Minutes - July 16, 20241700 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139 www.miamibeachfl.gov/northbeachcra
MEETING MINUTES NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Tuesday, July 16, 2024 – 4:30 pm Normandy Shores Golf Club 2401 Biarritz Drive
1. Commencement & Attendance
Members in Attendance: Chair Jose Smith, Vice Chair Ronnie Issenberg, Manning Salazar, and David Sexton (ex-officio)
Members Absent: Romina Orozco-Encio and Tom Richerson
The meeting was called to order by Chair Jose Smith at 4:44 p.m.
Chair Smith noted that a quorum was not physically present. Although Committee member Tom Richerson participated virtually via Zoom, physical attendance is required to establish a quorum. Due to the lack of quorum, the Committee was unable to vote on any substantive matters, including the approval of the draft May 14, 2024 Meeting Minutes and the draft January – June 2024 Biannual Report.
Committee Business
2.Approval of the May 14, 2024 Meeting Minutes
No vote was not taken due to lack of quorum.
3.Approval of January – June 2024 Biannual Report
Chair Smith acknowledged the comprehensive accomplishments detailed in the draft report; however, no vote was taken due to the lack of quorum.
4.Legislative Update
Senior Assistant City Attorney Farosha Andasheva provided a summary of relevant legislative actions since the Committee’s previous meeting:
•North Beach CRA Resolution No. 016-2024. On May 15, 2024, the NBCRA Boardunanimously approved CRA Board Member Tanya Bhatt’s resolution to expand thegeographic boundaries of the Commercial Façade Improvement Program (the “FaçadeProgram”), following the Committee’s recommendation.DRAFT
North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – July 16, 2024
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• Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Economic Development Consultant Services. On May 15, 2024, the NBCRA Board authorized the issuance of RFQ 2024-005, a joint
procurement item by the NBCRA, RDA, and City. The RFQ was issued on May 17, 2024, with 18 proposals received by August 6, 2024. An item for City Commission consideration to authorize negotiations is expected on September 11, 2024.
• North Beach CRA Resolution No. 017-2024. On June 26, 2024, the NBCRA Board waived any potential conflict of interest and authorized Committee member Romina Orozco-Encio to apply, on behalf of her property at 1008 71st Street, for participation in the Commercial Façade Improvement Program, as recommended by the Committee.
• North Beach CRA Resolution No. 018-2024. On June 26, 2024, the NBCRA Board authorized an agreement with Normandy Isle Investments LLC for participation in the Façade Program for its property at 1203 71st Street, following the Committee’s
recommendation.
• NBCRA Committee Composition, Waiver for Geographic Area Residency Requirement. On July 26, 2024, the City Commission will consider an ordinance amendment proposed by Commissioner Tanya Bhatt to amend the Committee’s membership requirements. The amendment would allow for a 5/7th waiver by the City
Commission for applicants residing within a reasonable distance from the 300-foot radius of the North Beach CRA geographic boundary. Note: the item, originally scheduled for July 16, 2024, will be on the September 11, 2024 City Commission agenda. Old Business 5. Update: FY 2025 Proposed Budget
Luis Wong, Interim Economic Development Assistant Director, presented an overview of the North Beach CRA’s FY 2025 Budget Summary. The district’s taxable value, which has grown by 6.6%, has yielded a total budget of approximately $2,486,673 in tax increment revenue. The proposed budget allocates funding for Beautification (including the Commercial and Residential Façade Programs), Enhanced Services (Community Policing, Code Compliance, and Community Cleanliness), Arts and Culture, Small Business Development, Administration, Affordable and Workforce Housing (10% TIF revenue set-aside), and Future Projects (approximately 40% budget set-aside to leverage future projects and programs). Committee member David Sexton advocated for additional resources for Beautification and the Façade Program. Mr. Wong assured the Committee that City/CRA staff are available to assist applicants through each step of the
application process and that the recruitment of an additional redevelopment specialist should enhance marketing efforts in the near future.
6. Update: North Beach CRA Branding & Marketing
Justin Karr, Economic Development Manager, shared the final designs of the North Beach CRA’s
flagpole banners, which were erected throughout the Redevelopment Area in June 2024. The banners, featuring a dual-banner butterfly design that showcases the North Beach CRA’s “Know NoBe” hashtag on one banner and the Miami Beach Bandshell on a second banner, were installed at 30 locations, including Normandy Fountain, Town Center on 71st Street, Collins Avenue, and Harding Avenue. Chair Smith and Committee member David Sexton praised the banners, noting positive feedback from residents. DRAFT
North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – July 16, 2024
Page 3 of 3 New Business 7. Greenspace Maintenance & Restoration – Collins Avenue / 71st Street
Rodney Knowles, Public Works Assistant Director, updated the Committee on the City’s efforts to maintain and enhance right-of-way landscaping along Collins Avenue near 71st Street. He reported that efforts include replacement of unsalvageable palm trees identified in an assessment survey and replenishment of the bonded aggregate treatment in tree wells, with approximately $100,000 allocated for this initiative. Vice Chair Ronnie Issenberg expressed appreciation for the update, noting his long-standing concerns about the landscaping conditions. 8. North Beach Restricted Residential Parking Permit Program
Albert Ventura, Parking Assistant Director, briefed the Committee on the City Commission’s pilot
Restricted Residential Parking Permit (RRPP) zones in North Beach. The one-year pilot program,
designed to protect residents’ quality of life, will be implemented free of charge and include a two-
month educational and violation warning period, with no towing enforcement conducted during the pilot. Mr. Ventura discussed program registration, compliance, and community outreach efforts. Committee members acknowledged existing confusion about the program guidelines and were encouraged to participate in the July 24, 2024 City Commission meeting.
9. Committee Member Comments
• David Sexton thanked City staff for their assistance in preparing for a Copa America screening event at the Normandy Fountain, which attracted 1,000 attendees and supported local businesses.
• Vice Chair Ronnie Issenberg reiterated his satisfaction with the repairs to the landscaping tree pits on Collins Avenue and thanked City staff for addressing safety concerns.
• Chair Smith responded to Manning Salazar’s inquiry, clarifying that Mr. Smith will not be taking a position as a special magistrate for the City and will remain on the Committee.
• Manning Salazar expressed concern about the vulnerabilities exposed by flooding following significant rainfall events in June 2024 and encouraged the City to consider additional measures to mitigate potential hazards in North Beach. 10. Public Comments
Lori Neider, representing the Miami Beach Tennis Center, expressed interest in collaborating with the North Beach CRA on beautification measures for the facility, highlighting its role in providing recreational services, and noting it as the only Miami Beach tennis facility offering pickleball
lessons, tennis court rentals, and private tennis training. Chair Smith encouraged her to explore ideas further with the Parks and Recreation Department and return to a future Committee meeting with specific proposal recommendations for the Committee to consider. 11. Adjournment Motion was made and the meeting adjourned at 5:48 pm. Next Meeting: Tuesday, September 10, 2024 – Normandy Shores Golf Club DRAFT