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Home My WebLink AboutNBCRA Advisory Committee January 13. 2026 1700 Convention Center Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139 www.miamibeachfl.gov/northbeachcra NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (NBCRA) ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, January 13, 2026 Normandy Shores Golf Club, 2401 Biarritz Drive Members in Attendance • Ronnie Issenberg, Chair • Tom Richerson, Vice-Chair • David Cohen • Romina Orozco-Encio • Sam Latone • Manning Salazar • David Sexton, ex officio 1. Call to Order & Attendance North Beach CRA Advisory Committee (“Committee”) Chair Ronnie Issenberg called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. Committee Business 2. Approval of Biannual Report (July-December 2025) Vice-Chair Tom Richerson made a motion to approve the Biannual report for July - December 2025, and Committee member Romina Orozco-Encio seconded the motion. The report was approved by acclamation. 3. Approval of November 2025 Meeting Minutes Committee member Manning Salazar made a motion to approve the minutes forNovember 18, 2025 meeting, and Committee member Sam Latone seconded the motion. The minutes were approved by acclamation. 4. Approval of 2026 Committee Meeting Calendar Committee member Manning Salazar made a motion to approve the proposed 2026 meeting calendar, and Committee member David Cohen seconded the motion. The meeting calendar was approved by acclamation. North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – January 13, 2026 2 5. Legislative Update • Presenter: Catalina Rodriguez, City Attorney’s Office Ms. Rodriguez, Assistant City Attorney, provided an update on two NBCRA resolutions passed at the December 17, 2025 City Commission meeting. The resolutions address the NBCRA commercial and residential façade improvement programs, expanding the eligibility boundaries to encompass the entire NBCRA area. The resolutions clarify NBCRA staff may amend non- substantive program guidelines, and applicants with interest in multiple properties may submit separate applications for more than one property. Additionally, she updated the Committee on concerns regarding Amour Cabaret, 912 71st Street, where multiple complaints were received. The business is currently authorized for bar entertainment (is that a technical term?) and nightclub use, but prohibited from operating as an adult entertainment establishment. No violations have been issued, to date, by Code Compliance. Committee member David Cohen asked for clarification on qualifying improvements for the programs. City staff explained that property improvements must be outward facing and permanently attached to the building. Staff is engaging with the owners of Suchi Bichi, regarding construction debris concerns that may affect outdoor dining areas. Ex officio member David Sexton informed the Committee that authorization to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Bryron Carlyle architectural design services passed on consent at the December 17, 2025 City Commission meeting. Director of Capital Improvements Mr. Gomez clarified that the solicitation seeks proposals for a cultural center with workforce housing and is now subject to the City’s Cone of Silence. New Business 6. Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) Pilot Loan Program • Presenter: Jason Belisario, CEO, Cornucopian, Inc. Mr. Belisario, founder and CEO of Cornucopian, presented a NOAH pilot loan program and requested NBCRA funding and support. He provided a general outlined on the program. Cornucopian’s role as an end-to-end administrator, and the expected benefits North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – January 13, 2026 3 for preserving affordable housing in the NBCRA area. Following a question-and-answer exchange, the Committee motioned: Motion: The Committee recommends allocating an amount, not to exceed $100,000, to explore and support a twelve (12) month pilot NOAH (Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing) program. Motion made by: Tom Richerson Seconded by: Sam Latone Vote: Passed unanimously (6 – 0) Old Business 7. North Beach Streetscape Improvements & 71st Street Bridge Light Enhancement Project • Presenter: John Norris, Director of Public Works Department John Norris, Director of the Public Works Department, made a presentation of two (2) options for 71st Street Bridge lighting enhancement for the Committee consideration. Option 1: lighting design similar to the Biscayne Point entranceway; and Option 2: lighting design similar to the entrances of Palm and Hibiscus Islands. After discussion that included the estimated costs of both options, the Committee motioned: Motion: The Committee recommends that the North Beach CRA fund the cost of design, development, and construction for the 71st Street Light Enhancement Project. The Committee recommends funding Option 2 (Palm & Hibiscus/Star Island Light Fixture), at an estimated cost of $178,646.61 Motion made by: David Cohen Seconded by: Romina Orozco-Encio Vote: Passed unanimously (6 – 0) Committee member Sam Latone requested Mr. Norris provided an update on streetscape improvements and maintenance agreements for streets under FDOT jurisdiction. Mr. Norris shared that the City and FDOT have come to an understanding and improvements will commence at the intersection of 75th Street and Collins Avenue, an area identified as requiring urgent attention. When? Once work is completed, the project will proceed southward to 75th Street and then west along the 71st Street corridor. He further explained that any streetscape design elements, that do not conform to FDOT guidelines, will be maintained by the City, while designs that conform to FDOT standards will be maintained by FDOT. Committee members discussed developer responsibility for repairing damage to the streetscape during and after construction, and clarifying responsibility for long-term maintenance post construction. North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – January 13, 2026 4 New Business 8. Commercial Façade Program Applications Mr. Eddie Prieto, owner of Miami Beach Express, a local business operator for the past 14 years, presented an application to the program seeking to install updated outdoor signage. Following his presentation, the Committee motioned: Motion: The Committee recommends that the Chair and Board of Directors of the North Beach CRA approve the Miami Beach Express INC., North Beach CRA Commercial Façade Improvement Program application, located at 711 71st Street. Motion made by: David Cohen Seconded by: Romina Orozco-Encio Vote: Passed unanimously (6 – 0) Old Business 9. Normandy Fountain Shade Structure and North Shore Park Tennis Center Update • Presenter: David Gomez, Director of Capital Improvement Projects Department Mr. Gomez informed the Committee that he is coordinating with avendor, Shade Florida, on the design of the shade structure to ensure compatibility with the upcoming Public Works water pump replacement project, scheduled to commence in Normandy Fountain Plaza. Mr. Gomez provided an expanded update on the North Shore Tennis Center, explaining that the City has approved funds from the capital improvement budget to complete the work. 10. Good and Welfare Ex-officio member David Sexton shared details with the Committee about the celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the Normandy Fountain, which will include four (4) days of related events. Committee members expressed their sentiment that the challenges related to individuals experiencing homelessness have improved in the area. Members also discussed concerns about the progress and ongoing conversations about the proposed Byron Carlyle project. The Chair encouraged members to continue thinking about next steps and potential projects that the NBCRA Advisory Board could discuss. 11. Public Comment North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – January 13, 2026 5 There were no public comments. 12. Adjournment A motion to adjourn was approved, and the meeting was adjourned at 5:38 p.m. Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. – Normandy Shores Golf Club