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Meeting Minutes- 3.25.21 General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee City of Miami Beach MEETING MINUTES No. 25 March 25, 2021 Members in Attendance Via Zoom: Karen Rivo, Chair Sean Smith Jack Glottmann Jason Greene John Bowes Carmen Browne Jason Koslowe Bryan Rosenfeld Laura Veitia Francisco Diez-Rivas Staff and Guests Attendance: Maria Hernandez, Liaison John Woodruff, GOB Working Group Eric Carpenter, GOB Working Group Devin Ramirez Thais Vieira Allison Novack David Martinez Rudy de la Torre Lily Alvarez Nelson Jacome-Perez Vanessa Vazquez Wayne Jones Elizabeth Wheaton Lauren Firtel Liz Estevez Justin Karr Frank Garcia Roland Aragunde Michael Festa Jason Jacobson Eric Garcia Virgil Fernandez Lazaro Guerra Pablo Burgos Robert Rabinowitz 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. 25 March 25, 2021 Page 2 of 11 I. Roll Call and Introductions (Refer to the Meeting Audio Recording 3.25.21 on the G.O. Bond Website.) 0:05 Chair Karen Rivo called the meeting to order. Roll call was completed. II. Committee Business Resignation of Marie Peter 2:38 Chair Karen Rivo reported that Vice Chair Marie Peter has resigned from this committee because she is relocating to the west coast of Florida. The City Commission will be appointing a resident that represents the South Beach area very soon. Committee Members need to now elect a Vice Chair. She asked if there are any nominations for Vice Chair. 3:58 Jason Greene nominated himself. There were no additional nominations. 4:13 Chair Karen Rivo asked if there is a second on the nomination of Jason Greene being Vice Chair. 4:18 Jack Glottmann seconded the nomination. Jason Greene was unanimously elected as Vice Chair. Adoption of Meeting Minutes 4:33 Chair Karen Rivo requested a motion to approve the February 18th minutes. Motion: 4:38 Jason Greene made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. 4:42 Jack Glottmann seconded the motion. Motion passed. III. Community Outreach (Refer to pages 2-4 on the Agenda & Handout Packet on the G.O. Bond website.) 5:11 Allison Novack explained the list of upcoming meetings where items related to the G.O. Bond Program are discussed, on pages 2-4 of the Agenda & Handout Packet. She asked if anyone has any questions for her. 5:48 Chair Karen Rivo stated that it is a fantastic document. She suggested there be times shown for the meetings on the document. 6:39 Maria Hernandez explained that this document changes quickly, so Staff will be sending it twice a month to the Committee Members. 7:38 Allison Novack reported that a new blog post will be posted soon. The G.O. Bond Program is also featured in the MB Magazine. She thanked Josiel Ferrer for having 2 great community meetings regarding project #42 Traffic Calming in the Bayshore Neighborhood and the Normandy Isles Neighborhood. Staff has received a lot of positive feedback from these meetings. G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 25 March 25, 2021 Page 3 of 11 IV. Public Comment 9:38 Chair Karen Rivo asked if anyone from the public would like to speak and/or ask any questions. No one spoke. V. Program General Status, & Sub-Projects Update, Closed Projects (Refer to pages 5-16 on the Agenda & Handout Packet on the G.O. Bond website.) 10:00 Maria Hernandez reported on the G.O. Bond Project List by Phase, found on pages 5 & 6. She reported that Staff has made progress since the last time reported. There are now 28 closed sub-projects and 4 completed sub-projects for a total of 32 sub-projects. There are 8 projects under construction and 22 that are now in design. The reprioritization plan that this Committee approved at the February 18th meeting will be going to the Finance Committee on March 26th. This list will change once the revised scheduling of projects is approved. She then explained the charts found on pages 7-12. There are now 7 completed projects and 27 active projects. Currently, Staff is showing a savings of $3.2 million, as shown on page 13. She explained that the Revised G.O. Bond Implementation Plan, that was approved at the last committee meeting, will be presented at tomorrow’s Finance Meeting. The changes are shown in red. Since last presented to the Committee, two projects have had a reverse. Initially, Staff recommended moving Fire Station #3 forward and the Marine Patrol Facility to Tranche 2. After recent conversations with the Fire Department, it was determined that they rather prioritize the Marine Patrol Facility because Fire Station #3 still has a few years of useful life, so this will be presented at the FERC meeting. A new motion, therefore, is required to endorse the amended Revised G.O. Bond Implementation Plan, indicating revisions to projects #51 & #54, per the recommendation of Staff. 17:58 Chair Karen Rivo asked if anyone had any questions. 18:00 Jason Greene mentioned that he remembers a prior discussion regarding the Marine Patrol Facility, where Staff wanted to push the scheduling out, but a commissioner did not want to move the project out. 19:00 Maria Hernandez reported that after talking to the Fire Department, Staff realized that they need it now. Initially it was moved due to staffing concerns and funding, but the current timing of completion of the project has removed that concern. 20:58 Jason Greene wanted confirmation that this change is from Staff’s recommendations and not from the Commission. 21:10 John Woodruff explained that Staff has not met with the Commission regarding the Revised G.O. Bond Implementation Plan. G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 25 March 25, 2021 Page 4 of 11 Motion Staff presented a drafted motion for the Committee’s consideration as follows: To endorse the amended G.O. Bond revised Implementation Plan indicating revisions to Projects Nos. 51 & 54 per the recommendation of staff. 21:22 Jason Greene made a motion to approve the motion as presented. 21:30 Jack Glottmann seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. 21:49 Jason Greene wanted to clarify for the new members that the list found on pages 5 & 6 are only the Tranche 1 projects. 22:37 Maria Hernandez thanked Jason Greene for clarifying the G.O. Bond Project List by Phase since there are new members who have not seen this sheet before. She explained that this sheet gets extracted from our software and is a list of our sub-projects in Tranche 1 only. Explanation of the G.O. Bond Project List by Phase continued. VI. Potential Tree Related Impacts (Refer to page 18-19 on the Agenda & Handout Packet on the G.O. Bond website.) 24:54 Maria Hernandez reported that Elizabeth Wheaton, from the Environment & Sustainability Department is present and so is David Martinez. She asked Elizabeth Wheaton to do a quick update from the recent Sustainability Committee meeting. 25:40 Chair Karen Rivo asked Maria Hernandez to explain to the Committee Members why this item is being discussed. 25:46 Maria Hernandez reported that there are some items that were put forth on different Commission committee agendas, where the decisions can ultimately affect some current G.O. Bond projects. The projects that can potentially be affected are shown on page 18. 27:13 Elizabeth Wheaton reported that in January, the Mayor and Commission directed Staff to set up a workshop regarding the Urban Forestry Master Plan. This workshop was held in the beginning of March, where Staff provided a history of the Urban Forestry Master Plan. The plan was approved by Commission in October 2020. This plan helps guide Staff in determining where trees can be planted, soil volumes, and the planting palette, which includes canopy and palm trees. Following this workshop, there are 10 items that are being referred to different Commission committees. She noted that the removal and relocation of trees is permitted through the City’s Urban Forestry Division. The Urban Forestry Division primary goal is tree preservation and protection, however during construction often trees and palms may need to be removed. The Urban Forestry Division works with City departments and private developers to minimize any impacts of removing trees, including relocations and mitigation. The City currently has 17% tree canopy and the goal is to be at 22% by year 2040. As part of the G.O. Bond, there is $5 million allocated for reforestation. This project is planting shade canopy within right-of-ways, G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 25 March 25, 2021 Page 5 of 11 parks, and greenspaces. Planting trees today is important, in order to have a healthy urban forest in the future. 32:37 Chair Karen Rivo asked if anyone has any questions for Elizabeth Wheaton. 32:47 Jason Greene asked for clarification to item #5 on page 18, which is in regard to Fire Station #1. 33:14 Elizabeth Wheaton reported that last Wednesday, March 17th, the City Commission passed a resolution for a 90-day moratorium on all construction projects in which palm trees would be impacted. 34:12 David Martinez reported that this resolution has a potential impact on most G.O. Bond projects, some more than others. He explained that the Surface Parking Lot in Biscayne Beach (seawall being done by CIP) and North Beach Oceanside Park Beachwalk are two projects that are exempted from this moratorium because the construction is scheduled to begin shortly. He reported that there are six projects that are currently in the Design and/or Planning Phase that may get impacted. The Capital Improvement Projects Department has worked closely with the Urban Forestry Division regarding the three park projects. There are some movement of trees needed for Fire Station #1. Depending on how this all turns out, the way the site is laid out may be impacted. 39:51 Maria Hernandez reported that Staff has a drafted motion that they are going to present to the Committee Members. The discussion of all of these items will be held during the last week of April in different committees. 41:42 Jason Koslowe reported that the consensus of the Sustainability Committee was that the Urban Forestry Master Plan and its principles are consonant with the issues that have been raised by Commission, and that there is no need for an overhaul of the Master Plan. The problem is that in some sense, there is a dialog issue. For example, the Commission has expressed concern regarding the removal of palms at locations that have CIP projects without a recognition that when a palm or tree is removed, it must be mitigated. The incorrect optics are that palms are being removed from a construction site in order to get rid of them, as opposed to, they are being removed because the site location demands it due to conflicts with construction. He believes that the issues raised by the Commissioners are critically important but that there is a communication issue, so it is important for the Committee Members to pass the message that there is no dissonance between the Urban Forestry Master Plan and the concerns being raised, and that if Commission starts referring these issues to different committees and putting moratoriums in place, it can wreak havoc on the G.O. Bond Projects. 44:15 Jason Greene said he would like to see the drafted motion because he would like to see these projects move along. He stated that we want to be efficient with the funds provided. He is disappointed that the Commission reacted, but he hopes that this issue gets put to bed and communicated rather quickly. G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 25 March 25, 2021 Page 6 of 11 45:13 Maria Hernandez presented the drafted motion language, which is found on page 19 of the agenda. 46:15 David Martinez asked if Maria Hernandez would like to add to the drafted motion that Staff will be meeting the City’s code, to reassure the community. 46:56 Jason Greene suggested a motion for the City to continue to follow its own code and Urban Forestry Master Plan and to make every effort to preserve palms, while also proceeding to remove and relocate any palm and/or any other tree that is required in order to execute the planned project design and construction of any voter approved G.O. Bond project. 48:18 Jack Glottmann mentioned that the only thing missing from the motion is a statement regarding mitigation because if Staff can’t relocate, then the tree will have to be planted somewhere else. 48:40 Maria Hernandez asked Elizabeth Wheaton to confirm if the Urban Forestry Division relocates as many palms as they possibly can and the only time a palm doesn’t get relocated is if it is sick. 49:24 Elizabeth Wheaton reported that when a project kicks off, an arborist examines the trees on site for Staff to understand their condition and potential success for relocation. The City’s Urban Forester’s main goal is to keep the tree and relocate it. Discussion continued. 52:14 Jason Greene, Jack Glottmann and Jason Koslowe discussed possible motion language. 52:34 John Bowes asked if there is an opportunity to state that Staff will relocate all trees and there won’t be any losses. 54:37 Elizabeth Wheaton reported that to meet their 22% canopy coverage goal, the City needs to maximize the planting of shade canopy. The 22% canopy, it includes public and private property. Palms are used as focal point species so that they are the key accent. In some cases, Staff would prefer more canopy on a site that there was before so a canopy tree would replace the palm tree. Unfortunately, there are some situations where trees can’t be replaced 1 for 1. In the past 3 years, 1,900 trees have been removed from projects, but 3,553 palms have been added as part of the projects. Discussion continued. 1:00:35 Maria Hernandez suggested that Thais Vieira and Allison Novack take the several recommendations, draft another motion and present it to the Committee later in the meeting. VII. Police and Fire Projects Update (Refer to pages 20-31 on the Agenda & Handout Packet on the G.O. Bond website.) G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 25 March 25, 2021 Page 7 of 11 #57 Lummus Park/Ocean Drive Cameras 1:03:31 Eric Garcia reported that construction is complete and now Staff is working on the configuration of the cameras. #56 Cameras-Beachwalk 1:04:04 Eric Garcia reported that this project is scheduled to be completed by next week. Cameras on the eastern end of 15th St. and the eastern end of Lincoln Road are both up and are being configured currently by Staff. #57 Collins Ave/Washington Ave Cameras 1:05:17 Eric Garcia reported that Staff is currently testing some equipment that they want to use for the Washington Ave area. Staff is looking to split this project into two because these locations are going to progress on different timelines. Washington Ave will begin before Collins Ave. #50 Dade Blvd Corridor Cameras 1:07:58 Eric Garcia reported that Staff already has a proposal from a contractor, and it is currently being reviewed. This project will soon move to construction. #50 71 St Corridor Cameras 1:08:34 Eric Garcia reported that this project is currently in the Design Phase until April. Staff is estimating a short construction phase. #50 41 St Corridor Cameras 1:09:15 Eric Garcia reported that the Police Department’s work in this area will go along the construction of project #40 41 St Corridor. As project #40 41 St Corridor moves along, this project will move with it. #50 Alton Road Corridor Cameras 1:09:57 Eric Garcia reported that Alton Road is a state road. This project is scheduled to end the Planning Phase at the end of August. #47 Other Readers Citywide 1:10:59 Eric Garcia reported that this is an ongoing project, where Staff will do their work to add readers whenever projects are done. For example, as #57 Collins Ave/Washington Ave Cameras is being done, there will be a component of license plate readers that will be added to this project. There are currently 26 locations identified for this project. 1:12:44 Chair Karen Rivo asked if anyone had any questions. No one spoke. #49 Public Safety Radio System 1:13:51 Lazaro Guerra reported that out of the 10 sites that made up this project, 6 have been 100% completed. Out of the 4 remaining sites, 3 have had significant progress in the last few days. These 3 sites will be completed in the next 3 weeks. The 10th site should be completed in a G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 25 March 25, 2021 Page 8 of 11 month or two after the 3 sites are completed. Harris Corporation believes that this project will be completed and paid by September 2021. 1:16:39 Chair Karen Rivo asked if anyone had any questions. No one spoke. 1:16:54 Maria Hernandez suggested that they revisit the tree motion. 1:17:13 Jason Koslowe made the following motion: Motion Motion to expeditiously execute the planning, design, and construction of any voter-approved G.O. Bond project, and as required by City Code and consistent with the City's Urban Forestry Master Plan proceeding to remove, relocate, or reestablish any palm and/or other tree, while making every effort, consonant with those projects, the Code and the Urban Forestry Master Plan, to preserve palms which are iconic to Miami Beach's culture and history. 1:17:45 Jason Greene seconded the motion. 1:17:52 Chair Karen Rivo asked if there was any discussion regarding the proposed motion. No one spoke. 1:18:00 Motion passed unanimously. VIII. Major Tranche 2 Projects Update (Refer to pages 32-38 on the Agenda & Handout Packet on the G.O. Bond website.) #1 72 St Community Complex 1:18:42 David Martinez reported that Staff presented the design-build firm recommendation at the March 17th Commission Meeting. The Commission approved Staff to begin negotiations with Haskell and made a motion to refer this item to the April Finance Committee to increase funding. Staff met today with the Procurement Department to set up the first meeting with Haskell regarding negotiations. Staff will request several documents from Haskell prior to the first meeting. Florida Power & Lights (FPL) is on standby to relocate the landlines. 1:21:15 Laura Veitia asked if the relocation of the FPL landlines is part of the project’s budget. 1:21:24 David Martinez answered yes. #45 Fire Station #1 1:22:28 David Martinez reported that Staff released the Construction Manager to begin his pricing exercise on March 17th. By mid-April, Staff is supposed to receive the cost estimate and suggestions regarding value engineering. The architect will also have their own cost estimate to compare the numbers. Staff will begin to prepare the package that is going to be presented to G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 25 March 25, 2021 Page 9 of 11 the Historic Preservation Board. Renderings will also be prepared that will be presented to this Committee. Then, the process of obtaining development waiver regulations through the City Commission will commence. This project is at 30% design and there are a lot of steps to go but it is still on track to begin construction in 2022. 1:26:00 Maria Hernandez added that we are still committed to finding a solution for the South Shore Community Center tenants. 1:26:20 Jason Greene said he has heard some noise around this issue that he believes is completely unwarranted. The committee and staff has always communicated the importance of the daycare and has committed to its relocation. He does not believe the relocation of private tenants should hold up such a greatly important project. 1:27:12 Maria Hernandez responded that she wants to add to the record that there is a lot of false information on social media. The information was corrected at the last Commission Meeting during a discussion on the South Shore Community Center. The notion that the city is evicting the childcare and Seniors in Action is not true. They received a year lease renewal for all of 2021 and then can remain on a month-to-month basis until construction if Commission decides to extend their leases again. This year, staff will find a permanent solution for them. To go to parents and tell them that their kids will be evicted is simply not true and is politically motivated. 1:28:40 Karen Rivo asked if there are any other questions. No one spoke. #15 Par 3/Bayshore Park 1:28:52 David Martinez reported that all of the permits for DERM are approved except the one that is connected to the soil and ground water contamination issue. DERM gives themselves approximately 60 days from when they receive the requested documents to respond, which is the week of March 29th. Staff is optimistic that DERM will respond shortly. In the meantime, Staff has been working with the Building Department. The consultant continues to value engineer the project. The Public Works Department has deemed it necessary to relocate 2 utilities that are going through the park. This will not impact the project and they are seeking funding from the City Commission. #24 Middle Beach Beachwalk PH3 1:34:21 David Martinez reported that an LTC was done in order to update the Commission on the status of the project. Staff is expecting to open the southern straight away section, from 24th St- 29th St., by the end of this month. The other two straight away sections, from 30th to 32nd and 40th to 46th are expected to open in April. Eventually, the 11 side streets will open up as they get completed. #12 North Beach Oceanside Beachwalk 1:35:48 David Martinez reported that Staff is working on relocating the trees and getting the final contract signed and executed that the City Commission approved in February. The contractor is expected to mobilize in May. G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 25 March 25, 2021 Page 10 of 11 #10 Maurice Gibb Park 1:36:36 David Martinez reported that Maurice Gibb Park is going through the same permitting pattern as #15 Par 3/Bayshore Park, although not as complicated because there is no lake in this project. The permit from National Marine Fisheries Service is still pending, even though Staff has addressed all of their comments. #40 Part 1 Revitalize 41 Street 1:37:47 David Martinez reported that Staff has been working very closely with the Procurement Department in getting together the RFQ for the design firm, which will hopefully be released in mid-April. Staff is expecting to go to the City Commission in May to request authority for the Construction Manager at Risk RFQ. 1:38:45 Maria Hernandez reported that the Mayor’s 41st St Blue Ribbon Committee was currently having their meeting as well. Gedel Merzius took the final AECOM plan to the meeting. 1:39:19 Gedel Merzius reported that the Mayor’s 41st St Blue Ribbon Committee meeting ended a few minutes ago. Colette Satchell from CIP provided the update to the committee. IX. Other Projects Update (Refer to pages 39-50 on the Agenda & Handout Packet on the G.O. Bond website.) #8 Lummus Park 1:42:23 Michael Festa reported that survey work is underway and expected to be completed by tomorrow, March 26th. The consultant will compile their findings and then Staff will meet. #9 Marjory Stoneman Douglas Park 1:42:56 Michael Festa reported that the City made the shortlist for the Florida Recreation Department Assistance Program (FRDAP), and if chosen, the City will receive a $200,000 grant. If awarded, the playground and sidewalk construction will begin June 2021. The design was approved by the South of 5th Neighborhood Committee. #33 Part 1 Tree Planting 1:45:03 Elizabeth Wheaton reported that the Lake Pancoast area was completed in January, where Staff planted 114 trees. In total, 873 trees have been planted using G.O. Bond funds. Phase 2 of South Beach Reforestation will begin shortly, where 55 trees will be added to Flamingo Park and the South of 5th neighborhood. The purchase order was issued this week and the project is expected to begin in the next 2 to 3 weeks. An Invitation to Quote (ITQ) was issued today, March 25th, for the Normandy Shores area. This project will bring 59 trees to the area. This project received a “Neat Streets” grant to maximize the G.O. Bond funding. The next area to follow is Bayshore, which will receive 122 trees starting at the end of May. The City’s Urban Forester is currently doing an assessment of the Lake View neighborhood to identify tree planting locations. Staff is also putting together an ITQ for Pinetree and La Gorce to add an additional 27 trees. 1:47:37 Jason Greene asked what streets are receiving trees in the South of 5th neighborhood. G.O. Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes No. 25 March 25, 2021 Page 11 of 11 1:47:44 Elizabeth Wheaton reported that the South Beach Reforestation project is filling gaps where there aren’t any trees, due to being hit by a car, disease, and/or a storm took it down. #40 41 Street Lighting Upgrades 1:48:23 Rudy de la Torre informed the Committee that the project is complete. This project included the replacement of 28 high pressure sodium roadway lighting with 4K lights. Staff also replaced the obsolete lighting, which was a triple lighted fixture, with LED lighting. #38 Part 1 Streets & #37 Part 1 Sidewalks 1:50:07 Rudy de la Torre reported that the contractor is finishing up the striping of the Bayshore neighborhood. The contractor will then begin the North Bay Road section, starting north of Mount Sinai to 63rd. Damaged sidewalks will be restored along the way as well. #42 Normandy Isle Traffic Calming, Bayshore South Traffic Calming, Nautilus Traffic Calming, & Palm View Traffic Calming 1:52:31 Maria Hernandez reported that the Normandy Isle Traffic Calming Community Meeting was held yesterday, March 24th, and it went very well. Staff is currently working on the right-of- way permit for the Nautilus neighborhood. Staff is also scheduling community meetings for the Palm View neighborhood. X. Public Comment 1:53:33 Robert Rabinowitz referred to Eric Garcia’s update on the #56 Cameras - Beachwalk. He explained that residents were under the impression that cameras were going from 14th to 23rd and 23rd to 46th. 1:54:23 David Martinez explained that the Commission approved a change order to the beachwalk contractor a couple of months ago to install the infrastructure necessary for PD to install their cameras. This project will have conduits, the installed poles, cameras, and power supply required. 1:55:05 Eric Garcia confirmed David Martinez’s response. XI. Adjournment 1:57:37 Meeting was adjourned.