Meeting Minutes - January 11 2022 1700 Convention Center Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139
www.miamibeachfl.gov/northbeachcra
MEETING MINUTES Ad Hoc North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee Tuesday, January 11, 2022 4:30 PM
Committee Members: Jose Smith (Committee Chair), Betsy Perez (Vice Chair), John
Bowes, Romina Orozco-Encio, Manning Salazar, David Sexton,
and Daniel Veitia.
1. Welcome and Attendance
At 4:34 p.m., Committee Chair Jose Smith opened the meeting and greeted all attendees.
2. Introduction: Ricardo Dopico, First Assistant City Attorney Chair Smith introduced the Committee’s new legal liaison from the City Attorney’s Office, First
Assistant City Attorney Ricardo Dopico.
3. Approval of Meeting Minutes
• Motion: To approve the draft meeting minutes of the December 15, 2021 Committee meeting.
Made by: Betsy Perez
Seconded by: Daniel Veitia Motion passed by acclamation 4. Approval of Annual Meeting Schedule
Committee Co-Liaison, Rickelle Williams, Economic Development Director, introduced the
proposed 2022 calendar year meeting schedule, and the Committee agreed to conduct the
in-person quarterly meetings at the Normandy Shores Golf Course clubhouse. The Committee
also agreed to adopt the Administration’s proposed schedule of meeting dates, which is
available on the Committee’s website at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/northbeachcra.
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5. Selection of Committee Chair and Vice Chair At 4:39 p.m., Chair Smith introduced the topic and both John Bowes and David Sexton
suggested that Jose Smith (Chair) and Daniel Veitia (Vice Chair) remain in their respective,
existing positions. Daniel Veitia respectfully declined the opportunity to continue serving as Vice Chair in order that another Committee member has the opportunity to serve. Nominated by John Bowes, Betsy Perez agreed to serve as Vice Chair. By proclamation, the Committee re-elected Jose Smith as Committee Chair and Betsy Perez as Vice Chair.
Rickelle Williams noted that the City Attorney’s office is drafting a resolution to extend the life of the Committee into the new calendar year since the City Code provides that ad hoc committees expire at the end of the calendar year. A resolution (agenda item C7 AM) will be brought before the City Commission at its January 20, 2022 meeting to accomplish this
purpose. (Note: the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2022-32005 on January 20,
2022). 6. Update and Discussion: 72nd Street Community Complex
At 4:45 PM, Committee Co-Liaison David Martinez, Capital Improvement Projects Director,
provided an update on the planning status for the development of the G.O. Bond Program’s 72nd Street Community Complex. Chair Smith inquired regarding an ongoing agenda item, sponsored by Vice-Mayor David Richardson, about filling the project’s funding gap. Manning Salazar asked about the current budgetary shortfall and respectfully reiterated his disapproval
of the project including his concern with the project’s cost. At 4:53 p.m., City Attorney Rafael Paz joined the virtual meeting and indicated that Vice-Mayor Richardson would be joining the meeting momentarily to address the Committee about his proposed resolution concerning the 72nd Street Community Complex, which had been shared
in draft form with the Committee. (Note: the City Commission discussed agenda item R7 P
and adopted Resolution No. 2022-32022 on January 20, 2022). At 4:57 p.m., the Committee Chair welcomed Vice-Mayor Richardson to the meeting. The Vice-Mayor addressed the Committee regarding his efforts to help address the project’s
construction budget shortfall, including identifying funding sources and analysis that
suggested the gap to be smaller than previously estimated. Following his analysis and efforts with the Administration to help move the project forward, the Commissioner has prepared the aforementioned resolution that would approve a funding plan and a design-build contract for the project.
At 5:04 p.m., Vice Chair Betsy Perez inquired whether the project funding shortfall could be remedied with value engineering and Vice-Mayor Richardson stated that he believed the funding gap could be successfully closed with contract savings. Chair Smith noted his recollection of creative financing and alternative funding sources in order to complete the
construction of the North Shore Youth Center and he encouraged the Vice-Mayor to
investigate alternative sources of public funds from other governmental bodies. David Martinez responded to a question posed by the Chair regarding the cost of FPL utilities.
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Manning Salazar thanked Vice-Mayor Richardson for his efforts to locate project funding and inquired about the undergrounding of utility lines. Daniel Veitia noted that the G.O. Bond
Program was approved by the voters and echoed his appreciation of Vice-Mayor Richardson’s
advocacy. 7. Update & Discussion: Byron Carlyle Theater
At 5:11 p.m., Elizabeth Miro, Assistant Director of Facilities and Fleet Management, provided
an update regarding the Administration’s ongoing maintenance and beautification efforts at the Byron Carlyle facility, including lighting enhancements, installation of window wraps, and additional services from the Sanitation Department. Daniel Veitia expressed gratitude for the improved conditions and offered suggestions on how to maximize the benefits of the lighting
enhancements. Vice-Mayor Richardson added that he continues to explore the possibility for a public-private partnership to redevelop the Byron Carlyle site and that he intends to present an update in
February. At 5:16 p.m., Manning Salazar expressed his disapproval for any future proposal that would involve total demolition of the existing building and he believes that efforts should be made to preserve as much as possible of the existing physical structure. Mr. Salazar also advocated
for developing a design that incorporates the intended cultural programming of the site and the importance of taking into consideration the intended community partner who will activate the property. Chair Smith recognized Commissioner Steven Meiner and thanked him for his presence at
today’s Committee meeting. At 5:20 p.m., John Bowes indicated that he had desired to be recognized on the previous agenda item and Mr. Bowes motioned for the Committee to adopt a motion to endorse Vice-Mayor Richardson’s proposed resolution for the 72nd Street Community Complex. Daniel
Veitia seconded Mr. Bowes’ motion. Chair Smith acknowledged the motion and mentioned
that he would prefer if the Commissioner’s draft resolution did not contain a funding plan that specifically highlighted the sale of naming rights for the facility. Manning Salazar thanked Vice-Mayor Richardson for his advocacy but stated that it was premature to vote on the proposed resolution and David Sexton noted that he felt comfortable voting to endorse the resolution
because the Committee had received certain relevant documentation the week prior.
Following inquiry by Chair Smith, the City Attorney clarified that it would be appropriate for the Committee to vote whether to endorse Vice-Mayor Richardson’s proposed resolution given that the 72nd Street project was noticed on today’s agenda and it was within the Committee’s
purview.
5:27 p.m., Chair Smith offered a friendly amendment to the motion on the floor requesting that the City also explore the availability of additional funding sources, e.g., State, Local, and Federal, besides those identified in Exhibit A of the draft resolution. Vice-Mayor Richardson
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expressed his concern of any requirement to seek outside funding that could jeopardize the project with further delays, but Vice-Mayor Richardson offered his commitment to seek the availability of State and County funding.
At 5:36 p.m., before opening the discussion to public comment, Chair Smith acknowledged that Commissioners Steven Meiner and Alex Fernandez were welcomed to provide comment and both Commissioners briefly greeted the Committee.
At 5:37 p.m., Tanya Bhatt expressed her concerns about the 72nd Street project including its size, scope, and the potential for sale of naming rights being. Vice-Mayor Richardson clarified that his proposed resolution does not specifically identify naming rights as a targeted funding option but that he was amenable to the Committee
recommending that naming rights explicitly be precluded from the resolution. Chair Smith motioned to make a friendly amendment to the proposed motion to accept the
• Motion: The Committee endorses the proposed Resolution, sponsored by Vice-Mayor David Richardson on the City Commission’s January 20, 2022 meeting agenda, identifying a funding plan and design-build contract for the 72nd Street Community Complex project.
Made by: John Bowes
Seconded by: Daniel Veitia Motion passed: 6 to 1 (Manning Salazar opposed)
8. Discussion: Deauville Hotel status report
At 5:44 p.m., City Attorney Rafael Paz provided a historical summary of the City’s litigation and code enforcement related to the Deauville Hotel and its owners, including a summary of the recommendations made earlier in the day by the Historic Preservation Board (HPB). Deputy City Attorney Steve Rothstein also responded to specific questions from the
Committee regarding the litigation and enforcement history. Commissioner Steven Meiner pushed for strengthening of the City’s demolition by neglect laws and several persons in attendance commended Commissioner Meiner for his ongoing advocacy on the matter. In observance of Sunshine Law requirements, Chair Smith reminded
the City Commissioners present at the meeting to refrain from discussion directly between one another. Commissioner Alex Fernandez also pledged his support for the matter at the upcoming City Commission meeting and the Committee engaged in discussion about the hotel. The Committee discussed the related issue of the property’s development entitlements and floor area ratio (FAR) restrictions and Eric Carpenter, Deputy City Manager, joined the
discussion. Elizabeth Latone, a North Beach resident, pleaded for action by the City and thanked Commissioner Meiner for his advocacy for the property.
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Tanya Bhatt, North Beach resident, again provided comment in support for strong protections for the Deauville property.
Chair Smith asked the Administration to please keep the Committee apprised of developments regarding the Deauville Hotel. 9. Update: December 8, 2021 City Commission Items – C4 M and C4 AF
The Committee voted by acclamation to table this discussion item until the next meeting. 10. Discussion: Chicago and Miami Housing Initiatives
The Committee voted by acclamation to table this discussion item until the next meeting.
11. Committee Member Comments None. 12. Public Comment
At 6:50 p.m., City Attorney Rafael Paz provided comments regarding the extension of the term
of the Committee and the tenure of the Committee members. The Committee discussed different methods in which the term of the Committee could be extended and the City Attorney offered to work with the sponsor of the City Commission item, Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez.
At 6:54 p.m., James Quinlan, director of the Rhythm Foundation, and Don Worth, member of
the Rhythm Foundation board of directors, introduced two items pending before the City
Commission concerning the Bandshell, renaming the property and submitting the site for
federal historic designation.
• Motion: The Committee supports the renaming of the North Beach Bandshell as the “Miami Beach Bandshell” and endorses the proposed City Commission Resolution urging the Florida National Register Review Board to approve the application for listing the proposed North Beach Bandshell Historic Site on the National Register of Historic Places. Made by: Daniel Veitia
Seconded by: Betsy Perez Motion passed: 7 – 0
At 7:02 p.m., Daniel Veitia explained that he would be submitting a formal resignation from
the Committee and that today’s meeting would be his final appearance as a Committee
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member. Chair Smith thanked Mr. Veitia for his service and encouraged him to remain
involved with the Committee.
Chair Smith asked Commissioners Fernandez and Meiner if they had any parting remarks
and both Commissioners thanked the Committee for welcoming them to attend the meeting.
13. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m. Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at 4:30 pm