4321. GOOD MORNING. WELCOME TO OUR COMMISSION MEETING OF MAY 20TH.
[CALL TO ORDER]
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THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES WHO ARE HERE. SOME ARE ON THE WAY.GOOD MORNING. THE CITY COMMISSION IS PHYSICALLY PRESENT.
THE COMMISSION CHAMBER AT MIAMI BEACH CITY HALL, 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE, THIRD FLOOR.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO ATTEND, EITHER IN PERSON OR VIRTUALLY.
YOU CAN ALSO PHONE IN AT 3052241968 OR TOLL FREE (888) 475-4499.
AGAIN, THE LOCAL NUMBER IS 3052241968. THE WEBINAR ID IS (813) 928-5767 1 POUND AGAIN, WEBINAR ID IS (813) 928-5767 1 POUND. IF YOU IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK VIRTUALLY ON AN ITEM DURING THE MEETING, PLEASE CLICK THE RAISE HAND ICON IN THE ZOOM APP OR PRESS STAR NINE ON YOUR PHONE.
THE ZOOM LINK, WEBINAR ID, AND PHONE NUMBER STAY THE SAME FOR EVERY COMMISSION MEETING.
A REPRESENTATIVE OF A NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION OR NONPROFIT.
SPEAKING WITHOUT PAY, OR A PRIVATE CITIZEN SPEAKING ON YOUR BEHALF WITHOUT COMPENSATION.
HOWEVER, IF YOU'RE AN EXPERT WITNESS OR A NONPROFIT OR A NEIGHBORHOOD REP, YOU DO NEED TO SUBMIT A WRITTEN DISCLOSURE FORM TO THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK BEFORE SPEAKING WITH THE COMMISSION OR CITY STAFF. FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK FOR LOBBYISTS.
NOTE THAT CONTINGENCY FEES ARE NOT PERMITTED TO COMPENSATE LOBBYISTS.
IF YOU PLAN TO SPEAK DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD TODAY, WE REQUEST THAT YOU SIGN IN.
YOU CAN SIGN IN USING THE QR CODES LOCATED ON THE ON THE DAIS.
ON THE PODIUMS. GOOD MORNING. PURSUANT TO SECTION TWO, 86.011, SUBPARAGRAPH EIGHT FLORIDA STATUTES.
PENROD BROTHERS, INC. VERSUS THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH AND BOUCHER BROTHERS.
CASE NUMBERS 2023-16657. CA012023-56. A P 012 2023, CV 23362 AND 2025 13415. THESE CASES ARE PENDING BEFORE THE FLORIDA 11TH CIRCUIT CIVIL DIVISION, FLORIDA 11TH CIRCUIT CIVIL APPELLATE DIVISION, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA AND THE 11TH CIRCUIT, RESPECTIVELY. THEREFORE, A PRIVATE ATTORNEY CLIENT SESSION WILL BE HELD DURING THE LUNCH RECESS OF THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING IN THE CITY MANAGER'S LARGE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF CITY HALL TO DISCUSS SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS AND OR STRATEGY RELATED TO LITIGATION EXPENDITURES.
OKAY. IT'S NOW MY HONOR TO WELCOME RABBI DANIEL HADAR.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. AND YOUR LOVELY WIFE, DINA, FOR BEING HERE AS WELL.
BEFORE YOU START YOUR INVOCATION, I JUST HAVE TO SAY THANK YOU.
NOT JUST FOR ME, BUT REALLY MIAMI BEACH YOU'VE.
I'VE SEEN THE TRANSFORMATION THAT YOU HAVE DONE IN IN NORTH BEACH AND BUILDING A COMMUNITY THERE.
AND I THINK ALL OF YOU, FOR ALL THE SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY.
AND I'M GOING TO JUST SHARE A FEW WORDS OF, OF THOUGHT AND PRAYER THIS MORNING IN HONOR OF, OF OR ON BEHALF OF THE COMMISSION AND THE MAYOR AND THE GREAT PEOPLE OF MIAMI BEACH.
WE'RE SITTING BEFORE AN AUSPICIOUS TIME IN THE JEWISH CALENDAR, WHICH IS THE HOLIDAY OF SHAVUOT, THE HOLIDAY WHEN WE GOT THE TORAH, WHEN WE GOT THE THE WORD OF GOD, AS IT WERE RIGHT IN FRONT OF MOUNT SINAI.
AND SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL HAPPENED THERE. THE WHOLE NATION OF ISRAEL CAME TOGETHER.
IT SAYS AS ONE PEOPLE WITH ONE HEART, AS THOUGH THEY WERE JUST ONE PERSON.
AND WE FOUND THAT WHEN THAT HAPPENED, AMAZING THINGS HAPPENED, THAT WHEN THEY CAME TOGETHER, GOD WAS WITH THEM. AND TODAY I GIVE A BLESSING AND PRAY THAT GOD SHOULD GIVE ALL OF YOU AND ALL OF US, THAT WE SHOULD COME TOGETHER AS A CITY, AS ONE PERSON WITH ONE HEART.
AND IN DOING SO, WHAT IT SHOWS IS THAT WE ARE OF SOUND MIND AND OF TOGETHERNESS.
AND WHEN WE'RE TOGETHER OF PURPOSE OF MIND, THEN AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN.
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NOT JUST INCREDIBLE THINGS ON OUR ORGANIZATIONAL SIDE, BUT AMAZING THINGS HAPPENS FROM GOD.AND TODAY I BLESS THE COMMISSION THAT WE SHOULD SEE ALL OF THAT BLESSING AND ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO IN BETTERING OUR CITY AND HELPING US BECOME THE BEST PEOPLE THAT WE CAN BE, AND BECOMING THE BEST PEOPLE THAT YOU CAN BE. MAY GOD BLESS.
AMEN. THANK YOU. THANK YOU ROBERT. THANK YOU.
DINA. HADAR. NOW I GET TO SURPRISE SOMEONE IN THE AUDIENCE TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE.
HOW ABOUT HERNAN CARDENO? HERNAN IS OUR DIRECTOR OF CODE ENFORCEMENT.
WE TALK A LOT ABOUT POLICE, BUT CODE DOES AN INCREDIBLE JOB IN CODE COMPLIANCE, CODE ENFORCEMENT, AND WELCOME UP. WELL, GOOD MORNING. PLEASE STAND.
IF YOU'RE ABLE TO PLACE YOUR RIGHT HAND OVER YOUR HEART, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
BEFORE WE START WITH THE SPUTNIK TIME I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE WAS AN INCIDENT THE OTHER DAY IN OUR CITY IN WHICH SOME TOURISTS FROM OUT OF, OUT OF THE COUNTRY CAME HERE AND DEFACED WITH THE WORDS, ADOLF WAS HERE WITH A SWASTIKA ON A ON A BENCH AND BY A CROSSWALK THAT HAS BEEN REPRESENTATIVE OF OUR LGBTQ COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO OPEN IT UP FOR, FOR EVERYONE HERE. IT'S OBVIOUSLY HORRIFIC.
AND I WAS THINKING ABOUT IT. WHY DID THIS HAPPEN IN OUR CITY? AND I DID SOME RESEARCH AND I WAS LOOKING AND I REALIZED NOBODY'S IMMUNE FROM HATE.
IT'S HOW YOU HANDLE IT AND HOW YOU ADDRESS IT.
AND I'M SO PROUD OF OUR CITY, OF OUR REPRESENTATIVES.
I KNOW WE HAVE HERE COUNCIL GENERAL OF GERMANY, CHRISTOPHER BERGER, WHO'S HERE.
I WOULD LIKE HIM TO SAY A FEW WORDS AS WELL, SINCE THEY WERE GERMAN TOURISTS.
AND AGAIN, I'M APPRECIATIVE OF EVERYONE UP HERE IN OUR CITY FOR CONDEMNING THIS IMMEDIATELY.
OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, FROM THE MOMENT THEY WERE NOTIFIED OF IT, WHICH WAS PRETTY QUICKLY TO THE TIME OF ARREST, WAS LESS THAN ONE HOUR USING OUR REAL TIME INTELLIGENCE CENTER, OUR CAMERA SYSTEMS. AND I'VE BEEN IN COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
WE'VE SEEN THAT THROUGHOUT THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF HISTORY.
SO VERY APPRECIATIVE OF EVERYONE WHO TOOK QUICK, SWIFT ACTION.
I'D LIKE TO ASK COUNCIL GENERAL TO SAY A FEW WORDS AND.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MAYOR MINER, FOR INVITING ME TO SPEAK HERE TODAY.
ALSO, THANK YOU AGAIN, COMMISSIONER BHATT, FOR BEING THE FIRST TO ALERT ME TO THIS INCIDENT.
YESTERDAY I MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER BERGER. I HAVE THE HONOR OF REPRESENTING THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY HERE IN THE GREAT STATE OF FLORIDA, AND ALSO BEING A PROUD RESIDENT OF THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
MORE THAN 300 000 GERMAN TOURISTS VISIT FLORIDA EVERY YEAR.
AND I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT MOST OF THEM ARE WELL BEHAVED AND WELL RECEIVED HERE.
AND RARELY EVER GET IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW. AND USUALLY, IF THERE IS A CASE WHERE TOURISTS BREAK THE LAW, IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER VERY MUCH. IT DOESN'T MAKE MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE WHAT COUNTRY THEY'RE FROM. THEY'RE TOURISTS. THEY COMMITTED SOME INFRACTION.
BECAUSE AS A NATION, WE BEAR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORST CRIME IN HUMAN HISTORY, THE HOLOCAUST.
SO WHEN I LEARNED OF THIS SHAMEFUL INCIDENT YESTERDAY, I IMMEDIATELY REACHED OUT TO THE MAYOR TO, FIRST OF ALL, OFFER OUR SUPPORT IN FIXING THE DAMAGE THAT WAS THAT WAS DONE, BUT ALSO TO OFFER OUR VOICE IN REASSURING OUR COMMUNITIES HERE IN MIAMI BEACH, THE LGBT COMMUNITY, THE JEWISH COMMUNITY, WHICH WITH WHICH WE'RE SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE ENJOYED AMAZING RELATIONS OVER MANY, MANY YEARS.
TO REASSURE EVERYONE THAT THIS IS NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE OR THE GERMAN NATION, THAT WE AS A NATION DO NOT TOLERATE ANTI-SEMITISM.
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YOU ARE THE WORK OF COMBATING ANTI-SEMITISM. COMBATING BIGOTRY IS NEVER DONE.IT TAKES A CONTINUOUS EFFORT. MOST OF ALL THROUGH EDUCATION.
BUT WHERE EDUCATION ISN'T ENOUGH, IT ALSO REQUIRES US TO USE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ENFORCE THE LETTER OF THE LAW, TO DRAW THE LINE OF WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE AND WHAT ISN'T IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MIAMI BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT AND EVERYONE INVOLVED FOR HAVING SUCH A SWIFT AND CLEAR RESPONSE TO THIS TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE WILL TOLERATE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH AGAIN. AND IF WE CAN BE OF ANY FURTHER SUPPORT IN YOU KNOW GIVING THAT ASSURANCE TO OUR COMMUNITIES, WE WILL BE HAPPY TO DO SO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL, FOR BEING SUCH A CLEAR VOICE ON THIS.
THAT'S IT'S VERY MEANINGFUL TO OUR CITY AND TO EVERYONE.
YOU ARE YOU WERE OUT THERE. YOU WERE SEEN IN THE MEDIA BEING A CLEAR VOICE.
AND IT'S IT'S NOTICED. IT'S APPRECIATED. AND, AND IT'S IMPACTFUL.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. BHATT. MR..
WHAT YOU DIDN'T MENTION IN YOUR REMARKS JUST NOW, WHICH I THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD KNOW IS THAT YOU WERE THERE WAS A BIG DAY AT THE CONSULATE YESTERDAY WHERE I THINK IT WAS 20 1414. PEOPLE JEWS WERE RECLAIMING THEIR GERMAN LINEAGE AND RECLAIMING THEIR GERMAN NATIONALITY, WHICH IS A REAL TESTAMENT TO THE WORK THAT GERMANY HAS DONE.
I. MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THIS, BUT GERMAN WAS ACTUALLY MY FIRST LANGUAGE. I LIVED IN GERMANY FROM THE AGES OF 2 TO 4, WHICH I KNOW IS NOT A BIG DEAL, BUT YOU DO LEARN TO SPEAK THERE, AND I DO HAVE VERY REAL MEMORIES FROM, FROM THERE. AND YOU KNOW, MY, MY WHOLE FAMILY IS JEWISH AND WE LIVED IN KARLSRUHE AND IT WAS NOT THAT LONG AFTER THE WAR.
IT WAS IN THE IN THE VERY LATE 60S, EARLY 70S.
AND WE FELT PRETTY SECURE AS JEWS LIVING IN GERMANY.
AND I THINK IT'S IT'S REALLY A TESTAMENT TO THE NATION OF GERMANY.
AND I THINK THAT IS DEFINITELY MISSING IN THE WORLD.
THE OTHER THING THAT I WANTED TO POINT OUT IS THAT THIS WAS AN ACT OF HATE.
IT WAS SPECIFICALLY DIRECTED TOWARDS THE JEWISH COMMUNITY IN MIAMI BEACH, BUT IT WAS CHOSEN TO BE DONE IN JUST THE MOST VISIBLY PROUD LGBTQ CORNER OF OUR COMMUNITY, A CORNERSTONE, FOUNDATIONAL CORNER OF OUR COMMUNITY WHERE JOE HAD JUST GOTTEN A BEAUTIFUL RAINBOW BENCH INSTALLED.
AND ALEX HAS A WHOLE MEMORIAL PLAQUE HISTORY EXPLAINING WHY THIS RAINBOW SIDEWALK WAS SO IMPORTANT.
THERE ARE RAINBOW COLORED BIKE RACKS. THERE ARE RAINBOW BANNERS.
BECAUSE MIAMI BEACH IS NOT PERFECT. WE HAVE A COMPLICATED HISTORY, BUT WE REALLY STRIVE TO BE OPEN MINDED AND WELCOMING TO, TO EVERYBODY. AND YOU KNOW, IT'S BAD ENOUGH THAT THAT GRAFFITI WAS DONE ANYWHERE.
I WAS HOPING IT WAS A BUNCH OF IDIOT KIDS WHO WERE DOING SOMETHING WITH A SHARPIE, BUT IT WAS OLD MEN WHO KNEW BETTER AND WERE DOING SOMETHING INTENTIONAL, AND IT WAS JUST A SLAP IN THE FACE TO SO MANY RESIDENTS, REGARDLESS OF RELIGIOUS.
SO IT'S, IT'S EVEN BIGGER THAN, I MEAN, ANTI-SEMITISM IS BIG ENOUGH ANTI LGBT Q IS BIG ENOUGH, BUT IT WAS JUST SUCH A PERFECT STORM OF NASTINESS AND HATE AND BIGOTRY AND STUPIDITY.
I REACHED OUT TO HIM AND I WANT TO ALSO RECOGNIZE ONE OF OUR RESIDENTS.
I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S HERE, BUT DAVID ADAMS ALERTED ME TO THIS YESTERDAY.
AND AS YOU MENTIONED, MAYOR GOT THESE GUYS ARRESTED AND SORTED OUT RIGHT AWAY.
SO COMPLIMENTS TO EVERYBODY ON THAT AND ONWARD AND UPWARD.
THANK YOU. LET'S OPEN UP TO THE MIC. OUR MR..
MAYOR. SO PLEASE. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ. YEAH, I WAS GOING TO, I WAS GOING TO COMMENT ON THIS.
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I ACTUALLY, I WAS GOING TO COMMENT ON, ON SOMETHING DIFFERENT.BECAUSE TODAY, TODAY IS VENTE DE MAYO. IT'S CUBAN INDEPENDENCE DAY.
AND MY THOUGHTS TODAY ARE WITH THE MILLIONS OF CUBANS BOTH ON THE ISLAND AND THROUGHOUT THE EXILE THROUGHOUT SOUTH FLORIDA WHO HAVE SPENT GENERATIONS LONGING NOT SIMPLY FOR POLITICAL CHANGE, BUT FOR FREEDOM, FOR FREEDOM ITSELF. AND AND TODAY, IT'S ACTUALLY QUITE, QUITE A UNIQUE DAY BECAUSE ALL EYES ARE GOING TO BE IN SOUTH FLORIDA, IN MIAMI LATER THIS THIS AFTERNOON AT THE FREEDOM TOWER IN MIAMI.
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS EXPECTED TO HONOR THE FOUR INNOCENT MEN MURDERED IN THE 1996 BROTHERS TO THE RESCUE SHOULD SHOOT DOWN. AND I THINK MANY OF US WHO WERE LIVING IN THIS COMMUNITY AT THAT TIME REMEMBERED THAT HORRIFIC ACT OF, OF, OF, OF MURDER THAT WAS ORDERED UNDER THE CUBAN DICTATORSHIP.
AND ACTUALLY, IT CAME BACK TO MY MIND BECAUSE YESTERDAY WE WENT TO WEST MIAMI-DADE TO HONOR ONE OF OUR FIREFIGHTERS WHO, WHO PASSED AWAY. AND AS WE WERE LEAVING, AS WE WERE LEAVING, AS WE WERE LEAVING THAT FUNERAL HOME, WE TURNED ON 97TH AVENUE. AND I LOOK AT THE SIGN AND THE STREET WAS DEDICATED TO MARIO DE LA PENA.
MARIO DE LA PENA WAS ONE OF THE FOUR FOUR PILOTS WHO WERE WHO WERE SHOT DOWN, MURDERED, EXECUTED BY BY THE CUBAN REGIME BACK IN 1996. AND FOR SO MANY OF US IN THIS COMMUNITY, THIS IS DEEPLY PERSONAL.
LEADERS LIKE JORGE MAS CANOSA, LEADERS LIKE LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART, LEADERS LIKE RELIGIOUS LEADERS LIKE MONSIGNOR AGUSTIN ROMAN, PEOPLE WHO USED THE POWERS OF THEIR TALENTS, LIKE CELIA CRUZ, WHO WE HAVE A STREET NAMED AFTER, OR PEOPLE LIKE MARTHA FLORES, PEOPLE WHO FOUGHT FOR FREEDOM IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND WHO DIED? WHO DIED DREAMING, DREAMING OF THAT DAY OF FREEDOM.
AND MY HEART WENT DIRECTLY TO MY FAMILY, MY TIO ALBERTO, MY TIO ENRIQUE, MY TIA MIRTA, MY ABUELO, MY GRANDMOTHER WHO PASSED TWO YEARS AGO CARRYING THE PAIN OF EXILE OF EXILE UNTIL HER FINAL DAYS.
AND SO HOPEFULLY WE MIGHT BE AT A TURNING POINT, BUT I WOULD HAVE BEEN REMISS.
I WOULD HAVE BEEN REMISS AS A CUBAN AMERICAN BORN IN THIS GREAT COUNTRY WHOSE PARENTS WHOSE PARENTS DEALT THE CHALLENGES OF EXILES AND WHOSE FAMILIES FELT THE ATROCITIES OF THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT NOT TO HONOR THIS DAY, NOT TO REMEMBER THE EXECUTED POLITICAL OPPONENTS OF THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT WHO WERE KILLED BY FIRING SQUADS OR THE DISSIDENTS, THE STUDENTS, THE PRIESTS, THE JOURNALISTS, THOSE WHO WERE ACCUSED OF INDEPENDENT THOUGHT AND ALL, ALL WHO WERE PERSECUTED BY BY BY THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT AND CHURCHES WHO WERE PERSECUTED FOR JUST BEING WHO THEY WERE.
IT IS AN OPPRESSIVE GOVERNMENT THAT MUST COME TO AN TO AN END.
AND I THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, FOR INDULGING ME WITH THAT, BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS SO MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY, REPRESENT SO MANY OF US IN THIS DIOCESE AND REPRESENTS SO MANY OF OUR WORKERS WHOSE FAMILIES HAVE HAVE, HAVE DEALT WITH THIS FOR DECADES NOW. THANK YOU.
IT'S IT'S A SAD SITUATION, BUT BUT ONE THAT WE CONTINUE TO, TO FIGHT.
THANK YOU. MY NAME IS KEN BARNES. I'M A RETIRED PHYSICIAN.
[R9 C DR. STANLEY SUTNICK CITIZEN'S FORUM. (8:35 A.M./1:00 P.M.)]
I LIVE IN MIAMI. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU SOME QUESTIONS.WHAT IF ONE OF YOU HIRED VIDEO BILLBOARD TRUCKS USING PICTURES AND VIDEOS OF CONSTITUENTS, CALLING THEM ANTI-SEMITIC AND JEW HATERS, IN EFFECT, BULLYING THEM? WHAT IF THIS WAS AN ATTEMPT TO SILENCE, TARGET, INTIMIDATE, AND HARASS MEMBERS OF THE MIAMI BEACH COMMUNITY AND A POLITICAL ORGANIZATION OPPOSED TO THE BELIEFS OF SAID COMMISSIONER. WHAT IF THIS WAS BECAUSE YOU WANTED THE SAME CONSTITUENTS TO BECOME FEARFUL OF NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE THEY SPOKE PUBLICLY, CRITICIZED OFFICIALS, OR EXERCISE THEIR FREE SPEECH?
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WHAT IF ONE OF YOU MADE FALSE STATEMENTS THAT ATTEMPTED TO HARM THE REPUTATION OF THESE CONSTITUENTS? DO YOU BELIEVE THAT A PUBLIC OFFICIAL SHOULD BE HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD? WOULD YOU THINK THAT SUCH BEHAVIOR IS AN ABUSE OF OFFICE AND AGAINST THE PUBLIC GOOD, UNDERMINING THE DIGNITY, INTEGRITY, IMPARTIALITY AND PUBLIC TRUST EXPECTED OF SOMEONE HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICE.RATHER THAN BEING PASSION, WAS THIS A MEAN SPIRITED VIOLATION OF NORMS OF BEHAVIOR? AND WHAT IF, SAID COMMISSIONER, DID THESE ACTS WHILE THE MAYOR AND OTHER COMMISSIONERS OF THAT CITY REMAINED SILENT? WOULDN'T YOU BE OBLIGATED TO CALL FOR HIS OR HER RESIGNATION? THIS IS WHY WE ARE CALLING FOR THE RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL OF COMMISSIONER DAVID SUAREZ, WHO, WITH MALICE, TRIED TO INTIMIDATE AND HARASS MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS AN ORGANIZATION, JEWISH VOICE FOR PEACE. BOTH BEING CRITICS OF ISRAEL'S GENOCIDE IN GAZA AND UNRELENTING ATTACKS IN THE WEST BANK, WHICH HE VIGOROUSLY SUPPORTS. AT THE VERY LEAST, I URGE YOU TO PUT FORTH A RESOLUTION TO CENSURE HIM.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. I'LL JUST SAY YOU THROW OUT TERMS. THE GENOCIDE, THE ONLY GENOCIDE THAT WAS ATTEMPTED WAS BY HAMAS AND IRAN.
YOU, YOU YOU TRY TO DEFLECT ON THE REAL ISSUE.
NO, YOU YOU HAD YOUR PIECE. I SAID MINE, AND I SAID IT IN A LOT LESS THAN TWO MINUTES.
GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. MY NAME IS SHANNON BUSTAMANTE.
THOUGH MANY OF YOU KNOW ME AS SEAWEED FROM THE AWARD WINNING FILM SOUTH BEACH SHARK CLUB ON AMAZON PRIME, THE FILM WAS RELEASED IN 2022 AFTER BEING FILMED OVER SEVEN YEARS.
THE DOCUMENTARY SHOWS HOW BEAUTIFUL SOUTH FLORIDA CITIES BUILT AROUND FISHING, DIVING, SURFING AND SKATEBOARDING HAVE SLOWLY BECOME CONTROLLED BY FOREIGN MONEY AND TRANSIENT WEALTH, WHILE LIFELONG LOCALS LIKE MYSELF, BORN AND RAISED ON SOUTH BEACH SINCE 1985, ARE PUSHED ASIDE THROUGH QUIETLY PROPOSED BANS LIKE THE ONE WE ARE FIGHTING TODAY.
IN THE DOCUMENTARY, YOU'LL SEE ME AT SOUTH POINTE PIER, POINTING OUT HOW CERTAIN PIER RULES AND RESTRICTIONS WERE ALREADY MAKING FISHING INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT LONG BEFORE THIS PROPOSED BAN.
THE SAME PATH EVENTUALLY LED TO ME BECOMING THE ASSISTANT HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AT MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL HERE IN MIAMI BEACH, AND THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER AT NORTHWEST BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB.
MANY OF THESE KIDS COME FROM BROKEN HOMES. MANY OF THESE KIDS COME FROM BROKEN HOMES AND ARE BEING RAISED BY SINGLE GRANDPARENTS OR PRACTICALLY RAISING THEMSELVES. THEY'RE SPORTING EVENTS, AND FISHING TRIPS ARE SACRED TO THEM OUT THERE ON THE BEACH.
MANY OF THEM FACE DAILY IN MIAMI. MOST OF THE OLD TIMERS WHO HELPED SAVE MY LIFE THROUGH FISHING HAVE PASSED AWAY, AND NOW I'M ONE OF THE LAST PEOPLE STILL CARRYING THE TRADITION FORWARD.
MORE THAN 35 YEARS LATER. THANK YOU SIR. OH, OKAY.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU. NEXT, PLEASE. CAN I HAVE A PRESENTATION, PJ? AND WHILE HE'S GETTING THAT, I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY WHO FOUND THE FUNDING FOR THE SENIOR SOCCER GROUP.
THERE WAS A LITTLE CONTENTION AT THE END OF LAST YEAR. THERE WAS A HICCUP WITH THE FUNDING. AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL BECAUSE THE GROUP REALLY APPRECIATES THAT. THE PRESENTATION AGAIN, WAS FROM THE PGA. THIS IS A PRESENTATION THAT I SENT YOU YESTERDAY.
UNDERSTOOD. ONE MOMENT. BRINGING IT UP NOW. GO AHEAD SIR.
IF YOU COULD START WITHOUT THE PRESENTATION OR I'LL START SPEAKING.
BUT THE PRESENTATION KIND OF IS COORDINATED WITH WHAT I'M GOING TO BE SAYING.
SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO.
MY NAME IS DAVID BALLARD. I'M FROM 421 77TH STREET.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS AND NEIGHBORS OF ALTOS DEL MAR AREA, WHICH IS THE SECTION BETWEEN 75TH STREET AND 81ST STREET, BETWEEN COLLINS AND DICKENS. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT A PUBLIC SAFETY SITUATION ON HARDING AVENUE NEAR 73RD, 74TH AND 75TH STREET. CURRENTLY, 75TH STREET IS A PRIMARY ROUTE FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND ALSO IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD,
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WHICH NOW THAT IT'S BEING BLOCKED ON AN ALMOST DAILY BASIS IN THE MORNING.EMERGENCY VEHICLES FIRE TRUCKS CANNOT GET THROUGH.
THESE INTERSECTIONS WERE BLOCKED OCCASIONALLY, MAYBE ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH, USUALLY TIED UP DUE TO TIED TO A CONCRETE POUR OR A BROKEN DOWN BUS. WE AS NEIGHBORHOODS UNDERSTOOD THAT, BUT NOW THE DRIVERS ARE SYSTEMATICALLY ENTERING THE INTERSECTION WITHOUT SPACE TO CLEAR THEM, CREATING A SELF-REINFORCING CYCLE OF GRIDLOCK.
THIS BEHAVIOR IS NO LONGER AN OCCASIONAL OCCURRENCE.
IT HAS BECOME NORMALIZED DAILY FOR THE TRAFFIC ON HARDING AVENUE.
CARS CONSISTENTLY BLOCK THE INTERSECTION MID RED LIGHT, PREVENTING TRAFFIC FROM MOVING AND CREATING DANGEROUS BLIND SPOTS AND OBSTRUCTIONS FOR PEDESTRIANS USING THE CROSSWALK. AND THAT'S REALLY WHY I WAS HERE, IS BECAUSE ONE OF OUR NEIGHBORS, A YOUNG, AN OLDER LADY WHO'S ABOUT THIS TALL, HAD WAITED AT THE LIGHT 2 OR 3 TIMES WHEN IT WAS COMPLETELY BLOCKED WITH VEHICLES.
FINALLY, SHE JUST. SHE WANTED TO MAKE. SHE WANTED TO GO UP TO SURFSIDE TO GET HER.
THE LAW IS CLEAR. FLORIDA STATUTE 3162.0. DO NOT BLOCK THE INTERSECTION.
THE SIGN IS POSTED AT 75TH STREET, AS YOU ALL CAN SEE.
WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR ANY KIND OF MAJOR PROGRAM.
WE'RE JUST ASKING FOR 1 OR 2 CITATIONS A MONTH.
AT THIS AT THESE INTERSECTIONS, VISIBLE ENFORCEMENT WOULD CHANGE BEHAVIOR.
I BELIEVE THAT'S ALL THAT IT TAKES. BLOCKING THESE INTERSECTIONS ENDANGERS LIVES DAILY.
AND AS IT SAYS VERY CLEARLY OVER THE INTERSECTION, DO NOT BLOCK THE INTERSECTION.
WE JUST ASK THAT THAT BE ENFORCED. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THE WORK TOGETHER TO DO THIS.
YOU CAN DEFINITELY SEE ON THOSE PICTURES. SOMEONE EVEN SENT ME SOMETHING THIS MORNING SHOWING THE INTERSECTION IS BLOCKED. IT'S BLOCKED EVERYTHING. IT USED TO NEVER HAPPEN. AND NOW IT'S HAPPENING. THANK YOU SIR. I KNOW CHIEF JONES IS LISTENING CAREFULLY.
THANK YOU, MR. ROEBUCK. GOOD. GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY.
MITCH NOVAK, 38 YEAR RESIDENT AND BUSINESS OWNER FOR AS LONG AS CITY MANAGER ERIC CARPENTER HAS BEEN WITH THE CITY SINCE THE EARLY DAYS OF THE MORALES ADMINISTRATION, MIAMI BEACH RESIDENTS HAVE FACED ANNUAL WATER RATE INCREASES EVERY OCTOBER, ALONG WITH ADDITIONAL FEES CREATED SUCH AS THE MONTHLY FIRE SPRINKLER CHARGE.
PREVIOUSLY, CUSTOMERS RECEIVED NOTICE ABOUT UPCOMING INCREASES ON THEIR UTILITY BILLS, BUT THOSE NOTICES DISAPPEARED THIS PAST NOVEMBER. TODAY'S PROPOSED WATER RATE HIKE WAS PULLED DUE TO LACK OF SPONSORSHIP, AND NOW YOU'RE BEING ASKED TO APPROVE ITEM R5Q, ALLOWING THE CITY MANAGER TO SPONSOR ITEMS. THIS IS CLEARLY AN ATTEMPT TO REVISIT THIS UNPOPULAR ISSUE.
RESIDENTS REJECT THESE INCREASES IN APPROVING MORE WOULD EQUATE TO A POLITICAL SUICIDE.
AS SOMEONE WITH TWO WATER BILLING ACCOUNTS, I PUBLICLY OPPOSED THESE INCREASES FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
I BELIEVE MY OPPOSITION LED TO THE ADOPTION OF AUTOMATIC ANNUAL RATE INCREASES.
IF YOU APPROVE ITEM R5Q, THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR WILL LIKELY STAND UP HERE HOLDING UP A CRUDDY PIPE, WARNING THAT THE SKY IS FALLING. MY RESPONSE IS FIND SOLUTIONS WITHIN THE EXISTING BUDGET.
THE CITY HAS ADDED 500 EMPLOYEES AND DOUBLED ITS BUDGET SINCE ERIC BEGAN.
THE PROBLEM IS SPENDING, NOT REVENUE. IT'S TIME TO PRIORITIZE ESSENTIAL SERVICES OVER UNNECESSARY EXPENSES LIKE THE 100,000 FOR THE SPARSELY ATTENDED OCEAN DRIVE PROMENADE MUSIC SERIES, OR THE QUARTERLY GLOSSY MAGAZINE PRODUCED AND MAILED BY THE OFFICE OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION. WE'RE A MUNICIPALITY, NOT AN ENTERTAINMENT CONGLOMERATE.
IT'S HIGH TIME TO TREAT IT AS SUCH. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ANGIE SAFADI.
GRACIAS POR LA OPORTUNIDAD DE ESTAR AQUI PODER NUESTRA PREOCUPACION.
TRABAJO IN MIAMI BEACH CONVENTION CENTER. SODEXO SOMOS REPRESENTACION DE TRABAJADORES.
SO I WORK IN THE MIAMI BEACH CONVENTION CENTER.
AND I'M HERE REPRESENTING 130 OTHER WORKERS IN MY DEPARTMENT AS WELL.
[00:30:01]
ESTAMOS AQUI PORQUE QUEREMOS EL APOYO DE USTEDES EN CUANTO A UN BENEFICIO? Q HEMOS RECIBIDO DESDE HACE MAS DE TRES ANOS.Y AHORA EN ESTE MEMENTO HA SIDO EQUIVOCADO. SO WE'RE HERE TODAY TO SPEAK WITH YOU ALL, ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR A BENEFIT THAT WE HAD FOR YEARS THAT WAS RECENTLY TAKEN AWAY FROM US. EL TEMA DE ESTE ANTERIORMENTE SODEXO A NOSOTROS A TODOS LOS TRABAJADORES CON UN AUMENTO DEL BARCO GRATUITO. SO SPECIFICALLY AROUND THE PARKING FOR YEARS, WE HAD 100% PARKING COVERAGE.
WE DIDN'T PAY A DOLLAR TO PARK AT THE 17TH STREET GARAGE.
AND THEN THIS PARKING WAS WAS TAKEN AWAY. AND NOW WE HAVE TO PAY A 1,550% OF THE COST.
YEAH. SO THIS IS FOR LLEGAR A UN ACUERDO CON SODEXO Y VUELVA A TOMAR ESA ESE BENEFICIO.
NOS ESTABA DANDO YA TENEMOS UN SUELDO POR HORA DE 20 DOLARES.
I CURRENTLY MAKE $20 AN HOUR. EFECTIVAMENTE ESTA AFECTANDO EL DE TODOS LOS TRABAJADORES.
AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S AFFECTING ALL OF US AND IT'S AFFECTING OUR POCKETS.
TAMBIÉN EL EDIFICIO CON ESTE TIENE UN DOS DENTRO DEL EDIFICIO DONDE SON USADOS POR CIERTO CANTIDAD DE PERSONAS, PERO NO PARA LOS TRABAJADORES MENORES AT THAT TIME.
SO THE PART ALSO THERE'S PARKING THAT'S INSIDE THE GARAGE.
NOW WE HAVE TO PARK IN THE 20 THREE THIRD STREET PARKING LOT, WHICH IS A DIFFERENCE.
BUT IF THERE'S SOME TYPE OF SOLUTION TO BE ABLE TO, TO GET AND MAINTAIN THE FREE PARKING.
OKAY. USTEDES Y PODER LOGRAR OBTENER UN NUEVO BENEFICIO.
GRACIAS POR ESTAR AQUI ESTA REUNION. WE HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS THROUGH UNITE HERE.
AND WE HAD I THINK A NUMBER OF US HAD BEEN NOTIFIED.
AND I BELIEVE FROM FROM FROM WHAT I'M GATHERING FROM THE REACTIONS OF MY COLLEAGUES.
A NUMBER OF US REACHED OUT TO THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE.
MR. MANAGER, CAN YOU CHIME IN? BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING WAS WHEN UNITE HERE REACHED OUT TO US, WE REACHED OUT TO TO YOU AND YOUR DEPARTMENT AND THAT THIS ISSUE HAD BEEN SOLVED FOR THE WORKERS.
COMMISSIONER. THAT IS MY UNDERSTANDING AS WELL.
MANY OF YOU REACHED OUT TO ME AND I REACHED OUT TO OUR PARKING DEPARTMENT AND I WAS ASSURED THAT THE SAME OFFER THAT WE HAD BEEN PROVIDING AT THE 17TH STREET GARAGE WAS NOW BEING PROVIDED AT THE COLLINS PARK GARAGE.
IT WAS A DIFFERENT LOCATION, BUT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE SAME RATE.
BUT WE'RE HEARING TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. WE'RE HEARING AN OFFER THAT PERHAPS WAS MADE TO SODEXO.
BUT THEN SODEXO, FROM WHAT I'M HEARING, ENTENDIENDO SODEXO ESTABA OFRECIENDO EL ESTACIONAMIENTO SIN COSTO CON COSTO CON. NOSOTROS TENEMOS. SODEXO AHORITA DEPENDIENDO DE TRABAJO AL DIA AL DIA Y PIDIENDO ES EL CINE POR CIENTO.
PERO USTEDES ACTUALMENTE ESTAN RECIBIENDO EL MISMO DESCUENTO RECIBIENDO PREVIAMENTE.
NO. ALL RIGHT. AND THAT'S THE PROBLEM THEY'RE NOT GETTING TODAY ERIC.
THE SAME DISCOUNT THAT THEY WERE GETTING BEFORE.
AND SO WE NEED TO GET WITH SODEXO. BECAUSE PERHAPS WE MIGHT BE OFFERING SODEXO WHAT WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OFFERING SODEXO. BUT THERE'S BUT BUT SODEXO IS NOT CONTINUING TO OFFER THE WORKERS WHAT, WHAT THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY GETTING.
OKAY. I WILL HAPPILY DIG INTO THAT WITH SODEXO AND WE WILL ADDRESS.
THANK YOU. AND THIS IS WHY AT THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE WE'VE BEEN BRINGING UP FREQUENTLY OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS THE ISSUES OF THE PARKING AT THE CONVENTION CENTER HOTEL, THAT THAT BUILDING DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT PARKING FOR ITS EMPLOYEES.
AND RIGHT NOW, IT'S THE WORKERS FROM SODEXO THAT ARE COMING HERE.
AND NEXT JULY, WHEN THAT BUILDING OPENS AND ITS OPERATION, WE'RE GOING TO BE HAVING HERE THE EMPLOYEES AND UNION MEMBERS OF THE MIAMI BEACH CONVENTION CENTER HOTEL COMING TO US WITH THE SAME CONCERNS ABOUT THE PARKING THAT IS NOT BEING PROVIDED FOR THEM ON SITE, AND WE NEED TO GET AHEAD OF THAT AND WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT.
[00:35:06]
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. NEXT, STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.GOOD MORNING. RAQUEL PACHECO, MIAMI BEACH RESIDENT.
I STAND HERE TODAY IN SOLIDARITY WITH DONNA NEVILLE AND ALAN LEVINE, WHO ARE TWO DEEPLY ROOTED JEWISH MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND WHO WERE RECENTLY TARGETED FOR HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE BY BY HAVING THEIR FACES AND NAMES DISPLAYED ON A MOBILE BILLBOARD AND PARADED THROUGH OUR CITY.
THIS INCIDENT IS NOT A ONE OFF. IT'S A PATTERN OF BEHAVIOR FROM MEMBERS OF THIS COMMISSION WHO ATTACK FREE SPEECH OF RESIDENTS WHO DARE TO DISAGREE WITH THEM ON PALESTINIAN RIGHTS AND OF ISRAEL'S GENOCIDE.
AND I URGE THE INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE EGREGIOUS ACTS TO STEP DOWN FROM OFFICE IMMEDIATELY.
DAVID SUAREZ, YOU HAVE NO PLACE IN PUBLIC OFFICE.
YOU BRING NOTHING BUT SHAME AND EMBARRASSMENT TO OUR CITY.
AND ALSO ONE LAST THING. THE FACT THAT ALL OF YOU HAVE THE AUDACITY TO TALK ABOUT HATE, AND WHILE YOU SPEW NOTHING BUT HATE AND TARGET YOUR OWN PRIVATE CONSTITUENTS WITH HATE AND VIOLENCE IS NOT LOST ON ME.
YOU SURELY HAVE SOME NERVE. DO THE RIGHT THING FOR ONCE.
MR. MINER COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. I JUST WANT TO CALL OUT.
SOME HYPOCRISY HERE. I THINK IT'S REALLY RICH THAT THE PERSON THAT WAS CRYING VICTIM FOR MONTHS ABOUT FREE SPEECH IS NOW TRYING TO TRAMPLE OTHERS FREE SPEECH. I WANT TO REMIND THIS ROOM AND THOSE WATCHING HOW INSANE THE LAST SPEAKER IS.
PJ, IF YOU COULD PULL UP THE SCREEN, PLEASE. I WANT TO SHOW EVERYONE THAT THE COMPARISON BETWEEN THIS PERSON AND NICK FUENTES, WHO'S A VIRILE ANTI-SEMITE. IT SAYS THE ZIONIST PROPAGANDA MACHINE IS FULL ON PUTTING OUR TAX DOLLARS TO WORK, COMPARING ISRAEL TO SOMEHOW THE GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND HOW ISRAEL AND JEWS ARE. EXCUSE ME, I HAD I GAVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
IT'S NOW MY TURN TO SPEAK. EXCUSE ME. YOU. EXCUSE ME.
YOU'RE MISLABELING ME. EXCUSE ME. YOU HAD YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
YOU HAD YOUR FREE SPEECH. I DID NOT INTERRUPT YOU.
NOW IT'S MY TURN TO SPEAK. I NEVER SAID YOU EVER.
NOT IN ONE POST. I ALWAYS SAY. CAN WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE? NEVER SAY TWO. YOU'RE A LIAR. SO WE HAVE A GOVERNMENT THAT'S COMPLETELY BEHOLDEN TO ISRAEL.
THEY DON'T WANT TO CALL A SPADE A SPADE. THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO SAY ISRAEL AND NOT JEWS, BECAUSE IT'S THE SAME THING, BECAUSE WITHOUT THE STATE OF ISRAEL, THE JEWISH PEOPLE ARE ARE DESTINED TO, TO BE WIPED OUT.
AND THAT'S THE REASON WHY THERE IS A STATE OF ISRAEL.
SO WE HAVE COMPLETE GOVERNMENT THAT'S COMPLETELY BEHOLDEN TO ISRAEL.
NICK FUENTES. OKAY, BUT ISRAEL CONTROLS AMERICA.
IT'S THE SAME LINE OF THINKING. NEXT CANDACE OWENS.
SAME THING. A VIRILE ANTI-SEMITE. WE HAVE A GOVERNMENT THAT'S BEEN COMPLETELY BEHOLDEN TO ISRAEL.
AND IF YOU'LL NOTICE THE PATTERN HERE. IT'S IT'S THE SAME PEOPLE ONLINE AND IN THE WORLD THAT SOMEHOW SAY THAT ISRAEL IS CONTROLLING THE GOVERNMENT AND THAT THERE'S THIS CONSPIRACY.
IT'S THE SAME ONES THAT YOU SAW HERE. NEXT, I WANT TO GO TO THE AYATOLLAH WHO'S NO LONGER WITH US, THANKFULLY. THERE WE GO. THE US, THE US IS DEFINITELY THE ZIONIST REGIME'S ACCOMPLICE ORCHESTRATING THE CRIMES BEING COMMITTED IN GAZA.
THAT'S THE SAME SORT OF LOGIC THAT EVERYONE JUST HEARD HERE FROM THE LAST SPEAKER.
I WANT TO LET EVERYONE SINK THIS IN FOR A MINUTE.
THE AYATOLLAH OF IRAN, WHO WANTS TO WIPE OUT ISRAEL WITH NUCLEAR WEAPONS, HAS THE SAME LINE OF THINKING FROM SOME OF THESE EXTREMIST ACTIVISTS. PJ YOU CAN PUT THE SLIDE DOWN NOW.
NOW FOR THE GROUP HERE. JVP JVP IS NOT A PEACE GROUP.
IT IS ONE OF THE MOST CYNICAL, DISHONEST EXTREMIST ORGANIZATIONS IN AMERICAN POLITICS TODAY.
[00:40:04]
THEY HIDE BEHIND JEWISH IDENTITY WHILE GIVING COVER TO THE SAME RADICAL MOVEMENT THAT DEMONIZES ISRAEL, EXCUSES, ANTI-SEMITISM, AND CHEERS ON THE DESTRUCTION OF THE WORLD'S ONLY JEWISH STATE.AND THE ONLY THING MORE HYPOCRITICAL THAN JVP IS QUEERS FOR PALESTINE, A GROUP BLINDED BY IDEOLOGY THAT THEY MARCHED FOR PEOPLE WHO WOULD ERASE THEIR FREEDOMS AND THEIR VERY EXISTENCE.
LET ME BE CRYSTAL CLEAR. THIS IS AMERICA. WE HAVE A RIGHT TO SAY OUTRAGEOUS, HATEFUL, CRAZY THINGS, WHICH YOU ARE CLEARLY DOING TODAY, AND I HAVE A RIGHT TO CALL IT OUT AS EXACTLY AS IT IS.
NO CENSORSHIP, NO INTIMIDATION, NO MORAL BLACKMAIL.
WE HAD JEWISH SCHOOL TEACHERS SPIT ON. THIS IS IN OUR CITY.
MEANWHILE, THESE LUNATICS COME UP HERE AND ESPOUSE MORE ANTI-SEMITISM.
MIAMI BEACH WILL NOT BE BULLIED INTO SILENCE BY EXTREMISTS PRETENDING TO BE ACTIVISTS.
THANK YOU. I'LL JUST ADD, THERE'S ONLY ONE COUNTRY IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW THAT HAS TO CONSISTENTLY DEFEND ITS RIGHT TO EXIST, AND THAT'S ISRAEL. IT'S THE ONLY COUNTRY THAT, WHEN IT DEFENDS ITSELF FROM ATTACKS AGAINST CIVILIANS, HAS TO DEFEND ITSELF. AND NOT ONLY DOES HAMAS AND IRAN PUBLICLY STATE THAT THEIR GOAL IS TO DESTROY ISRAEL, BUT ISRAEL THEN GETS ACCUSED OF THEY'RE TRYING TO DO JUST BECAUSE IT'S DEFENDING THEMSELVES.
WE DO THAT IN AMERICA ALL THE TIME. THEY DO THAT IN ISRAEL ALL THE TIME.
MOST COUNTRIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST, YOU CAN'T ARGUE THE POLITICS IN ISRAEL.
YES, IT IS ANTI JEW. IT IS ANTI SEMITISM BECAUSE WITHOUT AN ISRAEL, WITHOUT AN ARMY TO DEFEND JEWS, NOT ONLY IN ISRAEL BUT EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
JEWS ARE VULNERABLE AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT OUR ENEMIES WANT.
I'M DONNA NEVILL AND I LIVE IN NORTH BEACH. TWO QUICK POINTS.
I TEACH COURSES AND WORKSHOPS ON ANTI-SEMITISM ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.
ANTI-SEMITISM IS DISCRIMINATION AGAINST JEWS.
STEREOTYPES OF JEWS, VIOLENCE AGAINST JEWS, OR TARGETING OF JEWS BECAUSE THEY ARE JEWISH.
ANTI-SEMITISM IS NOT CRITICISM, INCLUDING HARSH CRITICISM OF ISRAEL OR ZIONISM.
PERIOD FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF US. IN FACT, IT IS OUR JEWISH OBLIGATION TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST INJUSTICE, APARTHEID, GENOCIDE. TO QUOTE JEWISH PHILOSOPHER BRIAN KLUG AND I QUOTE, ANTI-SEMITISM HAS RIGHTLY BEEN CALLED A MONSTER, BUT FALSE ACCUSATIONS OF ANTI-SEMITISM ARE MONSTROUS, TOO, UNQUOTE.
TWO WHEN A MEMBER OF THE CITY COMMISSION ACTS UNETHICALLY, IS A BULLY, LACKS ANY INTEGRITY AND PUTS MIAMI BEACH RESIDENTS IN DANGER, LITERALLY TARGETING THEM TO BE HARMED, AS WAS DONE TO ME.
I WOULD HOPE THAT THIS PERSON'S COLLEAGUES WOULD SPEAK OUT AND CENSURE SUCH A PERSON.
AND WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, IF YOU REMAIN SILENT, THAT ENDS UP BEING A REFLECTION ON ALL OF YOU.
BECAUSE WE KNOW ALL TOO WELL SILENCE IS COMPLICITY.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT, PLEASE. HI, I'M GREGORY RIGANO, AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS IS LIKE REAL DEMOCRACY IN ACTION.
YOU KNOW, EVEN FOR PEOPLE YOU DISAGREE WITH. SO I THOUGHT THIS WAS A WATER HEARING TODAY, RIGHT? SO I'M HERE TO TALK. YES. I'M HERE. I'M GOING TO BRING IT UP NOW.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK EXCLUSIVELY ABOUT THE WATER.
SO I'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE. I'M ON A BIT OF A WILD GOOSE CHASE.
MY BACKGROUND IS AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL LAWYER. I USED TO WORK IN NEW YORK CITY AS A BIG LAW FIRM.
REPRESENTED LIKE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN VARIOUS DIFFERENT TRANSACTIONS RELATED TO THE SCIENCES,
[00:45:04]
SPECIFICALLY ENVIRONMENTAL LAW, INCLUDING PRETTY HIGH END ENVIRONMENTAL LITIGATION REGARDING FOREVER CHEMICALS.AND THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO EVERYBODY HERE.
SO THE MIAMI BEACH DRINKING WATER IS HIGHLY CONTAMINATED WITH PFAS FOREVER CHEMICALS AT LEVELS 1000, LITERALLY 1000 TIMES HIGHER THAN WHAT THE EPA SAYS IS SAFE.
I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION MULTIPLE TIMES.
REALLY? SO THAT'S REALLY BAD, RIGHT? BUT THE SINGLE BIGGEST ISSUE IS IN THE WATER REPORT THAT IS PUT OUT BY THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, WHICH LIKELY COMES FROM MIAMI DADE. IT STATES THAT THE WATER IS SAFE AND EXCELLENT.
SO THE WATER IS MORE THAN A THOUSAND TIMES HIGHER THAN WHAT THE EPA SAYS IS SAFE.
SPEAKING WITH MY OWN PERSONAL UROLOGIST, THIS IS ANECDOTAL NOW.
TESTICULAR CANCER IS A RARE DISEASE. SO THERE'S POTENTIALLY AN AN INCREASE IN THIS.
THIS IS VERY BAD. IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY.
WE SHOULDN'T TELL CHILDREN THAT THE WATER IS SAFE AND EXCELLENT.
THANK YOU. YOU MENTIONED YOUR YOU USED TO WORK FOR A BIG LAW FIRM IN NEW YORK.
WHAT'S YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYMENT? I WORK AT MY FAMILY'S LAW FIRM, RIJINO, LLC.
DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER BUSINESSES RELATING TO WATER QUALITY? I DO NOT. OKAY. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. YEAH. WE HAVE JOHN NORRIS IS ALSO GOING TO COME UP AND SPEAK, BUT I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK JOHN TO COME UP AND AND ALSO, JUST FOR THE RECORD, FOR PEOPLE LISTENING.
I BELIEVE YOU'VE MET WITH JOHN AND, AND AMY KNOWLES, OUR DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY.
SO THIS CONVERSATION IS ONGOING. IT IS AN ISSUE THAT IS HANDLED BY THE COUNTY.
THEY ARE ENDEMIC THROUGHOUT EVERYTHING WE TOUCH AND CONSUME.
AND JOHN HAS GREAT EXPERTISE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING WHAT HE HAS TO SAY.
I HAVE TO INTERJECT. THEY'RE NOT ENDEMIC IN EVERYTHING WE TOUCH AND CONSUME.
THEY'RE NOT. THIS COMES SPECIFICALLY FROM THE AIRPORT, FROM FIREFIGHTING FOAM, FROM PLANE CRASHES.
SPECIFICALLY, THE WELLS THAT SERVE MIAMI DADE AND THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH COME FROM THE AIRPORT.
WAIT, NO, NO, PLEASE. I HAVE EXPERTISE ON THIS.
THE WELLS TO THE WEST OF THE AIRPORT ARE UNCONTAMINATED.
EXCUSE ME. HAVE YOU BEEN DOING THIS HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE DADE COUNTY FOLKS? YES. THERE'S NO RESPONSE. THERE'S NO RESPONSE.
OKAY, WELL, THEY ARE THE ONES WHO CONTROL THE CHILDREN AND CANCER.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. YES, STEVE. GOOD MORNING.
WITH MANY OTHER CITIES. YEAH. THERE'S LIKE NATIONAL LITIGATION.
JOHN NORRIS, OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR. GOOD MORNING. JOHN NORRIS, A NORTH BEACH RESIDENT AND NORTH BEACH RESIDENT. YES. SO PFAS IS CURRENTLY IDENTIFIED AS AN EMERGING CONTAMINANT BY THE EPA AND DEP. THIS HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY IN THE REGULATION OF DRINKING WATER.
THEY COME UP WITH EMERGING CONTAMINANTS AND THEY COME UP WITH FUTURE RULES.
THERE IS A RULE THAT IS BEING CONSIDERED TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE YEAR 2030 CURRENTLY.
SO MIAMI-DADE WATER THAT WE PURCHASE CURRENTLY MEETS OR EXCEEDS ALL MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVELS FROM THE EPA AND DEP. ALL THE PRODUCERS OF WATER ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING AT THEIR FACILITIES AND HOW THEY TREAT WATER TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL NEW RULES THAT ARE COMING IN THE FUTURE, AND THAT SHOULD THAT WILL MEET OR EXCEED ALL FUTURE MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVELS.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. CAN I RESPOND? IT'LL TAKE 30S.
NO, WE HAVE TO. WE HAVE TO MOVE. YOU MADE YOUR POINTS AND HE MADE HIS POINTS.
I'M SORRY. WE HAVE TO MOVE ON. YOU SAY IT'S SAFE AND EXCELLENT, RIGHT? SO HE'S SAYING THE WATER IS NOT SAFE AND EXCELLENT.
THERE'S ALSO A $200 MILLION LAWSUIT YOU'RE PUTTING OUT TO CHILDREN THAT THE WATER IS.
THE WATER IS SAFE AND EXCELLENT. I'M SORRY, SIR.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THIS DEBATE. IT'S NOT A DEBATE. IT'S NOT SAFE AND EXCELLENT. AND YOU SHOULD WARN CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS THAT THIS IS CANCER CAUSING WATER THAT'S A THOUSAND TIMES HIGHER THAN WHAT'S SAFE AND EXCELLENT. YOU PUT IN WRITING? NO, IT'S A PRODUCTS LIABILITY THING. MASSIVELY.
THAT COULD WIPE ENTIRE INSURANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
IT'S NOT SAFE AND EXCELLENT. THAT'S A PRODUCTS LIABILITY IN WRITING.
PLEASE ADJUST THAT AND WARN THE CHILDREN. IS YOUR FAMILY.
[00:50:03]
ARE YOU OR YOUR FAMILY LAW FIRM INVOLVED IN THIS LITIGATION THAT YOU JUST. YES, YES.WE'RE CLEANING MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLIES MULTIPLE PLACES IN THE COUNTRY.
OKAY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WHAT'S IT'S IT'S NOT SAFE AND EXCELLENT.
THE WATER. THANK YOU. AND YOU MADE YOU. AND THANK YOU FOR COMING, I APPRECIATE IT.
BUT YOU KEEP COMING AT ME LIKE MY FAMILY HAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN THIS.
MR. MAYOR, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHERE, WHERE, WHERE.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT THE CHILDREN ARE BEING LIED TO, THAT THE WATER IS SAFE AND EXCELLENT FOR INDUSTRIAL GRADE MILITARY CANCER CAUSING CHEMICALS. AND THEY'RE CONSUMING IT. IS THEIR FILTRATION ON CITY OF MIAMI BEACH HIGH SCHOOL.
IT'S A SIMPLE THING. IT CAN BE DONE WITHIN 30 DAYS. REVERSE OSMOSIS, ANION EXCHANGE.
YOU COULD LITERALLY CALL A COMPANY NOW TO HAVE IT INSTALLED IMMEDIATELY.
OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR.
GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MILAGROS ACOSTA DELGADO, AND I'M A RESIDENT OF MIAMI BEACH.
CAN YOU MOVE THE MICROPHONE DOWN? THANK YOU SIR.
THAT'S BETTER. YES. THANK YOU. SO FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND MY SPECIAL THANKS TO YOU COMMISSIONER, LAURA DOMINGUEZ AND ELIZABETH AND JULIAN FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE TODAY AND SUPPORTING THE MISSION OF THE NATIONAL MS..
SOCIETY. SO I'M HERE FOR A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT REASON THAN ALL THE OTHER REASONS THAT PEOPLE HERE.
BUT I'M HERE JUST TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE MS COMMUNITY AND JUST BRING LIGHT TO THIS DISEASE THAT AFFECTS LIKE 30 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE U.S.. SO I JUST WANTED TO SHARE SOME LIGHT ON THIS AND WHAT WE DO.
AND I THINK THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD APPRECIATE THIS INFORMATION TODAY.
AND WE HAVE A TABLE OUTSIDE AS WELL. SO THIS YEAR, THE NATIONAL MS. SOCIETY PROUDLY CELEBRATES 80 YEARS OF RESEARCH, ADVOCACY, PROGRESS AND SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS. TODAY, NEARLY 30,000 PEOPLE IN FLORIDA ARE LIVING WITH MS., AND MORE THAN 2.3 MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE ARE AFFECTED BY THIS DISEASE.
OVER THE YEARS, THE SOCIETY HAS HELPED FUND GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH WHILE ALSO PROVIDING VITAL LOCAL SERVICES INCLUDING SUPPORT GROUPS, WELLNESS PROGRAMS, EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, ADVOCACY, COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH MS. AND THEIR FAMILIES. WE ALSO BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER THROUGH MEANINGFUL AND INSPIRING EVENTS ACROSS FLORIDA, INCLUDING WALK, MS AND MIAMI AND BOCA RATON. OUR MS BIKE RIDE FROM THE BREAKERS TO KEY WEST, AND SEVERAL SIGNATURE FUNDRAISING EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, INCLUDING UPCOMING EVENTS IN BOCA, JACKSONVILLE, TALLAHASSEE. EVERY EVENT, EVERY VOLUNTEER, AND EVERY SUPPORTER HELPS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE'S LIFE.
IN RECOGNITION OF MISS WORLD DAY, WE WOULD ALSO LOVE TO INVITE THE COMMUNITY TO JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL BRUNCH GATHERING ON SATURDAY, MAY 30TH AT BERNIE'S CAFE. WHETHER YOU ARE PERSONALLY AFFECTED BY M.S.
OR SOMEONE WHO IS SIMPLY WANTS TO LEARN MORE OR BECOME INVOLVED, WE WELCOME YOU TO CONNECT WITH US.
PLEASE STOP BY OUR TABLE TO PICK UP RESOURCES, LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS AND UPCOMING EVENTS.
THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH. THANK YOU. I'M SORRY, BUT THE MICROPHONE WAS UP.
I DIDN'T CATCH YOUR NAME. OH. MILAGROS DELGADO, THANK YOU.
FROM THE MIAMI BEACH RESIDENT, 5600. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANK YOU. LAURA. THANK YOU. EVERYONE, PLEASE STOP BY THE TABLE.
THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. GOOD. GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS ERIC MARSHALL, ON BEHALF OF THE WAVERLY BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND RESIDENTS, I ACTUALLY SENT IN A PRESENTATION TO IT'S UNDER C7AJ.
IT'S JUST A COUPLE OF PICTURES IF YOU HAVE IT. IT'S REGARDS TO THE RAILINGS THAT WERE RECENTLY INSTALLED ON 14TH STREET, 10TH STREET AND LINCOLN ROAD, I REACHED OUT TO THE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS. I SEE THERE'S A RESOLUTION TO RESCIND IT AND REMOVE THEM. I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. ORIGINALLY, I GUESS IT WAS FOR THE BOATS. A COUPLE YEARS AGO, IT WAS APPROVED IN 2024.
THEY WERE PUT IN LAST WEEK. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, IF WE CAN REMOVE THEM BEFORE THE 2028, THAT WOULD BE FANTASTIC. THE SOONER THE BETTER. YOU KNOW, IT'S A PUBLIC WALKWAY WHERE THEY'RE NOW NOT GOING TO THE PUBLIC WALKWAY.
THEY'RE JUST GOING TO THE NEIGHBORING PROPERTIES AND SITTING FOR SUNSET. THAT'S THE BAYWALK THERE WHERE IT'S EMPTY WITH THE NEW FENCE. AND IF YOU DO THE NEXT PICTURE THAT'S SET IN FRONT OF THE WAVERLY. YOU KNOW, IT'S A NIGHTLY OCCURRENCE.
IT'S ON THE SAME SIDE AS THE FLAMINGO AS WELL. IF WE COULD JUST GET THOSE RAILINGS REMOVED. REALLY APPRECIATE IT TAKING THE TIME. YOU GUYS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN RESPONSIVE. SO I JUST WANT TO COME DOWN AND SAY IN PERSON, YOU PUT IT RIGHT ON, ERIC.
I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW I HAVE AN ITEM. I HAD IT ON CONSENT.
COMMISSIONER BHATT PULLED IT. SO WE'LL WE'LL DISCUSS IT AFTER 5:00 TODAY.
OKAY. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TIME IT WOULD BE, SO I WENT TO COME DOWN AND SPOKE WITH HER. AND I ACTUALLY SPOKE WITH COMMISSIONER BOARD EARLIER TODAY. SO I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN HAVE THEM REMOVED. THANKS SO MUCH. HAVE A GREAT DAY, EVERYBODY. THANK YOU.
THAT'S NOT ON THE LIST. YOU SHOULD CHECK IT BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.
HI. HELLO. I WON'T SPEAK UNTIL THE MAYOR SITS DOWN.
I CAN'T, I GOT I NEED HIS ATTENTION. MAYOR, WELCOME.
[00:55:02]
THANK YOU. SO TO BRING A LITTLE BIT OF, HOPEFULLY SOME LEVITY TO THIS AMAZING OCCASION HERE.WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A ALL FOR CONSENT VOTE ON THE FARMERS MARKET COMING UP TODAY.
I WON'T BE ABLE TO STICK AROUND FOR IT BECAUSE WE NEEDED TO PRODUCE A MIAMI SWIM WEEK RIGHT NOW.
YOU GUYS ARE WELCOME TO COME NEXT WEEK TO MONDRIAN.
BUT WE'RE JUST HERE TO LEND OUR VOICE. WE'RE PUTTING TOGETHER.
SO THE CONVERSATION STARTED ABOUT THE FARMERS MARKET AT THE BLUE ZONE MEETING THAT COMMISSIONER JOE MAGAZINE AND COMMISSIONER TANYA BHATT HELD ALMOST A YEAR AGO NOW. AND MY PARTNER, TODD ENGLISH CHEF TODD ENGLISH MAY BE WALKING IN ANY MINUTE NOW.
STARTED TALKING. I GO, WE NEED TO BRING THE FARMERS MARKET TO THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
WE STARTED THE CONVERSATION WITH COMMISSIONER BHATT, AND IT JUST TOOK OFF FROM THERE.
WE'VE DEVELOPED A WONDERFUL COMMUNITY WITHIN OUR GROUP TO BRING THE FARMERS MARKET TO MIAMI BEACH AND INCLUDING CHRIS ROBINSON, CHEF CHRIS ROBINSON HERE. CAROLINE HAS BEEN AMAZING WHAT HE'S DOING.
AND SO WE'RE JUST HERE TO SPEAK ON ITS BEHALF.
IT IS A FARMERS MARKET FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER, ADDRESSES SOME OF THE SOME, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE FOOD ISSUES AND ORGANIC AND EDUCATIONAL AND THE EXPERIENCE OF IT.
IT'S OCCURRING AT WEST 85TH AND COLLINS AND WE'RE JUST HERE TO SAY THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING SOMETHING AGAIN THAT BRINGS US TOGETHER IN A WONDERFUL, ORGANIC, NO PUN, PUN INTENDED, ORGANIC WAY THAT WE CAN ENJOY FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.
THAT'S WHAT, THAT'S WHAT THE FARMERS MARKET IS ABOUT. IT'S A LABOR OF LOVE. AND I CAN'T THANK COMMISSIONER BOSCH COMMISSIONER BHATT FOR LEADING THE WAY ON THIS CHARGE AND INCLUDING CINDY CASANOVA AT PARKS. BUT THANK YOU, CHRIS.
THANK YOU. CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME AGAIN? OH IT'S RICK SANTELLI WHO ASKED.
THANK YOU THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU THANK YOU.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK? IF NOT, I'M GOING TO GO TO ZOOM. OUR FIRST CALLER IS AMANDA.
AMANDA, STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.
AMANDA IS GONE. NEXT CALLER. JOHAN MOORE. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS.
I WILL HAVE A FEW COMMENTS ON PRACTICAL AFFAIRS, BUT AS A QUEER FOR PALESTINE WHO OPPOSES ZIONIST GENOCIDE AND ATTEMPTS AT ERADICATION OF THE PALESTINIAN NATION, I WILL JOIN IN CALLS FOR THE FASCISM SUPPORTING COMMISSIONER TO RESIGN FROM THIS COMMISSION. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF C7AI THE WATER RATE MORATORIUM. I THINK SIX MONTHS GIVES THE CITY ENOUGH TIME TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO GET THE MONEY IT NEEDS FOR WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, WHILE FINDING SOME MECHANISM THAT WOULD ALLEVIATE THE BURDEN ON THE MOST VULNERABLE. AND I BELIEVE THAT HAS TO BE ATTACHED TO SPECIFIC AMI BRACKETS.
I ALSO AM OBJECTING TO R5 T THE REPEATEDLY APPEARING SUSPENSION OF THE COLOR REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HISTORIC DISTRICT. AND I WANT TO SUPPORT C4F COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND, AS WELL AS EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR PURSUING THE POSSIBILITIES OF A CABLE CAR SYSTEM THAT COULD AUGMENT THE WATER TAXI AND THAT SPECIFICALLY MIGHT PERMIT FOR A MUCH LOWER COST.
IN FACT, EXTENDING SUCH A SERVICE ACROSS BOTH CAUSEWAYS AND VIA CITY HALL AND THE CONVENTION CENTER, WHICH HAS PROVEN PROBLEMATIC AND EVEN OBJECTIONABLE ON THE PART OF SOME.
WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT EXTENDING THE METROMOVER.
MEANWHILE, THE PALESTINIAN POPULATION HAS INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY.
SO IF WE TALK ABOUT GENOCIDE, BUT THEIR POPULATION IS GROWING.
ISRAEL, AFTER IT WAS ATTACKED BY HAMAS AND IRAN'S PROXY, ISRAEL, SENT TEXT MESSAGES OUT, DROPS FLIERS, ANNOUNCES IN ADVANCE WHEN IT'S GOING TO BOMB AND GO INTO CERTAIN AREAS.
I MEAN, ISRAEL'S AND ITS DEFENSE FORCES TAKE EXTREME MEASURES.
THE VERY FEW COUNTRIES WOULD TAKE TO TRY TO HAVE CIVILIANS OUT OF HARM'S WAY.
[01:00:05]
MR. MAYOR, I ALSO WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE WATCHING THAT THE LAST CALLER CALLED FOR THE NUCLEAR DESTRUCTION OF JEWISH CITIES ACROSS THE WORLD. SO AGAIN, THESE PEOPLE ARE EXTREMISTS AND THEY ARE THE THE SYMBOL OF HATE AND BIGOTRY.AND SOME OF THOSE ON THIS DAIS MAY DISAGREE WITH THAT, BUT I AM NOT GOING TO SIT HERE AND LET EXTREMISTS DROWN OUT AT LEAST MY VOICE AND THE VOICE OF REASON. I THINK WE LEARNED THE LESSONS FROM HISTORY THAT SILENCE IS NOT AN OPTION.
MR. MAYOR COMMISSIONER BHATT. I AM NOT GOING TO GET INTO FOREIGN POLICY.
IT IS NOT MY JOB. I'M HERE TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX OUR ROADS AND PREVENT SINKHOLES FROM HAPPENING, BECAUSE OUR SEWER LINES FAIL. I WILL SAY THAT AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, WE ARE VERY MUCH ENTITLED TO HAVE VERY DIFFERENT VIEWS ON LOTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS. WE CAN VOTE OUR HEART, OUR CONSCIENCE.
BUT OUR FIRST JOB IS PUBLIC SAFETY. AND I WOULD JUST SUGGEST THAT IN OUR ROLE AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, IT'S A DIFFERENT THING THAN TALKING AMONG FRIENDS ABOUT HOW WE FEEL ABOUT PEOPLE'S ACTIONS.
AND WHEN WE, IN OUR CAPACITY AS A PUBLIC FIGURE, PUT VIRTUAL TARGETS ON PEOPLE'S BACKS AND CALL THEM OUT FOR THEIR VIEWS, WHICH I DON'T NECESSARILY AGREE WITH.
THAT IS A VERY DIFFERENT THING THAN HAVING A DISCOURSE AND I THINK THAT IS.
AND I THINK IT IS OUR JOB AS PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO NOT SINGLE OUT RESIDENTS UNLESS THEY'RE DOING SOMETHING ILLEGAL, IN WHICH CASE, BY ALL MEANS PROCEED. BUT TO IDENTIFY A NUMBER OF OF PEOPLE BY NAME REPEATEDLY AND CALL THEM OUT FOR THEIR THEIR VIEWS IF THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING ILLEGAL.
I THINK IT IS A HEIGHTENED LEVEL OF, OF ATTENTION THAT COULD RESULT IN TRAGEDY.
AND I, I THINK WE ARE BEING VERY CAVALIER ABOUT THE, THE IMPORT THE WEIGHT THAT VOICES FROM A DAIS HAVE NOT NECESSARILY. TODAY'S CONVERSATION, ALTHOUGH PARTS OF TODAY'S CONVERSATION.
BUT IN GENERAL, I THINK IT'S BAD, BAD PRECEDENT TO TARGET INDIVIDUALS BY NAME FROM A SITTING OFFICIAL ELECTED OFFICIAL. AND I THINK IT'S DANGEROUS.
COMMISSIONER. SUAREZ. AND THEN I DO AGREE WITH YOUR FIRST PART OF YOUR STATEMENT. I'D LIKE TO GET BACK TO THE ORDER OF BUSINESS, JUST TO LET ANYBODY KNOW WHO'S LISTENING. NONE OF US ON THE DAIS BROUGHT THIS UP TODAY.
WE HAD MEMBERS OF SOME RESIDENTS, SOME MAYBE NOT, I DON'T KNOW.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE EVERYONE LIVES, BUT I BELIEVE WHEN WE HEAR NARRATIVES THAT ARE FALSE AND DANGEROUS, THEY NEED TO BE COUNTERED. AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE. AND, MR. MAYOR, I'M NOT I'M NOT HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THAT AT ALL.
THAT'S A DISCOURSE. I DIDN'T SAY I DIDN'T SAY OTHERWISE.
I'M JUST COMMENTING FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY BE LISTENING WHY WE'RE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION.
WE DIDN'T BRING IT UP. NONE OF US HERE TODAY BROUGHT THESE ISSUES UP. WE HAD INDIVIDUALS WHO CAME, AS IS THEIR RIGHT UNDER OUR SUTNICK, OUR ANYONE CAN COME IN AND TALK ABOUT TOPICS ON THEIR MIND AND THEIR CONCERNS.
BUT WHEN WHEN WE HEAR FALSE NARRATIVES AND WHAT I BELIEVE IS DANGEROUS RHETORIC THAT COULD POTENTIALLY HARM MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY, THIS IS NOT THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT. A CONFLICT HAPPENING IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND IN ISRAEL 6000 MILES AWAY.
THIS HAS A DIRECT IMPACT ON PEOPLE'S LIVES HERE IN AMERICA AND IN MIAMI BEACH.
[01:05:04]
SPEECH. I LIKE TO USE MY FREE SPEECH IN CALLING OUT BIGOTRY AND HATE AND THOSE INDIVIDUALS PUSHING THAT EXTREMISM.I THINK FINALLY, FOR ONCE, WHEN WE KNOW WHO ANTI-SEMITES ARE AND PEOPLE WHO ARE PUSHING HATE, THEY SHOULD BE CALLED OUT. I DON'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT.
AND YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER BHATT, I RESPECT YOU, BUT RESPECTFULLY, YOU KNOW, I DON'T NEED TO TAKE DIRECTION FROM YOU AND AND AND TO TELL ME WHAT A GOOD ELECTED OFFICIAL IS.
I MEAN, WE BOTH HAVE CRITICISMS OF EACH OTHER, BUT I DON'T I DON'T JUDGE HOW YOU MANAGE YOUR YOUR OFFICE OR WHAT YOU SAY. I GIVE YOU FREE REIGN BECAUSE THIS IS YOU GOT ELECTED AT THE SAME TIME I GOT ELECTED.
AND THAT'S, THAT'S ON YOU. IT'S NOT ON ME. AND SO, YOU KNOW, RESPECTFULLY, I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU KEEP YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT HOW I CONDUCT MYSELF TO YOURSELF. THANK YOU. IT'S A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE.
OKAY. ANY MORE CALLERS? OUR NEXT CALLER IS TIM CARR.
MR. CARR. TWO MINUTES, PLEASE. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.
THIS IS TIM CARR, NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION. I JUST WANTED TO CALL OUT A COUPLE OF QUICK ITEMS. ITEM C4A AND C7R. I KNOW IT WAS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AT LAST MONTH.
MAYOR IF YOU COULD, PLEASE CALL IT TODAY. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO HELP MOVE THIS PROCESS FORWARD TO HELP THE RESIDENTS DURING THE WEST AVE PHASE TWO CONSTRUCTION PROCESS TO ASSIST WITH PARKING NEEDS, AND ALSO FOR STAGING CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OVER ON THE EPICURE SITE AND TO HELP MOVE IT OFF OF SOME OF THE SITES AT THE PARKING LOT NEXT TO TRADER JOE'S. AGAIN, MOVING THIS FORWARD WILL ALSO HELP THE CITY WITH OTHER CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS STAGING NEEDS THROUGHOUT THE CITY AS WELL.
AGAIN, THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO REMOVE THE FENCES AT THE 10TH AND 14TH STREET BAY WALLS.
I WISH WE HAD KNOWN IN ADVANCE SO THAT WE COULD HAVE USED THOSE FUNDS TO HELP INSTALL RAILINGS ALONG THE MIRADOR BAY WALK, WHICH IS CURRENTLY STILL NOT OPEN BECAUSE IT'S MISSING THEY WALK FENCING IN THAT AREA, WHICH IS CRITICAL.
SO AGAIN, JUST KEEP THAT IN MIND. I KNOW YOU HAVE A BUSY DAY OF AGENDA ITEMS, BUT AGAIN, IF YOU COULD PLEASE CALL AND DISCUSS C4A AND C7R, AND ALSO C7AJ. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OUR NEXT CALLER IS KAREN.
KAREN, STATE YOUR NAME. ADDRESS. YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES. GO AHEAD. OKAY. MY NAME IS KAREN LUCAS.
I AM A MIAMI BEACH RESIDENT. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONERS ALEX FERNANDEZ AND DAVID SUAREZ REGARDING THEIR SUPPORT OF A MORATORIUM ON THE INCREASE OF WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE. IN CURRENTLY, EVERYONE KNOWS THAT WE'RE IN A PERIOD OF VERY INFLATED LIVING COSTS, WHICH IS MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR LONG STANDING RESIDENTS TO REMAIN RESIDING IN MIAMI BEACH.
IT'S MIAMI BEACH IS NOT A CHEAP PLACE TO LIVE IN.
AND AS AS COMMISSIONER TANYA BHATT SAID, IF WE NEEDED TO PREVENT SINKHOLES AND IMPROVE SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE, WHY WOULDN'T THAT MONEY BE SPENT AND AND DIRECTED TOWARDS IMPORTANT INFRASTRUCTURE? THE SECOND ITEM I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS INDEPENDENT WASTE REMOVAL.
I THINK JOHN NORRIS HAS CORRESPONDED WITH ME.
WE HAD AN UNEXPECTED 30% INCREASE FROM OUR INDEPENDENT WASTE REMOVAL COMPANY.
AND I THINK THAT'S UNREASONABLE. AND I THINK WHAT WE NEED IN MIAMI BEACH IS MORE COMPETITION.
ANYWAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON THIS.
COMMISSIONERS FERNANDEZ AND SUAREZ, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
OUR NEXT CALLER IS ASA MITTELMAN. GO AHEAD PLEASE.
[01:10:08]
PUBLIC HATE MESSAGES TO OTHER JEWS FOR SUPPORTING PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST.PAYING FOR MOBILE SIGNS WITH PICTURES OF YOUR PERCEIVED QUOTE JEW HATERS.
OUR RABBIS TAKE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT THE JEWISH WAY.
HOW CAN A CITY GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO HATE THIS PERSON CREATES WHILE DISRESPECTING THE ENTIRE JEWISH COMMUNITY? COMPARING RESIDENTS WHO SIMPLY DISAGREE WITH THE PALESTINIAN GENOCIDE TO THE JEW HATER NICK FUENTES AND OTHERS.
IT'S TIME YOU GET COMMISSIONERS, WHO HAVE THE CAPACITY TO BEHAVE OLDER THAN A 14 YEAR OLD.
THANK YOU. AND SHARON. OUR NEXT CALLER IS JESSICA.
JESSICA, STATE YOUR NAME. AND I'M ALSO GOING TO INTERCEDE.
OBVIOUSLY WE'RE ON ZOOM, SO I DON'T, YOU KNOW, WE'LL TAKE PEOPLE'S WORDS, WHO THEY WHO THEY ARE.
YOU'RE ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE A SELECT FEW IN ANY GROUP WHO SORT OF TURNS AGAINST ITS OWN PEOPLE.
SO, BUT I'M GOING TO BE CONSISTENT WHEN I HEAR THE TERM PEOPLE THROW OUT LIES AND FALSE NARRATIVES.
THERE'S, THERE'S A ONE WAY GENOCIDE ATTEMPT HERE AND THAT'S AGAINST THE STATE OF ISRAEL.
AND I GAVE, I GAVE EXAMPLES BEFORE. I WON'T REPEAT MYSELF.
JESSICA, PLEASE UNMUTE YOURSELF, STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS. YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES. HELLO.
MY NAME IS JESSICA PITA, RESIDENT OF MIAMI BEACH.
33139 VIBRANT MEETING HERE. I WILL SPEAK QUICKLY AND GET RIGHT TO THE POINT.
ALTHOUGH LET ME BEGIN ADDRESSING EVERYTHING ELSE THAT HAS BEEN SAID.
PRESERVATION. HISTORIC PRESERVATION HAS A LOT OF OVERLAP WITH ALL OF THESE ISSUES.
IN REGARDS TO THE CONSERVATION OF RESOURCES LIKE WATER, THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF CITY INFRASTRUCTURE, AND EVEN THE TOPIC OF DEPLORABLE ACTS OF HATE.
WHEN ANYONE SEES A BEAUTIFUL PLACE OR BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE, THERE WILL BE NEGATIVE PLAYERS THAT WANT TO, YOU KNOW, TAKE THAT DOWN OR HAVE IT AS THEIR OWN.
AND I REALLY SEE THE THREAT OF CONSTANT NEW DEVELOPMENT AS THAT PEOPLE WANTING SOUTH BEACH, MIAMI BEACH HISTORIC DISTRICT AS THEIR OWN. NOW TO GET QUICKLY TO MY COMMENT, I RECENTLY WATCHED THE HPB HISTORIC PRESERVATION MEETING MAY 12TH VIA YOUTUBE, SOMETHING ARCHITECT ENRIQUE NAUGHTON, WHO WORKS FOR THE LANDOWNER AND DEVELOPER, SAID REALLY STUCK OUT TO ME. HE SAID THAT REPLICAS OF HISTORIC BUILDING FACADES HAVE GOTTEN SO GOOD THAT YOU CAN'T EVEN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ORIGINAL AND THE REPLICA. THEN HE ADDED THIS IS NOT A HARD BUILDING TO REPLICATE.
REFERRING TO 1600 WASHINGTON AVENUE BUILDING, WHICH IS PROPOSED FOR DEMOLITION.
QUICKLY WRAPPING UP THIS COMMENT REQUIRES PAUSE.
IF WE ARE IN FACT SO GOOD AT RECREATING HISTORIC BUILDING FACADES, BUILDINGS IN GENERAL, THEN WHAT'S THE POINT OF PRESERVATION AT ALL? I MEAN, DISNEYLAND'S CASTLE LOOKS JUST AS GOOD AND AUTHENTIC AS ENGLAND'S WINDSOR CASTLE, RIGHT? WRONG. WE ALL KNOW THIS ISN'T SO, BECAUSE WE CAN FEEL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL ARCHITECTURE AND REPLICAS.
THIS TRUE SENSE OF PLACE. THANK YOU. OUR NEXT CALLER IS DAVID ROWLAND.
YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. HI.
THANK YOU. I'M DAVID ROWLAND. I LIVE EIGHTH AND EUCLID.
I, I, I CALLED THE MAYOR'S OFFICE ABOUT THIS RECENTLY.
THERE'S BEEN CONSTRUCTION OVER OVER NIGHT, ALL NIGHT.
VERY LOUD CONSTRUCTION OVER THE SEWAGE AND MANHOLES.
THESE ROADS ARE NOT BUSY, BUT MEANWHILE CHILDREN HAVE SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY.
PARENTS AND NON-PARENT ADULTS HAVE WORK THE NEXT DAY.
WHY CAN THIS CONSTRUCTION NOT BE DONE DURING THE DAY? THANK YOU. SIMPLE ANSWER. MAYBE WE COULD HAVE OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR. BECAUSE THIS HAS COME UP NUMEROUS TIMES.
I APPRECIATE YOU RAISING THE ISSUE, DAVE. GOOD MORNING.
AND YOU KNOW, THAT IS CITY WIDE. SO WHAT WE MIGHT NEED TO DO IS LOOK AT EXACTLY WHERE THEY ARE, A LOT OF AREAS WITHIN THE CITY. WE DO NOT WANT THEM DOING MANHOLE REHAB DURING THE DAYTIME DUE TO TRAFFIC CONCERNS.
[01:15:06]
SO. SO JOHN, IF I COULD I KNOW DAVE SPECIFICALLY, JUST BECAUSE I CORRESPONDED WITH HIM HAS REACHED OUT.IT'S THE MANHOLE COVER ISSUE THAT WE DISCUSSED.
AND YOU REPLIED BACK, I THINK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EVENING.
I APPRECIATE THE TIME AND DEDICATION ON THAT.
IF WE WOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE SOME INTERNAL DISCUSSIONS AND CONSIDERATION, DOES IT MAKE MORE SENSE TO HAVE THAT THERE DURING THE DAYTIME? ABSOLUTELY. WE'LL DO. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, DAVID, FOR THE CALL. OUR NEXT CALLER IS TRAVIS SPENCER.
MR. SPENCER, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. CAN YOU GUYS HEAR ME? OKAY. YES. OKAY. VERY GOOD. GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS TRAVIS SPENCER AND I'M SPEAKING ON ORDINANCE 2026 4800, WHICH IS THE SHORE BASED SHARK FISHING PROHIBITION THAT WAS CODIFIED AT SECTION 1021. THE CITY'S ATTORNEY I'M SORRY, THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS ALREADY CONCLUDED THAT THIS ORDINANCE MUST BE REPEALED. ENFORCEMENT HAS ALREADY BEEN SUSPENDED, AND THE LEGAL ANALYSIS IS FINISHED.
WHAT REMAINS IS JUST PROCEDURAL, AND THE LAW ON THIS IS SETTLED BY ARTICLE FOUR, SECTION NINE OF THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION BY AMENDMENT TWO, RATIFIED BY VOTERS IN 2024 AND ALSO BY THE FWC GENERAL COUNCIL APRIL 20TH.
AND TODAY, MY RESPECTFUL ASK IS DIRECT. I AM REQUESTING THAT A COMMISSIONER MAKE A MOTION TODAY FROM THE DAIS TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PLACE THE REPEAL OF ORDINANCE 2026 4800 ON THE NEXT AVAILABLE MEETING AGENDA, NOT JUNE 24TH, NOT JULY 22ND, BUT PREFERABLY NOW.
AND HERE IS MY OFFER IN EXCHANGE. IF THE COMMISSION OR COMMISSION MOVES TO ACCELERATE THE REPEAL TODAY, I WILL SUBMIT IN WRITING BEFORE THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS, A FORMAL ADMINISTRATION REQUEST TO SUSPEND PROCESSING OF ALL TEN PENDING PUBLIC RECORD REQUESTS. I CURRENTLY HAVE ON FILE WITH THE CITY PENDING FINAL REPEAL.
NOW, THIS IS A MEANINGFUL OPERATIONAL RELIEF FOR YOUR CLERK'S OFFICE AND YOUR CITY ATTORNEY, AND I AM PREPARED TO PUT IT IN WRITING TODAY.
NOW, THIS DECISION WILL BE WATCHED BECAUSE WE'RE FIGHTING ORDINANCES, THE SAME ORDINANCE OR SIMILAR ORDINANCES IN INDIAN SHORES, REDINGTON SHORES, TREASURE ISLAND, DELRAY BEACH AND.
OUR NEXT CALLER IS I JUST WANT TO SPEAK TO THE LAST SPEAKER, THE MAYOR.
WE WE ARE GOING TO BE ISSUING A REVERSAL OF THAT.
BUT ORDINANCE TAKE TWO WEEKS OF NOTICE REQUIREMENTS.
THANK YOU. OUR NEXT CALLER IS WAYNE ROBERTS. MR. ROBERTS, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES. WELL, YOU KNEW MY INITIALS, W R WAYNE ROBERTS.
CONGRATULATIONS, MR. ROBERTS. I KNOW THEM WELL.
GOOD MORNING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. I AM A JEWISH VOICE FOR PEACE.
AND I FIND THAT THAT I WISH THESE FOLKS WOULD FOCUS ON THE REAL PROBLEM.
AND THE PROBLEM REALLY IS THAT THE IRAN THROUGH THE IRGC AND THEIR PROXIES, HAMAS, HEZBOLLAH, THE HOUTHIS ASSAD HAS ANNIHILATED OVER A MILLION CITIZENS IN THOSE COUNTRIES OF LEBANON AND SYRIA AND YEMEN ALONE. THEY'VE ANNIHILATED 30,000 OF THEIR OWN CITIZENS THAT WERE REBELLING AGAINST THE THEOCRACY AND THAT THIS YEAR ALONE THAT THEY TURNED OFF THE INTERNET SO THAT, THAT NOBODY COULD SPEAK TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD THAT THEY HAVE DECIMATED THE ECONOMIC OUTPUT IN, IN THE CROWN JEWEL OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND LEBANON.
THAT WAS NUMBER ONE IN THE WORLD IN THE REGION TO, DOWN TO, TO $2,000 PER CAPITA SYRIA DOWN TO $1,000 PER CAPITA. IRAN PRE WAR WAS $4,000 PER CAPITA.
NOW IT'S, IT'S APPROXIMATELY $2,000 PER CAPITA.
AND THEY'VE THEY'VE RUINED THE LIVES OF NOT ONLY JEWS, BUT ARABS THEMSELVES.
AND THESE FOLKS ARE OPPORTUNISTS THAT COME INTO THIS, THIS CHAMBER IN, IN, IN SUCH A NEFARIOUS WAY.
[01:20:07]
I KNOW SOME OF THESE PEOPLE. AND ONE, I, I WAS VEHEMENTLY AGAINST HER ELECTION BECAUSE I KNEW WHAT KIND OF PERSON SHE REALLY REPRESENTED TO ME. AND I FIND IT OFFENSIVE. AND THE OPPORTUNIST THAT THAT WALK INTO THIS ROOM, WE SHOULD JUST YOU KNOW, TAKE IT WITH A GRAIN OF SALT, BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH.HAVE A GREAT DAY. THANK YOU. SIR. OUR NEXT CALLER HAS A SCREEN NAME OF MIAMI BEACH.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES. GOOD MORNING.
WANDA. JAMIE, 8305 CHRISTIE BOULEVARD. I'M ALSO GOING TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS TOPIC, BUT I WANT TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT WE ARE AMERICANS AND WE ARE PROTECTED BY THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND EXPRESSION FROM ANY GROUP, INDIVIDUAL OR ELECTED OFFICIALS.
AS WE KNOW, IRAN IS THE BIGGEST SPONSOR OF TERRORISM IN THE WORLD.
THEY TOLD US ALL AROUND. AND ALL THE PROXIES ARE LIKE HAMAS ARE SICK PEOPLE.
THEY DO NOT ONLY GO AFTER OR HARM JEWS, THEY ALSO DO THAT TO CHRISTIANS.
MOREOVER, NOT TO FORGET THAT THEY CHANT DEATH TO AMERICA AND THAT MEANS ALL OF US.
WITH THAT SAID WITH THAT SAID, I AM OPPOSING ALSO OPPOSING ITEM C 2D AS I SEND EMAILS TO ALL OF YOU AND I AM SORRY BECAUSE I'M SICK. I'M ALSO IN FAVOR OF THE MORATORIUM FOR THE WATER UTILITY HIKE. AND WE NEED TO REALLY LOOK AT THESE HIKES THAT ARE AFFECTING US RESIDENTS.
THE WATER HIKES, THE THE TRASH. IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYTHING SEEMS RISING.
WITHOUT THE PROPOSED HIKE APPROVAL. WE STILL SEEING MONTHLY INCREASES.
I'M GETTING 800, $900 A MONTH. I'M FORCED TO RAISE THE HOA ON MY CONDOMINIUM.
PLEASE. OUR NEXT CALLER IS LAURA BECKHAM. GOOD MORNING.
I'M HERE IN REFERENCE TO OUR SEVEN K TO SPEAK OUR OPPOSITION OF THIS ITEM.
100% OF OUR PROGRAMING TAKES PLACE IN MIAMI BEACH.
95% OF OUR PROGRAMING IS FREE. A LARGE PORTION IS FOR YOUTH PROGRAMING, BUT THAT IS NOT ALL THE PROGRAMING WE DO OURSELVES AND ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OURS IN THE ARTS THAT PROVIDE PROGRAMING CONTRIBUTE TO THE 1% RESORT TAX THAT BRINGS CULTURE TO OUR CITY AND CULTURAL TOURISM.
WE ARE ALSO WELL SUPPORTED BY THE COMMUNITY AND RESIDENTS.
QUALITY OF LIFE IS INCREASED BECAUSE OF OUR PROGRAMING.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OUR NEXT CALLER HAS A PHONE NUMBER THAT ENDS IN 5600.
STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES, PLEASE. GOOD MORNING MAYOR.
GOOD MORNING. UNMUTE YOURSELF PLEASE. YOU'RE MUTED.
GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES.
GOOD MORNING. HELLO. GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS CHRISTINA VEIGA. I LIVE IN GOLDEN DREAMS CONDOMINIUM LOCATED AT 65 WASHINGTON AVENUE.
I'M SPEAKING TODAY ON BEHALF OF CYBER MONEY LAUNDERING AND REAL ESTATE INVESTIGATION SUPPORT.
[01:25:04]
I'M HERE TO PUT THE CITY ON NOTICE REGARDING MATERIAL MISREPRESENTATIONS OF OWNERSHIP AND LEGAL STANDING IN DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS, SPECIFICALLY DRB 251159, DRB 25 1099. DB 220548. THIS IS A FORMAL DEMAND TO VOID THE DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS DUE TO THE CITY'S LACK OF JURISDICTION.WE CONDUCTED A FORENSIC ANALYSIS INTO THE DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE CITY RELATED TO 1790 AUTEN ROAD, 1250 WEST AVENUE AND 935 SECOND STREET. WE DISCOVERED FORGERY AND MATERIAL MISREPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE OWNERSHIP OF THE LAND TO BE REDEVELOPED UNDER CITY OF MIAMI BEACH CODE SECTION.
ANY APPLICATION. EMPLOYING A DEVICE, SCHEME OR ARTIFICE TO CIRCUMVENT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS MUST IMMEDIATELY BE DEEMED NULL AND VOID WITHOUT FURTHER FORCE OR ETHICS. THEREFORE, THE CITY LACKS THE DECISION TO PROCEED WITH THE APPLICATION.
CYBER MONEY LAUNDERING AND REAL ESTATE INVESTIGATIONS CORP.
IS ALSO FILING A PETITION FOR THE BANK SECRECY ACT INJUNCTION WITH THE U.S.
SECRETARY OF TREASURY AND THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL, ALONG WITH NOTICE OF PROBABLE CAUSE PROCEDURE FOR THE COMPUTER FRAUD AND ABUSE ACT VIOLATIONS REPORT. THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND THE SECRET SERVICE.
NUCLEAR COMMISSIONERS AND THE CITY AUTHORITY.
THANK YOU. FORTUNATELY, YOU'RE OUT OF TIME. OUR NEXT CALLER IS AMANDA.
AMANDA, PLEASE UNMUTE YOURSELF. THANK YOU. CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES. GO AHEAD PLEASE. OKAY. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS, I'M AMANDA FISHER, I'M A RESIDENT OF MIAMI, AND I'M A MEMBER OF OUR LOCAL LOCAL JEWISH COMMUNITY LIKE YOURSELVES.
HE USED HIS SALARY AND HIS OFFICE TO PURCHASE ROVING BILLBOARDS THAT CIRCULATED AROUND MIAMI BEACH.
THAT AMPLIFIED A CAMPAIGN THAT TARGETED TWO REVERED COMMUNITY LEADERS AND MIAMI BEACH RESIDENTS, ENDANGERING THEIR SAFETY BY PUBLICLY DISPLAYING THEIR FACES AND CALLING THEM JEW HATERS.
THEIR LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY HAS CREATED A SPACE WHERE MANY OF US HAVE LEARNED TO LOVE BEING JEWISH MORE DEEPLY AND TO CONNECT TO OUR JEWISH IDENTITIES, TO JUSTICE, TO DIGNITY AND COLLECTIVE LIBERATION.
FOR THERE TO BE A JEWISH MAYOR IN A CITY THAT ONCE WAS SHAPED BY EXCLUSION AND REDLINING, FOR THERE TO BE WOMEN, FOR THERE TO BE IMMIGRANTS, DIFFERENTLY ABLED PEOPLE ON THIS COMMISSION TO HOLD PUBLIC OFFICE WITH DIGNITY AND VISIBILITY.
THIS ATTACK DOES NOT SIMPLY OFFEND OR PROVOKE DISAGREEMENT.
I URGE THIS COMMISSION TO CENSURE COMMISSIONER SUAREZ AND TO CALL FOR HIS RESIGNATION, BECAUSE THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH FLORIDA AND MIAMI BEACH DESERVE LEADERS WHO PROTECT OUR SAFETY AND DIGNITY AND NOT ENDANGER OUR LIVES WITH HATE.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU MAYOR. THAT CONCLUDES EVERYONE.
I JUST WANT TO CLEAR THE RECORD THAT ALL OF MY SALARY FROM COMMISSION GOES TO CHARITY.
SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE MAKE MAKE THE RECORD CLEAR THAT NONE OF THE MONEY THAT I GET FROM THE GOVERNMENT IS, IS ACCEPTED BY ME. IT GOES TO CHARITY. AND I ALSO WANT TO MAKE A FINAL NOTE THAT THE ONE THING THAT I'VE LEARNED IN HISTORY AND EXPERIENCE IS WHEN, WHEN THE PEOPLE WHO. WHEN THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO HATE JEWS AND HATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU STAND FOR.
AND THEY'RE AGAINST YOU. YOU'RE ON. YOU KNOW YOU'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING.
YOU'RE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THINGS. AND THAT DOESN'T JUST APPLY TO ANTI-SEMITISM.
THAT APPLIES TO. ANTI LGBTQ, ANTI-BLACK, ANTI-ASIAN.
[01:30:08]
WHEN YOU ARE THE ONE BEING CRITICIZED FOR DEFENDING THE MINORITY, YOU KNOW YOU'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING.YOU KNOW YOU'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK. SO TODAY I LEARNED ONE THING.
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK AND I'M VERY PROUD OF MYSELF.
AND I THINK THERE'S MORE THAN ENOUGH ON HERE THAT ARE PROUD OF ME FOR WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING.
SO THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME, EVERYONE. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. I AGREE, AND I'M VERY PROUD OF EVERYONE ON THIS DAY AND THE LEADERSHIP THAT WE'VE SHOWN, WHETHER IT BE ANTI-SEMITISM, RACISM AGAINST THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.
OKAY. THANK YOU EVERYONE. LET'S GET TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
YES, MAYOR. A COUPLE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS HAVE BEEN SEPARATED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.YOU HAVE A LIST THAT HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO YOU.
MAYOR MINOR HAS SEPARATED C7AE AGAIN, C7AE COMMISSIONER BHATT IS SEPARATING C2D AS IN DOG C7XC7AGC7AIC7AL AGAIN C2DC7XC7AGC7AIC7AL. VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ IS SEPARATING C7AL COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ IS SEPARATING C4O AND C4R COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS IS SEPARATING C SEVEN, A HC7AI AND C2D, AND FOR THE RECORD, COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS IS SEPARATING. SEE FOR I'M SORRY IS WITHDRAWING.
SEE FOR. SEE? SO IF YOU COULD MAKE THAT NOTATION.
C FOR C IS BEING WITHDRAWN. R5R IS BEING OPENLY CONTINUED BY VICE MAYOR OF DOMINGUEZ.
AND JUST ON THE DAIS YOU HAVE TWO ITEMS. FIRST, YOU HAVE A REVISED RESOLUTION FOR ITEM C7AQ WHICH IS ACCEPT DONATIONS OF APPROXIMATELY $200,000 FOR ARTIFICIAL TURF. THAT REVISED RESOLUTION IS ON THE DAIS AND A NEW ITEM WAS ADDED C 40, WHICH IS A REFERRAL TO FINANCE AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCY COMMITTEE FUND CRITICAL RESILIENCY AND NEIGHBORHOOD INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH DEDICATED CAPITAL MILLAGE.
SO THE MAYOR HAS NOT APPROVED ANY OF THE ADDENDUM ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED ON THE AGENDA.
SO IF ANY OF THOSE WILL BE HEARD AFTER 5:00 IF POSSIBLE, IF I COULD HAVE A MOTION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA EXCLUDING THE SEPARATED AND THE ADDENDUMS. I'LL SECOND ON THAT, MR. MAYOR. WE HAVE ONE OF THE TIME CERTAIN SECOND READING ORDINANCES.
R5D THAT IS THE COMPANION ITEM TO C7AS, WHICH IS AN ADDENDUM ITEM WHEN YOU CALL THE TIME CERTAIN. CAN THOSE BE CALLED TOGETHER? YES. THANK YOU. THAT I'LL SECOND THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.
EXCLUDING THE SEPARATED AND EXCLUDING THE THE ADDENDUMS. WELL, WITH ONE AMENDMENT, THAT'S C7AS, WHICH IS AN ADDENDUM ITEM, IS GOING TO BE HEARD WITH ITS COMPANION ITEM R5D.
SO WE'RE GOING TO SEPARATE C7AS AS WELL RIGHT.
OKAY. SO ALL IN FAVOR OF THE CONSENT AGENDA AS STATED, PLEASE SAY AYE.
AYE. AYE. ANYONE OPPOSED? HEARING NONE. THE ITEM THE CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED.
CONGRATULATIONS, DEBBIE. I'VE TOLD TOM WHO'S STEPPING DOWN.
IT'S IT'S BIG SHOES TO FILL. BUT I KNOW YOU CAN YOU WILL ABSOLUTELY DO IT.
I THINK THERE'S A COMPLETE 100% UNIVERSAL CONFIDENCE IN YOU.
YES. LITERALLY. BIG SHOES. EXACTLY. I TOLD TOM WE GOT TO RETIRE HIS NUMBER.
WE GOT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT NUMBER IS. 33. RIGHT. 33 YEARS WITH THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
SO MAYBE THAT'S THE NUMBER WE RETIRE, BUT CONGRATULATIONS.
I JUST WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU. THANK THE MANAGER AND OF COURSE, TOM, FOR YOUR CONFIDENCE IN ME.
[01:35:06]
I VERY MUCH LOOK FORWARD TO OUR CONTINUING WORKING RELATIONSHIP.SO THANK YOU. SAME HERE. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.
MASON, COMMISSIONER BOCK, I'LL MAKE IT QUICK. I KNOW WE'VE GOT A LOT OF CATCHING UP TO DO FROM THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, BUT DEBBIE, YOU KNOW, YOU AND I FIRST MET WHEN I WAS A NASCENT PRESERVATIONIST, AND YOUR KNOWLEDGE CONTINUES TO DAZZLE.
AND SO I AM SO THRILLED. AND ERIC HAS YOU KNOW, IS A REALLY NICE PROBLEM TO HAVE BECAUSE I ALSO LOVE ROGELIO, WHO I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW FROM MY DAYS ON THE PLANNING BOARD.
SO TO ME, YOU GUYS ARE THE DREAM TEAM. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING TOGETHER WITH THE REST OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT STAFF, AND I AM HERE FOR IT. SO YOU GO GIRL. WELL DONE.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU. LET'S CALL R9AG.
[R9 AG DISCUSS/TAKE ACTION – ADVANCING A COMPREHENSIVE CITYWIDE WATER TAXI PROGRAM TO IMPROVE MOBILITY AND CONNECTIVITY.]
R9AG IS DISCUSSED. TAKE ACTION. COMPREHENSIVE CITY WIDE WATER TAXI PROGRAMS R9AG.THANK YOU JOSIE. SPONSOR THANK YOU TO MY CO-SPONSORS.
COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ COMMISSIONER. BOB. BUT I KNOW THIS HAS HAS UNIVERSAL SUPPORT IN OUR IN OUR COMMISSION AND I REALLY WANTED TO THANK YOU, JOSIE, BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS A COUPLE OF YEARS AND I'VE BEEN PUSHING AND YOU'VE RESPONDED.
IT'S BEEN AN INCREDIBLE SUCCESS. WE HAVE THE WATER TAXI, WHICH IS FREE EVERY DAY, WEEKDAYS, NOT YET ON WEEKENDS GOING FROM OUR MORRIS PARK TO VENETIAN MARINA.
AND IT HAS RECEIVED WIDE ACCLAIM SUPPORT AND SUCCESS.
EVERYONE'S NOTICING THE STATE. THE COUNTY I'VE PRESENTED RECENTLY AT THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, THE TPO. YOU WERE THERE WITH ME. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION.
ONE, TRYING TO GET FUNDING FOR WEEKEND SERVICE, TRY TO INCREASE SERVICE.
SO WE HAVE THAT ALL DAY. ALSO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PICK UP AND DROP OFF POINTS WE HAVE SOUTH OF FIFTH, WHICH IS WHICH IS A VERY INTERESTED IN ONE AND NORTH BEACH AS WELL POTENTIALLY GOING TO MOUNT SINAI, OTHER AREAS POTENTIALLY GOING TO THE CASEY CENTER, BUT ALSO GOING NORTH AND SOUTH THROUGHOUT MIAMI BEACH.
I MEAN, THINK OF THAT, THAT YOU CAN HOP ON AT FIRST OR 87TH AND GO THROUGHOUT OUR CITY TO MID-BEACH SOUTH BEACH, NORTH BEACH. BUT I WANTED YOU TO GIVE AN UPDATE WHAT YOU'RE WORKING ON.
SO TELL US, TELL US WHAT YOU'RE WORKING ON, WHAT NEXT STEPS YOU CAN USE FROM US AS A COMMISSION.
THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT OUR WATER TAXI.
AS YOU POINTED OUT RIDERSHIP, AVERAGE DAILY RIDERSHIP IS ABOUT 1000 PASSENGERS PER DAY.
AND IT, IT, EVEN WHEN IT STARTED, IT WAS AT ABOUT 800.
AND THEN IT'S GROWN TO ABOUT 1000. AND THAT'S WHERE WE ARE NOW.
AND, YOU KNOW, LOOKING LOOKING FORWARD, I'LL START WITH THE, WITH THE, WITH THE CURRENT SERVICE.
SO THE, WITH THE CURRENT SERVICE, AS, AS WAS POINTED OUT, IT OPERATES BETWEEN MARISKA MEMORIAL PARK AND VENETIAN MARINA IN MIAMI AT AT THE MARISKA MEMORIAL PARK. THERE'S SOME CHALLENGES THERE WITH THE SPACE, PARTICULARLY THAT THE MARINE PATROL BUILDING WILL START BEING RECONSTRUCTED VERY, VERY SOON.
AND SO THERE ARE CHALLENGES WITH JUST A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION THAT'S GOING TO BE HAPPENING THERE FOR SEVERAL, YOU KNOW, SEVERAL MONTHS, PROBABLY ABOUT A YEAR.
AND WE'RE TRYING TO WORK, WE'RE WORKING WITH THE CONTRACTOR TO IDENTIFY THE OPTIMAL SPACE FOR SOME AMENITIES FOR THE PASSENGERS, INCLUDING RESTROOMS. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE RESTROOMS THAT ARE A LITTLE FANCIER THAN JUST PORTA POTTIES, WHICH IS WHAT'S OUT THERE TODAY. SO WE HAVE A VENDOR THAT'S PREPARED TO, TO DEPLOY A RESTROOM.
[01:40:02]
IT'S IN THE PARKING LOT, UNFORTUNATELY. LET'S TALK MORE ABOUT HOW WE INCREASE THE SERVICES LIKE WEEKENDS, WEEKEND SERVICES. I MENTIONED NORTH BEACH PICKUP AND TO TO MIAMI ONE IN SOUTH BEACH AND ALSO THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS NORTH AND SOUTH.HOW DO HOW DO WE GET THERE? SURE. SO. WELL, THE AS YOU KNOW, MR. MAYOR, THE THE MOST THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW, RIGHT NOW, THE BIGGEST CONSTRAINT IS THE FUNDING.
IF WE HAD MORE FUNDING, WE'D BE ABLE TO DEPLOY A SECOND VESSEL THE ENTIRE HOURS OF OPERATION.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE WE'VE GOT THAT BUDGETARY CONSTRAINT.
WE HAVE ONE VESSEL IN SERVICE FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE DAY UP UNTIL 430.
AT 4:30 P.M., WE KICK IN A SECOND VESSEL TO ACCOMMODATE THAT P M.
YOU KNOW, PEAK HOUR RUSH. AND THAT OPERATES TILL ABOUT 7:30 P.M..
SO WHAT WE'RE DOING TO TRY TO, TO AT A MINIMUM MAINTAIN THE FUNDING THAT WE HAVE, WHICH IS 50% FROM FDOT AND 50% CITY FUNDS IS THAT WE'VE REAPPLIED UNDER THE FDOT PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
AND THAT'S A PROGRAM THAT FUNDS 50% OF THE ANNUAL OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF A TRANSIT PROGRAM.
UP TO THREE YEARS. SO WE'RE ACTUALLY COMING UP ON OUR THIRD YEAR.
IT'LL BE FISCAL NEXT FISCAL YEAR. FISCAL YEAR 28 WILL BE YEAR THREE OF THE SERVICE.
AND WE'VE ALREADY APPLIED FOR FISCAL YEAR 28 FUNDS.
WE APPLIED FOR HALF OF THE COST OF THE SERVICE.
THE TOTAL COST OF THE SERVICE, BY THE WAY, IS ABOUT $1.5 MILLION.
AND THAT'S REALLY OUR OUR BIGGEST CONSTRAINT AT THIS POINT.
THERE IS A LOT OF INTEREST ON BEHALF OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY.
THE TPO EXPRESSED SOME INTEREST IN THIS. HOWEVER, THEY, THEY, THEY'RE OF THE OPINION THAT THE CITY WOULD NEED TO CHARGE A FAIR TO AT LEAST SUBSIDIZE PART OF THAT OPERATING COST OF THE SERVICE.
SO YEAH, I MEAN, I PRESENTED THERE AND OBVIOUSLY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ IS THE REPRESENTATIVE THERE.
I THINK THERE WAS SOME DISPUTE. THERE WAS A COUPLE OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS THAT MENTIONED THAT THEN COMMISSIONER LOPEZ, GOD BLESS HER HEART WAS SORT OF WAS ON OUR, WAS TAKING THE POSITION THAT WE HAVE BEEN ESPOUSING THAT WE SHOULD DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO KEEP IT FREE, TO KEEP IT FREE. ANYTHING WE CAN DO AS A BODY.
DO YOU THINK THERE'S ADDITIONAL EFFORTS THAT WE COLLECTIVELY CAN MAKE.
FOR EXAMPLE, RESOLUTIONS TO A PARTICULAR BODY TO ENHANCE FUNDING.
MR.. MAYOR. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL CITY COMMISSION RESOLUTIONS ALREADY ADOPTED BY, YOU KNOW, BY THIS BODY. THEY'VE BEEN TRANSMITTED TO FDOT.
THEY'VE BEEN TRANSMITTED TO MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, TO THE TPO AS WELL, TO THE CITIZENS INDEPENDENT TRANSPORTATION TRUST, THE CITY. SO THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN TWO, TWO OR 2 TO 3 RESOLUTIONS ALREADY ADOPTED BY THIS BODY THAT HAVE BEEN TRANSMITTED TO THE AGENCIES TO ESSENTIALLY, WE'RE JUST ASKING FOR SUPPORT, PRIMARILY FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THESE ENTITIES.
IT'S FOR ONE. YOU SHOULD KNOW THE CAPTAIN, ACTUALLY, BECAUSE THEY.
DO YOU WANT TO LIKE HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, WHICH WAS NICE OF HIM.
I SAID, NO, NO, NO, I'M STANDING HERE IN LINE.
THE LAST THING I WANT TO DO IS CUT THE LINE. SO WE WE ENDED UP NOT GETTING ON.
WE WERE ACTUALLY THE CUT OFF IS 55 PASSENGERS AND WE COULDN'T GET ON.
BUT WHAT'S AMAZING ABOUT THIS PROGRAM IS WE TALK ABOUT THE CONGESTION AND THE TRAFFIC.
THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE, EFFICIENT WAY TO GET ACROSS AN 18 MINUTES TO GET ACROSS BISCAYNE BAY.
AND WE'RE DOING ALL THIS. IT REALLY SHOCKS PEOPLE WHEN YOU TELL THEM WE'RE DOING THIS FOR CLOSE TO A YEAR, EVERY SINGLE DAY DURING WEEKDAYS FOR $1.2 MILLION.
IT'S AN INCREDIBLY EFFICIENT MONETARILY OPTION.
AND OF COURSE, IT'S FUN, IT'S SCENIC AND PEOPLE REALLY ENJOY IT.
BUT LET ME TURN IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUES FIRST.
WE'LL WILL START WITH COMMISSIONER MONACO MATEO- SALINAS AND COMMISSIONER SUAREZ AND COMMISSIONER BHATT. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. SO THIS IS A GREAT ITEM IN THE WATER TAX IS EXCELLENT. AND I'D LIKE TO CO-SPONSOR THIS THIS ITEM IN TERMS OF FUNDING.
AGAIN, I'M SURE WE CAN FIND SOME TYPE OF BUSINESS THAT WANTS TO SPONSOR THE WATER TAXI, EITHER PUTTING ADVERTISEMENTS INSIDE THE WATER TAXI OR EVEN, YOU KNOW, IF IT WAS LIKE A RESTAURANT OR SOMETHING, THEY COULD PASS OUT LITTLE FOOD.
I WANT TO ENCOURAGE US TO LOOK AT ADVERTISING.
[01:45:05]
YOU KNOW, THERE'S JUST SO MANY IDEAS TO PARTNER WITH PRIVATE BUSINESSES.YOU KNOW, THAT MIGHT WANT THIS WATER TAXI THAT HOW MANY PEOPLE RIDE IT AGAIN? ABOUT A THOUSAND A DAY A WEEK, A DAY, A DAY, A DAY, A THOUSAND A DAY.
THERE'S JUST SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES HERE FOR, FOR, FOR PRIVATE SPONSORSHIPS.
AND SO I WANT TO, AND JUST A QUESTION FOR THE CITY MANAGER WHO WOULD BE IN CHARGE OF THAT BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S PROBABLY NOT SAY SO IT'S A COMBINATION OF OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AND OUR MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT.
AND OUR STATIC SIGNS. BUT OBVIOUSLY WE'RE, WE'RE CONSTANTLY TRYING TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO INCREASE THE REVENUE STREAM ON THAT SIDE. LOVELY. THANK YOU. I ALSO WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO MICHAEL RYABOV, WHO'S DONE A LOT OF WORK ON THIS AS WELL.
SO HOW WOULD WE DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT TOO MUCH WHERE WE'RE CHANGING THE LOOK OF THE WATER TAXI, BUT MELISSA. SURE. GOOD MORNING. MELISSA BERTHIER DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS.
WE ACTUALLY DID HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH OUTFRONT TO EXPLORE IT.
AND THEY WEREN'T AS INTERESTED BECAUSE THE VOLUME WASN'T THERE.
SO I'M JUST SHARING. WELL THAT'S THE ISSUE. IT'S NOT THERE YET.
SORRY. SORRY FOR INTERJECTING, BUT IT'S NOT THERE YET.
SO OUT FRONT MAYBE THEY DON'T GET ACCESS TO THIS.
WELL SAID. COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. AND MR. MAYOR, YOU WERE AT THE TPO MEETING WHERE SOME OF THE CONCERNS WERE RAISED BY OTHER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
AND I THINK THERE IS THERE IS CERTAINLY A PROPENSITY FOR FUNDING FROM THE COUNTY FOR THIS PROGRAM.
BUT ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT WAS RAISED WAS AT LEAST IF WE'RE GOING TO IF THEY IF THE COUNTY IS GOING TO ASK FOR MONEY FROM THE STATE FOR FUNDING, THERE HAS TO AT LEAST BE THE APPEARANCE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE IT SELF-SUSTAINABLE.
AS FAR AS FUNDING AS FAR AS MAYBE PERHAPS A FEE.
AND. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A VERY EXPENSIVE FEE, BUT I JUST WANTED TO SEE AND LOOK, I UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT THAT IF IT'S FREE, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO USE IT, BUT IF WE HAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF GOING TO THE COUNTY AND EXPANDING THIS, IF WE WERE TO CHARGE PERHAPS A SMALL FEE, MAYBE A DOLLAR AND THAT WOULD OPEN UP 2 OR 3 DIFFERENT ROUTES.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MY COLLEAGUES WOULD FEEL ABOUT THAT.
MR.. MAYOR MEMBERS COMMISSIONER DID YOU, DID YOU WANT TO ADD.
COMMISSIONER. YEAH. SO I THINK THAT'S AN INTERESTING WAY TO APPROACH IT.
WE COULD ALSO DO SORT OF CHARGE FOR TOURISTS VERSUS CHARGE FOR COMMUTERS.
MAYBE THERE'S A MONTHLY PASS FOR $15 FOR, YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE ARE WAYS TO LOOK AT IT.
I WOULD I THINK A LOT OF US ARE WORKING ON FINDING PRIVATE FUNDING.
I KNOW I AM WORKING WITH ONE OF OUR LARGEST EMPLOYERS TRYING TO DO THAT.
I ALSO KNOW THAT BLUE ZONES, WHICH WE ARE VERY CLOSE TO PUSHING PLAY ON OFFICIALLY, WHICH I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT, BUT THAT'S FOR ANOTHER TIME. IS, YOU KNOW, THIS IS EXACTLY THE SORT OF THING THAT BLUE ZONES WILL HELP US GET FUNDING FOR BECAUSE IT ADDRESSES ONE OF THE QUALITY, MAJOR QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES, AND THEY CAN HELP US EXPAND OUR POOL OF POTENTIAL GRANTS, PRIVATE PHILANTHROPY UNDERWRITING.
SO THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS TO DO IT. SO I, I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SEEING IF WE COULD FIND PRIVATE FUNDING FIRST TO TRY TO KEEP IT FREE OR MAYBE EXPLORE IT CONCURRENTLY AND THEN NOT, YOU KNOW, DECIDE ONCE WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S TO YOUR QUESTION, THE OTHER THINGS THAT I WAS GOING TO, TO ASK JOSE.
ONE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IS HAVING GO NORTH AND SOUTH.
AND SO I KNOW WE'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHERE THE LANDING SPOTS WOULD BE FROM, YOU KNOW, 71ST STREET DOWN TO THE MIAMI MARINA MIAMI BEACH MARINA.
I DON'T WANT US. I THINK WHAT HAPPENS A LOT OF TIMES IS THAT WHEN WE HAVE AN IDEA, WE WAIT UNTIL, YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING IS SET BEFORE WE START DOING THE WORK TO MAKE THE IDEA HAPPEN.
BECAUSE WE ARE ALL RUNNING AROUND DOING LOTS OF OTHER THINGS AT THE SAME TIME.
[01:50:03]
I WANT, I WANT TO MAKE SURE IS THAT WHEN WE DO GET THE FUNDING TO EXPAND, BECAUSE WE WILL, IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF IF, IT'S A QUESTION OF WHEN AND HOW QUICKLY THAT WE ARE READY TO GO WITH.WE HAVE THE SITES IDENTIFIED. WE KNOW WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO GO.
WE KNOW WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE. WE'VE GOT THE PERMIT APPLICATIONS READY TO GO SO THAT WE CAN JUST HIT, YOU KNOW, PRESS PLAY AND GO ASAP BECAUSE IT WILL REALLY STINK IF WE'VE GOT FUNDING IDENTIFIED.
AND THEN IT TAKES THREE YEARS TO START THE PERMITTING PROCESS OR FIGURE OUT WHERE IT'S GOING TO GO.
SO I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE UNDERSTAFFED. MISHA, I, I'M SORRY, IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO FALL ON YOUR SHOULDERS, BUT SO I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT OUT THERE SO THAT WE DON'T LOSE SIGHT OF THAT AND GET CAUGHT SHORT, SHORT SIGHTED. IF ALL OF A SUDDEN WE GET A WINDFALL.
THE OTHER QUESTION I MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT CURRENTLY BIKES ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE FERRY.
IS THAT CORRECT OR IS THAT THEY ARE ALLOWED, THEY ARE ALLOWED.
OKAY. AND E DEVICES, SCOOTERS AS WELL. EVERYTHING IS.
SO IT'S NOT AN ISSUE. IS THERE A LIMIT ON HOW MANY CAN I BELIEVE THERE IS A LIMIT OF FOUR DEVICES.
OKAY FOR FOUR DEVICES PER PER TRIP. AND THAT'S JUST BECAUSE OF THE CAPACITY CONSTRAINT.
BUT THAT LAST MILE CONNECTIVITY SO THAT MAYBE WE THINK ABOUT AT RUSH HOUR, AT RUSH HOUR TIMES.
DO WE ALLOW, YOU KNOW, MAYBE FEWER PEOPLE OR RUN TWO BOATS AT THE SAME TIME SO WE CAN GET MORE E DEVICES OR BIKES GOING BACK AND FORTH SO THAT PEOPLE CAN USE IT AS A TRUE COMMUTER VESSEL, NO PUN INTENDED. TO, TO ADDRESS THAT NEED.
BECAUSE AGAIN, THE MORE PEOPLE WE GET OFF THE ROADS, THE BETTER OFF WE'LL BE. SO JUST FOOD FOR THOUGHT AS YOU KEEP MOVING WITH THIS REALLY EXCELLENT INITIATIVE. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER.
MAGAZINE. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS.
AND RALPH, PLEASE ADD ME AS A CO-SPONSOR FOR THIS.
IN TERMS OF CHARGING AND I DON'T KNOW THE DYNAMICS THAT WERE DISCUSSED AT TPO.
SO THIS COMMENT IS KIND OF ABSENT HAVING THAT BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE.
BUT IT'S ACTUALLY THERE WAS A FASCINATING INTERVIEW JUST THIS MORNING ON CNBC BY JEFF BEZOS, AND HE ADVOCATED FOR REDUCING THE TAXES FOR PEOPLE MAKING $75,000 PER YEAR OR LESS.
BUT HE SAID IT'S NOT REDUCED THEM TO 3% OR 5% OR 10%.
SO IF WE'RE DISCUSSING PRICE DYNAMICS, PERHAPS WE KIND OF DO SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO MAKE IT SELF-SUSTAINABLE, WHICH WILL PROBABLY DECREASE RIDERSHIP, BUT RAISE A LITTLE BIT MORE MONEY OR FREE.
RIGHT. SO MAYBE 3 OR 4, 4 OR $5 PER RIDE OR FREE.
I THINK IF WE GO WITH SOMETHING CEREMONIAL, LIKE TWO BUCKS, WE'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO GENERATE MUCH REVENUE, BUT WE'LL LOSE A LOT OF RIDERSHIP JUST BECAUSE THERE'S SOME PEOPLE OR IF THEY HAVE TO PAY, WHETHER IT BE $0.10 A QUARTER OR A DOLLAR, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO RIDE IT.
YOU'RE GOING TO GET YOUR CORE RIDERS. SO I THINK WE JUST DECIDE, DO WE MAKE THE DECISION TO GET ON THE PATH TOWARDS IT BEING SELF-SUSTAINING? AND IF THAT IS, THEN WE ACTUALLY HAVE A TANGIBLE AMOUNT THERE OR ZERO.
YEAH. MY THINKING ON THIS IS THAT WE HAD IN THE PAST, OUR CITY HAS TRIED PAID FOR SERVICES BY PRIVATE OPERATORS, WHICH I VOTED AGAINST BECAUSE THEY FAILED. THEY CHARGED TOO MUCH MONEY AND THEIR PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO USE THEM.
SO MAYBE IN SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE THERE'S A PLACE TO CHARGE A MINIMUM AMOUNT.
BUT THIS IS STILL IN ITS INFANCY. AS YOU SAY, THE RIDERSHIP KEEPS INCREASING.
THERE'S AN EXCITEMENT LEVEL TO IT. WE WANT PEOPLE OFF THE ROADS.
IT'S IT'S INCREDIBLE BECAUSE WE TALK ABOUT I MEAN, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND FDOT DOES STUDIES, WE'RE CODE RED IN SOUTH FLORIDA. IT'S NOT JUST MIAMI BEACH, IT'S SOUTH FLORIDA.
WE'RE CODE RED. THIS IS FOR LITERALLY THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT DOING A BAYLINK.
AND THAT'S NOT THIS DISCUSSION, WHICH WOULD COST OVER $1 BILLION.
THIS IS $1 MILLION. WE ARE PROVIDING A SERVICE LITERALLY ALMOST EVERY DAY.
I MEAN, EVERY WEEKDAY. AND FOR TEN, 15, $20 MILLION, WE COULD HAVE A WHOLE NETWORK GOING.
IT'S, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S LITERALLY PEANUTS COMPARED TO A BIGGER PICTURE AND OTHER OPTIONS.
I MEAN, THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT BUILDING HIGHWAYS UP OVER THE MACARTHUR OR THE TUTTLE.
WE'RE TALKING BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND YEARS.
THIS IS A WATER TAXI THAT WE COULD GET LITERALLY UP AND RUNNING IN A MATTER OF WEEKS, IF NOT, IF NOT IN LITERALLY IN A MATTER OF WEEKS. AND WE'RE TALKING IN THE IN THE LOW MILLIONS OF DOLLARS,
[01:55:05]
TEN, 20, $30 MILLION TO RUN A WHOLE NETWORK. SO I DON'T GET WHY IT IS EVEN SO DIFFICULT TO TO GET THAT FUNDING.AND THEY'RE MORE THE INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH IS NECESSARY.
BUT WE'VE WE WE NOW HAVE THAT SUCCESS, WHICH WE NEVER HAD BEFORE WITH ANY OF THE OPERATORS.
I KNOW OUR WE'RE COMPLETELY SUPPORTIVE AND WE NEED TO JUST KEEP PUSHING THIS FORWARD TOGETHER.
MR. MAYOR, COMMISSIONER, HAVE YOU HAS THERE BEEN OUTREACH TO FIND.
BECAUSE IT'S A WATER. AREN'T THEY THE PEOPLE WHO HELPED US WITH THE MARINE WITH THE MOORING FIELD? IT'S WATER TRANSPORTATION. IT'S ECOLOGICALLY SOUND.
IT MIGHT MAYBE THIS FALLS WITHIN THEIR PURVIEW OF, OF FUNDING.
SO I JUST WANT TO CHIME IN FOR FIND THAT'S THEY'RE MORALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ONE TIME PROJECTS.
I DON'T THINK THEY, I DON'T THINK THEY FUND ONGOING.
NO, BUT THEY COULD FUND THE BUILDING OF THE DOCKS, FOR INSTANCE. YEAH.
AND THAT'S CORRECT. COMMISSIONER WE HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH ONE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM FIND, AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE LEARNED, WHICH THE MAYOR TOUCHED ON, IS THAT IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL FUNDS, WE NEED TO SHOW SUCCESS. WE ALSO NEED TO SHOW THAT WE'VE DONE OUR DUE DILIGENCE AND OUR RESEARCH IN TERMS OF WHERE THE DOCK WILL BE LOCATED, WHAT WILL IT COST? AND SO THAT'S GOING TO REQUIRE, AND IT'S SOMETHING WE'RE WORKING ON NOW, IS TAKING THE INITIAL, THE INITIAL FEASIBILITY STUDY THAT WE DID THAT WAS DONE BY A WATER TAXI, NATIONAL WATER TAXI EXPERT, KPF. WE'RE TAKING THAT ANALYSIS AND, YOU KNOW, DRILLING DOWN.
AND AS A MATTER OF FACT, THIS ITEM, THE MAYOR'S ITEM LISTS SEVERAL LOCATIONS AND ALL OF THESE LOCATIONS ARE ON EITHER THE CPFE FEASIBILITY STUDY OR THE TPO'S FEASIBILITY STUDY.
BUT THOSE ARE HIGH LEVEL FEASIBILITY STUDIES. WE NEED TO NOW TAKE THOSE AND DRILL DOWN ON THESE LOCATIONS TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT IT WILL TAKE AND WHAT WHAT IT WILL COST TO BUILD A DOCK AT THAT LOCATION. AND THEN WE'LL BE BETTER POSITIONED TO BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR THE CAPITAL OF FUNDS THAT ARE PROVIDED BY FIND AND BY THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION. AND AS THE DRILLING DOWN IN THOSE LOCATIONS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN IDENTIFIED, IS THAT COVERED WITHIN YOUR DEPARTMENT, OR IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE ALSO NEED TO FIND FUNDING FOR? WE ARE IN THE SCOPING PROCESS, SO I DON'T HAVE A COST FOR YOU YET, BUT WE MAY NEED AN INFLUX OF FUNDING IN ORDER TO GET TO THAT NEXT PHASE, THAT MORE DETAILED PHASE THAT LOOKS AT ALL OF THESE LOCATIONS AND DETERMINES FEASIBILITY, DETERMINES WHERE THE DOCK WOULD BE LOCATED. WILL YOU HAVE THAT INFORMATION SO THAT WE CAN FIGURE IT OUT AS PART OF OUR BUDGET PROCESS FOR 27? I CAN CERTAINLY HAVE A COST. YES. YEAH. OKAY.
LET'S MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAPTURE, PLEASE.
THANK YOU. MR. MAYOR. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. I'LL JUST BE QUICK. THERE'S ONE THING THAT I DO KNOW.
JUST HAVING OBSERVED GOVERNMENT FOR A LONG TIME.
FREE TRANSPORTATION IS SUCCESSFUL TRANSPORTATION.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE METRORAIL, THE METRORAIL HAS HAD GREAT SUCCESS BECAUSE IT IS FARE FREE.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TROLLEY SERVICES, THE TROLLEY SERVICES ARE SUCCESSFUL THROUGHOUT ALL THE MUNICIPALITIES BECAUSE IN THE LARGE PART THERE, THERE ARE FREE. AND ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR MUNICIPAL TROLLEY.
AND I THINK THAT THAT'S PART OF THE SUCCESS OF THIS ITERATION, MR. MAYOR OF THE WATER TAXI THAT YOU'VE LED ON AND THAT YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED.
BECAUSE I DO, I DO THINK WE NEED SOMEONE THAT IS DEDICATED ON ADVANCING THIS.
AND SO I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT OUT THERE AS A SUGGESTION.
I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO ERIC. I LIKE THAT, THANK YOU.
I MEAN, I'M WONDERING IF ERIC AND THE CITY ADMINISTRATION CAN COME BACK WITH A PROPOSAL.
YEAH, WE CAN CERTAINLY TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND SEE WHAT MAKES SENSE.
AND OBVIOUSLY, WE WOULD WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY WERE BRINGING IN MORE THAN THEY WERE COSTING.
RIGHT. THAT'S ALWAYS THE I FIGURED WITH YOUR COUNTY CONNECTIONS.
[02:00:03]
COMMISSIONER. I KNOW COMMISSIONER. MAGAZINE. I LIKE THE IDEA.COMMISSIONER. FERNANDEZ ABOUT HAVING A LOBBYIST, BUT NOT BUT THIS ISN'T THE BUT ISN'T TOWARDS YOU.
OF ALL THE LOBBYISTS THAT DO BUSINESS IN FRONT OF US IN THE CITY.
ARE YOU TELLING. NOT YOU. I'M JUST. ARE THERE NONE OF THEM? YEAH. FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY. FOR THE GOOD OF THE CITY.
THE CITY THAT THEY LIVE IN, THE CITY THAT THEY MAKE A LIVING IN.
AND I THINK THERE'S WAYS TO DO IT. I LOVE THE FACT THAT YOU'RE MENTIONING IT, COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, BECAUSE YOU'RE, YOU'RE YOU'RE HIGHLIGHTING IT FOR PEOPLE. BUT I GUESS IT BEHOOVES US TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT'S POTENTIAL.
I THINK THE CONCERN IS HOW MUCH WE'D BE SPENDING ON IT.
YEAH. WE'LL, WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT DIFFERENT OPTIONS AND MAYBE BRING BACK A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT ONES.
GREAT. THANK YOU JOSE. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. YES.
SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD IDEA. LET'S CALL.
R5F. R5F IS AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION.
[R5 F AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 46 OF THE CITY CODE, ENTITLED “ENVIRONMENT,” BY AMENDING ARTICLE IV, ENTITLED “NOISE,” BY AMENDING SECTION 46-152, ENTITLED “NOISES; UNNECESSARY AND EXCESSIVE PROHIBITED,” BY AMENDING SUBSECTION (B) TO REDUCE THE DISTANCE TO ESTABLISH PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF THE SPECIFIED NOISE VIOLATION DURING SPECIFIED HOURS; PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 46 OF THE CITY CODE ENTITLED ENVIRONMENT BY AMENDING ARTICLE FOUR ENTITLED NOISE BY AMENDING SECTION 46-152 ENTITLED NOISES UNNECESSARY AND EXCESSIVE PROHIBITED BY AMENDING SUBSECTION B TO REDUCE DISTANCE TO ESTABLISH PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF THE SPECIFIED NOISE VIOLATION DURING SPECIFIED HOURS PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE I MOVE THE ITEM IS A SECOND READING.PUBLIC HEARING SECOND R5F. I SEE NO ONE ON ZOOM AND NO ONE.
I SEE NO ONE ON ZOOM AND NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE REQUESTING TO SPEAK OR ADDING COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE.
AS A SPONSOR, I BELIEVE I HEARD A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BHATT AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS. OKAY, SO IF THERE'S NO DISCUSSION, I'LL CALL THE ROLL.
MATEO- SALINAS. YES, COMMISSIONER. BAT YES. VICE COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE.
YES. VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ. YES. COMMISSIONER SUAREZ.
YES. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, I HEARD A YES. MAYOR MINOR.
YES. MOTION IS APPROVED SEVEN ZERO. THAT WAS ITEM R5F.
LET'S CALL R5A. R5. A IS AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH,
[R5 A AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 78 OF THE MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE, ENTITLED "PERSONNEL," BY AMENDING ARTICLE V, ENTITLED “CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES’ LEAVE,” BY AMENDING SECTION 78-282 ENTITLED “DEFINITIONS” CLARIFYING THE DEFINITION OF “IMMEDIATE FAMILY” BY ELIMINATING DUPLICATIVE LANGUAGE; BY AMENDING SECTION 78-285 TO ALLOW SERVICE MEMBERS TO CASH OUT ON HOURS ACCRUED IN EXCESS OF THE CARRY-FORWARD CAP OTHERWISE FORFEITED AS A RESULT OF ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY; BY AMENDING SECTION 78-286 TO INCREASE THE CAP ON THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF ANNUAL LEAVE HOURS THAT MAY BE ACCRUED FROM 500 HOURS TO 600 HOURS RETROACTIVE TO DECEMBER 31, 2025; BY AMENDING SECTION 78-290 SUBJECTING PAID HOLIDAYS TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PROVISIONS GOVERNING HOLIDAY PAY, IF APPLICABLE; BY AMENDING SECTION 78-292 TO AUTHORIZE TRANSFER OF PART OR ALL ACCRUED LEAVE TO AN EMPLOYEE’S 457(B) ACCOUNT UPON RETIREMENT, RESIGNATION, TERMINATION OR DEATH AND AUTHORIZE THE USE OF ACCRUED LEAVE TO BE USED TO EXTINGUISH A DEBT OWED TO THE CITY SUCH AS REIMBURSEMENT OF OVERPAYMENTS THROUGH PAYROLL OR UNPAID INSURANCE PREMIUMS; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT WITH THIS ORDINANCE; AND FURTHER, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 78 OF THE MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE ENTITLED PERSONNEL BY AMENDING ARTICLE FIVE ENTITLED CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES LEAVE BY AMENDING SECTION 78-2A2 ENTITLED DEFINITIONS CLARIFYING THE DEFINITION OF IMMEDIATE FAMILY BY ELIMINATING DUPLICATIVE LANGUAGE BY AMENDING SECTION 78-285 TO ALLOW SERVICE MEMBERS TO CASH OUT ON HOURS ACCRUED IN EXCESS OF THE CARRYFORWARD CAP, OTHERWISE FORFEITED AS A RESULT OF THE ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY BY AMENDING SECTION 78-286 TO INCREASE THE CAP OF THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF ANNUAL LEAVE HOURS THAT MAY BE ACCRUED FROM 500 HOURS TO 600 HOURS, RETROACTIVE TO DECEMBER 31ST, 2025.BY AMENDING SECTION 78-290, SUBJECTING PAID HOLIDAYS TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PROVISIONS GOVERNING HOLIDAY PAY, IF APPLICABLE, BY AMENDING SECTION 78-29292 TO AUTHORIZE TRANSFER OF PART OR ALL OF ACCRUED LEAVE TO EMPLOYEES FOR 57 B ACCOUNT UPON RETIREMENT, RESIGNATION, TERMINATION OR DEATH AND AUTHORIZE THE USE OF ACCRUED LEAVE TO BE USED TO EXTINGUISH A DEBT OWED BY THE CITY, SUCH AS REIMBURSEMENT OF OVERPAYMENTS THROUGH PAYROLL OR UNPAID INSURANCE PREMIUMS. REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT WITH THIS ORDINANCE AND FURTHER PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE.
THIS IS A SECOND READING PUBLIC HEARING AND IS ITEM R5A COMMISSIONER.
THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. MATEO- SALINAS. SO HI MALA.
THIS IS AN ITEM THAT WE'RE DOING THAT WILL BENEFIT OUR EMPLOYEES.
SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP THEM FEEL A LITTLE BIT BETTER AND APPRECIATED HERE.
MALA ALPIZAR, HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR. YES, COMMISSIONER.
THANK YOU. THIS IS A ORDINANCE. THIS AND ITS COMPANION ITEM FOR UNCLASSIFIED LEAVE AS WELL, WILL ALLOW US TO ALIGN WITH OUR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS AND RAISE THE THE AMOUNT OF LEAVE ACCRUAL TO REMAIN CONSTANT BETWEEN YEARS FROM 500 MAXIMUM TO 600 MAXIMUM.
THAT IS THE PROPOSAL BEFORE YOU. PLAIN ENGLISH PLEASE.
[02:05:04]
SO WHEN YOU ACCRUE VACATION YOU CAN GET TO A MAXIMUM OF RIGHT NOW UNDER THE ORDINANCE OF 500 HOURS, THIS ORDINANCE WILL CHANGE THE MAXIMUM EVERY BEFORE THAT CAN BE CARRIED FROM YEAR TO YEAR TO 600 HOURS.SO ESSENTIALLY, IF YOU'RE WORKING REALLY, REALLY HARD AND YOU NEVER TAKE DAYS OFF AND YOU LOVE YOUR JOB AND YOU LOVE THIS CITY AND YOU BUST YOUR BUTT AND YOU DON'T TAKE YOUR TIME, YOU CAN NOW ROLL OVER TO MORE TIME TO THE NEXT YEAR.
THAT IS CORRECT. HOW DOES THAT ULTIMATELY IMPACT.
PENSIONS AND. I ALWAYS HEAR THESE INFAMOUS STORIES OF THE LONG ISLAND RAILROAD, RIGHT? THESE GUYS WILL JUST STACK VACATION DAYS, AND THEN WHEN THEY GO TO RETIRE, THEY'LL SAY, OH, I HAVE ALL THESE VACATION DAYS. I'M WORKING THIS EXTRA OVERTIME.
WHAT ARE THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THIS? THERE ARE NO FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS TO SPEAK OF, BECAUSE THE CAP FOR WHEN YOU'RE PAID OUT, WHEN YOU LEAVE THE CITY IS REMAINS THE SAME AT 620 FOR VACATION.
SO THERE'S NO CHANGE TO THE FINAL PAYOUT CAP.
THIS IS THE AMOUNT OF LEAVE THAT YOU CAN ROLL OVER FROM YEAR TO YEAR.
UNFORTUNATELY. DOES THIS PAY THEM OUT THEIR VACATION? I CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION? THEY GET PAID OUT THEIR VACATION OR THEY JUST GET TO TAKE MORE THE NEXT YEAR.
BUT WHEN YOU'RE WORKING HERE AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF VACATION BECAUSE YOU DON'T USE ALL YOUR VACATION FROM YEAR TO YEAR, YOU CAN ONLY CARRY OVER 500, 500 WATT HOURS. SO TRANSLATE THAT FOR ME.
SO IF I'VE BEEN HERE FOR A LONG TIME AND I HAVE 520 HOURS AND I CAN'T TAKE TIME OFF.
OH, I'M SORRY, I THOUGHT YOU SAID PER YEAR. OKAY.
RIGHT. AND THAT YEAR WE WOULD HAVE TO SWIPE 20 HOURS FROM YOU SO THAT YOU COULD ONLY CARRY FROM YEAR TO YEAR, 500 HOURS. BUT WHEN YOU LEAVE THE CITY, YOU CAN BE PAID UP TO SIX, 20 HOURS.
SO THIS BRINGS THE CAP TO 600 SO THAT FROM YEAR TO YEAR THE CAP CAN STAY CONSTANT.
AT 600 WHEN YOU LEAVE THE CITY. YOU MAY BE PAID UP TO 620, SO THERE COULD BE SIGNIFICANT.
JASON. THERE COULD BE SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THIS.
SO THERE THE CITY BOOKS, THE THE AND I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT, BUT WE, WE MAINTAIN OUR LIABILITIES BASED ON THE CAP WHEN YOU'RE PAID OUT, WHICH IS 620 USE JUST ME AS AN EXAMPLE OR JOE EMPLOYEE IF I CAN. JASON GREENE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER TO JUST DANCE DIRECTLY THE QUESTION ABOUT PENSIONABLE.
IT SAYS FORGET PENSION. OKAY? I JUST WILL NOT FORGET IT.
INCLUDE THAT, BUT DON'T MAKE IT EXHAUSTIVE OF JUST PENSION.
SO YOUR PENSION IS BASED ON WHAT YOUR ANNUAL SALARY IS.
SO IF YOU HAVE AN ANNUAL SALARY OF $80,000, YOUR PENSION WOULD BE BASED ON 80,000 REGARDLESS IF YOU GOT PAID OUT ON UNUSED VACATION OF 20 HOURS OR 500 HOURS, AND YOU ONLY GET PAID OUT, THE PAYOUT AMOUNT OF THE CAP OF 620 DOESN'T CHANGE IN HERE.
WHILE THE CAP DOESN'T GO UP, BUT LET'S SAY WE ROLL OVER AN EXTRA HOW MANY HOURS PER YEAR PER INDIVIDUAL? THE CAP WAS IS PROPOSED TO BE RAISED FROM 500 PER YEAR TO 600 PER YEAR.
SO YOU HAVE TO USE THAT 100 HOURS DURING THAT YEAR, YOU WOULDN'T GET PAID OUT.
SO AGAIN, THE FINANCIAL IMPACT I'M WRITING A CHECK.
IT WOULD JUST ALLOW THE EMPLOYEE TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT MORE VACATION THE NEXT YEAR.
AND BECAUSE OF JUST THE HOUR JOBS LIKE MYSELF, WHEN MY FAMILY IS OUT DURING THE SUMMER, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE TEACHERS, YOU KNOW, I CAN ONLY TAKE A FEW ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THE JULY COMMISSION MEETING.
[02:10:03]
HOW MANY? I GUESS I'M GETTING CONFUSED BY THESE NUMBER OF HOURS PER YEAR.WE'RE RAISING THE CAP THAT YOU CAN ROLL OVER PER YEAR.
IT'S NOT CUMULATIVE. SO IT'S NOT 500 AND ANOTHER 500, THEN ANOTHER 500, THEN ANOTHER 500.
IT'S JUST A MAX OF 500. BUT WHY ARE WE SEEING PER YEAR? BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE AT THE END OF EACH CALENDAR YEAR, THE AMOUNT THAT WE ROLLED OVER.
HOW MUCH CAN YOU ROLL OVER EVERY SINGLE YEAR? SO, OKAY, HOW MUCH COULD YOU ACCRUE IN ANY GIVEN YEAR? OH, WOW. I'M NOT GOOD AT THIS. I BELIEVE THAT COMMISSIONER.
IF I COULD WHEN YOU START WORKING FOR THE CITY, YOU GET A UP TO TWO WEEKS VACATION.
SO YOU'RE LOOKING, YOU'RE LOOKING AT ABOUT 120 HOURS THAT YOU COULD GAIN AT THAT POINT IN TIME.
THAT WAS THROWING ME OFF BECAUSE IF WE SO IF YOU HAVE 120 EVERY YEAR, EVERY YEAR WHEN DECEMBER COMES, IF UP TO 500, YOU CAN ROLL IT TO THE NEXT YEAR AND YOU DON'T LOSE IT.
IF YOU HAVE 520 HOURS, AS MARLA WAS SAYING, THEN WHEN WE ROLL OVER, 20 HOURS DROPS OFF AND YOU ONLY TAKE 500 FORWARD, ALL THIS DOES IS ALLOW YOU NOW TO CARRY OVER THE MAXIMUM OF 600 HOURS.
IT STILL DOESN'T HAVE ANY IMPACT ON THAT FINAL MAXIMUM PAYOUT THAT YOU COULD GET OF 620.
SO IT JUST IT, IT DOESN'T IF YOU'RE, IT DOESN'T FORCE YOU TO TAKE THAT VACATION AT THE END OF THE YEAR JUST TO BE ABLE TO BURN THOSE HOURS, WHICH IS WHAT ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE IS THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU GET TO THE END OF THE YEAR, YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO BE ABLE TO TAKE A VACATION. YOU COULDN'T FOR WHATEVER WORK REASONS.
BUT ONCE YOU GET TO THAT 600, NOW YOU THAT'S, THAT'S THE MAX YOU.
I'M HAVING A HARD TIME MAKING LOGIC OF THAT, BUT I'LL TAKE YOUR WORD FOR IT.
THANK YOU SIR. I HOPE IT'S NOT THE THE FOX GUARDING THE HENHOUSE, YOU KNOW, TELLING THEM BUT NO, I SAY THAT IN JEST. OKAY. THERE'S NO FINANCIAL IMPACT.
I'LL TAKE YOUR WORD TO TRY AND MAKE LOGIC OUT OF THAT LATER.
IF. NO, I HAVE A MOTION. SECOND. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING. I SEE NO ONE ON ZOOM AND NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE.
I'M GOING TO CALL THE ROLL. VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ.
YES. COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS. YES. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
YES. COMMISSIONER BHATT. YES. COMMISSIONER. MAGAZINE.
YES. COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. YES. MAYOR. YES. MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM R5A IS APPROVED. MAY I DO COMPANION ITEM R5B? YES. R5B IS AN ORDER OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION AMENDING CHAPTER 78 OF MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE ENTITLED PERSONNEL BY AMENDING ARTICLE FOUR ENTITLED UNCLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE LEAVE
[R5 B AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 78 OF THE MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE, ENTITLED "PERSONNEL," BY AMENDING ARTICLE IV, ENTITLED “UNCLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES’ LEAVE,” BY AMENDING SECTION 78-181 ENTITLED “DEFINITIONS” CLARIFYING THE DEFINITION OF “IMMEDIATE FAMILY” BY ELIMINATING DUPLICATIVE LANGUAGE; BY AMENDING SECTION 78-182 TO ALLOW SERVICE MEMBERS TO CASH OUT ON HOURS ACCRUED IN EXCESS OF THE CARRY-FORWARD CAP OTHERWISE FORFEITED AS A RESULT OF ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY; BY AMENDING SECTION 78-183 TO INCREASE THE CAP ON THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF ANNUAL LEAVE HOURS THAT MAY BE ACCRUED FROM 500 HOURS TO 600 HOURS RETROACTIVE TO DECEMBER 31, 2025; BY AMENDING SECTION 78-189 TO AUTHORIZE TRANSFER OF PART OR ALL ACCRUED LEAVE TO AN EMPLOYEE’S 457(B) ACCOUNT UPON RETIREMENT, RESIGNATION, TERMINATION OR DEATH AND AUTHORIZE THE USE OF ACCRUED LEAVE TO BE USED TO EXTINGUISH A DEBT OWED TO THE CITY SUCH AS REIMBURSEMENT OF OVERPAYMENTS THROUGH PAYROLL OR UNPAID INSURANCE PREMIUMS; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT WITH THIS ORDINANCE; AND FURTHER, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
BY AMENDING SECTION 78-181 ENTITLED DEFINITIONS CLARIFYING THE DEFINITION OF IMMEDIATE FAMILY BY ELIMINATING DUPLICATIVE LANGUAGE BY AMENDING SECTION 78.182 TO ALLOW SERVICE MEMBERS TO CASH OUT ON HOURS ACCRUED IN EXCESS OF THE CARRYFORWARD CAP, OTHERWISE FORFEITED AS A RESULT OF THE ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY BY AMENDING SECTION 78-183 TO INCREASE THE CAP OF THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF ANNUAL LEAVE HOURS THAT MAY BE ACCRUED FROM 500 HOURS TO 600 HOURS, RETROACTIVE TO DECEMBER 31ST, 2025, BY AMENDING SECTION 78-1 HUNDRED NINE TO AUTHORIZE TRANSFER OF PART OR ALL OF ACCRUED LEAVE TO EMPLOYEES FOR 57 B ACCOUNT UPON RETIREMENT, RESIGNATION, TERMINATION OR DEATH AND AUTHORIZE THE USE OF ACCRUED LEAVE TO BE USED TO EXTINGUISH A DEBT OWED BY THE CITY OWED TO THE CITY, SUCH AS REIMBURSEMENT OF OVERPAYMENTS THROUGH PAYROLL OR UNPAID INSURANCE PREMIUMS. REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT WITH THIS ORDINANCE AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS A SECOND READING PUBLIC HEARING.IT IS ITEM R5B. I'D LIKE TO MOVE THE ITEM. SECOND.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MONICA MATEO- SALINAS.
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING.
I SEE NO ONE ON ZOOM AND I SEE NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE.
VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ. YES. COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS.
YES. COMMISSIONER. FERNANDEZ. YES. COMMISSIONER.
MAGAZINE. YES. COMMISSIONER. BART. YES. COMMISSIONER.
SUAREZ. MAYOR. MINOR. YES. MOTION CARRIES. THE ITEM IS APPROVED.
THAT WAS ITEM R5B. R SEVEN EIGHT.
YES. YES, SIR. R7AER7A IS APPROVED. SECOND AMENDMENT TO LINCOLN ROAD BID MOU R7AE.
[R7 AE A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO NEGOTIATE SECOND AMENDMENT (AMENDMENT NO. 2) TO THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING DATED DECEMBER 21, 2022 (THE “MOU”) BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AND THE LINCOLN ROAD BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, INC. (“LRBID”); SAID AMENDMENT NO. 2 EXTENDING THE TERM OF THE MOU BY ONE ADDITIONAL YEAR, COMMENCING ON OCTOBER 1, 2026 AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2027, AND CONTINUING CITY FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $164,160 PER YEAR (OR $13,680 PER MONTH) TO THE LRBID FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MAINTENANCE, HOSPITALITY, AND SAFETY SERVICES WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE DISTRICT; AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE SAID AMENDMENT NO. 2.]
THANK YOU JOHN. FIRST, I WANT TO THANK THE LINCOLN ROAD BID ON ANNABELLE LOPEZ IS HERE AND ALL THE WORK THEY DO.[02:15:05]
YOU SEE WHEN YOU COME DOWN LINCOLN ROAD THERE'S A LOT OF ACTIVATIONS.JUST OPEN A FIFA STORE THE OTHER DAY, WHICH WAS A NICE ADDITION.
IT'S ROBUST. IT'S ALIVE. TAKE IT AWAY, JOHN. ALL RIGHT.
WE'RE HERE TODAY TO TO EXTEND THE CITY'S FUNDING FOR THE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF HOSPITALITY, THE WORK THAT THEY DO BLOCK BY BLOCK ON LINCOLN ROAD.
SECOND HOLD ON. I HEARD A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY MAYOR MINOR ON ITEM R7AE.
ALL IN FAVOR? I'M SORRY, CAN WE CAN WE JUST SPECIFY WHAT THIS IS? I MEAN, IF I'M THE PUBLIC I'M JUST SITTING HERE WATCHING THIS.
OH. WHAT'S THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO LINCOLN ROAD BID MOU IF YOU WANT TO COME UP.
ANNABELLE IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LINCOLN ROAD BID.
I THINK EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT THE BID DOES. BUT WHAT IS THE AMENDMENT? SO THE BID AND THE CITY HAS HAD AN MOU SINCE, I THINK 2017 TO GO IN PARTNERSHIP WITH REALLY CLEANLINESS AND AMBASSADOR PROGRAM ON LINCOLN ROAD. AND RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A COMPANY CALLED BLOCK BY BLOCK.
THEY DO A LOT OF THE URBAN DISTRICTS AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS THE NATION.
SO THERE REALLY ARE EYES AND EARS OF. IF THERE'S A HOUSE SITUATION, IF SOMEBODY BROKE INTO A STORE.
WORKING WITH THE TENANTS, WORKING WITH THE VISITORS WHO COME TO LINCOLN ROAD.
WHY DO WE NOT DO THAT? I. WELL, IT'S A PARTNERSHIP THERE.
YEAH. I SENT AN EMAIL. I WALKED LINCOLN ROAD EVERY SINGLE DAY.
EVERY SINGLE DAY. CONSTANTLY JUST LOOKING WHAT IS GOOD, WHAT IS BAD, WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED.
AND I'M LIKE, WHERE ARE WE GETTING BANG FOR OUR BUCK? SO WHO CLEANS THE LINCOLN ROAD ON VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS? MAYBE IF WE COULD HAVE JOHN COME UP HERE AS WELL.
YOU HAVE SANITATION OUT THERE. YOU HAVE GREEN SPACE OUT THERE.
WE'RE TAKING CARE OF THE FOUNTAINS. AND THEN WE HAVE THIS, THIS ADDITIONAL SERVICE, ALMOST LIKE AMBASSADORS AND ADDITIONAL CLEANING THAT THAT'S OUT THERE AS WELL. OUT THERE, YOU MIGHT SEE THEM WITH THEIR PAILS AND THEIR T SHIRTS AND WHATNOT, BUT VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS DO THE INDIVIDUAL SHOP OWNERS HAVE OR STORES HAVE ANY REQUIREMENT FOR THE PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY IN FRONT OF THEIR BUILDINGS? OR IS THAT ALL THE CITY AND THESE PARTNERSHIPS? NO, THERE IS A, THE PRIVATE SECTOR DOESN'T HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITY IN CLEANING ANYTHING BEYOND THEIR LEASE LINE.
THAT IS ALL PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY. AND HOW ABOUT FOR THESE DEEP CLEANINGS? TELL ME MAYBE JOHN THE HEAVY DUTY PRESSURE WASHERS, HEAVY DUTY PRESSURE WASHING CITY DOES HANDLE THAT.
AND WE ALSO HAVE SANITATION CREWS, HAND CREWS WORKING THE AREA ALL DAY LONG.
THEY'RE EMPTYING TRASH AND ASSISTING IN PICKING UP WITHIN THE BID.
THEY DID A WALK THROUGH ALL CITY TEAMS AND WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THE ROAD RIGHT NOW DOING EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE PAINTING, THE DEEP PRESSURE CLEANING IN PREPARATION. I REQUEST THAT WE ALL DO A WALK THROUGH TOMORROW MORNING.
I DO WANT EVERY SINGLE DAY. I'M NOT HAPPY ABOUT HAVING TO HAVE THE WORLD CUP AS A CATALYST FOR THE GUM, THE DIRT TO TO LOOK WORLD CLASS, RIGHT? IT SHOULDN'T JUST BE BECAUSE OF THE WORLD CUP.
AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M NOT OFF IN MY ANALYSIS.
IF YOU COULD, FRIDAY MORNING, I'D BE AVAILABLE. JUST FOR THE RECORD, FRIDAY MORNING IS AS THE JEWISH RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY OF SHAVUOT, SO I WON'T BE ABLE TO DO IT FRIDAY MORNING. BUT IF YOU DO IT TOMORROW MORNING, I'LL BE THERE.
AND DOES THIS INCREASE FUNDING THE AMENDMENT? SO YES, IT INCORPORATES A CPI, THE CPI FROM WHAT WAS AGREED TO LAST YEAR.
[02:20:03]
SO JUST CPI INCREASE. PERFECT. I APPRECIATE YOU AND THE BID.MY DAUGHTER KNOWS BETTER THAN I. YES. MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER.
YES. TOLD ME. AND WE. I ACTUALLY TOOK HER DOWN THERE.
IT WAS INCREDIBLE. IT WAS, IT WAS WE WERE WE HAD CLOSE TO 9000 PEOPLE COME FOR THAT ACTIVATION.
THE SWATCH WAS INTERESTING. IT WAS YES. GLOBALLY SWATCH WAS AN INTERESTING DROP.
SO THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO. NO PROBLEM.
COMMISSIONER. MATEO- SALINAS. I'D ACTUALLY LIKE TO CO-SPONSOR THIS ITEM BECAUSE I, I'M ACTUALLY, I SEE THE BLOCK BY BLOCK FOLKS THAT WALK AROUND AND THEY HAVE THE SHIRTS ON AND THEY ALWAYS SMILE AT ME AND THEY ARE VERY FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL.
AND SO IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM AND I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU'RE ALSO INVESTING IN THIS PROGRAM.
IN ADDITION, THAT WE COVER THE COST OF THE RENT FOR THE OFFICE THAT THEY HAVE TO BE HOUSED OUT OF.
IT'S MUCH NEEDED BECAUSE WE CAN REACT TO THINGS A LOT QUICKER.
6 A.M. MR. MAYOR. COMMISSIONER. BHATT. I THINK, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN THEY WERE ACTUALLY MEMORIALIZED IN LINCOLN ROAD HUSTLE, RIGHT. WEREN'T TWO OF THE CHARACTERS TALKING ABOUT THEIR JOBS AND WHAT WAS GOING ON? AND IT WAS, THEY ARE NOW PART OF MIAMI BEACH LAW IN, IN ADDITION TO BEING VERY HELPFUL IN PROVIDING A USEFUL SERVICE.
THAT'S, THAT'S A PRETTY COOL THING TOO. YEAH. THROUGH THE CHAIR, IF I MAY.
THE AMENDMENT IS EXTENDING THE AGREEMENT FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR.
SO THAT IS THE REASON FOR THE AMENDMENT. GREAT.
ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. WHILE STERN, WHO YES, WE LOVE WORKING WITH.
I'M ALSO GOING TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT BECAUSE I'VE ACTUALLY HEARD RECENTLY A NUMBER OF RESIDENTS COMMEND US AS A BODY, OUR POLICE. YES, BECAUSE IT'S A CONSTANT EFFORT, BUT THERE USED TO BE A PRETTY LARGE ISSUE, ESPECIALLY EARLY MORNINGS WITH, WITH HOMELESS POPULATION ON LINCOLN ROAD AND A NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMMENTED THAT THEY WALK OUT THERE EVERY DAY EARLY AND THEY DO NOT SEE THOSE SAME ISSUES. WE HAVE DEFINITELY SEEN A POSITIVE CHANGE ON THAT.
SO THANKS. THANK YOU TO ALL INVOLVED ON THAT.
GREAT. THANK YOU. SO LET'S TAKE THE VOTE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY MAYOR MINOR.
ALL IN FAVOR OF R7AAE PLEASE SAY YES. YES. YES.
AYE. ANY OPPOSED? HEARING NONE. THE ITEM IS APPROVED SEVEN ZERO.
THAT WAS OUR. AND RAPHAEL, I EMAILED EARLIER THAT I WANT TO BE A CO-SPONSOR ON THIS AS WELL.
SO THIS IS WE'RE ADDING YOU AND WE'RE ADDING COMMISSIONER.
MATEO- SALINAS. EXCELLENT. THANK YOU. WE ACTUALLY HAD ONE MORE HR ITEM R5C.
[R5 C AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE MIAMI BEACH EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT PLAN CREATED BY ORDINANCE NO. 2006-3504, AS SUBSEQUENTLY AMENDED, BY AMENDING SECTIONS 2, 3, 4 AND 5 TO CORRECT ERRORS IN INTERNAL CROSS-REFERENCING; TO INCREASE THE DROP PARTICIPATION PERIOD FOR MEMBERS IN THE AFSCME BARGAINING UNIT FROM FIVE TO EIGHT YEARS; TO ALLOW FOR THE REEMPLOYMENT OF RETIREES AFTER A PERIOD OF SEPARATION OF AT LEAST SIX MONTHS, CONTINUED RECEIPT OF A RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE DURING EMPLOYMENT, AND FOREGOING ELIGIBILITY TO REJOIN THE PLAN; AND BY CREATING A NEW SECTION 16 OF THE PLAN TO ALLOW EMPLOYEES PARTICIPATING IN THE DEFINED CONTRIBUTION SYSTEM TO JOIN THE PLAN AND VEST IN THE CURRENT SCHEDULE OF BENEFITS AFTER FIVE YEARS OF CREDITABLE SERVICE; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT THEREWITH; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
R5C IS IN THE MAYOR COMMISSIONER MIAMI BEACH FOR AMENDING THE MIAMI BEACH EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT PLAN CREATED BY ORDINANCE NUMBER 20, ORDINANCE NUMBER 2000 AND 6-3504, AS SUBSEQUENTLY AMENDED BY AMENDING SECTION TWO, THREE, FOUR AND FIVE TO CORRECT ERRORS IN THE INTERNAL CROSS-REFERENCING TO INCREASE THE DROPPED PARTICIPATION PERIOD FOR MEMBERS IN THE AFSCME BARGAINING UNIT FROM 5 TO 8 YEARS TO ALLOW FOR THE REEMPLOYMENT OF RETIREES AFTER A PERIOD OF SEPARATION OF AT LEAST SIX MONTHS, CONTINUED RECEIPT OF RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE DURING THE EMPLOYMENT AND FOREGOING ELIGIBILITY TO REJOIN THE PLAN, AND BY CREATING A NEW SECTION 16 OF THE PLAN TO ALLOW EMPLOYEES PARTICIPATING IN THE DEFINED CONTRIBUTION SYSTEM TO JOIN THE PLAN AND VEST IN THE CURRENT SCHEDULE OF BENEFITS. AFTER FIVE YEARS OF CREDITABLE SERVICE, REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT THEREWITH AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE, THAT IS ITEM R5C. IT IS SECOND READING PUBLIC HEARING SINCE COMMISSIONER.MAGAZINE IS GOING TO ASK YOU TO EXPLAIN THIS IN PLAIN ENGLISH. I'LL ASK FOR A SIMPLETON LIKE MYSELF.
GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU, MALA ALPIZAR HR AND I'LL DO MY BEST TO BE IN SIMPLE ENGLISH.
THE SECOND THING THAT THIS ORDINANCE DOES IS IT ALLOWS THE CITY TO REHIRE INDIVIDUALS THAT USED TO BE EMPLOYED HERE, HAVE BEEN GONE FOR MORE THAN SIX MONTHS. THEY MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE A PENSION, BUT IT ALLOWS THEM TO COME BACK AND BE REHIRED WITH A
[02:25:01]
NOT WITH A PENSION, BUT WITH A 401 A. AND THE THIRD THING THAT THIS ALLOWS US TO DO IS TO.THERE ARE A GROUP OF EMPLOYEES WHO MANY YEARS AGO DID NOT OPT INTO THE PENSION.
THEY HAVE BEEN EMPLOYEES HERE FOR A LONG TIME. THERE'S ABOUT 12 OF THEM.
AND THIS ALLOWS THEM TO OPT IN TO THE PLAN ON A GO FORWARD BASIS, WHICH IS A NORMAL COST TO THE SYSTEM, JUST LIKE WE WOULD HIRE A NEW EMPLOYEE. COMMISSIONER.
MATEO- SALINAS. SO I HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS.
SO CAN YOU ADDRESS THAT PLEASE? AND APPARENTLY WHEN IN 2006, WHEN THIS WAS OFFERED, THEY WERE ALLOWED TO BUY TIME, BUT NOW IT'S NOT BEING OFFERED. THAT IS CORRECT.
SO I'M NOT AN ACTUARY, BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT IF YOU WERE ALLOWED TO BUY TIME IT COULD CREATE THERE'S TWO, TWO ISSUES. IF IT'S THEIR OWN FUNDING THAT IS BEING BROUGHT IN TO BUY TIME THAT DOESN'T HAVE AN IMMEDIATE FISCAL IMPACT TO THE CITY BECAUSE ALLOWING PEOPLE TO BUY TIME USING, FOR EXAMPLE, THEIR LEAVE DOES HAVE A CASH IMPACT TO THE CITY.
BUT IF YOU BUY TIME INTO THE SYSTEM, IT CREATES AN ADDITIONAL UNEXPECTED LIABILITY ON THE PENSION SYSTEM, WHICH WOULD BE FACTORED IN TO THE, THE COST. SO EACH INDIVIDUAL PERSON IS BUYING SERVICE HOURS BASICALLY.
AND SO THAT MEANS THAT THEIR PENSION BENEFIT WOULD BE HIGHER.
SO. AND COMMISSIONER, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, THE IN 2006, WHAT HAPPENED WAS WE HAD TWO, TWO SYSTEMS. WE HAD A 401 AND WE HAD A PENSION SYSTEM AND PEOPLE WERE GIVEN AN OPTION AT THAT POINT, WHETHER THEY WANTED TO CONTINUE ON IN THE 401, OR THEY WANTED TO JOIN THE CITY'S PENSION SYSTEM.
BUT PEOPLE HAD A CHOICE TO MAKE. THERE WERE A GROUP OF EMPLOYEES THAT WE STILL HAVE.
I THINK IT'S AROUND TEN THAT DIDN'T MIGRATE OVER.
THEY CHOSE TO STAY IN THE 401. AND NOW YEARS LATER, THEY MAYBE STAYED LONGER THAN THEY THOUGHT, WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO BE A PART OF THE PENSION SYSTEM.
AND, YOU KNOW, WE'VE DISCUSSED WITH THE MANAGER THERE MAY BE SOMETHING IN THE FUTURE WHERE WHERE WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO MAYBE GET SOME OF THE CREDIT IF THEY, YOU KNOW, AT A COST TO THEM. BUT RIGHT NOW IT WAS JUST TO BE ABLE TO AT LEAST GET THEM INTO THE SYSTEM BECAUSE THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE 401 FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS ALL THEY HAVE IS BASICALLY A SUM OF MONEY, BUT THEY ALSO WILL HAVE NO SOCIAL SECURITY.
SO IN THEIR RETIREMENT YEARS, THEY WON'T HAVE ANYTHING COMING IN.
THEY WON'T HAVE A PENSION AND THEY WON'T HAVE ANY SOCIAL SECURITY BECAUSE THEY'VE, THEY'VE BEEN HERE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. THIS AT LEAST GETS THEM IN WHERE THEY'RE STARTING TO GAIN ON AND MOVE FORWARD. AND WE'RE NOT RULING OUT THE POSSIBILITY THAT THERE MAY BE SOME OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM IN THE FUTURE. THAT'S KIND OF WHERE WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I THANK YOU, MARK, I APPRECIATE THAT.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE FOLKS.
IF THEY DO WANT TO BUY IN WITH SOME OF THEIR OWN MONEY AND THEY CAN HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY AS WELL.
AND WE'RE NOT CLOSING THE DOOR ON THEM. SO HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT THAT HAPPENS? BECAUSE THERE ARE A NUMBER, A NUMBER OF FOLKS THAT HAVE REACHED OUT TO ME AND THEY'RE VERY PANICKED ABOUT THIS, VERY WORRIED. SO IF I COULD YOU KNOW, THERE'S MULTIPLE CONVERSATIONS I FEEL LIKE THAT ARE GOING ON SIMULTANEOUSLY. ONE IS IF THEY MOVE FROM THE 401 TO THE PENSION SYSTEM, THEY'RE NOT LOSING THEIR 401.
THEY ARE ENTERING THE PENSION SYSTEM AS IF THEY WERE A NEW HIRE EMPLOYEE.
AND THEY DO HAVE TO GO THROUGH FIVE YEARS IN THE CITY TO VEST IN THAT PROGRAM.
AND IF WE WERE TO DO A BUYBACK, THERE ARE MANY BARGAINING UNITS ACROSS THE CITY THAT ARE VERY INTERESTED IN HAVING THESE BUYBACK CONVERSATIONS. AND THERE ARE INSTANCES WHERE PEOPLE CAN BUYBACK FORMER MILITARY SERVICE.
FORMER MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE THAT DOESN'T HAVE AN ASSOCIATED PENSION.
[02:30:03]
THESE. THESE ARE NOT UNCOMMON THINGS, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD WANT TO DO HOLISTICALLY AND AND HAVE A CONVERSATION AMONGST ALL THE GROUPS RATHER THAN JUST THESE INDIVIDUALS. SO BUT WE'RE GOING TO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS AS AS IT COMES UP.WE HAVE THEM EVERY BARGAINING SESSION AND THE UNCLASSIFIED, UNCLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES TOO.
SO WE TYPICALLY TRY TO GIVE THE UNCLASSIFIED SIMILAR OPPORTUNITIES TO THE FOLKS THAT ARE IN THE BARGAINING UNITS SO THAT WE DON'T CREATE A SITUATION WHERE PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE UNEQUAL BENEFITS.
OKAY. THANK YOU. YES, MA'AM. SO I NEED A MOTION ON R5 C. I'LL SECOND. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY MAYOR MINOR.
IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING. I SEE NO ONE ON ZOOM.
NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE REQUESTING TO SPEAK. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ? YES. VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ. YES. COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE.
YES. COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS. YES. COMMISSIONER SUAREZ.
YES. COMMISSIONER. BHATT. MAYOR MINOR. YES. MOTION CARRIES.
I WAS ITEM R5C. IT IS APPROVED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
MARK. R7Y. R7Y IS ISD LOCATION TO REPLANT OAK TREES REMOVED DURING CONSTRUCTION ON FIRST STREET.
I'M SORRY. NOPE. OUR SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH MARINA ASSOCIATION.
AMENDMENT FIVE. LEASE AGREEMENT. AMENDMENT THREE. SO R7Y THE SETTLEMENT.
MR. MAYOR, I DON'T BELIEVE THIS ITEM IS READY TO BE HEARD.
SO I THINK WE'RE GOING TO ASK THAT IT BE WITHDRAWN, DEFERRED, DEFERRED DEFERRED TO THE NEXT MONTH.
SO R7Y IS BEING DEFERRED. OKAY LET'S CALL. THAT WAS EASY, MIKE.
MAYOR CAN I MAKE TWO WITHDRAWAL ANNOUNCEMENTS THEN? COMMISSIONER SUAREZ IS WITHDRAWING R9N IF YOU COULD LIST THAT AS A WITHDRAWAL R9N.
AND HE'S WITHDRAWING. WHICH ITEM THAT IS SO YES, R9N SHORT TITLE.
YES. THE PEOPLE IN THE PUBLIC. OKAY, SO I'LL DO IT THAT WAY.
R9N IS DISCUSS TAKE ACTION OUR BASEL LICENSE AGREEMENT.
R9N IS BEING WITHDRAWN AND AND COMMISSIONER SUAREZ IS ALSO WITHDRAWING.
R9G DISCUSS ACTION RECENT UPTICK IN CAR THEFTS WITHIN THE CITY.
R9G MS COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS IN MOVING THIS MEETING ALONG.
HOLD ON. LET ME LET ME LET ME HAVE SOME MORE.
SO IF ANYONE ELSE WANTS TO WITHDRAW, THIS IS THE TIME.
R NINE EIGHT COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE WITHDRAWING R9H DISCUSS MUNICIPAL PROSECUTION PROGRAMS OR R9.
H IS BEING WITHDRAWN AND R9 P IS ALSO BEING WITHDRAWN.
DISCUSS, TAKE ACTION. MAINTAIN HOUSE PARTY ORDINANCE TO ALLOW CITY MANAGER DISCRETION FOR EVENT PERMITS R9 P SO WE'RE WE'RE JOINED RIGHT NOW R9GR9HR9N AND R9P, RIGHT? THANK YOU FOR THOSE ANNOUNCEMENTS.
LET'S CALL R FIVE. ALONG WITH AS WE DISCUSSED DURING THE DISCUSSION, THE CONSENT AGENDA C7AS YES SIR, R9D IS R5R5R5D SORRY, R5D IS AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH,
[C7 AS A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, IMPLEMENTING THE “END RESIDENT TOWS” REFORM DEVELOPED PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 2026-34237 THAT DIRECTED THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO PRESENT A READY TO IMPLEMENT PLAN TO REFORM RESIDENTIAL TOWING PRACTICES TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE (“PSNQLC”) AT ITS MAY 13, 2026 MEETING; AND FOLLOWING SUCH PRESENTATION AT THE MAY 13, 2026 PSNQLC MEETING, ADOPTING THE DEFINITIVE COMPREHENSIVE “END RESIDENT TOWS” REFORM (A) TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY TOWING OF MIAMI BEACH RESIDENTS’ VEHICLES AND (B) TO ENHANCE ENFORCEMENT OF VIOLATIONS IN RESIDENTIAL PARKING ZONES BY NON-RESIDENTS, FREIGHT LOADING ZONES, COMMERCIAL LOADING ZONES, AND OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY VIOLATIONS, BY ESTABLISHING A TWELVE MONTH PARKING ENFORCEMENT DETAIL PILOT PROGRAM, TO COMMENCE NO LATER THAN JULY 1, 2026, TO PROVIDE CONTINUOUS, 24/7 CITATION AND TOWING ENFORCEMENT WITHIN THE GEOGRAPHIC AREAS BOUNDED BY 1ST STREET AND 23RD STREET, AND 63RD STREET AND 87TH STREET, WITH A MINIMUM OF TWO ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, PER ZONE, PER SHIFT; AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION, IF APPROVED BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES (“FLHSMV”), TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (“MOU”) TO PROVIDE PARKING DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES ACCESS TO THE DRIVER AND VEHICLE INFORMATION DATABASE (“DAVID”) SYSTEM FOR THE LIMITED PURPOSE OF IDENTIFYING DRIVERS AND VEHICLES FOR ENFORCEMENT AND COURTESY NOTIFICATION; AND PROVIDING FOR IMMEDIATE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE DIRECTIVES.]
[R5 D FREIGHT AND COMMERCIAL LOADING ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 106 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, ENTITLED “TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES,” ARTICLE II, ENTITLED “METERED PARKING,” DIVISION 1, ENTITLED “GENERALLY,” SECTION 106-47 THEREOF, ENTITLED “FREIGHT, COMMERCIAL, AND PASSENGER CURB LOADING ZONES; HOURS; DELIVERIES,” TO MODIFY AND CLARIFY REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE USE OF FREIGHT, COMMERCIAL, AND PASSENGER LOADING ZONES; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, CODIFICATION, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 106 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, ENTITLED TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES ARTICLE TWO ENTITLED METERED PARKING DIVISION ONE ENTITLED GENERALLY SECTION 106 47 THEREOF ENTITLED FREIGHT, COMMERCIAL AND PASSENGER CURB LOADING ZONES, HOURS, DELIVERIES TO MODIFY AND CLARIFY REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE USE OF FREIGHT, COMMERCIAL AND PASSENGER LOADING ZONES AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, CODIFICATION, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS A SECOND READING PUBLIC HEARING.IT IS ITEM R5D COMPANION ITEM C7AS IS RC7S IS.
IDENTIFY AREAS NEAR BLIND CORNERS IN NEED OF VESSEL SPEED REDUCTION.
COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, WE HAVE A FEW CO-SPONSORS.
YES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. AND THANK YOU TO TO THE CITY COMMISSION FOR UNANIMOUSLY SPONSORING THE END RESIDENT FORM. TODAY, WE'RE CONSIDERING TWO ITEMS THAT WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE STRONG ENFORCEMENT WHERE PUBLIC SAFETY REQUIRES IT, BUT SMARTER AND MORE PROPORTIONAL ENFORCEMENT, WHERE COMPLIANCE.
[02:35:10]
TRUST IN US TO SERVE THEM AND IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.THE FIRST IS OUR ITEM THAT WE'VE COLLECTIVELY SPONSORED TO END RESIDENT TOES.
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON FRUSTRATIONS THAT I HEAR, AND I THINK WE ALL HEAR FROM OUR RESIDENTS.
PEOPLE COME HOME FROM FROM WORK LATE AT NIGHT.
THEY CIRCLE THE BLOCK TRYING TO FIND PARKING.
SOMETHING INNOCENT MAYBE. YOU KNOW, YOU PARKED A FEW FEET INTO THE YELLOW CURB.
YOU PARKED IN THE WRONG RESIDENTIAL ZONE. YOU MISUNDERSTOOD THE CONFUSING SIGNAGE, OR YOU DIDN'T REALIZE THAT A THAT A SPOT WAS PAINTED YELLOW, BUT THE YELLOW IS NOW FADED AND YOU ENDED UP GETTING TOWED.
THESE VIOLATIONS SHOULD ABSOLUTELY STILL BE ENFORCED WITH A TRAFFIC TICKET, A CITATION.
BUT TOWING IS OFTEN EXCESSIVE WHEN THE COMPLIANCE CAN BE ACHIEVED ANOTHER WAY.
AND THAT'S WHY THIS PROPOSAL CREATES A SMARTER DRIVEN ENFORCEMENT FRAMEWORK THAT, BASED ON CURRENT CITY DATA, COULD ELIMINATE THE MAJORITY OF IMMEDIATE RESIDENT TOWS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY.
UNDER THE FRAMEWORK THAT WE HAVE BEFORE OUR COMMISSION TODAY, RESIDENTS WOULD STILL RECEIVE CITATIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES, BUT WOULD ALSO RECEIVE UP TO THREE COURTESY TEXT TEXT MESSAGES PER CALENDAR QUARTER BEFORE BEING ELIGIBLE TO HAVE THEIR CAR TOWED ON THE FOURTH VIOLATION. VEHICLES ARE REMAINING IN CONTINUOUS VIOLATION FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS, WOULD ALSO REMAIN TOW ELIGIBLE. AND THAT WAS A RECOMMENDATION THAT CAME FROM MIAMI BEACH UNITED THAT HAS ALSO ENDORSED THIS REFORM.
AND LET'S JUST PUT THIS INTO PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE THIS YEAR ALONE, OVER 1181 RESIDENT VEHICLES HAVE ALREADY BEEN TOWED IN MIAMI BEACH. AND UNDER THE REFORM FRAMEWORK BEFORE ALL OF US TODAY, ROUGHLY 62% OF THOSE RESIDENT TOWS WOULD LIKELY HAVE RESULTED, WOULD WOULD NOT HAVE RESULTED IN AN IMMEDIATE TOW, AND COULD HAVE INSTEAD BEEN ADDRESSED THROUGH A PARKING CITATION, THROUGH A WARNING, FIRST ENFORCEMENT AND THROUGH GRADUATED COMPLIANCE MEASURES. THE REMAINING VIOLATIONS INVOLVING GENUINE SAFETY HAZARDS, OBSTRUCTION OF DUMPSTERS. YOU'RE BLOCKING A DRIVEWAY, YOU'RE BLOCKING EMERGENCY ACCESS, OR YOU'RE A REPEAT VIOLATOR.
THEN IN THOSE CASES, YOU ARE STILL ELIGIBLE TO GET TOWED.
YOU WILL GET TOWED. THE CHANGE IN IN THE REFORM HERE, EVEN FOR THOSE, IS THAT TO TRY TO ACHIEVE THE QUICKEST COMPLIANCE POSSIBLE. NOW EVEN THOSE VIOLATIONS WILL WILL ALSO GET A 15 WOULD GET A TEXT BEFORE TOW NOTICE BECAUSE OFTENTIMES PEOPLE ARE CLOSE BY AND THEY CAN QUICKLY CORRECT THAT THAT VIOLATION BEFORE A TOW TRUCK GETS THERE.
BUT UNLIKE TODAY'S SYSTEM, RESIDENTS WOULD GENERALLY RECEIVE ONE FINAL TEXT BEFORE NOTIFICATION, GIVING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROBABLY MOVE THEIR CAR BEFORE THE TOW IS COMPLETE.
THE COMPANION ITEM ALSO IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT TALKS ABOUT FREIGHT LOADING ZONE.
FREIGHT LOADING ZONE ABUSE IS AN ISSUE IN OUR CITY.
AND THE COMPANION ITEM AND ENHANCES THE PENALTIES ON FREIGHT LOADING ZONE VIOLATIONS.
BUT IT ALSO CREATES A MUCH NEEDED CONSISTENCY AND CLARITY ON FREIGHT LOADING ZONES CITY CITY WIDE.
YOU HAVE FREIGHT LOADING ZONES THAT END AT 11 A.M..
YOU HAVE OTHERS THAT END AT ONE. YOU HAVE SOME THAT END AT THREE.
SO THIS COMPANION ORDINANCE, IT CREATES A UNIFORM CITYWIDE OPERATING SCHEDULE FOR FREIGHT LOADING ZONES THAT PRETTY MUCH SAYS WHEN YOU SEE A FREIGHT LOADING ZONE, YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN'T PARK THERE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 7 A.M.
[02:40:05]
AND 3 P.M.. NO MORE GUESSING. YOU KNOW THAT THAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR THOSE FREIGHT LOADING ZONES.SO TOGETHER, THESE ITEMS CREATE A MORE BALANCED ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM, MORE FAIRNESS FOR OUR RESIDENTS, NAVIGATING EVERYDAY CHALLENGES IN OUR CITY, STRONGER ENFORCEMENT WHERE PUBLIC SAFETY AND MOBILITY ARE IMPACTED, AND A CLEAR, MORE PREDICTABLE RULE SYSTEM FOR EVERYONE USING OUR STREETS.
WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO MOVE THESE TWO ITEMS AND OPEN THE THE THE THE FLOOR TO DISCUSSION THROUGH YOU, MR. MAYOR. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
IT'S I MEAN, IT'S ALMOST LIKE A RITE OF PASSAGE GETTING YOUR CAR TOWED IN MIAMI BEACH.
I THINK EVERYONE UP HERE HAS GOT THEIR CAR TOWED. AND I'M SUPPORTIVE, OBVIOUSLY, I'M A CO-SPONSOR.
THE ONLY ONE THING I WANT TO CAUTION AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WAS THOUGHT ABOUT, BUT THE NORTH BEACH IS GOING TO BE GOING THROUGH SERIOUS PARKING CONSTRAINTS WITH THE PARKING LOT 92.
RIGHT. WHERE IT'S GOING TO BE UNDER CONSTRUCTION FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, MAYBE 3 OR 4 YEARS.
AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE, AGAIN, MANY SHOWS AT THE BANDSHELL, MANY EVENTS IN NORTH BEACH.
WHAT I WANT TO WHAT I WANT TO AVOID IS RESIDENTS FROM SOUTH BEACH OR MID-BEACH GOING TO NORTH BEACH, PARKING IN THE RESIDENTIAL AREAS THERE AND JUST SAYING, WELL, IT'S ONLY A $30 TICKET.
IT'S ALMOST LIKE A VALET. AND YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S EASY FOR ME TO DO THAT.
IS THERE A WAY WE CAN COME UP WHERE WE PREVENT THAT? I WOULD DEFER TO OUR PARKING DIRECTOR. SO WE CAN FROM AN ENFORCEMENT ASPECT.
COMMISSIONER WILL MCDONALD, DIRECTOR. PARKING FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH. WE CAN CREATE DIFFERENT ENFORCEMENT RULES FOR DIFFERENT ZONES, IF THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DIRECTED TO DO. WE ABSOLUTELY CAN DO THAT.
RIGHT. AND AGAIN, I MEAN, LOOK, I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE IDEA, BUT WHAT I WHAT I DON'T WANT TO HAPPEN IS THERE TO BE BECAUSE THERE ARE GOING TO BE BAD APPLES, THERE'S GOING TO BE BAD PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS AND SAY, WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S ONLY A $30 PARKING TICKET AND I WANT TO GO SEE THE SHOW, OR I WANT TO GO TO NORTH BEACH OR ANYWHERE, YOU KNOW, VICE VERSA.
AND YOU KNOW, IT'S IT, IT'S NOT, IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL FOR ME.
I KNOW I'M NOT GOING TO GET TOWED BECAUSE I'M PART OF THE REGISTRATION PROGRAM. YOU KNOW, HOW DO WE PREVENT THAT BAD BEHAVIOR FROM HAPPENING? I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE COULD DO, BECAUSE A LOT OF THIS, I THINK, IS GIVING THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT TO THE RESIDENTS THAT WE SERVE.
THEY'RE STILL ELIGIBLE TO GETTING TOWED. THIS IS ABOUT THOSE WHO HAVE PLACED THEIR TRUST IN US.
US TRUSTING THEM BACK AND GIVING THEM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.
AND WE CAN ALWAYS AMEND AMENDED. AND IT'S A SIMPLE RESOLUTION.
SO IT'S ALWAYS EASY TO TO AMEND A RESOLUTION.
BUT I THINK I THINK WE SHOULD GIVE OUR RESIDENTS THE BENEFIT OF, OF, OF THE DOUBT.
I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE, WE'RE ALREADY PUTTING ON, ON THE TABLE AN ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM.
AND IF THEY ARE REPEAT VIOLATORS AND THEY DO ABUSE THE SYSTEM, THEN THEY'LL STILL GET TOWED.
AND THEY'RE ALSO UPON THE FIRST VIOLATION, THEY'RE GETTING A TEXT MESSAGE, THEY'RE GETTING A TEXT MESSAGE THAT TELLS THEM, HEY, YOU'RE ILLEGALLY PARKED. SECOND SENTENCE, PLEASE MOVE YOUR VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY.
AND THAT'S, AND THAT'S, THAT'S WITHIN THE, THE, THE ITEM THAT, THAT'S BEFORE US.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS, YOU KNOW, HOW ABOUT SINCE NORTH BEACH PARKING IS SO LIMITED AND IT IS, IT'S GOING TO BE EVEN FURTHER LIMITED ONCE WE REMOVE THIS PARKING GARAGE.
HOW ABOUT WE DO SPECIFICALLY FOR ZONE 26, A ONE TIME COURTESY.
THAT'S FAIR, THAT'S FAIR. A ONE TIME COURTESY.
NON TOW UP TEXT MESSAGE AND EVERYTHING. BUT AFTER THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE REALLY SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF PROTECTIONS FOR THE RESIDENTS OF NORTH BEACH AND THEIR PARKING. AND I'M LET ME HEAR FROM MY COLLEAGUES ON ON THAT BECAUSE WE'RE ALL SPONSORS ON THIS LEGISLATION.
THANK YOU. THROUGH THE VICE MAYOR, LAURA, YOU'RE YOU'RE LEADING THE MEETING THROUGH THE VICE MAYOR.
[02:45:09]
WELL, I SAW YOUR FACE WHEN I AND I THANK YOU FOR.JUST GIVE ME YOUR GIVE US YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW THAT WORKS.
IS IT VIABLE? IS, IS THERE ANY ISSUE WITH THAT? I LIKE THE PROTECTIONS THAT ARE ALREADY BUILT IN WITH THE, TEXT, I WOULD SUGGEST PLEASE MOVE YOUR CAR WITHIN 30 MINUTES OF RECEIPT OF THIS MESSAGE BECAUSE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, YOU KNOW, LIKE IT SAYS IMMEDIATELY CREATES WELL, WHATEVER IT IS.
BUT I THINK WE NEED TO LIKE, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER. BUT THAT THAT'S NUANCE.
IS THIS DOABLE, PRACTICABLE, A NIGHTMARE, COMPLETELY UNENFORCEABLE.
ALL OF THE ABOVE. SO IT'S ABSOLUTELY WE CAN, WE WILL, WE WILL EXECUTE IT.
I WANT TO MAKE THAT VERY CLEAR. WE EMPLOY HUMAN BEINGS JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE IN THE CITY THERE, THERE MAY BE SOME MISTAKES BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THE TECHNOLOGY ISN'T THERE TO IMMEDIATELY SAY, BUILD AN ALGORITHM THAT SAYS, OH, WE'RE IN THIS ZONE AND THIS ZONE, WE ONLY DO ONE IN THIS ZONE, IT WILL BE THREE. SO THAT'S MY CONCERN. IT DOES GET CHALLENGING.
BUT WE HAVE SOME, SOME STOP GAPS IN PLACE RIGHT NOW BEFORE OUR TEAM PERFORMS ANY TOES.
THERE'S FOR EXAMPLE ONE OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS WILL CALL INTO OUR DISPATCH.
THEY'LL REPEAT THE PLATE PHONETICALLY. THE DISPATCHER WILL ALSO THEN CHECK THE PLATE.
WE DO THESE THINGS TO TRY TO STOP MISTAKES NOW, SO WE CAN BUILD POLICIES AND AN SOP THAT CAN STATE, YOU KNOW, IF WE'RE IN THIS ZONE, THESE ARE THE GUARDRAILS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.
IF WE'RE IN THIS ZONE, THESE ARE THE GUARDRAILS.
AND WE WILL ABSOLUTELY EXECUTE IT TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY.
THERE'S A LOT OF RESTAURANTS IN SOUTH FIFTH. AND IF PEOPLE FROM ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE BEACH WANTED TO JUST COME AND TAKE OVER THE PARKING THERE, THAT THAT OUR RESIDENTS, IT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN.
SO LOOK, AGAIN, I'M, OF COURSE, I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THIS ITEM.
WE HAD THE SAME CONCERNS THAT THE RESIDENTS WERE GOING TO ABUSE IT.
AND TO THE CONTRARY, YOU KNOW, THE RESIDENTS HAVEN'T ABUSED IT.
I THINK IT'S BROUGHT AWARENESS. YOU'VE INFORMED SOMEONE THAT THAT THEY'RE IN VIOLATION AND AND FROM WHAT AND AND I'VE HEARD FROM FROM PEOPLE THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE RECEIVED THOSE TEXT MESSAGES, THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE VIOLATIONS BEFORE A TOWING TRUCK GOT THERE.
AND THEY WERE AWARE NOW OF SOMETHING THAT THEY SHOULDN'T BE DOING THAT THEY WEREN'T AWARE OF BEFORE.
ONE OF THE OTHER TOOLS THAT WE HAVE IS THAT WE HAVE THE ONGOING REPORTING THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE GETTING AS AS A COMMISSION, WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING THE MONITORING OF THIS. WE'RE GOING TO GET WEEKLY LTCS SUMMARIZING THE TOWING ACTIVITY, THE CITATIONS, THE ENFORCEMENT METRICS. AND PERHAPS WE COULD GET A SPECIFIC, YOU KNOW, AS PART OF THAT LTC GET A WEEKLY UPDATE THERE.
OKAY. AND WHAT'S HAPPENING IN ZONE 26, IF THAT'S A CONCERN.
SO THAT IF WE NEED TO CORRECT COURSE, WE COULD DO THAT.
BUT I WOULD, I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO CONSIDER ADOPTING IT UNIFORMLY THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
AND THEN, AND THEN IF WE SEE THAT THERE IS AN ABUSE SOMEWHERE, WE CAN GO BACK AND, AND FIX THAT.
BUT I DO THINK WE SHOULD GIVE OUR RESIDENTS THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.
BECAUSE I THINK FOR THE MOST PART, PEOPLE MAKE INNOCENT MISTAKES WHEN IT COMES TO PARKING.
AND IF I MAY ALSO JUST JUMP IN. RALPH, SINCE YOU'RE HERE, GENTLEMEN.
IF YOU DON'T MIND. APPROACHING FOR A QUICK SECOND.
AND PART OF IT IS OUR PARTNERS IN TOWING. AND I WOULD SUGGEST THAT IT IS GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT THAT OUR PARTNERS IN TOWING UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE DOING AND DO NOT GET TRIGGER HAPPY WITH THEIR TOWING VEHICLES, BECAUSE ONCE A CAR IS ON THE TOW TRUCK, IT BECOMES A WHOLE DIFFERENT CONVERSATION. AND I KNOW I HAVE BEEN TOWED WHEN I WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO,
[02:50:05]
BEEN TOWED YEARS AGO, AND THEY DID NOT WANT TO HEAR IT FROM ME.AND THAT IS AN OPERATIONAL THING FOR THE BUSINESS OWNERS.
AND I THINK THERE'S GOING TO NEED TO BE A VERY CLEAR SET OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES THAT IS UNDERSTOOD BY THE OWNERSHIP AND THE STAFF WHO ARE ENFORCING IT.
AND IF WE'RE MAKING IT A LITTLE BIT MORE COMPLICATED ANYHOW, WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TOW OPERATORS KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING WHEN THEY'RE DOING IT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR INVITING ME UP.
GOOD AFTERNOON OR GOOD MORNING. CITY MANAGER COMMISSIONERS MAYOR MR. DOPICO. THAT'S WHY THEY'RE HERE. I ASKED THEM TO COME SO THAT THEY CAN HEAR DIRECTLY FROM FROM THE COMMISSION REGARDING ANY CONCERNS RELATED TO TOWING AND THE DIRECTION THAT THIS IS ALL MOVING IN. SO I THINK THEY CAN BOTH ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT THEY'VE HEARD.
AND WE WILL ABSOLUTELY DO OUR BEST TO MEET THE CITY'S EXPECTATIONS.
AND CERTAINLY IF I CAN TELL YOU FROM MY PERSPECTIVE AND THEIR PERSPECTIVE.
IF WE NEVER TELL ANOTHER RESIDENT AGAIN, WE'RE THRILLED.
WE DON'T WANT TO TELL RESIDENTS. I'LL MOVE THAT MOTION.
THERE YOU GO. SO WE'RE HERE TO COOPERATE WITH YOU AND HELP THE CITY HOWEVER WE CAN.
AND WHATEVER CHALLENGES YOU ALL FACE. SO THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME UP.
AND ANYONE ELSE. I'M SITTING RIGHT HERE. IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU. JUST JUST TO BE CLEAR, I MEAN, IS THERE AN APPETITE FOR ZONE 26 TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE PROTECTIONS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE GOING TO BE WHEN THAT PARKING LOT IS IS DEMOLISHED, IT'S IT IT'S GOING TO SPILL OVER TO THE RESIDENTIAL PARKING.
WHY DON'T WE LOOK AT THE METRICS? LET'S SEE WHEN, WHEN THAT PROBLEM IS IT'S IT'S DIFFERENT WHEN IT GETS DEMOLISHED, RIGHT? AND SO WE KIND OF WANT TO BE AHEAD OF THE CURVE, BUT WE DON'T WANT TO BE A PROJECT THAT'S GOING TO BE A LONG PROJECT.
IF PEOPLE START ABUSING IT, WE'LL BE ABLE TO NOTICE IT IMMEDIATELY.
I MEAN, THE MOMENT PEOPLE START ABUSING THAT AND YOU'RE GOING TO BE GIVING US WEEKLY LTCS AND IN THAT LTC, YOU CAN TELL SPECIFICALLY WHAT'S HAPPENING IN ZONE 26.
THE MOMENT WE SEE THAT, WE CAN PUT A RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA.
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT. YEAH, THAT SOUNDS GREAT.
BUT YOU KNOW, FROM MY EXPERIENCE, THE PARKING ENFORCEMENT ON ZONE 26 IS ABYSMAL.
YOU KNOW, WHEN WE HAD AN ISSUE WITH ONE BLOCK ON ZONE 26, THERE WERE 26 CITATIONS GIVEN.
WHEN I WHEN MY AIDE AND I WHO RAISED THE ISSUE, THEY GAVE OUT 26 CITATIONS ON ONE BLOCK BECAUSE I ASKED THEM TO, TO, TO, TO START ENFORCING ZONE 26. AND SO, YOU KNOW, I, I, I'M, WE CAN CERTAINLY WAIT, BUT THAT'S ASSUMING THAT WE HAVE A ROBUST ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM ON PARKING.
AND I DON'T THINK WE HAVE THAT RIGHT NOW. WELL, AND ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT WE'VE ADOPTED AS PART OF, OF THE CONSENT AGENDA SPECIFICALLY SPEAKS TO ENFORCEMENT AND ENFORCEMENT IN, IN NORTH BEACH, ABOUT ALLOCATING RESOURCES FOR ENFORCEMENT IN IN NORTH BEACH AND ENFORCEMENT IN SOUTH BEACH, WHERE WE KNOW WE HAVE CHALLENGES TO MAKE SURE.
BECAUSE WHAT YOU'RE TELLING ME IS THAT IS THAT EVEN THE.
THE PROBLEM ISN'T EVEN TOWING. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE'S NOT EVEN CITATIONS BEING ISSUED.
CORRECT. AND ONE OF THE POLICIES THAT WE'VE PUT FORWARD THAT GOT ADOPTED WITH THIS AGENDA AND I'LL GIVE YOU THE ITEM NUMBER IN JUST A SECOND. IT ESTABLISHED A DEDICATED PARKING ENFORCEMENT PILOT PROGRAM, C7ANC7AN ADDRESSES SPECIFICALLY WHAT YOU'RE ASKING THE VIOLATION OF THE RESIDENT PARKING IN NORTH BEACH, THE VIOLATION OF THE RESIDENT PARKING IN SOUTH BEACH, AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THE SUFFICIENT PERSONNEL AVAILABLE TO BE DOING THAT ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE YOU'RE RIGHT.
YOU KNOW, OFTENTIMES, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE GET HOME FROM WORK AND THEY CAN'T FIND PARKING BECAUSE YOU HAVE PEOPLE EVEN FROM OUTSIDE THE CITY, FROM OUTSIDE THE CITY THAT ARE GOING IN AND PARKING IN PARKING SPACES THAT BELONG TO OUR RESIDENTS AND WHO'S BEING AFFECTED ARE, ARE THOSE WHO WE ARE ACTUALLY TRYING TO PROTECT.
AND SO, AND SO WE'VE TAKEN THAT CONCERN THAT YOU HAVE INTO CONSIDERATION.
AND WE'VE CREATED THIS DETAIL THAT WE APPROVED AS PART OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
OKAY. I'M OKAY WITH JUST WAITING FOR THE DATA TO SEE IF THERE'S.
BUT AGAIN, THAT'S ONLY AS GOOD AS THE PEOPLE TAKING.
AND YOU HAVE MY COMMITMENT, YOU HAVE MY COMMITMENT.
[02:55:05]
LISTEN, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT ABUSE, WHO DOES IT AFFECT THE RESIDENTS IN NORTH BEACH, THE RESIDENTS IN NORTH BEACH WHO WON'T BE ABLE TO FIND PARKING WHEN THEY GET HOME FROM FROM WORK.AND WE'LL WE WILL WORK TOGETHER ON ADDRESSING THAT IF THAT DOES HAPPEN.
QUALITY OF LIFE. THEORETICAL VOTE. I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
I NEED A SECOND. SECOND. A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS. IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING. I SEE NO ONE ON ZOOM.
NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE REQUESTING TO SPEAK. IT IS A MOTION FOR BOTH ITEM R5D AND C7AS.
COMMISSIONER BHATT. YES. COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS.
YES. VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ. YES. COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE.
YES. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ YES. COMMISSIONER SUAREZ.
YES. MAYOR MINOR YES. BOTH MOTIONS ARE APPROVED.
ITEM C7A, S AND AND R5D ARE APPROVED. WHILE WE'RE ON THE GENERAL TOPIC R9Z.
[R9 Z DISCUSS/TAKE ACTION: ADMINISTRATION'S CONTEMPLATED INCLUSION OF MOTORCYCLES AND MOTOR SCOOTERS IN THE RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM (RPPP).]
NINE Z IS DISCUSSING ACTION CONTEMPLATED INCLUSION OF MOTORCYCLE SCOOTERS, RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM COMMISSIONER SUAREZ.THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. SO I WAS BRIEFED THAT THE CITY ADMINISTRATION WAS CONTEMPLATING.
SCOOTER MOTORCYCLE PERMIT FEES WITHOUT PUTTING IT ON THE AGENDA FOR THE SEVEN OF US TO, TO VOTE ON. I DON'T THINK THAT THIS IS AN OPERATIONAL ISSUE.
IT'S A NEW FEE. AND I CERTAINLY DON'T THINK THAT THE CITY ADMINISTRATION SHOULD BE UNILATERALLY APPLYING FEES TO, TO OUR RESIDENTS. I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR THIS WAS TO GET DATA ON WHERE THERE ARE MORE SCOOTERS, BUT I THINK OUR SCOOTERS BEING THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
HOWEVER, I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO REQUIRE A FEE FOR THAT OR A PERMIT.
I THINK WE CAN. I THINK THE CITY ADMINISTRATION CAN DO THAT WITHOUT THAT.
SO, MR. CITY MANAGER, IS THIS PROGRAM STILL BEING CONTEMPLATED BY CITY STAFF? SO YES, THIS PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY SCHEDULED TO ROLL OUT ON JUNE 1ST.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE ORDINANCES THAT ARE IN PLACE FOR PARKING ALLOW US TO IMPLEMENT THIS.
AND BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF OUR PARKING DEPARTMENT, WE FELT THAT THIS WOULD HELP BRING SOME ORDER TO SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE'VE BEEN FACING WITH THE MOTORCYCLE AND SCOOTER PARKING.
AND I WOULD WELCOME OUR PARKING DIRECTOR TO ADD ANY COLOR TO THAT.
I DON'T THINK THAT AT A VERY MINIMUM SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN UNLESS IT'S PUT ON AN AGENDA BY US, FROM ONE OF US, TO DECIDE THAT. I DON'T THINK CITY ADMINISTRATION SHOULD BE IMPOSING FEES ON ANYTHING.
AND SO I THINK THE CITY ADMINISTRATION, RESPECTFULLY, IS COMPLETELY OUT OF LINE ON THIS.
SECOND, THE WHOLE REASON WHY SCOOTER AND MOTORCYCLE PARKING WAS WHEN I DID THE RESEARCH WAS TO IS BECAUSE THEY'RE MORE EFFICIENT WHEN IT COMES TO PARKING. YOU CAN PUT 7 OR 8, TEN MOTORCYCLES OR SCOOTERS IN A SINGLE PARKING SPOT AND THEN FOR FOR A CAR.
I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A LOT OF CHALLENGES WHEN PEOPLE LEAVE A MOTORCYCLE OR A SCOOTER IN A PARKING SPOT IN THE MIDDLE, AND IT DOESN'T PREVENT ANYONE ELSE. BUT WE CAN ADDRESS THAT EASILY WITH JUST DEDICATED SCOOTER PARKING SPACES AND HAVING AN ORDINANCE THAT SAYS, LOOK, IF YOU HAVE A SCOOTER OR MOTORCYCLE, YOU HAVE TO PARK IN THE SCOOTER, MOTORCYCLE, DESIGNATED PARKING SPOTS, NOT TAKE UP A WHOLE LANE.
BUT AT THE VERY MINIMUM, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGAINST THIS CITY ADMINISTRATION IMPOSING FEES ON OUR RESIDENTS AND UNILATERALLY DECIDING THAT WE'RE GOING TO UPEND A TRADITION, A TRADITION THAT ENCOURAGES SMALLER TRANSPORTATION DEVICES ON THE CITY PARKING INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT HARDER. WE WANT TO MAKE IT EASIER.
SO I WANT TO SEE HOW MY COLLEAGUES FEEL ABOUT THIS.
I CAN CERTAINLY ACCOMPLISH WHAT THE INTENT OF THIS WITHOUT HAVING TO RAISE ANY FEES OR CREATE A BUREAUCRATIC PROCESS TO GET A PERMIT FOR SOME OF THESE THESE, THESE TRANSPORTATION DEVICES. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, THANK YOU, MR.
[03:00:02]
MAYOR. COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. I AGREE WITH YOU 100%.RIGHT NOW THERE'S A CITY WIDE MOTORCYCLE DECAL THAT THAT I KNOW I HAVE IT ON MY, ON MY MOTORCYCLE AND IT'S LIKE $134 A YEAR, I THINK IT IS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
YOU CAN PARK CITY WIDE. AND THOSE ARE THAT IS A METERED.
SO THOSE ARE CITY WIDE. AND ANY METERED MOTORCYCLE AREA THAT'S MEANT FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
RIGHT. AND SO AND SO TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PURCHASING THAT, I MEAN, IF YOU IF YOU LIVE IN A RESIDENTIAL ZONE, YOU'RE PROBABLY PURCHASING THAT ALREADY TO TO PARK IN, IN ONE OF THESE METERED SPACES WHEN THE PERSON GOES IN AND THEY BUY THE CITY WIDE MOTORCYCLE PASS. IT SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE AS PART OF THAT, THE RESIDENTIAL ZONE THAT THEY LIVE IN. AND MAYBE, AND MAYBE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THAT THAT CAN BE DONE.
AND, AND THEY CAN AND, AND THEY CAN PARK IN THOSE DESIGNATED, IN THOSE DESIGNATED MOTORCYCLE OR SCOOTER AREAS TO YOUR POINT. SO THAT, OKAY, SO THE PEOPLE ARE NOT PARKING A SCOOTER OR A MOTORCYCLE IN A FULL PARKING SPACE THAT COULD BE USED BY A VEHICLE.
YOU STILL DIRECT THEM TO SCOOTER OR MOTORCYCLE DESIGNATED PARKING, BUT YOU'RE NOT ADDING THE FEE.
IS THAT POSSIBLE? YES, 100%. IT IS 100% POSSIBLE, 100% POSSIBLE.
AND WE WOULD BE FULL SUPPORT OF THAT. IS THERE A VOTE YOU WANT TO.
WELL, THE VOTE IS I DON'T WANT THE CITY ADMINISTRATION IMPOSING A FEE.
YEAH. BUT I DON'T THINK I THINK HIS POINT IS EVEN WHEN WHEN SOMETHING IS NOT FEE FREE, WHEN THERE'S A FEE TO BE IMPOSED ON THE RESIDENTS AND THE TAXPAYERS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED, DEBATED, VOTED ON AND APPROVED BY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ELECTED BY THE RESIDENTS, NOT BY THE CITY ADMINISTRATION. AND I WOULD WELCOME THE ATTORNEY TO JUST WEIGH IN ON WHAT THE ORDINANCE ALLOWS OR DOESN'T ALLOW UNDER THAT PARTICULAR I MEAN, I THINK I THINK THAT WAS YOUR POINT, COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. RIGHT. I THAT'S WHAT I BROUGHT THIS ORDINANCE OR THAT'S WHY I BROUGHT THIS DISCUSSION ITEM IS TO PREVENT THAT FROM HAPPENING JUNE 1ST, BECAUSE I DON'T THINK YOU I DON'T I CERTAINLY DON'T THINK YOU GUYS SHOULD BE IMPOSING ANY FEES BEFORE A DISCUSSION HAPPENS.
AND SO WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE US RIGHT NOW? I THINK, I GUESS I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO.
NOT ALLOW THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO IMPOSE A SCOOTER PARKING FEE FOR FOR RESIDENTS AND STARTING IN JUNE. RICK, I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO ANSWER THE MANAGER'S QUESTION, BUT I ALSO HAVE A QUESTION THAT'S KIND OF A COROLLARY, SINCE I DON'T HAVE EXPERIENCE OF HOW OTHER MUNICIPALITIES DO THIS.
WILL IN OTHER CITIES WHERE YOU'VE BEEN THE DIRECTOR OF PARKING, WHAT IS, WHAT IS THE TYPICAL BEST PRACTICES OF WHEN THE ADMINISTRATION CAN INSTITUTE FEES VERSUS WHEN THEY BECOME POLICY DECISIONS DONE BY THE ELECTEDS.
SO I WILL. SO THE ADMINISTRATION FROM BEST PRACTICE A REGISTRATION, ESPECIALLY IN OUR RESIDENTIAL ZONES IS GOING TO BE A BEST PRACTICE AND FULL STOP. THE REASON. SO UNDER THE ORDINANCE IT TALKS ABOUT AUTOMOBILE AND MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES UNDER FLORIDA STATUTE ARE ALREADY INCLUDED UNDER AUTOMOBILE AND MOTOR VEHICLE UNDER THE DEFINITION.
AND SO I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS WAS A PAST PRACTICE FROM PREVIOUS DIRECTORS THAT REALLY WANTED TO FOCUS ON THE SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS OF MOTOR SCOOTERS INSIDE RESIDENTIAL ZONES. THE CHALLENGE THAT HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO ME OVER MY LAST YEAR IS SIMPLY WITHOUT REGISTRATION, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL.
AND SO, FOR EXAMPLE, OUR TEAM STARTED WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE.
THERE ARE CERTAIN PLACES I'LL USE FLAMINGO PARK WHERE YOU CAN SEE 25 SCOOTERS LINED UP IN A ROW.
[03:05:03]
REGISTRATION, EVEN THOUGH, WELL, HOW HARD WOULD IT BE TO JUST HAVE DEDICATED PARKING SPOTS FOR SCOOTER AND MOTORCYCLE AND HAVING AND HAVING US PASS AN ORDINANCE THAT SAYS YOU CAN'T PARK A MOTORCYCLE OR A SCOOTER ON A REGULAR MOTOR VEHICLE CAR PARKING SPOT. SO WE ACTUALLY, WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE, THE TEAM HAD STARTED PAINTING THOSE SPACES IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE CITY.THE CHALLENGE WAS BECAUSE THERE WAS NO CONTROL WHERE IF SOMEBODY WAS PARKED OUTSIDE AND WE HAD HEARD IT WHEN WE HAD GIVEN CITATIONS THERE, LIKE WHEN I GOT HOME, ALL THE SCOOTER SPACES WERE FULL AND THERE WAS NOWHERE TO PARK, SO I HAD TO PARK OUTSIDE THE SCOOTER SPACE.
AND WE HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE INSIDE THE SCOOTER SPACE WERE ACTUALLY RESIDENTS, OR THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE THERE. AND SO WHAT WE ARE HOPING TO ACCOMPLISH BY HAVING TWO WHEELED VEHICLES REGISTER IS TO BE ABLE TO NOW WE HAVE THE DATA TO SAY, WE KNOW THAT 152 WHEELED VEHICLES EXIST ON THIS BLOCK.
WE CAN SAY 2.5FT PER STALL. WE CAN CREATE A SPACE THAT EXACTLY ALIGNS WITH THE RESIDENT NEEDS, SO AS NOT TO NOW TAKE UP UNNECESSARY SPACE BY BLINDLY GOING OUT AND PAINTING A MOTORCYCLE OR SCOOTER PARKING STALL AND TAKING AWAY FROM VEHICLE PARKING. BUT WOULDN'T THAT WOULDN'T THAT BE JUST PART OF PARKING'S JOB IS TO KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THE HOT SPOTS ARE.
I DON'T IT'S JUST IT JUST SEEMS TOO MUCH OF A SHOTGUN APPROACH TO REQUIRE A FEE AND MAKE EVERYONE REGISTER BECAUSE OF MAYBE A FEW PROBLEMS WELL, WHY DON'T WE HERE AND THERE? I THINK WE'RE IN AGREEMENT THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO CHARGE A FEE. SO LET'S. RIGHT.
BUT WHAT I WANT TO BUT I WANT TO GET TO THE SOLUTION OF.
AND THERE'S PLENTY OF PARKING IN THE SCOOTER ZONE. THEY JUST CHOOSE NOT TO DO THAT. SO DOES THAT REQUIRE A COMMISSION ORDINANCE FOR THAT TO HAPPEN? IT DOES NOT. BUT MY ONLY MY ONLY REQUEST IS THAT IF THESE SCOOTER ZONES BECOME UNREGISTERED AREAS, SO ANY SCOOTER CAN PARK IN ANY RESIDENTIAL ZONE IN THESE SCOOTER AREAS AND IT DISPLACES A RESIDENT.
AND THEN WE CITE A RESIDENT FOR NOT PARKING IN THE SCOOTER ZONE.
IT DOES BECOME AN ENFORCEMENT CHALLENGE. LET ME MAKE A RECOMMENDATION.
ERIC, WE HAVE YOUR COMMITMENT. YOU'RE NOT CHARGING FEES, CORRECT? CORRECT.
YOU WANT TO COME UP WITH A PROPOSAL THAT WE CAN CONSIDER AT THE NEXT MEETING? AND IF I MAY, THROUGH THE CHAIR. WE'VE HEARD YOU LOUD AND CLEAR, COMMISSIONER.
WE WILL HOLD OFF ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM UNTIL WE'VE HAD A ROBUST CONVERSATION HERE AT THE COMMISSION, AND WE'VE DECIDED ON WHAT'S THE APPROPRIATE NEXT STEP.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ. I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON R9Z.
ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. ANYONE OPPOSED? HEARING NONE R9Z. THE MOTION IS ADOPTED. AND IN THE MEANTIME, WE'LL WORK ON CRAFTING A BETTER APPROACH TO THE SCOOTER. MOTORCYCLE CHALLENGE. PARKING CHALLENGE.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. GOOD DISCUSSION.
R5 H. R5 H IS AN ORDER OF THE MAYOR. CITY COMMISSIONER, CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA.
[R5 H AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 10 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ENTITLED "ANIMALS," BY AMENDING SECTION 10-2 THEREOF, ENTITLED "FINES FOR VIOLATIONS OF ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCES; UNPAID FINES TO CONSTITUTE LIEN AND BASIS FOR REVOCATION OF CITY PARKING PERMITS/DECALS," BY AMENDING AND IDENTIFYING THOSE SECTIONS OF THE CITY CODE TO WHICH THE GENERAL PENALTY PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 10-2 DO NOT APPLY; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 10-11 THEREOF, ENTITLED “RUNNING AT LARGE PROHIBITED; EXCEPTIONS,” BY PROVIDING ENHANCED CIVIL PENALTIES FOR ANIMALS RUNNING AT LARGE; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
CHAPTER TEN OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ENTITLED ANIMALS BY AMENDING SECTION TEN DASH TWO THEREOF ENTITLED FINES FOR VIOLATIONS OF ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCES, UNPAID FINES TO CONSTITUTE LEAN AND BASIS FOR REVOCATION OF CITY PARKING PERMITS.DECALS BY AMENDING AND IDENTIFYING THOSE SECTIONS OF THE CITY CODE TO WHICH THE GENERAL PENALTY PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION TEN DASH TWO DO NOT APPLY, AND BY AMENDING SECTION TEN DASH 11 THEREOF ENTITLED RUNNING AT LARGE PROHIBITED EXCEPTIONS FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED CIVIL PENALTIES FOR ANIMALS RUNNING AT LARGE AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE.
THIS IS A SECOND READING PUBLIC HEARING. IT IS ITEM R5 H COMMISSIONER BHATT.
VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ. COMMISSIONER. FERNANDEZ.
YES. COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. YES. COMMISSIONER. MAGAZINE.
YES. COMMISSIONER. BHATT. YES. COMMISSIONER. MATEO- SALINAS.
YES. MAYOR. MINOR. YES. THIS ITEM IS APPROVED.
IT WAS ITEM R5H IS APPROVED SEVEN ZERO WITH NO ONE REQUESTING TO SPEAK.
[03:10:03]
R5HR5K. R5K IS AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR[R5 K BUILDING PERMIT FORGIVENESS AND ASSISTANCE ORDINANCEAN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 14 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, ENTITLED “BUILDING REGULATIONS,” BY AMENDING ARTICLE II, ENTITLED “CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS,” BY AMENDING DIVISION IV THEREOF, ENTITLED “2017-2026 BUILDING PERMIT REPRIEVE PROGRAM,” TO EXTEND THE DURATION OF THE BUILDING PERMIT REPRIEVE PROGRAM FOR OWNERS OF SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL, MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL, MIXED-USE OR COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES WHO HAVE FAILED TO OBTAIN A BUILDING PERMIT, OR WHO HOLD EXPIRED PERMITS, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2028, AND TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF “EXISTING BUILDINGS” AS USED THEREIN; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, CODIFICATION, SEVERABILITY, AN EFFECTIVE DATE, AND A SUNSET PROVISION.]
AND CITY COMMISSION. THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 14 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH ENTITLED BUILDING REGULATIONS BY AMENDING ARTICLE TWO ENTITLED CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS BY AMENDING DIVISION FOUR THEREOF ENTITLED ENTITLED 2017 TO 2026 BUILDING PERMIT PROGRAM TO EXTEND THE DURATION OF THE BUILDING PERMIT PROGRAM FOR OWNERS OF SINGLE FAMILY, RESIDENTIAL, MULTIFAMILY, RESIDENTIAL, MIXED USE OR COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES WHO HAVE FAILED TO OBTAIN A BUILDING PERMIT OR WHO OR WHO HOLD EXPIRED PERMITS THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2028 AND TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF EXISTING BUILDINGS AS USED THEREIN AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE.AND A SUNSET PROVISION. THIS IS ITEM R5K. IT IS A SECOND READING PUBLIC HEARING.
I MOVE THE ITEM. SECOND. A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ.
IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING. I SEE NO ONE ON ZOOM AND NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE REQUESTING TO SPEAK.
COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ. YES. COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS.
YES. COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. YES. COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE.
YES. COMMISSIONER BOK. YES. VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ.
YES. MAYOR MINOR. YES. MOTION CARRIES. THAT WAS ITEM R FIVE.
[R5 L 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, ENTITLED “PUBLIC PROPERTY,” ARTICLE VII, ENTITLED “ART IN PUBLIC PLACES,” DIVISION 1, ENTITLED “GENERALLY,” SECTION 82-537 THEREOF, ENTITLED “DEFINITIONS,” TO CREATE CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS; AMENDING DIVISION 2, SECTION 82-562 THEREOF, ENTITLED “POWERS AND DUTIES,” TO MODIFY THE POWERS OF THE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES (“AIPP”) COMMITTEE; AMENDING DIVISION 3, ENTITLED “FUND,” SECTION 82-587 THEREOF, ENTITLED “APPROPRIATIONS BY THE CITY TO THE FUND,” TO AMEND REQUIREMENTS FOR AN AIPP ALLOCATION TO BE IMPLEMENTED ON THE SITE OF A CITY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, CODIFICATION, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
R5L IS AN ORDER OF THE MAYOR. CITY COMMISSIONER, CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA. AMENDING CHAPTER 82 OF THE CODE OF CITY OF MIAMI BEACH AND PUBLIC PROPERTY. ARTICLE SEVEN ENTITLED ART IN PUBLIC SPACES.DIVISION ONE ENTITLED GENERALLY. SECTION 82-537 THEREOF.
ENTITLED DEFINITIONS TO CREATE CERTAIN DEFINITION DEFINED TERMS. AMENDING DIVISION TWO, SECTION 82-562 THEREOF ENTITLED POWERS AND DUTIES TO MODIFY THE POWERS OF THE ART IN PUBLIC SPACES.
AIP COMMITTEE AMENDING DIVISION THREE, ENTITLED FUND FUND.
SECTION 82-587 THEREOF, ENTITLED APPROPRIATIONS BY THE CITY TO FUND TO AMEND REQUIREMENTS FOR AN A P P ALLOCATION TO BE IMPLEMENTED ON THE SITE OF A CITY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER CODIFICATION, SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE. R5L IS A SECOND READING PUBLIC HEARING.
IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING. I SEE NO ONE IN ZOOM.
NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE REQUESTING TO SPEAK. MAY I CALL THE ROLL? YES. COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS. YES. COMMISSIONER BHATT.
YES. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ. YES. COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE.
YES. VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ. YES. COMMISSIONER SUAREZ.
YES. MAYOR. YES. MOTION CARRIES. THE ITEM IS APPROVED.
WITH R5LR5S. R5S IS AN ORDINANCE
[R5 S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS - 2026 EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REVIEW AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH YEAR 2025 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, PURSUANT TO THE STATE COORDINATED REVIEW PROCESS OF SECTION 163.3184(4), FLORIDA STATUTES, BY AMENDING GOALS, OBJECTIVES, POLICIES, AND DOCUMENT TITLES OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS: RESILIENT LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT, TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING, PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES, AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT; AND, PURSUANT TO FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE RULE 73C-49 AND SECTION 163.3191, FLORIDA STATUTES, ENTITLED “EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL OF COMPREHENSIVE PLAN,” INCORPORATING NECESSARY AMENDMENTS REFLECTING CHANGES IN STATE LAW AND UPDATING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BASED ON CHANGES IN LOCAL CONDITIONS SINCE THE LAST UPDATE BASED ON THE EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT UPDATE ADOPTED ON OCTOBER 16, 2019; AND PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, TRANSMITTAL, REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
AMENDING THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH. YEAR 2025 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PURSUANT TO STATE COORDINATED REVIEW PROCESS OF SECTION ONE SIX.3.3184, SUBSECTION FOUR FLORIDA STATUTES BY AMENDING GOALS, OBJECTIVES, POLICIES, AND DOCUMENT TITLES OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS RESILIENT LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT, TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING, PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT. AND PURSUANT TO FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, RULE 73, C-49 AND SECTION 163.3191 FLORIDA STATUTES AND TITLE EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL OF COMPREHENSIVE PLAN INCORPORATING NECESSARY AMENDMENTS, REFLECTING CHANGES IN STATE LAW, AND UPDATING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BASED ON CHANGES IN LOCAL CONDITIONS SINCE THE LAST UPDATED.
BASED ON EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT UPDATED ADOPTED ON OCTOBER 16TH, 2019, AND PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, TRANSMITTAL, REPEALER SURVIVABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
THIS IS ITEM R5S THAT IS A SECOND READING PUBLIC HEARING.
COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, I MOVE MY ITEM. SECOND.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. PUBLIC HEARING.
I SEE NO ONE IN ZOOM. NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE REQUESTING TO SPEAK. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ. YES.
COMMISSIONER BHATT. YES. COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS.
YES. COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE. YES. VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ.
YES. COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. YES. MAYOR. MINOR. YES.
MOTION CARRIES. THE ITEM IS APPROVED SEVEN ZERO. THAT WAS ITEM R FIVE.
[R5 AC AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 70 OF THE MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE ENTITLED “MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES,” BY AMENDING ARTICLE I, ENTITLED “IN GENERAL,” BY AMENDING SECTION 70-1.1 THEREOF, ENTITLED “HABITUAL MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE VIOLATION OFFENDERS” TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS WITHIN THE HABITUAL MUNICIPAL OFFENDER ORDINANCE; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
R5AC IS IN ORDER OF THE MAYOR. CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI AMENDING CHAPTER 70 OF THE CITY CODE ENTITLED MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES BY AMENDING ARTICLE ONE ENTITLED IN GENERAL BY AMENDING SECTION 70-1.1 THEREOF ENTITLED HABITUAL MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE VIOLATION OFFENDERS TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS WITHIN THE HABITUAL MUNICIPAL OFFENDER ORDINANCE AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE.THIS IS A FIRST READING PUBLIC HEARING. IT IS ITEM R FIVE AC.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM. COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS. PROUD TO CO-PRIME WITH YOU. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR CO PRIME AS WELL.
I APPRECIATE THAT SUPPORT. SO THIS IS TIGHTENING UP OUR MUNICIPAL HABITUAL OFFENDERS ORDINANCE.
[03:15:09]
MANY FOLKS THAT ARE OUT IN THE STREET THAT YOU KNOW, COMMIT CRIMES AND THEY'RE CONVICTED TIME AFTER TIME AFTER TIME AND THEN SENT TO JAIL AND THEN LET LET OUT. AND THEN THEY COME RIGHT BACK TO MIAMI BEACH TO PREY ON OUR RESIDENTS AND OUR VISITORS.SO THIS IS JUST TIGHTENING THIS UP A LITTLE BIT.
AND I WOULD APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S SUPPORT. THANK YOU.
IF I MAY, IF I MAY, THROUGH THE CHAIR I JUST WANT TO MAKE ONE CLARIFICATION.
THE TIGHTENING UP APPLIES TO CERTAIN MUNICIPAL OFFENSES, WHICH ARE GENERALLY QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES SMOKING, CANNABIS, URINATING OR DEFECATING IN PLAIN VIEW, PUBLIC CAMPING PARK AFTER HOURS.
THE THE OTHER ORDINANCES THAT WE HAVE IN OUR CODE RELATE TO STATE LAW OFFENSES.
AND THOSE WILL REMAIN WITH THE FOUR STRIKES. SO, SO WE ARE NOT ABLE TO CHANGE THAT UNTIL, UNLESS, AND UNTIL THE STATE CHANGES ITS HABITUAL OFFENDER STATUTE.
MR. MAYOR. SO JUST I'M SORRY, JUST TO BE CLEAR.
SO EVEN IF IT'S A MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE, YOU COULDN'T CHANGE IT.
IF IT'S IT'S SIMILAR TO STATE LAW. IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ADOPTED PURSUANT TO STATE LAW, THEN IT HAS TO STAY AT THE FOUR STRIKES IN ONE YEAR UNLESS AND UNTIL THE STATE CHANGES IT.
DO WE HAVE A SEPARATE ITEM TO A LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY.
AND, MR. MAYOR, FOR FOR CO PRIMING WITH THE COMMISSIONER.
I'D LIKE TO JOIN AS A CO-SPONSOR. EXCELLENT. I HEARD JOE MAGAZINE COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE AS WELL.
CALL THE VOTE. IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING. I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS RIJINO.
YES. VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ. YES. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
YES. COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS. YES. COMMISSIONER BHATT.
YES. COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. YES. MAYOR. YES. MOTION CARRIES.
R5AC IS APPROVED ON FIRST READING. SECOND READING.
PUBLIC HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 24TH. WE'RE LISTENING.
COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE AND COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ AS CO-SPONSORS. THAT WAS ITEM R5AC.
I'M SORRY, I WAS LISTED YESTERDAY AS A CO-SPONSOR ON THIS.
I THINK WE'LL VERIFY THAT. SO WE'LL ADD YOU ALSO.
GREAT. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. MATEO- SALINAS. I'M THERE. OKAY. IT JUST WASN'T CALLED IN THE RECORD, BUT IT'S THERE. OH, I WAS JUST ADDING THE ONES THAT SAID NO.
OH, GOTCHA. OKAY. THANK YOU. R5AD. R5AD IS IN ORDER OF
[R5 AD AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 12 OF THE MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE, ENTITLED "ARTS, CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT," BY AMENDING ARTICLE II, ENTITLED “SPECIAL EVENTS,” BY AMENDING SECTION 12-5.2 THEREOF, ENTITLED “SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT REQUIRED FOR LARGE SCALE RESIDENTIAL PARTIES AND EVENTS” TO PROVIDE FOR RECOVERY OF CITY COSTS FOR VIOLATIONS; AND, PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ]
THE MAYOR. CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA. CHAPTER 12 OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE ENTITLED ARTS, CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT BY AMENDING ARTICLE TWO ENTITLED SPECIAL EVENTS BY AMENDING SECTION 12-5.2 OF THE RELEVANT TITLED SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT REQUIRED FOR LARGE SCALE RESIDENTIAL PARTIES AND EVENTS TO PROVIDE FOR RECOVERY OF CITY COSTS FOR VIOLATIONS, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE.R5AD IS A FIRST READING PUBLIC HEARING. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, CO-SPONSORED BY COMMISSIONER BHATT.
AND THE TRUTH IS THAT ENFORCING THESE EVENTS IS AND ISN'T EASY.
IT REQUIRES A GREAT AMOUNT OF RESOURCES FROM OUR CITY ADMINISTRATION, WHETHER IT BE CODE, WHETHER IT BE POLICE, FIRE, PARKING, SANITATION TO STEP IN AND SOMETIMES IN SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS JUST TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE AND MAINTAINING ORDER.
RIGHT NOW, WHEN A HOMEOWNER HOSTS A LARGE SCALE PARTY DURING A CERTAIN HIGH IMPACT PERIOD WITHOUT A SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT, THE CITY IS THE ONE THAT IS ABSORBING THE COST.
EVERY LAW ABIDING RESIDENTS, EVERY LAW ABIDING HOMEOWNER, AND EVERY LAW ABIDING RESIDENT AND TAXPAYER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH ARE FOOTING THE BILLS FOR THE PERSONNEL, FOR THE EQUIPMENT, FOR THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRIGGERED BY THESE ILLEGAL EVENTS.
THIS ORDINANCE AS A STRAIGHTFORWARD COST RECOVERY PROCESS SO THAT WHEN THE VIOLATION OCCURS, THE PROPERTY OWNER, NOT THE PUBLIC. COVERS THE CITY'S EXPENSE.
AND IF THOSE BILLS GO UNPAID, THEN PLACE A LIEN ON ON ON THE PROPERTY.
IS SIMPLE. THIS IS ABOUT FAIRNESS AND ENSURING THAT ONE PERSON'S ABUSE OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD,
[03:20:03]
ABUSE OF THE CITY CODE DOESN'T END UP COSTING THE REST OF THE LAW ABIDING RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.AND WITH THAT, I'LL MOVE THE ITEM. I'LL. SECOND, I LOVE THIS ITEM.
I THINK IT'S GREAT AND LONG OVERDUE. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BHATT. IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING. SEE NO ONE IN ZOOM. NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE REQUESTING TO SPEAK. COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ. YES. COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. YES. COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS.
YES. COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE. YES. COMMISSIONER.
BHATT. YES. COMMISSIONER. FERNANDEZ. YES. MAYOR.
MINOR. YES. MOTION CARRIES. SECOND READING. PUBLIC HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 24TH.
THAT WAS ITEM R5AD. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
WE'LL CALL ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR ITEMS R5W. FIVE
[R5 W AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 82 OF THE MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE ENTITLED “PUBLIC PROPERTY,” BY AMENDING ARTICLE V, ENTITLED “IN GENERAL,” BY AMENDING SECTION 82-441 THEREOF, ENTITLED “FISHING FROM VIADUCTS AND BRIDGES IN THE JETTY AREA BETWEEN 29TH AND 33RD STREETS AND IN RESTRICTED SWIM AREAS,” BY PROVIDING DEFINITIONS, AMENDING, AND CLARIFYING THOSE AREAS IN WHICH SALTWATER FISHING IS PROHIBITED FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
W IS AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY MIAMI BEACH BOARD AMENDING CHAPTER 82 OF THE MIAMI CITY CODE ENTITLED PUBLIC PROPERTY BY AMENDING ARTICLE FIVE ENTITLED IN GENERAL BY AMENDING SECTION 82-441 THEREOF, ENTITLED FISHING FROM VIADUCTS AND BRIDGES IN THE JETTY AREA BETWEEN 29TH AND 33RD STREET AND IN AND IN RESTRICTED SWIM AREAS.BY PROVIDING DEFINITIONS, AMENDING TO CLARIFY, AMENDING AND CLARIFYING THOSE AREAS IN WHICH SALTWATER FISHING IS PROHIBITED FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE.
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE.
THIS IS A FIRST READING. PUBLIC HEARING IS ITEM R5W.
I MOVE THE ITEM I THROUGH THE CHAIR. COMMISSIONER BHATT.
I ACTUALLY WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND THIS A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
SURE. I DEFINITELY DON'T WANT FISH GUTS AND AND FISHING HOOKS LYING AROUND WHERE YOU KNOW, IT CAN CAUSE TROUBLE FOR PETS AND CHILDREN. THAT'S NOT THE GOAL.
MY CONCERN IS. AND SO I'D LIKE YOU TO EXPLAIN IT A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
MY CONCERN IS THAT FOR WE LIVE ON A BARRIER ISLAND, AND FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIVE ON A WATERFRONT PROPERTY, THIS MAY BE THEIR ONLY OPPORTUNITY TO GO FISHING WITH THEIR KIDS OR THEIR PARENTS OR BY THEMSELVES.
I MYSELF AM NOT A FISHER PERSON. IT'S NOT SOMETHING I ENJOY.
BUT ANYHOW SO HELP ME UNDERSTAND BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THIS TO BE A CITY OF HAVES AND HAVE NOTS.
SO COMMISSIONER, IF I COULD JUST ANSWER YOU REGARDING THE, THE THIS IS ABOUT OUR BAY WALK AT THE STREET ENDS OF 10TH STREET, A 14TH STREET, AND LINCOLN ROAD. WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT OUR PARKS OR ANY OTHER AREAS.
THIS IS, YOU KNOW, THE BAY WALK, 10TH STREET, 14TH STREET, LINCOLN ROAD.
THESE ARE SOME OF OUR MOST CHERISHED SPOTS ALONG BISCAYNE BAY WHERE RESIDENTS ARE WALKING THEIR DOGS AND AND, AND WE WANT TO KEEP THEM SAFE. SO THIS IS SPECIFICALLY IN THOSE AREAS.
AND MARK, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO EXPAND ON THAT. NO, THAT'S EXACTLY CORRECT. JUST FOR THOSE THREE DESIGNATED CITY OWNED STREET ENDS ALONG THE BAYWALK, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY HEAVILY UTILIZED AND QUITE CROWDED, YOU'VE ALREADY ELIMINATED ALL MOTORIZED AND NON-MOTORIZED MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, EXCEPT FOR, OF COURSE, WHEELCHAIRS BEEN USED BY DISABLED INDIVIDUALS. BUT MOREOVER, THIS ORDINANCE WOULD ACTUALLY PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO DO WANT TO FISH BECAUSE ASIDE FROM THE CITY OWNED DESIGNATED STREET ENDS THAT THE COMMISSIONER MENTIONED 10TH, 14TH AND LINCOLN ROAD, THIS WOULD REMOVE THE PROHIBITION ON FISHING FROM THE JETTY AREA BETWEEN 29 AND 33, AND ALSO REMOVE THE PROHIBITION ON FISHING FROM THE RESTRICTED SWIM AREAS.
SO THIS ACTUALLY OPENS IT UP MORE. SO REMOVING IT FROM RESTRICTED SWIM AREAS.
DOES THAT CAUSE A POTENTIAL DAMAGE? IF YOU GOT PEOPLE OUT THERE SWIMMING AND THEY DON'T SEE SOMEBODY FISHING, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY GET A HOOK IN THEIR BATHING SUIT.
I MEAN, AGAIN, CLEARLY NOT A FISHER PERSON. WELL, AND THE REASON WHY WE'RE DOING THAT IS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE JURISDICTION IN THOSE IN THOSE AREAS. WE CAN ONLY DO IT IN THE CITY'S RIGHT OF WAYS.
AND THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, COMMISSIONER, YOU'RE CORRECT. I MEAN, IT IS CERTAINLY POSSIBLE.
I THINK THEY'RE OUT THERE IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS AND THE, YOU KNOW, MID TO LATE EVENING HOURS WHEN IT'S BETTER FISHING FOR THEM, THEY'RE USUALLY NOT STANDING THERE, YOU KNOW, WHILE PEOPLE ARE ON THE BEACH. I DON'T THINK THAT'S SOMETHING MANY OF US SEE. SO SO CAN I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT WE SOMEHOW COMMUNICATE THIS TO OUR RESIDENTS? BECAUSE I THINK I KNOW I'VE HEARD FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED.
THE WAY THEY'RE READING IT IS THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE PERMITTED TO, TO FISH PLACES.
[03:25:04]
AND, YOU KNOW, IT STARTS HERE. THEN IT MOVES OTHER PLACES.AND I, I GET CONCERNED WITH THAT. SO IS THERE A WAY TO, YOU KNOW, THROUGH OUR SOCIAL MEDIA OR WHATEVER ELSE? I DON'T KNOW IF PEOPLE NEED TO APPLY FOR A FISHING LICENSE. I HAVE NO IDEA.
BUT SO THAT PEOPLE KNOW YOU CAN'T DO IT HERE, BUT ALL THESE OTHER PLACES NOW YOU CAN BECAUSE AGAIN, YOU KNOW, WE'RE AN ISLAND. PEOPLE MOVE HERE BECAUSE YOU'RE SURROUNDED BY WATER, CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE ON WATER. YOU SHOULD STILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY IT. AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND. YEAH. COMMISSIONER. I'D BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH. THERE SHE IS. I'D BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH MELISSA, AND I CAN PROVIDE HER THE SUBSTANTIVE MESSAGE. SHE CAN CLEAN IT UP AND MAKE IT MARKETING FRIENDLY. WE CAN PUT IT OUT AND LET THE RESIDENTS KNOW THAT WHILE THESE THREE CITY OWNED PROPERTY, DESIGNATED STREET ENDS TEN 14TH AND LINCOLN ROAD. FISHING IS PROHIBITED.
HOWEVER, WE'RE OPENING UP THE JETTY AGAIN BETWEEN 29TH AND 33 AND RESTRICTED TO AREAS.
WE CAN COMMUNICATE THAT. SURE. OKAY. THANK YOU.
GREAT. ANY ACTION, COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ? I MOVE THE ITEM.
ANYONE. SECOND. I'LL SECOND. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
SECONDED BY MAYOR MINOR. IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING.
I SEE NO ONE IN ZOOM, NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE REQUESTING TO SPEAK.
COMMISSIONER. SUAREZ. YES. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ. YES. COMMISSIONER. MAGAZINE.
YES. COMMISSIONER. MATEO- SALINAS. YES. COMMISSIONER.
BART. YES. VICE MAYOR. DOMINGUEZ. YES. MAYOR.
MINOR. YES. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM R5W IS APPROVED.
SECOND READING PUBLIC HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 24TH.
I AM REQUIRED TO READ INTO THE RECORD. THE ATTORNEY CLIENT SESSION SHALL COMMENCE AND WILL BE HELD DURING THE LUNCH RECESS OF THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING IN THE CITY MANAGER'S LARGE CONFERENCE ROOM REGARDING THE FOLLOWING CASE PENROD BROTHERS INC VERSUS THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH AND BOUCHER BROTHERS.
THERE'S A WHOLE SLEW OF CASE NUMBERS. HOPEFULLY I DON'T HAVE TO READ ALL THOSE.
THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE ME VICE MAYOR LAURA DOMINGUEZ COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS COMMISSIONER. ALEX FERNANDEZ COMMISSIONER BHATT.
TANYA BHATT COMMISSIONER. DAVID SUAREZ COMMISSIONER. JOSEPH MAGAZINE CITY MANAGER.
ERIC CARPENTER, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER. MARK TEXAS CITY ATTORNEY RICK DOPICO, CHIEF DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY ROBERT ROSENWALD, DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY HENRY HONEYFIELD, ATTORNEYS ERIC HOCHMAN AND FLANAGAN OF WEISS, SIROTA, HELFMAN, COLE AND BIERMAN AND BIERMAN. WE HOPEFULLY WILL BE BACK BY 1 P.M.
TO CONTINUE WITH OUR SPUTNIK TIME. THANK YOU.
TWO ONE. WELCOME BACK. AFTER OUR LUNCH BREAK, I'M REQUIRED TO READ INTO THE RECORD.
THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING IS HEREBY REOPEN.
THE ATTORNEY CLIENT SESSION ANNOUNCED AT THE BEGINNING OF OUR LUNCH SESSION HAS BEEN TERMINATED.
GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE. IF ANYONE'S INTERESTED IN SPEAKING DURING, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM.
AND REMEMBER TO. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND. YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES. HELLO.
GREGORY RIGANO, RESIDENT, MIAMI BEACH. SO BRIEFLY, WE SPOKE ON THIS THIS MORNING ABOUT THE PFAS FOREVER CHEMICAL LEVELS IN THE WATER, IN THE DRINKING WATER IN MIAMI BEACH.
AND I JUST HAVE A FEW KEY POINTS I WANTED TO MAKE.
THEY OWN THE AIRPORT AND THE WATER SUPPLY THAT THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH CONTRACTS WITH THEM TO BUY.
BUT WHAT IS THIS CITY OF WHAT THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH CAN RECTIFY IS IN ITS WATER QUALITY REPORT, WHICH I HAVE HERE. IT STATES UNEQUIVOCALLY THE FOLLOWING.
THE DATA CONFIRMS THAT THE CITY'S DRINKING WATER QUALITY CONTINUES TO BE EXCELLENT, NOT JUST SAFE FOR OUR MORE THAN 80,000 RESIDENTS, BUT ALSO FOR THE MILLIONS OF VISITORS WHO TRAVEL TO MIAMI BEACH.
THE EPA ALSO SAYS WATER AT THESE LEVELS IS CANCER CAUSING AND INHIBITS DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN.
NOW, THERE ARE SIMPLE SOLUTIONS TO THIS, INCLUDING REVERSE OSMOSIS AND ION EXCHANGE.
AND INSTEAD OF TELLING PEOPLE THAT THE WATER IS SAFE AND EXCELLENT, WE SHOULD BE TELLING THEM ABOUT THESE SIMPLE FILTRATION SOLUTIONS LIKE REVERSE OSMOSIS AND ION EXCHANGE. THE BEST COMPANY, FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN IN MY RESEARCH IS CALLED CULLIGAN.COM.
[03:30:08]
REVERSE OSMOSIS INSTALLED IN YOUR HOME TO HAVE 99% LESS PFAS IN YOUR DRINKING WATER.I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
REALLY, WE NEED STRONG LEADERSHIP HERE, ESPECIALLY TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK? SEEING NONE. LET'S GO TO ZOOM. LELIA BABIC, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.
LELIA, PLEASE UNMUTE YOURSELF. MY NAME IS LEILA.
LEILA, LILA. I WANT TO EXPRESS MY DEEP CONCERN ABOUT A NEWS THAT I READ TODAY REGARDING THE APPROVAL OF THE DEMOLITION OF THE BUILDING IN MAY 6TH 17TH STREET IN MIAMI BEACH.
TO GIVE A SPACE TO BUILD TWO TOWERS. WE DON'T NEED MORE TOWERS.
WE DON'T NEED MORE APARTMENTS. AND WE DON'T NEED MORE CARS IN THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
THE SOUL OF MIAMI BEACH IS THE ART DECO DISTRICT, AND THEY'RE ALL CONSTRUCTIONS.
AND I EXPECT THE MAYOR AND THE COMMISSIONERS TO WORK TO SAVE IT.
THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO EXPRESS, AND I THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THERE IS NO ONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK, MAYOR.
OKAY. THANK YOU. NOT AS LIVELY AS THIS MORNING.
THANK YOU. LET'S GET DOWN TO LET'S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS.
OUR 5AH. R5 IS AN ORDER OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI BEACH,
[R5 AH AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 30 OF THE MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE, ENTITLED "CODE ENFORCEMENT," BY AMENDING ARTICLE II, ENTITLED "SPECIAL MAGISTRATE," BY AMENDING SECTION 30-37, ENTITLED "TERMS OF OFFICE; COMPENSATION"; BY AMENDING THE COMPENSATION OF THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE(S); PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 30 OF MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE ENTITLED CODE ENFORCEMENT BY AMENDING ARTICLE TWO ENTITLED SPECIAL MAGISTRATE BY AMENDING. EXCUSE ME, SECTION 30-37, ENTITLED TERMS OF OFFICE COMPENSATION BY AMENDING THE COMPENSATION OF THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATES PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, REPEALER, SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS A FIRST READING PUBLIC HEARING.IT IS ITEM R5AH. SECOND. I JUST MAKE ONE SUGGESTION.
YEAH. LET'S LET'S ALSO, IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THE LIBERTY OF DESCRIBING THE ITEM, EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT YOUR ITEM, IT'S NOT MY ITEM. BUT I THINK WHAT IT DOES IS THAT IT AMENDS THE SPECIAL, THE, THE SPECIAL MASTERS COMPENSATION BY ORDINANCE.
RIGHT NOW, I BELIEVE THAT THE CITY MANAGER HAS THE AUTHORITY TO AMEND THE CHIEF SPECIAL MASTERS COMPENSATION, BUT THE OTHERS THAT SERVE UNDER THIS CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER HAS TO BE DONE BY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION.
AND WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST TO THE SPONSOR AND TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, IF IT'S POSSIBLE, IS IN THE ORDINANCE TO PUT THEIR PROVISION THAT PERHAPS IN THE FUTURE THE SALARY CAN BE AMENDED BY RESOLUTION, WHICH IS MUCH EASIER. IT DOESN'T YOU DON'T NEED TO DO THE TWO READINGS, AND IT KIND OF CUTS THE BUREAUCRACY A LITTLE BIT IN THAT PROCESS.
I'M FINE WITH THAT. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S THAT'S POSSIBLE.
LET US LOOK INTO IT. BUT WE CAN CONSIDER BRINGING AN ORDINANCE TO GRANT THAT OR MAYBE BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND READING IF, IF THAT CAN BE LOOKED INTO. SURE. AND AND I BELIEVE THE SPONSOR OF THIS ITEM IS COMMISSIONER.
MATEO- SALINAS. WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO INCLUDE THAT AS PART OF THE ITEM? YES. YEP. THAT'S A GOOD IDEA. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
IF NOT, WE'LL BRING A SEPARATE ITEM. OKAY. SO MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS. IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING. I SEE NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE AND NO ONE IN ZOOM REQUESTING TO SPEAK.
MAY I CALL THE ROLL? YES. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
YES. COMMISSIONER BOTT. YES. COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE.
YES. COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ.
YES. COMMISSIONER. SALINAS. MATEO- SALINAS. YES.
MAYOR MINOR. YES. MOTION CARRIES. THE ITEM IS APPROVED.
SEVEN ZERO SECOND READING PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 24TH.
[R5 Y 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 AMENDING SECTION 2-367, ENTITLED “REJECTION OF BIDS; NEGOTIATION; SOLE SOURCE PURCHASES; WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING,” TO ESTABLISH NEW PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH WAIVERS OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING, AND AMENDING SECTION 2-369, ENTITLED “AWARD OF CONTRACT,” TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN DETERMINING THE LOWEST AND BEST BIDDER; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
R5Y IS IN ORDER TO THE MAYOR. CITY COMMISSIONER, CITY. BEACH, FLORIDA. AMENDING CHAPTER TWO OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH AND TOWN ADMINISTRATION BY AMENDING ARTICLE SIX ENTITLED PROCUREMENT BY AMENDING DIVISION THREE ENTITLED CONTRACT PROCEDURES BY AMENDING SECTION 2-367, ENTITLED FOR REJECTION OF BIDS NEGOTIATIONS. SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING TO ESTABLISH NEW PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND AMENDING SECTION 2-369, ENTITLED AWARD OF CONTRACT TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN DETERMINING THE LOWEST AND BEST BIDDER AND PROVIDING FOR[03:35:06]
SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS THE FIRST READING PUBLIC HEARING.IT IS ITEM R5Y. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ. I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING. I SEE NO ONE IN ZOOM AND NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE REQUESTING TO SPEAK.
COMMISSIONER SUAREZ COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE. YES.
VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ. YES. COMMISSIONER. MATEO- SALINAS.
YES. COMMISSIONER. VAUGHT. YES. COMMISSIONER.
FERNANDEZ. YES. MAYOR. MINOR. YES. MOTION CARRIES.
SECOND READING PUBLIC HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 24TH.
THAT WAS ITEM R5Y. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, I LIKE THE EXAMPLE YOU USED IN THE MEMO OF THE NO BID AND THE POSEIDON FERRY ONE WHICH I VOTED, WHICH I VOTED NO TO. SO THANK YOU. YEAH. AND THAT'S AND THAT'S THE WHOLE REASON WHY WE'RE DOING THIS.
AFTER REVIEWING THE NO BID CONTRACT WITH POSEIDON FERRY.
THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IDENTIFIED GAPS IN HOW COMPETITIVE BID WAIVERS ARE HANDLED.
SO IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE PRICE TAG, IT'S ALSO ABOUT RISK.
IT'S ABOUT THE RESPONSIBILITY AND WHETHER THE VENDOR IS TRULY PREPARED TO DELIVER FOR THE CITY.
AND I WANT TO THANK THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL AND JILL CENTORINO, WHO'S SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE FOR THESE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT BRING TRANSPARENCY TO OUR GOVERNMENT. YES. THANK YOU. JOE. OUR INSPECTOR GENERAL.
ACTUALLY HAVE A COUPLE OF. ANIMAL RELATED ITEMS. WE'LL DO THOSE TOGETHER. WELL, NOT TOGETHER, BUT WE'LL CALL EACH IN TURN.
[R5 G 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 SEC. 46-203, ENTITLED “PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES DISRUPTIVE TO MARINE TURTLES,” BY AMENDING SECTION 46 203(C), RELATING TO SPECIAL EVENTS, TO ESTABLISH RULES FOR SPECIAL EVENTS HELD BETWEEN APRIL 1 – APRIL 30 AND MAY 1 – OCTOBER 31, INCLUDING LIGHTING PROHIBITIONS, TIME LIMITATIONS, AND PENALTIES; PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
R5G.RR5G IS AN ORDER OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION.
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA. CHAPTER 46 OF MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE ENTITLED ENVIRONMENT BY AMENDING ARTICLE FIVE ENTITLED TURTLE NESTING PROTECTION ORDINANCE BY AMENDING SECTION 46-203 ENTITLED PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES DISRUPTIVE TO MARINE TURTLES BY AMENDING SECTION 46203 C RELATING TO SPECIAL EVENTS TO ESTABLISH RULES FOR SPECIAL EVENTS BETWEEN APRIL 1ST THROUGH APRIL 30TH AND MAY 1ST THROUGH OCTOBER 31ST, INCLUDING LIGHTING PROHIBITIONS, TIME LIMITATIONS AND PENALTIES PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ TURTLEMAN. AMY, CAN YOU TEE UP THE HIGHLIGHTS, PLEASE? SURE. COMMISSIONER. I'D BE HAPPY TO. GOOD AFTERNOON.
YOU MAY REMEMBER WE RECENTLY AMENDED IT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO ACTUALLY.
AND WHAT THIS ITEM DOES IS IT ALLOWS EVENTS IN APRIL AND ALLOWS THEM AFTER 9 P.M., THEY STILL HAVE TO MEET OUR SEA TURTLE ORDINANCE, WHICH MEANS THEY HAVE TO MINIMIZE LIGHT AND FOLLOW ALL OF OUR RULES.
BUT IT WOULD NOT ALLOW EVENTS FROM MAY 1ST THROUGH OCTOBER 31ST AFTER 9 P.M.
BECAUSE OF THE LIGHTING ISSUES AND IMPACT ON THE TURTLES.
REALLY, THE NESTING SEASON REALLY GETS GOING IN MAY.
OKAY. THANK YOU. SO COLLEAGUES, YOU KNOW, I WANTED TO BRING THIS FORWARD BECAUSE I NOTICED THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF EVENTS IN APRIL THAT ARE VERY DISRUPTIVE, A LOT OF LIGHTS, A LOT OF MACHINERY ON THE BEACH.
AND I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A DEFINITE CUT OFF TIME IN THE EVENING TO TO PREVENT, YOU KNOW, ANY SORT OF DISRUPTIONS TO OUR OUR WILDLIFE. AND AMY, YOU COULD ALSO EXPLAIN THAT SINCE OUR ORDINANCE WE PASSED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO FOR SEA TURTLE PROTECTIONS, THE DISORIENTATION RATES HAVE DRAMATICALLY IMPROVED.
YES. SO WE SAW AN IMPROVEMENT IN 2025 BY 9%, WHICH MEANS 9% OF OUR NESTS ARE NESTING HATCHLINGS DIDN'T DISORIENT, WHICH IS GREAT. WE RECENTLY GOT THE NEWS FROM MIAMI DADE COUNTY, SO IT WAS AT ABOUT 50% IN 2024, AND IT WENT TO 41% IN 2025. SO I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM MY COLLEAGUES ON THIS.
[03:40:06]
TO TO WORK ON THIS. COMMISSIONER. MATEO- SALINAS.I JUST HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS AND OVERALL I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.
SO IF THIS PASSES FIRST READING AND SECOND READING NEXT MONTH, WILL THAT AFFECT THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND CONCERT AND THE CONCERT THAT WE'RE HAVING FOR FIFA OR DOES THIS KICK IN LATER? SO THIS THIS WOULD COME INTO EFFECT NEXT YEAR.
OKAY. JANUARY OF 20, JANUARY OF 2020. WELL, RATHER, I GUESS MAY WOULDN'T IT BE.
RIGHT? RIGHT. IT WOULD BE MAY 7TH, 2027. OKAY.
THANK YOU. FOR THAT. VICE CHAIR. LAURA. THANKS.
I'M BACK. ANYBODY ELSE? COMMISSIONER. BHATT. DOES THIS ALLOW? I LOVE THIS IDEA. I'M DELIGHTED TO HEAR ABOUT THE THE IMPROVEMENT.
DOES THIS GIVE THE CITY ABILITY TO USE THE REALLY UNSIGHTLY FLOODLIGHTS IN CASE OF A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE? I CAN'T, I DON'T KNOW, LIKE IF, GOD FORBID, A CRIME SCENE NEEDED TO BE ESTABLISHED FOR SPECIAL EVENTS.
NO, I UNDERSTAND. FOR SPECIAL EVENTS, BUT LIKE, IS THERE ANY SORT OF DOES THIS GIVE THE CITY THE ABILITY TO DO WHAT IT NEEDS TO DO IN CASE THERE'S A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE? SO OUR ORDINANCE ALREADY HAS THAT PUBLIC SAFETY IS IMPORTANT AND IS A CONSIDERATION.
SO YES, IF THERE'S A SITUATION WHERE, YOU KNOW, FLOOD LIGHTS ARE WARRANTED AND THERE'S SOMETHING HORRIBLE HAPPENING, OF COURSE, SHOULD IT BE SUSTAINED AT ALL TIMES DURING TURTLE SEASON AT NIGHT? NO, WE'D RATHER THAT SEA TURTLE LIGHTS ARE USED. I MEAN, THEN WE HAVE A BIGGER ISSUE. WE'VE GOT FOUR MONTHS OF FLOOD LIGHTS. THAT'S A BIGGER ISSUE.
AND A QUESTION I'VE NEVER ASKED IN ALL OF THE TURTLE STUFF. DO THEY? I KNOW THEY GET DISORIENTED BY LIGHT, BUT DOES NOISE AND THE VIBRATION FROM NOISE AFFECT ANYTHING WITH AN S ALSO? WELL, IT'S NOT WITHIN THE REGULATORY STANDARDS. SO WE'VE WONDERED THE SAME THING, BUT IT'S NOT BUILT INTO THE STANDARDS ARE REALLY FOCUSED ON LIGHTING.
AND THAT'S COMING DOWN FROM FROM FWC. BUT JUST FOR MY OWN CURIOSITY, IS IT ANECDOTALLY, HAVE WE OBSERVED WE HAVEN'T OBSERVED OR I THINK WE'RE NOT QUITE SURE ON THAT ONE. IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE'VE WE'VE STUDIED HERE.
OKAY. WELL, JUST I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF NOISE SOMEWHERE.
I DON'T THINK TURTLE'S GOING TO NEST THERE IF IT LOOKS TOO DISRUPTIVE.
I KNOW THEY MIGHT LIKE HOUSE MUSIC. YEAH. MAYBE NOT.
MAYBE NOT TO LAY THEIR EGGS, BUT IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE VERY CALMING.
LIKE. THANK YOU. LET'S CALL THE VOTE. NEED A MOTION? I'LL MOVE IT. SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BOARD.
IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING. I SEE NO ONE. HOLD ON FOR A SECOND.
I SEE NO ONE IN ZOOM AND NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE REQUESTING TO SPEAK.
COMMISSIONER BHATT ON R5G. YES. VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ.
YES. COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS. YES. COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE.
COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. YES. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ YES.
MAYOR, I HAVE TWO ANNOUNCEMENTS. R5AE5AF OPEN AND CONTINUE TO JUNE 24TH.
SO 5AER. 5AF. OPEN AND CONTINUED. AND THAT'S THE LINCOLN ROAD WEST.
RESIDENTIAL USE INCENTIVES. YES, SIR. ITEMS. OKAY.
[R5 I AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 10 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ENTITLED "ANIMALS," BY AMENDING SECTION 10-11 THEREOF, ENTITLED “RUNNING AT LARGE PROHIBITED; EXCEPTIONS,” BY PROVIDING A GRACE ZONE EXTENDING FROM THE PERIMETER OF THE AREA DESIGNATED BY THE CITY MANAGER FOR THE BENEFIT OF AN OWNER OF AN UNLEASHED ANIMAL WHO INADVERTENTLY ALLOWS HIS OR HER ANIMAL TO STRAY OUTSIDE THE APPROVED PERIMETER; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
EAFR5A. I'M SORRY. WHAT? OH. HE CALLED ON FIVE.I KNOW. NO, BUT COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE WAS ASKING ME WHICH ONES WERE OPEN AND CONTINUED. OKAY.
R5I IS AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER TEN OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ENTITLED ANIMALS BY AMENDING SECTION TEN DASH 11 THEREOF ENTITLED RUNNING AT LARGE PROHIBITED EXEMPTIONS BY PROVIDING A GRACE ZONE EXTENDING FROM THE PERIMETER OF THE AREA DESIGNATED BY THE CITY MANAGER FOR THE BENEFIT OF AN OWNER OF AN UNLEASHED ANIMAL WHO INADVERTENTLY ALLOWS HIS OR HER ANIMAL TO STRAY OUTSIDE THE APPROVED PERIMETER AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS THE FIRST READING PUBLIC HEARING.
IT IS ITEM R5I COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. I DON'T WANT TO TAKE TOO MUCH TIME OFF OF THIS, BUT THE IDEA IS SOUTH POINT DOG PARK.
UNIQUE TO ANY OTHER DOG PARK IN THE CITY IS NOT GATED.
AND WE JUST PASSED AN ORDINANCE INCREASING THE FINES FOR OFF LEASH.
I DON'T WANT THEM GETTING FINED. SO THAT'S THE INTENT OF THIS.
[03:45:06]
CALL THE VOTE. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ.YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO CHECK ON THIS. WE'VE HAD PEOPLE GET MAULED AND ATTACKED.
I LOOKED AT THE MEMO ATTACHED TO THIS AND THERE IS NO CITY RECOMMENDATION.
SO THE CITY DOESN'T MATTER EITHER WAY WHETHER WE PASS IT OR NOT.
I DON'T HAVE WE DON'T HAVE A STRONG RECOMMENDATION ON THIS.
THE NUMBER ONE THING IS DOG OWNERS AT ALL TIMES NEED TO BE UNDER CONTROL OF THEIR ANIMAL.
I UNDERSTAND THE INTENT THAT THE COMMISSIONERS, THE SPONSORS TRYING TO MAKE WITH THIS, WITH THE FINES AND THAT THIS IS OUR ONLY ON FENCED DOG PARK. SO DOGS MAY WANDER. BUT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT ALL DOG OWNERS KEEP THEIR, THEIR ANIMAL UNDER CONTROL.
CORRECT. AND IT OPENED THAT WAY. IT'S NEVER HAD A FENCE, BUT THE MAJORITY, 99% OF THE TIME WHEN DOGS DO LEAVE THE THAT LITTLE PARK, THERE ARE NO MAULINGS. IT'S JUST IT'S JUST THEM STRAYING OUT BRIEFLY, RIGHT? TO, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, WE HAVEN'T HAD AN UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT AT THAT SPECIFIC DOG PARK TO MY MEMORY.
COMMISSIONER. MATEO- SALINAS. I JUST HAVE A QUESTION, JOHN.
SO THAT'S THE ONLY UNFENCED DOG PARK IN THE AREA.
AND WHY IS IT UNFENCED? JUST BECAUSE IT WAS THERE WHEN IT WAS CREATED? IT WAS THE. COULD YOU EXPLAIN TO ME THE HISTORY OF THAT? ABSOLUTELY. THE THE RESIDENTS CAME OUT. THIS WAS DURING MY TIME.
IT WAS CREATED AND THE RESIDENTS CAME OUT. AT THAT TIME, THEY FELT VERY STRONGLY ABOUT NOT HAVING A FENCE AT THAT SPECIFIC AREA AND JUST CREATED AN OFF LEASH AREA DURING CERTAIN TIMES OF DAY. IT CAME FROM DIRECTLY FROM THE RESIDENTS OF SOUTH OF FIFTH.
BASED ON THE RESIDENTS IN THE AREA HAVING WHAT THEY FELT WERE SOME EXTRANEOUS CIRCUMSTANCES.
CORRECT. THANK YOU. SIR. WHEN? I THINK IT WAS 2014.
I BELIEVE 2014. YES. AND DO WE HAVE A WRITTEN RESOLUTION FROM SOFIA SUPPORTING THIS ORDINANCE? NO. NO, I DO NOT. AND THIS WAS DISCUSSED AT COMMITTEE, IS THAT RIGHT? WAS THIS DISCUSSED AT COMMITTEE? I. MAYBE THE SPONSOR COULD HELP ME.
I DON'T REMEMBER SPEAKING ABOUT THIS COMMITTEE.
I KNOW I THINK WHAT WE DID WAS WE DISCUSSED THIS HERE AND WHEN THE POSSIBILITY OF WHICH WAS JUST, I GUESS PASSED IN FIRST OR SECOND READING, I'M NOT SURE THE ORDINANCE TO INCREASE THE FINES OF OFF LEASH DOGS IN THE AREA OR IN ANY AREA. I, I MENTIONED THAT SOUTH OF FIFTH IS A DOG PARK HAS A DOG PARK THAT IS NOT FENCED.
AND SO I DON'T WANT TO BE IN A SITUATION WHERE RESIDENTS BRING THEIR DOG, THEY GO OUT FOR FIVE SECONDS AND THEY GET CITED $500 BECAUSE THEIR DOG WENT OUT TO, YOU KNOW, AN UNKNOWINGLY WITH THE OWNER.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S WHERE WE ARE TODAY. SO ON ONE HAND, WE'RE INCREASING THE FINES FOR OFF LEASH DOG PARK. BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, IN SOUTH POINT, THERE'S A DOG PARK THAT DOESN'T HAVE ANY FENCES.
AND YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T CONTROL YOUR ANIMALS IF THEY'RE OFF LEASH THERE AND THEY RUN OUT.
SO I THINK A GRACE PERIOD IS A GOOD COMPROMISE.
MR. CITY CLERK I THINK IT WAS LAST MINUTE, BUT DIDN'T THE ANIMAL WELFARE COMMITTEE SEND AN LTC AGAINST THIS ITEM? THEY DID, AND WE PUBLISHED IT EARLIER THIS MORNING AT 8 A.M..
OKAY. AGAIN. I MEAN, I DON'T SEE WHAT THE BIG DEAL IS.
BUT WE HAVE A SITUATION WHERE DOGS ARE PROBABLY GOING TO ROUND UP.
MY DOGS SOMETIMES RUN OUT OF THE PARK WHEN THEY GO THERE.
I DON'T THINK THE OWNERS SHOULD BE FINED FOR THAT.
AND THERE'S BEEN NO ISSUES AT THE SOUTH POINT DOG PARK.
WHY DO WE DO THAT? BECAUSE IN THE EVENT THAT THERE IS A CODE OFFICER OR PARK RANGER THAT SEES YOUR DOG RUNNING OUT AND THEY NOW HAVE DIRECTION FROM THE CITY THAT WE'RE WE'RE PAYING ATTENTION TO OFF LEASH DOGS AND THEY GET FINED.
[03:50:11]
WHAT WAS THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER SOPHIA HAS OPINED ON THIS? AND I'LL JUST TELL YOU, THE REASON WHY I FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH IT IS BECAUSE THIS IS A UNIQUE DOG PARK.UNLIKE MOST DOG PARKS, THIS DOG PARK IS NOT FENCED.
IT'S NOT ENCLOSED. MOST OF THE OTHER DOG PARKS IN OUR CITY ARE.
THEY. DO THEY HAVE AN ENCLOSURE AROUND THE PERIMETER? JOHN? YES, SIR. YOU JUST MADE ME THINK OF A RECENT LEGISLATION THAT PASSED AND WAS PASSED TO CREATE ANOTHER DOG PARK AREA, OR OFF LEASH AREA CLOSER TO SMITH, SPECIFICALLY FOR THE SMALLER DOGS.
AND THAT ALSO WOULD BE IN SOUTH POINT PARK AND WOULD BE UNFENCED.
BUT THAT'S THE ONLY SITE IN THE CITY THAT THE ONLY SITE THAT IS VERY UNIQUE BECAUSE WHEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH THE OTHER AREAS OF OF THE CITY, YOU'RE MAKING SURE THAT THE DOGS ARE IN A MUCH MORE CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT.
NOT ALL DOG PARKS HAVE TO BE FENCED IN. SO THAT IS THE CHARACTER OF SOUTH OF SOUTH POINT PARK.
IT'S VERY EASY FOR A DOG TO GO BEYOND THE PERIMETERS OF THE DOG PARK, BECAUSE YOU AND I AND ALL OF US KNOW WHAT ARE THE PERIMETERS OF A DOG PARK. DOG OWNER MIGHT NOT. AND AND AND NOW THEY'RE IN VIOLATION OF THE OF OF THAT OF THE LEASH ORDINANCE. THE MOMENT THAT THE DOG GOES AND CHASES A SQUIRREL, GO AND CHASES A BALL BEYOND THE PERIMETER OF THAT, OF THAT OF THAT AREA. SO, YOU KNOW, I JUST, I JUST WANT US TO BE MINDFUL OF THAT BECAUSE THEN, YOU KNOW, IF WE DO FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD BE A LEASH, THEN MAYBE WHAT WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT IS, WELL, SHOULD WE BE ENCLOSING THE AREA? AND I KNOW IN THE PAST, YOU KNOW, PROBABLY LIKE TEN YEARS AGO OR MORE, THAT WAS THE SOURCE OF GREAT DEBATE ON THIS DAIS, RIGHT? WELL, IF THIS PARK HAS BEEN LIKE THAT SINCE 2014 WITHOUT INCIDENT OR HAVE PEOPLE BEEN GETTING FINED? AND THAT'S WHAT BROUGHT THIS ORDINANCE. I JUST FEEL THAT THIS IS OPENING A CAN OF WORMS. BECAUSE HOW DO YOU DETERMINE. OH, I JUST LEFT THE PARK FIVE SECONDS AGO.
SINCE 2014 HAS BEEN OPERATING LIKE THIS. WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? AND SO JUST, JUST, JUST TO BRING US BACK TO BRING SOME CLARIFICATION.
THE REASON THIS BROUGHT UP WAS THERE WAS AN ORDINANCE PASSED JUST TODAY THAT INCREASED THE FINES FOR OFF LEASH DOGS ANYWHERE IN THE CITY. AND I AGREE WITH THAT. BUT IF YOU HAVE A SITUATION AND A PARK OR IT'S UNIQUE WHERE DOGS CAN RUN OUT, LIKE CHASING A SQUIRREL OR A BALL OR A FRISBEE, THEY SHOULDN'T BE FINED FOR THAT.
CONSIDERING THAT THE CITY HAS A PARK DESIGNED TO BE OPEN SPACE.
SO, YOU KNOW, I, I, I DON'T, I WASN'T AWARE OF ANY ANIMAL WELFARE COMMITTEE RESOLUTION PASSED.
I CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE THAN HAPPY TO DISCUSS THAT.
THIS JUST MAKES SENSE FOR A PARTICULAR DOG PARK IN A PARTICULAR SETTING.
SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF UNHAPPY RESIDENTS WHO BRING THEIR DOGS THERE EVERY DAY, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE CODE OFFICERS OR PARK RANGERS START ISSUING TICKETS BECAUSE THEY RUN OUT TO CATCH A BALL.
SO, MR. MAYOR LAURA, THAT'S YOU. THAT'S OKAY.
COMMISSIONER. SO, COLLEAGUES, I, I DON'T KNOW THIS GENTLEMAN.
MAYBE SOME OF YOU DO. WE JUST GOT AN EMAIL FROM A RESIDENT AT 128.
TALKING ABOUT THIS NOTION ABOUT A GRAY ZONE. HE, I DON'T WANT TO READ IT OUT LOUD, BUT WHAT HE'S SAYING IS THAT THE. I'M SORRY, I'M TRYING TO FIND IT. IT'S ALREADY BEEN EXPANDED FROM NOTHING INTO THE CURRENT DOG PARK.
OWNERS ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE THEIR DOGS THERE UNLEASHED. IT ALLOWS PEOPLE WHO ARE SCARED OF DOGS, PEOPLE WHO WANT TO KEEP THEIR CHILDREN AT A SAFE DISTANCE, ETC., TO STAY AWAY FROM THE DOG, FROM THE DOGS. THE PARK RANGERS ALREADY USE THEIR JUDGMENT AND GIVE A WARNING TO ANY SUPPOSEDLY FIRST TIME OFFENDER RATHER THAN A CITATION.
[03:55:03]
AND THEN IF THERE'S BEEN A PREVIOUS PROBLEM, THE OWNER SHOULD NOT LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN. THAT GOES BACK TO YOUR POINT. COMMISSIONER SUAREZ ABOUT THE OWNERS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE RESPONSIBLE.I MEAN, FROM WHICH POINT DO YOU MEASURE IT WHERE EXACTLY? IT'S NOT, IT'S NOT A PERIMETER THAT IS VISIBLE.
IT'S NOT HOW IT'S WORKED BEFORE. I DON'T IMAGINE THAT'S HOW IT'S GOING TO START WORKING NOW.
AND I THINK IT'S CREATING A LAW THAT IS UNENFORCEABLE.
AND I DIRECT, I ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO READ THIS EMAIL FOR YOURSELVES.
AND SO I AM NOT GOING TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.
COMMISSIONER, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, JUST BECAUSE WE GET ONE EMAIL.
LET ME FINISH. IF YOU GET ONE EMAIL FROM 15 MINUTES AGO AND THAT CHANGES YOUR OPINION ON EVERYTHING, THAT IS COMMON SENSE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU.
WELL, HOWEVER, EXCUSE ME, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, IT DOES NOT CHANGE MY OPINION ON EVERYTHING.
IT DID NOT CHANGE MY OPINION ON THIS. I WAS NOT GOING TO SUPPORT IT.
I DO NOT THINK IT'S ENFORCEABLE. I'M JUST GIVING YOU GUYS.
ALL RIGHT. NOW, WHAT IS THIS? AND JUST SO WE'RE CLEAR, WHAT IS ENFORCEABLE RIGHT NOW IS IF THE MOMENT YOUR DOG STEPS OUT OF THAT DOG PARK, YOU'RE GOING TO BE FINED SOMETHING EXTRA THAT WE JUST PASSED TODAY.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S FAIR FOR THAT PARTICULAR DOG PARK.
AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS CLEAR. IT'S NOT.
AND I WOULD RATHER NOT LEAVE THAT DISCRETION TO A A CODE OFFICER OR A PARK RANGER TO DECIDE THAT.
I JUST I'M SORRY, I DON'T I DON'T WANT TO HAVE THAT DISCRETION PASSED TO SOME TO A PATROL OFFICER.
I'D RATHER HAVE THERE BE A GRACE PERIOD FOR THIS PARTICULAR DOG PARK THAT HAS HAD ZERO ISSUES.
NOW, WHO'S TO SAY THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE A CODE OFFICER OR A PARK RANGER THAT HAS A BEEF WITH ONE OF THE RESIDENTS, WHICH I KNOW HAPPENS BECAUSE THEY TELL ME ABOUT IT AND THEY WRITE HIM A TICKET BECAUSE THAT'S THE LETTER OF THE LAW.
SO, I MEAN, AGAIN, WE'RE ON ONE HAND, WE'RE MAKING IT VERY ONEROUS ON DOG OWNERS.
AND ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU HAVE A SITUATION WHERE IT'S IT'S UNCONTROLLABLE.
DOGS DON'T REALLY KNOW BORDERS. THEY DON'T KNOW THAT THEY CAN'T LEAVE.
CHIEF. CHIEF JONES, SORRY TO CALL YOU UP, BUT DO YOU MIND JOINING US? CAN YOU ADDRESS, PLEASE, HOW THE PARK RANGERS ENFORCE WHAT CURRENTLY EXISTS? IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT I AM DOWN THERE DOING EVERY DAY BECAUSE MY DOGS ARE UP IN NORTH BEACH AND I KEEP THEM ON LEASH.
BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE IS NOT LIKE A GOTCHA GAME OF IF THE DOG STRAYS OUT THAT, THAT SOMEBODY'S WAITING THERE TO WRITE THEM A CITATION.
I CAN TELL YOU, AS FAR AS POLICE DEPARTMENT IS CONCERNED, IT'S REALLY NOT HIGH ON THE PRIORITY LIST.
I'M SORRY. LIKEWISE. I'LL SAY IT ONE MORE TIME.
BUT SO BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU, THIS IS NOT A THING.
THAT'S LIKE, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THERE'S GOING TO BE A GANTLET OF OF OFFICIALS WHO CAN WRITE CITATIONS.
IT'S GOING TO BE, HEY, MAKE SURE YOU KEEP YOUR DOGS IN THE CONFINES UNLESS THERE'S A REPEATED PROBLEM, THE WAY IT'S BEEN EXISTING FOR THE LAST, YOU KNOW, X NUMBER OF YEARS.
CORRECT. THE, THE, THE MAIN ROLE OF THE PARK RANGER IS TO BE AN AMBASSADOR FIRST.
YOU KNOW, THEY ARE NOT MANDATED TO GO OUT THERE AND TO ISSUE CITATIONS.
HOWEVER THEY GET TO KNOW THEY KNOW THEIR PATRONS, THEY, THEY, THEY KNOW REPEAT OFFENDERS.
AND THAT'S WHEN IT WILL TRIGGER. FIRST, IT IS AN EDUCATION.
PLEASE. YOU KNOW THE BOUNDARIES HERE. KEEP YOUR ANIMAL WITHIN THAT AREA.
THANK YOU. AND THEN IS OKAY. I WE WARNED YOU LAST WEEK.
WHEN IT GETS TO ANOTHER ONE THEN THEY'LL ISSUE A CITATION.
BUT THE KNEE JERK REACTION IS NOT TO CITE A FIRST TIME OFFENDER.
THAT'S THE PRACTICE OF THE PARK RANGERS AGAIN.
AND TO THAT POINT, I JUST DON'T WANT TO LEAVE THAT TO THE DISCRETION OF AN OFFICER, A PARKING, A CODE OFFICER OR A PARK RANGER. I THINK IT SHOULD BE WRITTEN IN OUR CODE.
[04:00:05]
I SECOND THE ITEM. I SECOND THE ITEM. STEVE. COMMISSIONER MAYOR.SORRY, IT'S A PUBLIC COMMENT. THERE IS. IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING.
I SEE NO ONE ON ZOOM. IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WISHING TO SPEAK? THERE'S NONE. CALL THE VOTE. I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ ON R5I.
COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS. YES. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
YES. COMMISSIONER. BART. NO. VICE. MAYOR. DOMINGUEZ.
NO. COMMISSIONER. MAGAZINE. YES. COMMISSIONER.
SUAREZ. YES. MAYOR. MINOR. YES. MOTION CARRIES.
SECOND READING PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 24TH. THAT WAS ITEM R5I.
WE'LL WE'LL REACH OUT TO SOFIA AS WELL TO GET THEIR INPUT.
IT'S CALLED R7D. R7D! APPROVE MOU
[R7 D 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 MARCH 26, 2025 MEETING AND APPROVING, IN SUBSTANTIAL FORM, A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ("MOU") BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH AND NORTH BAY VILLAGE FOR NORTH BAY VILLAGE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CULTURE CRAWL TROLLEY PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATION TO FINALIZE THE MOU; AND FURTHER, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE FINAL MOU.]
WITH NORTH BAY VILLAGE CULTURAL CRAWL TROLLEY PROGRAM.R7D COMMISSIONER SUAREZ CO-SPONSOR FOR COMMISSIONER BHATT COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ COMMISSIONER.
I THINK THIS WAS PULLED OFF OF CONSENT AT THE LAST MEETING AND THIS IS WHY IT'S DISCUSSION NOW.
SO, JOSE, TAKE IT AWAY, PLEASE. SURE. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. COMMISSIONERS JOSE GONZALEZ, TRANSPORTATION MOBILITY DIRECTOR.
SO WHAT THIS ITEM DOES IS IT FORMALIZES THE RELATIONSHIP, THE ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND NORTH BAY VILLAGE, WHEREIN WE'VE BEEN. WELL, ACTUALLY, AT NORTH BAY VILLAGE IS COST.
WE'VE BEEN USING OUR OPERATOR TO PROVIDE TROLLEY SERVICE DURING CULTURAL EVENTS.
AND AS PART OF THAT SERVICE OUR TROLLEY SERVES, IT EXTENDS OVER INTO NORTH BAY VILLAGE.
IT HAS A FEW STOPS THERE, PICKS UP, DROPS OFF PEOPLE, BRINGS THEM OVER TO NORTH BEACH ALONG 71ST STREET, A COUPLE DIFFERENT AREAS, INCLUDING THE FOUNTAIN DISTRICT AS WELL AS THE BANDSHELL AREA.
I'LL REITERATE IT'S BEEN AT THEIR COST AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE AT THEIR COST.
AND SO WITH THIS AGREEMENT DOES IS IT FORMALIZES THE RELATIONSHIP AND ESTABLISHES A MECHANISM WHEREBY NORTH BAY VILLAGE CAN REIMBURSE US BECAUSE UP UNTIL NOW, WE'VE BEEN FRONTING THE FUNDS FOR THIS SERVICE.
IT'S ONCE A MONTH THROUGH THE MAYOR, TO YOUR QUESTION.
I HAVE A QUESTION. GO FOR IT. THROUGH THE MAYOR COMMISSIONER BHATT.
I TALKED TO MAYOR STREITFELD THREE WEEKS AGO ABOUT THIS.
LOVES THE PROGRAM. EVERYBODY IN NORTH BEACH LOVES IT.
I, YOU KNOW, IT'D BE AWESOME TO EXPAND IT DOWN THE ROAD WHEN WE'RE READY, BUT MY RECOLLECTION WAS THAT THERE HAD BEEN A CONCERN ABOUT THE PRICING AND THAT THAT NORTH BAY VILLAGE AND MIAMI BEACH WERE WORKING ON TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE RIGHT PRICING SHOULD BE WAS A LITTLE BIT EXPENSIVE FOR THEM, PERHAPS. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHERE WE ARE ON THAT? SO I BELIEVE YOU'RE REFERRING TO A PERMANENT SERVICE, A POTENTIAL FUTURE PERMANENT SERVICE CONNECTING FOR TROLLEYS TO NORTH NORTH BAY VILLAGE IN TERMS OF THIS ITEM AND THE SERVICE DURING CULTURE CRAWL.
THEY ARE. THEY ARE 100% ON BOARD. SO THAT'S A WHOLE SEPARATE ITEM THAT WE CAN WORK ON SEPARATELY.
YES. OKAY. GOT IT. THANK YOU. SO MOVE THE SECOND.
CALL THE VOTE. SO I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ ON R7D.
ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. ANYONE OPPOSED? HEARING NONE. R7D IS APPROVED SEVEN ZERO. R7ER7E IS DISCOUNT ON RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT REGISTRATION
[R7 E A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING A TEN PERCENT (10%) DISCOUNT ON THE ANNUAL RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT REGISTRATION FEE, AS AUTHORIZED IN CITY CODE SECTIONS 106-76 THROUGH 106-84, FOR (1) CITY OF MIAMI BEACH RESIDENTS WHO ARE SIXTY FIVE (65) YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, AND (2) CURRENT OR FORMER MILITARY RESIDENTS.]
FEE COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS. SO THIS ITEM WAS ON CONSENT AND I ACTUALLY PULLED IT MYSELF BECAUSE THERE WAS A BIT OF A MISREPRESENTATION. THE IDEA IS TO GIVE A MILITARY DISCOUNT AND A SENIOR DISCOUNT FOR FOLKS ON THERE WITH THEIR REGISTRATION FEES AND UNFORTUNATELY, THE SENIOR DISCOUNT DIDN'T MENTION THAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR LOW INCOME SENIORS, NOT JUST ANY SENIORS. SO I'D LIKE TO OFFER THAT AMENDMENT AND THEN MOVE MY ITEM.SO THIS WILL JUST BE FOR LOW INCOME SENIORS AND MILITARY TO GET A SMALL, VERY MODEST 10% DISCOUNT.
[04:05:07]
I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO CALL THE VOTE.MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, AS AMENDED. LET ME JUST ASK ONE QUESTION IF THIS IS PART OF THAT ACTUALLY, IS THIS A REFERRAL TO COMMITTEE OR IS THIS THE POLICY WE'RE ADOPTING RIGHT NOW? THIS IS THE POLICY WE'RE ADOPTING NOW. LET ME ASK YOU SOMETHING. YEAH.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SENIORS AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OUR SERVICE MEMBERS.
AND THERE'S NOTHING MORE SIGNIFICANT THAT WE CAN DO THAN 10%.
I MEAN, IT'S YOUR ITEM AND I DON'T WANT TO THROW A WRENCH IN IT.
BUT I'M JUST WONDERING, YOU KNOW, SENIORS ARE NOT ALWAYS IN THE BEST POSITIONS.
AND IT'S UP TO YOU. I'M FINE WITH A BIGGER DISCOUNT.
AND WOULD I GET SUPPORT WITH UP HERE? I AGREE.
I'D LOVE TO GIVE A BIGGER DISCOUNT. SO I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM OTHERS TOO.
UP HERE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OUR SERVICE MEMBERS ALSO AND THEY'VE DONE A LOT FOR US.
SO 20%. ANYBODY WANT TO GO HIGHER. FREE. THAT'S WHAT THAT'S HOW I WAS FEELING ACTUALLY. OKAY. I'D LIKE TO AMEND MY ITEM TO SAY THAT LOW INCOME SENIORS AND MILITARY PROFESSIONALS GET FREE PARKING FEES.
YEAH. AND I, AND I'M SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO OUR BUDGET CHAIR.
SO JUST, JUST, YEAH, JUST I WOULD WANT TO, I THREW THAT OUT THERE AS A POTENTIAL TO CONTEMPLATE IT, BUT I'D LIKE TO HEAR, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE PREPARED TO DO IT NOW.
WHAT KIND OF FISCAL IMPACT THAT WILL HAVE? I MEAN, THIS ISN'T HOW WE LEGISLATE, RIGHT? WE'RE JUST TEN. DO I HEAR? I MEAN, THAT'S WHAT OPRAH DOES.
FREE CAR FOR YOU. LIKE IF WE'RE GOING TO DO IT, LET'S BE SERIOUS ABOUT THE POLICY.
WE DON'T JUST SAY START AT 10%. GO TO 20. DO I HEAR FREE? YES. FREE. IF WE'RE GOING TO DO IT, LET'S SPECIFY WHO IT IS, WHAT IT'S GOING TO COST THE CITY AND MAKE A SOUND JUDGMENT.
SURE. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT FISCAL IMPACT 10% IS 20% OR FREE.
WE'RE DISCUSSING IT. BUT THE ISSUE IS WE'RE NOT WE DON'T HAVE ANY ANALYSIS.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, I'M ALL FOR I THINK WE NEED TO AS BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER THINGS ON THIS AGENDA THAT THAT TALK ABOUT WAIVING FEES AND ON PRINCIPLE. THERE'S A. THERE'S A CASE TO BE MADE FOR REDUCED OR WAIVED FEES, BUT LET'S MAKE THEM MEANS TESTED INSTEAD OF JUST GENERALIZING CATEGORIES, WHICH ARE NOT VERY PRECISE. I MEAN, WHY IS SOMEBODY WHO MIGHT BE 67 YEARS OLD, BUT LIVING IN A $20 MILLION HOME, GETTING DISCOUNTED PARKING.
YOU KNOW, SO I DON'T AGREE. I DON'T DISAGREE WITH THE GOAL.
AND, YOU KNOW, PERHAPS MILITARY VETERANS ARE A WHOLE DIFFERENT CATEGORY.
I DON'T KNOW. LET'S LOOK AT WHAT BEST PRACTICES ARE.
AND LET'S COME BACK TO THE COMMISSION WITH A PROPOSAL OF MEANS TESTED.
WHAT THE IMPACT IS. YOU KNOW, IN CITIES AROUND THE WORLD, AROUND THE COUNTRY, THIS IS HOW THEY TREAT MILITARY VETERANS WHO DESERVE, YOU KNOW, ALL THE RESPECT AND ALL THE BENEFITS THAT THEY CAN ACCRUE FOR HAVING PUT THEIR LIVES IN HARM'S WAY FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF OUR COUNTRY.
NOBODY'S ARGUING THAT. BUT LET'S FIGURE OUT WHAT THE BEST WAY TO DO IT IS BEFORE WE JUST WHOLEHEARTEDLY WHOLESALE, JUST, YOU KNOW, MAKE DECISIONS ON THE FLY AT THE SAME TIME, THEY WERE GOING THROUGH THIS BUDGET PROCESS WHERE WE WERE TRYING TO KEEP TAXES STEADY.
AND SURE, IT'S NOT A LOT OF MONEY ON THIS, BUT THEN IT'S NOT A LOT OF MONEY ON THAT. AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTS ADDING UP. SO AGAIN, I SUPPORT THE GOAL. I JUST SUGGEST THAT MAYBE WE WE OPEN AND CONTINUE THIS TILL NEXT MONTH, LET YOU GUYS HAVE A CHANCE TO COME BACK TO US WITH A PLAN AND, AND MAKE IT HAPPEN IN A MEASURED WAY.
YEAH. IF I CAN BRING IT HOME, IT'S YOUR ITEM.
COMMISSIONER. MATEO- SALINAS. I THINK THERE'S BEEN SOME GOOD SUGGESTIONS HERE, BUT CLEARLY IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF MORE INPUT FROM CITY STAFF AND THE FINANCIAL IMPACT. SO I DON'T WANT TO I DON'T WANT TO HIJACK YOUR ITEM.
COMMISSIONER. MATEO- SALINAS. IT'S UP TO YOU. I MEAN, I THINK YOU HAVE THE VOTES TO GET THIS PASSED TODAY AT 10% AND MAYBE FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS FOR SOMETHING MORE. THAT'S YOUR CALL OR EVEN 20.
I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T MEAN TO TAKE IT FROM YOU, BUT LET'S JUST, LIKE, QUANTIFY WHAT IT IS.
IS THERE EVEN, LIKE, A BACK OF THE ENVELOPE ESTIMATE? I WILL MCDONALD, DIRECTOR OF PARKING CITY, MIAMI BEACH. RIGHT NOW, WE DON'T HAVE ANY DATA ON ANYBODY SELF-IDENTIFYING AS A MILITARY VETERAN, AS AN ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBER, OR ON THE AGES OF ANYBODY THAT HOLDS RESIDENTIAL PERMITS.
[04:10:04]
IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE COLLECT OR ASK. SO I IMAGINE IT'S GOT TO BE WHAT IS OUR COMPREHENSIVE PERMIT REGISTRATION FEE? I DON'T HAVE THAT NUMBER, I APOLOGIZE.WE HAVE ALTOS DEL MAR, WHICH I WANT TO SAY OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD IS JUST OVER $200 A YEAR.
I GET THAT, BUT IT RUNS. I'M SAYING LIKE OUR AGGREGATE FEES THAT WE COLLECT ON PERMIT REGISTRATION, ARE WE TALKING? HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS. MILLIONS? 10,000. 16,000. 50 TIMES. I'D SAY IT'S LESS THAN A MILLION.
OR RIGHT AROUND THAT AREA. IT'S LESS THAN A MILLION.
I'M FINE. WHEREVER YOU WANT TO TAKE THIS. COMMISSIONER.
I JUST THINK, LIKE. WE WE COME WITH SOMETHING MORE TANGIBLE.
NOT. WE COME WITH SOMETHING MORE TANGIBLE. YOU HAVE THIS. BUT WHEN WE DECIDE ON SOMETHING, LET'S JUST HAVE A RHYME OR REASON TO IT. AND IF I GET THAT, MAYBE THE MAYOR IS A JOKE.
I WASN'T REFERRING TO YOU AS FREE, BUT IF WE WERE ABOUT TO VOTE ON THAT, IT'S JUST LET'S HAVE SOMETHING TANGIBLE, RIGHT? LIKE, OKAY, LET'S MAKE OUR ARGUMENT FOR 10%.
AND WE DON'T NEED TO REFER TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO HASH THIS OUT.
EVEN IF IT IS RETURNING MAYBE NEXT MONTH. IS THIS FIRST READING? OKAY, SO THIS IS THIS WILL BE APPROVED JUST TO SEE THE QUANTIFICATION.
BUT WE DON'T HAVE THAT QUANTIFICATION, RIGHT? BECAUSE WE DON'T COLLECT THOSE DETAILS. SO THERE'S REALLY NO WAY, EVEN IF WE BUMP THIS A MONTH THAT THAT IS, THAT IS A CORRECT ASSUMPTION. COMMISSIONER. UNFORTUNATELY, WE DON'T WE DON'T ASK ANYBODY THE QUESTIONS THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED.
SO IT WOULD BE A A GUESSTIMATE IS THE WORD I'D LIKE TO USE.
SO FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU ARE A MILITARY VETERAN OR YOUR ACTIVE DUTY, PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR CAT CARD OR YOUR CAC CARD, SORRY OR YOUR DD214. AND THEN IF WE USE LOW INCOME, WE COULD TALK ON, ON, ON RESPECTABLE WAYS TO, TO BEST SERVE THAT POPULATION. I DON'T WANT TO SPITBALL OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD RIGHT NOW.
MR. MAYOR, WE CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY, AND I'LL JUST LEAVE WITH ONE THING.
WHEREVER WE LAND UP, LET'S JUST HAVE, LIKE, SERIOUSNESS AROUND IT AND RHYME OR REASON.
WE CAN DO THAT TODAY IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET FURTHER DATA.
COMMISSIONER. BHATT. SO PERHAPS IT MIGHT BE USEFUL TO REACH OUT TO THE VFW POST TO SEE.
THEY MIGHT HAVE A SENSE OF HOW MANY VETERANS LIVE IN THE CITY. AND THEN ALSO ANOTHER IDEA FOR YOU.
WE CAN SEND OUT A MICROSOFT FORMS ANONYMOUS POLL.
YEAH. I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS, ALL OF THIS. LIKE IF WE HAD THE DATA, WE HAD THE DATA.
IF YOU SAY OUR AGGREGATE DATA IS LESS THAN $1 MILLION AS A WHOLE, AND THIS IS JUST A SMALL SOURCE, SMALL SUBSET OF THAT. AND IF I MAY, THROUGH THE CHAIR WE DO HAVE SOME RESTRICTIONS IN OUR PARKING BOND COVENANTS THAT I WOULD WANT TO LOOK AT BEFORE YOU DID A FREE PARKING PROGRAM.
I DON'T THINK WE'RE REALLY DOING WE'RE NOT DOING I DON'T THINK THAT'S SERIOUSLY ON THE TABLE.
I GUESS WE'RE TRYING TO COME TO A. WELL, I'LL TURN TO BACK TO COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS.
IT'S YOUR ITEM. SO WHY DON'T YOU GIVE US DIRECTION ON WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE.
GO FORWARD TODAY AND SEE IF YOU STILL HAVE THE SUPPORT, WHICH I THINK YOU DO. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, AND MY COLLEAGUES. ROBUST DISCUSSION THAT I DIDN'T EXPECT TO, YOU KNOW.
MAYBE WE DO AN ARMY OF LESS THAN 80%, I DON'T KNOW.
AND THEN MILITARY MEMBERS CURRENT AND ACTIVE DUTY.
SO I'D JUST LIKE TO, TO, I'D RATHER GET THIS DONE THAN KICK IT DOWN THE ROAD AND THEN HAVE IT GO THROUGH A BUNCH OF ITERATIONS, AND THEN IT WILL EVENTUALLY MAYBE EVEN COME BACK THE SAME WAY.
SO LET'S JUST DO IT TODAY. SO I MOVE MY ITEM AND IF I COULD COMMISSIONERS MATEO- SALINAS, I'M FINE TO GET ANYTHING DONE, WHATEVER IT IS THAT YOU WANT TO LAND ON.
[04:15:02]
AND I APOLOGIZE IF I HASTILY HOPPED IN, BUT WE JUST WENT IN FIVE SECONDS FROM 10 TO 20 TO FREE.SO WHEREVER WE WANT TO LAND ON IT, AS LONG AS THERE'S SOME THOUGHT PUT BEHIND IT.
I JUST SAW THAT TRAIN KIND OF LIKE GOING DOWN THE TRACKS.
IT WAS JUST KIND OF TAKING A SECOND TO PAUSE.
I THINK WE WERE ACTUALLY GOING TO START TO PAYING PEOPLE TO REGISTER AS WE'RE GOING.
BUT KIDDING ASIDE, SUPPORT WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO, WHEREVER YOU WANT TO TAKE THIS.
SO WHEREVER YOU WANT TO GO TO THIS, DON'T CONSTRAIN YOURSELF TO WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED.
IF IF YOU THOUGHT A DIFFERENT NUMBER WORKS, YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT.
THANK YOU. I'M FINE WITH 10%. I WROTE IT AS 10% JUST TO, YOU KNOW, HELP A LITTLE BIT.
AND THIS ACTUALLY WAS A REQUEST FROM A SENIOR THAT APPROACHED ME.
AND SO I FELT 10% WAS SMALL BUT FAIR. AND AGAIN, I'D LIKE TO MOVE MY ITEM.
SECOND. LET'S CALL THE VOTE. I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS AS AMENDED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ TO INCLUDE LOW INCOME SENIORS AND MILITARY PERSONNEL. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
AYE. ANYONE OPPOSED? HEARING NONE. R7 IS APPROVED SEVEN ZERO.
GOOD JOB COMMISSIONER. THERE'S ACTUALLY ONE MORE ANIMAL WELFARE ITEM THAT WAS NOT CALLED R5J.
[R5 J AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 10 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, ENTITLED “ANIMALS,” BY AMENDING SECTION 10-1, ENTITLED “DEFINITIONS,” TO FURTHER DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS THEREIN; BY AMENDING SECTION 10-3, ENTITLED “ENFORCEMENT; ADOPTION OF PORTION OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY CODE BY REFERENCE,” TO CLARIFY ENFORCEMENT REQUIREMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 10-5, ENTITLED “FAILURE TO GIVE ACCURATE IDENTIFICATION; REFUSAL TO SIGN AND ACCEPT A NOTICE OF VIOLATION,” TO CLARIFY VIOLATION REQUIREMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 10-19, ENTITLED “CRUELTY TO ANIMALS,” TO FURTHER DEFINE TERMS THEREIN; BY AMENDING SECTION 10-20, ENTITLED “CONFINEMENT OF ANIMALS WITHOUT SUFFICIENT FOOD, WATER, OR EXERCISE; ABANDONMENT OF ANIMALS,” TO FURTHER DEFINE TERMS THEREIN; AND BY CREATING SECTION 10-22, ENTITLED “REPORTING OF SUSPECTED ANIMAL CRUELTY,” TO ENCOURAGE EARLY REPORTING; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
R5J0 MAYOR SOOY COMMISSIONER. BEFORE AMENDING CHAPTER TEN OF THE CITY CODE ENTITLED ANIMALS BY AMENDING SECTION TEN DASH ONE ENTITLED DEFINITIONS TO FURTHER DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS THEREIN BY AMENDING SECTION TEN DASH THREE ENTITLED ENFORCEMENT ADOPTION OF PORTION OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY CODE BY REFERENCE TO CLARIFY ENFORCEMENT REQUIREMENTS BY AMENDING SECTION TEN DASH FIVE ENTITLED FAILURE TO GIVE ACCURATE IDENTIFICATION REFUSAL TO SIGN AND ACCEPT NOTICE OF VIOLATION TO CLARIFY VIOLATION REQUIREMENTS BY AMENDING SECTION 1019 ENTITLED CRUELTY TO ANIMALS TO FURTHER DEFINE TERMS THEREIN BY AMENDING SECTION TEN DASH TWO ENTITLED CONFINEMENT OF ANIMALS WITHOUT SUFFICIENT FOOD, WATER OR EXERCISE ABANDONMENT OF ANIMALS TO FURTHER DEFINED TERMS THEREIN AND BY CREATING SECTION TEN DASH 22 ENTITLED REPORTING OF SUSPECTED ANIMAL CRUELTY TO ENCOURAGE EARLY REPORTING AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE.THIS IS A FIRST READING PUBLIC HEARING. IT IS ITEM R5J COMMISSIONER SUAREZ.
THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE KEY PROVISIONS FOR UPDATING THIS ORDINANCE THAT IS I THINK SEVERELY LACKING SOME MODERNIZATION ALLOWS OFFICERS TO RESCUE ANIMALS FROM HOT CARS UNDER EXIGENT CIRCUMSTANCES, ALLOWS OFFICERS TO TAKE TEMPORARY EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CUSTODY OF ANIMALS.
CREATES A REPORTING SECTION TO ENCOURAGE REPORTING OF SUSPECTED ANIMAL ABUSE.
IT ENHANCES ANIMAL NEGLECT AND CRUELTY STANDARDS BY GIVING SPECIFIC, ENFORCEABLE EXAMPLES.
IT ADDS, IN FAILURE TO ACT WHEN AN OWNER FAILS TO SEEK NECESSARY VETERINARY CARE, ALLOWS PARK RANGERS AND CODE OFFICERS TO ENFORCE, IN ADDITION TO POLICE OFFICERS ANIMAL NEGLECT AND ABUSE, AND BOTH CIVIL FINES AND CRIMINAL CHARGES CAN RUN CONCURRENTLY AND CIVIL CASES SUPPORT CRIMINAL CASES. SECTION TEN DASH ONE AMENDMENTS THIS SECTION REVISES THE DEFINITION OF AN OFFICER TO INCLUDE CODE COMPLAINT OFFICERS AND PARK RANGERS.
THAT MEANS THE CITY WILL HAVE A GREATER REACH TO ADDRESS ANIMAL NEGLECT AND ANIMAL CRUELTY, BECAUSE BOTH DEPARTMENTS CAN INTERVENE MORE QUICKLY.
SECTION TEN DASH THREE. THIS SECTION. CHANGES SHALL ISSUE TO MAY ISSUE, GIVING OFFICERS DISCRETION TO CHOOSE WARNINGS, EDUCATION OR CITATIONS DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
IT ALSO CONFIRMS THAT ANY AUTHORIZED OFFICER MAY ENFORCE CHAPTER TEN.
AND IF THE CITY WANTS TO CHIME IN ON SOME OF THE PROVISIONS, YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO.
JUST A COUPLE MORE. TEN DASH FIVE THIS SECTION CLARIFIES THAT IF A PERSON REFUSES TO SIGN OR ACCEPT A NOTICE OF VIOLATION UNDER SUBSECTION OF SUBSECTION, THEN THAT SUCH PERSON CAN BE ARRESTED SO LONG AS A REFUSAL OCCURS IN THE PRESENCE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.
PENALTIES ARE AMENDED TO ALIGN WITH OTHER PORTIONS OF THE CITY CODE AND SECTION TEN DASH 20.
THIS SECTION DETAILS STANDARDS FOR PROPER CARE, INCLUDING FOR ADEQUATE FOOD, CONTINUOUS ACCESS TO POTABLE WATER, VENTILATION, SANITATION SPACE, AND PROTECTION FROM EXTREME WEATHER.
IT PROHIBITS LEAVING ANIMALS UNATTENDED IN DANGEROUS VEHICLE CONDITIONS.
[04:20:01]
THIS SECTION PROVIDES CLEAR, ENFORCEABLE STANDARDS FOR OFFICERS, VISITORS AND RESIDENTS.OFFICERS ARE ALSO EMPOWERED UNDER THIS SECTION TO OFFER EARLY EDUCATION AND TO TAKE EMERGENCY, PROACTIVE ACTIONS WHEN AN ANIMAL IS IN IMMINENT DANGER.
IT REITERATES IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY FOR OFFICERS ACTING IN GOOD FAITH IN SECTION TEN DASH 22.
PERMITS ANONYMOUS REPORTING AND CLARIFIES THAT IT DOES NOT CREATE A LEGAL DUTY TO REPORT THIS MAY.
IT ALSO IDENTIFIES THOSE WHO SEE ANIMALS MOST FREQUENTLY FREQUENTLY VETERINARIANS, GROOMERS, BOARDING FACILITIES AND TRAINERS TO ENCOURAGE EARLY DETECTION OR CRUELTY AND NEGLECT. SO LIKE I SAID IN THE BEGINNING, THIS IS MORE OF A MODERNIZATION FOR OUR ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS, AND I'M SURE THE CITY HAS ANY MORE QUESTIONS IF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE QUESTIONS.
MR. MAYOR. COMMISSIONER BHATT. I LOVE THIS, I MOVE IT.
SECOND. WOW. WISH EVERY IOWAN COULD BE LIKE THIS.
LET'S CALL A VOTE. IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING. I SEE NO ONE ON ZOOM.
COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE. YES. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ. THIS.
YES. COMMISSIONER. BHATT. YES. VICE CHAIR. DOMINGUEZ.
YES. COMMISSIONER. MATEO- SALINAS. YES. MAYOR MINOR.
[R7 F A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO CREATE AND IMPLEMENT AN EXPEDITED ELEVATOR INSPECTION PROTOCOL THAT PRIORITIZES CITY ELEVATOR INSPECTIONS BASED ON SPECIFIC RISK AND VULNERABILITY FACTORS, INCLUDING BUILDINGS WITH ONLY ONE ELEVATOR AND BUILDINGS HOUSING VULNERABLE POPULATIONS SUCH AS SENIORS OR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, WHOSE ACCESS TO UPPER FLOORS WOULD BE IMPACTED BY AN ELEVATOR OUTAGE; AND FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO REPORT BACK TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION VIA LETTER TO COMMISSION (“LTC”) WITHIN 30 DAYS WITH THE PROPOSED PROTOCOL AND ANY OPERATIONAL OR BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS.]
ELEVATOR INSPECTION PROTOCOL R7F MR. MAGAZINE.THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. IS PART OF A LOT OF THE ESPECIALLY OLDER BUILDINGS GO INTO INSPECTION 40 YEAR RECERTIFICATIONS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST OVERHANGS AND CHALLENGES IS UPDATING AND GETTING CERTIFICATIONS FOR ELEVATORS, ESPECIALLY A LOT OF THE OLDER BUILDINGS, PARTICULARLY THOSE BUILDINGS THAT HAVE SINGLE ELEVATOR IN SOME OF OUR SENIOR HOMES THAT WE VISITED.
RIGHT. I CAN REMEMBER GOING FOR AN EVENT PROBABLY ABOUT A YEAR AGO.
AND THERE WAS A SENIOR BUILDING WITH ONE OF THEIR ELEVATORS AND THEY'RE WAITING TEN MINUTES.
A CRAZY, CRAZY, RIGHT? IT'S A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE.
IT'S A QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE. IT'S RESTORING DIGNITY TO PEOPLE'S LIVES.
AND THAT'S IN THE MOST EXTREME. BUT EVEN IN THE MEDIUM, IT'S REALLY FOR MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS.
THEY JUST WANT TO GET THINGS DONE EXPEDITIOUSLY.
AND WE'RE SEEING THAT MORE AND MORE AND SEEING THOSE CHALLENGES WITH THE ELEVATOR INSPECTION.
YES, SIR. JOHN NORRIS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR SO THIS ITEM, I BELIEVE, CAME UP AFTER A COMPLAINT CAME IN FROM A BUILDING IN MID BEACH THAT HAD QUITE A FEW SENIOR CITIZENS IN IT. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE MODIFIED OUR APPROACH.
BUT, YOU KNOW, THERE WERE SOME COMMUNICATION ISSUES.
WE RESOLVED THAT WE DO NOW HAVE A PLAN TO PRIORITIZE BUILDINGS THAT HAVE ONLY ONE ELEVATOR AND MOVE THEM AHEAD IN THE SCHEDULE TO GET THAT ELEVATOR INSPECTION INSPECTED AND GET IT ONLINE.
SO WE ARE NOT COMING BACK FOR MULTIPLE INSPECTIONS.
SO WE DO NEED TO MAKE SURE WHEN WE GO THERE THAT WE WANT TO PASS THEM ON THE FIRST INSPECTION.
WE WANT THEM TO BE READY. SO WE'RE WORKING TO COORDINATE THAT.
OKAY, EXCELLENT. I APPRECIATE THAT AND I APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE DONE.
THANK YOU. YEAH. I'D LIKE TO CO-SPONSOR THIS ITEM.
THIS IS A GREAT ITEM. AND I WAS ALSO SOMEONE REACHED OUT TO ME ABOUT A BUILDING THAT HAD, I THINK 10 OR 11 FLOORS IN THE ELEVATOR WAS BROKEN AND, AND THERE WERE ELDERLY PEOPLE THAT WERE STUCK ON THE UPPER LEVELS THAT JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE STRENGTH AND THE WHEREWITHAL TO CLIMB UP AND DOWN, YOU KNOW? TEN, 11. IT WAS A MESS. SO I LOVE THIS ITEM.
COMMISSIONER. MAGAZINE. THANK YOU. AND I WANT TO CO-SPONSOR THIS ITEM.
MR.. MAYOR. COMMISSIONER. SUAREZ. YOU KNOW. THE ELEVATOR IN CITY HALL HAS THAT HAS THAT IS THAT EXPIRED CURRENTLY? I'M NOT SURE I'M GOING TO DEFER TO MR..
REBAR. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT TELLS ME YOU'RE NOT ASKING QUESTIONS.
YOU DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER. YES, SIR. IT'S DUE ON A NEW INSPECTION.
I THINK IT'S A LITTLE RICH THAT THE CITY CONTINUES TO FIND RESIDENTS AND BUILDINGS.
[04:25:05]
MEANWHILE, OUR OWN ELEVATORS EXPIRED AND. WE SEE THE CITY BUILDING OR THE STAFF IS NOT GETTING REPRIMANDED FOR THIS. MEANWHILE, WE HAVE RESIDENTS AND THEIR CONDOMINIUMS WHO HAVE EXPIRED TAGS FOR WHATEVER REASON, AND THEY'RE GETTING PENALIZED.MEANWHILE, WE'RE NOT I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE GIVING ANY SORT OF PENALTY TO ANY RESIDENTS UNTIL VERY LEAST, ALL OF OUR ELEVATORS IN THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH ARE UP TO CODE.
SO IF I COULD I THINK THAT'S A SLIPPERY SLOPE.
THAT'S YOUR LEGISLATIVE PURVIEW. COMMISSIONER ASK A QUESTION FOR CLARIFICATION.
THE ELEVATORS IN CITY HALL, ARE THEY JUST DUE AN INSPECTION OR ARE THEY OUT OF.
ARE THEY NOT WORKING PROPERLY? OKAY. THEY'RE WORKING PROPERLY, BUT THEY CURRENTLY NEED SOME SORT OF REPAIR OR MODIFICATION, WHICH IS NOT LIFE SAFETY RELATED TO GET A VALID CERTIFICATE.
SO I MEAN, DO WE HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE? WE WE DO.
GOOD AFTERNOON. FRANK GARCIA, FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DIVISION DIRECTOR. YES.
EACH UNIT, YOU KNOW, MAY HAVE AS KIND OF A LESSER ITEM WHERE IT'S SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T MERIT SHUTTING THE UNIT DOWN, BUT IT'S A COMPLIANCE KIND OF REGULATORY ITEM.
I CAN SHARE THAT. YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE COME ACROSS WHEN SCHEDULING THESE INSPECTIONS IS THERE HAS TO BE MULTIPLE PARTIES OUR PUBLIC WORKS ELEVATOR SECTION FIRE ALARM VENDOR THE ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR CONTRACTOR THAT WE USE. SO SOMETIMES GETTING ALL THESE FOLKS ON THE SAME PAGE FOR THE INSPECTION BECOMES A CHALLENGE.
THE SAME TYPE OF THE SAME SET OF REQUIREMENTS FOR A PRIVATE BUILDING.
A CONDO BUILDING WOULD ALSO HAVE TO HAVE THOSE 4 OR 5 DIFFERENT PARTIES ON SITE.
OR IS IT DIFFERENT? YES, MA'AM. IT SHOULD BE THE SAME PROTOCOL.
THE SAME. SO TYPES OF MACHINES WHERE THE GOVERNMENT.
AND WE'VE GOT ALL THE PEOPLE HERE AND IT'S HARD FOR US TO GET DONE.
SO I THINK WHEN WE FIND, WHEN WE DO ELEVATOR INSPECTIONS, DO WE, IS THERE A BIFURCATION OF YOU NEED TO GET THIS FIXED. YOU'VE GOT A 30 DAY CURE WINDOW OR WHATEVER VERSUS THIS IS A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE.
LIKE WHAT TRIGGERS ARE FINE? FOR INSTANCE, WHEN SOMEBODY LEAVES YARD CLIPPINGS IN THE CONDO FRONT YARD, THEY GET A NOTICE OF VIOLATION. THEY HAVE 30 DAYS TO CURE IT BEFORE THEY GET FINED.
RIGHT. SO IS THAT IS THAT WHAT HAPPENS WITH AN ELEVATOR THAT DOESN'T HAVE A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE? OR IS THAT OR THEY FINE HAPPENS IMMEDIATELY? YEAH, I'M NOT SURE.
I'M ACTUALLY TEXTING OUR CHIEF ELEVATOR INSPECTOR TO GET A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION ON THIS.
SO JUST I'M GOING TO MAKE AN OFFER AFTER THE FACT.
MOTION FOR RESOLUTION. BECAUSE IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE STAFF REALLY KNOWS WHAT'S GOING ON EITHER.
I DON'T WANT ANY RESIDENTS IN MIAMI BEACH TO BE FINED FOR THEIR ELEVATORS.
UNTIL WE HAVE EVERY SINGLE ELEVATOR OF MIAMI BEACH UP TO CODE.
SECOND. IT'S WE NEED TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE. YEAH.
I MEAN, IF WE'RE NOT IF IF WE'RE NOT ABLE TO COMPLY FOR WHATEVER REASON, HOW ARE WE GOING TO BE BURDENING OUR OWN RESIDENTS WHO HAVE ACCESS TO LESS RESOURCES WITH THE FINES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS? I, YOU KNOW, THERE'S WAYS TO STILL PUSH FOR COMPLIANCE WITHOUT THE FINE ATTACHED TO IT.
THROUGH THE MAYOR. VICE MAYOR. YES. SO I, I AGREE WITH THAT NOTION OF LEADING BY EXAMPLE.
[04:30:03]
I ALSO, HOWEVER, HAVE CONCERNS THAT THE FINES ARE USED A LITTLE BIT LIKE A STICK WHEN THE CARROT DOESN'T WORK.AND WHAT I FEAR IS THAT PROPERTY MANAGERS OR OWNERS OF MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS WITH ELEVATORS MAY NOT. I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO A SITUATION WHERE THE PROPERTY OWNER OR MANAGER IS NOT COMPLYING, AND IT'S A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE FINED.
I DON'T WANT, YOU KNOW, THE EXAMPLE SOMEBODY GAVE ABOUT THE, THE TEN STOREY BUILDING WITH SENIORS TRAPPED ON THE UPPER FLOORS BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T WALK UP AND DOWN. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S BECAUSE THE PROPERTY OWNER JUST DIDN'T CARE.
AND THEY'RE LIKE, I DON'T, YOU KNOW, NOBODY'S GOING TO CHECK ON ME OR IF I DON'T KNOW, BUT I DON'T WANT TO SORT OF OPEN THE FLOODGATES TO PEOPLE NOT DOING WHAT'S RIGHT BY THE RESIDENTS IN THOSE BUILDINGS. SO HOW DO WE HOW DO WE DO ALL THE THINGS? THEY CAN STILL ISSUE A WARNING. THEY JUST AREN'T IMPOSED A FINE.
IS THERE A WAY TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN LIFE SAFETY VERSUS.
IF IT'S ABOUT TO FALL APART, THEY'RE NOT JUST ISSUING A FINE OR A WARNING.
BUT I'M NOT SURE THAT WHAT I'M SAYING IS JUST IF YOUR CERTIFICATION LAPSES BECAUSE YOUR BOARD CHANGES OVER OR YOU JUST WEREN'T FOLLOWING THROUGH AND THERE SHOULDN'T BE A FINE UNTIL WE HAVE ALL OF OUR ELEVATOR SIX BECAUSE WE SHOULD BE LEADING BY EXAMPLE.
I WANT TO JUST MAKE SURE WE'RE CLEAR ON THE TWO ISSUES.
BUT WHEN YOU ISSUE THESE VIOLATIONS, DO YOU DEFER? DO YOU DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN A LIFE SAFETY VIOLATION AS OPPOSED TO A GENERAL MAINTENANCE VIOLATION? THAT IS CORRECT. YOU DO. AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE CITY HALL ELEVATOR, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T WARRANT THE SHUT DOWN. AND IT ALSO MIGHT NOT WARRANT A FINE AT THIS POINT.
THERE IS A HUGE CHALLENGE, AS FRANK POINTED OUT, BRINGING ALL THE PARTIES TOGETHER.
AND THAT WAS THE ISSUE THAT ACTUALLY BROUGHT UP THIS CONVERSATION.
THEY COULDN'T GET THE FIRE ALARM COMPANY THERE WITH THE ELEVATOR COMPANY, WITH THE INSPECTORS.
SO IT WAS ALL A COORDINATION ISSUE. SO I WOULD LIKE TO GET A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION AS FAR AS WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE CITY HALL ELEVATORS, THAT LIKELY THE ISSUE AT LEAST A COUPLE OF MONTHS.
AND I REALLY CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT. BUT IF I CAN GET MORE INFORMATION, I'D KNOW THE DETAILS AND WELL TO BE WELL, TO BE FAIR, JOHN, IT'S REALLY NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. IT'S OUR CITY MANAGER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO BE ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS.
SO IT ABSOLUTELY. THE BUCK STOPS WITH ME. I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS AND THE FACT THAT THE ELEVATORS HAVEN'T GOTTEN THEIR INSPECTIONS AND RECERTIFICATIONS IS UNACCEPTABLE. AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT HAPPENS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
AND I THINK THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON THAT THAT CAN'T HAPPEN IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS.
AND WE'LL BRING AN UPDATE BACK TO YOU NEXT MONTH.
CAN I ASK ANOTHER QUESTION? WHEN, WHEN A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING GETS A FINE FOR AN ELEVATOR ISSUE.
IT'S THE, IT'S THE, THE PROPERTY MANAGER WHO PAYS THE FINE.
IT'S NOT THE RESIDENTS. YEAH, THE ASSOCIATION DOES.
IT GETS PASSED DOWN TO, TO THE RESIDENTS. AND THAT'S, AND THAT'S WHERE LIKE, I THINK WHAT COMMISSIONER SUAREZ IS MENTIONING, IT DOES MAKE SENSE TO ME BECAUSE I DO THINK WHEN IT'S GENERAL MAINTENANCE AND YOU'RE NOT DOING YOUR MAINTENANCE AND THERE'S ISSUES.
THERE'S OR THERE'S, I DON'T KNOW, INVENTORY ISSUES IN THE MARKETPLACE.
SOMETIMES YOU HEAR A LOT OF THESE MAINTENANCE ISSUES WITH ELEVATORS AND THERE'S, THERE'S A LACK OF SUPPLY ON A SPECIFIC PIECE ON A SPECIFIC PRODUCT THAT EVERYONE IS DEALING WITH AT THE SAME TIME.
WHY WOULD WE, WHY WOULD WE CHARGE THE RESIDENTS AND THE CONDOS OF OUR CITY? THOSE CONDOS AND EVEN APARTMENT BUILDINGS ARE GOING TO PASS IT DOWN THEN TO THE TENANTS.
BUT I THINK WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT GENERAL MAINTENANCE, I THINK, I THINK WE'RE WE'RE WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE THAT EVEN IF THE CITY CAN DO IT, CAN'T KEEP UP WITH THE WITH THE, WITH THE REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS OF HAVING THE PERMIT UP TO DATE.
[04:35:01]
WELL, THEN HOW ARE WE GOING TO GO OUT THERE AND START, YOU KNOW, ISSUING THESE FINES ON OUR RESIDENTS WHO ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME EXACT CIRCUMSTANCES AND LIMITS IN, IN SUPPLIES AND, AND INDUSTRY ISSUES AS WE ARE? COMMISSIONER. MATEO- SALINAS. I JUST WANTED TO ASK A QUESTION.DO WE HAVE ANY DO WE HAVE ENOUGH ELEVATOR INSPECTORS OR DO WE HAVE OPENINGS IN THAT DEPARTMENT? HOW IS THAT LOOKING? NO, THAT'S COMPLETELY FILLED. IT'S COMPLETELY FILLED.
WE HAVE TWO ELEVATOR INSPECTORS AND ONE CHIEF ELEVATOR INSPECTOR.
THEY'RE ALL IN THE FIELD DOING ELEVATOR INSPECTIONS, WHICH IS LIKELY WHY I'M NOT GETTING A RESPONSE RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE OFTEN THEY'RE IN PRECARIOUS SITUATIONS DOING INSPECTIONS AND THROUGH THE VICE MAYOR, THROUGH THE VICE MAYOR ALSO, BECAUSE I'VE I HAVE ATTENDED NUMEROUS CONDO HOA BOARD MEETINGS AND A LOT OF THESE ELEVATOR COMPANIES, THE SERVICE PERSON, THERE'S ONLY LIKE 1 OR 2, AND THEY REALLY HAVE A MONOPOLY ON THE INDUSTRY, UNFORTUNATELY, AND THEY'RE VERY UNRELIABLE. AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS, IT'S THE RESIDENTS THAT END UP PAYING FOR THEIR, I GUESS, UNRELIABLE NESS THROUGH THEIR VENDORS.
SO IF WE'RE EXPERIENCING THAT AND WE CAN'T EVEN GET OUR ELEVATOR CERTIFIED, THEN I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE BE REQUIRING THAT FROM FROM OUR RESIDENTS. AND I'M, I'M OKAY WITH AMENDING IT TO NON LIFE SAFETY ISSUES AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING.
SO MR. CITY MANAGER, IF YOU THINK YOU CAN GET IT DONE IN 30 DAYS, GREAT.
THEN THAT WILL BE 30 DAYS OF, OF LEADING BY EXAMPLE.
SO I'M STRUGGLING TO SAY YES OR NO IN A HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION.
SO MAYBE, MR. CITY ATTORNEY, YOU CAN HELP ME CRAFT THIS.
I'D LIKE TO HAVE A AFTER THE FACT RESOLUTION THAT NO BUILDINGS GET FINED FROM OUR ELEVATOR DEPARTMENT UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT ALL OF OUR CITY ELEVATORS ARE UP TO CODE MINUS ANY LIFE SAFETY ISSUES.
SO I THINK WHAT YOU'RE PROPOSING IS THAT A VIOLATION BECAUSE AN INSPECTION IS NOT UP TO DATE, WILL NOT RECEIVE A FINE UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE CITY'S OWN ELEVATORS HAVE THEIR INSPECTIONS UP TO DATE.
IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE PROPOSING? CORRECT. I BELIEVE I HAVE A SECOND ON THIS.
YES. SECOND. IS IT TIME TO CALL THE VOTE? WE HAVE TWO ITEMS. THIS IS THE AFTER THE FACT RESO. SO WE'RE GOING TO CALL THIS R7F2.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE. ANYONE OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, WE THE ITEM IS APPROVED.
WE STILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH R7F THE ITEM THAT WAS ON THE AGENDA.
I DON'T HAVE A MOTION OR A SECOND. I'LL MOVE IT.
HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE.
THIS IS ON THE ORIGINAL ITEM R7F, WHICH WE'RE NOW CALLING R7F1.
ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. ANYONE OPPOSED? HEARING NONE R7F1 IS APPROVED. THANK YOU. LET'S DO SOME GET THE BUDGET ITEMS DONE. SEE JASON GREENE HERE R7 A AND R7 B R7 A PUBLIC HEARING ADOPT FOURTH AMENDMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 CAPITAL
[R7 A A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE FOURTH AMENDMENT TO THE CAPITAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 AS SET FORTH IN ATTACHMENTS A, “PROJECTS”; B, “SOURCE OF FUNDS”; AND C “PROGRAMS."]
[R7 B A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE FOURTH AMENDMENT TO THE GENERAL FUND, ENTERPRISE FUNDS, INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS, AND SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS BUDGETS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 AS SET FORTH IN THIS RESOLUTION AND IN THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT "A."]
BUDGET R7 B ADOPT FOURTH AMENDMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 OPERATING BUDGET.I'LL MOVE THE ITEM. I'D LIKE TO HEAR WHAT THE SECOND AMENDMENT.
I HAVE A MOTION ON BOTH ITEMS R7 A AND R7 B BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, AND I'D LIKE TO HEAR THE.
YEAH. WELL, AND I HEARD A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS.
IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING. THANK YOU. JASON GREENE CITY'S CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.
THE FIRST ITEM IS THE CAPITAL BUDGET AMENDMENT.
THE FIRST ITEM ON THERE IS THE WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT FOR DADE BOULEVARD.
THIS IS TO GET THIS PROJECT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE ON ITS FUNDING FOR FOR PROCUREMENT.
THAT WAS JUST DONE. THAT WAS THE FIRST ONE IN THE WATER.
MAIN REPLACEMENT ON DATE BOULEVARD. THE SECOND ONE IS THE MIAMI BEACH MOORING FIELD BUOY DESIGN.
THIS IS THE AT $78,000 FROM THE WATERWAY MARKERS AND SIGNS PROJECT.
[04:40:05]
AND SINCE THE PROJECT WASN'T MOVED FORWARD, THE GRANTEE NOTIFIED US THAT THAT WE WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSED.SO THE CITY WOULD HAVE TO IDENTIFY THE FUNDS THAT WERE ALREADY SPENT ON THAT.
SO THOSE ARE THE TWO FOR THE CAPITAL. SECOND.
IT'S ALREADY BEEN SECONDED. SO MAY I CALL THE VOTE.
LET'S CALL THE VOTE. SO R7A AND R7B HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING. I HAVE ONE INDIVIDUAL ON ZOOM.
ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE? SEEING NONE. MIAMI BEACH IS A SCREEN NAME.
ARE YOU HERE TO SPEAK ON THE BUDGET ITEMS. THE SCREEN NAME OF MIAMI BEACH.
PLEASE UNMUTE YOURSELF. PJ LET'S. LET'S CONCLUDE THAT THEN.
MAYOR. THERE IS NO ONE ON ZOOM OR IN THE AUDIENCE.
ALL IN FAVOR OF R7, A AND B, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE.
ANYONE OPPOSED? HEARING NONE. THESE ITEMS ARE APPROVED R7 A B.
THANK YOU. WE HAVE THE OPERATING. WE DID R7 A AND B THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.
WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN TODAY AT THE FREEDOM TOWER? AND IT HAPPENED WHILE, WHILE WE WERE SITTING, SITTING HERE IN OUR, IN OUR CHAMBERS DURING OUR MEETING, THE VERY HISTORIC NATURE OF THE, OF THE INDICTMENT AGAINST RAUL CASTRO FOR THE ATROCITIES AND AND THE MURDEROUS ACTS THAT WERE COMMITTED BACK IN 1996 WHEN THEY SHUT DOWN THE BROTHERS TO TO THE RESCUE PLANES ON THEIR HUMANITARIAN MISSION OVER INTERNATIONAL WATERS.
AND, AND IT HAPPENED TODAY THAT THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DIDN'T BROUGHT FORWARD THESE CHARGES AGAINST THIS MURDEROUS REGIME THAT HAS HURT SO MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY, UPENDING THEIR THEIR LIVES.
AND, AND I WANTED TO PUBLICLY EXPRESS GRATITUDE TO YOU FOR THE STATEMENT YOU PUT OUT IN SUPPORT OF OUR, OF OUR CUBAN COMMUNITY AND, AND PUT OUT THERE THE HOPE OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US, WHO DIED WITH THE HOPES OF SEEING A FREE CUBA AND NEVER GOT TO SEE THAT. AND THAT HOPEFULLY IT DOESN'T END HERE THAT THEY CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD TO RESTORE TO, TO, TO, TO RESTORE OR BRING THE END, TO BRING THE END OF TYRANNY UP TO SO MANY THAT CONTINUE TO SUFFER IN THIS DAY.
THIS ISLAND JUST 90 MILES AWAY FROM US. AND SO I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S SO MANY OF US THAT ARE CUBAN AMERICANS ON THIS DAIS.
COMMISSIONER, DOMINGUEZ, COMMISSIONER, SUAREZ, AND SO MANY IN OUR FAMILY OF EMPLOYEES AND IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO, WHO HAVE SEEN AND WHOSE FAMILIES HAVE EXPERIENCED THE, THE ATROCITIES OF THAT GOVERNMENT.
I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE MOMENT BECAUSE IT HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE SITTING HERE IN THESE CHAMBERS.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, FOR MENTIONING THAT AND FOR HIGHLIGHTING IT THIS MORNING AND FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THE STATEMENT THAT I PUT OUT ON ON SOCIAL MEDIA. IT'S IT'S, IT'S, IT'S A GREAT DAY IN MANY WAYS.
IT'S SO DIFFICULT, LIKE YOU SAY, WHERE THERE, IT'S AN ISLAND SO CLOSE TO US.
AND WE, LIKE YOU, SAY WE LIVE IT EVERY DAY BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS WHO ARE EITHER FROM CUBA OR THEIR PARENTS ARE FROM CUBA. AND TO SEE THE PAIN THAT THEY HAVE TO CONSISTENTLY GO THROUGH TO LIVE THROUGH THIS, THIS REGIME THAT HAS TAKEN AWAY SO MUCH OF LIFE AND OF LIBERTY.
AND HOPEFULLY ONE DAY SOON WE WILL SEE FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY RETURN TO CUBA.
AND WHEN YOU SAY THE LOSS OF LIFE IS THE EXECUTION, LITERAL EXECUTION OF DISSIDENTS THROUGH FIRING SQUADS AND THAT AND AND THE WAY THAT THEY HAVE ALLOWED FOR, FOR, FOR THIS FORM OF GOVERNMENT AND INJUSTICE TO SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE AMERICAS.
THEY ARE THE GREATEST THREAT IN THE AMERICAS TO, TO, TO OUR COUNTRY.
AND THE FOUR INNOCENT MEN WHO DIED OVER INTERNATIONAL WATERS, TRYING TO.
TRYING TO SPREAD MESSAGES OF HOPE, OF FREEDOM OF LIBERTY TO THOSE WHO WERE TRYING TO ESCAPE THAT, THAT, THAT TYRANNY THOSE FAMILIES TODAY ARE, ARE LIVING A PIECE OF JUSTICE.
[04:45:03]
JUSTICE THAT THE CUBAN PEOPLE DESERVE. AMEN. THANK YOU.WOW. IT'S TOUGH TO GO ON TO THE NEXT ITEM AFTER IT'S DEEP, BUT OUR 7AC7AC APPROVED THREE
[R7 AC A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING A FEE WAIVER IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $33,000 FOR THE MIAMI BUSINESS CLUB EVENT TO BE HELD AT THE MIAMI BEACH CONVENTION CENTER ON OCTOBER 10, 2026.]
FEE WAIVER. $33,000 FOR MIAMI BUSINESS CLUB R7 A C THANK YOU.ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE, WE ARE ACTIVELY WORKING ON IS BRINGING IN GOOD BUSINESSES.
THERE'S A LOT OF CAPITAL FLOWING INTO MIAMI BEACH AND SOUTH FLORIDA RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF WHAT HAS TRANSPIRED HERE IN OUR, IN OUR CITY AND OUR REGION, WHICH IS NOT JUST NATIONAL, BUT INTERNATIONAL IN SCOPE.
AND EVERYONE YOU SEE SOME OF THE LARGEST TITANS IN FINANCE AND TECH ARE MOVING HERE.
CERTAINLY BUSINESS HUBS, HEADQUARTERS OR EVEN FAMILY OFFICES ARE MOVING HERE.
AND THEY DO MONTHLY A MIAMI BUSINESS CLUB. EVENT AT A LOCAL GENERALLY ALMOST ALWAYS IN MIAMI BEACH, AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT OR BAR. THEY GET ANYWHERE BETWEEN 75.
I'VE EVEN SEEN YOU GET OVER 200 PEOPLE, YOUNG PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN THE SOUTH FLORIDA REGION.
NOW YOU STARTED ALSO A FRIDAY'S EVENT EVERY FRIDAY.
SO I THINK YOU'RE I KNOW YOU'RE CONTRIBUTING A LOT.
I THINK I GO TO EVERY ONE OF YOUR EVENTS. I DON'T I TRY NOT TO MISS ANY OF THEM.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THE THE RESIDENTS AND THE PROFESSIONALS COMING SEE THEIR LEADERSHIP.
PART OF PART OF THE PROCESS. AT THE SAME TIME, YOU'RE YOU'RE LOOKING TO BRING A, A, AN EVENT.
AND ACTUALLY, I'LL HAVE YOU COME UP AND DESCRIBE WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO BRING HERE. AND THE REASON WHY I LIKE IT IS BECAUSE YOU'RE TRYING TO BRING SOMETHING TO, TO THE CONVENTION CENTER, WHICH I HAVE BROUGHT ITEMS IN THE PAST THAT AT TIMES WE SHOULD ACTIVATE OUR CONVENTION CENTER MORE, ESPECIALLY AT MOMENTS LIKE ON A SATURDAY NIGHT WHEN IT'S WHEN IT'S DORMANT. BUT THANK YOU, STEFAN, FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
I'M STEFAN MURPHY, FOUNDER OF MIAMI BUSINESS CLUB.
SO WE DO THESE MONTHLY EVENTS. WE BRING IN THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY, COMMUNITY.
AND NOW WE WE WANTED TO DO AN INAUGURAL ANNUAL GALA.
AND WE FOUND THIS VENUE, THE SUNSET VISTA ROOM, BEAUTIFUL VENUE IN THE CONVENTION CENTER.
AND YOU KNOW, WE FOUND OUT THAT IT'S PRETTY COSTLY TO DO IT THERE.
SO WE'RE TRYING TO DO THAT AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH A CHARITY.
IT'S THE MIAMI WATERKEEPER AND WE'RE WORKING WITH, WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH TWO CHARITIES. SO MIAMI WATERKEEPER WILL BE THE FIRST ONE. AND WE ARE A CLOSE CONTACT WITH ONE THAT WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO FIND AN AGREEMENT WITH THAT WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO MOVE THE ITEM.
I JUST YEAH, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO TO RICK.
SO WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING WITH THE CITY AND, AND FOR, FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.
AND THEN IT SEEMS THAT YESTERDAY A SLIGHT HICCUP CAME UP, BUT I THINK WE CAN FIND A WAY AROUND IT.
BUT I'LL TURN IT TO YOU, RICK. SURE. WHAT WE LEARNED YESTERDAY IS THAT THE POLICY ON WAIVERS AT THE CONVENTION CENTER REQUIRES THAT THE ENTITY SEEKING THE WAIVER BE A 501 C THREE. MY MIAMI BIZ CLUB IS A NOT FOR PROFIT.
IT JUST DOES NOT HAVE A 501 C THREE STATUS WITH THE IRS.
AND IF THE BODY WISHES, THE BODY COULD WAIVE THE 501 C THREE REQUIREMENT.
COULD WE DO A SUSPENSION OF THE RULES TO ALLOW SOMETHING LIKE THIS? WELL, WHAT I'M PROPOSING IS, IN EFFECT THAT IT WOULD BE A WAIVER OF THAT REQUIREMENT.
IT'S NOT JUST I THINK IT'S THEY'RE A NONPROFIT.
THEY DON'T HAVE THE CERTIFICATE YET. I CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT.
[04:50:01]
I WILL ALLOW. YEAH. NO WE'RE NOT AT 501 C THREE.BUT WE ARE A NONPROFIT. MY UNDERSTANDING IS YOU'RE UNDER UNDER SUN BIZ.
WHEN YOU YOU FILED AS A FLORIDA ENTITY. YOU'RE A NONPROFIT, BUT YOU DID NOT OR HAVE NOT HAVE NOT APPLIED FOR THE 501 C THREE, WHICH IS A WHICH IS A FEDERAL NOT FOR PROFIT STATUS.
RIGHT. AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE IF THIS DISTINCTION MAKES A DIFFERENCE, BUT IT'S NOT IF WE'RE GIVING THEM MONEY, WE'RE WAIVING FEES FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER.
AND MAYBE YOU CAN EXPLAIN THERE'S STILL SIGNIFICANT FEES THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY.
THIS IS A YEAH, WE'RE $33,000. YEAH. WE'RE LOOKING FOR LIKE AROUND 80,000 FOR THE EVENT.
SO, YOU KNOW, IT WILL BE OVER 110,000 WITH, WITH THIS FEE, WITH THE RENTAL FEE.
SO WE'LL STILL HAVE A FEE. AND WE'RE NOT LOOKING TO MAKE ANY PROFIT FROM THIS.
MIAMI BUSINESS CLUB WILL DONATE FOR CHARITIES AS WELL IF THERE'S PROFIT.
THOSE DYNAMICS ASIDE THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR THE COMMUNITY.
TRULY, IT'S MORE THAN JUST THE BUSINESS CLUB.
IT'S A CULTURAL INSTITUTION AS WELL, RIGHT? I KNOW ONE OF THE REASONS I GOT INVOLVED IN THE CITY IS BECAUSE AS A YOUNG WORKING PROFESSIONAL OR MAYBE YOUNG AT THE TIME WHEN I GOT INVOLVED IN THE CITY, I DIDN'T FIND A NATURAL CULTURAL HOME HERE.
AND YOU PROVIDE THAT. I SEE IT FIRSTHAND UPWARDS, AS THE MAYOR SAID, TO 200 250 PEOPLE EACH TIME.
SO WHILE WE HAVE ARTS EVENTS OR CULTURE EVENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, YOU ARE A VERSION OF THAT FOR A VERY, VERY LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT IT'S GREAT TO GET THEM ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY.
I THANK YOU FOR THOSE EFFORTS. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT. YEAH. THANK YOU STEFAN.
THANK YOU. NATALIA, YOUR ENTIRE BOARD. AND SO THROUGH THE CHAIR, IF SOMEBODY IS GOING TO MOVE THE ITEM, IT SHOULD BE MOVED WITH AN AMENDMENT TO INCLUDE A WAIVER.
I'LL MOVE IT SECOND WITH THAT WAIVER. SO MOTION R7AC AS AMENDED.
COMMISSIONER BHATT SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ AS AMENDED WITH THE WAIVER.
ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. ANYONE OPPOSED HEARING NONE.
R7AC IS APPROVED AS AMENDED. LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR GREAT EVENT.
I KNOW YOU'RE EXPECTING OVER 500 PEOPLE. MIAMI WATERKEEPERS, ONE OF OUR REALLY OUTSTANDING ORGANIZATIONS ENVIRONMENTALLY HELPING WITH THE ENVIRONMENT AND LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING ABOUT YOUR SECOND NON-FOR-PROFIT THAT YOU'LL BE PARTNERING, PARTNERING WITH. AND I KNOW WE JUST PASSED THE ITEM.
LET ME ASK YOU, IS THERE A RHYME OR REASON WHY WE LANDED ON 33,000? AND YES, SO THE 8000 QUOTING IS BASICALLY FOOD, BEVERAGE AND AUDIO VIDEO, ETC..
AND SO THE FEE THAT'S WAIVED IS THE RENTAL FEE SPACE TO HAVE THE SPACE, WOULD YOU BE A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO GO TO $50,000 FEE WAIVERS FOR THEM? I STOPPED SHORT OF FREE. ANY ISSUES WITH THAT? ERIC, I'LL BE HONEST, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS F AND B AND HOW MUCH OF THAT IS ACTUAL CONSUMABLES.
AND SO YOU'RE AGAIN HITTING ME COLD WITH WAIVING FEES THAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE FOR.
I WOULD JUST SAY FOR THE RENTAL, THE SPACE IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR WAIVING.
OKAY, THAT'D BE GOOD ENOUGH. THAT'S EASY BECAUSE WE GOT A QUOTE. THERE WAS 32,000, I BELIEVE.
PERFECT. YOU KNOW WHAT? IT MAY MAKE SENSE. WELL, LET'S LET'S PASS.
WHAT'S TODAY? I THINK THEN WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO SEE IF THERE'S ABILITIES.
THIS IS THIS HAS ACTUALLY BEEN AN ISSUE THAT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON. AND ERIC CAN ATTEST THAT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME IN GENERAL, THAT WE CAN TRY TO BRING IN NOT FOR PROFITS OR BECAUSE OFTENTIMES WE HAVE ORGANIZATIONS THAT END UP GOING OUTSIDE OF OUR CITY, BUT THEY'RE MIAMI BEACH BASED. AND IT'S, IT'S KIND OF FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU GO TO THIS BEAUTIFUL CHARITY EVENT THAT HAS 700 PEOPLE, AND WE COULD HAVE HAD IT IN OUR CONVENTION CENTER, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT OR ON THE WEEKENDS, LIKE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT. WHEN IT'S IT'S NOT IN USE.
THERE'S NOBODY USING THERE'S NO CONVENTION SATURDAY NIGHT.
OKAY. THANKS FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS. THANKS AND THANKS FOR BRINGING THAT UP.
I'LL TAKE MORE SWEATING. THAT'S A NO. I'LL BE THERE REGARDLESS.
THANK YOU. JUST KEEP IT. JUST KEEP INVITING ME.
I'M HAPPY TO JOIN. IT'S CALLED R SEVEN. DID WE TAKE THE VOTE? YES. YES WE DID. R7G. R7G IS A PUBLIC HEARING NEW LEASE AGREEMENT WITH LHANC NEW DAYCARE FACILITY
[R7 G A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, FOLLOWING A DULY ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCY COMMITTEE (FERC) AT ITS MARCH 4, 2026 MEETING, AND APPROVING, IN SUBSTANTIAL FORM, A NEW LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY (LANDLORD) AND LITTLE HAVANA ACTIVITIES & NUTRITION CENTERS OF DADE COUNTY, INC. (TENANT), FOR USE OF APPROXIMATELY 3,500 SQUARE FEET OF GROUND FLOOR FACILITY AND ADJACENT PLAYGROUND AREA HAVING APPROXIMATELY 1,407 SQUARE FEET LOCATED AT 1245 MICHIGAN AVENUE, FOR AN INITIAL TERM OF FIVE (5) YEARS, WITH TWO (2) ADDITIONAL RENEWAL TERMS OF TWO (2) YEARS EACH, AT THE CITY'S OPTION, FOR THE OPERATION OF A CHILD DAYCARE FACILITY; WAIVING, BY 5/7TH VOTE, THE FORMAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENT IN SECTION 82-39(A) OF THE CITY CODE, FINDING SUCH WAIVER TO SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST; AND FURTHER, AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATION TO FINALIZE THE LEASE AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE FINAL LEASE AGREEMENT.]
[04:55:03]
1245. MR.. GOOD MORNING, MR. MAYOR. COMMISSIONERS.DOMINGUEZ DIVISION. DIRECTOR OF ASSET MANAGEMENT FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH. THIS IS A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE MARCH 4TH RECOMMENDATION, APPROVING A NEW LEASE BETWEEN THE CITY AND LITTLE HAVANA ACTIVITY NUTRITION CENTER, OR DAYCARE AT SOUTH SHORE FOR NEW 3500FT² LOCATION THAT ALSO CONSISTS OF 1400FT² OF PLAYGROUND AREA AT 1245 MICHIGAN AVENUE FOR FIVE YEARS WITH TWO TWO YEAR RENEWAL OPTIONS.
I'LL MOVE THE ITEM. SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION AND A.
ALL IN FAVOR OF R7G, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. ANYONE OPPOSED? HEARING NONE. I'M GOING TO MARK THAT AS A YES UNTIL I HEAR OTHERWISE.
[R7 H A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, CALLING FOR A CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP TO BE HELD ONCE EVERY TWO MONTHS COMMENCING MARCH 2026, AFTER 5:00 P.M., IN THE CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS AT MIAMI BEACH CITY HALL, FOR A PILOT PERIOD OF ONE YEAR, TO ALLOW THE CITY COMMISSION TO DISCUSS SPECIFIC ISSUES, STRATEGIC GOALS, AND MAJOR PROJECTS IN A MORE INFORMAL SETTING; AND PROVIDING FOR A DR. STANLEY SUTNICK CITIZENS’ FORUM TO OBTAIN PUBLIC INPUT AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF EACH WORKSHOP.]
SEVEN H SEVEN EIGHT CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP PILOT PROGRAM.COMMISSIONER. MAGAZINE. CO-SPONSORED BY COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS.
YEAH. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. AND REALLY, THIS IS ABOUT FINDING WAYS TO MAKE OUR GOVERNMENT MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE FOR THE PEOPLE. AND I'VE ATTENDED EVERY CITY COMMISSION MEETING DATING BACK TEN YEARS.
AND I HAVE MY FRUSTRATIONS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HOW PROCESSES CAN WORK AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I REALLY THINK THAT WE MISS AND THIS PROCESS CONSTRAINS AND HANDCUFFS US IN SOME REGARDS IS THE ABILITY TO THINK COMPREHENSIVELY. WHAT WAS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO GET ADJUSTED TO IS NOT BEING ABLE TO TALK TO MY COLLEAGUES JUST FREELY ABOUT MANY ISSUES. I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT BECAUSE OF THE SUNSHINE LAWS, I DON'T GET TO JUST BRAINSTORM.
I CAN'T SAY WHAT'S GOOD WITH THE CITY, WHAT'S BAD.
AND WHEN WE JUST LEGISLATE EACH MONTH AND WE ALL HAVE THESE LEGISLATIVE ITEMS AND IT'S QUITE ROBUST.
IT'S WHEN THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS GETS DONE, LAWS PASSED, ORDINANCES PRIORITIES SET.
I DON'T FEEL AS IF WE GET TO COLLECTIVELY JUST KIND OF BRAINSTORM ENOUGH AND THINK COMPREHENSIVELY.
AND WHERE THAT IS BEST SERVED AS AT A MACRO LEVEL, RIGHT? WHEN WE TALK ABOUT A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE CITY.
SO WE'LL GO THROUGH 100 ITEMS PER MONTH. AND WHILE EACH OF THEM HAVE MERIT AND IMPORTANCE AND CONSEQUENCE, IF YOU LOOK AT ALMOST EVERY SINGLE ITEM THAT WE'VE HEARD TODAY, IT'S ON A VERY MICRO LEVEL, MICROCOSMS OF SMALL THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN OUR CITY, BUT WE DON'T DISCUSS THESE COMPREHENSIVE PLANS.
AND AS WELL, OUR RESIDENTS, THEY GET TWO OPTIONS TO SIT HERE AND WE HEAR FROM THEM, ONE DURING SPUTNIK HOUR WHERE YOUR TIME IS SOMEWHAT LIMITED AND THEN ANOTHER IN THESE PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS.
BUT AGAIN, IT IS IN A VERY FORMALIZED MANNER.
HERE'S YOUR TWO MINUTES. LET US KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY.
AND THEN THE DISCUSSION TURNS TO US. SO VERY FORMALIZED PROCESS.
WHAT I AM PROPOSING IS A PILOT PROGRAM. IT WOULD ALMOST BE LIKE A MONTHLY SUNSHINE MEETING THAT WE HAVE NO SET AGENDA, NO SET AGENDA HERE. WE COULD PUT AGENDA ITEMS ON, BUT IT'S NOT LEGISLATIVE.
NOTHING'S GOING TO BE PASSED THERE. AND THIS IS JUST ALL KIND OF LIKE WORK IN PROGRESS.
I'M HAPPY FOR OTHER IDEAS, BUT WE ALL GO TO SO MANY DIFFERENT MEETINGS, DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS, DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT. BUT THIS WOULD BE COMPREHENSIVE.
IT WOULD BE CITY WIDE. EVERYBODY, ANY NEIGHBOR IS WELCOME TO ATTEND.
I THINK WE SHOULD HOST IT, WHETHER IT BE IN CITY HALL RIGHT HERE OR IN LARGE COMMUNITY DISCUSSION ROOMS. AND WE ACTUALLY GO TO THE COMMUNITY. BUT REALLY, IT WOULD BE ADDING ANOTHER TOOL IN OUR TOOLKIT ABOUT HOW TO CONDUCT THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS, HOW TO THINK COMPREHENSIVELY, HOW TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX, HOW TO MAKE GOVERNMENT MORE EFFICIENT, AND FOR OUR GOVERNMENT TO BETTER WORK FOR THE PEOPLE.
SO I'LL TURN IT OVER TO SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES. BUT, YOU KNOW, ESSENTIALLY THE THOUGHT IS A PILOT PROGRAM ONE EVENING, ONE TIME PER MONTH FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS THAT WE GET TOGETHER, IT'S IN THE SUNSHINE AND THAT WE CAN TALK JUST IN A MORE INFORMAL MANNER WITHOUT SPECIFIC
[05:00:06]
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS. AND WE TALK COMPREHENSIVELY.WE THINK ABOUT HOW TO MAKE THIS CITY BETTER, HOW TO MAKE IT THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD, HOW TO MAKE OUR GOVERNMENT WORK BETTER FOR THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE. COMMISSIONER. I LOVE THIS IDEA THROUGH THE MAYOR, MR. FERNANDEZ. I LOVE THIS IDEA. I THINK THE BEST DISCUSSIONS, SOME OF THE BEST DISCUSSIONS THAT WE'VE HAD AS COMMISSIONERS HAVE NOT BEEN ON SPECIFIC LEGISLATIVE ACTION ITEMS ON AN AGENDA.
I, I THINK IT'S GREAT. I THINK IT'S GREAT. TO YOUR POINT, WE HAVE A LOT OF ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA THAT ADDRESS A LOT OF THE ISSUES, BUT WE DON'T HAVE MANY OPPORTUNITIES, IF ANY OPPORTUNITIES WHATSOEVER TO REALLY DISCUSS THE VISION, THE FUTURE. WHAT DO WE WANT THE CITY TO BE? AND SO, AND SO I FULLY SUPPORT THIS.
I FULLY ENCOURAGE IT. IT'S, IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE I DIDN'T, I, I'VE FORGOTTEN THAT YOU HAD THIS ITEM ON THE, ON THE AGENDA, BUT, YOU KNOW, RECENTLY WE HAD AN ISSUE WHERE WE WANTED TO HAVE A DISCUSSION AT THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE MEETING ABOUT AN ITEM THAT HAD NOT BEEN REFERRED, BUT SOMETHING IMPORTANT.
AND, AND WE WEREN'T ABLE TO PUT THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA BECAUSE IT WASN'T REFERRED.
BUT, BUT IT WAS GENERALLY THE SAME IDEA, YOU KNOW, WE WANTED TO GET AN UPDATE ON SOMETHING REGARDING ONE OF OUR DEPARTMENTS AND BEING ABLE JUST TO HAVE CONVERSATION, NOT TAKE ACTION, JUST BE ABLE TO TALK AS COLLEAGUES.
BECAUSE I THINK FROM THAT, WHEN WE PUT OUR COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE AND PERSPECTIVES TOGETHER.
COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS. YEAH, I LOVE THIS IDEA, WHICH IS WHY I CO-SPONSORED.
I DO FEEL LIKE WE MISS SO MANY GOOD TOPICS ABOUT OUR CITY WHEN WE SIT UP HERE BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE TIME, WE RUN OUT OF TIME. AND, AND IT'S, THIS IS ONLY ONCE A MONTH.
AND WE DON'T HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY. SO I THOUGHT THIS LEGISLATION WAS TO DO THIS EVERY OTHER WEEK, TWICE A MONTH. OR WAS IT JUST ONCE A MONTH? I THINK ONCE A MONTH? ONCE? YEAH, START WITH ONCE A MONTH, I THOUGHT.
AND PERHAPS WE CAN DISCUSS ABOUT THE BEST FORM IT WILL TAKE.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE AS LONG AS THE COMMISSION MEETING. SO MAYBE WE COULD DO IT IN THE EVENING, LIKE A 4 OR 5 P.M. IN THE EVENING. I DON'T THINK ALL OF CITY STAFF HAS TO BE THERE.
RIGHT. IF WE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO BE DISCUSSING, YOU KNOW WHAT? HOW ABOUT THE CLEANLINESS OF OUR STREETS, RIGHT? IT'S NOT A LEGISLATIVE ITEM. WE KIND OF GET BOXED IN WHEN WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THINGS IN JUST A LEGISLATIVE FASHION.
SO THIS IS MORE KIND OF OPEN ENDED. I DON'T WANT TO SUCK UP STAFF RESOURCES.
SO I DON'T WANT STAFF TO FEEL EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE THERE AT ALL TIMES.
I WANT TO BE EFFICIENT IN GOVERNMENT. SO I'M THINKING ONCE A MONTH, A COUPLE HOURS IN AN EVENING AND IT WOULDN'T BE MANDATED, RIGHT? IT'S JUST BASICALLY LIKE AN OPEN SUNSHINE SESSION.
COMMISSIONER WAIT, I'M SORRY WASN'T DONE BECAUSE I JUST, I JUST, I, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS.
AND AGAIN, IT WILL MORPH AS WE START THIS AND SEE WHAT KIND OF COMES OUT OF THIS.
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US. DO YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE TALK ABOUT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OR MAYBE WE TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE DIFFERENT TOPICS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING OR WHATEVER, AND WE JUST FOCUS ON ONE PARTICULAR TOPIC, CLEANLINESS OF THE CITY, ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, OR FIFA, WE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE ONE OF THESE, YOU KNOW, PRIOR TO FIFA TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.
BUT I THINK THIS IS A LOVELY IDEA AND LET'S SEE WHERE THIS GOES.
AND I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THIS UP. AND I THINK THIS IS VERY NECESSARY. THANKS, MR. MAYOR, I PROMISE, COMMISSIONER, VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ AND COMMISSIONER BHATT.
I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS, BUT I'LL WAIT.
THANK YOU. I TOO, THINK THIS IS A GOOD IDEA. MAYBE ONCE A MONTH MIGHT BE TOO OFTEN.
[05:05:04]
BECAUSE WHEN I THINK ABOUT IT, WE ARE MEETING FOR OUR MONTHLY COMMISSION MEETING, AND THEN WE HAVE THE COMMISSION COMMITTEE MEETINGS THAT WE'VE GOT INVOLVED AND WHETHER WE TELL STAFF TO ATTEND OR NOT, THEY'RE GOING TO BE THERE.SO DOING SOMETHING THAT'S AFTER HOURS, IT'S SOMETHING CUMBERSOME.
AND I KNOW THAT WITH DEAR FRIENDS THAT I LIKE WHEN I MAKE PLANS AND WE'RE LIKE, YEAH, LET'S MEET ONCE A MONTH, ONCE A MONTH BECOMES TOO, TOO MUCH. AND SO JUST WANT TO SET THE RIGHT EXPECTATION.
BUT I LOVE THE IDEA AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT.
AND LOOK FORWARD TO PARTICIPATING. CHRISTIAN, YOU DON'T WANT TO.
COMMISSIONER. BHATT. NO. TOMORROW. I. LAURA, WHAT ARE YOU SAYING, MY MAN? LIKE WE'RE RIGHT HERE. WE CAN HEAR YOU. PJ, DID YOU GET THAT? WE'RE RIGHT HERE, LAURA. I LOVE THIS IDEA. YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS PRESIDENT OF MU, WHEN MONICA WAS ON MU WITH ME, WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT HOW TO HAVE THESE KIND OF OPEN COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND TALKING ABOUT THINGS HOLISTICALLY.
I KNOW WHEN WE'VE TALKED OVER THE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS AS THIS COMMISSION HAS BEEN IMPANELED OR ELECTED, WHATEVER. SOMETIMES WE TRY TO GET INTO HOLISTIC DISCUSSIONS AND GET PULLED BACK BECAUSE IT'S BROADER THAN THE PARTICULAR ITEM.
AND I THINK WE ARE THE POORER FOR IT. I, I I WORRY I, I WOULD LIKE TO LIMIT THE STAFF'S OBLIGATION TO ATTEND BECAUSE THEY ACTUALLY HAVE FAMILIES AND PEOPLE THEY'D LIKE TO SEE MORE THAN TWICE A MONTH.
SO, YOU KNOW, IF IT'S TRANSPORTATION, MAYBE A COUPLE OF PEOPLE SHOW UP, BUT NOT EVERYBODY SHOW UP.
BUT I LOVE THIS. I'D LOVE TO CO-SPONSOR IT WITH YOU.
AND I THINK IT'S A GREAT INITIATIVE. OR IF WE'RE.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. PERHAPS IF WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT STAFF CONSTRAINTS, PERHAPS ONE MONTH WE COULD DO IT DURING THE DAY AND THE NEXT MONTH WE COULD CENTER IT MORE TOWARDS THE EVENINGS. OR, OR WE COULD START WITH BIMONTHLY.
I'M NOT VERY DOGMATIC ABOUT THIS. I JUST WANT TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO JUST DISCUSS MORE FREELY.
A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENING IN THE CITY. AND THE ONLY OTHER THING I WANTED TO ADD IS NO MEMOS.
BEING PREPARED LIKE THIS IS JUST A CONVERSATION, NOT STAFF PREP TIME.
AND I WOULD ALSO SAY NOTHING IS VOTED ON OR PASSED HERE, BECAUSE I THINK THAT REALLY BOXES US IN.
IF I CAN MAKE A COUPLE OF SUGGESTIONS, DO YOU WANT DID YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING? NO, I WAS JUST GOING TO MAKE ONE COMMENT ON THE ON THE QUESTION OF MEMOS, THE CODE DOES REQUIRE THAT THAT ANY ITEM TO BE DISCUSSED, EVEN AT A WORKSHOP, BE PRINTED IN THE AGENDA.
YEAH, RIGHT. BUT NOTHING OF SUBSTANCE. MY THOUGHTS ON THIS IS ONE FIRST OF ALL, THE RESOLUTION IS WRITTEN, IT SAYS EVERY OTHER MONTH. SO JUST THAT THAT WOULD BE MY PREFERENCE TO START OUT WITH AND SEE, SEE HOW IT GOES. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO PUT A TWO HOUR CAP ON IT.
I IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS IT'S TWO HOURS. THAT'S IT.
I ALONE CAN TALK FOR TWO HOURS. WELL, THAT'S EXACTLY THE POINT, BY THE WAY.
IT PROBABLY PREDATES EVERYBODY HERE, BUT WHEN I WAS A BABY COMMISSIONER ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO, WE USED TO WE USED TO HAVE COMMISSION MEETINGS TILL 11 OR 12:00.
AND THEN THE COMMISSION PUT ON LEGISLATION THAT WE HAD TO END AT SEVEN.
SO I THINK WE NEED A CLOCK, WHATEVER THAT CLOCK IS.
IT'S SORT OF LIKE, THINK ABOUT IT IN A BASKETBALL GAME, IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT 24 HOUR SHOT CLOCK.
TEAMS WOULD HOLD THE BALL FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. WAIT.
I'M SORRY. I'LL JUST USE A BASKETBALL ANALOGY, NOT A BASEBALL ANALOGY.
YOU KNOW, BASEBALL HAS NO WELL, NOW THEY DO HAVE A 20 PITCH CLOCK, SO THANK YOU.
KOSHER. AND WE'LL SEE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
IT'S JUST LIKE A COMMUNITY MEETING, RIGHT? A WAVE MEETING OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
SO IF ONE OF US HAS TO LEAVE OR NOT EVEN ATTEND, IT'S NOTHING THAT WE CAN'T CATCH UP ON.
NO, NO CRITICAL VOTES GOING TO HAPPEN. THIS IS JUST KIND OF OPEN ENDED DISCUSSION TYPE THINGS.
I WOULD ALSO MAKE THE RECOMMENDATION THAT THERE BE THERE BE LIMITED STAFF MAY, FOR EXAMPLE, IN OUR BUDGET MEETING, YOU LITERALLY HAVE OUR ENTIRE DIRECTORS OF OF THE DEPARTMENTS THERE.
YEAH. OKAY, SO WE'RE AGREEING TO EVERY OTHER MONTH.
2.5 HOURS. THREE. LET'S START WITH YOU. YOU GOT YOU GOT ME ON EVERY OTHER MONTH? YEAH, I CONCEDED EVERY OTHER MONTH. LET'S GO.
YOU KNOW. ALL RIGHT. I WON'T PUSH FOR 30 TO 730.
[05:10:01]
YEAH. THAT'S GOOD. YEAH. IT'S UP TO THREE. YEAH, YEAH.AT LEAST IT CRYSTALLIZES EVERYONE TO GET THEIR THOUGHTS IN.
AND AND ARE YOU ENVISIONING A SPECIFIC TOPICS? FOR EXAMPLE, DO YOU WANT TO HAVE A MEETING THAT DISCUSSES SPECIFICALLY TRANSPORTATION? I WOULDN'T WANT TO RING FENCE HERSELF. SO ONE, I JUST WANT TO START WITH THE URBAN PLANNING OF OUR CITY AND TAKE IT FROM THERE.
RIGHT? SEE HOW IT GOES, WHAT WORKS, WHAT DOESN'T.
WHERE CAN THESE CHANGES BE MADE? AND I THINK THOSE DISCUSSIONS ARE INCREDIBLY CRITICAL FOR OUR CITY, BUT IT DOESN'T FIT IN THESE NICE BOXES FOR LEGISLATION.
RIGHT. I DON'T HAVE THIS. WE NEED THIS FOR URBAN PLANNING.
BUT I DO WANT TO OPEN ENDEDLY DISCUSS WITH OUR COLLEAGUES.
THE MODERATOR IS THE CHAIR. I WOULD SAY THE MAYOR.
DO WE NEED A MODERATOR? I MEAN, NO, BUT JUST SOMEBODY LIKE IF PUSH COMES, I'LL BRING THE GAVEL.
AND IF SOMEBODY GOES FOR THE LAST SLICE OF PIZZA.
YEAH, I WOULD SAY THIS. SOME OF OUR BEST DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN IN THE SUNSHINE SETTING AND IN THE AND IN THE SETTING OF A SUNSHINE MEETING UP IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, WHEN WE'RE ABLE TO SIT AROUND THE TABLE, WHEN WE'RE ABLE TO LOOK AT EACH OTHER, WHEN WE'RE ABLE TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, THAT DISCUSSION ACTUALLY IS HOW THE COMMISSION COMMITTEES USED TO BE.
AND AND I THINK THAT THAT HAS BEEN SOME OF OUR BEST, MOST ROBUST DISCUSSIONS.
THERE'S A LOT OF TIMES, YOU KNOW, AND THEY'RE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND MEETING AND MINUTES ARE, ARE TAKEN AND AND IT'S ALL RECORDED. BUT THERE'S A LOT OF TIMES YOU SEE THAT THE DIALOG CHANGES WHEN YOU'RE SITTING IN CHAMBERS, WHEN YOU'RE SEPARATED FROM THE PUBLIC, YOU'RE SITTING UP HERE, THE PUBLIC IS DOWN THERE AND AND, AND A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE CHANGE THEIR TONE AND THEIR CONVERSATION BECAUSE THEY'RE ON CAMERA AND THEY'RE, AND THEY'RE BEING RECORDED ON CAMERA.
PLUS, IF YOU'RE SITTING AROUND A TABLE, YOU'RE CLOSE ENOUGH TO SMACK EACH OTHER ON THE ARM. BUT I THINK ALSO FOR THE PUBLIC, YOU KNOW, WHEN THE PUBLIC AND RESIDENTS THAT HAVE BEEN HERE FOR, FOR A LONG TIME I'VE HEARD FROM, FROM THEM THAT THEY FELT THAT SOMETIMES MEETINGS WERE MORE APPROACHABLE, WERE MORE WELCOMING WHEN EVERYONE, YOU KNOW WAS AT THE SAME LEVEL THE WAY THAT THE COMMITTEE MEETINGS USED USED TO BE.
AND I THINK RALPH, RALPH, YOU WERE HERE WHEN BACK BACK THEN AT THE.
AND THE COMMISSIONERS WERE SITTING AROUND THE TABLE.
AND YOU ALSO HAD THE RESIDENTS AROUND THE ROOM, AND EVERYONE WAS AT THE AT THE SAME LEVEL, THERE WAS NOT A HIERARCHY AND A SEPARATION OF, OF THE PEOPLE.
AND I THINK THAT THAT REALLY FOSTERS REALLY WELCOMING AND ENGAGING DISCUSSION.
SO I MOVE THE ITEM. SECOND. YOU GUYS HAVE THAT RECOMMENDATION? YES, COMMISSIONER. I'M NOT DOGMATIC ABOUT THIS.
YEAH. OF COURSE. OKAY. EVERY OTHER MONTH WE'LL START AT 430 TO 730.
MANAGERS. LARGE CONFERENCE ROOM, LIMITED STAFF, LIMITED STAFF, NO MEMOS OTHER THAN WE'RE HAVING A MEETING TO TALK ABOUT TOPIC X, NOT KOSHER PIZZA, BUT NOT PEPPERONI. COMMISSIONER.
I ALSO HAD HEARD SOMETHING ABOUT STARTING IN THE SUMMER. I WILL START IN SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER OKAY, STARTING IN SEPTEMBER. SO THIS IS GOING TO BE AS AMENDED BECAUSE WE NEED TO AMEND THE RESULT THAT'S THERE.
SO I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ R7 H AS AMENDED.
ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. ANYONE OPPOSED? HEARING NONE. THE ITEM IS APPROVED AS AMENDED SEVEN ZERO.
R7 H. WHILE WE'RE ON THE TOPIC, WE'LL CALL R5P.
[R5 P 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,” BY AMENDING SECTION 2-14, ENTITLED “MEETING PROCEDURES AND AGENDAS,” TO MODIFY THE LIMITS ON THE NUMBER OF REFERRALS, DISCUSSION ITEMS, RESOLUTIONS, AND ORDINANCES PER CITY COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, CODIFICATION, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
R5P IS AN INTEREST OF THE MAYOR. CITY COMMISSIONER, CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA.AMENDING CHAPTER TWO OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH ENTITLED ADMINISTRATION BY AMENDING ARTICLE TWO ENTITLED CITY COMMISSION BY AMENDING SECTION 2-14, ENTITLED MEETING PROCEDURES AND AGENDAS TO MODIFY THE LIST TO MODIFY THE LIMITS ON THE NUMBER OF REFERRALS, DISCUSSION ITEMS, RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES FOR CITY COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OR CLARIFICATION. SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE. R5P IS A FIRST READING PUBLIC HEARING. COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. SO AT THE RISK OF MAKING SEVEN ENEMIES UP HERE I DO BELIEVE THAT LESS IS MORE.
AND THIS IS I'M ATTEMPTING TO LIMIT HOW MANY ITEMS WE ALL PUT ON THE AGENDA BECAUSE THE, THE MORE WE HAVE ON HERE, THE LESS WE GET DONE AGAIN, THE MORE WE HAVE ON HERE, THE LESS WE GET DONE.
AND WE SEE THAT MONTH AFTER MONTH AFTER MONTH AFTER MONTH AFTER MONTH AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.
AND SO I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE QUALITY OVER QUANTITY.
[05:15:01]
AND LISTEN, THEY'RE ALL VERY MUCH NEEDED ITEMS. AND I KNOW A LOT OF THEM COME FROM OUR RESIDENTS, BUT I JUST WANT, YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN LEGISLATING LIKE THIS SINCE THE 80S.AND, YOU KNOW, IF WE CAN MAYBE SKIP AN ITEM, WITHDRAW AN ITEM HERE OR THERE.
AND, AND LISTEN, IF, IF I DON'T GET SUPPORT AND THIS IT FAILS, I'M NOT GOING TO BE MAD AT ANYBODY.
AND, AND I, I THINK THAT THAT'S MAYBE WE CAN ACHIEVE THAT IF WE JUST STOP OVERWHELMING OURSELVES AND STAFF WITH ALL OF OUR ITEMS. MR. MAYOR. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
SUAREZ AND COMMISSIONER. BHATT. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS, THIS IS A MUCH NEEDED ITEM.
I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA. I THINK YOU HIT IT ON THE HEAD.
LESS IS MORE. I THINK THAT REALLY PUTS THE ONUS ON US TO PRIORITIZE WHAT'S BEST.
I THINK WE WILL GET A LOT MORE DONE THIS WAY.
I THINK IF WE CAN CUT IT DOWN TO THIS, WE CAN PROBABLY GET EVERYTHING DONE, EVERY MEETING.
SO I'M FULLY IN SUPPORT. I THINK THIS IS THIS IS GOOD, EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT, WHICH JUST WHAT WE EXPANDED ON THE LOT ON THE LAST MEETING OR SORRY, THE LAST ITEM. AND I, I FULLY SUPPORT YOU.
COMMISSIONER. BHATT. I LOVE THIS ITEM. I, I ACTUALLY HAD AN ITEM THAT I JUST WITHDREW, I DON'T KNOW, TWO MONTHS AGO OR SOMETHING. THAT COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE WAS A CO-SPONSOR ON WITH ME ABOUT DOING EXACTLY THIS.
I GAVE UP ON IT. SORRY, MAYOR, BECAUSE IT NEVER GOT CALLED.
BUT I THINK IT JUST GOT LOST IN THE SHUFFLE, BUT I, I'M FULLY, FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.
YOU KNOW, WE ALL WORK DIFFERENT IN A DIFFERENT WAY.
AND WE ALL BRING OUR STRENGTHS TO, TO BEAR MY WAY OF WORKING IS GENERALLY TO TRY AND GET PEOPLE IN A ROOM TOGETHER ADMINISTRATIVELY TO TRY AND GET THINGS DONE, AND ONLY ONCE IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE WE NEED COMMISSIONER LEGISLATIVE POLICY APPROVAL.
AND SO I'M FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS AND YOU KNOW, I WISH WE'D DONE THIS A COUPLE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, BUT BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. SO GO. MONICA. MR. MAYOR, COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. I THINK I THINK IT'S GREAT. I'VE ALWAYS SUPPORTED POLICIES THAT THAT SET STANDARDS AND THAT KIND OF, YOU KNOW, ADAPT THE PRACTICES OF THE COMMISSION TO THE NEEDS OF OF THE TIME.
AND I, AND I THINK THERE'S THIS IS THIS IS PRUDENT FOR THE MOMENT.
I DO SEE THAT, THAT THE POLICY WOULD BE ABLE TO BE WAIVED BY A FIVE SEVENTH VOTE.
THAT'S CORRECT. ALL RIGHT. WHAT'S YOUR THINKING? I MEAN, IF WE'RE GOING TO PASS THE POLICY, IF WE'RE IF WE'RE GIVING OURSELVES AN OUT FROM THE POLICY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO IT'S YOU KNOW, I JUST WOULD SAY IF WE'RE DOING THE POLICY AND THIS IS WHERE WE'RE GOING, OKAY, LET'S COMMIT OURSELVES TO IT. LET'S NOT GIVE OURSELVES A WAY AROUND THE POLICY.
AND WE REALLY ARE COMMITTED TO THIS. LET'S COMMIT.
LET'S COMMIT OURSELVES TO IT SO THAT THEN WE CAN REALLY WORK TO MAKE OUR AGENDA MORE EFFICIENT.
IT'S A PROFESSIONAL COURTESY TO EACH OTHER. WE UNDERSTAND AT TIMES, YOU KNOW, SOMEONE MAY HAVE FOR REFERRALS, BUT THEY MIGHT NEED TO PUT SIX REFERRALS TO, TO A COMMITTEE AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET IN EACH OTHER'S WAY.
AND SO I WOULD JUST SUGGEST, LET'S REMOVE THAT FIVE SEVENTH AND TRY TO IMPLEMENT YOUR POLICY OF NO MORE THAN FOUR REFERRALS TO COMMISSION COMMITTEE ON A REGULAR AGENDA.
I'M FINE WITH THAT. SECOND COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE.
THANK YOU FOR THE FOR THIS. COMMISSIONER. MATEO- SALINAS.
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE WITH YOU VERY MUCH SUPPORTIVE.
[05:20:09]
FOR STAFF, RIGHT. SO WE HAVE THE IDEAS. THEY'RE THE ONES CARRYING OUT THE EXECUTION.SO I THINK WE'VE GOTTEN TO A POINT WHERE LESS IS MORE, NOT ONLY FOR US, WHERE WE CAN ACTUALLY CONCENTRATE ON BETTER THINGS, BUT FOR THE ABILITY FOR OUR STAFF TO BE ABLE TO EXECUTE.
RIGHT. AND I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH BECAUSE WE HAVE THIS MONTHLY DEADLINE OF, OKAY, HERE'S OUR AGENDA. LET'S GET THESE ITEMS ON.
AND WE'RE NOT GIVING ADEQUATE TIME FOR THESE IDEAS TO TURN INTO EXECUTION.
AND THAT'S HOW YOU GET THAT OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY.
SO WE HAVE ENOUGH GREAT IDEAS, MAYBE NOT TO DESTROY MIAMI BEACH, BUT TO NOT ALLOW IT, THESE IDEAS TO THAT ACTUALLY GET EXECUTED TO IMPROVE OUR CITY TO THE DEGREE I THINK THAT IT CAN. SO I THINK LIMITING SOME OF THAT NOT ONLY HELPS US, BUT IT'S GOING TO HELP OUR STAFF OPERATE AND EXECUTE MORE EFFICIENTLY AS WELL.
THAT'S A I LIKE THAT. I LIKE THAT QUOTE. YOU'VE NOW QUOTED JEFF BEZOS TWICE TODAY, THOUGH, DOING IT ONE MORE TIME. NO, I THINK YOU HIT YOUR QUOTA. NO, NO, I ALREADY HAVE IT LINED UP FOR THE 5 P.M.
RATE DISCUSSION, SO GIVE ME A LITTLE LEEWAY. ALL RIGHT.
ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ. VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ. THANK YOU. SO I LIKE THIS ITEM AS WELL.
BUT I'M HESITANT ABOUT TAKING AWAY BEING ABLE TO VOTE 5/7 BECAUSE IT'S NOT LIKE THIS ITEM TRIMS IT.
IT CUTS IT IN HALF. AND THAT'S PRETTY SIGNIFICANT.
AND WE'RE A CITY THAT HAS MANY THINGS, MANY MOVING PARTS.
IT'S FAST PACED. THINGS COULD COME UP THAT ARE IMPORTANT.
AND THEN NOW YOU HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE FOLLOWING MONTH.
SO I THINK WE SHOULD KEEP THE 5/7 OR INCREASE IT BY A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE IT IS A SEVERE CUT.
IT'S A BIG SLASH. COULD IT BE LIKE CURRENCY? CAN I SELL SOME OF MY ITEMS TO ALEX? I THINK IT WORKED THE OTHER WAY. A TDR, THE TDR.
I MEAN, IF I COULD JUST RESPOND TO THAT, I THINK I THINK NUMBER ONE, IT'S GOING TO FORCE US TO BE MORE SELECTIVE ABOUT THE ITEMS THAT WE PLACE ON THE AGENDA.
AND I THINK ALSO NUMBER TWO, IF WE ALSO STICK TO THE RULES THAT WE ALREADY HAVE IN PLACE THE, THE RESOLUTIONS THAT WE'VE ALREADY ADOPTED AS TO THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT WE ALL GET TO SPEAK AND THAT TYPE OF STUFF, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH ALL OF OUR ITEMS. AND WE'VE ALREADY PASSED SAFEGUARDS ON THAT. AND SO, AND SO I WOULD JUST SAY IF WE REALLY ARE PUTTING OUT THERE THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE LIMITING OURSELVES TO NO MORE THAN FOUR RESOLUTIONS PER AGENDA, NO MORE THAN TWO ORDINANCES PER AGENDA, AND NO MORE, AND NO MORE THAN FOUR REFERRALS PER AGENDA.
THEN I THINK WE HAVE TO COMMIT OURSELVES TO THAT.
AND NOW THAT COMES BACK IS THAT NEW BUSINESS THAT COUNTS AGAINST YOUR, YOUR TWO ORDINANCES? NO, NO, THAT WOULD NOT. SO THIS IS NEW PLACING AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
SO THIS IS, THIS IS NEW POLICY THAT THAT'S, THAT'S COMING FORWARD.
HOW ABOUT RESOLUTIONS? BECAUSE I SEE THERE'S A DISTINCTION IN THE, IN THE, IN THE LEGISLATION THAT SAYS IT'S A LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF NEW ORDINANCES PER MEETING. BUT THEN WHEN YOU LOOK AT DISCUSSION ITEMS AND RESOLUTIONS, YOU HAVE A LIMIT OF FOUR, BUT IT DOESN'T DISTINGUISH BETWEEN NEW OR ITEMS THAT WEREN'T REACHED OR RESOLUTIONS THAT ARE COMING OUT FROM COMMITTEE AS RECOMMENDATIONS. AND SO AS WRITTEN RIGHT NOW, HOW DO YOU INTERPRET THAT? SURE. SO THE LANGUAGE IS NO MORE THAN 4TH MAY BE PLACED ON AN AGENDA.
SO IF AN ITEM IS COMING BACK FROM COMMITTEE, YOU ARE NOT PLACING IT ON THE AGENDA.
IT'S COMING BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE COMMITTEE.
[05:25:01]
WE COULD DO THAT. SO THAT SO THAT SO THAT THAT'S CLEAR.AND PREVIOUSLY I HAD MENTIONED THAT THAT THE THAT THE RESOLUTION UNDER SECTION D SIX MENTIONED A WAIVER BY A FIVE SEVENTH VOTE.
I WOULD JUST EXTEND IT TO THE REMOVING IT FROM THE DISCUSSIONS AND RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES SO THAT WE REALLY THEN ABIDE BY THE INTENT OF WHAT, OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO REFORM HERE TO OUR AGENDA PRACTICES.
IF THAT'S FINE WITH THE SPONSOR. WELL, I HEAR THAT.
BUT THEN, COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ, YOU'RE NOT. AND SO. AND I'M OKAY EITHER WAY. I HAD WRITTEN THIS SO THAT THERE WOULD BE 5/7 OF A VOTE WAIVER BECAUSE IF THERE IS SOME TYPE OF EMERGENCY ITEM OR EMERGENCY THAT WE NEED TO HEAR THEN IT COULD BE WAIVED.
BUT I SEE BOTH OF YOUR PERSPECTIVES. SO I'M CURIOUS TO HEAR WHAT OTHER COLLEAGUES SAY ON THAT.
I THREW THE MAYOR. I TEND TEND TO AGREE WITH THE KEEPING THE 5/7 IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY ITEM, BUT IT SHOULDN'T BE FOR REGULAR BUSINESS ITEM LIKE, OH, THIS JUST CAME UP LATE.
IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S TIMELY AND YOU KNOW, THAT EVERYONE AGREES IS SOMETHING OF IMPORT THAT WE SHOULD DISCUSS, THEN, THEN I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE AN OPTION TO TO HEAR IT.
SURE. AND SO ARE WE KEEPING IT OR ARE WE REMOVING IT? WHAT'S, WHAT ARE YOU, WHAT ARE YOU ACCEPTING? SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE, WE HAVE THE SUPPORT TO KEEP THE 5/7 VOTE FOR.
RIGHT. EXCUSE ME, MR. MAYOR. I'D LIKE TO KEEP IT.
AND I WILL SAY THIS IS FIRST READING. SO WHEN IT COMES BACK FOR SECOND READING, WE CAN A, YOU KNOW, THINK ABOUT THIS, SEE HOW WE FEEL ABOUT THE 5/7 AND DISCUSS IT AGAIN THEN FOR SECOND READING.
BUT ALSO IT WILL BE OUR FIRST. WELL, LET'S TRY TO HAVE A TEST RUN TO SEE IF.
IF WE FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THESE. IF IT'S TOO SLASHED IN TERMS OF THE ITEMS OR WE WANT TO ADJUST IT A LITTLE BIT, I GUESS SOME OF THIS IS WHAT WE CAN THINK ABOUT WHEN IT COMES BACK FOR SECOND READING.
BUT I THINK RIGHT NOW WE SHOULD KEEP IN THE 5/7 OF A VOTE UNTIL SECOND READING.
CALL THE VOTE. SO I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ.
AS IS IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING. I SEE NO ONE IN ZOOM, NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE REQUESTING TO SPEAK.
COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ? YES.
I'LL GET HIM. COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. YEAH. COMMISSIONER BHATT.
YES. COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE. YES. COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS.
YES. VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ. YES. MAYOR. MINOR.
YES. MOTION CARRIES. SECOND READING PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 24TH.
[R5 V 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,” BY AMENDING AND REFINING ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR COMMERCIAL VESSEL ACTIVITY AT PUBLIC MARINAS AND PUBLIC MARINE FACILITIES; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
R5V IS AN ORDER OF THE MAYOR. CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 82 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ENTITLED PUBLIC PROPERTY BY AMENDING ARTICLE THREE ENTITLED USE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY BY AMENDING DIVISION ONE, ENTITLED GENERALLY BY AMENDING SECTION 82-72 THEREOF ENTITLED COMMERCIAL VESSEL ACTIVITY HOURS OF OPERATION AT PUBLICLY OWNED MARINAS BY AMENDING AND REFINING ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR COMMERCIAL VESSELS, ACTIVITY AT PUBLIC MARINAS AND PUBLIC MARINE FACILITIES, AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE.THIS IS THE FIRST READING. PUBLIC HEARING IS ITEM R5V COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ.
THANK YOU. SO CURRENTLY YACHT OPERATORS HAVE A, B, T, R AND THEN A NUMBER OF BOATS UNDER THAT 1BTR WHAT THIS ITEM DOES, IF THERE IS A VIOLATION THAT IS NOT PUBLIC SAFETY OR QUALITY OF LIFE RELATED.
CITY MANAGER HAS THE ABILITY TO ALLOW THEM TO CONTINUE OPERATING THE WAY THE ORDINANCE IS WRITTEN, AS IS CURRENTLY. ANY VIOLATION FROM ANY OF THE ONE VOTE WOULD PREVENT THEM FROM OPERATING. SO THIS JUST GIVES THEM MAKES IT A LITTLE FAIRER BECAUSE WITH 15 VOTES, 20 VOTES UNDER A BTR, EVERYONE'S TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT COMPLIANCE IS DONE.
AND WITH THAT, I'LL MOVE THE ITEM. SECOND. JUST IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING.
SEE NO ONE IN ZOOM AND I SEE NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE IF THERE'S NO DISCUSSION. MAY I CALL THE ROLL? SO, YEAH, I JUST GOT A COUPLE QUESTIONS, BUT GO AHEAD AND I'LL.
[05:30:01]
COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. CAN WE JUST CLARIFY EXACTLY WHAT THIS DOES? BECAUSE SO YOU'RE SAYING IF THERE IS A BOAT OWNER WHO HAS 15 BOATS AND ONE BTR, OR IS IT 15 BTR, ONE BTR. IS THAT COMMON? I DON'T KNOW, NOT 15.NOT NECESSARILY. NO. BUT MULTIPLE BOATS ON A SINGLE BTR.
YES. SO CAN YOU JUST GO OVER THE BACKGROUND AGAIN FROM THE LEGAL PERSPECTIVE.
YEAH. I MEAN AS TO HOW WE GOT HERE. NO. WHAT IS WHAT EXACTLY DOES THIS ORDINANCE DO? OKAY. SO PREVIOUSLY THE CITY COMMISSION ROLLED BACK THE THE CESSATION OF COMMERCIAL VESSEL ACTIVITY AT PUBLIC MARINAS AND PUBLIC MARINE FACILITIES FROM 9 P.M.
TO 7 P.M., AND YOU ALL ALSO ESTABLISHED AN APPLICATION AND EXEMPTION PROCESS WHEREBY COMMERCIAL OPERATOR WHO HAS NO PRIOR VIOLATIONS IN THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS AND HAS BEEN CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS, WOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR AN EXEMPTION TO CONTINUE ACTIVITY UNTIL 9 P.M.
EACH EVENING, INSTEAD OF HAVING TO STOPPING AT SEVEN, SUBJECT TO THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEES YOU KNOW, SOLE DISCRETION AND APPROVAL. AND THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO DO SO.
ONE VIOLATION IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. AGAIN, THEY HAVE TO HAVE BEEN OPERATING PREVIOUSLY AT LEAST TWO YEARS CONTINUOUSLY IN THE CITY TO EVEN APPLY FOR THIS EXEMPTION, BUT IT WILL ALLOW THEM TO APPLY, APPLY AGAIN, SUBJECT TO THE CITY MANAGER'S DISCRETION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT HE WANTS TO GRANT THEM THE EXEMPTION TO CONTINUE TILL NINE, OR THEY HAVE TO DENY THAT THEY HAVE TO STOP AT SEVEN.
AND I'D ASSUME IF IT'S ONE OF THOSE TYPE THINGS, HE MAY BE MORE INCLINED POTENTIALLY TO TO DECLINE IT AND SAY, LISTEN, YOU GOT TO STOP AT 7 P.M. AND IF IT DOESN'T INVOLVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IT'S MORE MINISTERIAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE WHAT THEIR VIOLATION IS, HE COULD GRANT IT AND ALLOW THEM TO CONTINUE OPERATING UNTIL UNTIL 9 P.M.
IF THEY WERE TO PICK UP A NEW VIOLATION. SO IF AN OPERATOR HAS THE ONE, IF IF YOU ALL ADOPT THIS AND THEY HAVE THE ONE VIOLATION, THEY APPLY FOR IT. CITY MANAGER GRANTS IT BECAUSE IT'S ADMINISTRATIVE OR MINISTERIAL. THE ONE VIOLATION, IF THEY WERE TO GET A NEW VIOLATION, THEY'D BE AUTOMATICALLY REVOKED UNLESS AND UNTIL THE ISSUING AUTHORITY DISMISSED THE CITATIONS OR VIOLATIONS OR THEY PREVAILED AT FINAL APPEAL.
SO AGAIN, IF YOU SPOKE PRETTY FAST, MARK YOU GUYS, IF THEY.
I LOVE THAT ABOUT YOU. ACTUALLY I'M TRYING. I HEAR YOU GOT A LOT OF INFORMATION VERY QUICKLY. SO WE'RE WE'RE BASICALLY SAYING IF THEY ALREADY HAVE A VIOLATION, THEY CAN STILL APPLY. IF THEY HAVE A VIOLATION, THEY COULD STILL APPLY.
IT WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE CITY MANAGER'S COMPLETE AND ABSOLUTE DISCRETION. HE'D LOOK AT AGAIN, THE NATURE OF THE VIOLATION DID INVOLVE PUBLIC SAFETY. DID IT AFFECT RESIDENTS QUALITY OF LIFE? AND HE'D MAKE A DETERMINATION, BUT ALLOW THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO AT LEAST HAVE ANY VIOLATIONS WITHIN TWO YEARS? YOU CANNOT OPERATE UNTIL 9:00. SAY THAT ONE MORE TIME.
NOBODY OPERATES TILL 9:00. EVERYBODY STOPS AT 7:00.
IF YOU HAVE NO VIOLATIONS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, AND YOU SUBMIT AN APPLICATION AND THE CITY MANAGER APPROVES IT, THEN YOU CAN GO TILL NINE. YES. THIS WOULD ALLOW SOMEONE WITH ONE PREVIOUS VIOLATION, PRESUMABLY A MINISTERIAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE VIOLATION, TO GO TILL NINE. IF THEY APPLY IN THE CITY MANAGER APPROVES IT.
WHAT IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE VIOLATION? IT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT'S NOT LIKE SUBSTANTIVE, WHERE IT'S NOT A NOISE VIOLATION, WHERE IT'S NOT LIKE A HUGE CONGLOMERATE OF FISTFIGHTS AND, YOU KNOW, INDECENT EXPOSURES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT WHERE IT'S JUST SOMETHING THEY DIDN'T PAY A PAY A BTR THING, SOMETHING MINISTERIAL. YEAH. JUST I JUST WANT TO BE CAREFUL.
IS THAT ADMINISTRATIVE LET'S SAY THEY HAVE VIOLATED THE CURFEW.
OKAY. DOES THAT QUALIFY. YEAH. ANYTHING WOULD QUALIFY FOR THE CITY MANAGER'S REVIEW.
DOES THIS PROHIBIT THEM FROM APPLYING OR. NO.
IF THEY VIOLATED THE CURFEW LAST YEAR AND THAT VIOLATION WAS UPHELD OR THEY FAILED TO APPEAL IT, THEY COULD NOT EVEN APPLY. THEY WOULD HAVE TO CEASE ACTIVITY AT 7 P.M.
FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS FROM THE DATE OF THAT VIOLATION. RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE OUT COLD. THIS WOULD GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO AT LEAST APPLY FOR THE 9 P.M., SUBJECT TO THE CITY MANAGER'S APPROVAL. AND SO THIS BASICALLY SAYS IF YOU HAD AN ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUE, LIKE YOU FORGOT TO PAY YOUR TEACHER, THEN THEN YOU CAN.
OKAY. YEAH. AND IT DOESN'T. IT SAYS, LISTEN, IT SAYS YOU CAN APPLY IF YOU HAVE ONE VIOLATION, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHAT IT IS, BUT IT PROVIDES FACTORS FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO LOOK AT AS TO WHETHER OR NOT HE SHOULD LET THEM GIVE THEM THE EXEMPTION AND LET THEM GO TO LINE OR SAY OR DENY IT AND KEEP THEM AT SEVEN. BASED UPON, AGAIN, THE NATURE OF THE VIOLATION.
DID THE VIOLATION INVOLVE PUBLIC SAFETY? AND AGAIN, THIS DID IT AGAIN.
SO WE'RE ALLOWING THE OPERATORS TO OPEN BUSINESS OR FINISH THEIR BUSINESS AT 9:09 P.M.
[05:35:02]
AT PUBLIC MARINAS. IF THEY APPLY FOR THIS EXEMPTION AND THEY'RE GRANTED THE EXEMPTION, YES, THEY COULD CONTINUE ACTIVITY TILL NINE. IT WOULD NOT HAVE TO CEASE AT 7 P.M.. THAT'S CORRECT. AND THE ONLY PUBLIC PUBLIC MARINA IS MIAMI BEACH MARINA, CORRECT. I IN MIAMI BEACH THINKS SO, BUT I WOULDN'T SWEAR TO IT.OKAY. AS I DON'T KNOW IF THE SPONSOR HAS NOT WEIGHED IN ON THIS BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW.
I, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE GOING TO BE OKAY WITH OPENING THE DOOR TO 9 P.M..
I KNOW I BELIEVE ONE MEMBER KEITH MARKS, IS ON THE PHONE, BUT LET ME COMMENT IF I MAY.
OF COURSE. YEAH, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. I'LL TELL YOU WHY.
WELL, ONE, I WAS THE SPONSOR OF THE A COUPLE OF THE ITEMS THAT LIMITED THE CHARTER, YOU AND I BOTH.
AND THEN COMMISSIONER SUAREZ AS WELL. SO JUST A QUICK HISTORY.
4 OR 5 YEARS AGO, WE HAD A PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO LIMITATIONS.
THERE WAS NO IT COULD BE 24 OVER SEVEN MAJOR PROBLEMS, CONSTANT COMPLAINTS FROM THE SOUTH.
THE RESIDENTS. SO WE PUT IN THE WE PUT IN THE 9:00 PM.
IT WORKED FANTASTIC. THEN FOR SEVERAL YEARS. AND THEN AGAIN, THE PROBLEM STARTED.
SO THEN WE PUT ON LEGISLATION THAT I BELIEVE YOU AND I PUT ON.
WORKED TOGETHER WITH US AND THE SOUTH OF FIFTH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT, IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY ISSUES, WE'LL KEEP THE 9:00, BUT ONLY IF YOU DON'T HAVE THOSE ISSUES FOR TWO YEARS.
SO NOW WE'RE POTENTIALLY LOOKING TO MAKE AN EXCEPTION.
AND, YOU KNOW, I DON'T HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL. AND I AND I APPRECIATE THE ITEM, COMMISSIONER, VICE MAYOR, BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT WE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS. WE FINALLY CORRECTED IT AND WHETHER WE NOW OPEN IT UP.
AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IS THE OPERATOR WOULD POTENTIALLY HAVE A VIOLATION, AND THEN THEY WOULD CALL ALL OF US AND THEN SOME SOME OF US WASN'T ME, BUT SOME OF US NOT THIS BODY. IT WAS A DIFFERENT BODY WOULD CALL THE CITY MANAGER AND THEN LEAN ON THE CITY MANAGER TO SORT OF OVERLOOK IT.
AND IT BECAME A WHOLE ISSUE. AND WE HAD TO CRAFT LEGISLATION AROUND IT.
THERE WAS LAWSUITS SURROUNDING THIS, AND IT'S NOT PERSONAL TO THE CITY MANAGER.
I JUST DON'T WANT TO PUT THE CITY MANAGER IN THAT POSITION BECAUSE IT PUTS TREMENDOUS PRESSURE ON HIM, NOT JUST FROM THE OPERATORS, BUT FROM US. AND I'D RATHER JUST HAVE A CLEAN LEGISLATION WHERE WE DON'T GET INVOLVED WITH HAVING TO MAKE THESE DISCRETIONARY DETERMINATIONS IF I COULD GIVE SOME MORE CONTEXT. SO A LOT OF TIMES WHEN WE BRING THINGS FORWARD, IT'S BECAUSE SOMETHING HAPPENED.
WE TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND MAKE THE DECISION TO SEE IF WE CAN MAKE REVISIONS TO MAKE IT BETTER.
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED HERE. SO YOU'VE GOT A BOAT CHARTER OPERATOR WHO HAS A BETA AND A NUMBER OF BOATS UNDERNEATH THAT ONE BETA, BECAUSE THAT'S HOW THEY'RE OPERATING. THE BOAT CAME BACK BY 9:00.
EVERYONE WAS OFF, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE OWNERS OF THE BOAT, AND THEY GOT OFF AT LIKE 904.
SO NOW BECAUSE OF THAT, IT'S NOT JUST THAT ONE BOAT THAT GETS IN TROUBLE.
ALL OF THE BOATS UNDER THAT BETA WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OPERATE.
AND THAT SOUNDS UNFAIR FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS AN INNOCENT MISTAKE BY THE OWNERS OF THE BOAT, THINKING THAT THEY COULD STAY ON LONGER, NOT REALIZING THAT THEY COULDN'T.
AND SO THAT'S WHY WHEN DEVELOPING THIS LEGISLATION MARK FISHMAN SAID OR LOOKED INTO IT CAN'T BE PUBLIC SAFETY RELATED. IT CAN'T BE QUALITY OF LIFE. SO THAT'S WHERE THAT HAPPENED BECAUSE NOW A GOOD OPERATOR THAT'S BEEN WORKING WITH US FOR 20 YEARS. I ALSO SPOKE TO SOPHIA ABOUT THIS, AND JOHN CAPRIO AND SOME OF THE OTHERS WERE VERY MUCH IN SUPPORT.
I ALSO REACHED OUT TO MBU AND ROBERT SELSAM SAID THAT HE WAS IN SUPPORT OF IT AS WELL.
SO I DIDN'T JUST PUT SOMETHING ON. I DID MY DUE DILIGENCE.
AND I THINK IT'S, IT'S A GOOD ITEM. AND IT'S FAIR BECAUSE HOW CAN YOU EXPECT A COMPANY WITH 15 BOATS BECAUSE THEY WERE LATE FOR MINUTES NOW IT, NONE OF THE BOATS CAN DO IT WITH A 20 YEAR POSITIVE TRACK RECORD.
I APPRECIATE THAT BACKGROUND. THANK YOU. ARE YOU I SEE.
HERNAN STEPPED UP. DID YOU ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THIS CASE? YEAH, BUT I JUST. I WANTED TO SHARE HERNAN CARDENO FOR CODE COMPLIANCE.
I JUST WANTED TO SHARE. THE UNIVERSE IS VERY LIMITED AT THE MOMENT FOR WHICH OPERATORS WOULD BE ABLE TO COME BACK NOW AND MAKE APPLICATION OF 31 APPLICATIONS THAT WE'VE HAD FOR THE EXEMPTION ON THE HOURS, 25 HAVE BEEN APPROVED, SIX HAVE BEEN DENIED FOR ONE VIOLATION,
[05:40:08]
AND THE BREAKOUT OF THOSE VIOLATIONS ARE UNPERMITTED HOURS OF OPERATION THREE, CHARTER ADVERTISING TWO AND FAILURE TO DISPLAY THE REQUIRED DECAL ONE. WELL, WHERE DOES WHERE DOES THIS ONE FALL IN THAT THE VICE MAYOR JUST DESCRIBED THIS ONE WAS FOR HOURS, HOURS OF OPERATION. BECAUSE THE ORDINANCE SAYS THE BOAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE DARK AND ALL ACTIVITY IS SUPPOSED TO CEASE BY 9 P.M., NOT JUST PULLING UP TO THE DOCK AND BEGINNING YOUR UNLOADING PROCESS.MR.. MR.. MAYOR. I THINK WE HAVE THE COMMISSIONER SUAREZ KEITH MARKS ON THE PHONE.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO OPEN UP THE PUBLIC COMMENT BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR WHAT.
YES, IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING. I'M GOING TO CALL KEITH MARKS.
GO AHEAD SIR, UNMUTE YOURSELF. HI, THIS IS KEITH MARKS SELF, NOW 50 SOUTH POINTE DRIVE. YEAH, I LAURA, I DO KNOW THAT JOHN AND YOU GUYS TALKED ABOUT IT.
MY CONCERN IS NOT. I THINK IT JUST NEEDS A LITTLE REFINEMENT, IN MY OPINION.
AND AGAIN, THE WHOLE BOARD HASN'T DISCUSSED THIS, BUT I'M CONCERNED, LIKE THE MAYOR SAID WITH CITY MANAGER DISCRETION, I THINK WE IF WE COULD DEFINE ADMINISTRATIVE IF TAXES AND CO COULD DEFINE AN ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR ON ONE VOTE OUT OF MULTIPLE VERSUS SOMEONE WHO COMES IN LATE BECAUSE ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAD, AND THE REASON WE DID IT IS BECAUSE THEY THERE ARE OPERATORS WHO HAD BEEN IGNORING US THE 7 P.M.
OR IN THE PAST, THE 9 P.M. AND WE SAID NO MORE.
SO I, I WOULD BE OKAY IF WE COULD DEFINE AN ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR VERSUS.
AND IF YOU WANTED TO CALL TURNING A BOAT DARK ADMINISTRATIVE.
BUT IF CODE COULD DETERMINE IT AND KEEP IT AWAY FROM THE CITY MANAGER, BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, THE BOAT OWNERS ARE GOING TO GO TO ERIC OR MARK TAXES, AND THEY'RE GOING TO START, YOU KNOW, POLITICKING TO GET THEIR EXCEPTION. AND THAT IF THINGS ARE WORKING VERY WELL AT THE MARINA, IT THIS CHANGE WON'T BE A BIG ISSUE IF YOU JUST CHANGE IT TO ADMINISTRATIVE.
BUT IF IF WE HAVE TO DETERMINE WHAT IS QUALITY OF LIFE? MY GOD, THAT'S YOU KNOW, I THINK WE HAVE A DEFINITION OF WHAT QUALITY OF LIFE IS.
AND KEITH, THIS IS THE FIRST READING OF THE ITEM.
BUT YES, I'M FINE AT FIRST READING. I JUST THINK IF WE, IF WE'RE HAPPY WITH WHAT THE OPTIONS ARE TO THE POINT WHERE THE MANAGER DOESN'T HAVE TO GET INVOLVED, THAT WOULD BE REALLY IDEAL WHERE HERNAN AND CODE COULD ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, CLARIFY THIS IS ADMINISTRATIVE VERSUS NON ADMINISTRATIVE. OKAY.
MR.. MAYOR. HOW MANY DO WE THINK WE'RE TALKING ABOUT? AND WELL, HE SAID THERE WAS THERE HAVE BEEN SIX THAT HAVE BEEN OUT OF HOW MANY POTENTIAL.
31. OKAY. COMMISSIONER. SUAREZ. BUT I DON'T WANT TO LOSE SIGHT OF THE INTENT OF THIS ITEM.
AND THE SPONSOR CAN CORRECT ME, BUT THIS IS TO MOVE IT FROM 7 TO 9 FOR CERTAIN OPERATORS, CORRECT? OKAY. BECAUSE LOOK, I KNOW MARK. MARK IS SAYING NO HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT.
NO. YOU ALL HAVE ALREADY YOU ALL ROLLED IT BACK FROM 9 P.M.
TO 7 P.M.. YOU ALL CREATED AN APPLICATION EXEMPTION PROCESS TO GET BACK TO 9 P.M.
IF AN OPERATOR HAS NO VIOLATIONS. WHAT THIS IS DOING IS IT'S ALLOWING SOME ADDITIONAL OPERATORS WHO ONLY HAVE ONE VIOLATION IN THE PAST TWO YEARS AND HAVE BEEN OPERATING IN THE CITY FOR AT LEAST TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS, THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY AND GET GRANTED THE EXEMPTION.
JUST ONE VIOLATION. BUT THE. BUT THE THE REASON THIS ORDINANCE WAS BROUGHT UP WAS BECAUSE OF THE UNFAIR SITUATION OF THAT BOAT OWNER WHO GOT ME ON FOUR MINUTES, I BELIEVE. YEAH. FOR THAT. THAT WAS JUST ONE OF MANY BOATS HE OWNED.
THAT'S CORRECT. BUT AGAIN, THERE WERE 31 TOTAL APPLICATIONS AND SIX HAVE BEEN DENIED.
THIS WAS ONE OF THEM. THERE'S OTHERS WHO MAY HAVE ONLY HAD ONE VESSEL. SO IRRESPECTIVE OF THE NUMBER OF BOATS YOU HAVE ON YOUR BTR WOULD ALLOW THE OPERATOR TO APPLY FOR THIS EXEMPTION TO APPLY. SO THEY DON'T AUTOMATICALLY GET THE EXCEPTION.
[05:45:06]
THAT'S NOT AND YOU'RE AN OTHERWISE GOOD OPERATOR.I HAVE MY BOAT THERE. I KNOW MY DREAM IS A GREAT OPERATOR.
AND I THINK THEY GOT HIT HARD BECAUSE OF THE, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE ORDINANCES.
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU KNOW, THE COMMUNITY THERE, THEY, THEY WANTED SOME RELIEF FROM THESE BAD OPERATORS, AND I'M OKAY. SORT OF. I'M OKAY WITH OPENING IT UP TO POSSIBLY ONLY GOOD OPERATORS, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO DRAW THE LINE.
RIGHT. THEY WERE LATE FOUR MINUTES OFF THE BOAT.
AT WHAT POINT DO WE SAY LIKE THAT IS A QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE.
SO MAYBE THEY WERE LATE AN HOUR AND WHEN THEY GOT OFF, IT WAS MAKING A BUNCH OF NOISE.
AND THAT'S A QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE. SO WHERE DO WE DRAW THE LINE OF WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE? WHAT'S NOT? SO MAYBE FOUR MINUTES THIS TIME, BUT MAYBE NEXT TIME IT'S AN HOUR. I GUESS THAT'S UP TO THE CITY MANAGER'S DISCRETION.
THAT'S HOW IT IS NOW. THAT'S HOW IT'S WRITTEN NOW. YEP. BUT COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE.
I KEEP GOING BACK AND FORTH. ARE WE TALKING? I GET IS THIS A COMPREHENSIVE ISSUE OR IS IT AN ISSUE THAT JUST PRESENTED ITSELF REALLY FOR ONE OPERATOR? NO, COMMISSIONER SIX SIX OPERATORS, BUT THOSE OTHER ONES, WAS IT THE SAME? OH MAN, THEY WERE ONLY LATE FOR FIVE MINUTES.
OR IS IT ACROSS THE BOARD LIKE A DIFFERENT. THEY EACH GOT CITED FOR SOME DIFFERENT.
ONE VIOLATION PER OPERATOR. BUT EACH OF THE SIX GOT CITED FOR PARTICULAR VIOLATIONS.
RIGHT. SO THOSE SIX THE BREAKDOWN AGAIN, IS THE UNPERMITTED HOURS OF OPERATION FOR THREE VIOLATIONS TO THREE OPERATORS, I SHOULD SAY. WERE THEY FOUR MINUTES OR WERE THEY FOUR HOURS? YOU KNOW, THIS WAS AFTER THE ORDINANCES WERE PASSED AND IT WAS ZERO TOLERANCE.
AND THIS WAS THE MIAMI BEACH MARINA BLITZ. SO IT DIDN'T MATTER IF IT WAS 4 MINUTES OR 40 MINUTES.
IF YOU WERE NOT DARK BY 9 P.M., THEN THAT WAS A PROBLEM FOR US.
ONE VIOLATOR. OKAY, SO AT LEAST FIVE OF THE SIX ARE SOMEWHAT, I DON'T WANT TO SAY TRIVIAL, BUT. NOT. NOT INDICATIVE OF TRULY AWFUL BAD OPERATORS.
YEAH. THE ONLY THING COMMISSIONER I'D LIKE TO ADD TO THAT IS THAT BECAUSE WE HAD A PROBLEM, WE, WE ACTUALLY, WE WENT IN AND WE WENT, WE WEREN'T HARD.
IT WAS ZERO TOLERANCE IF YOU WERE A MINUTE AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.
AND WE WANTED TO GET EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION AND SEND THE MESSAGE THAT WE WEREN'T PLAYING AND THAT IF YOU DIDN'T COMPLY AND YOU BROKE THE RULES, I THINK WE STILL SEND THAT MESSAGE, RIGHT? I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO, OKAY, YOU KNOW WHAT? IT'S ACTUALLY 745 AND 745 TURNS INTO 8:00. YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO START GOING DOWN THAT PATH, BUT THIS ON THIS ONE THOUGH, WE HAD AN OPERATOR THAT WAS BACK IN 15 MINUTES BEFORE NINE.
AND THEN A COUPLE OF THE PEOPLE JUST WENT OFF.
I THINK THE OWNER AND SOMEONE ELSE WENT OFF THE BOAT THAT WAS, IS THERE NOT A WAY TO JUST KIND OF, NOT HELP THIS PERSON OUT AND NOT PASS SWEEPING LEGISLATION.
WELL, WE WE WOULD STILL I THINK WE COULD STILL BE VERY WE COULD BE VERY SERIOUS AND AND SEND THE MESSAGE IF, IF SOMEONE BREAKS THE RULES, WE'RE NOT GOING TO MOVE FORWARD. THIS IS A LOOK BACK.
AND THE ONLY WAY TO BE ABLE TO DO IT IS THAT THEY DID GET A VIOLATION.
SO THERE'S A VIOLATION THERE. SO THEY'RE NOT IN COMPLIANCE, BUT THERE'S NO WAY TO HELP OUT THAT SINGLE SITUATION OTHER THAN PASSING BROADER SWEEPING LEGISLATION. NOT NOT REALLY. I MEAN, YOU ALL YOU ALL DID PASS THE LEGISLATION SAYING NO VIOLATIONS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
AND THEY, AS MARK SAID, THEY HAVE A VIOLATION.
AND YEAH, IF YOU GUYS GAVE IT TO HIM AND ADOPTED THIS IN TWO READINGS. YEAH.
BUT RIGHT NOW IT SAYS ZERO VIOLATION. BUT RIGHT NOW IT'S NOT.
THAT'S RIGHT, THAT'S RIGHT. OKAY. THIS FIRST READING, CALL THE VOTE.
IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING, BY THE WAY. NO ONE ON ZOOM. NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE? YES, THOUGH I WANT TO SEE BE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ARE ALIGNED WITH.
I KNOW THE SPONSOR IS WORKING VERY CLOSELY. SO AS LONG AS THAT CONTINUES AND EVERYBODY'S GENERALLY IN SUPPORT, I'LL CONTINUE AT SECOND READING. BUT YES, FOR FIRST READING AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE KEITH SAID THAT HE WAS OKAY WITH THIS WITH FIRST READING, AND I'M GOING TO MEET WITH HIM IN BETWEEN THE TWO. ALL RIGHT. SO COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE WAS.
YES. VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ. YES. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
YES. COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. YES. COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS.
[05:50:03]
YES. COMMISSIONER. BART. YES. MAYOR. MINOR. YES.MOTION CARRIES. SECOND READING. PUBLIC HEARING IS JUNE 24TH.
[R5 AI GU ZONING DISTRICT REGULATIONSAN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE MIAMI BEACH RESILIENCY CODE, BY AMENDING CHAPTER 7, ENTITLED “ZONING DISTRICT REGULATIONS,” ARTICLE II, ENTITLED “DISTRICT REGULATIONS,” SECTION 7.2.16, ENTITLED “GU GOVERNMENT USE DISTRICT,” SECTION 7.2.16.3 THEREOF, ENTITLED, “DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS (GU),” BY MODIFYING THE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS TO CLARIFY SETBACK REQUIREMENTS; AND PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
[R5 AJ COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FLUM AMENDMENT – ONE OCEAN DRIVE AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, BY AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE 2040 MIAMI BEACH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.4.1 OF THE MIAMI BEACH RESILIENCY CODE AND PURSUANT TO SECTION 163.3181, SECTION 163.3184, AND SECTION 163.3187, FLORIDA STATUTES, BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION FOR A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED AT 1 OCEAN DRIVE, MIAMI BEACH, FROM THE CURRENT DESIGNATION OF “RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE INCLUDING WATERWAYS (ROS)” TO “PUBLIC FACILITY: GOVERNMENTAL USES (PF)”; AND PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, TRANSMITTAL, REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
FIVE A'S IN ORDER TO THE MAYOR. CITY COMMISSION OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE MIAMI BEACH RESILIENCY CODE BY AMENDING CHAPTER SEVEN ENTITLED ZONING DISTRICT REGULATIONS. ARTICLE TWO, ENTITLED DISTRICT REGULATIONS. SECTION 7.2.16 ENTITLED GU GOVERNMENT USE DISTRICT.SECTION 7.2.16.3 THEREOF ENTITLED DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS GU.
BY MODIFYING THE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS TO CLARIFY SETBACK REQUIREMENTS AND PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, REPEALER, SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS THE FIRST READING PUBLIC HEARING. IT IS ITEM R5I, AND WE CAN CALL THE COMPANION ITEM R5AJ.
R5AJ IS AN ORDINANCE. IN ORDER TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY BEACH, FLORIDA.
AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE 2040 MIAMI BEACH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.4.1 OF THE MIAMI BEACH RESILIENCY CODE AND PURSUANT TO SECTION ONE SIX.
3.3181. SECTION ONE. SECTION 163.3184 AND SECTION 163.3187 FLORIDA STATUTES BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION FOR A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED AT ONE OCEAN DRIVE, MIAMI BEACH.
FROM THE CURRENT DESIGNATION OF RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE, INCLUDING WATERWAYS, ROSE TO PUBLIC FACILITY GOVERNMENTAL USES AND PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, TRANSMITTAL, REPEALER, SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE. THAT'S R5AJ.
IT'S A PUBLIC HEARING. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. WE OFTEN HEAR OF APPLICANTS WANTING TO REDUCE SETBACKS.
THIS ITEM IS ABOUT INCREASING SETBACKS. IN SOME AREAS.
AND THIS ORDINANCE REMOVES THE MAXIMUM SETBACK REQUIREMENT FOR FOR USE ZONED PROPERTIES.
AND THIS WENT TO THE PLANNING BOARD AND IT RECEIVED UNANIMOUS APPROVAL AND I MOVE THE ITEM.
SECOND. IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING. NO ONE IN ZOOM.
NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE. I'M GOING TO CALL THE ROLL.
THE ROLL UNDER A IAI REQUIRES FIVE SEVEN VOTE.
COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE I, I APOLOGIZE. WE'RE SPEAKING WITH THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF.
CAN WE JUST SURMISE THAT IN 15 OR. 20S. APOLOGIES.
NO, TO DECREASE, TO ACTUALLY GIVE MORE FLEXIBILITY.
CORRECT. YEAH. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. YEP. ALL GOOD.
SO COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE IS A YES. VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ. YES.
COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ. YES. COMMISSIONER BOTT.
YES. COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. YEAH. COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS.
YES. MAYOR. YES. MOTION CARRIES. THE ITEM IS APPROVED SEVEN ZERO.
SECOND READING. SECOND READING. PUBLIC HEARING FOR BOTH ITEMS R5IR5AJ WILL BE JUNE 24TH R9R9E.
[R9 E CITY COMMISSION FILE NO. 2025-00001APPEAL, FILED BY ONUR S. GUNDAY, OF AN ORDER OF THE MIAMI BEACH DESIGN REVIEW BOARD (“DRB”) DATED OCTOBER 22, 2025, FOR DRB FILE NO. 25-1104, APPROVING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW GOLF COURSE CLUB HOUSE, THE RELOCATION OF TENNIS COURTS, FOUR NEW PADEL COURTS, THE ADDITION OF THREE COMFORT STATIONS, A NEW DRIVEWAY, A VARIANCE FROM THE REQUIRED ANCILLARY STRUCTURE SETBACK, AND ONE OR MORE WAIVERS, TO REPLACE THE EXISTING CLUBHOUSE.]
R9E IS DRB APPEAL NUMBER 25-11045685, FILED BY MR. GUNDY.WELCOME ABOARD NICK. THANK YOU MAYOR. THANK YOU.
YOU HEARD ORAL ARGUMENT FROM ALL OF THE PARTIES.
AFTER A LENGTHY DISCUSSION, THE CITY COMMISSION DEFERRED THE ITEM TO TODAY'S MEETING TO GIVE THE THE PETITIONER THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK OUT HIS DISPUTE WITH THE RESPONDENT, THE LA GORCE COUNTRY CLUB.
THE. BECAUSE WE'VE. WE'VE HEARD ALL ORAL ARGUMENT OF THE PARTIES.
THE ITEM IS PROPERLY BEFORE YOU TODAY FOR A VOTE.
I WOULD JUST REMIND THE CITY COMMISSION THAT TO REVERSE, MODIFY OR REMAND THE DECISION OF THE DRB, A 57 VOTE IS REQUIRED, BUT OTHERWISE THE DECISION OF THE BOARD WOULD BE WOULD BE UPHELD.
OTHERWISE, THE DRB DECISION WOULD BE UPHELD AND ANYONE, AGGRIEVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION'S DECISION TODAY COULD TAKE A SUBSEQUENT APPEAL TO CIRCUIT COURT WOULD REQUIRE 4/7 VOTE TO AFFIRM.
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AND WHAT IF THERE IS NO. WHAT IF THERE'S NO MOTION TO AFFIRM? WELL, MY RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COMMISSION WOULD BE THAT YOU TAKE A VOTE EITHER WAY TO ALLOW TO ALLOW THIS, THIS, THIS, THIS DISPUTE TO BE TO BE FURTHER LITIGATED.CORRECT. WELL, SINCE YOU NEED AN AFFIRMATIVE FIVE VOTES TO REVERSE, IF A MOTION TO REVERSE IS MADE AND SECONDED AND THAT MOTION FAILS, THE RESULT IS THAT THE DOBBS DECISION WAS UPHELD.
AND WOULD THERE BE ANY SORT OF MOTION TO REQUIRE A 4/7 VOTE TO.
THERE'S NO THERE'S NO MOTION FOR A 4/7 VOTE THAT COULD BE USED TO.
BUT I DO THINK THAT THERE IS FOUR VOTES TO NOT AGREE TO THIS.
THE DECISION OF THE DRB. BUT I GUESS WE COULD JUST FIND OUT.
SO WHAT IS OUR BEST COURSE OF ACTION. WELL, I GUESS SINCE, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD ORAL ARGUMENT THE PARTIES HAD A CHANCE TO MEET, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT NO SETTLEMENT WAS REACHED.
IF YOU WANTED TO HEAR AN UPDATE FROM THE PARTIES I WON'T OBJECT TO THAT.
BUT AGAIN TODAY SHOULD BE BASED ON THE RECORD BEFORE THE DRB.
I SEE ONE UPDATE. THE MUSTACHE. YES. WHERE IS THE MAYOR? AND JUST CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE DID AT THE FIRST TIME THIS WAS HEARD, I WOULD ASK ANYONE WHO IS GOING TO SPEAK TO RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND, AND DO YOU SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT ANY TESTIMONY YOU'LL GIVE IN THIS PROCEEDING IS THE TRUTH, WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH? I DO. THANK YOU. I DO. SO WE CAN'T HEAR ANY NEW NOT EVIDENCE, BUT TESTIMONY AT THIS TESTING WAS CONTINUED.
ARE WE STILL TECHNICALLY. CAN WE TAKE THEIR TESTIMONY AND WEIGH THAT? NO. ANY ANY TESTIMONY WOULD BE NEW EVIDENCE. SO I MEAN, IF YOU WANT IF YOU WANT TO HEAR ANYTHING FROM THE PARTIES TODAY, I WOULD I WOULD SAY IT SHOULD BE LIMITED TO AN UPDATE ON THEIR DISCUSSIONS.
BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I WOULD RECOMMEND THE THE CITY COMMISSION THE VICE MAYOR.
VICE MAYOR. DOMINGUEZ. WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO LET THEM HEAR THEM OUT? AND AGAIN, MY ADVICE WOULD BE TO GIVE AN UPDATE JUST ON THE NARROW ISSUE, MADAM VICE MAYOR, OF OF ANY UPDATE SINCE THE SINCE THE LAST CITY COMMISSION HEARING ON, ON ON APRIL 22ND.
IT SOUNDS LIKE NONE OF THAT HAPPENED. CORRECT. SO WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON TODAY IS SIMPLY DID THE DRB DO THEIR JOB? CORRECT. SO SO AGAIN, TO REVERSE MODIFY OR REMAND A FIVE VOTE IS REQUIRED.
AND THAT VOTE WOULD HAVE TO BE BASED ON EITHER A FAILURE OF THE BOARD TO PROVIDE PROCEDURAL DUE PROCESS, A FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW, OR, OR THAT THE DRB DECISION WAS NOT SUPPORTED BY COMPETENT, SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. IF THE CITY COMMISSION DOES NOT MAKE ANY OF THOSE THREE FINDINGS, THEN THE DECISION OF THE DRB MUST BE UPHELD.
OKAY. AND IF A COMMISSIONER NEEDS A REFRESHER, A REMINDER? IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR? COMMISSIONER, I THEY'RE WILLING TO GIVE AN UPDATE TO THE.
I JUST WANTED TO INTRODUCE. WE HAVE PETER HOCHFELDER.
OUR PRESIDENT IS HERE WITH US TODAY. SCOTT ROBBINS, ALSO FROM THE CLUB.
AND OF COURSE, MY PARTNER, MICHAEL LARKIN. AS WE CONCLUSIVELY DEMONSTRATED ALONG WITH MR. ALEXANDER, THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE LAST MONTH, THIS APPEAL HAS NO MERIT WHATSOEVER.
HOWEVER, WE DID TAKE THE COMMISSION'S DIRECTIVE AND REACH OUT TO MR. GUNDY AND HIS COUNSEL TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL RESOLUTION OF HIS CONCERNS.
THE WEEK AFTER THE MEETING, WE REACHED OUT VIA EMAIL TO MR. BROOKS. WHO'S MR. GANDHI'S ATTORNEY, TO SET A MEETING.
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WE ULTIMATELY HAD THAT MEETING. NOW, THAT MEETING WAS NOT INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL, BUT SUBSEQUENT TO THAT, WE PROVIDED MR. GANDHI WITH A LETTER AND AND AFTER THAT, A SET OF PROPOSED CONDITIONS THAT IF HE WITHDREW HIS APPEAL, WE WOULD AGREE TO PROFFER TO THE COMMISSION. THOSE CONDITIONS INCLUDED SIGNIFICANT SUBSTANTIVE REVISIONS TO THE PLANS RELATED TO THE PADDLE COURTS AS WELL AS OPERATIONAL CHANGES. THE RESPONSE WE RECEIVED FROM MR. GANDHI TODAY WAS A RECITATION AGAIN OF THE HIS CLAIMS THAT THE USE ITSELF WAS SOMEHOW ILLEGAL, WHICH, AGAIN, AS WE DISCUSSED AT LENGTH LAST TIME, IS NOT WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE DRB NOR THE PURVIEW OF THIS COMMISSION.AND REVIEWING THAT APPEAL, THE. THE CONSISTENCY OF OUR OUR USE OF THE PADDLE COURTS WITH WITH THE WITH THE CODE IS WITHIN THE REALM OF THE PLANNING DIRECTOR WHO MADE THE DETERMINATION BEFORE THIS APPLICATION WENT TO THE DRB THAT IT WAS CONSISTENT.
SO I I'M GOING TO REITERATE AGAIN. WE REACHED OUT.
WE WORKED VERY HARD AND SPENT A CONSULTANT TIME AND MONEY TO ARRIVE AT VERY ELABORATE CONDITIONS THAT WE WOULD PROPOSE TO REDUCE THE IMPACT ON MR. GUNDY, WHICH HE HAS REJECTED. SO AT THIS POINT, WE WOULD ASK YOU TO THE APPEAL TODAY.
THANK YOU. AND I CAN PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IF YOU'RE INTERESTED.
MR. GUNDY, PLEASE. YES. SO UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO THE GOLF CLUB FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS TRYING TO SCHEDULE A MEETING, AND THEY DENIED EVERY SINGLE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE COULD HAVE TO SPEAK.
I SENT PROPOSALS TO CHANGE THE LOCATION OF THESE.
THEM OR ABOVE THEM, THE PADEL COURTS. BECAUSE NEXT TO MY HOME I WOULD HAVE NO VIEW.
I WOULD HAVE NO LIFE. IF YOU PUT THE PADEL COURTS RIGHT NEXT TO MY HOUSE.
I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL VIEW RIGHT NOW. IT'S ALL OPEN, IT'S GREEN AND IT'S GOING TO BE LIKE A WALL.
IT'S A TEN FOOT WALL THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO PUT.
AND THEN ALSO THEY WANT TO PUT PADEL COURTS. THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE THESE BIG LIGHTS UNFORTUNATELY.
YOU KNOW, THOSE LIGHTS ARE REALLY STRONG AND YOU CAN'T REALLY LIVE NEXT TO THEM.
SO WE, I LIKE TO ASK EVERYBODY HERE TO NOT APPROVE THIS PLANNING BOARD DECISION AND REVERSE IT.
BECAUSE IF WE CONTINUE LIKE THIS, YOU COULD ALSO START BUILDING OTHER THINGS ON THE GOLF COURSE.
AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE VIEW, I WANTED TO GIVE YOU THE PICTURE OF WHAT MY VIEW CURRENTLY LOOKS LIKE.
MY HOUSE IS RIGHT HERE, THE RED DOME, THE RED ROOF.
IT HAS TO BE 75FT. AND IT'S STRUCTURE THAT YOU BUILT.
AND PADEL COURTS ARE STRUCTURES. THEY'RE NOT JUST A COURT LIKE A TENNIS COURT.
AND THAT'S WHY I ACTUALLY PRESENTED THAT DURING THE SATANIC HOUR THE LAST TIME.
IF YOU ALSO LOOK BACK HISTORICALLY THERE'S A COVENANT ON THE DEEDS AND ALSO ON THE SURVEYS.
AND HERE YOU CAN SEE IT SAYS ON SUBDIVIDED LAND AND DEVELOPMENT AREA.
WHY WOULD THEY HAVE PUT THAT ON THE SURVEY? BACK IN 1920S IF THIS WAS NOT TO BE YOU KNOW, ABIDED BY.
THANK YOU. FOR THE RECORD, I HAVE TO OBJECT AGAIN TO MR. GUNDY'S ATTEMPT TO INTRODUCE NEW EVIDENCE IN THIS PROCEEDING.
IS MR.. THIS IS WHAT YOU SUBMITTED, IS MR. KELLER JUST INDICATED THIS IS NOT A HEARING WHERE YOU TAKE EVIDENCE, RIGHT? THE EVIDENCE THAT WAS PRESENTED IN THIS CASE WAS IN FRONT OF THE DRB.
ANY ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE HANDED OUT TODAY IS IRRELEVANT AND CANNOT BE CONSIDERED.
THIS IS FROM YOUR FILING. I JUST PRINTED IT. SO THEY HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS AND MR. MAYOR BECAUSE THE COMMISSION'S DECISION HAS TO BE MADE BASED ON THE RECORD BEFORE THE DRB.
NOTHING NEW CAN BE INTRODUCED AT THIS STAGE THROUGH THE MAYOR.
I JUST HAVE A QUICK QUESTION. SO THERE'S THREE. WELL, IF WE WANTED TO MAKE A MOTION TO SEND IT BACK TO DRB, WHAT ARE WOULD IT BE? SEND IT BACK TO DRB. WOULD IT BE TO PERVERSE MEANING CAN WE MAKE A MOTION TO SEND IT BACK TO DRB FOR A REREVIEW? SO THAT WOULD BE A MOTION TO REMAND. A MOTION TO REMAND REQUIRES A FIVE SEVENTH VOTE, AND THE CITY COMMISSION COULD REMAND ON A ON A SPECIFIC. AND LET'S SAY IT GOES BACK TO DRB AND IT HAS ANOTHER, I GUESS, SHOT AT BEING HEARD. MAYBE THERE'S NEW EVIDENCE THAT GETS PROVIDED.
AND AND IF IT GETS APPROVED AGAIN, DOES IT COME BACK TO US OR.
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AND IF, IF IT IF IT GETS APPROVED, CAN THEY STILL APPEAL AND COME BACK TO US OR IS IT FINAL.WHAT IS THE PROCESS AFTERWARDS? IF WE WERE TO REMAND AND SEND IT BACK TO DRB, ANY SUBSEQUENT DECISION BY THE DRB ON THIS COULD COULD ITSELF BE APPEALED TO THE CITY AGAIN? OKAY. YES. SO I THINK COLLEAGUES, I THINK I'VE CERTAINLY SEEN ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT A, A REREVIEW AT THE DRB. I DON'T REALLY SEE AN ISSUE WITH HAVING A SECOND LOOK AT THIS.
SO I'M GOING TO MAKE THAT MOTION SO THAT. COMMISSIONER.
DO I HAVE TO GIVE SPECIFICS? THE RESOLUTION WILL NEED TO BE SPECIFIC.
SO I MEAN, I THINK YEAH, THE THE RESOLUTION THIS COMMISSION'S RESOLUTION WOULD NEED TO BE SPECIFIC.
OKAY. AND THEN WHAT ARE THE THREE PRONGS WE HAVE TO DO? ONE OF THEM, ONE ALONE WOULD BE ENOUGH TO REMAND.
WHAT ARE THEY AGAIN? SO YOU COULD FIND THAT THE BOARD'S DECISION WAS WAS NOT SUPPORTED BY COMPETENT, SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE THAT PROCEDURAL DUE PROCESS WAS NOT PROVIDED, OR THAT THE BOARD FAILED TO FOLLOW THE ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS OF LAW.
BASED ON THE DISCUSSION AT THE APRIL MEETING AND, AND AND YOUR COMMENTS TODAY.
I THINK YOUR MOTION IS THAT THE BOARD'S DECISION AS TO THE LOCATION OF THE COURTS WAS NOT SUPPORTED BY CONFIDENTIAL EVIDENCE, WHICH IS WHICH IS POINT ONE, RIGHT? RIGHT. YEAH.
THAT'S THAT'S WHERE I WAS LEANING TOWARD. SO, I MEAN, I WOULD.
THAT MOTION WOULD REQUIRE A SECOND AND A 5/7 VOTE.
WELL, SECOND. AND I'LL SAY I'M NOT GOING TO SUPPORT THAT.
HOWEVER, WE HAVE TO RULE WITHIN A STRICT CRITERIA.
IT'S NOT ABOUT IF WE PERSONALLY WANT YOU ALL TO COME UP WITH A BETTER SOLUTION OR A BETTER DESIGN.
IT WAS WE HAVE A VERY STRICT MANDATE WHEN WE'RE SITTING ON THIS QUASI JUDICIAL BOARD ABOUT WHETHER IT'S NOT WHETHER WE AGREE WITH THE DRB RULING. IT'S ABOUT WHETHER WE FIND EVIDENCE THAT ONE OF THOSE THREE CRITERIA WERE NOT MET WITH THE DRB.
AND HERE AS WELL, I DON'T SEE ANY PROCEDURAL.
THIS IS MORE ABOUT A PROCEDURAL. DID THEY DO IT OR NOT? AND I DON'T SEE ANYTHING IN THE PROCEDURE. FORGET ABOUT MY PERSONAL FEELINGS ON THE RULING BECAUSE I AM SYMPATHETIC TO YOU.
RIGHT. BUT FROM A PROCEDURAL STANDPOINT, I DON'T SEE WHERE THE DRB DIDN'T ACHIEVE ALL THOSE PRONGS OR CRITERIAS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR VERY TIGHT PURVIEW. YOU KNOW, THAT BRINGS ME UP A GOOD POINT.
I THINK REMEMBER ONE OF THE PRONGS WAS A NOTICE REQUIREMENT.
CORRECT. AND IF I REMEMBER, GUNDY DIDN'T RECEIVE A NOTICE AND I THINK THERE WAS ELECTRONIC PROOF THAT THERE WAS NO NOTICE GIVEN, AND THE ONLY NOTICE THAT WAS THERE WAS ON A LIGHT POLE.
AT EIGHT AND A HALF BY 13 RED NOTICE. THAT WOULD HAVE ONLY THAT.
THAT HE WOULD HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO SEE. IF HE WAS SOMEHOW PASSING BY.
BUT MAYBE THAT'S ANOTHER PRONG THAT WE CAN ADD ON.
THE CODE REQUIRES THREE TYPES OF NOTICE BE PROVIDED FOR LAND USE BOARD HEARINGS, ONE THAT IT BE POSTED ON THE PROPERTY, TWO THAT IT WASN'T POSTED ON PROPERTY. IT WAS POSTED ON A LIGHT POLE.
THERE WAS EVIDENCE IN THE RECORD THAT IT WAS POSTED ON THE LA GORCE COUNTRY CLUB PROPERTY TWO, THAT IT BE MAILED TO ANY OWNERS OF PROPERTY WITHIN 375FT AND THREE THAT IT BE THAT IT BE PUBLISHED.
AND, AND YOU HEARD ARGUMENT THAT ALL THREE OF THOSE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS WERE SATISFIED.
I, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE CASE LAW DOES NOT REQUIRE THAT EACH PROPERTY OWNER WHO RECEIVES WHO ACTUALLY CONFIRMED THAT THEY RECEIVED NOTICE. RIGHT? IT'S NOT A RETURN RECEIPT.
IT'S NOT A FEDEX WITH A TRACKING NUMBER. IT'S IT'S, IT'S, IT'S PROOF THAT THE NOTICE WAS, WAS MAILED. AND AND, AND YOU HEARD ARGUMENT OF COUNSEL THAT, THAT THE PETITIONER'S PROPERTY WAS ON THE LIST ON THE,
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ON THE LIST OF MAILING ADDRESSES. OKAY. SO THAT BEING SAID, IT WOULD JUST BE THE, THE FIRST PRONG, WHICH WAS NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE THAT THE, THE BOARD HAD BEFORE THEM TO MAKE THE CORRECT DECISION.AND THAT'S A DECISION FOR THE CITY COMMISSION TO, TO, TO MAKE.
MR.. MAYOR COMMISSIONER BHATT MY RECOLLECTION, AND EVERYONE KNOWS I HAVE A TERRIBLE MEMORY, BUT MY RECOLLECTION IN OUR DISCUSSION LAST TIME WAS THAT THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT THE IMPACT OF SOUND AND HOW THAT WAS GOING TO AFFECT THE PROPERTY, AND THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION OF IT, BUT NOT SUFFICIENT. THERE WERE NO I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS EXACTLY.
THERE WERE NO SOUND STUDIES, BUT IT WAS REFERENCED IN THE DISCUSSION.
THAT'S NOT REQUIRED FOR FOR THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD.
SO IT WAS REFERENCED IN THE DISCUSSION. SO THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT IT.
WELL SO THE THE DRB DID INCLUDE CONDITIONS TO, TO, TO MITIGATE THE IMPACTS OF THE COURTS WHERE THEY WERE PROPOSED TO BE LOCATED. BUT, BUT A SOUND STUDY, THE WAY THE PLANNING BOARD WOULD REQUIRE ONE IS, IS NOT REQUIRED. SO I THINK WHAT THE, WHAT, WHAT THE DRB THE CRITERIA, I THINK THAT THAT ARE PARTICULARLY RELEVANT HERE ARE THE CRITERIA ON THE LOCATION OF PROPOSED STRUCTURES.
AND, AND THE LOCATION AND SOUND HAVE DIRECT, YOU CAN'T TALK ABOUT THE LOCATION WITHOUT THE SOUND BECAUSE IF THE LOCATION WERE SUCH THAT IT DIDN'T OBSTRUCT THE VIEW, BUT IT WAS INCREDIBLY LOUD.
THAT WOULD BE A LOCATION DISCUSSION. AND THE INVERSE IS CORRECT.
IS THE SAME TOO. IF THE VIEW WEREN'T A BIG DEAL BUT YOU COULD STILL HEAR IT LIKE, YEAH, I JUST YEAH, THERE'S, THERE'S A LACK OF EVIDENCE. THERE'S SOMETHING MISSING HERE AND I JUST, I CAN'T QUITE, I DON'T HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME, SO I CAN'T QUITE GET TO IT, BUT I FEEL LIKE IT DIDN'T GET DISCUSSED.
IT DIDN'T GET FLESHED OUT, FLESHED OUT FULLY.
AND, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW THE DRB IS SUPPOSED TO RULE ON SOMETHING WHERE THE LOCATION OF IT IS GOING TO HAVE IMPACTS BEYOND JUST VISUAL LIKE, AND, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THAT'S A, A FAILURE OF THE LAWS THAT CURRENTLY EXISTS. THAT'S A DIFFERENT DISCUSSION.
BUT THEY DID BRING IT UP. THE RECORDS SHOW THAT THEY DID DISCUSS IT.
AND SO THEY SOMEBODY WAS TAKING IT INTO CONSIDERATION.
COMMISSIONER. I DON'T SEE A PROBLEM JUST SENDING IT BACK TO DRB, GIVING IT ONE MORE OPPORTUNITY.
AND IF THEY THEN APPROVE IT AGAIN, TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION ALL THAT, I GUESS WHAT WE'VE DISCUSSED TODAY, THEN, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE A LEG TO STAND ON, AT LEAST IN THIS SITUATION.
WE GIVE A RESIDENT A RELIEF FROM MANY OF THE ARGUMENTS THAT HE'S MADE.
IT GIVES HIM AN OPPORTUNITY TO HOPEFULLY RESOLVE THIS AT THE DRB.
BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I, I FEEL FOR MR. GUNDY. I CERTAINLY WOULDN'T WANT SOMETHING BUILT NEXT TO MY HOUSE WITH A TEN FOOT WALL, ESPECIALLY IF SOMETHING WASN'T CONSIDERED. SO I DON'T SEE THE HARM IN SENDING THIS TO DRB FOR ANOTHER REVIEW THAT WE CAN THEN HOPEFULLY HOPE THAT THEY MAKE THE BEST DECISION AND IF IT GETS APPEALED AGAIN, THEN IT GETS APPEALED AGAIN.
AND THEN WE CAN SAY, LOOK, I'M SORRY, WE'VE ALREADY WE'VE ALREADY HEARD THIS.
YOU GUYS HAD TWO SHOTS AT THIS. AND YOU KNOW, WE WE HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD.
MADAM VICE MAYOR FERNANDES COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. SO I JUST I NEED ONE OF THE ATTORNEYS TO, TO, TO CLARIFY FOR ME, YOU KNOW, PROCEDURAL DEFECTS, NOTICE DEFECTS. ARE THERE ANY INDICATIONS THAT FROM FROM, FROM THE ATTORNEYS? JUSTIN. YOU KNOW, I JUST NEED TO KNOW, ARE THERE OR ARE THERE NOT ANY ISSUES BEFORE US TODAY RELATED TO THE NOTICE OR TO THE PROCEDURAL MATTERS IN HOW THE APPLICATION WAS HEARD BY THE DRB.
SO THE PETITIONER CLAIMED THAT THERE THAT HE DIDN'T RECEIVE THE NOTICE, BUT THE THE CITY AND THE APPLICANT'S ARGUMENT WAS THAT THE THE MAILING LABELS FOR THE, THE, THE, THE RESILIENCY CODE REQUIRED.
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CORRECT. AND THERE INCORPORATED WAS VERIFIED BY WHOM? BY PLANNING STAFF BY. OKAY. AND MR. PLANNING DIRECTOR, CAN YOU COME TO THE PODIUM? SO YOU'RE, YOU ARE, YOU ARE CONFIRMING YOU'RE CONFIRMING THAT THAT, THAT THE, THAT THE NOTICE REQUIREMENT WAS MET THAT THAT THERE WAS A REQUIREMENT TO SEND A NOTICE TO, TO, TO THE GENTLEMAN THAT'S APPEALING AND THAT THAT REQUIREMENT WAS MET.I SHOULD CLARIFY THAT THE SO THE PERSON WHO PREPARES THE MAILING LABELS IS ACTUALLY A THIRD PARTY VENDOR, AND THEY SIGNED THE CERTIFICATION. BUT, BUT PLANNING STAFF REVIEWED THAT THOSE MATERIALS WHEN THEY WERE APPROVING THE ITEM TO THE AGENDA OF THE DRB ORIGINALLY.
AND, AND, AND, AND MR. GANDHI'S NAME AND ADDRESS WERE CORRECTLY PRINTED ON IT.
HOW MANY AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS IF I CAN ASK THIS OR NOT.
IF I CAN'T ASK THIS, I ASK TO BE STOPPED. HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE SUPPOSED TO RECEIVE THIS NOTICE? THERE WERE 480 PROPERTY OWNERS WHO WERE WITHIN THE NOTICE RADIUS.
HAS ANYONE ELSE BROUGHT ANY CONCERNS OF NOT HAVING RECEIVED THE NOTICE? THERE WERE NO OTHER NOTICE DEFECTS RAISED AS PART OF THIS APPLICATION.
AT THIS TIME, I CANNOT SUPPORT REMANDING THIS BACK TO TO TO TO THE DRB.
I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LIMITED, VERY LIMITED SCOPE THROUGH WHICH TO CONSIDER THIS, THIS, THIS MATTER NOTWITHSTANDING, WHETHER WHETHER WE FEEL BAD FOR YOU OR NOT, BECAUSE I THINK, YOU KNOW, AS A AS A RESIDENT OF THIS CITY, I PUT MYSELF IN YOUR SHOES ABOUT HAVING HAVING THIS NEXT TO WHERE I LIVE, I WOULDN'T WANT IT RIGHT NEXT TO WHERE I LIVE.
I LIVE BUT, BUT WE HAVE VERY LIMITED SCOPE AND CRITERIA THROUGH WHICH TO DETERMINE WHETHER, WHETHER TO SEND THIS BACK TO THE DRB AND IT HAS TO BE THROUGH A PROCEDURAL FLAW OR THROUGH OR THROUGH OR THROUGH A NOTICE FLAW BACKED BY EVIDENCE. AND THAT DOESN'T EXIST RIGHT NOW.
SO I'M ALIGNED WITH COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE ON THIS.
I DON'T SUPPORT SENDING THIS BACK. MR. CITY ATTORNEY.
WHO ARE THE ARBITERS HERE? IS IT THE COMMISSION OR WHO WEIGHS IN ON AND DECIDES THE FACTS? IS IT IS IT US OR IS IT THE TRIER OF FACT? HERE WAS THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD.
BUT THE DECISION MAKER ON THIS APPEAL IS THE CITY COMMISSION.
SO WE DECIDE IF OF HAVING A NOTICE PUT ON A LIGHT POLE IS SUFFICIENT.
THE, THE COMMISSION. SO THE COMMISSION HAS JURISDICTION.
AND JUST BASED ON THE DISCUSSION THAT I'VE HEARD, THE ONLY ONE OF THE THREE PRONGS THAT THE.
THAT A FEW OF YOU. AND AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE ARE FIVE OF YOU, BUT A FEW OF YOU HAVE RAISED IS THE IS THE ISSUE OF, OF EVIDENCE AS IT RELATES TO THE LOCATION OF THE STRUCTURES? I DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS. IT IS THE NOTICE ISSUE.
MR. MAYOR, I BELIEVE WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO REMAND AND SEND BACK TO THE DRB.
AND MR. BROOKS, THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PETITIONER, HAS HIS HAND RAISED.
YOU WANT TO CONSIDER THAT? I ALSO WANTED TO SPEAK. MAY I HAVE A QUESTION? WELL, LET'S FIRST HEAR FROM VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ. SO ONE OF THE CITY ATTORNEYS THAT ONE OF THE CITY ATTORNEYS MENTIONED THAT ONLY ONE PERSON HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT NOT HAVING NOTICE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED TO THE DEGREE THAT THIS HOUSE IS JUST ONE OR THAT'S THAT'S THAT'S DIFFICULT TO SAY.
AND IT DEPENDS ON THE PLACEMENT OF THE OF THE SPECIFIC IMPROVEMENTS.
BUT BUT THERE WAS ONLY ONE OBJECTION. HOW MANY WALLS ARE GOING TO BE PUT, HOW MANY DIFFERENT HOUSES ARE GOING TO HAVE A WALL IN FRONT OF THEIR ONLY MINE? OKAY. I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ WAS ASKING NOT TO PUT WORDS IN YOUR MOUTH LIKE COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. I WAS ALSO STRUCK THE FIRST TIME I HEARD THAT THE NOTICE WAS ON THE LIGHT POLE AND IT WAS MAILED, BUT THERE WAS NO RETURN RECEIPT.
AND JUST I JUST HAVE TO MAKE ONE POINT, WHICH IS THE FAILURE TO OF THE CITY TO RECEIVE A RETURN RECEIPT THAT IS NOT A LEGAL BASIS TO REVERSE THE DECISION OF THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD TO BE ADDRESSED. DOES IT GIVE A FLOOR TO THE DELIVERY PROCESS, WHICH WOULD THEN ALLOW US TO VOTE ON A REMAND IF IF WE HAD THE VOTES? I THINK IF THE IF THE COMMISSION IS GOING TO REMAND, I THINK IT'S AGAIN, I THINK IT'S ON THAT FIRST ISSUE OF COMPETENT, SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. AND AGAIN, I'M BASING THIS ON THE DISCUSSION THAT I'VE HEARD,
[06:20:02]
BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE ARE FIVE VOTES FOR THAT.OKAY. SO LET'S CALL THE ROLL. OH, MR. GUNDY THROUGH THE MAYOR.
YES. AND, MR. MAYOR, MR. BROOKS IS ON. YOUR ATTORNEY IS ON.
AND AGAIN, WE REALLY SHOULD BE HEARING FROM. LET ME JUST MAKE A POINT.
SO I HAVE INFORMED DELIVERY. IT'S A WAY TO GET NOTIFIED ABOUT THE MAIL THAT'S SUPPOSED TO ARRIVE.
I DID NOT FIND THIS NOTICE. SO THAT'S ANOTHER POINT.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THAT UP. I DIDN'T HAVE IT.
ANOTHER POINT IS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT PROCEDURAL DEFECTS AS A WAY FOR US TO REMAND.
THERE WAS A PROCEDURAL DEFECT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION.
THE CITY ATTORNEY IS SUPPOSED TO ASK THE AUDIENCE IF THEY HAVE ANY EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS WITH OTHER PARTIES, OR IF THEY HAVE ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AND THEY HAVE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, THE PLANNING REVIEW BOARD OR THE DRB HAVE TO RECUSE THEMSELVES OF THE VOTING PROCESS OR FROM THE COMMENTS AND SO ON. AND IN THIS CASE, ACTUALLY, THE PERSON WHO WAS THE VICE CHAIR OF THE PLANNING REVIEW BOARD, FROM MY INFORMATION, FROM WHAT MY UNDERSTANDING IS ACTUALLY A GOLF CLUB MEMBER.
SO THE PERSON REVIEWING THE WHOLE CASE ACTUALLY IS A MEMBER OF THE CLUB.
SO OBVIOUSLY THIS IS ANOTHER PROCEDURAL DEFECT.
THE CITY ATTORNEYS DID NOT ASK, HEY, IS THERE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST? ARE THERE ANY EX-PARTE COMMUNICATIONS? THAT DISCLOSURE WAS NOT MADE.
SO I THINK THIS IS A PROCEDURAL DEFECT THAT IS EVEN MORE MAJOR THAN ANY OF THE OTHER ONES.
SO CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT? WAS THERE A DID DID THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ASK ANY EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE BOARD MEMBERS AND ANY INTERESTED PARTIES? BOARD MEMBERS HAVE AN AFFIRMATIVE OBLIGATION TO REPORT ANY EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS, JUST AS THE CITY COMMISSION DID FOR TODAY'S ORAL ARGUMENT.
THE THE PARTICULAR BOARD MEMBER THAT MR. GUNDY IS REFERRING TO I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH PRIOR TO THE HEARING ABOUT WHETHER THERE WAS, WHETHER THERE WOULD BE A POTENTIAL VOTING CONFLICT AND AND BASED ON THE THE COUNTY CODE OF OF ETHICS AND THE AND THE AND THE STATE CODE OF ETHICS.
AND AND WE DETERMINED THAT THAT BOARD MEMBER DID NOT HAVE A CONFLICT THAT WAS THAT PERSON OR THE PERSON'S FAMILY, A MEMBER OF THE GOLF COURSE. I WOULD, YES, BUT A SPECIFIC BUT I'M GOING TO STOP YOU THERE, NICK. WELL, I, I THINK I'M GOING TO STOP YOU THERE.
I DON'T THINK I DON'T, I, I THINK IT'S HIGHLY INAPPROPRIATE THAT YOU HAVE A MEMBER OF A GOLF COURSE WHO IS POTENTIALLY GOING TO BE EXPANDING THEIR THEIR GOLF COURSES, THEIR, THEIR CLUBS REACH AND BEING A VOTING MEMBER ON A, ON A BOARD FOR THAT.
I JUST HAVE TO FINISH BECAUSE, AND I, I'M A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THIS BECAUSE THE BOARD MEMBER IS NOT HERE TO SPEAK TO THIS, BUT, BUT THIS PARTICULAR BOARD MEMBER DOES NOT HAVE WOULD NOT HAVE A FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ONE WAY OR THE OTHER BASED ON HER MEMBERSHIP STATUS, BUT AS A RESULT OF THE APPLICATION. SO IT'S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT FINANCE.
IT'S ALWAYS I. PARDON ME. I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER, BUT LET ME JUST FINISH THAT.
BUT IT'S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT A FINANCIAL. RELATIONSHIP.
THERE'S OTHER RELATIONSHIPS THAT MAY CAUSE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
I THINK IF YOU IF I THINK AT THE VERY MINIMUM THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECUSAL.
THE THE THE LAW IS THAT YOU ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO RECUSE IF YOU HAVE A VOTING CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
AND UNDER THE STATE CODE OF ETHICS, YOU HAVE A VOTING CONFLICT.
IT DID NOT. AND AND JUST I JUST WANT TO ASK ABOUT THAT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT THE PRECEDENT THAT WE SET IS IN THIS CASE, IT'S IT'S A MEMBER OF A OF A GOLF COURSE. THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEMBERSHIPS THROUGHOUT THIS CITY MEMBERSHIPS FOR SPORTS CLUBS, MEMBERSHIPS FOR RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS, MEMBERSHIPS FOR SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS, MANY OF WHICH COME BEFORE VERY MANY OF OUR LAND USE BOARDS OR AT TIMES COME BEFORE THE CITY COMMISSION.
AND MEMBERSHIP DOES NOT MEAN CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
[06:25:02]
ONE THING IS TO BE A MEMBER OF A BODY OF, OF, OF AN ORGANIZATION WHERE YOU ARE PAYING, IN FACT, YOU ARE PAYING TO BE A MEMBER OF AN ORGANIZATION.ANOTHER THING IS, LET'S SAY IF YOU'RE ON THE BOARD OF THAT OF THAT ORGANIZATION, WELL, THEN THAT THEN AND CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, MR. ATTORNEY, THAT'S WHEN THEN THE STATE'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST COMES INTO PLAY.
OR, OR IF YOU HAVE IF YOU IF YOU STAND TO FINANCIALLY BENEFIT, IF YOU STAND TO DIRECTLY FINANCIALLY BENEFIT FROM THE DECISION THAT'S THAT'S ABOUT TO BE MADE. THAT'S WHEN THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST LOSS COME, COME, COME INTO PLAY. BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE LIMITING PRETTY MUCH, YOU KNOW, ALL OF OUR BOARD MEMBER, ALL OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS AND, AND, AND THE COMMISSION ITSELF, IF WE START REDEFINING WHAT WHAT A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IS JUST BASED OFF MEMBERSHIP IS WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE MEMBERS OF SAINT PATRICK'S, YOU KNOW, AND THEN AND THEN IF SAINT PATRICK'S HAS HAS A ZONING MATTER GOING BEFORE US. YOU KNOW, ONE ONE OF THE LAND USE BOARDS, THEN ARE PEOPLE GOING TO HAVE TO RECUSE THEMSELVES? OR IF, YOU KNOW, IF SOMEONE IS A MEMBER OF A TEMPLE AND THE TEMPLE HAS SOMETHING GOING BEFORE ONE OF THE LAND USE BOARDS OR BEFORE THIS BODY, THEN DO WE HAVE TO RECUSE OURSELVES? THAT'S VERY DIFFERENT THAN BEING IN THE GOVERNANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION, AND CERTAINLY MUCH MORE DIFFERENT THAN HAVING A FINANCIAL INTEREST WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO DIRECTLY BENEFIT FROM IT.
SO I WOULD LIKE FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY, I HAVE THE FLOOR.
I WOULD LIKE FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY TO RESPOND ON THAT.
IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE, I ALSO WANT TO ADVISE THE CITY COMMISSION THAT WE CONSULTED WITH THE COMMISSION ON ETHICS AND THE COMMISSION ON ETHICS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO CONFLICT. SO THE BOARD MEMBERS PARTICIPATION DID NOT CREATE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
AND JUST LET ME JUST PUT LET ME TRY TO REFRAME THIS IN ANOTHER WAY.
OR I THINK IT COULD BE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ IS THEY DO PAY TO BE IN THE CLUB.
AND LET'S SAY THAT LET'S SAY THAT BOARD MEMBER.
SAY THAT BOARD MEMBER VOTED WAS WAS PRESSURED JUST HYPOTHETICALLY TO SAY, IF YOU DON'T SAY YES, WE'RE GOING TO REMOVE YOU FROM OUR CLUB. WELL, JUST IT COULD BE TACIT AND I'M NOT YOU'RE BRINGING INTO QUESTION THE INTEGRITY OF THE PERSON. THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY IS IT'S NOT ALWAYS GOING TO BE FINANCIAL PRESSURE WHERE SOMEONE GAINS SOMETHING.
IT COULD ALSO BE SOMETHING WHERE YOU MIGHT POTENTIALLY LOSE SOMETHING FROM NOT VOTING A CERTAIN WAY.
AND THERE'S A MATTER BEFORE YOU THAT'S SPECIALLY ZONING.
YOU SHOULD 100% RECUSE YOURSELF. JUST REMOVE ANY SORT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
THANK YOU MAYOR. I WOULD JUST I WOULD JUST TRY, MR. MAYOR. I REALLY THINK WE WE JUST WE REALLY SHOULDN'T BE TAKING NEW EVIDENCE AT ALL.
MULTIPLE COUNCIL FINANCIAL GAIN. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE COMMENTARIES YOU MADE.
SHE OWNS TWO CLUBS, TWO HOUSES ON THE GOLF COURSE.
ONE HOUSE ACTUALLY ABUTS THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE CLUBHOUSE.
IF THE PADDLE COURSE DIDN'T GO IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, THEY COULD HAVE LANDED IN FRONT OF HER HOUSE.
SO THAT IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. FURTHERMORE THERE'S ALSO ANOTHER COUNT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
HER SON HAS A MEMBERSHIP. HER HER HUSBAND ALSO HAS A MEMBERSHIP, BASED ON WHAT I HEARD.
AND BASICALLY THOSE ARE TWO OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS.
NOW THEY'RE WORTH $800,000. SO THAT MEANS YOU CAN ACTUALLY, LET'S SAY YOU DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY.
ONE DAY YOU CAN CASH OUT, YOU KNOW, LIKE A RING OR YOUR MEMBERSHIP AND YOU CAN SELL IT TO SOMEONE.
IT'S HIGH IN DEMAND. SO AND IF THE GOLF CLUB IS BUILT, IT'S GOING TO BE EVEN NICER.
SO YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SELL IT EVEN FOR MORE MAYBE $1 MILLION.
SO THERE'S A FINANCIAL GAIN. APART FROM THAT, HER SON IS ACTUALLY ALSO A REAL ESTATE AGENT WHO BUYS AND SELLS PROPERTIES AROUND THE GOLF COURSE. SO THERE'S SO MANY COUNTS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND THEIR FINANCIAL, YOU KNOW, INTERESTS.
SO I HOPE THAT ANSWERS THE QUESTION. WE HAVE A MOTION A SECOND HERE.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. AND THE MOTION IS TO REMAND TO THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD.
BASED UPON A LACK OF CONFIDENCE, SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE ON THE SPECIFIC ISSUE OF THE LOCATION OF THE, OF THE COURTS. AND AND THAT REQUIRES A A FIVE SEVEN VOTE.
[06:30:05]
AND WHAT IS THE SUGGESTION OF WAS IT THE PRONGS YOU SAID? RIGHT. SO WHAT WASN'T FULFILLED. THE THE THAT THE BOARDS.WELL, IT'S UP TO THE COMMISSION TO MAKE THIS FINDING. RIGHT.
BUT. COMMISSIONER SUAREZ MOTION IS THAT THE DRB, THE DRB DECISION AGAIN, THE THE PART OF THE DECISION SPECIFIC TO THE LOCATION OF THE PADDLE COURTS THAT THAT IF THAT WAS NOT SUPPORTED BY COMPETENT, SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE AND THE REMAND.
THE PURPOSE OF THE REMAND IS FOR THE DRB TO HOLD A NEW HEARING ON THAT NARROW ISSUE.
SO JUST TO BE CLEAR, WE'RE NOT WE'RE NOT DETERMINING THAT IT'S COMPLETELY WRONG.
WE'RE ASKING THEM TO DO A NEW HEARING ON THE ISSUE.
BUT IT GOES BACK TO DRB. IT WOULD GO BACK TO THE DRB.
ALSO BATHROOMS AND THE PRO SHOP. GET CONTROL, PLEASE.
I'M SOME SOMEBODY COMMISSIONER TELL US WHAT WE'RE RULING ON.
AND YOU HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND.
BUT WE WANT TO MAKE CLEAR. AND NICK IS GOING TO EXPLAIN IT TO US.
HE DID ONCE, BUT HE'LL DO IT AGAIN. WHAT EXACTLY WE ARE VOTING ON.
SO SO AGAIN, AND I'M SORRY TO REPEAT MYSELF, BUT THE STANDARD OF REVIEW IS AGAIN IS HIGHLY DEFERENTIAL TO TO THE DECISIONS OF YOUR BOARDS. YOU CAN ONLY REVERSE IF YOU FIND THAT THE BOARD REVERSE OR REMAND OR, OR REMAND OR MODIFY IF YOU FIND THAT THE BOARD FAILED TO SUPPORT ITS DECISION WITH COMPETENT, SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE, FAILED TO OBSERVE THE ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS OF LAW OR FAIL TO PROVIDE PROCEDURAL DUE PROCESS.
ANY OF ANY DECISION TO REVERSE REMAND OR MODIFY REQUIRES A FIVE VOTE.
IF THERE ARE NOT FIVE VOTES, THEN THE DECISION WOULD BE UPHELD.
COMMISSIONER SUAREZ HAS MADE A MOTION TO REMAND TO THE DRB ON THE NARROW ISSUE OF THE LOCATION OF THE PADDLE COURTS, ON THE BASIS THAT THE BOARD'S DECISION WAS NOT SUPPORTED BY COMPETENT, SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE.
THAT MOTION WAS SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BHATT.
AGAIN, THIS IS A FINDING THAT THAT THE CITY COMMISSION WOULD HAVE TO MAKE AS A BODY.
THEN THE. THEN THE BOARD'S DECISION WOULD BE UPHELD. OKAY.
THE MEMO ACCOMPANYING THIS SAYS THE CITY COMMISSION MUST, AS PART OF ITS MOTION, CLEARLY, CLEARLY ARTICULATE THE BASIS OF ITS FINDINGS.
HAVE WE ACCOMPLISHED THAT? I THINK BASED ON COMMISSIONER SUAREZ MOTION, THE MOTION WOULD BE THAT THE THAT THAT COMPETENT, SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE PRONG WAS NOT SATISFIED. OKAY.
IT'S LIKE THE VOTE. AND FOR THE RECORD, I HAVE COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ MAKING THE SECOND.
SO I THINK IT WAS BOARD. OKAY. YOU WANT ME TO CALL THE ROLL BY NAME OR.
I THINK IT'S BEST TO DO IT ALPHABETICALLY. COMMISSIONER.
HOW ARE WE VOTING? SO AFFIRMATIVE MEANS THE WOMEN, CORRECT? A YES IS TO REMAND. A NO WOULD BE TO AFFIRM REMAND MEANS ANY BACK.
YEAH. YES. YES. CORRECT. SO. ALPHABETICALLY. COMMISSIONER.
BHATT. YES. COMMISSIONER. DOMINGUEZ. YES. COMMISSIONER.
FERNANDEZ. COMMISSIONER. MATEO- SALINAS. YES.
COMMISSIONER. MAGAZINE. NO. COMMISSIONER. SUAREZ.
YES. MAYOR MINOR. YES. WE HAVE FIVE VOTES.
IT'S CALLED NEXT ITEM R. SEVEN M. R.
[R7 M A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING SPONSORSHIP FUNDING FOR THE 2026 OCEAN DRIVE PROMENADE MUSIC SERIES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,450; AND FURTHER, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE A SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT WITH THE OCEAN DRIVE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, INC.]
SEVEN M. EXECUTE. FISCAL YEAR 2026 SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT.OCEAN DRIVE PROMENADE MUSIC SERIES R. SEVEN M.
R7M. OH, I MOVED THE ITEM. SECOND CALL THE VOTE.
I'M SORRY. I HEARD A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ, SECONDED BY MATEO- SALINAS.
R7M IF NO DISCUSSION. ALL IN FAVOR? I I ANY NOS.
[06:35:01]
R7 M. THE MUSIC SERIES. APPROVING IT. SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT.YEAH. BUT SO OKAY, SO I HAVE ONE ABSENCE. COMMISSIONER SUAREZ IS ABSENT.
THE MOTION IS APPROVED. SIX ZERO. YEP. GREAT.
R5 AA. R5 AA IS IN ORDER OF THE MAYOR. CITY COMMISSIONER, CITY MIAMI BEACH.
[R5 AA 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 DIVISION 2, ENTITLED “BICYCLING, SKATEBOARDING, ROLLER SKATING, IN-LINE SKATING, MOTORIZED MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, ELECTRIC BICYCLES, MOPEDS, MOTORCYCLES, MOTORIZED BICYCLES, AND MOTORIZED SCOOTERS,” BY AMENDING SECTION 70-66 THEREOF, ENTITLED “DEFINITIONS,” BY CREATING AND AMENDING CERTAIN TERMS THEREIN; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 70-71 THEREOF, ENTITLED “ENFORCEMENT, PENALTIES,” BY AMENDING AND PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL PENALTIES THEREIN; AND BY CREATING SECTION 70-73 THEREOF, ENTITLED “RESPONSIBILITIES OF MICROMOBILITY DEVICE OPERATORS,” TO ESTABLISH CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO MICROMOBILITY DEVICE OPERATORS; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]
AMENDING CHAPTER 70 OF THE CODE OF CITY OF MIAMI BEACH ENTITLED MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES BY AMENDING ARTICLE TWO ENTITLED PUBLIC PLACES BY AMENDING DIVISION TWO ENTITLED BICYCLING, SKATEBOARDING, ROLLER SKATING, INLINE SKATING, MOTORIZED MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, ELECTRIC BICYCLE MOPEDS, MOTORCYCLES, MOTORIZED BICYCLES, AND MOTORIZED SCOOTERS BY AMENDING SECTION 70-66 THEREOF, ENTITLED DEFINITIONS BY CREATING AN AMENDING CERTAIN TERMS THEREIN AND BY AMENDING SECTION 70-71 THEREOF, ENTITLED ENFORCEMENT PENALTIES BY AMENDING AND PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL PENALTIES THEREIN AND BY MICRO, AND BY CREATING SECTION 70-73 THEREOF, ENTITLED RESPONSIBILITIES OF MICRO MOBILITY DEVICE OPERATORS TO ESTABLISH CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO MICRO MOBILITY DEVICES OPERATORS AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE.R5 DOUBLE A IS A FIRST READING ASSISTANT. HI, MARK.
HI, COMMISSIONER. I'M SORRY, I'VE GOT MY HEAD BACK INTO THE MICRO MOBILITY GAME AFTER A COUPLE OF CHALLENGING CONVERSATIONS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COLLEAGUES AT THE CITY STAFF LEVEL. DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION.
DIRECTOR OF POLICE. POLICE DEPARTMENT. VARIOUS FOLKS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
IT IS THE CHANGE THAT IS COMING. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE FOCUSING ON THIS, BECAUSE THIS HAS TAKEN THE BETTER PART OF A YEAR TO GET TO THIS POINT. CHANGE IS COMING.
WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF IT. IT IS NOT EASY. CHANGE IS NEVER EASY.
IT'S MESSY. AND MICROMOBILITY DOESN'T MAKE HIM.
IT WAS TO ME AS WELL. TO BOTH OF YOU. THANK YOU.
YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO CHOOSE, RABBI. NO YOU DON'T. MICROMOBILITY IS A GREAT BOON FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
WE ARE A FLAT COMMUNITY. THE WEATHER IS GREAT MOST OF THE TIME.
WE DON'T HAVE TO GO BIG DISTANCES. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM USING MICRO MOBILITY, WHETHER IT'S A BIKE, AN E-BIKE, AN E-SCOOTER, ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT THINGS.
THE PROBLEM WE ARE FACING IS THAT WE ARE A BUILT OUT COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE PARKING CONSTRAINTS. WE HAVE TERRIBLE DRIVERS IN TRUCKS AND CARS AND MOTORCYCLES BECAUSE WE'RE IN SOUTH FLORIDA, AND THAT IS JUST A FACT OF LIFE HERE. SO WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO PREVENT IS CHAOS AND CARNAGE ON THE ROAD, WHILE THE REST OF THE STATE AND REALLY THE REST OF THE COUNTRY CATCHES UP WITH US ON HOW TO OPERATE ALL THESE DEVICES IN A MANNER THAT IS SAFE FOR EVERYBODY, AS BEST AS WE CAN. I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND YOU KNOW, ARE WE OVERREACHING ON, ON SOME OF OUR EFFORTS? AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT LEGISLATING WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A MICRO MOBILITY DEVICE MAKES CONTACT WITH EITHER ANOTHER VEHICLE OR ANOTHER PERSON. MANY OF THESE EPISODES HAPPEN IN A WAY THAT DON'T EVEN GET CAPTURED BY THE STATISTICS AND PEOPLE GET HURT.
ANYHOW THE STATISTICS DON'T INCLUDE THE FACT THAT.
THE PERSON MIGHT HAVE WALKED AWAY FROM A SMALL CAR ACCIDENT, BUT THE PERSON WHO HIT THE PERSON IS NOW TRAUMATIZED FOR LIFE BECAUSE THE PERSON ON A MICRO MOBILITY DEVICE CAME ZIPPING OUT, NOT WEARING A HELMET, NOT DOING THE RIGHT THINGS, NOT WEARING LIGHTS AT NIGHT, NOT OBEYING THE LAWS OF TRAFFIC, ALL THESE THINGS.
SO WE ARE TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER A COMPREHENSIVE LEGISLATION THAT ADDRESSES AS MANY OF THESE THINGS AS POSSIBLE TO MAKE THIS A BETTER PLACE, THAT WE CAN COEXIST, TO TAKE CARS OFF THE ROAD, TO GIVE PEOPLE INEXPENSIVE, EASY WAYS TO GET TO WHERE THEY'RE GOING.
PJ, IF YOU'D PULL UP THE PRESENTATION. PLEASE.
WHEN WAS THIS SUBMITTED? COMMISSIONER. IT HASN'T PASSED AND IT WAS SUBMITTED IN APRIL.
FOR THE RECORD IT'S ALMOST A FOUR WEEK RULE, BUT THAT'S OKAY.
[06:40:05]
UNREGULATED MICROMOBILITY DEVICES. IT'S, IT VARIES FROM STATE TO STATE, FROM MUNICIPALITY TO MUNICIPALITY.IT'S JUST A MESS RIGHT NOW. AND THAT IS PART OF THE PROBLEM THAT WE ARE ALL FACING.
NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. THESE ARE JUST SOME SNAPSHOTS GOING BACK OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
PEOPLE ARE DYING. PEOPLE ARE HAVING NEAR-MISSES.
PEOPLE ARE IT'S DEVASTATING. I DID NOT SUBMIT THE MULTIPLE VIDEOS THAT I COULD HAVE SUBMITTED FROM DOCTORS OF PEOPLE GETTING CREAMED BECAUSE IT'S ABSOLUTELY IT'S GROSS. IT'S ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING TO WATCH.
AND THAT'S ANOTHER CONVERSATION FOR ANOTHER TIME.
IT'S HAPPENING TOO OFTEN. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. AND THIS IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.
YOU TALK TO ANYBODY IN A HOSPITAL SETTING, ANYBODY IN AN EMERGENCY ROOM, ANY DOCTOR DEALING WITH TRAUMA, THEY WILL TELL YOU THAT THEY WILL NOT LET THEIR KIDS RIDE THESE DEVICES.
THEY WILL TELL YOU THAT IT IS THE BIGGEST SCOURGE IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.
PREVENTABLE. IT'S ABSOLUTELY BEYOND DANGEROUS AND DEVASTATING.
RIGHT. YOU KNOW, IT'S G SO SORRY THIS KID FELL OFF A SCOOTER.
YOU CAN GO SCROLL TO THE NEXT ONE. GO TO THE NEXT ONE.
I'VE SEEN CHILDREN EIGHT, TEN, 12 YEARS OLD DOING WHEELIES IN THE BAYSHORE NEIGHBORHOOD.
I MEAN, GRANTED, THIS KID WAS WEARING A HELMET, SO THAT WAS GOOD.
BUT DOING WHEELIES, RIDING ON A WHEELIE, HIS BACK WHEEL INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT RUSH HOUR, ZOOMING THROUGH THE STOP SIGNS. THIS IS A CHILD, A 12 YEAR OLD CHILD WHO DOESN'T KNOW BETTER, AND HIS PARENTS SEEM TO BE NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.
IT'S A. IT'S A TRACK FOR THEM TO PLAY ON. IT IS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN.
AND IF WE DON'T GET AHEAD OF IT HERE AND NOW.
IT'S GOING TO BITE US IN THE BUTT. AND I DON'T THINK WE WANT TO BE GOING TO OUR FRIEND'S KIDS FUNERALS OR OUR FRIEND'S FUNERALS, BECAUSE SOMEBODY DRIVING SWERVES TO TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF AN ONCOMING MICROMOBILITY RIDER AND INADVERTENTLY HIT SOMEBODY ELSE OR HITS A LIGHT POLE. WE CAN WE CAN DO BETTER. WE MUST DO BETTER.
SO HOPEFULLY THEY WILL USE THAT FOR THE GOOD.
BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO WAIT FOR THAT. WE ARE HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THANKS TO JOSE AND MARK AND HERNAN CARDENO AND THE POLICE CHIEF AND HIS DEPARTMENT AND ALL KINDS OF OTHER FOLKS. MARKETING HAS BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB OF COMMUNICATING.
THIS IS JUST THE NEXT STEP IN THAT LOOK HOW OLD THESE STATISTICS ARE FROM 2017 TO 2022.
AND E-BIKE AND MICROMOBILITY DEVICES HAVE BEEN HAVE BEEN INCREASING THEIR USAGE EXPONENTIALLY.
THIS IS HOW OUT OF DATE SOME OF THESE STATISTICS ARE, BUT YOU CAN ALREADY SEE HOW DRAMATIC THIS IS.
IS THIS MIAMI BEACH? THIS IS STUDY DONE IN UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA.
THIS IS AN AGGREGATE OF LOTS OF DIFFERENT STUDIES TO SHOW DIRECTIONAL TRENDS.
WE DON'T HAVE FOR THE PURPOSES OF TODAY'S DISCUSSION, I DON'T HAVE ONLY MIAMI BEACH STATISTICS.
WE CAN GET THEM. THAT'S IRRELEVANT BECAUSE IT IS A TREND THAT IS ABSOLUTELY UNIVERSAL.
YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT PAGE PLEASE. AGAIN, INCREASING THROUGH THE ROOF.
IF YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT PAGE. THE FASTER YOU GO, THE WORSE THE ACCIDENTS ARE.
THAT'S NOT SURPRISING. GO TO THE NEXT PAGE, PLEASE.
THIS IS HOW QUICKLY THESE THINGS ARE GAINING IN POPULARITY.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY POPULARITY? HOW HOW MUCH? HOW THESE DEVICES ARE BEING HOW MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY THESE DEVICES ARE BEING USED.
SO IT'S NOT JUST A HANDFUL OF OUTLIERS WHO ARE USING THESE DEVICES.
THEY ARE BEING SOLD AND USED INCREASINGLY. JUST I, I DON'T HAVE A WAY OF DOING A COUNT RIGHT NOW.
WE'RE INSTALLING COUNTERS SO THEY CAN TALK ABOUT THAT AT A, AT A IN A MOMENT, BUT.
[06:45:08]
OF THESE DEVICES. IT'S JUST, IT IS COMING. IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF WILL IT COME? IT'S, IT'S, IT'S A TIDAL WAVE. WE ARE AT THE BEGINNING OF IT AND IT IS ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE.NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. AND JUST I'M NOT GOING TO READ THIS TO EVERYBODY.
YOU CAN YOU CAN READ IT FOR YOURSELVES, BUT YOU KNOW, TALK TO ANY DOCTOR, THEY WOULD NOT.
THEY WILL NOT ENDORSE THIS BEHAVIOR FOR THEIR OWN KIDS.
AND THEY ARE BEGGING PEOPLE TO BE SMARTER ABOUT IT FOR FOR FOR THEIRS.
IT'S SO EASY. YOU KNOW, THEY'VE GOT PROTECTED BIKE BIKE PATHS AND EDUCATION.
AND IT'S JUST A CULTURAL THING. IT WAS NOT A CULTURAL THING IN THE NETHERLANDS.
WE ARE CHANGING THE WAY WE HANDLE THIS ON A MUNICIPAL LEVEL.
THEY INSTITUTED EDUCATIONAL PRACTICES. THEY BUILT BIKE INFRASTRUCTURE.
THEY'VE DONE THE THINGS IT TAKES TO KEEP THEIR KIDS FROM BEING KILLED.
AND THIS COMMISSIONER. I'M NOT DONE WITH MY PRESENTATION.
MAY I PLEASE FINISH? I'M JUST SORRY, BUT IT JUST SAYS CAR OWNERSHIP.
COMMISSIONER. BHATT. CAN I FINISH, PLEASE? OKAY.
THANK YOU. IT'S TIME TO FACE THE REALITY THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO.
OR MORE YOUNG ADULTS OR MORE ADULTS WITH YOUNG KIDS TAKING THEM TO SCHOOL.
WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO BRING CHAOS TO THIS, TO BRING ORDER TO THIS CHAOS.
NEXT SLIDE. I THINK THAT MIGHT BE IT, ACTUALLY.
SO MARK, IF YOU DON'T MIND, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO COME UP AND WALK US THROUGH THE LEGISLATION.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO US ABOUT THE PROCESS WE'VE TAKEN TO GET HERE.
THE ROBUST INPUT WE'VE GOTTEN FROM THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE WITH BICYCLE ADVOCATES, WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, WITH THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT. AND WE'LL GO THROUGH THE ITEM BIT BY BIT.
COMMISSIONER. RESPECTFULLY, I'M NOT TRYING TO BE DIFFICULT, BUT JUST I'M TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF THE LAST SLIDE BECAUSE THE LAST SLIDE CALLED OUT RISING CAR OWNERSHIP, NOT BIKE OR SCOOTER OR E-BIKE.
P.J. COULD YOU, COULD YOU PUT THAT LAST SLIDE UP? THIS IS RISING CAR OWNERSHIP LED TO THOUSANDS OF TRAFFIC DEATHS, INCLUDING 400 IN 1971.
WHAT DOES THAT HAVE? I MEAN, RESPECTFULLY, I'M NOT I'M NOT TRYING TO BE DIFFICULT.
WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH MICROMOBILITY? BECAUSE AS PEOPLE WERE USING CARS MORE AND PEOPLE WERE USING BIKES MORE, THERE WAS A CONFLICT POINT.
AND SO BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ORDER TO THE CHAOS OF CARS AND BIKES COMING INTO CONFLICT, CARS WERE KILLING PEOPLE ON BIKES AND MICROMOBILITY DEVICES. WELL, BIKES AT THE TIME, THEY DIDN'T HAVE E-BIKES.
OKAY. OKAY. YEAH. SO I MEAN, WITH REGARD TO JUST THIS ORDINANCE FOR FOR STARTERS, OBVIOUSLY THIS JUST INCLUDES VARIOUS SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO MICROMOBILITY DEVICE OPERATORS WHEN THEY'RE OPERATING SUCH DEVICES ON PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY.
A LOT OF THESE ARE IN STATE LAW, ALTHOUGH IT TAKES A BUNCH OF GYMNASTICS TO, TO GET HERE, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF THEM ALREADY IN STATE LAW.
WHAT IT WOULD REQUIRE IS FOR ALL MICROMOBILITY DEVICE OPERATORS WHEN OPERATING YOUR DEVICE BETWEEN SUNSET AND SUNRISE THE FOLLOWING MORNING, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A LAMP EXHIBITING A WHITE LIGHT THAT'S CLEARLY VISIBLE AT A DISTANCE OF AT LEAST 500FT TO THE FRONT, AND A REAR RED LIGHT, AND A REFLECTOR THAT'S VISIBLE AT A DISTANCE OF AT LEAST 600FT TO THE REAR.
ALL OPERATORS AND PASSENGERS OF MICROMOBILITY DEVICES MUST WEAR A BICYCLE HELMET.
IT'S GOT TO BE PROPERLY FITTED AND PROPERLY FASTENED AND SECURED TO THEIR TO THEIR HEAD BY A STRAP.
AND IT'S GOT TO MEET CERTAIN FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS FOR BICYCLE HELMETS.
THE DEVICE HAS TO HAVE ALL RIDERS, ALL UNDER 16, UNDER 16, SO 15 OR YOUNGER IN EFFECT, BUT UNDER 16.
[06:50:01]
TO CARRY NO MORE PERSONS AT ONE TIME THAN THE DEVICE WAS DESIGNED OR EQUIPPED TO CARRY.AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S IN HERE, BUT JUST TO, TO READ IT, THE RESTRICTION DOES NOT PROHIBIT ATTACHING A TRAILER OR A SEMI TRAILER TO A MICROMOBILITY DEVICE. IF THAT TRAILER OR SEMI TRAILER IS COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE, IT IS OR IS NOT.
AND WE ALSO WENT FURTHER IN THIS ORDINANCE, YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER, LIKE I SAID, HAS BEEN WORKING A LOT ON ALL OF THIS STUFF, BUT GOT A LOT OF FEEDBACK. AND ULTIMATELY, WE HAVE GONE AND DONE MORE THAN THE STATE WE DEFINE, DESIGNED OR EQUIPPED HERE TO TRY AND PROVIDE SOME GUIDANCE AND DESIGNED OR EQUIPPED TO ESTABLISH THAT YOUR MICROMOBILITY DEVICE CAN CARRY 2 OR 3.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PRODUCT SHEET, IT COULD INCLUDE EXTRA SEATS THAT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED, EXTRA SETS OF HANDLEBARS FOOT PEGS, THE TOTAL WEIGHT CAPACITY OF THE DEVICE, THE, THE LENGTH OF THE DECK, THE WIDTH OF THE DECK, AND THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.
SO THIS LEGISLATION DOES THAT AS A STARTING POINT.
THERE'S OTHER THINGS WE'RE LOOKING AT, BUT THIS IS A STARTING POINT.
LIKE I SAID, THIS IS THIS IS PRIMARILY FROM STATE LAW.
THERE'S ALSO BEEN A LOT OF OTHER I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT, BUT THERE'S BEEN OTHER STEPS AND THINGS YOU'VE DONE, BUT THAT'S WHAT THIS ORDINANCE DOES. YEAH, I, I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT BEFORE JOSE TALKS ABOUT SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS, BECAUSE IT'S NOT, THIS IS NOT COMING OUT AS A BOLT OUT OF THE BLUE.
BUT SOME OF THE BIGGER THINGS WOULD TAKE EFFECT A YEAR FROM WHEN WE PASSED THIS, WHICH WOULD GIVE US TIME TO DO OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY TO EDUCATE THEM ABOUT ASSISTANCE WE CAN PROVIDE TO GET THEM HELMETS, THAT WE CAN GO TO SCHOOLS AND GIVE THEM EDUCATION THAT WE CAN HAVE.
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT BETWEEN NOW AND EFFECT THE, THE.
EFFECTIVE, EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS OF THIS LEGISLATION.
THE GOAL IS NOT TO BE PUNITIVE. I WANT TO MAKE THAT VERY, VERY CLEAR.
NOBODY'S TRYING TO PUNISH ANYBODY. WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS CHANGE BEHAVIOR.
SO WE'RE NOT PICKING PEOPLE AND BODY PARTS UP OFF THE ROADS.
YOU KNOW, IT SOUNDS LIKE A BIG, YOU KNOW, A SMALL PAIN IN THE NECK, BUT IT'S, YOU KNOW, WHEN IT'S YOUR PARENT WHO IS NOW NOT ABLE TO TAKE HER KID TO SCHOOL BECAUSE SHE WAS KNOCKED OFF OF HER DEVICE BY A CAR OR SHE RAN THROUGH A STOPLIGHT AND, AND, YOU KNOW, DIDN'T REALIZE OR, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER THE FRICTION POINT IS, THEY ARE, THEY ARE CONSTANT.
ANYBODY DRIVING IN THE CITY NOW, WHETHER YOU'RE DRIVING A MICROMOBILITY DEVICE OR DRIVING IN A VEHICLE, I GUARANTEE YOU YOU'VE SEEN A NEAR MISS EVERY TIME YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR.
I GUARANTEE YOU, I GUARANTEE YOU'VE SEEN FLAGRANT TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS, PEOPLE DRIVING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, PEOPLE NOT STOPPING AT STOP SIGNS, PEOPLE DRIVING THROUGH RED LIGHTS, PEOPLE CROSSING ACROSS 4 OR 5 LANES OF TRAFFIC INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC BECAUSE THEY DON'T THINK THE RULES APPLY TO THEM. SO WE'RE GOING TO EFFECTUATE CHANGE AND HAVE A YEAR TO EDUCATE PEOPLE AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL, AT THE PARENTS LEVEL, AT THE HOA LEVEL, WHERE I'VE GOT, I PLANS TO DO A MAILING TO EVERY SINGLE HOUSEHOLD, A SMALL, INEXPENSIVE MAILING, DON'T WORRY, LIKE A POSTCARD WITH A WEBSITE LINK SO PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT IS CORRECT AND PROPER AND SAFE. BECAUSE PEOPLE CAN BUY THESE DEVICES OFF OF AMAZON, THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO GO NO MORE THAN 20 MILES AN HOUR.
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD AN APP OR TAKE A SCREWDRIVER OR, OR DO A SMALL MODIFICATION.
NOW YOU'RE GOING 59 MILES AN HOUR ON THESE DEVICES.
NO LIGHTS, NO REQUIREMENTS, NO LICENSING REQUIREMENTS AND CHAOS IS ENSUING.
SO THAT'S WHY THIS IS BEFORE US. AND JUST TO GIVE CONTEXT OF WHAT WE'VE DONE SO FAR JOSE, IF YOU WANT TO GO THROUGH REALLY QUICKLY, JUST GIVE SOME BACKGROUND. SO THANK YOU. SO I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW OF THE KEY INITIATIVES THAT HAVE EITHER BEEN IMPLEMENTED OR ARE UNDERWAY AS A RESULT OF THE MICROMOBILITY WORKING GROUP THAT COMMISSIONER BOT HAS CHAIRED FOR THE PAST PROBABLY TWO YEARS NOW AT LEAST, AT LEAST. SO AND ALL THESE ARE INTENDED TO, TO ENHANCE THE SAFETY OF MICROMOBILITY USERS, BICYCLISTS PEDESTRIANS, ANYONE USING SHARED USE PATHS, SIDEWALKS ALL OVER THE CITY.
[06:55:03]
IT'S VERY CLEAR SIGNAGE. IT BASICALLY TELLS ALL USERS TO STAY TO THEIR RIGHT TO FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD.STAY TO THE RIGHT. WE DREW A WHITE LINE DOWN THE CENTER OF THE ENTIRE BEACH.
WALK ALL SEVEN PLUS MILES PLUS THE WALK AND THE BAY.
WALK UP TO FIFTH STREET, WHERE MICROMOBILITY DEVICES ARE ACTUALLY NOT NOT PERMITTED AS AS YOU KNOW.
TELLING PEOPLE TO STAY TO THE RIGHT, TELLING PEOPLE TO SLOW DOWN AS THEY APPROACH A CURVE.
WE ACTUALLY WALKED THE ENTIRE BEACH WALK. PART OF THAT WAS ON A GATOR.
AND THERE'S BEEN A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN THAT REGARD OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS.
SO EVERYBODY KNOWS THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT. THERE ARE STILL OFFENDERS.
SO IT'S NOT PERFECT, BUT THE NUMBER OF TICKETS AND VIOLATIONS OR JUST STOPS TO EDUCATE PEOPLE HAVE GONE DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY THROUGH THE BEACH WALK, WHICH WAS OUR FIRST KIND OF TEST CASE. SO WE KNOW THIS IS EFFECTIVE.
AND IN TERMS OF HOW MANY MICRO-MOBILITY DEVICES VERSUS BICYCLES VERSUS PEDESTRIANS.
WE'RE USING SOME OF THESE CRITICAL SHARED USE PATHS IN THE CITY, INCLUDING THE BEACH WALK.
THOSE COUNTERS DISTINGUISH BETWEEN BICYCLES AND MICROMOBILITY DEVICES.
AND THEN SPECIFICALLY ALONG THE BEACH WALK, WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF INSTALLING SIX SENSORS THAT CAN DETECT ALSO THE DIFFERENCE, YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT'S A MICRO, WHETHER IT'S A SCOOTER OR A BICYCLE OR A PEDESTRIAN AND, AND THE SPEED AS WELL, DIGITAL SPEED FEEDBACK SIGNS ARE BEING INSTALLED ALONG THE, THE, THE BEACH WALK.
THEY'VE BEEN PROGRAMED. YES. THROUGH THE VICE CHAIR, THE VICE MAYOR, IF YOU DON'T MIND, CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW DO THEY DETERMINE IF IT'S A BICYCLE OR AN E-BIKE? YOU KNOW, BECAUSE IT'S SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO TELL.
IT'S BASED ON THE THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE DEVICE AND THE, THE WHEEL BASE, BECAUSE THERE'S, THERE'S SENSORS THAT ARE PLACED ON THE PAVEMENT AND DEPENDING ON THE THE DISTANCE, IT CAN TELL WHETHER IT'S A, A SCOOTER OR A BICYCLE. BASICALLY, I'M SAYING YOU HAVE THE.
DOES THIS TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN E-BIKE AND A BICYCLE BETWEEN.
DOES DOES THAT TECHNOLOGY EXIST SO THAT I'M NOT SURE.
CORRECT. BUT BETWEEN AN E-BIKE AND A REGULAR BIKE, I'M NOT SURE, BUT I'LL FIND OUT.
BUT BUT REGARDLESS, NOT NOT THAT THIS IS NOT AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION.
WE CAN JUST TAKE IT OFFLINE BECAUSE THOSE ALREADY INSTALLED, THOSE ARE ALREADY HAPPENING. SO THAT'S SEPARATE, RIGHT? I JUST WANT TO BE MINDFUL OF THE DATA THAT WE GET TO SAY, LIKE, IF THERE'S A, YOU KNOW, ASSUMPTION MADE THAT THERE'S THIS MANY MICROMOBILITY DEVICES BECAUSE I KNOW SOME RODE BIKES THAT ARE JUST, YOU KNOW, PUSH PEDAL, THEY CAN GO 30, 40MPH.
WELL, AND THIS, THIS APPLIES TO ALL OF THE DEVICES.
SO IT'S NOT JUST IF YOU'RE AN ELECTRIFIED BIKE, IT'S, IT'S A BIKE.
PEOPLE NEED TO BE OPERATING THESE VEHICLES SAFELY.
AND SO WE ARE DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN WHAT YOU CAN AND CAN'T DO.
AND SO I HEAR YOUR CONCERN. WE CAN GET INTO THAT.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE THAT'S NUANCED WHEN WE GET THAT INFORMATION.
OKAY. SO PLEASE. AND THEN SOME EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS AS WELL.
[07:00:03]
DIFFERENT DIFFERENT REGULATIONS THAT CURRENTLY EXIST AROUND THE CITY DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF PATH.AND CONDUCTED A MICROMOBILITY TOWN HALL SPONSORED BY COMMISSIONER BHATT.
THIS WAS IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR. AND OTHER SIMILAR EITHER EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS, ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS, ENGINEERING EFFORTS TO TRY TO JUST RAISE AWARENESS AND IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF THE USERS, ALL USERS REALLY ON THESE FACILITIES THROUGH THE VICE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONER, BUT THANKS.
I WANT TO JUST GO OVER SOME OF THE, THE, THE PILLARS OF THIS LEGISLATION.
OKAY. AND, PROPER BREAKING. OF COURSE, I THINK WHERE I THINK WE REALLY HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THIS IS WHAT IS ENFORCEMENT AFTER YOUR LIFE? BECAUSE IF IF YOU HAVE KIDS GOING TO SCHOOL, YOU KNOW, THAT'S LIKE FIVE BLOCKS AWAY.
THEY'RE ON A SCOOTER AND THEY DON'T HAVE A HELMET.
ARE WE REALLY GOING TO WANT POLICE OFFICERS PULLING THEM OVER AND GIVING THEM A TICKET? SO CAN WE HAVE CHIEF JONES COME OVER, PLEASE COME UP.
THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE TALKED ABOUT AT GREAT LENGTH.
THE GOAL IS NOT AND I SAID IT TODAY. I'VE SAID IT BEFORE, TALKED ABOUT IT.
THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT, TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE AT LENGTH.
NOW, IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE A TOTAL, I THINK THE TECHNICAL TERM IS JACKASS AND BE VIOLATING TRAFFIC RULES AND RIDING IN AN UNSAFE MANNER, AND DOING WHEELIES AND GOING IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC.
THAT MIGHT GET YOU AN ACTUAL VIOLATION. IF YOU'RE A 12 YEAR OLD ON YOUR SCOOTER AND YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR HELMET, THERE MIGHT BE AN OFFICER WHO'S NOT GOING TO CHASE YOU DOWN, BUT, YOU KNOW, MIGHT BE STANDING THERE AT THE SCHOOL ZONE AND SAY, HEY, REMEMBER, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE YOUR HELMET. MAKE SURE YOU WEAR IT NEXT TIME. I THINK THAT IS PART OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS IN THE NETHERLANDS.
IN OTHER COUNTRIES BESIDES THE NETHERLANDS, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE PART OF THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM, AN EDUCATION PROCESS, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY.
IT'S TWO DIFFERENT POINTS, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY AT ONE POINT WHERE YOU CANNOT GRADUATE A CERTAIN GRADE LEVEL WITHOUT HAVING PASSED SAFE RIDER CLASSES ON YOUR BIKE OR YOUR SCOOTER, AND THAT IS BECAUSE IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO YOUR WELL-BEING AS A HUMAN BEING TO NOT FALL OFF AND HIT YOUR HEAD OR NOT GET CREAMED IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SO THAT IS THAT'S WHAT WE ARE GOING TO BE DOING.
WE'VE IDENTIFIED WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SOME HOT SPOTS WHERE WE'VE GOT PEOPLE, NOT CHILDREN GENERALLY ADULTS WHO SHOULD KNOW BETTER, WHO WHO RIDE IN VERY UNSAFE MANNERS THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE PUTTING UP SORT OF COMMISSIONER KNOW, JUST PUTTING UP, PUTTING UP NOT ROADBLOCKS, BUT HAVING OFFICERS STATIONED THERE TO BE ABLE TO, TO EDUCATE PEOPLE LIKE WE DID ON THE BEACH WALK.
AND SO AGAIN, IT'S NOT PUNITIVE. IT IS NOT PUNITIVE.
IT'S ABOUT THE EDUCATION. AND I, AND I, AND I GET IT.
AND RESPECTFULLY, I'M JUST HAVING A DIALOG HERE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I'M GOING TO BE PROBABLY JUST VENTURE TO SAY I'M GOING TO BE THE ONE HERE JUST TRYING TO REALLY WORK THROUGH THIS. AND I WANT TO WORK WITH YOU ON THIS.
IT'S I UNDERSTAND IT'S NOT PUNITIVE, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF THE OFFICER'S DISCRETION IS TO WRITE A APPLYING TO A 14 YEAR OLD, GOING TO SCHOOL OR A 15 YEAR OLD BECAUSE THAT KID, I DON'T KNOW DOESN'T, YOU KNOW, WANT TO OBEY THE LAW OR IT JUST SAYS, YOU KNOW WHAT? I, I, I DON'T WANT TO, I DON'T WANT TO. I DON'T, I DON'T WANT TO SEE A COP RIGHT NOW.
I DON'T WANT TO GET PULLED OVER. AND THEN THEY RUN AWAY.
THERE'S ALL SORTS OF REASONS WHY A 15 YEAR OLD CHILD MAY NOT WANT TO GET PULLED OVER, OR THE DISCRETION OF THE COP IS TO SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT? I'VE SEEN THIS KID NOT WEAR A HELMET FIVE TIMES.
YOU KNOW, RIDING HIS BIKE, RIDING HIS SCOOTER TO TO MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH.
I'M GOING TO WRITE HIM A TICKET. I, I DON'T I DON'T KNOW IF I FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.
I ALSO DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE. AND AGAIN, THIS IS ASSUMING AFTER OUR EDUCATION PERIOD A YEAR, WE HAVE ALL SORTS OF INFORMATION THAT WE WORK WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD ON.
I'M THINKING TWO, THREE, FOUR YEARS DOWN THE LINE.
[07:05:03]
CITATION. I JUST I DON'T KNOW. I MEAN, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF YOU SAW A 15 YEAR OLD SPRAYING GRAFFITI ON A PARK BENCH OR ON A WALL? BUT THAT'S THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DOING SOMETHING ILLEGAL AND DOING SOMETHING.THIS IS ILLEGAL. IT IS ILLEGAL. IT'S IT'S IN THE STATE LAWS.
WELL, IS IT A STATE LAW TO NOT WEAR A HELMET ON A ON A BICYCLE, ON A MICROMOBILITY DEVICE IF YOU'RE UNDER THE AGE OF 16? YES. SO THEN WHY ARE WE CODIFYING THIS AT THE CITY LEVEL? IT MAKES IT MUCH EASIER FOR ENFORCEMENT FOR US TO HAVE OUR DEFINITIONS HERE, TO HAVE IT IN OUR CITY CODE.
RIGHT. OFFICERS DO NOT HAVE TO DO MENTAL GYMNASTICS AND GOING TO THE STATE LAW FOR BICYCLES AND THEN EXTRAPOLATING TO ELECTRIC BIKES. RIGHT. AND LOOK, I RESPECTFULLY I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THE INTENT. I THINK YOU'RE COMING TO THIS AS FROM A REALLY GOOD PLACE, BUT AND IT COMES FROM A VERY MATERNAL PLACE WHERE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE BOTH PARENTS AND WE BOTH CARE.
I'M JUST SAYING, THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE IS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE POLICE OFFICERS PULLING OVER TEENAGERS FOR NOT WEARING A HELMET. AND I DON'T KNOW IF I FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.
I DON'T SUPPORT IT. I MEAN, IT'S AGAINST THE LAW CURRENTLY.
I UNDERSTAND. AND BUT YOU KNOW, BUT WE BUT THE POLICE, YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW WE I DON'T THINK THE THE BEST USE OF RESOURCES IS GOING AFTER TEENAGERS NOT WEARING A HELMET ON THE SCOOTER.
AND LET ME FINISH RESPECTFULLY. THERE ARE A LOT MORE DANGERS TO TEENAGERS IN MIAMI BEACH THAN THEM RIDING A SCOOTER OR AN E-BIKE, NOT A HELMET. IF I MIGHT JUST TO THAT POINT.
I DON'T THINK THAT THE POLICE OFFICERS ARE POLICE OFFICERS ARE GOING TO PULL OVER A KID FOR NOT WEARING THE HELMET, UNLESS THE KID IS DOING OTHER THINGS THAT ARE EGREGIOUSLY DANGEROUS.
I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO TRUST OUR OFFICERS WHO DO HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO, TO LOOK OUT FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THEIR RESIDENTS WHEN THERE IS UNSAFE BEHAVIOR. IS IT NOT GREAT FOR A KID WHO'S 14 OR 15 YEARS OLD TO NOT BE WEARING THE HELMET? IT'S NOT GREAT. IS IT NOT A HUGE DEAL. BUT AND SO THEY'LL LET IT SLIDE.
OR MAYBE JUST CALL THEM OVER AND SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT? YOU NEED TO GET YOUR HELMET ON.
NOT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S ONE THING. IF THAT KID IS POPPING WHEELIES AND ZOOMING IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC AS IF THE LAWS DON'T APPLY TO HIM, THAT'S A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION. AND THAT'S THE BEHAVIOR WE'RE TRYING TO TO EFFECTUATE WITH CHANGE THE 3 OR 4 YEARS FROM NOW.
IF THIS GOES PROPERLY, WE WON'T EVEN BE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION.
BUT I DON'T THINK A HELMET MANDATE IS GOING TO PREVENT BAD BEHAVIOR ON THE ROAD.
IT'S CURRENTLY IT'S CURRENTLY THE STATE LAW. YEAH, NO, I GET IT.
BUT THE ARGUMENT YOU'RE SAYING IS THAT IF WE IF WE MANDATE A HELMET REQUIREMENT FOR UNDER THE AGE OF 16, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO POP WHEELIES OR GO AGAINST TRAFFIC.
THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M SAYING AT ALL. I'M SAYING THAT IT OFTEN GOES PART AND PARCEL.
I MEAN, WE SAW KIDS, I SEE KIDS. I MUST HAVE SEEN 4 OR 5 THIS WEEK ALONE WHO WERE WEARING HELMETS AND WHO WERE POPPING WHEELIES AND GOING IN AND OUT OF OF CARS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
THE HELMET FOR THOSE KIDS, IT'S THE LEAST OF IT.
IT'S THE LEAST OF IT. SO IT'S, IT'S THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO WORK IN CONCERT.
WOULD YOU BE OKAY WITH A POSSIBLE MANDATORY WARNING FOR INDIVIDUAL.
EVEN AFTER THE EDUCATION PERIOD WHERE, YOU KNOW, AND WE HAVE IT CODIFIED SO THAT THERE IS NO.
GOTCHA. YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WE HAVE RESIDENTS MOVE IN, YOU KNOW, ALL THE TIME WHO ARE GOING TO BE COMING IN BEYOND THE EDUCATION PERIOD AND WHO MAY NOT KNOW THAT THERE'S I WOULD I WOULD PUT IT THIS WAY.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE OFFICERS TO FIRST GO WITH A WARNING.
AND IF THERE IS SOME KIND OF YOU KNOW, THE WAY WHEN YOU GET PULLED OVER FOR A TRAFFIC STOP, IF YOU, IF YOU, YOU KNOW, HAND OVER YOUR THING AND YOU HAVE A CONVERSATION, THEY'RE LIKE, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE DRIVING LIKE AN IDIOT. PLEASE DON'T DO THAT AGAIN.
SO I WOULD DEFER TO THE OFFICERS AND THERE'S GOING TO BE TRAINING INVOLVED.
AND I THINK WE SAY, YOU KNOW, WHERE WHEREVER APPROPRIATE, LET'S GIVE A VERBAL WARNING.
AND WHEN PEOPLE IF PEOPLE ARE RECALCITRANT IN THEIR IN THEIR ATTITUDE.
AND DON'T TRY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE DEAL IS.
I MEAN, THE NORMAL RESPONSE IS, OH, GOTCHA. I'LL MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS NEXT TIME.
[07:10:01]
YOU KNOW, THE LAST. REMEMBER, WE'RE DEALING WITH INDIVIDUALS WHOSE BRAINS HAVEN'T FULLY FORMED.ALL THE MORE REASON I UNDERSTAND THAT. AND FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, THEY MAY GET INTO DISAGREEMENT WITH A POLICE OFFICER PULLING THEM OVER. AND AND LIKE YOU SAID, BE A JACKASS.
AND THAT COP WAS YOU KNOW WHAT? YOU'RE A KID.
YOU'RE A JACKASS. I'M GOING TO WRITE YOU A TICKET. I JUST WANT TO AVOID THAT SITUATION.
I THINK IT SOLVES THE PROBLEM. YOU GET A ONE TIME WARNING.
I'M OKAY WITH THAT. I MEAN, JUST TO PUT THINGS IN CONTEXT WE HAVE OTHER STATES THAT ARE HOLDING PARENTS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF THEIR KIDS SENDING PARENTS TO JAIL BECAUSE THEIR KID HAS CAUSED MAYHEM.
AND SO WE'RE NOT THERE YET, BUT WE COULD BE. SO I'M SUGGESTING LET'S DO ALL THE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE IT EASIER TO EDUCATE OUR, OUR RESIDENTS. AND YOU'RE RIGHT, PEOPLE MOVE IN AND OUT ALL THE TIME. SO I THINK IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A TERRIBLE IDEA TO HAVE FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS, AT LEAST UNTIL THIS IS COMMON PRACTICE. YOU KNOW, A SMALL SIZE POSTCARD SAYING, YOU KNOW, JUST A REMINDER, HERE'S HOW YOU USE THESE DEVICES.
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE DO NOT WANT TO BE PICKING PIECES UP OF CHILDREN OR PARENTS OR ANYBODY FROM FROM THE ROAD, NOR DO WE WANT THE TRAUMA OF SOMEBODY WHO DID NOT SEE THE KID OR THE THE 25 YEAR OLD COMING OUT OF NOWHERE WITH NO LIGHTS, NO HELMET, AND NOW THE DRIVER HAS PTSD OR HAS RUINED HIS OR HER LIFE BECAUSE HE INADVERTENTLY OR SHE INADVERTENTLY HIT SOMEBODY.
YEAH. AND I THINK THE INTENT IS FOR EDUCATION, RIGHT? YES. AND WHAT I'M SAYING IS, I THINK A A PART OF THE PROCESS IS A WARNING PART IS, IS THE EDUCATION PERIOD. AND THEN THE ENFORCEMENT COMES AFTER THAT.
SO LIKE I SAID, TWO TEENAGERS. WOULD YOU DISAGREE TO LET US WORK ON THAT BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND AND SEE HOW WE CAN MAKE THAT WORK FOR EVERYBODY AND SEE IF THAT DOESN'T NEGATE WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF IT OBVIATES, THEN THE STATE LAWS.
I DON'T KNOW BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T DISCUSSED THAT.
SO LET US WORK ON THAT. BUT YOU KNOW, IF MY COLLEAGUES, ANY OF THE OTHER COLLEAGUES HAVE COMMENTS, I'D LOVE TO HEAR THEM. OTHERWISE I'LL MOVE IT. OKAY.
SO I'LL, I'LL SAY THIS AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS ITEM AND I'LL THROUGH THE VICE MAYOR.
YES. THANK YOU. AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS ITEM, YOU KNOW, I, I THINK PARENTS HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES OVER THEIR CHILDREN. AND IF YOU'RE LETTING YOUR KID OUT OF YOUR HOUSE WITHOUT A HELMET, THAT'S A LOT OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
HOWEVER, IN THIS DIALOG, WHAT I DIDN'T REALIZE IS THAT THIS IS ALREADY THE STATE LAW AND THAT WE ARE IN FACT, CODIFYING WHAT ALREADY EXISTS IN THE STATE, AND THAT FAILURE TO CODIFY THIS MAKES THE PROCESS MORE DIFFICULT FOR OUR POLICE OFFICERS. AND THAT'S THE MY TAKE AWAY FROM YOU, MARK.
IS THAT CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT. CHIEF, YOU'RE STANDING HERE.
YOUR OFFICERS ARE THE ONES WHO WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCING THIS.
HOW MUCH MORE DIFFICULT IS IT HAVING TO GO THROUGH THE STATE LAW AS OPPOSED TO A MUNICIPAL REGULATION? IT CERTAINLY MAKES IT MUCH, MUCH EASIER. COMMISSIONER WHAT DOES IT SAY? IT CERTAINLY MAKES IT MUCH, MUCH EASIER FOR OUR POLICE OFFICERS TO ENFORCE. AND DOES IT DOES IT SAVE TIME? YES. OKAY. AND SO TO THE EXTENT THAT THIS IS ALREADY BEING ENFORCED AND WE CAN MAKE THE PROCESS EASIER FOR OUR POLICE OFFICERS, AND WE'RE NOT THE ONES THAT ARE CHANGING THE LAW, THIS IS GOING TO THIS IS ENFORCED ONE WAY OR THE OTHER IS IT'S THE AVENUE OF ENFORCEMENT THAT WE'RE PROVIDING. YOU KNOW, DO THEY GO INTO ONE SET OF BOOKS THROUGH THE STATES AND AND FLIP THROUGH THAT TRYING TO FIND THAT REGULATION.
OR DO THEY GO THROUGH SOMETHING THAT THEY MIGHT BE EASIER TO NAVIGATE AS OUR CODE? SO, SO WITH THAT, I'M, I'M FINE SUPPORTING THIS BECAUSE THAT IS MY TAKEAWAY.
THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. THANK YOU ALL THE VOTE.
[07:15:03]
I NEED A SECOND. I'LL SECOND. IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING.I HAVE ONE INDIVIDUAL IN ZOOM REQUESTING TO CALL TO SPEAK.
CALL IN USER SEVEN AS A SCREEN NAME. PLEASE IDENTIFY YOURSELF.
YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES. HI. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS MATTHEW GOLD AND I WAS HERE EARLIER TODAY FOR THIS ITEM, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, I HAD TO LEAVE TO PICK UP MY CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL.
BUT I WANT TO START OUT BY. I WANT TO THANK THE SPONSOR, COMMISSIONER TANYA, BUT I KNOW THAT SHE'S BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR A LONG TIME, AND SHE HAS TAKEN INPUT FROM MANY DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS IN THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THOSE THAT ARE ADVOCATING FOR GREATER BICYCLE AND MICROMOBILITY ACCESS AND INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
SO I WANT TO THANK HER. SHE HAS HAD AN OPEN MIND.
SHE HAS MASSAGED SOME OF THE LANGUAGE IN HERE TO REMOVE SOME OF THE FRICTION.
THAT WAS A CONCERN BECAUSE AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, MICROMOBILITY AND BICYCLES ARE GROWING AMONGST OUR NEIGHBORS AND BECOMING A VERY EXTREMELY IMPORTANT MODE OF TRANSPORTATION FOR MANY PEOPLE IN THE CITY FROM ALL DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE.
SO I THINK THAT DEFINITELY THIS THIS LEGISLATION HAS GOTTEN TO A PLACE WHERE IT'S OF LESS CONCERN THAN IT WAS INITIALLY WHEN IT WAS FIRST PROPOSED. SO I DO APPRECIATE THAT.
ONE THING I WANT TO SAY, THOUGH, IS THAT ONE OF THE, I THINK ONE OF THE BIG CONCERNS WE HEAR ABOUT PEOPLE WRITING REALLY FAST, ETC., THAT IS A DIFFERENT ITEM. IT'S EMOTIVE OR ELECTRONIC MOTORCYCLES OR ELECTRONIC DIRT BIKES.
AND GENERALLY SPEAKING, THOSE ARE NOT LEGAL. TODAY TO RIDE ON THE STREETS.
AND JUST A LITTLE STORY HERE, ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS, I SAW A BIKE THAT A KID WAS RIDING.
SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE ADDRESSED TODAY. E MOTORCYCLES THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
AND THANK YOU, SAM. BRING US ALL BACK. OUR NEXT CALLER IS KAREN.
KAREN, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
THANK YOU. IT'S KAREN AGAIN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
AS AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST, I USED TO WORK ON NEUROSURGERY AND WOULD SEE MANY INDIVIDUALS, BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN WHO'VE HAD SERIOUS BRAIN INJURY AS A RESULT OF A CAR ACCIDENT, WHERE THE STRUCTURE OF YOUR CAR PROTECTS YOU.
THEY'RE LUCKY TO REGAIN CONSCIOUSNESS IF THEY HIT THEIR HEAD.
BUT LET'S LOOK AT THE VARIOUS JURISDICTIONS AND WHAT THEY MANDATE FOR HELMETS.
FOR INSTANCE. AUSTRIA HELMET REQUIRED FOR CHILDREN UP TO 12.
CROATIA HELMET REQUIRED UNDER 16. ESTONIA UNDER 16.
FRANCE HELMET MANDATORY UNDER 12. ISRAEL HELMET MANDATORY FOR UNDER 18 ON INTER-URBAN ROADS.
LATVIA UNDER 12. MALTA UNDER TEN. SLOVAKIA UNDER 15.
SLOVENIA. SPAIN. I CAN GO ON. SWEDEN. HELMET REQUIRED UNDER 15.
SOUTH KOREA UNDER 13. CANADA. YOU KNOW VARIOUS PROVINCES, BUT MOST OF THEM ARE UNDER 18.
SO REDUCES AGONY AND SUFFERING OF NOT ONLY THE CHILD, BUT THE PARENTS, THE FAMILY, THE SIBLINGS, ETC.. SO I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE HELMET WEARING FOR CHILDREN AND EVEN FOR ADULTS USING THESE DEVICES THAT ARE SPEEDING DOWN OUR ROADWAYS AND SOMETIMES PACKED WITH MULTIPLE PASSENGERS ON THESE SMALL SCOOTERS.
SO ANYWAY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU.
I SEE NO ONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE REQUESTING TO SPEAK.
WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO CALL THE ROLL? MR. MAYOR.
MAGAZINE. YES. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ. COMMISSIONER SUAREZ COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS.
YES. VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ. YES. COMMISSIONER.
BART. YES. MAYOR. MINER. YES. SECOND READING.
PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 24TH. THE MOTION PASSES.
THAT WAS ITEM R5AA! THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. BART, CALL THE BOARDS AND COMMITTEES.
[R9 A BOARD AND COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS.]
YES, SIR. EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A BLUE PAPER WITH THEM.[07:20:07]
THEY ARE FOR EVERY NOMINEE. THERE'S ONE SEAT, SO THERE'S NO COMPETITION.I MOVE THEM ALL. SECOND, HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ.
ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSITION? HEARING NONE. ALL THE APPOINTEES ARE MADE. THAT WAS ITEM R9B.
[C7 AI A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, REINTRODUCING A MORATORIUM ON THE ADOPTION OF ANY ORDINANCE TO INCREASE WATER, SEWER, AND STORMWATER RATES; SAID MORATORIUM TO REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL THE EARLIEST TO OCCUR OF THE FOLLOWING: (A) RESCISSION OF THIS RESOLUTION BY A FIVE-SEVENTHS (5/7TH) VOTE OF THE CITY COMMISSION, (B) THE OCCURRENCE OF A PUBLIC SAFETY EMERGENCY DUE TO THE FAILURE OF WATER, SEWER, OR STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE, OR (C) THE ISSUANCE OF AN ORDER BY AN AUTHORITY HAVING JURISDICTION REQUIRING THE CITY TO MAKE UNBUDGETED REPAIRS TO ITS WATER, SEWER, OR STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE.]
C7AI. C7A. I IS MORE C7AI IS MORATORIUM ON ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES TO INCREASE WATER SEWER STORM WATER RATES.C7IAI WAS SEPARATED BY. C COMMISSIONER BHATT AND COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS. I PULLED THIS ITEM.
I THINK IT IS A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT TO ADOPT AN A MORATORIUM ON SOMETHING BEFORE WE'VE EVEN DISCUSSED THE THE ITEM BEFORE US, NOT BEFORE US, BUT THE ITEM IN QUESTION.
I THINK IT'S A VERY COMPLICATED ISSUE ABOUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO PAY FOR OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, OUR CRITICAL NEEDS PROJECTS AND TO PRECLUDE US FROM EVEN HAVING THE DISCUSSION BEFORE WE'VE HAD THE DISCUSSION.
I, I, I FIND THAT CONCERNING. THAT'S WHY I PULLED IT.
MR. MAYOR, COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ, THANK YOU.
AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THE ITEM DOES.
I THINK WHEN WE LOOK AT THE TITLE SPEAKS TO THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES.
AND THIS BODY CERTAINLY IS VERY IS VERY MUCH ABLE TO ENGAGE IN DISCUSSIONS THE WAY THAT IT HAS BEEN ENGAGING IN DISCUSSIONS, WHETHER WHETHER IT BE AT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OR THE BUDGET RETREAT THAT THAT WAS HELD OR WHETHER IT BE THE ROBUST DISCUSSIONS WE'VE HAD ON THIS DAIS AS RECENTLY AS OUR AS OUR LAST MEETING.
WE ARE IN A, IN A PERIOD OF TIME WHERE, WHERE, WHERE THE ECONOMY IS WORKING AGAINST A LOT OF THE VERY RESIDENTS WHO WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED BY THE IMPACTS OF WATER AND SEWER AND STORM WATER RATE INCREASES, RESIDENTS LIVING ON FIXED INCOMES, ON SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS CONDO OWNERS WHO BOUGHT IN OUR CITY UNDER A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FRAMEWORK OF STATE REGULATIONS THAT TODAY ARE FACING INCREASING INSURANCE COSTS.
THEY'RE FACING INCREASE IN ASSESSMENTS. THEY'RE HAVING TO MEET RESERVES HOMEOWNERS WHO, WHO TOO ARE FACING SINGLE FAMILY HOMEOWNERS WHO TOO ARE ALSO FACING THE INCREASED COSTS OF, OF, OF INSURANCE WHO, WHO HAVE SEEN THEIR, THEIR TAX BILLS GO UP OVER, OVER TIME, EVEN THOUGH WE, WE, WE'RE NOT RAISING THE MILLAGE RATE, BUT THEY DO END UP PAYING, PAYING MORE IN TAXES.
THERE IS A LOT THAT IS, THAT IS WORKING AGAINST OUR, OUR RESIDENTS.
IT DOESN'T PROHIBIT THIS BODY FROM HAVING DISCUSSIONS.
WE'RE VERY CAPABLE TO HAVE THOSE DISCUSSIONS.
WE'RE ALSO VERY CAPABLE TO IDENTIFY WHAT OTHER MEANS.
DO WE HAVE TO DELIVER ON OUR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE? HOW DO WE HOW DO WE MOVE MILLAGE. WITHIN THE TAX BILL AS COMMISSIONER SUAREZ HAS PROPOSED.
SO THAT, SO THAT WHEN WE TAX OUR RESIDENTS, WE USE AND WE PRIORITIZE THOSE DOLLARS ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND WE DON'T GO BACK AND BUILD THEM NOW A SECOND TIME ON SOMETHING THAT COULD END UP COSTING OUR RESIDENTS OVER $1,000 A YEAR IN INCREASES BY, BY, BY 2037. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR, IT'S BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT FOR OUR LONG TERM RESIDENTS TO LIVE IN OUR CITY.
[07:25:01]
AND WE LOVE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE WEALTH THAT MOVES TO MIAMI BEACH AND THE BILLIONAIRES AND THE CELEBRITIES AND THE HIGH END RESTAURANTS AND, AND, AND THE FINANCIAL FIRMS THAT ARE COMING INTO OUR CITY.BUT WE ALSO SERVE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE POOR INDIVIDUALS, WHO ARE ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE, WHO ARE DEALING WITH THE, WITH, WITH, WITH WHAT WAS PUBLISHED THIS THIS MORNING ON, ON THE MIAMI TODAY, ON THE MIAMI TODAY. YOU KNOW, THEY WERE READING, THEY, THEY WERE WRITING ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING NATIONALLY. GAS PRICES JUMPED 28.4%. OVER THE PAST YEAR, WITH SOUTH FLORIDA HIT EVEN HARDER WERE WE EXCEEDED THE NATIONAL INCREASE.
WE'RE AT 34.2% ON THE CPI FOR FOR FOR GAS PRICES, SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. AND THEN THE COST OF HOUSING, THE COST OF HOUSING CONTINUED TO OUTPACE IN MIAMI COMPARED TO THE, TO THE REST OF THE NATION.
FOOD COSTS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY AS WELL.
THE COST OF MEDICAL OF MEDICAL CARE WENT UP SIGNIFICANTLY.
THE COST OF TRANSPORTATION WENT UP SIGNIFICANTLY.
AND THIS IS ALL STUFF THAT WAS REPORTED THIS MORNING ON THE MIAMI TODAY ABOUT THE ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT CPI IS HAVING ON THE COST OF LIVING OF PEOPLE HERE IN SOUTH FLORIDA.
NOW, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT CANNOT CONTROL.
WE CAN'T CONTROL PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES.
WE CAN'T CONTROL ASSESSMENTS. WE CAN'T CONTROL THE PRICE OF GASOLINE, THE PRICE OF MILK AND BREAD AND EGGS AT THE AT THE GROCERY STORE. BUT WE CAN MOST CERTAINLY CONTROL HOW WE CURRENTLY USE THE REVENUES THAT WE CURRENTLY GET TO MEET OUR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS. AND WE CAN CERTAINLY CONTROL WHETHER WE PASS ALONG THE BURDENS OF AN AGING INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEM THROUGH UTILITY RATE INCREASES TO THE RESIDENTS AND TAXPAYERS WHO I FEEL A GREAT DEAL OF RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT FROM FURTHER FINANCIAL BURDEN.
OVER TIME, I'VE BEEN SPEAKING WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, YOU KNOW, ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY IS THERE, IS THERE A WAY THAT THAT, YOU KNOW, SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICTS AND NEIGHBORHOODS ARE REALLY WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT? IS THERE A WAY, AS COMMISSIONER SUAREZ HAS PUT FORWARD, WHERE WHERE YOU MOVE THE MILEAGE.
YOU ARE ALREADY TAXING OUR RESIDENTS AT CERTAIN AMOUNTS.
HOW ABOUT IF YOU MOVE THAT SAME MILEAGE LESS FROM FROM THE GENERAL FUND AND MOVING IT, SHIFTING IT OVER TO CAPITAL SO THAT SO THAT SO THAT YOU CAN MEET THE CRITICAL NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY WITHOUT GOING BACK AND DIPPING FURTHER INTO THE POCKETS OF OUR FINANCIALLY STRAINED FAMILIES WHO ARE GOING THROUGH A TOUGH MOMENT IN THIS ECONOMY AND, AND THROUGH THE VICE MAYOR, I BECAUSE I'M THE CO-SPONSOR ON THIS 100% AGREE.
AND THE ISSUE WITH RAISING WATER RATES, IT'S A REGRESSIVE TAX.
WHILE IF IT FOR WHAT I'M PROPOSING BASED ON A MILLAGE AND YOUR PROPERTY TAXES, IT'S PROGRESSIVE.
IT'S IT IT IT'S GOING TO SPEAK TO HOW MUCH YOUR PROPERTY IS WORTH, HOW MUCH MORE CAN YOU PAY.
BUT IF YOU ARE IN A FIXED INCOME, IF YOU'RE LIVING IN REBECCA'S TOWERS, AND THEN NOW YOU HAVE TO PAY DOUBLE WHAT YOU WERE PAYING ON WATER BILL, AND YOU DON'T NECESSARILY SEE THAT. YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK THAT'S FAIR.
YOU KNOW, I KNOW WE HAVE LIKE WEST AVENUE, PHASE THREE, FIRST STREET, NORTH SHORE, NORMANDY ISLES.
THESE ARE PROJECTS THAT ARE NOT JUST PIPES IN THE GROUND.
THEY'RE ALSO LANDSCAPING. THEY'RE GOING TO THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE THE AREA SUBSTANTIALLY BETTER AND OF HIGHER VALUE, WHICH IS GREAT, BUT THAT SHOULD REALLY COME FROM A PROPERTY TAX, NOT A TAX ACROSS THE WHOLE CITY, WHERE WE ESSENTIALLY DOUBLE THE RATES IN 4 OR 5 YEARS.
SO I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THAT. IT'S A LOT. IT'S VERY EASY TO SAY NO.
AND THAT'S WHY I PUT FORWARD A AN ALTERNATIVE TO FUNDING THESE PROJECTS.
[07:30:05]
AND I THINK THIS IS THE MUCH MORE EQUITABLE WAY TO, TO FUND THESE PROJECTS AS OPPOSED TO TAXING EVERYONE WITH A REGRESSIVE TAX WITH A AS FAR AS A SHOTGUN APPROACH. AND, AND I JOIN YOU IN AND I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ CO-SPONSORING ME ON THIS BECAUSE, LOOK, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN REALLY EASY FOR ME TO COME IN HERE.AND MANY OF US HAVE COME IN HERE AND SAY NO, BUT WITHOUT OFFERING A SOLUTION.
SO, COMMISSIONER BHATT, TO YOUR POINT OBVIOUSLY THIS IS GOING TO BE FLESHED OUT AT COMMITTEE.
BUT I AM, I AM OFFERING A, A PATH FOR US TO THAT'S A DIFFERENT ITEM.
THIS IS THE MORATORIUM. YEAH. AND TO, TO THAT I THINK IT'S ONLY SIX MONTHS.
RIGHT. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT.
[C4 T REFERRAL TO THE FINANCE AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCY COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FUNDING CRITICAL RESILIENCY AND NEIGHBORHOOD INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH DEDICATED CAPITAL MILLAGE AND REDUCING RELIANCE ON WATER AND SEWER RATE INCREASES.]
IT'S A REFERRAL. IT'S A REFERRAL REFERRAL TO FERC.FUND RESILIENCY. NEIGHBORHOOD INFRASTRUCTURE DEDICATED CAPITAL MILLAGE.
AND IT'S BEING COSPONSORED BY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
IT'S BEING SPONSORED BY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. YOU HAVE A COPY OF IT ON THE DAIS.
AND JUST TO JUST TO RECAP, LOOK, WE WE HAVE A CERTAIN MILLAGE FOR CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE HAVE A CERTAIN MILLAGE FOR GENERAL, GENERAL OPERATING.
WHAT I'M PROPOSING AND NOT TO, YOU KNOW, RUIN THE SURPRISE FOR OUR FINANCE COMMITTEE IS JUST WE REDUCE ONE AND REDUCE MILLAGE FOR ONE TO GIVE TO ANOTHER. AND I BELIEVE WE NEED ABOUT $11 MILLION A YEAR FOR EIGHT YEARS EXTRA TO FUND THESE, THESE PROJECTS. AND WHAT I'M PROPOSING IS ABOUT 15 MILLION.
SO THAT WE CAN ALSO STILL LOWER OUR OUR TAXES.
I UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO POSSIBLY BE ABLE TO DO THE ROLLBACK RATE, BUT THERE'S STILL GOING TO BE CUTS TO BE MADE FROM ONE DEPARTMENT TO FUND ANOTHER DEPARTMENT. SO THAT'S, THAT'LL BE FLESHED OUT AT DISCUSSION.
AND COMMISSIONER AS FAR AS I'M COSPONSORING THAT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE ARE ALREADY TAXING OUR RESIDENTS AND WE AND WE HAVE A $1 BILLION PROJECT BUDGET. AND THE WAY THAT YOU ARE PROPOSING IT, IT MAKES SENSE BECAUSE WITHIN THOSE $1 BILLION, ADJUSTING THE MILLAGE AND SHIFTING IS PRIORITIZING THE DOLLARS.
WHAT IS THE BARE ESSENTIALS? YOU KNOW, WE TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, PUBLIC SAFETY.
WE TALK ABOUT CLEANLINESS. CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IS AMONG THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF OUR CITY GOVERNMENT, AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT WE ARE COLLECTING IN TAXES IS DEDICATED TO THOSE PRIORITIES, WHICH ARE THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT.
EXACTLY. COMMISSIONER. MATEO- SALINAS. THEN. COMMISSIONER. BHATT.
AND THEN. COMMISSIONER. MAGAZINE. I JUST I PULLED THIS BECAUSE I JUST HAVE A QUESTION AND I DON'T KNOW HOW FEASIBLE THIS IS, BUT IS IT FEASIBLE? I GUESS, MR. ATTORNEY, TO DO A GEO BOND FOR WATER AND SEWER INCREASES AND TO FUND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.
WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE? THAT WOULD BE FEASIBLE.
IT WOULD REQUIRE A REFERENDUM, OF COURSE, BUT WE COULD DO THAT ESSENTIALLY.
COMMISSIONER BHATT COMMISSIONER. MAGAZINE. WELL, CAN I ANSWER IF YOU'RE ANSWERING? YES. YEAH.
THERE'S TWO TYPES OF BONDS. ONE IS A G.O. BOND.
BUT IT'S NOT CALLED G.O. BECAUSE IT'S FROM AN ENTERPRISE FUND.
THIS WOULD BE A REVENUE BOND THAT IS SPECIFIC TO THESE ENTERPRISE FUNDS.
SO MORE OR LESS IT'S THIS IT IT WOULD BE RAISING A BOND.
BUT THAT'S ESSENTIALLY WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE.
BUT BUT IF I, I SPECIFICALLY WANT A BOND THAT GOES TO THE ELECTORATE.
SO THAT WAY PEOPLE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE IF THEY WANT TO TAX THEMSELVES OR NOT.
SO THAT WAY IT'S NOT ON US TO PASS A TAX. AND IF THEY VOTE IT DOWN, THEY VOTE IT DOWN.
YOU KNOW, JUST JUST I WAS SURE THROUGH THE VICE CHAIR.
[07:35:09]
CO-SPONSORING. I THINK MY FRUSTRATION IS THAT WE ARE MAKING DRACONIAN MOVES WITH THIS MORATORIUM.AND I KNOW YOU AND I HAVE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION ON THIS WITHOUT HAVING HAD THE CONVERSATION YET ABOUT HOW TO GET THE FUNDS WE NEED FOR THE WORK WE CRITICALLY NEED WITHOUT DOUBLE DIPPING ON OUR RESIDENTS. I THINK WE'RE UNIFIED, ALL OF US ON THIS COMMISSION, THAT WE DO NOT WANT TO HIT THE RESIDENTS WHO CAN LEAST AFFORD IT THE HARDEST.
MY CONCERN IS THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD THOSE CONVERSATIONS YET, AND WHAT I'M READING IN HERE IN THE LAST PARAGRAPH, IS THAT THE MORATORIUM CANNOT BE REPEALED UNLESS WE HAVE A RESCISSION OF THE RESOLUTION BY 5/7 VOTE, OR WE HAVE A PUBLIC SAFETY EMERGENCY, WHICH IS A CATASTROPHE.
YOU KNOW, I CAN IMAGINE A CONDO BUILDING WHERE THE SEWER SYSTEM FAILS.
HELLO, CHOLERA. LIKE, YOU KNOW, DO WE REALLY WANT TO BE DOING THAT TO OUR RESIDENTS? I DON'T OR HAVING A CONSENT DECREE PUT UPON US BY THE COUNTY, THE STATE, THE FEDS, I DON'T KNOW.
TO ME THAT SEEMS VERY DRACONIAN. AND AND I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM.
I GET IT BECAUSE WE'VE HAD WE'VE SORT OF DANCED AROUND THIS, BUT BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T AS A BODY HAD THE FULL PRESENTATION FROM JOHN AND FROM ERIC AND FROM FROM JASON ABOUT HOW WE CAN EFFECTUATE WHAT WE NEED TO GET DONE IN A ROBUST, OPEN CONVERSATION.
I THINK THAT'S A GREAT STARTING POINT. BUT TO THEN BUT TO PUT THIS OUT THERE AND VOTE ON THIS FIRST, I THINK IS PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE AND SCARES THE CRAP OUT OF ME, NO PUN INTENDED.
IT REALLY DOES. AND I KNOW WHERE IT COMES FROM, I KNOW YOU.
I THINK EVERYBODY ON THIS COMMISSION IS REALLY CONCERNED, BECAUSE COST OF LIVING IN MIAMI IS HIGH UNDER THE BEST OF CIRCUMSTANCES IN MIAMI BEACH IS UNDER THE BEST OF CIRCUMSTANCE STANCES. AND WE SEE OUR OUR OUR FRIENDS AND OUR NEIGHBORS ON FIXED INCOMES OR FOLKS WHO HAVE LOST JOBS OR WHATEVER, REALLY STRUGGLING. NOBODY IS TRYING TO PUNISH ANYBODY.
WE DESPERATELY, THOUGH, CANNOT AFFORD TO NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH THESE PROJECTS.
I'D LIKE, JOHN, IF YOU DON'T MIND, TO COME UP AND TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.
SO, YOU KNOW, RESPECTFULLY, I UNDERSTAND WHERE THE GOAL IS ON THIS.
WE HEAR THE ITEM AT FERC, WE HEAR FROM JOHN, WE HAVE SOME CONVERSATIONS.
AND IF WE'RE STILL LIKE HAVEN'T COME TO A BETTER PLACE, I THEN THEN MAYBE WE TALK ABOUT A MORATORIUM, I. THIS SCARES ME TO RESPOND TO YOU AND I. AND I APPRECIATE THAT WE'VE BEEN HAVING THIS DISCUSSION, BUT WE HAVEN'T HAD FULLY. WE. THIS CITY COMMISSION HAS BEEN DISCUSSING WATER AND SEWER RATE INCREASES FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW, AND WE HAVEN'T DONE IT BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT THAT THIS WILL HAVE ON THE LIVES OF OUR RESIDENTS.
AND WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE IDEA THAT THAT'S, THAT'S BEING REFERRED TO, TO, TO FINANCE IS THAT IT'S, IT'S ABOUT PRIORITIZING OUR DOLLARS THAT WE ARE ALREADY TAXING OUR RESIDENTS.
IS NOT GOING AND ASKING FOR ANOTHER TAX OR MILLAGE RATE ON OUR ON OUR RESIDENTS AND AND IT'S NOT INCREASING THE WATER RATE ON OUR RESIDENTS. IT'S IT'S ABOUT SAYING WE ARE ALREADY COLLECTING MONEY FROM YOU.
HOW DO WE REPRIORITIZE IT TO THE CRITICAL FUNCTIONS OF OUR MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT? AND, AND I THINK THAT A CITY OF OUR SIZE WITH A $1 BILLION BUDGET SHOULD REALLY BE ABLE TO FUNCTION WITHIN THAT. AND IT MIGHT MEAN THAT FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME, IN ORDER TO PRIORITIZE THE ESSENTIAL BASIC SERVICES OF MUNICIPAL, MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT, WE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME TO FUND SOME, YOU KNOW, EXTRA LUXURIES THAT WE PAY FOR. BUT EVERY, EVERY BUDGET, EVEN HOUSEHOLD BUDGETS DO THAT.
IF YOU REALIZE YOU NEED TO, YOU NEED TO GO IN AND YOU NEED TO FIX YOUR ROOF, OR YOU NEED TO FIX YOUR SEAWALL OR YOU NEED TO YOU NEED TO ADDRESS OTHER, OTHER ISSUES. YOU MIGHT FOREGO THE LUXURY OF GOING OF GOING ON A TRIP.
YOU MIGHT FOREGO YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, GOING OUT TO SPECIAL DINNERS OR WHATEVER.
MAYBE YOU REAP, YOU REPRIORITIZE YOUR BUDGET TO ACCOMMODATE THAT.
[07:40:06]
AND, AND TO ME, THIS IS OUR VERY BASIC RESPONSIBILITY.AND WE SHOULDN'T BE CHARGING OUR RESIDENTS MORE, WHETHER IT BE THROUGH A NEW TAX OR THROUGH A WATER AND SEWER INCREASE WHEN WE ARE ALREADY COLLECTING FROM THEM SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TAXES.
RESPECTFULLY, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT THE REASON WE'RE IN THIS SITUATION IS THAT, AND I CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, ERIC AND JASON IS THAT PREVIOUS COMMISSIONS HAVE NOT DONE THIS, HAVE NOT DONE THIS IN 30 YEARS, AND THAT'S WHY OUR RATES ARE WOEFULLY ANTIQUATED.
IF WE'D BEEN KEEPING UP WITH INFLATION, WE WOULD BE IN A MUCH BETTER POSITION.
WE HAVE NOT DONE THE WORK FOR DECADES. WE ARE AT POINTS OF CRITICAL FAILURE.
AND SO I AGAIN, I COME BACK TO THE FACT THAT WE NEED TO HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS AND FIGURE OUT THE WAYS TO DO IT AND LOOK AT THE, THE ITEM THAT YOU GUYS ARE BRINGING TO FERC AND, AND SEE WHAT EVERYTHING IS GOING TO COST.
BUT TO DO THIS WITH THOSE THREE CHOKE POINTS, 5/7, CRITICAL EMERGENCY OR CONSENT DECREE SEEMS DRACONIAN AND A AND A TERRIBLE PRECEDENT TO SET. AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE JOHN AND ERIC, I'D LIKE TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY IN PRINCIPLE.
AND JOHN, I'D LIKE TO SEE WHERE WE ARE ON THIS I.
I REALLY THINK THIS IS DANGEROUS. AND BEFORE THE CITY MANAGER PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR SPEAKS, YOU KNOW. COMMISSIONER. BHATT YOU BRING UP A GOOD POINT THAT THE PREVIOUS COMMISSION HAS NOT BROUGHT UP? COMMISSIONERS YES. COMMISSIONERS. YOU KNOW, DECADES, RIGHT.
TO A CERTAIN DEGREE, BUT THEY ALSO HAVE NOT PRIORITIZED THEIR SPENDING.
RIGHT. AND, AND I THINK THAT'S THE MORE RESPONSIBLE APPROACH TO HOW TO FUND THESE, THESE PROJECTS.
AND I THINK WHAT COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ IS MORATORIUM IS THERE IS THE THE INTENT IS TO FORCE THE ADMINISTRATION INTO PRIORITIZING AND ALSO US INTO PRIORITIZING. WHERE DO WE SPEND OUR MONEY? I DON'T PARTICULARLY LIKE TRYING TO BORROW MONEY TO SPEND FOR TODAY.
I WOULD RATHER FOCUS ON THE BILLION DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE EVERY DAY THAT WE HAVE EVERY YEAR, AND PRIORITIZING WHERE THAT GOES. AND SIMILAR TO WHAT COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ SAYS, YES, THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME LUXURIES THAT, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE'RE ALL GOING TO HAVE TO FEEL THE PAIN ON. BUT THE CORE TENANTS OF GOVERNMENT, OF JUST BASIC LOCAL GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY, SANITATION INFRASTRUCTURE.
YOU KNOW, WE'RE $1 BILLION BUDGET FOR 80,000 RESIDENTS.
THAT'S LIKE UNHEARD OF. IT'S CRAZY. SO I THINK THIS IS I THINK THIS IS A GOOD I THINK THIS IS A GOOD POSITION TO BE IN WHERE WE ARE NOT ONLY FORCING THE ADMINISTRATION, BUT WE'RE FORCING OURSELVES TO TAKE A DEEP LOOK AND SAY, WHERE DO WE WANT TO PRIORITIZE OUR BILLION DOLLARS EVERY YEAR? AND I FEEL LIKE WE CAN DO THAT WITHOUT THIS DRACONIAN MEASURE THAT ADD TO THAT 5/7 OR A CRITICAL.
AND I AND I WANTED TO FOLLOW UP CONSENT DECREE AND RESPECTFULLY, I WANTED TO FOLLOW UP.
AND I THINK AND I'M NOT GOING TO PUT ANY WORDS IN ANYONE'S MOUTH, BUT THERE IS ANOTHER ITEM ON THIS AGENDA TO ALLOW THE CITY STAFF TO PUT ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WHERE THEY, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY, MR. MANAGER, CAN PUT ON AN ITEM TO SAY, WELL, WE WANT TO INCREASE THE WATER TAXES.
AND I THINK THAT THIS MORATORIUM IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO PREVENT THAT EVEN IF THAT ITEM PASSES.
AND SO I THINK THIS IS A FAILSAFE FOR ANYTHING THAT GETS PASSED TODAY OR IN THE FUTURE UNTIL WE PRIORITIZE OUR SPENDING. SO I'LL LET COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ SPEAK TO THAT.
I AGREE WITH YOU 100, 100% BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, ABSENT US ADOPTING THIS, WE WILL END UP WITH AN ORDINANCE BEFORE THIS BODY TO INCREASE WATER AND SEWER RATES. IF IF THE IF THE OTHER ORDINANCE THAT'S ON THE AGENDA PASSES, I WOULD GIVE CHARTERED OFFICERS IN OUR CITY THE ABILITY TO PLACE AN ORDINANCE ON THE ON THE AGENDA.
AND AS SOMEONE LIKE ALL OF US, WE ALL REPRESENT ELDERLY PEOPLE, PEOPLE WORKING MULTIPLE JOBS PEOPLE FEELING THE STRESS OF, OF, OF THE ECONOMY. THEY CANNOT DEAL WITH ANOTHER INCREASE.
AND I'VE BEEN, AND WE'VE ALL BEEN GETTING THE EMAILS AND I'VE BEEN GETTING THE EMAILS.
THIS GOES DIRECTLY TO PEOPLE'S QUALITY OF LIFE.
[07:45:03]
WE TAKE PRIDE ON THIS COMMISSION TO FOCUS ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR RESIDENTS.BUT FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT WEALTHY IN OUR CITY, FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT RICH, FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT IN MULTI INCOME HOUSEHOLDS EARNING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. THIS WILL GO DIRECTLY TO THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE, TO THEIR ABILITY TO CONTINUE LIVING IN OUR CITY OR TO EVEN AFFORD RENT IN, IN, IN OUR IN OUR CITY AND USING WATER, USING THE SEWER SYSTEM.
IT'S NOT A LUXURY. YOU CAN'T YOU, YOU CAN'T CHOOSE NOT TO USE IT.
AND WE JUST, WE HAVE TO BE JUST INCREDIBLY MINDFUL OF THAT.
YOU MIGHT CHOOSE NOT TO GO TO DINNER. YOU MIGHT CHOOSE NOT TO BUY A NEW CAR.
YEAH. THROUGH THE MAYOR. YEAH. YOU KNOW, I'M GOING TO CALL A TIME OUT BECAUSE I, JOE COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE, HAS ASKED THAT HE WAS NEXT IN ORDER, AND I'VE LET IT GO ON FOR A WHILE.
COMMISSIONER. MAGAZINE. THEN. COMMISSIONER. MATEO- SALINAS. COMMISSIONER. BHATT. THEN LET'S TRY TO GET TO A RESOLUTION ON THIS, BECAUSE WE GOT STILL A LOT OF ITEMS TO GET THROUGH. SO I APPRECIATE THE DEBATE, THE DISCUSSION.
AND I REFUSE TO LET US BE. OKAY. SOUNDS LIKE GOOD EFFORTS.
OH, WE'RE GOING TO FIND MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE. WE ARE NOT.
THESE ARE BIG PROJECTS, AND THEY'RE NOT ONE TIME PROJECTS, RIGHT? YOU CAN'T DO THIS BY SAYING, WELL, WE'RE GOING TO TRY AND SAVE $5 MILLION NEXT YEAR, AND MAYBE NEXT YEAR WE'LL SAVE THREE.
THEY ARE PAID OVER TIME, AND YOU NEED A PREDICTABLE REVENUE STREAM.
THAT IS MUNICIPAL FINANCE 101. SO I WILL IF THIS IS WHAT THE RESIDENTS WANT AND THAT'S THE WILL OF THIS BODY, I WILL VOTE YES ON THIS MORATORIUM, BUT I REFUSE TO BE WISHY WASHY AND TELL PEOPLE, WELL, WE'RE GOING TO DO FIRST STREET. NO WE'RE NOT.
WE ARE NOT. OKAY. SO LET'S BE HONEST WITH PEOPLE.
SO LET'S TAKE THE STUPID CONES THAT ARE THERE PREPARED.
ACTUALLY, I THINK WE HAVE A SEPARATE ORDINANCE FOR THAT. RIGHT. AND JUST BE HONEST.
OKAY. SO WE CAN EXPLORE HOW TO SAVE MONEY AND WE SHOULD BE DOING THAT ALL DAY, EVERY DAY ANYWAY.
BUT CORRECT ME IF I'M WHERE I'M WRONG IN THIS OR ANY OF THIS, BUT LET'S JUST BE HONEST AND SAY IF WE ARE GOING TO FREEZE OUR RATES, THIS IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF DOING SO. WE KNOW THE BENEFIT.
WE'VE ARTICULATED ALL VERY WELL. IT IS SAVING OUR RESIDENTS MONEY THAT THEY NEED TO HAVE.
OKAY. PEOPLE ARE BEING PRESSURED. PEOPLE ARE BEING CRUNCHED.
WE'VE HEARD FROM OUR RESIDENTS LOUD AND CLEAR VIA EMAIL THAT THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT.
OKAY? THEY WANT A PAUSE ON RATES. BUT I WILL NOT TALK OUT BOTH SIDES OF MY MOUTH AND SAY, WELL, DON'T WORRY. WE'RE GOING TO PAUSE THE RATES AND WE'RE GOING TO GO OVER TO MY COMMITTEE, AND WE'RE GOING TO FIND $25 MILLION EVERY YEAR FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS, AND WE'RE GOING TO DO ALL THESE PROJECTS, WE PROMISE YOU. SO, JOHN, LIST OUT THE PROJECTS AND THEIR COSTS.
WE HAVE FUNDING JUST ABOUT THE FUNDING FOR WEST AVENUE PHASE THREE.
BUT THEN I WANT TO GO THROUGH THE PROJECTS THAT ARE UP IN LINE, TALK ABOUT THE SIZE OF THOSE, HOW MUCH THEY ARE, AND THESE ARE THE ONES. TO BE CLEAR, WE DO NOT HAVE FUNDING FOR OR THAT WE'RE GOING TO LOSE OUR GRANT MONEY FOR.
EXCUSE ME. USE THAT. WE HAVE OUR. WE DO NOT HAVE FUNDING FOR.
AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO ESSENTIALLY HAVE ANY ANY CERTAINTY TO GO FORWARD ON THESE, BECAUSE WE CAN'T JUST DO SO WITH THIS HOPE THAT WE'RE GOING TO FIND YEAR OVER YEAR COST EFFICIENCIES.
THAT'S NOT HOW THESE PROJECTS WORK. YOU NEED CERTAINTY IN THE YEARS GOING FORWARD AND A DEDICATED REVENUE STREAM, RIGHT? AND WITHOUT THAT, YOU CAN'T DO THESE PROJECTS.
WE CAN'T DO A MULTI YEAR PROJECT FOR $100 MILLION.
WEST AVENUE WAS $100 MILLION. YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO SAVE THAT IN ONE YEAR.
AND YOU CAN'T START ONE OF THESE PROJECTS UNTIL YOU HAVE A FULL, DEDICATED, FULL REVENUE STREAM.
[07:50:04]
YOU CAN'T SAY, WELL, WE SAVED $10 MILLION THIS YEAR, AND I HOPE FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS WE'LL SAVE $10 MILLION EACH YEAR, BECAUSE THAT'S HOW YOU ESSENTIALLY START A PROJECT IN TWO YEARS INTO IT, YOU HAVE TO ABANDON IT BECAUSE YOU LOSE MONEY.OKAY, SO LET'S AT LEAST HAVE ALL SIDES TO SAY THIS IS WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON AND THAT OUR JOB IS DIFFICULT, RIGHT? IT IS NEVER EASY THAT YOU CAN HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO, RIGHT? SO WE'RE GOING TO SAY, I KNOW I'M GOING TO SAY BECAUSE I'VE HEARD FROM MY RESIDENTS LOUD AND CLEAR, YES, WE'RE GOING TO PAUSE OUR UTILITY RATES, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO SAY, BUT DON'T WORRY, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE.
I THINK IT WAS MY PREDECESSOR THAT SAID, SHAKE THE MONEY TREE AND FIND MONEY TO GO DO FIRST STREET AND THEN FIND MONEY TO GO DO NORMANDY ISLES AND THE OTHER ONES THAT WE HAVE YOU KNOW, IN PLACE AND READY TO TEE UP.
AND THE SECOND THIS IS SOMEWHAT OF A TANGENT I'M GOING ON, I'M JUST GOING TO SAY TO MOVE ON.
THERE'S NO RESPONSE. BUT WE SIT HERE AND RIGHTFULLY SO, BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE IN THIS CITY AND THIS COUNTRY ARE PRESSURED BY COSTS. THERE'S ONE SINGLE COST THAT IMPACTS OUR RESIDENTS TEN TIMES MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE, RIGHT OVER. I THINK HALF OF OUR CITY, OUR RENTERS RENTS HAVE GONE UP TWO THIRDS.
RENTS HAVE GONE UP OVER 100%. WHEN I MOVED INTO THE FLORIDIAN TEN YEARS AGO, A TWO TWO ON THE BAY SIDE WAS $2,500, $2,600. IT'S NOW $6,500. $7,000.
FAMILIES FROM MY DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL GONE. MY FRIENDS.
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GONE. MY DAUGHTER'S MOTHER.
THAT'S THE HARDEST WORKER I'VE EVER MET IN MY LIFE.
CANNOT AFFORD TO LIVE IN THE CITY WHERE HER DAUGHTER IS BEING RAISED AND GOING TO SCHOOL.
BECAUSE WE REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING FOR HOUSING SUPPLY.
ANYTHING. THERE IS ONE SIMPLE WAY TO HELP HOUSING COSTS AND THAT IS FACILITATING HOUSING SUPPLY.
AND WE HAVE FAILED DISGUSTINGLY. ALL OF US. ME.
EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US. WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT, AND WE'LL SIT HERE AND MAKE THESE CHANGES AROUND THE EDGES TO SAVE PEOPLE 2530 BUCKS A MONTH. GREAT PEOPLE NEED EVERY DOLLAR THEY CAN GET.
BUT PEOPLE'S RENTAL COSTS ARE GOING UP. HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS PER MONTH.
SO WE'RE GOING TO PASS THIS. BUT I'M NOT GOING TO WALK OUT OF HERE FEELING GOOD THAT I SAVED EVERYBODY ALL THIS MONEY, BECAUSE I KNOW EVERY SINGLE MONTH PEOPLE'S HOUSING COSTS ARE GOING UP.
AND WE TALK ABOUT IT. I'VE TALKED ABOUT IT FOR TEN YEARS.
WHEN I WAS ON THE PLANNING BOARD, WHEN I WAS IN A NEIGHBORHOOD COMMITTEE.
YES, WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING AND WE DO NOTHING.
AND THAT IS WHAT IS KILLING PEOPLE. THAT IS WHAT IS CAUSING PEOPLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE CITY.
IS IT HURTING PEOPLE AN EXTRA 20 OR 25 BUCKS A MONTH ON UTILITIES? YES, EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS. BUT THAT'S NOT WHY PEOPLE ARE TAKING THEIR CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SCHOOL YEAR TO MOVE OUT OF THE CITY, BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD THE COST OF THEIR NEW LEASE.
AND WE HAVE A VERY CORE DISCUSSION THAT'S IMPORTANT IN FRONT OF US ON THE RATES.
SO I'LL BRING THE SHIP BACK IN AND TALK ABOUT THAT.
SO YES, I'LL BE VOTING IN FAVOR OF THE MORATORIUM.
I WILL ASK FOR COLLEGIAL DISCUSSION ON WHETHER THE VOTE TO UNDO THE MORATORIUM IS BETTER AT 5/7 OR 4/7. I'M NOT STRONG ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
I DO KIND OF FEEL IF YOU HAVE FOUR PEOPLE SITTING THERE AND WILLING TO RAISE THEIR HAND AND VOTE YES, I'M READY TO RAISE YOUR TAXES. THAT'S PROBABLY A HIGH ENOUGH THRESHOLD THAT THAT MIGHT DO THE TRICK, RIGHT? BUT I'M NOT DOGMATIC ABOUT THAT. I'M HAPPY TO HEAR DEBATE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
BUT I DO WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU, JOHN, THAT I WON'T BE WISHY WASHY.
I'M GOING TO OWN THIS DECISION. OKAY. I WILL OWN THIS DECISION.
I'M GOING TO SAY I WILL VOTE FOR THIS RATE MORATORIUM.
[07:55:08]
I'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU BEFORE YOU SPEAK, JOHN COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS ASKED US.I JUST I ACTUALLY WANT TO ECHO YOU KIND OF TOOK THE WORDS OUT OF MY MOUTH, WHICH I APPRECIATE. AND THEN, JOHN, I DO WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU TOO, BECAUSE EVERY TIME WE GET THESE EMAILS THAT THAT SAYS WE DON'T SUPPORT THIS, THE SEWAGE RATE, I WANT TO SAY, WELL, WHICH PROJECT DO YOU WHICH NEIGHBORHOOD ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE THIS OUT OF? WHICH IS IT GOING TO BE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD OR YOUR NEIGHBOR'S NEIGHBORHOOD OR, YOU KNOW, AND IT'S BUT PEOPLE DON'T GET THAT SIDE TO IT, YOU KNOW, AND I, AND I WISH WE COULD BETTER EDUCATE THEM THAT THIS IS THIS IS, YOU KNOW, JOHN, AND I'D ASK YOU FOR A LIST OF ALL THESE PROJECTS.
THIS IS WHAT WE'RE WE CAN'T PAY FOR ARE THESE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.
AND YES, AFFORDABILITY IS AN ISSUE HERE, BUT WE'RE NOT JUST RAISING THE RATES TO RAISE THE RATES.
WE'RE RAISING THEM TO PAY FOR THESE HUGE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT SOME PEOPLE WANT IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. AND WE'VE ALREADY BEEN GETTING SOME EMAILS SAYING, WELL, HOW IS THIS PUMP STATION GOING TO GET IN AND HOW ARE THESE PIPES GOING TO GET REPLACED. AND WE JUST HAD A WATER MAIN BREAK AT DADE AND PRAIRIE, AND WE HAD A SINKHOLE, AND WE DAMAGED $1 MILLION FIRE TRUCK THAT FELL INTO THE SINKHOLE.
AND THE LAST THING THAT I WANT TO POINT OUT, AND JOHN, I WANT YOU TO GO OVER THAT LIST TOO.
IS THAT TO CORRECT THE RECORD? WE DON'T OUR OUR BUDGET DOESN'T SERVICE JUST 80,000 RESIDENTS.
OUR BUDGET ALSO SERVICES THE TOURISTS THAT COME INTO OUR CITY, WHICH AT ANY GIVEN WEEKEND CAN BE 250,000 PEOPLE OR MORE, DEPENDING ON WHAT EVENT IS HAPPENING. I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE IN OUR CITY FOR F1 OR FOR, YOU KNOW, HOW MANY ARE COMING IN FOR FIFA. BUT OUR OUR OUR SANITATION, THEY CLEAN THE STREETS OVER THERE IN THE TOURIST AREAS AND WE HAVE BUSINESSES OVER THERE.
AND SO IT'S NOT OUR BUDGET IS NOT JUST THE 80,000 RESIDENTS THAT LIVE HERE.
IT'S ALSO THE TOURISM THAT ALSO GENERATES REVENUE FROM OUR RESORT TAX DOLLARS.
BUT IT'S, YOU KNOW, WE, WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYONE THAT COMES HERE.
WE NEED POLICE, WE NEED FIRST RESPONDERS TO RESPOND.
WE NEED OUR LIFEGUARDS TO KEEP OUR BEACHES SAFE AND OUR SWIMMERS SAFE.
SO THERE'S A LOT THAT GOES INTO THIS. AND IT'S NOT JUST THE 80,000 RESIDENTS.
IT'S IT COULD BE UP TO A MILLION PEOPLE. COMMISSIONER.
I THINK WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE HOW WE SPEND $1 BILLION.
I DON'T THINK RAISING HAVING A REGRESSIVE TAX DOUBLE OVER THE COURSE OF FIVE YEARS IS RESPONSIBLE, IS A RESPONSIBLE WAY OF GOVERNING FOR PROJECTS THAT NEED TO BE FUNDED THROUGH A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND, SUCH AS A MILLAGE RATE. AND SO. COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE I, AND I KNOW I JUST PUT THIS ON EVERYONE'S DESK TODAY, BUT THAT IF WE CHANGE THE RATE, THE MILLAGE RATE ON THE ON THE CAPITAL.
ON THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND THAT'S PERMANENT.
AND, YOU KNOW, WE COULD POTENTIALLY BOND OUT TO THAT IF WE NEEDED TO, JUST AS IF WE WOULD DO IT FOR A WATER TAX, BUT IT'S MORE PROGRESSIVE BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE FOR PEOPLE THAT IF YOU HAVE A MUCH LARGER PROPERTY, YOU'RE GONNA BE PAYING MORE IN TAXES. IF YOU HAVE MUCH LESS PROPERTY, IT'S GOING TO BE PAYING LESS IN TAXES INSTEAD OF A FEE ACROSS THE BOARD FOR, FOR EVERYONE. AND SO THERE IS A PATH AND I THINK WE CAN, WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT.
LAST YEAR WE HAD $11 MILLION, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED EVERY YEAR TO FILL TO FOR THE NEXT EIGHT YEARS TO FUND ALL OF THESE PROJECTS THAT IS ON THIS LIST. SO I, I JUST WANT TO BRING EVERYONE BACK TO, TO THE, TO THE SAME PLACE. IT'S, IT'S NOT, I THINK THE INTENT OF THIS IS NOT SAYING WE DON'T WANT TO DO THESE PROJECTS.
IT'S IT'S IT'S SAYING TO US AND THE ADMINISTRATION, WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE THE MONEY THAT WE ALREADY HAVE FOR THESE PROJECTS, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE UP SOME LUXURIES THAT WE, WE HAVE TRADITIONALLY LIKED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DECADES THAT MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE TO US, AT LEAST FOR THE NEXT EIGHT YEARS WHILE WE FUND THESE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS. COMMISSIONER SUAREZ, YOU MENTIONED SOMETHING. IT'S SO ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, THE CITY NEEDS TO COME UP WITH ABOUT $15 MILLION.
THAT'S WHAT YOU MENTIONED AROUND AROUND 11. JOHN KNOW, THE DEBT SERVICE ACTUALLY STARTS AROUND 6 MILLION BECAUSE WE WOULD BE ISSUING DEBT OVER TIME, AND IT ENDS AT ABOUT 41 MILLION PER YEAR BY THE YEAR EIGHT POINT OF THESE PROJECTS, OVER THE ANNUALIZED OVER THE NEXT EIGHT YEARS, WHAT IS IT ANNUALIZED OVER THE EIGHT YEARS? I THINK IT AVERAGED OUT TO BE SOMEWHERE AROUND 15 TO $16 MILLION AND A $1 BILLION BUDGET.
[08:00:05]
I THINK IT I THINK IT'S I'D RATHER US REPRIORITIZE 15 MILLION, 16 MILLION IN A $1 BILLION BUDGET THAN ASKING OUR RESIDENTS TO REPRIORITIZE THIS MONEY IN THEIR IN THEIR BUDGETS, BECAUSE SOMEONE IS GOING TO HAVE TO REPRIORITIZE.AND, AND I'D RATHER US, WE HAVE THE MONEY. WE JUST HAVE TO DECIDE IN ORDER TO PRIORITIZE THIS INFRASTRUCTURE WITHIN THE CAPITAL BUDGET AND SHIFT SOME OF THIS MILLAGE FROM OUR GENERAL TO OUR CAPITAL.
OKAY. THEN WHAT IS IT THAT THAT WE CAN'T FUND ON THE GENERAL SIDE IN ORDER TO PRIORITIZE WHAT WE ALL FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT WITHOUT PASSING? PASSING THAT ONTO ONTO OUR OUR RESIDENTS.
COMMISSIONER SUAREZ. I AGREE WITH YOU. WE ALL WANT TO DO THESE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.
I'M SAYING MYSELF THAT LOOKING AT SAVING PEOPLE THIS MONEY VERSUS INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT OUTLINE AND EVEN SPONSOR THIS WHERE I'M SAYING AT THIS POINT IN TIME NOW IT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO SAVE OUR RESIDENTS MONEY.
LET'S HEAR FROM JOHN. JOHN. JOHN NORRIS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.
I REALLY DO APPRECIATE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION.
I'M REALLY HAPPY THAT I'M HERE. MY CONCERN RIGHT NOW IS TIMING.
FRIDAY WE HAD A SIX INCH WATER MAIN BREAK ON 10TH AND EUCLID.
THEY FINISHED AT MIDNIGHT AT 2 A.M. THEY GOT HOME 2 A.M.
THEY GOT DRESSED. THEY CAME BACK FOR A 20 INCH TRANSMISSION MAIN CAST IRON THAT THE SIDE BLEW OUT OF THE HOLE WAS THAT BIG BY 20IN. A FIRE TRUCK FELL IN THE HOLE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FATE OF THE FIRE TRUCK IS.
WE HAD A BIG RAIN EVENT ON SUNDAY. I GOT CALLS FROM MANY COMMISSIONERS ON SUNDAY.
I DID NOT STOP ON MY PHONE FROM 7:00 TO 1 P.M..
RESPONDING TO FLOODING CALLS. IS THE PUMP ON? IS THE PUMP OFF THIS TEMPORARY PUMP THAT WE HAVE SITTING HERE? WHY DO WE HAVE IT HERE? I DON'T WANT IT IN MY YARD.
WAIT, WE'RE FLOODING BACK HERE. THESE ARE THE CONVERSATIONS THAT I'M HAVING ON SUNDAY.
I CAN'T TELL THE RESIDENTS WE HAVE A SOLUTION ANYMORE? I CAN'T DO IT. THE ONLY RESPONSE THAT I HAVE FOR THE RESIDENTS IS WE DON'T HAVE FUNDING.
SO THEN SUNDAY EVENING WE HAD AN INCIDENT ON NORTH BAY ROAD.
THE GRAVITY SEWER MAINS WERE BACKED UP. ONCE AGAIN, OUR CREWS LEFT.
THEIR HOMES CAME IN. IT WAS NOT A CLOG. NO SEWER WASN'T CLOGGED.
IT WAS SURCHARGED. IT WAS SURCHARGED BECAUSE IT IS AN AGING LINE THAT GETS INFILTRATION AND INFLOW, THAT FILLS WITH GROUNDWATER AND RAINWATER. SO WHAT DID OUR GUYS DO? THEY PULLED ALL THAT WATER TO THE PUMP STATION TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE SEWAGE TO GO FROM THOSE HOUSES ON NORTH BAY INTO THAT GRAVITY LINE. THEY'RE JUST MAKING SPACE IN THE LINE TEMPORARILY.
SO THEY GET HOME. THEY WAKE UP MONDAY MORNING.
NOTHING. MONDAY AND TUESDAY. WEDNESDAY, 12 INCH WATER MAIN BREAK AT NORTH LINCOLN.
AND JOHN, LET ME STOP YOU THERE FOR A SECOND BECAUSE I GET WHAT YOU'RE SAYING RIGHT.
AND RESPECTFULLY, WE UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE AGING INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT THAT'S NOT THE DEBATE HERE.
WE'RE NOT HERE TELLING YOU THAT WE'RE NOT WE DON'T TAKE THESE CONCERNS SERIOUSLY.
WHAT WE'RE DEBATING IS PRIORITIZATION. WHERE ARE WE GOING TO GET THIS MONEY? I DON'T WANT TO GET I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO DOUBLE THE WATER RATES IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TO PAY FOR THESE.
WHEN I BELIEVE THE THESE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS SHOULD BE PAID THROUGH OUR MILLAGE OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, WHERE WE CAN HAVE TO FOREGO SOME OF THE THE MILLAGE ON A GENERAL OPERATING FUND, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE CUTS.
BUT MY POINT WAS TIMING IS IMPORTANT HERE. AND WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS PUSHING THIS WATER RATE IS GOING TO DOUBLE IN FIVE YEARS. SO WHAT AT LEAST WHAT I'M PROPOSING CAN BE CAN, CAN BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER THROUGH THROUGH COMMITTEE
[08:05:09]
AND, AND 1 OR 2 READINGS. IF WITH WHAT YOU'RE PROPOSING, WITH THE WATER RATE INCREASE, THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN OVER THE COURSE OF FIVE YEARS.SO IT'S NOT LIKE IF WE PASS THIS, THINGS ARE AUTOMATICALLY GOING TO BE FIXED TOMORROW.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME.
AND WE'RE STRUGGLING WITH HOW DO WE TAX THE RESIDENTS FOR THIS? OR DO WE TAX THE RESIDENTS ON THIS AT ALL? OR DO WE PRIORITIZE WHERE OUR FUNDING IS? SO IT'S REALLY EASY TO SAY AND LET US KNOW ABOUT ALL OF THESE ISSUES ABOUT CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES FAILING ACROSS OUR CITY.
IT'S VERY EASY TO, TO, TO DO THAT. WE'RE WE'RE PUT IN THE HARD POSITION OF WHERE DO WE FIND THE MONEY? AND AGAIN, WE UNDERSTAND THE TIMING ISSUE. BUT EVEN IF WE WERE TO PASS THIS INCREASE IN IN WATER BILLS THAT ARE GOING TO DOUBLE, IT'S NOT LIKE MAGICALLY IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TOMORROW THAT EVERYTHING GETS FIXED.
IT STILL TAKES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME. SO, YOU KNOW, RESPECTFULLY, WE'RE, I MEAN, I, I, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO PASS THIS REFERRAL.
OKAY. IT'S GOING TO GO TO THE COMMISSION. I, I WOULD LIKE EVERYONE AT THE COMMISSION, I WOULD LIKE EVERYONE AT THIS COMMISSION TO BE PRESENT AT THAT FINANCE MEETING SO THAT WE CAN REALLY DISCUSS THIS AND HOPEFULLY FAST TRACK A SOLUTION TO THIS THAT DOESN'T REQUIRE A DOUBLING OF A REGRESSIVE TAX. AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN I DO THE MATH, IT'S $106 MILLION OVER THE COURSE OF EIGHT YEARS.
BUT YOU GOT TO SUBTRACT THE THE CPI, WHICH IS 18 MILLION.
SO THE DELTA IS 88 MILLION. 88 DIVIDED BY BY EIGHT IS 11.
SO WE NEED $11 MILLION EVERY YEAR FOR THE NEXT EIGHT YEARS.
AND I THINK WE CAN DO THAT. I THINK THAT'S VERY POSSIBLE TO DO THAT THROUGH A MILLAGE RATE CHANGE.
WE GET IT. THERE'S IT'S AN OLD IT'S OLD INFRASTRUCTURE.
BUT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO FIND A WAY SOON TO DO THIS WHERE WE THINK IT'S MUCH MORE EQUITABLE AND, AND RESPONSIBLE. COMMISSIONER. BHATT. THEN ERIC WANTS TO SPEAK AND LET'S BRING THIS HOME FOR ATLANTA.
I WOULD LIKE, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO MY COLLEAGUES, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO EXPLAIN THE COSTS OF EACH PROJECT AND JASON, FOR YOU TO TELL US IF WE SOMEHOW ACTUALLY HAVE THE MONEY IN OUR BUDGET.
AND I AM VERY EXCITED TO GO TO THE FIRST MEETING AND HEAR ABOUT HOW THIS CAN WORK.
AND I WILL TELL YOU WHAT'S MORE EXPENSIVE THAN A $12 RATE INCREASE.
IT'S GETTING A NEW PICKUP TRUCK BECAUSE YOUR TRUCK THAT YOU RELY ON TO GO TO WORK AND TO BRING YOUR KIDS TO SCHOOL, AND TO PICK YOUR MOTHER UP FROM HER ADULT DAYCARE BECAUSE SHE NEEDS HELP, HAS NOW FALLEN INTO A SEWAGE SINKHOLE, LIKE WHAT HAPPENED IN NORTH BEACH A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
SO, JOHN, IF YOU COULD PLEASE. AND JASON, IF YOU COULD.
JOHN, GO THROUGH THE LIST. AND ALSO PLEASE LET US KNOW IF THERE'S GRANT MONEY THAT'S AT RISK.
AND JASON, IF YOU COULD ALSO JUST GIVE US, YOU KNOW WHAT, THE MONEY.
I DON'T THINK WE HAVE THE MONEY AT THE MOMENT, SO I'M NOT SURE THAT I WOULD LIKE THAT CORRECTED FOR THE RECORD BECAUSE I'M NOT THE EXPERT ON THIS. YOU GUYS ARE. PJ COULD YOU PUT THE PRESENTATION UP THE ONE PAGE.
THANK YOU. SO COMMISSIONERS YOU ALL HAVE A COPY OF THIS? THIS IS A LIST FROM MOST EXPENSIVE TO LEAST EXPENSIVE.
AND YOU CAN SEE THE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ARE UP AT THE TOP.
YEAH. NO ONE'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO READ THIS. AND MY POINT ON WHAT I SAID IS WE DON'T HAVE ANSWERS FOR THE RESIDENTS IF WE DON'T HAVE A PLAN MOVING FORWARD.
AND I GO OUT TO MANY RESIDENTS HOMES AND I TELL THEM, WE'VE GOT THIS PROJECT, IT'S GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS. AND WITHOUT A FUNDING MECHANISM FOR THESE PROJECTS, WE NO LONGER HAVE THOSE ANSWERS.
[08:10:01]
JEN, DO WE HAVE FUNDING FOR ANY OF THESE? I JUST NOTICED WEST AVENUE PHASE THREE.I SEE THE COST, BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF FUNDING FOR THAT ALREADY.
WE DO. AND WE'RE NOT SURE VERY MUCH ON WEST AVENUE PHASE THREE.
BUT I THINK IF WE DON'T HAVE A RATE INCREASE OR A FUNDING MECHANISM MOVING FORWARD, WE NEED TO REASSESS WHAT FUNDING WE HAVE ALLOCATED TO CERTAIN PROJECTS BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO BE RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES CONSTANTLY, AND EMERGENCIES ARE MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE THAN PLANNED PROJECTS.
SO WE REALLY NEED TO RECONSIDER WHAT OUR CONTINGENCY AND WHAT OUR RESERVE IS IF WE DON'T HAVE FUNDING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THESE PROJECTS, WHAT IS THE GRAND TOTAL OF THIS? I BELIEVE OVER THE I KNOW OVER THE I THINK THE EIGHT YEAR PROGRAM, 27 THROUGH 34, IT'S ABOUT $1 BILLION BETWEEN WATER, SEWER AND STORM WATER, TOTAL CAPITAL NEEDS.
SO IT'S NOT A FULL $1 BILLION WOULD NEED TO BE BORROWED.
BUT WE WOULD OBVIOUSLY HAVE TO RELOOK AT THE MODEL IF WE'RE GOING TO GO IN A DIFFERENT AVENUE. I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT IDEAS THAT ARE PUT OUT HERE, AND I THINK THERE'LL BE A ROBUST DISCUSSION WHEN IT GOES TO FINANCE.
AND I THINK JUST TO JUST TO RESTATE, BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW QUESTIONS, WHERE IS IT LEGAL TO DO THIS FROM A GENERAL FUND PERSPECTIVE AND A GEO BOND? YES. THE ANSWER IS ABSOLUTELY. IS IT UNCOMMON? YES, BUT IT'S NOT UNHEARD OF. I THINK CITY. CAN I STOP YOU THERE? I GUESS STRUCTURALLY THESE PROJECTS, YOU DON'T PAY FOR THEM ONE YEAR.
SO CONFIRM MY THINKING OR TELL ME WHERE I'M OFF.
AND I THINK COMMISSIONER SUAREZ IS A IT'S A GOOD, IT'S A GOOD, IT'S THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU COULD EVEN GO FORWARD IN THESE PROJECTS. IF I'M UNDERSTANDING YOUR PROPOSAL, RIGHT, IS YOU ACTUALLY TAKE THE MILLAGE THAT'S DEDICATED TO THE GENERAL FUND, WHICH IS HOW MUCH ROUGHLY WHAT'S THE TOTAL? OUR TOTAL MILLAGE IS FIVE EIGHT, I THINK, OR SIX.
SO YOU HAVE DEDICATED FUNDING IN THE STORMWATER WASTEWATER UTILITY PROJECT.
THEN OUR PROBLEM, BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN GO FORWARD WITH THESE PROJECTS.
YOU CANNOT DO IT WITH THIS PROMISE THAT EACH YEAR WE'RE GOING TO SAVE YOU $10 MILLION, RIGHT? YOU NEED A DEDICATED RECURRING REVENUE STREAM OVER THE COURSE OF EIGHT YEARS, NOT JUST A PROMISE THAT WE'RE GOING TO TRY AND FIND EFFICIENCIES EACH YEAR. SO THE ONLY WAY IT WOULD WORK IS IF WE TAKE MILLAGE FROM A GENERAL FUND AND PUT IT DEDICATED INTO THE STORMWATER WASTEWATER, THAT PROVIDES ANOTHER SET OF PROBLEMS FOR US, RIGHT? YES. WE ARE ABLE TO THEN WITH A LITTLE MORE CERTAINTY, GO FORWARD WITH THESE.
SO, AND THEN JUST AND I WANT TO EXPAND UPON THAT.
AND I'M, AND I WANT TO LET MY COLLEAGUES KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, WE ALL PASS THE ROLLBACK RATE, RIGHT. I'M EVEN WILLING TO SAY WE ARE I LOOK, IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE COULD PASS THE ROLLBACK RATE.
WE DON'T PASS ANY MORE TAXES ON WATER INCREASES AND AND EVERYTHING STAYS THE SAME.
BUT IT'S NOT UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S NOT THE WORLD WE LIVE IN.
I THINK A GOOD MIDDLE GROUND IS TO SAY INSTEAD OF 25 MILLION, WE'LL DO 15 BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT'S AROUND 11 THAT CAPITAL NEEDS AND THEN FOUR IS GOING TO BE WE'RE STILL GOING TO LOWER TAXES AS 4 MILLION LESS THAN WE WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE.
AND THAT WAY WE CAN TELL THE RESIDENTS WE'RE PRIORITIZING OUR CITY FUND, OUR CITY BUDGET FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. AND WE'RE STILL GOING TO LOWER YOUR MILLAGE RATE JUST A BIT SO THAT YOU'RE NOT PAYING EXTRA ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE PAID NORMALLY. SO BECAUSE I DON'T THINK IT'S I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE IMPOSSIBLE TO LOWER THE TO LOWER TO HAVE PASSED THE ROLLBACK RATE AND DO ANOTHER CUT FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND.
SO THERE'S MANY WAYS TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM. AND, AND COMMISSIONER.
[08:15:01]
MAGAZINE ON IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO, TO, TO REALLY DO THAT BECAUSE IT'S CERTAIN THERE'S A CERTAIN, THERE'S CERTAINTY IN IT. AND AS FAR AS FUNDING AND IT'S AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S, IT'S JUST $11 MILLION.I GOT TO BRING THIS HOME FOR A VOTE. I THINK I THINK THE VOTES ARE CLEAR. WE'RE GOING WE'RE GOING TO BE SPEAKING AT FINANCE ABOUT THIS AT LENGTH. YEAH, I JUST, I JUST, I'VE BEEN WAITING PATIENTLY TO WEIGH IN ON THIS, BUT I THINK WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT, AND I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN SAID ON THE DAIS SO FAR THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT WAYS TO TIGHTEN OUR BELT.
THAT'S INCUMBENT UPON US. WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THAT AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS THIS YEAR.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY'S OF THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE A CHUNK OF MONEY, BUT THAT CHUNK OF MONEY IS NOT GOING TO REPLACE THE MONEY THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AS THIS.
AND SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A MISALIGNMENT BETWEEN EXPECTATIONS OF DELIVERY AND REVENUE STREAMS, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FILL THAT GAP.
BECAUSE WHAT BONDING DOES IS IT GIVES US DOLLARS TODAY THAT WE'RE THEN ABLE TO PAY BACK OVER TIME AS OPPOSED TO IF I HAD TRIED TO BUY MY HOUSE ON A CASH FLOW BASIS, I WOULDN'T BE IN MY HOUSE TODAY AND MY HOUSE WOULD IS DOUBLE WHAT IT WAS WHEN I BOUGHT IT TEN YEARS AGO. SO IF WE TRY TO CASH FLOW FUND EVERYTHING, IT IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK.
WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS THE THINGS WE HAVE TO FUND, HAVE TO BUILD.
I DON'T THINK WE'RE PREPARED TODAY TO SAY DEFINITIVELY THIS IS HAVE TO HAVE.
BUT THIS ISN'T. I THINK WE'VE DONE THE PRIORITIZATION PROCESS FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS BECAUSE EVERY TIME WE GOT TO THIS POINT, IT WAS GO BACK AND REPRIORITIZE FROM 2016. THAT'S THE LAST TIME THAT WE ACTUALLY MOVED FORWARD ON A BOND ISSUE AND REALLY MOVED ON SOME OF THESE CAPITAL PROJECTS.
SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ALL HAVE ALIGNMENT ON WHAT IT IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO PUT IN THE GROUND, AND THEN WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE FILL THAT FUNDING GAP.
OKAY. I KNOW WE ALL HAVE. IT'S NOT AN $11 MILLION LIKE THAT.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE BECAUSE THAT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING WE COULD FIGURE OUT EASILY. BUT THAT'S NOT THE THAT'S NOT THE AMOUNT. I'LL BE VERY QUICK, QUICK ON THAT. BUT BY THE WAY, BY THE WAY, I JUST WANT, YOU KNOW, I HAVE A LOT OF COMMENTS TO MAKE TO I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE THEM. I'M GOING TO RESERVE THEM FOR THIS FINANCE MEETING BECAUSE WE, WE, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY MORE INFORMATION THAT CAN BE SAID TODAY THAT HASN'T BEEN ENCAPSULATED IN DOCUMENT. BUT JASON, I'LL GIVE YOU THE LAST WORD AND THEN WE'LL VOTE. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR. JUST. YEAH. SO AGAIN, $1 BILLION OVER EIGHT YEARS.
AND IF IT'S A PAYGO BASIS, IT'S THE THE CASH NEEDS BASED ON THE PRIORITIZATION AND THE PHASING OF PROJECTS RANGE FROM ANYWHERE FROM YEAR ONE TO LIKE 80 MILLION TO 220 MILLION. SO IT'S NOT 11 MILLION. THEY'RE BIG NUMBERS THAT ARE NEEDED ON ANNUAL BASIS.
AND WE'VE GONE THROUGH THAT CONCEPT DISCUSSION ABOUT INTERGENERATIONAL EQUITY. AND WHILE YOU BOND THINGS OUT FOR PROJECTS THAT GIVE VALUE OVER LONG PERIODS OF TIME, MULTIPLE GENERATIONS, Y BONDS ALWAYS MAKE SENSE.
SO BUT ABSOLUTELY, WE COULD USE GENERAL FUND DOLLARS.
IT WOULD BE ADDING TO THE GEO BOND MILLAGE RATE, WHICH WHICH WE HAVE.
AND THAT COULD BE A COMMISSION PRIORITY EVERY YEAR. AND SAY IF WE HAD TO ADD 0.25 MILLS TO COVER THE DEBT SERVICE FOR THIS NEW GEO BOND, LET'S HAVE A GOAL OF LOWERING THE OPERATING MILLAGE BY THAT AMOUNT.
SO THAT'S SOMETHING ON AN ANNUAL BASIS THAT WE'LL DISCUSS THAT AT THE NEXT MEETING.
AND WE CAN WE CAN GET THERE WITHOUT HAVING TO RAISE THE RATES.
BUT YES, LET'S VOTE ON THIS. WE HAVE TWO SEPARATE ITEMS. CORRECT.
AND I DON'T HAVE A MOTION. I'LL MOVE IT. SO I'LL MOVE BOTH OF THEM.
ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. OKAY. C7AI THE MORATORIUM.
AYE HI. ANYONE OPPOSED? OPPOSED. SO I HEARD OPPOSED BY COMMISSIONER, BUT OPPOSED BY COMMISSIONER.
MATEO- SALINAS. IS THAT CORRECT? AND COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ.
SO THREE NOES AND FOUR YESES. I MEAN, MY VOTES ARE NO FOR COMMISSIONER BHATT.
NO FOR COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ. YES, MY COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ.
NO. BY. COMMISSIONER. MATEO- SALINAS. YES. MY COMMISSIONER.
MAGAZINE. YES. MY COMMISSIONER. SUAREZ. AND YES.
[08:20:02]
FERNANDEZ ON THE REFERRAL. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.AYE. ANY OPPOSED? HEARING NONE. THE REFERRAL IS APPROVED SEVEN ZERO.
THAT WAS ITEM C 40. OKAY. THANK YOU. MUCH WORK TO BE DONE. C TO D. C TO D R AWARD. RFQ 2026 119 WG BYRON CARLYLE CULTURAL
[C2 D A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER, PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) NO. 2026-119-WG FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE BYRON CARLYLE CULTURAL CENTER WITH WORKFORCE HOUSING; AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATION TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH STANTEC ARCHITECTURE INC., AS THE TOP-RANKED PROPOSER; FURTHER, IF THE ADMINISTRATION IS NOT SUCCESSFUL IN NEGOTIATING AN AGREEMENT WITH STANTEC ARCHITECTURE INC., AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATION TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH BROOKS SCARPA HUBER ARCHITECTS, INC., AS THE SECOND-RANKED PROPOSER; FURTHER, IF THE ADMINISTRATION IS NOT SUCCESSFUL IN NEGOTIATING AN AGREEMENT WITH BROOKS SCARPA HUBER ARCHITECTS, INC., AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATION TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH JOSEPH B. KALLER & ASSOCIATES, LLC DBA KALLER ARCHITECTURE, AS THE THIRD-RANKED PROPOSER; AND FURTHER, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT UPON CONCLUSION OF SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS BY THE ADMINISTRATION. (PARKS, FACILITIES, FLEET, AND BEACHES)]
CENTER. WORKFORCE. HOUSING. IT WAS SEPARATED BY TWO INDIVIDUALS COMMISSIONER BHATT AND COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS C 2D. COMMISSIONER. MATEO- SALINAS. YOU PULLED THIS ITEM? I. HI, CHRISTIE. HI. I HAD SOME ISSUES WITH THIS, AND I WANTED TO UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT HOW THIS WAS RATED WHEN IT WENT BACK TO THE COMMITTEE, AND I COULDN'T READ IN THE, IN THE MEMO WHAT THE SCORING WAS AND HOW THAT WORKED OUT.BUT I KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME ISSUES WITH THIS AWARD AND I'D LIKE TO REVISIT IT A LITTLE BIT HERE. SURE. SO TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION THE RFQ CONTEMPLATED IF A SHORT LIST WAS APPROVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION, WHICH IT WAS APPROVED IN APRIL, THAT WHEN THE COMMITTEE WOULD RECONVENE TO REEVALUATE THE PROPOSALS, IT WOULD BE BASED ON THE SAME CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE RFQ.
AND WHAT WERE SOME OF THE CRITERIA THAT WERE USED.
SO SOME OF THE CRITERIA WAS THE EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS OF THE PROPOSING FIRM AND TEAM.
THIS INCLUDES THE FIRM THAT WAS THE BIDDER, THE PRIME PROPOSER.
IT ALSO INCLUDES ANY OTHER KEY TEAM MEMBERS. AND THEN THE NEXT CRITERIA WAS FOR THE FINANCIAL ANALYSIS FIRM THAT WAS PART OF THE TEAM. SO IT WAS EVALUATING THEIR EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS.
THEN IT WAS ALSO A THEIR BEST PRACTICES. SO THE SECTIONS I'M GOING THROUGH IS THE TAB OF THEIR PROPOSALS, WHICH IS THE INFORMATION THAT THEY INCLUDED FOR THE COMMITTEE TO EVALUATE BEST PRACTICES.
AND THEN THE NEXT TAB WAS THEIR APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY THAT THEY'VE USED ON PRIOR ENGAGEMENTS TO ACCOMPLISH SIMILAR SCOPE OF WORK AND PROJECTS SIMILAR TO WHAT THE CITY WAS LOOKING FOR. AND, AND IT, AND APPARENTLY THE FIRST PLACE.
IN THE SECOND PLACE, THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE OF ONE VOTE OR ONE POINT.
SO THE RANKING I'M IN, THE FINAL EVALUATION COMMITTEE WAS A.
IT TAKES THE LOW AGGREGATE SCORES. SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS EACH INDIVIDUAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS RANKING.
SO FOR EXAMPLE, IF I WAS A COMMITTEE MEMBER AND I RANKED VENDOR A A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF POINTS, BUT THEY WERE MY FIRST RANKED AND VENDOR B, A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF POINTS THAT WERE MY SECOND RANKED. AND THEN THE NEXT WOULD BE MY THIRD RANKED.
WE TOTAL THE RANKING OF THE VENDORS OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
AND SO THE FINAL WAS 13 LOW AGGREGATE FOR BROOKS SCARPA.
THEY LANDED IN SECOND PLACE. SECOND RANKED KELLER WAS A LOW AGGREGATE OF 17 POINTS.
THEY. THEIR RANK WAS THIRD PLACE AND STANTEC WAS 12 LOW AGGREGATE POINTS.
SO THEY WERE RANKED FIRST. OKAY, SO THE LOWER THE AGGREGATE, THE HIGHER THE BETTER THE RANK.
SO THE LOWER THE AGGREGATE, THE FIRST RANK AND SO ON.
AND THE FIRST RANK, WHERE ARE THEY BASED OUT OF.
GIVE ME ONE SECOND. SO STANTEC AND THEY GROUP TOGETHER WITH MVRDV. THEY ARE. IN THE STATE OF.
THEY HAVE A LOCAL MIAMI ADDRESS, BUT THEIR HEADQUARTERS ARE OUT OF DENVER, COLORADO.
BUT THEY DO HAVE A MIAMI OFFICE AND THEY DO HAVE SOUTH FLORIDA PRESENCE.
[08:25:09]
AND THEY ARE. THEY HAVE SEVERAL LOCATIONS FROM WHAT I SEE HERE FORT LAUDERDALE, MIAMI, LOS ANGELES TRYING TO GET TO THEIR QUESTIONNAIRE SO I CAN GIVE YOU THEIR.THEY DO HAVE LOCAL PRESENCE ALSO. SO WHAT I'M.
WHAT I'M UNDERSTANDING. I'VE HAD A COUPLE RESIDENTS REACH OUT THAT WERE A BIT DISAPPOINTED THAT THE, THE FIRST PLACE BECAUSE I GUESS THEY'RE NOT BASED HERE THE FIRST PLACE, BUT THE SECOND PLACE IS.
SO I JUST WANT TO REVISIT THIS A LITTLE BIT MORE AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO HERE.
IT'S A SHAME THAT IT'S IN THIS IN THIS CURRENT STATE.
NORTH BEACH DESERVES AND NEEDS A FIRST RUN MOVIE SCREEN THEATER AND A CULTURAL ARTS CENTER.
AND COMMISSIONER BHATT AND I HAVE HAD SUNSHINE MEETINGS WHERE WE'RE GOING TO HOPEFULLY DO BOTH.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IF THE FIRM IS APPROVED, THEY WILL COME BACK WITH A DESIGN CONTRACT IN JUNE OR JULY FOR APPROXIMATELY 2.6 MILLION. IS THAT CORRECT? SO THE ESTIMATED DESIGN FEE FOR THE BUDGET FOR THE DESIGN FEE IS ABOUT 2.6.
CORRECT. YEAH. AND SO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I'D LIKE TO HAVE ANSWERED, AND MAYBE THIS IS WHY I THINK WE'RE PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE IS, FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, WE HAD MANY DISCUSSIONS ON HOW THIS IS GOING TO BE, HOW THIS IS GOING TO BE FUNDED ON A OPERATING BASIS.
AND I BELIEVE THE IDEA IS HOUSING UNITS WHERE RENT PAYMENTS ARE GOING TO OFFSET THE COST OF THE CULTURAL ARTS CENTER, WHICH IS OPERATIONAL COSTS, OPERATIONAL COSTS, WHICH I'M IN FAVOR OF.
I'D STILL LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THAT MODEL LOOKS LIKE BEFORE WE HAVE A DESIGN OF IT, BECAUSE I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T. HOW MANY UNITS IS THAT? IS IT 100 UNITS? IS IT 200 UNITS? AND HOW DO WE TELL THAT TO THE DESIGN FIRM BEFORE THEY START? HOW DO WE TELL THAT TO THE DESIGN FIRM WHEN WE DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT OURSELVES? AND WE'RE ASKING THEM TO COME UP WITH A DESIGN FOR POTENTIALLY A CERTAIN HEIGHT AND A SIZE YOU KNOW, A SCALE. SO WITHOUT HAVING SORT OF THAT BASIC INFORMATION, HOW ARE WE GOING TO TELL THE DESIGN FIRM TO DESIGN SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW THE ECONOMICS? AND LOOK, I THINK THAT'S SOME UNANSWERED QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE ANSWERED BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD WITH SOMETHING THAT'S $2.5 MILLION. AND AGAIN, I'M NOT AGAINST THIS.
I'M NOT TRYING TO SLOW IT DOWN. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE SET UP FOR SUCCESS ON THIS.
ERIC. CORRECT ME. DANIEL. CORRECT ME. WE LITERALLY WANTED TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION ABOUT A YEAR AGO, AND WE WERE PRECLUDED FROM HAVING THAT CONVERSATION FOR VERY MANY REASONS, WHICH I'M NOT GOING TO DREDGE UP HERE NOW.
AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH THE AWARD WINNER OF THIS RFQ AS PART OF WHAT THE NEXT STEP IS. SO IT WILL BE PART OF THE PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION.
THERE IS NO DESIGN FOR THIS PROJECT YET. IT HAS NOT BEEN DESIGNED YET.
THIS IS AN AWARDED AN AWARDING OF QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE TEAM THAT WE ARE GOING TO USE TO DESIGN AND DEVELOP AND CONSTRUCT THIS PROJECT. WE ARE ALREADY A SOLID YEAR LATER THAN WE HAD PLANNED TO BE, THAN WE THOUGHT WE WOULD BE, THAN WE SHOULD BE ARGUABLY MORE. I ACTUALLY YOU'RE NOT WRONG IN WANTING TO HAVE THOSE ANSWERS, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. THAT'S THE NEXT CONVERSATION WITH THE PEOPLE WHO GET THIS AWARD.
[08:30:07]
ESPECIALLY IN THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, I CERTAINLY WOULD LIKE THOSE QUESTIONS ANSWERED. BUT WE HAVE TO PAY THEM TO BE OUR PARTNER TO CREATE THE TEMP WE'RE HIRING.I THOUGHT THIS WAS TO JUST APPROVE THEM SO THAT THEY CAN COME BACK WITH A WITH WITH A NO.
THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CONSULTANT TO GIVE US THE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTION.
THIS IS WE ARE NOW HIRING THESE PEOPLE TO WORK WITH US TO GET TO THE FINISHED PRODUCT.
IS THAT CORRECT? OKAY. WHICH INCLUDES THE TEMPLATE OF WHAT? HOW MANY UNITS? AT WHAT PRICE DO WE TAKE THE SEVENTH FLOOR. AND THAT'S ALL MARKET RATE PRICE BECAUSE IT'S GOT THE BEST VIEW THAT ALL IS GOING TO BE THE VERY NEXT CONVERSATION AFTER THE CONTRACT IS AWARDED. THIS TODAY IS ABOUT AWARDING THE CONTRACT AND THE THREE PEOPLE WHO ARE SHORTLISTED BECAUSE THEY WERE IN A DEAD TIE. WE WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION LAST MONTH, BUT THE THREE TOP RESPONDENTS WERE IN A DEAD TIE.
AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO GET AWARDED TODAY.
IF WE DON'T AWARD THE CONTRACT AND THEN FINALIZE THE CONTRACT AND THEN START THE WORK.
AND ONE OF THE PRELIMINARY THINGS THAT WE WILL BE STARTING THE WORK IS HOW DO WE DESIGN WHAT WE WANT, AND HOW DO WE PUT ALL THE PIECES TOGETHER AND NOT TO BE, YOU KNOW, MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK, BUT HOW DO THESE DO THESE DESIGN FIRMS UNDERSTAND THAT THE HOUSING COMPONENT IS A BIG PART OF THIS PROJECT? WHERE IT WAS IT WAS MADE CRYSTAL CLEAR. CORRECT.
SO WAS THAT PART OF THE PROCESS THEN OF THE OF THE QUALIFICATION PROCESS FOR THESE.
CORRECT. THEY WERE ADVISED THAT THAT WAS ONE OF THE INTERESTS OF THE CITY.
BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS I THOUGHT WE WANTED STAFF TO ALSO DO THAT ANALYSIS.
CORRECT. BECAUSE I REMEMBER COMMISSIONER MAGAZINE SAYING HE BELIEVES IN DANIEL TO DO THAT ANALYSIS FOR US, RIGHT? I MEAN, THAT'S WHAT YOU GET PAID FOR. SO I THAT WAS IN THE CONFINES OF THE CONSULTANT DISCUSSION.
THAT WAS WHAT THE CONSULTANT DISCUSSION. WHEN WE'RE DEBATING THE VALUE OF HAVING THE CONSULTANT DO THAT WORK, HE WAS SUGGESTING THAT STAFF SHOULD DO THAT. AND THEN THE COMPROMISE WAS TO HIRE THE DESIGN FIRM AND HAVE THE DESIGN FIRM WORK WITH US ON THAT CONCEPT.
BUT WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, BECAUSE THERE ARE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.
BUT THAT SHIP HAS SAILED, AND THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE NOW, AND WE CANNOT GET THOSE QUESTIONS DONE WITHOUT AWARDING THIS CONTRACT, WHICH WE SHOULD HAVE AWARDED LAST MONTH. BUT WE DIDN'T BECAUSE WE HAD THREE TOP CONTENDERS.
THREE VERY QUALIFIED FIRMS. AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE RECOMMENDATION THAT HAS BEEN PUT FORTH AMONG THE THREE TOP FIRMS WHO ARE EFFECTIVELY EQUIVALENT, FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES.
WELL, THAT BRINGS THAT KIND OF TIES INTO WHAT WE WERE JUST ABOUT TO TALK ABOUT, IS APPARENTLY THESE DESIGN FIRMS TOOK INTO CONSIDERATION THESE QUESTIONS AS FAR AS HOUSING AND THE ECONOMICS OF IT.
DID THAT PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE IN YOUR SELECTION? THEY PROVIDED ALL THEIR EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS.
THIS WAS A REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS, SO THEY PROVIDED THEIR EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS RELATED TO THE EITHER WORKFORCE, HOUSING OR CULTURAL COMPONENT. SO THEY PROVIDED THE IN THEIR PROPOSALS, WHETHER THEY WERE AGAIN THE PROPOSER, THE DESIGN FIRM, THEY PROVIDED ANY PROJECTS THAT THEY MAY HAVE WORKED ON THAT WERE RELATABLE TO WHAT THE CITY IS REQUESTING.
SO ALL OF THAT WAS REVIEWED BY THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE.
SO WE'RE BACK ON THE TOPIC OF THE QUALIFICATIONS, RIGHT? YEAH. OKAY. SO FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES, THESE FIRMS ARE EFFECTIVELY THE SAME.
MINOR MINOR DISCREPANCIES OF SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT THIS WAS BETTER.
SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT WAS BETTER. I WOULD RESPECTFULLY SUGGEST THAT, GIVEN THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROJECT THAT I WAS INVOLVED WITH SINCE 2018, THAT THE THAT HAS AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERN.
AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH IT FOR A LONG TIME ARE PART OF ONE OF THE BIDDING TEAMS. I WOULD LIKE TO RESPECTFULLY SUGGEST THAT THE PERSON THAT THE TEAM THAT GETS THE AWARD, BECAUSE THEY'RE THE TOP THREE WERE EFFECTIVELY THE SAME ACTUALLY GOES TO BROOKS SCARPA BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED.
[08:35:07]
GIVEN THEIR SENSITIVITY TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, FOR THE HISTORY OF HOW WE'VE GOTTEN HERE, AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THAT MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT THAT WE DO NOT ACCEPT THE ADMINISTRATION'S RECOMMENDATION, BUT WE GO AHEAD AND AWARD IT TO BROOK SCARPA.SECOND, IS THAT IS THAT LEGAL? CITY ATTORNEY.
I MEAN. IF IT'S THE WILL OF THE COMMISSION, IT CAN BE.
I WOULD JUST ASK IF WE CAN GET CLARIFICATION ON.
IF WE WERE TO NEGOTIATE WITH BROOKS BADA SCARPA INITIALLY.
AND IF NEGOTIATIONS FAIL, WE MOVE ON TO STANTEC AND THEN WE MOVE AND THEN WE MOVE ON TO KYLER.
THAT WOULD BE FINE. COMMISSIONER RESPECTFULLY, YOU KNOW, IT WENT THROUGH A PROCESS AND THE CITY STAFF AGREED TO PUT. IT WAS THE FIRST PLACE STANTEC ARCHITECTURE TO TO BE THE LEAD DESIGN.
AND. I JUST THINK IT'S A LITTLE INAPPROPRIATE FOR US JUST BECAUSE WE MAY HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH. WHAT'S THE SECOND WHAT'S WHAT'S THE.
THE SECOND ONE WAS BRICK SCARBOROUGH. YEAH. THAT WE KIND OF SUSPEND THAT PROCESS AND, AND GO WITH A FIRM THAT WE, WE, WE KNOW. AND LISTEN, I'M NOT SAYING THAT THEY'VE DONE, THEY'VE DONE EXCELLENT WORK.
OBVIOUSLY THEY DID BAYSHORE PARK AND IT TURNED OUT GREAT.
WE'RE GOING TO NOW TELL PEOPLE WHO BID ON, ON OUR CITY TO DO PROJECTS THAT, YOU KNOW WHAT, BECAUSE WE'RE POLITICALLY CONNECTED TO THIS PERSON OR WE KNOW THIS PERSON AND THEY'VE DONE ALREADY A GOOD JOB IN ONE NEIGHBORHOOD, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO JUST HAVE TO FAVOR THEM ANYWAYS. AND WE'RE KIND OF. I'M SORRY.
I'M SORRY. I'M GOING TO CLEAR MY NAME BECAUSE I REALLY FIND THAT THAT SUGGESTION IS NOT APPROPRIATE.
THAT IS NOT WHAT I'M DOING. I AM REFLECTING THE WILL THAT I'VE HEARD FROM MULTIPLE RESIDENTS, FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH BYRON CARLYLE SINCE 2018.
I FEEL LIKE IF WE HAVE THREE PEOPLE WHO ARE SO GOOD THAT WE HAD TO GO TO A SECOND ROUND OF VETTING, THE DIFFERENCE IS IN MILLIMETERS THAT WHY WOULD YOU NOT GO WITH THE ORGANIZATION THAT HAS DESIRE AND HISTORY AND A FEEL FOR WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS. I REALLY RESENT THE IMPLICATION THAT YOU'RE MAKING THAT IT'S BECAUSE I'M DOING A POLITICAL FAVOR FOR SOMEBODY.
I'M SAYING A POLITICAL FAVOR. I'M JUST SAYING. AND WE WE THERE'S A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
AND LOOK, I MEAN, YOU CUT ME OFF AND I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO DISCUSS THIS WITH YOU. BUT, LOOK, YOU KNOW, I JUST THINK THAT WE'RE SENDING THE WRONG MESSAGE TO PEOPLE WHO.
AND VENDORS WHO COME INTO OUR CITY AND SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT? WE'RE SORRY. YOU KNOW, YOU WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS ON A SECOND ROUND.
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, AT THE END OF THE DAY, EVEN THOUGH YOU STILL GOT FIRST PLACE AND WHETHER HOW, HOW, HOW MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE THAT MADE WITH MILLIMETERS.
YES. BUT THEY STILL GOT FIRST PLACE. YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT GOING TO GIVE IT TO YOU BECAUSE. BECAUSE OF HOW WE FEEL OR WE'VE GOT SOME EMAILS THAT SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, WE LIKE THIS FIRM. I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOOD GOVERNMENT.
I THINK WE HAVE A PROCESS IN PLACE AND PEOPLE HAVE APPLIED, AND IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO DO THIS.
AND I JUST THINK IT'S A BAD I THINK IT'S A BAD LOOK.
WE JUST SPENT HOW MANY HOURS TALKING ABOUT THE SEWER AND WATER RATES WITH.
I YOU KNOW, IF I HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, BECAUSE THIS WAS A THING THAT I WORKED ON SINCE LONG BEFORE I EVER CONTEMPLATED BEING A COMMISSIONER. WELL, I GUESS WE ALL HAVE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST THEN ON THINGS THAT WE ADVOCATE FOR BECAUSE WE HAVE DEEP KNOWLEDGE.
I, I, THERE'S JUST NO BASIS TO SAY WE SHOULD PICK THIS PERSON OVER THIS PERSON.
THERE'S REALLY NO REAL BASIS FOR US UP HERE TO SAY THAT OTHER THAN WE KNOW THEM, RIGHT? I MEAN, THEY WENT THROUGH A THEY WENT THROUGH TWO REVIEWS, RIGHT? THEY WENT THROUGH TWO REVIEWS. THEY WENT THROUGH MANY ROUNDS OF INTERVIEWS, ANALYTICS.
[08:40:05]
AND WE'RE JUST UP HERE SAYING, YOU KNOW WHAT? WE DON'T LIKE IT. WE'RE GOING TO GO WITH NUMBER TWO.THIS IS OUR QUALIFICATIONS. HAVE THEM COME PRESENT US.
MAYBE THAT'S THE MORE FAIR APPROACH TO HOW HOW WE DO THIS.
AND I'M NOT TRYING TO CHANGE THE PROCESS. I'M JUST SAYING LIKE, LOOK, I THINK THIS IS REALLY BAD.
THIS IS A SIMPLE DESIGN AND, AND, AND WHO WE HIRE, I DON'T I DON'T I'M NOT PRIVY TO, I WAS NOT PRIVY TO THESE CONVERSATIONS FOR THIS REVIEW PROCESS. NONE OF US WERE.
SO HOW ARE WE IN A POSITION TO MAKE THAT DECISION THEN? MONICA MATEO- SALINAS I JUST WANT TO, YOU KNOW, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I HAD MENTIONED WHEN I HAD FIRST COMMENTED, I WAS TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WERE SOME OF THE REQUIREMENTS AND WHAT WAS THE PROCESS HERE, AND WHY DID ONE SCORE ONE POINT HIGHER THAN THE OTHER.
SO, YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE SHOULD DEFER THIS A MONTH.
I MEAN, I YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHY I WAS ASKING WHERE THESE COMPANIES ARE BASED. I DON'T, YOU KNOW, ARE THEY ONE OF THEM IN HERE? IS FLORIDA BASED? THE OTHER ONE DIDN'T SAY WHERE THEY'RE BASED IN THE MEMO.
SO MAYBE WE SHOULD DEFER THIS A MONTH TO UNDERSTAND THIS PROCESS A LITTLE BIT BETTER AND WHAT EXACTLY THE GRADING SCALE WAS AND WHO GRADED HOW, BECAUSE I'VE ALSO I'VE BEEN APPROACHED BY RESIDENTS ABOUT THIS.
THIS IS AGAIN, NOT A ANY TYPE OF CONNECTION OR ANYTHING.
IT'S RESIDENTS THAT LIVE IN NORTH BEACH THAT HAVE REACHED OUT TO ME TO SAY, HEY, WHAT HAPPENED HERE? SO THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS WAS GRADED AND HOW THE IT WAS RANKED.
SO I GUESS, OKAY, SO THE ITEMS BEEN DEFERRED AND HAS A SECOND MR. CITY CLERK WOULD YOU CALL THE DEFERRAL? I HAVE A QUESTION ON THE DEFERRAL IF BECAUSE I'M NOT THIS IS A PROCUREMENT ITEM, WE USUALLY FOLLOW STAFF RECOMMENDATION ON PROCUREMENT ITEMS, AND I'M NOT FAMILIAR ENOUGH WITH WITH ALL OF THIS THAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED NOW. AM I ALLOWED, MR. ATTORNEY, TO BE BRIEFED BY PROCUREMENT DIRECTOR BY THE CITY MANAGER ON THIS WITHOUT VIOLATING THE CONE? I'M GLAD YOU ASKED, BECAUSE THAT WAS WHY I TURNED ON MY MICROPHONE.
SO I CAN SPEAK TO THE CITY MANAGER. AM I ALLOWED TO SPEAK? YOU CAN SPEAK TO THE MANAGER AND TO ME. AM I ALLOWED TO SPEAK TO RESIDENTS ON THIS ISSUE? AS LONG AS THEY ARE NOT INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS, THEY ARE NOT AFFILIATED TO ANY OF THE VENDORS INVOLVED? OKAY, BECAUSE I DIDN'T START COMMITTEE OR ON THE COMMITTEE.
I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT BECAUSE I DIDN'T START TO RECEIVE CONCERNS ABOUT THIS UNTIL LATE LAST NIGHT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU KNOW, YOU READ THE MEMO AND STAFF'S ANALYSIS AND THE RATIONALE FOR FOR SELECTING THE VENDOR, IT ALL MAKES SENSE. AND WE USUALLY DON'T MEDDLE WITH PROCUREMENTS BECAUSE THERE'S USUALLY A VERY, YOU KNOW, DEFINED PROCESS THAT WE, THAT WE LIKE TO FOLLOW.
AND WE USUALLY LIKE TO FOLLOW STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION ON THIS.
SO TO THE EXTENT THAT WE DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT, I WOULD APPRECIATE THE COURTESY OF THE DEFERRAL TO BETTER INFORM MYSELF AND TO GET BETTER BRIEFED BY YOU, MR. ATTORNEY. BY YOU, MR. MANAGER, BEFORE WE MAKE ANY CONCLUSIVE DECISION.
COMMISSIONER. MAGAZINE. YEAH, I DON'T TYPICALLY DEVIATE MUCH FROM WHAT'S PRESENTED TO US.
I KNOW WHEN I HAD AN RFP, I CARED DEEPLY ABOUT, OKAY, YOU KNOW, STAFF, IT IS WHAT IT IS.
I DON'T I HAVEN'T TALKED TO ANY OF THESE FIRMS. I COULDN'T EVEN TELL YOU WHO WAS ONE, 2 OR 3.
I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN VERY INVOLVED FOR YEARS IN THE BYRON CARL.
SO I TRUST YOUR JUDGMENT AND IN MANY REGARDS, OFFICIALLY OR UNOFFICIALLY DEFER TO YOU.
SO IF WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THIS HERE TODAY.
COMMISSIONER. BADA. I WAS GOING TO TRUST YOUR JUDGMENT AND GO WITH YOU.
[08:45:01]
BECAUSE I'M TRUSTING SOMEBODY'S JUDGMENT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.AND I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS FOR YEARS AND YEARS, SO I'M GOING TO TRUST YOURS.
PART OF IT WAS TO KEEP THIS PROCESS MOVING ALONG.
BUT IF THERE'S THE WILL OF THE BODY TO DEFER IT FOR ANOTHER MONTH DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO HAVE THE TWO FIRMS COME HERE AND SPEAK IN FRONT OF US? BECAUSE NEXT MONTH, I'LL TELL YOU. I'M GOING TO MAKE THE SAME CALCULATED DECISION.
WELL, DO I TAKE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION OR DO I TRUST MY COLLEAGUES THAT HAVE BEEN VERY INTIMATELY INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS FOR YEARS? AND I'M GOING TO SIDE WITH MY COLLEAGUES THAT HAVE BEEN VERY INTIMATELY INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS FOR YEARS, BUT IT WOULD HAVE SOME MORE MERIT IF BOTH OF THEM PRESENTED IN FRONT OF US. I WASN'T GOING TO SUGGEST THAT INITIALLY BECAUSE I WANTED TO KEEP IT ON TRACK, BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO DEFER IT REGARDLESS, I'LL LEAVE IT TO YOU IF YOU THINK THAT MAKES SENSE. IF NOT, I'M COOL.
I THINK I TOLD YOU WHERE I'LL PROBABLY LIKELY SIDE IN A MONTH, BUT I'LL LEAVE THAT TO YOU.
ARE WE EVEN ALLOWED TO HAVE THEM? YES. YEAH. PUBLIC COMMISSION MEETING.
I'D LOVE TO. I'D LOVE TO SEE THEM PRESENT TO US.
AND. AND THEN. BECAUSE IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A DECISION, IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A DECISION, AT LEAST I WANT TO HAVE SOME SORT OF BASIS ON IT PERSONALLY.
AND I THINK EVERYONE ELSE SHOULD. AND WE CAN MAKE A DECISION THERE.
I MEAN, I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO JUST SAY TO ONE PERSON, NO, SORRY.
WE JUST SORRY YOU WASTED YOUR TIME. BUT AT LEAST IN THIS.
WITH THIS SCENARIO, THEY AT LEAST HAVE THE IDEA TO PRESENT.
OKAY. LET'S CALL THE VOTE. SO THIS IS ON THE MOTION TO DEFER.
YEAH. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE AYE. ANYONE OPPOSED? THE ITEM IS DEFERRED TO THE JUNE MEETING, C TO D.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. IT'S CALLED R7AD AND R7C TOGETHER.
[R7 C A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA APPROVING ON A 5/7TH VOTE, IN SUBSTANTIAL FORM, A FIFTH AMENDMENT (LEASE AMENDMENT) TO THE LEASE AGREEMENT DATED NOVEMBER 7, 1985 BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY AND PENROD BROTHERS, INC. (PENROD) AND A SECOND AMENDMENT (CONCESSION AMENDMENT) TO THE CONCESSION AGREEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 25, 2005 BETWEEN THE CITY AND PENROD TO ALLOW FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE LEASE AND CONCESSION AGREEMENT THROUGH AUGUST 6, 2027, AS WELL AS ALTERNATIVE VERSIONS OF THE LEASE AMENDMENT AND CONCESSION AMENDMENT TO ALLOW FOR A SHORTER EXTENSION THROUGH JANUARY 10, 2027; SUCH ALTERNATIVE VERSIONS TO BE EFFECTIVE ONLY IF CERTAIN CONDITIONS IN THE CONTEMPLATED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AMONG PENROD, THE CITY AND BOUCHER BROTHERS PIER PARK, LLC ARE NOT SATISFIED RENDERING THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT VOID; AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO FINALIZE THE LEASE AMENDMENT AND THE CONCESSION AMENDMENT; AND FURTHER, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE LEASE AMENDMENT AND THE CONCESSION AMENDMENT AND THE ALTERNATIVE VERSIONS THEREOF.]
[R7 AD A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA APPROVING, IN SUBSTANTIAL FORM, A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT (SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT) BY AND AMONG PENROD BROTHERS, INC., THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA AND BOUCHER BROTHERS PIER PARK, LLC TO CONCLUSIVELY SETTLE LITIGATION RELATING TO THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT ONE OCEAN DRIVE CONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS REFLECTED IN THE MEDIATION SETTLEMENT BINDING TERM SHEET ATTACHED TO THIS RESOLUTION AS EXHIBIT 1; AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO FINALIZE THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT; AND FURTHER, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT.]
R7AD IS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AMONG PENROD BROTHERS CMB AND BOUCHER BROTHERS PIER PARK R7AD AND THEN WHAT WAS THE SECOND ONE? AND THEN AND WE'RE HEARING THAT WITH R7C AND THEN LEASE AND CONCESSION AGREEMENT WITH PENROD BROTHERS, WE FIRST HAVE TO HEAR R7AD CORRECT? THAT IS TRUE. THAT IS CORRECT. MR. MAYOR, IF I MAY, ERIC. SO OBVIOUSLY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE HAD TWO SHADE SESSIONS ON.THIS IS THE PROTRACTED LITIGATION THAT WE HAVE HAD WITH PENROD'S AND THE BOUCHER SOLICITATION.
AND ULTIMATELY THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SETTLE THE PENDING LITIGATION AFTER MULTIPLE YEARS.
IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING SOME CLARITY TO THE SITUATION AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE FORWARD IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION WITH THE BEST USE OF THAT PROPERTY AT PIER PARK. WHICH IS SOUTH POINTE DRIVE AND OCEAN DRIVE.
I WOULD OFFER OUR TEAM THAT'S BEEN HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THIS TO PROVIDE ANY DETAILS IF YOU WANT THEM, BUT PRIMARILY THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CLOSE OUT THE SETTLEMENT WITH A A CASH PAYMENT TO PENROD'S COMING FROM THE BOUCHER TEAM, A EXTENSION THROUGH AUGUST OF 2027 FOR THE PENROD'S OCCUPATION OF THE PROPERTY, AND A OPPORTUNITY FOR THE BOUCHER TEAM TO HAVE A FIVE YEAR OPTION TO EXTEND THEIR MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT ON THE PROPERTY ARE THE PRIMARY TERMS. AND IF YOU GUYS WANT TO ADD ANY ADDITIONAL COLOR, I THINK THAT'S HIGH LEVEL.
SORRY. NO QUESTION. CALL THE VOTE. I NEED A MOTION.
I'LL MOVE A MOTION ON BOTH ITEMS. BUT WE'RE FIRST DOING R7AD COMMISSIONER SUAREZ.
AND JUST FOR THE RECORD, THE THE ITEM R7C IS TO APPROVE THE PENROD LEASE EXTENSIONS, WHICH ARE CONTEMPLATED BY THE SETTLEMENT. WE WILL BE COMING BACK IN JULY TO PRESENT THE BOUCHER CONTRACT AMENDMENT, WHICH IS ALSO PART OF THE SETTLEMENT,
[08:50:06]
BUT IT'S NOT QUITE READY FOR PRIME TIME YET. AND WE'RE DOING IT SEPARATELY BECAUSE R SEVEN IS A PUBLIC HEARING.SO SO R7AD HAVE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SUAREZ.
SECONDED BY SECOND, SECONDED BY THE MAYOR R7AD.
ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE AYE AYE. ON R7C, MAY I HAVE THE SAME MAKERS COMMISSIONER, SUAREZ AND MAYOR MINOR? YEAH. IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING. I SEE NO ONE IN ZOOM, NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE REQUESTING TO SPEAK.
SO IN R7C ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE AYE AYE.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. SO THE THE PENROD CONCESSION AGREEMENT AMENDMENT NEEDS TO GO TO THE PLANNING BOARD IN JULY, AND THEN IT WILL COME TO COMMISSION ON JULY 22ND.
I'M SORRY, THE BOUCHER CONTRACT AMENDMENT.
I'D LIKE TO CALL UP OUR FIRE CHIEF ABELLO BEFORE I CALL THE NEXT ITEM.
WE ALL SUFFERED A LOSS THIS PAST WEEK, WITH MENTAL HEALTH BEING A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF IT, AND COULDN'T LET THIS MEETING PASS WITHOUT ACKNOWLEDGING WHAT YOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT IS GOING THROUGH WITH THIS LOSS.
YEAH. JUST A COUPLE HOURS AGO, I WAS AT AT A CHURCH READING A EULOGY AND BURYING A FRIEND. SO, YEAH, IT'S HARD TO, YOU KNOW, DO MY DUTIES OF BEING A FIRE CHIEF AND HAVE TO SERVE OUR RESIDENTS AT THE END OF THE DAY AND MAKE SURE THAT I'M HERE BECAUSE I NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY SINGLE DAY OUR PUBLIC SAFETY IS BEING ADDRESSED.
AND SO FUNCTIONING, OUR WORLD IS GOING TO KEEP GOING FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS.
SO YEAH. YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S, IT'S NORMAL FOR SOME DEPARTMENTS BECAUSE IT'S HAPPENING SO FREQUENT.
HOW MANY COLLEAGUES DO YOU KNOW THAT'S COMMITTED SUICIDE IN YOUR JOB? AND I'VE HAD TWO. 2 IN 2 YEARS. IN 100 YEAR HISTORY OF OUR DEPARTMENT MIAMI DADE COUNTY HAS HAD EIGHT IN THE FIRE CHIEF'S LEADERSHIP. AND JUST SIX MONTHS AGO, HE HAD ANOTHER ONE.
SO IT'S DIFFICULT. AND AS THEIR LEADER, AS A HUMAN, AS A MOM, YESTERDAY WAS MY SON'S 11TH BIRTHDAY, AND I HAD TO GET HIS GODFATHER, MY COLLEAGUE, MY BEST FRIEND WHO WAS HIRED WITH ME TO TAKE HIM TO THE ARCADES BECAUSE MY SON THOUGHT THAT I WAS COMING TO WORK TO SING HIM HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIKE THEY NORMALLY DO.
AND I HAD TO, LIKE, TELL HIM, NO, I'M NOT JOKING.
AND HE GOES, YEAH, YEAH, YOU ARE. AND I HAD SENT PJ THE PICTURE EARLIER AND, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING. IT'S A FIREFIGHTER TRAIT. WE'RE ALWAYS PLAYING PRANKS ON EACH OTHER.
AND THIS WAS A PICTURE OF THIS SAME GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS.
THIS WAS SEA SHIFT. AND HE THOUGHT THAT WE WERE COMING TO WORK.
NO, IT'S JUST BECAUSE HIS MOM FORGOT HER JACKET TO THE FUNERAL THAT SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO ATTEND TO.
SO I HAD TO GET MY BEST FRIEND TO TAKE HIM TO THE ARCADES SO I CAN GO AND BE THERE PRESENT FOR THE VIEWING AND TODAY AS WELL. AND, YOU KNOW, I WAS ONE OF THE FOUR PEOPLE THAT WAS AT THE HOUSE TO WATCH MY FRIEND 18 YEARS KNOWN ON THIS JOB IN THE CONDITION THAT HE WAS IN.
[08:55:01]
AND I WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN BECAUSE I HAD JUST SEEN HIM TWO DAYS BEFORE.HE HAD JUST TAKEN MY BAGS OUT OF MY CAR AND YOU CAN'T TELL.
AND YOU KNOW IT'S DIFFICULT. CHIEF, YOU. TWO QUESTIONS.
YOU. YOU MADE SOME. IT'S ALARMING. HOW HOW OFTEN THIS HAPPENS TO FIREFIGHTERS.
WHY? WHY DO YOU THINK THIS IS. WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS? AND HOW CAN WE HELP? SO I CAN TELL YOU AND I YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE POLICE CHIEF, BUT I HAVE A VERY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
AND WE HAVE TO ALMOST, LIKE, DESENSITIZE OURSELVES.
LIKE, YOU CAN GO HOME AND JUST HAD A HORRIBLE DAY.
AND NOW YOU HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR HAT AND BE A PARENT.
FORGET ABOUT THE DAY THAT YOU JUST HAD. THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT WENT TO THE SAILBOAT ACCIDENT, I JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, THE GUY JUST GOT CHARGED.
WE WERE JUST GETTING OVER THAT INCIDENT. AND NOW THOSE TWO YOUNG MEN WHO'VE HAD LESS THAN TWO YEARS ON THE JOB, WHO ARE 23 AND 24 YEARS OLD, MAY HAVE TO RELIVE, LOOK AT PICTURES, RELIVE THAT WHOLE ENTIRE DAY ALL OVER AGAIN.
SO IT'S BECAUSE WE ARE HERE 24 OVER SEVEN. YOU KNOW, CORPORATE AMERICA GOES HOME.
BUT AGAIN, I'M NOT SPEAKING JUST FOR FIREFIGHTERS.
I HAVE DISPATCHERS THAT ARE ANSWERING 911 FOR POLICE, FIRE RESIDENTS.
THE PUBLIC WORKS, YOU KNOW SINKHOLE. YES. THAT WAS A BRAND NEW FIRE ENGINE.
AND THEY WERE GOING TO SOMEONE'S HOUSE THAT WAS FLOODED AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING.
THE LAST THING I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE. THEY PROBABLY, LIKE, POOPED THEMSELVES IN THAT TRUCK BECAUSE YOU'RE JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN. SO. ALL OF THESE THINGS IS COMPOUNDED AND IT'S YEARS OF TRAUMA.
I CAN TELL YOU. I HAD A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT AT THE JULIA TUTTLE, AND WHEN I ARRIVED ON SCENE, I GO, HEY, LISTEN, I THINK SHE'S, YOU KNOW, 45, 45 IS DEAD ON ARRIVAL.
AND I LIFTED UP THE GIRL'S FACE SHIELD ON HER MOTORCYCLE AND FROM HER MOTORCYCLE HELMET.
AND SHE RODE THE GUARDRAIL ON THE JULIA TUTTLE WITH HER BODY.
OKAY, SHE WASN'T WEARING THE LEATHER PANTS, AND SHE WAS MANGLED, BUT HER NAILS WERE PERFECT.
HER TOOLS WERE PERFECT, BUT SHE WASN'T WEARING THE RIGHT PANTS.
AND I LIFTED UP HER HELMET SHIELD AND SHE GOES, PLEASE DON'T LET ME DIE.
I WAS LIKE, PLEASE DON'T WHAT? DON'T LET ME DIE.
AND I CAN TELL YOU, APPROXIMATELY FOUR YEARS AFTER THAT DAY SHE DIED.
SHE DID IT. BUT I'LL TELL YOU THE STORY ON THAT ONE.
I WAS INTERVIEWING A FIREFIGHTER. I WAS A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATOR AT THE TIME.
AND I'M LIKE, WHY? WHY ARE YOU APPLYING HERE? BECAUSE YOU COME FROM A GOOD DEPARTMENT. HE GOES, BECAUSE YOU SAVED MY COUSIN'S LIFE.
I GO, WHO? AND HE GOES, THE ONE IN MOTORCYCLE.
I GO, WHAT? I GO, SHE LIVED. AND HE GOES, YEAH.
HOW IS SHE? SHE HAD HER LEG AMPUTATED. AND HE GOES, BUT DON'T WORRY, SHE'S STILL RIDING MOTORCYCLES.
AND I WAS LIKE, FOUR YEARS LATER. SO I THINK IT'S JUST A COMPOUNDED YOU KNOW, TRAUMA.
AND YOU'RE ASKING THEM TO STOP AND CALL, GO TO THE NEXT STOP AND CALL, GO TO THE NEXT.
AND EVENTUALLY, YOU KNOW, I CAN'T WALK INTO A RESTAURANT AND ACT NORMAL LIKE NORMAL PEOPLE.
ASK MY WIFE. SHE'S LIKE YOUR OCD. WHY? BECAUSE IT'S LIKE PROGRAMED IN MY HEAD.
I WANT TO FACE THE EXIT. I WANT TO FACE THE DOORS, I DON'T GO, I DON'T.
I KNOW THAT IF THERE'S AN EMERGENCY, I WON'T COME IN OR GO OUT THE SAME DOOR I CAME IN.
IT'S INNATE. IT'S INGRAINED. I'M NOT HERE FOR A PITY PARTY OR ANYTHING, BUT TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT US FIRE DEPARTMENT PUBLIC SAFETY SERVANTS OR DISPATCHERS. MY OCEAN RESCUE GUYS HAD A CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT ON AN OCEAN DRIVE.
POLICE OFFICERS LIKE TO ASK US 24/7. I CAN TELL YOU, LAST MEMORIAL DAY, I WAS OFF WITH MY SON.
I CAN TELL YOU A SPRING BREAK. YOU KNOW, THIS MORNING I'M WRITING THE EULOGY, AND I WAS LIKE, YOU KNOW, ROLLING OVER THOSE HOURS. I'M ONE OF THOSE THAT I LOSE MY HOURS.
ALL RIGHT? WE JUST RIDE THAT DAY WITHOUT THE WORKER.
IF THE LAWYER IS NOT HERE TODAY, WE JUST RIGHT THE DAY, NOT HERE.
[09:00:04]
I DO JUST HAVE A FIRE TRUCK WITH THREE PEOPLE ON IT.OH, SOMEONE JUST CALLED OUT TWO PEOPLE. YOU CAN'T.
SO NOW I'M BRINGING IN FIREFIGHTERS, FORCING THEM ON OVERTIME BECAUSE IT STILL CONTINUES.
AND WE'RE HERE. THIS GENTLEMAN GAVE 18 YEARS OF HIS LIFE TO THIS CITY.
I'M AT 23 YEARS. I GOT HIRED WHEN I WAS 21 YEARS OLD.
YOU KNOW, AND AND IT'S HARD AND IT JUST DOESN'T END HERE.
YOU KNOW, MY WIFE IS WATCHING THIS BECAUSE SHE FEELS LIKE IF SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, THEN SHE WON'T BE IN MY LIFE BECAUSE I GET HOME AND I'M JUST LIKE, AND IT'S, IT'S, WE CHOSE THIS LIFE.
I CHOSE THIS LIFE. HOW CAN WE MAKE IT BETTER? YEAH. AND I THINK IT'S PROBABLY A GOOD TIME AND THANK YOU.
AND I WAS KIND OF TEEING UP THE DISCUSSION, BUT COMMISSIONER BHATT HAS AN ITEM.
[R7 AB A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO INCLUDE A FULL‑TIME MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS COORDINATOR POSITION FOR THE MIAMI BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT (MBFD) AS AN ENHANCEMENT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET AND CARRIED FORWARD IN SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS; AND FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO PREPARE A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO FUND SUCH POSITION FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE 2026 FISCAL YEAR.]
R7 A B THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER BHATT. AND ALSO CO-SPONSORED BY COMMISSIONER, MATEO- SALINAS AND PJ.I WOULD LIKE. COULD YOU EXCUSE ME? I WOULD LIKE A DIRECT ANSWER FROM THE CHIEF.
WELL, WE'RE GOING TO GET INTO IT, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR IT FROM THE CHIEF.
HOW CAN WE MAKE IT BETTER FOR YOU? AND RESPECTFULLY, COMMISSIONER.
I KNOW YOU HAVE YOU HAVE A GREAT PROPOSAL ON.
BUT MAYBE THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE. LET'S HEAR FROM DIRECT.
WELL, I'M ACTUALLY CALLING THE ITEM BECAUSE. AND THEN OBVIOUSLY THE CHIEF CAN CONTINUE.
BUT THEY ARE RELATED. SO LET'S LET'S LET'S CALL THE ITEM.
PJ CAN YOU PULL UP THIS SLIDE? YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN ITEM THAT WE DISCUSSED LAST YEAR AND IT DIDN'T MAKE THE CUT.
AND I WILL TELL YOU. I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU'RE HERE TODAY.
YOU ARE A TOWER OF STRENGTH. CHIEF JONES, I KNOW YOU'VE DONE THE SAME THING AS DIGNA.
YOU KNOW, WE TALK. WE'RE PRETTY CAVALIER ABOUT.
WE RESPECT AND HONOR AND AND, AND REVERE OUR PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS.
WE WE'RE VERY CAVALIER ABOUT, WELL, DO THEY REALLY NEED NEW EQUIPMENT? DO THEY REALLY NEED THIS? DO THEY REALLY NEED THAT? I WAS LITERALLY AT AN EVENT THE NIGHT. THE NIGHT THAT THIS HAPPENED.
ERIC, YOU AND I TALKED AS I WAS DRIVING HOME, AND AT THIS EVENT, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET A MIAMI BEACH RESIDENT WHO IS A PRACTICING PSYCHIATRIST AND A PSYCHIATRIST AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI.
AND I WAS BRAGGING TO HIM ABOUT HOW GREAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE AT DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN FIELDS THAT NORMALLY DO NOT TAKE THESE ISSUES ON BECAUSE EVERYONE IS TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL, TOO TOUGH TO ADMIT THAT THEY NEED HELP.
AND AND I WAS, I'M SO PROUD OF THE WORK THAT YOU BOTH DO COLLECTIVELY.
I KNOW THE POLICE DEPARTMENT MAYBE HAS A LITTLE BIT OF A HEAD START, BUT DIGNA, UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP YOU'RE CATCHING UP FAST AND HOW YOU GUYS COLLABORATE, YOU SHARE RESOURCES AS BEST YOU CAN. WHEN I HEARD THE DETAILS OF WHAT HAPPENED THAT THE FRIEND AND THE SON. FOUND HANDS TOGETHER.
SO THAT DOESN'T AFFECT BUDGETS. IT DOESN'T AFFECT ANYTHING ELSE.
BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT I CAN'T TALK ABOUT THIS STILL WITHOUT REALLY GOING HAVING A HARD TIME.
EP IS AN AMAZING RESOURCE FOR NON-CRITICAL ISSUES.
A GOOD PLACE TO START IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO START. BUT LAST YEAR.
DIGNA I'M SORRY, CHIEF ABELLO DIGGY BECAUSE I LOVE YOU.
GAVE UP TWO STRETCHERS TO FIND FUNDING TO TRY TO GET SOMEBODY ON BOARD FULL TIME.
[09:05:04]
WE ASK THEM TO WORK UNGODLY HOURS IN HORRIFIC CONDITIONS.AND THE THING THAT PISSES ME OFF, MAN, WHEN I HEAR FROM PEOPLE SAYING THE FIREFIGHTERS, THEY DON'T NEED NEW EQUIPMENT, THEY DON'T NEED A NEW STATION, THEY DON'T NEED THIS.
THEY DON'T NEED THAT. WE DON'T EVEN HAVE FIRES IN MIAMI BEACH.
YOU KNOW WHY? BECAUSE THEY'RE THEY'RE STOPPING THEM BEFORE THEY START.
THEY'RE STOPPING THE GAS LEAKS. THEY'RE EVACUATING BUILDINGS.
LIKE THE STUFF THESE PEOPLE SEE EVERY DAY, THANK GOD.
NOT EVERY DAY. SOME DAYS, I'M SURE NOT TERRIBLE, BUT TOO MANY DAYS ARE FREAKING HORRIFIC.
MOST OF US WOULD TAKE YEARS OF THERAPY TO UNDO THAT PTSD.
THESE GUYS AND GUYS BEING A GENDER LESS TERM, THESE MEN AND WOMEN IN BLUE AND IN RED GO FROM ONE CALL TO THE NEXT, CALL TO THE NEXT CALL. THEN THEY HAVE TO GO HOME AND DEAL WITH FAMILY STUFF OR NOT.
BUT THEIR TRAUMA LEVEL CANNOT BE UNDERSTATED.
AND FOR ANYBODY WHO HASN'T DEALT WITH THIS FIRSTHAND, YOU ARE SO LUCKY.
SO LET US FULLY FUND THIS POSITION. LET'S DO IT HERE AND NOW.
LET'S GET IT STARTED THIS YEAR. OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND RESERVES OR WHATEVER THE PROPER TERMINOLOGY IS, AND THEN FUND IT IN PERPETUITY GOING FORWARD IN THE BUDGET, STARTING WITH OUR BUDGET PROCESS FOR NEXT YEAR.
WITH THAT, I MOVE THE ITEM. YEAH. I ACTUALLY WANT TO.
USUALLY I GO TO MY COLLEAGUES. I DO WANT TO HEAR FROM ERIC.
SO I JUST WANT TO SAY, FIRST AND FOREMOST, A HUGE THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND ALL THAT THEY DO EVERY SINGLE DAY TO KEEP THIS CITY SAFE. YOU KNOW, I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT THEY'RE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW AND STILL HAVING TO WORK THROUGH IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. BUT WHAT I SAID TO THE CHIEF THE FIRST NIGHT WAS WE'RE NOT GOING TO LOSE ANY MORE. THAT'S RIGHT. AND I COMMITTED TO HER WHATEVER IT IS THAT WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
I'M ON BOARD WITH THIS COMMISSION. PAST REPLACEMENT OF THE SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS AND THE BUNKER GEAR TODAY. HUGE, HUGE INVESTMENTS IN EQUIPMENT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
I'M EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THAT. LAST YEAR DURING THE BUDGET CYCLE, THE CHIEF AND I SAT DOWN AND WE TALKED ABOUT HOW DO WE TRANSITION INTO WHERE WE WANTED TO GO. WE AGREED WE WOULD FUND THE TEMPORARY POSITION LAST YEAR, AND WE WOULD FIND A WAY TO FUND THE FULL TIME POSITION THIS YEAR.
WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO THAT. COMMISSION WANTS TO, YOU KNOW, ADVANCE THAT A LITTLE BIT.
WE WELCOME THAT. OBVIOUSLY, CHIEF AND I ARE STILL GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FUND THAT, BUT WE WILL FIGURE IT OUT. BUT WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE ANOTHER ONE.
SO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THE COMMISSION HAS DONE UP UNTIL THIS POINT.
MR.. MR.. MAYOR. NO, NO. WE HAVE A COMMISSIONER VICE MAYOR DOMINGUEZ COMMISSIONER MATEO- SALINAS.
CHIEF. IT'S SO HEARTBREAKING WHAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS GOING THROUGH.
I ECHO WHAT MY COLLEAGUES SAY. I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR MIAMI BEACH FIRE FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, AND WANT TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO HELP. SO THIS ITEM THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE FOR A HEALTH COORDINATOR, IS THAT ENOUGH? DO YOU NEED MORE? CAN WE MAKE AMENDMENTS? WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP YOUR DEPARTMENT? AND, AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE 100%, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT'S IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WHERE MIAMI DADE COUNTY HAS HAD FOUR ON STAFF. YOU KNOW, IT'S A PROGRAM. IT'S, IT'S BASICALLY A PROGRAM THAT NEEDS TO BE EVOLVED BASED ON BEST PRACTICES OR STANDARDS.
AND IF YOU NOTICE THOSE NUMBERS, THEY SKYROCKETED FROM 1370 TO 2522.
BECAUSE THE DATA IS THERE AND THESE ARE LITTLE KIDS.
MY SON HAD A CLASSMATE THAT GOT A PHONE CALL FROM THE FATHER.
[09:10:06]
BUT LOOK HOW IMPORTANT IT IS STARTING IT AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL WHERE THERE'S ONE NURSE THAT'S GOING AROUND.AND IF YOU LOOK AT, YOU KNOW, WHAT SHE WAS DOING MENTAL RESILIENCY, EMOTIONAL IQ IT'S EVERYTHING.
IT'S NOT JUST PTSD, IT'S BEING ABLE TO HAVE SOMEONE THERE INSTEAD OF WAITING TWO WEEKS, THREE WEEKS, OR THE EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WHERE IT'S A JACK OF ALL TRADES, HELPS YOU WITH YOUR TAXES, HELPS YOU WITH A DIVORCE, HELPS YOU WITH ALL THESE THINGS VERSUS SOMEONE THAT WE KNOW IS THERE ON, ON OUR BEHALF AND THE BETTERMENT FOR US WITHOUT RETRIBUTION.
WITHOUT FEAR OF LOSING YOUR JOB. I DON'T NEED IT.
YOU. NO FEAR OF THAT. AND A SAFE PLACE WHERE IT'S READILY AVAILABLE.
AND THAT'S JUST THE START AGAIN. MY DISPATCHER, OCEAN RESCUE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, I'VE BEEN USING THEIR THEIR HOSTAGE NEGOTIATOR TO COME AND DO THE, THE BRIEFINGS, DEBRIEFINGS AT OUR FIRE STATIONS BECAUSE IT NEEDS TO EVOLVE.
AND THE MEN AND WOMEN NEED TO KNOW THAT THERE'S OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO TALK TO SOMEONE THAT CAN SAY, HEY, BY THE WAY, WE CAN GET TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS DIVORCE IS NOT GOING TO END.
YOU KNOW, SO IT IS THAT GOING TO BE THE 100%? IT'S NOT, BUT I CAN TELL YOU IT'S THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO START.
SOMEWHERE. SOMEWHERE WHERE IT'S NOT GOING TO BE UP, YOU KNOW? SORRY. I HAVE THIS, LIKE, FLY, LIKE BUZZING AROUND HERE LIKE A NAUSEUM.
YOU KNOW, BUT IT'S A START IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
YOU KNOW, IF, IF I HAD A WISH LIST OF THINGS, I'D BE LIKE, OKAY, LOOK, THESE ARE ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT I NEED, BUT AT A MINIMUM, THIS IS A START TO KNOW THAT THE CONTINUITY AND THE RESILIENCY AND THE PROGRAM CAN DEVELOP.
YOU KNOW, AND WE CAN MIRROR OUR COUNTERPARTS WITH THE COUNTY NOT FOR US TO ALWAYS HAVE TO BE DEPENDENT ON OTHER AGENCIES TO COME AND OFFER IT TO OUR MEN AND WOMEN. COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ. OH, I'M SORRY.
COMMISSIONER. MATEO- SALINAS, I APOLOGIZE, CHIEF.
MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES FOR YOUR LOSS AND FOR THE FIRE FAMILY'S LOSS.
AND TO EVERY FIREFIGHTER EVERY PERSON THAT YOU HAVE ON THE ON STAFF AND ON YOUR TEAM.
MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES AND I'D LIKE TO RESPECTFULLY URGE YOU TO TAKE BEREAVEMENT LEAVE.
THE FACT THAT YOU'RE HERE RIGHT NOW IS JUST MIND BOGGLING, AND YOU DESERVE SOME TIME OFF AND SOME TIME AWAY, AS DOES YOUR TEAM. SO I'D LIKE TO SUGGEST, MR. MANAGER, IF WE COULD ASK FOR COUNTY ASSISTANCE.
SO THAT WAY WE'RE NOT FORCING PEOPLE TO WORK AND WE ALLOW PEOPLE TO TAKE SOME BEREAVEMENT LEAVE IMMEDIATELY, IF THAT WOULD HELP YOU TO WHOMEVER WANTS IT TO TAKE A COUPLE DAYS TO STEP AWAY, TO BE WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND GRIEVE. I APPRECIATE IT AND THANK YOU.
YOU KNOW COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ AND MONICA, THAT YOU GUYS YOU KNOW, WERE THERE WITH ME LAST NIGHT.
I KNOW WHEN I JUST LEFT AT 745 TO GO MEET MY SON TO CUT HIS CAKE MR. MANAGER CAME AS WELL. BUT THANK YOU FOR AT LEAST ALLOWING ME TO INTRODUCE YOU.
YOU KNOW, THE THE GENTLEMEN THAT ARE EVEN MORE IMPACTED BECAUSE THEY FEEL THAT THEY MISSED SOMETHING BY NOT SEEING IT, YOU KNOW? THROUGH THE VICE MAYOR. YES, COMMISSIONER.
THANK YOU. AND, CHIEF, YOU KNOW, ECHOING THE CONDOLENCES TO THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT THAT YOU SEE THE LOVE AND THE SUPPORT THAT THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAVE FOR EACH OTHER.
THE IS A REFLECTION OF WHO HANS WAS. WHEN YOU SEE THE AMOUNT OF FIREFIGHTERS WHO FILLED THAT FUNERAL HOME. BY THE WAY, FILLING A FUNERAL HOME IN WESTCHESTER IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY IS NOT EASY.
AND THEY WERE ALL THERE IN NUMBERS. AND WHAT YOU WOULD HEAR RESONATED THAT HE HAD COURAGE.
BUT THIS TRAGEDY CAN'T BE IN VAIN. THIS THIS TRAGEDY CAN'T BE IN VAIN.
[09:15:07]
IT HAS TO BE. IT HAS TO BE A REMINDER, A PAINFUL REMINDER THAT EVEN THOSE WHO SPEND THEIR LIVES HELPING OTHERS MAY QUIETLY BE STRUGGLING THEMSELVES. AND WE'RE HERE FOR YOU ALWAYS.WHATEVER YOU NEED, WHATEVER YOUR DEPARTMENT NEEDS, WHATEVER RESOURCES, FINANCIAL RESOURCES, POSITIONS. WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN THERE WITH YOU. WE WILL ALWAYS CONTINUE TO BE THERE WITH YOU.
AND TO OUR COMMUNITY, OUR FAMILY OF EMPLOYEES AND OUR RESIDENTS OUT THERE.
WE NEED TO KEEP ON SPEAKING UP, SPEAKING UP ABOUT ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.
WE NEED TO CHECK IN ON ONE ANOTHER. WE NEED TO SEEK HELP WHEN NEEDED.
WE NEED TO TAKE AWAY THE TABOO THAT OFTENTIMES SURROUNDS THAT.
IT TAKES A LOT OF COURAGE TO SPEAK UP AND DOESN'T MAKE YOU ANY LESS OF A MAN.
DOESN'T MAKE YOU ANY LESS OF A FIREFIGHTER, ANY LESS OF OF A POLICE OFFICER, BECAUSE THAT TAKES GREAT COURAGE TO, TO, TO SEEK THAT SUPPORT AND TO DISPLAY YOUR VULNERABILITY.
THAT'S A GREAT STRENGTH IN AND OF ITSELF. AND WE'LL ALWAYS BE THERE TO SUPPORT YOUR YOUR OFFICERS.
AND I THINK YOU SAID IT SO ELOQUENTLY THAT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN PEOPLE'S LIVES.
LIKE YOU SAID, YOU WERE WITH HIM TWO DAYS BEFORE AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT SOMEBODY IS DEALING WITH IN THEIR PERSONAL LIFE IF THEY'RE UNDERSTANDABLY NOT WANTING TO SHARE IT AT WORK. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK OUR HR DIRECTOR, MARLA, TO COME UP AND SHARE SOME SOME OF THE THINGS WE WE DO FOR MENTAL HEALTH.
I THINK THAT'LL HELP WITH THE DISCUSSION AS WE MAKE MAKE DECISIONS GOING FORWARD.
MR. MAYOR. DAVID COMMISSIONER SUAREZ AND COMMISSIONER.
BHATT. AFTER AFTER MARLA SPEAKS. THANK YOU TO THE CHAIR.
IT IS FREE AND AVAILABLE TO EVERY SINGLE EMPLOYEE AND PERSON IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD.
I THINK I LIKE TO SAY TO PEOPLE, WE WE ALL COME TO WORK AND WE KNOW WE HAVE A PAYCHECK AND WE KNOW WE HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, BUT WE ALSO HAVE THIS OTHER VERY VALUABLE BENEFIT, WHICH IS, I BELIEVE YOU SAID, A GREAT STARTING POINT.
AND WE ARE FREQUENTLY, FREQUENTLY REMINDING EMPLOYEES THAT THAT IS FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL AND AVAILABLE TO NOT JUST THE EMPLOYEE, BUT EVERY PERSON IN THE EMPLOYEE'S HOUSEHOLD.
AND SO WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO REMEMBER TO, TO TAKE THE TIME TO SPEAK TO YOUR COWORKER AND TAKE THE TIME TO SPEAK TO EACH OTHER AND SAY, DO YOU NEED, DO YOU NEED YOU KNOW, A SMILE TODAY? DO YOU NEED A HUG TODAY? DO YOU NEED ME TO HELP YOU WITH SOMETHING TODAY.
WE EACH EMPLOYEE HEALTH PLAN, WHETHER IT IS THE CITY CIGNA PLAN OR THE POLICE OR FIRE HEALTH TRUST ALSO HAVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BENEFITS THAT ARE QUITE ROBUST. AND THOSE ARE THE STARTING POINTS FOR KNOWING HOW TO TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES AND TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN MENTAL HEALTH. THE CITY DOES HAVE A WELLNESS PROGRAM.
THERE'S A GREAT TIE BETWEEN OUR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING AND THE ABILITY TO TAKE CARE OF OUR BODIES SO THAT WE ARE EXERCISING, EATING RIGHT AND MAINTAINING OUR HEALTH.
SO THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT WE DO AS AN INSTITUTION TO PROVIDE AVENUES FOR OUR EMPLOYEES.
CLEARLY I AM IN FULL SUPPORT OF WHAT THE MANAGER AND THE CHIEF ARE SAYING THAT, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO DO MORE. WE PROBABLY NEED TO RETHINK AND DO MORE.
SO I AM JUST OFFERING WHAT WE OFFER NOW IS THE BASELINE OF WHAT WE HAVE AND THAT IT IS AVAILABLE.
AND WE HAVE EACH OTHER AND WE HAVE THESE RESOURCES, BUT WE DO, I DO WANT TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF WHAT THE MANAGER AND THE CHIEF ARE SAYING THAT IN THIS CASE, POLICE AND FIRE AND THE PUBLIC SERVANTS THAT ARE IN THESE ARENAS THEY ARE SPECIAL AND THEY DO NEED SPECIAL SUPPORT. COMMISSIONER. SUAREZ. THANK YOU, MR.
[09:20:01]
MAYOR. MR. CHIEF. SIMPLE QUESTION. WHAT CAN WE DO? WELL, TO START, I THINK THAT HAVING THIS BEHAVIORAL SPECIALIST THAT IS MORE IN TUNE OF WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE WORLD AROUND US IS A START. YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO VET INDIVIDUALS FROM ALL SPECTRUMS. IT'S NOT JUST A REGULAR BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST. IT'S SOMEONE WHO KNOWS THE WORLD THAT WE LIVE IN, KNOWS THE SACRIFICES, KNOWS THE LANGUAGE. YOU KNOW, AND SOMETHING THAT I, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT ALSO BE COHESIVELY INVOLVED BECAUSE IT'S SO MUCH EASIER WHEN WE'RE ALL PLAYING IN THE SANDBOX TOGETHER THAN IN SILOS.AND I THINK IT'S A START, IT'S A START TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE.
YOU KNOW, IN SUPPORT OF THE GREATEST CITY IN THE WORLD.
AND, YOU KNOW, IN 2025, THIS IS A CONVERSATION I'M HAVING, BUT IT'S BETTER NOW THAN NEVER.
I STARTED THE PEER SUPPORT ASPECT OF IT IN 2014.
BUT THERE'S, THERE'S DATA TO SUPPORT IT. BUT I THINK IT IS A START, THE RESILIENCY AND, AND THAT EVERY DAY INDIVIDUAL THAT, THAT IS THEIR SPECIALTY. NOT CALLING ME ON A SUNDAY AT 7:00 THAT YOU BROKE UP WITH YOUR GIRLFRIEND.
BECAUSE THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH THAT I CAN SPEAK TO THAT BEFORE NOW IT BECOMES THE BLURRED LINES.
YOUR FIRE CHIEF. YOU'RE GOING TO GET MAD. I HAVE TO CALL OUT BECAUSE MY GIRLFRIEND'S MAD.
AND I DON'T EVER WANT TO GIVE ANYONE THAT OPTIC THAT I.
FIRST OF ALL, I'M DIGNA FIRST. WHEN SOMEONE IS CALLING ME LIKE THAT, LIKE I MAKE SURE I TAKE ALL OF THAT OUT BECAUSE I'M WORTHLESS AT THAT POINT IF I DON'T HAVE THE HUMAN COMPONENT, BUT I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE SOMEONE THAT IS A PROFESSIONAL THAT BUILDS RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS INDIVIDUAL AND THEIR, THEIR, THEIR EVERY, EVERY DAY. NOT SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO BE UP FOR GRABS IN TWO YEARS ONCE THEY'VE ESTABLISHED THAT RELATIONSHIP.
VICE MAYOR LAURA THERE'S A MOTION ON THE TABLE.
I WOULD LIKE TO FUND THIS THROUGH RESERVES TO GET YOU STARTED.
RIGHT NOW, WE'RE ONLY IN MAY. I DON'T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET PROCESS.
ERIC. YEAH, I WANT TO GET IT FUNDED THROUGH RESERVES THIS YEAR.
I DON'T KNOW IF JASON'S STILL IN THE ROOM, BUT I'D LIKE THE SUPPORT OF MY COLLEAGUES, AND THEN WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHERE WE'RE GOING TO FUND IT GOING FORWARD. BUT THIS IS, TO ME, THIS IS NOT A DISCRETIONARY ITEM THAT GETS CUT FROM YEAR TO YEAR.
THIS IS THIS IS A CRITICAL PIECE OF LIFE SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS.
YES. THANK YOU. AND THIS IS THIS BUILDS UPON I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE EP THAT OUR HR DIRECTOR MENTIONED AND IT BUILDS UPON THE MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS MR. MANAGER THAT WE FUNDED LAST YEAR. CORRECT.
OKAY. SO DOES THIS BUILDS UPON IT'S NOT IN LIEU OF IT'S NOT TAKEN AWAY, IS IT BUILDS UPON WHAT WE ALREADY FUNDED LAST YEAR AND WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE TODAY WITH THE EAP AND MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST. WE WILL ABSOLUTELY BE ADDING RESOURCES TO THE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE WHAT THEY NEED.
I'M NOT MINIMIZING THAT AT ALL. BUT THIS IS DIFFERENT.
THIS IS LIKE SAYING TO A COMBAT VETERAN WHO JUST CAME HOME FROM DEPLOYMENT CALLED THE EAP FOLKS.
THEY'LL HELP YOU SORT IT OUT. YOU NEED SOMEBODY WHO SPEAKS THE LANGUAGE, WHO'S BEEN THERE, WHO'S BEEN IN THE TRENCHES. EAP IS GREAT FOR A LOT OF A LOT OF THINGS, AND MAYBE THAT'S WHERE THE PERSON ENDS UP. BUT YOU NEED SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS THE LIFE, WHO UNDERSTANDS THE PRESSURES, WHO'S BEEN THERE WHO SPEAKS THE LANGUAGE. AND IT'S CRITICAL.
IT'S NOT EASY TO FIND NECESSARILY, BUT WE NEED TO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE.
AND YOU'VE HEARD ME SAY THIS, THE CHIEF, THE OTHER CHIEF BEHIND YOU HAS HEARD ME SAY THIS.
I MEAN, SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE FIELD HAVE HEARD ME SAY THIS.
I'VE BEEN VERY OPEN ABOUT JULIA'S STRUGGLES. AND THANK GOD SHE'S HERE AND THRIVING.
AND ASKING FOR HELP IS NEVER A SIGN OF WEAKNESS.
IT IS ALWAYS A SIGN OF STRENGTH. BECAUSE FOR A LOT OF US, IT IS THE SINGLE HARDEST THING YOU'LL DO.
AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE THAT ASK SO EASY FOR YOUR TEAM AND FOR CHIEF JONES TEAM.
[09:25:03]
SO I MOVE THE ITEM. I'LL SECOND. CAN WE CALL THE VOTE? AND MISTER CITY CLERK, I'D LIKE TO CO-SPONSOR THIS AS WELL.MAGAZINE AND JOE TWO. OKAY, SO I HAVE CO-SPONSORS COMMISSIONERS, DOMINGUEZ AND MAGAZINE.
ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. ANYONE OPPOSED? THE ITEM IS APPROVED SEVEN ZERO. R7AB. THANK YOU CHIEF.
THANK YOU FOR. I THINK I THINK WE'RE ALL GOING TO COME DOWN AND GIVE YOU A HUG.
THANK GOD I DON'T HAVE OCD. RIGHT. THANK YOU.
AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND SHARING OPENING UP YOUR HEART TO US.
WOW. WHAT A WAY TO END THE MEETING. MAKES YOU APPRECIATE, I GUESS.
I THINK WE'RE ALL GOING TO GO HOME AND GIVE A BIG HUG TO OUR LOVED ONES.
THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS US AND WATCH OVER ALL OF US.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.