Loading...
Meeting Minutes 11.21 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. 11 November 21, 2019 Page 2 of 9 I. Introductions (Refer to 11.21.2019 Meeting Recording on the GOB website.) Chair Karen Rivo brought the meeting to order. 1:48 Chair Karen Rivo had everyone introduce themselves. II. Committee Business Meeting Protocol 4:46 Chair Karen Rivo reminded the committee members that all questions must be directed through the Chair in order to keep order and peace. Meeting Dates 5:00 Chair Karen Rivo explained that their next committee meeting is December 19th, which is the day that city staff has their holiday party. She asked the committee if there was anyone who couldn’t come in and start the meeting at 4 pm instead of 5 pm. Everyone agreed to 4 pm. The first meeting of the new year will be January 23rd. Adoption of Meeting Minutes 7:34 Chair Karen Rivo asked if we have a motion to approve the minutes from October 17. Motion: 7:52 Marie Peter motioned to approve the minutes. Jack Glottmann seconded the motion. Welcome and Introduction Inspector General Joseph M. Centorino (Refer to the Inspector General Ordinance on the GOB website.) 8:22 Chair Karen Rivo introduced Joseph M. Centorino and informed the committee members that they all have a copy of the Inspector General Ordinance. She referenced page 7 of the ordinance, which states that the Inspector General must review, audit, inspect and investigate City contracts, programs, projects, procurements, and expenditures associated with the City’s General Obligation Bond Program. 10:12 Joseph M. Centorino introduced himself and explained his prior experience. In 2011 he became the Director of the Miami-Dade Commission of Ethics, which is a county agency but it is very independent. He held that position for 7 years. He explained what his duties will be as an Inspector General. Discussion continued. 22:27 Marie Peter explained that as a resident, to have any voice is very welcoming. She asked him the location of his office. G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 11 November 21, 2019 Page 3 of 9 22:54 Joseph M. Centorino is temporarily located on the third floor of City Hall however they are slated to move within the next month to the old City Hall, located at 1100 Washington Ave. 24:13 Ron Starkman explained that this committee’s focus is more on the prioritization of the projects, issues with the neighborhoods, and of the timing of our things getting done on time and if not, why. He said that he believes the committee would welcome on occasion perspective on how the program is coming along. 26:00 Joseph M. Centorino explained that either himself or a staff member will be attending the monthly meetings. III. Communications Update 27:15 Allison Novack explained how yesterday we had the groundbreaking of the Phase 3 Mid Beach Beachwalk and we had a great turnout. She informed the committee that the groundbreaking was on Facebook live and can be found online. In the last month we have had 2700 unique page views on the G.O. Bond website and 300 unique page views on the dashboard. 28:52 Chair Karen Rivo reminded the Committee that Allison Novack writes wonderful blogs on the projects and to please feel free sharing them. 30:46 Marie Peter suggested that Allison Novack do a presentation at neighborhood associations, specifically SOFNA. 31:19 Allison Novack explained that we have been working on scheduling a “road show”, where we will bring our own equipment and present to each neighborhood association. She explained that she was invited to attend the Belle Isle Resident Association on January 21st and will continue to schedule presentations with associations. IV. Public Q & A 35:19 Chair Karen Rivo opened the public Q & A. 35:26 Robert Rabinowitz mentioned that he does not see any presence on Twitter of the G.O. Bond. 35:32 Allison Novack explained that the G.O. Bond has its own social media. Everything goes through the city’s main account. She hopes that the elected officials and the GO Bond committee will share the information online. She said that she’s been thinking of creating a professional network or a group, where whoever is interested can see and follow the account. 36:44 Maria Hernandez explained a new spreadsheet which provides a quick overview of the program status. (Refer to Program General Status on the GOB website.) She explained that on G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 11 November 21, 2019 Page 4 of 9 the top part of the sheet shows the difference between every month. The bottom part of the sheet puts the sub-projects in perspective. Explanation continued. 42:20 Chair Karen Rivo asked about a document that shows the finances of each project, including whether the projects that are completed came in on budget. 42:57 Jason Greene also requested a document showing “spent to date “and a variance column to show if any of the projects had a savings on the Progress Report. 43:50 Maria Hernandez explained that the dashboard shows the project funding, what has been encumbered, and what has been spent. 44:52 Jason Greene explained that he would like to review on a monthly basis, the money spent. 46:30 John Woodruff explained that appropriation of funds cannot move for the master projects without commission approval. However, if a sub-project comes out lower and another sub- project from the same master project is higher, administratively there is discretion to go ahead and use the saved funds because the true budget control is in the master project. Discussion continued. 48:47 Jack Glottmann agreed with Jason Greene, where on the Progress Report it shows for each active project what has been spent so far, what is left to be spent, and the total budget. 50:49 Ron Starkman asked John Woodruff if he has given any thought to having a reserve because his concern is if a project is under budget those funds will be spent somewhere else, when we should make sure we have the funds if a project goes over. 51:48 John Woodruff said that usually, unspent money remains in the account. He explained that taking money out of a reserve will take formal commission action, which is why we tend to leave the funds there until we need it. Discussion continued. 56:35 Jason Greene asked if we are showing a project is complete when we sign off to the contractor or when we release the funds. 56:45 Eric Carpenter said we are marking a project complete when we are beneficially occupying the space. 57:25 Maria Hernandez said we are going to be adding encumbrance to the Progress Report. She also explained how we added the note on the Progress Report stating a project has additional funding. G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 11 November 21, 2019 Page 5 of 9 Discussion continued. V. Quick Win Projects / Update #24 Mid Beach Beachwalk 1:03:43 David Martinez mentioned the groundbreaking that occurred the day before, November 20th. The contractor has already mobilized, and the entire process will take about 18 months. 1:05:45 Eric Carpenter explained that we specifically started at the south end because the promenade on Miami Beach Drive is an alternate route for that area between 23rd and 29th St. We will be providing alternative pathways for all of the segments, but some of them will be a little more difficult to set up than others. #32 Palm & Hibiscus 1:07:01 David Martinez explained that this project is underway. The contractor is already in the process of removing the vegetation that is there and they are preparing to start irrigation. They will also start to bring in trees after Thanksgiving. #33 Street Tree Master Plan 1:07:44 Margarita Wells explained that we already have completed three projects that planted 151 trees. We have four projects that are getting ready to start in December. We will be planting 184 trees from the beginning to mid-December and 122 trees for Biscayne Pointe starting construction December 31st. #52 LED Lighting in Parks 1:10:25 Jose Del Risco explained that LED lighting at Tatum Park, Stillwater Park, and Crespi Park are all complete. The LED Lighting at Normandy Park will be complete by next week. #2 Collins Park & #18 Scott Rakow Pool and Restrooms 1:10:34 Jose Del Risco explained that these 2 projects are on track. #4 Fairway Park 1:10:44 Jose Del Risco explained that Fairway Park was removed because it is tied to a CIP project that is going to go beyond the quick win period. 1:11:08 Eric Carpenter explained that the quick when project is the exterior fence and some renovation to the pavilion. There is a much larger scope being performed by CIP to redo the basketball courts, tennis courts, soccer field, and an open play field. We are phasing these projects so that we do not have to take the park out of commission, but we didn’t think it made any sense to replace the exterior fence and then take it down to access the park for construction. #47 License Plate Readers (LPR’s) 1:12:39 Captain Steven Feldman explained that we are on track with the McArthur Causeway and Julia Tuttle. We are waiting for a permit from FDOT for 71st St. G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 11 November 21, 2019 Page 6 of 9 #49 Public Radio System 1:15:00 Captain Steven Feldman explained that there has been preliminary testing with the equipment that is in Miami and Hialeah. We were able to hear staff members from Miramar. 1:16:04 Lazaro Guerra explained that this project has been managed between PD, Fire, and Procurement. We chose this vendor so that our system can match with Miami and Hialeah. This system will triple the coverage area. As of right now, we have a savings with the equipment we have selected. #26 The Fillmore and Miami Beach City Ballet 1:20:26 Francisco Garcia explained that the roof replacements at The Fillmore and Miami Beach City Ballet are underway and on track. #18 Scott Rakow 1:20:58 Francisco Garcia explained that the HVAC replacement is on track. The generator is in Procurement and on track. The window replacement just kicked off and is on track. The roof replacement project is wrapping up. The interior and exterior painting is complete. The security cameras are on track. #13 North Shore 1:21:41 Francisco Garcia explained that the generator is in Procurement and on track. The roof replacement is wrapping up. The interior painting has been completed. The security cameras are on track. The LED lighting is wrapping up. #38 Street Pavement 1:22:09 Rudy de la Torre explained that the quick wins portion of the street pavement project has already been completed except a small section in North Beach. We are continuing to work according to our schedule for Tranche 1. We have completed an additional 5,823 square yards, which equals about 1.1 lane miles. (Refer to Progress Map and Chart on GOB Website) #37 Sidewalk Improvement 1:23:29 Rudy de la Torre explained that we are continuing to work on the quick wins in South Beach and are on track. Since our last committee meeting, we have completed 31,400 square feet. (Refer to Progress Map and Chart on GOB Website). #43 Traffic Calming 1:25:50 Josie Ferrer explained that we are 90% complete with the Nautilus Neighborhood traffic calming project; the stamping of the speed tables will begin on December 10th and will take 3 days to complete. 1:26:58 Yechiel Ciment suggested that we install reflectors on the speed tables, due to resident feedback. 1:27:24 Josiel Ferrer explained that the reflectors will be put on once the stamping is complete. G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 11 November 21, 2019 Page 7 of 9 VI. Previous Tranche 1 Projects Update # Fire Station #1 1:29:00 Lazaro Guerra explained that they met this morning with the contractors. The next step is the contractors visiting fire stations in Broward County to see the design of having the 911 center inside. 1:29:45 David Martinez explained that our contractors have been getting all of the feedback from the Fire Department in terms of their needs. The site itself was presented at the Historic Preservation Board to get a feel of their thoughts on that site and they asked for additional information. On December 9th, the Planning Department will be providing them with the additional information. We are in the middle of the Procurement process, where we have received proposals for a Construction Manager at Risk. Discussion continued. 1:39:55 Chair Karen Rivo asked what happens to the current Fire Station #1 once the new one is built. 1:40:10 Maria Hernandez explained that we have been having internal meetings discussing the tenants that are currently at the South Shore Community Center. The City Manager wants to commit to restoring the existing fire station and repurpose it as a public building. In order to do that, we would have to go to Commission for the funding. #1 72nd Street Complex 1:42:18 David Martinez explained that this project is a design build procurement process. The design criteria professional, the current consultant we are working with, is tasked to prepare a design criteria package. The consultants have met with every department, including from the library, to get a grasp of what goes in the package. We are planning to have a draft design criteria package in December or January. Discussion continued. 1:52:10 Chair Karen Rivo asked at what point are we going to get an implementation plan with the big projects. 1:52:38 Maria Hernandez explained that we now have the dashboard, which provides timelines, updates, funding and more for each project. Discussion continued. 1:56:40 Ron Starkman suggested that staff print out a one pager on each of the large projects. 1:56:54 Maria Hernandez said that’s a good idea. G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 11 November 21, 2019 Page 8 of 9 #23 Baywalk (Refer to Pedestrian Bridge Alternatives on the GOB website.) 1:59:40 David Martinez explained that we are in the permitting process with the Department of Transportation. The City must conduct a peer review of the structural analysis of the bridge with a separate entity. We are in the process of engaging with a consultant to do that. The developer is working with the contractor and designers in terms of what the final design is going to look like and what the costs are going to be. They are doing some tweaking to the structure, but in essence will not change the theme of the bridge. David Martinez explained the differences between the drawings of the bridge. 2:04:00 Eric Carpenter explained that the reason why we are looking at this at all is because the initial bids came back on the cost of this project and it came in at about $11.5 million, when the budget is $10 million. This is an attempt to value engineer of the project. Discussion continued. 2:06:35 Jason Greene expressed that changing the aesthetic of the stairwell is disappointing. 2:07:51 Marie Peter asked if we are going to see a rendering of the bridge before they continue with the project. She agreed with Jason Greene on the stairwell. She asked if we’ve approached the developer regarding the change. 2:08:36 Eric Carpenter explained that we have had several conversations with the developer. The Development Agreement Amendment states there are three options for an overrun of funds. The first option is that the developer covers all costs. The second option is to value engineer the bridge. The third option, which is the city’s least favorite, is that the developer has the right to ask the city to cover the overruns. 2:10:50 Marie Peter expressed that new renderings should need to go back to the Commission for re-approval. She does not want big design changes to be made without them first being presented to the community. She noted that she thinks residents would be outraged to see the project moving in that direction. 2:13:10 The project consultants explained that they are not yet making final decisions and that they can come back to present again. 2:14:30 Eric Carpenter explained that he is not sure if this is a significant enough change for it to have to go back to the Commission or to DRB. He thinks that as long as the integrity of the original design is kept, it might not have to. He will look into it and bring it back to the Committee for further discussion. Discussion continued. G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 11 November 21, 2019 Page 9 of 9 #15 Par 3 2:18:24 David Martinez explained that this project is newly named Bayshore Park. We had a meeting with DERM at the end of September to discuss all the specifics regarding groundwater modeling issues. DERM followed up with their recommendations in writing. The two recommendations were to consider moving the lake somewhere else and/or have the two consultants sit together and share their notes and see if they can come to an agreement on the lake to move forward. The two consultants are meeting December 6. Discussion continued. #48 Police Headquarters 2:21:23 Francisco Garcia explained that we have received a final draft of the architecture and engineering proposal. We are expecting to have 100% construction documents within 12 months of contract execution. VII. Public Q&A 2:22:40 Robert Rabinowitz mentioned how the Mid Beach Beachwalk being done in sections is a great idea because that area is very active. He asked if cameras will be installed in this area. 2:24:22 Ariel Guitian said that he is in communication right now with PD to install the cameras in that area. 2:24:43 Robert Rabinowitz suggested the City notifying the residents ahead of time to keep the residents informed. VIII. Adjournment Meeting was adjourned.