HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2004-10-14 MinutesCity of Miami
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, October 14, 2004
9:00 AM
REGULAR
City Hall Commission Chambers
City Commission
Manuel A. Diaz, Mayor
Joe Sanchez, Chairman
Angel Gonzalez, Vice Chairman
Johnny L. Winton, Commissioner District Two
Tomas Regalado, Commissioner District Four
Jeffery L. Allen, Commissioner District Five
Joe Arriola, City Manager
Jorge L. Fernandez, City Attorney
Priscilla A. Thompson, City Clerk
City Commission
Verbatim Minutes October 14, 2004
CONTENTS
PR - PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS Page 3
MV - MAYORAL VETOES Page 4
AM - APPROVING MINUTES Page 4
CA - CONSENT AGENDA Pages 6-9
M - MAYOR'S ITEMS Pages 10-15
D1 - DISTRICT 1 ITEMS
D2 - DISTRICT 2 ITEMS
D3 - DISTRICT 3 ITEMS Pages 15-18
D4 - DISTRICT 4 ITEMS Pages 18-26
D5 - DISTRICT 5 ITEMS
PH - PUBLIC HEARINGS Pages 27-46
EM - EMERGENCY ORDINANCES Pages 47-52
SR - SECOND READING ORDINANCES Pages 53-58
RE - RESOLUTIONS Pages 59-65
BC - BOARDS AND COMMITTEES Pages 66-77
DI - DISCUSSION ITEMS Pages 78-84
City of Miami Page 2 Printed on 12/16/2004
City Commission
Verbatim Minutes October 14, 2004
9:00 A.M. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Present: Vice Chairman Gonzalez, Chairman Sanchez, Commissioner Regalado and
Commissioner Allen
Absent: Commissioner Winton
On the 14th day of October, 2004, the City Commission of the City of Miami, Florida, met at its
regular meeting place in City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida, in regular
session. The meeting was called to order at 9:14 a.m. by Chairman Joe Sanchez, recessed at 11:
21a.m., reconvened at 3:03 p.m., recessed at 3:05 p.m. in order to convene the regular board
meeting of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), adjourned the CRA meeting at 3:09 p.
m., reconvened the regular Commission Meeting at 3:09 p. m., and adjourned at 4:04 p. m.
Note for the Record: Commissioner Winton came in at 9:27 a.m.
ALSO PRESENT:
Joe Arriola, City Manager
Jorge L. Fernandez, City Attorney
Sylvia Scheider, Assistant City Clerk
Note for the Record: Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. was suspended from office by Governor Jeb
Bush on Wednesday, September 22, 2004. Jeffery L. Allen was appointed the new Commissioner
for District Five on October 1, 2004.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
DELIVERED
Chairman Sanchez: We also have today some proclamations that'll be given out, and then --
PR.1 04-01073
Commissioner Regalado: CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). CRA.
Chairman Sanchez: And CRA also at -- I believe at 3? -- 3 o'clock, so we'll go ahead and start
with the awards and proclamations that'll be given out, and then we'll proceed with the consent
agenda.
Presentations made.
CEREMONIAL ITEM
Name of Honoree Presenter Protocol Item
Mayor Diaz/City of Miami
South Florida Management District Ceremonial Check
3.0 Moore Park Divas Women's Tennis Team
Claudette Antoine Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
Joy L. Brown Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
Sylvina David Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
Patricia W. Davie Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
Richanda Goodman Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
Johann Malivert Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
T. Patrice Manley Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
Laverne Taylor Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
Charlayne W. Thompkins Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
Kim S. Wallace Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
Coach Joel Palmer Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
4.0 Model Cities Champs Men's Tennis Team
Richard Dubuisson Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
Robert Green Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
Roosevelt Johns Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
City of Miami Page 3 Printed on 12/16/2004
City Commission
Verbatim Minutes October 14, 2004
Paul J. Johnson
John Koopman
Marion Lambright
Willie B. Marshall
Raul Mendez
Evans Merisier
Jimmy Nickerson
Dominic Parker
Larry L. Pye
Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
Mayor Diaz/City of Miami Parks and Recreation Certificate
Dr. Dan Coble Commissioner Regalado Salute
Dr. Miguel Manresa Commissioner Regalado Salute
04-01073-coverpage. pdf
04-01073-protocol. pdf
Roll Call: Present: Vice Chairman Gonzalez, Commissioner Winton, Chairman Sanchez, Commissioner
Regalado and Commissioner Allen
1. Certificates of appreciation were given to the participants of the Moore Park and Model City
Park tennis programs.
2. Commissioner Winton presented proclamation of "Luis Puig Day" to Mr. Puig for his cultural
contribution in the revitalization of downtown with Club Space 34.
MAYORAL VETOES
NO MAYORAL VETOES
Chairman Sanchez: Also, at this time, we do not have any veto items from the Mayor.
APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETING:
Motion by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, to APPROVE
PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Chairman Sanchez: We go into the -- there are no Mayoral vetoes, and before we go into the
consent agenda, let's -- we need a motion to approve the following meetings, which is the regular
meeting of September 9, 204 [sic]. We need to approve the minutes.
Commissioner Regalado: Move it.
Chairman Sanchez: Is there a motion?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion by Commissioner Regalado, second by Vice Chair Gonza
lez. It is open for discussion. Hearing none, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay" Motion passes
unanimously.
ORDER OF THE DAY
A motion was made by Commissioner Allen, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, and was
passed unanimously with Commissioner Winton and Vice Chairman Gonzalez absent, to recess
the regular Commission Meeting at 3: 03 p.m. in order to convene the Community
Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board Meeting.
City of Miami Page -1 Printed on 12/16/2004
City Commission
Verbatim Minutes October 14, 2004
Note for the Record: The CRA Meeting adjourned at 3:10 p. m. and the City Commission
Meeting reconvened immediately thereafter.
Chairman Sanchez: Welcome to the City Commission meeting. The meeting is being called to
order here at City Hall, at 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida. If you could please stand
and join us -- and join me in a prayer, and then we'll do the pledge of allegiance, and then we'll
go into the order of the day. Please bow your heads.
Prayer and pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Chairman Sanchez: Before we start, there are some things I have to read into the record, and
any person who acts as a lobbyist, pursuant to the City of Miami Ordinance Number 11469, must
register with the City Clerk prior to engaging in any lobbying activity before the City staff, board
and committees of the City of Miami Commission. A copy of said ordinance that will be
provided to you by the City Clerk. Also, for the record, any person making slanderous remarks
or vociferous comments addressing this Commission will be asked to leave the Commission. We
must have order during our legislative process. Any person who seeks to address the City
Commission in any -- on any of the items on the consent agenda, whether it's a public hearing or
a public discussion, is invited to do so and show at -- as soon as possible, see the City Clerk and
register their name to address the Commission. We'll go ahead and -- we have a consent agenda
that we have eight items, but before we do that, let me just also state that we have certain -- time
certain items. We have at 3 o'clock, CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) items, and
we also have two items that have been requested by Commissioner Regalado to be heard at 5
o'clock, and those items will be D4 and -- D4.1 and D4.2.
Chairman Sanchez: Ladies and gentlemen, our meeting is called to order. It was scheduled for
3 o'clock. We'll go ahead and start with the time certain items. We have Item PH 6, 7 and 8,
which are Community Development, CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds. Of
course, they start at 3. Do we have a translator available?
Sylvia Scheider (Assistant City Clerk): I called to -- or 1 had someone call, and she is supposed
to be on her way.
Chairman Sanchez: She's supposed to be on her way, so why don't we do something. Why don't
we wait -- because we're required by law, and let's go ahead now and maybe motion to -- just a
minute.
Commissioner Regalado: CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency).
Chairman Sanchez: OK. While we wait for the sign language translator, what we'll do is -- we
need a motion for -- recess the regular Commission meeting, and then we'll start with the CRA
meeting. We'll call that meeting to order, but let's go ahead and have a motion for recess.
There's a --
Commissioner Regalado: Second.
Commissioner Allen: I'm sorry. 1 make a motion that we recess at this point, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: There is a motion by Commissioner Allen, second by Commissioner
Regalado. Discussion. Hearing none, all in favor, say "aye. " Anyone in op -- aye. We got to
say "aye."
Commissioner Allen: I'm sorry. Aye.
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City Commission
Verbatim Minutes October 14, 2004
CA.1 04-01078
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Hearing none, the
motion passes unanimously. OK. We'll go ahead and go into the CRA meeting. Is
Commissioner Winton here?
Frank Rollason (Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency): I know he's got some
people in his office, but we could go forward with the --
Chairman Sanchez: Well, at this time --
Mr. Rollason: -- Vice Chair.
Chairman Sanchez: -- we'll go forward with the Vice Chairman.
CONSENT AGENDA
DISCUSSION ITEM
ACCEPTING A REPORT FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD.
04-01078-coverpage.pdf
04-01078-memo.pdf
04-01078-board actions.pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
CA.2 04-01079 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ESTABLISHING A NEW
SPECIAL REVENUE FUND ENTITLED: "LEAD-SAFE...FOR KIDS' SAKE
GRANTS PROGRAM" FOR THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES; (1)
IDENTIFICATION OF PRE-1978 HOUSING BY GIS MAPPING; (2) HOME
VISITATIONS BY VOLUNTEERS TO EDUCATE, VISUALLY INSPECT,
SURVEY AND ENCOURAGE SCREENINGS; (3) DEVELOPMENT AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF AN EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PLAN CONDUCTED
BY NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAMS; AND (4) DISSEMINATION
OF VOUCHERS FOR REMEDIATION EFFORTS, CONSISTING OF A GRANT
FROM THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF MAYORS/DUPONT IN THE
AMOUNT OF $300,000; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, TO IMPLEMENT ACCEPTANCE OF SAID GRANT.
04-01079-cover memo.pdf
04-01079-budgetary impact.pdf
04-01079-mayors letter.pdf
04-01079-dupont letter.pdf
04-01079-check. pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
R-04-0679
City of Miami Page 6 Printed on 12/16/2004
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Verbatim Minutes October 14, 2004
CA.3 04-01082 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ESTABLISHING A NEW
SPECIAL REVENUE FUND ENTITLED: "FEMA/USAR GRANT AWARD,
FISCAL YEAR 2004-2006 FUND" AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $938,035, CONSISTING OF A GRANT FROM THE
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY ("FEMA"), TO BE USED
BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FIRE -RESCUE TO PROCURE EQUIPMENT,
PROVIDE TRAINING, MANAGEMENT, AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE
SOUTH FLORIDA URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE ("USAR") PROGRAM;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT SAID GRANT AWARD
AND TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENT(S), IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
04-01082-cover memo.pdf
04-01082-budgetary impact.pdf
04-01082-fema letters.pdf
04-01082-continuation. pdf
04-01082-agreement articles.pdf
WITHDRAWN
CA.4 04-01087 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S
), AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER AND ADDITION OF A PORTION OF THE
BICENTENNIAL PARK ACCESS ROAD, TOGETHER WITH ALL PUBLIC
RIGHT-OF-WAY ADJACENT THERETO, AS DESCRIBED IN "EXHIBIT A,"
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, TO THE JURISDICTIONAL
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA HIGHWAY SYSTEM IN
CONFORMANCE WITH SECTION 337.29, FLORIDA STATUTES;
AUTHORIZING THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO
RECORD A RIGHT-OF-WAY MAP OF THE SUBJECT ROAD IN THE
PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR
SAID PURPOSE.
04-01087-covermemo. pdf
04-01087-budgetary impact.pdf
04-01087-sketch. pdf
04-01087-exh ibitA. pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
R-04-0680
CA.5 04-01088 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S
), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM,
WITH FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL
SUPPORT TO LEADERSHIP GROUPS IN THE COMMUNITY OF
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City Commission
Verbatim Minutes October 14, 2004
OVERTOWN FOR TRANSPORTATION -RELATED PROJECTS, THROUGH
JUNE 31, 2006, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $57,000; ALLOCATING
FUNDS FROM THE NEW SPECIAL REVENUE FUND ENTITLED: "
OVERTOWN TECHNICAL SUPPORT FUND," APPROVED BY RESOLUTION
NO. 04-0565, ADOPTED SEPTEMBER 9, 2004, CONSISTING OF A GRANT
FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
04-01088-cover memo.pdf
04-01088-budgetary impact.pdf
04-01088-textfile report.pdf
04-01088-master report.pdf
04-01088-ag reement. pdf
04-01088-project description.pdf
04-01088-estimated annual project cost.pdf
04-01088-general.pdf
04-01088-exhibit PSA.pdf
04-01088-exh ibit2. pdf
04-01088-exh ibit4. pdf
04-01088-Substitute-Exhibit 3.pdf
DEFERRED
CA. 5 was deferred to October 28, 2004.
CA.6 04-01089 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
PURCHASE OF A TYPE "C" WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE BUS, FROM
RIVERS BUS SALES, INC., FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND
RECREATION, UTILIZING EXISTING STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION CONTRACT NO. 2004-19, EFFECTIVE THROUGH MARCH
31, 2005, SUBJECT TO ANY EXTENSIONS OR REPLACEMENT
CONTRACTS BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION,
FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $70,108; ALLOCATING FUNDS
IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $42,721.96, FROM THE PARKS
AND RECREATION HANDICAP DIVISION ACCOUNT NO. 110032.580325.6.
840, AND AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $27,386.04, FROM
THE PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ADA ACCOUNT NO.
110112.580078.6.840.
04-01089-covermemo. pdf
04-01089-budgetary impact.pdf
04-01089-pre resolution1.pdf
04-01089-pre resolution2.pdf
04-01089-Dept of Ed memo.pdf
04-01089-description.pdf
04-01089-invitaion to bid.pdf
04-01089-attachments-invitation to bid.pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
R-04-0681
CA.7 04-01104 RESOLUTION
City of Miami Page 8 Printed on 12/16/2004
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Verbatim Minutes October 14, 2004
), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO. 3,
IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, BETWEEN THE CITY OF
MIAMI AND TERREMARK AT DINNER KEY, INC., TO PROVIDE
RESTAURANT AND CONCESSION SERVICES AT THE COCONUT GROVE
CONVENTION CENTER; AND APPROVING AN EXTENSION TO THE
ORIGINAL AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO ON SEPTEMBER 25, 1979, ON A
MONTH -TO -MONTH BASIS, FOR A TERM NOT TO BE EXTENDED BEYOND
SEPTEMBER 30, 2005.
04-01104-cover memo.pdf
04-01104-pre resolution.pdf
04-01104-amendment#2. pdf
04-01104-pictu re. pdf
04-01104-ag reement. pdf
04-01104-pre resolution2.pdf
04-01104-exh ibit. pdf
WITHDRAWN
CA.8 04-01094 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S
), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A SUBMERGED LAND
LEASE RENEWAL, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, BETWEEN
THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT TRUST FUND OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA ("
STATE"), TO PROVIDE, FOR A TERM OF FIVE (5) YEARS, FOR THE CITY'S
CONTINUED USE OF SUBMERGED LANDS OWNED BY THE STATE
ADJACENT TO THE UPLAND PROPERTY OWNED BY THE CITY LOCATED
AT 60 SOUTHEAST 4TH STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, C/K/A FORT DALLAS
PARK , WITH SAID LEASE TO BE WITH NO RENT AS LONG AS THE SLIPS
ARE USED FOR TEMPORARY DOCKAGE; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE FUTURE EXTENSIONS TO THE TERM OF
THE LEASE AS APPROVED BY THE STATE.
04-01094-covermemo. pdf
04-01094-exh ibitl .pdf
04-01094-pictu res. pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
R-04-0682
Adopted the Consent Agenda
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Verbatim Minutes October 14, 2004
Motion by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Commissioner Allen, including all the
preceding items marked as having been adopted on the Consent Agenda. Vice Chairman
Gonzalez: Mr. Chairman, I'm ready to move the consent agenda.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Before we do that, are there any items that want to be pulled for
discussion or by the administration from the consent agenda, then we're moving to the
general agenda. This is just on the consent agenda. Are there any items wishing to be --
yes, sir, Mr. City Manager.
Joe Arriola (City Manager): CA.3, we want to withdraw.
Commissioner Gonzalez: CA.3.
Chairman Sanchez: OK, CA.3, for the record, has been withdraw.
Mr. Arriola: CA.5, we want to defer it to the October 28th meeting.
Chairman Sanchez: CA.5 has been deferred until the October 28th meeting?
Mr. Arriola: Yes, sir.
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, sir. OK.
Mr. Arriola: CA.7--
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: October 28th, right?
Mr. Arriola: -- we want to withdraw.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: The meeting is October 28th, isn't it?
Mr. Arriola: 28th, right? Yeah, but CA.7 to withdraw.
Chairman Sanchez: CA.7 withdrawn. OK.
Mr. Arriola: That's it on the consent agenda.
Chairman Sanchez: Is that it?
Mr. Arriola: Yes, sir.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Any of the Commissioner wishing to discuss any of the consent
agendas?
Commissioner Allen: Nope.
Chairman Sanchez: Hearing none, need a motion on the consent agenda.
Commissioner Winton: So moved.
Commissioner Allen: I -- so moved.
Chairman Sanchez: There is a motion by Commissioner Winton and there is a second by
Commissioner Allen. It is open for discussion. Hearing none, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Motion
passes unanimously. The motion carried by the following vote:
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
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Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Mr. Chairman, I'm ready to move the consent agenda.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Before we do that, are there any items that want to be pulled for
discussion or by the administration from the consent agenda, then we're moving to the general
agenda. This is just on the consent agenda. Are there any items wishing to be -- yes, sir, Mr.
City Manager.
Joe Arriola (City Manager): CA.3, we want to withdraw.
Commissioner Gonzalez: CA.3.
Chairman Sanchez: OK, CA.3, for the record, has been withdraw.
Mr. Arriola: CA.5, we want to defer it to the October 28th meeting.
Chairman Sanchez: CA.5 has been deferred until the October 28th meeting?
Mr. Arriola: Yes, sir.
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, sir. OK.
Mr. Arriola: CA. 7--
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: October 28th, right?
Mr. Arriola: -- we want to withdraw.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: The meeting is October 28th, isn't it?
Mr. Arriola: 28th, right? Yeah, but CA.7 to withdraw.
Chairman Sanchez: CA. 7 withdrawn. OK.
Mr. Arriola: That's it on the consent agenda.
Chairman Sanchez: Is that it?
Mr. Arriola: Yes, sir.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Any of the Commissioner wishing to discuss any of the consent
agendas?
Commissioner Allen: Nope.
Chairman Sanchez: Hearing none, need a motion on the consent agenda.
Commissioner Winton: So moved.
Commissioner Allen: I -- so moved
Chairman Sanchez: There is a motion by Commissioner Winton and there is a second by
Commissioner Allen. It is open for discussion. Hearing none, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
City of Miami
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Verbatim Minutes October 14, 2004
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay" Motion passes
unanimously.
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
City of Miami
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MAYOR AND COMMISSIONER'S ITEMS
CITYWIDE
HONORABLE MAYOR MANUEL A. DIAZ
M.1 04-01162 DISCUSSION ITEM
APPROVAL OF THE INTERLOCAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT
BETWEEN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, THE CITY OF MIAMI AND THE MIAMI
SPORTS AND EXHIBITION AUTHORITY.
WITHDRAWN
Chairman Sanchez: Wasn't MI --
Joe Arriola (City Manager): Let me see. Let me go back. Yes. I'm sorry. That's from the
Mayor's pages, though. 1 can't withdraw that, but --
Chairman Sanchez: Well --
Mr. Arriola: -- MI is being withdrawn.
Chairman Sanchez: Well, somebody from the City -- from the Mayor's staff needs to step forth
and ask to be withdrawn. Is there anybody here from the Mayor's staff?
Mr. Arriola: Yeah, you could do it.
Chairman Sanchez: Sir, we need to state on the record that you want to withdraw that item.
Brian Clarke (Senior Advisor, Mayor's Office): Yeah. We'd like to withdraw the Mayor's --
Commissioner Winton: Name and address.
Mr. Clarke: -- first item.
Mr. Arriola: Name and address.
Mr. Clarke: Oh, Brian Clarke, Senior Advisor, Policy Legislation.
Chairman Sanchez: OK, so MI has been withdrawn?
Mr. Clarke: Correct.
Chairman Sanchez: To a further -- do you have any date that it's coming back or pending?
Mr. Clarke: As of right now, no.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Which one is that?
Chairman Sanchez: MI.
Mr. Clarke: MI.
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Commissioner Allen: MI.
Chairman Sanchez: Ml. Any other item? 1 would like to -- well, first of all, any Commissioner
want to withdraw any of the items from the con -- from the regular agenda? Hearing none, I
would like to --
3:00 P.M.
M.2 04-01095 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S
), AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM THE MAYOR'S
POVERTY INITIATIVE FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $400,000; ALLOCATING
SAID FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO
IMPLEMENT AN INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT PROGRAM TO BE
ADMINISTERED BY MICRO -BUSINESS USA, WHICH IS TO BE EQUALLY
MATCHED BY BOTH PARTICIPANT AND FEDERAL FUNDS AND PLACED IN
A MATCH SAVINGS ACCOUNT.
04-01095-cover memo.pdf
04-01095-public notice.pdf
04-01095-exh i b it. pdf
Motion by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Commissioner Allen, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
R-04-0687
Note for the Record: A sign language interpreter was signing for Item M.2.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Any other items? If not, we'll go ahead and start with Item Number 1,
which is M2. M2 is a resolution. Anyone from the Administration on this item?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I'll move M2.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. There is a motion for M2.
Commissioner Winton: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: Is there a second?
Commissioner Regalado: Why does it say 3 p. m. ?
Chairman Sanchez: It's --
Commissioner Winton: Oh.
Brian Clarke (Senior Advisor, Policy Legislation): That's actually a time certain for 3 o'clock.
Commissioner Regalado: That's a CDBG (Community Development Block Grant).
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: That's time certain.
Chairman Sanchez: Oh, that's CDBG?
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Commissioner Allen: Right.
Mr. Clarke: Yes, sir.
Chairman Sanchez: Oh, I apologize.
Commissioner Allen: This is M2.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Commissioner Allen: Right. It's for a --
Commissioner Regalado: MI is the one that has no time certain.
Commissioner Winton: It's withdrawn.
Chairman Sanchez: Yeah, but M1 has been withdrawn, so --
Commissioner Regalado: Oh, OK.
Chairman Sanchez: -- we'll move to -- OK, hold on. Let's get -- OK.
Sylvia Scheider (Assistant City Clerk): Mr. Chairman. Excuse me. We have M2. It's a CDBG (
Community Development Block Grant) from the Mayor's section.
Commissioner Allen: Oh, that's correct.
Ms. Scheider: At 3 o'clock.
Chairman Sanchez: I thought we passed that. Oh, I'm sorry. OK. Well, it's always a pleasure
to have the Mayor down here. Mayor, always good to see you.
Commissioner Winton: I move no.
Mayor Manuel A. Diaz: OK. Is there a second? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This will be real
quick. As you remember, a couple of years ago, all of us gladly approved a budget item where
we created a special fund for something that we referred to as the Mayor's Poverty Initiative.
Since that time, we have used a lot of that money for our earned income tax credit campaign, our
child tax credit campaign. Many of our initiatives with small business, with Accion, with the
SBA (Small Business Association). 1 think the results have been very, very good up 'til now, as
you've been briefed and in the past. This is another phase of the overall antipoverty campaign.
This is something that, if you remember, I described to you back when something called
Individual Development Account Program. This is something that is being used around the
country. It is very popular. It encourages people to accumulate and to save. As you know, one
of the most difficult aspects in terms of homeownership is the ability to accumulate to save, to
create a pot from which a down payment becomes possible. Through this program that we are
working -- in this case, through Micro -Business USA, there's a 2/1 match. In other words, if the
participant puts $1, 000 into a segregated, specialized savings account, we match it with the
same dollar, and it is also matched by a dollar from the federal government, so it creates the
ability to build up a nest egg which individuals can use for homeownership. Ninety percent of
this program is going to be used for homeownership; five percent for small business and five
percent for post -secondary education, which are the only uses that are allowed under these types
of accounts. It's going to be administered by Citibank, as 1 said, run through Micro -Business
USA. It's $400,000.
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Chairman Sanchez: OK. Any questions from the Commission on it? Mayor, I have a question,
although I'm very supportive. It's my understanding, only 100 families are going to be benefited
from this.
Mayor Diaz: Yes. We believe we can -- with that kind of money, we believe we can reach 100
families.
Chairman Sanchez: And how are we going to -- how is Micro -Business USA going to reach out
to all the people that we have in our community that are, financially, just scraping by, to get
them to come on board and, you know, try to put some money into this and participate? What
type of aggressive --
Mayor Diaz: Well, we have a --
Chairman Sanchez: 1 guess you're going to answer that for me, right?
Mayor Diaz: -- representative here from Micro -Business. 1 will -- let me -- before -- I will say
that one of the things that -- something that is developing from all these programs that we're
doing is, I think we are developing a database of individuals through our housing programs that
CD (Community Development) runs in the many dierent areas, through your Little Havana
Homeownership Initiative. Through the list that we've been able to accumulate -- because,
remember, with the Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign, we are making it possible for many of
our residents to get two grand, three grand, even four grand every year in refunds from the
federal government, so we're keeping that based, and what we want to try to do is to tie all these
in together, so that we identify these individuals and bring them into homeownership, which is
the ultimate goal.
Chairman Sanchez: Oh, absolutely. Ma'am, would you like to state something for the record?
And, also, could you answer the question as to how you're going to be reaching out into the
community --
Militoria Fordham: Yes. My name is --
Chairman Sanchez: -- and getting people --
Ms. Fordham: -- Militoria Fordham. I'm the Executive Director for Micro -Business USA. We
also have established collaborative partners, Community Action Agency, Neighborhood
Housing, Human Service Coalition, Legal Services, so we work with all these organizations
generating clients from this particular organization. Micro -Business has been in this business
for 11 years. We have over 6,000 members. Over half of those members are also in the low-
income community, so through referrals in other organizations is how we're reaching out. We
would like to do a national campaign with advertising, starting the first of the year, to attract
more people.
Commissioner Allen: Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: And it will be citywide?
Ms. Fordham: Pardon me?
Chairman Sanchez: It'll be citywide?
Ms. Fordham: Citywide. We have money from OCED (Office of Community and Economic
Development) countywide, so it would be citywide.
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Commissioner Allen: Yeah, Mr. Chairman, if you will.
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, Commissioner Allen, and then, 1 believe, Commissioner Regalado.
Commissioner Allen: Well, first of all, I just wanted to the Mayor I think it's a pretty neat
initiative on your behalf to bring individuals into the economic mainstream, but 1 note here at the
end, madam, that of course, there are approximately 100 families. Have these families been
already pre -selected, or if they have not been pre -selected, can 1 get some assurance that some of
these families will, in fact, be in the District 5 community?
Ms. Fordham: It's open to all districts. What we do, we have information session; have them
come in and we qualms them. Right now, we have 126 participants in the program. We've had
one young lady, but it's in North Miami, that's already purchased a home.
Commissioner Allen: Good.
Mr. Fordham: In a couple of months, I will be able to supply you, by district, by participation of
those clients. We're in the process of setting our database up, so you will see how many people
from each of your districts are receiving our services.
Commissioner Allen: Great. Thank you.
Commissioner Regalado: One question: You do also offer grants to for profit business, right?
Ms. Fordham: No, we don't.
Commissioner Regalado: No. Because the Mayor said --
Ms. Fordham: We only work --
Commissioner Regalado: -- five percent has gone to business.
Ms. Fordham: Right, but those are people that are for profit business, yes, but right now, OCD (
Office of Community Development) is sort of reneging on the funding. They don't want us to
offer business money anymore. They want it to go for housing, so we're in a discussion with
them, so we had been using the County's money for businesses, but we had a discussion the other
day where they're contemplating if we should go forward with that.
Commissioner Regalado: But you have doing -- you have been doing that?
Ms. Fordham: Yes, we have. We have been. In fact, we have 40 people that's in the program
that's saving to expand their business at this particular time.
Commissioner Regalado: And do we know if these people are in the City of Miami, or --
Ms. Fordham: Some are in the City, some are in the County. I can give an update report. It's
going to take me a couple of months because, based on the funding that we received, we were
only tracking it for OCED at that particular time. We were waiting for the yes to go ahead with
the City because we have to add additional staff and additional fields into our database. I
should have that answer for you in about six to eight weeks.
Commissioner Regalado: Right. You said you had 126 participants. The Mayor says that with
this money, you'll be able to serve 100.
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Ms. Fordham: Additional 100.
Commissioner Regalado: An additional 100. The criteria for selection, how does it work?
Ms. Fordham: They have to have proof of income and proof of acceptability. We require a tax
return --
Commissioner Regalado: Yeah, but how can they reach you?
Ms. Fordham: How can they reach me? We have flyers that we hand out. At one time, we were
on Hot 105. We do PSEs (Public Service Events) in the Herald, community newspapers. 1 speak
at schools, churches, social events. Every time there's a function, I'm out there giving out flyers,
so we're really open. We work with the people in the Overtown, Kirby McKnight, trying to reach
the people in the Overtown area, so we have collaborative partners that we work through.
Community Action Agency is a big sponsor for us, handing out our flyers and giving out
information to those people.
Commissioner Regalado: How do you reach the Hispanic community?
Ms. Fordham: Well, right now, we're also working with World Relief We do have the program
-- we've had 27 people from the World Relief that is coming to the program, so that's going to
move forward. We will offer the program in another four weeks in Spanish. It was a problem of
hiring a new person to do the Spanish financial literacy, because we -- they have to take the
financial literacy as part of the training in order to access the money, so that will be starting
either the latter part of December, or the beginning of January at our office, but World Relief
does the Hispanic portion right now.
Commissioner Regalado: So we don't know how many Hispanics you will be --
Ms. Fordham: We do -- we have Hispanics there, but most of them are bilingual, so that's not a
problem. The ones that -- the 27 at World Relief are the ones that only speak Spanish, so we've
worked out an arrangement that if someone comes through the program and they need the
Spanish only, we will refer them to World Relief in addition to the clients that come through
World Relief.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Any further questions? Hearing none, all in favor, say "aye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Motion carries.
Ms. Scheider: I'm sorry, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you. Congratulations.
Ms. Scheider: I need a mover and a seconder on that.
Chairman Sanchez: Oh, they -- there was --
Commissioner Winton: I'll move it.
Chairman Sanchez: There was a motion made and a second.
Commissioner Winton: 1 don't think we did a motion.
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Chairman Sanchez: There was a motion made by Commissioner Winton and, I believe,
Commissioner Allen second
Commissioner Allen: Second, yes.
Commissioner Winton: My original motion was null.
Chairman Sanchez: Yeah. Well, that's -- that has been scratched off the record.
DISTRICT 1
VICE CHAIRMAN ANGEL GONZALEZ
DISTRICT 2
COMMISSIONER JOHNNY L. WINTON
DISTRICT 3
CHAIRMAN JOE SANCHEZ
D3.1 04-01083 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING THE
OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL TO CONDUCT A COMPLETE
REVIEW, AUDIT, AND INVESTIGATION OF THE CLAIM MADE BY THE
WYNDHAM GRAND BAY ("HOTEL"), LOCATED AT 2669 SOUTH
BAYSHORE DRIVE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, THAT THE HOTEL OVERPAID ITS
PUBLIC SERVICE TAX TO THE CITY OF MIAMI, IN THE ESTIMATED
AMOUNT OF $36,388.54; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO HIRE AN
OUTSIDE FIRM TO CONDUCT SAID AUDIT IF NECESSARY, SHOULD THE
OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES;
DIRECTING THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL OR THE OUTSIDE
FIRM TO PRESENT A REPORT OF ITS FINDINGS TO THE CITY
COMMISSION WITHIN 90 DAYS.
WITHDRAWN
Chairman Sanchez: D3.1, 1 would ask that it be withdrawn, and that was based on after
consulting with the Legal Department, 1 think it's better that that be done administratively
because we feel that if we do it the other way, it might open up the door for anybody else who
thinks that overpaid or anything will be asking the City to do an audit and, therefore, you know,
it'll be coming out of our pockets, so therefore, we ask that the item be withdrawn.
Commissioner Allen: Great.
Commissioner Regalado: D --
Chairman Sanchez: D3. I --
Commissioner Winton: D3. I.
Commissioner Regalado: OK.
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Chairman Sanchez: -- which was one of my items.
Commissioner Regalado: OK.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Any other --
D3.2 04-01160 DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION CONCERNING A MOTION TO RECONSIDER ITEMS PZ 26
AND PZ 27 FROM THE SEPTEMBER 27, 2004 MEETING AND DIRECTING
THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF HEARING BOARDS, THE DIRECTOR OF
PLANNING AND ZONING AND ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE MEMBERS OF
THE ADMINISTRATION TO RE -ADVERTISE AND RE-EXAMINE THESE
ITEMS FOR A FUTURE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENDA.
MOTION
A motion was made by Chairman Sanchez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, and was
passed unanimously, to reconsider the following Planning and Zoning Items from the September
27, 2004 agenda: Items PZ26 and PZ 27, which items were denied on first reading, related to
zoning change at approximately 2143 and 2161 S. W. 6 Street and 2161 S. W. 5 Street; and Items
PZ.20 and PZ21, which items denied permission to allow a bar and to waive ten (10) of the
required fifteen (15) parking spaces, four (4) spaces provided, for the property located at
approximately 1252 Southwest 22nd Street; further directing the Executive Secretary of Hearing
Boards, the Director of Planning and Zoning and any other appropriate members of the
Administration to re -advertise and re-examine these items for a future planning and zoning
agenda.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Mr. Chairman, you're recognized
Chairman Sanchez: Yes. I have an item for -- a discussion item on D3.2, which is a motion to
reconsider items that were on the last PZ (Planning & Zoning) Commission meeting. It was PZ.
26, PZ.27 from -- and I believe it was September the 27th when we had the meeting. Also, PZ
20 and 21, I would like to make a motion to reconsider, and all this basically does is that it
opens the door to a rehearing down the road, once it has been properly readvertised, and it'll be
placed on the PZ agenda and be brought back, with the proper application, and with any
modification that has been made on those items and, you know, of course, it will be evaluated by
the PZ Department to come back, so those items -- PZ.26, PZ 27, PZ20 and 21 -- under --
Commissioner Winton: What's PZ.21 ? Is that tied to PZ.26 and 27?
Commissioner Regalado: No. That's different --
Chairman Sanchez: No.
Commissioner Winton: Oh, they're separate?
Chairman Sanchez: Yes.
Commissioner Allen: Mr. Chairman.
Commissioner Winton: Oh.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: That's a different issue.
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Chairman Sanchez: They're two separate --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Allen: Did you say PZ Item 20 and 21?
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, sir.
Unidentified Speaker: I'll show you --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: 20 and 21.
Chairman Sanchez: They're not there, but they're being added.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: They're being added.
Commissioner Allen: They're being added.
Chairman Sanchez: 1 just want to bring them back for a motion for reconsider.
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: And basically, what it does here is, just we needed a motion, and basically
the discussion should be limited solely on -- only to -- pertaining to the Mason's Rule -- only to a
motion for reconsider. We can't discuss anything. It just brings it back to this Commission, so
that is my motion, to bring --
Commissioner Winton: Oh, it gives him the opportunity to come back.
Commissioner Regalado: Second.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right.
Chairman Sanchez: -- this item back.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: We have a motion.
Commissioner Regalado: Second.
Commissioner Allen: Second.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: And we have a second. All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All opposed have the same -- OK. Motion carries.
DISTRICT 4
COMMISSIONER TOMAS REGALADO
D4.1 04-01103 DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION CONCERNING AN UPDATE FROM THE LAW
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DEPARTMENT REGARDING THE INJUNCTION AGAINST THE ALF
LOCATED AT 2381 SOUTHWEST 21 TERRACE.
04-01103- cover memo.pdf
DISCUSSED
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Commissioner Regalado.
Commissioner Regalado: Yes, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: Yes. You're recognized, sir.
Commissioner Regalado: This -- these are two items that are of great interest for the residents
of Shenandoah, and it has to do with the Law Department update regarding the Adult Living
Facilities in the Shenandoah area owned by Family Boarding Home. The other item is D4.1, a
discussing concerning an update from the Law Department regarding the injunction against the
Adult Living Facility located at 2381 Southwest 21st Terrace, and some residents wanted to
come here but I am not going to keep the City Commission, but I'm sure that they will be
watching, and we will get minutes to them so we can expedite the session. The concern of the
residents in the surrounding areas of the Adult Living Facility turned halfway house is that there
is -- has been -- since the court injunction, there has been only one inspection, and it was --
everything was found according in compliance. However, the neighbors does not see it that way,
and we're hoping for a more aggressive inspection program. Actually, 1 concur with the
neighbors because I live one block away from this house, so I just want to understand, from the
City Attorney, what is the situation at that facility.
Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, Commissioners, I'll try my best.
The situation at 2381 Southwest 21 st Terrace is that we prosecuted this property both through
Code Enforcement and we also took it to circuit court. This is the most aggressive posture that
we could take in enforcing our Codes, and we generally prevailed at both. At the Code
Enforcement process, we obtained the relief we were looking for. The Special Master found the
property owner guilty and ordered compliance in the following areas: reduction of residents to
a total of six, and also gave them 15 days to apply for a permit for the work completed without
permits. The attorney representing the property owner requested additional time to finalize the
permits for the work completed, and they are in the process of achieving that. Complete
compliance, according to the Special Master, who granted the extension, is through October 31
st, so in another two weeks, they are supposed to have met all of the conditions imposed by the
hearing officer. In circuit court, likewise, we got an injunction filed against them, and we were
successful, and now the property owner is under compunction of law. If the property owner does
not comply with what the hearing officer has ordered, as well as what the judge has ordered, we
can go back and request sanctions, and sanctions range all the way from time in jail to actual
monetary fines, but we have gone beyond that. We have communicated personally, via certified
mail, return receipt requested, with the attorney representing the property owner, and we have
explained to the attorney that we believe it is his responsibility to get his clients to comply with
the judge's order, putting the onus and the burden on the attorney. We have gone further. We
have written a certified letter, return receipt requested, to the state agency that regulates this
business, and the state agency has responded to us, as recent as this past week, telling us that
they have started an investigation, and that they would get on top of that, and so we have -- from
a legal perspective, we are on it on a timely basis. We cannot control -- and we vigorously
object every time a request is made for an extension of time because we understand that that is
oftentimes abused, but still, when granted, we need to respect the decision of the hearing officer.
We have scheduled to be in front of the judge in mid -November so that if absolutely everything
that was granted to us in the injunction is not complied with, we can ask for sanctions, so from a
legal perspective, we're doing everything as aggressively as we possibly can on this one property
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Commissioner Regalado: Thank you very much. We have a -- residents that just came up of the
ALF (Adult Living Facility) turned halfway house. Do you have anything to add? I was -- yeah.
You have to go to the podium. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Enrique Cueto (as translated by official Spanish interpreter Ondina Suarez): My name is
Enrique Cueto. My address is 2132 -- 2121 -- sorry for that -- Southwest 24th Street. We've
been living at this residence for nine years. We believe to have finally managed to have the
American dream, but in the last two years, in fact, it has become a nightmare. With the only
authority of Tallahassee --
Commissioner Winton: Give him the other microphone. There you go.
Mr. Cueto: -- the immediate house to our -- near us has become first a home for the elderly and
now, in the last two years, it has become a rehab center for drug addicts and --
Commissioner Regalado: Two years. In the last two years.
Mr. Cueto: Yes, in the last two years, it has become -- without counting with the OK or the will
of the neighbors in mind Even though I know that through the City, through Mr. Regalado,
Commissioner Regalado, who is the one that belongs to that district, he is doing everything that
is possible, but it's just not enough. It's not only now a rehab center and -- but in the
Shenandoah area alone, there's 19 of them, and it keeps growing, and there is a lot of investors
interested. They are, therefore, destroying our neighborhood This has been taken before the
judges. Measures have been taken. There were limits placed on them, but it's just not enough. I
believe in the last four months, only one inspection was done, and it has not been done as the
judge had ordered, but they're in the midst of doing all of the proper procedures. However, in
the meantime, the situation continues. 1 believe it's going to be necessary if the City no longer
has any control over the city, because everything is through the permission from Tallahassee and
it's selectively done within those authorities. That's all. Thank you.
Ana Maria Cueto (as translated by official Spanish interpreter): May I speak, though? My
name is Ana Maria Cueto. Ana Maria Cueto. I am the wife to Enrique. Since these people have
had this business next door to my house, all of the neighbors were living in a state of terror, so
all of you put yourselves in my position, to see these three men, huge, strong urinating on my
street, and to see who could urinate closer to my home. I'm out on the terrace of my house, and 1
start hearing this noise. 1 thought it was cats, and it was men. How would you all feel?
Desperate. We moved into that neighborhood trying to improve it. We've put down trees and
those of you who know where we live could tell you that the neighborhood has improved quite a
bit. The neighbors have, therefore, imitated us. The important is to make better the
neighborhoods instead of -- but then, if you put them next door to us, what could we have? I am
the first who believes that I will be moving if this continues there. The last few years of my life,
I'm not going to spend them carrying on my waist a revolver, I mean. I need to be able to live in
my home carrying a revolver. Gentlemen, these are people that were convicts and drug addicts,
so we hope that you will do whatever you are able to, and thank you very much.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you. Commissioner Regalado.
Commissioner Regalado: Yes, Mr. Chairman. On the issue, we are -- I guess that the City
Attorney said the steps that the City is taking, and 1 want to thank the City Attorney's Office for
moving aggressively on this item. The other item are --
Chairman Sanchez: But before --
Commissioner Winton: Wait, wait, wait.
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Chairman Sanchez: -- before you go on --
Commissioner Winton: Are we done with -- you're moving to another item?
Chairman Sanchez: Yeah.
Commissioner Regalado: Yeah.
Commissioner Winton: Because I want to throw my two cents in here, if you don't mind.
Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner Winton.
Commissioner Winton: Because I'm not sure 1 understood everything that the City Attorney said.
It seemed to me that he was focused on one particular facility, not all of them.
Commissioner Regalado: Right, right, and this is why there are two items, because this is one
that was an ALF and turned into a halfway house.
Commissioner Winton: Oh, OK.
Commissioner Regalado: This is one case.
Commissioner Winton: And that -- oh, that's one of your line items.
Commissioner Regalado: This is their home.
Commissioner Winton: OK,
Commissioner Regalado: Right, next to their home, so the --
Commissioner Winton: And the next item --
Commissioner Regalado: -- other one, the next one --
Commissioner Winton: -- is the global picture?
Commissioner Regalado: -- the global picture.
Commissioner Winton: Oh, OK. That's what I -- OK.
D4.2 04-01161 DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION CONCERNING AN UPDATE FROM THE LAW
DEPARTMENT REGARDING THE ADULT LIVING FACILITIES IN THE
SHENANDOAH AREA OWNED BY FAMILY BOARDING HOME, INC.
04-01161-cover memo.pdf
04-01161-memo. pdf
DISCUSSED
Direction to the City Attorney by Chairman Sanchez to provide a report of all steps which have
been taken to address problems in the City created by inordinate number of adult living facilities
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Any other items from the Commissioners? Oh, yes.
Commissioner Regalado, you have time certain, the remaining two, is that correct?
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Commissioner Regalado: As -- I mean, we told the people of Shenandoah to be here between 4
and 5, so --1 mean, we can -- if we finish whatever early, we can do this last, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Because to be very honest with you, we're going to get through this
agenda very, very quickly.
Commissioner Regalado: Right, and this is the last item. If we can do it last -- I mean, the
people -- some people are going to be here. We'll call some people to be here earlier than 4
o'clock, so -- I mean, it will be no problem.
Chairman Sanchez: OK, so time certain --
Commissioner Regalado: 4.
Chairman Sanchez: -- at 3 o'clock, we have the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant),
and of course, the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting.
Commissioner Regalado: The next one is the Family Boarding Home. What happened is that
some people decided to buy into six facilities, one next to another one in the Shenandoah area,
and the City, with all the businesses, believed that when you change ownership, you have to go
through the whole process. Now, these six houses are in violation of the Zoning Code of the
City, since the Zoning Code said ALF (Adult Living Facility) must be 1,500 apart. These are
next to each other in one area, and these are six houses that are operated. Now, the problem
that the residents have is that every -- the Code Enforcement Board and the Code Enforcement --
the Special Master told them, you have to get this permit, you have to get that permit; you're in
violation of that, and every time -- and you need to have a special class whatever permit, and
this will trigger a public hearing. This has been going on for eight months, more or less,
because they go to the Zoning -- the Hearing Board, bring one paper, "Oh, you forgot another
paper. You got 30 days. You forgot another paper. You got 30 days. You forgot another paper.
You got 30 days," and the residents are -- the residents think that the City is playing them, and
that's the story on this second item.
Commissioner Winton: Well -- and again, I'm guess I'm kind of pitching in here on the global,
not just the specifics. 1 really do believe that we have a crisis going on, particularly in
Shenandoah, but it's a crisis that could easily spread elsewhere and, frankly, Mr. City Attorney, 1
don't think we have the knowledge resource available to the City to help guide our staff, the
Code Enforcement Board, any of these boards -- nobody knows the law. I don't think we have --
and I'll guarantee you that on these boards we've got, people don't know the law, and so they're
relying on somebody to give some translation, and we've been in the middle of this battle, as
Commissioner Regalado said, in Shenandoah alone, it's been over eight months. 1 mean, this
battle's been going on probably for two years now --
Commissioner Regalado: Three years.
Commissioner Winton: -- or three years, and we're not making any progress, and so, I don't
pretend to be an expert on the law. The only thing I know about the law is what I've read in the
newspaper, and what I've read in the newspaper always talks about how far away these things
have to be from each other, and you can only have a certain number in a certain range, and
none of those seem to be applying in the City of Miami, but they're all still there and we're
getting more, so something in our system is broken very badly, and 1 think to win the war, it has
to start with our Law Department because that's where the real expertise is that reads the fine
points of everything and provides the appropriate guidance to all City staff and empowers them
to do the kinds of things that we're allowed to do to not only put a stop to the proliferation, but to
dismantle a bunch of them that are flat illegal, and so 1 would ask that -- maybe there is someone
on your staff who's an absolute expert in the law in regards to these things, but if there isn't, then
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I would support you being able to hire outside counsel that is expert in this arena so that we can
get a real handle on this issue and begin to attack it with all of our resources, and truly solve the
problem, not allow it to continue to fester for the next three years, four years or five years.
Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): Mr. Chairman, Commissioners --
Chairman Sanchez: Well, before you do that, let me just -- I think we agree on one thing here,
and that is that an ALF in violation is both detrimental to its neighbors and inhumane to those
that are residents. My mike is off. Sorry about that. From what you stated, Mr. City Attorney, 1
think that we have been most successful by applying the land use laws, correct?
Mr. Fernandez: Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: Or, in other words, going after them for that. Now, we all understand --
and I think it's important that -- the AHCA (Agency for Health Care Administration) is the
regulatory body in Tallahassee that oversees all these facilities. Now, a lot of these facilities are
grandfathered in; they've been there for the longest time, and the only way that I feel, based on
the events that we've gone -- and we've gone through a Special Master, we've gone through the
circuit court, and 1 think that's very important. I think that you need to write a sequence of event
as to what the City has done to address this problem because the residents are very concerned,
and once you do that, provide us that so we could provide also the residents because, as
Commissioner Regalado stated, some of them may be saying that we're not doing enough of what
we should be doing, and 1 think it's important to know that we have taken all the legal action,
within the scope of the law, to address this concern, and I think that our biggest success -- and
we should continue to focus on that -- is that if they are in violation of any City Codes, that that's
the only way that we've been successful, we continue to tackle that issue and go ahead with that,
but 1 think it's important that AHCA gets involved and comes down here and checks -- and go in
and regulate these places. They're the ones that really have the teeth in the process. I'll yield for
Commissioner Allen.
Commissioner Allen: Mr. Chairman, this is also a question which will be directed to the City
Attorney. I'm just curious, are the legal principles of estoppel and latches, does that play a
significant role in this entire scenario by any chance?
Mr. Fernandez: Significant.
Commissioner Allen: Right, so I would, perhaps, suggest that the City Attorney advise the
Commission of those legal principles because they're well grounded in the law, and it does make
it difficult in many instances to be successful, if you will.
Mr. Fernandez: Yes. We have prepared a memorandum for you that exhaustively deals with the
issue that Commissioner Allen raised of latches and estoppel because he hit the nail right on the
head These are legal principles which are very complex and very difficult, even for lawyers who
are experienced and, by the way, Commissioner Winton, the City Attorney's Office has the
expertise and has the commitment to do everything in our power to eradicate these problems, but
we're dealing with a very complex Constitutional process that allows for defenses such as
estoppel and latches. Furthermore, the federal government --
Commissioner Winton: Estoppel and what?
Mr. Fernandez: Latches.
Commissioner Winton: Latches?
Mr. Fernandez: Yes, which is --
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Commissioner Winton: So 1 don't want to know the answer to this? I mean, I don't want to
understand that, yet? Later? Fine. OK. Keep going.
Mr. Fernandez: If you wait a day, you will get more than you've ever wanted to know about
what those are.
Commissioner Winton: Yeah. I won't ask the question. I just trust that latches is important.
Mr. Fernandez: The -- what we need to do is, we need to communicate better, not only with this
Commission, but also with your constituents, and I will be very interested in being invited to the
right forum so that 1 can share it with your constituents the legal principles that apply and the
legal impediments that we have to being ultimately successful to their standards. For example,
take the previous case that you dealt with, in residences where there are less than six individuals,
the federal government and the state government has preempted you from doing anything, so
regardless of zoning, regardless of anything that you may have, only AHCA can exercise some
control, and of course, we, in the exercise of our police powers. If there is a crime, if there is
something, then we can apply that.
Commissioner Regalado: Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: But here's a question that I have for you. They're not exempt from Code
violations.
Mr. Fernandez: No, of course not.
Chairman Sanchez: They are not exempt.
Mr. Fernandez: Of course not.
Chairman Sanchez: And that's where 1 think that we have been most -- more successful in
identing -- and I'm not saying that all ALFs are illegal, but there are some that have, through
time, done things that are not within the law and they've gotten away with it.
Mr. Fernandez: And then what happens is that the Code Enforcement process is a neighbor -
friendly process. It's a process that the bite has few teeth. It is a bite and you have a few teeth,
but it's not as severe as when you take it to circuit court, because the Code Enforcement Master
cannot throw people in jail, and is very limited in the fines they can impose. The moment we
remove some of these cases to circuit court and we're dealing with a circuit court judge in the
injunctive process, then you can throw people in jail, then they respond.
Commissioner Winton: All right.
Mr. Fernandez: And in the past --
Commissioner Winton: I vote yes.
Mr. Fernandez: -- we have not been taking a lot of these -- as a matter of course, we have been
using the neighborhood friendly Code enforcement process as a matter of policy. Now, I am
taking, without you necessarily having to tell me, a very clear direction that you want these to be
fully prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and rather than going through the Code
enforcement process, I'm redirecting my office effort to take everybody to circuit court.
Commissioner Winton: Bingo.
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Chairman Sanchez: And have we reached out to AHCA?
Commissioner Winton: Bingo.
Chairman Sanchez: Have we reached out to them?
Mr. Fernandez: To whom?
Commissioner Winton: To whom?
Chairman Sanchez: To AHCA, which is the regulatory agency that oversees all the ALFs.
Mr. Fernandez: The very first thing I've done, two and a half weeks ago, was certified mail,
return receipt requested, and within a week, they replied affirmatively that they would get on the
case immediately, and that they would start investigating and making sure they come into
compliance, so that is also being done, and something else that I'm doing --
Chairman Sanchez: Well, then, it's my understanding that we're heading in the right direction,
and we've --
Mr. Fernandez: Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: -- taken all the legal action we could take within the scope of the law,
correct?
Mr. Fernandez: Yes.
Commissioner Winton: Well, not -- I mean, yes, we're starting down that path, I understand --
sounds like.
Commissioner Regalado: OK. Can 1 say something? The reason that these two items are here
are not because of the constitutional issues, or the fact that six or less the City doesn't have to do
anything with that. The reason that the first item is here is because the ALF on 21 st Terrace was
an ALF until it became a halfway house --
Commissioner Winton: Right.
Commissioner Regalado: -- which has totally different rules from the State of Florida to operate
and it requires. At one time, a City of Miami Police detail, six cars, were at that place because
there was a fight of 11 patients; drug addicts and one ex -murderer, fighting in the street. Six
police cars, so the issue is not the Constitutional rights of this ALF. The issue is that these
people became -- and Commissioner Allen is an expert on this -- because these people just
decided to become halfway house because it pays more. The court system sends these people --
Commissioner Winton: Yeah.
Commissioner Regalado: -- instead of getting the Social Security, and bingo, they became --
they just decide to become a halfway house. The second issue is not about Constitutional rights,
nor about -- it's the fact that the court told these six facilities, you need to go to get a special
Class II permit or whatever --
Mr. Fernandez: Special exception.
Commissioner Regalado: -- that permit is -- exception -- and you have to go before the Zoning
Board, and you have to go before the City Commission, and there is a public hearing triggered
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by this. What happened was -- and the reason that it's here is not because they need to do that.
It's because the City has not enforced what the court says. What I'm saying is, they went and
brought a piece of paper. "No, it's not good Come back in 30 days. Come back in 40 days."
In fact, the date that was given to the City Attorney for the hearing in the Zoning Board and to
the residents have been changed five times in a row. Do you know that, Mr. City Attorney, that
the date has been changed?
Mr. Fernandez: I have become aware of that since you told me personally. I wasn't aware of
that before yesterday.
Commissioner Regalado: Your office has all the dates that have been changed, from August to
September, to October; now, it's late November, and this is the issue. That's all. What the
residents are asking is just to have the public hearing. That's all they want, and they want to be
here for the public hearing.
Commissioner Winton: And the public hearing isn't in the best interest of the damned applicant
because they can keep operating the way they're going --
Commissioner Regalado: Exactly.
Commissioner Winton: -- and they don't have to put up with the public, and so --
Commissioner Regalado: Meanwhile --
Commissioner Winton: -- our view -- my view is we ought to take that right -- put him right back
in front of that judge and say that he's deliberately not providing all the information we need so
that there could be a public hearing and, thereby, cheating the public, or cheating the
community, or whatever other deals there are. 1 mean, we really have to get aggressive with
these guys.
Mr. Fernandez: We are.
Commissioner Winton: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Any --
Mr. Fernandez: 1 hear you loud and clear.
Chairman Sanchez: Any further discussion on the item? Hearing none, is there a motion to
adjourn the City of Miami Commission meeting?
Commissioner Winton: So move.
Commissioner Allen: Motion.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion and a second -- and, first of all, I believe there's no pocket
items, correct? Commissioner Regalado? OK.
Commissioner Winton: Before we adjourn, one more -- our Chairman, is he doing a job or
what? 4 o'clock. Whoa, whoa.
(Applause)
Chairman Sanchez: Thank everyone and thank you guys. You're making it much easier on me,
so our meeting's adjourned. Have a good one. Have a good weekend Everybody, God bless
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you.
Commissioner Allen: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
D4.3 04-01138 DISCUSSION ITEM
MR. BEN BURTON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MIAMI COALITION
FOR THE HOMELESS INC., TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION
CONCERNING THE FEEDING AND SERVICE PLAN FOR LOW INCOME
AND HOMELESS FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS IN THE CITY OF MIAMI.
04-01138-cover memo.pdf
04-01138-Feeding and service plan.pdf
DEFERRED
D4.3 was deferred to October 28, 2004.
Chairman Sanchez: Any other item? If not --
Commissioner Regalado: Commissioner -- Chairman?
Chairman Sanchez: Yes. Commissioner Regalado, you're recognized.
Commissioner Regalado: On District 4 items, I need to defer two items.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Which items would those be, Commissioner?
Commissioner Regalado: D4.3.
Chairman Sanchez: D4. 3.
Commissioner Regalado: This is the plan that is already finished for the feeding of homeless in
downtown Miami, but the Homeless Trust has requested to hear all the details in their next
meeting. I will be attending, so as a courtesy to the Homeless Trust, I'm deferring this to the next
Commission meeting of late October.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. The item has been requested by Commissioner Regalado to be
deferred to the meeting in late October.
D4.4 04-01120 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
RESOLUTION NO. 04-0610, ADOPTED SEPTEMBER 9, 2004, TO INCLUDE
THE WAIVER OF COSTS AND FEES FOR THE CO -SPONSORED ANNUAL
SOURCE AWARDS 3-DAY EVENT, SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER
2004; AMENDING SAID RESOLUTION TO REFLECT SAID CHANGE.
DEFERRED
D4.4 was deferred to October 28, 2004.
Commissioner Regalado: D4.4, the item regarding the Source Award, to be deferred, as per
request of the Administration, to the next Commission meeting.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. The item has been requested by the Administration and by
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Commissioner Regalado to defer it to the next Commission meeting, which we need a date.
Commissioner Regalado: 20 --
Commissioner Allen: 28th.
Commissioner Regalado: 28th?
Chairman Sanchez: 28th?
Commissioner Allen: 28th.
DISTRICT 5
COMMISSIONER JEFFERY L. ALLEN
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PUBLIC HEARING
PH.1 04-01090 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION BY A FOUR -FIFTHS
(4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC
HEARING, RATIFYING, APPROVING AND CONFIRMING THE CITY
MANAGER'S FINDING OF A SOLE SOURCE; WAIVING THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPETITIVE SEALED BIDDING PROCEDURES
AND APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF A SKY WATCH SENTINEL
OBSERVATION PLATFORM, FROM NEW HEIGHTS MANUFACTURING, INC.
, FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF POLICE, AT A TOTAL COST NOT TO
EXCEED $97,146; ALLOCATING FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$97,146, FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, POLICE
HOMELAND DEFENSE PREPAREDNESS BOND, ACCOUNT CODE NO.
312048.299307.6.840.
04-01090-covermemo. pdf
04-01090-budget impact .pdf
04-01090-memos. pdf
04-01090-notice to public.pdf
04-01090-NHM email.pdf
04-01090-price quote.pdf
04-01090-skywatch. pdf
04-01090-award. pdf
04-01090-Summary Fact Sheet.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
R-04-0683
Chairman Sanchez: PH 1, which is a resolution of the City of Miami Commission by a four -
fifths affirmative vote, after advertising a publicly hearing, so it's been publicly -- properly
advertised. It is open. Do we need -- need a motion. It's a resolution.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Move PH 1.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez. Is there a second?
Commissioner Allen: Well --
Commissioner Regalado: Second.
Commissioner Allen: -- I had discussion.
Chairman Sanchez: Second by Regalado. It is open for discussion. Commissioner Allen.
Commissioner Allen: Yes, Mr. Chairman, if you will --
Commissioner Winton: Yes.
Commissioner Allen: -- please. May I have someone please from the respective department on
behalf of this? Good morning, sir.
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Deputy Chief Frank Fernandez (Deputy Chief Police Department): Good morning,
Commissioner.
Commissioner Allen: Yes. Just a number of questions, if you will, please. 1 do see that this is a
sole source purchase, and this is apparently a Sky Watch Observation Platform. Could you
please tell me, is there a compelling need for this? 1 do understand it's not a fiscal impact to the
City, but can you first answer that? Is there a compelling need for this particular --
Deputy Chief Fernandez: Absolutely, sir. Frank Fernandez, Deputy Chief Miami Police
Department.
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Deputy Chief Fernandez: Commissioner, this is something that, actually, we came across at,
believe it or not, at Disney World. We were concerned that having such a permanent -- not a
permanent structure, but something that's very prevalent to the community when they see it, that
it wouldn't impact on our tourism, but Disney World has these things parked all over the parking
lots, and they use it in terms of homeland security for a visual platform to look from. This type of
thing is mobile. It is something that we do need. We have a large number of special events in
the City. This pass weekend, for example, we had 11 major events. We had 180 officers working
these events. We have over 500,000 people, at any given time, visiting these special events.
What this will give us is an elevated platform. Not only that, but it's also a major deterrent. We
also put it to use. Once we saw it being used in Disney World, we actually called the company;
they brought it down here. We used it during the Calle Ocho Festival to see how proactive it
would be, and how -- what impact it would have on the event, and putting an officer up there,
what it did, it actually diffused a lot of situations because the public was looking at it -- looking
at it saying, "Well, the officers are watching me." It's kind of like a platform for us to look down
from, but it also has video capabilities in the event of a fight. We could document these incidents
. It also offers officer safety issues for our cops to see where these occurrences are occurring,
but to give you one example: During the 8th Street Festival, there were a number of situations
where fights were about to break out with so-called gang members. The officer noticed that the
groups were gathering, deployed the officers, and they were able to intercept that fight before it
took place and diffuse the situation before it came or it became a public safety issue. We're
looking to put this also down Biscayne Boulevard. For example, during the Mardi Gras Festival
that we had on Biscayne Boulevard, well, unfortunately, we had someone fire a weapon. This
type of visibility from the officers, people looking at it --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Deputy Chief Fernandez: -- will be a deterrent for those type of violent behaviors.
Commissioner Allen: Well, let me ask you. How would you answer those critics or citizens that
would argue that the appearance of this apparatus would appear to be tantamount to a police
state, and the impact on potential tourism coming here. How would you answer that?
Deputy Chief Fernandez: Well, that's the same concern we have. We share the same concern,
but looking at it from the perspective -- look at Disney World having these things in the parking
lot, obviously, they haven't had an impact on tourism. I believe their stocks are up, so that
wasn't an impact there. We've looked to see where they've actually put these things before. We
tested it during 8th Street. We polled some people, very informal, just asking people, as they're
walking by this platform during the 8th Street Festival, it didn't seem to be intrusive. It did not
seem to be an insult. We did not receive that, at all. In addition to that, during the 8th Street
Festival and a number of other festivals, we also used fixed platforms. These are those wood
platforms that you normally see that are raised up, where the officer stands on top to get a visual
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observation. The only thing this will give us, aside from that, is a much more elevated or higher
elevated platforms for us to look from.
Commissioner Allen: OK, and lastly, it's coming out of the allocation of the home security bond
issue, but let me ask you, has anyone examined the issue of the carrying costs or maintenance
costs going forward? Would that impact the City's budget, the maintenance --
Deputy Chief Fernandez: No, sir. We --
Commissioner Allen: -- the maintenance of this, on a yearly basis?
Deputy Chief Fernandez: Absolutely. We actually discussed this during the preparation of the
purchase of it. The maintenance -- it comes with a warranty. The maintenance was on a diesel
engine. We actually called -- there's the -- Collier County has one of these platforms.
Commissioner Allen: OK.
Deputy Chief Fernandez: They experienced very little maintenance at all. The company is very
reliable, so we don't anticipate having any type of general fund impact to the general funds.
Commissioner Allen: OK. All right. Thank you.
Deputy Chief Fernandez: You're welcome, sir.
Chairman Sanchez: Any other discussion?
Commissioner Winton: Yeah. I have a -- I just want to make sure -- I didn't recall a line item
out of the bond issue for this, but I'm having it printed out, so I'm assuming -- the only thing 1
remembered in the bond thing was the Police Training Facility. Is there another line item for
police stuff in the bond issue?
Commissioner Regalado: No.
Deputy Chief Fernandez: Yes, there is. Major Melvin, do you have that available with you, the
Homeland Security, the park bond?
Unidentified Speaker: No, I don't.
Deputy Chief Fernandez: Commissioner, we don't have that information available, but we will
certainly get it to you. We'll track it down now, but it is part. We do have it on that agenda. I
did double-check to make sure that it was on there.
Commissioner Winton: On what agenda?
Deputy Chief Fernandez: On the Homeland Security.
Commissioner Winton: You know that it is -- that you have a -- what's the line item called then
that this would fall under? Because it's not going to fall under the Police Training Facility.
Deputy Chief Fernandez: No, it would not. Let me double-check. Major -- they're checking for
us now.
Commissioner Winton: Well, how about we post -- defer the vote on this for five minutes, until
you guys come --
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Deputy Chief Fernandez: No problem.
Commissioner Winton: -- up with that information, and then I'm crystal clear on that.
Deputy Chief Fernandez: Absolutely.
Commissioner Winton: Because the concept itself, I'm totally in favor of. I've seen them --
similar things used actually in small towns all the time during parades and festivals and all kinds
of things, so I think the concept is good. I just want to make sure that the use of funds is correct.
Mary Conway: Good morning, Mary Conway, CIP (Capital Improvement Program). It does not
-- the funds would not come from the 10, 000, 000 that's in the bond for the Police Training
Facility. There is another --
Commissioner Winton: Well, 1 would assume it wouldn't come from that.
Ms. Conway: There's another 5,000,000 that's, I believe, Title Preparedness Initiative, that
these types of purchases and other improvements are being funded from, and --
Commissioner Winton: Can I see --
Ms. Conway: -- I don't have that -- 1'm getting it right now.
Commissioner Winton: OK. Well, as soon as I see the entire schedule and see that line item,
I'm fine.
Ms. Conway: OK.
Commissioner Winton: So could we wait until we --
Ms. Conway: We're getting it right now.
Commissioner Winton: -- until I get a copy of that? Thanks.
Commissioner Regalado: Was this approved by the Oversight Board?
Deputy Chief Fernandez: Yes, sir, it was.
Commissioner Winton: Oh, it was? This has been before the Bond Oversight Board?
Deputy Chief Fernandez: My understanding, yes, sir, it was approved --
Commissioner Winton: OK, 1 quit.
Deputy Chief Fernandez: -- by the Oversight Board.
Commissioner Winton: They would not have let it come here. They've been very good at --
Commissioner Allen: Great.
Chairman Sanchez: Any other questions --
Commissioner Allen: Did we --
Commissioner Winton: -- keeping watch on that.
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Chairman Sanchez: -- from the Commission?
Commissioner Winton: So 1 withdraw my --
Commissioner Allen: Thank you.
Deputy Chief Fernandez: All right.
Chairman Sanchez: If not, it has been advertised as a public hearing. Anyone from the public
wishing to address this item, please step forward. Seeing none and hearing none, the public
hearing is closed, and therefore, 1, as the Chair, will speak last. 1 just -- an eye in the sky is
worthy of James Bond 007 -- does he approve it?
Deputy Chief Fernandez: I'm sorry. Say that again. The James Bond --
Chairman Sanchez: I'm only kidding. I'm only kidding. James Bond --
Deputy Chief Fernandez: James Bond will actually use this also, yes.
Chairman Sanchez: Oh, OK. All right. All right. It's a resolution. All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Hearing none,
motion carries unanimously.
Deputy Chief Fernandez: Thank you, Commissioner.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Deputy Chief Fernandez: Appreciate it.
Commissioner Allen: Thank you, sir.
Chairman Sanchez: You're quite welcomed.
Commissioner Allen: Thank you, sir.
PH.2 04-01091 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION BY A FOUR -FIFTHS
(4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING,
RATIFYING, APPROVING AND CONFIRMING THE CITY MANAGER'S
FINDING OF A SOLE SOURCE; WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
COMPETITIVE SEALED BIDDING PROCEDURES AND APPROVING THE
ACQUISITION OF THREE (3) 8028 UNIVERSAL PORTACOUNT FIT TEST
SYSTEMS WITH ACCESSORIES, WHICH CONTAINS BOTH MODELS 8020
PORTACOUNT PLUS AND 8095 N-95 COMPANION, INCLUDING TRAINING
AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT SERVICES FROM TSI INCORPORATED C/
0 DAWSON ASSOCIATES, INC., THE DESIGNATED SOLE SOURCE
REPRESENTATIVE FOR TSI INCORPORATED, IN THE SOUTHEASTERN
REGION OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF FIRE -
RESCUE, FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $33,000;
ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THE FEDERAL GRANT ENTITLED, "URBAN
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AREAS SECURITY INITIATIVE GRANT PROGRAM II," PROJECT NO. 110111
, ACCOUNT CODE NO. 280910.6.840.
04-01091-cover memo.pdf
04-01091-budgetary impact.pdf
04-01091-memos.pdf
04-01091-notice to the public. pdf
04-01091-TS I letter. pdf
04-01091-Dawson letter.pdf
04-01091-TSI webpages.pdf
04-01091-sales quote.pdf
04-01091-award. pdf
Motion by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
R-04-0669
Chairman Sanchez: Moving on to PH.2. It's a resolution of the City of Miami Commission --
Commissioner Winton: So moved.
Chairman Sanchez: -- by a four -fifths vote.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: Also, it's been advertised --
Commissioner Allen: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: -- as a public -- there's a motion by Commissioner Winton. There's a
second by Vice Chairman Gonzalez. It is open for discussion from the Commission. Hearing
none, it is a public hearing. Anyone from the public wishing to address the Commission, please
step forth and be heard. Seeing none and hearing none, the public hearing is closed. It's a
resolution. All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Hearing none, the
resolution passes unanimously.
PH.3 04-01092 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S
), ACCEPTING THE PLAT ENTITLED "CATHERINE'S PLACE," A
SUBDIVISION IN THE CITY OF MIAMI OF THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN "
ATTACHMENT 1," SUBJECT TO SATISFACTION OF ALL CONDITIONS
REQUIRED BY THE PLAT AND STREET COMMITTEE AS SET FORTH IN "
EXHIBIT A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, AND THE PROVISIONS
CONTAINED IN SECTION 55-8 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, AND ACCEPTING THE DEDICATIONS SHOWN
ON THE PLAT; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER AND
CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE PLAT; AND PROVIDING FOR THE
RECORDATION OF THE PLAT IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE
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COUNTY, FLORIDA.
04-01092-cover memo.pdf
04-01092-budgetary impact.pdf
04-01092-memo.pdf
04-01092-notice of public hearing.pdf
04-01092-memo2. pdf
04-01092-notice of public hearing2.pdf
04-01092-legal description. pdf
04-01092-exh ibitl .pdf
04-01092-exh i b it2. pdf
04-01092-p ictu res. pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Winton, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
R-04-0670
Chairman Sanchez: Moving on to PH.3. It is a resolution. Has that -- is that PH.3 from the
Administration?
Stephanie Grindell: Stephanie Grindell, Director of Public Works.
Chairman Sanchez: Stephanie.
Ms. Grindell: PH.3 is a resolution accepting the plat for Catherine's Place. We recommend
approval.
Chairman Sanchez: You recommend approval?
Ms. Grindell: Yes, we do.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. It's a resolution. It's not a public hearing, correct? It was not --
Ms. Grindell: Public hearing.
Chairman Sanchez: It's a public hearing? OK. It's a public hearing. Anyone from the public
wishing to step forward and address this issue, please do so now. Seeing none, hearing none,
the public hearing is closed
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Move PH.3.
Commissioner Allen: Move.
Chairman Sanchez: -- and we open it for a vote. There is a motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez.
Is there a second?
Commissioner Winton: Second
Commissioner Allen: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: Second by Commissioner Allen and Commissioner Winton. It is open for
discussion from the Commission. Hearing none, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
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Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." The resolution
passes unanimously.
PH.4 04-01039 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S
), ACCEPTING THE PLAT ENTITLED "AGUA CLARA," A SUBDIVISION IN
THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY"), OF THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN "
ATTACHMENT 1," SUBJECT TO SATISFACTION OF THE CONDITIONS
REQUIRED BY THE PLAT AND STREET COMMITTEE AS SET FORTH IN "
EXHIBIT 1," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, AND THE PROVISIONS
CONTAINED IN SECTION 55-8 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI ("
CITY CODE"), FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, AND ACCEPTING THE
DEDICATIONS SHOWN ON THE PLAT, FURTHER SUBJECT TO THE
FOLLOWING: (1) AN EXECUTED INDEMNIFICATION AND HOLD
HARMLESS AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY; (2) A BOND ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY'S RISK
MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATION, AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 54-4 OF
THE CITY CODE; AND ACCEPTING THE DEDICATIONS SHOWN ON THE
PLAT; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY
CLERK TO EXECUTE THE PLAT; AND PROVIDING FOR THE
RECORDATION OF THE PLAT IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY, FLORIDA.
04-01039-cover memo.pdf
04-01039-budgetary impact.pdf
04-01039-memol .pdf
04-01039-notice of public hearingl.pdf
04-01039-memo2. pdf
04-01039-notice of public hearing2.pdf
04-01039-memo3. pdf
04-01039-notice of public hearing3.pdf
04-01039-memo4. pdf
04-01039-notice of public hearing4.pdf
04-01039-legal description.pdf
04-01039-exhibit 1. pdf
04-01039-exh ibit2. pdf
04-01039-exh ibit3. pdf
04-01039-picture.pdf
WITHDRAWN
Chairman Sanchez: OK. We go into the regular agenda. We go into --
Joe Arriola (City Manager): Commissioner, would you --
Chairman Sanchez: On the regular agenda, are there any items --
Mr. Arriola: Yeah.
Chairman Sanchez: -- that we want to -- that the administration wants to pull from the general
agenda?
Mr. Arriola: PH.4, we want to withdraw.
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Chairman Sanchez: I'm sorry, Mr. City --
Mr. Arriola: PH.4.
Chairman Sanchez: PH.4?
Mr. Arriola: Yes, sir.
Chairman Sanchez: OK, PH4 withdrawn. Are there any other items?
PH.5 04-01093 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S
), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO CONVEY TO THE STATE OF
FLORIDA, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ("FDOT"), A STRIP OF
LAND CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 5,737 SQUARE FEET, LYING
ADJACENT TO BISCAYNE BOULEVARD, BETWEEN NORTHEAST 8TH
STREET AND NORTHEAST 9TH STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA ("PROPERTY"),
REFERRED TO AS PARCEL 101, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN
"EXHIBIT A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, WITH FDOT REQUESTING
FEE SIMPLE OWNERSHIP OF THE PROPERTY TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS
TO THE SIDEWALK FOR THE PURPOSE OF TYING IN THE SIDEWALK
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE OVERALL PROJECT KNOWN AS THE BURLE
MARX PROJECT; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A DEED, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE FORM ATTACHED AS "
EXHIBIT B," AND ALL OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO EFFECTUATE SAID
CONVEYANCE.
04-01093-cover memo.pdf
04-01093-memo.pdf
04-01093-notice of public hearing.pdf
04-01093.exhibitl .pdf
04-01093.exhibit2.pdf
04.01093-exh i bit3. pdf
04.01093-exh i b it4. pdf
Motion by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Commissioner Allen, that this matter be
ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
R-04-0671
Chairman Sanchez: Moving on to PH.4. PH.4 was withdrawn. PH. 5. PH.5 is a resolution.
Staff. Staff needs to come up and basically --
Keith Carswell: OK. Keith Carswell, Director for the Department of Economic Development.
This is really just a conveyance of property to FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) in
connection with a master plan project along Biscayne Boulevard.
Commissioner Winton: So moved.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion by Commissioner Winton. Is there a second?
Commissioner Allen: Second.
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Chairman Sanchez: Second by Commissioner Allen. It is open for discussion from the
Commission. Before we do that, let's -- it's a public hearing. Anyone from the public wishing to
be heard on this item, please step forward. Seeing none and hearing none, the public hearing is
closed.
Sylvia Scheider (Assistant City Clerk): Excuse me. Mr. Chairman, I was handed a substitute
version. I need to know if this is a modification to the resolution.
Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): Yes, and I believe that Commissioners have been given the
modification also.
Chairman Sanchez: Yes.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Yes.
Commissioner Regalado: Yes.
Mr. Fernandez: So that is what's being passed, as modified.
Chairman Sanchez: Well, why don't we do something, Mr. City Attorney, just for the record.
Why don't we have it put on the record I think it's paramount that when we have items that
come in front of us, the Administration needs to come forth and just stand there and say, you
know, "we approve it," in case they have any questions, that way, time -- it saves time. In case
the Commissioners have a question, we don't have to hunt the staff down, so --
Mr. Carswell: The Administration recommends conveyance of the property.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Any questions from the Commission on this item?
Commissioner Winton: As it relates to the modified resolution.
Commissioner Allen: Correct.
Mr. Carswell: Correct, as it relates to the modified resolution.
Commissioner Allen: All right.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Commissioner Allen: There's no sustention.
Commissioner Regalado: And this is -- I got a question for --
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, Commissioner Regalado.
Commissioner Regalado: This is to take part of Bicentennial for FDOT to build the road and
sidewalks.
Mr. Carswell: Correct. This is just basically for the street widening project; it has also allowed
for some pavers, and there was a master plan that was adopted by the Commission, I believe, in -
Commissioner Winton: The Burley Marks.
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Mr. Carswell: -- back in 1988, the Burley Marks Project, which is --
Commissioner Regalado: Yeah, but I got a question, and I'm sure that Johnny knows the
answer, and I -- I was curious because I've seen a lot of information. The County has a plan for
the museums, in case the bond issue is approved. According to published report, the County's
plan is bigger than what we approved in the City Commission. Does this affect --
Commissioner Winton: Bigger in terms of what?
Commissioner Regalado: Acres.
Commissioner Winton: They don't get to decide; we do.
Commissioner Regalado: Well --
Commissioner Winton: Regardless of their plan --
Commissioner Regalado: But it's going on the ordinance.
Commissioner Winton: No. It's City of Miami land. It is not County land. It's City of Miami
land. It's our master plan. We've hired the consultant. It will be a public process for master
planning, and the master plan that -- in fact, the consultant --1 don't know if they've been hired
yet or not, but we've gone through the RFP (Request for Proposals) process, we've chosen a
consultant. They're negotiating with the consultant. Don't know if they've been hired or not, and
this consultant is actually going to design the park, not a master plan, but design the park, and
in that process, this whole issue of -- excuse me -- two parks, three parks. The footprint of the
museums themselves, what they're going to be allowed to occupy, how we will and what we will
allow relative to them weaving in some of their outdoor exhibits will be debated vigorously and
where parking's going to be placed, and that's all going to be part of the heavy debate that our
original master planning committee has already gone through and have very strong feelings
about. Now -- and so this -- these consultants that we've hired, at the end of the day, this
Commission will rates that plan that will be a very public process relative to the specific design
of the park, and we will determine that.
Commissioner Regalado: Yeah, but -- and that is -- and you're right, but is -- we have a
paradox here, because in the backup ordinance of the bonds, the parks -- the museum park --
Commissioner Winton: Um-hmm.
Commissioner Regalado: -- has buildings in 16 acres, and that's the ordinance that will be
approved, that will guide the bond, like we did here with the bond.
Commissioner Winton: Would you do me a favor and show me that writing?
Commissioner Regalado: It's --
Commissioner Winton: I've never seen that.
Commissioner Regalado: No. I think it's --
Commissioner Winton: They're not getting 16 acres.
Commissioner Regalado: -- it's in the County. Well, look, that's what they're selling. I'm just
saying that we need to be very careful --
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Commissioner Winton: 1 would be surprised if they're -- now, I haven't seen that, 1 will tell you,
and I've read a lot of stuff, and I've never seen that, number one. Number two, that point of sale
is a bad point of sale. That will unsell --
Commissioner Regalado: Yeah, I know.
Commissioner Winton: -- because the public isn't in favor of that, at all.
Commissioner Regalado: That's --
Commissioner Winton: I'm not in favor of that, at all; nobody that I know is in favor of that, at
all, so I -- and I've never seen that writing, so if you --
Commissioner Regalado: I've seen it, but I'll try to get a copy of the backup order.
Joe Arriola (City Manager): Commissioner --
Commissioner Winton: That'll be great, because if it is in some ordinance that the County is
dealing with, then we need to go to the County and make sure that gets clarified before, OK?
Chairman Sanchez: Mr. City Manager.
Mr. Arriola: Yeah. It actually -- not came from the County. Actually, the people that are
opposing the park itself are the ones that wrote that, about 16 acres, and what they did is --
Commissioner Winton: Oh.
Mr. Arriola: -- they included not only the building, but they included all the landscaping and all
the other participations of the -- of what the museums would be as part of the 16 acres, so it's not
Commissioner Regalado: The County --
Commissioner Winton: And let me put this in perspect -- in our original master planning
process -- and the parks were there -- I mean, the parks -- the museums were there -- they said,
we need a minimum of four acres for our footprint of our building and we want another four
acres for public exhibits, and then we want to fence it off, and we said, ain't no way. Maximum,
four -acre footprint for your building; maximum, not minimum, and anything that you do --
sculpture gardens, those kinds of things that you do in the park, we're all in favor of. That
happens in parks all over the world It's not fenced off. It's open to the public. It's open for the
public. It will be public space, end of story, so the real point here is that the two parks,
according the our master plan that this Commission adopted, gets -- those two museums, I mean
-- get total of eight acres, four acres each, for the footprint of their buildings. That's the max,
just so it's clear on the record.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Any further discussion on PH.5? Hearing none -- it was a public
hearing? Anyone from the public wishing to address this item, please step forward Seeing none
and hearing none, the public hearing is closed. There is a motion and there is a second on the
item. It's a resolution. All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." The motion carries
unanimously.
3:00 P.M.
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Note for the Record: A sign language interpreter was signing for Items PH. 6 - PH. 8.
PH.6 04-01096 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S
), AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS FROM THE HOUSING LOAN RECOVERY FUND
IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $484,580.43; ALLOCATING SAID FUNDS
TO SINGLE FAMILY PROGRAMS FOR HOUSING ACTIVITIES.
04-01096-cover memo.pdf
04-01096-public notice.pdf
04-01096-memo.pdf
04-01096-pre resolution.pdf
04-01096-exh i b it. pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Winton, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
R-04-0684
Chairman Sanchez: And we will reconvene the City Commission meeting. OK. Is the translator
here? OK. How about our sign language?
Sylvia Scheider (Assistant City Clerk): The sign interpreter has just pulled into the parking lot,
I've been told, so she should be walking in any moment.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. We'll wait for her. We have three items that are CDBG (
Community Development Block Grant) and, of course, they're time certain, and they are a public
hearing and, of course, the rules and regulations require us to have not only an interpreter here
at the Commission, but also a sign language individual, so we'll go ahead and wait a few
minutes 'til she gets here. She's parking her car outside and she should be here soon.
Commissioner Winton: Do we have anything other than those? Joe, do we have anything other
than these?
Chairman Sanchez: Those are the only items that we have, and then we have, I believe -- we
have three items CDBG, and then we only have the time certain item pertaining to the ALFs (
Adult Living Facilities) that --
Commissioner Winton: Oh, yeah.
Chairman Sanchez: -- Commissioner Regalado has requested.
Commissioner Winton: There it is, EM2. Well, that's a different one. That's the Mayor's item
that's EM2. Well, while we're waiting, maybe we can take up Commissioner Regalado's, or are
we waiting?
Chairman Sanchez: No, they're time certain.
Commissioner Regalado: Well, if we finish this, we might as well --
Commissioner Winton: Who are we waiting on?
Commissioner Regalado: -- start, but at least several neighbors were hoping --
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Commissioner Winton: To come?
Commissioner Regalado: -- to come, and we told them about 4.
Commissioner Winton: Oh, I see. By 4? We're going to be out of here at 4.
Commissioner Regalado: Yeah. Well, we said at 4, but we can -- as soon we -- at least one is
here, we can start, so then --
Commissioner Winton: Then I'm going to watch my little six -year -old play flag football over
here at the park.
Chairman Sanchez: OK She is here. Ma'am, good to have you here, OK.
Ana Hernandez (Official Sign Interpreter): Thank you. Miami traffic.
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. OK. Madam Director, you're recognized
Barbara Gomez -Rodriguez: Barbara Rodriguez, Department of Community Development. PH. 6
is basically transferring 484,580 with 43 cents from the Housing Loan Recovery Fund to our
single-family program.
Commissioner Winton: What does that mean?
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: The Housing Loan Recovery Fund was a fund that we had in order to
safeguard some of our loans, and HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) did
not approve it, so we've had that money and we want to use it through our single-family program
that we have 247 applicants waiting for repairs of their homes.
Chairman Sanchez: And, Barbara, this is recaptured funds?
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: It's basically an account that was there that we can't use it for that
purpose, so we're trying to move the application process.
Chairman Sanchez: And how many individuals are in the application process right now?
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: 247 are waiting, so we're trying to decrease that amount of applicants.
Chairman Sanchez: And this moves the money towards the rehab program?
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Correct.
Commissioner Winton: Oh, it's rehab?
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Rehab.
Commissioner Allen: Rehab.
Commissioner Regalado: This is --
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Single-family rehab.
Commissioner Regalado: But this is not to buy houses; this is rehab.
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Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: This is single-family rehab for individual houses up to $30, 000 to rehab
their house.
Commissioner Winton: Great.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: So move, Mr. Chairman.
Commissioner Winton: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Before we open it up for a motion, this is a public hearing. Anyone
from the public wishing to address this concern, please step forward and be recognized. Seeing
none and hearing none, the public hearing is closed There is a motion on the floor. There's a
motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, second by Commissioner Winton. It is open for discussion.
Hearing none, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay" Motion carries.
PH.7 04-01097 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S
), AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF 26TH YEAR COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT
TO EXCEED $150,000, FROM THE ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS, INC.;
ALLOCATING SAID FUNDS TO THE CITY OF MIAMI DEPARTMENT OF OFF
-STREET PARKING ("DOSP") FOR ACQUISITION AND/OR DEVELOPMENT
OF A PROPERTY IN THE AREA OF 151 NORTHWEST 60TH STREET,
MIAMI, FLORIDA, TO BE DEVELOPED AS A PUBLIC PARKING LOT;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN
AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, WITH DOSP,
FOR SAID PURPOSE.
04-01097-cover memo.pdf
04-01097-public notice.pdf
04-01097-text report.pdf
04-01097-summary report.pdf
04-01097-exhibitl .pdf
04-01097-exh ib it2. pdf
Motion by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Commissioner Allen, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
R-04-0685
Chairman Sanchez: We move on to PH.7, also a resolution.
Barbara Gomez -Rodriguez (Director, Community Development): PH 7, on May 6, 2004, the
City Commission adopted resolution 04-0313, allocating $150, 000 to the Alternative Program,
and this was a need that they had to do additional parking for their facility. What we are
recommending is to take those $150, 000 and to give them to Off -Street Parking, for them to build
a parking lot for the Alternative Program.
Commissioner Winton: Well --1 was reading the address incorrectly, so I almost died. 1 thought
this was somewhere else, so you need a motion?
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Chairman Sanchez: Well, before we do that, it is a public hearing. Anyone from the public
wishing to address this item, please step forward to the mike and be heard. Seeing none and
hearing none, the public hearing is closed, and we'll open it up for the Commission. 1 believe
there was a motion made by --
Commissioner Winton: I'll move it.
Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner Winton.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Second.
Commissioner Allen: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: Is there a second? Second by Commissioner Allen. It is open for discussion
from the Commission. Hearing none, it's a resolution. All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." The resolution
passes unanimously.
PH.8 04-01100 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S
), AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS, IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $999,
297, FROM CLOSED OUT ACTIVITIES; ALLOCATING SAID FUNDS IN THE
AMOUNT OF $81,300, TO SOUTHWEST SOCIAL SERVICES, INC.,
THE AMOUNT OF $300,000, TO TELEMIAMI, INC., THE AMOUNT OF $290,
000, TO ALLAPATTAH WYNWOOD COMMUNITY AND DEVELOPMENT
CENTER, INC., THE AMOUNT OF $50,000, TO ST. ALBAN'S DAY NURSERY,
AND THE AMOUNT OF $277,997, TO HOUSING ACTIVITIES TO BE
FUNDED AND APPROVED BY THE HOUSING & COMMERCIAL LOAN
COMMITTEE; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
AGREEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS TO AGREEMENTS, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORMS, WITH SAID AGENCIES.
04-01100-cover memo.pdf
04-01100-public notice.pdf
04-01100-exhibit 1. pdf
04-01100-exh ibit2. pdf
04-01100-exh i b it3. pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Allen, that this matter be
ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
R-04-0686
Barbara Gomez -Rodriguez (Director, Community Development): PH.8 is basically we are
closing out a couple of programs that the City used to have and used to run, and those are
closeout funds that are not being utilized. We are moding this resolution and we have
provided a copy to all of you, so we want this PH.8 to be modified. Basically, what we're doing
is, we're closing out City of Miami Lot Clearing account of 560, 203.53; City of Miami Lot
Clearing for 182,187.96, City of Miami Code Enforcement/NET (Neighborhood Enhancement
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Team), 132,888.75, Code En -- City of Miami Code Enforcement/Building Department, 124, 016.
76 for a total of 999,297, and we're requesting approval to be transferred to Southwest Social
Service, Inc., $81, 300, Allapattah/Wynwood Community and Development Center, Inc., $290,
000, St. Alban's Daycare, Inc., $50, 000, housing activities, again, to fund more single-family
rehab program for 277, 997, and to put $300, 000 on a CDBG (Community Development Block
Grant) reserve, which was advertised for Telemiami, Inc., and we are requesting that to be put in
reserve until additional information is obtained.
Chairman Sanchez: So, basically, the amendment that has been given to us removes Telemiami
from the resolution.
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: It removes them and it puts those dollars in a CDBG --
Chairman Sanchez: Reserve.
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: -- reserve account.
Commissioner Allen: Reserve.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Before we open it up to the Commission, it's a public hearing, and I
believe there's someone from the public that wants to speak on the item.
Felix Diaz: Felix Diaz, president of Telemiami, here to answer any questions you may have.
Chairman Sanchez: Oh, but you -- there's no questions. You want to put something on --
Mr. Diaz: No.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Mr. Diaz: I do not.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. All right. It is a public hearing. Anyone from the public wishing to
address the -- anyone else? We certainly don't want to deny anybody the public forum. Sir,
please step forward. State your name on the record. Does it pertain to this resolution?
Roberto Godoy: I don't know it. It pertains as funds from the CDBG. I am not in there, but I
don't know if this would be the appropriate place to talk.
Commissioner Winton: You need to know if it pertains to these items.
Mr. Godoy: If I am not included in that item, I cannot talk?
Commissioner Winton: No.
Mr. Godoy: OK.
Chairman Sanchez: But I think you deserve an explanation. 1 suggest that you speak with
Barbara afterwards so she could explain whatever your concerns may be. You're just not on the
agenda pertaining to these items. OK, so speak with her, and if you're not satisfied with her,
please feel free to contact any of the Commissioners, and we'll be more than glad to put you on
the agenda at a later date. Thank you. OK. It's open for the Commission.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Mr. Chairman, I'm ready to move PH.8.
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Chairman Sanchez: OK. There's a motion by the Vice Chairman to move PH8. Is there a
second?
Commissioner Allen: It's a second
Commissioner Winton: Second. Discussion.
Commissioner Allen: I second.
Chairman Sanchez: Second by Commissioner Allen and discussion, Commissioner Winton.
Commissioner Winton: How did you determine who was going to get these funds?
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: What happened is, throughout the years, we get -- different agencies
send us proposals that they run into trouble, they're doing something to the facility, and they did
-- they need additional dollars, so when we found these dollars, we went back and we checked
everybody that had requested these dollars, and we visit them. We determine what was the time
frame to use the dollars. In some of them, we've been partners in this project for two years, such
as Southwest Social Service. We're requesting the money because we can finish the job.
Allapattah Wynwood Community Development, that's another one that we've been involved for
two years that we're trying to finish. St. Alban got funded last year for some dollars, and they
needed additional dollars, and we felt that it was good to complete what they were doing, and
the remaining dollars was basically housing activities because of the amount of people that we
were doing on single-family rehab that were waiting so, basically, that's what we did,
Commissioner.
Commissioner Winton: And explain the Telemiami deal.
Unidentified Speaker: Right.
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: The Telemiami deal was -- we received a letter from them back in March
requesting that they were in the process of expanding their location, and they were applying
under Economic Development, and that they were looking to see how the City could help them.
They were going to be creating jobs, 20 jobs, and that they were needing some money due to
complete the structure of their facility. We went out there; we visit them and we determined the -
- they were requesting much more money than what we were recommending. Right now, we're
looking for additional data.
Commissioner Winton: What is Telemiami?
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Telemiami is a for profit business --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Cable TV (television).
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: -- that is in the City of Miami.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: A cable --
Commissioner Winton: A for profit business?
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Yes, it is.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: It's a cable TV company.
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Yes, it is.
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Commissioner Winton: Well, then explain that to me.
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: We -- if you look at economic development, that is the purpose of
economic development, is to provide dollars to for -profit business to create jobs. The same way
that we do with Little Haiti Job Creation, which is under economic development, to create jobs.
Commissioner Winton: Well --
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: So for every $15, 000 that they create a job, is the policy that the City
has used in the past. The regulation permits 35, 000 for one job. We have a stricter policy,
which is 15,000 for one job.
Commissioner Winton: Well, let me -- I didn't know anything about any of this until I read the
agenda, so -- but I would be shocked if I don't have some not -for -profit agencies in my district,
particularly, in the West Grove, or in Wynwood, or Little Haiti, that need money to do capital
improvements to their facilities and I didn't know anything about this. Nothing.
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: OK.
Commissioner Winton: And -- but we're going to give 300, 000, which is a big chunk, to a for -
profit corporation, and I -- you know, that may be a perfect thing to do, may be. I don't know.
What bothers me is that no one -- I don't know if my staff knew. Maybe they knew that this was
all going on and -- because I've been a little harder to get hold of lately than 1 usually am, and
so that could be the case, but 1 don't have a good gut feel, and usually when I don't have a good
gut feel about something, there's something there, and this really makes me nervous that we
didn't reach out to the not -for -profit community that 1 know is desperate for things all the time,
and we put one of the biggest chunks of money and we give it to a for -profit corporation.
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Commissioner, with all due respect, we did, and that's why you see three
non-profit there, and keep in mind that one of the things that we do with for profit is that there
are commitments that if this is not, they do pay us back, so it's not the same requirement, but we
did go to the non-profit. We did --
Commissioner Winton: How did you --
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: -- we've been in contact with your office and we were able to obtain
some of the requests that your office had
Commissioner Winton: I'm not comfortable with this.
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: OK.
Chairman Sanchez: All right, but that's why it's been taken out.
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: They're going to fine-tune it; they're going to sit down; they're going to
make all the necessary adjustments, and they'll be -- come back to the Commission --
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: -- with the recommendation. That's why --
Commissioner Winton: Tell me that again. What's happening?
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Chairman Sanchez: They --
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: I just pulled it out.
Chairman Sanchez: -- took that part out.
Commissioner Winton: Oh.
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: That was the modification I made, to put it on reserve.
Chairman Sanchez: That was one of the -- the amendment on the floor is to --
Commissioner Winton: Has that one out.
Chairman Sanchez: -- take that out --
Commissioner Winton: Oh.
Chairman Sanchez: -- because there were some concerns.
Commissioner Winton: OK.
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: And, basically, allows them to talk to the Attorney and talk to the business
owners, and work it out, and then, possibly, bring it back to the Commission.
Commissioner Winton: OK, good.
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Right.
Commissioner Winton: And I'm fine with that.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Right.
Commissioner Winton: And I'm going to call the different agencies in my --
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Right.
Commissioner Winton: -- district to make sure that we've looked at that, and like I said --
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Yeah.
Commissioner Winton: -- it may be --
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Right.
Commissioner Winton: -- it may be the perfect use. I just want to make sure that we've done the
right job of looking at --
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: No problem.
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Commissioner Winton: -- some of these others, and make sure we're crystal clear on that. That's
my --
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: No problem.
Commissioner Winton: -- only issue.
Commissioner Allen: Right, so, Mr. --
Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner Allen.
Commissioner Allen: Yeah. Mr. Chairman, so as a point of clarification, it is understood that
this would -- Telemiami will be deleted --
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Correct.
Commissioner Allen: -- Madam Director?
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Correct.
Commissioner Allen: OK.
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: The modification --
Commissioner Allen: And --
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: -- is to put the $300, 000 on a reserve account.
Commissioner Allen: Right. OK.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. No further discussion. There was a public --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I have another one.
Chairman Sanchez: -- hearing. Oh, I'm sorry. Vice Chairman Gonzalez, 1 apologize.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Yeah. It's --
Chairman Sanchez: Sir, you have the floor.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: It's proper to -- that I speak on behalf of the Allapattah/Wynwood
Community and Development Center. Commissioner Winton -- Commissioner Winton.
Commissioner Winton: Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I just want to address the Commissioner in reference to the Allapattah
Wynwood Community and Development Center. This is a daycare in Allapattah that's been
trying to expand for the last five years. 1 don't know if you remember when we had the project in
Wynwood --
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Midtown.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez:: -- Midtown --
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Midtown.
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Commissioner Winton: Yes.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: -- that Mr. Brian Finney (phonetic) was here at the Commission
chambers --
Commissioner Winton: When you hit it.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: -- and I addressed --
Commissioner Winton: Right.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: -- Brian Feenie that he's been promising these non -for -profit money
for the last five years, and he hasn't -- and, you know, he hasn't made a firm commitment to the
money, and we had a discussion about it, but it was like nothing had happened. You know, time
run and he never came through with the money --
Commissioner Winton: And now we have --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: And the matter of fact is that if we don't fund whatever is needed to
finish this project now, whatever money we have put into this specific project is going to be
recaptured by HUD because we haven't expend the money --
Commissioner Winton: Yeah, yeah.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez.: -- waiting for the County to come up on board and pledge their side
of the commitment. Since the County hasn't kept up their word in coming up to the table and,
you know, and finalize the commitment, then we decided to go ahead and do it on our own, so it
will be our project. It will be a City of Miami project, and I'm sure that we're all going to be
proud of it.
Commissioner Winton: And I'm not uncomfortable with that one at all.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Thank you, sir.
Commissioner Winton: I'm 100 percent --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez:: Thank you.
Commissioner Winton: -- in favor.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Any further debate on the resolution? It is a resolution. All in favor,
say "aye."
Commissioner Regalado: Mr. Chairman, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: Yes.
Commissioner Regalado: What are we voting on?
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: You are --
Commissioner Regalado: Could you specify?
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: We are voting to transfer from Lot Clearing, 560,203.53, from Lot
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Clearing, 182,187.96, from Code Enforcement/NET, 132,888.75, from Code Enforcement/
Building Department, 124,016.76, and to fund Southwest Social Services, 81,300; Allapattah
Wynwood Community Development Center, Inc., $290, 000; St. Alban's Daycare -- Day Nursery,
Inc., $50, 000, Single -Family Rehab, 277, 997, and to put $300, 000 in a CDBG reserve.
Commissioner Regalado: OK.
Commissioner Allen: All right.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Commissioner Regalado.
Commissioner Regalado: No, I'm fine.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Resolution. All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." The motion
carries unanimously.
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: OK That takes care of all CDBG items. I believe that we have two items
remaining in the agenda, and they're both pertaining to District --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: 4.
Chairman Sanchez: -- 4.
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ORDINANCES -EMERGENCY
EM.1 04-01146 ORDINANCE Emergency Ordinance
(4/5THS VOTE)
AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AMENDING CHAPTER 22 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, AS
AMENDED, ENTITLED: "GARBAGE AND OTHER SOLID WASTE," BY
AMENDING ARTICLE I ENTITLED: "IN GENERAL" SECTION 22-1,
ARTICLE II ENTITLED: "REGULATION OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN
COMMERCIAL WASTE COLLECTION" SECTIONS 22-46, 22-47, 22-
50, 22-56, 22-57 AND 22-58, AND ARTICLE III ENTITLED:
ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION" SECTION 22-93; CONTAINING A
REPEALER PROVISION, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
04-01146-cover memo.pdf
04-01146-memo.pdf
04-01146-pre resolution.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter
be ADOPTED as an emergency measure, waiving the requirement for two separate
readings PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
12599
Chairman Sanchez: Could we move into EM.1, which is an ordinance, an emergency
ordinance? 1t requires a four -fifth. Yes, sir. Executive Director, Solid Waste, state your name
for the record.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I'll move EM.1.
Chairman Sanchez: There is a motion on EM.1. It is an ordinance.
Commissioner Regalado: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: Is there a second?
Commissioner Regalado: Second for discussion.
Chairman Sanchez: Second for the purpose of discussion by Commissioner Regalado.
Commissioner Regalado, you have the floor.
Commissioner Regalado: Thank you, very much, Mr. Chairman. I met yesterday with the Solid
Waste Director and the City Attorney. One thing that I thought that it would help the City
Commission and the Administration -- and Mr. Soldevilla agreed -- is that this ordinance makes
the commercial solid waste companies that operates in the City to participate in what they call "
neighborhood clean-ups". In that paragraph, there is a word that says "special event activities
citywide. " My argument with Mario was, if we can get these companies to help with the cleaning
of special events, the City Commission will be able to stretch the dollars that we have for special
events more than we have now because we have to pay for in -kind services of Solid Waste and
Police and Fire. Now, if Mario is able to ask those solid waste companies to work on a special
event citywide, whatever it happen, we can reduce the amount of money that those promoters
have to pay to the Solid Waste Department and, thereby, we could increase the special events
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that we sponsor, or these people can come up much better, and 1 don't know if -- I mean, it says
here in the ordinance "special events," so it's at the discretion of the Director to ask them to
participate in special events.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Commissioner, I will -- I promise you that I will bring it up at the next
Solid Waste Committee meeting.
Commissioner Regalado: That'd be great, you know, because we can stretch the dollars.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I think you're a hundred percent right, and I will bring it up and I will
have the Administration support the petition.
Mario Soldevilla (Acting Director, Solid Waster): Yes, sir.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: And I'm sure that they will be willing to cooperate.
Mr. Soldevilla: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Regalado: That's all.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right. We have a motion and we have a second. All in favor, say
"aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Commissioner Regalado: No. It's an ordinance.
Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): Has to be read.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Oh, I'm sorry. It's an ordinance.
Chairman Sanchez: Before we do that, I have some questions. I apologize. I was on the phone.
Commissioner Allen: Oh, sure.
Chairman Sanchez: It's OK.
Commissioner Regalado: You had to go. I mean --
Chairman Sanchez: I'm OK with the ordinance. I just want to make sure that we frame a
question where -- we did go through a proper procurement process?
Mr. Soldevilla: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Allen: Yeah. OK.
Mr. Soldevilla: We had an RFQ (Request For Qualifications). The RFQ --
Chairman Sanchez: And Legal, of course, is OK with this?
Mr. Fernandez: Yes.
Commissioner Allen: Great.
Mr. Soldevilla:: Yes.
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Chairman Sanchez: All right. Well, you know, we have made significant stride. Now, this
contract expired October the 1st, correct?
Mr. Soldevilla: Yes, sir.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. And, basically, what this does, it's a clean -- basically, it's a clean
-up ordinance.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: It's a clean-up.
Mr. Soldevilla: Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: It cleans it up. Now, does it address the biggest complaints and concerns
that we get from the citizens pertaining to early pick-ups? You know, people calling the office
saying, "Look, they're picking garbage right next to my house right now at 4 o'clock in the
morning, and they just woke me up," and does it really -- I think that we've worked with the Solid
Waste -- the committee that was put together has worked very hard to work with that industry to
make sure that, one, we generated more money from them, which was --
Mr. Soldevilla: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: -- was agreed, and then, of course, did we improve on the quality -- the
service of quality that they show, so that was one concern that I had, that that issue be
addressed, so -- you're OK with it, as the Executive Director?
Mr. Soldevilla: Yes, sir.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez:: Great. Mr. Chairman, in answer to your complaints -- to your
concerns, I'm sorry, we have been discussing the early pick-ups at every single meeting, and we
have put in place mechanism to make sure that we stop these early pick-ups and these type of
activities that disturb the residents in the City of Miami. As a matter of fact, we even increase
the fines --
Mr. Soldevilla: That's correct.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez.: -- that these companies will be paying if they continue to do that
activity, and the penalties go to extreme, that they can also be removed from the City list of
companies picking up.
Chairman Sanchez: And on that matter, 1 think that you, as the Executive Director --1 could tell
you a big concern that I see when I drive through my community and, really, when I drive
through the entire city. What is the industry doing to try to stop these individuals that have a two
-- three -unit -- no, four -unit -- after four units, you're required to have a Dumpster --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Um-hmm.
Mr. Fernandez.: Yes, sir.
Chairman Sanchez: -- and those dump -- apparently, they order the smallest Dumpster, and then
they fill it so high that the trash ends up over -spilling onto the street.
Commissioner Allen: OK.
Mr. Soldevilla: The ordinance has provisions for that also --
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Chairman Sanchez: Oh, so it does.
Mr. Soldevilla: -- where there are minimum requirements based on the size of the units that they
have. If it's -- and it increases according to the number of units that they have. Also, the
ordinance addresses that if the service is not sufficient, it needs to be -- it has to be increased,
and we have the authority to fine the owners for doing that -- to doing that.
Chairman Sanchez: I just want to make sure that this ordinance addresses all the concerns --
Mr. Soldevilla: Yes, it does.
Chairman Sanchez: -- that -- OK. You're comfortable, I'm OK with it then.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Mr. Chairman.
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, sir.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: That is also an issue that 1 have been bringing up every single
meeting that we have, and the responsibility lies on the City inspectors. City inspectors are the
one that has to be in the lookout for this, because let me tell you, the companies, what they want
to do is, they want to sell service, and if the building owner says, "Well, I'm willing to buy your
service, but 1 just want to go with the smallest container and the less pick-up a week" --
Chairman Sanchez: Yeah.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: -- you know, the salesman is going to say, "Here it is, in the contract.
You know, one pick-up a week, five pound container." All right, so our inspectors are the ones
that have to be on the lookout, and then once the building owner gets fined, the company needs
to be notified that they have to go back to this place and renegotiate another contract for more
pick-ups and a larger container.
Mr. Soldevilla: Right.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Because you know that I have been talking about this in every
meeting because I have that in my district, too, and I'm sure that it is all over the City of Miami.
Mr. Soldevilla: Um-hmm.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: You know, these people go with the smallest container, the less
amount of pick-up a week, and then you see all of these containers overflowing, you know, and
you see garbage all over the parking lot, the floor, the sidewalks, so that's something that we
have to work with with the Solid Waste inspectors and Code Enforcement inspectors.
Mr. Soldevilla: They have, but 1 also know that the haulers have been going back to their clients
to advise them of the requirements that the City has for pick-up and the size of their container
that they need to utilize.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Commissioner Allen.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez.: Thank you.
Commissioner Allen: Yeah. / just wanted to point out. I'm in favor of the ordinance, but if I
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may, I'd like to ask the Director, since there are -- appears to me to be some -- some of the
changes in this particular ordinance, could you just give us the rationale for extending it to five
years? And, I believe, there's another area where you're lowering the threshold with respect to
the permit fee and the like.
Mr. Soldevilla: Yes. The initial contract that was done was done for five years. This is a -- the
second contract that -- the second franchise agreement that comes into place. It is also for five
years, but we've -- but we have extended it for -- or we give them the opportunity to extend, at the
City's discretion, for an additional fee or three-year term. The annual franchise fee that they
have to pay was also the first five years laid flat at $5, 000. Under the new contract, that fee
increases by $500 a year each year.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Mr. Soldevilla: So it brings the City additional revenues. It also does that for the specialized
waste haulers, where before they had to bay $1, 000 annual fee. Now it's $1, 000, plus an
additional $500 every other -- every year increasing. The new agreement also increases the
percentage of the gross receipts that they have to pay. Previously, it was 20 percent. It is now
22 percent. In order to work with some of the per -account fees that they have to pay, initially,
they had to pay $100 at the beginning of October, and then it was prorated down every month
until -- in September, it was zero for any new accounts that they brought in. This new contract,
what it does is, it takes the medium point and it has them pay $50 at the beginning of the year
because, basically, it's a lot, and since we increased the percentage, it's been more beneficial to
the City, OK, so that's what the contract does, and that was the rationale behind it. Also, in
handling the per -accounts and the roller fees, it was really an administrative nightmare to keep
up with it.
Commissioner Allen: Right, and 1 would also assume you've increased the threshold with
respect to any penalty clauses --
Mr. Soldevilla: That's correct.
Commissioner Allen: -- in this, correct?
Mr. Soldevilla: Yes. On this, we did. We increased the penalty and, specifically, as
Commissioner Gonzalez was talking, for the early pick-up. Normally, that was a $250 fine for
doing it. Now, we have increased it from 250 for -- to 250 for the first offense, 500 for the
second offense, and 1, 000 for the third offense, or any offense thereafter, so it's significant.
Commissioner Allen: OK. Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: Yeah. Just --1 think Commissioner Allen wasn't here and some of the
Commissioners weren't here when we first -- I first got elected in 1998, one of the first things that
the Commission appointed me to was to deal with nearly -- put together a committee, and first of
all, let me say, Commissioner Gonzalez has done a great job taking on after me, but 1 was --
when we first started sitting down, let me just say, that industry, which, you know, you would
hear things before I got there, but it turned out to be a bunch of gentlemen [sic] that -- it was an
industry that didn't have any controls, and after sitting down and fine-tuning and addressing all
the concerns that we had, we walked away with the City generating $2, 600, 000, if I'm not
mistaken, and creating some regulations to protect, not only the consumers, but also protect
them.
Commissioner Allen: Yeah.
Chairman Sanchez: And I think that now this ordinance adds onto that and it just fine-tunes it
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even better, so it's goes to show you that, you know, it does work when we sit down and --
Commissioner Allen: Yeah.
Chairman Sanchez: -- we're able to work, so once again, 1-- it was -- for me, it was a pleasure
to sit down --1 thought it was going to be much, much harder, but the industry was very
professional about it.
Mr. Soldevilla: And the haulers are very sensitive to our needs and they're very responsible
also, and have been.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. It's an ordinance. Was there a motion?
Frank Kreutzer: Mr. Chairman, may I make --
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, sir. Of course.
Mr. Kreutzer: May I -- thank you. I'm Frank Kreutzer. I'm the attorney for General Hauling.
We are the largest small hauler in the City of Miami. When 1 say the largest small, I mean we're
infinitesimal compared to the Waste Management, BFI (Brown & Ferris Industries) and
Republic, but there are a grouping of small haulers in the County that do a good job, and the
truth is, Mr. Chairman, that I think they gave you this when you were a rookie Commissioner
because they weren't sure what they were going to do with it, but you did move it, and Vice
Chairman Gonzalez, you've stepped into that because I'm the owner -- the youngest three -
generation owner of my business, General Hauling, that I represent. It's a three -generation
operation -- is a member. That's Ben Bush, so he tells me what's going on, so Mr. Chairman,
you get a lot of credit for this because it was one that nobody wanted to touch.
Mr. Soldevilla: That's right.
Mr. Kreutzer: And we're very grateful to you for the comments that both you and you've made
today regarding the integrity. Our concern is great on that issue of people taking two small
containers and then letting it overflow, so we care a great deal about that, and we want to urge -
- because number one, it's good for our business, but more importantly, it relieves the tension
between our business and the staff because they're always saying, we want this cleaned up and
we say, we want it put in a proper size bin, that way we don't have to worry about picking it up,
so we would encourage that kind of good enforcement. We know we're working on that. I'm
here on two issues, really, today, rather narrow, to confirm that the pick-up time will be 11 p.m.
and not 10 p.m., and I see the change here. I just want to make sure that staff is committed to
that, because that's important -- more important for the small haulers than the large haulers, but
important to everybody.
Chairman Sanchez: Counsel, is it on the agreement?
Mr. Soldevilla: Yes, sir.
Mr. Kreutzer: Yes, it is.
Chairman Sanchez: Then it's written in stone.
Mr. Kreutzer: So that -- I'd like also to feel comfortable. The staff has requested that we sign
some amendments to the original one.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: That's right.
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Mr. Kreutzer: But if we sign them, that we don't find ourselves in a bind, is that a -- there won't
be a problem with 11 o'clock pick-ups?
Mr. Soldevilla: No. Let me explain it. Commissioner, the --
Mr. Kreutzer: We don't want to make trouble where there isn't trouble, I assure you.
Mr. Soldevilla: No, no, there isn't. Let me explain what happened was, is that this really should
have been brought to you in September, due to the fact that we -- all the hurricane activity that
we had, it was delayed and we're bringing it in now, OK? The new contract comes into effect
October 1st, so there is a companion item to this, which is a resolution. That resolution allows
the haulers to function under the old terms for one month, until this emergency ordinance has
been adopted. At which point --
Chairman Sanchez: But that's -- EM.2 does that.
Mr. Soldevilla: That's correct, it does.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Mr. Soldevilla: So yes, the answer is -- the short answer is yes, the new contract change the
hours, and it was a -- as a result of compromise between our negotiations.
Mr. Kreutzer: And we'll be able to pick up until 11 --
Mr. Soldevilla: Yes.
Mr. Kreutzer:: -- during that period, as well?
Mr. Soldevilla: Yes.
Mr. Kreutzer: Terrific. We're very grateful, and that committee that you put up has been
wonderful. The interaction between the industry staff and the Commission has just been
outstanding. You were the one that attended those meetings, initially, Mr. Chairman, yourself in
putting it together, so it's a wonderful opportunity and an example to show what's doable in a
partnership between an industry and its regulators, and we're grateful to the regulators for
listening to the industry. It's been a long history in government in Dade County, in South
Florida, where regulators just regulate and don't listen, so we're very grateful --
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you.
Mr. Kreutzer: -- for that partnership.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you so much.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: No further discussion from the Commission. Mr. City Attorney, could you
read the ordinance or do you -- would you like me to read it?
Mr. Fernandez: Yes. "An emergency ordinance of the Miami City Commission amending
Chapter 22 of the Code of the City of Miami, as amended" --
Chairman Sanchez: Mr. City Attorney, I'll read it.
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Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: I'll read it for you.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the Chairman Sanchez.
Chairman Sanchez: Madam Clerk, Roll call.
Sylvia Scheider (Assistant City Clerk): Roll call.
Chairman Sanchez: The ordinance has been approved unanimously.
Ms. Scheider: That's an emergency. I'm sorry. I need another roll call.
Chairman Sanchez: Oh, you do? Oh, that's right. It's a --
Roll calls were taken, the results of which are stated above.
Ms. Scheider: It passes --
Chairman Sanchez: The ordinance has been --
Ms. Scheider: -- on emergency, 5/0.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. The ordinance has been approved.
Commissioner Winton: Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, sir. You're recognized.
Commissioner Winton: 1 don't know what item this was. It was on the commercial hauling issue
and, clearly, I was asleep at the wheel, but I want to make sure that we're clear, for the record,
what we've done here and, Mr. Manager, 1 think that --1 think y'all -- Mr. Manager. Joe Arriola
Chairman Sanchez: 1 believe that was El, Commissioner.
Commissioner Winton: He does not like to be called Mr, Manager.
Joe Arriola (City Manager): I don't.
Commissioner Winton: Y'all need to hear this.
Chairman Sanchez: But, Commissioner Winton, before we do that, just for the record, were you
going to be discussing El?
Commissioner Winton: I'm sorry?
Chairman Sanchez: EM.1.
Commissioner Winton: Oh, that was EM. 1?
Chairman Sanchez: Yes.
Commissioner Winton: OK, and Commissioner Allen brought it up, but I was still asleep at the
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wheel. Because if I understand this, what we've done here, the annual franchise fee for the
haulers starts at 5,000 and increases by 500 a year, and specialized haulers starts at 1,000 and
increases by 500 a year; franchise fee increased from 20 to 22 percent. This sounds to me like --
and maybe I'm missing something here, but I know that we made a commitment to our residents
that we weren't going to increase garbage fees to our residents for five years. Well, this impacts
two kinds of people in our community. It impacts residents who live in condominiums because
City doesn't haul their trash; these folks do, and it impacts business owners who provide jobs for
our citizens and business owners who live in the City of Miami, and it seems to me that what
we've done is just increased their garbage rates substantially.
Mario Soldevilla (Acting Director, Solid Waste): No.
Commissioner Winton: Am I missing something here?
Mr. Soldevilla: Yes, Commissioner. Mario Soldevilla, acting Director of Solid Waste. The
annual franchise fee is not a fee that is passed on to the --
Chairman Sanchez: Yeah. They can't pass it on.
Mr. Soldevilla: -- consumer.
Commissioner Winton: They're not allowed to?
Chairman Sanchez: No.
Mr. Soldevilla: No. That is a fee that the haulers pay so that they have access to be a --
Commissioner Winton: Yeah.
Mr. Soldevilla: -- franchise --
Commissioner Winton: Yeah, yeah, but you're hallucinating. There's no way in hell that you, as
government, are going to charge my business a new fee and I'm not going to raise my rates.
Commissioner Regalado: That's right.
Commissioner Winton: You control their rates?
Mr. Arriola: Yeah, yeah.
Commissioner Regalado: No.
Commissioner Winton: You control the private haulers' rates?
Mr. Arriola: Wait, wait, wait.
Mr. Soldevilla: No, we don't control their rates.
Commissioner Regalado: No.
Mr. Arriola: Wait, wait.
Commissioner Regalado: You're right. You're right.
Mr. Soldevilla: No, we don't control their rates.
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Mr. Arriola: Listen --
Commissioner Regalado: Totally right.
Mr. Arriola: Let me chime in in here because you really need to specify this. You got to answer
the question correctly. While you've gone up two points, you already took some other stuff off
that neutralizes the whole thing, and everything comes out neutral, and 1 think you better specify
that, that all you've done is basically --
Commissioner Winton: Revenue neutral's a good thing.
Mr. Arriola: Yes, and that's exactly --
Commissioner Winton: I don't hear this.
Mr. Arriola: -- what you've done, and you need to be very clear on this because it doesn't look --
it sounds like we increased it, and all we did is have a -- we call it new procedure of how we do
our fee, but it is revenue neutral.
Commissioner Winton: So it's --
Mr. Arriola: I wish we could get more money, by the way.
Commissioner Winton: Explain the revenue neutrality --
Mr. Arriola: Yeah.
Commissioner Winton: -- in this.
Mr. Soldevilla: Here's -- when you -- previously, we used to charge $100 per month for any new
account that they brought on, OK. This $100 was prorated over time, depending on when the
new account came in. Now, instead of charging $100, we have a one-time $50 fee which, by the
way, they are allowed to pass on $24 to the service, which is --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: But this is only --
Mr. Soldevilla: -- but that's reduced.
Commissioner Winton: So now --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: -- this is only on new accounts, right?
Mr. Soldevilla: Yes, this is new accounts.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Only on new accounts.
Mr. Soldevilla: Well, any account that they have, whether -- you know, the thing is is that, you
know, you have accounts that come in during the year and any new -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE) from
one hauler to another --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Right.
Mr. Soldevilla: -- but it's considered a new account --
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Commissioner Winton: So are you saying that --
Mr. Soldevilla: -- to the hauler.
Commissioner Winton: -- the per account reduced from $100 a month, is what they used to pay?
Mr. Soldevilla: No, $100 per year.
Commissioner Winton: $100, and now it's reduced to $50 a year.
Mr. Soldevilla: 50, correct. Half
Commissioner Winton: Oh, well, that -- OK, and I'm -- OK.
Mr. Soldevilla: Also, when -- before, they used to --
Commissioner Winton: Oh, and with the number -- so what you're saying is that with the
number of customers they have --
Mr. Soldevilla: Right.
Commissioner Winton: -- this reduction of $50 per year, per customer --
Mr. Soldevilla: Yes.
Commissioner Winton: -- makes the revenue neutral part tied to the $500 per year in additional
-- is that what you're saying?
Mr. Soldevilla: Correct.
Commissioner Winton: Who provided you the formula?
Mr. Soldevilla: And the --
Commissioner Winton: Who read --
Mr. Arriola: They worked it out.
Commissioner Winton: -- who looked --
Mr. Soldevilla: We worked it out.
Commissioner Winton: -- at the data?
Mr. Arriola: Yeah.
Commissioner Winton: Who looked at the data to make --
Mr. Arriola: This was something that was really -- and Commissioner Gonzalez was a part of
this whole thing. This was basically something to expedite the way we did business. We have so
much paperwork and so many things to file --
Commissioner Winton: Oh, this went through your committee, Commissioner Gonzalez?
Mr. Arriola: Yeah. This came out of the --
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Commissioner Winton: So it was rev --
Mr. Arriola: -- committee with --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Yeah, this went through the committee.
Commissioner Winton: It was revenue neutral?
Mr. Arriola: Yes.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Correct.
Commissioner Winton: OK, I'm done. Thank you.
Mr. Arriola: OK.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: And the thing is, also, there was another adjustment -- that I can't
recall right now -- that it was related to a percentage after they -- they had to have an audit
every year to adjust the percentage of contribution to the City, and this was a suggestion of the
companies, you know. To make it easy for them to cut on paperwork and administration and all
of that, they went to a flat fee. 1 can't remember exactly what --
Mr. Soldevilla: We're talking about the permit fee for roll -offs..
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: The permit fee, exactly. The permit fee for roll -offs.
Mr. Soldevilla: That's another reduction that we did. Before, it was $50 every three months for
a roll -off that was placed at a construction site, or any site where there was going to be debris
removal. Now, they only pay $50 one time, effective October 1st, for those that they have, so
there's another --
Commissioner Winton: I'm done.
Mr. Soldevilla: -- reduction there.
Commissioner Winton: Thank you.
Commissioner Regalado: Yeah.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right.
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
EM.2 04-01142 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S
), BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, RATIFYING THE CITY
OF MIAMI COMMERCIAL SOLID WASTE FRANCHISE
AGREEMENT(S) ("AGREEMENTS"), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED
FORM, APPROVED PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 04-0496, ADOPTED
JULY 22, 2004; APPROVING THE ADDENDUM TO SAID AGREEMENT(S);
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAID AGREEMENT(S)
AND SAID ADDENDUM(S), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORMS,
WITH QUALIFIED PROVIDERS FOR SAID SOLID WASTE SERVICES.
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04-01142-cover memo.pdf
04-01142-pre resolution.pdf
04-01142-exh ib it1. pdf
04-01142-exh i b it2. pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Allen, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
R-04-0672
Chairman Sanchez: We go to EM.2, which is a resolution, and that basically --
Mario Soldevilla (Acting Director, Solid Waste): It's what I explained.
Chairman Sanchez: It's self-explanatory.
Mr. Soldevilla: Right.
Commissioner Allen: Um-hmm.
Mr. Soldevilla: It's what I explained
Chairman Sanchez: Yes.
Mr. Soldevilla: That this allows them to function for the -- it's a stop -gap measure between --
Chairman Sanchez: For a month.
Mr. Soldevilla: For a month.
Commissioner Allen: For a month.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Is there a motion on the resolution?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I'll move EM2, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion by the Vice Chairman. Is there a second?
Commissioner Allen: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: Second by Commissioner Allen. It's open for discussion with the
Commission. Hearing none, it's a public hearing. Anyone from the public wishing to address
this Commission, please step forward. I don't believe it's a public hearing. OK. All in favor, say
"aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." The resolution
passes unanimously.
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ORDINANCES - SECOND READING
SR.1 04-00779 ORDINANCE
Second Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING CHAPTER
14/ARTICLE V/SECTION 14-251 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK
WEST REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AND COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY/GENERALLY/DEFINITIONS," CHANGING THE GOVERNING BODY
PROVIDING FOR FOUR OF THE SEVEN MEMBERS TO BE NOMINATED BY
THE MAYOR AND PROVIDING FOR THE DIRECTOR OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO ACT AS DIRECTOR;
CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2005.
04-00779-cover memo.pdf
DEFERRED
A motion was made by Commissioner Allen, seconded by Commissioner Winton, and was passed
unanimously, to defer item SR.1 to the Commission meeting currently scheduled for December 9,
2004.
Note for the Record: SR.1 and SR.2 were discussed together. See minutes notation following SR
.2.
SR.2 04-00783 ORDINANCE Second Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING CHAPTER
14/ARTICLE V/SECTION 14-251 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK
WEST REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AND COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY/GENERALLY/DEFINITIONS;" CHANGING THE GOVERNING
BODY, PROVIDING FOR FIVE OF THE SEVEN MEMBERS TO BE
NOMINATED BY THE CITY COMMISSION AND PROVIDING FOR THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO BE SELECTED BY THE COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD; CONTAINING A REPEALER
PROVISION, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND PROVIDING FOR AN
IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
04-00783-cover memo.pdf
DEFERRED
A motion was made by Commissioner Allen, seconded by Commissioner Winton, and was passed
unanimously, to defer item SR.2 to the Commission meeting currently scheduled for December 9,
2004.
Direction to the City Attorney by Chairman Sanchez to draft an ordinance to be considered at
the meeting currently scheduled on December 9, 2004, which is to be in full compliance with
Chapter 163 of the Florida Statutes and which will restructure the Community Redevelopment
Agency (CRA) by: replacing its board of directors, who are currently the five City of Miami
Commissioners, with a seven member board: one appointment to be made by each City
Commissioner and two appointments by the Mayor; with staggered terms and the authority to
hire the executive director of the CRA for both districts, Southeast Overtown/Park West and
Omni; further directing the City Attorney to review the City Code section related to this matter
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in order to conform with all applicable laws.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. We go back to -- are we already in SR. 1? OK. Let -- let me just pass
the gavel. SR.1 is an ordinance pertaining to the CRAs (Community Redevelopment Agencies)
and so is SR.2, if I'm not mistaken, which is mine. SR. 1 was an ordinance that was presented to
the Commission by Commissioner Teele, and SR.2 was a motion that I presented pertaining to
the CRA and, of course, you -- we all know that we have worked very hard to establish credibility
and transparency at the CRA, and 1 think that we have made tremendous efforts in the process.
We have --1 have consulted with the City Attorney on this matter. As a matter of fact, I've also
consulted with the City Attorney from the CRA, and responding to the City Attorney memo on SR.
1 and SR.2, it is my understanding that there are flaws on both of the reso -- on the resolutions,
SR.1 and SR.2, and what we'll be asking today is that -- I will be making a motion to direct the
City Attorney to write one CRA ordinance and have it prepared for November City Commission
meeting, and that single CRA ordinance should include the following, which I'd like to state for
the record: One, that a -- full compliance with Chapter 163, which sets out our CRA operation.
Of course, as we know, the CRA is a creature of Florida Statute, and the body that would replace
-- the body, which is a governing body, would replace the five Commissioners that now serve as
the CRA Board, so therefore, the governing body, which will be the Commission for the CRA,
will be removed, and we will appoint shareholders of the community to represent all three, and
basically, it's my understanding, under the ordinance, that really there are two CRAs and we
have to define that, so what we want to do here is make sure that we do have an ordinance that
meet all the guidelines and regulations so we don't have to come back and forth and amendment
it. Also, would be an appointment to serve as the Commission for both the Omni and Southeast
Overtown/Park West CRA; said body would be composed of seven members, one appointment
made by each City Commissioner and two appointments by the Mayor. The full City Commission
would individually confirm each of the appointments. The citizen member will serve staggered
terms, as followed -- and 1 believe that Jim is working on that as the language to make sure, or
Mr. City Attorney, would you like to put anything on the record pertaining to that?
Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): That's provided by statute, and we need to follow exactly
what the state statutes provide for the terms.
Chairman Sanchez: OK, and once again, this are the things that 1 think that we have been able
to do research on, that we direct the --
Commissioner Allen: Correct.
Chairman Sanchez: -- Legal to come back to make sure that the ordinance is done properly.
One is that the seven -member citizen board will have control over hiring an executive director to
serve --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: -- as the chief executive for both the Omni and the Southeast Overtown/
Park West, and then, of course, in doing the research, we found out that the City Code itself has
some mistakes, and therefore, we ask also that Legal, through the expertise of counsel from the
CRA, come back and clean up of the City Charter as it pertains to our City Code.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: Therefore, we want to make sure that we bring them back and we don't have
this legislation that has loopholes.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
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Chairman Sanchez: And I think it's just in the best interest of this. We all want the CRA, of
course, to be the best mechanism in place for the CRA so we could keep redevelopment,
momentum going in the Omni and share the City's economic wealth, along with Overtown/Park
West.
Commissioner Allen: Yeah.
Chairman Sanchez: So I think this is a step in the right direction. We worked at it very hard,
and this is -- the action that we need to take here, for the record, is that we need to abolish or
vote down or withdraw whatever it may take SR.1 and SR.2, and then follow that motion, which I
just put on the floor.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: OK.
Commissioner Allen: Right. Mr. --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Commissioner Winton and then Commissioner Allen.
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Commissioner Winton.
Commissioner Winton: I think that we have to set the tone, this Commission has to set the tone
for the policy that this new board's going to follow, and I don't think there's a well-defined plan
for what the CRA ought to be doing, and that's number one. Number two, the life span of the
CRA, its legislative life span, I think is ratcheting down to something in the neighborhood of 12
or 13 years remaining. I feel very, very, very strongly, very strongly that when this new board's
created -- and this is the debate that 1 think we all ought to have. I'm just telling you how I feel.
I don't know how you all feel, but I feel very strongly that the function -- the funds that the CRA
takes in -- and those funds are going to start skyrocketing because everybody's now building in
the CRA district, so those funds are going to skyrocket, that the lion's share of those funds need
to be spent on capital improvements in every square inch of the CRA district boundaries for
public sector improvements, lighting, landscaping, sidewalks, street improvements, water and
sewer, you know, real infrastructure improvements that help attract private sector dollars to
spend hundreds of millions in rebuilding neighborhoods, not spent on whatever it's been spent on
for the last forever. Problem with -- and so the natural step is to bond that money out. If you
bond it out, nobody's going to -- it can't get glommed onto and spent on stuff. That just
disappears into the clear blue sky, but with a 12 year remaining life cycle, you probably -- I
don't even know if you can issue bonds on a 12-year payback, but even if you do, it doesn't give
you very significant capacity, and 1 think we have an extremely golden opportunity here, because
if you remember in our parking surcharge, the new legislation we passed, 20 percent of the
proceeds of the parking surcharge money -- and that money's going to be increasing, too -- has
to be spent on capital improvements for the -- what's defined as the downtown area and the law
defined the downtown area as downtown Miami and downtown Coconut Grove, so they'll be
split, but there's almost 2,000,000 a year in that NAP (Network Access Point) today. The
Downtown Development Authority, which I chair -- I've had this discussion with -- at the last two
board meetings -- their revenues are going to start climbing dramatically, and I'm suggesting to
our board that we take a reasonable chunk of projected future revenues, put it in the pile with the
money that we have to spend on capital improvements downtown with the parking surcharge
money, and then you -- now, these -- there are some legal issues here that we've got to work
through, and so I'm not assuming those kind of difficulties, but I'm just trying to get people to
think about kind of a global issue, and then you take the huge revenue increases that could be
coming from within the CRA district boundaries -- and that money has to be spent in those
boundaries, so it's easy to figure this out -- but you could end up with a revenue stream that is
dramatic, that we could bond out by all of these entities -- the Downtown Development
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Authority, which is proper owners paying a special tax, the parking surcharge and CRA
revenues -- that could have a lasting, lasting impact on public sector improvements for every
square inch of this whole area, including the CRA district boundary, so the --1 think we have a
really unique opportunity, so 1 want to have a debate --1 think we are the ones -- I'm all in favor
of changes. 1 never -- I haven't liked this board make-up for a long time, but I think we're the
ones who have to set the policies for the new board that's coming in, and that policy -- our --
what we have as an option is, you're going to spend the lion's share of your money where you're
overseeing capital improvement projects and somebody develops a plan, and that's where the
lion's share of the money's going to go versus the current system, which allows it to go anywhere
somebody on any particular whim decides it wants to go, which I think is a total waste of
resources, so I just -- that's my point. Sorry.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Thank you. Commissioner Allen.
Commissioner Allen: Yes. Thank you, Commissioner. I'd just like to point out, procedurally, 1
note here, the Chairman either suggested voting down this issue and/or, if I'm not mistaken,
perhaps we can postpone this to a later date. I would largely urge that we postpone this, and
that gives me an opportunity to fully examine -- this is a very hot issue, as you very well know,
and with respect to all the capital investments that's going to flow to that community -- we need
to determine, as you said, an overall plan how to approach and attack this. I've met with the
respective departments, particularly the City Attorney's Office. I do understand there are some
concerns. They're reconciling this with the appropriate state statutes, and 1 clearly agree with
them, with respect to my legal background, as well, so having said that, I guess I'd like to
perhaps make a motion that, at the very least, that we postpone this, which gives me an
opportunity to fully study this, until perhaps maybe the second meeting in November or -- I don't
know procedurally, with respect to the Mason Rules, voting down or postponing, does it have the
same effect? And 1 guess 1 can --
Commissioner Winton: No. 1 think --
Commissioner Allen: -- defer it.
Commissioner Winton: -- postponing is the right approach --
Chairman Sanchez: Yeah.
Commissioner Winton: -- and 1 would second your motion.
Commissioner Allen: If I could --
Chairman Sanchez: Postponing would be the right approach on this.
Commissioner Allen: OK.
Commissioner Winton: I'll second your motion.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. There is --
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: -- a motion and a second. Discussion. 1 certainly don't have a problem
with it.
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
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Chairman Sanchez: 1 think it's always been -- in my -- in our best interest to try to fine-tune
what I consider to be a role that -- you know, wearing two hats, to me, was very confusing, and
what 1 think that we should do is basically turn it over and I think that's -- I think it's always been
to turn it to shareholders or stakeholders in the community to decide what's in the best interest to
the entire CRA and itself, so I'm more than fine with it. 1 want to give you as much opportunity
as 1 can to make sure that, you know, you come on board --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: -- and you know the process, so I don't have a problem. Is it that you want
to just defer everything or do you want to -- or would --
Commissioner Allen: Well, that's the question. Again, concept -- Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: Because both -- it's my understanding that the attorneys on both sides are
saying that SR.1 and SR.2 are both wrong.
Mr. Fernandez: Correct.
Commissioner Allen: Correct.
Chairman Sanchez: So no matter what, if we did away with both of them, it would be just a
motion to deny both and then wait on this and come back with a creative ordinance that we
could all agree on, based on your input, as well as all the Commissioners here --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: -- and the City Attorney, especially under the advisement of a CRA --
Commissioner Allen: RA.
Chairman Sanchez: -- attorney --
Commissioner Allen: Great.
Chairman Sanchez: -- which I'm telling you, the CRA's a creature of its own, to make sure that
we put together the appropriate legislation. 1 certainly don't have a problem with it,
Commissioner.
Commissioner Allen: And --
Commissioner Winton: I think the motion simply states that we're moving to defer any further
discussion about CRA -- whatever these numbers are, SR.1 or SR.2, until the City Attorney comes
back with a plan that he feels strongly --
Commissioner Allen: Correct.
Commissioner Winton: -- meets Chapter 163 rules and regulations, and we bring this debate
back up again.
Commissioner Allen: And 1 agree, and again, it's not that we -- we probably agree conceptually
with the purpose and intent of this, but however, one would need further time to examine this,
and that's what we would move with respect to both SR.1 and SR.2.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
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Commissioner Allen: OK.
Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner Regalado.
Commissioner Regalado: Let's not forget also that we had -- or we have an Oversight Board
that we need to hear what these ladies and gentlemen have studied throughout the month. I think
that, first of all, we do need to give the area Commissioner enough time to understand everything
. We need to have also the report from the Oversight Board, and I --
Chairman Sanchez: Second meeting in November.
Commissioner Regalado: -- completely, fully agree with Commissioner Winton, because this is a
citywide issue. We decide what's good for downtown and, yet, there is a DDA (Downtown
Development Authority) who then take care of the details, but the big picture is decided at this
City Commission level; example, the parking surcharge. The City Commission said, you know,
20 percent goes for improvement of infrastructure in downtown. We need to have addition for
the area, which everybody should have input, especially the area Commissioner, and then set the
policy and then proceed with the appointment of the people that would be running, so I -- you
know, I can wait. 1 don't know if we're going to have two meetings in December. We usually
don't, but that is -- that's up to the Chairman.
Commissioner Winton: The next meeting that the City Attorney can --
Chairman Sanchez: OK. There's a motion to defer SR.1, SR.2, and any matter pertaining to the
CRA to the second meeting of November. There's a motion by --
Joe Arriola (City Manager): There's only one meeting.
Commissioner Allen: That was a motion --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: There's only one meeting.
Chairman Sanchez: There's only one meeting? Well, Commissioner Allen.
Commissioner Regalado: The first meeting of December.
Commissioner Winton: Yeah, first meeting in December.
Commissioner Allen: Right, the first meeting in December, a date certain. First meeting in
December.
Chairman Sanchez: First meeting of December, which is perfectly -- OK.
Commissioner Allen: Great.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion by Commissioner --
Commissioner Winton: Allen.
Chairman Sanchez: -- Allen and --
Commissioner Winton: Second by me.
Chairman Sanchez: -- second by Commissioner Winton. It is open for discussion. No
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discussion. All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Motion passes
unanimously.
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RESOLUTIONS
RE.1 04-01084 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ACCEPTING THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER APPROVING THE FINDINGS
OF THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE, PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR
PROPOSALS NO. 03-04-066, THAT THE FIRMS MOST QUALIFIED TO
PROVIDE EMPLOYEE BENEFIT HEALTH PLANS, ARE CIGNA, FOR PART
A, C, AND D SERVICES, AND UNITED BENEFITS/ COMPANION LIFE, FOR
PART B SERVICES, EACH FOR A THREE-YEAR PERIOD WITH THE
OPTION TO REVIEW TWO ADDITIONAL TWO-YEAR PERIODS;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS, IN A
FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
04-01081-cover memo.pdf
04-01 081 -memo.pdf
04-01081-estimated savings.pdf
04-01081-pre resolution.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
R-04-0673
Direction to the Administration by Commissioner Allen to ensure that the company selected by
the City to provide health insurance to its employees has health care providers which reflect the
demographic makeup of the City of Miami so that District 5 residents do not have to travel
outside their district to obtain medical attention.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. We -- RE. 1, it's a resolution. City staff
Commissioner Winton: So moved.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez:: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: OK, but 1 would like to always have -- when we have an item like this, to
have the Administration here just in case -- please step forward -- just in case there may be any
questions.
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Commissioner Winton: One or the other.
Joe Arriola (City Manager): Both of you.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Don't be afraid.
Commissioner Allen: Great.
Dania Carrillo: For the record, Dania Carrillo, Director of Risk Management.
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
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Ms. Carrillo: And Ramona Fiumara, Assistant Director of Risk Management, who headed the --
was the chairman of the commission that studied the proposals.
Commissioner Allen: Yeah. If I may, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, sir. You're recognized.
Commissioner Allen: Yes. This concerns the winnowing down of three healthcare providers on
behalf of the City employees, am I correct?
Ms. Carrillo: We needed to negotiate --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Ms. Carrillo: We sent out an FRP [sic], and we needed to negotiate the contract --
Commissioner Winton: Would you step closer to the microphone, please?
Ms. Carrillo: -- for health benefits.
Commissioner Winton: Pull the microphone down. There you go.
Commissioner Allen: Go ahead
Ms. Carrillo: Yes.
Commissioner Allen: In effect, we've selected, pursuant to an RFQ (Request For Qualifications),
three healthcare providers to provide the healthcare services for the employees of the City of
Miami, correct?
Ms. Carrillo: Correct.
Commissioner Allen: Right, and in the evaluation process, obviously, you're in a position --
you're in a position now to negotiate with these respective entities, correct?
Ms. Carrillo: Correct. In fact --
Commissioner Allen: Right. OK. My concern is -- and if you could, take this into account in
your evaluation with respect to these three entities -- the fact that there have been occasions, in
my experience in life, that minority physicians have been summarily dropped from many of these
programs, these HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations) and these PPOs (Peferred
Providers
Organizations), and what I would like to make sure of is that, perhaps, these particular providers
can assure you that they do have respected physicians that are reflective of the demographic
make-up of the City of Miami, be it Hispanic, black, other ethnics and --
Ms. Carrillo: OK.
Commissioner Allen: -- therefore, for example, if individuals who are in my district, District 5,
do not have to travel pretty far away to just to see a physician --
Commissioner Winton: Um-hmm.
Commissioner Allen: -- perhaps, there may be a physician within the District 5 that's part of this
plan, and to make sure that they do not summarily just bump or eliminate certain physicians. If
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you can consider that in your evaluation process, in terms of your negotiations with these
perspective healthcare providers, 1 think that will go a long way, and it will clearly satisfy the
constituents in my district, as well.
Ms. Carrillo: I understand your concern, sir.
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Ms. Carrillo: Yes.
Commissioner Winton: Well, what -- is there an answer to that?
Commissioner Allen: I --
Ramona Fiumara (Assistant Director, Risk Management): 1-- yeah.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Ms. Fiumara: For all of -- we did a demographic --
Commissioner Winton: Name.
Ms. Fiumara: Ramona Fiumara, Assistant Director of Risk Management. We did do a
demographic analysis to make sure that there was appropriate access for all employees. This
actually -- Cigna won the contract. They have been our carrier for many, many years.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Ms. Fiumara: So we have not had a problem in terms of employees being able to access in all
the districts, you know, represented here.
Commissioner Allen: Right, and you would get an assurance with respect to the doctors that are
part of the plan that they are reflective of various ethnic groups?
Ms. Fiumara: Yes, Commissioner.
Commissioner Allen: And that you're cognizant of the fact that perhaps these healthcare
providers, over the years, have summarily dismissed these particular physicians without
question, and there's no ability to appeal, so I want you to be aware of that because, from my
experience, that's been a practice out there that no one's ever addressed, and again, I want to
make sure that, you know, the constituents in my district do have the opportunity to meet and be
treated by these respected physicians.
Ms. Carrillo: 1 understand, Commissioner. In fact, one of the things that we can do is,
administratively, we can continue track throughout the contract --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Ms. Carrillo: -- that if there -- physicians that dropped from the plan, that the plan manager for
Cigna introduces new alternative physicians to create that balance that you're looking for.
Commissioner Allen: Right, right. OK. Again, reflecting the make up of the City employees,
right? OK. Thank you.
Mr. Arriola: Can I make a little comment in here?
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Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Yeah.
Mr. Arriola: 1 was going to keep my mouth shut on this thing, but I want you guys to know that
the work of these two ladies -- we've been using Cigna for what, 14 years?
Ms. Carrillo: Correct.
Mr. Arriola: 14 years. Through their hard work, we able to keep the same company to keep our
employees happy without having to go through a traumatic change that usually happens, but just
in the fee that we were getting charged from Cigna -- the same company for 14 years -- because
of their efforts, just the fee itself, $500, 000 came down, so this is something that 1 really wanted
to show you; that these ladies been with us about a year. They have worked very, very, very
hard, and I publicly wanted to tell them how much we appreciate it, the City, the Administration
appreciates all their great effort. Same company, took $500, 000 off because they worked at it.
Commissioner Allen: Good Thank you very much.
Commissioner Regalado: And what are we going to get in return --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: We --
Commissioner Regalado: -- for the overpayment?
Mr. Arriola: You know, it's funny you say that, and that's a very -- obviously, we cannot go back
on this thing. I mean, mistakes of the past, I can't recollect, but I'll assure you that when you
hire good people like this and let them do their job, they come back with very fruitful returns,
and they've done an excellent job. By the way, all the other savings that they've made -- and 1
got Charlie Cox there, which I never say nice things about Charlie Cox. As a matter of fact, I've
never said anything nice about Charlie Cox.
Chairman Sanchez: Charlie, you're hearing this?
Mr. Arriola: I want you to know that all the other savings that they have brought, Charlie's been
an instrumental part of the whole process --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: 1 have always told you that --
Mr. Arriola: -- and their work --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez:: -- Charlie is a great guy.
Mr. Arriola: Yes, so --1 mean --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: You don't want to listen.
Mr. Arriola: -- it's been very -- a very cooperative effort, and again, being that I've never said
anything nice about Charlie, I want to also thank him for his efforts in this job.
Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner --
Commissioner Regalado: Just one --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez:: Mr. Chairman.
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Commissioner Regalado: -- one question.
Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner Regalado and then Vice Chairman Gonzalez.
Commissioner Regalado: Yeah. One question. On United Benefits/Companion Life, Part B,
would that, in some way, affect the benefits of Cigna that used to, or could you explain, please?
Ms. Carrillo: Do you want to --
Ms. Fiumara: Sure. No. That will actually be behind the scenes. It won't affect the employees,
at all. What that will actually do is, it allowed us to carve it out and actually be able to get a
better deal, rate wise, but in terms of process wise, it will still be accomplishing the same thing.
Commissioner Allen: Terrific.
Commissioner Regalado: In case that the government allows buying medicines in Canada,
what is the scenario here? What is the Cigna policy in terms of the co -payment?
Ms. Fiumara: As soon as that's approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), then it
would be covered under our plan. That's kind of the breaking point. Once it's approved by the
FDA, then we would be able to have that as part of our plan.
Commissioner Regalado: So, if it's approved by the FDA, then it goes into the Cigna -- OK.
Ms. Fiumara: That's correct.
Commissioner Allen: Good. Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner Gonzalez. 1 mean, Vice Chairman Gonzalez.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: This -- well, I want to congratulate the Director and -- for the work
and from saving the City so much money, but I want to emphasize that the points that
Commissioner Allen brought up are very, very legitimate points, and I support a hundred percent
everything that he expressed in reference to participation of all different physicians from
different ethnic groups, and also the -- to make sure that there is accessibility for medical care
for the participants of the program throughout the City of Miami, so I support a hundred percent
what Commissioner Allen has to say about that. Thank you.
Commissioner Allen: And I'm sure you guys will do a good job. Joe's assured us of that.
Ms. Carrillo: Thank you.
Commissioner Allen: So -- yeah. Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: But I think that the fine-tune here is -- something that's been left out is that
there's a significant savings of $4, 200, 000 --
Commissioner Allen: Oh, 1 agree.
Chairman Sanchez: -- and really, the service itself continues to be a better service, and there
will be other options now for the employees.
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: And -- I mean, we need to look back to -- in history, because always history
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tells you why we take actions, and it was because at one time in this city, Risk Management was
out of control, and I don't need to tell you that out of 3,100 employees, Commissioner Allen, we
had two thousand, seven hundred and eighty -some cases, if I'm not mistaken, in open claims.
Commissioner Allen: Wow.
Chairman Sanchez: A tremendous abuse, and that fag, you know, raised and -- I think it was
like my second day here that I was going through the books and 1 saw that and I freaked out. I
said, how could you -- the private sector or any business in the private sector would be -- you
couldn't operate like this, and let me tell you, there were times that 1 -- you know, I was
concerned that I was going to end up in the trunk of a car somewhere because, you know, I
basically grabbed the bull by the horn and said, look, this is a great concern, and I had support
from the Commission at that time, who said, if you want to go ahead with that, you go ahead
with it, and working with everyone, we have able to fine-tune it, bring significant savings, and
just by, one, opening the door for competition, OK. Competition is great for the consumer. If
you have the ability to go shop at different places, everybody is going to give you a better deal,
and at many times, you get a better deal and better service, which that is the ultimate goal here.
It's not about taking anything away from the employees. It's basically working with them to
reduce expenses for this city, and -- because we do have fiduciary responsibility, as elected
officials, and this is just a step in the right direction. This resolution is $4, 200, 000 in savings.
Well, that's what we're estimating. Now, what we have to do is compare this year to next year
and see how close we get to it, but the following resolution also brings a significant savings of
about $140, 000. It's -- that's something that we have -- this City's history has never done that,
and 1 think it's just a step in the right direction, and once again, you know, for years, I've been
asking for a health plan that cuts costs, while still providing a good service to our employees and
our retirees, and this is something that, you know, we're heading in the right direction, so --
Commissioner Allen: Good.
Chairman Sanchez: You know, we are doing well. Any further discussion on this? If not, it's a
resolution. All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." The resolution
passes unanimously. OK.
RE.2 04-01085 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE
TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, WITH THE FOLLOWING TOP -RANKED FIRMS
TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE BENEFIT DENTAL PLANS, PURSUANT TO
RESOLUTION NO. 04-0636, ADOPTED SEPTEMBER 23, 2004: (1)
PARAGON, FOR THE DENTAL MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION; AND (2)
METROPOLITAN LIFE, FOR THE PREFERRED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION,
EACH FOR AN INITIAL THREE-YEAR PERIOD WITH THE OPTION TO
RENEW FOR TWO ADDITIONAL TWO-YEAR PERIODS.
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04-01085-cover memo.pdf
04-01085-memo. pdf
04-01085-metlife. pdf
04-01085-schedule of attachments. pdf
04-01085-attach ments. pdf
04-01085-memo of agreement.pdf
04-01085-PDP1.pdf
04-01085-PDP2.pdf
04-01085-paragon.pdf
04-01085-paragon2. pdf
04-01085-paragon business agreement.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Allen, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
R-04-0674
Chairman Sanchez: We are --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Move RE.2.
Chairman Sanchez: RE.2, it's a resolution also. There is a motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez.
Is there a second?
Commissioner Allen: I second
Commissioner Regalado: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: Second by Commissioner Allen. It is open for discussion. Hearing none,
all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Hearing none, the
resolution passes unanimously.
RE.3 04-01031 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ACCEPTING THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER APPROVING THE FINDINGS
OF THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE, PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR
PROPOSALS NO. 03-04-078, THAT THE FIRMS MOST QUALIFIED TO
PROVIDE EMPLOYEE BENEFIT LIFE AND ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND
DISMEMBERMENT PLANS, ARE, IN RANK ORDER: (1) MINNESOTA
MUTUAL; (2) CIGNA; AND (3) METROPOLITAN LIFE; AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE TOP -
RANKED FIRM; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SECOND -RANKED FIRM, IN THE
EVENT NEGOTIATIONS FAIL WITH THE TOP -RANKED FIRM, OR UNTIL AN
AGREEMENT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY NEGOTIATED; FURTHER
DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO PRESENT THE NEGOTIATED
AGREEMENT TO THE CITY COMMISSION FOR CONSIDERATION.
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04-01031-cover memo.pdf
04-01031-memol .pdf
04-01 031 -memo2. pdf
04-01031-employee benefit.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Winton, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
R-04-0675
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I'll move RE.3.
Chairman Sanchez: So we move to RE.3. RE.3 --
Commissioner Winton: So moved.
Chairman Sanchez: -- is also a resolution. There's a motion on the floor by the Vice Chairman
Gonzalez.
Commissioner Winton: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: There is a second by Commissioner Winton. It is open for discussion.
Hearing none, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." The resolution
passes unanimously.
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BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
BC.1 04-01053 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING
CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE DOWNTOWN
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (DDA) FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED
HEREIN.
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Mathew Gorson Current Board of Directors of the DDA
(term expiring August 31, 2007)
Jerome Hollo Current Board of Directors of the DDA
(term expiring August 31, 2007)
J. Megan Kelly Current Board of Directors of the DDA
(term expiring August 31, 2007)
Jeffrey Bercow Current Board of Directors of the DDA
(term expiring August 31, 2007)
Barbara Carey-Shuler Board of Miami -Dade County Commission
(unexpired term ending August 31, 2006)
04-01053-cover memo.pdf
04-01053-DDA.pdf
04-01053-DDA memo.pdf
04-01053-pre resolution.pdf
04-01053-letter. pdf
Motion by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
R-04-0676
Chairman Sanchez: We could go ahead and do the Board and Committees, if we want to do that
now, and get as much as we can out of the way. We should be out of here very early today.
Commissioner Winton: And plenty of time to go to the game.
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, sir, so we can't -- once again, Risk Management --
Commissioner Winton: Go 'Canes.
Chairman Sanchez: -- thank you so much, and thank you to the unions, thank you to the
Administration, and all those that labored so hard to bringing us better service and a significant
savings to the City. OK. Board and Committees. We have a resolution of the City of Miami
appointing certain individuals as members of the Downtown Development Authority, DDA, for
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terms as designated herein.
Commissioner Winton: So moved.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez.: Second
Commissioner Allen: Second.
Commissioner Winton: And I would like to point out that we are extremely fortunate in that we
now have the Chairwoman of the -- of Miami -Dade County Commission, Chairwoman Dr.
Barbara Carey-Shuler now serving on our Downtown Development Authority Board.
Chairman Sanchez: OK, so we need a motion to appoint all these individuals?
Commissioner Winton: Yeah. 1 moved it.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez.: So moved.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion by Commissioner Winton to appoint the following -- well,
appointee are nominated by and it's Matt Gorson, Jerome Hollo, J. Kelly, Jeffrey Bercow --
Bercow --
Commissioner Allen: Bercow.
Chairman Sanchez: -- and, of course, Chairman Barbara Carey-Shuler. There's a motion and a
second. Second was made by Vice Chairman Gonzalez. Open for discussion. Hearing none, all
in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." The resolution
appointments were passed unanimously.
BC.2 04-00931 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION , WITH
ATTACHMENT, RATIFYING THE APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS
AS MEMBERS OF THE OVERTOWN ADVISORY BOARD.
APPOINTEES:
Donald F. Benjamin
LaPrincycsessazatta J. Bess
Del Bryan
Dorothy J. Fields
Claudette P. Tucker Fung-A-Fat
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Caldwell Joseph
04-00931-cover memo.pdf
04-00931-members. pdf
Motion by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Commissioner Winton, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
R-04-0677
A motion was made by Commissioner Allen, seconded by Commissioner Winton, and was passed
unanimously, to waive the employment prohibition contained in Section 2-884(e) of the Code of
the City of Miami, as amended, by a four/fifths (4/5) vote of the members of the full City
Commission, as it relates to La PrincycsessAzatta Bess and Dorothy Fields as members of the
Overtown Advisory Board.
Chairman Sanchez: We go to BC.2, which is a resolution of the City Commission, with
attachments, ratifying the appointment of certain individuals as members of the Overtown
Advisory Board. Appointees, we have Donald F. Benjamin, LaPrincy -- I can't pronounce her
last name -- Bess, Del Bryan, Dorothy J Fields, Claudette P. Tucker Fung-A-Fart [sic] -- Fung-
A-Fat, is that her last name?
Rosa Green: Fung-A-Fat. I think that's the name of a (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chairman Sanchez: They misspelled it here.
Commissioner Allen: Right, right.
Chairman Sanchez: They misspelled it here. OK.
Commissioner Allen: Um-hmm.
Chairman Sanchez: And Caldwell Joseph. Those were the individuals that are being appointed.
Is -- but there's only two, right?
Commissioner Winton: No, there's --
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Ms. Green: Six.
Chairman Sanchez: Six?
Commissioner Gonzalez: Six.
Chairman Sanchez: All those in --
Commissioner Winton: Six.
Chairman Sanchez: -- in favor of all six --
Commissioner Allen: Six.
Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner --
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Commissioner Allen: Yes. 1 know -- right. Yes. I move to make a motion to adopt this
particular board
Commissioner Winton: Second.
Commissioner Allen: 1 do believe -- before we do that, I do believe --
Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner Allen, you're recognized to make any amendments you want
10.
Commissioner Allen: -- there's a notation here, Mr. Chairman, that it is requested to waive, by a
four -fifths affirmative vote of the City Commission, with respect to provisions of City Code
Section 2884, Subsection E, for these two individuals; primarily, Mrs. PrincycsessAzatta Bess
and Dorothy Fields, whom are employed by the Miami -Dade County and/or municipality
therein, other than the City of Miami.
Chairman Sanchez: If you would allow me.
Commissioner Winton: Four -fifths vote for what?
Chairman Sanchez: Could we (UNINTELLIGIBLE)?
Commissioner Winton: What was the issue?
Chairman Sanchez: Residency.
Commissioner Winton: Oh, OK.
Commissioner Regalado: No, no. Dade County employees.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Commissioner Winton: Oh, Dade County employees.
Chairman Sanchez: Oh, Dade County employee or residents?
Commissioner Allen: Dade County employees. Miami -Dade County employees.
Sylvia Scheider (Assistant City Clerk): They work for Miami -Dade County.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: And we have done that in the past.
Ms. Scheider: We have --
Commissioner Allen: We have.
Ms. Scheider: -- waived it in the past.
Commissioner Winton: Yeah.
Ms. Scheider: Yes. It requires a four -fifths waiver.
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Chairman Sanchez: Right.
Commissioner Winton: Got it.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner Allen, why don't you make a motion to waive -- on those
three individuals --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: -- to waive the employment by the County, and then we'll move on to the
second motion, which is to appoint the board.
Commissioner Allen: Right. In fact, that's what I'm going to do. I move to appoint, pursuant to
the waiver that we've just discussed.
Chairman Sanchez: The three individuals --
Commissioner Winton: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: -- that you so stated.
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion by Commissioner Allen. There's a second by
Commissioner Winton. This is open for discussion. This is pertaining to a waiver of employment
with the County. Hearing no discussion from the Commission, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." It passes
unanimously. OK. We move -- well, we have to appoint the members now, if I'm not mistaken,
so we need a motion to appoint the six members to the Overtown Advisory Board. We need a
motion.
Commissioner Regalado: Move it.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion by --
Commissioner Winton: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: -- Commissioner Regalado. There's a second by --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez.: Commissioner Allen.
Chairman Sanchez: -- Commissioner --
Commissioner Allen: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: -- Commissioner Allen.
Commissioner Allen: 1 second
Chairman Sanchez: OK. It is open for discussion. Hearing none, all in favor, say "aye."
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The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." The resolution
passes unanimously.
BC.3 04-01119 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING
CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION AS ACTING
CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
Johnny Winton
Acting Chairperson of the Community Redevelopment Agency
Jeffery Allen
Vice Chairperson of the Community Redevelopment Agency
04-01119-cover memo.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Winton, that this matter
be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
R-04-0678
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Allen, and was
passed unanimously, to appoint Commissioner Johnny Winton as Acting Chairman of the
Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) for the Southeast Overtown/Park West and Omni
districts.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Winton, and was
passed unanimously, to appoint Commissioner Jeffery Allen as Vice Chairman of the Community
Redevelopment Agency (CRA) for the Southeast Overtown/Park West and Omni districts.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. We move on to BC.3. It's a resolution. This should be taken up no
later than 11 a.m. It's a resolution of the City of Miami Commission appointing certain members
of the City Commission as Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Community Redevelopment
Agency for a term as designated herein.
Commissioner Winton: Presumably, short.
Commissioner Allen: Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: Mr. --
Commissioner Allen: As a point of clarification, this is BC.3; am I correct?
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, sir, it is.
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Commissioner Allen: Right, OK.
Chairman Sanchez: And you're recognized
Commissioner Allen: Yes. As I look at this, would it not be appropriate to postpone this to a
date certain? Because --
Chairman Sanchez: If that is your wish and it's the wish of the --
Commissioner Allen: Or 1 will defer to Commissioner Winton, as well; his advice on this, as well
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Commissioner Allen: Considering --
Commissioner Winton: Well, 1--
Commissioner Allen: -- the nature of what we previously did earlier.
Commissioner Winton: And I think we ought to ask the City Attorney because, we know one
thing for sure. 1 was -- I'm Vice Chairman of --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Commissioner Winton: -- both CRAs (Community Redevelopment Agencies). The chairman is
no longer here.
Commissioner Allen: Correct.
Commissioner Winton: So 1 was assuming that, as Vice Chairman, I'm filling the Chairman slot
only until such time --
Commissioner Allen: Correct.
Commissioner Winton: -- as we make a decision about what we're doing with the CRA --
Commissioner Allen: Correct.
Commissioner Winton: -- which makes sense to me. I don't want to be the Chairman forever. I
don't want to -- you know -- so that's my assumption. Is that accurate?
Commissioner Allen: And by -- if I may, Mr. Attorney, Mr. Chairman, quickly -- and by virtue of
that, I would assume that I would assume the vice chairmanship's position.
Commissioner Winton: I would think so, too.
Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): No. This Commission may do as it wishes. You may
proceed with you as vice chairman until this entire item comes back to you by way of a new
reconstituted governing board, or you may, today, appoint a new chairman. It's totally up to you
. However, there is no -- responding to Commissioner Allen's question -- there is no legal
expectation, or there is no requirement that the Commissioner from that district would be
automatically appointed to any position within the CRA.
Chairman Sanchez: But -- if I may. 1 also think that -- Mr. Attorney, 1 think it's paramount that
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you emphasize on whatever action we take as to the future of the CRA, the new governing body
that -- the way that Chapter 163 is drafted or perceived in Tallahassee, there will be no sitting
Commission -- Commissioner on that --
Commissioner Allen: Correct.
Chairman Sanchez: -- governing body, so you're basically looking at maybe three to four
months down the road 'til this legislative body takes action as to how we're going to proceed with
the CRA, so it's just a very short period of time, whoever's going to be the chair and whoever's
going to be the vice chairman. 1 think that needs to be put on the record so the Commissioners
understand that.
Mr. Fernandez: And that is very clear, but for purposes -- for all legal purposes, Commissioner
Winton is the Vice Chairman and, the CRA, as a legal entity, needs to have -- for all of its
purposes -- someone that is the -- acting in the position of Chair, so the law recognizes
Commissioner Winton in that capacity. However, then, there is no vice --
Commissioner Regalado: But let me ask this: Suppose that Johnny cannot attend, what happens
with the four of us?
Commissioner Winton: We need a vice chairman, right?
Commissioner Regalado: We -- you -- we need a chairman and a vice chairman --
Mr. Fernandez: Correct.
Commissioner Regalado: -- meanwhile.
Mr. Fernandez: Correct.
Commissioner Regalado: That's what I'm saying.
Mr. Fernandez: And that's why this item was placed here --
Commissioner Winton: So --
Mr. Fernandez: -- so that you can make that determination.
Commissioner Regalado: So --
Commissioner Winton: So, at the moment -- at least at this moment, frozen in time, this minute,
this second, I'm the acting Chairman.
Commissioner Allen: Chairman.
Commissioner Winton: And we can do one of two things today: Leave the acting chairman
position in place, or appoint a new chairman.
Commissioner Regalado: And a vice chairman.
Commissioner Winton: And/or --
Commissioner Regalado: And a vice chairman.
Commissioner Winton: And a vice chairman.
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Commissioner Allen: Right.
Commissioner Regalado: Because then --
Commissioner Winton: Well, we need to appoint -- we would have to -- if I'm -- if we leave -- yes
. In either event, we would have to appoint somebody vice chairman --
Commissioner Allen: Right, so --
Mr. Fernandez: Exactly.
Commissioner Winton: -- no matter what. Whether it's --
Commissioner Regalado: But we can -- if you continue as the vice chairman, we cannot appoint
a second vice chairman, you know what I mean?
Commissioner Allen: So --
Commissioner Winton: Yeah, absolutely.
Commissioner Regalado: And sometimes you cannot attend; what do we do there? Who
decides?
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Commissioner Winton: Well, we have to have a vice chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Commissioner Allen: Well, if I may, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner Allen, you're recognized.
Commissioner Allen: Yes. If I may, Mr. Chairman, and of course, I'd like to have an answer
from the City Attorney. Is it your understanding that we must make a decision, as of this
meeting, relative to the Chairman of the CRA?
Commissioner Winton: That's (UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Mr. Fernandez: There is no legal obligation that you make that decision at any given point in
time. However, this scenario that has been brought up so that if Commissioner Winton is not
able to attend or preside at a CRA meeting, then that creates a situation where you have no one
that has been designated by this board to act in that capacity.
Commissioner Winton: Mr. Chairman. I'm sorry.
Commissioner Allen: Can we --
Commissioner Winton: I'm sorry, Jeff. Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner Winton, you're recognized
Commissioner Winton: I'm willing to serve as the acting Chairman, acting only, until such time
as we redo this thing that I hope is no more than four months from now, and so I'm willing to do
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that, and if that is acceptable to you, then I would like to nominate Jeffery Allen to serve as the
Vice Chairman --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Commissioner Winton: -- of the CRA.
Commissioner Allen: Right, and Mr. Chairman, in fact, that's the motion 1 was going to proffer,
as well; that Commissioner Winton serve as the acting Chairman for purposes of this BC (
Boards & Committees) item -- BC.3 item, and I would, thus, assume the acting Vice Chair
position.
Commissioner Winton: Except I'm the --
Chairman Sanchez: OK, so --
Commissioner Allen: Because --
Chairman Sanchez: -- so let's --
Commissioner Winton: My motion was the vice chair.
Chairman Sanchez: Let's --
Commissioner Winton: I don't care if I fall back to vice --
Chairman Sanchez: Let's do something. Let's separate both, so that way we separate the motion
. Is there a motion to appoint Commissioner Winton as Chairman of the CRA?
Commissioner Winton: Acting Chair.
Commissioner Allen: Would that be act --
Chairman Sanchez: Acting Chairman. I apologize.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: 1 move that motion.
Commissioner Allen: I second.
Chairman Sanchez: There is --
Commissioner Regalado: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
Chairman Sanchez: There is a motion by -- hold on, let's get this right. There's a motion by
Commissioner -- Vice Chairman Gonzalez to appoint Commissioner Winton as acting Chairman
of the CRA, and there's a second by Commissioner Allen. It is open for discussion and,
Commissioner Regalado, you're recognized.
Commissioner Regalado: There's no such thing as half pregnant. Either it's the chairman and
the vice chairman until whatever changes are made. "Acting, " I don't know why. I mean, I
would support "chairman," "vice chairman, " and that's that. I mean -- and when you don't
show up, Commissioner Allen --
Commissioner Winton: It's six in one, half a dozen in another anyway because the point is, we're
going to change the structure --
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Commissioner Allen: Right.
Commissioner Winton: -- of this organization, which 1 support wholeheartedly; the sooner, the
better.
Commissioner Allen: Right, and 1 would agree, for purposes of the previous ordinance or
resolutions, that we defer to postpone. This qualifies Mr. -- Commissioner Winton as an acting
chairperson 'til such time as we're able to examine further relative to the previous resolutions
and ordinance that had been postponed, so I would like to, again, frame the motion to state that
Commissioner Winton will serve as the acting Chairman of the CRA and then, of course, we
would then have to do a second motion, I would assume, with respect to the Vice Chair position
so, at this point, I would like to just make a motion to have Commissioner Winton serve as the
acting Chairman of the CRA.
Chairman Sanchez: There is already a motion on the floor --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: -- to that.
Commissioner Allen: Good.
Chairman Sanchez: There's already a motion and a second.
Commissioner Allen: So we can call --
Chairman Sanchez: Any other --
Commissioner Allen: -- the question. Call the vote.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. There's been -- call the question. Mr. City Attorney, before we do that.
Mr. Fernandez: Yeah, and that is fine. I only want to caution you that, for legal purposes, 1
think where there's -- this is a difference without a distinction. For all practical intent and
purposes, whether you call Commissioner Winton the acting chairman or chairman pro tem, or
any other title you give him, he is, in fact, the chairman, and that's how he will be acting --
Chairman Sanchez: Oh, absolutely.
Mr. Fernandez: -- and that would be his signature. In his absence, then Commissioner Allen, in
fact, becomes --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: The vice chairman.
Mr. Fernandez: -- acting vice chairman, vice chairman pro tem, whatever you want to call him,
but I need you to be aware that this may be a difference without a real distinction at all.
Commissioner Allen: Great. OK.
Commissioner Winton: Right. That's what 1 said.
Chairman Sanchez: Absolutely.
Commissioner Allen: Great.
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Vice Chairman Gonzalez: OK.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion and a second. All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay."
Commissioner Winton: Move --
Chairman Sanchez: The motion passes unanimously.
Commissioner Winton: Move Commissioner Allen (UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I'll move to appoint Commissioner Allen as the Vice Chairman of the
CRA.
Commissioner Winton: Both CRAs. Second.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion on the floor appointing Commissioner Allen as the acting
Vice Chairman.
Commissioner Winton: No. I -- he said Vice Chair.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: The Vice Chair.
Chairman Sanchez: Vice Chair?
Commissioner Regalado: Vice Chair.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Commissioner Winton: 1 don't want to fall back in here. I don't want to be involved in this, so --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right.
Commissioner Regalado: Vice Chair.
Commissioner Winton: Vice Chair.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Vice Chair.
Chairman Sanchez: OK, Vice Chair. Is there a second?
Commissioner Allen: Acting Vice Chair until such time later.
Commissioner Winton: 1 think the motion as Vice Chair --
Chairman Sanchez: OK. There's a motion --
Commissioner Winton: -- which 1 seconded that motion.
Chairman Sanchez: There is a motion by Commissioner Gonzalez appointing Commissioner
Jeffery Allen as Vice Chairman. It has been second by Commissioner Winton. It is open for
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discussion. Hearing none, all in favor, say "aye."
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." The motion passes
unanimously. OK. That basically does that and, Madam Clerk, any other items that we could
bring up before noon?
Commissioner Regalado: The -- Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Regalado: The discussion concerning financial update and a budget outlook.
Chairman Sanchez: Well, we could do that.
Commissioner Regalado: Or --
Chairman Sanchez: We could do that. That's -- I believe --
Commissioner Regalado: Oh, yeah.
Chairman Sanchez: -- DI -- DI, it's my understanding, that has been deffered 'til December the
9th Commission, correct?
Unidentified Speaker: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Winton: Yes.
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DISCUSSION ITEMS
DI.1 04-00743 DISCUSSION ITEM
PRESENTATION BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
THAT WILL OUTLINE A PLAN FOR THE ACQUISITION OF LOTS FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING FROM THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY LIST OF
LANDS.
04-00743-cover memo.pdf
DEFERRED
DI I was deferred to December 9, 2004.
Joe Arriola (City Manager): Commissioner, DI.1, we're going to defer it to December 9th.
Chairman Sanchez: I'm sorry?
Unidentified Speaker: D1.1.
Mr. Arriola: DI.1. I'm sorry. DI. DI.1 --
Commissioner Winton: Where is that?
Commissioner Regalado: Where is that?
Mr. Arriola: -- defer it to December 9th.
Commissioner Regalado: Where is that?
Mr. Arriola: Discussion Items.
Commissioner Allen: Where is that?
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Commissioner Regalado: I can't find it.
Chairman Sanchez: DI 1 ?
Commissioner Allen: D --
Mr. Arriola: DI.1, yes, sir.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. DI.1 has been deferred 'til December the 9th? Mr. City Manager --
Mr. Arriola: Yes, sir.
Chairman Sanchez: -- 'til December the 9th?
Mr. Arriola: I'm sorry. In December 9th, yes, sir.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Let it be stated on the record that those items have either been
withdrawn or deferred to a later date.
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Commissioner Winton: So moved.
DI.2 04-00923 DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION CONCERNING A FINANCIAL UPDATE AND A BUDGET
OUTLOOK.
04-00923-cover memo.pdf
DISCUSSED
Chairman Sanchez: OK, so D2, concerning the -- discussion concerning a financial update and
budget outlook. Do we have Larry? Larry. Always a pleasure to see you, sir.
Larry Spring: Thank you. Larry Spring, Chief of Strategic Planning, Budgeting and
Performance. Commissioners, we are -- we're just closed and finalized the reports for August.
Those -- that financial report was e-mailed out last night, I believe. As of that reporting date, I
believe we are on budget, revenues -wise. I don't have --1 know we're ahead of budget on
revenues and expenses. We are presenting a clean-up ordinance at the October 28th
Commission meeting. That ordinance will include closeouts, past (UNINTELLIGIBLE) items to
finalize the closing of the fiscal -- the 2004 fiscal year, but I don't think there are any significant
instances to report and, 1 guess, Scott can give you some details on certain of the revenue
sources, if you need additional information.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Any questions from the Commission?
Commissioner Regalado: Question.
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, sir, Commissioner Regalado, you're recognized.
Commissioner Regalado: Mr. Budget Director.
Mr. Spring: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Regalado: There was an audit published last week regarding disbursement of
excess overtime compensation, and a vacation comp. time -- the special category authorization
for vacation hours earned was not provided, something like that; lack of compliance. Have you
read the audit?
Mr. Spring: I have not read that audit report as of today. 1 can take a look at it and address
whatever question you might have.
Commissioner Regalado: OK. Then should we do it next --
Mr. Spring: We can do it next Commission meeting.
Commissioner Regalado: OK.
Mr. Spring: And I'll schedule a meeting with you to go over what your concerns are.
Commissioner Regalado: Thank you very much.
Mr. Spring: All right.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez.: I do have a question -- a concern and that -- it's not with Solid Waste.
Thank you very much. Commissioner Regalado just pulled a report that addresses some illegal
overtime or illegal vacation time -- or let's don't say illegal. Let's say inappropriate overtime or
inappropriate vacations taken by employees, and I'm sure that this came from -- Mr. Igwe, could
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you please come to the podium? Hello?
Victor Igwe (Auditor General): Victor Igwe --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: My question is --
Mr. Igwe: -- Auditor General's Office.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: -- is this an audit that you did on employees?
Mr. Igwe: Yeah, employees' compensation. That's correct.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: It was an audit that you did?
Mr. Igwe: Yes, sir.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: OK. My question is, why -- if an audit is done and deficiencies are
found, why -- and I don't know if you agree with me, Commissioner Regalado -- why isn't the
director of the department notified and asked to write a report answering the concerns, so now
we don't have to wait until next month --
Mr. Igwe: Yeah, Commissioner --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: -- to find out exactly what the answer is going to be --
Chairman Sanchez: Do I have that audit?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez.: -- you know what I mean?
Mr. Igwe: Yeah, Commissioner. 1 have an answer to that. Usually, when we finish an audit, we
send out what we call a Memorandum of Understanding, where the director writes a report that
you are alluding to explaining what needs to be done. In this particular instance, we received a
memo indicating that they couldn't determine how the eight hours came about, but they will
address this in some type of APM (Administrative Procedures Manual). In other words, to bring
it -- to make it -- in other words, to make it an official type of hours that someone --
Commissioner Regalado: Well --
Mr. Igwe: -- can earn.
Commissioner Regalado: If I may --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Yeah, but my --
Commissioner Regalado: -- Mr. Vice Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: -- concern is that the Commissioner Regalado just asked a question
about that report and nobody could give him an answer and, you know.
Commissioner Regalado: No. Mr. Vice Chairman, if I may. If you read the audit, you get some
of the responses from the different department.
Mr. Igwe: That's right.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: OK.
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Commissioner Regalado: They're going to do this, they're going to correct that.
Mr. Igwe: Right.
Commissioner Regalado: My question was to the Budget Director because -- remember that
when we approved the budget, we say we're going to be watching --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Right.
Commissioner Regalado: -- the budget until next year. My question was, well, we -- we're
talking $136, 000 here, $4, 000 there, $15, 000 over there, and if this -- this is part of the budget
process, and this is why I asked the Budget Director -- I don't know -- I mean, probably, he
didn't have the time to read it and --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: But you had an answer.
Commissioner Regalado: Huh?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: But you had an answer from the Director.
Commissioner Regalado: In some of the critiques, you have a response; the department says it's
going to do this, it's going to do that.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: OK. Well, that was my concern, you know.
Commissioner Regalado: But in some, they don't, and that was my question to the Budget
Director. What impact does this have on the budget? What can we do to remedy this? 1 mean,
there's an instance where it says, 1 mean, you know, take another day off on your vacation, or
something like that, and --
Mr. Igwe: Yeah, that was just an isolated instance.
Commissioner Regalado: No, I understand that, but I'm just saying that 1 read the whole thing,
and I just -- I was curious to find out what impact had in the budget.
Mr. Igwe: OK.
Chairman Sanchez: All right, and --
Commissioner Regalado: 1 mean, this is true, right? Because the Manager seem --
Joe Arriola (City Manager): No. The Manager --
Commissioner Regalado: It's not true?
Mr. Arriola: Not true. Every thing -- every report that has come out with this man, he actually
produces the report, no input. Doesn't even have the courtesy to meeting with me to go through
this report. This is the typical $42, 000, 000 consulting report. Every report this man does, he
does it for headlines, and he doesn't do it with anybody --
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Mr. Arriola: -- anybody or any department --
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Chairman Sanchez: All right, Mr. Manager.
Mr. Arriola: -- in this City.
Mr. Igwe: 1 need to address what he just said. That is absolutely not a true statement.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Mr. Igwe: Whenever we do an audit, we --
Chairman Sanchez: Sir --
Mr. Arriola: Don't you dare call me a liar, sir, because I consider you --
Chairman Sanchez: Sir, sir.
Mr. Arriola: You never came to see me on any --
Chairman Sanchez: Mr. City Manager --
Mr. Arriola: -- of these reports.
Chairman Sanchez: -- sir, you're out of order. Let me just state something. Listen, as the
Chairman, I'm going to ask you very nicely that we have items like this -- this item that
Commissioner Regalado, you brought out, and you have every right to bring out, you know, but
items like this should be put in a discussion item under your blue pages so they could -- we could
be prepared so it doesn't lead into these types of altercation and, basically, this is embarrassing
for this legislative body and embarrassing for this City. You have every right, and I'll support
you 100 percent, on you putting on an item --
Commissioner Regalado: It was on the agenda under financial report, and as part of the
financial situation of the City, I wanted to address some money --
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Commissioner Regalado: -- that was misspent.
Chairman Sanchez: There is no other discussion on the matter. Is there any other items that
need to be addressed?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Motion to --
Chairman Sanchez: If not, we will be back -- motion to recess --
Commissioner Allen: Motion to recess.
Chairman Sanchez: -- we will be back -- what time would you like to come back?
Commissioner Winton: How much do we have lefi?
Chairman Sanchez: 3 -- we don't have much. I'll tell you what we have.
Commissioner Regalado: CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency).
Chairman Sanchez: We have CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) --
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Commissioner Winton: Oh.
Chairman Sanchez: -- and then we have CRA, and then we have two items that are time certain,
requested by Commissioner Regalado. We should be out of here no later than 5, 5:15. OK.
Commissioner Winton: 4:30.
Chairman Sanchez: So there's a motion for recess. This Commission meeting stands in recess.
We will be back at 3 o'clock. Thank you.
Commissioner Regalado: 3 o'clock. Thank you.
DI.3 04-01145 DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION CONCERNING COCONUT GROVE CARES, INC. AND THE
DEFERMENT OF THEIR OUTSTANDING PAYMENT OF $26,
641.62 FROM OCTOBER 2004 TO JANUARY 2005.
04-01145-cover memo.pdf
MOTION
A motion was made by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, and was
passed unanimously, granting request from Coconut Grove Cares, Inc. to extend from October
2004 to January 2005 the deadline to pay the outstanding $26, 641.62 due to the City.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. We go to --
Commissioner Winton: Commissioner -- I mean, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Winton: Do you mind -- we have someone in the -- sitting in the audience --
Commissioner Regalado: Mike, mike, mike.
Commissioner Allen: Mike.
Commissioner Winton: Oh, I'm sorry. We have someone sitting here in the audience for DI.3,
which is Discussion Item 3, which will probably come at the end.
Chairman Sanchez: Oh, absolutely.
Commissioner Winton: And if you don't mind, could we --
Chairman Sanchez: No, not at all.
Commissioner Winton: -- bring that forward? Then I need staff --
Commissioner Regalado: Where is that?
Commissioner Allen: Could you repeat that?
Commissioner Winton: D1.3, it's about Coconut Grove Cares.
Chairman Sanchez: DI.3?
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Commissioner Winton: Um-hmm.
Chairman Sanchez: OK, it's a discussion concerning Coconut Grove Care, Inc. and the
deferment of their outstanding payment of $26, 641.62 from October 204 [sic] to January 205 [
sic].
Commissioner Winton: Well, would staff please give us the history here? They were in arrears
some "X" amount. They've paid down by so much, and they're still this much, and so would you
give us that history?
Alejandra Argudin: Alejandra Argudin, Acting Director for Public Facilities. Coconut Grove
Cares owed $83, 000.
Commissioner Winton: How much? I'm sorry.
Ms. Argudin: 83,000. They've paid down 56,358.
Commissioner Winton: When did they owe 83,000?
Ms. Argudin: In 2000 and -- the ending of 2003.
Commissioner Winton: So last year, at the end of the year, they owed us 83,000.
Ms. Argudin: Right.
Commissioner Winton: We put them on a payment plan. They've paid down fifty -some thousand
on that payment plan, over the course of the year.
Ms. Argudin: Absolutely.
Commissioner Winton: And they're 26,000 short, and do they have a plan for catching that up?
Ms. Argudin: They have a plan for catching it up. They want to extend to January because they
have gone through some rough times during the summertime, and they haven't been able to get
their vendors down here to do their annual -- their monthly antique show, where they make the
revenue to pay us, and to continue providing that service for those kids in the West Grove, and
they have a payment plan to start again paying the $7, 000 in January.
Commissioner Winton: And as you all know, I'm generally a little more less lenient than those
who use public facilities and don't pay the rent, and if you remember, when they case came up a
year ago, 1 said, y'all better have a plan and it better work or we're not going to do -- and 1 think
that they've done a heck of a job. This isn't a case where they're back with the same amount or
more and, jeez, I don't know what to do. They've really done a good job of paying it down, so
I'm very --
Ms. Argudin: Yes, they have.
Commissioner Winton: -- comfortable providing this extension.
Chairman Sanchez: 1 think you're softening up on us; that's what's happening.
Commissioner Winton: So 1 would move this motion.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: 1 second
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Commissioner Allen: I --
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion and a second. It's open for discussion. No discussion. As
long as they're acting in good faith and paying the money back --
Ms. Argudin: That's correct.
Chairman Sanchez: --1 don't have a problem with it. OK. It's -- there's a motion and a second.
All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Hearing none, the
motion passes unanimously.
Ms. Argudin: Thank you.
Commissioner Winton: Thank you.
Ms. Argudin: Thank you.
Commissioner Winton: You're welcome.
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NA.1 04-01173
NON -AGENDA ITEMS
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION REGARDING PROPOSED TREE ORDINANCE
DISCUSSED
Direction to the City Attorney and the Administration by Commissioner Winton to finalize the
proposed ordinance protecting trees from elimination by developers and to schedule it on the
agenda for the next Commission Meeting; said ordinance to address issues of enforcement
restrictions, obtaining of tree cutting permits, its compliance, etc.; further stipulating that said
ordinance may be modified in the future if necessary.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. We -- can we do the Commission blue pages and then we'll move on
with the agenda? District 1, Mr. Vice Chairman, do you have any items on your blue pages?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: No, sir, 1 don't.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Commissioner Winton, District 2, sir, do you have any items on your
blue pages?
Commissioner Winton: I'm reading notes that I had -- that I made at 2 o'clock this morning in
the dark. Seems like something woke me up.
Commissioner Regalado: 1 had a vision --
Chairman Sanchez: Well, we could always waive the rules --
Commissioner Winton: Yeah
Chairman Sanchez: -- and allow you to --
Commissioner Regalado: 1 had a dream.
Commissioner Winton: Just one --
Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): Ask to waive -- what's at 2 o'clock?
Commissioner Winton: -- quick question to the staff. Tree ordinance, we've been monkeying
with that tree ordinance for way too long. Developers in the Grove are cutting trees down,
literally, every day. It is a crisis. I don't give a damn about whether or not we have the best
product in the world anymore. 1 want a product before this Commission, at the next meeting,
that we can get passed. We can always modify it, but we need something that's as tough as we
can get on the books, right now, and we'll modify it as we go forward, if we need to do fine-
tuning, but we are getting killed by these developers in the Grove cutting down tree canopy. It is
a major crisis, so can we get something at the next Commission meeting? Doesn't have to be the
best in the world, as far as I'm concerned We'll make it the best in the world over the course of
the next two or three or four months.
Commissioner Regalado: Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Fernandez: Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, sir. You're recognized
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Commissioner Regalado: If I may. You have received -- I'm sure that all of us have received
many e-mails, and one e-mail yesterday said that a developer took a tree, completely huge tree,
and when neighbors asked here on 28th Street, he said, "We don't need any permits to take this
tree, " so the tree is gone, but my concern -- and the main issue is the enforcement. I think that
the ordinance have -- needs to have, Mr. City Attorney --
Commissioner Winton: Real teeth.
Commissioner Regalado: -- something that says, "If you do not comply with the tree ordinance,
you will not get a permit to continue your work on site." If we do not do that, then it's like
nothing, because they can just move the trees around, back and forth, cut the trees, and say "
we'll appeal, " and that's that, but I think there are some provisions there says on the Code that
you will not get a permit if you do not comply with the permit process for the tree, is that -- you
recollect anything?
Mr. Fernandez: I will have to look into it, but I am sure that we can place on it a strict --
restrictions as you direct us to put on those.
Joe Arriola (City Manager): Sounds like "The Godfather, " doesn't he?
Commissioner Winton: Yeah. Pretty scary.
Commissioner Regalado: Yeah. OK.
Commissioner Winton: I heard there was a relatively large contingent. Was there Sarasota or
somewhere? 1 mean -- doesn't -- what's the Chicago people come to Sarasota?
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Commissioner Winton: So we will have something at the next Commission meeting?
Chairman Sanchez: Maybe under a discussion item, or would you like -- what would be your
motion?
Commissioner Winton: Well, they've been working on this for a long time, so 1 know that there's
a draft around. It isn't fine-tuned There's some things we want to add, but my view is now, you
know, we'll get it fine-tuned over the course of the next six months. Get something on the books
right now that, at least, gives us some -- currently, even if you have enforcement, there's no
penalty. You know, the penalty's like 500 bucks, so 500 bucks to somebody building a $1, 300,
000, $1, 500, 000 house is irrelevant, so we need some real -- and I know there's teeth in the draft
ordinance. It may not be the best we can get, but let's get it on the books, get started, and well
clean it up as we go forward
Mr. Fernandez: OK.
Commissioner Winton: So at the next Commission meeting? I don't see any heads shaking.
Mr. Fernandez: We will be ready.
Commissioner Winton: Thank you, sir. On the agenda, next Commission meeting. Thank you,
sirs. I'm done.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you.
City of Miami
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