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Meeting Minutes 4-8-25 1700 Convention Center Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139 www.miamibeachfl.gov/northbeachcra MEETING MINUTES NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) ADVISORY COMMITTEE Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Normandy Shores Golf Club, 2401 Biarritz Drive Members in Attendance • Ronnie Issenberg, Chair • Tom Richerson, Vice Chair • Omar Jimenez • Sam Latone • Romina Orozco-Encio • Manning Salazar • David Sexton, ex officio Guest Presenters • Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt • Tom Curitore, Parks and Recreation Department • Ariel Guitian, Office of Capital Improvement Projects • Frank Garcia, Facilities and Fleet Management Department • Dr. Leslie Rosenfeld, Education and Performance Initiatives Department 1. Call to Order & Attendance Committee Chair Ronnie Issenberg called the meeting to order at 4:42 p.m. Committee Business 2. Approval of the February 2025 Meeting Minutes The meeting minutes were approved by acclamation. 3. Legislative Update • Presenter: Farosha Andasheva, Office of the City Attorney Ms. Andasheva, Senior Assistant City Attorney, provided an overview of Florida House Bill 991 and Senate Bill 1242, proposed legislation with significant implications for Florida’s community redevelopment agencies (CRAs). Heather Shaw, Interim Director of Economic Development, offered to provide the Committee with legislative updates and contact information from the Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA), a nonprofit organization that supports community revitalization efforts statewide. North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – April 8, 2025 Page 2 of 5 Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt encouraged the Committee and City Administration to accelerate lobbying efforts in response to the proposed legislation. Ms. Shaw confirmed that the City’s state lobbyists were aware of the issue and actively providing guidance. Ms. Andasheva also summarized the composition requirements for North Beach CRA Advisory Committee members, as outlined in City Code Sec. 2-190.151, et. seq. Regarding the current vacancy for an experienced attorney who resides or works in Miami Beach, Committee members expressed the importance of filling the seat with a qualified local candidate. The Committee supported enhanced outreach and a more rigorous vetting process. Old Business 4. Strategic Redevelopment Goals and CRA Budgetary Planning • Presenters: Heather Shaw & Luis Wong, Economic Development Department Mr. Wong, Administrative Services Manager, distributed and presented a historical summary of CRA budgetary operations and expenditures. Ms. Shaw explained that, pursuant to RFQ-2024-ND for Economic Development Consulting Services, the City’s Procurement Department has finalized agreements with a pool of qualified consultants to support the development of the CRA’s five-year strategic plan. The plan will guide budget priorities, improve transparency, and align redevelopment efforts with community goals. Committee members discussed the balance between consultant input and robust community engagement. Commissioner Bhatt encouraged the Committee to revisit the Plan NoBe (North Beach Master Plan), which had strong community backing but has not been fully implemented. She recommended using Plan NoBe as a foundation while incorporating consultant support as needed. Additionally, Commissioner Bhatt and Committee members emphasized expanding outreach to increase public awareness of the CRA. Suggestions included email blasts, bilingual mailers, articles in the City’s quarterly magazine, Economic Development’s monthly e-newsletter, and events to engage local businesses such as the North Beach Breakfast Club. Ms. Shaw noted that the Economic Development Department is in the final stages of hiring a Redevelopment Specialist dedicated to North Beach, and a new department director will join in May 2025—both of whom will help support the CRA’s mission. 5. “Taste of North Beach” Activation and Pop-Up Permit Extension • Presenter: Heather Shaw, Economic Development Department Ms. Shaw provided an update on efforts to create a “Taste of Collins/North Beach” culinary activation, to promote and support local dining establishments, and modeled after the Normandy Fountain Business Association’s (NFBA) “Taste of the Fountain” event. She stated that, in line with a February 2025 Committee recommendation, City staff had compiled an inventory and map of roughly 80 North Beach restaurant establishments, largely concentrated along Collins Avenue. Concurrent with a March 19, 2025 City Commission referral (item C4 R) to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee (PSNQLC), City staff will coordinate with the NFBA on event logistics, partnership opportunities, and activation strategies. Further updates will be shared with the Committee as available. North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – April 8, 2025 Page 3 of 5 New Business 6. North Shore Park Capital Improvement Project • Presenter: Ariel Guitian, Office of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Mr. Guitian, CIP Division Director, shared that the North Shore Park/Tennis Center facility improvement project is approximately halfway complete and a cost estimate for additional scope is pending. Vice Chair Richerson recalled that the original concept included a café and restrooms serving both the baseball and tennis areas. Due to rising costs, these components were scaled back. Committee members discussed potential enhancements such as a patio, ADA-accessible ramp, and grease trap installation, with potential funding support by the North Beach CRA. The following motion was made: Motion: North Shore Park/ Miami Beach Tennis Center CIP Project The Committee recommends that the North Beach CRA allocate up to $350,000 toward the North Shore Park/Miami Beach Tennis Center (Tennis Center) Capital Improvement Project to enhance the current scope for the Tennis Center café facility. North Beach CRA funds would support the completion of facility enhancements, including, but not limited to, structural improvements, development of a patio area, installation of a grease trap, and other related infrastructure upgrades that will improve operational capacity. Motion made by: Tom Richerson Seconded by: Sam Latone Vote: Passed unanimously (6 – 0) 7. Biscayne Beach Elementary Schoolyard Project • Presenters: Dr. Leslie Rosenfeld, Education and Performance Initiatives Department Tom Curitore, Parks and Recreation Department Dr. Rosenfeld introduced the proposed community schoolyard project, a concept developed by the City in partnership with the nonprofit Trust for Public Land (TPL), on land jointly owned by the City and Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Design development included surveys and workshops to gather student and community member input. Dr. Rosenfeld presented two similar design concepts. Commissioner Bhatt noted a possible opportunity to incorporate the City’s Blue Zones initiative and address potential underground pollution at the site. Following discussion, the Committee approved two motions: Motion: Biscayne Beach Elementary Schoolyard Project - Funding Commitment The Committee recommends that the North Beach CRA fund the cost of design, development, and construction for the Biscayne Beach Elementary Schoolyard Project, as referred for Committee review by the City Commission on March 19, 2025. This recommendation includes allocating sufficient funding, in an amount not to exceed $1.5 million, and identifying funding in FY 2025, to initiate design and permitting activities. The Committee recommends the City pursue additional funding sources to offset costs and reduce the financial impact on the North Beach CRA. North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – April 8, 2025 Page 4 of 5 Motion made by: Tom Richerson Seconded by: Omar Jimenez Vote: Passed unanimously (6 – 0) Motion: Biscayne Beach Elementary Schoolyard Project - Design Recommendation The Committee recommends, should the North Beach CRA Board approve project funding for the design for the Biscayne Beach Elementary Schoolyard Project, that the project includes a regulation-size soccer field suitable for organized league play and a four-lane running track. Motion made by: Tom Richerson Seconded by: Romina Orozco-Encio Vote: Passed unanimously (6 – 0) Commissioner Bhatt also proposed upgrading the electrical infrastructure at Altos Del Mar Park to support expanded community programming and reduce dependence on portable generators. The following motion was made: Motion: Altos del Mar Park - Electrical Infrastructure The Committee recommends that the City evaluate and identify the costs and planning requirements necessary to improve the permanent electrical service to Altos del Mar Park. The North Beach CRA funds would enhance the capacity for additional community programming, reduce reliance on portable generators, and is an eco-friendly solution. Once a project budget is developed, the Committee recommends that it be funded by the North Beach CRA. Motion made by: Tom Richerson Seconded by: Manning Salazar Vote: Passed unanimously (6 – 0) 8. North Beach Beachfront Concession Operations Overview • Presenter: Frank Garcia, Facilities and Fleet Management Department Mr. Garcia responded to concerns from the Committee regarding public beach access and potential concession operations related to new private development near Ocean Terrace. He clarified that current beachfront concession regulations require public access to be maintained. Committee members encouraged increased oversight of private concession operations, recommended implementing an online public reporting system and virtual app for violations, and requested additional information regarding existing contractual policies governing Ocean Terrace concessions. North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – April 8, 2025 Page 5 of 5 9. Proposed Redevelopment of Deauville Hotel, 6701 Collins Avenue • Requested by Chair Ronnie Issenberg and Sam Latone The Committee discussed the proposed Deauville Hotel redevelopment. Members acknowledged the project’s potential for generating significant CRA TIF revenue and emphasized the importance of negotiating robust public benefits with development agreements. Motion: Deauville Hotel Redevelopment Proposal The Committee has reviewed the current redevelopment proposal for the property located at 6701 Collins Avenue and recommends that the Deauville Hotel redevelopment project be approved as proposed. Motion made by: Tom Richerson Seconded by: Romina Orozco-Encio Vote: Passed unanimously (6 – 0) 10. Committee Member Comments There were no comments from the Committee. 11. Public Comment There were no public comments. 12. Adjournment A motion to adjourn was approved, and the meeting concluded. Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. – Normandy Shores Golf Course