December 13 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, December 13, 2022 – 4:30 pm
Normandy Shores Golf Club
2401 Biarritz Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33141
Members in Attendance: Chair Jose Smith, Vice Chair Betsy Perez, John Bowes, Ronnie
Issenberg, Romina Orozco-Encino, Manning Salazar, and David
Sexton
1. Welcome & Attendance
At 4:36 p.m., Committee Chair Jose Smith opened the meeting and greeted the attendees.
2. Approval of November 8, 2022 Meeting Minutes
• Motion: To approve the draft meeting minutes of the November 8, 2022, Committee
meeting.
Made by: Ronnie Issenberg
Seconded by: Betsy Perez
Motion passed by acclamation
3. Approval of Committee Biannual Report
At 4:38 pm, Heather Shaw, Economic Development Assistant Director, informed the Committee
regarding the Biannual Report and its contents including actions that have occurred within the
Committee in the last six (6) months and noted the report is to be filed with the City Clerk’s office
by the first week of January.
• Motion: To approve the Committee Biannual Report.
Motion passed by acclamation
Note: The Committee’s Biannual Report is available on the NBCRA Committee website at:
https://docmgmt.miamibeachfl.gov/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=284148&dbid=0&repo=CityClerk.
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Meeting Minutes – December 13, 2022
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4. Approval of 2023 Committee Meeting Calendar
Committee member Romina Orozco-Encino shared that there is one date she will not be able to
attend, Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2023, because, historically, it is an important date for her
business. Committee member David Sexton suggested that perhaps the Committee consider
conducting a few of the quarterly in-person meetings at a location within the North Beach CRA
district. Chair Smith agreed that this could be an option if a suitable venue is located with adequate
technical capability and sufficient space for the public to attend. Chair Smith also proposed that
the Committee should be in recess for the month of August 2023, in line with traditional practice
of City board and committee meetings. The Committee members were all in agreement to the
Chair’s suggestion.
• Motion: To approve the 2023 Calendar of Committee Meeting Dates, with the Committee
in recess during the month of August 2023.
• Motion passed by acclamation
Old Business
5. Update: Extension of Advisory Committee Term
At 4:47 p.m., Ric Dopico, Deputy City Attorney, informed the Committee that staff will be bringing
a resolution for consideration by the City Commission to extend the term of the Committee for an
additional twelve (12) months. Subsequently, an ordinance will be brought forth to establish the
Committee as a permanent Commission Committee. Chair Smith noted the importance of the
Committee being composed of duly qualified members of the public and the Chair proposed to
Mr. Dopico that they work together to ensure the draft legislation meets the Committee’s needs.
Chair Smith also congratulated Rickelle Williams on being appointed in the role of Assistant City
Manager by the City Manager as well as the addition of Miami-Dade County Commissioner Micky
Steinberg to the CRA Board.
Note: on December 6, 2022, the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) unanimously adopted
Resolution R-1180-22, appointing Commissioner Micky Steinberg as the County’s representative
to serve as a member of the North Beach CRA Board, in accordance with section 163.357, Florida
Statutes, and applicable BCC resolutions, including Resolution R-499-16, and the interlocal
cooperation agreement between the County, the City, and the North Beach CRA.
6. Update: North Beach CRA Office
At 4:51 p.m., Luis Wong, Economic Development Administrative Services Manager, informed the
Committee that the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the North Beach CRA District
Office has been rescheduled for Thursday, January 19, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. As currently proposed
in the CRA’s first budget year, the office space will be staffed by City employees with shared
responsibilities to the Economic Development Department, therefore, the North Beach CRA office
will be open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.. Mr. Wong
added that he and Heather Shaw, Economic Development Assistant Director, had the pleasure
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Meeting Minutes – December 13, 2022
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of attending a meeting the day prior of the Normandy Fountain Business Association, where the
Association expressed enthusiasm for and offered to help promote the official opening of the CRA
district office.
7. Update: 72nd Street Community Complex
At 4:53 p.m., Maria Cerna, Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Division Director, appeared on
behalf of David Martinez, CIP Director and Committee Co-Liaison, to update the Committee on
G.O. Bond Project #1, the 72nd Street Community Complex (the “72nd Street Project”), which Ms.
Cerna previously provided an update for on November 8, 2022. Ms. Cerna reminded the
Committee that, on October 26, 2022, the City Commission adopted Resolution 2022-32386,
rejecting all bids from Request for Proposals (RFP) 2020-180-ND for Design/Build Services for
the 72nd Street Community Complex and directing City staff to prepare a new procurement
process for consideration by the City Commission. Accordingly, on December 14, 2022, the City
Commission will consider approving Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 2023-121-ND, for
architectural design services for the 72nd Street Project.
Chair Smith asked whether the Committee would entertain a motion in support of prioritization of
the 72nd Street Project. The Chair asked Justin Karr, Economic Development Manager, to
summarize a related resolution from Miami Beach United (MBU) transmitted via LTC 515-2022,
wherein MBU expressed its desire that the 72nd Street Project be terminated and its funding be
reallocated to other projects in North Beach. Vice Chair Betsy Perez noted voter support for the
Project citywide, and along with Committee member David Sexton acknowledged that the
Committee had previously adopted motions in support of the Project and agreed that construction
should be fulfilled according to the project’s budget as originally proposed.
Following the vote, upon the subsequent arrival of Committee member Manning Salazar, Chair
Smith informed Mr. Salazar about the Committee’s motion relative to the 72nd Street Project. Mr.
Salazar requested that his opposition to the motion be recorded and expressed gratitude for being
able to participate in the vote.
• Motion: The Committee supports the Administration’s recommendation to issue a new
procurement process for the G.O. Bond program’s 72nd Street Community Complex
project.
Motion made by: Betsy Perez
Seconded by: John Bowes
Motion passed: 6 – 1 (Manning Salazar opposed)
8. Discussion: Commercial Façade Improvement Program
At 4:58 p.m., Heather Shaw, Economic Development Assistant Director, updated the Committee
regarding progress in developing the CRA’s Commercial Façade Improvement Program (CFIP).
Ms. Shaw noted that the application form and participation agreement are being drafted and the
program is on track for launching in the new year. On December 14, 2022, the City Commission
is anticipated to refer a discussion item to the February meeting of the Finance and Economic
Resiliency Committee. Pending a favorable recommendation of the FERC, the City Commission
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Meeting Minutes – December 13, 2022
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could approve the program at its February 22, 2023 meeting. Ms. Shaw proposed that another
update would be provided at the Committee’s January 10, 2023 meeting. David Sexton expressed
enthusiasm for the program and suggested that perhaps an update on the program be provided
at an upcoming meeting of the Normandy Fountain Business Association.
Upon her subsequent arrival to the meeting, Rickelle Williams, Assistant City Manager, Economic
Development Director, and Committee Co-Liaison, provided additional details regarding the
proposed program. At present, the Administration’s recommendation is for the City Commission
to authorize a potential incentive award of up to $20,000 per property, administrated as a matching
grant with funds from the applicant. Contemporaneously, the referral item will provide for
discussion of the Residential Property Improvement Program (RPIP), as the Interlocal Agreement
calls for efforts to create affordable and/or workforce housing opportunities. The RPIP Program
will focus on multifamily residential properties within a similar geographic area defined for the
Commercial Façade Improvement Program discussed at the last Committee meeting.
Chair Smith shared a concern expressed to him by a large property owner in the area regarding
the wage restrictions or limitations imposed on program participants which will, in turn, affect the
type of contractors that properties may engage for work under the program. Ms. Williams noted
that property owners participating in the program would likely be required to obtain quotes from
at least three (3) licensed contractors prior to making a selection. Furthermore, Ms. Williams and
Mr. Dopico shared they would investigate potential wage or labor requirements that will be
mandated through the program.
New Business
9. Committee Member Comments
At 5:07 p.m. Vice Chair Betsy Perez expressed her appreciation to Luis Wong and Heather Shaw
for attending the Normandy Fountain Business Association’s meeting the night prior. Ms. Perez
later added she would like to stay informed of any updates in the construction and development
pipeline in North Beach and she is also curious about the status of planning for the Deauville
Hotel property. Chair Smith concurred and stated that these topics would be discussed at the next
meeting.
Romina Orozco-Encino is grateful that the North Beach business community will soon have the
North Beach CRA district office available as a source of useful information and resources.
Ronnie Issenberg mentioned seeing community and public interest informational booths and
tables at a recent event held at The Bandshell and perhaps the same could be done to market
the North Beach CRA. Mr. Issenberg noted that there are many community events transpiring
throughout the year where an informational table can serve as a source of information and
outreach and Mr. Issenberg volunteered to staff such a table.
Manning Salazar expressed his desire for an update on the status of the Ocean Terrace project.
Mr. Salazar also shared his understanding that the City Commission might be considering action
regarding the Byron Carlyle Theater and he referenced an article in the Miami Herald suggesting
that the Byron structure would be demolished in connection with the Arts and Culture G.O. Bond
initiative, therefore, Mr. Salazar would like to discuss this topic at the next meeting. Chair Smith
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suggested that it might be premature for the Committee to opine on the subject without receiving
information regarding any project and it would be prudent to wait for the City Commission to take
steps or move in a direction relative to plans for the Byron Carlyle.
10. Public Comments
Chair Smith confirmed that there were no comments from members of the public.
11. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made at 5:34 p.m.
Next Meeting Date: Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 4:30 pm
Zoom virtual meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85384824423