Meeting Minutes 4.29.21
General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee
City of Miami Beach
MEETING MINUTES No. 26
April 29, 2021
Members in Attendance
Via Zoom:
Karen Rivo, Chair
Sean Smith
Jack Glottmann
Jason Greene
John Bowes
Carmen Browne
Jason Koslowe
Laura Veitia
Francisco Diez-Rivas
Staff and Guests Attendance:
Maria Hernandez, Liaison
John Woodruff, GOB Working Group
Eric Carpenter, GOB Working Group
Alina T. Hudak
Devin Ramirez
Thais Vieira
Allison Novack
David Martinez
Rudy de la Torre
Lily Alvarez
Vanessa Vazquez
Elizabeth Wheaton
Lauren Firtel
Liz Estevez
Frank Garcia
Roland Aragunde
Michael Festa
Alex Denis
Jason Jacobson
Maria Cerna
Giancarlo Pena
Tameka Otto Stewart
Eric Garcia
Rickelle Williams
Jose Gonzalez
Robert Rabinowitz
Jani Singer
John Aleman
Scott Needelman
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.
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Page 2 of 10
I. Roll Call and Introductions
(Refer to the Meeting Audio Recording 4.29.21 on the G.O. Bond Website.)
0:44 Chair Karen Rivo called the meeting to order. Roll call was completed.
II. Committee Business
Adoption of Meeting Minutes from 03-25-21
2:22 Chair Karen Rivo requested a motion to approve the March 25th minutes.
Motion:
2:34 Jason Greene made a motion to approve the minutes as presented.
2:38 Jack Glottmann seconded the motion. Motion passed.
South Beach Designee Still Pending
2:47 Chair Karen Rivo informed the Committee Members that Marie Peter’s open seat will be filled next
month by Scott Needleman, the President of Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association.
Introduction of City Manager Alina T. Hudak
3:52 Alina T. Hudak commended the incredible work that is being done in this committee. She advised
that she has worked with several G.O. Bond Programs throughout her career and has never seen a board
and a chair work so well together. She expressed that it is an honor to serve the City and continue to fulfill
her public service mission as the City Manager and that there are some items that she has asked Staff to
revisit. She stressed the importance of keeping these projects within budget, expedited, and on-time, so
she has asked Senior Managers to look at the projects that are stuck in a different way to legislatively
approve these projects. She explained that she is worried about the budgets that are coming in higher.
These issues will be a priority for her in the upcoming months.
III. Community Outreach
(Refer to pages 2-3 on the Agenda & Handout Packet on the G.O. Bond website.)
11:18 Allison Novack informed the Committee Members that staff will be speaking at the
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association on May 3rd at 6:00 pm. Staff is looking forward to
possibly hosting an in-person ground breaking ceremony for project #24 Middle Beach Beachwalk
in the north end and a ribbon cutting in the middle section this summer. Staff is also planning on
hosting a community meeting regarding project #45 Fire Station #1 in July. She explained the list
of upcoming meetings where items related to the G.O. Bond Program are discussed, on pages 2-
3 of the Agenda & Handout Packet. The highlighted items were differed.
IV. Program General Status, & Sub-Projects Update, Closed Projects
(Refer to pages 4-12 on the Agenda & Handout Packet on the G.O. Bond website.)
13:35 Maria Hernandez reported the G.O. Bond Project List by Phase, found on pages 4 & 5. She
noted that project #56 Cameras- Beachwalk is now completed and close-out is pending, bringing
the total count of completed projects to 8 out of the 57 projects. There are now 33 complete
sub-projects, with 28 of them being closed out. Currently, there are 7 projects under construction
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and 22 projects in design. She explained that the G.O. Bond Revised Implementation Plan was
approved at the April 21st Commission Meeting, so this chart is going to change in either June or
July, because there will be many more sub-projects in Tranche 1.
Explanation continued.
V. New Implementation Plan Update
(Refer to pages 13-15 on the Agenda & Handout Packet on the G.O. Bond website.)
21:26 Maria Hernandez reported that she has asked John Woodruff to discuss the G.O. Bond
Revised Implementation Plan, found on pages 13-15.
22:00 John Woodruff reported that the G.O. Bond Revised Implementation Plan was approved at
the April 21st Commission Meeting. The next step is to do a capital budget amendment at the
May 12th Commission Meeting, to update the dollars, to fund the projects that are moving up to
Tranche 1. The only project that needed funding before May 12th is project #31 Ocean Drive
Improvement Project.
23:22 Chair Karen Rivo asked if anyone has any questions for John Woodruff.
23:29 Jason Greene asked if there were any changes made by Commission to the revised plan
that the committee endorsed.
23:40 John Woodruff explained that it was approved as is.
VI. Public Comment
24:25 Chair Karen Rivo asked if anyone from the public would like to speak.
No one spoke.
VII. Ocean Drive and Washington Ave
24:56 Eric Carpenter reported that the Ocean Drive and Washington Avenue Master Plan, which
is being done by Zyscovich Architects, was originally set to release their concepts after 6 months.
Staff was able to get Zyscovich Architects to advance their concept, due to the high traffic the
City receives in this area. Staff believes that we will receive the concept plan portion by June. It
will then be presented to the Arts & Culture District working group and this committee. In
addition to the infrastructure, there are zoning configurations, transportation recommendations,
economic development and place making suggestions.
27:22 David Martinez reported that the Mayor and Commission asked the administration to
prepare a Letter to Commission explaining the tentative timeline of this project. Staff is going to
recommend that this project follows the same trajectory as project #45 Fire Station #1, which is
to hire a Designer and a Construction Manager-At-Risk. This requires commission action for
authority to put out a Request for Qualifications (RFQ). If Staff can get authorization at the July
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Commission Meeting, Staff foresees a shovel in the ground no earlier than July 2023. As City
Manager Alina T. Hudak mentioned, Staff is looking at shortening internal processes in order to
complete projects quicker.
30:30 Chair Karen Rivo asked what the $2 million dollars allocated for Tranche 1 is for.
30:45 Eric Carpenter reported that the overall $20 million dollar budget is going to be about $14
million dollars in construction and about $6 million dollars in soft costs. The $2 million dollars is
the cost of a portion of the masterplan for both Ocean Drive and Washington Avenue and the
design services for Ocean Drive.
Discussion continued.
33:30 Carmen Browne asked for a short synopsis of both project #31 Ocean Drive and #36
Washington Ave Corridor.
33:50 Eric Carpenter reported that project #8 Lummus Park is meant to improve the landscaping,
irrigation, and walkways. Project #31 Ocean Drive is meant to be a streetscape project, where
the streets are to be raised to the sidewalk level and have a more decorative surface and to make
Ocean Drive a pedestrian promenade. Project #36 Washington Ave Corridor is meant to improve
the streetscape and lighting.
35:38 Jason Greene expressed that he believes the Committee and Staff did the right thing in
endorsing the advancement of these projects.
36:38 Jack Glottmann asked if the City has received any feedback from the community and
business owners regarding the street closures and restaurants having extra tables on Ocean
Drive.
37:22 Eric Carpenter explained that Staff has been heavily engaged with the business community
and residents. There is a good blend of the two in the City’s Art Deco Arts and Cultural Panel.
There seems to be more positive than negative responses to pedestrianizing Ocean Drive. Staff
is making sure that there is some flexibility in the plans just in case there are some conversions
in the future. The other items are still being debated.
38:50 Chair Karen Rivo asked when will be the time that the plans go to the community for input.
39:07 Eric Carpenter explained that Staff is having community meetings every other week on the
Arts and Cultural Panel. Zyscovich Architects is going to reveal their draft concept, which will then
get vetted further with the Art Deco Arts and Cultural District Panel. There will be many future
opportunities for the community to provide input.
VIII. Major Tranche 2 Projects Update
(Refer to pages 16-20 on the Agenda & Handout Packet on the G.O. Bond website.)
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40:45 Chair Karen Rivo advised that based on some good feedback, Staff will not go through every
project during each Committee Meeting. This will allow Members and Staff to dig a little deeper
in the projects.
#1 72 St Community Complex
41:40 David Martinez reported that Staff has begun the negotiations with Haskell, the selected
design-builder firm. Staff has been meeting with the firm to bring the cost down. There is a
meeting in early May, where Haskell will inform Staff when to expect their final proposal, which
includes any redesign features and a revised cost estimate. The redesign features must meet the
City’s RFQ and the design criteria that was included in the solicitation. As directed from City
Commission, Staff can reject the final proposal, if necessary, and move on to the second selected
firm. Concurrently, the City Commission directed Staff to present this project to the Finance
Committee, to explore the desire to seek additional funding. The current total budget for this
project is approximately $65 million dollars, which includes the G.O. Bond approved budget and
the supplemented funding from the City Commission. The Request for Qualifications for this
project states that a design-builder firm will build this project for $55 million dollars, and the
remainder is for soft costs.
46:25 Laura Veitia asked if the $10 million dollars for soft costs was being used for the relocation
of the FPL transmission lines.
46:39 David Martinez confirmed the soft costs cover the relocation of the transmission lines, the
eventual 10% contingency, funding of CIP Staff management, permit fees, and costs for the
design criteria professional.
48:38 Laura Veitia asked if the budget was realistic due to the high proposals.
48:48 Eric Carpenter explained that the design-builder firms did not have to add all the items that
were added to the project, but the City did have a minimum of items that were necessary.
Unfortunately, the firms did not separate the necessary items from the additional items in the
proposal.
49:57 Sean Smith asked if sports lighting is a necessary item in this project.
50:07 David Martinez said it is a “must have” item.
50:09 Sean Smith said good because the Parks and Recreation Committee passed a motion for
adding sports lighting to active use fields. He asked if this budget includes operating costs.
50:23 David Martinez confirmed that operating costs are a separate budget.
50:33 Jack Glottmann asked if Staff is going to do things differently to avoid this issue in the
future.
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50:46 David Martinez said that are definitely some things that staff has learned from this. One
learned lesson is for Staff to represent the “must have” items and the “would like to have” items
differently. Another lesson is to have a different weight scale for the selection process.
51:45 Carmen Browne said she wanted to back track a little. She made note how David Martinez
said Staff has been meeting with Haskell and they are to meet again in early May. She expressed
how the cost estimate from Haskell is $90 million dollars, which leaves a large gap between the
approved budget and the proposal. She asked if the Finance Committee differed this item to their
May 21st meeting to see what happens.
52:34 David Martinez explained that Staff’s desire would be to come back with some material
from Haskell after the May 21st Finance Committee meeting. Staff is also going to present to the
Finance Committee the cost estimate that a consultant prepared.
54:13 Chair Karen Rivo asked if the “must have” items were presented to the voters.
55:00 David Martinez explained that the proposed cost estimate may never be able to get down
to $55 million dollars.
56:17 Francisco Diez-Rivas asked what is the time limit that Staff must negotiate in order to go to
the second bidder, and so on.
58:12 Alex Denis explained that staff has been very clear with the bidder that this is not going to
drag out for months.
59:03 John Bowes explained that he worked for a procurement company for 5-6 years and that
the proposed cost estimate is just a starting point. He expressed that in his experience sometimes
the starting point was irrational, and many times did not meet the specified criteria.
1:00:35 Sean Smith said he agrees with John Bowes but that his only concern is that Haskell’s
renderings are out in the public and residents are excited about the concepts. Residents saw
what $94 million dollars looks like, but they don’t know what $55 million dollars looks like.
Discussion continued.
#45 Fire Station #1
1:06:41 David Martinez reported that at the last Committee Meeting he informed the Members
that Staff provided Kaufman Lynn, the Construction Manager, the 30% drawings so that they can
begin their pricing and cost estimate. Staff was hoping to receive the pricing by the end of March,
but they asked for more time. When Staff takes this to Commission for approval, Kaufman Lynn
will do their own bid to get prices on all construction work, which is overseen by the City. They
are currently reaching out to their vendors and subcontractors to receive accurate industry costs.
Staff is expecting the cost estimate in mid-May. Once Staff receives the cost estimate, they will
analyze the numbers to make sure it makes sense. Once this is complete, the final renderings will
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be presented to this Committee (GO Bond) and to the community before taking the project to
the Historic Preservation Board (HPB).
1:10:42 Chair Karen Rivo asked David Martinez if the HPB approves the site, what happens then.
1:10:57 David Martinez said that if the Historic Preservation Board approves this location, then
Staff will be able to continue the design process, and eventually obtain building permits and begin
the construction of the facility.
1:11:31 Maria Hernandez explained that she believes the HPB is the Board that can approve a
demolition permit.
1:11:50 Eric Carpenter agreed with Maria Hernandez, but he believes that since this facility is a
city owned building, the City Commission can overrule the HPB. He is going to research this topic
and get back to the Committee.
1:12:35 Chair Karen Rivo asked if the issue regarding the tenants has settled down, in terms of
information.
1:12:40 Maria Hernandez advised that Staff has clarified the issue on several occasions and
stressed the fact that there is a lot of time between now and the possible demolition of the
building. The tenants have their leases until the end of this year, and they can receive an
extension to the lease for next year. Staff is currently looking for an alternative facility for the
tenants.
1:13:31 Carmen Browne asked if this project was impacted by the possible removal and/or
relocation of palm trees.
1:13:55 David Martinez said yes and that he forgot to mention that the relocation of the
transmission lines on project #1 72nd Community Complex is also affected by the possible removal
and/or relocation of palm trees.
1:15:25 Elizabeth Wheaton reported that there are two ordinance amendments. One is for
Chapter 46, which is the City’s tree preservation code and the other is for Chapter 126, which is
for land development regulations. These amendments are companion items so they will move
together. Commissioner Meiner, as the sponsor, requested that these items be differed until
May. An internal question that has come up with the differed items is how this will impact the
90-day moratorium in place, which prevents any removal of palms on both public and private
property. Staff does not currently have the answer to this issue.
#15 Par 3/Bayshore Park
1:17:51 David Martinez reported that Staff finally received a written response from DERM.
Initially, the response was alarming because they requested more monitoring wells and data, so
Staff met with DERM.
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1:18:48 Elizabeth Wheaton explained that DERM has agreed to allow the City to separate out the
contamination as its own separate project. This separation allows the G.O. Bond project to move
forward while the City continues to monitor the contamination. Overall, it was a positive meeting.
1:20:12 David Martinez explained that Staff will be hearing from DERM the terms of proceeding
as early as May. This will allow Staff to close out the permitting process and proceed to the
Building Department and DERM for other permits. Although the cost estimate came down a little,
work still needs to be done to bring it down further. Staff will be meeting to discuss alternatives
and solutions to get closer to the approved budget. The total budget is about $20 million dollars,
which includes the G.O. Bond funding and funding that Staff had before the G.O. Bond passed.
The main issue with the budget is cost escalation since this project has been going on for several
years.
1:24:30 Jason Koslowe asked if DERM is going to issue the approvals sometime in May, which will
allow Staff to move forward with the procurement process. He expressed that he would hate to
see any more delay in this project.
1:25:33 David Martinez said that Jason Koslowe is correct.
1:27:50 John Bowes asked if the contamination is fertilization and pesticides.
1:28:03 Elizabeth Wheaton explained that since this site is a former golf course, the main concern
is arsenic, which comes from the use of fertilization and pesticides.
1:28:19 John Bowes asked if the testing has already been done.
1:28:33 Elizabeth Wheaton explained that the contamination is ongoing, which is why it was so
important to separate it from this project. DERM is requesting that the City develops a health and
safety plan as construction is happening.
Discussion continued.
#24 Middle Beach Beachwalk PH3
1:31:54 David Martinez reported that there are three segments to the Beachwalk. The first
segment, on the south end, opened in March. The final two segments that will connect all the
way to 46th Street will open by the end of next week. Staff is currently going through the
inspection process and working with FPL regarding the lighting of the project.
1:32:50 Chair Karen Rivo praised the project.
1:32:59 David Martinez explained that there are 11 street ends, that have significant
improvements. Three street ends are being used as staging areas. These street ends will be
completed sporadically. Once the project is complete, Staff will be hosting a ribbon cutting
ceremony.
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#8 Lummus Park
1:34:10 David Martinez reported that CIP will be taking over the project from the Parks
department. The consultant working on Lummus Park is the same consultant as the Beachwalk
and North Shore Ocean Side Park. They are currently preparing surveys and the masterplan. At
the next Committee Meeting, staff will be able to provide more details of the project, such as the
timeline.
1:35:50 Jason Greene asked who the consulting firm is.
1:35:52 David Martinez said Calvin, Giordano & Associates.
IX. Public Comment
1:36:12 Chair Karen Rivo asked if anyone from the public would like to speak.
1:36:17 Robert Rabinowitz thanked David Martinez for the Middle Beach Beachwalk update.
X. Committee Open Dialogue
1:36:54 Chair Karen Rivo requested an open conversation with the members about their work as
a committee. This is the time for members to brainstorm what can be done better and/or
differently. She asked the members if there is additional information that they need.
1:37:25 Jason Greene advised that he does not need any additional information. At the start of
the G.O. Bond Oversight, he sat down with Maria Hernandez, Eric Carpenter and John Woodruff
to map out what information he wanted to receive and now it is provided monthly.
1:39:00 Chair Karen Rivo expressed how amazing it is to have such accessible Staff that are so
good at meeting with you and answering questions.
1:39:15 Jack Glottmann said that he believes the members receive a lot of great information and
he is glad to hear that the Committee is going to focus more on the bigger projects. He suggested
a one-pager that focuses on the bigger projects, which can list current challenges, next steps, and
updates.
1:40:16 Chair Karen Rivo asked the Members if that would be helpful for them.
1:40:43 Jason Koslowe agreed that they are receiving a lot of great information. He agreed with
Jack Glottmann’ s suggestion of a one-pager.
1:41:30 John Bowes said that from a new member’s perspective, there is a ton of information
provided. He believes that time will help them absorb the information. He explained that
sometimes it’s hard to keep up with the acronyms used and when voting on motions happens
quickly. He said that Staff does a great job at showing the information from different angles.
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1:43:02 Carmen Browne said she agrees with John Bowes. She said she appreciated the focusing
on the bigger projects because she was able to spend more time doing research before the
meeting. She expressed that she enjoys hearing from Staff on the individual projects and the time
they spent on explaining the details.
1:44:45 Chair Karen Rivo said that she believes the one-pager that Jack Glottmann suggested will
be helpful for her too. She asked the members if there are other things that staff should be doing
regarding communication.
1:45:23 Jack Glottmann asked with everyone being consumed with the pandemic, do you feel
like the community is still engaged.
1:45:54 Allison Novack said there is a lot of engagement, whether it’s a resident really interested
in a specific project and/or wanting to understand the bigger picture of the G.O. Bond. She
explained that she works closely with the Neighborhood Affairs team to reach out to residents.
1:48:52 Francisco Diez-Rivas asked Allison Novack if there is a way on the Waze app to put a
marker on all G.O. Bond project locations.
1:49:06 Allison Novack said she is not sure, but she is going to do the research.
1:50:05 Chair Karen Rivo asked the members if they would like Staff to do something differently
during the meetings or do any improvements to the agenda.
1:50:27 Laura Veitia expressed that she believes that Staff has been more than willing to
elaborate when necessary, due to the amount of information that is provided prior to each
meeting. She does not find an area that needs improvement.
1:51:18 Jason Greene asked if the Committee Meetings are going to continue via Zoom.
1:51:28 Maria Hernandez said resident committees can continue via Zoom until further notice.
Discussion continued.
XI. Adjournment
1:56:18 Meeting was adjourned.