Homestead CRA approves commercial and residential grants and accepts multiple property transfers

The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) of the City of Homestead approved multiple grant awards and property transfers during its April 8 meeting, voting unanimously on the recorded roll calls.

The board approved a commercial enhancement grant for Harmonic Development Inc. to install impact windows and doors on the front façade of the building at 305 Northeast Second Drive and to add a new sign. The CRA staff said the program requires a 25% match from the applicant; the project had gone to SWAC and received a recommendation for approval. "This application...is for the installation of impact windows and doors on the majority portion of the front facade," CRA staff said during the meeting.

The CRA also approved residential rehabilitation grants. One named applicant, identified in the record as Ms. Cabrera, received approval for a roof replacement grant not to exceed $20,000. Staff said Ms. Cabrera met the program's income requirements and that this particular residential grant carries no applicant match requirement.

In addition to grant approvals, the board took several property-titling actions. The CRA accepted conveyance of folio number 10-7813-037-0450 (listed in the agenda) from the City of Homestead and approved conveyance of other parcels between the CRA and the city as described in the staff reports.

All items brought before the CRA at this meeting were moved, seconded and approved by roll call votes recorded in the transcript. Board members recorded as voting "yes" on the items include Board members Davis, Cannonball, Ross, Roth (when present on a given roll call), Vice Chairman Fletcher and Chairman Lawson; counts and the names on each recorded roll call are reflected in the actions list below.

The board indicated it plans to revisit the structure of some residential grant programs in future workshops and that staff will return with proposals for changes.

Votes at a glance - Commercial enhancement grant — Harmonic Development Inc., 305 NE Second Drive. Motion moved by Board Member Avila; seconded by Board Member Cannonball. Recorded roll call: Davis, Cannonball, Ross, Vice Chairman Fletcher, Chairman Lawson — all "yes." Outcome: approved. - Residential rehabilitation grant — Ms. Cabrera (roof replacement). Grant amount not to exceed $20,000; no applicant match required. Motion moved by Board Member Cannonball; seconded by Board Member Roth. Recorded roll call: Roth, Cannonball, Davis, Vice Chairman Fletcher, Chairman Lawson — all "yes." Outcome: approved. - Residential improvement grant (Tab 4). Motion moved by Board Member Ravalos; seconded by Board Member Cannonball. Recorded roll call: Ross, Davis, Cannonball, Vice Chairman Fletcher, Chairman Lawson — all "yes." Outcome: approved. - Acceptance of real property (595 Southwest Fourth Court) conveyed from City of Homestead to the CRA (folio 10-7813-037-0450). Motion moved by Board Member Avila; seconded by Board Member Cannonball. Recorded roll call: Ron (recorded), Cannonball, Avila, Vice Chairman Fletcher, Chairman Lawson — all "yes." Outcome: approved. - Conveyance of property from the CRA to the City of Homestead (Tab 6). Motion moved by Board Member Avila; seconded by Board Member Cannonball. Recorded roll call: Davis, Cannonball, Ross, Avila, Vice Chairman Fletcher, Chairman Lawson — all "yes." Outcome: approved.

Board members and staff indicated no public comments were offered on the items during the public hearings the board opened and closed for each matter.

Background and next steps CRA staff said some residential grant components will be reexamined in upcoming workshops, possibly beginning in May, and that staff would return with detailed recommendations. The approved commercial and residential projects will move forward under the terms of the respective grant agreements and program requirements.