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Meeting Minutes - February 14, 2023 1700 Convention Center Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139 www.miamibeachfl.gov/northbeachcra MEETING MINUTES AD HOC NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Tuesday, February 14, 2023 – 4:30 pm Virtual Meeting Members in Attendance: Chair Jose Smith, Vice Chair Betsy Perez, John Bowes, Ronnie Issenberg, Manning Salazar, and David Sexton Members Absent: Romina Orozco-Encino 1. Welcome & Attendance At 4:42 p.m., Chair Jose Smith opened the meeting and greeted the attendees. Russell Galbut, principal of real estate development firm Crescent Heights, shared that he was traveling on vacation and was not prepared to present on his project for agenda item #7. Chair Smith invited Mr. Galbut to return to the following month’s Committee meeting instead. 2. Approval of January 10, 2023, Meeting Minutes Motion: to approve the Committee’s January 10, 2023 meeting minutes. Made by: David SextonChair Jose Smith Seconded by: David SextonVice Chair Betsy Perez Motion passed by acclamation 3. Introduction and Committee Greeting At 4:43 p.m., Chair Smith introduced Miami-Dade County Commissioner and North Beach CRA Board Member Micky Steinberg, who greeted the Committee and expressed her pleasure at continuing to serve Miami Beach as the County Commissioner for District 4, which encompasses the CRA district. Commissioner Steinberg informed that her staff will be observing developments and recommendations of the Committee and she welcomes the Committee’s input. so to have a clear understanding of the Committee’s recommendations. Old Business 4. Update: City Commission’s Extension of Committee Term/Ordinance At 4:45 p.m., Rickelle Williams, Assistant City Manager and Committee Co-Liaison, shared that she is working with the City Attorney’s Office to draft an ordinance for the permanent establishment of the Committee as a Commission Committee within the City Code. Commissioner Laura Dominguez North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – February 14, 2023 Page 2 of 4 has agreed to sponsor the legislation and it is anticipated to be presented for consideration by the City Commission in March 2023 or a subsequent meeting. Ms. Williams indicated that staff’s recommendation would be to reappoint the current members to continue their service, but the City Attorney’s Office has not yet drafted the ordinance. Chair Smith requested that Deputy City Attorney Ric Dopico, or the responsible city attorney, include Mr. Smith when drafting the ordinance so that Mr. Smith may offer his insight. 5. Update: North Beach Infrastructure Projects At 4:48 p.m., Joe Gomez, Public Works Director, provided a brief overview to the Committee of notable infrastructure projects either planned or in progress throughout North Beach. Among these projects under his oversight: the North Beach Town Center Neighborhood Improvement Project is currently in design consultant negotiations, with an aim to seek City Commission approval in Spring or Summer 2023; a separate project to improve fire flow pressure quality throughout North Beach is scheduled to commence in Summer 2023; the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) approved grant funding for improvement work to Pump Station #2 on 75th Street and the project is currently undergoing permitting; an emergency replacement project, triggered by a rupture recently near Indian Creek and 69th Street, will also commence in Summer 2023; a pipeline replacement project throughout the Parkview Island neighborhood commenced this past week; and in the coming weeks, bridge rehabilitation projects over the Tatum Waterway are scheduled. Committee Member Ronnie Issenberg expressed his appreciation that the City is taking corrective action to repair the City’s water and sewer systems. Mr. Issenberg added that he intends to circulate to the Committee a University of Miami report about the waterway system surrounding Parkview Island. Committee Member Manning Salazar suggested that a condensed presentation based off this report may exist and would be easier to read than the lengthy report document. Committee Member John Bowes thanked Mr. Gomez and the Public Works Department for their responsiveness during regarding various matters heMr. Bowes has experienced in the past. Mr. Gomez also responded to questionsing fromby Chair Smith about the source of funding for emergency repairs. InN closing, Mr. Gomez provided contact information for the Public Works Department’s Control Room, for the public to submit service requests and in cases of emergency: 305.673.7625 controlroomoperators@miamibeachfl.gov. John Bowes also shared the Code Compliance / Parking Enforcement hotline number: 305.604.4785. 6. Update: North Beach Oceanside Park At 5:08 p.m., David Martinez, Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Director and Committee Co- Liaison, provided information about G.O. Bond Project #12, which covers the entire expanse of the North Beach Oceanside Park, from 79th Street to 87th Street and measuring approximately 32 acres. Phase One concerns the portion of the Park extending from 83rd Street to 87th Street and is anticipated to be completed around March 2023. Mr. Martinez expects a small ribbon cutting ceremony might commemorate Phase One completion and he will coordinate with Rickelle Williams to invite the Committee members. Phase Two will commence as soon as Phase One is completed and is projected to be fully finished by the end of 2023. Mr. Martinez responded to Manning Salazar’s inquiry into the scope of Phase Two by detailing the scope, including: installation of wider concrete walkways, retrofitting an environmentally compliant lighting system, installation of CCTV camera infrastructure, improvement of fencing along Collins Avenue, picnic area and restroom refurbishment, new playground installation, dog park refurbishment, and enhanced landscaping. Mr. Salazar inquired about the extent of tree replacement North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – February 14, 2023 Page 3 of 4 and removal, and Mr. Martinez indicated that tree disruption would be minimal, as if any disruption to existing trees occurred, it would have already been completed during the completion of the Beach Walk through the Park. New Business 7. 72 & Park Project (7125 Carlyle Avenue) At 5:14 p.m., Rickelle Williams suggested that the Committee consider postponing discussion of this project until Russell Galbut, principal of the developer Crescent Heights, is present at the following month’s Committee meeting. Chair Smith agreed with this recommendation. Ms. Williams reminded the Committee that the 72nd and Park Project, which is to include traditional residential and co-living units with ground floor commercial retail, stands to be a pivotal project that would bring revenue to the CRA and catalyze additional development projects in the district. 8. Committee Member Comments At 5:18 p.m., Vice Chair Betsy Perez mentioned her frustration with traffic and questioned whether the CRA had the ability to alleviate traffic in the North Beach area. Ronnie Issenberg concurred and shared his concerns about traffic near Dickens and 71 Street, partly attributed to the number of schools in the vicinity. Chair Smith agreed that traffic and transportation planning is a suitable discussion topic for the Committee’s next meeting and asked Ms. Williams suggested inviting Transportation & Mobility Director Jose Gonzalez to the next meeting. Ms. Perez added that certain street rights-of-way require enhanced cleaning services, especially along Collins Avenue. Ronnie Issenberg agreed and added Ocean Terrance as needing attention. Manning Salazar mentioned there exists considerable refuse and debris in the vicinity of his home on Normandy Isle. Chair Smith cautioned that CRA funds should not be expended on services the City is responsible for performing and suggested that the public should submit photographs to the Sanitation Department to enable them to respond. Commissioner Steinberg informed the Committee that when she served on the Miami Beach City Commission, she put together a response team who canvassed areas to issue spot sanitation concerns, but this was only a pilot project on a temporary basis. As concerns traffic congestion and the signalization of traffic lights, Commissioner Steinberg has placed an agenda item for discussion by the County Commission on this matter. Chair Smith noted that CRA funds are set aside for enhanced code enforcement. Ms. Williams noted that the City Commission did approve an enhancement for sanitation services, particularly for North Beach, and she will follow up with Public Works Director Joe Gomez and Sanitation Division Director Bradford Kaine regarding this matter. At 5:37 p.m., David Sexton agreed with Mr. Salazar’s comment regarding the debris in the Normandy Isle area and requested that the Sanitation Department perform a small clean- up/ sweep prior to the Normandy Fountain Business Association’s events this upcoming weekend. He further extended the invitation to the Committee to attend his Grub Crawl event and Ms. Williams asked whether any Committee Members would wanted to volunteer to staff participate with staff at the CRA table at the Grub Crawl event. At 5:42 p.m., Chair Jose Smith asked Commissioner Steinberg her input regarding the Baylink Metro Mover proposal connecting Miami Beach and the mainland. Commissioner Steinberg replied that she is gathering information but feels that connectivity is important, and it could be a means to North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – February 14, 2023 Page 4 of 4 alleviate traffic. Chair Smith also added that he would place on an upcoming agenda a discussion on mitigating housing costs in North Beach. 9. Public Comment At 5:47 p.m., Richard Libutti, a new resident of Biscayne Point, mentioned he owns multiple properties and would like to become involved in the CRA. Chair Smith suggested Mr. Lubutti explore the list of City boards and committees on the City Clerk website and to continue attending the Advisory Committee monthly meetings. Chair Smith also suggested Mr. Libutti consider enrolling inthe the City’s Leadership Academy which is a program for residents. Vice Chair Perez added that a good way to get to know North Beach residents is by attending the Normandy Fountain events on Sundays. At 5:53 p.m., James Quinlan, Director of the Rhythm Foundation, who curates the Miami Beach Bandshell, shared that a Culture Crawl event is happening soon at the Bandshell. He would like to find a way to connect the Miami Beach Bandshell with the Normandy Fountain during Culture Crawl, perhaps using the event’s shuttle service. Ms. Williams offered to share the suggestion with the Transportation team and hopefully she can update the Committee at the next meeting. Chair Smith asked Mr. Quinlan about installation of a new canopy at the Miami Beach Bandshell and Mr. Quinlan explained that the G.O. Bond Program plans to expend funds for the Bandshell in various tranches and this canopy installation is in the works. Mr. Quinlan added that he would like to be considered for the agenda of the Committee’s next meeting to discuss the 2023 Seaside Summer Cultural Tourism Project and potential opportunity to collaborate with the CRA on marketing for the event. Ms. Williams noted that the City Commission approved an expansion of the Florida Fresh Market to now include 41st Street in Mid-Beach, Collins Park in South Beach, and the Normandy Fountain in North Beach. Ms. Williams will request that the Tourism and Culture Department address the Committee about implementation of the expansion. In addition, Ms. Williams shared that the due date for submittal of letters of interest pursuant to the Byron Carlyle RFLI has been extended to February 22, 2023. The Committee will receive an update once the letters of interest are received and reviewed. 10. Adjournment Motion to adjourn was made at 6:03 p.m. Next Meeting: Tuesday, March 21, 2023 – location to be determined North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – February 14, 2023 Page 5 of 4