HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2011-01-13 MinutesCity of Miami
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, January 13, 2011
9:00 AM
REGULAR
City Hall Commission Chambers
City Commission
Tomas Regalado, Mayor
Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Chairman
Frank Carollo, Vice -Chairman
Marc David Sarnoff, Commissioner District Two
Francis Suarez, Commissioner District Four
Richard P. Dunn 11, Commissioner District Five
Tony E. Crapp Jr., City Manager
Julie O. Bru, City Attorney
Priscilla A. Thompson, City Clerk
City Commission
Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
CONTENTS
PR - PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
MV - MAYORAL VETOES
AM -APPROVING MINUTES
CA - CONSENT AGENDA
PH - PUBLIC HEARINGS
SR - SECOND READING ORDINANCES
FR - FIRST READING ORDINANCES
RE - RESOLUTIONS
BC - BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
DI - DISCUSSION ITEMS
MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS' ITEMS
M - MAYOR'S ITEMS
D1 - DISTRICT 1 ITEMS
D2 - DISTRICT 2 ITEMS
D3 - DISTRICT 3 ITEMS
D4 - DISTRICT 4 ITEMS
D5 - DISTRICT 5 ITEMS
Minutes are transcribed verbatim. Periodically, agenda items are revisited during a meeting.
[Later...J'fefers to discussions that were interrupted and later continued.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
8:30 A.M. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
PR.1
11-00013
9:00 A.M.
PRESENTATION
Honoree
City Year Volunteers
11-00013 Protocol List .pdf
PRESENTED
Presenter Protocol Item
Commissioner Suarez Certificates
of Appreciation
1. Mayor Regalado and Chair Gort saluted Dr. Frances Bohnsack, honoring her exceptional
service and dedication as Executive Director of the Miami River Marine Group, and applauded
Dr. Bohnsack's leadership and expertise that resulted in the favorable judicial outcome for
Miami River shipping interests.
2. Commissioner Suarez presented a commendation to Annaliese Garcia for her dedication to
elevating the quality of life of our citizens through the provision of free instruction in a volunteer
dance program at the Boys and Girls Club ofMiami.
3. Commissioner Suarez saluted City Year members by congratulating City Year Miami for its
focus on developing members' leadership and social skills through the opportunity to serve in
schools and neighborhoods to help students and schools succeed and build stronger
communities.
4. Commissioner Sarnoff acknowledged the work ofMacy's Department Stores, Bill Fuller and
Martin Pinilla from the Barlington Group, and Larry Gautier from the Keyes Company, for their
efforts in brokering a deal that brings new retail establishments to Downtown Miami's central
business district which furthers the City of Miami's efforts to revitalize this important
neighborhood.
Chair Gort: At this time, we're going to make the presentations.
Presentations made.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Present: Chairman Gort, Commissioner Sarnoff, Vice Chairman Carollo, Commissioner Suarez
and Commissioner Dunn II
On the 13th day of January 2011, the City Commission of the City ofMiami, 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 Chair Gort at 9:19 a.m., recessed at 12: 09 p.m.,
reconvened at 2: 57 p.m., recessed at 5:15 p.m., reconvened at 5: 50 p.m., and adjourned at 6:19
p.m.
Note for the record: Vice Chair Carollo entered the chambers at 9: 46 a.m.
ALSO PRESENT:
Julie O. Bru, City Attorney
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
MAYORAL VETOES
Tony E. Crapp, Jr., City Manager
Priscilla A. Thompson, City Clerk
Pamela L. Latimore, Assistant City Clerk
Chair Gort: (INAUDIBLE) meeting of January 13, 2011, the first one of the year. At this time,
with me here is -- he should be here in a minute -- Vice Mayor -- Vice Chairman Frank Carollo.
We have Commissioner Richard Dunn, Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, and Commissioner Francis
Suarez. With us also, we have the City Manager, Tony Crapp; City Attorney, Julie Bru, and the
City -- Priscilla Thompson, City Clerk. They're going to be here with you. At this time I'll ask
for all you stand, the invocation by Commissioner Suarez, and the pledge of allegiance by
Commissioner Dunn.
Invocation and pledge of allegiance delivered.
NO MAYORAL VETOES
Chair Gort: Do any Commissioner wish to remove any item or have an item removed the
agenda?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Chair, ifI might.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Ms. Thompson: If may.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Ms. Thompson: Our first order of business actually -- your next order of business on the agenda
is the notification of mayoral vetoes.
Chair Gort: Okay.
Ms. Thompson: Okay. And I'll just --
Chair Gort: Do we have -- we don't have any mayoral vetoes.
Ms. Thompson: Right. That is correct. We have not received any mayoral vetoes.
APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS:
Motion by Vice Chairman Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, to APPROVED
PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
Motion by Vice Chairman Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, to APPROVED
PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
Chair Gort: Okay. Also, you need a motion to approve the minutes.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: So moved.
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
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Chair Gort: It's been moved and second.
Vice Chair Carollo: And the minutes are?
Commissioner Suarez: December 16 and Planning and Zoning.
Vice Chair Carollo: Madam City Clerk, if you could --
Ms. Thompson: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- tell me the dates, please.
Ms. Thompson: I'm sorry?
Vice Chair Carollo: The dates of the minutes.
Ms. Thompson: Okay, sure. We have for approval at this meeting the regular meeting minutes
for December 610 -- I'm sorry, 16, 2010, and the PZ (Planning & Zoning) meeting of December
16, 2010. And Chair, I'm sorry. I had the mover as Vice Chair Carollo, but I did not get your --
Thank you.
Chair Gort: Second was Suarez.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chair Gort: Any discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Gort: Have it.
END OF APPROVING MINUTES
ORDER OF THE DAY
Chair Gort: We'll now begin the regular meeting. We'll have the City Attorney to tell us how to
proceed.
Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): Thank you, Mr. Chair. Welcome as Chair to the Commission.
Members of the Commission, Madam City Clerk, and Mr. Manager -- welcome as Mr. Manager
-- and members of the public, any person who is a lobbyist must register with the City Clerk
before appearing before the City Commission. A copy of the Code section about lobbyists is
available in the City Clerk's office. You should know that the material for each item that is on
the agenda is available during business hours at the City Clerk's office or online at
www.miamigov.com. Also, if anyone wishes to appeal any decision made by the City
Commission for any matter considered at this meeting, you may need a verbatim record of the
item. Please, no cell phones or other noise -making devices. Turn all those off now. And person
who makes offensive remarks or who becomes unruly in the chambers will be barred from further
attending Commission meetings. In terms of timing, the recess will begin at the conclusion of
deliberation for the agenda item being considered at noon, unless the Chairman indicates
otherwise. And the meeting will end either at the conclusion of deliberation of the agenda item
being considered at 10 or at the conclusion of the regularly scheduled agenda, whichever occurs
first, and of course, unless the Chairman indicates otherwise. Finally, any person with a
disability requiring auxiliary aids and services for this meeting, please notify the City Clerk.
Thank you.
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Chair Gort: Thank you.
[Later..]
Chair Gort: Does any of the Commissioner like to have any item pulled from the agenda?
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm sorry, Commissioner?
Chair Gort: Do any of the Commissioner like to have any item removed from the consent
agenda?
Vice Chair Carollo: I would, Mr. Chairman. RE.2, to have it withdrawn.
Tony E. Crapp, Jr. (City Manager): Mr. Chairman, the Administration has some items to remove
from the agenda, if you don't mind.
Chair Gort: Okay. Any other Commissioner?
Commissioner Suarez: RE (Resolution) -- I'm sorry, CA. 6. Are we talking about pulling things
out of consent or we're talking about deferrals?
Chair Gort: Let's get them all, yes.
Commissioner Suarez: I'm sorry?
Chair Gort: Get them all, consent and the regular agenda.
Commissioner Suarez: Just -- I'd like to pull out CA. 6 whenever we get to that.
Vice Chair Carollo: Hold on, Mr. Chairman. I think we have two separate items here.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah, I may have gotten confused.
Vice Chair Carollo: The consent item to pull to discuss and then what I'm saying and I thought
what you asked was items that we're going to either defer or withdraw or so forth to other
meetings.
Chair Gort: I'll take both at this time.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Commissioner Suarez: Okay. So just to pull -- when we get to the consent, to pull for discussion
CA.6, please.
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Commissioner Carollo, my understanding is you want to --
Vice Chair Carollo: Withdraw RE.2.
Chair Gort: -- withdraw RE.2.
Vice Chair Carollo: And I have some consent agenda items that I want to pull for discussion --
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Chair Gort: Discussion.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- which will be CA.4 and CA.7.
Chair Gort: Okay. Anyone else?
Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chairman, I would like to continue RE. 2 and RE. 6.
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: Commissioner Dunn has asked to continue it, and I've asked to withdraw it.
Can we just withdraw it and then --?
Commissioner Dunn: Okay, okay. That's fine.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you.
Commissioner Dunn: I'm sorry. I didn't hear you --
Chair Gort: Okay.
Commissioner Dunn: -- Vice Chair.
Chair Gort: Commissioner Sarnoff? Okay.
Mr. Crapp: Mr. Chairman, Commissioners, we -- the Administration would like to defer CA.4 to
a future date. We'd like to withdraw CA.5. We'd like to defer SR.3 to the January 27 meeting.
RE.4, we'd like to defer to January 27. RE.5, we'd like to defer to a future date.
Chair Gort: RB.4 [sic] and RB. 5 [sic].
Mr. Crapp: Yes, sir.
Chair Gort: Okay. Is that it?
Mr. Crapp: That's it.
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm not sure ifI could make a motion on pulling the consent agenda and
also the deferrals and withdrawals so ifI could request the City Clerk to give us some guidance
with that.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): For the ease of the record, it would be easier to handle your
withdrawals, your continuances, and your deferrals on one motion. That is because on your CAs
(Consent Agenda) that you're pulling, you don't need a motion on those. So if you want to
entertain a motion on your continuances, deferrals, and withdrawals, you can do that.
Chair Gort: We'll do that.
Vice Chair Carollo: I will make a motion on --
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Commissioner Dunn: Second.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- the continuance, withdrawals, and defers [sic] that were mentioned.
However, before we vote, I do want to go over them again, if possible, and that's my motion.
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Ms. Thompson: Would you like --
Chair Gort: It's been moved and second. Yes.
Ms. Thompson: --for me to read them to you?
Chair Gort: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Please.
Ms. Thompson: Okay. And if I've made a mistake, please chime in. I have RE.2 being
withdrawn by Vice Chair Carollo; CA. 6 being pulled for discussion by Commissioner Suarez.
Vice Chair Carollo has pulled for discussion CA.4 and CA. 7. Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: But I believe Commissioner Dunn or the Administration wants to actually
defer CA.4.
Chair Gort: Defer CA --
Mr. Crapp: Right.
Ms. Thompson: Okay, I'm just going down our list so you all make a determination for me.
Then Commissioner Dunn would like to continue RE. 6, and that means it will come back on
February 10. Then the Manager has asked for a deferral of CA.4. The deferral to a later date
means we will show it as an indefinite deferral, which has a timeline of six months. Then the
Manager is withdrawing CA.5. Manager is deferring to the January 27 meeting SR.3.
Mr. Crapp: Right.
Ms. Thompson: The Manager is deferring to the January 27 meeting, RE. 4. And then lastly,
RE.5 is being deferred by the Manager to a future date, so we'll show that as an indefinite
deferral.
Chair Gort: Okay. There's a motion and a second. Discussion.
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: And just for clarity since I'm the maker of the motion, CA. 4 is going -- I
would take the deferral instead of pulling it. So for CA.4, the Administration wants to defer it
and my motion will be with a deferral of CA.4.
Chair Gort: Okay. All right, there's a motion and second. Any discussion? Being none, all in
favor, state it by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
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Chair Gort: Thank you. Unanimous.
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CONSENT AGENDA
CA.1 RESOLUTION
10-01379
Office of Grants A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
Administration ALLOCATION OF FUNDS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $344,550,
FROM THE "EPA BROWNFIELDS JOB TRAINING GRANT, TO THE
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA-OSHA TRAINING INSTITUTE
EDUCATION CENTER, TO PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAU"GREEN JOB"
TECHNICAL TRAINING TO CITY OF MIAMI RESIDENTS; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ALL
DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE WITH SAID ENTITY.
10-01379 Summary Form.pdf
10-01379 EPA Cooperative Agreement. pdf
10-01379 Pre Legislation.pdf
10-01379 USF Job Training Program. pdf
10-01379 Legislation. pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
R-11-0001
CA.2 RESOLUTION
10-01411
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ACCEPTING THE BIDS
Purchasing RECEIVED OCTOBER 18, 2010, PURSUANT TO INVITATION FOR BID NO.
237235, FOR GROUP A, FROM THEBIGWORD, INC. (PRIMARY),
INTERPRETERS UNLIMITED, INC. (SECONDARY), LANGUAGE BANK, INC.
(TERTIARY), FOR GROUP B, FROM GREEN TRANSLATIONS, LLC.
(PRIMARY), THEBIGWORD, INC. (SECONDARY), NATIVE PROJECTS, LLC
(TERTIARY), AND FOR GROUP C, FROM INTERPRETERS UNLIMITED, INC.
(PRIMARY), ASSOCIATE INTERPRETERS, INC. (SECONDARY),
THEBIGWORD, INC. (TERTIARY), THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND
RESPONSIBLE BIDDERS FOR PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETING AND
TRANSLATION SERVICES, ON A CITYWIDE, AS -NEEDED CONTRACTUAL
BASIS, FOR AN INITIAL CONTRACT PERIOD OF TWO (2) YEARS, WITH
THE OPTION TO RENEW FOR THREE (3) ADDITIONAL ONE (1) YEAR
PERIODS; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THE VARIOUS SOURCES OF
FUNDS FROM THE USER DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, SUBJECT TO
THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND BUDGETARY APPROVAL AT THE TIME
OF NEED.
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10-01411 Summary Form.pdf
10-01411 Award Recommendation.pdf
10-01411 Tabulation of Bids.pdf
10-01411 Detail by Entity Name - Native Projects.pdf
10-01411 Detail by Entity Name -Associate Interprises.pdf
10-01411 Addendum No. 1.pdf
10-01411 Invitation for Bid.pdf
10-01411 Legislation.pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
R-11-0002
CA.3 RESOLUTION
10-01412
Department of Police A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ACCEPTING THE BIDS
RECEIVED NOVEMBER 8, 2010, PURSUANT TO INVITATION FOR BID NO.
245231, FOR GROUP 1, FROM JACK O. KNOWLES ANIMAL CLINIC, P.A.,
AND FOR GROUP 2, FROM RAUL JIMENEZ, DVM, P.A. & ASSOCIATES,
THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDERS, FOR
VETERINARY SERVICES FOR CITY OF MIAMI POLICE CANINES AND
EQUINES, ON AN AS -NEEDED CONTRACTUAL BASIS, FOR AN INITIAL
CONTRACT PERIOD OF ONE (1) YEAR, WITH THE OPTION TO RENEW
FOR FOUR (4) ADDITIONAL ONE (1) YEAR PERIODS; ALLOCATING FUNDS
FROM THE VARIOUS SOURCES OF FUNDS FROM THE USER
DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF
FUNDS AND BUDGETARY APPROVAL AT THE TIME OF NEED.
10-01412 Summary Form.pdf
10-01412Award Recommendation.pdf
10-01412 Tabulation of Bids.pdf
10-01412 Detail by Entity Name - Knowles .pdf
10-01412 Detail by Entity Name - Jimenez DVM.pdf
10-01412 Invitation for Bid.pdf
10-01412 Legislation.pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
R-11-0003
Adopted the Consent Agenda
CA.4
10-01413
Motion by Vice Chairman Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, including all the
preceding items marked as having been adopted on the Consent Agenda. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
RESOLUTION
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Department of Capital
Improvements
Program
CA.5
10-01414
Department of
Fire -Rescue
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING GRANT FUNDS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED $46,500, FROM THE FLORIDA INLAND NAVIGATION DISTRICT
("FIND") FOR THE MIAMI WOMAN'S CLUB BAYWALK - PHASE I PROJECT;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE FIND PROJECT
AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, AND ANY
OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE
ACCEPTANCE AND ADMINISTRATION OF SAID GRANTAWARD;
ALLOCATING THE CITY OF MIAMI'S REQUIRED MATCHING FUNDS, IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $46,500, FROM THE CITY OF MIAMI
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OMNI FUND.
10-01413 Summary Form.pdf
10-01413 FIND Prior Legislation 1.pdf
10-01413 FIND Prior Legislation 2.pdf
10-01413 Legislation.pdf
10-01413 Exhibit .pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, that this matter be
INDEFINITELY DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED
FORM, WITH THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA TO INCLUDE THE
CITY OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA, AS A PARTICIPATING AGENCY IN
FLORIDA TASK FORCE 2 OF THE NATIONAL URBAN SEARCH AND
RESCUE RESPONSE SYSTEM (" US&R FL TF-2") OF WHICH THE CITY OF
MIAMI DEPARTMENT OF FIRE -RESCUE IS THE SPONSORING AGENCY
AND SETTING FORTH THE AGENCIES' RESPONSIBILITIES IN
CONNECTION WITH THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT OF
US&R FL TF-2 FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LIFE-SAVING
EMERGENCY DISASTER RESPONSE ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE IN NEED.
10-01414 Summary Form.pdf
10-01414 Dania Beach Resolution.pdf
10-01414 Legislation.pdf
10-01414 Exhibit.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, that this matter be
WITHDRAWN PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
CA.6
10-01416
Department of Parks
and Recreation
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION RENAMING GOLDEN
ARMS MINI PARK LOCATEDAT2000 SOUTHWEST24TH STREET, MIAMI,
FLORIDA, TO "SILVER BLUFF PARK;" FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY
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MANAGER TO TAKE ALL ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION NECESSARY TO
EFFECTUATE THE RENAMING OF SAID PARK.
10-01416 Summary Form.pdf
10-01416 Community Meeting Notice.pdf
10-01416 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Commissioner Sarnoff, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Suarez and Dunn II
Absent: 2 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff and Carollo
R-11-0004
Chair Gort: Now let's bring up the CA.6.
Commissioner Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. I just wanted to pull it out of the
consent agenda not particularly for any sort of question and answer, just to highlight something
that want to make a point of emphasis. Every time that we take an action to support and
increase our parks in the City ofMiami, it's an issue that, you know, the Vice Chairman has
expressed a lot of concern about. It's an issue that a lot of our residents have organized
themselves and expressed concerns. But I think when we do things right and when we do positive
things for our parks, we have to kind of sing it from the top of our lungs because, you know,
we're often criticized for not doing enough, not having enough space. Andl think sometimes
there is a difficulty in understanding the challenge that we deal with in expanding our parks. We
deal with a challenge on the expense end in maintaining them and running programs, et cetera.
We deal with a challenge in acquiring the land because we're in an urban city and it's hard to
assemble property. Nevertheless, Commissioner Sarnoff has, you know, in this last year, helped
us purchase a property on Brickell, which, to me, is astonishing that we were able to get for the
price that we got. And we've done several things throughout the year to increase our parkland in
the aggregate and also increase our programs, our facilities, and make it better for our residents.
Andl just want -- every single time that there's something on the agenda regarding -- I'm going
to pull it out and I'm going to make that emphasis because I think we are often criticized but
we're not enough lauded for our efforts. And so I want to move this item. And I'm very proud to,
as the Mayor who represented our district, make this change from Golden Arms Park to Silver
BluffPark, which is a change that the residents have requested, and to increase the facilities of
that park for their benefit.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Second.
Chair Gort: It's been moved and second. Discussion? Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Tomas Regalado: I just want to congratulate Commissioner Suarez for this action. I will
tell you that this lot, now park, has a history, and it has come a very, very, very long way. That
lot used to be a gathering place for people doing drugs, for people -- in fact, the police
responded many times because there were shootings in that very quiet neighborhood of Silver
Bluff. I will tell you that throughout the years, we have worked with the building -- HUD
(Department of Housing and Urban Development) building next to it, a very unusual building in
the middle of a residential, but that -- it's grandfather, as you know, Commissioner. And for the
past four or five years, little by little, we have been -- first bringing the lights, which was the
paramount issue of the residents, to the parks, and then small amenities and all that. Andl
would like to commend you, Commissioner, for what you are doing now because Silver Bluff did
not had [sic] a park at all. They will have to cross Coral Way to go to Shenandoah or go as far
as Douglas to go to Douglas Park. So I just want to commend you for what you're doing, sir.
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Commissioner Suarez: Thank you, Mayor. Thanks for your help and the Administration's
support in that as well.
Chair Gort: Thank you. Any further discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
CA.7 RESOLUTION
10-01434
Department of Public A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Facilities ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN
AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, BETWEEN THE
CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND NMMA BOAT SHOWS, INC. FOR THE USE OF
DOCKAGE SPACE AT MIAMARINAAT BAYSIDE FOR THE PRESENTATION
OF THE STRICTLY SAIL VENUE OF THE MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT
SHOW, COMMENCING FEBRUARY 13, 2011 THROUGH FEBRUARY 23,
2011, WITH TERMS AND CONDITIONS MORE PARTICULARLY SET FORTH
IN SAID AGREEMENT.
10-01434 Summary Form.pdf
10-01434 Liability Insurance.pdf
10-01434 Legislation.pdf
10-01434 Exhibit No. 1.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff
R-11-0005
Chair Gort: Okay. Is any other item --?
Vice Chair Carollo: CA. 7.
Chair Gort: C.7 [sic] -- CA.7.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With CA.7, I don't have a problem with this. I
actually would like to make the motion. However, what I want is subject to the Administration
coming back afterwards and tell -- and letting this Commission know, at least my office, what the
actual amount was. There's an estimated amount of revenue. I actually want to see what the
actual amount will be. Okay, so I make the motion.
Chair Gort: There's a motion.
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Chair Gort: A second?
Commissioner Dunn: Second.
Chair Gort: Any discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye .
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END OF CONSENT AGENDA
Chair Gort: Mr. Mayor, my understanding, you want to make -- like to make your presentation
now. I'm sorry, Mr. Mayor. And please bear with me. It's been a long time since I sat in this
chair so --
Mayor Tomas Regalado: Right.
Chair Gort: First of all, let's make a motion on the consent agenda with the items that been
pulled.
Vice Chair Carollo: So move.
Commissioner Dunn: Second.
Vice Chair Carollo: The consent agenda of all items that were not pulled --
Chair Gort: Correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- which I believe is -- and I'll go through them just to make sure -- CA.1,
CA.2, and CA. 3. So I make a motion on those three CA (Consent Agenda) items.
Chair Gort: Okay. There's a motion. Is there a second?
Commissioner Suarez: I'll second it.
Chair Gort: Okay. Any discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Gort: Thank you.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
9:00 A.M.
PH.1 RESOLUTION
10-01420
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
Community ACCEPTANCE OF UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
Development URBAN DEVELOPMENT ENTITLEMENT GRANT FUNDS, IN THE TOTAL
PROJECTED AMOUNT OF $27,224,171, AS STATED HEREIN, FOR THE
FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT,
HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS, HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR
PERSONS WITH AIDS, AND THE EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT, FOR
PROGRAM YEAR 2011-2012; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE
ACCEPTANCE OF THE ACTUAL AMOUNTS OF GRANT FUNDS WHEN
MADE AVAILABLE FOR SAID PURPOSE.
10-01420 Summary Form.pdf
10-01420 Corrected Public Notice.pdf
10-01420 Public Notice.pdf
10-01420 Legislation.pdf
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
Motion by Commissioner Dunn II, seconded by Vice Chairman Carollo, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff
R-11-0006
Chair Gort: Okay, now we go into public hearing, PH. PH.1, this is the public hearings.
George Mensah: Mr. Chair, George Mensah, director of Community Development. PH.1 is a
resolution authorizing the City Commission to accept US (United States) Department of Housing
and Urban Development grant funds, in the amount of approximately $27 million, for CDBG
(Community Development Block Grant) HOME (Home Investment Partnership Program),
HOPWA (Housing Opportunities For Persons with AIDS), and ESG (Emergency Shelter Grant)
grants.
Chair Gort: Okay, it's a public hearing. Is anyone in the public would like to address item 1 --
PH.1? Being none, public hearing is closed. Commissioners.
Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Dunn: I'd like to make a motion.
Vice Chair Carollo: Second.
Chair Gort: It's been moved and second. Any discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by
saying, iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Gort: Thank you.
PH.2 RESOLUTION
10-01419
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Community ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF EMERGENCY
Development SHELTER GRANT ("ESG") FUNDS FOR PROGRAM YEAR 2011-2012, IN THE
PROJECTED AMOUNT OF $352,509 TO THE CITY OF MIAMI HOMELESS
PROGRAM NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM AND THE
PROJECTED AMOUNT OF $10,902 TO THE CITY OF MIAMI DEPARTMENT
OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF
GRANT -RELATED ACTIVITIES FOR A TOTAL PROJECTED ALLOCATION OF
$363,411; DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMITA MULTI -YEAR
WAIVER REQUEST TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING
AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT TO INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE OF ESG
FUNDS THAT CAN BE USED FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES; AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A
FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
10-01419 Summary Form.pdf
10-01419 Corrected Public Notice.pdf
10-01419 Public Notice.pdf
10-01419 Legislation.pdf
10-01419 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Dunn II, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff
R-11-0007
Chair Gort: PH.2.
George Mensah (Director, Community Development): PH.2 is a resolution authorizing the
allocation of ESG (Emergency Shelter Grant) funds, in the amount of $352,509, to the Homeless
Program of the Neighborhood Enhancement Team in the projected amount of 10,900 to the City
ofMiami for administration.
Chair Gort: Thank you. Public hearing. Public hearing opens. Is there anyone in the public
would like to discuss PH.2? Being none, public hearing is closed. Commissioners.
Vice Chair Carollo: So move.
Commissioner Dunn: Second.
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Chair Gort: It's been moved and second. Any further discussion? Being none, all in favor, state
it saying iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
PH.3 RESOLUTION
10-01423
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Community ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF HOME
Development INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FUNDS, IN THE PROJECTED
AMOUNT OF $4,974,286, FOR HOUSING PROGRAMS, FOR PROGRAM
YEAR 2011-2012, IN THE CATEGORIES AS SPECIFIED IN ATTACHMENT
"A", ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF
AFFORDABLE HOUSING; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS TO IMPLEMENT ACCEPTANCE
OF SAID FUNDS.
10-01423 Summary Form.pdf
10-01423 Corrected Public Notice.pdf
10-01423 Public Notice.pdf
10-01423 Legislation.pdf
10-01423 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Vice Chairman Carollo, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff
R-11-0008
Chair Gort: PH.3.
George Mensah (Director, Community Development): PH.3 is a resolution authorizing the
allocation of HOME (Home Investment Partnership Program) funds, in the amount of $4.9
million in the category that is specified attached.
Chair Gort: Thank you. Public hearing is opened. Is there anyone in the public like to address
the -- PH.3? Being none, public hearing is closed. Board -- Commissioners.
Commissioner Suarez: Move it for discussion.
Vice Chair Carollo: Second.
Chair Gort: It's been moved and second. Discussion.
Commissioner Suarez: Thank you --
Chair Gort: Commissioner Suarez.
Commissioner Suarez: -- Mr. Chairman. I just -- no questions. I just want to, for the public's
sake and knowledge and benefit -- as you all know, I've been a very big proponent of affordable
housing and I'm learning more and more about the process as I continue my public service. And
I just want to highlight that this is something that's available right now through our Community
Development. We have $5 million essentially annually subject to whatever we're allocated later
on in the year, and we also have somewhere in the vicinity of an additional $3 million that is
unspent. And so what I'm asking in essence is I'm reaching out to the community and asking for
you to bring forth your ideas, your projects because there are funds and there are resources
available to meet this critical need. And you know, I will be advancing -- I believe it's coming on
the next agenda -- a affordable housing piece of legislation, but that deals more with buildability
and intensity of buildability, and this is actually dollars and resources --
Mr. Mensah: That's available.
Commissioner Suarez: -- on the ground that we can combine with projects in one way, shape, or
another. And this allocation also -- not to step on the Chairman's toes, but it's $1.5 million in --
going to the District 1 prerogative so, you know, I want to ask the business owners and the
residents of that district to come out with your ideas so that we can use these resources to
actually benefit our community.
Chair Gort: Thank you. Commissioners. Let me add a little bit. We had a program, which is a
second mortgage program for those people that complies with the limit income, and it's a shame
not enough people are being -- using. Every time I go to the radio or go to TV (Television), I try
to announcement. I give the phone numbers. I think they know every time I go to a radio
program because they get all kinds of phone calls.
Mr. Mensah: Yes.
Chair Gort: I think it's very important for you to give us all the details and make sure we have
press releases coming out every time you have a new program --
Mr. Mensah: Yes.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
PH.4
10-01425
Department of
Community
Development
Chair Gort: -- to go out and take it to the media. At the same time, I think we need to advocate
about -- in favor of these programs. A lot of people are not aware of these programs. Right now,
this type of programs can put a lot of people to work, which is what we need. We need to put
people to work.
Mr. Mensah: Yes.
Chair Gort: Thank you. Any further discussion? I have a motion and a second. All in favor,
state it by saying iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Gort: Thank you.
Tony E. Crapp, Jr. (City Manager): Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Mr. Crapp: We'll make sure that we coordinate with the Communications Office to increase the
outreach, and we'll get a report back to the Commission also.
Chair Gort: Thank you. I appreciate it.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF PROGRAM YEAR
2011-2012, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ("CDBG") FUNDS,
IN THE PROJECTED AMOUNT OF $8,950,890 TO THE ACTIVITIES
SPECIFIED IN ATTACHMENT"A", ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED,
BEGINNING APRIL 1, 2011; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE ALL THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THE
ALLOCATION OF SAID FUNDS.
10-01425 Summary Form.pdf
10-01425 Corrected Public Notice.pdf
10-01425 Public Notice.pdf
10-01425 Legislation.pdf
10-01425 Exhibit 1 SUB.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, that this matter be
ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
R-11-0020
Chair Gort: PH.4.
George Mensah (Director, Community Development): PH.4 is a resolution of the Miami City
Commission authorizing the allocation of CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds,
in the amount of $8.9 million in the various categories and the housing -- in the categories
public service, $1.3 million; administration, 1.7; Code Enforcement, 800,000; Section 108,
550,000; and Economic Development, $4.4 million.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
Chair Gort: Okay. PH.4, anyone in the public would like to address PH.4? Being none,
Commissioners.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'd like to make a motion for discussion.
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Chair Gort: Been moved and seconded. Discussion. You're recognized.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mensah, I want to address the Code
Enforcement -- $800, 000 to Code Enforcement.
Mr. Mensah: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: We just, from the last CDBG, allocated $800, 000 to Code Enforcement in
the last CDBG budget for this current fiscal year, correct?
Mr. Mensah: It's for -- because it's six months, we allocated $450, 000 for six months.
Vice Chair Carollo: For six months.
Mr. Mensah: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Plus an additional $800, 000. And this is for what fiscal year?
Mr. Mensah: This is for fiscal year beginning April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012.
Vice Chair Carollo: CDBG year, but what about --
Mr. Mensah: Yeah, CDBG year.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- City year? 'Cause City year -- the fiscal year ends September 30 --
Mr. Mensah: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- 2011.
Mr. Mensah: Because the CDBG program year has shifted, there will be overlap between the
CDBG program year and the City's fiscal program year. So for that reason -- for this year's
program -- this year's City fiscal year, they were provided $450, 000 that will take them from
October 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011, and they are being given additional $800, 000, which will
take them from April 1, 2011 and overlap the next City's year to March 31, 2012.
Vice Chair Carollo: So --
Mr. Mensah: So in total -- to make it simple, in total, which means that in this City's fiscal year,
they will get 450 plus $400 [sic], so that will be $850, 000.
Vice Chair Carollo: And how are we properly accounting for that to make sure that they don't
receive more for this fiscal year or all the money is allocated to this fiscal year and not next
fiscal year or for the following fiscal year?
Mr. Mensah: Well, because of the fact that HUD (Department of Housing and Urban
Development) does their -- HUD systems is you cannot take money from the following year
because of the way HUD system is. The money available to us is only $450, 000. The next
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
money that will be available to us will come in in April. So what will happen is that this money
is not even available until April.
Vice Chair Carollo: And the monies is showing in a special revenue fund, correct?
Mr. Mensah: Yes, that's correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: For the Code Enforcement budget, did it show how these $800, 000 were
going to be spent?
Sergio Guadix (Director, Code Enforcement): Yes. They're spent only on inspectors that are --
Chair Gort: And who --?
Mr. Guadix: I'm sorry. Sergio Guadix, director of Code Enforcement. They're spent on
inspectors that actually work in the areas that are outlined as qualifying for this program. And
we have to provide quarterly reports on all the violations that they find and what's actually being
ticketed and coming back to the City in form of fines or things like that.
Vice Chair Carollo: Could you rephrase that again? Could you say that again?
Mr. Guadix: We report this on a quarterly basis --
Vice Chair Carollo: To who?
Mr. Guadix: -- to HUD. Actually, to Community Development, which makes that available to
HUD on all the fines that are being put out there, all the complaints that the inspectors are
working on, and that's how we show them what we're doing. Now it's only -- it can only be used
in areas that qualf for this program, so the inspectors that are actually -- the money is going
back into our budget is for those inspectors that are in those areas.
Vice Chair Carollo: Could you give me an amount of how many inspectors there are, what is
their salaries and so forth, and what areas they're -- what is this area that you're talking about?
Mr. Guadix: Their actual salaries, I don't have that information with me. I can make that
information available to you. But the -- there are ten inspectors that are a part of this program,
and they range in salary anywhere from 45 to $60, 000 a year.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, it just doesn't make sense. If $800, 000 and you have ten inspectors
and the highest is $60, 000, how do you expend the 800,000?
Mr. Guadix: I can give you those exact numbers. I don't have those numbers with me, but I'll
bring those numbers for you.
Vice Chair Carollo: I need that. Now let me ask you something. Would those numbers be
provided before I take this vote?
Mr. Guadix: I could have those numbers within 30 minutes for you. That's what I can do.
Vice Chair Carollo: So then we should table this for at least 30 minutes until some of those
numbers are before us.
Mr. Guadix: If that's your prerogative, sir, yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
Chair Gort: We've got quite a few more we can (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
[Later..]
Chair Gort: Okay, we now go to the ordinance, second reading. Oh, wait a minute. We got to
go back to the questions you had on that one -- we tabled it. Which item was this? PH.4.
Mr. Guadix: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Mr. Guadix: Sergio Guadix, with Code Enforcement. You have in front of you the breakdown of
the inspectors that are in that program. There are 15 inspectors there. It includes their FICA
(Federal Insurance Contributions Act), their phone -- their cell phone, plus their salary. This is
for the first six months, which comes to $400, 000. We have totally allocated to us 650. At 650 it
stops. Then the other monies goes for -- I believe it's for demolition.
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. I need a few minutes to look over this. As a matter of fact, I
saw the director of Code Enforcement, had the opportunity to speak to the Budget director, speak
to the CFO (Chief Financial Officer), and speak to even the accountant of Community
Development. So in all fairness, I need a few minutes to digest this, look at the numbers, analyze
it, possibly even speak to the Budget director, and at the same time, I will most likely have
follow-up questions, so if we can --
Chair Gort: We'll bring it back this afternoon.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you.
Chair Gort: Okey-doke.
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: In all fairness, though, it's a PH (Public Hearing) item. I just want to make
sure that we don't need an interpreter or -- No? So we could bring it back in the --?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): No, we're fine.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Yeah, so if we could table it to the afternoon, Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Okey-doke.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you.
[Later..]
Chair Gort: Okay, that takes care of the agenda, except the -- Commissioner Carollo, there was
one that you deferred, PH.4.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
Vice Chair Carollo: And -- PH.4, if we could discuss it after the District 5 agenda, 'cause I still
need to meet with the Budget director?
Chair Gort: Oh, okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. So after District 5 agenda, which is a time certain for 3.
[Later...]
Chair Gort: We got one item that was deferred by the Commissioner -- Vice Mayor [sic]
Carollo. I believe you'll get -- did you get your answers?
Vice Chair Carollo: It was actually tabled. And Mensah, I actually spoke to Mr. Duran. Would
you like to proffer what you think should be a adequate amendment?
Mr. Mensah: George Mensah, director of Community Development. We've decided that we want
to make a change, and that is that the Code Enforcement $800, 000 be put in reserve for a future
date so that the Department can provide the Commissioner with the information that he has
requested and he has enough time to review them. So at this time, I'm requesting that the
resolution be approved, with the exception of the Code Enforcement $800, 000 go into reserves.
Vice Chair Carollo: Andl do want to make sure that my colleagues know that it's not going to
jeopardize anything right now in the current budget, and we can always reverse or bring it back
and make the changements [sic] or leave it as is. But the bottom line is it's not going to affect
anything right now. It's just for Community Development, myself, Code Enforcement to get
together and see exactly how much money is going where, where is the money being spent, and
so forth.
Chair Gort: This is FR. 4.
Ms. Thompson: No. PH --
Vice Chair Carollo: PH.4.
Mr. Mensah: PH.4.
Ms. Thompson: -- 4.
Chair Gort: Public Hearing 4, yes.
Ms. Thompson: Okay. And ifI can just make sure of something, please. Your original --
originally, you had a motion made by Vice Chair Carollo, second by Commissioner Suarez. It
sounds as though we've got a modification now to the resolution. I just wanted to make sure that
we're -- we were going with the same mover, second, with a modification. Is that correct?
Chair Gort: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Commissioner Suarez: Yes. I just want to make sure that understand it. We are essentially
going to be taking out of the CDBG allocation the $800, 000 for Code Enforcement -related
activities --
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
Mr. Mensah: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: -- until you get a chance to talk to and sit down with --? Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: And we will put it in a reserve.
Commissioner Suarez: Got it.
Mr. Mensah: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: Got it. So we'll -- got it. Okay. I'm good with it.
Vice Chair Carollo: Remember, this funding can be used for economic development. So what
we're doing right now is putting it in a reserve.
Commissioner Suarez: Right.
Vice Chair Carollo: Let me, you know, discuss it with the different departments and so forth. I
really want to, you know, see where this funding is going to because $800, 000 is a lot of money.
And from that, we could always bring it back. But for right now it will be in the reserves. That
way, we could pass the rest of the items, public service, economic development, Section 108, and
so forth.
Mr. Mensah: Okay. Thank you.
Chair Gort: All right. Any further discussion. It's an ordinance.
Commissioner Suarez: No. It's a --
Commissioner Sarnoff. Resolution.
Mr. Mensah: Resolution.
Ms. Thompson: It's a resolution.
Chair Gort: Resolution. Oh, okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: All in favor --
Chair Gort: All in favor, state it by saying "aye.'
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Gort: Thank you.
Mr. Mensah: Thank you.
PH.5 RESOLUTION
10-01418
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Community ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION FOR PROGRAM YEAR
Development 2011-2012 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS, IN THE
PROJECTED AMOUNT OF $1,342,634, IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE
CATEGORY, TO THE AGENCIES SPECIFIED IN ATTACHMENT "A",
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
BEGINNING JULY 1, 2011; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE AGREEMENT(S), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM,
WITH SAID AGENCIES FOR SAID PURPOSE.
10-01418 Summary Form.pdf
10-01418 Corrected Public Notice.pdf
10-01418 Public Notice.pdf
10-01418 Legislation.pdf
10-01418 Exhibit 1.pdf
10-01418 Exhibit 2.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Dunn II, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo and Suarez
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Dunn II
R-11-0009
Direction by Vice Chair Carollo to the Administration to provide a copy of KirkMenendez's job
description, salary, and work currently being performed, to the District 3 Office.
Chair Gort: PH.5.
George Mensah (Director): George Mensah, Community Development. PH.5 is authorizing the
allocation for program year 2011-2012 for CDBG (Community Development Block Grant)
Public Service, in the amount of $1.3 million, to the agencies attached. And l just want to say for
the record that this is the same agencies and the same amounts that was received prior to -- in
September 2010.
Chair Gort: Thankyou. It's a public hearing. Is there anyone would like to address this item?
Yes, ma'am.
Constance Collins Margulies: Thank you. My name is Constance Collins Margulies. I'm the
director of the Lotus House Women's Shelter. We're situated in Overtown. We serve all of
Miami -Dade County. I just want to say thank you. The money that you provide each year is
absolutely essential to what we do. We serve over 200 women and children each year, providing
a full range of access to medical and mental healthcare, job training, counseling, computer
classes, full range of enrichment activities that provide alternative pathways to healing. About
five years ago, we were nothing more than a burnt -out building and a building that was in Third
World conditions. Today we house over 50 women and children plus 20 to 25 infants each day.
Thanks to the City's support, this coming year we will open another building and it will bring us
to 75 women and over 25 to 35 women and children -- or children each year. That makes us the
largest women's shelter in Miami andl believe the largest women's shelter in the state of Florida.
This is what your funds make possible every day, helping women to build safe, secure lives for
themselves and their children, and we thank you.
Chair Gort: Thank you. Anyone else from the public? Being none, we'll close the public
hearings [sic]. Do I have a motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: Motion for discussion.
Commissioner Dunn: Second.
Chair Gort: Moved and second. Vice Chair.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thankyou, Mr. Chairman. PH.5 deals with the public services, correct?
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
Mr. Mensah: That's correct, Commissioner.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Mensah. Question. It's currently capped at 15 percent,
correct?
Mr. Mensah: That's correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Manager, is it possible to get an update from Mr. Menendez with
regards to increasing -from 15 percent to 25 percent that we have, as a Commission, championed
along with the Mayor and with the previous City Manager?
Tony E. Crapp, Jr. (City Manager): Yes, sir. Mr. Menendez is prepared to give you an update
this morning.
Mayor Tomas Regalado: If I may, Mr. Vice Chairman and Commissioners. I think that the work
that we have done following the direction of the City Commission in the past, I will say, month
and a half, is getting us there. Mr. Menendez will explain to you what we're doing, but I will tell
you that during the Christmas holidays, we spoke to Senator Bill Nelson several times. We spoke
to members of Congress. There was a very high-level discussion with the office of Senator
Inouye, the Appropriations Chairman in the Senate. And I'm very also happy to report -- and
Kirk will give you more details -- but the latest is that we have the support of Congress -- the new
Congress members, David Rivera, that -- Marco Rubio. We have the support of Congresswoman
Fredericka Wilson. She said that she will also work with Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman
Schultz, whom you met in Broward, and she has been extraordinary, along with Ileana
Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart. So I think that, you know, we -- we're trying, but Mr.
Menendez will give you an itemized details of what we're doing following the directions of the
City Commission. Andl think that we are very close to achieving this probably -- maybe in
March, that could happen.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'm just trying to help Mr. Menendez earn his pay
and you're trying to take his job away. But anyways, I've -- as you know, I've championed this. I
proposed it here to the Commission. Thanks to my colleagues, it was a unanimous resolution,
andl think all of us have championed this. I've been -- I was involved in many of the meetings
you mentioned. I have also spoken to some of the new members of Congress and the Senate.
However, I was hoping for more of an update and, like I said, I want to make sure that Mr.
Menendez has an equal chance to earn his pay.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chairman, ifI may?
Chair Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: Thank you. I think one of the things that is a frustration for me
personally as a public servant is we're up here -- we're a collegial body. We work very well
together. It only takes myself and two other people who agree with me, usually we all agree with
each other, to get something going. Andl think the frustration that I think some of us feels
sometimes is when you go up to a body that has several hundred members and has issues that are
partisan, a lot of times these issues, which to us seem like no-brainers and are no-brainers, get
caught up in, you know, whether there's an omnibus bill, whether there's a continuing resolution,
et cetera, et cetera. And to the extent that you can help the process that the Vice Chairman,
myself, and all of us have engaged in in trying to, you know, break through that gridlock, for lack
of a better word, and help people understand that this is about people's lives and that the money
that -- and the discretion that we would be given could really, really impact people's lives on an
individual basis. Andl spoke with one congressman who actually went as far as to say that he
would give us unlimited discretion. And so there's the potential, if we continue to advocate
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
vigorously for this reform, I think we can get it. I don't know if we'll get it this year, but we
certainly should continue to have -- you know, work towards getting it as soon as possible
because our residents need it yesterday.
Kirk Menendez: Good morning, Commissioners. Kirk Menendez, for the Office of the City
Manager. Commissioner Carollo, thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to the
Commission this morning on this, as Commissioner Suarez says, very important topic. Since we
last spoke and to confirm what Mayor Regalado says, we have been working vigorously, you
could almost say seven days a week nonstop on this issue. In December, our goal was to include
our language to raise the cap from 15 to 25 percent in the omnibus bill, which was going to be
the bill in which Congress was going to include all its spending bills. It's the large -- you could
describe it as a pinata for Congress. Unfortunately, what happened was we did get the support
of our delegation and we did speak to Senator Inouye, and Senator Nelson's been very helpful.
However, as a result of the elections, what was expected to be an omnibus bill, I guess partisan
politics took over in Congress and at the last moment, Senator Reid pulled the omnibus bill and
they passed a continuing resolution which expires in March. As of yesterday, Congress is not
clear if they're going to go back to an omnibus bill. I know there's a great deal of interest to do
so, but in anticipation that they do pass an omnibus bill, we've revised the language we
originally drafted and we submitted it to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The language --
what it does now is not so much City ofMiami specific, but it will help a lot of cities like Miami
that are in similar predicaments. So, as you alluded, we can help a lot of people, but if we're
able to pass this legislation, I think we'll be able to help a lot of people across the nation. The
key is, and we received confirmation from Senator Nelson's office, that the Senator was going to
speak directly to Chairman Inouye. Chairman Inouye had the legislation, our language, on his
table prior to the omnibus bill being pulled. But as you sure understand, it's important to get our
delegation to speak on our behalf. It's one thing for us to, you know, do everything we can, but
we need those that represent our -- us and our residents to speak and push for us. And we
received assurances from Senator Nelson -- he's the key right now in the Senate -- that he will
speak directly to Senator Inouye. Hopefully, once that is done, we will be able to follow up with
you, but right now our goal is March. Hopefully, Congress passes an omnibus bill and when
they do, with the help of our delegation and others who are behind us, that we'll be able to get
our language in there and make a difference for our residents.
Chair Gort: Thank you, Mr. Menendez.
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Yes, you're recognized.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. And the reason why I keep pushing and keep pushing, like
Commissioner Suarez says, is because of the importance. And if you think it's important, ask all
of these people that are out here in the audience now that represent very needy people, so that's
why keep pushing. And I feel that if I'm not up here requesting, asking where we are, I don't get
updated with what's going on. I think we all have expressed the importance of this increase in
percentages. Question. You work under the Manager's budget, correct?
Mr. Menendez: Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: Your position is under the Manager's budget. Are there any other projects
that you are working on?
Mr. Menendez: Currently, I'm working on our state priorities, working on our federal priorities.
The federal have to do with storm water, Wagner Creek, and the federal, working with our
different departments, projects and matters that will cost the City millions of dollars if we're not
effective. So, currently, I could say my staff which includes me, myself and I, we are currently --
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
basically have our hands full, but we're working effectively with our partners.
Vice Chair Carollo: And when you say hand -- have your hands full, as far as Wagner Creek,
who was the one who mentioned it to you as far as making it a priority?
Mr. Menendez: We had a discussion, you andl, to emphasize -- andl know you emphasized the
importance of Wagner Creek and we're dealing with it. I'm working with CIP (Capital
Improvements Program), with Alice Bravo and others to make sure that what needs to be done
gets done.
Vice Chair Carollo: Do you know that, first of all, I was voted by this Commission to be the
Commissioner -- the Commission's representative in the Miami River Commission?
Mr. Menendez: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: And this is obviously very important to them, very important to me, and
that's why, you know, we had a discussion andl thought that it was extremely important.
However, we need to work on that language because whatever we discussed apparently didn't
get communicated well enough because there was disappointment by members of the Miami
River Commission with -- as far as the language that was set in there and so forth. Now, I know
you're saying that there's a lot of things that you're following, but realistically, in all fairness, we
approved what we think the priorities should be and then, I don't know, I guess you speak to the
lobbyists 'cause we have a lot of lobbyists in our lobbyist teams that actually do the work up in
Tallahassee, Washington, and so forth. So, you know, I'm just curious what your job description
is, how much work you actually do and so forth.
Mr. Menendez: Yeah.
Vice Chair Carollo: You know, I don't want to get into your salary right now, the allowances,
car allowances, phone allowances and all that, but realistically, I guess I'm a little frustrated
because the only time that get an update with regards to the increase is when l'm up here andl
actually request it or ask that I receive an update. And with Wagner Creek, I already expressed
to you, you know, my disappointment and other people's disappointment. So, once again, if
possible, through the Manager, ifI could get his job description, actual salaries and so forth to
see where we're at, you know, and start planning ahead for the next budget year.
Tony E. Crapp, Jr. (City Manager): Mr. Vice Chair, we'll make sure we get that information to
you. And in addition to that, you know, I'll make sure that you get more routine updates from
Kirk. I know he's been working since the trip to D.C. (District of Columbia). I think we need to
just increase the communication. And also, you need to get more input from him because of your
position as the representative on the Miami River Commission, so we'll make sure that you get
the information and we'll make sure that you get more information from Kirk also.
Chair Gort: Let me add to this. Not only the -- he should give us a report on every trip that he
takes, what his experience is. Also, you individuals that are here that are receiving the services
and you're the one that's going to benefit, it's very important that you yourself contact your
elected officials and let your constituents contact your elected officials and let them know the
need because we cannot do it all by ourself [sic]. We need your support and your help. So make
sure you all call your elected officials, your congressmen and senators, and send them letter and
let them know how much need it is. Thank you. Anything else?
Vice Chair Carollo: No. Thank you.
Chair Gort: Commissioner Suarez.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
Commissioner Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think one of the things -- since we're talking
about the things that you're working on -- that I have been working very closely with you is
something that we had in the last legislative priorities. I don't -- I'm not an expert on how the
state Legislature works or whether it does work or not, but the Mayor has promoted the ALF
(Adult Living Facility) regulatory legislation for several years and I don't know -- I know we
haven't gotten it through. I know last year, from what I know of the process, it seems like we got
very, very close.
Mr. Menendez: We did.
Commissioner Suarez: And so I want to commend your efforts last year. And I'm very, very
optimistic about this year because we have a representative -- thanks to your work, we have a
representative that has agreed to put it on as an amendment to one of his bills. Hopefully, you
know, we get some action on it and hopefully we actually get it passed because I think, again --
andl don't want to put words in the Vice Chairman's mouth, but you know, some of the
frustration that we feel, it's not about you. It's more about the process. When you go beyond this
body, that, you know, it's hard to get things done. You know, you want -- we want victories. We
want to be able to come back and say we were able to get this done. And so, you know, one of
the things I learned when I went up to Tallahassee last year at my own expense, okay -- I drove
up there. I didn't fly andl didn't have the city pay for it -- was how difficult and complicated and
convoluted the process is to get legislation passed, how many different interests are involved in
trying to block it from happening. And it's -- it was actually very disheartening for me to see up
close and personal how things work, you know, 400 or 500 miles away from the City ofMiami,
you know. Andl think -- one of the things thatl urged the state representatives that have
overlapping jurisdiction with me is that they come to the homeowner association meetings so
that they understand, you know, on a one-to-one -- on an intimate basis the impact of this
legislation. This is not just an abstract thing that the Vice Chairman is championing or that I
would champion or whatever. This is something that at the end of the day literally can change
someone's life. Andl think once you get it out of that academic environment or out of that
environment where you're 500 miles away and you bring it close and personal and home, I think
that's when, you know, people will do and advocate in ways that maybe they would not have
otherwise passionately advocated for. So I really thank you for your help on the ALF bill, andl
sincerely hope that we get it done this legislative session.
Mr. Menendez: We'll do our best. Thank you.
Chair Gort: Thank you. Any other questions?
Mr. Menendez: Okay. Thank you.
Chair Gort: There's a motion and a second. All in favor, state it by saying "aye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
PH.6 RESOLUTION
10-01426
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
Community ALLOCATION OF PROGRAM YEAR 2011-2012, COMMUNITY
Development DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ("CDBG") FUNDS, IN THE PROJECTED
AMOUNT OF $4,468,078 IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CATEGORY,
TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ECONOMIC
RESERVE ACCOUNT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN THE
PROGRAM YEAR 2011-2012, BEGINNING APRIL 1, 2011; AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FOR
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
SAID PURPOSE.
10-01426 Summary Form.pdf
10-01426 Corrected Public Notice.pdf
10-01426 Public Notice.pdf
10-01426 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Vice Chairman Carollo, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
R-11-0010
Chair Gort: PH. 6.
George Mensah (Director): George Mensah, Community Development. PH.6 is a resolution
authorizing the allocation of economic development funds in the projected amount of
approximately $4.4 million, and this will be set aside in reserve. I'll be meeting with
Commissioners sometime in March so that we can be able to make the allocations.
Chair Gort: Okay. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone in the public would like to address
PH 5 -- PH. 6?
Commissioner Suarez: Move it.
Vice Chair Carollo: Second.
Chair Gort: No, no. Public hearing is now.
Grady Muhammad: Good morning, Commissioner Gort.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Mr. Muhammad: Commissioners, Grady Muhammad, president and CEO (Chief Executive
Officer) ofMiami Dade First, 5800 Northwest 7th Avenue, Suite 212. With the proposal of what
we're doing for 2011-2012, we have to literally look at 2010-2011, which we're still currently in,
to ensure the funds are being spent expeditiously. They need to be on the street. They don't need
to be in reserve. But more importantly, we have to understand the process. And with housing --
and there's a gentleman that'll be able to speak here at PH.8 specifically because we seem to
have unfortunately two processes. Public hearing was -- public service -- PH.5. When you look
at the disparity in organizational funding for those in the black community, the little small 20,
30,000, and when you look at others for public service, elderly service, 300 -- 296, 000, 207, 000,
and then the money that the small organizations get, CD (Community Development) staff say
can't none of it be used for salaries. Surely, if a person getting 296, 000, 207, 000, salaries are
being paid out of those, but the staff says none of the funds that the smaller organizations get --
again, like my mom always say -- it's not enough to say grace over. It's a competitive process,
but why is the disparity so blatant as it relates to funding for small black organizations and
funding for others? That's the question that I'm asking. Thank you.
Chair Gort: Thank you. Anyone else from the public would like to address PH. 6? Being none,
we call -- close the public hearings [sic]. We had a motion and a second. Is there any
discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by saying iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
PH.7 RESOLUTION
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
10-01424
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Community ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING THE ALLOCATION FOR PROGRAM YEAR
Development 2011-2012 HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS
PROGRAM FUNDS, IN THE PROJECTED AMOUNT OF $12,935,584, AS
SPECIFIED IN ATTACHMENT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, TO
PROVIDE HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND HOUSING RELATED SERVICES TO
LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS; AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT(S), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
10-01424 Summary Form.pdf
10-01424 Corrected Public Notice.pdf
10-01424 Public Notice.pdf
10-01424 Legislation.pdf
10-01424 Exhibit 1.pdf
10-01424 Exhibit 2.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo and Suarez
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Dunn II
R-11-0011
Chair Gort: PH.7.
George Mensah (Director, Community Development): PH.7 is the allocation of HOPWA
(Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS) funds, in the amount of approximately $30
million, to the agencies that are attached. These are the same amounts that was provided to
them in September, but this time for 12 months.
Chair Gort: Okay, public hearings. Anyone in the public like to address PH.7? Being none,
public hearing is closed. Commissioners.
Vice Chair Carollo: So move.
Chair Gort: It's been moved. Is there a second?
Vice Chair Carollo: Second?
Chair Gort: Move and second.
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Chair Gort: Discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye .
PH.8 RESOLUTION
10-01422
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Community ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING THE CITY OF MIAMI'S ("CITY") ANNUAL
Development ACTION PLAN FOR PROGRAM YEAR 2011-2012, ATTACHED AND
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
INCORPORATED; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT THE
CITY'S ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR PROGRAM YEAR 2011-2012 TO THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL.
10-01422 Summary Form.pdf
10-01422 Corrected Public Notice.pdf
10-01422 Public Notice.pdf
10-01422 Pre Legislation.pdf
10-01422 Legislation.pdf
10-01422 Exhibit.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
R-11-0012
Direction by Chair Gort to the Administration for Community Development to work with Mr. Ted
Simmons on a plan to rebuild his home before this issue comes back to the Commission in
February.
Chair Gort: PH.8.
George Mensah (Director, Community Development): Commissioners, PH.8 is approving of the
annual action plan for 2011 and 2012. This annual action plan includes all the allocations that
have been previously been made and this allows the City to be able to get the funds from HUD
(Department of Housing and Urban Development).
Chair Gort: All right. PH.8, it's open to the public. Is anyone in the public would like to
address PH.8? Yes, sir.
Theodore Simmons: Yes, sir. My name is Theodore Simmons. I live at 1035 Northwest 65th
Street. My question is -- I guess I don't know any of these fancy words, but what have you done
for me lately? That is my main question. I filed for a grant. I was supposed to have been
granted it ever since 2011 -- '10, I'm sorry, of July. I would like to know -- in my home I have no
running water. I have my windows boarded up because my home was broken into, totally
destroyed, and I'm here -- I'm a very proud person. I'm asking, I'm begging, please give me help.
Ineed help, seriously. Thank you.
Chair Gort: Okay, thank you. Can you address that, please?
Mr. Mensah: Yes. I can explain. Mr. Simmons, is that the name? We met with Mr. Muhammad
and Mr. Simmons, and we went to their house. Their house is for -- we actually -- our program
allows us to use $35, 000 to help for Code Enforcement and health and safety issues. Now when
you go to a house and it will require more than $35, 000 to do the repairs, we make an evaluation
to see whether the house is better off as part of our replacement home program or not. So we
met with them. I believe it was probably three weeks ago or so. We met with them and this
property is part of the homes on our waiting list. What we've done is that we did not allocate any
money for replacement home program, so in February one of the agenda item is to allocate
$500, 000 for the replacement home program, and the replacement -- and so Mr. Simmons will be
able to get his house torn down, a new one built for him when we -- the City Commission
approves the funding request that we've made for February. The City Commission allocated only
$500, 000. One replacement home is $150, 000. So three replacement homes alone will finish the
whole money, but we have a hundred people on our current waiting list for the regular rehab
program. So we'll be asking for more money so we can help Mr. Simmons.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
Chair Gort: My question is -- my understanding is Mr. Simmons have -- excuse me, sir -- he has
an emergency at this time. Don't we have emergency housing?
Mr. Mensah: We do have -- Emergency housing, no, we don't have emergency housing. We can
only recommend if he can't live in the house and we have to take him somewhere, we have a
program called HPRP (Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re -Housing Program), where we
can recommend and they will put him up somewhere else. But they -- I don't know that we reach
the point yet.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Mr. Chair.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. The County has the HANDS [sic] (Housing Assistance Network of Dade)
program.
Mr. Mensah: Yes. That's what I was just mention, the HANDS [sic] program, yes.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Right. So they couldn't help him there?
Mr. Mensah: Well, they won't repair his house. They will move him to --
Commissioner Sarnoff.. No, no. I understand. But I thought the HANDS [sic] program was for
somebody who's in crisis right now.
Mr. Mensah: Yes. Well, I didn't -- until now, I didn't know that it was a crisis situation that he
has to be moved.
Chair Gort: My understanding is -- please have someone from staff get together with him. And
my understanding is, you coming back in February with a plan where you'll be able to rebuild
his house.
Mr. Mensah: Yes.
Chair Gort: Okay.
Grady Muhammad: Mr. --
Chair Gort: Please, get somebody to work with him.
Mr. Mensah: Okay.
Chair Gort: Thank you. Yes?
Mr. Muhammad: That's one of the things I also wanted to bring and I'll submit for the record.
We have other programs, the Affordable Housing Trust fund that we use to be able to repay HUD
and we get that money back. According to the guidelines -- and Mr. Director can correct me if
I'm wrong -- the Affordable Housing Trust fund guidelines explicitly states we would help
existing homeowners, new homeowners, first-time homebuyers, nonprofit developers or for profit
developers if they went through a competitive process, which what Mr. Simmons and also Officer
Stefan Miguel has went through. Unfortunately, the timeframe with him having asbestos in his
home as the Community Development has verified, (UNINTET,T IGIBT ,F), that the home has
asbestos and must be replaced. I just read about the courthouse in Broward County, one of the
judges died and they asked to get removed. He's already been here for six to seven months with
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
PH.9
10-01421
Department of
Community
Development
asbestos. His health is already failing. And to keep him potentially for another three to six
months when we have another process to be able to assist him, we should try to. Thank you,
Commissioners.
Chair Gort: I believe that's what we requested, okay. Anyone else? Close the public hearings
[sic]. Do I have a motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: So move.
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Chair Gort: Moved and second. Any further discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by
saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000
FROM THE CITY OF MIAMI DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT 2 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESERVE
ACCOUNT; ALLOCATING SAID FUNDS TO THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS
OF MIAMI-DADE, INC. FOR PUBLIC FACILITIES AND IMPROVEMENT
ACTIVITIES; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN
AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, FOR SAID
PURPOSE.
10-01421 Summary Form.pdf
10-01421 Corrected Public Notice.pdf
10-01421 Public Notice.pdf
10-01421 Agreement.pdf
10-01421 Legislation.pdf
10-01421 Exhibit.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Sarnoff, seconded by Vice Chairman Carollo, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
R-11-0013
Chair Gort: PH.9.
George Mensah (Director, Community Development): PH.9 is the -- authorizing the transfer of
$50, 000 from the District 2 Economic Development Reserve to Boys and Girls Clubs of
Miami -Dade for public facilities and improvement activities.
Commissioner Sarnoff. So -- I'm sorry. You want a public hearing?
Chair Gort: Okay, public hearing is open. Anyone like to discuss PH.9? Being none, close the
public hearings [sic]. Commissioners.
Commissioner Sarnoff. So moved.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
PH.10
10-01427
Department of
Community
Development
Vice Chair Carollo: Second.
Chair Gort: Been move and second. Any further discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it
by saying iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
TRANSFER OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS IN
THE AMOUNT OF $50,000 FROM THE DISTRICT 2 ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT RESERVE ACCOUNT; ALLOCATING SAID FUNDS TO THE
CITY OF MIAMI DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
2 MICRO -ENTERPRISE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR
MICRO -ENTERPRISE ACTIVITIES; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FOR SAID PURPOSE.
10-01427 Summary Form.pdf
10-01427 Corrected Public Notice.pdf
10-01427 Public Notice.pdf
10-01427 Pre Legislation.pdf
10-01427 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Dunn II, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo and Suarez
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Dunn II
R-11-0015
Chair Gort: PH.10. You got the whole agenda.
George Mensah (Director, Community Development): Yes, I do. PH.10 is a resolution to
transfer District 2 Economic Development Reserve account and allocate the fund of $50, 000 to
micro -enterprise program in District 2.
Chair Gort: Okay, public hearings. Anyone like to speak on item 10, PH.10? Being none,
Commissioners.
Commissioner Sarnoff. So move.
Commissioner Suarez: Second --
Vice Chair Carollo: Second.
Commissioner Suarez: -- for discussion.
Chair Gort: Been moved and second.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Discussion.
Commissioner Suarez: I just want to say it's a great idea.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
PH.11
10-01428
Department of
Community
Development
Chair Gort: It's a good way to use the funds. Okay, all in favor, state it by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Gort: Unanimously.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF
$200,000 FROM THE CITY OF MIAMI DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT 2 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESERVE
ACCOUNT; ALLOCATING SAID FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $100,000 TO
RAFAEL HERNANDEZ HOUSING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION AND $100,000 TO REBUILDING TOGETHER, INC., AS
SPECIFIED IN EXHIBIT "A", ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR THE
REHABILITATION OF SINGLE FAMILY HOMES IN THE DISTRICT 2
WYNWOOD AND COCONUT GROVE AREAS; AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT(S), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM(S), WITH SAID AGENCIES, FOR SAID PURPOSE(S).
10-01428 Summary Form.pdf
10-01428 Corrected Public Notice.pdf
10-01428 Public Notice.pdf
10-01428 RHHED Request for Funding.pdf
10-01428 RHHED detail by Entity Name.pdf
10-01428 Rebuild Together Request for Finding.pdf
10-01428 Rebuild Together Detail by Entity Name.pdf
10-01428 Rebuild Together Financial Statements.pdf
10-01428 Legislation.pdf
10-01428 Exhibit 1.pdf
10-01428 Exhibit 2.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
R-11-0016
Chair Gort: PH.11.
George Mensah (Director, Community Development): PH.11 is the allocation of 200, 000 from
District 2 Economic Development Reserve to -- 100,000 to Rafael Hernandez Housing and
Economic Development and another 100,000 to Rebuilding Together and (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
to provide single-family rehabilitation services in District 2 Wynwood and Coconut Grove areas.
Chair Gort: Okay, thank you. Public hearings, anyone like to speak on PH.11?
Grady Muhammad: Grady Muhammad, resident (UNINTELLIGIBLE), 721 Northwest 56th
Street, Apartment 12. The City is given NSP (Neighborhood Stabilization Program) dollars to
(UNINTELLIGIBLE), $1, 834, 000 to acquire and renovate multifamily housing. I'm a tenant in
one of the units with no running water since July. I have a lease signed. No heat with my
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
five -year -old son, but I'm a tenant in a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) unit. The funds have been released
as of October I. No renovation has been done. I sent an e-mail (electronic) to the owner, Ms.
Johnson, and Community Development, all of them, why. Because there's no quote/unquote to
secure the property. The property is open. Therefore, people look like it is a vacant, abandoned
building. They're now stealing all of the windows, breaking the windows to get the aluminum
and everything, and it's going to cost the City ofMiami a whole lot more to secure if we don't
secure this property ASAP (As Soon As Possible). But again, I'm a tenant in the building with no
running water. They're demanding I pay rent. I said I'll pay the rent with the court, butt don't
intend on paying the rent to the landlord when I have no running water, no heat, no refrigerator,
no stove, but I'm a tenant and they gave me this lease, and I'm bringing it to the Commission
only for informational purposes, but I'm waiting for the renovations. And that's what also the
Affordable Housing and Loan Committee requested seven -- eight months ago when they gave
the additional monies, that they secure the property. That has not been taken to secure the
property. Now people are tearing the windows off the boards off. And like I say, if you continue
to allow it, whatever money you had towards renovating is going to be doubled because these are
going to be unanticipated costs. Thank you.
Chair Gort: Thank you. Let me ask a question. We -- this is a problem that we've had through
all the City of Miami --
Mr. Mensah: Yes.
Chair Gort: -- with the abandoned homes and buildings that are being occupied by squatters.
Mr. Mensah: That's correct.
Chair Gort: And Code Enforcement has been very active in boarding up those homes to make
sure -- and secure this home. What's the problem with this particular building? This has been
here a couple of times already.
Mr. Mensah: Yes.
Chair Gort: Who's the owner?
Mr. Mensah: We have the owner here, Ms. Mary. This is an issue that I received an e-mail
yesterday that this is the case. The owners are constantly on the property. Mr. Muhammad is
living in a property which was abandoned. There's no water because of the fact that nobody
actually lives in that particular building. The -- FPL (Florida Power & Light) has cut the lights,
that's my understanding, and the owner has been making an attempt to move Mr. Muhammad to
the building where there are other people are living. We are waiting for HUD's (Department of
Housing and Urban Development) approval to be able to spend money on the project manager
that is required to do this project. Without a letter from HUD, we can't move forward and do
anything with this project, so that's what we're waiting. We've had meetings with Mr.
Muhammad. We've -- the owner has, you know, tried to accommodate everything that Mr.
Muhammad wanted, but at this point will meet him again and to see what else is going on so
that whatever assistance we can provide, we'll provide that.
Chair Gort: Thank you.
Mr. Muhammad: But to say it's abandoned andl have a valid lease is, you know, a red herring.
Chair Gort: My understanding. Thank you.
Mary Johnson: Yes. My name is Mary Johnson, owner of the building that Mr. Muhammad live
in. In July we did meet with him. He had come before the Commission and said that he was
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
living in the building and whatever. We gave him a lease. I offered him to move into the
building that had other tenants in it. And we met with him, CD, the attorneys. He opted to stay
in that apartment. He wanted to stay in even though we offered him to come over to the other
apartment. He said that the apartment had mildew --
Mr. Muhammad: Mold and mildew.
Chair Gort: Excuse me.
Ms. Johnson: -- mold and mildew.
Chair Gort: I'm conducting the meeting.
Ms. Johnson: We've had an environmental done in the building. There was no mold and mildew
found. We've done all the repairs in there, we've done everything, even put down new tile
throughout the whole apartment to accommodate Mr. Muhammad.
Chair Gort: I'd like for you to get together. This is more like a legal matter. I don't think we
can take any action here that could help, but I hope you all get together and come up with some
kind of solution. At the same time, if it's an abandoned home, I don't think you should be able to
give out -- I'm not an attorney -- should be giving out a lease. So I think that's something you
need to discuss with the legal.
Ms. Johnson: He said he was staying in there.
Chair Gort: Thank you.
Commissioner Sarnoff. So move and for discussion.
Commissioner Suarez: Second for discussion.
Chair Gort: Move and second for discussion.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Thank you, Mr. Chair. For those of you that don't know this particular
program, this is Rebuilding Together. And to give you a little background on them, through no
government subsidy for the past probably seven to ten years now -- I may be a little over. It
might be seven years -- they have been restoring retired veterans' homes, disabled people's
homes or extremely elderly people's homes in Coconut Grove, and they have done over 200
homes. I have personally, actually with a hammer, nail, learned how to do much of what they
do, painting. I'm not the greatest painter in the world, but have been doing this for the better
part of four or five years myself. Actually, before I became Commissioner. We started talking
last year about giving them some help with this program, and now this program is going to
actually not only stay in the Grove, but it's also going to go to Wynwood and we're going to
partner with somebody who knows Wynwood pretty well, which is Rafael Hernandez, in selecting
people's homes, not people who can pay to have their homes rehabilitated, but either a disabled
person or a military veteran that is not able to do his own home, or a person who is so elderly
that it's no longer practical for them to do their home. To me, this is what government could do.
This is setting the table for dinner but not serving the food to those who maybe could serve their
own food. So I wholeheartedly endorse this. And for those of you that don't know Rebuilding
Together, this is a volunteer group of organizations from builders throughout South Florida who
bring extra wood, plumbing material, invest their profits into those who cannot afford and
cannot sustain themselves and do it without costing any amount of money. Now we're able to
give them a little bit of effort, a little bit of help. They could do some more profound
foundational work. They could do some roofing work, the things that you andl consider very,
very expensive work, such as changing people's windows. The two areas they're going to
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
concentrate on continue to be Village West or West Grove, if you will, and it's also going to be
Wynwood. And Wynwood has -- as a very small part of my district -- I think actually
Commissioner Dunn has more of it than I do, but Wynwood is really -- is being surrounded by a
very successful part, which is the design center, as well as Midtown, and we can now branch out
and start getting the fringe elements, at least in my district, where we can start rehabilitating
some elderly people's homes. So I don't usually talk much about these things. I know
Commissioner Suarez has had some experience with Rebuilding. I'll tell you what,
Commissioner. I give you a little challenge. Why don't we go out there and we'll meet and we'll
paint a house?
Commissioner Suarez: Absolutely. I'd love to do that. Mr. Chairman, ifI may?
Chair Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: Thank you. I'm not a good painter myself, so I feel sorry for the recipient
of my services. In any event, I do have a testimonial experience as well with Rebuild. They
helped refurbish a house in my district. They did it -- not only did they do it, but they did it
without any resources from my district, without any resources from the City. They went out
themselves and found the resources, and then at the end, I was able to chip in with someone who
was able to donate some tile, but they -- in this particular case, it was a resident who had been
victimized by several hurricanes and was fighting, as we all know, 'cause -- as lawyers, we're
constantly fighting with insurance companies, et cetera, et cetera. They were fighting with their
insurance company, which was Lloyds of London, a very well-known, well -established insurance
company, for four years without having collected. And in the meantime, they were living in
subhuman conditions. You know, it was a family of about five living in one bedroom and a half
and one bathroom. And Rebuilding came in; they fixed the two rooms that had been destroyed
by the hurricane. They put drywall, reroofing, tile, and essentially doubled the size of the house
which was already there, but it was in unlivable conditions. And in fact, the breadwinner, the
father of the house, had been suffering from all kinds of ailments and sicknesses and, as a result
of the construction, he's no longer had to go to the hospital. So clearly, some of the stuff that he
was living with, the mold or whatever infectious agents were living in the house, were present in
the house, were causing him to be chronically sick. So in addition to them not having, you know,
standard living, you know, the bread -- the main breadwinner couldn't provide for his family
because he was constantly in the hospital. So, you know, not only do I support this allocation, as
I mentioned to you, Mr. Mensah, in private, I would like to chip in from my district, from my
economic development money and help this organization as well because they have a proven
track record with me.
Mr. Mensah: Okay.
Commissioner Suarez: So I'd like for you to help me make that happen.
Mr. Mensah: Sure. We will, Commissioner.
Chair Gort: Thank you. Any other discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Direction by Chair Gort to the City Attorney to meet with Mr. Grady Muhammad and Ms. Marye
Johnson regarding their dispute over housing issues.
PH.12 RESOLUTION
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
10-01417
Department of Public A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Works ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THE PLAT ENTITLED "V DOWNTOWN", A
REPLAT IN THE CITY OF MIAMI OF THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN
"ATTACHMENT 1", SUBJECT TO SATISFACTION OF ALL CONDITIONS
REQUIRED BY THE PLAT AND STREET COMMITTEE AS SET FORTH IN
"EXHIBIT A", ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, AND THE PROVISIONS
CONTAINED IN SECTION 55-8 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, AND ACCEPTING THE DEDICATIONS SHOWN ON
THE PLAT; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY
CLERK TO EXECUTE THE PLAT; AND PROVIDING FOR THE
RECORDATION OF THE PLAT IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY, FLORIDA.
10-01417 Summary Form.pdf
10-01417 Notice of Public Hearing.pdf
10-01417 Notice of Public Hearing Memo to NET.pdf
10-01417 Comcast Letter.pdf
10-01417 FDOT Letter.pdf
10-01417 City of Miami Zoning Administrator Letter.pdf
10-01417 Miami Dade Public Schools Letter.pdf
10-01417 Legislation.pdf
10-01417 Exhibit.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
R-11-0014
Chair Gort: PH.12, Public Works.
Nzeribe Ihekwaba: Good morning. Zerry Ihekwaba, Public Works director. PH.12 is a
resolution of the Commission to accept the final plat of V Downtown from V Downtown,
Incorporated, a Florida Corporation, and to authorize the City Manager to execute the related
documents for its recordation. Any questions?
Chair Gort: Okay, public hearing. The public hearing is open. Anyone like to discuss on
PH.12?
Vicky Garcia -Toledo: Good morning. For the record, Vicky Garcia -Toledo, with offices at 1450
Brickell Avenue. I'm just here for informational purposes to answer any questions you may have,
only if you have questions.
Chair Gort: Okay.
Commissioner Sarnoff. So moved.
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Chair Gort: It's been moved and second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Yes, sir. The public hearing is closed. Go ahead.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. I have a question or actually a request from [sic] the City
Attorney. Madam City Attorney, could you give us the whole ministerial act speech so we could
have it for the record?
Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): Mr. Vice Chair, you had previously asked me whether or not the
Commission has any discretion when it comes to approving a plat, and what I explained to you is
that this is probably one of the few items that come before you that could be characterized as a
ministerial act because the law that governs the approval of plats is so technical in nature that
the applicant goes through a series of reviews and once the plat complies with all the technical
requirements, which the Public Work [sic] director is the one who oversees, it comes to you
cloaked almost with the presumption that this is something that you should do and if you don 't
approve it, you know, unless you have good reason, good valid reason to not approve it, it's
almost as if you're acting arbitrarily, so that is usually referred to as a ministerial act.
Chair Gort: Okay. Any further questions? Discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by
saying iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Ms. Garcia -Toledo: Thank you.
Chair Gort: Thank you.
END OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
ORDINANCES - SECOND READING
SR.1 ORDINANCE Second Reading
10-01339
Department of Public AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING CHAPTER
Works 54/ARTICLE IV/SECTIONS 54-125, 54-126 AND 54-127 OF THE CODE OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "STREETS AND
SIDEWALKS/NAMING OF STREETS AND NUMBERING OF
BUILDINGS/NAMES OF STREETS/NAMES OF TERRACES/NAMES OF
LANES," BY CHANGING THE NAMES OF ROADWAYS IN THE AREA
BOUNDED BY SOUTHWEST 28TH STREET, SOUTH DIXIE HIGHWAY,
SOUTHWEST 22ND AVENUE, AND SOUTHWEST 26TH AVENUE, MIAMI,
FLORIDA; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMITA COPY OF THIS
ORDINANCE TO THE HEREIN DESIGNATED AGENCIES; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
10-01339 FR/SR Summary Form.pdf
10-01339 FR/SR Request to Publish Notice of Public Hearing.pdf
10-01339 FR/SR Notice of Public Hearing.pdf
10-01339 FR/SR Street Names Coconut Grove Map.pdf
10-01339 FR/SR Location Map.pdf
10-01339 FR/SR Legislation.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Dunn II, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo and Dunn II
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Suarez
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
13244
Chair Gort: SR.1.
Nzeribe Ihekwaba: Good morning. Zerry Ihekwaba, Public Works director. SR.1 is an
ordinance to amend Chapter 54 of the City Code, Article IV, Sections 54-125, 126, and 127,
entitled Streets and Sidewalks,'by changing the names and roadways in the area bounded by
Southwest 28th Street, South Dixie Highway, Southwest 28th Avenue -- sorry, Southwest 22nd
Avenue, and Southwest 26th Avenue, all within the north Grove neighborhood of the City of
Miami in District 2. The -- there is a fiscal impact to this amendment, which is $11, 600 as a
startup cost for making all the street signs by Miami -Dade County Public Works. These
roadways will include changing Southwest 28th Street to Overbrook Street, 27th Lane to
Tequesta Lane, 27th Way to Tequesta Way, 24th Avenue to Calusa Street, and 23rdAvenue to
Kirk Street, 27th Terrace to Secoffee Terrace. This has gone through the Bond Oversight
Committee meeting for the Homeland Defense and Neighborhood Improvement Bond funding,
and there is no (UNINTELLIGIBLE) cost associated with this.
Chair Gort: Thank you.
Mr. Ihekwaba: Any questions?
Commissioner Sarnoff.. So move.
Chair Gort: It's been moved. Is there a second?
Commissioner Dunn: Second.
Chair Gort: Moved and second. Discussion? Being none, it's an ordinance. Roll call.
Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): Mr. Chair, let me just go ahead and read the title of the ordinance.
Chair Gort: I'm sorry. Go ahead, read it.
Ms. Bru: It's --
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): It -- I'm sorry. It is a second reading ordinance, so we do
have to have a public hearing.
Chair Gort: Okay, second reading ordinance. Anyone in the public would like to address SR. 1?
Being none, public hearing's closed.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Ms. Thompson: Before I make my roll call, I would like to check with Commissioner Suarez to
find out if he wants to be included in the roll call because he just came on the dais. Thank you.
Your 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.
Chair Gort: Thank you.
SR.2 ORDINANCE
10-01253
Second Reading
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
Office of the City
Attorney
SR.3
10-01296
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING CHAPTER
2/ARTICLE V OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED, ENTITLED "ADMINISTRATION/CONFLICTS OF INTEREST,
MORE PARTICULARLY BY AMENDING SECTION 2-615, ENTITLED "LIST OF
REAL ESTATE OWNED -REQUIRED OF CERTAIN OFFICIALS", RELATING
TO WHICH OFFICIALS ARE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE OWNERSHIP OF
REAL ESTATE; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
10-01253 FR/SR Summary Memorandum.pdf
10-01253 FR/SR Legislation.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Dunn II, seconded by Vice Chairman Carollo, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
Office of Strategic
Planning, Budgeting,
and Performance
13245
Chair Gort: SR. 2.
Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): SR. 2 is an ordinance that is amending our Article II, which sets
forth conflict of interest and certain requirements for certain City officials. This is just a cleanup
ordinance. It's on second reading. This would change the names of certain officials pursuant to
the changes that were made recently to our zoning code.
Chair Gort: Okay, second reading. It's a public hearing. Anyone in the public would like to
address SR.2? Being none, public hearing's closed. Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Sarnoff. So move.
Vice Chair Carollo: Second.
Chair Gort: Been moved and second.
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 adopted on second reading, 5-0.
Chair Gort: Thank you.
ORDINANCE
Second Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ESTABLISHING THE
DEPARTMENTS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI AS SET FORTH AND FUNDED
PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 10-0528, ADOPTED NOVEMBER 18,
2010, AND PURSUANT TO SECTION 19 OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, ENTITLED "CREATION OF NEW DEPARTMENTS;
DISCONTINUANCE OF DEPARTMENTS;" CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
10-01296 Summary Form.pdf
10-01296 Legislation.pdf
10-01296 FR Summary Form 12-16-10.pdf
10-01296 Pre -Legislation 12-16-10.pdf
10-01296 Table of Organization 12-16-10.pdf
10-01296 Legislation (Version 2) 12-16-10.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, that this matter be
DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
Note for the record: Item SR.3 was deferred to the Commission meeting currently scheduled for
January 27, 2011.
SR.4 ORDINANCE Second Reading
10-01363
Districts - AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION REPEALING IN ITS
Commissioner ENTIRETY, CHAPTER 14/ARTICLE V OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
Richard Dunn II MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT/
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AND
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY"; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE, AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
10-01363 FR/SR Summary Memo.pdf
10-01363 FR/SR Legislation.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, that this matter be
DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
Note for the record: Item SR.4 was deferred to the Commission meeting currently scheduled for
January 27, 2011.
Chair Gort: SR. 3.
Tony E. Crapp, Jr. (City Manager): SR.3 was deferred.
Chair Gort: It's been deferred, right. SR.4.
Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): SR.4 is an ordinance that will repeal in its entirety a section of the
code that we have had since I think 1995 that set forth the establishment and the operations of
the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). The reason why
we brought this to you is because, you know, we have noted that there is an inconsistency
between some of the provisions of this code section and the state statute that governs the
establishment and conduct and powers and authorities of the CRAs in Florida. And therefore, in
order to avoid the inconsistency, it is not necessary. It is really superfluous because the state
statute has all the provisions necessary to govern the CRAs. This is before you now on second
reading.
Chair Gort: Okey-doke. SR.4. Is anyone in the public -- this is a public hearing -- would like to
address the issue, SR.4? Being none --
Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chairman.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
Chair Gort: -- Commissioners.
Commissioner Dunn: I'd like to move this item.
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Chair Gort: It's been moved and second. Any further discussion?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Chair Gort: You're recognized.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a question. I forgot; what is the section
that stipulates that the Planning director is actually the one who hires and fires? And my
question is, if that was the ordinance in our books, why hasn't it been followed? I'm sorry.
Madam City Attorney.
Ms. Bru: Mr. Vice Chair, I don't have an answer for that. This ordinance, as I previously said,
which has been coded in our code, was adopted back in 1995. I know at the time, just from
experience, you know, the City did have a financial situation, you know, at hand that was quite
critical, the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA didn't have any tax base from which to draw
TIF (Tax Increment Fund) funds or revenues to operate the agency. So, you know, I guess at that
time -- and maybe Commissioner Dunn might have more historical information about this.
Commissioner Dunn: Yes. I just wanted to -- Mr. Chair, if it's okay.
Chair Gort: Go ahead, yes.
Commissioner Dunn: This was adopted back in 1997 when the State actually had oversight over
the City of Miami. And as the City Attorney has stated, we did not have any TIF dollars. The
City consolidated the operations of the CRA into the City and as a result, the ordinance was
called for the Planning director to be the executive director and the City Manager to control City
employees tasked to the CRA. Again, that was back in 1997. In fact, many of you may recall the
CRA this past fall 2010 recently reimbursed the City $10 million for expenses associated with the
operation of the CRA. We no longer operate under this scheme and have not for quite some time,
so it really -- as stated so aptly, it's superfluous to continue to have this on the books, and that's
why I'm asking for the repeal.
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman
Chair Gort: Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, I'm not going to make a follow-up question or continue 'cause I still
don't know the reason if this was in our books, why it wasn't followed. And I'm just going to
leave it as is. However, we -- although we have to follow state statute, we can still create
ordinance for specifics. In other words, who actually hires and fires members of the CRA and so
forth, correct, Madam City Attorney?
Ms. Bru: The City ofMiami, because of its unique home rule charter powers, as preserved under
the constitution, even the 1968 revision preserves those unique home rule powers, can from time
to time adopt ordinances that are inconsistent with general law. However, with respect to this
ordinance, we believe that we didn't have the authority to adopt an inconsistent provision with --
inconsistent with state law. It was done in the '90s. These CRAs operated as such during the last
12 years. We can -- the state statute for the CRAs is one of those statutes that is pervasive. It
provides all necessary instruction to the municipality, so therefore, there's no room really for the
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
City to have laws that would be, you know, inconsistent with the CRA scheme that is provided by
the Legislature. We can, however, through the board of the CRA adopting rules of procedures or
the such, adopt ways in order to conduct business. For example, I don't think it would be
inappropriate for the board of the CRA to adopt some sort of rule of procedure that would
delegate to the executive director the authority to then hire technical staff subject to the board of
the CRA approving the budget and the positions in the budget. So, with respect to your question,
could the City then adopt additional rules, regulations to govern the business of the CRA? Yes, it
could, so long as it's not inconsistent with the state law and it doesn't affect the purpose and the
mission of the CRA as expressed by the Legislature.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Madam City Attorney. And I didn't do it in the beginning of the
meeting out of courtesy to the members of this Commission, but I prefer to defer this item so I
could at least look at the state statute 'cause I haven't had a chance. I recently received the
sections under our ordinance with regards to the CRA. However, I mean, you all may want to
pass it this time around. I'm going to vote no only because I want to look at the state statute
beforehand, soI respectfully request that, you know, we defer it.
Chair Gort: We can bring it back this afternoon or do you need more time?
Vice Chair Carollo: I don't think I'm going to be able to read the state statute this afternoon
by this afternoon. I have a feeling it's going to be a little long.
Chair Gort: Okay, so a request from one of the Commissioners. How do the rest of the
Commissioners feel? Further discussion?
Commissioner Dunn: I have no problem with it.
Vice Chair Carollo: We defer then?
Commissioner Dunn: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Motion to defer it to the next meeting. I think it's the 27th.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: That's my motion.
Chair Gort: Okay, there's a motion and a second. Any further discussion?
Commissioner Dunn: No.
Chair Gort: Okay. Let --
Vice Chair Carollo: All in favor, say "aye. "
Chair Gort: -- me ask a question. My understanding -- before I call the vote -- is that during the
crisis of the City ofMiami in the '90's, there was no funding and after the CRA started receiving
funding, thing changes. I think we should also look into the CRA board at that time if they made
-- they created any changes within their bylaws and that has taken effect to answer some of the
questions that have been asked here. Thank you. All in favor, state it by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Gort: Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Commissioners.
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SR.5 ORDINANCE Second Reading
10-01384
Office of the City AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING CHAPTER
Attorney 2/ARTICLE VI OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED, ENTITLED "LOBBYISTS", MORE PARTICULARLY BY AMENDING
SECTION 2-657, ENTITLED "PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS", PROVIDING
FOR RE -REGISTRATION AMOUNT TO BE CONSISTENT WITH
REGISTRATION AMOUNT; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
10-01384 FR/SR Summary Memorandum.pdf
10-01384 FR/SR Legislation.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Dunn II, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
13246
Chair Gort: SR. 5.
Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): SR. 5 is an amendment to the City Code section that governs
lobbyists, and this is really just a cleanup. When we adopted our fee ordinance earlier in the
year, we went into the particular code sections that were affected by the fee increases and we
missed the section of the lobbyist code section that references the fee for re -registration, so
simply we're going and fixing that from 500 to 525.
Chair Gort: Okay. It's a public hearing. Anybody like to address the SR.5? Being none, we'll
close the public hearings [sic]. Commissioners.
Vice Chair Carollo: So move.
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Chair Gort: It's been move and second
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Chair Gort: Thank you. Roll call.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Your roll call.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been adopted on second reading, 5-0.
SR.6 ORDINANCE Second Reading
10-01375
City Manager's Office AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION GRANTING AN AD
VALOREM TAX EXEMPTION FOR TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY TO
DDR MIAMI AVE, LLC, A NEW BUSINESS LOCATED IN THE ENTERPRISE
ZONE; PROVIDING SCOPE AND TERMS OF EXEMPTION; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
DATE, AND AN EXPIRATION DATE.
10-01375 FR/SRSummary Form.pdf
10-01375 FR/SR City Manager's Memorandum.pdf
10-01375 FR/SR Tax Abatement Roster 2008.pdf
10-01375 FR/SR Revenue Implications.pdf
10-01375 FR/SR Letter from DDR Representative.pdf
10-01375 FR Legislation.pdf
10-01375-Submittal-Draft Legislation.pdf
10-01375 SR Legislation.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Commissioner Dunn II, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Dunn II
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
13247
Chair Gort: SR. 6.
Basil Binns (Assistant to Chief Financial Officer): Good morning, Commissioners. Basil Binns,
City Manager's office. SR. 6 is an ordinance on second reading granting an ad valorem tax
exemption for DDR Miami for tangible personal property. It's a property in the enterprise zone.
This is pursuant to Chapter 56 of the code that allows us to do tax exemptions both for tangible
personal and real property.
Commissioner Suarez: Move it.
Chair Gort: Excuse me. Okay, is there a motion?
Commissioner Suarez: Move it.
Commissioner Dunn: Second.
Chair Gort: It's a public hearing. Let me open it to -- Anyone in the public would like to
address this issue, SR.6? Being none, there's been a motion and second. Discussion?
Commissioner Suarez: Just a quick clarification.
Chair Gort: Sure.
Commissioner Suarez: I think you just described it on the record as an ad valorem tax exemption
Chair Gort: That was my question.
Commissioner Suarez: -- for personal property, and I think --
Mr. Binns: It is for tangible personal property, yes.
Commissioner Suarez: When you say ad valorem, it gives the impression that it's for real
property.
Mr. Binns: It's ad valorem because it is based on the property value.
Commissioner Suarez: Okay.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
Mr. Binns: It's a percentage of the property value, but it's not based on the real property.
Commissioner Suarez: Okay. I got you.
Mr. Binns: And --
Commissioner Suarez: I just want to clarify for the record, Basil, because we -- you know, this
already was passed on first reading, that this has -- and it was also passed by the Midtown CRA
(Community Redevelopment Agency) board unanimously --
Mr. Binns: Correct.
Commissioner Suarez: -- that this has zero --
Mr. Binns: It does have a zero --
Commissioner Suarez: -- fiscal --
Mr. Binns: -- fiscal impact.
Commissioner Suarez: -- impact --
Mr. Binns: Correct.
Commissioner Suarez: -- to the City, zero.
Mr. Binns: Correct.
Commissioner Suarez: I think there was a little bit of misunderstanding.
Chair Gort: My understanding, the impact is $190.
Mr. Binns: It would be $109. DDR Miami has --
Commissioner Suarez: They waived it.
Mr. Binns: -- waived their right to receive either a credit or any dollar amount --
Chair Gort: Okay.
Mr. Binns: -- that would be due.
Chair Gort: Okey-doke. Ordinance.
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 --
Mr. Binns: Thank you.
Ms. Thompson: -- adopted on second reading, 4-0.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
SR.7
10-01249
City Manager's Office
ORDINANCE
Second Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING CHAPTER 62/ARTICLE XIII/DIVISION 5, OF
THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED
"ZONING AND PLANNING/ZONING APPROVAL FOR TEMPORARY USES
AND OCCUPANCIES; PERMIT REQUIRED/MURALS", MORE
PARTICULARLY, BY AMENDING SECTIONS 62-602 THROUGH 62-618,
WITH RESPECT TO THE MURAL REGULATIONS, BY EXPANDING THE CITY
OF MIAMI MURAL GEOGRAPHICAL AREA, AS ATTACHED IN "EXHIBIT A";
ADDING NEW TITLES, DEFINITIONS, PROCEDURES, CRITERIAAND
EXEMPTIONS; REFRESHING TIMELINES; ADDING A NEW PERMIT
PROCESS FOR PLACEMENT OF ADDITIONAL MURALS; AND ALLOWING
THE ADDITION OF TEN (10) MORE MURALS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE
DATE.
10-01249 Summary Form.pdf
10-01249 Pre Legislation FR/SR.pdf
10-01249 FR/SRMemo and Legislation -Miami Dade County.pdf
10-01249 Legislation.pdf
10-01249 Exhibit 1 FR/SR.pdf
10-01249 Summary Form SR.pdf
10-01249 Legislation Version 2 SR.pdf
10-01249 Legislation Version 4 SR.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Commissioner Sarnoff, that this matter be
ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Dunn II
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
13248
Chair Gort: SR. 2.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Seven.
Chair Gort: I mean 7.
Vanessa Acosta (Assistant Director): Vanessa Acosta, Building and Zoning. SR. 7 is to make
changes to the existing sections of Chapter 62 that refer to the mural ordinance. The changes
that are coming before you were intended for the purpose of increasing our amount of permits
from 35 to 45 and cleanup language to the ordinance for purposes of payment and restrictions
and/or penalties for lack of payment. I don't know if you gentlemen want me to go over the
changes again this reading.
Chair Gort: Please.
Ms. Acosta: Okay. We have a change to the definition of affiliate, which will basically go
further into describing all those that are affiliated for purposes of this section of the code . The
commercial message section was changed to include comments made by Commissioner Sarnoff
at the last meeting requesting that corporate logos be included within the 15 percent that is
allowed within the commercial message. I've since been feeling that because of the way that the
industry functions, that would not be something that is acceptable in terms of how we calculate
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
and would like to make a change on the floor to change the language back to how we had it
where corporate logos do not account towards the 15 percent.
Chair Gort: Okay.
Ms. Acosta: We -- the indemnity and hold harmless that was part of the original documents that
were signed when this ordinance first came about for qualified applicants was codified within the
ordinance so that now all qualified applicants will be required to indemni and hold the City
harmless. We included definitions for the quarters as established for payment, the penalties for
failure to make payments in a timely manner. Forty five days accrue 18 percent interest, and
then permits are revoked if not paid. We changed the gross revenue amounts for qualified
applicants from 2 million to 1.5 million in the two preceding years versus three preceding years
in an effort to reflect the current times and economy.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. I'm not sure I -- oh, okay. I got you.
Ms. Acosta: The ten additional permits granted by the County, pursuant our resolution request
last summer, are being included, as well as moving the cap from 20 permits to 25 per district. In
an effort to clean up, we included districts T5-O, T6-48 and D2, which were left out in the
previous ordinance but were intended to be part of the districts allowing it. We also included
new language for recertification. Every five years, all qualified applicants will have to provide
recertification information as to their bonding capacity, their letters of credit, and basically
come back and make sure that everybody's still eligible. We required stricter code enforcement
on actual building owners. No longer will the mural industry alone be responsible. The building
owners will also be held to standards in maintaining their structures to the standards Code
Enforcement applies to all buildings. The last change was the change from the Commission to
circuit court for review of decisions. That was, as was explained in the last hearing, for purposes
of removing that quasi-judicial function that you've requested in past meetings. If it is the
Commission's intent to maintain jurisdiction over this for purposes of any discussions that come
about, I can also amend that on the floor. There is one other minor amendment to the exemption
provision, which is 62-611. The word there lhurals'tn the first paragraph there on the first line
and on the second -- third line will be changed to gign'to be in better accordance with the County
ordinance.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. What -- Mr. Chair.
Ms. Acosta: Basically, it will read that temporary permits for signs not governed, not for murals
because the rest of the code speaks to signs in general, not murals.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Commissioner Sarnoff.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. I'm --
Ms. Acosta: Adjusting.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. -- trying -- here's what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to not look at the
ordinance and listen to you, and I'm trying to understand the distinction between taking the word
mural to sign.
Ms. Acosta: It's basically to accord with the County ordinance. This provision was for
exemptions of signs that are not considered murals. And basically to come into accordance with
the County ordinance, we're changing --
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Commissioner Sarnoff. Hold on. Go back, go back, go back. Signs that are not considered
murals.
Ms. Acosta: Signs -- temporary signs --
Commissioner Sarnoff. Okay, so that would be -- temporary --
Ms. Acosta: -- like PSAs (Public Service Announcements), things like that. They're not murals.
Victoria Mendez (Assistant City Attorney): Like the banners, the one that was on the MRC
(Miami Riverside Center) that had the Welcome Super Bowl. "Those are technically not murals.
They're public service announcements. They're things that the City does in order to give
information. They're not necessarily murals and they should not be counted towards the 45. So
in order to just make sure that they're not considered murals, we're just going to change the word
mural to the word sign in two places in that paragraph just to make sure that everyone
understands that they're not covered by this mural ordinance. They're just covered under
another section of our sign code that has to do with temporary signs.
Commissioner Sarnoff. So they would only be -- Mr. Chair, is that all right?
Chair Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Sarnoff. -- considered -- Any of these signs would be temporary signs. And my
recollection of temporary signs was two week and then, if possible --
Ms. Mendez: Right.
Commissioner Sarnoff. -- two -week extension.
Ms. Mendez: Right, and then an extension. And then if this Commission wants to extend it
further -- similar to some of the things that we did at the Arsht that some ofyour constituents had
asked in order to better the Arsht and nothing having to do with murals per se. So we just
wanted to clear that up.
Commissioner Sarnoff. And there -- and of course, it's always difficult to talk about the Herald
'cause the next thing you know, your name will appear there. But the Herald seems to have a
sign on 395, which occasionally appears to be a public service sign, and at times appears to be
what I would call a classic mural. Anybody familiar with that?
Barnaby Min (Zoning Administrator): Barnaby Min, with the Office of Zoning. Yes, the Herald
building does have what we consider public service announcements. They apply under the
temporary use permit process.
Commissioner Sarnoff. So the one facing -- I guess it would be facing north, which is -- they
have a mural -- they have a permanent mural. I think it's a Fuel mural heading -- if I'm heading
west -- so I'm heading away -- I'm looking directly at that sign. I'm looking at the sign of the
Herald building that faces Miami Beach. The other side of that being the south -- now if I'm
heading south -- so the north face of their building, that is the public service announcement
sign?
Mr. Min: 'Cause the idea is that the temporary use banners, public service announcements,
whatnot, they don't have a commercial message. They're meant to advertise the SoBe (South
Beach) Wine Festival --
Commissioner Sarnoff. So like the book fair.
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Mr. Min: -- Art Basel, the book fair, things like that. If there's a commercial message, those
would be treated as murals, and they would be handled by Ms. Acosta.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chairman, ifI may.
Chair Gort: Thank you. Yes, sir.
Commissioner Suarez: I just wanted clarification on the last change. I think you kind of left it
up to us. I don't know if you actually suggested one or the other, but don't know how my
colleagues feel about it. I think that it is more prudent for us to be the arbiter in these matters
simply because the cost involved in litigating these matters for anyone who may want to
challenge them and the efficiency of us handling it versus a circuit court, in my opinion, militate
in favor of having us be the quasi judicial body. I don't know how my colleagues feel about it,
but that would be my inclination.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Mr. Chair.
Chair Gort: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. That was a comment I think -- oh, you were here for the Miami 21. That
was a comment you heard from MNU (Miami Neighborhoods United). You heard it from many
other people that they wanted to have their appellate rights heard here.
Commissioner Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Andl don't know -- and it's -- just becomes a policy decision, whether
you think it's prudent for a corporation that has a lot more size and magnitude than a citizen,
let's say, whether they should have their rights heard here too. It's simply a public policy
decision.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah. I think the cost -- if you're an average citizen, the cost is much less
for us to hear it than it is for both the filing fees and litigation costs. I think one of the things
that we see when you have organizations like MNU is that when they're dealing with matters that
affect their residents, it's hard for them to compete in a resource battle over time, you know, with
a lot of these issues. So I think it's more efficient for us to hear it. It's less expensive for all
parties concerned, and you know, you have a final decision and everybody can just go forward
with it. That's my perspective.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Mr. Chair.
Chair Gort: Okay. Yes, sir.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Would the final decision that we make then be appealable to a circuit
court?
Commissioner Suarez: Yes, I think so.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Okay. So I guess they still can go to circuit court if they choose.
Chair Gort: So I'll leave that to you attorneys. What do you -- what would you like to do?
Commissioner Sarnoff.. I can -- I don't know who made the motion. Who made the motion?
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Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): We do not have a mover or sec --
Commissioner Sarnoff. We don't have a motion.
Chair Gort: We don't have a motion. It's the public hearing.
Commissioner Sarnoff. So I'll make a motion.
Chair Gort: Commissioner Sarnoff, before you make the motion, let me open it up for the public.
Does anyone in the public would like to address this issue?
Lucia Dougherty: Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members --
Chair Gort: Good morning.
Ms. Dougherty: -- of the Commission. Lucia Dougherty, with offices at 1221 Brickell Avenue.
I'm just here to support the Administration's amendments and the ordinance in its totality. I want
you to know that the Administration worked very hard, as well as the CityAttorney's office, andl
want to commend Vanessa and Orlando and Johnny Martinez and Victoria Mendez because we
are all very competitive with each other, the industry itself, and we don't always agree with each
other, and we don't certainly agree with the City, but they did a great job of navigating a very
disparate group and coming up with a ordinance that we can all live with. We don't love it, but
we can all live with it and that's to their credit, so we thank them.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chairman, ifI may.
Chair Gort: Thank you. Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: I just want to commend Commissioner Sarnoff because I believe it was
his idea to have a workshop, you know, when we first talked about this. Andl'm not usually a
proponent of workshops andl think sometimes that makes -- it makes things more complicated.
But certainly in this particular case, that was a brilliant solution, a brilliant suggestion because
it brought all the parties together. As the attorney mentioned, they are competing parties, but
they got together and were able to work together towards a solution that everyone could live
with.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Mr. Chair.
Chair Gort: Thank -- Yes, sir.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Vanessa --
Ms. Acosta: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. -- this is a policy decision that this Commission's going to have to make.
Andl'm not -- I'm going to ask you to dip into -- out of the clouds into the ground to tell me how
it works. It's always been my contention that we should not have mural -only buildings. It has
always been my contention -- this goes on in New York City as a matter of fact. New York City's
mural program pales in comparison to the City ofMiami 's. But in New York City, you have
vacant buildings, especially in the bowery, that will never be occupied that have murals of the
size that we have. Andl wanted to avoid that when I drafted this ordinance andl remember an
ifnd'getting changed to an 8r, 'and that was a -- and it happened very suspiciously, let me leave it
at that, that a 40-year certification or certificate of use was put in there. Now, a 40-year
certificate of -- 40-year certification has a certain requirement that I guess Orlando Toledo could
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
explain to us 'til the cows come home, but it essentially means the building is safe and it is
probably safe for the next 40 years. A certificate of use means that the building is actually being
occupied or capable of being occupied. And the -- my question to you is, what are we doing?
'Cause from a policy standpoint, this Commission's got to decide do we want buildings that are
vacant, that are only used for murals, and what have we done in our ordinance to protect against
that if it's the will of this Commission that we should have buildings that are occupied with
murals?
Ms. Acosta: Okay. In this -- what we went forward in doing is requesting and requiring that
whenever reasonably -- commercially reasonable, the building come back to viability. They're
required to have a building that has a certificate of use. The only concern with the certificate of
use is that it does not address the building as a whole. A minor portion of a building may receive
a certificate of use. So if you choose to have a 10 by 10 office in a building and that building
holds a certificate of use, you can sort of play with the language. Am I correct, sir?
Orlando Toledo: Orlando Toledo, director of Building and Zoning. She is correct. But to be
able to obtain the CU (Certificate of Use), you need a 40-year certification because the 40-year
is what tells us -- we look at electrical and we look at structure --
Ms. Acosta: Life safety.
Mr. Toledo: -- and life safety issues, so automatically, if you are asking for a CU, part of that
CU will be a 40-year certification because the building side will not approve it until such time
that that 40-year is in.
Commissioner Sarnoff. So -- Mr. Chair.
Chair Gort: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Sarnoff. So as written right now, they require a 40-year certification -- Do not?
Mr. Toledo: They require a certificate of use --
Commissioner Sarnoff. Which requires --
Mr. Toledo: -- which will --
Chair Gort: Requires --
Mr. Toledo: -- require -- it will trigger the 40-year certification.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Okay. And can you just read the language to me that -- in the ordinance
that says that?
Ms. Acosta: A mural shall not be permitted on an unoccupied building only if the building
possesses a valid certificate of occupancy, certificate of use, or 40-year recertification, if
applicable.
Commissioner Sarnoff. All right, so it's an 8r. "So it's either going to have a certificate of
occupancy, a CO -- How does that differ from a CU?
Mr. Toledo: The CO is on the building side; the CU is on the zoning side. Again --
Commissioner Sarnoff. I don't know if that explains it to me.
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Mr. Toledo: The Building Department issues a CO, and then you come into Zoning to obtain
your CU.
Chair Gort: CU.
Commissioner Sarnoff. So CO to a layperson means this building is capable of being occupied.
Mr. Toledo: Of occupying.
Commissioner Sarnoff. A CU means this building is being occupied for appropriate uses.
Mr. Toledo: By a specific time, yes.
Chair Gort: Right.
Ms. Mendez: But just to clam, Commissioner, because you bring up a valid point, a -- in order
to make it so that it is difficult for an unoccupied building to have a mural on it, it would be
taking out the certif -- the 5r certificate of use'art because you can have a shell certificate of
use, which is basically for a structure for common areas. So I mean, the thing that really
clinches that the building at least is a building that can be occupied and it's not an eyesore and
it's not something that has wiring, you know, all over the place, would be a certificate -- a valid
certificate of occupancy or a 40-year certification because a 40-year certification or a valid
certificate of occupancy truly cover your concern.
Ms. Acosta: There's an additional way to clean it up. There may be a way of saying that a
certain percentage of the building must have CUs versus just leaving it as an open CU and
leaving room for the 10 by 10.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chairman.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Mr. Chair.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. So -- sorry. But so -- I -- there's -- you're right. There's a little bit of
artistry where you guys are saying that a person could occupy a 10 by 10 closet, let's say, of a --
I'm just going to use a number -- 20,000 square foot building, and they would get a certificate of
occupancy and a certificate of use, and that really would not be an occupied building. We all
agree.
Ms. Mendez: Right. Because technically there could be an unoccupied building with a mural on
it, but it's a beautiful building. It's got -- you know, and on the inside -- I mean, I don't know why
anybody would want do this, but -- I mean, it could be that the building could be occupied, but
it's not an eyesore or it's not anything that's dangerous or --
Commissioner Sarnoff.. See, my experience has been -- and maybe it's the other Commissioners
as well -- when you ordinarily have a building that only has a mural on it, when you get down to
the apron way of that building, it does not appear to be taken care of it does not appear to be
swept, it does not appear to have all those -- the indicia of people caring for a building because,
obviously -- you've seen this, and I'm sure everybody has seen this. Billboards are a little easier
to understand. We see people put a billboard up on their property, they're done. They don't need
to occupy their buildings because they're getting 50, 60,000, whatever it is biannually or
however they're working it out, and they're happy. Andl think we have to be careful with this
industry. And my only criticism of myself -- and is Bockweg still here 'cause he helped writing
this ordinance from the beginning to? -- was that we weren't extremely careful to make sure that
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unoccupied buildings have these murals. And again, I invite everybody to go to the bowery in
New York and you will see unoccupied buildings that, I tell you, gentlemen, will not be occupied
for the next 30 years and there's no eyes and ears, if you will, that a building brings on the street
so that some of our safety issues, you know -- and I'm really talking about the buildings right by
395.
Ms. Acosta: Sir, we attempted to ameliorate that in 62-613 in maintenance where building
owners themselves will be responsible, where mural permits are issued, for full compliance with
applicable federal, state, county, city, including but not limited to, building, life safety, electrical,
technical codes, minimum housing, land use, zoning, solid waste, sanitary, storm water, sewer,
all other applicable laws. When I mentioned that we're trying to hold the building owners
accountable as well, we want to make sure that the owners who are receiving revenue maintain
their buildings in such a standard that we are happy to have them within the City.
Commissioner Sarnoff. And -- Mr. Chair.
Chair Gort: Yeah.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Are you satisfied, and Orlando, are you satisfied, and Madam City
Attorney -- and you can all pipe in on your own -- are you satisfied that that language sets -- if it
is to be the will of this Commission and the policy of this Commission that these buildings will
appear to be occupied? Madam City Attorney?
Ms. Mendez: If you have in the sentence that it has to have a valid certificate of occupancy or a
valid 40-year certification, I think you're covered. When you throw in the 5r certificate of use,"
that's where it could get a little --
Commissioner Sarnoff. Vanessa, are you in agreement with that?
Ms. Acosta: I'm somewhat in agreement that if we tighten it up a little, we will have less
ambiguity as to the results.
Chair Gort: Question.
Commissioner Suarez: No. I'm listening to the debate. I understand the underlying policy
concern andl agree with it. I think we don't want to promote a building that necessarily its only
function is going to be essentially to hold up a billboard -- I mean, a mural, I'm sorry. The way I
was thinking of it -- and this is just a suggestion. I haven't really thought it through. This is on
the fly and us discussing it -- is it seems like we're trying to create a hyper technical definition of
what an occupied building is. In other words, we're using a lot of different technical terms.
Another way to do it is to take a step back. It's more discretionary, which means, you know, I
suppose it could be more dangerously interpreted, but to say, you know, something to the effect
that th the Manager's sole and absolute discretion, they will decide what is an occupied or an
unoccupied building. It's more of a nebulous situation, but it vests the authority in one person
and the person makes a call. I mean, if it -- you know, whether a building is occupied or
unoccupied, is it 50 percent occupied, is it 51 percent occupied, is it 70 percent occupied? I
think what you're worried about is the same thing I'm worried about, is that a building is going
to never be occupied and it's just going to sit there and never be improved and it's never going to
be part of our functioning community because they're generating whatever thousands of dollars
a month in revenue and so they don't have an incentive really to become part of the stream of our
commerce. Downtown is one example of where that could happen and it would be horrible for
downtown, for the evolution of downtown. So I don't know that that solves the issue. I'm just
making a suggestion. I don't know what the -- how the industry feels about it. Again, we haven't
-- this is just on the fly.
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Ms. Mendez: Right now as it is, an unoccupied building, unoccupied, that no one's in there, can
have a mural, but you have to have a certificate of occupancy or a certificate of use, which is the
one that's, for me, more wishy-washy, or a 40 year of certification. So if you say, oh, it has a
certificate of use for a storage -- I mean, for, you know, storage of bicycles downstairs in a 10 by
10, technically that meets the requirement of you know, the certificate of use portion so --
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Commissioner Suarez.
Commissioner Suarez: Let me posit another example. It's $70 to open up a corporation in the
state of Florida. If you have a building with 20 units per floor and you're generatingX'humber
of dollars in revenue, you can open up a corporation for every single unit and you can get a
certificate of use or occupancy for every single unit and you don't have to actually occupy it or
do business there, as far as I know. So if the cost of doing that is less than the revenue that's
being generated, you could still operate a building that is essentially not occupied, you know.
You can still have a mural on it. It's just a cost benefit. It's a cost -- it's a profit -loss analysis.
Ms. Mendez: But I --
Commissioner Suarez: Right? I mean, am I right or am I wrong?
Chair Gort: My understanding is -- I wish it was as easy to get a CU as you're stating. I don't
think it's that easy. I mean, I wish we could do that. I would love to see that so the
businesspeople could go ahead and open up a lot faster. I went through the process of getting a
CU about three years ago. It's not that easy.
Commissioner Suarez: Have you gotten it yet?
Chair Gort: You have to comply with the -- a lot of the requirements. You have to go -- you have
to fill out the application. You have to go to DERM (Department of Environmental Resources
Management). DERM has to give you okay. If DERM does not give you an okay, then you
cannot open that office. My understanding is, the building -- if it's more than 40 years old, they
got to have that 40-year-old certification. At the same time, I'll introduce all three of them, put
the CO and the CU and the 40-year certification's got to be automatically, is my understanding.
Once a building hits 40 year old, it has to go through the process. And now my question is, since
you have the murals and you know what the murals and what buildings they're in, I think you can
have Code Enforcement going by to make sure that the building is maintained. I understand
what you're saying andl don't want to see this building being deteriorated because it would not
help any of us. But at the same time, there's a lot of building here that the people are not
surviving because they're not deriving any income. This might help some of those buildings get
some income and try to get some more tenants to come into the building. So it's a two-way street.
I think we should have the ordinance where the people will have to comply with all the
legislation that we have, with all the requirements.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chairman, ifI just may --
Chair Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: -- just piggyback off what you said. Obviously, we all know we have the
ability to change this ordinance in the future if we don't feel that, for whatever reason, it's being
-- you know, it's being applied properly. I see Commissioner Sarnoff kind of --
Commissioner Sarnoff.. That's going to be a lot of --
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Commissioner Suarez: You think there's like a vested right or something?
Commissioner Sarnoff. -- vested rights arguments.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah. So -- well, then --
Ms. Acosta: Gentlemen --
Commissioner Suarez: -- I will -- I'll definitely --
Ms. Acosta: -- further along in that paragraph of unoccupied buildings --
Chair Gort: Excuse me. Are you finished?
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah, no. I was just going to say I'll defer to my colleague's
interpretation of what a vested right is in this context. I'm sure he knows a lot more about it than
I do.
Commissioner Sarnoff. I know what the allegations will be.
Chair Gort: Yes, ma'am.
Ms. Acosta: Further along, we provide for whenever commercially viable. For what you were
saying, Chairman, the buildings actually do come back and start being occupied. Some of these
buildings, like you're saying, don't have the rent revenue right now and they're using the mural,
from what I'm understanding, revenues to be able to bring the buildings back. The intent in the
redraft was to hold the building owners more accountable. We do have the addresses and they
are being -- pursuant this rewrite, the building owners themselves will now have to more
stringently adhere to any and all codes for purposes of code compliance, the
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) and all of that.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Mr. Chair.
Chair Gort: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Sarnoff. I think what Commissioner Carollo [sic] is saying is -- what I think he's
saying is there are some brand-new buildings that are about to get murals that are not occupied
yet, and that's not the one that concerns me. That's not the one that concerns me. What
concerns me are the buildings that are getting these murals -- I mean, just everybody think when
they go to the Beach and look to the north side. You have buildings there that are not viable
buildings, in my opinion. I don't think anybody occupies the buildings. They're older buildings.
They're 40, 50 years old. Maybe not that old, but they're older buildings, andl question whether
the intention ever is to do anything more with those buildings. And but for the fact they're
uniquely situated right next to 395, they would probably be torn down or face code enforcement
for having a deteriorated building. My concern is that -- I might not mind that building if the
owner took care of it, but if you go to any of those buildings right now, those sidewalks have not
been swept, those facades have not been cleaned. The billboards -- excuse me, the murals look
great because they have to look great because they're not the ones taking care of the mural, the
mural company is. And I just question from a policy standpoint, from a public policy standpoint,
if we want the City to grow, do we want to allow buildings to remain vacant? Andl do
understand your distinction, which is there are some brand-new buildings that this may be the
shot in the arm to keep them alive for the next two or three years until the tenants come in, and
that's not my intention. My intention's something different. And that's why I went after it via a
40 year certification, via a CO, a CU. Andl could tell you this, the -- or it was once an and"
when we drafted this. When it made it from the upstairs to the downstairs, it became an 8r'and
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
nobody caught it, and that's previous to this Administration and previous to you guys being here.
And that ordinance, if Pieter Bockweg is here, that was written hand -wise over six months. I
mean, we had nothing to work off of so it was a very long, laborious task. And so I want to
bring to bear to you, it's not my concern for a new building. My concern is for the older
buildings.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: No, no. I agree with you. I believe those old buildings, they're deteriorating and
they shouldn't be standing up. That's why I said they will have to comply with -- we got to make
the regulation that they have to comply --
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chair --
Chair Gort: -- with all the requirements of the City CU and CO. Commissioner Suarez.
Commissioner Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I don't know how the Commissioner feels
about this, but maybe we can, you know, adopt the ordinance and then readdress that specific
issue in the next Commission meeting. I don't know what kind of a danger that poses, but it
seems to me, debate -- you know, we're debating something. We have -- I think we have both --
all established that we're on the same page in terms of what we want it to say and not to say. We
don't want it to hurt new, you know, buildings that are going to be coming online where that may
defray some of the operational costs involved in having a profitable business, but we want to
discourage buildings from existing solely for the purpose of having a mural on them and never
taking any -- making any efforts to become part of the business community of whatever area
they're in. So I don't know -- I'm not sure that we've gotten there in this discussion. Maybe it
may take -- maybe it may be wise for us to actually think about it, continue considering it in the
next couple of weeks. Andl don't know if we can readdress this. I don't know if you think there's
any harm in that or any potential problem with that.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Well, we -- Mr. Chair. We may have it. And what I'm -- and I'm not
trying to belabor anything. Here's what we don't want to do. You don't want to make many
amendments to the mural ordinance. Every amendment that's made goes to FDOT (Florida
Department of Transportation), goes up to Tallahassee. You have a governmental entity that is
going to review every amendment that you have so my -- and the reason I wanted to workshop
this was I wanted to get this year's amendments, next year's amendment and hopefully the year
after that --
Chair Gort: All of them together.
Commissioner Sarnoff. -- amendments done this year so they get to review one document and
give it a thumbs up or a thumbs down. My only concern is these are the three amendments the
City ofMiami put to us in '011 [sic]. I don't think that's what we want to do. I think we want to
make this a lasting document that has some elasticity for at least two, three years just so we don't
get this -- so do we have it?
Ms. Acosta: We have one other opportunity as the map change to this ordinance will be coming
back in the next couple of weeks after the County makes their determination on our map
boundary expansions. So if you'd like us as Administration to take this particular section under
advisement and work on it between now and when the County comes back with the map
approval, we can do that and just basically work on this for the next couple of weeks.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Okay.
Chair Gort: I think the -- both the industry, the property owners, and the Administration knows
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
where we're coming from, but want to make sure that whatever building is used to -- is kept. And
I believe you have the safeguards put into the agenda [sic] where it can take place of it. If you
can think of additional, it would do. At the same time, you have the addresses of all -- I imagine,
of all the proposed buildings that want to be utilized. I think maybe you and the industry should
make sure that the buildings that they're talking to, they're buildings that can comply with all the
requirement because it has to have a CO, they have to have the 40-year certification, and they
have to have a CU, okay. Any further discussion?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Chair, you have not closed your public hearing yet.
Chair Gort: I did. No?
Ms. Thompson: No, you got interrupted.
Chair Gort: Okey-doke.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chair Gort: Thank you. Anybody else?
Ms. Dougherty: Mr. Chair, I just wanted to make a comment about this. Andl agree with your
solution to defer it and see how it works because frankly I think it's done -- you've done a great
job of making sure these buildings look a lot better than they used to. Andl thinkl know the
building you're talking about. I don't represent -- I think it's the Eugene Rodriguez building. I
don't represent him or the mural that's on it. It's the large building on the north side. But that
building looks a whole lot better than it ever used to look, and they --
Commissioner Sarnoff. Well, that was the buildingl was thinking of actually --
Ms. Dougherty: -- made it look better --
Commissioner Sarnoff. -- 'cause I know what's going on with that building. And he entered --
Ms. Dougherty: Okay.
Commissioner Sarnoff. -- into an agreement to put all the money from that particular building in
the actual construction and retrofit of that building. So in some respects, he got a -- I don't want
to say a good deal, but he got the ability to put the mural up with the understanding that revenue
had to go into the building.
Ms. Dougherty: But he had to fix that building before you put the mural up.
Commissioner Sarnoff. He had to get a 40-year cert --
Chair Gort: Excuse me.
Ms. Dougherty: I mean, so that's exactly what I'm saying.
Chair Gort: Hello.
Ms. Dougherty: You actually -- Yes, sir.
Chair Gort: I don't want to hear arguments in here. He's making a statement. Let him finish his
statement. Thank you.
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Ms. Dougherty: Did you want me to stop talking? Is that what --?
Commissioner Sarnoff. No. I'm -- it's not that particular building, Ms. Dougherty. It's actually
a building right next to 395. It's not used, it's not swept, it's not clean, andl want to make at
least everybody aware thatl think the buildings need to look like they are habitable.
Chair Gort: I agree. Yes, ma'am.
Ms. Dougherty: Thank you very much.
Chair Gort: Thank you.
Ms. Dougherty: I agree with him.
Chair Gort: Okey-doke. Close the public hearing. Any additional discussion? Roll call -- or
read the ordinance.
Ms. Thompson: I'm sorry. We don't have a mover or a seconder.
Commissioner Suarez: Move it.
Commissioner Dunn: Second.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Second.
Ms. Mendez: And just to be clear, Mr. Chair, are we going to move it as it is right now with the
amendments of the words sign, and then in the future if there's any changes, we'll bring it up? I
just wanted to be clear on how we're moving this. Or are we taking out this paragraph and not
changing anything in that paragraph that has to do with the unoccupied buildings? I just need
to be sure on how --
Chair Gort: My understanding is we're maintaining the paragraph and we have an ability --
some additional amendments can be made to that paragraph will be made when it comes back in
two weeks. That was my understanding. Commissioners?
Commissioner Sarnoff. The maker has to say --
Chair Gort: The maker of the motion --
Commissioner Suarez: Yes.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Yeah, and the seconder, I agree. I think we also put the change in for
the percentage for the logo.
Ms. Acosta: And for the reversion back to City Commission as well.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Right.
Ms. Mendez: Okay, so just to be clear, it's going to be City -- as this is being moved today by
this Commission, it's going to be in Section 62-616 that talks about coming to City Commission,
not to circuit court. Then in Section 62-611 -- I'm going backwards -- the two revisions that has
to do with the signs, change the word lhural'to .1igns, 'as we had discussed. Then the --
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
Ms. Acosta: 62-602.
Ms. Mendez: -- unoccupied building section, we're going to leave as it is here. And then the last
one had to do with the logos and --
Ms. Acosta: 62-602.
Ms. Mendez: -- which is 62-602.
Ms. Acosta: The commercial message section at the top of page 4.
Ms. Mendez: Correct, but that one -- what exactly -- what wording was changed in there
because that's just the definition. If you're looking --
Ms. Acosta: We need to exclude the whole lticluding any text or logos'language, commercial
trademark because those will no longer be counted towards the -- they won't be counted towards
the 15 percent.
Ms. Mendez: So then the definition of commercial message, we are striking lticluding any text or
logos f om that definition?
Ms. Acosta: Yeah.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Mr. Chair.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Sarnoff. What does text mean? 'Cause I understand what a logo is. What is text?
Ms. Acosta: There are certain logos that actually have letters in them.
Commissioner Sarnoff. So it's not further -- it's not commercial messaging?
Ms. Acosta: From what I'm understanding for inclusion within the 15 percent of logo language,
that needs to come out so that it's not counted towards. There are certain trademarked logos --
Commissioner Sarnoff. No. I --
Ms. Acosta: -- that have --
Commissioner Sarnoff. -- for instance, Bacardi. The Bacardi logo actually has the name --
Chair Gort: Has Bacardi, yeah.
Commissioner Sarnoff. -- right, has Bacardi in it. And I'm not saying -- if that -- if you're
calling that text, I'm okay with it. But if there's further commercial messaging -- no, okay.
Ms. Acosta: And then Victoria, in page 10 --
Ms. Mendez: Okay, wait. Then we need -- in order to clarify what you're saying -- it's not in the
definition because commercial message does include all those things. But then it would have to
be -- that needs to be revised in page 10 when it talks about what we're counting in the 15
percent.
Ms. Acosta: Okay.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
RE.1
10-01378
Department of Capital
Improvements
Program
Ms. Mendez: That's where it would have to be revised. So Ijust need to make sure that when we
say mural commercial message size, the mural face shall be predominantly pictorial with text
limited to no more than 15 percent of the mural face to be written copy. Here's where we take
out l'orporate logos on the mural as stand-alone emblem and/or product shall be considered part
of the written copy to be limited to 15 percent. "That's the little sentence we're taking out. I want
everybody to be clear about that because the definition, you know, stays the same.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Ms. Mendez: Okay. All right, so I think we have all the changes now.
Chair Gort: Okay.
Ms. Mendez: Mr. Chair, could read the ordinance title?
Chair Gort: Please do.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by Assistant City Attorney Victoria
Mendez.
Chair Gort: Thank you. Roll call.
Ms. Thompson: This is your roll call on your modified second reading ordinance. I want to
make sure that I'm stating that correctly, that it is modified.
Ms. Mendez: As modified.
Chair Gort: As modified.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you. Roll call.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been adopted on second reading, as modified, 4-0.
END OF ORDINANCES - SECOND READINGS
RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
WITH TY LIN INTERNATIONAUH.J. ROSS, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, FOR THE PROVISION OF MISCELLANEOUS CIVIL
ENGINEERING SERVICES, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500,000,
THEREBY INCREASING THE TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT FROM
$1,000,000, TO AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,500,000; ALLOCATING
FUNDS FROM THE APPROPRIATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
10-01378 Summary Form.pdf
10-01378 Pre Legislation.pdf
10-01378Amendment No. 1.pdf
10-01378 Professional Services Agreement.pdf
10-01378 TY Lin Corporate Resolution.pdf
10-01378 Certificate of Liability Insurance.pdf
10-01378 Legislation. pdf
10-01378 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Dunn II, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff and Dunn II
Absent: 2 - Commissioner(s) Carollo and Suarez
R-11-0018
Chair Gort: Okay. Would you all like to listen to -- go a few more minutes, or would you like to
break and come back maybe at 2: 30?
Commissioner Sarnoff. Do you want to push a little bit?
Chair Gort: Yeah.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Let's -- You want to try to take up some of the REs (Resolutions)?
Commissioner Dunn: Fine with me.
Chair Gort: As long as we have quorum. RE.1.
Alice Bravo (Director): Good morning. Alice Bravo, with CIP (Capital Improvements
Program). RE.1 is a resolution authorizing the increase of a capacity for a miscellaneous
engineering services contract with TYLin/H.J. Ross Company. This would further increase the
contract capacity from the existing $1 million value to $1.5 million, and this is to address new
assignments in which they have an area of expertise and also ongoing assignments that are
going to design and construction phases.
Chair Gort: Okay.
Commissioner Sarnoff. So move.
Chair Gort: Moved. Is there a second?
Commissioner Dunn: Second.
Chair Gort: Discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Gort: Thank you.
RE.2 RESOLUTION
10-01429
Department of Capital A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Improvements ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
Program AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
WITH LEO A. DALY COMPANY, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM,
FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES FOR THE STADIUM SITE PARKING PROJECT,
B-30648, IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000, THEREBY INCREASING THE TOTAL
CONTRACT AMOUNT FROM $5,334,642.60 TO AN AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED $5,384,642.60; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. B-30648.
10-01429 Summary Form.pdf
10-01429 Pre Legislation.pdf
10-01429Amendment No. 1.pdf
10-01429 Letter from Leo A Daly to City of Miami.pdf
10-01429 Corporate Resolution 1. pdf
10-01429 Corporate Resolution 2.pdf
10-01429 Professional Services Agreement. pdf
10-01429 Legislation.pdf
10-01429 Exhibit.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, that this matter be
WITHDRAWN PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
RE.3
10-01430
Department of Capital
Improvements
Program
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH BELLSOUTH TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC.
("LICENSOR"), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, FOR THE MIAMI
RIVER GREENWAYS SEGMENT D (EAST LITTLE HAVANA) PROJECT,
B-40686; GRANTING THE CITY OF MIAMI ACCESS TO THE LICENSORS
PROPERTY FORA TERM OF TWO (2) YEARS, TO BE EXTENDED FOR ONE
(1) ADDITIONAL ONE (1) YEAR TERM UPON MUTUAL CONSENT.
10-01430 Summary Form.pdf
10-01430 Legislation.pdf
10-01430 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Dunn II, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff and Dunn II
Absent: 2 - Commissioner(s) Carollo and Suarez
R-11-0019
Chair Gort: RE.2, my understanding, was withdrawn?
Alice Bravo (Director, Capital Improvements Program): Yes.
Chair Gort: RE.3.
Ms. Bravo: RE.3 is a license agreement authorizing us to perform improvements on a piece of
real estate owned by BellSouth and this is to carry out one of our Miami River Greenway
projects, Segment E, East Little Havana, Project number B-40686.
Chair Gort: Okay. Any questions? Do I have a motion?
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
Commissioner Dunn: So move.
Commissioner Sarnoff. So move. Second.
Commissioner Dunn: Second.
Chair Gort: It's been moved and seconded. Discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by
saying iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Ms. Bravo: Thank you.
Chair Gort: RE.4. That was withdrawn too. Am a correct?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Yes. In fact, Chair --
Commissioner Sarnoff. RE (Resolution) --
Chair Gort: Yes.
Ms. Thompson: -- RE -- we only had RE.1 and 3 to do. RE.4 was continued; RE.5, indefinitely
deferred, and then RE. 6 is coming back in February.
Chair Gort: Okay. Back at 2: 30?
Commissioner Sarnoff. All right.
RE.4 RESOLUTION
10-01431
Department of Capital A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Improvements ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN
Program ACCESS, INDEMNIFICATION AND ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, WITH BOUYGUES CIVIL WORKS
FLORIDA, INC., GRANTING TEMPORARY ACCESS RIGHTS TO THE
VIRGINIA KEY NORTH POINT ("PROPERTY") FOR THE DELIVERY OF UP
TO 240,000 CUBIC YARDS OF DONATED FILL MATERIAL TO BE USED TO
ESTABLISH A BERM AROUND THE WATER AND SEWER TREATMENT
FACILITY SITE LOCATED ON THE PROPERTY, TO RESTORE AREAS USED
FOR THE MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTIVITIES AND TO BE USED BY THE CITY OF
MIAMI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AS NECESSARY.
10-01431 Summary Form.pdf
10-01431 Legislation.pdf
10-01431Exhibit 1.pdf
10-01431Exhibit 2.pdf
10-01431 Summary Form Jan 27, 2011.pdf
10-01431 Legislation Version 2 Jan 27, 2011.pdf
10-01431 Exhibit Jan 27, 2011.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, that this matter be
DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
Note for the record: Item RE.4 was deferred to the Commission meeting currently scheduled for
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
January 27, 2011.
RE.5 RESOLUTION
10-01432
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Fire -Rescue ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY
MANAGER APPROVING THE FINDINGS OF THE EVALUATION
COMMITTEE, PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NO. 220243,
THAT URS CORPORATION SOUTHERN IS THE HIGHEST -RANKED FIRM
TO PROVIDE DOMESTIC SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PROGRAM
MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SERVICES; AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
("PSA"), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, FORA TWO (2) YEAR
PERIOD WITH THE OPTION TO RENEW FOR THREE (3) ADDITIONAL ONE
(1) YEAR PERIODS; ALLOCATING FUNDS SUBJECT TO BUDGETARY
APPROVAL, FROM THE UASI GRANT PROJECT ACCOUNT, ACCOUNT NO.
11000.181000.664000.0000.00000, PTAEO 18-180018-18-01.02.03-1660-
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES-181000, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$800,000 ANNUALLY, FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$4,000,000; SHOULD NEGOTIATIONS FAIL WITH THE HIGHEST -RANKED
FIRM, THE CITY MANAGER, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE CITY
ATTORNEY, IS AUTHORIZED TO NEGOTIATE A PSA WITH THE
SECOND -HIGHEST RANKED FIRM, DAVISLOGIC, INC., DBAALL HANDS
CONSULTING.
10-01432 Summary Form.pdf
10-01432 Committee Recommendation.pdf
10-01432 Legislation.pdf
10-01432 Exhibit 1.pdf
10-01432 Exhibit 2.pdf
10-02432 Exhibit 3.pdf
10-02432 Exhibit 4.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, that this matter be
INDEFINITELY DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
RE.6 RESOLUTION
10-01010
Community A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Redevelopment ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING AND ADOPTING THE BUDGETS OF THE
Agency (CRA) SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST, OMNI REDEVELOPMENT
DISTRICT, AND MIDTOWN COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES,
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING
OCTOBER 1, 2010 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2011, AS APPROVED BY
THEIR RESPECTIVE BOARDS OF COMMISSIONERS.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
10-01010 CRA Memos 10-14-10.pdf
10-01010 Legislation 10-14-10.pdf
10-01010 Exhibit 10-14-10.pdf
10-01010 Memos -CRA 11-18-10.pdf
10-01010 Legislation 11-18-10.pdf
10-01010 Exhibit 1 11-18-10.pdf
Motion by Vice Chairman Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, that this matter be
CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
END OF RESOLUTIONS
BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
BC.1 RESOLUTION
10-00911
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE ARTS AND
ENTERTAINMENT COUNCIL FOR TERMS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Othon Castaneda Mayor Tomas Regalado
10-00911 Arts CCMemo.pdf
10-00911 Arts Current Board Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Commissioner Dunn II, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Dunn II
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
R-11-0021
Chair Gort: At this time, my understanding the -- one of the last item is RE. 6, which is the
Community Redevelopment Agency budget.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): No.
Chair Gort: Or was that removed?
Unidentified Speaker: That was deferred.
Chair Gort: That was deferred?
Ms. Thompson: Right. PH --
Chair Gort: Okay, yes.
Ms. Thompson: -- 4 had been tabled.
Chair Gort: PH.4 was tabled. It was tabled by Commissioner Carollo. Everyone has board
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BC.2
10-01297
appointment, right? We're going to have to wait because we need fourrfifth vote on some of
those board appointments that we're going to make, so we have to wait until we have a full
board. All right. Let's go through a few of the board appointments, and then when
Commissioner Carollo gets here, we go into the District 5 presentation.
Ms. Thompson: Okay. All right, if you'd like to start with our board appointments, BC.1 would
be our Arts and Entertainment Council. The Mayor has proffered one name for that -- for one of
his appointments. And then Commissioner -- I'm sorry, Vice Chair Carollo has an appointment.
The Mayor's proffered name for his appointment for Art -- one of his appointments would be
Othon Castaneda.
Chair Gort: Othon Castaneda.
Ms. Thompson: O-T-H-O-N Castaneda. Othon Castaneda.
Chair Gort: Okey-doke.
Commissioner Dunn: Second.
Chair Gort: There's a motion and a second. Discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by
saying iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RESOLUTION
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE AUDIT ADVISORY
COMMITTEE FOR ATERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Francis Suarez
10-01297 Audit CCMemo.pdf
10-01297 Audit Current_Board_Members. pdf
Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Commissioner Sarnoff, that this matter be
CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Dunn II
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Then BC.2, we have the Audit Advisory Committee. That
appointment -- we have one appointment for a vacant position there with Commissioner Suarez.
Commissioner Suarez: Defer.
Ms. Thompson: You're making the motion to defer.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Second.
Chair Gort: All in favor, state it by saying aye."
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BC.3
10-00799
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.4
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING
CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE BAYFRONT PARK
MANAGEMENT TRUST FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Francis Suarez
Commissioner Richard Dunn II
10-00799 Bayfront CCMemo.pdf
10-00799 Bayfront Current_Board_Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Commissioner Sarnoff, that this matter be
CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Dunn II
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): On your BC. 3, Bayfront Park Management Trust,
Commissioner Suarez has an appointment and so does Commissioner Dunn.
Commissioner Suarez: Motion to defer.
Chair Gort: Defer.
Commissioner Suarez: Actually, if you -- Mr. Chairman, if I may.
Chair Gort: Sure.
Commissioner Suarez: I don't have any appointments, so if there are any with my name, you can
just consider them all deferred for today.
Ms. Thompson: When we get to each one, then we'll go ahead and make the motion there.
Commissioner Dunn has an appointment.
Chair Gort: Commissioner Dunn, you have an appointment to Bayfront Park. You have an
appointment to Bayfront Park.
Commissioner Dunn: I'm going to defer.
Chair Gort: Defer.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Second the motion.
Chair Gort: There's a motion to defer. All in favor, state it by saying, aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RESOLUTION
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10-00648
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION WAIVING THE TERM
Clerk LIMIT BY A FIVE -FIVE UNANIMOUS AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AS IT RELATES
TO RALPH DUHARTE AS A MEMBER OF THE BAYFRONT PARK
MANAGEMENT TRUST.
10-00648 Bayfront Waiver CCMemo.pdf
10-00648 Bayfront Current_Board_Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Vice Chairman Carollo, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
R-11-0022
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): We move on to BC.4. BC.4, we -- Oh, now we do have a full
board. BC.4, we have Mr. Ralph Duarte, who has been a -- who was appointed as a member to
the Bayfront Park Trust. He was appointed by Chair Gort on March 11, but he's served since
May 11, 2000, so he needs a five five term waiver limit.
Chair Gort: Okey-doke.
Vice Chair Carollo: Second.
Chair Gort: It's been moved and second. Any discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by
saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Gort: That brings a lot of history.
BC.5 RESOLUTION
10-00912
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION ON THE
STATUS OF WOMEN FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Allyson M. Warren Mayor Tomas Regalado
10-00912 CSW CCMemo.pdf
10-00912 CSW Current_Board_Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Vice Chairman Carollo, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
R-11-0023
A motion was made by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Vice Chairman Carollo, and was
passed unanimously, to appoint Allyson M. Warren as a member of the Commission on the Status
of Women; further waiving the term limits of Section 2-885(b) by a unanimous (5/5) vote of the
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
members of the City Commission, as it relates to Allyson M. Warren as a member of the
Commission on the Status of Women.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Okay. BC.5, we have the Commission on the Status of
Women. Mayor Regalado has proffered a name for his appointment, then Vice Chair Carollo has
two appointments, and Commissioner Suarez will be continuing his. The Mayor --
Chair Gort: Commissioner Carollo.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm going to continue all my appointments.
Chair Gort: Okay.
Commissioner Suarez: Move on the Mayor's appointment.
Chair Gort: There's a motion on the Mayor's --
Vice Chair Carollo: Second.
Chair Gort: -- appointment, a second.
Ms. Thompson: I need to proffer the name for you.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Ms. Thompson: The Mayor has proffered the name of Ms. Allyson Warren. Ms. Warren will need
a five five term limit waiver because she has served on that board since September 13, 1999.
Chair Gort: Okay. There's a motion and a second. Any discussion? Being none, all in favor,
state it by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
BC.6 RESOLUTION
10-00829
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY
RELATIONS BOARD FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
10-00829 CRB CCMemo.pdf
10-00829 CRB Current_Board_Members.pdf
10-00829 CRB Resumes.pdf
NOMINATED BY:
Vice Chairman Frank Carollo
Vice Chairman Frank Carollo
Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Vice Chairman Carollo, that this matter be
CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
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Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): On BC.6, our Community Relations Board, that will be
deferred because that is Commissioner Carollo's -- those two appointments are his.
BC.7 RESOLUTION
10-00011
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY
TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY BOARD FORA TERM AS DESIGNATED
HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Vice Chairman Frank Carollo
10-00011 CTAB CCMemo.pdf
10-00011 CTAB Current_Board_Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Vice Chairman Carollo, that this matter be
CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): On BC.7, we will be deferring that one.
BC.8 RESOLUTION
10-00825
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, APPOINTING CERTAIN
Clerk INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ADVISORY
BOARD FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
NOMINATED BY:
Chairman Marc David Sarnoff
Vice Chairman Frank Carollo
Vice Chairman Frank Carollo
Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort
FOP
10-00825 EOACCMemo.pdf
10-00825 EOAB Current_Board_Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Vice Chairman Carollo, that this matter be
CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
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Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): On BC.8, Commissioner Sarnoff has an appointment.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. I would defer.
Ms. Thompson: You'll be deferring yours, okay. And then Commissioner Gort -- I'm sorry.
Chair Gort: I defer mine, too.
Ms. Thompson: Okay, so they'll be deferred. BC.8 is deferred.
BC.9 RESOLUTION
10-01298
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION WAIVING THE
Clerk EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS BY A FOUR -FIFTHS AFFIRMATIVE VOTE,
AS IT RELATES TO EDILFA PEREZ AS A MEMBER OF THE EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY ADVISORY BOARD.
10-01298 EOA Waiver CCMemo.pdf
10-01298 EOAB Current_Board_Members.pdf
NO ACTION TAKEN
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Then BC.9 would be your -- again, I need five five, so I
don't have five individuals on the dais, so we can't take that one up.
Chair Gort: Okay. There's only one item that was left, which is the --
Ms. Thompson: No, sir.
Chair Gort: -- PH (Public Hearing) --
Ms. Thompson: I'm sorry. We still have some more board appointments, but if you want to wait
and come back to those?
Chair Gort: What's left? BC.9, 10, and 11 ?
Ms. Thompson: You actually have up to BC.23.
Chair Gort: Okey-doke. Let's keep going.
Ms. Thompson: Okay. On BC.9 -- I'm sorry, let me make sure.
BC.10 RESOLUTION
10-01305
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL EMPLOYEES'
AND SANITATION EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT TRUST FOR A TERM AS
DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE/CATEGORY: NOMINATED BY:
Clarence Graves
(AFSCME 871)
AT -LARGE
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10-01305 GESE CCMemo.pdf
10-01305 GESE Current_Board_Members.pdf
GESE MEMO.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Dunn II, seconded by Commissioner Sarnoff, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo and Dunn II
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Suarez
R-11-0024
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): On BC.10, the AFSCME (American Federation of State,
County and Municipal Employees) has proffered a name for their appointment to the GESE
(General Employees Sanitation Employees) Board. The name that's proffered is Mr. Clarence
Grave, so we need a vote on that.
Chair Gort: Okay. Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Dunn: So move.
Chair Gort: It's been moved. Is there a second?
Commissioner Sarnoff. I'm sorry. Second.
Chair Gort: Second. Any discussion? Civil Service Board.
Ms. Thompson: No, no, GESE Board, pension board.
Chair Gort: I mean, GESE Board.
Commissioner Dunn: No discussion.
Chair Gort: Being none, all in favor, state it by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
BC.11 RESOLUTION
10-00766
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH FACILITIES
AUTHORITY BOARD FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
NOMINATED BY:
Vice Chairman Frank Carollo
Commissioner Richard Dunn II
10-00766 Health CCMemo.pdf
10-00766 Health Current_Board_Members.pdf
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Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Vice Chairman Carollo, that this matter be
CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): On BC.11, we have our Health Facilities Board. Vice Chair
Carollo is continuing his. Commissioner Dunn, you have appointment.
Commissioner Dunn: Defer.
Ms. Thompson: I'm sorry?
Commissioner Dunn: I would like to defer.
Ms. Thompson: Okay --
Chair Gort: Defer.
Ms. Thompson: -- I'm sorry. Thank you.
BC.12 RESOLUTION
10-00018
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE HISTORIC AND
ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD FOR TERMS AS
DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES/CATEGORIES: NOMINATED BY:
Gary M. Hecht
(Citizen)
10-00018 HEP CCMemo.pdf
10-00018 HEP Current_Board_Members.pdf
HEP Applications.pdf
10-00018 List HEP applicants.pdf
Commissioner Marc David Sarnoff
Motion by Commissioner Sarnoff, seconded by Vice Chairman Carollo, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
R-11-0025
Chair Gort: BC.12.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Okay. On BC.12, we have the HEP (Historic and
Environmental Preservation) Board. We have appointments to be made by Commissioner
Sarnoff, and then the two for Vice Chair Carollo will be deferred.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Who are the --? The HEP Board appointments for me, who are the two
people?
Ms. Thompson: No. There's one person. You actually have an incumbent in that position, Mr.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
William Cooper. This is one of the individuals who did not apply when we advertised for the
position. So you -- but you do have eligible applicants listed.
Commissioner Sarnoff. And who would they be?
Ms. Thompson: The -- in the category of citizen, Mr. Gary M. Hecht, Mr. Rafael J. De La Sierra,
and Mr. Miguel Seco.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Let me appoint Mr. Hecht.
Ms. Thompson: Mr. Gary Hecht. Okay. Motion is by --
Chair Gort: I need a second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Second.
Chair Gort: Motion by Commissioner Sarnoff, second by Commissioner -- Vice Chairman
Carollo. Any further discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
BC.13 RESOLUTION
10-00809
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE HOMELAND
DEFENSE/NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT BOND PROGRAM
OVERSIGHT BOARD FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Robert (Bob) Powers Mayor Tomas Regalado
Henry Goa Mayor Tomas Regalado
Jose Solares Mayor Tomas Regalado
(Chairperson)
10-00809 Homeland CCMemo.pdf
10-00809 Homeland Current_Board_Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Commissioner Dunn II, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Dunn II
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
R-11-0026
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): On BC.13, Homeland Defense, the Mayor has proffered his
names for three of his appointments. Vice Chair Carollo will be continuing his, and then
Commissioner Suarez will be continuing his. The names that were proffered by the Mayor, Mr.
Robert Bob'Powers, Mr. Henry Goa, and to appoint the Chair, Mr. Jose Solares. Those are his
three names.
Chair Gort: Okay. Do I have a motion for the --
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Commissioner Suarez: Move it.
Commissioner Dunn: Second.
Chair Gort: -- Mayor's appointments? It's been moved and second. Any discussion? Being
none, all in favor, state it by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Ms. Thompson: Okay.
BC.14 RESOLUTION
10-01396
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE LIBERTY CITY
COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION TRUST FORATERM AS DESIGNATED
HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
City Manager Tony E. Crapp, Jr.
10-01396 Liberty City CCMemo.pdf
10-01396 Liberty Current_Board_Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Dunn II, seconded by Commissioner Sarnoff, that this matter be
CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Dunn II
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): BC.14, we will be asking -- our office is asking for
continuance of that because we have not been able to complete our advertising for that
particular board.
Commissioner Dunn: So move.
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Chair Gort: Discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
BC.15 RESOLUTION
10-00575
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE MAYOR'S
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Joe Chi Mayor Tomas Regalado
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10-00575 MIC CCMemo.pdf
10-00575 MIC Current_Board_Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Commissioner Sarnoff, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Dunn II
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
R-11-0027
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): On BC.15, on the Mayor's International Council, the Mayor
has proffered the name of Mr. Joe Chi.
Commissioner Suarez: So move.
Chair Gort: It's been moved. Is there a second?
Commissioner Sarnoff. Second.
Chair Gort: Second. Any discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
BC.16 RESOLUTION
10-01397
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE MIAMI SPORTS AND
EXHIBITION AUTHORITY FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Frank Carollo Chairman Marc David Sarnoff
10-01397 MSEA CCMemo.pdf
10-01397 MESA Current_Board_Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Dunn II
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
R-11-0028
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): On BC.16, we have the MSEA Board, Miami Sports and
Exhibition Authority. Commissioner Sarnoff has an appointment, and Vice Chair Carollo will be
continuing his. So Commissioner Sarnoff.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Wasn't my appointment Commissioner Carollo?
Ms. Thompson: That is correct.
Commissioner Sarnoff. I'll move to reappoint Commissioner Carollo.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Chair Gort: Been moved and second. Is there any discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it
by saying iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Ms. Thompson: BC.17, the Nuisance Abatement Board, that one will be deferred at the request
of --
Commissioner Dunn: No. Just -- he's signaling something. The Vice Chair is trying to say
something.
Chair Gort: You got it. We passed it.
Commissioner Sarnoff. That's what happens when you don't show up.
Chair Gort: We approved --
Commissioner Sarnoff. Wait a minute.
Chair Gort: -- it, already been passed.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Let's make him the president -- the chairman, secretary as well.
BC.17 RESOLUTION
10-00913
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE NUISANCE ABATEMENT
BOARD FOR ATERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Vice Chairman Frank Carollo
10-00913 NAB CCMemo.pdf
10-00913 NAB Current_Board_Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Vice Chairman Carollo, that this matter be
CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): So on BC.17, that's an appointment to the Nuisance
Abatement Board. Vice Chair Carollo has asked that his appointment be deferred.
BC.18 RESOLUTION
10-00102
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION WAIVING THE TERM
Clerk LIMIT BY A FIVE -FIVE UNANIMOUS AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AS IT RELATES
TO SHANE GRABER AS A MEMBER OF THE NUISANCE ABATEMENT
BOARD.
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10-00102 NAB Waiver CCMemo.pdf
10-00102 NAB Current_Board_Members.pdf
NO ACTION TAKEN
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): On BC.18 we have only four members on the dais so we
can't take that one up.
Chair Gort: Okay.
BC.19 RESOLUTION
10-00035
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION
ADVISORY BOARD FORATERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Vice Chairman Frank Carollo
10-00035 PRAB CCMemo.pdf
10-00035 PRAB Current_Board_Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Vice Chairman Carollo, that this matter be
CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): On BC.19, we'll be continuing that one, but Chair Gort has
an appointment to make. The individual who he appointed, Mr. Infante, was appointed on
October 14, but he does not reside in District 1 and the -- you must reside in District 1 in -- or in
the district in order to serve on that board.
Chair Gort: Okay. Being a resident of the City ofMiami is not enough? He's got to be a
resident of the district?
Ms. Thompson: That's right. In this particular -- for this particular board there's that layer that
they must be a member of -- I'm sorry -- a resident of the district. I don't -- the policy
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Chair Gort: That's the policy at this time, okay.
Ms. Thompson: And the question that see --
Commissioner Suarez: Yes.
Ms. Thompson: -- hear the Commissioner asking is about the waiver. In our current code, it
only gives waiver for the residency. But if the ordinance is specific and it says They must,'£t is my
understanding that's what has to be followed. We can find out from the Law Department.
Chair Gort: Okay. BC (Boards and Committees) --
Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): For this board residency may not be waived.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
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Chair Gort: Okay. That takes care of that. BC.20.
Ms. Thompson: So we'll just go ahead and defer? You want us to defer?
Chair Gort: Defer it, yes.
Ms. Thompson: Okay. Thank you.
BC.20 RESOLUTION
10-00918
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE PLANNING, ZONING AND
APPEALS BOARD FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Vice Chairman Frank Carollo
10-00918 PZAB CCMemo.pdf
10-00918 PZAB Current_Board_Members.pdf
10-00918 PZAB applications.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Vice Chairman Carollo, that this matter be
CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): On BC.20, the Planning, Zoning, and Appeal [sic] Board
will be deferred. On BC.21 --
Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chairman, before we -- please.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Dunn: Couldl --? I need some guidance, Madam Clerk.
Ms. Thompson: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Dunn: I would like to make some changes, but how wouldl go about doing that?
You would have to advertise?
Ms. Thompson: For the Planning and Zoning Appeal Board [sic], we actually have a list of
eligible applicants and incumbents right now. There are seven names available for you to
choose from. We can go out for a new advertisement if that is the wish of the Commission so that
we can get a larger applicant pool, if you so desire.
Commissioner Dunn: Let's -- can we do that?
Ms. Thompson: Yes.
Chair Gort: All right.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
BC.21
10-00823
RESOLUTION
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT
REVIEW BOARD (UDRB) FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
(Alternate)
NOMINATED BY:
Chairman Marc David Sarnoff
Vice Chairman Frank Carollo
Vice Chairman Frank Carollo
Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort
Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort
Commissioner Francis Suarez
Commissioner Francis Suarez
Commissioner Richard Dunn II
Commissioner Richard Dunn II
10-00823 UDRB CCMemo.pdf
10-00823 UDRB Current_Board_Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Vice Chairman Carollo, that this matter be
CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): BC.21, the UDRB, the Urban Development Review Board.
Commissioner Sarnoff has an appointment to make. Vice Chair Carollo will be deferring his.
Commissioner Gort -- I'm sorry. Chair Gort has two appointments, and then Commissioner
Suarez will be deferring. And Commissioner Dunn, you have appointments as well.
Commissioner Dunn: I want to --
Chair Gort: I defer mine.
Commissioner Dunn: I defer mine, Mr. Chairman.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. I would appoint Todd Tragash.
Ms. Thompson: Now, as I've been explaining, with this particular board there are term limits,
and Mr. Tragash cannot be reappointed at this time because of that term limit. He can continue
to serve until you decide to appoint someone who can be appointed with no term limit.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Then I will likewise defer.
Ms. Thompson: Okay, thank you.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
BC.22
10-00919
RESOLUTION
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE VIRGINIA KEY BEACH
PARK TRUST FOR ATERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
BC.23
10-00039
Office of the City
Clerk
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Commission AT -LARGE
10-00919 Virginia Key CCMemo.pdf
10-00919 VKBPT Current_Board_Members.pdf
NO ACTION TAKEN
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Under BC. 21 [sic], the Virginia Key Trust, we have not had
any names -- I'm sorry -- BC. 22. We've not had a name proffered by the board yet. And
according to the ordinance, that name has to be proffered by the Trust to the Commissioners to
make a selection from.
Chair Gort: Okay.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING
CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE WATERFRONT
ADVISORY BOARD FOR TERMS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Jose Keichi Fuentes Mayor Tomas Regalado
10-00039 WAB CCMemo.pdf
10-00039 WAB Current_Board_Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Commissioner Dunn II, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
R-11-0029
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): And lastly, on BC.23, the Mayor has submitted a name and
proffered a name for his board appointment. The name is Jose Fuentes.
Commissioner Suarez: Move it.
Commissioner Dunn: Second.
Chair Gort: Been moved and second. Is there any discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
by saying iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chair Gort: Thank you.
END OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
DISCUSSION ITEM
DI.1 DISCUSSION ITEM
10-01435
Department of QUARTERLY UPDATE OF NON -REIMBURSABLE GRANT
Finance EXPENDITURES - FIRST QUARTER FY 2011.
10-01435 Summary Form.pdf
M.1
11-00016
DISCUSSED
Vice Chair Carollo: D --
Chair Gort: Next items.
Vice Chair Carollo:
Commissioner Sarnoff. Go to page 37.
Chair Gort: DI.1.
Diana Gomez: Diana Gomez, Finance director. DI.1 is a discussion item in accordance with
the Financial Integrity Principles. I'm required to give an update, a quarterly update of
nonreimburseable grant expenditures. For the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, there were no
amounts that were reported as nonreimburseable.
Chair Gort: Questions? Thank you.
Ms. Gomez: Thank you.
Chair Gort: You don't need any motion on this, right?
Vice Chair Carollo: No.
END OF DISCUSSION ITEM
MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS' ITEMS
CITYWIDE
HONORABLE MAYOR TOMAS REGALADO
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING THE SALARY AND BENEFITS FOR CITY
MANAGER TONY E. CRAPP JR., EFFECTIVE JANUARY 3, 2011.
11-00016 Exhibit SUB.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Dunn II, seconded by Commissioner Suarez, that this matter be
ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Dunn II
R-11-0017
Chair Gort: Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Tomas Regalado: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Commissioners. When you
approved the nomination of Tony Crapp, Jr. as City Manager last year in December, we said that
we will bring on this meeting the compensation package of the new City Manager that you
approve. And I'm here to present to you a resolution with the compensation and benefits for City
Manager Tony Crapp, Jr., effective January 3, 2011, which was the day that he officially took
office as the City Manager of the City ofMiami. In the package, you will see that it's in line with
the philosophy and the works of the City Commission last year in a very difficult budget process.
You'll see the compensation in terms of salary and the different other issues, like insurance, leave
time, deferred compensation, and COLA (Cost of Living Allowance). I think it's a lean
compensation package. I believe that it responds to how you have decide that the City should be
run in terms of budget, which is no extraordinary salaries or no accrued vacation. One of the
points that it's important is the vacation day, you know, take it or lose it, and that's been the
norm with what you have done for the City Attorney and the City Clerk and also some of the
other issues. The salary of the City Manager will be 185, effective January 3, 2011. I will point
out that this is much, much less than any other City Manager. And if you have any other
questions, I would gladly respond or the City Manager or the chieffinancial officer any question
that you have. I respectfully request that you consider this compensation package. Thank you.
Chair Gort: Okay. Questions. Commissioner Dunn.
Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chairman, I -- actually, I looked over -- to my colleagues, I looked
over the proposed benefits, and in keeping with the unanimous vote that was given back in
December, it's really, to me, not necessary for us to go through a long -- I'm sure we have -- but
I'd like to make a motion with discussion that we approve this proposed benefits package for the
City Manager, in light of the fact that it is in keeping with the major budgetary constraints that
we're facing and in light that it's extremely low in comparison to other City Managers. To me,
it's a no-brainer.
Commissioner Suarez: Second for discussion.
Chair Gort: Been moved and second. Discussion.
Commissioner Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There's a couple of things, in looking over
this term sheet, that I wanted to touch upon and bring to light. One question that I had that
maybe -- I don't know if the appropriate person to answer would be the Manager or the Mayor --
is what is the percentage decrease in salary from the prior City Manager who received a salary
'cause we know the last City Manager didn't receive a salary. But maybe Mr. Springs [sic] can
enlighten us as to what the decrease is from one manager to the other.
Larry Spring: Larry Spring, chieffinancial officer. Commissioner, the previous City Manager's
base salary was set at 220, 000, so we're talking about a $35,000 decrease from the previous
manager, so a pretty significant percentage.
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Commissioner Suarez: Thank you. Andl think, if I'm not mistaken -- 'cause we've done a lot of
this throughout the budget. The cell phone allowance seems to be very, very small in
comparison with -- not that I'm arguing with it, but I'm saying that it seems to be pretty low in
comparison with other officials throughout the City that have had cell phone allowances. Is that
correct or is that --?
Mr. Spring: The --
Vice Chair Carollo: Same.
Mr. Spring: Sony, Mr. Chair.
Chair Gort: Go ahead.
Commissioner Suarez: The same?
Vice Chair Carollo: Same.
Mr. Spring: The 200 per month is the amount set for the chiefs level, so the amount that I
receive, the other assistant City Managers. So it is lower than, again, what we were talking
before so --
Commissioner Suarez: Okay. The other thing that -- there's two other things that -- three other
things that strike me as interesting. You know, we, in the whole entire negotiations with the City
Attorney and the City Clerk, substantially reduced vacation days, sick days, and we also changed
the bankability of those days, which used to be bankable and could accumulate to a huge
liability for the City and have accumulated to a huge liability for the City. Andl could see that
this maintains that consistency where it's use it or lose it, and it's substantially less days than --
Mr. Spring: Absolutely.
Commissioner Suarez: Okay. Andl also see that on the severance portion, when we negotiated
with the City Attorney and the Clerk, I think -- I'm not sure with the Clerk, but with the City
Attorney, I think it was six months and this is less, four months, correct?
Mr. Spring: Correct.
Commissioner Suarez: The one thingl do have an issue with, because I remember this was a
bone of contention for me when we negotiated with the City Attorney, was the deferred
compensation. Andl think the way that I worded it in her agreement, andl think it -- I don't
know if it was accidentally not worded the same way -- was that she would receive the deferred
compensation so long as the other executives received the deferred compensation. But if for
some reason it was -- we made a policy decision in the future to remove it for the other
executives, then it would also be removed for the City Attorney andl think maybe also the City
Clerk 'cause --
Mr. Spring: I mean, if that is the Commission will -- and of course, the Manager agrees --
Commissioner Suarez: Is that not how it was, Madam Attorney? Is that --? Yeah, right? Okay.
So, I mean, if no one objects to that, I'd like to proffer that as a -- which essentially says that, you
know, City Manager will receive the deferred compensation, but if in the future there's a
determination that's not in the best interest of the City, then everyone, all the executives who
receive the deferred compensation -- it'll be a fair, you know, thing for everyone 'cause I'm not a
big fan of the deferred compensation, you know, and we've talked about that. And that's all --
those are my only comments on it. If we could make that amendment to the term sheet.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
Chair Gort: Sure.
Commissioner Suarez: I think in the future we may want to think about whether or not we want
to have a term sheet that's this basic. You know, we could either go to an at -will type of
situation, which is what I think the County Attorney had for many, many years, or go to
something a little bit more comprehensive than just a simple one page term sheet because this
does invite, to a certain degree, litigation and has invited litigation in the past because some --
you know, it's silent on a number of different issues. But you know, I'm okay with the actual
terms on there, and I commend the Administration for negotiating in good faith on behalf of our
residents in coming up with it. The only -- andl also commend the City Manager for accepting a
deal that is much more generous in our favor. Thank you.
Chair Gort: Thank you. Anyone else?
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. And by the way, when I looked at my package, the item wasn't
in the -- in my actual package. It came later. I think it came within the five-day rule, so it's not
like I'm trying to -- you know, but since it wasn't in my package, I didn't have the time that I
usually would take to go over this andl do have some questions. One is what is the cost of the
disability insurance? It says here the disability insurance -- in the event that a disability plan is
offered to other City executives -- andl don't know if any other City executives has a disability
insurance --
Mr. Spring: We don't.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- or not.
Mr. Spring: We don't.
Vice Chair Carollo: So no other City executives has [sic] a disability insurance?
Mr. Spring: No.
Vice Chair Carollo: So then the cost is actually zero, right?
Mr. Spring: Correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. I want to verifi, what is the maximum that could be contributed to the
deferred compensation plan for the Manager under this plan?
Mr. Spring: I need -- I don't have that number right now, Mr. Vice Chair. I need to check.
Commissioner Suarez: I can tell you, more or less. It's -- I believe it's in the mid-30s, if I'm not
mistaken, so --
Vice Chair Carollo: Do I take Commissioner Suarez's word for it?
Mr. Spring: From my perspect -- I will verifi, the number for you, Mr. Chair.
Commissioner Suarez: I'm sorry. I stand corrected.
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Chair Gort: He's the one that works the packages.
Commissioner Suarez: It's around 22.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Twenty-two percent.
Commissioner Suarez: Twenty-two thousand.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Twenty-two percent.
Commissioner Suarez: Twenty-two percent or 22,000?
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. --
Mr. Spring: Twenty-two --
Vice Chair Carollo: -- Springs [sic] --
Chair Gort: We'll get the numbers.
Mr. Spring: Yeah.
Chair Gort: Come back with the number, please.
Mr. Spring: Twenty-two thousand.
Chair Gort: Twenty-two thousand. Please get the right information. We have two quotes in
here, 22,000, 22 percent, so let's make sure we get the right numbers so we can answer
Commissioner -- Vice Chairman Carollo.
Vice Chair Carollo: The reason why I bring it up is I agree with my colleagues on everything
else except we are providing deferred compensation and a pension plan. We're providing both.
So that's the only area where I don't know if it's prudent for us to actually provide both, a
deferred compensation plan and a pension.
Mr. Spring: Not to compare, but you have other executives that have both pension and the
deferred comp today.
Vice Chair Carollo: How many?
Mr. Spring: I'd have to verin, the number, but I know there's a few that have it --
Commissioner Suarez: I think could -- Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Spring: -- on the dais even.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: I can -- I think can safely say it's more than ten people.
Vice Chair Carollo: Is it possible --? Let me ask you something. Is it possible to table this item
and just get the answers to a couple of these questions and then bring it back even this morning,
but that way, you know --
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Mr. Spring: Absolutely, sir. So you want to know the exact number of executives that have
deferred comp and the maximum contribution on the deferred comp.
Vice Chair Carollo: Right.
Mr. Spring: Not a problem. I'll probably have it in the next ten minutes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, if we could table it and we'll bring it back, you know, like I said, even
in an hour or so, whatever.
Mr. Spring: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: However it is.
Chair Gort: And also the cost of it. Does anyone else have additional question? Commissioner
Sarnoff?
Commissioner Sarnoff. No, I'm fine.
Chair Gort: No. Okay, we'll do that.
Mr. Spring: I'll have it for you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you.
[Later..]
Mayor Regalado: We have now the information that you requested on the compensation
package.
Mr. Spring: Mr. Chair.
Chair Gort: Yes, sir.
Mr. Spring: Larry Spring, chief financial officer. Based on the previous questions, I've given
you two reports. The first one is a listing of all the individuals who are being offered as part of
their compensation, deferred compensation paid by the City. Of the list, seven -- there's nine
individuals on the list, seven of them are both receiving deferred comp and are members of the
pension plan, and you have that list in front of you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: I think there was a motion and it was seconded. I want to say that in light
of the new information and all -- you know, looking at fairness, that other executives do have
both the deferred compensation and the pension -- and if you really consider it, our City
Manager is our top executive -- then in light of this information, then I will go ahead and support
this motion.
Chair Gort: Okay.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chairman, ifI may?
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Chair Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: I just want to clarify that -- I'm not sure ifI made the mo -- I thinkl
seconded the motion.
Commissioner Dunn: Right.
Chair Gort: Yes, you did.
Commissioner Suarez: But I think there was an amendment which was just to make the language
in this term sheet identical to the language in the City Attorney's and the City Clerk's term sheet,
which says that if -- in the -- some future date, there's some sort of a policy determination that
deferred compensation is not going to be offered to our executives, then that applies, and l just
want to make sure that that's clear.
Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Okay.
Commissioner Dunn: I'll be willing to remake that motion --
Chair Gort: Okay, no --
Commissioner Dunn: -- to that effect.
Chair Gort: All you have to do -- you accept the friendly amendment.
Commissioner Dunn: I do.
Chair Gort: You do, okay.
Commissioner Dunn: So moved.
Chair Gort: Is there any further discussion?
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Yes, sir.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Mr. Crapp, I -- or Mr. Manager, I apologize. I just want to commend
you because you didn't come in with a term sheet or an expectation that was to negotiate. You
came down with what I thought was a pretty barebones, very fair compensation package,
especially when you consider you're the top administrator in this City. And if this is your new
administration leading by example, I just wanted to compliment you.
Mr. Crapp: Thank you.
Chair Gort: Any further discussion? Being none, all in favor, state it by saying "aye.
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Gort: Unanimously.
Mayor Regalado: Thank you.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
Chair Gort: Thank you.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Just so that we can make sure the record reflects, Chair, on
that one, that that was adopted as modified
Chair Gort: Correct. Thank you.
END OF CITYWIDE ITEMS
DISTRICT 1
COMMISSIONER WIFREDO (WILLY) GORT
D1.1 DISCUSSION ITEM
11-00014
DISCUSSION IN REGARDS TO POINT OF SALE SIGNAGE CITYWIDE.
11-00014 Point of Sale Signage.pdf
DISCUSSED
Chair Gort: I have another item. I've had a lot of people that own businesses, like gas stations,
pharmacists [sic], shopping center. With the old ways, you put up the signs. With the little
sticks, you put it up and down. And they would like to see if they could use the digital or -- andl
don't know what you call those. The -- and this is to be used in a point of sales. In other words,
the gas stations, they're constantly changing the prices of the products and so on. And my
understanding is, under Miami 21, they cannot be allowed to do that.
Barnaby Min (Zoning Administrator): Barnaby Min, with the Office of Zoning. It is my opinion
at this time that under Miami 21, those signs would not be allowed. There has been a request to
the Planning Department for a determination of use because under a pre -- the previous zoning
ordinance, those signs were allowed and the Miami 21 sign regulations were substantially
similar to the 11000 regulations, so I've asked Mr. Garcia for a determination of use of whether
or not those T,FD (Light Emitting Diodes) signs would be allowed and that is pending. That
being said, also so the Commission is aware, we are looking at substantially mod4ing --
Chair Gort: Speak right into the mike.
Mr. Min: -- so this Commission is aware both the Planning and Zoning Departments are looking
at mod4ing and amending Article XI, doing a substantial revision of the sign regulations 'cause
they are completely outdated and there are a lot of regulations that need to be updated, which --
Chair Gort: Okay.
Mr. Min: -- does include -- which will include the LED signs, holograms, other signs which we
had not even thought about, but there's always new technology coming out every day. So we are
looking at making amendments to Miami 21 for the sign regulations with the hope of coming
before the Commission sometime in the summer.
Chair Gort: Okay. Thank you. Any other items? Do I have a motion to adjourn?
Commissioner Suarez: Motion to --
Vice Chair Carollo: So move.
Commissioner Suarez: -- adjourn.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
Commissioner Sarnoff. Second.
Chair Gort: Thank you all.
Vice Chair Carollo: Meeting adjourned.
Chair Gort: Thank you for your support and help.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Nice job.
D1.2 DISCUSSION ITEM
11-00015
DISCUSSION AS TO PRIVATE/PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS CITYWIDE FOR
PARKS AND OTHER PARTNERSHIPS BENEFITING THE COMMUNITY.
11-00015 Private Public Partnership.pdf
DISCUSSED
Chair Gort: My blue page, if you remember, we discussed about a month ago, the idea having
the private sector sponsor some of the pools in parks. I already had that -- I already had an
agency that came up to me and they're willing to work, so I think we need to establish the
guidelines and criterias [sic] to get -- my understanding is there's agencies that willing to look
for sponsors, those sponsors of pools, of parks, or whatever we decide (UNINTET,TIGIBT,F) do
the public private sector. This is more to the --
Commissioner Dunn: You probably need to -- Mr. Chairman, you -- catch your -- you're not --
it's not going to stop until you take a couple of minutes. I just got over a cough.
Commissioner Sarnoff. You want me to go to my blue page item? I'll go to my blue page item;
we'll come back to you. Give you a minute.
Chair Gort: Sure.
Commissioner Dunn: Yeah, 'cause he not -- it's not going to stop.
[Later...]
Chair Gort: Going back to the private sector, can we have a pilot program -- could we have a
program or an RFP (Request for Proposals)? I already have an agency that's willing to bring in
sponsors to sponsor either pools or parks. No cost to the City ofMiami. They're -- they'll get
reimbursed by their clients. I mean, their clients will pay for the services. We don't have to pay
for it. So the question is can we come up with the legal way to do this?
Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): Yeah. We will work with the Parks director to see how we can
allow for sponsorships at our parks.
Ernest Burkeen: Ernest Burkeen, director of Parks. We'll make arrangements to visit with you --
Chair Gort: Okay.
Mr. Burkeen: -- and explain exactly how we can do it.
Chair Gort: So there is a procedure in place?
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D2.1
11-00010
Mr. Burkeen: We can do this.
Chair Gort: Okay, great.
Mr. Burkeen: Okay.
END OF DISTRICT 1
DISTRICT 2
CHAIRMAN MARC DAVID SARNOFF
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION OF STATUS AND UPDATE OF THE VAGABOND MOTEL TO
EXPLORE OPTIONS AND EXAMINE APPROPRIATE ACTIONS.
11-00010 Vagabond Motel.pdf
DISCUSSED
Commissioner Sarnoff. All right. I'm looking for the assistance of any administrative personnel
with regard to the Vagabond Hotel -- Motel. Andl am looking because the Vagabond Motel is a
historic structure and it is falling into disarray. And it presently has a tag on it to go in front of
the -- to be destroyed by the County. And what I'm trying to do is find any way to keep that
property secured because there is a potential buyer out there. And instead of losing this jewel,
you know, this modern Miami jewel, is there any funding source, any solution out there to put a
temporary stop -gap measure, even if you have to lien the property, to keep it safe and secured. I
know there's a problem with the pool and think there's a problem, somebody said with, I think,
some of the flooring. So if we were just able to board up the windows and maybe fill the pool, we
might be able to buy ourselves a couple of months. Andl think in those months, you would have
the ability to -- I know somebody's interested in buying it. And if you need to lien the property or
if we should lien the property for the costs associated therewith, is there any kind of funding for
that?
Sergio Guadix (Director, Code Enforcement): We have some funding still available for -- that
we're using from our lot clearing, that we had a little bit extra. I did some looking around.
Between the pool and the securing of the openings, there are 200 openings altogether in there.
Not all of them get opened all the time, but I'd hate to like, you know, close a couple of them;
then a couple of them keep getting opened. So we really look -- we really need to close every
one. And if -- at one time they were talking about boarding it up or closing it up with the blocks,
the cement blocks. That is cost -prohibitive.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Right.
Mr. Guadix: But we're looking at something between the pool and blocking it up, somewhere
around 50 to $60, 000 to do the whole thing.
Commissioner Sarnoff. But don't we have an ordinance that would prime the mortgage? If we
were to do that, put the 50,000 into it -- I know we passed one three years ago, so I'm looking for
the City Attorney to help me. But we passed a -- I forgot the name of it when you --
Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): The -- we passed --
Commissioner Sarnoff. -- special assessment.
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Ms. Bru: -- the vacant and abandoned remediation ordinance.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Right.
Ms. Bru: It does provide for the cost that the City would incur in safing up the property to be a
special assessment, which, according to the law -- we haven't tested it yet -- but in accordance
with the law is -- would take priority. It's a -- it is of equal dignity as taxes, so it would take
priority over a mortgage.
Commissioner Sarnoff. I know that they -- Mr. Marcos [sic], I know that they're presently in
litigation. I know they're close to foreclosure. But, you know, being close to foreclosure today is
like a pretty woman; she just keeps drifting away. Was that sexist? But I didn't mean to be, but
-- But my point being, there's no definitive date. You'll never know the exact definitive date. So
what I'm asking is do you have 50,000 to do this? It's such a visual part ofMiami. It's right on
Biscayne Boulevard at 80th or around there. And you know, it would certainly help the
community. It would certainly -- it's a very visual big step for the City ofMiami to step in,
immediately lien the property as the special assessment so that when the foreclosure does
happen, you would be -- you'd have to be taking out the same time as the first mortgage.
Mr. Guadix: I have to be honest with you, Commissioner. The funds that I have available,
they're for the lot clearing. I have some extra. And it would totally deplete that fund. That -- I
can't tell you that I don't have the $50, 000 --
Commissioner Sarnoff. But it would --
Mr. Guadix: -- but I still have lots coming up. And have a large number of people
complaining about, like in District 5 and in other districts, that they have really bad dilapidated
properties that need to get boarded up. Perhaps, maybe we can work together -- there was some
money that was talked about for the demolition of properties, and I'm not sure if that money --
some part of that money could be used for something like that. I would like to talk to Community
Development about that and see if we can make that happen.
Commissioner Sarnoff. I was going to say, I thought that Mr. Mensah told us there was
something called .spot blight."
George Mensah (Director, Community Development): Not for that particular -- what we trying
to do. I think when we met and we discussed this, I went and do my research. And the indication
is that because of the area where it is, this particular property, we can't use it for boarding it up.
No.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Cannot use it for boarding up?
Mr. Mensah: No.
Mr. Guadix: But then maybe perhaps some other properties, and maybe that's something) need
to talk to him about. We could use some of that money in some of the other properties that do
qualify, then freeing up --
Chair Gort: Yeah. Get the funds.
Mr. Guadix: -- some of the other funds to use it for this.
Commissioner Sarnoff. I just -- I -- what I'm trying --
Mr. Guadix: Okay.
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Commissioner Sarnoff. -- to say is it's such a -- it's -- I don't want to see this building destroyed.
I don't think anybody in Miami wants to see this building destroyed. Yet, we know for a number
of months, as people do their negotiations, this property is going to remain a problem and an
eyesore. Andl don't want to see anybody get hurt. I don't want to see a child go through the
pool or get hurt by the pool. Filling in a pool is not a problem. It's not a hard thing to do.
Maybe just boarding up the more open and obvious sections so maybe it'll bring the number
down to 30 or 25.
Mr. Guadix: Can I give you my commitment that within --
Commissioner Sarnoff. Yes.
Mr. Guadix: -- by next week, I can have something set up for you --
Commissioner Sarnoff. Yes.
Mr. Guadix: -- whether we can or we can't --
Commissioner Sarnoff. Yes.
Mr. Guadix: -- and the reasons why?
Commissioner Sarnoff. Yes. I mean, we could do what we could do. I get it. I just want to bring
this to your attention. I want to bring it to the Administration's attention. This is a big, big --
you know, this is the entrance to Miami from the north side. It's on the boulevard that we like to
call, you know, one of our grand boulevards, andl don't --I know we're not going to make it
look better, but I would like to give it the opportunity to survive another day, to have an owner
that is going to restore the entire property.
Mr. Guadix: Yes, sir. We'll work on that.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Orlando.
Mr. Guadix: And I'll have a report for you in your office by next week Wednesday.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Thank you.
Mr. Guadix: No later than that.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Thank you, Mr. Marcos [sic].
Mr. Guadix: You're welcome.
Orlando Toledo: Orlando Toledo, director of Building and Zoning. Just to put it on the record,
what I would do with the unsafe structure side is I will go ahead and move it for a couple of
months and then -- I mean, I'll delay it for two months, andl could do that. I mean, it's not an
issue.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Chair Gort: Thank you.
END OF DISTRICT 2
DISTRICT 3
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D4.1
10-01436
VICE-CHAIRMAN FRANK CAROLLO
END OF DISTRICT 3
DISTRICT 4
COMMISSIONER FRANCIS SUAREZ
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION REGARDING ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT FOR CITY
BOARD MEMBERS.
10-01436 City Board Members.pdf
DISCUSSED
Direction by Commissioner Suarez to the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance that addresses
the issue of absences when there is a lack of quorum during City ofMiami board meetings.
Direction by Commissioner Suarez to the City Attorney to include in the ordinance a requirement
that all boards include in their annual report the number of meetings that were held during the
previous calendar year, in addition to providing copies of the agendas for each meeting.
Direction by Chair Gort to the City Clerk to prepare and distribute to the Commission a report
on all active boards.
Direction by Commissioner Suarez to the City Clerk for meetings to be held with each
Commissioner to discuss which City ofMiami boards are functioning, and whether or not some
of the boards can be eliminated.
Vice Chair Carollo: Your blue page.
Chair Gort: DI1, 2 [sic], the blue page. I've had a lot of individuals come to me or -- you have
one, don't you? No. Go ahead. Sorry. Take Commissioner Suarez.
Commissioner Suarez: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The blue page item that I have has to
do with attendance requirements for City board members. We have a situation where if there is
no quorum and a board member does not attend the meeting, and that's the reason -- one of the
reasons why there's no quorum, then that person's lack of attendance does not count against
them for purposes of the attendance requirement. So, in effect, if you don't have people attending
the board meetings, you, A, don't have quorum; but B, there's no consequence for them not
attending. So, you know, it's been brought to the attention -- to my attention by some board
members that are taking their time and energy and effort to go to these board meetings, and then
they arrive at the board meetings and then they don't have quorum. And it's the same people
constantly missing the board meetings. So I think we may need to amend our ordinance to
require or to specify that if someone misses a meeting or does not attend a meeting, even if
there's not enough quorum and the meeting doesn't happen, that that should count as an
absence, okay. That's one issue that I have. This has kind of led to a -- yeah, I know it's a little
confusing, andl think know where you're going with it.
Vice Chair Carollo: No, no. I just want you to repeat it again so I make sure exactly -- let me
tell you something. I mean, I'm leaning to agree with you in --
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah.
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Vice Chair Carollo: -- everything you're saying. I just want to know exactly your --
Commissioner Suarez: It's a little bit confusing because if there's no board meeting because
there's no quorum, then how can someone be absent?
Vice Chair Carollo: Right.
Commissioner Suarez: So that's where it becomes, you know, confusing. I think the fact of the
matter is if there's people that are repeatedly absent and that's why there's no quorum --
Vice Chair Carollo: I gotcha.
Commissioner Suarez: -- so it's like what comes first, the chicken or the egg? I think we need to
change our ordinance to say that if there's a meeting and someone doesn't attend, then that
person is considered absent regardless of whether there's quorum or not and regardless of
whether there's a meeting or not so that those absences are counted towards the actions
requirements under the ordinance. That's number one. So I would ask the City Attorney to
please look into that and report back to our body with some legislation that addresses that. The
second issue that I have has to do with their -- each board has to -- on their annual reports, they
have to specify a number of things, but one of the things that they do not have to specin, is how
many times they've met. So we have no knowledge or no record -- andl don't think the City
Clerk has a record of precisely how many times any board has met, and so it's hard for us to
decide --
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): No. I do. I generated a report. We have -- let me just back
up. Whenever a board meets, the board is -- their liaison is responsible to send to our office their
meeting -- first of all, they have to notice their meetings. Then when they have the meeting, they
have to send us their attendance sheet and their minutes. When those documents come to our
office, we do record them and we do have a record of it, okay. Whenever they send us the
documentation, we place it --
Commissioner Suarez: Right.
Ms. Thompson: -- in our database. So whatever we have in our database is what we've received
and we can report. When you look at the numbers, you'll see that -- you may see a higher
number of meetings scheduled than actually held because you bring up the same instance of not
making quorum, they may have to cancel it, and stuff like that. So, no. Andl did share that
information.
Commissioner Suarez: Well, I'd like for them to have to report in their annual report the number
of meetings that they've actually had. And the reason why is we, as a body, are not able to
intelligently analyze whether or not these boards serve a purpose and whether or not they -- you
know, whether the community's actually desirous of meeting on these issues. I think one of the
things that came about our discussion was the broader question about at some point maybe us
entertaining or engaging in a discussion of what boards exist, whether all these boards should
exist; how many boards have kind of lost their relevance. I remember once being appointed on
the Orange Bowl Restoration Committee, so obviously, that board is no longer needed.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Didn'tI appoint you to that?
Commissioner Suarez: Yes, you did. But -- you know, so -- you know, I think we should maybe
go through the process of analyzing what board, you know -- and obviously, when you see --
when we -- like today -- in today's Commission meeting, we don't have to go through all the
boards and come up with appointments and we defer and we continue. And think, in some
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ways, that's an indication from us that maybe these boards are not really needed. And let me add
for all the fiscal conservatives that are here, including the Vice Chair, who just stepped away,
that there's a heavy cost associated with operating these boards. There's notices that have to go
out. And so I think we should really look at this because if we don't have to spend that money on
advertising for these boards, on constantly trying to find people who want to participate in them,
then we should just eliminate those boards.
Chair Gort: I agree with you a hundred percent. I think there's some boards that should not
exist anymore. And if we can get a report on how many boards are really active -- there's one in
specific Commissioner Sarnoff andl talked about, which is the Nuisance Abatement Board.
That's a board that can be used by the police and by the NET (Neighborhood Enhancement
Team) office to really close some of these establishments that legally -- so it's important that the
Nuisance Abatement Board, we need to revive that and put a lot of teeth into it because there's
certain establishments, they have a lot of problems. They have a lot of police calls. And they
still can't maintain their license. The Nuisance Abatement Board, is my understanding, is the
only one that can take the license away. So that's one that I'd really like to see it with some teeth
in it.
Commissioner Suarez: So just to summarize so we can -- I can -- we can move on. If the City
Attorney can prepare an -- I guess it's an ordinance because I think to change any of our board
structures, it would require an ordinance -- that -- it states that if someone does not attend a
meeting at its time -scheduled, regardless of whether there's quorum or not, or regardless of
whether a meeting occurs or not, that that is considered an absence for purposes of the absence
requirement, number one. Number two, that all boards in their annual report have to report the
date of all board meetings being held in the previous calendar year and copies of the agenda for
each meeting. So those will be two separate items. The thirdl think we should do is -- you
know, I don't know how much time it would take for maybe the Clerk to discuss with us
individually what boards are functioning, which are not; which are meeting, which are not, so
that we can come up with a comprehensive legislation that would, you know, eliminate the
boards and save the City money for the boards that are not operating or functioning or helpful.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. And Mr. Chair.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Maybe also, Commissioner, what we should do -- sometimes
Commissioners feel compelled to keep the same people on the boards, even though despite
there's five, six absences. Maybe what we could do as fellow Commissioners, remind that
Commissioner that maybe we can't accept a repetitive -- you know, sometimes the Commissioner,
it's very hard for him to take somebody off a board, so maybe we can help each one of our
colleagues and say, you know what? I can't support you on this.
Commissioner Suarez: I literally had -- and I'm sorry for interrupting you -- a situation where a
board member that I replaced has come to me upset, vehemently upset about the fact that they
were replaced, and you know, I -- aside from all the reasons why I put the person on there that I
felt was qualified and it was a person of my confidence, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. I said to
the person, but what did you think it was, like a lifetime appointment or something? That you
were going to be there forever. I mean, these are some people that have been there for more than
five years on a particular board. And so I think we have to send a message also to the board
members, you know. As our time is limited and finite and our day will come eventually,
whenever that is --
Commissioner Sarnoff.. So too shall theirs.
Commissioner Suarez: So too shall theirs.
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D5.1
11-00004
Chair Gort: Any further comments?
END OF DISTRICT 4
DISTRICT 5
COMMISSIONER RICHARD P. DUNN, II
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION REGARDING DISTRICT 5'S COMMUNITY LOSS OF
CONFIDENCE IN THE POLICE CHIEF'SAGGRESSIVE POLICING
TACTICS AND THE CORRESPONDING SHOOTINGS RESULTING FROM
SUCH DECISIONS.
11-00004 Aggressive Police Tactics.pdf
10-00004-Submittal-District 5 Office.pdf
10-00004-Submittal-Chief Exposito.pdf
10-00004-Submittal-Lynn Westall-Email. pdf
DISCUSSED
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman, I have a question. I just want to verf, is there a time
certain for discussion item of District 5?
Commissioner Dunn: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: I was told that there will be. I'm not sure. I just want to make sure --
Chair Gort: Commissioner Dunn.
Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chairman, to respond to your question, Mr. Vice Chair, we're looking
at approximately 3 p.m.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. I just wanted clarity. Thank you.
Chair Gort: So you're requesting your item 5 at 3 p.m.?
Commissioner Dunn: Yes.
Chair Gort: Time certain 3 p.m.
Commissioner Dunn: Yes, sir.
Chair Gort: Okay. Any other?
[Later..]
Chair Gort: Okay. Out of courtesy, the Commissioner in District 5 requested the hour certain
for his presentation.
Commissioner Dunn: Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thankyou, colleagues, and thankyou, City of
Miami. Before we get started, Mr. Manager, I would like for the chief to be here so at least he
can see eye -to -eye contact with me.
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Tony E. Crapp, Jr. (City Manager): Yes, sir, Commissioner. We'll make sure that he -- he's
coming in now.
Commissioner Dunn: All right. Before we go any further, let me say that this is not something
thatl want to do. This is something that I believe I have to do, given the multiplicity of incidents
that have occurred with the chief. I have tried to work with the chief over the past 12 months
that I've been here and even prior to that, and I'm convinced that he has -- he does not possess
the competence, does not possess the skills, does not possess the professionalism that's necessary
to lead the City ofMiami Police Department. Let me say that this is not personal. I happen to
somewhat like the chief but this is not about liking. This is about doing a job and trying to
represent the City of Miami and doing the best I can to be a spokesperson not just for District 5,
but for all of the City ofMiami. There are some things thatl want to talk about. The first thingl
want to -- is that, fact, number one, this is not about race on my part. As a matter of fact, let me
go on record publicly right now and say I will support a Hispanic as police chief who is sensitive
to the African American community and its concerns, who is professional, who is experienced,
who is competent, and who has good judgment. Fact, this chief has divided this City nationally
with his very public spat with our Mayor. My father once told me, if he would do it to the person
-- meaning the Mayor -- who brought him to the dance, then you andl don't stand a chance.
Fact, I was locked out of my office on this past Friday, inside of my office, and no one from my
staff can explain it. I just thought I'd put that on the record. Fact, I was told by a reputable news
reporter this morning that he received a text from my phone. Everyone that knows me knows that
I do not text at all, period. I just thought I'd put that on record too. Fact, I do not know about
you, gentlemen, but I do not appreciate leadership by intimidation employed by the chief. I know
nothing of the conversation with the chief and the Mayor, but I do find it interesting that the
infamous letter is over two months old. It was December 27 and 29th letter was written. The
vote -- unanimous vote by this Commission was on October 25 by this Commission. I find it
interesting that it was just days before the new City Manager, Mr. Tony Crapp, Jr., was to
officially begin serving as City Manager on January 1, 2011. I was told by a respected former
top cop, if the chief thought that a crime was committed, then he should have reported it then,
not wait over two months later to possibly use it as a threat. Fact, I was most embarrassed by
the ill prepared, ill-advised public corruption case, after the State Attorney told you that this
case was not prosecutional[sic]-worthy and the U.S. DistrictAttorney's Office said, in effect,
don't pull us into such nonsense ever again. Fact, I do not support crime or persons carrying
guns. However, I do not support a mindset, mentality or, in my belief an estimation, a culture
that says we are like predators or who refers to themselves as hunters. Hunters of who? All
saw in the video of people being arrested were African Americans -- andl have to raise this
rhetorical question: Are African Americans the only race committing crimes in the entire City of
Miami? Fact, this is not about politics for me. This is about principle. Many of you will know --
and the chief will tell you -- that I stood shoulder -to -shoulder with you prior to my election,
during my election because I felt thatl needed to support you, because I do want crime to stop in
our community. But don't believe in giving anyone the right to abuse. Fact, this issue -- andl
want you to hear me on this because I don't think many of you understand, but think, ifI say it
in this context, you will get an appreciation of what I'm about to say. This issue is sensitive,
historically -- I'm going to tell you how sensitive it is -- to African Americans as the same kind of
issue that brings pain to Cuban Americans with Castro, same pain. I'm talking about
historically. I'm not talking about -- and it's sensitive. It's historical. It can't be brushed aside.
You cannot say, well, I don't have it in my district, so we're okay. This is a very sensitive issue to
African Americans because, historically, the law was not on the side ofAfrican-American males
or African American people. It is as sensitive to the idea of Hitler with Jewish Americans. It is
as sensitive to Haiti Americans with Baby Doc. And let me just say this, especially in Overtown.
And I've been saying this from day one. This is not an issue that we can just brush aside. Fact,
this is crunch time. And you know, during the crunch time -- let's take the Miami Heat, for
example. When the game is on the line, even though you have 15 players, everyone cannot get
the ball. There's only two people that most of us would like to see with the ball. That's D. Wade
or LeBron James. That's not taking anything away from anyone else. This is crunch time for the
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City ofMiami. And Mr. Police Chief I think it's time to take the ball away from you because you
cannot handle the pressure. Let me also say, as I ask us to view this film, as you view this video,
if you honestly can say within your heart that this is a video that all of us can be proud of. The
term 'Predator" is being used. The term "hunter" is being used. There's tremendous vulgarity
and profanity being used. And it just does not, in my estimation, be something that believe all
of us can be proud of. I want us to view the video, then I have a few more statements. Andl will
ask the City Attorney in terms of the right way that we can go and proceed with this.
Note for the Record: An audiovisual presentation was made.
Commissioner Dunn: Colleagues and to all of you who are viewing, I just -- no one can tell me
that that is becoming of a professional police chief given the historical sensitivities, given the
sensitivities that we now are enduring in Overtown. I'm not telling anybody to be soft on crime.
God knows, we want -- the question was raised by a reporter to a very well-known
African American lawmaker. He says, what do you guys want? Well, we want what everyone
else wants. But we want dignity. We want respect. I don't defend any criminal. I won't defend a
criminal. But I will save my last comments, after hearing from the -- my colleagues, after
seeking some guidance from our City Attorney. I did do a public records request from the State
Attorney's Office, andl think you'll be interested in what my findings are. And maybe if you want
that now, I can give that to you now. Okay. There are copies available, so this is per a public
records request. After the first shooting ofDeCarlos Moore, the Mayor and myself, not together,
but just as a concern -- he being the Mayor of the City ofMiami; me being the City ofMiami's
District 5 Commissioner -- knew that this shooting would -- could easily stir up some emotions
that, historically, if was not dealt with swiftly, it could create and exacerbate some old wounds.
And so this Commissioner moved the very next day to have a meeting in Overtown, right in the
heat of it, standing toe -to -toe, shoulder -to -shoulder with the chief. Let me reiterate that. But one
of the things that we promised this community, District 5, is that this would be an open and
transparent process. We promised them that. Needless to say, that first shooting was July 5.
We're now at January 13. Given my public records request, we find victim one, Emmanuel
Fluker. Date of incident, 4/15/10. State Attorney's Office respond, "We currently lack the police
investigative file from the homicide bureau. Two, victim Ulysses Hathway Bodie. State Attorney
say -- state [sic] of incident, 4/18/10 -- "We presently lack police reports, 9-1-1 tapes." This is
State Attorney's Office, not me, okay. Now we were told that the State Attorney's had a
completed file. That's what I was told the other day by this chief and his administration. Crime
scene photos, they don't even have those. Fingerprint comparisons, medical examiner reports.
Look at victim number three, the very first, DeCarlos Moore. Date of incident, 7/5. "We
presently lack the original OIRs (Office of Independent Review), any additional police reports,
301 reports or supplemental police reports generated by the other homicide detectives on scene,
9-1-1 communications, crime scene or aerial photographs, vehicle storage reports, crime scene
reports generated by the other on -scene CSI's (Crime Scene Investigators), property receipts,
fingerprint reports, laboratory analysis requests, laboratory analysis reports, firearm NIBIN
(Nationallntegrated Ballistics Information Network) reports, a federal alcohol, tobacco and
firearms report, medical examiner's reports and photographs. That's one, two, three, four, five,
six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve missing items since July 5. Come on, gentlemen.
Victim number four, Joel Johnson. Okay, that's a complete file. They say we lack nothing. That
was 8/11. That was August 11. Victim number five, Gibson Belizaire, 8/14/10. "We presently
lack lab blood results." Victim number 6, Tanorris Gave. Date of incident, 8/20/10. "We
presently lack the police investigative file from the homicide bureau. Victim number 7, Lynn
Weatherspoon. We presently lack -- we have not a complete investigative file. They lack the
complete investigative file. They do not have -- wait a minute. Let me see. Let me keep going.
-- example list of potential necessary investigative materials related to police shooting
investigation. While every police shooting investigation undertaken by the Miami -Dade State
Attorney's Office has its own list of specific investigative items that may pertain only to that
incident, this list may give a generalized picture of the informational needs necessary to make a
proper legal determination. In addition to that, there were changes with the person that was
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doing the investigation. Formerly, Chief Brown was doing it. Now I believe Chief Seagul
(phonetic) or Siegly (phonetic) right in the middle of these incomplete files. Why change in the
middle? That, to me -- to me, that's frightening. It's frightening. Andl hope we would open up
our ears and our hearts to the truth. That's frightening because if you have nothing to hide,
present it, present the facts. I said, the Mayor said -- I said to this community. I stood in front of
my district prior to an election, during the election; I'm standing with the chief. But when I find
out later on that I don't get full disclosure, how am I supposed to feel? I'm standing with the
chief. I'm supporting the chief. When I find out that information I've got is not quite what it's
supposed to be or it's not the reality of what occurred, it causes me to lose confidence in this
chiefs ability to be the City ofMiami Police chief. Not saying he's a bad guy, butt can say this.
I don't have any confidence in him as the leader. Everybody cannot be the leader. We just have
to accept that. Everybody doesn't have the -- doesn't mean he's a bad guy, but everyone does not
have leadership ability. The City ofMiami Police Department is a very challenging job.
Anybody can't just do it. It has to be somebody that's sensitive to all of the ethnicities in our
community. I've even gone to the chief and -- through the Manager, through former Manager
Carlos Migoya. I said, chief you know, we got a public rela -- I said we have a public relations
issue in the black community with the Police Department. See if you can find someone that's
qualified, that the community will trust, and who you feel confident in. Just recently, a --
promotions were made in Overtown, changes were made. Not one change in Overtown. And the
chiefs reply was, there are no black qualified officers. That's what he told me. That's what he
told me, okay. I wanted you, my colleagues, to see the image that our Police Department wants
conveyed to the world. It is an image fed by a new created culture established by the chief of
Police. It is an image that glories -- we saw the film -- and embraces aggressive policing as
entertainment. To hear the police chief say that he wants his officers to be like predators does
not sound like goodjudgment. Now, I understand that this advertising trail is calculated to tease
an audience into watching the show, but you cannot dismiss the content. We have a police chief
state openly that he wants his police officers to victimize, plunder, or destroy for their own gain.
This is truly disturbing. Now, some of you would say, where did you get that from? That is the
definition of predator. What else is disturbing about this image is that the only community being
exploited, the only one is African Americans. It's a stereotype. Please, let's -- this is not a game.
I'm serious about this. It's a stereotype. If we're ever going to be a world -class city, we've got to
move beyond stereotypes. I'm happy to say today -- and I've said this before -- that enjoy
wonderful relationships with the Cuban American communities; have for years. And it's nothing
to do with politics. Over a quarter of a century, I've had great relationships with the
Cuban -American community. I'm happy to say that. I want to say thatl want a united Miami,
but I will not sit back and allow one segment of this community, especially my district, to not get
the same treatment as the other districts. I recognize that we have more than our fair share of
criminal problems, but we're not the sole source of crime in Miami. I believe this image, this
bravado, and the chiefs leadership is contributing to an extended pattern of police shootings
that have occurred in a short period of time. This week -- earlier this week had lunch or I had
a cup of coffee with former Police Chief John Timoney. Andl said, chief how is it that the same
police department, for the most part, dealing with the same kinds of issues, did not have these
kind of issues or questionable shootings that lacks information that's due to the State Attorney's
Office? He's told me a few things. He said, first of all, someone said --171 quote. Chief --
former Chief Kenneth Harm said that the reason we have these shootings is because there's
confrontation with crime head-on in our community, in the black community, Overtown, Liberty
City, Little Haiti. He said, if you can remember, Commissioner, myself former Deputy Chief
Frank Fernandez, and Chief Adam Burden constantly rode bicycles in District 5. We were there
constantly on a regular basis. He said, as a matter of fact, on New Year's Eve, all the times that
was chief we worked -- myself, Frank Fernandez, and Adam Burden workedfrom 8 p.m. til 4
a.m. on New Year's Eve. That's the kind of respect, you see, but 171 go ahead and finish. That's
all right. But we workedfrom 8 p.m. til 4 a.m. every New Year's Eve. He said the reason we did
that is because we wanted, one, our officers to see that we're not going to do something or ask
you to do something that we wouldn't, ourselves, do; two, because we realize that when I'm
present, when the chiefs present -- you know, there's an old adage, if the cat's away, the mice
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will play. If the chief is present, if he's there, then people will think twice about maybe being
careless. Compounding the problem surrounding these shootings is the fact that police officers
are officials investigates such incidents in secret, producing reports that become public only after
a lengthy process, and still, we find out from the State Attorney's Office, per my public documents
request, that it's still incomplete. History and national police studies reveal that such process,
while understandable, contributes to a culture of reckless and indiscriminate gunplay by officers.
For example, when such investigations are cloaked in secrecy over an extended period of time, it
can raise questions -- what's taking so long? -- surrounding the quality of the investigations,
which can be often mocked by errors, omissions, and internal inconsistencies. That's why we
wanted a swift investigation. That's why we wanted a open -- even if we -- even if the
investigation took a lengthy time, it would have helped, chief, if we would have gone back to the
community and said this is what we have to report, even if it's -- and that's all we ask. That's all
I ask. And see, I can say that, gentlemen, because this is what I asked of the chief. I'm not -- this
is not a Johnny Come Lately, get on the bandwagon. I stood with the chief when there was a
choral of voices in my community, with an election on the line, saying these shootings -- I said,
no, no, no. Let's give the chief an opportunity. Let's do this -- let's give him a chance. No one
can dispute that. But after a certain point in time and you start seeing things like what we've
witnessed, you're left with -- let me give you probably the one that really stunned me the most.
There was an officer by the name of -- is an officer by the name of Ricardo Martinez. Mr.
Martinez was involved in a shooting in Overtown, right in the heat, after DeCarlos Moore
shooting -- watch this now -- and six days later, six days later he was involved in another
shooting in Liberty City. Same police. Should have been given desk duty, at best. I mean, that
doesn't mean he's guilty, but hey, man, relax. We've got a sensitive issue. I asked the chief about
that. He say, you know, I don't want to disturb the morale of the team. What about the morale of
the community? Then a few weeks later, this same police officer is arrested for fencing
Bluetooths. Same officer. Same officer. Let me just close in saying, I also met with the chief to
share with him my thoughts about policing in my district. Met with him about that, with the -- I
met with him about policing in my district. Listen to this one. City ofMiami officers this past
year -- the jury -- the verdict is still out. I'm not -- I don't know whether they -- butl know one
thing, we don't have a -- we don't -- we won't know because we don't have a complete
investigation after six months, going on seven months. We won't know. City ofMiami police
officer shot and killed six people, which are two times -- two less shootings than what the police
reported in New York City, which has 30 times the police force and 20 times the population. The
number of recent shootings in such short period of time, combined with the confidentiality of the
investigations over an extended period of time does not create any confidence from the
community that the shootings are, in fact, justified. And yet, there's a way to police the
community, andl believe that this is not the way. Now I'm keenly aware that how these
shootings are perceived is a matter of perspective. Some have the perspective that since these
shootings involved felons, they deserve to die. That's how some people see it. Not me. And the
image created by this TV (Television) trailer perpetrates that perspective. But the reality is that
you can choose that or -- to ignore my perspective or that of my community, but we will all do so
at a risk to the civility of this City. And this is not a threat. I'm just saying, gentlemen, we have
one of the most cohesive, I believe, Commissions ever in the history of the City ofMiami. We
have a Mayor and a police chief publicly -- do you really believe that ChiefExposito can be an
effective chief? Do you really believe that, in light of all that we have? Madam Attorney, how
can we ask our -- my colleagues maybe to make comments where there's no violation of the law?
But I believe this is a time where we need to be counted. I believe we can't duck this. I prefer not
to do this. As a matter of fact, prior to this meeting -- Commissioner Sarnoff, prior to this
meeting, I tried to work out -- we almost came to an agreement between the chief and I, so that's
my heart's desire. I tried but he is convinced that he knows what's best for Overtown and the
results keep being the same. You know the definition of insanity. The definition of insanity is
keep on doing what you been doing and expect somehow to get different results. I don't have a
dog in the fight. I just want this to stop. Madam Attorney.
Julie O. Bru: Commissioner, my understanding is is that you have now conducted a public
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discussion to express your personal opinion, your personal opinion about the qualifications of
the chief and certain events that are of great concern to your district. That's my understanding
of what has happened here. And what the law would allow you to do at this time, the Charter is
very clear; no Commissioner, nor the Mayor, can order the chief to do anything, or any
subordinate of the City Manager. This is not, at this time, a hearing on whether or not charges
against the chief or allegations against the chief are going to be uphold [sic] by the Commission
because it -- to my understanding, the Manager has not taken any action so -- and the Charter is
also very clear that it's only the Manager who can suspend the chief. And the Manager has to
suspend the chief and then certify in writing the cause for the suspension. At which time, then
this Commission, within five days, has to have a hearing. And that allows the chief the due
process rights that he has to be able to present whatever evidence he wants to present to the
Commission. And then the Commission will make a decision as to whether or not the Manager's
suspension should be upheld, and that would be a final judgment.
Commissioner Dunn: Madam Attorney, may I make a symbolic motion?
Ms. Bru: I think nothing prohibits you from making a symbolic motion. It's -- this is no different
than any citizen expressing their views on the conduct of a particular individual within the City
organization. It would be that, purely symbolic. I do want to caution you, though, that if there
were to be some action taken on the part of the City Manager, ultimately your role in this process
would be that of a quasi judicial decision -maker, which means that you really would have to
respond to the Manager's suspension with an open mind and the ability to entertain whatever
evidence is presented with a view towards making a decision based on whatever evidence is
presented at that time and not making a, you know, predisposition about how you would rule
because then the fairness that is imposed upon this process might be tainted. There is nothing to
prevent you from expressing your personal opinion and asking your colleagues whether or not
they agree with your personal opinions with the caution that I've given you.
Commissioner Dunn: So that means --
Chair Gort: Commissioner (UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Commissioner Dunn: -- that could symbolically take -- ask for a vote of no confidence, in
essence?
Ms. Bru: It's a vote that doesn't speak to any particular cause that has been raised by the
Manager. So as such, it is purely at this point a personal expression on the part of your
colleagues that they may or may not want to join you in -- join with you in.
Commissioner Dunn: And --
Chair Gort: Commissioner Dunn, before you make your motion -- I understand what you have
presented in front of us today. But I think we heard from the Attorney's office, and the final
decision is made by the City Manager, and then we will be given an opportunity to present all the
discussions, not only what you had presented today, but I imagine there will be some other
matters if the Manager makes a decision. My understanding is, he will be bringing some
additional information that why he would think that the chief should be suspended. At this time,
I understand you want to make the motion, but I'm asking you don't make the motion; let's go
through the process. And I'll give the opportunity to the chief to answer, if there is any charges
to be answered by the Manager and by the chief at that time. It would be a fair hearing. At this
time, it would not be.
Miguel Exposito: Mr. Chairman, Miguel Exposito, chief of Police. I'd like an opportunity to
respond to some of these accusations that are baseless. Andl think that it's only fair that be
allowed to present my side of this and also show you some evidence that the things that the
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Commissioner is saying, many of them are not true.
Chair Gort: Chief I understand your point of view and I respect your point of view, but at the
same time, we -- if we do that, then we're going to have to open it to a public hearing, andl
would not want to see that here.
Chief Exposito: Well, you know, I think that it's unfair that the Commissioner levels all these
accusations against me when they're baseless, andl think that deserve an opportunity to
explain and also show you some evidence that some of the things he's saying are not true, are
simply not true.
Unidentified Speaker: He spoke for two hours.
Chair Gort: He's not -- excuse me, excuse me. I'm conducting the meeting, all right. It's the
wish of this board.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Well, I -- let me say, I think that at least, you should allow the chief to
respond. I don't think you need to open it up to a public hearing.
Applause.
Chair Gort: Excuse me. This will not be a public hearing. We're going to allow the chief to
respond to the Commissioner. Chief.
Chief Exposito: All right. It's -- I mean, Commissioner Dunn was all over the place, so let me
see where we're going to start. Let's start with the police shootings that he claims that the State
Attorney's Office has incomplete files. I have an e-mail (electronic), that you're getting copies of
right now, from Kathy Fernandez Rundle to Carlos Migoya, who was the City Manager, back on
December 7, 2010. Ms. Rundle says in this e-mail that these four cases that you see in front of
you, they've received all the records from the Miami Police Department. Now, I don't know
where Commissioner Dunn got his information on these incomplete files, but I will tell you that
as you can see from the e-mail, she received all the information except for one report, which is
the one involving a federal agent, the shooting involving a federal agent. All the other cases,
she's received all the reports. So I don't know where he's getting all these incomplete files. But
as you can see, that e-mail comes from Ms. Rundle. The other thing is laboratory reports. A lot
of those come from the County. We do not have our own lab, so we are at the mercy of the
County to get lab reports. But even with that, she still received these lab reports because we're
on top of our cases and we want to make sure these cases are handled appropriately. So there
again, I don't know where Commissioner Dunn received his information. Now let's go back to
this video that he showed, which I think he just violated some type of copyright because this is
owned by a company. It's got some copyrights and they just showed this on television, so I don't
know. He may have violated something there, but this --
Commissioner Dunn: It was on YouTube. I got it from YouTube.
Chief Exposito: -- is -- if you go back on YouTube, you'll find that it's no longer there because
the attorney for the company contacted YouTube and was going to file a lawsuit against them, so
it's no longer on YouTube. You know why it's no longer on YouTube? Because this video was a
video that was shot -- there was a script relating to this video. It was for a reality television show
that was being filmed at the Miami Police Department. This video you saw is raw footage of
what we did. After I viewed this video, I went back to the company andl said, I don't like the
way that this video comes across because -- although it's pretty exciting and all that, I don't like
the way that it's coming across. They told me they would edit this video before they presented it
to the networks. There was a bidding war between the networks because they wanted this
program. In the interim, I found out that the Mayor's son is an executive producer of this
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program, and said this project is on hold until get a clear understanding that there is no
conflict of interest when the Mayor's son is going to profit from something that's being done by a
government agency that works under the City ofMiami. So that video is now on hold. I'm not
sure if you got it from YouTube or from the Mayor's son, but that's where we are on that with that
video. As far as aggressive tactics, let me just say that we do not support, promote, condone, or
tolerate the use of aggressive or heavy-handed tactics by our officers. They train to use a
progressive matrix which governs them to produce a response necessary to address the specific
threat that is being presented. In addition, one of the qualities that I see with an overwhelming
majority of our officers is compassion. The officers of the Miami Police Department care about
the people in the community that they serve. This, coupled with a strong training program, as
well as comprehensive policies, procedures, guidelines, help us produce quality public servants.
However, when their lives are threatened with deadly force or what they believe is a genuine
perceived threat of deadly force, they are trained to respond to defend their lives or the lives of
the citizens that they serve. We are constantly reviewing and conducting research for best
practices in regard to our tactics, policies and procedures, which have remained consistent with
national standards and currently mirror those of the past administration. What has changed are
the duty hours and the days worked by our tactical units. When Chief Timoney was here, our
tactical units worked Monday through Friday, and they worked basically from 9 in the morning
till 7 p.m. I have now tactical units working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week because we know
that crime does not stop at 7 p.m. As a matter of fact, it picks up after that time. So hence,
you're going to have more confrontations. The number offirearms taken off the streets this year
were over a thousand. These are firearms that we took from violent felons and, as you know,
we've had six confrontations when we've arrested over a thousand felons with -- who are armed,
okay. The previous year under Chief Timoney, the Department took in 601 firearms. So that's a
40 percent increase in the number offirearms that we took off the street this year over the prior
chief. The number offirearms fatalities of police officers nationwide has increased by 20
percent. The number of fatalities overall of police officers in the United States is up 38 percent,
but from firearms, it's up 20 percent. This is a national average, not just in Miami. The number
of assaults of our police officers, ofMiami police officers, we had 204 assaults on our police
officers this year. That's like one every other day, which equates to one every other day, as I
mentioned. The number of citizens' complaints that have come in citywide is down 32 percent
since I took over this Police Department. And that's down 42 percent in Overtown. It's down 47
percent in Model Cities. And it's down 42 percent in Little Haiti, which is the community that
you serve. As you can see, the amount of complaints against our police officers have been
reduced significantly since I took over this Police Department. We are confronting more people
with firearms and being assaulted on a more frequent basis. The overwhelming majority of the
time my officers do not have to use deadly force during these confrontations. However, on six
occasions we did. On at least two of those occasions, Commissioner Dunn has been quoted in
the media claiming that the shootings were justified. Although that certainly may turn out to be
the case, we at the Police Department do not make those judgments or premature announcements
regarding these type of incidents. What we do is gather all evidence, conduct our investigation,
and turn that information over to the State Attorney's Office. It is that office that makes the final
determination in regard to the force being used on whether it's justified or not. Until that
determination is made, I am prohibited by law from discussing the case or making such
statements. Unfortunately, final dispositions of these cases may take some time as we are still
awaiting final dispositions of the officer -involved shootings from 2009 under the last
administration. There were four occasions in 2009 where officers used deadly force on the street
when there was a threat, and this was under Chief Timoney's time that he was here. One
involved a subject with a knife. One involved a subject with a machete. Another subject with a
box cutter, and the last one was an unarmed subject. Those were four shootings that occurred
under Chief Timoney's last year with the Police Department. These cases involving deadly force
occurred under Chief Timoney's watch over a year ago. As of yet, the State Attorney's Office has
not closed them out. Additionally, there is also a fatal police -involved shooting from 2008 that
has yet to be closed out by the State Attorney's Office. As you can see, the community is not the
only one waiting for answers, but the Police Department as well. In addition to our officers
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confronting more and more people with guns, our citizens, particularly in Overtown, Model City,
and Little Haiti, are being victimized by more people with firearms as well. Although we were
fortunate and did not experience multiple victim shootings as in 2009 when Chief Timoney was
here, where we had one scenario where nine people were shot, some of them died, and another
one where 12 people were shot in one incident and several people died. We have experienced a
seven -year -old that was shot and killed in Little Haiti. We have a two -year -old and his mother
gunned down as they slept in their home in Model City. And we have a young man, 17 years of
age, that was gunned down as he walked in the courtyard of his Overtown apartment complex.
These are just a few of the murders that took place during 2010. These three areas which
comprise less than 30 percent of the City contain 63 percent of the murders. New Year's Eve has
proven to be a night when gunfire seems to be the norm. It was New Year's 1996 when Officer
Ricky Taylor was shot in the back of the head by a sniper from a third floor window while he sat
in his patrol car at Northwest 13th Avenue, 61 st Street. Officer Taylor was lucky to survive, but
was forced to retire. As a result of this type of situation, the Miami Police Department started to
warn citizens of the dangers of the New Year's Eve fire gun -- I'm sorry, gunfire and to stay
indoors, especially during the midnight hour, if possible. In addition, officers took added
measure to protect themselves against the prolific New Year's Eve gunfire. A SWAT (Special
Weapons and Tactics) team is assigned to provide a response to some of the more potentially
hazardous calls involving shots fired during the hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. As records show,
this practice has been applied each New Year's Eve since 2003. Let me repeat that. We've been
doing that since 2003. Historically, the calls for service increased dramatically during these
hours on this night, as do shooting calls. Many of these calls involve automatic gunfire during
the hour -- during this six -hour span. On the past New Year's Eve, 55 calls were received in
regard to shots fired, compared to 43 New Year's Eve the year prior. In addition, 17 of those
calls were generated from Overtown, which totaled 31 percent of those calls, even though,
geographically speaking, Overtown is the smallest net area in the City ofMiami. The Mayor's
remarks stating that we will meet violence with violence not only raises community tensions, but
it makes our job a more difficult one to perform. However, I can well understand that his
emotions may at times dictate his actions. Let me close by saying that the officers of the Miami
Police Department are trained professionals, they care about the people that they serve, are not
trained to use heavy-handed tactics, and finally, what separates them from much of the general
population is that they rely on their training and not their emotions to guide their actions. Now,
Commissioner Dunn, I heard you yesterday on WQBA 1140 saying that -- you were saying that
the officers are using their firearms not because they have to, but because they can. Let me point
something out to you. In 2008, while Chief Timoney was here, we had officers use their firearms.
Thirteen times they discharged their firearm. Two thousand nine, while Chief Timoney was still
here, they discharged their firearms 15 times. Last year, after I took over the Miami Police
Department, that dropped to 10 times. I'm about facts as well. It's important that people
understand what my background is and my trajectory with the Miami Police Department. Ten
years ago I was demoted from the rank of major because I supervised the only case in the history
of the Miami Police Department when we arrested our own officers for planting guns. This was
an investigation that I headed that I told the investigators to hand -carry a weapon all the way to
the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigations) lab in Washington, DC because I wanted to make
sure we didn't lose any of that evidence, and we were able to get our officer's print on that gun,
and therefore, we were able to arrest some of our officers who were planting guns on the scenes
where they were shooting some people out in the street. So you got to know a little bit about me
before you can start talking about how violent I am and --
Chair Gort: Excuse me, chief. Address to the issues because I don't want a confrontation --
Chief Exposito: Okay.
Chair Gort: -- back and forth. We had enough of that.
Chief Exposito: All right.
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Commissioner Dunn: No, it's not going to be a confrontation with me.
Chief Exposito: I'd like to take -- since Commissioner Dunn played this video, I'd like to play a
video. It's about eight to ten minutes, if you don't mind. I think it shows clearly what the Miami
Police Department is all about.
Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Dunn: First -- if I may, this is --
Note for the Record: An audiovisual presentation began.
Commissioner Suarez: What's that?
Chair Gort: Wait. Hold it. Yes.
Commissioner Dunn: I called for this meeting. The chief never addressed it. Andl called
because I wanted to express the concerns of the District 5 community. The chief made several
comparisons and analysis -- comparative analysis to the former chief. But for 22 months -- make
that comparison, chief -- there were no shootings that led to the deaths in the City ofMiami for
22 months. I also would like to ask this question, Mr. Chairman and Madam Attorney. Would
the comments made by the chief be considered a sworn statement under oath?
Ms. Bru: The chief was not under oath.
Commissioner Dunn: Okay. Let me say that something was said about me saying that the
shootings were justified. I -- every shooting thatl came to or was there, it was someone from
your department spoke to me first. My comments were they looked like they were justified
There's a difference between saying they're justified and it looks like it's justified. Wait a minute;
I'm not finished, chief. You told me, when Ricardo Martinez -- right after the Overtown shooting
-- that he was cleared by the Internal Affairs, and you had the option to --
Chief Exposito: That is not what I said, Commissioner.
Commissioner Dunn: Oh, my God.
Chief Exposito: What I said is he was cleared by the psychiatrist to return back to work because
he didn't feel that there was any need for him to remain out of work.
Commissioner Dunn: Okay.
Chief Exposito: There is no way that we can clear Ricardo of anything because the State
Attorney's Office hasn't made a decision on whether the shooting's justified.
Commissioner Dunn: So why would he be allowed to go back to -- given the sensitivity --? See,
this is my issue with you, chief bad judgment. That's all. You can't make good sound decisions.
And so I'm really prepared to -- I mean, we can hear him out if he wants to say -- but I'm not
convinced or impressed by what he said. The fact still remains that we had a public corruptions
fiasco. The fact still remains that a police officer was allowed to be involved in two shootings in
less than six days apart. The fact still remains that there was a video, and the chief says I didn't
know, I didn't sign off on it. That just goes to show he doesn't have control of his department.
The fact still remains -- because if someone -- I will not stand in front of a camera before -- and
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the only reason this has become an issue now is because we saw it, countless people saw it on
YouTube. No one would have said a word if we had not raised the issue. When I say we,
meaning the people in District 5. They saw it and they were up in arms. You should have
repudiated the very moment that it was on YouTube. That did not -- that was not forthcoming.
So I'll hear whatever else he has to say, but I'm prepared to make a symbolic motion of my vote
of no confidence in this chief as the City ofMiami police chief.
Chief Exposito: Mr. Chairman, if we could play the video?
Chair Gort: Hold it, hold it, hold it. Go ahead and play it.
Commissioner Dunn: Whatever way you want to proceed.
Chair Gort: Play your video.
Commissioner Dunn: I'm prepared to make a motion.
Chief Exposito: Go ahead and play the video, please.
Note for the Record: An audiovisual presentation was made.
Chair Gort: Hey, Chief I think we can cut this. We got more --
Chief Exposito: Yeah. No.
Chair Gort: You got more --
Chief Exposito: That is it.
Chair Gort: -- than equal time.
Chief Exposito: That's all the videos.
Chair Gort: I think you got a lot more time and video than they did, okay.
Chief Exposito: But I just wanted to remind everyone the comments that were made here -- I
think that it's inflammatory when we have Commissioners and the Mayor --
Chair Gort: Well --
Chief Exposito: -- saying that we should go out there and treat violence with more violence. I
mean, you're talking about a police --
Chair Gort: Commissioner --
Chief Exposito: -- chief making inflammatory remarks.
Chair Gort: -- my understanding is, what we're talking about, the police is doing their job,
they're doing the work, but at the same time, there are certain things that are being questioned --
Chief Exposito: I agree.
Chair Gort: -- and that -- I think there's a procedure for that. And that's what I tried to do from
the beginning when we talked about it and I talked to you about it. This isn't the type of thing
that I want to have in front of us at this time. I think the -- there's a procedure that needs to be
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followed and we should have followed that procedure. I don't want the people to be in arm. I
think we had enough problems in the past, and this community is finally come together, but we
have to keep it together. I mean, we have the procedures that we have to follow. I mean, let's
face it, the City Manager is the one that's got to make the decision. The City Manager's the one
-- if he does have certain ideas of why he would want to take a position on this, he will come to
us. He will take the chief. The chief will have the opportunity to come in front of us and present
his case and everyone will get an opportunity to speak. Yes, sir.
Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chairman, I do want to state again for the record that many of the
statements that made was based on what the chief ofMiami Police told me. He was there, if
you noticed, at the shootings. That is where my confidence level has been lost. I no longer have
confidence in him because he'll put a spin on it, as he's done today, and do want to say --
Chair Gort: Excuse me.
Commissioner Dunn: -- this is not against some of the very fine men and women of the City of
Miami Police Department. My issue is not with the City ofMiami Police Department. It is with
the top person in the City ofMiami Police Department. Andl don't think that we can ignore the
fact that we've had just a total debacle of confidence. We are the laughing stock of America.
Now you can believe that for what it's worth. We are almost -- if we're not careful, we can allow
something like that to divide us. I believe today, early on, Commissioner Sarnoff talked about
leadership. And he said leadership -- there's two types of leadership. He says leadership --
anybody can get somebody to do what they want them to do, but leadership is trying to be able to
get people to go see -- or go where they don't go. And then he used the example that leadership
is doing the right thing. Andl just believe we in a city that's divided. A house that's divided
against itself cannot stand. We are divided, gentlemen. Andl believe that whatever -- you know,
the chief might want his whistle -blowing money; pay him his money and let's get him out the way
and move on because we need to move forward. We need to move forward as a city. And he will
cause -- his leadership will cause us much more money and much more pain if we continue to
allow him to serve. So with that being said, I'm going to make a motion, a symbolic motion, that
we show a vote of no confidence, or if we have no confidence in the chiefs ability to continue to
serve as the City ofMiami Police chief. That's a symbolic motion.
Chair Gort: Okay, there's a motion. Is there a second? Is there a second? Sorry. Motion died.
Commissioner Dunn: Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute.
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: I actually agree with you. I don't think this is the right venue. However, at
the same time, due to the respect that I have for my colleague --
Commissioner Dunn: Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- and when you first spoke, you said as far as having many Hispanic
friends and so forth. Well, you didn't have to convince me because for a long time we've been
friends andl think we have respected each others' communities. Therefore, I will second the
motion for discussion. And after discussion, then we'll see if we actually take a vote or move
forward or defer or so forth. So I will second the motion for discussion.
Chair Gort: There's a motion and a second. Discussion.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As you all know, I was the only vote against the
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coin -operated machines. And from the start, I wondered why in the world was there such a push
for this controversial issue that was going to end up in chaos. And as we see it, we're in chaos,
even using the argument that the City is going to obtain additional revenues. Using a business
term, after all this commotion, bad publicity, it's just not cost-effective. It has caused the fight
between the Mayor and the police chief and it has escalated to a degree that has caused Miami
another black eye. I hope this is not a domino effect or a cancer that spreads to this Commission
and divides this Commission. Furthermore, I hope that it's not a cancer that spreads and divides
our communities. I can tell you, my district is not happy. And even though they've been quiet, it
already has been many, many times that I have been questioned. Commissioner, why do you
have the SWAT team patrolling that area? In other words, enhanced police presence and
patrolling, and you don't have that in Little Havana or we are not privileged to that type of
patrolling. Listen, I truly understand the importance of working together. And before we make
any decisions on confidence, non -confidence, this police chief that police chief he said, she
said, I want to express what have concerns about. May 27, 2010, about two dozen community
leaders had gathered to discuss antiviolence measures when suddenly the Miami police major for
the City's north side district bolted from the meeting. Moments later the group found out why.
Two innocent young boys had been injured in a drive -by shooting, probably involving
high-powered assault weapons, as they played basketball near their homes in Liberty City. The
boys were shot as their mothers looked on. One boy was 4 years old; the other was 9 years old.
July 10, 2010, the deadly mass shooting at a party in overtime -- I'm sorry, in Overtown has
claimed a second life, a 17-year-old high school football player. He died at Jackson Memorial
Hospital after four days of operations for a gunshot wound in the chest. At least one assault re
was used in the shooting, an AK-47, as well as five pistols, according to the police. Shots were
fired into the crowd of hundreds from two separate directions. Another wounded man is still in
critical condition. One woman was struck by a car in the mad scramble to flee the scene. July
30, 2010, a 17-year-old that was walking home after getting her hair done was shot and killed by
a drive -by shooting. More than 40 shell casings litter the street at Northwest 2ndAvenue and
64th Street, where a shooter with a high-powered re sprayed Little Haiti neighborhood.
August 5, 2010, a 17-year-old boy was shot in the head and his 22-month-old niece shot in the
left foot in Liberty City. Both were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where the teen was in
critical condition and his toddler niece is expected to recover. This one, in particular, I
remember, Commissioner. We were both in front of my office when we both got the news.
December 16, 2010, shooters, who sprayed dozens of bullets with a high-powered re in a
Miami home in the Victory Homes housing projects, killed a 24year-old State correctional
officer and her 2-year-old son while they slept in their home. The shooting stretched through
much of the Victory Homes project with at least two gunmen firing at three different locations.
The gunfire started around Jumbo's restaurant, 7501 Northwest 7th Avenue, moving to 74th and
then 73rd Streets before ending at one-story home at the 6th Avenue of Northwest 73rd Street.
These are the people that we need to protect, that are begging us to protect them. The violence
got so bad that on August 5, 2010, approximately 100 residents from Liberty Square Community
Center got together for a town hall meeting. The Mayor was there. Commissioner Dunn was
there. And it was well -attended. And it was to come up with ideas to make our areas safe. As
we know, the Mayor even stated that we will fight violence with violence. However, when we
confront people brandishing guns and they fail to put the guns down, unfortunately incidents
occur where there's a police shooting. I want to strongly encourage everyone and to avoid future
police shootings -- Mr. Mayor, Commissioner Dunn, members of this Commission, everyone here
in the community -- to please join me in a campaign to advocate two simple things. One, that
people that walk our streets do not do so waving handguns. And two, if a law enforcement
officer tells you to put the gun down, then you put the gun down. I can assure you that don't
know of any law enforcement officer that puts on a uniform and before he goes to work he says,
let me see who I'm going to shoot tonight or let me see who I'm going to kill tonight. However, I
do know of many wives, kids, mothers, fathers that before their loved one puts on that uniform
and leaves home, they tell them, please be careful. I can close my eyes and visualize and hear
my mother telling me, Frankie, ten cuidado -- Frankie, be careful -- when I was a law
enforcement officer, when I was patrolling the streets, when I was in the SWAT team, and when I
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was a detective. Therefore, I think we need to focus our energy differently and focus on the
innocent community that actually needs from us public safety, and we should give our police
force the backing and the resources. So instead of this he said, she said, we can actually protect
our citizens. Earlier today, when I requested an update from Mr. Kirk Menendez, I saw the
Mayor jump up and speak for him, which cause me to say, Mr. Mayor, don't take his job away.
Our code stipulates the following. The City Manager shall have the exclusive right to suspend
the police chief and the fire chief for incompetence, neglect of duty, immorality, drunkenness,
failure to obey orders given by a proper authority, or for any other just and reasonable cause. If
either of such chiefs be so suspended, the City Manager shall forthwith certify the fact together
with the cause of suspension to the Commission who, within five days from the date of receipt of
such notice, shall proceed to hear such charges and render a judgment thereon, which judgment
shall be final. Why are we trying to do or take the Manager's job away? I think it goes without
said [sic] that I was the most critical of this Manager. However, he has repeatedly said that he's
analyzing the facts; and once he does that, he will come up with a decision. Therefore, if he does
not have all the facts, how can I have all the facts? It seems to me that we may be pressuring the
Manager to come up with a decision. And in all fairness, if he constantly says that he's
analyzing the evidence, he's looking at everything, why should we pressure him? The code
stipulates as far as cause. I don't know if we have cause or not. I think once the facts are all out,
then I would definitely ask our City Attorney if there is cause. I can clearly say that I had no say
whatsoever at the time that they appointed this police chief. By Charter, maybe it's correct.
However, also as a former member of the SWAT team for quite some time, I thinkl view
teamwork a little differently. Andl think out of courtesy, we all should have discussed or at least
given a heads -up, gotten each others' impressions. I was told this will be the police chief. And
by the way, you better hurry 'cause you're going to miss his swearing in and his press conference
and so forth. Therefore, I think it's unfair that now I am somewhat put in a position to do
someone else's job. You know, I actually laughed when I recently read about the Mayor and the
police chief dancing the waltz at that time because, in all fairness, I clearly remember that time,
andl was like, whoa. I'm being rushed now to go to the ceremony. And yes, I was late. And it
was a swearing in the type a mayor or commissioner gets andl was actually very surprised.
Another thing that I'm concerned about, his replacement. I'm not even sure who his replacement
might be. I have read on a couple of occasions, Commissioner Dunn, stipulating that we need
someone with maturity and experience. I know the chief is no spring chicken, but at the same
time, he seems to be matured and experienced. He has 35, 36years in the Department, so he
meets that requirement too. However, I'll be the first one to tell you that just because you are
experienced and you have maturity doesn't make you out to be a good police chief. Matureness
[sic] is also working with people that you may not agree with, you may not even like. I have had
to do it andl continue to do it. Anyways, simply put, if we do not have all the facts before us,
why put ourselves in a position where we're pressuring our Manager and why put us in a position
where we cannot make an educated vote? And in the meantime, again, I ask the Mayor, my
colleagues, this community to help me to prevent further police shooting and unite with me and
advocate, number one, that you do not walk the streets ofMiami waving a gun, and number two,
if a police officer tells you to put the gun down, then put the gun down. Thank you.
Chair Gort: Thank you, Commissioner Carollo. Anyone else?
Commissioner Dunn: Just wanted a point of clarification. Thank you, Mr. Vice Chairman. Not
all shootings involved a gun. Just wanted to put that on the record.
Chair Gort: Commissioner Suarez.
Commissioner Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I really want to thank the Vice Chairman
for his words because clearly, he has thought this through very, very carefully as is his custom.
He took his time to really focus on what are some of the issues that were disturbing me about the
prospect because there were rumors prior to today about the prospect of a no confidence vote. I
agree with the Vice Chairman that the Charter has a very, very specific procedure that has to be
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followed when the Manager, who is the supervisor of the police chief has cause to suspend the
police chief. We then, after that, act as a -- essentially as a jury and hear the charges and have
an opportunity to discuss those charges and take testimony. Andl agree with the Vice Chairman
that our role -- that is our role. I mean, that is what our Charter states. We may not like it. We
may not like our Charter. I think that provision, if I'm not mistaken -- and the City Attorney can
correct me if I'm wrong -- has existed since the1930's. It's an 80 year -old provision. Clearly,
clearly -- andl think the Herald did a very good job of chronicling this this week -- it has not led
to a history where the mayors and the police chiefs have been able to function in a way that is
always in the best interest of the City residents and is always in a way that is focused on that.
And one of the things that I think we should consider as a result of this process and as a result of
the history that the City has that is not a positive history in terms of these kinds of disputes that
unfortunately have continued to come up is addressing that Charter provision and addressing
that Charter process. Because I think a Charter process, such as the one that we have, creates
doubts at times and can create doubts as to who's in charge and what is the chain of command.
As the Vice Chairman said, we are not necessarily consulted and there is no requirement that we
be consulted on who the chief ofPolice is. We cannot direct the chief ofPolice to do anything;
or if we don't like his policies, we cannot tell him we don't like the way you're policing our
neighborhoods. We don't have that right under the Charter. Yet, for whatever reason, we sit here
at the end of this process as an arbitrator of whatever disputes there are or there can be and of
whatever enumerated causes that a Manager may suggest -- and by the way, some of those
causes are quite ridiculous. One of them is immorality. I don't know how -- you know, I don't
know -- The other one is all reasonable causes. So it's a very -- from a lawyer's prospective, it's
an invitation to interpretation. You know, the Mayor similarly does not have the right under the
Charter to name the police chief to direct the police chief. The City Manager doesn't have the
right to fire the police chief without -- he can only suspend the police chief it has to be for cause.
The cause has to be either enumerated or one of those reasonable causes which can be a term
that can be litigated. So I think one of the things I want to call our colleagues to think about --
and it's not something that we have to do necessarily tomorrow -- but I think -- one of the things
that I'm proudest of is the way this government has functioned in the last year. We have
functioned -- and as the Vice Chairman correctly pointed out, we have all had to swallow our
egos at times, and we have all had to deal with circumstances that maybe we didn't like and were
not too happy with in certain decisions. But we have functioned in a fluid manner. We have
functioned in a cohesive manner. Andl think our reputation in the community, as opposed to
other governments, was extremely good. Andl think unfortunately -- and I'm not placing blame
on any of the actors here, on anyone involved -- this incident highlights, you know, a system that
is somewhat broken, and our history indicates that as well. I'm -- you know, andl feel that am
equally your friend and I feel that I am equally supportive of you. And the reason why I didn't
second the motion was simply because I felt that there is a process in place that -- andl agree
with the Vice Chairman. The City Manager has indicated to me that he is doing an analysis of
all the department heads, not just the chief. And once he's finished and completed with that
analysis, he's going to present whatever findings there are and make whatever decisions he has
to make constitutionally. So it's not thatl don't -- that I'm not sympathetic to your comments.
It's not that don't agree with your -- some of your comments or it's not that I'm going to judge
one way or the other. It's simply that, you know, like it or not, this is the procedure that we have.
It's not a procedure that we always have to have or we need to have in the future, but it's
certainly, unfortunately, the one that we are stuck with in this particular predicament. IfI can
have a little bit more privilege, Mr. Chairman, I'd just like to talk about some other things that
I'm --
Chair Gort: Go right ahead.
Commissioner Suarez: -- concerned about. Thank you. You know, the confidence issue is a -- it's
a very important issue. In my district, I feel very confident in the police officers and the team
that have. I communicate with them constantly. The community communicates with them
constantly. They're sharing information with me. And they take a lot of advice from the
community on how to properly police the community. Andl don't know if there's a breakdown in
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District 5. What is the breakdown? Why is it happening? You know, I think that's something
that the Manager maybe -- and I'm not directing the Manager on anything in terms of what his
analysis should be. But you know, I think -- is there a breakdown between the community and
the chief or the police? Maybe not the chief specifically, but the police. And if so, why? Why is
that the case and how can that be addressed? I think that's one of your main concerns. Because
I know I have confidence in the police officers that) work with; and ifI didn't have that
confidence in those police officers, I would feel, you know, like I couldn't do my job as a
Commissioner, to be completely honest with you. So, you know, I think the last thing) want to
touch upon is, you know, this entire ordeal, as the Vice Chairman mentioned, has been extremely,
extremely embarrassing for the City. You know, I get a lot of calls from members of different
communities wondering what is going on. You know, why are we having a public dispute
between high-level and high-ranking officials. And it is -- you know, I don't really have an
answer for it, you know. And it certainly hasn't been the tone and the tenure [sic] of this
Commission. So it's something that I feel -- and) hope I can say this -- that it has to stop. I
mean, I hope I can say it legally speaking, that) don't have any prohibition from saying that the
-- that this conflict and this conflictive relationship and this conflictive situation that we 're in has
to stop immediately because at the end of the day, no matter who you like, no matter who you --
whose side you're on, if there is such a thing, what's getting lost here is that we all have a job to
do for our residents and that is what we should all be keeping our eye on, not who said what, not
who did what, you know. I'm sorry for both sides. But not who produces what video. You know,
we shouldn't be worried about those kinds of things. We should be worried about, as the Vice
Chairman said, keeping our streets safe; addressing our residents' concerns. Thank you.
Chair Gort: Okay. Anyone else?
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: I think we're starting to see where this -- where the consensus of this
Commission is. And although I will not withdraw my second out of courtesy to my colleague, I
will ask him if maybe we could-- if you will withdraw and follow the process or --?
Chair Gort: Commissioner Carollo, let's all of us -- because I also want to speak before we
request that. I understand, Commissioner Sarnoff, you have a statement.
Chair Sarnofff. You know, the drafters of the United States Constitution were geniuses. Think
about it. They created something called the Separation of Powers. Andl know one of the
powers that I've already separated myself from, with all due respect, is the police force. They
have a job to do that no elected official has any way, shape, or form should interfere with. And
I've actually told the chief of Police if you're going to run any kind of program or issue or some
sort of tactical situation in my district, please let me know two days after it happens. I just don't
think it's my place to know. And when somebody says they know me, trust me, I don't care. It's
just something) should not involve myself with. That's how I've always viewed it. We're a
country of laws, not a country of men. You don't judge a Suarez any differently than you judge a
Sarnoff. You don't judge a Dunn any differently than you do a Sanchez. And justice wears a
blindfold for a reason. She does so so she doesn't see the color of the skin or the content of any
characteristic you have. But we do judge men on the content of their character, and) agree with
that. And I think Commissioner Dunn is a good man and I think he's a good district
Commissioner. And the one thing I've learned sitting here in this Commission -- and I've learned
more sitting on this Commission than I have as a lawyer in my 20 years of doing it -- is we all
bring something to the table. Each one of us brings an issue to the table that the other simply
cannot. There's only two of us here that have probably carried a gun; myself for a very short
time in comparison to the Vice Chair. I had to pull my gun only once. Andl have no idea how a
police officer goes out there day in and day out and does it because they are the thin blue line
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that defend all of us. They are the thin blue line that afford us all the opportunity to earn the
livings and the livelihoods and the quality of life that we like to call Miami. There is a process
here because the drafters created a process, and that process is when the person we vested with
our trust, the City Manager, makes a decision, we'll review what his written word is as to his
reasons for those decisions. Then the chief will come back to us, if he chooses to -- it's his option
-- within five days, and he will tell us why that City Manager's decision is incorrect. We will then
sit in appellate review, and he will be allowed to put on his case in chief. Andl suspect there
might even be some cross-examination. It isn't provident for any of us to express an opinion
today on how we feel when we're going to be sitting in a quasi judicial manner and expressing a
pre judged opinion. And if any of you are curious why I say I support this chief because I do. I
support the City Manager. I support the new Chair. I support the Mayor. It is our place,
gentlemen, to support those that we call the City ofMiami. And when the facts justify that we
don't support them, then we sit in our respective positions and we do what the
Charter/Constitution asks us to do and we don't prejudge anything. And I'm especially proud to
have listened to Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Suarez 'cause I think they hit it right
on the head, and I'm going to be so brief as to say I echo both their comments.
Chair Gort: Thank you. One of the reasons I didn't want to have this hearing in only one issue
because I believe it's a very ethic -- very divided issue. Andl believe this Commission has
worked very closely as a team. I think this community has been working as a team. I personally
believe that the ordinance that we passed on the machines -- and you can see where no permits
had been pulled. It was more strict than what we had before. Matter of fact, when we were
putting the proposal together, I asked the chief in here if he was agree with it, and he didn't have
any problem at that time. I think it's something -- a breakdown between -- the communication
between the Administration and the chief of Police has taken place. This is nothing against the
City ofMiami Police force. I'm telling you, we have the greatest police force there is. I believe
they're responsive. Andl get -- I do get involved because I get complaints from my district.
People calling with crime. I call my NET (Neighborhood Enhancement Team) officers and they
respond and they take care of it. And the reason I didn't want to bring this because I didn't want
it to look like an ethic [sic] issue, African American against Hispanic and so on, because this
might not be the only issue that the Manager might have. Maybe the Manager's been doing
some research and he's got other issues that he might want to bring up. I didn't want this no
confidence to be based on just one issue, and that's one of the reasons why I asked you not to
present this at this time. And I'll let Commissioner Carollo (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Like we said,
we have a procedure. We should follow that procedure and allow the -- I mean, Mr. Manager, I
have to tell you, you andl are beginning with a real good Commission meeting. I mean, we are
being breaking in into a very good meeting. So you have not had time to look into a lot of the
issues of the directors and the department. At the same time, it's important to understand the
Manager is assigned by us to hire and fire individuals and to work -- and I've asked the Manager
to have a meeting with all the directors and make sure that all the directors are complying with
the work, with the job description, and some of them to come down into the street and watch
what's going on (UNINTELLIGIBLE) their services to make sure that it's being provided, not
only the chief and the Fire, but everyone. I think we all have responsibility to the community.
With that said --
Commissioner Dunn: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Gort: -- Commissioner Carollo. Yes.
Commissioner Dunn: Let me reiterate what I've said early on, that this was not just about police
shootings. There was a litany of examples from the public corruption cases, which, during that
time, there was a good relationship between the Mayor and the police chief I believe. I don't
know. When the State Attorney told this police chief these cases were not prosecutional
[sic] -worthy, he insisted and embarrassed us, the entire City. That's -- that was one example.
Then there was the case -- cases of a police officer -- see, if you don't have these issues in your
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district, then of course it's not going to affect you. I'm asking you to be sensitive to that. This is
a Commissioner, as you saw -- and I've said it andl'll say it again -- who stood with this police
chief. But when you find out that information is not totally forthcoming, when you find out that
information is inaccurate, then you are made to believe something. It will cause your confidence
level in a person to diminish. I was the first one out there. I was there every time I got a call,
until the police chief told the police staff to stop calling us come -- to come to the scene. I was
there at all of the shootings, just about, because I wanted this to cease. I support police officers.
I love police officers. I have family members in my family who are police officers, parishioners
who are police officers. When something happens to me, that's the first -- they're the first ones
who I'm going to call. So I don't want this to be characterized as that I'm antipolice officer. I
don't want this to be characterize that support a person carrying a gun or waving a gun. But
submit to you today -- we don't know because we can't get any answers yet. We're waiting.
We've been waiting. We've been waiting -- that all of the shootings did not involve a gun, that all
of -- did not, not all of them. All of the shootings did not involve what appeared to be imminent
danger. Some of the ballistic evidence, we will find, probably allegedly will show that
individuals were shot in the back. So those are my concerns. I don't know -- again, I'm not -- I'm
going to respect the wishes of this Commission, but those are my concerns. Those are my
concerns, those and among others, among the fact that we are an embarrassment nationally. It's
not about crime. I don't like crime. None of us in here like crime. I want crime to stop. But I do
believe that this chief -- andl'll say it -- does not have the ability to lead the City ofMiami Police
Department. I will withdraw my symbolic motion, out of respect. I want to thank you, Vice
Chairman, for at least seconding the motion for discussion, but that doesn't change how I feel.
I'll stand. IfI don't get the votes, it's okay; I stood. The record will reflect that shared this
information and l feel good about that. I didn't come in here today -- as a matter of fact, I felt
that there probably wasn't going to be an opportunity because of the legality of the situation, but
that wasn't -- that is not what based it on. I didn't base it on politics. I based it on principle.
And you know, the video. Yeah, why the video, Vice Chairman? Historically, I'm just asking
you, when you get a chance, to think, just historically, about the emotions that are stirred up in
Cuban Americans when you mention Castro, good, bad, or indifference. Just think about it. And
sometimes you have these kind of feelings as it relates to questionable policing in our community.
The community is saying we want what you want in your community. We don't want crime to
continue. But we also don't want questionable shootings. So you got to balance the two. So,
quite frankly, I'm glad that brought this up today. I don't regret it one iota and -- because I
wanted to public state for the record because some of the suggestions through the Manager, the
current Manager -- former Manager, pardon me -- that I've tried to make to the chief apparently
have fallen on deaf ears. And you know, you get along -- I heard one of you say you get along
with the officers. You're pleased with the officers in the community. Well, guess what? The
Overtown community is saying we want a change in the officers. That's all I've been saying, and
it's falling on deaf ears. So with that, I rest. I withdraw my symbolic. I support the consensus of
congeniality, but my position is still the same. I have no confidence in the chiefs ability to lead
the City ofMiami Police Department.
Chair Gort: Okay. Thank you. Thank you, chief.
ChiefExposito: Thank you.
Chair Gort: I understand the Mayor would like to have a few words.
Mayor Tomas Regalado: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First of all, I respect Commissioner
Richard Dunn's item. I think that this is the proper forum, not press conference and -- Second, I
want to say to Vice Chair that I will support, and we should structure a kind of campaign to do
that in the City. I stood last December 30 with the Police Department, with the Miami -Dade
director of the Police, Commissioner Gort, Commissioner Dunn to ask the community not to
discharge their weapons on the 31st. I've done that every year as a Commissioner. And l just
want to say that I do not regret making statement supporting the Police Department. In 15 years
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as an elected official, I have supported the Police Department. I support the Police Department
andl will support the Police Department. This has been something that, you know, we all should
be ashamed of. Andl agree with Commissioner Suarez and Commissioner Carollo that this has
gone too far. This has been too much. The name of the City ofMiami, not mine, nor the chief
not anybody, has been dragging through the mud again after a year of success and this has to
stop. I said it several days ago. I'm not going to speak anymore on this item. I will not respond
to the media, although I understand the media. I totally understand the media and their appetite
to get the facts and get the story. But the City ofMiami has to leave the front page every day,
and we have been in that front page for many, many, many days. We have many things that we
need to do. We have many challenges that we have to take. I just want to say one thing, andl
am not breaking my promise. It's just a correction. My son was involved in a conversation
before here. He has nothing to do with that film. He's not the executive producer. The only
thing he did, because he was excited that someone wanted to film something good for the City of
Miami Police Department, is that he introduce the producer to the Police Department. One
thing is attacking me; another is attacking my son, and that's not right. I have worked with five
police chief andl will continue to work with this or any police chieffor the benefit of the City of
Miami. My commitment to you, number one, I will stop this in the public forum completely. And
I will talk to you, talk to the media about the issues that we have facing the City and the new
projects that we want to address. Hopefully, the chief will do the same. Thank you.
Chair Gort: Thank you. Okay, what's the next item?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): IfI might, Chair? Chair, ifI just --
Vice Chair Carollo: DI 1.
Chair Gort: Why don't we take five?
Commissioner Sarnoff. Take a break?
Chair Gort: Let's take five and -- so we can settle down.
Vice Chair Carollo: Actually, could we do a five- or ten-minute recess?
Commissioner Dunn: All right.
Commissioner Sarnoff. That's what he said.
Ms. Thompson: That's what he said.
Chair Gort: Yeah. That's what I said.
Vice Chair Carollo: Oh, okay. Sorry.
END OF DISTRICT 5
NON AGENDA ITEMS
DISCUSSION ITEM
BRIEF DISCUSSION BY CHAIR GORT THANKING COMMISSIONER
SARNOFF FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AND EFFORTS AS CHAIR OF THE
MIAMI CITY COMMISSION FOR THE PAST YEAR, AND COMMISSIONER
SARNOFF EXPRESSED HIS APPRECIATION TO ELECTED OFFICIALS,
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
ADMINISTRATION, AND CITY EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR COOPERATION
IN GETTING WORK COMPLETED DURING HIS TENURE.
DISCUSSED
Chair Gort: At this time, I'd like to thank Commissioner -- former Chairman Marc Sarnofffor
the excellent job that he did as the chairperson during a very difficult time in the City ofMiami.
I want to say thank you.
Applause.
[Later..]
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Mr. Chair, I'd like a point of privilege.
Chair Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. I've been a very fortunate man. I've been elected as Commissioner of
the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) for District 2, and I've had a great honor and privilege to serve as the
chairman of this Commission for this great city, the City ofMiami. I'd like to thank each and
every one of you from my colleagues, Commissioner Dunn, who I've more than stated I thought
was the glue that held us together on many occasions; Commissioner Suarez, which I've always
affectionately referred to as my wingman; the Vice Chair, Commissioner Carollo, and of course,
our new Chair, Commissioner Gort. I'd like to thank the Mayor and the City Manager. I'd like
to especially thank our previous City Manager, Carlos Migoya, who gave me the opportunity to
actually look probably better than I actually was. I'd like to thank each one of the employees for
the City ofMiami who stepped up to the plate in the budget discussions and who maintained our
public safety and quality of life even in these troubled times. I'd like to thank the citizens of
Miami for giving me the opportunity to serve the City. I was asked to list our accomplishments
for this year, but think it's well known what they are and what we did. We passed what think is
the most difficult budget in the City's history without raising taxes. This has been a great team
effort. And I'd like to believe that, as the Chair, we have managed to build a consensus between
the five districts, not any one person, but we, 'cause we have acted collectively as a Commission.
Only through a consensus can you have progress. I want to hold out two people to especially
thank. I want to thank Priscilla Thompson, our City Clerk. Whenever it seemed like I was lost,
you found me. I'd like to thank the City Attorney, Julie Bru, who I thought was always a good
moral compass and just as important as our legal compass. And as I pass the gavel to
Commissioner Gort, I give him my full support andl look forward to the Commission's
leaderships. I believe the new Chair has the quality of leaderships, honest, forward thinking,
competence, inspiration, and intelligence. I'd like to leave the Chair with these two thoughts. A
leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't
necessarily want to go but ought to go. Rosalind Carter. Management is doing things right.
Leadership is doing the right thing. Peter F. Drucker. I wish you the absolute best,
Commissioner Gort.
Applause.
Chair Gort: Thank you. I appreciate it, and hope I can do just as good as you did.
NA.2 DISCUSSION ITEM
11-00057
BRIEF DISCUSSION BY COMMISSIONER SARNOFF REGARDING THE
SUBMISSION OF A LEGAL SERVICES REQUEST (LSR) TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY.
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Meeting Minutes January 13, 2011
DISCUSSED
Commissioner Sarnoff. Mr. Chair, I have a brief pocket item.
Chair Gort: Go ahead.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Madam City Attorney, what I'm asking -from you is, there is a -- Grove
Harbor has presented plans, which I have here and will give you a copy of that are on the
verge of coming to the City of Miami. What I'm asking you to do is give me an LSR, Legal
Service Request, which give me an explanation of every permitting agency they have to go
through, where they presently stand. And if in fact this is built, do Monty's, does Shake -A -Leg,
which is City ofMiami equally -- do they have the right under their lease, through either
expressed provisions or implied provisions, to have the ability to navigate directly to their
respective slips, and will this encroach their ability to do so? And if you don't know -- I suspect
you do -- Shake -A -Leg is a disabled person's ability to sail, and they sail out of this particular
channel or their particular way. And my question to you then is do they have a right, either
implicitly, expressly, or under the general maritime law -- it's not a riparian right. It's -- 'cause
it's more than that. It's a right of navigation -- to go to and from their slip? Is it either expressly
provided in our contractual arrangements or is it implicitly provided, and would this particular
configuration encroach?
Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): Andl apologize 'cause I don't know anything about this, but I'm
sure -- Madeline is the person from the Administration that's been working on this, so -- this is an
LSR andl guess it involves lease interpretation and also looking at other either common law or a
submerged land --
Commissioner Sarnoff. It's general maritime law.
Ms. Bru: -- law.
Commissioner Sarnoff. It would be --
Ms. Bru: Okay.
Commissioner Sarnoff. -- toward their ability to navigate in and out of their respective places.
And my question to you is would this affect existing rights of people who are present lease
holders from the City ofMiami? So -- and that would be Monty's. That would be Shake -A -Leg.
And there could be others. I mean, it could be I'm not seeing the whole picture.
Ms. Bru: Okay.
Madeline Valdes (Director): Madeline Valdes, Public Facilities. The question with respect to
would this affect their lease rights obviously is something that the City Attorney has to address.
We've already spoken about whether the lease permits or doesn't permit the building of the
facility.
Commissioner Sarnoff. I'm just trying to get one paper, so maybe what you could do is help her
with what is the status 'cause I know she doesn't want to go look up the status. And then once
she gives -- a legal memorandum just means here are the facts. Give her the facts; she'll do the
interpretation, and then I'll have an answer as to whether any of these people will be affected.
Ms. Valdes: Of course.
Commissioner Sarnoff. All right. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Ms. Valdes: Thank you.
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Ms. Bru: Okay. So --
Chair Gort: Thank --
Ms. Bru: I'm sorry, Commissioner. It's just -- what we're going to be doing is looking at existing
contractual obligations and rights that the City has under adjacent leasehold interests. I'm not
going to look at the technical ability of a mariner to be able to navigate from a navigation
perspective. I mean, I understand that there's common law rights of you know, access to the
beach and water and riparian rights and all that, and we will look at that. But I can't look at the
mariner's ability to get in and out of a slip.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Well, that's what I'm asking you to do. I need an answer from the
general -- does -- do their rights include the ability to go to and from their slips?
Ms. Bru: Right. And we will look at -- legally now, ifI -- I don't know ifI can tell you that ifI
actually got into a sailboat, I would be able to do so.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Oh, I understand your --
Ms. Bru: Okay.
Commissioner Sarnoff. Your point being you may need an expert to say that. I get that.
Ms. Bru: Right. Okay.
Commissioner Sarnoff. But what I'm asking you for is the law. Does the law either expressly --
Ms. Bru: Correct.
Commissioner Sarnoff. -- or impliedly --
Ms. Bru: Correct.
Commissioner Sarnoff. -- provide that light. You're right, okay.
Ms. Bru: Okay. Right.
Chair Gort: Okay. Anyone else? Blue page.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:19 p.m.
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