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Meeting Minutes- 6-14-22 1700 Convention Center Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139 www.miamibeachfl.gov/northbeachcra MEETING MINUTES Ad Hoc North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee Tuesday, June 14, 2022 4:30 PM – Normandy Shores Golf Course Clubhouse Members in Attendance: Chair Jose Smith, Vice-Chair Betsy Perez, John Bowes, Ronnie Issenberg, and David Sexton (Manning Salazar attended virtually) Members Absent: Romina Orozco-Encio 1. Welcome and Attendance At 4:39 p.m., Committee Chair Jose Smith opened the meeting and greeted all attendees to the quarterly in person meeting held at the Normandy Shores Golf Course Clubhouse. 2. Approval of Meeting Minutes • Motion: To approve the draft meeting minutes of the May 10, 2022 Committee meeting. Made by: Betsy Perez Seconded by: David Sexton Motion passed by acclamation Chair Smith asked Rickelle Williams, Committee Co-Liaison and Economic Development Director, if the Administration’s prepared analysis for years 1-5 of the North Beach CRA’s tax increment financing (TIF) estimated annual projections could be shared with the Committee. Ms. Williams agreed and noted that the City’s initial projection estimates would be changing in light of preliminary indication from Miami-Dade County that Miami Beach’s tax base had increased by approximately 9% and suggests that the North Beach CRA’s tax base could show a similar increase. Ms. Williams noted that the County will release tax information in July, prior to the Committee’s next meeting. 3. Discussion: Code Compliance Opportunities At 4:44 p.m., Tasha Byars, Code Compliance Area Supervisor, introduced herself and shared an overview of her work and the types of calls and cases the Code Compliance Department typically handles, such as short-term rentals, noise complaints, stray animals, barking dogs, illegal dumping, etc. Ms. Byars shared that Code Compliance experiences difficulty with retaining a sufficient number of Code Compliance officers employed and staffed. She also North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – June 14, 2022 Page 2 of 3 noted that due to labor shortages, at any given time, there are approximately five (5) Code Compliance officers assigned to the North Beach area. The Committee discussed their concerns with the level of staffing for North Beach and whether it was adequate for the level of services needed. 4. Discussion: Ocean Terrace Project At 5:03 p.m., Michael Belush, Chief of Planning and Zoning, provided an update on the status of the Ocean Terrace redevelopment project and noted that the project developer, Ocean Terrace Holdings, had not yet submitted an application for a building permit. Mr. Belush explained that the project’s development agreement between the City and the developer requires the developer to complete work on the project’s public park component by September 2022 to remain in compliance with development milestones. Ric Dopico, Deputy City Attorney, shared that he was recently informed by Mr. Sandor Scher, President of Ocean Terrace Holdings, that a building permit had not yet been applied for at the City because the project was first seeking Miami-Dade County environmental permitting, which needs to be accomplished in advance of the City permitting process. Notwithstanding, Mr. Dopico indicated that the project’s land use board approval from the Historic Preservation Board (HPB) was granted within the timeframe required by the development agreement and the City is in possession of a letter of credit for approximately for $14.5 million to ensure completion of the park. Ms. Alex Avellanet, a representative from Ocean Terrace Holdings, introduced herself, shared insight into the project’s progress, and narrated as the Committee viewed renderings and plans from the HPB application. Committee member John Bowes inquired about the feasibility of completing the public park component within the mandated timeframe. Ms. Avellanet affirmed and noted that HPB approval was received in September 2021, the developer anticipates submitting for the building permit application this week, with construction anticipated to begin by the end of the year. 5. Discussion: Development at Deauville Hotel site At 5:26 p.m., Michael Belush informed the Committee that a discussion item concerning potential plans for redevelopment of the Deauville site was on today’s HPB meeting agenda. Preliminary plans from a potential developer of the site would involve a request for a floor area ratio (FAR) increase above that which is permitted in the City Code, a change that would require voter approval by the Miami Beach electorate, slated for the November 2022 general election. Noting the public interest in the future of the property, Mr. Belush shared that discussion of a potential redevelopment is scheduled on the meeting agendas of the June 21, 2022 Planning Board and July 7, 2022 Land Use and Sustainability Committee. The Committee members expressed their interest in the potential redevelopment project and acknowledged its considerable significance for the future of the North Beach CRA. Mr. Belush indicated that no renderings or plans for the potential project have been made available yet and the Committee agreed to wait for such renderings or more information prior to making any recommendation to the City Commission concerning the project. North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – June 14, 2022 Page 3 of 3 6. Discussion: Water Quality near Park View Island Chair Smith indicated that this agenda item was being deferred to a subsequent meeting agenda because the item was requested by Committee member Manning Salazar, who was unable to attend today’s meeting in person. 7. Committee Member Comments At 5:47 p.m., Chair Smith opened the floor to allow Committee members to offer miscellaneous comments. Vice-Chair Betsy Perez invited those present to attend the City’s ribbon cutting ceremony for the 79th Street Beachwalk on June 29, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. When the Vice-Chair also inquired if the City planned any programming in North Beach for the Fourth of July holiday, Heather Shaw, Economic Development Assistant Director, confirmed that City-sponsored activations at the North Beach Bandshell will commence around 12:00 pm on July 4. Committee member John Bowes suggested that the annual projections for TIF be reshared with the Committee, Chair Smith recommended waiting until after July 1st when the figures are anticipated to be published by Miami-Dade County. Chair Smith requested Rickelle Williams to provide a copy of the Administration’s proposed annual budget for the North Beach CRA. When asked about the budget for the upgrades being performed on the North Beach Oceanside Park, David Martinez, Committee Co-Liaison and Capital Improvement Projects Director, informed that the North Beach Oceanside Park construction costs were approximately $9-10 million. The construction will include overhauling and enlarging all walkways, including installation of new walkway lighting, and construction of a brand-new children’s playground and dog park. In order to maintain portions of the park open and accessible to the public throughout construction, the construction work will be performed in two phases, with both phases estimated to take no less than eight (8) months each. On the topic of housing affordability, Chair Smith proposed that further policy action be formulated that serves to better incentivize the development of affordable and workforce housing, in order to make such projects financially attractive to the real estate development community. Mr. Belush informed the Committee of plans in progress by the Housing Authority of Miami Beach to develop a 4-story workforce housing project on Normandy Isles, located just outside of the North Beach CRA boundary. Committee member Ronnie Issenberg shared with the Committee the South Florida Business Journal’s Crane Watch website, including an interactive map illustrating the many development projects underway throughout the City including multiple in North Beach. 8. Public Comment At 6:07 p.m., Mr. Elliott Higgins, a member of the public, inquired whether the Committee would discuss the West Lots at today’s meeting. Chair Smith informed him that due to North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – June 14, 2022 Page 4 of 3 shortage of time, discussion of this item would occur at a subsequent meeting. Justin Karr, Real Estate Asset Specialist, acknowledged that former City Commissioner Micky Steinberg had been elected without opposition as District 5 Commissioner on the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners, therefore, she may be the next County Commissioner representing the North Beach CRA. Rickelle Williams shared that Committee member Romina Orozco-Encio sent her regards to the Committee and explained that a delayed airplane flight prevented Romina from attending today’s meeting. 9. Adjournment Motion to adjourn was made at 6:09 p.m. Next Meeting Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. via Zoom.