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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity_Redevelopment_Agency_Board_-_Nov_13_2024_-_Minutes.docxCity of Miami Gardens Community Redevelopment Agency Board Minutes November 13, 2024 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL The Community Redevelopment Agency Board for the City of Miami Gardens, Florida, met in special session, Nov 13 2024, beginning at 5:27 PM, in the Council Chambers, 18605 NW 27th Avenue, Miami Gardens, Florida. The following members of the CRA Board were present: Chair Rodney Harris, Vice Chair Katrina Wilson, Board Member Katrina L. Baskin, Board Member Reggie Leon, Board Member Michelle C. Powell, D.O., MPH, Board Member Robert Stephens, and Board Member Linda Julien. Also in attendance were: City Manager Cameron Benson, City Attorney Sonja Dickens, and City Clerk Mario Bataille. 2. INVOCATION Board Member Baskin delivered the Invocation. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Recited in unison. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4.1. Community Redevelopment Agency Board Meeting Draft Minutes – September 25, 2024 A motion offered by Board Member Leon, seconded by Board Member Julien, to approve the minutes passed and carried by a 7 to 0 roll call vote of the Board. 5. ORDER OF BUSINESS A motion made by Board Member Stephens, seconded by Board Member Leon, to approve the agenda passed and carried by a unanimous voice vote. 6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS (5 MINUTES EACH) 6.1. PRESENTATION ON THE MIAMI GARDENS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (MGPAC). City Manager Cameron Benson delivered a presentation on the Miami Gardens Performing Arts Center (MGPAC). Mr. Benson highlighted the facility's overview, funding, and timeline. Docusign Envelope ID: 0C7D02F6-E826-8F6A-80D5-70314C3DC0E2 Answering a question posed by Board Member Julien regarding the development of the center in conjunction with the 35-acre development, Mr. Benson indicated that both projects are expected to advance simultaneously, with the 35-acre development likely breaking ground first, while design efforts are aligned across both projects. Board Member Julien expressed concerns about the project's 2028 completion timeline, noting her desire to see it completed within her current term of office. Answering questions posed by Board Member Stephens, Mr. Benson confirmed that Congresswoman Wilson has committed $1 million to the build-out of an internal facility for youth activities. Board Member Stephens raised concerns about the facility's identity and purpose as a Performing Arts Center, given that the design incorporates a youth center, STEM programming, and a culinary arts space. He emphasized that he did not want to lose focus on creating a performance arts center. City Manager Benson affirmed his own goal was to build a performing arts center "second to none" and that ancillary programming would remain confined to designated spaces rather than the main performing arts hall. He committed to identifying entertainment programming before the facility's opening. Board Member Stephens echoed the concerns raised by Board Member Julien as it relates to the timeline, specifically questioning whether the one-year drawing process was excessive and whether funding constraints were causing delays. He asked that the timeline be revisited and potentially compressed, with a start date as early as 2025. City Manager Benson agreed to meet with the architectural team to assess whether the timeline could be accelerated. Board Member Powell suggested, as part of the design, that the Congresswoman Wilson-funded youth space be designated specifically as a youth performing arts center to ensure consistency with the facility's overall vision and to provide meaningful programming aligned with the performing arts focus. Answering a question posed by Board Member Leon, City Manager Benson indicated that while the Congresswoman intended the funds to support youth activities, there did not appear to be a restriction on the specific type of activity, suggesting that youth performing arts programming would be consistent with her intent. Vice Chair Wilson requested that hard copies of all future presentations be provided to board members so that the record accurately reflects what was reviewed and voted upon. Docusign Envelope ID: 0C7D02F6-E826-8F6A-80D5-70314C3DC0E2 Board Member Julien raised the question of whether the facility could be made available for rental by outside organizations and touring companies, such as the Alvin Ailey Dance Company or Cirque du Soleil, as a revenue- generating opportunity for the city. City Manager Benson acknowledged the question and committed to circling back with a response after considering the operational implications. The board took no action. 7. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. 8. RESOLUTION(S)/AGENCY BUSINESS 8.1. A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE CRA AND THE CLERK OF THE BOARD TO EXECUTE AND ATTEST RESPECTIVELY, THAT CERTAIN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MIAMI GARDENS COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY; IN SUBSTANTIAL FORM AS THAT AGREEMENT ATTACHED HERETO AS EXHIBIT “A”; ACCEPTING FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF EIGHT MILLION, TWO HUNDRED FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND, ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-SIX DOLLARS AND EIGHTY-SIX CENTS ($8,244,126.86) FROM MIAMI-DADE COUNTY IN SUPPORT OF THE MIAMI GARDENS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER; PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. City Manager Benson explained that this Resolution authorizes the CRA to accept funding from Miami-Dade County in support of the Miami Gardens Performing Arts Center and recommended its approval. A motion was made by Board Member Leon, seconded by Board Member Stephens, to approve the Resolution. There being no further discussion, Chair Harris called the question. A motion offered by Board Member Leon, seconded by Board Member Stephens, to approve the Resolution passed and carried by a 7 to 0 roll call vote of the Board. Chair Harris Yes Vice Chari Wilson Yes Board Member Baskin Yes Board Member Leon Yes Docusign Envelope ID: 0C7D02F6-E826-8F6A-80D5-70314C3DC0E2 Board Member Powell, D.O., MPH Yes Board Member Stephens Yes Board Member Julien Yes 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss before this body, the meeting adjourned without objection at 5:50 p.m. Rodney Harris, Chair Mario Bataille, City Clerk Docusign Envelope ID: 0C7D02F6-E826-8F6A-80D5-70314C3DC0E2