HomeMy WebLinkAboutNBCRA Advisory Committee May 2026 Minutes 1700 Convention Center Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139 www.miamibeachfl.gov/northbeachcra
NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (NBCRA) ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 Normandy Shores Golf Club, 2401 Biarritz Drive
Members in Attendance
• Ronnie Issenberg, Chair
• Laura Veitia
• David Cohen
• Romina Orozco-Encio
• 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 4:33 p.m.
Committee Business
2. Approval of April 2026 Meeting Minutes
Committee member Romina Orozco-Encio made a motion to approve the minutes for April 14,
2026 meeting. Committee member David Cohen seconded the motion. The minutes were
approved by acclamation.
3. Point of Order
Committee Chair, Mr. Chair Issenberg requested adding an item to the next meeting agenda
establishing a courtesy standard that members inform staff in advance if they will be absent.
4. Legislative Update
• Presenter: Catalina Rodriguez, City Attorney’s Office
Ms. Rodriguez, Assistant City Attorney, informed the committee that currently there are no pending
or anticipated actions regarding CRA’s from the State Legislature or State Government in general.
City Liaisons Updates
5. 71st Street Bridge Light Enhancement Project
North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – May 12, 2026
2
City staff explained to the committee that during the due diligence relating to the project,
the staff discovered that there was an existing capital improvement project that relates
to enhancements and improvements to the north beach area bridges, and that the 71st
street bridge was part of that project. Staff is currently conducting further research on
the issue. The staff is also currently seeking legal guidance on the 3-year funding
limitation for previously scheduled capital improvement projects. There seem to be
conflicting opinions as to the interpretation of these restrictions. A discussion then took
place regarding the current interpretations of the statute and the current restrictions on
use of CRA funds.
Additional brief updates on items that the City Commission and the Committees were working on
including beach renourishment concerns, west lots developments, the creation of a sanitation
task force for North Beach and the Byron Carlyle were provided. A brief conversation regarding
the award of the design contract for the Byron Carlyle started before it was halted due to the
Byron Carlyle project being under the city code of silence.
6. Public Works Updates
• Presenter: John Norris, Director of Public Works Department
Mr. Norris briefed the committee on the preliminary findings and discussions with the IKE kiosks
team. He stated that it was unlikely to be a promising alternative due to contractual limitations.
Members pointed out a small area from the circulated maps where they thought it might work. Mr.
Norris agreed to investigate further.
(Note: further communication from Public Works indicated that a kiosk in the Fountain Area would
not be possible)
Mr. Norris also updated the committee on the observations made during a walk along the
boardwalk with Commissioner Bhatt and the status of the dunes along the beach as it relates to
safety issues, upkeep and maintenance. A brief discussion ensued in regard to the beach erosion
along the shoreline.
Committee member Mr. David Cohen raised the issue of cleanliness in the boardwalk area
including the fact that CRA funding is used for enhanced services. A discussion ensued and Mr.
Norris indicated that he would look into it and attend to the issue with the sanitation division
director.
Mr. David Gomez added that after the last meeting he communicated with the sanitation division
director and after reporting the complaint their department went and cleaned the area and
provided evidentiary photographs of the completed work.
North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – May 12, 2026
3
Member Manning Salazar asked whether we receive reports showing how the additional funds
are used. Staff explained that every department receiving extra CRA funding submits a quarterly
updated report.
Motion: The Committee formally requests that the City staff provide quarterly report
updates from the departments receiving enhanced funding from the North Beach CRA.
Motion made by: Romina Orozco-Encio
Seconded by: Laura Veitia
Vote: Passed unanimously (5 – 0)
Luis Wong Economic Development Administrative Services Manager explained to the members
that the amount of funding allowed to be allocated for enhanced services is limited by the interlocal
agreement and State statutes.
7. Good and Welfare
Member Laura Veitia inquire about a timeframe on the creation of the Commercial Lease subsidy
for North Beach, staff explained that since they are creating a program from the beginning, staff
would need some time to flush all of the details out and be able to present a draft of the program.
Ex-officio member David Sexton initiated a discussion regarding the kiosks, during which further
clarification was provided. It was confirmed that IKE currently has no plans to expand into the
Normandy Area; the zone limit exclusion referenced is solely an internal document outlining the
designated exclusion zone. Further conversation focused on how the kiosks are administered,
who pays for them and how long it would take to install one if that was an option. The discussion
then expanded into whether another company could be engaged.
Mr. Sexton then brought up the possibility of having the NBCRA meetings at another location,
several possibilities were discussed and the staff will explore alternate locations.
Mr. Manning Salazar brought an issue regarding an open space in North Beach at the intersection
of Rue Vendome and Biarritz Drive and the condition its in. A conversation about options and what
actions or follow up was needed ensued.
The committee then made the following motion:
Motion : The Committee formally requests that the city Greenspace staff provide an update to the committee regarding the current status and future plans for the Normandy Isle greenspace at the intersection of Rue Vendome, Biarritz Drive and Brest Esplanade
Motion made by: Manning Salazar
Seconded by: Laura Veitia
Vote: Passed unanimously (5 – 0)
North Beach CRA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – May 12, 2026
4
The committee then asked and discussed whether there was a way to know how much
development was coming to the area and Mr. Issenberg indicated that he would share a link that
provides extensive data regarding new developments.
8. Public Comment
There were no public comments.
9. Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made by Laura Veitia seconded by Romina Orozco-Encio and approved
by acclamation. The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. – Normandy Shores Golf Club