city of miamiegov.ci.miami.fl.us/meetings/2015/6/2905_m_seopw... · 2015. 8. 3. · frank carollo,...

Monday, June 29, 2015

5:00 PM

Meeting Minutes

City of Miami

City Hall

3500 Pan American Drive

Miami, FL 33133

www.miamigov.com

Camillus House

1603 NW 7th Ave., Bldg. B

Miami, FL 33136

SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency

Keon Hardemon, Chair

Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Vice Chair

Marc David Sarnoff, Commissioner

Frank Carollo, Commissioner

Francis Suarez, Commissioner

**************************

SEOPW CRA OFFICE ADDRESS:

819 NW 2nd Avenue, 3rd Floor

Miami, FL 33136

Phone: (305) 679-6800, Fax: (305) 679-6835

www.miamicra.com

Meeting Minutes June 29, 2015SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency

Present: Commissioner Suarez, Commissioner Carollo, Vice Chair Gort and Chair Hardemon

Absent: Commissioner Sarnoff

On the 29th day of June 2015, the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West

Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Miami met in regular session at Camillus

House, 1603 Northwest 7th Avenue, Miami, Florida. The meeting was called to order by Chair

Hardemon at 5:10 p.m., and was adjourned at 6:26 p.m.

ALSO PRESENT:

Clarence E. Woods, Executive Director, CRA

William Bloom, Special Counsel, CRA

Renee A. Jadusingh, Staff Counsel, CRA

Barnaby L. Min, Deputy General Counsel

Todd B. Hannon, Clerk of the Board

APPROVING MINUTES FOR THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS:

Motion by Board Member Suarez, seconded by Board Member Carollo, to APPROVE

PASSED by the following vote.

Votes: Ayes: Chair Hardemon, Commissioner Carollo, Vice Chair Gort and Commissioner Suarez


Chair Hardemon: Before we move forward, I also have the regular agenda item minutes of April

27 and May 26, 2015.

Board Member Suarez: So moved.

Chair Hardemon: Is there a motion to approve?

Board Member Suarez: Yes, moved.

Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved. Is there a second?

Board Member Carollo: Second.

Chair Hardemon: It's been properly seconded. All in favor, say “aye.”

The Board (Collectively): Aye.

Chair Hardemon: Motion passes. Congratulations, Overtown. Meeting agenda --

Board Member Suarez: Let's get that public relations company to --

Chair Hardemon: -- is concluded at 6:34 p.m.

Board Member Suarez: -- work.

Chair Hardemon: I know.

Meeting adjourned.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

15-00736

1. CRA DISCUSSION

Page 2City of Miami Printed on 8/3/2015


UPDATE REGARDING THE RESTRICTIVE COVENANT BY AND BETWEEN

THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY

REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (“CRA”) AND MIAMI BIG BLOCK HAS BEEN

PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE

CRA.

File # 15-00736 Cover Memo.pdf

File #15-00736 Backup - 1.pdf

File #15-00736 Backup 2.pdf

DISCUSSED

Chair Hardemon: I would like to call this June 29, 2015 Community Redevelopment Agency

meeting to order at approximately 5:12 p.m.; noting the presence of Commissioner -- Vice

Chairman Gort and also Commissioner Carollo. I'd like to begin our meeting by looking to

discussion item number 1, CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) discussion item number 1.

Mr. Woods.

Clarence Woods, III (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community

Redevelopment Agency): Commissioners, CRA discussion item number 1 is an update regarding

the restrictive covenant by and between the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community

Redevelopment Agency and Miami Big Block, which has been on the agenda, placed on the

agenda for discussion. At the Board's request, back in April, we had a item on the agenda

approving the restrictive covenant for the Innovation Tower. The Board requested that we bring

it back and suggested that the developers go and meet with the community, and we would like to

let you know that the developers have went and met with the community in Overtown. They met

at the Lyric Theater, and they also met with the community in Park West. We would -- we -- staff

attended those meetings, and they were able to discuss and address some of the concerns of the

members of the community. I think we, at our last board meeting, did talk about the covenant

and what the covenant entailed. If you'd like, I'd like to just hit those high points once again to

remind this Board, as well as the members of the community, about the benefits, the community

benefits of this covenant, if you so choose.

Chair Hardemon: Please.

Mr. Woods: The -- what we were able to negotiate with the developers of the Innovation Tower

and district was number one, and I think is the most important. Based on Miami 21, Miami 21

calls for this development to provide a payment -- payments by the developer that would provide

a source of funds to be used exclusively within the Southeast Overtown/Park West Redevelopment

Area for related activities, as contemplated by Section 6.5.1 of Miami 21; provide community

benefits in connection with the construction of the -- and operation of the proposed improvement,

including, without limitation: Opportunities for subcontractors who principal place of business

is located within the redevelopment area or in the City of Miami to participate in construction of

the proposed improvements; provide opportunities for unskilled laborers who reside in the

redevelopment area or the City of Miami to participate in construction of the proposed

improvements; to provide first source hiring opportunities for residents of the redevelopment

area and the City of Miami for employment in connection with the operation of the proposed

improvements and provide opportunities for small business enterprise to be involved in the

Miami Innovation Tower. What we were able to negotiate, as far as the stream of funding that

would come to the redevelopment area for redevelopment related activities, $5 million. Of that

$5 million, $3 million would be due 10 days after the receipt of a permit, which would allow for

the building of the tower. An additional $2 million would be due upon the CO (Certificate of

Occupancy) or temporary CO for the lighting of the sign. So in addition -- I mean, all together,

$5 million. We also were able to negotiate a percentage of the gross sales for the tower; three

percent of all gross sales. That would also go back to help the CRA with its redevelopment

activities. In addition to that, in the first year, 200,000 of that minimum payment would go

towards a nonprofit within the area for services for that nonprofit . Additionally, 40 percent of


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the labor would have to be hired from within the redevelopment area. If they can't be found

within the redevelopment area, it would go -- it would extend into Overtown and beyond

Overtown into the five -- well, not five -- into the priority zip codes within the City of Miami. If

they can't be found within the priority zip codes, they would then be allowed to go into the rest of

the City of Miami and then into Miami-Dade County; that's on the labor side. On the small

business side, same stratification. Twenty percent of the small business opportunities would have

to be found within the redevelopment area into Overtown, priority zip code, City of Miami, and

beyond into Miami-Dade County. So that's the small business opportunity. We'll also receive --

there is what is called -- let me back up -- okay, wages. There is an enhanced wage for all labor,

and that's construction, labor dealing with construction, as well as labor for permanent jobs and

enhanced wages. That is determined by the Miami-Dade County Office -- where is that? --

Miami-Dade County Office of -- just a second; I have that here -- Mr. Hartsfield (phonetic). Oh,

okay, Miami-Dade County Internal Services Department for Small Business and Development

Division. In addition to that, we also get -- for the public signage, we have three percent of the

display time of each tower, façades and signs of the plaza display, and that three percent -- of

that three percent, 67 percent shall be determined -- or what will be determined by the CRA or a

community-based organization of what could actually be displayed in the public display for that

time period of that three percent. Use of the plaza area, the plaza area will be made available at

least once per month for community activities sponsored by the CRA or community-based

organizations. We'll get 200 tickets per month, for a total of 2,400 per year to provide access to

the ticketed viewing elements of the proposed improvements at no cost to the CRA. And I should

mention even the public display time, that's at no cost; it's basically a public service, the display

time, is what we call it. And that -- pretty much, that is it.

Chair Hardemon: One quick question for you before I open it up for public hearing: In regards

to the enhanced wages, how is it that you guarantee that someone who is supposed to be paid an

enhanced wage during the operation of this building, construction with the jobs, how is it that

you determine or guarantee that they have the wage that they were promised?

Mr. Woods: Well, that's why you got a good attorney sitting right next to me. She's sitting there

writing.

Renee Jadusingh: These are my notes I was writing.

Mr. Woods: Well, there'll be penalties -- well, we set up monitoring. There'll be a third-party

monitor. They'll be responsible for validating their wage roles. I think it's every April. Is it

April 1? April 1 of every month [sic], and they'll have to validate their wages; it's Section 5.8

within the agreement. And if they are found to have miscalculated -- actually, 5.14, penalty for

noncompliance with the waiver -- with the labor participation requirement. If they're found to

have not complied, then on the labor, the penalty is -- will be assessed; wherein if they paid

anything less than the enhanced wage, they will be responsible for paying that enhanced wage,

and what they pay would not count towards the payment that they'll have to make. So it's

punitive in the sense that if they pay something less than the enhanced wage, that would not

count towards the payment that they made -- that they'll have to make, which is the enhanced

wage. So, in effect, it basically -- if they were paying $10 instead of $11 or whatever, that $10

that they paid throughout the period would not count towards the payment that they 'll have to

make -- meaning the enhanced wage -- over that same period of time.

Chair Hardemon: So by that, you mean that the employee --

Mr. Woods: Employee.

Chair Hardemon: -- will be paid $10 an hour, and then if that was deficient in its amount that

the employee would then get paid, in your example, $11?



Mr. Woods: Over the same period of time.

Chair Hardemon: Over the same period of time.

Mr. Woods: And that $10 would not count towards the payment.

Chair Hardemon: During this discussion item, I'm going to do something that's a bit

unorthodox, and if the Board would allow me, I'll open this one up for public hearing. And part

of the reason I open up for public hearing is because the last time this was before this Board , we

asked that we bring this back in the fashion that it's supposed to be before this Board. I think the

last time, it came as an item that needs to be approved, but through the City Attorney's Office, we

learned that it does not need approval. So therefore, I'm going to treat it as if this was an item

that was up for approval, and allow public hearing at this time to give people an opportunity to

speak about this item. So I thought that that would be fair in doing so, and give everyone an

opportunity to speak about the issue, and then us dispose of the item, as we did -- as we

discussed at the last meeting, in its correct form. Okay, so I'm going to open up right now for a

public hearing. Mr. City Clerk, I know you had some names on a list.

Todd B. Hannon (Clerk of the Board): If you haven't signed up for the discussion item, please

see me so we can get you signed up. For the first three speakers: Tony Recio, Michael Simkins,

and Richard Veber.

Tony Recio: Good evening, Mr. Chair and members of the Commission -- I'm sorry -- of the

CRA Board. My name is Tony Recio, with law office at 2525 Ponce de Leon Boulevard. We gave

an extensive presentation last time, so I will be extremely brief. As you know, we've been hard at

work on this effort for about two years in reliance on the Code that was in place and that is in

place, Section 6.5.1. Mr. Simkins has spent a lot of money pursuing that for those two years. It's

been designed to meet the Code standards, the building, itself; and the benefits agreement has

been negotiated over a period of many, many months, and it's been finalized. And CRA executive

director has approved it in accordance with what the section of the Code provides for, Section

6.5.1. We have submitted for sign permits; those are currently under review. And we're very

much looking forward to getting started and delivering on this package of benefits . We're very

much looking forward to that, just the same way that Section 6.5.1 was envisioned to provide. If

you have -- if this Board has any questions at the end, we're happy to answer those. Thank you.

Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir.

Richard Veber: Hi. I'm Richard Veber. I live at 723 Northwest 9th Avenue. I just want to

express that some of my neighbors have expressed some concern about the illumination from the

towers. We're in Spring Garden, which is west of 7th Avenue. I don't know how significant it will

be, but I just wanted to bring up that it was a concern from their part , and I would like to see a

little less of the illumination at night, and I want to make sure that the City and County don't

trample on any ordinances or codes that were in question of being violated in the past about

proximity to expressways and major roads and highways. Thank you.

Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir.

Michael Simkins: Good evening, Chairperson, members of the Board. Thank you very much.

You know, I spoke at the last meeting, and I spoke in between at the Planning & Zoning, and also

at the Commission meeting, but I did want to address a concern that you brought up with the

light and where it's actually visible from in the City of Miami; taking into account all the

development that is in the pipeline for Park West. So as you could see -- I want to just point out

a few angles, and then after, we could turn it around for the audience. But right now, this is from

Museum Park and Biscayne Boulevard, and as you could see, you can't see the tower, because

other buildings are blocking the tower. This is from the north, and as you could see, you could



barely see the tower. This is from the south, and again, just a glimpse of the tower. And from the

west, you do have your best visualization of the tower. The reports of light going 25 miles or 30

miles are just plainly false; it's absurd, actually, to think that was the case. This is something

that's visible in one direction and will be a huge catalyst for Overtown and the entire City of

Miami. It's been in the works for 14 years. We put three years of work. We have an Innovation

District that's going to bring 13,000 high-paying jobs, and this is the catalyst, really, that's going

to make it all happen. So we appreciate all the work of the CRA, and look forward to partnering

with the CRA and the City of Miami on this monumental project. Thank you.

Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. And I'd like the record to reflect the arrival of

Commissioner -- what's your name?

Board Member Carollo: Suarez.

Chair Hardemon: Commissioner --

Board Member Suarez: I'm not particularly memorable. It's okay.

Chair Hardemon: -- Suarez.

Mr. Hannon: The next three speakers: Edduard Prince, Peter Ehrlich, and Nathan Kurland.

Edduard Prince: Edduard Prince, Overtown Advisory Board, 1704 Northwest 1st Place. I spoke

at the City Hall last time. We're in agreement with the plan. It looks good. Mr. Simkins met with

us several times, explained it in detail, and we're comfortable with it.

Peter Ehrlich: Good evening, Mr. Chairman, Commissioners. My name is Peter Ehrlich. My

address is 720 Northeast 69th Street, and I object to the billboard tower, and also, this meeting

and the subject matter appears to fail on several levels; most importantly, on procedural and

administrative. There are several procedural and administrative errors. Typical of a failed

equitable process, today is the first public hearing in front of elected officials, to those people to

whom the CRA has an ethical duty to represent fairly, without self-interest. Many people,

especially many people that live in Park West, in the condos on Biscayne Boulevard, are not here

today, because this item was down as a discussion item, and many of them have been talking in

the last few days, and when they saw the item was listed as discussion, they're not here and --

because they didn't think they would have the opportunity to be heard. I'd also like to ask if the

Southeast Overtown/Park West executive director provided any of the following studies that all of

you should have before this item goes forward: An economic impact study; an environmental

impact study; a light study; safety crash studies, regarding huge LED (Light-Emitting Diode)

billboards; the Department of Transportation; Federal Highway Administration billboard study,

which is right here, it's available online. I'd like to know if any of you have been provided with

this study. Before going forward, you should definitely read it. There are some other problems

with the proposed legislation, and the monster billboard appears to violate Miami-Dade County

Code 33-96.1. Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, when asked this morning by a

journalist on a radio show about this particular billboard , he said he thought it was illegal. So I

think there are many, many questions, and I hope there'll be a vote, and I hope you'll get the

questions answered before going forward. Thank you very much.

Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Mr. City Attorney, before we move forward, is there

any requirement by the law to have any of those studies that Mr. Ehrlich cited?

Barnaby Min (Deputy General Counsel): No, no. Pursuant to Article 7 of Miami 21, all that's

required is the CRA executive director has to approve the proposal. And I believe Mr. Woods has

approved it, and now, he's just updating the Board on what has occurred.



Chair Hardemon: Is there any legislation or ordinance before this Board that we're voting on

today?

Mr. Min: No, sir, not --

Chair Hardemon: Is there any legislation --

Mr. Min: -- related to this matter, no, sir.

Chair Hardemon: -- or ordinance that's required by this Board to approve, moving forward with

this agenda item?

Mr. Min: Related to this matter, no, sir.

Chair Hardemon: Thank you. Mr. Ehrlich -- I mean Mr. Kurland. How you doing?

Nathan Kurland: Good afternoon, Commissioners. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. My

name is Nathan Kurland, 3132 Day Avenue. Over the past week, I have appeared before the

PZAB (Planning, Zoning & Appeals Board); the City Commission; now, the CRA; tomorrow,

before the County Commission. I've quoted everyone from Dr. Seuss to Pope Francis regarding

visual pollution. Today, I thought I'd be a little more specific. Section 33-85 of the County Sign

Code says clearly, “Only those signs that are specifically authorized by this Sign Code shall be

permitted. Those that are not listed or authorized shall be deemed prohibited.” Nowhere in the

County Sign Code do we talk about media towers. In a letter written by County Commissioner

Xavier Suarez to the County Attorney, Attorney Cuevas, the question was asked: “Can the

executive director of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Development Agency

recommend a sign permit that violates provisions of the City of Miami's City Sign Code and that

violates provisions of the Miami-Dade County Sign Code? And can such a recommendation be

ultimately denied for permitting by the City of Miami? If illegal, could Miami-Dade County

enforce its Sign Code?” And this is the response: “It is the opinion of County Attorney Cuevas

that the County's ability to enforce the County's Sign Code is” -- and I quote -- “unaffected by

the positions that may be taken by the executive director of the Southeast Overtown/Park West

Community Redevelopment Agency.” I think this is very clear; in fact, I know it's very clear to

my mind. This is an illegal sign. It is something that those of us who care about visual pollution

in the City of Miami have been talking about for seven to eight years. This is not the first time an

illegal media tower has been brought before us, but it certainly, hopefully, should be the last.

Thank you.

Mr. Hannon: Next three speakers: Frederick Bryant, Emanuel Washington, Carole Ann Taylor.

Frederick Bryant: Good evening, esteemed members of the CRA. My name is Frederick Bryant,

1431 Northwest 2nd Avenue, Miami, Florida. I heard a mention of jobs. My concern as an

African-American is, if I wanted to work, how would I go about it, who would I apply to, and

how would I apply for a job? My second concern is African-American contractors. Would there

be any openings, or what can be done for African-American contractors? And if anyone can

respond to those questions now or after the meeting, I would highly appreciate it.

Chair Hardemon: Make sure you see someone from the Community Redevelopment Agency, and

they'll get you all the information you need, okay?

Mr. Bryant: It's over here?

Chair Hardemon: Yes.

Mr. Bryant: Where's that, here?




Mr. Bryant: Okay, will do.

Chair Hardemon: Thank you.

Mr. Bryant: Thank you.

Emanuel Washington: Good evening, Commissioners. How you all doing today? My name is

Emanuel Washington. I'm the president and chief operating officer for the Community Work

Training Program. My office is located at 1490 Northwest 3rd Avenue, Suite 110. And I want to

come to speak in behalf of this project. I just want to basically say that the first thing is that I

attended the Lyric Theater presentation that they did to get a little bit more detail about what is

going on, and the things that they said in that presentation was very impressive. I enjoyed the

detail that they gave. Afterward, I had a follow-up meeting with the senior developer, a Mr.

David Wilson, to find out even more detail about the job opportunity, as well as the business

opportunity for businesses, and I was again impressed with the things that they had laid out . I

know that there's a lot of things that could be against HUD (Housing and Urban Development).

I heard a few things. Those things are going to be -- you know, nothing is ever prefect, but I

know that you have the “haves” and the “have nots,” and Overtown has always been part of the

“have nots.” And this is an opportunity for monies to come into our community, business to

come into our community, and what I really like about one of the things that they said; that

they're not asking you all for TIF (Tax Increment Fund) dollars. There are several projects have

come before you that are asking for TIF dollars. They're not asking for anything. As a matter of

fact, I believe, in the presentation, they said they're going to give you $5 million to provide

growth opportunities for businesses, and training, and other things, or whatever you deem

necessary. And, of course, I had conversations with the School Board, the principals in the area,

because I know that the technology industry is a big thing. And we're going to do Douglas

Elementary, which is going to be a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

school. The connection of those dollars infusing in those schools to help the -- our young kids,

because right now, the elementary and middle school are the ones that we really need to begin to

set up plans for to now address what are we going to do, where we're going to steer them as far

as job opportunities, so by the time this media center or this media tower and everything that

they're doing is in full effect, our middle schoolers and high schoolers, they'll be ready now to

face the employment situation, and I think it'd be a great opportunity of us planning right now to

make sure that they're involved, to make sure that they be a part of this, but I am in favor of the

project and I just wanted to come and say that today. Thank you.

Mr. Hannon: Carole Ann Taylor.

Carole Ann Taylor: Good afternoon. My name is Carole Ann Taylor. I reside at 1717 North

Bayshore Drive. I'm here to speak on behalf of the project. I am really looking forward to a

project such as this, providing an opportunity. There are so few that have really actually

provided opportunities for the residents, the workers, the businesses that want to do business in

Overtown, and I know that this group is committed to making that happen, so I really want to ask

you to consider through all of this the impact that this will really have in this neighborhood for

us; for the workers of this neighborhood, and for the businesses that want to do business in this

neighborhood. Thank you very much.

Mr. Hannon: The last two speakers I have signed up for discussion item number 1 are Leroy

Jones and Grace Solares.

Leroy Jones: Leroy Jones, 1490 Northwest 3rd Avenue. In support of this project, I just want to

say thank you to the CRA. Thank you, Commissioner Hardemon, for picking up the vision that



Commissioner Teele had about this project. When I walked into the City Commission meeting

last week when this was up for discussion, I heard you, Commissioner, read off the minutes from

the meeting, and nowhere did I hear anybody saying anything about this can be illegal . Now,

14, 15 years later, all of a sudden, it's something illegal. Seem like every time it's something that

can really benefit the people in Overtown, somebody find some kind of way, or try to throw

something in the way to put a stumbling block to stop the progress in Overtown. This is a great

project. It can benefit the people in Overtown; also, all the spinoffs that can come from this

project. So we, the community, hoping, Commissioner Hardemon, that you keep this fight up.

We need the support of the City Commission to do this. We want you to search into your heart.

Now is the time to search in your heart; read right with this project again [sic] and please

reconsider it. Thank you.

Grace Solares: Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, Commissioners. My name is Grace Solares, 60

Southwest 30th Road. I am highly confused today, being here and hearing that this matter is

continuing or is coming up for a discussion, considering what happened at the City Commission

last Thursday. You were there; you voted on it. There was -- throughout the entire discussion,

there were many people that came up and spoke. After we all spoke, you Commissioners

discussed the matter. There was one Commissioner, who doesn't happen to be here today, but he

said -- well, we've heard it many, many times from Dusty Melton -- that our Sign Code is totally

violative of the County Ordinance and -- with reference to signs. So therefore, if it's violative of

the County Ordinance Sign, our Sign Ordinance cannot go through. Whatever Ms. Haggad

(phonetic) has issued, based on Miami 21, and Mr. Woods approved, based on Miami 21, is void

and avenicio, because it was a clause in the Code that was in violation of the Sign Code. So I

don't understand why this is continuing, considering your own vote last Thursday. So I'm highly

confused. Possibly, somebody can explain it to me. Thank you.

Chair Hardemon: At this time, I'll open up the floor for further public hearing if there's anyone

who was not on the list that would like to speak. Is there anyone that'd like to speak at this

moment?

Richard Marquess-Barry: I'm Father Richard Marquess-Barry, born in Overtown in 1940,

Christian Hospital. One of the things we need to put on the floor, we need to remember some of

our history. First of all, I'm offended that people who don't live in Overtown always object to

anything that might benefit Overtown. Talking about visual pollution, what could be more

visually polluted than Overtown? I'm offended that these folk who have no relationship to

Overtown always object to anything possibly good for Overtown. Now, I was director of Agnes

Church here in Overtown for 35 years. I was baptized in that church. My family go back in that

church to 1911. I was here during the two terrible riots in the '80s. The Federal Government

sent down to the City of Miami millions of dollars for the redevelopment of Overtown and Liberty

City. My good friend -- and I hold him in high regard -- Maurice Ferre brought in Mr. Bailey

from Philadelphia to organize and to come up with a scheme by where -- whereby Overtown and

Liberty City will be somehow transformed. You know, I don't like the word, “revitalized.” That's

like trying to bring the dead back to life. This is transformation we're talking about here.

Overtown didn't get a thing. Park West got everything. Now, before you is an opportunity to

stand up and do something that would remove that visual blight of Overtown. This is a

possibility, is an opportunity. Those of us who live in Overtown, those who live in Overtown are

supporting the project; it's just those that have no relationship to Overtown and, as a matter of

fact, don't give a living damn about Overtown, they just want to block this project. So I'm saying

to you, do what is right. Give the residents of Overtown the possibility of a better life That's all I

ask of you. Thank you.

Applause.

Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. You're recognized.



Elsie Hamler: Good evening. Good evening, Commissioners. My name is Elsie Hamler, and I

work at 697 North Miami Avenue, Lot 3; Miami, Florida, 33136. And I've heard several of the

business owners and residents of the City of Miami come before you a few minutes ago in

support of this, and I respect those individuals who came forth. So if they are with this project,

I'm with it, also. But I will say this: That oftentimes, we are promised dollars for Overtown, and

we don't see those dollars when the project is completed. So whatever is planned now, if it

happens -- yes, we're looking for construction opportunities; yes, we want the residents to get

work. My caution is, make sure that it happens and that at the end of the day, we get some

residents that's going to work on those projects, and some black businesses who are going to get

some black representation on those projects. That is my concern.

Chair Hardemon: Thank you. Is there any other person? Yes, ma'am, you're recognized.

Saliha Nelson: Good evening, Chair and Commissioners. I'm here on behalf of Urgent, Inc.--

Hi, I'm Saliha Nelson -- and also the Chair of the Overtown Children and Youth Coalition. And

as a voice for the children in this community, we want to make sure that any plans moving

forward would create an intentional investment in the young people. I've heard a lot of great

things about potential CBO (community-based organization) involvement. We can intentionally,

in policy, sustain investment, year after year, in perpetuity, while this project is moving forward,

to invest in our young people. I had the great opportunity to speak in front of the CRA's summer

interns a couple of weeks ago during the orientation, and I explained to them about the billions

of dollars of investment coming to the community. And I asked them, I said, “What do you think

of this?” And what did they tell me? They said, “We see opportunity.” But it will not be an

opportunity for them unless we intentionally invest in their education, in their career

development, and in their higher education. And so, as you move forward, we hope that you will,

in policy, put a continued investment in our young people forward, in perpetuity, so that

Overtown young people can thrive. Thank you very much.

Applause.

Chair Hardemon: Any other person? Seeing none, I'm going to close the public hearing. Is

there any -- are there any questions from the Commissioners or from the Board Members?

Hearing none from the Board Members, thank you very much, Mr. Woods.

RESOLUTIONS

15-00498

1. CRA RESOLUTION

A RESOLUTION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), OF THE BOARD OF

COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST

COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (THE "CRA") AUTHORIZING THE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE

DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF JANUARY 29, 2014 (THE

"THIRD AMENDMENT"), SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, WITH ALL

ABOARD FLORIDA NW SIXTH STREET, LLC (THE "DEVELOPER").


File # 15-00498 Legislation V2.pdf

File # 15-00498 Exhibit A.pdf

Motion by Board Member Suarez, seconded by Vice-Chair Gort, that this matter be

DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.



Note for the Record: Item #1 was deferred to the July 9, 2015, Southeast Overtown/Park West


http://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/81388.pdfhttp://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/81389.pdfhttp://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/81387.pdf


Special CRA Meeting.

Chair Hardemon: Moving on to RE.1.


Redevelopment Agency): Yes. Commissioners, Resolution Number 1 is a resolution of -- with

attachments -- the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community

Redevelopment Agency authorizing the executive director to execute a third amendment to the

development agreement dated as of January 29, 2014, the third amendment, substantially in the

attached form, with All Aboard Florida Northwest 6th Street LLC (Limited Liability Company).

Commissioners, we also want to pass out to you modifications to what's in the agenda packet,

and in short, basically, what this amendment or these amendments provide for is All Aboard

Florida being able to expedite their commencement date on construction. Right now, as it reads,

they are due to start construction in May 2016. They are at the point to where they're looking to

start construction within another month. I can go through all the amendments, but I'm going to

let my special counsel read through some of the amendments.

Chair Hardemon: Now, Mr. Bloom, are you going to read from what you just passed us out; the

difference between this one and what's in our agenda packet?

William Bloom (CRA Special Counsel): I could read from that, or I could try to summarize the

provisions. One of the issues was that for All Aboard to be able to start, they have to have a

construction loan in place; they have to before building. What they've asked for is to be able to

start with a phased building permit and start construction without their construction loan. We've

negotiated within the provision where they can start early, provided they can spend at least $18

million of their own funds within the first 12 months of closing, or obtain the construction loan

within that 12-month period; if not, title reverts. This was done in a fashion to protect the CRA

(Community Redevelopment Agency); at the same time, give All Aboard the opportunity to start

construction without their construction loan in place.

Chair Hardemon: Mr. Woods, I'm just going to have to say this: I don't think any of the Board

Members expected to have an item to substitute this RE.1. In the item that you passed out to us

to substitute RE.1, there is nothing that highlights the difference between RE.1, what's in the

book, as is what you passed us out today, and I'm sure this gives the Board Members -- because I

can see their frustration in their faces as well as I can see it in mine, or I can feel it in mine,

rather -- that sometimes, when you have these agreements that are important for us to pass, that

are time-sensitive, that are all the things above that Mr. Bloom was explaining to us, the least

that we can do is highlight the changes in the document that you're passing us, so that we can

make ourselves aware of it during the public hearing, at the time we're sitting up here, so we can

make a advised decision. But it's difficult to do that if you give us a document that we have to

flip through and not know what's in it. So unless -- if the Board Members -- so I'll say this, and

I'll let you respond: That if the Board Members want to continue this item to another meeting, I

would not object to that, if they want to make themselves more familiar with it, unless they've

been briefed on it, and I'm just the one that had not.

Board Member Carollo: Mr. Chairman.


Board Member Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Actually, I appreciate your words. I guess

you did feel that uneasiness coming from this area, and again, I -- sometimes, I do feel like all

the time that I spent reading what was in our package, now, it's for no reason, because I just got

another package, and I'm not really comfortable. And by the way, I want to express that I

believe in the CRA, and the City, and all the different organizations that are going to be involved

with the All Aboard project. I truly believe in that, but not when you hand me this right at the



time that I'm going to vote, and I'm not -- I mean, this isn't a one-pager or a two-pager. This is a

pretty thick document, and I'm going exactly by your word, leap of faith, these are the only

changes, and I'm summarizing them. I don't feel comfortable taking a vote on this. So if you' re

okay, I'll move to defer to the next meeting.

Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved. Is there a second? Seeing none, motion dies for

lack of a second. Mr. Woods.

Mr. Woods: Commissioners, let me apologize. We did print the track changes. They were -- we

did print them. When I picked up -- when I picked them up to bring them, I didn't pick up the

track changes; I just picked up the ones that had been -- where the changes had been

incorporated. The changes from the document that you have in your packet and what we handed

out, I would not say that they're substantial changes. They are -- I mean, and I hear you. I

understand that you should have had the opportunity. And as a matter of fact, I think in our

briefings, we did talk about the changes. We did talk about the changes that were going to be

placed here. Well, we have one copy of the track changes, but we did talk about the changes that

we had and that were going to be presented, but that's no excuse. We should have had this all

ready, in a presentable form to where you Board Members could vote on it.

Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Gort.

Vice Chair Gort: It's very difficult to make a decision based on the -- well, it's not a summary --

what are the changes from this one to this. So it makes it very difficult, especially when you get it

right now. We don't have time to read it, and we don't have a summary of these specific changes.

Chair Hardemon: Seeing that there was -- the motion to defer did not pass, what I'll do now is

I'll open up this for public hearing and move it along in its rightful fashion. So I would open up

RE.1 for public hearing. Is there anyone that would like to speak on this item?

Grace Solares: Grace Solares, 60 Southwest 30th Road. I find it problematical. I mean, I don't

believe in the CRA, but to have a governmental agency actually proceed in this fashion? You

haven't seen the document. You have not read it in full, five days before, at least, to see what it

contains, what you're going to be giving away or what you're not going to be giving away; what

you're going to be receiving, not receiving. I mean, I find that incredible that this Commission --

that this CRA Board has not actually heeded the request from Commissioner Carollo to just

simply trans -- continue this item to the next meeting; it's just -- what? -- a couple of weeks

away? -- so you can actually read the document you're going to approve, that you will know

exactly what you're going to be reading -- you're going to be reading, and giving away or

whatever is it you're going to do. I ask, please, that a re -- a motion to defer this item to the next

hearing be made and that you, with calm, peace and tranquility read the document, and then

vote, but not just vote because the wind is blowing from this time, and then we're going to do it

this way. So I request, please, that you reconsider a motion for continuance and really read the

document, and know, really, what you're going to be voting on. Thank you.

Chair Hardemon: Is there anyone else that'd like to speak on this matter?

Margarethe Charles: Good afternoon. My name is Margarethe Charles, and Charles

Consulting, a small business here in Overtown. I believe in the CRA. The CRA has done great

work within the community so far. We've heard from the residents, and I believe in you,

Commissioner. And I think it's quite offensive to say that you're gone with the wind. I think

you've been presented with enough -- excuse me -- evidence from the community, you have the

support of the community to make a sound decision. Thank you.

Chair Hardemon: Is there anyone else that'd like to speak on the item?



Board Member Suarez: Let me get another copy. I just want another copy.

Chair Hardemon: Is there anyone else? Seeing none, I'll close the public hearing at this time.

So we've been provided with this version with track changes on it now, and so just -- can you

help push us through this item so we can understand exactly what it is , where you've made these

changes?

Mr. Bloom: All right. Again, as I previously stated, the first provision deals with the terms

pursuant to which All Aboard will be allowed to start construction prior to closing on the

construction loan and without a full building permit. We -- the CRA has negotiated with All

Aboard originally to get a guarantee of completion from its parent company or another entity

that has a net worth of at least 500 -- excuse me -- $50 million. In addition, there's a provision

that says title would revert if they haven't spent either $18 million of their own money, or

obtained the construction loan satisfactory to the executive director within 12 months. So that's

one of the major changes. The second change was to delete the provision that required All

Aboard to provide 50 parking spaces for the longshoremen. In exchange, they are contributing

$250,000 to the CRA to be used by the CRA to construct a separate parking garage to serve the

community. And if the CRA doesn't build that parking garage, then the $250,000 is to be used

for community benefits to be mutually agreed upon between All Aboard and the executive

director. Another change was -- we had hoped to have as an exhibit to this document the

parking agreement between All Aboard and the Lyric Theater providing for the parking for their

10 employees, plus invitees for events at the theater. Unfortunately, Black Archives and All

Aboard haven't finished negotiating that document, and so we had to delete that as an exhibit to

the third amendment. The fourth change deals with zoning. All Aboard had at one time offered

to transfer 50,000 square feet of development rights from Block 56 to the CRA, to be used with

respect to Block 45. Under the current Code, the transfer is not permissive without covenant in

lieu of unity of title and an easement operating agreement, and between All Aboard and

Overtown Gateway, they couldn't agree. The plans for All Aboard's project now used up all the

development rights for their project. What they have agreed to do is, if there's a change in the

Zoning Code which increases the density, and that change would allow for the free transfer of

development rights that they would assign 50,000 square feet of development rights to the CRA,

for then the CRA to use with respect to Block 45 or any other project. And then in the covenant,

we refined the provisions dealing with the construction of Southwest -- Northwest 7th Street

between the Block 45 and Block 56, dealing with approval of the budget, approval of the plans,

and whether curb and gutter would be included or not. Those are the primary changes in this

document.

Board Member Suarez: Mr. Chair, if I may?

Chair Hardemon: You're recognized.

Board Member Suarez: Thank you. When we briefed on Monday, the briefing that we had was

-- I'm sorry, on Friday -- the briefing that we had was with these changes already --

Mr. Woods: Yes.

Board Member Suarez: -- in the briefing, correct?

Mr. Woods: Yes. I told about the changes.

Board Member Suarez: Yeah. And so that's why, for me, these changes are not a surprise,

because I briefed -- when I was briefed on these changes specifically. They're not the ones that

are in the agenda packet, and I think that's why it's a little bit confusing.

Mr. Woods: Yes.



Board Member Suarez: But I did get briefed --

Mr. Woods: Yes.

Board Member Suarez: -- on these changes, so just to be fair, I just want to put that on the

record.

Chair Hardemon: Is there any other discussion?

Vice Chair Gort: I'll be frank.

Chair Hardemon: The Chair --

Vice Chair Gort: I think you should defer this --

Chair Hardemon: -- would entertain --

Vice Chair Gort: -- rather than have a negative vote.

Chair Hardemon: -- a motion at this time.

Board Member Suarez: What's that?

Chair Hardemon: A motion to be -- the motion to defer did not pass, and so we need a motion to

--

Board Member Suarez: Can we re-move the same motion, I mean, if it died, the motion to defer?

Todd B. Hannon (Clerk of the Board): It can be renewed.

Chair Hardemon: You can renew that motion.

Board Member Suarez: Yeah. Move to defer to the next meeting.

Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved. Is there a second?

Vice Chair Gort: Second. And the reason I didn't second before, because I want you to make the

statement so the public can know we have -- we get together, you come to us and you tell us on

Monday those changes, they going to take place, but we didn't get them in writing.

Mr. Woods: Yes.

Vice Chair Gort: We have to make sure the changes take place in writing and then they cannot

be changed afterwards.

Mr. Woods: Yes, exactly. What we'll do is we'll make the track changes, what you have there,

available to you, and the actual -- accept the track changes, which are in this packet, which is

what we handed out to you, will also be a part of the next agenda --

Board Member Suarez: Can we --

Mr. Woods: -- packet.

Board Member Suarez: Question: Can we notice this for the next City Commission meeting --



Mr. Woods: Sure.

Board Member Suarez: -- so we can vote on this in the next City Commission meeting, which I

think is next Thursday?

Vice Chair Gort: Yeah. We can have it up there.

Chair Hardemon: Yeah. I mean, we could schedule a --

Vice Chair Gort: CRA meeting at the Commission.

Chair Hardemon: -- CRA meeting --

Board Member Suarez: Right.

Chair Hardemon: -- and let that --

Mr. Woods: Special CRA meeting.

Board Member Suarez: Yeah, so it'll be next Thursday.

Vice Chair Gort: On the 9th.

Board Member Suarez: Yeah. Yeah, and look, at the end of the day --

Mr. Woods: So --

Board Member Suarez: Mr. Chair, if I may?


Board Member Suarez: Yeah. I just want to say that at the end of the day, this is really for the

public's benefit, because what -- here, what has happened is what we were briefed on is different

-- or what I was briefed on -- and I don't want to speak for you guys, because you get -- we all

get briefed at different times, and it's something that we've been talking a lot about. It's different

from what the public got, and so, in fairness to the public, I think the better practice will be to

have it all taken care of and tied up for the public's sake.

Chair Hardemon: And I will say that many times, on the day of, there are changes that are made

to documents, because once documents are printed, people are still reviewing those documents to

make changes, and so we will approve changes to documents without them being printed,

necessarily. It's just that in this one, there's just something else that -- there's something different

about this document, with the changes that were made and that are provided to us. So I'm glad

that we made the decision at least to move to -- or to defer this item to a special CRA meeting on

July --

Mr. Hannon: July 9, sir.

Chair Hardemon: -- 9 --

Vice Chair Gort: At 12 o'clock.

Chair Hardemon: -- during the lunch break, so at 12 o'clock. That has been properly moved

and seconded. I'm glad that we did that, because I don't know if this vote would have been in the



positive, so thank you very much. Is there any further discussion about it? Seeing none, all in

favor of the motion, say “aye.”


Chair Hardemon: Against? Motion to defer passes.

15-00740

2. CRA RESOLUTION

A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE

SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT

AGENCY ("CRA") AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PROFESSIONAL

SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH SPINE3D, LLC, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO

EXCEED $85,000, TO PERFORM 3D COMPUTER ANIMATION,

VISUALIZATION, AND RENDERING SERVICES FOR THE

REDEVELOPMENT AREA; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO

EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE; FURTHER

AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE FUNDS, AT HIS

DISCRETION, ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS OR DIRECTLY TO VENDORS;

FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND,

ENTITLED "OTHER CONTRACTUAL SERVICES ," ACCOUNT CODE NO.

10050.920101.883000.0000.00000.


File # 15-00740 Financial Form.pdf

File # 15-00740 Backup.pdf

File # 15-00740 Legislation.pdf

Motion by Board Member Carollo, seconded by Board Member Suarez, that this matter be

ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.



CRA-R-15-0023

Chair Hardemon: RE.2.


Redevelopment Agency): Commissioners, Resolution Number 2 is a resolution of the Board of

Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency

authorizing the execution of a professional service agreement with Spine3D, LLC (Limited

Liability Corporation), in an amount not to exceed $85,000 to perform 3D computer animation,

visualization, and rendering services for the redevelopment area; authorizing the executive

director to execute all documents necessary for said purpose; further authorizing the executive

director to disburse funds at his discretion on a reimbursement basis or directly to vendors .

Commissioners, back in November -- October or November of 2014, you approved $200,000 for

marketing and PR (public relations) services, for $200,000. At that time, we said that we would

come back to you. That resolution had three aspects of it, and one was for a 3D rendering of the

redevelopment area that would give a virtual tour of the redevelopment area as it exists, and then

it would come back and show it with the population of the developments that are planned and

proposed for the redevelopment area; that was one aspect. The other aspect was for marketing,

and promotions, and PR, and then the third was for a new website. This is that aspect of that

resolution where we are getting the 3D virtual tour. We put it out for bid. We had four -- four or


http://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/81161.pdfhttp://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/81162.pdfhttp://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/81163.pdfhttp://egov.ci.miami.fl.us/Legistarweb/Attachments/81164.pdf


five -- four responses. We empanelled a review committee, we ranked them. Spine3D was the top

ranked proposer to undertake this work, and that's what we're here asking you all to approve.

Board Member Carollo: Move it.

Board Member Suarez: Second.

Chair Hardemon: You have properly moved and seconded the passage of agenda item RE.2. Is

there anyone from the public that'd like to speak on this item? Seeing none, I close the public

hearing at this time. Is there any discussion? Seeing no further discussion, all in favor, say

“aye.”


Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.

15-00665

3. CRA RESOLUTION



AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PROFESSIONAL

SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH HAROLD A. JOHNSON CONSULTING

GROUP, INC. TO PERFORM CONTRACT COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING

SERVICES FOR THE MIAMI WORLDCENTER MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT

PROJECT ("PROJECT") FOR THE DURATION OF THE PROJECT, IN AN

AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED, $430,000 PER YEAR, PLUS APPROVED

EXPENSES NOT TO EXCEED $20,000 PER YEAR; AUTHORIZING THE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR

SAID PURPOSE; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO

DISBURSE FUNDS, AT HIS DISCRETION, ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS

OR DIRECTLY TO VENDORS, UPON PRESENTATION OF INVOICES AND

SATISFACTORY DOCUMENTATION; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SEOPW,

"PROFESSIONAL SERVICES," ACCOUNT CODE NO.

10050.920101.531000.0000.00000.





Motion by Board Member Suarez, seconded by Board Member Carollo, that this matter be




CRA-R-15-0024





authorizing the execution of a professional services agreement with Harold A. Johnson

Consulting Group, Inc., to perform contract compliance and monitoring services for the Miami

Worldcenter Mixed Use Development Project for the duration of the project, in an amount not to




exceed $430,000 per year; plus approved expenses, not to exceed $20,000 per year.

Commissioners, this resolution is a resolution that would provide the contract monitoring and

compliance for all of the hiring in the Miami Worldcenter Development, as mandated by the

Economic Incentive Agreement that was passed on December 29 of 2014. We have a -- we --

again, we put out an RFQ (Request for Qualifications) for these services. We had at least six

responses -- how many responses? We had a lot of responses. And this firm was ranked to be the

top. I think we've been before you on this item already. They were -- well, they were ranked the

top-ranked proposers, and we want to go ahead and enter into the professional services

agreement with them for the services.

Chair Hardemon: Who's providing these dollars to this -- is the CRA (Community

Redevelopment Agency) paying for this?

Mr. Woods: The CRA will only front it. It will be paid for by the Miami Worldcenter developers.

Board Member Suarez: Move it. Discussion.

Board Member Carollo: Second.

Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved and seconded to approve this item. We'll open it up

for public hearing at this time. Is there anyone from the public that'd like to speak on this item?

Seeing none, I'll close the public hearing. Any further discussion from the Board Members?

Board Member Suarez: Just real quick.

Board Member Carollo: Yeah.

Board Member Suarez: I just want to say that I commend you. I know this was a huge

component of the negotiated deal. As far as I know, there isn't another deal like this with this

oversight component to it, and it should be a component, really, of every single deal that we do,

because we do entitlement deals, and then we hope -- unless someone complains, comes back to

us and says, you know, “XYZ is not doing what they're supposed to be doing,” we have really no

way of knowing, unless we're doing our own sort of auditing, and that's -- you know, you can see

the amount of resources that are needed to really fully get into this and make sure that what we 're

promising the community is actually being done, and I think that's a huge component of the

credibility of what we do. It's not just having these, you know, these provisions in these

agreements, but it's also making sure that these provisions are being followed, and I think -- I

commend you, because this really is the first time of a TIF (Tax Increment Fund) agreement of

this magnitude that this has happened, and it's commendable.

Mr. Woods: Thank you, sir.

Board Member Carollo: Mr. Chairman.


Board Member Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Question to the executive director: Who

does Harold A. Johnson Consulting Group work for; us or Miami Worldcenter?

Mr. Woods: Us.

Board Member Carollo: Us. And the Miami Worldcenter will reimburse us?

Mr. Woods: Yes.



Board Member Carollo: Okay. That's important, because, obviously, they are loyal to whoever

--

Mr. Woods: Yeah.

Board Member Carollo: -- is actually paying them and that's why I want to make sure, and when

I first saw it and I saw the $450,000 price tag, I thought it was quite pricey, but at the same time,

if we're being reimbursed, it's nothing that -- it's no monies coming from the CRA.

Mr. Woods: No, no.

Board Member Carollo: And again, they will be working for us, so.

Mr. Woods: For us.

Board Member Carollo: Very good.

Mr. Woods: That's why we'll pay first and then there will be --

Board Member Carollo: Understood, understood; just confirming. Thank you.

Chair Hardemon: Is there any further discussion from Board Members? Seeing none, all in

favor, say “aye.”



15-00628

4. CRA RESOLUTION



AGENCY, AUTHORIZING A GRANT, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED

$10,000,000, TO TOWN PARK PLAZA SOUTH, INC., TO UNDERWRITE

COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RENOVATION AND REHABILITATION OF

TOWN PARK PLAZA SOUTH, 1798 N.W. 7TH AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA

(FOLIO #: 01-3136-066-0001); AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE;

AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISBURSE FUNDS, AT HIS

DISCRETION, ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS OR DIRECTLY TO VENDORS,

UPON PRESENTATION OF INVOICES AND SATISFACTORY

DOCUMENTATION; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM TAX REVENUE BOND

ISSUANCE PROVIDED FOR BY RESOLUTION NO. CRA-R-12-0061.


File # 15-00628-Financial Form.pdf







CRA-R-15-0025




Chair Hardemon: Moving on now to RE.4.




authorizing a grant in an amount not to exceed $10 million to Town Park Plaza South, Inc., to

underwrite costs associated with the renovation and rehabilitation of Town Park Plaza South ;

authorizing the executive director to execute all documents necessary for said purpose;

authorizing the executive director to disburse funds at his discretion, or on a reimbursement

basis, or directly to vendors upon presentation of invoices and satisfactory documentation. This

is the second in our efforts to redevelop and revitalize all three Town Parks. We put out an RFQ

(Request for Qualifications). We received several responses. This -- we did get -- we did

empanel a review committee, and the review committee chose a contractor that will do the

renovations. We've had some preliminary pricing done, but this is the bond -- this is the $10

million that's coming from the bond money that we received, the sixty-million-dollar bond money.

So this is the first of the two co-ops, but we are on the way. And just as Town Park North has

already started and they're in full swing with the renovations and rehab to their units, we can

now get started. With the approval of this packet, of this resolution, we can get started with Town

Park South.

Board Member Suarez: Move it.

Vice Chair Gort: Second.

Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved and seconded to approve agenda item RE.4, and at

this time, it gives me great pleasure to open up the public hearing, especially to my residents who

are living in Town Park -- in all of the Town Parks -- so you're welcome to come to the lectern to

speak.

Pauline Brathwaite: Good evening to the Chair, the Commissioners, director of the CRA

(Community Redevelopment Agency) and his wonderful staff. On behalf of the board of directors

and the residents of Town Park Plaza South, my name is Pauline Brathwaite, and I reside at

1728 Northwest 5th Avenue. I am the president of the board of directors, and I'm also on the

NAT Board -- NET -- which stands for National Alliance of HUD (Housing & Urban

Development) Tenant. It is one of the only organization in this nation that work closely with

HUD. And today, we are here to thank the Commissioners, to thank the CRA for all the years of

their dedication and devotion to Town Park Plaza South. I'm not going to cry today. And today,

I'm also going to give high regard and respect to one of the seniors who came to me, and

inspired me, and notified me of what was going on with our 40-year recertification. She's no

longer with us, but the day she came to me, I was -- her and I became two warriors to preserve a

low-income multifamily housing. And her grandson happens to be on the board of directors at

Town Park Plaza South, and the residents that are here to give the Commissioners and the

director of the CRA and his staff thanks, I would like them to stand, please. Oh, they're already

standing. Stand and give the Commissioners and the wonderful people a big --

Applause.

Ms. Brathwaite: Louder than that. Let's go. Come clap.

Applause.

Ms. Brathwaite: Thank you all very much. We appreciate it. This has been a long struggle, and

a long battle. And I remember several times, Mr. Woods used to say, “Ms. Brathwaite, you don't

have no faith. Keep the faith, everything is going to be” -- “work okay.” And I must stay to

Commissioner -- ex-Commissioner Spence-Jones, she was the one that started this. And Mr.



Hardemon, he has been a warrior for us, also, and we give y'all thanks. And don't forget, we

have a housing crisis in this nation, and we want all of you to try to preserve low-income

multifamily housing for the next generations to come, and I sincere thank you all so much. May

God continue to help you all to do His good work. Thank you all.

Applause.

Samuel Wims: Good evening, Commissioner Hardemon and members of the Board. My name is

Sammy Wims. I'm the president of Little River Farms Homeowners Association, and the

grandson of Ms. Marie Wims. It would be remiss had I not taken this opportunity to thank you

all, Commissioner Hardemon and your staff, for supporting us during our time of bereavement

with the loss of my grandmother, and that beautiful proclamation that we had received, read and

given by the City of Miami. I'm also elated about the perpetual movement that we're about to see

in the Town Park Plaza area. Although my grandmother is not here today to see what greatness

is about to take place, it is an honor for me to be a part of the board where she had served for

many, many years, and I thank you.

Applause.

Chair Hardemon: Is there anyone else from the public that'd like to speak on this item? Seeing

none, I'm going to close the public hearing and open up for the Board Members for discussion .

Board Member Suarez: Mr. Chair.

Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir.

Board Member Suarez: Thank you. I want to commend CRA staff; I want to commend you and

the former Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones. You know, people criticize a lot of the things

that we do. Sometimes, there's some validity to some of the criticism, but I think we have to

celebrate and enjoy when we do good things and when we impact the lives positively of so many

people. And I think we spend a lot of time and energy, rightfully, trying to build new affordable

housing, but there are souls, there are lives, there are people that live in the current housing that

we have, in the current neighborhood, who have been there for, you know, in this particular

case, since the 1970's, in the same project, and they deserve, also, a good quality of life. And so

I think -- I commend the entire staff. I commend you and all our Board Members who have

worked diligently to make this day a reality. Thank you.

Applause.

Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Gort.

Vice Chair Gort: Let me tell you, what a lot of people don't understand. Salaries here in '70s,

late '60s, '70s, '80s, they were not really that good. You had -- you lived by the paycheck to

paycheck. You were not able to put together -- a lot of the people, not only here in Overtown --

throughout the City of Miami. A lot of people don't realize that. We have a lot of people that

were able to buy their home long time ago. Now, it's very difficult for them to maintain them the

way it's going. So we do need to help those people that bought their property, and if we can help

them, I think we should. And at the same time, we have to work with the private sector. We

seeing changes that are taking place. In my neighborhood, we have something called the Three

Towers. The Three Towers, you look at it -- that was a joint venture that -- an RFP (Request for

Proposals) that Miami-Dade County put out. They build a new home. You walked in that new

home, and it looks like you in a five-star hotel, and this is what we need to do; work a lot closer

with the private sector and join. Join, because it's takes more than one person to get the things

done. So I want to thank you all; and the CRA, I think, has been working on this for a few years

now, and finally, it's going to come to a conclusion.



Applause.

Board Member Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Again, this is something that it's been on

the works for many, many years, and affordable housing is extremely important for the City of

Miami. And I just want to make sure and let the executive director know and everybody know

that we're doing our part. I just don't want to make sure that there's any delays [sic] going

forward with this, because this Board is doing its part. Now, this cannot be a project that it just

lingers and there's extensions, and extensions, and extensions. So I just want to put that for the

record and make sure that we move forward with this. Thank you.

Applause.

Chair Hardemon: From the moment that I became Chairman of this organization, we touted that

Town Park came first. And Town Park was inclusive of the South, the North, and also Village.

And one had to move before the other. And the Town Parks had to realize that they had to

support each other in order for their dream to be realized. And one thing that we wanted within

the CRA was to have the development or redevelopment, revitalization or renewal of these

communities. We wanted them to welcome in the new development by having theirs completed or

substantially completed, so that the people who lived in the Overtown community knew that the

CRA was working for them. And when we first came into office, and there was a challenge by the

Board and also a challenge by the community to make sure that they came first. And I just

remember one of the questions that one of the members from the Overtown community had for

us, which was, “What is our level of priority?” And at the time, the response was “priority

number one.” And I think that today is another day that you can see that Town Parks is priority

number one for this redevelopment agency. We went from $15 million to Town Park North to

now $10 million for renovation of Town Park Plaza South. And next on our radar, of course, is

Town Park Village. And so those of you who are residents of this community, who own property

in this community, who've always lived in this community, this is your opportunity to stay in this

community. As Commissioner Gort said, you could afford to buy the properties before, but

maintaining those properties becomes much more expensive as the time passes. And as income

levels decline, and as people age, their ability to take care of those properties also are

diminished. And all around this nation, and all around the world, there's actually a battle for

affordable housing. And so, here we are, giving the people who are often forgotten, the people

who have housing, but it is not at the standard in which we should all be living in within our

community in the City of Miami and within this nation. And so, here we are today, saying that

you matter most; you matter. You are the reason that we have the CRA. It was created off of

your backs. And so from your labor, now, you get this reward. So I'm privileged to be able to do

this for you.

Applause.

Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much to the staff that worked hard to make this happen. The

battle is not over. We need, as Commissioner Carollo said, follow through. This Board, this past

couple of years, has now, I think, grown the reputation of getting projects off the ground. Now,

let's get projects completed. All in favor, say “aye.”



Applause.

15-00742

5. CRA RESOLUTION





AGENCY, AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED

AT 1021 N.W. 2ND AVENUE WITHIN THE REDEVELOPMENT AREA, IN AN

AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $253,000, PROVIDED THAT THE PURCHASE

PRICE IS SUBSTANTIATED BY NO LESS THAN TWO (2) APPRAISALS

FROM A CERTIFIED MEMBER OF THE APPRAISAL INSTITUTE AND THE

PURCHASE PRICE DOES NOT EXCEED 10% OF THE APPRAISED VALUE;

FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ALL

DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURCHASE; ALLOCATING FUNDS

FROM SEOPW TAX INCREMENT FUND, ENTITLED "LAND ACQUISITION,"

ACCOUNT CODE NO. 10050.920101.661000.0000.00000.









CRA-R-15-0026





authorizing the purchase of real property located at 1021 Northwest 2nd Avenue within the

redevelopment area, in an amount not to exceed $253,000; provided that the purchase price is

substantiated by no less than two appraisers from a certified member of the Appraisal Institute ,

and the purchase price does not exceed 10 percent of the appraised value; further authorizing

the executive director to execute all documents necessary for said purchase.

Board Member Suarez: Move it for discussion.

Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved and seconded -- oh, I'm sorry. Is there a second?

Vice Chair Gort: Second.

Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved and seconded. I'll open up for public hearing at this

time. Is there anyone that'd like to speak on this agenda item? Seeing none, public hearing is

closed. Is there any further discussion from the Board?

Board Member Suarez: Just real quick. This is a very, very cool thing that we're doing here.

I've been to this property, and I think it's extremely important to preserve the history of this

property, and, you know, it's -- I think it's the first African-American judge, if I'm not mistaken.

Mr. Woods: In Dade County.

Board Member Suarez: In Dade County. So -- and it's beautiful and it's -- I can already

envision what it's going to look like when it's restored. When I went in there, it was a crack

house. So, you know, I'm very excited about seeing it in its restored state, and I think the

community deserves it, and I think the community should get to appreciate this jewel for many,




many years, and understand, you know, where many things started. I think that's very important.

Thank you.

Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Any further discussion? I don't think anybody could

have said it any better than Commissioner Suarez has done, so all in favor, say “aye.”



ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 6:26 p.m.


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