NBCRA Committee Minutes 6.17.25 1700 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139 www.miamibeachfl.gov/northbeachcra
NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 Normandy Shores Golf Club, 2401 Biarritz Drive
Members in Attendance
• Ronnie Issenberg, Chair
• Tom Richerson, Vice Chair
• Omar Jimenez (Via Zoom)
• Sam Latone
• Romina Orozco-Encio
• David Sexton, ex officio
1. Call to Order & Attendance
Committee Chair Ronnie Issenberg called the meeting to order at 4:38 p.m.
2. Introduction of new Economic Development Director Steven Anthony
Steven Anthony introduced himself as the new Economic Development Director for the City of
Miami Beach. He previously worked in Kansas City leading economic development and spent 15
years in Washington, DC. He expressed his commitment to understanding Miami Beach's
economic development needs, particularly in North Beach.
Committee Business
3. Approval of June 2025 Meeting Minutes
Committee member Sam Latone made a motion to approve the minutes from the May 13, 2025,
meeting. Committee member Romina Orozco-Encio seconded the motion. The minutes were
approved by acclamation.
4. Legislative Update
• Presenter: Farosha Andasheva, Office of the City Attorney
Ms. Andasheva, Senior Assistant City Attorney, provided a legislative update on Florida House
Bill 991 and Senate Bill 1242, proposed legislation with significant implications for community
redevelopment agencies (CRAs) across the state. Notably, the proposed legislation would restrict
CRA boundaries and the hosting of cultural events. The House version of the bill has been
profoundly rejected by the Senate and referred to a subcommittee therefore it’s essentially dead
North Beach CRA Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes – June 17, 2025 Page 2 of 6
for this session, however, it may be reintroduced in future sessions. Ms. Andasheva also provided
updates on the Committee’s previously approved motions:
• Altos Del Mar Park Electrical Service
On May 21, 2025, the City Commission in its capacity as the North Beach CRA Board adopted
Resolution based on the NBCRA Advisory Board recommendation to approve the CRA funds to
permanently enhance the electrical service to Altos del Mar Park. In the previous Commission
meeting the City instructed the City administration to evaluate the costs of the improvements and
those estimates were between $74,000 and $82,000. The City Commission accepted those
estimates and instructed that the project move forward.
• Biscayne Beach Elementary Schoolyard Project
At its May 21, 2025 meeting the City also adopted 2 resolutions amending the North Beach CRA
capital budget for fiscal year 2025 to realign the $1,500,000 budget to account for the funds that
were allocated to the North Beach Elementary Schoolyard Project.
New Business
5. Byron Carlyle Redevelopment Project
• Presenter: Daniel Alzuri, Facilities and Fleet Management Department
Mr. Daniel Alzuri presented to the committee a request from the Finance and Economic Resiliency
Committee that has been referred to the North Beach CRA Advisory Committee to engage a
consultant to start developing a financial model and pro forma for the workforce housing
component. He also indicated that the City’s consultant, AMS, has submitted its final report on
the Cultural Center thus providing clear vision on how the Cultural Center can and hopefully will
be providing in terms of a strong program addressing the needs of the cultural institutions that will
be the anchors of the center.
Mr. Alzuri clarified and explained the process necessary to study the incorporation of workforce
housing to the project. Mr. Alzuri then explained in detail the qualifications of some of the
consultants recommended to conduct the study. Mr. Alzuri also informed the committee that the
City would re-engage the services of Roberto Espejo, the architect responsible for the original
study prepared for the Friends of the Byron Carlyle Theater, to examine how workforce housing
can be incorporated into the plans. Mr. Alzuri requested the committee consider recommending
an allocation of funds to engage the consultants. There was a discussion about the merits of
engaging consultants and the method for allocation of the workforce housing funds and a motion
was approved by the members. The committee also requested that the consultants attend a future
meeting to introduce themselves and present their findings to the committee.
North Beach CRA Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes – June 17, 2025 Page 3 of 6
Motion: Engagement of a consultant to analyze the workforce housing component of
the Byron Carlyle Cultural Center
The Committee recommends that the North Beach CRA allocate up to $190,000
from the workforce housing funds to engage a consultant to analyze the workforce
housing component of the Byron Carlyle Cultural Center to understand how to best
leverage the value of the City’s contribution to the project.
Motion made by: Tom Richerson
Seconded by: Sam Latone
Vote: Passed unanimously (4 – 0)
Old Business
6. North Shore Park Tennis Center Capital Improvement Project
• Presenter: David Gomez, Office of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP)
Mr. David Gomez provided a project status update, reporting that consideration of the funding
approval request for the Tennis Center Improvement project will be on the agenda for discussion
on the next City Commission meeting on June 25, 2025, sponsored by Commissioner Tanya
Bhatt.
7. Normandy Fountain Shade Structure Proposal
• Presenter: David Gomez, Office of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP)
Mr. Gomez explained that engineering review confirmed that existing poles onsite are structurally
sound to support installation of a proposed shade structure and the next step is to prepare a
procurement process for the shade structure. It was mentioned that a local resident offered to
donate the material and Mr. Gomez suggested that the resident’s bid proposal would probably be
the lowest bid submitted, however a formal procurement process is required in accordance with
city regulations.
8. Beachfront Concession Operations
• Presenter: Ron Mumaw, Director of Facilities and Fleet Management
Mr. Mumaw provided an update on the City’s beachfront concession guidelines and enforcement.
He explained that one beachfront supervisor employed by the City monitors all concession
operations ranging from South Pointe to 87th Terrace on an ongoing basis six days a week. Fines
for violations of concession guidelines range from $250 (first offense) to $10,000 (sixth offense).
North Beach CRA Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes – June 17, 2025 Page 4 of 6
Discussion ensued regarding Ocean Terrace beachfront operations and growing concerns
expressed in the community about the perceived privatization of the public beach.
Concerns were raised about new private development projects, either planned or in the process
of development, promoting their private beach clubs as part of their marketing. Mr. Mumaw
indicated that he would look further into this issue.
Mr. Mumaw also provided further clarification that Boucher Brothers' concession contract with the
City only covers Lummus Park, 21st Street, and 46th Street (not North Beach), and the pilot
program allowing alcohol sales is planned for one year initially and implemented only at the
Lummus Park Beach area, he also clarified that the advertising part of the pilot program is on hold
until after the one year alcohol sales pilot program is analyzed.
Future/Pending Projects
9. Good and Welfare
Committee member Sam Latone asked about the North Beach Streetscape improvement project.
The item will be placed on next month’s agenda and an invitation will be extended for further
clarification from the Public Works department.
Committee member Tom Richerson raised the issue of speeding on Collins Avenue, especially
after the rush hour traffic and the evenings. The chair suggested that he would approach the
Police Captain and get more information about this issue.
The members also discussed ways in which we could help promote the businesses in North
Beach by either utilizing the existing newsletters, the city magazine and any other ways in which
the NBCRA could contribute to helping the businesses succeed.
The conversation further revolved around the rates of closure of new businesses within one year
of opening and whether those are the result of not having enough revenue or the costs associated
with operating the business. Based on those findings, then explore ways in which different options
could be available to provide grants or incentives to help businesses alleviate those costs like tax
abatements, insurance pools, etc.
10. Public Comment
There were no public comments.
11. Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was approved, and the meeting was adjourned at 5:47 p.m.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. – Normandy Shores Golf Club