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• INCORPORATED • -
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Chair 'Julio Robaina CRA General Counsel John Dellagloria
Vice Chair Horace G. Feliu CRA.Executive Director Charles D. Scurr
Member Mary.Scott Russell CRA Director Gregory J. Oravec
Member David D. Bethel CRA Secretary. Ronetta Taylor
Member Randy G. Wiscombe
Member James Bowman
Member Charete B. Plummer.
SOUTH MIAMI COMMUNIT`I(
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
CRA Meeting .
Meeting date: February 5, 2001 Sunset,Drive, South Miami, FL
Next `Regular Meeting Date: March 5, 2001
Phone: '(305 ) ' 663 -6338;
Time: 6:30 PM
City of. South 3►?i.ami. Ordinance ' No. '10 -00- 1712 requires
all lobbyists before engaging in: any lobbying
activities to register with the City Clerk . and pay, an
annual fee of $125.00. This applies to . all persons who
are retained (whether. paid or. not)_ to represent a
business entity' or organization to influence "City"
action: "City" action is' broadly described to include
the..ranking and selection of professional consultants,
and virtually all- leglslati.ve, quasi- judicial and
administrative action, It does not apply to not-for-
profit organizations, local chamber . and merchant
groups, homeowner associations, or trade associations
and' unions.
ITEMS FOR THE BOARD'S CONSIDERATION :
4 'Approval.-of Minutes
.Regular-CRA Minutes January. 17;.2001
5. CRA Director's Report:
6. CRA General Counsel's Report:
CONSENT AGENDA
There are no.items for consideration.
RESOLUTIONS)
(For. Public Hearing)
7. A RESOLUTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON' AND MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH
MIAMI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (SMCRA).AUTHORIZING THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO.'EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT-BETWEEN RONALD J.
CORDON AND.THE SMCRA FOR LEGAL. SERVICES..
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PUBLIC.COMMENTS
BOARD COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
.PURSUANT TO FLA STATUTES 286.0105,. "THE CITY HEREBY ADVISES THE PUBLIC THAT IF A PERSON
DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY THIS BOARD, AGENCY OR COMMISSION.WITH RESPECT TO
ANY ' MATTER CONSIDERED AT ITS MEETING OR HEARING, HE OR SHE WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE
PROCEEDINGS, AND THAT FOR SUCH PURPOSE, AFFECTED PERSON MAY NEED TO ENSURE . THAT 'A
VERBATIM RECORD OF. THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY. AND
EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED.. THIS NOTICE DOES NOT CONSTITUTES CONSENT
BY. THE CITY FOR THE INTRODUCTION OR ADMISSION OR OTHERWISE' INADMISSIBLE, OR IRRELEVANT
EVIDENCE,•NOR DOES IT AUTHORIZE CHALLENGES OR APPEALS NOT OTHERWISE ALLOWED BY LAW.
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY 2
AGENDA - February 5, 2001
0' a,
• INCORPORATED •
927
P
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1
2 SOUTH MIAMI
3 REGULAR CRA MINUTES
4 JANUARY 17, 2001
5
6 ROLL. CALL
7
8 The South Miami Community Redevelopment Agency [CRA] met in
9 regular session on Wednesday, January.17,.2001 beginning at 6:42
10 p.m., in the City Commission Chambers, 6130 Sunset. Drive.
11 .. .
12 Roll.Call:
13 The 'following members of the CRA Board were present:
14 Chairperson Julio Robaina, Members, Mary Scott Russell, David D.
15 Bethel, Randy-G. Wiscombe and Charete Plummer. Vice Chair Horace
16 G. Feliu and Member James Bowman were out of town.
17
18 Also in attendance .was Executive'. Director. Charles D. Scurr,
19 Director Gregory J. Oravec,'Attorney Earl G. Gallop sitting in
20 for CRA General 'Council John Dellagloria and CRA Secretary
21 representative Nkenga Payne.
22
23 Invocation:
24 Commissioner Bethel delivered the Invocation.
25
26 Pledge of Allegiance:
27 The Pledge of Allegiance was.recited.in unison.
.28'
29 1. Approval of'Minutes'£or December-4,.2000
30
31 Moved by Member Russell, seconded by Member Bethel to
32 approve the minutes as presented.
33
34 There, being no discussion the motion passed.by.a 5 -0 vote.
35
36 Member Bethel: Yea
37 Member'Wiscombe: Yea
38 Member Plummer:.. Yea
39 Member Russell: Yea
40 Vice Chair Feliu: Not present
41 Member .Bowman: Not present
42 Chairperson Robaina: Yea
43
44 2;. Director Report:
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY 1
REGULAR'MINUTES - January 17, 2001
1 No Report
2
'3 3. General,Council Report
4 No Report
s CONSENT AGENDA
6. There were no .items for. consideration.
8 RESOLUTION (S)
9
10 CRA .1-01-50.
11 7. A RESOLUTION OF THE SOUTH MIAMI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
12 AGENCY (SMCRA) AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO
13 NEGOTIATE THE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT. 5825 SW
14 68.STREET
15
16 Moved by Chair Robaina, seconded-by Members Russell & Bethel
17 to approve this item.
18
19 Director Oravec explained'.that this resolution would
20 authorize the Executive Director to negotiate the purchase of the
21 Mobley property. . The result of that negotiation will come back
22 to the Board for approval. The purchase of the subject property
23 will result in significant benefits to the CRA., and park
24 improvements for Phase Two of the Murray Park Multi- purpose
25 Community Center—The property owner's attorney is reviewing the
26 draft agreement. The purchase price is $430,000.00, which is
27 based on the property appraisal. This resolution would allow the
28 Executive Director to negotiate. 10% of the appraised value. The
29 CRA is working with the City to work on utilizing the Sunshine
30 Loan Fund to help with the financing, which would reduce the
31 overall cost to the CRA.
32
33 Member Bethel inquired about the status of purchasing the
34 Cox property.
35
36 Director Oravec said that CRA tried to make a.formal offer
37 on the property. General Counsel Dellagloria made several phone
38 calls to the listing agent for the property without any success.
39 Meetings were also held with Mr. Cox and his Agent and both had
40 expressed that the listing price for the property was'
41 $128,000.00. The property appraisal for this property is
42 $90,000.00. The City's lease of the property has been terminated
43 effective February 1st.
44
45 At the conclusion of discussion ,', the motion passed by a 5 -0
46 vote.
47 .
48 Member Bowman: Not present
49 Member Bethel: Yea
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY 2
REGULAR MINUTES - January 17, 2001
1
Member Wiscombe: Yea
2
Vice Chair Feliu: Not present
.3
Member Russell: Yea
4
Member Plummer: Yea
5
Chairperson Robaina.: Yea
7
s
-
PUBLIC COMMENTS
9
There were none
10
11
..BOARD COMMENTS
12.
There were none
13
14
After there was.no
further business to come before this Body, the
15
meeting adjourned
at 7:11 p.m.
16
17
18
Approved
19
20,
Attest.
21
.22
CRA Chairperson
23
24.
25
CRA Secretary
26
27
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT - AGENCY 3
REGULAR MINUTES - January 17, 2001 .
SOUTH MIAMI COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
INTER- OFFICE MEMORANDUM
To: Honorable Chairperson Dater February 1; 2001
and CRA -Board
From: Gregory J. Oravec Subject: Meeting 02/05/01 —
Director. Legal Services
Ronald J. Cordon
REQUEST. -[
A RESOLUTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH MIAMI
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (SMCRA) AUTHORIZING THE
.EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN RONALD J.
CORDON AND THE SMCRA FOR LEGAL SERVICES. .
BACKGROUND & ANALYSIS
The "Finding of Necessity" was commissioned by the City of South Miami to verify the need for
redevelopment in the area which is now the South Miami Community Redevelopment Area: The .
Finding of Necessity , was completed in 1996 and identified a number of negative conditions
necessitating redevelopment, including the prevalence of, vacant lots. Vacant lots were heavily
discussed in the study both as an existing negative condition and a contributing factor to other negative
conditions, such, as crime, litter and property devaluation. Specifically, the Finding of Necessity
documented that:
• Site deterioration and deficiencies were prevalent in the'form of broken glass... overgrown weeds in
vacant lots•,
• Unsanitary conditions include: abandoned cars, furniture and fixtures, accumulation of trash and
debris..: [in vacant lots]; and
• Vacant lots denote non - productive use of land in a community which leads to blighting conditions,
as in unsanitary conditions, breeding ground for crime and limits the tax revenues to the City.
Consequently, the South Miami Community Redevelopment Plan, which was created in response to the
Finding of Necessity, included an Infill - Housing . Program to develop 57 vacant lots as new single
family housing. This program has already been successfully initiated. Two. new single family, homes
have been completed, eight additional homes will be completed this year and an RFP for another ten.
homes will be issued within the next,.month: As a result, vacant lots are being transformed from
problematic eyesores to new single family home's.
Unfortunately, the process of transforming the 57 vacant lots has ' been hindered by absentee owners
and property liens. Approximately 20 of the 57 vacant lots have code enforcement liens resulting from
a lack of owner care, such as junk and debris, overgrown vegetation and the presence of vermin. Many
of the liens are in an amount in excess of the property value because of;continuing neglect. ' In fact,
several property owners have not responded to City correspondence regarding the violations in years.
Although these lots are in the greatest need of redevelopment, they cannot be redeveloped because the,
owners cannot be contacted and the added expenses of the liens do not make redevelopment of the
properties cost - effective.
In order to promote redevelopment on these important sites and fully implement the Redevelopment
Plan, the SMCRA should proactively address the process by proceeding with foreclosure actions on
vacant properties assessed with liens. Foreclosure actions wily cause absentee owners to appropriately,
address their violations and the condition of their properties. An action may result in the property
owner properly maintaining the property, giving title to the . SMCRA for redevelopment or selling,the
property to infill builders or the SMCRA. Any of these outcomes will facilitate_ the creation of quality
affordable single family housing and other redevelopment initiatives ,within the Redevelopment Area.'.
The attached Resolution authorizes the Executive Director to enter into an agreement with Ronald. J.
Cordon for SMCRA foreclosure matters. Mr. Cordon has been recommended by General Counsel
John Dellagloria. The proposed rate for services is the rate currently charged by City Attorney Earl
Gallop for City foreclosure matters. The agreement proposes that Mr. Cordon provide services on an
"as- needed" basis and allows for.discharge from service at any time.
The adopted FY 00 -01 Budget appropriates $17,500 for "Special Redevelopment Legal Services" such
as foreclosures and other nuisance abatement activities.:
RECOMMENDATION
Your approval is recommended.
1�
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF
THE SOUTH MIAMI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY (SMCRA) AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR TO :EXECUTE. AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN
RONALD J. CORDON AND THE SMCRA FOR LEGAL
SERVICES.
WHEREAS, the South Miami Community. Redevelopment Agency (SMCRA) and Ronald J.
Cordon have agreed to terms regarding legal services and the SMCRA desires to utilize these services
for foreclosure matters.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SOUTH MIAMI COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY: .
Section 1. That the Executive Director is authorized to execute an Agreement between the
South Miami Community' Redevelopment Agency and Ronald .J..Cordon, attached as Exhibit "1," for
legal services.
Section 2. That this resolution shall be effective upon adoption:
PASSED and ADOPTED by a vote of the Board of Commissioners this day
of 2001.
CHAIRPERSON
ATTEST:
SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
GENERAL COUNSEL
i
ENGAGEMENT. AGREEMENT
This Engagement Agreement (`:`Agreement's explains the nature and scope of the legal services that
Ronald J: Cordon (" Counsel" )has agreed to perform, the fees forthese services, the mannerin which
the fees and costs are determined, acid the payment.teims.
1. Nature ofLegal Services. The SouthMiami' ConimunityRedevelopment Agency (SMCRA)
has engaged Counsel to represent the SMCRA in connectionwith Community Redevelopment Area
foreclosure matters.
2. Fees. Counsel will itemize' rofessional'fees in one -tenth (1 /10) hourly increments and bill the
SMCRA for services under this Agreement as follows:
$150:00/hour
.3. Costs. Certain expenses maybe incurred and advanced on the CRA's behalf. The CRA agrees
to p ay these expenses which may include, by way of example and not limitation, court filing fees,
deposition transcriptions, title examinations,.travel expenses, delivery charges, long distance telephone
charges, photocopies and postage. Whenever possible;. Counsel will receive authorization from the
Director of the CRA before incurring. costs greater than $500.00.
4. Payment and Fees and Costs. TheCRAwillbebilledonamonthlybasisforthetime spent on
any matter and for expenses incurred on the CRA's Behalf.
5. Termination. The CRA may discharge the Counsel from service at anytime. If Counsel is
discharged without cause,.the CRA shall be liable foi• all accrued hourly fees.
6. Commencement. Theundersignedpardes understand and agreewiththetermsofthisAgreement.
The effective date of this Agreement is January 1, 2001,: and shall terminate pursuant to paragraph 5,
above.
Ronald J. Cordon
Counsel
SOUTH NgAMI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
By:
Chairperson
Attest: .
Executive Director