Well, good evening everyone and welcome. I could ask everyone to find a seat. We have some very special presentations this evening and uh you know many of our folks in uniform have uh things to do
other than but this is uh not to diminish the uh the acknowledgements and the presentations we're going to uh to do tonight. So I'd like to ask our chief Mario Knap to to join me
chief. So, we're here to uh to recognize uh some officers and a special agent from the FBI, but I wouldn't do the case service and I wouldn't do this this entire recognition service if I didn't bring up in the assistant special agent
in charge of uh the FBI for this regional office. Good afternoon everyone. Uh my name is David Clancy. I'm the assistant special agent in charge. Uh and before we get into the CA case brief, I would just like to thank uh the mayor u chief as
well as uh members of the council for giving us this opportunity. Uh we very much appreciate it. We very much appreciate the partnership that we have with the Homestead Police Department. Special Agent Carlos Gibbert is going to provide an over investigation to give you a feel for why um this case was so
significant that uh we have awards to present on behalf of the FBI director. Good afternoon everyone. Uh thank you Dave for that presentation. Um my name is Carlos Gibbert. I'm with the FBI. I work out of the Homestead uh
resident agencies just down the road. And I want to appreciate first of all all everyone coming together. there. I know it's late in the afternoon, but this is a good time. We also wanted to at the FBI, we wanted to recognize uh the task force officers for their work. And it it kind of all started in mid to
late uh 2024 encompassing uh two major investigations out of the Homestead Resident Agency. Uh both David Mata and um CFO Howard Diner uh assisted heavily in those investigations and participated and contributed to their success. The
first case that ended in late 24 was I'm yeah late 24 was a kidnapping resulting in death of uh two individuals uh major drug trafficking organization and their murder and both of those individuals uh
received life sentences and a third received 25 years. Uh both of their contributions involved investigative activities, surveillances, uh interviews, debriefings, profers. I mean, they were shoulder-to-shoulder with us working together. And then later
around mid mid 24 into just recently, February 26 was another kidnapping investigation. No deaths luckily, but uh six subjects uh had um brought over individuals from Cuba, smuggled them in. When they didn't pay the fee, they held
them, they tortured them. Uh they sent videos back to their families uh for uh inducement to pay. And when they didn't pay, they kept them further and they were going to use them uh to work in another state until they could pay their fees. Needless to say, the victims were
horrified. You know, they were just super scared and ultimately we were able to um interdict the um the the victims and save four of them from who knows what would have happened to them up in Louisiana. But during that case, both
TFO David Mada and TFO Howard Diner again shoulder-to-shoulder with us uh participated interview surveillance. I might add that Howard Diner did recover a stolen car in the investigation. So that was pretty good stat for us. Thank you, Howard. Uh David Mata assisted with
uh interviews of the victims, interviews of the uh subjects. Uh five of those subjects uh plead guilty. A sixth one went to trial. Uh he is now facing light life in prison. uh in February he was uh found guilty on 11 out of 17 charges. So
again another success that would not have occurred without the participation and contribution of both of these TFOs as well as the department because other other folks helped in in in that case in both cases. So with our gratitude and
thanks we want to present these FBI um certificates from our director Okay, first off, we have uh task force officer David Mada, Homestead Police Department. In appreciation of your outstanding partnership supporting a
joint task force investigation, your collaborative nature and investigative skills ensured a successful outcome. You can take pride in the role you played to protect the American people. On behalf of the FBI, thank you. Signed, Director
Cash Patel. Task Force Officer Howard Deiner, Homestead Police Department. In appreciation for your outstanding partnership supporting a joint task force investigation, your collaborative nature and investigative skills ensured
a successful outcome. You can take pride in the role you played to protect the American people. On behalf of the FBI, thank you. Signed, Director Cash Patel. We'll do those and then
>> Yeah. We'll uh we'll do the uh one. What does that say about the caliber and the qualifications of the men and women of the Homestead Police Department? Incredible that we're recembers are
receiving recognition signed by the director of the FBI for work done done here over a uh a couple of year period. So, we have three proclamations tonight and I think it's important they're they're uh they're shorter. So, I'm I'm
going to take the liberty of u reading them all in their entirety. The first one is whereas special agent Carlos Gibbert entered federal service with the FBI in 2002. Has dedicated 35 years to federal service including 24
years as an FBI special agent, four years as a special agent with the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigation, and seven years as an FBI support employee. And throughout his distinguished FBI career, Special Agent
Gibbert has served in the Atlanta and Miami Division, working on matters involving national security, counter intelligence, violent crime, crimes against children, public corruption, fraud, kidnapping, alien smugging, and narcotics trafficking. Special Agent
Gilbert has also served as a field supervisor and later returned to investigative duties at the Homestead Resident Agency in 2017, where his leadership, expertise, and professionalism have continued to strengthen federal investigative efforts
in South Florida. And whereas as the lead case agent in a complex multi- agency investigation targeting a violent human smuggling organization operating in South Florida, Special Agent Gibbert played an instrumental role in adv in
advancing an investigation that resulted in the successful prosecution of multiple defendants. Whereas the investigation addressed a criminal enterprise responsible for kidnapping, extortion, and the exploitation of vulnerable migrants and its successful
outcome reflected the importance of coordinated action among local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. And whereas Special Agent Gert's long-standing partnership with the Homestead Police Department and its task force officers, including Detective
David Mada and Detective Howard Diner, has strengthened collaboration between local and federal law enforcement agencies and enhanced public safety throughout the region. So, by virtue of the authority vested in me as mayor of the city of Homestead, I do hereby
proclaim today, July 7th, 2026, as Special Agent Carlos Gibbert Day in Homestead. Just thank you very much. I appreciate it. And um thank you again. >> So and in no particular order, I think
these are similar proclamations. So we'll say whereas Detective David Mada has served the Homestead Police Department with distinction since beginning his law enforcement career as a reserve officer in September
2003 and becoming a full-time police officer in March 2005. Whereas throughout his more than 21 years of service to the city of Homestead, Detective Ma has demonstrated professionalism, dedication, and steadfast commitment to public safety,
including eight years in uniform patrol and service as a member of the DUI squad, field training officer program, and crisis intervention team. And whereas Detective Ma has served in the general investigations unit investigating complex and high-profile
criminal cases requiring diligence, judgment, and investigative expertise. He provided uh critical investigative assistance in a complex multi- agency investigation targeting a violent human smuggling organization operating in
South Florida. His criminal activity included kidnapping, extortion, and the exploitation of vulnerable migrants. Whereas through the e efforts of detective MA and detective Howard Diner and federal law enforcement partners uh contributed to the disruption of a
dangerous criminal enterprise and help secure federal convictions against multiple defendants. Whereas Detective Howard Deiner has dedicated nearly 30 there's no way 30 years of his life to the law
enforcement profession beginning his career with the North Miami Police Department in 1997 before serving with the Florida City Police Department from 2002 to 2003. Detective Diner joined the Homestead
Police Department in November 2003 and has served the city of Homestead with honor, integrity, professionalism for more than two decades. And whereas during his tenure, he has served six years in uniform patrol. Also served as a field training officer,
helping guide and develop federal officers through his vast experience and leadership. For the past 16 years, Detective Diner has served as a detective in the special investigations unit where he has investigated serious
and complex criminal matters requiring persistent skill and sound judgment. And as the prior two uh proclamations explained, uh Detective Dena provided critical investigative assistance to the
violent smuggling operations. By the virtue of author of the authority vested in me as mayor of the city of Homestead, I do hereby proclaim today, July 7th, 2026, as Detective Howard Diner Day and
Detective David Ma Day. is yours. Thank you. Happy birthday. And thank you to the families of all of the officers involved. I know you've sacrificed a lot of a lot of time for
their activities. And our final proclamation tonight is typed in way too small a font by the way. So whereas parks and recreation is an integral part of communities throughout this country including the city of
Homestead and parks and recreation promotes health and wellness improving the physical and mental health of people who live near parks and use our parks. And whereas parks and recreation promotes time spent in nature which positively impacts mental health by
increasing cognitive performance and well-being alleviating illnesses including depression uh def attention deficit disorders and Alzheimer's. Whereas parks and wreck is a leading provider of healthy meals, nutrition services and education and programming
such as out of school time programming, you sports and environmental education which are all critical to childhood development. So parks and recreation also increases a community's economic prosperity through increased property values, expansion of the tax base, tourism, and the
attraction and retention of businesses and most importantly reduction of crime. Parks and recreation programs are fundamental to the environmental well-being of our community. The city of parks and rec city of Homestead Parks and Recreation Department is committed
to enhancing the lives of residents and visitors by providing safe, accessible, and inclusive recreational opportunities, facilities, and programmings that serve individuals, families, seniors, and youth throughout
our community. and the US House of Representatives has designated July as Parks and Recreation Month. So, by virtue of the authority vested in me as the mayor of city Homestead, I hereby proclaim the month of July 2026 as Parks
and Recreation Month in Homestead. And Pedro, I could have you and your team come forward. I guess my team's being shy right now, but here we have Leroy, our foreman, who takes care of all of our sports fields. We have Alandre who does our all of our
summer camp, after school care, recreation programs. Here's some of the field crews, Sandro and Lago. Uh, we got Junior who oversees all the city's landscaping. We have Eric, one of our park managers, and we have Alex, our operations manager. Um, I want to go ahead and just
announce a few events that we still have for the remainder of the month. The full calendar is available at homesteadfl.gov and post it on the city's Instagram and Facebook page, but our next one will be tomorrow at Mayor Rosco Warren Park. We're having a free throw competition at 400 pm. So, come out, bring your kids.
It'll be fun. and go ahead and visit the website to see the full calendar for the remainder of the month. If not, I will be here for like an hour reading these. But thank you all. >> Well, thank you, Pedro. And that concludes our presentation agenda for
this evening. Again, thank you and congratulations to all who have been recognized. We cannot uh put into words our our thanks and appreciation. So with that I will adjourn this agenda and we
will convene the community redevelopment agency meeting in about five minutes. Thank you all. See? All right, if we could all take our seats so we can uh continue tonight's agenda items.
So, good evening everyone and welcome. I'd like to call the city of Homestead Community Redevelopment Agency meeting to order. Today is Tuesday, July 7th, 2026, and it is now 5:35 p.m. Uh, Madame Clerk, could we have a roll call,
please? >> Board member Cannibal >> here, >> Board Member Cons. Board member Avula >> here. >> Board member Ros. >> Bo member Fletcher here. Vice Chairwoman Bailey >> here. >> Chairman Lzna >> here.
>> All right. So to deviate a little bit, what I would like to do is have a motion to place this meeting in recess to move forward to open the council meeting for the sole purpose of having the legislative update and then we'll come
back to the CRA RA rather than having our senators and and representative uh endure the CRA meeting because they're they're on the uh >> so it's been moved and seconded. All in favor? All right. So now, good evening
everyone. I'd like to call the city of Homestead City Council meeting to order. Are you ready, Madam Clerk? Okay. Call the Home the regular Homestead City Council meeting to order. Today is uh July 7th and it is now 5:36
p.m. Can we have a roll call, please, Madam Clerk? >> Councilman Fletcher, >> here. >> Councilwoman Ksky, >> here. Councilman Cannibal >> here. >> Councilwoman Abula here. >> Councilman Roth here. >> Vice Mayor Bailey here. >> Mayor Lawner, >> I'm here. And we're going to deviate
slightly from the agenda first for the sole purpose of receiving our legislative update. Understand we are graced with the presence this evening of our very own Senator Anna Maria Rodriguez. We representative Kevin Chamblas is here as well as Senator
Alexis Calateude. uh together with a whole room full of well we don't call them lobbyists anymore our government relations folks uh Jose Fuentes, Jose Diaz, and uh who did I miss? So come on down and and
let's have that uh that update. Thank you all for being here tonight. Mayor, vice mayor, council, thank you for having us. I'm going to be very brief because we have three elected officials and three very important elected officials for the city of
Homestead. Uh as you know, we had a diff a a good year in the state. Uh the budget of $117 million with billion dollars with almost $800 million slashed. But yet, Homestead benefited in
this legislative session like no other city in Miami Date County. Um, I'm going to let Jose Diaz from uh Levy and Associates say a few words and then he'll introduce the members. >> Thank you, members of the council. I think the first thing I want to do is is
thank the city manager and his staff because they make our job so much easy because when the when the appropriation staffs in the House and the Senate call and say, "Hey, can you explain this project or we have a question about this?" we can get the answers from them
immediately and get it to staff and that that just makes things so much easier for us. And in addition, I'd love to say it was me and Jose Fuentes, the two Josees, but the reality is is that we have such a strong delegation from the city, from the area of Homestead with
Senator Anamaria Rodriguez, who has served uh four years already. It's six years. So, yeah. I think >> yeah, Senator Kalatude um and Representative Kevin Chamblas,
they work together. They're constantly, you know, a lot of this stuff is done um hate to is done, you know, with private meetings that are going on when they're negotiating and where we're in conference and our senators are there and our senators and representatives are
there knocking on the doors making sure that that you know the homestead is represented and that we're on those final lists that come out when the budget's put together. So, I'll let them uh say a few words. Thank you. Thank you, Jose.
>> Uh, thank you, Jose and Jose. Uh, good evening, uh, esteemed mayor, vice mayor, and council members. U, it is truly an honor to represent the city of Homestead in Tallahassee. Uh, it is obviously a labor of love and something that we do
as a team. Uh obviously the having a great government affairs team up there around the clock is very helpful but having you all come up uh during day days or during other times you know throughout the session and committee meetings as as many of you do uh makes a big impact. Um as Jose just said you
know having this great delegation of myself senator Kadiude Representative Jim Mooney who wasn't able to be here this evening but he he also does a great job representing the city and of course our uh delegation vice chairman Kevin Chamblas. uh we really do a lot of the work obviously uh in front of the
scenes, but a lot of these deals that get cut and things that get into the budget happen in the we hours of the evenings at the the very last moments of session. And as you all saw uh as far as appropriations are concerned, we got um
over 7 million in the overnight, I'm sorry, 9 million uh of which uh some of that got vetoed. So today we are here to do a check presentation for what didn't get vetoed which thankfully were uh two projects and um even with the vetos this is still more money than we've ever
gotten from Tallahassee during a legislative session. So I think that in and of itself is a tremendous accomplishment and uh so we got projects uh the northeast 18th Avenue bridge improvements as well as the portable water and storage uh for a grand total
of $3 million. Um so with that we will um take a photograph if you all >> and we'll all come down and join you. Um anything from either Senator Calatude or Representative >> Chambers? I'll pass it to them if they want to say a few words.
>> We'll come down. >> Greetings everyone. Um, I ask Senator Kadu to join me uh because there were a couple of things that we did want to mention um from the legislative end uh because we saw how hard uh this community um was fighting to protect our
UDB boundaries. Um it was a bipartisan effort um joined by Mayor Lzner and others to say that this not only represents protection of agriculture but it represents the identification of our culture here in South Dade and we stand together firm on that. And so while in
the House on my end I stood up, spoke against and voted against that particular legislation on the Senate end they actually went a step further and they're the ones who dealt the killing blow by taking that language out um of the piece of legislation so that
Tallahassee cannot come down here to the city of Homestead and South Dade and tell us how our communities are supposed to look. Uh Senator, if you want to expound on that. >> Thank you, Representative. Thank you, Vice Chair. Um, in the Senate, we work diligently,
uh, Senator Garcia, Chair Rodriguez, and I, going to the Senate President early and communicating Miami Dade's position on the movement of the vote threshold for the urban development boundary. We asked for 100% commitment of the Florida
Senate to maintain Miami date's position of local control on the urban development boundary. We received that and when one of the last days of session came and we received the bill from the house with the lowering of the voting threshold for the urban development
boundary, I filed an amendment and we received 100% unanimous support of the Florida Senate to amend out the language of removing the voting threshold or reducing the local power for that issue and sent it back and made sure once again we protected the urban development
boundary. It only can happen in true partnership and like-mindedness. Without the representative, without the senator, without our collective advocacy, these things are not possible. And so, we're so proud to represent the city of Homestead and to make sure your voice is
heard. >> Thank you. >> Let's go down, council. This is the Okay. So, need a motion to recess the council meeting. It's been moved. >> Second. All in favor? >> All right. Matt, we need a motion to
reopen the CRA. Motion to reopen the CRA meeting. It's been moved and seconded. All in favor? >> Okay. So, we have had the uh roll call. Mr. Beck, do you have any uh deletions or deferrals for this agenda?
>> No, chairman, I do not. >> Well, let's take it to tab one then. And if you have a uh >> abbreviated presentation. >> All right. Very abbreviated. Uh as the board directed in May, we have worked to negotiate potential terms on the redevelopment of the Chrome Marketplace
project. The terms that we are bringing back to you today is submitted by the proposer. Uh includes a couple of different elements. Uh it begins with a three-year initial period of a lease rate at $1 per year that will serve as the uh redevelopment and stabilization
period. After that time, beginning on year four, as we continue a lease, the uh development partner will pay the CRA an annual lease rate of $355,000. That lease rate will be credited towards the fixed for sale purchase amount. Uh
that would be executed at some point between that initial year of completion and five years uh not to exceed $4 million which would be the sale amount. And then in addition to the uh investment in the property and the sale,
this includes the $2.5 million ask that we had contemplated at the uh prior presentation of a CRA investment over those three years, roughly $833,000 per year uh to be invested into u permanent improvements to the building
that will always stay with that. examples that we've discussed in the past have been the grease straps and the utility lines, water lines, things like that. Um, as we look at this from the financial aspect, we currently owe $4 million uh $4,65,000 on the property. If you were to sell
this today, the purchase price would effectively retire that debt. We are not looking at a sale today. Uh as we look to kind of reconcile the overall investment of this um we will always consider with these larger projects the future tax increment that will generate
uh based on the projections from our economic development consultant. We can estimate uh conservatively at least 1.5 to 1.6 million over the life of the CRA. We also know this being a lease uh we have the benefit uh of drawing down the
overall uh principle on the balance we owe on this loan. As you all may recall, we have also the benefit uh specific to this loan on this project, the ability to effectively write off the debt service payments from our tax rebate to Miami date county. So when we get out to
that uh potentially five to eight years window of selling the property, that delta between the principal payment of what we owe uh and what we would be paid for the sale of the building along with the projected tax increment would equal or surpass the $2.5 million investment.
So that is the high level of where we're at in terms of the terms that uh have been proposed. the development partners here. Uh so we can certainly answer questions and and uh go into further discussion. But that is the introduction and overview. >> Okay. I'd like to give you know the the
principle of the proposer the opportunity to come up and and you add to fill in uh their perspective on on the proposal that's before us and then we'll open it up for questions. Good evening and welcome.
>> Good evening Mayor and vice mayor and counsel. I'd rather open the floor up for a discussion and answer questions that come technically. On a high level, um I was surprised by a lot of the numbers that came to about um prior my initial submission. Uh most of it was factf
finding for me. So the structure represented today is based on the economics that was absorbed by the city over the last four years. That is a confluence event between improvements, changes, debt service over the long term. So that offer is based on the economic factors that most people didn't
I don't know. Then with that, let me uh open the floor to to questions from our board members who would like to kick it off. Board member Roth. Thank you, Mayor. Uh couple things.
You say we have debt service of about 4 million. What do we have in total expense in that building right now? The total amount related to the overall what we have called the crow marketplace project is roughly $1.25 million uh in
improvement beyond our debt service payments. Now a couple things to point out for that is that as we have called it the crow marketplace improvement there are elements of that that have nothing to do with the building. For example, uh we paid or spent, I believe
it was roughly $350,000 for the undergrounding of the utility lines from Washington into uh the rear side of Crow Marketplace. Uh you know, other things like the construction signage, so on and so forth don't count towards that. The actual amount that has been invested
specifically to the building that we look at since the CRA has acquired the property is between about $750,000 and $800,000. So, we can say we got $5 million in the building. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, we got $5 million in the building. We're talking about selling the building for $4 million. That's a
million dollar loss on our end. Plus, if we if we do a lease to them, we're giving them credit for the lease payments towards the principal amount of the loan that they will have. Right. So, >> correct. >> So, to me, this is not a good situation.
Mhm. >> Um, this is not a lease option for the city to enter into. Uh, I don't believe in selling the property for a million dollars less than what we've got into the property. Uh, although it's not an investment, it's a more of a quality of life purchase or investment that we made
uh, years ago. I think that we need to really look into u the future of that location. And I'll leave it for that to for now and then I'll hear more comments and then I'll have more. >> Sure. >> Thank you. Thank you board member Roth. >> Can I answer that?
>> Sure. >> Um the my perspective and I think this is the same observation that happened in the last five submissions. So I'm the fifth submission to the city for the same property for the same reason. The reality of the situation is the city paid a million and a half more than you
should have for the property. Then you made capital improvements approved a million dollars more than you should have. The roof is built at 16 feet for a hospital hospitality structure when any hospitality in the country AAA rated would not would tell you immediately no
because by the time you account for HVAC that has been stripped out of the property and then you do drop ceilings within the kitchen your ceiling itself needs to be restructured. So the cost of the $4 million, if you look at the building itself, all I see on a usable
structure basis is just the dirt and the four shells of the concrete. The interior of the building is completely empty. There's no electrical, no plumbing, uh electrical panels, uh no subterian infrastructure and even the historical HVAC system that should be there, it is gone. That building as far
as temp is just concrete. So, the assessment on the property itself is nothing more than the shell of a concrete space and nothing more and and maybe some glass windows. But, as you guys have seen in our proposal, the glass windows, we're knocking everything out and we're revitalizing the entire
front face of of the building. But from a investment standpoint, from a cost appraisal standpoint, the city paid more than you should have for the property because those the entire infrastructure um when you paid for the capital improvement to replace the roof, you stripped it all away because during your
inspections, you found yourselves that it was unusable. So those inspections should have occurred prior to the capital investment or prior to the purchase and prior to over over the overvaluation for the property. Now, I agree that regardless of the city's loss, and this is the difference between
me and everyone else, I've I've spent the capital and investments upfront to understand the true mechanisms of what's going on in the city and what's going on within that property. What the other four submissions prior to me did not do was take the time and really assess the cost long term. Um, your cost difference
here is you're finding you're coming into into a partner that understands what the city wants and what essentially needs. we've over spent because we have surrounding developments in in the market and what we're willing to invest into that property is by far what you
won't ever receive from anyone else. >> Member Roth, >> thank you. Are we also being asked to invest more money into the building? >> We are being asked in addition to the sale to invest $2.5 million to physical
improvements within the property. So, yes. >> So, how do we recoup that $2.5 million? Well, I'll make a few different comments on this and and going back to your earlier uh remarks in terms of selling a property below the value. As I understand it, the largest of the three
buildings had been vacant for many years. The other two buildings had been underutilized for many years. You know, as a CRA, we exist to take on those projects that the private market doesn't want to do. Right? If the private market saw that there was an opportunity to pay $4.2 $2 million for those properties,
rehabilitate them and put them into active use, they would have done it, right? So, you know, our our investment in that was what CRAAS do in these cases, right? We're taking blighted property that is in the core of our historic downtown and willing to make a
further investment in a deduction of that to have a a meaningful use that returns them to active active investment, active use. the two and a half million dollars that's being asked of the CRA to further invest in that that would be done over these first three years in which it three years at
least that it would be under the city CRA's ownership. So we have control of that if in at some point in that term the development partner says this is not a good deal and we want to walk away that is something that we retain along with all of the investment that he's made in that property. So I I think we
have to look at it more from the aspect or at least I look at it from the aspect of not just in terms of the dollars that we're investing in it but this is a part of what we do as an agency and we have a broader goal of rehabilitating those blighted properties as such a key part of our of our historic downtown and
Chrome Avenue. >> Great. As this as this as this is written what is their cash investment? Their cash investment is approximately 9 point caven. Could you give me the >> right around n half million dollars? >> Over what period of time?
>> Our construction TCO which needs to be done in 24 months. We already have LOIs for six tenants of the eight that we're promising to the city. So we have a short oneway is really is um within 12 months the first 12 months separate from our 24month oneway. I'm assuming it's going to be engagement with the city of
Homestead and the procurement process that is special. >> It just seems like, you know, you're talking about 11 million to improve 18,000 square feet. >> Seems like an awful lot of money. It
just doesn't it just doesn't to me justify the whole thing. So >> So I think the other >> I'm going to rest for now and let everybody else talk, but I just think the numbers just don't add up. And let me share that perspective for you. The
counter would be what would be what would be the cost of a single restaurant going across the street. The true cost of a grease strap uh in today's market. The true cost of a HVAC system. The true cost to run uh health department for one individual restaurant. Now your range for a single restaurant would be half a
million a million dollars for a brand shell space on a single tenant. This is eight eight restaurants, a coffee shop and a full full-fledged bar with outdoor seating. So you're running eight eight parallel grease traps, a centralized tank, HVAC systems, and cost
magnifies based on population. So it it looks like a large number, but when you refined it to a single space, a single use tenant, you're well below the margins of of cost per square foot basis on a single tenant. um across the street for example you guys brought to market
um I've forgot what the name of the restaurant that came to market their capital expenditure for that one restaurant was just under $2 million by themselves. So um for us we streamlined the process. Now their cost as a landlord they're right around $65 a square foot. By
strenializing all of this on a single basis, what you're doing is instead of all the tenants spreading the cost to find $2 million, a million dollars to build out that infrastructure, we're able to bring to market something between the 25 to $30 range per square foot. Um the buildout cost for
individual uh restaurants can go to market much faster. and really an absorption rate for your urban core, which is your central activation. You're you're essentially bringing eight eight businesses in a time span that um pragmatically speaking, uh the urban core of corn hasn't done in five or 10
years. So, we're solving and my perspective is we're bringing eight businesses plus two bar a bar and a restaurant bar and a coffee shop in a two-year span to which the city hasn't been able to attract two or three businesses in that same five or 10 years span. Sure.
Board member Aalu. >> Thank you, Chair. Um, thank you for the for the updates, for the analysis, uh, for the proposal. Um, to my colleague, I I see everything that, um, you're pointing out and the numbers are are
quite, you know, astonishing when it comes to the overall investment. Um I I don't want to lose this opportunity tonight, but I don't think that this is a slam dunk win in terms of a negotiation. I did um ask you know what was the process and the procedure for how we negotiated these terms and um you
know I can I can sense our director's um confidence in this structure but I really would like to have our legal team go back at this and you know give it a real thorough um a real thorough review and and renegotiation to see where we
can crunch as much as possible where where another set of eyes could could look at this because while I know Matt reviewed this with the team. I don't think that the um the perspective of negotiating the terms was was tasked to
him and and similar to how we went in with PH and um larger contracts, I would like for this to to be taken a look at in that same in that same way. So, if there's um an appetite to continue negotiations, that would be my my supportive vote for tonight would be to
continue to negotiate um with with that direction. Thank you. >> Thank you, William. Vice Chair. >> Thank you, Ch. So, obviously, real estate leases not my
not my wheelhouse, but I do have a vision for what the CRA wants to do, and we can't look at it in the same way that we look at investments for the city. It's obviously been a building that we have wanted to do something for so long. For me, my biggest concern as of the
last meeting was how do we protect the the further investment that we're putting in there? And as far as I could understand from the lease and the questions that I was asking, having that three-year lease and the client also putting their investment in, um, it
seems like a win-win for us as long as within those three years, we have the right to pull out however we deem necessary. Um, if something is not being followed. So that would be the piece that I would want to understand is where
where is it dangerous for us to go into this um these negotiations if if the proposer is willing to put even more money into it. Um I don't see how we are not protected. Do you have any
>> may I can share a color for this. Okay, please. >> At your current land basis, that's what we call it in development space. At the land basis you paid for, which is a million above a market rate, your carrying costs on your debt service is roughly it's I mean your bank note is
roughly 4% but realistically is six with their origination. The city is paying roughly 375 a year. So the original what you should have paid the original $3 million has become five today. um in the next 12 months that that's you're looking at $7 million because that
number is just the pure cost of of the land of the project, right? What I found and I'm looking at all the other CRA properties, all the other city properties, the true cost of maintaining a site or location over a one or two year lifespan plus a bank service, all
your city employee staff are not calculating those numbers. you're spending more holding on to that property than a business than than a private developer would to just build it out and give it off for free. Um the city employee costs are not factored in there. The utility infrastructure costs aren't there. Every time a building
department has to go in to offset to verify and maintain it in the CRA time or the city or the city's attorney's time factor, you're looking at realistically half a million to million dollars more on on top of separate what's being illustrated. you can illustrate what is the true cost of bank
interest for a land that you for for a building you purchase. But all of your even for this tonight we're spending 30 minutes here the city attorney and then um CRA director and all their staff their engagement for the last nine months of me but prior to that your for prior submissions there's at least $2
million of costs that aren't really allocated into this. you're you're spending more money keeping the property than you are to develop it. And the tax revenue that can be generated from those eight business that are coming in, they're lo long-term loss leaders. So is is a matter of perspective in my
opinion. Since day one, I have envisioned this food hall and honestly this is the proposal that I have felt is the most promising. It has always seemed like you've got a clear vision of what you want to see there. those opportunities
for smaller restaurants to be able to grow and go get their own space if if they if they would like. Um I for me personally, I wish I had a crystal ball and know if if something better was going to come along, but I just feel like we've been doing this for a while
and if there are questions as far as how the city can protect themselves, definitely we need to look into all of that. But I exhausted the questions that I could ask that um felt like we were getting what we needed to make this vision happen. So that's what I have so
far. Thank you. >> What else to my left? The board member Fletcher. >> Yes. Thank you. And I I'm sorry I didn't ask this question earlier in my briefing, but when did we actually purchase the building? The actual date >> two I don't have the exact closing date. It was in 2023.
>> Was in 2023. So, we we expended $4 million at that point in time to purchase the facility. Um, I'll tell you from the beginning, I haven't been a fan of of the project. It's, you know, hearing uh Councilman
Roth and I'm going to listen to his expertise in the rental market, I think, uh, you know, short term, this is a it's a money loser for us. Um, but if we don't do anything, it's a money loser for us. uh CRAAS are built to to help to
try and reinvigorate. Um I'm I'm kind of open to to what everyone else has to say, but you know, I've not been a fan of uh this project from the beginning. However, if we continue to let it sit there, I think the value goes down even
more. So, we have to we have to move something rather quickly in order to to create some type of movement downtown. I don't know if this is that or not. I would be more interested to see if the
terms could be changed a little bit. U specifically the lease purchase portion I think needs a little more detail to it for me. So, I'm holding on to my vote right now,
trying to just noodle it around a little bit, but it's uh it's a tough decision. And you know, in in the letter from Kevin Crowder, it also talks about a piece of property in Delray Beach that they had an opportunity to sell for uh
it was appraised at $15 million and they were going to sell it for $2 million. it didn't go through and now the land value is zero because nobody wants it. So there's a there's time for for action and there's time for waiting and uh we
need to do something. I don't know what it is yet. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh board member Fletcher Avala. >> Thank you. Just a a few more points for consideration. I I agree with um vice
chairwoman's um comments. I I do I do think that the contract having some phasing and some real clear control measures on how we have matching with investments I think would be um prudent for the council to have for the for the
board to have and as well as you know looking at this from a perspective of you know that $2.5 million at the end of the day with regards to the gap from what we've invested into what the purchase price is and the overall uh recontribution from from the CRA for
building out. That's an investment that the CRA would be making into the success of this uh of this um this venture. And that's essentially what the CRA does is we invest in these types of projects to to make sure that they're they're
successful. I I want to make sure that we have looked at every nook and cranny of the negotiations and um I think Matt's a big hitter with that. So, I would have more confidence knowing that there was that extra at at refining the negotiations. So, I
mean, if we can just give direction to continue the negotiations and try to bring it back at the July 2nd council meeting of July, I think that doesn't hurt. >> Thank you. So, let me let me weigh in then and then you can address board member Avala and my comments. First, I
want to say to staff, and I know that you were not the CRA director who pro who proposed this acquisition, nor was this the city manager who had oversight. There's a really serious allegation here tonight that our
appraiser missed the mark three years ago by a million dollars. And there may not be probably no remedy there other than we need to be sure that if our current professional staff believes that to be the case that we no
longer utilize that appraiser. um to you many of the comments that were made tonight. I I agree this is a money loser and not to justify it, but isn't that kind of what CRAAS are meant to do?
They're meant to spend public money to promote the elimination of some slum and blight and economic development and and revitalize our in this case our our downtown. So, I don't don't want to be
quoted out of context in this, but that portion of this proposal doesn't bother me near as much as what I'm going to talk about next. So, in my council briefing, it I came away with the
understanding that at least from uh Bar Atlantic's perspective, this this was it. No further negotiation on the price, the stabilization period, the time frame within which to exercise
that right of purchase, no escalators on the rent that and further no restrictions on the use of the property which when I say the property that includes the non-ontiguous parking lot
that that no restrictions to to maintain this uh parcel of property within within this arena of use would would not be acceptable. So what really you know and and that concerns me because let's not forget
first and foremost Barrett Atlantic is a developer of subsidized and workforce housing. They're not a commercial true commercial developer. And it's always been my fear that if this food hall
concept fails, there may be a way to do some assemblage to utilize the separate parking lot and this to do something that we really never envisioned downtown. So the resistance to any use restrictions are very problematic to me.
Equally problematic is that your right to purchase at $4 million today, tomorrow, next year, or 12 years from now when the lease payments have pretty much uh consumed that $4 million.
The city gets no benefit in a potential increase of the value of the dirt or that shell that surrounds the effort and the capital that that you're putting into those four walls and and that roof.
We we don't share in that. Uh certainly we wouldn't ask to share in that if you would buy it today with some use restrictions, give us a mortgage. Uh certainly a a payoff period earlier than
than 12 years from now. So th those are the real concerns of mine that um you know I not not to be greedy but you can pay us $355,000 a year 12 years retire that $4 million
purchase price and then assign the right to purchase to another party for several million dollars in excess of that $4 million. So in that regard, the city has not really gotten the benefit
of of its investment. So that's, you know, if if we are at the point where you have gone as far as you are willing to go for this project, um I I can't support it. But let me say
this. If what you propose in terms of use and buildout and look and vibrancy comes to pass, you've really hit a home run. And I think that's what we would all like to
see. But we've got to balance that with our responsibility to the taxpaying public to be good fiduciaries of of land deals, let's say, uh and these these types of of projects. And again,
that kind of comes back to let's say we're going to, you know, in the words of I guess board member Roth, if we're going to lose a million million and a half dollars, okay, we for that investment, we got
this gym downtown, but there's no guarantee and there's no protections in place with that option to purchase that we are going to have that or be protected. Ed in other financial matters. So if you
are at the end of your talking points >> as as to what's here, >> let me address >> I I can't support this. >> Let me address your points or questions in a few segments. Um the first one was part of my conversation with Matt and understanding your the city's
requirements for re use restrictions. My only opposition was to both financially and legally justify the basis of what was requesting because for all intents and purposes like as we said we're talking about 19,000 square feet.
We have single family homes with bigger lots than the the product. The restrictions of hey we're going to put a highrise on 19,000 square feet is for all intents and purposes is is not rational and not financially feasible. Why would someone logically spend $4
million to build buy an existing structures to save time in construction just to renegotiate demolish it and then have a covenant of restrictions for a grant money that is tied to hard infrastructure. So the basis of why I said this this is this was an absurdity
is because both financially it would bankrupt both me and the project the next morning I even thought of the idea. And secondly, um, from a legal basis, your own zoning, your own land use prevents such from ever happening at all. And it's not a merger between the
parking lot and the building itself because we're talking 19,000 square feet, which is smaller than, I'm sure, your offices here. And the parking lot is across the street. It is not contiguous. There is no way I can do a sky bridge to connect a high-rise building on a corner lot that is bigger
than that's smaller than the gas station's interior uh footprint. So the the only thing that restricted was would go to serve is when we when I spend the next 10 years building out the facilities, running out the infrastructure,
operating tenants and paying my staff to run the entities. That time and effort, that step up in value we created because we stepped in to which five other vendors could not, right? So that value that value proposition for us makes the
most sense because we take we're taking the time and commitment for the next 10 20 years risely because I'm not going anywhere um into a property. So it's un so un let me rephrase this differently
and from a and I understand your your challenges you as a city council and you because what you actually are facing part of part of what you have to do is fight as a constituent for your residents, right? Um, but for all intents and purposes, the business decisions around that property and the
five others that are unrelated to this, if you were in a private sector, a a bank would have foreclosed on your assets. The only thing that's saving the city is because it's is it public municipality. The bad business, you make bad business decisions and you're asking two, three, and four other developers to
step in to fund the mistakes of the past. That is what's being asked of me. And not even in in an unfair biased way. I understand that if you look at your sharetses going back 10 years, your feasibility studies, economic impact studies, your traffic studies, the road
changes, or even on Chrome Avenue, the city on multiple occasions have proposed uh uh land like a blanket land use conversion to entertainment. Those are great ideas and it should have been implemented, but you're you're facing
not a challenge of finance because the city can always find money. you you're you're you're facing a a challenge of stagn stagnation. you're not making like in my opinion city's not making cohesive choices and it's not you I mean this
admin CRA was not here when that decision was made but those decisions going back 10 years are compounding and what what most residents will never understand is fast forward in five years if you maintain let's say the the the
main um old CDL site the shotgun site this old building and then the the homestead flat site the six others that the city owns privately, your interests on the on are going to supersede and you're going to bankrupt. The only way to fund any of those projects move forward is to raise the taxes in the
city. So on a regular perspective, hey, I would be a private developer and I would I would not share this, right? Um me and this is what the other developers, the other four developers not do. They're not willing to risk and like articulate the truth of the matter. Truth of the matter is that urban core
down uh Chrome Avenue needs to be revitalized. is not a right way or wrong way. Someone has to make the choice and to say listen good, bad or whatever. We need to take the initiative of the physibility studies that were created the city pay for four different firms to
do the same firms on four firms over the last five or 10 years have said the same thing that the city has not implemented. Ultimately this this same property and this same uh activation if you look at the last three sharetses everyone has said the same thing in the last uh four
feasibility studies, economic impact studies. They're saying the city needs to activate LAN Park, then moving forward going down on KM Avenue, you need to activate it in order to justify the expenditure across the entire corridor. There's there's also statements about, hey, the city does is
not ready to uh for security purposes or traffic studies or road improvements. We want to wait for it. you want to make road improvements without taxable income or just or businesses that was going to utilize or benefit from those road improvements. How does that make sense?
So my my position is very simple. That corridor needs to be redeveloped whether it's me or 50 other people that have been here presenting the same case. In the same case, the other observation for the city council is everyone south of Coconut Grove in South Dade Midday
County has the exact same problem. is traffic, is parking, and is quality of life. We we all know that um some of the most of the council would know that the reason why we can never do a second lane expansion or a second corridor is
because FEC, state of Florida, and Miami Day County have said you need a minimum population. You need a that you're $250,000 250 short. They're not willing to spend $10 billion to open a secondary activation corridor until you make that investment. Dude, the other activation
is we want to bring you know 100,000 square feet of commercial space of offices. The pragm the pragmatic reason is yes that makes logical sense but on the other side of that is if tomorrow morning I decide to build a high-rise and it's solely offices you don't have
the quality of life of even if I give my rent free to Amazon to say of all of all companies here's 100,000 square feet of offices bring your employees here you don't have the housing for it you don't have the roads for it you don't have the parking for it and you don't even have the restaurants and bars for it so in my
opinion I'm solving a small issue to which you can leverage and transition. So that investment is is multiple fold. The parking situation, it's 18 parking spaces across the street, but ultimately it's the same problem. You can't build the same reason
why I say a developer unrelated to me won't invest and build a parking garage as part of development is because anything on the second floor and above the cost of a parking garage is 18 to $26,000 per parking space. You go to your third story, that is the cost. The
urban core needs four parking garages and the entire core map needs to be redeveloped and and a road. The city has to pick when when and where. This is the small piece of the puzzle that has to happen and that's my perspective. >> Any further council or board member Roth
first followed by member. >> Thank you. um question. The the 9.5 million or whatever they're going to be investing into this, um have they showed you any proof of finance? Have they showed they have money in the
bank? Have they showed any note structures or anything from lenders that are going to help them achieve that goal? >> No, I have not asked to see the documentation. I think Caven has that available for us. Uh but we have not not gone into that. >> I think that's a critical point because
If we're going to invest another $2.5 million into a $5 million project, that's $7.5 million on our part where we're going to recoup uh maybe $4 million of the $7.5 million that we have invested. So, I think I
don't think we're close enough yet to make a educated decision on this project when it comes to the finances. I think the terms of the agreement um at $4 million is is is truly not fair
to the city or to the CRA. And I think we need to look at at those aspects. Um but I'd really like to know if the developer has the wherewithal to do what he says he can do. Uh he made a
comment that you're being asked to do something. Uh we never asked you to do anything. you came to us. So, I think the burden is on you to show that you can actually do what you say you're going to do for us. Um, for us to agree
to invest another $2 half million into a $5 million project already is is a very very very long reach, I think, in my in my opinion. So, I'd like to get that information, the finances, uh who's actually going to be uh funding
their part of it. Obviously, you think we have this endless tank of money, which we do not. Um but you're making references to that based on uh your your assumptions, but I think we need to know if this developer has the ability to
actually perform uh if we enter into an agreement with them. Thank you chair. >> Okay. So board member Bravo. >> Thank you. I just wanted to um make mention for the furthered um
negotiations that one of the first things that I had mentioned when we um had the unsolicit unsolicited proposal come in was my desire to see a deed restriction with regards to residential. So just keep that in mind as you continue. um you know seeing phasing
vetting of the of the proposer the restrictions you know fine-tuning the terms and and uh final investment um if if if we're not potentially seeing the fruit of our investment until year
eight the latest according to this um proposal >> let me correct my sure that that point >> my original offer was a straight cash purchase uh for for that amount during the negotiations and this is the the sticking point which this is
challenging. I didn't find out the true financials of this until maybe two months ago. I didn't know the property had debt service on the property. I didn't know any of this. So it's you're I'm six months in then I'm finding out the true cost and pictures of the city.
Um from from your perspective uh you have the advantage of having the historical financials having staff to provide you with information. I'm I have to pull the information that I did not have. So the original offer was a cash purchase and then unfortunately because of your structured your debt service
even though I paid you paid the entire cash tomorrow morning you have balloon payments that will kick in effect. You have fees and associated with your bank note. You didn't finance it traditionally through like a tax assistant financing. So, um, through negotiations with the CRA and the city attorney's office, it was the one that
most economically made sense and financially allowed both the CRA and the city to keep their cash fees uh not being paid to the bank. So, we I restructured the deal uh instead of a cash purchase tomorrow morning to a a phasebased uh lease because of your existing debt service. You have a
30-year mortgage on the property that if you pay off tomorrow morning, we have a massive fee balloon that's being paid. Thank you. So, um, yeah, I'd like to continue to think that this is a a potential catalyst for our downtown and that our investment into
this project would would, um, trigger those other things that we can be a little bit more intentional or more controlling on. But, um, I I do think that there is opportunity to fine-tune this more. Okay. I appreciate it. Thank you.
>> Thank you. So, let me ask you this. You've heard our concerns and our questions on a lot of different levels and and from different angles. Are you interested in continuing to sit down with our
attorneys and the CRA staff to attempt to address those concerns or have we come to the end of the road? >> I'm meanable to having those conversations because I know staff is I mean both myself I know the can be and will be um we just have to have a crash
reality of what is the true economic like situation of that project. >> Okay. >> I think that's that's going to be the middle ground like we can lay it all out in Excel and row by row show the true cost and and true comparison of even if you just hold it for the next 12 months you would have spent more money on a
project sitting on it than anything else. >> Okay. Just for my a moment ago when you mentioned that you had made a cash offer but at that time >> you did not know some facts until you
learned a couple of months ago that you didn't learn until a couple months ago and I didn't catch what you were referring to. >> So my original submission my solicity came in in August September of last year. Um >> well my question is what did you find
out recently that you didn't know then >> uh your capital the capital investments to the property that occurred between let's say March and now right capital investments to the property the ongoing carrying cost the mortgage on the property I didn't find out until maybe a week before um the last CR meeting which
is maybe a month and a half ago um and this this is kind of like the same stop gap me as a developer I understand that I'm coming to you and you like you're taking the perspective that I have all this information but from a pragmatic standpoint and this is I think this is the same hurdle that every other
developer is facing uh when they come here because it takes six months just to understand the true financial mechanism of this in this specific case I think that the let's say I'm I'm going use the four prior submissions just on this one property
very few like because of the economics of this deal and and how it's structured unless you have surrounding assets to which it justifies the expenditure that I believe that's why the four walked away because they're they're not based down here. They don't have other assets
here and then I have other investments and then when you see hey it's just a shell space with no hard infrastructure and then you have to expend on the hard infrastructure and then be tied to a city. Those were those are things that most most developers didn't learn or
these last four didn't learn until six or nine months into negotiations. and is is not speaking bad of anyone. It's just it's the the process of government unfortunately. That is just how it is. >> So Mr. Beck let me ask you or Mr. Pearl whoever
I know philosophically we well in actuality we have incurred debt to buy this building. Is it actual mortgage debt or general revenue in the CRA secured by CRA
revenue debt? >> Does the what is that called? We pay it out of our we pay it through the tax increment. It is a loan that is expired in 2043 and I think it is a bond. No, >> but is the the property actually encumbered?
>> Yes, it is. >> It is s shows it is encumbered by the bank. >> Okay. because a little different from old city hall for example, right? Psychologically we have debt with respect to that
property, but it doesn't have to be retired when we receive money with respect >> to the sale of a portion or portions of that that parcel. >> Okay. I I I wasn't sure whether it was an actual mortgage.
So, if I can add just a couple of other comments on this. Um, you know, I think we've had in our briefings this this discussion at times that this is in some ways as a project a problem for us, right? We've already heard in terms of the amount that was
spent on acquiring the property, the amount that's been spent in improving or investing the property, the surrounding area. You know, part of our goal, my goal, purpose of being here as a CRA is to try to help us get out of that in a way that has a positive impact in the overall uh role of downtown as well as
affects our redevelopment plan. You know, the ROI that we have from a project like this, at least from my seat, is much less about the dollars in the sense and what are we getting back. It is about activating these blighted properties within downtown. It is about the pedestrian foot traffic. is about
the visitor spending, the proving our market, which is something that we get c asked constantly on every potential project, and it is also the ability to market and promote our downtown. There's a whole lot in terms of what that ROI is for us that's not really about the dollars and cents. I can always
appreciate and respect the board's desire to want to get a little bit better deal. I also want to remind the board that the last deal that got to this place was two years ago, right? And that's a deal that walked away in trying to get a little bit better of a deal. So I want to be very sensitive as we have
this conversation with both the proposer as well as our legal council that helped facilitate the purchase of this property that we are doing this in a way if we are going to to pause and come back that it is in a very good faith effort to find something that is both workable for
the the CRA as well as for the developer as we we bring this forward. I also want to add one other point to this in that uh and I think chair you and I had this discussion during our briefing. You know I have always been challenged in terms of the amount that was expanded on the
purchase of this property because private market was never willing to pay that and and no food entity or entertainment venue would ever do that. That is a purchase we made an investment the board was willing to make of th those funds to put this into a more um
you know meaningful use. That said, while it may be, you know, I want to say hypothetical dollars for the proposer, they're real dollars to us. Uh what I would have liked to have seen as I've become familiar with this project is a much more uh detailed package that would have been presented to this board. So,
you were able to make a truly educated boat on buying this, not only in terms of uh a potential future investment in the property right down in the resale of it, but what it actually costs to turn this into productive use. Uh this summer we had an evaluation or a study done to
start to understand just at a rough level to get this property into even that you know what we would call the shell that we could be using with the general um structure of a building. We're looking up at least $3.5 million if not more. And that's not including
then or factor in the time to get to that place then trying to find a potential development partner, restaurant partner, then factoring in tenant improvements. and then we find ourselves in a landlord situation which is the last thing a CRA should be doing. So even if we look at it from that perspective and I think there's been
some different discussion of do we do this ourselves well we're already going to be eight and a half nine million into it. Um and so as we've had these conversations with the proposer in terms of his $9 million investment and how does that break down you know from my seat I I'm really not necessarily
concerned with that. I'm concerned with the end product and how we get this in a way that is is meaningful and in using a scenario like this. This is an approach that actually comes at potentially a cost savings versus us saying well do we want to do it ourselves. So, I realize
that was a long long comment, but if we are going down the path of of wanting to relook at this with our legal counsel, I do want it to be very mindful of where we're at, the years that have gone into this and the the things that at least from our seat, we really see as the most important um aspects of a project like
this happening. >> May I share some vice chair and a ro to color for the history of the project because it's like our firm really took
the time to one not just read the prior proposals. We made phone calls and call every single submission to understand the liberal obstacles here. But rather than me to go down that route, I'm going to share with you is a comparable with another city. And a good good analysis
comparison would be let's say the Omni CRA or Overton CRA and how over the last 20 years they've revitalized that urban core. Most of it um for for their disadvantage was extremely like poverty,
drug areas um and things that are unusable. Um to your benefit, you at least have a corridor that is maintained um clean and safe all all around. So your burden of of revitalizing that corridor is really
just taking the opportunity and risk investment on really 10 properties on that corridor and then from that activation the existing landlords will be incentivized to revitalize their own projects. The stop gap today is every
other current building owner on the on the street, they've had that property for their properties for 10 or 15 years. And you have not seen any uh cosmetic beautifification on that street. And it's very simple. It's it's a math equation. The tenants on that corridor cannot afford to pay more than roughly
25 to 40 a foot. A capital improvement to a landlord. Let's say the the school that just shut down. It went went up for for market to sell there across the street from Home Avenue. It went up for sale for the same building footprint for roughly uh two original offer was 1.6.
It sold for roughly $2.5 million and that was across the street. Um but they're building another school there or or a clinic there. the activation in terms of utilization if for the remaining street if it's restaurants or anything of that sort the landlords won't make an investment on a corridor
to which they don't see the city investing themselves. So they're going to keep the same tenants that that you guys essentially wrote uh legislation to force a conversion to uh to activation entertainment district but they're never going to make the investment to justify the expenditures because they can't
afford the the the cost uh improvements. separate from that back to the Army CRA and I'm use it I'm use their base case example and and I'm not trying to badmouth anyone there. They've done a magnificent job because they'll do both TIF financing, grant financing and then
the debt service on this say $85 million development project. The CB uh absorbs and benefits from the interest against that service. So, and I'll give you so they have one that just completed construction works. It gave uh it gave UD um $8 million of grant money. The
project was roughly $110 million. The CRA funded with both the city and and the and the city and the CRA. 2% of that goes back to CRA. So 2% annualized for the next 30 years on on hund00 million. That is how the CRA makes money. I I
think the perspective needs to uh change in understanding the financial mechanics of how these projects benefit the city on the long term. And separate from that, I'm going to give you one more example. One mistake the the CRA did was you'll look up and find a building
called the Citizens Bank. The city and the CRA had the belief that they could internalize and make an investment and revitalize a historical building and keep it on their books. They thought and they they spent more than $21 million on improvements and today that property
still sits empty after $20 million. That deficit is never going to change because as a as a city as a as a city and CRA, your mandate is to accelerate development. Um, the challenges that that I I don't ever see a city and I've never seen one in the past ever do is
understand the mechanics of how to run a business, how to run employees, how to order food, and then culture cultivate culture, hospitality in order to be successful. So, the city just lost $20 million because they thought they could develop a property that is actually
25,000 square feet, roughly the same size as this building because on the long run, that building today, you can drive there uh tonight, right now, it is still empty. It it looks beautiful. It looks like a brand new historical bank, but it's never going to move because every developer, every tenant refuses to
pay that $80,000 foot that the city wants for that building. So again, you've you've heard our concerns. I think you've indicated that you'd be willing to go back and take one more stab at it and bring it back. >> Mr. Beck,
>> your mic's on. >> And no, it is it is on. I I don't believe I have anything else to add at this point. >> Okay. Vice chair, did you >> just in closing? I mean, I think it's the same that for me, the questions that I knew to ask was how do we protect ourselves from the additional money
that's going in there? So, if maybe we can see a little more of a clear picture and there can be a promise where your two and a half is going in at the same time as our two and a half and that is protected by the years of the lease. Um, that is the the furthest that I can come
as far. It's always a gamble. Um, as I mentioned, I think that you have a very clear vision of of what you see there. Um, those open windows and just picturing that being there and it being activated is just so exciting. So, I understand it's scary and it's a gamble,
but uh, we put this much into it so far and um, help us with those few things. Hopefully, we can get back on the 22nd and um, get this rolling. But, thank you for your patience and continuing. >> Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. Order Rakansky.
>> Thank you. Um, I think most of what I will say will just reiterate what we've all agreed to. Are we at a loss? We're at a loss. If we continue carrying it and don't move forward, we're still at a loss. But to
reiterate what your point is, the director here, the priority is to revitalize downtown. And I think that's where the focus needs to be. We're looking at quality of life and bringing restaurant generating business, generating movement, and quality of life
to downtown Homestead. That's the priority here. Um, do I think that there is a way that we can confidently come to an agreement that is advantageous for both you and us? I think so. And I think that's that's kind of where we're
landing here. Um, very positive that we can make this what we've all intended it to be. Um, We were offering not one but nine 10 eight restaurants, a bar and a coffee
shop. >> I believe I submitted the LOI to say all the actual restaurants. Uh half of the restaurants already have three minimum three locations in Miami Day County. That was my requirement for them. So most of them you'll know firsthand. That's a lot to offer in one location
and a lot to offer to downtown and serving the purpose of why we're here at this meeting is to revitalize downtown. That's a priority. So again, I just, you know, everything we all agree to, I just wanted to to nail it home and tell you that yeah, I agree that that's our
purpose and the stay focused for what we're here. Is it a loss? It it's a loss, but at the end of the day, the purpose is to bring that business downtown. And I think that's what we need to stay focused to. Thank you. Roth first and then Opa. >> Yeah, I'm not against the project. What
I'm against is not knowing the financial uh ability of them. Uh the previous group that made an offer to the city had experience in food hall business. I don't believe
you do. >> Do you? So, let me paint color here. >> I'm sorry. >> Uh, no. I I am a a traditional investor. My firm is built on government contracting. So, the nuances of this is my >> Okay. Wait, you don't go into You don't
have any experience in a food hall business. No. >> And this is what we're trying to open here. >> Correct. >> So, that's another concern. Uh, I get it. It's a loss. What I'm trying to protect is additional losses. So >> if we can get the financial information
that they have the ability to do this financially, it will taste a little bit better, no pun intended to the food thing. >> That's all. Thank you, Mayor. >> And finally, board member Ala. >> Thank you, chair. So, my colleague board member Roth here does have extensive
experience in the food industry many years ago, but his advice on this, his um his experience, his wisdom, it's it's very valuable, at least to me. I would love for this to be a unanimous um approval, you know, when it comes back.
But, um you know, do your best to really meet all the the issues and the challenges here. Um, I have, you know, Director Jared has my full vote of confidence on this uh on this item, but I think uh Matt will seal the deal for
us. And so um and I do think Bear Atlantic could do it best in this situation. Your renderings, your design, your concept, your your plan, it really is impressive. And in all the years that I've served up here, it has one been one of the best best presentations and
overall concepts. Uh, so I really would love to see this be a a deal done at the end of this month. So I appreciate the opportunity. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. I don't think there's anything further for us to direct or discuss on this item. I think you all
have your >> Thank you guys. >> Clear picture. Okay. Moving on to um tab two regarding the uh installation for a placemaking feature
at the PO park on Mauy. >> Oh, I thought the first one was going to be the fast one. Kidding. Kidding. Um so >> there you go thinking again. >> As you all know, and I'm also going to ask you now to pull something up. Uh, as you all know, we have I think you know,
we have finished construction with what we've just internally been referring to as the P sale Park, and that is the connection between uh the parking garage at Homestead Station, Lawner Park. You all had approved this last fall. Uh we continue to try to find opportunities to create memorable moments within our
downtown and those things that make people say, "Oh, isn't that great? This is such a cool place." And so, uh, you all have in your package what we had contemplated that was actually inspired by the lettering that I think came from, um, Senator Rodriguez's office, which was the big homestead letters. What we
have contemplated here is some type of lettering, uh, that would face into the PO park, and this would be installed on the rear side of the city-owned specific tagline. Uh, and then, of course, the the question is we need to make sure folks know where. So we have modified
the uh versions that you had in your book and we have brought three which you all have in front of you and the audience can see on the screen uh that really shows the ways in which we can add in the future lives here. I see on the screen the colors are slightly distorted. Uh we have followed the in
general the CRA brand colors that follow the city's brand colors. Uh you may have seen some of the downtown logo which follows Homestead logo. So, we're working to to really integrate this into what we're doing with everything else. Uh, the letters are in terms of the future lives here approximately 36
inches in height. When you look at the homestead from the top of the palm tree to the bottom of the H, that's about 36 inches as well. So this is something that we'd like to proceed with and we were bringing it forward to you all to give uh any input on a preference in
terms of the color placement so on and so forth. So what we've given you is three different concepts. I think we had one that had the white homestead with the blue in the back or the blue for the body lettering, a green for the future lives here in a second option with a
homestead at the bottom uh in one of the blue colors. And then we had an orange with the homestead at the bottom in the blue. I think from the conversations we've had the preference leans more towards uh at least having homestead at the top from what everyone has said down to the
bottom we would have the future lives here. So if the board has a preference in terms of colors uh you know we'd certainly like to to hear what that is and then this is something we would proceed with uh in terms of the finalization of the PO park.
Okay, board member Roth has weighed in with the first one. >> Board member Alola. >> Thank you, chair. Yeah, I the first one with the homestead where you just the way you read it. Homestead, the future lives here. And I think it's very appropriate that it's in the park where the kids are, where the future of the city of Homestead will be. And you know,
the future lives here. It's our tagline. And I do want to be careful in how we maybe outplay it a little bit. And you know, the other renderings that were in the packet, I think, are nice too to maybe consider in other areas. Um, so here in this as an entrance way to the park where our future will play, I think
is great. What I would like to maybe consider if there's an opportunity maybe to add some maybe some mural or anything to that back the the backwash of the building, maybe of some silhouettes of children playing, something like that.
If there's an ability to add that um splash of I don't know, extra picture, that would be nice to see. >> We'll get the sign up first. I like the way >> you like like the first one. >> Yeah. >> As as do I. My preference is the
homestead lettering at the top in white with our branded blue. The future lives here. Okay. Go ahead. >> Not to delay with a lot more discussion, but I've got a crazy idea. So, this is a
hightraic area, right? Or potentially soon to be very hightraic area. It's the It's about the photo ops, right? So, just picture homestead at the bottom, larger than the future lives here. That palm tree being a spot where somebody
can stand in front of. And then like in the middle of the palm tree, maybe that palm tree comes up a little bit and it's somewhat of a sculpture coming over the fence. The person is standing at the trunk of the tree. and then the future lives here
is a little smaller along the same lines of we don't want to overuse or maybe use it bigger than homestead just an idea throwing it out there um to have a photo op there I think is
something that we should consider and to stand there where would you where would you be able to stand um so just something for consideration homestead larger underneath you could stand in front of the palm tree and then the future lives here coming off the middle
of the palm tree. I have a sketch here if anybody's interested. >> Why are we not surprised? >> Thank you, board member Fletcher. >> Yes, thank you. and I'm leaning towards option one, but I also
have a question regards to we've spent a lot of time and money rebranding the city over the last couple of years and and coming up with a standard homestead and now this is different than some of the other ones that we've done.
>> I think this script of homestead is used in the downtown through CRA and it's on the banners, >> but if you go on our website, it's different, you know. So on our our letter head, it's different. >> So >> no, I agree. >> Just look for some standardization is all
>> other than that again option one with the vice mayor's comments. >> That's all. >> And and I would just echo the mayor's comments. So this is I think a part of what the city manager's office has looked at in terms of that broader future phase and this is the similar uh or is the same font that's been used in
the banners that we're doing in more the public facing not uh internal working working items. But very well heard and if the deputy wants to add anything I would certainly open that. >> Good afternoon count board. The the
homestead is reflected here is consistent with or discover homestead branding. So that is where that is uh I guess the genesis of it's the discover discover homestead branding pallet uh that um is referenced here. So there is
consistency in that regard. >> Very good. Thank you uh deputy manager. Um, you know what, Vice Chair, I think later tonight you may have the opportunity to uh encourage another proposer to use
your artistic design and maybe an entrance feature for the revitalized football stadium and practice fields. >> Lord, if I may >> just saying, did you have some? >> Yes, thank you, Chair. I mean, the
reason why I was asking for a little bit more oomph was because I did kind of see the opportunity to make it a little bit more picturesque and not so blocky and, you know, plain. So, out of the options that I had, if I had to pick one, it would be option number one. But if there's appetite to do something a little bit more
>> um Instagrammable, right, and more engaging, I I would like to see that option. So, I am interested in seeing your your sketch u >> see your sketch and put a price tag to it compared to what this would be >> and maybe bring it for the the next uh meeting if we're going to do a CR meeting
>> forever. >> No, >> two weeks. So I will tell you this is has taken some work in that this is a different uh some of the detailing that we have included for example the homestead
script and the palm tree that is not standard with the manufacturer. So we've had to work to make sure that some of these things can can be done given the timeliness in terms of bringing these things back on an agenda. It may not be on our meeting for the 22nd, but we could bring this back to the next
meeting and with those couple options or um >> let's just see what we can do beyond that. If these are our options, it seems that option one >> wins. Put it in this perspective. We've owned the shotgun property for 21 years.
What's another two weeks with a sign? >> We we will see what we can bring back even if just an update to to distribute. then uh certainly work on more of a formal package then for a final decision. >> And then I will take that sketch.
>> I'm not sure that my notes cover. >> All right. So next we have before us the meeting the minutes from our meeting our last meeting have been moved and seconded. All in favor? Any opposed? Moving on to tab four and this is the potential acquisition
of some real estate. >> Right. As I've shared with you all in our briefing, shortly after my starting with the CRA, the realtor for the property at 31 Northwest 4th Street had contacted me about uh potentially any interest the CRA may have in acquiring it. Uh given that this was at the time
in which the CRA was underway with construction of the curl marketplace parking lot, this logically seemed to be another option for a potential acquisition for an additional public parking lot. The asking price at that time was more than $500,000 and it was not a range that we were comfortable
with at the CRA proceeding uh with. And so fast forward to to now, that price has been reduced to $390,000. Uh the property owner has had an appraisal done that came in at 390. The CRA had an appraisal done that came in
at 375. We made a midpoint offer of 382.5 to potentially purchase this and they counted this at $386,000. It is a vacant $13,000 ft lot. The $386,000 counter is about $4,000 less than what
the property appraiser establishes as a value of the property. And so this is an acquisition that the CRA would like to proceed with uh to number one secure this property uh and then anticipate moving forward with the construction of a another public parking lot similar to
Crow Marketplace. We have funding within our land acquisition fund. So, there's no, you know, having to to look for that or identify that funding. And again, I think this aligns well with the appraisals and the the overall goal we have with uh downtown. So, this is requesting an approval from the board to
proceed with the acquisition. Uh and this ask is specifically to just the acquisition, acquiring the properties, nothing more. Once we have that, then we can certainly look at at what comes next uh in terms of construction. >> Right. Thank you.
>> Ross. >> Yeah, I'm I'm okay with this. The my only concern, Matt, would be if uh are there any non-competes with the parking garage to build a parking garage for the city? >> Not a non-compete, but we're also not building We're not contemplating a
garage at this space at this time. >> But if we wanted to, >> if you want to, >> I will double check, but I don't believe there's >> be part of our due diligence. >> I'm not aware of >> because I mean, if we're going to buy it, I'd rather scrape it and build go up a few stories so we have more space than
just ground parking. That would double triple the amount on the north side of Chrome Avenue. >> Yeah. So, just look into that first. Thank you. That's all. >> Thank you, member. Any further to my right?
It's been moved and seconded. Finally, input would be is that I'd like the resolution if it's not clearly stated now that someone would offer an amendment, it's clearly stated that this purpose is for the purpose of creating a
public parking facility. So, did you move it? >> Yes. And although that is the >> thought that I think we all have, do we want to hold ourselves to that just in case something else comes up?
>> Well, I do. Given what's been discussed about granting easements that have no basis in fact, I think we need to lock it into being a parking facility or walk away from it, >> not buying land for somebody else's driveway. You know, the only other add-on to this, we we've had the
conversation with the representative, the property owner who also owns the corner property. Is there a potential for us to acquire all of that and look at this as potentially some future redevelopment site? There is zero willingness to even enter into any
conversation on selling that corner lot. So, at this point in time, from from the CRA's perspective, this is for a parking lot and and there's really no other need or use for it at this time. My final comment would be is you as we go forward and do our due diligence for
you newcomers that property is either adjacent or in close proximity to a former dry cleaners and two gas stations. So there will need to be there >> and and we do have uh working underway
with having a phase one uh executed on that. So that is a part of the condition that we we do have the ability to to review this. Fortunately, doing a parking lot will essentially cap anything that's there for our use. So we don't really have a lot of concern in terms of the liability for the CRA. >> But anything beyond that if there's not
going to be a restriction to a parking facility. >> True. >> Which by the way, I am not going to support this if it is not locked into being a parking facility. Just FYI. >> Okay. >> All right. So we've got a motion and a second. Is there anything further? I
don't think we need to take public comment. >> Mayor, did we have a a vote on Did I have an a motion to amend? >> There was no motion to amend. >> So, this is the motion to uh to execute
the agreement to to purchase as is with no restrictions. So, that's the case. Madam clerk, >> board member Roth. >> Yes. >> Board member Ksky. Board member Cannibal.
>> Board member Avula, >> yes. >> Board member Fletcher, >> yes. >> Vice Chairwoman Bailey, >> yes. >> Chairman Lzner, >> nope. >> The motion carries. >> Our final item for the CRA agenda is tab five. Mr. back.
Tab five is a commercial enhancement grant application by CB Investments of Homestead, which we all know as Cassita Teahas. Uh the property owner, uh I think you all know this is directly across from Semino Theater has a parking
lot on the south side of the building. Uh part of it is paid, part of it is not. This is uh an effort by the property owner to um pave the existing parking area that is not formally paved. Uh resurface the balance of the parking
lot, new striping and and wheel stops as a part of an ask for uh funds from the CRA. We would require want to see improved landscape around the perimeter of this lighting as it would be required. Uh any appropriate signage or other improvements. The grant request
was for the uh not to exceed the grant maximum amount of $25,000. The submitted cost estimates by the property owner range between 25 and and $35,000. As a reminder, we do not reimburse 100%.
This being in the core area means that we would never go more than 90% of the overall project cost based on reimburseable eligible expenses for this. I think that realistically this will be a much more costly project than what they've anticipated in this um you
know particularly as we look towards lighting and landscape and whatnot but this is a request uh for an approval to not exceed that amount. I believe that the property owner is applicant is here and if she would like to speak I'd certainly invite her uh to do so but that is a summary of what this is or the
request is rather. >> Okay board questions comments do we have a motion? I'll second the motion. Was there a motion? Yeah. Yeah. By >> Fletcher, seconded by Avala. >> Thank you. I do support this item. I just out of curiosity, if if the property owner wanted to ever expand or
do any additional redevelopment on the property, what would be what's our our term with regards to any repayment due to redevelopment? Is anything? >> Oh, we do have a repayment and I'm trying to remember the assistant director. We have a payment. I don't remember what the years
are on this. Um >> chair is saying five years but you know I just wanted to make sure that there was some kind of window that you know if they wanted to redevelop sooner than later that that wasn't a restriction on the >> I know we have it as many years and for some reason I thought one of our grant uh stipulations was 10 years but it is a
multiple number of years yeah we can look back and and confirm that >> and I think um >> five hearing it is five being confirmed. >> Okay. So, Kasate has I think is a very local favorite and it's a great um you know a great venue to have in our core downtown and I you know I look forward
to you know improving the condition of the parking lot which is right across from our our seminal theater so it's very quite visible. If there's any additional um curb appeal that we can do to maybe enhance it as well that would be ideal but not a condition of the that's just my comments. Thank you.
>> Very good. >> Okay so we have a motion and a second. If there's nothing further, let's have a roll call. >> Councilwoman Avula, >> yes. >> Board member Ross, >> yes. >> Board member Cannibal, >> yes. >> Board member Fletcher, >> yes. >> Board member Ksky. Vice Chairwoman Bailey,
>> yes. >> Chairman Lawson, >> yes. >> The motion carries. All >> right. Any additional items? Mr. Beck, does that conclude the agenda? >> No, sir. That concludes our agenda for the >> All right. So, we need a motion to adjurnn. >> It's been moved and seconded. All in favor?
And let's take five and we'll convene the council meeting. >> Lost our pastor and the >> kids and the pastor. >> Oh my goodness. Okay. Look at this. Let me see. All right, let's take our seats and see
if we can get this agenda moving on. Sorry. Okay, I need a motion to take the council meeting out of recess. >> It's been moved by uh Avala, seconded by Fletcher. All in favor?
All right, we are now going, if I could have everyone rise, we'll have the invocation by Councilwoman Ksky, followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Councilman Cannibal. Councilwoman Ksky. Yeah.
Please uh join me in prayer. Most gracious and merciful father, thank you for your goodness, for your faithfulness, for your love and for your son. We thank you for the opportunity to gather together for the freedom and privilege to publicly offer up our prayers. We invite your presence into
this place, Father. We ask your Holy Spirit would guide and direct each and every person here. Give wisdom, discernment, judgment, and integrity to all those who lead, great or small. May we be like-minded in spirit and purpose, giving praise, honor, and glory to you.
We pray a special blessing over our great city of Homestead. May you show favor accordingly. We ask your blessing over all the items of business today, tomorrow, and in the days to come. May we always humbly approach your throne seeking your will and guidance. In the
holy and precious name of Jesus, your son, we ask these things. Amen. >> Amen. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> Thank you. Please be seated. Okay, it is now that time where we uh entertain general public comments. I will first go to those who have pre-registered.
And first up is Brandy Ramirez. I know Miss Ramirez, you're still here. If you please come forward and uh make your comment. >> Good evening and welcome. >> Good evening. Thank you, Mayor and Council. Brandy Ramirez, 2231 Southeast
First Street. Um, I'm trying to remember what I signed up for. Sorry. I'll try to make it fast. Oh, one of the questions I did have um I think I heard that customer service is now accepting
utilities um payments, making it more accessible for the residents, but I didn't see anything advertised. So that if we can please advertise that so the residents are aware. And also tonight there's an agenda item for Lee Shardine. I just want to make sure
that our council and mayor are aware that our community is very supportive of Leardine who educate the young the smallest. It's very important for Head Start. So I'm hoping that you will continue to support them. And
also the uh sports hub is going to be discussed tonight. Again, all I ask that they continue to support our local AYSO children, continue to be including them and so that we can move forward and work together to bring that. Um, and the
other item, oh, business signage. If we can, please to make sure that we are working with our business owners to make sure we're not making it harder, making it easier, as you said today, um, physical uh, responsibility for money
that's being done through, you know, budgets and stuff like that. I just wanted to make sure I keep hearing that word unsolicited. um don't like it. I've expressed that the last meeting. Unsolicited items kind
of leaves leeway to a lot of things. I do want to say though that the CRA director and the CRA team are doing great. I think that was a great proposal, great questions that you all had, especially Mr. Roth. I appreciate all of you guys for the hard work um
that you guys do and the questions that you take the time to look into. But again, that unsolicited word is coming up a lot and it never came up before. I know that you guys do your part in looking into certain things, but
unsolicited needs to just go away. It was never here before. Thank you. Have a good evening. >> Thank you. Uh that is the only uh pre-registration I had. If that's not correct, let me know. All right. Is there anyone else in the audience who
would like to make a general public comment? Is there any Okay, come on down. No one online. Okay. Hi. If you'll give us your name and address for the record. >> Hi, my name is Jessica Hake. My family's
business is at 10 East Malry Drive, downtown Homestead. I'm here um my mom had a job here, so I took advantage to be here. I'm here to talk about how slow downtown Homestead is. And I have personally for the past two weeks put on our personal chefs on the runs page and
on my personal page the seven different places that people can eat in downtown Homestead. Right now, as I'm waiting here, I got the unfortunate news that the White Lion is closing. It is something that is really hard to see. And I'm also here to talk about our
specials and to please tell people publicly to support Downtown Homestead. Um, a lot of people only see us on that side and I do the old school doortodoor. I go to all the medical buildings. I go in there with my son, with my mom. We
all give out flyers. We talk about downtown Homestead. We need more done down here. And I don't know what else to ask from you all except for how can we do that and if you need to talk to the
businesses al together I am all I I took advantage for the casita to be here I exchanged numbers with her we need the help we need a pulse I was here last year saying the same thing and I'm going to talk about our daily specials because I know that this is here so at chefs on
the run we turn 15 in August and we are very proud to be there as always we go to South Beach Food and Wine Festival we talk about homestead consistently and unfortunately we get oh you're all the way down there but we keep going right um we pushed a lot for the trolleys we
push a lot for artists uh we are trying to have Jennifer and I are trying to have a meeting to have art walks in our in included in our awning in the back we also have table games now we have dominoes we have Jenga out there that people can come and not only have great
fresh food but also experience their uh their table and their hospitality with without their phones, right? Uh that's a big thing that we're doing. Um I'll give this to you guys. I don't know where the camera is, but basically >> give it to the clerk and she'll she'll
circulate it. >> These are Chefs on the Run right now is running a $50 special, right? It is all three entre and a dessert for $50. We run it every summer for local only. We also
have daily specials at the restaurant where on Thursdays we have things that are buy one get one. On Fridays we have your favorite Mr. Roth there your um chicken sandwiches on Fridays it's $2 off. Uh we have a lot of specials.
Please help give chefs on the run and other businesses sak pace and you know yard spice all of these businesses need the help if we can please get that and if we can please come to an agreement of how we can get that I don't know if we can put something in power bills to
encourage people to go down here but that is basically what I'm here for. Thank you. >> Appreciate it. Thank you. Okay. Is there anyone else in the audience? Okay. Has anyone joined us online?
Okay. And going once, going twice. I will close the public comment section of the agenda. Mr. Manager, do we have any additions, deletions, or deferrals? >> None, Mr. Mayor. >> Okay. Thank you. All right. Our first
item tonight is for discussion. Uh tab two car number 5103 Harrisfield Park public private partnership proposal discussion >> is the podium mic on
>> testing >> you're on. >> So before you start Mr. uh Vasquez. Uh about two Fridays ago, the administration received an unsolicited proposal from the team of SPH, VSSGS,
and the city ordinance requires the city manager to place it on the next as early as possible, which actually prompted this item being had today as a discussion item. Uh the requirement is that the c the administration is asking for direction from mayor and council on
the direction to proceed with this item. With that, I invite the team to make their presentation. >> Thank you, Mr. Manager. >> Thank you, Mr. Manager. Good evening, Mr. Mayor and council members. My name is Jav Vasquez. I'm with the Gunster Law Firm. Our offices are at 600 BrickL
Bickl Avenue in Miami. and I'm honored here to be here tonight on behalf of BSGS facilities, better known as Sports Performance Hub. Before I continue, I'd like to introduce the team that's here with us tonight. Uh, Mr. Nick Zakovich,
who you're going to hear from in a minute, uh, our CEO and co-founder of SPH, Miss Gabby Landa in charge of design and construction, Mr. Don Lockerby, our construction uh, person that is also our
owner rep. Terry Bros, our chief of business development. Diana Artiaga is SPH's chief of staff. And shadowing me tonight from George Mason University is a 3L student, third-year law student,
Mr. Franco Diaz, Franco Lewis. If you could please stand up, I'd love for you to be recognized. And um I'm very very happy that Franco made time to be here tonight as he continues to decide what he wants to do. Sounds like he wants to be a land use attorney. As you know, Sports Performance Hub has
submitted an unsolicited proposal for a concession operator agreement calling for the renovation, activation, operation, maintenance, and the programming of Harris Field Park. This matter, as the manager just mentioned, is before you for discussion, and our
hope is that you will authorize the administration to continue uh discussing this item with us. As you will hear from Mr. Skavich, SPH intends to invest approximately $5.4 million in privately funded improvements, including stadium upgrades and many, many other
improvements, which Mr. Skavich will show you in detail. And without further ado, I'd like to introduce Mr. Nick Sakavich. Thank Thank you, Javier. Good evening, mayor, city council. Nice to see you again. Um,
yeah. So before I get started, actually I want to submit um five letters of support from uh for our proposal from our friends over at the Homestead uh Rodeo Association, the Dick Connelly
Steelers football program, the Homestead AYSO AYSO program, the Homestead uh Southern Homestead Soccer Program, who by the way, we're doing a clinic on the 17th of July here in Homestead. over 200
kids signed up already and families. We're looking forward to that. Working with those two programs. Um we'll have actually two World Cup players from that team who played for Kurissau here. They were here for the Fourth of July celebration, too. That
was pretty cool. And we got um we got a letter from the city's consulting firm that was hired for the reimagin reimagining of Harris Park with Scovich. Thanks. on the 17th. Yeah.
Right. Great. So, uh, how this came about and why we always want to know the why we do something. So, it was always within our plans on phase 1A to build a modular stadium and move Miami FC here
to Homestead as soon as possible. So, we just finished up the baseball field. We're moving into construction of the seven soccer fields and football fields and the tennis center which uh will commence in the next couple of months. So, it was always part of our plan to
get to Homestead as soon as we could because we want to become members of this community as soon as possible. Currently, and for the last 10 years, the team has played at FIU Stadium. It's 15,000 seats. It sits on a camp campus and in the summer it's pretty desolate
there. It's not a great place for Miami FC to play, not least of which we have virtually no rights there. So, as great partners, we want to bring Miami FC to town. So, we always had a plan to build
a modular stadium in phase 1A of the field construction at the regional park. We heard months ago that the city was contemplating a reimagination of Harris Park. they were you were already on on your way to hiring a consultant and we
started to ideulate about Harris Field. So, we went down there spent a lot of time looking at that tired stadium and internally we asked ourselves what if um down the line we're going to need more fields. We're going to need more we're going to do more programming. Um so why
not go to the city and talk about renovating this tired stadium? It's very tired stadium, has a bad field. It's actually dangerous that field. Um, it's very, very worn. So, we said, what what if we invested private dollars into
helping the city kickstart the reimagining of Harris Field and renovate that stadium and also the five, it's actually $5.5 million is the budget. It doesn't include the renovation of the two fields next to it. I'll show you
some slides. So that's where the whole idea of this proposal came about and and really it's as a partner of the city. We we are partners and we take that really seriously. We said all right well maybe we can help in the city's effort to
reimagine and kickstart the renovation of Harrisfield. So we we spent a little money. We we did some um analysis of the site uh of the stadium itself. There's an overhead view of the the stadium as
the renovation's being proposed. I have our construction team here. So, if you have any questions on the uh specifics of what we're doing, we're essentially going in, we're going to uh we're proposing to uh completely renovate the
field. It needs to be widened. We propose to put a state-of-the-art artificial surface down that's play that's playable for soccer. widen the field so it's more accommodating for soccer. U fix the current stands that
are there. They're they're in pretty good shape, but they need to be disassembled and reassembled. Um in the north end, um we're proposing uh like a sweet, not a suit area, but like um an
open uh gathering area for a premium experience. A little bit later on in the presentation, I'll share with you uh some of the food upgrades to the stadium and some of the food and beverage areas
within the stadium. Um this includes brand new lighting, state-of-the-art new LED lighting. Uh a a relocated grandstand in the south end behind the south goal there. uh a renovation of that current building which is um
bathrooms and also a renovation of the food concession and bathroom area which is marked number one on this slide and then just basically some um polish and paint of the existing buildings to get
the stadium at 5,000 seats. It's currently a little over that, but we with the upgrades and and really renovating it properly and because there's a lot of like really old bench seating uh in there that actually looks
quasi unsafe to be honest, we would remove that. Whatever's salvageable, we'll move over to the grass fields. Whatever is not usable, we'll we'll dispose of. Uh this is a new field, new lighting, widening the field, complete
renovation. Um there's an overhead shot from the north from the uh yeah from the north with that um premium area in the south end. Um this is a little bit of overview. You could see the two fields in the far side. this the budget does
not contemplate redoing those fields although we're proposing that we would um continue to maintain them as well as the stadium. Uh those fields also will will u not
renovate them in the short term. In the long term, I think we would propose to renovate them and convert one to artificial surface and and m and resag the other natural grass field. Um, so here's just some different
overhead shots of the facility that we're proposing. Fully enclosed, create a great environment. Miami FC would play uh at at at a minimum 20 home games here. uh if the team makes the playoffs, there'd be playoffs and potentially a
championship game here, we would also uh endeavor to start a women's soccer team, professional soccer team, uh which we if we could get this done, um perhaps launch in year two of this. Um here's a few other pictures. This is a
long presentation. We took a lot of different angles. Here in the foreground is the main entrance which we're proposing like a food court in there with food trucks and food and beverage concessions. This is another entrance on the other
side which we're proposing like a picnic area for the soccer men's soccer games. It could be like a a beer garden or kind of a party area for youth events and youth tournaments. It could be a picnic
area and a place to sit and eat and enjoy the game from a from a table. Here's another picture of that food court entrance. Really upgrading uh creating a sense of place for Harris Park Field. Here's the entrance to the to the picnic
benches and the in the beer garden area. Another shot of the food area. This is all in your package. Here's another here's a shot of that picnic area and beer garden pl uh sense of place. This uh proposal also includes replacing the
scoreboards with LED. So, not just digital scoreboards, but full LED, which would really enhance the experience here. Here's another view of that picnic area and beer garden.
Here's another overview shot from the west side. So to orientate yourself here, the the Homestead Rodeo Stadium would be right behind this grandstand. There's another shot
a little bit closer to field level from behind a goal in the south end. That's actually the It's a giant suite basically for a premium uh viewing experience with food and beverage served in the suite. And that's the
presentation of it. So, we are planning on building this at Homestead Regional Park regardless. We would thought as a good partner we'd come in and help kickstart it. And actually this variation is a little bit more expensive because there's a lot of
demolition of the existing field in this piece of it. So it's more expensive to do, but that's okay. Um and that's the presentation. The other thing that this benefits the city, I think we would it would continue to be a public park. Um we've talked with the
rodeo, the two soccer organizations. Um we would continue to program there. We actually worked with them on a relocation plan. So like in January, we needed to start commencement in October to be done and ready in March to have
this fully ca capable of hosting Miami FC soccer matches in March when that season starts. And we've been working with the rodeo on a operational plan so that not to disrupt the rodeo in January. So, we already have uh a plan
to move heavy equipment around and create their staging area so they could properly execute the rodeo. Um the other thing that this would benefit the city too. We felt by us taking over the opex of the project there's a we would invest
about a million and a half dollars a year million1 to a million and a half dollars a year in operating the building and maintaining the grass fields. That would not reside on the city's uh P&L. That would be our responsibility. Uh and
we would operate it at a very high level. Um that would include marketing people to go out and secure tournament business to bring other events. Um we think there's a market and a need in the city for music, live music events, live
concerts in the park, uh and that type of thing. This stadium would be ideal to host those types of events on a Friday night or a Saturday night or a weekendl long music festival type of event because the city doesn't have any facilities yet until we build our
permanent stadium in the hotel at the regional park. But this would be a great place. We would plan to have Miami FC here immediately in less than a year playing being members of the community, our players in town, our players working
here, our staff working here for two seasons. So we would play there next season and the following season and then when the stadium's ready in 2008, we would move Miami FC from the Harris Park Field to the new stadium. And we would
desire to continue to operate and maintain Harrisfield because it would be a great annex to what we're building in the bigger development at uh at Homestead Regional Park. I think I covered everything. My
attorney will remind me if I didn't. Um Oh, Jav, did I miss anything? >> So, thanks. >> So, let me open it up to questions or comments from my my colleagues. Uh we'd like to kick it off.
Councilman Fletcher. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and uh thank you, Mr. Celitz, and the team for for giving us this opportunity. Um there are a few questions I have in your outlined uh
term sheet here that uh you know, basically you're just looking for us to give you direction on to move forward or or make changes. So, um I am in support of this with a couple of questions in regards to the term length.
I think we have to nail down some of those uh in this negotiation period, but uh I heard a couple of things in your presentation that that caused me a little pause, not on your behalf, but you know, I heard the word the surface is dangerous as it currently sits. So, I
want to make sure that we are looking into that from our side to ensure that we're not allowing people to play on a field that is unsafe. I don't need an answer right now. Uh just we need to make sure that we're following that. Um
looks that uh let me just go down my bulleted items that I went went down through. U one of the things I'm going to ask is uh what's our annual cost to the city to operate the three fields? Now, we're going to have to figure that out because those manh hours and monies
could be relocated to another park pro project potentially if we move forward. Uh questions concerning the impacts to current programs and access. You know, we do have teams that utilize those fields as well as community members that
go out there on Saturdays and Sundays to utilize those with their families. So, we have to work through those logistics. Uh, I understand that the current field is due for replacement here in the very near future. Um, and I know that cost roughly is
based off of your estimates is about a million dollars. >> That's our budget. >> Your budget. I know for us it's a little more because we got to go through the public process and get bids and all that. >> Um, but currently it's named the Orange Bowl Field and I got to make sure our
contract with them is I know it's a 10-year process, but we we got to make sure there's no incumbrances there with with the Orange Bowl folks uh to ensure that we're able to do this or any restrictions. Uh I know we talked about you potentially contacting them
directly and seeing that as well. So, just want to make sure we're on good solid ground uh if we do move forward with this. So, we'll need that information. what are the impacts or benefits to the Harris reimagination project are going,
you know, this is a $5 million kickstart to that process. So, I think that's a a a benefit for for all of us. Summertime and weekend access and during operations, we're going to need to kind of understand that. And then
we talked briefly today uh when you presented this to me in regards to uh the naming rights of of the facility. I know that's specific in your in your contract. Um, and I know some of us have been contacted by members of the community in regards to one of our
legendary coaches of South Dade recently passing away and looking at maybe renaming that. They were all on board and potentially supporting that unless we do it beforehand. So, one of those things we got to look at, but uh, ultimately I think this is a win-win. We
just need to figure out a few of the details. >> So, I'll rest Happy to have discussions on all of that. Council. Yeah. So, I'll rest there. >> Sure. Thank you, Councilman. >> Council Monavala. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um definitely heeding a lot of um Councilman Fletcher's um
concerns and and questions, which of course I'd like to to um learn the answers of as well. My my question for staff is where are we at with the rem reimagination process with our consultants? I I Is that the same consultant that was referenced as
providing the letter of support on this? >> That's correct. That's Ziscovich an architect. >> What's our current status with their >> So I think they scheduled coordination meetings with members of the council to get an impute. I don't know if they've
met with you yet. >> I rem I met with um parks and one of the consultants. So, I don't know if there's a secondary step and I know that we I held a um a walkthrough of the Dural City Park to get a lot of ideas and and
um you know vision for for continued workshops. Um I I guess what where I'm at with timeline where is I'm not sure where we're at with the timeline of our plan. So while I think that this is a great
opportunity, how does this fall in terms of our public input, our drawings, our vision, our with the sports complex? I feel like we were very um you know, we were very experienced at that point. We had multiple visioning sessions, several
opportunities to identify our amenities, our goals, and then here we're kind of I think it was like less than two months ago we started having the meetings. So where are we at with the timeline? Thank you. >> So um the consultant is Ziscovich and they've actually reached out to all the
council members to meet with them individually. If you go through the presentation by the consultant, we gave them a timeline of 6 months to nine months to finalize the entire reimagining plan before they actually start a public
impute solicitation and sessions and outreach. They need to meet individual with each mayor and council members. I understand they've met with quite a number of council members. Pedro, where are they in terms of completion? So today we've met with two of the council
members. We are pending dates for the remaining five. So as soon as we get that done, we can get everything else rolling uh with the first thing would would be the first public workshop meeting to get the the general public input and then we'll start the survey process.
>> And sorry and it's not to identify like who's holding up the or identify where any barriers are with the with the consultants currently. just but where are we in terms of the logistics? So we haven't done any public input yet right that's coming >> subsequent to some meetings.
>> So the public input would happen after we've completed meeting with council. The meeting with council is simply to define scope >> and when is according to the original timeline when was the when was the scheduling of public um input
engagement? >> Do you have the schedule? I don't have the schedule on me right now, but it was it's going to be immediately after uh drafting the survey questions, which would come out of the one-on-one meetings. >> Okay. So
I want to make sure that we have all of our reimagination process done and completed so that we are coming to the table with a full vision that we can then entertain with
VSGS or any other competitive bidder to execute the development of Harrisfield. I I don't see why we would we would um trump our current imagination process or reinvisioning process to jump into
spending their money to negotiate. I mean we we implemented a process right for unsolicited proposals. We collected $25,000 from you at this point. >> Yes. it. I think we need to be very fair
and transparent that before we spend your money into investigating and and working out negotiations that we know where we stand with what our vision is for this park and you know hopefully that I think we challenged our
consultants to expedite that that process for engaging with the community and coming up with a plan. So, I don't foresee this being really um dragged out, >> but um I think in terms of process, I would I would hate to put put staff and
you know, the company that we we highly respect in a position where we're negotiating prematurely on something that we don't really have a vision for yet. So, I'm going to rest there for now. I'd like to hear the rest of council, but I don't see why we can't put a pin in this and bring it back when
we're further along in our vision. Thank you, Vice Mayor. >> Thank you, mayor. So, I was one of the two that has had my meetings and I was just beginning to wrap my head around the very beginnings of of reinvisioning this. So, I can imagine not even having
those meetings yet. Um, this came really quickly. Uh the one thing I can say is that one piece that I was very confident in those long discussions were that we were not going to give up any of the current fields. um if the future lives
here and we're holding on to I for me such an important piece of land that housed the YMCA that has housed so many of these sports leagues that have practiced and coaches who used to be players and um I didn't want to see any
of the fields go away. Um, it's always wonderful to have somebody come in and be able to offer us something that that we would have to fight really hard to try and figure out um, dollar-wise on our own. Um,
honestly, I'm I'm very happy to see these letters of support because I was very very worried. That was my biggest concern. Um, I didn't want to give up any. I understand the east side is a whole another beast. there are not enough parks there. We weren't able to do that on our own as quick as we wanted
to. But as far as the west side here, sports is huge. Um, my kids played in those fields. I want to see that piece of Homestead continue. Um, so during the briefings, I asked questions about what
does this next step look like because that's going to be the big piece for me is the access. Um, I understand 20 home games are part of the deal. Um, but does that not does that not have an issue on some, you know, South Dade to Homestead
High, all of their big games? Those are that's the only field that they have to play. Um, so that would be the piece that I would want to see is to make sure that their schedules are completely not interrupted. Um, and the only other question is I don't know if we can go back to the presentation or if it even ma matters,
but the development that's coming that's showing those b those buildings incredibly close to the line. Is that not going to be an issue with noise disturbances? Do we know if that was to scale showing those buildings
right behind there? >> I know. So, are there no these issues. Do we did we look into that? >> It just looks very close. >> The waiters on the side already exist. It appears that they are adding some small seating down to the south.
>> We're downsizing actually the total capacity. So the capacity of that stadium currently is more than what we build. >> Okay. >> And to your point earlier about um this is not displacing anybody or any fields. This is actually the staff that
we're investing in to program and manage the schedule so that South Dade can play there. And we're going to be reaching out to try to get more events to come here, which is economic impact to the city, heads and beds, eating in
restaurants, that type of thing. So, we are highly motivated because we have a lot of skin in this game. We have five and a half million dollars of renovation and then a million one in annual expense to maintain and operate it. So we're going to be encouraging high schools to
come and do football games and soccer games and graduations and anything that we can, you know, ideally schedule every day in the calendar to have sweat the building as we say in the business. >> No, I appreciate that. And I am I've
said before the forever optimist and this just sounds too good to be true. Um so like I said to see these letters of support and make sure that that you do understand that piece is is incredibly important especially here on the west side where these groups have been
practicing for so long. Um so for the next if staff can just explain a little bit there's basically two paths that we can take from here if we decide >> yeah sorry >> thank you
>> um so I'll need staff will need two directions tonight the first is that you would like to proceed with this which will commence the due diligence piece and you know the staff you know doing its analis and starting the negotiations. The the piece of this, the second piece
is under the P3 statute, there's parallel tracks. Well, not parallel, you pick one or the other. You can either do a competitive solicitation process, or you can find that the proposal with certain public notice requirements, which we will work through, is in the best interest of the city and not open
it up to the competitive process. My understanding is that based on the timelines that they require to get the field up and running, um there's just there are not enough calendar days if the city wanted to proceed with this to
do open it up for a solicitation because of the notice uh the notice requirements that exist in the statute. So what we if you want to proceed on the direction to proceed, I mean I'll let Nick to his own capabilities in terms of
his timeline. whether you would like to do a a competitive process and Nick can speak to his timelines or what would expedite it would be the non-competitive process where we'll come back you'll have two
meetings one for public input and the second for you to make a public interest determination in accordance with the statute and then we can execute whatever agreement is negotiated with um PH and and the city
>> if we want the non the non-competitive um route. When would that first of the two meetings be held? >> I'll work with the clerk to expedite it um for the public hearing p for the public comments piece. Um I have to see when we can get the notice in the paper.
Um but I would aim for the 22nd for the first meeting if we could do it. Um if not, I know that the council had discussed, you know, there was some flexibility in the August schedule in terms of when you were meeting. Um, we may need a meeting in August in order
to hit our our timelines, but I'll need direction. Then we can map that out based on everybody's availability as well as next. But it would get we could get to a point where we could have a final product for you to approve in September, which would allow I believe
that meets your time. I'll let you speak to your your the need for your timeline. Yeah, I mean the um the timeline's tight for us because our goal is to get Miami FC to play in the next season start which is March. So if you go backwards,
our construction team has told us that they they can because they've done this multiple times. I don't know, done maybe a hundred stadiums like this or even bigger in that time frame. So, we have to have heavy equipment no later than October 1st on the site beginning the
demolition and renovation to be done by the end of February. That gives us a couple weeks to flesh out the building, do maybe a soft opening, which I think what we would do is open the building to the community and host a celebration,
maybe break a bottle like you do on a ship on the new building and invite the community to see it. Um, and that would give us two weeks to dry run for the season opening in the middle of March. So that's why, you know, don't mean to rush, respect the process, totally don't
want to violate any process. Like I said, we were planning to do this at the regional park, but we thought that this would be a really cool way to create a dynamic live event venue in the middle of the city. Um, you know, I heard earlier we need to get more activity
downtown. This will be an asset to generate more activity downtown because when people leave a Miami FC event or concert, they usually need a place to eat. Those restaurants are right around the corner. So, we thought good idea if we could pull it off in that timeline.
If we can't pull it off in that timeline, totally understand. >> Last question for for you, Matt. that analysis that would happen during the second meeting or that could happen during the the first public meeting and
what does that analysis look like >> there you'll you look at several factors that are outlined in the statute and make your determination as to why and it is in the public interest that conclusion is then published in the Florida administrative register for I
believe seven days um and then you can move forward with the execution so I mean you look at the same things that you look at every time you're looking at a deal. There's nothing that unique here. It's going to be the financial benefits to the city. You know, the
>> I'm not so concerned about that. I guess what I'm trying to to get to is where do we really look at the schedules and making sure that our groups have the days and the times that are needed. That's the piece that that's not that type of analysis.
>> No. what what I'll in terms of that that'll be part of the negotiation was as staff and the parks department will will speak to our local agencies and I know Nick you provided letters from a couple of these people um to make sure
that you know the schedule that's adopted as we had a lot of back and forth with the other um site on the availability to the public the hours of operation when those fields were dedicated for a private purpose when they were All of those things can be flushed out
in the intervening time. Um, so that would be an ongoing discussion. If you choose the non-competitive path, then we'll start having that conversation now. >> And and if I might, that's exactly what occurred as we negotiated for the
development of Homestead Regional Park. Have you dealt with AYSO? Have you dealt with Rodeo? and any number of other Keysgate School, whatever little league and other leagues played at the park. I kind of would envision this negotiation
process to have that piece that can assure us that all of those interested parties have been accommodated as they were with the regional park development. That's why I would feel most comfortable
not going out for another for another bid if this is someone that we're comfortable with and so far has done what they've said. Um my concern is it's it's a much bigger investment over on the east side and I understand that those have some more um strings tied to
it, but my concerns for this one would just be, you know, taking summers into account, taking the breaks into account. Just making sure that that remains an open public park for when our kids are out of school. >> That's it. >> Thank you. >> No, 100% aligned on that. this this we
we would encourage it and and actually the conversations with the rodeo and the two soccer organizations have been and the football program by the way who's kind of not allowed or not using the stadium because soccer uses it so much we it's a matter
of programming that's all it is you got 365 days in a year and now you've got x number of events and it's just about creating a calendar we we have kind of a template right at the homestead regional park how we did it there. I think we would apply that template here.
>> And as far as the naming rights, I think there's there's enough things to name there. I think that we could come to an agreement to just make sure that some of the people that we want to make sure their name stays in Homestead that we can uh we can make that deal. >> We're not going to make our P&L budget
by selling a naming race. >> I'm sure. I'm sure. Thank you, Mayor. >> Thank you, Dava. After Ralph, >> thank you, mayor. So, in in my briefings with with Nick, they assured me that
the construction phase of the stadium, um, they would be working directly with the organizations that are already scheduled, especially our high school football teams and things like that, to relocate them to other facilities um during the construction period because
if they break ground in October, football season starts basically in September. So, um, that means that field is not going to be available to them to play there. Um, and also I think the the they're only taking over the
stadium aspect and I think the two fields to the east. Is that right? >> Yeah. Um, I hate saying that we're taking over anything here. So, we're not we're we're running we're renovating it. >> Operate it.
>> Right. Right. So, so um yes, that's correct. But we would maintain all three fields. >> Correct. I >> And we would upgrade the grass fields and initially minor upgrade. The lights are going to stay longer term. We would look to renovate both those fields and
upgrade the lights too. >> Right. So there's still a tremendous amount of opportunity for reimagining the rest of what Harris Field will be. Um because I I I think I reme remember during the talks we had uh about that adding pickle ball courts and adding
other amenities to the park which won't even come even close to being in this area. So I think I think the opportunity is tremendous. It's going to save us a million dollars in renovations from taxpayer dollars
because we've got to do it anyways. And um I I think if we can get them started like today, they can get the field ready for football season, but I don't think that's going to happen. So >> I don't know. That's a little tight on you think, >> but but I I will say remember the the
Homestead Rodeo moves to the stadium in two years. So you got a lot of >> that opens up five acres, the >> pickle ball courts and and reimagining Harris Park, >> right? Which gives us more more reimagining of Harris Field. So, um I
think it's cool. I think yeah, we we need to give them an opportunity to negotiate a contract to see what um comes out of that. But yeah, I think I think I think it's a great idea. And I I was kind of when you were talking about the sponsor side on
the north side and making I was kind of like are they going to put people on top of there because that would really be cool, too. I mean, it's like a rooftop. >> I don't know how many letters in the gentleman's name that passed away. >> Oh, that's he's got a big last name, I think. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, whatever. I mean, >> that's just a placeholder. Our
architects do that as a matter of habits. >> Yeah. I mean, it to me it's very exciting. I just I'm I'm looking forward to it. >> Okay. Thank you, uh, Councilwoman. >> Thank you, Mayor. I I just want to reiterate that I'm not saying I'm against the the opportunity or the um
overall um partnership at the Harrisfield location. I'm I just want to bring to the attention of my colleagues, for example, vice mayor, when you brought up this particular field. During my one-on-one with the consultant, it did not come to um you know, to
consideration how close this this one was to the residential community. But in just this last week, there was a huge event at the field. And so I did receive a number of complaints on the noise um um issues that were pouring over into
into the into that residential community. Um and so there's more to learn during the um the re reimagination of Harrisfield and learning about what the needs are of the community as a
whole. And I I don't think VSGS is going anywhere and that whether we proceed with negotiations now or we proceed with negotiations later, I think that there's a deal to be had. I just don't want to foreclose on the opportunity to make sure we do our due diligence in
completing our homework and our what we started with regards to our consultants and getting to a a final point of vision. And if we isolate these p these specific fields and do it their way, it's no longer the resident's way. And I
I appreciate the letters of support. You know, these are these are the entities that are currently, you know, working with you now. Um and so I respect their their support on the items, but this is a totally different project and I want to make sure that we are not um you know
just looking looking at this with the veil of of what our hopes are for the outcome of the deal we just closed and we're just barely breaking ground. We don't really have u proof in the pudding. we don't have, you know, how have the relationships worked out. How
has the overall plan executed? And um I'm just saying if it feels rushed, so if it's rushed, it's not right. Very knowledgeable, wise councilwoman has said that many times in the past. I'm just saying let's hold and hold it and slow down. So,
I I will be um okay with looking at what additional options uh for maybe bringing this back later, but also this they're asking for a 30-year uh commitment, right? So, you want to use it temporarily until
they move over, but then you want to operate it and have the control over it for 30 years. And at what return? to to get a return on the five and a half million capex investment and the million and a half we're spending annually to operate it and maintain it
at the highest level. >> And then also you want to have the dedicated um programming time when there's already a a draw for for dates and time and u the demand is high for those fields. So now we're going to add
in another 20 games. Um I think I think we need to do our we need to finish what we started and I request >> from our perspective. No problem. Fine. We have 92 acres that we're building and
we're happy to build this there. We thought this would be a great solution to kickstart Harris Park. That's so okay. So my perspective is that we should move forward and authorize
negotiations. We know there are a lot of issues just as we addressed as I said earlier on the the prior uh transaction out at at the future Homestead Regional Park. And we'll all have those punch lists and and
address those issues throughout the negotiation. Um I am I am confident that from day one when we retained the consultant that the sports hub folks have been in contact and close
working relationship with them. so that the two the two visions meshed that there was no no competing uh visions or or plans for for Harris
Field. So we're faced with that if there is any delay here that in effect forecloses
this opportunity and under the new world we live in with tax reform coming. I received a letter today from the tax collector's office tax collector's office advising me that our share of certain revenue by state
statute has now been reduced from 50% to 28%. So money is drying up everywhere. Um, you know, had had money been available,
we would have been up and running for our own re-imagination of of Homestead Regional Park. So, while I appreciate your concerns, any delay here will foreclose this opportunity. And I'm confident that
this will come to fruition and it will have a downtown spillover. And I'm even thinking about that we're going to have three different levels of event venues. Loster Park for those small intimate things, the medium range uh events here
at uh at Harris Field, and then finally the big ticket, the large large population events out at the uh the Sports Hub Arena. I think that if we can come to terms and and address everyone's concerns,
this this is a no-brainer. Um, so I I would support and and the letter in a package from Zeissovich, Zikovich, however you pronounce it, is is pretty clear that that this does not conflict
with with where they they see this going. So I would like us to at least authorize a continue negotiation and they the attorneys the manager and everyone the proposers all understand
what's on everyone's punch list and B then it be done on a non non-competitive basis would be my ask for uh someone to to make that motion so that we can go forward. Okay, it's been moved.
>> I will second. Um, >> so that was that was my main question is we are going to be able to see line items of what you know another question is the beer garden which looks amazing. Is that an not because it's beer but um
>> could be why it's okay. >> Is um is that an opportunity for the other organizations using the fields to use to sell concessions? like what do those other open areas or even the enclosed space look like for our parks department to use um in that reimagining
of Harrisfield because that played a a huge piece in it making it a more welcoming thing for families to come and enjoy >> 100% this this is a additive accretive to the facility not isolating in isolation so we we would
invite all of them to use all of and that's part of our cost of maintaining it and cleaning it and upgrading it over time. So, we we're inviting we want to throw a party every weekend, whether it's a Miami FC game or a high school football game or a girls soccer game, we
want to throw a party there every weekend. Folks in Homestead need stuff to do and this is going to be a great place to do it at. Well, and I also think about, Vice Mayor, the parents of the spectators and players for the other dozen or so high schools who play in
Homestead, they're going to walk into maybe not world class, but pretty close. >> That was another question. >> TV lighting, with the OLED screen, and with real concessions and real food. >> Would we as a city be able to rent it out to other high schools?
>> 100%. would be that's built into the negotiation. >> I wanted to add one other thing. We're working very closely with the two AYso soccer programs in town to to upgrade, bring more coaching to it, bring more expertise. And what we're prepared to
do, whether we do this at Harris Field or at the regional park, every one of those kids will get a season ticket to Miami FC game and the parents of those kids will get a discounted ticket to come to the game. So, that's a built-in fan base straight out of the gate with
those kids. >> I'm just thinking of this, but to kind of protect your investment as well, would you have security there? >> Oh, yeah. We we have full-time security >> regardless of if you're hosting games or the city >> 100. Yeah, we'll have full-time
security. Of course, we want to work closely with the police chief and and the city's to to augment the security, but remember, we're building a high school for up to 800 students someday. So, we're going to have a head of security. We're going to have a lot of detail behind that. And Harris Field out
of the gate will have a full-time security as part of the budget there. >> Thank you, Vice Mayor. Um, mayor. >> Yes, sir. >> With regards to the security, is the is the answer that you're going to provide the security for all the activities
regardless of whose game it is? I think that was my understanding of the question. Usually when when we do live events, whether they're soccer games or music concerts, because we're responsible and have a liability of the operation of the stadium, we'll have a
head of security there. And we'll have our own paid security, but we'll also oftent times, depending on the size of the event, partner with the local police force and either hire um offduty police
to to work the event or hire on duty city police. We'll have to work that out. I don't have an answer to that. We haven't sat down. We have to sit down and talk about that who's available. But it will be our responsibility to secure the event because remember when we
operate event, we're responsible for everything from slip and fall to theft to everything. So we have to we have to manage the security. >> So I think I think to your point, Councilwoman, with respect to that and it's funny, I mentioned that very issue to the chief today about
placement of the metal detectors and designing that and maybe separate entrances for the home team and the visitors team when it comes to the high school football. But it's my understanding is each school has to pay for security whether they're paying city
of Homestead, whether they're paying Miami Dade School Board, Police Department. So they're already bearing that cost. So now potentially that payment is may not be made to Homestead or the school board
police. It may be made to the sports hub organization to provide it or some combination. >> We're not adding a new level of payment correct for security. >> I I was looking for the you know >> who's providing it. I was I was looking for, you know, hopefully the confidence
that this would be an add-on and an incentive, you know, that this would be um a less of a cost to our end user, which B end of the day supports our kids and the and the programming. So, I would like to see, you know, depends who depends who the end user is. It's it's
an event negotiation. Yeah. I mean, if there's a promoter in Miami that wants to do a Colombia, Ecuador, US, and Mexico under 17 game at Harris Park, they're going to pay for security, right? >> We will then in turn pay the police, pay the city,
>> rent the building to that promoter. >> Makes sense. >> But that's a different uh that's different than >> Homestead High School. Correct. Football games. >> Right. And in my mind, I'm referring to our schools and nonprofits. U mayor, is it your vision that for the rest of the fields, the rest of the park itself,
that that would go out to competitive bidding or an opportunity for competitive? >> This proposal addresses solely the existing football stadium and the adjacent fields, >> right? So, is the is the negotiation or the contract going to have a non-compete
or a first ride of refusal or is it I I think they'll bid on whatever part of the negotiation, but I don't know that at this point they're interested in I'd like for that to be something that we're we're making a point of now that we're not foreclosing the opportunity to get
the job done um with multiple um >> not not at all >> options and um you know I'll support the negotiations moving forward. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Okay. Let me Mr. Manager. >> Yes. I just want to place on the record that we are in receipt of your $25,000
application fee. It has not been spent. We were waiting for this meeting to happen to know which direction council wants to take just was that okay so depending on what council decides tonight then we'll reach
out to to you guys and see how we can schedule meetings with the city attorney. >> Okay. So if there's no other council comment let me open the floor to any public comment very quickly. Is there anyone online? No one online. No one was
RmIrez. >> Randy Ramirez, sorry. 2231 Southeast First Street. Um, I like everyone's questions. Um, again, Homestead is Homestead. We're not Miami. Um, we try to hold on to our Homestead Town Field.
Um, I just want to make sure again when we do unsolicited, none of our residents get the opportunity to put input. They don't even know what's going on and things get rushed and get passed. It's nothing against this project at all and it's
nothing against this respectful gentleman that is bringing some great things. But I do want to remind our council today and our mayor, you guys are voted by the residents. You answer to the residents. you need to get resident input and it's great that the
letters that they have AYSO is supporting it. We support those families. I'm glad to hear that part. But Homestead Senior and South Date Senior, I don't see letters. Um I don't see certain support. Um so I would hope
that you guys would not rush into this because the gentleman is making it clear. He's willing to work at the time that you are ready to do that because he's got another project going on. We know that there's a lot of negativity going on. We cannot be blind to that in
regards to what's happening in traffic and things like that. So, I hope you guys take that into consideration. I appreciate Councilwoman Abila putting her foot down today, making sure things are being said. There's no rush for it. He's going to work with you at the time that you're ready for it. And I think
he's got something great that he's going to want to put. I'm not taking that away from that. But this unsolicited thing, you guys are making it a regular basis and the residents are being left out. And you guys always do bids. You always take in local. We got to We got to Come
on. This is Homestead. This is not Miami. Nothing against the company at all. >> Play a small ball. And I want to be very clear. Unsolicited does not mean rushed and it does not mean sneaky. It means we simply did not
advertise that this came to us at the proposers initiative. You go find me somebody in Homestead that's got $5.5 million and we'll be glad to talk to them. >> So let me make an example today. You just said the unsolicited important part and you said that you guys are
responsible for the city of Homestead funds. >> Paying a person that knows your deputy city manager $175,000 to coordinate food trucks when you have a city staff member that does that already. Look at your Homestead social
media. Your social media, you guys say we're we're we want food trucks to sign up. They sign up. You don't need to pay $175,000 to someone from Miami that was terminated that knows your deputy director. That's what I mean by
unsolicited. We want to trust and I know that you guys want the trust of the residents. You guys are good individuals and that's why you were voted to be here. Unfortunately, the mayor won't be here with us next year. You guys will be. And so I'm just doing a friendly
reminder to not rush into it because you need to get the feedback of the community. And I strongly feel he's got a great report to share with the residents and allow the residents to support this for the future because the
future belongs to homestead residents. They don't belong to the unsolicitors. And it's again, no disrespect at all. I he's talking that he's going to work with the police department. He's going to do a lot of good things and we even have families here. We have residents
that are in support of this. I want to support it as well. But you guys know that I work very closely with our residents of Homestead and I know they would want the opportunity to have a say. That's all I'm asking. And I'll do >> There'll be at least two more public
meetings. >> Excuse me. >> There will be at least two more public meetings. Perfect. >> Regarding this, >> but I do understand that Miss AA mentioned that there was a consultant. If we can get clarification of the name of the consultant for tonight and also
like you mentioned, the consultant was going to make meetings for the residents, little town hall meetings that you guys usually do and you include us and we we come out and then you move forward working together. That's all I'm asking. Working together. We we do want
to want you to take my comments wrong. So, thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Anyone else? Come on down. Thank you for hanging in there tonight and your support. >> No problem. Thank Thank you. Thank you for having me. Here.
>> Turn the mic up. >> There we go. >> Okay. Uh good evening. Thank you for having me here. Thank you for having us here. Um I just want to come up and say thank you to to everyone here. Um, the performance hub. First, let me say I
speak on behalf of AYSO Homestead. We've been here for a long time and we were worried about what was going on on the east side of Homestead, but we came to the meetings and we just got to say that the interest that Miami FC that performance hub has put into our
community has been great. They've sat with us. They've listened to us. We've made it clear that what we want is a soccer program for all the kids that are here in Homestead. We understand that there'smies, there's this, there's that. But the recreational program that was developed here for the children of
Homestead, we wanted something here. And they've heard us. They're listening to us. They take our input. They've been very responsive to what we've had to say. And we just want to appreciate because yes, they're putting their foot forward, but it's also you guys here making sure that happens. And they've
been great with us and um working towards a program that's going to benefit the kids here in Homestead. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Any further public comment? >> All right. So, I'll close the public comment.
>> Yes. >> Before we vote, I just wanted to ask, is there in heating just, you know, the public comments, is there an opportunity to coordinate the and expedite the public engagement with our with our consultants? Can we start that now?
Plenty of opportunity has come and gone for the one-on- ones. one-on- ones can continue to happen over the next month or two while the negotiations are happening. That way, I feel like we're getting the best of the both. >> The one-on- ones could conceivably happen in one day or the course of two days. >> I feel like I've done mine. I mean, I
I've I met with them before y >> breaks. >> I have to early on I met with them, you know, with our lag in a new council assistant. I don't know whether a new date has been requested or if we're talking about prior. So, so Mayor and
Council, if we have confirmation from the DES that you're available this week, we'll schedule all of you this week. >> But can we while you're scheduling and finalizing those interviews or one-on- ones, can we proceed with calling for the public engagement pieces? >> Schedule it.
>> Let's schedule it. We'll go. I think that is a, you know, a compromise and that would make me feel so much more comfortable with moving forward and supporting this project. >> Okay. So, we'll let staff coordinate that. All right. So, madame clerk, the
motion is to commence with negotiations and to dis to move forward on a non-competitive basis. Is that what you need, Mr. Pearl? Let's have a roll call vote, Madam Clerk. >> Councilwoman Avula, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Ksky,
>> yes. >> Councilman Roth, >> yes. >> Councilman Fletcher, >> yes. >> Councilman Cannibal, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Bailey, >> yes. Mayor Austin. >> Yes. >> The motion carries. >> Thank you all. Look forward to it. >> Thank you. Thank you all.
>> Yeah. Well, I think we have that. Yeah. Mr. Manager, your your staff will undertake whatever we need tomorrow to get these one-on- ones scheduled and and concurrently go ahead and calendar public >> public outreach meeting. Yes. >> Okay.
>> All right. Now, before we go further, let's have a motion to extend the meeting from 8:30 to 9:15. It's been moved and seconded. All in favor? Any opposed? Okay, you're free to go.
All right. Our next item is a consent agenda item seven, which is considers tabs 3, A, B, C, D, and E. Moved by Councilman Fletcher, second by Councilman Cannibal. All in favor? Any opposed? Mr. Pearl, you're doing double
duty tonight. >> Uh, well, we don't have any quasi judicial items, so we're just going to skip over. >> Okay. So, we're going to jump to tab four. Four. Go ahead and read it by title, please. >> Yes. This is the second reading of an ordinance of the city of Homestead, Florida, amending chapter 19, article
two of the city code entitled noise to establish objective decelbased standards, provide standardized measurement procedures, and define exemptions for certain activities, providing for inclusion in the code, providing for severability, providing for conflicts, providing for an effective date. >> Thank you. And this is second reading. Are there any final questions or
comments from council on second reading? >> Please, mayor. I'll move it with the question of how does this apply to that stadium? because that's what was in my head when I'm looking at the proximity. How does that affect us now?
>> The stadium has been there for >> I understand we are putting this now out there. So I'm just wondering >> how could someone from that development not come and
>> so I'll speak to there's the ordinance currently provides as written that there can be permits for special events that allow the decibel levels to exceed the standards. And so if they're holding
events in, you know, an evening event at the at the stadium, then there's a mechanism for they to get them to get a permit to exceed that threshold maximum. And that's that's the way it works. Now, >> perhaps that would even be implicit in every high school football game. So to
address though the underlying concern because I as I was taking notes listening to the council during the last discussion you know one of the things that we can talk about is a sound buffering for the adjacent you know there I did take notes and hear the concerns and there are things that
we can address as we have those conversations um as I I was making the list. So I I do think there are all in addition to this there's preventative measures that the developer can take to mitigate any impacts to the >> I didn't want to go any further in the
discussions but that was going to be one of the pieces that I wanted to just because even our Easter >> our little Easter party was it's a lot for some of those residents. So >> I took that note Mr. Mayor >> Council. Okay, council. >> Mayor, council, just for clarification
on what the city attorney just said, in Miami, you have the Bayfront Park that is very, very heavily activated year round. You have all the residential highrises around it. The way it has always been addressed is while you are proving the agreement, you have a clause
that creates that exception for them. If you're asking them each event should come here and pull a permit, whether it's from high school or their own games, you're not going to be able to handle that because this activation is going to happen on a weekly basis. That means they have to be pulling premise
every week. So the realistic practical way to address is to grant them some special perception. When you approve the agreement, there should be a very big buffer. >> Yeah. >> If we're already widening the field, then
widen the other way and create a bigger buffer. >> Yeah. The the other option if you wanted to take this approach is there are exemptions that are carved out right now. Um and one of the exemptions is for
activity for instance activities conducted at the the speedway. So if you wanted to add an additional exemption um that's another avenue to take. So you know uh take your direction. It's just
you know we can take a multi-prong approach and we can always come back and create you know if we >> but rather than a blanket exemption I think we probably need some acoustical advice on what what a reasonable next level would be >> and I we don't have that we're not going
to be able to provide you with that information this evening. Um I think you know as we have the conversations with them and we get a better idea understanding is we can start talking about noise mitigation as something that should be incorporated. >> You know they spoke about the lights and
the the uh scoreboard. Not I didn't hear much discussion on the speakers >> and there are speakers now where you can aim them one way and if you're standing next to them and you're not in front of them you don't hear them. >> So there are a lot there are a lot of things that you know we can do and
negotiate to address that. >> Mr. Yes. >> I get to council Fletcher first and then council and and Councilman Consky reminded me of this and you may remember uh as we were kids prior to Andrew there used to be a huge Australian pine buffer
on that south end. >> So maybe we make that part of the new reimagination on the whole buffer zone that we plant some bigger trees that landscaping. Yes, sir. >> That's all. Okay. plenty of plenty of opportunity. Councilwoman,
>> thank you. And then between now and the and the future, we we do need to also control the content of the music that's being played. A lot of the complaints I received was the profanities that were being uh heard in the music. So, I know that that's sometimes difficult to catch
in that moment, >> but if we can just have a little bit more control and and monitoring of the the type of music that's being played. Thank you. And to the extent that we can navigate that censorship thing, I I agree.
Okay. So, >> we this the roll call vote on a second reading of the noise ordinance. >> Councilwoman Ksky. >> Yes. >> Councilman Cannibal. >> Councilman Cannibal. >> Yes.
>> Councilwoman Avula. >> Councilman Ross. >> Yes. >> Councilman Fletcher. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Bailey. >> Yes. >> Mayor Lawson. >> Yes. The motion carries. Mr. >> Spearl, tab five. >> Tab five is the second reading of an ordinance of the city of Homestead, Florida establishing a temporary
extended compliance program for certain existing window sign violations of section 23-85D of the city code providing for continued enforcement through the issuance of notices of violation providing for a one-year compliance period before referral to the special magistrate for
qualifying existing violations. providing for exemptions, providing for administration, providing that the underlying code requirements remain in full force in effect, providing for conflicts, providing for severability, providing for non-conification, and providing for an effective date.
>> Good. Council, questions or comments on this second reading. Good. We all understand this is a one-year compliance from the date of adop the effective date. >> Yes. >> All right. All right. Okay. So, it's been moved by Councilman Cannibal,
second by Councilman Fletcher. Any public comment? Okay. I'll close the public comment and ask for a roll call vote on tab five. Councilman Ross, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Ksky, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Abula, Councilman Fletcher, >> yes. >> Councilman Cannibal, Vice Mayor Bailey,
Mayor Losner, >> yes. >> The motion carries. >> Thank you. Moving on to resolutions. Tab six, please, Mr. Pearl. AB six is a resolution of the city council of the city of Homestead, Florida, approving a substantial amendment to the fiscal year 2526 annual action plan for the home investment partnership program revising
the affordability period for the city's down payment assistance program from 20 years to 10 years authorizing submission of the amendment to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development providing for implementation providing for an effective date. >> Thank you. Any objection at waving the staff report? Do we have a mo we have a
motion by council second by councilman cannibal. Nothing further from council. >> Roll call, please. Madam clerk. >> Councilwoman Advil. >> Councilman Fletcher. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Ksky. Councilman Cannibal. Yes. >> Councilman Ross.
>> Vice Mayor Bailey. >> Mayor Losner. >> Yes. >> The motion carries. >> And uh next item, tab seven. Seven is a resolution of the city council of the city of Homestead, Florida, adopting and authorizing the submission of amended action plans to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for approval reallocating
funds from the city CDBG annual action plans for fiscal years 223 and 2324 to the fiscal year 2526 annual action plan providing for implementation and providing for an effective date. >> Thank you. Wave staff report. We have a motion to approve. Moved by Councilwoman
Avalo. Second by Vice Mayor Bailey. Roll call, please, Madam Clerk. >> Councilwoman Avula, >> Councilwoman Ksky, Councilman Roth, Councilman Fletcher. >> Yes. >> Councilman Cannibal. Vice Mayor Bailey. Mayor Lawson. Yes. The motion carries.
>> Tab eight, please, Mr. Attorney. AB 8 is a resolution of the city council of the city of Homestead, Florida, adopting and authorizing the submission of amended action plans to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for approval revising the swimming program project description for fiscal year 232 2425 and 2526 annual
action plans providing for implementation providing for an effective date. >> Thank you. The staff report moved by Roth, seconded by Cannibal. Roll call, please. Madam clerk, >> Councilman Ross. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Ksky. Councilman Kovan. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Aila.
>> Yes. With a comment. Can we make sure that we advertise this heavily with our community um programs at the Dickinson and at FICO Williams? There's a lot of adults that need to learn how to swim. >> Yes. >> And maybe doing an u a flyer in the
electrical, >> what do you call it? Utility bill. Thank you. Sorry. >> I know we're in the motions already, but I had a quick question to Mayor, please. um uh some of our summer programs. Can we get some information to see if
groups can sign up at a time if we're looking to expend those funds? We've got five weeks left that we could invite some of the summer programs in the area to take advantage. Thank you. >> So, continuing the roll call vote. >> Councilman Fletcher, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Bailey, >> yes.
>> Mayor Lawner, >> yes. >> Motion carried. >> Tab nine, Mr. Pearl. Tab nine is a resolution of the city council of the city of Homestead, Florida, approving the Florida Department of Corrections inter agency public works agreement, local agreement between the city of Homestead and state of Florida Department of Corrections for provision
of an inmate work squad to support parks and recreation open spaces maintenance activities. Providing for implementation, providing for an effective date >> wave the staff report. It's been moved by Councilwoman Avala, seconded by Cannibal. Roll call, please. >> Counciloman Ksky. Councilwoman Aila,
>> yes. Councilman Roth. >> Yes. >> Councilman Fletcher. >> Yes. >> Councilman Gaval. >> Vote. >> Vice Mayor Bailey. >> Yes. >> Mayor Losner. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. >> And tab 10. Tab 10 is a resolution of the city council of the city of Homestead, Florida, approving the
utilization piggyback of the agreement between Miami Date County and Universal Protection Service LLC, DBA, Allied Universal Security Services as extended through August 31st, 2030 for Security Guard Services and approving an increase from one to two guards with an estimated
annual expenditure of $171,566 exempting the procurement from competitive bidding in accordance with section 2-411.12A of the city Code authorizes city manager or does the need to do all things necessary to effectuate this resolution subject to budget appropriation
availability of funds providing for conflicts providing for severability providing for implementation providing for an effective date. >> Way the staff report moved by Avala. >> Second by cannibal. Roll call please. >> Counciloman Aila. >> Yes. >> Councilman Ross. >> Yes. >> Councilman Ksky.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Canavan. >> Yes. >> Councilman Fletcher. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Bailey. >> Yes. >> Mayor Losner. >> Yes. Motion carried. >> That takes us to tabuh 11. >> 11. >> Guess we have to slow down now. >> Tab 11 is a resolution of the city
council of the city of Homestead, Florida, approving a lease agreement between the city of Homestead and Leardine Community Centers, Inc. for buildings 200 and 400 located at Harrisfield. Authorizing the city manager to execute the lease agreement, take all actions necessary to implement the terms thereof, providing for implementation, providing for an
effective date. >> Thank you, Mr. Manager. Is there anything like that? Okay. So, I have a motion by Councilwoman. We have a second by Councilman Cannibal. >> Third. Okay. All right. Obviously, no
questions or comments from from council. So, let's have a roll call vote. >> Councilman Fletcher, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Aila. Councilman Gaval, yes. >> Councilman Roth, yes. >> Councilwoman Ksky, yes. >> Vice Mayor Bailey, yes. >> Mayor Losner,
>> yes. Motion carried. Eddie's used to long meetings. Correct. That remains. Okay. Let's go on to tab 12 then. Tab 12 is a resolution of a city council of the city of Homestead, Florida, authorizing the city manager to permit Lonzo Construction Company to temporarily utilize certain
city-owned property adjacent to city hall, commonly referred to as the iconic site for temporary storage of project related construction materials in connection with the Chrome and Flaggler Avenue water and sewer upgrade and transit accessibility improvements project. Providing for conditions, providing for implementation, providing
for an effective date. >> Got a motion? >> A motion. Uh, sorry, that's loud. I apologize. You're in a second. Fletcher moved it. You can second it if you had a comment. >> Yes. Is this property is fenced in. >> Can we put some decorative um fencing? Not just the ugly green fencing. Can they do that, please?
>> Actually, it's part of the resolution. Okay. >> They've got a screen. >> Not a 4 foot, a six foot. Thank you. >> That's was there now? Six foot. Okay. We have a motion to second. Roll call, please. >> Counciloman Aila. >> Councilman Fletcher.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Rob. >> Yes. Councilwoman Ksky. >> Yes. >> Councilman Conneal. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Bailey. Yes. >> Mayor Lzner. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. >> All right. We have tab 13, which is a second reading.
>> Moved by Ros, seconded by Avala. Roll call vote, please. >> Councilwoman Ksky. Councilman Ross. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Aila. >> Councilman Canaval. Yes. >> Councilman Fletcher. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Bailey. Yes. Mayor Losner. >> Yes. >> Motion carried.
>> We got tab 14. Mr. It's >> the second reading of an ordinance of the city of Homestead amending the city of Homestead code of ordinances by creating division three interfaith advisory board of article 3 boards committees commissions of chapter 2 administration providing for purpose and intent establishing cars and duties providing for codification severability
and an effective date. >> Okay, moved by Avala seconded by all right no comment. Roll call, please on the renewal of the interfaith advisory board. >> Councilman, >> yes. Councilman Fletcher, >> yes.
>> Councilman Ross, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Ksky, >> Councilwoman Aila, >> Vice Mayor Bailey, >> Mayor Lawner, >> Nope. >> Motion carried. >> Okay. Tab 15. AB 15 is a resolution of the city council of the city of Homestead, Florida, authorizing the city
manager to coordinate with Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden regarding the Million Orchard Project, provide approving certain city locations for initial feasibility review, providing for submission of a project proposal for final city council approval, providing for implementation, and providing for an effective date.
>> And I think we have a presentation from a representative from um Fairchild Tropical Garden. And as you're on your way up, I apologize for yeah, apologize for keeping you so late. Please pull down the microphone so it fits your size, but you know, a couple of meetings
ago, we kind of skipped around to accommodate people and it turned into a real nightmare. So, kind of the luck of the draw of where you were on the agenda tonight, but thank you for coming down. >> Of course. Of course. No, thank you. I I don't have a whole presentation. And I just wanted to talk a little bit about
um the program and the project with Fairchild Botanic. Uh I'm sure all of you have hopefully visited the garden and and seen some of the work that we've done. Um so the Million Orchid Project is really like our flagship project. Uh
we it sits under a much larger umbrella which is the city in a garden initiative. It basically started about 12 years ago uh when our director uh took a trip to Singapore and saw the beautiful city and how they were able to
beautify it with green with everything greening um and really uh not only uh bring you know plants as like the main star of the show but it brings a lot of things to it. You're talking about an
ecosystem, pollinators, you're you're you're talking a a much bigger scope here than just bringing beautiful orchids. I mean, everybody loves orchids. You put in orchids into um the city and and people usually take care of them. Um the million orchid project
specifically is that project that not only touches the city um but it also really uh speaks to the educational programs that we have behind which is our students. Um so it it sees lots of
different ages. Uh we have um currently right now we're sitting at 728,000 orchids that we've been able to reintroduce back into our public landscapes which is huge. Um, the city of Homestead is one of those locations that we haven't been able to really tread into and we're really really
excited about being here and being able to tell you about the program. Um, and so one of the really important things is that a lot of the students that here that reside in Homestead uh do get to have some hands-on um work with this.
And the reason why this is kind of this big huge nonprofit uh rotating project is that uh the students actually do the micro propagation that's in the labs. Uh students are seeing these orchids from very very small seedlings. Uh they're
reintroducing them into their public landscapes like into their schools. Uh and they're actually doing research. They're doing uh real work. It's not just kind of this lima bean that you're growing and this I'm sure a lot of us did that the lima bean and you know
we're actually putting really really important work into the hands of these students. Um and so with the municipal partnerships you guys were able to buy the orchids and these orchids were grown by these students. So you're see you're actually purchasing these orchids that were um in the hands of students two
years ago. Uh which is which is really really important. A lot of these students take these orchids home um and they uh you know put them in their own resident uh homes and you'll you have this amazing ability to really um create
an educational piece that these kids walk away with and feel really important uh that they've done this really really exceptional work. Um, so we're excited to hopefully bring uh some orchids into uh the city of Homestead.
>> Well, thank you. And just, you know, I brought this forward um several and talk about the A committee and other things. It gives, you know, our agricultural students and particularly South Date High School the opportunity to take part. Several years
ago, I know that the prior manager was contacted by one of the uh the uh sponsors, the uh a teacher at at South Date, and it never went anywhere. But as we're moving forward with beautifification throughout the city,
what other flower is more equated with Homestead? I mean in Robert Fuches we have one of the world's foremost and most known and knowledgeable orchid experts. >> So you know in short this is like some
of our other items tonight that this is an authorization to go forward with a feasibility study. We've identified several public corridors uh some in each and every council district to see what the feasibility of would be placing them um you know it's
in your package where those uh you know generally medians and and public parks for high visibility and real real high impact. This is just a vote to authorize the manager to allow them to do that feasibility study and then bring bring us back full details on location and
cost just to kickstart it. Councilman Roth, I just want to say one thing. It took me a very very long time to figure out that orchids are probably the most easiest flower to bloom. Just don't touch them. >> Just don't do anything to it. Put it outside and let it let nature nature
take its course. Um, I have many planted around the base of of my palm trees and things like that. And every once I walk out, hey, look, another one bloomed. Hey, another one bloomed. And it's They don't do it at one time. They do it at different times and they're different colors. And it's really cool to see. So,
I kind of like this. I think we ought to put some out by that new sign you all were talking about, too. >> There you go. >> We can get you some great ground orchids for this. Well, there's some really pretty orange ground orchids that bloom perpetually almost that we could incorporate.
>> Students being involved. >> It's your microphone. >> Being involved in this, you create a sense of community and teach them from the beginning. >> Exactly. >> Exactly. >> How to take care of the plants and everything. That's very important. >> Yeah, that's a that's a lot of it. Um,
we do really large plantings for communities like this. Um, and we do it all at once. We bring lots of volunteers. We of course ask the residents to be a part of it. You know, they'll they get really excited about being able to put some orchids into the to certain areas that they feel really
connected with. So, that is a really big um really big piece is involving the community and making sure that they they will take care of it. Um, and so definitely identifying some public uh parks that or or locations, city hall,
you know, that you would like some orchids and we can draw up an entire proposal and see if we could um >> I love this project. Let's move it. Okay, >> move by cannonball. >> Yeah, I love the location. I love the locations that we picked, but we've got the whole city hall plaza here with palm
trees that are nice and bare that could use a lot of color, too. >> Consider consider the palms here and the plaza as well, please. >> Amazing. >> And it doesn't see, from what I've heard, it doesn't seem to be egregiously expensive to do. We, you know, can do
this in phases. Uh that's usually how we do it uh with municipal partners. We'll do it in in several phases if that's what they want. We're very very flexible with the with the with the budgeting um so we can even do it from year to year. We'll layer in um and just kind of keep
adding to build um the layers of orchids that you guys have >> and and for example I had inquired about out in the redo of Homestead Regional Park because that does not yet really exist. They can't analyze it, but at some point in the future, another council may wish
to to take that on as a phasing, as you know, showcasing to folks from all over the world. Orchids out at at Homestead Regional Park. >> Mayor F. >> Yes. >> Thank you. No, I sunflowers, orchids, all the flowers. Let's be the city of flowers. You know, I think this is an
excellent um addition to beautifying the city of Homestead. I love the partnership that we can um have with Fairchild Tropical Gardens. Um, as a longtime member of the Eastern Everglades Orchid Society, I highly support this item and um, I look forward to the collaboration, the continued
collaboration that um, this will have with our a committee with bringing the Redlands in and maybe we'll have a future South Fairchild garden. I know Compstead's Fairchild Chable Garden. >> Thank you. >> You never know. >> Thank you guys.
>> Again, apologies for the lateness of the hour, but we really appreciate you being here. Glad I was >> Okay, so we have a motion and a second. Roll call. >> Councilwoman Abula? >> Yes. >> Councilman Cannibal? >> Yes. >> Councilman Roth? >> Yes. >> Councilman Fletcher? >> Yes.
>> Councilwoman Ksky. >> Vice Mayor Bailey? >> Yes. >> Mayor Losner? >> Yes. >> The motion carries. >> All right. Moving on to tab 16. Mr. Pearl. M16 is a resolution of the city council of the city of Homestead, Florida, allocating three of the city's annual city days under the management and operating agreement for the
Homestead Miami Speedway for use from August 3rd, 2026 through August 5th, 2026 in connection with the statewide police explorer competition, authorizing the city manager to coordinate, schedule, and implement use of such city days, providing for implementation, providing for conflicts, and providing for an effective date.
>> Thank you. Councilman Fletcher, any background? It's your item. uh background. Again, it's a great opportunity for the Police Athletic uh League and the Homestead Explorers to to bring other municipalities into Homestead and provide these different competitions. Uh you know, all at no
impact to the city. So, >> very good. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Moved and second. Moved by Fletcher, seconded by We'll give it to Alice time. Roll call. Madam clerk. >> Councilman Ross. Councilwoman Avula,
>> yes. >> Councilman Fletcher, >> yes. >> Councilman Cannibal, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Consky, >> Vice Mayor Bailey, >> Mayor Los, >> yes. >> The motion carried. >> All right. Thank you. >> Okay, I switched agenda packages here.
>> Tab 17. >> Tab. Tab. >> Tab. Okay, that's yours, Mr. Campbell. So, let's Mr. Pearl, read it into the record. Tab 17 is a resolution of the city council of the city of Homestead, Florida, recognized the Homestead Police Department for establishing and operating a full-time HOA and
condominium fraud investigations unit, directing the city manager to promote public awareness of the availability of this resource, providing for implementation, and providing for an effective date. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Any background? >> Well, this is giving some tools to the
homeowners again some associations. this has been done already and we have a pioneer of of this law and this being here with the um our chief of police that will help me explain to you how to
do this. >> Thank you and good evening mayor and council. So, we pretty much recognize that there is a a wellocumented regional problem in all of South Florida and not specifically in Homestead, but
regionally. Um, and first, let's start with uh this is not to attack HOAs that not every HOA is bad and we know that there's a there's a real purpose for them and u and a lot of them um help their community. But if you look at the headlines, you look at the news, you
realize just how often this is happening. Um, it's happening in in Northeast, in the coastal cities, it's happening in Hammocks, if you remember that big case. So, it's happening everywhere. So, we formally established the HOA and condo fraud unit in April of
April 27th of 2025. So, this has been in operation for over a year. It's a functioning full-time unit. They're fully dedicated to that, and I'll get into the way that works, but you got to remember that. So historically, HOA and condo fraud was considered a
civil police viewed it as civil. And so what I mean by that is I'll give you an example. If somebody has an unre an unreturned rental car, the beer, the mere fact that there is a contract, it's not considered a criminal. The
police will say, "Oh, that's civil. That's a civil matter. You got to go to the courts." And that's what was really going on uh in terms of HOA. But what was happening in the undercurrent was people were getting kickbacks. It's theft. It's fraud. It's flagrant. But
police really didn't know how to investigate it. And so there is an organization called the DBPR. Um it's a state regulatory agency, but they handle the administrative part. Really what they look at is the board elections. They look at the board recalls. They
look at the voting procedures. In other words, they're looking at rules, um, but they have no authority to take somebody to jail for fraud, even if they see it. So, the easy way to think about it is think of like the SEC, the Security and
Exchange Commission on how they monitor and how they regulate stocks, but insider trading is not regulated by them. It's not investigated by them. They have to call the DOJ. So the DOJ is the investigating agency, the charging agency, and that's what we become. Um,
so basically what we've done is we've made it uh uh we're committed to the residents. Um, fraud is fraud, theft is theft. It's just happening under a a civil umbrella that's really hard to to find. So the issue with this with a lot
of uh a lot of victims who are losing their houses, they're left with a void while state statutes for fraud, for embezzlement, for receiving kickbacks, and everything else exist, but officers didn't really know how to do it. So, we ended up basically committing to help
these uh helpless residents because when you don't have a real uh law enforcement arm and it's they're looked at as the regulatory agency, they can give fines to the HOA, but the corrupt presidents and the
corrupt boards don't care about the fines because they're they're well within uh their comfort level to pay those fines with the money that's being paid for by the residents anyway. and they continue to steal money and steal money and steal money while absorbing the fines. Again, these are the dirty
ones. So, people are losing their homes. It it is uh fraud. We trained all of our personnel. In fact, they're here. I'm going to introduce them. But this is not something that we just go we don't go after them. They come in. If there are
criminal allegations that support an investigation through our intake process, we look at it. We vet it. Um, in fact, when we've talked to residents, I've had some HOA presidents, some new HOA presidents that have come in and said, "Thank you so much for what we're
doing. In fact, we want you to review the board that I just took over because of all the improprieties that we've seen before." So I do foresee a future where uh presidents actually want us to come and look at their books because it's all over the news and everything else and it
kind of presents a report that they are clean and healthy. Um but in the time that we've been uh uh you know in effect, we've handled 45 complaints. We've tw we've uh vetted and reviewed 20 complaints. We've opened
four criminal investigations. Three of those remain active. We we've issued 24 bank subpoenas. Um it's working. Uh when we talk to the residents, you can you can hear them and and when they walk up to us and say, "Thank you so much for doing that." It
gives them peace of mind. And again, a lot of these people are being abused by and some of them by homes that they own outright, but they're being held hostage by these corrupt HOAs. So, I wanted to take a second to introduce them because here we have uh Captain Gabilo.
She was a sergeant when she started the unit. She was the sergeant that started the unit. Part of the reason why she's a captain today um because she implemented the unit from the ground up. U then we have uh Sergeant Bert Mcome who took over. Uh Bert has uh grabbed the flag
and continued to run with it. He's doing an excellent job. We also have Detective Victor Carell. He's behind me. And our investigative financial analyst because we do subpoena reports and we do look at big long spreadsheets. These are very long protracted investigations. But our
investigative uh financial analyst is Renell Thomas. And if you have any more very specific questions to the way we operate, I'm going to open the floor to any of them to answer it for you. Councilman off. >> It's interesting you said that the new
boards that come in are evaluating the past performance. So you can actually go after them even though they're not on the boards anymore. >> Yes. Because the crime is the crime. So a lot of people feel that uh this is something new. It's not new. If you
steal money, whether you do it under the purview of an HOA or from a register of a of a you know of a cash register, theft is theft. Embezzlement is embezzlement. Kickbacks is kickbacks. And generally speaking, a lot of those banking records with the help of Renault, he'll find a needle in a
haststack. >> Great. It's good stuff. >> Thank you for bringing this. Yes. >> Thank you, mayor. I actually made a recommendation to a new board that was installed to reach out to our police department specifically to take advantage of this unit's ability to um
give them, you know, closure and insight and and confidence that they are are taking over something valid, right? Um and as a longtime association member in my community, you know, it it only works to the benefit of the people who are doing it right and to clear your name
and your concerns. So, you know, I appreciate you bringing this up. Thank you, Kell. Okay. So, you want to move your resolution? >> Yeah. >> All right. It's moved and seconded. Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Ksky. Councilman Canal?
>> Yes. >> Councilman Roth? >> Yes. >> Councilman Fletcher? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Aila? >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Bailey? >> Yes. >> Mayor Lawson? >> Yes. >> The motion carries. >> All right. Moving on to tab 18. Okay. Final agenda item. So before I read this
into record, I just want to outline the procedure that we've followed in the past. So I'll read the resolution into the record and then um Councilwoman Bailey asked if last meeting was the last opportunity to address this any of the questions. It was not. What I'll ask
for is a motion on each question and then whatever questions are presented, I'll ask for one final motion to um adopt the amended resolution with the elimination of any questions that don't make that don't have majority of the
support of the council. Okay. So, tab 18 is a resolution of the city council of the city of Homestead, Florida, providing for the submission to the city electors of proposed amendments to the city charter in accordance with section 6.0 03 of the Miami date county charter providing requisite ballot
language for submission to the electorate calling an election on the proposed amendments to the city charter to be held on November 3rd 2026 providing notice of election providing for balloting providing for inclusion in the charter providing for severability and providing for an effective date.
>> Okay. >> Okay. So the first question is with respect to a reduction in the mayor's >> term from four years to two years. >> Um lengthy discussion. I don't know. You free to have any sure further discussion
and then move it as you see fit. >> Councilwoman Avala. >> Thank you, Mayor. I just for for my colleagues benefit, there was a change to the verbiage from the last time we saw this to now which um was heated from our legal council's recommendations to avoid any um challenges uh to the
verbiage. But that was the main the main change and for that reason. Well, the change is with respect to the question as it will appear on the ballot, >> right? >> Not not the impact, but >> a more neutrally framed question, >> right?
>> Council, any further questions or comments on this first item? Somebody want to move it? >> Move it. >> Moved by Ava. Counciloman Avala. We have a second on the reduction of the mayor's term from four years to two
years. >> I'll second. >> Okay. Second by Councilman Roth. Anything further from council? So, let's have a roll call vote on the ballot question calling for a reduction in the
term of the mayor commencing in 2027 >> from four years to two years at a time, but not limiting a total service of eight consecutive years. >> Councilman Roth, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Abula, >> yes. >> Councilman Fletcher,
>> no. >> Councilwoman Ksky, >> Councilman Cannibal, >> no. Vice Mayor Bailey. >> No. >> Mayor Losner. >> No. >> The motion fails. >> All right. So the next question then,
Mr. Attorney, is with respect to >> the calculation appointed of appointed service, the inclusion of appointed service in the calculation of term limits. The question would >> clarify or it would >> make the it would set the charter
precedent that term years served as virtue by virtue of an appointment would not count towards the year of service. So if someone steps in to fill that vacancy, they run for they still have eligibility to run for the full term. >> Okay. Any questions or comments from council on this item
moved by councilwoman Vice Mayor Bailey second by councilwoman Ksky. So, let's have a roll call vote on the >> comment. >> Now, we, you know, we've morphed public comment to all issues to the front of
the meeting. Generally, I've been, you know, uh very liberal with with this particular speaker this evening that I think that this has been uh talked and talked to death in prior meetings.
uh just you know for in the future anything you want to talk about needs to be talked about in public comment. So um >> thank you. Glad to see that um the vote for the fouryear stayed um because that's what the residents have voted
originally. So happy to see that that stayed. Thank you um council who did that. Also, for this next item, to my understanding, this uh changing from a 8-year term, sorry, changing from a 12-year term to 8 years. >> No, that's ne that's next.
>> Oh, it's not this one. >> That's the next question. >> Okay. This would No, this would >> if if adopted and passed by the voters, >> anyone who's on council now who was appointed in the past or may be
appointed in the future, that abbreviated term would not count against their term limit, whether it be eight or 12 years. >> I'll wait for the next one. This is the appointment. Okay, I'll wait. This is this is the appointment exemption that
we're we're dealing with now. Okay. So, let's have a roll call vote on the calculation of time. >> Councilwoman Abula, >> Councilman Roth, >> Councilman Cannibal, >> no. >> Councilman Fletcher, >> no. >> Councilwoman Ksky,
>> yes. >> Vice Mayor Bailey, >> yes. >> Mayor Lawner, >> no. >> The motion carries. And finally, the final question. Finally, the final the the third and final question this
evening is a question as to whether and it would not apply to anyone currently in office. Anyone first elected for a term starting in 2027 and thereafter to council
would be under a term limit of eight years versus the current 12 years. So Mr. Ramirez, >> thank you for making that important point that you just mentioned. That is
my concern. If the current 12-year term limit has been appropriate for every council member who has served under these rules, including the those serving today. Why should future candidates be limited to only eight years? What problem is this amendment solving? This
proposal creates two different standards. One for today's elected officials and other for tomorrow's, which almost happened with the mayor's one. The people of the homestead deserve the same opportunity to elect experienced leaders in the future as they have in the past. If voters want
change, they already have the power at every election. I respectfully ask that you keep the rules fair. That's what you guys were voted on. Each one of you guys served 12 years. And tonight, you just made it possible for Erica, Councilwoman Erica, to go even
further, which is great. I think that should have been been appointed positions. However, I ask you guys, if it took you 12 years to be able to do the work you did, why do you want to take that away from any future candidate? So, I hope and ask for your
support for those future candidates to be able to be given the same opportunity that you are allowed to have done and do your work that you did to serve. Thank you, Kim, for confirming today that it was not going to affect you guys. I hope you would give that grace
and that support to the future candidates. I look forward to seeing how Mr. Clemente Canabal is specifically going to vote on this matter. Um, again, it should be fair across the board. That's what the mayor had asked for other items. Glad to see that the
mayor's seat is going to go for another four years and not two. Please do that same great job again right now with this one. Thank you. >> Yeah, I might to to your point though, Mr. Rare. >> Yes, sir. some historical perspective. >> Yes sir. in 2000 in the election of 2002
term limit. There had not been term limits in Homestead prior to that. And there was a very vast committee, I think, of 19 folks who also recognized the political reality that given who sat on that
council at the time and what their terms of office were, that 12 would be the least amount of term limit they would accept for counsel. Like Mr. Bronus was there. >> Yes.
>> And while they knew that term limits needed to happen, they were kind of hedging their bets. I think my research today reflects that of all the cities who have term limits, only Homestead and two others are as
generous with 12 years. It's typically eight across the board. are both in those cities that have term limits for both mayor and council. So again, you know,
if eight's enough for mayor, why isn't it good enough for council? And that that was my perspective. I I'll take full I'll I'll take ownership of of this item, win or lose, but you know, 12
years is what was doable in 2002 to get it on the ballot. I've always felt that was was too generous. As our community continues to grow, incumbents always have the edge. And >> I appreciate you giving us history >> and we need to enhance and and the
opportunity of others to serve without being up against an 8 10 year uh incumbent. >> And I forgot to ask, can I get clarification just for the residents that will be uh knowing about this information? I just want to make it
clear and I believe that this item that you're talking to getting ready to vote on this was motioned or recommended by mayor and Clemente Cannabal. This did not come from councilwoman Erica Abla for this um changing from 12 to 8. Am I
correct? >> That's true. But what's your point? >> Okay. I just wanted to make sure that that was true and that the the taxpayers and the residents that are aware of it that it did not come from Councilwoman Erica that this thing that you're about to vote for, which each one of you had
the opportunity to do 12, please vote the same like you just did for the four-year mayor because that's what the residents voted for. Give them the opportunity if they don't want someone to go to those 12, they're going to vote you out. So, all I'm asking is for your
support today to please vote to keep it at the 12. If the voters want to vote someone out after their first term, they're going to do so. And so, I again, I look forward to seeing how Clemente Kabad specifically will be voting on this. Thank you. >> Very interesting.
>> Yeah. Yeah. That was my my my initiative approved for discussion tonight by at least three other colleagues. two of us don't have the ability to place anything on this agenda. So, we'll close the public hearing and
we'll I believe there's been a motion in a second on this one. >> No. Okay. >> So, this is a motion to reduce from 12 to 8. Do we have a motion? Moved by Councilman Fletcher. We have a second for a term reduction.
No. No second for a reduction in term from 12 to uh eight years. So let me hand the gavl to the vice mayor. I will be happy to second it. I think people need to stand up and be counted.
So it's been moved and seconded for a reduction of the term from commencing in 27 for newcomers to council. that the overall term limit would be eight years as councilman. This does not
impact the 12 consecutive years someone could serve as mayor and and council member. This is just the 12 consecutive years for council. So, madame clerk, let's have a roll call vote on the reduction of the overall council term limit.
>> Councilwoman Ksky, >> no. >> Councilman Fletcher, >> yes. Council Roth. Councilman Cannibal. >> No. >> Councilwoman Avula. >> No. >> Vice Mayor Bailey. >> No. >> Mayor Losa.
>> Yes. >> The motion fails. >> Okay. So, we've got >> Okay. >> One item on charter review which uh >> so if I can have a motion to amend the resolution as it's presented on your agenda to eliminate the first and third
questions and related transition provisions. Okay. >> And to adopt it as amended, placing only qu the second question um on on the ballot and I will make the necessary changes provided to the clerk for transmission.
>> So moved by by Councilman Fletcher. Pardon? >> Sorry. >> Just to put that one item. >> If I could have >> to to amend the resolution. I need a motion to amend the resolution to
eliminate the first and third questions and the related transition provisions. I will make those changes and it will be adopted with the sole question. I will transmit that to the clerk and she will work with the supervisor of elections have placed on the ballot from there. >> Very good. So, it's been moved by
Councilman Fletcher. I second >> second by Councilman Cannibal to transmit the one question for placement on the November ballot. All right, so let's have a roll call vote. >> Councilman Roth, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Ksky,
>> yes. >> Councilman Cannibal, >> yes. >> Councilman Fletcher, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Abilo, >> can I abstain? >> I have to vote. Okay. Yes. Thank you. >> Vice Mayor Bailey, >> Mayor Lner, >> yes. The motion carries.
>> Okay. So, who's who's next? Is it Mr. Attorney or Mr. Manager? >> Mr. Manager, business. So, Mr. Mayor and Council, this past weekend, our nation marked a milestone
unlike any other. We celebrated the 250th anniversary of America's independence. Homestead came out strong in the celebration of the historic event. Thanks to Mayor and Council for your leadership and support in making the
event a huge success and also to all our sponsors for your leadership, your support and the funding. Uh special thanks to Deputy City Manager Kimar Brown and the entire city planning team for the great effort put in place to make this a huge success.
Thanks to the vice mayor for the leadership in identifying and supporting the design and production of a mural. So I'm asking council and mayor for your for a recommendation from the administration
to allow us to place the mural in the lobby of city hall. >> Okay. And also we've been asking for dates shifting to a different item for council workshops that council had requested. We are hoping to have all the workshops
completed this month. It's been it's been a while. I think uh thanks to the legislative uh delegation of my of the city as well as uh the lobby team for the great success in this
year's legislative session in bringing us the much needed uh funding for two critical projects in Homestead. Uh Venezuela network relief efforts, we were lucky to roll out something that most cities hadn't even thought about. Earlier this afternoon, the city of
Homestead delivered two truckloads of donated materials to the global empowerment mission at their Dural uh I believe uh it was at the Dural uh location where they making all the collections countywide. Thanks to the
leadership of the emergency manager is here. Thanks Himeme Hernandez for putting that all together under our leadership and uh I believe that's what we have. Uh more importantly before the next council meeting the final
championship game for World Cup 26 would have come and gone. The city is putting together a special event for FanFest which will be a watch party at the Loa Park on the 19th of July. Uh we're inviting mayor and council and all the
residents of the city of Homestead to participate. There'll be lots of uh celebration. We don't know yet who's going to be on the on the final game, but most of us have lost all our teams. So, Mayor Council, thanks for
>> Yeah, that's all I have. >> Thank Thank you, Mr. Manager. Okay, Mr. Attorney, >> nothing for me this evening. >> Councilwoman Avala. >> Yes. Thank you, Mayor. Um, fabulous Fourth of July. Congratulations to all the teams that put this together. All their hard work and effort. It really
was beautiful. I'm interested in seeing the final accounting, but as far as I'm concerned, it was a success. Um, kudos to parks and wreck. They would pick the hottest month of the year to make it park month. So, congratulations to the recognition and keep doing all that hard
work. Uh, same to our Homestead Police Department. Continue doing a great job and recognizing our officers. I love to see our officers being recognized here every month. So, if we could have each member of council maybe sponsor that recognition each month, I think that would be beautiful and keep it uh continuous.
Uh, with regards to um I was reached out to by some businesses that would like to sponsor art and public places and do some of the wraps on the electrical boxes. I don't know if that's an option. I don't recall if we've discussed it or not in the
workshop with regards to generating revenue. Maybe we can talk about it then. But if there is an active program or an idea on what that would cost or what we would want to um engage a business to do, for example, the recommendation was doing some kind of biscane national park theme, you know,
sea creatures, whatever, fish underwater. Um but sponsored by the business. So how they do their business logo to to promote the sponsorship, I don't know. That would be subject to review. But if we could get that um into consideration, I would appreciate it.
And um I did have a question with regards to regarding public comments. I I understand the the need to make our meetings more efficient and having public comments or an opportunity for anyone who wants to be here early to make public comments at the beginning
and leave after that. But I think it's very important that the public has the opportunity to speak on items after hearing the information and the positions that we might share before we call for a vote. So, I I think I don't recall, you know, I don't think I knew
the impact of being in agreement to changing that procedurally. Um, and I I I would like for us to maybe go back to that. So, >> let's let's look at that and all be up to speed on the exceptions to the upfront comments.
You know, there are exceptions to agenda items where we are not foreclosing the opportunity to make comments at the actual time the item is discussed. >> Oh, I feel like that's what's been happening. So, if we just want to make sure
>> Well, there there are limited exceptions. So, let's all re-educate ourselves on that. If Mr. Attorney, you could recirculate that. >> Yes. >> I'll I'll send out a clarifying. >> Thank you. >> Sure. And then um what was the schedule for the big game in Loster Park?
>> July 19th. >> July 19th. Okay. >> So, thank you. >> Thank you. Um Councilman Fletcher. >> Yes. Thank you. And again, uh great job this weekend or Saturday. Yeah. Fourth
of July was a >> It does. It feels like it's forever, but uh great job. Uh great turnout even though the weather kind of turned bad for us for a little bit. Um just a reminder to all the residents out there with the rain. Mosquitoes have increased
and uh their capabilities. So, we need to all call 311 and request the county uh assist us with that. And one thing, and I'm I'm ashamed that I didn't think about this earlier, and we kind of all dropped it over the past couple of years, but
the jet on US1, we need to we need to start looking at who we can who might willing to sponsor and getting that thing repainted. I think it would have been a great opportunity for us to do prior to the fourth with the new some of the logos we saw on some of the planes
on the fourth, but we still need to endeavor to try and find those people who might be willing to support. So for that, Councilman, I recently reached out to um Larry Ventura at the base as I had heard that wraps were now permitted that
we didn't have to go into an actual airbased paint shop and have it painted as, you know, under the same standards as as an active duty airplane. He clarified that for us. There are some
approved wrap vendors Um, but we have that information from about a month ago. I'd be happy to to share that, you know, because that's that's not off my radar either. And we're going to need to have some conversation, I believe, about a
relocation of that, Jeff. That is not a a sufficient location in in this day and age. So, you know, if we can get the the rehab underway and then really focus on a a prominent and appropriate location
Thank you. Um, Councilman Roth. >> Yeah, just to piggyback on the the jet uh thing. I know the MAC the military affairs council had been working a couple years ago with the military base and it was scheduled to be repainted and then something happened. >> CO happened.
>> Was it co maybe >> was that far back >> that that happened and um I thought we were also looking into maybe purchasing a second jet retired jet and placing it somewhere else in the city as well. So, I think those are those are some cool projects. And I think the the if if
there's expense involved, we need to find out how much it's going to cost us to do it. I'm sure we can find dollars to do that or even civic organizations to help us raise the money to to re um wrap these these jets because as as as council uh Vice Mayor Bailey
mentioned uh earlier about the photo ops for the new signage, the jet would be >> the jet can be a photo op. a great idea for a photo op. >> That's why it needs to be moved. >> You can't do it there. I mean, you can't just stop on one and do it, >> but that was just something there. Uh, yeah, great job on the 4th of July.
Kamar, I don't think I've ever seen you, >> no pun intended, sweat so much because of everything that happened. I mean, I think the delay in the fireworks, the delay in the drone show was, you know, the delay with the weather and even getting us up on stage um set back, you
know, the event, you know, maybe 45 minutes or whatever it was. Um my only my only disappointment was the fact that I had waited all day to have a hot dog and there was no hot dogs up in the the the VIP area. So, I'm I'm I'm I'm
pleading that next year, and I'm not going to have a hot dog all year until that event that we have hot dogs. I mean, what is a Fourth of July party without hot dogs? So, >> kind of like it is without patriotic music, but that's another discussion. >> Yeah, I didn't want to go there. But
anyways, great job. You know, we can work on next year, too. And I'm going to work on um getting some flags. I think I I passed out some flags in the audience. Uh just walked through there and man, they were trying to mob me. So, Konsy's got a bunch of them left over.
>> Yeah, but no, I looked. I mean, they're very inexpensive. You can get buy 500 flags for like 80 bucks, right? The little 3x5 little handheld ones. And I think it'd be cool for everybody sitting in the stands and everybody, you know, that's standing up wherever they are that have little flags and wave them as
the fireworks and stuff shows goes on. So, um, and I'd be I'd be even, uh, happier to see the drone show come back, too. So I think that was actually better than the fireworks show. Just my two cents. Thank you, Mayor.
>> Oh, Councilman, with respect to the jet, it's always and I remember, you know, in the early late 90s, early 2000s, the original military affairs committee, I guess it's called council now, always took the lead. and they had a contractor
who donated the crane and the flatbed truck to move it out there to the paint shop. And we h and we also had a we they also had a benefactor for the repainting. Um, you may recall that when we first
started talking about moving it, um, that organization, whether it was committee or council at the time, um, was resistant to the relocation. I took the opportunity at the time to look at the agreement. The agreement from the National Museum of the Air
Force is between the city of Homestead and the National Museum of the Air Force. Other than if we want to have to go look for new benefactors, there is no legal standing for anyone other than this council
to make the relocation decision. And and knowing who the two philanthropy sources were for the dismantling of the airplane and and moving it, I think that still exists.
But, you know, kind of the beauty of it is I'm wondering that if it can be rewrapped at its location, wherever that may be, versus moving it to >> to a shop. And and again, you know, it's
been less than a month ago, I believe. I I got several a lot of correspondence back and forth between myself and Larry Ventura uh about that that very issue. Okay. Councilwoman Ksky. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor, um, kudos and a
big round of applause to staff for Saturday and to Homestead and the residents that even through the downpour, they stayed. And I was told they were dancing in the rain and um, playing in the puddles and hiding out in
the in the tunnel. So, we uh, rain or shine, they stayed. So, that says a lot about who they are and and the event itself and their willingness to stick it out. and it meant that much to them. So, just for those of you who who weren't aware, you know, I was really impressed
with the residents of Homestead. So, thank you. >> Quick quickly, tell us about Havana Nights that you're involved in. What What is that raising money for? What's the >> Havana Nights is um a benefit? It's the first annual. Um my very good friend uh
Miriam Cruz and Bernie Cruz, they started Closet of Living Hope where they're um they started with taking in clothing for either the homeless or those who are in need. Um domestic violence. Many times they leave with just the clothes on their back. They have nothing. So it started out as just
a closet for clothes, but now they have many other items, a lot of baby products and stuff like that. And then they have two other um colleagues with them. one or nonprofit is a feeding ministry primarily in Miami, but they also work with the Homestead Soup Kitchen. And
then the other is um they work with college or high school and college students, most of them non or homeless who um they assist with uh finding them jobs, college enrollment and and just
helping them get started and get get off of the streets and into employment. Um so this is our first annual. We're we're hoping for a great success so far. So they have a lot to offer. It's going to be an exciting night and um I thank you
staff and Zaryi really for um really putting that out there and we had some mutual contacts much to our surprise. So these women do this out of their heart and out of their own pocket. So um and after many years you you can't sustain
that any longer. So that's why they're here calling on the on us the public to help them. So many of us don't know how to do it and we don't need to. They're doing it, but they need our help to make it happen. They need our finances. Thanks. >> Whoa. It'll be at the women's club uh
Saturday night. Uh cocktails start at 5 and I believe dinner's at 7:30. Yeah. Cocktails. >> Early cocktails. >> Early cocktails. >> 5:00 somewhere. >> They were. They That's right. Uh I was told that espresso martinis at five o'clock.
>> Well, thank you. Appreciate that. Yes, sir. Havana Nights. No, I do not believe they're available because there's limited seating remaining, but you can uh social media. They are on Instagram. I know Havana Nights.
>> Council. >> Yes. >> Hello. Yes. Hey, I want to try congratulate like everybody in the city of Homestead. That fourth of July event was a wonderful one, a magical one. So, thank you for that and to the to the
police for keeping it organized and safe. Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Do we have any crowd estimates yet? >> Do we do any geo fencing or anything? >> No. Okay. Just curious.
Uh, not not yet, Mr. Mayor. We are we will get that as a part of the afteraction report. >> Very good. Thank you, Vice Mayor. >> Yep. Kudos to staff. I thought it was a great event. Live 305. I mean, it feels like every event that we do now just they step it up and step it up. They can
do anything. So, let's keep reaching for the sky and asking for bigger and better things for Homestead. As far as the jud's concerned while we're having these discussions, I don't I can't really picture the scale right now, but with Harris field
>> Harris field and the reimagining of it, um there could be potential in there as well. So that is all. Thank you. >> Thank you. And given the lateness of the hour, there is nothing of mine that can't wait until a later date. So I'll
entertain a motion to adjurnn and I heard that in the second. All in favor? I. Thank you all and good night. >> Meeting adjourned. Florida area. Uh FIFA World Cup 2026 is going to be hosted in 16 locations
across North America, Mexico, United States, and Canada. Alina is a leader of all seasons. She come well prepared to lead us in the conversation this evening. Uh the city intends to roll out a robust local activation uh that will
be thrilling and exciting for not just city residents but all the entire south deep Miami date. Uh before we get into the details of what the city intend to roll out uh I would like Alina Hudak to lead us in her presentation. She has a
brief, I believe two or three minutes uh video as well as she's going to be speaking as well on the final details. Then I will invite uh Councilman Sean Fletcher with his opening remarks. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Manager. Welcome to Homestead and welcome to our city hall. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor and
honorable council women and and men and Mr. Manager. It's an honor to be here tonight and I want to just um commend you because in my 42 years of public service, I don't think I've ever been in such a beautiful city hall and council chamber. So, it's an honor and a pleasure to be here. Um and thank you,
Mr. Manager, for your kind words. We've been peers and colleagues for many years. And again, I'm here in in, you know, at your invitation and really looking forward to participating