City of Miami Housing & Commercial Loan Committee Meeting – September 30, 2026

The Housing and Commercial Loan Committee (HCLC) convened on September 30, 2026, at 14:15. The meeting included introductions of new board members, approval of prior meeting minutes, discussion and votes on six funding items, a modification request, and an ethics training presentation.

Roll Call & Opening

• Present: Patricia Royal, Bill Ramos, Kevin Deeb, Ben Fernandez, Gregory Gay, Pierre Rutledge, Annie Lord, David Snow, Munir Daniel, Brandon Cook, Armando Caso. Also present: Raymond Bedate (City Attorney).
• Lobbyist notification was read.
• Minutes of the July 15, 2026, meeting were approved on a motion by Annie Lord, seconded by Gregory Gay.

Discussion Items

Item 2 – 750-754 Northwest Street Building Repairs

• Staff requested $250,000 in CDBG funds to correct building deficiencies required for a 40/10-year recertification. The building, over 50 years old, is owned by the city and was foreclosed upon in 2017 after previous HOME funding issues.
• Property Manager Delilah Pinhasov reported that a structural/electrical inspection was conducted two weeks prior, but a detailed repair list from the architectural firm is still pending. The $250,000 is an initial estimate; staff will return with precise costs.
• Discussion: Board members questioned the basis for the amount given no punch list yet. Previous allocations of $350,000 (200,000 in Dec 2023 and 150,000 in Sep 2024) were noted as already spent. The building is occupied; some vacant units may allow temporary relocation if needed.
• Key Outcome: Motion to approve $250,000 (by [member], seconded by Gregory Gay) passed. Staff must provide detailed repair breakdown later.

Item 3 – Greater St. Paul AME / Dragonfly Investment – 3574 William Avenue

• The project (two buildings: four-unit and duplex, all rental at 50-65% AMI) is 60% complete. An additional $250,000 was requested due to foundation issues discovered in the duplex (75% of structure needing rebuild) and historic preservation window requirements.
• Dragonfly representative Amanda De Seta explained that the duplex lacked a proper foundation, requiring demolition and new construction. The front units are nearly finished; one tenant recently passed away.
• Key Outcome: Motion to approve $250,000 (by [member], seconded by Gregory Gay) passed.

Item 4 – River Place (JMR 1890 LLC) – Funding Swap

• Staff recommended deobligating $1,634,420 in HOME funds previously approved for this project and replacing them with District 3 public benefit funds from the same pot. Developer Julio Rodriguez confirmed the project is ready to go; permit renewal expected in November.
• Key Outcome: Motion to approve the swap (by Ben Fernandez, seconded by Annie Lord) passed unanimously.

Item 5 – Station 27 – Partial Funding Swap

• The project at 2815 SW 27th Terrace (15 units, mixed-income, plus commercial space) had $1,697,110 in HOME funds approved in 2025. Staff identified $600,000 in replacement funds ($400,000 in GO bonds and $200,000 from a settlement) to partially deobligate HOME funds. The remaining gap will be brought back in November; the developer is under construction and using own resources.
• Discussion: Board member requested more documentation and deferred information; but after clarifying the need to move quickly, the motion carried.
• Key Outcome: Motion to approve the $600,000 partial swap (by Gregory Gay, seconded by David Snow) passed. Staff will return for the balance.

Item 6 – SG Little Havana – Funding Swap

• To accommodate the River Place swap, $1,634,420 in HOME funds was moved from SG Little Havana (previously $4M HOME + $4M public benefit) to River Place, and an equal amount of public benefit moved back to SG Little Havana. Total $8M funding for SG Little Havana unchanged.
• Michael Leu (Swire Glow Group) confirmed all 300 senior units are below 80% AMI, with 172 HOME-assisted units targeting very low income.
• Key Outcome: Motion to approve the swap (by Armando Caso, seconded by Annie Lord) passed.

Item C – Hideaway Bay (Miami-Dade Homeless Trust) – Scope Modification

• The Homeless Trust requested modifying the loan agreement for the hotel-to-housing conversion (Hideaway Bay, 10821 Caribbean Blvd). The city’s $8 million in HOME-ARP funds, originally approved for acquisition and kitchenette installation, will now be used solely for acquisition; kitchenette work will be covered by other county funds. The property (107 units, 57 city-assisted, all senior) is fully leased.
• Executive Director Vicki Millette: “One out of every four people entering homelessness is 55+.” The kitchenettes will be installed without displacing tenants.
• Key Outcome: Motion to approve the scope modification (by [member], seconded) passed.

Ethics Presentation

• Raymond Bedate (City Attorney) delivered a mandatory ethics refresher covering Florida Sunshine Law, voting conflicts, gifts, public records, and parliamentary procedure. Board members were reminded of an upcoming ethics certification on October 6, 2026, and requirements to file financial interest statements.

Key Outcomes Summary

• All funding requests and swaps were approved as recommended by staff.
• The committee directed staff to provide detailed cost breakdowns for the NW Street building repairs.
• No additional funding was approved beyond the amounts stated.
• The next regular meeting will be scheduled per committee rules.