Minutes - NBCRA Advisory Committee 10-20-21 1700 Convention Center Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139
www.miamibeachfl.gov/northbeachcra
MEETING MINUTES
Ad Hoc North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee
Wednesday, October 20, 2021 4:00 PM
Members in attendance: Chair Jose Smith, Vice Chair Daniel Veitia, John Bowes, Romina
Orozco-Encio, Betsy Perez, Manning Salazar, and David Sexton
1. Welcome and Attendance
At 4:03 p.m., Committee Chair Jose Smith opened the meeting and greeted all attendees.
2. Approval of Meeting Minutes
• Motion: To approve the draft meeting minutes of the September 15, 2021 Committee
meeting.
Made by: Daniel Veitia Seconded by: Jose Smith
Motion passed by acclimation
3. Update: Vacant Storefront Cover Program
At 4:05 p.m., Chair Smith introduced Amber Tarrac, Economic Development Assistant Director, who provided an overview of the City’s relaunched Vacant Storefront Cover Program, including the application process and photographs of recent North Beach
commercial retail program participants.
4. Update and Discussion: Byron Carlyle Theater At 4:15 PM, Chair Smith introduced a discussion regarding the community survey conducted
by the City’s vendor, ETC Institute, designed to survey public opinion regarding future plans
for the Byron Carlyle, as documented in Letter to Commission (LTC) No. 405-2021 dated September 27, 2021. Kevin Pulido, Neighborhood Affairs Manager, and City Attorney Rafael Paz responded to questions posed by the Committee concerning the preparation and administration of the survey, including confirmation by Mr. Pulido that Spanish-language
accommodations were made available to survey respondents if desired. Members of the
Committee engaged in discussion.
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Meeting Minutes – October 20, 2021 Page 2 of 3
Elizabeth Miro, Facilities and Fleet Management Assistant Director, provided the Committee with an update on the City’s immediate and short-term plans regarding the Byron Carlyle Theater site, including status of temporary site conditions and preparations for the proposed
public design community charrette.
• Motion: To encourage the City to undertake necessary steps to maintain the
Byron Carlyle Theater and address deteriorating conditions outside the property, specifically, restoring the exterior façade lighting, activating the marquee with signage, using movie poster boxes to promote community events, and to address the encampments of individuals experiencing homelessness.
Made by: Daniel Veitia
Seconded by: Manning Salazar Motion passed: 6 to 0 (John Bowes absent for vote)
5. Update & Discussion: 72nd Street Community Complex
At 4:59 p.m., David Martinez, Committee Co-Liaison and Capital Improvement Projects Director, provided a detailed update on the G.O. Bond project for the 72nd Street Community Complex, including recent and upcoming City Commission agenda items. Members of the Committee engaged in discussion regarding their support and advocacy for the proposed
project. Rickelle Williams, Committee Co-Liaison and Economic Development Director, confirmed to Chair Smith that she and Committee Co-Liaison David Martinez would provide members of the Committee with access to the proposed construction plans related to the 72nd Street
Community Complex project. David Sexton took the opportunity to announce upcoming community events programmed for the Normandy Fountain. 6. Committee Member Comments
At 5:28 p.m., the Committee members provided final comments including a request by Vice Chair Daniel Veitia for a discussion at a future Committee meeting regarding business attraction, retention, and assistance. Manning Salazar made a request that a future meeting include a discussion regarding the water quality in the area adjacent to Parkview Island. Romina Orozco-Encio commented about a proliferation of individuals affected by
homelessness as well as the poor quality of street lighting in the Normandy Fountain business district. Pursuant to the request of Vice Chair Veitia, City Attorney Rafael Paz confirmed he would investigate the legality of enabling text chat features during the Committee’s virtual meetings.
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Meeting Minutes – October 20, 2021 Page 3 of 3
7. Public Comment At 5:39 p.m., Chair Smith confirmed that no members of the public desired to provide public
comment.
8. Adjournment Motion to adjourn at 6:28 p.m.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 4:00 pm