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Meeting Minutes- June 7, 2018 City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov Mayor’s General Obligation Bond Advisory Panel Meeting Minutes June 7, 2018 City Manager’s Large Conference Room Karen Rivo, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 4:14 p.m. Attendance was taken. Mayor’s General Obligation Advisory Panel Members in attendance were as follows: Last Name First Name Present Absent Phone Not Sworn in Rivo Karen X Breslin Ray X Glottman Jack X Gross Saul X Jones Carolina X Leibowitz Debra X Libbin Jerry X Malakoff Joy X Meiner Steven X Peter Marie X Ramos Margueritte X City of Miami Beach employees and City of Miami Beach residents present included: John Woodruff, Chief Financial Officer Eric Carpenter, Assistant City Manager Debbie Turner, First Assistant City Attorney Dan Oates, Police Chief Virgil Fernandez, Fire Chief Steve Feldman, Police Lieutenant Michele Burger, Mayor’s Chief of Staff Djordje Milekic, Branding Manager from Mayor’s Office Diana Fontani, Aide to Commissioner Góngora Ron Starkman, Chairman of Budget Advisory Committee Jason Salvatore, City Clerk’s Office Erick Chiroles, Aide to Commissioner Arriola Adrian Gonzalez, Owner of David’s Cafe Introductions Members of the Panel went around the room and introduced themselves. Members were sworn in and took the oath of civility. Quorum was obtained at 4:28 p.m. with 6 members and 1 on the phone. Sunshine Law Debbie Turner, First Assistant City Attorney, went through the explanation of the Sunshine Law. Timeline Timeline of the G.O. Bond process was discussed by John Woodruff. Work began in earnest following the election in November. During December and January, a wish list of potential projects totaling $1.1 billion was compiled from various sources including input from City Commission, various master plans, over 40 City boards and committees, and staff recommendations. On April 5th, the City Commission held a G.O. Bond workshop and made initial cuts to reduce the list from $1.1 billion to about $700 million. In order to prioritize the remainder of the list, the City is soliciting public input. To date, there have been three of four community meetings, taking place in north, mid, and south sections of the city. The fourth meeting is scheduled this Saturday, June 9th, at the Shane Rowing Center. Discussion on the community meetings was had. Eric Carpenter and John Woodruff explained how the community can provide their input and projects they would like to see. The members of the Panel can speak with members of the community and get their opinions. Former Commissioner Joy Malakoff said she attended two of the community meetings and heard people say we should provide more information regarding the 1999 G.O. Bond. She also heard that the City needs to be resilient. Images and explanations on boards were helpful. John Woodruff mentioned that the project prioritization survey is now available on the website (GOMB2018.com) and that the Communications Department will be pushing it out through social media and other channels over the next few weeks. The Panel was briefed on timing of key decisions - by July 25th the project list needs to be finalized and the amount of the Bond program and how many ballot measures are we going to have. Karen went through a list she put together regarding criteria she would use to help prioritize the list such as impact to the operating budget, other sources of funding, whether a project has existing funding, which are all or none, what happens if don’t fund the project, etc. Former Commissioner Joy Malakoff spoke about the Par 3 park. Debbie Leibowitz would like to know more of what we accomplished with the previous G.O. Bond and what specifically was done. The slides don’t really show it. We need to expand on what we did. Margueritte Ramos said there is a project in North beach they feel is missing. Former Commissioner Saul Gross said there is some level of construction fatigue in the City, it might be interesting to understand the impact in the neighborhoods and if it is different than the last one and how. Elect Vice-Chair Debra Leibowitz nominated Saul Gross to be the Vice-Chair. Ray Breslin seconded the nomination. All in favor. Saul Gross is the new Vice-Chair. Review Mission & Progress to Date John Woodruff explained how we got to where we are today. He wanted to get everyone caught up to know what has happened so far. Look ahead and plan back from there. He went through the binder that each member received. The binder includes presentations and information presented to the public to date. Eric Carpenter spoke about projects from the 1999 G.O. Bond. He said we needed to understand what happened in that one before we could write a new book with the new G.O. Bond. He went through some of the project allocations comparing what was allocated in the 1999 Bond and what was accomplished. The Panel requested a printout of the July 21st G.O. Bond Item from 2017 FCWPC meeting that provided detailed information regarding the individual bond projects. o Former Commissioner Saul Gross said for those of us who raise money from investors. We have to show we have been good stewards of money in the past. What a lot of people don’t realize the G.O. Bond is a small fraction of the work that the City has been doing in the neighborhoods, the larger portion of the investment is in the stormwater and water line and sewer replacement. When talking to residents, the City needs to explain what those costs would be that are associated with the G.O. Bond. Last time those costs were 7 or 8 times more than the G.O. Bond. He thinks it is a big factor, explaining this whole thing to the residents. o John Woodruff said we need to make time to explain the 1999 Bond program. John went through the presentation in everyone’s binders. Saul Gross said the percentage needs to include the stormwater percentage. The Panel would like to know what was the G.O. bond before the one in 1999. John Woodruff will bring that information back to the Panel. Saul Gross asked about quality of life money. John Woodruff said it has to have a tourist related expense. It is not enough to do big ticket projects. The G.O. Bond helps finance a lot of projects. Calculating the millage rate was discussed as it relates to property values. Saul Gross said he was concerned about being honest about the water and stormwater sewer rates. He wants us to be transparent. Eric Carpenter explained the sewer rates. The Panel requested John Woodruff and Eric Carpenter to bring stormwater fee increases for several years back. Panel Discussion Chairperson Karen Rivo said the task here is to prioritize the 87 projects. The idea she threw out is that this may be too fast and too soon and not to do it sloppy. Potentially look at a special election to run this in the spring if feel that November is not doable. Margueritte said we need to look at which election this will be able to pass. Karen said she would like staff to talk about their priorities. Fire and Police Chief are here for that. Debra Leibowitz asked if we need 50% in the election to pass the bond program. John Woodruff answered that yes, just need a simple majority. The Panel would like to have the meetings televised. Presentation: Public Safety Projects (#1-17), including the Fire Department and Police Department Fire Chief Virgil Fernandez spoke. He explained the projects. For example, how important the public safety radio system is. Police Chief Daniel Oates spoke. He explained the projects and their priorities. Security for Public Spaces (#15) would be the priority. License Plate Readers (#8) are extremely important as well. Security Cameras in the Entertainment District (#13) is the greater need versus other projects. Margueritte Ramos believes the North Beach Police Substation should be renovated. Priorities for the Fire Department are: o #11 Public Safety Radio System for $10 million o #16 CAD System for $5 million o #5 Fire Stations #1 and #3 The Panel agreed on the following for Police o #9 Renovate Headquarters for $10 instead of $15 million o #15 Security for Public Spaces for $4 million o #7 Security for Parks for $1.5 million o #13 Security Cameras in Entertainment District for $1.5 million o #8 License Plate Readers for $1.9 million o #12 Security Cameras in Business Districts for $825,000 Total equaling $57 million of $75 million, which reduces the amount for Public Safety projects by 25% Fire Station #1 and Radio System are urgent The Panel said that Master Key replacement is not necessary for the G.O. Bond list John Woodruff said Fire Station #3 is very important also because in a few years it could get as bad as #1. Next Steps Margueritte Ramos said she thinks someone should come speak about the importance of this being on the ballot in November or not on the ballot in November. Chairperson Karen Rivo said 1999 Bond history is important, and also asked what is on the November Ballot. The Panel would like the City Attorney’s Office to come talk about the ballot. Michele Burger, Mayor’s Chief of Staff, said Mayor Gelber wants this on the November ballot and he believes it will be a good turnout. The ballot will be about 10 pages. The constitutional revision commission submitted 10 items. It will be a ballot that all of the other associates involved will educate the public about. He is concerned that we cannot do critical projects without a G.O. Bond. He doesn’t love the idea of putting in the spring ballot knowing it will cost $300,000. MOTION: To commit to placing the G.O Bond on the November ballot. Made by Margueritte Ramos and seconded by Joy Malakoff. MOTION FAILED (3-3). NEXT MEETING o The Panel would like to review and discuss Infrastructure projects at the next meeting on June 14th o Find out what else is on the ballot Action Items o Staff will compile and present additional1999 Bond information including the documents distributed at the Finance Committee meeting on July 21, 2017 in about 3 weeks following initial review of the project list. o Eric Carpenter and John Woodruff to provide stormwater fee increases for several years back at the June 21st meeting (Eric out of town on June 14th) Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:49 p.m.