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North Miami CRA advisory board signals support for Police Athletic League renovation but takes no formal vote
Summary
Board members expressed support for a proposed $150,000 contribution to renovate the Knights of Columbus JC Hall for the North Miami Police Athletic League, but the item was discussion-only; staff will check CRA budget capacity and return with a formal approval item if directed.
At the May meeting, members of the North Miami CRA advisory board discussed financing a renovation of the Knights of Columbus JC Hall in Griffin Park to provide space for the North Miami Police Athletic League, which serves disadvantaged youth in the city.
The chair outlined that the PAL has operated in multiple locations and now needs seed or matching funds to secure a construction loan to renovate the leased hall at Griffin Park. Staff said the funding gap is $150,000; earlier conversations with the city had contemplated a 75/75 split between city and CRA, but a subsequent council discussion shifted the full $150,000 ask to the CRA. “That has not yet been discussed by the CRA board, which is where a CRA business should be discussed,” the executive director said, adding that the CRA could provide $75,000 but must review whether an additional $75,000 can be found in the budget.
A long-serving board member who described starting the Police Athletic League in 1992 urged strong support and stressed the program’s role in mentoring youth. “You have my support on it,” the member said. Members generally expressed willingness to back the project if money exists, but staff and the chair made clear the item was a discussion and not an action item; staff will carry the committee’s consensus to the CRA board and return an item for formal approval if directed.
Because no vote was taken, the CRA has not committed funds; the next procedural step is for staff to review the CRA budget and either pursue the recommended match or bring a formal approval request back to the advisory board and the CRA board.
