Agenda item two is resolution approving agreement with 3TCI for Northwest 7th Avenue Survey. >> Yes, sir. Go ahead, ma'am. >> A resolution of the chair and board members of the North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency authorizing the executive director to issue a purchase order to 3TCI Inc. to provide a
right-of-way topographic survey along State Road 7 parenthesis US 441/northwest 7th Avenue between Northwest 1911 19th Street and Northwest 143rd Street corridor for a not to exceed fee of
133,000 waving competitive bidding in accordance with section 7-120 parenthesis capital B of the North Miami code of ordinances authorizing the executive director to execute all agreements and documents authorizing the executive director to take all action necessary to implement the terms of this
resolution and providing an effective date. Agenda item two. >> Thank you so much. Um public hearing is open on the item. I do have a couple of questions for um this public hearing is closed. Seeing none, Mr. Strata. Um the
strata, I'm sorry. Um this is is this I'm a little confused. Um refresh my memory. Um Annabbo is this the item that we were talking about with the light the smart lighting? >> It is related to that item. So this is
the survey that will then facilitate that item to um continue. >> What survey? So >> so we needed to in order for that as a refresher the last meeting we had the funro item on. This was the solar lighting that needed to go along the alleyways of Northwest 7s. The issue at
that time was the placement of those lights. And in order for us to have accurate placement um presented to the board, we needed a survey. So this is a survey that we're procuring in order to then have the placements of those lights to be able to be done. >> A survey for 13 $33,000 to put some
lights. >> Yes. Well, I see it. I'm just trying to >> I know. I just want to be clear about what this survey is because it is on Northwest 7th Avenue. We are procur the agency as you know has northwest 7th Avenue as a priority corridor. We're procuring a survey that is the entire
corridor so that we can use it for any future redevelopment purposes that we need and not always having to procure a partial survey for this one project or another um survey for another project. So we just thought it was expedient at this time to get the entire survey for the corridor, the alleyways and
everything that we will need to facilitate our further redevelopment um efforts on the corridor. >> Okay. I mean I I now that kind of makes some sense but because I we all done surveys um to see but why are we waving
the competitive bid is there other companies that could do this less >> well this scope that's $133 for >> okay for the record Alberto Estrad uh procurement director uh simply because
number one this is a company that's done a lot of work uh for the Uh >> which company? >> Uh the surveying company that you have before you the vendor. >> Uh secondly also uh in terms of timeliness right to exigent
circumstances to move forward uh that's why we are recommending uh this particular proposal from them. So, it it's entirely up to the board if the board chooses to if you'd like for us to >> put this out and to
>> I think it would be the best of of our people and and folks who fight for small businesses. Um, if if if hearing you correctly, if we doing this for timing and we don't give somebody else an opportunity, you know, I understand if
it was in the case of that's the only company that does it, but we don't know. It may come out to $80,000 and we are here as steward of the the the public's money. I think it would be in our best interest if we do. I don't have any problem with with with the with the
scope, but the fact that it's a bit that we we we need to try to put it out and see what we could get. And I'm pretty sure your team could work in terms of fast if if it's in a three weeks or four weeks, whatever the the cases, but that
should not I think the the the looking out for the interests of the people should be first rather than um moving forward um to to kill time or to you know to expedate the pro the project. So, that's just my I I I'm I'm
in support of it, but I'm um I would like for it to go out to, you know, to bid and see and we maybe come back in a a month and then we could get this at the way. I don't know how my colleagues feel about it, but that's just my um
my my take um on the item. Any any commissioner? >> No, no. quickly. Um for for the lights um in itself, the problem was not really the survey. It was basically uh for them
to go out there and then we see exactly what we're going to do because when we had that presentation, it was clear that uh uh the gentleman representing uh phone wash did not have like a clear indication as for the location where to
put them. So is that going to be for long-term? um use and um I see uh where we heading with it but not specifically for for the lights. So for the light was like basically we need to go out there and see exactly what we're going to do
and where we're going to place them. So that was that was the conversation. So to that um as uh madame executive director um said earlier uh for the long-term use for whatever we're going to do um over at the corridor. My
question will follow to uh um that would be uh when we have the survey there's a is there a lifespan for the survey or do we have it for um so for how long that we can use um that survey on once the survey is done I mean essentially unless
you have significant changes in the carter right uh it's it's a survey that you can use for you know an extended period of time um and again it runs the almost the entire corridor from 119 to
143rd Street also includes alleyways. Uh there's a lot of work. This is a um topographic survey. Um there there's a lot of work involved but certainly I mean this is the recommendation from staff. We feel confident that uh you
know they're going to do a good job and and moving forward. This is the first phase of the whole process and the project as the executive director mentioned. So this is your first phase. Uh again, if if you want us to go ahead
and go back and uh you know, put it out for solicitation, uh that will take us a little longer, but uh so it's at the pleasure of the board, >> Mr. Chairman. >> Yes, sir. >> I have mixed opinions on this and um uh
especially on a a bid waiver. Um, we have to have a survey. This survey, this contract encompasses everything that we're going to need. We, the first thing before you do anything, you get a survey, so you know what you're working with, what the alleyways look like, what
the rightways, uh, where the easements are, where you can put something, where you can't. So, that part, I understand it 100% and in favor of having it done. I'm surprised that when we started talking about step northwest 7th Avenue that this wasn't done a year ago because
this is going to set the map for everything because you need a survey no matter what you do on any piece of property. Hopefully, this is going to be all-encompassing to do the lights. You have to have a survey plus you have to have uh representatives from the city or the councilman to go out and actually
physically point where they think the light fixtures should go. the issue I have. Um, I can go either way on this. I can support it tonight, but I'm tired of so many bid waivers just because a company's done work for us before that
they automatically get it. And and and I'm concerned like the mayor is that we're stewards on this particular thing and because of the knowhow of that particular company of 7th Avenue and other work that they've done with the city. But again, it's not a cart blanch that you get the contract one time and
then we keep your our fall back year after year and year and we fall into a rut. Um, and again on this particular issue for tonight, I will support either way that the majority wants to go. But not just with CRA money, but also for
for city bid waiverss are now going to come back on the top of my list when we are uh um doing procurement. So um that's where I'll let it. Absolutely. Is it needed? Is the company capable? AB: Absolutely. Um and I'll let refer to the
the councilman um who's been spearheading Northwest 7th Avenue on how fast he wants to move this along. >> Yeah. Thank you so much, Commissioner. And I agree with you and the councilman. I don't think nobody's disputing the fact that we need a survey that we I
think we all do. We need it. But I think it's the fact the issue that I'm beginning to have is the fact that staff would pick up procurement. We all here most of us had had small business and basically said well this business we work with them before we're going to
give them this unsolicit $130,000 of public money without even putting it out there where we may get somebody else who would do the same scope for $90,000. It may be where we picked this company. I I don't know the company. I don't have any issues with
the company. We need the scope. My question is for the CRA as well as the city the piggyback or these you know we not we got to be just fair. That that's that's all. However we we we we go we need this we're going to get this done but it's the process of not giving
anybody else any chance. It's like, okay, I like this company then because I know them, then let me just give it to them in instead of us doing our dual, you know, jobs in fact to make sure that we get the best the best bet for the
city for the for the residents of North Miami. So, that's my only take. It's just like we should at least get three quotes and decide which one we're going with. That's all. >> Yes. No, no, definitely. um um in line
with that. So since I know uh speaking with uh madame executive director, I know this is an item that we need to move on so that we can um keep on going and we'll take everything into consideration and then we'll move on and do um do uh business as needed and um of
course I know madame director is just going to take into consideration all the um the points that will make about um meeting and everything. So to that I'll just move it for approval. So we are moving it for approval without
um just want to be clear what we are doing which um >> we're moving it without the >> Yeah. Because um what happened is that um pushing it back which is going to put them like so far with the >> with the project. Um
>> no which is fine but what if we doing that save us $50,000 or 20,000 that I I'm not saying that we don't get it done. I'm just saying if we could just say to them next meeting can you come back with the same thing with three you know whichever is the best and then
we'll go with it could be this one but us not knowing um you know that's just my but that that that's we could just move on because we don't want to be all night on it. Go ahead council woman. >> So I I hear the the um the discussions from the board and I have no objection.
I just would like to be supportive of of the um of the area. Um I get the point. That's fine. I don't think that even if we were to push it for next month, is that enough time to >> That would not be enough time, >> right? And also in terms of the the
lighting is a big issue we know and for security and for safety um you know if if if we can agree to I think you've heard loud and clear. I I would definitely second this and >> Okay, let let me say this. Let let me
say this and this is mainly for staff because we playing a game here that's a little bit dangerous and we got to be careful and this is going to go right into the city thing. Y'all need to be careful. So this should not even be a discussion what we just had here. I just said about
a procurement item that staff keep bringing and we're going to have to address this at this count council level as well and I've been very supportive of these piggyback. I'm saying we have to just be careful. This is raising a concern just on the the fact that we are
steward of taxpayers money. Nobody's opposing to this project, but we have staff bringing an item to us that we have not vetted very carefully. All I'm raising the the the item is we just have to be careful. And then in terms of
that, so I'm you know either way we already know how I'm voting on the item, but I just have to say that in in terms of staff and the things that we you are bringing in front of us and I'm all I could do is just to call it out to make sure that we are aware of what we are
doing. Nobody going to sit here and say anything because that's my district. That's where I live. That's where I grew up. This has nothing to do with the district or anything. I'm questioning the procurement process and we just need to be careful. And madame clerk, I'm
sorry, madame secretary um sir, I think we good to call the vote and we will just have to do the vote. >> Yes. Oh, go ahead, sir. >> Two things. You don't have a second yet. >> All right. >> We did. We did. We got second. >> Um just to be clear, in order for this item to pass tonight, you need four
votes. >> And did they get majority vote tonight? is four fifths >> according to the um the procurement code in order to do the bid waiver. >> Are they two one vote or two separate votes? One to do the bid waiver and then
one to accept the bid or >> it's one it's one item. >> Mhm. >> It's a item to approve the purchase order to obtain the survey >> through a bid waiver. >> Okay. >> I will remove my motion. >> Okay.
>> All right. We just remove it and so we just go ahead and table it and send. So >> So you're withdrawing your second? >> I am. >> Okay. And you're withdrawing your motion? >> Yes. >> Okay. Is there a motion to table the
item? >> Yes. I I just uh >> second that. >> Move that measure. >> And what do we want them to do with this? I have a motion to made by board member Charles to table agenda item two seconded by board member
estimate Irvin. All in favor? >> Any opposed? The motion carries with a four zero vote. >> Is this or that's two or that was item two? >> Yes. For two. >> Okay. So madame um secretary I'm sorry
madame executive director the presentation of camera. We do have the presentation and we can move forward as it was originally intended. Um, let me just see if he can >> open here. >> All right. Can you log into the Can you
get back on the teams? >> Can you go on the teams, please? you're here. >> So, our presenter is waiting in the room for the virtual presentation so he can be admitted.
>> Hope this is working now. >> Yes, we've been back up. Is the person on? >> He says he is. He's just trying. They're trying to admit him. >> Yes. Yes, please. Um, Madam Director, um, is West Dixie Highway going to need
some type of similar, uh, survey as we're doing on 7th Avenue? >> I imagine it will. And I have taken the board >> Mhm. >> I have taken the board's concerns into consideration. So, we will have to move in a
manner that suits the board. >> Yeah. I I I would suggest that if it's going to need a survey, also not wait. Let's go ahead and put out a bid for the survey of West Dixie Highway to move it along um with whatever we do with 7th Avenue so that when Dixie Highway is
ready to go, we have the survey in place because it makes sense. >> Thank you. Are >> are you ready? >> I'm I need direction from it. >> Five minutes they give them for >> Anything else we could talk about while we're waiting.
>> Do you want to take the reports? >> Which reports? Oh. Oh, let's move on. Yeah, that's true. Okay. I'm sorry. Let's um Yeah. Um report CRA. Um Mr. Attorney, any report? >> No report tonight.
>> Thank you, uh Madame Executive Director. >> Well, we do have the actual 2025 annual report that you've been provided with. So, you have copies. So, you do have your copies. Um and if you want some delivered to your offices so you can share with the community, we are more than happy to provide you with some.
Additionally, you are provided as always with your project updates. So that is included in on top of your binders. You should be able to look through and see the progress of all of the projects that are currently underway. >> Okay.
Awesome. >> Is that it >> for my reports? Yes. Um, at the next meeting we Listen, I don't know how long they need. So, >> why are you using my fat picture from two years ago? >> There are no fat pictures. >> Yeah, mine.
>> Madame director. >> Yes. >> The chairman. Um when it says a grant canceled or project in default, what what do we normally do to reue if they spent the money on part of it but they defaulted at the end such as
Somerville Valley >> Slier Valley that grant did not move for it. Yes, it got cancelled with a balance of uh $1,700 left on that um project. The majority of it was paid out to that um vendor. So, it is currently
repurposed. So, the landlord of that space has already put another vendor in that spot. So, but we're just giving you the update. What I will do, this has been carrying for a while and there's nothing else. I'll have that removed from the um reports moving forward because there's no further activity to happen on that.
>> So, the previous tenant got the grant. Correct. >> They're no longer there. >> That is correct. >> And we're out $20,000. >> That is correct. and we just walk away and not at you know >> it's a business that that went out of business >> been out of business but it wasn't there
very long. >> May I ask the question? Didn't you just met him executive? >> Did you just not say that it was repurposed that the landlord is >> the landlord did rep? So remember whenever we do give grants these are grant that we pay for the things that will not leave the premises which is for
that exact purpose that >> so they replace it with another wine company. Not. No. >> Okay. Because it said custom wine and signage. >> I understand. But it's been repurposed. So that so our dollars are still at use. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> I mean the company has to >> My concern is it says custom wine and
signage >> and if you make a sign for a particular business, >> a new a new sign. >> Yeah. So this but that company's gone that we made the sign for. So that sign's no good. Now the landlord has a new tenant in there who's got to get their own sign another way. Ideally, we
would want to go ahead and recover the funds from the business. Unfortunately, the business no longer I mean, it's a reality. So, yeah, we're not going to get that money back. >> But my my question is the 1,700, what happened to it? Um, >> that was the balance that was left on the >> So, what happened to that?
>> It just gets right back into the budget. Okay. >> So, it's reallocated. >> Good to know. Okay. All right. So, I'm calling him right now. So, we're just going to proceed. You'll be able to see the presentation hopefully. Dunia >> is the per I I thought I heard the person. There was a lady. >> No, it's not. Okay. Hello, Mr. Hagert.
This is Annabo Emanuel. You are now on speaker with the North Miami CRA board. >> Wonderful. >> Okay. So, they do have copies of your presentation if you're able to walk them through. >> Absolutely. We'd be happy to. >> Go ahead. >> All right. Um, and for the record, uh,
Tom Haret, Kinley Horn Associates, uh, 4340 Northeast 19th Avenue, Oak Park, Florida. Uh, good evening board. Happy to be here this evening. Uh, and sorry about the technical difficulties. Uh, sure that is quite frustrating. Uh, this evening I'm here to present on the
progress for our Northwest 7th Avenue corridor median beautifification project in conjunction with the North Miami CRA and the Northwest 7th Avenue CRA. So page two, our presentation agenda. Uh I'm going to quickly highlight on our
progress over the last month. Uh inform you guys on a few project milestones and wins we have had over the last few weeks both with uh FDOT and some product selection. Uh we have also put together our schematic planting and lighting design plans. uh have an opportunity
this evening to look at our schematic planting schemes and get some feedback from the CRA board as well as we are happy to follow up this meeting uh with additional documentation uh to garner some additional CRA board member feedback and then last we'll take some time for some general Q&A and that
feedback page number three uh just a refresher on the overall project corridor as I mentioned at the onset this is a joint effort between the North Miami CRA and the Northwest West 7th Avenue CRA. So the third page, the project overview
refresher sheet shows just the general limits of our fivemile corridor. And just a reminder, it's a 48 landscape median project with a focus on landscape improvements, irrigation improvements, and lighting improvements, particularly landscape uplighting and decorative
lighting within those medians. Uh the overall goal is to establish a cohesive and united design language throughout the corridor. Uh, next page. Just wanted to do a brief check-in on as to where we are in the project process. When I last spoke with the CRA board, we were at the project
kickoff and data collection. We are now well into the concept development and refinement stage. Uh, as I mentioned a moment ago, we are into the planting initial planting design schemes as well as looking at potential uplighting products. Uh, we are working to garner
and collect basic quantities of material to then inform our initial OPC's, our opinion and probable costs. And we are also working uh as a part of the irrigation design to finalize and button up uh potential irrigation tie-in locations so that when we do get into
the permitting portion of this project uh after about the first round of submitt will be prepared to submit our initial utility plans in conjunction with those planting plans. Uh next page. So, a few milestones we'd
like to quickly hit on that are applicable to specifically the North Miami CRA portion of the project. Uh, at the end of last month, in coordination with FD, Annabbo, and Cass, we resubmitted the phase one plans um of the project. Uh, that was the initial or
previously permitted central portion of the project uh that had an FDOT permit number associated with it. We worked with the district uh in conjunction with a document and action plan, if you will, that was coordinated between North Miami and FDOT for some restorative measures. Those plans have been updated and
resubmitted to FDOT and they are currently in review. We are expecting initial comments back uh within a couple weeks, if not sooner. We don't anticipate many comments, if any at all. Uh but as I mentioned, they are formally in review with FDOT. Uh the next one I
have listed is actually a really big win for the project. uh about two weeks ago we received uh formal approval in writing fortunately from the FDOT team to proceed with lighting as a part of our project. So at the initial onset of this project due to some Florida design
manual criteria, we were hesitant and concerned that lighting may not be a appropriate solution or a permanent solution within the medians. Well, we received some great news about like I said two weeks ago that we are able to move forward the project to incorporate lighting uh specifically solar lighting
within our medians. Uh and the even better news is we don't have to go through any additional design variations um or uh other permitting uh processes besides our typical highway landscaping permit. So from a scheduling perspective, this is a huge win for the
project. Uh so we intend to include initial lighting design as a part of our upcoming permit submittal in April. And then last I'll briefly hit on uh we've advanced our corridor design with the planting schematics that you'll see here on the next few pages. Uh we are ready
to take on uh both the CRA and any other necessary stakeholder input. Once we are comfortable with the design schemes, we are then going to finalize applying our design to the entire corridor and uh work towards the FDOT permit submitt by the end of this month.
uh next sheet titled uh preliminary planting schemes. So these are three typical conditions if you will that exist across both the North Miami CRA uh boundaries as well as the Northwest 7th. Uh we have what we have identified as a
large median with no limits of clear sight constraints. We then have a median or excuse me a medium median that has some limits of clear sight constraints. And then a similar theme throughout the entire corridor is a smaller or constrained median that does uh
unfortunately have quite a few uh constraints with limits of clear sight. So the next three pages are going to be blowups of these three conditions. So I can talk you through our initial design scheme, planting selection and our overall goals for these three different conditions.
So first our large median. Uh it is our goal to maximize planting material as much as possible within this median condition. Uh this allows for the most flexibility in the use of large or statement palms, something like a majel date palm or a royal palm. Uh we
understand that throughout the corridor there are existing uh good condition royal palms that we would like to preserve. So we will identify um supplemental locations to extend that thematic language uh by extending royal palms. But we would like to take the opportunity to establish the medul date
palms which was a specific species that the onset of this project we understand is something that would like to be used throughout the entire project. We will look for opportunities to use those statement or accent palms in these larger medians that do not have limits of clear sight issues. Uh additionally
on a shrub or ground cover level we have a lot more flexibility than some other medians. We could introduce things like fakahhatchi or milligrass, thie plants, burmilads uh for accent or sentry or agave plants. All which I'll have on a plant pallet board here in a few slides
to give you a visual representation of what those look like. Um and then last within the median tips or rather the 100 foot median tips, we are going to be limited uh to what we have referred to as a skinny palm, a solitire palm. Uh and then other areas outside of the 100
foot tip, we could use something called a zatch palm, which has a bit more meat on its bones, uh if you will. So the idea is to maximize these larger medians. Uh additionally, every opportunity we have to run permanent irrigation to these large medians, we are taking advantage of that. I would
say these areas in large medians are certainly uh high priority for running those permanent irrigation connections uh from the roadside. So the next condition is that medium uh median. Again some challenges of limits of clear sight. Uh opportunities where
we don't have limits of clear sight and they are a slightly smaller median. Again we will attempt to uh implement those larger accent palms. But in this particular condition we would have to implement those solitire palms uh at the 35 foot on center potentially down to 20
foot on center if FD will allow. um where we don't have limits of clear sight issues, we can plant something a bit larger as I just mentioned and we will look to implement some larger shrub material outside of those limits of clear sight as I mentioned on the previous slide. However, where we do have limits of clear sight issues, we
will be limited to plant material that has a mature height of 18 in or less. Something like a natal plum or a juniper. Uh as jasmine, flax, liy, those are other ground choices that could be applicable within these medians. Uh last we we would like to if at all possible
limit the use of sod. Uh but there may be some conditions and appropriate uses. Uh I did show sod on the tips of these planted medians. Uh that will be a case by case basis that we assess if we do deem sod as the appropriate solution but again minimizing where possible.
Uh and then last a look at our most constrained median with a lot of limbs clear sight challenges. We are primarily limited to skinny palms. So the solitire palms at like I said about a 20 foot on center minimum if FDOT permits likely closer to
a 35 foot on center and then a ground cover that does not exceed 18 in in height. Uh so likely with these smaller median conditions uh these are ones that if it comes down to a medium or large median uh those would take priority or precedence to get permanent irrigation
run to those larger systems in larger planting areas. Whereas we will be delicate with our selection in these smaller medians that have more constraints to look at uh super drought tolerant and native material that would last uh and and be you know thriving
without uh permanent irrigation. So, one of our more challenging medians. These are not um a ton throughout the entire uh corridor, but they certainly do exist at a at a regular cadence. >> Okay. >> As I mentioned, the uh graphic you see on your in your package now is just some
specific plant material images of what we have proposed within our design. Um as a part of our initial presentation to you guys, we had a much larger and robust plant pallet. We have now kind of narrowed it down to applicable species that we feel are appropriate for use within permanent irrigated islands as
well as non-errigated islands and things that will work within FDOT um right away. Uh we have also shown some day palms, royal palms as well as two alternates, the silver buttonwood and crepe myrtle in the event we would like to go the direction of hardwood but we understand the overall thematic goal of
this project is to establish a good uh and regular cadence with palm use. Uh this is slide is just a uh a general idea of what the size uh and specs we are showing for these shrub materials. We can move on to the next page.
So we have uh initiated our solar lighting product research. Um we received some great feedback from the northwest 7th Avenue CRA last week to expand some of the images that we were showing. Uh we also received some very good feedback for the longevity and the
appropriate use of solar lighting within the median. So a few images you see on the screen here have uh one of two conditions. They would have a singular solar panel uh attachment to each individual lighting. What you don't see
for two of the options would be what is called a central solar panel unit. meaning you would have individual lights that are all hardwired back to a central solar panel. Uh this we feel would likely be a more appropriate condition for the medians. It would reduce the
number of lights uh that kind of protrude out and have that kind of obtuse uh solar panel that sits above the light. It would also be good from a maintenance perspective. uh the solar panel would likely be larger, could be screened, but could also be uh visibly
indicated when somebody's out there doing maintenance work uh and you don't have the risk of breaking or damaging the solar panel uh as a larger unit. Now, there are downsides and challenges. Obviously, if a solar panel uh for a kind of central system like this were to
be damaged, uh you would have failure with all of the lights, whereas individual solar panels, you know, you may have a spot here or there where a solar light does not work, but the other units that are not damaged uh do have uh functionality still. So, very early on in the process, plenty of time to get
feedback from the CRA, and we're happy to provide you guys uh with some options via a PDF or another write up uh in an email. So, uh, generally speaking, this is where we are in the process. Uh, kind of our next steps would be to intake any CR
or board feedback. Um, either this evening, follow up with a, uh, individual call or feedback via email. We are happy to take anything this evening as well as with a standalone meeting. Uh, this feedback would then be taken in and incorporated into our formal permit drawings. Uh from there
once we have a good understanding of total number of trees and palms throughout our corridor we would then move forward with our schematic lighting design uh once we are comfortable with the overall planting design and schematic lighting design. We would then push for our initial submitt into FDOT
by the end of this month. So with that I will turn it back over to Annabo and the board for any questions or feedback. Thank you guys for the time. >> Okay. Um what's his name? >> Tom. Okay, thank you. Um, thank you, Tom. But I have a couple of questions
and I'll let my colleagues um go ahead and take over with some of the questions. This is nothing new and I wanted um Tom to know have you have Tom or have we shared a copy of the the
master plan that we did have for 7th Avenue? Um because it seems like a lot of the the work that's being done here, these were things that we did a couple years ago. Um in terms of the issues that we had with FDAT in particular um
>> so the good thing with um sorry so the good thing with Kimy Horn is that they were the consultants we were using at the time so he is very yeah so he's very familiar with that process cuz he was there at the time. So the the same similar to the same presentation that we did um I don't know if I think um
Councilwoman Mary and I were were here um so we did and Miss Love as a matter of fact she was a consultant for us when we were doing this and I specifically we went and took a trip myself the CRA and um the public works director the issue
that we were having with FDA at that time they were telling us that they couldn't we couldn't put palm trees on the thing. So I had to fight I personally with them fight um f that and we went my argument with them and we took a trip to Aventura. So we were like
well how is it that on this road going there we allowed um pal you know different palm trees that they said they couldn't have. One of the things that the the community was opposed to was the skinny trees the skinny palm trees. First of all they were you know we wanted the nice palm trees similar to
what they had on Biscane. So the argument was that our medium was a little bit slower, which then we we measured it, it wasn't. So long story short, they end up after they were telling us no, we couldn't do it, but allow the county end up doing it. If you
now go and see on 7th Avenue, the south side of us, they basically have the trees that we wanted to have on our side, which was our idea, but they did end up approving say that we could do it. The other issues that we were having was the the grass that they were putting
in the medium. Remember it was so ugly. It's similar to what Councilwoman Keys did um here this um what they call it the native. >> Yeah. >> Remember it was until after it was done we like oh my god this is ugly. So we then went again on Biscane. We said, can
we get the the same thing that they have from one I guess it starts on 170th all the way up to past Aventura where they have the nice grass and >> St. Augustine. >> It's St. Augustine and we we made sure and then the the nice palm tree and the
biggest problem that we had which public works were supposed to do um Annabal and no matter what happened and and and I'm sure um Kimberly Hol know about this is the irrigation system. We do not have a irrigation system on in these islands on
7th Avenue. So the grass look messed up. It doesn't matter what we do. And then we cannot have any tree that goes so many because that also there there's some liabilities that we had from 119 up to 120th street where they had the trees and then it will go so high and as you
are turning you couldn't see. So we kind of went all that way. >> No. So as you can see the St. Anastine grass is included as one of the options that you can have and because we are um doing it as a CRA now with our allocation for Northwest 7th Avenue we will be paying for irrigation. So it
will be maintained and so we are going to be paying for that maintenance as well. And I do believe Tom if you could talk about the palm trees a little bit. >> Yeah, absolutely. I I caught a good bit of of the uh board members concerns here. It it sounds like overall um the
use of accent or statement palms obviously strongly preferred. >> Uh I think what you'd like to not see is uh skinny palms as I refer them to kind of used throughout the entire corridor. >> Yes. The approach that we're taking is any possible location that we can use a
what I'm referring to as an accent palm, a majel, a royal, something that's larger, more significant. We are going to take advantage of that opportunity. >> Oh, good. The unfortunate nature of this corridor is that it is a very highly intersected roadway, meaning we have a
lot of limits of clear sight challenges that we are limited to really only one type of palm to use within those limits of clear sight. So, uh, the option really in that case would be utilize the skinny palm where possible in those limits of clear sight or we elect to not
do a palm and just accent and the areas that we can do a larger palm like a melee or a royal but we are very limited to what we can use within those limits of clear sight. So the idea would be either use the skinny palm where
possible and introduce more species uh within those limits of clear site or just uh prioritize the larger statement access palms whatever you want to call them like the majles and the royals where they can be used per the FDOT design manual criteria. >> Maybe that helps answer the question a
little better but happy to expand if needed. >> Thank you. I would I would defer to the district commissioner like I know the skinny one that the residents were cuz it looks ugly at the end of the day no matter how look. So I'm kind of glad that that um Tom you and your team are looking at that. Let me ask you a last question and we'll go to the
commissioner. Um who will be and this probably be the most important question with this is so who will be who will be responsible for maintaining >> this once it's done because that's the biggest problem. >> Are we going to help the city? >> Yeah. Well, so the CRA will be
maintaining it. We have >> maintaining it. >> We're paying for the We will >> No, they're going to pay for the maintenance. >> We have to hire somebody to maintain it. >> So, wait. So, you're going to hire somebody or the city or you you so you will so the CRA is taking ownership of
um maintaining an infrastructure or or >> on this project we will be doing the maintenance and we're doing irrigation. We will. This is what we are proposing to do. >> But for how long
>> while we have it >> for the and and and Mr. Chairman, that's not unusual. Um especially where the CRA does the landscaping. Hollywood, Miami Beach, they do the landscaping. Then Miami Beach, I I know on Miami Beach, Collins Avenue, Ocean Drive, they hire a
separate company. It could be somebody that the city's already using who facilitates to do maybe the CRA might want three times a week people out there. So that's very common. I'm not opposing. Yeah. >> Yeah. This is the first time. >> Yes. No, I think it is allowable because
they're a separate um agency. My only not not concern I I guess just be careful. It may be where you and and I think this might will be the case where you guys might be able to do a better job than the city.
Um but just be careful and understand the responsibility that you are taking because I know we all here have problems with the the the traffic circle. The city doesn't keep up, you know, if that definitely is the last one to keep up of anything. So
>> So on our CRA projects, maintenance is not something that we have a problem with. on the city project, >> the CRA does not take on the maintenance of the city projects or if we turn over a project to the city, we're not taking on the maintenance at that point. >> I'm saying once it's done, so once it's >> We're here till 2044, right? We sunset
in 2044. So, >> you you'll have it until 2024 and then um whatever. Okay, that Okay, that's the least worry. Um it might y might be better than the city at that one. >> Okay. >> Anything else, Commissioner? >> No. quickly. Um just want to say thank
you to um >> Tom for that um presentation and I'm glad that um you know we fought over it about the lighting. >> Yes. >> Um and I know we went back and forth. They said that we could not put any lighting in the median and um I was
talking to Madame executive director. I said no that's not true because we have it just right there at Miami Gardens and I see it all over the place. Why not? Um on our northwest 7th Avenue and I'm glad that we're able to add that uh piece to it which will make it very nice. Uh my
question would be about them um skinny palms. Um they look bad. >> They ugly. >> They are >> and I don't know exactly what else what other adjectives to add to those um skinny pumps. um to tell to tell you the truth, I don't want to see them anywhere
close on Northwest 7th Avenue because if you just go and see what we have now >> and and again as uh as the chairman said it uh south of uh our Northwest 7th Avenue and north of our northwest 7th Avenue, they not only have the uh what
kind of palm that they call the jewel date and also they have the crepe myrtle in the middle that make it so nice. >> So in our case exactly from us >> Yeah. In our case, we just only have all those um um skinny palms. So, is there
any way that we can probably I'm not talking about the world palm uh but the skinny palms. So, I think we need to find a way to uh get rid of them and see if we can replace them by something else that would bring >> So, that's the direction we're seeking tonight. So, if you're saying that we should go ahead and not use any skinny
palms and Tom will eliminate them from the >> from the project and then we will use the alternative. So Tom, that's one piece of direction that we're getting tonight that we would rather have no skinny palms. >> Okay. Absolutely. >> And my last attention Oh, go ahead, please.
>> Yes. My last point is about the lighting. We're talking about the solar lights. >> Yes. >> Um, >> which is different from the other one. I just want to be clear. It's >> I I know. But I I know we're talking about um trying to find a way not to break breaking um damaging but there's
something else that we talk about stealing. >> Ah >> oh lord. Yeah stealing because um you know they like easy to um carry and then you just go ahead and take them one by one. That's another thing we need to uh um take into consideration. >> So Tom, I believe these ones are the ones that are hardwired. Are we still
concerned as much about stealing with these ones? >> Um that's a good question. So I I think solar lighting in general, you are always going to be presented with a challenge that uh theft and vandalism even with any lighting is a possibility.
You raise a good point though with the central solar panel. You know, if I had to think in the the mind of a theft, you are going to lift pull pull the light out of the ground and you're immediately going to see a hardwire connection that you may may or may not know is connected to a hardwired grid. So you're not
basically pulling out a light that has its own dedicated solar panel. So I think there is a benefit of having a central solar panel system where you may see a light or excuse me you may see a wire connection and no longer be uh uh really inclined to uh take the light.
Whereas a singular solar panel, yes, those are much easier to take as you have kind of an insular or complete system for each individual light. I I I really feel strongly that the a suggestion made last week by the Northwest 7th Avenue Board to look at the central solar panel lighting
solution is a very appropriate solution uh for these medians. I think that's that's probably the best opportunity to uh mitigate any vandalism and theft concerns as well as have a central uh kind of panel that can be screened and doesn't kind of protrude into the visibility of the design.
>> Okay, >> we good. Thank you. Good. Commissioner, go ahead. If I could ask for one more clarification if you guys don't mind. Uh going back to the the use of the skinny palm. So if you could go to the preliminary planting design scheme page that shows what I'm referring to as the
medium median condition. Let's say we come into a situation where a median has the opportunity to only use skinny palms and we could not implement a larger accent or statement palm like in the jeweler or royal. Is it the CRA board's
preference that we just do not use a palm at all within those medians or is it only the medians where we can use some royals or meles and then some solitire palms meaning there may be some medians throughout the design that just
have shrub and ground cover and no palms because the only allowable palm would be that small palm or skinny palm like a solitaire. >> Just want to get some clarification on that one. Now, um, quickly, let me ask you for the for the skinny, uh, palm, is there any way a way that we can feed
them so that they're not that so skinny? >> Yeah, that would be the dream, right? Yeah. >> Yeah. So, uh, I know you are the expert and, um, um, basically we're just giving you like I'm giving you my point of view on it. If there is no way, no how that
you can, you know, switch and instead of leaving it blank just like that, we'll just go ahead and But if you going to use some skinny, use the skinny that are healthy because the skinny that we have over there, they are dying. I'm I'm telling you. >> I have a question, Tom. This is um board
member Estimate Irvin. Um there's a the sentry plant. So in those areas where it's smaller, small, medium, would the sentry plant work out there? >> Great question. Um, if the sentry plant is one of the one plants I love using
with the FDOT corridor, uh, that is a plant that does have to adhere to the limits of clear sight. That is something that would not, uh, be maintained or established below the 24 in. We can work with FDOT to determine if they will have
any flexibility with us to use those within within the lemons and clear site especially if we can show hey look we're right on the edge here um would you allow us to use one or two overall though yes that is a um kind of a larger accent shrub for lack of a better term
that does exceed that 18 inches in height. We see the sententury or the agave or the uh bmilad, those kind of larger accent standalone uh shrubs as opportunities within the larger medians. But we'll certainly explore with FTO to see what kind of flexibility we have to
use them within the limits of clear sites maybe as an alternate to something like the solitary bombs. Mhm. >> But you Tom, please make sure this is Mayor Dum that I like what where um board member estimate Irvin went with that where because I knew we had the the
the skinny tree and the residents um at a homeowners meeting they totally you know we had to take it because it it looked ugly but in cases and when and we've seen this in Aventura where they do where they put um the um century plant around with some other nice color
like make a little nice thing. It looks so so pretty with the grass. You don't need um >> you know a palm tree there, you know, but up the street you have the palm. Quick question. The royal palm, it doesn't seems to be as I know the the the Benjul is is probably the most
expensive one, but the royal palm is not skinny. It's also not as big, but it's acceptable. Is that would that be an option instead of the skinny one or is that considered as a skinny one? >> No, that's unfortunately the royal palm is not considered a skinny. So when I say skinny tom, the technical term for
FDOT is what's called a trunked plant. Meaning it has to have a a trunk width of about 4 in or I believe it's still 4 in or below. Meaning the solitary palm is one that does adhere to that 4 in. You then have a next range which is 4 in
to 11 in which the royal palm can fall in. Sometimes they fall in a bit larger and the majel palm falls anything above eight uh 11 in. So unfortunately the skinny palm really the only plant variety that we have been able to successfully show as a trunked plant is
a solitire palm. That's really the only one FDOT um allows us to have autonomy to plant within that limit of clear sight. It's it's unfortunate we have not been able to identify any different >> and the Alexander >> very skinny trunk palm.
>> The Alexander palm could not be a substitute. >> But those are the skinny one. They look >> Well, that's the skinny one. Alexander. So, um, Tom, they're asking if the Alexander palm could be a substitute. >> Yes. So, Alexander and Solitire are actually the same. They're they're
>> they're the same variety essentially, but yes, the Alexander is what we would intend to use. Another one that you guys may be familiar with is the Montgomery palm. A slightly similar aesthetic to the Alexander/Solitire. That's one that we will continue to ask FDOT if that would be allowable. Okay,
>> that's maybe a bit larger, but uh yeah, the Alexander Solitaire is actually the same variety. >> And so just to be clear um from the board, I just want to know, are you saying then that in the areas where the only option is a skinny palm that you will allow the skinny palm or you'd
rather no skinny pal? >> I think we her selection the question, >> right? So I think our first option if you guys agree would be the sentry plant. He said he's going to double check that >> and then if not >> the skinny one are not good. I get it. I get it. >> Alexander palm comes a skinny palm,
right? But >> but the >> but that would qualify as a skinny palm and you could use it is what I'm saying. >> Yeah, we >> So I guess Tom, what we're saying is if you can use the sentry palm, the century plant instead of a skinny palm, we were
going to go with the sentry plant. And then if we can't go with the sentry plant, I guess we will go >> Yeah. Okay. >> with we will go with the skinny palm at that point. >> Sure. >> No, no, hold on. That's a question, Tom. >> I don't know. >> I know. I I want to get there.
>> Uh Tom, I have I have a This is Councilman Burns. A quick question. Are you When you say skinny palms, are you using the Alexander Palm as a single or as a cluster? >> Uh as a single >> as a Okay, so let me point this out to the the board members. If you take the
Alexander palms as a cluster, either three to five stems, they're skinny palms, but they don't look skinny. They're not. When he's referring to the skinny palms, he's speaking of a single palm, which we don't like, but the Alexander palms as a cluster, three,
four, or five heads on there. Um, it looks much better. Do you agree, Tom? >> And is that allowed? >> Certainly agree. Uh, certainly agree with you. And we will absolutely ask FDOT if they would allow a double or a triple trunk. The challenge we face is
that in the eyes of FDOT, they will add together all three of those trunks or those, you know, we call them plants per stem. They will add together the inches of those three >> and that will put us over the threshold of that 4 in. There may be some changes
in the design manual that allows us some flexibility to plant those. We will absolutely ask and I would absolutely prefer to do a double or a triple to get you guys some more uh size and sustenance to the design. Uh, but my general understanding is the double or the triple does exceed that 4 in
threshold I mentioned earlier. >> And I have a follow-up question, Tom. Tom, I would stay away from the crepe myrtles because they go bare about 6 months out of the year here and they're not that attractive of a of a tree. >> Um, if you agree on that. And also
you're notating that you might use the uh brailads but um durm is and the mosquito control people are uh frowning on those now being planted because they capture the water and they now a place
for the mosquitoes to hibernate. Um, are you still using those or um because I spoke to Durm at a uh at a plant fair a couple you know two weeks ago and they were getting away from uh allowing that on county plings and so forth.
>> So to answer I guess part one certainly we will we will look we have not introduced crate myrtles into the design at at this current stage that was merely an alternative to consider. I hear that loud and clear. We will look to avoid using that species as to answer the question on bmilad. We have had success
with Burmilad with some supplemental projects where we are introducing or replacing an existing median within a row of medians that already had Burmilad within the kind of overall design language. Um I've had success with Burmeilad on public private
institutional work. Uh this is actually new information to me. So I appreciate you sharing that with me that the district in Durm specifically is looking to move away from uh implementing that species uh where possible. That's that's some good feedback. >> It's Yeah, it's under their new mosquito
control program. And they also um I was recently a couple months ago at the Florida Nursing Men and Growers Association uh meeting and one of the topics was the theft of solar lighting in the medians and because they the
standalone solar light is there, people can just grab it and run away. So, I would also echo that hard wire is the the way to go. um it's much it's secure. It's not 100% but um it's takes them a lot longer to steal those than uh the
the single one. And the other thing is you have um for the Royal Palms, do you have them planted 35 ft on center? The spacing um are we allowed to have them spaced a little more uh closer? >> We're going to try to see if we can get
it down to 20 foot on center. We have a lot more flexibility outside of the limits of clear sight. So that would be again for the royal and majel. Um I believe and I cannot cite the FDM criteria off the top of my head but I believe 35 foot is the typical and then
they will allow down to 20 foot outside of the limbs of clear sight. So we will certainly look to use uh the minimum spacing if we need to. Uh if we can get down to 20 foot outside of the limbs of clear site, we can certainly do so. Um I will say that does increase your
quantity quite a bit. That's almost 2xing the number of royal palms that you use within the medians. Um we will certainly make sure that we can use uh and at least convene with Annabbo. If we can get down to 20 foot, we will certainly implement if if desired. >> Yeah, it it makes a drastic uh look
difference. And if you see Aventura, they're the the heads are almost touching each other and being uh closer together is uh is going to make a dramatic look and if we have a little more upfront cost now, it I think it's going to serve us better. And the reason I'm talking about this is because I had
a landscape and design business for 15 years and did nothing about but uh new installations on multi-million dollar homes and projects. So uh u this is like old school to me. But um that's all I have to say now. Look forward to how this progresses. Thank you.
>> Thank you board member. >> Absolutely. Thanks for the feedback. >> Board member Charles. And we have just a couple minutes because we have our council meeting. just quickly >> for um on the palm. So, we don't talk about the date palm. >> I was just going to say >> the date palm because the reason why I'm
saying this um we have uh them just north of uh of uh our northwest 7th Avenue on the county side. They have the dead palm and in between they have the myrtle that brings some greens into it. It is it looks very very nice.
>> Okay. So that's why I don't want you guys to reject all together the metal because I would highly suggest that we go and take a look on that um end. It's like 147 and you'll see how nice it is with the green but they have
the dead palm and then and then the metal in the middle with flowers and everything. It looks very nice. It is something that because it's the we're just trying to give a cohesive look to our northwest 7th Avenue and um I see um Kais in the back looking at me. If that size is very nice, I think we should uh
mimic the same thing and then moving on to uh our northwest 7 diving for the for the larger uh median. So I think that that would also work because work beautifully for uh for them on the other side. >> So Tom, we're going to go ahead and keep crate myrtles on the table for consideration along with some date palms.
>> Yeah. Right. >> Okay. All right. >> Thank Thank you so much guys for the discussion again. Tom, thank you for your presentation. >> Thank you Tom. >> Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you board. Good evening. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. All right. Next, we have um CRA attorney report. >> Oh, we did the report.
>> We already did it. Move to adjourn. >> Public comments. >> The reports are ready. So, okay. We have public comments. >> All right. Please. >> Motion to adjurnn made by board member comments. >> I'm so sorry. >> No problem. Good afternoon, board
members. Randy Grace, 40 Northwest 124th Street, North Miami, Florida. Um I am a CRA committee member advisory committee member. I just wanted to say you know these past I think two or so meetings we haven't been able to meet because of quorum. So I would just encourage you
all to maybe reach out to your appointees double check on them see if they're still interested in serving whatever it might be. I know life gets in the way. And that's it. I'll see you guys at the next meeting. Thanks. >> And you are my appointee right? >> Right. >> Yes. >> Oh thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Anyone else?
Seeing none, can I get a motion to >> adjourn? One real quick question. Um on that, do you call or do you email? >> We email, we call. We advi, we expect, we um encourage the other board members that we do meet, committee members to call their colleagues as well. We do
everything that we possibly can. >> Okay? Because the feedback I get is like, oh, we haven't been called to to show up for a meeting. We call So, okay, good to know. >> But when when are meetings? The meetings are the Monday that precedes our CRA meetings and so we will be doing the
calls the week prior the emails we do we do a lot of outreach. >> Okay, thank you so much. Um seeing no other comments, a motion to adjurnn. >> Uh board member Burns move to adjourn, seconded by Charles. All in favor? Any
opposed? The motion carries with a 300 vote. The time is now 6:48 p.m. >> See you guys in 10 minutes.