5.16.19 Meeting Minutes
General Note: These meeting minutes are condensed and seek to capture the overall intent of discussions
as interpreted by the meeting coordinator. Each paragraph indicates the time on the audio recording
where the discussion commenced during the meeting. For more detail on the discussion, please refer to
the audio recording in its entirety.
G.O. Bond Oversight Committee
Meeting Minutes No. 6
May 16, 2019
Page 2 of 10
I. Introductions
Chair Karen Rivo brought the meeting to order. She informed everyone that at this moment they
have decided to make the meetings two hours long, as opposed to three hours. She had everyone
introduce themselves.
Everyone in the room introduced themselves.
II. Committee Business
5:22 Chair Karen Rivo informed everyone that there will be two Q&As, one of them being
approximately at 5:20 pm for ten minutes and the other one at 6:45 pm for 15 minutes. She
suggested that if anyone is there regarding a specific project, that they wait until the end of the
meeting to ask any questions or make any comments.
Adoption of Meeting Minutes
6:27 Chair Karen Rivo explained that we are trying to figure out a format that isn’t too short or
too long, where everyone could read them.
6:55 Maria Hernandez pointed out the general note on the cover page of the previous meeting
minutes. She explained that we are trying to capture the essence of a conversation and not have
to go word for word. She said that the idea is to take residents who want to know more to the
website so that they can listen to the conversation.
8:05 Yechiel Ciment said that from yesterday’s 41st Street Committee Meeting, there was some
type of update that they would like to hear back from the G.O. Bond.
8:33 Chair Karen Rivo said let’s make a point to talk about it during the Additional Tranche 1
Projects Update discussion. She asked if there were any additional corrections to the April 18
meeting minutes.
Motion:
8:49 Jason Greene motioned to approve the April 18th minutes as presented. Jack Glottmann
seconded the motion. Minutes approved.
Meeting Dates
9:10 Chair Karen Rivo said that we have calendared the meetings for the rest of the year.
Committee Mission
10:07 Chair Karen Rivo reminded the Committee that the mission of the Oversight Committee is
to ensure projects are within budget, on time, and that the scope is what we promised to people.
III. Communications Update
10:46 Allison Novack thanked Jason Greene and Max Litt for attending the first ground breaking
event. She said that the event is shared on the City’s Facebook and G.O. Bond website, as well as
G.O. Bond Oversight Committee
Meeting Minutes No. 6
May 16, 2019
Page 3 of 10
the Mayor and Commissioners have been sharing the ground breaking on their personal pages.
She explained the handout that was passed out which listed the five upcoming projects that will
soon be launched. (Refer to GO Bond Public Safety Quick Wins Launch Handout on the GOB
website). The five projects are License Plate Readers, Public Radio System, Security for Public
Spaces, and Security Cameras in 2 separate locations. She explained that she has been working
with the Communications Team and they came up with a brochure. These brochures will go out
to the summer camps starting in June. She also said she has a column now in the Miami Beach
magazine.
14:51 Marie Peter asked if we are thinking of ideas where the public can relate to, such as key
chains. Allison Novack said that we are definitely going to start thinking of more marketing ideas.
Flyers and brochures will also be available at cultural facilities and at parks.
IV. Public Q&A
18:25 Chair Karen Rivo allowed anyone from the public to speak. She reminded everyone that
there is going to be another time at the end to speak as well.
18:56 Bob Kunst, the President of We Love Lakeview Inc., spoke. He expressed that his HOA is
opposed to what the City has proposed to do at Lakeview. His HOA presented to the City an
alternative plan to raising the streets, and they were turned down. He also mentioned how Miami
Beach needs more benches.
21:25 Rick Kendle shared that under the Bill of Rights of the City, the public should speak
immediately after a vote and should not wait to speak. He explained that there are consequences
if you don’t follow the Bill of Rights, such as an employee losing their job.
V. Quick Win Projects Recap/ Status
#45 Replace Fire Station #1
23:22 David Martinez explained that at the last Commission meeting (May 8th), Commission
authorized the administration to issue a request for qualifications for architectural engineering
services to proceed with the Fire Station project. Part of the solicitation includes not just the
design but it also allows the consultant to help us with the due diligence necessary for the site selection.
The current site we are looking at is at the South Shore Community Center. We are also planning on
bringing another request for authorization from the Commission in July for authorization to issue a
construction manager at risk solicitation. This construction manager at risk will eventually become the
contractor who will build the project but initially they would be a part of the team and would help us
with our due diligence for reviewing designs, logistics of this site, costs and things of that nature. We are
trying to move this project as quickly as we can since that will be in July.
24:45 Virgil Fernandez said we are really excited with this location. The City Manager gave us the
direction to look at it and it actually helps the Fire Department. It puts us South which will allow us to
better serve the islands on the West and the southeastern most point within the City.
G.O. Bond Oversight Committee
Meeting Minutes No. 6
May 16, 2019
Page 4 of 10
25:49 Jack Glottmann asked where is the proposed location. Virgil Fernandez said it is on 6th and
Jefferson.
26:04 Maria Hernandez explained that she went to the Flamingo Neighborhood Association a
couple of weeks ago and they were fully supportive of the new location. Jason Greene asked if
this is definitely going to be the location for the new fire station. Maria Hernandez said it is the
prime location right now. Jason Greene asked if there aren’t any red flags, would the design phase
move along. Maria Hernandez said we will have to take this to the Historic Preservation Board
since it is a historic district.
27:34 Marie Peter asked if the City is going to handle the facilities inside the South Shore
Community Center. Maria Hernandez said yes; they will have a temporary location and then they
will have a permanent location. She explained that the City Manager would also like to include
Code Enforcement in the new facility.
29:01 Ron Starkman asked how this project is shaping up with the money that we have, in regard
to the PAL. Maria Hernandez said the money we have is for the fire station itself. If we start
branching out into another extension of the facility for other purposes we would have to find
additional funding; the PAL has its own budget. Ron Starkman asked if the PAL is going to stay at
its current location. Maria Hernandez said yes.
31:11 Maria Peter said speaking for South Beach we are extremely happy with the location.
31:22 Chair Karen Rivo asked if staff has an idea when they would like to get the approval of the
location. Eric Carpenter said we would like to get the consultant on board and do the due
diligence and see if there are any red flags. When the time comes, we would ask the Oversight
Committee to opine on whether you think it is a good idea and bring that recommendation to
Commission for final blessing.
34:40 David Martinez said that the best reasonable scenario is completion within 4 years.
Quick Win Projects Update
35:35 Maria Hernandez explained the new software created for the Quick Wins Implementation
Schedule . She said that she wanted the departments to update the group with everything listed
in red (Refer to Quick Wins Implementation Schedule Handout on the GOB website). The only
things that have changed are the items in red under the status column.
#33 Street Tree Master Plan
37:00 No one from the Environmental Department was in attendance. The change noted is an
extra $5,000 for the quote, which will be received by May.
37:25 Jason Greene asked for informational purposes if when the design is done if Maria
Hernandez could email a layout of what it will look like. Maria Hernandez said yes.
G.O. Bond Oversight Committee
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May 16, 2019
Page 5 of 10
#24 Mid Beach Beachwalk
37:47 Maria Hernandez said that David Martinez had an update on the Mid Beach Beachwalk. He
said that they have been waiting for several months on hearing back from the state regarding the
permitting. We received the permit yesterday, 05/16/19, which means the Department of
Transportation is now moving forward and reviewing all of our Procurement documents. Ideally,
we can put this solicitation out by the end of the month and hopefully award it by July.
#3 Crespi Park & #21 Stillwater Park
40:05 Jose Del Risco said that we are supposed to be in the preplanning phase but we are a little
ahead of schedule. The IQC has been submitted and we are already working with the contractors.
40:44 Chair Karen Rivo asked what IQC stands for. Eric Carpenter said it stands for Indefinite
Quantity Contract, where we bid line items and then we pay for whatever was installed from
those line items.
40:56 Jason Greene mentioned that there is a procurement phase for every subproject. He asked
if there is only one procurement process per project.
41:10 Alex Dennis said that the master project has one procurement phase but the subprojects
require individual work orders.
#47 License Plate Reader
41:56 Detective Aragurde explained that Commission approved the standardization of the
license plate readers at the May 8th Commission meeting. The procurement phase is complete
and the electrical phase is the next step.
#57 Cameras in Entertainment District & #56 Cameras on the Beachwalk
42:25 Detective Aragurde said that Commission approved the access communication cameras
and now they are going to begin working with Procurement on the solicitation. He said that they
are on track with their projects.
#53 Security for Public Spaces
43:13 Alex Dennis explained that the portable vehicle barriers, the quick win, for this project,
have been purchased. He explained how the vehicle barriers work.
#26 Roof Replacement
45:55 Adrian Morales said that the Colony is the closest to starting. The contractor has already
began applying for permits. They have also had discussions with the Fillmore regarding their
programming since we need to be conscious of their shows. The MB City Ballet is similar to the
Fillmore, where there are many shows scheduled. We are also in the process of replacing all of
their windows to impact windows. Once that project is complete, we will start the roof.
G.O. Bond Oversight Committee
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May 16, 2019
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#18 Scott Rakow
46:49 Adrian Morales said they are working with the Parks Department regarding the summer
camp programming. Most of the contracts are existing contracts so the procurement process will
be really simple.
47:36 Jack Glottmann asked if there was any concern with it being the rainy season and if they
are reroofing on the existing roof or are they tearing out the old roof. Adrian Morales said they
are taking it down to the deck. When you reroof during the rainy season it just takes longer, but
it’s something we will have to manage. Jack Glottmann asked if there is any concern with damage
due to water entering the building. Adrian Morales said that is all included within the proposals,
where they have to work in smaller sections and have more crews working on the roof.
50:04 Adrian Morales said that the only issues he’s having are the generators, especially at Scott
Rakow. They have a meeting with FPL the following week to discuss relocating a vault. They would
save time and money if they accomplish that.
50:29 Chair Karen Rivo asked about the duration of these projects and when are they considered
to start, referencing the implementation schedule (Refer to Quick Wins Implementation Schedule
Handout on the GOB website).
50:52 Adrian Morales said that there are construction documents that need a minor change. The
challenge is when FPL would be able to get their engineers to prepare the design and the proposal
to relocate their infrastructure. The unknown is what is driving the time but the procurement
process will be easy since it is with existing contracts.
#13 North Shore Park
52:17 Adrian Morales said it is a similar situation but not as complicated as Scott Rakow.
#38 Street Pavement
52:27 Maria Hernandez updated the Committee with an email sent by Rudy de la Torre, in Public
Works. Public Works is planning to start the street paving in North Beach the first week of June.
They pushed the schedule back one week because Memorial Day is on Monday, but they are on
track. Middle Beach is on schedule to start the third week of July. South Beach started on May
13th on Meridian. The contractors are on schedule. They will begin Phase 2 which is from 14th to
12th. They are doing two blocks in each phase, on a weekly basis.
#37 Sidewalk Improvement
53:36 Maria Hernandez explained that they are expecting to start in North Beach the fourth week
of May. Metro Express, the contractors, are going to work first in the Normandy area and then
move to Biscayne Pointe. Middle Beach will begin on May 20th by Metro Express, along Meridian
Avenue from 41st Street to 40th Street. This is expected to take 2 weeks to complete. South Beach
is on schedule but there was a one week delay due to the groundbreaking.
G.O. Bond Oversight Committee
Meeting Minutes No. 6
May 16, 2019
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54:53 Yechiel Ciment asked as staff keeps track of the dates, can they also update the budgets
uthroughout the project.
55:00 Maria Hernandez explained that normally the costs are from the very beginning to the
close out. She said that she was thinking that if we encounter a project bust for some reason she
would update the Committee what the bust is and why. If we have savings, then we would have
to talk about where that goes.
56:16 Jack Glottmann recommended having a log for each project, where every months’ updates
are kept in that log. In the log, there can be a column for costs to date.
57:12 Maria Hernandez explained that the implementation schedule ties to the system we are
trying to incorporate for all of the projects. We are hoping that we will be able to get a report
from that system. She reminded the Committee that City staff is tasked to prepare a report for
the Committee, which will then be reported to Commission. She said that we are in the infancy
of these projects since we are just launching them, but soon we will have to have a report that
shows where we are with the money and schedule on a project by project basis.
58:44 John Woodruff said that we are working hard on the project reporting software system.
The reason why it is complex is due to “parent” and “child” projects. For example, the Sidewalk
Improvement Program project is a “parent” project that we want to be able to show how much
has been spent to date, but we would also want to be able to show information for the individual
“child” projects which would be sub-projects like the one currently in process on Meridian
Avenue. Over the life of the project, there could be many “child” projects and most residents
would like to know which ones of those have or will be taking place in their neighborhoods.
59:25 Chair Karen Rivo asked John Woodruff if the system will be ready in a couple of months.
59:30 John Woodruff said that is a good safe bet. He explained that they haven’t seen the
component they are working on anywhere because they want a live refresh from the actual
system so it can feed itself and it will be very current.
1:00:06 Maria Hernandez said that we have to be sure that the information gets created into a
report to give to City Commission.
#19 Soundscape Tech Core
1:03:14 Chair Karen Rivo noted that Soundscape has moved quickly.
1:03:16 Maria Hernandez said it got approved at Commission. She believes that our Legal
Department is buttoning up the contract with Soundscape’s legal counsel, but we will be good to
go and are on track.
#42 Traffic Calming
1:04:37 Alex Denis said there is a little bit of a change because the permit is taking longer than
expected.
G.O. Bond Oversight Committee
Meeting Minutes No. 6
May 16, 2019
Page 8 of 10
VI. Previous Tranche 1 Projects update
#1 72nd St. Park, Library, and Aquatic Center
(Refer to 72nd St. Aquatic Center Presentation on the GOB website).
1:06:00 David Martinez referred to the 72nd St. Aquatic Center Presentation. He explained the
location of the site. CIP is currently conducting surveys and subsurface investigation. The
consultant is going to start looking at what things can fit at the site.
1:09:26 David Martinez explained what CM at Risk (CMAR) and Design-Build project delivery
means.
1:19:36 David Martinez explained the schedule of the project, whether staff chooses the CMAR
methodology or Design-Build. Overall, the project would take about 4 years.
1:24:40 Laura Veitia asked how soon can we start meetings if we need community output.
1:24:55 Eric Carpenter said that the first step for us is to make a determination on what our
delivery method is going to be because we might have a little different approach to how we are
doing public outreach.
1:26:49 Yechiel Ciment asked in what stage of the process does the staff make the decision
between Design-Build and CMAR.
1:26:55 David Martinez said we have to make that decision within 30-60 days at most.
#15 Bayshore Park (Par 3/ Community Park)
(Refer to Community Park Par 3 on the GOB website).
1:29:02 David Martinez explained that they are expecting 100% design by the end of this year,
with hopefully beginning procurement by December and hopefully breaking ground by spring.
He referred to the Community Park Par 3 presentation.
VII. Additional Tranche 1 Projects Update
#23 Baywalk
(Refer to 5th St. Bridge Presentation on the GOB website).
1:34:18 David Gomez explained that currently 85% of the Baywalk is either completed, in design,
or under construction. The remaining 15% is funded by the G.O. Bond, which is 4% in Tranche 1
and 11% in Tranche 2. In January of this year, the City executed a development agreement with
the property 500 Alton Road. We presented the concept to Commission this month and they
endorsed the conceptual design of the project.
1:36:33 Raymond Fort, a designer at Arquitectonica, presented the 5th St. bridge presentation.
G.O. Bond Oversight Committee
Meeting Minutes No. 6
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1:45:02 Ron Starkman asked if this design is pretty much what Arquitectonica was able to do
without easements, other than FDOT.
1:46:20 Lowell Clary explained that they looked through many options and came down to the
FDOT right of way. The two reasons are: 1. FDOT is very supportive and what to see this move
forward 2. The schedule can move along quicker.
1:47:00 Marie Peter asked Eric Carpenter if it’s true that FDOT doesn’t just give out permits and
it may take awhile to get from FDOT.
1:47:17 Eric Carpenter said he is a little skeptical of the December completion date mainly
because FDOT’s permitting process typically takes longer than we would like. With that being
said, they have been very supportive with this moving forward.
1:47:56 Eric Carpenter asked Lowell Clary if he has any idea of what the permitting timeline might
look like.
1:48:04 Lowell Clary said they are waiting on a couple of things, but the design is advancing pretty
quickly. FDOT has agreed to do advanced review so they are ready to go.
1:54:47 Ron Starkman noted that he listened to the Commission meeting where they reviewed
the bridge and some of the Commissioners weren’t thrilled with the actual design.
1:55:35 Raymond Fort said they are currently refining the design for the upcoming DRB meeting.
1:56:11 Eric Carpenter said that this ultimately will have to go back to Commission as part of the
development agreement modification for two readings. We’re thinking it is going to be the June
26th meeting and the July 17th meeting.
2:00:59 Yechiel Ciment wanted to update the Committee on the 41st St. Committee. The
community wanted to ensure that there will be some allocation of funds for lighting.
2:01:45 Adrian Morales said we are working with the same contractor. There is an option where
the same contractor that provides all of our holiday lighting has a more permanent lighting
installation, so we are looking into that.
VIII. Public Q&A
2:03:03 Benjamin Baum introduced himself as a member of Team USA. He said that we should
all be really excited about what we are about to build on 72nd St.
2:06:03 Rick Kendle said that former members of the Historic Preservation Board have already
organized to try to stop the South Shore Community Center from being knocked down.
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May 16, 2019
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2:07:11 Bob Kunst asked if we could please plant trees. He also noted that in the past, there
wasn’t supervision of contractors. He said we have to have supervision to keep control.
2:09:46 Robert Rabinowitz said he previously explained how there was no money in the budget
for the cameras in Mid Beach from 23rd St. to 83rd St.
2:10:17 John Woodruff said the reason why it is not in the G.O. Bond is because there are other
ways to pay for it. We are working right now with the Police Department to do up to 23rd, or if
not, half of Mid Beach this year, and the other half in the next year. He suggested that Robert
Rabinowitz attends the June 14th Budget Workshop.
2:15:05 Chair Karen Rivo thanked Rick Kendle for sharing the City’s Bill of Rights and told him that
we are going to look into it.
IX. Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned.