4 - After Action Minutes of the February 22, 2023 Commission Meeting
After Action Minutes of the
February 22, 2023 Commission Meeting
February 22, 2023
City of Miami Beach Hybrid Commission Meeting/RDA/Presentations and Awards
C2 D REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO ISSUE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) 2023-
120-ND CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK (CMR) FOR THE 72ND STREET
COMMUNITY COMPLEX.
Capital Improvement Projects/Procurement
ACTION: The request was approved. The Item was separated from the Consent Agenda
by Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez for discussion. A motion was made by Commissioner
Arriola to approve the request, seconded by Commissioner Richardson. Vote: 6-0;
Against: Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez. David Martinez and Alex Denis to handle.
Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez explained the Item regarding the 72nd Street Community
Complex with the Olympic pool on top. $55 million were initially funded from General
Obligation (G.O.) Bonds for the garage, and the City Commission approved up to $100
million in funding to complete the project. The estimate came back higher than the
expected amount, and now this Item is to place it back out to bid at twice the price that the
electorate initially intended to spend.
CIP Director David Martinez explained that this is a standard procurement procedure used
in the City to deliver certain types of projects with success such as the South Pointe Pier.
It is not a process always used, but it is being used for Lincoln Road. To Commissioner
Rosen Gonzalez’s question, he stated that a Construction Manager At-Risk (CMR) is
selected on qualification by the City. The City and CMR work as a team during pre-
construction design and provide feedback on constructability, cost, and value engineering
as the design is developed. The CMR’s design procurement will come back to the City
Commission for selection in March or April. Near completion of the bidding, and this is a
recognized process, the CMR has a negotiated fee that would be put on the trades needed
for the entire project. It is a process monitored by the City in conjunction with Procurement
and CIP departments. They take the documents and bid them out to all disciplines in the
building such as plumbing, electrical, and concrete, including the pool. They receive
sealed bids for them and do a mini bid for the trades. Once compiled, the City works with
them to select the best one and develop what is called a Guaranteed Maximum Price
(GMP), which comes back to the City Commission upon completion for approval or not in
the competitive process for different trades. That is also the CMR procurement method
being used for the Fire Station.
Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez explained that by using this CMR the City is making sure
that the contractors are weighing in on the design process so they do not get a design
they cannot afford.
CIP Director Martinez added that they are going to be designing to a budget. They have
a budget in mind that is in the parameters approved by the City Commission, and they will
work towards that. When they bring back the selection of the CMR on qualification, they
are only authorized to negotiate pre-construction services, which is a small fraction of the
total cost of the construction so they can engage and get paid for providing support as the
project is developed. Once they get to develop the GMP it will come back to the
Commission for a vote of approval or disapproval.
Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez wanted to know what they are giving up in this new
process because construction prices are what they are. She saw the scope; what is the
difference between the scope in the CMR for the bid and the original scope of the project?
What is the City losing?
February 22, 2023
City of Miami Beach Hybrid Commission Meeting/RDA/Presentations and Awards
David Martinez, CIP Director, stated that in 2018 the voters approved this project. As part
of it, some elements composed the project, and that is the guiding principle behind what
they are going to be seeking. As part of the previous procurement process for a design-
build firm, the design criteria were professionally prepared criteria packaged so they are
using that as the basis of design that will be used as a guide in terms of a new design
consultant to be selected, and they will try to implement into a final design and achieve all
the elements. If they get to a point where they cannot squeeze any more dollars and they
are still over budget he would come back to the City Manager and recommend they
evaluate what is driving the extra cost and will provide recommendations on how to bring
it back down. He cannot say what the solution is, as it has to go through its process
including feedback from the CMR to try to control scope and price.
Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez separated the Item so that she could record her NO vote.
The voters approved $55 million in construction, but they did not agree to spend $100
million on construction; now the budget has doubled. She hopes they keep the Olympic
size pool which is what the voters wanted. She is not in favor and feels the project is out
of control in terms of the cost to taxpayers. She also believes taxpayers are paying for the
parking waived for certain developers going up in the Town Center project. As these
massive buildings go up they are going to subsidize parking costs. This is morally wrong.
She is opposed to this.
In answering Vice-Mayor Meiner, CIP Director Martinez added that this will come back to
the City Commission for a designer selection, and if approved today the CMR and pricing
will come back for approval.
Commissioner Richardson put on the record that it was clear to voters that $50 million was
not the complete price. They can bond parking out and this is going to be vetted again. It
was heard on December 6 to move forward and will continue to come back if additional
funds are needed. It is only a design. He appreciates the support in keeping moving it
along. Regarding parking, last month the Commission agreed to subsidize parking in the
West Avenue area to help residents there. He does not agree that the City is giving any
subsidy to developers in North Beach. All the parking will be paid to park once the garage
is built. This is a terrific Item. He appreciates the new direction the Administration has
taken. He fully supports it.
Commissioner Arriola added that since this was approved by City voters in 2018
construction costs have soared to unprecedented levels in the past few years. It is
incumbent to value engineer when they can, but ultimately try to deliver to voters what
they voted for. Last month they found ways to fund the shortage in Bayshore Park and
that is the same amount in that it has doubled the cost. However, this project can pay for
itself when it generates revenue, unlike a park. The Commission will vote on these issues
again when there are budget shortfalls. This project was one of the anchor projects in the
General Obligation (G.O.) Bond and it is incumbent upon the City Commission to make
the numbers work to the best of their ability. David Martinez and his team have been
working extremely hard in finding solutions. He thanked them for that, but he thinks this is
appropriate, and they will find ways to get it done for North Beach residents and all Miami
Beach residents.
Commissioner Arriola made a motion to approve the request, seconded by Commissioner
Richardson. Voice vote: 6-1: Opposed: Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez.
February 22, 2023
City of Miami Beach Hybrid Commission Meeting/RDA/Presentations and Awards
C7 A A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING A MODIFICATION TO THE CONTRACT AWARDED
AT THE DECEMBER 14, 2022 COMMISSION MEETING (ITEM C2 C) PURSUANT TO
INVITATION TO BID (ITB) 2022-310-AY FOR BAYSHORE PARK TO BUSLAM
COMPANY AND PARTNERS, INC. TO REMOVE THE SCOPE OF WORK AND
ASSOCIATED COST OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAKE (RESILIENT FLORIDA
GRANT), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE
CONTRACT, AS MODIFIED, AND FURTHER, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
ISSUE A CHANGE ORDER TO REINSTATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAKE
SCOPE AND ASSOCIATED COST, SUBJECT TO AND CONTINGENT UPON CITY
COMMISSION APPROPRIATION OF FUNDING THEREFOR.
Capital Improvement Projects
Deferred 2/1/2023 - C7 D / Exp: 6/1/2023
ACTION: The Item was deferred to the March 27, 2023 City Commission Meeting. Rafael
E. Granado and Lilia Cardillo to place on the agenda.
C7 D A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER
AND APPROVING THE SELECTION OF WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC, AS
SENIOR MANAGER, ALONG WITH GOLDMAN SACHS & CO., LLC, AND ESTRADA
HINOJOSA & COMPANY, INC., AS CO-MANAGERS, TO PROVIDE UNDERWRITING
SERVICES FOR THE MIAMI BEACH ARTS AND CULTURE GENERAL OBLIGATION
BONDS SERIES 2023 THAT THE CITY ANTICIPATES WILL BE ISSUED IN 2023.
Finance
ACTION: Resolution 2023-32495 adopted. The Item was separated by Vice-Mayor
Meiner and Commissioner Richardson. Motion made by Commissioner Fernandez to
adopt Resolution, seconded by Mayor Gelber. Vote: 6-0. Recused: Vice-Mayor Meiner.
Jason Greene to handle.
Vice-Mayor Meiner stated that he needs to recuse himself from the Item and read a
statement for the record. (See Form 8B.)
Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez stated that she has a question regarding the current
interest rate and the cost to residents. At the time this was approved she believes it was
$21 per $100,000 and she would like to understand what the interest rate difference would
be.
City Manager Hudak replied that it is still premature to answer that question for several
reasons, but there needs to be a definition for the value of the bonds in tranches and that
would determine the amount per resident, but they can give her the number that was used
in the initial documents.
Eric Carpenter, Deputy City Manager, stated that he does not have the exact number with
him, but he and his staff are working on it. Their interest rate will depend mostly on the
market conditions when they get to the market. Some of it will be flexible up until the date
issued.
Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez stated that she understands, but she would like to know
if they are doing the full amount of $169 million.
February 22, 2023
City of Miami Beach Hybrid Commission Meeting/RDA/Presentations and Awards
Deputy City Manager Carpenter stated that it is still being discussed. The Administration
will ask the firm to do the first tranche, but they do not know whether the first tranche will
be the entirety of the bonds or a portion thereof.
Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez stated that they might be doing this in tranches, but then
everyone who gets monies will get a small portion.
Deputy City Manager Carpenter stated that the details of the individual agencies are being
worked out. They are not pushing anyone out.
Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez asked how many agencies are receiving money from the
Arts and Culture Bond.
Deputy City Manager Carpenter replied that he believes it is about 12 agencies. The
discussions that are taking place are regarding what can be started in the next 24 to 36
months. Some of the agencies like the FIU/Wolfsonian expansion may not be ready right
away. They may not be asking for all the money immediately, but they do not want to go
to market with that unless they are ready to spend it.
Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez asked what if the City goes to market now with the 4.5%
interest rate and within a year or two the second tranche will be 6% or 7%
Deputy City Manager Carpenter replied that the Administration is weighing that in with the
cost to the taxpayers as opposed to having the money sit somewhere where it is not being
utilized.
Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez thanked Deputy City Manager Carpenter. She wanted to
find out where the City was on this issue.
Motion made by Commissioner Fernandez to adopt Resolution, seconded by Mayor
Gelber. Vote: 6-0. Recused: Vice-Mayor Meiner.
C7 AD A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE ACQUISITION BY THE CITY OF PROJECTION
MAPPING PROJECTORS AND RELATED PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT TO ALLOW
FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF CITY VENUES AND FACILITIES INTO IMMERSIVE
PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCES UTILIZING FUNDS UP TO THE AMOUNT
REMAINING IN THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND FOR ARTS & CULTURE -
MISCELLANEOUS ARTS & CULTURE PROJECTS CATEGORY, SUCH EQUIPMENT
TO BE USED INITIALLY BY THE MIAMI BEACH CLASSICAL MUSIC FESTIVAL FOR
PROGRAMMING DURING PUBLIC PERFORMANCES AND ACTIVATIONS, AND
FURTHER, REFERRING THIS ITEM TO THE G.O. BOND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
FOR ITS CONSIDERATION OF THE AMOUNT TO BE ALLOCATED FOR SUCH
EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION.
Office of the City Attorney
Mayor Dan Gelber
Resolution 2023-32509 adopted. Item separated by Commissioner Richardson. Maria
Hernandez to handle.
February 22, 2023
City of Miami Beach Hybrid Commission Meeting/RDA/Presentations and Awards
REFERRAL:
General Obligation (G.O.) Bond Oversight Committee. Maria Hernandez to place on the
Committee Agenda and to handle.
R7 A A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE FOURTH AMENDMENT TO THE GENERAL FUND,
ENTERPRISE FUNDS, INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS, AND SPECIAL REVENUE
FUNDS BUDGETS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023 AS SET FORTH IN THIS RESOLUTION
AND IN THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT "A."
2:10 p.m. Public Hearing
Office of Management and Budget
ACTION: Resolution 2023-32511 adopted. The Title of the Resolution was read into the
record. The Public Hearing was held. Commissioner Richardson made a motion to adopt
the Resolution; seconded by Mayor Gelber. Voice Vote: 7-0. Tameka Otto Stewart to
handle.
Tameka Otto Stewart, Budget Director, stated that this is the fourth amendment to the
Operating Budget. It contains four Items and recommends an increase of $2.8 million. The
first three Items are funded with a projected general funds surplus noted in the Q1
projections. The first Item is a companion Item to C7 D, which was approved on the
Consent Agenda. The issuance costs of arts and cultural bonds of $1.5 million. The
second Item is the fire boat donated by the County in 2021, there is an additional need for
$233,000 to repair the boat. The third Item is for the Commission Chambers renovation
project, which needs $1.1 million based on the one bid the City has received. Finally, the
Allison Island Special Taxing District has a $20,000 budget for license plate readers, but
it came in higher than they requested, and they will seek $8,000 from their own funds.
R7 C A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH, FLORIDA, CONSENTING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF JASON GREENE, AS
THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
Human Resources
ACTION: Resolution 2023-32513 adopted. Commissioner Richardson made a motion
to adopt the Resolution; seconded by the Body. Voice vote: 7-0. Marla Alpizar to handle.
City Manager Hudak stated that today is a great day to exercise our love for public service
and appoint a true professional to a position in our government. She thanked the City
Commission for its support. It is her honor to appoint Miami Beach’s new Chief Financial
Officer (CFO), Jason Greene. He is a seasoned professional with two decades of
experience, not just with the Miami Expressway Authority, but the City of Surfside and in
multiple capacities as City Manager. He is duly qualified and prepared to take on this new
challenge. She welcomed Mr. Greene as part of our family. He is joined today by his wife
Carolyn and son Jackson. Mr. Greene has actively participated in the General Obligation
(G.O.) Bond Committee; he is also a University of Miami graduate. She is pleased to
introduce Mr. Jason Greene.
Jason Greene thanked the City Commission. He is extremely excited to start this new
chapter with the City of Miami Beach. He has called Miami Beach home since 1996. He
has enjoyed everything the City has to offer. As CFO he will manage the finances as if
February 22, 2023
City of Miami Beach Hybrid Commission Meeting/RDA/Presentations and Awards
they were his own, as, in fact, some of it is since he is a resident. As part of the General
Obligation (G.O.) Bond Committee, he has gotten to know many of the City’s staff. He
thanked his wife Carolyn and his son Jackson.
R7 E A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO INSTALL
SPOTLIGHTS AT THE BASE OF THE PALMS LOCATED ALONGSIDE 41ST STREET
IN ORDER TO ILLUMINATE AND HIGHLIGHT THE PALMS’ FRONDS AND ICONIC
CROWNS.
Office of the City Attorney
Not reached 2/1/2023 - C7 Y
Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez
ACTION: The Sponsor withdrew the Item.
R9 I UPDATE ON RELOCATION OF RAINBOW CHILD CARE CENTER.
Commissioner Alex Fernandez
Not Reached 2/1/2023 - R9 L / Deferred 12/14/2022 - R9 M / Exp: 4/13/2023
Co-sponsored by Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez
ACTION: The Item was not reached. The Item will be moved to the March 27, 2023 City
Commission Meeting. Rafael E. Granado and Lilia Cardillo to place on the Commission
Agenda.
R9 S DISCUSSION AND UPDATE ON THE BYRON CARLYLE.
Not reached 2/1/2023 - R9 V
Facilities and Fleet Management
ACTION: The Item was not reached. The Item will be moved to the March 27, 2023 City
Commission Meeting. Rafael E. Granado and Lilia Cardillo to place on the
Commission Agenda.