Meeting MInutes April 18 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, April 18, 2023 – 4:30 pm
Virtual Meeting
Members in Attendance: Chair Jose Smith, Vice Chair Betsy Perez, Ronnie Issenberg,
Romina Orozco-Encio, Manning Salazar, and David Sexton
1. Welcome & Attendance
At 4:35 p.m., Chair Jose Smith opened the meeting and greeted the attendees.
At 4:36 p.m., Rickelle Williams, Committee Co-Liaison and Assistant City Manager, and Deputy
City Attorney Ric Dopico discussed the vacant committee seat created when former Committee
member John Bowes resigned following the March 21, 2023 meeting.
2. Approval of March 21, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Motion: to approve the Committee’s March 21, 2023, meeting minutes
Made by: Vice Chair Betsy Perez
Seconded by: David Sexton
Motion passed by acclamation.
Old Business
3. Legislative Update: Advisory Committee Ordinance
At 4:40 p.m., Ric Dopico, Deputy City Attorney, discussed the proposed ordinance amendment,
on the April 28, 2023 City Commission agenda (Item R5 O), to codify the Ad Hoc North Beach
Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Advisory Committee as a permanent City Commission
committee. As proposed, the Committee members would be appointed for a one-year term and
Chair Smith suggested that the member term be increased to a two (2) year term. Vice Chair
Betsy Perez concurred.
Motion: The Committee supports enacting an ordinance to establish the North Beach
CRA Advisory Committee on a permanent basis, with committee members
serving for a two-year term of office.
Made by: Betsy Perez
Seconded by: Jose Smith
Motion passed by acclamation.
North Beach CRA Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes – April 18, 2023
Page 2 of 4
Chair Smith also expressed an opinion that the ordinance should not limit the purview of the
Committee solely to high-level, “macro” issues. Deputy City Attorney Dopico noted that City
Attorney Rafael Paz held a similar opinion and the ordinance would not include language limiting
the scope of the Committee in such a manner. Chair Smith expressed gratitude.
4. Commercial Façade Improvement Program & Residential Property Improvement
Program
At 4:48 p.m., Rickelle Williams, Assistant City Manager, shared that the two proposed grant
incentive programs, the Commercial Façade Improvement Program and the Residential Property
Improvement Program, are on the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC)’s April
21, 2023 meeting agenda for consideration by the FERC. Ms. Williams detailed notable features
of the programs.
Committee member Ronnie Issenberg shared his professional opinion that, given the maximum
award available, the program requirements and application criteria should not be excessive,
otherwise property owners will be deterred from applying. Ms. Williams responded to additional
questions posed by the Committee, including Chair Smith’s question about the matching funds
requirement and Romina Orozco-Encio’s question about the reimbursement process. Vice Chair
Perez advocated for eventual expansion of the coverage area to additional portions of the CRA
Redevelopment Area following initial implementation of the Programs.
Motion: The Committee unanimously supports creation by the North Beach CRA of a
Commercial Façade Improvement Program and Residential Property
Improvement Program.
Made by: Manning Salazar
Seconded by: David Sexton
Motion passed by acclamation
New Business
5. Presentation by Friends of the Byron Carlyle
At 5:10 p.m., Committee member David Sexton and Mr. Roberto Espejo, senior project
coordinator at Ennead Architects LLP, presented a proposal for the Byron Carlyle on behalf of the
Friends of the Byron Carlyle, a group of arts providers familiar with North Beach. The presenters
presented slides depicting a conceptual proposal for a multidisciplinary artistic and cultural venue
that would include multipurpose space for activation as a cinema, theater, café, teaching space,
and event hall, among others. The Committee discussed the general need for accessible housing
for the local artist community and whether the planned Byron Carlyle redevelopment should
include a housing component specifically for the artist community.
Rickelle Williams advised that the Administration has been made aware of the Friends of the
Byron proposal and that the City is seeking a qualified consultant to assist with a planning strategy
that maximizes potential use of the Byron Carlyle.
6. Proposed North Beach Commercial Character Overlay
North Beach CRA Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes – April 18, 2023
Page 3 of 4
At 5:52 p.m., Rogelio Madan, Development & Resiliency Officer, informed the Committee about
proposed regulations of nuisance uses in North Beach. Ronnie Issenberg and Vice Chair Perez
shared support for the effort to shape the retail character of commercial areas. David Sexton
expressed concern for protecting existing business operators and Manning Salazar voiced
opposition to targeting certain operating businesses. Chair Smith suggested that the Committee
refrain from taking any formal position until after the Planning Board considers the draft ordinance,
anticipated to occur on May 23, 2023.
7. Proposed Relocation of FPL Transmission Lines
At 6:08 p.m., David Martinez, Committee Co-Liaison and Capital Improvements Projects Director,
addressed FP&L’s project to relocate facilities and equipment to accommodate City construction
of the 72nd Street Community Complex. The project, approved via City Commission Resolution
No. 2020-31255, was explained in detail recently in LTC 128-2022. Mr. Martinez responded to
questions posed by Chair Smith and Manning Salazar about the process of relocating FPL
infrastructure underground, which is not an element of the current relocation project.
8. Committee Member Comments
At 6:22 p.m., Vice Chair Betsy Perez expressed frustration with existing conditions at Ocean
Terrace and requested subsequent Committee discussion. Chair Smith requested that Ms.
Williams look into the Ocean Terrace redevelopment project as well as alleged public safety
concerns with the North Shore Publix Super Market, 6876 Collins Avenue.
Manning Salazar offered kind words for former Committee member John Bowes and expressed
disappointment that Mr. Bowes resigned from the Committee.
Romina Orozco-Encio enjoyed the Friends of the Byron Carlyle presentation and is excited for
progress in the site’s activation. Ronnie Issenberg concurred with satisfaction about progress in
the planning process for the Byron Carlyle.
Chair Smith shared that he is acquainted with property owners interested in the façade
improvement programs and encouraged the City to ramp up marketing efforts once the programs
are closer to approval and implementation.
Romina inquired whether the public has begun demonstrating interest in the North Beach CRA
District Office. Luis Wong, Economic Development Administrative Services Manager, responded
from the CRA District Office and confirmed that community members do walk-in to make inquiries
and obtain services in person.
9. Public Comments
No comments.
10. Adjournment
Motion was made and the meeting adjourned at 6:37 p.m.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 9, 2023 – https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85384824423