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July 11 2023 Minutes 1700 Convention Center Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139 www.miamibeachfl.gov/northbeachcra MEETING MINUTES NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Tuesday, July 11, 2023 – 4:30 pm Virtual Meeting Members in Attendance: Chair Jose Smith, Vice Chair Betsy Perez, Ronnie Issenberg, Elizabeth Latone, Romina Orozco-Encio, Manning Salazar, and David Sexton 1. Welcome & Attendance At 4:32 p.m., Chair Jose Smith opened the meeting and greeted the attendees. 2. New Committee Member Introduction: Elizabeth Latone At 4:33 p.m., Chair Smith welcomed Elizabeth Latone to the Committee and expressed gratitude for her public service. Ms. Latone introduced herself by describing her professional background and community activism since relocating to North Beach in 2020. She expressed her passion for North Beach and a desire to see the area flourish and reach its full potential. Chair Smith commended Ms. Latone’s dedication to North Beach causes and thanked her for joining the Committee. 3. Summer Meeting Schedule At 4:36 p.m. the Committee approved, by acclamation, a motion to recess Committee meetings during the month of August 2023. 4. Approval of June 20, 2023 Meeting Minutes Motion: to approve the Committee’s June 20, 2023 meeting minutes. Made by: David Sexton Seconded by: Vice Chair Betsy Perez 5. Approval of Bi-Annual Report (January – June 2023) Motion: to approve the Bi-Annual Report for January – June 2023 Made by: David Sexton Seconded by: Romina Orozco-Encio North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – July 11, 2023 Page 2 of 5 Old Business 6. Legislative Update: Advisory Committee Ordinance At 4:39 p.m., Ric Dopico, Deputy City Attorney, updated attendees about the City Commission’s adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-4558 on June 28, 2023, which established the North Beach CRA Advisory Committee as a permanent commission committee in the City Code. Whereas the terms of ad hoc committees must be extended every 12 months, the Advisory Committee is codified to exist permanently unless repealed by ordinance. Mr. Dopico further explained a floor amendment incorporated by Commissioner Richardson, to allow City Commission waiver of the member residency requirement, upon 5/7ths vote, in special circumstances for exceptionally qualified candidates. Chair Smith took the opportunity to request more proactive engagement of County Commissioner Micky Steinberg in Committee affairs. He requested that Commissioner Steinberg receive courtesy invites to Committee meetings as standard practice. 7. Update: Byron Carlyle Cultural Center Project At 4:43 p.m., Elizabeth Miro, Interim Facilities & Fleet Management Department Director, offered a brief update on progress with the Byron Carlyle Project. She noted that the Administration previously solicited proposals from arts consultants to: 1) guide development of an overarching vision for the Byron Carlyle; 2) assist the Administration in identifying cultural and programmatic needs for the building and determining how the facility can be leveraged for multiple cultural purposes; and 3) help identify one or more cultural partners suited to address the needs of the cultural community. Ultimately, the City engaged AMS Planning and Research. The consultant’s scope of work includes interviewing Request for Letters of Interest (RFLI) respondents and engaging the public, to ensure that community goals for the building are kept at the forefront in choosing programming partners. Ms. Miro estimated that the consultant’s work will span no less than 120 to 150 days, first by conducting interviews that will inform the planning process, then using that knowledge to identify architectural design professionals. 8. Discussion FY 2024 Budget Allocations & Priorities At 4:49 p.m., Rickelle Williams, Assistant City Manager, updated the Committee on the preliminary list of the North Beach CRA's proposed budgetary priorities for Fiscal Year 2024. The Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser recently published tax values for the upcoming year and the North Beach CRA is in a favorable financial posture, as tax values within the Redevelopment Area appear to have risen by 9.2% over last year. This growth will allow for an increase in the CRA’s annual budget from $1 million to approximately $1.9 million. Ms. Williams clarified that precise figures will be confirmed once millage rates are established by the City Commission and Miami- Dade County. Ms. Williams reviewed the current FY 2023 Budget and a preliminary discussion of Fiscal Year 2024 Budget categories. Ms. Williams reminded the Committee of the mandatory ten percent (10%) earmarking of tax increment financing (TIF) revenue for housing initiatives, required by the Interlocal Agreement, North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – July 11, 2023 Page 3 of 5 which may be utilized for preservation, renovation, or construction of affordable and workforce housing. Committee discussion of budgetary matters ensued, including emphasis on setting aside funding for significant long-term projects that would yield substantial impact upon the area. Discussion continued about the City’s budget approval process and Ms. Williams shared that a proposed budget will be shared with the CRA Board in September. Once an annual budget is formally approved, funds typically become available in the CRA Trust Fund around October 1, the first day of the new fiscal year. Chair Smith requested to be updated by the CRA Board treasurer regarding precise timing of fund transfers and the anticipated timeframe for when funds will be available for use in various projects. Mr. Smith is eager to implement beautification initiatives and cautioned about the importance of prudent financial management with public monies. 9. Update: Park View Canal Water Quality Action Plan Lindsey Precht, Environment & Sustainability Department Assistant Director, provided a detailed update on the City’s comprehensive strategy towards water quality improvement within the vicinity of Parkview Island. She explained that the Parkview Canal suffers poor water quality due to a limited flow of fresh water from Biscayne Bay. The canal also suffers due to limited flushing and stormwater runoff from the 81 acre catchment area to the east of the canal. The City engaged a reputable water quality expert from the University of Miami to conduct a detailed study on the source of enteric oxide (fecal bacteria) in the canal, identifying the City’s gravity stormwater system as the predominant conveyor of bacteria into the canal. The City’s response includes broad cleanliness improvements, elevated levels of service by Sanitation, Code Compliance, and Homeless Outreach, and daily service details throughout the area. The City has secured funding for infrastructure improvements, stormwater retrofits, and dredging projects. Funding sources for the improvements and upgrades include an allocation by the City Commission, $4 million from the G.O. Bond Program, and $10 million in Resilient Florida state grants. Ms. Precht concluded the presentation by highlighting the importance of public awareness and emphasizing the City's commitment to improving water quality in the Parkview Canal. New Business 10. North Shore Park Youth Center & Programming At 5:28 p.m., Cindy Casanova, Parks & Recreation Department Assistant Director, presented about recreational programming in North Beach. She provided historical context on City recreational services in North Beach and described an array of activities for all age groups throughout the year at the North Shore Park Youth Center, located at 501 72nd Street. The multipurpose recreational facility serves as a community hub as it attracts residents of all ages and demographics, regardless of their ability to afford to participate. In fact, she noted that most youth participants in North Beach recreational activities receive financial assistance, and all senior programming is offered free of charge. The presentation was well received by the Committee, who expressed appreciation for the facility's positive impact on the community, specifically as a safe space for children and an activity center for our senior population. Manning Salazar noted that he was previously unaware of the abundant programming offered in North Beach and Ms. Casanova assured that her department employs robust marketing on social media and their website, MiamiBeachParks.com. Ms. Casanova briefly responded to Manning Salazar and David Sexton regarding maintenance of the pavilion facility in Bandshell Park and offered to follow up North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – July 11, 2023 Page 4 of 5 after looking into public safety concerns. Lastly, Ms. Casanova thanked the community for its support and invited the Committee to visit the Youth Center for a tour and to learn more about the facility's programs. 11. Outreach Strategy: Commercial Façade/ Residential Programs At 5:43 p.m., Luis Wong, Administrative Services Manager, provided an update on the Commercial Façade Improvement and Residential Property Improvement Programs approved by the CRA Board on June 28, 2023. He provided details about progress towards launching the programs, including efforts to educate the public, with assistance from the Marketing and Communications Department to create promotional collateral. Mr. Wong shared that the department is optimistic about the positive impact these programs will have on neighborhood appearance and staff is looking forward to a meeting the following week, organized by the Normandy Fountain Business Association, to talk about program guidelines and the application process. Committee member David Sexton noted that local businesses are showing keen interest in the program launch. Information about either program can be accessed via the Economic Development Department website, MBbiz.com. 12. Committee Member Comments At 5:46 p.m., Vice Chair Betsy Perez shared positive feedback about the successful Independence Day celebrations produced by the City, particularly North Beach’s impressive fireworks and drone display at the Miami Beach Bandshell event. New committee member Elizabeth Latone expressed excitement over current and upcoming improvement projects in North Beach, including the establishment of the Allison Park dog park, the Brittany Bay living shoreline project, and the upcoming 72nd Street Community Complex project. Committee member Ronnie Issenberg likewise praised the extent of progress in North Beach, with the estimated 9% increase in taxable values contributing funding for various projects in the area. David Sexton shared that discussions with the City are ongoing to strategize for better activation at the Normandy Fountain by restaurant operators situated at the plaza. The City is engaging with the Normandy Fountain Business Association to explore opportunities, and the preferred way to approach management and operation of new facilities in the plaza. 13. Public Comment David Martinez, Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Director, updated the Committee on progress towards breaking ground on the Ocean Terrace redevelopment project. He stated that final comments from the Building Department have been addressed and the developer is awaiting issuance of the building permit. Barring additional delay, Mr. Martinez anticipates construction to commence within the next 90 days. North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – July 11, 2023 Page 5 of 5 14. Adjournment Motion was made at 5:56 p.m. and the meeting adjourned. Next Meeting: Tuesday, September 12, 2023, In-person at 954 Normandy Drive