Meeting Minutes- NBCRA 9-13-22
1700 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139
www.miamibeachfl.gov/northbeachcra
MEETING MINUTES
AD HOC NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Tuesday, September 13, 2022 - 5:00 pm
Virtual Meeting
Members in Attendance: Chair Jose Smith, Vice-Chair Betsy Perez, John Bowes, Ronnie
Issenberg, Romina Orozco-Encino, and David Sexton
1. Welcome & Attendance
At 5:01 p.m., Committee Chair Jose Smith opened the meeting and greeted all attendees.
2. Approval of July 12, 2022 Meeting Minutes
• Motion: To approve the draft meeting minutes of the July 12, 2022, Committee meeting.
Made by: Betsy Perez
Seconded by: John Bowes
Motion passed by acclamation
Old Business
3. Update: Strategic Opportunities and Priorities (FY2023 Proposed Budget)
At 5:03 p.m., Rickelle Williams, Committee Co-Liaison and Economic Development Director,
informed the Committee that the FY 2023 CRA budget will be considered at first reading by the
City Commission at its meeting on September 14, 2022, with formal adoption of the CRA budget
upon second reading on September 28, 2022. The Administration’s recommended budget
allocations differed only slightly from those proposed by the Committee.
- Beautification 20.3%
- Enhanced Services 19.7%
- Arts and Culture 5.0%
- Small Business Development 4.7%
- Administration 2.4%
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Meeting Minutes – September 13, 2022
Page 2 of 4
- Set-aside: Affordable and Workforce Housing 10.0%
- Set-aside: Future Projects: 37.8%
Chair Jose Smith noted that part of the distinction between the Administration’s recommendation
and that of the Committee is due to the fact that the Administration’s budget recommendations
include a line item for the 10% set aside for affordable and workforce housing, a requirement that
is stipulated in the Interlocal Agreement among the CRA, City of Miami Beach, and Miami-Dade
County. Ms. Williams briefly outlined some of the programs identified to be funded including a
commercial façade improvement program aimed at beautification and a residential façade
improvement program to support maintenance of the district’s naturally- occurring affordable
housing.
Ms. Williams displayed the cover to the FY 2023 Budget Book and shared that, as the City’s
inaugural Ad Hoc North Beach CRA Advisory Committee, the names of each of the Committee
members were highlighted on the cover along with the names of the Commissioners/CRA Board
Members.
Note: the FY 2023 Adopted Budget, adopted by the North Beach CRA Board on September 28,
2022, is available for viewing on the North Beach CRA website at
https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/northbeachcra.
4. Update: Entryway Signage Project
At 5:11 p.m. David Martinez, Committee Co-Liaison and Capital Improvements Director, provided
an update on the North Beach Entryway Signage Projects. The Design Review Board had
approved the 71st Street signage feature the week prior and the Historic Preservation Board
approved the Harding Avenue signage feature earlier that day. Although the signs received design
review approval and the next step is to procure a construction contractor sometime next year, the
projects are partially funded and cannot proceed at the current time without additional funding.
Mr. Martinez noted that one possibility is to proceed with the smaller and less expensive project,
the Harding Avenue location, and then proceed with the 71st Street feature once additional funding
is allocated.
5. Update: North Beach Oceanside Park Project
At 5:16 p.m. David Gomez, Capital Improvement Projects Division Director, provided an update
on the North Beach Oceanside Park Project: During May 2022 the City’s contractor began
construction on the project with an estimated 16-month duration. The northern half of the park,
from 83rd Street north to 87th Street, is currently closed off from public access, and is anticipated
for completion within approximately six (6) months. Project scope includes an overhaul of
pedestrian walkways, installation of a new playground, refurbishing restrooms and picnic shelters,
and landscaping.
Mr. Gomez noted that the relocation and removal of trees within the park is about 90% completed
and undergrounding work is in process, which will include installation infrastructure necessary for
the Miami Beach Police Department to install a closed-circuit TV camera system throughout the
park. Upon completing the northern half of the park in approximately six (6) months, the contractor
will move to remodeling of the south half of the park. Chair Smith expressed his interest in plans
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Meeting Minutes – September 13, 2022
Page 3 of 4
for the park’s new playground and asked Mr. Gomez to provide the Committee via Ms. Williams
with renderings of the project.
Note: The Neighborhood Affairs Division’s website provides detailed information about the North
Beach Oceanside Park Project at https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/residents/neighborhood-
associations/neighborhood-affairs-division/active-projects/parks/north-beach-open-side-park/.
New Business
6. Discussion: The West Lots
At 5:22 p.m. Ozzie Dominguez, Asset Management Division Director in the Facilities and Fleet
Management Department, provided a brief overview of current uses at the West Lots, including a
temporary COVID-19 testing site. Rickelle Williams explained that, while there are no immediate
plans for development of the West Lots, Dover Kohl prepared a West Lot Master Plan in 2018,
and discussion about future programming of the lots was included in the North Beach Master Plan
(2016) and the North Beach CRA Redevelopment Plan (2021).
The West Lots provide opportunity for staging of additional temporary parking and there are G.O.
Bond projects involving the Skate Park. Chair Smith added that he was not an advocate for
development of the West Lots and that the original intent when the State of Florida conveyed the
lots to the City of Miami Beach was that the parcels always be used for park-related purposes
such as parking for park users. However, Chair Smith noted that use restrictions were not
recorded on the deeds of conveyance. Committee member John Bowes responded that he
believes the parcels are underutilized and that scaled development to serve the public could be
possible without overdevelopment. Deputy City Attorney Ricardo Dopico mentioned that he has
not performed a review of title but he was unaware of any restrictions on development, other than
the City Charter requirement for voter referendum.
7. Committee Member Comments
At 5:36 p.m. David Sexton inquired whether, following CRA budget adoption later in the month,
will the Committee be able to discuss ways to implement policy recommendations in the following
year? Rickelle Williams responded affirmatively, noting that the Police Department, Code
Compliance, and Sanitation Division will develop plans to implement and track enhanced
services—all which came from recommendations by the Committee. A preliminary outline of the
Commercial Façade Improvement Program will be presented to the Committee for feedback soon.
Ms. Williams added that the City’s North Beach CRA administrative office presence, a
recommendation made by the Committee, is in the planning stages for launching at the Building
Department’s North Beach location.
Chair Jose Smith expressed his desire for improved marketing efforts on behalf of the CRA and
noted that he has hopes that the Miami Herald might provide positive publicity for the CRA in the
future. David Sexton noted that public sentiment regarding the CRA’s purpose has changed and
those who were once opposed to formation of the CRA are now seeking opportunities for
partnership with the CRA.
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Meeting Minutes – September 13, 2022
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Committee member Ron Issenberg suggested a mass mailer be sent to every address within the
CRA to raise awareness. Ms. Williams suggested perhaps the Tourism and Culture Department
could partner for an event during Art Basel 2022.
Chair Jose Smith directed an inquiry to the City Attorney regarding the availability of tax incentives
for development and noted that the North Miami Beach CRA was providing tax rebates to
incentivize certain rental housing types. Deputy City Attorney Ric Dopico offered to reach out to
the North Miami Beach city attorney and look into available methods to incentivize workforce
housing using ad valorem or other taxes.
Vice Chair Betsy Perez mentioned she overheard discouraging news regarding funding for the
72nd St. Community Center project. David Martinez responded that the contractor was reporting
larger than anticipated construction costs and therefore negotiations were still underway.
However, once a contract is executed, Mr. Martinez assured that construction can commence
soon thereafter. Mr. Martinez noted that the City Manager’s office is currently looking into the
matter.
John Bowes inquired generally about how funding will be expended for the North Beach CRA, for
example, funding the shortfall to construct the North Beach Entryway signs. Ms. Williams replied
that the Administration will execute and implement expenditures based on the approved budget
and in consideration of recommendations from the Committee. Furthermore, if the signage
projects were part of the city’s Capital Budget Plan at the time that the CRA was approved, then
CRA funding cannot be utilized to supplement City capital projects.
The County must first approve the annual budget before the CRA can expend funds, as stipulated
in the Interlocal Agreement.
8. Public Comments
At 6:04 p.m. Chair Smith confirmed that no members of the public desired to provide public
comment.
9. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made at 6:05 p.m.
Next Meeting: quarterly in-person meeting on Wednesday, October 12th at 4:30 pm – Normandy
Shores Golf Club