CRA initiative -- and as I served on the Performing Arts Trust for 20 years, creating the Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, and many communities -- expanding into communities to bring our theaters and our arts facilities, integrating the Coconut Grove Playhouse, creating the Coconut Grove Children's Theater that celebrated just this year 40 years of teaching all art disciplines to young people; creating educational opportunities in Dade County Public Schools; creating the Payback Program, the predecessor of the New World School of the Arts. The Omni district is art, culture, sports, entertainment, and history. Its beginnings began in Coconut Grove. The Bahamian and African-American people that represent the West Grove built Miami. There is nothing that you see from Vizcaya, where 1,200 individuals -- artisans, craftsmen -- built that venue. As you see the coral rock along those streets, as you see the green of our community, that is the impact and the contributions of people of black -- of African descent. As a part of this community, we should be a part of the One Grove experience, One Grove; One Grove that represents art and cultural, where people from all over the world came at one time; One Grove, where people would come to West Grove for entertainment and night -life experiences, for great food, all kinds of experiences; film, television. All of that was done in that community. It can happen again. With your support, urban revitalization can happen, social change can happen. We can't build an East Grove and an underdevelop West Grove. Chair Hardemon: Thank you, ma'am. Ms. Dozier: Social change is important. Our lives are important. As they say in the Bahamas, "All of we is one family. " Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. You're recognized, sir. Nathan Kurland: Happy New Year, Commissioners, ladies and gentlemen in the audience. Just prior to the Christmas vacation, I had carpal tunnel surgery, and I woke up in recovery and told the nurse that I was highly offended by the doctor's use of a four-letter word during surgery. And she said, "What word was that?" And I said, "Oops. " I'm here to hopefully help you avoid using that word, "oops. " I'm here to speak about RE. 2, Children's Museum. In all respect to Mr. Berkowitz, I'm not here to speak against the expansion of the Children's Museum. What I am here to hopefully do is to request that you defer this item until we know whether or not there truly are easements that are affected by this expansion. As you know, Commissioner Hardemon, and you know, Commissioner Gort, serving on the MSEA Board as do I, that there is a certified letter that was delivered to each and every one of us regarding whether or not that second emergency exit from the heliport and from the Chalks Seaplane Base would be affected by this expansion. Until we have a final word by our Planning & Zoning Board and by our City Attorney, I believe, truly, that this item should be deferred until we know for sure whether or not this expansion does affect. MSEA Board has been in quicksand for many years; I don't intend to see it get into even more. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thankyou, sir. You're recognized, ma'am. Wilifred Allen-Faiella: Good morning, and Happy New Year. My name is the Reverend Wili Allen-Faiella. I am the rector of St. Stevens Episcopal Church, 2750 McFarlane Road. We are the junior Episcopal Church in the Grove, being preceded City of Miami Page 17 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 by 10 years by Christ Church, which came before us. I'm here to speak in favor of the CRA Omni expansion. And I'm here, also, to ask a question of when do we say, "enough"? When do we say, "Enough of taking historic neighborhoods and trashing them and turning them into bright shiny objects, destroying the history that was there"? When do we say, "No more Liberty Cities; no more Overtowns"? When do we say, "We're recognizing the oldest neighborhood in Miami -Dade, and we're going to value it and we're going to build it up and we're going to treasure it, and we're not going to turn it into the next place of McMansions and condominiums"? We have enough of those. Every time I drive through Overtown and see new apartments going up, I say, "So where did the people who live there go? Where are they now?" Let's not ask that question about the West Grove, which is a treasure to us. And you, Commissioners, have the opportunity to do the right thing and preserve and build and regenerate this historic neighborhood. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir. Gary Reshefsky: Mr. Chairman, members of the Commission, Mr. Mayor, my name is Gary Reshefsky. I serve as the president of the Miami Children's Museum. I'm here along with Jeff Berkowitz today, as well as our CEO (Chief Executive Officer). I'm not going to take up too much of your time, but I would like to just add a couple of comments, in addition to the ones that Mr. Berkowitz already made. We are working closely with the City to address any issues, but we want to make it clear that if the City choose to move forward today, we want to take this expansion to the voters in the form of a referendum. That is the will of our -- of the Museum. We serve in a -- we believe we serve in an excellent function in the City of Miami, and that the community values us, and we are very proud to go before the voters for this annexation. And I'll just add one other comment, and that is that we, as Mr. Berkowitz said, commissioned a survey just recently, looked at all the easements, we've contacted all of our neighbors; and we will continue to work with our neighbors and the Administration, should any issues come up in the future. But we're looking to get this process moving forward so that we can take care of this beautiful piece of the City of Miami and make it a shining entrance that it should be. Thank you very much. Chair Hardemon: Thank you. You're recognized, sir. Henry Givens: Good morning. My name is Henry Givens. I'm one of the ones that was born in Princeton. My grandfather and grandmother came to Miami -Dade County in 1926, and settled in South Dade County, and were the founders of the first colored Baptist church of Princeton, but I still am a Dade Countian, a product of its public schools. As I look around in this room, I see our new Mayor, Francis Suarez, whose father was carrying him around in Overtown when Jackie Bell and AnnMarie Aker (phonetic) and a few others were discussing the development of Overtown. And it does my heart good to see him here in this position to help make a change where change is needed. I'm president of Grovites United to Survive, a for-profit corporation that was formed nearly 30 years ago, or maybe 30 years ago, at the request of the City of Miami's Mayor, who then was Maurice Ferre. We purchased two properties on the corner of Grand and Douglas; one on the northeast corner and one on the southeast corner. And our plans was to do a development, similar to what happened at Cocowalk, where you would have all types of stalls and shops, where people would have an opportunity to go and experience part of an island life while living here in Miami -Dade County. I think Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Gort were either on the City of Miami Commission at that time or came somewhat later. But I'm here to encourage you to support any efforts that would bring about some change in that community. Our corporation of 20 people, you will not find a more credible group of individuals than you will find in Grovites United to Survive; one being Dr. Dazelle Simpson, the first African-American City of Miami Page 18 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 licensed pediatrician in the State of Florida; the other, her husband, George Simpson, who is a retired medical doctor; Mrs. Thelma Gibson, who has served on this Commission. You go on and on through the 20 individuals, and you will not find a more credible group. And I want to leave you with this: We owed the City of Miami $250, 000. They demanded payment of that money. Our board instructed me to go the Coconut Grove Bank and get the $250,000 and pay them, and we paid them. I was in a meeting a few weeks ago with the head of the Housing Department for Miami -Dade County. When I told him that, he said, "Y'all paid them back?" I said, "Every penny. " He said, "Well, you're probably the only organization in this community that has paid back its CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) dollars. " That's the kind of credibility exists within the 20 members of Grovites United to Survive. I certainly would hope that you would see in your hearts and in your minds to help carry this community to its next step by supporting this CRA concept. I thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much, sir. Before we move on to the next comment, I'd like all of you here to give an -- I will say, an uncustomary round of applause for two individuals that are with us today -- one was mentioned just previously -- two of our former Commissioners, Ms. Thelma Gibson and Mr. -- Reverend Dunn. So both of them are here. Please. (Applause) Vice Chair Russell: Where's Thelma? There she is. Thelma Gibson: Let me say good morning to you and good morning to all the people here, and Happy New Year. Mr. Chairman, may I take a moment of personal privilege? First of all, I'm Thelma Anderson Gibson, and I reside at 3661 Franklin Avenue, born in Coconut Grove back in December of 1926 And I want to take a moment just to congratulate our two newest members, the Commission. For those of you who may not know, it was then `Mayor" Joe Carollo, who decided back in 1997, when there was a vacancy on the Commission, that I should serve in that spot for a few months. And it was he who -- Commissioner Gort was here at the time. This goes back 20 years ago. And he was our Mayor, and he decided that I was the person. And everybody voted for me, except one person. And he had to go to that person and say, "Oh, no. We've got to make this a unanimous vote. " And so, I want to congratulate you for coming back to our City and being the kind of a person that I know you're going to be in helping this City. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for giving me that opportunity. But I'm here in support of this item that everybody's been talking about, and it's so important that we have this. Because I have to have you know that I have always said that the only thing I wanted to be known for is to be able to leave here knowing that this is a better place than the place that I came to when I was a child. All of my childhood was spent at 3382 Charles Avenue, and I tell you, we had no running water, we had to go outside to the bathroom, and we had no electricity. And in 1945, when Theodore Gibson came to Miami, I was a student at nursing school up in Raleigh, North Carolina; did not know him, but he came to our church as the minister, and he decided to speak to a group and tell them about the slum clearance -- the slums that were in Coconut Grove. And a woman sat there by the name of Elizabeth Virrick -- and many of you may remember that -- and she said, "Father, I want to help. " And they came before this City and got resolutions passed that everybody would have running water and everybody would have -- we got street lights in Coconut Grove, y'all. For those who do not know the Coconut Grove, it was founded by Bahamians, that you've heard before. And my grandfather came in 1887, and one of those who lived at 3326 Charles Avenue. And I like to tell this bit of history, because so many new people don't realize what we've gone through in this town. And so, when I say to you how important it is that we support this item that we're listening to today, I think that we have to commend City of Miami Page 19 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Russell, our Commissioner for District 2, who brought this to our attention, that we could do this. And so, knowing that Commissioner Gort has always helped us, all of our things, and Commissioner Hardemon, as well as Commissioner Carollo, and I hope Commissioner Reyes, we would have you know that all we want is a chance to be like everybody else; to redevelop our area. I saw what happened in Overtown. I saw what happened in Liberty City. And I saw what happened when people are able to use these funds, and so it's very important for us and our community to have same kind of -- And I can't thank you all enough in advance for all that you've done for us, and congratulate all of you for all that you will continue to do for us. And, of course, I have to congratulate our new Mayor, Mr. Mayor. I see him sitting there. And before, when I was on the Commission, the Mayor was a part of the voting body, and everybody voted for the whole City of Miami. And so, I'm hoping this is what will happen at this time. I have you know that Thelma Gibson Health Initiatives have founded, because we want to do same kinds of things that we have been able to do in the past; to help change the lives of people and give them a better way to live in our community. And again, I just want to thank you for allowing me to come before you this morning. Thank you very much. Chair Hardemon: Thank you. (Applause) Chair Hardemon: Who voted against her? You're recognized, sir. Commissioner Carollo: I won't say this for the record. Chair Hardemon: Yes. Hit the button. Commissioner Carollo: Oh, there it is. I got to learn this. We didn't have this when I came --when I was here before. It wasn't this fancy. Chair Hardemon: Now you got to project. Commissioner Carollo: Even though I'll admit, I'm a little prehistoric, but I will say this for history. When I went to see Thelma at her house to ask her to accept to be appointed as Commissioner, it was very trying time in our city. And I won't go into it, but as she said, elections were citywide, and we were going to lose representation from one major segment of our community, and I could not see this for Miami. We had to have, in my opinion, representation from all communities in Miami, and that wasn't the case. When I went to see her, she told me she would only accept the appointment for that time, and she was not going to run afterwards; and boy, did I try to convince her to run afterwards, because we needed her wisdom, her vision, but she refused, and she stuck to what she told me originally when she accepted to be a Commissioner for a short time for the City. And she said something today that should be the guide that every elected official should be guided by, and she said -- and it really touched me, because I know that if anyone means it, it's her, that -- she said, her only want is that when she leaves, she leaves a better place, a better Miami, and that should be the main reason why anybody runs for office or accepts to be in public service at any time. And if anyone I could say I've seen that really has lived to that, it's Thelma Gibson. And we all in Miami, from one section of Miami to the other, should be eternally grateful of her and her husband that served the Miami as a Commissioner for many, many years with integrity, with a great respect for all of Miami. Thelma, thank you. (Applause) City of Miami Page 20 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Carollo: And you got to give me the formula; how you keep looking so young. Commissioner Gort: Working. Chair Hardemon: You're recognized. Williams Armbrister: Let me start by saying, praise the Lord Jesus, because he is worthy to be praised. My name is Williams Alfred Armbrister, Sr. I reside at 3260 Thomas Avenue, here in Coconut Grove. My roots go back to the late 1800s. I'm -- give you a little background real quickly. I grew up in a band, and my mother played percussion and my daddy played cymbals, so that's the only playing that was done by my mom and my dad. And I thank God for the band that I grew up in, so there was no playing outside of the house. Outside of the house was business. So RE.3, there's nothing more that I can say that has not been said, other than, this is your opportunity to be repentant of what has been done to this community, on behalf of those before you, as well of [sic/ yourself. That means to turn from your ways that were not -- are not approval of God. You have the opportunity to do something that has not been done, and that is to consider the people in this community to be human, you know. They pay more -- we're paying more attention to doggie parks than you are people. You're paying more attention to projects than you are people. RE.3 is your first opportunity to act in a repentance mode and actually do something for this community. So, in essence, I'm here to say `yes" for RE.3, and this is your opportunity to not have to answer to God if you say "no. " God bless you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you. Al Crespo: Good morning. Chair Hardemon: The floor is yours, sir. Mr. Crespo: My name is Al Crespo. I hate to break up this love fest here, but I want to tell all the folks who are here in support of RE.3, there are forces aligned against you. There are people in this community who don't want the CRA to be formed in your community. Among the leaders of that group of people is a former Commissioner, Marc Sarnoff. He screwed you when he was your Commissioner, and he's out now to try to screw you again. So you all better pay attention, because not only is he trying to screw you, but several members on this board are trying to screw you as well. So you better pay real close attention, because it ain't all kumbaya around the campfire. I am now here to speak about drug addiction and drug selling in Overtown. In November, Karen Cartwright came to this chamber and spoke about what was going on in Overtown, how you could see people selling drugs on the streets. The Chairman of this Commission said, "You're absolutely right. You can go to 13th Street and Northwest 1st Court and you can see them selling drugs. " And as I listened to that -- because I posted that on my website, that video -- I said, "Whoa. Why didn't the Chairman or why didn't any of these Commissioners ask the Chief of Police to come up here and say, Hey, Chief, how come they're selling drugs, and he knows about it, and you're not doing anything about it? "' But that didn't happen. So we got a new Mayor. And boy, the new Mayor said, "Hey, I'm going to show people what" -- I'm on top of it. " So he had a big -- got all the directors of all the City departments to go around Overtown, and they toured, and they got their picture taken. Right? Well, they ain't see no drug dealers, because they didn't take the Mayor where the drugs were being sold. As a matter of fact, there's a belief among the police and other people that they told the drug dealers, "The Mayor's coming tomorrow; you better get off the street. " Yesterday morning, 10:48 in the morning, on Northwest 2nd Avenue and 14th Street, I was driving to the intersection; I see a white woman walking down the street City of Miami Page 21 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 agitated -- right? -- and I look at her. And immediately I said, "Something's up here. " And as I pulled up to the intersection, I see her talking to some guy across the street, and I see a guy walking across the street on 14th Street, Northwest 2nd Avenue, with two glass vials in his hand, with orange tops on them. He didn't have them in his pockets. He didn't have them under his shirt. He had them right out in the open. And two feet in front of my car, they met. He gave her the drugs, she gave him the money, and they split. Now, this is a weekday morning, 10:30 in the morning, in the middle of the intersection on 14th and Northwest 2nd Avenue. Now, ladies and gentlemen, that is unacceptable crap, right? How come this is going on after -- November, it was the big to-do about, "Oh, we're going to do something about drugs. " In December, you got the Mayor running around with all the department directors, and this is now January. Right? This is unacceptable behavior. And the Chief of Police right there, you, you're a lying moron. Chair Hardemon: All right. Mr. Crespo: Right? Chair Hardemon: Listen -- Mr. Crespo: No, no. He -- Chair Hardemon: No, no, no, no. Your time -- Mr. Crespo: I got content neutral. Chair Hardemon: No, no, no. Mr. Crespo: I had proof -- Chair Hardemon: Your time has expired. I allowed you to keep speaking. Your time has expired. I don't -- No, no. Hear what I'm saying to you. Hear what I'm saying to you. I appreciate your comments; that everything that you said is truthful, but I believe you when you say about the drug sales. So thank you for your time. I appreciate your comments. I want to move on to the next person. Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir. Thank you. You're recognized, ma'am. Countess Balogun: Good morning, Commissioners and Mayor Suarez. My name is Countess Chapman Balogun, and I am the executive director for St. Paul Community Development Corporation, at 3680 Thomas Avenue, in Coconut Grove. And I'd like to say, especially to Commissioner Ken Russell, thank you for your support, and thank you for bringing the CRA Omni expansion to the attention of the residents in Coconut Grove. I got to say, it takes a lot for the residents to come together, and when we do get together, we do argue, but we come to a point. And this is one point that I see that the majority of the residents in Coconut Grove are fighting for. And because we've seen the displacements of residents in the community, we've seen no housing availabilities for residents in the community, but with this expansion, it is going to bring back housing for the residents, and I want to cry because it is sad when you walk down Grand Avenue, which used to be a vibrant place, and you walk in the community beyond Grand Avenue, which used to be vibrant, you'd see lots of kids and families out, and now it's declining, because there's no place for families to live. And I want to say that we are in support of this expansion. And anything that you guys need from us, we're here to give our help, to walk the streets, to get the votes, to get this thing up and going. I want to say thank to all the Commissioners and to our new -elected Mayor Suarez. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Ma'am, you're recognized. City of Miami Page 22 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Merlene Barton: Good morning. My name is Merlene Barton, with the Thelma Gibson Health Initiatives, having been mentored by this lovely lady for over 30 years, and privileged to have served the West Grove community for over 30 years. I have served in the areas of economic development, which is affordable housing, Grove Point I and II, and commercial development on the Grand Avenue Corridor. However, for the last 18 years, I have worked as the president of the Thelma Gibson Health Initiative. So I wanted to just say, I have a -- kind of a -- wraparound services we have provided for the community; not just social services, but housing. I am here today to support the CRA expansion funds, which should be used to make much-needed housing and community changes that is so desperately needed. The improvements don't stop at housing; it continues to the quality of life for our residents and our neighborhood. These improvements go beyond the four walls of a home, but carry over to improve street lighting, enhancement, maintenance, and other improvements for a safer, brighter West Coconut Grove, or I'll just say Coconut Grove. As the City of Miami continue to grow, we want to ensure our community has access to adequate housing. Thank you, Commissioner Russell, for bringing light to the plight of our residents being displaced because of lack of affordable housing or decent housing. Without the CRA, there are no foreseeable funds available for the preservation of the existing housing challenges, and I am totally in support of this expansion and for our community. And may I just say that Mrs. Gibson celebrated 91 years. Mrs. Gibson. So I just wanted to remind all of us here that she tells her history. Mrs. Gibson just celebrated her 91st birthday. Chair Hardemon: Thank you. You're recognized, sir. Ian Bacheikov: Honorable Chairman, Commissioners, Happy New Year. My name is Ian Bacheikov, with Akerman, law office at 98 Southeast 7th Street. I'm here on behalf of several clients of mine, including Swire Properties and the Miami Design District Associates. I'm here speaking in support of SR. 1, the Chapter 4 ordinance. As you are very well aware, this is an item that's been on your agendas for very many months, going through very many iterations with your staff, including many comments from all of you, and back and forth to get to a point where we are today, where, after meeting with Devin, myself, and several other attorneys who practice specifically in alcoholic beverage law and licensing in the City, to support all the efforts to say that after numerous meetings, hearing all of your comments and concerns, and concerns from the public as well, it seems like we're finally at a point where everything has been addressed, which I'm sure you'll hear from Mr. Sews when he speaks when the item is called up, specifically issues involving restaurants in the City. And I'm not so much here to speak on behalf of my clients and their businesses, but rather, the tenants and the small businesses that are going to be looking to come into areas, whether they're in entertainment districts, places like the Grove and otherwise; businesses that, right now, they don't even know what it takes to get open to get their licenses, because there's no clear definition of what a restaurant is in the City Code, and this is an item that clears that up; not only makes it easier to understand the Code, but clarifies the procedures to get businesses like those open. And we hope that at this time, today, it'll be heard, and hopefully move forward to pass so that these businesses no longer have to worry about how much they're going to have to go through in the Planning and Zoning Department to get their approvals. And to continue this further -- to defer it further will only open it up to more people coming in requesting more changes; not to tighten restrictions, but to open them up, which is something that's already gone on for over a year, as you've seen, and we hope to close this loop and finally clear this up in the City. Thank you very much. Chair Hardemon: Thankyou very much, sir. Sir, you're recognized. City of Miami Page 23 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 George Simpson: Good morning. My name is George Simpson, Jr. More people know my father, so I always say, `Junior. " I'm a resident of the Grove. I'm at 3801 Thomas Avenue. I grew up there. I went to school at Carver and Tucker, and so forth. My great grandfather, E. WY Stirrup, came to the Grove in the 1880s. There's an ongoing hundred year argument with the Armbristers over who was here first. It will probably go on for another hundred years. But in any case, he did get here in the 1880s, and he started -- he had trained as a carpenter, and he started clearing the swamp and whatnot; the point being that if we go out in the lobby here, we see that when this City was chartered, about 30 percent of the signatories were black, and a number of them were employees of my great grandfather, who refused to sign because the black people were given the franchise for one day to sign that Charter, and then they were back to being "the black workers. " He built his house in 1896, as the second oldest building in the City of Miami, after the Hermitage. We're renovating it now, turning it into a museum and a bed and breakfast; but the point being that my father, when I finished college, he gave me -- I wanted to go to business school. He gave me three requirements. He said, "You can apply to only one school. When you go to that school, you have to" -- "one of your concentrations has to be in real estate. And when I call you, wherever you are, you have to come back to Coconut Grove and be involved in the family's real estate business. " We probably have about 75 properties now. We had twice that number at one time, and that's just in the West Grove. But in any case, I took my father's challenge, and he told me to come back in December of 2016, so I've been back a little over a year. Now, in coming back, and I saw that this initiative about the --joining the CRA, the Omni CRA, I was initially a little skeptical about it, but as this history in the West Grove, I had to go and speak to Mrs. Gibson and some of the other -- the Jenkins, and the Harveys (phonetic) and other families to find out what their position was. And, of course, last but not least, I had to ask my mother, which very often has the final word. So, given the fact that all of these people have been for this initiative, obviously, I had to get in line and support this initiative. So I just hope that given the long and varied history of the City of Miami and the black residents of Coconut Grove that this goes forth; and also, not just going forth, but that it's supported by the other agencies of City government in the City of Miami. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much, sir. Sir, you're recognized. Ijamyn Gray: How y'all doing, Commissioners? My name is Ijamyn Gray. I'm a resident from Coconut Grove; been here my whole life. And I just want to get all the residents for Coconut Grove to really understand when they say that bringing the CRA is going to benefit us. By benefiting us, how is this going to benefit us? Yes, you might build it up and make it look decent, nice, but when it really comes to it, how is affordable housing going to really be affordable housing for us? Because you coming to a medium [sic] that no one in the Coconut Grove meets that medium [sic], which is $52,000. In the black community, most people make maybe $30,000. It takes two people in a home to be able to get to that medium [sic], and most of us are single parents that -- where it's going to be too many criterias [sic] that's going to be in front of us. For one, affordable housing is -- that, to me, is housing that we cannot afford. Another thing that is going to get us is just being able to tell us -- We need more education about it, as far as how is the property taxes going to be raised? How is the -- rent is going to be raised? Right now the rent is skyrocketing up way more -- we're people that's paying maybe a thousand dollars a month in rent, and when you -- when the CRA comes, we're going to be paying over $2,500 a month, so how are we going to be able to afford that, you know? I think we just need more education, more truthful about it. I wish you'd be more open to us, and let us really know what all we facing. Because it's going to be more displacement than what you're telling us right now. It's -- you're saying you're bringing low-income houses in, and it's going to be really mixed -income houses, which it's going to build up more criterias [sic], and most of us in the black communities are not going to fit those City of Miami Page 24 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 criterias [sic] that's going to be there. That's all; we just want to truth. I think we'll handle the truth better, and that's it. So y'all have a blessed day. Chair Hardemon: Thank you, brother. Mr. Gray: All right. Chair Hardemon: Sir? Unidentified Speaker: Isaac? Chair Hardemon: Sir? No, not you; the next gentleman. You're recognized. Yeah. I mean, this guy's a Grovite, but he also works for us, so he doesn't go first. Gerald Tinker: Good morning. Chair Hardemon: You take a step down when you come work for the City and you're a Grovite. Mr. Tinker: Good morning. My name is Gerald Tinker, born and raised in Coconut Grove, and I will also -- I want to thank you, first of all, Commissioner Gort, Commissioner Carollo, and Mr. Suarez. I want to thank you for the Tinker family, for being able to finance my mother and my aunt to go to Olympic Games in 1972. I want to say thank you for that. But I'm also here to -- speaking for the kids of Coconut Grove, to give them the opportunity that they gave me, because they not getting that right now. I'm just standing here trying to be the best I can be, but I'm just saying, they need your help now. And I'm speaking for the CR [sic], too; the CRA -- so that we have that -- pass that for us, because we need it in Coconut Grove, because it is blighted, and it don't seem like it's getting any better, and we do need your help. So thank you very much. Neil Shiver: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and the City Commission. My name is Neil Shiver. I'm a life -time resident of Coconut Grove. I live on that Goombay side. My address is 3095 Plaza Street. I'm here to register my support for the expansion of the Omni CRA to Coconut Grove. I have first-hand knowledge on how effective CRAB could be, given the proper leadership and the location. Clearly, we have the location; I see now we have the leadership. A lot will be said about Commissioner Russell and his leadership, but let me also say that executive directors of CRAB are very important, too. Jason Walker is family, and so we look forward to working with Jason, assuming and hoping that this measure pass. Let me just say to the rest of the Commission that these conditions in the Coconut Grove area -- and I don't know how to describe it -- West Grove, Village South -- it's changed so much, even though my address has never changed. These conditions did not occur overnight. These conditions occurred because of neglect, public neglect and private neglect. The City of Miami has broken promises to that community to build affordable housing. And the issue is more than affordable housing; there's poverty there. If you leave downtown or Center Grove, going, I guess, southwest on Grand Avenue, you -- and it's late in the evening, you don't need a sign to tell you that you've just entered into another community; the dark streets will tell you that; the vacant lots. Coconut Grove has always been a pedestrian friendly community, but more and more, I see my friends who actually live on the streets. They're in the parks. They live there. And when it comes to affordable housing, what we're learning in Overtown is in order to be a true stakeholder, Commissioner, you have to own property. You have to own a piece of the rock. Because you can rent, and five years from now, you're still not there. So I applaud you, I applaud the City Commission. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to see you guys at the end of the month, and thank you. City of Miami Page 25 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. You're recognized, sir. Ramon Guillen: Thank you very much, Mr. Reyes. My name Ramon Guillen. And Carollo, you my friend. Willy Gort, I love you. Chair Hardemon: Now, tell the people who you are. Mr. Guillen (as translated by Oj5ricial Interpreter Alfredo Varela): Yeah. Oh. My name is Ramon Guillen. I worked for 45 years at the City of Miami. I work in Wynwood and Allapattah. I gave my young years for them. The City of Miami has never recognized me, except the recent Police Department who did a recognition, but I work hard my whole life, night and day, checking the delinquents that are in the street. Life that was given to me, I placed it there, because Little Havana is full of delinquents, and Allapattah. Throughout the City, there's a lot of problems, and what are we doing now? I've been working for 45 years for free, and the City of Miami hasn't given me any employment. I have my license until 2024, and I've given communities -- I've given them cars, but they haven't given me anything. City hasn't given me anything, absolutely nothing. Manolo Reyes knows me very well. Carollo knows who I am, because we've worked up until I in the morning in Wynwood. You're my friend. And Willy Gort, they've given me support. So I need some support, because I can't live with $5, 000 that I receive a year. And I've come to the City of Miami with a purpose to identify with a diploma that I needed to study. The Chief of Police, who has courage and everything to work. So I leave that in your conscience. And my great friend, Francis Suarez, and as his father said, `I give you your support," to request for a right that's owed tome. Thank you. Thank you very much. Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. Mr. Guillen: Thank you very much. I use an interpreter now, but I understand the English. Chair Hardemon: I know. We know. Mr. Guillen: Some people come when there's a problem. Different people got different opinion, but me working hard for 45 year in my life, I put in the street. I don't put it in my family; I put in the street. All the people here say, "Give me, give me, " and the church, "Give me. " What do you do me? I put all of my life in the community; me don't have nothing. Me don't have money in the pocket. I have nothing, nothing, nothing. What do you do now? Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. Mr. Guillen: Thank you very much. Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, ma'am. Johannah Brown: Thank you. My name is Johannah Brown. I live at 4360 Ingraham Highway, and I'm a resident of the Grove, and I'm here to support RE. 3, the CRA. I just want to thank our Commissioner for working so hard on this, and thank all of you, hopefully, for your support. I just want to -- I'm also a member of the Coconut Grove Village Council, and I've lived in the South Grove for over 10 years. And just as a neighbor to this community, I want to express how --for myself and many of my other more immediate neighbors -- how important this community is to us as well. It's not -- I know how important it is to all these people who live in Village West, but we also feel that -- It breaks my heart every time I drive through that neighborhood and see the potential, the sort of lost time, and just sort of the City of Miami Page 26 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 tragedy of it all, and how important it is to keep that community a vital part of Coconut Grove. It is in -- of the City of Miami. It's -- you know, culturally, historically, it benefits us all, not just the residents, to have a diverse, vital, vibrant community. And, you know, we're -- it's almost -- we've almost run out of time, and I'm so glad that we're trying something, and I just hope that the CRA doesn't end up in the graveyard of acronyms of NDZs and CRAB or -- I mean, CDAs and CDRs; that this really becomes a concerted effort from all of us to figure out the best way to save this community. Working families deserve a better chance and opportunity than they're getting now, and I just hope we continue. The community input seems to have been very well -organized, and I hope that continues as we decide what the best programs are. And the best way to spend the money in the future is that we listen to what the community needs and wants on the front end, as opposed to deciding what's best for them without their input. So I appreciate this effort, and I really, really hope we can do something good for this community. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Ms. Brown: Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Sir, you're recognized. Miguel Soliman: Good morning, Commissioners. Good morning, Mr. Mayor. Good morning to all. Happy New Year. First of all, I'd like to say congratulations to our new Commissioners; Commissioner Joe Carollo, Commissioner Manolo Reyes. I'm very honored to have both of you representing our City. My name is Miguel Soliman. My address is 1436 Southwest 6th Street. I'm here today to speak on several issues that are affecting specifically my district, and the City of Miami in total. And I also wanted to start by recognizing Commissioner Joe Carollo with the red light camera situation; everyone spoke of it. It was very highly spoke of during the election process. It was an issue that for years, it had been wandering around, but no one did anything about it, until the Commission -- until the elections came about. Commissioner Joe Carollo took the initiative, and everyone else followed. So I thank both -- I want to thank both Joe Carollo and Manolo Reyes, Commissioners, for taking that initiative, and starting off their new terms, showing action and leadership. We all -- we have a lot of lacking problems within the district, very serious, that I'm sure Commissioner Joe Carollo is looking at, and we've spoken of, but I'd like just to bring them up and reinforce those points so that the rest of the Commission can have -- perhaps can help when it comes to time to address these issues. And as we all know, the housing is a very difficult situation for the entire City, but specifically in Little Havana. We have seniors living in housing that are woken up in the middle of the night with rats running over them; conditions that are unacceptable; apartments full of mold; landlords that do not attend -- they're slumlords; and buildings that have not been taken care of since they were built in 1930, falling apart. That has to be looked at, and it's got to be taken care of, that situation. We cannot have our seniors living like that. We have a huge problem with rat infestation in Little Havana. I mean, this is an epidemic. We have children being bitten by rats every single day. We see rats running through the yards in the back streets. They're living inside and underneath all these old buildings that are not being taken care of. This is another very serious problem we have. Our roads in Little Havana are full of potholes. They're in very poor condition. When you drive through the inner streets, between Flagler and 8th Street, from I-95 going up to 22nd Avenue, the roads are really bad, in need of repair. We need Public Works to follow up on that and get those roads repaved. That's where our tourism walks through, goes through, and they're seeing one of the greatest cities, to me, in our nation, under that kind of condition. We need to address that, and we need to fix that. My last point that I wanted to make was in our police force, and I was hoping -- The Chief was here all morning; he stepped out. But I'm very concerned with the City of Miami Page 27 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 situation that we have with our law enforcement. We have a very serious lack of law enforcement, at least in -- Now I want to speak for my district, because it's what I see, where I live every single day. And the lack of law enforcement in District 3, it has become alarming. I see the Chief has come back, and I'm glad. Last year we were heading in the right direction. We had new commanders, three new commanders; a new one in Little Havana that seemed to be getting the gears back in shape and helping the situation. But the end of this quarter or this last -- this year -- in the beginning of this year, has -- since he left, we have a new commander that, Chief, I have reached out to her through our old commander to meet her, but I haven't heard any response. I can give you my cell number; you can give it to her. Chair Hardemon: Sir? Mr. Solomon: See if she will get in touch with me. Chair Hardemon: I've allowed your time to extend two minutes and twenty seconds beyond the original time; I have to bring you to a conclusion, because we have to move on. But, if you will, just have that conversation with the Chief outside of the public comment. Mr. Solomon: If I may, Commissioner, one -- real quick. I'll make it real quick. Just give me 20 seconds. I'm very concerned about the situation with the police ojficer we had arrested with the cocaine, just one thing. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) follow up very hard questions, but how does a police officer, with $50,000 salary a year, that came into the force two and a half years ago, was checked completely, was a good man, and now he's able -- where does he get the money to walk away -- walk around with a bag of cocaine in his pocket? This is a much deeper issue than just a police officer doing cocaine. Where does this come from? Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. Mr. Solomon: Just wanted to bring that. Thank you very much for giving me that extra time. Thank you all. Have a great day. Grady Muhammad: Good morning, Mr. Chairman, Commissioners, Mr. Mayor. Congratulations, Commissioner Carollo, Commissioner Reyes. Commissioner Russell, I think we need the CRA. We see what it has the possibility of doing in Overtown, and what it's trying to do in Omni. Good leadership, public service leadership, like I stated. They've never built anything; you're trying to do it. I think it'll be a win/win for this community, but I also think legislation has to be from this Commission. When we allow a developer to get all the bonuses and everything, and throw a little piece of grass down and call it a city park, and they don't put no money into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, that's why it's so broke. We have to look at seriously creating that legislation when we're talking about -- whether it's for Wynwood and affordable housing, or even potentially creating a Housing Authority, we need to be able to have -- with the legislation for small-scale development that the Mayor has done, we can potentially be able to build affordable housing, the micro units, as well as the mixed -income housing, because affordable housing or low-income housing won't be able to maintain over the years that property. Then it'll be a slumlord, just like what we're talking about now. But I think if we can create the reserves and do the model similar to what Mother Gibson did when they built Stirrup Plaza I and II,• they own it; not the developer who built it, then created another management company to own it, and now they're making millions of dollars. They on it. And that's the kind of out-of-the-box thinking we got to do, because we're get -- we're building affordable housing or it's not -- Affordable who? For who? Because they're 1, 000, 11, $1,200 for one bedroom. This City can't afford it. Thank God; I got a eight bedroom/four bath duplex; bought it two years ago; 150,000. Yes. City of Miami Page 28 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Now it's worth 350, 000. And the land now is worth $350, 000 for a 7100 -square foot lot. We have to be able to do --partner, do the development, do what we need to do, but I also know we also must, with legislation, Commissioner Gort, create the businesses that we're creating that we could be able to provide the jobs. Because if person has a job, they don't have to steal. They have a job, they don't have to kill; they don't have to rob. They can be gainfully employed and be able to feed their families. But if they don't have that, then they commit illegal acts, unfortunately. But if we do that, Commissioners, I think we can do it. And Commissioner Carollo, I would definitely look -- work with you and Commissioner Russell, how we can be able to do this, because Commissioner Joe Sanchez had created a public ad hoc committee, and they built a lot of units in Little Havana, and I think it's a win/win for the City, for the residents; and without question, for the taxpayers. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Sir, you're recognized. Eliesteban Mena: Good morning, good morning, Commissioners. Good morning, Mr. Mayor. My name is Eliesteban Mena. I'm one of the owner -- I'm the resident in Little Havana. The name is (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Havana, and we create the project to bring the -- to the Little -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- the Little Havana -- the Cuban experience. Our restaurant now is suffering a handicap, because we have a problem with the liquor license. We have a full -- we have a bar. We have excellent food. We have excellent ambiance, but we already bought a liquor license, and we can't use it. Please, we just came here to ask you if you can help us to complete our project and pull our business and better for us, please. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. You're recognized, ma'am. Lilly Williams: Hi. My name is Lilly Williams, a born resident of Coconut Grove. I reside at 3865 Day Avenue. I am one of the residents that will be displaced in the near future. I am apart of the Day Avenue Eight, passing of the zoning that just passed recently. I'm praying that this CRA, if passed, will bring change for people like myself and people in the community. This person that came before us, that they passed this zoning for, he's a slumlord. I went 21 days without a refrigerator. I have sewer backed up in my bathtub since New Year's; and this has been passed so this developer, this guy could build and rent to other tenants to do same as what he's doing to me right now. I'm very actively involved in my community. I have two children here. I am so tied to Coconut Grove. And if respectfully due, could everyone from Coconut Grove just please stand up, please? I honor you guys for coming in. I'm on my lunch break. I have taken an extended lunchtime to be here, because I'm so tied to Coconut Grove, and this is very, very, very important to me that change be brought back to our community; activities can come back to our community for our children that's growing up. It saddens me that we don't have a program in Coconut Grove, optimist football, where these young men and young ladies can have an exit to express how they're feeling and express what's going on. It's a lot of pressure in the School Board System with these tests that they have implemented, and we have nothing. I had to drive to South Miami for my son to play football this season. We don't have a program. This is what's deteriorating in our community, and it's sad. It's sad how we go overlooked. And I just hope that if this is passed that the people of Coconut Grove is considered, because my heart is torn. When I walk down the Douglas Road and even my street, Day Avenue, for what they -- I was born and raised on that street. My mom moved there in 1977. Everything that was advocated for to protect or go against zoning, I was there, but unfortunately, change has to be made, but I hope that we're considered in the midst. And I thank you all for giving me the opportunity to speak, and I hope you consider the words that have flowed out my mouth. You have a great day. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much, ma'am. Ma'am, you're recognized. City of Miami Page 29 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Brenda Betancourt: Good morning. Happy New Year to all. Brenda Betancourt, 1436 Southwest 6th Street. I have several concerns, and I hope that you guys can help me with that. I want to --before that, I want to say thank you to Tony Wagner of Little Havana. He's doing a great job. He's helping us. And every time that we need support from the NET (Neighborhood Enhancement Team) Office; we actually getting the support. So we really appreciate it, and I hope that our new Commissioner give him support when he have more events they are planning. We planning a lot of community events for this year, and I hope that you can be part of those events, so you can understand exactly where our seniors and kids are going through in the Little Havana area, especially near to the river. I'm concerned is about the drugs dealing in Little Havana and the shootings. It's no longer shootings in Homestead, Miami Gardens; unfortunately, Overtown that we having so many times; now it's in Little Havana. And there are a lot of dealings [sic] drugs in the middle and high schools. This is something that you all need to understand. It's not just happening as an adult or a guy is standing in the corner. We have kids right now that they are 9, 10 years old, that they are dealing drugs in schools for the parents. So the opium crisis is not just opium; it's all the drugs that they're around. And we need to make sure that we take care of the kids, because, unfortunately, one teenager is not on drugs, but the one next to him, it is. And they might shooting at the other one, unfortunately, your child might be the one next to him. So I need you guys to please try to see how can we do more programs, how can we be more (UNINTELLIGIBLE). I know the School Board is not something that you guys are in charge, but they get money from our taxes. And every time I pay my taxes, I'm paying for the School Board as well, the City, and everything else that we paid for. And I hope that you guys take this in your consideration when you do anything that have to do with the School Board, because, unfortunately, we see kids right now 9 years old, 10 years old, dealing drugs for their parents at school. So you have grandkids, you have cousins, daughter, son. This is something that we all need to take care of. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Ma'am, you're recognized. Are you here to speak or you're just --7 Kathy Parks Suarez: Good morning. Chair Hardemon: Okay. Ms. Suarez: I'm trying to do this for somebody, and I'm having -- I'm not very good at it. I'm Kathy Parks Suarez. I live at 4035 Battersea Road. And I'm here to support RE 3. Right now, it's all we got. I don't think anybody knows the property better than I do. I ride around every day, all day, and we're losing housing every day. We tear it down every day. I live in the South Grove, in front of Battersea Woods, and I stood for Battersea Woods, because no density where I live put it all over there. There was people in the -- there's someone in the room that I call the "white box developer" in the West Grove, and that wasn't the case. He's turned out to be somebody that's helped me more than he's hurt the community. The properties are selling for top dollar. They're covering the lots. The gentrification is scary. This isn't something that you guys didn't know was going to happen. Slum lording isn't new; the City of Miami has been doing it for decades. It's in the books. That's not you guys'fault; you all are new, but it's -- this is an opportunity for you guys to right the wrongs. Marrero and Benitos, those guys, they're not the -- they're the new guys on the block for slumlording. We have no other --we have no alternatives. We cannot wait for bond money. We can't wait anymore. The people are being thrown on the streets, and some of the places people have been relocated to are worse. There are County properties that some of our families have been relocated to from 3410, 3420 Hibiscus, where the rats are bigger, the roaches are worse, the water City of Miami Page 30 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 intrusion, and the mold. I've been there. My boyfriend's been there. He screams at me that I let these people move there. I didn't let them; there was nowhere else to go. We have to do something. And this is all we have left to do. I hope you all vote in favor of this, to help the community. Thanks. Bye. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. I'm going to close the public hearing at this time. Commissioners -- You want to add something to the public comment -- to the comment? Mayor Suarez: No, no. I'm going to -- after you close, I want to be recognized on a couple of items. Chair Hardemon: Okay. One second, Mr. Mayor. Mayor Suarez: Sure. MV - MAYORAL VETOES NO MAYORAL VETOES (Pursuant to Section 4(g)(5) of the Charter of Miami, Florida, Item(s) vetoed by the Mayor shall be placed by the City Clerk as the first substantive item(s) for City Commission consideration.) ORDER OF THE DAY Chair Hardemon: Are there any mayoral vetoes? Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, there are no mayoral vetoes. Chair Hardemon: Okay. END OF MAYORAL VETOES Chair Hardemon: We will now begin the regular meeting. The City Attorney will state the procedures to be followed during this meeting. Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Thank you, Chairman. Any person who is a lobbyist, including all paid persons or firms retained by a principal to advocate for a particular decision by the City Commission, must register with the City Clerk and comply with the related City requirements for lobbyists before appearing before the City Commission. A person may not lobby a City official, board member, or staff member until registering. A copy of the Code section about lobbyists is available in the City Clerk's Office or online on wwwmunicode.com [sic]. Any person making a presentation, formal request, or petition to the City Commission concerning real property must make the appropriate disclosures in writing. A copy of the Code section is available in the City Clerk's Office or online at wwwmiamigov.com [sic]. The material for each item on the agenda today is available during business hours at the Clerk's Office and online 24 hours a day at wwwmiamigov.com [sic]. Any person may be heard by the City Commission through the Chair for not more than two minutes on any proposition before the City Commission, unless modified by the Chair. If the proposition is being continued or rescheduled, the opportunity to be heard may be at such later date before the City Commission takes action on such proposition. The Chairman will advise the public when the public may have the City of Miami Page 31 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 opportunity to address the City Commission during the public comment period. When addressing the City Commission, the member of the public must first state his or her name -- may state his or her name, address, and what the item will be spoken about. A copy of the agenda item titles will be available at the City Clerk's Office and at the podium for your ease of reference. Anyone wishing to appeal any decision made by the City Commission for any matter considered at this meeting may need a verbatim record of the item. A video of this meeting may be requested at the Office of Communications or viewed online at wwwmiamigov.com [sic]. No cell phones or other noise -making devices are permitted in chambers; please silence those devices now. No clapping, applauding, heckling, or verbal outburst in support or opposition to a speaker or his or her remarks shall be permitted. Any person making offensive remarks or who becomes unruly in Commission chambers will be barred from further attending Commission meetings and may be subject to arrest. No signs or placards shall be allowed in Commission chambers. Any person making -- any person with a disability requiring assistance, auxiliary aids and services for this meeting may notify the City Clerk. The lunch recess will begin at the conclusion of the deliberation of the agenda item being considered at noon. The meeting will end either at the conclusion of the deliberation of the agenda item being considered at 1Op. in. or at the conclusion of the regularly scheduled agenda, whichever occurs first. Please note, Commissioners have generally been briefed by City staff and the City Attorney on items on the agenda today. At this time, the Administration will announce which items are being either withdrawn, deferred, or substituted, if any. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir. Nzeribe Ihekwaba (Assistant City Manager/Chief of Operations): Good morning. The item FR.2, which is the Underline Public Benefits Trust Fund, is being deferred to the second meeting in February; FR.2, second meeting in February, February 22. Chair Hardemon: Any other items? Mr. Ihekwaba: No. That's it. Mayor Francis Suarez: Mr. Chair? Chair Hardemon: You have an item you want to defer as well? Mayor Suarez: No, no. That has a companion PZ (Planning & Zoning) item, just to let the public know. I know PZ doesn't start until later today, but if there's anybody that's going to be here on the Underline, that there's a companion PZ item that will also be deferred. Chair Hardemon: Okay. And also, the Chair would like whoever makes the motion for the deferral to include PH.1 for an indefinite deferral. Commissioner Gort: PH.? Chair Hardemon: PH. 1. All right. Is there a motion? Vice Chair Russell: I'll move it. Chair Hardemon: Its been properly moved -- Vice Chair Russell: Move PH.1 and FR.2. City of Miami Page 32 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Chair Hardemon: -- with PH.1 and FR.2. Any further discussion? Seconded by the Chair. Seeing none, all in favor, say "aye. If The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes. City of Miami Page 33 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 141iW9%]►69A►Ill reCe7A►1R7A Note for the Record. For minutes referencing Item CA.], please see "End of Consent Agenda." CA.2 The following item(s) was Adopted on the Consent Agenda 3341 RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair Department of Real SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair Estate and Asset AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes CA.1 RESOLUTION 3332 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO Police EXECUTE A COMBINED VOLUNTARY COOPERATION AND OPERATIONAL ASSISTANCE MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT ("MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT"), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY') AND FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY ("FIU") TO RECEIVE AND EXTEND MUTUAL AID IN THE FORM OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES AND RESOURCES TO THE FIU POLICE DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY AND ADEQUATELY RESPOND TO INTENSIVE SITUATIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, NATURAL AND MAN-MADE DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES AS DEFINED IN PART 1, CHAPTER 23, FLORIDA STATUTES; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, AND MODIFICATIONS TO THE MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0012 This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda. Note for the Record. For minutes referencing Item CA.], please see "End of Consent Agenda." CA.2 RESOLUTION 3341 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO Department of Real ACCEPT A DONATION IN THE AMOUNT OF TWENTY-FIVE Estate and Asset THOUSAND DOLLARS ($25,000.00) FROM MAKAIRA INC., A Management FLORIDA FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION, PURSUANT TO A DONATION LETTER ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," WITH SAID FUNDS TO BE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE COMMODORE RALPH MUNROE MARINE STADIUM, PROJECT NO. 40B-30688. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0013 This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda. Note for the Record. For minutes referencing Item CA.2, please see "End of Consent Agenda." City ofMiarni Page 34 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 CA.3 RESOLUTION 3342 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER (1) TO Solid Waste ACCEPT AND APPROPRIATE REIMBURSEMENT GRANT FUNDS FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA, DIVISION OF THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ("STATE") ADMINISTERING FEDERAL FUNDS ON BEHALF OF THE U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY ("FEMA") IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THREE HUNDRED FIFTEEN THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY DOLLARS AND FIFTEEN CENTS ($315,860.15) ("GRANT") AND (2) TO APPROPRIATE THE CITY OF MIAMI'S ("CITY") MATCHING FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ONE HUNDRED FIVE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY-SIX DOLLARS AND SEVENTY-TWO CENTS ($105,286.72) ("CITY MATCH"), BOTH TO FUND THE COST OF RETROFITTING THE CITY'S SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT BUILDING ASSOCIATED WITH THE MULTI-YEAR CAPITAL PLAN PROJECT NO. 40-13183902 ("PROJECT"); FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A FEDERALLY -FUNDED SUBAWARD AND GRANT AGREEMENT ("GRANT AGREEMENT"), IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE STATE ON BEHALF OF FEMA, AND TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, RENEWALS, AND MODIFICATIONS TO SAID GRANT AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, IN ORDER TO INSTITUTE THE ACCEPTANCE, IMPLEMENTATION, AND ADMINISTRATION OF SAID GRANT AND THE CITY MATCH FOR THE PROJECT. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0014 This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda. Note for the Record. For minutes referencing Item CA.3, please see "End of Consent Agenda." CAA RESOLUTION 3346 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY Public Works MANAGER TO ACCEPT EIGHT (8) RIGHT-OF-WAY DEEDS OF DEDICATION, AS DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT A, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR HIGHWAY PURPOSES; APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE RECORDATION OF SAID DEEDS IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO KEEP COPIES OF SAID RECORDED DEEDS. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0015 This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda. City ofMianii Page 35 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Note for the Record. For minutes referencing Item CA.4, please see "End of Consent Agenda." CA.5 RESOLUTION 3295 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION Office of the City AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO PAY MARTIN Attorney DELLOCA, WITHOUT ADMISSION OF LIABILITY, THE TOTAL AYES: SUM OF $117,500.00 IN FULL AND COMPLETE SETTLEMENT OF ABSENT: ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS FOR BODILY INJURY Note for the Record. AND PROPERTY DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY OF MIAMI, ITS and Zoning Commission OFFICERS, AGENTS, AND EMPLOYEES IN THE CASE OF MARTIN DELLOCA VS. CITY OF MIAMI, ET AL., IN THE CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, CASE NO. 2014-032567 CA 01, UPON EXECUTING A GENERAL RELEASE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, ITS PRESENT AND FORMER OFFICERS, AGENTS, AND EMPLOYEES FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM ACCOUNT NO. 50001.301001.545011.0000.00000. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0016 This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda. Note for the Record. For minutes referencing Item CA. S, please see "End of Consent Agenda." CA.6 RESOLUTION - Item Pulled from Consent 3347 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION Office of the City AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY AND THE CITY MANAGER Attorney TO CONTINUE THE RETENTION OF ALLEN, NORTON & BLUE, AYES: P.A., AS THE CHIEF LABOR NEGOTIATOR AND OUTSIDE ABSENT: COUNSEL FOR SPECIAL LITIGATION SERVICES FOR JUDICIAL Note for the Record. AND ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS ARISING OUT OF THE and Zoning Commission COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PROCESS; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM ACCOUNT NO. 00001.980000.531010.0000.00000; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY AND CITY MANAGER TO ENGAGE ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL, AS NECESSARY, FOR THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CITY. MOTION TO: Defer RESULT: DEFERRED MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record. Item CA.6 was deferred to the February 22, 2018, Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting. Note for the Record. For additional minutes referencing Item CA. 6, please see "End of Consent Agenda" and Item FR.]. Chair Hardemon: You said you want to continue --is the desire to continue CA. 6? City ofMian ni Page 36 Printed on 0212612018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Yes. We'll continue it to the second meeting in February. Chair Hardemon: Okay. Is there a motion? Vice Chair Russell: I'll move it. Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved, seconded by the Chair, to continue the item. All in favor of the motion, say "aye. " The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes. Ms. Mendez: Thank you. Commissioner Reyes: You're welcome. CA.7 RESOLUTION 3479 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Office of the City ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO Attorney EXECUTE A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, WITHOUT ADMISSION OF LIABILITY, WITH EZ 2 RENT MULTI, LLC ("EZ"), SETTLING ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE CITY OF MIAMI, ITS OFFICERS, AGENTS, AND EMPLOYEES IN THE CASE OF EZ 2 RENT MULTI, LLC VS. CITY OF MIAMI, PENDING IN THE CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, CASE NO. 17-11629 CA 15, AND APPROVING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DUPLEX UPON EXECUTING A GENERAL RELEASE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, ITS PRESENT AND FORMER OFFICERS, AGENTS, AND EMPLOYEES FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0017 This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda. Note for the Record. For minutes referencing Item CA. 7, please see "End of Consent Agenda." City of Miami Page 37 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 CA.8 RESOLUTION 3432 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Commissioners ATTACHMENT(S), PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-82(A) OF THE and Mayor CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, CLASSIFYING ARTWORK PURCHASED WITH CITY OF MIAMI FUNDS BY THE DISTRICT 2 OFFICE, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, AS CATEGORY "A" SURPLUS STOCK; FURTHER DONATING SAID ARTWORK TO KROMA ART SPACE & STUDIOS, A COMMUNITY ARTS NONPROFIT TO SUPPORT ITS MISSION; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO EFFECTUATE SAID DONATION. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0018 This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda. Note for the Record. For minutes referencing Item CA. 8, please see "End of Consent Agenda." END OF CONSENT AGENDA Chair Hardemon: What I'd like to do is this: As you all know, I like to try to take care of as much business as we can. Obviously, we know what the majority of the people are here for, so I want to just knock out something before we get to the vote, because we have a couple or two, maybe three different things on the agenda that may take some time, so I want to make sure we get as much business done before the lunch break, okay? So, if you 'll indulge, what I'd like to ask, I'd like to entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda, the public hearing agenda, and then also RE. 4, S, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11. Vice Chair Russell: Just a moment. Chair Hardemon: So 4, S, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11. The reason I -- well, I'm sure you all understand why I skipped over a few of them. And then after we entertain a motion, then we'll go to the resolution regarding RE. 3. Commissioner Reyes: You're talking about consent agenda, right? Chair Hardemon: Right. I said CA (Consent Agenda) -- the consent agenda, the public hearing agenda -- Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Chair Hardemon: -- and then RE. 4, S, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11. Commissioner Carollo: RE.4 -- Chair Hardemon: S, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11. Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Chairman, REJ1, you may have modifications. Chair Hardemon: Okay. Whatever the modification is, then can you announce it on the record? City of Miami Page 38 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Ms. Mendez: It's basically a different agreement that was attached. Chair Hardemon: All right. Well, then take -- Mayor Francis Suarez: As substituted. Chair Hardemon: -- out RE. 11. Oh, it's a substitute? Ms. Mendez: Yes. Yes, it's a substitute. Mayor Suarez: And 11, as substituted. Commissioner Carollo: Where's RE.4? Chair Hardemon: RE.4. Vice Chair Russell: Marine Stadium. Chair Hardemon: That's the Marine Stadium. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, the Marine Stadium. Chair Hardemon: The historic designation or National Register Designation. Let me be more specific. Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Chairman. Chair Hardemon: Yes. Vice Chair Russell: Couple items. I wanted to co-sponsor or sponsor RE.4 and S, the National Register Designations. Within the CA agenda, I wanted to pull CA.6. I've heard there is some hesitation, and perhaps, defer that item, unless there's more discussion to be had on it, but rather at least -- Chair Hardemon: Ifyou made the motion with those changes that's fine. Vice Chair Russell: Fair enough. In that case, I will move this item, with CA.6 pulled, with floor amendments to RE. 11, I believe. Mayor Suarez: Just say, "CR. 6 deferred" -- "CA.6 deferred. " Vice Chair Russell: CA.6 deferred then. Mayor Suarez: Right. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. That's a good plan. Chair Hardemon: All right. Commissioner Reyes: Second. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Sorry. CA.6 is being deferred to when? Chair Hardemon: Well, just --before we defer it, just remove it from the motion. Mr. Hannon: Oh. City of Miami Page 39 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Chair Hardemon: Yeah, just --it's not in the motion. Vice Chair Russell: Sure. We'll pull it from the CA agenda. We'll pass the rest of the CA agenda, as well as RE. 4, S, 6, 7, 9, and 11. Chair Hardemon: 8 -- Vice Chair Russell: I'll make the motion. Chair Hardemon: -- 9 and 11. Commissioner Reyes: 8, 9 -- Vice Chair Russell: 8, 9, and 11 as well. 8. Chair Hardemon: All right, he's -- it's been properly moved; seconded by the Chairman. Any discussion about any of those items? Seeing none, all in favor of the motion, say "aye. " The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes. PH - PUBLIC HEARINGS PHA RESOLUTION 2864 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SELL Community and THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") OWNED PARCEL OF LAND Economic LOCATED AT 1812 NORTHWEST 2 AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS Development MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, TO YOLO MIAMI, LLC ("YOLO") FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 29-B(A) OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AND ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE. MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.], please see "Order of'the Day" and "End of'ConsentAgenda." City of Miami Page 40 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 PH.2 RESOLUTION 3376 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Commissioners ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR-FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE and Mayor VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE CITY MANAGER'S FINDING, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS ATTACHMENT "A," THAT COMPETITIVE NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY"), PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-85(A) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED; WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SAID PROCEDURES; AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF GRANT FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT 5 COMMISSIONER'S SHARE OF THE CITY'S ANTI -POVERTY INITIATIVE IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $135,000.00 TO MARTIN LUTHER KING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, A FLORIDA NOT FOR PROFIT CORPORATION, FOR ITS WHEELS TO WORK PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0001 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes Note for the Record. For minutes referencing Item PK2, please see "End of Consent Agenda." City ofMiarni Page 41 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 PH.3 RESOLUTION 3377 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Commissioners ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR-FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE and Mayor VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE CITY MANAGER'S FINDING, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS ATTACHMENT "A," THAT COMPETITIVE NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY"), PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-85(A) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED; WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SAID PROCEDURES; AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF GRANT FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT 5 COMMISSIONER'S SHARE OF THE CITY'S ANTI -POVERTY INITIATIVE IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $195,000.00 TO THE FOUNDATION OF COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND LEADERSHIP, INC. TO PROVIDE EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL, AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS TO LOW-INCOME CITY RESIDENTS; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0002 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes Note for the Record. For minutes referencing Item PK3, please see "End of Consent Agenda." City ofMiarni Page 42 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 PHA RESOLUTION 3379 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Commissioners ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR-FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE and Mayor VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING, AYES: APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE CITY MANAGER'S FINDING, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS ATTACHMENT "A," THAT COMPETITIVE NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY"), PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-85(A) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED; WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SAID PROCEDURES; AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF GRANT FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT 5 COMMISSIONER'S SHARE OF THE CITY'S ANTI -POVERTY INITIATIVE IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $200,000.00 TO MARTIN LUTHER KING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, A FLORIDA NOT FOR PROFIT CORPORATION, FOR ITS KITCHEN INCUBATOR PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0003 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PK4, please see "End of Consent Agenda." END OF PUBLIC HEARINGS City ofMiarni Page 43 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 M:II&I*K91kiloil NN0I]1►[eye]NI]IkgWkiIs] *I SRA ORDINANCE Second Reading 1374 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING Office of Zoning CHAPTER 4 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES", BY REPEALING SECTIONS 4-1 THROUGH 4-76 IN THEIR ENTIRETY AND REPLACING THEM WITH NEW SECTIONS 4-1 THROUGH 4- 11, MORE PARTICULARLY BY ADDING DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING FOR HOURS OF SALES; PROVIDING FOR AN APPROVAL PROCESS; PROHIBITING MINGLING; PROHIBITING ALCOHOL SALES DURING EMERGENCIES; PROVIDING REGULATIONS AND EXCEPTIONS TO DISTANCE SEPARATION; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Defer RESULT: DEFERRED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Hardemon, Gort, Carollo, Reyes NAYS: Russell Note for the Record. Item SR.] was deferred to the January 25, 2018, Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting. Note for the Record. For additional minutes referencing Item SR.], please see "Public Comment Period for Regular Item(s)." Commissioner Gort: Mr. Chairman, RE.2. Vice Chair Russell: Can't reach the gavel, but we'll move on. Chairman's off. Commissioner Carollo: Can we call just a five-minute quick recess if it's possible, Mr. Chairman? Vice Chair Russell: We can. In five minutes? Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, just five minutes. Chair Hardemon: Nope. Commissioner Carollo: Then -- just five minutes? Chair Hardemon: You absolutely need it? Can we do the SR (second reading) -- without your presence, can we do SR.2 and SR.3? Commissioner Carollo: Let me see what it is. Chair Hardemon: SR.2 is the landfill and water fill -- water amendment. Commissioner Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the baywalk. City of Miami Page 44 Printed on 0212612018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Chair Hardemon: Oh, that's the baywalk. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Chair Hardemon: Oh, no, no. You probably want to be here for that. Commissioner Carollo: SR.2, and which is SR3? Chair Hardemon: Yeah, yeah. So we have SR.1; we have SR -- that's the alcoholic beverages; SR.2. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. SR. 1, I'd like deferred until the next meeting; at least if I could get that deferment on that one. Chair Hardemon: Make the motion. Commissioner Carollo: A motion to defer for the next meeting SR.]. And there's a companion to it, I think, too, right; if I remember correctly? Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): PZ.3 is the companion, Commissioner. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Chair Hardemon: Okay. So the motion is to defer to the next meeting SR.1 and PZ.3. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Chair Hardemon: Is there a second to that? Commissioner Reyes: I'll second. Vice Chair Russell: Discussion. Chair Hardemon: The gentleman to my far right has seconded the motion, and the discussion is recognized from the Vice Chairman. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Regarding SR. 1, with alcohol, a very long time coming, as you can see through the backup on the legislation. I'd really like to see this pass. There's a lot of businesses who are depending on seeing this pushed through that are -- that will be allowed to open up. We're slowing down the business of Miami in areas that we're trying to revitalize. If there are areas per one specific district, I'd be open to perhaps carving that out from this legislation so we can pass alcohol within certain districts, and then address the different changes that need to come. I want to be cooperative, and I don't want to force through anything that actually hurts another district's portion of the alcohol ordinance, but we really, really do need to move on the parts that we've -- Commissioner Carollo: Commissioner, I -- Vice Chair Russell: -- come to a consensus on. Commissioner Carollo: -- appreciate your concern on that, but I really need the opportunity to speak to quite a few people from all sides in this that I have not been able to give them the opportunity yet to do that so that I can make an intelligent decision afterwards. This is major, major legislation, and I know that it's been City of Miami Page 45 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 kicked around for a long time, but this is the last one that's going to be kicked around, I assure you; at least from my side. Vice Chair Russell: I gave my promise to my residents and stakeholders a couple meetings ago that this was the last time -- or that was the last time, and I couldn't, with good conscience, push it again. Commissioner Carollo: I understand. Tell them it was my fault, and I'll take blame for it. Chair Hardemon: Any further discussion? Hearing none, all in favor of the motion, say "aye. " Commissioner Carollo: Aye. Vice Chair Russell: No. Chair Hardemon: All against? Vice Chair Russell: No, no, no. Chair Hardemon: There's one "against." Motion passes. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. I'll be right back. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And Chair, just for the record, that'll be for SR.1 and PZ.3. Chair Hardemon: That's correct. City of Miami Page 46 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 SR.2 ORDINANCE Second Reading 2903 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING SECONDER: CHAPTER 29/ARTICLE I OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, Commissioners FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "LANDFILLS AND and Mayor WATERFRONT IMPROVEMENTS/IN GENERAL," MORE PARTICULARLY BY ADDING SECTION 29-6 TO PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR CERTAIN WILLING WATERFRONT PROPERTY OWNERS TO GRANT AN EASEMENT TO PROVIDE THE BAYWALK OR RIVERWALK FOR PUBLIC RECREATIONAL PURPOSES AND FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") TO CONSTRUCT A BAYWALK OR RIVERWALK AND FOR THE PROPERTY OWNER TO PROFFER A RESTRICTIVE COVENANT RUNNING WITH THE LAND TO THE CITY FOR REPAYMENT IN THE EVENT THE PROPERTY OWNER ENGAGES IN SUCH DEVELOPMENT THAT WOULD REQUIRE A DUTY TO PROVIDE A BAYWALK OR RIVERWALK; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Withdraw RESULT: WITHDRAWN MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes Chair Hardemon: All right. Look -- Vice Chair Russell: Break time? Chair Hardemon: -- I'm going to -- I don't know. I mean, it doesn't seem that we all want to take a break, because I understand that, you know, we're trying to get the business done; we're at the end. So I'm going to call SR.2. Commissioner Reyes: SR.2? Chair Hardemon: Correct. Madam City Attorney, will you read it into the record? Commissioner Reyes: Good. Okay. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Chairman? Chair Hardemon: You're recognized. Vice Chair Russell: I'd like to move the item, and I understand there may be an amendment from the City Attorney with regard to whether or not bond funds could be expended. Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Yes. Mr. Chair, we did speak with bond counsel yesterday, so we have some proposed language that we can add into the ordinance if the Commission does want to authorize the expenditure of bond funds, should it be necessary, for the purposes of this ordinance. City of Miami Page 47 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Vice Chair Russell: This vote wouldn't be to expend them; it would just accept an amendment -- Mr. Min: As an option, if necessary. Vice Chair Russell: -- as an option showing it -- that it is legally possible? Mr. Min: Correct. Additionally, I believe in some of the briefings that we've had, there was a desire to remove the formula concerning pay back of how many funds that were expended, and I believe that the sponsor is now willing to allow full payment with no interest whenever there is new development or a building permit that is obtained, pursuant to the ordinance. Vice Chair Russell: Yes. And just to be clear on that amend -- Do I need to make that as a floor amendment, or have we already adjusted that in --? Mr. Min: It has not been substituted, so it would need to be a floor amendment. Vice Chair Russell: It would be a floor amendment. Basically, when somebody -- when we upfront the cost for the baywalk -- when somebody triggers that need to build the baywalk on their own dime, the intent was for them to pay us back. But in the spirit of trying to make it as attractive as possible, I was going to have it amortized and depreciate over time, over the useful life of the baywalk. So if they don't activate it for 20 years and then they have to pay us, they'd owe us less. But I'd rather us get the money back, so I'm amending it so that we get full payment back of whatever we expend. If, however, we get a FIND (Florida Inland Navigation District) grant for part of it that makes it really free to us, that gets passed on to the end -- landowner. Commissioner Reyes: Excuse me, to the Chair. Commissioner, what you're saying is that we are going to -- we will spend the money, but they will pay us back? Vice Chair Russell: In full. Commissioner Reyes: In full. Vice Chair Russell: Yes. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. That's -- where the money is going to come at the -- it's going to come -- it's coming from the -- Commissioner Gort: General fund. Commissioner Reyes: -- City is from the bonds? Vice Chair Russell: The intent, as I see it, I see that within the $200 million of resiliency and sea level rise funds that the baywalk, which is our seawall, is our front line to resilience and storm surge, and a legal opinion has been given that bond money could be expended, and that's only one option. It's not mandatory that it would be bond money; it's not mandatory that landowners have to do this; it's not mandatory that we have to take this up. This simply gives us the mechanism if we choose to move forward, and we have some funding options. Commissioner Reyes: I -- that -- I have a little problem with that. And also, I want to ask you a question. Talking to the Grant Department, you see, I was informed that it would be possible to get a grant that will be given -- it is in a waterway -- that they would all fund 50 percent. City of Miami Page 48 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Vice Chair Russell: Florida Inland Navigation District Fund. Commissioner Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) have we tried to get any funds from them? I'm -- we -- I see the lady that I spoke with. Vice Chair Russell: We're not able to go out for those bonds -- Commissioner Reyes: Yes, sir. Vice Chair Russell: --for the grant until we have the right to expend ourselves. Lillian Blondet: Good afternoon. Lillian Blondet, director of Grants Administration. As long as we have control of the property and there's a written document, like a deed, an easement or something like that, that allows the City to build it, it's okay, and we would have to comply with everything that FIND requires, like having the facility open to the public, available 24 hours, no charge, and I think it's -- provide the maintenance and keep it for about 25 years or so. Commissioner Reyes: Do we meet all that criteria that --? Vice Chair Russell: Yes. And we would not be able to go out for that unless we do this. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. There's another -- excuse me for doing this, but I see that grant -- a big chunk of that seawall, it is on Biscayne -- I mean it's on the Genting site. Vice Chair Russell: Yes. Commissioner Reyes: Why don't we make them do it? They got a lot of money. Vice Chair Russell: So when Art Miami moved to the Genting site for the Art Week, there were some negotiations regarding the baywalk, and they have committed to me that they will build the baywalk on their dime, including the portion that goes under 395, by next year. Commissioner Reyes: So that is not going to be included? Vice Chair Russell: They -- that won't be on our dime. Commissioner Reyes: It will -- I mean, because they are -- I mean, it is within the Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), so the Omni -- the CRA could also pay for it. But they are not going -- this is not going to be included in the total cost? Vice Chair Russell: They have offered to do this at their cost, as the -- Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Vice Chair Russell: -- landowner and developer. Commissioner Reyes: Okay, okay. So the only problem that we have is -- I mean that I have -- is the bonding, you know, use the bond money for it, you see. I mean, I don't know if it is another alternative, but -- City of Miami Page 49 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Mr. Min: Mr. Chairman, again, my understanding of the proffered amendment is that bond money is not necessarily the only funds that would be utilized for this purpose, but are funds that are available should they be necessary for this purpose. Chair Hardemon: You know, I'll say that I guess what troubles me about this resolution -- or this ordinance, rather -- is that the individuals who -- or entities that own the property along the bay are probably the most sophisticated of us all in order to go out and get financing to actually make those improvements themselves. And, you know, that sophistication is what kind of halts me. I would not expect a homeowner in East Little Havana -- Commissioner Reyes: No. Chair Hardemon: -- to understand the sophistication of how you take equity out of your home and -- without getting, you know, railroaded and your house taken from you, but how to make improvements on their property. But I've -- I just personally believe that these entities, whomever they may be, have that sophistication. They can get the financing. And I am -- I mean, I applaud the district's decision to make them pay it all back, but, you know, I think we have -- we got a tough 10 years ahead of us in the City of Miami. Commissioner Reyes: Yeah. Chair Hardemon: And, you know, when we think about our City employees that took those slashes and those cuts and things of that nature, you know, we can't forsake reimbursing them, bringing them back whole for some property owners on the bay. That's -- unless they give us the property, if they deed away the property to us, it becomes our property on that bay, I don't -- I mean, I just don't see myself actually supporting something like this, and they probably won't give it to us. You asked them for it? Vice Chair Russell: They're sophisticated. Chair Hardemon: Exactly. They're not going to give it to us, and that's it. But I understand your vision. I know what you're trying to do. I know what you want to do. Commissioner Reyes: Yeah, that's fine. Chair Hardemon: But this is just too sweet of a deal; it's too sweet. That's a movie reference. Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Chairman? Commissioner Carollo: I agree on that one. Commissioner Reyes: I agree. Chair Hardemon: Vice Chair. Vice Chair Russell: If I may? Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Oh, did you speak yet? Vice Chair Russell: I apologize. Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Gort, Commissioner Gort. City of Miami Page 50 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Gort: Look, I understand the goal, but I agree with you. Any property that's next to water in the City of Miami is very valuable property, but the people that bought it, they should have the funds to do so. Bond funds -- I would never want to see bond funds used for that purpose, because I think we got a lot of need here. I mean, we got to do an analysis of all our neighborhoods to see the infrastructure that we need, and so on. Maybe -- I understand what you're trying to do, and I agree, but maybe you can come up -- or the Building Department can come out with an incentive. "If you build this, we can give you a break in some of the fees, " or something like that. Commissioner Reyes: Or we pay half of it, because we got a grant that we pay -- we can offer. Say, "You build it." The amount of that -- you -- it gonna cost you. We can cut that amount half, because of the grant that we are going to put. Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Chairman? Chair Hardemon: Yes. Vice Chair Russell: I've already pulled one rabbit out of a hat today, so I'm not going to press my luck, but -- Chair Hardemon: I don't think it's more rabbits in there. Vice Chair Russell: -- I will try and find it. Just to appeal to what -- I fully understand the crises we have in the City go far beyond a baywalk. There are nine points left on our baywalk, which we've been trying to put together for decades now. And those sophisticated owners watch the market and they watch the cycles, and it may be 10 years before they decide to pull that permit that triggers their need. None of them wants to build a baywalk. This isn't necessarily for them. This is a forced requirement of our Code to create a public amenity. So I know it looks like it's a sidewalk or a park for them, but it's really for the whole City. I try to imagine the major cities, like Tel Aviv, Rio de Janeiro, that have a boardwalk along their entire waterway; even Tampa has a -- has their entire riverwalk, and what a great amenity that is for everyone. I would really love to see it well connected to all districts of the City, so it's not a District 2 thing. But if the funding is found and if the mechanisms - - This ordinance only creates the mechanism; doesn't allocate a dime; doesn't obligate anyone. It simply makes it possible to connect these over the next few years instead of the next 20. And so, that's the indulgence I'm asking, is just to create the mechanism; not that we allocate a dollar. And bond money, if you want to take that amendment out of it, it makes it a lot harder. I do believe that as we raise the seawall that is a big part of sea level rise mitigation, storm surge and resilience, I think it's a good use of the bond funds. It's not -- you know, and sea level rise is what half of that bond is going toward. So my hope is that we pass this just as the mechanism; not the actual promise to go forward; not the actual allocation of a dollar. But -- so I can only start talking to those landowners and see -- I don't think it's that sweet a deal for them. They have to pay it back, and they might get a used car at the end of the day. If they don't do this for 10 years, they're going to get a 10 - year -old baywalk. Chair Hardemon: Car? Commissioner Carollo: Did you really mean, Commissioner, what you said? Vice Chair Russell: I'm sorry? Commissioner Carollo: Did you really mean what you said? City of Miami Page 51 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Vice Chair Russell: Which part? Commissioner Carollo: The part about that you wish that part of that seawall would be in some of our districts. We could make that happen. Vice Chair Russell: Put the seawall in your district? Commissioner Carollo: Well, no. Part of that walkway would be in our district. Vice Chair Russell: But I want -- well, as it goes -- Commissioner Carollo: We could make it happen. Vice Chair Russell: -- through the riverwalk, it definitely will. Commissioner Carollo: I could give you a portion of mine. You could give me a portion of yours and we could chop it up in other ways. Vice Chair Russell: No. I want to see access to the baywalk for the whole City. I want to see free access on our transportation to the baywalk for the whole City, because it's -- it could be a beautiful thing for everyone; not just those high-rises on the water. They're doing something for us when they do this. Commissioner Carollo: Your intentions -- Commissioner Reyes: Are very good; well -intended, well -intended. Commissioner Carollo: -- are well intended, and I compliment you for it. The problem is that we have so many bills hitting us. And let's not kid ourselves, we have about two more years at the pace that we're going, and that's if the economy doesn't change on us, and it could overnight. Who knows what could happen? And if we don't bring recurring revenue in, we're going to start having problems, and this is why we got to, you know, make every million count. In this case, it's at least 12 million -- that I count, at least -- that it's going to cost, and we're getting into serious money now. Vice Chair Russell: It's true. Chair Hardemon: It is true. There is no motion on the floor -- Commissioner Carollo: Well, I'll move it. Chair Hardemon: -- but there is a second. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, the Vice Chair moved it with an amendment. Vice Chair Russell: When I get a second, then I'll move it. I think the mechanism and the possibility has been well thought out. We've used this on one portion with the Presbyterian Church; the biggest one, other than Genting spot. You know, there's a few of them, and if we can just connect those spots, we suddenly have miles of connection for people to walk dogs, jog, bikes; the whole thing. And it's recreation and outdoor, and green space. I know it's not one of the urgent crises of the City, but like I said, this doesn't spend a dime and it doesn't force us or the developers to do anything; it just creates a mechanism. City of Miami Page 52 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Reyes: May I ask you, could you remove the bond and Genting from the --? Vice Chair Russell: Genting has already offered to do theirs on their dime, so we wouldn't -- Commissioner Reyes: Yes, but -- Vice Chair Russell: -- activate that one with this legislation. Commissioner Reyes: And on the bonds? Vice Chair Russell: Sure. I -- that was an amendment that was being thrown on at the end based on their legal discussions on whether it would be even legal to use the bond funds for this. Commissioner Reyes: And by removing the bond, where the rest of the money is going to come from? Vice Chair Russell: Then we don't have it; but maybe we will, and with -- through a FIND grant. Once we have the easement and we tell the developer half of it's paid for, maybe that's the incentive that gets them to lift a finger for the other half, because they cannot get the FIND grant without us. So this allows us to get a FIND grant and cut that seawall in half. Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Reyes ordered a cheeseburger. He removed the lettuce and the tomato, and he said, "Well, can you take out the pickles? Take off the cheese. Get rid of the burger." Can you eat that, is that a cheese --? It's not a cheeseburger anymore. It's not a cheeseburger. Vice Chair Russell: If that's the two amendments, I would accept that as the mover to remove the bond amendment language. And, well, the Genting thing is not really relevant; it's just simply not going to be used there. All of this is optional. Commissioner Reyes: Do you --? You could use -- I mean, you think that if -- in order to get the grant, you need to have -- Vice Chair Russell: Easement. Commissioner Reyes: -- easement. And you -- how do you --? Do you need this ordinance to go and get an easement? Vice Chair Russell: Yes. Chair Hardemon: No, we don't need it. Commissioner Reyes: You don't need it. Chair Hardemon: They can give you an easement. Commissioner Reyes: They can give you an easement without all of this? Chair Hardemon: They're not, but -- Commissioner Reyes: That's it; without this --? City of Miami Page 53 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Vice Chair Russell: What this sets in place is the mechanism of how it goes back to them and who is -- responsibility for cleanup and maintenance; who's got the liability; and by the way, it's all them. This isn't something that we adopt and we have to take care of for years. Commissioner Reyes: As it is today, it's still their liability, right? Vice Chair Russell: Right now it's their empty lot that nobody can walk on, and we don't have a baywalk. So, yeah, they have to maintain that, too. Commissioner Reyes: But, I mean, now it -- even in an empty lot, you trip and fall, the owner -- Vice Chair Russell: They have liability, correct. Commissioner Reyes: --is liable. Vice Chair Russell: Right. Commissioner Reyes: Yeah. Vice Chair Russell: It's just a mechanism; not a dime. Chair Hardemon: Let's build a water walk. Commissioner Reyes: Yes, let's build a walk. Chair Hardemon: Build it further out in the water -- Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Chair Hardemon: -- and then you walk across the water. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Commissioner Carollo: Going once, going twice -- Vice Chair Russell: Picture a world-class city. Give me a second here. Come on, let's do this. Chair Hardemon: There is a motion. I'm not hearing a second, and that motion dies for lack of second. So what I'll do -- so there is no -- so just so we understood, there is no motion on SR.2. Later... Chair Hardemon: And for SR.2 -- So is SR.2 just being moved to the next agenda, or are we indefinitely deferring it? FR. 2, are we -- I mean SR. 2. SR.2, are we going to defer it, or are we going to move it to the next agenda item [sic/? Vice Chair Russell: Actually, SR.2, we -- Chair Hardemon: We didn't capture a vote on it. Commissioner Gort: Which one? Chair Hardemon: We had a motion and there was no second. City of Miami Page 54 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Gort: What is SR.2? Chair Hardemon: That's the landfills and waterfront improvements. Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): That one was no -- died for lack of a motion [sic]. Chair Hardemon: Right. So it's still on the agenda. So what I'm saying is -- Mr. Hannon: No, sir. We'll show it as motion -- We'll either show it as discussed or died for lack of a second. We'll give it a final action date of today, and for our purposes, it'll be closed; the file will be closed within the system. So if you want to bring this back, it'll have to be brought back as an entirely new item with a different file LD. (identification) number. Chair Hardemon: Want to withdraw the item? Vice Chair Russell: It's withdrawn automatically though, isn't it? It died. Chair Hardemon: I would say -- Vice Chair Russell: Let's just call it what it is. Chair Hardemon: The motion died for lack of second, but -- Vice Chair Russell: Fair enough. Chair Hardemon: -- the item didn't die -- Vice Chair Russell: Fair enough. Chair Hardemon: -- and that's why I want to be -- Vice Chair Russell: We'll withdraw the item, and if it's brought back, it'll be in a -- Chair Hardemon: Okay. Vice Chair Russell: -- new version of some sort. Chair Hardemon: All right. SR.3 ORDINANCE Second Reading 2905 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING CHAPTER 62/SECTION 62-535 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF Commissioners MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED PLANNING AND and Mayor ZONING/TEMPORARY USES ON VACANT LAND," BY MODIFYING REQUIREMENTS FOR TEMPORARY USES ON VACANT LAND THAT HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY POPULAR THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF MIAMI; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: 13733 City of Miami Page 55 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s) RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes J Chair Hardemon: Can you read into the record -- well, let me see -- SR. 3? Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): SR. 3. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Ms. Mendez: Chairman, on this item, I believe that District 3 had an amendment and -- Chair Hardemon: An amendment on the floor? Ms. Mendez: Yes. Chair Hardemon: Okay. What is that? Ms. Mendez: We're still addressing it. Chair Hardemon: I thought you all took care of this already. Ms. Mendez: That was a different one. You're thinking of a different one. That was taken care of. This is a new one. Chair Hardemon: Oh, and this is 3; 3, I'm sorry. I'm thinking 1. Okay. So we shouldn't address this then. At least it was read into the record. Later... Chair Hardemon: SR.3 has already been read into the record. I was told that there were some amendments that were coming from District 3 regarding the TUP (temporary use permit) on vacant land; is that true? Commissioner Carollo: There should be one that was included. Chair Hardemon: It wasn't included, because I didn't see -- I didn't read it -- Commissioner Gort, yes. BarnabyMin (Deputy City Attorney): We've been working on this. Commissioner Gort: Mr. Chairman, let me give you a suggestion, is talk to the Building Department and see if you can come up with some incentive will make them go ahead and build it, even though in the future, they're going to receive the benefit from building it. Vice Chair Russell: I will. I'll keep trying. Commissioner Gort: Yeah. Vice Chair Russell: It can be part of a world-class city. City of Miami Page 56 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Mr. Min: Mr. Chairman, as far as SR. 3, we've been working with staff. I believe the proposed amendment is to exempt District 3 from the program. Commissioner Gort: Which was that? Commissioner Carollo: And the reason, Mr. Chairman, is -- Chair Hardemon: I don't mind. You know, if -- I'll -- I mean, I'll accept that as a motion with a second; me, as Chairman has seconded it with the -- Commissioner Carollo: I'll make the motion -- Chair Hardemon: -- so -- Commissioner Carollo: -- with the amendment. Chair Hardemon: -- and as long as you can do it with that language -- no other funny language that people like to add into things -- I don't mind. Vice Chair Russell: Which item are we on? Commissioner Carollo: There was some language that -- Chair Hardemon: TUP on vacant land. Commissioner Carollo: -- stated that. Do you have it so you could read it on the record? Chair Hardemon: As long -- if that's the spirit of it, I have no problem with it. If that's the spirit of it, I have no problem with it. Ms. Mendez: With regard to this item, we are going to be exempting District 3. The only question that I wanted to confirm is right now this method of temporary uses is allowed citywide. What this ordinance is doing is extending it from one year to three years. Did you --two years. Did you want to be totally exempted, as in the uses not allowed, or just keep it at the shorter timeframe from --? Commissioner Carollo: Totally exempted. Ms. Mendez: Totally? Commissioner Carollo: Yes. Ms. Mendez: Okay. Then it's just adding the language excepting District 3, where this use is not allowed; that's the language. Chair Hardemon: Okay. Any further discussion on the item? Hearing none, all in favor of the item, say "aye. " The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): As amended. Chair Hardemon: We had the public comment already; that's why. City of Miami Page 57 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 END OF SECOND READING ORDINANCES City of Miami Page 58 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 FRA ORDINANCE First Reading 2987 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING Department of CHAPTER 18/ARTICLE III/SECTION 18-72 OF THE CODE OF THE "FINANCE/CITY Procurement CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, ENTITLED OF MIAMI PROCUREMENT ORDINANCE/APPLICATION AND EXCLUSIONS," BY AMENDING SECTION 18-72(B) TO EXCLUDE FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI PROCUREMENT ORDINANCE ANTI -POVERTY INITIATIVE AND SOCIAL SERVICE GAP ALLOCATIONS OF UP TO $50,000.00 IN ANY ONE (1) FISCAL YEAR PROVIDED TO NOT-FOR-PROFIT ENTITIES; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading with Modification(s) RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record. For additional minutes referencing Item FR.], please see Item CA. 6. Commissioner Gort: How about RE.2? Chair Hardemon: Well, we have FR. 1. Let's read FR.1 into the record. RE.2 -- I'm assuming he wants to be here for that item. He wants to take a five-minute break, so let's try to get as much done without going into the ones that affect the entirety of the City. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, we do have CA. 6, as well, still on the agenda. Chair Hardemon: Understood Okay. FR. 1, read it into the agenda [sic], please. Vice Chair Russell: I think we deferred CA. 6. Chair Hardemon: No. Vice Chair Russell: No? My mistake. Chair Hardemon: We pulled it out. Commissioner Gort: I think you pulled it, because you wanted to discuss it. Vice Chair Russell: Yeah. Then the Mayor asked for a deferral instead Whatever the record reflects, either way is fine. Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): FR. 1. City of Miami Page 59 Printed on 0212612018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Chair Hardemon: The Chair would accept a motion to pass FR. 1. Commissioner Gort: I'll move it. Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved, and seconded by the Chair. Any further discussion? Commissioner Gort: I have a question. Chair Hardemon: Sure. Commissioner Gort: My understanding is that what the proposal is, it'll get some of the small businesses in the areas, that they can get some of the contract from us, but I want to make sure they also register as vendors with the City of Miami. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Commissioner Gort: In other words, they don't have to go through the BID (Business Improvement District), but I want to make sure they're in the list for the City of Miami. Chair Hardemon: No, no, these are for the -- Vice Chair Russell: Anti -Poverty funds. Chair Hardemon: -- Anti -Poverty funds. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Chair Hardemon: A lot of them -- I don't know if it's just for the -- isn't it -- but also -- I'm just confused. Is it also for 501(c)(3s) that are getting money from the Anti - Poverty funds, such as Children of Tomorrow? --just make one up -- and so that they don't have to do the advertising, because it cost a lot of money. So that's what it is. But -- clear, right; that's on the record? I see you -- I just want someone to say, 'yes, " on the record. Milton Vickers: Milton Vickers, senior advisor to the City Manager. That's the purpose of it. What we found is that advertising these grants exceeded the amount of money that the Clerk's Office had, so this is a means of circumventing that process and allowing us to move forward without the extra expense. Chair Hardemon: Okay. Any further discussion? Ms. Mendez: Chairman? Chair Hardemon: Yes. Nzeribe Ihekwaba (Assistant City Manager/Chief of Operations): Mr. Chairman? Chair Hardemon: Yes. Mr. Ihekwaba: The Administration would like to make a nonsignificant minor change to also include Social Services GAP (General Assistance Program) funding that the Ojfice of Community Development typically would give out to some entities. City of Miami Page 60 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Chair Hardemon: I don't know about that one. You -- George Mensah: George Mensah, director of Community Development. Commissioner, if you remember -- Chair Hardemon: GAP funding been around for a long time for a lot of the -- Mr. Mensah: -- in November, we had 21 items just for that. And so, this will definitely eliminate that 21 items. It's from the same pot -- similar pot. Chair Hardemon: But it would still come before the Commission as far as -- Mr. Mensah: Yes, yes, yes. Chair Hardemon: All right. Okay. Ms. Mendez: It's to save on the advertising that usually is more than what you're allocating. Chair Hardemon: I understand. I will accept the amendment if -- Mr. Mensah: It still comes to the Commission, yes. Chair Hardemon: -- the mover accepts. Ms. Mendez: It'll come for second reading. You'll see it at second reading. Chair Hardemon: Right. It's reflected that the mover accepts. All in favor of the motion, say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes. City of Miami Page 61 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 FR.2 ORDINANCE First Reading 3225 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING MOVER: CHAPTER 62/ARTICLE XIV OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF Commissioners MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), ENTITLED and Mayor "PLANNING AND ZONING/PUBLIC BENEFITS TRUST FUND," ABSENT: MORE PARTICULARLY BY CREATING NEW SECTION 62-647 OF THE CITY CODE, ENTITLED "UNDERLINE PUBLIC BENEFITS TRUST FUND; INTENT," SECTION 62-648 OR THE CITY CODE, ENTITLED "ESTABLISHED," AND SECTION 62-649 OF THE CITY CODE, ENTITLED "FINANCIAL REPORT," ESTABLISHING THE UNDERLINE PUBLIC BENEFITS TRUST FUND; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Defer RESULT: DEFERRED MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record. Item FR.2 was deferred to the February 22, 2018, Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting. Note for the Record. For minutes referencing Item FR.2, please see "Order of the Day" and Item PZ. 4. END OF FIRST READING ORDINANCES City ofMian ni Page 62 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 I N � N ; &1011 tit1101kiR? REA RESOLUTION 3389 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH MOVER: ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING MAYOR FRANCIS X. SUAREZ'S Commissioners APPOINTMENT OF EMILIO GONZALEZ AS THE CITY MANAGER and Mayor OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA EFFECTIVE JANUARY 12, NAYS: 2018 AND SETTING THE SALARY AND BENEFITS TO BE RECEIVED. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0011 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commission AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Reyes NAYS: Carollo Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item RE.], please see "Public Comment Period for Regular Item(s)." Chair Hardemon: Calling the January 11, 2018 meeting back into order. Let's try to get to some items that all five -- oh, I thought we had -- yeah, five of us can tackle immediately, so let's call RE.1. Mayor Francis Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Chair. RE.1 is a resolution, with attachments, approving my appointment of Emilio Gonzalez as the Manager of the City of Miami, effective tomorrow. I cannot think of a better qualified candidate for this position if we scoured the world for someone who is more uniquely qualified to lead our City. Dr. Gonzalez started as a West Point graduate; served 26 years in the military, where he retired as a colonel; served as a undersecretary of Homeland Defense; was on the National Security Council; is a 25 year resident of the City of Miami; I think a 20 year resident of the Roads Homeowners Association -- I'm sorry -- Roads Neighborhood; he has a Ph.D. and a honorary degree from Florida Memorial College. He has also run the Miami -Dade County Airport. And I'm seeking approval of RE 1 based on his exemplary qualifications. I'd like to thank all of the Commissioners, especially those who, under the weather, took the opportunity to meet with the Manager and myself. And I think based on a lot of the concerns that were expressed this morning, which are very valid concerns about the issues that we face as a city, we have an imperative that we have to get started right away. And so, you know, I deferred this item for 30 days, which was the equivalent of two Commission meetings, and now I'm hopeful that we can approve this item today so we can get started on the business of the citizens of the City of Miami, which are incredibly important to the vitality of our city and our future. Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: I move that we accept the Mayor's recommendation of City Manager. Chair Hardemon: Been properly moved. Is there a second? City of Miami Page 63 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Gort: I'll second. Chair Hardemon: Properly moved and seconded. Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman? Chair Hardemon: You're recognized. Commissioner Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Some of you in this dais got a little bit of a window of how my time has been kept in the last four weeks; some others have not. For reasons beyond my control, while all of you were able to enjoy Christmas with family, holidays, mine were kept where I could not go visit my six grandchildren, like I do every year. My Christmas was spent looking for insignificant documents and more and more and more, where discovery usually is 30 days. Every time something was asked of me was an expedited basis of five days, and if I didn't go to the moon and back to find something, there were motions immediately being placed that I was in contempt of a subpoena. The rest of my time was being spent having to sit through numerous depositions of individuals; mine, my wife, and they even wanted my 90 -year-old mother to sit through it. I wish that I would have had the time that I expected to have had to have spent valuable time with Mr. Gonzalez, like I intended to, and to, frankly, have attended to many other of the business that's before us, but I wasn't able to, because it was planned that way by others so that I wouldn't be able to, and it was totally out of my control. Yesterday, for the first time -- and I think the Mayor rightly said -- I came with a head cold, like I am today; still have fever, and been feeling like an 18 -wheeler has ran over me. But I wanted to at least sit down with Mr. Gonzalez a few minutes, and I did, about 45 minutes; then I met with the Mayor for a little bit of time. While I have to say it was a pleasant meeting, there's no way that anyone could really get a full feel for someone that you never met before in 45 minutes. And let me say this for the record. - Mr. Gonzalez has a very clean slate with me. I don't know the man, so there is no perceived negatism [sic] on him or anything that would favor him. I'm very neutral on him. I expressed to him that I would have wanted to have the time to have a lot more discussions, because we barely touched the surface of anything significant. And truly, I feel that I have a responsibility, if I'm going to make an intelligent vote, to go deeper. For those reasons, I'd like to ask this board if you could extend this at least until next week so I could have the opportunity to meet further. I want to spend some valuable time with Mr. Gonzalez, and this board could call a special meeting, a brief one on this next week sometime, or at any time of his choosing. But I think this is a very important decision, and for me to be able to vote positively on this nomination, I need some more time with Mr. Gonzalez. I need to hear from him the questions that I need to ask, not just on my district, but issues that affect all of us citywide. Many of the things we've heard today, like you rightly said, Mr. Mayor, I need to talk to him about, see how he feels about it. Yesterday -- and I know it's not your fault, you know; you have a young staff, so that happens -- the first that my office got his resume was yesterday, around 3:30. I'll be frank with you, it wouldn't made a difference, so I'll put that on the record, because I was so busy that I wouldn't have read it anyway. In fact, I was glancing through it when he came in for the meeting, and I still haven't even finished his resume. I know it was heavy on the military side. That aspect looked good. So what I'm asking this board is the opportunity, for the reasons that I've stated that were totally beyond my control, to give me the opportunity to have a little more valuable time with Mr. Gonzalez, and any time next week, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday that we have a brief special meeting and move forward. Mayor Suarez: Mr. Chair? Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir. City of Miami Page 64 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Mayor Suarez: Thank you. Commissioner, I thank you again for meeting with the Manager designee yesterday and for meeting with me. And I do echo a lot of the things that you say in terms of some of the conversations that we had about his qualifications, and some of the things that I think you demonstrated as points of -- good points. You know, I -- while I think the request is not an unreasonable request, what you're asking, I think in the context of what we're discussing here, where, you know, we've had -- and I'm just counting -- one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12 City Managers since this system of government has been implemented. I don't think there's ever been a situation where the selection of a City Manager has ever been deferred even once. And -- Commissioner Carollo: It has, it has. Mayor Suarez: Okay, it may have, but -- Commissioner Carollo: It has. Believe me, it has. Mayor Suarez: It may have, but I can't remember any of the 12. But I can tell you that, you know, in consideration of some of your concerns, having not met with him at the last Commission meeting, which was a month ago, I deferred it for this Commission meeting, which is a 30 -day deferral; the equivalent of essentially two Commission meetings. And, you know, I think when you consider things like some of the stuff that we've talked about -- drugs, homicides, code enforcement -- we need to get started immediately. And, you know, I even fear from a Charter perspective that we're in some sort of danger, because the Charter very, very succinctly says that the Mayor, upon being elected, should designate a City Manager, which should be ratified for 14 days. The current designee has been -- the current person who's sitting in his stead has been therefor a longer period of time than that. And so, I simply -- I -- while I understand your concerns and I respect them, and I respect your intentions, I simply think it's important for us to rates this Manager, to move past this, and to get the business of the residents started immediately. Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Mayor, first of all, let me relieve your concerns with the Charter. There is no problem with Charter on what you stated, whatsoever. But we're coming now into -- after Friday and Saturday, Sunday is basically a holiday in Hispanic Miami, the Three Kings Day. Monday is Martin Luther King Holiday, a legal holiday. Mayor Suarez: Right. Commissioner Carollo: So I'm asking for so little time, and I don't think anyone here -- and I think you, yourself know somewhat of what I've had to go through. And believe me, it's not out of my choosing, because I would have wanted to spend Christmas with my grandkids. I wouldn't wanted to have seen my wife suffer, my mother, like they did. I did not want to be putting my time, morning, afternoon and evening wasted, and finding all kinds of paperwork that were totally irrelevant that was just to harass me and keep me from not being able to do the people's business, so I'm only asking for those reasons; just a few more days so that I can feel that I have done what I think I need to do in speaking and doing my due diligence with your appointment of City Manager. And whether it's, you know, Wednesday, Thursday of next week, I'll even accept Tuesday for a special call meeting whenever the Commission would be able to meet, just to have that extra time so that I could get a lot of questions answered that nobody can in 45 minutes, not unless I'm going to rubber-stamp something. And, you know, in 45 minutes, and I'm -- in no way am I trying to belittle Mr. Gonzalez. And the one thing that I gave him my word on so he City of Miami Page 65 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 would be relieved, that whatever difference we might have -- if there are any, I don't know -- Mayor Suarez: Right. Commissioner Carollo: -- he's got nothing to worry about me that I'm going to embarrass him, belittle him publicly. I would not do that. I don't think he nor anyone like him would deserve that, so I gave him my word of that, and I would not do that in any way. Mayor Suarez: And I respect that, Commissioner. Commissioner Carollo: But I do have a responsibility of just not rubber-stamping something, because in 45 minutes, even that rocket man with the bad haircut in North Korea, we could meet with him -- Mayor Suarez: Right. Commissioner Carollo: -- and he might give us an impression that he's really a nice guy and that he could do certain things. Mayor Suarez: Right. Commissioner Carollo: And I'm not comparing that in any way with Mr. Gonzalez; please understand that. But I do feel that in order for me to give him a positive vote, I need to talk to him more. I need to find out more, see him and to feel when he sees certain things, how he responds to it, and that's all that I need. And if this Commission could give me that opportunity of a few more days -- Mayor Suarez: And I -- Mr. Chair, if I may? Yeah, and I would just say, look, I respect your request. We announced -- or I made the announcement of the City Manager well in advance of the last Commission meeting, and we reached out and were able to meet with every single Commissioner, with the exception of you and the Chair, who had a meeting, who actually was not able to meet, because he had -- I think you threw out your back, or you weren't able to. Sorry. Commissioner Carollo: But who was the only member of this council that was just newly elected that came in at the tail end? It was me. So I think that by you bringing that comparison, it's a little unfair, because I had just gotten here; the others were basically here already. And even today, a lot of my private affairs have been put on hold in my life, because right after the campaign, all this stuff started happening. A lot of the business that I need to look at, including certain things that are very important, I believe, in this agenda, I really haven't been able to meet with the people to get all the facts. Mayor Suarez: And again -- Commissioner Carollo: And this is all that I'm trying to do -- Mayor Suarez: -- and listen, I -- Commissioner Carollo: -- is have the opportunity for a few more days; that it's not going to jeopardize the City in any way, whatsoever, to be able to come back and say, Look, I met with this man. " This is how I feel. City of Miami Page 66 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Mayor Suarez: And I respect your perspective, Commissioner. Again, we named him on -- I named him on December 6. The last Commission meeting of the year was on December 14. That was nine days, you know, before. Commissioner Carollo: Well -- Mayor Suarez: And then based on your concerns, primarily, and the fact that another one of our colleagues had not had an opportunity to meet with him, I deferred it, what is in effect for two more Commission meetings. And so, what worries me is that we are in a situation where our residents are clamoring for justice. Our residents are clamoring for action. And I can't go to my residents, day in and day out, and tell them, "I don't have a Manager. I have to keep waiting. " Commissioner Carollo: Well, you do have Managers here; the same ones you had before. Mayor Suarez: Right. Commissioner Carollo: And like I said, whether he comes in tomorrow, on a Friday, or he comes in next Wednesday or even Tuesday, it's not going to make that difference, and that's all that I'm asking you. Mayor Suarez: And -- Commissioner Carollo: And if you want someone to vote in an intelligent way, doing their due diligence, then I need that. That's all that I'm asking. Mayor Suarez: Well, I -- listen, I respect your perspective. I think we've given a significant amount of time to do due diligence, to get to meet the person. I think we stopped to your office five times in the intervening period to meet with you in your office. And I understand that you had circumstances that prevented you, I presume, from meeting with him, but, you know, I think -- Commissioner Carollo: Mayor, don't presume. Be sure of that; if not -- Mayor Suarez: Okay. I take your word for it. Commissioner Carollo: -- ask your dad; he'll confirm it to you. Mayor Suarez: Okay. I'll ask him. Chair Hardemon: Is there any other discussion regarding the motion that's on the floor? Currently, the motion on the floor is to accept the approval of the appointment of the City Manager. Is there any further discussion or unreadiness? Seeing no further discussion or unreadiness, all in favor of the motion, say "aye." Vice Chair Russell: Aye. Commissioner Gort: Aye. Commissioner Reyes: Aye. Chair Hardemon: All against? Commissioner Carollo: Nay, for the reasons that I've stated. Mayor Suarez: Thankyou, Mr. Chair. City of Miami Page 67 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Chair Hardemon: Motion passes. Later... Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman, I don't know if it was combined or -- I believe there's probably a companion item -- for the Manager's selection on his salary and benefits. Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): The resolution that was passed had an attachment with the benefits and everything, so it was all part and parcel; the salary and the benefits in the resolution. Commissioner Carollo: But it was combined? Because I -- in the actual resolution, I thought it was -- Ms. Mendez: It was combined -- Commissioner Carollo: -- separated. Ms. Mendez: -- with an -- the attachment. Commissioner Carollo: Could you read in the record the benefits? Ms. Mendez: Commissioner, so it's a chart with all these things. You want me to go Commissioner Gort: Yeah. Ms. Mendez: -- like line by line? The salary is 265,000 annual salary, payable biweekly, to remain in effect until changed by the City Commission; car allowance of $800 per month; cellular phone allowance, $200 per month. Insurance: Health, vision, dental, City paid premium for executive benefit plan; life, City paid premium for two times the annual salary; accidental death and dismemberment insurance, City paid premium for two times annual salary; long-term/short-term disability insurance, City pays a hundred percent of the premium; executive physical, one annual physical. Leave time: Vacation, 20 days per year, with a maximum of 15 days to be taken consecutively; sick, 12 days per year; holidays, 11 days per year. Upon separation, the City Manager shall receive no payment of any unused vacation and sick leave. Severance: The City Manager may be removed, pursuant to the process set forth in the City Charter. If the City Manager is remove without cause, he shall receive a fixed sum of compensation and forbearance in the amount equivalent to one month's salary and benefits, upon written release in favor of the City. The City Manager shall not receive any severance if he is terminated for cause, including but not limited to: Misconduct, neglect of duty, misfeasance or malfeasance, or if he voluntarily resigns. Pension: The City Manager shall participate in the retirement plan, as provided under Section 40-3511(d) of the City Code. The City shall contribute at the rate of 20 percent of the City Manager's annual salary. COLA (Cost of Living Allowance): Same as granted to members of the classified or unclassified service; whichever is higher. Commissioner Carollo: Seems to me it's all pretty standard. Is there anything there that's different than what the previous Manager had? Ms. Mendez: I would have to pull the previous Manager's package. There's a few -- Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Mayor, do you know if there's anything different there? City of Miami Page 68 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Mayor Suarez: No, Commissioner; other than the actual salary block itself -- Commissioner Carollo: Okay. The salary, what --? Mayor Suarez: -- everything else on the benefits is exactly the same. Commissioner Carollo: The benefits sounded standard. Mayor Suarez: The same, yeah. And actually -- Commissioner Carollo: What is the difference in the salary? How much less is he getting than the previous Manager? Mayor Suarez: It's the -- it's slightly higher, sir. Commissioner Carollo: How much higher? Mayor Suarez: It's -- I believe the prior Manager's was 231, and I believe he is 265, which is what he was making at the airport. Commissioner Carollo: This is about 35, 000 more. Mayor Suarez: Yeah; 34; yes, sir. Commissioner Carollo: Is that budgeted within the City Manager's budget for this year? And I'm only concerned because when the previous Manager left, in the package that we gave him, there was a big net there that wasn't budgeted in the Manager's budget for this year, either, so I just want to make sure that you're not going to go over budget in the City Manager's Ojfce. Fernando Casamayor (Chief Financial Officer/Assistant City Manager): Good afternoon, Commissioners. Fernando Casamayor. Commissioner Carollo: If you need to bring an amended budget request, that's fine. Mr. Casamayor: Good afternoon, Commissioners. Fernando Casamayor, Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer. Upon review of the Manager's existing budget right now, even though we're haWay through the year, almost, there is enough cushion, based on some vacancies and some hires that have not occurred in time that we can absorb the difference in pay. Commissioner Carollo: That's even better; but if not, at some point -- you know, if you miscalculated, bring it for a budget amendment. Mayor Suarez: Thankyou, Commissioner; appreciate that. Commissioner Carollo: Certainly. Thank you. I wasn't sure it was separate or not. I wanted to make sure that we took care of it already. Mayor Suarez: Understood. Thank you. City of Miami Page 69 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 RE.2 RESOLUTION 2812 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO REVIEW THE REQUEST FROM THE Miami Sports and MIAMI CHILDRENS MUSEUM TO EXPAND THEIR FOOTPRINT Exhibition ON WATSON ISLAND TO ENABLE THEM TO PROVIDE A NEW Authority ENTRANCE TO GUESTS AND EXPAND THEIR CURRENT PROGRAM SPACE AND FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO RETURN TO THE CITY COMMISSION WITH A RECOMMENDATION. MOTION TO: Defer RESULT: DEFERRED MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes Note for the Record. Item RE.2 was deferred to the February 22, 2018, Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting. Note for the Record. Direction by Commissioner Gort to the City Manager and City Attorney to provide the City Commission within thirty (30) days, with a report that reviews all issues, including legislation, associated with issuing a revocable license to the Miami Children's Museum for the creation of passive park on Watson Island Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item RE.2, please see "Public Comment Period for Regular Item(s)." Chair Hardemon: RE. 2. Vice Chair Russell: Has there been a substitution on RE.2; changed language completely? Commissioner Carollo: "B." Nzeribe Ihekwaba (Chief of Operations/Assistant City Manager): Not that I'm aware of, no. Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Vice Chairman? Vice Chair Russell: Yes, sir. Commissioner Carollo: If I may ask a question of the City Attorney before they begin their presentation? Madam City Attorney, for the record, what is the City Attorney's position in the request that's before us in giving the land? Is it legal under the present Charter amendments that we have? I'd like to hear the legal opinion that we're bound by from the City Attorney's Office. Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): With regard to this item, for this to be done, it would have to go to referendum if MSEA (Miami Sports & Exhibition Authority) is going to be involved, or it would have to be another government agency for the government agency exception under -- project of the government exception under 29(B), or straight referendum. Those are the only options. If MSEA is going to be City of Miami Page 70 Printed on 0212612018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 involved, unfortunately, we changed the Code that doesn't allow that, per se, without a referendum. Chair Hardemon: But now this only directs the Administration to look into it. This is not -- Ms. Mendez: Correct. It's -- Chair Hardemon: --a decision-making process. Ms. Mendez: --correct. Chair Hardemon: So they will still have to come back to us -- Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Chair Hardemon: -- to give a comment about it; and so, that what makes me comfortable moving this thing forward like it is. But I do believe -- and I'm glad to hear someone say it on the record -- that it requires referendum, because I believe it does. There's also opportunity here -- and it's something that Commissioner Carollo just spoke of. We have to create some revenue, and I understand it's not popular to create revenue, but if a building is going to be allowed to be there, what kind of revenue can the City of Miami bring to really offset some of these new expenses that we're going to have? Because we will have new expenses. And, you know, it's a tough thing that the City of Miami always tries to appease our neighbors and -- but our neighbors don't pay our bills. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. But it does -- Chair Hardemon: And they didn't offer to pay our bills when we cut salaries. So -- Commissioner Carollo: Chairman, you're making the right point. And look, it's a great museum. We gave you the land, but this is the stuff that bothers me sometimes, and you have great people there, you have friends of mine that are involved. My niece loves it, and she likes to go there as often as she can. In fact, I think yesterday, my wife was able to take the grandkids over. Ryan Bailine: Mr. Chair, could I speak for one moment? I was signed up during public comment, but I got caught on the express lane behind an accident. Chair Hardemon: I will allow you -- Mr. Bailine: Thank you. Chair Hardemon: --public comment. (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Commissioner Carollo: The problem that I have is what you touched upon. We gave that land originally. I don't know if we ended up helping with some of the money in building it or not. I -- you know, I don't remember that aspect. But I will tell you what we've been doing for them. They have I don't know how many of those visual billboards that change and everything. Truly, the City of Miami should have that -- get that revenue for that, that we need badly. They should be going to the County for, you know, the make-up revenue that they need, like the other museums are doing. And all that Tin saying is that we need to start looking out for ways that the revenue that should be coming to us, we take it into the general fund and it's not going other places. There's a question, too, about a charter school, but, you know, I'm not, you know, negative on that, but, you know, that's some additional revenue City of Miami Page 71 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 that they're getting that I guess we been looking the other way, or those blind Code Enforcement guys that I talk about went by there and didn't see it. But, you know, you hit the nail on the head. And we have to find a way to get through this, but we got to start bringing revenue our way. Chair Hardemon: And Commissioner Carollo, but I want to be clear. I said that with RE.2, I don't mind itpassing the way that it is -- Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Chair Hardemon: -- because of what it does, right? Commissioner Carollo: I understand. Chair Hardemon: But also, I think that there may be some opportunities -- and maybe Miami Children's Museum can look into this -- that you can partner with fine developers, like that gentleman sitting across from me, staring at me so intently, Mr. Berkowitz, where we can create -- even if there's a referen -- this is a referendum -- but if there's an RFP (Request for Proposals) process that gives them the space that they're looking for, but then also gives us the development that will bring us some significant income, so they can have a home and we can also bring in additional revenue. So what I'm saying is that there's more than one way to kind of skin this cat. Commissioner Carollo: Sure, sure. Chair Hardemon: And I think we just need to think about that. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Chair Hardemon: There is a need for new revenue in the City of Miami. Maybe it's possible that an organization like this can help be a part of bringing that new revenue. That may be a competitive process; it may not be. I don't know. That's not necessarily for me to decide at this moment. But we certainly need our backs scratched when it comes to what we're trying to take care of here. Any other Commissioners want to say anything before I let this gentleman speak? Vice Chair Russell: Certainly, because I was (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Chair Hardemon: I'm sorry, I speak softly, big stick. Commissioner Carollo: Wow. Vice Chair Russell: Wow. I was going to offer an amendment or substitution so that it wasn't limited to MSEA, because I believe the current direction tells the Manager to do this through MSEA. My preference would be to see this go to referendum to ask the voters whether they want to see us offer this land on whatever terms to the museum. It's not simply an expansion of the museum itself. I believe the attorneys for the applicant will go into a little bit about what they're trying to do there, which I believe the voters may have a strong sympathy for. And I do also believe that we make revenue off of the billboards that do exist, and that was part of the original agreement that went in there. I could be wrong, but I would like to hear more about that. Chair Hardemon: I don't think they're supposed to advertise outside of this -- The gentleman from Scenic Beauty is going to tell you that they should not have advertising on that facility that is for outside entities, and that it should only be City of Miami Page 72 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 advertising the programs that are offered there in that site, and any advertising of outside entities or activities would be a violation of the County ordinance; that's what I believe they will say. Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chairman? Chair Hardemon: Yes. Commissioner Reyes: And I would like to follow up on your suggestion of -- since we are going for referendum on this issue, we can also include your idea, you see; also bring it to a referendum if we should use additional land or the land next to it in a way that would bring some revenues. Since -- I mean, everything that is built in Watson Island has to go through the Carollo Amendment, because I remember when you placed that on. That has to go through a referendum. If there is going to be a referendum, why don't we use that referendum, also, and follow up on your idea? And another question; another question, which is very important. And I'm a teacher. Have you fixed the problem that you had with your charter school? Chair Hardemon: The Early Learning Coalition? Mr. Bailine: Yes. Chair Hardemon: You're recognized. Mr. Bailine: The direct answer is, 'yes. " Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Chair Hardemon: Can you state your name for the record, please? Mr. Bailine: Sure; sorry about that. Ryan Bailine, with Greenberg Traurig; offices at 333 Southeast 2nd. We are pleased to be here. We're pro Bono counsel for the museum, and have been for several years. We've met with a number of you on this item, which has been deferred a few times. I understand there were some questions, so I just want to be very clear; and to the extent after I try to be clear, I'm not, the president of the museum -- the president of the board of trustees, Jeff Berkowitz and the president, Gary Reshefsky are both here. We have two requests that we'd like the Commission to give staff direction on. The first is for us to work with the Administration to negotiate a lease agreement for this interior 25,000 square feet, which is outlined in red and unencumbered by any easements or commitments the City has made to anyone else on Watson Island. And we would like the opportunity to come back here for approval or ratification of that lease and development agreement, such that we can get to referendum without the extra step of MSEA, as Commissioner Russell said; that we can get to referendum in August. The second item that we would like your directing staff deals with what I will call our front door, right here, and that is the large piece of undeveloped vacant property, which is often probably, you know, full of trash and glass, and what have you; that we would like this Commission to direct staff to negotiate a license agreement with us, which would be one day less than a year, for us to approve -- improve our front door as a passive park; that way, we enhance the appearance of the museum; we're not getting any right, title, or interest in that property -- it's a 364 -day document -- and we will pay for the improvements, and we will pay to maintain them. So those are the two items that we would like the Commission to direct staff to work with us on. Hopefully, they could both come back, maybe, in March, and that we would get approval of the license to do this -- apologize for not showing everyone -- and that we would go to referendum in August. And Commissioner Russell is correct; the City does get 20 percent of the electronic change copy billboard. City of Miami Page 73 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Vice Chair Russell: Two questions. What is it you would like to do with the eventual building if you're successful at referendum? Mr. Bailine: We would like to solely expand the museum -- not the charter school, but the museum -- onto that additional 25,000 square feet -- roughly 25,000 square feet. Vice Chair Russell: And is it just a further extension of the existing museum's similar concepts, or was there a --? Mr. Bailine: Well, what we have -- Thank you, Commissioner Russell. We have -- hold on a second. Am I allowed to say? Unidentified Speaker: Yes. Mr. Bailine: Okay. I wasn't sure I was allowed to say. We have been working with an organization -- we have been working locally with the Trump family in the Williams Island/Aventura area, and working with them -- not the President's family; another Trump, South African. Vice Chair Russell: Good to clarify. Chair Hardemon: I only know one Trump. Mr. Bailine: No problem. We've been working with them and their -- an organization called Bate Izzy (phonetic), which is based in Israel -- specifically, just outside of Tel Aviv -- which provides very unique and cutting-edge facilities aimed at calming and facilitating the learning of autistic children. They have various sleep rooms, using color and sounds. So it would be an extension and an expansion of the amount of programming that we could do at the museum. It would give us more opportunity for exhibits, but that 25,000 square feet would not be used for charter school purposes. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. And this is what I want to get to, because I had heard, I believe, that concept of the autism experience. And for me, this is something I believe that the voters will embrace, and would be, you know, potentially, a good use of our land. Whether that's something we need to monetize or make the money on the backs of this concept might be difficult, because I see what you have to do at the current museum, just to make it, you know, break even, be profitable, wherever it is that you are. There's a lot of efforts to find additional funding. I see through the - - you know -- through the -- through everything that you do there. So, you know, I'm not as inclined to say this needs to produce a revenue for the City. Sometimes the highest and best use is not money. Sometimes the highest and best use is what we offer to our residents. And, you know, to -- This isn't offered around here. This is something very special for a very serious population of families that don't have, you know, the right places to take their kids for these types of things. Mr. Bailine: And speaking of offering, Commissioner, one thing I neglected to mention is that all City of Miami residents, including adults, are offered a 50 -- 5-0 - - percent discount, which, based on our attendance last year, we roughly figure is about a 500 -- $510,000 discount to residents of the City in order to enhance their opportunities to come to the museum. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. You gave me a percentage amount on the billboards. Is there a dollar amount that you have that we -- that the City receives annually? City of Miami Page 74 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Mr. Bailine: Don't -- We'll look at that, but based on the information from Mr. Berkowitz, it's probably somewhere between 125 and 150,000, but we can get your offices that amount from last year; no problem. I just wasn't prepared with the exact figure. Unidentified Speaker: It's based on a percentage of revenue. Vice Chair Russell: Understood. Understood. So based on the way the -- Madam City Attorney -- if the will of the Commission is to allow the Manager to look -- to move forward, discuss the potentials of a lease, discuss the potentials of some sort of revenue sharing if that can be created onsite and separately, I would be open to directing Management to work on a temporary revocable license that would allow them to improve the area for a park in the meantime. This is no hard construction, right? This is no--? Mr. Bailine: No. This would -- Vice Chair Russell: This is -- Mr. Bailine: -- look, feel, and operate like a park. Vice Chair Russell: Because I was out there this weekend. It is -- it's just rubble out there right now. It's vacant rubble. Mr. Bailine: We would -- I think I said this; if I didn't say it, I apologize -- we would maintain it. Vice Chair Russell: Understood. Commissioner Gort: And it was stated on the record. Vice Chair Russell: No, and that's -- yes. So I -- Mr. Bailine: Twice now. Vice Chair Russell: -- so that's what I'd like to see achieved here. I'm not sure whether the new version of the legislation is more appropriate versus what was there for that. Commissioner Gort. Commissioner Gort: Also, I would like to see the report on the easement; that we are not bothering anyone's easement that exists there with the different projects in there. Mr. Bailine: Sure. We can provide all the backup documentation that -- I know that some representatives in prior hearings from Flagstone and other folks on the other -- there are -- this land is not encumbered by any easement. Commissioner Gort: No. You got Chalk and the other -- Commissioner Reyes: Excuse me. Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman, if I could just question the City Attorney? Madam City Attorney, are we looking at any potential litigation for rights claimed by anybody else that we have leases with in Watson Island? City of Miami Page 75 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Ms. Mendez: Apparently, some of our neighbors have put us on notice that there are easements and cross -easements, and things of that nature. I think it's being advised by the representatives of the Miami Children's Museum that all they want to do there is landscaping? Vice Chair Russell: Well, for this year. If they're successful at referendum, they'd like to go forward with construction of a facility for autism. Commissioner Carollo: But the problem that I have with that is that we're putting the cart before the horse. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Commissioner Carollo: If this gets approved in a referendum and then we have liability with people there, then we're going to have liability with them, too, possibly. Vice Chair Russell: Absolutely true. Commissioner Carollo: So we're going to get it from both ends. Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely right. Mr. Bailine: We will -- Commissioner Carollo: So I don't think we should move forward on anything until we get some legal opinions, just as to what liability we have or not. And if you think we have any, then they should, you know, keep us whole; that if we get sued by anybody and there's any liability, they're going to be fully responsible for it, not us. Ms. Mendez: As an indemnification and hold harmless type --? Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Vice Chair Russell: First of all, I don't think we should be taking their word for what easements and, you know, rights there are on our land. I think we should -- this shouldn't take very long to figure out. Commissioner Reyes: Right. Commissioner Carollo: Hope not. Vice Chair Russell: And it certainly could be passed with an amendment, saying everything subject to -- Commissioner Gort: Subject to. Vice Chair Russell: -- the land being free and clear for us, which would kill it all if we're in any bit of conflict. So -- Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, but also, if you want to go that route, there's got to be a -- holding us harmless in that amendment. And even if we get the opinion that there's none and we still get sued, because others feel differently, we should not have to pay our own legal fees or any liability at the end if there -- if a court defines us with that. Jeffrey Berkowitz: Commissioner, we'd be happy to indemnify the City. We've had counsel and we've had surveyors review all the title documents on Watson Island, City of Miami Page 76 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 and nobody has a claim to an easement across any portion of that property. We would be building improvements on only a small portion of that property, and we would intend and expect that we would be fully responsible for protecting the City. Lisette Martinez: Commissioner, if I may, I just want to reiterate our -- Vice Chair Russell: Your name, please, and who you represent. Ms. Martinez: My name is Lisette Martinez. I'm an attorney with Stearns Weaver Miller. I'm here on behalf of Maria Gralia, who's out on medical leave, and we're here to represent our client, Flagstone Island Gardens. We're just here simply to preserve our right to object to the conveyance of land to the extent that the conveyance does interfere with our client's leasehold interest or easement rights. So we're simply here to preserve our right to object, and that's all. Vice Chair Russell: Well noted. Ms. Martinez: Thank you. Commissioner Carollo: Do we have any drawings that we could see what the expansion is going to look like; I mean, any drawings to scale that we could see? Because I don't know how much of the waterfront is going to be blocked in addition to what you have there already. Mr. Berkowitz: No, we're not on the waterfront, Commissioner. Commissioner Carollo: Well, you are in front of the water. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Mr. Berkowitz: We're near the water. Commissioner Carollo: In front of the water. Mr. Berkowitz: And there's -- there is a road that goes between us and other improvements, like the seaport and the heliport that are between us and the water. Commissioner Carollo: Where is the --? Okay. Your present land is that building there. Commissioner Reyes: Yep. Commissioner Carollo: And this is going to go in that whole area in the front. Vice Chair Russell: Can we get the camera on it? Commissioner Carollo: So you could potentially have a -- from what I'm seeing there, three quarters of it, depending where you build that could block additional water views from the road there. Commissioner Reyes: Yep. Commissioner Carollo: You only have a sliver -- maybe a quarter -- that falls in front of the building that you have already. City of Miami Page 77 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Gary Reshefsky: Commissioner, Gary Reshefsky. There is an access road between us, which I think is the old AIA, and on the other side of that, there is a plot of leased land -- Commissioner Carollo: Well -- Mr. Reshefsky: -- between us and the water. Commissioner Carollo: -- isn't the space that you want the one that's in red? Vice Chair Russell: Yes. Mr. Bailine: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. So here; just want to show them. This is -- the waterside is this way. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Mr. Bailine: Right; where the light blue is, right there under your hands. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. This is the water. Mr. Bailine: Yeah. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. So this is in the front. So, okay, you do have, you know, at least over two-thirds of it -- getting close to three-quarter -- that is here; that if you built in this area here, you're going to block additional water views, and we need to see the exact building that you have in your drawing books that's going to go here so we could see what it looks like over here. Mr. Berkowitz: We'll have that for you when we comeback with the lease. We have a master plan that was approved. Commissioner Reyes: What is it that -- what do you have? Commissioner Carollo: That's there, parking here, right? Commissioner Reyes: That's the parking, right? Mr. Bailine: That's a playground. Commissioner Reyes: That's the -- Commissioner Carollo: Oh, the playground? Commissioner Reyes: -- that you are now or you will be (UNINTELLIGIBLE), okay. Commissioner Carollo: But isn't this area parking here that you had or --? Unidentified Speaker: Right there. Commissioner Carollo: Oh, this is the parking. Okay. Mr. Bailine: That's the surface parking, Commissioner. That's the playground. That -- where I'm going with the laser pointer right there is the main entrance. City of Miami Page 78 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Mr. Bailine: That's how you walk from one to the other. Commissioner Carollo: Right. Mr. Bailine: So we're happy as part of the lease negotiation process to come back with conceptual drawings for -- so that you Commissioners have a full idea of what you're allowing to go to referendum in terms of future building. Commissioner Carollo: This is a road that goes here, right? Mr. Bailine: That's a hundred percent correct; it goes right around. Commissioner Carollo: And what's here now -- or supposed to be here? Mr. Bailine: Chalks. Commissioner Carollo: Chalks. Okay. Mr. Berkowitz: And then there's the heliport. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Mr. Berkowitz: And then you have the Flagstone property. Commissioner Carollo: This is a building, I gather, right? Mr. Berkowitz: Yes. Commissioner Reyes: Yeah. Commissioner Carollo: And there's nothing here. And how much land do you have in the rest of it that you had before? Mr. Berkowitz: The parking is owned by the Parking Authority. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Mr. Berkowitz: And the land is about two acres. And the additional land that we're looking -- Commissioner Carollo: It's about two -- it's a little over half an acre, the additional, right? Mr. Berkowitz: A little over half an acre. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah; 26,000 plus square feet, and this is about two acres, and this is Parking Authority right here. Mr. Berkowitz: That's correct. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Mr. Berkowitz: And we've been working for two and a half, three years with all of the stakeholders on Watson Island to try to come up with a plan to assess the needs of various stakeholders. City of Miami Page 79 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Carollo: Can you build in front of here -- Mr. Berkowitz: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: -- and leave the rest of this? I mean -- I don't know. It's -- Commissioner Reyes: You want to free this land for future development, right? Commissioner Carollo: Well, Jeff, you know what? Mr. Berkowitz: I'm not sure what you can do with a quarter -- Commissioner Carollo: You know how much half an acre of land goes for in the best view in the City of Miami, which is here? I mean, it's -- Mr. Berkowitz: Well, it remains to be seen whether there's any view of the water based on what ultimately gets built at the heliport and the seaplane port. Commissioner Carollo: But, look, if -- there's got to be a view of the water, but even if you have any of it blocked, you go two, three stories, you're going to have plenty of view of the water. Mr. Berkowitz: We could certainly look at our plans and see if we could -- Commissioner Carollo: And -- Mr. Berkowitz: -- accomplish what we're trying to accomplish on a small piece of land. Commissioner Carollo: -- you know, I -- Mr. Berkowitz: And then we could put a Chick-fil A on the corner. Commissioner Reyes: Or a McDonald's. Mr. Berkowitz: If you don't have room for -- you don't even have room for a Chick- fil A on half an acre. Commissioner Carollo: Jeff, I could put one heck of a restaurant in that half acre there, particularly when you got the parking already -- Mr. Berkowitz: Okay. Commissioner Carollo: -- that would pay top dollar to the City for land. Mr. Berkowitz: Okay. Commissioner Carollo: You know, I'm being blunt with you. But, you know, we want to help you, but I'm -- How many stories do you all have in the museum already; it's three? Unidentified Speaker: It's 35 [sic]. Commissioner Carollo: Can you go up any higher the way it was built? Mr. Berkowitz: Not without doing significant structural changes. We can -- City of Miami Page 80 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, and then Mr. Berkowitz: --look at our master plan and see if we could do it and occupy less property. Commissioner Carollo: You know, I've really got to think about this. I really got to think about this one. And you know what? I'm looking at a map that I don't really remember most of it there. I'd really like to go by there and look at it all and -- Mr. Berkowitz: You let me know when you're ready to go. I'll be happy to meet you out there. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. It'll be next week. I'll be happy to, Jeff. Mr. Berkowitz: That'd be great. Mr. Bailine: Thank you, Commissioner. Vice Chair Russell: We do have plenty of time even if we do work through this resolution; a long ways before we get to a point of actually accepting even ballot language or negotiating the lease or the structure, or anything like that. This is a very gentle and vague resolution, just asking the Manager to start working with them and claming what this request is. I'd requested a cleanup of it, which took MSEA out and clarifies the need for referendum. There's a -- and Barnaby -- I believe the City Attorney has passed out what that substitution would look like. I'm happy to move it. I do recognize hesitation, but I don't think passing this at this point pushes the ball forward in any way that's something we can't fix on the way here, because there's a lot yet to work out. I -- independent of this, I will be bringing the motion to direct the Manager to work out, at the very least, regardless of this building or the referendum, the revocable license to improve the land for a park. I think that's something Watson Island has needed for a very long time, and if we've got a partner who is willing to here, to do it on their dime and maintain it, I don't think we should be complaining. But let's deal one at a time; first with this actual resolution. Commissioner Carollo: Commissioner, I'm sorry, but -- and like I said, I got good friends over there. Vice Chair Russell: You'd rather sit tight? Commissioner Carollo: But when we talk about doing it on their dime, that they're going to improve the park, we're getting 20 percent of what we could be getting a hundred percent in revenue from the billboards, so it's not quite that way. I mean, we -- besides having given them the land, even if -- I don't recollect if we gave them any actual additional money, and I --you know, we should look at that. We're giving a lot. Mr. Bailine: It should be noted the City does own the improvements. Vice Chair Russell: The City owns the structure. Did the City invest in the actual construction of the museum? Mr. Bailine: No. Vice Chair Russell: So it's good to clarify that; if the City can confirm that as we go. Commissioner Carollo: Did the County invest? City of Miami Page 81 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Mr. Bailine: The County did. Commissioner Carollo: Then City did, because we're also County taxpayers, so indirectly or directly, whichever way you want to look at it, we did. Vice Chair Russell: All right. So at least there's one Commissioner who is not looking to move forward at this point with exploring the situation further. Commissioner Carollo: I don't think we need to in this. The Manager could do it without us instructing him. Vice Chair Russell: He needs to be directed to work on this negotiation, I believe. Commissioner Reyes: Is that a second? Commissioner Carollo: No, sir. Vice Chair Russell: Is there a motion? Commissioner Gort: You got a motion, right? Vice Chair Russell: There is not a motion on the floor. Commissioner Reyes: Motion to defer. Vice Chair Russell: I'm the Chair right now, so I can't make the motion. Commissioner Reyes: You see, I -- excuse me, Vice Chair. I do agree with Commissioner Carollo. This is a very valuable land, and what we have done with Watson Island is a crying shame, you see; it's a crying shame. We could be receiving millions and millions of dollars in tax dollars that could be used in streets and sidewalks and police and everything, and we are not. We are not receiving almost anything. And his suggestion of building the way that it is; that you could save some land for future development, you see? Commissioner Carollo: Well, here's the other problem that I have. Commissioner Reyes: You see? Commissioner Carollo: I wasn't here at the time, neither was Commissioner Reyes, but this Commission unanimously -- your motion -- sometime earlier before we got here threw out Flagstone from there, because of nonpayment and the expirement [sic] -- or should I say the expirement [sic] of not going forward, that we had lost money we should have gotten, et cetera, et cetera. I don't think we're doing ourselves any good -- we're not helping ourselves by now giving over half an acre right next door to that development; that we're basically saying that we're willing to give it away for free. I at least, you know, would rather talk to our attorneys before we do that -- Commissioner Reyes: Yeah. Commissioner Carollo: -- to see if we're digging ourselves into a hole. And I really don't want to get into it more publicly than I have already. Vice Chair Russell: Understood. Understood. We can certainly confer with attorneys. I believe at the end of the day, it's going to be a policy decision on how City of Miami Page 82 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 much profit we want to make off of this land; if this is a revenue center for us, or a service we're providing, and that's a policy decision. Commissioner Carollo: But remember, also, what I just said. Vice Chair Russell: Yeah. Commissioner Carollo: We need to safeguard ourselves from a $135 million lawsuit, plus attorneys' fees. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Vice Chair Russell: Yeah. And we do have a shade meeting on that this afternoon, so -- Commissioner Gort: This afternoon, yes. Vice Chair Russell: -- good segue on that. But if that means we shouldn't even have the Manager go forward with exploring this, I'm a little concerned, because I do believe you need direction, at least, to do that. Mr. Ihekwaba: That's correct, sir. Mr. Bailine: And if the Commission is not pleased with whatever terms we negotiate, then, you know, so be the will of the Commission. We'd just like the opportunity to negotiate. Obviously, part of this process -- Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Mr. Bailine: -- you know -- obviously, we have to come back, get your approval; there's a public referendum component. But the reality is until we have something to sell, we can't even go out and raise money for the idea of an expansion and how that expansion would look, to go to what Commissioner Carollo said. So if we could get just the chance to negotiate with the Administration; come back. If the deal is not -- something you don't like, the deal is not something that's going to get approved; if it is, we would go to -- Commissioner Carollo: You can have that chance, but the new Manager, once he comes in place for next week -- even though he'll be here tomorrow, I think he needs a day to kind of get warmed to City Hall, but you could do that. You could speak to him. He could look into it. He really doesn't need us telling him that he can go ahead into looking at that. Mr. Bailine: I thought the City Attorney said that he did. Commissioner Carollo: No. The Assistant City Manager, who is not an attorney, said he did. Commissioner Gort: We can make a -- Vice Chair Russell: Listen, I -- I'm sorry, Commissioner Gort. Commissioner Gort: -- I don't think we need a motion to direct the Administration to sit down with them and look at them, and try to come up with some ideas of what can be done in there -- Vice Chair Russell: Right. We'll -- City of Miami Page 83 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Gort: -- with all the amendments that we've talked about. Vice Chair Russell: I believe that's a direction from Commissioner Gort asking the City Manager and Attorney to start looking into this. That being said, I don't think there's -- the vote's here; that we are looking at -- most likely at 2-2 on the resolution itself, so I'd say let's just let it sit, and take your comments and -- This is a big policy decision on what we do with this land. Watson Island has been many things over many years, and we want to get things right, and we want to have consensus on this, so I understand that intention. Could I get a motion directing the Manager to move forward, however, with a revocable license to give free improvements on the land to make a park for access to the public? Commissioner Gort: I move that one. Vice Chair Russell: Chair will second. Any discussion on that? All in favor, say "aye. " Commissioner Gort: Aye. Vice Chair Russell: Aye. Any opposed? Commissioner Carollo: Nay. Vice Chair Russell: Is that an "aye" or a "nay, " Commissioner? Commissioner Reyes: No. I said if I can -- you can clarify the motion. What does it do? Vice Chair Russell: This is just for -- they're offering to just improve the land; not build a building on it, but between now and whatever does or does not happen that they create a park. Commissioner Reyes: To improve what they have? Vice Chair Russell: No, no, no, not what they have; our property. They're going to go onto our property and make an open park for the public, public access; no fences, no admission -- Mr. Bailine: So that the front door, when you walk in -- Commissioner Reyes: With all due respect, you see, I don't agree in giving permission to use my land without a compromise -- without a contract or something. Vice Chair Russell: It's a gift. Commissioner Reyes: Well, it's a gift, you see. And that land is -- has already been assigned to them? Vice Chair Russell: No. Commissioner Reyes: No. It wasn't -- Vice Chair Russell: An unused vacant blighted land at the moment. Commissioner Reyes: Unused vacant land, for all practical purposes, if we vote in favor of this, we are agreeing for them to use it. City of Miami Page 84 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Mr. Bailine: No, no. We're -- this is our front door. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Mr. Bailine: And it's got garbage on it; it's got glass; when it rains, cars park on it and it gets full of mud. We're just asking to -- Commissioner Reyes: Define "improvement." What are you going to -- Mr. Bailine: -- provide a park. A park. Commissioner Reyes: -- are you going to -- once you -- Mr. Bailine: We're not building buildings. Commissioner Reyes: I don't know. You see, I'm a -- I might be a little hillbilly from Cuba, you know, but we take good care of our land when -- before Castro -- Vice Chair Russell: Go take a look at it; we don't. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. But what I don't want to -- I mean, once you start improving that land, you have a claim on it. Commissioner Gort: No. Vice Chair Russell: No. Mr. Bailine: No. A license -- Commissioner Reyes: You see, that's my fear. Mr. Bailine: Commissioner, we -- if we move forward -- Commissioner Reyes: You see, that is my fear. Mr. Bailine: -- we're not looking to make a claim on the land. We're looking to improve it for the benefit of the public. It'll look better. It'll look better for us; it'll look better for the City -- Commissioner Reyes: What's -- Mr. Bailine: -- and the moment that the improvements are complete -- Commissioner Reyes: -- what is the rush? And if we are directing the City Manager to look into how the land -- I mean what the -- Commissioner Gort: City Manager is going to do -- Commissioner Reyes: -- expansion is going to be and how it's going to be, what it is -- I mean, why do we have to rush it now and say, "Okay, we gonna vote and we gonna grant you permission to improve the land"? Why don't we wait? Why don't we wait, I mean, and let the Manager take a good look at it, and see how we gonna proceed? You see? Mr. Bailine: The -- City of Miami Page 85 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Ms. Mendez: If I may? If I may just offer --? Then it is a direction to the City Manager and the City Attorney's Office to look into -- Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Ms. Mendez: -- all the issues that have been brought up today -- Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely. Ms. Mendez: -- and then come back with a report? Mr. Ihekwaba: Within 30 days or 60 days? Vice Chair Russell: Please, 30 days. Commissioner Reyes: That's it. Ms. Mendez: Would that work? Mr. Bailine: Could I -- Commissioner Reyes: Yeah. Vice Chair Russell: 30 days. Mr. Bailine: -- just respond to Commissioner Reyes? Commissioner, the license would be revocable, so all we would be asking to do is to make this area look like a park. And the moment those improvements were completed, if the City decided they wanted to terminate the license, no problem. That -- but we're looking just to maintain it and make our front door look better. We didn't think this --frankly, we didn't think this would be controversial, and maybe -- Commissioner Carollo: When -- Mr. Bailine: -- we haven't been clear about it. Commissioner Carollo: -- did you finish building this building there? I know it got approved in November 2001. When was the actual building finished, that you opened it up? Mr. Bailine: About 13 or 14 years ago. Commissioner Carollo: That's what I hadfigured; more or less that time. And it took you that long to figure this out, that you want to do all this for your front door? Mr. Bailine: No. We've been speaking with the City about this for about a year and a half. Commissioner Carollo: A year and a half. So the other 12 plus years, it didn't -- Mr. Reshefsky: Commissioner -- Vice Chair Russell: But it's not their land. I feel like we're looking for a catch where there isn't one. This is a -- Mr. Bailine: I'd like to --yes, sir. City of Miami Page 86 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Carollo: There's no catch. Mr. Bailine: And if I could just explain this, Commissioner, a little over a year ago, sir, the Island Gardens put up a fence all around this property, which basically blocked off a good portion of the museum, and this land, which was never allocated to anybody -- City of Miami land -- has just been not taken care of at all. So our -- people are visiting the museum, children are coming off of that sidewalk that goes from the parking lot up to our front door, and wandering into this area where there's glass and there's cans and it's rocky, and no one's taking care of it. All we'd like to do is put grass on it; put some picnic tables on it so that -- the people are coming to the museum every day from all over the world are seeing this, and we've been asking the City for over a year to help us with this. Commissioner Carollo: Jeff, I will give you my word that sometime next week, we'll talk. I'll go by there; I'll look at it personally and talk to you so I could get a real good view of what we have there and see the real condition of that property. I can't help what went on before with Flagstone or the restaurant that was never licensed for over a year, or anything else. I'm finding some of the same problems in my district now. I guess we had the same blind Code Enforcement guys taking care of everything, but I could only account for now, when I'm here. And I know the financial situation that the City's going to be in the very near future, and we cannot afford any longer to give so much of our prime property away. The City of Miami does not have any property that's worth more than in Watson Island. In fact, it's so valuable that it's probably the only time in the history of Florida that an elected official was challenged to a duel over the whole island, and I really don't want to be challenged to another duel by anybody again, so I'll leave it at that. Commissioner Gort: He was going to use water guns, though. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Commissioner Reyes: Water guns. I remember that. Vice Chair Russell: How much land are we talking about here? What's the acreage? Unidentified Speaker: 25, 000 square feet. Vice Chair Russell: 25, 000 square feet. Ms. Mendez: Half an acre. Commissioner Reyes: Listen -- Commissioner Carollo: 26, 000 square feet -- Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Commissioner Carollo: --plus. Commissioner Reyes: Look, I mean, you're going to comeback anyways. Why don't we -- I want to make a motion to defer for the next meeting, if that'd be time enough for everybody to go and look at it -- it's only two weeks -- and maybe the City Manager will be -- I mean, is able to -- Mr. Ihekwaba: Commissioner, Commissioner, we had earlier asked for 30 days to enable us to put together a report on this. City of Miami Page 87 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Carollo: Let me go over something else, too. Look, I created the Charter amendment that was approved by the voters back -- when? -- 1987; I believe it was November that it got approved. Part of the requirement was that we needed three bids, no less; the other part was that we needed to have a couple of appraisals to see what the market value was on the property, and we had to get market value for it. Have we done any appraisals on what the worth is of over half an acre there? Mr.Ihekwaba: No. Commissioner Carollo: There you go. And it's not even if we don't want to charge them. We don't have that right, because the voters approved an amendment -- Vice Chair Russell: Correct. Commissioner Carollo: -- that said -- Commissioner Reyes: Yeah. Commissioner Carollo: -- the contrary to that. Mr. Ihekwaba: Commissioner, I believe -- Commissioner Carollo: I don't even want to get into this whole MSEA thing, because you don't want to hear from me on that, so it's best that I just not touch upon it -- Mr. Ihekwaba: -- Commissioner -- Commissioner Carollo: -- because that's even thin. Vice Chair Russell: Yes. Mr. Ihekwaba: -- ifI may? Vice Chair Russell: Zerry. Mr. Ihekwaba: I've been advised that the land is zoned restricted parks; so "CS, " right? Civic Space. So, really, we can't be doing any type of appraisal on that land. Commissioner Carollo: I'm sorry. It might be zoned that, but the City of Miami has a right to change zoning any time it wants. And what that amendment talked about was the highest and best use. So we could sell that next month if we want to, in an emergency first and second reading, and all of a sudden, the price change. So, please, you know, I've been around the block a little bit. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. I have a question for Director Kirwin -- Parks. Kevin, there were dreams many years ago of most all of Watson Island being some sort of park and civic space. You know, a lot of that hasn't come to fruition. If we were to take this 25,000 -square -foot lot, which is ours, and decide we want a waterfront park for our residents to look at beautiful downtown from across the water, what would that cost us to put in a typical park there, to the quality of, say, Regatta Park? Kevin Kirwin: Good afternoon, Commissioners. Kevin Kirwin, your City of Miami Park [sic] & Recreation director. Depending upon what's under the ground -- I City of Miami Page 88 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 mean, really, when you build a park, you build it from ground up, really; below the ground up, right? It could be as much as (INAUDIBLE) acre. So -- Vice Chair Russell: I'm sorry, the mike -- Mr. Kirwin: -- it could be as -- Vice Chair Russell: -- couldn't handle that number. What was it? Mr. Kirwin: -- much as much as $1 million an acre; that's if you -- Commissioner Carollo: For what? Mr. Kirwin: -- build it out totally. Vice Chair Russell: To make a park there, if the City were to invest in it as a park. Mr. Kirwin: I mean -- so I'm just -- Commissioner Carollo: You're not getting my brother involved in that, are you? The price goes up. Unidentified Speaker: I'm going to (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Mr. Kirwin: So -- and I'm going to the extreme, and that really depends on what's under the ground, which I don't know what's under the ground now. Vice Chair Russell: Right. Mr. Kirwin: So one thing I can tell you: That once you build a park somewhere -- and all of you know this -- don't take it away from the folks -- Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely. Mr. Kirwin: --because you build a park, people are going to expect that property to be there or -- Commissioner Reyes: A park forever. Mr. Kirwin: -- that amount ofproperty there in the future. Vice Chair Russell: Sure. Well, it's zoned as that now. We just certainly don't take care of it. And even as a neighbor to the Children's Museum, we're not taking care of it, just for the way it looks, even. But, you know, we could be inclined to say, "We want a park there," and to invest in it at a million dollars an acre, or, "Wait a second. We've got someone here who's willing to do it for us for free, at their dime and maintain it, and give up the rights to it as a gift to the City, regardless of whether or not they get what they want down the road with their future plans. " It's a mutually beneficial situation. I think we're looking for the catch, but, really, this is just a symbiotic -- this improves the front door of their area, and it gives something to the City. It's -- I understand the direction that Commissioner Gort has given. If -- Commissioner Gort, the City Attorney would like a little bit of an expansion upon that, just to catch what Commissioner Reyes was talking about, and I would say, including this concept, just directing the Manager to look into and start working it all, then bring us something back in 30 days. Thank you. Are we good? Commissioner Reyes: Yeah. City of Miami Page 89 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Gort: Let's make sure we get together with the Commissioners. We're working together. Sit down with us and let us know what it looks like; at the same time, what could be the use of that land if it's not used that way; what other use. Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Clerk, do you need a specific action on the item itself to be either withdrawn or deferred or --? Because it's now -- it's been kind of converted into a direction. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Well, the resolution still is in existence, so I would either need for it to be withdrawn -- Commissioner Reyes: I move to withdraw. Mr. Hannon: -- or we can defer the item if you wanted to defer it to the next meeting, but something does need to happen with it. Vice Chair Russell: I expected as much. Can I get a motion, please? Commissioner Reyes: I move it. Vice Chair Russell: It's been moved to defer the item. I recommend that it matches with the 30 days that you're looking for the recommendation to come back from the Manager. Chair Hardemon: Is this the RE.2? Vice Chair Russell: We are on RE.2, sir, and I hand the gavel back to you. Commissioner Carollo: You want to go back 35 minutes? Chair Hardemon: I heard that there was -- I heard there was somewhat of a tie. It's an issue on -- I'm assuming that was RE.2, and then we're in further discussion about giving the -- at least allowing them to have access to the space that's near them so they can make improvements on it until we decide what we want to do with the property, which is the revocable lease, and then we take it back -- right? -- or revocable license, ifyou will. Vice Chair Russell: Correct. I'd like to do that now. Chair Hardemon: I don't have a problem with that. We already had public comment earlier, but because I heard some of the testimony that was put on the record, and it is true; I mean, I've been there, and the property that is adjacent is not in good shape, it isn't well maintained. It's fenced off, so I guess people can't use it. But I know of some lands that are not well maintained and fenced off in places like Overtown, and it is unsightly, right? And so, a place where we're going to have thousands of guests a year, I can see someone just, you know, taking care of the lawn. It's like taking care of your next door neighbor's lawn until they come back from their year-long vacation. So that part of it, gentlemen, I really don't have a -- I don't have a big problem with. Of course, I wouldn't want that -- that doesn't mean that anyone's going to have -- they can't build anything on it and you can't -- it's not yours -- Commissioner Carollo: Well, that's my -- Chair Hardemon: -- it is revocable. City of Miami Page 90 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Carollo: -- concern. Chair Hardemon: Right. It is revocable. All those special things I think need to be explained, and we expect them to be that way. But, certainly, to just maintain the property, put some benches on it, put some grass on it, it's a good thing to do. And then -- Mr. Bailine: Chairman, you know, Watson Island, as has been discussed, has had a very checkered past, and we've always tried to be stewards on the island, do the right thing, not get involved in anything like that. And just so you know, we're not looking to, you know, now become something like that by asking to improve what is essentially -- we view as our front door. We're just trying to do what we felt would be a pos -- viewed positively from a policy perspective. And again, you know, we'll go, and if we get permission, make these improvements. And to the extent the City decides the next day that it's something they don't want, then they can revoke the license and at least our front door will look better, and we can go from there. Chair Hardemon: Now, that resolution is this resolution that I have? Vice Chair Russell: No, sir. Chair Hardemon: No. Vice Chair Russell: That is a revised version of the original one, asking for the potential construction of the autism facility to go to referendum and everything. That's different; that's been asked to be deferred. Chair Hardemon: Okay. Did the deferral pass on this item? Vice Chair Russell: We have not -- Chair Hardemon: Is this item -- Vice Chair Russell: -- voted yet. Chair Hardemon: -- a substitute of the RE.2 item? Vice Chair Russell: Yes. Chair Hardemon: Okay. So this is the new substitute RE.2. And so, the motion that was made on the floor was to defer this new revised RE.2? Commissioner Reyes: Yes, sir. Vice Chair Russell: Right. Chair Hardemon: Is it seconded? If it wasn't, the Chair seconds it. Let's take a vote on that motion -- Commissioner Reyes: I moved it. Chair Hardemon: -- on this motion to defer this item. Commissioner Reyes: Right. I moved it. Chair Hardemon: So let's do that. All in agreeance with the deferral, say "aye. " City of Miami Page 91 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes on a deferral. Mr. Hannon: Now, it will be continued to February 8. It doesn't give you a full 30 days, but February 8 is the first meeting in February; or you can defer it to February 22, if you need a little more time. Mr. Ihekwaba: February 22. Mr. Hannon: Yes, sir. Ms. Mendez: And now that it is no longer a MSEA item, technically, because it doesn't have MSEA in the mix at all, is someone sponsoring it? Chair Hardemon: I mean, look, because the way that I see it, for it to be -- I mean a substitute item -- it's a different item. Ms. Mendez: Right. The substitute item is a resolution of the Miami City Commission directing the City Manager to review the request from the Miami Children's Museum to expand their footprint on Watson Island and to enable them to provide a new entrance to guests and expand their current program space; further directing the City Manager to return to the City Commission with a recommendation. So this is the substitute, which is now being reset for February 22, which doesn't have -- MSEA was the original sponsor of the one that we substituted, so it should have a different sponsor. Commissioner Reyes: I'll sponsor. Vice Chair Russell: I'll be glad to co-sponsor. Chair Hardemon: So -- Ms. Mendez: Thank you. Chair Hardemon: -- that -- and also, I just want the Administration to know that I want us to consider other ways that we can monetize that space, even if you have that conversation with MCM (Miami Children's Museum), if they're a part of it, but we need to really talk about revenues. Okay? City of Miami Page 92 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 RE.3 RESOLUTION 2916 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Office of ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING AND APPROVING THE FINDING Management and OF NECESSITY REPORT PREPARED BY PMG ASSOCIATES, Budget INC., ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR THE NON- CONTIGUOUS EXPANSION OF THE BOUNDARIES OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") TO THE WEST GROVE AREA, SUBJECT TO AN OPINION FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL; DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ANY AND ALL ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE CRA'S EXPANSION INTO THE WEST GROVE, PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 163, FLORIDA STATUTES, AND THE CODE OF MIAMI- DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0010 MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s) RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes Note for the Record. A motion was made by Commissioner Reyes, seconded by Commissioner Carollo, and was passed unanimously, directing the City Manager to begin an in-house analysis to determine which areas within the City would qualify for inclusion within the expansion of the Omni CRA boundaries; further directing that the findings be presented to the City Commission within 30 (thirty) days for review. Note for the Record. For additional minutes referencing Item RE. 3, please see "Public Comment Period for Regular Item(s)" and "End of Consent Agenda." Chair Hardemon: What I'd like to do is call -- Well, I'll recognize the Mayor, and I'm sure you want to lead into the discussion with RE. 3. Mayor Francis Suarez: It's up to you, Mr. Chair. I wanted to -- That's fine. Chair Hardemon: I (UNINTELLIGIBLE) RE. 3. Mayor Suarez: Yeah, that makes the most sense. Chair Hardemon: All right. Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): And -- I'm sorry. RE. 11, as modified -- thank you - - for the record Thank you. Chair Hardemon: That's correct. Mayor Suarez: RE. I1 as modified, as substituted. Chair Hardemon: All right. So I'll recognize RE 3. City of Miami Page 93 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Mayor Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Chair Hardemon: Mr. Vice Chairman, would you --? Or would you like to go first, Mr. Mayor? Please. Mayor Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Chair. RE.3 is the Finding of Necessity for the expansion of the Omni/Overtown -- oh, I'm sorry -- the Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) into the -- what is -- has been referred to as the West Grove. I've reviewed the finding; the finding is comprehensive. I remember, as a young child, playing basketball at Virrick Park before there used to be fences, before there used to be gymnasiums in Virrick Park; the character of the community and how it's continued to change over the years. I think supporting a Finding of Necessity for this area is not, in my opinion, saying that there aren't other areas that also have needs or other areas that may have even greater needs. To me, supporting a Finding of Necessity, saying that this area has need and that this area must be protected. And so I think, for me, in my experience as a life-long resident of the City of Miami, as a product of this community, as someone who has many, many friends that grew up in the West Grove and has seen the West Grove be cannibalized over the years, I feel compelled to support the Finding of Necessity of RE.3. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Chair Hardemon: Thank you. Mr. Vice Chairman. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Commission. Most of all, thank you to the community for coming out today. This is a beautiful showing of what the Grove is truly about. Too many people drive Grand Avenue, and they lock their doors on their car, because the state of the buildings on Grand Avenue have gotten to such a state that they also judge the character of the people who may live within them. But if you were to get out of the car and talk to people, you would meet folks, like Gerald, Jimmy, Rashid, Williams, Barbara, Linda, Clarice, Countess. You all are the fabric of this community. You all are the roots of this community. And for the last couple of years, I've -- pushing for the Veterans Day Parade to go down Grand Avenue; not Main Highway, because I want every elected who wants to take part in a parade see what we're trying to deal with. In the last two years that that parade has done so, I would say, when we walked Grand Avenue two years ago for the parade, there was probably about 120 residents living on Grand Avenue. And I'd say, this year when we walked, there was probably 60, at the most. This is a very eminent, fast-moving problem. It's been going on for years, but what can be done? I came in two years ago a little bit naive, thinking that all was needed was the political will, and that I had all the answers. Boy, did I have a lot to learn. And I have tried repeatedly. I brought lawsuits against the slumlords; didn't faze them a minute. We tried to buy the trolley garage to create a community center, and the City wasn't able to move fast enough; got bought out from under us. I slept on the street with Housing for All in protest and to bring attention, and what's that really done? I asked the City to bring forth ideas and planning for inclusionary zoning, where anyone seeking an entitlement would be forced to create true affordability, and I've gotten nothing from that. I asked for a master plan from our City Manager to start planning where affordability and where density could be survivable to actually create and preserve housing stock, and I've seen nothing from that. Most important to me, over a year ago, I presented a map of capital improvements projects that were planned in the West Grove. Well, they were planned in the City of Miami, and that's the image I'm trying to show you right now. There have been plenty of designations on the West Grove that delineate where it is, the NDZ (Neighborhood Development Zone), the NCD (Neighborhood Conservation District); the "alphabet of acronyms, " as Johannah called it. But the first physical barrier was a concrete wall that was built to let black folk know where they were supposed to belong. That wall no longer exists, but there is an invisible wall that's still there. And if you look on this map of City projects, you can see where those projects go and where they stop, and it's not a City of Miami Page 94 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 coincidence. It goes right up to the border of McDonald. It goes right up to the border of Marler. It goes right up to Douglas. This is an exact delineation that says, "This City is not going to invest in this neighborhood." And despite the political will -- which I said, `All we need is a political will, " and here I am and a year later, not a shovel in the ground, not a sidewalk fixed, not a street repaved. Children fall on their scooters, and their parents send me pictures of the injuries, and I ask, "Please, let's fix these streets. " This is no coincidence. Yet, the City's growth over the last 5 years, 10 years is tremendous; tens of millions of dollars. The tax base is growing, but the investment in this community is still zero. And the few affordable housing units we have been able to create, because of the limits that shackle us with HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) with the monies that we receive -- We cut the ribbon on over 60 units of elderly affordable housing in the West Grove. You know how many West Grovites moved in? So, many months ago, as Igo around taking pictures and selfies and attending events and cutting ribbons and trying to show what we're fighting for an working on, Mr. Al Crespo, who isn't always the most eloquent with his point, but he made one pretty strong when he said, "What has he really done? What's your champion really done for you?" And he wasn't wrong, because not one unit of affordable housing has been built since I've been here; not one street has been paved. So don't go patting me on the back for how far we've come. We're still on the precipice of losing everything. And there's many places where the markets will come in and they will redevelop, and the market forces are healthy, and that's what grows a city, and gentrification is normal, but there are some places where we owe a debt to a community that has been hurt and damaged and held back by the City, where we need to put a finger on the scale and say, "Development can come and is going to come, but we're going to incentivize it and steer it in the right way, " and that it will preserve not only the historic structures; that it will build up those have broken down, but most of all that it will preserve the people that -- who want to live here, that they can live here. So what I'm asking from my fellow Commissioners is your trust and your help, because what I'm proposing is no small move, because all the small moves haven't accounted to anything. This is a stick of dynamite. This is a reset button. This is where it starts today, if we're able to take this first step. And all we're really doing is acknowledging a Finding of Necessity that says, "It's deserved here, that it's needed here. " The trust I'm going to ask from you is that I'm doing it for the right reasons; that I've done my homework in terms of communication with and education with the neighborhood. Nobody came in here and said, "Hey, the world owes me a favor; give me something. " Everyone in here came with full education of what a CRA is, how it functions, what the good and the bad is. And trust me, I was talking in a room full of "noes" eight months ago. This has been a long road of education to say, "Well, we want something, but we want it done right. We don't want something that's going to be abusive. We don't want something that actually has the wrong unintended consequence. " So I want you to trust me that I have taken those steps. I don't need to talk about the qualification or the urgency that exists here. I want to address a couple doubts and questions that I know do exist, because in order to achieve this in the way we're doing it, may be considered a little bit unconventional. This is not a new CRA we're trying to form; this is an expansion of an existing CRA, and so, I want to speak about that for a second. Why not just create a Grove CRA on its own? Well, the way it works is it traps the tax money that's there and continues to allocate that to the City and County; gets spread throughout. New tax monies stay here. But in order to get new tax money, you have to encourage new development. And Commissioner Hardemon knows full well how long it takes to build up a TIF (Tax Increment Funds) to actually make a difference -- the tax increment funding -- before you can really start making transformative projects. We don't have that time. We don't have that luxury. The answer here is a connection with an existing CRA. That Omni CRA is doing exactly what we would like for this CRA to be doing. What I don't want people to misunderstand is that that CRA will become a donor district for this CRA. That is not the case. It has its own projects. It has an existing redevelopment plan. It has a City of Miami Page 95 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 current budget. And it is chockful of everything it's trying to do. So the folks in the Omni have my commitment that not one project will be erased, defunded, or slowed down from the redevelopment plan there that is in place. So where does the money come from? The West Grove portion of the Omni CRA will stand on its own two feet. The new tax that's generated as Grand Avenue does get revitalized, as the areas along U.S. 1 get revitalized, this will create the new tax money; an engine. I've also included in my request a section just above U.S. 1, and I know the Administration had asked for that portion to be removed, because it's not truly West Grove, and that's true. It is an area of blight. There are empty lots and strip clubs and junkyards, and garbage in the streets, and infrastructure that's needed, so it qualifies in that sense. But if I'm really honest, that area is the part that's going to develop first, and it's on its way. Some areas have already developed there, and that tax money's already going to the City and the County. But what comes online in this next year, two years, that will create tax increment funding immediately, which will allow us to not rely on the Omni CRA, as well, to find that funding. So we have a plan and this is all part of it, and that's why I'm asking for your guidance, as well as your trust. I want to address one other question of whether or not this is a legal mechanism. A request was made that we ask the State Attorney General whether a noncontiguous expansion like this would be legal, and whether funds can flow throughout a CRA, including from an old portion of a CRA into a new portion, and I welcome that opinion. I would like to amend the language, though, on that AG (Attorney General) request that we are able to move forward during that request, and that we only shut everything down if and when we get a "no. " So I believe right now the words state, "subject to Attorney General approval. " I just want to make sure that it's worded very carefully so that we don't have to wait for that approval if it doesn't come for six months or a year; but that, yes, we have to honor it. If the State Attorney General says "This is illegal, " it is, but I believe it is legal. And I believe our City Attorney also agrees in the fact that our legislation is signed by our City Attorney as true to form and correctness. I've spoken with her this morning to truly understand that she doesn't see this type of an expansion as precluded from the State Statute. The State Statute does not say that you cannot do this. In fact, the State Statute, when it talks about CRA expansions, it says, "The resolution establishing a CRA" -- one CRA -- "or an expansion area must state that one or more slum or blighted areas, or more areas in which there's a short of affordable housing to residents of low and moderate income, including the elderly, exists in such County or municipality, and one CRA may have more than one slum and blighted area. The operation of the area shall be coterminous with the operation of the County or City"; meaning you just can't go beyond the boundaries of the City. We couldn't take East Gables into the CRA, for example. This has also been tested in 13 other cities in Florida that have noncontiguous expansions of their CRAs. Orlando, Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano, Hollywood, Fort Myers, Tampa, Winter Haven, Cocoa, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Destin, and Clear Water all have CRAB with noncontiguous expansions, expansions that don't necessarily touch each other. And even in the City of Miami, it could be argued that expansion across the bay to an island, such as Watson Island, in order to build a tunnel might be a noncontiguous expansion, but for a line drawn along a road to make them connected in gerrymandered fashion. We could have done that with U.S. I and I-95, but I don't believe that's the intent here. I believe we are legally sound in the idea of a noncontiguous expansion. And when those expansions happen, such as the tunnel, the TIF that was built up in the original part becomes the TIF for the whole. So the TIF that's in the Omni CRA becomes one account for one redevelopment plan that has different chapters. There's a chapter for the Omni CRA. There's a chapter for the West Grove portion of the CRA. There's a chapter for the tunnel. There's a chapter for the Arsht and -- but it's all held under one account. It's up to this board and this community to spend that money right. And no one in this room came in here today and said, "We were promised XYZ project or street. " In fact, I did not promise $1 of where something would be built, because I did not want to make a City of Miami Page 96 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 false promise of something that will be decided by the community and the board in the time to come, if this is successful. So we're not under any false pretenses here; we're just trying to do the right thing. And I'll close with another argument that I know that could be posed: If here, why not everywhere?" As the Mayor said, there are areas of perhaps greater need, of greater crime, greater drug use, more slum, more blight. I'm not trying to cover to whole City of Miami as a CRA and cripple the tax base of the City, but I recognize a very small area in my district, a very urgent need that no matter how much the tax base grows, is not getting the attention that it needs. And if there's an area like that in your district, I'm willing to step up and help you in a similar way. I do not want us to create a slippery slope of CRAB everywhere throughout the City in large areas, but I will support you in any way I can to address those communities. For me, this is the only way that we have before us that can save this community right now. So I will move that we accept the Finding of Necessity and pray for a second and a favorable vote. Chair Hardemon: The Chair 71 second it. Is there anyone else that wants to speak? Commissioner Carollo: I do, Mr. Chair. Chair Hardemon: You're recognized. Commissioner Carollo: If I may ask some questions of the Administration. Mr. Assistant City Manager, what are the numbers that we have gotten that we will get from this new area into the CRA, in dollars; dollars from the City, dollars from the County? Nzeribe Ihekwaba (Chief of Operations/Assistant City Manager): I'll let the Budget Director make a presentation, sir. Commissioner Carollo: What I'm trying to get to is -- Chair Hardemon: How much new revenue is it? Commissioner Carollo: -- how much annual dollars is this supposed to bring? So I could understand -- and I think the people need to understand --just how much we're going to have and what they're to expect, because the bottom line here that I see overall, people need housing, and this is where they want the bulk, if not all the money, to go; housing. So I want to be able to get a grasp, and they need to get a hold of what kind of housing can we build with the new money? Christopher Rose (Director): Chris Rose, Office of Management & Budget. Commissioner, I don't have the answer to that question. My apologies, sir. Commissioner Carollo: How can we not have the answer to the most vital question that should be the reason why we're expanding the CRA? Mr. Rose: It would depend on -- Commissioner Carollo: And the reason we're doing is only for one; to bring in new money. And you're telling me that we don't know how much money this is going to bring? How can we move forward on expanding a CRA if we don't know what new money it's going to bring? That should be the number -one reason why we're doing it. I mean, that's 101 CRA. Mr. Rose: Sir, this is a Finding of Necessity. Whether it meets slum and blight, I -- City of Miami Page 97 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, yeah, but now -- I'm sorry. You know, I don't want to promise the people something, and they leave here thinking that, "Gee, we actually won something. We're going to get major housing, major improvements, " and then we find out that the money is so little that we're getting out of it that it's just another fake promise. This is why, since I've gotten here, I've been talking about creating a Housing Authority. If you give me the opportunity, I'm going to show this Administration, this City, how we could create real housing for all of our City; West Grove, Overtown, Liberty City, Little Havana, Allapattah, Wynwood, West Flagler area, because I don't think anybody in this Commission or that's sitting here can deny the fact that that's the number -one need overall our City has. You know what? The world sees of Miami as the beautiful beaches and South Beach, and the party atmosphere in South Beach, which is not Miami, to begin with; or beautiful Brickell; or even the other nice areas, like here, Coconut Grove, that are wealthy. That's not the real Miami. The vast majority of the City of Miami is a poor, humble city; people struggling to make a living, where affordable housing is not found any longer. People cannot live with what they make in this City, because their salaries are low, but the one thing you could be sure that's real high are rents. So our kids are having to move out, and many times, even out of Dade County. New couples that are marrying with young families, if they didn't have -- or don't have parents to give them a big chunk for a down payment, forget it. And then, hopefully, they could qualify for a mortgage. So the America dream of owning your own home is no longer available to the vast majority -- and I say "majority" -- of Miamians, and this is what I'm trying to change. I know that all these developers are going to come with a thousand reasons why what I'm going to bring forward, "You can't do it. You can't do it in that amount of money. " Well, I'm going to tell you, you can. The problem is that we're going to do it at cost. We want people to own their own homes, and we're not going to be greedy, like these developers; that the same square footage in apartments that they'll build and sell for 300 plus, 400 plus thousand, or more, we can buy property when we need to -- because right now, the City owns so much property that we don't necessarily have to start buying yet -- but we could buy property, and we could build where, say, a thousand -square -foot apartment/home -- a nice sized two bedrooms/two bath, decent sized living room, dining room and kitchen -- we can sell way below market value for somewhere between 150 to $175,000 max, which means that payments are going to be, including mortgage, taxes, and maintenance insurance that come with that, are going to be somewhere between 1,100 max, 1,200 bucks a month; that's for a big unit. Now, you all know that that's what's being paid right now for a dump, full of rats and roaches, mold, ceilings falling down; much smaller than that, but this, I assure you, is a reality. And I think, once this Commission starts moving forward in this and sees that this is a reality that we could do -- Now, it's going to require that we put a revolving credit that might be somewhere in the 400 and $500 million. Yeah, that's going to require that, but that's to build some 3, 000 units every year. And once we sell those units -- and the vast majority of Miamians are going to be able to qualms, because if we're giving something that's at least 50 percent or more below market value, you're not going to need that down payment to come through with it; you need to qualify it, and you need to make sure that you could show a lending institution you can make those payments, but now it's not going to be that hard, particularly with some other things that I have in mind in doing, but then it becomes real. There is a segment of our citizens that even those amounts, we all know they're not going to be able to pay, and we all know the reasons. So this is why I want to create within the Housing Authority a fund that when all these developers come, like the last meeting that we had -- Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: -- they were promising this huge -- I don't know -- maybe it was close to a thousand units they were going to be building in one case. They were City of Miami Page 98 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 going to give so many units at market rate, and gee, they were going to be -- not make any profit --I think they said $135,000 for each of those units. Well, I knew there was a lot of smoke that was being blown. So I said in that meeting, "Well, let's create" -- "Look, you know. Maybe it's not the best deal we could cut, but I add it up. You give them so many units that you're not making so much. Just give us the monies; about $12 million. " "But, but, but, but, " all of a sudden, you know. They started with the "buts. " And I still haven't heard from them today. So this Commission needs to start demanding a percentage of those huge profits these developers make before we give them 40, 50, 60 percent more that they could build, and then that money will go in building rentable apartments for those that need Section 8, so they could have a decent place to live in. That's the way we build those. But this is going to be a smaller percentage. The vast majority of people that we're going to be able to get in this net is different. It will be done in a way that they will have homeownership, where they're going to own their own apartment. That's the American dream, and this is what I hope that we could accomplish, because I only came back for one more term for the following reasons -- and those were the exact reasons that Thelma Gibson said that she served and why she's here -- that when I go, I want to make sure that I left Miami a much better place to live in. And if I only accomplish just that one accomplishment of being able -- that we create a Housing Authority that we're going to be building thousands of homes to make the lives of thousands of families better, and that people could accomplish their American dream of owning their own place, then you know what? I'll be very happy that I left Miami a better place in a few years, when I don't serve here any longer. And you know, frankly, I am in shock that staff has no idea of how much money this is going to bring, because if not, what are we discussing here today, you know? And I really would like to have that. Mr.Ihekwaba: Commissioner. Commissioner Carollo: Has the County agreed to a certain amount that they're going to put in? Mr. Rose: No, sir. So, again, we've run some rough calculations in response to your question, sir. The tax base in the area is about $660 million. That's the tax base. If it were to grow at 7 percent, which is a number that we're using in the adopted five year plan, that would come back with an increment on both the City and the County of about $650,000 in year one. That number would grow overtime. So that would be the increment to start with. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. But how much is the total amount the County and the City is going to bring into this CRA expansion? Mr. Rose: It would start at $650, 000 in year one, sir, if it grows at 7 percent. If the tax roll grows more in that area, even more. Commissioner Carollo: So, even at your estimate now that might be correct; might not be, because -- Mr. Rose: Very different. Commissioner Carollo: -- no one's done any calculations up to now. Mr. Rose: Yes, sir. Commissioner Carollo: And gentlemen, I will tell you, at least with me here, the City better change. This Administration better change. And I hope the new City of Miami Page 99 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Manager makes a change so that the key answers that we need are right there upfront. Mr. Rose: Yes, sir. Commissioner Carollo: But 600, and you said 50,000. Well, you -- let me, so that I don't even guess at it. 650,000. And the Grove, it's got the highest land value practically in Miami, outside of downtown and Brickell, so I have to go with an estimate of about 175 by per unit; hopefully get it down to 150. We could build maybe three and three quarter units. Commissioner Reyes: Yep. Chair Hardemon: Okay. Commissioner Carollo: So the CRA expansion that you come here today with huge hopes that it's going to change -- Commissioner, you said that the only way that you could save the West Grove is by having this expansion? You're going to get three and three quarter homes, at best -- Commissioner Reyes: A year. Commissioner Carollo: -- in a year. And I said "at best, " because the only way that you could make my formula work is by going up. If you go straight with single- family homes, it's extremely difficult, because the price of land is still the same; very expensive. So if you go with a single-family home, maybe we could do about one and a half units. So I think I've shown you, as clear as I can, that while the idea was a noble idea, this is not the solution, either. The solution is that this Commission has to commit serious dollars that is not going to come from the general fund; it's going to be in a revolving account that we could build at least some 3, 000 units, certainly less -- no less than 2,500 a year -- somewhere between 2,500, 3,000 plus a year, every year, that are spread throughout the City. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much, Commissioner Carollo. Commissioner Carollo: Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Would you like to say something, Commissioner Reyes? Commissioner Reyes: Yes, yes, definitely. Definitely, I want to say something. I do agree with Commissioner Carollo on the final resort of expanding the CRA to the West Grove. And I'm going to make a little history here, because everybody does, but I'm -- then I think it's my turn. I am -- I tend to be more straightforward and go up to -- go to a point, and that's it. But when the first CRA was created, I was a principal economic analyst of the Overtown/Park West Redevelopment Project, working with my good friend, and one of the smartest person that I ever met, Mr. Herb Bailey. Some of you might remember him, but he's a person that was so knowledgeable about affordable housing and creating pockets of development that it was incredible. So the idea of creating the Overtown/Park West Redevelopment Project was to foster economic development, because it was Over -- Park West was in an area that was -- it was due for development, but what I mean development, I mean big development; buildings that will increase the taxes that was going to be charged by the City of Miami, because TIF is -- the only thing that TIF does, tax increment financing, is that you freeze the actual taxes at the rate once the CRA is created, and development starts taking place. The additional taxes, because of that development, is the one that is retained by the CRA, and it is reinvested in the area. You see? Having said that, I haven't heard my colleague, Commissioner Russell -- I City of Miami Page 100 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 was under the impression that if we could -- if it would have been legal if the expansion of the CRA was going to use funds that are being now generated at the Omni CRA -- which, by the way, how much is it? Mr. Rose: The Omni CRA? Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Mr. Rose: My apologies. I sent that out yesterday. Commissioner Reyes: I'm guessing about 20 -some million dollars a year, right? Mr. Rose: No. All three of them together are 26. Commissioner Reyes: All (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- Omni CRA, how much is it? Mr. Rose: About 10, 10 and a half. Commissioner Reyes: $10 million that don't go to the general fund, and it will be able to help everybody else in the City of Miami, because the idea was to generate -- the idea at the time -- I don't know if with time it had changed -- was to generate development, and the CRA will sunset, and that additional revenue will be used for the benefit of the whole City, but this is not the case now. The only way that this expansion could benefit -- and I agree with you. I feel your pain. I know the need for housing, and that's why we are presenting a resolution that is to create a new Housing Department, which we are going to use the funds and -- we're going to use the bond money, and also, we're going to generate the funds for development -- redevelopment. And when I'm saying development of affordable housing, I do agree a hundred percent with Commissioner Carollo, because our median income -- the median salaries in the City of Miami is $35, 000. And don't you tell me that you will - - what they call "workforce housing," and they are charging $1,600, $1,900. A person that is making $35, 000 cannot pay that. When you say "affordable housing" and you're charging $1,200 a month, $900 a month, that is not affordable housing. We need to really get serious and build affordable housing. And through this Housing Department, I think that we are -- we will be able to do it, and generate the funds needed for it by a formula that it will be applied to developers when they are -- they want to change or increase the density. You see? Plus, other means. So what I'm trying to say is this: You see, first of all, I don't know if it is legal to do that. You see? And I have read Florida Statute 6 --163.361 about expansions of CRA. And in the expansion of CRA, it says, you can increase the boundaries. Commissioner Russell said that it could be -- I mean, they don't have to be next to each other, that we can -- they can expand it in another way. But also, I have information here from the Florida Redevelopment Association that says that in order to -- it says, "However, the boundaries of the area cannot be changed without starting the process from the beginning. " That is that we will have to start the process of the Omni CRA from the beginning. You see? I mean, all of those gray areas have not been answered when I met with the City Attorney. I think that we have to wait until the decision is made, you see? And we have also to be very much aware, very much aware, because Commissioner Carollo hit it right on the nail -- I mean, the nail right on the head. How much additional tax revenue it is going to be -- is going to be generated in West Grove by just including it into the Omni CRA? Nothing is going to happen unless you can dig deep, you can take money from that $10 million that it generated for -- in your CRA, and you can use those funds in order to build affordable housing, because if not -- Believe me, I wish we could do it. I wish we can generate millions and millions of dollars for affordable housing. It is not only a Grove -- a West Grove problem, you see? As a -- I mean, as Mr. Soliman was saying, in West Little Havana, there are kids that have been bitten by rats, you see? City of Miami Page 101 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 In District 4, there are people that they are living in conditions that they cannot afford. We have to do something. There is a dire need in the whole City to provide housing, particularly when the -- what we are being build -- I mean, the units that are being built, they're not for working people. They are not for real Miamians -- you see? -- the people of Miami. They're for beautiful people that come from someplace else, or people that they have a lot of money. But as residents that are making this median -- has a median income of $35, 000 gross -- that is not disposable income; that's gross, okay? -- they cannot afford what is being built. We have to build affordable housing. Okay. What I'm saying is this, and what I'm trying to say is this: Unless we can -- if it is expanded, you can take money from the Omni CRA, and it is permitted by law -- if permitted by law to do that, the net benefit is not going to be that much. I don't want you to walk out of here with an idea and all the false hope that it's going to be rain on you. You see? I don't want to do that. I cannot allow that. And if we can do that, we can expand, if it is legal -- you see? -- I think -- and can take money from the Omni CRA, I think that it will be fair; it will be fair to include in that expansions when you expanded the boundaries, East Little Havana and Allapattah, because we have the same need in those, okay? Otherwise, I cannot support this, and I think that we should wait with -- I mean, for the decision of the State Attorney, or whatever. Bondi, right? Chair Hardemon: What's her name? Ms. Mendez: Attorney General. Chair Hardemon: Attorney General. Big difference. Commissioner Reyes: Huh? Vice Chair Russell: Attorney General. Commissioner Reyes: Whatever she -- her name is, okay? I -- what I want you to understand is that it is not going to be overnight. And by declaring it -- making it a CRA, it's not going to be just overnight you're going to have the housing. We need to start working and working fast and working fast, and the only way that I think we can do it is by creating a Housing Department and start identifying the areas and walk, I mean, straight ahead and try to provide the -- I mean, residents on -- of the City of Miami affordable housing so they can feel -- And I believe -- I am big believer in ownership, in ownership. When I said "affordable housing, " I said housings that they can purchase with their income, according to their income, and they become owners. That's the American dream. That is the American dream. And that's what we have to be working in achieving. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Commissioner Reyes: And that is -- okay. Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. I'd like to -- before you -- no, no, no. I want to -- there are other Commissioners who have not had an opportunity to speak, and I want to speak before I allow Commissioner Gort to speak, and any other responses. The first thing I'd like to do is ask this question: Those of you who came here from the Grove, who spoke in support of this resolution, if you are a property owner in the Grove, raise your hand. Place your hands down. And the reason that I asked this question is because I want to know my audience, and what that means is building affordable housing for people to move into your neighborhood is one thing, City of Miami Page 102 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 but improving upon the condition of the existing housing in the neighborhood is another, and that's what helps people stay in their communities. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Chair Hardemon: If housing is dilapidated, it's deteriorating, it forces you to move; it forces you to abandon the place that you've grown up in. If Commissioner Gibson was not so fortunate to move into a better housing situation, she would have still by the -- she would have still been living without electricity, without a running sewer system, because she could not afford to make those improvements into her house. And we all know someone that lives in a 1916 built house with the same original windows, with the same wood flooring, lack of air conditioning, with the same electrical system running throughout their units. They have the corroded pipes that are supposed to take away the waste from their house, but undoubtedly, it's falling to the floor that is beneath the floor of their house. And it's important that we talk about this, because, yes, the land that that shack or that that dilapidated housing or that home sits upon may be very, very valuable, but the cost to remedy that home, to renovate it, to bring it back into some sort of glory, or to bring it to a condition that is standard -- and I'm not -- when I say that, I mean that that's something that each and every person sitting in this room would want to live in; standard housing -- that price may be too much for that individual homeowner to afford. And thus, when someone offers them the money -- I tell people this all the time: You do have a choice of whether or not you sell or keep the property. But certainly, Government, when it has the ability to assist you with funds in renovating the existing housing to keep people in their houses, to improve upon the tax base in the community, to improve the standard of living and the experience of each and every person that visits us and lives in the City of Miami, that awesome responsibility is something that can be realized with something like a CRA. All over the State of Florida, since their inception, CRAB have been under attack. I have visited, personally, to our State Government, advocating on the behalf of our CRAB, and I will tell you this: In some subcommittees -- and I can extrapolate to the entirety of the Senate, the entirety of the House that there are many, many elected officials that do not understand CRAB. They don't understand that primarily because they haven't read the Redevelopment Act, the one that the Vice Chairman was reading to you earlier. And the problem -- and it's a pesky one -- with reading is that if you don't read it, you don't know for yourself. So even though you're tasked with writing laws that are supposed to benefit those residents who live in the State of Florida, when you're told what to think and you're told what to vote for or against, you sometimes do things that are averse -- or adverse to people's benefits. And so, I say to you all, CRAB are under attack. They want you to believe that CRAB are ways in which elected officials use funds to garner favoritism. They want you to believe that they -- inherently, because they are a CRA -- are entities in which there will be graft. They furthermore want you to believe that they require some degree of expertise to be included upon their board members; someone who is an expert in real estate, someone who's an expert in business, someone who's an expert in science. Choose your profession. But I will tell you this: It's not true. It's not true. And to paint a more clear picture for you, I want you to understand this. This Commission is the Board of the Omni CRA. It is the Board of the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA. And it is the Board of the Midtown CRA. This Commission approves a $1 billion budget each year. Have you ever seen an addition to our Commission that is an expert in real estate to guide us through this process, to vote with us? Have you ever seen an expert in tax incentives sit beside me and guide me in my decision-making? You have not. Now, the redevelopment agency, because we are the same board, is only a snippet, a small portion of the community in the City of Miami that just so happens to be black and brown communities; communities that have been neglected, communities that have been under attack, communities that have not received the proper investment from not only the City, but the Counties [sic] and State of Florida. These are the City of Miami Page 103 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 communities that are in great need. These are the communities that people run from and not to. These are the communities that some feel trapped in and want to leave, but these are the communities that are closest to all the jewels, like they are, in the City of Miami. These are places that, for a long time, when they talked about slum clearance, they weren't talking about the conditions of the property; they were talking about the condition of the people. They wanted to move the people. That was the tagline of slum clearance; that is why Overtown happened the way it happened; they moved the people. Did the conditions change? No. (Applause) Chair Hardemon: They moved the people. What the City of Miami, what the County, and what the State of Florida has done to the people who live in neighborhoods like this is a crime. (Applause) Chair Hardemon: And there's something called "restorative justice. " You ever heard it? It's when you take the victim and the person who is the aggressor, the perpetrator, and you put them together, and they come up with a solution for their -- for the issue that came between them, to solve it to both of their liking. We talk all the time about how many black folks signed our Charter. It was so refreshing to hear the truth of why. You heard it. Why? It was so refreshing to hear someone say, "They went back to being disenfranchised." It's not like the police force was always integrated. It's not like we were always, as black folk, policemen; we were patrolmen. We had to have a separate court; first in the nation. Let's celebrate it, but it is what it is. Miami is a city -- like many other cities in the United States of America -- that chose to harm people who are not the majority, for their personal benefit, for their economic benefit. And so, when we talk about all of this, it's important that we go back in history, and that we use the tools that we have today to remedy our wrongs. I must tell you that when Commissioner Russell was first elected as Commissioner, I was afraid of what he was going to do with the CRAB, because the tone of how CRAB should be operated or should not be operated was so loud amongst some individuals that it silenced your voices, those of you who actually need the real benefit. When you talk about slum and blight, and you talk about an area that causes concern because it decreases safety, it increases the likelihood of disease, it increases the likelihood of poverty, it decreases the life expectancy of the individuals that live there, I mean, these are very real things that affect people, so think about that. You remove the people, you remove the slum. Every once in a while, you get a Commission that has just enough votes to change the path that a community is on. I would tell you, knowing my audience, I know this; that the victory in this resolution is on this side of the dais. (Applause) Chair Hardemon: I can't tell you what will happen, but what I will tell you is this: Despite the rising property values in the West Grove, there continues to be a significant amount of people who are living in poverty; there continues to be individuals who require the assistance of its government, who they paid their taxes to, to help them get through -- The beautiful thing about tax increment financing is that you paid the taxes. Raise your hand if you paid your taxes. I paid my taxes. Because if you didn't, I'd take your house from you, wouldn't I? I don't care if you're from Cordele, Georgia, or if you're from Nassau, Bahamas; the one thing that our great grandmothers and grandfathers always told us was `pay your taxes." Pay your taxes. This is our opportunity -- Like we take these tax dollars and invest it in everything around this City -- streets, roads, police, housing -- this is our opportunity to do the same thing in this neighborhood. Don't think that these dollars City of Miami Page 104 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 are being used for anything different than to make Miami a better place to live, but everybody deserves to enjoy better living conditions; everyone. And so, when I think about where we are in this decision-making process, I can't help but think about restorative justice. I can't help but think that this is a step in the right direction. And understand this: Even with $650, 000 of additional revenue coming in per year with the expansion, that's a net positive. You're bringing value to the CRA. That $650,000 can be bonded over a certain number of years, and we can have a lot of money to deal with right now. The tax revenue that's being generated in the Omni area will rightfully be the same tax increment that you can use in this space. It's not separate. And when the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA expanded, it expanded to an area that was in need that wasn't generating tax revenue that was sufficient. It was a negative tax benefit to the area; and so, the Overtown community had to support it. So this is actually better than that. But you know why? Because your property values are increasing. And so, this is the perfect opportunity to capture that property value and spend it back in that neighborhood, just to guarantee that we have better housing conditions. But I'll tell you that this is where it needs to be spent. And so, there were a number of things that were wrong, number of individuals and number of communities that were wrong regarding community redevelopment agencies. Even when I think back -- and I'll bring this up at another time -- to when Commissioner Michelle Spence -Jones was removed from her office. Commissioner Spence -Jones was the Chairman [sic] of the Omni and the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA. The District 2 Commissioner at that time then took it upon himself, when Dunn was in office, to bifurcate these CRAB, and you had a difference in leadership, and the difference in leadership now caused a difference in the plan and how it's implemented. And so, I'm happy to see that the sort of thinking is being used in the Omni Redevelopment Agency, but I must admit that all of us, including Commissioner Michelle Spence -Johns, deserve for that wrong to be righted. And so, what I ask of today is the support of Commissioner Gort in making this a reality. And I'll tell you this, all of you, this is not easy. And the reason it's not easy is because there are many communities that are like this one that deserve economic incentive, that deserve for the homeowners to get a tax break. Look, we help the homeless. We help those who've been -- we help everyone who comes to our neighborhood but the people who live in it. (Applause) Chair Hardemon: And it's about time that we help the people that generate the tax revenue and who need the assistance, and that's what this is about. Do I think that communities in Little Havana deserve relief? Yes. Do I believe that the communities in Little Haiti deserve relief? Yes. Do I believe there are communities in Liberty City that deserve relief? Yes. And I don't think -- and I'll be honest, since we're honest -- I don't think -- Well, I personally believe that if not for this gentleman to my left bringing an issue like this forward that it would have ever seen the light of day. (Applause) Chair Hardemon: And I say that to you because we all recognize the needs in our neighborhoods, but when I thought about the expansion of a CRA to help some other communities, the media powers that be would have rallied on my ahead. And so, I'm happy to see someone like this gentleman have a heart for these neighborhoods that deserve relief. And for the time that he's on this dais -- because he may end up being our congressman someday --for the time that he's on this dais, I'm going to count on him for support in bringing relief like this to pockets of other neighborhoods in the City of Miami. So I thank you for bringing it. Thank you for the discussion. And unfortunately, the ball is now in the hands of our dear friend of the City of Miami. Vice Chair Russell: No pressure. City of Miami Page 105 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 CommissionerCarollo: Don't -- Commissioner Gort: I'm used to it; don't worry. Chair Hardemon: But listen -- but this is -- this man here is part of the reason that we have the passage of a $400 million bond; that $100 million of it is going towards economic development and affordable housing in the City of Miami. So he's not -- he's accustomed to making tough decisions, and I trust in his decision-making. No matter what the result may be, I trust in his decision-making, and sometimes that's most important in how we come about with an answer. Mayor Suarez: Mr. Chair. Chair Hardemon: Commissioner -- You want to speak first, before Commissioner Gort7 Mayor Suarez: Up to the Commissioner. Chair Hardemon: All right. Mayor Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Chair. So I'm a little bit of a numbers guy myself, and, you know, numbers are often how you frame them, and projections are very difficult, because projections are based on speculative information. We don't know how long or how much the City's going to grow, for how many years, at what rate. We have to make certain assumptions, and that's why it makes it very difficult for the Administration, or for anyone to give -- sort of pinpoint information on how much resource is available. But let me give you some rough calculations of some rough math that I've done, and it goes to some of your points and things that I've talked to you about in the past. The rate of change, meaning the growth, the rate of growth in this area -- and this area's been changed, my understanding, by an amendment -- was 83.8 percent in the last five years; 83.8 percent. That's, on average, 13 percent growth. But if you estimate 7 percent growth, which is half of that -- very conservative -- half of that growth over a 20 year period, if I'm not mistaken, that's a bondable capacity; assuming, of course, because there's assumptions, that the County and the City both were to contribute full TIF into the area of $15 million. Now, as you pointed out -- and I'm glad that you asked the members of the audience who are homeowners to raise their hand, because I think that was the right question -- there are, I think, according to the report, roughly 600 homes in the West Grove, in the boundary area. And if you take the idea that you had, which is to say some homes might need to be rebuilt; some homes might just need to be refurbished -- impact windows, new roof -- whatever it takes to make sure that we stop this tide of gentrification that has completely overwhelmed the Grove, and you estimate that, per home, you spend $75,000 -- in some, you'd have to spend 150, maybe, to rebuild a home; and some, you spend 25,000 to do the windows and the -- so on average, you spend 75, 000, that would allow you to rebuild or refurbish approximately one-third of the entire West Grove, 200 of the 600 homes. So I think when we look at the numbers, there's a lot of different ways to look at the numbers. There's a lot of different ways to project the numbers. And none of us here have a crystal ball. None of us here know what's going to happen. I think the reason why I spoke in favor of the finding of necessity was because I do believe that there's a need, and I think that's what's before us, is a resolution discussing whether or not there is a need; whether or not this report establishes that need. And then, of course, it's the first step in a lot of hoops that need to be overcome to establish an expansion of a CRA. But I do want to give some context to the numbers, because you can look at the numbers a variety of different ways. Certainly, one year's worth of TIF, un -bonded, would get you a certain amount of product if you built a full home. And, you know, City of Miami Page 106 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 you can also look at it and say, "That TIF, assuming a reasonable growth rate, bonded and assuming a different kind of construction, whether it's" -- you know -- "whether it's refurbishing, or whether it's rebuilding a home and sort of having a mixture of that, to try to" -- like you said -- "give people an option." There's 600 homes. Maybe they don't all choose to stay, but the ones that do, we want to make sure that they have the ability to stay. And I think that gives you a slightly different perspective on what the numbers could mean for the West Grove. Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Commissioner Gort? Commissioner Gort: Right now -- so we're talking about history. I think I can give you a little bit of history. I was in Downtown Miami Business Association. I was the president at the time when the Omni -- I mean the Overtown that started doing it, and it was very difficult; the few years were very, very dijcult. We didn't have any funding. I think it took about 10 years before we really got any funding to do so. Now, the 14 different -- When you look at the need --finding of necessity, there's 14 points. Those 14 points apply to the whole City of Miami, I can tell you that. It applies to the whole City of Miami. I welcome the statements by the -- Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Reyes. I worked on the -- Commissioner Carollo, we served together for four years. He's a man that does his homework. I'm looking forward to see that plan, because affordable housing and workforce home is what we need. This is the complaint I get constantly. People are working, but they cannot pay the rent. So this is something I'm looking forward, working with you all for that, because my staff and I, we've been talking about that for about six months now, and I think it's important we can do that. But at the same time, we need to understand that what we're voting on is to accept the study that's in front of us. But I wanted people to understand, because that's a lot of hopes, and a lot of people who looking -- that they going to receive funding right away. I need for you all to understand this is a long-time process, not easy. But I welcome the debates. I think the debates from Commissioner Reyes and Commissioner Carollo is very important. We can all work together on all these ideas coming up. I mean, we need ideas to do that, because it's not easy. How long have we all been working, trying to create affordable housing? I've worked on affordable housing and not -for -profits for 20 years now. I've been able to create a lot of them, joint ventures. I think we got a bond issue that's coming out that we can issue, and I can see that leverage to make it even better, or triple the amount of money we can use for affordable housing. So for that rea -- I don't have any problem voting on this today, but I want people to understand it's still a long way to go. It's a lot of -- it's a long process. He's got to come back, he's got to talk to you all; what's the plan, what -- we got to set the plan on how we're going to do it, where the funding going to come from. But I want you - - I don't want you to go out of here and comment, if we approve this today, thinking that you're going to see immediate results, because it's not going to happen; unfortunately, it will not happen. I mean, we're all working for it, we all want to do it, but it's not that easy. Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Gort is right; there are many steps that need to be taken, and this is one of them. Vice Chair Russell: Two small amendments -- Chair Hardemon: But I'm just saying -- Commissioner Reyes: It's a lot of process. Commissioner Gort: As far as it's got to go through, it's got to go in front of the County. It's got to come up with the ideas, got to come up with a plan. City of Miami Page 107 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Chair Hardemon: With the way the resolution is worded, though, how this says, "Subject to an opinion from the State" -- Vice Chair Russell: That's an amendment I would like. Commissioner Gort: Yeah. Chair Hardemon: Right. I mean, I personally, if I were voting in the positive on this, would like to see that stricken from it. I don't think it should be subject to the Attorney General Pam Bondi, or whomever that person may be, and the reason is because I've seen that there's a certain number of individuals who are in a certain party that want to see the end of CRAB, and have done a lot of things that would be deleterious to its existence; and so, therefore, I don't want to wait on an opinion that I know is going to come out in a way that is going to be -- or take a long time, too -- favorable to them. It is an opinion; every lawyer in here has one, and all of you who aren't lawyers have one, too, so -- and sometimes, you're right, and sometimes, you're wrong. And so, I would like to see that language stricken from it. Vice Chair Russell: Mover accepts the amendment. The other amendment I would like to see is that we bring back in the area just north of U.S. 1, as it is a crucial part that will help grow that TIF money. Speaking of projections -- And I do appreciate Commissioner Carollo turning to math, because he unwittingly actually helped make the case for me of why this needs to be an expansion and not a new CRA. If started from scratch, he's absolutely right; that growth would be so slow, it would be way too long. And by the time we built that TIF to expend, everyone's gone; every name I mentioned in this room just now. Instead, by working together with the Omni CRA and growing that account together, it can be tremendous. Now, the County did an analysis on the Omni CRA just over a year ago. And if the Omni CRA extends its life by 15 years, the projected TIF, the projected tax increase will be over $800 million. Our internal calculations show it closer to a billion. And what that means is, if the Omni stays on track and continues developing in the area, the new taxes generated in that area will amount to that. Now, the new executive director, Jason Walker, who has now been in therefor over a year has done magic to create money, because the TIF that we had available to us when I came in was already spoken for. It was spoken for baseball fields and tunnels and performing arts centers and movie studios, and we didn't have money to come up with. So what he did was he went to the bank and said, "This is the projected tax revenue I have over the next 15 years, which is the life of this current CRA. Will you loan me money based on that projected revenue?" And, boom, we have 20 new million dollars there. We can do the same thing in the West Grove as we project what that projected TIF, what that projected tax increase over the next 15 years or however many years it will be, can be. Now, the steps, though, are not to come up with that projection now. Today is the finding of necessity. The next step is the County to agree. The next step is to create that redevelopment plan, which will have the budget, not based on, "How much money do we have to play with?" but "What needs to we have to solve?" and the money will be there. It's not going to be tomorrow, but we're on a path, and this is the first step. And I thank you for your -- Commissioners, for your support. I respect the dissenting opinions, and I do want to support you in your efforts for affordable housing and Housing Authority. We have a multi pronged approach here, but we got to make sure we don't step on each other's initiatives, especially in each other's districts, to try to solve the problems that we know closest to our hearts and our homes. So I want to continue to support you all, because I know you're coming from a place of trying to do something good, as well. We may just not be on the same track, but I want to get on that track with you. So if the seconder would accept my amendment regarding the other portion of the district, I'd like to call the question. City of Miami Page 108 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Chair Hardemon: He does accept. Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman? Chair Hardemon: Yes. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Commissioner Carollo: If I could ask a couple of more questions, I won't take long. Chair Hardemon: Yes, sir. Commissioner Carollo: And let me say this for the record: You have brought forth two areas that I think are very valid. The last one that you mentioned of a certain party and taking now that amendment, you want my support in leaving the amendment out. I was a little concerned on pulling the amendment. And I think Commissioner Russell's intentions were good, making sure we were in sound legal track, but when you brought the other little thing, it (UNINTELLIGIBLE), so I would agree with that; that that amendment be pulled out, because I think you're right; that's exactly what's going to happen. Second of all -- Commissioner Reyes: Oh, I'm sorry. Commissioner Carollo: No, no -- Commissioner Reyes: Sure. Commissioner Carollo: -- ifI could finish, I'm -- Commissioner Reyes: I'm sorry. Vice Chair Russell: I'll remove my calling of the question. I didn't realize there was more discussion to be had, so I -- Commissioner Carollo: Well, thank you. I appreciate it. The way that you described it -- See, I saw a lot of people with shirts of "Housing Now," so I'm assuming that the majority of the people here were strictly for more housing; that's why I touched upon that. Now I have seen that you have been -- steadily been on top of one area that's also very important for people to be able to keep their homes. We have a lot of retirees, a lot of people that don't make the income that they used to that are losing their homes or having to sell, because they can't afford the upkeep anymore. So I think the point that you have brought out is a very valid point, and that brings into a different perception. The Mayor mentioned that maybe an average of 75,000. I think his estimates were high. I think you're probably going to need less; therefore, you're going to cover more than one-third of the homes there; in fact, you'll probably cover more than half or maybe all, who knows? Because most homes, I figure will need 10, 15, 20,000 to get them up to a state of where they should be. Question that I have is, right now, what is the life that's left on the Omni CRA? How many more years does it have -- Vice Chair Russell: 15. Commissioner Carollo: -- before it's re -- Vice Chair Russell: Well, now, 13. Commissioner Carollo: -- before it would be renewed? City of Miami Page 109 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Vice Chair Russell: 13. Commissioner Carollo: 13. Okay. So on the 15 million bonding that the Mayor got from you, is that based on the 13 years, or more? Mr. Rose: It's based on 20 years, sir. Commissioner Carollo: On 20 years. Okay, we're not that far. Mr. Rose: Right. Commissioner Carollo: So, you know, it could be 10 if we go with even a 13 year bonding. It's still a sizeable amount of money; it's not, you know, just a few dollars, if that's the way we want to go, in bonding. You had mentioned before that the Omni CRA has got approximately $10 million that it brings in. Out of that -- Commissioner Reyes: How much? Commissioner Carollo: -- how much is available today that hasn't been committed that we have to spend? Mr. Rose: They have bonded out the majority of their future capacity. I -- Commissioner Carollo: But is -- what is left? Vice Chair Russell: It's committed. Mr. Rose: Yeah. Commissioner Carollo: It's all committed? Mr. Rose: Yes, sir. Commissioner Carollo: What is the amount of cost to run it, for staff, for benefits that we spend a year there? Vice Chair Russell: Don't believe the CRA staff is here today. Oh, I'm sorry; we do have a member of the CRA staff here today. If -- Commissioner Carollo: I'm talking about the total package of salary, benefits, taxes we pay. What is the cost to run it? I have no idea. Mr. Rose: One moment, sir, and I'll look it up. I've got it. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Vice Chair Russell: If I may, Mr. Commissioner, one adoption we made in this last year is one of the grand jury report recommendations to keep administrative costs under a certain percentage, and to mandate a certain percentage toward affordability, so we are in line with that, but I'll let Adam give you a specific number. Commissioner Carollo: But that's not the question I'm asking, and -- or what I'm getting at, rather -- so I appreciate it, but I'm not going there. Vice Chair Russell: Okay. City of Miami Page 110 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Carollo: I just want to know the amount, whatever it is. Vice Chair Russell: See if I can find that, too. Mr. Rose: Salaries plus fringe are in the range of about $650,000; another 500,000 or so for all the other things, whether it's accounting, professional services, contracted services that are operating costs. So let's go with about 1.2 million. I'm adding up a bunch of numbers real fast. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, about 1.2, 1.3. Mr. Rose: Yes, sir. Commissioner Carollo: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Commissioner Reyes: That's more than 10 percent --right? --of the total? Commissioner Carollo: Well, it's about 12 and a half, 13. Commissioner Reyes: 12 and a halfpercent. Mr. Rose: And recall the -- Commissioner Carollo: 12.3. Commissioner Reyes: 12.3 is the maximum. Mr. Rose: -- 10 and a half that I gave you before was the City's piece. There's also a County piece. So the total budget for the CRA on the year is 26 million. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Mr. Rose: Revenue versus expenses. Commissioner Carollo: And out of the 26, everything's basically been bonded out or committed. Mr. Rose: Yes, sir. Commissioner Carollo: The amount, again, of the cost to run it is somewhere between 1.2, 1.3, in your estimate? Mr. Rose: Yes, sir. Commissioner Carollo: This is just a question, Mr. Chairman, that's separate from the item that we have, but can't help, because it could bring added dollars: Why can't we go back, if, indeed, CRAs don't have to be continuous to expand, just have one CRA again, being Overtown, can take Omni, and expanding to West Grove? And we save maybe not the whole 1.3 million, but certainly the bulk of it, where now you don't have to duplicate so much, and you have one CRA that's running this. And this is just, you know, for thought. Chair Hardemon: I like how you think; at least where you -- part of what you're thinking of, because the CRAB are all different, and they've been used differently. And so, this is a welcome to some continuity in some of the decision-making that we have. But I'll tell you this: CRAB, they're all different. City of Miami Page 111 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Carollo: Sure. Chair Hardemon: Don't think that every CRA -- Commissioner Carollo: No, no, I understand that. Chair Hardemon: -- is made to provide affordable housing, because not all of them are. And so, it just so happens that this one now is one of those that wants to truly address affordable housing. So, Commissioner Carollo, what I'd like to do is I'd like to -- because I know these are all discussions that we can have on another item, because things are going to come up. I'm going to -- Commissioner Carollo: I understand. Chair Hardemon: -- I'll ask that Commissioner Reyes has his moment to speak and then -- Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Chair Hardemon: -- we'll end up calling the question. Yes, you're recognized. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. I want -- and for the record, you see, for the record, I'm not against expanding the CRA. What I am against is not using Omni funds, if it is legal, if it is legal, because there are two ways that we can get development here using the monies for CRA. It's one of the richest CRAs that we have, and according to Commissioner Russell, which I congratulate you for the idea, because there are two -- only two ways that we can use those funds is by sun -setting the CRA or expanding its boundaries, okay? Now, if -- according to your words, you are going to be able to bring in an additional revenues, tax revenues; $800 million, $800 million, because if that is due to the continuous redevelopment or development which is taking place there, my concern is, and I -- if we can expand it, I will love to expand it to other areas that are in need; in need. My concern is when you said, "Not a single penny from the Omni CRA is going to be touched. They're going to be them only. Them." You see, your revenues, your increasing revenues, which is going to take time, you see? Vice Chair Russell: I didn't say that. Chair Hardemon: You misunder -- Commissioner Reyes: No, no, no. You said that you make sure -- I mean, you promised everybody that money from all -- maybe I -- Vice Chair Russell: It's a misunderstanding. Commissioner Reyes: -- misunderstood you, because if you are having the additional increment -- Mr. Budget Director, sir -- Mr. Rose: Yes, sir. Commissioner Reyes: -- the amount of money that it is committed for the bonds that been bonded out has a limit of $10 million, or it is any additional -- additional increment is also committed? Mr. Rose: The current Omni CRA, as drawn, not with this expansion, is -- City of Miami Page 112 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Reyes: No, no, I'm not talking about expansions. I'm talking future development, future development. If there is future development that would bring another million dollars -- for example, a big building would bring another -- additional revenues, and then instead of $10 million, they have $12 million next year, that is committed, also? Mr. Rose: The expansion calculations that I've given are very conservative; they are 7 percent growth. So if there is expan -- if there is growth on the growth, as you're describing, it would get larger than even the 15 million that the Mayor discussed, bonded over a 20 year period. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. And that -- is that committed? I mean, and the commitment is because of bonds, right? Mr. Rose: Yes, sir. Commissioner Reyes: Commitment is -- when you committed -- when those -- the funds that were committed was -- it had a limit, or as the revenues increase, they are also committed, and they cannot be used, for example, to use money in West Coconut Grove or in Little Havana, if it is expanded, or Allapattah, if it is expanded. That's what I wanted to know, because that -- it would be beautiful, you see. Chair Hardemon: I'll say this: Any time we've had dollars that were committed through the bonding process, the financing never -- does not consider growth so it -- For instance, if it's growing from year to year, they're not really considering that growth in the dollar. They kind of present a very conservative approach to limiting the dollars. They know that you have a certain amount of revenue that's coming. They basically give you the revenue or the loan, or the bond based off of -- Commissioner Reyes: Excuse me. Chair Hardemon: -- what that revenue is at that moment. Commissioner Reyes: Excuse me. Chair Hardemon: So there's conditional -- Commissioner Reyes: Because he have a growth formula. Chair Hardemon: Right. But what I'm saying to you is that -- Commissioner Reyes: Because he have a -- that's right, because -- Chair Hardemon: So -- Commissioner Reyes: -- there is a growth formula; I know that. Chair Hardemon: Remember, what I'm saying to you is that the growth, the growth beyond what is -- because it's not -- there is no growth in the consideration -- I'll give you an example. Like in Om -- in the Overtown CRA with the bonding process - Commissioner Reyes: No. Chair Hardemon: -- they consider the revenue at a certain level, and everything beyond that revenue is additional growth that the CRA is able to use -- City of Miami Page 113 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Reyes: That's what I want to know. Chair Hardemon: -- to create housing, et cetera. So this would be no different. The banks are going to be hesitant to give you a loan or a bond -- Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Chair Hardemon: -- based off of growth. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Chair Hardemon: The growth is for us to use -- Commissioner Reyes: What I'm driving -- Chair Hardemon: -- to invest into these communities. Commissioner Reyes: -- at is if, you see, now -- and I know. I know Omni, it's -- I mean, they don't need an institution -- or they don't need an authority to promote growth; it is market -generated. Mr. Rose: Yes. Commissioner Reyes: It is. Now, if now -- what I'm saying is this: If next year, instead of $10 million, $12 million is generated, if there is anything left, can that -- those funds be used for housing development or for other developments in the expansion of the boundaries? Vice Chair Russell: Yes. Mr. Rose: Yes. Commissioner Reyes: That's what I was totally opposed. Mr. Rose: Yes, sir. Commissioner Reyes: Yes, could be done? Well, I'd be willing to support that if we include other areas, and those additional funds are used for redevelopment in the extensions of the boundaries. Chair Hardemon: Right. So -- Commissioner Reyes: You understand that, Mr. Russell? Do you agree with it? Vice Chair Russell: I do. Chair Hardemon: The -- Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Chair Hardemon: -- seeing no further comment -- Commissioner Reyes: That would make your development faster. Chair Hardemon: -- regarding the issue, all in favor of the item, say "aye. " The Commission (Collectively): Aye. City of Miami Page 114 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And Chair, for the record, is that 5-0? Chair Hardemon: It sounds like. Commissioner Reyes: Yes, yes, if -- with what I said. Mr. Hannon: As amended. Commissioner Reyes: As amended. Chair Hardemon: We'll return back from recess at 3 o'clock. Commissioner Reyes: As amended. (Applause) Later... Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chair? Chair Hardemon: Yes, you're recognized. Commissioner Reyes: I have a point of privilege about the last vote that we took. Chair Hardemon: Okay. Commissioner Reyes: It was my understanding -- and I'm sorry, because I -- in the heat of the discussion, I thought that when this -- it was said, "as amended," I thought that the -- my suggestion of analyzing at least the inclusion of extending the boundaries into some areas of Little Havana and Allapattah, you see, would be also -- I mean, when we present to the -- to Tallahassee the request for their decision that we were going to include those areas as a possibility that we can also extend the boundaries into those areas. And I would like to move that -- I mean, try to direct the City Manager into including the addition of those -- of the analysis of those two areas as to determine if they can -- also can be included in the extension of the Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), if it is possible, you see? Chair Hardemon: If -- I mean, I guess someone from the Manager's office can respond. I do know this is going to have a -- it has a budgetary effect, because you probably have to pay. Vice Chair Russell: We directed several months ago the City Management to conduct a finding of necessity, allocating $25, 000 to do that specific study; in which time, they drew the specific line. So this would be, if I'm not mistaken, a new finding of necessity for a new area; not to say it couldn't be added in -- Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Vice Chair Russell: -- to the eventual CRA expansion -- Commissioner Reyes: Yes, I -- Vice Chair Russell: -- but the next step would be probably separate from this past vote and a new finding of necessity. City of Miami Page 115 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Reyes: And they'll find the necessity of if they are includable -- I mean, if they are -- that they -- they're qualified, they meet all the criteria -- Mr. Rose: Yes, sir. Commissioner Reyes: -- okay? They meet all the criteria, and then I will move -- I will request that it be extended to those areas, also, as it is extended to West -- yes. Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir. Mr. Rose: Good afternoon again, Commissioners. Chris Rose, Ojfice of Management and Budget. And yes, we would need a new finding of necessity study. Our best estimate is the same estimate of 35, 000. It needs to meet one of three slum criteria and -- Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Mr. Rose: --yeah, and the blight, as well. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. I know -- Commissioner Gort: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Commissioner Reyes: -- all the criteria. I worked there. I know how to do this. Commissioner Gort: We got all 14 of them. Commissioner Carollo: What areas are you trying to include, Commissioner? Commissioner Reyes: The -- include -- you are -- if he agrees with you, the areas in -- is Little Havana, those areas that they are blighted; that they need housing; that they need roads; that they need everything; and areas in Allapattah that you also, Commissioner Gort, knows that they need assistance real fast, too. Commissioner Gort: Look -- Chair Hardemon: It should be a citywide look, maybe. Commissioner Gort: I think it'd be -- Mr. Chairman? Chair Hardemon: You're recognized. Commissioner Gort: I think it should be citywide -- Chair Hardemon: Citywide. Commissioner Gort: -- because -- Commissioner Reyes: Fantastic. Commissioner Gort: -- whenever we come up with the study that can give us the information -- Commissioner Reyes: That's right. We also include Liberty City that -- which doesn't fall into the Overtown/Park West Redevelopment Project. City of Miami Page 116 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Carollo: And Little Haiti. Commissioner Gort: The thing is -- Commissioner Reyes: And Little Haiti, okay? Commissioner Gort: -- this can help you for any Federal funds that you want to request. You got some study that have been done that can prove the needs and -- Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Okay. Commissioner Carollo: Look, at -- Chair Hardemon: I don't have any problem with that. Commissioner Carollo: -- the end of the day -- And Chairman -- Chair Hardemon: Please. Commissioner Carollo: -- it's the board that sits in the CRA and this Commission will decide as a board where the money's going to. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: Do you see that affecting anything, Commissioner Russell or Chairman? Commissioner Reyes: You see anything in the negative affecting that, sir? Vice Chair Russell: I don't. It's simply a timing issue, and that's it. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Vice Chair Russell: That's it. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Vice Chair Russell: How long did it take us to go through the process? And if we were to do citywide, what would you estimate cost and timing? Mr. Rose: The City Commission directed the Administration on April 13, and here we are in January. We had the study ready a couple of months ago. But I wouldn't even hazard a guess on citywide. Commissioner Carollo: Six months or less? Mr. Rose: Somewhere in that range, sir. I wouldn't hazard a guess on cost, though, because the cost is going to go up. And the increment of the growth -- There are expenses that are going to grow, and if the revenue doesn't grow to meet those expenses, it's going to be a challenge for all of us, Commissioners. Commissioner Reyes: Well, yes. Sir, if I may? Mr. Rose: Yes, sir. City of Miami Page 117 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Reyes: If I may? We are going to -- I mean, I do understand. I do understand that the increment in tax revenues must be used for redevelopment -- right? -- of the area, right? Mr. Rose: Yes, sir. Commissioner Reyes: Well, this way, I think that we are assuring ourselves that those revenues, increment revenues for all over the City will be used as -- I mean, to redevelop and to provide the -- Commissioner Carollo: I'll second the motion. Commissioner Reyes: -- housing needs and all of that. Chair Hardemon: It's been properly -- Commissioner Carollo: I second the motion. Chair Hardemon: -- moved and seconded. Any further discussion on the motion? Vice Chair Russell: What is the motion exactly? Commissioner Reyes: That we include -- Commissioner Carollo: Citywide. Commissioner Reyes: -- an analysis of the criteria for an ex -- expanding the boundaries of the Omni CRA citywide. Chair Hardemon: What I suggest -- Commissioner Carollo: Minus the Overtown -- Commissioner Reyes: Minus the Overtown. Commissioner Carollo: -- CRA. Commissioner Reyes: And the Wynwood. Chair Hardemon: Omni and Midtown. What I suggest is for the City staff to do an analysis to determine what neighborhoods best qualms for it, right? Commissioner Reyes: Yeah, that's great. Chair Hardemon: And then from there, then we can -- you look to officially -- to have someone determine or create the study for you, such as -- go out there and actually procure the services, rather than have a -- procure services where they're going to take a look at it citywide, because that's something that will take a lot more resources than -- Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Chair Hardemon: -- what we've been planning on doing. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Chair Hardemon: I think that's the best way to go about doing it. City of Miami Page 118 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Reyes: Okay, let's go. I agree with the Chairman. Mr. Rose: So if I may, not a formal finding of necessity study, but an in-house review? Chair Hardemon: Determine what neighborhoods, what areas would possibly benefit from -- or deserve, really, a designation so that those neighborhoods can be assisted; and then, once you come up with that, bring it back to us so we know what neighborhoods you've all come to, because we all could name them from the top of our heads. Commissioner Reyes: Yeah. Chair Hardemon: But we want to make sure we have the facts at least on our side; and then, from there, have it analyzed by the outside body, which then, of course, will give us an opinion. Mr. Rose: Return -- Chair Hardemon: I want -- Commissioner Gort and then Vice Chairman. Commissioner Gort: I think it'd be very important to have those information; specially right now that we going to come up, and we going to put committees together to look at the expenditure of the bonds that are going to be utilized, and this gives you an idea -- a better idea of where the funds should be using for affordable housing and so on, and the infrastructure that needs to be done, because most of the cities that we talking -- most of the neighborhood that we talking about, they're very old neighborhood, which they have a lot of needs. So I think that'd be very important to help us allocate funds. Chair Hardemon: Okay. Vice Chair Russell: Just to clarify it, Mr. Chairman? So this is a direction; not a new resolution. Commissioner Gort: Right. Vice Chair Russell: This is separate and independent of the last vote we took. I just wanted to make one point that if we were to conduct a finding of necessity, that would have a financial impact, which we couldn't do on a pocket item such as this, if I'm not mistaken. So this is the better way to do it. This is an internal direction simply to start an analysis. Am I correct? Chair Hardemon: Correct. Commissioner Carollo: If you come back within 30 days -- Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: --for that. Simple. Mr. Rose: Do my best. Chair Hardemon: All right. Commissioner Reyes: It's very simple. City of Miami Page 119 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Chair Hardemon: Seeing no further discussion, all of -- approve, say "aye. " The Commission (Collectively): Ave. Chair Hardemon: It's been approved. REA RESOLUTION 3334 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), RECOMMENDING TO THE HISTORIC Department of ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD ITS APPROVAL OF Planning THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE'S NOMINATION TO ADD THE MIAMI MARINE STADIUM ("STADIUM") TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES AS THE STADIUM MEETS NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERION A: THE PROPERTY IS ASSOCIATED WITH EVENTS THAT HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE BROAD PATTERNS OF OUR HISTORY IN THE AREA OF ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION, AND NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERION C: THE PROPERTY EMBODIES THE DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF A TYPE, PERIOD, OR METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION IN THE AREA OF ARCHITECTURE AS IT IS A SIGNIFICANT EXAMPLE OF MODERNIST ARCHITECTURE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE MID- 1960S IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, AS A BRUTALIST BUILDING DESIGNED FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION AND ENJOYMENT. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0004 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes Note for the Record. For minutes referencing Item RE.4, please see `Public Comment Period for Regular Item(s)" and "End of Consent Agenda. " City ofMiarni Page 120 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 RE.5 RESOLUTION 3335 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Department of ATTACHMENT(S), RECOMMENDING TO THE HISTORIC AND Department of ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD ITS APPROVAL OF Planning THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE'S NOMINATION TO ADD THE COCONUT GROVE PLAYHOUSE ("PLAYHOUSE") TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES AS THE PLAYHOUSE MEETS NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERION A: THE PROPERTY IS ASSOCIATED WITH EVENTS THAT HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE BROAD PATTERNS OF OUR HISTORY IN THE AREA OF ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION, AND NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERION C: THE PROPERTY EMBODIES THE DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF A TYPE, PERIOD, OR METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION IN THE AREA OF ARCHITECTURE FOR ITS MEDITERRANEAN REVIVAL FACADE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0005 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes Note for the Record. For minutes referencing Item RE.S, please see "End of Consent Agenda." RE.6 RESOLUTION 3338 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Department of ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR-FIFTHS (4/5) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, Public Works RATIFYING, CONFIRMING, AND APPROVING THE CITY MANAGER'S WRITTEN FINDING OF AN EMERGENCY, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS ATTACHMENT "A," WAIVING COMPETITIVE SEALED BIDDING PROCEDURES, AND RETROACTIVELY APPROVING THE SELECTION OF GLOBAL RENTAL CO., INC. FOR THE RENTAL OF TWO (2) BUCKET TRUCKS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL SUBSEQUENT DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXISTING AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0006 City ofMiami Page 121 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes Note for the Record. For minutes referencing Item RE. 6, please see "End of Consent Agenda." RE.7 RESOLUTION 3435 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Department of Real ATTACHMENTS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO Estate and Asset EXECUTE A REVOCABLE LICENSE AGREEMENT Management ("AGREEMENT") IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, WITH SOUTHWEST SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM, INC., A FLORIDA NOT FOR PROFIT CORPORATION ("LICENSEE"), FOR THE CONTINUED USAGE OF APPROXIMATELY 20,719 SQUARE FEET OF THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY') FLAGAMI PARK PROPERTY IN ADDITION TO THE BUILDING KNOWN AS THE DR. ARMANDO BADIA SENIOR CENTER, LOCATED AT 25 TAMIAMI BOULEVARD, MIAMI, FLORIDA ("PROPERTY'), FOR THE PROVISION OF MEALS, EDUCATIONAL, AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE ELDERLY; WITH SAID AGREEMENT BEING OF A MONTH-TO-MONTH DURATION, NON - ASSIGNABLE AND REVOCABLE AT WILL BY THE CITY WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE LICENSEE, PERMITTING ONLY THOSE CERTAIN, ENUMERATED, AND SPECIFICALLY LISTED USES AND NO OTHERS, NOT CONFERRING ANY RIGHT TO USAGE OF THE PROPERTY FOR ANY GENERAL PURPOSE, AND NOT CONVEYING OR TRANSFERRING ANY RIGHT TO EXCLUDE THE CITY FROM THE PROPERTY. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0007 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes Note for the Record. For minutes referencing Item RE. 7, please see "End of Consent Agenda." City ofMiarni Page 122 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 RE.8 RESOLUTION 3378 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ALLOCATING GRANT FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT 5 COMMISSIONER'S Commissioners SHARE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI'S ANTI -POVERTY INITIATIVE and Mayor PROGRAM, IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $400,000.00, TO THE LIBERTY CITY COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION TRUST FOR THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0019 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes Note for the Record. For minutes referencing Item RE. 8, please see "Public Comment Period for Regular Item(s)" and "End of Consent Agenda. " RE.9 RESOLUTION 3431 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT AND THE MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA Commissioners LEGISLATURE TO FUND THE MIAMI PROJECT TO CURE and Mayor PARALYSIS AT AN AMOUNT THAT WOULD COVER ANY POTENTIAL SHORTFALL IN REVENUE RESULTING FROM THE TERMINATION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI'S TRAFFIC INFRACTION ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM; DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO INCLUDE THIS ISSUE AS AN ADDITIONAL STATE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY FOR THE 2018 SESSION; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT AND THE MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0008 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes Note for the Record. For minutes referencing Item RE.9, please see "End of Consent Agenda" and Item NA. 1. City ofMiarni Page 123 Printed on 0212612018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 RE.10 RESOLUTION 3490 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO PRESENT AT THE FEBRUARY 22, 2018 Commissioners CITY COMMISSION MEETING A PROPOSAL CREATING A and Mayor SEPARATE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI IN COMPLIANCE WITH CHAPTER 421, FLORIDA STATUTES. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0020 MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s) RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes ABSENT: Hardemon Chair Hardemon: All right. We don't have much left on the agenda. We have RE.10. That's the direction for the Department of Housing. Commissioner Reyes: Housing. May I start? And then I'm going to pass the baton to the sponsor, Commissioner Carollo. You see, we been talking about affordable housing for a long time. And I just received this. It says, 74 percent of Miami residents cannot afford homes in Magic City." Magic -- but just -- but Miami, it's called. You see, it said, 74 percent." The median home income price in Miami is projected to beat $450,000 [sic] with a monthly mortgage payment of 2,330. We have heard a lot of time, and in -- while the short time that I been here, I have seen developers that they come and they want to up -zone, and they said, "We are going to include 10 apartments that is going to be workforce." Well, that is a misnomer. That's a misnomer. According to the salaries of the median income that we have with -- it's $35,000, you see, that will be 74 -- I mean 60 or 70 percent of their take- home salary, you see. We cannot allow that anymore. And as myself and Commissioner Carollo, during our campaign, we talked a lot about this, and that's why we are co -sponsoring this. Now, what -- the solution, when -- well, what we are proposing, it is -- Commissioner Carollo already talked about it, spoke about it, and I have spoken to many -- I mean a bunch of developers, and I've given them the alternative of instead of including 10 or 15 apartments in their building as workforce, as they call it, "workforce, " quote/unquote, that the money that they claim that they're going to lose that that will be given to a fund that is going to fund this Housing Department, and that money could be leveraged in order to build -- and Commissioner Carollo has an excellent idea about how to build it -- and we will strive to provide our residents with rentals that they are according to their salary -- I mean, they're equivalent to the salary. We have people here that they have -- and we have elders that they have -- they're taking $700 a month -- $700 a month -- and then they're living in efficiencies and places that they're paying $600; or they're paying more, and then the family have to chip in. We want to provide real affordable housing and also affordable ownership, which is -- I think that it is very important. I am going to pass the baton to my friend, fellow Commissioner, and I'm going to let you be a little more specific about what -- it's been trying to do. And in order to do that, we need a Housing Department; a Housing Department that is going to -- of the City of Miami, that it is going to be, I mean, totally focused on how to bring funds and how are we going to build it. And I'm sorry; another thing that I wanted to ask, and I will ask the City Manager to schedule a workshop where all the Commissioners, we can meet, and anybody from the public, and we can have -- City of Miami Page 124 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 brainstorm. We could brainstorm this idea and see if it is feasible, if it is not, but we can bring that -- You are invited, too, Mr. Mayor, okay? We have to really have a workshop which we can bring developers; we can bring people from the financial sector, and try to shape a department that will be effective and will provide housing to those people that needs it. Okay? Commissioner Carollo: If I may, Mr. Mayor, the resolution that's before us today, I think we should adjust it somewhat into -- We have a new Manager, so we want to give him ample time. This is too important to rush it -- Mayor Francis Suarez: Agreed. Commissioner Carollo: -- even though we would like to have done it yesterday. Mayor Suarez: Agreed. Commissioner Carollo: I'd like to make it that we are giving the Manager up to 60 days -- Commissioner Reyes: Good. Commissioner Carollo: -- to come back to this Commission with all ideas on how to create a Housing Authority; and at the same time, the other side of the coin, which would be a City department. I personally believe it should be a Housing Authority, but let's see what comes back from the Manager; and Housing Authorities, Departments for Housing, where it would be in a special called meeting that is called. It could be a special meeting that could be a workshop, also, but I think this is important enough that it should be separated from the regular agenda; that we dedicate a whole afternoon or whatever time we need to dedicate to it. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: I suggest that all of us come back with as many ideas as we can, because, look, there's not one single idea that might fit everything. We might, you know, want to create part of one idea, part of the other, and combine the best of what we can. So I do feel, though, that what is required is, first of all, give the new Manager sufficient time -- up to 60 days, that should be sufficient -- and that it comes back as a special set meeting that can also be a workshop afterwards. Mayor Suarez: Sure. Commissioner Reyes: Is -- I would like to add -- Commissioner Carollo: And -- Commissioner Reyes: -- I'm sorry. Commissioner Carollo: -- I'm sorry. Last, I want to be clear; for a Miami Housing Authority and they could give us ideas and comparisons with cities that might have departments versus Housing Authorities, and the Housing Authority -- to look at the independent or semi-independent Housing Authorities. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Mayor? Mayor Suarez: Thankyou, Mr. Chair. City of Miami Page 125 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Reyes: Excuse me, Mr. Mayor. Mayor Suarez: Sure. Commissioner Reyes: And I want to add to that, and I want everybody to feel free if they -- to come in and add any sources of funds that -- possible funds, and we should direct the City Manager, also, to -- and the Grants Department -- to investigate how can we get all sources of funds, because I think that the final idea here is to create and subsequently sell under market value homes that -- and also provide incentives or the availability of new home buyers, you see; provide prices that those new home buyers, they be able to become homeowners. And I believe more in homeowners than in public housing. Mayor Suarez: Mr. Chair? Commissioner Reyes: Yes, sir. Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Mayor. Mayor Suarez: Thank you. Thank you, Commissioners. I think that's a wonderful idea. I think -- and I appreciate, by the way, your indulgence in terms of the new Manager, and giving him the time to, you know, come in. And obviously, as we've all indicated here today and in the last meeting, you know, there's a lot of issues that need to be tackled. And so, I appreciate the fact that you are giving him the liberty of sufficient time to be able to explore all these -- what I consider to be wonderful ideas. I think, Commissioner Reyes, you know, your idea on homeownership is one that I have not heard in a long time, but is a refreshing one, because I do agree that we've been too rental obsessed, you know. Everything -- and so, it's wonderful to have decent housing from a rental perspective, but you don't build equity; you know, you never build wealth, you know. And you, Commissioner Carollo, your idea on the revolving fund, I want to explore that. And, of course, you know, whatever City lands that you feel are underutilized or not being utilized sufficiently, we need to look into that, absolutely. Commissioner Carollo: Remember that that revolving fund would only work with homeownership. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Mayor Suarez: Understood. And so, I think -- and I also appreciate the flexibility and the latitude between authority versus department, because I think we have to explore all the ramifications of both of those, so I appreciate that, as well. I think having a workshop with all of us is a great idea, as well, because I can tell you that, you know, I think all of us here care deeply, and I don't know if it was the Chair or the Vice Chair that said this -- I think it was the Chair that said this before. You know, I -- this is probably the first time in my career as a public official where we have six elected officials who are pretty much singularly focused on affordable housing, right? And -- but with a variety of different ideas. And so, some of it is financing mechanisms -- right? -- Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Mayor Suarez: --for homeownership; some of it is building; some of it is rehabbing; some of it is based on CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency); some of it is based on revolving lines. I mean, there's a variety of different ideas that we need to organize and synthesize so we can move forward with a path. So I'm totally in favor. City of Miami Page 126 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 I think it's a wonderful idea. I look forward to participating with all of you and also interacting with you in the 60 days to try to flush out some of these ideas. And whatever way that I can help and whatever way, hopefully, this new Manager can help, you know, we definitely want to work with you throughout the 60 days to make sure that once we have that workshop, it's as productive and fruitful as it possibly can be. Thankyou. Commissioner Carollo: Thankyou. Commissioner Reyes: Thankyou. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you very much. Is there any action necessary on this item? We're going to schedule a meeting and work with everybody's offices? Commissioner Carollo: There's a motion on the resolution. Commissioner Reyes: A motion on the resolution. Commissioner Gort: There's a motion and a second. Go ahead. Vice Chair Russell: It's been seconded. Thankyou very much. Mayor Suarez: Can I ask a question? Vice Chair Russell: Of course, Mr. Mayor. Mayor Suarez: Thankyou. There were some amendments that both of you made. Is it as amended in terms of your --? Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, of course. Mayor Suarez: Right. I just want to make sure here. Commissioner Carollo: "As amended," as I said here. Mayor Suarez: I want to clarify. We hada real issue on -- Commissioner Gort: No, that's the amendment. Commissioner Reyes: The amendment, I second. Commissioner Carollo: So the amendment was the one that was stated. Mayor Suarez: Understood. I just wanted to clarify for the record. There was an earlier sort of miss -- you know, confusion. Commissioner Carollo: You're correct, Mr. Mayor. Mayor Suarez: Thankyou, Commissioner. Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Clerk or City Attorney, could you read back the amendments, just to make sure you're clear? Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): The --what I got is for the Man --a resolution of the City Commission to direct the Manager to explore all options to create a Housing Authority, Housing Department and come back in 60 days with a report. That's it. City of Miami Page 127 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): I'm sorry. Mayor Suarez: And also -- Commissioner Carollo: With recommendations. Mayor Suarez: And I would also add that the -- Vice Chair Russell: Workshop. Mayor Suarez: -- Commissioners also requested a special meeting -- Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, and a special meeting. Mayor Suarez: -- separate and apart from the Commission meeting -- Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Mayor Suarez: --for all of us to attend with our ideas. Commissioner Carollo: Yes. Thank you. Mr. Hannon: Right now we just -- I had that as a direction, so you want to incorporate that into the resolution? Commissioner Reyes: Sure. Mayor Suarez: Why not? Commissioner Carollo: Yes. Mayor Suarez: I don't see why not. Commissioner Carollo: Yes. Commissioner Reyes: Yes, sir. Ms. Mendez: It's technically an amended resolution -- Mayor Suarez: Fine. Ms. Mendez: -- of the -- of that item. Mayor Suarez: That's why I was asking to clarify the amendments. Commissioner Carollo: Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you very much. It's been moved and seconded, as amended. Is there any further discussion? All in favor, say "aye. " The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Vice Chair Russell: Any opposed? Motion passes. City of Miami Page 128 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Mayor Suarez: I got to stop saying, "aye. " Mr. Hannon: As amended. Mayor Suarez: Sorry. Vice Chair Russell: You don't vote; you just veto. Mayor Suarez: No. I'm just used to it, man, for eight years. Vice Chair Russell: That was RE. 10. REA 1 RESOLUTION 3496 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Commissioners ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO and Mayor EXECUTE A JOINT PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY') AND THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT ("WASD"), TO CONSTRUCT ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS WHICH INCLUDE MILLING, RESURFACING, AND CROWN RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ROADWAYS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE SHENANDOAH NEIGHBORHOOD; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM OFFICE OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT NO. B50404, SHENANDOAH AREA ROADWAY PROJECT. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0009 MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s) RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes Note for the Record. For minutes referencing Item RE.]], please see "End of Consent Agenda." END OF RESOLUTIONS Citv ofMian ni Page 129 Printed on 0212612018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Fil4wivll a 11010 kiIEVEMI1;I►III c94:9[07►1 ACA ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION 3439 UNDER THE PARAMETERS OF SECTION 286.011(8), FLORIDA Office of the City STATUTES, A PRIVATE ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION WILL BE Attorney CONDUCTED AT THE JANUARY 11, 2018 MIAMI CITY COMMISSION MEETING. THE PERSON CHAIRING THE COMMISSION MEETING WILL ANNOUNCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION, CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC, FOR PURPOSES OF DISCUSSING THE PENDING LITIGATION IN THE CASE OF 346 NW 29TH STREET, LLC, ET AL., V. CITY OF MIAMI, ET AL., CASE NO. 13- 037260 CA 01, PENDING BEFORE THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 11TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY TO WHICH THE CITY IS PRESENTLY A PARTY. THE SUBJECT OF THE MEETING WILL BE CONFINED TO SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS OR STRATEGY SESSIONS RELATED TO LITIGATION EXPENDITURES. THIS PRIVATE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT APPROXIMATELY 3:00 P.M. (OR AS SOON THEREAFTER AS THE COMMISSIONERS' SCHEDULES PERMIT) AND CONCLUDE APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR LATER. THE SESSION WILL BE ATTENDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION, WHICH INCLUDE CHAIRMAN KEON HARDEMON, VICE-CHAIRMAN KEN RUSSELL, AND COMMISSIONERS WIFREDO "WILLY" GORT, JOE CAROLLO, AND MANOLO REYES; CITY MANAGER DANIEL J. ALFONSO; CITY ATTORNEY VICTORIA MENDEZ; DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEYS JOHN A. GRECO AND BARNABY L. MIN; DIVISION CHIEF FOR GENERAL LITIGATION CHRISTOPHER A. GREEN; SENIOR ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY HENRY J. HUNNEFELD; AND ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY KERRI L. MCNULTY. A CERTIFIED COURT REPORTER WILL BE PRESENT TO ENSURE THAT THE SESSION IS FULLY TRANSCRIBED AND THE TRANSCRIPT WILL BE MADE PUBLIC UPON THE CONCLUSION OF THE ABOVE- CITED, ONGOING LITIGATION. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION, THE REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING WILL BE REOPENED AND THE PERSON CHAIRING THE COMMISSION MEETING WILL ANNOUNCE THE TERMINATION OF THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION. RESULT: DISCUSSED Chair Hardemon: And then -- Commissioner Gort: Got to go upstairs. Chair Hardemon: Yeah. I guess it's time to go upstairs. So I recess the meeting? Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): We have to read our attorney-client sessions. I hope you guys weren't thinking you were going to run out of here, right? I hope. Citv ofMiami Page 130 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Vice Chair Russell: You can read it. We're going to go upstairs. Ms. Mendez: Okay. On December 14, 2017, under the provisions of Section 286.011(8), Florida Statutes, I requested that the City Commission meet in private to discuss pending litigation in the case of 346 Northwest LLC (Limited Liability Company) [sic], et al. versus City of Miami, Case Number 13-037260 CA [sic], pending before the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, in and for Miami - Dade County, to which the City is presently a party. The City Commission approved my request and will now, at approximately 6:01 p.m., commence an attorney-client session back here, in this room back here, under the parameters of Section 286.011(8), Florida Statutes. The subject of the meeting will be confined to settlement negotiations or strateU sessions related to litigation expenditures. This private meeting will conclude approximately one hour later. The session will be attended by members of the City Commission, which include Chairman Keon Hardemon; Vice Chairman Ken Russell; Commissioners Wifredo "Willy" Gort, Joe Carollo, and Manolo Reyes; City Attorney Victoria Mendez; Deputy City Attorneys John Greco and Barnaby Min; Division Chief for General Litigation Christopher Green; Senior Assistant City Attorney Henry Hunnefeld, and Assistant City Attorney Kerri McNulty. A certified court reporter will be present to ensure that the session is fully transcribed, and the transcript will be made public upon the conclusion of the above-cited ongoing litigation. At the conclusion of the attorney-client session, the regular Commission meeting will be reopened and the Chairman will announce the termination of the attorney-client session. Thank you. City of Miami Page 131 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 AC.2 ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION 3440 UNDER THE PARAMETERS OF SECTION 286.011(8), FLORIDA Office of the City STATUTES, A PRIVATE ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION WILL BE Attorney CONDUCTED AT THE JANUARY 11, 2018 MIAMI CITY COMMISSION MEETING. THE PERSON CHAIRING THE COMMISSION MEETING WILL ANNOUNCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION, CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC, FOR PURPOSES OF DISCUSSING THE PENDING LITIGATION IN THE MATTER OF FLAGSTONE ISLAND GARDENS, LLC AND FLAGSTONE DEVELOPMENT CORP. V. CITY OF MIAMI, CASE NO. 17-13829 CA 44, PENDING IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 11TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY TO WHICH THE CITY OF MIAMI IS PRESENTLY A PARTY. THE SUBJECT OF THE MEETING WILL BE CONFINED TO SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS OR STRATEGY SESSIONS RELATED TO LITIGATION EXPENDITURES. THIS PRIVATE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT APPROXIMATELY 3:00 P.M. (OR AS SOON THEREAFTER AS THE COMMISSIONERS' SCHEDULES PERMIT) AND CONCLUDE APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR LATER. THE SESSION WILL BE ATTENDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION, WHICH INCLUDE CHAIRMAN KEON HARDEMON, VICE-CHAIRMAN KEN RUSSELL, AND COMMISSIONERS WIFREDO "WILLY" GORT, JOE CAROLLO, AND MANOLO REYES; GONZALO DORTA, ESQ.; MATIAS DORTA, ESQ.; AND LAURA BESVINICK, ESQ. A CERTIFIED COURT REPORTER WILL BE PRESENT TO ENSURE THAT THE SESSION IS FULLY TRANSCRIBED AND THE TRANSCRIPT WILL BE MADE PUBLIC UPON THE CONCLUSION OF THE ABOVE-CITED, ONGOING LITIGATION. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION, THE REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING WILL BE REOPENED AND THE PERSON CHAIRING THE COMMISSION MEETING WILL ANNOUNCE THE TERMINATION OF THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION. RESULT: DISCUSSED Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): On December 14, 2017, under the provisions of Section 286.011(8), Florida Statutes, the City Attorney requested the City Commission meet in private to discuss the pending litigation in the matter of Flagstone Island Gardens, LLC (Limited Liability Company) and Flagstone Development Corporation versus City of Miami, Case Number 17-13829 CA 44, pending in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, in and for Miami -Dade County, to which the City is presently a party. The subject of the meeting will be confined to settlement negotiations or strategy sessions related to litigation expenditures. The City Commission approved the request and will now, at approximately 7:15, commence a private attorney-client session under the parameters of Section 286.011(8), Florida Statutes. This private attorney-client session will be concluded approximately one hour later. The session will be attended by the members of the City Commission, which include Chairman Keon Hardemon; Vice Chairman Ken Russell, and Commissioners Wifredo "Willy" Gort, Joe Carollo, and Manolo Reyes; Gonzalo Dorta; Matias S. Dorta, and Laura Besvinick. A certified court reporter will be present to ensure this session is fully City of Miami Page 132 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 transcribed, and the transcript will be made public upon the conclusion of the litigation. At the conclusion of the attorney-client session, the regular Commission meeting will be reopened and the person chairing the Commission meeting will announce the termination of the attorney-client session. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Later... Mr. Min: Mr. Chairman, we've concluded our shade meeting. I do have one to announce for our next City Commission meeting, ifI may. Chair Hardemon: Go ahead Mr. Min: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. AC.3 ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION 3441 UNDER THE PARAMETERS OF SECTION 286.011(8), FLORIDA Office of the City STATUTES, A PRIVATE ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION WILL BE Attorney CONDUCTED AT THE JANUARY 11, 2018 MIAMI CITY COMMISSION MEETING. THE PERSON CHAIRING THE COMMISSION MEETING WILL ANNOUNCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION, CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC, FOR PURPOSES OF DISCUSSING THE PENDING LITIGATION IN THE CASE OF LIEBMAN, ET AL. VS. CITY OF MIAMI, CASE NO. 17-13687 CA (44), PENDING BEFORE THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 11TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY TO WHICH THE CITY IS PRESENTLY A PARTY. THE SUBJECT OF THE MEETING WILL BE CONFINED TO SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS OR STRATEGY SESSIONS RELATED TO LITIGATION EXPENDITURES. THIS PRIVATE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT APPROXIMATELY 3:00 P.M. (OR AS SOON THEREAFTER AS THE COMMISSIONERS' SCHEDULES PERMIT) AND CONCLUDE APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR LATER. THE SESSION WILL BE ATTENDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION, WHICH INCLUDE CHAIRMAN KEON HARDEMON, VICE-CHAIRMAN KEN RUSSELL, AND COMMISSIONERS WIFREDO "WILLY" GORT, JOE CAROLLO, AND MANOLO REYES; CITY MANAGER DANIEL J. ALFONSO; CITY ATTORNEY VICTORIA MENDEZ; DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEYS JOHN A. GRECO AND BARNABY L. MIN; DIVISION CHIEF FOR GENERAL LITIGATION CHRISTOPHER A. GREEN; AND ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY FORREST L. ANDREWS. A CERTIFIED COURT REPORTER WILL BE PRESENT TO ENSURE THAT THE SESSION IS FULLY TRANSCRIBED AND THE TRANSCRIPT WILL BE MADE PUBLIC UPON THE CONCLUSION OF THE ABOVE-CITED, ONGOING LITIGATION. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION, THE REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING WILL BE REOPENED AND THE PERSON CHAIRING THE COMMISSION MEETING WILL ANNOUNCE THE TERMINATION OF THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION. RESULT: DISCUSSED Citv ofMiarni Page 133 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Chair Hardemon: Mr. City -- Mr. Assistant City Attorney, I'm here because I have a responsibility of announcing that this session has just closed. Can you better explain it for me, please? Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On December 14, 2017, under the provisions of Section 286.011(8), Florida Statutes, the City Attorney requested that the City Commission meet in private to discuss the pending litigation in the case of Liebman, et al. versus City of Miami, Case Number 17-13687 CA 44, pending before the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, in and for Miami -Dade County, to which the City is presently a party. The City Commission approved the request and will now, at approximately 7:45 -- 6:45 p.m., commence a private attorney-client session, under the parameters of Section 286.011(8), Florida Statutes. The subject of the meeting will be confined to settlement negotiations or strateU sessions related to litigation expenditures. This private meeting will conclude approximately one hour later. The session will be attended by the members of the City Commission, which include Chairman Keon Hardemon; Vice Chairman Ken Russell; and Commissioners Wifredo "Willy" Gort, Joe Carollo, and Manolo Reyes; City Attorney Victoria Mendez; Deputy City Attorneys John Greco and Barnaby Min; Division Chief for General Litigation Christopher Green; and Assistant City Attorney Forrest Andrews. A certified court reporter will be present to ensure the session is fully transcribed, and the transcript will be made public upon conclusion of the above-cited ongoing litigation. At the conclusion of the attorney-client session, the regular Commission meeting will be reopened, and the person chairing the Commission meeting will announce the termination of the attorney-client session. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chair Hardemon: Thank you. So the meeting is in recess until what's stated. Later... Mr. Min: Thank you. Mr. Chairman, we've concluded our shade meeting, and there's another one to announce. END OF ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION City of Miami Page 134 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 I*Z *07e1:7Bill FAkiI9Xd0]►vll►vllkl I ; I ; K BCA RESOLUTION 2828 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN Office of the City INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COUNCIL FOR Cierk TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY: Mayor Francis Suarez Mayor Francis Suarez Mayor Francis Suarez Mayor Francis Suarez Mayor Francis Suarez Mayor Francis Suarez Chair Keon Hardemon Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN City ofMianii Page 135 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 BC.2 RESOLUTION 2113 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN Office of the City INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR TERMS Cierk AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY: Chair Keon Hardemon Vice Chair Ken Russell Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes LRESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN BC.3 RESOLUTION 3459 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN Office of the City INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE BAYFRONT PARK MANAGEMENT TRUST FOR Cierk TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN NOMINATED BY: Chair Keon Hardemon Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes City ofMianii Page 136 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 BC.4 RESOLUTION 3462 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN Office of the City INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE Cierk FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY: BC.5 1070 Office of the City Cierk Mayor Francis Suarez Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE CIVILIAN INVESTIGATIVE PANEL FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN NOMINATED BY: Civilian Investigative Panel Civilian Investigative Panel Civilian Investigative Panel Civilian Investigative Panel City ofMianii Page 137 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 BC.6 RESOLUTION 2243 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN Office of the City INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD FOR TERMS Cierk AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY: Chair Keon Hardemon Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes Commission -At -Large Commission -At -Large (Alternate Member) LRESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN City ofMianii Page 138 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 BC.7 RESOLUTION 3464 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN Office of the City INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD FOR TERMS Cierk AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY: Mayor Francis Suarez Mayor Francis Suarez Mayor Francis Suarez Chair Keon Hardemon Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes Commissioner Manolo Reyes RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN City ofMianii Page 139 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 BC.8 RESOLUTION 3463 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN Office of the City INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Cierk FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY: Mayor Francis Suarez Chair Keon Hardemon Vice Chair Ken Russell Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes Commissioner Manolo Reyes RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN City ofMianii Page 140 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 13C.9 RESOLUTION 2854 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN Office of the City INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD FOR TERMS Clerk AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY: (Voting Member) (Post -Secondary Education Representative) (School District Representative) (Children's Trust Representative) (Ex -Officio Non -Voting Member) (Ex -Officio Non -Voting Youth Member) RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN Mayor Francis Suarez Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes City Manager Daniel J. Alfonso City Manager Daniel J. Alfonso City Manager Daniel J. Alfonso City Manager Daniel J. Alfonso City Manager Daniel J. Alfonso City Manager Daniel J. Alfonso City of Miami Page 141 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 13C.10 RESOLUTION 2855 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN Office of the City INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ADVISORY BOARD Cierk FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY - BCA 1 Y: BC.11 3465 Office of the City Cierk Chair Keon Hardemon Chair Keon Hardemon Vice Chair Ken Russell Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes Commissioner Manolo Reyes IAFF FOP AFSCME 871 RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY: Mayor Francis Suarez Vice Chair Ken Russell Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes City ofMianii Page 142 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 BC.12 1599 Office of the City Cierk BC.13 3466 Office of the City Cierk RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH FACILITIES AUTHORITY BOARD FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN NOMINATED BY: Vice Chair Ken Russell Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes J RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE MAYOR'S INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY: Mayor Francis Suarez Mayor Francis Suarez Mayor Francis Suarez Mayor Francis Suarez Mayor Francis Suarez Mayor Francis Suarez Mayor Francis Suarez Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes City ofMianii Page 143 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 BC.14 3471 Office of the City Cierk BC.15 3472 Office of the City Cierk RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE MIAMI SPORTS AND EXHIBITION AUTHORITY FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY: Chair Keon Hardemon Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN NOMINATED BY: Mayor Francis Suarez Mayor Francis Suarez Vice Chair Ken Russell Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes City ofMianii Page 144 Printcd on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 BCA 6 RESOLUTION 3473 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN Office of the City INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE SEA LEVEL RISE COMMITTEE FOR TERMS AS Clerk DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY: BCA 7 3474 Office of the City Clerk Mayor Francis Suarez Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE SENIOR CITIZENS' ADVISORY BOARD FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEE: Celso Ahumada ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0023 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo NOMINATED BY: Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort Note for the Record. For additional minutes referencing Item BC.17, please see "Public Comment Period for Regular Item(s). " Chair Hardemon: Boards and Committees. Nicole N. Ewan (Assistant City Clerk): Good afternoon, Chair and Commissioners. I have one board appointment for BC. 17, the Senior Citizens' Advisory Board. Commissioner Gort would like to appoint to a vacant seat Ceslo Ahumada. Commissioner Gort: Move it. City of Miami Page 145 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Chair Hardemon: Seconded by the Chair. All in favor; say "aye. " The Commission (Collectively): Ave. Ms. Ewan: Thank you. Chair Hardemon: You're welcome. BC.18 RESOLUTION 3475 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING AND CONFIRMING Office of the City CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE STARS OF CALLE OCHO WALK OF Cierk FAME COMMITTEE FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN NOMINATED BY: Mayor Francis Suarez Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Joe Carollo Commission -At -Large Commission -At -Large Commission -At -Large Kiwanis of Little Havana Foundation, Ir Kiwanis of Little Havana Foundation, Ir City ofMiarni Page 146 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 BC.19 RESOLUTION 3476 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN Office of the City INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD Cierk (UDRB) FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY: Chair Keon Hardemon Chair Keon Hardemon Vice Chair Ken Russell Vice Chair Ken Russell Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes Commissioner Manolo Reyes RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN BC.20 RESOLUTION 3477 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN Office of the City INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE VIRGINIA KEY ADVISORY BOARD FOR A TERM Cierk AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY: Mayor Francis Suarez RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN City ofMianii Page 147 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 BC.21 RESOLUTION 1603 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN Office of the City INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE VIRGINIA KEY BEACH PARK TRUST FOR Cierk TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY: RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN Mayor Francis Suarez Chair Keon Hardemon Vice Chair Ken Russell Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes City ofMianii Page 148 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 BC.22 RESOLUTION 2859 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN Office of the City INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE WATERFRONT ADVISORY BOARD FOR Cierk TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY: Mayor Francis Suarez Mayor Francis Suarez Chair Keon Hardemon Chair Keon Hardemon Vice Chair Ken Russell Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes Commissioner Manolo Reyes RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN A►Ioxela *07A N916-w_1►19Zde]►viILviIIII aIA�*] City ofMianii Page 149 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 DI - DISCUSSION ITEMS D1.1 DISCUSSION ITEM 3434 DISCUSSION REGARDING KIOSKS WITHIN THE CITY OF MIAMI. Commissioners and Mayor RESULT: DISCUSSED Chair Hardemon: Okay. All right. I guess we'll try to take that five-minute break unless -- I mean -- okay. Look, before -- We're missing a Commissioner. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Chair Hardemon: As I understand, he wants to be on the dais when we address these issues that we have; SR.2, SR.3 -- Commissioner Gort: RE.2. Chair Hardemon: -- and RE.2. We're really --and RE.10 is his item. We're at the end, really, of our agenda. And then, the PZ (Planning & Zoning) items, I believe, are his items, as well. So we're -- you know, we're right at the end of this thing. What I can do is I can allow us to go to the PZ meeting, the meeting agenda, have the City Attorney read all the directions, open the public hearing for the PZ, allow the public to say their part, close the public hearing; that way, we can kind of keep moving. Is that fair? Unless someone wants to continue those items. And I need -- oh, I see what you have in your hand. I know what you want to do. Nzeribe Ihekwaba (Chief of Operations/Assistant City Manager): Mr. Chair? Chair Hardemon: Yes. Mr. Ihekwaba: There is also a pending discussion item, DLI. Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): On the kiosks. We can do that one? Commissioner Reyes: Yes. The only thing that I have to say about the kiosk is we have -- that was a pilot program, right? And as far as I know, it has -- people have been paying and we are receiving some funds, and all we'd like to -- since it was a pilot, what we'd like to do is why not make a -- extend, I mean, and so we have -- and allow other people to come and bid for it, or try to present their intention of -- that was -- Commissioner Gort: I had an experience the other day. I didn't have a phone. I had to make a phone call, and I couldn't find a phone. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Commissioner Gort: So at one time -- and there's people might be in the street -- Commissioner Reyes: Yeah. Commissioner Gort: -- they might need to call 911 -- City of Miami Page 150 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Reyes: They don't have a phone, that's right. Commissioner Gort: -- which I understand in those places will be free, so. Chair Hardemon: They got to say, "help. " Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Chair Hardemon: "Help. " Commissioner Reyes: And had a -- Commissioner Gort: Yeah, especially here, yeah, "help. " Commissioner Reyes: So based on that argument, and if it had worked so well that the individuals that -- the company, it is doing well, because -- hasn't missed a payment -- why don't we try to make it -- I mean, increase the -- instead of a pilot program, just get the whole City on it, and that way, everybody -- I mean, we can get more funds. We need funds. Commissioner Gort: The special district, they can make their own decision. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Mr. Ihekwaba: Mr. Chair? Chair Hardemon: Yes. Mr. Ihekwaba: If I may? Zerry Ihekwaba, acting City Manager. The pilot program was set up in 2001, and it's specific for the Downtown District, the Latin Quarter District, and areas of Southeast Overtown/Park West, and Little Haiti. So I believe Commissioner Reyes is asking for an expansion to make it citywide, not just on those specific areas; and also, to allow additional vendors to participate. Commissioner Reyes: That's right, additional vendors that want to participate in the program, you see, because I've been in the same situation as Commissioner Gort. Chair Hardemon: Can you -- Commissioner Gort: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the City. Chair Hardemon: -- bring more information regarding it? Because I don't have -- Vice Chair Russell: I'd like a briefing, as well. Chair Hardemon: -- all the information. Mr. Ihekwaba: Okay. We can -- to get a report as to what has happened. Chair Hardemon: Yes. Mr. Ihekwaba: We had a similar discussion item in 2012, running for about six months, on this same subject. Commissioner Gort: Okay. Commissioner Reyes: Fine. City of Miami Page 151 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Vice Chair Russell: You need a finding of necessity on the expansion of the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) program. Commissioner Reyes: Yeah, finding of necessity of expansion, and it's going to be used, correct. Mr. Ihekwaba: When would you want to have the report? Commissioner Reyes: Next Commission meeting, if it's possible, or whenever you have it ready. Mr. Ihekwaba: Well, we can put it together. Commissioner Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). I know there's going to be some readjustment now that we have a new City Manager. Mr. Ihekwaba: Okay. Commissioner Reyes: And some of you are going to be trying to find your way. Mr. Ihekwaba: The -- would the first meeting in February be okay? Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Mr.Ihekwaba: Okay. Thanks. Commissioner Reyes: That's fine. A►IOX01a0l1�d111:9[07►IkIAM1.1 City of Miami Page 152 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 PUBLIC COMMENT FOR PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S) PART B: PZ - PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S) Vice Chair Russell: Where are we? Commissioner Carollo: Remember, I told you, you could sit up here with its. Commissioner Reyes: That's right, he could. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Vice Chair, we can move into the City Attorney's statement regarding Planning & Zoning items, and I can administer the oath. Vice Chair Russell: Other than that, have we completed the regular agenda? Mr. Hannon: Yes, sir. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you very much. Madam City Attorney, if you would read the Planning & Zoning agenda introduction. Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): PZ (Planning & Zoning) items shall proceed according to Section 7.1.4 of the Miami 21 Zoning Code. Before any PZ item is heard, all those wishing to speak must be sworn in by the City Clerk. Please note, Commissioners have been briefed by City staff and the City Attorney on items on the agenda today. And the members of the City Commission shall disclose any ex parte communications pursuant to Florida Statute Section 286.0115 and Section 7.1.4.5 of the Miami 21 Zoning Code. Any person may be heard by the City Commission through the Chair for not more than two minutes on any proposition before the City Commission, unless modified by the Chair. If the proposition is being continued or rescheduled, the opportunity may be heard [sic] at such later date before the City Commission takes action. The Chairman will advise the public when the public may have the opportunity to address the City Commission during the public comment period. When addressing the City Commission, the member of the public may first state his or her name, his or her address, and what item will be spoken about. A copy of the agenda titles will be available at the City Clerk's Office and at the podium for your ease of reference. Staff will briefly present each item. For applications requiring City approval, the applicant will then present its application or request to the City Commission. The applicant agrees with staff recommendation [sic], the City Commission may proceed to its deliberation and decision. The applicant may also waive the right to evidentiary hearing on the record. The order of presentation shall be as set forth in Miami 21 and the City Code. All persons testifying must be sworn in. The City of Miami requires that anyone requesting action by the City Commission must disclose before the hearing anything provided to anyone for agreement to support or withhold objection to the requested action pursuant to City Code Section 2-8. Any documents offered to the City Commissioners that have not been provided seven days before the meeting as part of the agenda materials will be entered into the record at the City Commission's discretion. Thank you. Mr. Hannon: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. If you will be speaking on any of today's Planning & Zoning items, may I please have you stand and raise your right hand? City of Miami Page 153 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 The City Clerk administered oath required under City Code Section 62-1 to those persons giving testimony on zoning items. Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you very much. PZ.1 ORDINANCE Second Reading 3144 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS Planning AMENDED, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE MIAMI AYES: COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN, PURSUANT TO SMALL SCALE AMENDMENT PROCEDURES SUBJECT TO SECTION 163.3187, FLORIDA STATUTES, BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION FROM "MEDIUM DENSITY RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL" TO "RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL" OF APPROXIMATELY .85 ACRES OF REAL PROPERTIES LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 704 SOUTHWEST 7 AVENUE AND 712, 716, 720, AND 734 SOUTHWEST 7 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A"; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: 13731 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes Note for the Record. For additional minutes referencing Item PZ.1, please see Item PZ.2. Vice Chair Russell: I believe we only have PZ.1 and PZ 2 left; is that correct? Francisco Garcia (Director, Planning & Zoning): That is correct, sir. The remainder of the items have either been continued or deferred. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Please proceed Mr. Garcia: Thank you very much. Briefly, by way of introduction, my name is Francisco Garcia. I am Planning director for the City of Miami. Before you today on second reading are items PZ I and PZ.2, respectively; a land use change proposed for properties at 704 Southwest 7th Avenue, 712, 716, 720 and 734 Southwest 7th Street. The land use change itself is intended to be from medium density restricted commercial to restricted commercial. And the zoning change, which is item PZ.2, is intended to be from TS -O to T6-8-0. The original recommendation from the Planning Department was for denial. The Planning, Zoning & Appeals Board recommended approval. At the direction of the City Commission, when it was first heard and passed on first reading, the Planning Department has conducted a study of both the 8th Street and 7th Street Corridors, as they actually function as a pair, and we had determined that although the subject City of Miami Page 154 Printed on 0212612018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 parcel has properties immediately to the east and immediately to the west, which are zoned T5-0, as a corridor, the character of the corridor, the 7th Street Corridor, as it comes closer to I-95 or so to the east is predominantly of commercial character, and approval of this particular item would not be in contrast or detrimental to the general development of the area. With that, I'm happy to close and defer to the applicant, and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. Melissa Tapanes-Llahues: Good afternoon. Melissa Tapanes-Llahues, with the law firm of Bercow Radell Fernandez & Larkin, at 200 South Biscayne Boulevard, Miami. I'm here representing 701 Associates; Miami Automotive Retail, Inc., and its principal, Mario Murgado. Thank you, Mr. Garcia, for your words regarding your revised recommendation to this Commission. We are under favorable recommendation at the Planning, Zoning & Appeals Board. We're prepared to give you a full presentation, but we have had the opportunity to make that presentation in the past. Your approval today is simply a first step to allow the applicant to design a state-of-the-art enclosed vertical automobile dealership fronting Calle Ocho that is consistent with Miami 21's vision to create skilled jobs close to transit and close to affordable and attainable work -- housing. The goals of these two applications is simply to have one cohesive land use and zoning designation to make that future development possible. Future public hearings will take place, specifically to grant an exception. And there will also be a site plan, along with a warrant application, where all interested stakeholders will receive future notice, and will be here before the Planning, Zoning & Appeals Board in the future. We're available for any questions, and respectfully request your approval today. Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Prior to any motions or discussion, I'd like to open the floor for public comment on PZ.1 and PZ. 2. If there's anyone here who'd like to speak on either of these two items, now is the time. Hearing none, I'll close the public comment. Commissioner Carollo, this is your district. I'll defer to you. Commissioner Carollo: Ms. Tapanes, how quickly does Brickell Motors intend to start constructing this? Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: Immediately. We have been working with the department on the warrant and exception applications for actually about three years now, I believe. This required two land use and zoning applications. We're ready to submit for the exception and warrant application immediately, and go through the permitting process. We're very eager to commence. Commissioner Carollo: How many jobs will it create? Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: At least 120 skilled jobs. Commissioner Carollo: That many? Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: That many; and we anticipate that most if not all of them will be over $60, 000 per year. That is the average at Brickell Motors. Mr. Murgado takes a lot of pride in also employing immediate residents in the area, and we have had many discussions with the stakeholders in the community, and they are supportive. I think it's evident by the lack of opposition today. Commissioner Carollo: They do have the best lighting in 8th Street at night. Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: Thank you. Commissioner Carollo: I will move the ordinance in second reading. City of Miami Page 155 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Gort: Second. Vice Chair Russell: We're going to handle them separately; two votes. This is for PZ. 1. There's a motion. Commissioner Carollo: PZ. 1. Vice Chair Russell: Okay. And there's a second from Commissioner Gort. Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Vice Chairman, I need to read into the record -- Vice Chair Russell: That's the next thing I was going to say. Ms. Mendez: Oh, thank you. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Vice Chair Russell: Roll call, please. Commissioner Carollo: Further discussion. Vice Chair Russell: Oh, I'm sorry. Commissioner Carollo: I need to ask for the record a question of the Planning director. As I understand it, if he were not to build this -- which it's obvious the reason he wants it, because he needs it for the business -- right now, the height that you could go is five stories? Mr. Garcia: That is correct. Commissioner Carollo: So with this change in ordinance, it would bring it up to eight stories? Mr. Garcia: Eight stories by right, potentially; and potentially, an additional four stories, all the way to 12, given that they are not abutting single-family residential. Now, those additional four stories, from eight to 12 would have to be obtained through participation in the Public Benefits Trust Fund or acquisition of a transfer of development rights from another property in the City. Commissioner Carollo: Can any of that be done right now with the five stories? Mr. Garcia: If the zoning change were to be approved, that could happen presently, yes. Commissioner Carollo: And I'm saying right now, with five stories, the way the zoning is. Mr. Garcia: Oh, yes; right now, five stories can be built, yes, sir. Commissioner Carollo: You could still go with --for additional stories? Mr. Garcia: At present, five; pursuant to the zoning change, eight stories, or up to 12. Commissioner Carollo: Right, but you're missing my point. Mr. Garcia: I'm sorry. City of Miami Page 156 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Commissioner Carollo: That's if the zoning changes, eight stories. But then you have to go through a lot of additional loopholes to get to the 12. Mr. Garcia: No, there aren't really many loopholes at all. So that is also a by -right process. The only addition is that they would have to either make a contribution to the Public Benefits Trust Fund -- that's simply a payment -- to acquire the additional development. Commissioner Carollo: How much would that be to go higher? Mr. Garcia: Per square foot for this particular area, I'd have to actually look that up. I don't have that information handy, but it's roughly $15 per square foot. Commissioner Carollo: Right now with five stories, can he go any higher by paying into the trust? Mr. Garcia: No, sir. Commissioner Carollo: You don't have that availability? Mr. Garcia: That's correct. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. I just wanted to get into the record what could be done or not. Very good. Mr. Garcia: Thank you. Chair Hardemon: Any further discussion? Hearing none, all in favor of the motion, say "aye. If The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes. Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: Thank you. PZ.2 ORDINANCE Second Reading 3145 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE NO. 13114, AS AMENDED, BY CHANGING THE ZONING Planning CLASSIFICATION FROM "75-0," URBAN CENTER -OPEN, TO "76-8- 0," URBAN CORE—OPEN, FOR THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 704 SOUTHWEST 7 AVENUE AND 712, 716, 720, AND 734 SOUTHWEST 7 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A"; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: 13732 City of Miami Page 157 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes Note for the Record. For additional minutes referencing Item PZ.2, please see Item PZ. 1. Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): PZ 2. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Chair Hardemon: Is there a motion to approve this item? Commissioner Carollo: Motion to approve. Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved -- Commissioner Reyes: Second Chair Hardemon: -- and seconded to approve the item. Any further discussion? Any unreadiness? Hearing none, all in favor; say "aye. " The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes. Commissioner Gort: Great presentation. Melissa Tapanes-Llahues: Thankyou. PZ.3 ORDINANCE Second Reading 1972 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING Department of ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY Planning OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1, SECTION 1.2, ENTITLED "DEFINITIONS OF TERMS," ARTICLE 4, TABLE 3, ENTITLED "BUILDING FUNCTION: USES," AND ARTICLE 6, TABLE 13, ENTITLED "SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS"; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Defer RESULT: DEFERRED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Hardemon, Gort, Carollo, Reyes NAYS: Russell Note for the Record. Item PZ.3 was deferred to the January 25, 2018, Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting. City of Miami Page 158 Printed on 0212612018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Note for the Record. For minutes referencing Item PZ.3, please see Item SR.]. PZA ORDINANCE First Reading 3109 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING Department of ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY Planning OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, MORE SPECIFICALLY BY "DEFINITIONS AYES: AMENDING ARTICLE 1, SECTION 1.2 ENTITLED OF ABSENT: TERMS," ARTICLE 3, SECTION 3.6, ENTITLED "OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING STANDARDS," ARTICLE 3, SECTION 3.14, ENTITLED 'PUBLIC BENEFITS PROGRAM," ARTICLE 4, TABLE 4, ENTITLED "DENSITY, INTENSITY, AND PARKING," AND ARTICLE 4, TABLE 7, ENTITLED "CIVIC SPACE TYPES," TO PROVIDE FOR FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENHANCEMENTS TO THE UNDERLINE CORRIDOR; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Defer RESULT: DEFERRED MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record. Item PZ.4 was deferred to the February 22, 2018, Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting. Note for the Record. For additional minutes referencing Item PZ.4, please see "Order of'theDay. " Chair Hardemon: PZ.4. Is there a motion to continue that item? It should be continued, along with -- Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): FR. 2. Chair Hardemon: -- FR.2. So the Chair would like to entertain a motion to continue it. And Mr. Clerk, record it as continued, along with FR. 2. So is there a motion to continue? Vice Chair Russell: "ich item? Chair Hardemon: PZ 4. Mr. Hannon: And it will be deferred to February 22, 2018. Commissioner Gort: Move it. Chair Hardemon: Been properly moved; seconded by the Chair. All in favor, say aye. The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes for the deferral. END OF PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S) City of Miami Page 159 Printed on 0212612018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 JiaJi/e\Yo7:7e1kiUZ419]JiIJill;..1[07►1;I:&3i111;1Ji69 CITYWIDE HONORABLE MAYOR FRANCIS SUAREZ AkiIIV] WN 11W&TA1314111;1Ji6*1 City of Miami Page 160 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 34017619:71"sil COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT ONE WIFREDO (WILLY) GORT END OF DISTRICT 1 ITEMS City of Miami Page 161 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 33,4911619 N 10 W VICE CHAIR KEN RUSSELL END OF DISTRICT 2 ITEMS City of Miami Page 162 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 0211117619:7[00? COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT THREE JOE CAROLLO END OF DISTRICT 3 ITEMS City of Miami Page 163 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT FOUR MANOLO REYES END OF DISTRICT 4 ITEMS City of Miami Page 164 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 CHAIR KEON HARDEMON END OF DISTRICT 5 ITEMS City of Miami Page 165 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 JW111jIILI]:141*169Iwevill1101►1 FL.1 ORDINANCE 3350 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING CHAPTER 18/ARTICLE IX/DIVISION 2 OF THE CODE OF THE Department of CITY OF MIAMI, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), ENTITLED Finance "FINANCIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES," MORE SPECIFICALLY AMENDING THE INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES, THE RESERVE POLICIES, THE MULTIYEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, THE BASIC FINANCIAL POLICIES, AND EVALUATION COMMITTEES; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN END OF FUTURE LEGISLATION City ofMianii Page 166 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 NA. NON -AGENDA ITEM(S) NAA DISCUSSION ITEM 3532 UPDATE BY MAYOR FRANCIS SUAREZ REGARDING MIAMI - DADE COUNTY'S APPROVAL OF THE CITY'S REQUEST TO Office of the City LOWER THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT ON ALL STREETS IN LOW Clerk DENSITY RESIDENTIALLY ZONED NEIGHBORHOODS. RESULT: DISCUSSED Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item NA.I, please see Item RE.9 and "End of Consent Agenda." Mayor Suarez: I have two very quick items, Mr. Chair, if I may. One of them is a resolution of the City Commission, urging the State Legislature to maintain the funding for the Cure for Paralysis. This is something that -- Commissioner Carollo: Could I make the motion on that? Mayor Suarez: Thankyou, Commissioner; yes, you may. Chair Hardemon: Been properly moved. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, I believe this was passed earlier. Is that RE.9? Mayor Suarez: Oh, it was? I apologize. My apologies. So all that's left then is the discussion item? So, okay, then I apologize. My last item is very quick, and it just has to do with a resolution that I passed as Commissioner, requesting that the Miami -Dade County reduce the speed limit for neighborhoods. And we commissioned a study, we presented it to the County, and Miami -Dade County yesterday announced that they would, in fact, reduce the speed limit for neighborhoods, and I simply wanted to announce that to the Commission. I know all of you have been battling, and in particularly [sic], my Commissioner has been battling in his community to come up with creative solutions to eliminate cut -through traffic. And so, you know, this is something that I wanted to collaborate with the Commission so you can go out to your districts and say that we've accomplished this together, and hopefully, this will be something that makes things better. As Commissioner Reyes and I have discussed, this requires enforcement; he's absolutely right. Commissioner Gort: Yeah. Mayor Suarez: And we've got to send that message downstream so that our Police Department knows that you can reduce amounts (UNINTELLIGIBLE), but if we don't enforce it, it's meaningless. Thank you. Thank you. Commissioner Gort: Mr. Chairman? Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir. Commissioner Gort: I would like to get a map of the -- City of Miami Page 167 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Mayor Suarez: Yes. Commissioner Gort: -- I have not received it -- of the streets that are going to be selected and the speed limit in the streets. Mayor Suarez: Thankyou, Commissioner; will do. Thankyou. Thankyou. Vice Chair Russell: Yeah; me, as well. NA.2 DISCUSSION ITEM 3534 DIRECTION BY CHAIR HARDEMON TO THE CITY MANAGER, Office of the City WITHOUT OBJECTION BY THE CITY COMMISSION, TO Cierk PURCHASE TABLES FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $5,000.00 FOR THE 5000 ROLE MODELS EVENT SPONSORED BY CONGRESSWOMAN FREDERICA WILSON. RESULT: DISCUSSED Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman? Chair Hardemon: One second. Something that just popped in my head, and I want to make sure I say it on the record: There's a $5,000 cost to this, though, but you don't need a resolution from us, but I don't think you're going to have an objection. The Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, she has the 5,000 Role Models Breakfast every morning of Martin Luther King's Celebration Day -- his holiday. And this year, she requested for the City of Miami to be a sponsor for a table. It's a diamond sponsorship; it's $5, 000. I think that's well below the Manager's approval -- what's required to -- It's well below what the Manager has to bring to the City Commission. So I'm asking that the City of Miami participates in this. And usually, the Mayor -- and I know that I go every year, as well -- but Mayor Regalado has been going every year, and I believe our current Mayor is also going. So I just want to ensure that we participate by getting a table on the behalf of the City of Miami to help, because at those events, for students all over the City of Miami, she has scholarships that she pro -- Commissioner Carollo: For -- Chair Hardemon: -- or scholarships that she provides to -- Commissioner Carollo: --years. Chair Hardemon: -- all the children there. So -- Commissioner Carollo: For years. Chair Hardemon: -- if we could buy a table or two -- Nzeribe Ihekwaba (Chief of Operations/Assistant City Manager): Okay. Chair Hardemon: -- that'd be nice. Mr. Ihekwaba: We will let the new City Manager know by tomorrow. Okay? Chair Hardemon: Okay. But you have to do it fast. City of Miami Page 168 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Mr. Ihekwaba: Yes, we will. Chair Hardemon: Quick. Mr. Ihekwaba: Tomorrow morning. Chair Hardemon: Okay. "Andale. " Mr. Ihekwaba: Okay. Commissioner Gort: What's the name of the organization? Chair Hardemon: That's the S, 000 Role Models. Commissioner Gort: Yes. Chair Hardemon: Yeah. NA.3 RESOLUTION 3535 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Office of the City ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO Cierk NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A REVOCABLE LICENSE AYES: AGREEMENT ("LICENSE"), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED NAYS: FORM, WITH THE MIAMI CHILDREN'S MUSEUM ("MCM"), A FLORIDA NOT FOR PROFIT CORPORATION ("LICENSEE"), FOR THE USAGE OF APPROXIMATELY 26,599 SQUARE FEET OF CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED ON WATSON ISLAND IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA ("PROPERTY"), TO IMPROVE THE LAND TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN A PASSIVE PARK AT NO EXPENSE TO THE CITY, WITH SAID LICENSE BEING OF A MONTH-TO-MONTH DURATION, NON -ASSIGNABLE AND REVOCABLE AT WILL BY THE CITY WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE LICENSEE, PERMITTING ONLY THOSE CERTAIN, ENUMERATED, AND SPECIFICALLY LISTED USES AND NO OTHERS, NOT CONFERRING ANY RIGHT TO USAGE OF THE PROPERTY FOR ANY GENERAL PURPOSE, NOT ENCUMBERING THE PROPERTY IN ANYWAY, VESTING ALL IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO THE PROPERTY IN THE CITY; AND NOT CONVEYING OR TRANSFERRING ANY RIGHT TO EXCLUDE THE CITY FROM THE PROPERTY, WITH OTHER TERMS AS DESCRIBED IN THE LICENSE. =1h/_TebIIT, I=1ill kiill h1IT, 11=1:M:a1.11111YAi MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Reyes NAYS: Carollo Citv ofMian ni Page 169 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item NA.3, please see "Public Comment Period for Regular Item(s)," Item RE. 2, and Item NA.4. Chair Hardemon: And then -- so the other item isn't something that we have -- Vice Chair Russell: On the agenda now. Chair Hardemon: -- on the agenda. Vice Chair Russell: It was intended direction to negotiate a revocable license to make improvements on the land at their dime, giving it -- maintaining all rights for us to the property. Chair Hardemon: I'll take that as a motion, and I'll second that motion. Is there any discussion with that motion that's on the floor? And I'll allow you to -- the public comment for that motion, because you haven't had an opportunity to speak on that item. You're recognized. Brenda Betancourt: Thank you. You know, I'm always looking for trouble. Brenda Betancourt, 1436 Southwest 6th Street. My concern is, are we going to continue giving our land to nonprofits? And one other thing, as I say, if I have a nonprofit and I want you guys to give me a piece of land on Watson Island, that's mean [sic] I'm able to do it, and you guys going to give it to me -- Commissioner Gort: No. Ms. Betancourt: --just the way you are doing to the rest of the people? Because this is the most expensive land -- location, location, location -- and us, the citizens of the City of Miami, owns the land, and then we need to make sure that you guys putting the land to the best use. I love the Children Museum. I afford. I can go pay for it. But no people are never going to be able to afford it and be able to enjoy. So we going to go back to the Marlin Park Stadium that we help, and then what benefit did we get? Chair Hardemon: We can't even go to it. Ms. Betancourt: Come on. Commissioner Gort: We didn't have anything to do with it, so. Ms. Betancourt: So to me, it just -- stop just giving our land if it's not for the best use and the best benefit of us. I understand for the kids, autism and all the -- but why do we always giving the land? Why didn't you just purchase it? They not going to go and fundraise for money? They can fundraise the money and purchase (UNINTELLIGIBLE) somewhere else. Why it have to be Watson Island? Chair Hardemon: Thank you. Miguel Soliman: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Miguel Soliman, 1436 Southwest 6th Street. What Brenda was previously saying, if you want to open up a daycare for autism, the business of the future, where there's a lot of money in, Watson Island is not the place to do it. It's a very expensive piece of land. They already have their museum there. They already have a charter school. They want to expand on their business, and let's be clear here. That's what we're talking about; an autism daycare, okay? They can do that somewhere else that's not Watson Island; a prime piece of real estate that the City of Miami has. It's just not there to do it. That's not the place to do it. There's plenty of places to do it. City of Miami Page 170 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Vice Chair Russell: Where do autistic children belong? Mr. Soliman: Anywhere else, with all due -- I don't have anything against the autism, but when you have a responsibility in the City, a financial responsibility, you can't -- in my opinion, you can't get prime land. You've got to look at autism as a very serious issue, but you're not going to create an island in the middle of the bay and build an autism, because it's going to cost -- the cost is unheard of. And we just don't -- we -- I'd love to do that, but we can't -- we have to be responsible with our tax dollars. We can't give for free --we're not doing this for the kids. This is going to be a business where they're going to make money. This isn't going to be -- the kids aren't going there for free, let's be clear here. It's a business for them to make money. We're going to give them the land for free so they can create a great business that's going to make tens of millions of dollars a year. They can go put that business somewhere else. This is not about the kids. This is about us giving away prime land to build a business. Thank you very much. Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. I'll close the public comments, seeing no further public comment. Just to remind everyone that the resolution that was spoken of that was moved and seconded by the Vice Chairman and myself is not to give the land away. So this is just to allow the access to maintain the grounds that are there to make a more attractive entrance. And I'll be clear, you know, by no means does my vote -- or, I'm sure, anyone's vote here -- mean that they're going to accept what some people think is the inevitable, which is the granting of that land to build anything on it besides what it is that our community determines to be the best development for that site. So the motion on the floor right now is to allow them the access to make improvements upon -- I'm sorry -- to -- it is an improvement, but to make improvements, such as grass, add some picnic tables, et cetera, to that space to make it more attractive. Is there any further --? Mr. Ihekwaba: Mr. Chair, Mr. Chair, subject to all applicable permits. Chair Hardemon: Yes, sir. Mr. Bailine: Of course. Commissioner Carollo: 30 days revocable. Commissioner Gort: Yes. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: 30 days. Commissioner Gort: Revocable agreement, yes. Chair Hardemon: That's fine. Commissioner Reyes: That's good. Chair Hardemon: Any further unreadiness or discussion? Hearing none -- Ms. Mendez: Chairman? Chair Hardemon: Yes. City of Miami Page 171 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Ms. Mendez: I apologize. Are we bringing it back for you to review? Are you telling us to --? Commissioner Gort: He's making a motion to (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Vice Chair Russell: Work it out. Commissioner Gort: The revocable agreement. Chair Hardemon: Seeing no further discussion or unreadiness, all in favor of the motion, say "aye." Vice Chair Russell: Aye. Commissioner Gort: Aye. Commissioner Reyes: Aye. Chair Hardemon: All against? Commissioner Carollo: Nay. Mr. Bailine: Thank you very much. Chair Hardemon: Motion passes. NAA RESOLUTION 3536 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION RESCINDING Office of the City RESOLUTION NO. R-18-0021. Cierk ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-18-0022 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair AYES: Hardemon, Gort, Carollo, Reyes NAYS: Russell Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item NA.4, please see "Public Comment Period f or Regular Item(s), Item RE. 2, and Item NA.3. Chair Hardemon: PZ.3 and PZ.4 were deferred. I'd like to return back to the regular agenda. There was a motion that we made earlier. It was an ore tenus motion that allowed access for Miami Children's Museum with 30 days revocable license. I had a conversation with someone who told me something that reminded me of our responsibility to waterfront properties, and that there may be an issue giving a revocable license to an entity that has -- well, to any entity that wants to use waterfront property, and it's something in the lesser of the two evils that kind of escaped me. And so, if that is an issue, can't we still accept the dollars from, for instance, Miami Children's Museum; make the improvements that they want; put some chairs out there, and they can clean the land, but not give them a revocable license? City of Miami Page 172 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Ms. Mendez: You can do both options. The revocable license agreement, as we have it -- which was actually perfected by Senorita Grace Solares over there -- is one that basically we revoke at any time, so that's why that is in compliance with the Charter. We don't give them 30 days. We don't -- it's revocable upon notice. So it could be either/or. Commissioner Carollo: But that's not what the Chairman is concerned about. He's concerned with the Charter amendment that we had; if that would still cross the line in any way. Vice Chair Russell: Doesn't apply. Commissioner Carollo: Am I correct, Chair? Ms. Mendez: Not with the revocable license agreement. If we gave a term, if we gave a timeframe that they could stay, those things, then it would come afoul of the Charter amendment, but when it's a revocable license agreement that they have to be gone when we advise them, then it's fine. Chair Hardemon: You know, this is already -- the grass is already high enough in this. And what I mean by that is, sometimes -- I don't know if you've -- in Miami, Florida, you walk through the grass -- we call them "sticker birdies. " There's probably some advanced term for these things. Vice Chair Russell: That's what we called them, too. Chair Hardemon: Did you call them "sticker birdies, " as well? Vice Chair Russell: Yeah, yeah. Chair Hardemon: Do you know what sticker birdies are? Ms. Mendez: The "gisasos, " the little things that stick to your pants? Chair Hardemon: The little things that stick to your -- Commissioner Gort: Yeah. Chair Hardemon: -- socks. Ms. Mendez: Yeah. Chair Hardemon: And then when you try to touch them and remove them, they poke you, right? Ms. Mendez: It's painful. Chair Hardemon: It's painful, and you have to take the time to remove every single one of them. I'd rather not get a bunch of sticker birdies on me, trying to allow people to use land adjacent to this museum. If we put it in the words that we have it in, I just think that it could be objectionable. And we know that lots of things are objectionable. So my thought was to revisit so -- and I would explain what my motion would be. My motion would be to reconsider the item; then we would vote on a reconsideration. And the motion would basically be to allow Miami Children's Museum -- I know their representatives have left -- but to allow them to give us, the City, the donation to make the improvements; we make the improvements, and then City of Miami Page 173 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 remove the fence that's there, separating their land from our land so that if anyone from the City of Miami wanted to go and have a sandwich there, they can do it, and Miami Children's Museum doesn't have the right to eject people from that place, because they don't have access -- they don't have sole access or rights to that space. Does that make sense, Commissioner Carollo? Commissioner Carollo: It does, Chairman, and I know why you're doing this, but we call that a "Gomer Pyle. " Chair Hardemon: A who? Commissioner Carollo: "Surprise, surprise"; a Gomer Pyle. So somebody better call them and let them know what we've done and the reasons. I'm sure the City Attorney will do it elegantly. Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Chairman? Mr. Ihekwaba: Mr. Chair? Commissioner Carollo: But you're right. And I'll be willing to make a motion for reconsideration. Mr. Ihekwaba: Mr. Chairman? Chair Hardemon: I'll recognize you, and then I'll go to -- oh, Mr. Ihekwaba, and then I'll go to our Vice Chairman. Mr. Ihekwaba: Can I? Chair Hardemon: Yes, please. Mr. Ihekwaba: Would it be feasible to simply ask them to make a donation of the improvements rather than accepting money? Chair Hardemon: Right. I think the City Manager has the ability to accept service or -- Mr. Ihekwaba: Goods and services. Chair Hardemon: --goods and services, right? Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Chair Hardemon: So that would be considered goods and services, because you would make park improvements. Mr.Ihekwaba: Yeah. Chair Hardemon: That's possible, yes. Commissioner Carollo: Let's hope we don't have the same problem that we did with the distinguished Zoning attorney and the $12 million, if you remember. Chair Hardemon: Yeah. Mr. Vice Chairman. City of Miami Page 174 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Vice Chair Russell: Yes. Thank you. The -- a couple things. I don't like to surprise people; it's not really fair. And obviously, they shouldn't leave until the fat lady sings. Chair Hardemon: Meeting is over, right. Vice Chair Russell: Right. But their item was over and it is -- revisiting is not really fair for them to not at least have a say-so to agree or give a reason why they would disagree. I mean, perhaps deferring it to where they're present to make that decision if they have an opposition. Chair Hardemon: I can move to reconsider and -- or actually, it would be a motion to -- that's not what -- Commissioner Carollo: A motion -- Chair Hardemon: -- we don't need to reconsider, because we reconsidered -- Vice Chair Russell: But if I could just finish, I don't know why they would oppose. I don't see any difference, truly, functionally. For us, a couple factors we should take into consideration. The revocable lease would let us out of the Charter situation, but the waterfront issue is actually quite curious, because there is a road between this and the water. There is another facility between this and the water. Do we define this as waterfront property? This has properties all around it before you reach the water. Commissioner Carollo: Absolutely. You're in an island surrounded by water, you better believe it. Vice Chair Russell: So everything on that island is waterfront? Commissioner Carollo: Everything on that island is waterfront. Vice Chair Russell: I think we should get a legal definition -- Commissioner Carollo: Including -- Vice Chair Russell: --for what waterfront property is. Commissioner Carollo: -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Chair Hardemon: I don't know if everything on it -- it depends on how the lands are divided, like the way they're actually divided, because we have property that is -- and excuse me for never knowing the term. There's a park --when you take this road just out and as you're turning towards the Coconut Grove, like to the -- where they're making improvements. What is it called? Vice Chair Russell: Cocowalk? Chair Hardemon: Cocowalk. As you're walking towards -- going towards Cocowalk, the park that's right there on the left, part of the reason that we have the Glass House is because where they are is not considered waterfrontproperty, so -- Vice Chair Russell: Right. Chair Hardemon: -- I think everyone understands what I'm saying there. City of Miami Page 175 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Vice Chair Russell: There's always away. Chair Hardemon: So I'll just do this -- Vice Chair Russell: Actually, it's all platted as one piece, isn't it? And so, that entire area is one plat of land, including Chalks, including the heliport, including the Children's Museum, including the parking lot. Ms. Mendez: The last time I saw the plat, I thought it was just one platted parcel. Vice Chair Russell: At least according to the County's website right now that I'm looking at, all of that's waterfront property. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Vice Chair Russell: So that is a concern, for sure. This may be an easy solution. I just -- I'd -- I would like to hear the applicant's side of it. But -- Commissioner Carollo: Watson Island always has been a complicated place. Chair Hardemon: So it would be a motion to rescind, right? Commissioner Carollo: A motion to rescind. Chair Hardemon: Would be a motion to rescind -- Commissioner Carollo: A motion to rescind. Chair Hardemon: -- the previous vote regarding the issue, because we're not going to vote on it today. Commissioner Carollo: No. So move the motion to rescind that issue. Chair Hardemon: Because we want the other people -- Vice Chair Russell: So would we rescind and defer? Chair Hardemon: I need a second. Vice Chair Russell: Or -- Chair Hardemon: Correct. That's fine. But the motion is to -- Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Chair Hardemon: -- it could be both. The motion is to rescind and then -- Commissioner Carollo: We can do a motion to defer. Chair Hardemon: -- a motion to defer. Commissioner Carollo: Got to be separate motions. Chair Hardemon: So it's been properly moved and seconded to rescind -- Mr. Hannon: Sorry. There wouldn't be anything to defer, though, because the way that we cap -- it was -- City of Miami Page 176 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 Chair Hardemon: Oh, yeah, it was -- Ms. Mendez: This was a pocket. Chair Hardemon: Yeah. Mr. Hannon: Exactly. Chair Hardemon: Okay. Mr. Hannon: So you can just do a motion to rescind, and it goes away. Chair Hardemon: All right. It's been properly moved and seconded that we rescind the previous vote. Any further discussion on the issue? Seeing none. Ms. Solares, thank you very much. All in favor of the motion, say "aye. " Commissioner Carollo: Aye. Commissioner Reyes: Aye. Commissioner Reyes: Aye. Chair Hardemon: All against? Vice Chair Russell: No. Chair Hardemon: Motion passes. You know, I just want to make sure that we don't have the sticker birdies, because it can get very, very interesting, because, look, there was a young lady here, and I know she was probably low on the totem pole when it came to the attorneys that they send, so she constantly made these objections. She said, "I just want to preserve the record to object, to say that this would intrude upon some rights that we have." They're the ones that would be picking up -- you know, they're the ones that would be objecting to it, so it happens, so let's just not go through it. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Chair Hardemon: All right? Ms. Mendez: Would --Mr. Chairman? Chair Hardemon: Yes. Ms. Mendez: Is there going to be a new sponsored item on this the next time then? Chair Hardemon: I mean, have that conversation with the Vice Chairman. I'm sure he'll work it out. City of Miami Page 177 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 NA.5 ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION 3531 UNDER THE PARAMETERS OF SECTION 286.011(8), FLORIDA Office of the City Cierk STATUTES, A PRIVATE ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION WILL BE CONDUCTED AT THE JANUARY 25, 2018, MIAMI CITY COMMISSION MEETING. THE PERSON CHAIRING THE CITY OF MIAMI COMMISSION MEETING WILL ANNOUNCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION, CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC, FOR PURPOSES OF DISCUSSING THE PENDING LITIGATION IN THE CASE OF YVETTE STYLES, ET AL. VS. CITY OF MIAMI, ETAL., CASE NO. 17-22967 CA 09, PENDING IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 11TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY TO WHICH THE CITY IS PRESENTLY A PARTY. THE SUBJECT OF THE MEETING WILL BE CONFINED TO SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS OR STRATEGY SESSIONS RELATED TO LITIGATION EXPENDITURES. THIS PRIVATE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT APPROXIMATELY 4:00 P.M. (OR AS SOON THEREAFTER AS THE COMMISSIONERS' SCHEDULES PERMIT) AND CONCLUDE APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR LATER. THE SESSION WILL BE ATTENDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION: CHAIRMAN KEON HARDEMON, VICE-CHAIRMAN KEN RUSSELL, COMMISSIONERS WIFREDO "WILLY" GORT, JOE CAROLLO, AND MANOLO REYES; CITY MANAGER EMILIO T. GONZALEZ; CITY ATTORNEY VICTORIA MENDEZ; DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEYS BARNABY L. MIN AND JOHN A. GRECO; DIVISION CHIEF FOR GENERAL LITIGATION CHRISTOPHER A. GREEN; AND SENIOR ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY HENRY J. HUNNEFELD. A CERTIFIED COURT REPORTER WILL BE PRESENT TO ENSURE THAT THE SESSION IS FULLY TRANSCRIBED AND THE TRANSCRIPT WILL BE MADE PUBLIC UPON THE CONCLUSION OF THE ABOVE-CITED, ONGOING LITIGATION. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION, THE REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING WILL BE REOPENED AND THE PERSON CHAIRING THE COMMISSION MEETING WILL ANNOUNCE THE TERMINATION OF THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT SESSION. RESULT: DISCUSSED Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Members of the City Commission, pursuant to the provisions of Section 286.011(8), Florida Statutes, the City Attorney is requesting that at the City Commission meeting of January 25, 2018, an attorney- client session closed to the public be held for the purposes of discussing the pending litigation in the matter of Yvette Styles, et al. versus City of Miami, et al, Case Number 17-22967 CA 09, pending in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, in and for Miami -Dade County, to which the City is presently a party. The subject of the meeting will be confined to settlement negotiations or strategy discussions. The private meeting will begin at approximately 4 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the Commissioners' schedules permit, and conclude approximately one hour later. The session will be attended by the members of the City Commission, which include Chairman Keon Hardemon; Vice Chairman Ken Russell, and Commissioners Wifredo "Willy" Gort, Joe Carollo, and Manolo Reyes; City Manager Emilio Gonzalez; City Attorney Victoria Mendez; Deputy City Attorneys John Greco and Barnaby Min; Division Chief for General Litigation Christopher Green, and Senior Assistant City Attorney Henry Hunnefeld. A certified court City of Miami Page 178 Printed on 02/26/2018 City Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 ADJOURNMENT reporter will be present to ensure the session is fully transcribed, and the transcript will be made public upon the conclusion of the litigation. At the conclusion of the attorney-client session, the regular Commission meeting will be reopened and the person chairing the Commission meeting will announce the termination of the attorney-client session. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. This meeting comes to its conclusion. The meeting adjourned at 8:23 p. in. City of Miami Page 179 Printed on 02/26/2018