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Home My WebLink About2025-03-11 CRA Board Regular Meeting Minutes DANIA BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2025 – 6:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order/Roll Call Chair Ryan called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present: Chair: Joyce L. Davis Vice-Chair: Marco A. Salvino, Sr. Board Members: Lori Lewellen Luis Rimoli A. J. Ryan, IC Executive Director: K. Michael Chen City Attorney: Eve Boutsis CRA Secretary: Elora Riera, MMC 2. Citizen Comments The following spoke under citizens’ comments: - Linda Wilson – 1547 Adams Street, Hollywood, FL - Sherryl Robinson – address not provided 3. Administrative Reports 3.1 Administrative Report Executive Director Chen presented his administrative report that was provided to the Board in their packets. He touched on the following topics: - Guy Harvey public art mural for the Dania Beach Arts & Entertainment District o consensus to continue conversations - Dania Beach Casino Outreach to Hotels o consensus for the initiative to bring the hotels together with the casino - The PATCH o Harvest celebration o Fresh food boxes o Love Our Nation Minutes of Regular Meeting Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Tuesday, March 11, 2025 – 6:00 p.m. 2 Business Manager Krystal Permanan provided an overview of the BRAVO visits she performed which were outlined in the administrative report within the agenda packet provided to the Board. 4. Presentations There were no presentations. 5. Consent Agenda Board member Lewellen made a motion to approve the consent agenda minus 5.3 and 5.4. The motion was seconded by Board member Rimoli which carried unanimously on voice vote. 5.1 Minutes: February 11, 2025 CRA Board Meeting Approved under consent. 5.2 Travel Requests: None. 5.3 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-CRA-______ A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (“CRA”) OF THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA, TRANSFERRING THE CRA TO BE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; FURTHER, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. This item was pulled from consent. City Attorney Boutsis read the title of the resolution into the record and introduced the item. She stated that the person who would be the head of the department would be from the office of the City Manager and Mr. Chen would become a director. Mr. Chen is not losing his job and his salary and benefits would remain the same. Item 5.4 is just changing the contract to reflect that his title would change. Board member Ryan asked Chair Davis commented that and asked who would be responsible for the hiring and firing the CRA Director and City Attorney Boutsis responded that it would be the office of the City Manager. Chair Davis asked those who voted in favor at the last meeting what their expectations were for having the department under the city. Board member Rimoli stated that he made he expectations clear at the last meeting. The city and who the director would report to would be daily monitoring that position and department rather than the board doing it once a month. It would be more efficient for any issues or directions be brought up on a daily basis so they can be monitored more closely. In his opinion, it has not worked over the years. The resources would open up significantly if CRA were moved under the Minutes of Regular Meeting Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Tuesday, March 11, 2025 – 6:00 p.m. 3 city and the CRA and the city can work cohesively together. He provided an example of businesses expressing concerns about things that the city is already working to correct and had the CRA been working with the city, it wouldn’t have been brought up. Board member Lewellen commented that in conjunction with what Board member Rimoli that again similar to the last meeting, there were topics discussed that are already being addressed by the city and the CRA is not aware of those things. Vice Chair Salvino believes that everything would be more efficient working together. He feels that making this change and having the opportunity to work together will make us a better city. Board member Ryan commented that he is all for the collaboration but it is their job as commissioners is to communicate with the CRA and between the CRA and the city and it is not a competition. If this is moved under the City Manager, the board will have no say in who will be the CRA Director and who they will be working with. He is not comfortable with those decisions. He feels that it is necessary to have the CRA separate from City management. The CRA is taking leaps and bounds and the improvements are visible. He feels that a change like this should require a 4/5 vote instead of a 3-2 vote and he wishes they had more time to discuss it. Chair Davis agreed with Board member Ryan and stated that it sounds like a communication issue and communication can always be improved between the CRA and the City. She believes that it is the board’s job to provide direction, communication and a vision to the CRA. Mr. Chen now has the staff to move in a positive direction. Adding another department under the city manager is a lot. Board member Rimoli clarified that they are not eliminating the CRA board and there will still be meetings and there will still be oversight as to their roles as elected officials for the CRA. Board member Rimoli made a motion to approve the resolution. The motion was seconded by Board member Lewellen which was carried 3-2 on roll call vote with Board member Lewellen, Board member Rimoli, and Vice Chair Salvino voting yes and Board member Ryan and Chair Davis voting no. 5.4 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-CRA-______ A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE DANIA BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (“CRA”), OF THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY COMMISSION TO ENTER INTO AN AMENDMENT TO THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT FOR MICHAEL CHEN; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; FURTHER, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. City Attorney Boutsis read the title of the resolution and introduced the item. This item was discussed with item #5.3. Board member Lewellen made a motion to approve the item. The motion was seconded by Board member Rimoli which carried 5-0 on roll call vote. Minutes of Regular Meeting Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Tuesday, March 11, 2025 – 6:00 p.m. 4 6. Proposals and Bids There were no proposals on this agenda. 7. Discussion and Possible Action 7.1 Commercial Façade Grant – 250 South Federal Highway Board member Ryan made a motion to extend the meeting by 7 minutes. The motion was seconded by Vice Chair Salvino which carried unanimously on voice vote. Executive Director Chen introduced the item. Board member Ryan made a motion to approve the item. The motion was seconded by Board member Rimoli which carried unanimously on voice vote. 8. Information Items There were no information items. 9. Board Member Comments Board member Lewellen commented that she would like to reschedule the March 13th workshop to allow the new team to work together and prepare. Board member Lewellen made a motion to reschedule the workshop meeting. Board member Ryan seconded the motion which carried 5-0 on roll call vote. Board member Rimoli had nothing to report. Board member Ryan commended Krystal on her efforts with the BRAVO visits. Vice Chair Salvino had nothing to report. Chair Davis echoed Board member Ryan’s comments and thanked Executive Director Chen for the Guy Harvey prospect. 10. Adjournment Chair Davis adjourned the meeting at 7:05 p.m. Minutes of Regular Meeting Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Tuesday, March 11, 2025 – 6:00 p.m. 5 ATTEST: COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ELORA RIERA, MMC JOYCE L. DAVIS CRA SECRETARY CHAIR – CRA Approved: April 8, 2025