5- Meeting Minutes 10-26-23
General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee
City of Miami Beach
MEETING MINUTES No. 43
October 26, 2023
Members in Attendance Via Zoom:
Karen Rivo, Chair
Jack Glottmann, Vice-Chair
Scott Needelman
Jason Koslow
Adam Kravitz
Laura Veitia
Susan Askew Dennis Scholl
David Grieser
Michael DeFilippi
Absent:
Carolina Jones
Bruce Carter
Dana Martorella
Shari Gurkin
Staff and Guests Attendance:
Maria Hernandez, Liaison
Thais Vieira
David Martinez
Jason Greene
Alex Denis
Eric Carpenter
Brandi Reddick
Christina Ortega
Elizabeth Estevez
Elizabeth Miro
Eric Garcia
Giancarlo Pena
Frank Garcia
Jose Gonzalez
Justin Karr
Lindsey Precht
Lauren Firtel
Krystal Dobbins
Roland Aragunde
Jani Singer
David Phillips
Ian Rand
Jason Cummins
Michael Hughes
Sean Smith
Shelby Thomas
Jean Ortega
Ximena Caminos
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. 43
October 26, 2023
Page 2 of 8
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.)
0:00 Chair Karen Rivo reported that the G.O. Bond Oversight Committee was recognized at the
October 25th Commission Meeting Presentations and Awards.
1:00 Roll call was completed.
II. Committee Business
Adoption of Meeting Minutes from 9-21-23
2:55 Chair Karen Rivo asked for a motion to approve the September 21st meeting minutes.
Motion:
2:57 Jack Glottmann made a motion to approve the minutes as presented.
3:02 Jason Koslowe seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
November Meeting Cancellation
3:11 Chair Karen Rivo reported that the November G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting is
canceled.
Meetings in 2024
3:41 Chair Karen Rivo reported that these committee meetings will resume in person in 2024. All
members must be present. She and Maria Hernandez will begin to look at dates and times and
send meeting options to the committee members.
5:36 Nick Kallergis reported that the general rule under Florida law is that committees, such as
the G.O. Bond Oversight Committee, are required to meet in person. The in-person quorum
requirement was suspended by the governor, but the executive order has long since expired.
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
8:47 Maria Hernandez discussed the Items Related to G.O. Bond Program Projects, found on
pages 3-4 of the Agenda & Handouts Packet. There are two meetings in November to only certify
the election. This committee meets next on December 14th .
G.O. Bonds for Arts & Culture Update
IV. Arts & Culture Website/Dashboard Launch
11:52 Thais Vieira reported that the new dashboard for the G.O. Bond for Arts & Culture will go live
tomorrow, the 27th. She reviewed the dashboard.
G.O. Bond Oversight Committee
Meeting Minutes No. 43
October 26, 2023
Page 3 of 8
15:59 Dennis Scholl noted that the granularity of the website is amazing. No one can ever come back and
say they weren’t informed. He also praised the overall look of the dashboard.
16:46 Maria Hernandez explained that the reason why it hasn’t gone live yet is because Staff wants to
notify the City Commission through a Letter to Commission first.
18:10 Lauren Firtel reported that the Neighborhood Affairs Division can send out a general update email
that gets sent citywide to inform the public of the live dashboard.
Discussion continued.
V. Arts & Culture Update
(Refer to pages 5-11 of the Agenda & Handouts Packet on the G.O. Bond website.)
21:00 Maria Hernandez discussed the G.O. Bond for Arts & Culture Program update, found on
pages 5-11 of the Agenda Packet. On page 6, she stated that there are minor corrections she
wants to discuss. The grant agreement for Miami City Ballet is showing that the grant execution
is complete, but the final agreement hasn’t been signed by the City Manager yet, due to Staff
finding a few errors that are currently being corrected. (This grant agreement has subsequently
been fully executed) Staff has completed the Workforce Housing, Colony Theater, Miami Beach
Bandshell and New World Symphony grant agreements. The Holocaust Memorial grant
agreement is in process but almost done. (This grant agreement has subsequently been fully
executed) The Wolfsonian and the Jewish Museum of Florida are also currently in process. The
grant agreement for the Hispanic Community Center is currently in process between the City
Attorney’s Office and them. The City received the approvals from Miami-Dade County regarding
the Aquatic Sculpture Park. The City will now begin the grant process with them once the fully
executed agreement is received from the County. Staff has also completed the Miami Beach
Classical Music Festival agreement which is a loan agreement.
Explanation continued.
29:22 Maria Hernandez showed the Arts & Culture project status spreadsheet, found on pages
7-8 of the Agenda Packet. This sheet is similar to the sheet Staff presents for the 2018 G.O. Bond.
It lists all of the sub-projects and their status, as well as other important information.
31:24 Jack Glottmann asked if the loan for Miami Beach Classical Music Festival is forgivable.
31:38 Maria Hernandez explained that it is forgivable. The reason why it is a loan is because this
project isn’t limited to a facility like the other projects. This project is the purchasing of equipment
which will be traveling from place to place for events. The loan agreement provides certain rights
to the City over the equipment should there be a default in the future.
32:30 Jack Glottmann asked if the project is a grant, can it be assumed that the facility is going to
self-manage.
G.O. Bond Oversight Committee
Meeting Minutes No. 43
October 26, 2023
Page 4 of 8
32:43 Maria Hernandez confirmed that the facilities with grants self-manage their projects and
the Facilities Department oversees the reimbursement process.
Discussion continued.
Arts & Culture Projects Status & Next Steps – Byron Carlyle & Reefline
42:58 Elizabeth Miro reported that at the October 18th City Commission meeting, AMS Planning
and Research did provide a presentation to the Commission with an update on their findings.
As part of that discussion, the Commission directed the Administration to issue an RFP for design
consultants for the Byron Carlyle, to include a performing arts center and workforce housing
component. Staff is currently working with the Procurement Department and plan to bring this
item back to the City Commission in January.
43:52 Maria Hernandez reported that the grant agreement with Blue Lab Preservation Society
was approved by Miami-Dade County (the County) on October 11th and October 17th. All the
permits for the project for Phase 1 have been issued, but are under the County’s jurisdiction. The
County is allowing the City to act on their behalf and then the City is awarding a grant to the
nonprofit for them to execute the work. Staff is presenting a video from Blue Lab Preservation
Society.
Reefline Presentation
46:29 To watch the video, go to www.gombinfo.com. The information can be viewed under the
Meeting Records tab on either dashboard. Once you click Meeting Records, go to 2023 Meeting
Records and click October 26, 2023. The video is called Aquatic Sculpture Park (Reefline)
Presentation.
51:12 Ximena Caminos presented the summary of Phase 1 and 2, the budget and timeline of the
Reefline. Staff plans on deploying 22 cars in Phase 1a and deploying the rest of the structures in
Phase 1b. The first phase of the project starts north of 4th street and is about 600 feet offshore.
Presentation continued.
1:08:02 Chair Karen Rivo asked what the timeline of the project is.
1:08:03 Shelby Thomas responded that they are hoping to have everything complete by July
2024. The most important next step is receiving the grant funds to start construction to deploy
as early as May 2024.
1:09:28 Dennis Scholl asked if there is a communication strategy in the budget.
1:09:35 Ximena Caminos explained that since this project is being funded by a capital bond, they
could only include capital expenses. The Reefline team will be actively raising funds in order to
do a proper marketing campaign and spread awareness.
G.O. Bond Oversight Committee
Meeting Minutes No. 43
October 26, 2023
Page 5 of 8
1:11:07 Dave Grieser thanked Ximena Caminos and Shelby Thomas for the presentation. He
asked if there is going to be a vessel exclusion zone or fishing limitations during the execution of
this project.
1:12:06 Shelby Thomas explained that they are following local regulation and the VC's protocol
in terms of what fishery management and fishing restrictions are there. But in addition, Staff is
aiming to try to make this a Hope Spot, which will be a protected area.
1:14:04 Jack Glottmann thanked Ximena Caminos and Shelby Thomas for the presentation. He
asked if Phase 1 will be open to the public next summer when complete or is it still going to be
awhile before it's open.
1:14:06 Shelby Thomas said it will be open immediately to the public.
1:17:24 Maria Hernandez stated that there will be a presentation on November 14th to the
Marine and Waterways Protection Authority Committee, which is a resident led committee in
Miami Beach.
VI. Public Comment
1:18:14 Chair Karen Rivo asked if anyone from the public had any comments and/or questions.
No one spoke.
2018 Bonds
VII. Savings Transfer
(Refer to pages 12-14 of the Agenda & Handouts Packet on the G.O. Bond website.)
1:19:31 Thais Vieira reported that #19 Soundscape Storage has a total budget shortfall of
$127,000. There is a savings of $51,503 from #19 Soundscape 4K Technology and a savings of
$285,821 from #24 Middle Beach Beachwalk. The Administration recommends the transfer of
savings to #19 Soundscape Storage as follows: $51,503 from #19 Soundscape 4K Technology and
$75,497 from #24 Middle Beach Beachwalk.
Motion:
1:23:20 Jack Glottmann made a motion to approve the transfer of savings from GO #19
Soundscape 4K Technology and GO #24 Middle Beach Beachwalk to GO #19 Soundscape
Storage, totaling $127,000, to fund the budget shortfall.
1:23:24 Seconded by Susan Askew.
Motion passed 5-0.
VIII. Program General Status Update
(Refer to page 15-24 of the Agenda & Handout Packet on the G.O. Bond website.)
G.O. Bond Oversight Committee
Meeting Minutes No. 43
October 26, 2023
Page 6 of 8
1:23:46 Maria Hernandez discussed the Program General Status, found on pages 15-25 of the
agenda Packet. Currently, there are 11 complete projects and 31 active projects. $105 million of
the $157 million has either been spent or encumbered. There are 44 sub-projects complete, 12
in construction, 24 in design, and 3 in planning. Staff is projecting that $49.2 million worth of
projects will commence in 2024. Go to page 21 of the Agenda Packet to review the list of projects
estimated to commence in 2024.
IX. 2018 Bonds Projects Update
(Refer to pages 25-35 of the Agenda & Handouts Packet on the G.O. Bond website.)
#50, #56, & #57 Cameras
1:29:26 Chair Karen Rivo reported that one of the things she consistently hears in the candidate
forums is that the cameras have either not been purchased and/or are not being monitored.
1:29:57 Captain Eric Garcia explained that he believes that the perception is that these cameras
are to be monitored every day, which is impossible because the City has hundreds of cameras.
The purpose of these cameras is not for someone to be viewing all of the cameras every day. The
system is designed to provide the correct information to the people who need it at the moment.
These cameras are an important tool in investigative work for all departments.
Explanation continued.
1:37:30 Jack Glottmann asked if there are some cameras that get triggered when there is
movement at night.
1:38:11 Captain Eric Garcia explained that soon enough there will be a permanent Real Time
Crime Center in operation. Currently, there is no one working overnight to monitor the cameras.
Staff hopes to get there once the Real Time Crime Center is built.
1:42:04 Scott Needleman asked if these cameras were sold to the public in 2018 as being
monitored 24 hours.
1:42: Chair Karen Rivo suggested for Staff to go back and look how the cameras and the Real Time
Crime Center were originally described to the public.
#48 Police HQ Facility – Tranche 1
1:46:05 Frank Garcia reported that at the October 18th City Commission the RFQ for a
Construction Manager at Risk was approved. On a parallel path, a Job Order Authorization for
the Real Time Intelligence Center has been issued for Harbour Construction to execute the
project through the JOC, with project delivery anticipated in Fall 2024.
#1 72 St. Community Complex
1:48:20 David Martinez reported that the City has a fully executed contract with design firm
Wannamacher Jensen. Negotiations with the Construction Manager at Risk firm Kaufman Lynn
G.O. Bond Oversight Committee
Meeting Minutes No. 43
October 26, 2023
Page 7 of 8
Construction are wrapping up and a contract is expected to be executed by the end of October
2023.
#45 Fire Station #1
1:51:59 David Martinez reported that the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) was approved at
the September 13th City commission meeting. Staff is expecting to issue a Notice to Proceed for
the Rainbow Daycare scope of work at Flamingo Park in December.
1:53:40 Jack Glottmann asked where the funding for the construction of the temporary daycare
at Flamingo Park came from.
1:53:53 David Martinez explained that these funds were requested several years ago and are not
from the G.O. Bond.
#40 41st St Corridor Improvements
1:54:14 David Martinez reported that Staff met with FDOT to review the project design on
September 29th. FDOT provided comments on the design elements that the design firm must
address before receiving the 60% construction documents, which is expected in November. The
90% construction documents are expected in spring 2024.
#23 Pedestrian Bridge
1:55:29 David Martinez reported that Staff has been having bi-weekly meetings with the
developer’s team and the contractor in the last month. They have officially commenced their
final permitting process through FDOT. The goal is to break ground in the first quarter of 2024.
#43 Chase Ave/34 St Shared Use Path
1:57:06 David Martinez reminded the Committee Members that in May 2023, the Public Safety
and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee requested additional alternatives for the path to be
presented at the September 13th City Commission meeting. The item was deferred to the
December 13th City Commission meeting. Staff is recommending 3 options.
1:58:40 Jason Koslowe asked David Martinez which option is the preferred option.
1:58:58 David Martinez reported that Option #1 is the Administration’s preferred option, which
is a 10 foot path. Option #3 is the Administration’s second preferred option, which is a 10 foot
path that then narrows into an 8 foot path as it crosses the single family residential home on the
corner of Prairie Avenue and 34th.
2:01:44 Dave Grieser stated that Option #1 meets all of the safety standards that FDOT requires
to give this grant. It is frustrating that there are accusations that this project posses safety hazards
when the project is already permitted in regard to safety.
Discussion continued.
2:05:39 Chair Karen Rivo asked when the grant deadline is.
G.O. Bond Oversight Committee
Meeting Minutes No. 43
October 26, 2023
Page 8 of 8
2:05:42 David Martinez said that the deadline is June 30, 2024. FDOT has always been very
generous with all of our grants. Staff is hoping that FDOT extends the deadline, but we feel
comfortable that if we can get a decision soon and have a project, we should be ok with the
deadline.
#42 Bayshore South Traffic Calming
2:08:32 Jose Gonzalez reported that Staff is at the 90% design plans. These design plans will be
shared with Miami-Dade County for review and approval. Staff also anticipates going to the City
Commission in December with a resolution which requires a public hearing. This resolution is
needed in order to approve the traffic circle at Prairie Avenue and 34th Street, because the City
has 1 property owner that opposed the circle.
Discussion continued.
X. Public Comment
2:15:55 Chair Karen Rivo asked if anyone from the public had any comments and/or questions.
2:16:05 Sean Smith asked if there is a possibility for the softball fields at Flamingo Park to begin
construction in summer 2024.
2:16:48 David Martinez explained that Staff will certainly always try to move the project up, but
right now the schedule is showing construction for the fall. There is a chance it can move up,
but a lot of it depends on the bidding process.
XI. Adjournment
2:18:00 Meeting adjourned.