HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2005-03-24 MinutesCity of Miami
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.ci.miami.fl.us
Verbatim Minutes
Thursday, March 24, 2005
9:00 AM
PLANNING AND ZONING
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 March 24, 2005
CONTENTS
PR - PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
MV - MAYORAL VETOES
AM - APPROVING MINUTES
CA - CONSENT AGENDA
PA - PERSONAL APPEARANCES
M - MAYOR'S ITEMS
D1 - DISTRICT 1 ITEMS
D2 - DISTRICT 2 ITEMS
D3 - DISTRICT 3 ITEMS
D4 - DISTRICT 4 ITEMS
D5 - DISTRICT 5 ITEMS
PH - PUBLIC HEARINGS
EM - EMERGENCY ORDINANCES
FR - FIRST READING ORDINANCES
DI - DISCUSSION ITEMS
ES - EXECUTIVE SESSION
PART B
PZ - PLANNING AND ZONING ITEMS
City of Miami Page 2 Printed on 5/2/2005
City Commission
Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
9:00 A.M. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Present: Vice Chairman Gonzalez, Commissioner Winton, Chairman Sanchez, Commissioner
Regalado and Commissioner Allen
On the 24th day of March 2005, 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 by Chairman Joe Sanchez at 10:06 a.m., with Vice
Chariman Gonzalez and Commissioner Allen absent, recessed at 12:29 p.m., reconvened at 2:
42 p.m., recessed at 2:45 p.m. to convene the Executive Session, reconvened the regular City
Commission Meeting at 3:03 p.m., recessed at 3:11 p.m. to convene the Midtown Community
Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting, recessed at 3:12 p. m. to convene the Southeast Overtown
/Park West and Omni CRA meeting, recessed at 3:15 p. m. to reconvene the regular City
Commission Meeting, and adjourned at 5:27 p. m.
Note for the Record: Commissioner Allen the entered meeting at 10:08 a.m. and Commissioner
Gonzalez at 10:15 a.m.
ALSO PRESENT.
Joe Arriola, City Manager
Jorge L. Fernandez, City Attorney
Priscilla A. Thompson, City Clerk
Chairman Sanchez: (INAUDIBLE) City Hall. As a formality and courtesy, just to inform you
that we'll be having a shade meeting, reference the labor contracts. As soon as the meeting is
over, we'll come down and we'll call the City Commission meeting to order and we'll start. We
do have three items that are time certain. I know one of them will be PZ. 7. That'll be the third
one, and we'll try to get you out of here as quickly as possible, so please bear with us, OK.
Thank you, and we'll be back as quickly as possible. Welcome to City Hall, our historical City
Hall, here at 3500 Pan American Drive. We'll go ahead and start the meeting with the
invocation and the pledge of allegiance, followed by presentation and proclamations.
Prayer and pledge of allegiance.
Chairman Sanchez: Before we go into the presentation, let me just say that we're going to -- we
have several items that are time certain. 1 know PZ.7 is one on this morning. We'11 try to get you
out of here as quickly as possible. All other PZ (Planning and Zoning) items will be heard this
afternoon. We'll be back at 2:30, so ladies and gentlemen, anyone here for any PZ item, other
than PZ. 7, be back here at 2:30 because we're going to try to take care of as many agenda items
as we can. Let me just go -- we just had a shade meeting, and we apologize for having you here,
but by law, we're required to have a closed -door shade meeting with our attorney. We also will
have -- before PZ. 7, we had promised, at 10 a.m. time certain, the Audit Advisory Committee.
These are professional CPAs (Certified Public Accountants), and of course, this is tax season, so
we're going to get them out of here as quickly as possible, then we'll go to the consent agenda,
which that shouldn't take long, and then we'll go to PZ.7, so bear with us.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
PR.1 05-00255 CEREMONIAL ITEM
Name of Honoree Presenter
Sean Moynahan Commissioner Winton
Brian Kamilar Commissioner Winton
Protocol Item
Distinguished Sailor Certificate
Distinguished Sailor Certificate
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Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
MAYORAL VETOES
05-00255-cover page.pdf
05-00255-protocol I ist. pdf
Mayor Diaz presented a commendation to Mr. Willie Hayward for his heroic efforts in saving the
lives of Mr. and Mrs. Perreira during a recent fire in the City of Miami.
Commissioner Allen presented a proclamation on behalf of the late David Little, who was a
resident of District 5 and former City of Miami employee and who had a stellar football career
with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Commissioner Regalado presented a Certificate of Honor to Dr. Ney Denis Rod a Little Havana
resident and member of the Code Enforcement Board and Planning Advisory Board for his
dedication in volunteering many hours of service to the City of Miami.
Note for the Record: Distinguished Sailor Certificates to Sean Moynahan and Brian Kamilar
were not presented.
Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner Allen, I believe --
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: -- you have a resolution that you'd like to present, a proclamation?
Commissioner Allen.: That's correct, Mr. Chairman, and this will be a brief resolution, if you
will. Today -- later today at roughly, around 2 o'clock there will be, if you will, I consider to be
a celebration. This will be the funeral of a gentleman by the name of David Little, whom I've
known very well. David Little was an individual who grew up in my district, District 5, and also
attended the very same high school in which I attended. Mr. Little, as you -- for those who don't
know, had a stellar professional football career for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it was only
fitting, I felt, that we, as a City, on behalf of the Mayor and my fellow Commissioners,
acknowledge and recognize his deeds and efforts with respect to the City. In fact, I believe
David once was a City of Miami employee, and 1 think our City Manager can attest to that, but
having said that, I'll just read a brief paragraph relative to Mr. Little's stellar career. It reads as
follows: "Whereas: David Little's intellect and skills honed in our Florida schools -- at Miami
Jackson High and the University of Florida -- propelled him to a stellar career with the
Pittsburgh Steelers where, as the team's leading tackler between 1984 and 1989 and co -MVP in
1988, he was hailed by Coach Chuck Noll as "the glue who held our defense together; " so today
we would like to take this opportunity and, therefore, be it resolved that, on the occasion of these
services honoring the life of a City of Miami son, in the State of Florida, local authorities, on
behalf of its citizens pause in our official deliberations to express solemn remorse and deepest
sympathy to the family of David Little, and to that end, we want to just take -- just perhaps
maybe a few seconds or two, if you will, moment in silence acknowledging the life of David
Little, if you will. Thank you very much.
NO MAYORAL VETOES
Chairman Sanchez: There are no mayoral vetoes.
APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETING:
APPROVED
Planning and Zoning Meeting of February 24, 2005
Motion by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Commissioner Winton, to APPROVED
PASSED by the following vote.
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City Commission
Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Chairman Sanchez.- And 1 believe we need to approve the minutes for the Planning and Zoning
meeting of February 24, 205 [sic]. Is there --
Commissioner Winton: So moved.
Commissioner Allen: So move.
Chairman Sanchez: -- a motion?
Commissioner Winton: Second.
Commissioner Allen: So move,
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion by Commissioner Regalado, second by Commissioner
Winton. 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 minutes have
been approved.
ORDER OF THE DAY
Chairman Sanchez: Just to place on the record certain items that are time certain. Three p.m.
today, we have time certain PH 1, which is a Midtown CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency)
, 3 p.m. courtesy time is the -- please exit quietly.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): I'm sorry. Chair, I cannot hear, I cannot record, I can't --
Chairman Sanchez: It's OK
Ms. Thompson: -- get anything. I'm sorry.
Chairman Sanchez: It's -- we'll just wait for everyone to exit, and -- you're quite welcome. We'll
wait. Thank you. All right. Madam Clerk, could I proceed?
Ms. Thompson: Thank you. 1 appreciate that.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Three p.m. time certain, PHI, which is the Midtown CRA,
followed by a time certain, which is a CRA agenda; only three items on that agenda, right after
the Midtown CRA; 4 p.m. time certain 3D.1 [sic], which is my blue page, allowing Jesse
Manzano lolly in from Tallahassee so we could appoint him as the new executive director to the
Mayor's International Council. At this time, 1 want to take the opportunity, as I always do, to
recognize former City Commissioners. We have Willy Gort, former City Commissioner, who is
here with us.
Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner Winton. Commissioner Gort.
Commissioner Allen: Commissioner Gort.
Chairman Sanchez: Always a pleasure to have you here, sir.
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
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City Commission
Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
Willy Gort: Thank you, thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: (INAUDIBLE) from recess. Before we go into an attorney -client session, let
me just give you an outlook of the order of the day for this afternoon. We do have a time certain
3 p.m. Midtown CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting; at 3 also, we will be also be
going into a CRA meeting pertaining to the new CRA of Midtown; 4 o'clock we will have a time
certain, my blue page, which is D3.1, which is the voting of the new executive director for the
international -- the Mayor's International Council; we just hired someone, and at that time after,
we'll go into the consent agenda, which we did not cover this morning. Hopefully, we could do
better on that one and get it through, and then we'll go straight into the PZ (Planning & Zoning)
items. We did take care of PZ 7, 8, and 9, and as soon as we're done with all that, we'll go into
the PZ items. All right. Madam Clerk, I believe we could go to PZ (Planning and Zoning)
items?
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Ms. Thompson: Do you want to do your board presentations?
Chairman Sanchez: Well, I don't believe my board -- the board's here yet.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: So -- well, I think they're going to be here at four --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Ms. Thompson: No, we --
Chairman Sanchez: -- so --
Ms. Thompson: I'm sorry. I'm referring to discussion items, your annual reports on City boards
and committees. You had a number of them; only one person presented this morning. You have
at least --
Chairman Sanchez: OK, let's --
Ms. Thompson: -- four other boards.
Chairman Sanchez: -- get them out of the way. Who -- is there anybody here representing any
of them?
Commissioner Winton: Representing what?
Chairman Sanchez: I don't think so.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: D1, none. D2, Johnny Winton -- Commissioner Johnny Winton, none. I
have one that I'll take up this afternoon, as the gentleman's flying back from Tallahassee. That is
the appointment of.7esse Manzano, who will be the new executive director to the Mayor's
International Council. Commissioner Regalado has, as usual, four or five, and Commissioner
Allen, you did yours.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
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Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
Chairman Sanchez: Public hearing at 3 o'clock. That -- is that time certain? Yes, it is.
Midtown. Yes, it is. All right. You know --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: You want to do consent agenda or whatever you --
Chairman Sanchez: EM (emergency) -- no, consent agenda, 1 deferred it to the afternoon, I
think.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: I continue to emphasize that we need to have the appropriate staff ready to
testify as to any legislation or any amendments. We can't be calling the item and having to wait
five or ten minutes for them to get here. You know, we need to run this agenda efficiently and
expeditiously so we could serve the purpose of what we're here to do.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: It's that simple.
Commissioner Allen: And I concur with you, Mr. Chairman.
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City Commission
Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
CONSENT AGENDA
CA.1 05-00189 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT AN
APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDING TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
STATE, DIVISION OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES, IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500,000, FOR THE VIRRICK PARK LIBRARY
ADDITION PROJECT ("PROJECT"); ALLOCATING THE REQUIRED
MATCHING FUNDS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500,000, FROM
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. B-30292, ENTITLED "VIRRICK
PARK LIBRARY ADDITION;" AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, FOR SUBMISSION OF THE GRANT APPLICATION FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2005-2006, SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF
SAID GRANT APPLICATION.
05-00189-summary form.pdf
05-00189-resolution. pdf
05-0018 9-exhibit 1. pdf
05-00189-exh i b it2. pdf
05-00189-exh ib it3. pdf
05-00189-exhibit4. pdf
05-00189-exhibit5. pdf
05-00189-exh ib it6. pdf
05-00189-exh ibit7. pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Winton
R-05-0176
CA.2 05-00190 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE IN COMPENSATION FOR
THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES OF METRIC ENGINEERING, INC.,
PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY RESOLUTION NO. 03-1192, ADOPTED
NOVEMBER 25, 2003, FURTHER AMENDED BY RESOLUTION NO. 04-0400,
ADOPTED JUNE 24, 2004, FOR THE PROJECT ENTITLED "N.E. 71 STREET
STORM SEWERS PROJECT, B-50690," FOR PROFESSIONAL
ENGINEERING FEES, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $40,895.03,
INCREASING COMPENSATION FROM $95,250 TO $136,145.03, BASED ON
THE MODIFIED SCOPE OF SERVICES REQUIRED FOR SAID PROJECT;
ALLOCATING FUNDS FOR SAID INCREASE, IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED $40,895.03, FOR SERVICES AND EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FROM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM PROJECT
NO. 352216 ENTITLED "CITYWIDE LOCAL DRAINAGE PROJECTS FISCAL
YEAR 2002-2006;" AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
SUPPLEMENTAL WORK ORDER, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED
FORM; AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 03-1192 TO REFLECT SAID
City of Miami Page 8 Printed on 5/2/2005
City Commission
Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
INCREASE.
05-00190-exh ibitl .pdf
05-00190-exh ibit2. pdf
05-001 90-exhi b it2A. pdf
05-00190-exh ib it2B. pdf
05-00190-exhibit3. pdf
05-00190-exhibit4. pdf
05-001 90-exhib it4A. pdf
05-00190-exhibit5. pdf
05-0019 0-exh i b it6. pdf
05-001 90-exhib it7. pdf
05-00190-city Ietter.pdf
05-00190-city letter2.pdf
05-00190-metric Ietter.pdf
05-00190-proposal A.pdf
05-00190-proposal B.pdf
05-00190-proposal C.pdf
05-00190-proposal. pdf
05-00190-resolution.pdf
05-00190-summary form.pdf
05-00190-Supplementary proposal.pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Winton
R-05-0177
CA.3 05-00191 RESOLUTION
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Public Works ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE IN THE CONTRACT
AWARDED TO ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE SYSTEMS, INC.,
PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 04-0212, ADOPTED APRIL 8, 2004, IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $300,000, INCREASING THE CONTRACT
AMOUNT FROM $346,867 TO $646,867 FOR ADDITIONAL WORK
REQUIRED FOR MAINTENANCE SERVICES OF THE CITY OF MIAMI'S
STORM WATER INFRASTRUCTURE; ALLOCATING FUNDS FOR SAID
INCREASE FROM PUBLIC WORKS GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET
ACCOUNT CODE NO. 001000.311003.6.340; AMENDING RESOLUTION NO.
04-0212, TO REFLECT SAID INCREASE; AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
05-00191-summary form.pdf
05-00191-pre resolution.pdf
05-00191-contract. pdf
05-00191-resolution. pdf
05-00191-exhibitl . pdf
05-001 91 -exhibit1A.pdf
WITHDRAWN
CA.4 05-00192 RESOLUTION
City of Miami Page 9 Printed on 5/2/2005
City Commission
Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE IN THE CONTRACT
AWARDED TO NCI CONSTRUCTION CO., PREVIOUSLY APPROVED
PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 04-0259, ADOPTED APRIL 22, 2004, FOR
THE PROJECT ENTITLED "LAWRENCE STORM
WATER PUMP STATION UPGRADES (3RD BIDDING,ROOF) B-50652,"
FORMERLY B-5650B, FOR ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
REQUIRED FOR PROJECT MODIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR
COMPLIANCE WITH NEW BUILDING CODES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED $50,000, FROM $202,047 TO $252,047, FOR TOTAL PROJECT
COSTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $304,793; ALLOCATING FUNDS
FOR SAID INCREASE FROM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT NO.
352216 ENTITLED "CITYWIDE LOCAL DRAINAGE PROJECTS FISCAL
YEARS 2002-2006;" AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 04-0259 TO
REFLECT SAID INCREASE REQUIRED FOR SAID PROJECT;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO. 1, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
05-00192-exhibit 1. pdf
05-00192-exhibitl A. pdf
05-00192-contract. pdf
05-00192-resolution.pdf
05-00192-pre resolution.pdf
05-00192-nci letter.pdf
05-00192-summary form.pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Winton
R-05-0178
CA.5 05-00193 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE IN THE CONTRACT
AWARDED TO NCI CONSTRUCTION CO., PREVIOUSLY APPROVED
PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 04-0260, ADOPTED APRIL 22, 2004, FOR
THE PROJECT ENTITLED "ORANGE BOWL STORM WATER
PUMP STATION UPGRADES (3RD BIDDING, ROOF) B-50653," FORMERLY
B-5650C, FOR ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REQUIRED FOR
PROJECT MODIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR COMPLIANCE WITH NEW
BUILDING CODES, INCREASING THE CONTRACT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED $20,000, FROM $278,127 TO $298,127, FOR TOTAL PROJECT
COSTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $349,350; ALLOCATING FUNDS
FOR SAID INCREASE FROM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT NO.
352216 ENTITLED "CITYWIDE LOCAL DRAINAGE PROJECTS FISCAL
YEARS 2002-20006;" AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 04-0260 TO REFLECT
SAID INCREASE REQUIRED FOR SAID PROJECT; AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO. 1, IN SUBSTANTIALLY
THE ATTACHED FORM, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
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Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
05-00193-exh i b itl .pdf
05-00193-exh ibitl A. pdf
05-00193-resolution.pdf
05-00193-co ntract. pdf
05-00193-pre resolution.pdf
05-00193-NCI letter. pdf
05-00193-summary form.pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Winton
R-05-0179
CA.6 05-00194 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE IN THE CONTRACT
AWARDED TO AUGUST CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC., PREVIOUSLY
APPROVED PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 04-0257, ADOPTED APRIL
22, 2004, FOR THE PROJECT ENTITLED "RIVERVIEW STORMWATER
PUMP STATION UPGRADES (3RD BIDDING, ROOF) B-50650," FORMERLY
B-5650A, FOR ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR PROJECT
MODIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR COMPLIANCE WITH NEW BUILDING
CODES, INCREASING THE CONTRACT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $
50,000, FROM $105,326 TO $155,326; ALLOCATING FUNDS FOR SAID
INCREASE FROM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT NO. 352216
ENTITLED "CITYWIDE LOCAL DRAINAGE PROJECTS FISCAL YEARS 2002-
2006;" AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 04-0257 TO REFLECT SAID
INCREASE REQUIRED FOR SAID PROJECT; AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO. 1, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
05-00194-exhibit. pdf
05-00194-exh i b itA. pdf
05-00194-contract. pdf
05-00194-letter. pdf
05-00194-pre resolution.pdf
05-00194-resolution. pdf
05-00194-summary form.pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Winton
R-05-0180
CA.7 05-00195 RESOLUTION
Department of Fire- A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Rescue ATTACHMENT(S), ESTABLISHING A NEW SPECIAL REVENUE FUND
ENTITLED: "PUBLIC ACCESS DEFIBRILLATION DEMONSTRATION
PROJECTS ("PADDP") GRANT AWARD FUNDS," AND APPROPRIATING
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Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $103,400, CONSISTING OF A PASS
THROUGH GRANT AWARD FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES AND APPORTIONED BY THE MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2004
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2005, AND CONTINUING FOR THE NEXT
THREE YEARS IF ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDING BECOMES AVAILABLE, TO
INCREASE THE SURVIVABILITY OF SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST VICTIMS
THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY"); AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO ACCEPT SAID GRANT AWARD AND TO EXECUTE THE
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, TO IMPLEMENT ACCEPTANCE OF SAID
GRANT AWARD; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
GRANT APPLICATION AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED
FORM, FOR AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR PLACEMENT, WITH
VARIOUS SELECTIVE ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE CITY JURISDICTION,
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PADDP.
05-00195-exh i b it. pdf
05-00195-resolution.pdf
05-00195-pre resolution.pdf
05-00195-lobbying activities.pdf
05-00195-appendixF.pdf
05-00195-appendixE.pdf
05-00195-append ixD. pdf
05-00195-appendixC. pdf
05-00195-appendixB.pdf
05-00195-appendixA.pdf
05-00195-PADD project.pdf
05-00195-certifications.pdf
05-00195-assu ra nces. pdf
05-00195-staffing plan.pdf
05-00195-budget justification.pdf
05-00195-budget information.pdf
05-00195-checklist. pdf
05-00195-table of contents.pdf
05-00195-application.pdf
05-00195-terms and conditions.pdf
05-00195-notice of grant award.pdf
05-00195-summary form.pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Winton
R-05-0181
CA.8 05-00196 RESOLUTION
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Finance ATTACHMENT(S), ADOPTING THE CASH RECEIPTS POLICY AND
PROCEDURES MANUAL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, ATTACHED
AND INCORPORATED, RELATING TO THE MANAGEMENT, CONTINUING
EVALUATION OF AND REPORTING ON ALL CASH RECEIPTS, PURSUANT
TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA'S INVESTMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS ACT TO
ESTABLISH GUIDELINES FOR THE RECEIPT AND MANAGEMENT OF
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Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
PUBLIC FUNDS; DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO IMMEDIATELY
IMPLEMENT THE GUIDELINES CONTAINED IN SAID MANUAL.
05-00196-resolution. pdf
05-00196-exh ib it. pdf
05-00196-summary form.pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Winton
R-05-0182
CA.9 05-00197 RESOLUTION
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Police ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN
AGREEMENT FOR TEMPORARY USE OF MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE
FACILITIES, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, WITH MIAMI-
DADE COLLEGE, FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF POLICE, FOR USE OF THE
DRIVING RANGE PLUS TWO (2) SKID CARS TO CONDUCT DRIVING
TRAINING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, FROM MARCH 1, 2005
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2005, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$6,585; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THE POLICE GENERAL OPERATING
BUDGET, ACCOUNT CODE NO. 001000.290201.6.270.
05-00197-exhibit 1. pdf
05-00197-exhibit2. pdf
05-00197-summary form.pdf
05-00197-resolution.pdf
05-00197-Summary Fact Sheet.pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Winton
R-05-0183
CA.10 05-00198 RESOLUTION
BayfrontPark A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
Management Trust CITY ATTORNEY TO TAKE ANY AND ALL APPROPRIATE ACTIONS, IN
LAW OR IN EQUITY, TO PROSECUTE, PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE
INTERESTS OF THE BAYFRONT PARK MANAGEMENT TRUST ("TRUST")
TO OBTAIN ANY RELIEF OR REMEDY FOR RECOVERY OF DAMAGES
SUSTAINED BY THE TRUST IN RELATION TO BREACHES OF A
REVOCABLE AGREEMENT EXECUTED ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 26,
2002, BY UNIPRO GROUP, INC., A FLORIDA CORPORATION.
05-00198-cover memo.pdf
05-00198-pre resolution.pdf
05-00198-revocable license agreement.pdf
05-00198-maps. pdf
05-00198-general agenda items.pdf
05-00198-resolution. pdf
City of Miami Page 13 Printed on 5/2/2005
City Commission
Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Winton
R-05-0203
CA.11 05-00199 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT AN
APPLICATION TO THE FLORIDA INLAND NAVIGATION DISTRICT
("FIND"), WATERWAYS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, FOR FUNDS IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,000,000, FOR DREDGING OF THE
BRENNAN CHANNEL AT DINNER KEY MARINA PROJECT ("PROJECT");
AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF REQUIRED MATCHING FUNDS FOR
TWENTY-SEVEN PERCENT (27%) OF PROJECT COSTS, IN AN AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED
$270,000, FROM HOMELAND DEFENSE BOND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT NO. 326015, B-33511, ENTITLED"DINNER KEY MARINA
DREDGING;" FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, FOR SUBMISSION OF THE FIND GRANT
APPLICATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005-2006, SUBJECT TO THE TERMS
AND CONDITIONS IN SAID GRANT APPLICATION.
05-00199-resolution. pdf
05-00199-exhibitl .pdf
05-0019 9-ex h i b itA. p df
05-00199-exh i b itB. p df
05-00199-exh ibitC. pdf
05-00199-exh ib itD. pdf
05-00199-exh ibit2. pdf
05-00199-exh ib itE. pdf
05-00199-exhibitE 1. pdf
05-00199-exh ib itE2. pdf
05-00199-exh ibitE3. pdf
05-00199-exh ib itE4. pdf
05-00199-exh ib itE4a. pdf
05-00199-exh ibitE4b. pdf
05-00199-exh ib itE4f. pdf
05-00199-exhibitE5.pdf
05-00199-exh ib itE6.pdf
05-00199-exh ibitE7. pdf
05-00199-exhibitE8.pdf
05-00199-Summary Form-SUB.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter
be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Winton
R-05-0205
Chairman Sanchez: We go to the first one, which is CA.11, Dinner Key Marina Dredging
Project. There is an amendment to this one, correct?
City of Miami Page 14 Printed on 5/2/2005
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Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
Alejandra Argudin (Assistant Director, Conferences, Conventions & Public Facilities): Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: Could you state the amendment on the record?
Ms. Argudin: Sure. Alejandra Argudin, Public Facilities. The amendment is to change the
matching funds from the FIND (Florida Inland Navigation District Waterways Assistance
Program) grant agency from 80 percent to 73 percent. The City will be contributing 27 percent
or 270,000 towards the (UNINTELLIGIBLE), and it's for dredging of the marina.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Any questions on the item? If not, we need a motion to approve.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Move it.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez. Is there a second?
Commissioner Regalado: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: Second by Commissioner Regalado. Discussion. Hearing no discussion.
All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay" Consent agenda
11 passes.
CA.12 05-00200 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT AN
APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDING TO THE FLORIDA INLAND
NAVIGATION DISTRICT ("FIND")WATERWAYS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, IN
AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $62,700, FOR THE ASSOCIATED COSTS
TO REPLACE THE SEMINOLE PUBLIC DINGHY DOCK AT DINNER KEY
MARINA PROJECT ("PROJECT"); AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF
REQUIRED MATCHING FUNDS FOR THE PROJECT COSTS, IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $34,350, FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF
CONFERENCES, CONVENTIONS AND PUBLIC FACILITIES FISCAL YEAR
2005 GENERAL FUND OPERATING BUDGET ENTITLED "DINGHY DOCK
REPLACEMENT;" FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, FOR SUBMISSION OF THE
FIND GRANT APPLICATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005-2006, SUBJECT TO
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SAID GRANT APPLICATION.
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Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
05-00200-summary form.pdf
05-00200-resolution .pdf
05-00200-exh ibitl .pdf
05-00200-exh ib itA. pdf
05-00200-exhibitB.pdf
05-00200-exh ibitC. pdf
05-00200-exh ibitD. pdf
05-00200-exhibit2. pdf
05-00200-exh ib itE. pdf
05-00200-exh ibitE 1. pdf
05-00200-exh ibitE2. pdf
05-00200-exhibitE3.pdf
05-00200-exh ib itE4. pdf
05-00200-exh i b itE4a. pdf
05-00200-exh ibitE4b. pdf
05-00200-exh ib itE4f. pdf
05-00200-exh ibitE5. pdf
05-00200-exh i b itE6. pdf
05-00200-exh ib itE7. pdf
05-00200-exh i b itE 8. pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Winton
R-05-0184
CA.13 05-00201 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
QUALIFICATIONS NO. 03-04-136, THAT THE FIRMS MOST QUALIFIED TO
PROVIDE TOWN PLANNING/URBAN DESIGN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
TO BE USED FOR THE CREATION OF A LONG RANGE STRATEGIC PLAN
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION, ARE, IN RANK
ORDER: (1) ZYSCOVICH, INC., (2) GOODY, CLANCY &
ASSOCIATES AND (3) WALTER F. CHATHAM, ARCHITECT; AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT ("AGREEMENT") WITH ONE OF THE THREE (3) FIRMS
STATED HEREIN, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500,000;
ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM HOMELAND DEFENSE NEIGHBORHOOD
IMPROVEMENT BONDS AND INTEREST, FROM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT NO. 331419, B-35895, PARKS MASTER PLAN; FURTHER
DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO PRESENT THE NEGOTIATED
AGREEMENT TO THE CITY COMMISSION FOR CONSIDERATION.
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Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
05-00201-summary form.pdf
05-00201-resol ut io n. pdf
05-00201-exhibit 1. pdf
05-00201-exh ib it2. pdf
05-00201-exhibit3. pdf
05-00201-exhibit4.pdf
05-00201 -exhibit5. pdf
05-00201-exh i b it6. pdf
05-00201-exhibit7. pdf
05-00201-exh ib it8. pdf
05-00201-exh i b it9. pdf
05-00201 -exhibitl 0. pd f
05-00201-exhibitl 1. 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-05-0185
Chairman Sanchez: We go to 13, consent agenda 13.
Carmen Sanchez: Carmen Sanchez, Department of Planning. The item that's being substituted
is basically a scriber's error to reflect in the title the three consultants that were ranked, which is
Zyscovich, Goody, Clancy & Associates and Walter Chatham, and also further directing the City
Manager to present the negotiated agreement to the Commission for their consideration. The
rest remains the same.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you very much. Any questions on consent agenda 13?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I'll move CA.13.
Chairman Sanchez: Hearing none, there's a motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez. Is there a
second?
Commissioner Allen: Second.
Commissioner Regalado: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: Second by both Commissioner Allen and Commissioner Regalado.
Discussion on the item. Hearing none, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Motion carries
unanimously.
CA.14 05-00159 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO PAY JULIANA RUIZ, WITHOUT ADMISSION OF
LIABILITY, THE SUM OF $50,000 IN FULL AND COMPLETE SETTLEMENT
OF ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE CITY OF MIAMI,
ITS OFFICERS, AGENTS AND SERVANTS, IN THE CASE OF JULIANA RUIZ
VS. CITY OF MIAMI, IN THE CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE
City of Miami Page 17 Printed on 5/2/2005
City Commission
Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
COUNTY, CASE NO. 04-4296 CA (21), UPON EXECUTING A GENERAL
RELEASE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, ITS PRESENT AND FORMER
OFFICERS, AGENTS, AND EMPLOYEES FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND
DEMANDS; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THE SELF-INSURANCE AND
INSURANCE TRUST FUND, INDEX CODE NO. 515001.624401.6.653.
05-00159-cover memo.pdf
05-00159-budget.pdf
05-00159-resolution. pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Winton
R-05-0186
CA.15 05-00202 RESOLUTION
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
Attorney DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO PAY TANGUY DELASSAGNE, WITHOUT
ADMISSION OF LIABILITY, THE SUM OF $38,500 IN FULL AND COMPLETE
SETTLEMENT OF ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE
CITY OF MIAMI, ITS OFFICERS, AGENTS AND SERVANTS, IN THE CASE
OF TANGUY DELASSAGNE V. CITY OF MIAMI, ET AL., IN THE CIRCUIT
COURT OF THE ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY, CASE NO.03-05563 CA (06), UPON EXECUTING A GENERAL
RELEASE FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI, ITS PRESENT AND FORMER
OFFICERS, AGENTS AND EMPLOYEES FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND
DEMANDS; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THE SELF INSURANCE AND
INSURANCE TRUST FUND, INDEX CODE NO. 515001.624401.6.651.
05-00202-cover memo.pdf
05-00202-budget.pdf
05-00202-resolution. pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Winton
R-05-0187
CA.16 05-00203 RESOLUTION
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
Attorney DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO PAY THE SUM OF $600,000 TO SALE &
KUEHNE, P.A., KENDALL COFFEY, P.A., GELLER, GELLER, GARFINKEL &
FISHER AND GELLER, GELLER, BESKIN, SHIENVOLD FISHER AND
GARFINKEL, L.L.P. , IN FULL SETTLEMENT OF ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND
DEMANDS AGAINST THE CITY OF MIAMI, FOR ATTORNEYS' FEES AND
COSTS INCURRED FOR THE REPRESENTATION OF JOE CAROLLO, IN
STATE AND FEDERAL LITIGATION PROCEEDINGS RELATED TO THE
NOVEMBER 1997 ELECTION FOR MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, AND A
SUBSEQUENT CONTESTED CHARTER AMENDMENT, UPON EXECUTION
OF A GENERAL RELEASE ON A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THE CITY OF MIAMI SELF -
City of Miami Page 18 Printed on 5/2/2005
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Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
INSURANCE AND INSURANCE TRUST FUND, INDEX CODE NO. 515001.
624401.6.652.
05-00203-cover memo.pdf
05-00203-budget.pdf
05-00203-resolution. pdf
Motion by Commissioner Allen, seconded by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez and Allen
Noes: 1 - Commissioner Regalado
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Winton
R-05-01 93
Chairman Sanchez: We move on to 16. Commissioner Regalado, you're recognized for CA.16.
Commissioner Regalado: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is for the City Attorney and I know
that the City Attorney will tell us that this was an order of the court. This dates back to 1997,
related to the November of 1997 election for mayor of the City of Miami, and a subsequent
contested Charter amendment. It's the payment of $600, 000 to Mr. Ben Kuehne, Kendall Coffey
and Mr. Joe Geller, regarding the former Mayor Carollo's litigations. The only question that I
have here is that I was here and I remember those elections, and 1 remember those absentees and
the court battle, but on the media here before this board, the attorneys that represented Mayor
Carollo said that they were doing this pro bono. Well, if nobody has changed the dictionary, pro
bono is free, so unless a court has decided that pro bono is no longer free, 1 would just like to
know why do we need to pay.
Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): In the fourth litigation that ensued, where the attorneys
were subrogating under the claim of Mayor Carollo, the claim was presented for all of the
litigation in which Carollo, as a City official, was represented and ultimately vindicated in his
position, and bills were submitted by the law firms alluding expenditure of time and resources
and the like for each of those representations. In the court, we argued against some of those
bills in terms of their amount and in terms of Carollo's entitlement, and the court has, in essence,
ruled against the City on those amounts. The original amount requested for attorneys' fees and
costs was in excess of $1, 000, 000. I have reviewed the settlement between these attorneys on
behalf of Carollo, although now the claim is held by the attorneys and not by Carollo, and feel
that settling for approximately $0.50 on the dollar or half of what is being claimed to have been
spent on legal fees and clause is fair and reasonable to put an end to a chapter in the City of
Miami that was very, very controversial.
Commissioner Allen: Mr. --
Commissioner Regalado: But the other question is why now? Why so many years after the fact?
Mr. Fernandez: Because basically we have delayed, we have litigated, we have found -- tried to
find ways of having the City not be responsible for these expenses and it has come under my
watch to bring it to you, and it's literally taken this long partly as a result of strategies that were
being pursued and a lawsuit that we were not successful on.
Commissioner Allen: Mr. Chairman, if I may, just -- I'm sorry.
Chairman Sanchez: Are you done, Commissioner Regalado?
Commissioner Regalado: I'm done. I'm done.
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Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner Allen --
Commissioner Allen: Just a quick question.
Chairman Sanchez: -- and then I'll close.
Commissioner Allen: Mr. City Attorney, the current state of the law, as it relates to any sitting
official, be it mayors or city commissioner, if litigation ensues pursuant to their capacity, as I
said earlier, a sitting commissioner or a mayor --
Mr. Fernandez: Official capacity, correct.
Commissioner Allen: Official capacity -- there is a duty, right, to provide legal services to that
individual, right? And then the City has an obligation to pay; am I correct? Is that the current
state of law?
Mr. Fernandez: Correct. The common law states that if vindicated or iffound to have been on
the prevailing side, the City has an obligation to make that City official whole.
Commissioner Allen: OK.
Commissioner Regalado: But in the Charter amendment, the City prevailed.
Mr. Fernandez: In the Charter amendment that was being proposed to put on the ballot, my
understanding was that Commissioner Carollo succeeded in preventing the City from putting
that measure on the ballot.
Commissioner Regalado: Well --
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Mr. City Attorney, based on the resolution that is in front of us,
you are directing us in best faith and good practice to settle this lawsuit.
Mr. Fernandez: Yes, sir.
Chairman Sanchez: And, Commissioner Regalado, 1 am one that was here and 1 do not want to
remember the past, the embarrassment that was caused to this City and to the people that we
serve through all those embarrassing times that we had. 1 think we need to give closure to a
dark period in Miami's history, and we just need to move forward and I think this will give
closure to those embarrassing times in the City, so we must have courage to move forward, so we
move forward. All right. All in favor, say -- Is there a -- there wasn't a motion? OK. Is there a
motion on CA.16?
Commissioner Allen: I make a motion to --
Chairman Sanchez: Approve.
Commissioner Allen: -- move the item, CA.16.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion to approve CA. 16. Is there a second?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I second it.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion by Commissioner Allen, second by Commissioner
Regalado -- I'm sorry, Vice Chairman Gonzalez. It is open for discussion. Hearing no
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Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
discussion, all in favor, say "aye." Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay."
Commissioner Regalado: No.
Chairman Sanchez: There's one "no, " Madam Clerk, on the Consent Agenda 16.
CA.17 05-00204 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
RESOLUTION NO. 04-0335, ADOPTED MAY 27, 2004, FOR THE PROVISION
OF UNIFORMS AND ACCESSORIES, BY INCLUDING THE USE OF GRANTS
AS AN ADDITIONAL FUNDING SOURCE FOR FUTURE FISCAL YEARS,
SUBJECT ONLY TO BUDGETARY APPROVAL.
05-00204-summary form.pdf
05-00204-pre resolution.pdf
05-00204-resolution. pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Winton
R-05-0188
CA.18 05-00206 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO TERMINATE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS OF MIAMI
ROWING AND WATERSPORTS CENTER, INC. ("MRWC"), WHETHER
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, FOR THE USE AND OCCUPANCY OF CITY OF
MIAMI-OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3601 RICKENBACKER
CAUSEWAY, MIAMI, FLORIDA ("PROPERTY") , FROM
JANUARY 1, 2004 - FEBRUARY 28, 2005; AND ACCEPTING $85,339.31
FROM MRWC AND ITS PROGRAM OPERATOR SWIM GYM, INC. AS
CONSIDERATION FOR OCCUPANCY AND USE OF THE PROPERTY FOR
THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 1, 2004 TO FEBRUARY 28, 2005.
05-00206-resolution .pdf
05-00206-ex h i b it l .pdf
05-00206-exh ibit2. pdf
05-00206-Summary Form- SUB.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, that this matter
be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Winton
R-05-0189
Chairman Sanchez: We move to Consent Agenda 18. There's also an amendment to Consent
Agenda 18. Could you state that amendment on the record -- for the record.
Laura Billberry: Yes. Lori Billberry, Economic Development. The resolution before you
provided for rescinding a previous resolution of the Commission. The Law Department
determined that that was not necessary to rescind it. We will be terminating the Miami Rowing
& Watersports Center's current use of the site and the next item provides for a new agreement.
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Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Commissioner Regalado: I'll move --
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion --
Commissioner Regalado: -- CA.18.
Chairman Sanchez: -- by Commissioner --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: -- Regalado, second by Vice Chairman Gonzalez. It is open for discussion.
Any discussion? As amended, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Motion carries.
CA.19 05-00205 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S
), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE REVOCABLE
LICENSE AGREEMENTS ("AGREEMENTS"), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, WHICH ARE REVOCABLE AT -WILL, WITH SWIM GYM
AQUATICS, INC. , A FOR PROFIT CORPORATION; MIAMI ROWING AND
WATERSPORTS CENTER, INC., A NOT FOR PROFIT CORPORATION; AND
MIAMI OVERSEAS CHINESE ASSOCIATION, INC., A NOT FOR PROFIT
CORPORATION (COLLECTIVELY "LICENSEES"); FOR LICENSEES,
TO OCCUPY AND USE APPROXIMATELY 1.96 ACRES OF CITY OF MIAMI
OWNED- PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3601 RICKENBACKER CAUSEWAY,
MIAMI, FLORIDA, WITH OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS MORE
PARTICULARLY SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENTS.
05-00205-resolution. pdf
05-00205-exh ibit1. pdf
05-00205-exh ib it2. pdf
05-00205-exhibit maps.pdf
05-00205-Summary Form-SUB.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter
be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Winton
R-05-0190
Chairman Sanchez: And we move on to CA.19.
Laura Billberry (Assistant Director, Economic Development): CA.19 is a resolution authorizing
three agreements with Swim Gym, Miami Rowing & Watersports Center and the Miami Overseas
Chinese Association, commonly known as the Dragon Boats, for use of the site on Virginia Key.
The amendment that was given to you was to include a sample license agreement that will be
executed between the City and the respective parties. The license agreement contains our
standard boiler plate language, such as insurance and termination rights. The business terms
that were previously in the Commission package have all remained the same and continue to
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Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
remain the same.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Move CA.19.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. There's a motion by Vice Chairman --
Commissioner Regalado: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: -- Gonzalez, second by Commissioner Regalado. Discussion on the item.
Hearing none, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Motion carries,
and that should take care of the consent agendas.
CA.20 05-00208 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE
THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE OPERATING AGREEMENT
("AMENDED AGREEMENT"), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM,
BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND THE DEPARTMENT OF OFF-
STREET PARKING ("DOSP"), DATED AUGUST 8, 2002, TO PROVIDE AN
INCREASE, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $45,000, FROM $50,000 TO $
95,000, IN THE CITY'S FUNDING TO DOSP FOR THE DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION OF RESTROOM FACILITIES AT THE BOAT RAMP
PARKING LOT TO BE LOCATED ON WATSON ISLAND, MIAMI, FLORIDA,
SUBJECT TO DOSP'S COMPLIANCE WITH CERTAIN TERMS AND
CONDITIONS RELATED TO THE USE OF SAID FUNDS AS MORE
PARTICULARLY SET FORTH IN SAID AMENDED AGREEMENT;
ALLOCATING FUNDS FOR SAID INCREASE FROM CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 311047, B-75000.
05-00208-exh i b it. pdf
05-00208-resolution. pdf
05-00208-pre resolution4.pdf
05-00208-attach mentB. pdf
05-00208-attach me ntA. pdf
05-00208-project agreement. pdf
05-00208-second amendment.pdf
05-00208-operating agreement.pdf
05-00208-pre resolution3.pdf
05-00208-pre resolution2.pdf
05-00208-pre resolution1.pdf
05-00208-summary form.pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Winton
R-05-0191
CA.21 05-00209 RESOLUTION
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Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
Department of
Conferences,
Conventions and
Publilc Facilities
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, AMENDING
RESOLUTION NO. 01-869, ADOPTED SEPTEMBER 13, 2001, APPROVING
THE ACQUISITION OF REMOVAL SERVICES FOR DERELICT VESSELS
WITHIN THE CITY OF MIAMI WATERWAYS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF
CONFERENCES, CONVENTIONS AND PUBLIC FACILITIES, FROM DOCK
AND MARINE CONSTRUCTION, INC. AND BLUE WATER MARINE
SERVICES, INC., SUBJECT TO ANY EXTENSIONS, BY CHANGING THE
FUNDING TERM FROM AN AGGREGATE BASIS TO A RECURRING
ANNUAL BASIS AND BY CHANGING THE EXPENDITURE THRESHOLD
LEVEL FROM AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $68,000, TO AN AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED $150,000; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM SPECIAL
REVENUE ACCOUNT NO. 110021.350124.6.340 AND ANY OTHER
AVAILABLE FUNDING SOURCES, SUBJECT ONLY TO BUDGETARY
APPROVAL.
05-00209-summary form.pdf
05-00209-contract award sheet.pdf
05-00209-sectio n2. pdf
05-00209-sectio n3. pdf
05-00209-pre resolution.pdf
05-00209-resolution. pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Winton
R-05-0192
Adopted the Consent Agenda
Votes:
Motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Allen, including all the
preceding items marked as having been adopted on the Consent Agenda. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Winton
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
Chairman Sanchez: All right. We'll go ahead and -- let's go ahead and -- CA, consent agenda.
Commissioner Allen: The consent items.
Chairman Sanchez: Yeah, Victor Igwe already gave his presentation, correct?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, OK.
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: CA items, Commissioner Regalado, who had to leave, has asked that CA.16
and CA.3 be pulled; further discussion when he gets back in the afternoon. Is there any other
items the Commissioners or the administration are willing to pull? Madam Clerk, any item that
is pulled from this agenda will automatically --
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Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: -- roll over into --
Alicia Cuervo Schreiber (Chief of Operations): CA.11 --
Chairman Sanchez: -- excuse me -- will automatically roll over into April the 28th agenda.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. That's stated on the record. Madam Attorney --1 mean, Madam City
Manager.
Ms. Cuervo Schreiber: CA.11 has an amendment. It needs to be pulled to be clarified.
Chairman Sanchez: All right, we'll pull that one for clarification. Any other items that are --
Mr. Fernandez: Yes.
Commissioner Allen: Just for clarification purposes, you did mention CA.3 as being pulled for
discussion.
Chairman Sanchez: CA.3 is being pulled by Commissioner Regalado.
Commissioner Allen: Discussion. Thanks. OK.
Mr. Fernandez: Correct. Now, the -- you have just been distributed four items that are
substitute items. They're Consent Agenda 13, 18 and 19 in the consent agenda. Those three, you
need to -- if you pass them on consent, you need the record to state that they have been -- you've
been given substitute item for those.
Chairman Sanchez: No, sir. Mr. City Attorney, we will not do that. We will pull them and --
Mr. Fernandez: Pull them, all right.
Chairman Sanchez: -- discuss them, and we'll have those amendments put on the record.
Mr. Fernandez: There you go. That's the way it should be done.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. I think that's the proper procedure to follow here at City Hall.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Mr. Fernandez: Exactly.
Chairman Sanchez: We run things by the book here.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: All right, so those items were, so we could get --
Mr. Fernandez: Those items were CA. 3 and 16, as indicated earlier --
Chairman Sanchez: Well, those are --
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Mr. Fernandez: -- and then --
Chairman Sanchez: -- going to be pulled for discussion, reference Commissioner Regalado.
Mr. Fernandez: Correct. Then you have been given substitute items for CA.13, 18 and 19, and
staff needs to explain to you why those are substitute items.
Chairman Sanchez: All right, so CA.3, CA.10 are being pulled until this afternoon, allowing
Commissioner Regalado the opportunity to address those, and then we have CA.18 and 19 that
have been pulled for an amendment or --
Mr. Fernandez: Correct.
Chairman Sanchez: An amendment, OK.
Commissioner Allen: For amendment clarification.
Chairman Sanchez: For amendment clarification.
Mr. Fernandez: And also 11. Keep in mind that the administration has asked you to pull CA.11.
Chairman Sanchez: CA.11 is also pulled.
Commissioner Allen: It is for clarifications or -- purposes?
Ms. Cuervo Schreiber: For clarification on the monetary amount, there was a scrivener's error.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: OK, so are there any discussion on the pending CRA (Community
Redevelopment Agency) items?
Ms. Thompson: Excuse me, Chair.
Chairman Sanchez: I mean, CA items.
Ms. Thompson: Excuse me, Chair. If I might, tabled is CA.3 and 16?
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, ma'am.
Ms. Thompson: And then pulled for discussion, because there are substitutes, are -- did 1 hear
13, 18, and 19, or did I hear only 18 and 19?
Commissioner Allen: You heard -- if I may, 18 and 19 was pulled for clarification discussion,
because they're amendments, correct?
Ms. Cuervo Schreiber: 13 -- CA.13, CA.18 --
Commissioner Allen: 18.
Ms. Cuervo Schreiber: -- and CA.19 --
Commissioner Allen: Correct.
Ms. Cuervo Schreiber: -- are going to have substitute items. CA.11 and CA.3 are being
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modified on the floor for errors.
Commissioner Allen: Correct.
Chairman Sanchez: Madam Clerk, do you have that already? OK.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: Is there a motion to accept the remaining CA items?
Commissioner Allen: Mr. Chairman, I move to --
Chairman Sanchez: I need a motion.
Commissioner Allen: I'm sorry. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to accept, as the consent
agenda, the remaining items, with the exclusion of the aforementioned consent agenda items.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion to accept the remaining items on the consent agenda. Is
there a second? All right , we don't have a second, so we go back to square one.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I won't second until I read the amendments, because nobody has
explained to me the amendments, you know. I mean --
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Well --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: -- this deal of bringing --
Chairman Sanchez: -- Mr. City --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: -- amendments at the time of voting --
Chairman Sanchez: -- Mr. City Manager --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez.: -- on an issue --
Chairman Sanchez: Mr. City Manager, as the Chair, this will not happen again.
Joe Arriola (City Manager): OK.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: 1 hope not.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. We need to run these -- you know, 1 work very hard to try to run
these meetings very efficiently and in decorum, and try to get everything as -- done, passed, but
when we have this sort of like this -- and I know that we've had a very hectic agenda today with
the PZ 7, 8 and 9, but consent agenda is usually the easiest things, and we need to have ample
opportunity as to any amendments that are being made. You need to make sure that
administration make sure that they're given to the Commission, and I'm prepared right now to
pass the gavel and defer all items, with supplements, to the next Commission meeting because,
you know, we can't allow this.
Mr. Arriola: Let's be honest. All three items are like -- were mathematical corrections that they
were made. There were -- this is amendment, like CA.18 and 19 is between two -- the people are
doing the Miami Rowing Club. We had to make a minor adjustment to the contract, not a major
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adjustment, nothing. It was kind of a wording amendment that was required by -- I think it was
Law Department brought it up. It was not a big thing, but if you want to change them, you can
change them, but I'm telling you, these are like one word, two words, things that they had to
change in the last moment.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Mr. Chairman.
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: No. Mr. Manager, my concern is that, you know, this is -- it's not a
good practice, that at the time that we're ready to vote on an item --
Mr. Arriola: I understand.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: -- we're handed a substitute item without having a chance to read it
and to know what we're voting on. Me personally -- and I'm sure my colleagues think the same
way -- I don't like to vote on something that I haven't read that I don't know what I'm voting on,
so, you know --
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: -- if you're going to amend any item, then, you know, try to give it to
us early in the morning or at least an hour before we're going to take the vote, so we have a
chance to read it and see what we're doing because, you know, I don't want to defer the items
today. I know some of these items are important for the administration to go through so we can
get things moving, but at the same time, I personally need the time to read the changes before 1
give my vote on it.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. All --
Mr. Arriola: I understand.
Chairman Sanchez: -- CA items are being deferred to this afternoon. PA. 1, let's go. We've got
to rock and roll, folks.
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PERSONAL APPEARANCES
PA.1 05-00226 DISCUSSION ITEM
REPRESENTATIVE(S) FROM THE STATE ATTORNEY'S COMMUNITY
OUTREACH DIVISION TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION REGARDING
INFORMATION ABOUT OUTREACH PROGRAMS.
05-00226-letter. pdf
05-00226-Submittal-1. p df
DISCUSSED
Chairman Sanchez: All right. We'll get through this agenda. All right. Let's go to PH.1. Are
we --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I'll move P --
Chairman Sanchez: -- ready on PH.1?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I have a question. Mr. City Manager?
Commissioner Allen: Mr. City Manager?
Chairman Sanchez: Hey, could we have your -- could we have the administration staff ready to
answer any questions?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Mr. City Attorney? Mr. City Attorney?
Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): Yes.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Right here, right here. PH.1, does this present any kind of liability to
the City?
Mr. Fernandez: This is the -- no, it doesn't. PH.1 does not represent any liability to the City.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez.: I'll move PH.1, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. There's a motion. Is there a second?
Commissioner Allen: A second, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: This is just a discussion item. You need to put in a legislative --
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Have we said PA.1 or --
Commissioner Allen: Well, you know what?
Chairman Sanchez: P --
Ms. Thompson: -- PH.1?
Commissioner Allen: Wait. You know, that's a good question, Mr. City Clerk. Did you happen -
Chairman Sanchez: PA (personal appearance) --
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Commissioner Allen: -- to say PH (public hearing)?
Chairman Sanchez: PA.1.
Commissioner Allen: PA. I.
Commissioner Winton: Oh, PA.
Commissioner Allen: So I think --
Ms. Thompson: That's not what he said. That's not what --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Oh, I understand.
Ms. Thompson: That's what --
Chairman Sanchez: It's a discussion item --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: -- from the State Attorney's Community Outreach Division to address the
City Commission regarding information about outreach program. You can proceed. Sorry
about that. It's --
Ulises Martinez: I'll make sure next time that 1 ask to speak in front of you to check the agenda.
Chairman Sanchez: Please do, please do.
Mr. Martinez: Thank you very much for this opportunity. My name is Ulises Martinez. My
partner is Frank Piloto. We're here on behalf of Katherine Fernandez Rundle, the State Attorney
. The reason that we're here is that we would like to provide information about programs and
seminars that we have for the community, programs such as children printing, children info
cards, domestic violence, identity theft, worthless checks, and elderly abuse, among other
programs. We come to your community upon request, whether it's from elected official,
community leaders, or any kind of event that you may have in your area. By having this
program, we try to reduce the rate of crime; bringing our office to the community. We would
like for you to take advantage of this programs that we have by calling us in front of the
brochure that my partner is going to give to you. You can contact via e-mail or phone. That will
be upon request, and well be there to see what can we do and work together.
Commissioner Allen: Thank you.
Mr. Martinez: That's it.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you so much. Any questions? Thank you so much, sir, for the
presentation, and continue to do a -- do your good deed. It's a great program. Thank you so
much. Any questions on the item? If not, thank you for the presentation.
Mr. Martinez: Thank you very much.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you.
PA.2 05-00233 DISCUSSION ITEM
PRESENTATION BY THE LITTLE HAVANA ADVISORY BOARD TO
ADDRESS THE COMMISSION REGARDING THE LITTLE HAVANA
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REVITALIZATION INITIATIVE.
05-00233-summary form.pdf
DISCUSSED
Chairman Sanchez: All right. PA.2 is being deferred to the afternoon. We go to the Mayor's
resolution. Is there anyone from the Mayor's office here?
Commissioner Allen: The Mayor's -- can someone alert the Mayor?
Chairman Sanchez: You know, listen, we're -- no, that's -- all right. No one's here. Let's pass.
Listen, you know, the administration has to have its staff ready when the item comes up.
Commissioner Allen: The Mayor.
Chairman Sanchez: The Mayor has to have his staff ready.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: There are -- ma'am -- Madam Clerk, there's one presentation that we were
not able to do. I will be asking that that presentation be rolled over to the April 14 meeting, and
that is the Little Havana -- are we prepared to do that because we're done, Steve? I think -- well,
let's just do it. We have a board member who's here. He's going to go ahead and do it.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): PA.2.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Do we have the video ready? All right. This is a presentation
from the Little Havana Homeownership Advisory Board and we have representing that board
Oscar Rodriguez, who sits on that board. Let me just give you a history of how this was created
The Little Havana Homeownership Advisory Board was created when the University of Miami
did a study many years ago and found out that only seven percent of residents living in Little
Havana were property owners, and being that that area is -- many times has been called the Ellis
Island of the south, we focused on putting together a homeownership that would cater to those
that are willing to move back into Little Havana or those that have lived there for many years,
and through the market rate of housing, have not been able to afford a home. The success story
is one that I want him to share with you because I think that the board has done a tremendous
job. This is a board that gets no money whatsoever for administration cost, zero. Zero cost for
administration cost. It is a board comprised of realtors, attorneys, bankers, developers, et
cetera, et cetera, and they've done a tremendous job, and I want Oscar, who is here, to give the
presentation and showcase their great success, and I believe that 31 individuals have been able
to become homeowners through this process, and we have several projects that we have been
able to partner up with the private sector and developers to make sure that those individuals
could accomplish the American dream and that is to become property owners. We've been able
to do that by not taking just one building and labeling it as affordable housing or low-income
housing; we've been able to mix it up with the private sector so people aren't branded as, you
know, affordable housing, and it's just -- we've had a tremendous success with this, and Oscar, at
this time, I'd like you to present your presentation to this board and show your video, so Oscar
Rodriguez, you have the floor, sir.
Oscar Rodriguez: Thank you, Commissioner. My name is Oscar Rodriguez, vice chair of the
Little Havana Homeownership Advisory Board. At this time, if you could focus on the monitors,
I'd like to present the video, and then say a few words after.
(At this time, an audio -video presentation was made.)
Mr. Rodriguez: Thank you, Commissioner. Two of the main goals of the Little Havana
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Homeownership Advisory Board is to work with developers for a common goal, and that is to
provide attainable homeownership for the individual that lives in the revitalization district, and
the second thing is to help those residents, as well, qualify for their first-time home. This is
particularly important, we feel at the board, because in the midst of the current real estate boom
that the City of Miami is experiencing, there's one sector of people that tends or can be
neglected, and that is the working middle class. At the board, we have made it a top priority,
with rising land costs and with -- and rising construction cost, prices continue to go further and
further up, and this is the sector of people who stands to be threatened the most, and that is why
this was -- this board was formed, and that is the common goal that we're all working towards,
so you know, with that, I think the video said it all, and if there are any questions, I'd be happy to
take them.
Chairman Sanchez: Well, 1 want to take this opportunity, first of all, to thank you and thank the
entire members of that board who have worked tirelessly and have given up many hours of their
time to make sure that this board succeeds. I want to emphasize again that the beauty of this is
that there is no administration costs. All our money goes directly into the hands of people who
qualify to accomplish the American dream of becoming property owners. I think I've always said
that government has no responsibility in purchasing land and developing land. We have a great
opportunity to partner up with the development in our community to make sure that we assist
those that, as you stated, are left out in that process and all they need is just a little push and
guidance so they could become property owners, and I'll tell you, the biggest difference of any
great community or neighborhood is when people own property, they take pride in their
neighborhoods and neighborhoods are more cleaner, and neighborhoods are safer because
people take pride, so once again, I just want to thank everyone who has worked, the staff, the
administration for their support, and this is just one of many successes -- stories that we're going
to be able to showcase here in the City of Miami, if we adopt and follow this model of
homeownership, so thank you so much and God bless you.
Mr. Rodriguez: Thank you, Commissioner.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Is there any pocket items? I think Commissioner Regalado had
one. He snuck it in with the blue pages. You have any other pocket items?
Commissioner Regalado: No, I had three.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. If there's none, Madam Clerk, thank you so much. Five -twenty is
not that bad. I know we had a -- we did have a rocky beginning at first --
(Applause)
Chairman Sanchez: -- but it won't happen again, so thank you so much, and I think a motion to
adjourn is in order. Is there a motion to adjourn?
Commissioner Regalado: Move it.
Commissioner Winton: Move.
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." Motion to adjourn
is always welcomed. Good night.
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MAYOR AND COMMISSIONER'S ITEMS
CITYWIDE
HONORABLE MAYOR MANUEL A. DIAZ
M.1 05-00225 RESOLUTION
Citywide A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION CO -SPONSORING
THE "25TH ANNIVERSARY OF MARIEL" LIVE BROADCAST WITH
UNIVISION CHANNEL 23 AND MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE, SCHEDULED
FOR APRIL 28, 2005, AT THE DOMINO PLAZA IN LITTLE HAVANA,
MIAMI, FLORIDA; DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO ASSIST WITH
TECHNICAL AND GENERAL SERVICES ASSISTANCE FOR THE EVENT,
BUT NOT LIMITED TO INCLUDE WAIVER OF FEES.
05-00225-resolution.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Winton, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Regalado
R-05-0174
Chairman Sanchez: Mr. Mayor, I believe you have your item. Yes, it's M.1. It's a resolution of
the Miami City Commission cosponsoring the 25th Anniversary of Mariel Live Broadcast with
Univision Channel 23 and Miami -Dade College, scheduled for April 28, 205 [sic], at Domino
Plaza, in Little Havana.
Mayor Manuel A. Diaz: Sorry I'm not dressed appropriately. 1 was outside talking to people. I
didn't --
Chairman Sanchez: It's all right.
Mayor Diaz: -- realize I was going to --
Commissioner Winton: He was chastising you, also.
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Mayor Diaz: Mr. Chairman, thank you. I'd like your support on this. As you know, this year is
the 25th anniversary of the Mariel Boatlift. Miami -Dade College, Univision and others are
staging a series of events to honor all the tremendous contributions that so many Cubans who
came from Mariel have made, and this one in particular is at Domino Park, and 1 think will be
incorporated as part of our Viernes Culturales, our Cultural Fridays at Domino Park, so I ask
for your support.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Is there a motion?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Mr. Chairman, I'll move M.1.
Commissioner Winton: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, second by Commissioner
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Winton. 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." Madam Clerk, that
was a resolution.
DISTRICT 1
VICE CHAIRMAN ANGEL GONZALEZ
DISTRICT 2
COMMISSIONER JOHNNY L. WINTON
DISTRICT 3
CHAIRMAN JOE SANCHEZ
D3.1 05-00253 DISCUSSION ITEM
District3 DISCUSSION OF A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF AS EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF THE MAYOR'S INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL AT AN ANNUAL
SALARY NOT TO EXCEED $68,500 PLUS BENEFITS.
05-00253-email.pdf
(D3.1
DISCUSSED
Discussion on Item D3.1 resulted in the resolution below:
05-00253a RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S
), APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF JESSE MANZANO-PLAZA AS THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MAYOR'S INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL,
WITH COMPENSATION, AND EMOLUMENTS AS LISTED IN "EXHIBIT A,"
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED.
05-00253a-Exhibit A.pdf
05-00253a-Resume.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Regalado, 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-05-0202
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Before we go back to the PZ (Planning and Zoning) item, let's go
ahead and take one item, which is my item, which is D3.1, and that is we need an approval from
this Commission to appoint the Executive Director of the Mayor's International Council. The
search committee interviewed and they came forth with a recommendation of a gentleman by the
name of Jesse Manzano, who is here today. Jesse, could you come up and give us a little bit of
your history? I know you worked for the Governor in the international trade, and therefore, we
basically need a motion to approve Jesse Manzano as the new Executive Director of the Mayor's
International Council.
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Jesse Manzano-Plaza: Mr. Chair, Commissioners, Manager, my name is Jesse Manzano. 1
currently hold the position of Senior Protocol International Affairs Liaison for Governor Bush's
office. We are based here in Miami, at our international office; that we moved here in 2003, and
prior to that, I've worked for Governor Bush in several capacities in his office as deputy speech
writer, as liaison for international affairs, as well and also doing other activities in his
campaigns in '98 and 2002.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. We need a motion.
Commissioner Regalado: Move it.
Chairman Sanchez: Do we have a motion?
Commissioner Regalado: Move it.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion by Commissioner Regalado, second by --
Commissioner Allen: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: -- Commissioner Allen. It is open for discussion. Hearing none, it's a
resolution basically hiring him as the executive director --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: -- and the annual salary not to exceed 68,500, plus benefits.
Commissioner Allen: I just want to say something.
Chairman Sanchez: Yes.
Commissioner Allen: He's a fine candidate, so -- I've had a chance to speak with him, and he's
going to, you know, provide our vision for the City with respect to the international market.
Mr. Manzano-Plaza: I appreciate --
Commissioner Allen: Appreciate it very much.
Mr. Manzano-Plaza: -- it, Commissioner. Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Motion carries.
Congratulations. Hook forward to working with you.
Mr. Manzano-Plaza: Thank you, Chairman. Thank you, Commissioners.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Do we have the homeowners -- Little Havana Homeowners --
Homeowner Advisory Board here yet? All right.
DISTRICT 4
COMMISSIONER TOMAS REGALADO
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D4.1 05-00249 DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION CONCERNING AN UPDATE FROM THE CITY
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE ADMINISTRATION ON FAMILY
BOARDING HOME INC.
05-00249-cover memo.pdf
DEFERRED
D4.2 05-00250 DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION CONCERNING AN UPDATE FROM THE ADMINISTRATION
ON THE STATUS OF THE MEETING BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION
AND FAA OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS THE OPERATIONAL NOISE
MITIGATION PROCEDURES ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR
MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
05-00250-cover memo.pdf
05-00250-MIA letter.pdf
DEFERRED
D4.3 05-00251 DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION CONCERNING AN UPDATE FROM THE CITY
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ON THE STATUS OF THE APPEAL REGARDING
THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER NON -BINDING
STRAW BALLOT QUESTION.
05-00251-cover memo.pdf
DEFERRED
D4.4 05-00254 DISCUSSION ITEM
District 4 DISCUSSION ABOUT THE 2005 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS/
TELEMUNDO EVENT.
05-00254-cover memo.pdf
MOTION
A motion was made by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Commissioner Winton, and was
passed unanimously, authorizing the City to cosponsor the 2005 Billboard Music Awards event
and further waiving the fees for placement of banners throughout the City advertising said event.
Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner Regalado, you're recognized for four items.
Commissioner Regalado: Thank you, sir. Next April, Telemundo, the Hispanic network, will be
having the 2005 Billboard Music Awards in downtown Miami and my motion is for the City to
cosponsor the event so we can waive the fees for the banners that need to be placed throughout
the City of Miami so they can --
Commissioner Winton: Second the motion.
Commissioner Regalado: -- advertise this event.
Chairman Sanchez: There is a motion with a waiver of the banners by Commissioner Regalado,
second by Commissioner Winton. It is open for discussion. Hearing no discussion, all in favor,
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say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Motion carries.
DISTRICT 5
COMMISSIONER JEFFERY L. ALLEN
D5.1 05-00256 DISCUSSION ITEM
District 5 DISCUSSION CONCERNING THE CITY MANAGER'S EMERGENCY
FINDINGS, WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCEDURES, AND
AUTHORIZING PBSJ, TO INSPECT AND PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES FOR STRUCTURAL, PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, HVAC,
ROOFING TO BUILDINGS LOCATED AT TOWN PARK PLAZA VILLAGE,
TOWN PARK PLAZA NORTH, AND TOWN PARK PLAZA SOUTH, COSTING
AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $125,000.00, USING FUNDS FROM THE
HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM ("HOME") FUNDS
ALLOCATED TO DISTRICT 5 HOUSING INITIATIVE PROJECT UNDER
RESOLUTION R-04-0190.
05-00256-email. pdf
Motion by Commissioner Allen, seconded by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, PASSED by the
following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez and Allen
Absent: 2 - Commissioner Winton and Regalado
A motion was made by Commissioner Allen, seconded by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, and was
passed unanimously, with Commissioners Regalado and Winton absent, to direct the City
Manager to reschedule Item D5.1 for the Commission meeting currently scheduled for April 28,
2005.
A motion was made by Commissioner Allen, seconded by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, and was
passed unanimously, with Commissioners Regalado and Winton absent, to reconsider the prior
motion rescheduling Item D5.1 for the Commission meeting currently scheduled for April 28,
2005.
A motion was made by Commissioner Allen, seconded by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, and was
passed unanimously, with Commissioners Regalado and Winton absent, to direct the City
Manager to reschedule Item D5. 1 on the next regular Commission meeting, currently scheduled
for April 14, 2005.
Commissioner Allen: All right. Mr. Chairman, if you will, I did --
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, sir. What is the item that you would like to be taken out of order?
Commissioner Allen: Yeah, I did request your indulgence because I do have some elderly
individuals here.
Chairman Sanchez: Which item is that, Commissioner?
Commissioner Allen: It's a discussion item on district -- discussion item that I have here.
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Chairman Sanchez: You want to go to Commission districts?
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Commissioner Allen, you're recognized.
Commissioner Allen: Right. If you could --
Chairman Sanchez: D5.1.
Commissioner Allen: This shouldn't take very long, right. OK. Mr. Chairman, this is a --
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Let's ga.
Commissioner Allen: Right. Mr. City Manager, I might need you on this particular item. I'll let
you just -- you want to take a minute or two? OK. Right.
Chairman Sanchez: Let's go.
Commissioner Allen.: All right. Mr. Chairman, this is a District 5 item. This is a discussion item
concerning the City Manager's emergency finding, waiving competitive bidding procedures, and
authorizing PBSG [sic] to inspect and provide professional service for structural plumbing,
electrical, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning), roofing to the buildings located at
Town Park Plaza Village, Town Park Plaza North and Town Park Plaza South, costing an
amount not to exceed $125, 000, using funds from the Home Investment Partnership Program
allocated to District 5 Housing Initiative Project under resolution R-04-0190, and we do have
some of the residents here, if they can just come forward quickly to the podium. What we're
recommending here is due to the health and safety hazard to this particular --
Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner Allen --
Commissioner Allen: -- structure.
Chairman Sanchez: -- may I interrupt you on this? Why are we doing this on a blue page?
Commissioner Allen: Well, this is something that, Mr. Chairman, that has been an ongoing
issue, even prior to my appointment, and as such, it's gotten to a point where it's becoming a
definite health issue and concern to the residents in my district as relates to this particular
property, so we had decided, along with my staff to bring this up as a discussion item. We've
consulted with the City Manager. The City Manager, if I'm not mistaken, we were in agreement
to try to get this issue moving, and so we came up with a cohesive plan here to place this on as a
discussion item to try to alleviate this problem so we don't have something -- a problem going
forward in the foreseeable future.
Chairman Sanchez: And I --
Commissioner Allen: And I think Ms. Rodriguez might want to weigh in.
Barbara Gomez -Rodriguez: If I can address -- Barbara Rodriguez, Department of Community
Development.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: We can discuss it. We cannot allocate the funds --
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Commissioner Allen: Right. Well --
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: -- because we do need to, number one, advertise it --
Commissioner Allen: Yeah, that's my point. I was going to --
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: -- and we need to work --
Commissioner Allen: I agree.
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: -- with your office to identify --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner --
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: -- who's going to do it; the City cannot.
Chairman Sanchez: -- my concerns -- Barbara --
Commissioner Allen: Yeah.
Chairman Sanchez: -- my concerns have been answered.
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Correct.
Chairman Sanchez: So this --
Commissioner Allen: Yeah. I was going to --
Chairman Sanchez: -- this is basically directing the City Manager to put it on the regular
agenda and then --
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Correct.
Chairman Sanchez: -- we could proceed with it.
Commissioner Allen: Correct.
Ms. Gomez -Rodriguez: Right.
Commissioner Allen: For the next agenda, we'll --
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Commissioner Allen: -- address the substantive nature of this in terms of a potential awarding,
but, however, this is a discussion item concerning the substantive nature of it; that is, for public
purposes, the health and safety concerns of the district. I do believe the madam wanted to say
something quickly. You want to identify yourself for the record?
Unidentified Speaker: Yeah.
Commissioner Allen: Ms. Green. Yes.
Elsie Hubbard: My name is Elsie Hubbard and I live at Town Park --
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Commissioner Allen: District --
Ms. Hubbard: --Village Number 1 (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Ms. Hubbard: And -- OK. I'm -- you know, you all voted for us to repair Town Park Village.
We been there 34 years, and the City Manager and the Mayor (UNINTELLIGIBLE) our papers,
but we've come before Mayor so he can -- we can get started by April the 1st. All our pipes are
busting out there and we doing repairs where we can't even pay the mortgage. We have the --
the building so old, they coming apart, the railings, so it's very urgent that the Mayor give the go
-ahead for the fund that you all already allogated [sic] to us --
Commissioner Allen: Thank you.
Ms. Hubbard: -- because --
Commissioner Allen: Oh, I'm sorry. No. Go ahead. I'm sorry.
Ms. Hubbard: OK, so --
Commissioner Allen: I thought --
Ms. Hubbard: -- you know, when we was up there -- and I look at your district and I just admire
you gentlemen [sic], what all you doing; you even doing the roads out there, and you know, our
district -- and you've taken your pictures -- we want our place fixed up where you feel free to
come out there and have the camera to take your picture. You know, we been dealing -- we been
running a long time to get some fund. We're all senior citizen, and if you live in a place 34
years, you want to own that place. You know, I've been there 34 years and 1 suppose to own that
place since 30, but we been had so many problems with the place. The pipes wasn't like they is
now; they rusted out from under the ground. They wasn't put down correct. Our buildings are
cracking, mold. We have kids out there, so you know, when you -- we come down here, you all
said -- we brought the whole co-op -- and you said you immediately start on that. I know you
gave BAME (Bethel African Methodist Episcopal) funds to start to repairing buildings, which the
funds you give to BAME didn't even prepare the buildings. He didn't do a good job out there,
and he did about -- I say he did $30, 000 worth of work out of $200, 000, so you know, we need
help now --
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Ms. Hubbard: -- and the only way we can get it is the City Manager let us have it now.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you, ma'am.
Commissioner Allen: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: This resolution --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: -- addresses your concerns.
Commissioner Allen: This (UNINTELLIGIBLE) concern, and this will be rolled over (
UNINTELLIGIBLE), so thank you very much.
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Chairman Sanchez: Thank you.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right.
Commissioner Allen: OK. Free to move on. Right.
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, ma'am.
Lillian Slater: My name is Lillian Slater. I live at 1640 Northwest 4th Avenue, Apartment IOC.
I'm the president of Town Park Village, so is Ms. Hubbard; she's the vice president, and we have
been struggling for many years. We come and we ask for help, and I thank God we're getting it
now, but we just want you all to remember that we want you continue help us get started there on
the work so we can have a decent place to live because it's -- you know, we need to painting and
the City give us some violation about the painting. We don't have no money; you remember this.
Commissioner Allen: OK.
Ms. Slater: And -- but we cooperating. We doing the best we can, and we want you --
Commissioner Allen to just kind of get the Commission there to step it up --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Ms. Slater: -- a little bit --
Commissioner Allen: OK.
Ms. Slater: -- so we won't --
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Ms. Slater:: -- get --
Commissioner Allen: Thank you very much.
Ms. Slater: -- into trouble with (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you, ma'am.
Commissioner Allen: Thank you.
Ms. Slater: Thank you, darling.
Marie Wims: Good evening. I'm Marie Wims from Town Park Plaza South. We before y'all this
afternoon asking that you all have looked over our resolution that was in here, and we needs
help in Town Park Plaza South very bad. We need drainage and the buildings fixed, and -- so
I'm just hoping that you all can be assistant to us --
Commissioner Allen: Right, OK.
Ms. Wims: And 1 believe you will. OK.
Commissioner Allen: Thank you very much.
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Chairman Sanchez: Thank you, ma'am.
Ms. Wims: And God bless you.
Chairman Sanchez: Need a motion directing the City Manager to have this item placed on the
next regular agenda meeting, which is April the 28th.
Commissioner Allen: Yes. I make a motion --
Chairman Sanchez: There is a motion.
Commissioner Allen: -- Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: Is there a second?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: Second. Purpose of 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.
Commissioner Allen: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Let's try to get some of these --
Commissioner Allen: Oh, no, wait, wait, wait. Strike that. You said the 28th; it'll be the next
agenda, the April 14 -- 15.
Unidentified Speaker: 14.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): 14.
Commissioner Allen: 14. The April 14.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Motion to reconsider the 28.
Commissioner Allen: It'll be moved April the 14.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion by --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: -- Commissioner Allen, second by Commissioner Gonzalez. All in favor,
say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Motion has been --
Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): Reconsidered.
Chairman Sanchez: -- reconsidered.
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Commissioner Allen: Reconsidered.
Chairman Sanchez: Is there a motion for the April --
Commissioner Allen: 14.
Mr. Fernandez: 14.
Chairman Sanchez: -- 14 meeting?
Commissioner Allen: A motion for the April 14.
Chairman Sanchez: Motion by Commissioner Allen --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: -- second by Commissioner Gonzalez. All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Motion carries.
OK. The item will be placed at the next Commission meeting.
Commissioner Allen: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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3:00 P.M.
Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
PUBLIC HEARING
PH.1 05-00211 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ADOPTING THE FINDINGS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ("
COUNTY") THAT: A BLIGHTED OR SLUM AREA EXISTS IN THE MIDTOWN
REDEVELOPMENT AREA; THAT REBUILDING, REHABILITATION,
CONSERVATION, AND REDEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA IS NECESSARY
IN THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, MORALS, AND
WELFARE OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY")
AND THE COUNTY; THAT THE REDEVELOPMENT AREA IS A SLUM OR
BLIGHTED AREA AS DEFINED IN SECTION 163.340, FLORIDA STATUTES;
AND THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR A COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY TO CARRY OUT THE REDEVELOPMENT PURPOSES PROVIDED
FOR IN FLORIDA'S COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1969;
ACCEPTING THE COUNTY'S DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO CREATE A
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY; CREATING THE MIDTOWN
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("MIDTOWN CRA"), WITH
GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES AS SET FORTH IN "EXHIBIT A," ATTACHED
AND INCORPORATED; AND DECLARING THE CITY COMMISSION TO BE
THE MIDTOWN CRA SEPARATE, DISTINCT, AND INDEPENDENT FROM
THE CITY COMMISSION WITH ALL THE RIGHTS, POWERS, PRIVILEGES,
DUTIES, AND IMMUNITIES OF A COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
05-00211-resolution.pdf
05-00211-exhibitA.pdf
05-00211-pre resolution.pdf
05-00211-redevelopment study.pdf
05-00211-interlocal agreement.pdf
05-00211-master report.pdf
05-00211-dade resolution.pdf
05-00211-dade memos.pdf
05-00211-miami dade item.pdf
05-00211-notice of public hearing.pdf
05-00211-summary form.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-05-0194
A motion was made by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, and was
passed unanimously, to appoint Commissioner Johnny Winton as Chairman and Commissioner
Jeffery Allen as Vice Chairman of the Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).
Chairman Sanchez: I believe we go now to time certain. PH.1.
Joe Arriola (City Manager): You want to do CA (consent agenda)?
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Chairman Sanchez: Well, we'll get back to CA. We got time certain. We might as well go with
the time certain. Are we ready with the -- PH.1 ? That's the Midtown CRA (Community
Redevelopment Agency.
Laura Billberry: Yes. The item before -- Lori Billberry, Economic Development. Last year, the
Commission had approved an interlocal agreement between the County and the Midtown CDD (
Community Development District), which, among other things, set forth that the County and the
City would create a Midtown CRA. On March 1, the County Commission took the first step in
allowing the creation of -- authorizing, excuse me, the City Commission to create that CRA. The
item before you today now is to create the Midtown CRA and to appoint the Commission as the
board to that CRA. The purpose of the CRA is limited to the payment of the debt service on the
bonds issued by the CDD in accordance with the interlocal. The bonds will fund the public
parking decks and garages and public plaza. Any excess tax increment revenues after payment
of the debt services will be returned to the City and County on a proportionate basis.
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Ms. Billberry: If you have any questions --
Commissioner Winton: And so --
Chairman Sanchez: Are there any questions on this resolution?
Commissioner Winton: Move it.
Chairman Sanchez: There --
Commissioner Allen: Second.
Jim Villacorta (Assistant City Attorney): It's a public hearing.
Commissioner Winton: Oh.
Chairman Sanchez: It's a public hearing. 1 apologize. Before we take action from the
Commission, it is a public hearing. Anyone from the public wishing to address PH.1, which is a
resolution creating the Midtown CRA, which is a public hearing, please step forward and be
heard or recognized. Seeing none, hearing none, the public hearing is closed, coming back to
the Commission. There is a motion by Commissioner Winton, second by Commissioner -- Vice
Chairman Gonzalez. It is open for discussion. Is there any discussion in the Commission?
Commissioner Winton: Just one quick comment because I think the public's always interested in
this whole CRA thing. This is not your standard CRA.
Commissioner Allen: CRA. That's correct.
Commissioner Winton: It's very limited purpose.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Commissioner Winton: And you would anticipate the CRA Board would meet how many times a
year?
Ms. Billberry: Twice a year.
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Commissioner Winton: Twice a year, so very special purpose; twice a year.
Chairman Sanchez: Why don't we put the purpose into the record, which is basically --
Commissioner Winton: She did.
Commissioner Allen: To --
Chairman Sanchez: -- parking -- paying for Midtown TIF (Tax Increment Fund) to the Midtown
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: -- Development for the public area, parking garage and the plaza, correct?
Commissioner Allen: Yeah.
Ms. Billberry: Correct.
Chairman Sanchez: OK, so it's very limited. It's not like --
Commissioner Allen: Specific.
Chairman Sanchez: -- another CRA, and it can't expand.
Ms. Billberry: Correct.
Chairman Sanchez: We need to put that --
Commissioner Winton: Bingo.
Chairman Sanchez: -- into the record.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: OK, just wanted to put that on the record. Any further discussion on the
item? 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. Thank you. Now, we move --
Mr. Villacorta: Chairman, at this point, it would be appropriate to entertain a motion to appoint
the Chair and Vice Chair of that CRA. The statute requires that the governing body of the City
Commission appoint the Chair and the Vice Chair.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Is there a motion?
Commissioner Regalado: Motion --
Commissioner Allen: I'd like to make a motion --
Commissioner Regalado: -- to appoint --
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Chairman Sanchez: Nominate.
Commissioner Regalado: -- Johnny Winton as Chairman of the --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Commissioner Winton: Vice Chair.
Commissioner Allen: OK, and I'll --
Commissioner Winton: And Jeff as Vice Chair.
Commissioner Allen: Yeah.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. There's a motion to appoint Commissioner Johnny Winton as
Chair and Vice Chairman Jeffery Allen.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Second.
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. " Motion carries
unanimously. OK, so now we have to recess the City Commission meeting.
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ORDINANCES - EMERGENCY
EM.1 05-00212 ORDINANCE Emergency Ordinance
(4/5THS VOTE)
AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), REVISING APPROPRIATIONS FOR CERTAIN CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN FISCAL YEAR 2004-
2005; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT FUNDS IN THE
AMOUNT OF $750,000, CONSISTING OF A FEDERAL EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT AGENCY ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2004; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
GRANT AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, FOR
SAID PURPOSE; AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 12622, ADOPTED
DECEMBER 9, 2004, TO APPROPRIATE SAID FUNDS INTO CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 313303 ENTITLED "FIRE DEPARTMENT
COMPUTERS AND COMMUNICATIONS;" CONTAINING A REPEALER
PROVISION, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
05-00212-summary form.pdf
05-00212-ord i n a nce. pdf
05-00212-exhibit 1. pdf
05-00212-exh ib it2. pdf
05-00212-exhibit3. pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Winton, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Regalado
12665
Chairman Sanchez: So El [sic] is a 4/5th vote. We do have a 4/5th vote. It's an ordinance on
first readying.
Commissioner Winton: Which one?
Chairman Sanchez: EM.1.
Commissioner Winton: Oh.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I'll move EM.1.
Chairman Sanchez: It's a grant, folks.
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: You know, we --
Commissioner Winton: Oh, OK, second.
Chairman Sanchez: -- always accept money.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez.: Right.
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Commissioner Winton: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. There is a motion on EM.1. There's a second. It is a public
hearing. Anyone from the public wishing to address this item, please step forward and be
recognized. Seeing none, hearing none, Madam Director, please put something on the record.
Shouldn't be the Fire -- should be the Fire Department here or is it you?
Mary Conway (Director, CIP & Transportation): Not necessarily. EM.1 is serving two purposes
. It is accepting a FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) grant that will serve the
Fire Department. It's also making appropriations associated with some of the swaps that had
been presented before you regarding Homeland Defense Series 1 and 2, because we are now at
the stage of issuing purchase orders for those projects, and that's why it's being brought before
you as an emergency item.
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): And that speaker was?
Ms. Conway: I'm sorry. Mary Conway, CIP (Capital Improvement Projects) and
Transportation.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Did I open it to the public? Yes, 1 did. All right. No one from the
public wishing to address this item for the record, so we come back to the Commission. Is there
a motion?
Commissioner Allen: Yeah, there's --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I'll move.
Commissioner Allen: -- a motion, but one quick question.
Chairman Sanchez: We need a motion and a second --
Ms. Thompson: You have --
Chairman Sanchez: -- for the purpose of discussion.
Ms. Thompson: -- a motion on the second on the floor.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Commissioner Allen, you're recognized.
Commissioner Allen: Yeah, just a quick question, Mary. You said something operative. You
said a swap. Could you --
Ms. Conway: When we've been -- when the Capital Improvements Office --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Ms. Conway: -- has been before the Commission previously, and with each of you one-on-one,
we have discussed projects that were in the first series that could not be achieved, and projects
that were in the second series that could be advanced so that we can make the commitment that
we've made to have all of our first series dollars committed by August of this year, so we have
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several of those swaps as part of this item, and we'll have additional ones in an upcoming item
that will come before the Commission in April.
Commissioner Allen: OK, so this is --
Ms. Conway: This is just --
Commissioner Allen: Yeah.
Ms. Conway: -- doing the appropriation --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Ms. Conway: -- that allows us to issue the purchase orders in conjunction with that.
Commissioner Allen: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. It's an ordinance -- it's an emergency ordinance requiring a 4/5th
vote. There's a motion and second. No further discussion. Mr. City Attorney, read the
ordinance into the record.
The ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Chairman Sanchez: Madam Clerk, roll call.
Ms. Thompson: First roll call. Second roll call.
Roll calls were taken, the results of which are stated above.
Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been adopted as an emergency measure, 4/0.
EM.2 05-00213 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING A GRANT TO THE MIAMI ART MUSEUM
OF DADE COUNTY ASSOCIATION, INC. TO SUPPORT THE
DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW FINE ARTS MUSEUM FACILITY IN THE CITY
OF MIAMI-OWNED BICENTENNIAL PARK, IN THE AMOUNT OF $700,000,
APPROVED BY A REFERENDUM OF THE VOTERS IN NOVEMBER, 2001,
AS A SPECIFIED PROJECT IN THE HOMELAND DEFENSE
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT BOND PROGRAM; ALLOCATING SAID
FUNDS FROM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 333144 ENTITLED "
MIAMI ART MUSEUM -BICENTENNIAL PARK; "AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PROJECT CO-OPERATION AGREEMENT, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
05-0021 3-resolutio n. pdf
05-00213-exhibitl SUB.pdf
05-00213-summary form.pdf
05-0021 3-MAM.pdf
05-00213-pre resolution.pdf
05-00213-pre resolution2.pdf
05-00213-project budget.pdf
05-00213-project lists.pdf
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Motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Winton, that this matter
be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Regalado
R-05-0175
Chairman Sanchez: All right. EM2, it's a resolution.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez.: Move EM.2.
Commissioner Winton: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Could we put something on the record? There's a motion and a
second. Commissioner Regala -- I mean, Commissioner Gonzalez made the motion,
Commissioner Winton made the second. Could we put something on the record before we open
it for a discussion?
Alicia Cuervo Schreiber (Chief of Operations): I have a substitute item to clarify two points. In
one of the sections it extends the life of the museum from 20 years to 25 years, and in another
amendment to this ordinance, we are also making all work products the property of the City of
Miami. Those are the two changes in the substitute that's being handed out to you.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right.
Ms. Cuervo Schreiber: This came from bond counsel, those changes, in reviewing the document.
Commissioner Winton: Good.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): And, again, this is a resolution, not an ordinance.
Chairman Sanchez: Yeah, well -- all right, so the maker of the motion --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I'll --
Chairman Sanchez: -- do you accept the amendment?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I'll accept the amendment.
Chairman Sanchez: The maker of the motion accepts the amendment. Does the second --
Commissioner Winton: Yes, absolutely.
Chairman Sanchez: -- also accept the amendment --
Commissioner Winton: Absolutely.
Chairman Sanchez: -- the resolution, as amended?
Commissioner Winton: And might I --
Chairman Sanchez: Discussion.
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Commissioner Winton: -- put something on the record very quickly. You all -- well, I guess not
you all because I think only Joe and I were here then, but -- oh, jeez, four years ago we did a -- I
chaired a master planning effort for Bicentennial Park, and this is one more of the steps we're
taking that's going to lead to the dream that we all had four years ago to create museum park, a
fabulous new park in downtown Miami.
Commissioner Allen: Good.
Commissioner Winton: Call the question.
Chairman Sanchez: There is -- a call the question. It's a resolution. All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone against, say "nay," Motion carries, as amended.
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ORDINANCE - FIRST READING
FR.1 05-00214 ORDINANCE First Reading
Planning & Zoning AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING CHAPTER
Department 62/ARTICLE VI/SECTION 62-156 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "ZONING AND PLANNING/
ZONING AND PLANNING FEES," TO ESTABLISH AN EXPEDITED PLANS
REVIEW SERVICE AND A CORRESPONDING FEE TO COVER THE COSTS
OF PERFORMING SAID REVIEW; CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION,
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
05-00214-ordinance(FR-SR). pdf
05-00214-cover memo(FR-SR).pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner Allen, that this matter be
PASSED ON FIRST READING PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez and Allen
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Regalado
Chairman Sanchez: We go to FR. I, which is an ordinance on first reading.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I'll move FR. 1.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion. Is there a second?
Commissioner Allen: I second
Commissioner Winton: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion by Commissioner -- Vice Chairman Gonzalez, second by
Commissioner Allen. Could we have someone put something on the record as to FR.1,
ordinance on first reading?
Orlando Toledo: Orlando Toledo, Zoning Administrator. This is regarding overnight reviews.
It's similar to what Building, Fire, and Public Works has been doing.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. It is an ordinance. It requires a public hearing. Anyone from the
public wishing to address this legislative body, please step forward and be recognized. Seeing
none, hearing none, the public hearing is closed, coming back to the Commission for any further
discussion.
Commissioner Winton: I think that, you know, in doing -- I'm all in favor. I think these are great
. I -- but I think you also -- this stuff doesn't do any good if we don't have enough staff or
consultants or whomever to make it work --
Mr. Toledo: In the process --
Commissioner Winton: -- so I hope that --
Mr. Toledo: -- we are -- there's already two positions that are being advertised as we speak and,
hopefully, that would be the case.
Commissioner Winton: OK, great, because that's a crucial issue. I know there's a backlog right
now, you know, with a lot of stuff coming in, and doing these expediting processes is a great
idea, but it still fails if we don't have the staff that can do it, so --
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Mr. Toledo: Absolutely.
Commissioner Winton: --1 hope -- great. Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. It's a resolution? It's an ordinance?
Commissioner Allen: Ordinance.
Chairman Sanchez: Mr. Attorney, could you read the ordinance into the record?
The ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Roll call.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been passed on first reading, 4/0.
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DISCUSSION ITEMS
DI.1 05-00215 DISCUSSION ITEM
Office of the City PRESENTATION BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE FOLLOWING
Clerk BOARDS/COMMITTEES CONCERNING THEIR ANNUAL REPORTS:
- COCONUT GROVE PARKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
- AUDIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
-URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD
- OFF-STREET PARKING BOARD
-NUISANCE ABATEMENT BOARD
05-00215-cover memo.pdf
05-00215-memol .pdf
05-00215-memo2. pdf
05-00215-letter.pdf
05-00215-memo3.pdf
05-00215-off street parking.pdf
05-00215-nuisance abatement.pdf
DISCUSSED
Mr. Richard Berkowitz, the chairperson of the Audit Advisory Committee, was the only
individual who made a report.
Chairman Sanchez: Now, we'll go to the Audit Advisory Committee. Mr. Berkowitz is here.
Richard Berkowitz: Good morning, Commissioner.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you so much, sir. You're recognized for your report.
Mr. Berkowitz: Thank you. Mr. Mayor, Commissioners, Mr. Manager, the City of Miami Audit
Advisory Committee is a group of certified public accountants that are donating their time to the
City; meet on a monthly basis, and have reviewed with the City auditors, the audit of the City;
have regular discussions with the auditors of the City. We are very active in reviewing areas of
internal control of the City, and at the present time, actively involved in doing whatever we can
to assist in the integration of the new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system and internal
controls for the City. The committee is very active, engaged, is assisted very ably by the
Independent Auditor General, Victor Igwe, and that's our report, Mr. Commissioner.
Chairman Sanchez: So the City's future is bright?
Mr. Berkowitz: The City's financial future --
Chairman Allen: Future --
Mr. Berkowitz: Is very bright, sir.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you so much. Any questions from the Commissioners? If not, thank
you so much, Mr. Berkowitz. Thank you for your report.
Mr. Berkowitz: Thank you.
DI.2 04-01295 DISCUSSION ITEM
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Office of the City
Attorney
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE RESOLUTION REGARDING A POSSIBLE
SETTLEMENT IN THE MATTER OF NATIONAL ADVERTISING V. CITY OF
MIAMI.
(BILLBOARD LITIGATION)
04-01295-email.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Allen, seconded by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, that this matter be
DISCUSSED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Sanchez and Allen
Absent: 2 - Commissioner Winton and Regalado
A motion was made by Commissioner Allen, seconded by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, and was
passed unanimously, with Commissioners Regalado and Winton absent, to direct the City
Manager to continue negotiations with National Advertising, with the proviso that no new
billboards be installed or relocated to District 5.
Note for the Record: Chairman Sanchez stated that this issue would be reconsidered if
Commissioners Regalado and Winton had any concerns.
Chairman Sanchez: Madam Clerk, before we go into recess, we've -- all the consent agendas
were passed on to the afternoon; PZ (Planning and Zoning) items are also this afternoon, except
7, 8, and 9 that were addressed earlier today.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Correct.
Chairman Sanchez: Are there any other items that we could take up before we go into recess to
try to catch up on this agenda?
Ms. Thompson: It's entirely up to the Commission, if they want to entertain --
Chairman Sanchez: I know it's entitled, but is there any -- are there any items that are not PZ
items?
Ms. Thompson: Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Ms. Thompson: Your discussion items, you have 1 and 2.
Chairman Sanchez: Discussion item, and what are those, ma'am?
Ms. Thompson: The Annual Report on City Boards and Committees; you only had one board to
make their report thus far, and your National Advertising Company settlement on the billboard
litigation.
Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): Yeah, and on that, I have a report to give to you. There is
no settlement, but there is some very good results that I need to --
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Why --
Mr. Fernandez: -- share with you, and 1 will --
Chairman Sanchez: -- why don't we take that one now.
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Mr. Fernandez: You would like to take that now?
Chairman Sanchez: Yes.
Mr. Fernandez: We received word from the Circuit Court of Appeals -- the Federal Court of
Appeals in Atlanta that the City had prevailed in its billboards litigation, so that means that the
last and only advertising company that had not yet settled with the City now is in the
predicament of either there being no settlement and their signs being eliminated because we
have prevailed; the City has been vindicated, or alternatively, the City may still continue to wish
to consider some sort of settlement, as it has been considered in the past, and that still -- we
haven't touched base with them, yet, since we got word of the circuit court decision last Tuesday.
Commissioner Allen: Well -- Mr. Chairman, can 1 weigh on this quickly, if you will?
Chairman Sanchez: Absolutely.
Commissioner Allen: Yes. Mr. City Attorney, we appreciate that, and kudos to our legal team of
the City. You guys have done a great job. As you know, this has been, if you will, a spur under
my saddle; this issue, because in my district there's a huge proliferation of these billboard signs,
and as -- and pursuant to the previous settlements, they are virtually strewn throughout my
district, and it's been my position that there should be -- there should not be any more signs, that
is, these huge billboard signs, throughout my district. Now, to that end, since we were successful
in defending this lawsuit, but for the fact that they're going to appeal this to the Supreme Court --
I doubt that they would do that --1 think, at this point, we should consider this; no further
negotiation with those -- with that entity; we've won the lawsuit. They missed out by not trying to
settle in a timely fashion; that's their loss, so therefore, I can be assured to tell my constituents
that there will be no more signs, but for the ones that were already previously negotiated. That's
my position on this, and I want to make sure because there's no need to negotiate with them for --
irrespective of the fact that they might come with a -- come to this City with a monetary offer. 1
suggest that we reject any monetary offer by National Advertising. They have lost their case.
We don't need any more signs, and that should be the end of this litigation.
Mr. Fernandez: Yeah. Commissioner Allen, Mr. Chairman, your position is well known to us
because we have vetted this issue and we've --
Commissioner Allen: Because it causes --
Mr. Fernandez.: -- discussed that.
Commissioner Allen: -- blight, and I can't get any businesses to come into --
Mr. Fernandez: Correct.
Commissioner Allen: -- the community; that's their concern. They scream and holler all the
time at me, "Mr. Allen, you need to get all of those signs out of your district." I say, well, there's
a limitation. Now, let's work towards that, so now I can assure those potential businesses that
there is a limitation now. We don't have to worry about an additional sign company coming in
and placing any additional signs in my district.
Mr. Fernandez.: So this is clearly an issue, Mr. Chairman and Commissioners, for you to
contemplate Commissioner Allen's position. Clearly, my understanding is that the City Manager
would have a different recommendation, other than not to negotiate at all. Perhaps negotiation
could still continue and take into account Commissioner Allen's concerns or not, but clearly,
we're at a juncture in this litigation where the Commission needs to give further direction to the
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administration and to the City Attorney's Office on how to proceed. This decision is very recent.
We have still not made a full analysis of the impacts of it, and we are in the process of preparing
a memo for you, discussing it with the administration and seeing what recommendation the
administration and the City Attorney's Office will be making to you. I was just merely reporting
to you that we have prevailed in court and that, as of today, we still did not have a settlement
agreement to bring to you.
Commissioner Allen: Right, but one quick question, Mr. Chairman, but you would agree with
me, Mr. City Attorney, once you prevailed in a lawsuit, frankly, that's it; they have no other
recourse, and I doubt they'll spend the money to appeal the Supreme Court, so having said that, I
can put a motion on the floor right now because there is nothing -- anymore information that's
necessary here. We've won a lawsuit. Chances are, they are not going to appeal because of the
costs involved, so therefore, we do not need to negotiate with them any further. We already have
substantial amount of signs, pursuant to the previous two settlements, so I'd like to make a
motion that we direct the City Manager to cease further discussions with National Advertising
because we have been successful in that litigation, and if I can get a second, I'd certainly
appreciate it.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Is there a second on the motion?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I cannot second the "no more negotiations." What I can second is
that we continue to negotiate with the direction -- because I understand your concerns, and I
sympathize with your concern. You know, we need to let the Manager know that whatever
negotiations are taking place, they have to exclude adding anymore billboards in your district,
so that -- you know.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Commissioner Allen, there's no second on your motion.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Ifyou want that amendment, you know --
Chairman Sanchez: And I tend -- I just --
Commissioner Allen: Sure.
Chairman Sanchez: May I elaborate on your position? I tend to agree with you on the
frustration. I just think that we need to listen to both sides and see what -- get advice from both
sides to see where we head. Maybe it requires another shade meeting or something on this, if it's
required one, but I think that we need to listen to both sides before we take such harsh action
here in the Commission, and further, I would say that we would love to have the other two
Commissioners weigh on this discussion, which is paramount, OK, so I hope that you're not
offended that you did not get a second.
Commissioner Allen: No.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Thank you.
Commissioner Allen: Not at all.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Is there --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: No, no, I --
Chairman Sanchez: -- any other item that we could take up --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: No, wait a minute.
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Chairman Sanchez: -- before we recess?
Commissioner Allen: 1 think --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Let's correct the record. I said that I would second his motion to an -
- if it is exclude not negotiating. You know, I will agree with him (UNINTELLIGIBLE) says that
we agreed to have the Manager negotiate with this company, but not, you know, exclude from the
negotiations the installation of any additional billboards in this -- in his district. Because let me
tell you, I just had two billboards installed in my district and was annoying. I mean, I -- you
know, I just was driving by and I saw these two big monsters close to a neighborhood.
Mr. Fernandez: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: What is this coming from?
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, yes.
Mr. Fernandez: That's not a modification to a pending motion. That is a radically different
motion, so the maker of the motion would have to make a different motion similar to --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right.
Mr. Fernandez: -- the one that's --
Commissioner Allen: Well --
Mr. Fernandez: -- the second is being suggested.
Commissioner Allen: OK. Well, I'll make a motion that pursuant to the litigation with National
Advertising that we direct the City Manager, in any further negotiations, that they exclude
District 5 as a potential location and/or relocation of advertisement signs.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I'll second that motion.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. There is a motion and a second. Under discussion. The only
thing that I would ask, Commissioner, is that we have the other two Commissioners here to
address that concern so we could vote on it. I mean --
Mr. Fernandez.: As a matter of course, any affirmative vote of this Commission has to be by
three of its members, so unless the Chair also votes in favor of the motion, even though the
motion was made and seconded, two do not carry the day.
Commissioner Allen: Well, I respectfully request that the Chairperson does exercise his right to
vote.
Mr. Fernandez: I'm just giving the Chairman the clear indication --
Chairman Sanchez: Why do you guys always putting me on the hot plate?
Ms. Thompson: Because you're the Chair.
Commissioner Allen: I think my motion is pretty innocuous. It's -- it speaks for itself.
Mr. Fernandez: Commissioner Allen is very persuasive. I could tell you how persuasive he is.
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Chairman Sanchez: Well, I'll support it, but if --
Commissioner Allen: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: -- any of the other Commissioners show some concern, I will be more than
glad to support a motion to reconsider, for the record. All right.
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: Is that OK?
Commissioner Allen: Yes, sir.
Chairman Sanchez: All right, so there's a motion and a second It's a resolution. All in favor,
say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." All right. It passes
. Madam Clerk, any other items that we could take up before we go into recess?
Ms. Thompson: Unless you want to listen to some of the board presentations, no.
Chairman Sanchez: Well, do we have any boards here that are -- any board members for
presentation? I believe that we had some and we asked them to come back this afternoon. If not,
Linda, I want to see you and Alicia and some of your heads of staff in my office in recess. Thank
you.
Commissioner Allen: Yeah. Mr. Chairman, do we still have the --
Chairman Sanchez: City Commission stands in recess until 2:30.
Commissioner Allen: Right. Mr. Chairman, before we break, there's a chance I might have to
leave later today to attend a funeral, but 1 will return, so there's a possibility there. I just want to
make the Chair aware of that.
Chairman Sanchez: What time?
Commissioner Allen: Sometime, perhaps, after another meeting. Sometime after -- maybe
around 3.
Chairman Sanchez: Well, 3 o' clock time certain, we have PH.1 --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: -- which is the Midtown CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), and
then we're having another shade meeting.
Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): Yeah, you're having an executive session at 2:30, and by
the way, Mr. Chairman, this -- that shade meeting needs to be add -- needs to be announced at
this meeting, so you announce it and then we immediately retreat to Commissioner Gonzalez'
conference room, where we will hold that shade meeting.
Chairman Sanchez: When we come back, yes.
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Mr. Fernandez.: At 2:30, yes.
Commissioner Allen: OK, so the executive --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right.
Commissioner Allen: -- meeting is at 2:30?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Very good.
Commissioner Allen: Good.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Very good.
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2:30 P.M.
Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
EXECUTIVE SESSION
ES.1 05-00241 EXECUTIVE SESSION
City Attorney UNDER THE PARAMETERS OF F. S. 286.011(8) [2004], THE PERSON
CHAIRING THE CITY OF MIAMI COMMISSION MEETING WILL ANNOUNCE
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE MEETING IS CONVENED THE
COMMENCEMENT OF AN ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION, CLOSED TO THE
PUBLIC, FOR PURPOSES OF DISCUSSING THE PENDING LITIGATION
CASE OF EVA NAGYMIHALY, ET AL. VS. CITY OF MIAMI, CASE NO. 98-
11208 CA 01, PENDING IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 11 TH JUDICIAL
CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, TO WHICH THE
CITY IS PRESENTLY A PARTY. THE CLOSED DOOR SESSION WILL
BEGIN AT APPROXIMATELY 2:30 P.M. AND CONCLUDE AT
APPROXIMATELY 3:30 P.M. THE SESSION WILL BE ATTENDED BY THE
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION, TOMAS REGALADO, ANGEL
GONZALEZ, JOE SANCHEZ, JEFFREY ALLEN, AND JOHNNY L. WINTON;
THE CITY MANAGER, JOE ARRIOLA; THE CITY ATTORNEY, JORGE L.
FERNANDEZ; ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEYS MARIA J. CHIARO, JULIE O.
BRU AND WARREN BITTNER; AND THOMAS SCOTT, ESQ. A CERTIFIED
COURT REPORTER WILL BE PRESENT TO ENSURE THAT THE SESSION
IS FULLY TRANSCRIBED AND THE TRANSCRIPT WILL BE MADE PUBLIC
UPON THE CONCLUSION OF THE ABOVE -CITED, ONGOING LITIGATION.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION, THE
REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING WILL BE REOPENED AND THE
PERSON CHAIRING THE COMMISSION MEETING WILL ANNOUNCE THE
TERMINATION OF THE ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION.
05-00241-cover memo.pdf
05-00241-notice to the public.pdf
DISCUSSED
Discussion on Item ES. 1 resulted in the resolution below:
(ES.1) 05-00298 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
CITY ATTORNEY TO TAKE ANY AND ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY IN LAW
OR IN EQUITY TO: 1) VOID THE SETTLEMENT AUTHORIZED BY
RESOLUTION NO. 04-0748, ADOPTED NOVEMBER 18, 2004 AND 2)
RECOUP THE SETTLEMENT FUNDS ALREADY PAID, IN THE CASE OF
EVA NAGYMIHALY, ET AL., VS. CITY OF MIAMI, CASE NO. 98-11208 CA 01
; FURTHER ALLOCATING AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $200,000, TO
RETAIN THE LAW FIRM OF COLE, SCOTT AND KISSANE, P.A., AS
OUTSIDE COUNSEL, PLUS ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS OF LITIGATION
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO RETENTION OF EXPERTS AND
CONSULTANTS, AS APPROVED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY.
Motion by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Commissioner Allen, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
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R-05-0200
Chairman Sanchez: So at this time, having all five Commissioners present, I must read this into
the record. The attorney -client session must commence at an open meeting in which the Chair
announces the commencement of the private attorney -client session, an estimated length of the
session and the persons attending the session. We are now going into a private, closed -door
attorney -client session for purpose of discussing pending litigation in the matter of Eva
Nagymihaly, et al. versus City of Miami, case number 98-11208. This meeting was requested by
the City Attorney, Jorge L. Fernandez, at the public City Commission meeting held on March 11,
205 [sic]. The attorney -client session is exempt from the Sunshine, pursuant to Florida Statute
Section 286.011(8). This session will last approximately about an hour. The subject matter of
this meeting will be confined to settlement negotiations or strategy related to litigation
expenditures. In attendance at this session will be the members of the City Commission, the
honorable Tomas Regalado, Vice Chairman Angel Gonzalez, Chairman Joe Sanchez,
Commissioner Jeffery Allen, Commissioner Johnny L. Winton, the City Manager, Joe Arriola, the
City Attorney, Jorge L. Fernandez, Deputy City Attorney, Julie O. Bru, Assistant City Attorney,
Maria' Chiaro and Warren Bittner and Tomas Scott, inquire [sic]. At this time, the session --1
need to ask the Clerk, has this session been published in accordance with the requirements of
Florida Statute Section 286.11-8, Madam Clerk?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Yes, it has, sir.
Chairman Sanchez: It has. OK. The entire session will be recorded by a certified court reporter
. The court reporter notes will be fully transcribed and filed with the City Clerk within a
reasonable time after the session. The transcript will be made part of a public record upon
conclusion of the litigation.
Commissioner Winton: Mr. Chairman, I just was curious, how come we have honorable
Commissioner Regalado and the rest of us are just Commissioners?
Chairman Sanchez: Well, we're making him feel special today. It's his day to feel special. --
City Commission meeting. Mr. City Attorney.
Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): Yes. Mr. Chairman, as soon as your colleagues arrive, the
other Commissioners, I have a resolution to present to you.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Why don't we wait for the other Commissioners to be present and
cast their votes.
Mr. Fernandez: Mr. Chairman, it's a resolution of the Miami City Commission authorizing the
City Attorney to take any and all action necessary in law or in inequity to void the settlement
authorized by resolution number 04-0748 and to recoup the settlement funds already paid in the
case of Nagymihaly versus City of Miami; further allocating an amount not to exceed $200, 000
to retain the law firm of Cole, Scott and Kissane and -- as outside counsel, plus any additional
cost of litigation including but not limited the retention of experts and consultants as approved
by your City Attorney.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. It's a resolution read into the record by the City Attorney. Is
there a motion?
Commissioner Regalado: Move it.
Commissioner Allen: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion by Commissioner Regalado, second by Commissioner
Allen. Discussion on the item. Hearing no discussion on the item, all in favor, say "aye."
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The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Resolution carries
unanimously.
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PART B
PZ.1 05-00143 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENTS,
APPROVING WITH CONDITIONS, A MAJOR USE SPECIAL PERMIT
PURSUANT TO ARTICLES 9, 13 AND 17 OF ZONING ORDINANCE NO.
11000, AS AMENDED, FOR THE POINTE AT BRICKELL VILLAGE
PROJECT, TO BE LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 1100 SOUTH MIAMI
AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, TO CONSTRUCT A 442-FOOT, 42-STORY HIGH
MIXED -USE STRUCTURE TO BE COMPRISED OF APPROXIMATELY 330
TOTAL MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL UNITS WITH RECREATIONAL
AMENITIES, APPROXIMATELY 13,659 SQUARE FEET OF RETAIL SPACE;
APPROXIMATELY 41,553 SQUARE FEET OF OFFICE SPACE; AND
APPROXIMATELY 424 TOTAL PARKING SPACES; PROVIDING FOR
CERTAIN FLOOR AREA RATIO ("FAR") BONUSES; DIRECTING
TRANSMITTAL; MAKING FINDINGS OF FACT AND STATING
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW; PROVIDING FOR BINDING EFFECT;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
05-00143 Exhibit A.PDF
05-00143 Exhibit B.PDF
05-00143 Exhibit C.PDF
05-00143 Zoning Map.pdf
05-00143 UDRB Reso.PDF
05-00143 Traffic Impact Study.PDF
05-00143 Table of Contents.PDF
05-00143 School Board Review Analysis.PDF
05-00143 Pre -Application Comments.PDF
05-00143 PAB Reso.PDF
05-00143 Legislation.PDF
05-00143 HEPB Reso.PDF
05-00143 Fact Sheet.PDF
05-00143 Aviation Department Comments.PDF
05-00143 Article III Site Utility Study.PDF
05-00143 Article III Economic Impact Study.PDF
05-00143 Article III Economic Impact Study.PDF
05-00143 Article III - Survey.PDF
05-00143 Article III - Site Plan.PDF
05-00143 Article III #3 - Traffic Impact Analysis Part III.PDF
05-00143 Article III #3 - Traffic Impact Analysis Part II.PDF
05-00143 Article III #3 - Traffic Impact Analysis Part I.PDF
05-00143 Article II - Project Description.PDF
05-00143 Article I - Project Information.PDF
05-00143 Analysis.PDF
05-00143 Aerial Map.pdf
REQUEST: Major Use Special Permit for The Pointe at Brickell Village
Project
LOCATION: Approximately 1100 South Miami Avenue
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APPLICANT(S): Carlos A. Saenz, Jr., Trustee, and Los Arcos de Brickell Corp.
(Collective Owners) and Brickell Village Partners, LLC (Contract Purchaser)
APPLICANT(S) AGENT: Gilberto Pastoriza, Esquire
FINDINGS:
PLANNING DEPARTMENT: Recommended approval with conditions*.
HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD:
Recommended approval with conditions* of a Certificate of Appropriateness to
City Commission on October 21, 2004 by a vote of 5-0.
URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD: Recommended approval on
December 15, 2004 by a vote of 3-0.
PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD: Recommended approval with conditions* to
City Commission on February 2, 2005 by a vote of 5-0.
*See supporting documentation.
PURPOSE: This will allow the development of The Pointe at Brickell Village
Project.
Motion by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton and Regalado
Absent: 2 - Commissioner Sanchez and Allen
R-05-0196
Chairman Sanchez: We'll go to PZ 1.
Commissioner Winton: PZ.1.
Lourdes Slazyk (Assistant Director, Planning & Zoning): PZ.1 is a Major Use Special Permit
for the Pointe at Brickell Village project. This is located approximately 1100 South Miami
Avenue. This is a 442 foot, 42-story high mixed -use structure. It's going to have 330 multifamily
residential units, 13,659 square feet of retail, approximately 41,553 square feet of office and 424
parking spaces. It was recommended for approval by the Planning Advisory Board and by the
Planning Department, with the -- there is one design -related condition. The applicant shall meet
-- in order to better unite the design appearance of the garage and the rest of the building, the
applicant shall modem the garage design to provide a solution for the eight levels of exposed
garage by incorporating some glass elements into the garage elevation, and this is to come back
for a final review by the Planning Department before they get a building permit. The project is
well designed. It was really down to this garage facade and incorp -- OK. If -- I think they're
going to present a solution to you, but --
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Is there any opposition to this item? There's no opposition to the
item. Counsel, are you prepared to start your presentation?
Gil Pastoriza: Yeah. We're -- if you want, Chloe Keidaish, from Arquitectonica -- Gil Pastoriza,
2665 South Bayshore Drive -- she can explain to you because we have addressed that condition
already.
Chairman Sanchez: All right, and you're prepared to --
Mr. Pastoriza: I'm preparing to rest.
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Chairman Sanchez: -- address those conditions?
Mr. Pastoriza: To rest -- yeah, we're --
Chairman Sanchez: Why don't you just go ahead and put them on the record now? 1 mean,
we've got to move on.
Mr. Pastoriza: No, no. We are, you know, we're in agreement with the conditions.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Mr. Pastoriza: And if you want Ms. Keidaish to explain to you how we addressed that comment -
Chairman Sanchez: Well, give us a brief --
Mr. Pastoriza: Give them the two -minute --
Chloe Keidaish: Chloe Keidaish, Arquitectonica. I'll jump right ahead to the issue at hand,
which is the garage treatment on the 11 th Street facade. For the most part, this tower is lined by
an office component on the primary portions of the building, which has helped Miami in
wrapping the corner of 11 th Street. There isn't a portion of garage that, you know, for sake of
efficiency in keeping this garage to a reasonable height, remains exposed, so what we've done is
we've worked with Planning to address an artistic solution that would utilize -- I'm sorry.
Chairman Sanchez: Why don't you use the mike? There you go.
Ms. Keidaish: Oh, yes. This is fine. OK. What we're going to do here is provide a rather
elaborate, metal paneling system that integrates into the design of the overall tower and as well
as metal panel, there is an introduction of a translucent glass facade system that would bring in
natural light into the garage, but yet still not allow the cars to be visible to the public, so we
bring down the grid of the building to interplay with the overall design, and then we use this
material play to enhance the garage design.
Mr. Pastoriza: 1 just wanted to add that most of that facade, though, is covered or is lined with
habitable liners.
Commissioner Winton: Most but not all, so anyhow, does that conclude your presentation?
Mr. Pastoriza: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Winton: OK. I would move PZ. I for approval and leave the condition in place
because both Lourdes and I think that there probably needs to be just a little bit more review
here and discussion on that facade. Then we're interested in making sure that we never ever,
ever again see some facades that ended up -- that we don't like anymore, but so -- but I know
y'all call solve this, 1 think, so motion is approve PZ 1 with conditions.
Commissioner Regalado: Second.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right. We have a motion and we have a second. All in favor, say
"aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All opposed? Motion carries.
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Mr. Pastoriza.• Thank you.
Commissioner Winton: Thank you.
PZ.2 04-01388 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT,
CLOSING, VACATING, ABANDONING AND DISCONTINUING FOR PUBLIC
USE THAT PORTION OF
NORTHEAST 1ST COURT AND THE ALLEY LOCATED BETWEEN
NORTHEAST 15TH STREET AND NORTHEAST 16TH STREET, MIAMI,
FLORIDA, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A."
04-01388 Public Works Analysis.PDF
04-01388 Public Works Letter.PDF
04-01388 P&Z Analysis.PDF
04-01388 Zoning Map.pdf
04-01388 Aerial Map.pdf
04-01388 ZB Reso.PDF
04-01388 Application & Supp Docs.PDF
04-01388 Legislation.PDF
04-01388 Exhibit A.PDF
04-01388 Fact Sheet 04-28-05.pdf
REQUEST: Official Vacation and Closure of a Street and Alley
LOCATION: Approximately NE 1st Court and Alley Between NE 15th Street
and NE 16th Street
APPLICANT(S): Miami -Dade County Public Schools
APPLICANT(S) AGENT: Dr. Rudolph F. Crew, Superintendent
FINDINGS:
PLANNING DEPARTMENT: Recommended denial.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT: Recommended approval.
PLAT & STREET COMMITTEE: Recommended denial on April 3, 2003 by
a vote of 3-3.
ZONING BOARD: Recommended denial to City Commission on November
22, 2004 by a vote of 5-3.
PURPOSE: This will allow a unified commercial development site.
CONTINUED
A motion was made by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, and was
passed unanimously, with Chairman Sanchez and Commissioner Allen absent, to continue item
PZ 2 to the Commission Meeting currently scheduled for April 28, 2005.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: PZ.2.
Lourdes Slazyk (Assistant Director, Planning & Zoning): PZ2 we would like to ask for a
continuance till the April 28 meeting. This is a school -- the School Board street closure. We
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have not finalized what kind of public benefit they are going to be coming forward with, so we
would like another month to continue to work with them on this.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right. We need a motion --
Commissioner Winton: So moved.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez.: -- to continue.
Commissioner Winton: Move to continue.
Ms. Slazyk: April 28.
Commissioner Regalado: Second.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: We have a motion --
Commissioner Regalado: Second.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: -- and we have a second. All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez.: Motion carries.
PZ.3 04-01178 ORDINANCE Second Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS AMENDED, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF
THE MIAMI COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN BY CHANGING THE
LAND USE DESIGNATION OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT
APPROXIMATELY 3155 SOUTHWEST 22ND TERRACE, MIAMI, FLORIDA,
FROM "DUPLEX RESIDENTIAL" TO "RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL"; MAKING
FINDINGS; DIRECTING TRANSMITTALS TO AFFECTED AGENCIES;
CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
04-01178 Fact Sheet.PDF
04-01178 Analysis.PDF
04-01178 Land Use Map.pdf
04-01178 & 04-01178a Aerial Map.pdf
04-01178 PAB Resos.PDF
04-01178 Application & Supp Docs.PDF
04-01178 Legislation.PDF
04-01178 & 04-01178a Exhibit A.PDF
04-01178-submittal-petition.pdf
04-01178 & 04-01178b -City Attorney Memo.pdf
04-01178 & 04-01178a Motion to Reconsid. Memo - 2.pdf
REQUEST: To Amend Ordinance No. 10544, from "Duplex Residential"
to "Restricted Commercial" to Change the Future Land Use Designation of the
Miami Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan
LOCATION: Approximately 3155 SW 22nd Terrace
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APPLICANT(S): Edwin J. and Elizabeth Caron, Owners
APPLICANT(S) AGENT: Ines Marrero-Priegues, Esquire
FINDINGS:
PLANNING DEPARTMENT: Recommended denial.
PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD: Recommended denial to City Commission on
October 6, 2004 by a vote of 6-2. The Board also recommended to the City
Commission by a vote of 8-0 that if they were to consider a covenant with the
companion zoning request that such covenant should be accepted and should
address the following: buffers, uses, design review and landscaping. See
companion File ID 04-01178a.
PURPOSE: This will change the above property to Restricted Commercial.
Motion by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Commissioner Winton, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton and Regalado
Absent: 2 - Commissioner Sanchez and Allen
12667
Vice Chairman Gonzalez.: PZ 3.
Lourdes Slazyk (Assistant Director, Planning & Zoning): PZ 3 and 4 are companion items.
These are second reading land use and zoning change. This is the proposed Rex Art site on
Coral Way. It was originally recommended for denial. The applicant proffered a covenant.
They decided to redesign the building and not do vehicular ingress and egress off of 22nd
Terrace, so we have no objections. This is second reading.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right. This is a public hearing. Anybody in opposition or in favor
that want to speak to the item? Hearing none, seeing none, the public hearing is closed.
Commissioner Regalado: I move --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Back to the Commission.
Commissioner Regalado: -- PZ 3 for approval on second reading.
Commissioner Winton: Second.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: We have a motion and we have a second. All in favor, say "aye."
Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): No. I need --
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): It's an ordin -- It's an --
Mr. Fernandez: -- to read the --
Ms. Thompson: -- ordinance.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Oh, I'm sorry.
Mr. Fernandez.: -- ordinance.
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Commissioner Regalado: No, no. It's an ordinance.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I'm sorry. It's an ordinance. I'm sorry.
Mr. Fernandez: No problem.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Madam Clerk, roll call, please.
Ms. Thompson: Roll call.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been adopted on second reading, 3/0.
Mr. Fernandez: Mr. Chairman, it will be appropriate for you to recognize the attorney for the
applicant on both PZ.3 and --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Oh, I'm sorry.
Mr. Fernandez: -- PZ 4.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: OK, you're recognized.
Ines Marrero: Thank you very much. It's OK. My client knows I've been here since 10 o'clock
this morning. For the record, Ines Marrero, attorney with office at 701 Brickell Avenue, on
behalf of the applicants. Thank you again very much, to Commissioner Regalado, specifically
and to the Commission for their assistance in this matter. Thank you.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Thank you.
PZ.4 04-01178a ORDINANCE Second Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S
), AMENDING PAGE NO. 42, OF THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE NO.
11000, AS AMENDED, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, ARTICLE 4, SECTION 401, SCHEDULE OF DISTRICT
REGULATIONS, BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM "R-2
" TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL TO "C-1" RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL WITH
AN "SD-23" CORAL WAY SPECIAL OVERLAY DISTRICT, FOR THE
PROPERTY LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 3155 SOUTHWEST 22ND
TERRACE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN "
EXHIBIT A," CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
04-01178 & 04-01178a Exhibit A.PDF
04-01178a Fact Sheet.PDF
04-01178a Legislation.PDF
04-01178a Application & Supp Docs.PDF
04-01178a ZB Reso.PDF
04-01178a Analysis.PDF
04-01178 & 04-01178a Aerial Map.pdf
04-01178a Zoning Map.pdf
REQUEST: To Amend Ordinance No. 11000, from R-2 Two -Family Residential
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to C-1 Restricted Commercial with an SD-23 Coral Way Special Overlay District
to Change the Zoning Atlas
LOCATION: Approximately 3155 SW 22nd Terrace
APPLICANT(S): Edwin J. and Elizabeth Caron, Owners
APPLICANT(S) AGENT: Ines Marrero-Priegues, Esquire
FINDINGS:
PLANNING DEPARTMENT: Recommended denial.
ZONING BOARD: Recommended denial to City Commission on
November 8, 2004 by a vote of 5-0. See companion File ID 04-01178.
PURPOSE: This will change the above property to C-1 Restricted Commercial
with an SD-23 Coral Way Special Overlay District.
Motion by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Chairman Sanchez, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez and Regalado
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Allen
12668
Lourdes Slazyk (Assistant Director, Planning & Zoning): PZ.4 --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: PZ.4.
Ms. Slazyk: -- is the companion zoning change. It is to C-1 with the SD-23 overlay. We
recommend approval with the covenant.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: This is a public hearing. Anybody in opposition or in favor of the
item? Seeing --
Commissioner Regalado: I'll move --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: -- none, hearing none --
Chairman Sanchez: Second.
Commissioner Regalado: I'll move PZ.4.
Commissioner Winton: Third.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: We have a motion and we have a second. Counsel, anything you
want to add?
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez.: Roll call.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Roll call.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
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Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been passed -- I'm sorry, adopted on second reading, 4/0.
PZ.5 04-01440 ORDINANCE Second Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS AMENDED, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF
THE MIAMI COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN BY CHANGING THE
LAND USE DESIGNATION OF THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT
APPROXIMATELY 350, 360, 370 AND 380 NW 24TH STREET, AND 301 AND
311 NW 23RD STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, FROM "INDUSTRIAL" TO "
GENERAL COMMERCIAL;" MAKING FINDINGS; DIRECTING
TRANSMITTALS TO AFFECTED AGENCIES; CONTAINING A REPEALER
PROVISION AND A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
04-01440 Fact Sheet.PDF
04-01440 Analysis.PDF
04-01440 Land Use Map.pdf
04-01440 & 04-01440a Aerial Map.pdf
04-01440 PAB Reso.PDF
04-01440 Application & Supp Docs.PDF
04-01440 Legislation.PDF
04-01440 & 04-01440a Exhibit A.PDF
REQUEST: To Amend Ordinance No. 10544, from "Industrial" to
"General Commercial" to Change the Future Land Use Designation of the
Miami Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan
LOCATION: Approximately 350, 360, 370 and 380 NW 24th Street, and 301
and 311 NW 23rd Street
APPLICANT(S): Pompei Warehouses, LLC
APPLICANT(S) AGENT: Lucia A. Dougherty, Esquire
FINDINGS:
PLANNING DEPARTMENT: Recommended approval.
PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD: Recommended approval to City
Commission on December 1, 2004 by a vote of 6-0. See companion File ID
04-01440a.
PURPOSE: This will change the above properties to General
Commercial.
Motion by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez and Regalado
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Allen
12669
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: PZ 5.
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Chairman Sanchez: All right. PZ 5. It's an ordinance on second reading.
Lourdes Slazyk (Assistant Director, Planning & Zoning): Right. PZ 5 and 6, companion items,
recommended for approval by Planning Department, approval by the Planning Advisory Board
and approval by the Zoning Board.
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Unidentified Speaker: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) deny it.
Chairman Sanchez: Madam Counsel, applicant, state your name for the record.
Lucia Dougherty: Good afternoon. Lucia Dougherty with offices at 1221 Brickell Avenue, here
today on behalf of the owner and the applicant, and --
Commissioner Winton: So moved.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Is there any opposition to this item? Seeing none, hearing none,
is there a motion?
Commissioner Winton: So moved.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: It's moved by Commissioner Winton, second by Vice Chairman Gonzalez.
Open for discussion. Hearing none, it is an ordinance on second reading. Mr. City Attorney,
read the ordinance.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Chairman Sanchez: Madam Clerk.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Roll call.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been adopted on second reading, 4/0.
PZ.6 04-01440a ORDINANCE Second Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S
), AMENDING PAGE NO. 21, OF THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE NO.
11000, AS AMENDED, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, ARTICLE 4, SECTION 401, SCHEDULE OF DISTRICT
REGULATIONS, BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM "I"
INDUSTRIAL TO "C-2" LIBERAL COMMERCIAL WITH AN "SD-19"
DESIGNATED F.A.R. OVERLAY DISTRICT WITH AN F.A.R. OF 2.35, FOR
THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 350, 360, 370 AND 380
NORTHWEST 24TH STREET; 301 AND 311 NORTHWEST 23RD STREET,
MIAMI, FLORIDA, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN "EXHIBIT A,"
CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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04-01440 & 04-01440a Exhibit A.PDF
04-01440a Fact Sheet.PDF
04-01440a Legislation.PDF
04-01440a Application & Supp Docs.PDF
04-01440a ZB Reso.PDF
04-01440a Analysis.PDF
04-01440 & 04-01440a Aerial Map.pdf
04-01440a Zoning Map.pdf
REQUEST: To Amend Ordinance No. 11000, from I Industrial to C-2 Liberal
Commercial with an SD-19 Designated F.A.R. Overlay District with an F.A.R.
of 2.35 to Change the Zoning Atlas
LOCATION: Approximately 350, 360, 370 and 380 NW 24th Street, and 301
and 311 NW 23rd Street
APPLICANT(S): Pompei Warehouses, LLC
APPLICANT(S) AGENT: Lucia A. Dougherty, Esquire
FINDINGS:
PLANNING DEPARTMENT: Recommended approval.
ZONING BOARD: Recommended approval to City Commission on
January 10, 2005 by a vote of 7-2. See companion File ID 04-01440.
PURPOSE: This will change the above properties to C-2 Liberal Commercial
with an SD-19 Designated F.A.R. Overlay District with an F.A.R. of 2.35.
Motion by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez and Regalado
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Allen
12670
Lourdes Slazyk (Assistant Director, Planning & Zoning): PZ.6 is the companion zoning change.
Commissioner Winton: So moved.
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion and a second. Is there anyone in opposition? Seeing
none, hearing none, there's a motion and a second. Open for discussion. Hearing none, it's an
ordinance on second reading. Mr. City Attorney, read the ordinance into the record.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Madam Clerk, roll call.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Roll call.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
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Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been adopted on second reading, 4/0.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. PZ (Planning and Zoning) --
Lucia Dougherty: Thank you very much.
PZ.7 04-01441 ORDINANCE Second Reading
Planning & Zoning AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
Department ORDINANCE NO. 11000, AS AMENDED, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, BY ESTABLISHING ARTICLE 8,
BY CREATING A NEW SECTION 803, NCD-3 COCONUT GROVE
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION OVERLAY DISTRICT; IN ORDER TO
CREATE THE NCD-3 COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD
CONSERVATION OVERLAY DISTRICT; ESTABLISH PROTECTIVE
LEGISLATIVE ELEMENTS INCLUDING ZONING OVERLAYS, ZONING
REVISIONS, DESIGN GUIDELINES AND OTHER MECHANISMS PROVIDED
FOR IN ARTICLE 8 FOR COCONUT GROVE; CREATE SPECIAL DISTRICT
REQUIREMENTS; CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
04-01441 Fact Sheet.PDF
04-01441 Analysis.PDF
04-01441 PAB Reso.PDF
04-01441 Legislation.PDF
04-01441-Submittal-1. pdf
REQUEST: To Create the NCD-3 Coconut Grove Neighborhood Conservation
Overlay District
APPLICANT(S): Joe Arriola, City Manager
FINDINGS:
PLANNING DEPARTMENT: Recommended approval.
PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD: Recommended approval to City
Commission on December 1, 2004 by a vote of 7-0. See companion File ID
04-01441a.
PURPOSE: This will create the NCD-3 Coconut Grove Neighborhood Overlay
District and establish special district requirements.
NOTES: Per City Attorney's Office, remanded to First Reading.
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
12672
Direction to the Administration by Commissioner Winton to bring back a recommendation on
notice provisions for projects applying for a Class 11 Permit that are within 500 ft of a
neighborhood.
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Chairman Sanchez: OK. Before we go into PZ. 7, I must ask each and every one who will be
testing to stand up and raise your right hand and be sworn in by the City Clerk. Madam Clerk
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): I'm sorry, Chair, did I miss-- did we make the statement that
all lobbyists must be registered and making sure that they've --
Chairman Sanchez: I will make that after they're sworn in.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
The City Clerk administered oath required under City Code Section 62-1 to those persons giving
testimony on zoning issues.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you. Any person who acts as a lobbyist pursuant to the City Code
must register with the City Clerk prior to engaging in any lobbying activity before any City staff,
board, committee, or this legislative body. We also ask you very kindly that any person making
slanderous remarks, who become boisterous while addressing this Commission will be asked to
leave very respectfully. We also advise you that if you are interested in obtaining an agenda,
you could obtain one five days before the Commission meeting from the City Clerk's office. Also,
anyone that will be testifying before this legislative body must register with the City Clerk on this
issue. Having stated that, for the record, well go ahead with PZ. 7. It is my understanding that
there will be five speakers?
Tucker Gibbs: It was PZ.9.
Chairman Sanchez: I'm sorry, PZ.9. I apologize.
Lourdes Slazyk (Assistant Director, Planning & Zoning): We have to do 7 and 8 before you can
do 9, so --
Chairman Sanchez: OK, so which one do you want to do first, 7?
Ms. Slazyk: 7.
Chairman Sanchez: We'll start with 7, OK. We'll start with 7. I believe that we have six
speakers --
Mr. Gibbs: I think 7 is going to be rather easy. It's 9 that's going to be the tough nut.
Chairman Sanchez: Yeah, but we'll go through 7, 8 and 9. They'll get them out of the way, all
right.
Mr. Gibbs: No. I'm just saying that in terms of number of speakers.
Chairman Sanchez: OK, but we've agreed that you're going to have five speakers, two minutes
each, and you'll have ample time to state your case. All right.
Ms. Slazyk: Thank you. For the record, Lourdes Slazyk, Planning Department. PZ 7 and 8 are
companion items. It is a text amendment, which creates the NCD-3 overlay for Coconut Grove,
and PZ.8 is the companion atlas amendment. There is one amendment 1 do need to make on the
floor. Section 803.3.6, which is the lots and building sites subsection, this was written before we
had done all the amendments to Article 11, fixing the nonconforming lot problem that we were
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having around the City. What this -- because this was written before that, it doesn't incorporate
all the things that we already did in Article 11, so we took care of the problem in another section
of the Code, citywide, so 1'd like to remove the first paragraph from 803.3.6, lots and building
sites. We will keep --
Commissioner Allen: The entire paragraph.
Ms. Slazyk: In its entirety, right, and keep just the last sentence, which talks about demolition
permits requiring Class I permits, so the paragraph just before it, we're going to eliminate.
Other than that, this ordinance was recommended for approval by unanimous vote by the
Planning Advisory Board and passed by the City Commission first reading, February 24. It is an
ordinance that, for the most part, addresses the R-1 properties within the Coconut Grove area.
It establishes some modifications to the setbacks, tandem parking requirements, and some other
requirements that were intended to preserve the character and enhance the green spaces and
protect the canopy and the green spaces in Coconut Grove. That's the primary purpose, and it
does that through a series of amendments.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Commissioner Allen: I --
Chairman Sanchez: This is an ordinance. It requires a public hearing. Anyone from the public
wishing to address this Commission, please step forward and be recognized.
Mr. Gibbs: Yes. My name is Tucker Gibbs, law offices at 215 Grand Avenue. I just have one
question for the staff The language that was taken out you said is going to be added in PZ.11
later on today?
Ms. Slazyk: No. It's already been added to Article 11.
Mr. Gibbs: It's already been --
Ms. Slazyk: Yes. In art -- yes, we've done three amendments to Article 11 over the last year and
a half, which took care of the lot -splitting issue and how to deal with nonconforming lots.
Mr. Gibbs: Right. The issue was, for a lack of a better word, the McMansions.
Ms. Slazyk: Right, but on top of that it --
Mr. Gibbs: How does this deal with that?
Ms. Slazyk: -- when we first amended Article 11, an unintended consequence happened, in that
if somebody had a little house on four small lots and the rest of the neighborhood was small
houses, by requiring them keep those four lots together, they were going to be forced into
building a McMansion in a neighborhood where all the houses were small. We corrected that
issue in Article 11 so that -- we borrowed language from the Coral Gables code, the Commission
may remember. You adopted this at the last hearing, where we go to the properties within a
thousand foot radius, what is the majority of the house and lot size, and by Class 11, somebody
can get a waiver of that provision if they show that they are doing the same thing that's within a
thousand foot radius.
Mr. Gibbs: Is there a notice provision on that Class II permit? Because I know Class II permits,
Mr. Chairman, are design standards, as opposed to use standards, and the question I would have
to you all is, in this Class II permit process, does the neighborhood have notice and how does
that really affect it if it's only a design issue?
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Ms. Slazyk: The neighborhood does get notice. The immediately adjacent property owners get
an individual notice, and the Homeowners Associations also get a notice.
Chairman Sanchez: 500 feet.
Ms. Slazyk: And the standards do go to design because what we're looking at here is, if you're
doing a house on a nonconforming lot, we're looking at the design, the scale, and the character
in the context of that neighborhood.
Mr. Gibbs: The only question --
Ms. Slazyk: So it is absolutely a design issue.
Mr. Gibbs: The only question 1 would ask this Commission, if you would consider, just through
a motion directing staff to ask that the notice be given to neighbors within 500 feet of this,
because I think, when someone is going to build a bigger house by Class II permit, I think the
neighborhood needs to know, not just the adjoining neighbors, and make the applicant pay for
that so the City doesn't have to absorb that cost.
Ms. Slazyk: That would have to be done through a separate amendment --
Mr. Gibbs: 1 understand that. I --
Ms. Slazyk: -- because it's Article 11 --
Mr. Gibbs: That's what --
Ms. Slazyk: -- but we can look at that.
Mr. Gibbs: -- what 1 just said was ask the City Commission, by motion, to --
Commissioner Winton: And --
Mr. Gibbs: -- direct staff to do that.
Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner Winton.
Commissioner Winton: I think that's a good idea, frankly, so, Lourdes, would you bring
something back so that we can have that? I think 500 feet seems like a rational -- and we do 500
feet on a lot of other things --
Chairman Sanchez: Zoning.
Mr. Gibbs: For variances, yeah.
Ms. Slazyk: Yes, we do 500 --
Commissioner Winton: -- so I like that --
Ms. Slazyk: -- for special exceptions and --
Commissioner Winton: -- notarist [sic] provision.
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Ms. Slazyk: -- and major uses anyway, OK.
Mr. Gibbs: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: At one time, it was 250 and we went up to 500, correct?
Ms. Slazyk: Yeah, it used to be 375 and it went up to 5, yeah.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Anyone else from the public on this item? If not, the public
hearing is closed, coming back to the Commission. Is there a motion on the ordinance?
Commissioner Winton: Move PZ.7.
Commissioner Allen: I move PZ.7 with respect to the mod --
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion by Commissioner Winton, second by Commissioner Allen.
It is under discussion.
Commissioner Allen: However, I do believe, Mr. Chairman --
Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner Allen.
Commissioner Allen: -- that there is a modification that you --
Ms. Slazyk: Yeah, I just --
Commissioner Allen: -- need to put on the record, right.
Ms. Slazyk: Yes, I just read that into the record
Commissioner Allen: Pursuant to the modification.
Ms. Slazyk: Right, to make --
Chairman Sanchez: The modification has been placed in the record.
Commissioner Allen: OK.
Chairman Sanchez: Does the maker of the motion and the second agree with the modification?
Commissioner Winton: Absolutely.
Commissioner Allen: Yeah.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Any further discussion on the item? If not, Mr. City Attorney,
read the ordinance into the record.
The ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Ms. Slazyk: As amended, right.
Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): As amended --
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Commissioner Winton: As amended.
Mr. Fernandez: -- on the record.
Chairman Sanchez: Madam Clerk, roll call.
Ms. Thompson: Roll call.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been adopted, as modified, on second reading.
PZ.8 04-01441a ORDINANCE Second Reading
Planning & Zoning AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING PAGE NOS
Department . 37, 38, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, AND 48 OF THE ZONING ATLAS OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, BY ADDING THE NCD-3 COCONUT GROVE
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION OVERLAY DISTRICT TO ALL
UNDERLYING ZONING CLASSIFICATIONS IN THE AREA GENERALLY
BOUNDED BY US-1 ON THE NORTH; SOUTHWEST TWENTY-SIXTH ROAD
ON THE EAST; BISCAYNE BAY ON THE SOUTH AND THE CITY LIMITS ON
THE WEST, SEE MAP OF EXACT PROPERTIES ATTACHED HERETO AS
EXHIBIT "A" AND MADE A PART THEREOF AND COMPLETE LEGAL
DESCRIPTIONS ON FILE; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A REPEALER
PROVISION AND A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
04-01441a Exhibit A.pdf
04-01441a Fact Sheet.PDF
04-01441a Zoning Maps.pdf
04-01441a Legislation.PDF
04-01441a PAB Reso.PDF
04-01441a Analysis.PDF
04-01441a-Submittal-1.pdf
REQUEST: To Amend Ordinance No. 11000, To Add the NCD-3 Coconut
Grove Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District to All Underlying Zoning
Classifications to Change the Zoning Atlas
LOCATION: The Area Generally Bounded by US-1 on the North; SW
26th Road on the East; Biscayne Bay on the South and the City Limits on
the West
APPLICANT(S): Planning Department
FINDINGS:
PLANNING DEPARTMENT: Recommended approval.
PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD: Recommended approval to City
Commission on December 15, 2004 by a vote of 7-0. See companion File
ID 04-01441.
PURPOSE: This will change the above properties to NCD-3 Coconut Grove
Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District.
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NOTES: Per City Attorney's Office, remanded to First Reading.
Motion by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
12664
Lourdes Slazyk (Assistant Director, Planning & Zoning): PZ.8 is the companion atlas
amendment, and what 1 just wanted to put into the record is, as we were creating this ordinance,
we actually tested the ordinance in real properties in Coconut Grove, and we have a handout for
the Commissioners, and some boards here that show when we were establishing, you know, the
flexible setbacks and the other restrictions, including the tandem parking, the driveway
restrictions, we have real properties in Coconut Grove that we tested it against, and the
handouts have that information.
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Ms. Slazyk: So, what these will do is just give you a little bit of additional information as we do
the atlas overlay now. We were overlaying this on the R-1 properties, principally, and this
information in the packet shows how it's been tested and it does work. We used corner
properties, we used interior lots, we used undersized properties and oversized properties, and we
tested it in every situation.
Commissioner Winton: Lourdes, 1 think one of the issues that the public's interested in, relative
to NCD-3 also, is this whole issue on replotting lots, where developers are going down buying a
single-family house and bulldozing it and replotting that lot into two sites, and building two ugly
houses on each lot that used to be a nice house. Would you explain how this issue -- how the
NCD-3 is addressing that? Because I think they're --
Ms. Slazyk: OK.
Commissioner Winton: 1 think everybody's going to be curious about that. We didn't mention it,
but I think that it's a big part of what people are thinking about.
Ms. Slazyk: Yeah, the NCD-3 -- between the nonconforming lot ordinance, it says, first of all,
you can't replat these properties if they don't meet the minimum lot size requirements, so
somebody can't tear down one and put two in its place under a replat, unless each lot meets the
Code requirements. If the lots are substandard lots and that they're nonconforming, our new
Article 11 amendments would not let them do that; it continues to remain as one building site,
and they can only put one home where they took the one home down. The other thing NCD-3
does is it doesn't allow people to do the cookie -cutter homes next to each other, where they
basically take one house design and put four or five of them in a row. This requires that houses
be substantially differentiated from one another when in the same block and subdivision, so there
are requirements in here that you can't do cookie -cutter homes; the garages now have to be set
back from the front setback, so the garage does not become the predominant feature of the home,
and we actually tested this on real properties in Coconut Grove. We have parcels north and
south Grove where it's been tested.
Commissioner Winton: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. This is an ordinance on second reading. Anyone from the public
wishing to address this Commission, please step forward and be recognized. Seeing none and
hearing none, the public hearing is closed, coming back to the Commission. We need a motion.
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Commissioner Winton: Move PZ8.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion --
Commissioner Regalado: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: -- Commissioner Winton, second by Commissioner Regalado. It is open for
discussion. Hearing none, Mr. City Attorney, read the ordinance on second reading into the
record.
The ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Chairman Sanchez: Madam Clerk.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Roll call.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been adopted, 5/0, on second reading.
PZ.9 05-00221 ORDINANCE Second Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. 11000, AS AMENDED, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, BY AMENDING ARTICLE 8, SECTION 803, NCD-3
COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION OVERLAY
DISTRICT; IN ORDER TO MODIFY SUB -SECTION 803.6 TO ADD
PROVISIONS AND LIMITATIONS TO ESTABLISH MAXIMUM RETAIL
SQUARE FOOTAGE; CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE
DATE.
05-00221 PAB Reso.PDF
05-00221 SR Fact Sheet.pdf
05-00221 SR Legislation.PDF
REQUEST: To Amend Ordinance No. 11000 Text
APPLICANT(S): Joe Arriola, City Manager
FINDINGS:
PLANNING DEPARTMENT: Recommended approval.
PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD: Recommended approval with conditions*
on March 16, 2005 by a vote of 5-2.
PURPOSE: This will add provisions for maximum retail square footage in
the NCD-3 Coconut Grove Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District.
Motion by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Commissioner Allen, that this matter be
PASSED ON FIRST READING WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez and Allen
Noes: 1 - Commissioner Regalado
Chairman Sanchez: All right. PZ.9, it's an ordinance on first reading.
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Lourdes Slazyk (Assistant Director, Planning & Zoning): PZ.9 is an ordinance amending the
NCD-3 that you just adopted, in order to add provisions and limitations to establish maximum
retail square footage within the NCD-3 area. NCD-3 is an overlay that sits on top of underlying
commercial, as well as residential properties. Within NCD-3 there are three commercial zoning
designations that are affected by this amendment. First is the N -- SD-2, which is the Center
Grove. That's where you have your Mayfair and Cocowalk. It's the Center Grove. Then there's
SD-13, which is your 27th Avenue commercial district, and C-1, which covers the rest of the
commercially zoned properties in the Grove. This ordinance, the way it was presented to PAB (
Planning Advisory Board), it sets up a maximum square footage of 70,000 square feet in total
floor area for retail and related services with the C-1 properties, and 20,000 as a maximum for
the SD-2 and SD-13 properties. The intent of the section is to preserve the neighborhood retail
character of these commercially zoned areas. Most of the commercially zoned areas within
Coconut Grove abut much lower density residential districts. Coconut Grove is -- it's a district
that is primarily made up of smaller retail establishments, and through the NCD-3 in conserving
the character of Coconut Grove, these maximums are being established so that individual
establishments don't exceed the character of what is -- the Coconut Grove retail has been made
up of If you have any questions, I -- oh, the PAB made a mod -- and requested a modification to
this. The PAB recommended approval with a condition -- I'm sorry. I just kept hearing a phone
-- recommended approval with the condition that 55,000 square feet be set up as the maximum
by right, and that you can only get up to the 70,000 square feet, recommended by the Planning
Department, by Class II Special Permit, so they kept the same square footages that we had
recommended; they're just adding a Class II Special Permit for anything over 55,000 square feet
. There was a lot of discussion at the Planning Advisory Board, and what it came down to is the
Class II Special Permit is a design review permit, and the bigger these stores get, the more blank
walls there tend to be, the more there is a design impact, and they believe that the Class II
Special Permit was a way to deal with the -- between 55,000 and 70,000 in that there would be
design review. Under 55 in C-1 would be allowed by right.
Chairman Sanchez: As amended.
Ms. Slazyk: As amended, so what you have before you is the -- basically, two options: You have
the Planning Department's initial ordinance, which was 20,000, 70,000, and the PAB option,
which introduces a Class II Special Permit for retail establishments between 55,000 and 70,000.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Counsel, how much time are you going to need?
Jeffrey Bercow: Mr. Chair, my name is Jeff Bercow. I'm representing Home Depot. Our
interests were substantially affected here. My client couldn't get an earlier flight out of Atlanta.
He's just arrived at the airport; should be here within a half-hour. If there's any way that you
could table this matter until he gets here, 1 would appreciate it. It shouldn't be any more than a
half-hour.
Commissioner Allen: Mr. Chair --
Commissioner Winton: My view, I think that Home Depot is adequately represented here. I
know that Jeff can represent their interests quite well, and I don't think it would be appropriate
to wait for them to get here with everybody here, even though -- and I thought this was going to
be in the afternoon. I didn't know it was going to be in the morning, but --
Chairman Sanchez: Counsel, you may --
Commissioner Winton: -- just about everything anybody's talked about has been talked about, so
Idon't--you know --
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Chairman Sanchez: Counsel, you may proceed.
Commissioner Winton: I don't think they're going to add anything, Jeff, that you can't add
already.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Let's go.
Mr. Gibbs: OK.
Commissioner Winton: May -- might be a half an hour before we get done.
Mr. Gibbs: You're probably correct, at least. Good morning. My name is Tucker Gibbs, 215
Grand Avenue. I represent the One Grove Alliance. 1 wanted to ask the Chair if I could reserve
a minute at the end to respond to any questions that the opponents might have? So I'd like to do
that.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Mr. Gibbs: Thank you.
Mr. Bercow: You know, honestly, Mr. Chair, this isn't a quasi -legislative matter -- quasi-judicial
matter; this is a legislative matter. He has no right to a rebuttal. Any right that you give him is
at your discretion.
Chairman Sanchez: Mr. City Attorney.
Mr. Gibbs: Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: Whoa. Mr. City Attorney.
Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): It is purely a legislative matter in front of you. In
legislative matters, it is the discretion of the Commission how you apportion speakers' time.
There is no application pending. There is no entitlement. There is no cross-examination. There
is no rebuttal. Mr. Bercow is correct.
Mr. Gibbs: And, Mr. Chairman, I only ask that, as I was told, I would have five minutes and I
was asking to reserve one of those five minutes for a response, because if Mr. Bercow or
anybody else who's against this ordinance makes statements, I think that the people who are
proponents should at least be able to respond to those.
Chairman Sanchez: Well, counsel --
Mr. Gibbs: That's -- one minute is all I'm asking.
Chairman Sanchez: -- I think our attorney has made it very clear.
Mr. Gibbs: It's your discretion, that's correct, so it's your discretion, so are you going to allow
me that minute?
Chairman Sanchez: 1 would allow you that minute.
Commissioner Allen: Yeah.
Mr. Gibbs: Thank you very much, OK, and because I have four minutes, I'm going to try go get
through this relatively quickly. I'd like to urge you to pass this on first reading for three reasons:
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It implements your comprehensive plan, it implements the intent of the NCD (Neighborhood
Conservation District) ordinance, the enabling ordinance, and the people of the community are
asking for this. This ordinance is not a cure-all. It seeks to limit the size of retail
establishments; that's all it does, and the NCD-3 that you just passed was created in part to help
preserve and protect what Coconut Grove is; a little community with quiet streets, residential
character, lush landscaping, trees, interesting architecture, and small-scale retailing. The NCD
enabling ordinance states that its purpose is to provide and to preserve neighborhood character
and promote compatible development. This ordinance seeks to do just that by giving a tool to
the City to limit retail use and to allow small retail, which is within character of Coconut Grove.
This ordinance does not seek to exclude or include one retailer; it seeks to limit the type of
retailer that does business in Coconut Grove, the size of the retailer that does business in
Coconut Grove. Remember, this deals with SD-12 -- I mean, SD -- excuse me, SD-2 and SD-13.
It provides a 20,000 square foot retail limitation there and a 70,000 retail square footage
limitation in C-1. Why now? Why this ordinance? All you have to do is look at Kendall; large -
box retail, big -box retail mushrooming over very large parking lots, like big scars on the land.
You can see it even here in the City of Miami; just look at 8th Street. Big -box retail is not
compatible with neighborhood retail in Coconut Grove. Large-scale retailing in Coconut Grove
has been singularly unsuccessfully. Look at Kmart. Kmart failed in Coconut Grove. Look at
Burdines. Burdines failed in Coconut Grove. The big -box retailers are saying, "bigger will
work." Residents don't want bigger. Why? Bigger means more traffic in already -congested and
gridlocked streets, and 1 just -- those Commissioners who drive down 27th Avenue, you tell me
about gridlock at 27th and Dixie, 32nd and Dixie, Bird and Dixie; too much noise, too much
traffic, too much impact on adjacent land. Big -box planners say big -box is permitted in C-1.
Let's look at 8th Street again. All I'm going to say is look at 8th Street. There's a big box in C-1.
You ask the neighbors on 8th Street what they think about that and how they live with that. Big -
box attorneys say you can't downzone because state law allows a claim by a property owner for
diminution of value, and we propose an ordinance that seeks only to limit the size of retail
establishments to the largest existing retail that ever existed in Coconut Grove, which is 70,000
square feet. We're not asking you to reduce any existing retail size and we're not asking you to
limit the permitted uses. When you look at this ordinance and when you vote on this, look at
your staff recommendation. Your staff has said, "Vote yes." We'd like you to keep neighborhood
retail in the Grove and keep regional, heavy use, large scale warehouse big boxes away from
residential uses, while permitting that property owner to lease its property for their permitted
uses. We urge you to pass this on first reading and send it on to second reading. Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
(Applause)
Chairman Sanchez: No, no, no, no, no. You could only do that at the Heat games. All right.
Counsel, with the other -- would you like to bring your --
Mr. Gibbs: We have -- I'm sorry. We do have five other speakers who would like to speak after
me.
Chairman Sanchez: Have they all --
Mr. Gibbs: I apologize.
Chairman Sanchez: -- been sworn in?
Mr. Gibbs: Yes, everyone's --
Chairman Sanchez: Have they all checked in --
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Mr. Gibbs: -- been sworn in.
Chairman Sanchez: -- with the City Clerk?
Mr. Gibbs: Everyone's been signed in.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Listen, we're going to afford you two minutes, OK, please. Sir,
please state your name and address for the record.
Mark Alvarez: Mark Alvarez, 625 Northeast 50th Terrace, Miami, Florida. I'm a professional
planner, AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners). Have been a planner for 15 years.
Two -minute version. What we're here for is -- again, I'm going to restate, this is a legislative
matter. This affects -- I know a lot has revolved around the issue of Home Depot, but this affects
--1 had a presentation to show all this, but there are three C-I sites with four individual
properties. There are 14 SD-2 sites that are affected, which contain 110 individual properties.
These are properties where they could be assembled, and a big box above these limits couldn't
exist, and it affects 8 SD-13 sites that have 41 individual properties. Altogether, there are 155
individual properties that are affected, and I bring this up because, again, this is very much a
legislative matter and it is not about one particular retailer and one particular site. Why do we
want to not have big boxes in Coconut Grove? Well, there are six reasons. The first, and as
Tucker mentioned, it doesn't reduce property rights. I won't go any further with that. It supports
the City's Comprehensive Plan. It supports Goal LUI.1.3, which is about reducing the
encroachment and adverse impacts on neighborhoods from incompatible uses. It supports Goal
1.1.7, which is about providing adequate neighborhood shopping. It never -- there is no goal --
there is no policy, I'm sorry, in the Comprehensive Plan about reasonable shopping. There is a
policy about providing neighborhood shopping. Both Goals 1.1.3 and 1.1.7 are amplified in the
evaluation and appraisal report, and both have been recommended to the further strengthened
with additional controls and additional things for buffers in transition zones. It also supports
goal from Housing 1.1.7, which is restriction -- encourages restrictions in the land development
regulations for large-scale or intensive commercial development -- is that my time? -- near
housing. I'll skip through these, unfortunately.
Chairman Sanchez: Why don't you just put them on the record?
Mr. Alvarez: OK.
Chairman Sanchez: Just read them. You have six.
Mr. Alvarez: Real quickly. It implements the NCD. 1 know Tucker covered that. It protects the
community from incompatible uses. You'll hear about that again. I'll just cover one very
quickly, that it does reduce traffic. I compared, from the ITE (Institute of Transportation
Engineers) Trip Generation Manual, from the 7th Edition, all of the uses that have -- that are
basically big box uses; free-standing discount stores, discount supermarkets, discount clubs,
home improvements, super stores, electronic super stores, toy super stores, baby super stores,
pet super stores -- pet supply super stores, office supply super stores, book supply super stores or
book super stores; they're all in there, and when you look at the trip generation on average for
those, the daily trip generation comes out to 58.59 per thousand square feet of store, and the
PMP, about 6 per thousand square feet of store. There are two uses in that manual. One is for
shopping centers and the other is for specialty retail centers, which would be essentially the
replacement that was -- would not be big box, a collection of small stores. Those average out to
43.63 on a weekday, and 3.32 -- I'm sorry, 3.23 for the PMP. That's 27 percent less for the same
square footage on an average weekday and 45 percent less on the PMP, and my time's up,
correct?
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Thank you so much.
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Mr. Alvarez: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Next speaker, please. Good morning, sir. Please state your name
for the record and address.
David Collins.: Good morning, Commissioner. David Collins, 3230 Gifford Lane, owner of a
store in Coconut Grove. The size of my store is 1,210 square feet. I'm also the president of the
Grove Merchants Group. I'm honored to address this Commission at what 1 view as Coconut
Grove's finest moment. 1 am honored to speak on behalf of our Commissioners' enlightened
proposal that we limit size of stores to 70,000 square feet. If I may speak from the heart, there
are 243 businesses currently in the commercial core of Coconut Grove. We exist because
Coconut Grove has been a whimsical and impulsive place to go and have fun, to fall in love, to
enjoy yourself to shop, to eat. I know that we've been asked not to overwhelmingly talk about
traffic. On the other hand, if we build a barrier larger than 70,000 square feet near US 1, it will
force traffic onto our only two or three other ways into the Grove. The Grove will no longer be a
whimsical place, no longer an impulsive place. Every organization in Coconut Grove has asked
you to support this limitation. Every -- not every business. I know of two businesses that haven't
asked for this, but I walk and I work with these people everyday. This is what Coconut Grove
wants. It's the recommendation of the Planning Department. I urge you, do not break the heart
of Coconut Grove. Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you, sir, with 22 seconds to spare.
Mr. Collins: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you. We'll just roll it over. It's like the cell phones now; we'll roll
over the minutes.
Andy Parrish: OK, great. That's terrific. Hello, my name is Anthony Parrish, Andy Parrish. I
live at 1617 Tigertail Avenue, in Coconut Grove. To honorable Commissioners and Mr. City
Manager, thank you for letting us speak on this issue. How did we ever get to this point? We
have a standing -room -only crowd begging you to do the right thing, and we have a big -box
retailer telling you that the City's zoning code allows you no choice but to do the wrong thing
because they have a right to be in the C-1 zoning district. I'm not a zoning expert. I can read
and I read this ordinance myself, so how did we get to this really terrible position, to put you in
as well? It's because of a zoning code that is ambiguous, long-winded, confusing, contradictory,
and it's misleading, and the last word, "misleading," is the key one because if you follow what
the big box people are telling you, that they have a right, a right to be in the C-1 restricted
commercial zoning district, then you will have indeed been mislead to a place that I don't think
any of you would have gone to but for that, so the truth of the matter is that we have a C-1
zoning ordinance that specifically and by name allows tea rooms, cafes, hobby supplies, toys,
book stores, music stores, florists, delicatessens, ice cream stores, gift shops, and art stores. The
-- but also allows hardware stores and stores selling home furnishings and appliances. These
are the types of uses that people think of when they think of restricted commercial, and that's the
title of the C-1 section; they don't think of big box users adjacent to residential neighborhoods.
The problem is that the C-1 then goes on to list dozens, if not hundreds, of more intensive uses, if
you count the conditional and accessory uses allowed by special permit or special exception.
The big box would say that the C-1 language doesn't specifically preclude them from being there,
and so, therefore, they can be in a C-I zoning district, but there is another zoning category and
that is the C-2 liberal commercial district. A big box can go in a C-2 without having to get any
special permit or any special considerations. A fair-minded person can't reconcile the language
of the C-1 and the C-2 with the intent, the intent stated in those sections, so even if a big box was
allowed before in a C-1 district of the City, it doesn't make it right now to allow them in another
one if they weren't allowed there in the first place because two wrongs do not make a right, so to
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wrap up, at the very least, at the very least, you can enact this provision in the law, restricting
big boxes to 70,000 square feet in order to protect the residential neighborhoods, but even more
important, you can speak the truth that, taken as a whole -- after you, yourselves, have read the
ordinances -- taken as a whole, the whole intent of the zoning code is to require that big boxes
belong in the C-2 liberal zoning areas and not in the C-1. Do what is right and protect the
residential neighborhoods, and if you do, if you say -- if you require the big boxes to go in the C-
2, this will be heard throughout the state of Florida, and that's what we're asking you to do.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you.
Mr. Parrish: Thank you very much.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you so much, sir. Next speaker.
Mel Meinhardt: Good morning, Commissioner. Thank you very much for letting me speak here
this morning. I'm here to speak about -- my name is Mel Meinhardt.
Chairman Sanchez: I'm sorry, sir. You need to just state your name and address for the record.
Mr. Meinhardt: Mel Meinhardt, 3075 Virginia Street. I'm here to speak about the neighbors
that we spoke about. The big question here is, what is a neighbor? Well, since somebody
recorded that question back about 2000 years ago in Jerusalem, we've been trying to figure out
the answer since, but neighbors care about each other. Before you here are the signatures of 10,
615 people, all collected in Coconut Grove, that have come out in opposing big -box development
in Coconut Grove. If I were to read them, or anyone were to read them, just a -- I'm an engineer
. I want to know what a number means. I did some calculations. One second per signature, we
would be here for two hours and 55 minutes. If we took each signature and lined it up end -to -
end, the signatures would extend for one-third of a mile. If we took the people outside the room,
that everybody who signed here, and stood them shoulder -to -shoulder, it would extend 3.99
miles, enough to go from here up to Calle Ocho. That's this. We've also then allowed the
opportunity for civic organizations and business groups to examine this issue, and each one has
done so carefully. Fifty-one organizations have come out in opposition to big box here. I won't
read all their names, but they include the Village West, Coconut Grove Village Council, Ransom
Everglades, Belle Meade, Miami Shenandoah and Morningside Civic Associations, among many
others. Today you see before you hundreds of people. We've counted 312 people came out
specifically on their workday to hear this presentation; 47 of them are still in the lobby waiting
to gain access, and other people have been turned away. The question is, what's a neighbor,
who's a neighbor, and how can we live together as neighbors? And we thank you very much for
considering this amendment, and we hope you'll pass it. Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you, sir.
Sue McConnell: Sue McConnell, 3090 Virginia Street --
Chairman Sanchez: Good morning, ma'am.
Ms. McConnell: -- Coconut Grove. Thank you. When Igo to the polls to vote, I vote for people
that I think could best represent me and my community, and I think if this were an issue that
could qualify to get on the ballot, that you would see a record number of voter turnout, and that
it would be an issue that we would win by a landslide. I only regret that it can't get on the ballot,
but I ask you, please represent the people that elected you. Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Ms. McConnell: And I'd like to give a minute to Sue Billig, if I could?
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Chairman Sanchez: One minute and 32 seconds.
Susan Billig: Thank you. Thank you for -- my name is Susan Billig, 3595 Avocado Avenue, and
I know and love you all, and that's --1 don't want you to listen to what's in the newspapers
because the newspapers are going to write whatever they feel, and our Commissioners are going
to think about everything we've said and talk to us from their hearts. I know Johnny has always
done that, and if you remember, we used to have a Commissioner that had a very heavy hand.
We haven't had it this last Commission. All of you have been marvelous, and we are begging you
to listen to what everybody said. Obviously, I had something all written here, but 1 can't read; I
have the wrong glasses. I just -- I'm begging you not to take what little we have left of the Grove.
I had a shop here. I have a son who works here. I have a daughter who lived here. We had a
shop on Commodore Plaza, which was wonderful. We had that whole small store vitality that
was going on in the Grove, and if we allow Home Depot to go in, any other big store is going to
say, "Well, they did it. Why can't we do it?" Well, we have to close that door forever, and I'm
begging you, Johnny, because I love you and I know you a long time.
Chairman Sanchez: Is that in the form of a question?
Ms. Billig: No, that's -- I don't know if he's single or not now --
Chairman Sanchez: Because if it is, it has to go through me.
Ms. Billig: -- but I am.
Commissioner Winton: Sue, the media is watching this.
Ms. Billig: Thank you, God. Anyway --
Chairman Sanchez: You're both out of order.
Ms. Billig: -- I'm begging our Commissioners to continue as they always had in the past, to think
about all of us, and we voted for you and we want you, and we now have a stable Commission
who thinks about Coconut Grove as a separate entity, as a village. Let's keep it a village. Thank
you.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you. All right. Is that it?
Norma Post: No, one more.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Ms. Post: I'm Norma Post. I've lived at 2061 Tigertail Avenue for 47 years. I've been before
every Commission, every Mayor, every planning board for one reason. This is not just Home
Depot. This is the fate of the Grove. You have, in the City of Miami, the Hope Diamond.
Nobody destroys a diamond so that they can have many pieces of something. People come here
on weekends. I work in real estate. They come just to drive through the area because it's a
natural, beautiful area; that there isn't anything like it. When you destroy the Grove, you've
destroyed everything, and people do not drive down 8th Street to take a look at the beautiful
Home Depot and the slummy -looking signs of every sign -- every size and color. 1 don't know if
we have a sign ordinance, so don't destroy the -- this Hope Diamond; appreciate it. I've been
telling you for years, and all of us in the Grove have been telling you to appreciate what you
have, and any kind of change in zoning, in creating a monstrosity where you're going to have
trash everywhere, so please pay attention. This is an important moment in history for the City of
Miami. Everybody knows Coconut Grove, from New York to California. Miami, that's another
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New York City. Coconut Grove.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you, ma'am. Counsel, counsel, that's it? OK. Sir, counsel on the
other side. Did they arrive?
Mr. Bercow: Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Mr. Bercow: Mr. Workman is here. Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. You could proceed with your presentation.
Mr. Bercow: You can just give us a minute to set up, please.
Chairman Sanchez: Absolutely.
Mr. Bercow: Thank you, Mr. Chair, Commissioners. My name is Jeffrey Bercow. I'm an
attorney with the law firm of Bercow and Radell, 200 South Biscayne Boulevard. Our team is
here. Mr. Workman has arrived. He's the Florida real estate manager for Home Depot. We
have our local architect, Max Strang, our planner Jack Luft, our transportation engineer,
Miranda Blogg, and my partner Ben Fernandez, who's passing out some photographs of the site
to you right now. We're here today representing Home Depot, but the ordinance is the issue, and
this ordinance is clearly an attempt to stop Home Depot, as the T-shirts and the petitions clearly
indicate. To give you a little bit of background about our site so you can understand the impact
of this ordinance, we're showing you an aerial photograph of this property, which, of course, is
located on South Dixie Highway, South Dixie Highway and 32nd Avenue. The site's a little bit
over eight acres net, and since the PAB hearing, I have confirmed that it's also a little bit under
10 and a half acres gross, which means that, today, under the C-1 zoning, with or without this
ordinance, this property is zoned for almost 785,000 square feet of commercial space, or a 1570
-- a 1,570-unit high-rise building. The photographs that we've given you show the commercial
character of the site and the area. It shows the impact of US 1, and it shows the current impact
of the stores on the site, with their loading in the rear; the impact on the homes on Bridgeport
Avenue. Now, let's talk a little bit about the neighborhood conservation district, NCDs. They're
codified in your code at Section 800 of the zoning ordinance. NCDs are supposed to be a
protective element that sets forth criteria to preserve neighborhood character and promote
compatible new development. The intent behind these districts is that your staff and you are
going to engage in extensive fact finding, receive neighborhood input, have public workshops
and public hearings in order to determine the neighborhood character, and then implement
regulations for the site. The NCD-3 district itself the original district that you just approved a
few minutes ago, followed this process. Lourdes Slazyk testified at the PAB hearing that the
department, in fact, hired a consultant to do extensive fact-finding and draft regulations, and
when she was asked by a PAB member how long the process took, she said years. Well, what do
we have with this amendment? There's no process, there's no fact-finding, there's no
neighborhood input, and there's no public workshops. You just have Tucker Gibbs showing up
at a City Commission meeting barely a month ago and asking the City Commission to amend
NCD-3 to limit retail uses to 70,000 square feet per tenant. There's no process here which shows
that you've got an arbitrary and capricious ordinance. Furthermore, there's no nexus, there's no
connection between the goals of this ordinance and what the ordinance does. For example, the
intent of the NCD-3 district is to preserve the historic heavily landscape character of Coconut
Grove's residential areas. I ask you, how does a 70,000 square foot limitation on a retail tenant
preserve landscaping in the residential areas? The intent of the amendment is to preserve the
neighborhood retail character of the commercially zoned areas within NCD-3, and also to
protect the architectural variety and quality of architecture within the commercial districts in the
NCD-3. Unfortunately, your staff has done no fact finding on this issue, and Jack Luft is going
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to show you that, with few exceptions, there is very little neighborhood retail character, or
architectural quality in the C-1 districts in NCD-3. He's going to show you also that the 70,000
square foot limitation, practically, only applies to this site, and that this ordinance is clearly an
attempt to keep Home Depot out of Coconut Grove. Therefore, it's arbitrary and capricious, and
we've prepared a memo to the City Attorney on this issue, and given a copy to Mr. Gibbs a few
minutes ago. It's arbitrary and capricious because these regulations will do nothing to further
the alleged intent of this ordinance. We also believe that it's reversed spot zoning, which occurs
when a local government singles out one or more sites for adverse treatment in a zoning
ordinance. Commissioners, I know your staff is going to say, "No, no, no. There's other parcels
that this ordinance applies to," but you know and I know and Coconut Grove knows that this
ordinance was prepared by Tucker Gibbs, who is hired by the Grove First to defeat Home Depot.
It's on their website and it's certainly no secret, so at this point, I'd like to introduce Kevin
Workman, the Florida real estate manager for Home Depot.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you. Before we do that, could you please turn off your cell phones,
please? Well, I've heard some go off. You know, it's my fault. I'm not going to point at anybody.
All right, sir, welcome to the City of Miami.
Kevin Workman: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: Are you staying here for a couple of days?
Mr. Workman: I am, actually.
Chairman Sanchez: Good. In the City of Miami?
Mr. Workman: To and from, from here to Palm Beach. 1 cover all the south.
Chairman Sanchez: Oh, but you're not staying here at our local hotels?
Mr. Workman: Would you stay here with these people? No, I'm just kidding. They want --
Chairman Sanchez: I'm just trying to get --
Mr. Workman: -- me lynched here.
Chairman Sanchez: -- you to stay here in the City of Miami.
Mr. Workman: And I'm scared.
Chairman Sanchez: Good morning.
Mr. Workman: No.
Chairman Sanchez: Please state your name for the record.
Mr. Workman: Kevin Workman with Home Depot. I'm the south real estate manager, so --
Commissioner Allen: What's your last name again?
Mr. Workman: Kevin Workman. I think, as everybody knows at this point, we took over this site
-- took control of this site last fall, the Kmart. We started our original plans and we just planned
to do an original Home Depot, the standard box that we always do. Obviously, we started to see
all the opposition and everybody's negative concerns, and we started to listen. We actually
shelved the plans and we went back to management and said, you know, what are our
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opportunities here? Because we have done some really exciting stores recently. We've done the
Manhattan stores, two Manhattan stores, the Chicago store and the Vancouver store, so we were
very excited about that. We actually got the management to agree to that, and we stopped and
hired Max Strand to really start working on a new concept store. Obviously, because it is a new
concept, it's taking us a long time so we haven't been able to move as quickly as we would like to
or anybody would like us to, but it -- we're very close and I think we're going to have those plans
ready so we could actually debut those in the next two weeks, so putting all that together, we also
understand 8th Street was a mess. It's an anomaly. The store is very busy. It's one of our
busiest stores, so we've gone back, and we had our team go down there, reevaluate the store.
We've done a complete renovation, plan package that we just submitted to the City, which is in
for permitting right now.
Commissioner Regalado: Excuse me.
Mr. Workman: Uh-huh.
Commissioner Regalado: 1 would beg you or urge you not to speak about Southwest 8th Street.
That's the area that I represent, because then --
Mr. Workman: OK.
Commissioner Regalado: -- if you talk about your plan for Southwest 8th Street, Home Depot, I
have to talk about the situation of West Little Havana with Home Depot, and the things I'm going
to say, you won't like, so --
Mr. Workman: 1 understand. I totally understand. We've heard you and we're trying to make
those changes, so basically, working with Max, we came up with some new solutions, not only to
come up with an upgraded store that's very exciting and more of a urban concept, but it actually
addresses a lot of the concerns of the neighborhood, keeping the grocery, reworking the traffic
so that the trucks are limited to US 1, and it's really exciting plan. What I've seen us come up
with so far is a very exciting plan. I'm really excited about it, so I hope we have the opportunity
to continue with that, and I guess that's probably it for right now, so --
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Mr. Workman: -- if you have any other questions, 1'll be pleased to answer them.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you. Who's your next speaker?
Mr. Bercow: Max Strang.
Chairman Sanchez: Unless -- well, I would encourage the Commission to wait till the end to ask
questions, and that way you could always bring somebody back for that question, so we could
get the presentation done. Sir, please state your name for the record and your address.
Max Strang: Yes, good morning. I'm Max Strang, 4080 Douglas Road. I'm somewhat of a man
in the middle here. 1 come as a Grove resident. I come as the architect for Home Depot, and 1
also come as a former member of the City of Miami Planning Advisory Board. Kevin touched on
a lot of the issues of this new concept that Home Depot is embracing for this store because it is
such a unique location, as we've seen. I would not have stepped foot into a meeting with Home
Depot and continued if this was going to be another orange and tan box. This new design is as
far from the orange and tan box as you can get. We're looking for Coconut Grove for
inspiration for the style of this store. It's, you know, I would say, best described as more of a Key
West theme, modernist kind of look. It's -- it will be a -- probably one of the most sophisticated
stores Home Depot has ever built. We've been listening to all the issues of loading and traffic.
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We've had them turn around the entire site plan to keep all of the trucks and their loading berths
on South Dixie Highway, but right now those two berths from Kmarts [sic] are right on Bird
Road, right across from condos. We've also tried to make it as easy as possible for vehicular
traffic, for customers to exit and enter from US 1. The grocery store component. We're not just
trying to do a little boutique store here. We are trying to keep or, actually, enlarge the square
footage of the existing grocery store and use a grocery store as part of this new concept plan, so
we will have mixed retail, and nobody's mentioned really trees and parks that much, but one
component of our new concept plan is to actually give something back to the neighborhood, and
introduce a small pocket park on Bird Road, so to me, this overlay district -- or the amendment
here is one of those cases of the best intentions make the worst laws, and I think that's what we're
looking at. Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you, sir. Jack.
Jack Lufi: I'm kind of like Max; I'm in the middle.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a lot of people in the middle.
Mr. Luft: Yes, sir. My name is Jack Luft, 1717 Windward Way, Sanibel Island, Florida. My
condition for getting involved was that this was going to result in quality architecture and it was
going to preserve neighborhood services for this community, which is, in my judgment, the real
issue. This the only place that major neighborhood services can be built in the Grove. You're
not going to get a grocery store in the downtown or on 27th Avenue. This ordinance presumes,
under the police power of government, to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. When
you make that presumption, you must establish, in fact, what it is you're protecting. You simply
can't say that I'm protecting a character and architectural quality; you have to demonstrate it.
There has been no such demonstration, as Mr. Bercow has said. In fact, if you want to take a
look at the C-1 districts in the Grove, let's start at 27th Avenue with Crook & Crook Bait Supply,
a lemon yellow store with ice machines out front. Next to that a billboard, and next to that a
resume place with 17 signs on the front of it. Next to that, the Superstar Video, and the (
UNINTELLIGIBLE) painted yellow strip mall that it's a part of, across the street is a mini mart
with a Stolichnaya vodka sign on it, and rounding out the C-1 district on 27th Avenue is the
Burger King with a false mansard roof and a fake brick front That is your architectural quality
at the entrance to the Grove. You move on down, we come to this site. This is what we have.
This is the existing shopping plaza. It would be charitable to say that this lacks any architectural
distinction. The best thing I can say about it is it's not painted lemon yellow. There is no
integrity, no sight character; nothing to preserve on this site. Trees we can preserve. Next to
that is Taco Bell, and across the street, as you can plainly see, the cherry red rooftopped [sic]
McDonalds, and that is the C-1 character of 32nd Avenue. If you move on down to Bird Road,
you all well know, we come to Bubba's Carwash and the Mobil gas station, and across the street,
the oil change place with a giant tin fellow on the front of it, and that is the character of that
particular intersection, and we finally end up, after we pass Wendy's and the auto supply store
on US 1, also in the C-I zone, we come to 37th Avenue, where the only commercial properties
are the Citgo gas station and a redone, full big box that is now the Home -- the social service
center for the County, which is wrapped in a six-foot chain link fence. Now, that's what this
particular ordinance is striving to protect. Of course, I can understand why they didn't want to
document that because to do so would have been embarrassing, to try to make the connection
between what you're protecting and the public interest. The second problem with this ordinance
is there are no design standards or guidelines about what might replace this. They presume to
protect the interest of the Grove, but in fact, there isn't one shred of a guideline or a standard to
work with. What this ordinance is a partition wall ordinance. It basically says, for this project
here, the Kmart commercial project, the only thing you have to do is preserve the partition wall
between Kmart and Payless Shoes, that's it. If you do that, everything's just fine. That project
can remain exactly as it is, architecture just the same, the loading docks in the back next to the
residential can remain; nothing changes. We all know what the circulation of patterns for trucks
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for this has been for years. They come down Dixie Highway, they turn on Bridge Port, they go to
Bird Avenue and they come in the back end; they offload and then they come back out onto Dixie
Highway. They go through the neighborhood and nothing in this district will change that. You
could, however, in this district, remove the petition wall between Payless Shoes and Walgreens
and between Walgreens and Milam's, and all those uses could disappear. This would make an
excellent site for a Sports Authority, or a Pep Boys Auto store or a TJMax. Mr. Alvarez just
listed a whole bunch of major big -box retailers that I would point out that clearly half of that list
are under 70,000; the big book stores, the major discount clothing stores. There are a multitude
of possibilities that would go in here, if you didn't want to go through the trouble of redeveloping
. Very easy, but the key is, nothing in the NCD-3 district preserves neighborhood services for
this site and for this community, absolutely nothing. It's all a partition wall ordinance, and it's
all about, presumably, protecting neighborhood character. Obviously, if you leave a loading
dock that circulates through the neighborhood and you do nothing to change that, are you
protecting the neighborhood? Of course not. Let's be honest about this. This district is a
contrived, flawed ordinance that was literally crafted overnight. It has no relationship to what it
says it's going to do. It's not documented and it has no design standards. The 70,000-foot limit
is not relevant to preserving neighborhood retail. You would be told that's a regional store. The
difference is, regional stores in the suburbs serve a population of five units, per acre. Look
what's happening in Brickell. Looks what's happening to downtown. Tens of thousands of new
residential units are coming in, and in dense urban areas, the service limit is now, according to
the Urban Land Institute, three to four miles for this kind of store. Thank you very much.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you, sir. Counsel.
Mr. Bercow: Our next speaker is Miranda Blogg, our transportation engineer. She should be
very brief and then Ben Fernandez will wrap up.
Miranda Blogg: Hello. Again, my name is Miranda Blogg. I'm with Kittelson and Associates
from 110 East Broward Boulevard, in Fort Lauderdale. We did a preliminary transportation
trip generation study for Home Depot, and found that comparing the existing site uses, which
would include Kmart with a home improvement super store, which is the classification for trip
generation, that it produces less trips than the existing, including Kmart, and comment to the
previous planning trip generation versus shopping center and specialty retail, the average rate,
per 1,000 square feet, is 40 for a specialty and a shopping center, versus 20 for a home
improvement super store, would generate approximately half the trips that are existing. Thank
you.
Ben Fernandez: Thank you, Miranda. Commissioners, for the record, I'm Ben Fernandez, 200
South Biscayne Boulevard. I'll be very brief because I think most of the major comments have
already been made, but Commissioner Regalado, Commissioner Winton, if you want to avoid
another Southwest 8th Street situation, then don't pass this ordinance, because what this
ordinance -- whether it's Home Depot or any other big box user -- what this ordinance is going
to ensure that any new retailer that comes into this site that is 70,000 square feet is simply going
to reutilize the existing infrastructure and the existing footprint, and the issue with this property
is that the configuration of the shopping center is just inappropriate, it's wrong. It's a poorly
designed shopping center, and the only way you're going to get around that is by completely
redesigning the entire center, and that's exactly what Home Depot intends to do. That's what
you heard Max Strang say. Another thing that's significant is that this is an NCD ordinance. As
Mr. Luft indicated, an NCD, Neighborhood Conservation District, there's nothing to conserve on
this site. There is no architectural integrity in this area. All of US 1 in this area doesn't really
have an architectural integrity. If you want to encourage an architectural theme that's
consistent with Coconut Grove and landscaping and palm trees, et cetera, then you should utilize
perhaps a special district; encourage the right type of design, and that's exactly what Home
Depot wants to do again, and that's why we've commissioned Mr. Strang, who's intimately
familiar with Coconut Grove, to come up with a design that I'm sure you're all going to be happy
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with and that the neighbors are going to be happy with. Again, what this NCD does, the 20,000
square foot limitation that it creates on some of the other zoning districts, the SD-2 and SD-13 is
also a potentially -- something that's inappropriate. It's going to make some of the existing uses
in the Grove nonconforming uses, in our opinion, and that's nothing to be taken lightly. Also, on
this property, as of right, based on C-1, you can develop a mixed -use project, with a 1.72 FAR (
floor area ration) in a very tall project. This ordinance doesn't do anything to control those
types of impacts. This is clearly a reactionary ordinance. It's been designed to stop Home Depot
. That's the only issue. It has nothing to do with neighborhood conservation, and it's arbitrary
and capricious and ill-conceived. We're not going to bring you a big box. We're going to bring
you something that is really original, and we just want you to give us the opportunity to do that.
We want to incorporate a grocery store into the design, as well, and I think that the neighbors
are going to be very happy to see that, and with that, I'd just like to --
Commissioner Regalado: Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Fernandez: -- thank you for your time.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Does that conclude your presentation? All right. Comes -- wait,
hold, hold, hold. Comes back to the Commission. Commissioner --
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: -- Regalado and then Commissioner Allen.
Commissioner Regalado: OK.
Mr. Gibbs: Rebuttal.
Chairman Sanchez: Cross-examine?
Commissioner Regalado: I am --
Mr. Gibbs: No, rebuttal, remember?
Commissioner Regalado: Yeah.
Mr. Gibbs: You gave me one minute to --
Commissioner Regalado: I am a little confused because I think that we've been listening to a
very detailed explanation what -- of what it is, should be, or it isn't, and first of all, I'm confused
because some of the speakers representing Home Depot has said that this ordinance is and was
drafted exclusively to avoid having a Home Depot, so the City staff and us are being accused of
making something only for one place, one issue, one business. However, the same
representatives are telling us that they just invented and designed a unique store only for
Coconut Grove, so we are here on both sides on the exclusivity area. The second thing that 1
don't understand is this whole debate about if the architecture and the design, if the preservation
of that shopping center and others, and other stores, and other businesses, the issue here is that
a Home Depot store generates double the public, double the traffic, double the noise, double the
garbage than any other store, and the issues that the residents have is not about architecture, it's
not about being beautiful, it's not about having Cinderella's castle on Bird and 32nd; it's just
about traffic. Ask me, my God, I don't want to talk about Southwest 8th Street, but let me tell you
just something. The gentleman from Home Depot said that he understand -- or they understand
that the West Little Havana Horne Depot store is a mess. I am glad you got them. Six years -- it
took six years, but it's -- I'm glad you got it. I feel offended, though, that now you have come up
with landscaping and all these plans for the Home Depot in Southwest 8th Street, now that you
have this issue in this Grove. Had not been for you, the people of Little Havana, my friends of
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Coconut Grove will be, for the next ten years, with the noise, the garbage, the parking in their
swale areas and driveways forever and ever and ever, like taxes and death, so I don't -- you
know, I don't know what the members of the Commission will say. I don't think that this is an
ordinance that is geared for one store. 1 think it's just about protecting the size of store. I don't
see anything wrong in it, and I just hope that the Home Depot understands that their kind of
store is different than the Wendy's, or the Taco Bell, or the other stores in the area. Thank you,
Mr. Chairman.
Commissioner Allen: Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: Before -- Commissioner Allen --
Commissioner Allen: Oh, sure.
Chairman Sanchez: -- I did allow the --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: -- counsel to have a minute to make a statement. There will be no rebuttal
or cross-examination on this; just a minute to make a statement.
Mr. Gibbs: That's correct. I just wanted to respond to a couple of the issues. Tucker Gibbs,
representing One Grove Alliance. People are talking about this neighborhood conservation
district. I want to read to you from the neighborhood conservation district ordinance, which
implements NCD-3. It says the purpose of creating a neighborhood conservation district is to,
among other things, promote compatible development by regulating new construction, major
alterations, additions to existing buildings. That's what this is about. That's exactly what this is
about. This is not about anything else, but to make sure that the character of that neighborhood
remains the same, and you cannot keep that character by having a 133,000 square foot Home
Depot. By the way, all the wonderful words from Home Depot about how they're going to hire --
how they've hired Max Strang -- I don't even know if they -- if they're going to promise they will
actually do what he designs, because we don't know that. They just hired him. They probably
can put his plans in the shelf if they don't like it, but what's very interesting about this whole
project is they're talking about a wonderful Max Strang -designed Home Depot. On March 17,
they submitted plans for a 133,000 square foot box on that site. I just want to put that out there.
You know, talk is cheap. They talk about Vancouver. They talk about Chicago. Look at their
project in Dade County. Look what they've done to Dade County, North Miami, North Miami
Beach. Look at 8th Street. Those are the issues. They talk about the fact that this is arbitrary
and capricious this ordinance; that there are no facts. You've had -- this matter has been in
front of the Planning Department. Yes, I did draft it. I e-mailed it to Lourdes Slazyk back in
December. I've met with Commissioner Winton on numerous occasions on this piece of
legislation. It's been out there. It was vetted at a public hearing, at the Planning Advisory
Board. Your professional planning staff has made professional recommendations in favor of it.
This thing has as much vetting as any other zoning ordinance in the City of Miami, and the fact
that Home Depot doesn't like it, and it doesn't just deal with this property; it deals with five C-1
properties, but Home Depot, because they don't really care, hasn't talked about the 110
properties in SD-2 this affects, or the 41 properties in SD-13 affects. They talk about high-rise
here. High-rise is allowed, with a special exception, after a public hearing by this Commission.
Chairman Sanchez: Wrap it up.
Mr. Gibbs: We don't get that. The point is is that Home Depot is worried They're worried
about themselves. They're not worried about the community. That's your job. That's why we're
here. The public here is from Coconut Grove. They're speaking to you loud and clear, and
we're asking you to listen. Pass this on first reading and let's really discuss it on second reading.
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Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you. Commissioner Allen, then Commissioner Winton.
Commissioner Allen: Yes, and thank you, Mr. Chairman. Frankly, I have about perhaps maybe
three or four questions, but before I get to the bulk of my questions, there's basically one or two
questions I'd like to ask of our City Attorney, and then, thereafter, I would like to ask substantive
questions after I've heard from my fellow Commissioners, if I would be allowed to do that, Mr.
Chairman. Having said that, first of all, 1 want to thank the show of support from the Grove
residents. This is quite a showing, and 1 do reflect that in my deliberations, as well. Having said
that, let me now turn to the City Attorney. First and foremost, this whole issue about whether or
not this particular ordinance is capricious or arbitrary and without some sort of logical nexus, I
personally do see a logical nexus, but can you address the issue just from a legal standpoint as
to whether or not this particular ordinance appears to be capricious or arbitrary?
Mr. Fernandez: As we have reviewed the same, it does not appear to us, and in fact,
categorically, I state to you that it isn't arbitrary or capricious.
Commissioner Allen: OK. Now, secondly, the fact that this is before the full body of the
Commission, in terms of -- I've heard some information that an application had been filed on
March the 17th. Can you juxtapose that with this particular ordinance? Is there, if you will,
some sort of ex post facto effect, if you will?
Mr. Fernandez: The parcel in question, where Home Depot has an interest, is already zoned C-1
, and what they have done -- they would need to speak to this, but the way that I read the -- their
application, is to preserve whatever rights they have under the existing ordinance to proceed to
develop that site.
Commissioner Allen: OK.
Commissioner Winton: Would you explain that, more detail?
Commissioner Allen: So -- and --
Commissioner Winton: What does that mean?
Commissioner Allen: Well --
Mr. Fernandez: That means that whatever is allowed to be built presently, as of March 17 on
that parcel, that's what Home Depot has applied to build.
Commissioner Winton: And what is that? How much is that?
Mr. Fernandez: You need to get staff to give you the particulars of that.
Commissioner Winton: OK.
Commissioner Allen: Right, but however, 1 guess the next question then is, this ordinance could
very well affect the substantive nature of that application, so --
Mr. Fernandez: Which ordinance are you talking about? The one that's presently in front of
you?
Commissioner Allen: Yeah, before us now.
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Mr. Fernandez: No. It is my opinion that it will not affect the present application.
Commissioner Allen: OK. All right, so Mr. Chairman, as I said earlier --
Commissioner Winton: So --
Commissioner Allen: -- I have a few more substantive questions, after I've heard from some of
the other Commissioners.
Chairman Sanchez: Would you like to yield to Commissioner Winton?
Commissioner Allen: Yes, I would.
Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner Winton.
Commissioner Winton: Mr. City Attorney, 1 think this is the crux of the issue, the crux. Home
Depot has an application before the City to build something, and maybe the Planning
Department needs to step to the microphone and put on the record what Home Depot has
applied for.
Mr. Fernandez: Correct.
Ms. Slazyk: I'm sorry. I was finding out the size of the store that they already filed for. It's 130,
000. What was the question?
Commissioner Winton: That's the question. Home Depot has plans --
Ms. Slazyk: Yes.
Commissioner Winton: -- before the City right now --
Ms. Slazyk: They have filed --
Commissioner Winton: -- to build a 130,000 square foot store --
Ms. Slazyk: Correct.
Commissioner Winton: -- that looks like a Home Depot.
Ms. Slazyk: Correct.
Commissioner Winton: Mr. City Attorney, will this ordinance affect Home Depot's ability to
build a 130,000 square foot store, the one that's before the City today?
Mr. Fernandez.: No.
Commissioner Winton: So they can, by right, build that store --
Mr. Fernandez.: Yes.
Commissioner Winton: -- without us stopping it?
Mr. Fernandez: Correct.
Commissioner Winton: And that's the crux of the -- excuse me, I've got the floor. That's the crux
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of the issue here. I'm going to go back to the beginning of the Home Depot issue. Contrary to
what he stated in a newspaper article, the first time 1 heard about Home Depot was from the
Shell Lumber guy, when I was at Shell Lumber buying something from Shell Lumber, who said
Home Depot is coming to the Kmart site and I think you need to do something about that, and 1
said to him, my job isn't to regulate competition and stepped back, because my understanding at
the time was that Home Depot was going to take over the Kmart site, like anybody else, Zayres
and whoever else been there, so I didn't have any opposition. Later, however, I learned that
Home Depot's plan was to take over the entire site; get rid of the grocery store; build Southwest
8th Street, and they're all happy, and I said then, over my dead body. Home Depot is not going
to build Southwest 8th Street anywhere near Coconut Grove, and I've been to -- I'm a handyman
guy. I do stuff in my house, and I've been to that Home Depot and the Shell Lumber store more
times than I ever want to think about, and that Southwest 8th Street store is an absolute
abomination, and for Home Depot to consider that they're going to come to the Grove and build
that store, I was radically opposed to, but I did understand, because I spent time with the City
Attorney trying to understand what rights any retailer would have -- Home Depot aside, anybody
-- what rights today, without our new ordinance, what rights would any retailer have for that
site? And those rights are substantial, as our City Attorney just said. They can build 130,000
square foot Southwest 8th Street store on that site now and we can't do anything about it, and
I've known that answer for some time now. I have had, I think, four meetings with Home Depot
representatives, and in the first meeting -- you know, when you're going into negotiations and
you're already mad? You know how those negotiate -- you're just sitting there kind of in knots
ready to jump. Well, that's how I was sitting there; I was sitting in knots ready to jump, but an
interesting thing happened on the way to the jump, and that is, Home Depot said, "We don't want
to build Southwest 8th Street and we're willing to listen to what you and the community think
might be appropriate," so we laid all the issues out on the table. I'm still negotiating with Home
Depot. Those negotiations aren't completed We have a meeting scheduled with Home Depot
later this month. They have developed a set of plans for that site that includes a grocery store
that, essentially, bulldozes what's there, redoes everything. If we pass this ordinance that will --
I'll back up a step. Mr. City Attorney, if Home Depot has, by right, the ability to build 130,000
square foot site there right now, which you're saying they do, if Home Depot brought a product
to the table that was light years better than the one we're looking at, and it happened to be 100,
000 square feet, or 90,000 square feet, or whatever the number is, could they build that if we
pass this ordinance?
Mr. Fernandez: Presumably, yes. They have established the maximum that they could build. It
doesn't dictate that they have to build the maximum number of square footage. The question
really would turn on the plan that is submitted. If their application changes and it is a different
application than the one we have pending, and this ordinance that is in front of you has already
become effective, then they're subject to whatever ordinance --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Mr. Fernandez: -- is in effect at the time that they perfect a new plan.
Commissioner Winton: So what happens here is that the law of unintended consequences comes
to the forefront hugely. That means then that whatever negotiation power we have gets wiped
out, and they'll just build their 130,000 square foot store that none of us want; is that not
correct?
Mr. Fernandez: It would be -- again, because we read the -- our ordinance very strictly. It is
their ability to have filed and perfected a complete application prior to the effective date of any
subsequent ordinance that passes, and so if they have to submit a new application and this
ordinance or some similar ordinance comes in place, then they would be subject to that
ordinance.
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Commissioner Allen: OK.
Commissioner Winton: Then 1 don't know if I get a second or not, but I'm going to seek a
modification to this ordinance, and the modification that I'm going to ask for this ordinance --
the ordinance currently says that you can't build anything over 70,000 square feet period.
Mr. Fernandez: Right.
Commissioner Winton: So that means that tomorrow, they're going to continue pushing their
plans for their 130,000 square foot store, I'm going to assume, which I think will be an absolute
disaster. However -- and by passing this ordinance, the new plan that I've been negotiating with
them is gone, it's out the window, and I don't think that's in anybody's best interest. I think that
this ordinance needs to be modified so that anything over 70 -- from -- what's the
recommendation from Planning? I mean, from the Planning Board?
Ms. Slazyk: Of the Planning -- the Planning Advisory Board said between 55,000 and 70 should
require a Class H .
Commissioner Winton: And I'm going to recommend that we modem that to say anything over 55
,000 square feet, period, requires a Class II, so that then we have more leverage to continue to
negotiate something better by light years than what we're going to get stuck with if we pass this
ordinance the way it is.
Commissioner Allen:: Right. Mr. Chairman, quickly, it's in line with you -- what you're asking,
Commissioner Winton, not to pre-empt what you're saying. For clarification purposes, Mr. City
Attorney, when you speak of application, your understanding is a completed application or an
ongoing application? Because, you know, we talk about ex post facto, but my understanding of
ex post facto largely applies to criminal -type of procedures.
Commissioner Winton: What's ex post facto?
Commissioner Allen: Well --
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Legalese.
Commissioner Allen: -- my understanding of ex post facto --
Chairman Sanchez: Attorney talk.
Commissioner Allen: -- is it applies to criminal procedures. However, a government can, in
fact, pass an ordinance that can have retroactive effect --
Mr. Fernandez: Correct.
Commissioner Allen: -- so I guess the question is it has to be completed application, right, not
just you file an application and -- on a pending application, so I think that needs to be clear
before we even consider your recommendation, Commissioner Winton.
Mr. Fernandez: It's a complete application, and --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Mr. Fernandez: -- staff can speak to that.
Chairman Sanchez: Well --
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Commissioner Allen: So --
Chairman Sanchez: -- this modifies it and sends it back to first reading.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Commissioner Winton: No, 1 don't think --
Chairman Sanchez: It doesn't?
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Commissioner Winton: Will this --
Mr. Fernandez: No.
Commissioner Winton: I hope not.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Well, I just --
Ms. Slazyk: If you're not making it more --
Chairman Sanchez: I'm just inquiring.
Ms. Slazyk: -- evict active, then it can be done on the floor --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Ms. Slazyk: -- I believe.
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Mr. Fernandez: Correct.
Commissioner Allen: So --
Chairman Sanchez: So it could be amended?
Commissioner Allen: Right, right, but -- so therefore, based on what you just said, Mr. City
Attorney, notwithstanding the application being filed on March 17, if this body were to approve
and pass this ordinance, pursuant to Commissioner Winton's modifications, this existing lot will
be subject to the new -- this new ordinance, am I correct?
Chairman Sanchez: No.
Mr. Fernandez: No. It's the application -- there is an application -- and staff needs to speak to
this -- that was filed on the 17th, and that has been deemed to be a complete application.
Commissioner Allen: Oh, it has.
Ms. Slazyk: Yes. What the Zoning Ordinance says, section 25 -- 105, this is what addresses
what happens when somebody files an application for a permit and the City Commission amends
the law while they're in process. I don't know if you want me to read it or -- basically, they have
six months from the effective date of whatever you're going to adopt to get a building permit. If
they can't get a building permit within six months, they'll be subject to the new rules, OK. They
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have filed a complete application on March 17, so they're already in process. If this ordinance
passes today, and second reading in April, we have advertised this ordinance with an immediate
effective date, which means April 28, which I believe is second reading; it will be in effect that
date.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Ms. Slazyk: Their six months start counting on that day. If they don't get a permit within six
months, they'll have to meet whatever new law you're passing that affects their proposal. If they
get a building permit and they -- within those six months, they are vested forever under that
building permit.
Commissioner Allen: So, having said that, does Commissioner Winton want to --
Commissioner Winton: I'm --
Commissioner Allen: -- reconsider his motion or -- I don't know.
Commissioner Winton: No. I mean, I -- well, I haven't made a motion yet, but when I make --
Commissioner Allen: OK.
Commissioner Winton: -- the motion, it's going to be to pass --
Chairman Sanchez: To amend it. You need a motion to --
Commissioner Winton: To --
Chairman Sanchez: -- amend it to 55.
Commissioner Winton: Yeah. Well, I'll move it. I'll make a motion to --
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion to amend the current ordinance on first reading to 55 --
Commissioner Winton: That anything over --
Chairman Sanchez: -- 55,000 square feet.
Commissioner Winton: -- 55,000 square feet will be --
Chairman Sanchez: Class II.
Commissioner Winton: -- required to have a Class II permit, and what the Class II permit does
is it triggers --
Ms. Slazyk: All the design --
Commissioner Winton: -- the ability for anybody to appeal the permit, which then requires a
public hearing.
Ms. Slazyk: More importantly, it triggers all of the design review criteria that goes to all of the
issues of scale and character.
Commissioner Winton: And it gives us a tremendous amount of power.
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Chairman Sanchez: All right. There's --
Commissioner Allen: OK.
Chairman Sanchez: -- a motion. Is there a second?
Commissioner Regalado: Can I --
Commissioner Allen: Second, but -- so we'll --
Commissioner Regalado: I will --
Chairman Sanchez: Need a second before we discuss it.
Commissioner Regalado: I need to ask something to the maker of the motion, in order to
second, so, Commissioner Winton, what you're proposing is to keep the 70, 000 feet --
Commissioner Allen: No.
Commissioner Regalado: -- maximum --
Commissioner Allen: No.
Commissioner Winton: No.
Commissioner Allen: Eliminate that.
Commissioner Winton: No.
Commissioner Regalado: Oh.
Commissioner Winton: I'm saying that --
Commissioner Regalado: I didn't hear eliminate the 70,000.
Commissioner Winton: --1 am not -- I'm taking the cap off the --
Commissioner Allen: Off right.
Commissioner Winton: -- 70,000 square feet and saying that anything over 55,000 square feet
will require a Class II permit, which --
Chairman Sanchez: I need --
Commissioner Winton: -- triggers all of the things --
Chairman Sanchez: I need a second.
Commissioner Winton: -- that we need from a strength standpoint.
Chairman Sanchez: I need a second for the purpose of discussion.
Commissioner Allen: Second. Second the motion.
Chairman Sanchez: There is a second on the floor for the purpose of discussion. The second
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was made by Commissioner Allen, for the record. It's under discussion. Commissioner
Regalado.
Commissioner Regalado: I just think that I cannot support that, because I think that the whole -
- this Commission voted to have the 70, 000 feet and then the Planning Board, and -- but you
know, I'm just a vote. I just think that we need -- and I just think that if we pass this on first
reading, Commissioner Winton will have more leverage to talk about these grandiose plans that
Home Depot has, and this beautiful thing that they're going to do. Because if we do this without
the 70, 000 feet, you know, might as well, they can do whatever they want, so --
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Commissioner Winton: Well, see, I -- may I make a couple more comments?
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Winton: 1 think that we end up -- and that's been the whole purpose all along,
was to -- the whole reason we passed this amendment to the NCD-3 to begin with, didn't have
anything to do with Home Depot. It had to do with protecting our rights, and 1 think that, just so
the public understands, Home Depot will be finished essentially with their schematics on a
different kind of store before we come back for second reading on this. At second reading, we
can do anything we want. We could make it more restrictive, which may make it go back to first
reading, and the whole point here is this -- and Tucker said -- he told me this in a meeting we
had, I don't know, some other meeting. He said, you can trust Home Depot, and I don't know
that I trust Home Depot, but 1 can tell you that I'm looking them eye to eye and I'm discussing
eye to eye what I think's important for our neighborhood, and I will also tell you that I'm going
to get in writing everything that 1 have to get to protect our interest, and I'm going to do
everything in my power to make sure that 130,000 square foot Southwest 8th Street store that
they can build, by right, tomorrow doesn't get built. That's my job. That's what you elected me
to do and that's what I'm going to do.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Commissioner Winton: End of story.
Commissioner Allen: Yeah. Mr. Chairman, before we continue with respect to the motion, 1 did
mention early, I just wanted to ask one substantive question, and I'll just quickly like to address -
Chairman Sanchez: The item is still under discussion.
Commissioner Allen: Yeah. I'd just like to address --
Chairman Sanchez: As amended.
Commissioner Allen: -- this to Mr. Workman, Home Depot, if he can come to the podium. Mr.
Workman, throughout your presentation, you mentioned several Home Depots throughout the
country and out of this country in Canada.
Mr. Workman: Right.
Commissioner Allen: Now, I am aware of a Home Depot in Manhattan that's 55,000 square foot
or something thereabout. 1 don't know. It's some nominal square footage. I don't know --
Mr. Workman: It's over 100, 000.
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Commissioner Allen: In Manhattan?
Commissioner Winton: Pull the microphone up.
Mr. Workman: Yes, it is.
Commissioner Allen: Yeah, could you --
Chairman Sanchez: It is on.
Commissioner Allen: OK.
Mr. Workman: It's over 100, 000.
Commissioner Allen: Well, let me ask you --
Mr. Workman: It's on five different levels.
Commissioner Allen: -- what's your smallest Home Depot square footage size, give or take?
Mr. Workman: I would -- probably, our smallest store is about 100 square feet for the store
itself, right now.
Commissioner Allen: Oh, 100,000 square foot.
Mr. Workman: That's not including the garden center. The garden center is another --
Commissioner Winton: Tucker.
Mr. Workman: I think it's probably 20,000 square feet.
Commissioner Allen: OK, now, you're Home Depot. You work for --
Mr. Workman: Yes.
Commissioner Allen: -- Home Depot. You ought to know this. I'm surprised. You -- well --
Mr. Workman: We have a lot -- that -- and that's it, because we do change our stores and --
we're trying to stay with, you know --
Commissioner Allen: Right. OK. Well, what I'm getting at --
Mr. Workman: Completely changing, right.
Commissioner Allen: --1 wanted to get some hard figures from you. I presume that you had that
-- you were privileged to that, but that's another issue, but I want you to juxtapose that to the
support you see here from the residents --
Mr. Workman: Understand that.
Commissioner Allen: -- you know, in terms of, if you will, building something potentially that
could be in line or in scale with their wishes. Is that possible for Home Depot?
Mr. Workman: Yes, and what we're trying to do is actually -- I mean, obviously, if you go to
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Home Depot, there are certain things that you want to see there.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Mr. Workman: -- but it doesn't have to be in the bulk and the quantity that we do in some of the
other stores, like Southwest 8th Street. What we're really planning for this particular store is
more like the Manhattan store, where it's geared more towards the decor because we think this is
more a decor market here. This is where you're going to have --
Commissioner Allen: Yeah.
Mr. Workman: They talked about this at the Planning Board. It's actually a concept where you
walk in -- there's sort of like the basic Home Depot, which is the new upgraded --
Commissioner Allen: Right, right.
Mr. Workman: -- store of the future that we're trying to work on.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Mr. Workman: And then it has a mezzanine above it so that you can actually see up to the
mezzanine, so that would be like the showroom areas, and it will be a very exciting concept, so
I'm very excited about --
Commissioner Winton: And by the way --
Mr. Workman: -- the opportunity to do this.
Commissioner Allen: OK.
Commissioner Winton: -- the public is going to see it as soon as --
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Commissioner Allen: All right.
Commissioner Winton: -- we meet with them again to make final modifications on whatever we
don't like, and then they're going to the public.
Commissioner Allen: OK.
Chairman Sanchez: No further discussion.
Commissioner Allen: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: There is a motion and a second. It is an ordinance on first reading, as
amended
Commissioner Winton: As amended.
Chairman Sanchez: Mr. City Attorney, read the ordinance into the record, and Madam Clerk,
roll call.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
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Commissioner Allen: OK.
Chairman Sanchez; All right. Roll call.
Ms. Thompson: Roll call. Commissioner Regalado?
Commissioner Regalado: No.
Ms. Thompson: Commissioner Gonzalez?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Yes ma'am.
Ms. Thompson: Commissioner Winton?
Commissioner Winton: Yes.
Ms. Thompson: Commissioner Allen?
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Ms. Thompson: Vice Chairman Sanchez?
Chairman Sanchez: Yes.
Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been passed on first reading, as modified, 4/1.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Thank you so much. Please -- I think you're done -- exit quietly.
Commissioner Winton: See y'all in a month.
Chairman Sanchez: And you could turn your phones back on.
Commissioner Allen: Right. Mr. Chairman.
Commissioner Winton: All right. Yes, sir.
Commissioner Allen: Just a point of inquiry. I -- you do tend to move the agendas rather
quickly.
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, sir, as soon as --
Commissioner Allen: Do you intend to --
Chairman Sanchez: -- I can, and I'm going to need your cooperation on that.
Commissioner Allen: Do you need to --
Chairman Sanchez: Let me just --
Commissioner Allen: -- break -- do you have intention of breaking for lunch, and if -- having
said that, I was going to ask the indulgence of my fellow Commissioners. I have some elderly
people here on a discussion item. 1 was going to ask if you could take that out of order when you
move to the district issues --
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, sir.
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Commissioner Allen: -- if that's possible?
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, sir.
PZ.10 05-00224 ORDINANCE First Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING CHAPTER
13 OF THE MIAMI CITY CODE, AS AMENDED, BY AMENDING ARTICLE II.
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT SUPPLEMENTAL FEE IN ORDER TO
MODIFY PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE DOWNTOWN DRI INCLUDING
CLARIFICATION OF CERTAIN DEFINITIONS, PROVIDING FOR AN
UPDATED FEE TABLE AND ADDING A CONSUMER PRICE INDEX;
CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
05-00224 SR Legislation.PDF
05-00224 SR Fact Sheet.pdf
REQUEST: To Amend the Miami City Code
APPLICANT(S): Joe Arriola, City Manager
FINDINGS:
PLANNING DEPARTMENT: Recommended approval.
PURPOSE: This will modify provisions related to the Downtown DRI,
including certain definitions, an update of fees and adding a consumer price
index.
Motion by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, that this matter
be PASSED ON FIRST READING WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez and Regalado
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Allen
Chairman Sanchez: PZ 7, 8 and 9 were discussed earlier today. We go to PZ.10. It's an
ordinance on first reading.
Lourdes Slazyk (Assistant Director, Planning & Zoning): PZ.10 is an ordinance amending
Chapter 13 of the City Code. As you recall several months ago, you adopted Increment II of our
Downtown DRI (Development of Regional Impact). What this is, is the amendment to the City
Code in order to update the language in the City Code and adopt a new fee table for Downtown
DRI Increment IL We do have representatives here from DDA (Downtown Development
Authority) if you have any questions. The yellow version of the draft that's being handed out is a
cleaner version than what's in your package. The one in the package didn't show the stricken
language, so this shows you exactly what language is getting rid of the old fee table, the new fee
table. This also builds in a consumer price index, a CPI, so as this moves forward in the future,
our old one didn't have that, so the fees never got updated according to a CPI, so we recommend
approval.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. The applicant is the City of Miami. Is there anyone here in
opposition to this item? Please step forward and be recognized Seeing none, hearing none, the
public hearing is closed, coming back to the --
Commissioner Winton: Move it.
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Chairman Sanchez: -- Commission. There's a motion --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: -- by Commissioner Winton, second by Vice Chairman Gonzalez. Open for
discussion. Hearing none, Mr. City Attorney, read the ordinance on first reading into the record
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Madam Clerk.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Roll call on the modified because it was a substitute
ordinance.
Chairman Sanchez: As stated for the record as modified.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has -- the modified ordinance has been passed on first reading, 4
/0.
PZ.11 05-00144 ORDINANCE First Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. 11000, AS AMENDED, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, BY AMENDING ARTICLE 17, MAJOR USE
SPECIAL PERMITS, MORE PARTICULARLY SECTION 1706; IN ORDER TO
MODIFY PROVISIONS RELATED TO MODIFICATIONS OF MAJOR USE
SPECIAL PERMITS; CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
05-00144 Legislation.PDF
05-00144 PAB Reso.PDF
05-00144 SR Fact Sheet.pdf
REQUEST: To Amend Ordinance No. 11000 Text
APPLICANT(S): Joe Arriola, City Manager
FINDINGS:
PLANNING DEPARTMENT: Recommended approval.
PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD: Recommended approval to City
Commission on February 2, 2005 by a vote of 5-0.
PURPOSE: This will remove certain time constraints imposed on the City
Commission as it relates to their review of substantial modifications to Major
Use Special Permits.
Motion by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, that this matter
be PASSED ON FIRST READING PASSED by the following vote.
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Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez and Regalado
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Allen
Chairman Sanchez: PZ 11 is an ordinance on first reading and the applicant also is the City of
Miami.
Lourdes Slazyk (Assistant Director, Planning & Zoning): Right. This is a text amendment
regarding the Major Use Special Permits. There currently is a provision in there that says when
a substantial modification comes through to a Major Use Special Permit, like the Villa Magna or
some of the other projects, our Code has that you have to act within two regular Commission
meetings or it's deemed approved, according to the Planning Director's recommendation. We
believe that when a substantial modification comes in, it's a whole new project. It should be
reviewed under the same terms and the same time limitations as a brand-new MUSP (Major Use
Special Permit). You should not be limited to two meetings in which to act. Sometimes you need
more than that in order to get the information you need to make an informed decision, so this
ordinance gets rid of that two -meeting limitation and treats a substantial modification like a
brand-new MUSP.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Is there anyone in opposition reference this ordinance on first
reading, which is PZ.11 ? If not, is there a motion?
Commissioner Winton: Move it.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion by Commissioner Winton for the record. Is there a
second?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: Second by Vice Chairman Gonzalez. It is now open for discussion.
Hearing no discussion, Mr. City Attorney, read the ordinance on first reading.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Chairman Sanchez: Madam Clerk.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Roll call.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been passed on first reading, 4/0.
PZ.12 05-00136 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S
), GRANTING THE APPEAL, REVERSING THE DECISION OF THE MIAMI
ZONING BOARD THEREBY GRANTING A SPECIAL EXCEPTION AS LISTED
IN ORDINANCE NO. 11000, AS AMENDED, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, ARTICLE 4, SECTION 401, TO ALLOW A
PUBLIC UTILITIES SUBSTATION IN THE "R-4" MULTIFAMILY HIGH -
DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT, FOR THE PROPERTY
LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 1025 SOUTHWEST 2ND AVENUE, MIAMI,
FLORIDA, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN "EXHIBIT A."
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Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
05-00136 Legislation a.PDF
05-00136 Exhibit A.PDF
05-00136 Legislation b.PDF
05-00136 Exhibit A.PDF
05-00136 Fact Sheet.pdf
05-00136 Aerial Map.pdf
05-00136 Zoning Map.pdf
05-00136 Application & Supp Docs.PDF
05-00136 ZB Reso.PDF
05-00136 Analysis.PDF
05-00136 Appeal Letter.PDF
05-00136-Submittal-1. pdf
Motion by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez and Regalado
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Allen
R-05-0198
A motion was made by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, with
Chairman Sanchez and Commissioner Allen absent, to direct the Administration to contact the
leadership of Florida Power & Light and encourage them to do an in-depth analysis of
substations in the City of Miami and develop a long-range plan for upgrading the perimeter of
those substations throughout the City.
Chairman Sanchez: PZ.11, it's a resolution.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): PZ 12.
Lourdes Slazyk (Assistant Director, Planning & Zoning): 12.
Chairman Sanchez: Yes, PZ 12.
Ms. Slazyk: 12. This -- PZ 12 is an appeal of a special exception. The applicant was Florida
Power & Light, in order to allow a public utility substation for FP&L (Florida Power & Light) in
the R-4 zoning district. It required a special exception. As you recall, this was a recent
amendment to the zoning ordinance to allow this use as long as there were liner uses or
screening of the FPL substation, so this project came in, we reviewed it through design review.
The drawings are actually in your packages. I'm sure they're going to show them to you, as well,
so we recommended approval of the special exception. The Zoning Board had a tied vote, which
constitutes a denial. Therefore, this is the appeal by FP&L before you today.
Commissioner Winton: And what --
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Before we go any further, is there anyone here in opposition to
this item? Yeah, we do have people that are wishing --
Ms. Slazyk: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: -- willing to speak on the item.
Ms. Slazyk: Yeah. We recommend approval of the appeal, which would appeal the Zoning
Board's decision and grant the special exception.
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Chairman Sanchez: All right. Well, let's allow the applicant --
Ms. Slazyk: We recommend approval --
Chairman Sanchez: Right.
Ms. Slazyk: -- of the project.
Chairman Sanchez: Let's allow the applicant to speak, and sir -- ma'am, ma'am, you will speak
afterwards. Have you been sworn in?
Unidentified Speaker: How you doing?
Chairman Sanchez: No, no, no.
Unidentified Speaker: (INAUDIBLE) an application.
Chairman Sanchez: No. I'm sorry. Have you been sworn in? No?
Unidentified Speaker: (INAUDIBLE).
Chairman Sanchez: Yes. You have to be sworn in, so we'll have -- raise your right hand and the
City Clerk will swear you in.
The City Clerk administered required oath under City Code Section 62-1 to those persons giving
testimony on zoning issues.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you. All right.
Lucia Dougherty: Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, members of the board. Lucia Dougherty,
with offices at 1221 Brickell Avenue, here today on behalf of FP&L (Florida Power & Light),
who is the appellant in this particular case. Pam Rauch, Eloy Villasuso and David Martino are
here from FP&L. This is an appeal of the Zoning Board's denial of a special exception that was
a 4/4 decision, and truthfully, when 1 looked at the videotape of the hearing, what happened is
that they got off on an issue which we were underprepared to address because it was never a
criteria in the first place. The Zoning Board got off on an issue of EMFs, which are
electromagnetic fields, and whether or not that had an effect on the environment. This is not a
condition or a criteria of the special exception, but nevertheless -- and FP&L, for that reason,
wasn't prepared to address that issue. We do have an expert with us today that can address that
issue, but let me just talk about the site for a minute. It's located on 2nd Avenue and II th Street,
which is right here. Just to orient you, the City of Miami fire station on 2nd Avenue is right here.
The City Administration building is, you know, just north of there, over the Miami -- I mean, the
2nd Avenue Bridge, so it is on 11 th Street again. It is a building that has gone through internal
design review and is -- looks like a three-story residential building, although it's really a one-
story substation. It is completely enclosed and it meets --
Commissioner Winton: You have pictures?
Ms. Dougherty: Excuse me?
Commissioner Winton: Do you have pictures of the building?
Ms. Dougherty: Yes, yes.
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Chairman Sanchez: Yeah, let's see that.
Ms. Dougherty: I'm going to have Dave Martino --
Commissioner Winton: Because I can't see anything from -- I mean, what's in the book.
Ms. Dougherty: Yeah. We have pictures. I'm going to have Dave --
Commissioner Winton: Great.
Ms. Dougherty: -- talk about the pictures in a minute.
Commissioner Winton: OK.
Ms. Dougherty: They've done a great design -- a great job in designing the building. Is -- this
substation, 1 want you to know, is the most important and the highest priority of any substation in
the State of Florida for FP&L because it is servicing Brickell, which right now, if we don't get
this substation going, there won't be service for Brickell and West Brickell. Now you may say,
Well, why don't you just locate it someplace else?" Well, we can't locate it someplace else. It
has to be in the district where we're serving. You may say, "Well, you've got another one
nearby; why don't you expand it?" Well, we're landlocked. We can't expand the existing one, so
-- then the other issue, which I think is very important, is that it's in the perfect location to
service all of this area because there's a huge transmission line right on 2nd Avenue, so we won't
be tearing up your streets in order to locate the substation. It's literally directly in front of one of
your largest transmission lines, so before Dave gets into the photographs of the building, what
I'd really like is our EMF expert to come forward. His name is Dave Fugate and he's going to
talk about the fact that -- well, I have to put this on the record, I'm sorry, because that's the
testimony that we had in the Zoning Board -- so he's going to testify that there will be no more
EMFs on the outside of this building after it's built and after it's under operation than there is
today, so we'll be very brief.
Dave Fugate: OK. Thank you very much. My name is Dave Fugate. I'm with Electric Research
and Management and our company, we're experts in electric and magnetic fields associated with
power systems, and Florida Power & Light has asked us to look at the design they have here,
evaluate it and also work with them to improve the design. Basically, the evaluation resulted in
what Lucia just said, that basically the impact is very minimal. It's a very good design and in
terms of the emissions from the station, they're one to five percent, five percent being an extreme
case of the Florida DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) limits for transmission lines
in the 69 to 138 KB (kilobyte) range, and we don't expect any interference issues or anything
beyond that.
Commissioner Winton: I don't think I understood what you just said.
Ms. Dougherty: I'm going to ask the question. What you meant was, right now there is 0.4
whatever these are, and when -- after it gets built, it's not going to be any different, right?
Mr. Fugate: Let me say again, basically, there are electric and magnetic fields associated with
power systems everywhere, and basically, what they're trying to achieve with this station is to not
impact what's there at all, so based on the evaluation, the numbers we're seeing at the edge of
the property line are going to be typical of what's there now.
Ms. Dougherty: In other words, you've got transmission lines going up and down the street right
now. They --
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Commissioner Winton: Oh.
Ms. Dougherty: -- have EMF -- it's ambient is what they call it. It's ambient. It exists. There
will be no increase based on --
Commissioner Winton: OK.
Ms. Dougherty: -- this building.
Commissioner Winton: Got it.
Ms. Dougherty: OK.
Commissioner Winton: Got it.
Ms. Dougherty: So I'd like Dave Martino to come forward and show you the building.
Dave Martino: Good afternoon. I'm Dave Martino, project manager for Firehouse Substation.
Our office is at 700 Universe Boulevard. I'm going to give you a brief description of the project
and also just give you a brief introduction of what a substation is. Now we call this a substation,
but it looks like an office building. Actually, inside of it is the substation. A substation is a
central part of the electrical infrastructure that distributes power to a local area. Some of the
characteristics of a substation that are very important, they have to be located in the area they
will serve. This will serve the immediate neighborhood; it has to be located there, and the other
thing you have to remember, this is providing essential support for all your essential services.
There's a fire hall right across the street; they need electricity. All of the other systems depend
on electricity. This is really needed because the existing substations that service this area are at
capacity due to growth in their area, and the area they can serve actually has to shrink back.
We can't expand them anymore. We can't add additional capacity, so they're at a danger of
being overloaded. The solution is to inject new local distributed power into that area through a
substation. This will tie in to the existing distribution grid. We're not going to add any more
lines in the neighborhood. We're actually going to remove some and bury them underground.
The other thing is this needs to be in operation by the summer peak of '06, and our projections
indicates that they overloads at that time of the existing substations will be well beyond the
tolerance. Now the design of this facility is actually a collaboration between Florida Power &
Light Company and the Internal Design Review Board. We worked extensively with them to
develop a building envelope for this project that is harmonious with the neighborhood, it's in
scale with the neighborhood and it complements their vision of how this area will develop. One
of the things we've included in there are some pedestrian -oriented amenities. This glass area,
which looks like a retail display space, is actually a pedestrian galleria. It's not a habitable
building. It's not an office building. There's nobody going to be working there, but we will work
with local artist groups, local community groups to set up art displays, to set up various kinds of
exhibits in there. Pedestrians at night can walk by it. It'll be well lit. We feel it's going to be an
excellent amenity. The other thing is, being on land, it doesn't contribute to the traffic noise or
pollution congestion to the area. It's a very passive use. It's going to sit there and it's going to
provide electrical service. In closing, we have -- just in closing -- and I'll be available for any
questions you may have -- the substation's constructed entirely inside the building core. It will
have a roof on it. The roof is an open grid, but from any high-rises or any tall buildings nearby,
you can't see into it; it diffuses your view. It just looks like a gray gravel roof. One of the
beauties of this roof though, it won't have any mechanical equipment on it, so it'll be probably
less unsightly than most flat roofs. The gallery includes a street level pedestrian -oriented
amenities, and once again, it's unmanned, will not add noise or pollution. We need this in order
to meet the rapid rising demand for electricity. This is a critically needed part of our
infrastructure and we feel this design -- we've worked with the Internal Design Review Board --
is integrated well into the neighborhood fabric. Thank you.
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Ms. Dougherty: I would just like to reserve some time for rebuttal.
Chairman Sanchez: How much time?
Commissioner Winton: One minute.
Ms. Dougherty: Two minutes -- one minute, whatever you say.
Chairman Sanchez: A minute. Sir, state your name for the record.
Donald Schrager: My name is Donald Schrager. I live -- this is my wife Sophia. I live at 229
Southwest 11 th Street. That's about quarter of a block away from the area that Florida Power &
Light wants to build a substation. I have lived there for over 60 years. I'm delighted that
Florida Power & Light is planning to build an attractive building there, but I am concerned
about the fact that we are located between two different substations from Florida Power & Light,
and that gentleman that just spoke from Florida Power & Light and says there will be no
increase of EMS [sic], I wish that this board would have an outside disinterested person approve
of that. Now I realize Florida Power & Light needs substations, but to have one less than a mile
from the other and to -- people that are living in between there, we really don't know too much
about EMS yet, but there are many questions about it and Florida Power & Light, incidentally,
promised to put all wiring underground before World War II was over, and we're still waiting.
Gentleman said they're going to put it underground; I hope so. I wish that you would hesitate to
approve it until you have a reliable outside source that would verify the fact that there will be no
increase of EMS. There have been a lot of warnings about EMS: Don't put an electric alarm
clock near your bed, don't sleep with electric blankets, don't sit too close to the computer, and
certainly, wiring and power and light stations certainly must have some of that EMS, and I
would like -- I don't wish for Florida Power & Light not to be able to build a substation, but do
they have to build it right in straight line -- one, two, three -- less than a mile apart, all on 2nd
Avenue? Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Ma'am, did you want to speak?
Sophie Schrager: Yes. I want to point out that --
Chairman Sanchez: We need your name and address.
Ms. Schrager: My name is Sophie Schrager. I'm honored to be here.
Chairman Sanchez: Please, address.
Ms. Schrager: I live at 229 Southwest 11 th Street. We have a substation on 13th Street and 2nd
Avenue. I'm on 11 th Street. Then there's another substation on Southwest 4th Street and 2nd
Avenue, and they want to build one right opposite my corner, which will be on Southwest I th
Street and 2nd Avenue. Now how much -- many substations can you have in less than one mile?
1 mean, the -- we're talking about big-time electricity and as far as EMFs, they're not doing too
many studies on these substations. I have inquired about this. Power lines, they have a -- some
kind of ruling as far as power lines are concerned, but anyways, there is a danger to have these
many substations in one area. Why not go further down 2nd Avenue in the northwest section?
You know, go that way, you know. Why do we have to have three --
Chairman Sanchez: A different location.
Ms. Schrager: -- of them in the southwest section?
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Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Ms. Schrager: OK.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you, ma'am.
Ms. Schrager: I thank you very much.
Chairman Sanchez: You have one minute for rebuttal.
Ms. Schrager: Oh, and incidently, we are suffering with physical ailments, my family. I don't
know -- they haven't made a study yet. We have -- I, myself, my husband, my son, my mother-in-
law, we all have had, because of these --1 think it has something to do with the substations, with
the electricity that we're experiencing. Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Yes.
Ms. Dougherty: I just want to say very quickly that the Schragers are very sympathetic people
and -- but there's nothing that you can do today that's going to hurt them in any way. There is
no emissions that's going to occur from this building and the alternative is not to have electricity
service for the rest of West Brickell, so we would ask that you --
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Ms. Dougherty: -- approve this.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Is there a motion on the resolution?
Commissioner Winton: So moved.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion by --
Commissioner Winton: And by the way, I would like to point out that we just approved, two
months ago, something in the neighborhood of a thousand units, maybe 1,500 units, right next to
the big substation, where they're going to build 1,500 units, 1 mean, right next to the big
substation on the other side of the river, so 1 think if this were a real scientific issue, there
wouldn't be units going up right next to the big substation.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Let's get a motion and a second and then we can discuss it.
Commissioner Regalado: I'll second the item.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion and a second for the purpose of discussion. Madam Clerk,
is there anything you --
Ms. Thompson: I'm trying to find out is the motion reversing or affirming, granting or denying?
1 need --
Chairman Sanchez: The motion, 1 believe, is to grant.
Commissioner Regalado: Grant the appeal, to grant the appeal.
Ms. Slazyk: Yes. To grant the appeal would be to grant the special exception --
Chairman Sanchez: Yes.
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Ms. Slazyk: -- and approve.
Commissioner Winton: OK, right, that's the motion.
Chairman Sanchez: That's the motion that's on the floor. There's a motion and --
Commissioner Regalado: I (UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Chairman Sanchez: -- a second. Commissioner Regalado.
Commissioner Regalado: Mr. Chairman, these residents, you know, they have come in a very
intelligent way to express the concerns of many people. A lot of people throughout the United
States have these concerns, but it's impossible to serve an ever-growing population and not to
have these substations. If FP&L were to come to the City and say, well, you know what? We're
going to think of eliminating all those substation, but we need a nuclear power plant in Virginia
Key, and imagine the outcry of the people. It's just impossible, and you know, I really
sympathize with these residents because they are concerned and they're right, there have been no
studies, but however, 1 mean, the people that work in the Administration building in the City of
Miami --
Ms. Slazyk: Yeah.
Commissioner Regalado: -- have over their heads a tremendous amount of wiring and
generating capacity just a few blocks -- a few steps from the building and they spend --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Maybe that's why we're having so much problems.
Ms. Slazyk: Hey.
Chairman Sanchez: They're not glowing yet.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Maybe that's why we --
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Commissioner Regalado: It's certainly not affecting their brain because they're very intelligent,
those residents, but who knows. I think that we have an expert and I'm the one -- 1'm one of
those Sci-Fi (Science Fiction) Channel freaks. I like this kind of issues, but I don't think that we
can just avoid generating more electricity because if we keep approving buildings and condos
and buildings and condos, it's -- we need electricity because then when we have a blackout, then
Florida Power & Light sucks, you know. It's -- so I'll second the motion and I really sympathize
with these residents.
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Are they going to reduce the bills --
Chairman Sanchez: I don't know about reducing their bill.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: -- when they build this plant?
Chairman Sanchez: All right. No further discussion on the item. It's a resolution.
Commissioner Regalado: No, no. That's another issue. They're going before the Public Service
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Commission to raise three bucks a month.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Wow.
Chairman Sanchez: All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." Motion carries.
Ms. Dougherty: Thank you very much.
Commissioner Winton: May 1, Mr. Chairman, say one more thing?
Chairman Sanchez: Sure.
Commissioner Winton: And this is to FP&L. I think the building that you've built there to house
the substation is absolutely fabulous, and 1'll tell you what I would like you all to -- you're going
to love this. I think that there's a lot of changes going on in our city and it's citywide, and 1
would love for FP&L to do a real analysis of substations throughout the City of Miami and give
real consideration to beginning to do some upgrades to the perimeter of those substations, and
there's one in -- just comes to mind immediately, in Commissioner Regalado's district on 27th
Avenue, right off of 27th Avenue and it's a damn chain link fence around it, which is awful, so
maybe we will -- let me restate this. I would like to --
Commissioner Regalado: They're going to -- he's going to explain.
Commissioner Winton: -- move a motion --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: That's a very good point.
Commissioner Winton: -- to encourage the -- to direct the Administration to be in contact with
the leadership of Florida Power & Light and encourage them to do an in-depth analysis of
substations in the City of Miami and develop a long-range plan for upgrading the perimeter of
those substations throughout the City. That's my motion.
Commissioner Regalado: Well, I'll second the motion, but on the case of 27th Avenue, we did
approve their zoning change so they can isolate --
Commissioner Winton: Oh, we did? OK, good.
Commissioner Regalado: -- the substation and landscape that, and I think that they're --
Commissioner Winton: Great.
Commissioner Regalado: -- in the process of doing that right now.
Commissioner Winton: OK, superb.
Ms. Slazyk: And I have to say, from the staff side, this was -- they were so positive about
working with our Internal Design Review Committee and agreeing to all of --
Commissioner Winton: I mean, this is fabulous.
Ms. Slazyk: -- these design considerations and it was great.
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Commissioner Winton: This is fabulous.
Ms. Slazyk: Yep.
Commissioner Winton: Couldn't be better.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right. This is an ordinance. We have a motion and we have a
second, right?
Commissioner Winton: Did you second?
Commissioner Regalado: I second it.
Commissioner Winton: OK.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: OK.
Ms. Thompson: I'm --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: It's an ordinance. Mr. City Attorney.
Commissioner Winton: No, it's not an ordinance; it's a resolution.
Ms. Thompson: First of all --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: It's a resolution?
Ms. Thompson: -- you've already taken your vote on the resolution, but you --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez:: Oh, OK.
Ms. Thompson: -- did make a motion to direct the City to do something --
Commissioner Winton: Yes.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Right.
Ms. Thompson: -- so we need a vote on your motion.
Commissioner Winton: Right.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: OK.
Commissioner Winton: All in favor.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All in favor, say "aye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
PZ.13 05-00139 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S
), DENYING THE APPEAL, AFFIRMING THE DECISION OF THE MIAMI
ZONING BOARD, THEREBY APPROVING WITH CONDITIONS THE CLASS II
SPECIAL PERMIT ISSUED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR ON
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Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
NOVEMBER 10, 2004, APPLICATION NO. 04-0423, TO ALLOW FOR
RIVERFRONT AND PARK IMPROVEMENTS, FOR THE PROPERTY
LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 601 NORTHWEST 7TH STREET ROAD,
MIAMI, FLORIDA, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN "EXHIBIT A."
05-00139 Legislation a.PDF
05-00139 Exhibit A.PDF
05-00139 Legislation b.PDF
05-00139 Exhibit A.PDF
05-00139 Aerial Map.pdf
05-00139 Class II Appeal Letter.PDF
05-00139 Class II Final Decision.PDF
05-00139 Class II Referral.PDF
05-00139 Fact Sheet.pdf
05-00139 Miami River Commission Recommendation.PDF
05-00139 Plans.PDF
05-00139 ZB Appeal Letter.PDF
05-00139 ZB Reso.PDF
05-00139 Zoning Map.pdf
05-00139-Submittal-1. pdf
0 5-00139-Submittal-3. p df
05-0 0139-Submittal-2. p df
Motion by Commissioner Allen, 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-05-0195
A motion was made by Commissioner Allen, seconded by Commissioner Winton, and was passed
unanimously, to direct the Administration to proceed with the application for the variance on the
wall.
Chairman Sanchez: Let's just go to PZ (Planning and Zoning) items.
Commissioner Allen: Yeah. Mr. Chairman, if I may, you may recall 1 asked your indulgence
earlier this morning. I have to attend a funeral that's in progress and I'd like to make it there.
However, there is a PZ item that directly relates to my district. Could we possibly take that out
of order because they're here. It should be short and --
Chairman Sanchez: Which item is that, Commissioner?
Commissioner Allen: PZ 13 --
Chairman Sanchez: Absolutely.
Commissioner Allen: -- if you will, please.
Chairman Sanchez: We'll hear PZ 13 --
Commissioner Allen: 13.
Chairman Sanchez: -- at the request of Commissioner Allen to take it out of order, so let's go
ahead and bring in --
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Commissioner Allen: And those who --
Chairman Sanchez: -- PZ 13.
Commissioner Allen: -- are present, please come forward. I don't know if there's going to be
testimony on this at all. I don't know.
Chairman Sanchez: PZ 13. Are the residents here? OK. This is an appeal.
Lourdes Slazyk (Assistant Director, Planning & Zoning): Yes. For the record --
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Do you want to swear in --
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Before we move on to the PZ items, we need to ask that anyone
speaking on any of the items or testifying in front of this Commission needs to stand up and raise
your right hand and be sworn in, so please let's do that. Madam Clerk, could you read -- could
you swear them in, please?
Ms. Thompson: Please raise your right hand.
The City Clerk administered required oath under City Code Section 62-1 to those persons giving
testimony on zoning issues.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: OK. Any person who acts as a lobbyist, pursuant to the City ordinance,
who addresses this Commission or City staff or any board, must register with the City Clerk as a
lobbyist. Any person making slanderous remarks or who become boisterous while addressing
this Commission will be kindly asked to exit the chambers. Any person seeking to obtain a -- an
agenda within five days of the Commission meeting, you could do so at the City Clerk's Office.
Any person who seeks to address this Commission must come up to the podium and state your
name and address for the record. Well go ahead and start with PZ.13; it's an appeal. The --
Ms. Slazyk: The appellant will go first. Let me just explain real quick --
Chairman Sanchez: Are they here?
Ms. Slazyk: 1--
Chairman Sanchez: Are they here?
Ms. Slazyk: Yeah.
Chairman Sanchez: Oh, they're here? Ma'am, this is your item and you are the appellant so you
get to go first.
Ms. Slazyk: OK. Just real quick, for the record, Lourdes Slazyk. This is an appeal of a Class II
Special Permit. This is for the park improvements for the Spring Garden Point Park. As you
may recall, several years ago the City Commission rezoned the property -- it's in Spring Garden
-- to PR, Parks and Recreation. The only reason the Class II is required is because it's between
the water and the first right-of-way. The Class I1 Special Permit was for a series of park
improvements, landscape, walkways and a shoreline stabilization. The Class 11 was granted.
The Zoning Board denied the appeal and upheld the Class II Special Permit, and we're asking
again that this appeal be denied and that the Class 11 Special Permit be upheld.
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Chairman Sanchez: All right. Counsel, how much time are you going to need for your
presentation?
Michael Hoffman: I'd like about 15 minutes, if possible.
Chairman Sanchez: Fifteen minutes. Do you have anyone that will be speaking?
Mr. Hoffman: I'm the only person speaking.
Chairman Sanchez: You're the only one, OK. All right. Please state your name for the record.
You need some help with the tech --
Mr. Hoffman: Yes, I do.
Chairman Sanchez: -- with the visual aid?
Mr. Hoffman: I'm looking for visual aid assistance. I need a cord to attach my computer to the
overhead. Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: We'll get you that in a minute, sir. There you go. Whenever you're ready,
sir.
Mr. Hoffman: 1 think we're -- I think it's warming up right now.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Mr. Hoffman: There we go.
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Commissioner Allen: Ready?
Mr. Hoffman: OK.
Commissioner Allen: Counselor, what's the speed of your computer?
Mr. Hoffman: I think it's a slow computer.
Commissioner Allen: I can see. It's --
Mr. Hoffman: Brand-new box here.
Commissioner Allen: Needs some more megahertz.
Mr. Hoffman: I'm not sure why it's so slow. OK. Good morning. My name is Michael Hoffman.
I live at 926 Michigan Avenue on Miami Beach. I'm legal counsel to Rebecca Long, the
appellant, and I've practiced law in Florida since 1996, at law firms, including Baker &
McKenzie and Shutts & Bowen, two of Miami's prestigious law firms, and I've recently formed
my own law practice, Law Offices of Michael H. Hoffman. Today I have the distinct honor of
appearing before the City Commission for the first time and I'm here to tell you that I'm very
proud to be here. I strongly believe that the City of Miami Class II Special Permit regarding
Spring Garden Point Park should be denied for the following reasons: First, the findings and
conditions for the permit are misleading and incomplete because the plans and drawings
submitted by the City of Miami Park and Recreation Department for the park cover two
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adjoining parcels, one along the Seybold Canal and the other along the Miami River, and both
parcels are intended to be used together. However, the permit that was issued only covers the
Miami River parcel, and as a result, the conditions set forth in the permit don't go far enough to
protect the appellant's use and enjoyment of her property, which is adjacent to the Spring
Garden Point Park. I'd like to read to you the initial finding of the Planning and Zoning
Department set forth in its final decision. It is found that the proposed project consists of an
improvement to the exterior area seawall, river walk and picnic area of the riverfront Spring
Garden Point Park. Your Honors, you'll see on the overhead projector I'm displaying a map and
this map here shows not only the riverfront parcel property, but also an adjoining parcel, which
I will call "Parcel A, " which has on it -- the upper part of the slide -- a house and this house is
contemplated being used in connection with the park, and this permit, however, only takes into
consideration the riverfront park and not the two uses being used together. You can also see the
circular drive covers Parcel A, the drive walk. There's also another set of drawings which the
City of Miami had submitted to the Planning and Zoning Department, which also show
restrooms being included in -- as part of the overall design, and I'm going to put up another slide
for you here. This is a project fact sheet submitted to an arch -- well, submitted by an architect
for the City of Miami Park and Recreation Department, and I read to you the first line -- I'm
sorry, the first paragraph here in the second line. It says, "The Seybold Canal House is a
historic structure constructed in approximately 1922, '24. It would serve as the park visitors'
center on the first floor. The second floor would contain a community association meeting space
and a park caretaker's apartment as an accessory use to the park. " Now I firmly believe that it's
misleading to go ahead and have a permit to only piecemeal part of this project, as opposed to
looking at the project as a whole and considering the related impacts that would result inevitably
from having more traffic congestion in this area, which is not designed for a large amount of
traffic to flow through. It's a quiet, historic neighborhood. In fact, the City of Miami approved
this neighborhood being designated a historic residential district, so we feel that for proper
review, it not only inquires a review of this particular riverfront, but also how these two parcels
are going to be used together, so we would respectfully request that the permit take into account
those intended uses. Now the other issue here is that there was a wall that was supposed to be
erected here to separate my client's property and the bordering western park line property, and
in a meeting with the Park and Recreations Department, my client was given assurances that this
wall would be erected and would separate the residential neighborhood from the park.
However, the six-foot wall to be erected is not high enough because the property that my client
has their house built on was built on spoil dredged from the Miami River, so if you were to be
standing on that property and looking out, it's clearly extremely elevated from the other park.
Now you can see on the slide right here, 600 Northwest North River Drive is my client's property.
There is the proposed park entrance. You can see there is no street frontage. In fact, when this
property was laid out, the -- each property was not laid out in a symmetrical, contiguous kind of
manner, so the actual front yard of the house is going to be bordering this proposed park
entrance. Now it could make perfect sense for the entrance to go further to the Seybold Canal,
where the Seybold Canal House is, but by piecemealing [sic] the permit process, you can't look
at this as a whole and say, OK, maybe the park entrance shouldn't go there; maybe it should be
put somewhere else, but in the haste to go ahead and get this permit approved and to get this
park built, we're not considering the actual related impact that's going to result, and I just show
you another -- there's a closer shot of the property and the park entrance, and there's actually
the distance between the property adjoining the park and this proposed wall that's going to be
built, and you can certainly see, I mean, just standing there, the property is much higher than the
park property, so we would respectfully request that the wall that's going to be built -- currently,
there's a variance acceptance plea for a six-foot wall that the City said it was to be approved
pursuant to the Code. We believe an eight -foot wall would be more suitable to the neighboring
homeowners, and I also want to point out that the homeowners have not been involved in this
process at all in talking with the Park and Recreation Department, other than possibly a cursory
phone call regarding they're putting in a six-foot wall, but with respect to the planning, there's
been no involvement with the adjoining homeowner. We're now getting our first time really to
voice our views in a manner that, hopefully, can get our client -- my client some relief. I also
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want to -- I have two other points I'd just like to make briefly. That's basically the main crux of
the issue is having the wall built there, separate the property and have it be eight feet high, and
also to have a permit review process that fully considers the impact on the adjoining homeowner.
The second reason why your honor should grant our appeal is that the decision of the Miami
Zoning Board was not impartial and unbiased, as evidenced by certain defamatory statements
that were made at the hearing on January 24, that were directed at my client, the appellant, and
it was made by a member of the Zoning Board, and the statements were basically to effect this is
a racist motive for why this park shouldn't be developed, and the statements, I believe, were so
invidious that it did not allow my client to have a fair hearing because when you're considering
the impact of having a client who's supposedly doing something which is discriminatory, having
that aired for the public to see and then having a Zoning Board member to have to decide in
favor or not in favor of that particular person's actions, it creates the taint that they could be
labeled as a racist person, so I don't think it was appropriate for that --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Mr. Hoffman: -- to be brought up at the hearing and I don't think the hearing itself was
impartial as that result. It mandates that -- I think the City Commission can come in and oversee
what had happened. My last point is this, Your Honors, you should grant our appeal because
the notice to the adjoining property owner and the neighborhood was defective. The Class II
Special Permit notification letter that was issued, it says that "the permit being applied for
relates to shoreline improvements along Miami River side of park." That's what the notice says.
However, the final permit that was issued encompasses both riverfront and park improvements,
the improvements that I'm showing you here --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Mr. Hoffman: -- right on this overhead. This is clearly more than riverfront improvements I'm
talking --
Commissioner Allen: Mr. --
Mr. Hoffman: -- that we're talking about here.
Commissioner Allen: -- Chairman, with all due respect, Counselor, you've made that argument.
Mr. Hoffman: OK.
Commissioner Allen: Your first argument. You -- so you're --
Mr. Hoffman: Thank you.
Commissioner Allen: If you will, you're kind of repeating your -- the first argument that you
made, so --
Chairman Sanchez: Are you prepared to wrap up?
Mr. Hoffman: Yes.
Commissioner Allen: Great.
Mr. Hoffman: I'm on my last --
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
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Mr. Hoffman: -- point in closing.
Commissioner Allen: Yeah, that's --
Mr. Hoffman: My clients were among those misled by the notice and didn't have an opportunity
to comment on the permit before it was issued. Therefore, in the interest of due process and
fairness, another public hearing should be held so that interested parties can be heard on the
matter. For the foregoing reasons, we urgently ask the City Commission to restore peace of
mind and security to the community by denying the Class II Special Permit and rendering a
decision to my client to erect a wall, which is eight feet high, along the western property line and
extends out further to the sidewalk. Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Commissioner Allen: OK.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you. Does that include [sic] your --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: -- presentation?
Mr. Hoffman: Yes, it does --
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Mr. Hoffman: -- conclude my presentation. Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: Sir, welcome. State your name and address for the record.
Ernie Martin: Ernie Martin. I'm representing the Spring Garden Civic Association this
afternoon, one of the oldest neighborhood associations in Miami, and 1 have a statement that has
been authorized by our president, 1 Veber, who couldn't get off work today, and I'd like to read
that statement into the record. Starting with several measures that we have taken because we
have a long history of trying to resolve neighborly differences by -- among ourselves, and we've
made efforts to -- through the design of the wall, the plans for a tree canopy and a foliage,
additional foliage and an earth berm to buffer this home from the park, and secondly, our
historic district has a handful of homes directly on the river and the Seybold Canal, which are
our two greatest waterfront amenities in Spring Garden, but the vast majority of residents do not
have the opportunity to enjoy our waterways because they have their homes off the water, and
we think that public access to the park is a most important policy principle to be upheld in the
long history of this project, which I'll mention briefly. Spring Garden Point Park will provide a
quiet and peaceful opportunity for the public to enjoy the river and -- so that's for Spring
Garden's residents, as well as the general public, and I think they have that privilege to enjoy the
waterfront and have public access to it. Thirdly, this project is nationally recognized. We've
passed out -- or is that being distributed now? -- a publication by the national organization the
Trust for Public Land, and I refer you to page 15 of the national magazine, which points out that
the City of Miami, along with San Francisco and Portland, Oregon, are three models of
neighborhoods that have shown -- they've taken extraordinary measures to create a new park to
fulfill a neighborhood dream. As a condition of it, just so you'll know a little of the history, the
article explains how in 1996, Spring Garden was forced into a crisis when this existing parking
lot -- vacant lot, which we now call the Point Park, was put on the market for a high-rise
multifamily building in our historic single-family neighborhood, and we contacted the Trust for
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Public Land, which helped us negotiate with the property owners to hold the sale of the property
off the market while we raised the money, which we accomplished, thanks to the State of Florida
and the -- and Miami -Dade County, $600, 000. TPL (Trust for Public Land) then transferred the
land in 1999 to the City at no cost, and it is stated that it can be used for no other purpose than a
passing park. The only alternative to going forward with the park improvements that are funded
now would be to return the money to the State and the County and to re -- back -- rezone the
land back to multifamily.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Mr. Martin: As a condition for accepting the deed to the property in 1999, the City approached
the Spring Garden Civic Association to take the responsibility for maintenance and development
-- of the maintenance and developing that additional funding for the project. At that point in
time, the City did not have enough resources to either maintain the park or to develop, and the
Association made the extraordinary step of signing a management agreement for seven years to
maintain the park -- this was back in 1999 -- through sweat, equity and voluntary work and
we've lived up to that responsibility. A small neighborhood of about 900 people has donated
each and every month some of its time to clean up the park and our corps of professional
volunteers have also raised 300, 000, which is the money that would be necessary to develop the
lower park, the park that is funded by the Florida Inland Navigation District, one of the two
funders [sic] of the lower park, and the Department of Environmental Resource Management,
which is why the park is being developed according to one master plan but in two phases, and
this Class II Special Permit only deals with the first phase for which we have money, that's $300,
000, and if we don't use it, it has to be returned.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you.
Mr. Martin: Now that that work has been done by so many people, we want to see that our
project is finished and we commend the City's Parks and Recreation Department for their helpful
cooperation and for their attempts to work with our dissenting neighbors to try to accommodate
their fears of public access to the lot adjacent to their home. If a higher fence will satisfy their
concerns, the Spring Garden Civic Association has no objection to that as far as that point goes.
I also have, for the record, a -- which is included in your packet and along with a picture of
some of the people that are involved, just at our most frequent -- at our most recent --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Mr. Martin: -- clean-up campaign that we had --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Mr. Martin: -- in the neighborhood. That's included in your package, as well as a letter from
the other abutting property owner. There are two abutting property owners. The other letter is
from Gioia DeCarlo, who owns the property -- the second property on the other side of the Point
Park, and only one of two properties that is in favor of it, and she gives all the reasons in this
letter. Mr. Chair, should I read the letter into the record or can --
Chairman Sanchez: Just --
Mr. Martin: -- just refer to it?
Chairman Sanchez: Ernie --
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Commissioner Allen: Yeah.
Chairman Sanchez: -- we don't need --
Commissioner Allen: Ernie -- right.
Chairman Sanchez: Just go ahead and turn it in to the City Clerk. I don't think we need the
letter.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Mr. Martin: OK.
Chairman Sanchez: Are you --
Commissioner Allen: OK. You done?
Chairman Sanchez: -- about to wrap it up?
Mr. Martin: I'm through now.
Commissioner Allen: Yeah, yeah.
Chairman Sanchez: OK --
Commissioner Allen: Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: Do you have anyone else that will be speaking on your item?
Mr. Martin: I just would like to recognize the members of the Spring Garden Civic --
Chairman Sanchez: Sure.
Mr. Martin: -- Association --
Chairman Sanchez: Let's go ahead and do that.
Mr. Martin: -- who are here. If you could stand up, and those -- I don't know if anybody else
wants to speak or not.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. All right.
Commissioner Allen: OK. Mr. Chairman --
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you so much. Commissioner Allen.
Commissioner Allen: Yes, Mr. Chairman. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- did you --
Charles J. Flowers: Yes, sir, I want to speak.
Commissioner Allen: OK.
Mr. Flowers: Charles J. Flowers --
Commissioner Allen: All right.
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Mr. Flowers: -- Spring Garden. I'm here as a homeowner and a resident of Spring Garden.
The park, as Ernie alluded to, was attained by the Spring Garden citizens and residents as a
park. We were able to -- the price was $1,200, 000. We were able to have it decreased to 600,
000. After obtaining the park, we gave it to the City of Miami to be used as a park and a park
only, and if it will not be used as a park, it probably was supposed to be revert back to Spring
Garden. Through the neighborhood -- Spring Garden, I love. I grew up in Overtown. As a
young man, 1 couldn't even go over there unless I had a lawnmower in my hand cutting grass,
and the things that I hear and see, I don't want to repeat itself --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Mr. Flowers: -- in the 2005, as it did back in the '30s and '40s, when I grew up in Overtown.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Mr. Flowers: So the park, as the attorney said, that it was two pieces of property. It was only
bought for the park.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Mr. Flowers: Two years later, we obtained money of $271, 000 --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Mr. Flowers: -- and we bought a house. It had nothing to do with the park.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Mr. Flowers: And it had nothing to do with the appeal.
Commissioner Allen: Yeah, Mr. -- OK. Mr. Chairman, if I may.
Chairman Sanchez: Commissioner Allen.
Commissioner Allen: Mr. Flowers, thank you very much for that comment. Just a quick question
. It seems to me, Mr. Attorney, your concern is the use and enjoyment on behalf of your client
with respect to her property. It appears to me your primary concern is this wall because, based
on your arguments, it goes to the issue of the use and enjoyment of her property. Now it appears
to me -- Lourdes, if I may, to help join here -- there was an effort made or a compromise to, if
you will -- can you expound on that --
Ms. Slazyk: Yeah.
Commissioner Allen: -- the use and enjoyment because it --
Ms. Slazyk: Yes.
Commissioner Allen: -- appears -- right.
Ms. Slazyk: Real quick, the Class II Special Permit did include a condition that that six-foot wall
be constructed. The reason that a taller wall was not --
Commissioner Allen: Contemplated.
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Ms. Slazyk: -- included in the conditions is because six foot is the maximum without having to
get a variance.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Ms. Slazyk: And the -- a variance just doesn't make any sense for the City to go in when a six-
foot wall would do the trick. The -- there is no height limit on landscape and vegetation;
perhaps, additional hedging around the six-foot wall might help, but six feet is the maximum we
could approve.
Commissioner Allen: Right. All right. OK.
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Commissioner Winton: Well, but --
Commissioner Allen: So --
Chairman Sanchez: Any further discussion on the --
Mr. Martin: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: -- item? Hearing none --
Commissioner Winton: Yeah, I --
Mr. Hoffman: We would welcome (UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Commissioner Winton: I have a couple questions.
Chairman Sanchez: Well, we -- whoa, whoa, whoa. Sir, you need to put on the record that
you're pro bono or else you're going to be writing us a check.
Mr. Hoffman: Certainly. I am pro bono, appearing --
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Mr. Hoffman: -- today on behalf of the appellant.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Commissioner Allen: OK.
Commissioner Winton: This six-foot wall, is it six feet -- he showed a picture. Now there's a --
Ms. Slazyk: A drop.
Commissioner Winton: -- what appears to be a bit of a wall there with a chain link fence on top
of the wall --
Ms. Slazyk: Right, but --
Commissioner Winton: -- in the picture that I saw.
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Ms. Slazyk: Yeah. The six-foot wall would have to be on the side of the park. We can't go put a
six-foot wall on her property.
Commissioner Winton: Well, then it seems to me that if you have to have a variance to do --
build an eight foot wall because there is a rational argument. Building a six-foot wall that three
feet of which is below their property line means you really have, for all intents and purposes for
them, a three-foot wall.
Ms. Slazyk: Right, but they could --
Commissioner Winton: So --
Ms. Slazyk: Yeah, they could put a wall on their side, as well, but no -- it would -- no. 1t still --
it would still require the variance.
Commissioner Winton: Well, why doesn't --
Ms. Slazyk: So --
Commissioner Winton: -- why don't we get one?
Ms. Slazyk: We can.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Ms. Slazyk: Well, we went to the maximum allowed by law, which was six feet.
Commissioner Winton: No. You went to --
Ms. Slazyk: We usually do not, in a special --
Commissioner Winton: -- the maximum allowed by law without a variance.
Ms. Slazyk: Without a variance, correct.
Commissioner Winton: There's a difference.
Ms. Slazyk: Right.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Ms. Slazyk: Through a Class 1I, we usually do not require an applicant to go get a variance.
they seek one, then we will review it for hardship, but in this -- the most we could ask for is
what's lawfully allowed.
Commissioner Winton: Well, I'm talking about logic here.
Ms. Slazyk: Right.
If
Commissioner Winton: The logic is that we're really not building -- for purposes of their
enjoyment -- a six-foot wall. We're building a three-foot wall or a four foot wall, whatever it is.
Ms. Slazyk: Right.
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Commissioner Winton: And they ought to get, you know -- the lady was before us when we
passed this before; wasn't in favor of the park. This isn't -- this no longer is a battle about the
park. It's just about taking --
Commissioner Allen: Accomodating.
Commissioner Winton: -- care of their property, and I --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Commissioner Winton: -- think we ought to go out of our way to --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Commissioner Winton: -- protect her property interest as it --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Commissioner Winton: -- relates to exposure to the park.
Commissioner Allen: Right, and if you will, Commissioner Winton, I think, if you will, Ernie, you
were not in disfavor of that, right, if you will?
Ms. Slazyk: You're not opposed to the variance --
Commissioner Allen: Of the --
Ms. Slazyk: -- for a taller wall?
Commissioner Allen: Because that satisfies --
Mr. Martin: We're not at all opposed to the variance for --
Commissioner Allen: Right, and that satisfies --
Mr. Martin: -- a taller wall.
Commissioner Allen: -- the use and enjoyment --
Mr. Martin: We would welcome it.
Commissioner Allen: -- that serves as a buffer, so if I could, Mr. Chairman, I would like to make
a motion that we -- if you will, can we -- can this --
Ms. Slazyk: 1 don't think you can --
Commissioner Allen: According to the way it's drafted, it's either/or, right? You can't amend --
Ms. Slazyk: You can't --
Commissioner Allen: -- this with respect to --
Ms. Slazyk: Yeah. You can't approve it subject to a future --
Commissioner Allen: Right. You can't do that, right.
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Ms. Slazyk: -- variance. What you would have to do is continue it for a few months and let the
City apply for the variance, and then once the variance is obtained, then you can act on the
Class H.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Ms. Slazyk: Because you can't condition something --
Commissioner Winton: Well, the other option you could do is, if you want to move this thing
forward, you deny the appeal but then you introduce a separate motion that gets the wheels
rolling on applying for the variance to get the wall built.
Ms. Slazyk: I'd have to check with the City Attorney. I believe -- and 1 guess they should correct
me if I'm wrong -- that if a -- if the Class II is denied, the same application can't come back for a
year.
Commissioner Allen: That's a possibility, yeah.
Ms. Slazyk: You know, when --
Commissioner Winton: If a what?
Ms. Slazyk: -- a special permit is denied --
Commissioner Winton: Oh, no. 1 don't mean --
Ms. Slazyk: -- the applicant can't come back with the same application --
Commissioner Winton: I'm saying deny --
Ms. Slazyk: -- for a year.
Commissioner Winton: -- the appeal.
Commissioner Allen: Well --
Ms. Slazyk: Right. Deny the appeal, grant the Class II --
Commissioner Winton: Yes.
Ms. Slazyk: -- and then a separate motion to the administration to get --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Ms. Slazyk: -- the variance for a taller wall. Yes, we could do that.
Commissioner Winton: Correct.
Commissioner Allen: And before --
Ms. Slazyk: Yeah.
Commissioner Allen: -- we address that, let me just ask -- turn to Mr. -- the attorney on behalf of
the appellant. Commissioner Winton, is -- I don't know. Is he correct in his analysis, is that a
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six-foot wall wouldn't suffice? I mean, it seems to me it should. 1 mean, 1 don't know the --
Mr. Hoffman: The reason is is there's a hundred foot boat slip behind the property in the
backyard, and that spoil, which is taken from that slip, the house, in the early 1900's, is built on
that --
Commissioner Allen: OK.
Mr. Hoffman: -- spoil, so it's elevated above the park. The two property lines are different in
heights.
Commissioner Allen: OK.
Commissioner Winton: By two or three feet. I mean, when 1 was --
Mr. Hoffman: At least.
Commissioner Winton: -- looking at the -- when I was looking at his photo, you could clearly
see that there was a significant elevation difference between the park and their property, and so
that's the only reason I'm arguing --
Commissioner Allen: Yeah, but --
Commissioner Winton: -- build a taller fence.
Commissioner Allen: But I'm wondering, is that an accurate representation? I don't know.
Lourdes.
Mr. Hoffman: It's about four feet is about the height difference.
Commissioner Winton: It's four feet?
Mr. Martin: No. I --
Mr. Hoffman: Is it about four feet?
Richard Veber: -- I'm Rick Veber, 1024 Northwest North River Drive.
Commissioner Allen: Wait, wait. Can you come up and speak, sir, quickly, before we --
Chairman Sanchez: Sir, sir, you need to state your name --
Mr. Veber: One and a half, two feet is --
Chairman Sanchez: -- for the record, but I --
Commissioner Allen: Yeah, sir.
Chairman Sanchez: -- did we close --
Commissioner Allen: Got to come up and speak your -- right.
Mr. Veber: Richard Veber, 1024 Northwest North River Drive. I'm --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
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Mr. Veber: -- a member of the Civic Association. The height difference, there's about one and a
half, two feet difference between the levels.
Commissioner Winton: I'm going to bet you --
Commissioner Allen: OK.
Commissioner Winton: -- 50 bucks right now it's not less than two feet.
Mr. Hoffman: Did you say --
Commissioner Allen: OK, so it appears to me --
Mr. Veber: You're on.
Unidentified Speaker: A survey.
Mr. Veber: You're on.
Commissioner Allen: Yeah. It appears to me a survey would be appropriate if we're going to
address this issue. On the other hand, I think we have a procedural problem here, and I hate to
preempt you, but go ahead. Could you answer the question that was recommended, either we
deny this to do it procedurally and --
Maria J. Chiaro (Assistant City Attorney): The situation was properly stated by Ms. Slazyk You
-- you know, if you deny the permit, it cannot come back for a year. You can grant this -- you
can grant the permit and direct the Administration to proceed with the application for a variance
. The two, however, are unconnected.
Commissioner Winton: Right.
Commissioner Allen: All right.
Chairman Sanchez: OK, so the motion would be --
Commissioner Allen: Be to --
Chairman Sanchez: -- deny the appeal, grant the Class II and direct the Administration to
proceed with the --
Commissioner Winton: In a separate motion.
Chairman Sanchez: -- application for the variance.
Commissioner Winton: In a separate motion --
Commissioner Allen: Separate.
Commissioner Winton: --1 think.
Chairman Sanchez: In a separate motion, OK, so therefore, we need a motion to deny the
appeal and grant the Class II Permit, and then we need a separate motion --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
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Chairman Sanchez: -- directing the Administration to proceed with the application for the
variance.
Commissioner Allen: Mr. Chairman, I make a motion and so move based on what you just
stated.
Chairman Sanchez: OK.
Commissioner Winton: Second.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: There is a motion to deny the appeal and grant the Class II,• that's one
motion. There's a motion by Commissioner Allen, second by Commissioner Winton. Open for
discussion. Hearing no discussion, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the same right, say "nay." The motion
carries. Now we need another separate motion and that motion is to direct the Administration
to proceed with the applications for the variance of the wall. Is there a motion?
Commissioner Allen: Lourdes.
Chairman Sanchez: Motion by Commissioner Allen.
Commissioner Allen: Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: Is there a --
Commissioner Winton: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: -- second?
Commissioner Winton: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: Second by Commissioner Winton. Open for discussion. Hearing no
discussion --
Commissioner Allen: Yeah.
Chairman Sanchez: -- all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, having the --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Chairman Sanchez: -- same right, say "nay." Motion carries. Thank you very much. We --
Commissioner Allen: Lourdes.
Chairman Sanchez: -- move on. Thank you, sir --
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Mr. Hoffman: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: -- and you stated --
Commissioner Allen: -- we just passed it.
Chairman Sanchez: -- for the record you're pro bono --
Commissioner Allen: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chairman Sanchez: -- so you --
Mr. Hoffman: Yes. Michael Hoffman, pro bono for the appellant, Rebecca Long.
Chairman Sanchez: Thank you so much.
Mr. Hoffman: Thank you.
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Joe Arriola (City Manager): Commissioner Winton, 1 want to thank you for --
Unidentified Speaker: Thank you very much, Your Honor.
Mr. Arriola: -- volunteering Quality of Life money for the extra two feet of the wall.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Before we go --
Commissioner Winton: It's coming --
Chairman Sanchez: -- back to the --
Commissioner Winton: -- out of the Planning Department.
PZ.14 04-00522 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING A MODIFICATION TO A DECLARATION OF
RESTRICTIVE COVENANT ("ZONING COVENANT") DATED SEPTEMBER 28
, 1992 AND RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 15663, PAGE 0716-
0720, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
FOR THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 2947-2949
SOUTHWEST 22ND TERRACE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, LEGALLY DESCRIBED IN
ATTACHED "EXHIBIT A", IN ORDER TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF
THE COVENANT IN THE MANNER DESCRIBED THEREIN.
04-00522 Exhibit A.PDF
04-00522 Aerial Map.pdf
04-00522 Applicant Letter & Supp Docs.PDF
04-00522 Fact Sheet.PDF
04-00522 Legislation.PDF
04-00522 Zoning Map.pdf
04-00522 - submittal.pdf
04-00522-Submittal-2. pdf
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REQUEST: Modification to a Covenant
LOCATION: Approximately 2947-2949 SW 22nd Terrace
APPLICANT(S): Judy Galindo, Owner of Latin American
Cafeteria -Restaurant
APPLICANT(S) AGENT: Ben Fernandez, Esquire
FINDINGS:
PLANNING DEPARTMENT: Recommended denial.
PURPOSE: This will allow a modification to an existing covenant.
Motion by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Commissioner Winton, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton and Regalado
Absent: 2 - Commissioner Sanchez and Allen
R-05-0204
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right. We have done 12, 13.
Lourdes Slazyk (Assistant Director, Planning & Zoning): We're up to 14.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: 14.
Ms. Slazyk: PZ 14 is a request for a modification to the covenant for 2947 through 49 Southwest
22nd Terrace. This is for the Latin American Restaurant -Cafeteria. The request was to modify
certain provisions of the covenant regarding access from 22nd Terrace. I think the original
request was for vehicular ingress and egress, and now I believe the request is being modified to
pedestrian ingress and egress, with a fence and a gate only, and they're removing the request for
vehicular ingress and egress from 22nd Terrace. The Department is still recommending denial.
Ben Fernandez: Good afternoon, Commissioners. For the record, my name is Ben Fernandez,
law offices of Bercow & Radell, 200 South Biscayne Boulevard, here on behalf of the applicant.
This item, I won't bore you with the history because I know that it's been before you a few times
and we've heard -- Commissioner Regalado, we've heard your input on this and we've
immediately responded by fencing the property to ensure that there would be no vehicular
ingress and ingress onto 22nd Terrace. As you know, this is a neighborhood serving retail
restaurant establishment, a very popular one, really an icon, I think, of the Cuban community,
and all we are trying to achieve through this modification is a pedestrian ingress and egress to
the property from the 22nd Terrace, the residential area, so that if someone wants to walk up
and get a cup of coffee or a sandwich, there -- they will continue to be able to do that. Of
course, this property lost a lot of parking when the adjacent property next door was redeveloped,
the Astor, and parking is tight there, so they need all of the parking that they can get on site to
deal with traffic. It's a very popular restaurant, very successful one on Coral Way. We've
amended -- our proposed amendment to the covenant is really very simple. It provides that a six-
foot aluminum fence with a gate for pedestrian ingress and egress shall be installed at the
owner's expense along the southern property line, parallel to Southwest 22nd Terrace, and that
said fence shall incorporate landscaping on both sides in accordance with a landscape plan, and
said plan shall be submitted for approval to the Department of Planning and Zoning prior to the
issuance of a building permit, and I've provided your staff with this proposed modification. They
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have reviewed it and we're prepared to begin this work immediately upon your approval of this
application. We're here to respond to any comments that you have.
Commissioner Regalado: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Commissioner Regalado.
Commissioner Regalado: Thank you. This been very difficult for the residents, especially
because we haven't finished the 22nd Terrace construction, and I have seen and talked to many
of the residents, and what the residents really objected to was the vehicular traffic. That is
something that, you know, you have to live on 22nd Terrace to understand why people try to cut
through Coral Way and that is why these people that were just here had to change all the plans,
spend all the money, demolish all the building so they can exit and enter on Coral Way.
However, the residents do want and appreciate a pedestrian entrance because many of these
elderly residents go to the pharmacy across the street, to the cafeteria, to the doctor's office and
the bank, and if they don't have that pedestrian access, they will then have to go to 27th or 29th,
walk to Coral Way, go around and that's three or four blocks, so I am ready, Mr. Chairman, to
approve the --
Ms. Slazyk: Modified.
Commissioner Regalado: -- motion to modify the covenant in -- and accept what the counsel
have proffered in terms of the fence with landscaping --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right.
Commissioner Regalado: -- and the pedestrian gate for Southwest 22nd Terrace.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez:: Before -- this is a public hearing, right? OK.
Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): Mr. Chairman, we don't have a final recordable form to
that modified covenant. You should -- if it's the wish of the Commission to pass that, to have the
applicant submit it to us in the form in which it needs to be submitted, within 30 days. If not,
then we would need to come back to you.
Commissioner Regalado: OK.
Mr. Fernandez: That's fine. We do have an executed version for you, Mr. City Attorney.
Mr. Fernandez: Recordable?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right.
Mr. Fernandez: I believe that it's recordable, but I can proffer it now. If not, we will get it to
you --
Mr. Fernandez: OK.
Mr. Fernandez: -- within 30 days, absolutely.
Commissioner Winton: I'll second for discussion.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right. This is a public hearing. Anybody in opposition? Anybody
in favor? Hearing none, seeing none, it's back to the Commission. We have a motion and we
have a second for discussion.
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Commissioner Winton: Commissioner Regalado, I think that -- I don't have a -- I have no visual
on this, but 1 have a worry, so I think that our motion needs to include that whatever is done
there does go through review --
Ms. Slazyk: Design review.
Commissioner Winton: -- of our Planning Department so that we end up with something that
really works for the neighborhood --
Commissioner Regalado: Oh, yeah. It's --
Commissioner Winton: -- and not left --
Ms. Slazyk: Yeah.
Commissioner Winton: -- to the discretion of --
Commissioner Regalado: No, it's here.
Mr. Fernandez: Commissioner, it's in there. It's in there.
Commissioner Winton: It is?
Commissioner Regalado: No, it's here. It's here.
Ms. Slazyk: It says --
Commissioner Winton: Oh, OK, fine.
Ms. Slazyk: -- said plans shall be submitted.
Commissioner Regalado: No, it's here. That's why I supported the modification because --
Commissioner Winton: OK.
Commissioner Regalado: -- the Planning Department has to approve --
Commissioner Winton: Yeah.
Commissioner Regalado: -- the landscaping and that my --
Commissioner Winton: And the fence.
Commissioner Regalado: And the fence.
Ms. Slazyk: And the -- yeah.
Commissioner Winton: I don't know what that fence is going to look like.
Ms. Slazyk: The fence and the gate, it's -- yeah, it's got to be something good.
Commissioner Regalado: My concern is that there will be no pedestrian access --
Mr. Fernandez: No vehicular.
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Commissioner Regalado: -- and the residents do want pedestrian --
Mr. Fernandez: Vehicular, vehicular access.
Commissioner Regalado: No, no, no, no.
Mr. Fernandez: That there will not be any.
Commissioner Regalado: That if we follow the Planning Department recommendation, there
will be no --
Mr. Fernandez: Correct.
Commissioner Regalado: -- pedestrian access --
Ms. Slazyk: Right.
Commissioner Regalado: -- and that was my concern. That is why I am supporting the
pedestrian access from 22nd Terrace to Coral Way and the east -- the north and south area of
Coral Way, and --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right.
Commissioner Regalado: -- it has to go to the Department of Planning and Zoning for review of
the landscape and all that, and in 30 days, you have to proffer to the covenant to execute with
the City Attorney and that's that.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right. We have a motion and we have a second. All in favor, say
"aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez.: All opposed? Motion carries.
Mr. Fernandez: Thank you very much.
PZ.15 04-01268a ORDINANCE First Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS AMENDED, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF
THE MIAMI COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN BY CHANGING THE
LAND USE DESIGNATION OF THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT
APPROXIMATELY 345 AND 363 NORTHEAST 20TH TERRACE; 2040, 2066
AND 2072 NORTH BAYSHORE DRIVE; AND 348 NORTHEAST 21ST
STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, FROM "HIGH DENSITY MULTIFAMILY
RESIDENTIAL" TO "RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL"; MAKING FINDINGS;
DIRECTING TRANSMITTALS TO AFFECTED AGENCIES; CONTAINING A
REPEALER PROVISION AND A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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04-01268a Analysis.PDF
04-01268a Land Use Map.pdf
04-01268a Aerial Map.pdf
04-01268a School Board Comments.PDF
04-01268a PAB Resos.PDF
04-01268a Application & Supporting Docs.PDF
04-01268a Legislation.PDF
04-01268a SR Fact Sheet 04-28-05.pdf
REQUEST: To Amend Ordinance No. 10544, from "High Density Multifamily
Residential" to "Restricted Commercial" to Change the Future Land Use
Designation of the Miami Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan
LOCATION: Approximately 345 and 363 NE 20th Terrace; 2040, 2066 and
2072 N Bayshore Drive; and 348 NE 21st Street
APPLICANT(S): Royal Palm Miami Holdings, LLC, Contract
Purchaser/Owner
APPLICANT(S) AGENT: Adrienne F. Pardo, Esquire
FINDINGS:
PLANNING DEPARTMENT: Recommended approval.
PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD: Recommended approval to City Commission
on January 19, 2005 by a vote of 7-0. See companion File IDs 04-01268 and
04-01268b.
PURPOSE: This will change the above properties to Restricted Commercial for
the proposed Paramount at Edgewater Square Major Use Special Permit
Project.
Motion by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter
be PASSED ON FIRST READING PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez and Regalado
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Allen
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: PZ 15.
Lourdes Slazyk (Assistant Director, Planning & Zoning): PZ 15 and 16 are companion land use
and zoning change items. They were here for the City Commission on first reading on February
24. There was some opposition from a nearby condominium and you all had continued it to this
date in order to give the applicant an opportunity to meet with the condominium.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right. This is a public hearing. Anybody wants to address the
Commission in favor or against this project, please come forward. Yes, ma'am.
Adrienne Pardo: Mr. Chairman, my architect is here, but 1 don't know where she went, so could
I ask -- Lucia has Item 18 that she needs to continue. If she could just continue it, and I can --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right.
Ms. Pardo: -- go find here, if you wouldn't mind. Thank you for your time.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right, so we --
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Ms. Slazyk: PZ (Planning and Zoning)
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: -- table 15 and 16.
Chairman Sanchez: PZ 16.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: OK. PZ 16.
Ms. Slazyk: 15 and 16, again, these are companion items continued from the last meeting.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. First reading. Madam Applicant.
Adrienne Pardo: Yes.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Is there any opposition to this item?
Commissioner Winton: What item?
Ms. Pardo: I don't --
Chairman Sanchez: PZ (Planning and Zoning) --
Ms. Pardo: -- believe so, no.
Chairman Sanchez: -- 16, it's an ordinance on first reading.
Ms. Pardo: We don't have opposition.
Chairman Sanchez: There is no opposition, OK
Commissioner Winton: PZ which?
Commissioner Regalado: 15 and 16.
Ms. Pardo: 15 and 16.
Commissioner Winton: Oh.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. This was in front of us before.
Ms. Pardo: Was -- hello. My name is Adrienne Pardo, with law offices at 1221 Brickell Avenue.
I'm here today on behalf of Royal Palm Miami Holdings, LLC, which is the owner of the subject
property. The last time we were before you was a month ago, and there was a request from some
residents in the 2121 Biscayne building for a continuance. Due to that continuance, we met with
them again. We had met with them back in October, but we met with them again. We actually
had met with them, their entire board, for about three hours immediately following the
Commission meeting, and then they established a committee, and we met again with their
committee last week. The president of the association, Allison Gillespie is here and they are not
in opposition of the subject property, of the application, and I'm ready to make a full
presentation if you'd like me to go through it.
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Commissioner Winton: Well, 1 think I'd like them to -- the president of the association to just put
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on record that they are whatever they are.
Chairman Sanchez: What their position may be on this project.
Allison Gillespie: Pardon me?
Chairman Sanchez: What your position is on this item.
Ms. Gillespie: First of all, my name is Allison Gillespie. I'm at 2121 North Bayshore Drive.
Our position is that, first of all, we appreciate the Commission and the developers' time in
listening to our concerns and continuing this issue. We had a wonderful meeting with the
developers and we had a great conversation regarding some give and take and talking about
some of our concerns, and have come out of that meeting with a positive working relationship,
committing to have increased communication and have even established that we're going to have
an official liaison from our building with the developers in case there are any issues coming up,
but there was a commitment on the part of the developers and on our part to continue to work
together on this project, so there's no opposition to the project.
Commissioner Winton: Move it.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. There is a motion by Commissioner Winton.
Commissioner Regalado: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: Second by Commissioner Regalado. It is open for discussion. It's an
ordinance. Is there anyone from the public wishing to address this item? Seeing none, hearing
none, the public hearing is closed, coming back to the Commission. No further discussion on the
item. Mr. City Attorney, read the ordinance into the record.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Chairman Sanchez: Madam Clerk, roll call.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Roll call.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been passed on first reading, 4/0.
Commissioner Winton: And to the developer, make sure that whatever commitments you're
making to the neighbors, those commitments are --
Ms. Pardo: Absolutely.
Commissioner Winton: -- kept.
PZ.16 04-01268b ORDINANCE First Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S
), AMENDING PAGE NO. 21 OF THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE NO.
11000, AS AMENDED, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, ARTICLE 4, SECTION 401, SCHEDULE OF DISTRICT
REGULATIONS, BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM "R-4
" MULTIFAMILY HIGH -DENSITY RESIDENTIAL WITH AN "SD-20"
EDGEWATER OVERLAY DISTRICT AND "C-1" RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL
WITH AN "SD-20/SD-20.1" EDGEWATER OVERLAY DISTRICT TO "C-1"
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Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL WITH AN "SD-20/SD-20.1" EDGEWATER
OVERLAY DISTRICT AND
"SD-19" DESIGNATED F.A.R. OVERLAY DISTRICT WITH AN F.A.R.
OF 2.4, FOR THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 340 AND
348 NORTHEAST 21ST STREET; 317, 341, 345 AND 363 NORTHEAST
20TH TERRACE; AND 2040, 2066, AND 2072 NORTH BAYSHORE DRIVE,
MIAMI, FLORIDA, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN "EXHIBIT A,"
CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
04-01268b Zoning Map.pdf
04-01268b Aerial Map.pdf
04-01268b Analysis.PDF
04-01268b ZB Resos.PDF
04-01268b Application & Supporting Docs.PDF
04-01268b Legislation.PDF
04-01268b Exhibit A.PDF
04-01268b SR Fact Sheet 04-28-05.pdf
REQUEST: To Amend Ordinance No. 11000, from R-4 Multifamily High -
Density Residential with an SD-20 Edgewater Overlay District and C-1
Restricted Commercial with an SD-20/SD-20.1 Edgewater Overlay District to C-
1 Restricted Commercial with an SD-20/SD-20.1 Edgewater Overlay District
and SD-19 Designated F.A.R. Overlay District with an F.A.R. of 2.4 to Change
the Zoning Atlas
LOCATION: Approximately 340 and 348 NE 21 st Street; 317, 341, 345 and
363 NE 20th Terrace; and 2040, 2066 and 2072 N Bayshore Drive
APPLICANT(S): Royal Palm Miami Holdings, LLC, Contract
Purchaser/Owner
APPLICANT(S) AGENT: Adrienne F. Pardo, Esquire
FINDINGS:
PLANNING DEPARTMENT: Recommended approval.
ZONING BOARD: Recommended approval to City Commission on January 10,
2005 by a vote of 8-0. See companion File IDs 04-01268 and 04-01268a.
PURPOSE: This will change the above properties to C-1 Restricted
Commercial with an SD-20/SD-20.1 Edgewater Overlay District and SD-19
Designated F.A.R. Overlay District with an F.A.R. of 2.4 for the proposed
Paramount at Edgewater Square Major Use Special Permit.
Motion by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter
be PASSED ON FIRST READING PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez and Regalado
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Allen
Chairman Sanchez: PZ.17.
Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): 16.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): 16.
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Lourdes Slazyk (Assistant Director, Planning & Zoning): Well, 16 is the --
Chairman Sanchez: I am so sorry.
Ms. Slazyk: -- companion --
Commissioner Winton: So moved.
Ms. Slazyk: -- zoning change.
Chairman Sanchez: Companion item. There's a motion. Is there a second? There's a motion.
Is there a second?
Commissioner Regalado: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion by Commissioner Winton, second by Commissioner
Regalado. Before we go to the discussion, it is a public hearing. Anyone from the public
wishing to address this item, please step forward and be heard. Seeing none, hearing none, the
public hearing is closed, coming back to the Commission. No further discussion. Mr. City
Attorney, read the ordinance into the record. Madam Clerk, roll call.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Chairman Sanchez: Madam Clerk.
Ms. Thompson: Roll call.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been passed on first reading, 4/0.
Chairman Sanchez: PZ 17
Ms. Pardo: Thank you.
Ms. Thompson: We did that already. We're done.
Commissioner Winton: Didn't we deny Bernardo's thing?
Chairman Sanchez: That's it? No, we're not finished.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: We are.
Commissioner Winton: We den -- Bernard, he's a little late, but should we tell him we've denied
his application? I knew it'd be a junky looking building. No, we'll see it next time.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Are there any pocket items? Are there any pocket items?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: None.
Chairman Sanchez: No pocket items.
PZ.17 05-00077 ORDINANCE First Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S
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Verbatim Minutes March 24, 2005
), AMENDING PAGE NO. 46, OF THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE NO.
11000, AS AMENDED, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, ARTICLE 4, SECTION 401, SCHEDULE OF DISTRICT
REGULATIONS, BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM "SD
-2" COCONUT GROVE CENTRAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT TO "SD-2"
COCONUT GROVE CENTRAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT WITH AN "SD-19"
DESIGNATED F.A.R. OVERLAY DISTRICT, INCREASING THE F.A.R. TO 2.
23, FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 3300 RICE
STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN "
EXHIBIT A," CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
05-00077 Analysis.PDF
05-00077 Zoning Map.pdf
05-00077 Aerial Map.pdf
05-00077 ZB Reso.PDF
05-00077 Application & Supp Docs.PDF
05-00077 Legislation.PDF
05-00077 Exhibit A.PDF
05-00077 SR Fact Sheet.pdf
REQUEST: To Amend Ordinance No. 11000 from SD-2 Coconut Grove
Central Commercial District to SD-2 Coconut Grove Central Commercial
District with an SD-19 Designated F.A.R. Overlay District,
Increasing the F.A.R. to 2.23 to Change the Zoning Atlas
LOCATION: Approximately 3300 Rice Street
APPLICANT(S): Geoffrey Jackson, Owner and Arquitectonica International
Corp., Contract Purchaser
APPLICANT(S) AGENT: Adrienne F. Pardo, Esquire
FINDINGS:
PLANNING DEPARTMENT: Recommended denial.
ZONING BOARD: Recommended approval to City Commission on January
24, 2005 by a vote of 9-0.
PURPOSE: This will change the above property to SD-2 Coconut Grove
Central Commercial District with an SD-19 Designated F.A.R. Overlay
District, increasing the F.A.R. to 2.23.
Motion by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, that this matter
be PASSED ON FIRST READING PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton and Regalado
Absent: 2 - Commissioner Sanchez and Allen
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right. PZ 17.
Lourdes Slazyk (Assistant Director, Planning & Zoning): PZ. 17 is a request for a change of
zoning for the property located at 3300 Rice Street. The request is to add an SD-19 overlay for a
designated FAR (floor area ratio) of 2.23 for this project. The recommendation from the
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Planning Department is for denial and the recommendation from the Zoning Board was for
approval.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez.: All right. This is a public hearing. Anybody that wants to address the
Commission, anybody in favor or in opposition of this item, please come forward. Seeing none
and hearing none, it comes back to the -- I'm sorry, Lucia. Sorry.
Lucia Dougherty: This is a property -- Lucia Dougherty, with offices at 1221 Brickell Avenue.
This is a property that is located on Rice Street. If you can imagine where the Mayfair parking
garage is, where they used to have the La (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and that Soyka -- I can't
remember the name of the restaurant, but anyway, that garage, directly behind it is a two-story
strip shopping center on Rice Street. That's a piece of property that Bernardo Fort Brecia and
Laurinda Spear have purchased to locate their office building, Arquitectonica Design Studios. It
is close to where they live; they live in the Moorings just down the street. They have six children
who went to Ransom, four of whom are still there. They want to relocate, by the way, where they
originally had their offices with -- when they were partners with Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk and
Andres Duany, so 27 years ago, that's where they started their architectural firm,
Arquitectonica, and they want to return to the exact same place, so they want to build their
design studios. They want to build it exactly at the height limitation that's permitted, but they're
asking for an SD-19 overlay in order to take the parking, which would otherwise be permitted in
it, and put it in the public garage. In other words, the way your ordinance is designed, it has an
FAR that anticipates that you're going to have parking below, offices or residential above, but
the parking doesn't count towards FAR, so what we're asking to do is take the FAR that we
would otherwise have on the bottom floor and put it in the parking garage, which is directly
across the street, a public parking garage, which is countercyclical to this office. In other
words, when Bernardo and his architects and his clients are in the office, it's countercyclical of
your peak hour traffic, so they're leaving when your Grove is filling up and that parking garage
is filling up at night, so --
Commissioner Winton: That's the Oak Avenue garage?
Ms. Dougherty: Yes, umm-hmm. It is directly across the street, so if you imagine -- here is the
Mayfair garage, the one that had that restaurant in it. The Oak Avenue garage is here -- and I
apologize, but we have all these maps and stuff, but Bernardo's on his way -- so you have the
Oak Avenue garage, you have --
Ms. Slazyk: There's a map in their packages, though.
Ms. Dougherty: Oh.
Ms. Slazyk: There's a color aerial photograph in your package.
Commissioner Winton: I'm looking at it.
Ms. Slazyk: OK.
Ms. Dougherty: OK, so directly (INAUDIBLE) -- oh.
Commissioner Winton: I know it. 1 know the area.
Ms. Dougherty: OK, so this is the Oak Avenue garage right there.
Commissioner Winton: Right.
Ms. Dougherty: So currently you have all these commercial uses. You have the Oak Avenue
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garage. You have across the street the fire station. You have the office building catty -corner
from that, so you have all these commercial uses. We want to build exactly what's there to the
same height that's permitted, but in order to take the parking out and put Design Studios in, we
need some additional FAR. We think that this particular site deserves it because it's not --
because if you want to attract this office here, that's what you're going to have to do, and one of
the things that we have gotten from the owner of the -- current owner of the property is a letter,
and this is sort of important for you to understand. He's given me a letter that says that if you
pass this SD-19 and, for some reason, Bernardo doesn't buy it or build it, you are authorized,
without his objection, to roll the zoning back, so that's that, so you're authorized to do it anyway
because he hasn't started building. All I'm saying to you, he doesn't have an objection to it if, for
some reason, Bernardo doesn't buy it. You could do it anyway because no one has built; no
one's pulled a building permit. All I'm saying to you is, if you wanted to do it, he is saying to you
he's not objecting, so unfortunately, Bernardo's not here with his design plans so he could show
you the building. He does have those prepared This is first reading. He will have them there
on second reading, I promise.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez.: All right.
Commissioner Winton: What's the law of unintended consequences?
Ms. Slazyk: Well, the one 1 thought of was the one that she just addressed with the letter, what if
he doesn't come --
Commissioner Winton: Right.
Ms. Slazyk: -- and this FAR is now higher than what you could --
Commissioner Winton: Right.
Ms. Slazyk: -- get with even a MUSP (Major Use Special Permit), you know. Our primary
reason for recommendation of de -- I mean, there's SD-2 here. We're going to get to get through
Class II to see whatever happens anyway. It's just an inappropriate use. SD-19, it's a, you know
-- SD-19 is used -- in the Grove, primarily, it's been used to lower FAR. There's very few places
in the City where it's used to raise FAR, and lately it's being used a lot to raise FAR, and we're in
the process of analyzing that to possibly come back with an amendment for you.
Commissioner Winton: But you know --
Ms. Slazyk: It's a precedent.
Commissioner Winton: -- what I like --
Ms. Slazyk: It's a precedent.
Commissioner Winton: -- about this is that we get a use that's going to utilize a public garage.
Ms. Slazyk: I know, but a zoning change, you can't tie them to the use they're saying.
Commissioner Winton: Say what?
Ms. Dougherty: Yes, they can.
Ms. Slazyk: You can't tie them in a zoning change to an office use. OK, they can --
Ms. Dougherty: But you can take it away.
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Ms. Slazyk: -- do anything that's allowed in SD-2 there. Yes, it's close to a garage, but they
could -- once they get this, you know, they're not tied to a set of plans. They're not -- you know --
Ms. Dougherty: I'll tie them to a set --
Ms. Slazyk: They're telling you that it's --
Ms. Dougherty: -- of plans by a covenant --
Ms. Slazyk: -- Arquitectonica's going to move in --
Ms. Dougherty: -- by second reading.
Ms. Slazyk: -- and it's going to be an office use, but there's -- in a zoning change, you can't bind
them to that.
Commissioner Winton: But I thought we could roll back Mr. City Attorney --
Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): Well, I'm just wondering if --
Commissioner Winton: -- can we roll back?
Mr. Fernandez: My question is, will they be submitting an agreement with the parking garage in
perpetuity, and would there be a condition of the rezone that if they ever breach that agreement
to maintain and pay for so many parking units, that then this would be rescindable. To me, that
would --
Ms. Dougherty: That is a good -- that's a good point. I apologize. I didn't say what 1 had to do
Mr. Fernandez: Say that.
Ms. Dougherty: -- say about that, and that is that we are required to pay money into the trust
fund for every parking space we don't provide; that's number one, but number two --
Ms. Slazyk: That's true.
Ms. Dougherty: -- we also are going to be providing public -- we are also going to be paying for
the cards for the garage --
Ms. Slazyk: That's true.
Ms. Dougherty: -- so we're getting hit twice.
Ms. Slazyk: That's true. In order to build the building without the parking spaces, they have to
pay into the trust fund.
Mr. Fernandez: Correct.
Ms. Slazyk: Then their actual office employees would have to actually either park on the street
or get a -- passes for the garage.
Commissioner Winton: My inclination right now is to, on first reading, recommend approval
and let us think about this and determine whether there's additional debate needed --
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Ms. Slazyk: OK.
Commissioner Winton: -- for round two, and maybe round two, we blow it up, but my inclination
right now is to go forward because there are parts of it I really do like. I like the idea that
they're utilizing the public garage that's underutilized right now --
Ms. Slazyk: No, and --
Commissioner Winton: -- and everybody knows that.
Ms. Slazyk: -- new ofices in the Grove. It's a great idea. I think our biggest --
Commissioner Winton: Absolutely right.
Ms. Slazyk: -- concern was the precedent of --
Commissioner Winton: Yes.
Ms. Slazyk: -- SD-19.
Commissioner Winton: Exactly.
Ms. Dougherty: The other thing I forgot to tell you is we went to the One Grove Alliance and
they approved it.
Commissioner Winton: That's a shocker.
Ms. Dougherty: That's another one I forgot to tell you, so --
Commissioner Regalado: Second.
Ms. Slazyk: OK, approve.
Commissioner Regalado: I'll second the motion.
Commissioner Winton: We got a motion and a second.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right. We have a motion and we have a second. It's an ordinance.
Commissioner Winton: And Mr. City Attorney, you're going to --
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Yes. Mr. City Attorney.
Mr. Fernandez.: Well, you know, and of course, Lucia understands that she also needs to get the
approval of the City Attorney's Office, which may not be as easy as the Grove Alliance. No, just
kidding, but we will work with that.
Ms. Dougherty: Undoubtedly, you're right.
Commissioner Winton: OK, great.
Mr. Fernandez: We'll work on that.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Read the ordinance.
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Commissioner Winton: OK.
Mr. Fernandez: Yes.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Roll call.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Roll call.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been passed on first reading, 4/0.
Ms. Dougherty: Thank you very much.
PZ.18 04-00723 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENTS,
APPROVING WITH CONDITIONS, A MAJOR USE SPECIAL PERMIT
PURSUANT TO ARTICLES 9, 13 AND 17 OF ZONING ORDINANCE NO.
11000, FOR THE 1237 BISCAYNE BOULEVARD PROJECT, TO BE
LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 1237 BISCAYNE BOULEVARD, 324 AND
444 NORTHEAST 13TH STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, TO CONSTRUCT A 57-
STORY MIXED -USE STRUCTURE CONSISTING OF 408 TOTAL
MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL UNITS, APPROXIMATELY 17,160 SQUARE
FEET OF RETAIL/OFFICE USE, AND 570 TOTAL PARKING SPACES;
DIRECTING TRANSMITTAL; MAKING FINDINGS OF FACT AND STATING
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW; PROVIDING FOR BINDING EFFECT;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
04-00723 MUSP Analysis.PDF
04-00723 Zoning Map.pdf
04-00723 Aerial Map.pdf
04-00723 School Brd Recomm.PDF
04-00723 Traffic Impact Analysis.PDF
04-00723 PAB Reso.PDF
04-00723 Sp Ex Fact Sheet.pdf
04-00723 Sp Ex Analysis.PDF
04-00723 ZB Reso.PDF
04-00723 Legislation.PDF
04-00723 Exhibit A.PDF
04-00723 Exhibit B.PDF
04-00723 Exhibit C.PDF
04-00723 Plans.pdf
04-00723 Plans Re-submittal.pdf
04-00723 MUSP Fact Sheet 04-28-05.pdf
REQUEST: Major Use Special Permit for the 1237 Biscayne Boulevard
Project
LOCATION: Approximately 1237 Biscayne Boulevard and 324 and 444 NE
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13th Street
APPLICANT(S): 1237 Biscayne Blvd, LLC, Owner and 1237 Biscayne
Development Group, LLC, Contract Purchaser
APPLICANT(S) AGENT: Lucia A. Dougherty, Esquire
FINDINGS:
PLANNING DEPARTMENT: Recommended approval with conditions*.
PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD: Recommended approval with
conditions* to City Commission on June 16, 2004 by a vote of 6-0.
ZONING BOARD: Granted the special exception on June 28, 2004 by a
vote of 8-0.
*See supporting documentation.
PURPOSE: This will allow the development of the 1237 Biscayne
Boulevard Project.
CONTINUED
A motion was made by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Commissioner Regalado, and was
passed unanimously, with Chairman Sanchez and Commissioner Allen absent, to continue item
PZ 18 to the Commission Meeting currently scheduled for April 28, 2005.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: PZ 18, yes.
Lourdes Slazyk (Assistant Director, Planning & Zoning): PZ.18 is the Major Use Special Permit
for the Opus project. We're requesting that that be continued again.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All right.
Ms. Slazyk: I'm not sure if, Lucia, you have a date certain. One month, April 28.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: We need a motion.
Commissioner Winton: So moved.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez:: OK. We have a motion to continue to --
Commissioner Regalado: Second.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: -- April 28. Do we have a second?
Commissioner Regalado: Yeah, I'll second
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: And we have a second. All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: All opposed?
Commissioner Regalado: Lucia, does the Opus wants to break the record of the Performing Arts
in delaying?
Lucia Dougherty: I don't think we could possibly do that.
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Commissioner Regalado: Oh, OK, good.
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NON -AGENDA ITEMS
NA.1 05-00304 DISCUSSION ITEM
A motion was made by Commissioner Winton, seconded by Vice Chairman
Gonzalez, and was passed unanimously, with Commissioner Allen absent, to
direct the City Manager to come back with a recommendation for acquisition of
real property to develop affordable housing in the Little Havana Community
Revitalization District; further authorizing the Little Havana Homeownership
Advisory Board to assist in the management and supervision of said properties.
MOTION
Chairman Sanchez: All right, so why don't we get -- why don't we go to the blue pages and take
care of that. Do we have anything else time certain, Madam Clerk?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): No, sir, you don't.
Chairman Sanchez: 1 believe I have two items that are --
Commissioner Winton: What did we do?
Ms. Thompson: You --
Chairman Sanchez: -- not time certain, but I'm waiting on them -- for them to get here.
Ms. Thompson: Correct. That's one --
Chairman Sanchez: And we'll continue to wait. OK, well go to the blue pages, so we'll start
with District 1.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I have nothing.
Chairman Sanchez: District 2.
Commissioner Winton: You know, I'm going to give all of my time to Commissioner Regalado.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. District 3. 1 do have one. It's a resolution and this is -- I wanted
to do it after the presentation of the Little Havana Homeownership Advisory Board, but I'll go
ahead and do it now since it's under my blue page. They will be presenting their success as to --
this is a board that was put together of professionals to assist homeownership in Little Havana,
an area that was seven percent homeownership, and this is a volunteer board. They're all
professionals. There is no money towards administration costs and I would like for them to
showcase and show you the success that they had, but this resolution is in an attachment to them,
and it's a resolution of the City of Miami Commission authorizing the City Manager to ident
and negotiate for purchase real property for affordable housing in the Little Havana Community
Revitalization District, with purchase price not to exceed -- and that'll be determined by -- Steve,
what is the amount? All right. I'll tell you what we'll do, we'll direct the City Manager to bring
it back in front of the Commission with a number on it as to what he believes would be in
compliance, and this resolution that we're presenting here today would just be directed to have
the City Manager put it on the regular agenda, and I stated when I got stuck here on the funds --
for funds available to the Little Havana Homeownership Advisory Board; and authorizing the
Little Havana Homeownership Advisory Board to assist in the management and supervision of
said properties, so once again, this is just directing the City Manager to put it back on the
agenda for discussion from the Commission and approval from this Commission. So move.
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Commissioner Winton: Second.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Commissioner Winton: Or can you move it? You want me to move it for you?
Chairman Sanchez: 1 need somebody to move it.
Commissioner Winton: 171 move.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: Second.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a motion by Commissioner Winton, second by Vice Chairman Gonz
alez. 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," so this will be back
for approval of this legislative body.
NA.2 05-00305 RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING THE
CITY MANAGER TO START AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION
REGARDING THE SUSPENSION CASE OF FRANK PICHEL, FORMER
SERGEANT -AT -ARMS, OF THE CITY COMMISSION AND TO REPORT
BACK THE FINDINGS OF SAID INVESTIGATION TO THE CITY
COMMISSION.
Motion by Commissioner Regalado, 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-05-0201
Commissioner Regalado: OK. The second item is a resolution to direct the City Manager to
start an independent investigation regarding the case of one of the Sergeant at Arms of the
Miami City Commission, Sergeant Frank Pichel, and he has been suspended and there are some
allegations, which I don't know, don't have details, but since this affects the daily work of the
City Commission, 1 am requesting that the City Manager will conduct his own independent
investigation regarding this matter and report back to the Commission, and that the City
Manager in this report will also decide that there will be no action taken until the City Manager
finishes his investigation and concludes on what are the facts on this case.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: 1'll second the motion and 1 wanted to add --
Chairman Sanchez: All right. There's a motion and a second. The motion is made by
Commissioner Regalado, second by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, who is recognized for discussion.
Vice Chairman Gonzalez:: Yes, sir. Yeah. Mr. Manager, I feel kind of bad because what has just
happened is kind of a disrespect to this City Commission. Sergeant Pichel was our Sergeant at
Arms until three or four, or five days ago, and he has been suspended for whatever allegations
are against him, and that's something that, under Commissioner Regalado's resolution, you will
investigate and I will appreciate it that, in addition to obtaining an independent investigation in
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this case, that you look at the file and look through the file and see what would you -- what you
find in it so you can inform us later on, but I think it's very disrespectful that the Sergeant at
Arms that serves this Commission is suspended, removed and we are not notified of what's going
on. I know there was a colleague that tried -- that needed a Sergeant at Arms and he didn't knew
who to call. I needed a Sergeant at Arms a couple of days because 1 had a family emergency
and I had to contact Sergeant Carvil to assist me. There was no report from the Police
Department. There was -- no one came to not us of what was coming -- what was happening
officially, and I think it's kind of disrespect. I mean, you know, we are the Commissioners.
There needs to be a little bit more respect to this Commission, and so far I don't see it, so I
definitely support the -- Commissioner Regalado's motion and I hope that we can find exactly
what's going on here.
Commissioner Winton: Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Sanchez: Yes.
Commissioner Winton: I need to make sure that I'm clear on what I heard Commissioner
Regalado say. 1 understood the part about the Manager, which is his role, looking into this
matter, reporting back to us, which I think is not in violation of our Charter, but I also thought I
heard him say something about take no action or something in that -- in this directive, and I'm
not sure that that statement, it seems to me, may in fact be in violation of our Charter, and we
don't -- and Commissioner Regalado doesn't intend for that to be the case, I'm sure, nor do we,
so Mr. City Attorney, could you help us in this regard?
Commissioner Allen: If he may -- before you answer, Mr. City Attorney, is it your
understanding, Commissioner Winton, that what Commissioner Regalado is indicating is that
there's already an investigation taking place and he wants the City Manager to conduct an
investigation so before the first investigation concludes, this should not -- the ultimate resolution
as to the Sergeant at Arms should not be decided until the City Manager has conducted its
investigation, so no action by the first investigation until the City Manager has concluded --
Commissioner Winton: Well --
Commissioner Allen: -- his investigation.
Commissioner Winton: -- I think that's what he says --
Commissioner Allen: Right?
Commissioner Winton: -- but I'm not sure that's legal for us to request that. That's what I'm
asking the City Attorney.
Commissioner Regalado: No. What I'm doing is what 1 asked the City Attorney we can do, and
that's the most we can do.
Jorge L. Fernandez (City Attorney): All that the City Commission can do is ask the City
Manager to conduct an investigation and to report to you. It would be inappropriate for you to
direct a specific result to the City Manager. The City Manager --
Commissioner Winton: That's what I thought.
Mr. Fernandez: -- has absolute jurisdiction to conduct this investigation and to take action or
not take action and still report to you completely on the facts and on the matter that you have
requested him.
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Commissioner Regalado: Well, and that's exactly what 1 said.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Mr. Fernandez: Correct.
Commissioner Winton: OK, so I'm --
Commissioner Regalado: That he --
Commissioner Winton: -- I just wanted to make sure.
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Commissioner Regalado: That is exactly what I said --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Commissioner Regalado: -- that the City Manager is the one that has to take the action, whether
he thinks this way or that way, and then report back his decision and --
Commissioner Allen: Correct.
Commissioner Regalado: -- we cannot discuss --1 mean, we cannot challenge his decision,
whichever it is --
Mr. Fernandez: Correct.
Commissioner Regalado: -- this side or that side. That's what I said, but my trust is in his office
to conduct the investigation. You know what I mean?
Mr. Fernandez: Correct, and so to make clear, the direction of the City Commission is for the
City Manager to investigate and look into these cases or this matter and report back to you, with
no specific directions as to any preferred outcome --
Commissioner Regalado: To me --
Mr. Fernandez: -- by this Commission.
Commissioner Regalado: -- he does --1 mean --
Commissioner Allen: Right.
Mr. Fernandez: Correct.
Commissioner Regalado: -- he's the boss of the employees.
Mr. Fernandez: Exactly.
Commissioner Allen: OK. All right. Ready to vote.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. There is a motion and a second. All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
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Chairman Sanchez: Anyone in opposition, say "nay." Motion carries unanimously.
Commissioner Regalado: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
NA.3 05-00306 DISCUSSION ITEM
A motion was made by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Vice Chairman
Gonzalez, and was passed unanimously, to direct the Administration to study
the height limitations on the properties fronting Southwest 27 Avenue, from
Coral Way to US.1, and come back with a recommendation for Commission
consideration.
Motion by Commissioner Regalado, seconded by Vice Chairman Gonzalez, PASSED by the
following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner Gonzalez, Winton, Sanchez, Regalado and Allen
Commissioner Regalado: The other item is a motion that actually it was -- it mirrors the motion
that Commissioner Winton asked in the past meeting during the Biscayne Boulevard direction.
It's a motion directing the Administration to study the height limitations on properties fronting
Southwest 27th Avenue, from Coral Way to US -I, and to bring back a report to the -- for the
Commission to consider. This is exactly the same process that Commissioner Winton requested
for Biscayne Boulevard in the Morningside area in the last Commission meeting. That is my
motion.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Is that one of your items?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: I'll second the motion.
Commissioner Regalado: Huh?
Chairman Sanchez: That's not on the agenda, is it?
Commissioner Regalado: No, it's not on the agenda.
Chairman Sanchez: Oh, OK, so it's a pocket item.
Commissioner Regalado: Well, I'm just -- since I have four, I decided to use those -- that time.
Chairman Sanchez: All right. Well, let's -- All right. There's a motion. Is there a second?
Vice Chairman Gonzalez: There is a second.
Chairman Sanchez: There's a second. All right. 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."
Commissioner Regalado: And then --
Chairman Sanchez: Motion carries.
Commissioner Regalado: -- I'll defer all the other items to the next Commission meeting.
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Chairman Sanchez: All right.
Commissioner Regalado: That's it.
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