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Meeting Minutes - December 10 2024 1700 Convention Center Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139 www.miamibeachfl.gov/northbeachcra MEETING MINUTES NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Tuesday, December 10, 2024 – 4:30 pm Normandy Shores Golf Club, 2401 Biarritz Drive 1. Commencement & Attendance Members in Attendance Ronnie Issenberg, Chair (virtual); Tom Richerson, Vice Chair; Omar Jimenez; Sam Latone (virtual); Romina Orozco-Encio; Manning Salazar; David Sexton, ex officio Speakers and Guests David Gomez, Interim Director, Office of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP); Chief Deputy City Attorney Rob Rosenwald, Cindy Casanova, Assistant Director, Parks and Recreation Department; David Martin, CEO, Terra Group; Lori Nieder, Miami Beach Tennis Academy At 4:50 p.m., Committee Chair Ronnie Issenberg, attending virtually, called the meeting to order. Chief Deputy City Attorney Rob Rosenwald clarified that Florida Statutes prohibit committee members attending virtually from voting on committee matters or being counted as present for official record of attendance. Committee Business 2. Approval of November 12, 2024 Meeting Minutes Approved by acclamation. 3. Discuss 2025 Committee Meeting Dates Proposed dates were approved by acclamation; however, with revisions to be discussed at the January 2025 meeting. 4. Legislative Update (November 20, 2024 (Miami- Dade County BCC Meeting): • Rickelle Williams, Assistant City Manager Assistant City Manager Rickelle Williams reported potential restrictions to the North Beach CRA Interlocal Agreement, as discussed during the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners’ November 20, 2024 meeting. These restrictions include limits on the North Beach CRA’s ability to expand boundaries, incur debt, or amend the Redevelopment Plan until execution of an amendment to the existing RDA Interlocal Agreement between the City, County, and Miami Beach Redevelopment Agency (RDA). North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – December 10, 2024 Page 2 of 4 The forthcoming amendment to the RDA Interlocal Agreement would allocate a portion of Miami Beach Convention Center Hotel Bed Tax revenue for homeless and domestic violence services, potentially generating up to $5 million annually (adjusted by CPI) over several years, with the North Beach CRA covering any shortfalls. Committee members expressed concern that such restrictions could impede CRA objectives. Old Business 1. Report: North Beach CRA Walkthrough with Vice Mayor Tanya Bhatt • Justin Karr, Economic Development Manager Economic Development Manager Justin Karr reported that Commissioner Bhatt led the first of two planned walkthroughs along Collins Avenue on November 25, 2024, attended by Chair Issenberg, Vice Chair Richerson, and former Committee member Elizabeth Latone. This initial walkthrough focused on the east side of Collins Avenue, and noted various issues related to greenspace management, sidewalk conditions, and code compliance on both public and private property. The Committee discussed potential activation of an underutilized structure in Bandshell Park was discussed. Cindy Casanova, Parks and Recreation Department Assistant Director, emphasized the need for public restrooms, given the high foot traffic along the pedestrian beach accessway. The Committee will continue discussion of this topic at its next meeting. A second walkthrough led by Vice Mayor Bhatt is planned for December 18, 2024. A comprehensive report will be prepared following its completion. 2. Status Update: 72nd Street Community Complex Project • David Gomez, Interim Director, Office of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) David Gomez, CIP Interim Director, provided an update on the 72nd Street Community Complex, which was originally approved by the Miami Beach electorate under the 2018 General Obligation (G.O.) Bond. Budget constraints have led to value-engineered adjustments and the Committee raised concerns about the project’s design and cost. Chair Issenberg emphasized the need to deliver the project as promised in the G.O. Bond to meet community expectations. Public comment was received from former Committee member Daniel Veitia, who urged the City Commission to avoid further delays. Chair Issenberg requested that the project’s architectural design team attend the Committee’s next meeting. The following motion was made and transmitted via LTC #546-2024: Motion: The North Beach CRA Advisory Committee is in support of building a world-class 72nd Street Community Center, and opposes termination of the project. The Committee does not endorse the value-engineered version of the project currently presented. The Committee recommends the City Commission secure the funding necessary to deliver the world-class caliber community center project the North Beach community deserves and was offered in the G.O. Bond. Made by: Tom Richerson Seconded by: Omar Jimenez Vote: Passed by acclamation (4-0) North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – December 10, 2024 Page 3 of 4 New Business 3. Proposed Deauville Hotel Redevelopment Project • David Martin, CEO, Terra Group David Martin, CEO of Terra Group, who seeks to redevelop the Deauville Hotel, presented his redevelopment plans for the historic site. The presentation addressed programming and architectural design, and highlighted proposed enhancements to beach accessways and the public realm. 4. Proposed North Shore Park Entrance Improvements • Cindy Casanova, Assistant Director, Parks & Recreation Department Lori Nieder, Miami Beach Tennis Academy Cindy Casanova, Parks and Recreation Assistant Director, and Lori Nieder, representing the Miami Beach Tennis Academy, discussed a proposal for enhanced entranceway signage at North Shore Park, with an estimated cost of approximately $50,000. The Committee discussed potential benefits of such improvements and funding support from the North Beach CRA. The following motion was made and transmitted via LTC #546-2024: Motion: The North Beach CRA Advisory Committee recommends the North Beach CRA Board and City Commission approve the installation of new entrance signage, and supporting directional signage, at North Shore Park. The Committee supports the allocation of North Beach CRA funds to enhance entrance signage, recognizing its importance to improving park accessibility and wayfinding. Made by: Tom Richerson Seconded by: Romina Orozco-Encio and Manning Salazar Vote: Passed by acclamation (4-0) 5. Normandy Fountain Shade Enhancement • David Gomez, Interim Director, Office of Capital Improvement Projects Regarding a proposal, previously discussed by the Committee, for Normandy Fountain shade enhancement, CIP Interim Director David Gomez noted that existing poles installed at Normandy Plaza could support installation of additional shading infrastructure. However, further due diligence is required to ensure structural and safety compliance, as well as discussion with the City’s Facilities Management Division, whose support with property management of any potential shading system would be necessary following installation. North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – December 10, 2024 Page 4 of 4 6. Committee Member Comments Committee members expressed opinions about outdoor café seating at North Shore Park tennis center and traffic management during Art Week 2024. Requests were made for future Committee discussion of North Beach water taxi service, beautification enhancements to the 71st Street bridge connecting Town Center with Normandy Isles (similar to those accomplished for the 41st Street bridge), and an update on the Ocean Terrace project. 7. Public Comments Referencing the Committee’s discussion of the topic, support was expressed by Daniel Veitia for beautifying the 71st Street bridge, noting that a proposed design had been prepared for the City by architect Allan Shulman. 8. Adjournment A motion to adjourn was made, and the meeting concluded. Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.