20160606 MinutesMayor’s Ad Hoc Blue Ribbon Steering Committee
on the Convention Center Hotel
2016/06/06 Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 6
Mayor’s Ad Hoc Blue Ribbon Steering Committee
on the Convention Center Hotel
6:30 p.m., Monday, June 6, 2016
City Commission Chambers, City Hall
1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach
MEETING MINUTES
In attendance:
Commissioner Ricky Arriola, Chair
Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, Vice Chair
Member Jorge Exposito
Member Saul Gross
Member Paul Freeman
Member Debra Leibowitz
Member Leslie Tobin
Jeff Oris, Administration Liaison
Chair Arriola opened the meeting at 6:38p.m and welcomed all in attendance.
Also in attendance:
Jack Portman
Maria Ilcheva, Ph.D. from FIU Metropolitan Center
Max Sklar – Director of Tourism, Culture, and Economic Development
1. ROLL CALL
Chair Arriola welcomed the remaining members: Debra Leibowitz and Leslie
Tobin.
2. APPROVAL OF 5/9/16 MINUTES
Chair Arriola made the following motion:
MOTION: TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 9 th
MEETING
Motion was seconded by: Member Debra Leibowitz
Motion was adopted by an anonymous voice
Mayor’s Ad Hoc Blue Ribbon Steering Committee
on the Convention Center Hotel
2016/06/06 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 6
Jack Portman stated he has an early flight that evening thus Chair Arriola
announced items on the agenda will be taken out of order.
3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: RESIDENT SURVEY –
Maria Ilcheva, Ph.D. FIU Metropolitan Center
Maria Ilcheva: The purpose of the survey was to test varies options such as what
residents would prefer verses what critical points were needed in order to obtain
the 60% approval. Maria postulated that the results of the survey can be ready in 2
to 3 weeks. She stated that the survey needs to be very precise on how the
questions are stated and not misleading. Push poll questions can be used to ask
these questions, but these push poll questions should not state questions that are
not really feasible down the road.
Chair Arriola: We need to know what polls are the best and what things people
feel the most negative about so we can put that into the hotel proposal that will
ultimately get signed off on.
Maria Ilcheva: The main issue would be traffic. It is hard to test traffic issues with
questions without knowing what the scenarios will be without having the traffic
impact study done. The traffic impact study will give you the immediate
intersections done previously and how it will affect the quality of life for city
residents. In order to have the full range we would need to know if it will be an
800 room hotel, what will be the site, other options in terms of retail, food
establishments which also play a role in traffic bundling. Maria Ilcheva stated that
as long as the range of options are given the survey experts present as many drafts
as the committee sees fit to finalize a realistic questionnaire that really reflects
the options that are available.
Member Saul Gross asked Ms. Ilcheva how the survey would work in terms of the
Jackie Gleason Theater site based on the discussion heard and suggestions if she
would be able to come up with a draft for it or were there specific questions that
need to be submitted so she can ticker with it. Maria Ilcheva stated that enough
information was given in regards to the Jackie Gleason options and it would be up
to them to design the questions.
Member Saul Gross then asked Ms. Ilcheva about the traffic issue and what things
that can be done around the hotel that would ease the traffic in the area but not
city wide. As well as the percentage of the beach population that aren't concerned
with the plan but fed up with the traffic on the beach generally. Maria Ilcheva
indicated the survey will ask whether the residents have a concern about traffic
generally in the City or a concern about traffic specifically related to the proposed
development. Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez expressed that traffic
concerns wouldn't be a part of the survey it would be a part of the traffic study.
The survey is to gauge resident sentiment.
Mayor’s Ad Hoc Blue Ribbon Steering Committee
on the Convention Center Hotel
2016/06/06 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 6
Maria Ilcheva indicated that the goal is to obtain 600 called responses.
Member Paul Freeman asked Ms. Ilcheva if she thought it would be better to do
two surveys. The first to get sentiment in terms of what the issues are and based
on what the issues are a second survey on how you were to vote it we addressed it
a certain way. Maria Ilcheva informed the committee that the developers
performed 3 polls regarding issues about the Convention Center Hotel.
Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez asked if an educational component can be
done because the City is currently spending 600 million dollars on a convention
center. In order for the Convention Center to work, it needs this hotel. Maria
Ilcheva stated there is a way to format the questions regarding economic impact
and how important it is to have an 800 room hotel verses 600 room. Chair Arriola
stated that there has to be an educational component in the survey and residents
have to understand how city finances work. A big portion of the budget comes
from Resort Tax.
Chair Arriola suggested Maria Ilcheva come up with sample survey questions for
the next meet (June 20th)
4. DISCUSSION WITH JACK PORTMAN - Chairman Arriola
Chair Arriola expressed that if we are hoping to have something on the ballot for
November the ballot language needs to be done by August. The only way that will
happen is if a new deal is found with Mr. Portman. The City Attorney has advised
that we can redo the lease and have a revised proposal. Chair Arriola proposed we
should take our time and be deliberate. We would like to ask Mr. Portman to come
back to us (the committee) with revised concept for a building that is not as high
and that takes into account traffic and design concerns that the residents have.
Chair Arriola said that he does not want Mr. Portman to be misled and the
committee rushed into making a decision, but there is a possibility of going into
RFP (request for a proposal).
Member Saul Gross suggested a traffic plan meeting with the residents and based
on that input, a revised presentation can be done.
Member Jorge Exposito suggested that Mr. Portman should present other options
that the committee can examine (such as fewer rooms). Member Jorge Exposito
suggested that Mr. Portman can address issues such as parking, height, and
massing. But traffic is more of a city issue that will take more time to resolve.
Chair Arriola expressed that his main concern was if the decisions were later
made to knock down the Jackie Gleason (Fillmore) or build the hotel on the P-lot,
time and resources would have been wasted. Thus at this time they would like to
move forward with Mr. Portman on a plan he can sell the committee on, but there
is a probability of going into RFP and going into Plan B or C.
Mayor’s Ad Hoc Blue Ribbon Steering Committee
on the Convention Center Hotel
2016/06/06 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 6
Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez met with Mr. Portman who stated at their
meeting, he is willing to lower the size of the building as well reduce the amount
of rooms, but they discovered limitations on the original lease in regards to the
retail space and restaurants (there is a limited about of retail space and not enough
restaurants). The committee may not want to renegotiate the lease, thus if we send
this out to RFP we can develop a better plan with more retail space and
more restaurants. We currently have a dead zone in a vast area with nothing there
to activate it. Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez suggested moving some park land in
front of that area to the parking lot in order to establish a more integrated
design. Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez also suggested having retail space on the P
Lot which was not a part of the original lease.
Chair Arriola stated that the city gave restrictions in regards to the concession
of restaurants and retail on Lincoln Road. As part of the lease, no one can have
retail and restaurants in the space. Jack Portman stated that during the first go
around there was 25,000 sq. ft. of retail space in that entire area. Now we is 5000
sq., ft. Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez stated that due to the extremely
limited lease we would only be able to bring in a hotel operation restaurant rather
than a restaurant supply chain.
Member Saul Gross suggested that Mr. Portman wait to get input from the process
before going back to the drawing board. Jack Portman expressed that he heard
input from 20 different neighborhoods so he knows the input with the main issues
that came up were mass, height, number or rooms, traffic. Mr. Portman believes
the traffic situation wasn't properly communicated.
Member Jorge Exposito stated that the 2013 traffic study used a 75% occupancy rate
year round showed that the two major interactions on South Beach will be backed up
no matter what is done.
Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez said we need to figure out a way to get cars
to and from the hotel. The original traffic study does not incorporate traffic from
Trader Joe’s. Member Paul Freeman stated that the Commissioner is examining
some light rail options in order to help solve traffic concerns. Chair Arriola said the
traffic study will have to be redone. It will have to be based on the hotel moving
forward. Jack Portman suggested that the traffic engineer should be given different
hotel size options in order to analysis possible traffic conditions.
Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez suggested there must be an RFP with
another location, different from 17th street. Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez
suggested a motion to commission another traffic study.
Member Saul Gross indicated that the 800 rooms put forward was a compromise
resulting from the Convention and Visitors Bureau stating for years that 800-1000 or
even 1200 rooms were needed and he expressed concerned that a 600 room hotel
would not help fulfill the mission of the Convention Center. Rolando Aedo,
Mayor’s Ad Hoc Blue Ribbon Steering Committee
on the Convention Center Hotel
2016/06/06 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 6
Executive Vice President of the Convention and Visitors Bureau confirmed 800
rooms was the “floor” for what was needed. He also noted the Bureau was selling
the facility on a long term basis and less than 800 rooms does not allow the Bureau to
attract the type of conventions we are all seeking to book.
Jack Portman stated the Jackie Gleason Theater lease can be brought out.
Max Sklar informed the committee that the Jackie Gleason Theater has until the
end of this year to exercise their renewal. If the y exercise it, they get 5 more years.
Member Paul Freeman suggested that a traffic engineer come in to look at varies
concerns and options that can reduce traffic like changing the entrance to 18th
street. Jack Portman suggested the traffic study should be under the city’s control.
Member Saul Gross indicated that he would like to add all the Gleason issues to
the survey.
Debra Leibowitz feels that we are rushing to finish this project. Ms. Leibowitz
believes this is an important project that will result in a big turnout no matter
where it is placed on the ballot.
Leslie Tobin expressed that she doesn’t believe the main issue is the height or the
rooms. The real issue is traffic and parking.
5. PUBLIC INPUT
Tonya Bhatt stated we have the opportunity to do something really great for city of
Miami Beach. We need a Convention Center Hotel. We are in the need of a critical
mass of rooms in order obtain the amount of business to make the Convention
Center work. There needs to be a change in the way this gets presented to the
public. A big part of this will be the survey as well as educating the public about
the background and why it matters.
Clotilde said that she wants the committee to commit to rendering different designs
as to what the Convention Center would possibly look like. Ms. Luce also stated
the survey should include different design concepts and renderings of different
design concepts should be made available to the public. Chair Arriola committed
to obtaining renderings of any design contemplated in the future and providing
them to the public; the rest of committee members were in agreement.
Additional input included suggestion to look at Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) as a
possibility to aid in transportation concerns and the potential to utilize scooter and
bike parking to reduce the footprint and the use of a waterbus as a method of
transportation.
Mayor’s Ad Hoc Blue Ribbon Steering Committee
on the Convention Center Hotel
2016/06/06 Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 6
Chair Arriola noted that the Convention Center and the hotel don’t need to be
connected.
6. GENERAL DISCUSSION
There was no general discussion at this time.
7. ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 pm.
MINUTES APPROVED AT 8/29/16 MEETING