ANNUAL REPORT 2019 October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2019

Tel: (305) 224-4480

Fax: (305) 224-4489

cityofhomestead.com

212 NW 1st Avenue, Homestead, FL 33030

Community Redevelopment Agency

CITY

OF

HOMESTEAD

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Overview ______________________________________________________ 4

What is a CRA? __________________________________________________________ 4

What is TIF? _____________________________________________________________ 4

Homestead CRA History ___________________________________________________ 4

Homestead CRA Boundaries ______________________________________ 5

Tax Increment Revenue Comparision ________________________________ 6

Future Development _____________________________________________ 6

Community Events ______________________________________________ 8

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebrations ___________________________________________ 8

Military Appreciation Day ___________________________________________________ 8

Small Business Matchmaker ________________________________________________ 8

Grant Programs _________________________________________________ 9

Commercial Grant Program _________________________________________________ 9

Residential Grant Program _________________________________________________ 9

Not-for-Profit Organizations Support __________________________________________ 9

Cultural Arts ___________________________________________________ 10

Public Safety __________________________________________________ 11

CRA Financials ________________________________________________ 12

2

OVERVIEW

What is a CRA?

Under Florida law (Chapter 163, Part III), local governments are able to designate Community

Redevelopment Areas to assist in the elimination of slum and/or blighting conditions within the

area. A Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is a dependent taxing district established

by local government to administer activities within these designated areas.

What is TIF?

The redevelopment activities are funded primarily through Tax Increment Funding (TIF). TIF is

calculated by “freezing” the tax base in the year the CRA was established. Taxing authorities

continue to receive property tax revenues based on the frozen value. When tax revenues rise

as a result of redevelopment activities, this “increment” is deposited into the CRA Trust Fund

and dedicated to activities in the redevelopment area.

Homestead CRA History

The Homestead CRA was created in 1994 following Hurricane Andrew’s devastation. Its goal

is to fight neighborhood deterioration and eliminate blight within the designated area. Since its

inception, the CRA has implemented comprehensive strategies to promote community

redevelopment in various neighborhoods within the area, including the Historic Downtown

District.

Resolution No. 93-07-60 – Declared certain areas of the City of Homestead, Florida as slum or blighted Areas as defined in Section 163.340, Florida Statutes (1991). Resolution No. 94-07-57 – Declared itself to be a Community Redevelopment Agency under Section 163.356 and 163.357, Florida Statutes. Ordinance No. 94-06-51 - Established a Redevelopment Trust Fund entitled “The Homestead Economic and Rebuilding Organization (“HERO”) allocating the funds appropriated thereto to finance the Community Redevelopment Plan.

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HOMESTEAD CRA BOUNDARIES

The Homestead CRA designated area is located within the city limits of Miami Dade County’s

second oldest city, Homestead and encompasses the area’s historic downtown district and

Southwest Neighborhood. Homestead is an increasingly desirable place to live, work and raise

a family by offering a unique "small-town" atmosphere with all the urban amenities. The city

also boasts its proximity to two national parks. Ten miles west of Homestead is the wealth of

natural beauty of the Everglades National Park. The Everglades are home to vast mangrove

forests and watery saw grass plains. The Everglades are truly a subtropical wilderness that

shelters alligators, ibis, eagles, manatees, and panthers. East of the city is Biscayne National

Park which encompasses the bay, barrier islands, and coral reefs. Just south of the city are the

Florida Key’s with an abundance of recreational activities.

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TAX INCREMENT REVENUE COMPARISON

1993 BASE YEAR $ 85,619,084.00

YEAR TAXABLE VALUE PERCENTAGE INCREASE

2019 $ 401,692,389.00 469.16%

2018 $ 359,734,642.00 420.16%

2017 $ 339,497,907.00 396.52%

2016 $ 321,731,798.00 375.77%

2015 $ 321,731,798.00 375.77%

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

During fiscal year 2019, the City and the CRA continued

the redevelopment of Historic Downtown Homestead.

The CRA works in concert with the City of Homestead,

Miami-Dade County, the State of Florida, and the federal

government to increase area economic development,

create jobs, develop projects and plans that improve the

quality of life for CRA residents. The three major

Downtown projects are: Homestead Station, a multimodal transit center; Losner Park

expansion that will transform a quaint pocket park into a world-class destination; and the

Homestead Cybrarium, a 22nd century library that merges modern technology with traditional

library services.

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Construction began on the Homestead

Cybrarium in 2019. The CRA funded

management consultants, professional, and

legal services related to the purchase of the

property. The Cybrarium promises to bring

excitement back to literacy and learning.

CRA sponsored a Construction Job Fair hosted

at the Phichol Williams Community Center. Attendees met with multiple companies

representing various trades that will help build the Homestead Cybrarium, located in Downtown

Homestead. Participants also learned about requirements and incentives for Disadvantage

Business Enterprises (DBE).

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

CRA sponsored the Homestead’s Annual Martin Luther

King, Jr. Celebrations held on Saturday, January 19, 2019.

The celebrations included a breakfast, the traditional MLK

day parade, and a Gospel music festival.

The CRA and the City of Homestead held the annual Military

Appreciation Day on Saturday, May 11, 2019. Military

Appreciation Day was the kick-off to Military Appreciation Month,

in which all Homestead residents are encouraged to honor our

military. The event gave citizens the opportunity to express

appreciation to men and women from all military branches that put

their lives on the line for our country. Downtown Homestead

hosted military displays, an obstacle course competition, and an

all day party with live music and food trucks. The event was free

and included entertainment for the whole family.

These events serves to bolster community engagement and preserve the arts and culture within

the CRA.

Homestead CRA hosted the Small Business Matchmaker event at

Phichol Williams. This was an excellent opportunity for small

business owners to connect with lenders and business marketing

experts. There was also workshop for individuals wishing to learn

how to start and operate a small business.

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GRANT PROGRAMS

Commercial Grant Program

The CRA Commercial Enhancement Grant program is for the improvement or rehabilitation of

the interior and/or exterior of existing qualified commercial buildings, and for businesses’

relocation to and expansion within the City's CRA district, including but not limited to the

removal of architectural barriers that improve access for people with disabilities. During fiscal

year 2019, CRA staff continued their effort to complete all open grants.

Residential Grant Program

The CRA in conjunction with the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

continued offering residents in the CRA financial assistance to: improve properties’ façade,

increase safety and accessibility, improve curb appeal, and raise home values. During fiscal

year 2019, CRA staff continued their effort to complete all open grants.

Not-For-Profit Support

CRA allocated $150,000 to assist Not-for-Profit organizations that serve CRA residents and the

CRA community. A committee was appointed to review and rank the applications. After the

review process, the Committee made recommendations to the Board to award the funds. Below

is a list of organizations that participated in the program and the amounts that were awarded in

FY 2018- 2019:

AWARD

1 Seminole Cultural Arts Theatre, Inc. 35,000.00$

2 DIBIA Dream 47,000.00$

3 Mexican American Council (MAC) 38,000.00$

4 Greater Miami Youth for Christ (KIX) 30,000.00$

TOTAL 150,000.00$

NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

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Funding provided jobs for adults and youth and STEM, music and arts education.

CULTURAL ARTS

The CRA supported Homestead’s local theater through its Not-for-Profit grant program.

Seminole Theater was originally built in 1921 and is in the heart of the CRA district. The theater

reopened after being closed nearly 40 years and now serves as the City’s and CRA’s

entertainment hub. This programming has been a proven economic stimulus for the area.

In 2019, the Theatre presented the Broadway musical show “Aida” nominated for five Tony

Awards and won four including Best Original Score and Best Performance by a Leading

Actress, and was also named by Time Magazine as one of the top ten theatre productions of

the year. Also, the Theatre presented “The Little Mermaid”, winner of two Tony Awards for Best

Original Score and Best Lighting Design of a Musical and one Grammy for Best Musical Show

Album. CRA joined the Friends of the Historic Seminole Theatre to present this family-friendly

summer production series. Residents of Homestead had the opportunity to audition and enjoy

these well-known delighted productions. Two (2) performances were provided for free to Not-

for-Profit organizations from the area as part of their Summer Programs which were funded in

part by the CRA.

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PUBLIC SAFETY

In further efforts to eliminate slum and blight, the Code Enforcement Department cited 642 CRA residents during FY 2019. Some of the most frequent violations were:

Overgrown Grass ▪ Illegal Advertising

Accumulation of Garbage, Trash, & Junk ▪ Business License Violation

Fence in Need of Repair ▪ Abandoned Vehicles

Non-Permitted Work ▪ Littered Condition

Structure in need of paint ▪ Improper garbage disposal

The Police Unit participated in several activities within the CRA:

45 community events

57 meetings/presentations to associations, schools, neighborhood crime watch

53 business were contacted

542 primary calls were received from the CRA Area

362 backup calls were responded

11 arrests were made

31 field interview reports

1 enforcement sweep

25 incident reports were generated

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CRA FINANCES

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Special District Accountability Program ID

Registered Agent

Mailing Address

Office Address

Telephone

Fax

Em

ail

We

bsit

e

County (ies)

Local Governing

Authority Date

Created / Established

Creation Documents

Board Selection

Authority to Issue Bonds

Revenue

Most Recent Update

Total number of Activities started

Total number of Activities

completed Current Year Taxable

Value in CRA Actual expended

increment revenue Base Year

Taxable Value in CRA Current

Year Tax Increment Value

Total amount expended for low and middle income affordable housing

The following is a summary of this community redevelopment agency's achievement of its redevelopment

plan's goals.

493

Kametra Driver

100 Civic Court, Homestead, FL 33030

212 NW 1st Avenue, Homestead, FL 33030

(305) 224-4480

(305) 224-4489

kdriver@cityofhomestead.com

cityofhomestead.com

Miami-Dade

City of Homestead

Thursday, September 16, 1993

County Ordinances 93-07-69 and R93-06-66; City Ordinance 2007-03-07; City Code Section 2-2200

Identical to Local Governing Authority

Yes

Tax Increment Financing

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

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3

$ 401,692,389.00

$ 2,353,207.53

$ 85,619,084.00

$ 316,073,305.00

$ -

ACHIEVEMENT CRA PLAN PAGE

Community Engagement 17

Community Policing 0

Economic Development 18

Economic Development 18

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ACTIVITIES SUMMARY ($1,522,153)

LEGEND

Community Engagement

Community Policing

Economic Development (Started)

Economic Development (Completed)

$464,515

$256,511 $260,296

$540,831

$0

$100,000

$200,000

$300,000

$400,000

$500,000

$600,000

Community Engagement Community Policing Economic Development Economic Development

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FINANCIAL REPORT

FY 18-19 FY 18-19

Revenues Budget Budget

Adopted Actuals

$1,540,034 $1,540,034

$1,200,948 $1,200,948

$923,153 $0

$18,000 $38,509

$9,000 $75,791

Revenues Total $3,691,135 $2,855,282

Expenditures

Administrative Expenditures:

Employee Salary and Fringe $276,007 $268,826

Contractual Services $63,000 $29,158

Insurance $24,799 $22,927

Audits and Studies $0 $0

Printing and publishing $1,000 $984

Marketing $0 $0

Advertising and Notices $7,000 $1,323

Travel & Training $10,000 $19,494

Rent/Lease Costs $3,583 $2,867

Equipment (Other than Office) $0 $0

Office Equipment and Furniture $0 $0

Other Administrative Expenses $187,959 $180,980

Subtotal Admin. Expenses $573,348 $526,559

County Administrative Charge at 1.5% $18,014 $18,014

(A) Total Adm Exp & County Charges $591,362 $544,573

Operating Expenditures:

Employee Salary and Fringe $184,005 $179,218

Contractual Services $247,500 $346,923

Insurance $21,506 $21,506

Audits and Studies $0 $0

Printing and Publishing $0 $0

Marketing $60,000 $13,858

Legal Services/Court Costs $50,000 $453,450

$0 $0

Land/Building Acquisitions $0 $0

Infrastructure Improvements $0 $0

Building Construction & Improvement $1,765,000 $91,880

Debt Service Payments $0 $0

Grants Programs $150,000 $150,000

Public Safety $269,424 $256,511

Other Operating Expenses $335,645 $295,288

(B) Total Operating Expenses $3,083,080 $1,808,634

(C) Reserve/Contingency $16,693 $0

Expenditures Total (A+B+C) $3,691,135 $2,353,207

$0 $502,075

City Tax Increment Revenue

**Cash Position

Interest on Investment

Miscellaneous Revenues

Architect/Engineer Fees

County Tax Increment Revenue

Approp/Retain Earnings

*Not audited.