testing. >> Testing. >> Okay. Good evening everyone. Good afternoon. It is uh Tuesday, May 26, and you're at
the city of Opaaka CRA meeting. Uh Mr. Clerk, can you roll call please? >> Board member Bass >> here. >> Board member Santiago, >> uh here. >> Board member Irving >> here. >> Board member Kelly,
>> Vice Chair Williams, >> here. >> Chair Russell, >> here. We have a quorum. >> Um, >> we're going to stand for the pledge of allegiance. And as we do, we're going to ask board member Kelly, Vice Mayor, if you will lead us in a moment of prayer, please.
>> Eternal God, our father, we thank you for all of your many blessings. We thank you for life, health, and strength. We thank you, God, as we come together. Give us the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Do those things that you're pleasing in your sight. We thank you, God, even for healing power for our colleague. Continue to keep him as well.
those are impacted by the fire, keep them as well. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. >> 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. As we start our meeting, we would uh like to say to the city of Opaaka and celebrating their 100 year that the festivities on last weekend was just absolutely
um amazing. Uh uh the city and all of its partners did a great job. People are talking about it in um many parts of the city outside of Oblak, which is a great thing. I went to a meeting uh uh last
week, I think it was, and they were talking about what a great job the city of Opaaka did in shining a positive light on so many positive things that's going on in the city. So to the uh the
mayor, vice mayor, and the commission, you all did a fantastic job. And thank you, Mr. uh uh director for also chipping in making sure that the CRA played a part in what was going on. That being said,
any add-ons? Yes, ma'am. We'd like to add on a discussion item regarding um the church building that we own. I think it's 240 Bombman Avenue. Discussion item.
>> Do we need a uh Sorry to hear It's already listed. >> Yeah. >> Oh, okay. It's already listed under discussion. >> Sorry. Yes. >> Okay. All right. Uh we're going to move to the
approval of the minutes. >> Second. >> Second. >> Moved by uh Board Chair Kelly. Uh second by Vice Chair Williams. Any discussion? Any corrections? >> No, not at this time.
>> Okay. Hearing none. Uh, can we call for the question, please? >> Member Bass, >> yes. >> Member Irving, >> yes. >> Board member Santiago, >> yes. >> Board member Kelly, >> yes. >> Vice Chair Williams, >> yes. >> Chair Russell,
>> yes. >> We're going to move into public comments. Public comments are open. Seeing none, public comments are closed. Oh, do we have anyone online, Mr. Clerk?
>> No. Nope. Okay. Public comments are closed. Um uh our attorney is not here today. Today is his birthday. So, happy birthday to Marlin. Tell him we said happy birthday. We didn't give him a day off, but he he he
can move into our resolutions now. Mr. director. >> A resolution of the Opalaka Community Redevelopment Agency authorizing the exec director to execute an agreement with Chin Diesel, Inc. for the demolition of 879 Fisherman Street and
391 Opaaka Boulevard, 41441 Northwest 27th Avenue, 2100 Lincoln Avenue, all within the CRA community redevelopment area, providing for incorporation of recitals, and providing for an effective date.
>> Move by board member Kelly, second by board member Irving. Discussion. >> Yes, ma'am. if if somebody can make an amendment cuz I just read the resolution over again and it's not listed. I would feel more comfortable if we had an amendment uh that was voted on that said
in an announce an am in an amount not to exceed $150,000 um to come from the building purchases line item. >> Madam Chair, I was I was getting there. I just wanted to get it on the on the floor. >> Okay. >> Um so I will move that amendment because
I do like to have kind of caps. I don't like to have it open-ended. So, I'll move that um amendment, Madam Chair, at the appropriate time uh with the wording that the um director just used because that was the concern I did have to >> the wording would be in an amount not to
exceed $150,000 from the building purchases line item. >> He being not to exceed. >> Yeah. >> Do we need a second on that or >> Yes. >> Yes. I think we have to move. >> Okay. It's been moved by board member
Kelly, second by Vice Chair Williams. Um, any discussion? If not, uh, roll call. Madam Chair, >> I'm sorry. Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you so much. I am a visual person. Everybody's not like me. Um, I'm looking at the addresses and
truth be told, I have to GPS from my job to my house after 27 years. I get lost. So, can you give me a little like visual of where we are with these addresses? >> So, yes, ma'am. So, um, 879 Fisherman Street and 391 Opaaka Boulevard are
right across the street. I'm looking at them right here. It's >> You're talking about the used to be a consignment store and the other building. >> Correct. Okay. >> The building behind it >> used to be a chicken place. >> Turkey. >> Turkey. >> Turkey place. Okay. >> So, those two buildings.
>> Um, and then on 1414441 Northwest 27th Avenue, that is the ball property. So that's the property behind the Chinese or adjacent to the Chinese restaurant to the north of the Chinese restaurant. >> The little store looking
>> little appliance. It's a white >> appliances store before. >> And then the um other address is 2100 Lincoln Avenue. That's the blue building in uh the triangle. It's a block away block north of the cultural arts center. >> Okay.
>> Um that building. >> Okay. Got it. Um, >> and just so just so that uh we're aware, we started this process earlier in the year by just going out and get quotes. Then we we we felt that because we were getting the quotes were all over the
place. Uh, and we were just doing this as if we were doing something under $50,000 and that shouldn't have been done that way. So, what we did was we found a um a contract that was already competitively bid. Uh, Biscane Park did
one. And so what they're basically doing is piggybacking off of the Biscane Park contract. And so what we did was we got their approved list of contractors and we called three of those um vendors and we got the least amount out of those uh vendors out of the three. So that's how we come here today.
>> Okay. I have one more question. The um debris is that a part of it too that 150. >> Yes ma'am. >> Okay. To clean up >> everything. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Uh madam chair. >> Yes sir. >> Okay. Let me let me be sure what what we going to voting for here. >> Yes, sir.
>> Okay. And I'm very sorry I'm on the medications. >> It's okay. >> Okay. Um this made me confused. Um you have here Okay. Uh one, two, uh three. Three uh three addresses.
>> But you add in another another one. >> Yeah, there should be uh >> there's four there's there's four addresses. >> Mhm. But on one on one thing I did see where there >> I know where the places is. Uh Lincoln uh 144 there in the corner of the uh
historical city hall and the other one uh three >> No, >> no, no, no. Uh 1441 is the appliance store. >> Correct. >> Yes. >> And the 391 is the >> shopping the shopping center. >> The shopping center here.
>> Yes. Okay. Um >> 879 Fisherman is the one in the back. the turkey leg. >> Yeah. Fisherman. Okay. I Okay. All right. And and Lincoln Avenue. And
that's in the triangle down there. >> Correct. >> Okay. And what do you say that that building is used to be? >> It was a convenience store. >> That's a convenience store. Yeah. I know. Yeah. Very very um aggressive
store there before. Yeah. >> Very aggressive. >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. Oh, a lot of thing we see that in Oh my god. Yeah, >> it was aggressive. >> Yeah. Um my question is the $150,000
for the amendment. That's $150,000 going to cost the four the four places. They're going to be the smallest for $150,000. >> Yes. And This is already go out for bit or you
choose a company. >> So the the um they would competitively bid at another city Biscane Park. Um and so the state law allows us and our own you want to do
Oh >> um >> this would just be a piggyback agreement. Um the state law allows us to piggy back of from another governmental agency um or other CRA that has been um procured um per their procurement um laws. So this would just be a piggyback.
>> Okay. Um my my last thing that I going to say is oh my you already listen how they're going to doing it piggy back when another uh city.
>> Yes. We had to be sure that everything is be doing legally. >> Yes. >> Okay. By the people we don't have any we don't want any problem with the uh you know the comments or whatever from outside because if if I not make a
mistake I think the uh you offering us before okay that that going to be out for bit. >> I don't >> that's what I believe. So before what we were doing was like I said we we called
people in. We just called them in and we told them what we wanted to have happen. Um and then they gave us a quote. Um okay I understand that part but the only thing that I want to be clear is the we don't get in in trouble legal legal
trouble when anybody Okay. I think that's the city attorney have to uh let them know us if we okay because it's it's different that you call different people and asking for you know for uh
for a quote to sending that in public public and putting in the paper and everything the proced that we have the procedure that we have they're doing it like that I only want to be sure that that I want to that if he supporting that is totally
in the book legal is it? >> Yes. And our office has reviewed the agreement itself and the resolution. So, it is compliant with procurement regulations. Um, and piggyback a lot of different governmental entities utilize piggyback agreements. It's just a time-saving mechanism. Um, it's also
cost effective because you're not going out, you're not putting on a whole bid process. Um, and you're not having to call around because you actually know that another government agency has utilized this company. So it kind of gives you a little bit more confidence in that company but it's just another
procurement tool in your bucket to utilize. So we have reviewed the um the agreement itself in the procurement process. So it has gone through that legal review. >> Madam chair. >> Yes sir. >> Are you uh done? >> Yeah I'm okay.
>> I I think what would be helpful going forward is um I think all of us understand the piggyback because we do it in the city side all the time. I think would be helpful is to just see that that language. >> It's actually in the resolution. >> No, but I'm just saying it's further
down, but just like in the resolution itself, cuz most people don't read down in the body and and all the whereases per se, but they just read the title. So, if it had just been captured with that word piggyback, I think it would have given more comfort. Um, you know,
just for folks who are just reading, they're not going to read down like we are. But I do agree and I do support it because it is a mechanism to save time and allow it because if you start peacemail milling um that could be more challenging and the fact that they've already went through the process which
is a concern my my colleague has and of course all of us always have that concern u but I think going forward when we have these kinds putting that word piggyback in there up front on a you know would would make it a give it a little more comfort level but uh the
attorney is is is ped in that it's um sufficient. So, I'm I'm okay with it um to support I'm just glad to see we finally knock them down and I won't belabor it, but as uh my colleague said and all of us know cuz Mr. Commission nodded too. I think the chair that blue
store um I I remember because I was mayor when the young girl got shot over there right in front of that store and I have not wanted that store there since then and I know it's been a challenge and the good part about it we will own it. So if we decide to put another store
there or some other something that'll be up to us, but just to get rid of that >> stigma to me is well worth it until we decide to do whatever. So I'm very um happy to see that. So thank you very much um for that. The only question I really had uh madam chair and to the to
the director um the process of demolition I know they do that people do it all the time but in terms of notification like to the city for example even though they probably going to know cuz you got to go through a permitting process you
know maybe not want to park on that street or something given that time frame or whatever just make sure that is laid out and then of course obviously signage cuz I'm not sure people still know that we own that property. Uh we know it, but I'm not sure everybody know we still that we actually own the thrift
store and all of that except for people who've been involved in it. So just some signage once it gets down city property, CRA, whatever. Uh that language would be uh helpful as well because it has been an ISO for such a long time. So I want to thank you for that. Um thank you,
Madam Chair. >> Any other uh questions? Uh I just have one. Um uh Mr. Director, uh for the property, are you all going to put fencing around it? The Well, maybe not. The one over here might not be so
necessary, but I know that um there's been a lot a lot of homeless people on 27th Avenue by the ball property and behind the ball property, there's been a lot of homelessness there. Um, I
contacted uh a partner of ours to see if we could get some services over there in that area, but in the meantime, that may need to have some probably some fencing put around it. >> Yeah, we're still debating that. Actually, that's one of the questions
that the contractors asked us whether or not we want a fence or not. I think on some locations we may want, some may not. Like I don't think we want one here. >> No, agree. But um and the thing with the homeless people at the ball site, thing
with the people at the ball site is that once the buildings tear down, they'll have nowhere to hide, uh so to speak. So, but we will address it. We have addressed it. Uh the police have been helpful with us and someone actually moved their RV back there and um I mean
had a whole RV sitting in the back and you couldn't see it from the actually it was I think Commissioner Santiago that alerted us. Um >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. >> To the people that were back there, >> they moved there. They put the truck and everything and they took over the property >> and we worked with the police. Jerome
worked with the police to um to get them out of there. They were out of there within 48 hours. Uh so we are aware that there's an issue. Um that's a call we have not made. We did fence uh we have fenced the property over by the blue place. We did fence that that that's we
did that. Um so we may do that as well over there. Um, and we may do the ball site, but not this site. >> Yeah, I I was thinking about the ball site because I've I've just noticed quite a bit of of homeless people um over there. Um and maybe we need to look
at uh talking to the city has that new department now that >> social services >> social services so that they could assist in helping the people um the homeless if they want somewhere to go or need some services too. Um
board member Santiago. >> Uh thank you madam chair. Um, last suggestion that I gonna say to the director of CRA and my Callis, you know, I'm be thinking, okay, that's a very good price.
$150,000 is you say that it's not for each one. It's only for it's for the four together. >> The four of them together. >> For the four together. Okay. U not a bad price coming to Teddy Dancing 500. that is a very price that I don't think that
you're going to find them nowhere. Um like today the expensive everything is is but let me tell you just be sure that they do the right thing for that price Mr. a a worker be very sure and supervise
them till they do the right thing out there >> because I see it for the four property so low that it surprised me but you're the one in charge here sir >> so I'll give you an example um uh through the chair um one of the reasons
why we we went this route and not the route that we were going before is because all of the um the quotes that we were getting back were all over the place so we actually got a quote for all four properties for $74,000.
So that's really cheap. That's really cheap for, you know, demolishing four different properties. Obviously, we were concerned because that was extremely low. Uh and that's actually when I made the decision to go another route. And we also got a quote in that same uh deal.
We also got a quote for 200,000 plus. So I feel comfortable with this. I feel as the attorney pointed out that they were procured properly by another city and all we're doing is piggyback off of it off of them. Uh and we and you know we
talked to all the um firms and we feel comfortable uh with this quote. >> Yeah. And another thing uh Mr. Director is uh just be sure that they covering everything uh that they asking for any demolution. Uh just remember that many
of these places they have uh got lime uh electricity and many things okay and uh during uh that department is very strong when whatever we doing all over the county um I want to be sure that we not getting
any situation that we had to come back and add more money for that. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? If not we'll cough up. We'll call for a question. >> Call for the question, please. >> Board member Irving.
>> Yes. Um before um we move forward, can we do the motion with the amendment included? Cuz I don't think there was a final vote. So, can we just have a clear record that we're approving the resolution with the amendment for the amount not to exceed 150k? Because I
don't think we did a final vote on that. >> It was Madam Chair. Yes, >> it was moved in second, but we didn't have a vote on. That's what you're saying. >> Yes. >> But that's what we're voting on now. The amendment, right? >> Yeah, we're voting on the amendment now. >> Yeah, but we could do it all at once. Voting to approve the resolution and then with the amendment.
>> Oh, okay. So, you want him to re restate it um that you are uh we are voting on the resolution with the amendment together. We're not doing them separate. She say >> that we don't have to do them separate.
I'm kind of challenged by that. But >> okay. Well, I mean it's it's a stylistic choice. I mean, if there is disagreement within the amount not to exceed, but with >> No, it's not it's not the amendment. It's just voting on them together. Yes. >> Normally, you do amendments separate because they were in a part of the original uh document that went out.
That's why I'm, you know, like it to see it separate so people know it was something that was brought here, not something known in advance and just wasn't listed. That's why I always prefer. But I mean I look like chair on that. But >> a stylistic choice. So we can do together. We can do
>> I think we could uh stick with the route that we've been going in the in the past and let's just do the amendment first and then go ahead and do the resolution. So um uh Mr. uh clerk, we're doing the we're doing the
amendment now of $150 not to exceed $150,000. >> Let me uh let me interrupt for one second. I just noticed something. If we can do up to 164,000.
>> Can you give us some reasoning why? >> Because we may decide to add sod uh on some of the lots and that's going to be an extra cost. >> Sod >> grass. >> Grass. >> Yeah. >> So, just in case we do decide that, I'd like to have that cushion so I don't
have to come back to you. >> Okay. the amendment was done by uh board member Kelly. What do you what do you >> I don't have a problem but in the future I don't like those kind of situations. I I know we want to get this done and because you're piggybacking that could
be a time issue but in the future cover all that before you get to that last amendment. So Madam Chair, I'll move the amendment not to exceed 164,000. >> I'll make the I'll move that amendment.
>> Okay. So the um motion have been made to amend this resolution >> 8 a not to exceed 164,000 made by board member Kelly. I think board member Irvin
had second that originally. Okay. So uh board member Irving had seconded. So call we're calling for the question now. Please. >> Board member Bass. >> Yes. >> Board member Santiago.
>> Yes. >> Board member Irving. >> Yes. >> Board member Kelly. >> Yes. >> Vice Chair Williams. >> Yes. >> Chair Russell. >> Yes. Okay. Now, let's move into the actual uh resolution. >> And I I just also point out that um
we uh we actually had budgeted $200,000 for this. So, it's going to come in under under budget. Okay. Okay. Uh this was uh the resolution was uh we need a motion and a second. Moved by board member Kelly, second by
>> second, >> uh Vice Chair Williams. There's no more discussion. Uh Mr. Kirk, please. >> Board member Kelly, >> yes. >> Board member Bass, >> yes. >> Board member Santiago, >> yes.
>> Board member Irving, >> yes. Vice Chair Williams. >> Yes. >> Chair Russell. >> Yes. >> Resolution has passed. Can >> uh we move to resolution number two, please. Resolution of the board of Opalaka Community Redevelopment Agency amending, approving, and adopting an
amendment to the Opalaka Community Redevelopment Agency's general operating and tax increment fund budget for the fiscal year commencing October 1st, 2025 and ending September 30th, 2026 to reallocate funds from building purchase reserve and home ownership to commercial
grants and micro grants as set forth in exhibit A. directing the interim exact director to transmit a copy of said amended budget to the state of Florida oversight board providing for incorporation of recital providing for sub severability providing for a conflict and repealer providing for
scribers errors and providing for an effective date and um I'll let Jerome explain this. Okay. >> So, we we have we had additional funds left over in our
building purchasing line, but we also had outstanding commercial grants that we still needed to resolve as well as micro grants that we wanted to close out for this year. So, we wanted to take some of the additional funds and move them to the appropriate line items so
that we can close out some of our projects for this year. >> Okay. Um, >> I'll move for discussion. >> Moved by board member Kelly. Second. Second by board member Irving. Discussion. What?
>> Madam Chair, thank you. So, you're moving I I get it. you're moving um some over for those particular purposes because you don't need those funds. >> Yes, sir. >> The ones that you're moving from. >> Yes, sir.
>> Some outstanding stuff in the other side to the commercial and the micro. >> Yes, that's correct. >> That you're allocating to move. Um exactly how much are they? It is uh to the tune of 160,000.
>> Okay. Um and with that amount that would be that's sufficient to close out or finish up the commercial grants and microrants that are out there um for this be funded for the rest of this fiscal year. >> Yes, sir. It is. >> And we anticipate that those funds would
be utilized by the end of this fiscal year. >> Yes, we do. Okay. Um Okay. All right. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Anyone else? >> Vice Chair Williams?
>> Yes. I um notice I think one of the line items where we're looking to move funds is in local travel. Is that correct? It's a small amount of money. >> Yes. >> I'm curious. I know that every single year uh the CRA, if I'm not mistaken, usually sends a handful of board members
to the CRA conference if I'm not mistaken. Would that come out of another another line item since we are >> That is that is October. >> That is a different line item. Got it. But um due to the timing of the FRA conference, that happens at the very
beginning of our fiscal year. So, um, whatever we've allocated for the most recent conference has already come out of this budget and we will have something for next budget year. >> Very helpful. Thank you.
>> I'm sorry. Where we >> we are in summer. >> Oh, okay. I'm sorry. >> Any more discussion? >> Okay, Mr. uh Kirk, please. >> Board member Kelly,
>> yes. >> Board member Irving, >> yes. >> Board member Santiago, >> yes. >> Board member Bass, Vice Chair Williams, >> yes. >> Chair Russell, >> yes. Resolution has passed. >> Discussion items. Mr. Director.
>> Yes, ma'am. So, >> I'm I'm bringing this forward for discussion regarding the use of uh the church building. I've had, you know, my intention in purchasing these buildings was to move forward quickly in demolishing, well, not the
church cuz we still have a lease at the at the daycare, but demolishing all these buildings and putting out a notice of um which we've done, which we're in the middle of, which is a notice that we are looking for developers to come in
and build on these lots. And so in my my intentions were never to rent out any of these spots that we're building because it was to move forward as quickly as possible. In the interim, we've had some interests, some council members, we've
had mo more than two council members or board members have approached us about um having someone lease the space uh either for a weekly basis or a monthly basis or
just a a 2hour Sunday service basis. Um so we didn't want to make a decision you know in house so to speak on how we should do this. We have I asked the staff to develop uh some criteria with
which is an application on on a rental. Um, so we have produced an application, but I don't know what my appetite is that I don't want to get in any long-term or even intermediate term
lease. If I if if I were to commit to do anything, again, this is my opinion, you're the board. It would be on a very shortterm uh basis. So, and I also don't want to marry anybody for that short term period. like let's just date on
Sundays for two hours or something and you can have a service then you can have another service at night or maybe you want to do Bible study on Wednesday night and maybe you can do that but I don't want to commit the church to any one group. That's my opinion. I think it should be open so that if somebody wants
to use it Saturday night for a service, they can use it Saturday for a service. if someone wants to use it Sunday night. Now, we say all of this, but and the staff pointed out to me and they and they are correct. Um, you know, we're not a management company. We're not a
rental service company. So, when you have all of this activity happening, you're going to have to have somebody to be there to turn on the lights, to turn on the AC like a property manager to to be there. We're not equipped for that. So, that may require us to, you know, hire people to help us do that when
those events are taking place. So, we just wanted to bring it to your attention because we do not want to be in the middle of um you know going back and forth between who who wants it. And so, we thought we'd have a
discussion. I know that uh there's one party that's very very interested. It's a local church here that they had um I believe they had some issues with their current location and they're waiting for their new location to open up in about 3 months.
Um, and they had an issue with their current location that they're in temporary, but their new location won't open for 3 months. And so they they have expressed an interest for renting the place just on Sundays for their Sunday service for only 3 months. You know,
that's something I would be open to um because it's a short period of time and we know that they're leaving because they're building or they're moving in into a new facility. So, it's not like, you know, we're going to get into a I'm starting to watch Bad Roommate on Netflix and so we're not going to get in
one of those situations where you can't kick the person out because they want to stay. Um, so I'm just bringing it up for discussion. Um, you all know you all give me your advice on what and how you think we should handle it. You you know my thought.
>> Madam Chair, >> you want to be first? >> Yeah, cuz I I got to leave and I I'll listen to the commentary later. I got to get leave. I I am opposed and I'm I'm I pastor so it's nothing against churches or any entity. I don't want us to get in the business of being in a rental. I
really don't want that. Um and I've been approached and I basically told folks that the CRA has, you know, plans for we're not in the rental business. We don't have we're not set up for that. Um to rent. I've had people want to do the same thing two months a month special
occasions. We're not set up in my opinion for that. That's why we hurry up and try to get the folks out of the thrift stores because collecting rent or you know once you sign agreement I don't care if it's for one service a month or one Sunday a
month it takes on certain things and now we be get into reviewing putting us on their insurance if they got it and the attorneys got to review it. I just don't know if we want to get into that. that that's to me a big challenge and a big
um undertaking. Nothing against want to have churches or any entity. I'm saying church, but it could be somebody who wants to do something else in there. Um to have a concert, to have whatever. We're not built or your staff is not built that way. So, that's my biggest
concern. Um cuz I've had you reach out to me as well one Sunday a Bible study, special occasions, a funeral and I can see now the headache that that would become because once you get them in there or have people coming and even
though you're saying three months and a church or whoever wants three months, I get it. Then I'm going to come and say I just need for three months cuz I'm going to move somewhere else but then in the three months I'm going to come to the board and say I need another month. Kind of like we had a challenge with the folks in the thrift stores. they didn't know we were doing it, so we pushed the
time back because they say they weren't notified, etc. So, to me, that's a a challenge. I don't know if this board wants to undertake. Um, I will say if you're developing a criteria application, I'd love to see it, but as it stands right now, I don't think we
ought to get into to that in any kind of long-term basis. Um, but, you know, again, the board can decide based on criteria. Um, and then you'd have to be honest with how you going to manage it because that means you got to collect rent or make sure the lights are on,
make sure the gate is closed, make sure the plumbing is working if they go in there. Cuz I can assure you, if you let one entity in there, you're going to have more than one because churches now, that's what occurring. You got churches that are renting, you know, at 8:00
a.m., 12:00 a.m., 5:00 p.m. Um, so if you let one in, you're going to have to let others in, which if that's what we're going to do, that's fine. You just have to manage it. So, um, I just want to put that on record. I'll listen to the commentary later. U, but I would like to see that application if we go
that route. Obviously, it needs to come back to the board with some kind of specificity, but um, yeah, that could be challenging. Again, nothing against churches or any other entity because I've had folks reach out that weren't churches. They they want to do other
stuff in there, you know, um that's not even church related. But again, a rental is a rental. Look, we're just going to rent it for a few months. So, u I would look forward to uh hearing my colleagues comments. I'll listen to them later. And I guess if you're going to bring it back
in some form or show us an application, um I'd be interested to see it. But that's just how I see it at this moment. And I know my colleagues have some other thoughts. I will look at them later and and get to them. >> Before you before you step off, Vice Mayor, um I just want to put this out there because now that I have now that
we have your attention on this, u at some point and I know that people are moving away from having pews in the church because they want the church more versatile for, you know, multi-purpose. But they they have beautiful >> beautiful pews in that church. And I
would hate at some point we're gonna have to make a decision to get rid of them either to give them away or throw them away or do whatever. I would hate to have to throw them away. So just put it in your head if you know of anybody that's looking for very nice almost new
pews. We have a whole bunch available that seat I think 300 people. So >> Melan chair. >> Yes. I think uh you uh board member Irvin and then you >> and okay I think we
>> I'm not totally against the idea. I'm not I think just bring us more information. Um because we still have to pay to have the lights on. whatever amount that we say that we're going to use, I mean,
charge them, that would cover that that that maintenance person that's going to go and turn on the lights and turn off the lights. As long as it doesn't cost us a dime, I'm okay with it. So, if you're going to pay Marco
uh $75 a month to go and turn on the lights for them, then that needs to come out of what they're paying us. as long as it doesn't cost us anything because I'm assuming that we still have to have insurance on the building. We still have to have certain things we have to have.
We still have to pay the have the water on. We still have to have the lights on. We still have to have all of this on. And if somebody could cover that amount for us and it's not costing us anything, why not? whether they're praising the Lord or
just having um a school graduation there. I mean, until we get rid of it, if we're going to be tearing it down in the next 3 months or 6 months to to start building our own thing, then it wouldn't be worth
it. But I haven't heard anything about us getting ready to build in the next six months. >> So, why why not? It's not like it's a every day somebody's there or it's not like um I think it's doable, but we just
have to have all the facts before we do it. That's my thing. And yes, have them have insurance. You have to have >> have to have that >> the insurance or if they don't have the insurance, we have the insurance, but you have to pay for our insurance. So, we're paying $600 a year. You you're
you're going you're going to you're going to pay >> on that cost. >> Yes. A board member Santiago. Uh thank you madam chair. Um listen my callies I prepare a f of three question.
I you I used to had two but now I had three question. >> Let me ask you uh Mr. worker. What is the uh the proposal that we had when we purchased that place? Because now I hearing something different with you
that you like everything they you know what what they have inside. I see it beautiful. But what is the purposes that we purchased that property >> to tear it down? >> Turn it down. Good. But we turn it down.
And what are we planning to do there? >> Um hopefully we can build a tower um that's 10 stories high and that has 150 units in it. >> Perfect. Okay. Because right now, right now, let me be loud and clear my
everybody. Right now, we don't get anything any revenue, nothing. No Avalorian money for that properties at all. And what we had to we we had to think is what is the proposal that we have the city or CRA when we have a
piece of land that we want to make something is how much that we going to creating to coming into the arc of the uh city that's one and the comments that my say
the is they they right listen um how much do you uh Oh no no no no no the the same question that's a part of the question. Okay now we have the proposal is to turn down and build there
a tow 10 floor when 450 apartments. Okay, that's a very good beautiful idea. Now, how long the people that they there for the daycare they have in the lease? >> One more year.
>> One more year. Perfect. Not a problem. >> It's actually probably less than I think it's >> Well, that's good. Okay. Now, it's coming my other question. One year. Okay. Now in that one year, okay, how
much do you planning to collecting in rent for that uh particular part of the building, the church? Let's start it. Okay. With the pastor or the church that they want to they want to rent in only Sunday for two hours,
please. How much you going to charge it for that two hours? Every every Sunday. Oh, we haven't gotten that far yet. >> Okay. But I believe there isn't going to be too much. No. And you have a lot of responsibility. And let me tell you the hassle that we have in case there
something happen there. It's not worthy. It's not, you know, to going through that process like vice mayor uh member uh chair Kelly say.
What you know how how you going to cover out the cost for everything that you're going to do? Hiding a person to go open it, closing it, turn off the light. Remember, you're going to have a a light bill there to, okay, that you have to pay water, okay? Uh, whoever come there,
they have to go uh through a a process that the city have, permits, everything. And they they have to come when they should, and they're not going to pay you, I believe, $2,000 for be there two hours on Sunday. No. Well,
>> well, if if it has the point, well, we have money in there for a year. But myself, I had experiences, I don't think so. It had to be a big big huge church. Okay. To pay that kind of money only for one day, for one day. Okay, that's
that's fine. Okay. Right now, we collecting, you know, revenue for the rent. It's uh just to answer your question, it's 3500 a month which is 42,000 a year for the rent >> for that uh particular people that they want to using it for. >> No, for the daycare
>> for the day. Oh, for the dayare. I don't care. The daycare is fine. Well, and my my my suggestion is okay, all the challenge that we going to have if we rented this place only for a year left
and the contract with this uh daycare center. And I believe if we uh continue with the plans that we have very soon in the future, we're going to see the crane,
you know, installing all over downtown and build what we what we dreaming, okay, to make opa have to be a city. Opalaka have to have a downtown with life. That's that's my point. Now, if you
think it's worthy to rent in the church every Sunday and may that space and take the chance like uh uh member Kelly say uh take the chance that they can come after that. Oh, we can go out. Can I get another month? Can I get another month?
It's up to you. But the idea that I like it is to turn down from from today to one year when the uh lease expired for the daycare and let's build a new city. Thank you,
>> Vice Vice Chair Williams. And then um uh >> Okay, sounds good. Um, so I think on this one I could probably be swayed either way, right? So on there's the one hand that I am thinking a lot about the impact on staff capacity. You all are
trying to get through a lot of really big projects and I want to make sure that you guys are able to keep your eye on the ball and and we're not chasing kind of the small pennies on the floor. Um, I recognize that when you are doing a space rental, I know we're kind of
talking colloquially here and we talk about, oh, well, all we have to do is like cut on the lights, but there's actually making sure that there's contracts in place. It's verifying the insurance, right? It is showing the space to people who are interested in renting it. It actually can be very timeconuming. And so I would say if this
is something that we do decide to do, I would encourage us to contract with someone who can take that on as opposed to this becoming a part of your team's responsibilities knowing that it can be timesensitive. So I would say that's number one. But on the other hand, I do
think about the ways in which we can be of service to community. Right? I understand that we have less than a year left. It's not a long amount of time and so the space is there. I do wonder, you know, somebody can benefit from having that space. Things are expensive in Miami. Folks are always looking for
space to rent and if we have it and we have the capacity, wouldn't it be great if as a CRA we are able to do that to community? Um, I do think it will be important for you all to put guard rails. I agree that we should not rent the space out for one evening. There
needs like if someone's going to rent it out, it is for an extended period of time, but you know, it needs to be this this minimum, but not this this this long. So, I would encourage us to put some serious guard rails in place to minimize the impact on staff. Yes.
>> So, explain that to me. >> Yeah. So, I I love the idea of like this church, you said that they only want it for three months. So, I would say something like you would need to rent the space out for at least, let's say, four instances, but we can't exceed, you
know, 12 instances, for example, or and that might not be the best example. What I'm thinking about is you want to make sure that it doesn't go past 12 months, but this can't be a one-time rental. So, I love the idea of something that is recurring. So, do they have it exclusively for So, does that mean that
another church or somebody could come in on Wednesday and say, "I want Wednesday for the next eight." >> I think so. Yes. I wouldn't mind if I don't think anyone should have it exclusively. That allows us to um serve a larger swath of the community and and in us doing this, this is us being of
service to community. And so, if there's a Tuesday available and somebody's like, I want a Tuesday and somebody else wants a Sunday, I think that's great. But I want to make sure that it is not the like one-time rentals where someone comes in, comes out, and that just it's taxing. You got to teach every single
time someone comes, you got to teach them what it means to rent the space out and what your rules are. And so I offer the guard rails as um as maybe a little bit of uh peace so your your team isn't having to work with so many people. The other question I had was, and by the
way, just so everybody's aware, um, when I was younger, 20 years ago, I took a job as the manager of, uh, Elportal, uh, which is a little small city. >> I was a manager there for 10 years. We had a hall. The worst part about that
job was renting that hall because it was uh, it was an everyday thing like you said. We were showing the place. we were. But then you have the events and so that's what I'm getting to with the events. Are we limiting the kind of events you can have there?
Because what also happens is now people go away from having church service, which I feel more comfortable with, to okay, I'm going to have my wedding reception. I want to have my birthday party. And then you have the birthday party issue where, you know, I'm going to have my 18-year-old. And this
happened. So, at one point in El Portal, we had to require that they hire a police officer uh to to to be at the event while the event was going on because things just got out of hand because of the type of events y >> that we were we were hosting. Uh and you
know, you get that phone call at 9:00 at night. Oh, somebody's having a fight in the police station cuz the hall was next to the police station. Uh it was a mess. So, you know, I don't mind a church, but then when we get into everybody wanting to rent it for a birthday party or a
wedding or wedding reception gets out of hand. >> And that's why I say recurring events, right? Because I I think when you say recurring events, you get less of the birthday parties, but maybe you get an organization that wants to host a community workshop once a week, for example, and you only have to tell them
the rules once. Hopefully, they abide by it every single time that they're in the space. Um, I think that's all of my comments. >> I got it. Thank you. >> Can I ask Vice Chair a question? >> So, you you you you don't feel comfortable with
the Church of Natasha coming and we're for those three months only we could have it, but we're paying $3,500 for that month. >> That would be le I think it'll be less aggravation on staff because we know for three months it's only one church that's in and out. And guess what? We give them
the key and they turn on their own lights. They turn off their own lights. They close their own gates. We're done until the next three months when somebody else may want to be there. >> I appreciate that question. Um, you know, I will say that I I I will leave
this up to them. like I I I don't I I'm not against it because I see what you're saying, but I think what I like is the opportunity to serve more people who need the space. And so if that one church only needs it on a Sunday, man,
wouldn't it be great if like this community organization can get it on a Tuesday and this other church might want it on a Wednesday? And so I guess if we're talking church language, wouldn't it be great to be more of a blessing to more people is kind of my thought. So >> I mean I I agree with that. We just have
to decide if we want to manage or we kind of want to get and go. So I think that's >> that would make the difference here. >> If you want to just get and go then here's the key. But if we want to be a blessing to the community and we going
to have to do work on the other side as well. >> I'm open to either. I think it's a a good point and I see where you're going with it. I'm open 100. Yeah. up mother Jennifer >> before but I want to get bass in if she want to say something I'mma come back to you and then I want to uh jump in too.
>> Thank you. I appreciate this discussion. I am a member of a small congregation where we share our church with someone else and it is a smooth transition. You know it's it's not as complicated as we might think it is if you've never
done it. Um, I I love the idea having as a faithbased rental space because we won't have all the craziness and like uh Vice said, it will be open to um be able to help more people or to assist more people to be a blessing to more people.
Um, I'm all for it. I'm all for it because I believe sometimes God put us in these positions to be able to reach back and to help. And it's more than just the dollar sign. We're here to be a blessing whenever we can. >> If I can say and I'm listening to you
and I'm thinking about the blessing part and it's no disrespect for churches. None at all. >> But we have churches that are charging people from $700 to $1,000 to have a funeral. >> Yes. Exactly. >> We don't like if we could >> It's true.
>> I'm just there right Before I I want to say and I'm going to come to you. >> I am I am okay. >> Um I'm kind of in the middle but I don't think it should be exclusive to just churches bass because then you are
you're putting the rest of the community. If you're going to open it to community, you have to open it to community. And our community is made up of lots of people, you know, different way we look at things, you know. So if someone wants to come in and have a
birthday party, you know, you have to put rules that there's no alcohol, there's no drinking in the parking lot, those type of things. I believe that the for for uh looking at it from a community standpoint and also a church
standpoint. Um I think that when you get tied into a church, it's harder for you to look at a congregation and tell them that your three months is up and you have to leave. I think that there are other ways that we could it could be
used. There are lots of funerals. Uh board member Natasha just talked about funerals. They are looking to have funerals every weekend. Open it up to families that want to have a funeral or want to do something. Then you're not
tied into a church, a congregation that you know their their members. You know why you ain't giving to this church? This church was here for years. Just open it up to the community. If you need someplace to bury uh to have a funeral
for your family, your church is not large enough to do it, here's a space. Um the city already rent space for people to have baby showers and parties and all of those things. We don't want to be in competition with whatever else
is going on. We want to be partners. So sometime when you try to do the same thing that others are doing, they think that you're in competition. So we don't want to be in competition. Um I'm I'm not solely sold on the church part of
it. I do think that it should be open to the community and I think there should be guidelines, strict guidelines. Um and you know as board member Natasha say if the staff
and also uh my colleague over here if we do it the staff is going to have to take on some level of responsibility. So you all have to tell us what that level of responsibility that you want to take on or that you're able to take on.
So we don't get three months down the road and then you all are out there fighting in the parking lot cuz cuz you told him to be out at 9 and it's 9:15 and Jerome want to go home, you know. So, and you know, being a church member,
the spirit get the moving and you know, we might not be able to leave at 12. We might have to leave at 1. You know what? You going to tell me to cut it off? Cut spirit off. >> So, I'm I'm not solely sold on the
church idea. I am sold on, you know, community funerals, uh, you know, and that type of, uh, that type of engagement. >> I have a question. Can I just ask a clarifying question? >> Yes. >> When you say funerals, do you mean that
we're contracting with like a funeral home? >> No. So like any >> families come to you and say listen we my my >> I don't want to say my mom but Lord >> my dog died and I need to have a funeral
and our church is too small >> and our church is too small. We would like to rent your space and they're looking for it every week. Somebody's looking somewhere to have a funeral because the church is too small >> to have a service. >> To have a service to have a service.
>> I think that's single. Well, I think that's single rentals, right? That goes back to the birthday party, the baby shower. Um, I think maybe we're thinking about it as a funeral because it is a church, but that goes back to the single rentals. It becomes incredibly
complicated to to to manage. And um I'm I I don't think that's what we want to get into. I don't think and also I will say in order for rentals like this to be successful, like the single rentals, you also have to do marketing. And so now there is the marketing piece that you
have to add on to it. I wouldn't recommend we get into single rentals. >> Well, I I just I'm going to come to you, board member Irving, but I will say to you that for funerals, there's a great need. >> There is a a great need for places and
it's $700 to $1,000 a Saturday >> and a Friday or whenever we have it. So there is a need for that. We just have to we just have to and and you know I think we all want to do something you know want to do something at least for
that year to bring in money to uh take care of the uh um expenses. But I also say that when people do rentals they have to go out and buy that uh insurance that one time insurance. these if we're
thinking about renting, there's a lot of things that encompasses renting that's going to be on um staff. >> So, so we have to think about all of those. And go ahead. >> If I may say, well, like we're we're
sitting here, we're talking, staff is listening. when it comes to either like monthly rental or individual rentals, staff has to share with us what they can do, what they're willing to do. like we can say it, but I think staff should
have >> like the final word of what kind of rental that they want that they could uh >> what they feel that they could handle with the less amount of stress because you're getting ready now to move into development and that's also going to be
a part of your your daily activities working with developers and and doing all of that. So, you know, you you all don't have to tell us tonight. >> So, you know, but you want to give us tonight, but >> So, here >> Oh, I'm sorry.
>> But I I was before him if I mean, go ahead. >> But he was Let me Let me just say this right quick. >> Okay. >> I I know for a fact that churches will pay whatever they need to pay. For instance, my church pays $10,000 a month to rent a space. We have a key. We have
the key. We maintain everything. We open, we close, we have our Bible study, we have the church is ours is is we're renting that whole space. And we didn't just start renting yesterday. We've been at this location for over 5 years, I
believe it is. >> Um, so churches will pay to have a service and know that they have a spot. Um, they will pay. Um, if the daycare is paying 3,500 a month, yes, they use it
every day. But if you're renting, you have the key and we're charging you 35 to rent the church. You want to have Bible study on Tuesday, feel free. That's that's all inclusive of what? That's my opinion of what you're paying
um for the church. You know, >> church is turnkey. >> Yeah. It's ready to go. I also would like for us to think since we have a year to think about it. Um, you know, when you keep your fist baldled up, nothing gets out, but
nothing comes in either. I would like for us to think about, we got a year that we can think about um the furnishings that you talked about that are inside the church. Maybe we could actually bless a church by giving it to
them. more than happy to do that >> instead of charging them. That would be our thankful thanksgiving from the Lord. >> Love it. Love it on your interior cuz everybody gonna come back. >> You confuse me now.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Okay. >> I'm sorry. Very nice church on the inside. Very nice church. Um >> it used to be my mom's church. They did a great job. >> Very good care. >> Very good. Very good care of the church. I I believe by the opinion on everybody
here. What we try to do is remember that the year that we have is the year for a contract that they have with the uh uh >> dayare >> daycare. Okay. >> And that going to go faster. After that day care go in a year that building
supposed to be empty. And then we come in with the idea to for the demolution and everything. Okay. To build something up there. They're creating uh more life life here in Opalaka and many people
moving you know into this complex and created a downtown opal now. >> Okay. Uh my confused with you do we want to make revenue in this year that we had left there with the daycare?
We CRA had to make some revenue but now you're talking about give it away free everything. >> Okay. Um uh and and what I heard what I heard from my other colleagues is they want to creating something for the whole community. Okay. To do funeral to do
baby shower waiting everything. Okay. Regarded about religion you know >> commission totally faith face. I didn't >> Okay. Well, >> I don't I I don't think that's a proper place to make it's not a properly place
to make a party, okay, to get drunk and anything out there. I don't think so. No, it's a church. >> Okay. Okay. What I say and let me make it clear. The three ding the $3,500. The CRA collecting is for the daycare.
is not that the that church they want to come only for one day a week 4 days a month okay I don't think that they're going to be the number but you say that's a churches that they pay $10,000
I hope that you can bring one and you know make a a year culture for a $10,000 that's a good revenue that for the 3500 a month uh CIA going to have 1350 every month in revenue That's it.
>> Uh, Commissioner, I'm I'm I'm a hustler by trade. >> I I know. >> I've been self-employed for the last 34 years, 35 years. I believe in making a honest buck. However, sometimes you have
to give back and that's why I talked about giving away the furnishings inside the church. >> Okay. Um, Mr. Mr. the director. This is what we're going to do. We've given you all a lot to think about. And I see
Jerome down there nodding his head. We've given you a lot and we've taken you through every avenue. 27, 22nd, 17, 12,7. You got a lot to think about. So, think about it and what is best for you all to handle that it doesn't interfere
as Commissioner Santiago said, it doesn't interfere with what you looking >> member chair. Yeah, here >> chairman not commission. >> Okay, Santiago there uh that it doesn't interfere with what you all are looking
to do for the development because we don't want to stop that progress. But if there's a way that you all could do something in the interim that makes sense to you all as a as a team and to us as a board, I think all of us here
are open to letting you all kind of guide us through it. So you got a lot of ideas that you could think about. we >> through the chair. >> Um, >> we do and we will we will sit down and watch this meeting and and have our own
internal meeting to go over all the things that were discussed tonight. But I will be remissed if I did not and believe me, I don't want to prolong this discussion anymore. But I do have a problem. The problem is that it's not a problem, it's an issue. uh one of the
pastor that has the three-month timeline, um him and his wife call or come in every week >> asking when are they going to be able to when are we going to make a decision? And so we've been telling them for the
past two or three weeks that well, we're waiting to hear from advice from the board before we uh before we move forward. So, you know, they're up against a threemonth timeline. you know, at some point they're probably not going to need it anymore. Um, so if if the guy
if the reverend calls tomorrow, what should I tell him? That they have to wait until next month before that. The board is indecisive at this time because we have so much in the equation that we uh that you all have to get and bring
back to us because it's not just them, that one church because I got a phone call today about renting the building. You know, I told him, you know, I I don't I can't tell you that it's for rent. I didn't even know it was for rent. >> Madam Chair, Madam Chair,
>> so Madam Chair, >> a question for M >> with respect with respect to uh everybody here. Can we can we bring it to uh final? >> Yeah. >> Bring your final to
>> to the uh Mr. Director, I'm going to let you go. uh uh vice chair and I'm going to let you go and let's let's let them chew it all up. They're they're up tomorrow. >> So, I think the chair asked uh I'm sorry
uh the the director asked a really great question. It's how do I direct these folks? And I think um we have given lots of different advice on this board, but I think for the most part what I hear is that many of us are open to relatively
intermediate long rentals, right? So I think I hear a like, no, I'm not really interested in rentals. I hear short-term here. I think I hear for the most part intermediate term rentals uh elsewhere. This is an intermediate term rental. I
would be okay giving the guidance yes to these folks. >> Yes, I will too. >> And then I think that you all need to figure out from there what your guard rails are and I think if anyone comes in and they are looking to rent with those guard rails that you've put in place, I
would say then you are able to say yes and that that becomes your guidance. And I think you can determine the guard rails based on this very up and down side and side conversation that we've had. But I would say I am okay with you all approving the church with for three
months. >> So do we have to put that in motion? >> I'm not I'm not uh in agreeance with that because I heard the director say from the beginning that he really wasn't uh in favor of Renie. So I would prefer
them to go back and look at the scenarios that they have. Let's not just say yes to this one church because then I got to call uh uh uh uh board member Kelly got a call. So, how are we going to determine that we just chose them out
of everyone that is interested in doing it? I think that they should give us the guidance as to where we >> I'm not saying if if I >> I what the reason I said put in a motion
that we would be I mean to vote to say if we're eager I mean if we don't mind renting or not just to those people but to whomever it is that they see fit that they want to rent to. >> So you like we're giving them >> the hands of the director.
>> Yes. >> Yes. cuz he has to be the one who handle >> Okay. >> to juggle all of this. >> Okay. Uh, Commissioner Santiago, >> board member Santi. >> Board membership. >> Okay. Yeah, I think that's a good idea.
Okay. We had to start it from somewhere. Okay. And the idea that we have before that we be talking, let's give an opportunity to everybody. Okay. to uh to come and use that facility and um you know to help like that we helping you
know people to you know to uh uh whatever necessity that they have. Now I think that we it's good to start it when that church okay that they want they only want to renting Sunday only Sunday but we have the rest of the week and
Sunday probably they're going to be there from what time to what time? Three hours. Three hours. And whatever other church they want to make a service there, they can make they can make a serving before them or after. And they
can rent in the play for the whole week if they want if they want to do Bible story uh you know um a Friday night, you know, juvenile, you know, uh service, whatever. I think I I give you uh my support to you made that decision and
let's start it from from you know from there and my question before you know that I going to asking is um that you don't know yet how much you're going to charge you and you know I I hope that we can know um from uh you know like what
is the deal that you're going to have and be sure that that's only three months okay only Sunday 3 hours and then we can give the opportunity to a lot of people to come here and say and and and do services uh do any family uh you know
funeral something like that. Okay. To the whole community the whole community can participate in that place. Thank you. But I I supporting you to starting from there. >> Okay. Do we need uh it this was just a discussion. Uh, madame attorney, do we
need a motion or do we leave it? We don't need a motion. We going to leave it to them to make the decision and where we go from here. >> They got it. >> Yes. I think the director has his directive, so we should be good. >> Okay. All right.
>> So, you'll let us know um what whatever you come up with and decide. Y >> any anything else? >> Yes, please. >> There's one thing. Thank you. Okay. >> I wanted an update on what's going on with the church. Not the white church,
the his I'm sorry, the bank, the historic bank building. Um, I had reached out previously wanted to know what was going on because we have been talking about that project for a while. I don't know where he's at and I would like to know where we are with that project.
>> Yeah, I will let you know. >> Okay. >> Um, >> that's the one that had all the bottles in it. >> Yes, ma'am. So >> um you know I >> do you want to call me or >> No, I want >> Can I say something? Uh member chair
Bass >> let him let him Excuse me. Is it okay? >> Uh board member if he answers her first. >> No problem. >> So here here's the issue that we have and I don't I mean I'm going to be kind about this >> because you I understand that some
people are upset and I don't know why they're upset. Um, first of all, the church was approved for a $100,000 grant, which is what we approve everyone to do. We went in there and they had
thousands of bottles that required removal before anything was done to remove those bottles. And they've been there for over 14, 15 years. >> I thought, >> okay. And the church had tried to get it out before. They couldn't afford to get
it out. So, we finally went in there and we spent $30,000 to remove and dispose of all those thousands and thousands of bottles. Okay. So, technically they have $70,000 left in their grant now that we've
cleaned out the building. So, we said, "Okay, well, obviously we know that we can't do much with $70,000, but what can we do?" And so, frankly, I stopped because we did ask for a um what do you call that? Uh plans.
>> We asked for architectural plans to and we we and we and we built, you know, built out. What do we want? We want a movie a multi-purpose space so the church can use. Um, and that number that number I asked the architect in my office, Jerome was sitting there,
in order for you to do what they want to do, how much just give me a ballpark figure because I don't like to waste people's time, especially mine. So, give me a give me give me a a ballpark figure on
how much this is going to cost in the end. And the figure that the architect gave me was between$ 1.5 and $2 million. Okay. So, we said, "Okay." So, then I think we brought that to the board at some point. And then the board said,
"Okay, well, come back and tell me um what uh what what what would it cost to just do the basic basic stuff?" Um, and we did that and we asked the architect just to draw us some plans to do the elevator, the windows,
roof, how much just for the set of plans they wanted to charge us over $100,000. So we we we and I and I may be >> that is correct. And um boy remember Bass um just a few
weeks ago I emailed you that same uh proposal for $100 plus,000. >> So at this point um listen I'm I'm not I'm not we were the one that approached them in the beginning. Okay. So and I think it was from your I don't know how
but I know we approached them to actually encourage them to apply to to apply for the grant. I don't have a problem with um with with with helping out. I just don't see where we can stomach
a one a a $1 million. Let's say it's $1 million. Let's say it's $750,000. Let's say it's $500,000. I don't see where we can afford to do that. Not now and not next year. So, you know, unfortunately, you know, let's work
together. Maybe the church can go out and Alex can go out there and help them find other historic preservation money uh that can that can combine with our money so so that we can get there. But for us to get there by ourselves,
I just don't think it works. And you know, I can't I can't make it work. And and Madam Chair, uh before you go, uh board members Santiago and Commissioner Bass, I don't know whether you were here the night when the pastor came. >> Yes.
>> And we asked the question as to if the CRA is going to put that amount of money >> uh you know, and is it going to be open to the community? And the pastor said, "Well, they would have to discuss that
because it it's it's going to be solely for the church." And we was trying to get him to understand that, "Pastor, we we we're here with you. You know, we we we agree." So, I think it was board member Taylor said, "Well, what can you
do with the 70,000? Can you put windows? maybe do some windows or something >> to at least use the 70,000. But I left with the impression that, >> you know, correct me if I'm wrong.
Correct me if I'm wrong. I left with the impression that if we couldn't do what they wanted us to do, you know, they wanted what they wanted. and for some reason they have come to the conclusion that that we're
supposed to give it to them, you know. So, um I know that you all have been working diligently, you know, and I know, you know, sometime people will make something out of nothing, but if we have $70,000
left in their line item, you know, they should they should as a church, they should come and tell us, well, we can take the $70,000. Maybe we could put a a portion of the roof. The building is not that big. No purchase.
>> So I don't know what what a million dollars is. You know what they're going to put. >> It's a old old building. So I believe it's a million dollars. >> Really? >> Absolutely. >> Oh wow. >> Madam chair. Yes. Because I like to go early from here. Let me say this, okay?
Don't be scared when you going to talk the truth because the true is making up free. Listen, I remember that night. That's what I want to tell him. Let's give him a copy, okay? for that uh night to every each member for this and we're going to refresh our mind what happened
that night here that night I remember loud and clear that gentleman or that pastor okay oh something good say oh we good to give in you know to churches and everything but what are the churches giving to us we asking that yellow man that night to
see if we can participate okay the community and the city and he say no okay he looking for a million something dollars for his own benefit. >> The church. >> Let me let me >> The church. >> Hold on. >> The church. >> Hold on. Hold on. Let me uh
>> let me clarify something. Let me clarify something though on the record. I I have my conversations in the beginning. I let it be known. So, and I don't remember hearing anything contrary to what I'm about to say that if we did
this, this would be a community space like that. we we were not putting money into this where especially since we were doing a community space where we wouldn't have some participation in the in the activity. So, it's news to me that I I don't remember him saying that because I thought that we had an
agreement that even if we put $100,000 in whatever that was going to get us, I mean, we had no idea it was going to be that bad. Um, but listen again, if the board chooses, I want to make this clear so that nobody's mad at me and they could be mad at you because, uh, if the
board, this is my, this, I just, you tell me to go find $2 million out of our $3 million budget >> in the top. >> Can we have a vote on that? I think we're Can we Can we vote on that? >> If you tell me If you tell me where to go find a million dollars out of our $3
million budget to fix this building, I guess I have to do it, right? It's not my decision. It's your decision. And so if if if it if it comes over the the $100,000 threshold of our grant, the board can always choose to give it more.
You can choose to allocate $500,000 to this project if you want. I'm not standing in your way. You just tell me where to go find it. >> Can can can May I ch board me? So, um, what's going on
as with Sherbundi Village, those of us that I know you were around when that whole thing on grants, you have a limited time to use the grant or you lose it. >> Yeah. >> So, that's why that's where I am. We we
lost a whole bunch of money for the first round of Shabbundi. That's why it's chopped up so bad. So, yeah, they have a $100,000 grant. They've used 30. And how long do they have to use the other 70 or lose it? >> Well, we're nice people here. So,
>> well, I told you I'm I've been self-employed a long time. >> We we we will keep it there until they figure out what they want to do. >> Well, going forward, >> I don't have nothing against churches. Okay. >> Going forward. >> And a church member, too. If I may say,
when we do grants, let's put a time limit in there. If you don't use it by XYZ, then you have to re reapply. You lose it, you have to reapply. >> Okay. All right. >> And I have nothing to give.
>> Did you get did you get your answer that you wanted concerning the uh and through the >> give us a update? >> I will. I will. And let me tell you why I will. cuz I I I was introduced to someone um through another project in another city that I'm working with and
it's one of the best contractors I've ever encountered who deals with special buildings like this. I've asked him to come over and give us a second opinion because this is what he does. So when he comes over, I'm going to bring that report to you as well. >> Okay. >> Um so that he can give us a second
opinion aside from what uh Mr. Brown gave us uh so that we're clear on what the costs are. And if the board at that point decides they want to move forward, you tell me with the four affirmative vote to go find that money. I don't know
how we're going to find it, but uh >> we'll do it. >> And that building that a historical building for the city? >> Yes. How they get that? >> Oh, Commissioner Santiago, can he answer that? Yeah. Uh
afterwards how they got the building cuz I we don't have the historical data here right now. So >> that's a historical building. >> Uh uh the Mr. Director will get with you and let you know as much as he know. >> Yeah.
>> How they got the building. Okay. All right. Motion to adjurnn. Move it. Second. Okay. Dr.