Loading...
Meeting Minutes 12.17.20 General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee City of Miami Beach MEETING MINUTES No. 22 December 17, 2020 Members in Attendance Via Zoom: Karen Rivo, Chair Marie Peter, Vice Chair Sean Smith Jack Glottman Jason Greene Laura Veitia Bryan Rosenfeld Francisco Diez-Rivas Absent: Jeremy Waks Ron Starkman Wendy Squire Staff and Guests Attendance: Maria Hernandez, Liaison John Woodruff, GOB Working Group Alex Denis, GOB Working Group Eric Carpenter, GOB Working Group Devin Ramirez Thais Vieira Allison Novack David Martinez Rudy de la Torre Lily Alvarez Jason Jacobson Steven Feldman Barbara Hernandez Frank Garcia Roland Aragunde Kevin Pulido Gedel Merzius Vanessa Vazquez Lauren Firtel Rickelle Williams Robert Rabinowitz Lauren Swan Sarah Bassett Paul Acosta Omar Leon Lazaro Guerra Jose Gonzalez Josiel Ferrer Eric Garcia Alina Hudak Jani Singer Meeting Start Time: 4:30 pm General Notes: These meeting minutes are condensed and seek to capture the overall intent of discussions as interpreted by the meeting coordinator. Each paragraph indicates the time on the audio recording where the discussion commenced during the meeting. For more detail on the discussion, please refer to the audio recording in its entirety. All current and past meeting materials including agendas, handouts, minutes, presentations and audio recordings are available by visiting: www.GOMBInfo.com/OversightCommittee/Meeting Records. G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 22 December 17, 2020 Page 2 of 9 I. Roll Call and Introductions (Refer to the 12.17.20 Meeting Audio Recording on the G.O. Bond Website.) 2:28 Chair Karen Rivo called the meeting to order. Roll call was completed. II. Committee Business Adoption of Meeting Minutes 5:46 Chair Karen Rivo requested a motion to approve the October 22nd minutes. Motion: 5:50 Marie Peter motioned to approve the minutes as presented. 5:57 Jack Glottman seconded the motion. Motion passed. 2021 Meeting Calendar Approval 6:20 Chair Karen Rivo explained that the next G.O. Bond Oversight Committee meeting will be on January 21st, 2021, via Zoom. GO Bond Committee Reappointments 7:27 Chair Karen Rivo informed the Committee that there are three members that need to be reappointed. Maria Hernandez has been in touch with them and she kindly encourages these members to complete their paperwork as soon as possible. 10:03 Jack Glottman asked Maria Hernandez if she can send calendar invites for the 2021 G.O. Bond Oversight Committee meetings. 10:08 Maria Hernandez said absolutely. Motion: 11:08 Jason Greene motioned to accept the dates as presented, except to change the year to 2021. 11:12 Laura Veitia seconded the motion. Motion passed. III. Public Comment 11:40 Chair Karen Rivo asked if anyone from the public would like to speak at this time. No one spoke IV. Program General Status, Sub-projects Update, Closed Projects (Refer to pages 3-11 on the Agenda & Handout Packet on the G.O. Bond website.) 12:52 Maria Hernandez explained the chart found on pages 3 and 4 of the Agenda & Handout packets, which show all of the sub-projects grouped by phase. Nine (9) projects are currently G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 22 December 17, 2020 Page 3 of 9 under construction and 28 are closed. There are now 73 sub-projects instead of 72 because the Skatepark was approved to be moved up to Tranche 1 from Tranche 3. Update continued. 17:20 Maria Hernandez reported the chart found on page 10 which shows current savings of $3.2 million from 29 closed sub-projects. Future Revision to Implementation Plan 18:18 John Woodruff reported that now that we are at the mid-point of implementation of Tranche 1, the G.O. Bond team has been planning for Tranche 2 which starts in 2022. In order to go to the bond market for additional funds, Staff needs to spend 85-90% of the existing bonds that are already issued. Staff has been updating projected cashflows in order to predict when the City can return to the bond market to request additional bonds. Based on slower burn rates than anticipated in Tranche 1, Staff anticipates having an opportunity to move up funding from projects that were in Tranche 2 and Tranche 3. Advancing these projects speeds up the burn rate in Tranche 1 and allows projects to be completed faster. Staff is also looking at the possibility of eliminating tranches, since projects will have the opportunity to be moved up. Interest rates are at historic lows, which is why Staff could move up projects. The interest rate that was used when Staff first went to the bond market was 4.25%, but the actual interest rate for Tranche 1 was 3.5%. This difference resulted in $28 million dollars in debt savings over the life of the bonds. Our best estimate regarding interest rates for Tranche 2 are currently about 1.7%. 24:27 Jack Glottman stated that this all sounds great. He asked what the timing of the issuance of the Tranche 2 bonds is. 24:36 John Woodruff explained that it depends since it is by bond category. For example, if Public Safety is spending quickly and Staff spends between 85-90% of the funds, then we can go to the bond market. 26:00 Jason Greene complimented the Staff on keeping an eye out on the opportunities for the G.O. Bond. He is happy that not only is money going to be saved, but also the projects are going to be done faster. 26:33 Sean Smith asked what happens with a project like North Shore Youth Center, which was pushed to a later tranche because the 72nd St. Community Center aquatic center needed to be finished first. 26:57 John Woodruff explained that that is a good example of a project that is dependent on another project to be finished in order to begin, which may not be a good candidate to be moved forward. Staff will be looking at opportunities where, if the design for the 72nd St. Community Center aquatic center can be completed sooner, than that will happen in order to move projects along. G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 22 December 17, 2020 Page 4 of 9 28:50 Maria Hernandez explained that the discussion of the shifting of projects may take up an entire meeting with the G.O. Bond Committee. V. 41st Street Corridor Final Presentation 30:30 Maria Hernandez introduced Sarah Bassett and Lauren Swan from AECOM. She reminded the Committee Members that, on October 22nd, they made a motion for AECOM to create a hybrid plan from all the information that had been gathered. The Commission Meeting on December 9th was very long, so the item was deferred to the January Commission meeting. This gave staff the opportunity to present the final conceptual plan to the G.O. Bond Committee. 31:37 Sarah Bassett first presented the 41st Street Corridor Revitalization fly-over video found on the following link: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/residents/neighborhood-associations/neighborhood-affairs- division/active-projects/other/41-street-revitalization/ 36:36 She later presented the streetscape Conceptual Design via PowerPoint presentation. She explained the feedback they heard from stakeholders, committees, and residents focused on enhancing the quality of life, attracting economic development, and creating a pedestrian friendly environment along the corridor. 51:52 Chair Karen Rivo asked if anyone had any questions for Sarah Bassett. No one had any questions. 52:42 Chair Karen Rivo stated that the 41st Street Mayor’s Blue-Ribbon Committee has deliberated a lot on the royal palms. 53:14 Maria Hernandez explained that 28% of the royal palms on the street are being replaced for the design with canopy trees. The 41st Street Mayor’s Blue-Ribbon Committee recommended the design, via motion, but with the added request to examine the royal palms with a goal of removing no more than 10% to 15% of them. 54:52 Chair Karen Rivo explained that this item is going to the January 13th Commission Meeting. She suggested that the G.O. Bond Oversight Committee make a motion to support AECOM’s hybrid design. Motion: 57:29 Jason Greene motioned to accept the hybrid plan as presented. Jack Glottman seconded the motion. Motion passed. VI. Major Tranche 1 Projects Update (Refer to Agenda and Handouts Package found on the G.O. Bond Website.) #45 Fire Station #1 – Current Completion Date: December 2023 1:00:00 David Martinez explained that on November 24th, Staff received a revised schematic design from the architect, which removed the 911 call center and reduced certain elements for the purpose of cost control. The next step is to direct the architect to create the final packages G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 22 December 17, 2020 Page 5 of 9 to present at Historic Preservation Board (HPB) for approval in the late spring or early summer 2021. Staff will be presenting to the G.O. Bond Oversight Committee before presenting to HPB. #1 72nd St. Community Complex – Current Completion Date: December 2023 1:02:12 David Martinez explained that staff received the proposals from the three design-build firms on December 14th. The proposals are currently being vetted through for their compliance. If the firms are compliant, they will go through an evaluation committee on January 7th, which is the same evaluation committee that short-listed these three firms. The results will then be presented to the Interim City Manager for a recommendation to the City Commission, tentatively for the February 10th Commission Meeting. 1:04:33 Sean Smith asked what information was given to the design build firms in regard to the open field space. He mentioned that there has yet been a new active field built with the G.O. Bond funds. He hopes that there will be active uses for this space, with lighting for sports. 1:04:56 David Martinez requested that since the City is currently in the Cone of Silence, he recommended Staff come back in January, once the proposals are in, to explain the details and better answer the question. #15 Par 3/Bayshore Park – Current Completion Date: March 2023 1:06:28 David Martinez reported that staff finally heard back from DERM on December 4th. They provided some feedback and asked Staff to install additional sampling wells, with a response by 90 days, which will be February 2nd. Staff last week submitted the formal permit to DERM. Once they approve the City’s plans and grant a permit, the City’s Building Department will grant Staff a permit. The procurement process will then begin towards the end of 2021. Staff has been working with the consultant to bring the project costs down. 1:08:36 Sean Smith clarified if Staff is in the process of value engineering in order to lower the price of the project. 1:08:47 David Martinez answered yes to Sean Smith. 1:09:14 Sean Smith asked how far off was Staff with the total approved budget. 1:09:14 David Martinez responded that the cost is about $3-4 million dollars off. 1:10:53 Sean Smith asked the more this project gets delayed, should Staff be looking for a Tranche 2 project for Parks to move up. 1:11:23 David Martinez explained that that is something Staff should be talking about because an award for the project will be sometime around the first half of 2022. 1:11:44 Maria Hernandez explained that these scenarios are what Staff is studying to bring back to the Committee for consideration. As an example, Staff would like to consider advancing the Flamingo Park project in order to move a project in place of the Bayshore Park project; the project G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 22 December 17, 2020 Page 6 of 9 is almost shovel ready since the plans are done but and only permitting is pending. The project includes the completion of the softball and baseball fields and all of the remaining components of the original Master Plan. 1:12:50 Jason Greene said that he thinks that is a great example of reprioritization because there were several residents and homeowner association members that were disappointed in the timing of the Flamingo Park Project. #24 Middle Beach Beachwalk PH3 – Current Completion Date: June 2021 1:14:57 David Martinez explained that Staff is on track for substantial completion by June 2021. Staff has progressed with the installation of the paver bricks between 24th-26th St and then 26th- 29th St. The intent is to start opening these sections in Spring 2021, once all of the safety protocols such as lighting and cameras are installed. Drone photographs of the project construction were shown to the Committee and can be found in the meeting folder along with the other meeting material. #12 N. Beach Oceanside Beachwalk – Current Completion Date: April 2022 1:19:31 David Martinez explained that this is the beachwalk along North Beach Oceanside Park. Bids were received yesterday, December 16th. The current plan is to bring the Interim City Manager’s recommendation to the City Commission on January 13th. Within 2 months of receiving the award, the groundbreaking will occur. Staff will meet in order to schedule a groundbreaking ceremony. 1:21:01 Laura Veitia asked if this project is still being done with the North Beach Oceanside Park. 1:21:18 David Martinez explained that because the beachwalk component received a grant from the state, the grant had certain time limitations. Staff did not want the park development to hold up commencement of the beachwalk. The park is almost ready to begin the procurement process within the next 60 days since Staff received approval from the Design Review Board (DRB) on December 7th. VII. Other Projects Update (Refer to pages 17-26 on the Agenda and Handouts Package found on the G.O. Bond Website.) #38 Part 1 Streets – Current Completion Date: April 2022 1:23:57 Rudy de la Torre explained that Staff has provided a 5-year plan, which is in coordination with the Jacob’s Stormwater Improvement Prioritization Plan and other Capital Improvement Projects, such as the Water and Wastewater 5-year plan. 1:26:07 Maria Hernandez explained that she will email the 5-year plan to the Committee Members showing the list of streets and sidewalks under separate email. 1:26:58 Rudy de la Torre explained that Staff feels good about this plan. Within 5 to 7 months of the new year, Staff will probably complete the 2021 proposed schedule, and then Staff will move on to the 2022 schedule. G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 22 December 17, 2020 Page 7 of 9 1:29:05 Jason Greene asked if Staff is getting more lane miles than projected. 1:29:19 Rudy de la Torre said yes; significantly more. The contractor has also been very responsive and has added additional crews when requested. #39 Part 1 Sidewalks – Current Completion Date: April 2022 1:30:14 Rudy de la Torre explained that the sidewalks are progressing the same as the streets project. A three (3) month lookahead was provided, which is in blue on the map. Most of the time, the sidewalk restoration goes hand in hand with the street repaving in order to not inconvenience the residents. #53 Convention Center Bollards, Soundscape Park Bollards, South Pointe Park Bollards – Current Completion Date April 2021 1:31:37 Rudy de la Torre explained that Staff issued a Notice to Proceed to the consultant Gannett Fleming and met with them on Tuesday, December 15. A kickoff meeting for the three subprojects will be held on December 23rd. Site visits have been scheduled for all three sites the second week of January. Staff will continue to update the G.O. Bond Oversight Committee and provide the designs of the bollards once available. #42 Nautilus Traffic Calming – Current Completion Date: April 2021 1:32:44 Josiel Ferrer explained that the quick win portion has been finished for quite some time now and Staff is currently working on the construction of the two traffic circles in the area. Notice to Proceed No. 1 was issued in October to the contractor, but they have been slightly delayed due to COVID-19 and manufacturing issues. Currently the contractor is securing their approval of shop drawings. Staff is simultaneously securing a right of way permit from Public Works. Public Works has requested a grading plan, which was not initially part of the design, and Staff has scheduled a survey next week in order to collect data for the data plan. Staff anticipates commencing construction the week of January 4th. #33 Part 1 Tree Planting – Current Completion Date: April 2022 1:34:27 Omar Leon explained that 759 trees have been planted throughout different neighborhoods in the City. An additional 114 trees will be added in January in the Lake Pancoast neighborhood. The City was recently awarded the 2021 Neat Streets Grant which will assist in planting an additional 60 trees in Normandy Shores. 1:35:50 Chair Karen Rivo noted the recent blog post Allison Novack wrote on the G.O. Bond website regarding the tree planting. #4 Fairway Park Fence– Current Completion Date: February 2021 1:36:26 Barbara Hernandez reported that the permit was issued on December 3rd. The installation should begin the first week of January and the project should be complete by the first week of February. The fence is currently black, but with this upgrade, it will be gray which will better blend with the surrounding neighborhood. G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 22 December 17, 2020 Page 8 of 9 #32 Palm & Hibiscus Landscaping – Complete 1:37:35 Chair Karen Rivo explained that a couple of residents from the community have reached out to her with some concerns regarding the maintenance. 1:38:30 David Martinez explained that the Capital Improvement Projects Department has internal City “client” departments, such as Parking, Parks and Recreation, and in this case, Greenspace. There were several items that CIP had to finish before handing the project to Greenspace for maintenance. During that time, there was a lot of rainfall and Greenspace ran into some problems with their vendor that was hired to maintain the landscaping. This has all been squared away and the vendor is currently onsite maintaining the area. 1:39:50 Chair Karen Rivo reminded Committee Members to notify Staff immediately if they hear complaints from residents because they are incredibly responsive in addressing issues. VIII. Quick Wins Remaining (Refer to pages 27-29 on the Agenda & Handout Package on the G.O. Bond Website.) #57 Cameras in Entertainment District - Current Completion for Lummus Park January 2021 1:40:23 Steve Feldman explained that the mounts are on the poles and the fiber slices are inside the poles. Starting next week, the trunk cable that is in the conduit will be ran from Ocean Rescue to Police headquarters. #56 Cameras on Beachwalk – Current Completion Date: January 2021 1:41:20 Steve Feldman explained that the boring work has been completed and all of the equipment has been ordered. #44 Public Safety Radio System – Current Completion Date: February 2021 1:42:04 Lazaro Guerra explained that the antennas have been installed at the 5660 Collins Ave site, which is the last site for this project. An exhaust system was found in the building and wasn’t originally in the plans. The contractor was on site this week with an engineer to draw the removal of the exhaust system in order to submit the paperwork to the Building Department. IX. Public Comment 1:44:50 Robert Rabinowitz asked Rudy de la Torre if it is possible to share the design of the bollards that are being implemented so that the design can be replicated in different areas on the beach, such as the Beachwalk. He also asked if there will be signage on the Beachwalk from 47th St and up, notating the different street crossings and signage on the revitalization on 41st St. Corridor. 1:47:20 Rudy de la Torre noted that by the next G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting, there will not yet be a design to show for the bollards. As the design ideas become available, they will be shared with the Committee. He noted that these designs may not be the correct fit for other areas on the beach, such as the Beachwalk. G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 22 December 17, 2020 Page 9 of 9 1:51:09 Chair Karen Rivo thanked Robert Rabinowitz for raising the issues of signage. She told Maria Hernandez that they will speak on that offline due to time. She wanted to thank the City and Staff for their hard work and expressed her gratitude. She asked if any members have any comments on how things are moving. 1:52:30 Marie Peter expressed that the Staff on this Committee has been very rewarding, and she has so much respect for everyone. 1:53:48 Jack Glottman expressed that he agrees with everything Marie Peter said. The Staff is outstanding, and they have adapted extremely well to the new way of doing business. 1:54:28 Laura Veitia agrees with both Marie Peter and Jack Glottman. 1:54:48 Jason Greene expressed that the City has done a really good job. 1:56:24 Francisco Diez-Rivas expressed that he is very fortunate to participate in these committees because it allows him to provide insight to his network of friends and associates. He explained that he always defends the City and he is very impressed by the Staff. 1:57:09 Sean Smith said thank you to the Staff. 1:57:30 Maria Hernandez explained that she will be sending the Zoom invites for the 2021 meetings. The next meeting is on January 21st. She thanked the Staff for doing an incredible job during this pandemic. 1:59:24 Eric Carpenter thanked Chair Karen Rivo for leading an exceptional group of individuals. This Committee is truly a pleasure to work with. X. Adjournment Meeting was adjourned.