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GOOD MORNING AND[CALL TO ORDER]
WELCOME TO THE SEPTEMBER 11TH COMMISSION MEETING.IT'S ALSO NINE 11, WHICH WE'LL HAVE, UH, A FEW REMARKS ABOUT THAT AND, AND A MOMENT OF SILENCE AS WELL.
I'M GONNA ASK THE CITY CLERK TO PROVIDE THE, UH, ZOOM INFORMATION AND THE INSTRUCTIONS.
MAY, UH, DURING THIS, DURING THIS HYBRID COMMISSION MEETING, THE CITY COMMISSION IS PHYSICALLY PRESENT IN THE COMMISSION CHAMBER AT MIAMI BEACH CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE.
THE PUBLIC MAY ATTEND THE MEETING VIRTUALLY, HOWEVER, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO ATTEND THE MEETING OR PROVIDE COMMENT IN PERSON MAY APPEAR AT THE COMMISSION CHAMBER TO PARTICIPATE OR PROVIDE COMMENT VIRTUALLY DURING THE COMMISSION MEETING.
THE PUBLIC MAY JOIN THE MEETING BY VISITING THE ZOOM APP ON THEIR SMART DEVICE, OR AT THE WEB AT ZOOM US, OR BY TELEPHONE AT AREA CODE (305) 224-1968, OR TOLL FREE, 8 8 8 4 7 5 4 4 9 9.
THE TOLL FREE NUMBER AGAIN IS 8 8 8 4 7 5 4 4 9 9.
THE WEBINAR ID IS 8 1 3 9 2 8 5 7 6 71.
AGAIN, 8 1 3 9 2 8 5 7 6 71 POUND.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WANTING TO SPEAK VIRTUALLY ON AN ITEM DURING THE MEETING MUST CLICK THE RAISE HAND ICON IF USING A ZOOM APP, OR PRESS STAR NINE ON THE TELEPHONE TO RAISE THEIR HAND.
OKAY, I'M GONNA ASK, WE'RE GONNA DO THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
NOW I'M GONNA ASK OUR CITY MANAGER, ERIC CARPENTER, TO LEAD US GOD INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
I'D BE REMISS NOT TO SAY GOOD MORNING TO EVERYONE HERE.
WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY OFFICIAL MEETINGS IN AUGUST, BUT, UH, I FEEL LIKE I'VE SEEN ALL OF YOU A LOT, SO WE HAVEN'T, WE HAVEN'T MISSED A BEAT HERE.
I'M NOW GONNA ASK RABBI DIXON FROM BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION TO PROVIDE AN INVOCATION FOR TODAY'S MEETING.
GOOD MORNING TO MY DEAR FRIENDS ON THE COMMISSION.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR INVITING ME HERE THIS MORNING.
SEVERAL OF YOU HAVE COME TO VISIT ME IN MY SANCTUARY AT BETH ISLE CONGREGATION.
SO IT'S AN HONOR TO BE INVITED HERE THIS MORNING TO PARTICIPATE IN YOUR SANCTUARY AND TO OFFER AN INVOCATION, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT TODAY IS NINE 11.
SO, THANK YOU MAYOR MINER FOR YOUR GRACIOUS, UH, INVITATION.
AND, UH, IT'S GOOD TO SEE ALL OF YOU.
AND I THANK ALL OF YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF ALL OF OUR HEARTS FOR THE SERVICE THAT YOU PROVIDE FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
ALMIGHTY GOD, CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, WE GATHER HERE TODAY IS ONE COMMUNITY UNITED IN MEMORY AND REFLECTION TO HONOR THE LIVES LOST AND THE BRAVERY SHOWN ON THAT FATEFUL DAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2001.
THE STRENGTH OF A SOCIETY IS MEASURED NOT BY THE ABSENCE OF TRAGEDY, BUT BY ITS ABILITY TO ENDURE, RECOVER, AND EMERGE STRONGER.
WE HAVE WITNESSED WITH, WE HAVE WITNESSED RE THIS RESILIENCE BEFORE, WHETHER IN THE WAKE OF PEARL HARBOR OR FOR US AS JEWS IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE HOLOCAUST, EACH TIME HUMANITY'S CAPACITY TO CHOOSE LIFE, TO REBUILD AND TO PRESERVE SHINES THROUGH.
IN THE 21ST CENTURY, THE STRENGTH OF AMERICA WAS EMBODIED BY THE COURAGE OF ITS FIRST RESPONDERS OF NINE 11.
THE FIREFIGHTERS, POLICE OFFICERS, HEALTHCARE WORKERS, AND ORDINARY CITIZENS WHO IN THE FACE OF UNIMAGINABLE HORROR, RUSHED TOWARD DANGER.
THEIR BRAVERY CONTINUES TO INSPIRE US ALL.
LIKEWISE, THE RESILIENCE OF ISRAEL IN THIS CENTURY WAS DEMONSTRATED BY THE VALOR OF THE SOLDIERS OF THE IDF AND THE RESPONSE TO THE UNPROVOKED MASSACRE OF OCTOBER 7TH.
THEIR DETERMINATION TO PROTECT AND DEFEND, TO STAND FIRM IN THE FACE OF EVIL MIRRORS THE SAME SPIRIT OF COURAGE THAT WE HONOR TODAY ON NINE 11, AMERICAN AND ISRAEL BOUND TOGETHER BY THEIR SHARED VALUES OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY, STAND RESOLUTE IN THEIR COMMITMENT TO DEFEND THEIR CITIZENS FROM THE FORCES OF DARKNESS AND TERROR.
AS WE COMMEMORATE NINE 11, LET US NEVER FORGET WHO WE ARE.
LET US NEVER FORGET THE MORAL RIGHTEOUSNESS WE ARE WILLING TO FIGHT FOR, AND IF NECESSARY, LAID DOWN OUR LIVES TO PROTECT.
LET US ALWAYS REMEMBER THE COURAGE, SACRIFICE, AND HEROISM OF ALL WHO GAVE EVERYTHING ON THAT DAY, OUR FATHER OF COMPASSION.
SHELTER THE SOULS OF THE DEAD AND THE GRACEFUL SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS.
GIVE STRENGTH AND COMFORT TO THE SURVIVORS TO FIND FULFILLMENT.
GIVE COURAGE TO THOSE WHO FIGHT TERROR AND PROTECT THE INNOCENT FROM DANGER.
OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, WHO CREATED ALL PEOPLE IN HIS IMAGE, PROVIDE WISDOM TO THE LEADERS OF THE WORLD TO BE GUIDED WITH THE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE.
TEACH US TO REVERE THE SANCTITY OF LIFE, REJECT THE EVIL OF TERROR, AND RECOGNIZE THE DANGER OF A WORLD FILLED WITH VIOLENCE.
GIVE US THE STRENGTH AND PERSEVERANCE TO STAY STAYS TRUE TO OUR MORAL BEARINGS.
BE WITH US AND DIRECT US AS WE STRIVE TO MAKE THIS WORLD KINDER AND GENTLER.
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HOPES AND LISTEN TO OUR PRAYERS.MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE LAND WE HOLD, DEAR.
MAY HE STAND BESIDE HER AND GUIDE HER WITH HER WITH DIVINE WISDOM FROM ABOVE.
AND MAY WE FOREVER CHERISH THE FREEDOMS AND VALUES THAT MAKE THIS NATION AND THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.
GREAT WAY TO START OUR MEETING NOW.
GONNA ASK ALEXANDRA LAUREUS TO SING AND PERFORM.
AND THANK YOU TO MICHAEL ROSSI FROM MIAMI BEACH, CLASSICAL MUSIC FESTIVAL FOR MAKING, UH, THIS INTRODUCTION, GOD BLESS LESS AMERICA, LAND THAT I LOVE.
STAND BESIDE HER AND GUIDE HER THROUGH THE NIGHT WITH THE LIGHT FROM ABOVE, FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE PRAIRIES, TO THE OCEANS WIDE WITH GOD BLESS AMERICA, MY HOME, SWEET HOME.
STAND BESIDE HER AND GUIDE HER THROUGH THE NIGHT WITH A LIGHT FROM ABOVE, FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE PRAIRIE TO THE OCEAN.
UM, I'M ACTUALLY GONNA START WITH ONE,
[R9 C DR. STANLEY SUTNICK CITIZEN'S FORUM. (8:35 A.M./1:00 P.M.)]
UH, SPEAKER MITCH, UH, FOR, FOR, SO, 'CAUSE WE'RE GONNA DO A MOMENT OF SILENCE AT 8 46.UM, AND WE'RE GONNA DO A ONE MINUTE MOMENT OF SILENCE, WHICH ACTUALLY IS A, SEEMS LIKE A LONG TIME, MAYBE UNCOMFORTABLY SO, BUT THAT'S THE POINT.
UM, SO MITCH, WHY DON'T YOU START US OFF AND THEN WE'LL, WE'LL TAKE A, A, A MOMENT'S, UH, BREAK AND THEN WE'LL CONTINUE WITH THE SUT HOUR.
ALEXANDER MITCH NOVIK 23 YEARS AGO ON THIS DAY IN THESE CHAMBERS, AT THIS HOUR, I WAS WAITING TO CHAIR THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING WHEN A MAN WALKED UP AND SAID, HEY, IS THERE A TV IN THIS ROOM? AND I NODDED TO THE MEDIA ROOM, I GO, WHAT'S GOING ON? HE SAID, A CESSNA HAD HIT ONE OF THE TRADE CENTER TOWERS.
WE WALKED, UH, TO THE MEDIA ROOM FORMALLY BEHIND ME.
I ASKED RON FRANCIS, HEY, IS THERE A TV HE THERE WAS, HE PUT IT ON, UH, AND IT LOOKED LIKE A SMALL CRAFT AIRCRAFT HAD HIT ONE OF THE BUILDINGS, WENT BACK TO THE DAIS.
WHEN STRUCTURAL ENGINEER JOSE TOLEDO, UH, MEMBER OF THE OF THE HPB WALKS IN.
I GO, HEY, JOSE, UH, COME CHECK THIS OUT.
WE'RE LOOKING, UH, AT, AT, AT THE DAMAGE WHEN THE SECOND PLANE HIT.
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AND WE LOOKED AT EACH OTHER AND HE SAID, MITCH, THESE BUILDINGS ARE LIKELY GONNA PANCAKE UPON THEMSELVES.I LOOKED AT HIM AND SAID, NO WAY.
WENT BACK TO THE DAYS THE MEETING BEGAN WITH A CONTENTIOUS ITEM, THE CALLOUS AND SENSELESS DEMOLITION OF THE LAGOS COUNTRY CLUB CLUBHOUSE.
I REMEMBER ACTIVISTS B STEIN, IN ADDITION TO MANY LONG GONE ACTIVISTS, UH, WHO FILLED THE CHA CHAMBERS TO DISPLAY THEIR CONCERN.
ANYWAY, TWO HOURS LATER, STAFF MEMBER, WE FINISHED THE ITEM.
STAFF MEMBER WALKS IN, PLANNING STAFF MEMBER, I ASKED, HEY, WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE REAL WORLD? SHE SAID, BOTH TOWERS HAD FALLEN.
PENTAGON WAS HIT, AND AN AIRCRAFT HAD CRASHED INTO A LOT.
THE WORLD HAD CHANGED THAT DAY.
SO I'M JUST GONNA SAY, UM, SPEAK FOR TWO MINUTES BEFORE WE TAKE OUR MOMENT OF SILENCE AND THEN WE'LL CONTINUE WITH WITH SUT NICK.
UM, AND IT'S ACTUALLY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AT 8 46 IS DOING A, A VERY MOVING CEREMONY, WHICH UNFORTUNATELY CONFLICTED WITH THIS MEETING, BUT WE'RE THINKING OF ALL THE FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS.
I PROMISED MYSELF I WOULDN'T GET EMOTIONAL, BUT IT'S, IT'S VERY HARD.
I LOVE THIS COUNTRY AND WHAT WE SAW THAT DAY IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO REMEMBER.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO CONFUSE WHO'S GOOD, WHO'S NOT.
WHO'S EVIL? WHO WANTS TO MURDER INNOCENT PEOPLE? INTENTIONALLY.
THERE'S GOOD AND EVIL IN THIS WORLD, AND WE HAVE TO STAND STRONG FOR THOSE WHO ARE GOOD, THOSE WHO ARE HOLDING OUR VALUES, DEMO DEMOCRATIC VALUES.
WE HAVE TO REMEMBER ON NINE 11 WHAT HAPPENED AND WHO DID THIS AND WHO CELEBRATED WATCHING THAT HAPPEN AND WHO ARE OUR ALLIES? WHO STOOD WITH US, SUPPORTED US, PROVIDED ASSISTANCE NOT JUST EMOTIONALLY, BUT MILITARILY WITH INTELLIGENCE TO BE ABLE TO FIGHT BACK.
AND WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT WHETHER IT'S AL-QAEDA, WHETHER IT'S HAMAS.
AND I ALSO REMEMBER THE REACTION OF OUR COUNTRY THAT WE STOOD UNITED.
THERE WAS NO REPUBLICAN, THERE WAS NO DEMOCRATS.
AND WE HAVE TO GET BACK TO THAT.
WE HAVE TO REMEMBER BECAUSE GOD FORBID IF SOMETHING LIKE THAT EVER HAPPENS AGAIN, WE'RE ALL GONNA BE UNITED.
WE'RE NOT DIVIDED THAT WE THINK WE ARE.
WE CREATE SOMETIMES OUR OWN PROBLEMS AND ISSUES THAT IN REALITY WHEN WE WERE, IF WE'RE PUSHED TO THE WALL, DON'T EVEN EXIST.
'CAUSE WE'RE GONNA FIGHT TOGETHER AND WE'RE GONNA LOVE TOGETHER AND WE'RE GONNA SUPPORT EACH OTHER TOGETHER JUST LIKE WE DID ON NINE 11.
LET'S TAKE ONE MINUTE OF SILENCE TO REMEMBER THOSE LOST OF NINE 11.
I'M SURE WE ALL HAD OUR OWN THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS, BUT I'LL TELL YOU JUST ONE OF MY THOUGHTS BESIDES PRAYER WAS THAT I WILL ALWAYS FIGHT FOR THIS COUNTRY.
MAYBE NOT IN THE MILITARY, BUT I WILL ALWAYS FIGHT FOR THE VALUES
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OF THIS COUNTRY.'CAUSE WE ARE A GREAT, GREAT NATION AND A LEADER FOR WORLD VALUES.
OKAY, OUR NEXT SPEAKER, GOOD MORNING.
I WAS COMING OUT THIS MORNING TO TALK ABOUT THE TRACK AND THE FIRE STATION ISSUE WHEN MY SON, WHO WAS TRYING TO DELAY GETTING READY FOR SCHOOL, DECIDED THAT HE WANTED TO, UM, SPEAK AS WELL.
AND SO HE WROTE THIS THIS MORNING AS I WAS GOING OUT OF THE HOUSE.
I HAVE BEEN USING THE TRACK FOR LONGER THAN I REMEMBER.
I USE THE GOALS WHEN I WAS LITTLE.
I LIKE TO PLAY IN THE BIG PUDDLES AFTER THE RAIN.
WE SHOULD FIX THAT TOO THOUGH.
UM, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A FIRE STATION, BUT PLEASE BUILD ONE WITHOUT HAVING TO CLOSE OUR TRACK.
AND WHAT I WANNA ADD IS THAT THE ANTIDOTE TO SO MANY OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE TALK ABOUT HERE AND SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT MAYOR MINER HAS EVEN UM, BROUGHT UP TODAY IS ACTUALLY CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION.
AND FOR THOSE OF US WHO LIVE IN THE FLAMINGO PARK NEIGHBORHOOD, THE TRACK IS LIKE OUR PUBLIC SQUARE.
IT'S WHERE MULTIPLE GENERATIONS OF FAMILIES AND FRIENDS CAN COME OUT AND DO THINGS THAT WE VALUE, THAT WE THINK ARE GOOD AND IMPORTANT.
UM, EXERCISING, CONNECTING WITH THEIR COMMUNITY.
THERE, YOU'RE GONNA HEAR FROM OTHER FOLKS WHO USE THE TRACK IN DIFFERENT WAYS TODAY.
BUT FOR SOMEONE WHO IS THE PARENT OF A 7-YEAR-OLD, OR WHO IS A 7-YEAR-OLD CLOSING FOR MANY MONTHS OR A FEW YEARS, HOWEVER LONG WE DECIDE THIS TAKES OR HOWEVER LONG DELAYS MAY TAKE, CAN FEEL LIKE AN ETERNITY.
SO WE WOULD JUST ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER AN ALTERNATIVE THAT DOESN'T REMOVE THIS COMMUNITY RESOURCE EVEN TEMPORARILY.
OUR NEXT VIRTUAL SPEAKER IS JUDITH SMIGEL.
JUDITH STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.
I'M VERY PRIVILEGED TO LIVE NEAR A FABULOUS PEDESTRIAN STREET LINCOLN ROAD.
UM, NOW THE CITY AND THE LINCOLN ROAD BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT DO EXCELLENT JOBS WITH THE PHYSICAL AND THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING ON LINCOLN ROAD.
BUT MANY PEOPLE NOTICE THE ALARMING AMOUNT OF EMPTY STOREFRONTS.
I DON'T GET THE ECONOMICS OF THAT.
I'M WONDERING IF LINCOLN ROAD LANDLORDS GET A TAX BREAK FOR PROPERTIES THAT ARE VACANT AND IF THAT CAN BE REVERSED.
IF NOT, HOW ABOUT INCENTIVIZING LANDLORDS TO FILL THE VACANCIES, FOR EXAMPLE, A TAX BREAK FOR THE FIRST YEAR? THE OTHER PROBLEM THAT I KNOW THAT THE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS ARE ALSO AWARE OF, AND CERTAINLY MY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, THE FLAMINGO PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, ARE THE FACT THAT THE PERMITTING PROCESS IS SO SLOW FOR, AND IT AFFECTS ALL OF US.
IT CERTAINLY AFFECTS ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO OR DOES HAVE A BUSINESS ON LINCOLN ROAD.
I WAS AT A CAFE ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE APPLE STORE AND ASKED WHY THERE WEREN'T ANY FANS OUTSIDE.
WHEN THE FEELS LIKE IS MAYBE 103 DEGREES, THEY'RE WAITING FOR A PERMIT.
UM, I JUST THINK THAT LINCOLN ROAD IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT INCOME CENTER AND CULTURAL CENTER FOR THE BEACH THAT AMONG ALL THE OTHER PRIORITIES THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT, I, I VOTE THAT THIS BE MORE OF A PRIORITY AND GET MORE ATTENTION.
I SEE IN THE MEDIA LOTS OF PLANS TO IMPROVE LINCOLN ROAD, BUT I DON'T SEE ATTENTION TO THE EMPTY STOREFRONTS.
NEXT, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES PLEASE.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR MINOR, MY VIEW BEACH COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF.
I'M FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF DANCE NOW MIAMI, PROUDLY CELEBRATING OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON.
FOUNDED AND BASED IN MIAMI BEACH.
I HAVE LIVED HERE FOR 30 YEARS.
FOR 21, I'VE OWNED A PROPERTY AT 900 BAY DRIVE.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WANNA THANK YOU FOR YOUR COLLECTIVE VISION AND ALL YOU DO TO SUSTAIN AND SUPPORT THE ARTS AND YOUR BELIEF THAT THE ARTS ARE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF A HEALTHY SOCIETY.
PROVIDING JOBS, ATTRACTING TOURISM, CREATING OPPORTUNITY, INCREASING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, SHAPING OUR YOUTH AND ENRICHING OUR COMMUNITY IN COUNTLESS WAYS.
MIAMI BEACH'S HOME TO A DIVERSE AND THRIVING ART SCENE THAT WE KNOW DRAWS MILLIONS OF INTERNATIONAL VISITORS AND PATRONS AND SERVES ITS RESIDENTS YEAR ROUND.
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SO MANY LIKE DANCEN NOW MIAMI, RELY ON PUBLIC FUNDING TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE, ESPECIALLY COMING OUT OF THE COVID CRISIS.THIS SEASON HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY DEVASTATING FOR US.
FUNDING HAS GONE BEYOND CUTTING OFF OUR ORGANIZATION AT THE KNEES.
IT IS LITERALLY DECIMATING THE ARTS FROM THE COMPLETE LOSS OF STATE FUNDING TO AN UNEXPECTED 11% ACROSS THE BOARD.
CUT FROM MIAMI-DADE COUNTY LAST WEEK.
DANCE NOW AMONG OTHER MAJOR ORGANIZATIONS IS NOW FORCED TO REDUCE THEIR SCOPE, LEAVING COUNTLESS ARTISTS WITHOUT JOBS AND AUDIENCES AND VISITORS WITHOUT ACTIVITIES ON MIAMI BEACH DANCE.
NOW MIAMI IS FACING A SHORTFALL OF NEARLY 40% WITH ONLY 16,000 COMING FROM MIAMI BEACH.
THIS MEANS WE WILL NOT ONLY CUT EVENTS, BUT IT AFFECTS OUR ABILITY TO HELP SHAPE THE CULTURAL FABRIC OF THIS COMMUNITY, ULTIMATELY AFFECTING REAL ESTATE VALUES, TOURISM, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
ON BEHALF OF DANCE NOW MIAMI AND THE ENTIRE MIAMI BEACH ARTS COMMUNITY, I IMPLORE YOU TO SUPPORT COMMISSIONER BAT'S MEASURE C SEVEN S IN ITS WISDOM, IT WILL PROVIDE PARTIAL STOP GAP FUNDING AND HALT THE BLEEDING.
TO SOME DEGREE, IT WILL ASSURE THAT ARTS ON MIAMI BEACH WILL STAND STRONG FOR THE COMING SEASON, EVEN AS THEY FALTER THROUGH THE COUNTY AND THE STATE.
BY SUPPORTING THIS PROPOSAL, YOU WILL ASSURE THAT MIAMI BEACH REMAINS A BEACON IN THIS DARK MOMENT FOR THE ARTS COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER BAT MAYOR MINOR AND THE COMMISSION.
OUR NEXT VIRTUAL SPEAKER IS JOHANN MOORE.
MR. MOORE, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
GOOD MORNING, JOHANN MOORE, 7 1 7 JEFFERSON AVENUE.
UH, IF ONLY TEARS WERE ABLE TO BE SHED FOR THE 40,000 VICTIMS OF GENOCIDE, NINE 11.
MANY OF US HAVE STORIES RELATED TO MY OWN HUSBAND WENT BACK.
YOU KNOW, PEOPLE, PEOPLE SAY THAT I SHOULD JUST LET IT GO, BUT YOU, YOU BUT THE REASON WHY NO, I AM GONNA INTERRUPT YOU BECAUSE IF SOMEBODY WE HEAR SPEAKING DISPARAGINGLY AND SAYING RACIST COMMENTS, CITY STAFF, INCLUDING THE CITY.
IF SOMEBODY WAS HERE SAYING, RA, THAT IS AN ANTI-SEMITIC COMMENT.
IT IS A COMPLETE DISGRACE THAT YOU COME IN HERE AND USE AND MAKE ACCUSATIONS THAT ARE ACTUALLY ON THE FLIP SIDE.
IT'S THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN REALITY.
BY ATTEMPTING TO INTERRUPT ME NOW, I DEMAND MY TIME.
I AM CALLING IN TO EXPRESS OPINIONS AS A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC, AND I DO NOT ACCEPT BEING INTERRUPTED WHEN I'M EXPRESSING FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTED SPEECH FROM THE DA NINE 11 IS AMONG OTHER THINGS WITH FULL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT THOSE WHO WERE TARGETED WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR US FOREIGN POLICY.
IT IS AMONG OTHER THINGS, A REMINDER TO AVOID EVIL FOREIGN POLICY ENTANGLEMENTS.
MY ONE POINT I CALLED TO REBUKE A COMMISSIONER FOR AN ITEM CALLING FOR A DELEGATION TO A GENOCIDE INDICTED FOREIGN REGIME.
YOU HAVE A CHOICE AS INDIVIDUALS CHOOSE GENOCIDE OR CHOOSE JUSTICE.
I ALSO INSIST THAT AS A COMMISSION, YOU KNOW WHAT'S AMAZING IN OUR SOCIETY, IN OUR SOCIETY, ON EVERY I'LL, NOT EVERY INTERRUPTED, I'M GONNA INTERRUPT YOU.
IN EVERY GROUP AND EVERY GROUP, NO MATTER WHAT GROUP IT IS, THIS WOULD NOT NOBODY, NOBODY WOULD TOLERATE THE ANTISEMITIC, DISGUSTING COMMENTS THAT YOU'RE MAKING.
BUT SOMEHOW WHEN IT'S JEWS, SOMEHOW WHEN IT'S JEWS, IT'S OKAY.
ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO CONTINUE TO SPEAK UNINTERRUPTED.
NOW I WILL MAKE MY POINTS ON BEHALF OF MY COMMUNITY, WHICH IS WHAT THIS COMMISSION SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON.
WE ASKED FOR A ROOFTOP BAN ON ENTERTAINMENT CS, UNDER EITHER THE PROVISIONS OF THE WASHINGTON AVENUE RESIDENTIAL INCENTIVIZATION OR UNDER THE BROADER PROVISIONS OF AN ITEM BEFORE YOU, WHICH SEEKS TO BAN, UH, INAPPROPRIATE UH, ENTERTAINMENT.
WE THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT FOR PRESERVING THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE ADDED ITEM, WHICH INVITES THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE IN A TOUR OF THAT SITE TO SUGGEST NEW USES AND ACTIVATIONS.
I ALSO WANNA SPEAK IN FAVOR OF VARIOUS ITEMS THAT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE IS IN SUPPORT OF.
WE ARE VERY SKEPTICAL AS MEMBERS AND EVEN AS A COMMITTEE OF R FIVE L, UH, PALM TREES DO NOT GIVE THE EQUIVALENT BENEFIT TO THE PUBLIC THAT TREES DO.
UH, WE ARE FULLY IN SUPPORTIVE OF R FIVE H, THE TURTLE NESTING PROTECTION AMENDMENT AND URGE STRENGTHENING, UH, LE LEGISLATION AGAINST EXCESSIVE LIGHT POLLUTION, WHICH CONFUSES THE TURTLE
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NESTING.WE ALSO ARE SUPPORTIVE OF C SEVEN N AND A COMMUNITY SUGGESTION, IN FACT, FOR THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER IS THAT IT HOSTS A REGULAR
PLEASE, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.
I LIVE ON BAY DRIVE IN MIAMI BEACH.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT I NOT BE INTERRUPTED BY THE MAYOR AND THAT I AM ALLOWED THE TIME I AM ENTITLED TO SPEAK.
I AM SPEAKING TO THE RESOLUTION ABOUT THE COMMISSION'S PROPOSED MISSION TO ISRAEL TO DEMONSTRATE SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL AND TO HELP BOLSTER ITS ECONOMY.
I TRULY CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING MORE SHAMEFUL AT THIS TIME.
EVEN BEFORE THIS PAST YEAR WOULD'VE BEEN TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE SINCE ISRAEL IS AN OCCUPYING POWER.
BUT GIVEN THE FACT THAT ISRAEL IS CONDUCTING A GENOCIDE AGAINST THE PALACE, SEE, I'M NOT, I'M IS IT INEXCUSABLE FOR YOU WORDS? LEMME YOU KNOW, SPEAKING OF ECONOMY, DO YOU REALIZE YOU'RE SAYING ABSOLUTE HATE SPEECH SEVERAL DECADES AND LIES, DO YOU EVEN REALIZE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING? JUSTICE? AND THAT'S WHAT I LEARNED.
JEWISH WAS, AND I'LL FINISH RIGHT IN A FEW MINUTES.
WELL, SPEAKING OF ECONOMIES, FOR THE PAST SEVERAL DECADES, PALESTINE'S ECONOMY HAS IN BEEN SUFFOCATED BY THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT.
AS THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH EVERYTHING THEY HAVE TO SURVIVE THEIR RELENTLESS VIOLENCE AND OPPRESSION.
THESE PAST 11 MONTHS, MORE THAN 40,000 PALESTINIANS AND GAZA AND 660 IN THE WEST BANK, INCLUDING SO MANY CHILDREN, HAVE BEEN KILLED BY ISRAEL SOLDIERS AND SETTLERS.
ISRAEL'S WIPING OUT ENTIRE FAMILIES.
GAZA'S DWELLINGS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED ALONG WITH ITS UNIVERSITIES, ITS HEALTHCARE FACILITIES, ITS SCHOOLS, ALL A RESULT OF ISRAEL'S BRUTAL VIOLENCE AND THE BOMBS, IT IS INDISCRIMINATELY DROPPING IN GAZA.
PALESTINIANS ARE STARVING WHILE ISRAEL PREVENTS FOOD FROM ENTERING GAZA.
MIAMI BEACH SHOULD NOT GO DOWN IN HISTORY SUPPORTING GENOCIDE.
AND THE RESOLUTIONS PUT FORTH BEFORE US TODAY WOULD BE DOING JUST THAT.
I OPPOSE THEM WITH EVERY FIBER OF MY BEING AS A JEWISH PERSON, AS A DEEPLY COMMITTED JEWISH PERSON, AND AS A RESIDENT OF MIAMI BEACH MY WHOLE LIFE, AND PARTICULARLY IN THE SPIRIT OF ROSH HASHANAH AND YOM KIPPUR APPROACHING US, I IMPLORE THE COMMISSION TO SAY NO TO GENOCIDE AND TO STAND ON THE SIDE OF JUSTICE.
SO I REALLY DON'T WANNA HAVE TO USE THESE MEETINGS TO DISCUSS THIS, BUT I I CANNOT LET UNFETTERED LIES GO.
SO I'M GONNA, I'M GOING TO MAKE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS AND ONE, UH, PLEASE ANYBODY WHO'S LISTENING, I DIDN'T CORRECT ALL YOUR PROPAGANDA AND ALL THE LIES THAT YOU TOLD.
I WANT TO GIVE A PICTURE IN CASE PEOPLE DON'T RECOGNIZE WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW FROM A JEWISH PERSON'S PERSPECTIVE.
AND I DON'T MEAN TO SPEAK FOR ANY JEWISH PERSON, YOU'RE JEWISH.
UH, AT LEAST YOU CLAIM TO BE SO, BUT I DON'T MEAN TO SPEAK FOR ALL JEWISH PEOPLE, BUT I COULD TELL YOU WHAT I AM HEARING OVER AND OVER AGAIN FROM, FROM PEOPLE, AND I COULD TELL YOU I FEEL IT.
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS THE GREATEST COUNTRY EVER FOR THE JEWISH PEOPLE IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND OTHER THAN ISRAEL.
THIS COUNTRY HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS TO JEWISH PEOPLE WITH OPPORTUNITIES AND WHAT WAS ONCE THOUGHT OF UNTHINKABLE 10 YEARS AGO.
EVERY JEWISH PERSON I KNOW IS THINKING, IS TIME RUNNING OUT FOR US HERE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA? THAT'S WHAT I HEAR.
AND THE ONLY PLACE THAT IS THAT JEWISH PEOPLE HAVE IS ISRAEL.
EVERY OTHER PEOPLE HAS A COUNTRY.
ISRAEL, BY THE WAY, HAS ABOUT 8 MILLION JEWISH PEOPLE SURROUNDED BY 500 MILLION ARABS.
BUT SOMEHOW ISRAEL DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF.
THERE'S NOT A JEWISH PERSON IN THE WEST BANK IN GAZA, NOT A ONE.
AND IF THEY WERE, THEY'D BE KILLED.
AND IT'S NOT JUST JEWISH PEOPLE.
I'M LOOKING AROUND THIS ROOM HERE, PEOPLE CAN SPEAK UP.
COMMISSIONER, I WAS VERY PLEASED YOU SPOKE UP LAST TIME.
THERE ARE MANY OTHER GROUPS OF PEOPLE THAT IF THEY OPENLY LIVED THEIR LIFE, THEY WOULD NOT SURVIVE.
BUT THE HUMAN RIGHTS INDEX THAT COMES OUT, BY THE WAY, RATED ISRAEL HIGHER THAN ANY MUSLIM COUNTRY.
YOU HAVE MORE RIGHTS AS A MUSLIM IN ISRAEL THAN YOU DO IN THE MUSLIM COUNTRIES ACCORDING TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS INDEX.
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SHARE THE DOCUMENT AND I'LL TAKE ONE MORE MOMENT.I SAID THIS LAST TIME, BUT IT'S WORTH REPEATING.
ISRAEL FORCIBLY REMOVED EVERY LAST REMAINING JEWISH PERSON IN GAZA IN 2004.
THIS IS NOT A JEWISH PERSON IN GAZA.
AND THE ARMY FORCIBLY REMOVED ANYONE MOST LEFT VOLUNTARILY WHEN ISRAEL GAVE BACK GAZA TO THE PALESTINIANS AND HAMAS TOOK OVER GAZA.
IF YOU'VE EVER LOOKED AT A MAP, I'VE NEVER BEEN THERE.
OBVIOUSLY I COULDN'T GO THERE IF I WANTED TO, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT A MAP, IT IS A MAGNIFICENT COASTAL CITY.
OR IT COULD BE IN SOME WAYS, IT COULD BE MIAMI BEACH, YOU COULD BUILD HOTELS LINING THE COAST THERE.
BUT YOU WON'T FIND THEM THERE.
WHAT YOU FIND IS HUNDREDS OF MILES OF TUNNELS THAT WE USE TO SMUGGLE IN WEAPONS.
AND WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED ON OCTOBER 7TH, THE BRUTAL MURDER OF CIVILIANS, WHO, BY THE WAY, MOST OF THEM WERE ACTUALLY VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE PALESTINIANS IN A TWO-STATE SOLUTION.
THEY WERE LIVING ON KIBBUTZ AND WE SAW THE MURDER AND THE RAPE THAT WAS ALL DOCUMENTED.
ANY CIVILIAN KILLED IS A TRAGEDY.
AND YES, I MOURN THOSE FROM BOTH SIDES, ISRAEL AND PALESTINIAN, ANY INNOCENCE.
BUT LET'S PUT THE BLAME WHERE THE BLAME DESERVES.
HAMAS IS HIDING IN HOSPITALS AND MOSQUES AND MANHATTAN FAMILIES.
ALL RIGHT, NEXT, OUR NEXT VIRTUAL SPEAKER IS ALAN LEVINE.
MR. LEVINE, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
MR. MR MR. LEVINE, PLEASE UNMUTE YOURSELF.
UH, ALAN ALAN LEVINE NINE 10 BAY DRIVE.
THERE ARE 3, 2, 3 ITEMS ON TODAY'S AGENDA DEALING WITH ISRAEL.
AND I URGE THAT THEY ALL BE REJECTED.
I'M ADDRESSING MY COMMENTS ABOUT THOSE ITEMS TO COMMISSIONERS BOT DOMINGUEZ FERNANDEZ IN MAGAZINE BECAUSE IT IS CLEAR THAT YOUR COLLEAGUES WILL VOTE FOR ANY BILL THAT APPEARS TO BE IN THE INTEREST OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL, WHETHER OR NOT IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF MIAMI BEACH.
BUT PROTECTING THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF MIAMI BEACH IS YOUR SWORN DUTY.
AND THESE ITEMS DO NOT SERVE THOSE INTERESTS.
R FIVE B, WHICH WOULD PROHIBIT THE CITY FROM CONTRACTING WITH ANYONE WHO BOYCOTTS ISRAEL.
HOW WOULD THAT ORDINANCE SERVE THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF MIAMI BEACH WHEN THINGS GO WRONG AND HAVE TO BE FIXED? PEOPLE WANT ONLY ONE THING, THE MOST QUALIFIED CONTRACTORS TO FIX THEM.
THE LAST THING THEY CARE ABOUT IS THE CONTRACTORS' POLITICAL VIEWS USE C SEVEN A J, WHICH WOULD SEEK PUBLIC FUNDS TO PAY FOR EVERY COMMISSIONER AND SEVEN COMMUNITY LEADERS TO GO TO ISRAEL, NOT TO DO BUSINESS THERE, BUT TO SHOW OUR UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR THE ISRAELI PEOPLE.
KEPT THE MAYOR SIMPLY SEND A LETTER DECLARING HIS UNWAVERING SUPPORT.
DOES THAT MESSAGE REALLY HAVE TO BE DELIVERED IN PERSON AT THE COST OF A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS OR MORE OF PUBLIC FUNDS AT A TIME WHERE WE CAN'T AFFORD TO HOUSE THE HOMELESS OR SUPPORT THE ARTS? THIS IS AN UNCONSCIONABLE BOONDOGGLE.
AND YOU MUST VOTE NO AT ITS LAST MEETING.
THE COMMISSION GAVE $10,000 TO A MAN WHO WILL COMPETE IN THE OLYMPICS FOR ISRAEL.
UH, YOUR TWO MINUTES ARE UP, MR. MAYOR.
LET, LET'S CUT THROUGH THE NONSENSE.
YOU KNOW, I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THESE.
SO-CALLED FREE PALESTINE ACTIVISTS MARCHING INTO CITY HALL PRETENDING TO BE CHAMPIONS OF L-G-B-T-Q RIGHTS, WOMEN RIGHTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS.
THESE PEOPLE HAD THE NERVE TO START SHOWING UP AFTER OCTOBER 7TH WHEN A HAMAS, A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION RECOGNIZED WORLDWIDE, LAUNCHED A DEADLIEST ASSAULT ON JEWS SINCE THE HOLOCAUST.
THEY SLAUGHTERED BABIES, RAPED WOMEN, BURNED WHOLE FAMILIES ALIVE, AND TOOK INNOCENT CIVILIANS AS HOSTAGES.
MANY OF THESE HOSTAGES ARE STILL SUFFERING IN CAPTIVITY TODAY.
YOU CANNOT CLAIM TO DEFEND HUMAN
[00:35:01]
RIGHTS WHILE BACKING A MOVEMENT TIED TO HAMAS, AN ORGANIZATION THAT BRUTALLY ENFORCES ISLAMIC LAW IN GAZA.HOMOSEXUALITY, IT'S PUNISHABLE BY DEATH.
INDIVIDUALS ARE HUNTED, TORTURED, AND KILLED.
THE LUCKY ONES FLEE TO ISRAEL.
A DEMOCRACY THAT UNLIKE HAMAS' OPPRESSIVE REGIME, OFFERS SANCTUARY AND FREEDOM FOR L-G-B-T-Q PEOPLE ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST.
GAY PALESTINIANS ARE RUNNING TO ISRAEL FOR SAFETY.
WHILE YOU HYPOCRITES STAND HERE PRETENDING THAT YOU CARE ABOUT L-G-B-T-Q RIGHTS.
AND DON'T GET ME STARTED ON WOMEN RIGHTS.
UNDER HAMAS IRON FIST SUBJECTS, WOMEN AND CHILDREN TO CHILDREN TO, TO CHILD MARRIAGES, HONOR KILLINGS AND FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION.
THESE PRACTICES AREN'T JUST BARBARIC.
THEY STRIP WOMEN OF THEIR DIGNITY AND AUTONOMY.
THEY, THE LEGAL SYSTEM IN GAZA'S RIDDLED WITH SURREAL LAW DOES NOTHING TO PROTECT THESE WOMEN.
YET HERE YOU ARE SCREAMING ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS WHILE CONVENIENTLY IGNORING THE SUFFERING OF WOMEN UNDER HAMAS' RULE, IT'S TIME YOU CONFRONT THE HYPOCRISY HEAD ON.
YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS? LOOK AT THE ATROCITIES COMMITTED BY THE GOVERNMENT YOU'RE DEFENDING AFTER BEING SAVAGELY ATTACKED ISRAEL AND NATION.
FIGHTING FOR ITS SURVIVAL AGAINST A TERRORIST REGIME IS VILIFIED BY YOU.
SO-CALLED HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS, LET'S GET THIS STRAIGHT.
ISRAEL WAS ATTACKED BY AMASS ON OCTOBER 7TH.
AND ISRAEL WILL NOT STOP UNTIL THIS TERRORIST GROUP IS WIPED OFF.
ITS THE MAP I'M CALLING OUT QUEERS FOR PALESTINE.
AND THE REST OF YOU SHAMELESSLY STANDING HERE TODAY.
YOU'RE NOT JUST CLUELESS ABOUT GAZA'S FUNDAMENTALIST GOVERNMENT.
YOUR TWISTED SENSE OF MORALITY EQUIVALENCY IS FLAT OUT WRONG.
THE FACT IS, HAMAS, THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION GOVERNING THE GAZA STRIP MUST BE COMPLETELY ERADICATED FOR ANY HOPE OF PEACE.
AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO BOLDLY ASSERT THAT ISRAEL HAS NO RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF AGAINST THESE TERRORISTS, YOUR BELIEFS ARE NOT JUST MISGUIDED, THEY'RE OUTRIGHT DANGEROUS.
HAMAS DOESN'T RECOGNIZE ISRAEL'S RIGHT TO EXIST.
THEIR 1988 CHARTER OPENLY CALLS FOR ISRAEL'S DESTRUCTION, INCITES VIOLENCE AGAINST JEWS, IMPOSES SHARIA LAW AND REJECTS ANY FORM OF PEACE.
WHAT WE'RE WITNESSING TODAY IS THE EVIL AGENDA PLAYING OUT IN REAL TIME.
ANYONE WHO DEFENDS HAMAS, AN ORGANIZATION THAT ABUSES ITS OWN PEOPLE AND SEEKS THE EXTERMINATION OF AN ENTIRE COUNTRY, HAS FORFEITED ANY CLAIM TO THE MORAL HIGH GROUND.
YOU BETTER BE DAMN GRATEFUL YOU LIVE IN A COUNTRY WHERE FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS A RIGHT, BECAUSE IF YOU TOOK YOUR PRONOUNS AND YOUR SO-CALLED WOKE NONSENSE TO GAZA, YOU'D FACE A MUCH HARSHER REALITY HERE.
YOU HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO BE IGNORANT, BUT DON'T EXPECT TO BE CODDLED OR PRAISED FOR IT.
YOU DESERVE TO BE CALLED OUT AND EXPOSED FOR THE UNINFORMED HYPOCRITES.
THANK, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER SUAREZ.
MAYOR, MAY WE DO ONE MINUTE SINCE WE'RE ALMOST RUNNING OUTTA TIME AND THERE'S A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE, SO I APOLOGIZE, BUT WE'RE GONNA DO ONE MINUTE PER SPEAKER FAVOR.
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW WORLD SYMPHONY.
I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT C SEVEN S.
I WANT TO TALK IN A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE MIAMI BEACH HAS BECOME A PLACE FOR SOPHISTICATED ARTISTIC ACTIVITY THAT IS RECOGNIZED GLOBALLY.
BUT I ALSO WANNA TALK ABOUT NEAR TERM FUNDING.
FUNDING OF CULTURAL PROGRAMS OR INFRASTRUCTURE REFLECTS THE CHOICES OF THE FUNDERS.
PUBLIC REVENUES DIRECTED TOWARD CULTURAL PROGRAMS OR INFRASTRUCTURE.
PRIVATE WEALTH FLOWS TOWARDS SPECIFIC CULTURAL DISCIPLINES BASED ON THE ENTHUSIASM OF THE DONORS.
PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS INTEGRATE THESE FORCES AND BECOME POWERFUL TOOLS FOR BUILDING A VIBRANT COMMUNITY.
A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP SUPPORTED THIS CREATION OF THE NEW WORLD CENTER.
A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP SUPPORTS THE NEW WORLD 70 PROGRAM SUCH AS WALL CAST AND OUR 70 CONCERTS PER YEAR, 30% FREE TO THE PUBLIC.
AND WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE PUBLIC FUNDS WE RECEIVE, ESPECIALLY AT THIS MOMENT.
AND WE'RE PROUD TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF MIAMI BEACH.
OUR NEXT VIRTUAL SPEAKER IS ADAM GZA.
[00:40:01]
STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.I'M SPEAKING TODAY, UH, REPRESENTING THE RHYTHM FOUNDATION AND THE MIAMI BEACH BANDSHELL.
UM, UH, JUST LIKE THE GENTLEMAN THAT PROCEEDED ME, I'M SPEAKING ON IN FAVOR OF ITEM C SEVEN S, THE ONE-TIME, UH, FUNDING FOR THE ARTS AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS AFFECTED BY STATE BUDGET CUTS.
UH, I WANT, I WANTED TO THANK COMMISSIONER BOT AND COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ FOR INTRODUCING THIS ITEM.
UM, ARTS AND CULTURE ARE AN VERY IMPORTANT PIECE, PART OF THE ECONOMY AND THE VIBRANCY OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH AND THE COMMUNITY AND, UH, US AND IN THAT ARTS COMMUNITY WANTED TO EXPRESS OUR THANKS AND GRATITUDE FOR, UM, FOR THE RECOGNITION ON THE PART OF THE COMMISSIONS OF THE IMPORTANT ROLE THAT THE ARTS PLAY HERE LOCALLY AND THAT IT IS WORTH INVESTING IN.
THIS IS A, A BIG DEAL FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.
I'M A PROUD RESIDENT OF PALM VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD AND I'M HERE TO SHED LIGHT TODAY ON THE LACK OF PROGRESS WITH LINCOLN ROAD.
APPARENTLY PHASE TWO GOT A 12 MILLION OVERBID.
WE NEED TO SHED LIGHT ON THIS.
PAY ATTENTION, FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING WRONG AND GET THIS STREET GOING.
THIS IS THE EPICENTER OF SOUTH BEACH.
PEOPLE ARE LEAVING, MONEY'S GOING ELSEWHERE.
IT'S HURTING OUR PROPERTY VALUES AND IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED AND WE NEED TO TAKE THE TIME TO, I HOPE YOU'RE GONNA ADD IT.
I MEAN, I HAD AN ORGANIZED SPEECH, BUT I'M RAMBLING NOW.
THE POINT IS PLEASE HELP US GET THIS BACK.
SPONTANEITY IS THE BEST, BUT HONESTLY, LIKE IT'S EMBARRASSING AND WE NEED TO, YOU, YOU GUYS ARE THE ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT WE COUNT ON AND IT'S NOT MAKING PROGRESS AND IT NEEDS TO CHANGE AND WE CAN DO IT.
AND WE NEED TO RETURN THIS TO BE BACK TO ITS GLORY DAYS AND TO BEING A WORLD CLASS RENOWNED SHOPPING DISTRICT.
SO I BEG OF YOU TO PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THIS AND GET THE SHOW ON THE ROAD.
OUR NEXT VIRTUAL SPEAKER IS JEAN FAES.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS.
HI, MY NAME IS GABRIELA AND I LIVE AT THE CORNER OF TATUM WATERWAY AND 77TH STREET.
I AM HERE TO SPEAK ON RESOLUTION C SEVEN AJ AND I NOTICED THAT IT'S JUST SORT OF TRYING TO DETERMINE LOOKING INTO FUNDING SOURCES FOR A DELEGATION TO ISRAEL.
AND I WOULD JUST ASK THAT INSTEAD OF LOOKING FOR FUNDING SOURCES TO GO ON THIS DELEGATION THAT YOU LOOK INTO FUNDING SOURCES FOR THINGS LIKE HOUSING OR, UM, THINGS THAT WOULD TRULY BENEFIT OUR MIAMI BEACH COMMUNITY.
MR. RAMIR, IF I JUST MAY, COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
AND JUST FOR THE BENEFIT OF OF THE PUBLIC, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF ITEMS ON THE AGENDA OF RELATING TO SHIP FUNDS.
UH, FOR, FOR HOUSING, WE HAVE ITEMS RELATING TO HOUSING IMPACT STATEMENTS RELATING TO HOUSING IMPACT MITIGATION ON DEVELOPERS, LOOKING AT REVIEW CRITERIA IN OUR LAND DEVELOPMENT BOARDS ON THE IMPACT THAT DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS WILL HAVE ON THE AVAILABILITY OF HOUSING.
AND ADDITION TO THAT, WE HAVE A LIVE BETTER ITEM THAT WE'RE REFERRING TO COMMITTEE TO BUILD UPON THE WORK THAT THE REST OF MY COLLEAGUES ARE WORKING ON TO INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF ATTAINABLE HOUSING FOR THE FORGOTTEN MEN, UH, FOR THE FORGOTTEN MIDDLE THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE QUALIFY FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING, BUT DON'T AFFORD, CAN'T AFFORD LUXURY HOUSING.
SO THIS IS A COMMISSION THAT'S VERY MUCH FOCUSED ON THE HOUSING ISSUES AND CHALLENGES OF OUR COMMUNITY.
JACOB JIMENEZ, VETERANS OF FOREIGN WAR MIAMI BEACH POST 3, 5, 5 9.
I WOULD LIKE TO, UH, THANK THE MAYOR AND THE COMMISSIONERS FOR RETURNING OUR CITY BACK TO THE CENTER POLITICALLY WISE AND BRINGING TO THE FOREFRONT THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT OUR NATION STANDS FOR.
WHAT OUR NATION STANDS FOR IS WE HAVE RIGHTS, BUT THOSE RIGHTS ALSO HAVE OBLIGATIONS.
AS A VETERAN, I SIGNED TO PROTECT MY NATION AGAINST ENEMIES, BOTH FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC, AND LET US CONTINUE, BE VIGILANT AS SUCH.
BUT ALSO IF SOMEBODY COMES UP HERE AND THEY WANNA JUST TALK NONSENSE, PLEASE ALLOW 'EM DO SO.
FURTHERMORE, MY MAIN POINT THAT I CAME TODAY IS THANK YOU FOR COMMEMORATING SEPTEMBER THE 11TH.
AND LIKE I STATED, TO VETERANS OF FOREIGN WAR, OUR TO SUPPORT VETERANS AND ALSO TO REMIND OUR COMMUNITY THE IMPORTANCE THAT WE LIVE UNDER A REPUBLIC, NOT A DEMOCRACY.
AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ADD ONE MORE THING.
SEPTEMBER THE 17TH IS CONSTITUTION DAY, SEPTEMBER
[00:45:01]
THE 20TH IS P-O-W-M-I-A DAY.NEVER FORGET PEOPLE DID NOT COME HOME SO THAT WE CAN ENJOY THE HONORS AND PRIVILEGES OF LIVING UNDER.
OUR NEXT VIRTUAL SPEAKER IS PAUL PETRE.
AND I AM A RESIDENT OF SUNSET HARBOR NORTH, UH, UH, FULL-TIME RESIDENT AND OWNER, UH, WITH MY PARTNER FOR 12 YEARS.
SO WE'RE AT 1900 PURDY AVENUE.
AND UH, WHAT I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT TODAY WAS, UH, IS THE DELINEATOR PYLONS THAT WERE INSTALLED RECENTLY BY THE PARKING DEPARTMENT, UH, IN FRONT OF OUR BUILDING.
UH, THESE WERE INSTALLED WITHOUT CONSULTING WITH OUR BUILDING MANAGEMENT OR OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
AND, UM, THE RATIONALE THAT WAS GIVEN BY THE PARKING DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT WHEN OUR PROPERTY MANAGER MET WITH THEM WAS THAT THEY WERE INSTALLED AS A SAFETY MEASURE.
NOW, THERE WAS NO ADVANCED DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW THIS WOULD IMPACT OUR BUILDING OPERATIONS, QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS AND, UH, AND SUCH.
UM, AND IN FACT, I WOULD CONTEND THAT I APOLOGIZE FOR YOUR TIME IS UP.
COMMISSIONERS RESIDENT PAUL ATTENDEES HERE TODAY.
MY NAME IS, UH, MR. RASINSKI, PRESIDENT OF PALMS ASSOCIATION OF 10 25 ALTER ROAD, REPRESENTING APPROXIMATELY A HUNDRED VOTING RESIDENTS.
I HAVE BEEN SENT HERE TODAY BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO STRONGLY OPPOSE THE PROPOSAL TO RELOCATE THE FIREHOUSE INTO FLAMINGO PARK.
FLAMINGO PARK IS ONE OF OUR FEW REMAINING GREEN SPACES IN OUR CITY.
AND TAKING ANY PART OF THE PERMANENT, TAKING ANY PART OF IT FROM A PERMANENT STRUCTURE IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE.
COULD YOU IMAGINE BUILDING A STRUCTURE SUCH AS THIS IN CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK, HYDE PARK, LONDON, OR PERHAPS THE ENGLISH GARDENS IN MUNICH? SUCH AN IDEA WOULD NEVER BE TOLERATED.
OUR PARK DESERVES THE SAME LEVEL OF PROTECTION AND REVERENCE.
THIS IS OUR BACKYARD AND YOU CANNOT HAVE IT.
EVERY BLADE OF GRASS IS IMPORTANT TO US.
I'VE BEEN LIVING HERE IN MIAMI BEACH FOR 32 YEARS.
THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME FLAMINGO PARK HAS BEEN UNDER SIEGE FROM EXPANDING THE PARKING LOT NEAR THE POWELL GYM TO EX ENLARGING THE TENNIS COURTS, BUILDING THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, THE BATHROOM ON THE HILL AND NOW THE FIRE STATION, SIR.
HOW MUCH MORE CAN BE TAKEN BEFORE OUR GREEN SPACE? THESE ARE ALL GONE.
ONCE AGAIN, I REPRESENT APPROXIMATELY 100 MIAMI BEACH VOTING RESIDENCE.
I ASK THAT YOU PUT A STOP TO THIS.
OUR GREEN SPACE IS NOT UP FOR NEGOTIATIONS.
WE URGE YOU, SIR, TO PROTECT, SIR.
I APOLOGIZE, BUT THERE'S LOTS OF PEOPLE BEHIND YOU, SO I COMPLETELY APOLOGIZE.
YEAH, E PROTECT THE REMAINING OF FLAME GROVE PARK HANDS OFF OUR PARK.
OUR NEXT VIRTUAL SPEAKER IS NINA.
STATE YOUR NAME AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE PLEASE.
UM, I JUST, I I'M AGAINST THE FUNDING DELEGATION TO ISRAEL.
I THINK WHAT YOU'VE HEARD TODAY IS A LOT OF PEOPLE GET UP AND THEY WANT FUNDING FOR THEIR PROGRAMS. THEY WANT FUNDING TO STAY AT HOME.
WHILE YOU HAVE PEOPLE SITTING AT THAT DEUS THAT ARE, THAT ARE DEFENDING A COUNTRY THAT IS WORLDWIDE GUILTY OF GENOCIDE AND GUILTY OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY.
IT IS SO DISGUSTING TO ASSOCIATE ISRAEL WITH ALL JEWS.
ZIONISM IS NOT A RELIGION, BUT A RACIST IDEOLOGY THAT IS SHARED ACROSS ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE, RELIGIONS AND EVEN ATHEISTS.
SO IF YOU TIE THAT TO RELIGION AND DISPARAGING ANY OTHER GROUP OF PEOPLE YOU WOULD SHAME AND BOOED.
YOU KNOW, THE FACT, THE FACT ALLOW TO SPEAK.
NO, NO, BUT IT'S ALMOST EMBARRASSING THAT I'M THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS TO CUT IN AND, AND, AND, AND DISRUPT A CLEARLY HATEFUL, BY THE WAY, WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, BY THE WAY, WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS THINGS THAT NAZI GERMANY WAS SAYING IN 6 MILLION JEWS DIED BECAUSE OF IT.
SO NO, I'M NOT GONNA SIT HERE AND ALLOW YOU TO SAY THINGS THAT ARE ABSOLUTELY FALSE, DISGUSTING, HATEFUL, ANTI-SEMITIC, AND ACTUALLY WHEN PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND OTHERS FEEL AND THINK AND TALK LIKE THAT CAUSES THE MURDER OF JEWISH PEOPLE.
AND NO, I'M NOT GONNA SIT HERE AND LISTEN TO IT, THAT IS ACCUSED OF MURDER, APARTHEID, AND RACISM.
IF YOU CARE ABOUT THE VALUES THAT WE HAVE TODAY, YOU WOULD CARE ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON HERE AND HOW THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT SPIT IN THE FACE OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.
THEY TAKE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER, IT, WELL, YOU MAY, YOU YOU MAY SAY
[00:50:01]
THAT, BUT THERE'S A REASON WHY ISRAEL IS, IS THE UNITED STATES ONE OF ITS STRONGEST ALLIES AND CERTAINLY ITS STRONGEST ALLY IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND THERE'S A REASON FOR IT.LOOK AT YOUR LOOK, LOOK AT, LOOK AT YOUR HISTORY.
SERIALISM NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE.
MATT ROSENBERG PASS, SOUTH BEACH TRACK CLUB, SAFE FLAMINGO PARK.
UH, THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU THAT HAVE SPENT TIME, WHETHER WE AGREE EVERY, UH, IN THE WHOLE, EVERYTHING WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FOR THE PARK OR EVERYTHING RELATED TO THE FIRE STATION.
AGAIN, THE SOUTH BEACH TRACK CLUB, WE HAVE OVER USUALLY 80, 90, A HUNDRED PEOPLE EVERY MONDAY.
AS YOU KNOW, I'VE TALKED WITH EVERY ONE OF YOU.
WE CARE VERY MUCH ABOUT THE PARK, WE CARE VERY MUCH ABOUT THE SOCCER KIDS, ABOUT THE BOXERS, ABOUT THE TRAVELING SOCCER TEAM, THE RUNNERS.
YOU HAVE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT USE THAT PARK REGULARLY JUST IN THE TRACK, IN THE SOCCER FIELD.
WE'RE VERY GLAD THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO SAVE THE COMMUNITY CENTER, REINVEST IN, IN THAT AREA.
ALL THAT WE'RE ASKING IS, AND WE SUPPORT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT, THAT WONDERFUL.
THEY SAVE LIVES, BUT PLEASE SAVE THE PARK.
PLEASE DON'T AFFECT THE TRACK.
THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT USE IT, THAT GET HEALTHIER.
AND THIS WASN'T GONNA BE ON MY TOPIC, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT A PLACE THAT WE NEED TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER THROUGH HEALTH AND HAPPINESS AND ATHLETICS, WHERE NOTHING ELSE GETS DISCUSSED AND WE'RE ALL HAPPY AND HEALTHY TOGETHER.
SO IF WE CAN KEEP IT THAT WAY, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
OUR NEXT VIRTUAL SPEAKER IS WAYNE.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
UM, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT, UH, UH, THE PROPAGANDA AND STEVEN MINOR IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.
THE PROPAGANDA IS SO OFF BASE.
UH, WHERE ARE THE PROXIES OF IRAN? THEY ARE IN LEBANON WHERE 65% OF THE POPULATION WAS DISPLACED PERMANENTLY TO OTHER COUNTRIES, UH, IN SYRIA, UH, 600,000 DEAD IN THE LAST DECADE ALONE.
AND 50% OF THE POPULATION DISPLACED PERMANENTLY TO OTHER COUNTRIES.
UH, THAT IS WHERE THEY ARE, THAT'S WHERE THE PROXIES OF IRAN ARE, THAT ARE ATTACKING ISRAEL.
AND THE, THE EVENT OF OCTOBER 7TH WAS PLANNED.
WHY WAS IT PLANNED? BECAUSE THE SAUDIS WERE MAKING A DEAL WITH ISRAEL.
UH, THE SUNY SHIA, UH, CONFLICT BETWEEN THE TWO HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR CENTURIES AND IT CONTINUES.
AND IRAN IS A, IS A PARIAH STATE.
IT'S, IT'S ATTEMPTING TO DISRUPT NOT ONLY ISRAEL BUT THE UNITED STATES IN A SERIOUS WAY AND THAT WE NEED TO DEFEND OURSELVES FROM, FROM THIS MURDER.
OTHERWISE, THE WORLD IS IN TROUBLE.
DO YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE? GOOD MORNING.
I'M ACTUALLY A RESIDENT OF CORAL GABLES, BUT BECAUSE THIS WAS ON THE BALLOT, THIS AFFECTS ME AS A COUNTY RESIDENT AND I'M TALKING ABOUT THE FIRE STATION AND FLAMINGO PARK.
I'M A FREQUENT PARK USER AND THERE ARE ONLY THREE PUBLIC TRACKS AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTY.
WITHOUT FLAMINGO PARK, THERE'S NOWHERE FOR US TO GO.
I DRIVE 30 MINUTES EVERY WEEK FOR THE PAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS TO USE THE TRACK.
AND IT'S MORE THAN JUST MY OWN PERSONAL BENEFITS.
IT'S A GATHERING SPACE FOR LIKE-MINDED INDIVIDUALS TO GET HEALTHY TOGETHER AND MAINTAIN FITNESS.
IN ADDITION TO MY MANY FRIENDS IN MIAMI BEACH, I'VE MET PEOPLE FROM BROWARD FROM ALL OVER WHO COME TO USE THIS SPACE AT FLAMINGO PARK.
AND IF THERE'S NO TRACK, EVEN TEMPORARILY, THERE IS NO COMMUNITY, THERE'S NO SPACE FOR US TO GATHER AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER IN THE SAME WAYS.
I UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS TO PRESERVE THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND I SUPPORT THAT, BUT REMOVING THE ONLY PUBLIC TRACK IN THE AREA IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
OUR NEXT VIRTUAL SPEAKER IS JCRC, DEPARTMENT.
I'M WITH, WITH THE JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL AT THE GREATER MIAMI JEWISH FEDERATION.
AND WE WOULD JUST LIKE TO THANK THE COMMISSION AND THE MAYOR, FIRST OF ALL FOR COMMEMORATING THE AWFUL EVENTS OF OF SEPTEMBER 11TH.
IT WAS VERY MOVING TO HEAR YOU ALL SPEAK, UM, ESPECIALLY DURING SUCH DIFFICULT, UH, MOMENT OF MEMORY.
UH, WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE MAYOR AND THE COMMISSION FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE STATE OF ISRAEL, FOR THE JEWISH PEOPLE, FOR YOUR FIGHT AGAINST ANTISEMITISM AND FOR YOUR STRONG STAND AGAINST THE BARBARISM, UH, COMMITTED BY HAMAS ON OCTOBER 7TH AND SINCE OCTOBER 7TH.
UM, WE ESPECIALLY ARE THANKFUL FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP.
IN LIGHT OF SOME OF THE COMMENTS HERE TODAY, MANY OF WHOM ARE OUTSIDE VOICES LOOKING TO DIVIDE.
AND WE THANK YOU NOT ONLY FOR SUPPORTING THE JEWISH COMMUNITY AND SUPPORTING ISRAEL, UM, BUT ALSO FOR TRYING TO UNITE THE COMMUNITY DURING SUCH POLARIZING TIMES.
[00:55:01]
THE WAVE OF TECH MIGRATION HERE.BEEN HERE ABOUT TWO AND A HALF YEARS, SO SORRY ABOUT THAT.
FOR, FOR EVERYBODY WHO DOESN'T LIKE US, HEAVY USER OF THE TRACK, UH, THEY'RE FOUR OR FIVE DAYS A WEEK, PART OF THE MASTER'S TRACK COMMUNITY WHO, UM, WE HAVE A WORLD RECORD HOLDER AND WE, SO EVERYONE USES THE TRACK FROM CHILDREN TO ADULTS, UH, ET CETERA.
UH, SO FIRST AND FOREMOST, ANYWHERE BUT THE TRACK.
UM, I DON'T REALLY CARE WHERE THE FIRE STATION GOES.
IN FACT, I WANT IT SOONER, BUT DON'T PUT IT THERE.
SPEAKING OF THAT, ABOUT THAT FOR A SECOND, I, I WANNA BREAK WITH THE GROUP, UH, OF FLAMINGO PARK PEOPLE AND SAY THAT WE SHOULD BE THE TYPE OF CITY THAT GETS THINGS DONE AND GETS THEM DONE QUICKLY.
UM, NOT EVERY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT NEEDS TO TAKE 10 YEARS AND HAVE INFIGHTING AND BUDGET OVERRUNS.
SO I WOULD ACTUALLY URGE THE GROUP TO STICK WITH THE ORIGINAL SITE.
BY ALL ACCOUNTS, THE FIRE STATION IS UNINHABITABLE.
SAVE THE TAXPAYER, THE $30 MILLION.
OUR NEXT VIRTUAL SPEAKER IS ANDY.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
HI, THIS IS ANDY ANDREW DIVEY FROM THE SUNSET HARBOR BOATERS ASSOCIATION.
I'M ALSO A, UH, DISABLED AIR FORCE VETERAN, AND I, UM, WANT TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL, UM, ESPECIALLY TODAY ON SEPTEMBER 11TH WHEN OUR COUNTRY GOT ATTACKED OVER 20 YEARS AGO AND HOW, HOW ISRAEL'S BEEN ATTACKED AND THE HOSTAGES HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED AND THE HOSTAGES NEED TO BE RELEASED IMMEDIATELY.
UM, AND I FIND THE, THE ARGUMENTS QUITE DISTASTEFUL, UM, BY THE, THE OTHER SIDE.
BUT I CAME HERE TODAY TO ASK THE COMMISSION ABOUT THE MOORING FIELDS AND WE HAVE, UH, A FEW RESIDENTS LIVING ON THE BOATS WHO WANT TO HAVE A SAFE, SECURE PLACE TO LIVE AND MOW THEIR BOAT.
AND, YOU KNOW, THE DELIC BOAT, WE WANT TO SEE THE DELIC BOAT ISSUE RESOLVED.
UM, THE CURRENT SHORE RESTRICTIONS DON'T ADDRESS ANY OF THE DERELICT BOAT ISSUES, AND REALLY THE MOORING FIELD IS THE REAL SOLUTION.
SO I WOULD JUST ASK YOU TO PLEASE CONSIDER BUILDING THE MOORING FIELD AND GOD BLESS.
UH OH MAYOR, WE'VE GONE OVER THE TIME.
SHOULD WE CONTINUE OR MAY WE STOP AND GO TO ONE O'CLOCK? IF, IF SOMEONE WAS ONLINE YES.
UM, AS WELL AS RAISING THEIR HAND.
WELL, AGAIN, ONE MINUTE BY THE WAY, I'M NOT, WHATEVER YOU GUYS WANNA DO FOR SAY FLAMINGO PARK, IT'S IMPRESSIVE.
IF YOU WANT TO COME UP TOGETHER AS ONE IN A GROUP, THAT MIGHT EVEN BE MORE IMPRESSIVE.
BUT I LEAVE IT TO YOU HOW YOU WANNA WANNA DO IT.
SO COULD THE LAST PERSON IN LINE RAISE THEIR HAND, BE RESPONSIBILITY SPEAKING FOR THE REST OF US AGAIN? OKAY.
UH, RICCI, UH, LIVING IN MIAMI SINCE 2018, MOVING FROM NEW YORK CITY.
I'M SORRY, CAN YOU START AGAIN? UH, WITH YOUR NAME PLEASE.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO TO PRESERVE THIS, UH, BEAUTIFUL HEAVEN, UH, MAKE US SAFE AND EVERYTHING.
UM, I MOVED HERE AND FROM DAY ONE I USED FLAMINGO PARK.
IT'S, UH, UM, A REMARKABLE PIECE OF LAND THAT I THINK SHOULD BE PRESERVED.
UM, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT FIREFIGHTERS DESERVE AND THEY SHOULD HAVE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE A NEW HOUSING.
THAT IS TAKING NINE YEARS PLUS TIME CONSTRUCTION FOR THEM TO HAVE A NEW HOUSING AND FOR US TO FEEL SAFE.
I DON'T CARE WHERE THIS IS PLACED.
I I'M, I'M, I'M UP FOR I'M ON.
WE'RE ALL ON TO, TO PRESERVE LANDMARK BUILDINGS.
I THINK WE'RE ALL ON ON, YOU KNOW, WE LOVE THAT, BUT I THINK THEY SHOULD STAY OFF THE GRASS AND PARKS.
OUR NEXT VIRTUAL SPEAKER IS EMILY MARTINEZ.
HELLO? UH, MY NAME IS EMILY MARTINEZ.
MY NAME'S EMILY MARTINEZ AND I'M A RESIDENT OF SWEETWATER.
I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY TO EXPRESS MY STRONG OPPOSITION TO DEFUNDING OF ISRAEL.
THE ONGOING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS AND THE TRAGIC LOSS OF INNOCENT LIVES IN GAZA CANNOT BE IGNORED, IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE TAKE A STAND AGAINST THE GENOCIDE AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN PALESTINE.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
GOOD MORNING, RAQUEL PACHECO, UH, MIAMI BEACH RESIDENT FOR 20 YEARS AND FLAMINGO PARK HOMEOWNER FOR 16 YEARS.
I'M HERE THIS MORNING WITH MY SON OWEN, WHO IS AN AVID, UM, SOCCER PLAYER WITH MIAMI BEACH FOOTBALL CLUB TO ASK YOU TO PLEASE CONSIDER RECONSIDER, UM, THIS DECISION.
I KNOW THAT YOU'RE GOING TO RELY HEAVILY ON THE BALLOT LANGUAGE, ON THE, ON THE BALLOT AND THE OUTCOME, BUT LET'S BE REAL.
THE LANGUAGE WAS MISLEADING AT BEST, UM, AND IT DIDN'T ENCOMPASS THE ENTIRETY OF WHAT THIS DECISION WOULD MEAN.
YOU'RE GONNA HEAR A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS.
[01:00:01]
BE WORKING WITH MATT ROSENBERG IN THE SOUTH BEACH TRACK CLUB TO, TO BRING EVERYBODY TOGETHER IN ALL THE DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES AND THE SOCCER GROUPS AND THE DIRECTORS.I'M VERY, VERY HAPPY AND THANKFUL TO YOU ALL FOR SHOWING UP.
AND YOU MIGHT HEAR A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS FOR WHY THIS SHOULDN'T GO FORWARD, BUT I'M JUST GONNA STATE MY MOST.
WHAT, WHAT BOTHERS ME THE MOST.
YOU ARE HERE ELECTED TO REPRESENT US, THE RESIDENTS.
I THINK YOU WOULD GO ON RECORD AS BEING THE FIRST COMMISSION TO EVER TAKE AWAY OUR GREEN SPACE FOR A MUNICIPAL PROJECT.
IN MY OPINION, GREEN SPACE IS SACRED.
OUR PARK SHOULD NEVER BE ON A CHOPPING BLOCK FOR ANY MUNICIPAL PROJECT.
WHILE I COMPLETELY SUPPORT YOUR DESIRE TO SAVE THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, I URGE YOU TO PLEASE, PLEASE TURN EVERY STONE BEFORE YOU MAKE THIS DECISION AND PRESERVE OUR GRAIN SPACE.
OUR NEXT VIRTUAL SPEAKER IS ALEXANDRA KACI.
MS. KACI, I'M GONNA GIVE YOU 30 SECONDS BECAUSE THERE'S LOTS OF PEOPLE HERE.
HI, ALEXANDRA KACI, 7 8 0 1 ABBOTT AVE, MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA.
I AM CALLING TO JUST ASK AND EXPRESS MY CONCERN THAT THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH IS CONSIDERING A DELEGATION TO ISRAEL, ESPECIALLY WHEN INTERNATIONAL COURT COURT OF JUSTICE RECENTLY PROCLAIMED ISRAEL AS AN ILLEGAL OCCUPATION AND IS ACT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO DO EVERYTHING THAT'S POWERED TO SANCTION THEM.
AND THEY IS ALSO STRESSED FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RIGHT OF RETURN FOR SO MANY PALESTINIANS WHO ARE VIOLENTLY FORCED FROM THEIR HOMES DURING NAKBA.
AND THERE'S MANY HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS, INCLUDING ISRAEL.
I APOLOGIZE, BUT WE GOTTA KEEP IT GOING.
GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, EVERYBODY HERE.
I REPRESENT SOME OF THE APOLLO RESIDENTS AS WELL, AND I'M SUPPORTING SAVING THE FLAMINGO PARK.
UM, I'M NOT AGAINST THE FIRE STATION.
I THINK I'M JUST GONNA IMPLORE YOU PLEASE FIND ANOTHER PLACE.
IT'S NOT JUST, IT'S, IT'S TAKING A GREEN SPACE AND AS WE CAN SEE, UH, THIS IS MY FIRST SIGN JUST SEEING SO MANY ISSUES.
UM, IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP A GREEN PACE WHERE WE HAVE A OWN AREA WHERE DIFFERENT PEOPLE CAN GATHER FROM DIFFERENT OPINIONS, DIFFERENT POLITIC, VIEWS, RACES, LANGUAGES TO TAKE A A THANK YOU SO MUCH.
BUT NEXT SPEAKER IS JEAN FAES.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO JUMP IN BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYBODY WHO IS HERE SPEAKING VERY PASSIONATELY ABOUT FLAMINGO PARK AND THE FIRE STATION IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO SPEND THE ENTIRE DAY WITH US BECAUSE WE HAVE MANY, MANY ITEMS THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE DISCUSSING THIS IN DETAIL.
SO ALL I ASK IS THAT YOU REMEMBER THAT THE, THE INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN DISSEMINATED OUT THERE IN LARGE MEASURE IS NOT ACCURATE.
WE ARE NOT PUTTING A FIRE STATION INTO THE, THE TRACK AND FIELD.
WE ARE NOT GETTING RID OF THE TRACK AND FIELD.
WE ARE GOING TO WORK AS A BODY, AS A CITY TO DO THIS IN A WAY THAT IS MINIMALLY IMPACTFUL, MAY NOT EVEN AFFECT THE TRACK AND FIELD AT ALL.
AND SO I WOULD JUST URGE YOU ALL TO HOLD YOUR FIRE UNTIL YOU LET US DO OUR WORK.
AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY AND COMING UP AND SPEAKING OUT ABOUT HOW YOU FEEL.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER VIRTUALLY IS JEAN FEIS.
SO WE'RE GONNA GO TO THE NEXT VIRTUAL SPEAKER, DAVID MCKINNEY.
I LIVE AT 10 20 MERIDIAN AVENUE.
I LIVE ADJACENT TO THE CURRENT, UM, FIRE STATION AND ADJACENT TO FLAMINGO PARK.
I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS SINCE, UH, THERE ABOUT 2018.
WELL, UH, I WOULD JUST REMIND YOU THAT AS A BODY, YOU DECIDED TO ALLOW THE VOTERS TO, UH, UH, TO DECIDE WHERE THE FIRE STATION SHOULD GO AND THAT YOU APPROVE THE LANGUAGE ON THE BALLOT.
I THINK IT WAS VERY CLEAR, I THINK THE, UH, NEIGHBORHOOD OF FLAMINGO PARK AT 54%.
UH, THERE IN FAVOR THE, UH, COUNTY AT 75% IN FAVOR, UM, THERE AND ALL PRECINCTS IN MIAMI BEACH.
HELLO, MY NAME IS, UH, LORENZO ION.
I JUST WANNA, IN CASE I GET CUT SHORT, I JUST WANNA SAY SAVE.
UH, PLEASE SAVE FLAMINGO PARK.
AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD A QUOTE FROM, UH, LEVITICUS
[01:05:01]
CHAPTER 19 VERSES 17 AND 18.THOU SHALT NOT HATE THY BROTHER IN THINE HEART.
THOU SHALT IN ANY WISE REBUKE THY NEIGHBOR AND NOT SUFFER SIN UPON HIM.
THOU SHALT NOT AVENGE NOR BEAR ANY GRUDGE AGAINST ANY CHILDREN OF THY PEOPLE.
BUT TH LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF.
OUR NEXT VIRTUAL SPEAKER IS ANNA F ANNA.
HI, UH, MY NAME IS ANNA FARIA.
I AM A RESIDENT OF MIAMI BEACH FOR 25 YEARS.
UM, SOME OF THAT RIGHT NEXT TO FLAMINGO PARK.
I AM REQUESTING TO FOR YOU GUYS TO PLEASE, UH, SAVE FLAMINGO PARK.
NOT ONLY THE TRACKS, BUT THE GREEN SPACE OF FLAMINGO PARK.
THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE COMMUNITY, UM, TO LOOK AT OTHER POSSIBILITIES, YOU KNOW, IN OTHER SITES TO, TO PUT THE FIRE STATION.
GO AHEAD MA'AM, GO AHEAD PLEASE.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PLEASE.
HI, I'M, MY NAME IS MARSH SCHWARTZ.
I LIVE ON 43 0 1 COLLINS AVENUE IN MIAMI BEACH.
THANK YOU MAYOR, FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.
I PREPARED YOU THE WHOLE SPEECH.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'M SPEAKING IN FRONT OF YOU.
I THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE MAYBE HALF AN HOUR, BUT I GUESS I WAS WRONG.
SO I AM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF MY ASSOCIATION FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS.
I HAD, I GOT A, YEAH, 99% OF THE PEOPLE'S VOTES TO SERVE AS THE PRESIDENT.
ACTUALLY, WHAT I LIKE TO TELL YOU IS THAT YOU ARE DOING AN AMAZING JOB.
I SEE EVERY DAY THE WORK THAT'S BEING DONE.
AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND GOD BLESS YOU, MR. MAYOR AND MR. UH, EZ FOSO EQUI SPEAKING ABOUT ISRAEL, EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED TO SAY.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADD JUST ONE MORE THING.
I HAVE LIVED HERE IN MIAMI BEACH FOR 45 YEARS.
WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, LOOK AT HISTORY.
I LIVED IN ISRAEL, I LIVE THERE.
THERE ARE BOOKS THAT WERE WRITTEN ABOUT ISRAEL.
WHAT ARE HE SAYING ABOUT HAMATH? THEN YOU'LL KNOW WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.
MIAMI BEACH, PEOPLE ARE VERY SMART.
NEXT, PLEASE GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
I'M 10 YEAR RESIDENT, NINE 10 WEST AVENUE.
UH, I JUST WANT TO SAY HEAVY USER OF THE TRACK AND, UH, THE MIAMI, LIKE THE FLAMINGO PARK.
I, I'M AROUND THERE ALL THE TIME AND IT'S UTILIZED BY A LOT OF PEOPLE.
AND JUST PLEASE SAVE IT AND UH, BE NICE TO EACH OTHER.
IT'S BEEN NICE TO THANK YOU SIR.
MY NAME IS LISA RIDDLE AND I LIVE AT 800 LENNOX AND I'VE LIVED HERE FOR 15 YEARS.
UM, I AM NOT A HEAVY USER OF THE TRACK, BUT I AM VERY MUCH APPRECIATED AS SOMEONE WHO WALKS BY IT ALL THE TIME AND IS INSPIRED BY THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY THAT YOU HAVE WHEN YOU SEE PEOPLE USING THAT TRACK AS FREQUENTLY AS THEY DO AND THE KIDS OUT THERE AND THE DRUM BEATS ON, UH, FOOTBALL FRIDAYS.
I KNOW IT'S GONNA CHANGE DRAMATICALLY IF WE DO TRY AND PUT THE FIREHOUSE THERE UNDENIABLY AND IT'S GONNA CHANGE THE SPIRIT OF THE TRACK AND THE ABILITY TO DO THINGS.
AND I THINK SO MUCH PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN LED BY MATT ROSENBERG, A TRACK CLUB THAT I'M NOT A MEMBER OF, THAT I DO THINK ARE ADVOCATING FOR SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE THAT SEE IT AND EXPERIENCE IT REALLY, TRULY WANT TO SEE KEPT.
COMMISSIONERS, IF YOU'RE DUG IN, CONSIDER PIVOTING.
YES, MY NAME IS WIL ALFREDO RE I'M AN ATTORNEY IN CHAPLAIN BY PROFESSION.
MY ADDRESS IS 8 7 7 0 AZALEA COURT IN TAMARI IN BROWARD COUNTY.
ONE IS THE ISSUE OF THIS COMMISSION TRAVELING TO ISRAEL.
SINCE THERE'S LITTLE I CAN SAY TO AVOID YOU GOING TO ISRAEL AND SPENDING THE PEOPLE'S MONEY ON THAT, I INVITE YOU ALL TO GO TO THE CITY
[01:10:01]
OF TERM MESSIAH IN WEST BANK.THE CITY OF THE MESSIAH IS A CITY WHERE HUNDREDS OF AMERICAN CITIZENS ALSO HAVE A SECOND RESIDENCE AND THE ISRAELI SETTLERS SET ON FIRE THE RESIDENCES OF AMERICAN CITIZENS.
SO SINCE YOU'RE GONNA BE IN ISRAEL, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE BURNING OF AMERICAN CITIZENS HOUSES IN THE WEST BANK BY ILLEGAL ISRAELI SETTLERS.
THE SECOND ISSUE IS YOU TALKING ABOUT CURBING THE RIGHT TO BOYCOTT.
THIS NATION STOPS ON MARTIN LUTHER KING TO COMMEMORATE HIM.
I'M A FOLLOWER OF MARTIN LUTHER KING AND HE EMBRACED THE PEACEFUL RIGHT TO BOYCOTT.
THIS COMMISSION CAN TRY TO SILENCE AFTER SILENCING PEOPLE HERE, THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE TO BOYCOTT.
BUT GUESS WHAT? I FORESEE ALL YOU GOING SOON TO A COURTHOUSE TO PAY THOSE WHO YOU CURB THAT.
I'M THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL GIVING AT THE BASS MUSEUM OF ART.
UM, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR STEADFAST AND CONTINUED SUPPORT OF ARTS AND CULTURE IN MIAMI BEACH AND URGE YOU TO CONSIDER EMERGENCY FUNDING FOR OUR LOCAL ARTS ORGANIZATIONS.
UM, IN LIGHT OF THE GOVERNOR'S VEDO FOUNDATIONAL OPERATIONAL FUNDING AND POTENTIAL CUTS TO CULTURAL GRANTS FROM MAYOR DANIELLE LEVINE KABA, UH, I URGE THIS BODY TO STEP UP AND RECOGNIZE THAT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS ARE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT EMPLOY OUR NEIGHBORS AND DRIVE OUR LOCAL ECONOMY.
IN FLORIDA, THAT ACCOUNTS FOR $5.8 BILLION IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY ANNUALLY AND SUPPORTS 91,000 JOBS.
UM, FURTHER CONSISTENT GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONAL FUNDING GIVES CONFIDENCE TO OUR DONORS AND ALLOWS US TO REALLY DRIVE OUR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE BLANC, PRESIDENT OF THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION OF GARDENS ON THE BAY.
FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU BECAUSE AFTER I WAS HERE, UH, AFTER THE FLOODING, YOU PUT AN EXTRA WATER PUMP CLOSE TO OUR BU BUILDING.
WE ARE NOT YET THERE, BUT THEY ARE GETTING BETTER.
UNFORTUNATELY, IN FRONT OF OUR BUILDING WE HAVE A WOODEN ELECTRICAL POLE THAT WE'VE BEEN ASKING FPL TO CHANGE FOR A LONG TIME, THEY NEVER LISTENED TO US.
AND GUESS WHAT? ON WEDNESDAY IT EXPLODED AND IT CAUSED A FIRE AND WE HAD THE FIREMEN AND THE POLICE AND EVERYTHING.
SO THEY CAME BACK ON YESTERDAY.
OBVIOUSLY THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DO MUCH, BUT THIS IS A VERY BIG HAZARD FOR THE CARS, FOR THE RESIDENTS, FOR THE ROWING, UH, CLUB.
UH, LAST NIGHT WE WERE WITHOUT, UH, LIGHT.
UH, HOPEFULLY THEY WILL FIX IT BY TODAY, BUT AFTER YESTERDAY I'VE BEEN NOTICING THAT THERE IS A LOT OF GOOD.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF IAC FOR ACTION.
AN ENTITY THAT REPRESENTS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ISRAELI AMERICANS WHO WISH TO APPLAUD YOU FOR CONSIDERING THE, UH, PROHIBITION AGAINST COMMERCIAL BOYCOTTS OF ISRAEL.
MY WIFE AND I OWN A MEDICAL PRACTICE AT 400 WEST 41ST STREET.
OUR CHILDREN GO TO SCHOOL HERE IN MIAMI BEACH.
I'M ALSO THE ATTORNEY WHO DRAFTED THE MODEL LEGISLATION ON WHICH THE ORDINANCE YOU'LL BE CONSIDERING IS BASED IN 2014, SOUTH CAROLINA BECAME THE FIRST STATE IN THE COUNTRY TO PASS SUCH A LAW.
I ALSO DRAFTED FLORIDA'S LAW IN 2016.
THERE ARE 39 AMERICAN STATES THAT HAVE TAKEN UP SUCH LAWS.
THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF CITIES AND COUNTIES THAT HAVE TAKEN UP SUCH LAWS.
I WANT YOU TO BE AWARE OF MY PRESENCE HERE TODAY, SO THAT TO THE EXTENT YOU HAVE ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, I'M CERTAINLY AVAILABLE TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THIS ORDINANCE WOULD DO ALONG WITH WHAT IT WOULD NOT DO.
YOU ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO HEAR FALSE STATEMENTS MADE ABOUT THIS ORDINANCE AND ITS FUNCTION.
SO I ENCOURAGE YOU TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS.
I'M HERE, OF COURSE, MR. MAYOR AT UH, YOUR PLEASURE.
I'LL BE SITTING OVER THERE AND IF YOU'D LIKE ME TO CLARIFY ANY OF THOSE TECHNICAL QUESTIONS, I'M HERE TO SERVE.
I'M SORRY I DIDN'T CATCH YOUR NAME.
I WENT TO THE HEBREW ACADEMY JUST UP THE STREET.
A GRADUATE OF MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL.
WENT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI.
MY FAMILY'S ROUTE TO GET HERE WASN'T EXACTLY EASY.
I'M I'M A TWO G, WHICH MEANS I'M A SECOND GENERATION HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR.
ONE THIRD OF MY MOTHER'S FAMILY WAS WIPED OUT IN A REAL GENOCIDE.
NOT THE FALSE FAKE TALKING POINT.
YOU KEEP THROWING AROUND THIS ROOM WITHOUT KNOWING ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT WHAT A GENOCIDE REALLY MEANS.
WHAT WAS LEFT OF HER FAMILY ENDED UP IN A DP CAMP FOR
[01:15:01]
FOUR YEARS.THAT WAS BECAUSE NO COUNTRY WOULD LET HER IN, NOT THE UNITED STATES, NOT ANY OTHER COUNTRY.
THE MINUTE ISRAEL WAS ESTABLISHED, SHE AND WHAT WAS LEFT OF HER FAMILY AFTER THE BRUTALITY AND BARBARISM, THEY WITNESSED MADE ALIYAH, WHICH MEANS THEY WENT TO ISRAEL TO LIVE.
THAT ALSO MAKES ME A SECOND GENERATION ISRAELI AMERICAN.
SO WHEN I SAY THAT I AM SHOCKED AND APPALLED BY THE ANTISEMITISM THAT I'VE BEEN HEARING ALL MORNING BEING SPOUTED OFF BY MY SUPPOSED CO-RELIGIONISTS, I WANNA SAY THAT MY PARENTS TOLD ME ALL ABOUT JEWS THAT WORKED WITH NAZIS.
MY PARENTS TOLD ME ALL ABOUT JEWS.
WITH THE PEOPLE THAT TRIED TO KILL US, THEY ENDED UP DYING JUST THE SAME.
SO A LOT OF THINGS I HEARD, THE ANTISEMITISM I HEARD TODAY IS APPALLING.
WHAT I DO WANT TO DO IS THANK THIS COMMISSION FOR TAKING UP THREE VERY IMPORTANT ORDINANCES, UH, LEGISLATIVE PIECES ABOUT, UM, NOT ENGAGING OR CONTRACTING WITH BDS CORPORATIONS THAT, UH, UH, UM, THAT, UM, UM, BOYCOTT, DIVEST OR SANCTIONED ISRAEL.
BUT THERE'S ONE THAT ALSO HASN'T BEEN SPOKEN ABOUT.
YES, THERE'S ALSO THE MISSION, WHICH I THINK IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT AS AN ISRAELI AMERICAN.
I'VE BEEN TO ISRAEL NOW THREE TIMES SINCE THE WAR STARTED.
YOU HAVE TO SEE IT FOR YOURSELF TO REALLY UNDERSTAND.
I DOUBT SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE HERE THIS MORNING SPEAKING SAW ANYTHING OR HAVE BEEN THERE OR KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
I DO WANNA SAY AS A HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR, SECOND GENERATION, THE BARBERS THAT TOOK OUT SO MUCH OF MY FAMILY IS THE SAME BARBARISM THAT WAS IN EFFECT ON OCTOBER 7TH.
I APOLOGIZE, BUT YOU'RE OUT OF TIME.
SO THE ONE THING THAT WASN'T TALKED ABOUT WAS NARIA.
I WANNA THANK YOU FOR THAT ONE AS WELL.
UM, REACHING OUT TO OUR SISTER CITY OF NARIA AND SEEING IF THEY NEED ANYTHING 'CAUSE THEY'RE UNDER CONSTANT, BUT MARMAN AND HAVE BEEN SINCE OCTOBER 7TH.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT, YOUR WORDS IN SUPPORTING THE STATE OF ISRAEL.
UH, I WANNA APPLAUD THIS ADMINISTRATION, ONE OF THE STRONGEST EVER.
AND, UH, I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT HOW MIAMI BEACH HAS BEEN IMPROVED UNDER THEIR LEADERSHIP.
UH, I PERSONALLY AGREE WITH WHAT THE PRIOR SPEAKER SAID, AS WELL AS THE GENTLEMAN WHO QUOTED MARTIN LUTHER KING AND MARTIN LUTHER KING WAS ONE OF THE STRONGEST SUPPORTERS OF ISRAEL.
SO THAT SAID, I WOULD LIKE TO PLEDGE $10,000 OF MY MONEY TO ENCOURAGE AND HELP THE MEMBERS OF THIS, UH, ADMINISTRATION TO GO TO ISRAEL AND SEE AND HEAR AND LISTEN AND LEARN OF THE SITUATION THERE AND HOW THAT ALSO CAN BE APPLIED AND IMPROVE MIAMI BEACH AS THE TWO CITIES, TEL AVIV AND MIAMI BEACH ARE QUITE SIMILAR.
UH, THAT SAID, AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND ALL THE BEST TO ALL OF YOU.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I STRONGLY DO NOT SUPPORT THE THREE RESOLUTIONS THAT THIS COMMISSION IS CONSIDERING THAT WILL SUPPORT THE ONGOING GENOCIDE OF PALESTINIAN PEOPLE, IN WHICH MORE THAN 40,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED.
MY PERSONAL RELIGION IS JAINISM, WHICH IS A RELIGION OF NON-VIOLENCE.
AND I BELIEVE THAT GENOCIDES ARE WRONG REGARDLESS OF THE COUNTRY PERPETRATING THEM.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO STOP THAT VIOLENCE AND STOP ARMING A COUNTRY THAT IS SENDING 2000 POUND BOMBS, UH, TO BE USED AGAINST INNOCENT CIVILIANS.
UH, WE WENT WELL OVER ON SUT, BUT I FEEL IT'S IMPORTANT TO HEAR FROM, FROM THE PUBLIC.
I'M, UH, I WANNA RECOGNIZE OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE WAS HERE.
REPRESENTATIVE FABIAN WASABI, ALSO THE, UH, CO-SPONSOR OF NINE 11 HEROES DAY LEGISLATION THAT WAS PASSED IN THE STATE IN, UH, 2023.
AND YOU HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THERE'S A LOT GOING ON THROUGHOUT THE STATE, MIAMI-DADE COUNTY RIGHT NOW, OBVIOUSLY NINE 11.
SO WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE YOU'RE HERE.
I ALSO WANNA RECOGNIZE, UM, MAYOR ALBA RINKY, THE COUNCIL GENERAL OF ISRAEL AND MIAMI.
UM, IF YOU WANNA SAY SOMETHING QUICK, BRIEFLY.
THANK YOU, CITIZENS, RESIDENTS OF MIAMI BEACH.
FIRST OF ALL, LET ME, I'M SURE I DON'T NEED TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT TODAY IS THE SEPTEMBER 11TH AND WE, WE CHERISH THE MEMORIES OF, OF THOSE 2,977 PEOPLE WHO WERE KILLED, MURDERED, RATHER ON, ON THAT DAY, SOMEONE WERE KILLED.
THE, THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND, AND, AND, AND FIREFIGHTERS AND OTHER, UH, SECURITY, UH, UH, OFFICERS, UH, HEROES THAT CAME TO SAVE, WELL SAVE, TO SAVE HUMANITY, UH, RATHER.
AND IF WE TALK ABOUT THE, UH, OCTOBER 7TH, THAT WOULD BE EQUAL FOR, UH, THE 1200 THAT WERE MURDERED THAT DAY WOULD, WOULD, WOULD, UH, UM, BE EQUAL TO 52,000 AMERICANS THAT WOULD BE MURDERED IN ONE DAY.
AND I DON'T THINK ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, UH, LET ALONE A COUNTRY THAT SEEK ITS SURVIVAL, UH, AND THAT IS OBLIGATED TO THE SECURITY OF, OF ITS PEOPLE.
WE DO SOMETHING ELSE RATHER THAN GO AND DEFEND, DEFEND
[01:20:01]
ITSELF.SO I DO WANNA WANNA, UH, UH, UH, UH, MENTION AND, AND, AND RAISE THE MEMORY OF THOSE LOST, UH, HEROES AND, AND VICTIMS. I DO WANNA THANK THIS COMMISSION FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING, ALWAYS DOING THE RIGHT THING.
UH, EVEN BEFORE OCTOBER 7TH, CERTAINLY PAST OCTOBER 7TH, ISRAEL BONDS AND DEDICATED AND AMBULANCE AND THE FIREFIGHTERS HAD SENT AND TO ISRAEL.
AND LAST THING, ONE OF THE GREATEST THING ABOUT THIS COUNTRY, AND I'VE HEARD SO MANY GREAT THINGS THAT WERE SAID TODAY, IS ALSO YOU ARE GIVEN THE RIGHT FOR PEOPLE TO BE ARROGANT AND IGNORANT.
AND WE'VE HEARD, UH, A BUNCH OF IT, UH, OF THESE PEOPLE, UH, HERE TODAY.
BUT IN THE END OF THE DAY, THIS, THIS, THIS COMMISSION AND THIS COUNTRY IS LED BY GREAT PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING GREAT THINGS.
AND THIS IS THE, UH, UH, BUT THIS IS THE THING THAT LEADS THE, THE ALLIANCE BETWEEN OUR WONDERFUL STATE, STATE OF ISRAEL AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
GOD BLESS ISRAEL, GOD BLESS IS ISRAEL, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER LAURA DOMINGUEZ.
UH, I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT, UH, GO PINK AND THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACHES, UH, MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER.
AND YOU PROBABLY SAW, UH, BAKE SALE OUTSIDE.
THAT'S PART OF THAT INITIATIVE WITH THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY.
AND THERE ARE A FEW EVENTS THAT ARE COMING UP AND I'LL BRIEFLY STATE THEM.
FIRST IS A SEA NOTE DINNER, WHICH IS ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH.
AND IT IS A GREAT EVENT, UH, A WONDERFUL CAUSE OF COURSE.
AND YOU CAN SEE LAUREN FERTEL TO BUY TICKETS.
THERE ARE STILL TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AND THERE WILL BE A RAFFLE LATER TODAY FOR TWO TICKETS TO BE GIVEN AWAY OUTSIDE OF THE BAKE SALE AND THE MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER.
I'LL TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT THE 2023 IMPACT, MORE THAN 78.2 MILLION, UM, CURRENTLY INVESTED IN BREAST CANCER SPECIFIC RESEARCH THROUGH 162 GRANTS.
NEARLY A THOUSAND PEOPLE WITH BREAST CANCER HELPED LAST YEAR WITH ONE-ON-ONE SUP SUPPORT, UM, AND REACHED RECOVERY.
AND APPROXIMATELY 300,000 CALLS AND ONLINE CHATS FOR SUPPORTS WERE, UH, PROVIDED AS WELL.
AND THERE'S ALSO A WALK IN OCTOBER AND LAUREN FERTEL CAN PROVIDE MORE DETAILS ON, UH, THE DATE AND HOW TO SIGN UP FOR THE WALK FOR, UH, MAKING STRIKES AGAINST BREAST CANCER.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ.
BEFORE WE GET TO THE CONSENT AGENDA, EVEN THOUGH WE'VE DISCUSSED NINE 11, I I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE I TOOK A MOMENT TO THANK ALL OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.
OUR FIRE, OUR POLICE, SORRY, I'M GETTING A MOTION.
THAT ON NINE 11, WHILE MOST OF US WERE PROBABLY WATCHING ON TV, TWO PLANES HITTING THE TOWERS, BURNING PEOPLE RUSHING DOWN THE STAIRS.
'CAUSE THE ELEVATORS ARE INOPERABLE AND HUNDREDS OF FIREFIGHTERS ARE RUNNING UP THE STAIRS.
HOW MANY OF US COULD DO THAT? IT'S JUST TREMENDOUS.
THEIR TRAINING THEIR WILL TO SACRIFICE THEIR OWN LIVES, TO SAVE OTHERS.
AND WE DO IT EVERY DAY HERE IN MIAMI BEACH.
AND I'M SO THANKFUL FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS, OUR POLICE OFFICERS.
I'LL EVEN MENTION, I HAVE, I'M NOT, I'M NOT DOING IT FOR A PLUG FOR SPRING BREAK.
BUT YOU LOOK AT THE VIDEOS IN PAST YEARS, YOU HEAR THE SH THE SHOTS RING OUT.
YOU SEE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE RUNNING ONE WAY AND THEN YOU SEE POLICE OFFICERS RUNNING THE OTHER WAY TOWARD THE SHOTS.
AND WE THANK YOU AND WE WISH AND ALWAYS PRAY FOR YOUR SAFETY.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
UM, LET'S GET TO THE, UH, CONSENT AGENDA.UH, WE NEED TO SET THE AGENDA BEFORE WE DO ANYTHING ELSE.
THERE ARE TWO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FROM COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
PURSUANT TO SECTION TWO 14 SUBSECTION SEVEN OF THE CODE, YOU CAN HAVE A TOTAL OF EIGHT RESOLUTIONS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS COMBINED.
COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ IS ASKING TO PLEASE ALLOW HIM TO ADD TWO ADDITIONAL ITEMS. THIS WOULD REQUIRE FIVE SEVEN'S VOTE.
SO UNDER RESOLUTIONS C SEVEN AB DESIGNATE SEPTEMBER, 2025 AS CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH AND C SEVEN AL URGE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY SCHOOLS SCHOOL BOARD TO RECOGNIZE OCTOBER 24TH AS NATIONAL L-G-B-T-Q HISTORY MONTH, IF APPROVED BY A FIVE SEVENTH VOTE OR ACCLIMATION.
THOSE WILL BE APPROVED BY THE CONSENTS AGENDA WITH THE ITEM.
SO, ALL IN FAVOR OF ADDING THE TWO ITEMS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IT WILL BE PART OF THE CONSENTS AGENDA.
[01:25:04]
SO NOW I'M GOING TO ANNOUNCE THE ITEMS THAT WERE SEPARATED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.HE'S SEPARATING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS. C SEVEN AC C SEVEN AI, C SEVEN AP C SEVEN A TC SEVEN A U AND C SEVEN A Y I'LL REPEAT THOSE QUICKLY.
MERE MINOR ARE SEPARATING C SEVEN AC, C SEVEN AI, C SEVEN AP C SEVEN A TC SEVEN AU, AND C SEVEN AI.
AND JUST TO BRIEFLY EXPLAIN TO MY COLLEAGUES, UH, THE REASON WHY I DID THIS WAS TO HEAR ALL THE FIRE STATION ITEMS TOGETHER.
ALL THE COMMUNITY CENTER DOESN'T, IT'S NOT A REFLECTION OF, UH, ANY OBJECTIONS NECESSARILY TO ANY OF THE ITEMS THAT JUST FIGURED SINCE WE HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT ITEMS AND IT APPEARED TO ME, SOME OF THEM POTENTIALLY MAY CONFLICT THAT WE SHOULD JUST HEAR THEM ALL TOGETHER.
YEAH, THAT'S, THAT'S 'CAUSE I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT ITEM.
COMMISSIONER BOT HAS SEPARATED C SEVEN A J SO AGAIN, COMMISSIONER BOT IS SEPARATING C SEVEN A J.
COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ IS SEPARATING C SEVEN D AS IN DOG COMMISSIONER.
FERNANDEZ IS SEPARATING C FOUR QC FOUR S.
AGAIN, COMMISSIONER, UH, VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ, C FOUR QC FOUR S, COMMISSIONER SU SUAREZ IS SEPARATING C SEVEN AX C SEVEN AX.
WITH THAT, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, EXCLUDING THOSE ITEMS THAT I'VE JUST MENTIONED AS, AS BEING SEPARATED? DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION? SECOND COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ MADE THE MOTION.
SECOND DO HAVE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ROSA GONZALEZ.
COMMISSIONER SUAREZ SECONDED CONSENT AGENDA.
CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED FOR THE RECORD.
UH, COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ IS SEPARATING, UH, NOT SEPARATING, DEFERRING TO OCTOBER 30TH, R NINE AG.
SO IF WE COULD CLEAR THAT ONE R NINE AG IS BEING DEFERRED.
WE'RE READY TO GET TO OUR FIRST ITEM, BUT BEFORE WE DO, I WANNA RECOGNIZE, UH, OUR CITY MANAGER, ERIC CARPENTERS, THIS IS YOUR FIRST FULL CITY COMMISSION MEETING SINCE BEING APPOINTED BY OUR COMMISSION.
AND WELL LEST ANYONE THINK THAT WE HAVEN'T BEEN KEEPING 'EM BUSY, WE HAVE BEEN KEEPING THEM BUSY.
AND I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES HAVE AS WELL.
EVEN, UH, DURING THE RECESS AND TODAY WE JUST APPROVED ON CONSENT.
UH, TWO, UH, APPOINTMENTS THAT YOU MADE THAT HAD TO BE APPROVED IN RATIFIED BY OUR COMMISSION.
VINCE SAJA, OUR NEW BUILDING DIRECTOR, KRISTI BATTA, NEW PROCUREMENT DIRECTOR.
THOSE ARE, UH, IMPORTANT POSITIONS YOU'RE FILLING.
I ALSO WANNA RECOGNIZE, I'M NOT GONNA MENTION NAMES 'CAUSE THERE THERE ARE SEVERAL, BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO LEFT OUR CITY IN THE PAST YEAR OR TWO WHO HAVE NOW REJOINED OUR CITY FILLING HIGH LEVEL CRITICAL POSITIONS.
AND I THINK THIS IS A REFLECTION.
I THINK IT'S A REFLECTION ON YOU, ERIC, THAT PEOPLE ARE COMING BACK.
I THINK IT'S A REFLECTION ON OUR COMMISSION THAT, AND THAT'S ON OUR, AND OUR RESIDENTS, THAT PEOPLE WANT TO BE HERE AND WANNA WORK ON BEHALF OF OUR RESIDENTS IN MIAMI BEACH.
AND I KNOW THERE'S, UH, YOU'VE, YOU'VE BEEN, YOU'VE BEEN TEASING ME.
AND JUST BEFORE WE CONTINUE, JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, THE MAYOR DID NOT APPROVE THE ADDENDUM.
ITEMS WILL BE HEARD AFTER FIVE, CORRECT?
[R9 K DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION REGARDING THE FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF PRIDE PARK.]
WE'RE DOING NOW.ACTION, FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF PRIDE PARK.
YOU KNOW, I USED TO LIVE RIGHT IN FRONT OF PRIDE PARK AND I, ONE THING THAT, THAT BECAME A BLEND AND CLEAR, IT'S, IT'S VERY UNDER, UNDER ACTIVATED AND UNDERUTILIZED FOR, FOR BEING WHAT IT IS.
IT'S A HUGE GREEN SPACE IN FRONT OF, YOU KNOW, IN FRONT OF CITY HALL.
AND WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS TAKE IT OUT OF THE HANDS OF, UM, A THIRD PARTY CONTRACTOR, OVG, AND PUT IT IN THE HANDS OF OUR PARKS DEPARTMENT TO REALLY ACTIVATED IT FOR THE COMMUNITY.
UM, AND I CAN HAVE STAFF SPEAK TO THE DETAILS OF IT.
I ACTUALLY, WELL, I, I'D MAKE A MOTION THEN TO, TO, UM,
[01:30:01]
TO, YES.SO I, I HEARD A MOTION TO HAVE THE PARKS DEPARTMENT RUN PRIDE PARK MADE BY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ AND I HEARD A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, MAY I HAVE A VOTE ON R NINE K ON THE MOTION TO TURN OVER? WELL, WE HAVE A F WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
UH, AND I'M NOT SURE, UH, IF THE MANAGER INTENDS TO DISCUSS THE FISCAL CONSIDERATIONS OF THE PARKS DEPARTMENT TAKING OVER PRIDE PARK, UH, THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, UH, WOULD HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL COSTS THAT WOULD CURRENTLY, UH, IN THE EXISTING CONFIGURATION OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PARK FALL UNDER THE CONVENTION CENTER FUND.
UH, THE PARKS DEPARTMENT WOULD ANTICIPATE PERSONNEL COSTS AS WELL AS OTHER OPERATIONAL COSTS.
AND OUR PARKS DIRECTORS HERE MAYBE CAN SPEAK TO THAT, BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS A CONSIDERATION AS WELL.
GOOD MORNING, JOHN REBAR, PARKS RECREATION DIRECTOR.
UM, JUST AS RAQUEL SAID THAT, THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME OPERATIONAL COSTS, UM, IF THAT IS THE, THE DIRECTION I'D LIKE TO, TO PUT TOGETHER A GOOD BUDGET FOR THE, THE MANAGER'S REVIEW.
BUT THERE WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, EVERY, EVERYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE, LA LANDSCAPING, ANY POTENTIAL PROGRAMMING RESTROOM, UM, THERE WILL BE A FINANCIAL IMPACT.
OKAY, WELL I BELIEVE THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND.
SO ALL IF, IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, UH, ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, PLEASE SAY AYE.
AND YOU WANNA OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
[C4 K REFERRAL TO THE OCTOBER 18, 2024 FINANCE AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCY COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FUTURE PROGRAMMING FOR SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER.]
UM, RALPH, LET'S HEAR ALL THE FIRE STATION ITEMS AND PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.C 4K REFERRAL TO FERC SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER PROGRAMMING C SEVEN A Y REFERRAL TO HPB RECLASSIFY SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER C SEVEN AI, FIRE STATION NUMBER ONE, CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS MODIFICATION
[C7 AE A RESOLUTION BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, COMMITTING TO THE PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION OF JACK STEWART’S “APOLLO” MURAL IN PERPETUITY, IN RECOGNITION OF THE MURAL'S HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE, REGARDLESS OF ITS FINAL LOCATION OR ANY FUTURE RELOCATION REQUIREMENTS.]
C SEVEN AE DIRECT ADMINISTRATION, PROPERLY STORE PRESERVE AND PROTECT JACK STEWART'S APOLLO MURAL[C7 AP A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 2022-32201, AND ABANDONING, IN THE CITY’S PROPRIETARY CAPACITY, THE CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE TOTAL DEMOLITION OF AN EXISTING TWO-STORY BUILDING, LOCATED AT 833 6 STREET (SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER), AS WELL AS THE CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF FIRE STATION NO. 1 (FILE NO. HPB21-0483) AT THIS LOCATION, IN LIGHT OF COUNTYWIDE VOTER APPROVAL ON AUGUST 20, 2024, OF THE NEW PROPOSED LOCATION FOR FIRE STATION NO. 1 ON ALTON ROAD, ALONG THE WESTERN BOUNDARY OF FLAMINGO PARK.]
C SEVEN AP REPEAL RESO 20 22 3 2 2 0 1.DEMOLITION OF SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER CENTER, ABANDONED PRIOR APPROVAL FOR FIRE STATION C SEVEN AT REPAINT SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER.
LE LEONARD HOROWITZ'S COLOR PALETTE C SEVEN AU DEVELOPED PLAN FOR REOPENING LUNCHROOM AT THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER.
R SEVEN K TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED.
EXPENDITURE FIRE STATION ONE PROJECT AT THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER, R
[R9 AK DISCUSS THE PLAN TO RE-OPEN THE SENIOR LUNCHROOM AT SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER.]
NINE AK DISCUSS PLAN TO REOPEN SENIOR LUNCHROOM AT THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER[R9 AN DISCUSS NEXT STEPS FOR THE RELOCATION OF FIRE STATION NO.1 TO THE NEW PROPOSED ALTON ROAD LOCATION (ALONG THE WEST SIDE OF FLAMINGO PARK) FOLLOWING THE AUGUST 20, 2024, COUNTYWIDE REFERENDUM.]
AND R NINE N DISCUSS RELOCATION OF FIRE STATION NUMBER ONE TO ALTON ROAD.AND I'M BEING TOLD THIS JUST FOR THE RECORD, C SEVEN A T WAS AMENDED TO PAINT, UH, THIS STRUCTURE WITH NEUTRAL COLORS.
I THINK WE SHOULD TALK, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FIRE STATION, THEN WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE COMMUNITY CENTER ITEM.
I DON'T LIKE LUMPING ALL OF THESE ITEMS TOGETHER LIKE THIS BECAUSE I THINK IT BECOMES VERY CONFUSING AND IT'S GONNA BE HARD TO CALL.
WE CAN TAKE INDIVIDUALLY, LIKE HOW WE CAN TAKE ONE AT A TIME.
WE GOT, DO YOU WANT TO, WHICH ONE? WE GOT R NINE.
SO WE'RE GONNA DO R NINE N DISCUSS RELOCATION OF FIRE STATION NUMBER ONE TO TURN ROAD.
THIS WAS, YOU'RE THE PRIMARY SPONSOR ON THIS ITEM, SO I WANTED TO DEFER TO YOU AND THEN I'LL WEIGH IN, UM, AFTERWARD.
FOR ME, I DON'T CARE IF WE BUILD THE FIRES, IF WE FIND ANOTHER LOCATION, IF THAT'S THE DIRECTION, I AM FINE WITH THAT.
UM, I, I, BUT I AM COMMITTED AND HAVE BEEN FOR 10 YEARS TO SAVING THAT COMMUNITY CENTER BECAUSE PLOPPING THE FIRE STATION RIGHT THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF WHERE SOME OF OUR NEEDIEST RESIDENTS LIVE HAS BEEN VERY UPSETTING TO ME.
I WALK PAST THE DAYCARE EVERY SINGLE DAY ON SIXTH STREET AND I HEAR THE CHILDREN PLAYING AND LAUGHING.
IT'S A NE IT'S, IT'S, IT'S A NECESSITY.
AND I SAW THE SENIORS GET CAST OUT BECAUSE OF THIS WHOLE FIRE STATION DEBACLE, UM, AFTER COVID.
AND THEN I SAT THERE AND WATCHED ALL
[01:35:01]
OF OUR NONPROFITS BE KICKED OUT ONE BY ONE OR RE TRYING TO RELOCATE THEM SOMEPLACE UNSUCCESSFULLY.UH, THE ADMINISTRATION LOOKED FOR BUILDINGS, THEY LOOKED FOR A PLACE FOR THE DAYCARE.
I MEAN, ULTIMATELY THEY WANTED TO PUT THE DAYCARE IN A TRAILER, UH, YOU KNOW, WHICH I DON'T THINK IS THE RIGHT THING, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARK.
SO YOU WERE GETTING A BIG STRUCTURE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GREEN SPACE OF THE PARK.
THAT WAS THE CURRENT DIRECTION.
UM, IF COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ WANTS TO GO OUT AND FIND SOMEPLACE ELSE TO PUT THE FIRE STATION, I'LL SUPPORT IT.
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER OFF THE CHOPPING BLOCK TODAY.
THAT TO ME IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.
I WOULD LIKE TO GET THE SENIOR LUNCHROOM REOPENED.
WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF SENIORS LIVING IN CLOSE PROXIMITY THAT LIVE IN ANYWHERE BETWEEN 300 AND 500 SQUARE FEET.
AND GETTING UP AND WALKING TO THAT COMMUNITY CENTER IS WHAT THEY DO, IS WHAT THEY DID.
UM, I DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND WHY THE ENTIRE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF HAVING THIS HILTON, GUCCI FIRE STATION, WHICH I UNDERSTAND, I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.
WE HAVE A SPOT WHERE THEY ARE RIGHT NOW.
IF THE DIRECTION IS TO RENOVATE, REBUILD, ADD ON TO WHERE THEY ARE RIGHT NOW.
YOU HAVE MY VOTE ON THAT 100%.
AND I TOLD MATT AND HIS ENTIRE GROUP YESTERDAY IF WE WANTED TO GO OUT AND LOOK FOR A PROPERTY.
BUT I'LL TELL YOU THAT I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR 10 YEARS NOW, POSSIBLY THE PRIOR COMMISSION, UM, AND ADMINISTRATION.
I THINK WHAT HAPPENED AT SOME POINT WAS GROUP THINK TOOK OVER AND IT BECAME ME VERSUS A COUPLE OF MY COLLEAGUES THAT UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES NEEDED TO WIN AND THEY NEEDED TO DEMOLISH THIS FIRE STATION THAT SERVED THE POOREST OF THE POOR.
AND WAS ALSO AN EXAMPLE OF MORRIS LAPIDUS, UH, CONSTRUCTION.
I THINK THAT IT WASN'T EVEN ANYMORE ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.
IT WAS REALLY JUST ABOUT BEATING, BEATING ME, WHICH IS SO DUMB
AND IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.
AND IT TAKES AWAY FROM THE FACT THAT ACROSS THE CITY OF MIAMI, YOU WILL SEE THAT, UH, FIRE STATIONS LIKE THE ONE THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW ON JEFFERSON, THEY ARE CELEBRATED.
THEY ARE RENOVATED, AND YOU CAN FIND THEY'RE LITTLE FIRE TRACKS.
THEY EVEN HAVE LIKE ANTIQUES, YOU KNOW, BEAUTIFUL FIRE TRACKS.
AND THIS IS HAPPENING ACROSS THE CITY OF MIAMI.
THEY'RE CELEBRATING THEIR HISTORIC FIRE STATIONS.
THEY ARE NOT TRYING TO, UH, BUILD NEW ONES.
SO, YOU KNOW, TO EVERYBODY WHO'S WORRYING ABOUT THE TRACK, WHEN YOU CAME TO BE ABOUT THE TRACK, I SAID IT'LL SHRINK THE BUILDING.
THERE WILL BE NO INTERRUPTION IN THE TRACK.
BUT THERE HAS TO BE SOME SORT OF COMPROMISE.
THERE HAS TO BE SOME SORT OF COMPROMISE.
AND IN A COMPROMISE, NOBODY WALKS AWAY 100% HAPPY IF THE FIELD IS NOT GOING TO BE INTERRUPTED AND THE TRACK IS NOT GOING TO BE INTERRUPTED.
POSSIBLY A SMALLER FIRE STATION THERE.
I WOULD ASK US RIGHT NOW THOUGH, TO CONSIDER A REBUILD A RENOVATION RIGHT WHERE IT IS, RIGHT WHERE IT IS AND WORK, YOU KNOW, AND, AND MAKE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL.
I MEAN, IF, IF THE ONLY OPTION THAT WE HAVE IS TO BUILD IT IN, YOU KNOW, FLAMINGO PARK, LIKE I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THAT'S TRUE.
SO I WOULD ASK EVERYBODY TO HAVE AN OPEN MIND.
BUT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS TIME AND AGAIN, GIVEN ME NUMBERS, WE HAVE NO BUILDINGS.
THERE'S NOTHING THAT WE CAN DO.
WE CANNOT TRY TO PUT TOGETHER A PARKING LOT.
UM, I I, I RAN AROUND WITH OZZY FOR MONTHS LOOKING AT EVERY SINGLE PROPERTY WITH FACILITIES MANAGEMENT.
SO AT THIS POINT, UM, COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, I MEAN, YOU'RE LOOKING FOR OTHER OPTIONS.
I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU WANT THIS TO GO.
I WANNA MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY, BUT PLEASE, LET'S JUST TAKE THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER OFF THE CHOPPING BLOCK TODAY, PLEASE.
UM, I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT RIGHT NOW, UM, WE HAVE THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER AS THE OPTION FOR THIS.
AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THE CHARACTER OF OUR COMMUNITIES.
UM, AND WE, AND WE ENDEAVORED, UH, TO FIND AN ALTERNATE SITE BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A NECESSITY TO, ABOVE ALL ELSE, PROTECT LIFE AND SAFETY.
SO I DO, I I DO THINK WE DO HAVE AN ALTERNATE SITE TODAY.
I DO THINK THAT TODAY IT IS PROPER WITH AN ALTERNATE SITE, UH, THAT THE VOTERS HAVE GIVEN US THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER FOR US TO BE ABLE TO REMOVE THE, THE, UH, SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER FROM THE TABLE FROM CONSIDERATION.
HOWEVER, IN PROTECTING THE CHARACTER OF OUR COMMUNITIES,
[01:40:01]
WE ALSO HAVE TO UNDERSTAND AND RESPECT THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF FLAMINGO PARK AND OPEN GREEN SPACE TO THE CHARACTER OF THE FLAMINGO PARK HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD.UH, IT IS THE FLAMINGO PARK NEIGHBORHOOD AND IT IS A HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD.
UM, AND WE NEED TO, AND WE NEED TO, FOR ME IT IS, UH, IT IS A VERY BIG DECISION TO PLACE A FIRE STATION IN THAT GREEN SPACE.
IS IT, IS IT A GOOD LOCATION FOR IT? WELL, I DON'T THINK ANYTIME YOU HAVE TO USE OPEN GREEN PARK SPACE, UH, FOR A PUBLIC UTILITY LIKE THIS, THAT IT'S A GOOD DECISION.
BUT IS IT A NECESSITY? IT IS A NECESSITY.
SO, SO, SO WHERE I AM TODAY IS THAT BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD IN ASKING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO PLACE THE FIRE STATION AT FLAMINGO PARK, LET'S MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S NO OTHER SITE THAT THIS COULD BE PLACED AT.
AND THE REASON WHY I SAY THAT, THE VERY FIRST CALL I GOT FOLLOWING, UH, THE DAY FOLLOWING, UH, THE, THE PUBLIC REFERENDUM ON FLAMINGO PARK WAS FROM OUR CITY ADMINISTRATION.
AND THEY WERE COMMITTED TO LOOKING TO SEE HOW THEY COULD REDESIGN THE FIRE STATION TO MAKE IT A SMALLER FOOTPRINT AND AVOID IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE TOUCHING THE TRACK, TOUCHING THE FIELD.
THAT RESONATES WITH ME BECAUSE I'VE LISTENED TO, TO, TO YOU THE RESIDENT FROM 800 LENNOX WHO SPOKE ABOUT HER 7-YEAR-OLD WHO USES THE TRACK, THE, UH, MATH WHO, UH, WITH WHOM I'VE MET AND, AND CAME AND, AND SPOKE ABOUT THE, ABOUT THE 800 RESIDENTS, UH, WHO USE THE SOCCER FIELD AND WHO ARE RUNNERS AND WHO DO BOXING AND WHO USE THIS, UH, THE, THIS GREEN SPACE MORROW WHO MOVED FROM NEW YORK TO WEST AVENUE BECAUSE OF ITS PROXIMITY TO, TO TO, TO THE PARK.
IF WE, IF THERE IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REDESIGN, TO AVOID TOUCHING THE TRACK AND TO AVOID TOUCHING THE FIELD, THEN WHERE ELSE CAN WE REDESIGN AT? AND FROM MY UNDERSTANDING AND SPEAKING WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THERE ARE OTHER NEEDS THAT ARE NOT BEING MET BY FIRE STATION ONE RIGHT NOW AT, AT, AT THE, AT ANY OF THE PROPOSED LO LOCATIONS THEY NEED, AND THEY'RE REQUESTING FOR, AND CORRECT ME, MR. MANAGER IF I'M WRONG, UH, IF THERE IS A POSSIBILITY TO HOUSE WITHIN THAT FACILITY, WITHIN THAT CATEGORY FIVE RESISTANT FACILITY, THE NINE ONE ONE CALL CENTER, THAT WOULD BE THEIR PREFERENCE.
AND CLEARLY 9 1 1 IS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE THAT CLEARLY RIGHT NOW IS NOT IN A CATEGORY FIVE RESISTANT FACILITY.
AND IF WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INCORPORATE IT IN THERE, THEN WE SHOULD, THAT WOULD INVOLVE A CERTAIN LEVEL OF REDESIGN.
AND SO IF WE ARE FOR VERY LEGITIMATE PURPOSES, LOOKING AT A POSSIBLE REDESIGN OF THIS NECESSITY OF A PUBLIC FACILITY, WELL THEN WE'RE AT, WHERE ELSE CAN WE REDESIGN AT THAT WE PREVIOUSLY DIDN'T HAVE ON THE TABLE BECAUSE WE WERE JUST LOOKING TO PLOP.
THAT WAS THE, YOU KNOW, THAT, THAT, THAT'S BEEN THE TERM THAT'S, THAT'S BEEN USED.
HOW CAN WE GET THE DESIGN THAT WAS PROPOSED AT THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER, GRAB IT AND PLOP IT, UH, SOMEWHERE ELSE UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES? WELL, THE FLAMINGO PARK SITE BECAME THE LOGICAL ALTERNATIVE.
BUT BEFORE I MAKE THE VERY DRASTIC DECISION OF SAYING, LET'S TOUCH THAT SACRED GREEN SPACE AT FLAMINGO PARK, THAT IS PART OF THE IDENTITY OF THE FLAMINGO PARK NEIGHBORHOOD, LET'S FIRST ENSURE THAT WE LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED AND SEE WHERE ELSE COULD A REDESIGN FIRE STATION WITH A SMALLER FOOTPRINT THAT CAN INCORPORATE THE NINE ONE ONE CALL CENTER BE ACCOMMODATED AT.
AND THAT'S WHERE, THAT'S WHERE I AM TODAY, JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE LEAVE NO STONE ABSOLUTELY UNTURNED.
BUT TODAY, TODAY I'M VERY CLEAR, I'M READY TO REMOVE THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER FROM FROM THE TABLE BECAUSE THAT IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF ARCHITECTURE THAT WE NEED TO NEED TO PRESERVE.
AND MY APPRECIATION FOR IT HAS GONE EVEN MORE UP AFTER VISITING IT FRIDAY DURING OUR SUNSHINE MEETING.
UH, KEEP THIS SIMPLE, UM, JUST 'CAUSE I'M GONNA PUT MY CARDS ON THE TABLE.
UH, AS WE'RE ALL VOTING, I THINK IT'S GOOD TO KNOW WHERE EACH OTHER STANDS.
UH, HOPEFULLY I'LL RESERVE MY RIGHT TO GET INTO MORE DETAIL.
'CAUSE I THINK THERE'S MANY CONSIDERATIONS.
THE ONE THING, UH, THAT IS A NON-STARTER FOR ME
[01:45:01]
IS, UH, FOR ONE DAY, ONE WEEK, ONE MONTH, ONE YEAR, UH, DISRUPTING THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE TRACK AND FOOTBALL FIELD, IF WE WOULD BE ABLE TO, UH, THREAD A NEEDLE AND SHRINK THE FOOTPRINT OF THE FIRE STATION AND PLACE IT IN THE END ZONE, UH, THE WESTERNMOST PORTION OF THAT PARK WITHOUT DISRUPTING THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE, UM, TRACK AND FIELD, I WOULD BE GRUDGINGLY POSSIBLY BE IN, IN SUPPORT OF THAT.UM, BUT I GO OUT TO THAT COMMUNITY, MY DAUGHTER LEARNED TO PLAY SOCCER.
THERE WE GO THERE AS A FAMILY, AND I DON'T SEE DOZENS, I DON'T SEE TENS.
I SEE HUNDREDS, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE SOCIOECONOMIC SPECTRUM, FROM QUITE LITERALLY MOTHERS PUSHING THEIR BABIES, JOGGING ON THAT TRACK TO THE TRAVEL SOCCER TEAMS, TO OUR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PROGRAM, TO OUR HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER TEAMS. THAT IS A COMMUNITY TO ME.
I UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDINGS, I UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF, UH, OPEN PARK SPACE, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO ME IS THE PEOPLE THAT ARE USING THAT, THE COMMUNITY THAT IT FOSTERS.
AND THERE'S NO ALTERNATIVE, THERE'S NO OTHER TRACK FOR THESE PEOPLE TO GO OUT AND MAKE THEIR COMMUNITY.
THERE'S NO OTHER REGULATION, FOOTBALL FIELD OR SOCCER FIELD FOR THE PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY TO USE.
WE COULD BE LOOKING AT THIS TRACK TAKEN OFFLINE OR THE SOCCER FIELD WHEN THE WORLD CUP IS HERE IN 2026, RIGHT? THE ONLY REGULATION, SOCCER FIELD THAT WE HAVE, WE'LL BE THE WORLD SPOTLIGHT.
AND MAYBE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TAKING OFFLINE, UH, A REGULATION SIZE SOCCER FIELD, THE ONLY ONE IN OUR CITY.
SO, UM, IF WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH SHRINKING THE FOOTPRINT OF THE FIRE STATION AND PUTTING IT IN THE WESTERNMOST PORTION WITHOUT A SINGLE DAY OF DISRUPTION TO THE TRACK AND TO THE FIELD, THAT IS SOMETHING I WILL SERIOUSLY CONSIDER AND, AND LIKELY LEANING TOWARDS.
UM, BUT THE ONE NON-STARTER THAT I HAVE, UH, AS WE GO ABOUT THIS PROCESS IS ANY TYPE OF DISRUPTION, UH, TO THE TRACK AND FIELD.
THAT, THAT, THAT IS MY ONE NON-STARTER.
ALL OTHER OPTIONS WOULD BE ON THE TABLE FOR ME, BUT THAT'S ONE THING I'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO VOTE IN SUPPORT OF COMMISSIONER BOT.
UM, I'M VERY EAGER TO HEAR WHAT THE REST OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE HAVE TO SAY ON THIS MATTER.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO START OFF BY BIFURCATING THE CONVERSATION OF TAKING THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER OFF THE TABLE.
I'VE GOT SEVERAL ITEMS ON THE I'D, LIKE, I'VE GOT SEVERAL ITEMS ON THE AGENDA THAT ARE GOING TO BE PART OF THIS DISCUSSION.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN GO AHEAD AND MAKE A MOTION TO THAT
UM, BUT I, I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN MAKE A MOTION TO, UM, TAKE THAT TO REPEAL THE DEMOLITION ORDER NOW.
THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S BEING CALLED OR IF WE NEED TO WAIT TO GET TO IT THERE, THERE'S ONE OF THE ITEMS WE'RE ABOUT TO CALL AS PART OF THIS CONVERSATION IS BASICALLY TAKING THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER OFF THE TABLE AS A SITE FOR THE FIRE STATION MOTION.
WAIT, WHAT'S THE MOTION ON THE TABLE TO TAKE THE, SORRY.
YOUR ASSIGNED, THERE'S A DISCUSSION CURRENTLY ABOUT A PARTICULAR ITEM.
I I THINK IT WOULD BE MORE PRUDENT TO ALLOW THAT ITEM TO PROCEED AND THEN GO TO THE NEXT ITEM.
OKAY, WE'LL COME BACK TO THAT.
UM, YOU KNOW, IT'S IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY WE SAT AS A BODY AND WE SAID UNEQUIVOCALLY SEVEN ZERO.
WE'RE GONNA SPEND THE NEXT FIVE OR SIX MONTHS LOOKING AT ALTERNATE SITES, WHETHER THAT MEANS BUYING OR TAKEN BY EMINENT DOMAIN AS A POSSIBILITY, OR FINDING A SITE THAT WE OWNED IN A CITY.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE MAGICALLY WE'RE GOING TO FIND A NEW SITE THAT ACCOMMODATES THE NEEDS OF THE FIRE STATION.
I DO KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THERE HAS BEEN NOT JUST DISINFORMATION, BUT FLAT OUT LIES ABOUT THIS PROJECT.
AND FRANKLY, I, THIS IS HOW I KNOW I'M NOT A POLITICIAN BECAUSE I'M FLABBERGASTED AT THE AMOUNT OF DISHONESTY I UNDERSTAND.
I KNOW I DON'T LOOK LIKE IT AND I HAVEN'T BEEN GOOD AT IT LATELY, BUT I'VE DONE COUNTLESS HALF MARATHONS AND TRIATHLONS.
I DID MY FASTEST MILE ON THAT TRACK, WHICH YOU'LL ALL LAUGH AT.
IT WAS ONLY AN EIGHT MINUTE MILE.
BUT FOR ME, THAT'S A BIG FREAKING DEAL.
UM, AND IT WAS A LONG TIME AGO, BUT I DIGRESS.
[01:50:01]
UM, I LOVE THAT TRACK AND I LOVE WHAT IT WAS, WHAT IT IT MEANS TO THE COMMUNITY.AND I DON'T DEVALUE THAT FOR A SECOND, BUT I AM CURIOUS WHERE ALL THIS PROTEST WAS ABOUT THE TRACK WHEN IT WAS RESURFACED AND THE FIELD WAS, WAS FIXED EIGHT OR NINE YEARS AGO.
AND BY THE WAY, IT FLOODS TERRIBLY.
AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HANDLE THAT PROBLEM, NOT AS PART OF THIS PROJECT, BUT AS ONE IN THE NEXT, I DON'T KNOW, FIVE TO 10 YEARS.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF FIXES THAT WE CAN DO BETWEEN NOW AND THEN FOR THE FLOODING.
BUT OH, BY THE WAY, TRACKS, UH, TRACKS WEAR OUT, NEED TO BE RESURFACED.
UM, REGULATION, SOCCER FIELDS, ESPECIALLY THE ONLY ONE IN THE CITY GETS AN AWFUL LOT OF USE, WHICH IS AMAZING.
AND IT'S GOING TO NEED TO BE RESURFACED AND IT WILL BE OFFLINE.
AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE CREATIVE ABOUT HOW WE TIME THAT, HOW WE USE THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE THE BIGGEST IMPACT IN THE SHORTEST AMOUNT OF TIME WHEN IT COMES TO BUILDING A NEW FIRE STATION.
MY PLEDGE ON TAKING THIS ON, AND I THINK WHY MY COLLEAGUE SUPPORTED MY TAKING THE BATON FROM, FROM MY COLLEAGUE WHO'S BEEN FIGHTING FOR THIS FOR SO LONG, WAS THAT I PLEDGED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO GOING BACK TO SQUARE ONE.
AND I HEAR PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY SAYING THAT, UM, THAT WE ARE GOING TO PUT THE FIRE STATION ONTO THE TRACK AND FIELD.
I'VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY THAT WE ARE BUILDING A FIRE STATION PARKING LOT IN THE MIDDLE OF FLAMINGO PARK.
I'VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY THAT WE ARE TAKING THE POOL OFFLINE AND THE TENNIS COURTS ONLINE TO BE PUT BACK ONLINE.
AND LET ME TELL YOU, THAT WAS NEVER CONTEMPLATED IT, WOULD IT NOT EVER BE CONTEMPLATED? YOU MIGHT THINK WE'RE IDIOTS, BUT WE'RE NOT ACTUALLY IDIOTS.
WHAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT IS TAKING THE WESTERN MOST EDGE OF A PORTION, A VERY ACTIVE PORTION OF THE PARK, AND PUTTING IN A PUBLIC BENEFIT.
IF YOU'VE GOT PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING ACTIVE SPORTS IN A HUNDRED DEGREE WEATHER, IT'S NOT A TERRIBLE THING TO HAVE FIRST RESPONDERS THERE AROUND THE CORNER TO BE ABLE TO SERVE THAT COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE THIS FIRE STATION AND CREATE THIS, THIS SPORTS VENUE IN A WAY THAT WE GET TO CHOOSE AND DESIGN.
WE HAVE GORGEOUS LANDSCAPING OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE THAT PARK, THAT PART OF THE PARK LOOK EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL.
WE HAVE A SPORTS THEMED, UM, UH, MURAL THAT WILL BE PUT ONTO THE FIRE STATION WITH ALL, UM, APOLOGIES TO THE GREEK GOD OR, OR THE, THE GOD APOLLO, BUT HE'S RACING HIS CHARIOT ACROSS THE SKY.
I MEAN, IMAGINE COMING IN TO PLAY THE HIGH TIDES FOOTBALL FOR A A SEASON DEFINING GAME.
AND WE'VE GOT APOLLO ON OUR SIDE.
WE HAVE THE CHANCE TO PLAN FOR A CITY.
WE WANT, NOT THE CITY THAT WE'VE STUMBLED INTO, AND FOR US TO BE TALKING ABOUT THIS MAGICAL SITE THAT'S GOING TO APPEAR, OR SOMEHOW WE'RE GOING TO REDESIGN THE FIRE STATION TO THREE SMALLER FIRE STATIONS THAT ARE GONNA ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS THAT, THAT WE HAVE AS A CITY.
WE HAVE MORE TALL BUILDINGS COMING INTO OUR CITY ALL OVER THE CITY, INCREASING THE DENSITY THAT ALREADY EXISTS IN SOUTH BEACH.
IF YOU THINK THERE'S NOT MORE COMING DESPITE OUR BEST EFFORTS, YOU HAVEN'T BEEN FOLLOWING THE NEWS OF LIVE LOCAL.
OKAY, WE NEED TO PLAN FOR THE CITY.
WE WANT TO BE GOING FORWARD, OBVIOUSLY I'LL BE, I'LL BE GRACIOUS ON, BUT I, WE, WE GET, WE, WE, I I JUST, I NEED TO FINISH.
I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF FIRE ITEMS. JUST, I'M JUST, IT'S NOT TO YOU.
I'M SAYING IT TO EVERYBODY AND WE'VE SPENT COUNTLESS MEETINGS TALKING ABOUT THIS.
SO WE, WE GOTTA KEEP THIS MOVING.
THAT'S WHY I'M SO FLABBERGASTED.
WE ARE MAKING DECISIONS OR, OR CONTEMPLATING DECISIONS TODAY.
BEFORE WE, BEFORE OUR ADMINISTRATIONS HAD A CHANCE TO COME BACK AND DO THE WORK OF NIPPING AND TUCKING THE FIRE STATION DESIGN TO MAKE IT FIT INTO THAT PLOT OF LAND.
AND OUR CHIEF DIGNA, AB BEO HAS BEEN VERY, VERY OPEN ABOUT WILLING TO WORK WITH US TO FIND WAYS TO MAKE SOME NIPS AND TUCKS.
SO I'M, I'M A THOUSAND PERCENT OKAY WITH THAT, TRYING TO MAKE THAT, THAT, UM, BUILDING FIT IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY.
BUT I WILL NOT SUPPORT GOING BACK TO SQUARE ONE, TRYING TO FIND THREE DIFFERENT SITES TO DO THE WORK THAT THIS ONE SITE WILL DO.
COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ, AND THEN COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION RIGHT NOW AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS TO, TO TAKE THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER, UM, OFF THE TABLE.
SO THIS ITEM IS, UH, A VERY TOUGH ONE AND
[01:55:01]
WHAT BOTHERS ME MOST ABOUT THIS IS THAT PREVIOUS COMMISSIONS, I'VE DISCUSSED THIS FOR YEARS AND IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER HAD BEEN CHOSEN BECAUSE WHILE IT WAS UNDER MORRIS LAPIDUS FIRM, IT WAS A JUNIOR ARCHITECT THAT HAD DONE IT AND THAT HAD CREATED THE BUILDING, NOT MORRIS LAPIDUS HIMSELF.AND THAT'S WHY THE HPB HAD NOT RECOGNIZED IT AS HISTORIC.
AND THE CITY HAS ALREADY SPENT A BUNCH OF MONEY.
UM, THE GEO BOND COMMITTEE HAS DELIBERATED ON THIS MONEY HAS BEEN ALLOCATED AND, UH, WE WERE READY TO GO.
SO NOW AT THE 11TH HOUR, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CHANGES AND WE'RE GETTING PUSHBACK FROM THE RUNNING COMMUNITY, FROM FLAMINGO PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND PEOPLE THAT DON'T WANT TO HAVE THE STRUCTURE ON OUR SPACE.
SO I FEEL THAT IF WE'VE COME THIS FAR AND MADE SO MANY CHANGES, UM, IF COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ IS LOOKING AT POTENTIAL OTHER SITES, THE RUNNING CLUB SENT US SOME IDEAS FOR SITES THAT WE HADN'T LOOKED AT BEFORE.
AND I WOULD SECOND, UH, COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ'S MOTION.
UM, I'M JUST GONNA SPEAK BRIEFLY AND THEN I TALK, I WANT TO TURN IT OVER TO OUR CITY MANAGER, ERIC CARPENTER HERE.
I WILL JUST SAY, WE GOTTA GET THIS DONE.
I MEAN, WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS AND I'M ALSO, I WAS NOT, AND THE RECORD WILL REFLECT THIS, I WAS NOT IN FAVOR OF PUTTING THIS OUT FOR A VOTE TO THE COUNTY.
UM, I MEAN THERE WERE A COUPLE OF VOTES, I, I CAN'T SAY ON EVERY ONE HOW I VOTED, BUT, UH, GENERALLY I WAS NOT, I WAS NOT A FAN OF IT.
BUT NOW WE'VE PUT IT ON FOR A VOTE AND NOW WE'RE TURNING IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.
UM, WE OWE IT TO OUR FIREFIGHTERS, WE OWE IT TO OUR RESIDENTS.
WE GOTTA PULL TOGETHER AND FIND A LOCATION.
UM, AND ALTHOUGH A DIFFICULT ITEM, UH, I ALMOST FEEL LIKE IT'S APPROPRIATE THAT IT'S MY FIRST ITEM SITTING HERE AS THE CITY MANAGER SPEAKING ON, SINCE I'VE BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR MOST OF THE 11 YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE AT THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
UM, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AND TO OUR ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE A FIRST CLASS FACILITY FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS.
BACK TO, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE WERE GOING THROUGH THE INTERVIEW PROCESS FOR THIS JOB, SAFE AND CLEAN ARE OUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES HERE AT THE CITY.
UM, THIS FIRE STATION IS MEANT TO LAST US FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS.
AND SO THE THING THAT IS DRIVING THE DECISION ABOUT WHERE IT GOES IS WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO BUILD IT AT AN ELEVATION THAT IS GOING TO LAST US FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS.
THAT ELEVATION IS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THE FIRE STATION THAT EXISTS TODAY.
AND WHEN WE NEED TO RAMP UP TO THAT ELEVATION SO THAT THE APPARATUS CAN GET FROM THE BAYS WHERE THEY WILL BE STAGED DURING, YOU KNOW, 80% OF THE TIME TO THE STREET, THAT DICTATES HOW LARGE THE SITE MUST BE.
AND UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE OF THE NEED FOR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF APPARATUS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH OUR, UH, REQUIREMENTS UNDER NFPA AND OUR CERTIFICATIONS AS A CLASS ONE FIRE AGENCY, AS WELL AS THESE RAMPING LENGTHS, IT REALLY LIMITS THE NUMBER OF SITES THAT ARE ON THE TABLE FOR DISCUSSION.
AND WE'VE LOOKED AT THIS AT LEAST FOUR TIMES THAT I CAN RECALL THAT WE'VE DONE A CITYWIDE SEARCH WITHIN THE AREA THAT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO THE CALLS IN SOUTH BEACH.
I AM HAPPY TO GO LOOK AGAIN, BUT I AM NOT SETTING EXPECTATIONS THAT WE ARE GOING TO FIND ANYTHING DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE FOUND IN THE PAST.
I HAVE DIRECTION FROM THIS COMMISSION AS WE SIT HERE TODAY, SINCE THAT REFERENDUM PASSED ON AUGUST 20TH TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE DESIGN ON THE FIRE STATION AT FLAMINGO PARK.
I HAVE DIRECTED OUR CIP DEPARTMENT AND DAVID GOMEZ IS HERE, UM, TO FIND A WAY TO DESIGN THIS FACILITY SO THAT IT DOES NOT IMPACT THE TRACK.
THAT TO ME IS THE WIN-WIN THAT I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR IN THESE TYPE OF SCENARIOS.
NOBODY IS GONNA BE A HUNDRED PERCENT HAPPY, BUT IF WE CAN FIND A WIN-WIN THAT WE CAN SAVE THE TRACK, WE CAN FIND A LOCATION ON SITE FOR THE LOCKER ROOM THAT'S CURRENTLY THERE AND PRESERVE THAT RESOURCE FOR THE COMMUNITY
[02:00:02]
AND ALSO DELIVER A CLASS ONE FIRE STATION.THAT TO ME IS WHAT I THINK IS WHAT WE SHOULD ALL BE AIMING FOR AS A TARGET.
AND I'M HAPPY TO DO WHATEVER IT IS THAT THE COMMISSION FEELS IS IN THE BEST INTEREST.
UM, AND, AND I DON'T MEAN TO TURN THIS INTO EACH ONE OF US ASKING YOU WHY WOULDN'T THIS SITE WORK, WHY WOULDN'T THIS SITE WORK? BUT I'LL TAKE LIBERTY DOING THAT.
UM, WHY WOULDN'T THE PARKING LOT AT FLAMINGO PARK WORK? THEY, HE SAID NO.
WHAT'S THAT? THE PARK SAID NO, THE NEIGHBOR SAID I'M WHAT MAKES THEM DIFFERENT.
SO WHO, OKAY, WE'RE GONNA DO THIS TO THE CHAIR.
SO THE MANAGER HAS A FLOOR AND THEN AFTER THE MANAGER SPEAKS, I'M GONNA MAKE A COMMENT.
UM, SO THE FLAMINGO PARK PARKING LOT HAS A COUPLE OF CHALLENGES.
NUMBER ONE, IT PROVIDES A PARKING LOT FACILITY THAT IS A RESOURCE TO THE PARK THAT WE OFTENTIMES FIND IS, IS VERY UTILIZED.
IT IS NOT CONFIGURED OPTIMALLY TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A PULL THROUGH OPTION, WHICH IS WHAT WE WOULD PREFER.
IT'S NOT AN ABSOLUTE HAVE TO, BUT IT IS A STRONG PREFERENCE BECAUSE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE RAMPING SYSTEM THAT YOU HAVE TO GET UP TO THAT ELEVATION BACKING, THE FIRE APPARATUS UP A RAMP BECOMES PROBLEMATIC.
UM, AND SO WE WANT TO HAVE A PULL THROUGH OPTION SO THAT THEY CAN DRIVE IN FROM ONE SIDE AND PULL OUT THE OTHER IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.
THE THIRD REASON WHY WE LOOKED AT THAT SITE AND WE DECIDED AGAINST IT IS BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY FELT LIKE THAT WAS THE GRAND ENTRANCE TO FLAMINGO PARK.
YOU HAVE THE TENNIS CENTER ON ONE SIDE, YOU HAVE THE PAL ON THE OTHER SIDE, YOU HAVE THE POOL IN FRONT, AND THAT'S THE, SORRY, THAT'S THE MAIN TALKING WITH MY HANDS.
THAT'S THE MAIN WALKWAY GOING NORTH SOUTH THROUGH THE PARK.
AND SO THAT WAS THE OTHER REASON WHY THAT AREA WAS WE WERE ASKED TO LOOK ELSEWHERE.
UM, AND I'M JUST GONNA FOLLOW UP ON, ON SOME QUESTIONS TODAY.
HAS YOUR ADMINISTRATION AND YOUR TEAM BEEN ABLE TO LOOK AT THE DESIGN OF THE EXISTING FIRE STATION AND DETERMINE WHETHER, WHETHER IT IS INDEED FEASIBLE OR NOT TO REDESIGN IT IN SUCH A WAY TO AVOID TOUCHING THE TRACK AND FIELD? UM, WE ARE NOT ABLE AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME TO DEFINITIVELY SAY YES OR NO.
WE ARE MOVING AS QUICKLY AS WE POSSIBLY CAN TO BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU THAT ANSWER, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, I, I DON'T HAVE THAT TODAY.
AND THAT'S ONE OF THE PIECES OF INFORMATION THAT, UH, THAT I NEED.
UH, BEFORE, BEFORE AND, AND, AND BY THE WAY, NOT ONLY THE, UH, REDESIGN TO AVOID TOUCHING THE FIELD, BUT THE REDESIGN TO ALSO INCORPORATE THE OTHER NEED OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS THE NINE ONE ONE, UH, CALL CENTER.
SO THAT'S INFORMATION THAT I NEED BEFORE I SAY OKAY.
LET'S, LET'S MOVE FORWARD WITH PLACING IT ON, ON PARK SPACE.
UM, IN ABSENCE OF THE MAYOR, IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS MR. ATTORNEY? I BELIEVE THERE WAS A MOTION ON THE TABLE AND A SECOND, UH, THE MOTION ON THE TABLE, IF YOU COULD RESTATE IT.
'CAUSE I BELIEVE IT RELATED TO THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY, UH, CENTER.
THE MOTION WAS TO TAKE THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY OFF THE TABLE, WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH ONE OF THE ITEMS, UM, CURRENTLY ON THE AGENDA.
SO, ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, UH, TO TAKE THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER OFF THE TABLE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ROSA GONZALEZ, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, PLEASE SAY AYE.
SO WE HAVE ONE NO BY MAYOR MINOR AND WE WILL NEED AN AFTER THE FACT RESO ON THAT.
AND JUST TO EXPLAIN MY REASONING, I'M NOT SAYING THAT IT SHOULD BE THERE.
I JUST, RIGHT NOW WE JUST HEARD OUR CITY MANAGER SAY THAT HE WANTS TO KEEP ALL OPTIONS ON THE TABLE, AND I JUST THINK WE SHOULD KEEP ALL OPTIONS ON THE TABLE.
SO C SEVEN AP WAS REPEALED RESO 20 20 20 22 DASH 3 2 2 0 1.
DEMOLITION OF SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER ABANDONED PRIOR APPROVAL FOR FIRE STATION.
I BELIEVE THAT IS EQUIVALENT TO THIS ITEM IF I'M WRONG, RICK.
[02:05:01]
IT PUTS INTO EFFECT THE MOTION THAT YOU JUST VOTED ON, BUT WE SHOULD GO AHEAD AND HEAR THAT AND GET IT CLEARED.SO THAT ITEM WAS SEPARATED BY, I BELIEVE IT WAS THE MAYOR ALL SET.
I SEPARATED ALL THE, JUST TO KEEP THEM TOGETHER.
BUT I AGREE THE MOTION THAT, UH, RO UH, COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ MADE IS THE EQUIVALENT WITHDRAW THIS I SUGGEST.
PERHAPS, PERHAPS, MR. MAYOR, IF I MAY, SO PERHAPS WHAT WE SHOULD DO, THE MOTION THAT WE JUST ADOPTED, PERHAPS WE SHOULD RECONSIDER THAT MOTION, TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE AND MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE C SEVEN AP.
AND PERHAPS THAT WOULD BE MR. ATTORNEY GUIDE US, BECAUSE PERHAPS THAT'S A PROPER ORDER SINCE THAT'S THE, UH, RESOLUTION THAT WAS PUBLISHED ON THE AGENDA.
WE, WE CAN LEAVE BOTH MOTIONS, BUT I, I THINK WE, WE COULD LEAVE THE ONE THAT WAS ALREADY ADOPTED AND WE COULD DO A NEW MOTION TO ADOPT THIS ONE.
SO I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT C 78.
SO I HAVE A MOTION ON C SEVEN AP COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY ROSE COMMISSIONER ROSEN GONZALEZ.
ALL IN FAVOR OF SAID MOTION, PLEASE SAY AYE.
[R7 K A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, TEMPORARILY SUSPENDING ANY EXPENDITURES TOWARDS THE FIRE STATION 1 PROJECT (THE “PROJECT”) AT THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER SITE, IN THE INTEREST OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, UNTIL THE CITY COMMISSION RECEIVES AND EVALUATES RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE OPTIONS AND VIABILITY OF OTHER SUITABLE LOCATIONS FOR THE FIRE STATION.]
R SEVEN K.R SEVEN K IS TEMPORARILY SUSPEND EXPENDITURES.
FIRE STATION ONE PROJECT AT SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER.
I THINK IT'S MOOT NOW BECAUSE WE JUST TOOK IT OFF THE TABLE, SO I'M JUST GONNA WITHDRAW.
ERIC, FOR THE RECORD, WE HAVE STOPPED ALL EXPENDITURES, SO NOT NECESSARY.
THANK YOU FOR, UH, SAVING TAXPAYER MONEY.
[C7 AY A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, INITIATING THE PROCEDURE FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION SET FORTH IN SECTION 2.13.9 OF THE MIAMI BEACH RESILIENCY CODE, AND REQUEST ING THE DESIGNATION OF THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER AT 833 6 STREET AS AN INDIVIDUAL HISTORIC SITE. ]
LET'S GO TO C SEVEN A.YC SEVEN A Y IS REFERRAL TO HPB RECLASSIFIED SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER.
I WOULD LIKE TO, UM, MAKE THIS QUICK.
UM, OUR, UM, DIRECTOR OR OUR, OUR, UH, HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER IN THE PLANNING BOARD, UH, IN THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT SUPPORTS THIS DESIGNATION AS A SINGLE SITE.
UM, I DON'T KNOW WHERE SOMEHOW OVER THE YEARS, OVER THE LAST DECADE, THE THE, THE FACTS HAVE BEEN CONFUSED, BUT MORRIS LAPIDUS WAS IN FACT VERY INVOLVED WITH THE DESIGN OF THIS BUILDING.
UM, I INVITE ANYBODY TO TAKE A WALK THROUGH IT IS A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE, A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF BRUTALIST ARCHITECTURE.
AND WHILE I KNOW IT IS NOT OUR NORMAL ARCHITECTURAL VERNACULAR, AND I KNOW BRUTALISM IS NOT EVERYONE'S CUP OF TEA, UM, THE FACT THAT IT'S BEEN DORMANT FOR THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS IS NOT A REFLECTION ON THE BUILDING ITS CAPABILITIES OR ITS, UM, STATE OF READINESS.
IT NEEDS A LITTLE BIT OF TLC, UM, BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO NOT PUT THIS BUILDING ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK AGAIN.
SO WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO, UH, GO FORWARD WITH THIS REFERRAL.
I JUST, UM, WANT, WANT FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY TO EXPLAIN TO ME, EXPLAIN TO US THE ITEM FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE.
WHAT IS THE ITEM THAT WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US IN C SEVEN A Y FOR THE DESIGNATION OF THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER? MAYOR, I THINK YOU NEED TO UNMUTE.
C SEVEN A Y IS PURSUANT TO A PROVISION IN THE CODE THAT ALLOWS THE COMMISSION TO MAKE A REFERRAL TO THE HPB TO DESIGNATE A PARTICULAR PROPERTY AS HISTORIC.
UM, SO THIS ITEM IS NOT DIRECTING THE, THE, THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD.
THIS IS FOR THEM TO CONSIDER AND THEN THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD CAN, ON ITS OWN, DETERMINE
[02:10:01]
WHETHER, WHETHER THERE IS, UH, MERIT FOR DESIGNATION.WOULD THAT BE CORRECT? UH, MR. ATTORNEY, I, I'M GONNA DEFER TO TOM ON, ON THIS QUESTION 'CAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING IS YOU CAN DIRECT, BUT I WOULD LIKE FOR TOM TO SPEAK ON THAT.
UM, MR. VICE MAYOR, THIS IS A REFERRAL TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD TO INITIATE THE DESIGNATION PROCESS FOR THE SIXTH STREET COMMUNITY CENTER AS AN HISTORIC SITE, ASSUMING THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD VOTES IN FAVOR OR RECOMMENDING IN FAVOR, IT WOULD THEN GO TO THE PLANNING BOARD AS AN ORDINANCE AND THEN BACK TO THIS COMMISSION FOR TWO READINGS.
SO ULTIMATELY, THIS COMMISSION WOULD HAVE TO ADOPT BY A FIVE SEVENS VOTE, THE ORDINANCE THAT WOULD FORMALLY DESIGNATE AS AN HISTORIC SITE.
UH, MR. MOODY, I JUST WANT, I JUST, AND, AND THE REASON WHY I ASK THIS QUESTION IS 'CAUSE I'M FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS RESOLUTION.
I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE TO, TO, TO THIS BUILDING IT REP.
IT REPRESENTS, UH, UNIQUE ARCHITECTURE OF ITS TIME AND THE PURPOSES OF HISTORIC PURPOSES.
IT SERVED IN, ITS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
UH, SO IT, IT IS VERY MUCH IN MY PERSONAL OPINION, WORTHY OF DESIGNATION.
BUT I ALSO RESPECT THE FUNCTION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD BEING THE AUTHORITY ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
AND I ALWAYS LIKE TO BE MINDFUL OF THE PRECEDENTS THAT WE SAID, YOU KNOW, LEGISLATING IN THE PRESENT, THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE.
UM, YOU KNOW, I DON'T LIKE TO STEP TOO MUCH INTO, INTO, INTO THE WORK OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD BECAUSE WHILE WE MAY BE VERY MUCH PROTECTIVE OF OUR HISTORIC ASSETS, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE OF THIS BODY COULD EVER LOOK LIKE.
AND SO I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THEY MAINTAIN THEIR LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE AS THE AUTHORITY WHEN IT COMES TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, I HAD THE SAME QUESTION IN MY AGENDA REVIEW.
UH, SO I THINK, UH, GOOD POINTS.
I, I HAD THE SAME CONCERNS, UH, BUT WAS ULTIMATELY, UH, SATISFIED, BY THE WAY, I MEAN THIS, THE VOTE WAS TAKEN, BUT IF THE, IF THE, UM, ULTIMATELY IF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD DOES, UH, CLASSIFY THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER AS HISTORIC, THAT WOULD COMPLETELY CHANGE MY MIND AS TO WHERE THE FIRE STATION OR, OR, OR POTENTIALLY USING THAT AS A SITE.
THIS BODY HAS SPOKEN, AND THAT'S OFF THE TABLE ANYWAY.
BUT CERTAINLY THAT DESIGNATION WAS IMPORTANT TO ME IN, IN MAKING MY DECISIONS.
UM, OKAY, WE ISN'T WORKING AT ALL.
CAN I SAY ONE THING? COMMISSIONER ROSE.
I JUST WANTED EVERYBODY TO KNOW, I GOT AN EMAIL FROM JOE FARKAS, UM, YESTERDAY, AND HE WROTE, UM, I WAS VERY HAPPY TO HEAR THAT THE BUILDING'S GONNA BE SAVED.
UM, I WAS THE CHIEF DESIGNER AT MORRIS LAPIDUS AT THAT TIME, AND WORKED WITH HIM TO DESIGN THE BUILDING, WHICH I, OF, OF WHICH I WAS QUITE PROUD.
IT STANDS UP WELL IN DESIGN TERMS. I GREW UP ON MIAMI BEACH AND LIVED THERE TODAY AFTER 71 YEARS.
UM, THE LAPIDUS FAMILY HAS ALSO REACHED OUT AND, UM, THEY ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS TOO.
SO, I'M, YOU KNOW, IN SUPPORT OF THIS REFERRAL.
I THINK IT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN TAKEN OFF THE TABLE, BUT LIKE I SAID, THERE WERE SOME BIZARRE GROUP THINK INTERPERSONAL THINGS GOING ON THAT WE ARE NO LONGER FACING RIGHT NOW.
AND I THINK WE'RE STARTING TO REALIZE WHAT'S IMPORTANT AND LOOK AT OUR HERITAGE AND, AND WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER CITY.
UM, AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU, MAYOR MINOR, TO JOIN US IN A UNANIMOUS BOAT.
UM, MOVING FORWARD, YOU COULD STILL CHANGE YOUR VOTES AND JUST EMBRACE IT, NOT VOTE AGAINST ALL OF US.
I'LL, I'LL, I'LL THINK ABOUT IT.
UM, CAN WE TAKE THE VOTE? YES, SIR.
SO, ON C SEVEN A YI HAVE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BA SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ.
I HEARD SEVEN ZERO, SO C SEVEN A Y PASSES.
WELL, THAT'S A SEPARATE, THAT'S A DIFFERENT VOTE THAN THE OTHER ONES.
AND, UH, PREVIEW ALL GONNA BE A YES VOTE IN THE NEXT COUPLE AS WELL.
[C7 AT A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO RE-PAINT THE HISTORIC SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER (“SSCC”), IN CONSULTATION WITH BARBARA HULANICKI, IN ONE LIGHT NEUTRAL COLOR TO ACCENTUATE AND REVITALIZE ITS BRUTALIST ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES.]
SEVEN 80 IS REPAINT SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER.LEONARD HOROWITZ COLOR PALETTES, I BELIEVE THERE WAS A CHANGE TO MAKE THEM NEUTRAL COLOR PALETTE COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ, SEEING AS THOUGH IT IS NOW OFF THE TABLE AND DOES NEED SOME TLC, UH, WE WOULD LIKE TO REPAINT IT WITH THE SAME BRUTALIST, UH, COLOR PALETTE THAT WE HAVE INITIALLY.
I, I REALLY WANTED IT TO KIND OF POP WITH SOME COLORS.
I, I, I TEACH AT THE KENDALL CAMPUS, WHICH IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE LARGEST EXAMPLES OF BRUTALIST CEMENT ARCHITECTURE.
AND I DO HAVE TO SAY, SOMETIMES WALKING THROUGH IT'S GRAY
I MEAN, IT'S BEAUTIFUL AND YOU HAVE FLOWERS AROUND IT.
UM, BUT I WOULD LIKE BARBARA HULA NIKKI, UH, TO USE THE COLOR PALETTE, EVEN THOUGH IT IS BRUTALIST TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT REALLY IS
[02:15:01]
EXCITING FOR THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.THERE HASN'T BEEN ANYTHING NEW.
IT NEEDS TO BE, IT NEEDS THE REPAINTING.
AND HOPEFULLY YOU GUYS WOULD, UM, WOULD SUPPORT ME IN, UH, JUST THIS MAINTENANCE ISSUE IS THAT MOTION I MAKE, UH, COMMISSIONER BOT.
I, I JUST, UM, DON'T AGREE WITH THE PHRASE, THE CHARACTERIZATION OF FALLING APART, AS WE ALL KNOW, IT IS NOT FALLING APART.
SO A PAINT JOB DOES NOT EQUAL FALLING APART.
AND I, I WOULD JUST URGE BARBARA HOKI TO WORK IN CONSULTATION WITH OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER.
UM, I, AS ANYONE WHO'S EVER SEEN MY CLOTHES OR MY OFFICE OR MY HOME KNOWS, I'M VERY FOND OF COLOR
SO, UM, I, I LOVE A GOOD COLOR POP, BUT I DO WANT TO BE, BE COGNIZANT OF WHAT THIS ARCHITECTURE IS.
BUT WE CAN DISCUSS THAT FURTHER.
ERIC, ANY ISSUES WITH THIS? NO, I DON'T HAVE ANY ISSUES AS LONG AS WE'RE, WE'RE FOLLOWING THE REVISED COLOR PALETTE, COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ COMMISSIONER BOND.
JUST TO MAKE SURE, 'CAUSE I GOT DISTRACTED FOR A MOMENT.
UM, YOU MENTIONED WORKING WITH OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER, RIGHT? OKAY.
YEAH, BECAUSE, AND, AND I THINK THAT THAT MAKES SENSE BECAUSE BRUTALIST ARCHITECTURE, THIS TYPE OF, OF ARCHITECTURE, I THINK IN PART, IS KNOWN FOR ITS VERY RAW AND ROUGH, UH, CONCRETE STYLE.
UH, AND, AND WE JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT IN ADDING A COAT OF PAINT, WE DON'T TAKE AWAY FROM ITS AUTHENTICITY, UH, IN THE BRUTALIST, UH, STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE AND THE IMPORTANCE THAT, THAT, UM, THAT THE RAW CONCRETE ELEMENT PLAYS IN IT.
AND SO THANK YOU FOR, FOR, FOR POINTING THAT.
AND COMMISSIONER WILSON GONZALEZ IS JUST MAKE SURE THAT, UH, THAT ANY PAINT JOB, YOU KNOW, STAYS CONSISTENT WITH THAT CHARACTER OF ARCHITECTURE.
SO, SHOULD WE AMEND THE MOTION TO INCLUDE THE DIRECTION THAT HULA NIKKI WILL WORK WITH OUR, UH, PRESERVATION OFFICER.
SHE HAS BEEN ON EVERY SINGLE PROJECT.
LET'S TAKE THE VOTE AS IS C SEVEN T MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ROSEN GONZALEZ, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BOT.
SO IT'S, IT'S AS AMENDED WITH THE WORKING OF, UH, WITH THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER.
SO, C SEVEN A T IS ADOPTED AS AMENDED.
[C7 AU A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO MEET WITH SOUTH FLORIDA SENIORS IN ACTION, INC. REPRESENTATIVES TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR RE-OPENING THE SENIOR LUNCH ROOM AT THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER, AND PROVIDE A PROGRESS REPORT TO THE CITY COMMISSION WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THIS RESOLUTION’S PASSAGE.]
IT'S CALLED C SEVEN AU.C SEVEN AU IS DEVELOPED PLAN FOR REOPENING LUNCHROOM AT THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER.
IT WAS SEPARATED BY THE MAYOR, COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ CO-SPONSORED BY COMMISSIONER BT.
COMMISSIONER BT, THANK YOU, REALLY FOR EVERYTHING, FOR PICKING UP THE TORCH, FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN, FOR PUSHING FORWARD FOR ADVOCATING.
I MEAN, I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT, WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT EACH OTHER.
THOSE SENIORS ARE LIVING IN VERY SMALL QUARTERS.
UM, IT TAKES A FEW MONTHS TO GET THIS UP AND RUNNING AND TO FIND SOMEBODY.
IT USED TO BE JEWISH COMMUNITY SERVICES ONCE THAT SENIOR LUNCHROOM IS PROGRAMMED.
HOWEVER ELSE, I KNOW THAT THERE'S SOME ITEMS ON HERE TO HAVE AN OPEN HOUSE, UM, TO POSSIBLY REPROGRAM THE COULD.
IF WE COULD TAKE THE DIRECTION TODAY TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF FINDING EITHER LITTLE HAVANA OR JEWISH COMMUNITY SERVICES TO REOPEN THE SENIOR LUNCHROOM.
OF CO-SPONSOR AND I, COMMISSIONER BI WOULD JUST SAY, UM, I, I WOULDN'T LIMIT IT TO THOSE TWO ORGANIZATIONS, WHOEVER IS, YOU KNOW, VETTED AND, AND APPROPRIATE AND READY TO, UM, PICK UP THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY AND RUN WITH IT.
LET'S GO CITY MANAGER SINCE YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE TO ACTUALLY GET THE WORK DONE.
ANY, UH, ANY COMMENTS? NO, I, I, WELL, ONE THING, I, I THINK ALL OF YOU HAVE HEARD ME SAY OVER THE YEARS, I WOULD ALWAYS PREFER TO MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE.
AND SO I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE I HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR.
THE SENIOR LUNCHROOM IS A PRIORITY, AND WE WILL MAKE THAT A PRIORITY TO MAKE THAT PART OF THE PROGRAMMING OF THE NEW AND IMPROVED SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER.
BUT I DO WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT ALL OF THESE THINGS THOUGHTFULLY AND FINDING THE BEST PARTNERS AND WORKING THROUGH HOW TO BEST OPERATE THAT COMMUNITY CENTER TO SERVE THE GREATEST NUMBER AND THE GREATEST NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC IN THAT AREA.
IF I MAY, MR. MAYOR FERNANDEZ.
[02:20:01]
UH, SO IF I UNDERSTAND PROPERLY, THE ITEM BEFORE US IS C SEVEN AU.IS THAT CORRECT, MR. CLERK? OKAY.
IT'S C SEVEN AAU AND C SEVEN AAU IS TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR THE REOPENING OF THE LUNCHROOM.
UH, IT, IT'S NOT DIRECTING, BUT IT'S TO DEVELOP, TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR REOPENING OF, OF LUNCHROOM.
UH, THAT'S, THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING OF, EVEN THOUGH I DON'T HAVE THE ITEM RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, UM, DEVELOP PLAN FOR REOPENING OF LUNCHROOM AT SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER.
SO THAT'S, I THINK, TO YOUR CONCERN, MR. MR. MANAGER, THIS SEEMS TO BE CONSISTENT BECAUSE YOU CAN DEVELOP YOUR PLAN FOR THAT, BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMISSION, SEE WHAT COMMUNITY PARTNERS ARE OUT THERE.
SOMETHING THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR ME IS ALSO THAT WE PRESERVE, UM, THAT WHICH COMMISSIONER WILSON GONZALEZ YOUTH CHAMPIONED, AND YOU'VE BEEN A VOICE FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE UNDERPRIVILEGED FAMILIES WHO, WHO, WHO ATTEND LITTLE HAVANA ACTIVITIES AND NUTRITION CENTER.
UH, THE, UH, THE DAYCARE THAT'S, THAT'S THERE, THE CHILDCARE CENTER.
I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE PRESERVE THAT.
UM, BUT THEN THERE'S THE REST OF THIS BEAUTIFUL BUILDING.
I MEAN, IT IS IMPRESSIVE THE AMOUNT OF SPACE THAT'S IN THERE.
AND THAT'S WHERE I THINK, YOU KNOW, FOR THE USE OF THE REST OF THIS COMMUNITY CENTER, IT IS A COMMUNITY CENTER.
WE SHOULD ASK THE COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, WHAT IT IS THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THIS CENTER.
UM, AND SO, AND SO, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE, UH, THAT IT'S CLEAR THAT RIGHT NOW THE ACTION THAT WE'RE DOING IS NOT DIRECTING YOU TO IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM, BUT IT'S TO DEVELOP THE PLAN THAT THEN WE CAN BRING TOGETHER AND CONSIDER WITH ALL THE OTHER OPTIONS THAT WE'LL HAVE ON THE TABLE.
SO I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S, THAT I'M CLEAR ON WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON RIGHT NOW.
CAN I SAY ONE THING? MOTION ROSE GONZALEZ.
COULD I GET CLARITY FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY OR THE CITY CLERK ON THAT MOTION? WELL, THE MOTION WAS TO ADOPT THE ITEM AS IS.
AND THE ITEM, CAN SOMEONE READ TO ME THE DIRECTIVE ON THE ITEM? IT'S, YEAH, IT'S, IT'S RECLASSIFY YOU, UH, DEVELOP PLANS FOR REOPENING.
THE LUNCHROOM SAYS DEVELOP PLANS.
SO IT'S A PLAN THAT WILL COME BACK TO US.
I, YOU KNOW, UH, TO FOLLOW UP ON YOUR CONCERNS, UH, COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
ARE YOU OFFICIALLY, IS IT LIKE YOUR TERM YET? OKAY.
I'M TERRIBLE WITH TITLES AS EVERYBODY KNOWS.
UM, UM, THIS IS A VERY PARTICULAR NEED THAT HAS GONE UNATTENDED TO FOR TOO MANY YEARS.
WE HAVE ALL, UM, NOT ALL OF US, BUT MANY OF US WERE ON THIS TOUR ON, ON, UH, LAST WEEK, AND I VISITED THE CENTER PRIOR TO THAT.
THERE ARE A MILLION DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT I THINK A LOT OF US ARE SUPER, SUPER EXCITED ABOUT MAKING HAPPEN, BUT THIS IS THE ONE THAT WE KNOW IS IMMEDIATE AND THAT PROBABLY THE EASIEST TO GET OFF THE GROUND.
AND SO I DON'T WANNA SLOW THE ROLL ON THIS WHILE WE FIGURE OUT THE LIMITLESS OPPORTUNITIES THAT AWAIT US, UM, WITH THIS AMAZING SPACE THAT'S IN GREAT SHAPE WITH A TON OF NATURAL LIGHT.
BUT, UM, BUT I THINK, YOU KNOW, LET'S GET THIS ONE GOING WHILE WE FIGURE OUT WITH A VERY, UH, ROBUST COMMUNITY INPUT.
I THINK YOU HAVE AN ITEM ON THAT.
I HAVE AN ITEM ON THAT, UM, TO, TO FIGURE OUT HOW ELSE TO USE IT.
BUT LET'S NOT SLOW THIS DOWN BECAUSE THIS IS AN IMMEDIATE NEED THAT WE KNOW CAN GET GOING FASTER THAN EVERYTHING ELSE.
COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ AND THEN COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ.
UH, COULD THAT BE THE NEW MOTION? WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE SENIOR LUNCHROOM WHILE AT THE SAME TIME WORK ON A PLAN TO REPROGRAM EVERYTHING THAT IS CURRENTLY NOT PROGRAMMED THERE? THAT IS KIND OF COMMISSIONER WHAT YOU SAID.
I, I MEAN, I WOULD LIKE TO, OUR ALBUM MARCELLA HERE, I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE TO REOPEN THE LUNCHROOM.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE GET THIS DONE ASAP.
THERE'S, THEY'RE GONNA BE HAVING FLAMINGO.
MARCELLA RUBIO, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF HOUSING COMMUNITY SERVICES.
WE WOULD HAVE TO, UH, MEET WITH THE CURRENT OPERATORS FOR MEAL SITES, WHICH ARE UNIDA, UH, LITTLE HAVANA AND ACTIVITIES COMMUNITY CENTER AND JEWISH COMMUNITY SERVICES.
SO THOSE ARE THE THREE OPERATORS OF MEAL SITES IN MIAMI BEACH AT THIS TIME.
HOW LONG HAS IT NORMALLY TAKEN TO, UM, ONCE YOU MEET WITH THEM TO GET THE SENIOR LUNCHROOM UP AND RUNNING? WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT EQUIPMENT THEY WOULD NEED IN ORDER TO DISTRIBUTE MEALS OR OFFER MEALS AT THE SITE TO, UH, WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT THE FACILITY TO SEE IF, IF THEIR, THE CURRENT EQUIPMENT IS FUNCTIONAL.
SO I MAY BE, I, I MEAN, I'M NOT SURE HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE, BUT PERHAPS 60 TO 90 DAYS TO DEVELOP A PLAN.
SO MAYBE THEY CAN TAKE IT BACK A PROPOSAL ON THAT.
SO HOPEFULLY, I MEAN, WITHIN, I MEAN, EVEN THOUGH IT TAKES 60 TO 90 DAYS, I
[02:25:01]
WOULD HOPE THAT, YOU KNOW, IF WE PASS THIS TODAY, THAT YOU GUYS COULD COME BACK EVEN NEXT MONTH AND TELL US WHAT, WHAT, YOU KNOW, HOW YOU CAN GET IT DONE.SO, SO THIS RESOLUTION IS TO DEVELOP THE PLAN JUST FOR THE SENIOR LUNCHROOM.
SO WE'RE PASSING THAT, RIGHT? CAN I, YEAH, WELL, COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ WAS NEXT.
OKAY, THEN I'LL, AND THEN I'LL GET BACK TO YOU AND I, I THINK ERIC WANTS TO SAY SOMETHING TOO AFTER.
ALRIGHT, COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ.
UM, SO I THINK THIS IS GOOD NEWS FOR THE SENIORS AND, UM, THE SOONER WE CAN GET THAT LUNCHROOM UP.
I ALSO WANTED TO CHIME IN THAT, UH, IN MORE GREAT NEWS FOR THE SENIORS, COUNCIL SOUTH HAS BEEN RESTORED AND REMODELED, AND THEIR LUNCHROOM IS GOING TO BE OPEN SOON AS WELL.
UM, DO WE HAVE AN A DATE YET FOR THE, UH, COUNCIL SOUTH LUNCHROOM? UH, WE DON'T HAVE AN EXACT DATE.
I KNOW THAT COUNCIL TOWERS HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THEIR CURRENT PROVIDER, LITTLE HAVANA AND ACTIVITIES NUTRITION CENTER TO, UH, FINALIZE INSPECTIONS.
THEY'RE ALSO WORKING WITH THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT AND, UH, THEY DON'T HAVE AN EXACT DATE AFTER ALL THOSE INSPECTIONS ARE PASSED, BUT, UH, THEY'RE HOPING FOR BEFORE THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR.
I'LL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW UP TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THAT UP AND RUNNING AGAIN.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
AND THEN, UH, WE'LL TURN TO YOU ERIC.
UM, SO YEAH, SO I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE JUST SEE THE PLAN, UH, BECAUSE THERE ARE MULTIPLE OPERATORS IN, IN THE COMMUNITY THAT CAN PROVIDE THIS SERVICE.
THERE'S UNIDA THAT HAS BEEN DOING THIS WITH GREAT DIGNITY TOWARDS THE SENIORS UP IN NORTH BEACH FOR MANY YEARS.
THERE'S LITTLE HAVANNA COMMUNITY AND NUTRITION CENTERS THAT HAVE BEEN PROVIDING THIS FOR, FOR A LONG TIME.
THERE'S JCS THAT USED TO OPERATE AT THAT SITE.
SO, SO THERE'S DIFFERENT OPERATORS THAT WE COULD BE LOOKING AT THAT YOU SHOULD BE REACHING OUT THAT THEN YOU COULD BRING US BACK A PLANT PIECE.
RATHER THAN JUST DIRECTING AND SAYING, OKAY, BY NEXT MONTH WE WANT THIS OPERATING.
WELL, I THINK AS AN ELECTED BODY, WE SHOULD KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE WE GOING TO BE SERVING? WHAT ARE THE NECESSITIES THAT WE NEED TO IMPROVE IN THIS FACILITY TO REALLY MAKE IT FUNCTIONAL AND ABLE TO SERVE THE MOST MAXIMUM PEOPLE THAT ARE IN NEED? AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE SENIORS THAT REALLY HAVE GREAT FOOD INSECURITIES IN THESE, IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.
NOT JUST DURING LUNCH, BY THE WAY, EVEN DINNER TIME.
THEY, THEY, THEY HAVE, UH, FOOD INSECURITIES.
AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE BEFORE, RATHER THAN JUST DIRECTING AND SAYING, OKAY, YOU KNOW, BY NEXT MONTH, JUST PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER AND HAVE IT RUNNING.
I WANNA SEE WHO WE, WE'VE REACHED OUT TO.
WHAT ARE THEY PROPOSING? HOW ARE THEY GONNA MAXIMIZE AND GET THE BEST USE OF THIS SPACE THAT WILL BEST SERVE THE GREAT NEED THAT WE HAVE FOR THE SENIORS AND THE VETOS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT DO HAVE FOOD INSECURITIES.
AND MR. MANAGER, IS 30 DAYS ENOUGH FOR YOU TO DO, DO YOU NEED, DO YOU, DO YOU NEED 60 DAYS, UM, TO, TO BRING BACK A TRUE, A TRULY WELL PUT TOGETHER PLAN FOR THE USE OF THIS SPACE? PLEASE GUIDE US A LITTLE BIT IN THIS.
SO I THINK WE'RE BENEFITING FROM THE TIMING OF THE MEETINGS BECAUSE WE'RE RELATIVELY EARLY IN SEPTEMBER AND THE OCTOBER MEETING ISN'T UNTIL LATE.
SO I THINK WE END UP WITH ABOUT 45 DAYS OF TIME.
SO WHAT I WILL SAY IS WE WILL BRING BACK AN UPDATE OF EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE IN THAT OCTOBER 30TH MEETING SO THAT YOU CAN PROVIDE FEEDBACK AND MAYBE SOME DIRECTION BASED ON HOW FAR DOWN THE PATH WE ARE.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ.
WE GET FEDERAL FUNDING THAT COULD POTENTIALLY COVER THE COST OF THIS NEW SENIOR LUNCHROOM INSTEAD OF THE CITY ABSORBING THE COST.
AND I SAW RIGHT NOW THAT YOU HAVE SHIP FUNDS, IS THERE C-T-G-B-D, I MEAN, HAVE WE PASSED ANY DEADLINE TO GET THE FUNDING FOR THIS YEAR FOR CDBG FUNDS? UH, THERE IS AN, UH, REQUEST FOR APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THAT.
WE TYPICALLY RELEASE IN FEBRUARY FOR THE OCTOBER DEADLINE.
SO FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR, WE'VE ALREADY HAD AN ACTION PLAN THAT DESIGNATES A FUNDING FOR PUBLIC SERVICES TO SEVEN OR EIGHT AGENCIES IN THE COMMUNITY.
UH, WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT FUNDING FOR NEXT FISCAL YEAR, WHICH WOULD BE AVAILABLE THROUGH A NEW CYCLE IN JANUARY OR FEBRUARY.
IT IS DESIGNATED TOWARDS HOMEOWNER PROGRAMS. ONLY HOMEOWNERS, SO THAT WOULD NOT BE FOR PUBLIC SERVICES.
SO WE DON'T GET HAVE ANY SHIP FUNDING.
WE MIGHT HAVE TO, IF, IF WE DO GET IT OPEN UP, THERE MIGHT BE TWO MONTHS WHERE WE POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE TO FUND IT.
BUT THEN YOU'RE SAYING THAT WE COULD, OUR FEDERAL FUNDING COULD KICK IN WITH THESE OTHER GROUPS AS SOON AS JANUARY OR FEBRUARY.
IF WE COULD YOU THAT DIRECTION, WE WOULD HAVE TO START PLANNING FOR THE FOLLOWING OCTOBER.
SO THE, THE TYPICALLY THE FUNDING THAT WE RECEIVE FOR PUBLIC SERVICES ARE UP TO $150,000.
[02:30:02]
IT IS A COMPETITIVE GRANT.UM, MULTIPLE AGENCIES APPLY FOR THIS TO COVER THEIR, THEIR COST.
SO, UM, IT'S, IT IS VERY LIMITED FUNDING AND IT IS THROUGH A COMPETITIVE PROCESS.
THE WAY I SAY THIS IS THAT IT'S A ROOM.
IT, IT ALREADY HAS THE TABLES AND CHAIRS THERE, ALEC, COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, IT HAS A KITCHEN.
YOU SAW THE KITCHEN THE OTHER DAY.
THE KITCHEN IS IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE.
AND BY THE WAY, THEY DON'T COOK THE FOOD ON SITE.
ANOTHER JCS NOR LITTLE HAVANA, UH, THEY BRING THE FOOD ON ONSITE AND THEY NEED HEATING CAPABILITIES.
WE KNOW THAT THE KITCHEN WORKS.
WE HAVE THE TABLES THERE, WE HAVE THE CHAIRS THERE.
WHAT WE DON'T HAVE RIGHT NOW IS THE FUNDING THROUGH OCTOBER.
BUT I WOULDN'T WANNA WAIT UNTIL OCTOBER JUST TO GET THE FEDERAL FUNDING.
WE MIGHT HAVE TO PICK UP A GAP IN ORDER TO, UH, FUND THE SENIORS, WHICH WE'RE ALREADY DOING AT UNI DOG.
BUT WE HAVE THE BUDGET MEETING COMING UP NEXT WEEK.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO SOMEHOW ALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS DURING THIS BUDGET CYCLE.
SO THAT'S WHY THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF EXPEDIENCY TO THIS COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
AND I MEAN, I LIKE, YOU KNOW, I, IF YOU WANNA A PLAN, I MEAN, I THINK WE KIND OF KNOW WHAT JCS AND LITTLE HAVANA DOES AND UNI DIED.
AND BY THE WAY, I, I DON'T, IT DOESN'T, I DON'T, IT DOESN'T, ANY OF THOSE THREE COULD SERVICE IT.
BUT I, I DO FEEL AN AN URGENCY AT THIS POINT BECAUSE THE PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY.
I HAD SOMEBODY WHO CAME TO ME THE OTHER DAY.
THEY SAID, WE HAVE LEFTOVERS FROM THIS EVENT.
AND I WENT BY LOLA AND THE SENIORS WERE GRABBING THE FOOD.
THEY CAME OUT AND THEY WERE GRABBING THE FOOD FROM THE TRAYS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY.
THIS INFLATION AND THE PRICES AT PUBLIX AND THE SUPERMARKETS, AND BY THE WAY, THE COUNTY IS NO LONGER PROVIDING BUSES.
THEY CAN'T GET TO WALMART EASILY WHERE THE FOOD IS CHEAPER.
SO THEY'RE STUCK PURCHASING FOOD AT THE PUBLIX ON SIXTH STREET AT MIAMI BEACH PRICES.
WHICH BY THE WAY, PUBLIX IS EASILY 20% HIGHER PERCENT.
UM, I'D LIKE TO GET IT OPEN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND I WOULD LIKE TO COVER ANY FUNDING GAPS THAT HAPPEN WITH OUR FEDERAL FUNDING.
THIS TO ME IS A, A SOCIAL IMPERATIVE.
SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY DROPPED THE BALL WITH THIS.
COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ IS FOLLOWING UP ON THE SENIOR LUNCHROOM ON FIFTH STREET IN COLLINS, BECAUSE BY THE WAY, THAT WAS CLOSE TOO.
SO OUR SENIOR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN LITERALLY FUNCTIONING AS SHUT IN AS WE WATCH INFLATION.
AND ALL OF YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU GO TO PUBLIX NOW, IT'S MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE, RIGHT? I GOT A FEW THINGS THE OTHER DAY IT WAS A HUNDRED DOLLARS.
SOME OF THESE PEOPLE ARE LIVING OFF $200 A MONTH.
WE CANNOT HAVE HUNGRY PEOPLE IN MIAMI BEACH.
WE JUST CANNOT, LET'S CALL THE VOTE.
ACTUALLY, I HAVE A SEPARATE ITEM THAT'S GOING TO COMMITTEE TO HELP, UH, THE SENIOR, UH, SENIORS GET TO PUBLIX WITH THROUGH, UH, WHATEVER THEIR REBECCA TOWERS FEDERATION, WHEREVER, TO HAVE BUSING THAT COULD HELP THEM GET TO THE BANK OR TO, UH, TO GROCERY STORES.
SO HOPEFULLY THAT WILL, UH, GET A POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM OUR COMMISSION.
LET'S CALL A VOTE NEXT MEETING, RIGHT, ERIC? YES.
AND MARCELA, COULD YOU GET US A NUMBER ON WHAT IT'S GONNA COST US TO, IF WE VOTE ON OUR NEXT MEETING SO WE CAN ADD IT INTO THIS YEAR'S BUDGET CYCLE, PLEASE? ON WHEN IS THAT? MONDAY
BUT YOU, YOU'VE DONE THIS BEFORE, IT'S ISN'T YOUR FIRST RODEO OF SOME SORT OF YEAH, WE CAN COME UP WITH AN ESTIMATE.
SO COMMISSIONER ROSA GONZALEZ, JUST TO CONFIRM THE, IT'S REZO AS IS WITH DIRECTION FOR HOUSING TO GET THE NUMBERS BEFORE SEPT, UH, AT THE SEPTEMBER 16TH MEETING.
SO MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ.
SECONDED BY, BY BY VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ.
[C7 AI A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO WORK WITH THE DESIGN CONSULTANT TO EXPLORE MODIFICATIONS TO THE CURRENT CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS FOR FIRE STATION NO. 1, WHICH WAS APPROVED FOR CONSTRUCTION IN FLAMINGO PARK IN THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH BY THE VOTERS IN THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY IN A REFERENDUM ON AUGUST 20, 2024, THAT COULD PREVENT PARTIAL SHIFTING OF THE RUNNING TRACK FIELD WITHIN ITS CURRENT LOCATION TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEW FIRE STATION, PROVIDED THESE CHANGES DO NOT SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT THE COST OR DURATION OF THE FIRE STATION NO. 1 CONSTRUCTION.]
ZERO.MAYOR, UH, MY NOTES INDICATE THAT WE HAVE NOT, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT, BUT WE HAVEN'T VOTED ON C SEVEN AI.
CI THINK WE, I THINK WE ADDRESSED THIS, UM, FIRE STATION CONSTRUCTION DRAWING MODIFICATIONS.
CAN WE JUST GO DOWN IT AND LIKE, OKAY.
C SEVEN, LET'S CALL C SEVEN AI.
CAN I SPEAK ON THIS? YEAH, YEAH.
WELL LET, LET, LET, UH, THE RALPH CALL IT UP.
SO, C SEVEN AI IS FIRE STATION NUMBER ONE, CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS MODIFICATION, C SEVEN AI COMMISSIONER BOT, UH, CO-SPONSOR BY COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE AND COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ.
SO I THINK, I DON'T WANNA DRAW THIS OUT.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO, TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS.
I THINK THE ADMINISTRATION SINCE BASICALLY THE DAY AFTER THE VOTE, WHEN ERIC AND I, CITY MANAGER CARPENTER AND I FIRST HAD THIS CONVERSATION, AND DAVID MARTINEZ AND I HAD THIS CONVERSATION, THE, THE DIRECTION IS LOUD AND CLEAR.
LET'S FIND A WAY TO FIT THIS FIRE STATION WITH THE CORE ELEMENTS OF WHAT IT NEEDS TO PROVIDE THE
[02:35:01]
LIFE SAFETY, UM, FOR OUR RESIDENTS INTO THE SPACE THAT WE HAVE WITHOUT IMPACTING THE PARK.UM, AND ALSO, BY THE WAY, WITHOUT IMPACTING THE PARK, MAKES US A MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE PROJECT THAT WILL LIKELY TAKE LESS TIME TO ACCOMPLISH.
LET'S GET THIS DONE AS A WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN WIN.
SO I MOVE THAT ITEM AND, UH, COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ, ALEX, THERE YOU GO.
BUT, UH, BUT WELL, WE ARE WHAT CONTINUES.
SO THE PURPOSE OF THIS ITEM IS TO ASK THE ADMINISTRATION TO WORK WITH OUR DESIGN CONSULTANTS, UH, TO SEE IF THERE'S A WAY TO PREVENT SHIFTING THE RUNNING TRACK AND THE FIELD, UM, UH, AS PART OF A REDESIGN OF FIRE STATION ONE.
IS THAT CORRECT? YES, THAT IS CORRECT.
THE INTENT IS, UH, TRY TO PRESERVE THE LOCATION OF THE PARK WHERE IT IS, UH, IN LIGHT OF SOME ADDITIONAL TWEAKS THAT ARE GONNA NEED TO BE MADE, UM, TO TRANSFER THIS FIRE STATION OVER TO FLAMINGO PARK.
AND IF, IF AS A RESULT OF THIS RESOLUTION, THE ADMINISTRATION GOES TO THEIR DESIGN CONSULTANT AND THE DESIGN CONSULTANT DETERMINES, YOU KNOW, DUE TO ALL THE NEEDS OF THIS FIRE STATION AND EVERYTHING WE'RE TRYING TO PUT IN THERE, THEY CAN'T REDESIGN IT.
THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE STILL NEEDS TO BE A SHIFT OF THE RUNNING TRACK THAT WE STILL NEED TO INTERFERE WITH THE FIELD.
WHAT IS THEN, UH, THE OUTCOME AS A RESULT OF THIS, UH, RESOLUTION? THIS RESOLUTION DOESN'T ADDRESS THAT, UH, THIS COMMISSION HAS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED.
I BELIEVE THAT CONVERSATIONS ARE BEING HAD WITH THE CITY MANAGER BY EACH ONE OF YOU AS TO HOW TO TRY TO MOVE THIS FORWARD IN THE WAY THAT IS LEAST IMPACTFUL TO RESIDENTS AND PARTICULAR FLAMINGO PARK USERS.
UM, BUT RIGHT NOW, THE, THE RESOLUTION CONTEMPLATES THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THERE'S A REQUIREMENT TO REPORT BACK, BUT I, I BELIEVE THAT THE, THE, THE MANAGER WOULD REPORT BACK.
OKAY, SO THIS IS JUST SO, SO THIS IS, SO, SO THIS IS, THIS IS JUST SIMPLY TO LOOK EVERY, THE SIGNING PRETTY MUCH THAT'S CORRECT.
COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE, I HOPE WITH EVERY OUNCE OF MY BEING, OUR CITY STAFF CAN COME BACK AND SAY, UH, THIS CAN BE REDESIGNED.
IF IT CANNOT, IT'S NOT 'CAUSE CITY STAFF DID ANYTHING WRONG.
IT, IT'S JUST SIMPLY, UH, IT, IT DOESN'T PENCIL.
I HOPE WITH EVERY OUNCE OF MY BEING, IT CAN, UH, 'CAUSE THAT WE ALL SHARE AND SACRIFICES.
UM, AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE THE BEST WAY FORWARD.
BUT I ALSO THINK IT'S PRUDENT ON US TO SIT HERE AND ASK OURSELVES, WHAT IF IT DOES NOT? AND I WAS PRETTY CLEAR EARLIER, IF THE CITY STAFF COMES BACK AND SAYS, NO, I'M SORRY, THIS CAN'T BE REDESIGNED WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRACK.
I THINK WE NEED TO BE CLEAR TO THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT WE'VE HEARD FROM THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT GO THERE EVERY NIGHT AND WE DIDN'T HEAR FROM WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN? ARE WE GOING TO VOTE AND SIT THERE AND SAY, WE'RE GONNA SHUT THIS TRACK AND THIS PARK AND THIS SOCCER FIELD AND THIS FOOTBALL FIELD FOR THREE MONTHS, SIX MONTHS, MAYBE A YEAR IT'S GONNA BE $20 MILLION.
I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM OUR CFO WHERE WE'RE GONNA GET THAT.
AND THEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE RESTORATION OF THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER AT $8 MILLION.
AND THEN WE HAVE FIRE STATION ONE'S CURRENT LOCATION.
WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO WITH THAT? WHAT ARE THE PLANS? HOW MANY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT GONNA SAVE? WE'RE LOOKING LIKE 40 OR $50 MILLION WHERE WE'RE LIKE, AH, WE'LL FIGURE IT OUT WHEN WE GET THERE.
YEAH, MAYBE WE HAVE TWO OR THREE YEARS TO DO THAT.
BUT WHAT ARE OUR RESERVES THIS YEAR? WHAT ARE INCREMENTAL RESERVES? MR. CFO, IF YOU COULD, AND COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE, THAT'S WHY I APPOINTED YOU CHAIR OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE PROVING YOUR WORTH.
RIGHT? AND, AND THE NUMBER HE'S GOING TO REPORT BACK WITH ARE WHEN WE HAVE NEAR DOUBLE DIGIT PROPERTY TAX INCREASES AND OUR RESORT TAXES WERE EITHER STRONGER INCREASING EVERY SINGLE MONTH, YEAR OVER YEAR, WHICH WE'VE STARTED TO SEE INDICATION OF REVERSING.
AND BY ALL INDICATIONS, THE SURGE IN HOME VALUES ACROSS MIAMI-DADE HAVE STAGNATED AT BEST OR DECLINED AT WORSE.
SO IF YOU COULD JUST GIVE A BACK OF THE ENVELOPE ABOUT WHAT OUR RESERVES WERE THIS PAST YEAR.
AND AGAIN, IN ADDITION TO WHAT I JUST SAID, THAT'S WITHOUT THE RENEGOTIATION OF FIVE DIFFERENT UNION CONTRACTS THAT WILL BE REFLECTIVE IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET.
UH, JASON GREEN, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, UH, THE CITY DOES HAVE A, A BALANCED BUDGET, UH, THAT WE ARE PROPOSING AND WE'LL BE MEETING ON MONDAY FOR OUR FIRST BUDGET HEARING ON THAT.
UH, AS OF NOW, THE CITY HAS APPROXIMATELY,
[02:40:01]
UH, I THINK AROUND $110 MILLION IN OUR GENERAL FUND RESERVES.WE ARE MEETING THE COMMISSION SET POLICY, WHICH IS BASED ON A NATIONAL BEST PRACTICE FOR THAT.
UH, IT IS CONTEMPLATED, UH, IN THE 25 BUDGET THAT WE WOULD BE UTILIZING RESERVES IN THE RESORT TAX, UH, FOR THE ONE TIME FUNDING FOR, UH, THE ARTS AND CULTURE.
UM, BUT THAT WOULD NOT BE, YOU KNOW, ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ON THE FIRE STATION.
BUT OBVIOUSLY, BUT LET'S SAY MR. SFO, LET'S SAY WE DIDN'T WANT TO CUT INTO OUR RESERVES.
RIGHT? AND JUST SAY, OKAY, OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS, THE ANNUAL EXCESS MONEY THAT WOULD WE TYPICALLY PUT IN RESERVES MM-HMM.
WHAT IS THE YEARLY EXCESS THAT WE'VE BEEN ACCUMULATING OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS? WE ABOUT $14 MILLION, RIGHT? THESE, WHAT, WHAT I THINK WHAT YOU'RE SPEAKING OF IS IT YEAR END A SURPLUS THAT WE HAVE IN UN IN UNENDED FUNDS IN OUR GENERAL FUND.
UH, LAST YEAR, I THINK IT WAS AROUND $15 MILLION.
I THINK WE WERE PROJECTING AROUND $10 MILLION GENERAL FUND SURPLUS.
AND THE, THE PLAN IS, AND THIS IS KIND OF A SNEAK PEEK TO TO MONDAY A BIT, IS THAT ASSUMING THAT THE BUDGET IS, YOU KNOW, A BALANCED BUDGET, THAT WE WALK OUTTA THERE WITH THAT, THAT, UH, $10 MILLION, WHICH BY COMMISSION POLICY HAS TO BE PUT INTO A CAPITAL RESERVE.
LAST YEAR WE DID HALF CAPITAL RESERVE, HALF PAYGO.
'CAUSE WE, WE SPENT ALL OF THAT SURPLUS ON CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT THIS PROJECT BEING, I BELIEVE THE TIPPY TOP, UH, PRIORITY ONE FOR ALL OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS IS WE WOULD JUST TAKE THAT WHOLE 10 MILLION AND FUND THAT TOWARDS FIRE STATION ONE.
UH, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY A CT IS DEVELOPING THOSE PLANS.
SO BASICALLY, LET'S SAY WE ARE SO FORTUNATE AND CONTINUE GETTING DOUBLE DIGIT PROPERTY TAX INCREASES, PRECURSOR, THAT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN
BUT LET'S SAY THAT ALL THOSE THINGS HAPPEN, THAT MEANS EVERY EXCESS SURPLUS DOLLAR IS GOING TO HAVE TO GO TO ESSENTIALLY OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS, NOT NEXT YEAR, NOT FOR TWO YEARS, PROBABLY FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE ACCUMULATION OF ALL THAT'S GOING TO NEED TO BE SPENT HERE, IF WE CAN'T THREAD THIS NEEDLE AND GET THE, UH, FIRE STATION TO FIT IN THE WESTERNMOST PORTION WITHOUT REDESIGNING THE TRACK JUST FOR THIS KIND OF COMPREHENSIVE PROJECT THAT'S EVERY SINGLE SURPLUS DOLLAR THAT OUR BUDGET HAS BEEN GENERATING OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, WE'LL HAVE TO BE ALLOCATED TO THIS FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
I'M, I'M JUST PUTTING THAT OUT ON THE TABLE.
THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE FACING.
AND I THINK IT WOULD BE A DERELICTION OF DUTY IF WE AT LEAST DON'T PLAN FOR ALTERNATIVES IF THIS CAN'T WORK.
I JUST PUTTING THOSE THINGS OUT THERE ON THE TABLE.
AND THEN LET'S, I HAVE QUESTION, UH, ACTION COMMISSIONER, HANDLE COMMISSIONER BLACK COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ, AND LET'S TAKE THE VOTE.
SO, UM, I'M JUST CURIOUS ABOUT THE $8 MILLION TO REFURBISH THE, UM, SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER.
IS THAT, WHERE'S THAT NUMBER COMING FROM? UH, THE EIGHT AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS WAS, I KNOW, WAS A NUMBER THAT WAS PROVIDED ME BY FACILITIES.
THAT WAS, I THINK THE PREVIOUS FIVE YEAR CAPITAL RENEWAL AND REPLACEMENT OR THE CRR UH, PROGRAM THAT WAS OBVIOUSLY REMOVED FROM A PRIOR, UH, CAPITAL PROGRAM.
AS FOR WHERE THOSE DOLLARS WOULD COME FROM, IT WOULD GET PUT INTO THE, THE NEXT, THE 2026 FORWARD, UH, CAPITAL PROGRAM.
AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, COMPETE AGAINST THE OTHER CR DOLLARS.
BUT THE GOOD THING, AND AGAIN, WE'RE PREVIEWING MONDAY A BIT, IS THAT WE'RE GONNA HAVE THE HIGHEST CR MILLAGE THAT THE CITY IS.
UH, WE'RE PROPOSING TO HAVE THAT CR SO WHAT WE'RE DOING IS ADDING MORE MONEY TO THAT.
SO HOPEFULLY THERE'LL BE THOSE DOLLARS AVAILABLE, BUT THEY'LL BE COMPETING AGAINST MANY OTHER FACILITY NEEDS.
SO, THROUGH, THROUGH THE CHAIR, IF I MAY, UM, ELIZABETH, IF YOU DON'T MIND, UM, THE, MY UNDERSTANDING WAS TO GET THE, THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTER OPEN, WE, UM, THE ELEVATOR NEEDS TO BE FIXED BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO FIX AN ELEVATOR FOR A BUILDING THAT HAS, UM, A BOMB GOING OFF IN IT, IN, IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.
AND, UM, AND EVENTUALLY, SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, AS PROGRAMMING GETS BROUGHT ONLINE AND THE COOLING NEEDS INCREASE EVENTUALLY TO UPGRADE THE CHILLER, WHICH IS NORMAL UPGRADE THING, AND PAINT AND PLANTINGS, THAT'S NOT $8 MILLION.
SO WHAT, WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE? WHAT, WHAT KINDS OF OTHER UPGRADES ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? I MEAN, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT IN, IN WALKING THROUGH THE SITE A NUMBER OF TIMES, SAYING THAT IT'S IN GREAT SHAPE AND IT DOESN'T NEED A LOT OF WORK.
SO ARE ELEVATORS THAT EXPENSIVE? ELEVATORS ARE EXPENSIVE, BUT NOT $8 MILLION WORTH.
UM, GOOD MORNING, UH, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION.
ELIZABETH MIRO, INTERIM DIRECTOR FOR FACILITIES AND FLEET MANAGEMENT.
SO THAT $8.3 MILLION, UM, ASSESSMENT IS BASED ON OUR REQUIREMENT LIST.
THAT'S FROM OUR FACILITIES CONDITION ASSESSMENT.
IT LOOKS AT ALL THE REQUIREMENTS THAT A, THAT A BUILDING MAY NEED OVER TIME.
AND THAT'S HOW WE PLAN FOR OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS.
UM, IN PRIORITIES, YES, WE WOULD PUT FIRST
[02:45:01]
THE ELEVATOR AND THE CHILLER THAT DO REQUIRE A REPLACEMENT.AND WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS ROUGHLY ABOUT $250,000 AS PRIORITIES.
THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT WE CAN LOOK AT AS PART OF OUR CAPITAL PROJECT OVER TIME, INCLUDING SAY, THE ROOF AND ANY, UM, YOU KNOW, THIS BUILDING WILL NEED TO BE RECERTIFIED IN 2030.
SO WE LOOK AHEAD AND WE LOOK AT ALL THE THINGS THAT MAY BE REQUIRED FOR STRUCTURAL, YOU KNOW, IT'S STRUCTURALLY SAFE NOW, BUT ANYTHING ELSE THAT MAY BE REQUIRED IN TERMS OF CAPITAL NEEDS.
SO OUR PRIORITIES RIGHT NOW WOULD BE THE ELEVATOR AND THE CHILLER.
SO I DON'T THINK, UM, CALLING IT AN ADDITIONAL $8 MILLION IS AN ACCURATE REPRESENTATION.
AND COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE, I, I RESPECT YOUR FINANCIAL ACUMEN AND YOUR CONCERN ABOUT THE BUDGET, AND THAT IS WHY YOU'RE THE CHAIR OF THE FERC AND, AND, UM, MORE POWER TO YOU.
BUT I, I DO THINK, UM, I, I DO THINK THAT THERE IS A, AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN AND LET US DO THE WORK TO DETERMINE THAT BEFORE WE START.
UM, YOU KNOW, SUFFERING TWICE IS A, IS A PSYCHOLOGY TERM.
UM, WE SHOULD START THINKING ABOUT IT.
BUT WE HAVE A SUPER, SUPER GINORMOUS AGENDA TODAY, AND I THINK THAT THESE ARE VERY VALID CONVERSATIONS TO BE HAD.
AND MAYBE WE CAN REFER SOMETHING TO FERC TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION.
UM, BUT MAYBE LET'S MOVE IT OFF THE DAY AS TODAY, MOVE IT ON TO THE DAY AS AT A COMMITTEE MEETING.
WE ARE GONNA HASH IT OUT AND HAVE OUR STAFF COME BACK WITH SOME IDEAS ABOUT HOW, HOW TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS, UM, IN MORE DETAIL.
AND, AND I'M FINE THAT IT'S JUST ON THE RECORD.
UH, I, I DON'T IF WE WANT REHASH IT, IF WE WANNA REHASH THE CONVERSATION AT A COMMITTEE, WE CAN.
I, I JUST WANT HAVE THIS ON THE RECORD FOR WHAT WE COULD ALL BE FACING DECISION.
SO, UH, WE HAVE C SEVEN AI, WE READY TO VOTE? AYE.
RIGHT NOW I ONLY HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER B.
I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BOT SECOND BY VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ.
ALL IN FAVOR OF C SEVEN I PLEASE SAY AYE.
I AM REJECTING YOUR MOTION TO RETURN THIS MEETING.
WE HAVE A LOT OF ITEMS. HOPEFULLY WE CAN START FLYING THROUGH SOME
[R5 A AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 102 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, ENTITLED “TAXATION,” BY AMENDING ARTICLE V, ENTITLED “LOCAL BUSINESS TAX,” BY AMENDING SECTION 102-379, “SCHEDULE OF TAXES,” BY UPDATING THE “SCHEDULE OF TAXES” AND MOVING ALL FEES TO APPENDIX “A;” PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
OF THEM.R FIVE A IS IN ORDER TO THE MAYOR, CITY COMMISSIONER OF CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 1 0 2 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI V BEACH ENTITLED, TAXATION BY AMENDING ARTICLE FIVE, ENTITLED LOCAL BUSINESS ACTS BY AMENDING SECTION 1 0 2 DASH 3 7 9, SCHEDULE OF TAXES BY UPDATING THE SCHEDULE OF TAXES AND MOVING ALL FEES TO APPENDIX A, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OR SUB ABILITY, CLARIFICATION, AND EFFECTIVE DATE.
THIS IS A SECOND READING PUBLIC HEARING.
SO, UH, THIS ITEM WAS ALREADY HEARD AT FIRST READING, AND IT WAS UPDATING OUR BTRS 'CAUSE ON AVERAGE THEY WERE ABOUT 30 TO 35% HIGHER THAN ANY PLACE ELSE IN SOUTH FLORIDA.
I'VE MET WITH, UH, MANNY MARQUEZ SEVERAL TIMES, AND WE CAME UP WITH, UH, PRICING THAT WAS MORE IN LINE WITH THE REST OF THE COUNTY.
THIS HAS GONE THROUGH OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT.
AND, UM, MANNY, ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD? UH, GOOD MORNING.
MANNY MARQUEZ, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FINANCE.
WHEN WE FIRST STARTED THIS, THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH HAD THE HIGHEST RATES FOR HOME-BASED BUSINESSES IN ALL OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY.
AND AFTER GOING THROUGH THESE, UH, COMMITTEES, NOW WE'RE ONE OF THE LOWEST, AND IT ONLY IMPACTED OUR BUDGET BY $34,000.
AND WE REVENUES FOR B BTRS ARE 6 MILLION.
WE ALSO ADDED CATEGORIES FOR ITEMS THAT WE FREQUENTLY ASKED, UH, DATA FOR, FOR EXAMPLE, HOOKAHS, UH, SMOKE SHOPS, CANDIDATES, ALL THESE OTHER ITEMS. SO WE ADDED CATEGORIES FOR THAT, FOR THOSE INDUSTRIES.
AND I THINK THIS IS A VERY GOOD ITEM.
ANY QUESTIONS? SECOND? I'LL SECOND IT'S CALL THE VOTE.
SO I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ, SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ.
[R5 B AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, ENTITLED "ADMINISTRATION," BY AMENDING ARTICLE VI, ENTITLED "PROCUREMENT," BY AMENDING DIVISION 3, ENTITLED "CONTRACT PROCEDURES" BY CREATING SECTION 2-375.1, ENTITLED "PROHIBITION AGAINST CONTRACTING WITH PARTIES THAT BOYCOTT ISRAEL" TO REGULATE CITY CONTRACTS WITH PARTIES THAT ENGAGE IN BOYCOTTS OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
R FIVE BR FIVE B IS THE NOR OF THE MAYOR OF CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH OF FLORIDA.AMENDING CHAPTER TWO OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH ENTITLED ADMINISTRATION BY AMENDING ARTICLE SIX, ENTITLED, PROCUREMENT BY AMENDING DIVISION THREE ENTITLED CONTRACT PROCEDURES BY CREATING SECTION TWO DASH
[02:50:01]
3 7 5 0.1 ENTITLED PROHIBITION AGAINST CONTRACTING WITH PARTIES OF BOYCOTT ISRAEL TO REGULATE CITY CONTRACTS WITH PARTIES THAT ENGAGE IN BOYCOTTS OF STATE OF ISRAEL AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ABILITY, CODIFICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE.THIS IS THE SECOND READING, PUBLIC HEARING.
COMMISSIONER SUAREZ CO-SPONSORED BY ME, COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE AND VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ.
UH, I SEE NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE.
I HEARD A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SU SUAREZ.
SECONDS THAT IT IS A ROLL CALL.
COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ? YES.
[C7 AJ A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA. DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO IDENTIFY FUNDING AND ASSIST IN THE PLANNING OF A MISSION TO ISRAEL IN OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER 2024 BY A DELEGATION CONSISTING OF THE ENTIRE CITY COMMISSION AND SEVEN COMMUNITY LEADERS TO DEMONSTRATE THE CITY’S UNWAVERING SUPPORT AND FRIENDSHIP FOR THE ISRAELI PEOPLE, TO MEET WITH GOVERNMENT LEADERS AND TO HELP BOLSTER THE ISRAELI ECONOMY.]
WHILE WE ARE ON TOPIC, LET'S CALL C SEVEN AJ.UH, COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ I AND PULLED BY COMMISSIONER B? YES.
C SEVEN AG FUND PLAN, CITY COMMISSION MO UH, MISSION TO ISRAEL, C SEVEN AJ.
SO BETWEEN THE FIRE STATION DISCUSSION AND THIS DISCUSSION, I'M WALKING AROUND WITH A BIG TARGET ON MY BACK.
UM, YOU KNOW, I WAS PRESIDENT OF MBU FOR FOUR OR FIVE YEARS.
I WAS ON THE BOARD OF THAT FOR A LITTLE BIT LONGER.
AND WE AS AN ORGANIZATION, AND I AS AN ACTIVIST AND A RESIDENT AND A CITIZEN OF THIS COUNTRY, UM, AND STATE AND CITY BELIEVE IN TRANSPARENCY.
AND I MAY HAVE THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS ITEM, BUT I'M, IT, WHAT, THE REASON I PULLED IT IS BECAUSE IT IS UNUSUAL FOR SUCH A SIGNIFICANT ITEM TO BE PASSED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA WITHOUT ANY DISCUSSION.
AND I WANTED PEOPLE TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS ITEM, UM, BECAUSE IT'S AN UNUSUAL ITEM AND IT'S A LOT OF MONEY.
AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE CORRECT GOVERNMENT DECISION TO DO, TO HAVE A FORUM FOR DISCUSSION.
I WILL START OFF, NOT THIS, THIS SHOULD MATTER, BUT I WILL START OFF SAYING THAT, UM, I AM JEWISH, A HUNDRED PERCENT JEWISH.
I'VE TRAVELED TO ISRAEL THREE TIMES, AND I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.
UM, I AM A LIFELONG LEARNER, AND I DON'T SHY AWAY FROM THE HARD QUESTIONS, THE HARD DECISIONS.
AND I ENCOURAGE ANYBODY WHO IS INTERESTED TO GO TO ISRAEL IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY, OR TO GO BACK IF THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY.
UM, I KNOW THAT WE JUST APPROVED AS A BODY $105,000, UM, FOR TRAVEL.
I DO NOT THINK WE SHOULD BE ALLOCATING ANY MORE MONEY FOR TRAVEL.
I'M THROWING THEM OUT THERE AND EVERYONE CAN EVISCERATE ME AS THEY FEEL.
UM, AND I, YOU KNOW, HOW, HOWEVER, PEOPLE WANNA MOVE FORWARD AND, AND DO WHAT THEY WANNA DO.
BUT I WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE, THAT THERE IS MONEY IN THE BUDGET FOR TRAVEL.
UM, AND I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS.
AND ON THE RECORD, I WILL SAY THAT I, UM, WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN THIS, UM, BECAUSE IN MY VIEW, IT IS NOT A GREAT USE OF OUR CITY FUNDS.
BUT IF MY COLLEAGUES CHOOSE TO DO SO, THEN THAT'S, THAT'S THEIR PREROGATIVE.
AND AS JOE SAID, COLLEAGUE, UH, COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE SAYS, I'D LIKE TO PUT MY CARS ON THE TABLE.
COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ, UM, FOLLOWING OCTOBER 7TH, THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH REACTED IMMEDIATELY AND WE PURCHASED AN AMBULANCE.
WE ALSO ALLOCATED FUNDING FOR BEN GRAY AND UNIVERSITY, AND THEN WE SENT OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
UM, WHEN YOU LOOK AT, UM, THE JEWISH POPULATION, 15.7 MILLION JEWS WORLDWIDE, PROBABLY 8 MILLION ROUGHLY IN ISRAEL, AND ANOTHER SIX TO 7 MILLION HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.
UM, MIAMI BEACHES OWN, UH, RON DERMER ACTUALLY WORKS IN THE NETANYAHU ADMINISTRATION RIGHT NOW.
UM, ONE OF THE REASONS WHY IS BECAUSE WHEN MIAMI BEACH DOES SOMETHING, THE ENTIRE WORLD WATCHES, AND THAT'S IMPORTANT.
AND, UM, YESTERDAY WHEN THIS WAS FIRST PUBLISHED, UM, I THINK I I DID EASILY, UH, THREE MEDIA INTERVIEWS.
SO THIS IS A, WOULD BE A VERY, VERY PUBLIC SOLIDARITY MISSION.
UM, I WAS READING UP YESTERDAY ON, UH, SOME OF THE TOURISM NUMBERS, CITY COASTAL CITIES IN ISRAEL, LIKE OURS, UM, AND THEIR ECONOMIES.
AND, UH, TOURISM HAS DROPPED OFF 80% EXCEPT FOR SOLIDARITY MISSIONS LIKE THIS ONE.
I BELIEVE THAT KATHY HOEL IN NEW YORK CITY JUST, UH, TOOK A,
[02:55:01]
A, A SIMILAR JUNKET, UM, OVER TO ISRAEL ON A SIMILAR, YOU KNOW, SOLIDARITY MISSION.UM, WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? GROWING ANTISEMITISM, FEAR TO TRAVEL TO ISRAEL, I WANTED DISPEL ALL OF THAT.
UM, I WANT US TO GO THERE IN UNITY, VISIT OUR SI SISTER CITY, UH, RIA, WHICH I THINK IS IMPORTANT.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE YOU GUYS TO SEE WHERE OUR INVESTMENT DOLLARS WENT.
UM, AS YOU CAN SEE, UH, JAMIE LIPSKI TODAY PLEDGED $10,000, UM, ON THE MISSION.
I HAVE A DIFFERENT DONOR WHO I'M MEETING WITH TOMORROW, WHO IS ALSO GOING TO PLEDGE MONEY.
I'M GOING TO GO OUT AND, UH, YOU KNOW, FIND AS MANY FUNDS AS I CAN.
I HAD SOMEBODY ELSE WHO SAID THAT THEY WOULD COVER THE TRAVEL EXPENSES.
SO AS YOU CAN SEE, UM, I THINK THAT THIS IS MISSION CRITICAL.
UM, I WAS IN PUBLIX THE OTHER DAY AND I RAN INTO ONE OF MY CONSTITUENTS.
SHE SAID, I JUST CAME BACK FROM ISRAEL.
WHY, WHY WERE YOU THERE? WE WERE THERE TO SHOW OUR SUPPORT IN SOLIDARITY.
SO THIS IS A CONVERSATION THAT WE'RE HAVING CITYWIDE.
IT DOESN'T MATTER WHICH JEWISH RESIDENT THAT I RUN INTO, PEOPLE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT RISING ANTISEMITISM.
I WAS WATCHING THE OTHER DAY, OH, UM, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY JUST, YOU KNOW, PULLED, YOU KNOW, ALL FUNDING OR ANY, YOU KNOW, ANYBODY DOING BUSINESS WITH ISRAEL, THEY NO LONGER WANT TO.
I SAW SOME VERY DISTURBING MARCHES IN LONDON THAT WERE MARCHING TOWARD THE ISRAELI EMBASSY.
I BELIEVE IT WAS ALMOST NEARLY, UM, A MILLION PEOPLE.
AND THEN COMING, YOU KNOW, UH, OVER SUMMER BREAK, I HAPPENED TO BE IN ITALY.
AND I JUST WANNA MENTION THIS BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T EVEN REALIZE THE HISTORY GOING ON ABOUT, UM, THE REASON THERE ARE ONLY 15.7 MILLION JEWISH PEOPLE IN THE WORLD IS BECAUSE THE ROMAN EMPIRE SACKED JERUSALEM IN 70 80 AND WIPED OUT 1 MILLION JEWS BECAUSE HAD THEY NOT THE JEWISH POPULATION POSSIBLY COULD HAVE KEPT UP WITH THE MUSLIM POPULATION.
AND THEN WHEN YOU FOLLOW THAT BY THE HOLOCAUST, AND BY THE WAY, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW THIS ABOUT THE ROMAN COLOSSEUM, BUT WHEN THEY SACKED, AND THERE WERE ONLY 200 MILLION PEOPLE ON THE PLANET, BY THE WAY, WHEN THEY KILLED A MILLION JEWS, OKAY? AND THEY MARCHED THE GOLDEN MENORAH THROUGH THE ARCH OF TITUS, THE ROMAN EMPEROR, UM, TITUS.
THEY THEN TOOK ALL JEWISH MONIES, LISTEN TO THIS, AND ENSLAVED THE JEWS, AND THEY BUILD THE COLOSSEUM, WHICH THEN BECAME ONE OF THE MOST BLOODIEST GROTESQUE PLACES IN THE WORLD.
SO WHAT PEOPLE ARE UNDERSTANDING IN ALL OF, OH, AND, AND ONE OTHER THING, I I RECENTLY READ A, A HISTORY BECAUSE I'VE, I'VE BEEN SO DISTURBED BY WHAT'S WHAT I SEE HAPPENING HERE.
YOU KNOW, JEWS AND ARABS DID COEXIST BECAUSE WE WEREN'T PANTHEISTIC.
AND SO THEY SAID, JEWS CAN PRACTICE, BUT YOU ARE GONNA BE LESSER CITIZENS.
AND THEY CALLED US DIMS. AND WE WERE MEANT TO WEAR A, WHEN WE WENT TO THE BATHHOUSES, WE HAD TO WEAR A BLACK BELL AROUND OUR NECK, A BLACK BELT.
IF WE WENT TO COURT, FOUR OF US COUNTED AS ONE MUSLIM.
FOUR PEOPLE HAD TO GO TO COURT.
IF YOU WANTED TO COLLECT THE DEBT, YOU HAD TO, TO BRING FOUR JEWISH PEOPLE TO EQUAL ONE MUSLIM PERSON.
THESE, THESE ARGUMENTS, THIS DISCRIMINATION, THIS, THE COMPLETE WISH TO, YOU KNOW, CREATE THIS, YOU KNOW, SUBPAR HAS JUST BEEN THROUGHOUT HISTORY, NOT JUST IN COLONIAL TIMES AND THROUGH THE ARAB POPULATION.
SO THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN RESOLVE OVERNIGHT.
AND THAT IS WHY ISRAEL WANTS THE RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF.
YOU KNOW, AND WE, BECAUSE WE DON'T NECESSARILY, WE ARE LOOKING AT WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, BUT THIS IS THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF PERSECUTION AND SLAUGHTER.
MY GRANDPARENTS WERE KILLED IN A SEPARATE PROGRAM BY THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE.
SO, UM, I WOULD MOVE THIS ITEM.
I WILL DO MY BEST TO FIND, UM, ANY FUNDING THAT I POSSIBLY CAN IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
AND I THINK THIS IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT, AND I WISH COMMISSIONER B, THAT YOU WOULD RECONSIDER AND PO POSSIBLY PARTICIPATE, UM, AS A JEWISH WOMAN IF YOU DIDN'T WANT TO.
BUT, UM, I WANNA DO ANYTHING IN MY POWER THAT I CAN TO BE A VOICE FOR ISRAEL'S RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF.
I'M JUST GONNA GO IN THE ORDER.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ.
I'M GONNA GO IN THE ORDER THAT I SEE COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
UM, YOU KNOW, I, I, UH, I, I EMPATHIZE, UH, AND, AND I SHARE THE SENTIMENT, UH, BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION.
I THINK IT COMES FROM A VERY GOOD PLACE.
AND I, AND I THINK IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING WHEN WE FOSTER AND WE STRENGTHEN THOSE RELATIONSHIPS AROUND THE WORLD.
AND WE DO IT WITH SO MANY, UH, DIFFERENT CITIES, UH, THAT WE HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH, UH, THROUGH OUR SISTER CITIES PROGRAM.
THE ONE THING I DON'T AGREE WITH IS DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO IDENTIFY FUNDING.
I'M FINE WITH, UH, ELECTED OFFICIALS GOING IN THEIR OFFICIAL CAPACITY, EXPRESSING
[03:00:01]
THE CITY'S SUPPORT.BUT, YOU KNOW, WE CAN USE OUR PERSONAL DOLLARS.
WE DON'T NEED TO USE THE TAXPAYER'S MONEY, UH, TO DO THIS.
IF AN ELECTED OFFICIAL WANTS TO GO TO ISRAEL TO EXPRESS THE SUPPORT OF THIS COMMUNITY, UH, THEY SHOULD, UH, THE SAME WAY THAT, THAT, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW JEWISH BUSINESSES AROUND THE WORLD ARE SUFFERING.
YOU KNOW, WE DON'T USE THE CITY'S DOLLARS TO GO TO SUPPORT, YOU KNOW, THE, UH, THE, THE KOSHER RESTAURANTS ON, ON HARDING AVENUE OR, OR, OR, OR, OR THE OTHER JEWISH BUSINESSES THAT ARE SUFFERING AS A RESULT OF, OF, OF ANTISEMITISM.
SO I'M ALL FOR SHOWING OUR SUPPORT.
I'M ALL FOR, UH, EXTENDING, UH, THAT HAND AND THAT, AND THAT, THAT FRIENDSHIP.
UH, I JUST, I JUST THINK, UH, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT.
AND THE AMENDMENT WOULD BE TO REMOVE THE CITY FUNDING ASPECT OF IT.
UH, IF ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL, IF ANY OF US DESIRE TO GO IN A MISSION TO ISRAEL REPRESENTING, UH, THE CITY, UH, I THINK THE GREATEST SUPPORT, IMAGINE HOW BIG OF A MESSAGE THAT WOULD BE.
THAT NOT ONLY ARE THE ELECTED OFFICIALS GOING TO ISRAEL, BUT THAT THEY'RE PUTTING THE MONEY OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET.
I THINK THAT THAT WILL RESONATE EVEN MORE BECAUSE THAT SHOWS HOW GENUINE THE EXPRESSION IS.
IT'S EASY FOR US TO GO AND SHOW UP AS ELECTED OFFICIALS WHEN SOMEONE ELSE IS PUTTING UP THE MONEY.
BUT WHEN WE'RE PUTTING THE MONEY FROM OUR OWN POCKET, IT'S AN EXPRESSION OF HOW GENUINE THE INTENT IS TO SUPPORT ISRAEL AND TO BUILD UPON THAT, THAT FRIENDSHIP.
BUT I, BUT I WILL, I WILL SAY THIS, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS GOOD.
'CAUSE WE'VE GONE TO OTHER PLACES ON THE TAXPAYERS DOLLARS.
NOT MEAN I HAVEN'T GONE TO OTHER COUNTRIES ON THE, ON THE TAXPAYERS DOLLARS, BUT, YOU KNOW, THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE THAT IN THE PAST, THEY'VE GONE TO CHINA IN THE PAST, PEOPLE HAVE GONE AND EXPLORED RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MIAMI BEACH AND CUBA.
YOU KNOW, UH, IN THE PAST PEOPLE HAVE GONE TO MEXICO ON, ON THE TAXPAYER'S DOLLARS, UM, TO EXPLORE BUILDING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS.
AND PERHAPS, YOU KNOW, I MAYBE DIDN'T AGREE WITH THOSE.
THIS IS A RELATIONSHIP I SOLIDLY STAND BY.
BUT I THINK IT WILL JUST COME ACROSS SO MUCH MORE GENUINE AND SO MUCH MORE STRONG WHEN WE SAY IT'S A DELEGATION OF ELECTED OFFICIALS.
AND THEY CARE SO MUCH ABOUT US THAT THEY TOOK THE MONEY OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET TO SHOW YOU THAT EXPRESSION OF GENUINE INTEREST IN SUPPORTING THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL.
WELL, I THINK COMMISSIONER BOT HAD HAND RAISED FIRST, AND THEN COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ.
THIS IS EXACTLY WHY I WANTED TO HAVE THIS ITEM PULLED SO THERE COULD BE DISCUSSION.
AND I LOVE THE PROFESSORIAL SIDE OF YOU, COLLEAGUE, UH, COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ.
UM, I, I, MOST OF MY FAMILY ON BOTH SIDES OF MY FAMILY, UM, PERISHED, UM, IN EASTERN EUROPE, UH, DURING WORLD WAR II AND, AND BEFORE.
UM, IN MORE RECENT HI HISTORY, UM, GOING BACK TO ROMAN TIMES, GOING BACK TO MEDIEVAL EUROPE, THIS IS NOT ABOUT THAT.
AND, UM, I, I COMPLETELY SUPPORT ISRAEL'S RIGHT TO EXIST AND TO DEFEND THEMSELVES.
I JUST WANTED TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION SO WE COULD FIGURE OUT IF THERE'S A BETTER WAY TO ACCOMPLISH THE GOAL OF SHOWING.
AND AN ITEM THAT I, THAT I MEANT TO MENTION, MY OPENING REMARKS IS THAT TO YOUR POINT OF ECONOMIC SUPPORT, THE CHAMBER, UM, THE MIAMI BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS PRECISELY, UH, AN, A BODY THAT DOES THIS SORT OF MISSION WORK TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN OTHER CITIES, OTHER COUNTRIES, OTHER INSTITUTIONS THAT CAN, UH, FOSTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
SO I WANTED TOSS THAT INTO THE MIX AS WELL.
OH, I JUST GOT ANOTHER DONATION FOR 5,000, UM, TO THE MISSION.
UM, SO I'M GONNA MOVE THE ITEM AS IS.
I WILL FUNDRAISE AS MUCH AS I CAN.
IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ME, UH, TO BRING THE COMMUNITY ALONG.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO SECOND MY MOTION.
I NO, THESE MICROPHONE'S, REALLY, OR SOMETHING ELSE.
UM, I'M WILLING, WHAT, AFTER, AFTER ANY, UH, CONTRIBUTIONS MADE, I'M WILLING TO PAY THE DIFFERENCE FOR OUR DELEGATION.
UM, ANY ISSUE, ANY ISSUES WITH THAT? UH, I JUST ALWAYS LIKE TO CONSULT WITH OUR CITY ATTORNEY.
[03:05:03]
COMMISSIONER SUAREZ? I, I'M GONNA WANT TO RESEARCH THAT, BUT IN PRINCIPLE, I THINK THAT THAT COULD BE OKAY.I THOUGHT WE WERE GONNA TAKE A BOAT.
WELL, WE ALL JOKE ABOUT THESE MICROPHONES, BUT IT JUST SAVED ME BECAUSE I WAS ACTUALLY GONNA MAKE THE SAME OFFER.
BUT COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONER SUAREZ WAS FIRST
SO THE MICS ACTUALLY HELP OUT SOME OF US
UM, I THINK THIS IS, UH, I THINK THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR SISTER CITIES PROGRAM.
UM, WHAT BETTER WAY TO GO AND SHOW OUR SOLIDARITY AND, AND SUPPORT, UH, FOR SOMETHING THAT IS MISSION CRITICAL, NOT JUST FOR US, BUT FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND MANY MEMBERS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND, UH, KIDDING AND JOKING ASIDE, UM, UH, I, I'LL BE PRIVATELY FUNDING MY OWN TRIP.
UH, YEAH, I, I CAN SEE THE, UM, HESITATION USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
I WOULDN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE TRAVELING, UH, UNDER THAT PREMISE.
UH, SO I LOOK FORWARD TO, UM, SUPPORTING THIS MISSION, SEEING MY FRIENDS AND MY COLLEAGUES, UH, IN ISRAEL UNDER SOMETHING THAT IS, UH, SO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT, UH, IN DOING SO IN UNITY.
SO COMM UH, VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ, I'D LIKE TO PROPOSE AN, AN AMENDMENT BECAUSE AS WE'VE BEEN HEARING THROUGHOUT THIS MEETING, COMMISSIONER ROSEN GONZALEZ HAS BEEN RECEIVING OFFERS OF DONATIONS.
WE'VE, YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER SUAREZ HAVE, HAS, HAS MENTIONED A DONATION HE WANTS TO MAKE AS WELL.
AND PER, AND PERHAPS, YOU KNOW, THIS JUST SHOULD BE, UM, AMENDED TO REMOVE THE IDENTIFYING OF FUNDING AND JUST MAKE IT PRIVATE DOLLARS, NO COST TO THE TAXPAYERS.
UH, BECAUSE COMMISSIONER ROSA GONZALEZ HAS BEEN GETTING THOSE, UH, THOSE OFFERS OF CONTRIBUTIONS.
UH, SO THAT'S, THAT'S THE ONLY AMENDMENT I WOULD, I WOULD MAKE, UH, TO THIS COMMISSIONER.
THEN I'M GONNA PULL THE SEVEN COMMUNITY LEADERS.
'CAUSE NOW YOU GUYS ARE REALLY, I MEAN, I REALLY WANTED EACH OF US TO BRING SOME, YOU KNOW, PICK SOMEBODY WHO IS A LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY.
I'M GONNA HAVE TO PULL THAT PART BECAUSE NOW YOU'RE TALKING, I MEAN, SO I GUESS I'LL PULL THE SEVEN COMMUNITY LEADERS FROM THE RESOLUTION, UM, PRIVATE DOLLARS.
UM, I, BUT I'M NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO PLAN THIS.
I NEED THE ADMINISTRATION TO PLAN IT.
I WANT THE ADMINISTRATION TO PLAN, TO TRY, ACTUALLY, I WAS GONNA HAVE THE ADMINISTRATION REACH OUT TO AL AND TRY TO GET HIS TICKETS.
I MEAN, I WAS GONNA ECONOMIZE THE ONLY WAY I CAN, BUT IF YOU GIVE IT TO MY OFFICE AND THE FACT THAT LIKE, I HAVE A FULL-TIME JOB.
I DON'T KNOW IF JACQUELINE CAN HANDLE THE PLANNING OF THIS MASSIVE DELEGATION.
I ALREADY HAD ACTUALLY SOMEBODY NAMED AARON, UM, KITZ.
UM, OH, I GOT ANOTHER 5,000 FROM DAVID WALK.
I THINK THE JEWISH FEDERATION CAN HELP AS WELL WITH PLANNING.
I DID HAVE, I HAD ANOTHER ALSO WHERE A LARGE INVESTOR IN ISRAEL BONDS.
I MEAN, BUT I'M NOT GONNA TAKE THIS ON BY MYSELF.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR THIS AND DO IT FROM YOUR OFFICE, UM, I, I HAVE A FULL-TIME JOB.
LIKE I NEED THE ADMINISTRATION'S HELP.
YOU'RE TWISTING MY AMENDMENTS.
I'M NOT TWISTING YOUR AMENDMENT.
YOU'RE NOT TWISTING MY AMENDMENTS.
JUST, YEAH, I THINK, UH, VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ, I DON'T WANNA SPEAK.
I THINK YOU WERE JUST SAYING TAXPAYER DOLLAR IS NOT NOT NECESSARILY PLANNING THE AMENDMENT IS TAKE OUT, I IDENTIFY FUNDING.
SO RIGHT NOW, THE DIRECTIVE IS FOR THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION HEREBY DIRECT ADMINISTRATION TO IDENTIFY FUNDING AND ASSIST IN THE PLANNING OF A MISSION TO ISRAEL IN OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER.
WHAT I'M SAYING IS TAKE OUT THE PART OF IDENTIFY FUNDING BECAUSE YOU'RE ALREADY DOING THAT.
AND BY THE WAY, ANY COMMUNITY LEADER THAT WANTS TO GO, AND IF THEY WANT TO PAY FROM THEIR POCKET, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO IF THEY, IF THEY WANT TO.
UH, SO THAT'S THE ONLY THING I'M SAYING.
THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION HEREBY DIRECTLY ADMINISTRATION REMOVE IDENTIFIED FUNDING TO ASSIST IN THE PLANNING OF A MISSION TO ISRAEL IN OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER, JUST ANOTHER 5,000.
UM, THE WALLETS ARE GIVING 5,000.
UM, IF I, IF I, BY THE WAY, I SOMEONE TOMORROW.
OH, CAN I HAVE
I WOULD JUST, UH, I'M SURE YOU THOUGHT OF THIS COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ, BUT, AND I ALREADY CONSULTED WITH OUR CITY ATTORNEY.
I JUST WANTED, WE NEED TO BE, MAKE SURE THAT ANY DONATIONS OBVIOUSLY COMPLY WITH OUR, UH, VENDOR LAWS.
SO PLEASE, OBVIOUSLY, WE'LL, I'M SURE YOU THOUGHT OF THAT, BUT I, I, BUT WE'LL NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT ANY DONATION COMPLIES WITH OUR CITY AND COUNTY AND STATE LAWS.
SO WE, WAYNE ROBERTS JUST GAVE 5,000.
[03:10:01]
SO NOW WE'RE UP TO 10.HOW MUCH DO WE HAVE? WE HAVE THAT 30,000 PLEDGED.
CAN WE TAKE THE VOTE ANYMORE? SO WAIT, WAIT, WAIT.
I'M GONNA PULL, SO I'M GONNA PULL THE SEVEN COMMUNITY LEADERS.
WE'RE NOT GONNA PICK A COMMUNITY LEADER.
WE WILL GO ON OUR OWN ON THIS MISSION.
UM, BUT I DO DEFINITELY NEED THE ADMINISTRATION'S HELP IN PLANNING THIS MISSION.
AND LIKE I SAID, I HAD A, A DIFFERENT, UM, GROUP REACH OUT TO ME THAT ALREADY WANTS TO PROGRAM IT.
AARON KITZ, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW WHO HE IS.
HE REACHED OUT, HE SAID, I'M REACHING OUT TO SEE IF WE CAN BE HELPFUL.
MY ORGANIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES, ISRAEL BUSINESS ALLIANCE SPECIALIZES IN ORGANIZING LOCAL DELEGATIONS TO ISRAEL.
WE'VE PLANNED FIVE DELEGATIONS SINCE OCTOBER 7TH, INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK'S SOLIDARITY MISSION.
SIMILAR TO WHAT WE'RE DOING, I LIVE IN SURFSIDE AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO MEET.
SO I THINK IF WE REACH OUT TO THE FEDERATION, TO ISRAEL BONDS AND TO UNITED STATES, ISRAEL BUSINESS LINES, WE'RE GONNA BE VERY BUSY ALONG WITH THE CITY OF NARIA.
SO, UM, AND, AND I'M PRETTY SURE THAT ONCE WE'RE THERE, UM, OH, WE JUST GOT $5,000 TO EACH COMMISSIONER WHO GOES, THAT'S A BIG ONE.
THAT'S LIKE $30,000 FROM J FROM GERALD.
GERALD, YOU WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME UP HERE?
WE OKAY? WE GOTTA BRING THIS IN FOR A LANDING.
UM, I WANTED TO MOVE MY ITEM AS IS, BUT AS AMENDED, JUST YOU HAVE THE FUNDING.
UM, OBVIOUSLY ANY SOLIDARITY WITH ISRAEL, I DON'T, I THINK I'M STATING THE OBVIOUS.
I'M STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF, I, I DO LIKE THE RESULT OF HERE.
I WAS ACTUALLY CONTEMPLATING, UH, PULLING THE ITEM MYSELF.
I THINK THE RESULT THAT THIS BODY REACHED WITHOUT EVEN ME SAYING A WORD IS REFLECTIVE OF, UH, I COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD OF THIS COMMISSION, BY THE WAY, JUST IN GENERAL.
I MEAN, JUST OUR, OUR SUPPORT FOR THIS COUNTRY, OUR SUPPORT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, OUR SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL, OUR SUPPORT FOR WHAT'S GOOD, AND THE VALUES OF JUSTICE ARE JUST SO POWERFUL.
AND IT'S EVIDENT AT THIS MEETING AND THIS ITEM, I, I, I COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD TO BE, TO BE YOUR COLLEAGUE.
AND JUST THIS ITEM ITSELF, THE SOLIDARITY IS SO IMPORTANT.
SO I APPRECIATE THAT WE'RE DOING THIS AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THE ITEM, BUT THAT WE CAME TO THE RIGHT CONCLUSION AS WELL, THAT WE ARE NOT GONNA USE TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO SHOW THAT SUPPORT.
AND WE HAVE PEOPLE REACHING OUT, WHICH IS TREMENDOUS FROM OUR COMMUNITY, FROM COMMISSIONER SUAREZ WHO, UH, MADE A VERY GENEROUS, I DON'T, I, I, IT SOUNDS LIKE FROM WHAT, UH, COMMISSIONER ROSEN GONZALEZ IS READING, YOU MAY NOT EVEN HAVE TO COME TRUE ON THAT PLEDGE, BUT JUST KNOWING THAT IT'S THERE, AND I THINK THE, THE, THE, THE FACT THAT WE'RE SHOWING THE SUPPORT, AND I, AND I BROUGHT THE ITEM AND, AND IT'S KIND OF RELATED TO THIS ITEM, BUT SEPARATELY TO, TO, WE HAVE A SISTER CITY NA RIA THAT IS IN A LOT OF PAIN.
THIS IS A CITY, BY THE WAY, OF 64,000 RESIDENTS IN THE NORTH OF ISRAEL, NEAR THE BORDER OF LEBANON.
HEZBOLLAH LITERALLY THIS MONDAY.
SO I BROUGHT THIS ITEM TO PUT ON THE AGENDA LAST WEEK, LITERALLY THIS MONDAY.
THEY SENT IN A DRONE ATTACK THAT HIT TWO APARTMENTS.
THANK GOD NOBODY WAS, UM, SERIOUSLY INJURED.
BUT THIS IS WHAT THEY CONSTANTLY FACE.
MANY PEOPLE DON'T EVEN REALIZE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ISRAELIS THAT HAVE BEEN DISPLACED FROM THEIR HOMES.
'CAUSE HEZBOLLAH IS CONS, CONSTANTLY FIRING.
REMEMBER, EVERYONE TALKS ABOUT HAMAS.
THIS IS HEZBOLLAH, LEBANON COMPLETELY, AND THEY'RE FIRING ROCKETS ALL THE TIME.
AND ISRAEL HAD TO CLEAR THE NORTH.
SO YOU HAVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ISRAELIS WHO ARE NOT LIVING IN THEIR HOMES, THEY'RE LIVING WITH FAMILIES OR, OR IN HOTELS OR, UM, THEIR LIVES HAVE BEEN IMPACTED TREMENDOUSLY AS WELL.
SO THIS, THIS MISSION AND SHOWING SUPPORT, UH, COULD NOT BE MORE POWERFUL.
AND, BUT ULTIMATELY DOING IT, UH, DOING IT AND, AND SHOWING, AS YOU SAID, COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, SHOWING OUR SUPPORT THROUGH OUR OWN MEANS, OR OBVIOUSLY THE GENEROSITY OF OTHERS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW AND OUR CITY ATTORNEY.
WE'LL MAKE SURE WE ALL DO THAT.
SO I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ROSEN GONZALEZ AS AMENDED.
UH, SECONDED TO THEN I TO REMOVE IDENTIFIED FUNDING.
SO PULLING THE SEVEN, UH, COMMUNITY LEADERS PRIVATE DOLLARS AND, UH, ADMINISTRATION TO HELP THE PLANNING AND, AND, YOU KNOW, JUST IF THE MAKER OF THE MOTION IS OKAY THROUGH, THROUGH THE MAYOR, JUST, YOU KNOW, LET'S HAND IN, I'M SORRY.
I'M SO SORRY YOU'RE NOT ON COMMISSIONER ROSA GONZALEZ.
AND IF THE MAKER OF THE MOTION IS, IS OKAY, NOT ONLY IDEN REMOVED TO IDENTIFY FUNDING, BUT YOU KNOW, LET'S PUT THERE AT NO COST TO THE TAXPAYER.
LET'S, LET'S PUT IT IN THERE JUST TO STAY CONSISTENT WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE DISCUSSION WE'VE HAD IN HERE TO THE MAYOR'S POINT, IT WILL SHOW THE TRUE GENUINENESS OF THE EXPRESSION WHEN IT'S NOT COMING, THAT THE COMMUNITY IS THE ONE THAT EXISTS, IS EXTENDING THAT FRIENDSHIP.
AND THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE.
SO IF YOU WOULD ACCEPT THAT AMENDMENT.
CAN I JUST SAY ONE THING? COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ.
WHEN I TOLD THE ADMINISTRATION TO IDENTIFY
[03:15:01]
FUNDING, WE WERE GOING TO WORK TOWARD FINDING FUNDING.SO, AS AMENDED, UH, AS AMENDED, COMMISSIONER ROSA GONZALEZ MADE THE MOTION SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ.
[R5 C AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 102 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, ENTITLED “TAXATION,” BY AMENDING ARTICLE V, ENTITLED “LOCAL BUSINESS TAX,” BY CREATING SECTION 102-368.1 THEREOF, ENTITLED “POSTING OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP) DECAL,” TO REQUIRE ANY BUSINESS OPERATING PURSUANT TO AN ACTIVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO POST A DECAL, ISSUED BY THE CITY, INDICATING THAT THE BUSINESS HAS AN ACTIVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP), AND PROVIDING INFORMATION ON HOW THE APPROVED CUP MAY BE ACCESSED VIA THE INTERNET; AND BY AMENDING APPENDIX A TO THE CITY CODE, ENTITLED “FEE SCHEDULE,” TO CREATE A FEE TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED DECAL; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
R FIVE CR FIVE C IS A NORTH OF THE MAYOR OF CITY COMMISSIONER OF CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA.AMENDING CHAPTER 1 0 2 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH AND TALL TAXATION BY AMENDING ARTICLE FIVE ENTITLED LOCAL BUSINESS TAX BY CREATING SECTION 1 0 2 DASH 3 6 8 1 THEREOF ENTITLED, POSTING OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, CUP DECAL TO REQUIRE ANY BUSINESS OPERATING PURSUANT TO AN ACTIVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO POST A DECAL ISSUED BY THE CITY, INDICATING THAT THE BUSINESS HAS AN ACTIVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, CUP, AND PROVIDING INFORMATION ON HOW THE APPROVED CUP MAY BE ACCESSED VIA THE INTERNET AND AMEND AND BY AMENDING APPENDIX EIGHT OF THE CITY CODE ENTITLED FEE SCHEDULES TO CREATE A FEE TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED DECAL AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL HAVE ABILITY, CODIFICATION AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
THIS IS A SECOND READING, PUBLIC HEARING R FIVE C, COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ CO-SPONSORED BY COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE AND COMMISSIONER B.
THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE, UH, AMENS OUR CODE TO REQUIRE BUSINESSES TO POST A DECAL ISSUED BY THE CITY, INDICATING WHEN A BUSINESS HAS A CITY ISSUED CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND PROVIDING INFORMATION ON HOW THE CUP MAY BE ACCESSED VIA THE INTERNET.
A LOT OF TIMES OUR PLANNING BOARD, UH, MIGHT ISSUE CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS.
THOSE CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS HAVE DETAILS ON HOW TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY IMPACTS.
AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE CONDITIONS ARE BEING LIVED UP TO, TO PROTECT THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR, OF OUR RESIDENTS.
BY HAVING, UH, THIS DECAL, WE ENHANCE THAT LEVEL OF TRANSPARENCY SO THAT WHEN CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS OR THE RESIDENT WANT TO KNOW WHETHER AN AN ESTABLISHMENT HAS A CEP, THEY SIMPLY LOOK FOR THE DECAL.
AND WHEN CODE ENFORCEMENT GETS THERE, THEY HAVE A CLEAR INDICATOR OF WHAT ARE THE APPLICABLE REGULATIONS FOR THAT ESTABLISHMENT.
AND THE ONLY UPDATE BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND READING IS THAT, UH, THERE IS A $10 FEE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF THE DECAL FOR, FOR THE CUP.
AND CORRECT ME, MR. ATTORNEY, IF I'M WRONG, THIS WOULD GO INTO EFFECT NEXT YEAR WITH, UH, WITH NEXT, UH, FISCAL YEAR 26.
IS THAT CORRECT? THAT'S, THAT'S CORRECT.
WITH THAT, I, UH, I MOVED MY ITEM, MS. MAYOR.
SO THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING, NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE, NO ONE IN ZOOM.
UH, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY, UH, UH, COMMISSIONER SUAREZ, VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ.
SO FOR THE RECORD, COMMISSIONER ROSA GONZALEZ IS A YES.
COMMISSIONER? UH, MAYOR MINOR.
OCEAN CARRIE, SEVEN ZERO R FIVE C IS APPROVED.
[R5 D AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 70 OF THE CITY CODE, ENTITLED “MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES,” BY AMENDING ARTICLE II, ENTITLED “PUBLIC PLACES,” BY AMENDING SECTION 70-45, ENTITLED “CAMPING PROHIBITED,” BY AMENDING THE CITY’S EXISTING PROHIBITION ON CAMPING BASED UPON THE RECENT RULING OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES IN CITY OF GRANTS PASS, OREGON V. GLORIA JOHNSON ET AL., 144 S.CT. 2202 (2024), AND THE ENACTMENT OF FLORIDA STATUTE § 125.0231, ENTITLED “PUBLIC CAMPING AND PUBLIC SLEEPING,” WHICH TAKES EFFECT ON OCTOBER 1, 2024; AND WITH PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
THANK YOU.R FIVE DR FIVE D IS AN AUTHOR OF THE MAYOR OF CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY, MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA.
AMENDING CHAPTER 70 OF THE CITY CODE ENTITLED MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES BY AMENDING TO ARTICLE TWO ENTITLED PUBLIC PLACES BY AMENDING SECTION 70 DASH 45 ENTITLED, CAMPING PROHIBITED BY AMENDING THE CITY'S EXISTING PROHIBITION ON CAMPING BASED UPON THE RECENT RULING OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CITY GRANTS PASS, OREGON VERSUS GLORIA JETSON, ETAL 1 44 SUPREME COURT 22 0 2 20 24, AND ENACT.
AND THE ENACTMENT OF FLORIDA STATUTE SECTION 1 2 5 0.0 2 3, 1 ENTITLED PUBLIC CAMPING AND PER AND PUBLIC SLEEPING, WHICH TAKES EFFECT ON OCTOBER 1ST, 2024, AND W AND WITH PROVIDING FOR REPEALS OF MOBILITY CLARIFICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE.
THIS IS SECOND READING, PUBLIC HEARING.
THIS IS R FIVE D SPONSORED BY, UH, VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ, AND MYSELF, CO-SPONSOR BY COMMISSIONER'S MAGAZINE AND SUAREZ VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ.
UH, THIS IS AN ITEM, UH, THAT, THAT EXPANDS ON OUR, ON OUR CAMPING ORDINANCE THAT PROHIBITS CAMPING OR SLEEPING OUTDOORS ON, ON THE PUBLIC.
AS, UH, AS, AS THE PUBLIC MIGHT MIGHT RECALL, THE COURT, UH, HAS HELD THE CITIES, UM, THAT CITIES HAVE WIDE LATITUDE IN FIGHTING THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF HOMELESSNESS.
AND THAT HOMELESS PEOPLE CAMPING ON THE, ON THE STREETS HAVE TOWARDS THEIR OWN SAFETY, TOWARDS
[03:20:01]
THEIR OWN WELLBEING.AND THE COURT HAVE ALSO HELD THAT CITIES DO NOT NEED TO PROVIDE, UM, UH, HOUSING BEFORE MAKING AN ARREST.
BUT WE TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH.
WE FIRST OFFER INDIVIDUALS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET ON THEIR ON THEIR OWN TWO FEETS.
UH, BEFORE, BEFORE MAKING AN ARREST, WE FIRST TRIED TO GET INDIVIDUALS TO A BETTER PLACE, TO A SAFER PLACE, TO A HEALTHIER PLACE.
AND WHAT THIS, UH, WHAT WHAT THIS SECOND READING DOES IS THAT IT EXPANDS THE SCOPE AND TIMING OF CONDUCT THAT WOULD CONSTITUTE PUBLIC CAMPING IN A MATTER THAT IS CONSISTENT, UH, WITH THE COURT'S, UH, DECISION.
AND IT STILL RETAINS A REQUIREMENT THAT ONLY IF A HOMELESS PERSON REFUSES AN OFFER OF SHELTER, THAT THEY MAY BE ARRESTED AT THAT POINT FOR, FOR VIOLATING THE ORDINANCE.
BUT WHAT'S KEY WITH THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, UNLIKE WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE REST OF THE STATE AND IN OTHER PLACES, IS THAT WE LEAD WITH COMPASSION.
WE LEAD IN OFFERING, UH, SHELTER BED, WE LEAD IN OFFERING SERVICES, AND ONLY THEN THEY RE REJECT THAT SERVICE, OUR OFFICERS MAKING AN ARREST.
I ADOPT YOU, WHAT YOU JUST SAID.
WE HAD OPERATION SUMMER RELIEF, WHICH WE MADE A VERY PROACTIVE UNITED EFFORT FROM EV REALLY MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS IN OUR CITY.
UH, I KNOW OUR CITY MANAGER AND POLICE CHIEF SEE, UH, WAYNE JONES PER POLICE CHIEF BACK THERE.
I MEAN, OUR COMMISSION IS, UNLESS I HEAR OTHERWISE, BUT I, I, I THINK WE ARE FULLY UNITED BEHIND THESE EFFORTS, COMPASSIONATE OFFERING THE HELP.
BUT WE NEED TO ENFORCE THIS LAW.
WE, I MEAN, OUR RESIDENTS DEMAND IT.
THEY PEOPLE SLEEPING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY.
THE LAW'S ON OUR SIDE AND COMPASSION'S ON OUR SIDE, AND ALSO FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR RESIDENTS.
WE'RE SEEING, WE SEE THE REPORTS, WE SEE THE ARRESTS, AND IT'S NOT JUST THE CAMPING.
WE SEEING A LOT OF ARRESTS OF HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE COMMITTING CRIMES.
NOT EVERY HOMELESS PERSON COMMITS CRIMES, BUT WE'RE SEEING, AND, AND WE'RE SEEING SITUATIONS WHERE HOMELESS ARE, ARE HURTING EACH OTHER.
UM, SO IT, IT'S A DERELICTION OF US AS LEADERS OF OUR CITY TO ALLOW THAT TO CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.
AND THAT'S WHY WE ARE ADAMANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO EN ENFORCE THIS.
AND I KNOW IT'S A LOT OF RESOURCES FROM OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, BUT IT'S SO IMPORTANT AND OUR RESIDENTS ARE DEMANDING IT.
IT'S LITERALLY WE GET EMAILS EVERY DAY ABOUT IT.
I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
AND FOR THE RECORD, THERE WAS NO ONE ON ZOOM, NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE REQUESTING TO SPEAK.
R FIVE D PASSES, SEVEN ZERO AYES.
MAYOR FERNANDEZ, ALWAYS PLEASURE TO SPONSOR WITH YOU.
[R5 E AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, ENTITLED "ADMINISTRATION," BY AMENDING ARTICLE II, ENTITLED "CITY COMMISSION," AND CREATING SECTION 2-18 ENTITLED "STOP THE PAUSE POLICY" TO ESTABLISH MINIMUM VOTING THRESHOLDS RELATING TO CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS HAVING AN ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION COST ABOVE A STATED THRESHOLD; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
R FIVE ER FIVE E IS IN ORDER TO THE MAYOR OF CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA.AMENDING CHAPTER TWO OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH ENTITLED ADMINISTRATION BY AMENDING ARTICLE TWO ENTITLED CITY COMMISSION ON CREATING SECTION TWO DASH 18 ENTITLED, STOP THE PAUSE POLICY TO ESTABLISH MINIMUM, MINIMUM VOTING THRESHOLDS RELATED TO CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, HAVING AN ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION COSTS ABOVE A STATED THRESHOLD AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL ACCEPTABILITY, CLARIFICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE.
THIS IS A SECOND READING PUBLIC HEARING.
IT IS ITEM R FIVE E, VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ AND COMMISSIONER SUAREZ, VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ JUST STEPPED AWAY FOR A MOMENT.
SO YOU WANNA TAKE THE LEAD? COMMISSIONER SUAREZ? SURE.
YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT BECAME ABUNDANTLY CLEAR AFTER I GOT ELECTED IS THERE, THERE'S, THERE IS A, THERE, THERE IS A REAL PUSH TO SAY NO TO A LOT OF THINGS AND TO STALL PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN IN, IN THE WORKS FOR, IN SOME CASES A DECADE.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, I I THINK IT'S, I THINK IT'S GOOD POLICY TO PUT SOME SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE FOR PROJECTS THAT HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED SO MUCH MONEY OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO, TO PROGRESS.
AND I, I, I THINK THE WAY THIS IS, UH, CRAFTED, IT REALLY DOES PUT, UM, THE, THE PROJECT IN, IN A SCOPE WHERE IT'S PROTECTED AND THE INTENT IS PROTECTED, AND THE TAX PAYING DOLLARS THAT HAVE BEEN PRESENTED HAVE BEEN PROTECTED.
[03:25:01]
RECENTLY WE'VE HAD THE WEST AVENUE PROJECT FINALLY APPROVED, AND THAT TOOK ABOUT, I THINK EIGHT YEARS.UH, THINK ABOUT THAT, THAT IT, IT TAKE, IT TOOK A WHOLE NEW COMMISSION TO COME IN AND, AND APPROVE THAT.
SO, UM, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, I, I THINK THE, THE PROJECT WAS, WAS STALLED FOR, UH, MAY A FEW REASONS, BUT IT SHOULD NEVER GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE'RE SPENDING EIGHT YEARS ON, ON, ON A PROJECT WHERE I, I THINK THE, ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONCERNS IS JUST SIMPLY AS A LACK OF PARKING AND OR A LOSS OF PARKING.
I THINK IT WAS LIKE 12 SPACES THAT, THAT REALLY DERAILED THIS PROJECT.
AND SO, UM, NOT TO SAY THAT THAT'S NOT A VALID CONCERN AND, AND OUR COMMISSION TO WORK THROUGH THAT CONCERN PRETTY QUICKLY, THE FACT THAT IT'S TAKEN EIGHT YEARS TO WORK THROUGH THAT, I, I THINK IS, IS, IS A TRAVESTY.
SO, UM, I'M GONNA BE IN FULLY SUPPORT.
THAT'S WHY I CO-SPONSORED THE ITEM, AND I WELCOME TO HEAR WHAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT.
COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, THANK YOU MR. MAYOR, AND THANK YOU FOR PAUSING TO STOP THE PAUSE ORDINANCE WHILE I WAS IN THE RESTROOM.
IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK IN HERE,
UM, SO, SO IN ESSENCE, UH, AND, AND, AND PER, IF IT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER, I, I APOLOGIZE, BUT THIS CODIFIES MORE STRINGENT VOTING THRESHOLDS, UM, NECESSARY TO TAKE ANY ACTION THAT WOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF PAUSING, DELAYING, OR POTENTIALLY STOPPING OR EVEN MATERIALLY MODIFYING, UH, CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT ARE ALREADY IN ADVANCED STAGES TO ENSURE NOT ONLY THAT THEY'RE COMPLETED, BUT IN ENSURING THAT WE'RE NOT BEING WASTEFUL OF THE TAXPAYERS INVESTMENTS.
UH, IN THESE, IN THESE PROJECTS, WE SEE YEARS OF STAFF WORK GOING INTO MANY OF THESE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, UH, PROJECTS TO AVOID FLOODING IN, IN OUR, IN OUR COMMUNITY.
UM, AND THEN AT THE LAST MINUTE WHEN WE'RE ABOUT TO PROCEED, WE PAUSE IT ALL AND ALL THOSE YEARS AND ALL THE MONEY THAT WE'VE INVESTED WITH ENGINEERS AND ALL THAT GETS JEOPARDIZED.
SO NOT ONLY DOES THIS INHA MAKE IT A STRICTER VOTING THRESHOLD, INSTEAD OF A SIMPLE FOUR VOTES AND SOME CIR CIRCUMSTANCES, IT COULD REQUIRE UP TO SIX VOTES.
UH, IT DOES PUT IN CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS FOR UNFORESEEN SITE CONDITIONS, FOR FUNDING LIMITATIONS AND FUNDING EMERGENCIES.
UH, I WANT TO THANK AND BE YOU, UH, FOR THEIR, FOR, FOR THEIR SUPPORT.
I THINK THAT THIS IS IMPORTANT POLICY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE IN THE PATH OF BEING A RESILIENT COMMUNITY.
AND THIS IS A WAY THAT WE CAN DO THAT THROUGH POLICIES THAT ALSO PROTECT THE TAXPAYER'S INVESTMENTS.
SO LET'S CALL A VOTE COMMISSIONER, VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ, DO YOU MOVE THE ITEM? YES.
COMMISSIONER ROSA GONZALEZ? NO.
AND FOR THE RECORD, THERE WAS NO ONE REQUESTING TO SPEAK EITHER IN THE AUDIENCE OR IN ZOOM.
ITEM PASSES, UH, SIX ONE RIGHT ON SCHEDULE.
IT'S 12 NOON AND WE HAVE A CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
WE'LL READ ADJOURN AT ONE O'CLOCK FOR SU HOUR.
AND APOLOGIES WE'RE, UM, RUNNING SLIGHTLY BEHIND.
WE HAD A EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS, UH, COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND, UM, THERE'S A LOT TO DISCUSS.
WE'LL LIKELY HAVE TO CONTINUE THAT DISCUSSION, UH, NEXT WEEK.
THERE WAS SO MUCH TO DISCUSS, BUT IT DIDN'T WANT TO KEEP DELAYING
WELL, THAT'S WHY WE CALL IT EXECUTIVE SESSION.
UM, ANY, UH, WE'LL CONTINUE THE SUT HOUR IF THERE'S ANYONE, UH, HERE TO TALK OR ONLINE.
AND PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PLEASE.
OKAY, TWO SEVEN 14TH PLACE, UNIT TWO, MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA.
AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY, AND I REALLY HOPE THAT YOU HAVE THE MIAMI DES MIAMI BEACH RESIDENTS INTERESTED HEART IN NOT TREMONT TOWING.
RECENTLY YOU GUYS RAISED YOUR FEES TO $480 FOR A TOW.
FOR A KARMA LIKE MINE, THERE IS A RESIDENTIAL DISCOUNT OF $180, BUT WHEN YOU WALK INTO TREMONT TOWING, IT IS NOT VERY CLEARLY VISIBLE.
THERE ARE NO SIGNS TO TELL RESIDENTS ABOUT THIS DISCOUNT NOR WHAT IT TAKES TO ACTUALLY GET THAT DISCOUNT.
I'VE HAD TWO DIFFERENT INCIDENTS, UM, WHERE
[03:30:01]
MY, UH, MY CAR REGISTRATION AND MY ID, THE ADDRESS DID NOT MATCH EXACTLY BECAUSE OF A CLERICAL ISSUE.TREMONT TOWING WAS NOT GOING TO GIVE ME THE DISCOUNT.
I HAD TO CALL THE PARKING MANAGER WHO CALLED TREMONT TOWING ON SPEAKER PHONE AND DEMANDED THAT HE GIVE ME THE DISCOUNT.
SO THIS SHOWED ME THAT THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH HAS THE AUTHORITY AND POWER TO TELL TREMONT TOWING WHEN AND HOW TO GIVE RESIDENTS THIS DISCOUNT.
JUST LAST WEEK I GOT IN A CAR ACCIDENT UP IN GAINESVILLE.
I HAD TO GET A RENTAL CAR AND BRING IT HOME.
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH ONLY ALLOWS ME TO BUY A RESIDENTIAL PASS FOR 72 HOURS OF TO GET THE, THE CAR THERE.
I HAVE A CHILD, I GET BUSY ON SUNDAY NIGHT, I FORGET MY CAR GETS TOWED.
FIRST THING I DO IS I CALL ENTERPRISE RENTAL CAR.
THEY TELL ME THAT I HAVE TO GET THIS DOCUMENT IN ORDER TO GET MY RENTAL CAR.
I DIDN'T GET THIS PAPER UNTIL 1:30 PM EASTERN.
I CAME TO THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
I GET THIS ADDED TO MY RESIDENTIAL PASS.
I GO TO THE MANAGER AGAIN TO HAVE HIM CALL TREMONT TOWING.
THIS TIME WHEN HE CALLS TREMONT TOWING, TREMONT TOWING TELLS THEM THAT ENTERPRISE RENTAL CAR HAS PICKED UP THE CAR.
I GO TO ENTERPRISE RENTAL CAR AT MIAMI BEACH INTERNATIONAL DAY TO GET THE THINGS OUT ON MY CAR.
AND THEY LET ME KNOW THAT TREMONT TOWING ACTUALLY BROUGHT THE CAR TO ENTERPRISE AT 12:00 PM WHICH WAS AN HOUR AND A HALF BEFORE I WAS EVEN ABLE TO GET THE OFFICIAL PAPERWORK.
WHEN I CALLED THEM AT 8:30 AM THEY SAID IT COULD TAKE UP TO 10 HOURS TO GET THIS DOCUMENT THAT WOULD EVEN RELEASE THE CAR TO ME.
SO IT'S VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE ONE FOR ME TO EVEN GET THE CAR WITHOUT GETTING ANOTHER TO FEE OR THE RESIDENTIAL DISCOUNT.
SO I'M ASKING YOU TO PUT SIGNS UP, UH, HAVE TWO FORMS OF RESIDENTIAL, UH, PROOFS OF RESIDENCY TO GET THE DISCOUNT.
THE, THAT AT LEAST THE ADDRESSES MATCH TO GET THE DISCOUNT AND PUT, UH, WEBCAMS ON YOUR DRIVERS, ON THEIR BODY AND ON THE CAR SO YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING AND THE LIES THAT THEY ARE TELLING.
OUR FIRST VIRTUAL SPEAKER IS PAULA ALLEN, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
HI, HOW ARE YOU? YOU HEAR ME? YES, GO AHEAD PLEASE.
YEAH, SO I'M JUST CALLING IN ON, I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL HAVE ALREADY DISCUSSED IT OR NOT.
I MISSED THE MORNING SESSION, BUT BASICALLY, UM, JUST CALLING IN AGAIN, WHICH I'VE ALREADY REACHED OUT TO THE CITY REGARDING THE, UH, TREES THAT ARE PROPOSED TO BE PLANTED ALONG THE BEACH WALK.
AND I THINK ALL THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE MAYOR AND CITY STAFF HAVE RECEIVED THAT EMAIL REGARDING THE, UM, THE TREES THAT THEY WANT TO PLANT IN FRONT OF OUR BUILDING.
AND THE OBJECTION FROM MOST OF THE, UM, OCEAN FRONT PROPERTY SOUTH OF FIFTH ON THAT SECOND, THE TURTLE BEACH, THE TURTLE PROPOSED TURTLE ORDINANCE.
AND I, I DISCUSSED THAT WITH, UM, MINOR ON HIS TOWN HALL YESTERDAY.
SO I THINK HE GOT MY, MY, UH, CONCERNS.
JUST WANTED TO REITERATE THAT IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE COMMISSION AND MEETING.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE HERE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK? SEEING NONE.
WE'RE GOING TO GO TO AUDREY ON ZOOM.
AUDREY STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS PLEASE.
I AM A BRICKELL RESIDENT AND I'M SPEAKING ON FLAMINGO PARK.
SO AS A DADE COUNTY RESIDENT, I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
UM, I AM HERE TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION TO THE FIRE STATION IN THE PARK.
SO, AS YOU KNOW, THE TRACK AND FIELD ARE AN INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE'S HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.
BUT I THINK WHERE THIS CONVERSATION IS MAYBE MISSING THE MARK A. LITTLE BIT IS THAT I THINK THIS GOES A LOT BEYOND THE TRACK, AND I'D LIKE TO KIND OF INSERT THAT INTO THE NARRATIVE.
SO I THINK YOU GUYS HAVE DONE A LOT OF REALLY GREAT WORK WITH CLIMATE RESILIENCE IN MIAMI BEACH.
AND AS YOU KNOW, IT IS FRICKING HOT THESE DAYS.
WE'VE GOT A MASSIVE FLOODING PROBLEM AND I'M A CLIMATE AND HEALTH RESEARCHER, AND IT IS REALLY WELL ESTABLISHED AT THIS POINT THAT WE NEED OUR GREEN SPACES TO MITIGATE HEAT AND FLOODING AND ALL OF THEIR ASSOCIATED HEALTH PROBLEMS. SO I JUST SEE IT AS WE NEED TO BE PROTECTING THESE GREEN SPACES AND PROMOTING MORE OF THEM AS OPPOSED TO TAKING THEM AWAY.
AND ANOTHER AREA THAT I THINK IS MISSING THE MARK IS, IS, UM, BASICALLY I VIEW A FIRE STATION AS AN INHERENTLY INCOMPATIBLE USE WITH A PUBLIC PARK.
THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WALKING AROUND THE PARK, A LOT OF CHILDREN, AND I SEE THAT AS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PLACE TO HOUSE, FAST MOVING AND LARGE EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
ADDITIONALLY, THE NOISE IMPACT FROM SIRENS AND FIRETRUCKS COMING AND GOING IS GOING TO BE REALLY DETRIMENTAL TO PEOPLE'S USE AND ENJOYMENT OF THE PARK, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN WHO ARE SENSITIVE TO TWO LOUD NOISES.
SO, UM, BASICALLY JUST ONCE OUR PARK IS GONE, IT'S GONE FOREVER AND HEAT AND FLOODING ARE NO JOKE THESE DAYS.
SO I JUST WANT, UM, THE COMMISSION IN WHICH FLAMINGO PARK BENEFITS YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND BRINGS PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTY TO YOUR BEAUTIFUL CITY.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE? IF NOT, I'M GOING TO GO TO SETH.
ER DO YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES? PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
[03:35:04]
GOOD AFTERNOON, SETH, ER 1330 WEST AVENUE, MIAMI RENU, SINCE 2003.GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND SERVICE IN SEEING TODAY'S AGENDA.
ITEMS I FELT ARE IMPORTANT TO SHARE SOME DIALOGUE FROM THE DECEMBER AND PREVIOUS POLICE CITIZENS RELATIONS COMMITTEES WITH YOU IN SEPTEMBER WERE RESIDENT MEMBERS SHARED.
THEY HAVE BEEN, THEY HAVE SEEN ADDITIONAL RESOURCES IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS AND APPRECIATIVE OF THAT.
ANOTHER COMMENTED ON HOW SAFE THEY FEEL AND LIVE IN MIAMI BEACH AS A JEW ESPECIALLY SO WITH THE THINGS THEY ARE SEEING AROUND THE WORLD.
IN RECENT PCRS, THE DIALOGUES HAVE INCLUDED POSITIVE FEEDBACK WITH HOMELESS PROGRAMS AND HOW THEY HOMELESS ARE TREATED.
THE LISTS AND THE WINDS GO ON.
SOME CONCERNS WERE DISCUSSED AS WELL, IRONICALLY, OF PEOPLE COMMENTING ON OFFICERS STANDING AROUND NOT DOING MUCH.
ALSO, IF THEY'RE NOT IN THEIR VEHICLE, HAVE RESPONSE, IT'LL TAKE MORE TIME FOR 9 1 1 RESPONSE CALLS.
I HOPE IT'S RECOGNIZED THAT THIS IS A LIKELY RESULT OF THAT DIRECTIVE.
I'VE SERVED ON THE PCRC SINCE 2015.
I COLLABORATED WITH CHIEFS OATS, CLEMENTS, AND JONES EACH SERVED AS DIFFERENTLY.
THOUGH I COMFORTABLY CAN SAY THAT CHIEF JONES HAS BEEN ENTHUSIASTIC, KNOWLEDGEABLE, ENGAGED, AND AS CLOSE TO STELLAR AS I BELIEVE IS POSSIBLE IN HIS ROLE.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN THESE NINE YEARS WHERE WE HAVE SEEN CONSISTENT SUPPORT AND ADMIRATION OF HIM FROM THE STAFF.
HE'S EFFECTIVELY GOT THEM TO SUPPORT HIM AND HIS VISION EXPEDIENTLY.
ALL THIS SAID, VARIOUS MEASURES YOU HAVE IN THE AGENDA ARE SIMPLY ON CONSENT TODAY, AND THEY WERE ON FURTHER DISCUSSION IN SUNSHINE AND WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
MAJOR DECISIONS ARE MADE WITH WITHOUT CONVERSATIONS AND THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS SO MUCH IS BEING ASKED OF THEM.
SO MAY I SIMPLY REQUEST AND URGE YOU TO, I'M SORRY, URGE YOU WITH THE COMMISSION TO TREAD DEPTHLY SMARTLY AND COLLABORATIVE WITH CHIEF JONES AND HIS DEPARTMENT TO FACILITATE THEIR CONTINUING TO DO THE INCREDIBLE JOB THEY DO OR ALREADY DOING OF KEEPING MIAMI BEACH ONE OF THE SAFEST CITIES IN THE WORLD.
OUR NEXT VIRTUAL SPEAKER IS SARAH LER.
SARAH, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PLEASE.
I'M A RESIDENT OF WORLD EVILS 33 10,000,005.
UM, I'M ALSO A MARINE CONSERVATIONIST AND I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE MY TO, TO FULLY SUPPORT ITEM R FIVE H ON THE SEA TURTLE LIGHTING ORDINANCE.
THE AMENDMENTS TO THIS ORDINANCE ARE GONNA HELP MITIGATE THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING, WHICH IS OUR NUMBER ONE THREAT TO SEA TURTLE HATCHING ON MIAMI BEACH.
IMPLEMENTING MORE SEA TURTLE SAFE LIGHTING FOR STRONGER PROTECTION IS NECESSARY FOR PROTECTING NOT ONLY THE SPECIES, BUT ALSO OUR BEACHES AND OUR DUNE ECOSYSTEMS, AND ALSO PRESERVING MIAMI BEACH AS AN ECO TOURISM DESTINATION.
SO BY INVESTING IN CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES, NOW WE CAN ENSURE THAT MIAMI REMAINS A RESILIENT ECOSYSTEM FOR THE FUTURE.
SO I STRONGLY URGE THE COMMISSION, UH, TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE RECOMMENDATIONS PROVIDED BY SCIENTISTS, UM, TO ALLOW MIAMI BEACH THE OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN THE REST OF FLORIDA AND STRONG RELATING REGULATIONS, WHILE ALSO MAINTAIN OUR SAFETY STANDARDS FOR THE RESIDENT HERE.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK? IF SO, APPROACH THE PODIUM.
OTHERWISE I'M GONNA GO TO SOMEONE ON ZOOM WITH THE SCREEN NAME OF NZOO, PLEASE UNMUTE YOURSELF.
STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PLEASE.
HI, MY NAME IS NATALIE SOLOMON, 8 4 5 80 SECOND STREET.
UM, AS A HUMAN BEING ON THIS PLANET HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING, WITNESSING THE GENOCIDE AND PALESTINE UNFOLD OVER THE PAST 11 MONTHS, SUPPORTING A RESOLUTION TO FUND DELEGATION.
YOU KNOW, JUST BECAUSE IT'S THE AFTERNOON AND IT'S THE, AND IT'S NOT THE MORNING ANYMORE, IT IS JUST THE, THE, THE HATE SPEECH THAT COMES OUTTA THIS MEETING.
IT'S LIKE YOU SAY THINGS THAT ARE LIKE SO OUTSIDE THE NORM.
IT IT, THEY'RE DISGUSTING, THEY'RE ANTI-SEMITIC, THEY'RE HATEFUL, THAT THEY'RE NOT BASED IN ANY REALITY.
IT'S ACTUALLY THE FLIP SIDE OF WHAT, OF WHAT'S ACTUALLY GOING ON.
AND IT'S REALLY, IT'S, AND IT'S SO INTENTIONAL ON YOUR PART.
IT'S NOT EVEN, BY THE WAY, IT'S NOT EVEN IGNORANCE, IT'S INTENTIONALLY DEMEANING.
I MEAN, WHERE DO YOU WANT, WHERE DO YOU WANT JEWISH PEOPLE TO GO? WHERE DO YOU WANT JEWISH PEOPLE TO GO? DO YOU WANT A SITUATION LIKE IN WORLD WAR II WHEN THE ST.
LOUIS CAME TO THE BORDERS OF THIS COUNTRY AND THIS COUNTRY TURNED IT AROUND AND THERE WAS NO ISRAEL TO GO TO, AND THOSE MANY OF THOSE PEOPLE ON THAT SHIP WERE SLAUGHTERED BY THE NAZIS EXACTLY WHERE THEY CAME FROM.
YOU DON'T WANT AN ISRAEL TO EXIST, SO THERE'S NOWHERE FOR JEWISH PEOPLE TO GO, ALL OPPRESSED PEOPLE.
HOW DO YOU WANT HISTORY TO REMEMBER THIS MOMENT? WILL YOU BE REMEMBERED FOR STANDING ON THE SIDE OF TRUTH, JUSTICE, AND PEACE, OR FOR SUPPORTING OPPRESSION AND UNIMAGINABLE VIOLENCE? I AM ON THE SIDE OF VIOLENCE, VIOLENCE BY KAMA PEOPLE LIKE NO HATE IN MY HEART FOR YOU OR FOR ANYONE ELSE.
[03:40:01]
WANT TO SEE IS FOR JUSTICE FOR ALL PEOPLE.I WANT TO SEE ALL PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO LIVE IN PEACE, BEING ABLE TO LIBERATED, AND THAT IS INCLUSIVE OF JEWISH PEOPLE AND PALESTINIAN PEOPLE.
I AM FOR HUMAN BEINGS AND FOR THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF ALL PEOPLE.
AND I'M JUST HERE FOR US TO OPEN OUR MINDS AND OUR HEARTS TO SEE THAT, TO RECOGNIZE THAT.
WE DON'T NEED TO BE IN THIS SPACE.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS TELL YOU WHY CALLERS LIKE YOURSELF ARE NOT NOT ACTING IN GOOD FAITH BECAUSE YOU NEVER CONDEMN HAMAS.
YOU NEVER, BY THE WAY, THERE ARE LITERALLY WOMEN'S GROUPS NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY THAT ARE CREATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROTECTING WOMEN'S RIGHTS.
BUT YET WHEN HAMAS COMMITS RAPES AND, AND MUTILATION AND TORTURE OF WOMEN, NONE OF THOSE GROUPS CAME OUT AND CONDEMNED HAMAS.
AND BY THE WAY, HOW COME NOBODY COMES HERE AND TALKS ABOUT RUSSIA, AND RUSSIA IS ATTACKING UKRAINE OR THE, OR THE MUSLIMS THAT ARE IN ENCAMPMENTS IN CHINA.
NOBODY COMES TO TALK ABOUT THAT.
IT'S ALWAYS, IT'S ALWAYS ISRAEL WHO'S ACTUALLY DEFENDING ITSELF FROM BEING ATTACKED.
OUR NEXT VIRTUAL SPEAKER IS LARRY SCHAFER.
DO YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES? PLEASE STATE YOUR FULL NAME AND ADDRESS.
HELLO, THIS IS LARRY SCHAFER, 2 3 3 80 FIRST STREET.
CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY? GO AHEAD.
UM, I'M CALLING IN TO RAISE AWARENESS OF A MEETING THAT'S COMING UP AT 76 0 5 COLLINS AVENUE.
THIS IS THE FORMER, UH, BETSY PEREZ RESIDENCE, AND THE MEETING IS ON SEPTEMBER 17TH AT 3:30 PM THIS IS A SUNSHINE MEETING, UH, PROPOSED BY KRISTEN ROSEN GONZALEZ.
AND THE MEETING IS TO INSPECT THE PREMISES AND SEE, UH, AND CONSIDER AND DISCUSS POSSIBLE USES FOR THE PROPERTY THAT THE CITY HAS PURCHASED.
UH, I ALSO HAVE SUBMITTED TO, UH, KRISTEN AND, UH, SOME MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF, UH, PROPOSAL TO MOVE THE OCEAN RESCUE TEMPORARY HEADQUARTERS THAT, UH, EXISTS ON ONE OF THE WEST LOT PARKING LOTS TO MOVE THAT SITE OVER TO THE, THE PEREZ RESIDENCE.
UM, AND, UH, I'D LIKE THE REST OF THE COMMISSION TO CONSIDER THAT PROPOSAL BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT SOLVES QUITE A FEW PROBLEMS. UM, THE OCEAN RESCUE'S BEEN ON OUR PARKING LOT FOR, I THINK THE CHIEF ABELL SAID CLOSE TO 20 YEARS.
THERE ARE EIGHT FOOT, UH, CHAIN LINK FENCES, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THAT OCEAN RESCUE SITE TAKES UP 25 PARKING SPOTS FROM MY NEIGHBORS.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF MY NEIGHBORS FOR, FOR, FOR GETTING THOSE PARKING SPOTS BACK.
WE'VE RECENTLY PASSED PARKING REGULATIONS THAT RESTRICT PARKING FROM MY NEIGHBORS.
AND SO NOW IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO GIVE US OUR PARKING BACK SO WE CAN USE IT.
I, I HOPE YOU TAKE THE TIME TO ATTEND THAT MEETING AND TO HEAR OUT MY PROPOSAL.
AND IF YOU'D LIKE TO HEAR MORE FROM ME PERSONALLY, ANY COMMISSIONERS, JUST PLEASE REACH OUT AND I'D LIKE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN IT TO YOU AND THE BENEFITS OF IT.
OUR NEXT VIRTUAL, OUR NEXT VIRTUAL SPEAKER IS, UH, JULIANA TOMA.
HELLO, UM, MY NAME IS JULIANA TOMA.
I'M A RESIDENT IN THE FLAMINGO, UM, HISTORICAL DISTRICT AT 7 3 4 MICHIGAN.
AND I AM COMING HERE REGARDING THE NEW FIRE STATION WITHIN THE FLAMINGO PARK.
I AM OPPOSED TO, TO THE PROPOSAL BECAUSE FLAMINGO PARK IS ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING OPEN GREASE SPACES WITHIN OUR CITY, AND I DON'T AGREE WITH TAKING, UM, ANY PART OF IT FOR PERMANENT STRUCTURE.
UM, UH, AND I WOULD SUPPORT REUTILIZING AN EXISTING SITE THAT ALREADY HAS INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE, BUT TAKING MORE OF THE GREEN SPACE THAT WE NEED TO COMBAT THE HEAT ISLAND EFFECT AND THE CONTINUOUS, EVERYDAY WE'VE BEEN GETTING RAIN, WE NEED MORE GREEN SPACE TO COMBAT ALL OF THE FLOODING WITHIN THE CITY.
OUR NEXT VIRTUAL SPEAKER IS SOPHIA BROWN.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
UH, MY ADDRESS IS 2 9 6 8 SOUTHWEST 23RD TERRACE.
I'M HERE TO GIVE MY SUPPORT THE PASSING OF IDO NUMBER R FIVE H SEA TURTLE LIGHTING ORDINANCE.
SEA TURTLES THEMSELVES ARE INDICATORS OF A HEALTHY ECOSYSTEM AND HAVE CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE IN PRESERVING OUR MIAMI BEACHES.
STRENGTHENING AND CLARIFYING THE EXISTING ORDINANCE WHILE CURB EDMA WELFARE CONCERNS THAT OCCUR DUE TO ARTIFICIAL OR MANMADE LIGHTING.
SEA TURTLE HATCHLINGS ARE FOUND EVERY NESTING SEASON, WANDERING AROUND MIAMI BEACH, CRAWLING INTO POOLS, HOT TUBS, BEACH PATHS,
[03:45:01]
AND ROADWAYS.THERE ARE PROLONGED JOURNEY ON LAND EXPOSES THE HATCHLINGS TO DEHYDRATION, EXHAUSTION, AND DECREASED CHANCES OF SURVIVAL.
ARTIFICIAL LIGHTS AFFECT ALL AGE CLASSES, INCLUDING NESTING MOTHERS, YET IT IS SEEN MOST COMMONLY IN HATCHLINGS THE FUTURE OF THE SEA TRAIL POPULATION ON MIAMI BEACH.
THE UPDATED ORDINANCE MODELED BY THE CURRENT ORDINANCE PROPOSED BY THE STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION WILL HOLD BOLSTER BIODIVERSITY WHILE ALSO MAINTAINING PUBLIC SAFETY STANDARDS.
I URGE THE COMMISSION TO TAKE THESE POINTS INTO CONSIDERATION AND TO LISTEN TO EXPERTS AND SCIENTISTS WHO WANT TO WORK WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN MAKING MIAMI BEACH ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL LIVING THINGS.
OUR NEXT VIRTUAL SPEAKER IS SARAH.
SARAH, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.
THIS MY IS SARAH, UM, WORKING DRIVE.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK, I'M NOT, UM, I BELIEVE IT'S A MATTER OF RESPECT, UM, AND, UH, I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT, UM, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY BEFORE I SAY ANYTHING ELSE.
I WAS BORN AND RAISED, UM, MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, UM, HIM HOLOCAUST.
I UNDERSTAND THE, UM, AND WHY MAY HAVE MISGUIDED AND PERSONALLY I ATTACKED ALREADY.
UM, AS A JEWISH PERSON WHO WANTS TO BELIEVE IN HER COMMUNITY AND BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD NOT SUPPORT KILLING, MASS KILLING OF ANY, UM, I'D LIKE TO JUST SAY THAT AND SAY THAT, UH, WE'RE NOT A MONOLITH.
UM, WE CAN, ISRAEL DOESN'T HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, I, IN MY OPINION, AND I'M ALLOWED TO HAVE THAT, WE SHOULD NOT BE SUPPORTING A GOVERNMENT THAT IS KILLING PEOPLE IN NUMBERS OF HUNDRED.
WE CAN, WE CAN CONDEMN HAMAS, SAY THAT THIS IS WRONG, BUT WE, I URGE YOU, UM, TO NOT GIVE MONEY TO THIS GOVERNMENT OR, YOU KNOW, WE ALREADY DID IT, BUT, YOU KNOW, IN, IN THE FUTURE, THE PLACE.
UH, SARAH, YOU'RE BREAKING UP.
SO I'M GOING TO GO TO THE NEXT CALLER.
UH, WAYNE, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND YOU HAVE TWO MEDS.
I HATE TO KEEP HITTING ON THE POINT, BUT I HAVE TO COUNTER THE, THE PROPAGANDA AND THE NAIVE NAIVETY OF SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT CALLED.
UM, UH, WE ARE SAVING A GENOCIDE.
UH, IRAN IS FOCUSED ON DESTROYING ISRAEL AND KILLING 8 MILLION JEWS.
THEY'VE SET, UH, THEY'VE, UH, SPENT HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OVER THE YEARS, UH, DEVELOPING WEAPONS TO DO SUCH A THING.
UH, THEY OVERRAN SYRIA WITH ASSAD AND HEZBOLLAH AND KILLED 600,000 SYRIANS AND DISPLACED, UH, 8 MILLION HUMAN BEINGS, UH, IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
UH, 50% OF THEIR POPULATION, THEY'VE DISPLACED 65% OF LEBANON AND KILLED 450,000 MINIMUM.
THE HOUTHIS KILLED 200,000 IN YEMEN, UH, PREDOMINANTLY THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 15.
UM, THEY'RE NOT THE SOLUTION FOR PEACE.
UM, AND ISRAEL IS FACED WITH A, A CONSEQUENTIAL DILEMMA, EITHER, EITHER CAPITULATE AND DIE OR DEFEND THEMSELVES, AND THEY'RE DOING THEIR BEST.
WE BELIEVE, YOU KNOW, I BELIEVE THAT JEWS IN GENERAL, UH, ESPECIALLY ME, BELIEVES IN LIFE NOT DEATH.
AND THAT, UH, THE, THE JEWS OF ISRAEL ARE JUST DEFENDING THEMSELVES AND ATTEMPTING TO ELIMINATE HAMAS AND, AND AVOID A GREAT CATASTROPHE TO JEWS OR ANYBODY THAT IS THEIR MISSION.
AND, UH, IRAN IS FAULT OF, OF WAR.
OCTOBER 7TH WAS A DIRECT RESULT OF, UH, ISRAEL MAKING A PEACE DEAL WITH THE STORIES.
UH, JUST LIKE THE OSLO ACCORDS IN 97 WHEN, WHEN THE KNESSET APPROVED THE, THE AGREEMENT AND, UH, 150 BOMBS IN TWO WEEKS WENT OFF IN TEL AVIV, THAT KILLED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, UM, BECAUSE IRAN DID NOT WANT A, A PEACE AGREEMENT.
AND, UH, IT TAKES TWO SIDES TO GET TO PEACE.
THANK YOU, MR. BUT IN THE INTERIM, I WANT DEFENSE.
WE'RE GONNA GO TO THE NEXT CALLER, ZADA, PLEASE
[03:50:01]
STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE.
WE SEEM TO BE HAVING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.
UH, SUE, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND UNMUTE YOURSELF PLEASE.
LET'S GO THEN TO SOMEONE BY THE SCREEN NAME OF IPHONE, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.
WE'RE HAVING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.
OKAY, LET'S GET BACK TO, UH, THE AGENDA.
[R9 AL DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION REGARDING THE POSSIBLE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW THEATER OR RENOVATING THE EXISTING FILLMORE THEATER AT THE JACKIE GLEASON THEATER SITE.]
FOR, UH, THANKS FOR ALL THE CALLERS.AL IS DISCUSSED LIVE NATION PROJECT, BUILD NEW THEATER, RENOVATE EXISTING VENUE.
R NINE AL, COMMISSIONER SUAREZ, MY COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE, COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE.
UH, REALLY, I, I PICKED THIS UP, UM, AS CHAIR FINANCING, GIVEN THAT THAT'S WHERE THIS PROJECT, UH, LIED WHEN THE COMMISSION TURNED OVER.
I THINK THERE'S A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PATHWAYS.
UH, WE GOT, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, ABOUT $29 MILLION OF, UH, GEO BOND FUNDING FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE FILLMORE.
THERE HAD BEEN, UM, DIFFERENT PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD, UH, SOME SAYING, OKAY, WOULD WE BE THROWING GOOD MONEY AFTER THE BAD? UH, PERHAPS IT'S TIME TO, UH, REALLY REVAMP THE THEATER, UH, GOING FORWARD WITH THE NEW THEATER, OR WE PUT THIS MONEY TOWARDS RENOVATING THE EXISTING THEATER.
I THINK WE HAVE ABOUT, UH, TWO AND A HALF
SO LET ME TURN IT OVER TO FACILITIES.
UM, REALLY, I, I DON'T HAVE A, UH, A DOG IN THIS FIGHT.
I, I WANNA DO WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR CITY, OUR RESIDENTS, AND OUR TAXPAYERS.
I I DO NOT WANNA THROW GOOD MONEY AFTER THE BED, BUT I WANT TO HEAR I WHERE STAFF IS AT, WHAT OUR DIFFERENT OPTIONS ARE, UH, WHAT THE OPERATOR LIVE NATION IS PROPOSING.
AND I, I ENTER THIS WITH AN OPEN MIND.
UM, SO WE BROUGHT BEFORE YOU THREE OPTIONS.
ONE IS TO LOOK AT EXACTLY WHAT THE GEO BOND FOR ARTS AND CULTURE WOULD FUND FOR THE FILLMORE.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE ALSO ENGAGE WITH LIFE NATION AND WE LOOKED AT TWO OTHER OPTIONS, WHICH IS A BRAND NEW BUILDING OR RENOVATING THE EXISTING BUILDING.
THE COST AND THE COMPARISON OF THESE THREE OPTIONS ARE PROVIDED, UM, TO YOU.
UM, PER EXHIBIT E WE ALSO HELD A PUBLIC, UM, COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSION WHERE WE CAN GET SOME INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY.
AND THAT INPUT HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO YOU AS EXHIBIT F.
WE HAVE LIVE NATION HERE, BUT WE'RE GONNA PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAILS OF WHAT THE COST IS AND WHAT THE FUNDING GAPS ARE.
DANIELLE URI, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES AND FLEET MANAGEMENT.
UM, THE, IN THE COURSE OF THIS DISCUSSION, UH, THE ADMINISTRATION WAS REQUESTED TO GO BACK AND SPEAK TO LIVE NATION ABOUT OUR OPTIONS AND SPECIFICALLY ABOUT AN OPTION OF RENOVATING THE, THE EXISTING THEATER.
SO WE, WE PROPOSED TO THEM A NO HOLDS BARRED GUT.
UH, THEY HAVE COME BACK WITH TWO UH, CONCEPTS.
ONE IS FOR THE NEW BUILDING, ONE IS FOR THE GUT RENO, WHICH I WILL CALL THEM UP, UH, NOW TO HAVE, UH, THOSE CONCEPTS PRESENTED.
UH, AND THEN THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS THAT LAY SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN THOSE, UH, THOSE CONCEPTS THAT CAN BE DISCUSSED AT THE DIRECTION OF COMMISSION.
UM, DO I DRIVE HERE? HERE? ACTUALLY HERE, YEAH.
IF YOU WANNA STEP INTO THIS ONE.
[03:55:01]
JUST HIT THIS.I'M HERE REPRESENTING LIVE NATION AND, UM, OUR DEVELOPMENT ARM BLUEPRINT STUDIO.
UM, SO SORRY, UM, AND MAYBE I DON'T MEAN TO INTERJECT, BUT, UH, FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE OR EVEN OUR OWN COLLEAGUES WONDERING WHY WE HAVE A THIRD PARTY OPERATOR THAT WOULD BE PRESENTING THIS AND, AND KIND OF, UH, DRIVING DIRECTION, COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOUR LEASE TERMS AND OPERATING AGREEMENT ARE? UM, HOW MUCH LONGER, YOU KNOW, ESSENTIALLY WE HAVE, UH, ON OUR LEASE AND THEN THE OPTION TO RENEW.
LIZ, DO YOU WANNA DO THAT? I CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT.
SO CURRENTLY THEIR LEASE, UM, THEY ARE IN THEIR, THEIR FIRST RENEWAL, WHICH IS FOR FIVE YEARS, IS SET TO EXPIRE IN ON IN JANUARY, 2026.
AND THEY HAVE AN ADDITIONAL FIVE YEAR TERM.
DID THEY'D BE ABLE TO UNILATERALLY RENEW CORRECT.
ANOTHER FIVE YEAR? THAT'S CORRECT.
UH, 2026 THEREAFTER THEY HAVE ANOTHER FIVE YEAR TERM IS THEIR FINAL TERM.
UM, I'M JUST GONNA EXPLAIN THE ARCHITECTURAL, UM, OPTIONS HERE.
UM, SORRY, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO FINISH? I SAID NOT, UH, PJ FOR SOME REASON THIS IS, OH, THERE WE GO.
HI,
WE'VE GOT THE CONVENTION CENTER, WE'VE GOT, UM, UM, YOU KNOW, THE NEW WORLD CENTER, UM, YOU KNOW, DESIGNED AND BUILT BY, WELL-RENOWNED ARCHITECT WITH A BEAUTIFUL GREEN SPACE.
UH, THIS IS THE NEW HOTEL BUILDING THAT'S ACTUALLY BEING BUILT NOW BEHIND THE EXISTING FILLMORE.
UM, AND THEN ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE FILLMORE IS THE TEMPLE EMMANUEL, WHICH IS A BEAUTIFUL, UM, BUILDING WITH, YOU KNOW, INCREDIBLE MOORISH AND BYZANTINE, UM, ARCHITECTURAL, UH, DETAILING.
SO, AND THEN AGAIN, THE CONVENTION CENTER BY ARCHITECT TONICA.
UM, SO WHAT IS IN FRONT OF YOU NOW IS OPTION ONE, WHICH IS RENOVATING THE EXISTING BUILDING.
AND WHAT THIS IS SUGGESTING IS EFFECTIVELY REMOVING ALL INTERIOR FLOORING, SLAB, FINISHES, ET CETERA, UM, INFRASTRUCTURE AND REPLACING THAT.
AND WHAT YOU'RE SEEING SORT OF IN THIS GRAY SECTION BELOW IS, AND I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN POINT WITH THIS, BUT UM, IS A AREA THAT ISN'T NECESSARILY REQUIRED TO OPERATE A VENUE AT THIS CAPACITY.
SO WE WERE PROPOSING, YOU KNOW, HANDING THAT OVER AS AN OPTION FOR ANOTHER RETAILER TO COME IN AND EITHER CREATE A DINING EXPERIENCE OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE.
UM, WE DON'T HAVE ANY SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATION TOWARDS THAT.
IT'S JUST HOLDING IT AS A SPACE THAT WE WOULDN'T NECESSARILY NEED.
UM, THE ENTRY WOULD REMAIN IN THE SAME PLACE, SO AGAIN, THE SHELL OF THE BUILDING WOULD STAY AS IS.
UM, AND WE WOULD CREATE A NEW LOBBY SPACE, JUST, YOU KNOW, NEW FINISHES, A NEW BAR EXPERIENCE, NEW MERCHANDISE EXPERIENCE IN A SPECIAL LOUNGE THAT, UM, OFF TO THE SIDE FOR SPECIAL EVENTS.
UM, GOING INTO THE MUSIC HALL, WE'RE CREATING, UM, YOU KNOW, ADDITIONAL BAR AREAS SO THAT THE LINES WILL START TO SHORTEN, PEOPLE WILL GET SERVICE FASTER AND WE'RE TRYING TO CREATE AND IMPROVE, UM, ACCESSIBLE PLATFORMS, UH, FOR GUESTS THAT HAVE, UM, YOU KNOW, ADDITIONAL NEEDS BEYOND SOME OF THE ABLE BODIED, UH, GUESTS THAT MIGHT BE ATTENDING.
UM, ADDITIONALLY, UH, THE SET, THE STAGE SIZE WOULD REMAIN THE SAME.
THAT WOULD, UM, THAT WOULDN'T CHANGE.
UH, THE LOADING DOCK IS GONNA HAVE TO ADJUST BECAUSE THE NEW, UH, HOTEL BUILDING BEHIND IT HAS TAKEN A LITTLE BIT OF THIS SPACE.
UM, AND A VENUE AT THIS CAPACITY DOES HAVE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS, SO THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF ADJUSTMENT THAT HAS TO HAPPEN THERE.
UM, AND GENERALLY WE WOULD BE REPLACING ALL OF THE PLUMBING INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE BUILDING AS IT EXISTS TODAY.
GOING UP TO THE SECOND LEVEL, THIS IS PART OF THAT GUT RENOVATION AGAIN, WHERE WE ARE PROPOSING THAT YOU WOULD REMOVE ALL OF THE EXISTING SLABS THERE AND REBUILD IT SO THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE OPTIMIZED SITE LINES, UM, YOU KNOW, ADDITIONAL PREMIUM OPTIONS, STATE-OF-THE-ART DRESSING ROOMS FOR THE ARTISTS WITH AMENITY SPACES, UM, NEW ADMINISTRATIVE SPACES FOR ALL OF THE STAFF THAT WORK HERE, EITHER FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME, UM, IN, IN A PREMIUM LOUNGE AS WELL.
I'M GONNA INTERJECT FOR A MOMENT, IS, UH, COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE.
I'LL ALSO FOR USE CITY MANAGER.
IS THERE ANY SPECIFIC ACTION OR ASK FROM THE COMMISSION TODAY THAT WE NEED? NO, BUT WE DO NEED TO BEGIN TO FIRM UP THE DIRECTION THAT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE.
UH, MAYBE IF WE'D JUST BE ABLE TO FAST FORWARD AND, UH, IF ANY OF MY OTHER COLLEAGUES WANT TO, UH, INTERJECT AS WELL.
BUT I GUESS IF YOU COULD JUST TELL US THE THREE OPTIONS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT, UM, THE COST ANALYSIS WITH THOSE AS WELL.
JUST QUICKLY, WITHOUT GOING THROUGH ALL THE NITTY GRITTY DETAILS, HERE'S WHAT YOUR $29 MILLION, UH, THAT YOU HAVE FROM THE GEO BOND GETS YOU.
HERE'S WHAT, UH, A PARTNERSHIP
[04:00:01]
MAINTAINING THE EXISTING, UH, FACADE OR THE STRUCTURE, BUT GETTING SOME OF THE INTERNAL BELLS AND WHISTLES GETS YOU, AND THEN HERE'S WHAT A, UM, COMPLETELY NEW BUILDING IS, AND THAT'S, THIS IS WHAT IT'LL COST.SO IF WE COULD JUST HAVE THOSE THREE DIFFERENT ABSOLUTELY.
UM, SO THE GEO BOND FOR ART AND CULTURE FUNDS 29.1 MILLION, WHICH IS AT THE HEART OF THAT NUMBER IS ALL THE REMEDIATION WORK THAT YOU, WE NEED TO DO TO AN OLD BUILDING.
IT'S THE PLUMBING, IT'S THE ELECTRICAL, IT'S THE HVAC, THERE'S A SMOKEY VAC SYSTEM, UH, SOME OF THE WORK ON THE FIRE SYSTEM.
SO IT'S, IF I CAN MAKE THE ANALOGY OF RESTORING A CAR, IT'S A TRANSMISSION IN THE ENGINE.
IT'S NOT STUFF YOU'RE GONNA SEE.
IT'S NOT A PAINT JOB, IT'S NOT, SOME FINISHES ARE INCLUDED.
AND NEW PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT, $4.4 MILLION IN PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT, $1.8 MILLION FOR A VIP LOUNGE.
SO THERE'LL BE SOMETHING TO SHOW FOR IT THAT WILL, THAT WILL ENHANCE THE GUEST EXPERIENCE.
BUT A GUT RENOVATION, UH, ALL NEW GUTS, THAT'S NOT WHAT THE TWO, THE $29.1 MILLION IS GONNA GET US.
THE SECOND OPTION IS THE NEW BUILDING FOR 57 MILLION.
AND THAT IS WHAT IT, WHAT IT, YOU KNOW, I'M DESCRIBING IS A NEW BUILDING, 55,000 SQUARE FEET COMPARED TO THE 88,000 SQUARE FEET OF THE EXISTING FACILITY PLUS THE BASEMENT.
UH, SO IT IS A SMALLER VENUE WITH A LARGER CAPACITY.
UH, AND THEN THE, THE OTHER OPTION IS A COMPLETE GUT RENO, WHICH WE KEEP THE SHELL OF THE BUILDING COMPLETELY REDO THE INSIDE SO IT'S NOT RECOGNIZABLE.
AND THAT COMES IN AT ABOUT 87 MILLION.
NOW THE RECOMMENDATION, THE RECOMMENDATION THAT IS INCLUDED IN THE MEMO IS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN SOMEWHERE ABOVE THE GEO BOND, UH, SCOPE.
THE GEO BOND SCOPE, AGAIN, TAKES CARE OF THE NEEDS AND SOME OF THE WANTS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IT REALLY DOESN'T LOOK AT IS THE BACKSTAGE AREA.
AND IT'S ONE OF THE CONCERNS OF OUR OPERATING PARTNERS THAT YES, THIS, THESE FACILITIES ARE THE STARS HOME AWAY FROM HOME AND WE WANT TO PUT OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD.
AND RIGHT NOW, THOSE BACKSTAGE AREAS ARE OLD.
THEY, I, I WOULD LOVE TO TELL YOU, I HAVE A MONEY TREE THAT WE'RE GOING TO SHAKE AND FIND THIS EXTRA $28 MILLION OR ACTUALLY, UH, $58 MILLION.
I DO NOT HAVE THAT MONEY TREE.
UM, IF WE WANTED TO DO SOMETHING ABOVE AND BEYOND JUST SOME OF THE SKELETON, ANY TYPE OF PARTNERSHIP LIVE NATION HAS PROPOSED FOR SOME TYPE OF P THREE, IS IT, UH, WOULD IT REQUIRE AN EXTENSION OF THE LEASE TERMS? WOULD THERE BE A FINANCIAL COMMITMENT LIVE NATION WOULD BE ABLE TO EXTEND? I THINK TODAY WHAT WE WANT TO GET AT IS THE DECISION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT WE WANT TO PURSUE A LARGER PROJECT OR GO WITH A RENOVATION OF SOME SCALE.
AND AT THAT POINT WE CAN ENGAGE OUR PARTNERS AND SAY, THIS IS THE SCOPE OF WORK WE WANT TO GET TO.
HOW CAN WE GET THERE TOGETHER? WHAT I, WHAT I WOULD LOVE, OH, WELL, I'LL CALL HIM.
I, I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM OUR CITY MANAGER AT SOME POINT WHAT YOUR RECOMMENDATION IS, AND THEN MAYBE IF WE CAN PULL WHOEVER WANTS TO SPEAK, TRY TO GIVE THE CITY DI UH, CITY DIRECTION.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? OKAY.
UM, SO OUR RECOMMENDATION IS THAT WE GET DIRECTION TODAY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE RENOVATION OF THE BUILDING, AT LEAST WITH THE GEO BOND ITEMS, BUT TO ENGAGE WITH OUR PARTNERS TO SEE IF THEY'RE WILLING TO COME FORWARD WITH SOME MONETARY COMPENSATION TO HELP RENOVATE THE BACK OF HOUSE SO THAT WE HAVE A MORE ATTRACTIVE VENUE FOR THE, THE TALENT THAT WE'RE TRYING TO BRING TO MIAMI BEACH.
WE THINK THAT THAT'S BETTER FOR OUR PARTNER BECAUSE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO BETTER USE THE FACILITY AND IT WILL ALSO BE BETTER FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND CONSTITUENTS THAT ARE GOING TO GET A BETTER CLASS OF, UH, PERFORMER THAT COMES TO THE FACILITY.
COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ.
I'LL GET IT BY THE END OF YOUR TERM.
IT'S ALL GOOD, MR. MAYOR, AND THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING ME.
UM, FIRST AND FOREMOST, I THINK WE HAVE TO CELEBRATE, UH, THE STORY HISTORY OF, UH, OF THE JACKIE GLEASON THEATER, THE FILLMORE UH, THEATER THAT SINCE THE FIFTIES HAS BEEN HOSTING, UH, MUSICAL PERFORMANCE DANCE PERFORMANCES.
BOXING IN THE SIXTIES HAD HOSTED THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW AND THE IMAGE OF MIAMI BEACH SOMEWHAT HAS BEEN TIED TO THE JACKIE GLEASON THEATER AND SO AND SO.
I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S, THAT'S TO BE CELEBRATED, UH, BECAUSE IT IS PART OF OUR, OF OUR HISTORY.
UM, YOU KNOW, FOR A LONG TIME WE WERE HAVING A DISCUSSION ABOUT BUILDING A NEW BUILDING
[04:05:01]
ABOUT THE COST OF, OF A, OF A NEW BUILDING.UM, YOU KNOW, IF WE WERE JUST TO BE LOOKING AT DOLLARS AND CENTS, INVESTING THE $29 MILLION TOWARDS A NEW BUILDING MIGHT BE PERHAPS THE BEST LONG-TERM USE OF THE MONEY.
YOU'RE GONNA INVEST IN A NEW BUILDING THAT'S GONNA GIVE YOU A LONGER LIFE OF A BUILDING.
SO YOUR INVESTMENT WILL, IN ESSENCE LIVE A LONGER LIFESPAN.
BUT WE HAVE TO CONSIDER HISTORY.
WE NEED TO CONSIDER THE SENTIMENTAL VALUE OF THIS BUILDING TO THE COMMUNITY AND HOW INTERTWINED IT IS TO THE IDENTITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
TODAY, I AM READY TO SAY THAT WE SHOULD BE TAKING OFF THE TABLE ANY CONSIDERATION TO DEMOLISH THE, UH, THE, THE EXISTING JACK AND GLEASON THEATER.
I THINK THAT THAT SHOULD NOT BE AN OPTION THAT WE SHOULD BE CONSIDERING.
AND, UH, AND TODAY I'LL BE MAKING A MOTION TO TAKE THAT OFF THE TABLE.
I DO THINK THEN WE HAVE TO CONSIDER WHAT MAKES MOST SENSE, UH, TO SIMPLY DO A REHAB OF THE, OF THE EXISTING 88,000 SQUARE FEET THAT WE HAVE, UH, IN THE FILLMORE UPDATE THE EQUIPMENT THAT'S 10 TO 15 YEARS OLD.
UM, YOU KNOW, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE WATERPROOFING THE STRUCTURE AND GETTING IT, YOU KNOW, ADDRESSING ALL THOSE THINGS THAT SOMETIMES PREVENT US FROM, FROM BOOKING, UH, CERTAIN ACTS, WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS AN ISSUE THAT SOMETIMES WE, WE, WE MISS ACTS AND WE CAN'T DO CERTAIN BOOKINGS BECAUSE OF CERTAIN ISSUES THAT THE FACILITY HAS.
AND SO, AND, AND SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M WILLING TO CONSIDER INVESTING THAT $29 MILLION THAT'S IN THE GEO BOND SCOPE TOWARDS FIXING UP THE FACILITY.
THE ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE PUTTING THOSE $29 MILLION INTO A GUT RENOVATION AS YOU AS, AS YOU MENTIONED, THAT THAT WOULD ENT ENTAIL OF A FULL DEMO OF, OF THE INSIDE.
AS THE CHAIR OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE SAID, THAT LEAVES US WITH A BALANCE OF $58 MILLION THAT WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW ARE WE GONNA COVER THAT GAP.
THE TAXPAYERS HAVE ALREADY SAID THEY'RE GONNA PUT $29 MILLION ON THE TABLE.
THEY'VE ALREADY VOTED FOR THAT, AND THEY'VE ALREADY SUPPORTED THAT.
AND I'M ALL FINE WITH THE ADMINISTRATION COMING BACK TO US AND TELLING US IF OUR PARTNER IS WILLING TO COME TO, TO THE TABLE AND IN THE NAME OF DOING A RENOVATION, A FULL SCALE RENOVATION IS ABLE TO HELP US CLOSE THAT GAP.
UH, I DON'T THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT SHOULD FALL ENTIRELY ON THE TAXPAYERS BECAUSE IT IS A PRIVATELY MANAGED FACILITY.
LIVE NATION IS, IS OPERATING IT.
SO TODAY I'M WILLING TO GO FORWARD AT EITHER LOOKING AT RENOVATING THE BUILDING WITH, WITH THE INFLUX OF PRIVATE DOLLARS FROM LIVE NATION OR US COMING IN AND JUST DOING A REHAB OF THE FACILITY TO GETTING IT FUNCTIONAL AND COMPLETELY TAKING OFF THE TABLE THE DEMOLITION OF THIS FACILITY.
UM, YEAH, I, I ECHO THAT I'D SECOND THAT MOTION TO TAKE OFF THE OPTION OF BUILDING SOMETHING NEW.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO, UM, HAVE THE, THE ADMINISTRATION PURSUE A PATH OF FIGURING OUT WHAT A MIDDLE GROUND WOULD BE BETWEEN A GUT RENOVATION, WHICH WOULD BE LOVELY IF WE HAD JASON'S PRINTING PRESS IN THE BASEMENT.
WHERE'S JASON? UM, BUT SO FAR WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND IT.
SO, YOU KNOW, I, THERE ARE A LOT OF US WHO REALLY LOVE THE FACILITY THE WAY IT IS.
IT'S WARM AND FUZZY, BUT IT COULD USE SOME UPGRADES TO ATTRACT DIFFERENT TALENT AS WE'VE DISCUSSED.
UM, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THE, THE, UM, UH, ARM, THE ARMAMENTS ISN'T THE RIGHT WORD.
A LOT OF THE, THE TOOLS OF THE TRADE ARE MORE THAN 15 YEARS OLD.
I MEAN, THE STORY OF HAVING TO LIGHT RENT A LIGHTING RIG FOR PERFORMANCES 'CAUSE THE LIGHTING RIG DOESN'T WORK, IS MIND BOGGLING THAT YOU STILL ARE ABLE TO MAKE IT WORK.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING BETWEEN A FULL GUT RENO WITH THE THINGS THAT WILL GIVE US THE BIGGEST BANG FOR THE BUCK.
AND I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT, UM, ADDITIONAL COST SHARED.
AND I'M NOT GONNA BE HORSE TRADING FROM THE DAYS, BUT I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT ADDITIONAL COST COMING IN.
LARGE MEASURE FROM, UM, FROM LIVE NATION, WE'RE ALREADY PUTTING IN 30 GRAND, UH, 30 GRAND.
AND IT'S NOT, WE, IT'S OUR TAXPAYERS.
SO, YOU KNOW, LET'S, LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN FIGURE OUT.
I'LL LET YOU GUYS DO THE, THE HORSE TRAINING, BUT THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION IF, IF I HAD A SECOND AND I'LL SECOND THAT.
I WAS JUST ABOUT TO CALL THE VOTE.
COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ, YOU HAVE TWO MOTIONS ON IT.
I'LL JUST, I'M SORRY AND I'LL BE QUICK.
UM, I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE, THE SAME THING THAT MY COLLEAGUES, UM, JUST MENTIONED, VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ
[04:10:01]
AND ALSO COMMISSIONER.BUT, UM, ONE THING THAT I HAD WORRIED ABOUT IF A NEW STRUCTURE WERE COMING WERE, WAS, WOULD BE THE ELIMINATION OF THE GREEN SPACE IN THE FRONT AND THAT EXPANSION.
AND I AGREE WITH WHAT'S BEEN SAID THAT THAT THEATER IS SPECIAL TO US, UM, AND TO OUR COMMUNITY.
I KNOW I'VE BEEN GOING THERE SINCE I WAS A KID TO SEE SHOWS AND, UM, I STILL GO THERE TO THIS DAY, LOVE LIVE NATION AND, UM, MARY CAN CALL THE VOTE.
UM, RATHER THAN MAKE IT TWO SEPARATE VOTES, YOU KNOW, I'M HAPPY TO AMEND MY, MY, MY ORIGINAL MOTION TO INCORPORATE, UH, WHAT COMMISSIONER BOT IS MENTIONING AND MAKE IT ALL ONE, ONE MOTION.
WE CAN MAKE IT TWO SEPARATE MOTIONS, WHATEVER THE CITY ATTORNEY GUIDES US TO BE THE BEST THING.
UM, BUT I THINK THERE'S TWO MOTIONS ON THE TABLE.
ONE TO TAKE THE NEW BUILDING OFF THE TABLE, AND I GUESS THE SECOND MOTION IS TO FIND THAT MIDDLE GROUND BETWEEN REHABBING AND RENOVATING.
SO IT'S CALLED A VOTE, AND I APOLOGIZE, I DON'T WANT TO EXTEND THIS, BUT THESE ARE SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS, RIGHT? SUBSTANTIAL, I MEAN, JUST AS MUCH AS WE DISCUSSED EARLIER.
UH, SO I, I DON'T WANNA BELABOR THIS, BUT THESE ARE BIG DO HAS LIVE NATION THOUGHT INTERNALLY ABOUT A NUMBER THAT, AND I, I DON'T WANNA HORSE TRADE FROM THE DAYS, BUT I'M JUST TALKING BACK OF THE ENVELOPE, BALLPARK RANGE OF WHAT TYPE OF COMMITMENT FOR SOME TYPE OF RENOVATION THAT WE COULD EXPECT.
N NOT NOT THAT WE CAN COMMIT TO.
I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, FOR US, THE BIG PART OF THE DISCUSSION WILL BE THE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT AND THE TERM OF THAT AGREEMENT AND HOW WE, HOW WE MEMORIZE THAT MONEY ACROSS TIME.
SO, UH, WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION AND WE'RE EXCITED.
I THINK THIS IS A GREAT DIRECTION THAT WE ARE DISCUSSING, BUT WE CERTAINLY REQUIRE MORE, MORE DISCUSSION TO FIGURE OUT WHAT OUR, WHAT OUR INVESTMENT WOULD BE.
I'M FINE SUPPORTING MY COLLEAGUES IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THE ONE OPTION OFF THE TABLE, BUT JUST LIKE WITH THE FLAMINGO PARK DISCUSSION EARLIER, I THINK WE NEED TO GO IN EYES WIDE OPEN SAYING, WELL, IF LIVE NATION ISN'T ABLE TO MAKE A SUBSTANTIAL ENOUGH CONTRIBUTION, WE'RE LEFT WITH ONLY ONE OPTION.
RIGHT? AND THAT OPTION IS SPENDING $30 MILLION TO OKAY, FIX SOME OF THE SKELETONS.
BUT BY ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES, PEOPLE ARE WALKING INTO THE SAME FILLMORE AND SEEING THE SAME EXACT THING WITHOUT REALLY ANY TYPE OF THE BELLS AND WHISTLES.
UH, 'CAUSE WE DON'T HAVE, YOU KNOW, TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WHERE WE'D BE ABLE TO INTERNALLY BRIDGE THAT GAP.
SO I'M FINE IF THAT'S THE DIRECTION THAT THE, UH, MY COLLEAGUES WOULD LIKE TO TAKE, BUT JUST SO WE GO IN EYES WIDE OPEN WITH THAT, I THINK THIS LEAVES, IT LEAVES IT OPEN AND IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'LL HAVE SOME GOOD FAITH NEGOTIATIONS WITH LIVE NATION AND IT'LL BE HEALTHY.
DO YOU HAVE THE DIRECTION YOU NEED, ERIC? MOTION? THANK YOU FOR BEING OKAY.
SO LET ME JUST CLARIFY THE MOTION.
THE MOTION IS TO REJECT THE IDEA OF TEARING DOWN THE BUILDING AND FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO ENGAGE IN DISCUSSIONS WITH LIVE NATION TO PURSUE THE POTENTIAL, UH, FULL GUT AND REHAB OF THE FACILITY, REHAB AND RENOVATION AND RENOVATION.
SO NO SEEING A LOT OF NODS, WHICH IS A GOOD SIGN.
UH, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
AYE,
[R5 M R-PS4 HEIGHT INCENTIVE FOR CONVERSION FROM HOTEL TO RESIDENTIAL USE AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE RESILIENCY CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, AT CHAPTER 7, "ZONING DISTRICTS AND REGULATIONS," ARTICLE II, "DISTRICT REGULATIONS," AT DIVISION 15, "PERFORMANCE STANDARD DISTRICT (PS)," SECTION 7.2.15.2, "RESIDENTIAL PERFORMANCE STANDARD DISTRICTS (R-PS)," TO PROVIDE HEIGHT INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE THE REDEVELOPMENT OF HOTELS ON PROPERTIES ZONED R-PS4 INTO RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES BY PROVIDING SUCH PROPERTIES WITH A HEIGHT BONUS IF THE APPLICANT VOLUNTARILY COVENANTS THAT NO TRANSIENT USES OR SHORT-TERM RENTALS SHALL BE PERMITTED ON THE PROPERTY; AND PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
R FIVE M AS IN MICHAEL.THIS ITEM R 9:00 AM IS DISCUSS, TAKE ACTION, IMPLEMENTATION OF PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED POLICE VISIBILITY.
IT'S NOT MY R FIVE M, IT'S AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONER OF THE CITY OF MAMEE BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE RESILIENCY CODE OF THE CITY OF MAMEE BEACH AT CHAPTER SEVEN, ZONING DISTRICTS AND REGULATIONS.
ARTICLE TWO, DISTRICT REGULATIONS AT DIVISION 15, PERFORMANCE STANDARD DISTRICT PS SECTION 7.2 0.152, RESIDENTIAL PERFORMANCE STANDARD DISTRICTS R DASH PS TO PROVIDE HEIGHT INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE THE REDEVELOPMENT OF HOTELS ON PROHIBITED ZONE R DASH PS FOUR INTO RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES BY PROVIDING SUCH PROPERTIES WITH A HEIGHT BONUS, IF THE APPLICANT VOLUNTARILY COVENANTS THAT NO TRANSIENT USES OR SHORT-TERM RENTALS SHALL BE PROVIDED ON THE PROPERTY AND PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, REPEAL, SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE.
THE ITEM REQUIRES FIVE SEVEN'S VOTE.
IT IS ITEM R FIVE M TOM, WELCOME.
YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS WE GET A LOT OF COMPLIMENTS ON IS AS A COMMISSION, IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE AS MANY DEVELOPMENT ITEMS AS WE USED TO.
[04:15:01]
OF YOU, BUT NOW, UH, WE HEAR LESS OF YOU.UM, THIS PARTICULAR PROPOSAL WAS A PRIVATE APPLICATION.
UM, AND SO I'M JUST GONNA INTRODUCE IT, UM, AND LET THE PRIVATE APPLICANT, UH, GO AHEAD AND ADDRESS YOU.
BUT IT'S A PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD AMENDMENT TO THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS.
IT PERTAINS TO, UH, PROPERTIES IN THE RPS FOUR DISTRICT, WHICH ARE OCEANFRONT PROPERTIES LOCATED BETWEEN SOUTH POINT DRIVE AND FIFTH STREET.
AND WHAT IT DOES IS IT INCREASES THE MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT FROM THE CURRENT 100 FEET UP TO 145 FEET FOR PROPERTIES THAT MEET CERTAIN STANDARDS BY CONVERTING AN EXISTING HOTEL TO RESIDENTIAL APARTMENT.
AND, UM, NO, UH, TRANSIENT USES WITHIN THAT RESIDENTIAL APARTMENT AS AGREED TO BY COVENANT.
THE REASON FOR THIS PROPOSAL IS TO CORRESPOND WITH AN FAR INCREASE THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE VOTERS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO FOR THE RRP S FOUR DISTRICT THAT WOULD INCENTIVIZE THE CONVERSION OF EXISTING HOTELS TO RESIDENTIAL APARTMENTS.
AND SO THIS IS A SEPARATE ORDINANCE THAT WOULD INCREASE THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE HEIGHT IN ORDER TO BETTER DISTRIBUTE THAT INCREASED FAR.
THE PLANNING BOARD, UH, TRANSMITTED THIS TO THE CITY COMMISSION WITH A FAVORABLE BOARD RECOMMENDATION IN JULY.
THE ADMINISTRATION IS SUPPORTIVE OF THIS, AND WE WOULD RECOMMEND APPROVAL AT FIRST READING AND SETTING OF SECOND READING ON OCTOBER 30TH.
UH, UH, GOOD AFTERNOON AND NISSON KADEN AND CHRIS PINELLAS AKERMAN REPRESENTING THE APPLICANT.
UH, AND WE HAVE A FULL PRESENTATION ON THIS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT, BUT IF I MAY, I'LL SUMMARIZE THIS FIRST, BECAUSE I THINK MOST OF YOU WINNING POINTS ALREADY,
UH, AND AS YOU KNOW, AS, AS, UH, TOM MOONEY MENTIONED THAT, UH, IN 2022, THE INCREASE IN FAR TO INCENTIVIZE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT TO REPLACE TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY AT THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION PASSED BY ALMOST 66% OF THE VOTE.
IT WAS, UH, ENDORSED BY AND LED BY, UH, THE SUPPORT BY SO FNA, UH, AND NOW, UH, IN ORDER TO FULFILL THAT VISION OF CONVERTING TRANSIENT TO RESIDENTIAL AFTER WE HAVE DONE ANALYSIS OF THE PROPERTY, AND ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THERE IS A CONTRIBUTING HISTORIC BUILDING ON THE SITE, WHICH WILL BE RETAINED IF THIS RESIDENTIAL PROJECT CAN GO FORWARD AND, BUT THEREFORE CHANGES THE NECESSARY CONFIGURATION OF THE BUILDING, WE NEED A MODEST ADDITIONAL HEIGHT, UH, WHICH IS ACTUALLY IN THE RRP S FOUR DISTRICT.
THERE ARE MULTIPLE, UH, 11 STORY BUILDINGS IN THE SOUTH.
THERE ARE BUILDINGS OF A HUNDRED FEET OR MORE FLANKING US, THE BENTLEY BEACH, ALSO IN THE RRP S WHERE THERE ARE TWO BUILDINGS OVER 400 FEET IN HEIGHT, AND THEN ACROSS THE STREET, WHICH ARE THE CONTINUUM BUILDINGS.
SO THIS IS VERY MUCH APPROPRIATE MODEST ASK IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO FULFILL, UH, THIS, UH, THIS IN THIS INITIATIVE, WHICH IS, AS YOU KNOW, THE NEIGHBORHOOD THERE WANTS TO GO FROM BEING A TRANSIENT NEIGHBORHOOD TO BEING, UH, A RESIDENTIAL QUALITY NEIGHBORHOOD.
THIS INITIATIVE, THIS PROJECT IS SHOWING THAT THIS INCENTIVE WORKS IF YOU TWEAK IT, YOU KNOW, TO ALLOW FOR REAL DEVELOPMENT.
SO THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, AND I'M SURE OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS THAT YOU'LL BE DEALING WITH IN THE FUTURE IN THE CITY, WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO BECOME MORE RESIDENTIAL IN QUALITY AND LESS TRANSIENT.
THIS HAS, OF COURSE, ALSO BEEN ENDORSED BY SO FNA BY THEIR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY, AND I KNOW THEY'VE COMMUNICATED WITH YOU AS WELL, UH, AND THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD REVIEWED IT, UH, AS WELL AND UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTED THIS PROPOSAL.
SO IF YOU WANT, UH, HERE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS, WE HAVE A FULLER PRESENTATION, BUT WE WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.
WE THINK IT'S GREAT FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD, IT'S GREAT FOR PRESERVATION, AND IT'S A MODEST REQUEST.
COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ, THANK YOU.
UM, I THINK THIS IS A GREAT PROJECT AND IT DOES TAKE AWAY FROM A CHANGE FROM TRANSIT USE TO RESIDENTIAL USE.
I ALSO SPOKE TO KEITH MARKS OF SOUTH OF FIFTH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
THEY ARE EXTREMELY SUPPORTIVE.
THEY LOVE THIS PROJECT, AND I'D LIKE TO MOVE THE ITEM ALL SET.
I BELIEVE, UH, MARK LIN WAS THE SPONSOR OF THIS.
MARK HAS, UH, AS OUR CITY LOOKS FOR THE APPROPRIATE WAYS TO HONOR OUR PAST, UH,
[04:20:01]
YET MOVE FORWARD AND PREPARE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND RESILIENCY CHALLENGES.UH, I THINK YOU'VE THREADED A FINE NEEDLE HERE, ESPECIALLY.
THANK YOU, UH, PRESERVING THAT HISTORIC STRUCTURE, WHICH I KNOW IS SO IMPORTANT TO OUR PRESERVATION COMMUNITY, NOTABLY MDPL, UM, I, I THINK YOU'VE REALLY DONE A GREAT SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
UH, WHILE I DON'T SEE THEM HERE, I'M SURE THEY'LL BE VERY, VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS BECAUSE YOU'VE KEPT THIS IN LINE, THE HEIGHT WITH THE CONTEXT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, RIGHT? YOU'VE DESCRIBED THE OTHER BUILDINGS, UH, IMMEDIATELY SURROUNDING THERE THAT YOU'RE IN LINE IN CONTEXT WITH AND PRESERVING THAT HISTORIC STRUCTURE.
UH, WHILE
UH, YOU'VE REALLY THREADED ALL NEEDLES HERE, AND I KNOW THE COMMUNITY'S VERY EXCITED FOR THIS.
QUESTION, WHEN THIS WENT TO VOTER REFERENDUM, CORRECT? THE FAR WENT TO, CORRECT? YES.
BUT MY RECOLLECTION IS THE, THE HOTEL USAGE WAS BASICALLY, IF YOU TRANSITION TO RESIDENTIAL, THIS WAS, I'M GOING BACK IN TIME WHEN WE PUT ON FOR VOTER REFERENDUM.
HAD WE NOT GONE TO VOTER REFERENDUM, THE RESIDENTIAL COULD NOT HAVE THE SAME FAR AS THE HOTEL, CORRECT? WELL, THE, THE, THE HOTEL THAT WAS BUILT WAS BUILT IN 2000, BY THE WAY.
I, I DID, DID, UH, DO WANNA MENTION, IT WAS BUILT BY THE RD FAMILY.
THEY WERE PIONEERS IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
UH, THEY WERE ALSO THE RDS AND POORS REDID THE EDEN ROCK HOTEL 20 YEARS AGO AND BUILT THEIR NEW EDITION, UH, COLIN GORSUCH FROM KEY INTERNATIONALS HERE.
AND SO IN ORDER TO JUSTIFY ECONOMICALLY, UH, A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING INSTEAD OF A HOTEL, THE, THE, THE MINIMUM THEY FELT WAS NECESSARY WAS THE 2.75 FAR.
IF YOU ACTUALLY LOOKED AT THE EXISTING SOUTH BEACH MARRIOTT, I DON'T HAVE THE NUMBER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT I THINK IT WAS MORE LIKE 2.25.
IN ANY EVENT, IT WAS NON-CONFORMING AS TO TODAY'S 2.0.
SO THEY NEEDED THE ADDITIONAL FAR IN ORDER TO JUSTIFY GOING AWAY FROM A HOTEL TO THE RESIDENTIAL USE.
IS THERE, I GUESS WHEN I, WHEN I SAW THIS, I WAS CONCERNED WHETHER THERE WAS AN INCONSISTENCY, WHAT WE PUT OUT TO VOTER REFERENDUM AND NOW, AND NOW ASKING FOR THAT ADDITIONAL HEIGHT.
OH, IN FACT, THE ONLY THING THAT YOU COULD PUT OUT TO REFERENDUM WAS THE FAR.
THE ONLY THING THE BALLOT QUESTION SAID WAS INCREASE THE FAR FOR CONVERSION FROM HOTEL TO RESIDENTIAL.
IT SAID NOTHING WHATSOEVER ABOUT HEIGHT, THE BALLOT QUESTION.
AND IN FACT, ISN'T IT PRESUMED? NO, IT'S, IT'S LITERALLY ONLY TALKED ABOUT FAR.
AND I WOULD ALSO TELL YOU THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, WHICH WE WOULD NOT HAVE PROCEEDED WITHOUT THEIR BLESSING, UH, HAS ENDORSED OUR PROPOSAL TO INCREASE HEIGHT.
AND, AND THAT'S, IT'S A VERY ACTIVE AND STRONG NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
I TAKE WHAT THEY SAY VERY SERIOUSLY.
UM, DO YOU, WELL, RICK, DO YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE THE LANGUAGE OF THAT VOTER REFERENDUM, NICK? I HAVE, I HAVE IT, MR. MAYOR.
UM, I DON'T BELIEVE IT DID THE, THE QUESTION SAID, SHALL THE CITY INCREASE MAXIMUM FAR FROM 2.0 TO 2.75 IN THE RRP S FOUR DISTRICT AS AN INCENTIVE FOR THE CONVERSION OF EXISTING HOTEL PROPERTIES INTO RESIDENTIAL USE? IF THE PROPERTY OWNER COVENANTS TO PROHIBIT SHORT TERM RENTALS? BUT I DON'T BELIEVE IT INCLUDED THE HEIGHT.
NO, IT SAYS NOTHING ABOUT HEIGHT.
AND WHAT'S, WHAT'S THE CURRENT ALLOWABLE HEIGHT? IT'S A HUNDRED FEET.
OR IF YOU HAVE A CONTRIBUTING HISTORIC STRUCTURE, IT WOULD ACTUALLY BE 75 FEET.
NOW, BY THE WAY, WITH THE STATE'S PASSAGE OF THE RESILIENT SAFE STRUCTURES ACT, THAT COULD BE DEMOLISHED.
SO THIS ALSO GUARANTEES PRESERVATION OF THE BUILDING, BUT IT'S A HUNDRED FEET IS THE BASIC HEIGHT FOR, FOR THAT PORTION OF OCEAN DRIVE.
AND THIS, UH, AMENDMENT WOULD ALLOW FOR HOW MUCH THROUGH 45 FEET.
COMMISSIONER ROSA GONZALEZ, MY BIG WORRY ABOUT THESE SPOT INCREASES IS THAT THERE'S NO COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING AND, AND THERE'S REALLY NO IDEA OF WHAT IS IT THAT WE WANNA BE.
DO YOU WANNA LOOK LIKE MIAMI? DO WE WANNA LOOK LIKE AN ISLAND? I WOULD LOVE TO PUT A REFERENDUM QUESTION ON THE BALLOT AND SAY, YOU WANT US TO LOOK LIKE DOWNTOWN? OR ARE WE GOING TO MAINTAIN THE SMALL TOWN FEEL OF BEING ON AN ISLAND? YOU KNOW, AND WE, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY COMPREHENSIVE VISION FOR ANY OF THIS.
SO AS WE MOVE FORWARD, IT'S A CREEP.
[04:25:01]
HAPPENED ON 71ST STREET.AND THERE'S OUTCRY UP THERE BECAUSE WE STARTED OUT AT EIGHT FEET AND THEN IT WENT TO 150 FEET.
AND THEN IF YOU GOT AN INCENTIVE, IT WAS 200 FEET, AND THEN IT ENDED UP 220 FEET.
AND AS THAT STRUCTURE WENT UP, I AM SURE THAT YOU HAVE GOTTEN THE FEEDBACK FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE SURROUNDING.
AND THE WORST PART IS THAT IT BECAME SHORT TERM RENTAL.
NOW, I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A PUSH TO INCENTIVIZE RESIDENTIAL NON-TRANSIENT USES.
AND THIS IS WATERFRONT, NOT THE INTERIOR OF THE ISLAND.
BUT IF YOU DON'T ASK THAT EXISTENTIAL QUESTION, THAT REALLY IMPORTANT QUESTION.
THIS IS NOT HAPPENING IN, UM, AMALFI, FOR EXAMPLE, LIKE YOU POINTED OUT, IT'S NOT HAPPENING IN THE HAMPTONS.
IT'S NOT HAPPENING IN PALM BEACH, NOT HAPPENING IN ST.
WHY ARE WE DOING THAT HERE? I JUST DON'T GET IT.
WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE TALLER? WHY ARE WE BECOMING SOMETHING THAT WE'RE NOT? OR UNLESS YOU WANT US TO LOOK LIKE A BIG CITY, CAN I ASK YOU? WELL, I MEAN, YOU KNOW, AND, AND THAT BEFORE ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT HEIGHT INCREASES, SERIOUSLY NEED TO GO INTO WHAT WE NEED TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE CONVERSATION AND REALLY LET THE COMMUNITY WEIGH IN AND SAY, WHAT IS IT THAT YOU WANNA SEE? AND I DON'T THINK THAT OUR RESIDENTS ARE GONNA TELL YOU THAT THEY WANT A BUNCH OF TALL BUILDINGS ALL OVER.
I DON'T CARE WHAT USE THEY ARE.
ALL THE PLACES THAT YOU MENTIONED ARE VERY DIFFERENT THAN MIAMI BEACH NUMBER ONE, MIAMI BEACH.
WE HAVE A PREEMPTION ON THE REGULATION OF TRANSIENT AND SHORT-TERM RENTAL ACTIVITY.
IT'S THE REASON WHY I SPONSORED RESOLUTION 2022 DASH 3 2 2 5 5 ON THAT WAS ENACTED ON JULY 11TH, 2022, PLACING THE FAR INCREASE FROM 2.0 TO TWO POINT, UH, WHAT IS IT, TO 2.75, UH, ON, ON, ON THE BALLOT SO THAT WE COULD DEINCENTIVIZE SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND REQUIRE THE CONVERSION TO RESIDENTIAL.
SO THAT WAS THE INTENT OF THAT RESOLUTION.
WE HAVE TO DO IT THIS WAY THROUGH INCENTIVES WHERE WE'RE GIVING ADDED DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS.
'CAUSE IT'S THE ONLY WAY THAT WE CAN DEAL WITH TRANS, WITH TRANSIENT AND SHORT-TERM RENTAL ISSUES BECAUSE OF THE STATE PREEMPTIONS.
PERHAPS NEW YORK DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME PREEMPTIONS ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS AS, AS WE DO PERHAPS IN AMALFI.
THEY DON'T HAVE THE SAME, UH, PREEMPTIONS ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS AS WE DO IN FLORIDA.
BUT THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH HERE.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, THERE'S AN EXTRA LAYER OF PREEMPTION THAT WE ENDED UP WITH HERE IN MIAMI BEACH, WHICH IS THE PREEMPTION ON OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION CODE.
THE UNSAFE STRUCTURES ACT THAT THAT WAS SIGNED INTO LAW THIS YEAR.
THE ONLY AREAS THAT ARE SAVED ARE THOSE AREAS WITHIN THE HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE DISTRICT, THOSE AREAS SOUTH OF 23RD STREET AND NORTH OF FIFTH STREET.
BUT EVERYTHING ELSE, THE AREAS SOUTH OF FIFTH STREET, INCLUDING THESE RRP S FOUR ZONING DISTRICTS, AND THE AREAS NORTH OF 23RD STREET, ARE SUBJECT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PREEMPTIONS THAT THE STATE PASSED THAT THREATEN HISTORIC PROPERTIES, INCLUDING HISTORIC PROPERTIES LIKE THIS SITE WHERE THE LOT ACTUALLY IS EAST OF THE COASTAL CONTROL LINE.
OUR ENTIRE OCEAN FRONT IS THREATENED BY STATE PREEMPTION, ESPECIALLY THE HISTORIC PROPERTIES.
AND BY THIS REGULATION, WE'RE ABLE TO WORK AROUND THAT PREEMPTION TO HELP PRESERVE A HISTORIC PROPERTY, AN ARCHITECTURALLY SIGNIFICANT, UH, PROPERTY FROM DEMOLITION THAT OTHERWISE THE STATE PREEMPTION WOULD ALLOW IT TO BE DEMOLISHED.
AND SO IS IT IDEAL THAT WE HAVE TO ADD HIDE AND THAT WE HAVE TO ADD FAR? NO, BUT FAR WAS PROVIDED AS A MEANS TO AVOID THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL PREEMPTIONS AS AN INCENTIVE.
AND IT NOW IS HELPING US DEAL WITH THE PREEMPTION ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION REGULATIONS THAT WAS IMPOSED ON US ON THE STATE.
AND THOSE ARE THINGS THAT NEW YORK DOESN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH AND THAT AMALFI DOESN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH AND THAT OTHER AREAS DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH, BUT THAT WE HAVE TO ACT SMARTLY ON IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THE CHARACTER OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR AND COMMISSIONER SUAREZ, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.
AND THEN COMMISSIONER ROSEN GONZALEZ.
[04:30:01]
THE REASON I GOT INTO POLITICS WAS BECAUSE OF TRANSIENT USE IN SOUTH OF FIFTH.AND, YOU KNOW, ONE DAY I REALIZED THAT THERE'S GONNA BE A HOTEL, UM, PUT NEXT DOOR TO WHERE I LIVE, AND I LET A VERY LARGE GRASSROOTS EFFORT TO, TO CHANGE THAT.
UM, AND I, WE WERE SUCCESSFUL ON ONE OF THEM.
UM, BUT ONE THING BECAME ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THROUGH MY GRASSROOTS EFFORT, SOUTH THE FIFTH, NO ONE WANTS TRANSIENT USE.
IT'S, THERE'S, THERE'S A FACTOR OF UNKNOWN.
THERE IS ARGUABLY SOME CHAOS THAT, THAT, THAT'S ASSOCIATED WITH PEOPLE THAT COME AND GO.
IF WE WANT TO REALLY FOCUS ON THE MEANING OF A NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE MEANING OF COMMUNITY, WE SHOULD BE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO FOSTER IT.
AND I'M, I'M, YOU KNOW, AS, AS A COMMISSIONER UP HERE, I'M ALWAYS GOING TO BE FIGHTING FOR RESIDENTIAL OVER ANYTHING TRANSIENT.
MOST OF MY LEGISLATION THAT I'M PUTTING FORWARD IS ALL ABOUT RESIDENTIAL AND COUPLED WITH THE FACT THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO SAVE A CONTRIBUTING BUILDING BECAUSE OF STATE PREEMPTIONS AND REALLY REALITY, IT'S, IT'S A NO BRAINER.
UM, YOU KNOW, I I THINK COUPLED WITH THE FACT THAT SOUTH OF FIFTH NEIGHBOR ASSOCIATION IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVING THIS, AND THE SURROUNDING BUILDINGS ARE BASICALLY IN LINE WITH, UH, THIS PROJECT AND THE FACT THAT WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A, A HOUSING ISSUE, AND I, I, I THINK THAT THIS IS THE DIRECTION THAT WE WANT TO GO.
THIS WAS PUT ON A VOTER REFERENDUM TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTIAL USE.
AND I, I, I THINK ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO FOSTER THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
I MEAN, WE'RE, WE'RE BLEEDING RESIDENTS.
UH, YOU KNOW, OUR POPULATION, I THINK IN THE, THE ONLY CITY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS THE ONE THAT DECREASED.
AND THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY A LACK OF HOUSING.
THAT'S JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO BE LIVING IN NEXT TO TRANSIENT OR ENTERTAINMENT THAT'S NOT COMPATIBLE ANYMORE WITH, WITH WHAT OUR VISION IS.
SO, YOU KNOW, I'M GONNA BE IN FAVOR OF THIS.
UM, AND THOSE ARE MY, UH, WELL, I ALREADY SECOND THE MOTION.
SO THERE'S A MOTION TO SECOND ON THE TABLE, MR. WILSON GONZALEZ.
AND COMMISSIONER, SO I'M GONNA PUT SOMETHING OUT THERE THAT A LOT OF YOU AREN'T GONNA, LIKE, THERE'S ALL SORTS OF FAR INCREASES COMING UP, HEIGHT INCREASES COMING UP, AND A LOT OF THEM HAVE A SIX SEVENTH THRESHOLD.
SO SOMEBODY HAS TO REPRESENT WHAT I FEEL IS A LARGE SILENT MAJORITY.
SO I'M GONNA BE A NO ON ALL OF THIS
UM, PLEASE DO NOT TAKE IT PERSONALLY.
I DON'T CARE WHETHER THE JUSTIFICATION IS, UH, USE OR WORKFORCE HOUSING OR WHATEVER.
I, YEAH, I LOOKED UP ALSO CAR REGISTRATIONS.
AND THEY'RE INCREASING, THEY'RE NOT DECREASING.
SO PEOPLE HAVE CARS, ESPECIALLY IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, UH, THERE WERE ADDED 45,000 CAR REGISTRATIONS LAST YEAR ALONE.
SO THIS JUSTIFICATION THAT PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO BE, YOU KNOW, BRINGING THEIR CARS AND COMING IN.
SO AS WE DO THIS, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR JUSTIFICATION AS PEOPLE START TO COMPLAIN ABOUT TRAFFIC, THIS IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROBLEM.
IT IS BECAUSE THE PEOPLE BUYING THESE UNITS HAVE VEHICLES.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO GROW, I'M JUST SAYING WE DON'T HAVE TO GROW HIGHER AND WE DON'T HAVE TO CONTINUE TO GROW BIGGER.
AND I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT MORE HEIGHT.
UM, ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THINGS ABOUT THE, THE BUILDINGS THAT LINE, UH, THE WEST AVENUE IS THIS WONDERFUL LITTLE SILHOUETTE.
AND IN BETWEEN IT, YOU CAN SEE THESE POCKETS OF LIKE BLUE.
AND BY THE TIME WE'RE DONE, THERE'S NOT GONNA BE A SINGLE POCKET LEFT.
AND EVERYTHING THAT WAS SPECIAL ABOUT THAT SKYLINE, UM, IS GOING TO BE GONE.
AND THAT WILL BE SUCH A SAD DAY.
SO MOVING FORWARD, UM, JUST NO, AS THE SIXTH, SEVENTH MOVES FORWARD, I'M GOING TO BE A NO ACROSS THE BOARD FOR FAR INCREASES.
AND, UM, AND ALSO ALSO, UM, KITE INCREASES FOR THE MOST PART, AT LEAST UNTIL, UM, ALL OF THESE OTHER THINGS GET BUILT OUT.
WE HAVE TOWERS GOING UP, UP AND DOWN THE BEACH THAT HAVE YET TO BE BUILT, THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
THAT CONVENTION CENTER HOTEL, YOU KNOW, HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED.
I DON'T, YOU KNOW, AND, AND, AND SO, UM, I, I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT WHATEVER JUSTI I, WHATEVER.
[04:35:01]
WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT ANY CHANGE OF USE WITHOUT THE HEIGHT INCREASE, WITHOUT THE DENSITY INCREASE.YOU GOT ME, I'M THERE, BUT I REALLY DON'T THINK THAT THIS IS THE DIRECTION, UM, THAT WE SHOULD GO IN.
I HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS FOR YOU AS WELL.
WELL, IF YOU, WOULD YOU ASK QUESTION? I DO WANNA, AND I APPRECIATE THAT COMMISSIONER ROSEN GONZALEZ IS SAYING WHAT HER VOTE'S GONNA BE, BECAUSE THIS REQUIRES A FIVE SEVEN VOTE.
SO IF ANYONE HAS A PROBLEM WITH IT, LET ME KNOW.
UH, BUT I DO WANNA ALSO ADDRESS THE TOPIC THAT SHE'S ADDRESSED.
IF YOU'D LIKE ME TO DO THAT FIRST, I'LL DO THAT.
OR IF YOU WANNA ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS FIRST, WELL THROW ALL MY QUESTIONS.
'CAUSE MAYBE YOU CAN THEN INCORPORATE IT.
I'M ACTUALLY GONNA PIGGYBACK ON SOMETHING, UH, COMMISSIONER ROSEN GONZALEZ SAID, AND AS A QUESTION I HAVE WRITTEN DOWN HERE, IS WE'VE SEEN THAT WHERE OUR COMMISSION WILL APPROVE A PROJECT AND THEN IT GOES INTO THE ABYSS.
THEN SOMETIMES, AS IS CURRENTLY THE CASE OF THE CONVENTION CENTER, THEY'RE COMING BACK FOR, UH, ADDITIONAL, AT LEAST IN THAT CASE, RDA MONIES.
WHAT, IS THERE ANY CONDITIONS OR COVENANTS THAT OF TIMELINES OF, WE APPROVE THIS, OF WHEN THIS PROJECT NEEDS TO COMMENCE AND BE COMPLETED? WELL, YOU, THAT'S ONE QUESTION.
YOU CAN ANSWER THEM ONE AT A TIME.
WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS, UH, PROHIBITING SHORT-TERM RENTALS FOR THIS PROPERTY? AND THE OTHER ONE IS, IS THERE ANY, UM, RESTRICTIONS ON THE SALE OF THE PROPERTY? MEANING IF AFTER THIS IS FIRST READING, IF AFTER SECOND READING COULD THE, AND THEN THEY GOT THE ADDITIONAL HEIGHT, COULD THEY LITERALLY JUST FLIP IT THE NEXT DAY? OKAY, LET ME, UH, SORT OF ANSWER IN A BIT OF A REVERSE ORDER.
AS I THINK I MENTIONED TO YOU, THE, OUR DEEDS ARE LONG-TERM OWNERS AND INVESTORS.
THEY'VE OWNED THIS PROPERTY FOR OVER 25 YEARS.
THEY OWN 12 OR 13 OTHER HOTELS AROUND THE STATE OF FLORIDA, BUILT MANY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.
THEY'RE RESIDENTS OF THIS AREA.
UH, THIS IS THEIR PLAN, WHICH IS, UH, TO, AND THEY WERE RESPONSIVE TO THE FACT THAT THE QUALITY OF TOURISM WAS DETERIORATING IN MIAMI BEACH, ESPECIALLY DURING, UH, THE COVID PERIOD.
AND THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD HAVE A BETTER USE FOR THEIR PROPERTY AND FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD BY GOING TO RESIDENTIAL.
AND BY THE WAY, IT'S A DE INTENSIFICATION.
INSTEAD OF 225 HOTEL ROOMS AND RAN RESTAURANTS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND EVERYTHING, IT WILL BE APPROXIMATELY, THE DENSITY GOES DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY.
IT'S ACTUALLY GONNA ONLY BE ABOUT 40 U RESIDENTIAL UNITS, UH, MANY OF WHICH WILL PROBABLY ONLY BE PARTLY OCCUPIED.
SO TRAFFIC GOES DOWN, PARKING GOES DOWN, ALL OF THOSE DEMANDS.
WHAT THEY HAVE 225 HOTEL ROOMS, THEY 40, THEY'D BE GOING DOWN TO 40 RESIDENTIAL UNITS IN TERMS OF, IN TERMS OF HEIGHT.
WHY? BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, AND I'D BE HAPPY TO MAKE THE FULL PRESENTATION THAT I WAS GOING TO SHOW YOU.
SO YOU SEE HOW THIS IS THE LOGICAL, RATIONAL PLANNING THING TO DO.
THE EXISTING BUILDING THAT THEY HAVE THERE, WHEN YOU INCLUDE THE HEIGHT TO THE TOP OF THE, THE, UH, SPIRE IN THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING, I DUNNO IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THE BUILDING, IS ABOUT 20 FEET SHORTER THAN WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED.
SO IT'S A NEGLIGIBLE INCREASE IN TERMS OF HEIGHT.
LET ME ALSO, IF I MAY ADDRESS, SINCE WE'RE ON THAT POINT, THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND I'LL SHOW YOU THIS IN OUR PRESENTATION.
THE REASON WHY SONA IS SO ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THIS IS ITS SUPPLIES TO THREE PROPERTIES.
THE ARLINGTON SAVOY, THE BENTLEY BEACH, THE BENTLEY HILTON, AND OUR PROPERTY.
I CAN TELL YOU SONER WOULD LIKE TO SEE ALL OF THOSE GO RESIDENTIAL AND NOT TOURIST.
AND WITH RESPECT TO THE ARLINGTON SAVOY, THE CITY'S ONLY HOPE TO PREVENT THAT FROM BEING DEMOLISHED IS TO GO WITH THAT, WITH THIS ORDINANCE HERE, WHICH REQUIRES A CONTRIBUTING HISTORIC STRUCTURE TO BE RETAINED.
SO, UH, YOU KNOW, THAT'S IN TERMS OF THE ORDINANCE ITSELF, MAYOR MINOR, YOU'LL SEE IT HAS SPECIFIC PROVISIONS THAT SAY THERE MUST BE A COVENANT RUNNING WITH THE LAND THAT IN PERPETUITY, THAT THE PROPERTY CANNOT BE USED FOR HOTEL OR SHORT TERM, UH, UH, UH, STAYS.
IN FACT, NO STAY OF LESS THAN SIX MONTHS.
SO THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU ACHIEVE THESE GOALS, WHICH AS COMMISSIONER SUAREZ WAS A LEADER IN THIS EFFORT IN SOUTH, SOUTH OF FIFTH, AND NOW IN OTHER AREAS, IS BY DOING THIS.
AND THIS IS A VERY MODEST INCENTIVE.
SO IT'S THE CHARACTER OF THE STREET.
YOU'VE GOT 4 0 1, 4 65 OCEAN, THERE ARE 11 STORIES.
THEY WERE BUILT IN THE SEVENTIES.
YOU'VE GOT US, WE'RE AT A OVER A HUNDRED FEET TODAY.
YOU'VE GOT BENTLEY HILTON, WHICH IS A HUNDRED FEET OR SO.
YOU'VE GOT THE TWO CONTINUUM TOWERS, WHICH ARE 20 YEARS OLD, WHICH ARE OVER 400 FEET.
AND THE GLASS BUILDING ACROSS THE STREET ACTUALLY IS 200 FEET.
[04:40:01]
THAN WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING.IT SAVES A HISTORIC BUILDING, IT REDUCES DENSITY, AND IT TAKES AWAY, AND IT GOES FROM TRANSIENT TO FULL, FULL RESIDENTIAL WITH A COVENANT THAT ASSURES THAT IT'LL HAVE TO STAY THAT WAY.
I MEAN, THAT, THAT, THAT, THAT'S KEY.
HOW ABOUT THE, UM, TIMING, UH, ANY CONDITIONS ON TIMING? AGAIN, I I, I ACTUALLY HAVE COME, I, I DON'T WANNA BE APPROVING PROJECTS.
WELL, WE'RE APPROVING, WE'RE APPROVING HEIGHT, WHICH I MEAN, I'M NOT GONNA, IF WE HAVE THE NUMBERS, GREAT, BUT THAT 45 FEET IS WORTH, IT'S GOTTA BE IN THE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
SO, UM, TO ME, WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS TO MAKE SURE THE PROJECT ACTUALLY GETS COMPLETED.
BECAUSE AGAIN, I WE, WE'VE, WE'VE BEEN BURNT TOO MANY TIMES AS A CITY, AND WE DON'T PUT CONDITIONS ON THESE THINGS.
MAYOR, I, YOU KNOW, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN, IF, UH, FIRST OF ALL, IT WILL ALSO BE SOMEWHAT MARKET DEPENDENT, OBVIOUSLY THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BUILD THE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING UNLESS THE MARKET SUPPORTS IT.
WE BELIEVE SO, I'M SORRY TO INTERJECT WHAT, WHERE, WHAT I'M, AND I HAVEN'T EVEN DISCUSSED THIS WITH LEGAL YET, UH, BUT I GUESS IN, IN MY MIND, IT, YES, YOU'RE, YOU'RE RIGHT, IT'S MARKET DEPENDENT.
BUT I FEEL LIKE OUR, OUR, OUR VOTE TO GIVE SOMETHING THAT'S WORTH TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, AGAIN, WHERE WE WOULD ONLY BE DOING IT BECAUSE IT IMPROVES THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND WE HAVE THE SOUTH OF FIFTH NEIGHBORHOOD THAT'S STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF IT, WHICH IS, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME THAT THEY HAVE THAT POSITION.
UM, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S, I I BELIEVE IT SHOULD SUNSET.
IF THE MARK CONDITIONS DON'T BEAR IT, THEN, THEN WHAT WE GIVE, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE AWAY.
WELL, I CERTAINLY, YEAH, STANDING HERE AT THE, AT THE DAAS CANNOT, UH, COMMIT TO THAT.
AND I'M NOT SURE THAT'S IN THE CITY'S BEST INTEREST OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD BEST INTEREST.
I'M WILLING TO DISCUSS THAT BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND READING FOR SURE.
UM, BUT, UH, YOU KNOW, I I, I CAN'T COMMIT TO IT AT THIS POINT.
I WILL SAY THIS, I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY THEY WILL MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHETHER IT IS IN THEIR INTEREST TO KEEP RUNNING THE HOTEL OR TO KEEP OR, OR TO, OR TO GO RESIDENTIAL.
THEY'RE CERTAINLY NOT GONNA GO RESIDENTIAL IF THE HEIGHT DOESN'T INCREASE.
THAT'S A, A ALMOST A CERTAINTY.
UH, AND THEY ALSO DIDN'T COME IN AND ASK FOR 250 WHY GO TO VOTER REFERENDUM? THAT WAS FOR FRI UNDERSTAND.
SO YOU, YOU KNEW YOU WERE GONNA COME BACK.
NO, WE DIDN'T KNOW WE WERE GONNA COME BACK.
I, I WILL IN, IN CANDRA, WE THOUGHT WE MIGHT HAVE TO TWEAK THE HEIGHT A LITTLE BIT, BUT UNTIL THE FAR RELU, UH, UH, ORDINANCE PASS WAS PASSED BY THE VOTERS, THEY DIDN'T DRILL DOWN AND SEE ACTUALLY WHAT COULD BE BUILT.
AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT COULD BE BUILT, AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT SAVING AND RESTORING THE, THE STANTON AND THE, THE HISTORIC BUILDING ON THE SITE, THIS IS THE MINIMUM THAT THEY NEED.
YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT COMING IN.
YOU'VE, YOU'VE SIT ON THIS DIET AND YOU'VE SEEN PEOPLE COME IN AND THEY ASK FOR TRIPLING THEIR HEIGHT, OR, YOU KNOW, WE'RE ASKING FOR 20 FEET MORE THAN THE EXISTING BUILDING'S HEIGHT.
REALLY, BY WAY, YOU SEE IN THIS COMMISSION, THAT DOESN'T FLY ANYMORE.
WELL, I MEAN, IT'S NOT THE CHARACTER OF OUR CLIENT TO THINK THIS IS NOT A, A, YOU KNOW, A A A A RUG MARKET WHERE WE'RE GONNA BE NEGOTIATING BACK FORTH.
THEY CAME IN WITH WHAT IS THEY BELIEVE THE MINIMUM NECESSARY TO MAKE THIS A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT.
NOW, I, I'LL BE HAPPY TO EXPLORE BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND READING WHAT YOU'RE CON WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, BUT I'M NOT SURE THAT'S IN THE CITY'S BEST INTEREST, IS ALL I'M SAYING.
MR. MAYOR, LEMME JUST LET ME HEAR FROM COMMISSIONER BTA AND COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ.
UH, MR. KADEN, ALWAYS A PLEASURE.
GOOD TO SEE YOU, COMMISSIONER.
UM, SO WE'VE, YOU KNOW, MY COLLEAGUE REFERRED TO IT.
WE'VE SEEN, UM, TIME AND TIME AGAIN, PEOPLE COMING TO US FOR, UM, UM, PROJECTS, WHETHER TO FORMER COMMISSIONS OR TO NEIGHBORHOODS SAYING WE'RE PROPOSING X AND GETTING THE BUY-IN, AND THEN COMING BACK AND SAYING, OH, JUST KIDDING, WE'RE PROPOSING X PLUS ONE X PLUS FIVE X PLUS 20.
AND YOU END UP WITH SOMETHING WILDLY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WAS AGREED TO OR WHAT WAS NEGOTIATED AFTER COMMUNITY INPUT.
UM, I, I DO LIKE THE IDEA OF A SUNSET PROVISION TO BE FLESHED OUT FURTHER WITH THE CITY ATTORNEYS.
UM, BUT MY BIG CONCERN IS THAT I, I I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE A PROVISION OF WE WOULD NOT BE COMING BACK HERE ASKING FOR ANYTHING ELSE, BECAUSE I'VE SEEN IT HAPPEN IN NORTH BEACH TIME AND TIME AGAIN WHERE THINGS GET NEGOTIATED.
IT'S, IT'S THE ULTIMATE BAIT AND SWITCH.
AND IN MAY OF 2022 AT A LAND USE MEETING, WHEN YOU WERE CONTEMPLATING THIS, THIS PROJECT WITH FORMER, UH, COMMISSION COMMISSIONERS, UM,
[04:45:02]
YOU KNOW, THERE WAS NO DISCUSSION OF OF INCREASED HEIGHT.IT WAS A PURELY FAR DISCUSSION.
AND SO IF THAT'S WHAT YOU KNEW YOU WERE GONNA COME BACK WITH, AND YOU HAVE ALREADY A HUNDRED FEET, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE PRETTY BIG UNITS.
I MEAN, THEY'RE 3,500 SQUARE FEET UNITS.
I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY'RE GONNA BE CONFIGURED.
THEY MIGHT BE BIGGER, SOME SMALLER, THEY'RE NOT ATTAINABLE HOUSING FOR SURE.
IT IS FOR THE ONE POINT, 1.1 OF THE 1%.
AND THIS ARGUMENT OF, YOU KNOW, IT'S GREAT FOR THE CITY BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE LOW USE, IT'S GONNA INCREASE THE IMPACT OF DENSITY BECAUSE NO ONE'S GONNA LIVE THERE.
I MEAN, I THINK YOU'VE HEARD FROM ALL OF US THAT, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T WANNA DOUBLE THE, THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS IN THE CITY PER SE, BUT A CITY IS MADE UP OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE, WHO WORK HERE, WHO, WHO RAISE THEIR FAMILIES HERE, WHO HAVE BUSINESSES HERE.
AND SO TO SAY, THIS IS ANOTHER PLACE FOR SUPER WEALTHY PEOPLE TO PARK THEIR MONEY AND COME VISIT ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR.
I, I, I UNDERSTAND THE, THE TRANSITION FROM RESIDENTIAL, FROM, UH, FROM TRANSIENT TO RESIDENTIAL, I THINK WE'RE ALL QUITE ALIGNED ON THAT.
UH, BUT AGAIN, WE'RE, WE'RE, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE YEARS AGO IT WAS, OH, NO, NO, IT'S JUST THE FAR.
WE'RE NOT CONTEMPLATING HEIGHT NOW.
IT'S, WELL, IF YOU DON'T GIVE US THE HEIGHT, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT PREEMPTIVE LAWS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE, WE'RE SITTING WITH LIKE THE SORT OF DAMES OVER OUR HEAD, AND I FEEL LIKE WE'RE BEING HELD HOSTAGE.
AND IT'S, YOU'RE GETTING THE BRUNT OF THIS, SO I APOLOGIZE.
IT'S NOT JUST YOU, BUT YOU'RE STANDING HERE TODAY.
UM, SO DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY, BUT YOU KNOW, LIKE IF YOU DON'T GIVE US WHAT WE WANT, WELL, YOU KNOW, MY DAD'S GONNA HAVE TO TALK TO YOU.
AND IT'S GONNA, IT'S NOT GONNA BE PRETTY, THE DAD BEING THE STATE IN THIS CASE.
AND, AND I, YOU KNOW, WHY CAN'T WE, WHY CAN'T YOU BUILD SMALLER UNITS AND LOWER THE HEIGHT AND MAYBE NOT PUT THE SUPER, SUPER FANCY, UM, DELUXE FINISHES INTO EVERY UNIT.
I MEAN, AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S BEACHFRONT PROPERTY AND ONE OF THE MOST DESIRABLE PLACES TO LIVE ON THE PLANET.
I'M SURE THERE'S STILL A LOT OF VALUE IN THAT.
AND I'M SURE YOU CAN STILL PUT IN A GOOD NUMBER OF GOOD SIZED APARTMENTS AT A HUNDRED FEET RATHER THAN 145.
AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S PLENTY OF, UM, OTHER BUILDINGS SOUTH OF FIFTH ESPECIALLY, THAT ARE MUCH TALLER.
BUT EVERY TIME WE SAY YES TO ONE MORE, THAT'S GIVING SOMEBODY ELSE AMMUNITION, SAY, WELL, YOU SAID YES TO THEM, AND IF YOU DON'T GIVE IT TO US, THEN YOU KNOW, DAD'S GONNA COME TALK TO YOU.
NOBODY WANTS TO HAVE DAD COME TALK TO YOU.
LIKE, CAN MAY I, MAY I ANSWER? CAN'T WE FIND A WAY TO RECONFIGURE THIS PROJECT A LITTLE BIT SO YOU GET A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT YOU WANT AND WE GET A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT WE WANT PROTECTING THE CHARACTER OF OUR CITY BEFORE IT GETS ERADICATED BY PEOPLE WHO DON'T EVEN LIVE HERE, UM, AND MAKE DECISIONS FOR US IN TALLAHASSEE.
COMMISSIONER NO MASON, BEFORE YOU GO, COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ HAS A QUESTION THEN.
I MEAN, I CAN GO BACK AND SEE THIS ON THE RECORD, BUT DIDN'T YOU PROMISE NOT TO GO FOR HEIGHT WHEN YOU GOT THIS FAR INCREASE? I'M PRETTY SURE THERE WAS A PROMISE.
NO, WE ORIGINALLY SAID THAT WE WERE PROBABLY GONNA BE ABLE TO DO IT WITHIN THE HUNDRED FEET AND, AND AFTER IT PASSED, WE'RE NOT ABLE TO DO IT WITHIN THE A HUNDRED FEET.
THAT'S MISLEADING THAT WE ALL GOT BEHIND.
'CAUSE THE ONLY THING SAY WE'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO DO THIS, THE ONLY THING THAT WAS ON BALLOT, IT'S HUNDRED 50 IN TWO YEARS, WHEN SOMEBODY ELSE GETS ELECTED, SOMEBODY ELSE IS GONNA COME IN AND SAY, LET'S GO FROM ONE 50 TO TWO.
LET, LET, LET'S PUT THIS IN ITS CORRECT POSTURE.
NO, THIS WAS IN DISCUSSIONS WITH SONA.
AND SONA HAS ENDORSED THIS INCREASE IN HEIGHT.
THE ONLY THING THAT WAS ON THE BALLOT HAS SAID NOTHING ABOUT HEIGHT, BECAUSE HEIGHT DOESN'T GO TO A VOTE, EVEN BACK THEN WHEN IT WAS ALLOWED.
HEIGHT DOESN'T GO TO A VOTE OF THE CITY.
NOW, IF I MAY ANSWER, ANSWER, COMMISSIONER BOT, UH, HER, HER QUESTIONS AND HER REMARKS, COMMISSIONER, MAYBE IT'S, UH, SORT OF SHAME.
UH, I UNDERSTAND YOUR, YOUR CONCERNS AND THEY'RE VALID CONCERNS.
MAYBE IT'S SHAME ON ME BECAUSE I HAVE TOLD MY CLIENTS, AND I COUNSEL MY CLIENTS AS I DO PRETTY MUCH ALL MY CLIENTS.
LET'S ASK FOR THE MINIMUM NECESSARY IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT YOU WANT.
AND THAT'S WHY THIS NUMBER WORKS.
THERE ARE LITERALLY ONLY THREE PROPERTIES.
THIS IS A NEW REGULATION INVOLVING THREE PROPERTIES ON OCEAN DRIVE SOUTH OF FIFTH STREET THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO BE CONVERTED FROM HOTEL TO RESIDENTIAL, AND AT THE SAME TIME REQUIRE THE MAINTENANCE OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS.
AND SO THAT IS WHY, UH, AND SO THIS, THAT IS WHY THIS IS, THIS IS PRETTY SIMPLE.
IT'S PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD ACTUALLY.
COMMISSIONER, CAN I ASK A QUESTION? UM, IF JUST, I WAS ASKING QUESTION.
SO IF I MAY, I KNOW YOU SAID THAT YOU HAVE THE APPROVAL OF SONA, BUT WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO HOLDING A COMMUNITY MEETING AND YOU INVITE THE OWNERS OF THE ICON OF THE MURANO, THE MURANO GRANDE, AND ANYBODY WHO'S GOING TO BE AFFECTED BY THIS LARGER BUILDING COMING UP? OH, THE, WHAT IS THE YACHT CLUB? LET'S CALL THE YACHT CLUB TOO.
AND I WOULD LIKE YOU TO SIT THERE AND IF YOU
[04:50:01]
TELL ME THAT YOU GET OVERWHELMING APPROVAL FROM THOSE BUILDINGS, THEN I WILL VOTE FOR YOUR 145 FEET.BUT IF THEY SAY NO, THEN I THINK THAT THIS BODY NEEDS TO, I WILL, I WILL, I WILL.
IF THEY'RE THE ONES BEING AFFECTED, AND WE, YOU KNOW, AND THEY MADE A PROMISE.
YOU, DID YOU SAY IT'S NOT A PROMISE, BUT YOU SAID THAT YOU WERE NOT GOING, WE HAD TO PURSUE HEIGHT, AND I DON'T, I, YOU KNOW, AND, AND SO I WOULD LIKE A COMMUNITY MEETING BECAUSE AS THESE BUILDINGS GO UP AND THE, AND THE, AND THE, AND THE, IT GETS TALLER AND THE CREEP COMES AND IT JUST KEEPS CREEPING COMMISSIONER AND CREEPING AND CREEPING COMMISSIONER, WE STARTED, WE STARTED WITH A COMMUNITY MEETING BEFORE ANY APPLICATION WAS FILED.
SONAS REQUIREMENT BEFORE THEIR BOARD WILL TAKE A POSITION IS TO HAVE A COMMUNITY MEETING.
WE PRESENTED THIS BEFORE ANYTHING TO THE ENTIRE, TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY SOUTH OF FIFTH STREET.
AND MANY RESIDENTS IN THE CONTINUUM BUILDINGS AND SONA REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CONTINUUM BUILDING.
AND BY THE WAY, WE EVEN TALKED TO THE PEOPLE OF GLASS ACROSS THE STREET.
I'D LOVE SONA, NOT, NOT, I WOULD LIKE THOSE BUILDINGS TO BE INVITED TO.
I DON'T THINK IT'S A LOT TO ASK ONE MONTH BETWEEN NOW AND THE NEXT TIME THE CITY ORGANIZED MOTION TO DEFER A, IT'S UNFAIR MOTION TO DEFER.
AND IF I COULD JUST HAVE, BUT, BUT, BUT TO MY COLLEAGUE'S POINT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS WHAT'S HAPPENING BECAUSE IT'S ALMOST THE CITY COMMISSION'S AUTHORITY, WHICH WE NEED TO LOOK OUT FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AT LARGE.
SOUTH BEACH AT LARGE, THE HISTORIC DISTRICT AT LARGE, THE CITY COMMISSION AT LARGE, UNLIKE A NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, OUR AUTHORITY IS BEING FORFEITED TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
SO, SO THEY GO TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, THEY SIT DOWN WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, THEY TALK TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, THEN THEY COME TO US.
AND SO WE'RE, AND THEN THEY'RE, AND THEN THEY PRESSURE US TO SAY, WELL, WE SPOKE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION'S NOT LOOKING OUT FOR THE INTEREST OF THE ENTIRE ZONING DISTRICT.
IT'S NOT LOOKING OUT FOR THE INTEREST OF THE ENTIRE CITY.
BUT COMMISSIONER, I HAVE THE FLOOR, I HAVE THE FLOOR.
IF YOU, AND YOU JUST SAID THAT, YOU SAID WHEN WE APPROVE THE FAR QUESTION THAT IT WAS NOT GONNA GO ABOVE A HUNDRED FEET.
YOU, YOU, YOU JUST MENTIONED THAT.
AND SO AND SO, I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO DEFER SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING, UM, SO THAT THOSE RESIDENTS CAN CHIME IN.
'CAUSE WE NEED TO LOOK AT THESE THINGS FROM EVERYONE'S VANTAGE POINT, NOT JUST ONE NEIGHBORHOOD OR A NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE ELECTED TO LOOK OUT FOR THE INTEREST OF EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE RESIDENTS OF THOSE BUILDINGS THAT YOU MENTIONED, COMMISSIONER.
AND SO, YES, WE WANNA MOVE FORWARD AND WORK IN INCENTIVES TO WORK AROUND THE PREEMPTION ON, ON THE UNSAFE STRUCTURES ACT.
YES, WE WANT WORK ON INCENTIVES ON, ON, UH, ON SHORT TERM RENTALS.
OF COURSE WE, WE WANT TO WORK ON THAT.
BUT WHEN PEOPLE COME AND TELL US THAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR AN INCREASE AT FAR AND THAT THEY'RE GONNA TRY TO KEEP IT AT A HUNDRED FEET, AND THEN THEY COME BACK AND THEN LATER SAY, WELL, IT'S GONNA BE 145 FEET, AND PRECIOUS PRESSURE US THAT WAY, WELL, WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO GO BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.
AND IN THAT, I HAVE TO AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER WILSON GONZALEZ.
SO I'M GONNA MAKE A MOTION TO DEFER COMMISSIONER.
BUT ALTHOUGH I WILL SAY IN, IN ALL FAIRNESS, WE DO ASK PEOPLE TO GO TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, WHICH YOU DID.
SO I I, I, YEAH, PLEASE GO OUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE DID WHAT YOU ALL TOLD US TO DO, AND THEY SAID THEY SUPPORT THIS.
UH, SO I'M, BUT I UNDERSTAND COMMISSIONER, UH, VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ'S POINT, BUT I I, YOU DID WHAT WE ARE ASKING EVERY, YOU KNOW, DEVELOPERS TO DO, TO GO AFTER THIS.
SO I, WHICH COMMISSIONER ASKED YOU TO START OFF BY GOING FUND? NO, I MEAN, IN GENERAL, GAVE YOU SOME FEEDBACK.
I WOULD'VE HAD MY A GO BACK ON THE RECORD, SEE WHAT WERE THE, AND I CAN GIVE YOU SOME, SOME INSIGHT BEFORE YOU GO TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
I CAN GIVE YOU SOME INSIGHT SO THAT YOU DON'T TELL THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION 145 FEET WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE BODY WE'RE THE ONES WHOSE VOTE IT'S GONNA, AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO STAND BY OUR VOTE.
AND SO BEFORE YOU GO OUT AND YOU SELL TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, WHY 145 FEET IS, IS, IS GOOD.
YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHETHER, WHETHER WE AGREE WITH 145 FEET.
AND IF YOU WOULD'VE STARTED WITH US, I WOULD'VE HAD MY AIDE GO ON THE RECORD AND SEE WHAT WERE THE COMMITMENTS MADE MADE THAT MADE.
WELL, THERE WAS NO COMMITMENT ON THE RECORD.
I'M TALKING ABOUT A DISCUSSION WE HAD WITH SONA.
WE NEVER COMMITTED TO A HUNDRED FEET, UH, IN HEIGHT.
AND, AND, AND WE TALKED, WE THOUGHT WE COULD DO IT WITHIN A HUNDRED FEET AND WE CAN'T.
[04:55:01]
WITH PRESERVING THE EXISTING BUILDING, AND SONA AGREED THAT IT MAKES SENSE TO ALLOW YOU THIS NOMINAL ADDITIONAL INCREASE IN HEIGHT OVER THE EXISTING BUILDING COMMISSIONER BOT.SO, AND THEN LET'S CALL IT IN FOR A VOTE.
WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE.
I'LL SECOND THE MOTION TO DEFER.
I WILL SAY THAT AT THE LAND USE MEETING IN MAY OF 2022, YOU LITERALLY SAID, WE'RE NOT CONTEMPLATING HEIGHT AT ALL.
AND I GET, I DO UNDERSTAND THE NOTION OF WHEN YOU ACTUALLY PENCIL OUT THE, THE SCHEMATIC OF THE, OF THE PROJECT, A HUNDRED FEET MIGHT NOT BE EXACTLY RIGHT, BUT GOING FROM A HUNDRED TO 145 IS A VERY DIFFERENT THING THAN COMING BACK TO US AND SAYING, YOU KNOW WHAT? WE NEED AN EXTRA 10 FEET OR 15, OR MAYBE EVEN 20 FEET.
AND I, AND I DO GIVE CREDENCE TO SONA, AND I DO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU'VE GONE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND I GET THAT.
BUT WHAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IS THAT WE SEE THIS HAPPEN.
AND AGAIN, I'M VENTING AT YOU.
SO WE SEE THIS HAPPEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN, AGAIN.
AND EVEN IF IT DOESN'T AFFECT THIS ZONING AREA, OR THIS DISTRICT OR THIS NEIGHBORHOOD OR WHATEVER, SOMEBODY FROM AROUND THE CITY WILL SAY, WELL, LOOK, THEY JUST DID IT DOWN HERE, SO WHY CAN'T YOU EXTEND ME THE SAME COURTESY? AND SO AGAIN, I KNOW THAT HEIGHT WAS NOT ON THE BALLOT BECAUSE IT, IT NEVER IS.
BUT THERE IS ALSO A RECORD OF YOU SAYING WE'RE NOT CONTEMPLATING HEIGHT AT ALL.
AND IF YOU KNEW IT WAS GONNA BE A HUNDRED FEET GOING IN AND COMING BACK AND ASKING FOR 50% MORE THAN THAT, AS OPPOSED TO, YOU KNOW, A SMALL INCREMENT TO MAKE IT WORK IS IT IS A THING.
AND SO I I'M JUST REALLY, I'M FRUSTRATED AT THE FACT THAT WE'RE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION.
AGAIN, I LOOK, I THINK THE PROJECT LOOKS NICE.
I LOVE THE FACT THAT, THAT, UM, IT'S, IT'S, UM, PROTECTING A HISTORIC BUILDING.
I THINK PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE WILL BE INCREDIBLY LUCKY TO, TO BE ON THAT SLICE OF SAND, SAND OVERLOOKING THE WATER.
IT IS AN AMAZING, IT'S GREAT, BUT IT'S NOT, IT'S, IT'S, IT JUST DOESN'T FEEL LIKE IT'S THE RIGHT PROCESS.
AND, AND SO I, I, I SECOND THE MOTION TO COMM COMMISSIONER, IF I MAKE COMMISSIONER BOT, I'LL GIVE YOU THE LAST WORD EAST AND THEN WE'RE GONNA TAKE THE VOTE.
SO FIRST OF ALL, IT IS A MINOR HEIGHT INCREASE RELATIVE TO THE HEIGHTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN THAT ZONING DISTRICT.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THAN THAT, COMMISSIONER, IF THIS, UH, HEIGHT INCREASE IS NOT GRANTED, THERE'S A VERY MUCH SMALLER PROBABILITY, MUCH, MUCH SMALLER, THAT THIS HOTEL WILL GO AWAY.
IT PROBABLY DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ELIMINATE THE HOTEL USE.
SO YOU'LL ALSO BE, UH, DECIDE IF YOU WANNA KEEP IT AT A HUNDRED FEET, WHICH IS KIND OF ARBITRARY.
UH, AND ALSO AT THE SAME TIME, FRANKLY, JEOPARDIZE THE PRESENCE OF THE HISTORIC BUILDING, OR ELSE YOU'LL WIND UP WITH KEEPING THE HOTEL THERE PROBABLY FOR, FOR, FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
SO, UH, LOOK, WE ARE TRYING TO COME TO YOU WITH WHAT WE THINK IS THE MINIMUM NECESSARY IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO EFFECTUATE THE WISHES, NOT ONLY OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT OF THE CITY IN HAVING MORE RESIDENTIAL AND LESS TOURIST.
AND THAT'S THE CHARACTER OF SONA, AND THAT'S THE SOUTH THE FIFTH.
AND THAT'S THE CHARACTER OF SOME OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS THAT YOU DEAL WITH, LESS TOURISM AND TRANSIENT.
THIS IS FRANKLY THE ONLY WAY WE CAN DO IT.
SO I, I UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOW HEADING TO DEFERRAL, BUT I DO NOT WANT PEOPLE'S EXPECTATIONS TO THINK THAT THIS IS, YOU KNOW, WE DIDN'T COME IN HERE TO DO A NEGOTIATION.
UH, AND, UH, YOU KNOW, I'M HAPPY TO DEAL WITH THE MAYOR'S POINT AS WELL.
I HAVEN'T DISCUSSED THAT WITH MY CLIENTS.
UH, I'M NOT SURE THAT THAT'S BEST FOR THE CITY, BUT I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO DISCUSS IT.
UH, BUT IN ANY EVENT, I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE UNDER A NOTION THAT SOMEHOW OR OTHER, UH, THIS IS, YOU'RE GONNA BE, THE HOTEL WILL GO AWAY.
UH, UNLESS THIS IS GRANTED, LET'S TAKE THE VOTE.
WHEN WOULD IT BE DEFERRED TO? MY MOTION IS OCTOBER 30TH.
IS THE NEXT COMMISSION MEETING, COMMUNITY MEETING CAN, CAN YOU ADD TO THE COMMUNITY MEETING NOTICE BY THE CITY FOR ALL OF THOSE BUILDINGS? ANYBODY THAT IT'S GONNA, I WOULD, I WOULD NOTICE ALL OF SOUTH OF FIFTH.
AND I WOULD, ESPECIALLY THE, THE TOWERS, I DON'T KNOW, WOULD WE BE HOLDING THE MEETING? IS THAT THE SAME FORMAT COMMUNITY MEETING THAT YOU'RE DOING NOW FOR THE, UH, THE FAR WASHINGTON AVENUE? I WOULD PREFER, I WOULD PREFER IT TO BE IN PERSON AND NOT A ZOOM MEETING.
I THINK WE SHOULD PICK A SPOT SOUTH OF FIFTH AND, AND HAVE A REAL COMMUNITY MEETING FROM WASHINGTON BECAUSE, AND I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY TELLING WHEN YOU SEE WHAT THE RESIDENTS WHO MIGHT NOT BE KEYED INTO SONA OR THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, BUT WILL BE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THIS.
I THINK THAT GETTING THEIR INPUT IS VALUABLE.
AND I THINK THAT AS WE DO MOVE FORWARD, IF THERE ARE ANY INCREASES VOTED ON, WE GOTTA LET THE PEOPLE AROUND US KNOW, YOU KNOW, AND ALSO, SO I WOULD HAVE THE CITY SPONSOR IT.
SO, UM, WE CAN FIND A SPOT IN ONE OF THE BUILDINGS POSSIBLY.
SO, UM, SO, SO I'M GONNA AMEND MY MOTION TO DEFER WITH
[05:00:01]
A NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING BEFORE THE OCTOBER 30TH CITY COMMISSION MEETING, THE NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING, TO BE ORGANIZED BY OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AFFAIRS DIVISION.YOU CAN PROBABLY USE THE SOUTH BEACH MARRIOTT IF YOU WANT THE LOCATION,
LISA, YOU RETAINED YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR.
SO FOR THE RECORD, I HAVE A MOTION TO DEFER BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THE DEFERRAL, AS MENTIONED, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, CORRECT.
SO IT IS WITH REFERRAL TO OCTOBER 30TH, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, UH, DONE BY THE NEIGHBORHOOD, UH, AFFAIRS, UH, UH, OF THE CITY AND, AND INVITE THE BUILDINGS, UH, IN THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD.
IF SO, UH, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE, PLEASE.
[R9 V DISCUSS/TAKE ACTION REGARDING CLOSURE OF BUSINESSES UNABLE TO OBTAIN BTRS DUE TO INABILITY TO OBTAIN DERM APPROVALS.]
SORRY, MY, MY, UH, SORRY.R NINE VR NINE V IS DISCUSSED.
BUSINESS CLOSURES UNABLE TO OBTAIN BTR PENDING DERM APPROVALS.
I BE, I BELIEVE WE HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM DERM HERE.
AM I CORRECT? THANK YOU FOR COMING.
UM, ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMPLAINTS WE GET, UM, WE, WE GET IT FROM RESIDENTS TOO, BUT THIS IS MORE ON THE BUSINESS SIDE, IS HOW LONG IT TAKES TO GET PERMIT PERMITTING.
I'M NOT GONNA SHY AWAY FROM IT.
OUR CITY MANAGER'S WELL AWARE.
WE'VE JUST APPROVED TODAY A NEW BUILDING MANAGER, AND HE'S GONNA BE TASKED WITH A VERY LARGE, UH, LOT ON HIS SHOULDERS, AND PARTLY IS GETTING OUR PERMITTING IN PLACE.
BUT I GOTTA TELL YOU, I'M SORRY, I'M GONNA CALL, CALL IT DIRECT.
SOME OF IT IN DEALING WITH BUSINESSES IS, IS WITH DERM.
AND I KNOW YOU GOTTA DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO, BUT WE GOTTA GET THESE BUSINESSES OPEN FASTER.
IT'S JUST THE CARRY COSTS FOR THESE BUSINESS IS TREMENDOUS.
AND THEN WE GET VACANCIES BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO DO BUSINESS, AND THEY'RE AFRAID HOW LONG IT'S GONNA TAKE TO OPEN.
AND, UM, AND IT'S, AND IT'S HURTING OUR CITY.
IT'S HURTING OUR CITY IN A REAL WAY.
IT'S PALPABLE, UH, WHETHER YOU LOOK ON LINCOLN ROAD OR OTHER AREAS WHERE THERE ARE VACANCIES.
AND I THINK IF WE, I, I DO BELIEVE, AND THERE'S OBVIOUSLY THERE'S MANY FACTORS, BUT I BELIEVE IF THE PERMITTING PROCESS WORKED QUICKER, AGAIN, THIS IS A TEAM EFFORT.
I'M NOT, NOT PUTTING IT ALL ON THE COUNTY.
I THINK WE'D, WE'D HAVE BUSINESSES, UH, MORE BUSINESSES OPENING HERE.
UH, BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION, MANNY MARQUEZ, I'M HERE TODAY WITH IAN GUERRERO.
HE IS THE CHIEF OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANS, REVIEWS FOR THE REGULATORY AND ECONOMIC, AND THANK YOU FOR CALLING, UH, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS DERM.
AND FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW EVERY CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY, EVERY CO, EVERY CERTIFICATE OF USE, EVERY C AND EVERY LOCAL BUSINESS,
SO ON THE BTR SIDE, BEFORE WE CAN RELEASE A BTR GERM HAS TO APPROVE THAT VIA WHAT'S CALLED A MUNICIPAL CERTIFICATE OF USE.
UH, WE FOUND, UH, IN TALKING WITH
WE HAVE A GREAT WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS STAFF, WITH HIS TEAM MEMBERS.
WE FOUND THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF SIMILARITIES.
WE SEND OUT RENEWAL NOTICES THROUGH SNAIL MAIL, THROUGH EMAIL.
WE DO UPBOUND PHONE CALLS, AND SOMETIMES BUSINESSES JUST DON'T RENEW.
UM, SO THEY HAVE VERY SIMILAR EXPERIENCES.
WE ALSO, UH, WENT THROUGH AN AUDIT APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AGO WHERE WE WERE INSTRUCTED BY MIAMI-DADE COUNTY.
IT WAS AN AUDIT FROM MIAMI-DADE COUNTY.
WE WERE INSTRUCTED NOT TO RELEASE ANY BTRS THAT WERE ON A LIST OF NOT HAVING DURHAM APPROVAL.
THERE WERE EXISTING BUSINESSES IN MIAMI BEACH THAT WERE NOT APPROVED BY DERM.
SO I'M GONNA TOSS IT OVER TO
IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS FROM MY END, I'LL JUMP BACK IN
UH, MY NAME AGAIN IS CHRISTIAN GUERRERO.
I'M THE DIVISION DIRECTOR IN, UH, REGULATORY ECONOMIC RESOURCES.
I OVERSEE THE ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN REVIEW OFFICE THAT REVIEWS ALL THE BTRS FOR UNINCORPORATED MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, AS WELL AS THE MUNICIPALITIES.
AND SIMILARLY, WE REVIEW THE BUILDING PERMITS THAT COME IN, WHETHER IT'S UNINCORPORATED OR MUNICIPAL BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS.
OUR GOAL IS ALWAYS TO GET THESE REVIEWS COMPLETED VERY QUICKLY.
UH, WE TRACK ALL THE ENTRIES OF THESE APPLICATIONS THAT COME IN.
UH, USUALLY APPLICANTS, UH, GO TO OUR PORTAL, OUR ONLINE PORTAL, AND THEY'RE ABLE TO UPLOAD ALL THEIR APPLICATIONS.
RIGHT IN THE CASE OF THE BTRS, THEY SUBMIT THE BTR FROM THE MUNICIPALITY, AND THEY ALSO ATTACH, UH, OUR APPLICATIONS WITH THIS OR MUNICIPAL REVIEW APPLICATION.
UH, THEN THAT REVIEW GOES TO A CORE REVIEWER, WHICH CALL A DERM CORE REVIEWER.
THAT USUALLY TURNS IT AROUND IN ABOUT 24 HOURS, DEPENDING ON WHETHER OR NOT IT'S GONNA REQUIRE A SPECIALTY REVIEW.
RIGHT? SO IF A BUSINESS HAS A USE LIKE
[05:05:01]
A RESTAURANT THAT REQUIRES A GREASING RECEPTOR, OR THEY GENERATE AN INDUSTRIAL WASTE THAT REQUIRES AN INDUSTRIAL PERMIT FROM DERM, THAT'S AN ADDITIONAL 48 HOURS.SO USUALLY THE APPLICATION IS IN WITH DERM FOR ABOUT 72 HOURS.
UH, ALSO THE MIAMI-DADE WATER SEW DEPARTMENT REVIEWS THESE BTR APPLICATIONS ALSO, AND THEY ALSO HAVE 72 HOURS.
SO TYPICALLY THE REVIEW PROCESS TAKES ABOUT 72 HOURS.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE, THE REVIEW IS COMPLETED, THE COMMENTS ARE POSTED, AND THE APPLICATION CAN BE TRACKED ONLINE.
SO THE APPLICANT CAN LOOK AT THEIR COMMENTS, SEE HOW LONG THE APPLICATION TOOK, UH, AND TRY TO ADDRESS THOSE COMMENTS.
UH, HISTORICALLY WHAT WE'VE EXPERIENCED IS THAT THAT RESPONSE BACK FROM THE APPLICANT IS USUALLY WHERE THE, THE DELAY HAPPENS.
UH, SO USUALLY WHEN WE PROVIDE COMMENTS LIKE, UH, THEY BECOME AVAILABLE IN REAL TIME AND THE CUSTOMER CAN START ADDRESSING THOSE COMMENTS.
SOMETIMES IT'S A SIMPLE COMMENT, MAYBE A, AN APPLICATION HAD AN ENTRY ERROR OR INFORMATION THAT WAS MISSING, AND THEN THAT COULD BE RESOLVED FAIRLY QUICKLY.
I THINK THE CHALLENGE HAPPENS WHEN, ESPECIALLY IN THE RESTAURANTS, UH, SINCE THEY HAVE A GREASING RECEPTOR, UH, WHAT HAPPENS IS IF, IF THE RESTAURANT DOES NOT RENEW THEIR BUILDING, UH, THEIR, THEIR, UH, GREASE TRAP OPERATING PERMIT, WHICH IS THE PERMIT THAT THEY'RE MAY ISSUE FOR THAT GREASE TRAP, THEN THEY KIND OF LOSE WHATEVER, UH, GRANDFATHER ABILITY THAT BUSINESS HAD.
SO BACK IN 2018, THE COUNTY PASSED AN ORDINANCE THAT REQUIRED SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR GREASE INTERCEPTS, MORE ADVANCED SYSTEMS, HIGHER EFFICIENCY.
UH, SO USUALLY IF YOU HAVE AN EXISTING BUSINESS AND IT'S ABLE TO RENEW THEIR OPERATING PERMIT ANNUALLY, WE'LL HONOR WHATEVER SYSTEM THEY HAVE UNLESS THEY COME IN WITH CHANGES TO THE BUSINESS, PLUMBING CHANGES, ADDING, SEEDING, ADDING, YOU KNOW, CAPACITY TO THE RESTAURANT.
AND THEN THAT NEW ORDINANCE KICKS IN.
AND THE OTHER WAY IT KICKS IN IS IF YOU LET YOUR OPERATING PERMIT EXPIRE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR.
SO IF YOU HAVE A, BASICALLY A DORMANT, UH, OPERATING PERMIT FOR YOUR GREASE INTERCEPTOR FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, THAT'S WHEN YOU HAVE TO BASICALLY BRING THAT SYSTEM UP TO THE CURRENT STANDARDS.
UH, SO AGAIN, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES MAINTAIN THEIR OPERATING PERMITS AND OBTAIN THEIR LICENSES AND THEIR APPROVALS WITH DERM SO THAT THESE THINGS DON'T HAPPEN.
THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO LET THAT OPERATING PERMIT LAPSE BECAUSE THEN YOU LOSE WHATEVER, YOU KNOW, SYSTEM THAT YOU HAD IN PLACE.
YOU KIND OF HAVE TO BRING IT UP TO, TO CODE.
UM, SO AGAIN, ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE, UH, THE, THE DUNKING DONUTS ON 41ST STREET? WHAT HAVE TRENDS, I KNOW THERE'S OTHER EXAMPLES.
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH WHAT HAPPENED THERE? I'M NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED WITH THEM, MANNY, OF YOU.
I MEAN, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MY OFFICE HAD TO PERSONALLY INTERCEDE.
WE THEN HAD THE MEETING WITH COMMISSIONER STEINBERG FROM THE COUNTY.
I MEAN, THEY LITERALLY WERE SHUT FOR, I DON'T KNOW, A COUPLE OF MONTHS.
'CAUSE I GUESS THEY DID LE LET THEIR BTR LAPSE, WHICH TRIGGERED THEY LOST THEIR GRANDFATHER STATUS.
MEANWHILE, SO THEY WERE CLOSED FOR A COUPLE MONTHS.
PEOPLE COULDN'T GO THERE, OBVIOUSLY.
THEY HAD TO LAY OFF ALL THEIR EMPLOYEES.
UH, I MEAN, A MAJOR DISRUPTION FOR A BUSINESS, WHICH ABSENT HAD THEY APPLIED FOR THE BTR AND IT'S NOT EXCUSING.
NOW THEY'RE IN THIS AND THEY'RE NOT THE ONLY BUSINESS.
THERE'S A NUMBER OF BUSINESSES ACROSS MIAMI BEACH THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO.
DERM HAS A VERY SIMILAR PROCESS TO WHAT WE HAVE WITH OUR BTRS.
WHENEVER A BTR LAPSE FOR OVER A YEAR, WE MAKE THE BUSINESS REAPPLY AND THEY HAVE TO REAPPLY WITH THE CURRENT STANDARDS.
SO DERM HAS THAT SAME, UH, STANDARD.
WE HAD A NUMBER OF BUSINESSES THAT WENT THROUGH THAT.
AND, AND THAT DUNKING DONUTS EXAMPLE, THERE WERE TWO DUNKING DONUTS, ONE ON ALTON ROAD AND ONE ON 41ST STREET.
THE ONE ON ALTON ROAD WAS ABLE TO GET THEIR BTR LIKE WITHIN A FEW DAYS.
THE ONE ON 41ST STREET, UH, TOOK WAY, WAY OVER A MONTH AND, AND IT HAD A DEAL WITH THE GREASE TRAP.
UH, IF A RESTAURANT WANTS TO COME IN AND THEY'RE STARTING FROM SCRATCH, I UNDERSTAND IF THEY TAKE OVER AN EXISTING RESTAURANT, MAYBE DIFFERENT, HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE TO GET A GREASE TRAP APPROVED AND AND INSTALLED? YEAH, SO IF YOU'RE ESTABLISHING THE USE FOR A NEW RESTAURANT, YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE BUILDING PERMIT PROCESS, RIGHT? SO YOU WOULD HAVE TO GET ALL YOUR BUILDING PERMIT APPROVALS AND THOSE APPROVALS ALSO GO TO DERM.
SO THAT PROCESS WOULD BE WHATEVER CONSTRUCTION TIME, UM, YOU KNOW, TAKES, YOU KNOW, THE PERMITTING PROCESS FOR THAT NEW RESTAURANT.
UM, AGAIN, DERMS REVIEWS ON A COMMERCIAL USE FOR A BUILDING PERMIT IS TYPICALLY GONNA BE, UM, FOUR DAYS.
THAT'S TYPICALLY WHAT, WHAT THE COMMERCIAL REVIEW TAKES ON A BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION.
UM, SO YOU WOULD DEFINITELY GET RESPONSES BACK FOR DERMS FAIRLY QUICKLY.
AGAIN, THE CHALLENGE IS ALWAYS ADDRESSING THE COMMENTS AND MAKING SURE THAT THE DESIGN PROFESSIONAL, WHOEVER'S DRAFTING THE PLANS, FOLLOWS UP AND PROVIDES THE ACCURATE INFORMATION.
'CAUSE WHAT WE, WHAT WE WANT IS MULTIPLE DISAPPROVALS AND HAVING TO BE DISAPPROVED, YOU KNOW, MULTIPLE TIMES, TYPICALLY MORE THAN TWO DISAPPROVAL.
EITHER OUR INFORMATION'S NOT BEING UNDERSTOOD OR, OR THE, OR THE DESIGN PROFESSIONAL'S NOT, UH, ABLE TO ADDRESS THE COMMENTS.
SO WE OFFER IN-PERSON MEETINGS, VIRTUAL MEETINGS.
WE COME REALLY AVAILABLE ANYTIME DURING THE WEEK WHERE THE CUSTOMER CAN COME IN, MEET WITH A STAFF PERSON,
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A SUPERVISOR, OR THE SPECIFIC REVIEWER, AND THEN THEY CAN GO OVER THE COMMENTS.SO WE MAKE OURSELVES VERY AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS ANY COMMENTS.
BUT TYPICALLY A BUILDING PERMIT PROCESS, ONE WILL NOT BE IN DURHAM MORE THAN FOUR DAYS WHEN IT'S A COMMERCIAL RESTAURANT.
IF, IF I MAY ADD, DURHAM IS ALSO HERE EVERY THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH.
THEY'RE HERE IN, IN OUR BUILDING DEPARTMENT FROM 9:00 AM TO 2:00 PM TO ASSIST OUR OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES.
IS IT APPROVAL OR DOES IT JUST TAKE TIME TO DO THE WORK? UNFORTUNATELY, I MEAN, I MEAN, YOU'RE SAYING THAT THEIR APPROVALS COME FAST? I MEAN, I, I CAN'T, I CAN'T.
I JUST KNOW THAT THERE ARE, AND, AND, AND MY SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR JUST GAVE ME MULTIPLE EXAMPLES OF BUSINESSES IN MIAMI BEACH THAT WERE SHUT DOWN FOR THREE TO FOUR MONTHS.
I, I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF A CONVERSATION I HAD NOW, AND, AND THIS IS WHAT CONCERNS ME WHEN I HEAR THIS.
I ACTUALLY, UH, SOMEBODY INTRODUCED ME TO SOMEONE WHO OWNS A VERY HIGH END RESTAURANT IN NEW YORK CITY.
UM, I PROACTIVELY REACHED OUT TO THE OWNER.
HE'S VERY INTERESTED IN POTENTIALLY MOVING TO MIAMI BEACH.
HE'S ACTUALLY COMING DOWN, AND I'M GONNA SHOW HIM AROUND.
I REACHED OUT TO, UH, TO ERIC AND, AND RICK WILLIAMS AS WELL.
BUT ERIC, UH, AND I TOLD HIM THAT WE'RE GONNA TRY TO HELP HIM, BUT HE, HE RAISED THE ISSUE TOO.
I MEAN, THAT'S THE FIRST THING HE SAID.
HE'S LIKE, HOW LONG IS IT GONNA TAKE ME TO GET OPEN? UH, AND, AND WHEN I HEAR THAT, AND THIS IS THIS, THIS IS THE TYPE OF RESTAURANT WE WANNA ATTRACT IN, IN, IN MIAMI BEACH, I, I GET CONCERNED WHEN I HEAR THOSE COMMENTS AND, AND WE, WE ARE LIVING IT REAL LIFE.
IF I COULD ADD, WE ALSO OFFER, UH, PRE-SUBMIT SUBMITTAL MEETINGS, RIGHT? SO WHEN A PROJECT, A NEW PROJECT GETS COMING IN, AND LET'S SAY IT'S A NEW RESTAURANT AND THEY WANT TO GET FEEDBACK FROM THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE THEY START, YOU KNOW, INVESTING A LOT INTO THEIR PROJECT, THEY COULD COME AND MEET WITH US AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THE REQUIREMENTS ARE.
SO THAT WAY THEY CAN GET AHEAD OF THE GAME AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH SO MANY DISAPPROVALS.
UH, AND IT REDUCES THAT, THAT REVIEW TIME.
AND AGAIN, OUR REVIEW PROCESSES QUICKLY.
BUT AGAIN, THE RESPONSE IS USUALLY WHERE THE DELAYS HAPPEN.
UM, SO THAT'S, I THINK WE CAN, YOU KNOW, WORK WITH APPLICANTS AND SEE HOW HOW WE CAN SPEED UP THAT, THAT RESPONSE TO OUR COMMENTS.
IS IT, IS IT ONEROUS THE PROCESS? CORRECT? YES, IT IS.
IT'S ON, WELL, THE PROCESS IS INITIATED BY THE CUSTOMER, RIGHT? I MEAN, THERE'S A LOT.
WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO DO? SUBMIT A LOT OF PAPERWORK PLANS.
THEY HAVE TO BE SIGNED AND SEALED.
PLANS SUBMITTED, AND, AND THOSE ARE RECEIVED BY THE COUNTY.
AND I'M REPRESENTING DURHAM, BUT YOU'RE ALSO GETTING, AGAIN, MIAMI-DADE WATER, SEWER, PUBLIC WORKS, IMPACT FEES.
THERE'S OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE REVIEW PROCESS, AND DERM IS ONE OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS.
AND ERIC, YOU, YOU HAVE THE CONNECTIONS WITH ALL OF THESE DEPARTMENTS.
I MEAN, WE HAVE CONNECTIONS AT THE COUNTY AT MANY LEVELS.
UM, BUT ULTIMATELY IT'S, IT'S THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES THAT ARE THE BIGGEST HURDLE TO OVERCOME.
I HAVE CHRISTIAN'S PERSONAL CELL PHONE NUMBER AND CELL PHONE NUMBERS FOR MANY OF HIS STAFF MEMBERS.
AND, AND THEY'RE VERY RESPONSIVE.
WHENEVER WE HAVE AN ISSUE, DUNKING DONUTS, THERE WERE SEVEN ELEVENS, I WOULD JUST CALL THEM AND THEN WE WOULD TRY TO TROUBLESHOOT WHAT WAS, WHAT WAS THE ISSUE.
A LOT OF TIMES IT WAS DURING REQUESTING INFORMATION FROM THE BUSINESS AND THE BUSINESS NOT RETURNING THE INFORMATION ON A TIMELY BASIS.
ANECDOTALLY, THAT WAS A LOT OF THE ISSUES.
I DON'T, I DON'T WANNA EXCUSE THE BUSINESSES, BUT I, IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION TO COMPILE AND PUT TOGETHER TO GET TO THEM TO, UH, TO MAKE IT ALL HAPPEN.
UM, SO WHAT HAPPENS IN THE INSTANCE WHERE, UM, SOMEBODY IS OPENING THEIR DREAM SMALL BUSINESS OF A YOGA STUDIO AND THEY'RE TAKING OVER A RETAIL SPACE THAT WAS VACATED BY, LET'S SAY A BAR THAT HAD A LITTLE KITCHEN IN THE BACK OR A BAKERY OR WHATEVER, WHERE THERE WAS A GREASE TRAP THAT, UM, IS NO LONGER NECESSARY.
AND WERE THEY OPENING A FOOD OR, UM, SOME KIND OF, UH, BUSINESS THAT REQUIRED A KITCHEN? THERE WOULD BE A NEED TO BRING THEIR, THEIR GREASE TRAP UP TO CODE, BUT SINCE THEY'RE OPERATING A YARN STORE, A YOGA SHOP OR WHATEVER, WHAT HAPPENS IN THAT INSTANCE? IS THE NEW BUSINESS REQUIRED TO BRING THE GREASE TRAP UP TO CODE? OR CAN IT LAY FALLOW UNTIL SOMEBODY NEW WHO WOULD NEED IT HAS TO BRING IT UP TO CODE? YEAH, SO NORMALLY WHENEVER A NEW BUSINESS IS STARTING UP, ALL THE, THE, THE COMPONENTS OF THE, OF THE BUILDING OR THE SPACE IS USUALLY ADDRESSED BY THE LANDLORD.
AND THEY WOULD PUT THAT SPACE BACK IN WHAT WE CALL VANILLA SHELL, WHICH MEANS LIKE A EMPTY SPACE AND REMOVE THOSE FIXTURES, RIGHT? SO USUALLY THE, THE NEW TENANT DOESN'T TYPICALLY INHERIT THE, THE PLUMBING FIXTURES.
THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE REMOVED, AND THAT'S REMOVED THROUGH A BUILDING PERMIT PROCESS.
UH, SO TYPICALLY IF THEY'RE NOT GONNA USE THE GREASING RECEPTOR OR THE PLUMBING ASSOCIATED WITH THAT, THEN THAT'S TYPICALLY REMOVED BY THE LANDLORD PRIOR TO THE NEW TENANT, UH, GOING IN AND, AND GET, THEY USUALLY GET A BUILDING PERMIT TO, TO REMOVE THOSE.
AND IS THAT, AND I KNOW NATASHA, I'M LOOKING AT IT 'CAUSE YOU'RE, IT'S RIGHT IN MY FIELD OF VISION.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT, UH, BECAUSE I THINK WHAT HA WHAT I'VE HEARD SINCE I'VE BEEN A COMMISSIONER
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IS THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO START THEIR DREAM BUSINESSES AND GET INCOMPLETE INFORMATION, PERHAPS FROM THE RENTAL AGENT OR, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER.AND, AND THEY MIGHT NOT KNOW THAT, THAT THAT'S A THING THAT THEY SHOULD BE REQUESTING OR REQUIRING THEIR, UM, LANDLORD TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S AN EMPTY SHELL SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT'S CAUGHT BY THE CITY AT SOME POINT BEFORE IT GETS ESCALATED? LIKE IS, IF SOMEBODY SAYS, WHY ARE YOU HOLDING OUT MY PLANS? AND WE SAY, WELL, THERE'S A GREASE TRAP HERE THAT'S NOT IN COMPLIANCE.
AND THEY'RE LIKE, WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S A YARN STORE.
I DON'T REALLY NEED A GREASE TRAP.
IS THAT SOMETHING YOU'VE EVER RUN INTO OR IS THAT SOMETHING WE INTERCEPT AT SOME POINT BEFORE IT GOES TOO FAR DOWN THE ROAD? HI, YES.
WHAT'S HAPPENING? HI COMMISSIONER.
UM, TO HIS POINT, TO CHRISTIAN'S POINT, IF, IF THEY COME TO US AHEAD OF TIME AND DO SOME DUE DILIGENCE, WE CAN ALWAYS, UM, HELP THEM GUIDE THEM AS TO, AS TO THOSE ITEMS. IF IT NEEDS TO BE CAPPED OFF AND BECOME A VANILLA SHELL.
AND THEY DO NEED TO GET A BUILDING PERMIT TO CAP IT OFF, BUT IT WOULD BE A QUICKER PROCESS BECAUSE IT'S JUST A CAP OFF.
UM, BUT IT'S ALL PART, I BELIEVE, OF DOING THAT DUE DILIGENCE.
THEY CAN, THEY CAN GO TO THE COUNTY AND GET, I BELIEVE YOU GUYS CALL IT A LETTER OF VERIFICATION OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES WHERE THEY CAN EXPLAIN TO THEM FROM THE COUNTY SIDE WHAT THEY NEED.
UM, OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS ALSO GREAT IN, IN GUIDING THEM TO THOSE RIGHT PLACES AS WELL AND, AND TELLING THEM WHAT PROCESSES THEY NEED TO GO THROUGH BEFORE THEY ENDEAVOR INTO THIS NEW BUSINESS THAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER SUAREZ.
UH, SO SOMEONE JUST TEXTED ME A QUESTION TO ASK YOU IF YOU DON'T MIND.
UM, WOULD YOU, WOULD DERHAM BE ABLE TO CLARIFY WHAT IS THEIR POLICY WHEN RESTAURANTS ADD SEATING IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT AWAY? DOES THE GRANDFATHERING END? WELL, THE, THE, ANYTIME WE APPROVE A GREASE INTERCEPT, THERE'S A SEEDING CAPACITY ASSOCIATED WITH THAT GREASE INTERCEPT.
THE DESIGN PROFESSIONAL IS TYPICALLY GONNA PROVIDE, UH, GREASE LOAD CALCULATIONS FOR THE NUMBER OF MEALS THEY SELL.
AND THAT'S USUALLY CALCULATED BASED ON THE C COUNT.
SO WE'RE GONNA ESTABLISH WHEN THE, WHEN THE GREASE TRAP IS APPROVED, HOW MANY SEATS IT'S ALLOWED TO HAVE IN THAT BUSINESS, WHETHER THEY'RE OUTSIDE OR NOT, REALLY, DERM IS NOT REALLY A, A CONCERN, BUT, UM, THAT CALCULATION FOR THE GREASE RECEPTOR TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE C COUNT.
SO IF YOU ADD SEATS, THEN YOU WOULD NEED A REVIEW OF THAT GREASE CALCULATION TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT GREASE RECEPTOR HAS CAPACITY FOR THE ADDITIONAL SEATING.
NOW, THERE'S ANOTHER SIDE OF THE DERMA REVIEW, WHICH DOES DEAL WITH AREA, RIGHT? SO, WHICH DEALS WITH WHAT AREA? THE AREA OF THE BUSINESS.
SO THAT'S ANOTHER COMPONENT OF THE REVIEW, WHICH WE, UH, ISSUE WHAT'S CALLED THE SEWER CAPACITY CERTIFICATION LETTER, WHICH IS JUST BASICALLY, UM, ISSUING SEWER CAPACITY FOR THAT BUSINESS.
AND THAT'S BASED ON SQUARE FOOTAGE, RIGHT? SO IF YOU BASICALLY PROVIDE OUTSIDE SEATING OR, OR PUT OUTSIDE SEATING, WE HAVE TO TAKE THAT ACCOUNT AND, YOU KNOW, AND ISSUE THAT ALLOCATION LETTER FOR THAT ADDITIONAL OUTSIDE AREA THAT YOU'RE USING FOR THE BUSINESS, FOR THE SEATING.
BUT WHAT, I MEAN, TECHNICALLY YOU'RE NOT INCREASING SQUARE FOOTAGE IF YOU'RE ADDING SEATS ON THE RIGHT OF WAY, RIGHT? BECAUSE YOUR OTHER DEFAULT WOULD BE THE AMOUNT OF SEATS.
SO IS THERE LIKE A DEFAULT OR IT'S JUST ONE WHOEVER'S LESS, WHATEVER IS LESS COMES, UH, TRIGGERS A, A, AN EXTENSION, I GUESS NOT AN EXTENSION, BUT A, UM, A REVIEW
BECAUSE THAT'S BASED ON THE NUMBER OF MEALS SERVED.
RIGHT? THE AREA OF THE RESTAURANT IS WHAT IS USED FOR THE SEWER CAPACITY CERTIFICATION LETTER, WHICH IS BASICALLY A SQUARE FOOTAGE, USUALLY RESTAURANTS, RETAILS.
OKAY, SO WHAT, WHAT HAPPENS, WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU INCREASE THIS, YOU INCREASE THE SIZE TECHNICALLY TO THE RIGHT OF WAY, BUT YOU DON'T NECESSARILY INCREASE THE SEATING COUNT, THEN THE GREASE INTERCEPT WOULD BE FINE.
'CAUSE THERE'S NO ADDITIONAL SEATING, BUT THE SEWER ALLOCATION LETTER WOULD THEN NEED TO BE ISSUED FOR THAT OUTSIDE AREA THAT'S BEING USED NOW FOR RESTAURANT USE.
SO THAT'S TYPICALLY WHERE, WHERE, WHERE WE WOULD ISSUE A SEWER CAPACITY CERTIFICATION AND THAT'S WHERE WE CHECK, MAKE SURE THAT THE PUMP STATIONS HAVE CAPACITY, THAT THERE'S NO MORATORIUMS, SO THAT ALLOW THAT ADDITIONAL AREA.
AND, AND ONE MORE THING, YOU, YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU'RE HERE EVERY THURSDAY OR, OR THE, THE, WHICH THURSDAY OF THE MONTH? THURSDAY THE THIRD.
WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO, TO DO IT EVERY OTHER WEEK TO COME HERE? BECAUSE IT CERTAINLY SEEMS THAT WE HAVE A, A, A MUCH GREATER DEMAND THAN ONCE A MONTH FOR FIVE HOURS.
I THINK IF WE CAN DO IT PERHAPS THE FIRST AND THIRD, UH, THURSDAY OF THE MONTH, THAT WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL FOR OUR, OUR BUSINESSES.
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ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN LOOK INTO AND SEE.UM, IF WE, WE CAN DO THAT AGAIN.
WE ALSO GET INVITATIONS FROM OTHER CITIES, SO WE HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, MANAGE THE STAFF TO, TO, YOU KNOW, HELP THOSE OTHER CITIES ALSO.
BUT DEFINITELY THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN CONSIDER.
SO WE NEED SOMEBODY, A POINT PERSON, APART FROM, I KNOW YOU'RE THERE, MANNY, THAT ANYBODY CAN CALL AND DIRECT THEM TO, EITHER WHEN YOU'RE COMING TO THE CITY OR THAT'S GOING TO ANSWER THE PHONE WHEN THEY GET DENIED THEIR APPROVAL.
BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S THE BIG PART.
YOU GET STUCK IN THIS RED AND IT'S, THE SOFTWARE'S EXCELLENT.
IT GIVES YOU A PHONE NUMBER, IT GIVES YOU AN EMAIL, BUT THEN YOU SEND AN EMAIL AND YOU DON'T GET A RESPONSE AND YOU CALL THE NUMBER AND YOU GET A VOICEMAIL AND THEN YOU DON'T GET ANY RESPONSE.
AND I THINK THAT IS THE BOTTLENECK.
SO WHAT COULD OUR CITY DO TO EITHER LIKE FUND AN EMPLOYEE WHO DOES NOTHING
SO WHOMEVER IT IS, BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S THE BIG PROBLEM.
'CAUSE PEOPLE ARE LIKE, OH, I SENT AN EMAIL, I MADE A PHONE CALL.
AND THEN IT JUST GETS, IT'S NOT, NOBODY RESPONDS TO IT.
SO WHAT COULD WE DO TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT PHONE GETS ANSWERED? WE HAVE, WE HAVE A PERMIT COORDINATOR THAT'S BEEN HANDLING A LOT OF THAT.
WHAT, OH, AM I NOT ON? UH, I WAS SAYING THAT WE HAVE A, A PERMIT COORDINATOR.
WILL, WILL, WILL, WE'LL HELP WITH THAT.
UH, WE HAVE IT FUNDED, UH, IF STAFF WANTS TO COME UP AND TELL US MORE ABOUT IT, BUT, UH, WE JUST HAVEN'T HIRED THAT PERSON YET.
AND IS THAT PERSON FOR, IS THAT PERSON FOR ALL PROJECTS OR IS THAT PERSON ANYTHING WITH A PERMIT? JUST BUSINESSES, ANYTHING? ALL PROJECTS.
UM, MY OPINION, WE COULD, WE COULD PROBABLY GET ANOTHER ONE FOR, FOR BUSINESS AND, AND, AND RESIDENTIAL ON HANDHOLDING.
ONLY BUSINESSES REALLY ONLY DEALING WITH GREASE DROPS AND THE NEW REGULATIONS AND, YOU KNOW, AND MAKING SURE THAT THE INSPECTIONS ARE THERE.
THE PEOPLE GET A RESPONSE TO THEIR PHONE CALLS, UM, BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S THE BIG PROBLEM.
SO IF WE'RE ALREADY FUNDING THAT PERSON AND THAT PERSON'S GONNA WORK WHERE IN THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT OR WITH MANNY NEIGHBORHOODS IN NEIGHBORHOODS.
WELL, WE'LL SEE HOW THAT WORKS.
I HAVE A QUESTION AND THEN THIS COMES UP.
AS I MENTIONED, THERE WAS MULTIPLE BUSINESSES, I GUESS THEIR BTR LAPSED, THEN THEY HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW CODE.
YOU MENTIONED GOING THROUGH THAT.
WHAT I WAS HAVING A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING IS THEY WERE OPERATING, HAD THEY SUBMITTED THE BTR ON TIME, THEY WOULD'VE JUST BEEN OPERATING AND THEY COULD'VE GONE SMOOTHLY.
BUT NOW BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T, THEY HAVE TO SHUT DOWN.
AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS UNTIL THEY ACTUALLY COMPLETE, WHY CAN'T THEY CONTINUE TO OPERATE WHILE THEY ARE COMPLETING IT? 'CAUSE THEY WOULD'VE BEEN ABLE TO OPERATE HAD THEY JUST LITERALLY JUST PAID SOME FEE.
TYPICALLY WHAT HAPPENS IS WHENEVER THAT HAPPENS, THE APPLICANT HAS TO DEMONSTRATE THE TYPE OF SYSTEM THAT THEY HAVE, RIGHT? SO KIND OF LIKE PROVIDE AS-BUILTS OF THE SYSTEM THAT THEY HAVE AND WE REVIEW IT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S IN COMPLIANCE OR NOT.
SO USUALLY IF YOU'RE VERY, YOU KNOW, QUICK AND, AND GET THOSE COMMENTS IN, ADD WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THE GREASE INTERCEPTOR THAT USUALLY IT'S THE PROCESS THAT MAYBE TAKES A LITTLE WHILE TO GET DONE.
AND USUALLY IF WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO MAKE THE EFFORT TO, TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, USUALLY WE'RE NOT GONNA, YOU KNOW, SHUT THEM DOWN.
SO I'M NOT SURE HOW IT ENDED UP TO THE POINT THERE WHERE THEY, WHERE THEY HAD TO BE SHUT DOWN USUALLY, YOU KNOW, USUALLY WE ARE BASICALLY TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY COMPLY AND, AND TRY TO GET 'EM BACK INTO COMPLIANCE.
IT'S NOT, I FEEL LIKE THERE'S A DISCONNECT.
'CAUSE AGAIN, THIS, I MEAN, IT HAPPENS TO BE PERSONALLY, I GOT INVOLVED WITH THE 41ST THREE, ONE.
I KNOW MY TEAM HANDLED OTHER ONES UP.
LITERALLY SOME, A VICE PRESIDENT OUT OF TEXAS FROM DUNKING DONUTS CALLS ME UP.
HE'S LIKE, MY STORE'S CLOSED FOR A MONTH AND A HALF, I DON'T SEE ANY END IN SIGHT.
SO HE FLEW, HE LITERALLY FLEW IN TO MEET WITH US.
UM, AND IT STILL TOOK, UH, WHATEVER, ANOTHER SEVERAL WEEKS.
AND THEN WE GOT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER, MICKEY STEINBERG INVOLVED.
THAT'S ACTUALLY A BUSINESS PROCESS THAT THE CITY HAS THAT WAS IN INSTILLED BY FORMER CITY MANAGER JIMMY MORALES, THAT IF A BUSINESS DOESN'T RENEW THEIR BTR WITHIN ONE YEAR, THEY HAVE TO REAPPLY FOR THE BTR.
AND EVERY NEW BTR APPLICATION REQUIRES A NEW DERM APPLICATION.
UM, WE FOUND THAT A LOT OF TIMES WHEN THEY DIDN'T RENEW THEIR
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BTR WITH US, THEY ALSO HADN'T RENEWED THEIR DERM PERMIT.SO WE HAD A LOT OF THOSE INCIDENTS.
BUT WE DO HAVE A BUSINESS PROCESS CURRENTLY IN PLACE WHERE IF SOMEONE DOESN'T PAY THEIR BTR WITHIN ONE YEAR, THEY NEED THEIR START OVER AND REAPPLY.
COMMISSIONER ROSA GONZALEZ, CAN WE CHANGE, CAN WE CHANGE THAT PROCESS? IT'S CAUSING A LOT OF PROBLEMS FOR YOU, FOR US, FOR THE BUSINESS OWNERS, FOR WE GOTTA GIVE 'EM, WE, I DON'T WANNA REVOKE THE PROCESS.
OKAY, LET'S SAY THAT IT FELL THROUGH THE CRACKS.
THIS SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING, RIGHT? RIGHT NOW WE'RE MAKING YOU START FROM THE BEGINNING, RIGHT? THAT'S NOT WORKING.
IT'S CAUSING A LOT OF PROBLEMS. AND WE'RE HAVING BUSINESSES CLOSE DOWN, ESPECIALLY BUSINESSES THAT DON'T EVEN KNOW MAJOR AND NEW COMPANY, NEW COMPANIES COMING HERE.
SO WHEN WE GO IN AND WE FIND THIS BTR VIOLATION, LET'S JUST REVOKE THAT PROCESS AND COME UP WITH A NEW PROCESS THAT DOES NOT SHUT THEM DOWN AND GIVES THEM 90 DAYS TO GET THEIR BTR WITHOUT STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN.
PRIOR TO THAT SEEMS PRIOR THIS PROCESS BEING IMPLEMENTED.
BUT THERE'S A LOT OF THROUGH STRINGS ATTACHED TO OUR BTRS, THERE'S A LOT OF ZONING ATTACHED TO OUR BTRS, THE CU LIVES ON OUR BTRS.
WHAT IF THERE'S A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, UH, FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE CHAOTIC SITUATION THAT WE HAVE? I MEAN, I'M GLAD CODE COMPLIANCE IS OUT THERE, THEY'RE DOING THEIR JOB, BUT WE'RE, WE HAVE THIS BOTTLENECK NOW, WHAT CAN WE, WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST? SHOULD WE GO BACK TO THE OLD PROCESS? IS THAT MAYBE WE JUST GIVE THEM A FINE BUT THEY DON'T HAVE TO START OVER AGAIN? LIKE SOMETHING THAT MIGHT, YOU KNOW, I I, I REALLY DON'T WANNA HURT OUR BUSINESSES.
WE HAVE SO MANY VACANCIES ALREADY ACROSS THE CITY.
UM, I WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST FROM THE TAX SIDE? THE TAX MAN.
I WOULD LOVE TO GO BACK TO THE OLD PROCESS, BUT I DON'T WANNA SPEAK FOR THE CITY MANAGER OR FOR OUR PLANNING DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THERE'S OTHER THINGS THAT ARE TIED.
AND THIS GOES BACK TO WHEN WE HAD, UH, GREEK FELLOWS AND KING OF DIAMONDS.
THEY HADN'T RENEWED THEIR BTR IN MANY, MANY YEARS AND THEY CAME AND, AND GOT THEIR BTR AND, AND IT WAS JUST A COMPLETE DISASTER.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER THE ESTATE.
SO WE TOOK THOSE PRECAUTIONS THEN.
UM, ERIC, WOULD YOU BE, WOULD YOU CONSIDER GOING BACK TO THE OLD PROCESS RIGHT NOW? I'M HAPPY TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
I DON'T WANNA SHOOT FROM THE HIP WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES WILL BE OF CHANGING THE PROCESS.
I'M ASSUMING THERE WAS A REASON WHY IT WAS DONE AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED.
SO I'D, I'D LIKE TO LOOK INTO IT.
BUT, UH, MY MOTION WOULD BE FOR THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE TO LOOK AT THE REVOCATION PROCESS AND CHANGE IT SO THAT, UM, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BTR, UM, YOU HAVE TO PAY ALL THE FINES AND PENALTIES, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO START THE ENTIRE PROCESS ALL OVER.
BUT I WOULD SAY THAT WE CAN'T HAVE EVERYBODY STARTING.
OR IT'S AN IN GREASE TRAP NIGHTMARE.
IT'S GOOD BUILDING DEPARTMENT, PLANNING DEPARTMENT.
I MEAN, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S TAXING ALL OUR DEPARTMENTS.
FIRE DEPARTMENT, LIKE, UH, I'M BACK AND, AND THEN I'LL MEET WITH MY COUNTERPARTS IN PLANNING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH GRANDFATHERED RIGHTS IF SOMEONE DOESN'T HAVE A BTR FOR X NUMBER OF DAYS THAT THERE'S, THERE'S A LOT OF STRINGS ATTACHED TO THE, THE WAY WE DO BTRS HERE.
AND B COMMISSIONER ROSE GON I LIKE THE WAY YOU WORDED IT BECAUSE I, I DON'T KNOW THIS, I, THIS WAS A WHILE AGO.
THIS THIS AMENDMENT THAT WE MADE TO THIS PROCESS.
BUT WE, I THINK WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, WAS THAT PEOPLE, BUSINESSES WERE NOT RENEW RENEWING THEIR BTRS
SO WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.
SO THERE NEEDS TO BE CONSEQUENCES AND ACCOUNTABILITY, BUT MAYBE, MAYBE THERE'S A WAY TO MEASURE IT THAT SHUTTING DOWN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS IS ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY'RE WORKING ACTIVELY TO COMPLY.
UM, SO I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THE DIRECTION HERE.
ANY OPPOSED? HAVING HEARD NONE, THE MOTION IS APPROVED.
THANK YOU, CHRISTIAN, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
IT'S, THAT ACTUALLY SPEAKS VOLUMES THAT YOU ACTUALLY CAME IN HERE TO, UH, TO ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS AND THANK YOU.
[R5 F ENTERTAINMENT AND SUPPER CLUB REGULATIONS AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, SUBPART B, ENTITLED “MIAMI BEACH RESILIENCY CODE,” CHAPTER 1, ENTITLED “GENERAL PROVISIONS,” ARTICLE II, ENTITLED “DEFINITIONS,” SECTION 1.2.2, ENTITLED “USE DEFINITIONS,” AT SUBSECTION 1.2.2.4, ENTITLED “COMMERCIAL,” BY CREATING A DEFINITION FOR RESTAURANT SUPPER CLUB; AND BY AMENDING CHAPTER 7, ENTITLED “ZONING DISTRICTS AND REGULATIONS,” ARTICLE II, ENTITLED “DISTRICT REGULATIONS,” SECTION 7.2.5, ENTITLED “RM-2 RESIDENTIAL MULTIFAMILY, MEDIUM INTENSITY” AT SUBSECTION 7.2.5.2, ENTITLED “USES (RM-2),” BY PROVIDING THAT ENTERTAINMENT USES SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS IN SECTION 7.5.5.4; BY AMENDING SECTION 7.2.6, ENTITLED “RM-3 RESIDENTIAL MULTIFAMILY, HIGH INTENSITY,” AT SUBSECTION 7.2.6.2, ENTITLED “USES (RM-3),” BY PROVIDING THAT ENTERTAINMENT USES SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS IN SECTION 7.5.5.4; BY AMENDING SECTION 7.2.11, ENTITLED “CD-2 COMMERCIAL, MEDIUM INTENSITY,” AT SUBSECTION 7.2.11.2, ENTITLED “USES (CD-2),” BY PROVIDING THAT ENTERTAINMENT USES SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS IN SECTION 7.5.5.4, AND BY AMENDING THE SUPPLEMENTAL CONDITIONAL USE REGULATIONS FOR THE DISTRICT; BY AMENDING SECTION 7.2.12, ENTITLED “CD-3 COMMERCIAL, HIGH INTENSITY,” AT SUBSECTION 7.1.12.2, ENTITLED “USES (CD-3),” BY AMENDING THE SUPPLEMENTAL MAIN PERMITTED USES TO AMEND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR DANCE HALLS TO PROVIDE THAT ENTERTAINMENT USES SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS IN SECTION 7.5.5.4; BY AMENDING SECTION 7.2.14, ENTITLED “NORTH BEACH TOWN CENTER-CORE DISTRICT (TC),” AT SUBSECTION 7.2.14.2, ENTITLED “USES (TC-1, TC-2),” BY PROVIDING THAT ENTERTAINMENT USES SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS IN SECTION 7.5.5.4; BY AMENDING SECTION 7.2.14.6, ENTITLED “TOWN CENTER-CENTRAL CORE (TC-C) DISTRICT,” BY AMENDING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS AND BY PROVIDING THAT ENTERTAINMENT USES SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS IN SECTION 7.5.5.4; BY AMENDING SECTION 7.2.13, ENTITLED “MXE MIXED USE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT,” AT SUBSECTION 7.2.13.2, ENTITLED “USES (MXE),” BY PROVIDING THAT ENTERTAINMENT USES SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS IN SECTION 7.5.5.4; AND BY AMENDING ARTICLE V, ENTITLED “SUPPLEMENTARY DISTRICT REGULATIONS,” SECTION 7.5.5, ENTITLED “SPECIALIZED USE REGULATIONS,” BY AMENDING AND EXPANDING SECTION 7.5.5.4, ENTITLED “ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS,” BY REORGANIZING THE SECTION, ESTABLISHING DETAILED REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH ZONING DISTRICT INCLUDING LOCATION, OCCUPATIONAL CONTENT, HOURS OF OPERATION, SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTERTAINMENT USES AS MAIN PERMITTED AND ACCESSORY USES, STANDARDS FOR NON-CONFORMING USES, MINIMUM DISTANCE SEPARATION, AND THE DELETION OF SECTION 7.5.5.7, ENTITLED “DANCE HALLS”; AND PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
[R9 F DISCUSS STREAMLINING CITY COMMISSION AGENDA PROCEDURES.]
R FIVE FR FIVE F IS AN NOR OF THE MAYOR OF CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA AMENDING[05:30:01]
THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH SUBPART B ENTITLED MIAMI BEACH RESILIENCY CODE CHAPTER ONE ENTITLED GENERAL PROVISIONS ARTICLE TWO ENTITLED DEFINITION OF SECTION 1.2.POINT TWO ENTITLED, USE DEFINITIONS AT SUBSECTION 1.2, 0.2 0.4 ENTITLED COMMERCIAL BY CREATING A DEFINITION FOR RESTAURANT SUPPER CLUB AND BY AMENDING CHAPTER SEVEN, ENTITLED ZONING DISTRICTS AND REGULATIONS.
ARTICLE TWO ENTITLED DISTRICT REGULATIONS SECTION 7.2 0.5 ENTITLED RM TWO RESIDENTIAL MULTIFAMILY MEDIUM INTENSITY AT SUBSECTION 7.2 0.2 ENTITLED USES RM TWO BY PROVIDING THAT ENTERTAINMENT USAGE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS OF SECTION SEVEN BY MANY SECTION 7.26 ENTITLED RM THREE RESIDENTIAL MULTIFAMILY HIGH INTENSITY AS SUBSECTION SEVEN ENTITLED USES RM THREE.
BY PROVIDING THAT INTERTAINMENT USAGE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS OF SECTION 7.4 BY AMENDING SECTION SEVEN ENTITLED CD TWO COMMERCIAL MEDIUM INTENSITY AT SUBSECTION SEVEN ENTITLED USES CD TWO BY PROVIDING THAT ENTERTAINMENT USES SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS OF SECTION SEVEN BY AMENDING THE SUPPLEMENTAL CONDITIONAL USE REGULATIONS FOR THE DISTRICT BY AMENDING SECTION 7.2 POINT 12 ENTITLED CD THREE COMMERCIAL HIGH INTENSITY OF SECTION 7.2 ENTITLED USE OF CD THREE BY AMENDING THE SUPPLEMENTAL MAIN PERMITTED USES TO AMEND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR DANCE HALLS TO PROVIDE THE ENTERTAINMENT USAGE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS.
AND SECTION 7.5 BY AMENDING SECTION 7.2 14 ENTITLED NORTH BEACH TOWN CENTER COURT DISTRICT TC A SUBSECTION 7.2.
14.2 ENTITLED USES TC ONE, TC TWO.
BUT PROVIDING THAT INTERTAINMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS IN SECTION SEVEN FOUR BY AMENDING SECTION SEVEN POINT 0.6 ENTITLED TOWN CENTER CENTRAL COURT, TCC DISTRICT BY AMENDING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS AND BY PROVIDING THAT ENTERTAINMENT USAGE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS IN SUBSECTION SEVEN POINT BY AMENDING SECTION 7.2 POINT 13 ENTITLED MX MXE MIXED USE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT.
THAT'S SUBSECTION 7.2, 13.2 ENTITLED MXE.
BUT PROVIDING THAT ENTERTAINMENT USAGE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS OF SECTION SEVEN BY AMENDING ARTICLE FIVE.
SPECIALIZED USE REGULATIONS BY AMENDING, AMENDING, AND EXPANDING SECTION SEVEN ENTITLED ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHES BY REORGANIZING THIS SECTION, ESTABLISHING DETAILED REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH ZONING DISTRICT, INCLUDING LOCATION, OCCUPATIONAL CONTENT, HOURS OF OPERATION ACCESSORY USES STANDARDS FOR NON-CONFORMING USES MINIMUM DISTANCE SEPARATION OF DELETION OF SECTION 7.57 ENTITLED DANCE HALLS AND PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION REPEAL OF ABILITY ON AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
THIS IS A FIRST READING PUBLIC HEARING.
THE ITEM REQUIRES FIVE SEVEN'S VOTE.
SO OUR LAST MEETING I ASKED YOU, IS THERE REALLY NECESSARY FOR YOU TO READ ALL THAT? AND I WAS TOLD IT IS COMMISSIONER SUAREZ, MR. MAYOR KRISTEN.
THANK YOU MR. MAYOR, AND THANK YOU FOR THAT.
THAT'S PROBABLY THE LONGEST READING I'VE EVER, EVER, EVER HEARD.
UM, BEFORE I BEGIN WITH MY PRESENTATION, I'D LIKE TO LAY OUT A FEW THOUGHTS THAT I HAVE, UM, AND WHAT, WHERE, WHERE THIS CAME FROM.
YOU KNOW, I FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT TRADITIONAL NIGHTLIFE AS IT RELATES TO NIGHTCLUBS IN MIAMI BEACH HAS HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE EMERGENCE OF OUR BRAND AS A CITY.
MANY CAN ARGUE WE ARE WHERE WE ARE AS A CITY DUE IN PART TO TRADITIONAL NIGHTLIFE ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS THAT HAVE COME AND GONE OVER THE DECADES.
UNFORTUNATELY, OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE HAVE SEEN A CORRELATION BETWEEN PUBLIC SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE CONCERNS WITH TRADITIONAL NIGHTCLUB ESTABLISHMENTS.
WHY SHOULD OUR CITY CONTINUE TO ALLOW OUTDATED ENTERTAINMENT USES THAT HAVE BEEN RIPE WITH QUALITY OF LIFE CONCERNS AND CONTINUE TO STRAIN OUR RESOURCES AND TARNISH OUR BRAND? JUST TODAY WE SAW AN ARTICLE WHERE THE ACCLAIMED FILM DIRECTOR, HARMONY CORIN, IS OPENING A 30,000 SQUARE FOOT CREATIVE DESIGN STUDIO ON LINCOLN ROAD.
AND FROM THIS ARTICLE IT SAID THE LAWMAKER, WHICH IS COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE, CITED THE DEAL AS ANOTHER FEATHER IN THE CAP FOR MIAMI BEACH OFFICIALS AS THEY WORKED TO TRANSFORM THE CITY'S REPUTATION FROM A RAUCOUS PARTY DESTINATION INTO AN OCEANFRONT HUB OF CULTURE AND BUSINESS.
RAUS PARTY DESTINATION IS NOT WHAT OUR RESIDENTS WANT THEIR CITY BE TO BE KNOWN FOR ANYMORE.
WE ARE AT THE PRECIPICE OF CHANGING THE BRAND IMAGE OF OUR CITY.
[05:35:01]
MONEY AND TIME AND BANDWIDTH ON SPRING BREAK AND MEMORIAL DAY WHEN IN REALITY WE HAVE AN IDENTITY CRISIS THAT CONTINUES TO ALLOW PROBLEMS 365 DAYS A YEAR.AS MY COMMISSIONER, AS MY COLLEAGUE, COMMISSIONER BOT WOULD ALWAYS SAY, LET'S PLAN FOR THE CITY WE WANT TO BE, NOT FOR THE CITY WE HAVE.
AND SO WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO PULL UP A COUPLE, UH, SLIDES ON A PRESENTATION I'VE PREPARED.
AND SO WHAT I'VE DONE IS I'VE, I LOOK BACK IN TIME AND I I JUST GOOGLED NIGHTCLUB IN MIAMI BEACH AND, AND, AND I WANTED TO REHASH SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE SEEN, UM, THAT MIAMI BEACH IS KNOWN FOR YOU, PJ YOU CAN, YOU CAN, EVERY FEW SECONDS YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
UM, YOU KNOW, THIS, THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION, GALA NIGHTCLUB THAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR, IT TOOK A YEAR TO FIND THE, UH, THE, THE PERSON INVOLVED IN THE SHOOTING.
THIS PERSON HERE, YOU KNOW, HAS RAPE CHARGES IN ONE OF THESE CLUBS.
UM, AND OF COURSE WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED AT HEATHROW LOUNGE IN IN 2010, 2014.
AND SO LOOK, THE, THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOT WHAT MIAMI BEACH SHOULD BE.
I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME WE GROW UP AS A CITY AND WE MATURE FROM THIS SORT OF ENTERTAINMENT USE AND WHAT I'VE PRESENTED TODAY.
AND, AND PJ IF YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE WHERE WE SHOW, UM, WHAT THE, WHAT WHAT I BELIEVE WOULD BE THE, THE PROPER, UH, IF YOU COULD STAY RIGHT THERE IF YOU THE PROPER ENTERTAINMENT NIGHTLIFE USE FOR MIAMI BEACH.
SO WE'VE SEEN A REEMERGENCE OF AN ENTERTAINMENT SUCH AS SUPPER CLUBS.
WE DO NOT HAVE ANY SHOOTINGS IN SUPPER CLUBS.
THERE ARE NO EXECUTIONS OUTSIDE OF SUPPER CLUBS.
AND IT IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE THAT ADDS VALUE TO OUR CITY.
AND SO HERE ARE JUST A COUPLE PICTURES OF, OF WHAT IT'S LIKE IN SUPPER CLUBS IF NO ONE HAS EVER BEEN IN THEM.
THIS IS NOT JUST HAPPENING IN MIAMI BEACH.
THIS IS HAPPENING ACROSS ALL OVER AMERICA.
LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK CITY, NASHVILLE, AUSTIN, ATLANTA.
SUPPER CLUBS HAVE BECOME AN INCREASINGLY POPULAR CONCEPT IN THE CITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, OFFERING MORE INTIMATE AND UPSCALE ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL NIGHTCLUB.
THEY OFTEN COMBINE DINING WITH LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, SOCIALIZING IN A RELAXED, SOPHISTICATED ENVIRONMENT, APPEALING TO A DEMOGRAPHIC SEEKING UNIQUE CURATED EXPERIENCES RATHER THAN LOUD, CROWDED SPACES.
SO HOW DO WE DIFFER? HOW DOES A SEPARATE CLUB DIFFER FROM A TRADITIONAL NIGHTCLUB? ALCOHOL SALES AND SEPARATE CLUBS ARE TIED TO FOOD SERVICE REQUIRING FOOD TO BE SERVED, ALONG WITH DRINKS, LIMITING EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION.
THERE'S NOISE CONCERN, SAFETY, ZONING, OCCUPANCY, CULTURE.
NIGHTLIFE IS WHEN YOU GET UP WITH A, A HANGOVER IN THE MORNING.
NIGHTLIFE IS WHEN EVERYBODY SAYS, WHAT THE HELL DO YOU DO NOT REMEMBER WHO PAID THE BILL? THAT'S EARNEST HEMINGWAY.
I THINK IT'S TIME TO EVOLVE AS A CITY MOVING FORWARD.
LIKE I SAID BEFORE, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE'RE GOING THROUGH A GROWING PAIN AS A CITY, AND WE HAVE TO HAVE THE ADULT CONVERSATION OF WHERE DO WE WANT TO BE IN THE NEXT 10, 20 YEARS? DO WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THE STATUS QUO OF WHAT ENTERTAINMENT IS LIKE IN MY REACH? OR DO WE WANT TO INCENTIVIZE A MORE REFINED NIGHTLIFE EXPERIENCE? OKAY, SO JUST A COUPLE THINGS.
UH, THIS MEASURE IS NOT GONNA BE RETROACTIVE.
IT DOES NOT SHUT DOWN EXISTING NIGHTCLUBS.
UH, EXISTING NIGHTCLUBS WILL REMAIN LEGAL.
INDOOR ENTERTAINMENT IS STILL PERMITTED AS PART OF A RESTAURANT SUPPER CLUB OR AS PART OF AN INDOOR VENUE THAT DOES NOT SERVE ALCOHOL PAST 2:00 AM SOME OF THE REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHMENTS MUST HAVE A KITCHEN MINIMUM ANNUAL FOOD SALES OF 40%, A FAIRLY LOW AND REASONABLE THRESHOLD.
OUTDOOR AND OPEN ENTERTAINMENT CONTINUES TO REQUIRE CUP AND IS PERMITTED AS PART OF A RESTAURANT SUPPER CLUB EXCEPTION FOR INDOOR ENTERTAINMENT
[05:40:01]
FOR HOTELS WITH 200 OR MORE UNITS SUCH AS THE FOUNTAIN BLUE.NEXT, PLEASE, LIKE I SAID BEFORE, DO WE WANT TO REMAIN IN THE STATUS QUO OR HAVE A TRANSFORMATION ON, ON HOW WE WANT OUR BRAND TO BE PERCEIVED IN THE NEXT GENERATION? AND SO I I THINK, UH, TOM, IF YOU CAN ALSO PUT SOME, CAN YOU BACK TO THE PREVIOUS SLIDE MIND? SURE.
UH, PJ, CAN YOU GO TO THE PREVIOUS SLIDE, PLEASE? THIS ONE, AND I'D BE HAPPY FOR TOM TO LAY OUT SOME MORE FINER DETAILS THAT I DON'T WANNA BORE IN A, IN A SLIDESHOW BECAUSE IT, IT, IT IS EXTENSIVE AND, UM, IT, IT, IT REALLY IS MEANT TO BRING MIAMI BEACH INTO A MUCH MORE REFINED ENTERTAINMENT NIGHTLIFE.
SO TOM, IF YOU WANNA KICK IT OFF.
UM, COMMISSIONER SUAREZ, AS YOU'LL NOTE IN THE ORDINANCE, THIS PARTICULAR LEGISLATION DOES A COUPLE OF THINGS.
UM, ONE, IT CREATES A DEFINITION FOR RESTAURANT SUPPER CLUB.
CURRENTLY OUR DEFINITION OF RESTAURANT IS SUCH THAT A LOT OF THESE TYPES OF ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GAIN THAT IN THE PAST AND BASICALLY SERVE NOTHING MORE THAN BAR BITES, BUT STILL QUALIFIES A RESTAURANT.
THIS SETS FORTH A MUCH MORE SPECIFIC DEFINITION FOR WHAT WOULD CONSTITUTE A RESTAURANT SUPPER CLUB.
UH, THE OTHER MAJOR THING THAT THIS LEGISLATION DOES IS IT SETS FORTH COMPREHENSIVE REGULATIONS FOR ENTERTAINMENT BY CREATING A NEW SECTION 7.5 0.4.
AND THAT BASICALLY SUMMARIZES ALL REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO ENTERTAINMENT BY DISTRICT WITHIN ONE AREA.
SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH EVERY SINGLE ZONING DISTRICT AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS ALLOWED AND WHAT ISN'T.
AND WITHIN THESE, UM, DIFFERENT DISTRICTS AND THE PRIMARY DISTRICTS THAT PERMIT ENTERTAINMENT ARE THE RM THREE DISTRICT, WHICH IS OCEANFRONT HOTELS.
UM, AND THAT IS AN AS AN ACCESSORY USE AS WELL AS ALL OF OUR COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS.
THAT WOULD BE CD THREE, CD TWO, UH, TCC, TC ONE, TC TWO, AND MXC.
UM, NOT INCLUDED IN HERE ARE ANY OF THE PERFORMANCE STANDARD ZONING DISTRICTS IN THE SOUTH OF FIFTH AREA BECAUSE ENTERTAINMENT IS NOT PERMITTED IN ANY OF THOSE ZONING DISTRICTS.
AND WITHIN THESE DIFFERENT DISTRICTS, WE SET UP THE VARIOUS REGULATIONS.
AND THE BIGGEST CHANGE THAT HAS BEEN MADE IS THAT IN ORDER TO HAVE, UH, ENTERTAINMENT USES, UM, BOTH WITHIN THE RM THREE DISTRICT AS WELL AS WITHIN THE COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS, WHERE APPLICABLE, UM, IF YOU WANT TO GO PAST FIVE A, UH, PAST 2:00 AM UNTIL 5:00 AM UH, THE ENTERTAINMENT WOULD HAVE TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH A RESTAURANT SUPPER CLUB, WHICH IS THE MORE ENHANCED VERSION OF, OF A RESTAURANT.
THERE ARE INSTANCES WHERE A NON-RESTAURANT SUPPER CLUB COULD HAVE ENTERTAINMENT.
UM, AND THAT WOULD INVOLVE EITHER A HOTEL WITH MORE THAN 200 UNITS, UM, AS WELL AS HAVING ALL ACCESS TO THE INDOOR ENTERTAINMENT CONFINED WITHIN THE INTERIOR OF THE PROPERTY.
AND, UH, THOSE ESTABLISHMENTS THAT ARE WILLING TO CEASE OPERATIONS NO LATER THAN 2:00 AM THAT WOULD STILL ALLOW FOR ESTABLISHMENTS THAT ARE ORIENTED TO AN EARLIER CROWD, SUCH AS A JAZZ CLUB OR OR LATIN MUSIC CLUB.
IT WOULD ALSO ALLOW SMALLER CASUAL BARS THAT TYPICALLY DON'T STAY UP UNTIL 5:00 AM TO HAVE SOME, UH, FORM OF ENTERTAINMENT.
UM, TOM, TOM MAY, MAYBE WE SHOULD TURN IT OVER TO SOME QUESTIONS.
'CAUSE I THINK COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE, I ACTUALLY WANT TO HIT ON THIS POINT, TOM, BUT, UH, PLEASE, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND, I, I'M NOT GONNA LIMIT MYSELF TO JUST THESE THAT I HAVE NOW.
WHAT IS ENTERTAINMENT? SO ENTERTAINMENT IS DEFINED IN THE CITY CODE, BASICALLY AS ANY TYPE OF PERFORMANCE.
AND THAT COULD BE A SOLO SINGER, IT COULD BE A BAND, IT COULD BE A SOLO INSTRUMENT, IT COULD BE A DJ.
SO ANY TYPE OF LIVE PERFORMANCE, ANY TYPE OF OF SITUATION WHERE YOU HAVE A PERSON, UH, PERFORMING IN SOME CAPACITY IS CONSIDERED ENTERTAINMENT.
SO IF I WANTED TO OPEN UP A BAR LIKE CHEERS, I'D STILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
SAID CHEATERS ON MY, THAT'S A TV SHOW TOO.
WELL, I'M, I'M GLAD THAT WE CLARIFIED
[05:45:02]
MOVE ON TO MY COLLEAGUES.YOU KNOW, I, I CONSIDER THIS TO BE, UH, A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT THAT GETS US MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OF TRANSFORMING, UH, OUR, OUR, OUR ENTERTAINMENT AND ENSURING THAT WE REFINE OUR BRAND.
UH, BUT IT HAS TO BE DONE IN A VERY BALANCED WAY, AND THAT'S THE KEY THING, FINDING THAT BALANCE.
UM, YOU KNOW, WE OFTENTIMES, THE COMMUNITY SPEAKS VERY FONDLY, FONDLY OF THE HEYDAY OF MIAMI BEACH, THE NIGHTLIFE OF MIAMI BEACH, UM, WHAT ATTRACTED THEM HERE, IT'S WHAT ATTRACTS PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD, UH, TO, TO, TO MIAMI BEACH.
BUT WE WANNA MAKE SURE ALSO THAT, UH, THAT IT'S TRANSFORMED, THAT IT BECOMES MATURE AS WE HAVE MATURED AS WELL.
SO, SO, SO I SEE GOOD IN THIS LEGISLATION.
UM, I THINK WE NEED TO BUILD UPON THIS LEGISLATION TO MAKE SURE THAT, UH, THAT IT'S IMPLEMENTED IN THE MOST BALANCED AND THE MOST RESPONSIBLE WAY POSSIBLE.
SO FOR EXAMPLE, UH, ONE OF THE THINGS, UM, I'M LOOKING AT IS THAT THE PLANNING BOARD RECOMMENDATION, THE PLANNING BOARD, UM, UNANIMOUSLY SUGGESTED ADDING A PROVISION TO ALLOW EXISTING BUSINESSES WITH A PERMIT APPLICATION, UM, TO BYPASS THESE NEW LIMITS ON EXPANDING SEATING OR OCCUPANCY.
EXPLAIN THAT TO ME, AND WHAT WAS THE REASONING BEHIND THEIR RECOMMENDATION? THIS RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING BOARD WAS MADE AT THE REQUEST OF THE, UH, OF MANGOES.
AND WHAT IT WOULD ALLOW IS IT WOULD ALLOW FOR, UH, ANY ENTITY THAT HAD MADE AN APPLICATION PRIOR TO, UH, JULY 30TH OF, UM, 2024, UM, AND OBTAINED A PERMIT PROCESS NUMBER, UH, TO EXPAND SEATING OR OCCUPANCY THAT THEY MAY MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT EXPANSION.
AND THE REASON THAT THEY HAD REQUESTED THIS IS BECAUSE THEY HAD NOT YET OBTAINED THEIR PERMIT FOR THAT EXPANDED SEATING PRIOR TO THE PLANNING BOARD TAKING ACTION ON THIS.
AND WHEN THE PLANNING BOARD TOOK ACTION ON THIS, ON JULY 24TH, ZONING AND PROGRESS WAS INITIATED.
SO ANYBODY THAT MAY HAVE BECOME LEGAL NONCONFORMING, UM, THEY WOULD NO LONGER BE ABLE TO EXPAND THEIR, UH, UH, ESTABLISHMENT.
THIS WOULD ALLOW ANY ENTITY THAT HAD MADE A BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION AND RECEIVED A BUILDING PERMIT PROCESS NUMBER TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THEIR EXPANSION.
BUT IT WOULD ONLY APPLY TO THOSE, UM, PROPERTIES.
AND, UM, AND SO, BUT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE ORDINANCE IS PROSPECTIVE IN NATURE, UM, THIS WOULD BE IN KEEPING WITH THE PROSPECTIVE SPIRIT OF THE ORDINANCE.
AND SO AND SO I THINK IF IT CAME, UH, AND, AND WAS IT A UNANIMOUS RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING BOARD? THE PLANNING BOARD RECOMMENDED? YES.
6 0, 6 0 ON THIS, IF IT CAME WITH A UNANIMOUS RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING BOARD, AND IT STILL KEEPS WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE ORDINANCE, I'M, I'M WILLING TO CONSIDER IT.
UH, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT INCORPORATED AS, AS AN AMENDMENT TO, TO, TO, TO THE ORDINANCE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE SPOKE ABOUT BEFORE IN KEEPING WITH PAST POLICIES THAT WE'VE DISCUSSED HAVING TO DO WITH NIGHTLIFE IS, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, WE WANT TO ACCOMMODATE SUPPER CLUBS, UM, AND SUPPER SUPPER CLUBS IN HOTELS AS WELL.
UM, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT, THAT I THINK IS, IS IMPORTANT TO, TO, TO UNDERSTAND IS WITHIN HOTELS, YOU HAVE KITCHEN FACILITIES.
NOW, DOES THE KITCHEN HAVE TO BE RIGHT INSIDE THE HOTEL, RIGHT INSIDE, UH, THE NIGHT, THE NIGHTLIFE VENUE? OR COULD THE NIGHTLIFE VENUE USE THE KITCHEN FACILITIES IN THE HOTEL? UM, TO ME IT DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE, UH, BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEY STILL HAVE TO ABIDE BY, BY THE FOOD RECEIPTS, UH, AND THEY CAN'T EXCEED THE ALCOHOL RECEIPTS.
BUT, UH, COULD YOU EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT DOES THE LANGUAGE CURRENTLY SAY AS RELATES TO, TO THAT THE LANGUAGE AS DRAFTED CURRENTLY REQUIRES THAT, UM, ANY PORTION OF A HOTEL THAT IS SEEKING ENTERTAINMENT, UM, PAST 2:00 AM UH, WOULD HAVE TO BE, UM, ASSOCIATED WITH A SUPPER CLUB.
AND BY THAT, THAT MEANS THAT THE, UH, SUPPER CLUB AND ITS ASSOCIATED SEATING WOULD HAVE TO BE, UH, APPROVED TOGETHER.
THEY WOULD HAVE TO SUBMIT A FLOOR PLAN SHOWING THAT THEY ARE ONE ENTITY, AND THE CERTIFICATE OF USE WOULD BE
[05:50:01]
ISSUED TO THAT ONE ENTITY.UH, TO THE EXTENT THAT CERTAIN AREAS OF A LARGER HOTEL WANT TO TRY TO UTILIZE A SUPPER CLUB, WE WOULD NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT EACH OF THOSE FLOOR PLANS ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS, BECAUSE WHAT WE WOULDN'T WANT IS ONE ENTITY SAYING THERE ARE SUPPER CLUB BECAUSE THERE'S A KITCHEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BUILDING, BUT OPERATIONALLY THERE IS NO CONNECTION.
SO, UM, IF THEY, SO COULD IT BE ALLOWED THROUGH A CONDITIONAL USE? UH, WOULD, BECAUSE AS IT IS, IS ALREADY GONNA BE, IS IS GONNA REQUIRE CONDITIONAL USE ANYWAYS.
IS THAT CORRECT? MOST OF THESE WILL, IF THEY'RE PROPOSING OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT, REGARDLESS OF OCCUPATIONAL CONTENT, CONDITIONAL USE APPROVAL IS REQUIRED.
IF THEY'RE PROPOSING ONLY INDOOR ENTERTAINMENT, THEN CONDITIONAL USE WOULD ONLY BE REQUIRED.
UM, IF THEY'RE EITHER GOING PAST 2:00 AM OR IN COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS, IF THEIR OCCUPATIONAL LOAD GOES BEYOND 125 PERSONS, THEN ADD TO THE CONDITIONAL USES, UH, SO THAT, SO THAT THE PLANNING BOARD HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THAT OPERATIONAL PLAN, UM, TO, UH, THOSE IN INSTANCES IN WHICH A SUPPER CLUB IS IN A HOTEL, BUT THE SUPPER CLUB IS UTILIZING A KITCHEN IN THE HOTEL, BUT PERHAPS IT'S NOT WITHIN THE STRUCTURAL CONFINES OF THE, OF, OF, OF THE VENUE ITSELF.
YOU CAN BE SERVING THE FOOD IN THERE, BUT IT MIGHT NOT BE NECESSARILY PREPARED IN RIGHT IN THERE.
UH, I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT MIGHT, THAT'S REASONABLE, UH, THAT, UH, I DON'T KNOW IF WE COULD INCORPORATE IT IN THERE AS A CONDITIONAL USE THAT IN, IN RM THREE DISTRICTS, IT ALREADY IS A CONDITIONAL USE.
SO IF YOU ARE PROPOSING ENTERTAINMENT WITHIN A HOTEL, WHETHER IT'S OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT OR INDOOR ENTERTAINMENT UNDER THIS ORDINANCE, YOU WOULD HAVE TO GET CONDITIONAL USE APPROVAL REGARDLESS OF, OF YOUR OCCUPANCY LOAD.
THAT, THAT, THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M REFERENCING.
I'M REFERENCING THE USE OF THE KITCHEN.
SO THE USE OF THE KITCHEN, UM, NOT FOR OUTDOOR, BUT INDOORS, GOING BEYOND 2:00 AM UM, WORKING WOULD, RIGHT NOW, THE LANGUAGE DOESN'T ALLOW YOU TO USE A KITCHEN THAT'S PART OF THE HOTEL, BUT NOW WITHIN THE SPACE OF THE NIGHTLIFE VENUE, COULD, COULD, WOULD IT BE FEASIBLE TO ALLOW THEM TO USE A KITCHEN OUTSIDE THE NIGHTLIFE VENUE, BUT WITHIN THE HOTEL BUILDING THROUGH A CONDITIONAL APPROVAL? YES.
UM, WE'D PROBABLY HAVE TO TWEAK THE LANGUAGE IN THE ORDINANCE TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.
BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT LEGISLATIVELY, IF THE COMMISSION WANTED TO DO, YOU COULD DO THAT.
AND BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S STILL WITHIN THE CONFINES OF A HOTEL.
THEY ARE STILL ENTRIES AND VESTIBULES PROTECTING FROM THE PUBLIC.
THESE HOTELS USUALLY HAVE SECURITY PLANS IN PLACE.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, ONCE YOU'RE INSIDE THE STRUCTURE OF A LARGE HOTEL, THERE'S, THERE'S USUALLY A LITTLE BIT MORE SAFEGUARDS ALREADY BUILT IN.
UM, YOU KNOW, THE LAST THING I I WOULD PUT IN THERE IS THAT I THINK BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND READING, UM, I WOULD LIKE US TO CONSIDER, YOU KNOW, HOW DO WE MAKE A CARVE OUT FOR EITHER A HERITAGE, UH, BUSINESS, A BUSINESS THAT, THAT THE CITY COMMISSION IDENTIFIES EITHER AS A HERITAGE BUSINESS OR, OR, OR SOMEHOW EVEN LOOK AT A GEOGRAPHIC AREA THAT WAY.
UM, YOU KNOW, GEOGRAPHIC AREA WHERE WE FEEL ON WASHINGTON AVENUE, YOU KNOW, THAT WE MAY WANT TO PRESERVE, YOU KNOW, THIS ENTERTAINMENT THAT'S BECOME PART OF, OF, OF OUR CHARACTER, UH, BUT THAT'S NOT CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROBLEMS OF, OF, OF OUR CITY.
UM, YOU KNOW, THERE'S PORTIONS OF WASHINGTON AVENUE, UM, THAT I FEEL HAVE BEEN KNOWN FOR NIGHTLIFE.
AND IT'S PART OF THE CHAR, THAT CHARACTER OF WASHINGTON AVENUE.
IT'S NOT ALL OF WASHINGTON AVENUE.
AND I THINK WE CAN, THIS ORDINANCE WILL HELP US TRANSITION AND IMPROVE THE SAFETY AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF A BIG PART OF WASHINGTON AVENUE THAT IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF CHANGE.
AND THIS ORDINANCE IS GOING TO HELP US GET THERE.
BUT I ALSO DO THINK THAT THERE IS, YOU KNOW, A MORE CENTRAL PART ON WASHINGTON AVENUE, KIND OF IN THE MIDDLE, THAT HEART OF WASHINGTON AVENUE THAT HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY DEFINED BY THE NIGHTLIFE, THAT, THAT BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND READING, I LIKE, I LIKE US TO, TO, TO SEE HOW WE COULD WORK ON PRESERVING SO THAT WE DON'T LOSE THAT FABRIC.
NIGHTLIFE IS A FABRIC IS PART OF THE FABRIC OF, OF MIAMI BEACH, AND WE DON'T WANNA LOSE IT ALTOGETHER, BUT WE DO WANNA LEGISLATE RESPONSIBLY SO THAT WE CAN FIX THE AILMENTS THAT WE HAVE.
AND COMMISSIONER SUAREZ HATS OFF TO YOU, BECAUSE THIS IS GETTING US THERE FOR YEARS, FOR OVER 10 YEARS, UH, THIS COMMISSION HAS BEEN DEBATING
[05:55:01]
HOW TO TRANSITION NIGHTLIFE TO ELEVATE NIGHTLIFE.AND WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE IT OUT.
AND I THINK, UM, I THINK BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND READING, WE CAN STILL TWEAK A FEW THINGS AS TO GEOGRAPHIC AREA, UH, AND HERITAGE BUSINESSES.
BUT I APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION OF AN AMENDMENT RELATING TO THE KITCHENS IN THE HOTELS AND REGARDING THE APPLICABILITY CLAUSE THAT THE PLANNING BOARD RECOMMENDED.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE.
JUST, JUST A FEW THINGS I WANNA TOUCH ON BECAUSE I, I DO WANT TO GET THERE ON THIS ORDINANCE.
UM, I THINK I'D LIKE TO BE SUPPORTIVE ON FIRST READING, UH, BUT I'M FAR FROM AGREEING TO THE TERMS ON SECOND READING.
SO I'M GONNA LAY OUT SOME ISSUES, UH, THAT I'D LIKE TO EXAMINE A LITTLE MORE CLOSELY.
BUT THIS IS ALL CONTINGENT ON, OKAY, IF WE'RE REMOVING SOMETHING THAT IS AN IDENTITY TO MIAMI BEACH, AND IT IS AN ECONOMIC DRIVER WHERE I THINK THE LAST COMMISSION REALLY WENT ASTRAY, WHERE THEY STARTED TALKING ABOUT 2:00 AM AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THEY SAID WHAT WE DIDN'T WANT TO BE, BUT THEY NEVER CONTINUED THAT VISION TO SAY, OKAY, HERE'S WHAT WE WANT TO BE.
SO WE NEED TO FIND SOMETHING IF WE'RE TAKING AWAY OR AT LEAST REMOVING THE INCENTIVES GOING FURTHER, WE NEED TO COLLECTIVELY HAVE A WHOLESALE VISION OF WHAT WE DO WANT TO BE.
AND I THINK WE'VE TALKED A GREAT GAME ABOUT RESIDENTIAL AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO NITPICK EVERY TIME A PROJECT COMES UP OR THINGS LIKE THAT AND SAY, WELL, YES, IT SOUNDS GOOD IN THEORY, BUT, BUT NO, NOT 'CAUSE OF THAT, THEN LET'S JUST STOP THE FARCE AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GONNA NEED NIGHTCLUBS,
AND THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M GOING TO DO.
SO IF WE ARE COMMITTED ON BRINGING RESIDENTIAL TO THIS AREA, THEN I CAN GET BEHIND THIS.
BUT I CAN'T JUST HAVE A VOID WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, RIGHT? WE CAN'T JUST KEEP ADDING POLICE AND POLICE AND POLICE AND POLICE, RIGHT? IT'S THE GAME OF WHACK-A-MOLE.
WE NEED TO LOOK AT OUR URBAN PLANNING AS A METHOD OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
AND ONE PART OF THAT IS REMOVING THESE ENTERTAINMENT VENUES THAT HAVE CAUSED A LOT OF THIS CHAOS.
BUT ANOTHER PART OF THAT IS, OKAY, WHAT FILLS IN THAT VACUUM? SO I'M GOING TO GIVE A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO SAY, YES, WE ARE GOING TO ESSENTIALLY DELIVER ON THIS VISION THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IN BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND READING.
BUT, UH, TO REALLY FILL THAT, I'M GONNA NEED TO GET COMFORTABLE THAT WE'RE, WE'RE ALL COMMITTED TO THAT.
A FEW THINGS ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC ORDINANCE, I'D LIKE SOME MORE CLARIFICATION ON TOM OR ACTUALLY JUST PUTTING OUT FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOR SOME THINGS.
UH, BACK TO THE CHEERS ANALOGY, NEIGHBORHOOD BAR, RIGHT? JUST WANNA GO WITH MY BUDDIES.
SOME OF THEM WORK LATE AT NIGHT, A HOSPITAL, UH, LET'S USE SOME OF THE ONES MAYBE ON, ON THE ALTON ROAD, UH, AREA.
I THINK I ALWAYS REMEMBER FROM THE PLANNING BOARD WHERE THEY WOULD TALK ABOUT THE OPENING HOURS FOR A BAR ON ALTON ROAD, AND THEY SAID, WELL, IT'S, UH, VISITED BY DOCTORS AFTER THEY GET OFF AT MOUNT SINAI.
IF YOU'RE JUST A NEIGHBORHOOD BAR, UH, 50 PEOPLE, LET, LET'S USE TED'S HIDEAWAY AS A, AS A PROXY.
NOT THAT SPECIFIC BAR, BUT SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
YOU KNOW, NO RAUCOUS LIVE ENTERTAINMENT.
WE DON'T HAVE SOMEBODY THERE LIVE SINGING, BUT JUST A WATERING HOLE TO GO WITH YOUR BUDDIES OR GALS.
IS THAT 2:00 AM IS THAT 5:00 AM UH, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU'RE LOCATED, IT WOULD BE 2:00 AM OR 5:00 AM BUT THIS ORDINANCE DOESN'T CHANGE THAT THIS ORDINANCE DOES NOT AFFECT HOURS OF OPERATION.
UM, AND IF THE EXAMPLE YOU'RE USING DOES NOT INCLUDE ENTERTAINMENT, THEN THOSE WOULD NOT BE IMPACTED BY THIS.
AND, AND, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THIS IS A BROADER DISCUSSION, BUT I, MAYBE WE DO THINK ABOUT WHAT THAT DEFINITION OF ENTERTAINMENT IS BECAUSE I'M FULLY THERE.
YOU KNOW, WE, WE DON'T WANT, UH, THESE HUGE PERFORMANCES OR THINGS LIKE THAT, OR WE WANT SOME, UH, PARAMETERS AROUND THAT.
BUT IF THE USE OF LIKE AN MP THREE PLAYER IS ENTERTAINMENT RIGHT IN THE BACKGROUND, THAT THAT'S SILLY, THAT THAT'S WHAT A, A SUPPER CLUB OR A RESTAURANT USES, RIGHT? SO I THINK WE NEED TO, TO REFINE THAT A LITTLE BIT.
UM, I'D LIKE TO, BEFORE JUST PUTTING MY FINGER IN THE AIR AND SIGNING OFF ON IT, TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THAT RIGHT BALANCE IS FOR FOOD AND ALCOHOL, UH, PERCENTAGE MIX.
UM, BECAUSE SOME OF OUR VENUES, THEY SELL LARGE FORMAT ALCOHOL, IT'S STILL SUPPER CLUB.
YOU LOOK AT A VENUE LIKE OVER IN BROOK MARION, RIGHT? YEAH.
YOU PAY $200 FOR DINNER, BUT MAYBE YOUR BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE IS $2,000.
SO I JUST WANT TO BE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT LOOKING TO EXECUTE ON THIS VISION, BUT WE'RE ACTUALLY, UH, UH, ELIMINATING SOME OF THOSE USAGES.
ALSO FOR THE HOTELS, SOLELY CONFINED IN, I KNOW SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR VENUES HERE ON THE BEACH THAT WE WOULD ALL HOLD UP IS, IS GREAT.
[06:00:01]
MODELS HAVE AN EXIT, EVEN AN ENTRANCE OUTSIDE, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE PART OF THE HOTEL.UH, THE FAINA COMES TO MIND WHEN YOU'RE DOWNSTAIRS IN THAT, UH, BASEMENT VENUE.
PEOPLE TEXT ME THIS, NOT THAT I KNOW, BUT, UH, UH,
UM, SO MAYBE WE TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
UH, I THINK THAT'S IT FOR ME, SPEAKING MY PIECE.
I'M GONNA BE SUPPORTIVE ON FIRST READING.
I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC.
UM, BUT SECOND READING, I'M NOT GONNA SUPPORT IT IN ITS CURRENT FORMAT.
UH, LAID OUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I'D LIKE TO, UM, AND REALLY GOTTA GET COMFORTABLE WITH IT IF WE'RE REMOVING SOMETHING, WHAT WE'RE FILLING THAT VOID OR VACUUM WITH.
AND, UM, IF, UH, COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE, IF I COULD JUST, UM, ADD A BIT OF CLARITY TO THE ENTERTAINMENT, UH, UNDER OUR DEFINITION OF ENTERTAINMENT, WE HAVE AN EXPRESS EXCEPTION FOR RECORDED MUSIC PLAYED AT, UM, AMBIENT LEVELS, NON-INTERFERING WITH NORMAL CONVERSATION AND TELEVISION SETS.
SO THINGS LIKE, UM, AN MP THREE PLAYER, AN IPAD, A CD PLAYER, OR A STEREO RECEIVER PLAYING RECORDED MUSIC.
THAT IS AN EXCEPTION TO ENTERTAINMENT.
A TELEVISION SET THAT IS AN EXCEPTION TO ENTERTAINMENT.
THOSE ARE NOT CONSIDERED ENTERTAINMENT.
SO IF A BAR, WHETHER IT IS OPEN TILL 2:00 AM OR 5:00 AM HAS THAT, THAT IS PERMITTED AND THIS LEGISLATION DOESN'T AFFECT THAT.
SO I'M GONNA GO ON THE ORDER IF I SEE IT.
UM, COMMISSIONER B COMMISSIONER ROSA GONZALEZ.
UM, I'M ALSO GONNA MENTION WE HAVE THREE HOURS AND EIGHT MINUTES LEFT AND WE HAVE A LOT OF ITEMS. SO IF WE CAN TRY TO WRAP THESE ITEMS UP.
OOP, SORRY, I DUNNO WHAT YOU HEARD, BUT LET'S TRY TO KEEP THIS MOVING AND TAKE THE VOTE BECAUSE, UH, WE GOT A LOT OF ITEMS STILL TO GO.
COMMISSIONER BOT, COMMISSIONER ROSA GONZALES, COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ.
UM, SO I, I ECHO WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM MY COLLEAGUES SO FAR.
I THINK THIS IS, UM, A HEAVY LIFT IN A GOOD WAY.
LIKE YOU'RE, YOU'RE TRYING TO DO SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO SO FAR.
AND I, AND I APPLAUD THAT, AND I, I THINK THERE'S SOME REALLY GOOD STUFF IN HERE AND I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF, UM, ROOM FOR A LITTLE MORE NUANCE TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T, UM, THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATH WATER.
SO, TOM, A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES JUST SO I CAN WRAP MY HEAD AROUND THIS.
UM, IF NATHAN'S, WHICH IS A VERY SPECIFIC VENUE WHERE NATHAN LITERALLY SITS AND, AND VJ'S, UM, WANTED TO OPEN IN THREE YEARS, THAT COULD NOT BE OPEN BECAUSE HE'S NOT PLAYING, HE'S STILL A DJ, EVEN THOUGH IT'S VIDEOS.
UM, I DON'T UNDERSTAND VIDEOS, INSTEAD OF JUST USING, UM, A DJ WITH A TURNTABLE, HE LIKE USES HIS, UM, TURNTABLE TO PLAY VIDEOS FOR THE MUSIC.
UM, IF THEY HAVE A PERFORMANCE DJ, WHICH IS A PERSON, NO, IT'S LITERALLY NATHAN, THE GUY WHO OWNS THE BAR.
SEE, IT'S THERE MIXING THE VIDEOS THAT YOU SEE.
AND HERE, THAT'S, THAT'S THE ENTERTAINMENT.
I MEAN, YOU'RE, THAT IS VERY NUANCED.
I THINK I PROBABLY NEED MORE DETAILS AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THAT WOULD QUALIFY AS ENTERTAINMENT.
TYPICALLY A TELEVISION SET IS AN EXCEPTION, BUT IF THIS IS SOMETHING WHERE IT IS A PERSON PERFORMING, THEN, THEN IT WOULD FALL UNDER, UNDER ENTERTAINMENT.
SO WITH REGARD TO THAT EXAMPLE, I, I THINK I WOULD NEED MORE INFORMATION BEFORE I COULD TELL YOU FOR SURE WHETHER OR NOT THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED, AND THAT MIGHT BE A REAL STANDALONE SITUATION BECAUSE HE, HE LITERALLY DOES, THAT'S WHAT HE DOES FOR THE WHOLE NIGHT.
AND SO THAT IS PROBABLY A LITTLE MORE UNIQUE THAN WOULD BE CALLED FOR.
BUT FOR INSTANCE, UM, IF I WANTED TO OPEN AN EIGHTIES AND NINETIES DANCE CLUB MM-HMM.
UM, BUT I HAD A DJ DOING EIGHTIES, NINETIES DANCE MUSIC, WHICH BY THE WAY, YOU COULD ONLY GET INTO IF YOU WERE WEARING THE APPROPRIATE COSTUME, WHICH I WOULD ROCK.
UM, WOULD THAT BE ALLOWED? THAT WOULDN'T BE ALLOWED BECAUSE IT, IT WOULD BE A DJ.
THAT WOULD ONLY BE ALLOWED IF THEY, UH, CLOSED AT 2:00 AM OR IF IT WAS LOCATED IN A HOTEL WITH 200 ROOMS AND FULLY ENCLOSED, OR IF I SERVED ENOUGH FOOD TO MEET THE, MEET THE CRITERIA OR IF YOU MET THE, UM, KITCHEN REQUIREMENTS AND FOOD SALES REQUIREMENTS FOR A SUPPER CLUB.
AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE FOOD THAT ALSO CHECK THE BOXES OF THE VARIOUS EQUIPMENT.
SO IT COULDN'T JUST BE LIKE MICROWAVE, PIZZA, WHATEVER.
UM, BUT I COULD DO IT IF I WANTED TO CLOSE IT TOO.
UM, ALL OF THE EXISTING BUSINESSES CAN STAY IN PERPETUITY.
SO IF TWIST, UM, IF JOEL DECIDES HE'S, HE'S GIVEN UP THE GHOST AND HE'S MOVING TO FIJI, BUT HE BEQUEATHS IT OR SELLS IT TO SOMEBODY ELSE, THAT CAN REMAIN.
OR ONCE JOEL IS NO LONGER THE OWNER AND THERE'S A CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP, IT GOES AWAY.
NO, THE, THE BUSINESS REMAINS EVEN THROUGH MULTIPLE CHANGES IN OWNERSHIP.
[06:05:01]
SO IT'S REALLY, UM, THERE, THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO KEEP THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE THERE, THERE IS A NEED FOR US TO, UM, LOOK MORE CLOSELY AT THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE BAD ACTORS AND HOW WE CAN CLEAN UP THE ACT THERE, WHICH ISN'T REALLY CONTEMPLATED IN THIS 'CAUSE.THIS IS A CHANGE OF DIRECTION AND, UM, UM, INCENTIVIZING DIFFERENT KINDS OF BUSINESSES TO OPEN.
SO THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE THERE CAN STAY, UM, BUSINESSES THAT WANT TO COME IN AND NOT BE SEPARATE.
CLUBS CAN ASSUME THEY CONFORM WITH ALL THE OTHER EXISTING RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THIS CAN DO.
SO, UM, AS LONG AS THEY ARE, UM, GONNA CLOSE AT 2:00 AM BUT IT CAN BE A DJ, IT CAN BE WHATEVER, CAN BE.
UM, OKAY, SO I, I'M GONNA FOLLOW JOE'S LEAD AND SAY YES ON FIRST READING.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT, WHAT THE PROTOCOL IS, IF IT'S SOMEBODY ELSE'S ITEM AND I HAVE SOME IDEAS ABOUT TWEAKING WHAT I GO TO THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT SAY, MAYBE YOU COULD SUGGEST TO MY COLLEAGUE.
I MEAN, HOW DOES THAT WORK? BECAUSE I DON'T WANNA STEP ON YOUR TOES AT ALL.
I, I'M, I'M LISTEN TO FEEDBACK NOW AND THEN I CONFER WITH, TO, TO, I, I CONFER WITH TO, OKAY, WELL, WE'LL FIGURE OUT THE MECHANICS.
BUT I, I, I, I HAVE TO SAY, YEAH, I, I LOVE THE IDEA OF THIS, MY FEAR, UM, AND THIS IS WHY I WANT, I'M GLAD WE HAVE SIX WEEKS UNTIL THE NEXT COMMISSION MEETING.
'CAUSE I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF LIKE, N****Y NUANCED KINDA STUFF.
BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS GREAT ABOUT MIAMI BEACH IS YOU DON'T HAVE TO ENGAGE IN ENTERTAINMENT AT ALL OF ANY STRIPE.
AND ALSO AT THE SAME TIME, YOU CAN EN ENGAGE WITH THE MOST HIGH END ENTERTAINMENT IN THE WORLD AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, GO TO DEWEY'S OR GO TO, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER DIVE YEAH.
AND, AND HAVE JUST A GREAT NIGHT OUT AND NOT SPEND A TON OF MONEY AND NOT HAVE TO HAVE FANCY CLOTHES.
I, I A THOUSAND PERCENT UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO, BUT I DON'T WANNA LOSE THE GRADATION OF WHAT WE HAVE.
SO WITH THAT, UM, I'VE SAID MY PIECE.
CAN I, COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ, COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ, AND LET'S VOTE.
UM, ME, YOU, OH, WOULD IT BE OKAY IF I DID AN AMENDMENT, UM, PROPERTIES THAT ARE IN THE CONTRIBUTING HISTORIC DISTRICT LOCATED AS BEEN ALL WAY.
OBVIOUSLY WHAT WE HAVE GOING ON HERE, ARE THERE A FEW PEOPLE THAT HAVE ALREADY STARTED THE INVESTMENT PROCESS AND SPENT A LOT OF MONEY? AND WE DON'T WANT TO NOT INCLUDE THEM.
I'M NOT EVEN SURE WHAT, HOW THIS AMENDMENT WOULD WORK, BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT IT COULD BE NECESSARY.
YOU SAY THIS
I'M SUPPOSED TO BE ADDING FOR ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES FROM WASHINGTON AVENUE.
AND SO YOU'RE SAYING THAT THIS, RIGHT NOW, IT WOULD SUPPER CLUB, EVERY CONTRIBUTING HISTORIC DISTRICT LOCATED IN THE ESPANOLA WAY, HISTORIC DISTRICT, A RESTAURANT SUPPER CLUB MAY HAVE ENTERTAINMENT, WHICH MAY SERVE ALCOHOL UNTIL 5:00 AM OKAY.
SO THIS WAS THE TANTRA SPOT, I BELIEVE, I MEAN, IN THAT CORRIDOR.
SO THAT WOULD BE MY FIRST, WAIT, I HAVE TWO, TWO CONCERNS.
YEAH, I, I'M, I'M FULLY SUPPORTIVE.
IF THERE WAS AN APPLICANT THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN IN THE PROCESS OF, OF FILING FOR ANY SORT OF BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT PREVIOUS TO THE DISCUSSION OF THIS, UH, NEW ORDINANCE, UH, I HAVE NO PROBLEM AMENDING THAT.
AND, AND COMMISSIONER, UH, JUST FOR CLARIFICATION PURPOSES, I HAVE TWO AMENDMENTS.
WHEN ALL OF YOUR COLLEAGUES HAVE DONE, UM, THAT I WANT TO READ INTO THE RECORD, ONE OF THEM IS THAT ONE.
SO WHAT WOULD BE, OKAY, AND THEN THERE'S ALSO, THERE'S ALSO AN ACCESSIBILITY CLAUSE.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT? THERE'S AN APPLICABILITY CLAUSE THAT WAS RECOMMENDED BY, THAT WAS RECOMME BY THE PARDON? THERE WAS AN APPLICABILITY CLAUSE THAT WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING BOARD.
AND THAT'S IN THE COMMISSION MEMO.
IS THAT DIFFERENT FROM THE ACCESSIBILITY OR IS THAT OKAY BECAUSE SOMEBODY, UH, SOMEBODY ELSE IS WORRIED THAT THEY HAD ALREADY, I MEAN, IN, IN THEIR, THEY'RE IN THE PROCESS RIGHT NOW OF RECERTIFYING ALL OF THEIR SEATS AND GOING THROUGH THE DERM PROCESS.
APPLICABILITY, NOT ACCESSIBILITY.
OKAY, SO THOSE TWO ARE IN, THAT WAS, THOSE WERE MY BIG CONCERNS.
IT'S NOT RALPH, YOU SAID IT WAS, IS IT? I'M OVERRULED.
UH, RALPH ANDRATI HERE ON BEHALF OF, UH, 1445 PENNSYLVANIA.
I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY ONE, UH, COMMENT THAT COMMISSIONER SUAREZ MADE, UM, REGARDING THE, UH, POTENTIAL EXEMPTION THAT COMMISSIONER
[06:10:01]
ROSE GONZALEZ OFFERED, WHICH IS CONTRIBUTING HISTORIC STRUCTURES IN THE ESPANOLA WAY DISTRICT.THERE IS NO APPLICATION PENDING, UM, LIKE YOU MENTIONED COMMISSIONER BEFORE PLANNING BOARD OR, OR ANY OTHER AREA.
SO I DON'T WANT THAT TO BE MISCONSTRUED AS BEING A CONDITION OF THE AMENDMENT BEING ACCEPTED.
UM, SO IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS HERE TO ANSWER THEM, BUT I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT.
ARE THERE, ARE THERE OTHER, THIS MICROPHONE, DOES THIS AFFECT ANY OTHER, UH, ARE THERE ANY OTHER POTENTIAL LICENSES? I MEAN, YEAH, STORAGE? YES.
WELL, THIS IS ONLY, IS THIS CITYWIDE WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW? I THINK THEY ALREADY MADE THAT AT 41ST STREET 2:00 AM DIDN'T YOU MAKE 41ST STREET 2:00 AM NO.
MR. COMMISSIONER PROHIBITION OVER HERE TO MY RIGHT.
OKAY, SO IT'S ALREADY 2:00 AM IT'S ALREADY IT WAS ALREADY A DONE DEAL.
THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH 41ST STREET.
I KNOW, BUT HOW MANY, OKAY, SO THIS, UH, SO THERE'S NO OTHER POTENTIAL NIGHT BECAUSE WE DON'T, I MEAN, WE UNDERSTAND THAT TANTRA WAS BEING YES.
AND THERE ARE AT LEAST THREE OTHER LOCATIONS THAT I KNOW OF THAT ARE INTERESTED.
WELL, MAYBE THIS NEEDS TO HAVE A MEETING.
THERE ARE AT LEAST THREE OTHER LOCATIONS THAT I KNOW TO MOVING TO WASHINGTON AVENUE, HOWEVER, THEY'RE WAITING TO SEE AND TO HEAR WHAT THIS COMMISSION HAS TO SAY.
AND IT HAS A LOT TO DO ALSO WITH PRECEDENT OF THEM NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN IF IT'S, IF THEY CAN'T OPEN PAST TWO O'CLOCK.
CAN I, CAN I ASK A QUESTION? THE MILA'S MODEL SEEMS TO WORK VERY WELL, AND THEY DON'T HAVE 2:00 AM I BELIEVE THEY HAVE, IS IT 3:00 AM 5:00 AM NO, THEY DON'T HAVE 5:00 AM I THINK IT'S 4:00 AM 4:00 AM THE ONLY REASON THEY, CAN WE COMPROMISE, LIKE, AND DO LIKE A, A 3:00 AM FOR EVERYBODY ELSE? I MEAN, LIKE, WE DON'T WANNA ENCOURAGE NIGHTCLUBS, TROY, WE'RE, WE'RE TRYING TO MOVE AWAY FROM THAT.
BUT IF YOU HAVE A, AN INVESTMENT, SO I GUESS IT WOULD, IT'S YOUR CONCERN IS THAT YOU DON'T, CURRENTLY YOU HAVE NOT YET SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION, CORRECT? CORRECT.
AND THIS WOULD BE ONLY FOR THE ESPANOLA WAY HISTORIC DISTRICT, WHICH IS A TINY, WHAT IS THAT? IT'S JUST THAT TINY STREET.
IT'S A TINY LITTLE SLIVER OF, OF, OKAY.
SO THE EXEMPTION IS ONLY FOR THE ESPANOLA WAY HISTORIC DISTRICT.
YOU KNOW, I GUESS I, I, I UNDERSTAND IT.
BUT IF THESE ARE NOT SUPPER CLUBS THAT ARE TRYING TO MOVE HERE, IF THESE ARE JUST NIGHTCLUBS, WE'RE NOT REALLY ENCOURAGING THAT.
THEY'RE NOT, UM, SO IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT.
BUT I GUESS THE BIGGEST FEAR IS FOR PEOPLE TO INVEST IN THIS AREA, THEY NEED TO KNOW THAT THEY CAN STAY OPEN UNTIL FIVE O'CLOCK, NUMBER ONE.
UM, AND THAT'S THE BIGGEST CONCERN.
IN ADDITION, EVEN IF YOU DECIDE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS, FOR THEM TO EXPEND THE MONEY THAT THEY NEED TO, TO INVEST IN SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS GOING TO COST THEM A LOT OF MONEY.
AND THE ONLY WAY THAT A BUSINESS CAN MAKE MONEY PAST A CERTAIN TIME IS BY ALCOHOL SALES.
YOU KNOW, LISTEN, I'M, I'M, I UNDERSTAND.
I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT I TRIED TO DO THIS WHEN WE WERE GOING THROUGH OUR PROHIBITION PERIOD WHERE EVERY MEETING WAS ONLY ABOUT ALCOHOL HOURS OF OPERATION.
HOW MANY ORDINANCES DID WE HAVE, NICK? 21.
UM, AND I THOUGHT, I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS THE BEST MODEL TO MOVE FORWARD AND DO A 2:00 AM AND THEN HAVE EVERYONE ELSE GRANDFATHERED IN, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
AND I THINK IT'S A, A GREAT IDEA, UNFORTUNATELY.
AND I THINK IT'S ALSO GOING TO SEND A MESSAGE TO WASHINGTON AVENUE THAT, LOOK, WE WANNA SWITCH IT UP AND HAVE SOME DIFFERENT, NO QUESTION.
AND WASHINGTON AVENUE, WE NEED A CHANGE.
WE NEED BEAUTIFICATION, WE NEED MODIFICATION.
BUT AS SOMEONE SPOKE EARLIER, THERE HAS TO BE BALANCE.
AND IF THERE ARE, THERE'S NO BALANCE, WE WILL HAVE NO CUSTOMERS.
YOU CAN LOOK AT WYNWOOD, YOU CAN LOOK AT WHEREVER.
THE REASON THEY'RE GROWING IS WHAT THEY ACCEPT ENTERTAINMENT AND NIGHTLIFE.
WE HAVE VERY LITTLE HERE ON WASHINGTON AVENUE OR MIAMI BEACH.
SO THAT IS NOT REALLY THE ISSUE.
IT'S NOT REALLY THE NIGHTLIFE.
YES, THERE WAS ONE KNUCKLEHEAD WHO HAD AN ISSUE ON WASHINGTON AVENUE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, BUT PRIOR TO THAT, IF YOU LOOK AT ALL THE POLICE REPORTS OR ANY ISSUES, THERE'S NOTHING LIKE THAT HAS HAPPENED ON WASHINGTON AVENUE.
IN ADDITION, HE SHOWED A VIDEO UP THERE OF WASH OF ALL THESE INCIDENCES THAT HAVE HAPPENED, ONLY ONE OF THEM WAS WASHINGTON AVENUE.
AND THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.
THERE HAS TO BE BALANCE, AND THERE HAS TO BE PROPER REPRESENTATION.
WE DON'T WANNA THROW OUT ENTERTAINMENT AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HAVE NOTHING THERE.
AND IT'S A GHOST TOWN, BECAUSE THEN AGAIN, HOW THAT'S WHY PEOPLE COME TO MIAMI BEACH, IS TO BE ENTERTAINED.
AND ONE LAST THING AS FAR AS SUPPER CLUBS, LET'S REALLY LOOK INTO HOW MUCH ARE SUPPER CLUBS MAKING ANY MONEY? SAY WHAT? NO, THEY'RE NOT.
YES, QUEEN IS AN AMAZING PLACE, BUT LOOK AT OTHER SUPPER CLUBS.
THEY'RE NOT MAKING MONEY, SO WE DON'T WANT TO SAY WE WANT THIS AND NOT BE ABLE TO.
THANK YOU TROY, BY THE WAY, ADAM, MY RESPECT TO YOU.
BUT NO, NO, THANK AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
WE WE'RE GONNA FINISH HERE AT COMMISSION.
[06:15:01]
THIS TO A VOTE, GUYS.WE GOTTA GET THIS TO A LANDING.
WE HAVE A LOT OF ITEMS. AND THEN I'M GONNA GET BLAMED THAT WE DIDN'T GET ALL TO ALL THE ITEMS. COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ, THANK YOU.
UM, SO I THINK THIS ITEM HAS, UM, A LOT OF POTENTIAL AND IT'S, UH, GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
I UNDERSTAND THE SPIRIT OF THE ORDINANCE.
I AM PROBABLY IN THE SAME, UH, POSITION AS COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE.
I CAN SUPPORT IT AT FIRST READING, BUT NOT AT SECOND READING.
I FEEL THAT THE ITEM IS TOO BROAD.
AND OUR CITY AND VICE MAYOR, UH, FERNANDEZ MENTIONED THIS EARLIER, THAT, UH, THE FABRIC OF MIAMI BEACH IN CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS IS HAVING NIGHTLIFE.
AND WE DO HAVE 23,000 HOTEL ROOMS TO FILL.
AND HAVING ENTERTAINMENT IS PART OF THE MIX.
AND I HAVE RECEIVED EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS FROM, UH, BUSINESS OWNERS THAT WORRY THAT IF YOU GET RID OF THE NIGHTLIFE, IT'S GOING TO AFFECT RESTAURANTS AND STORES, AND WE'LL HAVE MORE VACANT STOREFRONTS AS WELL.
NOW, I DO KNOW THAT WE HAVE PROBLEM, UH, BUSINESSES, AND THAT'S WHO WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS.
AND I THINK THAT, UH, SUPPER CLUBS ARE BEAUTIFUL AND LOVELY, BUT WE SHOULD HAVE A DIVERSITY BECAUSE THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ENTERTAINMENT FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF PEOPLE.
AND, UM, COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE MENTIONED THAT WE HAVE A BAR JUST UP THE STREET, MEDIUM, COOL, THAT'S BEEN VOTED THE BEST BAR IN THE WORLD.
AND WHILE IT'S, IT CAN STAY THERE PROSPECTIVELY, IF A NEW BAR THE SIMILAR WERE TO OPEN OR TRY TO OPEN, THE ANSWER WOULD BE NO.
IF THE ORDINANCE STAYED AS IS, AS BROAD AS IT IS.
UM, SO THAT IS THE FEEDBACK I WANTED TO GIVE.
I'LL JUST BE 10 SECONDS, MR. MAYOR.
UH, HAVE WE EVER CONSIDERED, UH, AND MAYBE RICK, YOU COULD TOUCH ON THE LEGALITY.
WHERE I'M FROM, UH, PENNSYLVANIA, IN CERTAIN TOWNS, THEY HAVE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF, UH, LIQUOR LICENSES, YOU KNOW, HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT FOR, UH, QUOTE UNQUOTE NIGHTCLUBS, RIGHT? YOU ONLY HAVE, UH, A FINITE AMOUNT OF LICENSES THAT COULD BE NIGHTCLUBS.
AND THOSE COULD EITHER CHANGE HA CHANGE HANDS, UH, PRIVATELY, OR THEY COULD COME TO THE CITY TO ISSUE.
NOT SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO, UH, HAMMER OUT HERE, BUT JUST, UH, SOMETHING TO CHEW ON IN BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND READING.
UH, THAT'S A POSSIBLE DIRECTION THAT WE COULD GO IN AS WELL IF WE DON'T WANT THE OVER PROLIFERATION THAT WOULD AT LEAST, UH, LIMIT THE AMOUNT OR CAPACITY IN OUR CITY.
YOU RIGHT, COMMISSIONER SUAREZ, I'LL GIVE YOU THE FINAL WORD, BUT WE GOTTA TAKE THE VOTE.
I WANNA REMIND EVERYONE ON THIS DAY THAT, YOU KNOW, JUST A COUPLE YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A VOTER REFERENDUM THAT WAS OVERWHELMINGLY IN SUPPORT OF A 2:00 AM ROLLBACK.
AND WHY WAS THAT? THAT WAS BECAUSE OF THE CHAOS THAT ENSUED ON OUR BEACH, BECAUSE OF OUT OF CONTROL, NIGHTLIFE AND THE VOTERS WERE IN COMPLETE FAVOR OF ENDING THAT PARTY SCENE IN MIAMI BEACH, WITH EXCEPTIONS.
UNDERSTOOD THIS, THE, AND I WASN'T ELECTED AT THE TIME, BUT THE COMMISSION PREVIOUSLY DID NOT DO ANYTHING TO, TO ADDRESS THE, THE CONCERNS OF THE VOTERS.
THIS LEGISLATION DOES, IT DOES IT IN A VERY CAREFUL MANNER, AND IT ENCOURAGES THE BUSINESSES THAT WE WANT TO BRING TO MYY BEACH AND DISCOURAGES THE BUSINESS THAT WE DO NOT WANT IN MYY BEACH WITHOUT AFFECTING HOURS OF ALCOHOL.
WELL, I'M VOTING IN SUPPORT, SO LET'S TAKE THE VOTE.
BUT WE REALLY, GUYS, WE'VE BEEN ON THIS FOR AN HOUR.
THERE'S A SECOND READING STILL VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ.
BUT, BUT, BUT THIS, BUT THIS IS THE TYPE WE HAVE TO MOVE THESE ITEMS. IT'S NOT FAIR TO, IT'S NOT FAIR TO THE MANY OTHER ITEMS THAT WE HAVE.
WE ARE GONNA HAVE A SECOND READING TO HASH THIS OUT.
LET'S TAKE YOU, LET EVERYONE SPEAK TWO OR THREE TIMES.
THEN WHEN IT COMES TO ME, IT'S ALWAYS FERNANDEZ YOU, I'M SAYING GO.
I, I'VE BEEN ACTUALLY SAYING IT ABOUT FOUR, FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES.
I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WHEN THIS COMES BACK, IT IS IN A POSTURE IN WHICH YOU CAN HAVE A VOTE AND IT'S FULLY COOKED.
WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED, WE HAVE AN OCTOBER 5TH LAND USE MEETING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND READING.
'CAUSE OUR, OUR OCTOBER COMMISSION MEETING IS OCTOBER 30TH.
WOULD YOU LIKE THE ITEM ON THE OCTOBER 5TH LAND USE MEETING SO THAT WE CAN DISCUSS SOME OF THESE CONCERNS THAT OUR COLLEAGUES HAVE RAISED? WE CAN LOOK PERHAPS AT CERTAIN BOUNDARIES
[06:20:01]
AND THAT TYPE OF STUFF, SO THAT HOPEFULLY WHEN WE COME BACK ON OCTOBER 30TH, WE DON'T NEED TO SPEND AN HOUR ON THE DAY AND WE CAN HAVE A MORE EFFICIENT CONVERSATION FULL FULLY IN SUPPORT.IF I COULD JUST READ TWO QUICK AMENDMENTS INTO THE RECORD.
UM, MIKE'S FIRST WOULD BE A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SECTION 7.554 A FOUR.
AND I SENT THIS TO THE CITY CLERK EARLIER, AND IT PERTAINS TO THE SUNSET HARBOR NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT'S CLARIFYING THAT IN THE SUNSET HARBOR NEIGHBORHOOD, UM, ALL THESE FORMS OF ENTERTAINMENT ARE PROHIBITED, WHICH IS ALREADY IN THE CODE, BUT WE'RE JUST CLARIFYING IT IN THIS SECTION.
AND THEN THE OTHER ONE WOULD BE THE PROPOSAL THAT WAS DISCUSSED EARLIER PERTAINING TO ESPANOLA WAY.
AND THAT AMENDS, UM, SECTION 7.2, UH, PER B PER N ONE, AS WELL AS SEVEN A FOUR, UM, SUBSECTION, UH, V ONE AND THE TEXT PERTAINING TO HISTORIC STRUCTURES ON THE ESPANOLA WAY HISTORIC DISTRICT.
SO WE WOULD ADD BOTH OF THOSE AND WE'LL INCLUDE THOSE FOR SECOND READING.
AND THEN TO THE EXTENT THAT WE WANT THE PLANNING BOARD, UM, RECOMMENDED APPLICABILITY SECTION, WE CAN INCLUDE THAT FOR SECOND READING AS WELL.
THAT, UH, WE WERE GONNA DEVELOP THE KITCHEN LANGUAGE AND THE GEOGRAPHIC LANGUAGE AND DISCUSS THAT AT LAND USE.
AND, UM, JUST FOR CLARITY PURPOSES, THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.
UM, BOTH FIRST READING AND SECOND READING ARE A PUBLIC HEARING.
AND SO, UH, BEFORE VOTING, I WOULD SUGGEST OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING, TAKING ANY PUBLIC COMMENT, AND THEN CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE YOU VOTE.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK? WE HAVE ONE INDIVIDUAL IN ZOOM.
WE'RE GONNA TRY AGAIN TO SEE IF IT'S PROPERLY WORKING.
MARILYN, ARE YOU HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? ITEM R FIVE F? IF SO, UNMUTE YOURSELF AND STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
I THINK MARILYN IS NO LONGER THERE.
IF SO, WE CAN, I NEED A MOTION IN A SECOND, PLEASE.
UH, COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE? YES.
COMMISSIONER ROSEN GONZALEZ? YES.
PUBLIC HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 30TH WITH AN OCTOBER 10TH LAND USE, UH, REFERRAL.
[R7 Q A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO EXPLORE THE FEASIBILITY AND POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF HIRING ADDITIONAL CIVILIAN PERSONNEL TO ASSIST THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH DESK WORK (ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS, DUTIES, AND PAPERWORK), IN ORDER TO ENSURE A MORE ROBUST AND VISIBLE POLICE PRESENCE IN THE COMMUNITY; AND FURTHER, DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO PRESENT ITS FINDINGS IN A DETAILED REPORT WITHIN 90 DAYS OF THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION, AND TO BE PREPARED TO DISCUSS ITS REPORT, FINDINGS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS AT THE DECEMBER 11, 2024 CITY COMMISSION MEETING.]
THANK YOU.R SEVEN QR SEVEN Q IS ADMINISTRATION TO DETERMINE BENEFITS OF HIRING MORE POLICE CIVILIANS.
YEAH, SO THIS ITEM, UH, COMES ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I DO IS, BESIDES SPEAKING TO THE EXPERTS WITHIN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, I, I DO REACH OUT TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS, AND, AND I HAD HEARD, UM, MORE THAN ONCE, BUT ONE DEPARTMENT HAD SPECIFICALLY SAID THAT THEY DID A, AN EXTENSIVE OVERVIEW AND FOUND THAT A LOT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS THAT WERE BEING DONE BY LAW ENFORCEMENT, SWORN PERSONNEL, THEY WERE ABLE TO FILL THOSE PO POSITIONS BY CIVILIAN PERSONNEL, WHICH ARE, UH, CONSIDERABLY, UH, GENERALLY, UH, LESS PAID AND THE POLICE PERSONNEL THAN CAN BE FREED UP TO PERFORM, UH, MORE VISIBLE LAW ENFORCEMENT TASKS.
SO REALLY THIS RESOLUTION IS JUST ASKING, UH, ASKING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO CONDUCT AN EXTENSIVE OVERVIEW AND STUDY AND COME BACK WITH A REPORT IN 90 DAYS A SECOND.
ANY ISSUES, UH, CHIEF OR ERIC WITH THIS ITEM? NO ISSUES.
UM, GOOD AFTERNOON, WAYNE, JOINT CHIEF POLICE, MIAMI BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT.
QUITE FRANKLY, YOU KNOW, BACK IN 2006, 2007, WHEN THE CITY WENT THROUGH A FINANCIAL CRISIS, UM, MUCH OF THE WAY THEY FIXED THAT THEY KEPT AN OPERATING KEEP AN OPERATING BUDGET WAS REDUCED TO NUMBER OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS HIT HEAVILY BY THAT.
SO I, I WELCOME THIS QUITE FRANKLY, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO DOING A STUDY AND COMING BACK TO YOU WITH SOME RESULTS.
SO I HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ.
[06:25:01]
SAY AYE.[RDA-1. A RESOLUTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE MIAMI BEACH REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (RDA) ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE RDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND APPROVING THE SELECTION OF BOFA SECURITIES, INC. AS SENIOR MANAGER ALONG WITH ESTRADA HINOJOSA & COMPANY, INC., JEFFERIES LLC, PNC CAPITAL MARKETS LLC, AND RAYMOND JAMES & ASSOCIATES, INC. AS CO-MANAGERS TO PROVIDE UNDERWRITING SERVICES FOR THE RDA REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2024 CITY CENTER/HISTORIC CONVENTION VILLAGE (“SERIES 2024 REFUNDING BONDS”) THAT THE RDA ANTICIPATES WILL BE ISSUED IN 2024. ]
OKAY, THANK YOU.OUR CFO IS TELLING ME WE GOT A CALL, TWO ITEMS, UH, RDA ONE, WE'LL START WITH.
AND FOR THE RECORD, WE ARE RECESSING AS A CITY COMMISSION MEETING AND RECONVENING AS THE RDA.
UH, SO RDA ONE IS UNDERWRITING SERVICES, RDA REVISED REFUNDING BOND SERIES 2024 CITY CENTER HISTORIC CONVENTION, UH, VILLAGE.
UH, JASON GREEN, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.
THE ADAM HERE BEFORE YOU IS AN RD ADAM.
THIS IS, UH, SOMETHING THAT WENT, UH, THROUGH, UH, FERC WITH A, UH, POSITIVE RECOMMENDATION IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REFUND THE OUTSTANDING RDA DEBT OF AROUND $250 MILLION.
UH, WE ARE WORKING WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY.
THAT INVOLVES AN UPDATE TO THE RDA AND OUR LOCAL AGREEMENT, WHICH WE'LL HOPEFULLY BE BRINGING IN OCTOBER.
THIS ITEM HERE IS, UH, JUST A HOUSEKEEPING ITEM TO ENDORSE THE POOL THAT WE'RE, UH, UTILIZING FOR THE UNDERWRITERS FOR THAT DEBT ISSUANCE.
I'LL SECOND ALL THE VOTE I HEARD.
COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BOT.
UH, ALL IN FAVOR OF RDA ONE, PLEASE SIGNAL BY SAYING AYE.
COMMISSIONER HIGGINS IS ABSENT.
[RDA-2. A RESOLUTION OF THE CHAIR AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIAMI BEACH REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) 2024-005-ND FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT SERVICES. (ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT)]
RDA TWO RDA TWO.SO THIS IS RDA TWO, IT'S AWARD RFQ 2024 DASH 0 0 5 AND D, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT.
AND THIS WILL BE A JOINT ITEM WITH N-B-C-R-A, BUT GOOD AFTERNOON, HONORABLE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
RAQUEL WILLIAMS, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.
UH, THIS ITEM ESSENTIALLY IS A, UH, A TIE IN TO ITEM C TWO B, WHICH WAS APPROVED EARLIER ON CONSENT.
THE CITY RDA AND NORTH BEACH CRA DID A COMPETITIVE SOLICITATION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS.
THE ITEM PRODUCED A SHORT LIST OF 13 FIRMS THAT THE CITY WOULD LIKE TO EXPLORE FURTHER FOR VARIOUS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES AND PROJECTS.
AND SO A SUBSEQUENT AWARD WOULD BE BROUGHT BACK TO THE COMMISSION.
WE JUST WANT TO NARROW DOWN THE LIST TO 13.
WE HAD SEVERAL APPLICANTS 18, IN FACT, ONE WITHDREW.
WE TOOK A LOOK AT THEM AND THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS MERIT, UH, WITH 13 OF THOSE.
AND SO WE'D LIKE TO HAVE THE BLESSING OF THIS BODY, UH, BOTH THE RDA AND THE N-B-C-R-A ONCE WE GET TO THAT ITEM, UH, TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS SHORT LIST.
THAT WAS COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BT PLEASE SIGNAL BY SAYING AYE.
[CRA-1. A RESOLUTION OF THE CHAIR AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) 2024-005-ND FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT SERVICES. (ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT)]
HIGGINS IS ABSENT.WE ARE RECONVENING AS THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING, AND I BELIEVE WE CAN RECON NOW.
WE WILL START THE MEETING OF THE NORTH BEACH CRA.
WE ARE DOING NORTH BEACH CRA ITEM ONE, WHICH IS WARD RFQ 2024 DASH 0 0 5 ND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT SERVICES.
SO IT'S, IT'S THE SAME SUMMARY BECAUSE IT'S THE SAME SOLICITATION, AND SO WE ARE HOPING FOR YOUR APPROVAL AS WELL.
SO I HEARD A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BOT, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ ON N-B-C-R-A ONE.
IF IT, IF IT'S IN SUPPORT, PLEASE SIGNAL MUST SAY AYE.
COMMISSIONER STEINBERG IS ABSENT.
[R5 G ELIMINATE 0.5 FAR BONUS FOR HOTELS LOCATED WITHIN CD-2 DISTRICTS IN SOUTH BEACHAN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE RESILIENCY CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, BY AMENDING CHAPTER 7, ENTITLED "ZONING DISTRICTS AND REGULATIONS," ARTICLE II, "DISTRICT REGULATIONS," SECTION 7.2.11, "CD-2 COMMERCIAL, MEDIUM INTENSITY DISTRICT," BY AMENDING SECTION 7.2.11.3, ENTITLED "DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS (CD-2)," TO MODIFY THE FLOOR AREA RATIO BONUS FOR HOTEL USES IN THE CD-2 DISTRICT; AND PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
LET'S GO TO R 5G.R 5G IS NORTH OF THE MAYOR CITY COMMISSIONER OF CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA.
AMENDING THE RESILIENCY CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH BY AMENDING CHAPTER SEVEN ENTITLED ZONING DISTRICTS AND REGULATIONS.
ARTICLE TWO, DISTRICT REGULATIONS SECTION 7.2 11 CD, COMMERCIAL MEDIUM INTENSITY DISTRICT BY AMENDING SECTION 7.2, 11.3 ENTITLED DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS CD TWO TO MODIFY THE FLOOR AREA RATIO BONUS FOR HOTEL USES IN THE CD TWO DISTRICT AND PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION REPEALS OF ABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
THIS IS A FIRST READING PUBLIC HEARING.
IT REQUIRES FIVE SEVEN'S VOTE.
R 5G VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ CO-SPONSORED BY COMMISSIONER BOT, COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE, AND COMMISSIONER SUAREZ.
UM, SO, SO RIGHT NOW IN THE CD TWO
[06:30:01]
COMMERCIAL MEDIUM INTENSITY DISTRICT, THE FAR IS 1.5.HOWEVER, OUR LDRS CURRENTLY STATE THAT WHEN MORE THAN 25% OF THE TOTAL AREA OF THE BUILDING IS USED FOR RESIDENTIAL OR HOTEL UNITS.
THE HOTEL UNITS PART, THE FAR INCREASES FROM 1.5 TO 2.0.
THIS, IN ESSENCE, REMOVES THAT EXTRA 0.5 FAR BONUS, UH, FOR SITES THAT CONTAIN HOTELS, SUITE HOTELS, OR HOSTELS IN THE CD TWO DISTRICT.
IN ESSENCE, WE ARE REVOKING, UH, THAT INCENTIVE TO DEINCENTIVIZE, UH, THESE TRANSIENT USES THAT WE'RE TRYING TO MOVE AWAY FROM.
MBU SUPPORTED THIS ORDINANCE AND I THANK MY CO-SPONSORS FOR JOINING WITH, WITH ME ON THIS LEGISLATION.
I MOVE THE ITEM, I'LL SECOND IT'S CALL THE VOTE.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK? AND THERE'S NO ONE IN ZOOM.
ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? IF SO, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.
HI, TROY WRIGHT, WASHINGTON AVENUE, BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT.
UM, WE ARE IN FAVOR OF OBVIOUSLY MODIFICATION AND CHANGES ON WASHINGTON AVENUE.
HOWEVER, I THINK BY REDUCING THE FAR, UM, IT DOESN'T REALLY, UH, HELP THE AVENUE IN INCENTIVIZING POTENTIAL DEVELOPERS, UM, TO MOVE INTO THE AREA.
I THINK IF ANYTHING, MAYBE WE SHOULD, THERE SHOULD BE A CONSIDERATION FOR INCREASE, AND I KNOW HOW THE CONVERSATION WENT EARLIER IN THAT REGARD.
BUT I THINK TO ADD MORE DEVELOPMENT FOR HOTELS, IF WE WANT HOTELS OR ADD MORE DEVELOPMENT FOR RESIDENTIAL ON WASHINGTON AVENUE, THE FAR WOULD HAVE TO BE INCREASED.
AND THIS IS CONSISTENT TO WHAT WE'VE DONE IN OTHER AREAS OF THE, OF THE CD TWO, UH, DISTRICT.
WE'RE NOT REDUCING FAR, UH, IT IS TAKING AWAY AN INCENTIVE.
UH, NO PROPERTY ON WASHINGTON AVENUE RIGHT NOW HAS, UH, HAS THIS FAR IT IS AN INCENTIVE THAT IS GIVEN WHEN THEY CONTAIN, IN THIS CASE, HOTEL, UH, USES.
AND CLEARLY WE WANNA MOVE AWAY FROM THAT SEPARATELY.
THE CITY COMMISSION IS LOOKING AT LEGISLATION SPONSORED BY COMMISSIONER SU SUAREZ BY COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE TO INCREASE FAR, UH, FOR RESIDENTIAL USES.
BUT AS A COMMISSION, I THINK WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE PROTECT THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR RESIDENTS.
WE KNOW THERE'S A DIRECT NEXUS, UH, TO, TO QUALITY OF LIFE IMPACTS AND THE PROLIFERATION OF HOTEL USES.
AND WE DON'T WANNA INCENTIVIZE IT IF THEY, IF ANYONE WANTS TO DO A HOTEL, THEY HAVE A 1.5 FAR, BUT WE'RE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO CONTINUE PROVIDING AN INCENTIVE FOR, FOR USE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO TRANSITION AWAY FROM WITH THAT, UH, I MOVE THE ITEM.
YEAH, AND I'LL JUST COMMENT ON THAT VERY QUICKLY.
AND THANKS FOR THE LEADERSHIP ON THIS.
I'M LOOKING TO LEAD WITH A CARROT, NOT A STICK.
SO I AGREE THAT WASHINGTON AVENUE, UH, DOES NEED REVITALIZATION.
IT DOES HAVE TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT.
UH, BUT WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE AND INCENTIVIZE THE USAGE THAT WE WANNA SEE, RIGHT? AND MORE HOTELS.
UM, WE ARE JUST PAST WHERE WE'RE GETTING, UH, WE'RE SEEING A DIMINISHING MARGIN OR RETURN ON HOTELS, EACH ADDITIONAL INPUT.
WE'RE NOT GETTING THE SAME OUTPUT AS WE GOT FROM PREVIOUS ONES, JUST BECAUSE WE ARE OVERSUPPLIED ON HOTELS.
AND WE WANT TO THEN SAY, OKAY, WHERE'S THE CARROT? AND THAT IS FOR RESIDENTIAL.
SO, UM, AGAIN, I'LL SAY THAT I, I HOPE WE'RE DIFFERENT THAN LAST COMMISSIONS WHERE WE'RE BOTH SAYING WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO BE, BUT I THINK I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THIS COMMISSION.
WE'RE GOING TO FILL THAT VOID, FILL THAT VACUUM, AND SAY, THIS IS WHO WE WANNA BE, AND REALLY PROVIDE, UH, ENCOURAGEMENT INCENTIVES TO FACILITATE THAT.
WE HAVE ONE MORE PUBLIC SPEAKER.
MR. NOVIK, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES, PLEASE.
WE CAN'T HEAR MR. VIC, SO I APOLOGIZE IF, SO, MITCH, IF YOU WISH YOU COULD EMAIL ME AS CITY CLERK@MIAMIBEACHFL.GOV AND WE'LL PASS ALONG THE, THE, YOUR EMAIL TO THE COMMISSION.
SO COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ ON ITEM R 5G.
COMMISSIONER VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ.
PUBLIC HEARING IS OCTOBER, OCTOBER 30TH.
[R5 H TURTLE NESTING PROTECTION AMENDMENT AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 46 OF THE MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE. ENTITLED “ENVIRONMENT,” BY AMENDING ARTICLE V, ENTITLED “TURTLE NESTING PROTECTION ORDINANCE,” BY AMENDING SECTIONS 46-202, AND 46-203 THEREOF TO STRENGTHEN AND CLARIFY THE PROVISIONS OF THE EXISTING ORDINANCE AND INCLUDE RECOMMENDED MODIFICATIONS BY THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION (“FWC”); AND, PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
[06:35:01]
R FIVE HR FIVE H IS THE ORDER OF THE MAYOR OF CITY COMMISSION OF CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA.AMENDING CHAPTER 46 OF MIAMI BE CITY CODE ENTITLED ENVIRONMENT BY AMENDING ARTICLE FIVE ENTITLED TURTLE NESTING PROTECTION ORDINANCE BY AMENDING SECTION 46 S 2 0 2 AND AND 46 DASH 2 0 3 THEREOF TO STRENGTHEN AND CLARIFY THE PROVISIONS OF THE EXISTING ORDINANCE, AND INCLUDE RECOMMENDA RECOMMENDED MODIFICATIONS BY THE AFFORD EFFICIENT WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION, FWC, AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALS OF ABILITY CODIFICATION ON AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
AND FOR THE RECORD, YOU ALL HAVE, UH, LETTERS OF, UH, IN SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM ON THE DAYS I CAME TODAY.
BEFORE I EVEN GOT INTO POLITICS, ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS VERY PASSIONATE TO MEET WAS SEA TURTLES.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I'M A, I'M A BIG PROPONENT OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT, AND I WOULD SAY IN THE LAST 10 YEARS OF, OF JUST WALKING UP AND DOWN THE BEACH, I'VE, I'VE PERSONALLY SEEN AND, AND HAVE SAVED THOUSANDS OF THOUSANDS OF BABY SEA TURTLES THAT HAVE BEEN DISORIENTED BECAUSE OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT AND, AND PUT INTO, UM, INTO THE WATER.
AND SO THIS IS SORT OF A PASSION PROJECT FOR ME.
AND I'VE HAVE A SLIDE SHOW READY.
IF PJ IF YOU COULD PUT THE SEA TURTLE.
SO SIMILAR TO WHAT WE DID WITH THE, UM, THE BALLOON BAN ON, ON, ON PUBLIC PROPERTY WHERE WE, WE KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND WE, WE, WE MADE IT INITIATIVE AS A CITY AND AS A LEADER IN SUSTAINABILITY.
AND WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THAT? THE STATE OF FLORIDA PASSED, UH, IN, IN THEIR 2024 SESSION, A VERY SIMILAR BALLOON BAN.
AND I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT MIAMI BEACH REALLY DID LEAD THE WAY, UH, ON, ON THAT ORDINANCE.
SO, UM, THERE'S ONLY THREE SEA TURTLES THAT COME TO MIAMI BEACH.
THERE'S THE GREEN TURTLE, LOGGERHEAD, AND LEATHERBACK.
AND FUN FACT, THESE TURTLES CAN LIVE UP TO A HUNDRED YEARS OLD.
SO A LOT OF THESE TURTLES HAVE BEEN COMING TO MIAMI BEACH WELL BEFORE WE WERE BORN.
UM, AND, AND TO A LARGE EXTENT, THEY'VE, THEY'VE SEEN ALL THE CHANGES THAT HAS HAPPENED OVER THE DECADES IN MIAMI BEACH.
SO WHAT HAPPENS IS SEA TURTLE HATCHLINGS, WHEN THEY EMERGE AT NIGHT, THEY LOOK FOR THE MOON.
AND WHEN THERE'S AN ARTIFICIAL LIGHT THAT'S TYPICALLY WHITE IN NATURE, THEY GET DISORIENTED AND THEY TRAVEL TOWARD THAT LIGHT, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY WEST AND THE WRONG DIRECTION THAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO GO.
UH, HATCHLING ARE, HATCHLINGS ARE AT ATTACH, ATTRACTED TO THE GLARE OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHTS.
UH, DISORIENTATION HATCHLINGS MAY WANDER INLAND AND DIE FROM DEHYDRATION, HEAT EXHAUSTION, OR BEING CRUSHED, UH, NEARBY STREETS.
UH, IT ALSO DETERS FEMALES FROM WANTING TO GO TO THE BEACH AND HATCH.
ANOTHER FUN FACT, BY THE WAY, IS ANY SEA TURTLE THAT IS HATCHED FROM OUR BEACH, THE MOTHERS THAT RETURN TO LAY EGGS ARE TYPICALLY THE SAME ONES THAT HAVE HATCHED FROM OUR BEACH.
SO, IN ESSENCE, THEY ARE A RESIDENT OF MY BEACH, UM, FOR THE
DO THEY VOTE
I BELIEVE I TOOK THIS WITH SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE AND CODE.
UM, THEY SHINE ONTO THE BEACH, SO YOU CAN VERY MUCH SEE IT.
IF A, IF A SEA TURTLE, UH, HATCHLING HAPPENS, THEY'RE GONNA SEE THIS, ALL OF 'EM ARE GONNA GO WEST TO, TO THIS LIGHT.
ARE THOSE PRIVATE LIGHTS? YEAH.
UM, THIS IS A DISORIENTATION REPORT THAT WE GOT FROM THE FWC.
AND THIS IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE IT SHOWS THAT 45% OF ALL NESTS ON MIAMI BEACH, UH, HAVE BECOME DISORIENTED.
SO BASICALLY HALF OF THE TURTLES THAT EMERGE FROM A NEST ARE OUR, THEY, THEY GO TO THEIR DEATH.
AND CONSIDERING THAT THIS IS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES, YOU KNOW, THIS IS, THIS TO ME IS UNACCEPTABLE.
AND THIS IS TAKEN JUST FROM LAST YEAR.
AND ALSO ON THE HOTSPOTS, YOU CAN SEE WHERE IT HAPPENS THE MOST, UH, ON, ON OUR BEACH.
UH, DADE COUNTY HAS NO ORDINANCE.
UH, MIAMI BEACH CURRENTLY HAS AN ORDINANCE AND IT'S RATED SOMEWHAT IDEAL, UH, ON THE STANDARD ON FWC.
[06:40:01]
WE ARE THE LEADER IN SUSTAINABILITY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, WE REALLY SHOULD BE THE GOLD STANDARD FOR, FOR, FOR SEA TURTLE LIGHTING.SO FROM, UH, HERE'S THE, WE HAVE A CURRENT ORDINANCE ON THE BOOKS ALREADY, UH, REQUIRE ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS EAST OF THE COASTAL CONSTRUCTION LINE TO BE SEA TOTAL COMPLIANT, RED LIGHT, AMBER ORANGE CODE COMPLIANCE CAN CURRENTLY ENFORCE EXTERIOR LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS EVEN FOR EXISTING LIGHTING CODE COMPLIANCE HAS ALWAYS SOUGHT AN INFORMATIVE AND EDUCATIONAL APPROACH AS OPPOSED TO A PUNITIVE ONE.
AND THE GOAL OF THIS IS REALLY TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND HAVE VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE.
'CAUSE MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALLY KNOW THAT A BRIGHT LIGHT IS GOING TO DISRUPT SEA TURTLES.
UH, THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE, AND I'LL LET AMY GET INTO THE DETAILS IN A MINUTE, BUT, UH, THIS IS BASED ON THE FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION.
UH, LIGHTING IS ALREADY REQUIRED TO BE SEA TURTLE FRIENDLY.
UNDER THE 2006 ORDINANCE, REVISE ORDINANCE CLARIFIES THAT LIGHTING VISIBLE FROM THE BEACH AS OPPOSED TO THE EAST OF THE CCL MUST BE COMPLIANT VISIBLY FROM FROM BEACH.
ALL NEW LIGHTING PERMITS MUST COMPLY.
2006 ORDINANCE ONLY APPLIED IF OVER 50% WAS RENOVATED.
SO IF YOU HAD A PROJECT AND IT WAS UNDER 50%, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO COMPLY WITH, WITH, WITH THE REQUIREMENT.
UM, REQUIRES MITIGATION FOR INTERNAL LIGHTING.
SO FOR EXAMPLE, IN A CONDO, UM, IF, IF YOU HAVE BRIGHT LIGHTS OR YOU HAVE A LIGHT SHINING DOWN ONTO THE BEACH, UM, IT'S TO, TO BE IN COMPLIANCE IS AS SIMPLE AS PULLING DOWN A SHADE.
AND THAT, THAT YOU WOULD BE IN COMPLIANCE OR YOU WOULD JUST DIRECT THE LIGHT AWAY FROM THE WINDOW.
UH, THIS ALSO PROHIBITS FIREWORKS EXCEPT FOR FIREWORKS LAUNCHED FROM BARGES AND, AND UNAUTHORIZED VEHICLES ON THE BEACH.
JUST THIS YEAR, I DUNNO IF YOU REMEMBER, BUT WE SAW FIREWORKS SHOW ON THE BEACH WHERE A FIREWORKS LANDED IN THE DUNES AND STARTED A FIRE.
AND IF IT WASN'T FOR OUR, UM, POLICE OR FIRE DEPARTMENT, THEN THERE WOULD BE A BIG FIRE BECAUSE I SAW THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GO OUT WITH A, WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER.
UM, AND THEN THE OCEAN DRIVE EXEMPTION REMAINS.
SO WE WOULD HAVE A SIX MONTH GRACE PERIOD REALLY TO GET US IN LINE FOR NEXT SEA TURTLE SEASON.
AGAIN, LIKE I SAID, WE HAVE A 45% DISORIENTATION RATE I'D, I'D LIKE TO REALLY START MOVING THE NEEDLE TO HOPEFULLY 40, 35%, 30, UH, INTERNAL LIGHTS.
A ONE YEAR GRACE PERIOD INCLUDES A PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN CODE, WILL EDUCATE PROPERTY OWNERS AND CAN ISSUE COURTESY NOTICE FOR BLATANT VIOLATORS WITH THE GOAL OF VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE.
NO SPECIFIC FINES ARE PRESCRIBED ON THIS ORDINANCE.
MOST OF THE TIME IT'S MERELY AN EDUCATIONAL ISSUE.
PEOPLE WANNA PROTECT THE SEA TURTLES AND SEA TURTLES ARE PROTECTED BY THE US ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973.
UH, IT'S GOOD FOR BRANDING AND MARKETING FOR MIAMI BEACH CAN BE AN ECONOMIC DRIVER.
PEOPLE LOVE TO SEE THE SEA TURTLES.
LIGHTING CHANGES, SOMETIMES COMPLIANCE IS AS EASY AS PUTTING DOWN THE BLINDS OR REPOSITIONING LIGHTS.
LIGHTS THAT NEED TO BE CHANGED CHANGED ANY WAY CAN BE MADE.
SEA TURTLE FRIENDLY FULFILLS THE CITY'S OBLIGATION TO PROTECT AN ENDANGERED SPECIES.
UM, SO HERE ARE SOME OF THE COMMON CONCERNS THAT WE'VE HAD THROUGH THE COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS.
UM, THERE IS NO CONFLICT WITH THE 30 YEAR RISK CERTIFICATION.
WE HAVE THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT HERE TO TO, TO ADDRESS ANY OF THOSE CONCERNS.
UH, CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN STANDARDS CAN STILL BE MET.
SO I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE LIGHT SHINING ON THE BEACH FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.
IT'S AS SIMPLE AS DIRECTING LIGHT WHERE LIGHT NEEDS TO BE, WHERE IT CANNOT BE VISIBLE FROM THE SAND.
UM, THE GOAL BALANCE WILDLIFE PROTECTION WITH MAINTAINING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT, THEY'RE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.
AND LET'S MAKE MIAMI BEACH THE GOLD STANDARD AND SEA TURTLE PROTECTION.
AND SO WITH THAT, I'D LIKE AMY TO PLUG IN SOME HOLES THAT I MAY HAVE MISSED, UH, AND REALLY GET INTO THE DETAILS.
THERE WAS ANOTHER CONCERN THAT WE'RE GONNA HAVE CODE OFFICERS SCOURING THE BEACH FOR VIOLATORS.
THERE'S ONLY ONE CODE OFFICER AND HE'S HERE.
HE'S BEEN WITH US FOR 17 YEARS.
UM, HE, HE HAS BEEN, UH, A GREAT ADVOCATE FOR SEA TURTLES.
HE, YOU KNOW, HE UNDERSTANDS HIS VISION IS, IS MORE OF AN EDUCATIONAL APPROACH.
UM, AND ANOTHER BIG CONCERN WAS, UH, YOU KNOW, IF IF THIS GOES TO SPECIAL MAGISTRATE, WILL THERE BE
[06:45:01]
FINES? AND SO AGAIN, THIS ORDINANCE DOES NOT HAVE ANY FINES ASSOCIATED WITH IT.BUT UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE SOME BAD ACTORS WHO FOR SOME REASON MAY NOT LIKE SEA TURTLES AND SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, I'M GONNA JUST DO THIS BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE SEA TURTLES AND I'M GONNA KEEP MY LIGHTS ON AND FLATMAN AND KEEP A SPOTLIGHT ON THE BEACH.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE, UH, WOULD, WOULD COME IN AND POSSIBLY WOULD GIVE A FINE.
UM, BUT THE INTENT IS MORE OF AN EDUCATIONAL APPROACH BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, IF MOST PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND OR KNOW THAT, UH, ARTIFICIAL LIGHT CAUSES SEA TURTLE DISORIENTATION.
SO AMY, IF YOU CAN TAKE IT OFF, PLEASE, THAT'D BE GREAT.
COMMISSIONER, I'D BE HAPPY TO.
AMY KNOWLES, CHIEF RESILIENCE OFFICER.
SO I'LL JUST ADD SOME ADDITIONAL DETAIL.
I DON'T WANNA REPEAT ANYTHING THAT YOU SAID.
UM, BUT VERY SPECIFICALLY, THE ORDINANCE WOULD BE AMENDING, CLARIFYING AND EXPANDING THE DEFINITIONS IN CHAPTER FORTY SIX, TWO OH TWO.
SO THINGS LIKE CELL PHONES AND FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY HAVE BEEN ADDED AS SOURCES OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT.
UM, CERTAIN DEFINITIONS HAVE BEEN REMOVED THAT ARE OUTDATED.
UH, THE TERM BEACH WALK IS DEFINED, WHICH WASN'T PREVIOUSLY BACK IN 2006.
WE'VE DEFINED WHAT TYPES OF LIGHTS ARE ALLOWED AND THE TYPE OF WAVE LINK ALLOWED.
UM, AND DEFINITIONS PERTAINING TO THINGS LIKE FILMED GLASS AND TINTED GLASS HAVE ALL BEEN AMENDED TO MEET TODAY'S, UM, STATE, UH, CODES ACTUALLY WE'RE MODIFYING THE PROHIBITIVE ACTIVITIES DISRUPTIVE TO SEA TURTLES.
SO WE ARE RECOMMENDING THE USE OF RED OR AMBER FILTERS ON VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS FOR VEHICLES AUTHORIZED ON THE BEACH AT NIGHT.
AND I'M SO HAPPY TO SHARE THAT OUR FACILITIES TEAM ACTUALLY OUTFITTED OUR POLICE, UM, ATVS ON THE BEACH WITH THE RED FILTERS.
UM, FIREWORKS WOULD BE, UH, PROHIBITED ON THE BEACH FRONT UNLESS THEY'RE COMING FROM OFFSHORE BARGES AND THE OPERATION OF MOTORIZED VEHICLES.
SAY THAT AGAIN, I'M SORRY, AMY.
UH, IT WAS MENTIONED DURING THE PRESENTATION WHAT WAS THE OCEAN DRIVE EXCEPTION.
SO OCEAN DRIVE IS CURRENTLY EXEMPT FROM THIS.
UM, THEY HAVE A HUGE AMOUNT, OBVIOUSLY, OF NEON LIGHTS.
UM, AND THE EXEMPTION WOULD CONTINUE.
OH, BUT IT'S NOT RELATED TO THE FIREWORKS? NO, NO.
THERE IS LANGUAGE IN HERE TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO MOVE TO TRANSITION TOWARDS MORE SEA TURTLE FRIENDLY COLORS IN THEIR, YOU KNOW, IN THEIR OUTSIDE LIGHTING.
UM, SO IN TERMS OF MOTOR VEHICLES, THEY WOULD BE PROHIBITED ON THE BEACH DURING NESTING SEASON UNLESS OTHERWISE ALLOWED BY THE ORDINANCE OR BEACH.
CONCESSIONARIES WOULD BE FINE, OUR POLICE WOULD BE FINE.
AND AUTHORIZED SPECIAL EVENTS WITH POLICE ESCORTS WOULD BE FINE.
UM, AND THEN FINALLY WE'RE UPDATING OUR CODE SO THAT AFTER NINE O'CLOCK WE'RE CONSISTENT WITH STATE AND COUNTY CODES TO HAVE NO SPECIAL EVENTS VISIBLE.
UM, AFTER 9:00 PM UM, FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT, WE'RE REMOVING THE EXCEEDING 50% VALUE OF THE STRUCTURE AS DETERMINED BY THE BUILDING OFFICIAL.
UM, THIS NEW ORDINANCE WOULD BE MUCH MORE PROACTIVE.
WE THINK WE HAVE REALLY HAD A MISSED OPPORTUNITY AND NEW LIGHTS COMING ON BOARD BECAUSE, UM, UNLESS IT'S OVER 50%, THEY DON'T HAVE TO ACTUALLY CHANGE THEIR LIGHTS THROUGH THE PERMITTING PROCESS.
SO AGAIN, JUST BEING PROACTIVE AND INTEGRATING IT.
IF A, IF SOMEONE'S PUTTING IN NEW LIGHTS ANYWAY, THEY WOULD NEED TO BE SEA TURTLE COMPLIANT.
UM, WE'RE MODIFYING THE LIGHTING STANDARDS TO APPLY TO LIGHTING, UH, WEST OF THE COASTAL CONSTRUCTION CONTROL LINE.
UM, AND I THINK A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THIS IS OLD CITY HALL.
WE WERE OUT DOING, UM, A SEA TURTLE LIGHTING SURVEY AND UH, IT WAS VERY EASY TO SEE HOW BRIGHT OLD CITY HALL WAS AND YOU KNOW, ELIZABETH MIROW WAS ABLE TO JUST TURN THOSE LIGHTS OFF DURING SEA TURTLE SEASON AND THEY HAD THESE REAL HIGHLIGHTS IN THE SKY THAT REALLY HAD NO MAJOR PURPOSE.
BUT JUST MAKING SURE THAT THAT IS SOMETHING, IF THERE'S A PROBLEM, THAT WE CAN BE ABLE TO, UM, TO, TO ADDRESS THAT.
UM, ANOTHER THING IS TO REALLY MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE INCLUDING THOSE EXISTING INTERIOR LIGHTS.
PEOPLE CAN ADD WINDOW TINT OR FILM.
THEY CAN, YOU KNOW, USE DIMMERS, REARRANGE LAMPS AND ADD SHADES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO THERE ARE A LOT OF OPTIONS ON THAT.
UM, YEAH, I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER JUAREZ FOR, UH, BRINGING THIS.
UM, AND, AND I APPRECIATE THE CONCERNS AND, AND WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.
I, BIG PICTURE, I HAVE TWO CONCERNS ABOUT THIS.
ONE IS WE HEAR CONSISTENTLY FROM OUR POLICE THAT LIGHTING IS A MAJOR DETERRENT TO CRIME.
SO THAT IS A, A CONCERN OF MINE WHETHER WE ARE LIMITING WHAT WE CAN DO UNDER THE LAW THAT COULD IMPACT PUBLIC SAFETY.
AND TWO, IT'S SOUNDING LIKE, I DON'T FULLY APPRECIATE WHAT WE'RE ASKING, BUT WHAT I'M HEARING IS WE'RE PUTTING A LOT OF RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT PEOPLE COULD DO INSIDE THEIR APARTMENTS THAT IS LIKE GETTING DANGEROUSLY.
I DON'T WANT
I'M HAVING A PROBLEM WITH TELLING PEOPLE WHAT KIND OF LAMPS THEY CAN USE IN THEIR HOUSE, IN THEIR APARTMENT, OR WHAT KIND OF SHADES THEY NEED TO IMPACT.
I MEAN, I GET THE REASON WHY, BUT ULTIMATELY THESE ARE EXISTING STRUCTURES, EXISTING APARTMENTS, AND NOW WE'RE TELLING PEOPLE WHAT THEY CAN DO INSIDE THEIR APARTMENT.
UH, IT SEEMS LIKE A IT TO ME AND THEN I'D LIKE TO HEAR MORE EXPLANATION.
MAYBE I CAN BE CONVINCED OTHERWISE, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE, WE'RE, WE'RE OVERREACHING.
[06:50:01]
I'M, I'M ALSO HAPPY TO BRING UP OUR POLICE CHIEF 'CAUSE WE WORK WITH THEM VERY CLOSELY ON SUBHEAD CONCERNS.SO I'LL LET HIM, UH, ADDRESS THAT QUESTION IN TERMS OF LIGHTING AND SAFETY IN TERMS, AND ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I JUST THOUGHT OF, UM, I THOUGHT THERE WAS A PROGRAM WHERE THE COUNTY WOULD ACTUALLY, IF THERE WAS CERTAIN, IF THERE WAS A DANGER TO THE, TO, TO THE TURTLES OF THEIR NESTING, THERE'S A, THERE'S A PROGRAM WHERE THEY CAN ACTUALLY BE MOVED TO A SAFER LOCATION, UM, WHERE THESE ISSUES WOULD, WOULD NOT IMPACT THEM.
UM, SO I I WILL ANSWER THAT ONE AS WELL, UM, FOR YOUR, OKAY.
SO I'LL ANSWER THAT ONE FIRST.
I MEAN, BASICALLY THERE DID USED TO BE A PILOT PROGRAM.
UM, MIAMI-DADE COUNTY WAS ONE OF THOSE PILOT PROGRAMS AND THERE'S SPECIAL CAGES TO KIND OF HOLD THE SEA TURTLES AND THEN, YOU KNOW, REDIRECT THEM TOWARDS THE BEACH.
AND THEY'VE HAD PROGRAMS TO RELOCATE THE NEST AS WELL.
UM, IT WAS ALLOWED SOME TIME AGO.
THE COUNTY'S FWC PERMIT MIAMI-DADE COUNTY IS AUTHORIZED TO OVERSEE THE SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION PROGRAM.
THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DO THAT.
AND THE REASON IS THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF FAILURES WITH THOSE PROGRAMS. UM, THE, THE SEA TURTLES DIDN'T HATCH PROPERLY.
THE TURTLES STILL TRIED TO GET WEST TOWARDS THE LIGHTS AND TRIED TO BREAK OUT OF THE CAGES.
AND THEN THEY ALSO, UM, THERE'S A CHALLENGE THAT IN ORDER TO DO THAT OVERNIGHT, THERE'S A SPECIAL PERMIT AND THE SEA TURTLES HAVE TO BE CHECKED ON ONCE EVERY TWO HOURS TO SEE IF THEY HATCH BECAUSE THEY'RE BASICALLY INFANTS AND THEY HAVE TO BE CARED FOR REALLY, UM, CAREFULLY.
UM, THAT WAS USED FOR EXAMPLE IN THE SURFSIDE COLLAPSE THAT WAS AN EMERGENCY SITUATION AND THAT WAS DONE FOR A COUPLE MONTHS, BUT IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT THEY FEEL THAT WOULD BE EVER BE APPROVED LONGER TERM AND IT HAS BEEN TRIED BEFORE.
UM, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? YEAH, THE OTHER QUESTION ABOUT INSIDE LIGHTING.
SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S DONE IN OTHER MUNICIPALITIES I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND AND NOBODY WANTS RESTRICTIONS INSIDE THEIR HOME.
UM, BUT YOU KNOW, HOMES STILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH FLORIDA BUILDING CODE AND ALL SORTS OF GENERAL RULES.
THIS IS MORE JUST MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE BEING CONSCIOUS OF THE LIGHTS, THAT THEY'RE BEING AWARE THAT LIGHTS COULD BE IMPACTING THE SEA TURTLES.
AND, AND RIGHT NOW WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A WAY, FOR EXAMPLE, TO, UH, WORK WITH HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS TO TRY TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO GET SOME EXTREME, UM, JUST EXTREME VIOLATORS.
I THINK MOST PEOPLE, IF THEY KNOW, THEY'LL MAKE THE CHANGE IF THEY KNOW IT'S A PRIORITY.
BUT SOMETIMES YOU HAVE SOME THAT JUST HAVE A FULL CEILING FULL OF FLUORESCENT LIGHTS AND I JUST HAVE THEM ON, YOU KNOW, ALL THE TIME.
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN? WOULD THEY GET A KNOCK ON THE DOOR FROM CODE? UM, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IS, UH, YOU KNOW, GEORGE WOULD VISIT AND HE WOULD GO AHEAD AND VISIT WITH THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION.
HE WOULD SHOW THEM PICTURES OF THE ACTUAL UNIT IN QUESTION WE, UM, AND THEN WE'D GO FROM THERE.
AS I UNDERSTAND IT, EVERY CONDO ASSOCIATION HAS DIFFERENT RULES AND HOW THEY HANDLE THESE KIND OF THINGS.
AND HE ALWAYS HAS A VERY EDUCATION BASED APPROACH.
UM, IF THEY ULTIMATELY DON'T APPLY, IT COULD GET REFERRED TO SPECIAL MAGISTRATE TO HANDLE.
I I'D LIKE TO CALL OUR POLICE CHIEF AS WELL TALK ABOUT, I KNOW ABOUT, I KNOW YOU'RE IN A TOUGH SPOT HERE, OUR CHIEF, BUT WE, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE LIGHT SOUTH BEACH IS, IS A SPOT WHERE LIGHTING COULD HELP A LOT.
WHAT'S YOUR, WHAT'S YOUR VIEWS? WELL, WADE JONES POLICE CHIEF, AND IN MANY CASES THAT IS TRUE, UH, MR. MAYOR, UH, WE DO KNOW, UH, THROUGH NO NUMEROUS STUDIES THAT PROPER LIGHTING AT NIGHT IS THE BIGGEST DETERRENT TO CRIME IN MANY, MANY PLACES.
UM, AS FAR AS, UM, THE TURTLES ARE CONCERNED, UM, WE HAVE MADE SOME CHANGES IN HOW WE OPERATE, PATROLLING THE BEACH AT NIGHT DURING TURTLE SEASON.
UH, THE LIGHTS ON OUR ATVS HAVE USED PATROL THE BEACH, THEY'RE RED NOW WE'RE RED TIN TO IT.
THE IDEA IS NOT TO DISORIENT THESE, UH, BABY TURTLES WITH OUR LIGHTS WHILE WE'RE PATROLLING.
UH, WE'VE REMOVED OUR AUXILIARY SORT OF SUPPLEMENTAL LIGHTING THAT WE USUALLY HAVE IN OMI PARK AND THE BEACH THAT NIGHT FOR CRIME PREVENTION.
WE'VE REMOVED THOSE, UH, DURING TURTLE SEASON, AGAIN, TRYING TO PREVENT DISORIENTATION OF THESE, UH, TURTLE STUDENTS.
LET ME ASK THE QUESTION THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
OBVIOUSLY IF THERE'S STATE AND COUNTY LAWS THAT WE, WE WILL OBVIOUSLY COMPLY WITH, WE'LL DO IT AND, BUT OTHER, IS THERE ANYTHING WE SHOULD BE DOING THAT YOU BELIEVE UNDER, UNDER EXISTING LAW THAT WOULD FOR LIGHTING PURPOSES THAT WOULD BE, UH, A HELP TO A HELP TO PUBLIC SAFETY? YEAH, SO LISTEN, I WISH MY, MY LIGHTING EXPERT, UH, WAS HERE WITH ME TODAY STARTED TALK THROUGH THIS, BUT I CAN, WHO'S THAT? JULIO? AH, JULIO'S LIGHTING.
UM, BUT I CAN TELL YOU I'VE HAD NUMEROUS CONVERSATIONS AND IS OF MANY TALENTS
AND THERE ARE SOME SMART WAYS TO, UM, HAPPY MEDIUM, UH, WITH LIGHTING AT NIGHT AS IT RELATES TO TURTLES.
UH, THERE'S SOME SHADING THAT CAN BE DONE ON THE BACKSIDE OF SOME LIGHTING.
SO THE LIGHT IS NOT GOING EAST AND SORT OF PUSHED FORWARD.
THERE'S SOME OTHER SHEDDINGS THAT CAN BE DONE.
SO LIGHT IS PUSHED DOWN TO THE GROUND, ILLUMINATING THE GROUND WHERE PEOPLE WALK AS OPPOSED TO, AGAIN, SPILLING
[06:55:01]
OVER TO THE EAST SIDE WHERE THE TURTLES ARE AND, AND THERE THEREBY, UH, DISORIENTING THE TURTLES.UH, SO THERE'S SOME SMART WAYS TO DO IT.
I'M NOT QUALIFIED TO WALK YOU THROUGH WHAT THOSE SMART WAYS ARE.
WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE VIDEO PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER FOR US.
SPEAKING OF THAT, MAYBE THIS IS A QUESTION FOR AMY.
IS THERE WAY OTHER WAYS TO DO THAT, TO DEFLECT THE LIGHT THAT'S COMING FROM ABOVE FROM AN APARTMENT? UM, YES, ABSOLUTELY.
AND I THINK OUR POLICE CHIEF REALLY NICELY EXPLAINED THE LOW SHIELDED AND LONG LIGHT LIGHTING THAT IS RECOMMENDED FOR SEA TURTLES.
BUT JUST MAKING SURE THAT LIGHTING IS POSITIONED, UH, LOW ENOUGH SO THAT IT'S NOT VISIBLE FROM THE BEACH.
SO LET'S SAY YOU HAVE AN EXTERIOR LIGHT IN A, IN A HOTEL OR A CONDO BUILDING.
IF YOU CAN'T SEE IT FROM THE BEACH, IT IT'S PROBABLY FINE.
IT SHOULD BE, UM, YOU KNOW, LOW ENOUGH THAT YOU CAN'T SEE IT FROM THE BEACH.
IT SHOULD HAVE AN AMBER LIGHT THAT IS RED OR AMBER OR ORANGE.
'CAUSE THE SEA TURTLES CAN'T DETECT THOSE AS MUCH AND IT SHOULD BE SHIELDED.
UM, SO THAT THE, WHAT THE LIGHT IS DIRECTED DOWNWARDS OR DIRECTED TO THE AREAS WHERE PEOPLE ARE WALKING, UM, TO UNCOVER DARK AREAS WHERE CRIMINALS COULD BE HIDING.
IT'S MORE STRATEGIC USE OF LIGHTING THAN JUST A FLOODLIGHT THAT GOES STRAIGHT OUT TOWARDS THE BEACH AND STRAIGHT OUT TO THE SKY.
SO THAT'S THE DIFFERENT, IT'S MUCH MORE STRATEGICALLY PLACED LIGHTING VICE MAYOR.
WELL, I, I SEE DRAMATIC, UH, OH, VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ.
SO JUST FOLLOWING UP ON SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT, THAT THE MAYOR HAD, IF SOMEONE HAS AN APARTMENT FRONTING THE BEACH WALK, FACING THE BEACH, LET'S SAY THEY HAVE LED STRIP LIGHTS ON THEIR, ON THE ROOF OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THAT LIGHTING IS VISIBLE FROM THE BEACH, THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT ANYMORE.
OR, OR THEY WOULD HAVE TO TINT THEIR, THEIR, THEIR BALCONY WINDOW OR NOT THEIR BALCONY WINDOW, THEIR SLIDING GLASS WINDOW, OR THEY'LL HAVE TO PUT A FILM ON IT.
THEY COULD DIM THAT LIGHT SO THAT IT'S NOT BRIGHT FROM THE BEACH.
THEY COULD ADD TINTS TO THE WINDOWS.
THEY COULD CLOSE THEIR SHADES OR THEY COULD CLOSE THEIR BLINDS.
SO THEY HAVE A FEW DIFFERENT OPTIONS, BUT THE OPTION TO JUST HAVE REALLY, REALLY BRIGHT LIGHTS WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN THAT'S REALLY VISIBLE FROM THE BEACH, THAT'S SOMETHING WE WOULD BE ABLE TO FIRST PROVIDE EDUCATION AND CODE WOULD GO THROUGH THEIR PROCESS.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, LET'S SAY IT'S WINTER TIME, IT'S NICE OUT AND SOMEONE OPENS UP, YOU KNOW, THE BALCONY DOOR TO GET THE SOUTHEAST BREATHES, THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT ANYMORE.
SO WINTER, WE'RE ACTUALLY, JUST, JUST TO NOTE, THIS ONLY APPLIES FROM APRIL 1ST UNTIL, UM, NOVEMBER 1ST.
SO IF IT'S DURING, YES, DURING THE REST OF THE YEAR, THEY CAN HAVE ALL THEIR LIGHTS ON AND HAVE ALL THEIR WINDOWS OPEN AND, AND, AND DO ALL OF THAT.
UM, BUT DURING SEA TURTLE SEASON, I, I DON'T THINK IT'S A MATTER OF A ONE TIME THING WHERE SOMEONE'S OPENING A DOOR AND CLOSING IT.
I THINK IT'S EGREGIOUS VIOLATORS THAT HAVE LIGHTS ON ALL THE TIME.
UM, AND THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S A, IT'S A, IT'S A CONSISTENT PROBLEM.
UH, CODE HAS CONDUCTED 256 INSPECTIONS THIS YEAR ALREADY.
UM, I'VE BEEN ON A LOT OF THEM.
THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION PROGRAM HAS COME AND THERE'S, THERE'S A WAY, THERE'S A METHODOLOGY IN HOW THE BUILDINGS ARE ASSESSED.
AND SO IT'S NOT JUST, BUT BUILDINGS, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BUILDINGS MM-HMM.
WHAT I GET CONCERNED ABOUT IS, YOU KNOW, THE MOMENT WE GO INSIDE, THE MOMENT WHERE WE'RE IMPACTING THE INSIDE OF THE PERSON'S PROPERTY, THE MOMENT WE'RE, WE'RE, WE'RE WE, NOW OUR REGULATIONS IS DICTATING OR COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE A DOMINO EFFECT ON THE TYPE OF LIGHTING THEY CAN HAVE INSIDE THEIR UNIT OR IN, IN THIS CASE REQUIRING FILMS OR TENTS.
YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN IN BUILDINGS WHERE WHEN YOU PUT THESE FILMS IN TENTS, IT'S, IT CHANGES HOW YOU EXPERIENCE YOUR VIEW.
SOMETIMES, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T.
IT DEPENDS ON THE QUALITY OF WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD.
SOME, THERE'S SOME, SOME VERY GOOD QUALITY PRODUCTS OUT THERE THAT SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE SOMETHING THERE.
BUT OTHER TIMES IF, YOU KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THESE UNITS, THEY'RE AGING IN PLACE, THIS PUTTING THIS TINT MIGHT BE A COST BURDEN TO THEM.
THEY MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD, UM, YOU KNOW, THE BEST PRODUCT OUT THERE, YOU KNOW, AND NOW I, I GET A LITTLE BIT OF HESITATION WITH THAT PART OF IT.
YOU KNOW, WHEN WE'RE SAYING THE LIGHTING ON THE BALCONY, I'M FINE WITH, WITH THE LIGHTING ON THE BALCONY WHEN WE'RE SAYING THE LIGHTING AROUND THE BUILDINGS AND ALL THAT.
THE MOMENT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE ON THIS,
[07:00:01]
A PRODUCT THAT THEY HAVE TO HAVE ON THEIR WINDOWS AND DOORS AND HOW IT IMPACTS HOW THEY EXPERIENCE THE INSIDE OF THE UNIT STATS, WHERE I THINK WE NEED TO PERHAPS DO SOME MORE FINE TUNING AND I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE SPONSOR OF THE ITEM.A A AGAIN, THIS IS NOT A PUNITIVE APPROACH, RIGHT? UM, OUR CODE CURRENTLY DOES NOT ADDRESS ANY INTERIOR LIGHTS.
AND LIKE I SAID IN THE BEGINNING OF MY, UH, INTRODUCTION, MOST PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE THAT YOUR LIGHTS ON THE INTERIOR MAY BE AFFECTING TO DISORIENTATION ON SEA TURTLES.
THIS IS AN EDUCATIONAL APPROACH.
THAT'S WHY I WAS ADAMANT OF HAVING NO FINES INVOLVED IN THIS.
THE ONLY SITUATION WHERE THERE MIGHT BE A FINE WOULD BE AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS OF EDUCATION WHERE AN INDIVIDUAL MAY SAY, WE DON'T WANT TO, WE DON'T CARE ABOUT SEA TURTLES.
TO ME, FUNDAMENTALLY, I THINK WE HAVE A DUTY TO PROTECT ENDANGERED SPECIES.
AND, BUT THAT'S WHERE THE RUBBER WOULD MEET THE ROAD IS IF YOU HAVE, UH, AN EGREGIOUS VIOLATOR WHO, WHO IS ADAMANT OF NOT, UM, WHO, WHO DOESN'T FALL IN LINE WITH OUR SUSTAINABILITY VISION, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE ENDANGERED SPECIES.
A PUNITIVE APPROACH WOULD, WOULD, WOULD BE TAKEN.
BUT FROM THE, THE ETHOS OF THIS ORDINANCE IS STRICTLY EDUCATIONAL.
BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IF, IF GEORGE SEES A UNIT WITH THE LIGHTS ON, THERE'S NOTHING HE CAN DO, HE CANNOT GO TO THE ASSOCIATION AND SAY, HEY, BY THE WAY YOUR LIGHTS ARE ON 'CAUSE IT'S NOT IN OUR CODE.
THIS IS WHY I'D LIKE TO AMEND THAT.
SO, SO THAT WE CAN HAVE AN ENGAGEMENT WITH, WITH THE NECESSARY HOAS.
SO, UM, LIKE I SAID, THIS IS NOT MEANT TO, UH, BE DRACONIAN OR, UH, OVERREACH.
THIS IS PRIMARILY A EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE, UH, THROUGH JUST ONE INDIVIDUAL.
AND THAT'S GEORGE RIGHT THERE.
SO, UM, I WELCOME TO HEAR WHAT OTHER MY COLLEAGUES HAVE TO SAY.
MY FEAR IS THAT, AS YOU MENTIONED, AFTER SEVERAL TIMES OF GOING OUT AND GIVING THEM THIS INFORMATION, THEY COULD BE SUBJECT TO ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES.
IS THAT CORRECT, MR. ATTORNEY? THAT'S CORRECT.
IF I'M FINE AND I'M FINE IT UNDER EVERY OTHER CIRCUMSTANCE FOR THIS TO BE HAVING PENALTIES, EXCEPT WHEN IT RELATES TO WHAT GOES ON THE SLIDING GLASS DOOR OF PEOPLE'S BUILDINGS AND WINDOWS AND WHAT IT, IT IMPACTS THE LIGHTING THAT THEY HAVE INSIDE THEIR UNITS.
EVERY OTHER PART OF THIS ORDINANCE I'M FINE WITH.
I WOULDN'T WANT US TO BE, AND I'M FINE WITH US HAVING AN EDUCATIONAL, AN ASPIRATIONAL COMPONENT OF THIS ORDINANCE, YOU KNOW, AS IT RELATES TO THESE EXISTING DEVELOPMENTS AND THE LIGHTS THAT ARE, THAT'S, THAT'S, UH, THE SPILLING FROM THE INSIDE OF THOSE OF THOSE UNITS, YOU KNOW, THE LIGHTING STANDARDS FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT, I MEAN FOR EXISTING DEVELOPMENTS, I'M FINE MAKING, KEEPING THAT THERE IF THAT'S ASPIRATIONAL AND APPLYING THE ENFORCEMENT AND THE PENALTIES TO THE REST OF THE, OF THE ORDINANCE.
IF, IF I CAN MAKE A, A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, I, AND I, I, I UNDERSTAND, UM, HOW, LIKE HOW ABOUT WE APPLY THE INDOOR ORDINANCE TO HOTELS BECAUSE YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A TRANSIENT NATURE, UH, ON HO ON HOTELS, ALL THAT ARE ON LONG THE BEACH.
AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU EDUCATE THEM, YOU KNOW, THEY COME AND GO.
IF THEY'RE COMING FOR, FOR JUST A COUPLE WEEKS OUT OF THE YEAR, THAT'S ONE THING.
BUT IF YOU, IF YOU ARE, IF IT'S A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING, WE CAN, WE CAN REMOVE THAT PART OF THE, THE ORDINANCE.
UM, BECAUSE IF IT'S, IF IT'S IN A HOTEL, NO MATTER HOW MUCH EDUCATION YOU HAVE.
I, I JUST DON'T WANT BE INTRUSIVE.
I, I DON'T WANT TO BE INTRUSIVE ON OUR ARRESTS.
I DON'T WANT BE DICTATING TO OUR ARRESTS.
I HAVE IT ON, BUT IT'S MIC SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE.
IT'S, SORRY, MY MIC WAS ON, IT'S JUST THAT IT WASN'T REALLY ON, BUT LET ME FINISH MY THOUGHT.
UM, I'M SPEAKING COMMISSIONER, I'M BORROWING A LINE FROM, FROM, UH, FROM KAMALA HARRIS
[07:05:01]
I'M FINE WITH THAT.WHAT YOU'RE PROPOSING MAKES SENSE BECAUSE NOW WE'RE NOT INTRUDING ON OUR RESIDENTS, WE'RE NOT INTRUDING IN THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE ON AND HOW THEY'RE USING THEIR UNITS.
IF THIS IS, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS, HOTELS, AND, AND PUTTING DYSREGULATION ON, ON HOTELS, WHICH MAKES SENSE BECAUSE A BIG PORTION OF WHAT FACES THE COASTAL CONTROL LINE AND FACES THE BEACH, A LARGE NUMBER OF THOSE BUILDINGS ARE HOTELS.
BUT WE CAN'T FORGET, A LOT OF THEM ARE ALSO RESIDENTS AND THEY'RE OUR CONSTITUENTS, AND WE'RE HERE TO PROTECT THEM AS IT IS.
THEY'RE GONNA BE DEALING WITH A GREAT DEAL OF EXPENSES BECAUSE OF THE STATE POLICIES.
AND THE LAST THING I WANT IS A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE AGING IN PLACE, PUTTING AN EXTRA BURDEN ON THEM.
SO THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING THAT AND FOR BEING WILLING TO AMEND YOUR ORDINANCE.
UH, COMMISSIONER ROSA GONZALEZ, THEN COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ.
UH, I'LL GO, BUT WE'LL JUST SWITCH ORDER.
UM, YEAH, I, I'M NOT GONNA BE IN FAVOR OF ANYTHING WHERE WE'RE DICTATING THE RESIDENTS, UH, WHAT KIND OF LIGHTS THEY HAVE OR WHETHER THEY CAN TAKE PICTURES INSIDE THEIR HOUSE.
UM, IF WE LIMIT IT TO HOTELS, I, OKAY, I THINK I CAN GET THERE, BUT AMY, UH, IN BETWEEN THIS READING AND SECOND READING, I'D KIND OF LIKE YOU TO BRAINSTORM, UH, AND COME BACK AND PRESENT JUST, UH, UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES, RIGHT? BECAUSE YES, THIS SOUNDS GREAT.
AND IF WE CAN EXCLUDE OUR RESIDENTS AND WE'RE NOT GOING IN AND TELLING PEOPLE WHAT, UH, WHAT LIGHTS TO HAVE IN THEIR HOMES, FINE.
UM, AND, AND I'D EVEN, UH, IF YOU WANT, IF WE COLLECTIVELY WANTED TO ALLOCATE MONEY TOWARDS AN EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO OUR RESIDENTS, SO WE'RE EDUCATING THEM, BUT NOT FORCING, UH, I'D BE IN FAVOR OF THAT, BUT I'D JUST LIKE YOU TO BRAINSTORM ABOUT WHAT SOME OF THESE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES ARE, EVEN WHEN IT REALLY RELATES TO HOTELS.
BUT YOU ALSO MENTIONED THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING WESTWARD OF THE COASTAL CONSTRUCTION LINE.
UM, SO THERE WAS THE OCEAN DRIVE EXCEPTION, BUT HOW ABOUT THE STREETSCAPE FOR COLLINS AVENUE, UH, AND THINGS LIKE THAT? IS, IS THAT GOING TO, UH, BECOME PROBLEMATIC? UM, ESPECIALLY, YOU KNOW, BETWEEN, UH, SOUTH POINT, UH, DRIVE AND, UH, 15TH STREET, YOU KNOW, WHERE IT'S ACTUALLY THE SECOND STREET BACK.
UM, SO IF WE EXCLUDE, UH, RESIDENTIAL, I'LL BE SUPPORTIVE OF FIRST READING AND WE'LL JUST LIKE FOR YOU TO BRAINSTORMING AND COME BACK AND SAY, OKAY, THIS IS WHEN THIS IS PUT INTO PRACTICE.
UH, I'M JUST GETTING THE UNEASY FEELING THAT, YOU KNOW, A WEEK AFTER THIS, WE'RE ALL GONNA BE GETTING CALLS AND SAYING, HEY, WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON HERE? UM, I HAVE TO DO X, Y, AND Z.
I THINK THIS IS A GREAT, UM, ITEM.
UH, YOU KNOW, LAKE COMMISSIONER MARK SAMUEL AND WAS A BIG TURTLE GUY, AND HE WOULD HOLD TURTLE WALKS, UM, TO EDUCATE AND INFORM PEOPLE.
I THINK THIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
I LIKE THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING FOR RESIDENTS IS, UM, GIVING THEM SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO DO THEIR LIGHTING.
AND IT'S NOT UNUSUAL FOR A RESIDENT TO GET A VIOLATION FOR SOMETHING THEY DO INSIDE THEIR HOUSE.
IF THEY HAD THEIR MUSIC TOO LOUD, UM, THEY WOULD GET A CODE VIOLATION.
SO, UM, HAVING LIGHT THAT WOULD AFFECT AN ENDANGERED SPECIES, UM, I'M NOT OPPOSED TO IT.
UM, BUT I AM LEARNING AND HEARING MORE OF WHAT THE COMMISSION HAS TO SAY.
COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ, THEN COMMISSIONER B I'M NOT OPPOSED TO THIS ITEM.
AS LONG AS PEOPLE AREN'T GONNA HAVE TO SPEND ANY MONEY.
I THINK PEOPLE RIGHT NOW ARE FED UP WITH INSURANCE PRICES, CONDO RESERVES, RECERTIFICATIONS MAINTENANCE INCREASES, AND WHERE WE'RE GONNA COME ALONG NOW WE'RE GONNA BE LIKE, HEY, NOW YOU GOTTA PAY THESE BUILDINGS.
CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR, TO CHANGE THEIR LIGHTING.
I MEAN, REALISTICALLY, IF IT'S ASPIRATIONAL, FINE, YOU'VE GOT MY SUPPORT.
BUT INCREASING ANY COSTS RIGHT NOW IN THIS ECONOMY, I CAN'T, I, I CAN'T GET BEHIND THAT.
I DON'T WANT THEM TO THINK THAT WE ARE SOMEHOW CHARGING THEM.
UH, PEOPLE CAN BARELY HOLD ONTO THEIR UNITS AS IS COMMISSIONER BOT.
UM, I, I THINK THIS IS A GREAT INITIATIVE.
I THINK, UM, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A FEW DETAILS TO BE TWEAKED.
UM, I, UNLESS I'M MISSING SOMETHING, I DON'T SEE ANY EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE PLAN IS TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF OPTIONS
[07:10:01]
THAT DON'T NECESSARILY INCLUDE SIGNIFICANT COSTS.I MEAN, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY'S REALLY SUGGESTING THAT A BUILDING HAS TO REDO ITS ENTIRE LIGHTING OR THAT YOU HAVE TO PUT WINDOW FILMS, WHICH THEN, BY THE WAY, COULD NEGATE YOUR WARRANTY ON YOUR HURRICANE WINDOWS.
SO, LIKE, I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF OPTIONS AND I THINK WE NEED TO EDUCATE WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE LOOKING OUT FOR.
AND I, AND IT COULD BE USED ERROR ON MY PART.
AND BETWEEN NOW AND SECOND READING, I THINK THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.
AND, UM, I DO LIKE THE IDEA OF FOCUSING MORE ON HOTELS 'CAUSE THEY PROBABLY HAVE MORE LIGHTING AND, UM, THE TRANSIENT NATURE OBVIOUSLY IS, IS, UM, IS RELEVANT.
BUT, YOU KNOW, NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS, MAILERS TO HOAS, BUT NOT JUST THE HOAS TO ALL THE RESIDENTS TO THE, YOU KNOW, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT OFFLINE, BUT THAT NEEDS TO BE A PART OF THIS GOING INTO THE SECOND READING.
I THINK THE COMMISSIONER SUAREZ, UH, THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.
AND, AND JUST, JUST TO ADDRESS SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES' CONCERN, UM, COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ IS, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALREADY ON THE BOOKS, THE CODE, THE LIGHTING CODE FOR OUTDOOR LIGHTS.
UH, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, AMY, THIS IS NOT THE, WHAT THIS INTENDS TO DO IS TO ANYTHING WEST OF THE CCL LINE.
AND THERE'S A REASON FOR THAT BECAUSE IF YOU'RE ON THE BEACH AND YOU CAN SEE THE LIGHT, IT SHOULDN'T JUST BE LOCATED, IT SHOULDN'T JUST BE CONFINED TO EAST OF THE CCL.
THERE SHOULD BE BASICALLY ANY, ANY LIGHT THAT YOU CAN SEE.
UH, AGAIN, I'M TOTALLY OKAY WITH KEEPING THE RESIDENTIAL ASPECT, UM, INFORMATIVE AND NOT APPLYING THE CODE TO THAT AND ONLY TO COMMERCIAL USES.
UM, AND A AGAIN, I JUST WANNA REMIND EVERYONE THIS, THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE LIGHTING ORDINANCE THAT WE PASSED FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES WHERE I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER ZA, YOU, YOU SPONSORED AN ITEM THAT DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE SPILLOVER LIGHT FOR QUALITY OF LIFE CONCERNS.
AND I'M ASKING THAT SAME COURTESY TO AN ENDANGERED SPECIES.
AND SO, UM, I THINK IT'S IN THE RIGHT APPROACH.
I DON'T THINK, UM, THIS IS GONNA BE PUNITIVE FOR A MOVING FORWARD FOR ANY RESIDENTS, UH, CONSIDERING THIS IS ALREADY ON THE BOOKS.
SO, UM, I APPRECIATE THE FEEDBACK FROM MY COLLEAGUES.
OKAY, SO LET'S, UM, LET'S CALL THE VOTE.
UM, I, I'M, I'M VERY APPRECIATIVE THAT YOU AMENDED WITH THE RESIDENTIAL COMPONENT.
I'M GONNA TRY TO GET THERE BEFORE A SECOND READING, BUT I, I'M GONNA BE A NO TODAY.
'CAUSE I JUST, I, I GOTTA TELL YOU, MY MINDSET COMING IN WITH THE CELL PHONES AND THE USAGE INSIDE I, IT, AND POTENTIAL OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES, UM, THIS AMENDMENT MAY GO, GOES A LONG WAY.
BUT I, I, I'M GONNA, I'M GONNA TRY TO WORK WITH YOU, AMY AND ERIC, BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND READING TO GET THERE.
'CAUSE I THINK THAT IS A MAJOR AMENDMENT.
BUT I, I'LL JUST, FOR THOSE REASONS, I'M GONNA BE A NOTE TODAY.
SO, CREDITED THE MOTION TO COMMISSIONER SUAREZ.
PUBLIC HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 30TH.
THAT WAS A SIX ONE ITEM R FIVE HR
[R5 I ACCESSIBILITY RAMPS IN SINGLE FAMILY DISTRICTS AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE MIAMI BEACH RESILIENCY CODE, AT CHAPTER 7, ENTITLED "ZONING DISTRICTS AND REGULATIONS," ARTICLE 2, "DISTRICT REGULATIONS," SECTION 7.2.2, ENTITLED "RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, RS-4 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS," TO AMEND THE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS FOR ACCESSIBILITY WALKWAYS AND RAMPS IN SINGLE-FAMILY DISTRICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
FIVE IR FIVE I IS THE NOTICE OF MAYOR CITY COMMISSION OF STATE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA AMENDING THE MIAMI BEACH RESILIENCY CODE CHAPTER SEVEN, ENTITLED ZONING DISTRICTS AND REGULATIONS.ARTICLE TWO, DISTRICT REGULATIONS SECTION 7.2 0.2 ENTITLED RS ONE RS TWO RS THREE RS FOUR, SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT TO AMEND THE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS FOR ACCESSIBILITY, WALKWAYS AND RAMPS IN SINGLE FAMILY DISTRICTS AND PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION REPEAL SUB ABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE.
SO THIS IS AN ITEM I PLACED ON THE AGENDA IS SENT.
IT'S AN AMENDMENT TO OUR ORLANDO DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR, UH, INDIVIDUALS TO AGE IN PLACE, UH, FOR, FOR INDIVIDUALS TO BE ABLE TO ADD ACCESSIBILITY RAMPS TO THEIR HOMES, UH, WITHOUT HAVING TO GO THROUGH AN EXTENDED BUREAUCRATIC PROCESS THROUGH SEVERAL BOARDS OF, OF REVIEW AND THAT TYPE OF STUFF.
UM, THIS, THIS WAS REVIEWED BY THE PLANNING BOARD.
THEY GAVE IT A UNANIMOUS RECOMMENDATION AND IT APPLIES STRICTLY TO SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.
AND WITH THAT, I MOVE MY ITEM.
I'LL SECOND IT'S CALL THE VOTE VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ.
[07:15:01]
YES.SECOND READING, PUBLIC HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 30TH, APPROVED SEVEN ZERO
[R5 J AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE, ENTITLED "ADMINISTRATION," BY AMENDING ARTICLE III, ENTITLED “AGENCIES, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES,” BY AMENDING DIVISION 33, ENTITLED “NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE,” TO AMEND SECTION 2-190.151 THEREOF, ENTITLED “COMPOSITION; KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE” TO ALLOW FOR A 5/7TH CITY COMMISSION WAIVER FOR THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT UNDER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS; AND, PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
R FIVE JR FIVE J IS THE NORTH OF MAYOR CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA.AMENDING CHAPTER TWO OF THE MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE ENTITLED ADMINISTRATION BY AMENDING ARTICLE THREE ENTITLED AGENCIES, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES BY AMENDING DIVISION 33 ENTITLED NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO AMEND SECTION TWO DASH 9 5 1 THEREOF ENTITLED COMPOSITION KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE TO ALLOW FOR A FIVE SEVEN CITY COMMISSION WAIVER FOR THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT UNDER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS THAT PROVIDED FOR REPEATERS OF ABILITY, CLARIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
THIS IS A FIRST READING R FIVE J COMMISSIONER, POP.
UM, SO, UH, YEARS AGO I WORKED WITH MINE BEACH UNITED AND OUR, UH, COMMISSION AT THE TIME TO CREATE THE NORTH BEACH CRA BECAUSE WE THOUGHT IT WAS VERY ADVISORY COMMITTEE, NOT THE CRA ITSELF.
UM, WOULDN'T WANNA STEP ON YOUR TOES, RAQUEL.
UM, BECAUSE IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE PEOPLE WHO WERE AFFECTED BY THE CRA AND WHO KNEW THAT NEIGHBORHOOD MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THAT, THAT PART OF THE CITY.
UM, AS WE'VE SEEN WITH MANY CITY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, UM, WE SOMETIMES IN OUR ZEAL TO BE VERY PRECISE AND GET THE MOST QUALIFIED PEOPLE APPOINTED TO BOARDS, ADVISORY COMMITTEES, UM, SOMETIMES LIMIT OURSELVES OUT OF VIABLE CANDIDATES.
AND WE FIND OURSELF IN THAT SITUATION WITH THIS, UM, ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
RIGHT NOW, WE ARE DOWN TO PEOPLE AND WHAT THIS, UM, PROPOSAL SEEKS TO DO IS TO ACTUALLY, UM, INCREASE THE, THE, UM, OR BROADEN THE SCOPE OF WHO COULD SERVE ON THE, ON THE COMMITTEE IN ONE.
UM, RIGHT NOW IT'S 300 FEET, UM, BUT WE'RE PROPOSING TO, UH, BROADEN THAT SLIGHTLY, UM, IN ONE CASE THAT ONE OF THE CANDIDATES, UH, LIVES ON PARKVIEW ISLAND, WHICH, UM, IS UP FOR CONSIDERATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CRA ONCE WE GET A LITTLE BIT FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD.
AND ARGUABLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF IT, UM, FROM THE GET GO.
BUT THAT WAS IN A DIFFERENT ADMINISTRATION.
SO WANNA TALK ABOUT THAT HERE NOW.
UM, AND THE OTHER PERSON, UM, IS IN INCREDIBLY QUALIFIED AND WOULD BE FILLING A SEAT VACATED BY ACTUALLY HIS WIFE.
SO WE HAD WAIVED IT ALREADY, UM, FOR, FOR HER.
AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO JUST, UM, HAVE MY COLLEAGUES SUPPORT ME ON THIS ON THE FIRST READING, AND THEN WE CAN GO AHEAD AND APPOINT THE TWO, UM, CANDIDATES AND, UM, PENDING AN APPROVAL OF THE SECOND READING.
UM, AND WE CAN HOLD THE SEATS FOR THEM.
THEY CAN START, ATTEND THE NEXT MEETING AND, AND START GETTING TO WORK.
IS THAT A MOTION? OH, THAT'S A MOTION.
SO, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BOT SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ.
COMMISSIONER ROSA GONZALEZ ON ITEM R FIVE J.
[R9 A BOARD AND COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS.]
FOR OCTOBER 30TH.COULD I DO BOARD COMMITTEES SINCE I WAS TEED UP? SURE.
EVERYONE HAS A BLUE PIECE OF PAPER.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ON, UH, I, THERE'S NO OPPOSITIONS TO ANY OF THESE SEATS, SO IF I CAN JUST CALL HIM.
UH, SO FOR THE AD HOC CITY LIGHTING PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE, JOEL SCHWARTZ HAS BEEN, UH, NOMINATED FOR BID MID BEACH RESIDENCY CATEGORY BY THE MAYOR.
MAY WE DO SO BY ACCLAMATION? CAN WE PUT THEM ALL BY EXPLANATION? YES, WE COULD.
THE ONLY ONE THAT WILL BE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL IS OMAR JIMENEZ FOR THE NORTH BEACH CRA.
HE WOULDN'T TAKE THE SEAT UNTIL THIS SECOND MEETING, AND SO WE WOULD NEED A FIVE SEVEN WAIVER BECAUSE HE LIVES, UH, I BELIEVE IT'S 500 FEET AWAY.
SO WE WOULD NEED A WAIVER ON THAT ONE.
SO WE COULD DO THAT BY ACCLIMATION.
AND SAMUEL LATON REQUIRES TWO WAIVER, THE DISTANCE SEPARATION WAIVER AND THE FIVE YEAR RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT THAT COULD ALSO BE WAIVED BY FIVE SEVENS.
HE HAS LIVED HERE SINCE 2024, SO IT'S FOUR YEARS.
AND TO JUST, UH, CLARIFY, HE HAS LIVED HERE, UH, HE'S HAD PROPERTY HERE FOR 20 PLUS YEARS, BUT BECAME A FULL-TIME RESIDENT FOUR YEARS AGO.
SO IF WE COULD DO THOSE BY, BY ACCLIMATION THE WAIVERS AS WELL, THAT WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE.
AND WE'RE ALSO, UH, JUST FOR THE RECORD, WE'RE APPOINTING COMMISSIONER VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ TO THE, UH, QUALITY EDUCATION COMMITTEE.
[R5 K AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 82 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ENTITLED "PUBLIC PROPERTY," BY AMENDING ARTICLE III, ENTITLED “USE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY,” BY AMENDING DIVISION 1, ENTITLED “GENERALLY,” BY AMENDING SECTION 82-72 THEREOF, ENTITLED “COMMERCIAL VESSEL ACTIVITY HOURS OF OPERATION AT PUBLICLY-OWNED MARINAS,” TO MODIFY THE PROHIBITED HOURS OF DEPARTURE FOR COMMERCIAL VESSELS AT PUBLICLY-OWNED MARINAS AND MARINE FACILITIES; AND AMENDING CHAPTER 66 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ENTITLED "MARINE STRUCTURES, FACILITIES AND VESSELS," BY AMENDING ARTICLE III, ENTITLED “PIERS, DOCKS, AND BOAT RAMPS,” BY AMENDING SECTION 66-116 THEREOF, ENTITLED “COMMERCIAL VESSEL HOURS OF OPERATION AT PRIVATE MARINAS AND PRIVATE MARINE FACILITIES,” TO MODIFY THE PROHIBITED HOURS OF DEPARTURE FOR COMMERCIAL VESSELS AT PRIVATELY-OWNED MARINAS AND MARINE FACILITIES; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
[07:20:05]
R FIVE KR 5K IS IN OUR OF THE MAYOR CITY COMMISSIONER OF CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA.AMENDING CHAPTER 82 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH ENTITLED PUBLIC PROPERTY BY AMENDING ARTICLE THREE ENTITLED USE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY BY AMENDING DIVISION ONE ENTITLED GENERALLY BY AMENDING SECTION 82 DASH 72 THEREOF ENTITLED COMMERCIAL VESSEL ACTIVITY, HOURS OF OPERATION OF PUBLICLY OWNED MARINAS TO MODIFY THE, PROHIBIT THE PROHIBITED HOURS OF DEPARTURE FOR COMMERCIAL VESSELS OF PUBLICLY OWNED MARINAS AND MARINE FACILITIES.
AND AMENDING CHAPTER 66 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH ENTITLED MARINE STRUCTURES, FACILITIES, AND VESSELS BY AMENDING ARTICLE THREE ENTITLED PIERS DOCKS AND BOAT RAMPS BY AMENDING SECTION 66 SLASH ONE 16 THEREOF ENTITLED COMMERCIAL VESSEL HOURS OF OPERATION OF PRIVATE MARINAS AND PRIVATE MARINE FACILITIES TO MODIFY THE PROHIBITED HOURS OF DEPARTURE FOR COMMERCIAL VESSELS THAT PRIVATELY OWNED MARINAS AND MARINE FACILITIES AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALS SUB ABILITY, IFICATION AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
THIS IS THE FIRST READING IT IS ITEM R 5K.
THE INTENT OF THIS, UH, ORDINANCE IS TO ADDRESS THE PARTY CHARTER OPERATORS THAT LEAVE THAT, THAT NO FULL WELL, THAT THE CURFEW IS AT NINE O'CLOCK, UH, AT MIAMI BEACH MARINA, BUT THEY LEAVE AT LET'S SAY EIGHT O'CLOCK WITH THE FULL, WITH KNOWING THAT THERE'S ONLY ONE HOUR LEFT IN THE CHARTER AND IT SORT OF SETS THEM UP FOR FAILURE ON COMING BACK.
THERE WAS A HIGH PROFILE CASE WITH TRAVIS SCOTT WHERE HE LEFT, I BELIEVE AT EIGHT O'CLOCK.
TOLD THE CAPTAIN, JUST YOU CAN DROP ME OFF A, ACROSS THE BAY.
UM, AND AFTER A VERY, UM, LONG NIGHT OF DRINKING, UH, HE TOLD THE CAPTAIN THAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE ME BACK TO MIAMI BEACH.
UH, THE CAPTAIN FELT THREATENED AND DECIDED TO COME BACK TO, TO MIAMI BEACH WELL AFTER NINE O'CLOCK.
AND SO, UH, THAT'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF, OF A RECENT CASE.
UH, SO THE INTENT IS TO REALLY DISCOURAGE ANY OF THOSE TWO HOUR CHARTERS THAT LEAVE MIAMI BEACH MARINA AND COME BACK, UM, AFTER NINE O'CLOCK.
SO, UM, THIS PUTS A LOT LESS STRAIN ON, ON CODE, UM, AND, AND THE MARINA STAFF.
AND SO WE THOUGHT I'D LIKE TO MOVE MY ITEM.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THE, UH, THE ITEM.
I ACTUALLY LAST YEAR, WAS IT LAST YEAR OR A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, BROUGHT THE ITEM TO MAKE IT 9:00 PM SO, UH, SURE.
WHO ARE YOU? MY NAME'S JOSE ORTEGA.
UM, I'M AN INSURANCE AGENT AND I WORK WITH A LOT OF THE CHARTER BOATS THAT YOU ARE, UH, YOU KNOW, DISCUSSING AND AFFECTING.
UM, WE, I PERSONALLY, UH, WORK WITH A PARTICULAR GROUP THAT OPERATE WITH BTRS, UH, FOLLOWING USCG LAWS, THE CORRECT WAY.
THEY TURN ON THE MUSIC, UH, NO WAY OUT.
THEY TURN ON THE MUSIC ON THE WAY IN, THEY'RE IDLE SPEED.
UM, THESE ARE GOOD OPERATORS, PEOPLE THAT HAVE INVESTED THEIR MONEY, UH, TO, THEY'VE INVESTED THEIR MONEY TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A BUSINESS.
UM, AND I THINK THAT YOU'RE GOING TO AFFECT, YOU KNOW, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO, WHO LIVE AND FEED OFF OFF OF THIS, UM, BY CREATING LIMITATIONS.
THE NINE O'CLOCK CURFEW WAS, UH, SOMETHING THAT REALLY AFFECTED A LOT OF THE OPERATORS.
AND BY GOING A STEP FURTHER, UM, WHAT, WHAT, WHAT WE FEEL IS THAT WHEN YOU DID THE NINE O'CLOCK, THAT WAS A, A BIG STEP IN CONTROLLING SOME OF THE STUFF THAT HAD HAPPENED.
I, I THINK THAT, UM, COVID AFFECTED THE WAY THAT THE PERCEPTION OF THE MARINA WAS.
AND I THINK THAT IT'S BEEN A KNEE JERK REACTION.
AND TRAVIS SCOTT IS ONE SITUATION IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, THREE YEARS, UM, AND HE'S A HIGH PROFILE PERSON THAT YOU, AND THROUGH, THROUGH THE CHAIR, IF I MAY RESPOND.
UM, YOU KNOW, I, I'M A BOATER.
I, I KEEP, I HAVE MY BOAT AT MIAMI, MAY BEACH MARINA.
AND YOU KNOW, I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT YOU CAN'T REALLY DO A TWO HOUR CHARTER.
YOU KNOW, AND SO AGAIN, I'M MAYBE MIS MISINTERPRETED THE ORDINANCE, BUT WE'RE NOT EXTENDING, WE'RE NOT BRINGING THE CURFEW DOWN AT 7:00 PM WE'RE JUST SAYING YOU CAN'T LEAVE AFTER SEVEN.
I THINK OUR CONCERN IS MORE LIKE, OUR CONCERN MORE IS LIKE, WHEN DOES IT STOP? AT WHAT POINT DO YOU, YOU KNOW, OUR, OUR FEAR IS THAT THEN, SO IT WON'T BE SEVEN O'CLOCK, IT'LL BE SIX O'CLOCK, AND THEN IT'LL BE FIVE.
AND I THINK OUR BIG, OUR, OUR BIG ARGUMENT IS COVID WAS HORRENDOUS.
[07:25:01]
80% INCREASE IN CHARTER BOATS, JET SKIS, RENTALS IN GENERAL.IT WAS A, A, IT WAS MANIC AND THERE WAS NO INFRASTRUCTURE TO REALLY CONTROL IT AND TO SUPERVISE IT AND TO DO THE THINGS THAT, THAT NEED TO BE DONE.
AND, AND THAT'S WHY AS A, AS AN INDIVIDUAL AND AS A GROUP, I'VE EMAILED YOU GUYS, UM, TO HAVE A MEETING WITH YOU GUYS SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A DIALOGUE FROM AN INDUSTRY STANDPOINT, BECAUSE I THINK SOUTH OF FIFTH HAS A VOICE, BUT THE ACTUAL CHARTER YACHT INDUSTRY AND THE OPERATORS THAT HAVE THEIR MONEY INVESTED IN THE VESSELS AND THE OPERATIONS DON'T HAVE A VOICE.
AND I THINK IF WE COULD WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE AN A, A SYNERGY WHERE IT MAKES SENSE, THERE'S A LOT OF ILLEGAL OPERATORS THAT GIVE THE IMAGE THAT IT'S THE CHARTER BOATS, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S THE LEGAL OPERATORS THAT YOU GUYS DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO THEY ARE BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A BTR.
THEY'RE NOT PAYING THE HIGH INSURANCE RATES THAT THESE OPERATORS ARE.
SO THEREFORE THEY CAN UNDERCUT 'EM.
WE WANT YOU TO REGULATE, WE WANT YOU TO HELP US BECAUSE THAT BRINGS THEN THE, THE, THE WAY THAT THEY CAN MAKE THEIR MONEY, THE WAY THAT THEY CAN OPERATE AND SUSTAIN THEIR BUSINESS BECOMES MORE, MORE, MORE FEASIBLE.
AND LOOK, I I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THE CONVERSATION.
UM, ARE, ARE YOU WITH AXIOM? IS THAT YES, SIR.
'CAUSE I JUST GOT YOUR EMAIL TODAY.
I, I RESPONDED TWO DAYS AGO, SIR, FOR A MEETING AND I DIDN'T GET A RESPONSE.
SO, UH, AGAIN, I'M, I'M COMPLETELY, UM, OPEN TO A CONVERSATION.
HOWEVER, YOU KNOW, I STILL GET EMAILS AND, AND, AND TEXT MESSAGES OF CONCERNS TO THIS DAY, UH, AT MIAMI BEACH MARINA.
UM, IT SEEMS THAT ALMOST EVERY WEEKEND THERE'S A CONCERN.
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, WHEN I COME FOR, I GO FISHING ALMOST EVERY WEEKEND WITH MY FAMILY, AND I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES WHEN I COME BACK AND I, MY BOAT'S ON THE LIFT.
AND THERE'S JUST PLUMES OF, OF DRUGS IN THE AIR, AND THERE'S FIGHTS HAPPENING ON THE BAY WALK.
AND SO, UM, WHAT THIS ORDINANCE DOES IS IT REALLY, IT SETS UP THE, IT DOESN'T ALLOW THE CHARTER OPERATORS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FAIL, FAIL THE SYSTEM BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE, WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT YOU DON'T HAVE A TWO HOUR CHARTER.
YOU KNOW, IT TAKES 15 MINUTES TO LEAVE IF, IF YOU'RE ON A, IF YOU'RE ON A 80 FOOT BOAT, IT TAKES ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO LEAVE THE, THE MARINA, IT TAKES ABOUT ANOTHER 15 MINUTES TO GET BACK.
SO IN REALITY, YOU ONLY HAVE AN HOUR AND A HALF.
AND THAT'S, AND, AND BY THE WAY, YOU ALL THE GUESTS HAVE TO BE OFF BY NINE O'CLOCK.
SO CONSIDERING THAT IT'S 30 MINUTES IN AND OUT, AND THEN IT'S PROBABLY ANOTHER 30 MINUTES, UH, HAVING TO GET EVERYONE OFF THE BOAT AND O OFF THE DOCK, THAT'S ANOTHER 30 MINUTES.
AND SO IF YOU'RE PAYING $10,000 FOR A CHARTER, AND IT'S ONLY END UP BEING ONE HOUR, YOU'RE SETTING 'EM UP FOR FAILURE.
AND, AND AGAIN, I I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND HAVING A CONVERSATION AND I'M TOTALLY OPEN TO THAT.
BUT THIS ISN'T COMING OUT OF A VACUUM.
YOU KNOW, W LIKE I SAID, WE, WE'VE BEEN, ALL OF US HAVE BEEN APPROACHED BY THE SOUTH OF FIFTH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
THEY'RE VERY, THE CONSISTENT ISSUES THAT WE'VE SEEN THERE.
AND RIGHT NOW, THE CITY STAFF IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A CONTRACT NEGOTIATION WITH SUBTEXT TO ADDRESS A LOT OF THESE CONCERNS.
AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT'S MORE OF AN APPROPRIATE VENUE TO, TO RAISE, YOU KNOW, A DIALOGUE.
UM, BUT AGAIN, WE'RE HERE AS ELECTED OFFICIALS REPRESENT RESIDENT QUALITY OF LIFE.
YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU HAVE A BUSINESS THAT IS CONSISTENTLY EVERY WEEKEND CAUSING ISSUES FOR THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE, YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHEN WE HAVE TO STEP IN.
I, I, I WANT TO, UH, I'M ONE OF THE CHARTER OPERATORS.
WHAT'S YOUR NAME? FERNANDO CASINA.
I, UH, I THINK WE ARE VERY ALIGNED IN WHAT YOU WANT TO DO AND WHAT WE WANT TO DO.
WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE LIKE WHEN COVID WAS HAPPENING.
I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE WAY IT'S BEEN APPROACHED, IT'S NOT, IT'S NOT GONNA SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
BECAUSE LIKE HE MENTIONED, THERE'S A LOT OF ILLEGAL CHARTERS.
THERE'S OTHER PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE INSURANCE, THEY DON'T HAVE BTRS.
THEY DON'T HAVE THE OVERHEAD THAT MOST OF US HAD.
I THINK WE'RE TIED TO THE, I THINK OUR HANDS ARE TIED BECAUSE OF THE AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH TEX.
AND THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH THAT WE CAN DO WHEN WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH TEX THAT'S GONNA
[07:30:01]
BE AROUND FOR THE NEXT 40 YEARS.THAT'S WHY WE'RE GOING THROUGH A, UH, A CONTRACT RENEGOTIATION.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE, WE CAN ONLY ENFORCE SO MUCH THAT TEX IS UNWILLING TO ENFORCE.
BUT I DON'T, BUT THAT'S THE POINT.
THE POINT THAT WE WANNA DO IS WE, WE HAVE BEEN MEETING TOGETHER AND WE WANT TO COME FORWARD AND MEET WITH YOU AND WORK WITH YOU IN ORDER TO FIND A WAY TO GET A SOLUTION.
WE UNDERSTAND THE BURDEN YOU HAVE AND THE PROBLEM THAT THIS HAS CAUSED, EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN IMPROVING BECAUSE WE ALSO ARE IN THE MARINA AND SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING.
BUT I THINK ALSO IT'S VERY UNFAIR BECAUSE WE SEE ALSO PRIVATE OWNERS WITH GUESTS COMING IN DRUNK.
I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN THEM AND PEOPLE URINATING IN THE MARINA OUTSIDE AND DOING GROWTH THINGS AND, AND, AND OH LOOK, CHARTER PEOPLE, WE, FOR EVERYTHING.
AND AT THE END, SO WHAT IS GONNA BE THE SOLUTION? YOU LIMIT US.
WE, WE LOST A LOT OF REVENUE OF PEOPLE THAT WANNA SEE THE SUNSET, THE BEAUTIFUL MIAMI SKYLAND SUNSET.
SO I, I OPENED IT UP TO PUBLIC, I'LL LET YOU LET THE LAST WORD.
BUT GENERALLY THE WAY IT WORKS IS YOU MAKE YOUR COMMENTS THAT I'VE LET IT GO A LITTLE BIT.
BUT BY THE WAY, YOU CAN REACH OUT TO ANY OF US.
WE CAN HAVE THIS DISCUSSION, BUT WE, I NEED TO MOVE ON EMAIL OUT TO EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU ALSO COPYING YOUR ASSISTANCE.
SO, AND I'M GONNA MAKE SURE THAT MY ASSISTANT RESENDS IT TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AGAIN.
UM, SO THAT WE CAN START THE DIALOGUE.
AND I'D LIKE TO BE ABLE TO MAYBE SET A SITUATION WHERE MORE OPERATORS CAN COME OUT SO THAT YOU CAN SEE THAT IT'S NOT JUST TWO OF US.
SO THAT YOU CAN ALSO UNDERSTAND AND YOU CAN SEE THE FACES OF THE PEOPLE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO AFFECT, RIGHT? BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHEN YOU DID SET THE NINE O'CLOCK, UM, YOU KNOW, TIME LIMIT IN THE SUMMERS, THE, THE SUNS AT WHAT, EIGHT 30, YOU GOTTA, YOU GOTTA ALREADY BE BACK, RIGHT? SO THERE IS AN EFFECT TO HOW YOU CAN SEE THE CITY.
I MEAN, IT'S PART OF THE FABRIC OF THE CITY, RIGHT? PEOPLE COME TO A WORLD CLASS CITY LIKE MIAMI, AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO ENJOY IT THE SAME WAY ON LAND AS YOU WOULD ON THE WATER.
SO THERE'S DIFFERENT TALKING POINTS THAT I THINK WE CAN, WE CAN COME TOGETHER BECAUSE I THINK WE AGREE ON ONE THING, AND THAT IS THAT WE WANT TO MAKE IT BETTER.
WE WANT A BETTER QUALITY INDUSTRY OF CHARTER BOATS OUT THERE.
OKAY? THIS, THIS IS FIRST READING.
OUR NEXT MEETING IS OCTOBER 30TH.
SO YOU'LL HAVE TIME TO REACH OUT TO ALL OF US IN, IN THE INTERIM.
READING, PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 30TH.
[R5 L SHADE AND PALM TREE REQUIREMENTS - CHAPTER 4 LDR AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 4 OF THE MIAMI BEACH RESILIENCY CODE, ENTITLED "LANDSCAPE REQUIREMENTS," BY AMENDING ARTICLE II, ENTITLED "REQUIREMENTS," BY AMENDING SECTION 4.2.3, ENTITLED “MINIMUM STANDARDS” BY ALLOWING PALMS TO COUNT TOWARD MINIMUM STREET TREE REQUIREMENTS; AND, PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
I'M GONNA DEFER MY ITEM R FIVE L 'CAUSE I JUST WANNA RUN, RUN OVER SOME THINGS WITH OUR CITY MANAGER.SO I'LL DO THAT IN THE INTERIM, WE'LL CALL IT ON OCTOBER 30TH.
[R5 N AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, BY AMENDING CHAPTER 90, ENTITLED "SOLID WASTE," (A) BY AMENDING ARTICLE I, ENTITLED “IN GENERAL,” BY AMENDING “SECTION 90-2,” ENTITLED DEFINITIONS,” TO INCORPORATE DEFINITIONS FOR “C&D HAULER,” “C&D COLLECTION PERMIT,” “C&D CONTAINER,” “C&D CONTAINER PERMIT,” “CONTAINER PERMIT,” “ON-STREET COLLECTION CITY FEE” AND “OFF-STREET COLLECTION CITY FEE” AND TO REMOVE THE DEFINITION OF “ROLLOFF CONTRACTOR”; AND (B) BY AMENDING ARTICLE IV, ENTITLED “PRIVATE WASTE CONTRACTORS,” BY AMENDING DIVISION 4, ENTITLED “SPECIALTY CONTRACTORS,” BY AMENDING SUBDIVISION II, ENTITLED “ROLLOFF/PORTABLE WASTE CONTAINER CONTRACTORS,” BY AMENDING ITS TITLE AND SECTIONS 90-276 - 90-278 TO CLARIFY THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH A PERMIT (AND PAYMENT OF THE PERCENTAGE OF GROSS RECEIPTS) IS REQUIRED FROM THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES ENGAGED IN THE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL OF CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRIS AND/OR BULKY WASTE IN THE CITY, AND PROVIDING LIMITED EXEMPTIONS FROM OBTAINING PERMITS; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
SO R FIVE MR FIVE N IS THE NORTH OF THE MAYOR OF CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA.AMENDING CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH BY AMENDING CHAPTER 90, ENTITLED SOLID WASTE BY AMENDING ARTICLE ONE, ENTITLED IN GENERAL BY AMENDING SECTION 90 DASH TWO, ENTITLED DEFINITIONS TO INCORPORATE DEFINITION FOR C AND D, HOLLER C AND D COLLECTION PERMIT, C AND D CONTAINER C AND D, CONTAINER PERMIT, CONTAINER PERMIT ON STREET COLLECTION, CITY FEE OFF STREET COLLECTION, CITY FEE, AND TO REMOVE THE DEFINITION OF ROLL OFF CONTRACTOR AND B, BY AMENDING ARTICLE FOUR ENTITLED PRIVATE WASTE CONTRACTORS BY AMENDING DIVISION FOUR ENTITLED SPECIALTY CONTRACTORS BY AMENDING SUBDIVISION.
TWO ENTITLED, ROLL ROLL OFF PORTABLE WASTE CONTAINER CONTRACTORS BY AMENDING ITS TITLE AND SECTIONS 90 DASH 2 76 THROUGH 90 DASH 2 78 TO CLARIFY THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER THE WHICH AND PERMIT AND PAYMENT OF THE PERCENTAGE OF GROSS RECEIPTS IS REQUIRED FROM THE, FROM THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES ENGAGED IN COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL OF CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRIS AND OR BULKY WASTE IN THE CITY.
AND PROVIDING FOR LIMITED EXEMPTIONS FROM OBTAINING PERMITS AND PROVIDING REPEATERS OF ABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
THIS IS THE FIRST READING IS ITEM R FIVE N, COMMISSIONER BOT.
SO THE SHORT TITLE OF THIS IS WHEN IS A ROLL OFF, NOT A ROLL OFF.
UM, AND I WILL LET BRAD DO THE HEAVY LIFTING ON EXPLAINING THIS, BUT BASICALLY WE AS THE CITY HAVE BEEN LEAVING A LOT OF MONEY, HOPEFULLY LOTS AND LOTS OF MONEY ON THE TABLE BECAUSE WE'LL NOW BE COLLECTING IT WITH THIS MINOR MODIFICATION AND HOPEFULLY, UM, UPON THE COMPLETION OF BRAD'S EXCELLENT EXPLANATION.
SOMEBODY WILL SECOND THE MOTION THAT I'M MAKING TO APPROVE THIS SECOND
[07:35:01]
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER BOT.UH, GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR MINOR FELLOW COMMISSIONERS.
SO WHAT THIS ORDINANCE REALLY IS DOING IS IT IS REALLY CLEANING UP LANGUAGE AS IT RELATES TO HOW OPERATORS GO AHEAD AND COLLECT, UH, CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION MATERIAL, WHETHER THEY'RE WORKING AT HOUSES OR CONSTRUCTION SITES OR ANY TYPE OF, UH, COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT.
THE LANGUAGE WAS VERY, UM, BIG BEFORE AND IT REALLY ALLOWED FOR PEOPLE TO GET AWAY WITH THINGS IF THEY WERE USING DIFFERENT FORMS OF EQUIPMENT, UM, OTHER THAN A ROLL OFF.
AND THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF, LIKE, UH, AS COMMISSIONER BOT SAID, MONEY WAS BEING LEFT ON THE TABLE.
SO WHAT WE DID HERE IN THE ORDINANCE IS WE CLEANED UP THE LANGUAGE IN SECTION 2 76, 2 77, 2 78, AND IS VERY SPECIFIC NOW.
UH, IT'S BASICALLY ANYBODY WHO WAS OPERATING, UH, IN THE BUSINESS OF COLLECTING AND DISPOSING OF CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION MATERIAL, UH, NO MATTER WHAT MEANS AND METHODS THEY'RE USING TO DO THAT.
AND WE'VE INCLUDED A LOT OF THINGS IN THERE.
SO THERE REALLY IS NO EXEMPTIONS.
UM, UH, WITH SOME SMALL, SMALL EXCEPTIONS AS IT RELATES TO RESIDENTIAL.
UM, THEY'RE GONNA HAVE TO PAY THE FRANCHISE FEES THAT ARE, UH, ASSOCIATED WITH THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS.
UM, AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN MISSING OUT ON FROM A REVENUE PERSPECTIVE WAS THE DEMOLITIONS, UH, LIKE THE DEVILLE AND ANY OTHER, UH, TYPE OF DEMOLITIONS, UH, THAT WOULD BE OCCURRING CITYWIDE.
SO WITH THE HELP OF THE BUILDING APARTMENT, WE'RE GONNA WORK COLLECTIVELY.
SO WHEN PEOPLE COME IN FROM NOW ON, UH, AND THEY'RE DOING THAT KIND OF ACTIVITY, YOU KNOW, THERE WILL BE AN ABILITY TO KNOW RIGHT AWAY THAT THEY NEED TO GET THAT PERMIT AND THEY WILL HAVE TO PAY, UH, THE PERMIT FEES AS IT RELATES TO, UM, THIS PARTICULAR, UH, ACTION THAT THEY'RE DOING WHEN IT'S A DEMOLITION ON, NOT JUST THAT, BUT ALSO THE FRANCHISE FEES THAT GO WITH IT.
SECOND, MR. VICE, ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMPANY, COME TWO DAYS.
THIS ITEM OF MOTION HEARING IT IS NOT, NO.
I HAVE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BOT SECOND BY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ ON ITEM R FIVE.
AND COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ? YES.
THE SECOND READING, PUBLIC HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 30TH.
IT PASSES SEVEN ZERO R FIVE N.
[R5 O AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 70 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ENTITLED "MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES," BY AMENDING ARTICLE I, ENTITLED "IN GENERAL," BY AMENDING SECTION 70-1 THEREOF, ENTITLED "STATE MISDEMEANORS," BY ADOPTING, THROUGH SPECIFIC REFERENCE, THE STATE LAW MISDEMEANOR OFFENSES OF TRESPASS IN STRUCTURE OR CONVEYANCE AND TRESPASS ON PROPERTY OTHER THAN A STRUCTURE OR CONVEYANCE, TO AFFIRMATIVELY ESTABLISH OFFENSES AGAINST MUNICIPAL LAW FOR THE SAME ACTS THAT CONSTITUTE SUCH OFFENSES AGAINST STATE LAW; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
R FIVE OH R FIVE OHS.IN ORDER OF THE MAYOR OF CITY COMMISSIONER OF CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 70 OF THE CODE OF CITY OF MIAMI BEACH ENTITLED MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES BY AMENDING ARTICLE ONE ENTITLED IN GENERAL BY ADOPTING BY AMENDING SECTION 70 DASH ONE THEREOF, ENTITLED STATE MISDEMEANORS BY ADOPTING THROUGH SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO STATE LAW MISDEMEANOR OFFENSE OF TRESPASSES IN A STRUCTURE CONVEYANCE AND TRESPASS ON PROPERTY OTHER THAN A STRUCTURE OR CONVEYANCE TO FIRMLY, FIRMLY ESTABLISHED OFFENSES AGAINST MUNICIPAL LAW FOR THE SAME ACTS THAT CONSTITUTES SUCH OFFENSES AGAINST STATE LAW AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OR SUB ABILITY CODIFICATION ON AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
THIS IS A FIRST READING IS DYM, R FIVE OH, COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ AND CO-SPONSORED BY COMMISSIONER DAVID SUAREZ AND JOE MAGAZINE.
AND THANK YOU TO MY CO-SPONSORS FOR, FOR JOINING ME INEZ AND, UH, UH, MAYOR MINOR.
UH, THIS ORDINANCE WOULD ALLOW THE CITY TO PROSECUTE, UM, UH, MIS THE MISDEMEANOR OFFENSE OF TRESPASSING UNDER A MUNICIPAL LAW.
JUST AS THE STATE LAW DOES, UH, THIS CHANGE WOULD EN WOULD ENABLE OUR MUNICIPAL PROSECUTION TEAM THAT DOES SUCH GREAT WORK TO HANDLE THIS CASE DIRECTLY.
UH, RATHER THAN ALWAYS RELYING ON THE, ON THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE DOES A GOOD JOB IN PROSECUTING THESE, UH, BUT RIGHT NOW, CURRENTLY, BUT IT ALWAYS HASN'T BEEN CONSISTENT.
UH, WHEN I WAS OVER AT THE TRAINING FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF OUR CAMPAIGN ORDINANCE AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT OUR OFFICERS TOLD, TOLD ME, WHICH IS WHY I PLACED THIS ON THE AGENDA, WAS THAT THEIR CONCERNS A LOT OF TIMES WITH ENFORCEMENT OF THE CAMPING ORDINANCE IS THAT THE ACCOMPANYING, UH, VIOLATION IS TRESPASS.
AND THAT OFTENTIMES, UH, IT'S JUST GETTING DROPPED.
AND THAT WAS A CONCERN THAT WAS BROUGHT TO US, UH, BY, BY THE OFFICERS AT THAT TRAINING, AT ROLL CALL.
THIS WOULD STILL ALLOW THE STATE ATTORNEY TO, UH, CONTINUE, UH, PROSECUTING THIS.
BUT IF IT EVER BECOMES NECESSARY, OUR, UH, MUNICIPAL TEAM COULD, UH, PROSECUTE THIS IF NECESSARY.
AND I BELIEVE NOW WE ARE FULLY STAFFED IN OUR MUNICIPAL PROSECUTION TEAM.
IS THAT CORRECT, MR. ATTORNEY? YEAH.
IN OCTOBER, WE'LL HAVE THE THIRD OCTOBER WILL BE.
SO, UH, THIS IS A FIRST READING ITEM, SO HOPEFULLY BY OCTOBER 30TH, BY THE TIME THAT THIS ITEM GETS ADOPTED AND SIGNED BY THE MAYOR, YOU'LL BE FULLY STAFFED IN OUR MUNICIPAL PROSECUTION TEAM.
[07:40:01]
I MOVE MY ITEM.WELL FIRST THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THE ITEM VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY AND THAT THESE CASES ARE PROSECUTED AND OUR MUNICIPAL PROSECUTION TEAM IS DOING A GREAT JOB, UM, LITERALLY TO A 90% CLIP SUCCESS RATE, UM, WHICH IS INCREDIBLE.
THE, THE QUESTIONS I HAVE, 'CAUSE, UH, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, IF YOU RECALL, I BROUGHT OVER, UH, I, I INTRODUCED LEGISLATION THAT OUR COMMISSION APPROVED BRINGING OVER A NUMBER OF, UH, MISDEMEANORS.
AND I KNOW YOU HAD ONE AS AS WELL, UH, VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ, BUT WHEN I LOOKED AT THIS, THIS PARTICULAR CHARGE, IT SEEMED LIKE A, THERE WAS SOME A LEVEL OF SUCCESS RATE, AS YOU MENTIONED AT THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
AND ALSO THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE CASES.
UM, SO I GUESS, AND, BUT, SO A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
ONE, CAN WE HANDLE THE VOLUME? UM, CAN WE DO IT BETTER? AND THREE, AND I GUESS YOU BRING UP AN INTERESTING POINT.
ARE WE GONNA HAVE THE STATE ATTORNEY IF THEY WILLING TO DO IT, THEY'LL CONTINUE TO DO THEM AND WE'RE ONLY GONNA TAKE IT ON IF THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE IT ON.
I, I GUESS I WANNA FOLLOW UP ON THAT POINT.
THANK YOU MAYOR MARK FISHMAN, UH, CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
UM, SO TO ANSWER YOUR FIRST QUESTION OF THE VOLUME, WE LOOKED AT THE ARREST MADE FOR TRESPASSING, EITHER 8 10, 0 8 OR 8 10 0 9 UNDER EITHER TRESPASSING STATUTE, AND THERE WERE 138 ARRESTS FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1ST, 2024 TO JUNE 30TH, 2024.
SO EXTRAPOLATED IT'S LIKE 276 TRESPASSING ARRESTS.
HOWEVER, WITH THAT BEING SAID, TRESPASSING IS OFTEN NOT THE ONLY CHARGE.
THERE'S OFTEN AN ASSOCIATED FELONY OR ANOTHER MISDEMEANOR, IN WHICH CASE, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THE TRESPASSING WAS CHARGED UNDER CITY LAW OR UNDER STATE LAWS, THAT PRESENTLY AS A MISDEMEANOR, THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WOULD STILL BE THE ENTITY RESPONSIBLE FOR PROSECUTING THE CASE.
SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, OF THE 276 THAT WE'D EXPECT TRESPASSING ARRESTS PER YEAR, MANY WILL STILL BE HANDLED BY THE STATE IRRESPECTIVE OF HOW THE TRESPASSING IS CHARGED.
SO IT'LL BE A MUCH SMALLER NUMBER.
SO I DO THINK WE COULD HANDLE THAT, UM, WITH WITHOUT, WITHOUT REALLY, UH, THERE BEING ANY, ANY ISSUE FOR US TO HANDLE IT.
AND THE REASON WHY THIS WAS BROUGHT FORWARD, AND I THINK YOU WERE PRESENT AT THAT TRAINING OF ROLL CALL, IT WAS AT THE REQUEST OF OUR POLICE OFFICERS, UH, WHO HAD A CONCERN THAT THEY'RE ENFORCING THE CAMPING ORDINANCE, BUT TOGETHER WITH THE CAMPING ORDINANCE, UH, ENFORCEMENT, THERE'S A LOT OF TRESPASS, UM, UH, VIOLATIONS AS WELL AS AN ACCOMPANYING, UH, CHARGE.
AND THEIR CONCERN WAS THAT UNLESS WE MADE IT A MUNICIPAL OFFENSE, AND THE STATE ATTORNEY DECIDED NOT TO PROSECUTE THE, UH, TRESPASS, UH, CHARGE, UM, THEN, THEN IN ESSENCE IT GOT DROPPED.
IT US BEING, IT WASN'T GONNA BE PROSECUTED BY ANYONE.
THAT'S WHY THEY WERE ASKING US TO, TO MAKE THE TRESPASSING A, A MUNICIPAL OFFENSE FROM THEIR EXPERIENCE OF, OF ENFORCING THAT CAMPING ORDINANCE.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO EXPAND ON THAT.
I THINK WHAT, UH, THE VICE MAYOR IS SAYING IS, IS EXACTLY RIGHT.
OFTENTIMES INDIVIDUALS, UH, ARE ULTIMATELY TRESPASSING AND CAMPING.
SO TYPICALLY YOUR INDIVIDUALS ON, ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, UM, AND OR PUBLIC PROPERTY, AND IT'S IN A PLACE DATE THEY SHOULDN'T BE.
AND THE OFFICERS WIND UP CHARGING ONE OR THE OTHER, OR POTENTIALLY BOTH.
AND IF THEY CAN CHARGE BOTH WHERE THOSE SITUATIONS APPLY, JUST LIKE THEY WOULD FOR PARK OR BEACH AFTER HOURS ALONG WITH CAMPING, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE AS MUNICIPAL PROSECUTION TEAM THE ENTIRE CASE.
INSTEAD OF ONE CHARGE BEING A STATE CHARGE AND ONE CHARGE BEING, YOU KNOW, A CITY CHARGE.
UM, JUST HAVING THIS WOULD GIVE THE OFFICERS THE OPTION.
THEY COULD ALWAYS, OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S ASSOCIATED FELON OR CHARGE IT UNDER STATE LAW TO MAXIMIZE THE POTENTIAL PENALTY, OR IF THEY CHOOSE TO, THEY COULD CHARGE IT IF THIS PASSES UNDER CITY LAW WHERE ALL THE VIOLATIONS ARE UNDER THE CITY CODE, OR THEY WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE THE ONES WHO HANDLE THE CASE.
SO WE JUST PROVIDE THE OFFICERS THAT OPTION OF CHARGING UNDER STATE LAW OR UNDER CITY LAW.
AND THIS WOULD ALSO, I GUESS, GO IN LINE WITH OUR RECENT LEGISLATION THAT IF THERE ARE, UH, WHAT IS IT, FOUR CONVICTIONS WITHIN A YEAR, IT COULD BE ENHANCED PENALTIES.
THAT, THAT, THAT, THAT'S RIGHT.
UM, WE DID, WE PASSED THE LAW SIMILAR TO THE HMO, THE HABITUAL MISDEMEANOR OFFENDER STATUTE THAT THEY HAVE IN STATE LAW.
WE PASSED THE SAME ONE WHERE A SUBSEQUENT FIFTH CONVICTION WITHIN A 12 MONTH PERIOD FOR SPECIFIED CRIMES.
UH, AND THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT UPON CONVICTION, UH, TO A MANDATORY PERIOD OF, UH, OF INCARCERATION.
AND A RELATED QUESTION, I KNOW SEVERAL YEARS AGO, UM, I GUESS THERE WAS STILL SOME KINKS BEING WORKED OUT WHERE IF THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WAS NOT HANDLING THE CASE, THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO GIVE US NOTICE.
I KNOW I HAD PERSONALLY INTERVENED WITH THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THAT HAD BEEN WORKED OUT AND THAT IT WAS WORKING SEAMLESSLY.
WHAT, IS THAT STILL THE CASE, FRANKLY, MAYOR? NOT, NOT, NOT EXACTLY.
THE, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS NOT,
[07:45:01]
YOU KNOW, UH, AS WELL OILED AS I'D LIKE.WE HAVE GREAT, SEAMLESS WOULD NOT BE THE RIGHT WORD.
SEAMLESS MIGHT NOT BE THE EXACT, UH, RIGHT WORD.
I MEAN THE, THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE NO QUESTION IS A GREAT PARTNER.
IT'S NOT, THERE'S NO BLAME OR WHATEVER.
IT'S JUST THERE'S NOT REALLY A MECHANISM WHERE WHEN THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS A CASE AND THERE'S ONE STATE LAW CHARGE AND THERE'S ONE OR MORE MUNICIPALS, IF THEY'RE NOT GONNA MOVE FORWARD WITH THEIR CHARGES, SOMETIMES THAT'S NOT UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT.
AND THERE'S REAL NO, REALLY NO GREAT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM SET UP TO ADVISE US, HEY, NOW YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS CASE, WHICH YOU HAVEN'T BEEN HANDLING AT ALL UP TO THIS POINT.
IT'S REALLY JUST RELIES ON THE INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANT STATE ATTORNEY TO NOTIFY OUR MUNICIPAL PROSECUTION TEAM.
SO THAT IS THE ONE POTENTIAL ISSUE HERE, UM, WHERE THERE'S A, A STATE LAW CHARGE ONE OR MORE AND THE TRESPASSING OR WHATEVER CHARGE UNDER CITY LAW WHERE THEY DROP THEIR CHARGES, YOU KNOW, KNOWING THAT THE CASE DOESN'T GO AWAY AND THEN FAIL TO GIVE US NOTICE OR GIVE US LAST MINUTE NOTICE, UM, WHICH, WHICH DOES HAPPEN.
SO IT'S NOT, IT'S NOT EXACTLY SEAMLESS.
THERE ARE COUPLE NO, I'M GLAD YOU'RE TELLING ME.
'CAUSE UH, IT, THIS DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT SHOULD BE.
I KNOW THEY'RE LAST MINUTE DECISIONS, BUT THERE'S GOTTA BE A NOTICE, A NOTIFICATION ASPECT.
I MEAN, WE CANNOT, WE CANNOT HAVE THESE CASES SLIPPING THROUGH THE CRACK CRACKS WHERE WE'RE NOT PROSECUTING BECAUSE I MEAN, LITERALLY JUST GIVING US NOTICE.
UM, WELL, THANK YOU VICE MAYOR FERNANDO, I'M GONNA JOIN US, A CO-SPONSOR ON YOUR ITEM.
AND, UH, LET'S CALL THE VOTE, UH, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ, VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ.
SECOND READING, PUBLIC HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 30TH,
[R5 P AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 70, ENTITLED “MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES”; ARTICLE I, ENTITLED “IN GENERAL”; SECTION 70-8, ENTITLED “APPROACHING A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, AFTER WARNING, WITH INTENT TO IMPEDE, PROVOKE OR HARASS” TO PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR MORE CITY FIRST RESPONDERS AND BRING LANGUAGE INTO COMPLIANCE WITH SEC. 843.21, FLA. STAT.; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
R FIVE PR FIVE P IS THE NORTH, THE MAYOR OF CITY COMMISSIONER OF CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA.AMENDING CHAPTER 70 ENTITLED MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES.
ARTICLE ONE ENTITLED IN GENERAL, SECTION 70 DASH EIGHT ENTITLED, APPROACHING A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AFTER WARNING WITH INTENT TO IMPEDE, REVOKE, OR HARASS TO PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR MORE CITY FIRST RESPONDERS AND BRING LANGUAGE INTO COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 8 4 3 0.214 STATUTES.
I'M PROVIDING FOR REPEAT OBSERVABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
IT IS ITEM R FIVE P SPONSORED BY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ CO-SPONSORED BY COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE.
I I WANTED TO BRING THIS FORWARD BECAUSE WE'VE HAD A COUPLE INSTANCES WHERE OUR CODE PARKING, UH, OFFICERS HAS BEEN ACCOSTED AND, UM, PHYSICALLY THREATENED.
AND I'D LIKE TO HAVE HER AND SPEAK ON A, ON A FEW INSTANCES.
I ALSO HAVE SOME BODY WORN CAMERA FOOTAGE THAT I'D LIKE PJ TO SHOW.
UH, BUT BEFORE WE DO THAT, UH, HERNAN, IF YOU CAN GIVE A LITTLE BIT MORE INSIGHT.
HERNAN CARINO CODE COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENT.
SO IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, UM, I CAN RECALL OF AT LEAST THREE INSTANCES WHERE WE'VE HAD CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ASSAULTED, UH, RESULTING IN ARRESTS, UH, TWO WAR ON LINCOLN ROAD.
UH, AND ONE WAS ON THE BEACH AREA AS RECENT AS, UH, MAYBE TWO WEEKS AGO, UM, WE HAD ONE OF OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO WAS ACTIVELY PATROLLING IN THE, UH, INTERCOASTAL WATERWAY SIDEWALK.
UM, A PASSER BY A, A VAN THAT PASSED BY THREW SOMETHING AT THEM.
UM, SO IT'S HAPPENED, UH, PERIODICALLY OVER THE YEARS.
UM, WE DO HAVE SOME BODY-WORN CAMERA FOOTAGE WE CAN SHARE WITH YOU.
YOU, I THINK THE MOST CRITICAL ONE WE HAD WAS, UH, ON THE BEACH AREA.
AND FORTUNATELY WE HAD A POLICE OFFICER WITH US OFFICER YOKA, AND THAT WAS A SITUATION WHERE WE HAD AN ILLEGAL VENDOR WHO WAS RENTING OUT THESE UMBRELLAS AND TOOK THE SPIKED, UM, ANCHOR FOR THE UMBRELLA AND ATTACKED THE CODE OFFICER AND THE POLICE OFFICER.
UH, THEY TUSSLED, THEY WENT TO THE GROUND AND EVENTUALLY THEY WERE ABLE TO SUBDUE HIM AND GET HIM INTO CUSTODY.
THEY'VE HAD SOME INSTANCES WHERE, UH, THEY'VE HAD THEIR PARKING OFFICERS ALSO ASSAULTED.
AND SO, UM, PJ IF YOU COULD PULL UP SOME OF THE BODY-WORN CAMERA FOOTAGE THAT HERNIA HAS, UH, SUPPLIED US.
[07:50:14]
TRYING SELL HIM OR SOME MONEY FOR THE, FOR THE, UH, YEAH, I WANT UMBRELLA RIGHT THERE.HOW MUCH DID HE WANT TO CHARGE YOU? UH, I SEE IT.
I'M OFFICER CHARGE YOU 10 BUCKS? YEAH.
UH, WE'RE JUST TRYING TO FIGURE SOMETHING OUT.
UH, THIS GENTLEMAN HERE IS CONDUCTING A BUSINESS.
HE DOESN'T HAVE A PERMIT TO CONDUCT THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
AND WE JUST WANNA LET HIM KNOW, NOT YOU, HIM.
SO WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? WELL GET WITHIN IN A MINUTE.
DO YOU NEED ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION? YEAH.
DID YOU SEND HIM THE, UH, THE, THE, THE FUNDS? WE WERE WORKING IT OUT? NO.
DO NOT SEND THE, YOU'RE HAVE TO CLEAR ALL, ALL THEM OUT.
THAT'S, THAT'S THE BE TRUE FOR HIM.
SO YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO PACK UP AND LEAVE, UH, TWO NOTICE OF VIOLATIONS WILL BE ISSUED.
UH, 'CAUSE YOU'RE CAUGHT IN THE AD CONDUCTING BUSINESS WITHOUT, UH, BTR AND YOU'RE CONDUCTING BUSINESS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY.
SO ALL OF THESE UMBRELLAS THAT BELONG TO YOU, SIR, YOU'LL HAVE TO VACATE ANY, UH, REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE BEACH IMMEDIATELY.
LISTEN, THIS IS A PUBLIC BEACH.
AS I MENTIONED TO YOU BEFORE, SIR, AS I MENTIONED TO YOU BEFORE, THERE ARE ORDINANCE, ORDINANCES, DON'T WANT NO TROUBLE, UH, THAT THE PUBLIC BEACHES ARE UNDER.
SO ONCE AGAIN, YOU'RE CONDUCTING BUSINESS ON A PUBLIC PROPERTY, SIR, WITHOUT A PERMIT.
I BUSINESS, I'M DOING CHARITY.
YOU ARE DOING CHARITY, BUT YOU'RE TRYING TO RENT OUT, UH, UH, UMBRELLAS.
YOU WANT ME SELL DRUGS? I JUST INFORMED YOU THAT THAT'S NOT AVAILABLE.
LISTEN, I JUST INFORMED YOU THAT YOU CAN'T WHATCHA DOING WHAT? DOING LOOK, THAT'S F*****G WITH MY BUSINESS RIGHT NOW.
YOU THE NEXT TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
LET'S DO THE ONE AT THE, AT THE, UM, THE PARTY DOCK RAMP.
AND, AND THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR THE COMMUNITY AND, AND MY C AND MY COLLEAGUES TO SEE WHAT EXACTLY GOES ON, ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS WITH SOME OF OUR, OUR, OUR FRONTLINE WORKERS.
IF YOU COULD PUT THE VOLUME UP, PLEASE.
IT'LL BUFFER THE SOUND FOR THE FIRST 30 SECONDS OR SO.
LET, YEAH, I'M NOT CERTAIN IF THERE'S A WAY TO FAST FORWARD THAT.
[07:55:23]
HI.DO YOU HAVE AN ID WITH YOU? NO, I'M, I'M TAKING OUT.
YOU'VE BEEN HERE FOR MORE THAN 20 MINUTES.
YOU'VE BEEN HERE FOR MORE THAN 20 MINUTES.
EVERYTHING IS CAPTURED ON MY BODY.
YOU'VE BEEN HERE FOR MORE THAN 20 MINUTES.
ALL I'LL HAVE CITO COME PICK IT UP.
IS IT YOURS OR NOT YOURS? NOT MINE.
I'M BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR BECAUSE THEY'RE HARASSING US BECAUSE THIS IS OUR ONLY ACCESS.
BECAUSE I HAVEN'T BEEN 20 MINUTES.
EVERYTHING IS CAPTURED ON MY BODY CAMERA AND YOU'VE BEEN HERE MORE THAN 20 MINUTES.
CAN YOU PLEASE FOR YOUR DOG, THE DOG NEEDS TO BE CONTAINED, PLEASE.
DO YOU THINK IT'S CORRECT? UH, CUTTING.
THREE FOR ACCESS TO THE 7 0 5 TO DISPATCH REQUEST A MARINE PATROL.
LISTEN, I DON'T MIND YOU RECORDING ME HARASS AT ALL, BUT PLEASE DO.
DO NOT GIMME MY PERSONAL SPACE.
OKAY? DON'T RUSH UP ON ME AND THROW YOUR PHONE IN MY FACE AND ON MY COMPUTER.
OKAY? SO PLEASE, I DON'T MIND YOU RECORDING ME 'CAUSE I'M RECORDING YOU AS WELL.
DO NOT RUSH UP ON ME LIKE THAT AGAIN.
I'M BEING RESPECTFUL AND I'M GIVING YOU SPACE.
CONTAIN YOUR DOG AND STOP FOLLOWING ME.
OKAY? I'M GONNA, I CAN FOLLOW YOU.
I I THINK YOU CAN END IT HERE.
AND LOOK, I, I JUST WANT TO SHOW, YOU KNOW, WHAT OUR, OUR FIRST LINE RESPONDERS HAVE TO DEAL WITH ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.
UM, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S, TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, IT'S THREATENING WORK.
AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE, UM, WE'VE GIVEN POLICE OFFICERS SORT OF THIS, UH, PROTECTIONS, UM, WITH THE LAW WHEN IT RELATES TO ISSUES LIKE THIS.
AND I THINK IT'S ONLY FAIR TO OUR PARKING OFFICERS, CODE OFFICERS, AND ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS TO DEAL WITH THE, THE PUBLIC, UM, FOR ANY SORT OF ENFORCEMENT THAT THEY BE OFFERED THE SAME TYPE OF PROTECTION.
AND SO, UM, ALBERTO, YOU KNOW, MAYBE YOU CAN BE ELABORATE ON, ON SOME OF THE PARKING, UH, ISSUES THAT WE'VE SEEN ON, UH, OR, UH, ASSAULTS THAT WE'VE HAD ON, ON PARKING OFFICERS OVER THE YEARS.
HONORABLE MAYOR, CITY CLERK, CITY ATTORNEY, CITY MANAGER, ALBERTO VENTURA, ASSISTANT PARKING DIRECTOR.
WE'VE HAD ON SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE OFFICERS HAVE BEEN ASSAULTED ALSO.
THEY HAVE THEIR CAMERAS PUT IN THEIR FACE AND THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING BUT TRY TO BACK UP, TRY TO GET THEIR SPACE.
AND AGAIN, THIS IS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS WHERE WE'VE HAD ALL THESE ISSUES.
UM, IF I'M WRONG, I'LL LET YOU REVISIT IT, BUT I THINK YOU GOT THE VOTES.
IT'S CALL A VOTE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ.
SECONDED BY COMM, BY VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ.
[08:00:01]
YES.PUBLIC HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 30TH.
[C7 AW A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE MIAMI DADE COLLEGE FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MIAMI BEACH RESIDENTS. WITH THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FUNDING FROM THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH NOT TO EXCEED $30,000 FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR AND EACH SUBSEQUENT SCHOOL YEAR THEREAFTER, SUBJECT TO IDENTIFICATION OF FUNDING FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR AND ANNUAL APPROVAL BY THE CITY COMMISSION DURING THE CITY’S BUDGETARY PROCESS FOR SUBSEQUENT SCHOOL YEARS, SUCH AGREEMENT TO BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY ATTORNEY AND THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION PRIOR TO EXECUTION.]
YOU.UM, C SEVEN A IS MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FIRST GENERATION MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE, FIRST GENERATION COL, UH, COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FOR MIAMI BEACH.
UH, WE CURRENTLY HAVE A PROGRAM WITH FIU AND ACTUALLY THE COUNTY IS OFF OFFERING SCHOLARSHIPS.
AND, UM, WE PUT FORWARD WHEN, WHEN A STUDENT APPLIES AND MIAMI BEACH'S ZIP CODE COMES IN, COMES UP, WE HAVE A CERTAIN SCHOLARSHIP MONEY.
WE SPEND ABOUT $30,000 A YEAR, BUT WE GET TWICE MATCHED BY THE FIU FOUNDATION.
SO THAT 30,000 THAT FOR OUR STUDENTS GROWS TO ABOUT A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
AND THE PROGRAM'S DONE VERY WELL.
SECOND, SO WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE PROVOST, WAIT A SECOND.
ROSENFELD AND MYSELF AND JACQUELINE, SHE'S WONDERFUL UP THERE.
UM, WE'RE WORKING WITH MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE.
WE'RE DOING THE SAME THING WITH MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE ONLY.
WE'RE NOT FOCUSING ON, UH, RECENTLY GRADUATED STUDENTS.
IT'S FOR ADULT LEARNERS BECAUSE THE COUNTY OF SCHOLARSHIP IS NOW FUNDING THAT.
SO IF YOU'RE A MIAMI BEACH RESIDENT AND YOU WANNA GET CHANGED IN ONE OF OUR WORKFORCE JOBS, UM, AND, AND THE MIAMI BEACH ZIP CODE COMES UP, WE WILL, UM, OFFER A SCHOLARSHIP UP TO 30.
WE WE'RE DOING THE SAME THING THAT WE'RE DOING WITH FIU UP TO THE $30,000.
AND THEN WE'RE GONNA GET THE FOUNDATION, UM, TO MATCH US, HOPEFULLY DOUBLE MATCH US, JUST LIKE WE DO AT FIU.
IT'S A WIN WIN WIN FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
WE ARE HELPING THEM WITH JOB TRAINING.
UM, I THINK THE FOUNDATION IS ALSO ASKING ME TO RAISE MONEY IF ANYBODY WANTS TO DONATE
UM, SO I'LL PROBABLY BE HELPING THE FOUNDATION RAISE SOME OF THE MONEY FOR THIS, BUT THIS IS, THESE ARE DOLLARS WELL SPENT TRIPLICATED.
SO, UM, I WOULD MOVE THE ITEM WITH THAT.
AND I BELIEVE I HAVE A SECOND CALL THE VOTE.
UM, SEVERAL BUDGET ITEMS THAT OUR CITY MANAGER TELLS ME THAT, UH, IMPLORED ME THAT WE
[R7 D A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE ALLISON ISLAND SECURITY GUARD SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT, ADOPTING THE NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS AGAINST REAL PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE ALLISON ISLAND SECURITY GUARD SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT COMMENCING FISCAL YEAR 2025.]
CALLED TODAY.IT IS A, A, A PUBLIC HEARING ADOPT NON AT VALOREM ASSESSMENT ROLE FOR ALLISON ISLAND.
TAMIKA STEWART, BUDGET DIRECTOR.
THIS IS A BUDGET AND A TAX ROLE FOR THREE.
WELL, I, I KNOW WE JUST HAD ONE TITLE, BUT THERE ARE THREE SPECIAL TAX DISTRICT, UM, AREAS.
WE DID THE BUDGETS WITH THE HOA REPRESENTATIVES AND THEY'VE ALL APPROVED THE ROLES AND THE BUDGETS FOR EACH OF THESE THREE.
SO IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING, NO ONE IS IN THE AUDIENCE, UH, REQUESTING TO SPEAK AND NO ONE IN ZOOM REQUESTING TO SPEAK.
SECOND, I'LL SECOND CALL THE VOTE SO FAR ON R SEVEN D.
[R7 E A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE ALLISON ISLAND SECURITY GUARD SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT, ADOPTING THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE ALLISON ISLAND SECURITY GUARD SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025.]
COMPANION ITEM R SEVEN E, ADOPT OPERATION, OPERATION OPERATING BUDGET.ALLISON ISLAND SECURITY GUARD SPEC, UH, SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT R SEVEN E.
[R7 F A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE BISCAYNE BEACH SECURITY GUARD SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT, ADOPTING THE NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS AGAINST REAL PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE BISCAYNE BEACH SECURITY GUARD SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT COMMENCING FISCAL YEAR 2025.]
I GO TO THE NEXT ONE.R SEVEN F IS A PUBLIC HEARING ADOPT NON-AD VALOR ASSESSMENT ROLE FOR BISCAY BEACH.
IT'S GONNA BE THE SAME SUMMARY FOR OUR POLITICS.
AND THERE'S NO ONE IN THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK EITHER IN ZOOM OR IN PERSON.
SO ON R SEVEN F, COMMISSIONER BOT SECOND BY THE MAYOR.
OH, LOOK AT DOMINGUEZ COMMISSIONER DOMINGEZ.
[R7 G A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE BISCAYNE BEACH SECURITY GUARD SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT, ADOPTING THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE BISCAYNE BEACH SECURITY GUARD SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025.]
AYE.R SEVEN G IS ADOPT OPERATING BUDGET FOR BISCAYNE BEACH SECURITY GUARDS.
UH, SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT MOTION.
[R7 H A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE BISCAYNE POINT SECURITY GUARD SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT, ADOPTING THE NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS AGAINST REAL PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE BISCAYNE POINT SECURITY GUARD SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT COMMENCING FISCAL YEAR 2025.]
R SEVEN H IS A PUBLIC HEARING ADOPT NON-AD VALOR ASSESSMENT ROLE FOR BISCAY POINT.NO ONE IN THE PUBLIC IS REQUESTING TO SPEAK.
I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BOT SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ.
[R7 I A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE BISCAYNE POINT SECURITY GUARD SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT, ADOPTING THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE BISCAYNE POINT SECURITY GUARD SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025.]
R SEVEN.MAY I HAVE A MOTION PLEASE? MOTION.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BOT SECOND BY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ.
[08:05:02]
CONSIDER, GOTTA WAIT TILL ABOUT 6 59 FOR THAT.[R5 Q AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ENTITLED “ADMINISTRATION,” ARTICLE II, ENTITLED “CITY COMMISSION,” AT SECTION 2-16, ENTITLED “COMMISSION COMMITTEE DRAFT MINUTES–CITY COMMISSION APPROVAL,” TO CLARIFY THAT CITY COMMISSION COMMITTEES MAY REQUEST INFORMATION OR ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FROM THE CITY ADMINISTRATION, WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE COMMITTEE REFERRAL, SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
R FIVE Q.R FIVE Q IS AN OR ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR OF CITY, COMMISSION OF CITY MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA.
CHAPTER TWO ENTITLED ADMINISTRATION.
ARTICLE TWO ENTITLED CITY COMMISSION AT SECTION TWO DASH 16 ENTITLED COMMISSION COMMITTEE DRAFT MINUTES, CITY COMMISSION APPROVAL.
TO CLARIFY, THE CITY COMMISSION COMMITTEES MAY REQUEST INFORMATION OR ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FROM CITY ADMINISTRATION WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE COMMITTEE REFERRAL SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALS OF ABILITY, CLARIFICATION OR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
SO THE REASON I'M BRINGING THIS ITEM UP IS BECAUSE IT IS NOT SO THAT WE'RE MAKING, WE'RE GIVING SERIOUS DIRECTION AT COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
WHAT IT IS ABOUT IS IF WE NEED INFORMATION AND WE'RE WORKING ON AN ITEM, WE NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO CODIFY THIS SO THAT WE CAN, FOR EXAMPLE, DIRECT THE ADMINISTRATION TO GET US DATA OR GET US NUMBERS OR DO SOME WORK.
AND, UM, WE'VE ALWAYS DONE THIS IN THE PAST FOR WHATEVER REASON, IT'S JUST NOT CODIFIED.
UM, MAYOR MINOR, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'LL REMEMBER, LIKE, I THINK WE SERVED ON NEIGHBORHOODS TOGETHER.
DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN WE LIKE, DID ALL THE WORK FOR NAMING CANOPY PARK, LIKE AT NEIGHBORHOODS AND WE WOULD GIVE DIRECTION AND THEY WOULD COME BACK WITH DATA OR WE'D ASK THE POLICE TO COME BACK WITH DATA.
RIGHT NOW IT'S REALLY NOT CODIFIED.
SO WHAT IT SAYS IS THAT WHEN YOU'RE AT THE COMMITTEE LEVEL, IF YOU NEED INFORMATION RIGHT NOW, TECHNICALLY WE CANNOT REQUEST, UM, ANY INFORMATION FROM, FROM THE ADMINISTRATION TO GIVE US, UH, DATA, INFORMATION, STATISTICS OR, YOU KNOW, DO ANY LEGWORK.
LET'S SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, BEFORE WE REFER IT BACK TO COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
SO TECHNICALLY, LIKE LET'S SAY THAT I NEED STATISTICS, I'D HAVE TO REFER IT BACK TO THE COMMISSION.
ASK PERMISSION TO GET SOME STATISTICS AND THEN BRING IT BACK TO COMMITTEE.
SO WHAT THIS IS DOING IS REALLY CODIFYING WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING INFORMALLY, WHICH IS COMMITTEE WORK, INFORMATION, DATA, STATISTICS, ANY SIMPLE DIRECTION THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH A FINAL VOTE ON ANYTHING, ALL IT'S DOING IS MAKING US A LOT MORE EFFICIENT SO THAT WE'RE NOT BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH.
SO WITH THAT, I WOULD MOVE THE ITEM.
I DON'T THINK IT'S CONTROVERSIAL.
I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY HAS ANY, UM, QUESTIONS THAT THEY WOULD LIKE.
I'LL SECOND TO ANSWER SECOND, OKAY.
I JUST, A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
I JUST WANNA, I I I, I MEAN, I, I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, COMMISSIONER, BUT I'M JUST READING THE ITEM AND IT SAYS, IT GIVES THE COMMITTEE THE ABILITY TO DIRECT THE ADMINISTRATION TO PERFORM STUDIES, INVESTIGATIONS, ANALYSIS IN-HOUSE.
LIKE WE'RE NOT, THIS ISN'T ABOUT LIKE A CONTRACTING A STUDY, BUT IF, FOR EXAMPLE, LET'S SAY THAT WE'RE WORKING ON THE MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE ITEM AND COMMITTEE, IT WOULD ALLOW THE ADMINISTRATION TO CALL MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE, GET THE INFORMATION WE NEED, BRING IT BACK TO COMMITTEE THAT MONTH, INSTEAD OF GOING, TECHNICALLY, WHAT WE HAVE TO DO RIGHT NOW IS GO TO THE COMMISSION, ASK FOR PERMISSION FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO, IN THE PAST, WE USED TO DO THIS ALL THE TIME, BUT ACCORDING TO OUR CITY ATTORNEY, HE SAYS THAT WE NEED TO CODIFY IN ORDER TO GET ANY TYPE OF INFORMATION.
SO I DON'T THINK AT THE COMMITTEE LEVEL WE ARE GOING TO BE GIVING, WE'RE, WE'RE NOT GIVING ANY DIRECTION TO TAKE ANY FINAL ACTION ON AN ITEM, BUT SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION.
NOW WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DO THAT.
WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE COMMISSION TO ASK FOR ANY INFORMATION, ASK FOR ANY ANALYSIS, EVEN IF WE DO IT IN HOUSE AND THEN COME BACK TO THE COMMITTEE.
I'M GONNA ASK FOR CITY MANAGER TO CLARIFY.
'CAUSE I, I, AS MAYOR, I DON'T SIT ON THESE COMMITTEES, BUT I DID, I DON'T REMEMBER THERE EVER BEING A PROBLEM GETTING INFORMATION.
UM, AND I WATCH THE MEETINGS NOW AND MAYBE I'M MISSING SOMETHING, BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN IT BEING A PROBLEM.
BUT ALSO THE, THE REQUEST ACTUALLY SAYS, LIKE THE REQUEST, IF THE REQUEST INVOLVES A PURCHASE OF SERVICES AND THE PURCHASES WITHIN THE CITY MANAGER'S PURCHASING AUTHORITY, I MEAN, THIS, THIS, I'M READING THIS, THIS SAYS THAT THAT COMMITTEE, WHICH RIGHT NOW HAS NO INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY TO DIRECT, UM, OTHER THAN IN MY OPINION, GATHER INFORMATION.
YOU'RE, YOU MAY DISPUTE THAT, BUT THIS IS GIVING AUTHORITY.
I MEAN, THAT'S TAKING, THAT'S TAKING OUTSIDE THE PURVIEW OF WHAT THIS COMMISSION IS ABOUT.
ESPECIALLY SINCE NOT EVERY COMMISSIONER SITS ON THE COMMITTEES.
WELL, YOU COULD MAYOR, IF I, IF I MAY, ANY OFFICIAL ACTION OF THE CITY WOULD STILL NEED TO BE APPROVED OF BY THE CITY COMMISSION.
SO THE ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION, THE CREATION OF A PROGRAM, UH, APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT, UH, APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE.
WHAT THIS PROVIDES IS THAT COMMISSION COMMITTEES CAN REQUEST INFORMATION OR RESEARCH OF THE ADMINISTRATION AS LONG AS THAT INFORMATION IS WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE REFERRAL.
THAT IT'S, THAT IT'S, UH, THAT THE ADMINISTRATION COULD DO THAT RESEARCH WITH EXISTING BUDGETED RESOURCES.
AND THAT IF A PURCHASE IS REQUIRED, FOR INSTANCE, UH, YOU KNOW, UH, A CONSULTANT OR AN APPRAISAL OF PROPERTY, UM, THAT, THAT, THAT THE MANAGER COULD DO IT WITHIN THE MANAGER'S PURCHASING
[08:10:01]
AUTHORITY.SO THE, THE COMMITTEE AT THE DIRECTION OF THE COMMITTEE.
SO IN THEORY, THAT COULD BE AN EXPENDER EXPENDITURE OF SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS THAT THE COMMITTEE SAYS, GO AHEAD.
AND NOW THE COMMISSION NEVER GETS TO CONSIDER IT.
SO YOU HAVE THREE MEMBERS, THREE MEMBERS WHO NEVER EVEN CONSIDER THE ITEM.
CAN YOU JUST STRIKE THE PART ABOUT THE PURCHASES? I DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT THAT.
I JUST WANNA BE ABLE TO GET INFORMATION.
I WANNA, I WANNA BE ABLE GET INFORMATION AT THE COMMITTEE LEVEL AND NOT BOUNCE IT BACK TO THE COMMISSION.
SO THIS ISN'T ABOUT PULLING ANYTHING OFF, IT'S JUST ABOUT CODIFYING WHAT WE'VE ALREADY BEEN DOING OVER TIME.
SO YOU CAN STRIKE THE PART ABOUT PURCHASING ANYTHING WITHIN THE CITY MANAGER'S PURVIEW.
AND WITH THAT, I'LL, I'LL MOVE IT.
I MEAN, I'M, I'M GONNA, ACTUALLY, ERIC WANTED TO SPEAK.
TURN I'M GONNA ASK, I MEAN, IS IS, ARE WE REALLY HAVING A PROBLEM GETTING INFORMATION? I NEVER, I SAT ON THE NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE.
I NEVER HAD AN A PROBLEM GETTING INFORMATION BECAUSE OF THE AUTHORITY OF THE COMMITTEE.
BUT IS THAT SOMETHING THAT'S NEW? YES.
WE HAVE, RIGHT NOW, AS IT STANDS, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET ANY INFORMATION ON ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY'RE SAYING, IF I NEED POLICE DATA COME BACK NEXT MONTH.
YOU HAVE TO SEND IT BACK TO THE COMMISSION TO COME BACK.
THAT'S THE CURRENT LEGAL DIRECTION THAT WE'VE BEEN GETTING.
SO BASED ON THAT IS THE REASON THAT I CODIFIED THIS, IF I WOULDN'T HAVE RUN INTO THIS PROBLEM, OR WE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET SOME DATA FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, OR THE PENSION DEPARTMENT, WHATEVER IT IS, I WOULDN'T BE BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
I'M ONLY BRINGING THIS FORWARD SO THAT WE CAN BE MORE EFFICIENT AT COMMITTEES.
I'VE ALREADY STRIKED THE PURCHASE LINE THAT IS GIVING YOU SO MUCH ANGST.
UM, I DON'T THINK IT'S A BIG DEAL.
WELL, I'LL TURN, SINCE YOU'VE MENTIONED THE IS, I MEAN, IT'S GOTTEN BETTER, SO I'LL SAY THAT, BUT IN THE PAST, IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT SOMETIMES TO GET THAT INFORMATION.
BUT IS THAT, IS THAT A THING? IS THAT A PROBLEM? THAT COMMITTEE, THEY'RE BEING TOLD YOU CANNOT GET THIS INFORMATION.
YOU GOTTA GO TO COMMISSION TO GET APPROVAL TO GET THIS INFORMATION.
THE STATEMENT THAT I MADE WAS THAT THE COMMITTEE CANNOT GIVE DIRECTION TO THE ADMINISTRATION.
I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DETAILS OF NO, I, I SAID THAT YOU COULD NOT GIVE DIRECTION.
AND THIS STEMMED FROM AN OIG FINDING IN THE CONTEXT OF THE WASTE HAULER ITEM.
SO I WAS PROVIDING ADVICE BASED ON MY INTERPRETATION OF THAT FINDING.
UH, THIS ITEM TO ME SEEMS FAIRLY HARMLESS.
AND I THINK CODIFIES WHAT, ACCORDING TO COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ IS BEING DONE ALL THE TIME.
ERIC, DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK? UH, MY BIGGEST CONCERN WAS WITH THE DIRECTING OF THE PURCHASING.
AND SO BY THE AMENDMENT THAT THE COMMISSIONER HAS OFFERED, IT'S AMELIORATED THE MAJORITY OF MY CONCERNS.
I JUST, I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GETTING THE COMMITTEES, EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
UM, BUT DIRECTING FOR PURCHASES, YOU KNOW, UH, SIX FIGURE PURCHASES STARTS TO WORRY ME A LITTLE BIT.
I THINK THAT THAT STARTS TO BLUR THE LINES YOU HAVE AGREED TO STRIKE, CORRECT? YES.
I I I'M GONNA HAVE TO, I I MAY, I MAY VOTE YES TODAY.
IT'S THE FIRST READING, BUT I'M STILL, I I, I'M TRYING TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THIS.
'CAUSE IT SAYS THE, THE CITY ADMISSION TO PROVIDE STUDIES, INVESTIGATIONS.
I MEAN, AGAIN, INTERNALLY, IF THE ADMINISTRATION IS GIVING AN ISSUE, UH, AT THAT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN, OBVIOUSLY.
UM, BUT IF THERE'S, IF THIS IS CALLING FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO GO OUTSIDE AND EXPENDITURES, THEN I THINK THE FULL BODY, THE ALL SEVEN OF US SHOULD, SHOULD VOTE ON THAT.
I THINK WE JUST TOLD YOU THAT.
WE STRUCK THAT, THAT PART IT, BUT THERE'S STILL, I MEAN, IT SAYS REQUEST THAT THE CITY ADMINISTRATION PROVIDE INFORMATION OR PERFORM STUDIES, INVESTIGATIONS, OR ANALYSIS.
I MEAN, IS THAT INTERNAL ONLY? I DON'T KNOW.
SOMEBODY, CAN YOU SEND OUT AN EMAIL TO THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE AND GIVE US SOME DATA BASED ON SEND, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO GET INFORMATION FOR SOMETHING, LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN WE DID THE WORK ON NAMING CANOPY PARK, WE DID NOT BRING ALL OF THAT TO THE COMMISSION UNTIL WE HAD DONE ALL THE WORK.
WE HAD GOTTEN ALL OF THAT WORK.
BUT RIGHT NOW, ACCORDING TO WHAT OUR LAWS SAY, WE COULDN'T DO THAT.
SO WE WERE DOING IT INFORMALLY, BUT LEGALLY IT WASN'T NECESSARY.
SO WHAT THIS IS, IS A CORRECTION.
I'VE STRUCK THE PURCHASE PART.
WE'RE NOT REALLY DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO DO ANYTHING THAT THEY CANNOT DO IN-HOUSE, BUT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO CODIFY IT SO THAT WE CAN GIVE DIRECTION.
I'D BE COMFORTABLE IF WE JUST MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE, WE'RE NOT DIRECTING, THE COMMITTEE CANNOT DIRECT THE ADMINISTRATION TO COMMIT OUTSIDE EXPEND OUTSIDE OF THE CITY, MEANING WHATEVER INTERNAL INFORMATION.
BUT ONCE WE'RE STARTING TO DO EXPENDITURES, IT SHOULD COME BACK TO THE COMMISSION.
RICK, CAN CAN WE MAKE, CAN WE MAKE THOSE CHANGES TO A SEWAGE THE MAYOR VOTE? YEAH.
SO AS AMENDED, COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ MOVED IT SECONDED
[08:15:01]
BY COMMISSIONER VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ.PUBLIC HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 30TH.
IT WAS ITEM R FIVE Q ADOPTED AS AMENDED.
I ACTUALLY, I'LL GET, I'LL GET TO THAT.
[R7 B A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE, AT ITS JULY 10, 2024 MEETING, AND APPROVING, BY 5/7TH VOTE, FOLLOWING A DULY NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING, THE CO-NAMING OF 9TH STREET BETWEEN OCEAN DRIVE AND WEST AVENUE AS “COMMISSIONER NANCY LIEBMAN WAY,” SUBJECT TO FINAL APPROVAL OF THE CO-NAMING BY THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2-1, RULE 9.02 OF THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY CODE.]
BUT I WANNA START WITH NANCY LIEMAN.RR SEVEN B IS A PUBLIC HEARING CODE NAMED NINTH STREET IN HONOR OF COMMISSIONER NANCY LIEMAN.
COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONER BACH, CO-SPONSOR BY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ.
I I THINK WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS, UH, A NUMBER OF TIMES.
I DON'T WANT TO, UH, DELAY US.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION TO MOVE THIS FORWARD.
UM, I HAD LUNCH WITH NANCY WITH A BUNCH OF FRIENDS ABOUT A THREE OR FOUR WEEKS AGO, AND SHE, UM, WAS IN GOOD SPIRITS.
SHE, UM, HAS TAKEN A BIT OF A TURN.
I DON'T WANNA MISS OUR OPPORTUNITY, UM, TO MAKE SURE THAT SHE IS, UM, ABLE TO BE PRESENT.
SO WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THIS, IF I, I CAN MOVE MY OWN ITEM.
SO MOVE IT AND, UH, THIS WAY WE CAN GET IT TO THE COUNTY AND, UH, EXPEDITE IT.
AND WE HAVE, UH, DANIEL ERALDO ON THE LINE.
DANIEL, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND IF YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.
DANIEL ERALDO WITH MIAMI DESIGN PRESERVATION LEAGUE.
JUST WANTED TO GO ON THE RECORD, UH, IN SUPPORT OF THIS WONDERFUL INITIATIVE.
AND, UH, VERY THANKFUL TO NANCY LEMAN FOR EVERYTHING SHE HAS DONE IN OUR CITY AND ALSO FOR THE, TO THE COMMISSION FOR RECOGNIZING HER GREAT WORK.
AND, UM, IF I MIGHT, FOR ANYBODY WHO'S LISTENING WHO DOESN'T KNOW WHO SHE IS, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ THE DOCUMENTS IN, UM, THE AGENDA TODAY.
WE DON'T REALLY HAVE TIME TO GO INTO, UM, HER SIGNIFICANT IMPACT TO THE CITY AND OF MIAMI BEACH AND, UH, CITY OF MIAMI.
SHE WAS A TWO TIME COMMISSIONER.
UM, SHE WAS A FORCE IN NATURE.
AND, UH, SHE HAS BEEN A HUGE MENTOR OF MINE AND HAS MADE A LASTING IMPRESSION, UH, IN MANY REGARDS IN THE CITY FOR THE GREATER GOOD.
SO, READ UP ON HER IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHO SHE IS, AND, UH, COME JOIN US WHEN WE UNVEIL THE, THE STREET NAMING.
I SECOND, I'M GONNA, MAY I CALL THE ROLL? YES, MAYOR.
I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BOT SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
UH, ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
WE NEED MORE PEOPLE LIKE NANCY LIEMAN IN OUR CITY.
[R7 A A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE, AT ITS JULY 10, 2024 MEETING, AND APPROVING, BY 5/7TH VOTE, FOLLOWING A DULY NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING, THE CO-NAMING OF 15TH STREET BETWEEN OCEAN DRIVE AND BAY ROAD AS “MAYOR MATTI HERRERA BOWER WAY,” SUBJECT TO FINAL APPROVAL OF THE CO-NAMING BY THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2-1, RULE 9.02 OF THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY CODE.]
UH, R SEVEN A R SEVEN A IS A PUBLIC HEARING CODE NAMED 15 15TH STREET IN HONOR OF MAYOR MATTIE BAUER.ITEM REQUIRES A FIVE SEVENS VOTE.
COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ CO-SPONSORED BY COMMISSIONERS ROSE GONZALEZ SUAREZ MAGAZINE.
AND THIS ITEM BUILDS UPON THE, THE, UH, LAST ITEM THAT, THAT WE JUST HEARD.
UM, AND IN KEEPING WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE ORDINANCE THAT WAS ADOPTED IN, UH, IN JULY, UH, TO CONA, UH, STREETS IN OUR CITY, IN HONOR OF NOTABLE WOMEN THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS GREAT AND DIVERSE CITY THAT WE LIVE IN TODAY, CERTAINLY MADDIE BAUER IS A PART OF, OF THAT STORY.
UM, HER PERSISTENT, UH, ADVOCACY FOR HIS HISTORIC PRESERVATION, HER, HER LEADERSHIP FOR DECADES LONG LEADERSHIP, UH, ON THE PTA BEFORE GETTING INTO, INTO ELECTED, UH, OFFICE AS AN ELECTED COMMISSIONER, SHE FOUGHT FOR GROWTH MANAGEMENT OF OUR CITY, THE CREATION OF HISTORIC DISTRICTS ALL THROUGHOUT MIAMI BEACH, INCLUDING THE FIRST AND MOST, UH, FAMOUS, UH, THE MAMIE BEACH ARCHITECTURE DISTRICT THAT SHE FOUGHT, UH, SO HARD FOR.
AND DURING HER TENURE, MAYOR BAUER HELPED ADVANCE A NUMBER OF ORDINANCES AND CODE AMENDMENTS, MOST NOTABLY, UM, THE VOTER, UH, REFERENDUM ON FAR WAS ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT, UH, THAT, THAT SHE HELPED, UH, IN INTRODUCE, WHICH, OF COURSE, UM, WAS, WAS IMPORTANT IN MANAGING OUR GROWTH, UH, FOR SEVERAL DECADES AND CONTINUES TO THIS DAY, TO, UH, TO BE ACTIVE, ESPECIALLY ADVOCATING FOR SENIOR CITIZENS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND A PERSISTENT VOICE, UH, FOR QUALITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN OUR COMMUNITY.
[08:20:01]
TO NOT ONLY CALL HER A FRIEND, BUT A ROLE MODEL TO BE SPONSORING THIS ITEM.AND TO BE MOVING THIS ITEM TODAY TO CONA 15TH STREET IN HONOR OF OUR FORMER MAYOR, MADDIE HERRERA.
YEAH, I KNOW THE 10TH, AND THEN I'LL SUPPORT IT.
BUT I, I'M NOT, AND, AND I UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE DOING THIS, SO I, THAT'S WHY I'M SUPPORTING IT, BUT I, I, I JUST THINK WE'RE NAMING A LOT OF STREETS, AND WE, AT SOME POINT, WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO PUT A, A LIMIT A SECOND.
OUR FIRST FEMALE MAYOR, ONLY FEMALE MAYOR.
IT DOESN'T MERIT A STREET, BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.
I, I WASN'T COMMENTING ON, ON THE MAYOR HERSELF, I'M JUST SAYING THE CO AND I UNDERSTAND THE INTENT OF, OF THE LEGISLATION, WHAT THE WOMEN'S COMMITTEE DID, AND THAT'S WHY I'M GONNA SUPPORT IT.
BUT I'M JUST SAYING IN GENERAL, AND I'VE BEEN CONSISTENT FOR FIVE YEARS, WE'RE NAMING A LOT OF STREETS, AND AT SOME POINT WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO, UM, LEVEL IT OFF.
MR. MAYOR, HE DIDN'T COMPLAIN, IF I MAY, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY THE FIRST WOMAN MAYOR, BUT ALSO THE FIRST HISPANIC MAYOR AND THE ONLY HISPANIC MAYOR OF, OF THE CITY.
AND IN FOUR DAYS, WE, WE LAUNCH HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.
UH, AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, IT, IF THERE IS SOMEONE THAT IS WORTHY OF THIS RECOGNITION THAT I CAN THINK OF AMONGST, YOU KNOW, AMONGST COMMISSIONER LIEMAN IS MOST CERTAINLY, UM, MADDIE BAUER, WHO CONTINUES TO THIS DAY.
YOU KNOW, SHE'S ALMOST, I, I DON'T THINK SHE'S ALMOST 90, BUT SHE'S IN HER MID EIGHTIES, UH, AND CONTINUES ADVOCATING.
AND SO, AND SO, YOU KNOW, I GET WE SHOULDN'T BE DOING IT FOR EVERYONE, BUT PEOPLE LIKE NANCY LEHMAN, PEOPLE LIKE MADDIE BAUER AREN'T JUST ANYONE.
THEY TRULY ARE NOTABLE INDIVIDUALS THAT FIT THIS VERY UNIQUE CATEGORY IN OUR CODE.
UM, SO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
MAY I JUST ADD WITH YOUR PERMISSION, I'D LIKE TO JOIN AS A CO-SPONSOR.
IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING, AND, UH, DANIEL ERALDO IS REQUESTING TO SPEAK.
COMMISSIONER ANI ERALDO WITH MIAMI DESIGN PRESERVATION.
UM, JUST LIKE WITH NANCY LEMAN, I, I AM SO THANKFUL TO THE COMMISSION FOR, UH, RECOGNIZING MAYOR MADDIE BAUER.
UM, AND ALEX DESCRIBED PERFECTLY ALL THAT SHE'S DONE IN ADDITION TO THE BREAKFAST CLUBS THAT SHE CAN CONTINUES AS WELL.
UM, I DO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAS BEEN CONCERN ABOUT WHETHER STREETS SHOULD BE NAMED FOR LIVING PEOPLE.
UH, BUT I THINK IN THESE TWO CASES, UM, THEY'RE REALLY EXCEPTIONAL AND, UH, AND THEY MERIT HAVING THEIR OWN STREETS.
AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.
NO ONE ELSE IS REQUESTING TO SPEAK.
UM, MADDIE BOWER IS ONE OF THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN I KNOW.
I CONSIDER HER A MENTOR AND SOMEBODY WHO REALLY IS A BEACON IN THIS COMMUNITY.
AND YOU'RE RIGHT, SHE'S STILL HOSTING THE BREAKFAST CLUB.
UM, HOW LONG HAS SHE BEEN OUT OF? I THINK SHE LEFT IN 2013.
SO 10, 11 YEARS LATER, SHE IS STILL ADVOCATING.
SHE ACTUALLY WANTED TO COME TO THE MEETING ABOUT AN ITEM TODAY AND HAD CALLED ME AND SHE DIDN'T END UP COMING, BUT SHE IS BEHIND THE SCENES WORKING IT WHEN SHE SEES A NOTABLE CAUSE.
SHE WAS THERE WITH BARBARA CAPMAN CHAINING HERSELF TO BUILDINGS.
UM, SHE REALLY IS AN ICONIC FIGURE IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND I'M VERY EXCITED TO NAME THE STREET AFTER HER.
HEY, LET'S
[R7 C A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING, BY 5/7TH VOTE, THE PLACEMENT OF A COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE IN THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF PRIDE PARK NEAR A TREE IN HONOR OF CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND PRESERVATIONIST JOE TOM EASLEY; PURSUANT TO SECTION 82-504 OF THE CITY CODE.]
R SEVEN CR SEVEN C IS PUBLIC HEARING.INSTALL PLAQUE FOR JOE TOM EASLEY IN PRIDE PARK R SEVEN C.
UM, HOPEFULLY, UH, NOT QUITE AS DIVISIVE.
BUT, UM, YOU KNOW, WE, WE TALKED ABOUT, UH, JOE EASLEY, UM, AT THE COMMITTEE AND, UH, GOT UNANIMOUS SUPPORT, A LEADING CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST NATIONALLY, UM, AND, AND GAY RIGHTS ACTIVIST NATIONALLY.
AND, UH, A LEADING LIGHT IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION HERE IN THE CITY.
HE WAS EXACTLY THE TYPE OF PERSON WHO HAS CONTRIBUTED TO MAKING, UH, MIAMI BEACH WHAT IT IS.
[08:25:01]
IT OVER TO JOHN TO TALK ABOUT WHERE IT'S GOING, UH, IN CONSULTATION WITH HIS PARTNER AND THE, UM, THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.AND THEN, UM, AFTER YOU'RE DONE, JOHN, I'D LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE.
WE WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH, WITH HIS HUSBAND AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, AND THEY'VE SELECTED A TREE IN THE, IN THE, UM, NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE PARK.
AND THEN, YOU KNOW, ONCE THIS HAS PASSED, WE GET THE PARK, WE'LL HAVE A, THEY'LL HAVE A SMALL, UM, CEREMONY TO UNVEIL THE PLAQUE.
AND AGAIN, IN THE INTEREST OF TIME, I URGE YOU TO READ, UM, THE WRITEUP ON, ON MR. LEY.
HE'S, HE WAS A REMARKABLE PERSON WHO LED A REALLY SH WILDLY REMARKABLE LIFE.
AND, UM, THE ONLY REASON I'M NOT GOING ON AND ON ABOUT EVERYTHING ABOUT HIM IS BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET DONE BEFORE SEVEN.
UM, SO THE, I GONNA MOVE THAT SECOND COMMISSIONER, IF YOU ALLOW ME, I'D LIKE TOJO YOU AS A
I HAVE COMMISSIONER SUAREZ AS ABSENT.
[R7 N A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCY COMMITTEE AT ITS MAY 24, 2024 MEETING AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO IMPLEMENT A PILOT PROGRAM FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW SOLAR-POWERED LIGHTING DISPLAY AT LUMMUS PARK, INCLUDING A THREE-MONTH MAINTENANCE PLAN, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $95,000.00, TO BE FUNDED DURING THE FY 2025 BUDGET PROCESS.]
R SEVEN N AS IN NANCY, R SEVEN N IS, EXCUSE ME, EXCEPT, UH, REG SOLAR POWERED LIGHTING PILOT PROGRAM AT LUAS PARK.I'LL TURN IT OVER TO THE CITY ADMINISTRATION.
JUST GIVE A BRIEF EXPLANATION AND WE'LL CALL THE VOTE.
BASICALLY, WE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS AT THE MAY 24TH FINANCE AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCY COMMITTEE, AND WE HAVE PROPOSED, UM, USING SOME SOLAR LIGHTS BECAUSE THERE'S NO INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE RIGHT NOW AT LOOMIS PARK TO LIGHT THE PALM TREE.
SO THIS WOULD BE A PILOT PROGRAM.
UH, R SEVEN N IS, UH, UH, ALL ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
AND WE NAME, THESE ARE MINOR POINTS, BUT THEY'RE MINOR.
LIZ STUCK IN THAT THROUGH THE CHAIR.
COMMISSIONER BOT THINK HAS A QUESTION.
UM, LIZ, DO YOU MIND JUST A QUICK QUESTION, UM, WILL THEY EITHER BE OFF OR ARE THEY TURTLE FRIENDLY, LIKE LOW ENOUGH LUMEN THAT THEY'RE NOT GONNA CAUSE OKAY, SO THEY'RE, THEY'RE MINOR LIGHTS.
THEY'RE ACTUALLY GONNA HAVE TO BE TURNED OFF DURING TURTLE SEASON.
BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH WE CAN HAVE AMBER LIGHTS, UM, WE DID CONSULT WITH ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND BECAUSE THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, PROXIMITY TO THE, TO THE WATER, THEY STILL NEED TO BE TURNED OFF.
THANK YOU, HONOR, MAJOR FAILURE VOTE'S COMPLETE
AND COMMISSIONER SCHWARZ, YOUR A YES ON THAT ONE TOO.
[R7 O A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO RETAIN POWERHOUSE WORKSHOPS & CONSULTING, LLC TO CONDUCT A WORKSHOP, AT A COST OF $3,000, FOR UP TO 100 CITY EMPLOYEES AND ELECTED OFFICIALS (FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS) THAT WILL FOCUS ON STRATEGIES TO CONTROL ANGER, TO CHANGE MINDSETS TO ACHIEVE POSITIVE ATTITUDES, AND TO RESOLVE CONFLICTS WITHOUT HOSTILE VERBAL ATTACKS; AND FURTHER, DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO IDENTIFY FUNDING THROUGH THE ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS.]
RR SEVEN OR SEVEN O IS ENGAGED CONSULTANT TO CONDUCT POSITIVITY TRAINING.YEAH, THIS WAS SOMETHING I BELIEVE THAT WAS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AND, UM, HAD GOTTEN PULLED AND, UM, WE DIDN'T REACH IT.
UH, SO IT'S, I PULLED, I PULLED IT.
AND SO IT'S, UH, $3,000 AND IT'S FOR A HUNDRED EMPLOYEES.
AND, UM, AARON AND I, MY AIDE HAD GONE THROUGH A, A MEETING WITH THESE LADIES, UM, WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY FROM THE COUNTY, AND IT SOUNDED LIKE AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO BRING TO OUR CITY.
UM, I TOOK A LOOK AT THESE, UM, THESE, THESE TWO LADIES, AND IT SEEMED THAT THEY WERE JUST POLITICAL ACTIVISTS AND YOU KNOW, I I THINK THE GENERAL SENTIMENT OF, UH, OF OUR COMMISSION IS THAT WE WANT TO AVOID HIRING POLITICAL ACTIVISTS FOR ANY OF OUR WORK.
AND SO, PGI, I PUT A QUICK SLIDESHOW, UM, UP OF, OF THESE TWO, UM, THESE TWO WOMEN.
SO IF YOU CAN, UH, PLACE, PLACE A SLIDESHOW.
SO THIS IS ONE OF THE, ONE OF THE WOMEN FOR, FOR THE COMPANY.
I JUST DID A QUICK FACEBOOK FEED AND I, I JUST, TO ME, I, I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE HIRING, UH, SOMEONE WHO IS POLITICALLY INVOLVED, UM, AT, AT THIS SORT OF LEVEL.
IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT ONE, PLEASE.
AND YOU KNOW, IT'S FOR THE SHERIFF DANIELLE
[08:30:01]
LEAVING LEVI KAVA.UM, I MEAN, HER FACEBOOK PAGE IS BASICALLY A POLITICAL, UH, OPERATION.
AND SO I, I CERTAINLY DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE, UM, HIRING SOMEONE WHO, WHO'S POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.
UM, I LOOKED AT HER BACKGROUND AND I WROTE THIS DOWN.
UH, LEMME JUST PULL UP MY NOTES.
YOU KNOW, UM, YOU, YOU CAN, YOU CAN, UH, PAUSE THE SLIDESHOW, PJ UM, YOU KNOW, RACHEL TORMAN IS NEITHER A PSYCHOLOGIST OR A PSYCHIATRIST, UH, NOR A MEDICAL DOCTOR.
UM, SHE WAS ORDERED, SHE WAS AWARDED AN HONORARY DOCTORATE FROM TRINITY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF SOUTH FLORIDA IN 2019.
MARY CARMEN RODRIGUEZ WAS ALSO AWARDED AN HONORARY DOCTORATE FROM TRINITY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
YOU KNOW, $3,000 PER TWO HOUR WORKSHOP IS EXCESSIVE, IF ONLY 20 EMPLOYEES PARTICIPATE, IT COST US 150 PARTICIPANT.
AND, YOU KNOW, THIS IS NO DIFFERENT THAN HIRING, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE NAME BRANDS THAT WE'VE, WE'VE SEEN LIKE LILIANA MARTINEZ TO, TO BE DOING
AND SO, UM, YOU KNOW, SOMEONE WHO'S SO POLITICALLY MOTIVATED, I DON'T THINK SHOULD BE, UH, TAXPAYER FUNDED IF, IF, IF SHE WANTS TO DO IT, UM, OUT OF THE GOODNESS OF HER HEART, I GUESS.
UM, BUT I, I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE ENABLING THIS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WHERE DO WE DRAW THE LINE ON ACTIVISTS? COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ? UH, SO I DID NOT KNOW THIS PERSON FROM BEFORE, WHAT THEY DO ON THEIR PERSONAL TIME.
UM, I DON'T THINK IT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THEIR BUSINESS.
UH, I WILL ASK TO DEFER THIS ITEM AND SEE IF YOU WOULD MEET WITH THEM AND SEE IF YOU, UH, WERE AS IMPRESSED AS AARON AND I WERE WHEN THEY CAME TO OUR OFFICE AND TALKED ABOUT THE PROGRAM.
SO WE'LL DEFER IT FOR NEXT MONTH AND HE'LL TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH THEM.
AND I'LL SUPPORT THE DEFERRAL.
THE ONE THING I'LL KNOW IS THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY GOVERNMENT, I THINK SINCE 2003 OR 2004.
AND RACHEL TURMAN, I HAVE KNOWN THAT ENTIRE TIME, SHE'S BEEN A MAINSTAY, UH, PUBLIC SERVANT, AN HONORABLE PUBLIC SERVANT.
SHE, SHE WORKED FOR A VERY LONG TIME IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, I BELIEVE IT WAS, AND SOMEONE OF VERY HIGH HUMAN CHARACTER.
UM, AND SOMEONE THAT, YOU KNOW, I KNOW OF HER DEDICATION, I KNOW OF HER EXPERTISE IN THIS FIELD FROM MY OWN PERSONAL INTERACTIONS WITH HER OVER THE COURSE OF SO MANY YEARS.
I THINK WE LOOK AROUND THE ROOM, I, I THINK WE GOTTA DRAW A VERY CAREFUL LINE BETWEEN OFFICIAL DUTIES AND OFFICIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND WHAT WE HIRE INDIVIDUALS FOR IN TERMS OF A CONTRACT OR IN TERMS OF SOMEONE EMPLOYMENT, AND THEN WHAT THEY DO IN THEIR PERSONAL TIME ONCE THEY'RE OUTSIDE OF THEIR WORKING HOURS, OR ONCE THEY'RE OUTSIDE OF THE SCOPE OF THE, OF WHAT THE PUBLIC HAS HIRED THEM FOR.
EVERYONE IN A DEMOCRACY HAS A VOICE.
EVERYONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ENGAGED, UM, IN THEIR PERSONAL TIME, NOT USING THE TAXPAYERS DOLLARS.
AND SO I JUST WANNA PUT THAT THERE JUST BECAUSE I'VE PERSONALLY KNOWN RACHEL FOR OVER TWO DECADES, UH, AND, UH, AND KNOW OF HER INDIVIDUAL EXPERTISE IN THIS AREA.
DO WE KNOW WHETHER SHE WAS, UH, PAID? SHE'S, I MEAN, WAS SHE A PAID LOBBYIST? YOU, YOU COMPARED IT TO LILIANA MARTINEZ.
IS SHE A PAID LOBBYIST OR WAS SHE WEARING T-SHIRTS IN SUPPORT AS A, AS A FAN? I, I, I, WE COULD LOOK AT THE, WE COULD LOOK AT THE RECORDS AND WE CAN SEE DURING THE DEFRA.
[R7 P A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCY COMMITTEE, AND DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO IDENTIFY APPROPRIATE FUNDING IN THE FY 2025 BUDGET FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO CREATE A POSITION AND HIRE A CONDOMINIUM OMBUDSPERSON TO ASSIST CONDOMINIUM AND CO-OP OWNERS TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THE CITY'S PERMITTING PROCESS, FACILITATE RESOLUTION OF OTHER CONDOMINIUM - RELATED ISSUES WITH OTHER OUTSIDE AGENCIES, AND ACT AS A LIAISON BETWEEN CONDOMINIUM OR CO-OP OWNERS, MANAGEMENT FIRMS AND THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.]
OUR SEVEN PR SEVEN P IS CREATE CONDO, OMBUDSPERSON POSITION, COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ.UM, I CONSTANTLY, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT ALL OF YOU, BUT I HAVE CONSTITUENTS AND DIFFERENT ASSOCIATIONS CONTACTING ME WITH QUESTIONS ALL THE TIME.
I, I SOMETIMES I, I CALL ALBA MARCELLA TO COME IN HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES.
WE TRY TO REFER THEM TO LEGAL SERVICES.
I PERSONALLY DO NOT CARE IF THE CONDO OMBUDSMAN IS A LICENSED CONDO ATTORNEY.
I CAN STRIKE THAT IF THAT BOTHERS OR PERTURBS ANYONE UP HERE.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE IS A LIAISON THAT UNDERSTANDS EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON WITH CONDO LAWS.
AND WHILE WE CANNOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE, WE
[08:35:01]
CAN HAVE SOMEBODY, UM, EDUCATED WHO CAN, WHO CAN BE THIS LIAISON AND EXPLAIN, YOU KNOW, AND, AND, AND EXPLAIN TO THEM HOW THE, WHAT THE PROCESS IS WITHOUT GIVING LEGAL ADVICE TO GET OUT OF THEIR CURRENT SITUATION.RIGHT NOW, WE REALLY DON'T HAVE ANYONE I'M CONSTANTLY CALLING.
UM, IT'S INTERESTING, ALL OF YOU AGREED.
AND THEN ONE BY ONE YOU DROP THE SPONSORSHIP.
BUT IF IT'S NOT A LICENSED ATTORNEY, I THINK THIS IS A POSITION THAT WE NEED IF YOU GUYS DON'T WANNA DO IT.
UM, I, I DID SPEAK TO THE MID BEACH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
THEY WERE VERY UPSET THAT WE HAD THAT WE, THAT THIS HAS BEEN ON THE AGENDA AND THAT WE HAVEN'T CALLED IT BECAUSE THESE OLDER CONDOS NOW MORE THAN EVER, UM, WHILE YOU CAN'T GIVE LEGAL ADVICE, YOU CAN'T EXPLAIN CONFUSING LAWS TO PEOPLE WITHOUT GIVING THEM THE ADVICE.
SO I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE EDUCATIONAL.
IF YOU GUYS, I MEAN, LIKE, I THINK THAT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED.
IF YOU THINK THAT WE DO NOT NEED THIS CONDO LIAISON, I WOULD QUESTION THAT.
I'VE BEEN HERE FOR EIGHT, ALMOST 10 YEARS, ACTUALLY.
AND FRANKLY, IT'S GOTTEN WORSE AND WORSE.
UH, THE CONDO LAWS ARE COMPLEX, PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THEM.
MAYBE I HAVE MORE ASSOCIATIONS AND PEOPLE COMING TO ME BECAUSE I'VE BEEN HERE LONGER, BUT I'M TELLING YOU THAT IT IS A PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE, AND I THINK IT'S ONLY GONNA GET WORSE.
UM, ESPECIALLY, UH, YOU KNOW, AS THESE ASSOCIATIONS GET INTO MORE TROUBLE AND AS THEY BEGIN TO, THESE RECERTIFICATIONS UNDER THE NEW FLORIDA BUILDING CODE AND ALL, YOU KNOW, AND IT'S JUST TOO MUCH AND THEY DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO TURN.
AND I HAVE TO SAY LEGAL SERVICES DOES A, THEY, THEY DO A GREAT JOB, BUT THEY'RE OVERWHELMED.
AND BY THE WAY, THEY'RE CUTTING LEGAL SERVICES IN THE BUDGET.
AND YEAH, WHERE DO WE SEND PEOPLE, WHEN I GET AN ASSOCIATION COMING TO ME, AND THIS IS HAPPENING PROBABLY WEEKLY, WHERE DO I SEND THEM? WE DO OUR BEST ALBA MARCELLA REALLY DO DO THEIR BEST, BUT THERE IS NO LIAISON.
AND THIS IS ESSENTIAL BECAUSE WE HAVE MORE CONDOMINIUMS HERE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.
WE ARE ONE OF THE, YOU KNOW, SMALL ISLAND, BUT VERY DENSE.
AND EVEN THOUGH THE LARGE ASSOCIATIONS ARE CONFUSED, THE SMALLER ASSOCIATIONS NEED HELP.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO SIT DOWN AND JUST SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT? WE HAVE A CONDO OMBUDSMAN,
SO THIS, THIS FALL, THIS POSITION FALLS UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE CITY MANAGER, AND I'VE HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS WITH, WITH ERIC ABOUT IT.
AND, UM, TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS ITEM AND HOW YOU'D LIKE TO HANDLE IT? SO THERE ARE A LOT OF LAYERS TO THIS PARTICULAR DISCUSSION, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, I THINK THAT A LOT OF THESE CONDOS ARE GONNA BE CHALLENGED WITH GOING THROUGH THE NEW RECERTIFICATION PROCESS AS WE'RE HIRING THE PERMIT COORDINATOR POSITION, AS WELL AS WE'RE CREATING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER IN THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT.
I BELIEVE THAT THOSE TWO POSITIONS, ONE IN THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT, ONE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AFFAIRS DIVISION, WOULD BE A FIRST POINT OF CONTACT THAT I WOULD WANNA PUT PEOPLE IN TOUCH WITH SO THAT THEY CAN DEAL WITH THE BUILDING RECERTIFICATION TYPE QUESTIONS AS IT PERTAINS TO CONDOMINIUM RULES AND REGULATIONS.
A LOT OF THAT IS REALLY STATE REGULATED AND IT'S, IT'S BEYOND OUR PURVIEW.
SO WE CAN SERVE AS A CLEARING HOUSE TO THE STATE, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT WE WANT TO GET INTO THE BUSINESS OF ANSWERING A BUNCH OF LEGAL QUESTIONS ON THAT FRONT.
COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ DID THE REP, DID THE RESIDENTS NOT VOTE FOR THIS POSITION? I BELIEVE THEY VOTED FOR IT IN A REFEREND, AND IT PASSED OVERWHELMINGLY WHAT? IT WAS A CHARTER CHARTER YEARS AGO.
I THINK THE RESIDENTS DID VOTE TO CREATE THIS POSITION.
I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION FOR OUR MANAGER.
SO IF THERE IS A SITUATION WE'RE AN ASSOCIATION IS EXPERIENCING A HOSTILE, UH, BUYOUT AND THEY NEED INFORMATION, NOT ADVICE, WOULD THIS BE THE PERMIT COORDINATOR TOO? SO IF SOMEONE IS EXPERIENCING A HOSTILE BUYOUT, I THINK WE REALLY PUT OURSELVES IN A BAD POSITION IF WE'RE GIVING THEM ANY KIND OF LEGAL ADVICE RELATED TO WHAT THEY SHOULD OR SHOULDN'T DO.
I MEAN, THAT'S WHERE THEIR CONDO RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT ARE GOVERNED BY THE STATE ARE GOING TO BE WHAT GOVERNS
[08:40:01]
HOW THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT SITUATION.I, I JUST WANT TO BE VERY CAREFUL THAT WE DON'T INSERT OURSELVES INTO SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY AUTHORITY OVER.
AND I, I DO REMEMBER WHEN BARBARA EK WAS HERE AS A CONDO OMBUDSMAN, BUT THAT POSITION ALONG WITH LYNN BERNSTEIN'S POSITION, UM, AND CAROLYN DEFREEZE'S POSITION, WERE ALL ROLLED INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AFFAIRS DIVISION.
SO IT, IT DOES HAVE A NEXUS WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AFFAIRS GROUP.
SO WHAT IF WE LOWER THE SALARY RANGE AND, UM, CREATE THIS POSITION WITHIN NEIGHBORHOOD AFFAIRS? AND THAT PERSON HAS TO BE, I GUESS, WELL VERSED ON ALL THINGS CONDO LAW RE RELATED SO THAT WHEN THERE IS, SOMETIMES IT'S NOT EVEN ABOUT A BUYOUT, SOMETIMES IT'S ABOUT THEIR MAINTENANCE BEING RAISED OR THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THEIR RIGHTS.
AND WHILE WE'RE NOT GIVING LEGAL ADVICE, WE ARE PROVIDING INFORMATION AND HELPING PEOPLE NAVIGATE THE SYSTEM.
THIS IS PROBABLY SOME OF THE BEST, UM, MONEY THAT WE CAN SPEND AS AN ADMINISTRATION IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE THAT DON'T, THAT WE NEED SOMEBODY WHO IS ONLY FOLLOWING THESE CONDO LAWS, WHO UNDERSTANDS THEM INSIDE AND OUT, AND WHILE NOT OFFERING LEGAL ADVICE CAN OFFER INFORMATION, EVEN IF THEY JUST FIND THE LAW AND SAY, I DON'T, YOU KNOW, I, I CAN'T GIVE YOU LEGAL ADVICE, BUT HERE'S A COPY OF WHAT JUST PASSED IN TALLAHASSEE.
SO YOU, YOU KNOW, YOU MIGHT HAVE RIGHTS AND HERE'S, HERE'S, HERE'S A LIST OF OF ATTORNEYS THAT YOU CAN CALL, OR WE HAVE LEGAL SERVICES AND LET ME HELP YOU GET TO LEGAL SERVICES.
SO I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A NECESSARY POSITION.
IT'S TOO BAD THAT IN THE MIX OF THINGS, UM, THERE WAS SOME SORT OF A FEAR
SO, UM, I, I KNOW IT WAS A COUPLE OF COMMISSIONERS I WANNA SPEAK, BUT RICK PICCO, OUR CITY ATTORNEY, ASKED TO SAY SOMETHING.
OH, YEAH, NO, I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THE, UM, PROVISION IN THE CHARTER THAT COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ REFERRED TO, UH, STATE, THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES THE PURPOSE AND DUTIES OF THE CITY ADMINISTRATION AS ASSISTING CONDOMINIUM AND CO-OP OWNERS TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THE CITY'S PERMITTING PROCESS TO FACILITATE THE RESOLUTION OF OTHER CONDOMINIUM RELATED ISSUES WITH OTHER OUTSIDE AGENCIES, AND TO ACT AS A LIAISON BETWEEN CONDOMINIUM OR CO-OP OWNERS, MANAGEMENT FIRMS AND THE CITY.
UM, THE POINT IS, IT SOUNDS LIKE THE WAY THAT SHE'S MODIFYING IT NOW, THIS WILL NOT BE A PROVISION, A A POSITION THAT WOULD PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE.
THAT IS CERTAINLY NOT WHAT IS CONTEMPLATED IN THE CHARTER.
AND I THINK WE WOULD WANT, WANT TO STAY CLEAR AWAY, CLEARLY AWAY FROM THAT.
UM, BUT PROVIDING JUST INFORMATION ABOUT LAWS, I THINK WOULD BE COMPLETELY FINE.
I THINK THIS IS A POLICY CALL AS TO WHETHER YOU WANT A SEPARATE POSITION OR NOT, BUT I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION THAT IS IN THE CHARTER.
AND I'M SORRY, ERIC, COULD YOU JUST CLARIFY, DID YOU SAY YOU THINK YOU HAVE SOMEONE FOR THE POSITION? I JUST TELL ME WHAT YOUR THINKING IS.
WE HAVE TWO NEW POSITIONS, ONE THAT WAS BUDGETED AT THE BEGINNING OF LAST YEAR, ONE THAT WE'RE CREATING IN THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT.
AND BOTH OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS ARE GOING TO BE CUSTOMER FACING.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET THOSE TWO POSITIONS FILLED AND ACTIVE BEFORE WE MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT ADDING ADDITIONAL PEOPLE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE WORKLOAD THAT WOULD REQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL BODY.
CAN I JUST SAY ONE THING? FOR EXAMPLE, MAYOR MINOR, WHEN YOU STARTED THIS JOB, YOU SAW THAT THE MAYOR'S OFFICE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH POSITIONS.
SO YOU'VE ADDED HOW MANY POSITIONS UP UNTIL RIGHT NOW? HOW MANY, UM, NO, NOT QUITE.
I, I DON'T EVEN HAVE EIGHT PEOPLE REPORTING TO ME.
EVERY COMMISSIONER NOW HAS ADDITIONAL, UH, CAPACITY TO, BUT YOU CAN, UM, COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE AND THEN COMMISSIONER BOT.
UM, YEAH, IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S A NEED FOR THE POSITION.
WHERE I GOT A LITTLE UNEASY BEFORE IS WHEN WE STARTED OVER-ENGINEERING, UH, WHAT THE SALARY SHOULD BE, WHAT THE QUALIFY.
UM, SO I DO THINK THAT THERE'S A NEED FOR THIS, UH, GIVEN THE CONVERSATIONS I'VE HEARD IN THE COMMUNITY, SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT
[08:45:01]
WE'RE GOING TO BE FACING DOWN THE ROAD.UH, I'M NOT AN EXPERT INTO WHAT THE VISION THIS SHOULD BE OR WHO IT SHOULD REPORT TO.
UH, WE'VE PLACED OUR TRUST IN OUR CITY MANAGER AND, UH, THE STAFF.
SO, UM, I GUESS WHAT I'LL CONVEY IS, UH, SUPPORT MY COLLEAGUE, COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ, THAT THERE'S A NEED FOR THE SERVICE, WHETHER THAT'S FULL-TIME, WHETHER IT'S PART-TIME, WHETHER IT'S IN NEIGHBORHOOD AFFAIRS OR WHETHER RICK'S GIVING IT OUT.
THOSE ARE FOR THE EXPERTS OF WHICH, UH, I AM NOT ON THIS.
SO I'LL LEAVE THAT OVER TO YOU.
UH, BUT I'LL GIVE MY SUPPORT THAT THE SERVICE IS NEEDED.
I JUST, FOR A POINT OF CLARIFICATION, MAYBE THIS IS FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY IN MY, IN MY UNDERSTANDING, MAYBE I'M WRONG, IS THAT THERE'S, YOU, YOU, THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE THINGS GOING ON.
COMMISSIONER ROSA GONZALEZ IS SAYING WE NEED TO HIRE SOMEONE SPECIFIC WITH A POSITION.
WHAT I THINK OUR CITY MANAGER IS SAYING IS HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF HE CAN FILL THAT INTERNALLY WITHOUT DOING AN EXTRA HIRE.
SO I DON'T THINK THEY'RE COMPATIBLE, BUT MAYBE I'M WRONG.
SO MAY, CAN YOU CUT MY MICROPHONE OFF BEFORE, BEFORE I'M FINISHED? CAN YOU PLEASE PUT MY MICROPHONE BACK ON BECAUSE YOU KIND OF CUT ME OFF.
YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU GET, WHEN YOU GET UPSET, I CUT SOMEBODY OFF BECAUSE YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT THEY SAY.
YOU, BECAUSE I HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND I WAS ELECTED BY A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT I REPRESENT AND MY VOICE MATTERS.
AND THIS WHOLE CONTROLLING OF THE MICROPHONE IS VERY DISTURBING TO MANY OF US.
AND BY THE WAY, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN BECAUSE A COMMITTEE, WE DON'T NEED THIS.
OUR CHAIR LETS US SPEAK AND THEY DON'T CUT OFF OUR MICROPHONE.
AND COLLEGIALITY WOULD DEEM THAT YOU WOULD ALLOW FOR A LITTLE BIT OF DISCOURSE, WHICH IS KIND OF WHAT WE TRY TO DO HERE, BUT WE CAN'T BECAUSE AS SOON AS WE SAY SOMETHING THAT YOU DON'T LIKE, BOOM.
I'M GONNA
IF IT HAPPENED, THERE WAS INADVERTENTLY, I CALLED THIS, I DID NOT CUT YOU OFF AND BEG, YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DO? BY THE WAY, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME YOU'VE DONE THIS.
WHEN YOU DON'T LIKE HOW I RESPOND TO AN ITEM, YOU BRING, YOU ACCUSE ME OF THINGS THAT I'M NOT DOING.
YOU HAVE THE FREEDOM TO SPEAK WHATEVER YOU WANT.
I WAS JUST TRYING TO MAKE, NOW SPEAKING, SPEAKING, IT SHOULDN'T BE LIKE THIS.
I TIME SOMETIMES WE NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION AND WE CAN'T.
AND YOU KNOW WHAT? IT'S VERY CONFUSING TO THE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO HAVE A DIALOGUE AND WE CAN'T.
AND BY THE WAY, ANYBODY, A LEADER WITH CONFIDENCE DOESN'T NEED TO CUT PEOPLE OFF BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SAYING AND WHO YOU ARE.
IT'S A NO MATTER HOW SPEECH, I DIDN'T SAY ANY NAME.
I JUST SAID, I THINK TRUE LEADERSHIP AND STRENGTH COMES FROM EMPOWERING THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU.
AND THAT MEANS LISTENING TO THEIR VOICES.
AT THIS POINT, UM, IF ERIC THINKS THAT HE CAN FILL THE CONDO OMBUDSMAN POSITION, AS ASSOCIATIONS COME TO ME, I'M GONNA CALL YOU AND HOPEFULLY YOU WILL, UH, YOU AND YOUR OFFICE WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE.
AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE CALL ALBA AND MARCELLA.
I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHO ELSE I'M SUPPOSED TO CALL, BUT WE'VE HAD MANY ASSOCIATIONS COME TO US, AND I GUESS WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT, WHICH IS REALLY INEFFICIENT AND REALLY NOT PART OF THEIR JOB.
I THINK WHAT THEY DO IS TRY TO GUIDE PEOPLE TO LEGAL SERVICES, BUT WE KNOW, AND IT'S WRITTEN IN OUR CHARTER THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A CONDO LIAISON.
AND IT'S TOO BAD THAT IT BECAME SO POLITICAL.
COMMISSIONER BOT, UM, THANK YOU MAYOR.
I ACTUALLY WAS THE ORIGINAL SPONSOR OF THIS BECAUSE I AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE, COMMISSIONER ROSEN GONZALEZ, THAT WE NEED SOMEBODY OR SOMEBODY IN THE, UM, IN THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO BE ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE FIGURE OUT WHAT THE HOLY HELL IS GOING ON BECAUSE IT'S REALLY COMPLICATED.
UM, AND MORE THAN JUST 40 YEAR CERTIFICATIONS, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, A, A BIG THING IN AND OF ITSELF.
BUT WITH ALL THE LEG LEGISLATION COMING DOWN FROM TALLAHASSEE AND WITH THE WILDLY, UM, UNQUALIFIED PEOPLE WHO ARE, UM, IN SOME CASES ON OR RUNNING BOARDS THERE, I'VE GOTTEN THE SAME CALLS.
I'M SURE ALL OF YOU HAVE GOTTEN THAT.
PEOPLE JUST HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO TURN.
AND THE REASON I WITHDREW FROM SUPPORTING THIS ITEM AS IT STANDS IS BECAUSE IT GOT FRANKENSTEIN INTO SOMETHING THAT I THINK MANY OF US WEREN'T COMFORTABLE WITH.
SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO, UM, WITH THE SUPPORT OF MY, MY COLLEAGUES, IS TO DEFER THIS.
SO YOU JUST GOT APPOINTED TO THIS POSITION OF, OF CITY MANAGER, AND YOU'RE PROBABLY SITTING HERE NOW SAYING, OH MY GOD, WHAT HAVE I DONE? UM, BUT GIVE, GIVE YOU SIX WEEKS TO TALK TO ALL OF US TO TALK TO YOUR STAFF, YOUR DEPARTMENT HEADS, AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO DO THIS.
I TEND TO AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER ROSEN GONZALEZ THAT IT WOULD BE MORE EFFICIENT IF IT WERE A PERSON TO BE ABLE TO FUNNEL OUT TO BE A CLEARING HOUSE, WHICH IS A WORD THAT, THAT YOU AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT.
IT MAY NOT BE, I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON HOW TO STAFF A 2200 PERSON ORGANIZATION, BUT I THINK IT
[08:50:01]
WOULD BEHOOVE US TO JUST TAKE A MINUTE AND TAKE SIX WEEKS, EVERYBODY TALK IN THEIR APPROPRIATE CHANNELS AND FIGURE OUT THE BEST WAY TO ADDRESS THIS NEED, BECAUSE THE NEED IS REAL.AND, UM, WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO DEFER.
AND MY APOLOGIES IF THIS, THIS CAME UP ALREADY, BUT WHEN WE HAD SPENCER HERE, WAS HE PAID BY THE STATE? AND WHY CAN'T THE STATE, UH, PROVIDE US WITH SOMEBODY AGAIN, IS THAT NOT BEING DONE? SO THE STATE HAS A POSITION FUNDED, SPENCER'S POSITION IS A PERMANENT POSITION WITH THE STATE.
UNFORTUNATELY, THEY'VE BEEN UNABLE TO FILL THAT POSITION, IS MY UNDERSTANDING.
AND SPENCER LEFT TO TAKE ANOTHER ROLE.
UM, SO WE WERE HOPING THAT BY THIS TIME HE WOULD HAVE THAT A REPLACEMENT FOR HIM WOULD HAVE BEEN IN PLACE BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A LOT OF CONDO QUESTIONS HERE IN MIAMI BEACH, AND THAT'S WHY THEY WERE WILLING TO DO OFFICE HOURS DOWN HERE ON A REGULAR BASIS.
UM, CAN, WOULD, IS IT HELPFUL TO DO A RESOLUTION TO THE STATE TO URGE THEM TO FILL THE POSITION? WHAT CAN WE DO ON OUR END TO GET THAT DONE? BECAUSE SPENCER LEFT ABOUT A YEAR AGO, AND THIS POSITION IS VERY IMPORTANT.
AND IF IT COULD BE FUNDED BY THE STATE, THAT'S EVEN BETTER.
I'VE ACTUALLY, UH, I'VE, I'VE ACTUALLY HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE, UH, GOVERNOR'S CHIEF OF STAFF.
UM, I I WE JUST ACTUALLY GOT WORD THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE THAT THEY, THERE'S, THEY NEED TO FILL THE POSITION.
IT'S A LITTLE FRUSTRATING TO HAVEN'T FILLED THE POSITION, BUT WE'RE GONNA KEEP TRYING.
BUT AT LEAST WE DID GET THAT RECOGNITION, SO I'M HOPING THAT MEANS THAT, UH, THEY WILL FILL IT.
MR. MAYOR, COMMISSIONER SUAREZ.
UH, NOW THAT WE HAVE A, UH, LIAISON TO TALLAHASSEE, UM, PETER, MAYBE WE CAN REQUEST TO PETER AS A COMMISSION TO MAKE THAT A PRIORITY FOR, UM, THE STATE TO GIVE US OR FUND FOR US A CONDO OMBUDSMAN.
YEAH, AND I THINK, I THINK I'M LOOKING AT PETER.
I THINK WE ACTUALLY HAD THAT CONVERSATION WITH YOU, CORRECT? YEAH, WE DID.
SO THANKS FOR YOUR HELP, PETER.
SO THE MOTION, A SECOND CALL THE VOTE.
SO MOTION TO DEFER TO OCTOBER 30TH.
ITEM IS DEFERRED TO OCTOBER 30TH.
[R9 D REFERRAL TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE MEETING TO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL FOR ENHANCING SOUTH BEACH VOLLEYBALL COURTS WITH SMART LIGHTING.]
NINE D.D AS IN DAVID D IT'S A REFERRAL TO PUBLIC SAFETY, NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE ENHANCE, UH, SOUTH BEACH VOLLEYBALL COURTS WITH SMART LIGHTING.
R NINE D, COMMISSIONER ROSE GONZALEZ AND CO-SPONSOR WITH COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE.
UM, IT'S JUST A, IT'S JUST A REFERRAL TO NEIGHBORHOODS.
OH, IT'S JUST AGENDA FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
MAYBE IT WAS SUBMITTED LATE AND IT JUST WENT INTO THE REGULAR AGENDA SO WE CAN HEAR IT AT NEIGHBORHOODS A SECOND.
LET'S CALL THE VOTE ON THE REFERRAL.
ALL IN FAVOR? I WANTED TO VOTE NO ON THIS ITEM ACTUALLY.
YEAH, SO THAT'S, I DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT WAS IT.
OKAY, SO IT'S SIX ONE WITH COMMISSIONER OF VICE MAYOR FERNANDEZ VOTING NO.
[R9 AQ DISCUSSION AND UPDATE ON LINCOLN ROAD PHASE 2 PROJECT.]
UH, THIS IS ACTUALLY AN IMPORTANT ITEM WE NEED TO CALL.WE GOTTA CALL R NINE EIGHT Q LINCOLN ROAD, R NINE A Q, DISCUSS, UPDATE OF THE LINCOLN ROAD PHASE TWO PROJECT MOTION.
DAVID GOMEZ, INTERIM DIRECTOR FOR THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, UH, OFFICE.
UM, THE LINCOLN ROAD PROJECT, AS YOU ALL ARE AWARE, IS A, IS A COMPREHENSIVE, UH, REDEVELOPMENT OF LINCOLN ROAD, INCLUDING THE CONNECTOR STREETS TO THE CONVENTION CENTER.
UH, IN ORDER TO ADVANCE SOME OF THE
[08:55:01]
WORK THAT WAS IDENTIFIED, WE DID DIVIDE IT INTO PHASES WHERE THE FIRST PHASE TO REPLACE THE STREET LIGHTING WAS COMPLETED LAST YEAR.THE SECOND PHASE WAS ADVERTISED AND WE RECEIVED ONE BID IN APRIL THAT EXCEEDED THE CONSTRUCTION BUDGET BY APPROXIMATELY $12 MILLION.
UH, SINCE THEN, WE HAVE, UH, MET WITH VARIOUS CONTRACTORS AND, UH, ATTEMPTED TO GENERATE INTEREST IN BIDDING THE PROJECT.
AND WE'VE IDENTIFIED A COUPLE OF, UH, IMPEDIMENTS TO INTEREST IN THE PROJECT.
UM, SUCH AS VERY RESTRICTIVE REQUIREMENTS IN TERMS OF MAINTAINING OPEN ACCESS AT ALL TIMES ON THE STREETS.
UH, THEY HAVE NO LOCATION OR NO, NO SPACE FOR LAY DOWN AND STAGING.
SO I THINK WE'VE ADDRESSED THAT NOW.
WE HAVE DIRECTED THE DESIGNER TO ADJUST THEIR BID PACKAGES SO THAT WE CAN REBID IT IN THE NEXT 30 TO 45 DAYS, UH, WITH A, AN ANTICIPATED START OF CONSTRUCTION IN THE SPRING.
THAT IS FOR, UH, THE IMPROVEMENTS TO MERIDIAN AVENUE AND DREXEL.
THE REMAINDER OF THE SCOPE IS WHAT WE REFER TO AS PHASE THREE, WHICH IS LINCOLN ROAD PROPER FROM WASHINGTON AVENUE TO, UM, LENNOX.
UH, AND THAT WOULD BE COMPLETING THE DESIGN IN THE SPRING OF NEXT YEAR, THE REDESIGN IN THE SPRING OF NEXT YEAR WITH A CONSTRUCTION COMMENCEMENT IN THE FALL.
IF I COULD, MR. MAYOR, UM, THIS IS ONE OF MANY EXAMPLES OF SOMETIMES IN THE CITY, WE, WE JUST NEED TO HAVE THE CONVICTION AND THE CONFIDENCE TO MOVE FORWARD.
UH, LINCOLN ROAD MASTER PLANNER WAS EXECUTED IN 2015 AND WE'VE ESSENTIALLY PUT LIGHTS IN, RIGHT? IN NINE YEARS, WE'VE PUT IN LIGHTS AND WE HAVE WHAT IS ONE OF OUR MOST ICONIC, UH, INTERNATIONAL DRAWS JUST FALL INTO STATES OF DISREPAIR.
AND THANKFULLY IT'S BEING REVIVED, BUT THROUGH LITTLE CONSEQUENCE OF ANYTHING THAT WE'VE COLLECTIVELY DONE AS A CITY, IT'S REALLY THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND CAPITAL FLOWING TO MIAMI WHERE WE HAVE ALL THESE NEW AND EXCITING RESTAURANTS THAT ARE MOVING.
BUT WHEN WE SIT UP HERE AND TALK ABOUT DELAYING AND DELAYING AND, UH, IF WE WANT TO, UH, HAVE A NEW DIRECTION FOR SOMETHING, HAVING TO DO ALL THESE MASTER PLANS, LOOK AT THE MASTER PLANS THAT WE'VE HAD.
HAVE WE DONE ANYTHING ON OCEAN DRIVE? RIGHT? WE HAD THE KOVICH MASTER PLAN.
WHERE IS THAT? WHAT HAVE WE DONE? LINCOLN ROADMASTER PLAN 2015.
ENTIRE CITIES HAVE BEEN BUILT.
BRICKELL CITY CENTER WAS CONSTRUCTED IN FOUR YEARS.
UH, I SEE MY FRIEND MIKE GRIECO.
I I THINK HE WOULD ALWAYS REFERENCE HOW QUICKLY THE EMPIRE STATE WAS BUILT, UH, IN COMPARISON TO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID.
SO, UM, I, I DON'T MEAN TO PINPOINT ON ANY INDIVIDUAL, I'M NOT LAYING BLAME AT ANY INDIVIDUAL.
UH, BUT JUST IN, IN TERMS OF HAVING THAT CONFIDENCE AND CONVICTION IN MOVING FORWARD WITH WHETHER IT BE THIS PROJECT OR MANY OTHERS.
THIS IS 10 YEARS IN THE MAKING AND WE HAVE LIGHT BULBS.
WE NEED TO MOVE THE CITY FORWARD.
IS THIS YOUR, WAS THIS MY UPDATE OR YOUR UPDATE? BOTH.
UM, SO I KNOW THAT WHEN THE, IT CAME IN, IT CAME IN $8 MILLION OVER.
MY BIGGEST CONCERN RIGHT NOW IS WE HAVE FOUR OR FIVE RESTAURANTS THAT HAVE INVESTED SIGNIFICANT CAPITAL IN LINCOLN ROAD, AND NOW WE'RE GONNA TEAR UP LINCOLN ROAD RIGHT AFTER LIKE ANDRES CARNE REST HAS LIKE INVESTED ALL THIS MONEY.
I MEAN, HOW ARE WE GOING TO EVEN MAKE THAT HAPPEN? WE WAITED SO LONG, WE HAVE THESE NEW INVESTMENTS.
ARE WE, WHEN WE, I MEAN IT, IT NEEDS TO GET DONE.
IT'S, IT'S PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE CITY ARE SAYING, WHAT, WHAT'S HAPPENING AT LINCOLN ROAD? AND THEN YOU GO TO BRICKELL CITY CENTER AS WE'VE BEEN WAITING AND YOU SEE THE GROWTH IN WYNWOOD AND YOU SEE THE GROWTH EVEN IN BELL HARBOR PROPER IN THE EXPANSION.
AND YOU LOOK AT US AND YOU SEE THIS DEAD PIECE OF LAND.
I UNDERSTAND THAT CIP HAS ITS CHALLENGES.
I KNOW YOU'RE UNDER BUDGET IN MANY CASES, BUT WE ACTUALLY PASSED A RESOLUTION PRIORITIZING THE CONSTRUCTION OF LINCOLN ROAD AND THEN IT JUST WENT UNHEARD.
I THINK IT NEEDS TO GO TO THE TOP OF THE LIST.
CAN YOU COME BACK IN OCTOBER AND GIVE US ALL AN UPDATE? AND I WOULD LIKE A TIME CERTAIN FOR THE UPDATE.
THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION THAT IN OCTOBER WE COME BACK WITH A BID.
THE THE, WE COME BACK WITH SOME WITH, WITH SOME, WITH SOME UPDATE SHOWING THAT CIP IS TAKING LINCOLN ROAD SERIOUSLY AND MOVING FORWARD IT HAS TO GO TO THE TOP.
I CAN ASSURE YOU, COMMISSIONER, THE CIP DOES TAKE LINCOLN ROAD VERY SERIOUSLY.
UM, WHEN WE RECEIVE ONE BID AND IT IS 74% OVER BUDGET,
[09:00:01]
I CAN'T IN GOOD CONSCIENCE RECOMMEND PROCEEDING.WHY IS THAT? WHY DID WE ONLY GET THE ONE BID? THAT'S WHAT I FIND CONCERNING.
THAT'S, THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION.
AND AS I STATED, THERE WERE SOME CHALLENGES THAT SOME OF THE, UH, CONTRACTORS ADVISED US.
SOME WERE JUST TOO BUSY TO BID IT, OTHERS WERE NOT INTERESTED IN THE TYPE OF WORK.
OTHERS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE RESTRICTIONS THAT WE WERE PLACING ON THE CONTRACTOR IN TERMS OF MAINTAINING ROADS, UH, OPEN AT ALL TIMES.
AND THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT, THE FEEDBACK THAT WE'VE RECEIVED AND WE, I BELIEVE WE'VE GENERATED SOME INTEREST FROM OTHER CONTRACTORS THAT, THAT ARE LOOKING TO BID IT NOW.
CAN'T YOU PIECEMEAL IT AND JUST TAKE IT BLOCK BY BLOCK THAT'S PART OF THAT? WELL, I MEAN INSTEAD OF BIDDING OUT THE WHOLE THING START, LET'S JUST START WITH ONE BLOCK AND GET IT GOING.
WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS THE CONNECTORS.
AND WE ARE LOOKING AT DIVIDING THAT PACKAGE INTO TWO PACKAGES SO IT BECOMES MORE ATTRACTIVE TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF BIDDERS.
SO YES, WE ARE PURSUING THAT ABOUT THE ROAD ITSELF.
I'M SORRY, WHAT ABOUT THE ROAD ITSELF? NOT COMPLETELY COMPLET.
THE COMPLET OF THE DESIGN DOCUMENTS FOR THAT, THE CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS WILL, WILL BE IN THE SPRING.
WE JUST GOT THE REV, THE APPROVAL FROM HPB ON THE REVISED DRAWINGS.
SO THE COMPLETION OF THOSE DRAWINGS WILL BE IN THE SPRING AND THEN CONSTRUCTION IN THE FALL.
UM, COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE, I DON'T KNOW WANT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO SECOND THIS, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO GET AN UPDATE IN OCTOBER.
WE'LL KEEP IT ON IN OCTOBER WITH A TIME CERTAIN SO THAT WE ALL CAN STAY ON TOP OF IT.
IT'S, WE NEED A MOTION FOR IT OR MY MOTION? MOTION TO CONTINUE.
LET'S CALL THE VOTE TO CONTINUE THIS ITEM R NINE A Q TO OCTOBER 30TH.
ITEM IS CONTINUED TO OCTOBER 30TH, R NINE A Q.
[C7 D A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING AND RESTATING RESOLUTION NO. 2020-31144, WHICH CREATED, PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 170, FLORIDA STATUTES, AND SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF A MAJORITY OF THE AFFECTED PROPERTY OWNERS, A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT TO BE KNOWN AS "THE SOUTH BEACH BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT," FOR A TERM OF TEN (10) YEARS, TO STABILIZE AND IMPROVE THAT CERTAIN AREA OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH HEREIN REFERRED TO AS THE OCEAN DRIVE AND COLLINS AVENUE RETAIL BUSINESS DISTRICT, WHICH DISTRICT IS GENERALLY LOCATED WITHIN A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED HISTORIC DISTRICT, THROUGH PROMOTION, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SERVICES (THE "SERVICES"); PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS, IN THE REVISED AMOUNT OF $2,147,242 PER YEAR, WHICH SHALL INCREASE EACH YEAR ACCORDING TO THE CUMULATIVE PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI) BUT NOT TO EXCEED TWO PERCENT (2%) PER YEAR; INDICATING THE LOCATION, NATURE, AND ESTIMATED COST OF THE SERVICES, WHOSE COSTS ARE TO BE DEFRAYED BY THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS; PROVIDING THE MANNER IN WHICH SUCH SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS SHALL BE MADE; PROVIDING WHEN SUCH SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS SHALL BE MADE; DESIGNATING THE LANDS UPON WHICH THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS SHALL BE LEVIED; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION OF THIS RESOLUTION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 170.05, FLORIDA STATUTES; AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO CAUSE TO BE MADE A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT ROLL, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 170.02, FLORIDA STATUTES; AND UPON COMPLETION OF SUCH PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT ROLL, PROVIDING THAT SUCH ASSESSMENT ROLL SHALL BE ON FILE WITH THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE AND OPEN TO THE INSPECTION OF THE PUBLIC.]
CALL C SEVEN D.SO LET'S DO THAT FIRST AND THEN C SEVEN D AS IN DAVID.
C SEVEN D IS REAFFIRM CREATION OF SOUTH SOUTH BEACH BID SUBJECT TO MAJORITY APPROVAL C SEVEN DI HAD PULLED IT.
DO YOU WANT ME TO SAY THAT? YES, PLEASE.
JUST REAL QUICK ON UM, C SEVEN D, UH, THE, I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA.
I'M SO HAPPY IT'S COMING BACK.
UM, BUT AT THE REQUEST OF SOME BUSINESSES, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT AS UH, THE OCEAN DRIVE BID IS BEING CREATED, THAT IT SHOULD INCLUDE A COMPOSITION OF REPRESENTATION FROM HOTEL, RETAIL, SUPPER CLUB NIGHTLIFE, UM, IN ADDITION SO THAT THERE'S A BALANCE BOARD IN ADDITION TO, UH, THE OTHER POSITIONS THAT THEY HAVE ON PLANNED ON THE BID THROUGH THE CHAIR.
UH, RAQUEL WILLIAMS, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.
SO ESSENTIALLY THIS IS LIKE THE STOP THE PAUSE BID VERSION.
UH, THIS ITEM WAS SUPPOSED TO REALLY, UH, TAKE PLACE IN 2020 AFTER THE BID WAS CREATED BY THE CITY COMMISSION.
THERE WAS A VOTE CALLED, BUT DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE VOTE WAS, UH, UH, NO LONGER ON THE TABLE, UM, FOR THE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AS WELL AS FOR THE COMMISSION.
AND SO THIS ITEM WOULD REAFFIRM THE CREATION OF THE BID.
IT INCLUDES THE ASSESSMENT ROLE, THE RATE AND METHODOLOGY, THE BUDGET, AS WELL AS THE SERVICES THAT WOULD BE PROVIDED.
ONCE THIS OCCURS, THE, THE NEXT STEPS WOULD TAKE US DOWN THE PATH OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AFTER 50% PLUS ONE OF THE 219 PROPERTY OWNERS, UH, VOTE YES.
THEN THERE WOULD BE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE BID AND THE CITY TO OUTLINE THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE BID.
AND AT THAT POINT, THE CITY COULD NEGOTIATE TO HAVE A CERTAIN COMPOSITION ON THE BOARD.
THAT'S WONDERFUL THAT WHAT'S ON RECORD.
THAT, UM, THESE ARE ITEMS THAT WOULD BE OF INTEREST TO ME AND POSSIBLY OTHER COMMISSIONERS.
AND WITH THAT EXPLANATION, I'LL MOVE THE ITEM SECOND.
[C4 Q REFERRAL TO THE LAND USE AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS INCENTIVES FOR PROPERTY OWNERS TO RESTORE/ REHABILITATE HISTORIC RESIDENTIAL APARTMENT BUILDINGS IN THE FLAMINGO PARK NEIGHBORHOOD.]
ZERO C FOUR Q IS PULLED.C FOUR Q IS A REFERRAL TO LAND USE FOR MANGO PARK RESTORATION INCENTIVES FOR RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.
[09:05:01]
PULLED IT.[C4 S REFERRAL TO THE LAND USE AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE - DISCUSS INCENTIVES FOR PROPERTY OWNERS TO RESTORE/REHABILITATE HISTORIC RESIDENTIAL APARTMENT BUILDINGS IN NORTH BEACH.]
PULLED THIS ITEM AS WELL AS C FOUR S.UH, THERE ARE SIMILAR ITEMS, UH, AND THE REASON WHY I PULL IT IS TO, IS TO CON, IS TO PROPOSE THAT IT ALSO GO TO THE AD HOC HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEW COMMITTEE THAT WE JUST CONVENED, UH, RECENTLY THEY'RE GONNA BE AT THEIR NEXT MEETING LOOKING AT INCENTIVES SPECIFICALLY, UH, FOR, FOR THE RENOVATION OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS.
UM, AND SO I JUST WANTED TO PROPOSE THAT FOR C FOUR Q AND C FOUR SI WOULD LOVE THAT.
I COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT THAT COMMITTEE, SO MY APOLOGIES.
SO WHEN IS THEIR NEXT MEETING? UM, WHEN IS THEIR NEXT MEETING? I THINK IT'S NEXT WEEKEND.
SO I CAN MOVE THE ITEM FOR IT, THEM, FOR THEM TO MEET ON IT FIRST AND THEN THEN IT'LL GO TO, UH, MY COMMITTEE ARE ARE YOU OKAY WITH THAT FOR YOURS? YEAH.
I, I, IT DIDN'T EVEN OCCUR TO ME TO DO IT TO AN AD HOC COMMITTEE.
I WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FORMAL COMMITTEE.
SO IT WAS NOT AN INTENTIONAL SLIGHT, IT WAS JUST AN OMISSION.
AND, AND THE MEETING IS ON THE 18TH VOTE.
FOR THE RECORD, FOR THE RECORD, THAT WAS COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ AND COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ WHO MOTIONED US.
[C7 AC A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF UP TO TWO (2) ADDITIONAL PARKING PASSES TO EACH ELECTED OFFICIAL FOR THE USE BY RESIDENTS WHO VOLUNTEER WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.]
AND THE LAST ITEM FOR THE DAY, I'LL CALL C SEVEN AC.C SEVEN AC AUTHORIZED SECOND ADDITIONAL PARKING PASSES PER ELECTED OFFICIAL FOR VOLUNTEERS.
I PULL THE ITEM, UH, I'LL ACTUALLY DEFER TO YOU IF YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN WHAT THE ITEM'S ABOUT, ABOUT, THERE'S GREAT PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT, THAT, YOU KNOW, SUPPORT US AS, AS COMMISSIONERS.
WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK THAT WE DO THAT GUIDE US.
UM, FOR EXAMPLE, LIKE NOW WE HAVE DANNY THAT WORKS IN OUR OFFICE, BUT BEFORE YOU WERE ELECTED AS MAYOR, HE WAS SOMEONE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WOULD PROBABLY, I KNOW, USED TO GUIDE YOU A LOT AND ET CETERA.
UM, I KNOW THERE'S RESIDENTS THAT CALL ME FREQUENTLY THAT ARE VERY INVOLVED, THAT ARE VERY ACTIVE, THAT PARTICIPATE IN MEETINGS IN MY, IN MY OFFICE FROM, FROM TIME TO TIME AND DEDICATE A LOT OF TIME TOWARDS THE GOOD OF THE CITY, TOWARDS, UH, HELPING US WITH OUR WORK AS, AS COMMISSIONERS.
THEY MIGHT NOT SERVE IN BOARDS AND COMMITTEES LIKE A LOT OF RESIDENTS DO, BUT THEY'RE ADVISING US AND THEY'RE GIVING THEIR TIME WHEN THEY'RE, WHEN THEY CAN BE IN PRIVATE BUSINESS DOING OTHER WORK, THEY'RE HERE SUPPORTING US.
AND THAT'S THE INTENT OF THE ITEM TO JUST THE COURTESY OF GIVING THEM THE SAME PARKING PASS THAT WE GIVE TO OTHER RESIDENTS WHO VOLUNTEER IN OTHER WAYS.
RIGHT? SO MY CONCERN WITH THE ITEM, AND I KNOW YOUR INTENTIONS ARE GOOD, BUT MY CONCERN WAS THE OPTICS BECAUSE BESIDES THE, OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO, WHO OFTEN HELP US AND, AND, AND, AND COULD PROVIDE SOME GUIDANCE AND OPINIONS THAT COULD BE EYES AND EARS FOR US.
BUT WE ALSO EVENTUALLY WE ALL RUN AGAIN UNTIL WE'RE TURNED OUT.
AND MY CONCERN IS THAT THESE PARKING PASSES COULD BE USED FOR CAMPAIGN PURPOSES, WHICH WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE.
AND BY THE WAY, DANNY NEVER HAD A FREE PARKING PASS, THE SEA
AND, AND THAT'S, AND THAT'S WHY I PULLED IT.
AND I, I DON'T, I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE BEING SUPPORTIVE OF IT, ALTHOUGH I, I, I UNDERSTAND THE, THE GOOD INTENTIONS OF IT.
ALRIGHT, SO A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ.
SO I HAVE TWO NOS, COMMISSIONER, BOT AND MAYOR MINOR ITEM PASSES.
I'M GONNA GO HOME AND RELAX AND ALSO, UH, TRY TO AGAIN COMMEMORATE AND THINK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF TODAY NINE 11.