3- Meeting Minutes 9-21-23
General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee
City of Miami Beach
MEETING MINUTES No. 42
September 21, 2023
Members in Attendance Via Zoom:
Karen Rivo, Chair
Jack Glottmann, Vice-Chair
Scott Needelman
Jason Koslowe
Shari Gurkin
Dana Martorella
Adam Kravitz
Laura Veitia
Susan Askew
Dennis Scholl
Absent:
Carolina Jones
David Grieser
Bruce Carter
Michael DeFilippi
Staff and Guests Attendance:
Maria Hernandez, Liaison
Thais Vieira
David Martinez
Jason Greene
Alex Denis
Eric Carpenter
Ayanaa DaCosta-Earle
Ander Alvarez
Christina Ortega
Digna Abello
Elizabeth Estevez
Elizabeth Miro
Elizabeth Carrino
Eric Garcia
Giancarlo Pena
Frank Garcia
Jose Del Risco
Jose Gonzalez
Lindsey Precht
Luis Wong
Lauren Firtel
Kevin Pulido
Krystal Dobbins
Rickelle Williams
Roland Aragunde
Roy Brown
Omar Mendoza
Otniel Rodriguez
Tiffany Bain
Virgil Fernandez
Jani Singer
James Quinlan
Amy Rosenberg
Michael Rossi
David Phillips
Juan Jose Escalante
Jean Ortega
Susan Gladstone
Ximena Caminos
Natalie Burns
Meeting Start Time: 4:30 pm
General Notes: These meeting minutes are condensed and seek to capture the overall intent of discussions as
interpreted by the meeting coordinator. Each paragraph indicates the time on the audio recording where the
discussion commenced during the meeting. For more detail on the discussion, please refer to the audio recording
in its entirety. All current and past meeting materials including agendas, handouts, minutes, presentations, and audio
recordings are available by visiting: www.GOMBInfo.com/OversightCommittee/Meeting Records.
G.O. Bond Oversight Committee
Meeting Minutes No. 42
September 21, 2023
Page 2 of 7
I. Roll Call and Introductions
(Refer to the Meeting Audio Recording and page 1 of the Agenda & Handouts Packet on the G.O. Bond
Website.)
0:06 Chair Karen Rivo called the meeting to order. Roll call was completed.
2:43 Chair Karen Rivo welcomed new member Shari Gurkin, who will be representing the North
Beach area.
3:05 Shari Gurkin introduced herself.
II. Committee Business
Adoption of Meeting Minutes from 6-22-23
5:28 Chair Karen Rivo asked for a motion to approve the June 22nd meeting minutes.
Motion:
5:36 Dana Martorella made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Dennis Scholl
seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Community Outreach
(Refer to pages 3-4 of the Agenda & Handouts Packet on the G.O. Bond website.)
Upcoming and Recent Past Public Meetings
7:46 Kevin Pulido discussed the Items Related to G.O. Bond Program Projects, found on pages 3-
4 of the Agenda & Handouts Packet.
G.O. Bonds for Arts & Culture Update
IV. Arts & Culture Update
(Refer to pages 5-9 of the Agenda & Handouts Packet on the G.O. Bond website.)
Arts & Culture Projects Status & Next Steps
22:42 Maria Hernandez reported that at the July 26th Commission Meeting, the Amendment No.
1 to Grant Agreement Template for Funding Advances and the 8th Amendment to Capital Budget
for appropriation of Tranche 1 Funding were both approved. At the September 13th Commission
Meeting, the financial structure for the Miami Beach Classical Music Festival agreement was
approved. This agreement will be a loan agreement, instead of a grant. At the September 27th
Commission Meeting, there will be two items regarding agreements for the Aquatic Sculpture
Park (Reefline) project. The first item is a resolution approving an agreement with Miami-Dade
County for the installation of an artificial reef within previously permitted boundaries to which
the County is the permittee (C7A). The second item is a resolution authorizing the Administration
to enter into a Grant Agreement with BlueLab Preservation Society Inc. to fund the installation
of an artificial reef from a portion of the proceeds of the General Obligation Bond for Arts &
Culture (C7B). Also, Staff is working diligently to launch the G.O. Bond for Arts & Culture website.
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Meeting Minutes No. 42
September 21, 2023
Page 3 of 7
28:07 Maria Hernandez discussed the General Work Plan, found on page 9 of the Agenda &
Handouts Packet. This condensed chart lists every project, with the approved budget amount
and the overall project status of each.
30:05 Jason Koslowe asked how the bidding and permitting process will be for the projects that
are being funded by grants.
30:49 Maria Hernandez explained that the grant agreements allow a lot of independence to the
grant recipients. The grant recipients do not have to abide by the same procurement rules as the
City does. The grantees will have to prove that the funds are being used appropriately per the
terms of the Grant agreement. They also have the ability to ask for funds in advance, while
providing the appropriate backup.
Discussion continued.
V. Public Comment
40:23 Chair Karen Rivo asked if anyone from the public had any comments and/or questions.
40:35 David Phillips explained that before the referendum, a group of institutions created a
campaign called Yes2Arts. The institutions still meet from time to time to discuss issues amongst
themselves, such as grant agreements. With there being 4 seats changing after the November
election, the Yes2Arts members sent a survey to all 10 candidates. The survey is directly related
to their support towards the arts and culture community. There is also a public forum next
Tuesday, the 26th, at the World Center, where all 10 candidates have agreed to attend.
2018 Bonds
VI. Bond Interest/Capital Budget Amendments
(Refer to pages 10-15 of the Agenda & Handouts Packet on the G.O. Bond website.)
10:40 Jason Greene reported that the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Proposal for Fire
Station #1 came in at approximately $5M over the approved project budget. As the City’s CFO he
had the task to identify a funding source for this budget gap. He explained that when the Bonds
were originally issued back in 2019, those dollars were invested generating earned interest.
Interest rates were very low for a while however over the past year, interest rates have gone up
over 500 basis points, and the amount of accrued interest has become substantial. The total
earned interest as of 06/30/23 among the 3 bond categories (Public Safety, Infrastructure and
Parks) was $7.5M. Those dollars can only be utilized for those projects in those specific
categories. The total amount in earned interest in the Public Safety category was $1.75M, which
was used to partially fund the budget shortfall for Fire Station #1. The remaining $3.3M was
funded from the Capital Reserve fund (Fund 304), where $4.47M had been initially earmarked
for project #15 Par 3/Bayshore Park, which could now be funded by the accrued interest in the
Parks category. Approximately $1.3M in accrued interest remains available in the Infrastructure
category for future use.
G.O. Bond Oversight Committee
Meeting Minutes No. 42
September 21, 2023
Page 4 of 7
VII. Funding Swap – 41st Street/Ocean Drive Corridor
(Refer to page 16 of the Agenda & Handout Packet on the G.O. Bond website.)
46:23 Maria Hernandez recapped the funding protocols chart which was sent along with the
agenda package email. She explained that a funding swap is a temporary allocation of funds to
a project, whereas a transfer is a permanent allocation of funds. The Administration follows the
list of protocols regarding funding swaps and transfers when funding approvals are needed
required and a committee meeting isn’t scheduled in the allotted time. Ultimately, the
Commission approves the funding swaps and transfers.
Explanation continued.
51:11 Jack Glottmann asked if any of the protocols apply to the transfer of funds that Jason
Greene discussed earlier.
51:35 Maria Hernandez explained that if the Committee would have met in July, Staff would have
reported the accrued interest previously discussed by Jason Greene, and Staff would have
presented a recommendation to the Committee. Since there was no meeting in July, Staff took
the initiative and transferred the funds accordingly.
56:28 Thais Vieira discussed the funding swap memorandum regarding GO# 40 41st Street
Corridor and GO# 31 Ocean Drive Corridor, found on page 16 of the agenda & Handout Packet.
This temporary allocation of funds is between two infrastructure projects. The 41st Street
Corridor project is well under the design process and is approaching 60% of construction
documents. This project is in need of advanced funds, in the amount of $451,000, for services
required through April and May 2024. The Ocean Drive Corridor has a budget of $20,000,000,
with $2,000,000 previously allocated in Tranche 1 and the remainder in Tranche 2. The City has
recently issued a purchase order to the design firm for services required through 12/2024, and
issuance of tranche 2 for the Infrastructure Category is expected to occur prior to that. A
balance of $408,000 remains unencumbered in Tranche 1. On July 26, 2023, the City
Commission adopted the eighth amendment to the Capital Budget, which included the re-
alignment of $451,000 available from the Ocean Drive Corridor project to the 41st Street
Corridor project to allow the project to continue without delays. Per the Protocols rules, this
action was taken in between Oversight Committee meetings in order to keep the 41st Street
Corridor project moving forward without any delays.
Explanation continued.
VIII. Program General Status Update
(Refer to pages 17-26 of the Agenda & Handouts Packet on the G.O. Bond website.)
1:00:40 Maria Hernandez discussed the Program General status, found on pages 17-26 of the
Agenda & Handouts packet. She reported that 95% of all Tranche 1 projects are either complete
or in an active phase. There is a total of $98.9 M out of $151 M that has either been spent or
encumbered in Tranche 1. Currently, there are 12 subprojects under construction and 27 more
G.O. Bond Oversight Committee
Meeting Minutes No. 42
September 21, 2023
Page 5 of 7
subprojects in the planning and design phases. Staff is projecting that $37 M of construction will
commence in calendar year 2023. Staff is also projecting that $34.6 M of construction will
commence in calendar year 2024. Go to pages 22 and 23 to read which projects will be
commencing in each quarter.
Explanation continued.
IX. 2018 Bonds Projects Update
(Refer to pages 27-38 of the Agenda & Handouts Packet on the G.O. Bond website.)
#45 Fire Station #1
1:13:09 David Martinez reported that the City Commission approved the Capital Budget
Amendment and the award of construction services at the September 13th City Commission
meeting. The contractor will be commencing approximately in December at Flamingo Park. The
start of construction of the fire station is currently anticipated to start in summer 2024 due to
the timeframe required to relocate the Rainbow Daycare from the South Shore Community
Center.
1:17:00 Chief Fernandez thanked the Members for all of their support to keep the project moving
forward. He explained that the one constant in this whole situation is that the existing fire station
keeps deteriorating.
Discussion continued.
#1 72 St. Community Complex
1:23:00 David Martinez reported that the City has completed negotiations with Wannamacher
Jensen for Design Services. The agreement is currently being executed and the design phase is
expected to commence in October 2023. On June 28th, the City commission authorized the
Administration to enter into negotiations with Kaufman Lynn Construction for Preconstruction
Services. Contract negotiations are expected to be finalized in the next two weeks.
1:25:09 Laura Veitia asked when will design renderings be available to be presented to the
Committee.
1:25:28 David Martinez reported that once Staff receives a guaranteed cost estimate, the design
can be presented.
#15 Bayshore Park/Par 3
1:27:54 David Martinez thanked everyone who attended the Bayshore Park groundbreaking
ceremony on September 19th. In the next few days, a construction fence will go up and
construction will take place for the next two years. The first step is relocating many of the trees
on the property.
G.O. Bond Oversight Committee
Meeting Minutes No. 42
September 21, 2023
Page 6 of 7
#43 23 Street Streetscape Improvements
1:38:34 David Martinez reminded the Committee Members that this project previously went out
to bid and received two bidders which were determined nonresponsive and therefore could not
be used. Staff is currently pricing the project through the City’s job order contracting (JOC)
process in order to begin the contracting process. If the value of the project turns out to be over
$2 M, according to the City's policy, the proposals will be brought to the City Commission for an
award. If it is under $2 M, the award will be done administratively.
#43 Chase Ave/34 St Shared Use Path
1:42:06 David Martinez reported that the project was presented at the City Commission on
September 13th with several options provided per the request of the City Commission. Staff
recommended option #1 as the top recommendation and option #3 as their second
recommendation. They also recommended a hybrid version of both option #1 and #3. The
Commission asked Staff to come back to the October 18th City Commission meeting to discuss
the options further.
1:45:10 Jason Koslowe asked what the hybrid version entails. He stressed the importance of
moving the project forward with the safest option, but nevertheless, making sure the project
does not keep stalling.
1:46:50 David Martinez explained that all of the options Staff presented met all guidelines. The
only difference between option #1 and option #3 is that the path narrowed from 10 feet to 8
feet. The hybrid of option #3 is if the bicyclist is heading eastbound and they approach Prairie
Avenue, they would veer off onto 34th Street and join the pathway that a bicyclist would normally
take to navigate around the traffic circle.
#42 Bayshore South Traffic Calming
1:51:45 Otniel Rodriguez reported that the consultant is finalizing the 90% design plans and Staff
is expecting the plans by the end of September. Staff will then review and provide comments to
the consultant. Once the 90% design plans are submitted to Department of Transportation and
DERM, they will have approximately one month to provide comments that will be incorporated
into the revised 100% design plans. The final design plans are anticipated to be completed by the
end of 2023. This project was taken to the City Commission on September 13th as a resolution to
approve certain traffic calming devices that received opposition from directly affected residents;
Resolution No. 2023-32762 was approved (Item R7 F).
#48 Police HQ Facility – Tranche 1
1:55:40 Frank Garcia reported that the evaluation committee for the Construction Manager at
Risk firm solicitation met on September 19th to evaluate the sole proposer. The Procurement
Department will provide a recommendation to the City Commission on October 18th. On a
parallel track, Staff is vetting out a bid proposal received on September 5th through the JOC
process for the Real Time Crime Center.
G.O. Bond Oversight Committee
Meeting Minutes No. 42
September 21, 2023
Page 7 of 7
#46 Ocean Rescue NOBE Facility
1:58:27 David Martinez reported that this project relocates Ocean Rescue from their temporary
location to a permanent facility, where the current Miami-Dade County Beach Maintenance
operates, which is on 79th Street. In addition to constructing the Ocean Rescue Facility, there are
other components to the project, where the County will be cost sharing. The County will be
allocating their funds through their capital budget process. Staff is currently negotiating a
proposal with an A/E Consultant for a feasibility study and cost analysis, where the study is
estimated to be completed in 7-8 months.
#53 Convention Center Bollards, Soundscape Park Bollards, South Pointe Park Bollards
2:01:42 Omar Mendoza reported that the bollards at the Convention Center are still pending the
covers and are estimated to be delivered the first week of October. The retractable bollards for
Soundscape Park and South Pointe Park are also expected to be delivered the first week of
October. The permit from the Building Department has been approved for the installation of
gates at South Pointe Park.
#33 Tree Planting - Tranche 1
2:03:18 Ander Alvarez reported that Staff’s goal is to mitigate the intense temperatures across
the City by planting trees in areas that have higher heat levels. The next reforestation project will
be the Beachwalk, where approximately 600 trees will be planted along the 7 miles. Staff just
received notice that the City received a $1M grant from the United States Department of
Agriculture. Construction will also be commencing in the next few weeks at Biscayne Point, which
adds 47 trees to the area.
2:06:18 Jason Koslowe asked if the trees along the Beachwalk will be canopy trees or if there will
be a combination of palm trees and canopy trees.
2:06:40 Ander Alvarez explained that the Beachwalk will only be receiving canopy trees.
2:07:32 Shari Gurkin asked if the number of trees are based on the budget or available space in
the specific area.
2:07:42 Ander Alvarez explained that the number of trees is an estimation of how many trees fit
in the area.
Discussion continued.
X. Public Comment
2:10:00 Chair Karen Rivo asked if anyone from the public had any comments and/or questions.
No one spoke.
XI. Adjournment
2:11:05 Meeting adjourned.