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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GALATA Housing Giveaway Fallout: Councilwoman PFM Asks If GALATA Is Bringing Blight To The NW

Mayor Bateman and Councilman Williams did not remember the program, evidenced by their remarks.

We did: http://homesteadishome.blogspot.com/2011/12/director-of-galata-filed-for-bankruptcy.html

            http://homesteadishome.blogspot.com/2010/04/homestead-florida-city-haitian-relief.html

Three residents made the Mayor and City Council aware of a NW home given away to GALATA in December, along with four other homes, had fallen into neglected status creating an eyesore. The photos taken early this week show the properties have been mowed and cleaned up at this time.

 Property referenced in council complaint. 105 NE 17 Street, appearance improved.

Tommy Milner located in Homestead at 122 NW 17 Street stated he worked hard to provide a safe home for his family however problems have occurred as a result of the City of Homestead purchasing property on 105 NE 17 Street directly across from his house. Mr. Milner said the City refurbished the house and turned it over to a corporation called Galata who then rented to a Section 8 family who could not sustain their property and in return was bringing down the property value of the community. Mr. Milner asked why the City did not notify the public about the sale and questioned if the City knew the property was going to be rented to Section 8.

Mayor Steven Bateman asked if the program was run through Finance. Director of Finance Carlos Perez replied the property was owned by Galata who was also responsible for the upkeep. He stated he would follow up on the issue

Councilman Stephen Shelley commented he was made aware of the issue about a week prior went to look at the property physically and discussed it with the City Manager. He did not agree the community was a good area for a perpetual rental and stated staff would be looking into the concern.

*Councilman Jimmie Williams articulated he did not remember the City lease agreement with Galata and asked how often followups and monitoring of the property was conducted with the houses deeded over to Galata.

 *The minutes had councilwoman, we corrected it and Councilman Williams made the motion with Councilman Maldonado supplying the second, ayes all.

Director of Finance Carlos Perez stated the City was currently working on the issue. Councilman Jimmie Williams asked how many houses Galata overlooked.

Director of Finance Carlos Perez replied five.

Councilman Jimmie Williams asked for a copy of contract and asked if NSP money was utilized.

Director of Finance Carlos Perez responded 15 houses were purchased using NSP funds in which five went to Galata.

Councilman Jimmie Williams questioned if the properties were not maintained by Galata was the City to get them back.

Director of Finance Carlos Perez replied he would review the contract

Councilwoman Patricia Fairclough McCormick stated the purpose of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program was to stabilize communities and remove blight however it appeared blight was being brought into the community instead.

The Item: Finance/Enterprise COMMITTEE COUNCILMAN WILLIAMS
a MOTION TO PLACE CAR 184 ON COUNCIL AGENDA APPROVAL OF NSP PROGRAM SUB RECIPIENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF HOMESTEAD AND GALATA, INC.
A Motion was made to place CAR 184 on July 26 2011 Council Meeting Consent Agenda Approval of NSP Program Sub Recipient Agreement between the City of Homestead and Galata Inc by Councilman Williams and seconded by Councilman Maldonado.
City Manager Gretsas stated staff recommended the Mayor and Council authorize the City Manager to execute the NSP Program Sub recipient agreement between the City of Homestead and Galata Inc.
Mayor Bateman asked all in favor Vote Ayes all Motion carried

The Councilwoman asked if Galata paid anything for the properties

Director of Finance Carlos Perez responded he would find out.

Councilwoman Patricia Fairclough McCormick said if the agency received the properties for free then they should not be profiting from them.

Mr. Milner asked for a member of Council or staff to meet with him in an effort to better understand the problem City Manager George Gretsas agreed to meet with Mr. Milner the following day.

Councilman Stephen Shelley expressed he represented that district and his door was always opened for comments or concerns.

James Melly located in Homestead at 112 NE 17 Street echoed the sentiments of prior speaker Tommy Milner. Mr. Melly stated he was concerned with the arrangement with Galata because it appeared NSP funds were spent the property was renovated and the house sat with no sales sign and was never openly marketed. He said at some point it was transferred to Galata with a zero dollar tax exempt sale. He stated Galata was a non profit organization who was making a profit from a rental. Mr. Melly said he would like to review the contract because the property was not being maintained.

Mayor Steven Bateman stated the City of Homestead council was responsible with the exception of Councilwoman Patricia Fairclough McCormick and the ordeal took place in 2009-2010. The Mayor indicated he  was not aware that five properties were given to one organization for zero dollars but stated the City would resolve the situation.

Calvin Ephol located in Homestead at 131 NE 17 Avenue echoed the statements of former speakers Mr. Milner and Mr. Melly. Mr. Ephol commented he chose his current neighborhood based off quality and his ability to later retire there both of which were now questionable. He asked if the City rezoned the area for rental properties and asked if the tax base would be affected.

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Did Mayor Bateman and Jimmie Williams Co-ordinate with PAC in 2009?

 Al Lorenzo pictured above

Jimmie Williams center, Mayor Bateman to his right

Can they do that? 

PACs are prohibited by law from coordinating with campaigns.

Legal or Illegal? Does it matter?

PACs are supposed to be independent of campaigns.

http://eyeonmiami.blogspot.com/2010/01/is-this-how-you-buy-election-in.html

Al Lorenzo's Quantum Results was paid almost $2,000 in 2009 by the Bateman and Williams campaigns. While the PAC chaired by Frank May spent $19,150 with Quantum Results and Al Lorenzo.

http://homesteadishome.blogspot.com/2010/09/new-frank-may-pac-contributions-and.html

http://homesteadishome.blogspot.com/2011/03/attack-of-pac-legal-or-illegal-you.html

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Al Lorenzo and Quantum Results Paid More Than $63,000 by Two Frank May PACs, Mayor Bateman and Councilman Jimmie Williams III

 Photo of Frank May courtesy of eyeonmiami blog.

 http://eyeonmiami.blogspot.com/2010/09/new-pac-i-do-not-like-by.html

Two PACs run by Frank May, one with Jeff Porter and one with Tom David paid a combined $61,171 in 2009 and 2010 to Al Lorenzo and his firm now embroiled in controversy surrounding current elections. Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez and State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle have had to disassociate with the firm and recuse herself from the investigation into absentee ballot fraud respectively.
http://www.voterfocus.com/ws/mdccand/pdf_miamidade/rpt_743_251.pdf
 
300 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables is the address of Quantum Results.

http://www.campaignmoney.com/political/527/citizens-united-for-protecting-our-community.asp

http://www.campaignmoney.com/political/527/citizens-for-reform-for-miami-dade-county.asp

Mayor Bateman and Councilman Williams paid Al Lorenzo $400 and $1,514 respectively in 2009. The Wayne Rosen, Redland Company, Homestead Concrete and Rene Taylor funded PAC that supported five current council members on the original filing documents paid $19,150 to Lorenzo. 

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Wayne Rosen Gave Councilman Williams $250,000 Just Months After HSBC Foreclosed On Williams Georgia Home In 2010 While In Office

Wayne Rosen is a savvy businessman, why would he provide $250,000 to a City of Homestead Councilman just four months from a foreclosure in another state?

That other state issue raises even more questions.

In 2004 Newton County Georgia records show Jimmie L. Williams paid $118,500 for a property at 85 Fieldview Lane, Covington, Georgia. Tax records are in Wiliiams' name and that address was the tax address of record except for the first year where the bill was sent to a Port St. Joe address. In 2010 the property was foreclosed on and sold in 2011.

http://www.trulia.com/homes/Georgia/Covington/sold/21856269-85-Fieldview-Ln-Covington-GA-30016

Purchased

07-01-2004

1710 204

39 0032

$ 118,500

Qualified

Qualified improved

CROWN PARK HOMES AT FAIR

WILLIAMS JIMMIE L

Foreclosed

10-05-2010

2862 28

39 0032

$ 0

Unqualified

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION/FORECLOSURE

WILLIAMS JIMMIE L

HSBC MORTGAGE SERVICES

Notice of Foreclosure Sale: NOTICE OF SALE UNDER POWER GEORGIA, NEWTON COUNTY

THIS LAW FIRM IS ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

Under and by virtue of the Power of Sale contained in a Security Deed given by Jimmie L. Williams to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., dated August 10, 2005, recorded in Deed Book 1987, Page 38, Newton County, Georgia Records, as last transferred to HSBC Mortgage Services Inc. by assignment recorded in Deed Book 2619, Page 175, Newton County, Georgia Records,conveying the after-described property to secure a Note in the original principal amount of ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE THOUSAND AND 0/100 DOLLARS ($133,000.00), with interest thereon as set forth therein, there will be sold at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash before the courthouse door of Newton County, Georgia within the legal hours of sale on the first Tuesday in October, 2010, the following described property:

SEE EXHIBIT “A” ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF

The debt secured by said Security Deed has been and is hereby declared due because of, among other possible events of default, failure to pay the indebtedness as and when due and in the manner provided in the Note and Security Deed. The debt remaining in default, this sale will be made for the purpose of paying the same and all expenses of this sale, as provided in Security Deed and by law, including attorney’s fees (notice of intent to collect attorney’s fees having been given). Said property will be sold subject to any outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, but not yet due and payable), any matters which might be disclosed by an accurate survey and inspection of the property, any assessments, liens, encumbrances, zoning ordinances, restrictions, covenants, and matters of record superior to the Security Deed first set out above. The entity that has full authority to negotiate, amend, and modify all terms of the mortgage with the debtor is: HSBC Mortgage Services, 636 Grand Regency Blvd., Brandon, FL 33569, 800-365-6730. Please understand that the secured creditor is not required by law to negotiate, amend, or modify the terms of the mortgage instrument.

To the best knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the party in possession of the property is Jimmie L. Williams or a tenant or tenants and said property is more commonly known as 85 Fieldview Lane, Covington, Georgia 30016.

The sale will be conducted subject (1) to confirmation that the sale is not prohibited under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and (2) to final confirmation and audit of the status of the loan with the holder of the security deed. HSBC Mortgage Services Inc. as Attorney in Fact for Jimmie L. Williams McCalla Raymer, LLC 1544 Old Alabama Road Roswell, Georgia 30076 www.foreclosurehotline.net MR/kmh 10/5/10 Our file no. 51209008-FT8

EXHIBIT “A”

All that tract or parcel of land lying and being in Land Lot 186 of 10th District, Newton County, Georgia, being Lot 217 Fairview Estates, Phase I, as per plat recorded in Plat Book 39, Page 32-39, Newton County, Georgia records, which plat is hereby incorporated herein. MR/kmh 10/5/10 Our file no. 51209008 - FT8
Public Notice # 35193

The foreclosure sale was finalized 1/6/11 for $40,500. HSBC took a hit of $92,500.

Williams' Director's Addresses for Jimmie L.Williams Ministries 2010: 

Officer/Director Detail

Name and Address

Title P

WILLIAMS, JIMMIE L 550 SW 10TH AVE HOMESTEAD FL 33030

Title V

WILLIAMS, SHERANDA L 85 FEILDVIEW LN COVINGTON GA 30016

Title D

SOUVENIR, EVANGELA J 1007 VIRGIAN AVE CLEWISTON FL 33440

From the Ethics Report:

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