3- Meeting Minutes 3-07-24
General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee
City of Miami Beach
MEETING MINUTES No. 46
March 7, 2024
Members Present:
Karen Rivo, Chair
Jack Glottmann, Vice-Chair
Laura Veitia
Jason Koslowe
Dana Martorella
Shari Gurkin
Dennis Scholl
Non-Voting Members Present:
Isaiah Mosely
Adam Kravitz
Donald Goldberg
David Sexton
Absent:
David Grieser
Staff and Guests Present:
Maria Hernandez, Liaison
Thais Vieira
David Martinez
Eric Carpenter
Allison Novack
Cristina Ortega
Colette Satchell
Digna Abello
Daniel Alzuri
Elizabeth Estevez
Elizabeth Miro
Giancarlo Pena
Frank Garcia
Jason Greene
Jose Gonzalez
Joe Gomez
Lindsey Precht
Lauren Firtel
Krystal Dobbins
Jani Singer
Justin Karr
Virgil Fernandez
Otniel Rodriguez
Matthew LePera
Tiffany Bain
Pilar Caurin
Roland Aragunde
David Phillips
Casey Steadman
Susan Askew
Ainsworth Geddes
Natalie Burns
Sharon Horowitz
Scott Needelman
Brandi Reddick
Donald Wort
Meeting Start Time: 4:00 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. 46
March 7, 2024
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.)
0:35 Chair Karen Rivo called the meeting to order. Roll call was completed.
II. Committee Business
Adoption of Meeting Minutes from February 8, 2024
4:54 Chair Karen Rivo asked for a motion to approve the February 8th meeting minutes.
Motion:
5:00 Jack Glottmann made a motion to approve the minutes as presented.
5:05 Laura Veitia seconded the motion. Motion passed.
2022 G.O. Bonds for Arts & Culture
III. Arts & Culture Program General Status Update
(Refer to pages 2-7 of the Agenda & Handouts Packet on the G.O. Bond website.)
5:50 Maria Hernandez reported that 18 of the 20 Tranche 1 projects are in an active phase.
Currently, $5.2 M out of $101.7 M has been spent or encumbered. There is a total of 46
subprojects, where 39 are in an active phase and 1 is complete. The grant agreement for the
Miami Beach Hispanic Community Center was fully executed. The grant agreement for the
Aquatic Sculpture Park is the only pending grant. The City recently received approvals from
DERM. Staff is now waiting to receive the signed agreement from Miami-Dade County.
IV. 2022 Bonds Projects Update
(Refer to pages 8-15 of the Agenda & Handouts Packet on the G.O. Bond website.)
Byron Carlyle Theater
16:14 Maria Hernandez reported that there is an item at the March 13th City Commission Meeting
regarding this project being referred to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee to
discuss programming and financial models (Item C4 D).
16:58 Daniel Alzuri reported that the City received the draft report from AMS Consulting on
February 16th. Staff will meet internally in the upcoming week to discuss report and the next
steps.
19:35 Laura Veitia asked if there is any consideration in adding workforce and/or artforce
housing.
19:43 Daniel Alzuri explained that Staff is considering adding a housing component to the project.
Discussion continued.
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Meeting Minutes No. 46
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Bass Museum Multipurpose Addition
23:50 Daniel Alzuri reported that the City has been working with the Bass Museum in assessing
all the project components and their timelines. Staff met with the bidding vendors today on-site
regarding the tranquility fountain. The fire alarm replacement is in the final stages of drawings
and the project should be moving to the permitting phase by the end of March.
27:37 David Martinez reported that, regarding the multipurpose addition, Zyscovich Architects
will develop a proper basis of design, properly define the scope of work, and create a high-level
cost estimate. During the completion of this process, Staff will begin the Request for
Qualifications package for the actual design consultant.
Discussion continued.
Miami Beach Botanical Garden
30:32 David Martinez reported that the City received a proposal from Shulman & Associates for
a conceptual design on February 22nd and is currently under review.
Collins Park Rotunda
32:09 David Martinez reported that this project will break ground this month. The scope includes
high end finishes, audio and visual materials, and a vestibule with restrooms will be added.
Fillmore (Jackie Gleason)
34:32 Maria Hernandez reported that at the January 31st City Commission meeting, a referral to
the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee was approved.
WF Housing (Collins Park)
36:13 Justin Karr reported that the construction is approximately 40% complete. The project is
on target for completion in April 2025.
Aquatic Sculpture Park – Phase 1
38:26 Maria Hernandez reported that the completion of the agreement between the City and
Miami-Dade County is pending but should be finalized very soon.
Collins Park Cultural Center
40:54 David Martinez reported that the City has commenced conversations with Miami New
Drama. The City is in the process of issuing an amendment to the lease agreement. A follow up
meeting in March is needed to define and agree on the required changes to the lease agreement.
V. Public Comment
43:46 Chair Karen Rivo asked if anyone from the public would like to speak.
44:20 Natalie Burns from the Fillmore asked Maria Hernandez to confirm when the Fillmore item
will be heard at the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee meeting.
44:43 Maria Hernandez answered that once the agenda publishes, she will check but that she is
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almost certain it will be heard at the March 22nd meeting.
45:12 David Phillips thanked Staff for processing the reimbursements in a timely manner and for
working very hard.
2018 G.O. Bonds
VI. Program General Status Update
(Refer to pages 16-25 of the Agenda & Handouts Packet on the G.O. Bond website.)
47:10 Maria Hernandez reported that 98% of all Tranche 1 projects are either complete or active
Out of the 57 projects, 11 projects have been completed, and 32 are active. Out of the $157M
that has been allocated in tranche 1, $73M has been spent, and $43M is currently encumbered.
There are 46 completed sub-projects, 10 under construction, 25 in design, 4 in planning phase
and 4 in a pending status.
50:39 Isaiah Mosely asked if Skate Park is one of the pending projects.
50:49 Maria Hernandez answered it is not prioritized right now. The Parks Department has a lot
of other projects that they need to complete, and because a skate park already exists, they
determined other projects needed to be prioritized.
51:10 Karen Rivo asked how much money was allocated to Skate Park.
51:13 Maria Hernandez answered $750,000. There was also a grant for approximately $200,000.
51:45 Karen Rivo stated it is not a big project, but it would be a really nice project.
51:54 Isaiah Mosely reported he has been getting a lot of questions about this project.
52:00 Donald Goldberg reported the Parks Board met recently, and there are a lot of great
projects coming up. They are prioritizing other projects such as the Scott Rakow Facility.
52:35 Maria Hernandez reported the Parks Department is also working on the artistic
playgrounds at North Shore Park, South Pointe Park and La Gorce. There are several more coming
up in the future.
53:22 Maria Hernandez, referring to page 20 of the Agenda & Handouts Packet, reported staff is
anticipating construction commencements in 2024 to total $47.4M (the list of projects is
provided).
56:00 Maria Hernandez also reported that a total of $3.7M has been saved to date, of which
$2.4M has been transferred to Maurice Gibb Park and Police HQ Facility, and $1.3M remains
available. Staff is currently evaluating the allocation of a portion of the remaining savings in the
Parks Category to Maurice Gibb Park, which requires additional funds due to some unforeseen
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conditions. This will be brought back to the GOB Committee at a future meeting. The savings
breakdown by project can be found on page 22 of the Agenda & Handouts Packet.
VII. 2018 Bond Projects Update
(Refer to pages 26-33 of the Agenda & Handouts Packet on the G.O. Bond website.)
#45 Fire Station #1
(This item has been subsequently placed on the Commission Agenda for April 3).
1:06 David Martinez reported that at the last Commission meeting staff was directed to evaluate
additional sites, and report back to the Commission at the May meeting since June/July is when
demolition of the South Shore Community Center was previously scheduled for demolition.
Explanation regarding unique site requirements was provided.
1:12:38 Jack Glottmann asked how wide the site must be to accommodate the ramps for the
trucks.
1:12:49 David Martinez answered that the footprint of the building is roughly 100ft x 100ft. The
ramps, depending on how high you need to go and where the site is, somewhere in the 60ft-80ft
range for each ramp.
1:13:53 David Martinez reported staff was asked to look at the Flamingo Park football field area,
between Alton Rd and the football field track. Evaluation is currently underway by the Consultant.
If the track is sufficiently impacted it could trigger a complete site development: track, field,
bleachers, potentially lighting.
1:15:23 Donald Goldberg asked what the threshold before the whole site is impacted.
1:15:33 David Martinez answered that is currently being evaluated. There is a possibility the track
could be reduced while still meeting High School standards.
1:16:00 Dana Martorella asked where the entrance/egress would be located.
1:16:01 David Martinez answered 11th and 12th Street.
1:17:11 Karen Rivo asked how long it will take to analyze the feasibility of the Flamingo Park field
site.
1:17:27 David Martinez answered that right now staff is trying to uncover the obvious things prior
to the May Commission meeting such as the size of the track, whether it would need to be shifted
to the east. If there is no way to fit the Fire Station building on the site without shifting the field,
staff will determine what the potential cost and timeframe is.
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1:20:10 Karen Rivo asked if the Parks Board has discussed this topic. Donald Goldberg answered
that the Board made a motion against this proposal.
1:21:45 Jason Koslowe asked who owns the site.
1:21:47 David Martinez reported that constructing anything that is not considered a park use
within parks that are greater than 10 acres, triggers a County wide referendum. This proposal
appears to trigger that.
1:22:50 Karen Rivo asked what other sites are also being looked at.
1:23:00 David Martinez provided a summary of all the other sites that were evaluated.
1:26:45 Karen Rivo expressed concern about the amount of money that is being spent to continue
to rehash something that was ready to go. She reported that this Committee has made numerous
motions expressing the desire to move forward.
1:27:16 Donald Goldberg asked if delaying this project would have an effect on the safety or the
residents.
1:27:27 Karen Rivo advised that there is an item on the Commission agenda to stop the project
from going forward as currently planned.
1:28:00 Donald Goldberg asked about the prior efforts to designate the site historic.
1:29:00 Linsey Lovell, who currently sits on the Historic Preservation Board, reported that a while
back there was a proposal to designate the South Shore Community Center as a contributing
structure, but the Board deemed it non-contributing.
#23 Pedestrian Bridge
1:30:13 David Martinez reported that in February the developer submitted the final package to
FDOT, and review is underway. Permitting process with the City is also in progress on a parallel
path. Plans will be submitted back to the Building Department tomorrow. The developer has
committed to starting construction within 30-45 days from the date all required permits are
issued. Eric Carpenter advised that this is one of the first pedestrian bridge projects since the FIU
bridge collapse so there is a lot more scrutiny from FDOT on the design documents and
engineering calculations.
#23 Bay Garden Manor Link, Bayview Terrace Link & South Bay Club Link
1:35:40 David Martinez explained that these are three of the missing links of the Baywalk. These
will be built over water so require extensive permitting. Phase 1 feasibility, which included
meetings with regulatory agencies and surveying, has been completed. The City has entered the
next phase with a consultant to begin pre-design work and develop final agreements and
easements that must be executed between the private properties and the City. Staff will be
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requesting authorization from the City Commission to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
for a designer sometime this Spring.
#42 Bayshore South Traffic Calming
1:38:51 Jose Gonzalez reported that 100% design completion is expected by the end of the
month. Drawings will be submitted to the County for permitting. Once permits are issued, the
project will transition to the Office of Capital Improvements which will oversee the construction.
1:40:10 Jason Koslow asked if there has been any coordination between this project and the park
project.
1:40:34 Jose Gonzalez answered yes. There is a traffic calming device at the entrance to the park
which has been coordinated with the park project.
1:41:25 David Martinez confirmed that they are coordinating the work between both projects.
#55 Street Lighting
1:42:22 Cristina Ortega reported the design is approaching 100% completion. A presentation was
given to the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association meeting earlier this week. They were
advised about the survey that was just released for feedback on light color temperature. Refer
to page 33 of the agenda package for the map showing proposed areas of work. Pink areas
represent phase 1C which is what will be addressed with tranche 1 funding. Existing lights will be
retrofitted with LED & smart technology. Bidding process will begin within approximately a
month once the design is finalized.
VIII. Tranche 2 Issuance
(Refer to page 34 of the Agenda & Handouts Packet on the G.O. Bond website.)
1:44:25 Jason Greene reported that he has been advised by Maria Hernandez and her team that
the Infrastructure Category is almost out of funds from an appropriation perspective. It had been
previously anticipated that Tranche 2 in the Infrastructure Category would be approximately
$90M, for a very specific list of projects. Maria and her team will need re-evaluate that list, which
will then be reviewed by the GO Bond Oversight Committee (GOBOC) and ultimately by the City
Commission. The intent is to request from the City Commission an authorization to declare an
“Intent to Issue”, within the IRS specified timeframe of approximately 18 months. In the
meantime, City’s reserve funds would be utilized to keep these projects going. Reserves will be
reimbursed once Tranche 2 bonds are issued, therefore saving on interest costs. Jason Greene
added that at the next Commission meeting there will be a referral to the Finance and Economic
Resiliency Committee (FERC). Maria Hernandez added that the GOBOC will have an opportunity
to vet the proposed list of projects and make a recommendation to FERC.
1:49:30 Jack Glottmann asked how long it takes to issue bonds.
1:49:37 Jason Greene answered approximately 3-4 months.
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IX. Grants – Updated Document
(Refer to pages 35 and 36 of the Agenda & Handouts Packet on the G.O. Bond website.)
1:51:24 Krystal Dobbins reported that at the last meeting the Committee requested an
“Expiration Date” column to be added to the Grant Awards Chart, which has now been provided.
Staff has also included a list of grants that are currently being applied for.
X. Community Outreach
(Refer to pages 37 and 38 of the Agenda & Handouts Packet on the G.O. Bond website.)
Upcoming and Recent Past Public Meetings
1:52:27 Kevin Pulido discussed the Items Related to G.O. Bond Program Projects, found on pages
37 and 38 of the Agenda and Handouts Packet. He explained that each item is hyperlinked, and
the actions are noted in red.
1:56:14 Maria Hernandez added that there is one additional item that did not make it to the list
- the Normandy Isle Traffic Calming Community Virtual Meeting – which took place yesterday.
1:56:44 Kevin Pulido reported that the meeting was recorded, so that it could be sent out to
those that could not participate. He will make sure the recording is shared with the Committee.
1:57:22 Laura Veitia reported that most of the feedback provided during the meeting was
regarding the removal of approximately 69 parking spaces, mostly within the historic district.
1:58:40 David Sexton reported he lives on Marseille Drive and agreed it would be really
challenging to lose parking spots on that street.
XI. Public Comment
1:58:50 Chair Karen Rivo asked if anyone from the public would like to speak. No one from the
public requested to speak.
XII. Adjournment
1:59:50 Meeting adjourned.