For Whom the Bell Tolls: Mark Bell Running for Mayor?

Mark Bell owner of The Redland Hotel may be running for Mayor of Homestead, FL.  The unofficial word in town is that he's seriously considering it.  The suspense has the city elders flummoxed in that his wife is the venerable Lynda Bell, Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 8 and Ex-Mayor of Homestead 2007-2009.  The city would get a bargain by having twice the expertise for the price of one.  Already a power couple in South Dade rubbing elbows with the well connected throughout the county, the Bells would become even more so of a power couple if Mark were to win.  It would also be a vindication for Lynda whose Mayorship was cut short by the current Mayor Steven Bateman.  Political guerrilla warfare may be possible in Homestead depending on the candidates and a coup d'état may not be out of the question if only figuratively speaking.

                   These photo of The Hotel Redland is courtesy

                   of TripAdvisor

This photo of The Hotel Redland is courtesy of TripAdvisor

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Steven Bateman: No Sense or No Nonsense Mayor? You Decide

1. The Mayor has short fuse, so he apologized, but on this issue he is correct   $30M for a new City Hall at the Washington Ave and Civic Court site is unaffordable.  It's been a bad idea all along that has not gotten better with age.



2. Though he owes thousands in fees to the City he hires Debt Collectors to go after residents that owe money to the City.  The irony doesn't go unnoticed as reflected by the Huffington Post article.  When you get recognized by the big time bloggers you must be famous or infamous, you be the judge.

3.  Notwithstanding #2 all debts may be forgiven by a City Manager.  Instead of paying the past due electric bill to the city you may make a political campaign contribution. You can read all about in our archives or head out to the Miami New Times.   Good news travels fast but bad news as with gossip and innuendo travels much faster.


Reference Links:
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2013/05/homestead_mayor_steve_bateman_1.php

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/03/steve-bateman-homestead-debt-collectors_n_1647572.html

http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2011/10/steve_bateman_really_knows_how.php

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Jackpot! East Side Annexation Area Includes FPL's Turkey Point

On Wednesday May 15th the City Council voted to conduct a study to possibly annex the Unincorporated Municipal Services Area (UMSA) east of the city up to Biscayne Bay using Biscayne Dr (SW 288th ST) and SW 352nd ST as the north and south boundaries respectively.  It appears from the map below that part of Florida Power & Light's Turkey Point land and it's northern surrounding property falls within the Homestead Annexation Study area. The facility itself appears to fall south of theoretical SW 352nd ST. If this is the case the tax boon will not be as lucrative but it's not chump change by any means. FPL also owns other large parcel of lands further north near the Homestead Air Force Base (AFB).  Essentially, FPL would be the largest land owner in the new annexed area and with this ownership comes the biggest tax bill.  One may suppose this is the primary  purpose for annexation never mind the reasons given about incorporating Homestead Bayfront Park. The money is in the millage rate charged for the land owned by FPL plain and simple.

There is a method to the madness down at City Hall because it didn't really make sense to annex an area outside the Urban Development Boundary (UDB) unless there was an immediate return on investment (ROI) for the effort.  Especially, since the city is running through reserves like a sailor on shore leave.  Surely, one could suggest the City Council is exhibiting foresight to incorporate areas for future growth, but historically that hasn't been the case.  Shotgun Houses, Baseball Stadium, Seminole Theatre, are but a few examples of the lack of this scarce skill set down at City Hall.  

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Move Homestead City Hall to the East Side

A new City Hall for Homestead is the battle cry of those believing it will breathe life into Downtown Homestead's Historic District.  Mind you there is not one shred of evidence to this assertion.  A government building's primary function is to provide its citizens with the services they need.   The current proposed location on Washington Avenue has limited parking shoe horned on a parcel that's not easily accessible by the residents on the East Side of town.  One could venture to assume the purpose of this location was to limit access to the building by the residents instead of increasing it.  

The East Side of Homestead is where most of its citizens will reside in the future so why not move the permanent site there?  The temporary site is already on the East Side, a good move, since the old site on N. Homestead Blvd and Campbell Dr. has been evacuated due to mold.  The citizens of Homestead need the City Council to seriously consider where the demographics of the city will be by 2020.  With the recent approval by the City Council of an annexation study east of the city, it's obvious that the city will be growing in that direction.  If the annexation comes to fruition the city may nearly double in size. Notwithstanding areas that will not be built, like Homestead Air Force Base (AFB) and Biscayne National Park.

The city's geographic center has already shifted and more so if the city annexes the study area. Downtown Homestead has the potential to become a tourist destination be it by its historic significance, antique corridor, or art and music festivals.  However, this government building will not be the catalyst that will spur redevelopment.  Regrettably this idea has raised expectations unrealistically.  An idea conjured up with conjecture and emotion with little data to back it up.  It's time for the City Council to make wise investment decisions for the future of our city by deciding on an East Side parcel to build the new City Hall.


Reference Link:
South Dade News Leader

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Current City Hall Site, What's Next, a CARMAX Appraisal?

Homestead City Hall Parcel with Miami-Dade Public Library Parcel in red outline.

No doubt this is a unique parcel. No doubt interest in the property has already been recorded and backroom deals have been and are still being discussed. The value had been placed at $8.5 million in 2010. Now we have learned the parcel is loaded with Radon and the building is contaminated with various other detrimental health concerns. This council majority ran on no backroom deals and full transparency, how is that working out? They kept the New City Hall Committee report hidden for two years knowing full well the place was contaminated!

Since the Homestead taxpayer is on the receiving end of so many bad decisions maybe it's time to get out in front of this issue before the City Council gets an appraisal from CARMAX, which is known for it's low-ball appraisals. Speaking of Wayne Rosen, there is said to be interest from him on this land.

Based upon the current contamination and the subsequent required building demolition the price bids will most likely fall to depths unseen for such a prime location by those making offers. The City Council needs to be firm, this is a unique corner in the City of Homestead and it needs to fetch top dollar.

Thanks to alert and wise contributors the library parcel is on it's own land but access and parking may complicate the sale and use of the City Hall property.

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Priorities! Not City Hall Contamination

The Mayor appeared for an interview on October 5, 2012, just two days after a New City Hall Discussion Special Called Meeting took place, some priority agenda.


While six council members being advised by City Manager George Gretsas tried to come to the best solution for the City Hall contamination, it appears as if Mayor Bateman was trying to secure a Superintendent's position with the South Florida Water Management District. 

Get Out of Dodge! 

To leave somewhere immediately, to evacuate or scram. "Get the hell out of Dodge" is a reference to Dodge City, Kansas, which was a favorite location for westerns in the early to mid 20th century. Most memorably, the phrase was made famous by the TV show "Gunsmoke," in which villians were often commanded to "get the hell out of Dodge." The phrase took on its current meaning in the 1960s and 70s when teenagers began to use it in its current form. Awesome. We're done here, so lets get the hell out of dodge!

His NO vote to build the New City Hall spoke volumes about his concerns for the safety of staff. 

There are unconfirmed rumors that multiple lawsuits are being prepared against the city on the contamination issue. The legal eagles who read this blog would obviously know if the possibility of a class action lawsuit is a reality.

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Hypothetical "Strong Mayor" Steve Bateman Business Acumen, Still Fishing For The Big One?

According to sunbiz.org records just three of Steve Bateman's thirteen ventures are still viable. Those three remaining businesses are marked with an asterisk. ZAC Construction, shown as one of two income sources, appears to be dissolved. 

Questions have recently arisen about Two Brothers due to the lack of permit pulls on record over the past few years. EB Southern Investments is the most recent endeavour and that is the Cash for Gold/Pawnshop on U.S.1. Golden Land Holdings is a rental property management company according to financial disclosures.

So when challenging the City Manager is the Mayor backing up his opinion based upon business success or does he just enjoy hearing himself talk? 10 of 13 failures is the record of Mayor Bateman, give him credit for trying, just don't give him any praise for proficiency. Fishing, yeah that's the ticket.

BATEMAN ENTERPRISES OF HOMESTEAD, INC.   F38177 TWO BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION, INC. F38178* E B SOUTHERN INVESTMENTS, LLC L11000137310* ZAC CONSTRUCTION, INC. P09000005001 TBR CONSTRUCTION, INC. P93000001512 T B C PAINTING CONTRACTORS, INC. P94000087451 S & H COASTAL INVESTMENTS, INC. P95000043383 A.M.F. PUBLICATIONS, INC. S02022 . CUSTOM PATIO AND SCREENS, INC. 505250 GOLDEN LAND HOLDINGS, LLC L08000063675* GOLDEN BOYS ENTERPRISE,LLC L08000074784 S and H COASTAL INVESTMENTS, INC. P95000043383 HIDAS INVESTMENTS, INC. P95000040790
Mayor Steve Bateman did have a stake in an outfit called Homestead KIA Holdings but resigned in 2010.
Remember our story of the Florida City Shack where dozens of LLCs were parked? Meet the original Homestead KIA Holdings members. http://homesteadishome.blogspot.com/2012/04/dozens-of-corporations-and-llcs.html

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Homestead Will Relocate City Hall To Portofino Plaza Despite Mayor Bateman's Trailers Scheme

What Might Have Been?

By Christina Veiga

cveiga@MiamiHerald.com

Homestead’s City Hall will temporarily move to Portofino Plaza, council members decided Monday.
Council members decided to move the seat of government after an environmental review found the current city hall to be contaminated with radon, a radioactive, cancer-causing gas, as well as mold and asbestos. 

Employees will move to the plaza, at 650 NE Eighth Street, while a new City Hall is built in downtown Homestead.

The city will pay about $20,000 a month to rent the office space. The first five months of the 60-month lease — with an option to terminate the agreement with notice — will be rent free. The city is liable to pay taxes on the units its renting, and the landlord will build out the space at no cost to the city. The build out is expected to be done within 90 days of permits being issued, and the city is expected to move in sometime in 

December or January, according to a city spokeswoman.

All departments currently in city hall will be moved to the new location. Business hours will be the same.

Councilman Jimmie L. Williams III was absent for the vote to approve the lease agreement. 

Mayor Steve Bateman was the only member to vote against moving to Portofino, saying the city could move into temporary trailers at a fraction of the cost.

City manager George Gretsas said that, in hurricane-prone South Florida, trailers may not be practical. Plus, putting them on the current city hall grounds may just lead to more radon contamination because the gas seeps out of the ground, he said.

“You can’t put a price on people’s health. It’s time we move,” said Councilwoman Judy Waldman.
 
Follow @Cveiga on Twitter

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/10/30/3074734/homestead-relocates-city-hall.html#storylink=cpy

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Hidden Report From April Of 2010 Cites Environmental Contamination In The Current City Hall

Would the Mayor and City Council Care to Explain Why People Were Subjected to Almost Three Years of Unnecessary Contamination Exposure?

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"NEW" City Hall Cash Pipeline Set To Flow With Competing Proposals

Wayne Rosen wants to use the existing plans and local Architect J. Robert Barnes wants to design a destination for everyone. The Shores/ Wayne Rosen offering is the prudent version based upon the fact that over $1,000,000 has been spent on the design.What will the City of Homestead have to give up in exchange?

Mr. Barnes' proposal would be starting from scratch. Someone pointed out because the EOC, Emergency Operations Center will be housed in the building that having commercial/retail operations or parking garages attached would render the building potentially unsafe from an act of terrorism.

Both plans would help Homestead and the downtown area but it is undetermined by what margin and this is where the recurring revenue projections to the city have to be fully examined. 

The meeting ought to be very interesting as certain City Council loyalties play out in public.

Mr. Barnes is also a stakeholder in the downtown area and has received CRA dollars to improve at least one of his property's facades. Mr. Barnes is also the president of Homestead Mainstreet.

Mr. Rosen, on the other hand, has appeared to receive favorable council decisions and has entertained Council members at his expense.

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New City Hall Meeting Wednesday 10/3/2012, Possibly Featuring Wayne Rosen

Why would we feature Wayne Rosen's picture on a blog about Homestead's New City Hall? 

Think strip mall where Homestead's Current City Hall sits.

City Council Special Call Meeting

Date: October 3

Time: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Address: City Hall Council Chambers
790 N. Homestead Blvd.
Homestead, FL 33030

Contact: 305-224-4442

Email: Elizabeth Sewell, City Clerk

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Watchcat Report: Abbo Brother's City Hall Not a Done Deal

According to sources the so called move to a temporary city hall at the Portofino Plaza is premature, several other locations are being looked at including another Campbell Drive location. Nothing is definite but the aerial photo above shows what may be one of the front running alternatives.

There are some facilities that require certain upgrades and some that are in move in condition. There are at least two facilities in the downtown area that have also received the city's interest. Stay tuned.

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OUTRAGE: 2010 Ad Hoc "NEW" City Hall Committee Recommended BUILD IT!!! Mayor And Council Ignored Health Risks

          The search is now on for a safe working environment. 



The Committee was Tom David, Robert Barnes, Yvonne Knowles, Jim Pierce, Jim Harris, Matthew Rotolante, Marleen Volkert, Janette Smith, Julio Brea and Elizabeth Mangual.

Mayor and Council Rejected Their Recommendation Placing Employee's and Visitor's Health In Jeopardy


RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends that the City Council proceed with the construction of the New City Hall facility using Alternative Capital Cost Scenario #1 or #2 and the sale of the current City Hall site upon receipt of a commercially reasonable contract for purchase and sale.


The New City Hail Ad Hoc Committee came together with the purpose of informing the Mayor and Council as to the feasibility of proceeding with the construction of a City Hall facility in Downtown Homestead.

 The Committee was charged generally with evaluating the City Hall project as a business decision and without a predetermined outcome.

After reviewing numerous records and analyses of the current and proposed City Hall facilities three categories of information rise to the surface facts supportable estimates and intangible factors. In addition, certain alternative capital cost scenarios apply. Taken together these factors lead the Committee to make the recommendation.

FACTS

The City of Homestead has a sunk cost in the proposed City Hall site of $6,566,598 This figure includes all expenditures through 2009.

The current City Hall facility requires substantial repair and reconstruction including cleanup of environmental contamination.

The current City Hall site is underutilized.

A sale of the current City Hall site would generate substantial cash its subsequent development would generate substantial ongoing tax revenue and or rental income.

The lease of the current City Hall site is an ongoing option which can provide rental income to the City.

The proposed City Hall site is vacant fenced and is producing neither tax revenue nor any service to the city presenting an eyesore to the district and a liability to the City.

As of September 30, 2009 the New City Hall Fund contained $17,381,147.08

Bids for New City Hall are good until September 2010 but the bidders may rescind if there is a long delay.

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Homestead Horror Show: Gomez and Morticia Return To Yesterday, Three Additional Years Subjecting Staff and Visitors to Radon, Asbestos, Mold and Dust Mites

New City Hall Project Current City Hall Contamination

THEN

Committee of the Whole 11/10/2009 Subject: City Hall Construction

''We need to put some type of freeze,'' said Mayor Steven Bateman, who suggested the measure.

 

 

NOW

Miami Herald 8/20/2012  Subject: City Hall Contamination

“We need to address this issue,” said Councilman Stephen Shelley.

Councilwoman Judy Waldman suggested moving staff immediately until the radon can be brought down to safe levels. 

“Right now, this building is sick,” she said, noting her own allergies seem to be aggravated whenever she’s in City Hall.

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