OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Omni CRA Meeting Summary - May 28, 2026: Grants, Affordable Housing, and Property Activations Approved

Meeting PortalThursday, May 28, 2026
BodyMiami, Florida
SessionMeeting Portal
DateThursday, May 28, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 11:02
Transcript — Verbatim
0:47

We're good to go.

0:48

We're good to go.

0:48

Great.

0:49

Good morning, everyone.

0:50

I'm calling to order the May 28, 2026 Omni CRA meeting.

0:54

Is there a motion to approve the minutes for April 23rd, 2026 omni CRA?

0:59

Motion.

1:00

All in favor.

1:01

Aye.

1:02

Motion carries.

1:04

Madam Assistant City Attorney, please briefly read the agenda items for CRA resolutions one through four.

1:11

Sorry about that, Javi.

1:12

You're not a madam, sir.

1:15

Let's okay, not offended.

1:17

Please read them into the record.

1:21

So the first resolution is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Omni CRA by a four-fifths affirmative vote after an advertised public hearing.

1:29

Uh approving ratifying approving and confirming the executive director's recommendation finding attached and incorporated as exhibit A that competitive negotiation methods and procedures are not practical or advantageous to the CRA pursuing sections 1885 and 186 of the city code, uh waiving the requirements for competitive bidding, uh allocating an amount of grant funds from CRA's fiscal year 25-26 budget in an amount not to exceed 200,000 dollars to Florida Film House International to help underwrite the costs associated with job skills trainings and employment opportunities associated with grantees first take youth film programsee library located at 100 Northwest 17th Street Miami, Florida.

2:08

Uh the second resolution is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners Omni CRA by four-fifths vote, a ratifying, approving, and confirming the executive director's recommendation and finding attached to incorporated exhibit A that competitive negotiation methods and procedures are not practical or advantageous to the CRA pursuant to sections 1885 and 1886 of the City Code of Miami.

2:29

Um authorizing allocation of funds and amount not to exceed 1,700,000 dollars to EWB holdings of Florida Limited Liability Company, contingent upon the 80 80 percent completion of the mixed income development project located at 1433 Northwest First Court and 1435 Northwest First Court as approved pursuant to previous CRA resolutions uh CRAR-25-0029 adopted on June 26, 2025 to underwrite costs associated with the construction and development of a multi-generational family center duplex affordable housing project located at 1695 Northwest First Court, consisting of two five-bedroom units at or below 70 percent of the area medium income.

3:12

Um the next the third resolution is a resolution of the board is uh commissioners of the omni CRA authorizing the executive director to initiate the activation of unused and underutilized spaces located within the boundaries of CRA at 50 Northwest 14th Street for short-term community cultural commercial entrepreneurial, artistic, educational, and other temporary activations open to the public, authorizing the executive director to develop guidelines for a temporary use of the property on a first come first served basis, uh authorizing the executive director to proceed with any necessary build-out improvements, modifications, furnishings, and related work uh required for the initiative, subject to all necessary budgetary approvals at the time of need, authorizing the executive director to negotiate and collect fees, rent, deposits, and other cost recovery amounts based on the type and nature of the activation, um, providing that any proceeds derived from the temporary activations may be utilized to assist with building maintenance security, utilities, upkeep, and related property expenses until final determinations made regarding the future use of the property and the final resolutions or resolution of the board of commissioners and the omni CRA by four-fifths vote, uh ratifying approving and confirming the executive director's recommendation and finding attached to incorporated exhibit a the competitive negotiation methods and procedures are not practical or advantageous to the CRA after the expiration of the 30-day notice for the disposition of any real property or interest therein in the CRA's redevelopment area pursuant to section 163.380 floor statutes authorizing executive director to negotiate and execute a sub-lease agreement in a form acceptable to general counsel with winwood house cuts, a floor limited liability company for approximately 1,635 square feet of retail and or commercial space located on the property identified by folio number 013125 100 0010, also referred to as winwood works for a rental amount not to exceed $8,000 per month for a term approved by the executive director.

5:14

Thank you.

5:15

The public comment period is now open for all items, all resolutions on today's agenda.

5:24

Hi you do, my name is Marco Mall Mullenette.

5:27

I was like to say thank you.

5:28

Um I do the first Take Youth Film Program at Dorsey Library.

5:31

Um it's been going ongoing now.

5:33

Um we're on our 11th year.

5:36

Um we've had the support of Commissioner Christine King, Commissioner Pardo, and many others in the past, Commissioner Keon Hardeman, especially from the beginning, who believed in us and helped us actually structure our company and build it to be what it is.

5:47

We um last year were able to give 11 scholarships out to kids helping them go to college and some one of them went to the military, which is still great success for him.

5:55

Um and this year we're hoping to do 12 scholarships, and we put quite a bit of kids into the film industry, and it's been a great program, and I just really appreciate the support of the city getting behind and supporting some of the kids from the inner city.

6:06

Thank you.

6:07

Thank you.

6:10

Any other public comments?

6:17

Um chairman, thank you.

6:19

Bobby Sanchez with the Florida Grand Opera.

6:22

Um like to congratulate the board and the executive director on the item with the Mick.

6:27

It's been a long time coming.

6:29

Uh, as many of you have known and met with us and our organization over the years, you know, we've been really looking for short-term space in the area.

6:38

That is the area that we operate in, and any type of assistance that we could receive in the short term to make sure that we have the ability to operate nearby our home, which is the Adrian R Center, will be greatly appreciated, and we look forward to working with all of you and working with the executive director, and hopefully it'll be a great benefit to the community in sustaining a very great cultural environment there.

7:02

Thank you very much.

7:02

Thank you.

7:04

Sir, good morning, everyone.

7:06

My name is Ramon Valentin, and I am the owner of Winwood House Cuts LLC.

7:10

I want to take a moment to sincerely thank you for taking my business into consideration and helping making it a reality for our Winwood community.

7:18

But today I'm standing here to thank you for something bigger and more meaningful than my business.

7:24

I wanted to thank you for all the affordable housing that you are bringing together to our city.

7:30

A year and a half ago, um, I had my mom and my dad at the hospital at the same time.

7:36

And besides the medical challenges that I was facing, I was also going through a situation that I couldn't afford a three-bedroom apartment for us.

7:44

Um, I immediately started looking for help.

7:46

I reached out to you, Damian via Instagram, and you advised me to contact your office where I find out more in deep about the Winwood work communities in Winwood.

7:58

I immediately um put my mom's name in the loader, and she was the number one winner for 30% AMI apartment.

8:06

Wow.

8:07

Um, we're talking about $680 for a one-bedroom.

8:12

Um, my father and my mom had a place to go home.

8:16

Unfortunately, my father is no longer with us, however, on behalf of my mother and my lay father, and the 120 families that live in Winwood work.

8:26

I wanted to thank you all for their great job that you were doing, bringing more affordable housing to our city who's really needed, and we are deeply grateful for that.

8:36

Thank you so much to all of you.

8:38

Thank you.

8:41

So, any other public comment?

8:44

Second public comments.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████45%
Affordable Housing█████████████████████████████████████████████45%
Arts And Culture██████████10%
Summary of Proceedings

Omni CRA Meeting Summary - May 28, 2026\n\nThe Omni Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners held a meeting on May 28, 2026, beginning at approximately 9:00 AM (recorded start time). The board unanimously approved all four resolutions on the agenda, which included funding for job training programs, an affordable housing development, property activation guidelines, and a retail sub-lease agreement. The meeting included public comments from community members and business owners expressing gratitude for the CRA's support of affordable housing and youth programs.\n\n### Consent Calendar\n- The board approved the minutes from the April 23, 2026 Omni CRA meeting by a voice vote with all in favor.\n\n### Public Comments & Testimony\n- Marco Mullenette (representing First Take Youth Film Program at Dorsey Library): Thanked the board for 11 years of support, reported that the program awarded 11 scholarships last year (with one recipient joining the military), and noted plans for 12 scholarships this year. He expressed appreciation for the city's support of inner-city youth.\n- Bobby Sanchez (Florida Grand Opera): Congratulated the board and executive director on the item regarding unused/underutilized spaces, stating the organization has sought short-term space in the area for years. He expressed hope that the partnership would benefit the community and sustain the cultural environment.\n- Ramon Valentin (Owner of Winwood House Cuts LLC): Thanked the board for considering his business and for the affordable housing being brought to the community. He shared a personal story about his parents' housing struggles, noting that his mother was able to secure a 30% AMI one-bedroom apartment for $680 per month through the Winwood Work Communities. He thanked the board on behalf of his mother, late father, and 120 families living in Winwood Work.\n- Dr. Bestman (Owner of property at 1433-1435 NW 1st Court): Expressed deep gratitude to the city and commissioners for acting on their stated beliefs in affordable housing. She stated she was born across the street from the property and is grateful to provide decent, stable affordable housing for the Overtown community.\n\n### Discussion Items\n- Resolution 1 (CRA Funding for First Take Youth Film Program): Approved a grant of up to $200,000 from the FY 25-26 budget to Florida Film House International to underwrite job skills trainings and employment opportunities associated with the First Take Youth Film Program at the Dorsey Library (100 NW 17th Street). Awarded by a four-fifths affirmative vote after an advertised public hearing, waiving competitive bidding requirements per city code.\n- Resolution 2 (Affordable Housing Development Funding): Approved allocation of up to $1,700,000 to EWB Holdings of Florida LLC, contingent upon 80% completion of the mixed-income development at 1433-1435 NW 1st Court. Funds will underwrite construction of a multi-generational family center duplex with two five-bedroom units at or below 70% AMI, located at 1695 NW 1st Court. Awarded by a four-fifths vote, waiving competitive bidding.\n- Resolution 3 (Activation of Unused/Underutilized Spaces): Authorized the executive director to activate unused/underutilized spaces within the CRA boundaries at 50 NW 14th Street for short-term community cultural, commercial, entrepreneurial, artistic, educational, and other temporary uses open to the public. The executive director is authorized to develop guidelines for first-come, first-served use, proceed with necessary build-out improvements, and negotiate fees, rent, deposits, and cost recovery amounts. Proceeds may be used for building maintenance, security, utilities, and related expenses until a final determination on the property's future use is made.\n- Resolution 4 (Sub-Lease Agreement with Winwood House Cuts LLC): Approved a sub-lease agreement with Winwood House Cuts LLC for approximately 1,635 square feet of retail/commercial space (folio #0131251000010, also referred to as Winwood Works) at a rental amount not to exceed $8,000 per month, for a term approved by the executive director. Authorized by a four-fifths vote after a 30-day notice for disposition of real property per Florida Statutes §163.380.\n\n### Key Outcomes\n- All four resolutions (1 through 4) were approved unanimously by voice vote with no discussion.\n- Funding commitments: $200,000 for youth film job training; up to $1,700,000 for affordable housing construction.\n- Public comment period was opened and closed with no further comments after the four speakers.\n- The meeting was adjourned immediately after the vote.

Meeting Transcript

We're good to go. We're good to go. Great. Good morning, everyone. I'm calling to order the May 28, 2026 Omni CRA meeting. Is there a motion to approve the minutes for April 23rd, 2026 omni CRA? Motion. All in favor. Aye. Motion carries. Madam Assistant City Attorney, please briefly read the agenda items for CRA resolutions one through four. Sorry about that, Javi. You're not a madam, sir. Let's okay, not offended. Please read them into the record. So the first resolution is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Omni CRA by a four-fifths affirmative vote after an advertised public hearing. Uh approving ratifying approving and confirming the executive director's recommendation finding attached and incorporated as exhibit A that competitive negotiation methods and procedures are not practical or advantageous to the CRA pursuing sections 1885 and 186 of the city code, uh waiving the requirements for competitive bidding, uh allocating an amount of grant funds from CRA's fiscal year 25-26 budget in an amount not to exceed 200,000 dollars to Florida Film House International to help underwrite the costs associated with job skills trainings and employment opportunities associated with grantees first take youth film programsee library located at 100 Northwest 17th Street Miami, Florida. Uh the second resolution is a resolution of the Board of Commissioners Omni CRA by four-fifths vote, a ratifying, approving, and confirming the executive director's recommendation and finding attached to incorporated exhibit A that competitive negotiation methods and procedures are not practical or advantageous to the CRA pursuant to sections 1885 and 1886 of the City Code of Miami. Um authorizing allocation of funds and amount not to exceed 1,700,000 dollars to EWB holdings of Florida Limited Liability Company, contingent upon the 80 80 percent completion of the mixed income development project located at 1433 Northwest First Court and 1435 Northwest First Court as approved pursuant to previous CRA resolutions uh CRAR-25-0029 adopted on June 26, 2025 to underwrite costs associated with the construction and development of a multi-generational family center duplex affordable housing project located at 1695 Northwest First Court, consisting of two five-bedroom units at or below 70 percent of the area medium income. Um the next the third resolution is a resolution of the board is uh commissioners of the omni CRA authorizing the executive director to initiate the activation of unused and underutilized spaces located within the boundaries of CRA at 50 Northwest 14th Street for short-term community cultural commercial entrepreneurial, artistic, educational, and other temporary activations open to the public, authorizing the executive director to develop guidelines for a temporary use of the property on a first come first served basis, uh authorizing the executive director to proceed with any necessary build-out improvements, modifications, furnishings, and related work uh required for the initiative, subject to all necessary budgetary approvals at the time of need, authorizing the executive director to negotiate and collect fees, rent, deposits, and other cost recovery amounts based on the type and nature of the activation, um, providing that any proceeds derived from the temporary activations may be utilized to assist with building maintenance security, utilities, upkeep, and related property expenses until final determinations made regarding the future use of the property and the final resolutions or resolution of the board of commissioners and the omni CRA by four-fifths vote, uh ratifying approving and confirming the executive director's recommendation and finding attached to incorporated exhibit a the competitive negotiation methods and procedures are not practical or advantageous to the CRA after the expiration of the 30-day notice for the disposition of any real property or interest therein in the CRA's redevelopment area pursuant to section 163.380 floor statutes authorizing executive director to negotiate and execute a sub-lease agreement in a form acceptable to general counsel with winwood house cuts, a floor limited liability company for approximately 1,635 square feet of retail and or commercial space located on the property identified by folio number 013125 100 0010, also referred to as winwood works for a rental amount not to exceed $8,000 per month for a term approved by the executive director. Thank you. The public comment period is now open for all items, all resolutions on today's agenda. Hi you do, my name is Marco Mall Mullenette. I was like to say thank you. Um I do the first Take Youth Film Program at Dorsey Library. Um it's been going ongoing now. Um we're on our 11th year. Um we've had the support of Commissioner Christine King, Commissioner Pardo, and many others in the past, Commissioner Keon Hardeman, especially from the beginning, who believed in us and helped us actually structure our company and build it to be what it is. We um last year were able to give 11 scholarships out to kids helping them go to college and some one of them went to the military, which is still great success for him. Um and this year we're hoping to do 12 scholarships, and we put quite a bit of kids into the film industry, and it's been a great program, and I just really appreciate the support of the city getting behind and supporting some of the kids from the inner city. Thank you. Thank you. Any other public comments? Um chairman, thank you. Bobby Sanchez with the Florida Grand Opera. Um like to congratulate the board and the executive director on the item with the Mick. It's been a long time coming. Uh, as many of you have known and met with us and our organization over the years, you know, we've been really looking for short-term space in the area. That is the area that we operate in, and any type of assistance that we could receive in the short term to make sure that we have the ability to operate nearby our home, which is the Adrian R Center, will be greatly appreciated, and we look forward to working with all of you and working with the executive director, and hopefully it'll be a great benefit to the community in sustaining a very great cultural environment there. Thank you very much. Thank you. Sir, good morning, everyone. My name is Ramon Valentin, and I am the owner of Winwood House Cuts LLC. I want to take a moment to sincerely thank you for taking my business into consideration and helping making it a reality for our Winwood community. But today I'm standing here to thank you for something bigger and more meaningful than my business. I wanted to thank you for all the affordable housing that you are bringing together to our city. A year and a half ago, um, I had my mom and my dad at the hospital at the same time. And besides the medical challenges that I was facing, I was also going through a situation that I couldn't afford a three-bedroom apartment for us. Um, I immediately started looking for help. I reached out to you, Damian via Instagram, and you advised me to contact your office where I find out more in deep about the Winwood work communities in Winwood.

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