CRA Resolution 017-2024 RESOLUTION NO. 017-2024 •
A RESOLUTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON AND BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF THE NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, WAIVING, PURSUANT TO §112.313(12)
OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES, BY 6/8TH OF THE VOTE, ANY
POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST, AND AUTHORIZING NORTH
BEACH CRA ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER ROMINA OROZCO-
ENCIO (OROZCO-ENCIO) TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION ON BEHALF
OF ABBOTT FLORIST, LLC ("ABBOTT") FOR THE PROPERTY AT
1008 71ST STREET FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMERCIAL
FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, PROVIDED THAT OROZCO-
ENCIO SHALL RECUSE HERSELF FROM VOTING ON ANY MATTER
RELATING TO THE GRANT APPLICATION AND, IF ABBOTT'S
APPLICATION IS ACCEPTED, ON ANY MATTER PERTAINING TO
THE ADMINISTATION OF THE GRANT TO ABBOTT.
WHEREAS, the North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)
Redevelopment Plan, adopted pursuant to North Beach CRA Resolution No. 003-2021
and City of Miami Beach Resolution No. 2021-31709, encourages the funding of
improvements and beautification projects in the public realm, because an attractive
streetscape contributes to a walkable community, improves resident and visitor quality
of life, and benefits businesses by increasing foot traffic; and
WHEREAS, on April 12, 2022, the Ad Hoc North Beach CRA Advisory
Committee unanimously passed a motion to recommend that the CRA explore an
architectural design or façade improvement program for the Normandy Fountain / Place
Vendome business district; and
WHEREAS, on December 14, 2022, the CRA referred to the Finance and
Economic Resiliency Committee a discussion of the Commercial Façade Improvement
Program (the "Program"); and
WHEREAS, on May 24, 2023, the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee
recommended approval of the Program; and
WHEREAS, on June 28, 2023, via North Beach CRA Resolution No. 009-2023,
the CRA Board of Directors approved the Program to enhance and improve the existing
building stock in the vicinity of Normandy Fountain/Rue Vendome Plaza, by helping
subsidize private property beautification, maintenance, and resiliency upgrades for
commercial properties; and
WHEREAS, Program Guidelines (framework, design guidelines, eligibility criteria,
and application process), as approved by the North Beach CRA Board via Resolution
No. 009-2023, includes applicant requirements, improvement eligibility criteria, program
cycle, evaluation criteria, and grant award amounts; and
WHEREAS, the North Beach CRA's FY 2024 adopted budget includes
beautification programming for the Normandy Fountain/Rue Vendome Plaza area,
currently totaling approximately $520,000 for the Program, including carryover funds
from FY 2023; and
WHEREAS, the Program is offered via a matching reimbursement grant concept,
requiring applicants to invest their own money into the improvement project, and the
grants may enhance overall project scope, allowing for more impactful improvements;
and
WHEREAS, Abbott Florist, LLC, is a local floral shop located at 1008 — 71 st
Street in the Normandy Fountain area, is interested in applying for the Program to
improve the exterior appearance of the show to attract more customers and beautify
71st Street; and
WHEREAS, the owner of the Abbot Florist shop, Romina Orozco-Encio, is also a
member of the North Beach CRA Advisory Committee as its at-large business owner
appointee, and inquired about her eligibility to apply for the Program; and
WHEREAS, generally, Florida Statute §112.313(7)(a) prohibits a public officer
from having an employment or contractual relationship with a business entity or agency
which is subject to the regulation of, or which is doing business with, the public officer's
agency, or from having an employment or contractual relationship which creates a
continuing or frequently recurring conflict between private interests and the performance
of public duties, or which impede the full and faithful discharge of public duties; and
WHEREAS, however, §112.313(12) provides an exemption from requirements of
§112.313(7) as they pertain to persons serving on advisory boards, allowing a waiver in
a particular instance by the body which appointed the person to the advisory board,
upon a full disclosure of the transaction or relationship to the appointing body prior to
the waiver and an affirmative vote in favor of waiver by two-thirds vote of that body; and
WHEREAS, during the April 9, 2024 meeting, the General Counsel for the North
Beach CRA advised that an Advisory Committee member may apply to the program if
the NBCRA Board waives any potential or perceived conflict of interest with a 6/8th vote,
and if the member refrains from influencing the process; and
WHEREAS, at its May 14, 2024 meeting [CONFIRM], the Advisory Committee
passed a motion recommending that the NBCRA Board waive any potential conflict of
interest and allow Committee Member Romina Orozco-Encio to submit an application
for the property at 1008 71st Street, with Ms. Orozco-Encio abstaining from the vote;
and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE CHAIRPERSON AND
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY ("NORTH BEACH CRA"), that the Chairperson and Board of Directors of the
2
North Beach CRA waive, pursuant to §112.313(12) of the Florida Statutes, by 6/8th of
. the vote, any potential conflict of interest, and authorize North Beach CRA Advisory
Committee member Romina Orozco-Encio ("Orozco-Encio") to submit an application on
behalf of Abbott Florist, LLC for the property at 1008 71 st Street for participation in the
Commercial Facade• Improvement Program (the "Program"), provided, that Orozco-
Encio shall recuse herself from voting on any matter relating to the grant application
and, if Abbott's application is accepted, On any matter pertaining to the administration of
the grant to Abbott.
PASSED and ADOPTED this aG day of 7UhA , 2024
ATTEST:
F/
JUL - 3 2024 Steven Meiner, Mayor
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
a2i COR �ZE
?C H 26.-
APPROVED AS TO
FORM 8 LANGUAGE
8 FOR EXECUTION
13.)D J, eI424--
City Aao.niy�/' Dat
3
North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (NBCRA) 1
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
fTO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Rickelle Williams, Interim Executive Director
DATE: June 26, 2024
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE
NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, WAIVING,
PURSUANT TO §112.313(12) OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES, BY 6/8TH OF THE
VOTE, ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST, AND AUTHORIZING NORTH
BEACH CRA ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER ROMINA OROZCO-ENCIO
(OROZCO-ENCIO) TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION ON BEHALF OF ABBOTT
FLORIST, LLC ("ABBOTT") FOR THE PROPERTY AT 1008 71ST STREET FOR
PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMERCIAL FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM,
PROVIDED THAT OROZCO-ENCIO SHALL RECUSE HERSELF FROM VOTING
ON ANY MATTER RELATING TO THE GRANT APPLICATION AND, IF ABBOTT'S
APPLICATION IS ACCEPTED, ON ANY MATTER PERTAINING TO THE
ADMINISTRATION OF THE GRANT TO ABBOTT.
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends that the Chair and Board of Directors of the North Beach
Community Redevelopment Agency ("NBCRA") waive, pursuant to 112.313(12) of Florida
Statues, by 6/8th of the vote, any potential conflict of interest and authorize NBCRA Advisory
Board member Romina Orozco-Encio to submit an application for a property located at 1008
71st Street, Miami Beach, Florida 33141, for participation in the NBCRA Commercial Facade
Improvement Program (the "Program").
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
The NBCRA Redevelopment Plan ("Redevelopment Plan"), adopted by NBCRA Resolution No.
003-2021 and City Commission Resolution No.2021-31709, promotes funding improvements and
beautification projects, because an attractive streetscape contributes to a walkable community,
improves resident and visitor quality of life, and benefits businesses by increasing foot traffic.
To maximize the impact of NBCRA dollars, the Redevelopment Plan's Business Attraction &
Retention strategy encourages the use of incentive-based programs to inspire property owners
to reinvest in their buildings. For example, the NBCRA Redevelopment Plan cites facade
improvement programs as a resiliency tool to assist property owners to address deterioration from
age and weather.
The Normandy Fountain/Rue Vendome Plaza, remodeled with a recent city streetscape
improvement project, serves as a community and commercial center on Normandy Isle. Currently,
the aging commercial storefronts occupied by businesses within the vicinity of the plaza are not
representative of the Redevelopment Plan's vision for a vibrant, pedestrian-oriented shopping
district.
The NBCRA Board of Directors ("NBCRA Board"), which includes the Mayor, City Commission,
and Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 4, Micky Steinberg, authorizes awards for the
NBCRA Commercial Facade Improvement Program. The Advisory Committee may recommend
applications but does not authorize awards. This program is a matching grant incentive designed
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to enhance the streetscape and improve the conditions of existing commercial building facades.
The NBCRA reimburses 70% of costs up to$20,000 associated with these upgrades and repairs.
Romina Orozco-Encio, a member of the NBCRA Advisory Committee as its at-large business
owner appointee, inquired about her eligibility to apply for the program for her business property
at 1008 71st Street.
ANALYSIS
Generally, Florida Statute §112.313(7)(a) prohibits a public officer from having an employment or
contractual relationship with a business entity or agency which is subject to the regulation of, or
which is doing business with, the public officer's agency, or from having an employment or
contractual relationship which creates a continuing or frequently recurring conflict between private
interests and the performance of public duties, or which impede the full and faithful discharge of
public duties.
However, §112.313(12)provides an exemption from requirements of§112.313(7)as they pertain
to persons serving on advisory boards, allowing a waiver in a particular instance by the body
which appointed the person to the advisory board, upon a full disclosure of the transaction or
relationship to the appointing body prior to the waiver and an affirmative vote in favor of waiver
by two-thirds vote of that body.
During the May 14, 2024 NBCRA Advisory Committee meeting, the Office of General Counsel for
the NBCRA advised that an Advisory Committee member may apply to the program if the NBCRA
Board waives any potential or perceived conflict of interest with a 6/8 vote, and if the member
refrains from influencing the process.
Following discussion at multiple meetings,the Advisory Committee unanimously passed a motion,
proposed by Manning Salazar and seconded by Jose Smith, recommending that the NBCRA
Board of Directors waive any potential conflict of interest and allow Romina Orozco-Encio to
submit an application for the property at 1008 71st Street. Committee members Jose Smith
(Chair), Ronnie Issenberg (Vice Chair), Tom Richerson, and Manning Salazar voted in favor.
Romina Orozco-Encio abstained from the vote and did not influence the discussion.
APPLICANT: ABBOTT FLORIST
Abbott Florist, opened in 1990 and serves as an anchor in the North Beach community, provides
residents, businesses and promising gardeners with fresh flowers and arrangements for individual
and corporate celebrations and occasions. Abbott Florist is incredibly proud of the work they do
for the Miami Beach, and North Beach, and do everything they can to keep flower buying a local
experience. It is easy to buy flowers in a box, but Abbott Florist works to provide a welcoming
one-on-one experience from a first corsage, to a "just because" single rose, to a beautiful
sympathy bouquet, and all other life moments.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
Pursuant to NBCRA Resolution No. 012-2023 and Commission Resolution No. 2023-32783, as
amended by NBCRA Resolution No. 014-2023 and Commission Resolution No. 2023-32839, the
Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 allocation for the Program was $170,000, with an additional $350,000
carried over from the previous year, totaling approximately$520,000.
Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate?
(FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)
Page 1814 of 1862
The Business Impact Estimate (BIE)was published on . See BIE at:
https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
N/A
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends that the Chairperson and Members of the Board of Directors of
the NBCRA waive, pursuant to §112.313(12) of the Florida Statutes, by 6/8th of the vote, any
potential conflict of interest, and authorize the NBCRA Advisory committee member Romina
Orozco-Encio to submit an application for the property at 1008 71 st Street for participation in the
Commercial Façade Improvement Program (the "Program").
Applicable Area
North Beach
Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, Is this item related to a G.O. Bond
pursuant to City Code Section 2-17? Protect?
No No
Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481,
includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No
If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s)and principal(s):
Department
Economic Development
Sponsor(s)
Co-sponsor(s)
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