Meeting Minutes December 19 2023 1700 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139 www.miamibeachfl.gov/northbeachcra
MEETING MINUTES NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 Normandy Shores Golf Club, 2401 Biarritz Drive
Members in Attendance: Chair Jose Smith, Ronnie Issenberg, Romina Orozco-Encio,
Manning Salazar, Elizabeth Latone, and David Sexton
Members Absent: Vice Chair Betsy Perez
1. Welcome & Attendance At 4:46 p.m., Chair Jose Smith opened the meeting and greeted the attendees. Committee Business
2. Approval of November 14, 2023 Meeting Minutes Motion: to approve the meeting minutes from November 14, 2023.
Made by: David Sexton Seconded by: Elizabeth Latone Assistant City Manager Rickelle Williams took the opportunity to share that, since the Committee’s
previous meeting in November, the Miami Beach City Commission adopted its 2024 meeting
calendar, which presents no current conflicts with the Committee’s proposed 2024 meeting
schedule. Therefore, the 2024 Committee meeting dates discussed at the Committee’s November 14, 2023 meeting are confirmed (subject to any unforeseen changes at a later date).
Committee member David Sexton shared that Vice Chair Betsy Perez sent a message that she
would be unable to join today’s meeting.
Old Business
3. Update: Ocean Terrace Park and Streetscape Improvements Project
At 4:50 p.m., Chair Smith introduced Office of Capital Improvement Projects Director David Martinez and asked if he would provide an update on the private property component of the Ocean Terrace redevelopment project. Mr. Martinez responded that he would return with information to
North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – December 19, 2023
Page 2 of 4 share at the following Committee meeting. Mr. Martinez provided a brief update regarding
progress of the public property component, noting that the project is on track for anticipated substantial completion around December 2024. Chair Smith inquired about the location where construction is being staged and Mr. Martinez confirmed that all staging is contained within the
enclosed construction site. New Business
4. Proposed Development Project, 7410 Collins Avenue
At 4:52 p.m., Chair Smith began the developer presentation by inquiring about whether the
developer business entity, 7410, LLC, is validly registered to conduct business in the State of
Florida. Graham Penn, counsel for the developer, acknowledged that the limited liability company
is domiciled in New York and in the process of filing necessary paperwork. Mr. Penn introduced 7410, LLC principals Abraham Bergman and Charles Hoffman, and provided an overview of the project including necessary applications with the Historic Preservation Board and Planning Board, and a request to the City Commission for an air rights easement. Mr. Penn explained the project’s scope of work including renovation of a historic building with new construction of an 18-unit
residential tower and a parking garage with a bridge connection to 7401 Harding Avenue.
The Committee posed questions to Mr. Penn and architect J.J. Wood, of firm Urban Robot, as
both presenters shared details about the proposed design, programming, and requested
approvals. Committee member David Sexton questioned whether transient use is contemplated
for the residential component, Chair Smith asked about freight loading and service vehicle
operations, and Committee member Elizabeth Latone inquired about the satisfaction of required
off-street parking requirements and about short-term rentals. When Chair Smith asked if public
benefits had been discussed in exchange for the air rights easement, Deputy City Attorney Ric Dopico noted that the Public Works Department is preparing a cost estimate for underground utility improvements in the alley where the air rights easement would be located, if approved by
the City Commission. Chair Smith also introduced Ms. Beatriz Herman, a North Beach resident
and property owner, who encouraged the development team to conduct thorough neighborhood
outreach.
Motion: The Committee supports, in concept, the proposed mixed-use redevelopment
project at 7410 Collins Avenue, as presented at the Committee’s December 19,
2023 meeting. Although the conceptual plans presented did not provide the full
detail necessary to consider all of the proposed development’s potential impacts on quality of life, the Committee recognizes an important community benefit served by increasing the available housing and retail stock in North Beach.
Motion made by: David Sexton
Motion passed by acclamation (6 – 0)
North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – December 19, 2023
Page 3 of 4 5. Update: Commercial Façade Improvement Program
Committee member David Sexton asked for a brief update on façade program applicants. Luis Wong, Administrative Services Manager, shared that in addition to promoting the program to the community, staff is working with six (6) interested applicants who have not yet submitted all required supporting documentation for completion of the application process. Ms. Williams
expressed a goal to update the Committee about completed applications at an upcoming meeting.
She reminded the Committee that the Administration intends to advise the Committee about
completed applications under consideration where possible, however, the CRA Board will select
which applications are awarded. Committee member Romina Orozco-Encio added that she will
submit an application for her business pending the outcome of an advisory opinion from the
Miami-Dade County Commission on Ethics. Ricardo Dopico offered to assist regarding this matter.
7. Committee Member Comments
Elizabeth Latone shared that a new food and alcohol delivery company named Pink Dot recently began operation at 1001 Normandy Drive despite a prohibition on neighborhood fulfillment centers. Rickelle Williams offered to look into the matter with the Planning Department. David Sexton inquired into the status of efforts into the Normandy Fountain outdoor dining activation and Rickelle Williams explained that much of the legwork has been completed to research a potential activation. Next, the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee must provide further input and recommendation to the City Commission. Manning Salazar asked for information regarding the new tenant coming into the commercial unit on the southeast corner of Rue Vendome and 71st Street. Chair Smith noted that the property
belongs to his relative and he would seek information about tenant leasing for sharing with the Committee.
Chair Smith, Committee members, and Rickelle Williams discussed how the Committee could encourage the inclusion of workforce and affordable units in the 7410 Collins Avenue project discussed earlier in the meeting and other residential development projects.
8. Public Comment
Luis Wong polled the Committee members on their preferred date for the upcoming North Beach
walking tour with the Code Compliance Department and Miami Beach Police Department. Upon learning that a new police captain oversees the North Beach area, Chair Smith requested that the newly appointed North Beach police captain be invited to a subsequent Committee meeting.
Rickelle Williams provided an update on potential modifications to the member composition of the Committee under consideration that would, subject to identification of a Commission sponsor and
Commission approval, include the president of the Normandy Fountain Business Association.
Elizabeth Latone indicated that she may be appointed to another Commission committee and
asked whether the board composition could also be modified to enable her continued tenure on
the Committee. The Chair offered to discuss the matter further with Ms. Williams and Mr. Dopico.
North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – December 19, 2023
Page 4 of 4
9. Adjournment Motion was made and the meeting adjourned at 6:07 p.m.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 9, 2024 – Normandy Shores Golf Club