May 10, 2022 Minutes 1700 Convention Center Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139
www.miamibeachfl.gov/northbeachcra
MEETING MINUTES Ad Hoc North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee Tuesday, May 10, 2022 4:30 PM
Members in Attendance: Chair Jose Smith, Vice Chair Betsy Perez, John Bowes, Ronnie
Issenberg, Romina Orozco-Encio, and David Sexton
Members Absent: Manning Salazar
1. Welcome and Attendance
At 4:33 p.m., Committee Chair Jose Smith opened the meeting and greeted all attendees.
2. Approval of Meeting Minutes
• Motion: To approve the draft meeting minutes of the April 12, 2022 Committee meeting. Made by: Betsy Perez Seconded by: David Sexton
Motion passed by acclamation
3. Update: 72nd Street Community Complex At 4:37 PM, David Martinez, Committee Co-Liaison and Capital Improvement Projects Director, provided an update to the Committee regarding the status of the design build
agreement for the Project and negotiations with the City’s architectural and engineering(A/E)
contractor, Haskell. Ric Dopico, Deputy City Attorney, anticipates returning to the City Commission in June 2022 to discuss a plan for addressing rising construction costs. Discussion ensued regarding the current conditions of the Project site.
4. Discussion: Strategic Opportunities and Priorities
At 4:48 p.m., Rickelle Williams, Committee Co-Liaison and Economic Development Director, introduced discussion of NBCRA budgetary planning by cautioning that initial Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenue projections will not be known until later in the year. Notwithstanding,
the Administration has begun conceptualizing initial budget programming, for example, a part-
time North Beach CRA office space.
North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – May 10, 2022
Page 2 of 3
Ms. Williams discussed North Beach CRA potential tax increment financing (TIF) and provided preliminary estimated annual projections for TIF years 1-5. Ms. Williams noted a conservative
Year 1 (Fiscal Year 2023) TIF revenue estimate of approximately $275,000. Based on
estimated potential revenues, Ms. Williams shared that the City Administration recommends a set aside of 50% of revenues in the first few years in order to build up the Trust Fund reserve for future projects. Ms. Williams then discussed proposed priorities with the following program areas suggested for appropriation: Beautification, Small Business Development, City
Services, Arts and Culture, and Set Aside (Savings), and with two identified program areas
not recommended for initial funding, Infrastructure and Incentive Programs. The Committee members evaluated and discussed the proposed priorities. Upon hearing the opinions of the Committee members present, Ms. Williams summarized the Committee’s
feedback by adjusting the proposed budget’s set aside reserves. The Committee agreed on
consensus as to the relative share allocated to each program area. Chair Smith recommended that the Administration present a more refined proposal at a later date. John Bowes requested that a representative from Code Compliance be invited to a future
Committee meeting to address code enforcement patrols in North Beach and Rickelle
Williams agreed to invite Code Compliance staff. 5. Update: City Commission referral item- North Beach Bandshell
At 5:20 p.m., Justin Karr, Real Estate Asset Specialist in the Economic Development
Department, presented in lieu of Debbie Tackett, Historic Preservation Officer, who was otherwise unavailable due to today’s meeting of the Historic Preservation Board (HPB) which had not ended. Mr. Karr reminded that the Committee had passed motions on January 19, 2022 to support renaming the North Beach Bandshell as the ‘Miami Beach Bandshell’ and to
recommend that the City Commission urge the State of Florida to approve an application for
listing the site on the National Register of Historic Places. Since that time, on April 12, 2022, the HPB passed a resolution in support of the Bandshell’s National Register Nomination. At a May 4, 2022 public hearing, the City Commission adopted Resolution 2022-32159, accepting the Committee’s recommendation, and approving the renaming of the facility to the Miami
Beach Bandshell. The National Register Nomination is anticipated for consideration on the
May 19, 2022 agenda of the Florida National Register Review Board prior to the item proceeding to the National Park Service. 6. Committee Member Comments
At 5:23 p.m., Chair Smith opened the floor to allow Committee members to provide comments. Ronnie Issenberg noted favorable word-of-mouth surrounding the North Beach Bandshell and offered praise to the Rhythm Foundation for curating attractive live programming. David Sexton inquired about how an implementation process would work with a potential property
owner or business grant program funded by the North Beach CRA. Rickelle Williams responded that the Administration would need to further develop a grant program and guidelines if the City Commission, acting as the North Beach CRA Board, provides approval
North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – May 10, 2022
Page 3 of 3
and adopts the CRA’s budget in September. After this occurs, the Committee could begin to see implementation of the projects and initiatives that are outlined in the approved budget.
Vice Chair Perez noted how the commercial area within the Town Center and around Collins
Avenue could benefit from a business association or business improvement district. David Martinez noted that Ocean Terrace development should help improve existing conditions. John Bowes suggested inviting Ocean Terrace developer Sandor Scher to a Committee meeting.
David Sexton mentioned that few attendees participated in the City’s Byron Carlyle virtual information session. Vice Chair Perez expressed frustration with members of the public campaigning against previous attempts to redevelop the Byron Carlyle property, but then a lack of interest from the public in helping plan for and chart a path forward for the property.
Chair Smith asked that the Committee have a discussion regarding the West Lots in order to commence a dialogue about future planning for the vacant lots. Vice Chair Perez added that several of the Committee members sat on the Master Plan Steering Committee and sufficient planning has occurred for the West Lots, but private investment needs to be courted. Chair
Smith asked Rickelle Williams to share the West Lots Master Plan in advance of a discussion
next month regarding the West Lots. 7. Public Comment
At 5:50 p.m., Teresa Kaimrajh, Planning & Design Manager from the Public Works
Department introduced herself to the Committee and stated that she would be happy to be of
assistance in any capacity. Vice Chair Betsy Perez invited everyone to attend the George Clinton (Parliament-Funkadelic) concert at the Bandshell on June 3, 2022.
Rickelle Williams reminded the Committee that its next meeting will be in person at the Normandy Shores Golf Club. 8. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn at 5:53 p.m. Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 4:30 pm at Normandy Shores Golf Club