Okay, so we will recess our commission meeting and open up our community route about our CRA meeting Vice chair aren't here or member Gordon Here for member newborn Here for member but who here and chair long again here Okay, are there any changes, additions or deletions from anyone. Not from... here. Or remember but who? Here. And Chair Lonergan. Here. Okay. Are there any changes, additions or deletions from anyone? Not from me, Mayor. No, sir. No. No, not one. Nothing. Great. Mr. Ebert, we have a presentation. Thank you very much, Board Chair. Yes, we do. all on our economic development expert and our manager of the CRA, NACER Herrera, to guide us through an update of what's been happening in the CRA world. Madam. Thank you, Executive Director Avar. Good evening, Sierra Board Chair, Vice Chair and Board Members, NACER Herrera, Sierra and Economic Development Director. And I'm honored to present to you the April CRA update and recent accomplishment progress on key initiatives and exciting developments within our CRA that just reflect our ongoing commitment to community engagement, revitalization, and economic growth. So let's start. I am pleased to announce that the EFISCLE year 2024 CRA annual report is published on our website per state statute. We are required to send this report to the county. This booklet that you see at your seats includes financial information and an update on CRA activities including projects and programs. We also welcomed new businesses to the CRA including Week and Joe's amazing cookies, JJ Party, Pinyatas and Rentals, Bird Sprayers, Repair Services, and Ami Event Space at Prospect Plaza. Join me in welcoming these new businesses. We also saw exciting activity within our culinary arts district. In February, we welcomed the Red Sea Restaurant, the Ethiopian Restaurant, and the latest edition to our culinary arts district. It truly brings a flavorful addition to our downtown. Just this past weekend, we celebrated the grand opening of Voodoo Brewery, and Markier calendars for the Green D'opening of Eltoro cigars on commercial boulevard. Now, let's talk about a project that exemplifies our commitment to investing in our neighborhoods. And that is the Dr. Cutter G. Woodson Park renovations and that green opening that took place on February 20th. As you may know, these new improvements include the new basketball courts, a new playground surface, and outdoor fitness activities in outdoor fitness equipment in addition to a community garden in partnership with the Urban Farming Institute. Now turning to our redevelopment projects the sky building is taking shape. The two buildings have now received TCO, Temporary Certificate of Alcupancy. The sky bridge has been installed and 10 residential units have been leased. We continue to work digitally, digitally, oh my goodness, it's one of those nice. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. Digit. I'm not going to be talking about the community center. I'm not going to be talking about the community center. I'm not going to be talking about the community center. I'm not going to be talking about the community center. I'm not going to be talking about the community center. I'm not going to be talking about the community center. I'm not going to be talking about the community center. I'm not going to be provide opportunities for community gathering. Other infrastructure improvement projects within the CRA include the North Andrews Avenue Site Walk Improvement Project and the North Ease 13th Avenue Improvements Site Walk and joint and improvements. Bids have been received and are under review for adherence and concurrence from FDOT. We are proud to continue to provide a critical programming for our aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners. Just last month, we hosted the intentional entrepreneur workshop at the career source facility on West O'Conn Park, Boulevard. And we're gearing up to host the listening to your business session on Monday, April 21st at Jacoba Service Park Community Center. This training will be led by Sandy McDonald, the Director of the Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development, who will be talking about the programs that he offers through his office. And our special events are turning Oakland Park into a destination. Last month with Taste of Oakland Park, we welcomed 1,000 attendees. And we showcase 32 vendors that included local restaurants and beverage vendors. On March 14th we had a dancing industry which brought 1,300 attendees that got to enjoy live music across five stages and explored the culinary delights that we had under district and our culinary district in downtown. In this past Saturday we had Youth Day Parade which welcomed 3,000 attendees with a parade, games, fireworks, and live performances. Mark your calendars for the May 17th, Oakland Park Art Walk. Registrations are open for artists, vendors and crafters. As part of the this year's small business week, the CRA staff will be participating at the May 9th, Broward and Beyond Business Conference. I encourage all of our businesses to participate at this event because it presents an opportunity to learn about different resources, services, and programs that are offered by key economic development organizations. And since Hurricane season is just around the corner, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Oakland Park, Womanners, and Uptown Council is presenting their annual Hurricane Preparedness Luncheon. This year, the luncheon will take place at Funky Buddha on May 22nd. To register, you can visit the Chamber of Commerce website. On March 11th, we hosted our business partners meeting at Project Rock on Andrews Avenue. The session included an overview of tax saving strategies for small businesses. And we're expanding our business partners meetings to the west side. The May 13th meeting will take place at J.U.'s Theribian Creole Cuisine Restaurant. And in response to the feedback that we have received from businesses, asking about promotional opportunities, we are launching the Affinded in Oakland Park, your business story. This is an opportunity to recognize those proud Oakland Park businesses and to showcase them on our social media platforms. We want to call attention to the reopening of the micro, the Small Business Microgram program offered by the Broward County Office of Small Business Development. Applications will reopen in May. And we also want to remind businesses that they can go to the Allen B. Levin, an issue-broward center of innovation for technical assistance sessions on the first and third Friday of every month. And we want to remind, we want to thank all the businesses that submitted the responses to their solid waste and recycling survey. To learn more about our programs upcoming meetings and opportunities to participate in our events, we encourage our businesses to sign up for newsletters and connect with us through any of the avenues that you see on the screen. With that, I finish my presentation and I'm hoping to answer any question. Thank you, Mr. Herrera. We appreciate that. We'd like to start. Thank you, Mayor. Yes. Oh, thank you. Thank you for that presentation, Mr. Erra. So happy to hear during your next. Now which meeting is this Mr. McDonald will be there for the economic development? It's a Monday workshop that we're going to have a Jaco Paster Park and the name of the session is listening to your business. This is a half day or three hour workshop that we put together for established businesses that are within three years or seven years of existence. Okay. I'll get that information. And the new businesses that have came already pretty much have been to most of the grand opening so so glad to see that they chose Oakland Park as their home for their business. I have a a question and I don't know if this is for you or for Mr. Abert, just for knowledge, ways how the city attract businesses. Like how do they come? I know ultimately it'll be their decision, but just want to know how the City attract businesses to like maybe a particular area and within the city. So one of the things that we do through my office economic development office is that we participate and we're involved in business organizations like the Chamber of Commerce. Every time I attend those meetings, I share the opportunities, the incentive programs that we have, and why we're a business-friendly community. Another opportunity, we're going to have on May 9th, and it has the business and beyond conference, that's an annual, massive business conference where aspiring entrepreneurs and established businesses that are looking to expand or relocate are seeking to learn from communities and what they have to offer. So we take advantage of those spaces. Okay. All right. Thank you all again. I appreciate the presentation. And if I have any further questions, I'll let you know. But thank you for that. Because I look forward to these businesses spreading throughout the city of Oakland Park. Thank you. Thank you Commissioner. Thank you Commissioner. Thank you Mayor. Just want to say thank you Miss Herrera for that presentation and where's your Ever Kylie, I saw him earlier. Mr. Gonzalez. It's probably watching. Okay, that's good. I want to thank you both for what you are doing in this city. I've watched you since you came back to the city. And I've seen a difference. When I have the opportunity to attend grand openings or ribbon cutting ceremonies, all of the business owners, you know, the representatives of those businesses always give kudos to Miss Herrera and how grateful they are to have her help them in getting their businesses from point to point B, to the finish line. Getting a TCO is a huge opportunity for a business to move in and move forward. We just attended a ribbon cutting, grand opening, I'm only this past Saturday. The voodoo, what is it? Brewer's a brewing brewing. Yes, love the the event. Commissioner Nubo, this laughing for whatever reason. That's okay. I think I know why she's laughing. It was a beautiful grand opening. And that was one of those opportunities where the business owners was so grateful for Miss Herrera. For having them to get to that point. We know that it was a journey for them. So we wanna thank you for what you do. And the fact that you go back to these businesses. Once they have their grand opening and we all come out to celebrate them and welcome them to the city. You go back, you know, you circle back to them to provide additional support. So we really appreciate you. And as I've said earlier, your commissioners are here to assist in any way shape form of fashion. We know how important it is to show up when we are invited to these grand openings to thank these businesses, you know, for coming into our city. We can bring them to the door and ask them to drink. There's that saying you can bring a horse to the water But you can't make him drink and one of the things that we always encourage businesses to do is provide those services You know provide great products, you know great customer service. I, we can do but for so much. But in our city and the growth, the economic growth that we are experiencing attracts that that's attracting businesses, more businesses. This is the place to be. So I'm gonna circle back to Commissioner Newbold. I know why the reason she's chuckling voodoo brewing named a drink after me. named a drink after me. And then alcoholic beverage. Yeah, you should call it a motel. Yeah, see, I don't know. Some people are authorities on certain subjects. I don't touch them unless I understand them. I had no idea. But they did name a drink after me. And it was just really what a great celebration. Lots of people came out. And I just want to thank all of those businesses for participating in the taste of Oakland Park. We had over 30 something odd businesses that came out and provided food and beverages to that event. And just, you know, we're excited. And when I hear people say that they want to interfere with our CRAs, I'm ready to go to battle. We know here in this city, you guys have made big progress and have been businesses survive and and support given them the leg up that they need in this city so thank you that's it Mayor. Thank you Commissioner yeah I'll go. Mr. You want to go? Mr. Rivera. I want to pick up on my colleagues. Thank you. Especially Commissioner Newples comment, but I first say I guess I met I made the newsletter and my son We was on the we was at the entrepreneurship trainings at career. And my son said, I let my son go in first. They didn't know it. They'll have my son was there. He just when it sit down, he was listening to Mr. McDonald, right? And he was good in the intentional entrepreneur. So I just sit in the back and just listen and watch and it was impressive. And we, because Miss Herrera and your name, see, we got a diamond. Because I go around town and other municipalities say, wow, you got Miss Herrera. She's doing great things. It was, yeah, it was Palo, I won't name the city, but our game. And you've been out there advocating for us. And that's what I do when I get outside the city at times. I was at the Opportunities on the city of Miami. And I was from Oakland Park, city manager, and this is call us around me. It's Miami, you know Miami, those investors and we had our collaboration partners, Mr. Costa Jr. was there at the OZ conference and Mr. Nier Sassani. And they was there and they was mentioned by the Secretary of Housing, Miss Attorney. And she, that's significant because we've been making the city, we've been coordinated with the right selection of people who has our best interests in mind in the city. And so when I was accosted by, hey, what's going on in the city of Compagno, Ino say well you know what you get to come by and have a tour with our CRR director and even miss my verral, our director, community development and engineering and we're gonna take you on the tour. So I'm looking forward. Thank you city manager. I will get a detailed briefing in a couple of coming days on our economic development system, especially, you know, I'm going to focus on the West side. So keep in mind, my questions will be re-enhancing the West side. I'm looking forward to it because we got a lot more work to do. But I know it's going to get done, because your leadership and Cesar Gonzalez and the staff we are committed and we will get it done. It has been wonderful these past several months that the city is being spotlighted. We are being watched. I was invited, one more last point. I was invited tomorrow morning, and morning, to go to a Chamber of Commerce, Commissioner Newbowl, and part of that, the City of Pompeo Beach CEO invited me to go to a different beach opening. They want to collaborate with Pompeompano Beach. And while we were in Dallas, I was the one to make the introduction to dear field beach to the commissioners to Pompano CEO. And I said, hey, since I made the introduction, I think open parks should get into that tool as well. And any time we could get more business to come here, it's a plus, right? Vice mayor? Absolutely. That's right. And it goes up on my count too. New businesses and new jobs. So I thank you. And so where I really do appreciate what you do for city and thank you city manager for making a good hire I mean you have five on making these great hires Now appreciate you. Thank you. That's all man. Go ahead. Thank you. Would you say that count was up to? Quickly thank you for the west side of Oakland Park. Thank you for bringing the business partner meeting out there Great move great move. It is starting to bridge the gap. Second off, I'm gonna ask the city manager. I know I didn't ask you this before, but I just thought about it. Do you know what the ramifications are and what our CRA sunset date is of this new bill? Russ Klinette has been tracking that and keeping us posted on developments in telehassy ours is an unusual situation as you well know because unlike those that are really going to be hurt by this we are a non-TIF CRA. So frankly I think that this is a CRA, and so I should be mindful that we should confine our comments to the CRA area. And the West Side is outside of the CRA area. The CRA only extends to Andrews. And so as much as we're focused in this conversation on the CRA and well we should be because as you know much of the CRA is a qualified census track and that means that 50% of the households live on 60% or less of the average median income. But there is another area of our city that also qualifies as an area in need of additional attention. And that's on the south side of Oakland Park on the west side of I-95. And why that area wasn't entertained originally as part of our CRA, I can't answer because I wasn't here. But those two areas need special attention and need additional support. And we're going to continue to try to foster that. Nase is leading just a tomb member office. And for her to cover the ground that she does on the various issues, in the various forums, every day of the week and every evening is truly remarkable and you know the limited resources that we have because of our concern for the taxpayer's dollar really go a very long way but they'll only go as far as we can you know pack the hours into the day for the two member team that's handling these kinds of issues. And I think we all have to be mindful of that. I don't know what the prognosis is in Tallahassee for the CRA legislation. Things are moving very rapidly and we're tracking several different items. But we'll get you a report on that before the week is out. I talked to Russ literally at 615 today about the number of items that he's been tracking, but that was not one that we had time to discuss, but I'll follow up on it for you and get that information. Thank you, and let's say, say our and Nasa are two boots on the ground people. They don't just sit in the office, they're out and about constantly. And that is very, very important because that's where you get your work done is by going out and meeting people. And you know, you do a great job. Says our does a great job. Well, I just really appreciate both of you. Thank you. Thank you, Vice Chair. Mr. Herr, thank you. As the rest of the commission said, you guys, you and Mr. Gonzalez just rock it for us, and we appreciate it. And as the commissioner and the other team members here said, we constantly do hear good feedback, and we appreciate that. We know you're doing your job and doing it well. I want to make sure just like you do, a huge welcome to the new businesses that keep coming to Oakland Park. Thank you for investing here. It's making a difference in our city. We appreciate it very much. Taking a step back to the taste of Oakland Park as the others were saying thank you to the vendors and to the volunteers who make that that event possible. I don't know if if people realize it, but those restaurants that come and they serve their food that's out of their own pocket. They're not getting money to do that. So the buy-in here is hopefully people will taste what they are distributing the food items and they'll go to those restaurants and help support them locally. So I ask you, please go to our local restaurants, help support them, keep them in business, and you know what, I really shouldn't have say because the food is great and you're going to go back anyway. So I appreciate it through the vendors to the volunteers and the volunteers for every event whether it's dancing in the streets whatever it is. We have a good core of volunteers who come back all the time. You'll see them walking around. Some of them are cleaning up trash to make sure the area looks nice. Some are checking you in. Whatever the case might be. So very thankful for that. Last thing I just wanted to mention, I see one of our new businesses here is Amy Event Space 243 West Oakland Park. As you guys are aware with all the activities going on and the construction going on with city buildings, we've got a little bit of a shortage with party rooms right now. So people are calling us on the commission and saying, I'm trying to get into have a birthday party and unfortunately, because we're shifting things around right now. We're asking for people to have patients and understand all of our rooms are not available right now, but we're trying to make it work. Amy's new business party space. If you're looking for a spot, help support a local business. This Amy's event space on prospect looks like they rent halls and also I want to give a plug to the American Legion post 222. They have the biggest hall you can imagine there for parties, weddings, whatever. So if you need a party space, no matter how big or small, check out this Amy's, check out American Legion Post 222 and help to keep that business here in Oakland Park and supporting our businesses. Thank you, Mr. Herr. Okay, and at this time, we're going to open up for public comments. Anyone wishing to give public comments related to the CRA? Please step up and provide your name and your address. Again, this is just CRA related. Okay, seeing none, we're going to close public comments and go to consent agenda. Mr. Doudy. Which is minutes from February 19, 2025 meeting. You just have one item of consent. Motion to adopt chair aren't yes remember Gordon. Yes, remember noble. Yes, remember but who yes, Carolon again Yes, and we move on to reports from the board members anything else folks nothing here That's it. Thank you Mayor. No, but I just want to make mention of one business just open. I'm sure it'll be on your list so in luminous touch. Okay, so that's it. But thanks. Thank you Commissioner. No, I'm good. Thank you. Oh, okay, and we will then move on to reports from the executive director. I Think further here. Thank you board chair. Thank you, sir. Motion to adjourn. Okay, and we will reopen