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Minutes - 3-12-24 1700 Convention Center Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139 www.miamibeachfl.gov/northbeachcra MEETING MINUTES NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Tuesday, March 12, 2024 Normandy Shores Golf Club 2401 Biarritz Drive Members in Attendance: Chair Jose Smith, Vice Chair Betsy Perez, Ronnie Issenberg, Romina Orozco-Encio, Tom Richerson, and Manning Salazar 1. Commencement & Attendance At 4:45 p.m., Chair Jose Smith opened the meeting and greeted attendees. Committee Business 2. Introduction to Committee Member Tom Richerson Chair Smith welcomed new Committee member Tom Richerson and invited him to introduce himself to the Committee. Mr. Richerson highlighted his involvement in North Beach community affairs, including working with former Committee member Elizabeth Latone to establish the Allison Park Neighborhood Association. Mr. Richerson expressed having interest in the Committee since its creation. With the recent opening of an at-large seat, he joins the Committee with enthusiasm for collaboration with the other members. 3. Approval of February 13, 2024 Meeting Minutes Chair Smith noted a scrivener’s error on page 3 regarding the name of the developer on the Ocean Terrace Streetscape Improvement Project. Motion: to approve the Committee’s February 13, 2024, meeting minutes, once the above-mentioned edit is incorporated. Motion passed by acclamation. 4. Legislative Update: Committee Composition Ordinance Chair Smith introduced the pending ordinance amendment to City Code Chapter 2, Article III, Division 33, entitled “North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee”. Ric Dopico, Deputy City Attorney, explained that the proposed amendment, item R5 N on the City Commission’s March 13, 2024 agenda, had been deferred at the February 21, 2024 Commission Meeting. The proposed amendment would add a seat on the Committee for a representative designated by the Normandy Fountain Business Association (NFBA). North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – March 12, 2024 Page 2 of 5 (Update: on March 13, 2024, item R5 N was unanimously adopted on first reading. Second reading is anticipated for April 3, 2024). Committee member Tom Richerson sought clarification whether the new position for the NFBA designee would create an additional seat on top of the current seat count, or instead, replace a departed Committee member without changing the total number of members. Rickelle Williams, Assistant City Manager, clarified that the NFBA designee would be an additional, non-voting, ex- officio member of the Committee. Ms. Williams specified the current composition of the Committee consists of four (4) resident positions, one (1) attorney position, one (1) real estate position, and one (1) business position, with one (1) current vacancy in a resident position. Old Business 5. Commercial Façade Improvement Program Applicant: Bob’s Your Uncle, 928 71st Street Luis Wong, Administrative Services Manager, Economic Development, updated about the Commercial Façade Improvement Program, sharing that the North Beach CRA Board will review and consider the first complete application on March 13, 2024. He introduced Ms. Danielle Savin, co-owner of applicant Lolarossa, Inc. d/b/a Bob's Your Uncle, located at 928 71st Street. Ms. Savin described the proposed enhancements to be funded via the program, including awning installation, lighting upgrades, and pressure cleaning and painting of the storefront. Ms. Savin shared a few words about her late business partner, Mr. Steve Scott, who played an important role in establishing Bob’s Your Uncle in Miami Beach. Committee member Ronnie Issenberg suggested, with unanimous agreement from the Committee, to incorporate onsite signage with CRA branding, which indicates that improvements were made in conjunction with the façade program. This would showcase the program and encourage other business owners to participate. Ms. Savin agreed with the suggestion and also offered to utilize the business’ social media to publicize the program. Motion: The Committee reviewed the application and recommends that the Chairperson and Board of Directors of the North Beach CRA authorize the Executive Director to execute an agreement with Lolarossa, Inc. d/b/a Bob’s Your Uncle, for participation in the Commercial Façade Improvement Program. Motion made by: Betsy Perez Seconded by: Tom Richerson Motion passed by acclamation (6–0) Assistant City Manager Williams provided a brief overview of the grant process. Mr. Issenberg hopes that the program will contribute to aesthetic cohesion and compatibility among the neighborhood’s storefronts. Ms. Williams noted that individual businesses are encouraged to incorporate neighborhood-appropriate design of their choosing and all work must under regulatory review and approval. (Update: on March 13, 2024, the North Beach CRA Board unanimously adopted NBCRA Resolution No. 015-2024, authoring an agreement with Lolarossa, Inc. d/b/a Bob’s Your Uncle, as the first award recipient in the Commercial Façade Improvement Program.) North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – March 12, 2024 Page 3 of 5 6. Update: Ocean Terrace Project – Development Agreements Terms Deputy City Attorney Dopico provided information requested by the Committee regarding developer milestones and obligations in the Ocean Terrace Development Agreement (the “D.A”). He shared that the developer, Ocean Terrace Holdings, must complete the private component within eight (8) years from the effective date of the D.A., with an automatic two-year extension if the public park component is completed. David Martinez, Capital Improvement Projects Director, confirmed that the public park project is approximately 40% completed today. The Deputy City Attorney further explained that, barring force majeure events, the developer must complete construction of the project by 2029, but there are no deadlines for permit application submittal. Tom Richerson inquired about the impact of COVID-19 and potential extensions for project milestones. (Later in the meeting, Deputy City Attorney Dopico clarified that the D.A. waives COVID-related force majeure events for both the private and public project components.) Chair Smith and Tom Richerson commented how the area’s retail storefronts are impacted by the Ocean Terrace development project and that measures should be explored to stimulate economic activity and mitigate stagnation. 7. Update: Byron Carlyle Theater Redevelopment Planning Elizabeth Miro, Facilities and Fleet Management Interim Director, introduced Daniel Alzuri, Facilities and Fleet Management Assistant Director, who provided an update on the Byron Carlyle. Mr. Alzuri shared that the City anticipates receipt soon of a draft report from AMS Planning & Research, which is intended to assist the City define a vision for the Byron Carlyle Theater with partner cultural arts organizations. In addition, a request for proposals (RFP), to explore potential development options, such as a community center and arts-focused workforce housing, is anticipated for release in the coming months. Mr. Alzuri discussed potential funding sources for the redevelopment project, including $30.5 million from the Arts and Culture G.O. Bond. Assistant City Manager Williams noted that multiple financing and programming options must be weighed, which could introduce different programming and/or public and private partners at the facility. Mr. Alzuri highlighted the need to explore all possible scenarios and funding sources to ensure alignment between project planning efforts and the City’s long-term goals. The Committee raised parking considerations and Mr. Alzuri, citing past firsthand experience on cultural arts center projects, acknowledged the importance of addressing parking needs early in the planning process. Tom Richerson suggested exploring partnerships with nearby private parking facilities. North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – March 12, 2024 Page 4 of 5 New Business 8. Code Compliance Update Tom Curitore, Code Compliance Assistance Director, provided an update on department activities in North Beach. He introduced Mr. Jorge Hernandez, the department’s community outreach liaison who is assigned to address North Beach neighborhood concerns. Mr. Curitore noted that North Beach CRA funding has helped make possible the assignment of two (2) Code Compliance officers to North Beach, twice a week for a total of 20 hours. Chair Smith offered insight gained from his experience as a special magistrate and suggested enhanced training opportunities for enforcement officers. Mr. Curitore shared that the department recently hired nine (9) new officers. Recruitment includes mandatory participation in the department’s “Code Academy” and focused on-the-job training. Emphasizing a commitment to strengthen enforcement and improve community outreach, Mr. Curitore said efforts will be focused on enforcement of sanitation and quality of life-related violations, as requested by the Committee. 9. Committee Member Comments Tom Richerson inquired about the CRA’s current budget breakdown and future projections. Ms. Williams then provided an overview of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. Budget expenditures have been conservative, mainly focusing on public safety enhancements, including police services, code enforcement, and sanitation services. Discussion briefly turned to the 72 & Park mixed-use residential development and whether it would have impact on the next year’s tax roll. Ms. Williams noted that the building has not yet received its Certificate of Occupancy (CO). Committee member Romina Orozco-Encio inquired about her ethics inquiry into potential participation in the Façade Improvement Program. Mr. Dopico clarified that, despite seeking input from the Miami Dade Ethics Commission, a prior legal opinion shared by the Ethics Commission did not resolve the matter. Chair Smith suggested that the City Attorney’s Office reach out to Jean Olin, a relevant legal authority on ethics matters. Manning Salazar inquired about the frequency of police data reports on criminal activity. Rickelle Williams confirmed that MBPD provides quarterly reports to the CRA, with the next data set anticipated in April 2024, for the period covering January, February, and March 2024. Ronnie Issenberg shared concerns with the cleanliness of sidewalks along 71st Street and Collins Avenue. He feels that a more proactive approach, with more frequent maintenance and sanitation services of heavily trafficked areas such as 71st Street, is needed. Tom Richerson raised concern about maintenance services at Allison Park, noting that the park, in general, appears poorly maintained. He emphasized the need for a centralized approach to park maintenance to ensure effective and comprehensive cleaning. Assistant City Manager Williams suggested the Committee consider inviting the Sanitation Division Director to a future meeting to provide insights into scheduling and maintenance procedures. North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – March 12, 2024 Page 5 of 5 10. Public Comments Laurie Swedroe, a North Beach property owner whose family has resided in Miami Beach for generations, expressed interest in participating in the North Beach planning process. Over 30 years ago, Laurie and her father participated in City-sponsored planning efforts for North Beach and the West Lots. Ms. Swedroe is interested in the future of the West Lots and Altos del Mar and looks forward to playing an active role in what’s to come. 10. Adjournment Motion was made and the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 – Normandy Shores Golf Club, 2401 Biarritz Drive