HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2020-05-14 MinutesCity of Miami
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
Meeting
,,20
:00AM
City Hall
CityCommission
FrancisX.Suarez,Mayor
Ken Russell, Chair, District Two
Diazde la Portilla,Commissioner, District One
Joe Carollo, Commissioner, District Three
Manolo Reyes, Commissioner, District Four
,CityManager
VictoriaMéndez, City Attorney
Todd B. Hannon,CityClerk
City Commission Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020
9:00 AM INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Present: Chair Hardemon, Vice Chair Russell, Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla,
Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Reyes.
On the 14th day of May, 2020, the City Commission of the City of Miami, Florida, conducted
and broadcasted a virtual meeting from its regular meeting place in City Hall, 3500 Pan
American Drive, Miami, Florida, in regular session. The Commission Meeting was called to
order by Chair Hardemon at 9:21 a.m., and adjourned at 12:18 p.m.
Note for the Record: Commissioner Carollo joined the virtual meeting at 10:50 a.m.
ALSO PRESENT:
Arthur Noriega, V, City Manager
Victoria Méndez, City Attorney
Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk
PART A - NON-PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
ORDER OF THE DAY
Chair Hardemon: Welcome to the May 14 meeting of the Miami City Commission in these
historic chambers -- or homes or bathrooms, wherever everyone may be. The members of the
City Commission are Alex Díaz de la Portilla, Joe Carollo, Manolo Reyes; Ken Russell, the
Vice Chair; and me, Keon Hardemon, the Chairman. Also on the dais -- or wherever they may
be -- are Arthur Noriega, our City Manager; Victoria Méndez, the City Attorney; and Todd
Hannon, our City Clerk. We will now begin our regular meeting. Our City Attorney will state
the procedures to be followed during this meeting.
Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Any person who is a
lobbyist pursuant to Chapter 2, Article 6 of the City Code must register with the City Clerk and
comply with related City requirements for lobbyists before appearing before the City
Commission. A person may not lobby a City official, board member, or staff member until
registering. A copy of the Code section about lobbyists is available in the City Clerk's Office,
or online at municode.com. Any person making a presentation, formal request or petition to
the City Commission concerning real property must make the disclosures required by the City
Code in writing. A copy of the City Code section is available at the Office of the City Clerk, or
online at municode.com. In accordance with Section 2-33(f) and (g) of the City Code, the
agenda and the material for each item on the agenda for today's virtual meeting was published
and made available to the elected officials and to the public at least five business days in
advance of today's meeting. The material for each item on the agenda is available during
business hours at the City Clerk's Office, and online 24 hours a day at miamigov.com. Any
person may be heard by the City Commission through the Chair and upon registering pursuant
to the public notice for not more than two minutes on any proposition before the City
Commission, unless modified by the Chair. Since this is a virtual meeting, it is authorized by
the Governor of the State of Florida. Members of the public wishing to address the body may
do so by visiting miamigov.com\\virtualmeeting; upload their video comments, or submit their
written comments via the online comment forum. Members of the public may also call 305-
250-5353 to provide comments via the dedicated City of Miami public comment voicemail.
Members of the public may also preregister to provide live public comment by phone during
the meeting. You may preregister by phone by calling 305-250-5350, or online at
miamigov.com\\government\\live-public-comment. All comments submitted will be included as
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part of the public record for this virtual meeting, and will be considered by the City
Commission prior to any action taken. The City will accommodate any speakers desiring to
appear in person, subject to all applicable emergency measures put in place to prevent the
further spread of COVID-19. Speakers who appear in person will be subject to screening for
symptoms of COVID-19. Any persons exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 will not be
permitted to enter City Hall. All interested parties are required to abide by all State, County
and local emergency orders, and are urged to remain at home and practice social distancing.
If a proposition is being continued or rescheduled, the opportunity to be heard may be at such
later date before the City Commission takes action on such proposition. When addressing the
City Commission, the member of the public must first state his or her name, his or her address,
and what item will be spoken about. When the City Commission takes action or votes on any
proposition before it, it shall do so by roll call, which shall be recorded by the Clerk and
included in the record. Anyone wishing to appeal any decision made by the City Commission
for any matter considered at this meeting may need a verbatim record of the item. A video of
this meeting may be requested at the Office of Communications or viewed online at
miamigov.com. Please silence all cell phones and other noisemaking devices. Any person with
a disability requiring assistance, auxiliary aids and services for this meeting may notify the
City Clerk. Please note, Commissioners have generally been briefed by City staff and the City
Attorney on the items on the agenda today. The City of Miami is using Zoom to hold its May
14, 2020 virtual regular City Commission meeting. Zoom is a cloud platform for video and
audio conferencing, collaboration, chat and webinars across mobile devices, desktops,
telephones and room systems. In order to ensure that the public has the ability to view the
meeting, the City's Communications Department will broadcast the meeting through all the
usual channels and avenues that are provided when a City Commission is held fully in
Commission chambers at City Hall. The meeting can be viewed live on Miami TV at
miamigov.com\\tv, through the City's Facebook page, on the City's Periscope channel, on the
City's YouTube channel and on Comcast Channel 77. The broadcast will also have closed
captioning. Additionally, the City has not selected a virtual platform that requires the public to
purchase or download any additional software or equipment to watch this meeting. Aside from
the Zoom platform and that the participants will be appearing remotely, the public will have no
discernable difference in their ability to watch the meeting. The City has developed several
new methods of ensuring public comment for a virtual meeting. The first new option allows the
public to provide public comments via the dedicated City of Miami public comment voicemail
by calling 305-250-5353, where individuals will be able to leave a two-minute message that
will be played during the virtual Commission meeting. The second option allows for the public
to submit a two-minute video to be played during the virtual Commission meeting. The third
option allows the public to submit comments via the City's online comment forum. The
comments submitted through the comment forum have been distributed to the elected officials
and City Administration throughout the day so the elected officials can consider the comments
prior to taking any action. Additionally, the online comment forum will remain open during
the meeting to accept comments and distribute to the elected officials up until the time the
Chairman closes the public comment. The fourth option allows the public to preregister to
provide live public comment by phone during the virtual Commission meeting. For all these
options, all comments received will be included in the public record of the meeting. The City
also created a simple set of instructions explaining how the public may submit their comments
with either option. Those instructions were provided in the notice to the public and published
online at miamigov.com\\virtualmeeting. Additionally, like any other City Commission meeting,
the public may provide public comment at City Hall. The City has set up a terminal in the
event members of the public travel to City Hall to provide public comment. Due to COVID-19,
all speakers desiring to appear in person will be subject to all applicable emergency measures
in place to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Speakers who appear in person will be
subject to screening for symptoms of COVID-19. Any persons exhibiting any symptoms of
COVID-19 will not be permitted to enter City Hall, but will be able to participate through the
remote options described earlier. These five public comment options established and provided
for the virtual regular City Commission meeting comply with Section 286.014 and Section
120.54 Florida Statutes. The City has published the agenda, as well as included in the notice
to the public pursuant to our City Code and the items and topics that will be discussed at the
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virtual regular City Commission meeting. Additionally, the public has been given the
opportunity to provide the public comment during the meeting, and within reasonable
proximity and time before the meeting via the public comment voicemail, online public
comment forum, the public comment video upload, and then live public comment by phone.
Section 286.014(4)(c) of Florida Statutes specifically authorizes that the City prescribe
procedures or forms for an individual to use in order to inform the board or Commission of a
desire to be heard, to indicate his or her support, opposition or neutrality on a proposition.
The City through its public comment options has provided five different procedures and forums
to indicate among other things his or her support, opposition and neutrality on the items and
topics to be discussed at the virtual Commission meeting. The City provided information on
how to submit its comments in the notice to the public on a dedicated webpage and via the
City's social media channels. Commissioners, please confirm you are comfortable with the
notice provisions as set forth in these uniform rules and procedures established for this virtual
meeting.
Vice Chair Russell: Yes.
Mr. Min: Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. Commissioners, are there any pocket items that you all want to read
into the record, the headings into the record? Commissioner Russell, you're recognized.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just would like a pocket item directing the
City Manager to work with the local MPA (Miami Parking Authority), the local BIDs (Business
Improvement Districts) and the police to craft a program for sidewalk dining and parklet
dining in parking spaces throughout the City so that restaurants can help recover and manage
social distancing as -- throughout. We have -- the BID's already working on this, and I've
heard from several residents that are interested in this in restaurants, so this will just give
direction to the Manager to complete a program. I believe he's already started working on it.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: Before you -- I'll recognize you, Mr. Reyes. I will identify that pocket item
as Pocket Item Number 1. Commissioner Reyes.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes. I had a pocket item under the same lines that it was drafted -- is
being drafted -- I mean, it was drafted, and allowing the restaurants since they're going to be
opening at just a percentage of capacity, allowing the restaurants where it is possible -- mine
is a directive more than anything else -- that to allow -- for the City Manager to investigate
and see where it will be possible for restaurants to have additional seating in the sidewalks;
also on the streets. And mine also includes the waiving of fees, and it is limited to only 60
days, starting on the 20th; that as I do understand, and listening to the Mayor this morning,
that's the date that we plan of opening. Is that true, Mr. Mayor?
Mayor Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes. I had mentioned that to the Mayor before and --
Chair Hardemon: Okay, so --
Commissioner Reyes: -- he says that he was in agreement with it and that is -- well, that's
what we are (INAUDIBLE).
Chair Hardemon: So, Commissioner Reyes, Commissioner Russell --
Commissioner Reyes: I mean, I think that it is very close to Mr. -- Commissioner Russell's.
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Chair Hardemon: Right. There -- and that's my point now. So the differences in that, can you
all come to an agreeance on it? I think, Mr. Russell, you said throughout the City, and Mr.
Reyes, you said that wherever possible.
Commissioner Reyes: Well, when I said, "wherever possible," it means that you have to
analyze the width of the sidewalk. You have to analyze a bunch of things; that we have to give
the authority to the City Manager for them to decide where it will be feasible, you see.
Chair Hardemon: Right. So let Mr. Russell --
Commissioner Reyes: And also, mine includes the waiving of fees, you see; I mean, the permits
and all that. And also, an expedition of permits, expediting this so we can do it as soon as
possible.
Chair Hardemon: Mr. Russell, are those friendly amendments to your liking?
Vice Chair Russell: The only one I would have issue with is the 60 day -- I believe there's
going to be a significant investment in the buildout of these spaces, especially for protection; if
there's dining in a parking space, for example, and you're going to need a buffer to cars. This
is the parklet concept we brought over a year ago as a pilot program, and then a further
initiative to help restaurants build out these spaces, so I think a little longer time. If we're
going to make these investments, I imagine the BIDs are going to be carrying a big part of the
investment to help the restaurants so two months might be a little bit tight, so I was looking for
three months.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. I don't have any problem with it. One thing that -- this is going
to include Coconut Grove, also, sir?
Vice Chair Russell: Yes. I mean, I --
Commissioner Reyes: Okay, because mine includes the whole city.
Vice Chair Russell: -- would like to see the whole city, anyone who would like to apply. And
any Commissioner who doesn't want it in their district, I'm okay with that too, of course. But
the BIDs will probably drive it, because that's where the funding is for these restaurants. But I
don't want to exclude any restaurant if it's safe, and it's possible and the Manager's okay with
it --
Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely, absolutely.
Vice Chair Russell: -- anywhere in the City is fine with me.
Commissioner Reyes: And I want to add that we talked about this in the DDA (Downtown
Development Authority) and the DDA supports it. And the BID, the Downtown BID supports
it, also. And I think that it would be a great benefit for all those restaurants that are going to
be opening at just a percentage of capacity.
Mayor Suarez: Mr. Chair, if I may.
Chair Hardemon: I know -- well, Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla, then the Mayor, then
Victoria Méndez.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Okay. I think maybe to clarify a little bit, I think we've all
had conversations with the City Manager about when the restaurants are going to open and
we've all been back and forth. We're not able to have conversations between ourselves. So
ave a plan or the City Manager is already heading in a
certain direction based on different directives that he's received from all the Commissioners
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and from the Mayor, that we have a plan of when we're going to open, what the restaurants --
what capacity is going to be allowed? Occupancy, 50 percent, I think it is that was being
discussed. I don't know if they've settled on that number or not. The outdoor seating, the
parking lots, all -- the ramp up time, because it takes time for people to, you know, set up the
restaurants and ramp up. You just can't open from one day to the other. All these things have
been discussed privately with our City Manager, with our Mayor. I'm sure we've all had
conversations -- I know I have. And we have an update -- instead of having two or three or
four different pocket items where everybody says a little bit of what we're all doing, why don't
we just get an update of where we are as a city, as a Commission, as a legislative body, and
then we can -- once we have that update, we can add to that and say, "Well, what about this
this and what about that?" We can have a debate. I think we can have a more reasonable,
cohesive debate doing it that way.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chair, can I answer? This is exactly what I'm trying to do, is a
directive to the City Manager. It's a directive. Mine is not -- it's just to start analyzing.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: He's already doing it. We've all talked to him. I mean, he
told me he (UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Commissioner Reyes: Well, I just wanted to make it -- the way the procedure goes and I mean,
make sure -- I just want to make sure that this is going to be done. It's just a directive.
a resolution. It is not an ordinance. It's just a directive to start working on it as soon as
possible since we have a bunch of restaurants -- and mine is only for restaurants, because I
don't want any other businesses to be able to use the sidewalks, because if not, what we're
going to have -- we're going to have all the mannequins and everything on the sidewalks. And
that is what I'm afraid but I agree. I mean, it's just a directive.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: What I would like, at least from my perspective, is to get an
update from our City Manager at some point early on in the conversation, so we know what
everybody's doing, and what everybody's thinking instead of having this back and forth,
because it could just drag on for a long time. So we have sort of an update on what all the
ideas are. There's a lot -- everybody has ideas here, and everybody has good ideas, and some
of them are the same ideas. I don't know what Commissioner Reyes has in mind, what
Commissioner Russell has in mind. I know what Commissioner -- what Mayor Suarez has in
mind, and what our Manager has in mind, so I got -- but I want to see where we are. All those
conversations, Mr. Mayor, that you've had, that the City Manager's had with all of us privately
can now be made, you know, into one coherent policy of how we're going to ramp up
restaurants and everything else so that we know -- we are -- and the people that are watching
us operate, that they know where we are, and where we're going to be in a week from now, and
two weeks from now, at least (UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Commissioner Reyes: Commissioner, with all due respect, this is what we're asking. I mean, I
don't see any difference.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Reyes: They are -- no, hold on a second. I'm asking -- what I'm asking is
exactly what you're asking. And I don't see why we're going to go this back and forth
(UNINTELLIGIBLE). Listen, you have a directive to do this. Tell us what you're going to do.
That's it.
Chair Hardemon: Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Suarez: I just want to make one clarification and a little bit -- a factual clarification.
So -- and I wanted to apologize to Commissioner Reyes, because I may have made a slight
mistake. The date that we are targeting right now for opening restaurants is May 27. And the
reason why it's May 27 instead of May 20 is because -- precisely for this reason: so we have
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the time to implement these ideas that you all have come up with. And understanding that the
County initially refused on Tuesday night to give us, the League of Cities, which was asked
specifically what set of rules that they were going to promulgate, yesterday we had a press
conference that I notified all of you of at 2. At 1:55, we were sent a proposed set of rules that
was 185 pages and that were not approved by the Governor. They still up to this point have
not been approved by the Governor. So part of the problem is we have to, first of all, wait for
the approval, and then we have to analyze those 185 pages. Then we have to educate -- all of
us are going to together have to educate our small business owners, our restaurants. They're
going to have to go out and procure -- as Commissioner Russell said and as you said -- they're
going to have to either procure more tables or -- they're going to have to do whatever they're
going to have to do in their businesses to make sure that they comply with those 185 pages,
, of rules. So that's why we wanted to wait and that's -- and the
other thing is we did this in combination with Miami Beach, Hialeah, Doral, Miami Gardens,
because --
you know, our parks were closed, those three major cities, and Miami Beach's were open.
Everybody rushed to the one open park. And we wanted to work together so that we wouldn't
create a rush from one city to the next. But, of course, I support you guys -- I support your
initiative. I think your initiative is intelligent. Tampa has done it successfully, and they've
gotten a lot of credit. I was speaking to the Mayor of Tampa, Jane Castor, this week and she
was explaining to me how they did it. So I think it's a wonderful idea, Commissioner, and I
support it a hundred percent.
Chair Hardemon: Commissioners, are there any other item --? Oh, I'm sorry, Victoria.
Victoria Méndez (City Attorney): Thank you. I just wanted to confirm the pockets that are
being discussed by D-2 (District) and D-4. D-2 is thinking of the parklet concept. D-4 is
thinking of the sidewalk café concept, so I just wanted to make sure that I brought both of those
if you're going to merge them.
Chair Hardemon: Right.
Ms. Méndez: And I believe the Administration was also requesting a similar pocket in regard
to sidewalk cafés in order to be able to do the road closures that would be necessary for this.
So I just wanted to merge all that together if possible.
Commissioner Reyes: And also --
Chair Hardemon: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Reyes: -- you can include Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla, his observation on
it. I think that it's a very good observation. Let's get a report from the City Manager, and let's
move forward.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. Are there any other pocket items that the Commissioners want to put
on the record? Mr. Min, can you read the heading for the pocket item that I have?
Mr. Min: Yes, Mr. Chairman. I believe this is sponsored by District 5. It's a resolution of the
Miami City Commission, with attachments, authorizing the modification of the City of Miami's
right of reverter in order to be more consistent with Freddie Mac's lending standards for the
project being developed by residents at Dr. King Boulevard, Limited, a Florida limited
partnership, provided that the conveyance is in full compliance with the Charter of the City of
Miami, Florida, as amended, particularly Section 29 in the City Charter; the Code of the City
of Miami, Florida, as amended, and any and all other local, State or Federal rules and
regulations; further provided that the City's declaration of restricted covenants is recorded
simultaneously with the deed, and before any of the project's lenders or investors; and further
provided that before the developer and its successors, transferees and assigns may transfer,
attempt to transfer or encumber the properties or the project, or any portion thereof, the
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developer must first obtain the City's prior written authorization; further authorizing the City
Manager to negotiate and execute any and all necessary documents, all in a form acceptable to
the City Attorney and bond counsel for said purpose.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Commissioner Russell.
Vice Chair Russell: Could I just get a written copy of that circulated?
Chair Hardemon: Sure, no problem.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
\[Later\]
Commissioner Carollo: Chair, I have one pocket item; if I could have the City Attorney read it
so that we could have any additional public comments, if need be?
Chair Hardemon: Absolutely, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you.
Victoria Méndez (City Attorney): Thank you, Chairman. Thank you, Commissioner.
The item referred to was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much.
Ms. Méndez: Chairman, can you open the public comment for that, and it be rolling until you
close it again, pretty please?
Chair Hardemon: The --
Ms. Méndez: For the pocket.
Chair Hardemon: Right. So if anyone has any public comment they would like on the pocket
item that we just read into the record, you will be allowed to call in and express yourself
regarding that. We're going to handle some of our business first, and we'll come back to that
pocket item for public comment. The other --
Ms. Méndez: Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: -- items that were for public comment have already been exhausted. Okay,
Mr. Manager, you're recognized, sir. Is there any item that you want to continue, or defer, or
withdraw? Mr. Manager, you're muted.
Art Noriega (City Manager): Sorry about that. Good morning, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Vice
Chair, Commissioners, Madam City Attorney, and Mr. City Clerk. At this time, the
Administration would like to defer and/or withdraw the following items: To be withdrawn:
PH.2. It's the approval of the right-of-way access for Illumination Technologies even though
there is going to be a presentation on this item, or an appearance with regard to this item. To
be withdrawn: RE.5, which is the allocation of API (Anti-Poverty Initiative) funds, Farm
Share, Inc. To be withdrawn: FR.1, which is to amend the Code --
Chair Hardemon: Mr. Manager --
Mr. Noriega: -- Chapter 62 --
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Chair Hardemon: -- I apologize. Can you start over for me?
Mr. Noriega: Start over? Sure.
Chair Hardemon: Yeah.
Mr. Noriega: To be withdrawn: PH.2, which is the -- approve the right-of-way access for
Illumination Technologies, but they have requested an appearance for -- to actually formally
submit a communication regarding that withdrawal. To be withdrawn: RE.5, which is the -- to
allocate API funds with Farm Share, Inc.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: What's your reason for that one?
Mr. Noriega: RE.5?
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Yes.
Commissioner Reyes: We did it already.
Mr. Noriega: Because it was already heard at the last meeting.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Okay, okay.
Mr. Noriega: And this just ended up on the agenda, but you took this item up at the last
meeting.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Of course; that's why -- okay.
Mr. Noriega: Yeah.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: I thought other people had contributed to Commissioner
Reyes', and my effort, and Mayor Suarez' efforts to help Farm Share, but that was just wishful
thinking, I guess.
Mr. Noriega: Can I continue?
Commissioner Carollo: Well, I believe that the Mayor covered mine.
Mayor Francis Suarez: That's right.
Commissioner Carollo: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mayor Suarez: Touché, touché.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Well done.
Chair Hardemon: Alright, Mr. (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mr. Noriega: To be withdrawn: FR.1, which is to amend the Code, Chapter 62, the repeal of
the special area plan process. To be indefinitely deferred: FR.2, which is to amend the Code,
Chapter 38, Maurice A. Ferre Park Conservancy. To be withdrawn: FR.3, which would allow
a TCO (Temporary Certificate of Occupancy) to be issued during the platting process. And to
be deferred to the June 11 meeting: FR.5, which is to amend the Code, Chapter 23, Historic
Preservation. On the Planning and Zoning items: To be deferred to June 25, PZ.1, which is
an appeal of the Planning, Zoning and Advisory Board for 1267 Southwest 22nd Street, 1292
Southwest 21st Terrace, and 2149 Southwest 13th Avenue. To be deferred to the June 11 PZ
(Planning and Zoning) agenda: PZ.2, which is zoning text reference marinas in CS, civic
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space. To be deferred to June 11: Item PZ.3, which is also a zoning text for public storage
facilities, district zones only. That concludes the items.
Chair Hardemon: Are there any continuances, deferrals, or withdrawals that the
Commissioners want to put --?
Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Chairman.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Commissioner?
Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla, and then Commissioner Russell.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: I have a question of the City Manager on FR.1. Did he say
that was going to be withdrawn, or deferred?
Chair Hardemon: Withdrawn.
Mr. Noriega: Withdrawn.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Never to come back again to us?
Chair Hardemon: Unless we bring it.
Ms. Méndez: It was -- correct. It was withdrawn, but it's going to be sent to the Miami 21
Task Force to review, and then maybe it could come back to you in a different way. But this
one will be withdrawn for now.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Okay, because the idea was -- this keeps coming back and
back and back to us, over and over and over again. And I think the Commission should vote
whether they think it's a good idea or bad idea, and just let the task force do whatever it's
going to be empowered to do anyway instead of us having to deal with it on a piecemeal basis
on the revision of Miami 21. That's the job of the Miami 21 Task Force; to look at everything
as a whole, and to make a decision -- decisions how we're going to revamp our Coding
ordinances. The important thing is that if we don't bring this up and we continue to defer this,
or withdraw this, and bring it back up, and this debate continues, and we have organized
public comment, like we had this morning, referring to it as FR-5131 -- I think four or five
people referred to it as FR-5131. Well, that doesn't exist. So it's clearly some organized effort
to try to -- you know -- cloud the issue and confuse the issue. So I don't understand why you
just don't bring it up and kill it if we can -- the votes exist -- and then we let the task force look
at it, and review it, and do what they want to do, and recommend to us later on what we should
do. The question of the differences between just bringing it up and voting it down if the votes
are there, or withdrawing and having it rear its ugly head again every time we have a
Commission meeting. You're muted, Ms. Méndez, I think.
Ms. Méndez: The -- it's going to be withdrawn, so it won't be indefinitely deferred.
"Indefinitely deferred" would be it comes back in six months. The request is to totally
withdraw it. So you will not see this legislation --
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Okay.
Ms. Méndez: -- in this iteration anymore.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Okay. That'd be --
Ms. Méndez: If the task force -- so it's what you want.
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Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: That's the clarification I wanted. Okay. Thank you. I'm
trying to understand the City -- you know, City local government parlance and --
Ms. Méndez: The jargon, the jargon.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: The jargon that I don't know yet, but I'm getting there.
Ms. Méndez: We're going to send you a little cheat sheet. We actually have one. I'll send it to
you today.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: You got a cheat sheet -- regardless, I'm a quick learner.
But, you know, send it to me so I can get (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Reyes: I'm still learning, man.
Chair Hardemon: Vice Chairman.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I'm in favor of withdrawing this item, as
well, as long as the task force is taking it up. So the task force is fully formed. And when do
they start meeting? Because I think there's been enough advocacy on both sides of this issue
that we need to recognize the changes that are needed in Miami 21; to update it, or, you know,
recognizing what is working, what is not working, and SAPs (special area plans) certainly
aren't perfect. So I look forward to what the task force brings back to us in terms of
recommendation, and they may even have a working group spec for SAPs, because it's a very
complicated issue. But I'd love to see ways we can improve it, and keep the guardrails in place
so that as these larger developments happen, they serve the community in a good way, and we
get what we need for our residents and our infrastructure out of them. But can I get an update
on the task force itself, and when they would be getting together?
Mr. Noriega: We discussed the task force meeting actually this week, so we're going to push to
have that task force communicated with, and convene in the next couple of weeks.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Your pleasure.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Then I would like to withdraw FR.3, my item.
Commissioner Reyes: FR.3?
Chair Hardemon: It's in there. It's in there. Mr. Vice Chairman.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. I'd like to defer SR.1, the food truck item for -- until June 11,
please. I've been an advocacy on this one, and we have some work to do to make sure we're
not giving the impression that we're damaging brick and mortar businesses during this time of
need.
Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Reyes.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes. I would like to co-sponsor RE.6. And we have a little problem with
the food ordinance, and I know that we have included in that ordinance the reef kitchen that we
have arguments about it. And I am going to request that we bifurcate, you see, take off the reef
kitchen and take on the food trucks, because we included some churches, that they use food
trucks in their festivities, and the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and everything. And there is a church
in the downtown area that it is -- I mean, needs to have the food trucks there, because that's the
only way that they can use it. And I don't know if it would be possible and it would be accepted
by this Commission that we take the food trucks and what it is the kitchens and use all the
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kitchens; that taken separately and be deferred until we can sort it out and see how they affect
the established businesses and all that.
Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Chairman?
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized. Now --
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. With regard to that item that I'd requested, the SR.1, 6/11
deferral, I appreciate Commissioner Reyes offering that suggestion, because this entire
amendment was only brought about to help churches service their local area --
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Russell: -- with the food truck concept. And this particular church has gained the
approval of 11 surrounding brick and mortar restaurants; big ones, small ones, they're all in
support of it, and they've just been holding and waiting. And it is this additional concept of
satellite kitchens or ghost kitchens that has sort of derailed a lot of this effort. So if we are -- if
this Commission is open to bifurcating the item and passing the food truck portion for the
church exemption only today, I'll remove the request for deferral on SR.1.
Commissioner Reyes: Well, then I have to make then a motion to bifurcate? I don't know what
--
Vice Chair Russell: We'll do it when you --
Commissioner Reyes: -- how do we work this?
Vice Chair Russell: When the item comes up. So I'll remove my request for deferral of SR.1.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Vice Chair Russell: When the item comes up, we'll -- I'll welcome an amendment to bifurcate.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Chair Hardemon: Are there any other requests for deferral, withdrawals, or indefinite
deferrals, anything? Seeing none, is there a motion in accordance with what's been stated on
the record?
Vice Chair Russell: So moved.
Commissioner Reyes: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Seconded by the Chair. All in favor of that motion, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against? That motion carries. Give me a second while I make the
notations.
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PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ALL ITEM(S)
7448 DISCUSSION ITEM
Office of the City PUBLIC COMMENTS SUBMITTED ONLINE BY MEMBERS OF THE
Clerk PUBLIC FOR THE MAY 14, 2020 VIRTUAL CITY COMMISSION
MEETING.
RESULT: PRESENTED
Chair Hardemon: So what we're going to do now is -- I see the Mayor went away. So what I'll
do is I'll open the floor for public comment, and I'll start with those who are at the podium at
City Hall. So those of you who are there, you have two minutes to address this body. You may
state your first name and your last name, you may state your address, and then what item it is
that you're concerned about. You're recognized.
Ken Naylor: Good morning, Commissioners. Ken Naylor, with Atlantic Pacific Communities,
161 Northwest 6th Street, in Overtown; here on behalf of Dr. King Residences, which is a 120-
unit affordable housing development that has all of its financing teed up, and is ready to move
forward. Unfortunately, the contract that was originally signed with the City contained a
reverter provision, which is -- our permanent financing provider, Freddie Mac, has determined
is not financeable. The project is otherwise ready to go and move forward. And in these times
when housing constitutes healthcare and economic development, we really need your support
in moving the item forward. I'm available if you have any questions. Thank you.
Brian McDona: Ready for me?
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir.
Mr. McDona: Yes. My name is Brian McDona. I'm a lawyer here in Miami. I've been a
lawyer here for the last 37 years, most of which has been exclusively involved in the
representation of developers and lenders in providing affordable housing, and predominantly
in Miami-Dade County. I'm here really to answer any questions that you might have. What we
will be doing is providing a reverter that will remain in place until the project is actually built
in a lien-free manner so that it is available for occupancy by affordable housing residents. In
addition to the restrictive covenants that will be running in favor of the City that will ensure
that affordable housing will be maintained, there will actually be restrictive covenants that run
in favor of the Federal Government, the State and the County. I would say that this is probably
the most restricted and protected affordable housing project that I will ever close. And then
lastly, I will tell you I probably have about 30 projects that I'm currently closing right now. In
the last week, five investors have left those projects sort of at the altar, if you will, because of
the pandemic crisis that we're facing. So it is a critical moment for the City, and we really
appreciate -- frankly, the City and the County in my opinion have been the best partners to
have of any place I deal with in Florida. So it's a critical moment, and this project's going to
be transformative for the community in which its located. So I'm here if you have any
questions. Thank you very much for letting me talk.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. Are there any other persons in City Hall?
Manuel Otero (Web Administrator, Innovation and Technology): That's it. We're going to go
now to the callers. Phone Operator 3, you're live.
Unidentified Speaker: Sir, you are now live with the Commission. Please speak.
Michael March: Michael March. I live in Coconut Grove at 3543 Plaza Street, in the West
Grove. The first item I'm calling about today is FR.5. This item has been presented by
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Commissioner Reyes. I'd like to thank him. It protects homeowners in the City of Miami from
historical designations. Basically, it is just allowing us to create an appeal period for those of
us -- I am somebody who appealed my designation. This legislation would extend the appeal
period from 15 days to 60 days. It would also increase awareness by mandating more certified
letters of meetings, because too many people in Miami are getting certified -- designated
historic without even their knowledge, because they're too busy working, and the City doesn't
go to enough trouble to include property owners, who are important. The second item I'm
calling about today is SR.1. I would like to ask that the Commission votes that down. That's
regarding food trucks. I believe that this is an example of guerilla economic warfare against
the brick and mortar restaurants. These food trucks are fulfilling orders for virtual restaurants
that don't even have a brick and mortar location. So these virtual restaurants can only be
found online and the parent company is Saudi Arabian and (INAUDIBLE) parking lots. And
so, since the parking lot business is going slow, it would seem they're almost imploding the
business districts in which they serve by offering this competition. So this is something very
suspicious as an emergency measure. Please vote it down. Thank you for your time.
Mr. Otero: Phone Operator 1, you're live.
Unidentified Speaker: Ma'am, you are now live with the Commission. Go ahead.
Jessica Boudreaux: Thank you. Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Jessica
Boudreaux and I am a resident of downtown. My zip code is 33132. And earlier this week, I
read an article that Cocoa Beach has had to pick up 13,000 pounds of garbage off of their
beach on the weekend that they reopened. And I wanted to know what the City of Miami may
have planned to prevent litter going forward. I think one thing that's happened during COVID
is that the environment has had a little bit of a break. But I recently started walking the
Causeway, the McArthur Causeway for exercise, and I've been working with
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) during that time, because there was about three miles of construction
debris and litter from our residents. And Miami has a huge littering problem, and I would like
to know what your plans are going forward to sort of help keep Miami clean, and perhaps start
enforcing with fines people who litter. Thank you for your consideration.
Mr. Otero: Okay, we're going to go now to recorded public comments.
Muayad Abbas: Hi. My name is Muayad Abbas and I live at 555 West 49th Street, Miami
Beach, Florida 33140. I am here in opposition of the proposed removal of special area plans
from the Zoning Code. Life is dynamic; so are the communities and the real estate that serves
them. SAPs allow communities to adapt to these dynamic changes and generate economic
growth and development that it needs to keep up with the overall macroeconomic growth.
SAPs are a great vehicle for developers like myself to inject significant capital into
neighborhoods in order to generate significant economic impact that would not only benefit the
neighboring communities, but increase the tax base of the City, and thus allowing it to enhance
and upgrade its services to further the positive impact of this investment. Great known
examples of applying SAPs are found at Brickell City Centre, as well as the Design District.
These have been transformative to say the least to the surrounding neighborhood and the
community. Of course, people can take advantage of the rules and exploit them in a way that
would create a negative impact in the short term. But ultimately, it is up to our professionals
to evaluate the situations and guide that process. The assumption that the solution should be
binary is lazy, and we deserve better as citizens. Finally, we know that a significant portion of
the City's tax base is generated by the growth in property values which is created by real estate
development. This is a critical component that our city depends on to support its growth, and
it needs it now more than ever in light of the COVID-19 impact. Please take my opinion with
the backdrop of my experience. I graduated from the School of Architecture at the University
of Miami. I was a project manager at Duany Plater-Zyberk, working on large master plans. I
was a vice president of Development at The Related Group, also, in charge of several mixed-
use projects. And last but not least, I'm an adjunct professor of entrepreneurialship at the
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University of Miami's graduate program for Real Estate Development and Urbanism. Thank
you.
Carla Michel: Hi. My name is Carla Michel. I live at 400 Northeast 115th Street, Miami,
Florida 33161. And I am calling to say "yes" to the repeal of the SAP. Thank you. Bye.
Melissa Michel: Hi. My name is Melissa Michel. My address is 980 Northwest 10th Ave.,
Miami, Florida 33136. I'm a City of Miami resident. I am calling in regards to the repeal of
the special area plans. I'd like to express my support in repealing this plan. And that's it.
Thank you very much.
Richard Tardanico: Richard Tardanico, Department of Global and Sociocultural Studies, FIU
(Florida International University). Item FR.1, pertaining to SAPs, I urge the City of Miami to
replace Miami 21's SAP provision with alternative provisions that protect communities by
requiring future approval of neighborhood up-zoning to include inclusive community
participation in project planning, environmental and displacement impact studies, and
substantial affordable housing and community benefits. Thank you.
Luis Gonzalez: Hello, City Commission. You're speaking here to Luis Gonzalez from
Apartment 2213 and 133rd Northeast 2nd Avenue. I'm here to talk to you about the special
area plans for Miami 21. I believe that special area plans are a tool for gentrification and
displacement in the City of Miami. They create -- they incentivize developers to buy out large
swaths of land and -- that they maintain vacant for extended periods of time, as is happening
right now in Downtown Miami, where property values are being engineered almost by this
very strategic purchasing of properties, and buying out the whole entire neighborhood by a
couple of developers. And this kills small businesses. It kills the local flavor of cities, because
it creates -- it incentivizes top-down planning that does not reflect the organic needs of the
community, and only serves to further private interests, and only serves to create more
displacement and gentrification. So it's simply bad government, simply bad urban government,
and I hope you guys take my thoughts into consideration and repeal the special area plan.
Thank you.
Stefan Alexis: Hi. My name is Stefan Alexis. I'm calling on behalf of Item Number FR-5131.
I would like for you to go ahead and repeal the special area plans. My phone number is 305-
494-7894, and I reside at 18967 Northwest -- I'm sorry, North Miami Avenue, in Miami,
Florida 33169. Again, for Item Number FR-5131, I want you to repeal the special area plans.
Thank you.
Xavier Gonzalez: Hi. My name is Xavier Gonzalez and I'm from 5800 Northwest 186th Street,
Hialeah, Florida 33015. And I'm calling to comment on Item FR-5131 in support of the repeal
of references to special area plans in the City of Miami Code. This Item 5131, and repeal of
special area codes -- special area plans from Miami should be both brought together. SAPs
have not served our city and our residents and instead threaten our communities and the
affordability of our city. Hopefully, you reconsider. Thank you for your time.
Brax Tinkler: Hi. My name is Brax Tinkler. I live at 631 Northeast 72nd Terrace, Unit 1,
Miami, Florida 33138. And I'm calling and asking you to please defer making any decision on
Miami 21 and SAPs. Currently, I don't think that there's enough community engagement. It
seems like it's very much special interests of developers and attorneys that are getting these
SAPs approved. And I'm a Miami native. I've lived here since 1986 and the impact of these
SAPs getting approved is just really gentrifying a lot of neighborhoods. There hasn't been
enough studies on how traffic is also going to be an issue, and the rent is really high. No one
my age, in their 30s, can really buy homes anymore in this area, and it's really impacting black
and brown communities who are already subject to climate gentrification. Everyone wants to
move over west of 95, or close to 95. So again, please defer any kind of decision on Miami 21
and SAPs, because I think that during COVID-19 is not the right time to make these decisions,
and there's a lot of people in the community who should be a part of the conversation, not just
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the folks that are profiting off this development. So please consider that. Thank you so much
and take care. Bye.
Sam Herrera: Good evening. My name is Sam Herrera. I live at 2630 Southwest 28th Street
in Coconut Grove. And I am a graduate student in the Real Estate Development and Urbanism
Program at the University of Miami. I made the choice to study here in Miami and make this
city my home in light of the access to world-class real estate development projects here in the
city, such as Brickell City Centre. In addition to being a highly successful mixed-use
destination in the heart of Brickell, Brickell City Centre has truly shifted the paradigm for
sustainable real estate development projects, incorporating green building features, transit
integration and innovative design. Projects like Brickell City Centre have been made possible
by the special area plan. It's (UNINTELLIGIBLE) established by the Miami 21 Zoning Code
which allows developers to integrate creative elements into their designs for large-scale
projects. Without SAPs, the City of Miami will lose out on much needed employment growth,
and development of workforce housing by way of large-scale real estate projects. SAPs allow
the creation of the projects that will define the face of Miami in its second century. Therefore,
on behalf of those like me who wish to contribute to the future of Miami, I humbly ask the City
Commission to vote to keep SAPs as a part of Miami 21.
Roma Cohen: Hello. My name is Roma Cohen. I'm calling on behalf of my business named
Alchemist, which we've had stores for the last 15 years in the Miami-Dade area, currently in
the Miami Design District in the Paradise Plaza area. My home address is 1525 Daytonia
Road, Miami Beach 33141. I'm calling to leave a comment on behalf of the SAP which we
really believe to be a great cause for the area and for the neighborhood. It's directly helped
our business to help our self-employed, new employees that live in the area, as well as the SAP
itself; being able to employ many people, and we believe to be a great thing for the community
in terms of all the special events that are planned, and the cultural projects for the City that
are brought, which the community always needs and thrives after. The Miami Design
District's developer has a great connection into this cultural world, and we believe his help in
curating and energy and brain time put in these projects have not only helped us, but helped
the community tremendously. We hope not to see this SAP dissipate, disappear, and we just
wanted to voice our opinion in the hopes of keeping the SAP as it is, with no changes. Thank
you so much. Roma Cohen from Alchemist.
Mariella Lopez De Albear: Yes, hello. My name is Mariella Lopez De Albear and I live in 661
Northeast 68th Street, Miami, Florida 33135. I am calling about the Commission, and the City
Commissioners, and the Mayor, who have the ability to appoint members at the Audit Advisory
Committee, the Climate Resilience Committee, the Code Compliance Task Force, the Code
Enforcement Board, the Community Relations Board; all the committees on Item 11, 12, 13,
14, 15, 16, through all the way to 29, all these committees that these individuals -- City
officials are nominating and appointing. And I think it's not correct, professional, or accurate,
or transparent that we know who they're replacing. You have the names of the people who are
there now, but they don't tell us who they are -- who are they nominating, who they are, how
long have they been in the community, what is their experience in terms of being on these
boards, what do they have to offer so that we, the citizens, the taxpayers that are helping to pay
for these committees will know exactly who we're dealing with and not -- we don't know if
there's some kind of nepotism or oligarchy happening here within the City and it should be
disclosed, it should be open and we should have this kind of knowledge. Thank you and keep
doing a good job in (UNINTELLIGIBLE) up the banana republic. Bye-bye. Yes, this is
my two minutes in my first comment. And my public comment continuing on is that I happen to
have applied for the Historic Board, Item Number 10. And I went to each -- all of you
Commissioners, and I asked if any of you would please nominate me or consider me for a
nomination, and all of you told me that you were not appointing any more new members on
any of these boards, and it turns out that you are. So which is the truth here and which is
what? And I also wanted to commend Commissioner Carollo, known as Crazy Joe, for still
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being a Commissioner, and putting a balance into this circus that you guys have going on.
Thank you.
Eddie Arroyo: Hello, yes. My name is Eddie Arroyo. I live at 401 Northwest 42nd Street, in
Miami, Florida 33127. I'm calling about Item Number FR-5131. I'm voting -- or commenting
on the repeal of the special area plan, the SAP. I think the Miami 21 inclusion of the SAP
gives -- allows developers too much freedom to implement whatever up-zoning request they
deem necessary for urban density. So -- and traffic, and just quality of life. I've lived here for
many years now, and I am not looking forward to living in a highly-dense neighborhood. It
just doesn't seem practical. It's not what I want. I feel that it may lead to a lot of problems,
eneficial to the community. I hope you'll take my voice in
consideration and take comfort in knowing -- I take comfort in knowing that I'm not the only
one that is not happy about how this SAP has been implemented over the years in Miami in a
number of different projects. So thank you so much for allowing me to speak and have a good
day. Bye.
Daniela Guzman: Good evening. My name is Daniela Guzman from 43 Northwest 85th Street,
Miami. I'm calling to comment on Item FR-5131 to support the repeal of references to special
area plans in the City of Miami Code. Both this and the repeal of SAPs from Miami 21 should
both be brought together. It is very important to have inclusive development in Miami that
doesn't leave people out. SAPs have not served our city and residents, and threaten
communities and the affordability of our city. Miami should be a city that is welcoming for all,
and repealing SAPs and replacing it with more inclusive development standards is a good way
forward. Thank you, Commissioners. Bye.
Tishia Metador: Hi. My name is Tishia Metador. And I am currently at the residence of 7060
Northwest 2nd Avenue. And I am calling on Agenda Item 5-F-3-1 \[sic\]. I would like to ask
that the Commission defer their vote towards the special area plans. Neighborhoods are
already struggling with the zoning changes that are already put in place. Please consider your
decision for the special area plans. Thank you.
Vanny Veras: Hi. My name is Vanny Veras. I live in 3815 Southwest 82nd Ave., Miami,
Florida 33155. I'm calling to comment on Item FR-5131, in support of repealing the
references to special area plans in the City of Miami Code. This item, 5131, and repeal of
SAPs from Miami 21 should be both brought together. SAPs have not served the city nor its
residents and it threatens the communities and the affordability of the city. Just wanted to call
to leave my opinion as a constituent. Thank you very much.
J. B. Diederich: This is J. B. Diederich, here in the Grove at 3758-60 Frow Avenue. I want to
thank Commissioner Manolo Reyes for pushing for Chapter 23, Miami 21 historic designation
to give us 60 days rather than 15 days. As you know, we had to really scramble the last time
we were designated historic against our will. So I wanted to thank you very much for making
the effort. I think the next thing that I would suggest is getting rid of (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
designation and perhaps making a bigger effort to get rid of all the fees that we must pay you
guys. The Mayor was kind enough to grant us a break from the fees, but it would be wonderful
if that worked for everyone, because it's not cheap. Anyway, as you can see, the house is
beautiful, still working on it and still will (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Thank you.
Marliene Bastien: Greetings. My name is Marliene Bastien of 100 Northeast 84th Street.
First, I'd like to congratulate all the Commissioners from bringing Item FR 5131 for a vote
regarding the repeal of the SAPs. I have two comments that I'd like to include first. In light of
the COVID-19 pandemic, I'd like to request that a vote is postponed on this item. Number two,
if you decide to move forward with the vote, to repeal the SAP from Miami 21, because it
contributes to the forced displacement, gentrification of residents and businesses in black and
brown areas in the City of Miami. Thank you so much.
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Lisa Phillip: My name is Lisa Phillip. I'm at 774 Northeast 70th Street, in Miami, 33138. I'm
calling to comment on Item FR-5131, in support of the repeal of references to special area
plans in the City of Miami Code. This item, 5131, and repeal of the SAPs from Miami 21
should be both brought together. SAPs have not served our city and our residents and instead
threaten our communities and the affordability of the city. Thank you.
Valeria Cardenal: Hello. My name is Valeria Cardenal and I live at 10500 Southwest 97th
Court, Miami, Florida 33176. I am calling about City Commission Agenda Item FR.1 for the
May 14, 2020 meeting. I love living and working in the City of Miami. It is one of the best
places in the United States to call home. I'm very lucky to work at Mirto, a Spanish luxury
shirt maker in Brickell City Centre. Companies from all over the world have shopped at
Brickell City Centre and together they employ hundreds of people which showcase Miami in
all its glory. These companies were drawn to Brickell, a place that had no fine department
stores a decade or so ago. Today, Brickell is a destination for restaurants and nightlife, and
professionals of all ages and incomes. I have always heard, "I" It
seems to me that if the City of Miami was able to create a wonderful project like the City -- like
Brickell City Centre, then it should continue to keep that process going. I don't know much
about SAPs, but I do know that I have my job in a spectacular project, because someone
believed in that process; that the process worked, and invested a lot of money to make their
dreams a reality. Please do not close the door on investment and opportunity for our
community. Please vote against Agenda Item FR.1 in today's meeting. It would mean the
world to us residents. Thank you.
Dawn Feinberg: Hello. My name is Dawn Feinberg. My address -- my work address is 3806
Northeast 1st Avenue, 33137. I am calling about the reference number of FR.1. And I am
calling to say that the Design District would not have been possible without that. The project
has created so many jobs, so many businesses and opportunities for many. I'd like to request
that the City Commission does not do anything that would hurt the progress of this great
project. Thank you so much. We believe in the SAP. We really -- SAP has been so helpful for
the prosperity in the community of the Design District. Thank you so much. Bye-bye.
Frances Zengotita: Hello. My name is Frances Zengotita. My address is 9688 Fontainebleau
Boulevard, Apartment 408, Miami, 33172. I'm calling to comment on Item FR-5131, in
support of the repeal of references to the special area plans in the City of Miami Code. This
item, 5131, and repeal of the SAPs from Miami 21 should be both brought together. SAPs
have not served our city and our residents and instead threaten our communities and the
affordability of our city. Thank you. Signing off. Frances Zengotita. Thank you so much.
Please call me at 305-903-6281 if you have any further questions. Bye.
Karina Castrillo: Hello. My name is Karina Castrillo. I live at 7044 Southwest 103rd Place,
Miami, Florida 33173. I'm calling in reference to Item FR.1. I would like for the Commission
to postpone the vote until after the pandemic hiatus. I agree that special area plans should be
repealed and replaced, but this vote would only repeal a portion of SAPs from the Code
relating to the Planning and Zoning Board. So if you would, please postpone voting on this
issue until a full repeal can be voted on. Thank you for your time.
Katherine Ramsey: Yes. My name is Katherine Ramsey and my address is 1111 Genoa Street,
in Coral Gables. And I am calling to express my concern about the special area plans, and I'm
-- I would like to support the repeal that has -- you know -- of these plans, because it seems
wrong that developers can build projects at greater height and density than would usually be
allowed. So I am voting -- or I would like the vote to go for the repeal of the special area
plans. Thank you very much.
Michael Escobar: This is Michael Escobar at 1800 West 54th Street, Hialeah, Florida 33012.
I'm calling to comment on Item FR-5131, in support of the repeal of references to special area
plans in the City of Miami Code. This item, 5131, and repeal of the SAPs from Miami 21
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should be brought -- both brought together. SAPs have not served our city and our residents,
and instead threaten our communities and the affordability of our city.
Nelly Villamil: Hello. My name is Nelly Villamil. I am calling from 4900 Ronda Street. I'm
calling to comment on Item FR-5131, in support of the repeal of references to the special area
plans in the City of Miami Code. This item, 5131, and repeal of special area plans should be
both brought together. I am calling in support of this repeal. Thank you.
Unidentified Speaker: Hi. This is (UNINTELLIGIBLE) at 848 Oglethorpe Avenue, number
11292 Atlanta, Georgia 30310. I'm calling to comment on Item Number 5131, in support of
the repeal of references to special area plans in the City of Miami Code. This item, 5131, and
repeal of SAPs from Miami 21 should be both brought together. SAPs have not served our city
and our residents, and instead threaten our communities and the affordability of our city.
Thank you.
melting pot that it is without the great Haitian community." I, as a Haitian American, I agree.
That's why I work so hard with all the great people in the community to help stop illegal
dumping. The month of May is actually Haitian Heritage Month. May 18 is actually Haitian
Flag Day. That's why we're here asking our elected officials to help us clean up Little Haiti.
Joseph Martinez: This is Joseph Martinez at 521 Northeast 82nd Terrace, Miami, Florida
33138. I'm calling to comment on Item FR-5131, in support of the repeal of references to
special area plans in the City of Miami Code. This item, 5131, and repeal of the SAPs from
Miami 21 should both be brought together. SAPs have not served our city, nor has it served
our residents, and instead threaten our communities and the affordability of our city. Under
Miami 21, developers and developments have contributed to the displacement, gentrification
and cultural erasure of our communities. Thank you.
Ken Barnes: My name is Ken Barnes, and I'm a resident of North Miami, at 11111 Biscayne
Boulevard. I urge you to say, "yes," to the partial appeal of SAPs from the Miami 21 Code and
Item 1531 on your agenda. And I also urge you to include this item together with considering
the repeal of SAPs from the Miami 21 Code. SAPs have not brought the community benefit
originally promised. It is an overly permissive zoning mechanism that allows property owners
to rewrite the zoning codes with little in the way of restrictions. This has allowed for the
massive developments like the Miami Produce Market, Eastside Ridge and Magic City, at times
allowing 20- to 25-story towers in residential neighborhoods. And the applications allow
developers to evade obligations to communities including on-site affordable housing. It is a
fact that not one of the SAPs in Miami has produced a single unit of affordable housing.
Miami needs to consider urgently replacing the SAP mechanism with ones that protect
neighborhoods and residents by creating affordable housing requirements for any residential
zoning, and creating and supporting systems for inclusive development like community land
trusts. Just repealing SAPs is not enough. Simultaneously, new tools must be introduced that
promote equitable development, protecting residents' interests drowned out by well-
resourced and arguably unaccountable developers and investors. Part of the remedy is to
begin a process to develop template community benefit agreements which have enforceable
positions around such economic benefit as affordable housing, local hiring, living wages and
job training services, among other things. Miami 21 must be updated, centering stakeholders
and those impacted in the community. There must be inclusive community participation and
project planning, impact studies, substantial affordable housing and community benefits.
Thank you very much.
Mackenzie Marcelin: My name is Mackenzie Marcelin. I live at 1444 Northwest 14th Ave,
Miami, Florida, zip code 33125. I'm calling to comment on Item FR-5131, in support of the
repeal of references to special area plan in the City of Miami Code. I don't -- the SAPs, they
don't -- they do nothing for our communities. It just encourages gentrification. Many of the
families have to leave, and leads to displacement, and I believe homelessness, as well. And
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many of the people that live in these communities for a long-standing time are left with places,
and homes, and apartments that are unaffordable. So, again, I support the repeal of 5131.
Unidentified Speaker: My name is (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and I would like everybody to save
North Miami. I am a kid.
Jay Joseph: My name is Jay Joseph. I called to save North Miami. I am a kid.
Jill Michael: Hi. My name is Jill Michael. I'm calling from 1221 Northwest 91st Avenue, in
Pembroke Pines, Florida. And the message that I wanted to leave was to appeal the SAP,
special plans, because it is conducive to the gentrification and displacement of residents and
businesses of black and brown communities. So I was calling to repeal the SAPs, special area
plans. Thank you.
(INAUDIBLE) DeShaw: (INAUDIBLE) DeShaw, address 7950 Northeast Bayshore Court, in
Miami. I am calling to voice my support of repealing special area plans for Miami 21. These
special area plans, they contribute to too much gentrification, and way too much displacement
of our locals and low-income earners. And you're not giving us any choices on where we can
buy or rent, because you're driving up all the rents, and you're driving up all the costs of the
community. So I'm again calling to voice my support in repealing the special area plans for
Miami 21. Thank you.
Terrell Fritz: Good morning, City Commissioners. My name is Terrell Fritz, Executive
Director of the Flagler District BID (Business Improvement District). I'm standing here
yesterday afternoon in downtown Miami in front of a reef kitchen, a food truck operation that
directly competes with our local restaurants who are struggling to survive on takeout and
delivery. Unfortunately, last month, the Commission approved provisions that allow this
operation to take place in downtown Miami. That provision was supposed to expire on April
24. Today is May 13. Please do not support SR.1, and remember to support our local
restaurants. Shop local.
Victoria Villamil: Hello. My name is Victoria Villamil. I'm calling to comment on the Item
FR-5131, in support of the repeal of references to special area plans in the City of Miami.
This item, F131, and repeal of the SAPs, special area plans from Miami 21 should be both
brought together. Special area plans have not served our city and our residents, and threaten
our communities and the affordability of our city. Again, my name is Victoria Villamil. The
address is 100 Northeast 84th Street, Miami, Florida. Thank you.
Luis Carollis: Hello. My name is Luis Carollis. I wanted to make a comment about the --
about any ideas of extending the shutdown. The main concern of mine is that at this point it
may be that -- it is very possible actually that the cure to this situation can be worse than the
disease. I understand that coronavirus is a very serious issue, and that we need to take it
seriously. I was one of the people that was recommending that we take it seriously from the
very beginning. But we have to recognize that at some point, we can't simply keep things shut
down. There's already the threat, saying that millions of people are going to starve the longer
we keep this going. So there's already studies showing that the shutdown itself may have
actually contaminated more people than it helps considering that people have nowhere to go
but their own homes. I understand the concern, but at this point we need to recognize that
"Give me liberty or give me death" was not followed up with "In case of a" -- "Ignore this in
case of a pandemic." It was most certainly a call to -- we need liberty. We need liberty
(INAUDIBLE). We can't be trading our freedoms for a little bit of temporary safety. We don't
-- we already know that this is going -- that this has gone on far too long. Thank you.
Gal Bensaadon: Hello. My name is Gal Bensaadon. My company is Red Door Construction,
LLC (Limited Liability Company), located at 6358 Manor Lane, 33143. I am calling on
Agenda Item FR.1513, Department of Planning. First, thank you for the opportunity to
address this Commission. I've been in the construction industry for 15 years, and the past five
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years of which have been as the principal of Red Door Construction. Real estate development
is a pillar of the Miami economy. Special area plans have made projects like the Miami
Design District viable. I have employed hundreds, if not thousands of employees over the past
three years through my own staff and the subcontractors that we've hired in the commission of
our work. This would not be -- or not have been possible without SAP. It's for this reason that
I strongly request that the Commission consider leaving SAP in place. Job creation and
business opportunities depend on it. Thank you for your time and consideration. Thanks.
Aidil Oscariz: Hello. My name is Aidil Oscariz, A-I-D-I-L; O-S-C-A-R-I-Z. My address is
275 Northeast 18th Street, Miami, Florida, Apartment 202, 33132. I'm calling to comment on
Item FR.1-5131. I am in support of removing all references to special area plans. I think that
special area plans just contribute to more gentrification and higher cost of housing. We're
already experiencing a terrible housing crisis in the City of Miami, and this only contributes to
it. I, as a resident of the City of Miami, have seen how the special area plans are hurting our
community, and urge you to please remove references to special area plans. Thank you.
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) Castano: Hi. My name is (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Castano. I live at 7000
Northwest 2nd Avenue, and I'm speaking on Item FR.1. I would like to ask the Commission to
defer their vote to a later date when government offices and meetings can resume after the
COVID hiatus. Special area plans should definitely be repealed and replaced, but this vote
would only repeal a portion of SAPs from the Code relating to the Planning and Zoning Board.
Please defer voting until a full repeal can be voted on. Thank you.
Jessica St. Fleur: Hello. My name is Jessica St. Fleur, and I live at 155 Northwest 64th Street.
And I'm speaking on Item FR.1. I would like to ask the Commission to defer the vote on a later
date when the government offices and meetings can resume after the COVID-19 hiatus,
because special area plans should definitely be repealed and replaced. But this vote would
only repeal a portion from the Code relating to the PZAB (Planning, Zoning and Appeals
Board). So could y'all please defer voting until a full repeal can be voted? Because at this
point, it does not make sense to only repeal a portion when SAPs have such a large impact in
our communities, and it should be an inclusive process. So thank you.
Mary DeSaint: Yes. My name is Mary DeSaint. I live in North Miami. I don't accept to
remove those people from the (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Please don't do that. Please don't do
that. Leave them there. Leave them there. Leave the people there. They don't have any
house. They don't have nothing to do, only that place they have one house on it. Please don't
do that. We cry again, forgiveness them. Please don't do that. Please don't do that. Please
don't do that. We need help. We need support, but don't do that. Don't kick them out, please.
Gina Pierre: My name is Gina Pierre. I don't accept to remove those people from Little Haiti.
That's unacceptable. Please don't do that.
Unidentified Speaker: My name is (UNINTELLIGIBLE). I live on North Miami. I don't want -
- I don't ask for us to remove those people from Little Haiti. I say no.
Nicolas Heppner: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Nicolas Heppner, and I live in
downtown Miami at 325 South Biscayne Boulevard, 33131. I'm calling about Item FR.1,
referencing my support of special area plans. I'm an architecture designer. I know just how
important development is in Miami, and I can attest to the fact that for a very long time, no one
was building in either downtown or in Brickell. Thankfully though, our City Code was
amended and some smart planners came up with the SAPs that have allowed for major
investors to come and create bold and visionary projects. Let's keep these types of projects in
our city. I ask that you support SAPs, and vote against FR.1. Thank you very much.
Craig Robbins: Hello, Commissioners. This is the strangest way I've ever appeared before the
Commission, but obviously, these are strange times. Thank you for continuing to think about
the community and work for all of us with everything that's going on, and I'm thinking of you.
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Anyway, for those of you that don't know me, I'm Craig Robbins and I'm one of the managing
partners of the Miami Design District. And I know that you're going to be considering SAPs.
Obviously, we support you in whatever you want to do in general with SAPs, but I want you to
know that for people like us that have entered into agreements with you and relied on the SAP
process, it would be extremely damaging for you not to exempt us from whatever you're doing,
and grandfather us in to be able to not only have an SAP, but continue to work with you on it.
I don't necessarily think it's appropriate for everyone, but I want you to know that in our case,
a big part of the success of the Miami Design District has been the support that you have given
us through the zoning process, which has enabled us to do something that is really unique and
special. It wasn't about maximizing square footage, and adding density, and a lot of things
that people are uncomfortable with. In fact, it was collaborative with our neighbors and the
residential communities around us. But it really enabled us to do something that is special. I
hope it's a source of pride for you; it certainly is for me and many of the members of our
community. So all I ask is that as you go through this process, please be careful not to do
something that would ultimately be damaging and harmful to us, and disenable us from
continuing to do the great things that we're trying to do to have our little part in making Miami
a great place.
Julia Florentine: Hi. My name is Julia Florentine. My address is 7000 Northwest 2nd
Avenue, and I'm speaking on Item FR.1. I would like to ask the Commission if they can defer
their vote on the special area plans until the full special area plan can be voted on. As of now,
only partial special area plans would be repealed, and I think that they should wait until there
can be a full vote. Thank you and have a great day.
Hailey Piper: Hi. My name is Hailey Piper. My address is 20100 Northeast 21st Avenue,
Miami, Florida, zip code 33179. I'm calling to comment on Item FR-5131, in support of the
repeal of references to special area plans in the City of Miami Code. This item, 5131, and the
repeal of the special area plans from Miami 21 should be both brought together. Special area
plans have not served our city and our residents, and instead threaten our communities and the
affordability of our city. Thank you so much.
Unidentified Speaker: Hello. My name is (UNINTELLIGIBLE). I live in Little Haiti. I'm
calling about the selling of Little Haiti, the gentrification. I'm calling to petition and ask the
Commissioners to please not go ahead with it. Thank you.
Unidentified Speaker: My name is (UNINTELLIGIBLE) at 100 Northeast 84th Street. And I'm
calling to comment on Item FR.1-5131, in support of the repeal of references to special area
plans in the City of Miami Code. This item, 5131, and the repeal of the SAPs from Miami 21
should both be brought together. SAPs have not served our city and our residents, and instead
threaten our communities and the affordability of our city. Thank you.
Jordan Joselin: My name is Jordan Joselin. My address is 11051 55th Terrace,
(UNINTELLIGIBLE), Miami, Florida. I'm calling to comment on Item FR-5131, in support of
the repeal of references to special area plans in the City of Miami Code. This item, 5131, and
the repeal of SAPs from Miami 21 should be brought together. SAPs have not served our city
and our residents, and instead threaten our communities and the affordability of our city.
Thank you. Have a good evening.
Unidentified Speaker: My name is (UNINTELLIGIBLE). I am calling for North Miami. I am
living in (UNINTELLIGIBLE) 148 Northeast -- 14860 Northeast 6th Avenue, Apartment 301. I
don't want nothing for North Miami. Thank you. Have a nice day.
Juan Mercado: Hi, yes. My name is Juan Mercado. My address is 178 Northwest 47th
Terrace. I currently work and own a business in Miami-Dade County district. I wanted to say
that without the SAP, the Design District probably would not have been possible. The project
has created many jobs and also businesses, the opportunity for many. I want to request that
the City Commission doesn't do anything that will be harmful to the progress of this great
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project. It will hurt -- it will harm so many new businesses starting out, especially with the
situation that's going on. So I ask, please, for the City Commissioners that -- do not do
anything against the SAPs. Thank you so much. Again, my name is Juan Mercado, and my
address is 178 Northwest 47th Terrace, Miami, Florida 33131. Thank you.
Laura (UNINTELLIGIBLE): Hi. My name is Laura (UNINTELLIGIBLE). I live at 171
Northwest 97th Avenue, Apartment 01, Miami, Florida 33172. And I'm speaking on Item FR.1,
on behalf of Engage, who is at 7000 Northwest 2nd Avenue. I would like to ask the
Commissioners to please defer their vote to a later date when the government offices and
meetings can resume after the COVID hiatus. Even though special area plans should definitely
be repealed and replaced, this vote would only repeal a portion of the SAPs from the Code
relating to the Planning and Zoning Board. So please defer voting until a full repeal can be
voted on. Thank you.
Maria (UNINTELLIGIBLE): Hi. My name is Maria (UNINTELLIGIBLE), and my work
address is 7000 Northwest 2nd Avenue, and I'm speaking on Item FR.1. I ask the Commission
to defer their vote on the item to a later date when the City's government resumes to in-person
meetings after the COVID-19 global health crisis. I think to try to erase and displace poor
people of color, an already vulnerable population, through reconfiguration of space, and this
needs to be repealed from Miami 21 in its entirety. This vote would only repeal a portion of
SAPs from the Code relating to the Planning and Zoning Board. SAPs clearly develop and
reimagine areas without low-income Latinos and black residents while also using black culture
as a commodity to attract rich, white residential consumption. Please defer voting until a full
repeal can be voted on. Thank you.
Karina Rios: My name is Karina Rios, and I live at 8125 West 9th Court, Hialeah, Florida.
And I'm calling to comment on Item FR-5131, in support of the repeal of references to special
area plans in the City of Miami Code. This item, 5131, and repeal of SAPs from Miami 21
should be both brought together. SAPs have not served our community, or our city, or our
residents, and instead threaten our communities and the affordability of our city.
Catherine Brennan: Hi. My name is Catherine Brennan. I live at 774 Northeast 70th Street,
in Miami, 33138. I'm calling to comment on Item FR-5131, in support of the repeal of
references to the special area plans in the City of Miami Code. This item, F131 \[sic\], and
repeal of SAPs from Miami 21 should be both brought together. SAPs have not served our city
and our residents, and instead threaten our communities and the affordability of our city.
Thank you for listening and responding.
Peter Bagley: Good afternoon, Commissioners. My name is Peter Bagley, and I live in the
Reach Building at Brickell City Centre, at 68 Southeast 6th Street, in Miami, Florida 33131.
I'm calling about Item FR.1, regarding the SAPs. I want -- first off, thank you, Commissioners,
for allowing me to speak with you today. I call in support of SAPs, against FR.1. The SAPs
allow developers to build world-class communities in the City of Miami. We should be
encouraging more projects like the Design District and Brickell City Centre, not discoursing
them. So please support the betterment of our Miami, and thank you.
Erica Russo: Hello. My name is Erica Russo, and I live at Reach at Brickell City Centre, at
68 Southeast 6th Street, Miami, Florida 33131. I'm calling about City Commission Agenda
Item FR.1, regarding special area plans. As a resident of Brickell, I want to express my strong
opinion against agenda item FR.1. We must allow Miami to continue building community-
defining projects. Please continue to support SAPs. If you have a problem with the way that
they currently work, amend your Code. Don't get rid of the baby with the bathwater. Thank
you so much for your time.
Keiran Bowers: My name is Keiran Bowers. I am the president of Swire Properties US, at 98
Southeast 7th Street, Miami. I'd like to thank the Commissioners for your belief, faith and
continued support in Brickell City Centre. I am submitting this video to speak in opposition to
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FR.1, which could eliminate all references to special area plans in Miami. Swire Properties
has been a developer in Miami for over 40 years. Our focus has been primarily Brickell Key,
which in itself is a master plan development. BCC (Brickell City Centre) is the first SAP
approved and built under Miami 21. Swire Properties has invested over a billion dollars into
phase one of BCC. And in 2012, when the project started, this investment represented the
largest private investment in real estate in the country. The SAP was a key reason Miami
secured this. First, SAP provides scale to design and build highly specialized, integrated
complexes. It allows for a holistic approach to transportation, design, landscaping, public
amenities, and the flexible allocation of uses, such as hotel, retail, office in urban renewal
projects. Second, it allows a company with a long-term vision and long-term capital to grow.
The City has graciously supported three subsequent amendments to phase one of Brickell City
Centre SAP, which in turn will allow for a further two to three billion dollars in investment in
the coming five to ten years. We are very proud of the Centre and believe it has contributed to
the transformation in the heart of the City's commercial district. To be clear, we fully support
improvements and enhancements to the SAP process. It is an excellent planning tool for the
right project in the right location to attract investment to fulfill the City's vision, and for the
benefit of the communities within it. It is my sincere hope and wish that the Commission can
consider the substantial benefits that the SAP enables and look towards the successes without
dismissing SAPs altogether.
Raul Sanchez Elia: Hi. Good morning, Commissioners. This is regarding your meeting on
May 14, regarding the FR.1. My name is Raul Sanchez Elia. I live at the Icon, at 495 Brickell
Avenue, in Miami. I've been living here since January 2013, when I moved from New York and
the Brickell City Centre was getting built. And a lot of the city that we have today is a result of
a lot of the measures that the City has done so well and put in place many years ago. I find
that, you know, if we do not give room to these special area plans that have enabled the
Brickell City Centre and the Design District to come up, I think it will reduce the amount of
quality projects and developments that the City has. I humbly ask you to support the special
area plans so that we can continue building the best city that anybody can dream of. Nature,
buildings, architecture symbols, and everything the city has, it is fantastic, and a lot of it has to
do with the special projects that come up in these special area plans. Thank you very much.
Phillippe DeSosa: Hello. My name is Phillippe DeSosa. I am at -- I live at the address 1890
Southwest 4th Street, Miami, Florida 33135. I'm calling to comment on Item FR-5131, in
support of the repeal of references to special area plans in the City of Miami Code. This item,
5131, and repeal of SAPs from Miami 21 should be both brought together. SAPs have not
served our city and our residents, and instead threaten our communities and the affordability
of our city. Thank you for your time.
Briana Palazzolo: Hello. My name is Briana Palazzolo. I'm calling as a member of the
nonprofit Engage Miami, address 7000 Northwest 2nd Avenue, in Miami. And specifically, my
comment is in regards to agenda item FR.1. I personally believe that SAPs are used as a tool
to speculate the land and distort the land as opposed to being used to develop neighborhoods
in a way that is just and sustainable. I'm specifically calling to encourage deferred voting until
a full repeal can be voted on. I think that a partial repeal of SAPs is simply not enough, and
that we should wait until after the COVID hiatus to vote on a full repeal on SAPs. I believe a
full repeal should have its time in the City Commission. So thank you very much. Again, I'm
calling on behalf of Engage Miami, the nonprofit. Thank you.
Jean-Luc Adrien: My name is Jean-Luc Adrien, 3000 Biscayne Boulevard. I'm calling to
comment on Item 5131, in support of the repeal of references to special area plans in the City
of Miami Code and Miami 21. This item and repeal of SAPs from Miami 21 should be both
brought together. The SAP process is deeply flawed due to minimal or nonexistent
requirements in ensuring neighborhood preservation, lack of meaningful process to gather
public input and negotiate community benefits, a lack of inclusionary affordable housing
requirements and a lack of study on the impact to the surrounding neighborhoods, such as on
traffic, the environment, and especially displacement of folks who live in those neighborhoods.
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For this reason, I'm calling in support of the repeal of references to special area plans in the
City of Miami Code. Thank you.
Lynn Purcell: Yes. My name is Lynn Purcell. My address is 5191 Northwest 27th Avenue,
Apartment 1B. Anyway, I'm speaking on the Miami City -- I think it's called special area plans
in the City. I am -- want to repeal this here, because these people have not done anything for
the City and should not be able to come in there and -- should not be able to receive any type
of benefit from the City which they have not paid any taxes into, and not build within our
community, and not have done anything for the community. So I am here to repeal this
particular "S" -- it's called the -- this is the item, Item Number 5131 and the repeal of SPAs
\[sic\]. I'm repealing that this should not come -- this should be voted out. This should be voted
out. That's all I have to say, that the special area plans should be voted out and these people
do not deserve any of the money. It should go to the community. Thank you.
Magalie Pierre-Louis: (COMMENTS MADE IN CREOLE). Save North Miami. Save North
Miami. Save North Miami. Save North Miami. Save North Miami. Save North Miami. Save
North Miami.
LaFortone Corvail: (COMMENTS MADE IN CREOLE). Save North Miami. Save North
Miami. Save North Miami. Save North Miami. Save North Miami. Save North Miami.
Mr. Otero: Okay. We'll be translating the last public comments that were Creole.
Nessley Rousseau: My name is Nessley Rousseau. I'm the Creole interpreter. And I just
interpreted these four comments from four different people. The first one was Magalie Pierre-
Louis. She disagrees with the vote to take Little Haiti away from them. And she wants to put
FR-5131 together with the SAP. And then we have LaFortune Corvail, which also disagrees
with the same as Magalie Pierre-Louis. And he wants to make sure that his vote counts and
says "no" to the removal. And then we have Marie Pierre. Marie Pierre is the one who wants
to save North Miami. And she had some children who were with her who also want to do the
same. And we also have the last person, which is Jesus Labellgade, which also disagrees with
Article 5131 and wants that to be removed and not voted on. Thank you. And this is the
interpretation of those Creole comments.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Are there any other -- I guess that's the end of the
public comments; is that correct?
Unidentified Speaker: Yes, sir.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Mr. Mayor, I'm going to -- first of all, I'm going to
just note for the record that the public comment period has ended. Mr. Mayor, I want to
recognize you.
Mayor Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to say briefly again, I want to extend my
thanks to all the Commissioners who have been tremendously supportive throughout this
process. We have been completely unified. All of you have been constructive. You've all given
suggestions, had ideas that have helped our city deal with this unprecedented pandemic, and I
just want to continue to extend my thanks. It's far easier to do our job when we're all rowing in
the same direction; and so, that's something that I am infinitely grateful for, and I think the
residents are infinitely grateful for, so thank you all for that. I also want to just take a moment
to recognize two giants of our community that we lost over the weekend. One of them was
Betty Wright, who was one of the quintessential voices of the women's rights movement in
South Florida. She empowered female voices. In the history of the world of music, there were
few singers that had accomplished what she had before her 18th birthday. She made history as
the first black female artist to score a gold album on her own label, Vanity. And the album was
notable for the hits "No Pain, No Gain" and "After the Pain." She went on to be a vocal
instructor for future stars, owning a publishing company and she was a leader and friend to
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City Commission Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020
many in our city. And of course, the second person was historian Arva Moore-Parks that we
tragically lost over the weekend. You know, I think Arva represented a part of our soul. She
was someone who was beloved. You know, it was impossible not to be captivated by her, by
her understanding of who we are, and what the essence of the City of Miami is. And you know,
any time she advocated on an issue, I think we all certainly paid attention, and gave it a
tremendous amount of credibility, whatever side that she was on. So, for me, I just want to
take a moment to recognize her legacy and the impact that it had on the City of Miami. And I
want to thank you for the opportunity to deliver this message. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much, sir.
MV - MAYORAL VETO(ES)
NO MAYORAL VETO(ES)
(Pursuant to Section 4(g)(5) of the Charter of Miami, Florida, Item(s) vetoed by the Mayor shall be placed by the
City Clerk as the first substantive item(s) for City Commission consideration.)
Chair Hardemon: Are there any mayoral vetoes?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, there are no mayoral vetoes.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much.
END OF MAYORAL VETO(ES)
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CA - CONSENT AGENDA
The following item(s) was Adopted on the Consent Agenda
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
CA.1 RESOLUTION
7368 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE, ALLOCATION, AND
Office of Grants
APPROPRIATION OF GRANT FUNDS FROM THE CITIES FOR
Administration
FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT FUND, INC., A DELAWARE NON-
STOCK, NON-
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TWO HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($275,000.00) ("GRANT"); ESTABLISHING
A
EMPLOYMENT AND FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT EXPANSION
SUPPORTING ADDITIONAL SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ENTITIES AS
WELL AS CONTINUE TO ADHERE TO ESTABLISHED PROGRAM
COMPONENTS TO CONNECT PARTICIPANTS TO FINANCIAL
COUNSELING AND BANKING OPPORTUNITIES; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE A GRANT AGREEMENT AND ANY AMENDMENTS AND
EXTENSIONS THERETO, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE
CITY ATTORNEY, IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT SAID GRANT.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-20-0143
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Chair Hardemon: Gentlemen, the Chair would like to entertain a motion to approve the
CA (consent agenda) Agenda and Pocket Item Number 1 and Pocket Item Number 2.
Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Chairman, I'd like to pull CA.3, please.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. So it will be the -- CA.1, CA.2, Pocket Item Number 1, Pocket
Item Number 2. Is there a motion?
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: So moved.
Commissioner Carollo: Motion.
Chair Hardemon: Been properly moved.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Seconded. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor of the
motion, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against? That motion passes.
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CA.2 RESOLUTION
7394 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), PURSUANT TO SECTION 29-B(F) OF THE
Department of Real
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED,
Estate and Asset
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A LEASE
Management
AGREEMENT
THE CITY ATTORNEY, BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI, A
MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA
("CITY"), AND RIVERCOW, LLC, A FLORIDA LIMITED LIABILITY
F A
CERTAIN PORTION OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT
8034 NO
IN EXCHANGE FOR AN ANNUAL RENT IN THE AMOUNT OF
NINETEEN THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS AND NO/100
($19,200.00) WITH OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS
DESCRIBED IN THE AGREEMENT.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-20-0144
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item CA.2, please see Item CA.1.
CA.3 RESOLUTION - Item Pulled from Consent
7404 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
Office of the City
SETTLEMENT DOCUMENTS, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO
Attorney
THE CITY ATTORNEY, WITHOUT ADMISSION OF LIABILITY, IN
SETTLEMENT OF THE CLAIMS AND DEMANDS, INCLUDING ALL
CLAIMS FOR ATTORNEYS' FEES, AS MORE SPECIFICALLY
DETAILED IN THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, AGAINST THE
CITY OF MIAMI AND ITS OFFICERS, AGENTS, AND EMPLOYEES
IN THE CASE STYLED 3384 DAY AVENUE INVESTMENTS, INC.
VS. CITY OF MIAMI, PENDING IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE
ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY, FLORIDA, CASE NO. 2019-23993-CA-11.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item CA.3 was deferred to the July 9, 2020, City Commission
Meeting.
Chair Hardemon: CA.3. Commissioner Russell.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Fellow Commissioners,
this is a settlement of a lawsuit we've been in for a while in my district. And I have a
couple of concerns here. One is on the substance of the settlement and how we got
here, something that you all need to be very aware of. And two, a little bit about the
process through which we bring these settlements to Commission. I'll start with the
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second part first. The settlement I had been briefed on -- must have been about six
months ago when we were first in disagreement with a developer. They had violated
setback rules, and their development was moving forward, but we had put a stop
order, because it was clearly in violation of our Code, and violation of the Florida
Building Code. We got into a lawsuit with them. And I have worked with the City
Attorney, because this -- it's not just about dollars, and it's not just about the Code.
This is really a deeper problem we have in our departments in terms of approving
things that are not legal. But this never came back to me. I never got a briefing on
how that settlement was coming along, or where it was going. It's just popping up
on an agenda now, and I have not been able to make my case to you as fellow
Commissioners, which we would normally do in a shade meeting, for why this issue
is so complicated. So I'll go to the -- I believe we either should have had a shade
meeting, or my office as the district office should have received a briefing on this
settlement prior to it coming to Commission, and getting put on an agenda. But let
me go to the first part, which is the substance of the issue. If I can share my screen,
this is the property we're talking about. Let me see if I can do this. Can you all see
that?
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: This is an image from the Miami Herald, from, I believe, August
of last year. These are not my words. This is in the article online, where it says
developers are skirting zoning codes and diminishing the history of the
neighborhood. The Herald did an investigation on this and several others in an
article that was entitled -- something about the white box is coming to the West
Grove. And the idea here is that developers are finding ways, and loopholes, and in
some cases, straight out deception to violate our Code. This is a neighborhood of
single-family homes and duplexes. And you can see in this image the Florida
Building Code of a 10-foot distance between buildings is not being respected. That's
a life safety issue. And secondly, our Code, which says you must be set back five feet
from your property line, is not being respected by either of these structures. What
led to this, what happened here was a genius move on the part of the developer.
They bought two lots in a cheap part of town. They went for a unity of title to make it
one lot. Then they built a big house near the center of that lot, right on the old
property line, as if it was going to be one big house in a yard. And then, they applied
to us to undo that unity of title. And if we were to grant that reversal of the unity of
title, there should have been a caveat that the property line needed to then move
from the original, because reinstating that property line would create a violation in
our Code. They deceived us in their letters to our departments, saying that nothing
in their application would violate the Code, and that if it did, they would undo it.
But there's also errors on the part of our department, because if they had studied the
drawings, they would have seen their actions did force, or allow this sort of zero
setback concept, this look. So the second building was then applied for. Here's
where error number two came in from our departments, where they approved a
building permit for something that is completely illegal, not only to our Zoning Code,
but to the Florida Building Code. So there were multiple errors on our side. So I
get how, in a legal situation, we may have a weakness in court here. But I also
believe that the intent of deception on the part of the developer is so clear and in
writing that we may have strength, as well. The problem here with this settlement is
that we are caving in, and we are telling our community that we will not follow our
Zoning Code; that we will approve things that are illegal; and then, when we get
sued, we're going to let them off the hook. The settlement here is just basically
asking them to block up a few windows between the buildings, and allow this setback
violation, and what would otherwise be a Building Code violation to continue. And
this will be here for decades, these new structures that really violate the character of
this community. We really have to understand that the value of a property on itself is
the built out square footage. But the value of a community and a neighborhood has
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to do with us respecting our Code, and following our own rules, and we're not. If
you can undo this screen-
clearly, I'm not in favor of the settlement as it is, and I'll be voting "no" on CA.3.
Victoria Méndez (City Attorney): If I may, Ms. McNulty, who's handling this case, I
would like for her to say all the stipulations with regard to this case, because it's not
simply boarding up windows. So if we can just clarify some other points.
Commissioner Carollo: Madam City Attorney, if I may, before you ask Ms. McNulty
to give her stipulations, if I may ask the Chair or the Vice Chair that's there if I could
address the Commission. Vice Chair?
Chair Hardemon: I'm here, Commissioner.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay, Chairman. Okay. Commissioner Russell, I'm glad
you put that picture up, because, as they say, a picture states a thousand words. And
maybe you could understand why, back in February 14 of last year, I showed
numerous pictures of things like this that were going on in my own district; many of
them that had been going on even for years before I got there. And I will support
you in this. If you want to take this off the agenda today for you to speak to the City
Attorney's Office, I will support you, because this is your district. These are
structures that are going to be there forever. And I never saw the pictures that you
showed. I mean, that's -- it's very telling. I do have a question that maybe you could
answer me; if not, someone else can. Who gave the final approval for this? Was it
Zoning, the Zoning Director at the time, or was it Planning? I think it most likely
would have been Zoning, but if someone could answer me the question.
Kerri McNulty (Senior Assistant City Attorney): So it was Zoning that gave the
approval to release the unit of title, Commissioner.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. And the Zoning Director at the time was who?
Ms. McNulty: Mr. Cejas.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay; Devin Cejas. All right.
Ms. McNulty: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Who is the developer that either started the project or has
ended up with it? It's the same one, or --?
Ms. McNulty: It's the same. The developer is the current owner of both lots, and it's
the same owner who's owned it the entire time.
Commissioner Carollo: Who is the owner?
Ms. McNulty: It's a corporation; 3384 Day Avenue, Commissioner.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, but the corporation's got to have someone that's an
officer behind it. Who's the officer? Do you know, Mr. Russell?
Vice Chair Russell: I believe if you look on Sunbiz -- I haven't had contact with them
directly. I don't want to speak out of turn, because I believe it's on Sunbiz. That's
the only place that -- I haven't had contact with them, so I don't know.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, on Sunbiz, what does it say? Does it give you an
actual name of officers of the corporation or not?
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Vice Chair Russell: 3384 Day Avenue; Day Investments, Incorporated. It's
Alejandro Vel
what seems to be on Sunbiz.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Madam City Attorney, do we know who the real
owner is, or --?
Ms. Méndez: We'll look it up. We'll look it up.
Commissioner Carollo: And, look, what Commissioner Russell has brought up --
and let me quote his words. "Approving things that are not legal." This is what I
ran into when I first got elected a Commissioner; that the same Zoning Director that
approved this was giving approval for numerous things in my district that were not
legal. In fact, it was clear that in some of them, there was a conspiracy to purposely
lie to the rest of the City, like a container that was made to appear to be a standing
restaurant. And the same Zoning Director that made the decision here gave the
ruling that as long as they would put axles on it, that it would be legal because then
it was a food truck and it could be moved. Well, that was wrong to begin with. Even
if it had had axles, it would have been illegal. However, they went ahead, making it
legal, like if it did have axles until I brought the former Manager there one night and
he saw that there weren't even any axles on it. All the City had gotten were pictures
so that could have given the cover for the Zoning Director to have approved it. And
like that, we ran into many other items. I'll give you another example. What I would
call a flea market that they were claiming it was going to be a farmer's market, this
whole thing started before I was elected a Commissioner. After it was made clear to
the Zoning Director that he could not approve what he was intending to approve,
because it did not meet any criteria of what the law required for a farmer's market,
he acknowledged that it was correct, and that he read it. And then, a short time
later, he went ahead and approved it. And neither in the case that Commissioner
Russell is bringing up, nor in the two cases that I'm bringing up, and others is there
any accountability. Nobody in the City ever has to pay any price for either so-called
mistakes or shenanigans. And this is part of what has to stop. This is why,
Commissioner Russell, I will support for you to defer this until you meet with the
City Attorney's Office -- if that's your desire -- because this kind of stuff cannot go on
any longer in any of our districts.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chair? Mr. Chair, yoo-hoo. I'm going to authorize
myself. Commissioner Russell, you never saw this before, I mean, when they were
planning on doing what they did, and I agree with you, and I've been stating and
saying it many, many a times, just as Commissioner Carollo has found that our
system has been played. I've been saying it, that some developers have played our
system with the definition of "affordable housing," the definition of "back set" and --
"setbacks" -- and all of that. But you never were aware that it was going to look like
that, because that is a monstrosity. Have you seen that before, Commissioner
Russell; the pictures that you showed?
Vice Chair Russell: It was brought to my attention by residents in that neighborhood
after it was built.
Commissioner Reyes: I will support you on deferring this, and I think that you're
absolutely right in your arguments. I think that you're absolutely right, and we have
to stop this, and that's why I've been asking for a long time that every single
department, the process which they follow to make a decision has to be analyzed.
And I feel confident that our City Manager will go into the departments and analyze
the processes, and how we keep them -- I mean, we keep things like this from
happening again, and things like that, Commissioner Carollo encountered and have
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been fighting for so long in his district. We have to find solutions for those
problems. I will support you, too, sir.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you very much. Mr. Chairman, I --
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized.
Vice Chair Russell: -- thank you. I -- so we can either have a shade meeting on this,
or I can work with the City Attorney to see what our exposure is, what our chances
are. But more importantly, we, as a Commission, need to work on closing these
loopholes. I know we now have a new City Manager, we have a new Zoning
Director, but the Code is still the same. And so, we can still get played, and these
sorts of things can still slip by. There are certain procedural things that need to
change, and there are certain things within the Code that need to change to tighten
up loopholes. But I appreciate your support in this. I hope to find a reasonable
solution with this developer. I've never met with them. The City Attorney has been
trying to work this out from a legal and financial perspective to get us out of this,
and move forward with the least financial exposure for the City. And I understand
and respect that, but sometimes -- and I'm not trying to incur more cost as a city, but
I really want to study better what our chances are in this case, and really show our
residents that we want to respect our Code; that their worst suspicions about our
Administration and our electeds are not true, so I appreciate your support in
deferring this item.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, let me just say this: There were no loopholes here.
What happened here is that the personnel that we had in Zoning, the Zoning Director
in particular, is where the buck stops in this item. For whatever reason, I would
prefer to believe that they didn't look at it, but I'm not naïve enough to know other
possibilities could have happened. But none of them come to the fact of a loophole
anywhere. This was done in a way to deceive us, the elected officials and other
people. And what bothers me is that the times that we've ran into situations like this,
no one does anything to investigate, to look at it from our Administration's point of
view, and I think we need to start doing that. People have to be held accountable.
You cannot have a small group of businesspeople, developers in the City of Miami
that have the insight to get away with stuff that nobody else can do, because the law
doesn't allow them to. So, Commissioner, I just hope that in the future, you also will
support me when you see things of this sort, whether residential or commercial, in
my district.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Commissioner. I'll move to defer CA.3 to the first
meeting in July.
Commissioner Reyes: Second.
Vice Chair Russell: And that'll give us some time to work together.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved.
Vice Chair Russell: I don't think we need to go into details of the settlement here on
the dais.
Commissioner Carollo: Second the motion.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved and seconded. Seeing no further
discussion, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
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Chair Hardemon: The motion carries.
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
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PH - PUBLIC HEARINGS
PH.1 RESOLUTION
7416 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Department of
HE TOTAL AMOUNT OF
Housing and
IT
Community
RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO THE CITY'S EMERGENCY
Development
RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO BE USED TO
PAY ELIGIBLE EXPENSES IN DISTRICT 2 SUCH AS RENT AND
UTILITIES AMONG ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO
HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS DUE TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
("COVID-19") PANDEMIC; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE, SUBJECT TO ALL
FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS THAT REGULATE THE USE
OF SUCH FUNDS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-20-0145
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Chair Hardemon: Okay. Is there a motion to approve the PH (Public Hearing)
agenda?
Vice Chair Russell: So moved.
Commissioner Reyes: PH.2 -- I'm sorry, Mr. --
Chair Hardemon: PH.2 is withdrawn.
Commissioner Reyes: PH.2 is withdrawn, but we have to -- I want to bring up
whenever it's possible, you recognize them. There were some representatives from --
Chair Hardemon: Is this about PH.2?
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Commissioner Reyes: Illumination Technologies. I have a letter here from --
Chair Hardemon: It was withdrawn.
Commissioner Reyes: -- Daniel -- it's Danny Diaz Balart, that he wants to come and
read the letter and I don't know if he is available that we have to -- we can recognize
him, or whenever you feel that it'd be proper to do it.
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Chair Hardemon: Okay. Well, let's finish the agenda, and then maybe we can get
back to that when we have the public comment section, and he'll come back up with
it.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay, sir.
Chair Hardemon: So, the PH agenda, there's a motion to approve?
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: I'll move it. I'll move it.
Commissioner Reyes: And I'll second it.
Chair Hardemon: Any further discussion?
Vice Chair Russell: Yes, please; just one comment on PH.1, please.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We know that we, as a City, are
going to need to be really watching our finances as we move forward in dealing with
recovery from this crisis. We're also seeing how dire it is within our community, and
the needs. The rental assistance and utility assistance program that we had put
nearly $2 million toward, after the lottery is all said and done, is only helping 1,300
people. We had 60,000 applicants within the week for that program, over 30,000 of
which actually complied with the requirements and went into the lottery. That means
there's 30,000 people who were willing to apply that knew about this program that
had lost their job in the City of Miami, and had this need. So it's a drop in the bucket
of what we're facing. So PH.1 is reallocation of a quarter million dollars of my
CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds to help -- you know -- shore up
that program a little bit more. But I know that's going to be gone soon, as well.
We've got a tough road ahead of us, and I know we're going to need to tighten our
belts. I'm glad that this is coming from CDBG funds rather than our general fund,
but I thank you for your support on this item.
Chair Hardemon: Any further discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion carries.
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City Commission Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020
PH.2 RESOLUTION
6505 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENTS, BY A FOUR-FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE
Commissioners
VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING,
and Mayor
CONFIRMING, AND APPROVING TS
RECOMMENDATION AND WRITTEN FINDINGS, ATTACHED AND
-
85(A) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED; WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPETITIVE
SEALED BIDDING METHODS AND PROCEDURES AS NOT BEING
PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE CITY OF MIAMI
("CITY"); AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
RIGHT OF WAY ACCESS AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
TION
TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, A FOREIGN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
REGISTERED TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF
BONDING AND INSURANCE APPROVED BY THE CITY'S RISK
MANAGER, TO ALLOW ILLUMINATION TECHNOLOGIES ACCESS
TO CERTAIN RIGHTS OF WAY FOR THE INSTALLATION OF
MULTIPURPOSE POLES FOR THE PROVISION, AMONGST
OTHER THINGS, OF A VIGILANCE SECURITY NETWORK,
INCLUDING A VIGILANCE VIDEO CAMERA NETWORK, FLOOD
SENSORS, AND TAG READERS, ALL AT NO COST TO THE CITY,
FURTHERING THE INTERESTS OF THE PUBLIC'S HEALTH,
SAFETY, AND GENERAL WELFARE; FURTHER AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND
ALL AMENDMENTS AND EXTENSIONS THERETO, ALL IN A
FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID
PURPOSE.
MOTION TO: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.2, please see "Order of the
Day."
Chair Hardemon: And so, at this moment, what I'd like to do is I'll open up the floor
for public comment, if there were any further public comments, especially regarding
Pocket Item Number 3. Are there any individuals who wish to speak on public
comment?
Victoria Méndez (City Attorney): IT (Information Technology), did any other public
comments come in?
Manuel Otero (Web Administrator, Innovation and Technology): We have Mr. Diaz
de la Portilla \[sic\]. I'm not sure that qualifies as public comment. He's an attendee.
Ms. Méndez: He was the one that was given an opportunity to speak on the
Illumination item.
Mr. Otero: Yes.
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Ms. Méndez: So, Mr. Chairman, you'll advise us when that can happen?
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Who do we have?
Ms. Méndez: Mr. Daniel Diaz-Balart on Illumination.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Okay. Because he said --
Commissioner Reyes: Diaz de la Portilla.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: -- "Mr. Diaz de la Portilla," and --
Ms. Méndez: I said, "Diaz-Balart." Did I say, "Diaz de la Portilla"?
Chair Hardemon: I see the resemblance.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: We all look alike; right, Mr. Chair? Yeah, you
said, "Diaz de la Portilla."
Chair Hardemon: So I'll recognize him now. Good to see you, sir, outside of the
courtroom.
Daniel Diaz-Balart: Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. It's great to see you, as
well, and all others; Commissioners, Mr. City Manager, thank you (INAUDIBLE)
Illumination Technologies. I just want to start by saying -- thanking Commissioner
Reyes for his support throughout these two years or so that we've worked on this
project. It's been a real joy to work with you and your staff, especially your Chief of
Staff, Steve Ferreiro. Everybody's been very professional. It's been a true joy. So
thank you so much for your support. And once again, I'm just going to read a brief
statement from Illumination Technologies regarding our decision to withdraw this
item. Illumination Technologies, Florida hereby requests that the City of Miami
withdraw our item from the Commission's agenda. For two years, we've diligently
and in good faith worked with the City of Miami to try and reach an agreement
whereby Illumination Technologies would make a considerable and generous
investment in the City and its residents. Illumination Technologies was committed to
working together with the City of Miami on a forward-thinking project to provide a
smart city infrastructure to the City for the benefit of its residents. Illumination
Technologies' proposal consisted of building and entirely funding the approximately
$8 million project that would have included an expansive Wi-Fi network in City parks
for use by its residents, state-of-the art security systems for the police, and a fiber
optic network for use by the City. In addition, Illumination Technologies' proposal
included the payment to the City of a monthly flat fee for each multi-purpose pole
constructed. Our offer was extremely generous, especially in light of existing Florida
law, which permits the unimpeded construction of telecommunications infrastructure
by providers in the City's rights-of-way, without any remuneration to the City,
whatsoever. Regrettably, after considerable time and investment on the part of
Illumination Technologies, we are left with no choice but to withdraw this proposal.
This is due in no small part to assurances of support that we received for our project,
which did not materialize at the time it was considered for a vote. Furthermore, in
the two years since we initially offered to build this project, the effectiveness and
opportunity to deploy these colocation-multi-purpose poles dramatically diminished
as hundreds of single-carrier poles were approved by the City, while our project was
met with hurdle after hurdle, in the same time period. Accordingly, Illumination
Technologies has decided to focus its efforts on the municipalities that understand the
value of its offer to provide valuable infrastructure solutions. In terms of our plans
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City Commission Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020
for the City of Miami, as we previously advised the City Commission during the
meeting of February 13, 2020, we will proceed to construct telecommunications
infrastructure in Miami rights-of-way via a separate property license, and registered
telecommunication provider, as permitted under Florida law. Signed Daniel Kirby,
Deputy CEO (Chief Executive Officer) and general counsel of Illumination
Technologies, Florida. Thank you for your time today, and please stay safe.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chair? Mr. Chair?
Chair Hardemon: One second. I just want to make sure that we concluded the public
comment. So is there any other person for public comment?
Mr. Otero: No, sir.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. Can you bring us back to the City Commission? Thank
you. Madam City Attorney, that was a mouthful. Commissioner Reyes, I want to
recognize you.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes. First of all, I want to thank Mr. Diaz-Balart for coming.
And it is a shame that -- well, I'm just going to ask on my part and the part of the City
Commission -- that what happened before, don't preclude them from coming to the
City again. And -- I'm talking about the Illumination Technologies, but any other
business that this company has; that we would be more than glad to undertake it. And
I know what had happened here, and I have to be very specific about it. For two and
a half years, the goalpost was -- kept on moving, moving, farther, farther away from
them. And every time that they would try to bring this to the -- I mean for a vote, the
previous Administration was asking more and asking more, and we need more money,
and we need more money, and we need more money. And we knew and -- I remember
the last meeting, we knew that they were properly licensed, as a telecommunication
provider, and they didn't need to provide any type of benefits to the City of Miami,
because, unfortunately, every telecommunications provider, they have the blessing of
the State to do as they please on our streets. And we lost this opportunity, and I really
hope that this is a lesson that when we have the ability or the probability of obtaining
benefits that we are going to do business, and let's be a little more serious. And
instead of moving the goalpost all the time, and asking more and more and more, that
this doesn't happen. That's it. And I'm sorry, Mr. Diaz-Balart, and good luck in your
endeavor. I know that I'm going to see your poles all around. But the only request
that I'm going to ask is if you have any pole that it is close to one of the City parks,
please, please make those City parks -- if it is in my district much better -- but make
those City parks Wi-Fi. Thank you. That's all I want to say.
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PH.3 RESOLUTION
7410 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING,
Department of
RECOMMENDING TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE MIAMI-DADE
Resilience and
COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC
Public Works
WORKS ("DTPW") THE PERMANENT RESTRICTION OF
VEHICULAR ACCESS AND THE VACATION OF TWO (2)
ROADWAY SEGMENTS AT NORTHWEST 1ST COURT FROM
NORTH OF NORTHWEST 13TH STREET TO SOUTH OF
NORTHWEST 14TH STREET AND NORTHWEST 13TH STREET
FROM EAST OF NORTHWEST 1ST COURT TO WEST OF
NORTHWEST 1ST AVENUE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A
CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") REQUESTED ENHANCED PEDESTRIAN
BRIDGE AS PART OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
395/STATE ROAD
836/INTERSTATE 95 DESIGN-BUILD PROJECT, SUBJECT TO ANY
REQUIREMENTS OR CONDITIONS THAT MAY BE IMPOSED BY
THE CITY'S RESILIENCE AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT,
FIRE-RESCUE DEPARTMENT, SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT,
AND POLICE DEPARTMENT; FURTHER RECOMMENDING TO
DTPW THAT PEDESTRIAN ACCESS BE PROVIDED AT ALL TIMES
ACROSS SAID STREETS UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE SAME ARE
VACATED; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY
OF THIS RESOLUTION TO DIRECTOR OF DTPW.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-20-0146
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.3, please see Item PH.1.
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PH.4 RESOLUTION
7409 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENTS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
Department of
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A ROADWAY TRANSFER
Resilience and
AGREEMENT WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
Public Works
TRANSPORTATION ("FDOT") TO ACCOMMODATE
CONSTRUCTION OF A CITY OF MIAMI ENHANCED PEDESTRIAN
BRIDGE AS PART OF THE REBUILDING BY FDOT OF THE I-
395/SR 836/I-95 DESIGN-BUILD PROJECT, MIAMI, FLORIDA
("PROJECT"); FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
TAKE ANY AND ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH
SAID TRANSFERS FROM THE CITY OF MIAMI'S STREET SYSTEM
TO FDOT'S STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM, AS STATED HEREIN AND
MORE GENERALLY DEPICTED IN EXHIBIT "A"; ADOPTING THE
BASIS OF DESIGN ATTACHED HEREIN AS EXHIBIT "B" AS THE
GUIDING DOCUMENT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE OPEN
SPACE UNDERNEATH THE PROJECT AND URGING FDOT TO
UTILIZE THE SAME; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT
THIS A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS STATED
HEREIN.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-20-0147
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.4, please see Item PH.1.
END OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
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RE - RESOLUTIONS
RE.1 RESOLUTION
7357 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
Office of Capital
ACCEPT, ALLOCATE, AND APPROPRIATE GRANT FUNDS IN AN
Improvements
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND
DOLLARS ($250,000.00) FROM THE MIAMI PARKING AUTHORITY
("MPA") FOR THE BAY OF PIGS MEMORIAL PROJECT, OFFICE
OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ("OCI") PROJECT NO. 40-B183526;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
AND EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE MPA, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR THE
ACCEPTANCE OF SAID GRANT FUNDS; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ANY AND ALL OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS,
AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, RENEWALS, AND
MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGREEMENT, ALL IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-20-0148
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Chair Hardemon: I want to note for the record if there's a substitution that's been
put for RE.7 and RE.8, so any motion to approve the RE (Resolutions) agenda would
include that substitution for each of those items.
Victoria Méndez (City Attorney): Chairman, if we can slow down on the REs,
because there's a few things. Give me one second. Okay. RE.8, you all received the
substitution with regard to the noise waiver reso that is going to be a process which
the City Manager is going to work on for the future; that's how that has been
amended in order to deal with the noise waivers for these types of events. And then
for RE.7, I have to read something into the record.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Mr. Chair?
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: I want to pull out RE.3 from your motion. I want
to discuss it, a standalone.
Chair Hardemon: That's fine. There's no motion on the floor just yet.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Oh, I thought you had made a motion to approve
the RE items.
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Chair Hardemon: And is there any other item that any of you do not want in the
motion to include the majority of these items? Okay. Is there a motion to approve
the RE agenda as amended on the record; not including RE.3?
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: So moved.
Ms. Méndez: May I read the RE.7 language that I have to add on the record?
Chair Hardemon: That's fine.
Ms. Méndez: For RE.7, you also received a substitute --
Chair Hardemon: Is it absolutely necessary to read the amendment?
Ms. Méndez: Yes. I'm sorry. Okay. For RE.7, I just wanted to note that you also
received a substitution that clarified the changes. I need to read into the record the
one thing that was not included in the substitution, which is that this resolution is
ratifying, confirming, and approving that pursuant to Section 18.72(b)20 of the Code
of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended, allocations of API (Anti-Poverty
Initiative) funds in the aggregate amount of $50,000 or less in a single City fiscal
year to any single entity pursuant to the API guidelines shall not require City
Commission approval. The reason why I just wanted to clarify that for the record is
that we've had a practice of bringing these items to City Commission even though
they do not need to come to City Commission, pursuant to that Code Section, when
it's less than 50,000. There was in the 2018 minutes -- some of the Commissioners
had requested for these items to still come back even though it's not required by our
Code, so I just wanted to make sure that if a Commissioner wants to bring an item,
he definitely can, but it is not required, and I wanted to clarify that. We're also
amending the budget in the future to delegate for these API contracts to be signed by
-- they're templates, and that they could be signed by the Manager; just to clarify all
that, which is allowed by Chapter 18. So thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much.
Vice Chair Russell: So which items are on the motion?
Chair Hardemon: On the motion: RE.1, RE.2, RE.4, RE.6, RE.7, RE.8.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to co-sponsor RE.4, please.
Chair Hardemon: Noted for the record. I don't remember who made the motion, so
I'll take that as a motion, and I'll second the motion. Any further discussion? Seeing
none, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against? The motion carries.
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RE.2 RESOLUTION
7366 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
ACCEPTING THE BID RECEIVED ON JANUARY 6, 2020
Office of Capital
FROM AMERICAN PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION, LLC, A
Improvements
LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER,
-20-009
FOR THE PROVISION OF CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
FOR THE NORTHWEST 24TH AVENUE, NORTHWEST
25TH AVENUE, AND NORTHWEST 32ND STREET ROAD
IMPROVEMENTS - D1, PROJECT NO. B-30723,
COMPRISED OF THE FOLLOWING AMOUNTS: EIGHT
HUNDRED NINETY SEVEN THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED
NINETY NINE DOLLARS AND THIRTY TWO CENTS
($897,499.32) FOR THE CITY OF MIAM
SCOPE OF WORK, TWO HUNDRED SEVENTY ONE
THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED SEVEN DOLLARS AND
THIRTEEN CENTS ($271,507.13) FOR THE MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY WATER MAIN-RELATED WORK, FIFTY FOUR
THOUSAND DOLLARS AND ZERO CENTS ($54,000.00)
FOR A DEDICATED ALLOWANCE TO FUND OFF-DUTY
POLICE, THIRTY EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS AND
ZERO CENTS ($38,000.00) FOR A DEDICATED
ALLOWANCE TO REIMBURSE PERMIT FEES, AND
SEVENTY SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS AND ZERO CENTS
($76,000.00) FOR THE OWNER'S CONTINGENCY
ALLOWANCE, FOR A TOTAL NOT-TO-EXCEED
CONTRACT AWARD VALUE OF ONE MILLION THREE
HUNDRED THIRTY SEVEN THOUSAND SIX DOLLARS
AND FORTY FIVE CENTS ($1,337,006.45); ALLOCATING
IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT NO. B-30723; AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT
WITH APC, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, CONSISTING OF THE ITB DOCUMENTS AND
ITS ATTACHMENTS; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
OTHER DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS,
RENEWALS, AND EXTENSIONS, SUBJECT TO ALL
ALLOCATIONS, APPROPRIATIONS, PRIOR BUDGETARY
APPROVALS, COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE
PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), INCLUDING THE
CITY'S PROCUREMENT ORDINANCE, ANTI-DEFICIENCY
ACT, AND FINANCIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES, ALL AS
SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 18 OF THE CITY CODE, IN A
FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AND IN
COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES,
AND REGULATIONS AS MAY BE DEEMED NECESSARY
FOR SAID PURPOSE; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ANY
BOND FUNDING FOR ANY PHASE SHALL REQUIRE
FURTHER CITY COMMISSION APPROVAL FOR THE
SAME.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-20-0149
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MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.2, please see Item RE.1.
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RE.3 RESOLUTION
7280 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THE PROPOSALS RECEIVED
Department of
APRIL 29, 2019 PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Procurement
M ASHBRITT, INC., A FLORIDA PROFIT
CORPORATION, CERES ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC., A
FOREIGN PROFIT CORPORATION AUTHORIZED TO CONDUCT
BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, CROWDER-GULF JOINT
VENTURE, INC., A FLORIDA PROFIT CORPORATION, D. & J.,
ENTERPRISES, INC., A FOREIGN PROFIT CORPORATION
AUTHORIZED TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF
FLORIDA, DRC EMERGENCY SERVICES, LLC, A FOREIGN
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AUTHORIZED TO CONDUCT
BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, AND T.F.R.
ENTERPRISES, INC., A FOREIGN PROFIT CORPORATION
AUTHORIZED TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF
FLORIDA FOR THE PROVISION OF EMERGENCY DEBRIS AND
DISASTER RECOVERY SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI
, PARKS AND
RECREATION, AND RESILIENCE AND PUBLIC WORKS FOR AN
INITIAL PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEARS WITH AN OPTION TO
RENEW FOR THREE (3) ADDITIONAL TWO (2) YEAR PERIODS
ON AN AS-NEEDED CONTRACTUAL BASIS; AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A NEGOTIATED PROFESSIONAL
SERVIIFIED
PROPOSERS, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS,
INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, AND
EXTENSIONS AND TO ADD ADDITIONAL QUALIFIED
PROPOSER(S) TO THE CONTRACT WHEN DEEMED IN THE
BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
RFP, SUBJECT TO ALL ALLOCATIONS, APPROPRIATIONS,
PRIOR BUDGETARY APPROVALS, COMPLIANCE WITH ALL
APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), INCLUDING THE
CITY'S PROCUREMENT ORDINANCE, ANTI-DEFICIENCY ACT,
AND FINANCIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES, ALL AS SET FORTH IN
CHAPTER 18 OF THE CITY CODE, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL
APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS AS MAY BE
DEEMED NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE.
MOTION TO: Deny
RESULT: DENIAL PASSED
MOVER: Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Note for the Record: A motion was made by Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla,
seconded by Commissioner Reyes, to deny Item RE.3, which unanimously PASSED
with an instruction to the City Manager to enter into competitive negotiations with
at least five (5) individuals or firms for assessing the ability to perform such services
and obtain information from said individuals or firms relating to the experience,
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qualifications and the proposed cost or fee for said services and make a
recommendation to the City Commission for future approval.
Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla, you want to be recognized on
RE.3?
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we reject all
proposals, and instruct the City Manager to enter into competitive negotiations with
at least five individuals or firms for assessing the ability to perform such services, and
obtain information from said individuals or firms related to the experience,
qualifications, and the proposed cost or fee for said services, and make a
recommendation to the City Commission for future approval. This rejects and throws
out -- this motion would reject and throw out those six companies that responded to
our debris removal RFP (Request for Proposals), and we can go into the details why I
made this motion now when we open it up for debate. Do you want me to --?
Chair Hardemon: Okay. It's been --
Victoria Méndez (City Attorney): I wanted to clarify that this is consistent with our
City Code. There is a provision that allows for this exact motion.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: And that's why I read it verbatim, to make sure
that we're consistent with what we need to do here. I know we're nearing hurricane
season, and we need to move quickly on this, but I've spoken to our City Manager,
and he's agreed that he can negotiate with at least five different local companies, with
an emphasis on "local"; very, very important in these times that we're facing, hard
economic times, that we deal with as many local companies, and employ as many of
our own as possible, but that we really have not -- you know, we really have some bad
actors -- definitely one bad actor, potential; has a history of not really doing good
things in the past, and I think we need to judge these entities by what they've done in
the past. And I don't want to happen to us what's happened to other cities, and other
municipalities, and other states with one of these companies. And so, it's a long list,
and it's a lot of arguments why, and I want to try to avoid getting into the details.
Chair Hardemon: Commissioner, I'll second your motion.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Okay.
Chair Hardemon: And then I'll recognize Commissioner Reyes for discussion.
Commissioner Reyes: Well, you moved it? Because I was going to make a motion.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: I made the motion, yeah.
Commissioner Reyes: Oh, you made the motion?
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Reyes: I'll second it. And I agree with you 100 percent that we have to
review this, and make sure that the people that we're contracting, they have the equip
-- and they are ready to serve the City of Miami. I agree with you, and I second it.
Chair Hardemon: Any further discussion?
Vice Chair Russell: Yes. I just want to -- for those of you who were on the dais when
Hurricane Irma hit -- and it didn't even really hit; it grazed us, and the amount of
debris that was needed to be removed caused a national -- just because of -- the Texas
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City Commission Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020
coast, the Louisiana coast, everybody was fighting for these operators to come in, and
it became a seller's market on their side. And fortunately, we had the size and
strength as a city to really bring them here and get our streets cleared faster than a
lot of other areas. So I really want to make sure beyond local operators and beyond
cost that we are having the best options available to make sure that we can clear our
streets as fast as possible, and get back on our feet, and give the Manager as much
leeway, and strength, and flexibility as he needs.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right, that's right.
Vice Chair Russell: I'll absolutely support your item, and trust that the Manager will
help negotiate on our behalf to get the best possible services for us.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: I agree.
Chair Hardemon: Seeing no further discussion, all in favor of the motion, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against? The motion passes, which, of course, is a rejection of
RE.3, to deny.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
RE.4 RESOLUTION
7265 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ESTABLISHING A ONE (1) YEAR PILOT
Commissioners
PROGRAM FOR THE USE OF ELECTRIC CARGO B-
and Mayor
CAR
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AND CONGESTION-REDUCING
ALTERNATIVE TO LARGE DELIVERY TRUCKS IN THE
DOWNTOWN AREA, BRICKELL AREA, AND CORAL WAY AS
AND INCORPORATED; FURTHER PROVIDING MINIMUM
REQUIREMENTS FOR PILOT PROGRAM PARTICIPATION,
INCLUDING OBTAINING A CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") BUSINESS
TAX RECEIPT, INSURANCE, AND FURNISHING A SIGNED AND
NOTARIZED HOLD HARMLESS FORM TO THE CITY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-20-0150
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.4, please see Item RE.1.
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RE.5 RESOLUTION
7417 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-72 OF THE CODE
Commissioners
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, AUTHORIZING
and Mayor
THE ALLOCATION OF GRANT FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($5,000.00) FROM THE
CITY OF MIAMI'S
("CITY") ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVE ("API"), FIVE THOUSAND
DOLLARS ($5,000.00) FROM THE DISTRICT 2 CO
SHARE OF THE CITY'S API, FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS
OF THE CITY'S API, AND TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,000.00)
CITY'S API FOR A TOTAL
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS
($25,000.00) TO FARM SHARE INC., A FLORIDA NOT FOR
PROFIT CORPORATION, FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTION TO
INDIVIDUALS OF LOW OR MODERATE INCOME, SPECIFICALLY
INDIVIDUALS IN THE CITY WHO HAVE BEEN OTHERWISE
NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
-
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
MOTION TO: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.5, please see "Order of the
Day."
RE.6 RESOLUTION
7432 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
RECOGNIZING AND EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR THE
Commissioners
DEDICATION AND CONTINUED SERVICE OF THE
and Mayor
-
FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY
OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS NAMED HEREIN.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-20-0151
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.6, please see Item RE.1.
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RE.7 RESOLUTION
7435 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ANTI-POVERTY INITIATIVE
Commissioners
DISTRIBUTIONS DURING
and Mayor
TIMES OF CRISIS; FURTHER CLARIFYING THAT IN ADDITION
TO CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") DEPARTMENTS, THE OFFICES OF
CITY ELECTED OFFICIALS SHALL QUALIFY AS ELIGIBLE
RECIPIENTS OF API FUNDS; AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-20-0152
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.7, please see Item RE.1.
RE.8 RESOLUTION
7430 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING
THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO CREATE A CITY-
Commissioners
and Mayor
ASSOCIATIONS TO APPLY FOR WAIVERS DIRECTLY TO THE
CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE FOR APPROVAL OF
SECTION 36-4(A) AND (B) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), ENTITLED
"OPERATION OF RADIOS, PHONOGRAPHS OR OTHER SOUND-
MAKING DEVICES; BANDS, ORCHESTRAS AND MUSICIANS
GENERALLY; EXEMPTION
OF FIRST RESPONDER, MEDICAL AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES
PERSONNEL CELEBRATIONS AND/OR CHARITABLE EVENTS
WHILE UNDER EMERGENCY ORDERS DUE TO THE NOVEL
-
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-20-0153
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.8, please see Item RE.1.
END OF RESOLUTIONS
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SR - SECOND READING ORDINANCE
SR.1 ORDINANCE Second Reading
7068 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 31/ARTICLE II OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
Commissioners
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLTAX AND
and Mayor
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS REGULATIONS/LOCAL BUSINESS
-
MODIFY THE REGULATIONS FOR FOOD TRUCKS OPERATING
ON PRIVATE LAND, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
REQUIRING SITE PLAN APPROVAL FOR FOOD TRUCKS THAT
PARK OVERNIGHT OR ARE PRESENT MORE THAN THREE (3)
DAYS A WEEK ON PRIVATE PROPERTY; CREATING
STANDARDS FOR SUCH SITE PLAN APPROVAL; PROVIDING
FOR AN EXEMPTION OF FOOD TRUCK REQUIREMENTS FOR
PROPERTIES USED BY RELIGIOUS OR EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS AND AN EXEMPTION FROM CERTAIN
REQUIREMENTS FOR FOOD TRUCKS ENGAGED SOLELY IN
APPLICATION-BASED MEAL PRODUCTION; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 13901
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Reyes
NAYS: Carollo
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item SR.1, please see "Public
Comments for All Item(s)."
Chair Hardemon: Madam City Attorney, can you read SR.1 into the record, please?
Vice Chair Russell: That's been deferred. No, no, I'm sorry. That's the one we're
going to amend.
Commissioner Reyes: Bifurcate.
Vice Chair Russell: Yeah.
Victoria Méndez (City Attorney): An ordinance --
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Go right ahead.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Ms. Méndez: That's the one that we're going to amend, correct? We're going to --
Commissioner Reyes: Correct. The kitchen (INAUDIBLE). Take out the kitchens.
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Ms. Méndez: We're going to take that out. So strike the app-based meal production.
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Vice Chair Russell: Second it.
Ms. Méndez: So we will be modifying -- if this is the will of the Commission, you will
be passing this legislation, and we will be modifying the definition of "food trucks" to
exclude app-based food trucks, which would not be allowed to operate pursuant to
this section.
Commissioner Reyes: That's going to be brought up later on in another meeting.
Ms. Méndez: So we would add a prohibition, also, that these app-based food trucks'
meal productions are prohibited --
Vice Chair Russell: No. My intention here is -- because the Code did not reference
app-based meal production before, and they didn't fall within the definition of "food
trucks." So they were being added. We simply need to remove the reference at this
point, and then address it when necessary. I don't think we need to create a
prohibition at this point, because our goal is to try to see if there's a way they fit into
our Code down the line, and work with -- in a compatible way and not a competitive
way.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right; to be a complement instead of a competitor.
Ms. Méndez: All right. So at this time, then we will be removing it from the definition
of "food trucks," and we'll create its own definition. But just know that if it's not in
the definition, it's technically a prohibition for now. I just --
Vice Chair Russell: Understood.
Ms. Méndez: Okay.
Vice Chair Russell: Just not expressly. Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. It has been properly moved and seconded that we modify
SR.1. And SR.1, there's a motion to approve. Right? That's noted on the record,
right, Mr. Clerk?
Commissioner Reyes: That's right; moved and seconded. I moved it.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): It's been properly moved and seconded, and the
amendment has been stated on the record.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all in favor of the
motion, say "aye."
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Aye.
Commissioner Carollo: Nay.
Chair Hardemon: It's been noted on the record Commissioner Joe Carollo is against.
Motion carries.
\[Later\]
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Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Russell.
Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Chairman, thank you. I should have asked this earlier. I just
want to make sure from the City Manager and the City Attorney that in our
bifurcation of SR.1 that we are still able to continue with our meals program as we
have put together. I know some of those satellite kitchen locations were doing
grocery delivery for some of our food programs. So there was an order that we all
negotiated on last month that allowed, with certain distance restrictions in different
parts of town for them to be able to operate during the emergency period. I just want
to make sure that based on that expiring and this item not passing with that chapter in
it, with that paragraph in it that it doesn't interrupt our meals and grocery program
that we're working on together.
Victoria Méndez (City Attorney): You would have to pass another resolution. At this
time, that temporary measure ended on April 24. They're not considered food trucks
now pursuant to this ordinance, so right now, there's no regulatory scheme for those
satellite kitchens.
Vice Chair Russell: What's the will of this Commission? Because I just want to make
sure -- We actually launched the program yesterday, and it was a big success in
making sure that families who have lost their jobs are able to get fed, and get
groceries, and a couple of hot meals. That's the real purpose of this cooperation, so I
just want to make sure. I understand that some of them are on City properties at this
point. Some of them are on their private properties at this point. I just need to know
logistically that they don't get interrupted from the meals program that we're working
on.
Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Reyes.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Commissioner Russell, this what -- you are referring to
the meals that we are delivering through our meals program; that they are being --
now they are being cooked and delivered from those kitchens?
Vice Chair Russell: Correct.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. And as I recall, we had -- when we passed the
resolution -- I mean and the -- we made the decision, and last meeting, we excluded
downtown Miami. And also, you -- I asked you if they were going to be in Coconut
Grove, and you said, "No, they're not going to be in Coconut Grove." Is that true?
Vice Chair Russell: They're not in Coconut Grove.
Commissioner Reyes: They are not in Coconut Grove. And we will discuss that later
on, but I don't want to interrupt the distribution of meals the way that you have it set
up, given the problem that we have, but I'm willing to -- what was passed, having to
consideration and including the kitchen that is now in downtown Miami, excluding
that; that it would remain the same as -- yeah.
Vice Chair Russell: So there would be a motion to extend that emergency order.
Commissioner Reyes: And to extend that emergency order without the kitchen in
downtown Miami.
Vice Chair Russell: Okay.
Commissioner Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) as it was adopted -- I mean as it was
passed last time.
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Vice Chair Russell: All right. Is that clear, Madam City Attorney?
Ms. Méndez: Okay. So just so you know, the last time you passed the directive, if
you're going -- which expired on April 24, 2020, and it read, just so that -- because
we're going to have to change it, because this talks about food trucks. The satellite
kitchens were considered food trucks. Now we're going to have to change it to the
satellite kitchens. But what was passed, I believe, on April 9, was a direction to the
Miami City -- "A direction of the Miami City Commission to the City Manager to
temporarily suspend the enforcement of Section 31-51 of the Code of the City of
Miami, Florida, as amended, relating to the operation of food trucks as an emergency
measure pursuant to the declaration of state of emergency in the State of Florida, and
the declaration of state of local emergency in the City of Miami, in order to permit
food trucks to remain on private property for longer than three days, but only under
the following circumstances." And that's when we laid out that there will be none in
District 3; the ones where they're supposed to be in District 2; and the Districts 1, 4,
and 5, as long as they're not located more than a thousand feet. We set out some
criteria.
Commissioner Reyes: No, we don't want them -- I don't want them, either, in my
district. I mean, I'm just saying, where they are now, that they are providing the food
for those people that needs it in his district. The ones that he has, that's the one that I
am -- agree with. And I also made it clear that in downtown Miami, you see, that I
was totally opposed to that, because of -- we don't -- I don't -- this discussion will
come again, and I will state which one is my position when my position is clear. What
I don't want is to interrupt the food distribution that Commissioner Russell is doing
now and -- until this state of emergency that we have. And when it is over or when it
comes back, then we will make it clear why and the position of every one of us in
regard to those kitchens that now they are serving -- I mean, serving food to the
people that are -- or the elderly, the elderlies that they are at home.
Vice Chair Russell: As a potential fix, Madam City Attorney, I believe our -- I believe
the City Manager is very familiar with each Commissioner's request within that
original order. Is it not true that he, under his own purview, under the emergency
order can administratively work with these companies, and it's up to him to work with
each Commissioner and make sure that their wishes are respected in their districts
during the emergency order period without us passing legislation or a resolution as
City Commission?
Ms. Méndez: Yes, he can do that under his emergency order.
Vice Chair Russell: Then I think --
Ms. Méndez: But he would have to pass an emergency order for --
Vice Chair Russell: In the spirit of what Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla said at the
beginning of the meeting, the Manager is working with each Commissioner on these
programs, and can work with each of us independently, and it's under his purview to
create that.
Commissioner Reyes: I do accept that.
Vice Chair Russell: It sounds like just simply extending the order now wouldn't
necessarily apply, and could open up potentially the doors to other things we're not
intending. So I'm in favor of it happening that way if that's okay with you, Mr. City
Manager.
Art Noriega (City Manager): Fine with me.
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Vice Chair Russell: Okay. Then I don't think we need any action at this point.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
END OF SECOND READING ORDINANCE
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FR - FIRST READING ORDINANCES
FR.1 ORDINANCE First Reading
5131 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 62 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
Department of
Planning
SPECIFICALLY BY AMENDING ARTICLE III, SECTION 62-17,
BOARD/PROCEEDINGS OF PLANNING, ZONING AND APPEALS
VI, SECTION 62-22, TITLED
REMOVING ARTICLE VI, SECTION 62-24
PLANNING FEE
REFERENCES TO SPECIAL AREA PLANS; MAKING FINDINGS;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item FR.1, please see "Public
Comment for All Item(s)" and "Order of the Day."
FR.2 ORDINANCE First Reading
6588 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 38 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
Commissioners
and Mayor
PARTICULARLY BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE VII ENTITLED,
R
POWERS, DUTIES, AND SCOPE OF A CONSERVANCY FOR THE
MAURICE A. FERRÉ PARK FOR THE PRESERVATION,
MAINTENANCE, AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE MAURICE A.
FERRE PARK; CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer
RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item FR.2, please see "Order of the
Day."
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FR.3 ORDINANCE First Reading
7395 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 55 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
Commissioners
AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED "SUBDIVISION
and Mayor
REGULATIONS;" MORE PARTICULARLY BY AMENDING
SECTION 55-E;
RESTRICTIONS-14, TITLED
"ENCROACHMENTS ON OR IN RIGHTS-OF-WAY, PUBLIC
EASEMENTS, PRIVATE EASEMENTS OR EMERGENCY ACCESS
EASEMENTS; EXCEPTIONS," BY MODIFYING THE CITY OF
BUILDING PERMIT AND TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE OF
OCCUPANCY MAY BE ISSUED DURING THE PLATTING
PROCESS; ALLOWING THE ISSUANCE OF A TEMPORARY
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY FOR THOSE PROPERTIES THAT
HAVE RECEIVED APPROVAL FROM THE CITY COMMISSION
FOR ENCROACHMENTS INTO PLATTED EASEMENTS AND
CREATING A SUNSET DATE AFTER WHICH SUCH APPROVALS
PLATTING EXCEPTIONS TO CLARIFY WHEN A BUILDING
PERMIT MAY BE OBTAINED FOR A ONE-FAMILY DETACHED
DWELLING AND CUSTOMARY ACCESSORY BUILDINGS ON A
PLATTED LOT OF RECORD THAT HAS BEEN DIVIDED;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR
AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item FR.3, please see "Order of the
Day."
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FR.4 ORDINANCE First Reading
7281 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE XI/DIVISION 1 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY
Commissioners
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED
and Mayor
"ADMINISTRATION/BOARDS, COMMITTEES,
COMMISSIONS/GENERALLY", BY ADDING NEW SECTION 2-863,
WHERE THE CITY MANAGER MUST DIRECT STAFF TO ATTEND
CERTAIN BOARD MEETINGS; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Chair Hardemon: Madam City Attorney, can you read into the record FR.4?
Victoria Méndez (City Attorney): Yes, Chairman, FR.4.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Commissioner Reyes: This is -- Mr. Chair?
Chair Hardemon: Yeah, you're recognized, sir.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. This is with -- and we developed this because many a
times, there were meetings, and experts in the matter of zoning and other issues, and
they did not attend the meeting, and it was -- people were lost. And I just want to
make sure that the experts and the people that are responsible for enforcing the
Code be there. That's all.
Chair Hardemon: Is that a motion, sir?
Commissioner Reyes: Yes. I move it.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Seconded by Commissioner Joe Carollo. Is there any further
discussion? You're recognized, Commissioner Russell.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. I just didn't have full understanding in my briefing
what this would fix; what was broken that this would fix, and if it creates any sort of
burden on the management, or if this is actually something that is needed, if the
Administration and Commissioner Reyes could help me understand better.
Commissioner Reyes: Well, yes. And I had -- we had instances, for example, when
we were talking about the median income and how it would affect in PZAB
(Planning, Zoning & Appeals Board). And we were talking -- I mean, many
instances that there were items that were brought to the Code Enforcement or to
PZAB, and other committees, and the people that were experts in the area, they were
not present, you see. And this -- the only thing that does is that would guarantee that
when an issue is being undertaken that requires the presence of a City employee that
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City Commission Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020
it is either in charge or it is an expert in the issue that is being discussed that we
have somebody from that department there, you know, if -- just in case some
questions arise or some definitions have to be clarified.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Mr. Chairman?
Chair Hardemon: Yes, you're recognized, sir.
Vice Chair Russell: I'd just like to understand how the process would work. How
would the Manager know who needs to be there? Would the board, the lower board
request a certain expert? And let's say if there's an item on their agenda and they
hadn't met on the item yet, who would make that request? Would it be the chair,
outside of the meeting, requesting of the Manager to have some staff member
present, and it would be at the purview of that lower board? Or is this something
that would have to come to Commission? I just want to understand the process.
Chair Hardemon: Mr. Manager, you want to be recognized?
Art Noriega (City Manager): Yes. So I think it would happen in two ways, Mr. Vice
Chair. I think it's critically upon the actual committee itself to advise where they
may want someone present, either a department representative or somebody on staff
present for a particular item, especially if it's a little -- maybe unclear. But it's also
on my office to review the various agendas of those committees and boards so that if
we identify a particular item -- right? -- that would require the presence of someone
within that area of expertise that we make somebody available to go to those
meetings. So I think it'll come from both sides.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. I'll be in favor.
Chair Hardemon: Any further discussion? There is a motion on the floor. Seeing
no further discussion, all in favor of the motion say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes.
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FR.5 ORDINANCE First Reading
7185 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 23/ARTICLE I OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
Commissioners
FLORIDA,
and Mayor
SPECIFICALLY, BY AMENDING SECTION 23-4, TITLED
DISTRICTS, MULTIPLE PROPERTY DESIGNATIONS, AND
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES AND ZONES 23-6, TITLED
"TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS AND DENSITY FOR
HISTORIC RESOURCES; PROVISION FOR A DETERMINATION
OF ELIGIBILITY PROCESS, AND SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR
RESOURCES WITHIN THE MIAMI MODERN (MIMO)/BISCAYNE
BOULEVARD HISTORIC DISTRICT; PROHIBITING CERTAIN
USES; AND ESTABLISHING A 35-FOOT HEIGHT LIMIT", AND
SECTION 23-
APPROPRIATENESS", TO PROVIDE THAT PROPOSALS FOR
DESIGNATION MADE BY THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY HISTORIC
PRESERVATION BOARD, THE CITY COMMISSION, THE CITY OF
MIAMI'S
ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BEEN A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT
CORPORATION IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA FOR AT LEAST FIVE
(5) YEARS WITH A RECOGNIZED INTEREST IN HISTORIC
PRESERVATION WILL REQUIRE A SUPERMAJORITY VOTE; TO
MODIFY THE TIME TO APPEAL DECISIONS REGARDING
HISTORIC DESIGNATIONS TO THE CITY COMMISSION TO SIXTY
(60) DAYS; TO MODIFY THE TIMING OF NOTICE; TO PROVIDE
THAT THE NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS OF PROPERTIES
DESIGNATED AS HISTORIC WILL CLEARLY ADVISE THE
OWNERS OF THEIR RIGHT TO APPEAL TO THE CITY
COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE TIMING FOR SCHEDULING
APPEALS; TO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC
HEARINGS FOR SPECIAL CERTIFICATES OF
APPROPRIATENESS; TO PROVIDE UPDATES; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item FR.5, please see
"Public Comments for All Item(s)" and "Order of the Day."
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item FR.5 was continued to the June 11, 2020, City
Commission Meeting.
END OF FIRST READING ORDINANCES
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City Commission Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020
BC - BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
BC.1 RESOLUTION
7003 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP LOAN
Office of the City
PROGRAM TASK FORCE FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
City of Miami Page 59 Printed on 9/02/2021
City Commission Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020
BC.2 RESOLUTION
7361 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES BOARD FOR TERMS
Office of the City
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commission-At-Large
Commission-At-Large
Commission-At-Large
Commission-At-Large
Commission-At-Large
(Alternate At-Large)
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
City of Miami Page 60 Printed on 9/02/2021
City Commission Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020
BC.3 RESOLUTION
5544 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COUNCIL FOR
Office of the City
TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
City of Miami Page 61 Printed on 9/02/2021
City Commission Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020
BC.4 RESOLUTION
6672 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR TERMS
Office of the City
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
BC.5 RESOLUTION
7243 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE BAYFRONT PARK MANAGEMENT TRUST FOR
Office of the City
TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commission-At-Large
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
City of Miami Page 62 Printed on 9/02/2021
City Commission Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020
BC.6 RESOLUTION
6956 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION CONFIRMING THE
APPOINTMENT OF A CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE CIVILIAN
Office of the City
INVESTIGATIVE PANEL FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Gabriel Paez Civilian Investigative Panel
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
BC.7 RESOLUTION
6957 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE CLIMATE RESILIENCE COMMITTEE FOR
Office of the City
TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commission-At-Large
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
City of Miami Page 63 Printed on 9/02/2021
City Commission Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020
BC.8 RESOLUTION
6958 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE CODE COMPLIANCE TASK FORCE FOR
Office of the City
TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
BC.9 RESOLUTION
6330 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD FOR TERMS
Office of the City
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commission-At-Large
Commission-At-Large
(Alternate Member)
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
City of Miami Page 64 Printed on 9/02/2021
City Commission Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020
BC.10 RESOLUTION
5547 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD FOR TERMS
Office of the City
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item BC.10, please see "Public
Comments for All Item(s)."
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City Commission Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020
BC.11 RESOLUTION
6734 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
Office of the City
AND QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
Commission-At-Large
Commission-At-Large
City Manager Arthur Noriega, V
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
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City Commission Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020
BC.12 RESOLUTION
5976 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ADVISORY BOARD
Office of the City
FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
IAFF
FOP
AFSCME 1907
AFSCME 871
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
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City Commission Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020
BC.13 RESOLUTION
6959 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR TERMS AS
Office of the City
DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
City Manager Arthur Noriega, V
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
BC.14 RESOLUTION
1599 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH FACILITIES AUTHORITY BOARD FOR
Office of the City
TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
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BC.15 RESOLUTION
7360 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL
Office of the City
PRESERVATION BOARD FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES/CATEGORIES: NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
(Citizen Category 7)
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
(Architect/Architectural Historian -
Category 4)
Commissioner Ken Russell
(Real Estate Broker Category 5)
Commissioner Ken Russell
(Citizen Category 7)
Commissioner Joe Carollo
(Historian/Architectural Historian -
Category 3)
Commissioner Joe Carollo
(Business and Finance or Law
Category 6)
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
(Architect Category 1)
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
(Alternate in Business and Finance
or Law
Category 8)
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
(Citizen Category 7)
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
(Landscape Architect Category 2)
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
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City Commission Meeting Minutes May 14, 2020
BC.16 RESOLUTION
7426 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER,
Office of the City
BOARD FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
Commission-At-Large
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
BC.17 RESOLUTION
7358 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE LIBERTY CITY COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION
Office of the City
TRUST FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
City Manager Arthur Noriega, V
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
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BC.18 RESOLUTION
5451 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE MAYOR'S COUNCIL ON GLOBAL
Office of the City
COMPETITIVENESS FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
Commission-At-Large
Commission-At-Large
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
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BC.19 RESOLUTION
7427 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE MIAMI 21 REPORT AD HOC TASK FORCE FOR
Office of the City
TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Bernardo Fort-Brescia Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
(Elector)
Kobi Karp Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
(Certified Architect)
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-20-0154
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Chair Hardemon: Are there any boards and committees?
Nicole N. Ewan (Assistant City Clerk): Yes. Good morning, Chair and
Commissioners. We have two Boards and Committees appointments. BC 19, the
Miami 21 Report Ad Hoc Task Force: Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla will be
appointing Bernardo Fort-Brescia to the elector category, and Kobi Karp to the
architect category.
Chair Hardemon: Is there a motion?
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: So move.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Hardemon: All in favor of the motion, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
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BC.20 RESOLUTION
6960 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE MIAMI COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE FOR A
Office of the City
TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
BC.21 RESOLUTION
5199 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE MIAMI FOREVER BOND
Office of the City
OVERSIGHT BOARD FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
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BC.22 RESOLUTION
7261 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION FOR A TERM AS
Office of the City
DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Commission-At-Large
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
BC.23 RESOLUTION
7429 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION CONFIRMING THE
APPOINTMENT OF A CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE OFF-STREET
Office of the City
PARKING BOARD FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Thomas Jelke Off-Street Parking Board
(At-Large Appointment)
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-20-0155
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Nicole N. Ewan (Assistant City Clerk): And BC.23, Off-Street Parking Board. The
Off-Street Parking Board is requesting confirmation of Thomas Jelke, who requires a
5/5 term waiver.
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: I have a question.
Chair Hardemon: Yes.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: How long has Mr. Jelke been on this board?
Ms. Ewan: Mr. Jelke has been on this board 20-plus years.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: 20-plus? Specifically --?
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Ms. Ewan: If you give us a second, I can get that information for you.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: The high 20s, low 20s?
Mr. Noriega: Yeah. He has not been on for 20-plus years. He's filled in a position
before. He has not been on that long. I don't know the exact time, but it has not been
20-plus years. He wasn't on the board when I was hired, and I was hired there 20-
plus years ago. So he came in after I was hired, and I don't know the exact time, but it
hasn't been that long. In fact, if I recall, I think he replaced Michael Kozminski
(phonetic) on the board. I think he was Michael Kozminski's replacement.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: And the reason why I'm asking, it's nothing
against Mr. Jelke, and I have a lot of respect for him. It's just that there are going to
be some conversations down the line about the MPA (Miami Parking Authority), and,
you know, about meters, and rates, and those conversations are going to take place.
And I just wanted to make sure that the people that we're appointing to the board are
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) and it's going to take place, and that sometimes, new blood is
needed just for a better -- you know, to be more modern in your thinking, and what the
City needs, especially in light of these economic crises that Miami's facing now.
These high parking rates are a little bit of a concern to me, particularly in Allapattah
and the poorer areas of our community. So I want to have that conversation with the
MPA as we move forward, depending how badly impacted -- I presume they're going
to be very badly impacted economically our residents are going to be once we get out
of this crisis we're in right now. So it's a conversation that we're going to have to
have, about the reality of -- some parts of our community cannot afford these high
parking rates, frankly. If they're in front of a high level, high-end restaurant in
downtown, and anybody can pay what they can pay in the restaurant, but if they're
parking to get a -- you know, a soup or something in (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in my
district, you know, and there's only three spots in front, and they have to pay, and it's
just not cost-effective for them to go visit that business and pay more for the parking
than for the soup. That's sort of a (UNINTELLIGIBLE). I know the previous
Commissioner from this district had a concern about it. I know that, Art, when you
were over there at the MPA that you accommodated him, and -- because he expressed
the same concern. So I would like to have that conversation, and maybe you can also
accommodate -- you know because your successor over there at the MPA can address
some of the concerns that I have with some of these parking rates.
Mr. Noriega: Well, I -- yeah, I'm certain they're going to be more than receptive to
whatever concerns you have, but with the understanding that it's the City Commission
that controls the rates.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Yes, of course. And you guys recommend where
they go.
Mr. Noriega: You have --
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: We control the rates, but the MPA -- I said, "you
guys." I look at you and I remember the MPA. But, yeah, the MPA puts the locations,
right? They pick the locations, the site placement and all that. So you can put them --
and you know where they make --
Mr. Noriega: Only through concurrence with the City Manager's office, by the way.
So the City Manager actually has control over the locations.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: It goes from the MPA to the City Manager -- that's
you -- and then it has to come to this Commission -- that's us -- and then we'll kind of
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try to figure out how it works for the different parts of the community. Not all of
Miami, as you know, is created equally --
Mr. Noriega: Of course.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: -- in terms of economic abilities. So we have to
make sure that those meters are where they need to be. And perhaps some of our
tourists, when we get them back, some of our wealthier citizens that can afford these
expensive restaurants -- a few of them live in my district if any -- you know -- can pay
their fair share, and while not putting the burden -- undue burden on the less wealthy
and the poorer people in our communities. And I know Commissioner Reyes has the
same concern about his district. I don't know if Commissioner Carollo -- but he has
the same issue -- pockets of poverty in his district. And Commissioner Hardemon, you
too, Chair, have pockets of poverty in your district that are concerning. We don't
have all the good things and all the expensive things that Commissioner Russell has in
his. So these parking meters and these rates that we set, you're correct, cannot be set
evenly across the City. So that's a debate that I don't want to have today, but I want
to make sure that we appoint a board member to this, to the MPA -- to the Off-Street
Parking Authority, that we at least have -- you know, that person has an
understanding that this is a debate; that we're going to require some flexibility in the
placement of these meters, and some hard conversations that we sometimes have to
have. Friends many times have to have hard conversations.
Mr. Noriega: So let me just say a couple of things. So obviously, I'm slightly jaded,
because I come from that environment, right? But I also kind of feel that we
established a culture there, and particularly with my board, they have always been
good stewards of that agency, and especially in line with what's in the best interest of
the City, so I don't think we're going to ever have an issue with MPA, and their
partnership, and their responsiveness to whatever the City needs; and more
particularly, elected officials and our constituents. I'll also speak a little, because I --
you know, I'm sort of outside the agency now, but I have a tremendous amount of
respect for Mr. Jelke, and I think he's done a phenomenal job there as a board
member. And I would certainly encourage the Commission to support his re-
nomination, and -- just in line of just the excellent working relationship we have with
that agency, and will continue to have, and obviously, I -- you know, I'm a voice for
that organization, and certainly have a lot insight there. And that being said, in my
current position, ultimately, they are going to be stewards for what's in the best
interest of the City as a whole.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: And I agree with that, Mr. Noriega. I just want to
make sure that you know that the conversation's coming, that's all. And I do agree
that they've been great stewards of our dollars. They've done an excellent job
throughout the years. And you've done an excellent job as the Executive Director
there for 20 years, 20-plus years; not to age you, but 20-plus years, you were
Executive Director there. But I just wanted to make the point now, because I think it's
a point that needs to be made at some point and it's better earlier than later.
Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Russell.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you very much. Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla, I
understand where you're coming from. And we had a lot of robust discussion on the
rate change when this happened under your predecessor. We certainly tried to
capture the spirit of a -- not changing the rate for our residents, and also, varying the
rate throughout the City to accomplish exactly what you did -- what you intended.
And I remember being willing to work together with other Commissioners to make
sure that the burden didn't fall on the residents. After that passed, though -- the
devil's in the details on how this is implemented. And I really think that the MPA
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could do a deeper dive on the technology, and the communication, and the access,
because to get that discount is not as simple as some people would have wanted. And
the default should have been the discount for the residents. And so, if they weren't
very technologically savvy, they were missing out on the discount, which shouldn't
have been the discount; it should have been the floor, and the surcharge, or whatever
-- however you want to look at it. I recognized a lot of cases where people didn't
know they were getting charged up to three times as much than they should have as a
resident of the City of Miami. So I think the MPA has the finances to really deep-dive
on that technology and the communications to make sure our residents are getting the
rate they should. And then, as we look at this again, there was a concern that if the
rate was too high in certain areas, even for out-of-towners, we would be damaging
businesses from those who would otherwise drive in and --
Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE).
Vice Chair Russell: I look forward to working on these things in the future. But I've
worked with Tom in the past on items, and I normally am not a big fan of 5/5ths
waivers for term limit, but I do believe he is a good asset to the board, so I'll be in
support.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. City Clerk's Office, you had something you wanted to add
to the record?
Ms. Ewan: Yes, Chair. Thank you. And we will be submitting into the record a
signed copy of the resolution passed by the Off-Street Parking Board, recommending
the re-appointment of Thomas Jelke. Thank you, Chair.
Chair Hardemon: You're welcome. So is there a motion to approve it?
Commissioner Reyes: I moved it. I didn't receive any second, but I --
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Second by Commissioner Alex Díaz de la Portilla. All in favor,
say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion carries.
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BC.24 RESOLUTION
5039 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE OVERTOWN ADVISORY BOARD/OVERTOWN
Office of the City
COMMUNITY OVERSIGHT BOARD FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
(Youth Member)
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
BC.25 RESOLUTION
7428 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING, ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD
Office of the City
FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
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RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
BC.26 RESOLUTION
3693 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE STARS OF CALLE OCHO WALK OF FAME
Office of the City
COMMITTEE FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commission-At-Large
Commission-At-Large
Commission-At-Large
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
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BC.27 RESOLUTION
5453 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD
Office of the City
(UDRB) FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
BC.28 RESOLUTION
5844 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE VIRGINIA KEY ADVISORY BOARD FOR TERMS
Office of the City
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commission-At-Large
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
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BC.29 RESOLUTION
7246 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE VIRGINIA KEY BEACH PARK TRUST FOR
Office of the City
TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
Clerk
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Keon Hardemon
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
END OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
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PART B: PZ - PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
PZ.1 RESOLUTION
6528 MAY BE DEFERRED
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Planning ATTACHMENTS, GRANTING OR DENYING THE APPEAL FILED BY
VILLAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF A PLANNING, ZONING AND
APPEALS BOARD ("PZAB") DECISION AND AFFIRMING OR
REVERSING PZAB'S DENIAL OF AN EXCEPTION PURSUANT TO
ARTICLE 4, TABLE 3 AND ARTICLE 7, SECTION 7.1.2.6 OF
ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TO ALLOW A PRE-
SCHOOL/CHILD CARE FACILITY FOR A MAXIMUM OF 186
CHILDREN ON THREE (3) PARCELS LOCAT-
GENERAL URBAN TRANSECT ZONE - RESTRI-8-
URBAN CORE TRANSECT ZONE - OPEN, FOR THE PROPERTIES
LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 1267 SOUTHWEST 22 STREET,
1292 SOUTHWEST 21 TERRACE, AND 2149 SOUTHWEST 13
AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED
GS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item PZ.1 was deferred to the June 25, 2020, City Commission
Meeting.
For minutes referencing Item PZ.1, please see "Order of the Day."
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PZ.2 ORDINANCE Second Reading
6797 MAY BE DEFERRED
Commissioners AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
and Mayor - PZ ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED; MORE SPECIFICALLY BY
A
TO REQUIRE A
CIVIC SPACE TRANSECT ZONES; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING
A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item PZ.2 was continued to the June 11, 2020, City
Commission Meeting.
For minutes referencing Item PZ.2, please see "Order of the Day."
PZ.3 ORDINANCE Second Reading
6930 MAY BE DEFERRED
Department of AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
Planning ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED; MORE SPECIFICALLY, BY
PPLEMENTAL
RE
URBAN CORE ZONE;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item PZ.3 was continued to the June 11, 2020, City
Commission Meeting.
For minutes referencing Item PZ.3, please see "Order of the Day."
END OF PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
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NA - NON-AGENDA ITEM(S)
NA.1 RESOLUTION
7449 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ALL STEPS
City Commission
NECESSARY, INCLUDING THE WAIVER OF FEES, IF ANY, TO
TEMPORARILY REPURPOSE PORTIONS OF CITY OF MIAMI
-OF-WAY, INCLUDING PARKING LANES AND
VEHICULAR TRAVEL LANES, WHERE DEEMED FEASIBLE BY
DEPARTMENT OF RESILIENCE AND PUBLIC
WORKS AND THE MIAMI POLICE DEPARTMENT, TO ALLOW
FOR INCREASED PEDESTRIAN USAGE FOR RESIDENTS AND
ADDITIONAL SIDEWALK CAFÉ SEATING TO ASSIST
STRUGGLING BUSINESSES DUE TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS
UNTIL AUGUST 20, 2020; URGING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY,
THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND
PUBLIC WORKS, TO ASSIST THE CITY IN ACCOMPLISHING
SUCH A GOAL TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY; DIRECTING THE
CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS
RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS NAMED HEREIN.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-20-0156
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item NA.1, please see "Order of the
Day" and Item CA.1.
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NA.2 RESOLUTION
7450 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORZING THE MODIFICATION OF THE
City Commission
CITY
BE MORE CONSISTENT WITH FREDENDING
DEVELOPED BY RESIDENCES AT DR. KING BOULEVARD, LTD.,
THE CONVEYANCE IS IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED,
PARTICULARLY SECTION 29, THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, AND ANY AND ALL OTHER
LOCAL, STATE, OR FEDERAL RULES, FURTHER PROVIDED
TRICTED COVENANTS
IS RECORDED SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE DEED AND
BEFORE ANY OF T
AND FURTHER PROVIDED THAT BEFORE RDK, AND ITS
SUCCESSORS, TRANSFEREES, AND ASSIGNS MAY
TRANSFER, ATTEMPT TO TRANSFER, OR ENCUMBER THE
PROPERTIES OR THE PROJECT, OR ANY PORTION THEREOF,
RDK MUST FIRST OBTAIN OR WRITTEN
AUTHORIZATION; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE
CITY ATTORNEY AND BOND COUNSEL, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-20-0157
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item NA.2, please see "Order of the
Day" and Item CA.1.
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NA.3 RESOLUTION
7451 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO MEET
City Commission
WITH THE MAYOR OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND THE
DIRECTOR OF THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF
THAT MIAMI-DADE
OR ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF JAIL
INMATES RELEASED FROM THE TURNER GUILFORD KNIGHT
CORRECTIONAL CE
STREET, IN UNINCORPORATED MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, BACK
TO THEIR ORIGINATING COMMUNITIES AND CEASE FROM
FURTHER TRANSPORTING RELEASED INMATES TO THE CITY
RELEASES WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO TAKE ANY AND ALL
ACTION(S) NECESSARY AGAINST THE COUNTY, IN LAW OR
EQUITY, TO PROHIBIT FURTHER TRANSPORTATIONS OF
RELEASED JAIL INMATES INTO THE CITY AND SEEK ANY AND
ALL APPROPRIATE REMEDIES; PROVIDING FOR AN
IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-20-0158
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes
Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Carollo, is there a motion to approve your pocket
item, Pocket Item Number 3?
Commissioner Carollo: So move.
Commissioner Reyes: Second.
Chair Hardemon: It's been moved and seconded to approve Pocket Item Number 3.
Is there any further discussion? I want to note for the record that the public
comment period was opened again for Pocket Item Number 3, and closed at this
moment, considering that no other person wanted to speak on public comment
regarding the item. All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against? That motion carries.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, for the record, I have that as 4-0, with
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla absent. Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla, did you
want to vote "yes"?
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: I voted "yes." The thing is that my thing was off.
My video was off, so.
Mr. Hannon: The record will reflect 5-0.
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Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Thank you.
NA.4 DISCUSSION ITEM
7452 COMMISSIONER KEON HARDEMON READ HIS IRREVOCABLE
LETTER OF RESIGNATION AS DISTRICT 5 COMMISSIONER
City Commission
INTO THE RECORD. SAID RESIGNATION IS EFFECTIVE NO
LATER THAN THE EARLIER OF THE DATE COMMISSIONER
HARDEMON TAKES OFFICE, IF ELECTED, OR THE DATE HIS
SUCCESSOR IS REQUIRED TO TAKE OFFICE.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
Chair Hardemon: Gentlemen, we have come to the end of our agenda. If all hearts
and all minds are clear, I'll conclude this meeting. Thank you so much for your help.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Chair.
Commissioner Carollo: Before you conclude --
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Before you conclude -- I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Mr.
Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Are you leaving us?
Chair Hardemon: Oh, I'm sorry.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Are you --?
Chair Hardemon: Sometimes I get so into the business, right?
Commissioner Carollo: You're spoiling my surprise.
Chair Hardemon: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: I got cake for you. I got balloons.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: I'm actually going to miss you.
Commissioner Carollo: A going away party.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: But I heard through the grapevine, or through
the media, I guess -- same thing right here in this town -- but that you're leaving us.
So, you know, I've enjoyed working with you. I know you're going to be in other
meetings. I just wanted to let you know that I've really -- in the few months that I've
been here in this Commission, I've truly enjoyed working with you, Mr. Chairman,
seeing you as Chairman of this Commission, and just working on different issues.
And I, for one, am going to miss you. We were beginning to build a very good
relationship, and I know you'll do great things. In future endeavors, I think you'll be
successful, very successful in what you do in your future endeavor. And I just
wanted to make sure that this meeting didn't end without me saying that.
Chair Hardemon: I appreciate it, Commissioner. Thank you so very much. I really
do. And what I'll do, gentlemen, so today, I'm going to be submitting my irrevocable
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letter of resignation from the Miami City Commission. And what I'll do, I guess --
and I'll do it at 1 o'clock, but I'll read it to you all so you know exactly what it says,
so there's no confusion, and here it goes: Dear Mr. Hannon, my tenure as a Miami
City Commissioner has been an incredible experience for a child born in poverty,
and raised to be a servant of this community. I will forever be grateful to our
electors for the tremendous duty they bestowed upon me. Now, as my tenure comes
to an end, please accept this letter as my irrevocable letter of resignation, in
accordance with Section 99.012 Florida Statutes. This resignation is effective no
later than the earlier other date I will take office if elected, or the date my successor
is required to take office. It has been a pleasure to serve the people of the City of
Miami. So, indeed, gentlemen, I will be here. We still have a lot of work to do and a
lot of more time. I'm going to be here through this COVID-19 issue that we're
facing. I think this is a great group of men and women that support us in making this
a priority in the City of Miami, and something that we can tackle with pride, with
dignity, with honor. And so, I thank you for the opportunity to continue to serve in
this role as your Chairman, and I look forward to the work that we will continue to
do.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chair?
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir.
Commissioner Reyes: I don't want to say it now, because I wanted to wait until the
last day, but I -- from the bottom of my heart, I have to thank you. Thank you,
because I've never been in --
in parliamentary procedures and all that. He has a PhD in it. But I came in, and
you were so gracious. I mean, you guided me. And every time that I made a mistake
of calling -- whatever -- been a deferral or withdrawal, and mixing all the terms, you
always were patient, and always supportive, and, I mean, and tried to guide me in
the right way. Thank you very much. And I wish you a lot of luck, and I know that
you're going to be a hell of a good Commissioner. I know that.
Mayor Francis Suarez: Mr. Chair, if I may?
Commissioner Reyes: God bless you.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Chair. I still remember the first CRA (Community
Redevelopment Agency) meeting that we did together. I remember your campaign. I
remember your prior campaign, and how much energy and intellect, and integrity
you have brought to this process. You have been a champion for the people of your
district, and I think that's the highest praise that anybody can give, is that you've
dedicated yourself without letting anything get in the way of trying to do the very
best that you can. You've been innovative, you've been their champion, and you've
been their voice. And so, for me, it's been a tremendous honor to serve alongside
you in the Commission first, and then to be Mayor with you as Chair the majority of
the years that I've been Mayor. You've done a phenomenal job of steering this
Commission, and we're going to miss -- I'm going to miss you on a personal level
greatly. I know you'll be in the County, and you're going to be successful. And we
all know -- we're all going to get behind you, and you're going to -- you know, you're
going to get there easily. But I'm going to personally miss you. I know our
friendship will continue beyond this office that you hold, and probably for the rest of
our life. But I just want you to know that I'm just truly honored and grateful to have
served alongside you.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. I appreciate it.
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Commissioner Carollo: Well, I will join all the statements made by the Mayor and
my Commissioner colleagues. I will reserve my final statements to the Chairman for
when he really leaves our presence, which I think will be November 11 if I'm correct.
Hopefully, the cake doesn't melt between now and then.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you, Commissioner. All right. Gentlemen, thank you so
very much. This meeting has come
NA.5 DISCUSSION ITEM
7453 POLICE CHIEF JORGE COLINA PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED
NATIONAL POLICE WEEK 2020 (MAY 10-MAY 16, 2020), WHICH
City Commission
WAS ESTABLISHED TO PAY SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES IN
THE LINE OF DUTY. ADDITIONALLY, CHIEF COLINA THANKED
ALL MEMBERS OF MIAMI POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR
SERVICE TO THE CITY.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
Art Noriega (City Manager): Commissioner, if I may?
Chair Hardemon: Yes, sir.
Mr. Noriega: Sorry. The Police Chief would like to say something real quick, real
brief, if he can.
Chair Hardemon: Chief, you're recognized, sir.
Jorge Colina (Chief of Police): Thank you, Mr. Chair, and Commissioners, Mr.
Mayor, Madam City Attorney. I just wanted to say really quick, publicly, this is
National Police Week, May 10 through 16. And what that means is, typically, right
now, in Washington D.C., they would be adding 307 names of fallen police officers
that have perished in the line of duty. Obviously, because of what's going on, it's
been different this year, but we're honoring our fallen in the City of Miami. We've
lost 39 police officers in the line of duty in the history of this Police Department.
And I just wanted to take a moment really briefly, first to thank all the men and
women of the Miami Police Department that come out every day and give so much to
this City, and sacrifice so much, and risk their lives, number one. Number two, I
would be greatly honored if all of you at some point take an opportunity -- We will
be posting on Friday at 6 p.m. our memorial service that we normally have here.
And most of the time, some of you attend, or watch, or send messages, if not all of
you. We're going to have to do that virtually. And so, we've done a video. It's about
20-some-odd minutes of our memorial. That'll be on Channel 77, Friday, at 6
o'clock, or it'll be on Facebook. And if you didn't have the time, then you can just go
back and view it. And would be certainly honored if you watched, and see how we
honor our fallen here at the City of Miami. And lastly, Commissioner,
congratulations on your move, and you've been a wonderful part of our City
Government. We're all going to miss you very much even though -- sure we'll all be
working with you over in your position at the County.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you, Chief.
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NA.6 DISCUSSION ITEM
7454 COMMISSIONER JOE CAROLLO ANNOUNCED THAT WEEKLY
HOT MEALS WILL BE PROVIDED TO ALL CITY OF MIAMI
City Commission
RESIDENTS AT VARIOUS SITES THROUGHOUT DISTRICT 3.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla -- I know you want to be
recognized.
Commissioner Carollo: Yes, I would. Thank you, Chair.
Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla and then you, Commissioner
Carollo.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Well, I'll let Commissioner -- Chairman, let
Commissioner Carollo go first. Let's see what he has to say and then I'll --
Commissioner Carollo: I just want to make an announcement and invite all of you if
you'd like to join us tomorrow. We're going to begin tomorrow with the first --
what's going to be approximately 12,000 hot meals a week, Monday through
Saturday, and I'd like to invite all of you at both of our sites tomorrow. The morning
time will be at 11 a.m. at the South Police Substation, at Flagler and 22nd Avenue.
And in the afternoon, it will be at Henderson Park, at Northwest 9th Avenue and
Northwest 3rd Street. We're going to be having this every day, two different
locations; one in the morning, one in the afternoon; six different locations that we'll
be rotating throughout the district. Several of the locations are right in the border,
next to District 1 and District 4, plus one location is real close to District 2. So I
invite all of you if you want to come tomorrow to feel free in joining us, giving the
meals out. And this will be open for all City of Miami residents; not just those in
District 3. So if you have anyone that's in need in any of your districts, please feel
free to let them know that they could come and get meals there. But it will only be
for City of Miami residents and only City of Miami residents. We would love to be
able to help others outside the City of Miami, but there's just not enough. Even
though 12,000 meals a week sounds like a lot -- and it is -- it's nowhere near enough
for our own residents. So you're all welcome to come and help. Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much, sir. Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla.
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: No, I have no additional comments.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. I guess all hearts and all minds are clear?
Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla: Yes, sir.
Chair Hardemon: This meeting has come to an end.
ADJOURNED
The meeting adjourned at 12:18 p.m.
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