HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2012-09-13 MinutesCity of Miami
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 13, 2012
9:00 AM
REGULAR
City Hall Commission Chambers
City Commission
Tomas Regalado, Mayor
Francis Suarez, Chairman
Marc David Sarnoff, Vice -Chairman
Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner District One
Frank Carollo, Commissioner District Three
Michelle Spence -Jones, Commissioner District Five
Johnny Martinez, City Manager
Julie O. Bru, City Attorney
Priscilla A. Thompson, City Clerk
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
CONTENTS
Present: Commissioner Gort, Vice Chair Sarnof3", Commissioner Carollo, Chair Suarez and
Commissioner Spence -Jones
PR - PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
AM -APPROVING MINUTES
MV - MAYORAL VETOES
CA - CONSENT AGENDA
PH - PUBLIC HEARINGS
SR - SECOND READING ORDINANCE
FR - FIRST READING ORDINANCES
RE - RESOLUTIONS
BC - BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
DI - DISCUSSION ITEM
PART B
PZ - PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
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
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
9:00 A.M. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
On the 13th day of September 2012, 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 Commission Meeting was called to order by Chair Suarez at 9:00 a.m., recessed at
12: 00 p.m., reconvened at 2: 00 p.m, recessed at 2: 01p.m., reconvened at 2:13 p.m., recessed at
4:13 p.m., reconvened at 5:30 p.m., and adjourned at 5: 34 p.m.
Note for the Record: Commissioner Gort entered the Commission chambers at 9: 03 a.m., and
Commissioner Carollo entered the Commission chambers at 9:12 a.m.
ALSO PRESENT:
Julie O. Bru, City Attorney
Johnny Martinez, P.E., City Manager
Priscilla A. Thompson, CMC, City Clerk
Chair Suarez: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. It's been a while since we've gotten
together. Welcome to the September 13, 2012 meeting of the City ofMiami Commission in these
historic chambers. The members of the City Commission are Marc David Sarnoff, the Vice
Chair, Frank Carollo, W fredo "Willy" Gort, Michelle Spence -Jones, and myself, Francis
Suarez, the Chairman, and the Mayor, who's -- just saw him in the audience a second ago --
Tomas P. Regalado. Also on the dais are Johnny Martinez, the City Manager; Julie O. Bru, the
City Attorney; and Priscilla A. Thompson, the City Clerk. The meeting will be opened with a
prayer by myself and a pledge of allegiance led by the Vice Chairman. Please rise.
Invocation and pledge of allegiance delivered.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
PR.1
12-00994
PRESENTATION
Honoree Presenter Protocol Item
Sailors Vice Chair Sarnoff Commendation
Daniel Muelhaupt
Frank Palacios
James Sauers
Jose & Bianka Alvarez Commissioner Gort Commendation
Allapattah NET Staff Commissioner Gort Certificates of Appreciation
12-00994 Protocol Item.pdf
PRESENTED
1) Vice Chair Sarnoff presented a Commendation to Dinner Key Marina employees James
Sauers, Daniel Muelhaupt, and Frank Palacios, in tribute for their inspiring sense of duty and
self sacrifice as they risked their own lives on June 14th in the waters near the Dinner Key
Marina to rescue others that were caught by surprise by a particularly intense summer storm.
2) Commissioner Gort presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the employees of the Allapattah
Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) Administration Office, for their dedication to
improving the lifestyle of our citizens through their critical assistance with the overall
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
coordination of the needs of residents in the Allapattah neighborhood.
3) Commissioner Spence -Jones acknowledged the City Manager and City Staff for their
leadership and efforts during Tropical Storm Isaac.
4) Commissioner Gort paid tribute to Jose and Bianka Alvarez, as leaders of South Florida who
have made valuable contributions to the Dominican community; further recognizing their
outstanding record in community service, voter registration and overall civic and cultural
leadership.
Chair Suarez: We now move on to the presentations and proclamations.
Presentations made.
[Later..]
Chair Suarez: Commissioner Gort.
Commissioner Gort: Can make a presentation now? They're here.
Chair Suarez: Of course, yes. We're going to take a brief -- before we go to the CA (Consent
Agenda) items, there was a protocol item that the Commissioner wanted to present that he was
unable to because the people were not here at the moment and they're here now. So he'd like to
take a moment to make that presentation.
Presentation made.
APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS:
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Carollo, to APPROVE
PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Carollo, to APPROVE
PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
MAYORAL VETOES
Chair Suarez: We will now proceed with the approval of the minutes from the regular meeting of
July 12, 2012 and the Planning and Zoning meeting of July 26, 2012. Is there a motion?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Spence -Jones, second by Commissioner Carollo. All in
favor, signift by saying iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
END OF APPROVING MINUTES
NO MAYORAL VETOES
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
ORDER OF THE DAY
Chair Suarez: Madam Clerk, are there any mayoral vetoes to report at this time?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): No, sir, there are none.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: We will now begin the regular meeting. The City Attorney will state the
procedures to be followed during this meeting.
Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): Good morning, Mr. Chair, members of the Commission, Mr.
Manager, Madam City Clerk, and members of the public. Any person who's a lobbyist must
register with the City Clerk before appearing before the City Commission. Mariano, please be
quiet. Mariano, please be quiet. A copy of the Code section about lobbyists is available in the
City Clerk's office. Mariano, decorum. Anybody who becomes unruly in Commission chambers
or does not behave will be banned from further attending meetings. The material for each item
on the agenda is available during business hours at the City Clerk's office and online at
www.miamigov.com. Anyone wishing to appeal any decision made by the City Commission for
any matter considered at this meeting may need a verbatim record of the item. Please, no cell
phone or other noise -making devices. Any person -- I said that already. Any person with a
disability requiring auxiliary aids or services for this meeting, please notify the City Clerk.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, Madam Attorney.
Ms. Bru: Thank you.
[Later..]
Chair Suarez: We will now proceed with the order of the day. Does any Commissioner wish to
defer, continue, or withdraw any items from the regular agenda or the consent agenda? I guess I
should let the Administration start first. I don't know why I have it usually as Commissioners
going first, but usually we let the Administration go first and then if the Commissioners want to
add anything to it, we'll supplement it. Mr. Manager.
Johnny Martinez (City Manager): Yes, Mr. Chair. CA.1, we need to pull from the consent
agenda.
Chair Suarez: You want to pull it from the consent for discussion?
Mr. Martinez: Yes, for discussion.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Mr. Martinez: For an amendment.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Mr. Martinez: PH.1, defer to September 27.
Commissioner Gort: Which one?
Chair Suarez: PH.1.
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Mr. Martinez: PH.1. PH.1.
Commissioner Gort: PH.1.
Chair Suarez: So defer to the next Commission meeting.
Mr. Martinez: Yes, sir. RE.3, defer to October 25. RE.16 --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: One second, please. RE.3?
Mr. Martinez: Yes. RE.3, defer to October 25; RE.16, continue to October 11; andDl2,
continue to October 11.
Chair Suarez: DI --
Mr. Martinez: 2.
Chair Suarez: I don't see a DI.2.
Mr. Martinez: The ticket policy.
Chair Suarez: DI 1. I have it as DI 2.
Mr. Martinez: DI. 1.
Chair Suarez: Okay. What did you want to continue that one to? I'm sorry.
Mr. Martinez: October 11.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Is there any other --
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Chair Suarez: -- items? Commissioner Gort.
Commissioner Gort: I'd like to -- CA.4.
Chair Suarez: You'd like to pull CA. 4?
Commissioner Gort: Uh-huh.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Commissioner Gort: And RE.25.
Chair Suarez: And RE.25, you'd like to see that deferred until?
Commissioner Gort: Deferred. We're not ready for it.
Chair Suarez: We're not ready for it.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So CA.5 is going to be --?
Commissioner Gort: No.
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Chair Suarez: You want to withdraw it and --?
Commissioner Gort: RE.5 [sic]. Withdraw RE.5 [sic].
Chair Suarez: You want to withdraw it?
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Vice Chair Sarnoff RE.5 or 25?
Commissioner Gort: 25.
Chair Suarez: No, 25.
Commissioner Gort: I'm sorry, 25.
Vice Chair Sarnoff 25.
Chair Suarez: RE.25 --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: CA (Consent Agenda) --
Chair Suarez: -- withdrawn.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, CA.5, you want to hear though, right?
Commissioner Gort: CA.4.
Chair Suarez: CA.4 is pulling for discussion. I got it. I got it.
Commissioner Gort: Discussion. For discussion.
Chair Suarez: Okay. So is there -- did you want me to repeat all the continuances, deferrals,
and withdrawals?
Commissioner Carollo: Please.
Chair Suarez: Okay. All right. Madam Clerk, just make sure that -- the way that announce it
is correct. We're going to pull CA.1 and CA.4 from the consent agenda for discussion. Defer
PH.1. I'm assuming you have the date that that needs to be deferred to?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): 9/27/12.
Chair Suarez: Correct. Defer RE.3. I believe that was an October meeting.
Ms. Thompson: 10/25/12.
Chair Suarez: Correct. Continue RE.16.
Ms. Thompson: 10/11/12.
Chair Suarez: Correct. And withdraw RE. 25.
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Ms. Thompson: Correct.
Chair Suarez: And continue DI 1.
Ms. Thompson: 10/11/12.
Chair Suarez: We're going to miss you.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Is there a motion?
Ms. Bru: Mr. Chair.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Well --
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Ms. Bru: I also wanted to have RE.7 continued, because we need to further review that
indemnification agreement from the County.
Chair Suarez: Okay. So RE. 7, continued till October 11?
Ms. Thompson: Yes.
Ms. Bru: That's fine.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Is there a motion?
Vice Chair Sarnoff I have one more.
Chair Suarez: Yes. I'm sorry. No, go ahead.
Vice Chair Sarnoff That's okay. Andl don't -- I'm trying to find the number andl don't see it,
so if somebody knows it or can help me. I'm trying to defer the issue regarding the James L.
Knight Center.
Mr. Martinez: RE.1.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Mr. Martinez: RE.1 it is.
Vice Chair Sarnoff RE.1.
Chair Suarez: Okay, I'm sorry. RE.1, that will be deferred till when?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Just next Commission meeting.
Chair Suarez: Okay, deferral to September 27.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And Mr. Chairman, I do also want to also ask for RE.19 to also be
deferred to the next City Commission meeting as well.
Chair Suarez: Okay, so RE.19 -- we have to defer RE.18 as well if we're going to defer RE.19
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'cause they're companions.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Not necessarily we don't.
Chair Suarez: No, not --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No.
Chair Suarez: No, we don't? Okay, just RE.19? Okay, so RE.19, defer until September 27?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Well, can we discuss RE.19 as opposed to just deferring it in chief?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Well, I would like to do the same thing with SMG too. I would just
-- I know that our common courtesy on the dais is if any Commissioner needs more time -- that's
why I just said let me just go ahead and defer the item, 'cause I do need more time on 19.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Well, the only thing with 19, it's been deferred four times.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I understand, but there -- also, the agreement has changed a lot of
times as well. So I just got a lot of that information late in the afternoon yesterday, around 4 or
5 o'clock, so I would like to have a little bit more time to go through it.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Can we not put it as part of a general deferral and debate it?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I don't -- I just think that we have a common courtesy on the dais.
If we ask for a deferral, we always respect it. I personally, like for instance, on SMG and the
Knight Center, that's something we've been working on for a very long time, and quite frankly, I
feel like it's something that we shouldn't necessarily defer because there's a time frame in which
we need to move on it, but I'm respecting it based upon what the Administration briefed me on
yesterday. I don't have a problem with doing the next Commission meeting. So I'm just asking
that both of those items be deferred.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Well, I'm not trying to debate because I asked for one, you get one.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No, no, no.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. This --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: It's not about asking -- you asking for one or me --
Vice Chair Sarnoff. I understand.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- asking for one. I'm just saying that there's a common courtesy
on the dais --
Vice Chair Sarnoff. I understand the common courtesy. However, this has been deferred four
times.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I understand.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Andl don't -- my concern is, I don't know that the person behind this will
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see it as us just extending ourselves common courtesies. And since I'm not aware of a plan B and
the Olympia will simply close, I'm not so sure that I'm so -- I don't want to use the word
nonaccommodating 'cause I do want to accommodate everything that you want. However, I
don't want to act like a courtesy filled Commissioner and find out that there no longer is a
management agreement and there no longer is an Olympia Theater, and it happened on my
watch.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I understand. So if you don't mind, then can we talk about both of
them then?
Vice Chair Sarnoff I could tell you exactly what -- yeah. SMG, I'll tell you exactly what
happened.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Well, let's just keep it on the agenda.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Keep it on the agenda.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Let's just keep both of them on the agenda so we --
Vice Chair Sarnoff That's fine.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- can have --
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- you know, go through all of them.
Vice Chair Sarnoff That's fine.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: But I do want you to understand what my issue is really fast on the
Gusman, just so you know.
Vice Chair Sarnoff No. I -- and I --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: It was really about the affordability period. That was it. That was
the only issue I had on that.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I got you. And let's -- I -- just saying, I think we should debate it. I think we
should talk about it.
Chair Suarez: And think there's a solution to that, by the way.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I do too.
Chair Suarez: So -- I mean --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So we'll --
Chair Suarez: -- so it's up to you guys.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- hear both of them, SMG and --
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Chair Suarez: Okay.
Vice Chair Sarnoff That's fine.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, great.
Chair Suarez: Okay, so we are -- okay. I'm sorry, Madam Clerk. We haven't entertained a
motion yet, but --
Ms. Thompson: No, we have not.
Chair Suarez: -- just to clam, based on the conversations, RE (Resolution) -- the deferral of
RE.1 and the deferral of RE.19 will not be a part of the motion that is to be made.
Ms. Thompson: Correct.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Is there a motion?
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Yes, Mr. -- yes, Commissioner.
Commissioner Carollo: To keep it clean, can the City --
Chair Suarez: You want me to reread that?
Commissioner Carollo: -- Clerk -- could the City Clerk go through all the deferrals one more
time?
Chair Suarez: Absolutely. Madam Clerk, please.
Ms. Thompson: Okay. We have CA.1 and CA. 4 are being pulled and placed on the regular
agenda. Then I have PH.1 is deferred to 9/27/12. RE.3 is deferred to 10/25/12. RE.16 is
continued to 10/11/12. DI. 1 is continued to 10/11/12. RE.25 has been withdrawn. RE.7 is
continued to 10/11/12. RE.1 is not on the list now, so it will be discussed, as well as RE.19.
Okay?
Chair Suarez: What did you say with reference to RE.25, I'm sorry?
Ms. Thompson: It's withdrawn.
Chair Suarez: Okay, good.
Ms. Thompson: Okay?
Chair Suarez: Is there a motion?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Spence -Jones, second by Commissioner Gort. All in
favor, signifi, by saying iiye. "
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The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
[Later...]
Commissioner Carollo: And by the way -- ifI may, a point of privilege?
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: With regards to the rest of the day, I want to have some clarity and also
for planning purposes with regards to our timing. Are we take -- are we having lunch at 12
o'clock?
Chair Suarez: I think we have a time certain request for, if I'm not mistaken, the Omni CRA, if
that's correct. That was my understanding.
Commissioner Carollo: At what time?
Ms. Thompson: Actually --
Chair Suarez: At -- yes.
Ms. Thompson: Chair, you have two CRA meetings scheduled for 12 o'clock and one for 5
o'clock.
Chair Suarez: They were noticed, correct, for that time?
Ms. Thompson: Correct. They were noticed for 12 o'clock --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Ms. Thompson: -- or thereafter.
Chair Suarez: So the two that are for 12I believe are Omni and Midtown. Is that correct?
Ms. Thompson: Yes, sir.
Chair Suarez: Okay. And then we're going to have to take lunch after that, obviously, because
we're going to need time for that.
Commissioner Gort: Yeah. Omni and Midtown, 12.
Chair Suarez: We have Omni and Midtown at 12, yeah.
Commissioner Gort: Overtown at 5.
Chair Suarez: That was noticed by the -- by those --
Commissioner Carollo: So we are not having our schedually [sic] -- as per our Charter, lunch
at 12 o' clock?
Chair Suarez: As per our ordinance, you mean?
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Chair Suarez: Yeah. We're -- we can recess this meeting at 12, but there is another meeting,
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which is a different entity, which is Omni, that will begin at 12.
Ms. Thompson: Or thereafter.
Chair Suarez: Right, or thereafter. We can do it sometime after.
Commissioner Carollo: Or thereafter.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Can I ask a question?
Chair Suarez: Of course, please do.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And I'm sure Commissioner Carollo is saying 12 o'clock because
it seems as though he's -- there's going to be much discussion on the Omni's budget. So if that is
the case --
Chair Suarez: We can do it later. We have to do it no earlier than 12, correct?
Ms. Thompson: That is correct.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just -- I do have a 12 o'clock -- I'm sorry; I just didn't -- I'm -- I
don't have a issue with the Omni budget so -- but I know there's going to be discussion on it.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So I just would hate for it to run over -- too much over.
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So is there any way we can move it? I mean, I have one to two
suggestions on it, but they're not big things. But I do know that there'll probably be more
discussions from other Commissioners sitting up here, so I would suggest that we maybe deal
with it later on just so that you're questions are answered and we're not here for an hour and a
half lunch.
Commissioner Carollo: That's exactly --
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: -- my point. I want -- I just want to know --
Chair Suarez: Organize the day.
Commissioner Carollo: Organize the day --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Andl got to use the bathroom.
Commissioner Carollo: -- and plan ahead.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Well, the only thing I ask is -- I am going to be with the Miami Dolphins
between 4 and 5:15 this afternoon.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You're what now?
Chair Suarez: He has something --
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Vice Chair Sarnoff. With the Miami Dolphins. Hopefully --
Mr. Martinez: Cheerleaders?
Vice Chair Sarnoff. On a charitable basis. No --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Oh, okay.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- they will not be using me as their quarterback or as their running back.
Trust me, they --
Chair Suarez: Thankfully.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- don't want no Jewish boy out there running --
Mr. Martinez: Or cheerleader.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- around like that.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Hopefully, you're going to be trying to get them to come to the
City ofMiami. Is that what it is?
Chair Suarez: Yeah, that's it.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. That's it.
Chair Suarez: That's it.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. We're getting them -- they're going to be playing in Marlins stadium since
the Marlins --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- obviously aren't showing up. No disrespect. But I'm just asking if we
could be sensitive to maybe an hour --? We're going to need the time. We're going to need some
breaks before budget and -- If you want to do the CRAs after that, just understand the mood we'll
be in, understand where we'll be, how we'll feel.
Chair Suarez: No. I think we should try to do it between 2 and 4 --
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Right.
Chair Suarez: -- before you leave, andl think that should be okay.
Commissioner Carollo: I don't have a problem. All want to know is --
Chair Suarez: Yeah, what the timing's going to be.
Commissioner Carollo: -- what the time is going to be so I can plan accordingly.
Chair Suarez: Yeah. So we'll do this, we'll recess at 12 like we normally do. We'll come back at
2 like we normally do. We have a time certain item that we notified you all of which I think
there's going to be some discussion as to whether or not it will be deferred, which is based on our
morning discussion, which is the Gusman item. And then after the Gusman item, we'll do that,
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then we'll do the tabled item that was just tabled.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. And then from 4 to 5 is -- I think --
Vice Chair Sarnoff 5:15, I hope.
Commissioner Carollo: So from 4 to 5:15 (UNINTELLIGIBLE), more or less, we'll recess --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: -- and then we'll come back for the beginning of the budget meetings.
Chair Suarez: Got it.
Commissioner Carollo: That -- and l just want to --
Vice Chair Sarnoff That's a good -- no, you're right.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Vice Chair Sarnoff We should schedule ourselves so we know what our day looks like 'cause --
Commissioner Carollo: Right. I just want to plan the day so I know --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Don't count on anything before 11 o'clock, all right, tonight?
Chair Suarez: And by the way, we have a -- we still have a lot of work to do, so we got to figure
out --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Right.
Chair Suarez: -- how to get through it all too.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Agree, agree.
Chair Suarez: All right.
[Later..]
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Are we doing appointments, Mr. Chair?
Chair Suarez: Yep. Let's do it, BCs (Boards and Committees).
Vice Chair Sarnoff What are we doing?
Commissioner Carollo: Appointments.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I don't think have any.
Chair Suarez: Do you want to --? Let me see if we can do it this way, Madam Clerk. Are you
ready, Mr. Hannon? Okay. You have highlight -- you've given me a -- provided something that's
highlighted, meaning, I guess those are boards where names have been proffered --
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Todd Hannon (Assistant City Clerk): Yes, sir.
Chair Suarez: -- and/or appointments need to be made.
Mr. Hannon: Yes, sir.
Chair Suarez: Okay. That is BC.5, Equal Opportunity Advisory Board; BC. 7, General
Employees and Sanitation Employees Retirement Trust; BC.9, Homeland Defense/Neighborhood
Improvement Bond Program Oversight Board; and BC.12, Parks and Recreation Advisory
Board.
Mr. Hannon: Yes, sir.
Chair Suarez: Is there any recommendations -- does any Commissioner have any appointments
other than those boards?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I have a few, but you --
Chair Suarez: Oh, you do?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- kind of confused me with you --
Chair Suarez: Sony.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You just named a whole bunch of boards.
Chair Suarez: Yeah. No, that's -- those are the boards that he had said that there were people
that wanted to make appointments. Let's just go one by one.
Commissioner Carollo: And Mr. Chairman, I'm sorry.
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: I don't see Bayside Foundation here.
Mr. Hannon: We were not notified of a nomination for that board, but you can make one today.
That's not a problem.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Let's just go one by one. And then at the end, let's do Bayside Foundation.
Let's add that to the list 'cause I think the Commissioner has --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I mean, do y'all -- we all have nominations on that board?
Mr. Hannon: No, ma'am. There's only one open seat on the Bayside Foundation and that would
be for Commissioner Carollo.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. Can I ask this question so I'm clear on that board itself?
Who's my designated person? It must be Bill Diggs.
Mr. Hannon: One moment.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: That was done by Richard Dunn. It must have been.
Mr. Hannon: Yes, ma'am. It's Ms. Beatriz Loussaint.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. Well, who appointed Bill Diggs?
Mr. Hannon: A Bill Diggs? Give me one moment.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: He's on that board.
Chair Suarez: Bill Gates?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah. Is that the Bayside Foundation? Right. He's on that board.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I think he is.
Chair Suarez: Oh, I thought you said Bill Gates.
Commissioner Gort: No, no.
Vice Chair Sarnoff No, Bill Diggs, president of the --
Commissioner Gort: Is that Bayside or Bayfront Park?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I wish he was.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- Miami Chamber of Commerce.
Ms. Thompson: He may be on the board, Commissioner, but it may not be from the City of
Miami, understanding that the Bayside merchants and the corporation have their own
appointments --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Appointees.
Ms. Thompson: -- as well. So we don't -- we have five and he may -- while he sits, he may not be
one of ours.
Mr. Hannon: He's not.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Has Beatriz been very involved? I mean, I love her, but has she
been very involved?
Mr. Hannon: They don't submit attendance reports to us, but I could inquire, you know, with the
liaison for that board.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah. I would definitely like -- I would like to know.
Mr. Hannon: Yes, ma'am. I'll certainly inquire.
Commissioner Carollo: And Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: I want to be able to defer all my appointments except for the Miami
Bayside Foundation.
Chair Suarez: Gotcha.
Commissioner Carollo: So can I just make that appointment?
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Mr. Hannon: If the Commissioners have no appointments that they would like to make, then we
could do one motion at the end just to continue all those appointments that weren't addressed,
but I do have a few items that I would like the Commission to hear.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
[Later..]
Chair Suarez: Do we need a motion to defer all the other items?
Mr. Hannon: Yes, sir.
Chair Suarez: Is there a motion to defer --
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Chair Suarez: -- all the remaining items? Moved by Commissioner Gort. Is there a second?
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Second.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by the Vice Chair. All in favor, signifi, by saying aye.'
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
[Later..]
Chair Suarez: Okay, we'll be in recess until 5:15. Do you need 5:30? Would that be better?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Are we can --
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Five -thirty's --
Chair Suarez: Five -thirty.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Guys, re we cancelling all of our personal items? We're not
talking about those today, right? So we're deferring them to the next meeting? 'Cause I know
you had one.
Chair Suarez: Yeah, yeah. You know what, I can defer mine 'cause mine's about the financial
condition of the City. But I think given the labor situation what we're in, I think can wait.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So 5:30?
Chair Suarez: I can wait another meeting. Yeah, 5:30.
[Later..]
Ms. Thompson: Now, sir, just wanting to make sure --
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Ms. Thompson: -- because we recessed the meeting, I think there were some comments made off
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
the mike that we need to clear up as far as our remaining items on our regular agenda, meaning
your district items.
Chair Suarez: Yes. We had agreed before recessing that we were going to defer the district items
at least until the next meeting, so that takes care of that.
City of Miami Page 19 Printed on 10/9/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
CA.1
12-00832
Department of
Planning and Zoning
CONSENT AGENDA
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THE RESPONSES RECEIVED JUNE 19,
2012, PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS ("RFQ") NO.
320284, TO PROVIDE SPECIAL MASTER SERVICES FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, ON A CITYWIDE, AS -NEEDED
CONTRACTUAL BASIS; APPOINTING TWO (2) PRE -QUALIFIED SPECIAL
MASTERS, AS LISTED ALPHABETICALLY IN "EXHIBIT A," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, FOR AN INITIAL PERIOD OF TWO (2) YEARS, WITH
OPTIONS TO RENEW FOR TWO (2) ADDITIONAL ONE (1) YEAR PERIODS;
ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THE VARIOUS SOURCES, SUBJECT TO
BUDGETARY APPROVAL AT THE TIME OF NEED; FURTHER AUTHORIZING,
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RFQ, THE ABILITY TO ADD QUALIFIED
SPECIAL MASTERS TO THE CONTRACT WHEN DEEMED IN THE CITY OF
MIAMI'S BEST INTEREST, SUBJECT TO CITY COMMISSION APPROVAL.
12-00832 Summary Form.pdf
12-00832 Award Recommendation Form.pdf
12-00832 Darcee S. Siegel Resume.pdf
12-00832 Jack R. Blumenfeld Resume.pdf
12-00832 Legislation.pdf
12-00832 Exhibit 1- SUB.pdf
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter be
ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0294
Chair Suarez: All right, CA.1.
Anel Rodriguez (Administrative Assistant II): Good morning, Mr. Chair, fellow Commissioners.
CA.1 -- well, Anel Rodriguez, City ofMiami, Planning & Zoning Department, Hearing Boards
section. CA.1 is a special master contract. Basically, the reason why it was pulled is because in
your package, there were two names that were added. But as of yesterday, there was an
additional name that has been added, which was why it's been amended today, andl have the
name here for you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Is there a motion, as amended?
Vice Chair Sarnoff So moved.
Chair Suarez: Moved by the Vice Chair. Is there a second?
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Gort. Do you have anything else to add?
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Mr. Rodriguez: Yes. Just for the record, the additional name is Mr. Juan Carlos Cura.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Thank you. As amended then. There's a motion and a second. All in
favor, signift by saying iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Unanimously.
CA.2 RESOLUTION
12-00883
Department of Police A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
NEW SOUTH FLORIDA MONEY LAUNDERING STRIKE FORCE VOLUNTARY
COOPERATION MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, WITH THE MIAMI-DADE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTICIPATING AGENCIES, PURSUANT
TO RESOLUTION NO. 09-0490, ADOPTED OCTOBER 22, 2009, TO
RECEIVE AND EXTEND MUTUAL AID IN THE FORM OF LAW
ENFORCEMENT SERVICES AND RESOURCES TO ENSURE PUBLIC
SAFETY AND ADEQUATELY RESPOND TO INTENSIVE SITUATIONS,
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO NATURAL AND MANMADE DISASTERS
OR EMERGENCIES AS DEFINED IN PART 1, CHAPTER 23, OF THE
FLORIDA STATUTES.
12-00883 Summary Form.pdf
12-00883 Legislation.pdf
12-00883 Exhibit 1.pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0292
CA.3 RESOLUTION
12-00921
District 1- A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION RECOGNIZING AND
Commissioner DECLARING THAT FREEDOM FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A
Wifredo (Willy) Gort FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT.
12-00921 Legislation.pdf
This Matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0293
Adopted the Consent Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, including all
the preceding items marked as having been adopted on the Consent Agenda. The motion
carried by the following vote:
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
CA.4
12-00901
Department of Parks
and Recreation
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ESTABLISHING A NEW
SPECIAL REVENUE PROJECT ENTITLED: "OUT OF SCHOOL TIME SNACK
PROGRAM 2012-2013" AND ACCEPTING AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS, IN
AN ESTIMATED AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $238,388.28, CONSISTING OF A
REIMBURSEMENT GRANTAWARD RECEIVED FROM THE FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, BUREAU OF CHILDREN NUTRITION
PROGRAMS, ADMINISTERING FUNDS FROM THE UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD
PROGRAM CDFA #10.558; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT
SAID REIMBURSEMENT GRANTAWARD AND TO EXECUTE THE
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE ACCEPTANCE OF AND
COMPLIANCE WITH SAID GRANTAWARD FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI'S OUT
OF SCHOOL TIME SNACK PROGRAM FROM OCTOBER 2012 THROUGH
SEPTEMBER 2013; AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR
THE OPERATIONS OF THE PROGRAM, WITH SUCH AUTHORIZATION
REMAINING VALID AND OUTSTANDING EVEN IF THE ANTICIPATED
AWARD IS REDUCED OR INCREASED.
12-00901 Summary Form.pdf
12-00901 Snack Prgm. - 2010 & Proj. 2012-2013 Analysis.pdf
12-00901 Reimbursement Rates.pdf
12-00901 Email -Award Letter Needed.pdf
12-00901 Permanent Contract.pdf
12-00901 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0295
Chair Suarez: CA.4. Commissioner Gort.
Commissioner Gort: CA.4. Juan, I see this is a program that we have to feed, the programs at
the parks and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) all kinds of different numbers. Could you explain the
program, how you applied the fundings for those parks?
Juan Pascual (Director, Parks & Recreation): Yes, sir. This is -- this particular item is for
accepting and it's setting up the special award for the grant for our after -school snack program.
It's called the Out of School Time Snack program. It's a federally funded program through the
State. It's a reimbursable grant. In other words, it's -- we front the money, then we get
reimbursed for that particular grant. And it provides after -school snacks at all our
recreationally -staffed facilities throughout the City ofMiami. There is approximately 1,513 kids
that are participating or at the top expected to participate in the program throughout our park
system.
Commissioner Gort: And the requirements to receive this assistance?
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Mr. Pascual: The require --
Commissioner Gort: Is there any specific requirement? Yes.
Mr. Pascual: Well, our parks qualified based upon a formula that the feds provide, and it's
based upon the schools that are the feeder pattern schools within a certain distance of our parks.
So our entire parks system qualifies under those guidelines. And this is for youth or anyone that
is disabled. So actually somebody not necessarily has to be registered in the after -school
program, but a child from the neighborhood can also come and participate in that program.
Commissioner Gort: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Is there a motion?
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Gort.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Spence -Jones.
Commissioner Carollo: Second, and for discussion.
Chair Suarez: Sure. Go ahead, Commissioner.
Commissioner Carollo: (UNINTET,TIGIBT,F) last part. So any neighborhood child can come
and participate and actually receive some of these snacks?
Mr. Pascual: Yes, just as our summer lunch. We cannot refuse any child from participating in
the program, so they can actually come to the park at snack time and receive a snack.
Commissioner Carollo: Now let me ask you something, because you have `X" amount of
snacks. So what happens if -- let's say --
Mr. Pascual: Right. It's --
Commissioner Carollo: -- you have 10 snacks and 11 children come?
Mr. Pascual: What we do is we provide the snacks to our kids that are already in our program
first and then -- and we always order some additional snacks and then those snacks that are
available on a first come, first served. Obviously, when we exhaust the number of snacks that we
have available at that point, then we cannot provide anymore service.
Commissioner Carollo: Got you. Thank you.
Mr. Pascual: You're welcome.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, Commissioner. There's a motion and a second. All in favor, sign
by saying iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
CA.5 RESOLUTION
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
12-00902
Department of Parks
and Recreation
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ESTABLISHING A NEW
SPECIAL REVENUE PROJECT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012-2013 ENTITLED:
"CHILD DAY CARE FOOD PROGRAM" AND ACCEPTING AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS, IN THE ESTIMATED NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT
OF $80,000, CONSISTING OF ENTITLEMENT FUNDING ON A
REIMBURSEMENT BASIS FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,
BUREAU OF CHILDREN NUTRITION PROGRAMS, CHILD CARE FOOD
PROGRAM ADMINISTERING FUNDS FROM THE UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD
PROGRAM CDFA #10.558; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT
SUCH ENTITLEMENT FUNDING ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS AND TO
EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY, IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE ACCEPTANCE OF
AND COMPLIANCE WITH SAID GRANTAWARD FOR THE OPERATIONS OF
AYEAR-ROUND FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM FOR PRESCHOOL AGED
CHILDREN IN THE CITY OF MIAMI PARKS FROM OCTOBER 1, 2012
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2013, WITH CONDITIONS AUTHORIZING THE
EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR THE OPERATIONS OF THE PROGRAM,
WITH SUCH AUTHORIZATION REMAINING VALID AND OUTSTANDING
EVEN IF THE ANTICIPATED ENTITLEMENTAWARD IS REDUCED OR
INCREASED.
12-00902 Summary Form.pdf
12-00902 Permanent Contract.pdf
12-00902 Legislation .pdf
Motion by Commissioner Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0296
Chair Suarez: CA.5. Commissioner Carollo, you're recognized.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you, Chairman Suarez. And could you elaborate, just like you
did with CA.4, a little bit on CA.5?
Juan Pascual (Director, Parks & Recreation): Yes, sir. CA.5 is, again, an extension of the
continuation of a program that we have for our snacks, lunch, and food program, specifically for
our pre-school daycare programs. We currently are only operating two facilities: One at Lemon
City Park and one at Eaton Park. We had a third facility at Moore Park. That one we closed
because that particular facility's going to undergo a reconstruction project and it won't be
available. And it's the same basic criteria, very similar to our Out of School snacks program. It
is federally funded through the State. It's a reimbursement grant. We front the money; we get
reimbursed.
Commissioner Carollo: And how are these parks chosen?
Mr. Pascual: Well, our parks are not chosen. These have to meet state statutory requirements
for daycare, which is different than our recreation programs. Typically, our recreation programs
are for kids 6 and older. The preschool daycare for those 5 and younger have to meet some
stringent requirements, staffing requirements, training requirements for our staff backgrounds
and other licensures and training, as well as the facilities have to meet guidelines and criteria
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
established under state statute for daycare facilities.
Commissioner Carollo: Are there other parks in the City ofMiami that qualin, for this?
Mr. Pascual: Not currently.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. I'm going to approve this item, but afterward, you know, in the
next week or so, if you could follow up with my office so I could get the exact requirements and
see if we could get more parks in the City ofMiami, especially in District 3, to get involved in
this program.
Mr. Pascual: Yes, sir, we will.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. There is --
Commissioner Carollo: I moved CA.5.
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: There's a motion by Commissioner Carollo and a second by Commissioner Gort.
All in favor, signift, by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
Chair Suarez: Is there a motion on the remaining items of the consent agenda, 2, 3, and 5?
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Gort, second by Commissioner Spence -Jones. All in
favor, signift, by saying iiye. "
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Aye.
Chair Suarez: Yes, yes, yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman, sorry. I thought that -- I actually thought that the CA.4
item that was pulled was CA.5, and see now that had a --
Chair Suarez: You want to pull CA.5 as well?
Commissioner Carollo: I want to pull CA.5.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Is there a motion on CA.2 and 3?
Commissioner Carollo: I make a motion to --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So move -- second.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Commissioner Carollo: -- CA.2 and 3.
Chair Suarez: Okay, there's a motion --
Vice Chair Sarnoff You need a rehearing?
Chair Suarez: -- by Commissioner Carollo and second by Commissioner Spence -Jones. All in
favor --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): No, no. I just want to make sure. We already had the
motion on the floor with Commissioner Gort/Commissioner Spence -Jones.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Would you guys --
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Chair Suarez: -- rescind your motion on --
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Chair Suarez: -- that additional item, please? Thank you.
Ms. Thompson: So that this motion is to consider, okay --
Chair Suarez: 2 and 3.
Ms. Thompson: -- the approval of CA.2 and 3.
Chair Suarez: Right, and that was moved by Commissioner Carollo and seconded by
Commissioner Spence -Jones. All in favor, signift by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Ms. Thompson: Now, in this same section --
Chair Suarez: CA.1.
Ms. Thompson: -- in the same section -- I'm sorry -- are you going to discuss CA.5 or --?
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Chair Suarez: We're going to --
Ms. Thompson: Okay.
Chair Suarez: -- discuss CA.1, CA.4, and then CA.5.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
9:00 A.M.
City of Miami Page 26 Printed on 10/9/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
PH.1
12-00666
Department of
Community
Development
PH.2
12-00890
Department of
Community
Development
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AND THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO EXECUTE
DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEFEASANCE OF THE
SECTION 108 LOAN FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, LOAN B-90-MC-12-0013,
RELATING TO SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN PARK WEST, WITH A PRINCIPAL
BALANCE OF $1,250,000, AND INTEREST PAYMENTS OF $30,875;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, AFTER CONSULTATION
WITH THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AND THE CITY
ATTORNEY, TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FOR SAID
PURPOSE.
12-00666 Summary Form.pdf
12-00666 Notice to the Public.pdf
12-00666 Pre-Legislation.pdf
12-00666 Legislation (Version 2).pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Note for the Record: Item PH.1 was deferred to the September 27, 2012 Commission Meeting.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
ALLOCATION OF PROGRAM YEAR 2011-2012 EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS
GRANT ADMINISTRATION FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,000, TO CITRUS
HEALTH NETWORK, INC. FOR ADMINISTRATION OF GRANT RELATED
ACTIVITIES; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
12-00890 Summary Form.pdf
12-00890 Notice to the Public.pdf
12-00890 Pre-Legislations.pdf
12-00890 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0297
Chair Suarez: PH.2.
George Mensah (Director, Community Development): Good morning, Commissioners. George
Mensah, director of Community Development. PH.2 is a resolution allocating an amount of
$9, 000 from Emergency Solutions grant funds to Citrus Health Network strictly for
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
PH.3
12-00891
Department of
Community
Development
administration.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Is -- this is a public hearing, PH.2. Anyone from the public wishing
to speak on PH.2? Seeing none and hearing none, the public hearing on PH.2 is closed, coming
back to the Commission. Is there a motion?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Gort, second by Commissioner Spence -Jones. All in
favor, signift by saying iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING THE CONVEYANCE, WITH PARCEL
REVERTER PROVISIONS, OF THE CITY OF MIAMI OWNED PROPERTIES
LOCATED AT 2525 NORTHWEST 34TH STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA AND 1924
NORTHWEST26TH STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS LEGALLY DESCRIBED
IN EXHIBIT "A", ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, TO ALLAPATTAH
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, INC., FOR THE PURPOSE OF
DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR
LOW TO MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES; AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
12-00891 Summary Form.pdf
12-00891 Notice to the Public.pdf
12-00891 Pre-Legislations.pdf
12-00891 Letter - A. B. D.A. pdf
12-00891 Special Warranty Deeds.pdf
12-00891 Legislation.pdf
12-00891 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Carollo, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0298
Chair Suarez: PH.3.
Alfredo Duran: Good morning, Commissioners. Alfredo Duran, deputy director of Community
Development. This is a resolution approving the conveyance with parcel reverter provisions of
City of Miami -owned properties, located at 2525 Northwest 34th Street and 1924 Northwest 26th
Street, to Allapattah Business Development Authority, for the purpose of development and
management of affordable housing to moderate- and low-income people.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. This is also a public hearing item. Anyone wishing to speak on
PH.3?
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Commissioner Gort: Come forward.
Chair Suarez: You're raising your hand. Are you -- do you want to speak?
Unidentified Speaker: Yes, sir.
Chair Suarez: You need to come to the podium, sir, please, both of you. Mr. Cruz, you're
recognized. Two minutes.
Mariano Cruz: Mariano Cruz, chairman of ABDA (Allapattah Business Development Authority)
Chair Suarez: Good to see. It's been a while.
Mr. Cruz: -- 801 Northwest 37th Avenue. Now, we move out of there, okay. But you know, I
visit all these properties, and we are in favor of that, you know, because we have to keep the
neighborhood. I remember a house in my block, 1285 Northwest 26th Street, was vacant there
for a long time and that was bad for the neighborhood. First, the house was collecting just liens
for the City and nothing else. These houses are being vacant for some time, and now we try to,
you know, fix them and repair and then put them back in the tax rolls and then people will be
living in them. Okay.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Cruz.
Mr. Cruz: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Sir.
Raul Pedroso: Good morning, Commissioners.
Chair Suarez: Good morning.
Mr. Pedroso: Good morning, Commissioner Gort. I'm opposing this transfer of a property, and
I'll make it very brief. First of all, my name is Raul Pedroso. I have lived in the City ofMiami
since 1967 so I know everybody, andl know just about a lot of things.
Chair Suarez: Mr. Pedroso, do you mind putting your address on the record as well, please.
Mr. Pedroso: My item?
Chair Suarez: Your address, your address.
Mr. Pedroso: Oh, my address is 1463 Northwest 27th Street.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Mr. Pedroso: I am currently working with the Allapattah Neighborhood Association. This is a
recent group that we formed in Allapattah to sort of deal with this disarray that we have in
Allapattah. There's a lot of things that we need, but I'm not going to address that here. I am
going to oppose what you're about to vote on here. And I'm just going to go through my notes,
because it's going to go all over the place. So I'm opposed to this PH.3 because, according to
the public records, ABDA is the owner of several undeveloped lots in Allapattah right now. So
the -- if they were truly committed to the cause of building affordable housing, why not develop
those lots before adding more lots to their portfolio? You know, they come here to ask the City
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
for freebies. Does that -- you know, does that make any sense? It doesn't make any sense to me.
You know, I'm opposed to this property giveaway, because we are living in very tough economic
times. And the way that this deal is being made is not transparent and it does not help the citizen
ofMiami, especially the residents of Allapattah. This giveaway offers no opportunity to other
individuals or organizations that have a capital to invest in Allapattah. This property could be
auctioned to the highest bidder and produce revenues for the City, but instead, you have created
this deal to give it away. This is double jeopardy. The City loses much -needed revenue to
balance the budget; and the citizens, like myself, are excluded from participating in this
giveaway. This is not equal opportunity. Can someone please explain how you arrive at this? A
year ago --
Chair Suarez: Madam Clerk -- I'm sorry for interrupting you -- he said he was a president of a
homeowners association.
Mr. Pedroso: Vice president.
Chair Suarez: Okay. We're going to give you an extra minute because it's -- usually, you're
given two minutes for speakers. We're going to give you an additional minute.
Mr. Pedroso: Thank you, sir.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Mr. Pedroso: About a year ago I was on a campaign for -- actually, I put together a petition
that was called Light Up Allapattah. And the idea was that Allapattah has been neglected for
more than 40 years. As I said, I've been in Miami since 1967 so I know what Allapattah looked
like in 1967. Andl went to ABDA's office to speak to Mr. Seijas, which I know as a cop when I
was in junior high school, and Mr. -- this is what Mr. Seijas says to me: "You're wasting your
time. Allapattah is going to be more of an industrial park than a residential area." This is very
sad. I live in Allapattah. As a matter of fact, I moved -- the reason that I'm here now is because
I moved to Allapattah six years ago. My parents passed away. They had a residence there. And
Allapattah's a beautiful place. If you drive down 17th Avenue in Allapattah, you will find that
Allapattah has what every little community in the City ofMiami is looking for: narrow streets,
slow traffic, beautiful landscape that is poorly maintained, awful lighting. I met with the Mayor.
I met with Mr. Gort, and they gave me all kinds of promises. I ran away. They put me away, and
you know how that's done here in the City ofMiami. So with all that, I'm not going to take any
more time.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Pedroso: I really thank you for your time.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Mr. Pedroso: But what I'm asking here is for this Commission to consider this giveaway. I love
Allapattah, andl trust that you guys are here to --
Chair Suarez: Do what's best for this community.
Mr. Pedroso: -- do the best.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Pedroso: Thank you. Thank you very much.
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Chair Suarez: Thank you. Okay, anyone else from the public wishing to speak on PH.3?
Grady Muhammad: Good morning, Mr. Chair. Grady Muhammad --
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Mr. Muhammad: -- president and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) ofMiami-Dade First. We're in
favor -- very much in favor because the Allapattah Business Development Center has a very
great track record developing housing all over Allapattah. I think we got to continue to support
any entity that is doing a great job; others, it's a different story. But this one, I would definitely
be in support. Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Muhammad. I know you don't throw around that praise lightly
so.
Victor Seijas: I'd like to apologize. I didn't raise my hand. May I talk?
Chair Suarez: Yes, of course.
Mr. Seijas: I'm the director.
Chair Suarez: Has he signed in with you, Madam Clerk?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Yes. If that's Mr. Seijas, yes.
Chair Suarez: Yes. You just please put your first name, last name, and address on the record,
sir.
Mr. Seijas: Most definitely, Chairman. My name is Victor Seijas. I'm the executive director of
Allapattah Business Development. I'd like to respond to the so-called statement that made
about that 'You're crazy. You're wasting your time." The only thing that I did mention was in
fact that the Northwest 17th Avenue corridor is governed, if you would, by the County and not by
the City. I told him I'll happily join any kind of a movement for improvement in Northwest 17th
Avenue if we approach the proper channels. And at that time I mentioned that that -- Northwest
17th Avenue was governed. The trees, which is a big issue with Mr. Pedroso, that has to be cut
and the lighting and what have you, we have to approach the County. The City ofMiami is not
controlling Northwest 17th Avenue. It controls 18th Avenue, and it controls 15th Avenue as a
local conveyance. As far as properties that have not been developed, I think we're all aware of
the banking situation that we facing in the United States. I could address Commissioner
Spence -Jones; that Allapattah Business Development assisted some non -for -profit for housing in
her district. There are actually three members of the Commission right here, sitting members,
that know what we went through for Ralph Plaza I and Ralph Plaza II. So the buildings are
there. The properties obviously are owned by low-income housing. And if any questions from
any individual, I'll be happy to answer. We are starting the first duplex that this Commission
approved from home ownership to rental in June 14 meeting, and it was a resolution
commanding that, and we are starting on the first of October.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, sir.
Commissioner Gort: Would you explain the process of --?
Chair Suarez: Let me just make sure that there's no one else from the public. Is there anyone
else from the public that wishes to speak on this item, or do you want him to address the
questions or any issues beforehand?
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Commissioner Gort: He can address it at the end.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Go ahead, sir.
Shawn Selleck: Hi. My name's Shawn Selleck, at 1058 Northwest 27th Street. I was just coming
because I wanted to speak against this item. I know that low-income housing is very important
to our community. I just feel like we can do much better than giving away the property of the
City. It says, you know, in this letter that this organization wrote that they're going to repair this
home for $86, 000. I mean, I think that anyone can repair a home in Allapattah for $86, 000; we
don't need to give away property, especially when resources in our community are so -- they're
not plentiful, that's for sure. Andl know you, Commissioner Suarez; you're very interested in
low-income housing. I've heard you speak on it. I wish that we could identify organizations that
are responsible and are willing to do quick, efficient development that actually raises the level of
our community. This organization has three empty lots. I don't know how long they've had them.
They're just sitting there. I don't know why we need to give them more property that's actually
going to be more work to rehab than to just -- you know, if they can't even build new properties
on the property they already have. Andl noticed this was designated as historical. Who
sanctions that? I mean, how does it get identified as historic? I'm just curious.
Mr. Duran: May I?
Chair Suarez: Yes, Mr. Duran.
Mr. Duran: Each property that we have an interest in providing financing or getting involved in
has to receive an environmental review as HUD (Department of Housing and Urban
Development) conditions and part of that is a historical preservation review. The particular
property in this case was determined by a historical review officer that had the characteristics of
the style of architecture that was built in 1923 when the building -- or 1935 when the building
was built. Therefore, it's not historically designated but has the characteristics of such.
Chair Suarez: And I think that's a -- I think what you're asking is a different question than what
he's saying. He's saying for federal guidelines for funding and things of that nature, there's a
different standard than like, let's say, a zoning characterization that's historic, which is maybe
what you're alluding to. But I -- is that right?
Mr. Duran: That's correct.
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Mr. Selleck: Okay. I understand it might be helpful in getting funds here. I just wish that we
could have some other organizations. I mean, I don't see anyone here coming to speak about the
great work thatABDA's done that's not affiliated with ABDA or any residents of properties that,
you know, are in Allapattah. No one ever comes here to talk about -- You know, I just don't feel
like there's ever been any accountability or anybody coming to say, !ley, there's been great work
done here; let's continue that. Andl just see a lot of projects that have taken forever and taken,
you know, hundreds of thousands of dollars that there are plenty of private entities -- I mean, if
you want me to -- I'll buy the house, you know, for 10, $20, 000 and I'll fix it up myself, you know .
I mean, you don't have to give it away for free. You can give me a call. You guys have my
number if you'd like me to give you some money in your coffers to actually benefit the community
instead of just giving resources away over and over and over.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Selleck: Thank you.
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Commissioner Gort: Thank you.
Mr. Duran: The only issue we have with that is that this is a federally funded --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Mr. Duran: -- project --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Mr. Duran: -- and therefore, what we do is we look for an organization that has the history, the
capacity to provide affordable housing, to understand the complexities of the affordable housing
programs and the federal programs. ABDA has arguably not -- you know, been 29 years in the
Allapattah neighborhood, the nonprofit organization who has very successfully completed many
affordable housing projects. And to address the vacant lot, we're very well aware of the vacant
lots. And they intelligently did not move forward with home ownership projects in a market that
we're in right now, which is exactly why we're providing these homes to them, because they're
going to finish and lease them. The City is not in a position to be landlord. So it's a reverter as
well. If this fails to be affordable, it has to come back to the City. This organization is more than
qualified to do it.
Mr. Selleck: I just want to mention one thing. Because of the way the housing market is, if we
really wanted to strengthen the community of Allapattah, why doesn't ABDA provide a
low -interest mortgage, you know, and carry that? Because you're going to charge rates -- rental
rates to low-income people that are higher than what you could actually get a mortgage payment
for to purchase the home.
Mr. Duran: But that's --
Mr. Selleck: And so --
Chair Suarez: Look, let me -- let's -- I understand your question. I think, first of all -- and this is
a frustration I think we all feel here on the dais. They're trying to fit the square peg in the square
hole, which is, they get federal funding in a certain way with certain limitations and conditions
and they can only make something work --
Mr. Selleck: No, I understand that. I understand that.
Chair Suarez: -- and -- For example, they may not have money to lend and -- that's number one.
Number two, I agree with what you're saying. If a lender would come in and lend the money at
today's prime rates, which are very, very low -- four and a quarter, four -- three and three
quarters I've seen in some mortgages -- it would be cheaper for someone to own a home than
necessarily to rent, maybe, under affordability standards. I'm not even sure that that's a totally
accurate statement. But they don't have the money to lend, number one. Number two, I mean, if
they go out to the market, as you would -- I'm assuming you know, because I know I do it every
day -- it's hard to get a loan, even if you're under the best of circumstances. My sister's a doctor
and she got rejected for a loan. So I mean, it -- you know, it's -- we're coming out of a credit
crunch, and so I think as we come out of the that credit crunch, there'll be much more a fluidity
of funds and then maybe we can do a financing for --
Mr. Selleck: No. I mean, I'm very familiar with all the things --
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Mr. Selleck: -- you're saying, andl know it is very true --
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Chair Suarez: Right.
Mr. Selleck: -- that these fund are dedicated, they can only be spent in certain ways.
Chair Suarez: I just wanted you to understand.
Mr. Selleck: I just think with all the resources thatABDA receives from the City, they could be a
little more creative, you know.
Chair Suarez: I got you.
Mr. Selleck: I hope that Commissioner Gort would work with them to maybe find some ways,
and also to produce housing that would beautifi, our community instead of a building that l've
seen -- the only thing that ABDA's really renting out is 500 square foot -- 12 units squeezed
together in 6,000 square feet, 500 square foot units, and you know, that doesn't improve our
community. You want one of those in your gated community? I mean, do you want one in yours?
I mean, it's not conducive.
Commissioner Gort: Okay, we got it.
Mr. Selleck: And l just think we can do --
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Mr. Selleck: -- a little bit better. We got University ofMiami people that might donate some
architectural --
Chair Suarez: Got it.
Mr. Selleck: -- you know, services to you guys. It'd be great to build some partnerships to
beautifi, our community instead of the same thing over and over.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Mr. Selleck: Thanks.
Commissioner Gort: No more.
Chair Suarez: Is there anyone else from the public that wishes to speak on this item? Seeing
none, hearing none, the public hearing for this item is closed; coming back to the Commission.
Commissioner Gort: Next time make sure the property owners, although they have -- working
people and they have to work, try to bring them here, all the people that own property --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Gort: -- thanks to the work that you guys have done, even before I was here.
Okay. I move it.
Chair Suarez: It's been moved by Commissioner Gort. Is there a second?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Commissioner Carollo: Second for discussion.
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Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Carollo. Commissioner Carollo, you're recognized.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you. I just want to confirm some of the information and see
what's accurate and what's not. It's -- you know, I'm very hesitant and cautious about giving any
City property away, but however -- let me see ifI understand this. There was NSP
(Neighborhood Stabilization Program) funds, federal monies, that were used to purchase these
properties.
Mr. Duran: Correct.
Commissioner Carollo: Now -- so it wasn't general fund. It wasn't money from the City. It was
federal funding that we used to purchase these properties. And along with that purchase and
accepting these funds from the federal government, there were certain requirements of what we
can and cannot do with that property. Correct?
Mr. Duran: Absolutely.
Commissioner Carollo: Can that property be used to -- as an investment and make money for
the City ofMiami?
Mr. Duran: No.
Commissioner Carollo: It cannot?
Mr. Duran: No, it cannot. Any money that's made from federal funding, as you know, it's
program income; has to go back into the programs that it came from.
Commissioner Carollo: And l just want to verify. I just want to confirm, even though, yes, you
know I know the answers to some of these questions, butt just want to, you know, make sure --
Chair Suarez: (UNINTET,T IGIBT ,F)
Commissioner Carollo: -- so the public understand that this is not just a piece of land that we
could obtain additional fundingfrom or sell it as a profit or anything like that. It's different
because these -- this land was obtained with federal fundings [sic] that had strict requirements,
and some of those requirements does not allow us to make a profit from this land.
Mr. Duran: That's correct.
Commissioner Carollo: Additionally, does it have to do -- does it have to -- is there a
requirement with regards to housing?
Mr. Duran: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: There is.
Mr. Duran: It must remain affordable housing to low- or moderate -income people.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. And the only other question that I will have, is there a time
period that this housing needs to be built? If not, it will revert back to the City.
Mr. Duran: Yes. All programs do have time restraints. This would -- I believe that -- well, we've
already purchased the property, so we've already met that requirement, okay. So what they're
going to do now is get it ready for occupancy.
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Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. And my question is, how long will that take? Is it going to take
three, four, or five years?
Mr. Duran: No, no, no, no. To rehab a house, shouldn't take any more than six months at the
most.
Commissioner Carollo: And if they start taking longer than that, is there anything -- and I didn't
see any -- but is there anything here that would revert back to the City or that we could call them
on?
Mr. Duran: Exactly. This has a reverter provision. Once they -- the contracts are written, they
would have a specific amount of time to do it. If not, it reverts back to the City.
Commissioner Carollo: And what's that amount of time?
Mr. Duran: I would say that six months would be an adequate amount of time.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. So within six months, if they don't have it refurbished and so
forth, it would revert back to the City?
Mr. Duran: Correct.
Commissioner Carollo: I have your commitment on that?
Mr. Duran: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Thank you.
Commissioner Gort: You have mine.
Chair Suarez: Yeah. And look, I think one of the things that somebody said, who is not a
member of ABDA, is that they have a great track record of doing this. I'm assuming they have
the funds in place already to do the rehab? Is that --? Can you put that on the record?
Mr. Duran: Exactly. As soon as they have the funds in place to rehab, they can move forward
and finish it in six months.
Chair Suarez: Okay. But what the Commissioner said is if they don't have --
Mr. Duran: It reverts back to us.
Chair Suarez: Okay, perfect. Anything else, Commissioner?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just want to just add just a couple comments. First of all, I
respect any public citizen coming in to put something on the record. That's the whole purpose of
the process, is to allow you to have the voice to communicate any issues or concerns that you
may have. So I want to at least say, you know, that regardless of what, you know, the decision is,
you are respected in this place. So I wanted to at least put that on the record. I do want to also
add, there was a comment that was made earlier about, you know, ABDA, andl can honestly say
-- and Grady, you know, second it, or I'm seconding you now, Grady -- even from the standpoint
of projects that have actually taken place within my district, which actually has any -- nothing to
really do with Allapattah, during my tenure of not being here, there were key projects that when I
came back, you know, to the City, I was doing ribbon cuttings for -- from families and from
individuals that clearly were living in, you know -- I don't want to call it slum, but living in some
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PH.4
12-00892
Department of
Community
Development
unbearable conditions so -- and those families were very happy to be moving in a fresh, new
facility. So I can at least acknowledge that ABDA has done good work not only in Allapattah,
but I can say from my perspective in my district. So it's very difficult sometimes to sit up here
and, you know, hear -- and can understand why Mr. Seijas is probably hurt and offended by it
because, you know, your reputation is all you have. And people come into open spaces and they
make comments which could be true, not, you know, disputing any of it, but we just have to be
mindful with how we do things, you know. And if there's an issue or concern about something,
sometimes it's best to go to the parties to try to work it out before we come into an open forum on
TV (Television) and blast someone and say things that, quite frankly, it's hard to pull your
reputation back after all of it. So I just really wanted to say that. And then to the Department
itself, you know, every single last one of us sitting up here have CBOs (Community Based
Organizations) in our districts that try their best to build affordable housing, to rehab for
fordable housing; and you know, it may seem easy, but the whoops and hurdles that these CBOs
have to jump just to get things done because it's federal -- all these different federal regulations,
that wonder sometimes why they even do it. Because you know, the time, the energy, and the
resources that they do have to go into doing this is -- sometimes you wonder whether or not it's
even worth it at all. So, you know, I just think it's really important. Andl know that the same
thing is happening in Little Havana, same thing happening in West Grove, other areas that are
trying to build, you know, affordable housing, and especially now. This is a rental. It's not even
a for purchase property. So it's just very difficult. So I just think that it's important for us to
understand and those that are listening and watching, it's not just giving away land; there are a
whole bunch of hoops and hurdles that one has to go through to even get the monies to get it
done. So I just wanted to at least put that on the record and acknowledge that ABDA has done
not only good work in my district but in their district as well. Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. There's a motion and a second. All in favor, signift by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Passes unanimously.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT EMERGENCY
SOLUTIONS GRANT FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $649,754 FOR
PROGRAM YEAR 2012-2013; ALLOCATING SAID FUNDS AS SPECIFIED IN
ATTACHMENT "A", ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE
ACCEPTANCE OF SAID FUNDS.
12-00892 Summary Form.pdf
12-00892 Notice to the Public.pdf
12-00892 Pre-Legislations.pdf
12-00892 Legislation.pdf
12-00892 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0299
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Chair Suarez: PH.4.
George Mensah (Director, Community Development): PH.4 is a resolution of the Miami City
Commission accepting funds in the amount of $649, 754 for the Emergency Solution Grant funds
and allocating those funds in the following: Citrus Health Network for Rapid Rehousing and
Homeless Prevention program, 211,170; Citrus Health Network for Program Administration,
16,244; City of Miami Department of Community Development for program efficient, 32,488;
City ofMiami Homeless program and Neighborhood Enhancement Team Street Outreach for
$389, 852.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. This is a public hearing. Anyone from the public wishing to speak on
that item ?
Grady Muhammad: Yes. Good morning again, Mr. Chairman. Grady Muhammad. You know,
one of the things we have to look at -- because I -- seen it on TV (Television) previously when we
was talking about the Homeless Trust and we was talking about potentially changing the
downtown. We have to understand, there's a lot of homeless in Liberty City of every race, and
one of the things we -- the downtown, 95936, and the rest of them, they concentrate -- and the
Homeless Trust concentrate downtown. But if you go throughout the City ofMiami, especially in
District 5, 62nd Street at the expressways, both of them, you got homeless people there all day,
24 hours. And the McDonald's at the Edison Shopping Plaza -- they're now bringing the
community and bringing the businesses down, so I would ask with these funds and the City's
outreach, to please look at Liberty City and Model City and not just downtown. Thankyou.
Chair Suarez: Thankyou. Anyone else from the public wishing to speak on this item? Seeing
none and hearing none, the public hearing on this item is closed. Coming back to the
Commission, is there a motion?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved. Discussion.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner --
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: -- Spence -Jones, second by Commissioner Gort. Commissioner Spence -Jones,
you're recognized.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just want -- first of all, I just want to say -- where are the Green
Shirts? Green Shirts. To my understanding, the funding is broken up into two areas: One is the
Green Shirt Operation and the other part of this is the rental assistance or the eviction portion of
this, correct?
Haydee Wheeler (Director, Neighborhood Enhancement Team): Correct.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. Meaning, this is -- these dollars are being utilized for
individuals that are being evicted out of their units, correct? And this helps them with their first
or their last, or it helps sustain them in their apartments or their units. Correct?
Sergio Torres (Homeless Assistance Program Administrator): That is correct, Commissioner.
Sergio Torres, for the City ofMiami Homeless Assistance Program. You got a portion assigned
to Rapid Rehousing. It's specially designed to deal with prevention to avoid those people losing
their properties. I mean, not their properties but their rental units.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Right. And based upon my briefing with George -- which I think is
great. I'm glad the feds decided to expand this program. Because of the lack of -- loss of jobs
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
and high foreclosures, I'm glad to see that they're now trying to expand the program and adding
more dollars to make sure that this happens. The only -- I support the item 100 percent. I just
want to make sure that get the report of -- from George on the -- how many people we've
actually assisted from the Rental Assistance program, because I think it's important for us to
know, you know, to just kind of track where we're seeing, you know, most of the evictions coming
from and the highest foreclosures as well. So that was my only comment. So as soon as I can get
that, I would greatly appreciate that. All right, thank you.
Ms. Wheeler: We will get that to you, Commissioner.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And just real fast on Grady's comment. We do have a growing
homelessness population issue happening in Overtown. I know in Allapattah too.
Commissioner Gort: Yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Other areas. It seems as though now that the -- what is the -- not
the HAC (Homeless Assistance Center), but the Camillus House has now been knocked down, I
know Overtown, we've gotten double the amount of homeless people. I would like to understand
what the operational plan is from the Green Shirts from ran outreach standpoint. Andl know
when we did our ride through at that -- during the night, I also asked that, Haydee -- that I know
a lot of the individuals are scheduled, more or less, in the daytime. I would definitely -- I ask --
andl'm hoping that part of this new plan that you guys are putting in place, that we put more
people on the streets at night because, quite frankly, we have more people coming out at night
after 6 o'clock, you know, 7 o'clock, 8 o'clock that are on the streets and homeless. I know
especially on my riverside, on river, period, by my restaurants over there, it's become like a
whole little colony of you know, homeless people. So I really want to make sure we have a plan
in place, or I would like to see the resources be mixed so that at least there's more people
working at night and not just all in the day.
Commissioner Gort: Let me add a little bit to that. Northwest 12th Avenue, about 11 th Street,
when you get down the -- people come down to visit the health center and the judicial system
there. Underneath the path, it's full of individuals there and there's all kinds of trash. You got to
get some help from somebody else too. I mean, you can't do it all yourself. So I don't know you
supporting you all in picking up some of the trash in there because sometimes it's terrible.
Ms. Wheeler: Yeah. Commissioner, Haydee wheeler, director of NET (Neighborhood
Enhancement Team). I would like Sergio to talk a little bit about what Commissioner
Spence -Jones just mentioned, because Sergio just did the census for the year. I think that it's
also important to realize that -- for example, the corner that you're mentioning, they're mostly
panhandlers, so when we go, we take the resources. They won't accept any assistance. They
don't. We do get a lot of assistance from the Solid Waste Department, Police Department, so we
do not work alone. This is taking resources citywide. But Sergio is going to briefly tell you what
the results of the census were.
Mr. Torres: On that particular area, Commissioner, the problem is a group of veterans that got
us over there and had been there for years. We had work with FDOT (Florida Department of
Transportation) and --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Sergio, did you put your name on the record?
Mr. Torres: Sergio. Yes, I did, earlier today. Sergio Torres --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
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Mr. Torres: -- City ofMiami Homeless --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Sorry.
Mr. Torres: -- Assistance Program. We had worked with VA (Veterans Association), and
especially DOT (Department of Transportation), trying to reach out to these people. VA has a
great program. It's called the OSAC (Outpatient Substance Abuse Clinic).
Commissioner Gort: Right.
Mr. Torres: It's on 14 and 1st. Unfortunately, most of these people, they make a living of
panhandling on that corner. It's a very profitable corner for them to -- and they refuse to leave.
We chase them out and they come back. Going back to the census, we conduct the homeless
census on August 30. Good news. And now that the homeless issue is an issue that's very
effective by perception, and even though you see the numbers going down, there was a slight
decrease in the numbers for homeless in the City ofMiami overall. There was a -- the number
went down by 40, and the biggest change was in the area of downtown. There was a slight
increase in Overtown area and a big increase in Allapattah area. However, we don't associate
the Allapattah increase because -- to the move of Camillus House because most of the people
were found on the produce area, not around the Camillus House.
Commissioner Gort: And by the way, what mean, you need additional help, I don't mean -- I
know our police work with you, NET work with you, and Solid Waste have been great. But I
think the County should be helping too, and the Trust maybe should be giving some additional
help, because a lot of those individuals come out of the City ofMiami brought their house in the
City ofMiami. I mean, everybody sending their people to the City ofMiami.
Ms. Wheeler: We will definitely bring it up to see if we can get more grants dollars to increase
the number of outreach teams.
Commissioner Gort: Thank you.
Mr. Torres: And for the area, the Overtown, what we're doing is -- because we have one team
dealing with Overtown/Wynwood, and it also helps with Model City. What we're going to do is to
have that team just dedicated to Overtown and the night team to work with Overtown areas,
particularly with that area.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just want to ask the general Administration, and maybe this is a
Johnny Martinez question. Andl know, Commissioner Sarnoff, I know the DDA (Downtown
Development Authority), you guys have been actively involved in this whole homelessness issue.
I'm just hoping that we're working on a real global plan, 'cause I feel like we're just putting a
Band-Aid on a situation. So is there a -- are we putting -- are we working on a global plan to
address this issue?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Yeah. And by the way, I would have thought that plan was done eight
months ago. However, Commissioner -- and that's not the City's fault.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah. I'm just asking if there's a global.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Andl don't want to go too deep into it because some of it -- a lot of egos
involved. And with a lot of egos involved, everybody has to be addressed. For instance, Ron
Book: Would you want to oppose Ron Book or do you want Ron Book on board? Well, then Ron
comes up with 12 things he wants done before he brings it to you. Do you not do those 12 things
and come to this Commission? In which case, Ron Book comes up and says, Well, I'm not on
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
board because you didn't do these 12 things. Or do you do the 12 things and demonstrate to him
it's not working? So -- and candidly, a tactical decision was made, which I necessarily didn't
agree with, because you know me, I'm not the most get -along person in the world, and they
decided to do these 12 things. Those 12 things are in the process of being accomplished before
we bring it to you. I would have thought, candidly, we would have been to your offices nine
months ago, but everybody suddenly emerges as a new person in charge of this district, this
homeless population, and they emerge frequently. And do you want my support? And when
you're dealing with homelessness, you try to get as many people supportive as you can. And
there's almost a binge towards so much inclusion that you almost want to scream out: there
anybody else out there that wants to pipe in. I think it will come to you, I think candidly,
sometime late October/November, and I'm picking a real date, not could tell you it'll be here the
end of September.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. I think those 12 things will be accomplished. The Chief of Police is
involved. The Administration is limitedly involved. And it comes down to Pottinger, and it
comes down to -- let me put it to you -- this is something that mindboggles [sic] me. A person
could be defecating. A person could be urinating. You andl could be out there; we would be
arrested immediately for doing those acts. Somebody who's homeless could not be arrested for
doing those acts, and they could have been doing it in front of kids, you name it, as long as it's a
life -sustaining issue. Had it been a County police officer or an FHP (Florida Highway Patrol)
police officer, they could have arrested that person 'cause they're not enjoined from enforcing the
law. Only the City ofMiami Police Department is enjoined from enforcing that law.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Wow.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Right.
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. And the oddity of it.
Chair Suarez: Yeah. Andl think what --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So it's not just a law enforcement issue in general? It's just us?
Vice Chair Sarnoff. It's just the City ofMiami, correct.
Chair Suarez: Yeah. And if -- may I chime in on it a little bit?
Vice Chair Sarnoff. I'm sorry.
Chair Suarez: No. I was going to say that I was in a meeting recently where that -- this whole
issue came up, and basically, what thought was the consensus of the meeting -- I couldn't stay
till the end of the meeting -- was that we have more resources under Pottinger than we are
actually making ourselves available of. In other words, the City ofMiami Police Department
has to look at how restrictive or how -- I guess a better way of saying it, it's less restrictive than
what we're applying it. You know, we're kind of taking a blanket prohibition that the County isn't
taking, by the way, in terms of not arresting people for those 13 critical, life function, sustaining
-- but when there's beds available -- apparently, the way -- the consensus was there that when
there's beds available, if someone is performing one of those 13 critical, life functioning
activities and there's a bed and they're offered that bed and they refuse it, then they can be
arrested.
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Vice Chair Sarnoff. But here's -- but herein lies the problem. Because, you know, what --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'm sorry for bringing up the homeless issues, but I just --
Vice Chair Sarnoff. No. I know.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'm just hoping that there's a global plan.
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Because if not --
Vice Chair Sarnoff. There is.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- we're going to keep doing this over and over and over again.
So I'm just --
Vice Chair Sarnoff. There is. And --
Commissioner Gort: We've been doing it for 20 years.
Chair Suarez: Yeah, and I'm sorry too for digressing.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- it's such a sensitive subject --
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- that we -- andl think you know the people involved, Commissioner.
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- are taking such a sensitive approach to this whole thing. It is taking
three -times the length of time than I ever anticipated it would. And just to comment on what
Commissioner -- I'm sorry -- the Chair said. You know, the oddity of this whole thing is first, you
would have to tell the person who is defecating or urinating there's a bed. What do you think the
chances of a police officer getting there before they pull down their pants and do the thing
they're about to do and say, By the way, there's a bed and now I can arrest you? The answer is it
will never happen. It just -- think of the realities of being on the street. It will never happen.
And all said to you, Commissioner, a moment ago was, yet, oddly enough, ifI was wearing a
brown uniform or ifI was wearing a uniform better known and associated with the Florida
Highway Patrol, I could have arrested that guy right away and not been in violation of
Pottinger. So there are a lot of quirks and oddities, you know, andl could even tell you odder
things than that. You know, you're -- it only happens in our borders. So one block out of our
border, why not just -- you know I dealt a great deal with the pedophile issue.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. If you bring pedophiles into the City ofMiami, that's the best place to put
them. You want to know why? You can't move them; Pottinger. They're projected by Pottinger.
Yet, those pedophiles out in the County, you can move them every day, all the time. So we've
become the primary dumping ground not only for the State, but -- not only for South Florida, but
for the County. Every municipality -- Miami Beach, Coral Gables -- all dump in the City of
Miami. You add to that in Commissioner Gort's area, letting out the jail; 2 o'clock in the
afternoon, just watch the broken windows, because they give them, I think, a coin -- a token for --
a bus token andl think $.25, and they're going to head from Commissioner Gort's district,
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possibly to Aventura, possibly to Homestead. They got to get home. So you're right, it's a very
big issue. It's taking longer than it should, but it -- you know, for the first time when this comes
to you, everybody has going to been contacted, everybody is going to have been spoken to,
everybody's going to say, Well, you know, Commissioner, we asked for 12 things and they only
did 10. And you might say, you know what; I give them credit for doing the 10. Or you might
say, What about the last 2? I know it's taken its time. Andl apologize for talking so long.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No, that's okay. I just wanted --
Vice Chair Sarnoff But it's getting to you. But it's going to get to you in the most fundamentally
inclusive way that even I voted against, but it's going to get to you that you're going to feel like
everybody had an opportunity.
Chair Suarez: We closed the public hearing on this one.
Mariano Cruz: Hmm?
Chair Suarez: I think we closed the pub -- didn't we close the public hearing on this?
Mariano Cruz: No, you didn't say anything about closing.
Chair Suarez: No, we did. We did. We closed it.
Mr. Cruz: You did?
Chair Suarez: It was a while ago, I'm sorry. So we started this -- a tangential discussion.
Mr. Cruz: Well, anyway, I talk in the next hearing then.
Chair Suarez: Yes, the next one. Okay. So it's been moved and seconded. All in favor, sign
by saying iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
PH.5 RESOLUTION
12-00893
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Community ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
Development AMENDMENT TWO TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2005 COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ("CDBG") DISASTER RELIEF INITIATIVE
ROUND II CONTRACT BETWEEN MIAMI- DADE COUNTY AND THE CITY OF
MIAMI, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, EXTENDING THE
CONTRACT FROM JUNE 30, 2012 TO DECEMBER 31, 2012, FOR THE
PURPOSE OF PROVIDING CDBG FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,305,848,
FOR DISASTER RECOVERY IN THE AREAS OF HOUSING AND
INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIR OR IMPROVEMENT UNDER THE MILITARY
CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS AND EMERGENCY HURRICANE
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, A/K/A DISASTER RECOVERY
PROGRAM, FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
URBAN DEVELOPMENT; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO EXECUTE ANY FUTURE AMENDMENTS AS MAY BE NEEDED.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
12-00893 Summary Form.pdf
12-00893 Notice to the Public.pdf
12-00893 Pre-Legislations.pdf
12-00893 Legislation.pdf
12-00893 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0300
Chair Suarez: PH.5.
Alfredo Duran (Deputy Director, Community Development): PH.5 is a resolution that authorizes
the City Manager to execute Amendment 2 to Round II Community Development Block Grant,
CDBG, Disaster Relief Initiative contract between Miami -Dade County and the City ofMiami;
authorizing the extension of the contract from December 30, 2011 to December 31, 2012.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. This is a public hearing item.
Mariano Cruz: Okay. Anyway --
Chair Suarez: The public hearing is now opened.
Mr. Cruz: -- it's related to that too.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Mr. Cruz: Mariano Cruz, 1227 Northwest 26th Street. I'm going to tell something good. The
City ofMiami have a good department. The people there in the NET (Neighborhood
Enhancement Team), in the homeless, they work. Because in this specific case, I go to the
Walgreen's on 17 and 20 and there is this lady there homeless. Her name is Malla (phonetic)
because -- and she got a little puppy. And told her, I can take you to Camillus House, to the
HAC (Homeless Assistance Center), to Better Way, Salvation -- she said no, they won't take me
because I have this puppy, and this is my only thing got in life. And you know what, I talk to
Sergio, and you know what Sergio did. They took her to Homestead. Okay, Homestead is the
only place a homeless have a kennel. So she's there with her puppy and everything. Because
people realize -- maybe to you, it's that person there, but that person got feelings too, you know.
Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Cruz. Anyone else wishing to speak on public hearing number 5?
Grady Muhammad: Yes.
Chair Suarez: Mr. Muhammad.
Mr. Muhammad: Grady Muhammad, representing Officer Stephon E. McGill, the Leaf Project.
This project, we applied in 2008. We was approved. We was number two on the list. It is a
five -unit, located at 450 Northeast 71 st Street. It was for girls aging out of the foster care
system. The rents was $650; lights, water, cable, and fully furnished in the Upper Eastside. To
this day we still can't get the funds, Commissioner. Why? I do not know. We was approved. We
can't get the funds. It's an affordable housing project. It's the Leaf project, Officer Stephon
McGill, a first responder. He was the number two on the list that came out in March of 2009.
Here we are in 2012; we still can't get the funds. The project is there still. It is still being rented
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
out, and we still trying to find out why we can't get the funds. We have Affordable Housing Trust
funds. These was the disaster funds from 2005. We have Affordable Housing Trust funds. We
have NSP (Neighborhood Stabilization Program). We have so many funds that we can use, but
we never can't seem to think outside the box. And again, this is a five -unit for girls aging out of
the foster care system. Six hundred and fifty dollars for a one -bedroom; lights, water, cable,
fully furnished. You can't find that in the Upper Eastside or, more or less, anywhere in the City
ofMiami. The Leaf project, that's what the project is called, Mr. Duran, and we was approved
for the $200, 000. To this date, we still have not gotten the 200, 000, Mr. Chair. And we'd like to
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Mr. Muhammad: -- have an answer.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, sir. Anyone else from the public wishing to speak on PH.5?
Mr. Muhammad: Mr. Chair, I would like to get an answer on why we was approved --
Mr. Duran: I'm going to answer.
Mr. Muhammad: -- and we haven't gotten the funding.
Chair Suarez: You'll get one.
Mr. Muhammad: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Chair Suarez: I just want to make sure there's no one else that wants to speak on this item.
Mr. Duran: Yeah.
Commissioner Gort: So you can get all the questions at the same time.
Chair Suarez: Anyone else that'd like to speak on this item before you get an answer to your
question? Seeing none, hearing none, the public hearing on this item is closed. Mr. Duran, can
you answer the question.
Mr. Duran: Yes. I recognize the Leaf project came in through the disaster relief applied through
the disaster relief and he made -- they may have a number of other federal programs that have
approved them. However, unlike other federal programs, this was specifically targeting
properties that were damaged by Hurricane Wilma or Katrina, and there was a certain matter of
information that had to be provided or evidence that they were not able to get certain things in
order to make them qualf, and those were the reasons why they were not selected. So this
property -- this particular property has been denied. So it's not that it has been approved and
you haven't been funded.
Mr. Muhammad: No. We was --
Mr. Duran: You were not able to provide the information.
Mr. Muhammad: No.
Mr. Duran: But we could take this back to our office, andl could show you the evidence why
not.
Mr. Muhammad: The reason why -- We got $44, 000 in insurance. Toby Tobias ran off with it.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
And I'm going to put it on the record: Community Development director said, Grady, say the
money wasn't stolen. Just say you need more money. No, the money was stolen, and he told me
straight up. Outside this -- and Mr. Roy Hardemon was my witness. Just say you need more
money. Don't say the money was stolen. Say you need more money. No, the money was stolen
from [sic] Toby Tobias. We couldn't give you that, but we got the insurance. We gave you the
information. This project, they want to use it -- it's an affordable housing. The project itself
qualifies, not the individual, because it's a project for girls age -- They already low income.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Mr. Chair.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Mr. Muhammad: So as being low income --
Chair Suarez: Hold on a second.
Mr. Muhammad: Go ahead, Mr. Chair.
Chair Suarez: Hold on a second, Mr. Muhammad.
Mr. Muhammad: Go ahead.
Chair Suarez: Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Sarnoff When -- here's what I propose. When somebody comes up to this dais and
says money was stolen, I just suggest that they report that to the proper authorities. Because you
know --
Mr. Muhammad: We did, sir.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Well, let me finish. Because all anyone that's going to hear on the TV
(Television) set is money was stolen by somebody, andl think you're suggesting CDBG.
Mr. Muhammad: No, sir. No sir. Toby Tobias was a contractor. Never said -- not --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Then -- let me --
Mr. Muhammad: Can correct --?
Chair Suarez: Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Mr. Muhammad: No, I just want to correct that.
Chair Suarez: That's -- wait.
Mr. Muhammad: No, sir --
Chair Suarez: Wait, wait, wait.
Mr. Muhammad: -- not CD (Community Development), sir. That's the only thingl wanted to
correct, Mr. Chair.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Wait, wait. Stop, stop, stop. I don't want to get into debate with anyone, but
I will tell you this. You make an accusation in public, which is either correct or defamatory. You
should have at least gone to the State Attorney's office or the Police Department and saidl have
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
evidence that this Toby whatever has stolen money. Do not come to this Commission and for the
first time report a theft. You're in -- let me finish -- the wrong jurisdiction. You are defaming a
person. And if it's true, then you are correct, so I'll take away the defamatory part of it. But to
simply come here and cast aspersions against somebody without having taken any affirmative
action on your own part --
Mr. Muhammad: We did, sir. We did.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Then say we have reported it to State Attorney Kathy Rundle; she is
investigating it. We have reported it to Chief Manuel Orosa; he is investigating it, and we await
the timely conclusion --
Chair Suarez: Conclusion.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- of their investigation. I'm going to give you some forewarnance [sic]. To
make an accusation against a person in a public forum like this and be wrong is slander, per se.
Mr. Muhammad: Yes, sir, I know. Slander is the spoken; libel is the written.
Vice Chair Sarnoff And there will be a written --
Chair Suarez: Pretty good.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- record of what you said.
Mr. Muhammad: Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Sarnoff You will qualify as both.
Mr. Muhammad: Yes, sir. Again, Mr. Vice Chair and City staff and in no way, shape, form, and
fashion -- I want to make it explicitly clear, no one associated with CD had anything to do with
this. Toby Tobias was a private individual. And if there was any hint that -- or -- no, please. I
want to make that explicitly clear for the record: CD, Community Development, Community
Development Department, and no one in Community Development Department had anything to
do with any thief or any stealing of these monies. These was by a private individual. And again,
the project itself was the entity that quaked, not the individual --
Chair Suarez: I understand.
Mr. Muhammad: -- because the individuals were low income.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Mr. Muhammad: They are girls aging out of the foster care system. They're the ones who were
qualified, or the building itself will qualift, on their behalf. And this was 2005. We applied for
hurricane disaster funds because the building was damaged in 2005 by Hurricane Wilma. Thank
you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Thank you, sir. Would you like to respond to any of that or --?
George Mensah (Director, Community Development): I'll (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Suarez: Okay. Is there a motion on this, Madam Clerk?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved. Discussion.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Spence -Jones. Is there a second?
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Gort. Commissioner Spence -Jones, you're recognized.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, I'm not going to get into all of the additional things. I just
really want to kind of focus my attention on the item. Just so that we have clarity on it, this was
the delay -- this actually was kind of delayed by way of the County, right? I think Madam City
Attorney was actually working with us on this issue, correct?
Mr. Duran: Right. This --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Miami -Dade County was the hold up on this issue for us.
Mr. Duran: Well, this takes the collaboration between the County and the City. The County has
to take it to their Board of County Commissioners, so yes, it's --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah. But I'm just saying that this is like -- this is an item that
we've been working on for a while to get it passed through the County. We finally got some of
the issues resolved with the County.
Mr. Duran: Yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And that's the reason that it's coming now.
Mr. Duran: And it also involves the State also, getting the State to approve it.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And the State. So I just want to be clear --
Mr. Duran: So this is the final step.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- how we got here on this item.
Mr. Duran: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Any further discussion? There's a motion and a second. All in favor,
signify by saying iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
PH.6 RESOLUTION
12-00894
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
Community EXTENSION OF THE AGREEMENT END TERM DATE BETWEEN THE CITY
Development OF MIAMI AND LITTLE HAITI HOUSING ASSOCIATION, INC., FROM
SEPTEMBER 30, 2012 TO DECEMBER 31, 2012, FOR PUBLIC FACILITIES
AND IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
12-00894 Summary Form.pdf
12-00894 Notice to the Public.pdf
12-00894 Pre-Legislations.pdf
12-00894 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0301
Chair Suarez: PH. 6.
George Mensah (Director, Community Development): Commissioner, PH.6 is a resolution
extending the term for Little Haiti Housing Association to complete a public facilities
improvement activities from September 30, 2012 to December 31, 2012.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. This is a public hearing item. Anyone wishing to speak on PH 6?
Seeing none and hearing none, the public hearing on PH. 6 is closed. Coming back to this
Commission, is there a motion?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Spence -Jones. Is there a second?
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Gort. All in favor, signifi, by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: PH.7.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. I just want to make sure we put on the record, George, this
is for the renovation of the parking lot, correct?
Mr. Mensah: Yes, that's correct, Commissioner.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: They just need a little bit more time to complete --
Mr. Mensah: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- the park -- Is it already in motion?
Mr. Mensah: It's in motion.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Mr. Mensah: We met with them yesterday to do the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) vacant part of it. They
have the permits already in place, and they'll be completed in the next four or five weeks.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, great. Thank you.
PH.7 RESOLUTION
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
12-00922
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
Community TRANSFER OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS, IN
Development THE AMOUNT OF $60,000 FROM THE DISTRICT 2 ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT RESERVE ACCOUNT; ALLOCATING SAID FUNDS TO
WYNWOODARTS DISTRICT ASSOCIATION, INC. FOR COMMUNITY
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES, SPECIFICALLY, THE CREATION
OF A BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FOR THE WYNWOOD DESIGN
DISTRICT; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
12-00922 Summary Form.pdf
12-00922 Notice to the Public.pdf
12-00922 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0302
Chair Suarez: PH.7.
George Mensah (Director, Community Development): PH.7 is a resolution to transfer
Community Development Block Grant funds in an amount of $60, 000 from District 2 economic
development reserve account to WynwoodArts District Association for community development
activities, specifically the creation of a --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Mr. Mensah: -- business improvement district.
Chair Suarez: Is there a motion? I'm assuming there's a motion by the District 2
Commissioner?
Vice Chair Sarnoff. There is.
Chair Suarez: Andl believe there's a second by the District 5 Commissioner. This is a public
hearing. Mr. Muhammad, you are recognized.
Grady Muhammad: Mr. Chairman, as you know, and the director makes it plain, we had to get
these funds out before February. We have to spend them expeditiously. We can't afford to lose
anything. And we have to think outside the box to get these funds spent. This is one way.
WynwoodArts (UNINTELLIGIBLE) is in, you know -- Condolences to the Goldman family for a
great developer who built South Beach, Wynwood, as well as New York. And he passed, and he's
a great man who I think we need some of those kind of developers. We have them, Commissioner
Spence -Jones, in Otis Pitts, the patriarch who's developing our neighborhoods, and we have to
definitely give them their -- like my mom always say, give me my rose while I live. Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Mensah: Mr. Chairman.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Chair Suarez: Is there anyone else that wishes to speak on PH.7? Seeing none, the public
hearing on PH.7 is closed, coming back to this Commission. I'd just like to say thatl think this is
a wonderful idea on the part of the district Commissioner. I'm not sure ifI can do this for Coral
Way, but this is something thatl want to think about for Coral Way if it qualifies as a CDBG
(Community Development Block Grant) eligible area, andl think that's the issue with income
and whether or not it does. But if it does -- I don't -- yeah, I don't -- it may not, particularly my
side of it. I don't know if the -- I think the Commissioner's side of it is an area that's a little bit
wealthier from the 12th Avenue -- 17th Avenue side east. But I don't think it -- I still don't think it
qualifies. But if it did, it'd be nice because this is a great idea so.
Mr. Mensah: Mr. Chair, can I amend --
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Mr. Mensah: -- make a quick amendment?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Yeah, can you check on it, please? I mean, it would be -- and you know,
obviously, we have to organize the business owners there and inform them of what it means to
create a business improvement district, but there's a lot of things that can done with it, and you
know, Coconut Grove is just one example so.
Mr. Mensah: Okay.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Mr. Chair.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Vice Chair Sarnoff This is something that Tony Goldman spoke about about three years ago,
and Tony said, "You know, I don't think we're ready for this. I don't think we're ready for this."
And last year Tony finally said, `I think we're ready for this." And business improvement
districts, regardless of your political affiliation, is -- gives some self-determination, self funding
to particular businesses, and they actually start governing themselves. And in that governance, I
think everyone would agree --
Chair Suarez: The benefits.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- people do a better job of spending their own money than necessarily
somebody else's money so --
Chair Suarez: And it's supplemental money too.
Vice Chair Sarnoff It is, it is.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Vice Chair Sarnoff It's over and above. It doesn't harm the City in any way. It doesn't take
money away from the City in any form or fashion. So I think BIDs (Business Improvement
Districts) -- In case you don't know this -- and having just come back -from New York -- there are
69 BIDs -- I think that's the right number -- in New York City, 69 BIDs. By the way, there's a
BID, then there's another BID, then there's another BID. And Pallet Park, CBS studios, they're
all in BIDs. Certainly -- matter of fact, Time Square. Time Square is a BID. And if you look at
the way sometimes it close down Time Square now, the BID does that. It's through additional
funding. You just can't say enough good things about BIDs, because while everybody believes --
you know, first Giuliani and certainly Bloomberg have transformed New York; they did it through
the BID process, because before Giuliani, there really wasn't BIDs in New York. So what they
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
did was they tax themselves a little bit more. They did some self -governance, and they created
these wonderful little patches of neighborhoods. Andl think uniquely situated is Wynwood, and)
know Commissioner Spence -Jones is going to be the real recipient of this. But I hope she
appreciates and understands this is a great opportunity for everyone in the City, and) can't think
of a better way of spending District 2's money to help what is substantially District 5's
community.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Let --
Mr. Mensah: Mr. Chair, can I amend something on the record?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Sure.
Chair Suarez: Yes, please.
Mr. Mensah: Instead of -- says the Wynwood Design District, we want it to be more
encompassing and say the Wynwood Business District so it's not specific.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, sir. Commissioner.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just want to say, first of all, I think that this is an awesome idea.
Definitely, this is something that we should be patterning behind in neighborhoods, especially
neighborhoods that, you know, finally get a leg up. And being able to control the resources in
the area to help build those areas I think is -- should be a great guideline in us doing that. And
Mr. Goldman and Mr. Furst and) see David Lombardi here. They have championed this area.
They believed in Wynwood when no one else even thought about Wynwood, when it was just
warehouses and abandoned properties. And it's obvious what you see on Northwest 2ndAvenue,
how much that has changed because of their leadership and their direction. This is only going to
take it to the next level. And I'm extremely excited about working along with Commissioner
Sarnoff. I want to commend him for taking the leadership on this issue and identifying the
resources to help move this to the next level. As you stated, I just actually got back from New
York City, and it's funny that you would mention that because I stayed in Harlem, and I kind of
visited some of the redevelopment projects that were going on, Aloft, which is the W Hotel, and a
few other things that are happening. And one of the things I noticed on 125th Street -- and you
see the major transformation happening in Harlem now -- is that there were several people
walking on the streets that had polo shirts and they had these little patches on, so I walked up to
see what the patches were and they all said "125th Street BID." I was like ah, I see, I see. So
you see, you know, how the BID was very helpful in what's happening in the transformation even
in the heart of Harlem. So, you know, unlike the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency),
those particular areas, we can't do a BID on those, but those resources are going to those areas
to help rebuild them and make them happen is wonderful. Something like this is something)
definitely want to see happening in the Little Haiti area over by the Little River business district.
I know that's something that they're looking at. But I just want to commend you on that and let
at least -- I see David in the office -- I mean, in the building now, and I know that he's been
working very hard, and) just want to say congratulations. This is just one of the many steps, and
I want to acknowledge him too. And Commissioner Sarnoff -- a lot of times Commissioner
Sarnoff does things that no one really knows that he does, but I didn't really learn it until my
conversation with David that he had been supporting for a very long time the cleanup program
with the ladies --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Women of Wynwood. Remember that, the Women of Wynwood.
Mr. Mensah: Women of Wynwood, yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- Women of Wynwood. Andl was -- and when David said, "Oh,
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no. Commissioner Sarnoff has been supporting this issue. " And a lot of those constituents were
actually constituents, if I'm not mistaken, from my district, and this --
Vice Chair Sarnofff. All four of them.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- at least gave them --
Vice Chair Sarnofff. All four of them.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- employment. So I don't know if that program is still going on.
David, you want to --?
Vice Chair Sarnofff. It is.
Commissioner Gort: You know, David used to be a member of Rafael Hernandez board of
directors --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Oh, I didn't know.
Commissioner Gort: -- way back, so he -- his history --
David Lombardi: Good morning.
Commissioner Gort: -- is way back in the district.
Mr. Lombardi: Yes. Good morning. Thanks for having me. David Lombardi, 167 Northwest
25th Street. The Women of Wynwood program is still going on.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Mr. Lombardi: Yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So it's three women, right?
Mr. Lombardi: Two women who had --
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Three?
Mr. Lombardi: -- formerly been homeless from the Lotus House shelter. Through our
employment, they were able to get their own apartments. One lady was able to get her children
back, and they're gainfully employed and taking care of the neighborhood for us.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just --
Vice Chair Sarnofff. And, Commissioner, I just --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- had to acknowledge that.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. -- want you to know that -- I want you to know --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So Commissioner --
Vice Chair Sarnofff. -- they give great hugs, these women.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- Sarnoff has a soft heart. You see that, right?
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Mr. Lombardi: Oh, yeah.
Chair Suarez: Definitely.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So I just wanted to acknowledge it.
Mr. Lombardi: Thanks.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And through the BID and these type of programs, we're able to not
only help the business businesses but help surrounding residents, which I think is really, really
important.
Mr. Lombardi: Sure.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So I just want to acknowledge you guys for doing that.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Mr. Lombardi: Thanks very much.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. I lost all my credibility for this meeting.
Chair Suarez: That's it, that's it. Yeah, you're Mr. Nice Guy now. There's a motion and a
second. All in favor, signifi, by say --
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Excuse me, Chair.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Yes, ma'am.
Ms. Thompson: Just want to make sure that modification was stated on the record.
Mr. Mensah: Yes, as modified.
Chair Suarez: As modified.
Ms. Thompson: Okay. And Commission accepts it?
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Yes, first and second.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you. All right, thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Okay, there's a motion as modified. All in favor, signifi, by saying
aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
PH.8 RESOLUTION
12-00853
Department of Public A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Facilities ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
GRANT OF EASEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, TO
FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY, A FOR -PROFIT FLORIDA
CORPORATION, FOR A PERPETUAL, NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENT OF AN
APPROXIMATELY TEN (10) FOOT WIDE STRIP OF CITY OF MIAMI OWNED
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 350 NORTHWEST 13 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA
(ALSO KNOWN AS GIBSON PARK), AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED
IN EXHIBIT "A", ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF ELECTRIC UTILITY
FACILITIES, WITH THE RIGHT TO RECONSTRUCT, IMPROVE, ADD TO,
CHANGE AND REMOVE ALL OR ANY OF THE FACILITIES WITHIN SAID
EASEMENT.
12-00853 Summary Form.pdf
12-00853 Notice to the Public.pdf
12-00853 Legislation.pdf
12-00853 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0303
Chair Suarez: PH.8.
Enrique Torre: Good morning. Henry Torrey, director of Public Facilities. PH.8 is a resolution
granting to Florida Power & Light a nonexclusive easement of approximately a 10-foot wide
strip of City -owned property at 350 Northwest 12th Street, also known as Gibson Park.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. This is a public hearing item. Anyone from the public wishing to
speak on PH.8? Seeing none and hearing none, the public hearing on PH.8 is closed. Coming
back to this Commission, is there a motion?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Spence -Jones, second by Commissioner Gort. I just
would like to take a moment to kind of digress a little bit on a tragedy that happened in Gibson
Park last Friday. As many of you may have read, there was a shooting that involved three
innocent victims. It was in a Pee Wee football game last Friday. And the sad part was I was
actually going to the games on Saturday, and when I went to Gibson Park on Saturday morning
to watch the games, there was no one at Gibson Park, and l found it strange. Andl said how can
there not be anyone here. The games are scheduled to be here. And this is a facility that we
spent over $10 million renovating. It was the first night -- actually, the opening night of the
park. Andl was later informed that the games were in Northwest Dade, in the Northwest Dade
Boys Club, so I went to the Northwest Dade Boys Club to attend the games, but it was a
bittersweet moment for me, because I realized that the reason why the games had been moved to
Northwest Dade was because there was a fear for the safety of the children at Gibson Park and,
to me, that's something that's completely unacceptable. Our parks have to be a place where
people feel safe, where guns are not allowed or tolerated. Andl think this government has to do
everything in its power to make sure that a tragedy like that never reoccurs. And so I'm going to
-- with the permission of the district Commissioner, I'm going to ask any of the elected officials
here from this government and from any other government who can attend Saturday's games as a
message to the community that we stand behind the community; and also a message to the
people who would disturb the peace in our parks, that that will not be allowed or tolerated in
this city. So I'll send a press release later, and hopefully, you know, the members of this body --
Commissioner Gort: We'll be there.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Chair Suarez: -- that are able to attend can be there. I certainly will be there. So I invite you all
to come to Gibson Park on Saturday. Thank you.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Mr. Chairman, I just --
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- want to also add -- first of all, I want to thank you, 'cause I
happened to be in New York City when this whole issue happened, andl got the phone call late
Friday night. But I thank you for stepping in as the Chairman to immediately go to the
community on Saturday, andl know a lot of people called me to say that you were there. Andl
appreciate you, you know, having the back of the community and actually showing up and doing
your part. But just in general, just your sincere commitment to address this issue. I want to say
this to my fellow Commissioners. You know, I really would like to enlist your support with the
greater -- a greater issue and that is, remember a few months ago when I first got back and the
City Attorney -- when we were getting briefed on this issue of guns in parks, and we were all told
that we had no choice but to kind of vote on it. And if we didn't vote on it, then we could
personally be -- is it liable? -- you know, on this issue. I would like to ask the City Commission
to join -- and ask the Chairman to take the leadership on this issue, to send a very strong
message to Tallahassee with us really addressing guns in city parks. I understand, you know, the
whole state park issue and why a gun could be allowed in a state park.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I mean, obviously, there's things that you're going to hunt and do
whatever else. I just don't see the need of having a -- allowing a gun to be in a city park, you
know. I just think no good comes out of that.
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Andl would like to ask for you guys to support with us preparing
some sort of legislation and to ask -- andl understand that the whole NRA (National Rifle
Association) issue is a very tight issue, but I think that there has to be some sort of voice of
reason. Andl know in my parks alone from last year either on the parks or on the way coming
off the parks, we've had several shootings, and it's become almost like I said in -- when I was
interviewed on this issue is that, unfortunately, gun violence in my district, the people have just
become so numb to it now. They just don't -- you know, it happens so much. You see the Teddy
Bears and you see the candles and you see, you know, the pictures almost on every corner and
that's just unacceptable. Andl think that if nothing else, children should feel safe in their parks,
and the parks should be safe zones. Just as we have no tolerance zones in schools, in public
schools -- they know not to take any guns in those schools. You very seldom see that happen in
the inner city. But we have to send the same kind of message in our parks: that will --
Chair Suarez: Absolutely.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- not be tolerated. So I would ask that you guys join us on -- join
us in -- Mr. Chairman, if you could also take the leadership --
Chair Suarez: Absolutely.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- and get with -- I think it's Erik Fresen?
Chair Suarez: Yes. I'll speak with him.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
PH.9
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Which I had a brief conversation with. But if there's --
Chair Suarez: Absolutely.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- any way we can get -- because I think this is -- it's not a
Democrat issue.
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: It's not a Republican issue.
Chair Suarez: I agree.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I think it really is a people issue, andl think that people can kind
of somewhat -- to come together on this issue. And then I know Commissioner Carollo -- I know
that --
Commissioner Carollo: Set -- the meeting is set for 2: 30 on Friday.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. -- was taking the leadership in Overtown with Police to
begin to look at -- we do spend this additional money for police in the area from the Overtown
CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), and we just want to make sure -- I know -- I want to
acknowledge, though -- where is Gomez? Is he here?
Chair Suarez: He was here a second ago, yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. I do want to acknowledge Gomez and of course you, Chief.
We had been working on something for the last eight weeks to address this whole gun violence
issue, and your team has been wonderful. Unfortunately, this just happen to happen between all
of our planning process, but I know that we do have a plan put in place to address it. And I don't
know where Juan is from Parks. Juan? Yeah. Juan has been doing an outstanding job with
putting together a plan to address, you know, city parks when these football games to take place.
In one -- on one afternoon -- or a Saturday afternoon, we can get 5 to 1,000 people, families out
there in the parks, which is great, but we just want to make sure that they're safe as they come out
there. So I want to commend Juan for stepping up to the plate and making sure that happens.
And of course, Gomez actually called me late on Friday night to make sure I got the information.
So, Chief I want to tell you and acknowledge, I appreciate you guys being on top of that and
making sure at least the residents and people felt safe. So with that being said, I just wanted to
say thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Commissioner Gort: I have to tell you, I've seen -- I go through Northwest 3rdAvenue every
afternoon, about 6: 30, 7 o'clock, and I've seen the police presence quite a bit in there. Also, you
got a lot of the family that going to the football practice, which they're very active within that
area.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Commissioner Gort: But I've seen the police presence a lot more now than before.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. There's a motion and a second. All in favor, signift by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RESOLUTION
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
12-00854
Department of Public A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Facilities ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
GRANT OF EASEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, TO
THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, FORA PERPETUAL,
NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENT OF APPROXIMATELY FOUR HUNDRED
SEVENTY SIX (476) SQUARE FEET OF CITY OF MIAMI OWNED PROPERTY
LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF NORTHWEST 20TH STREET AND
NORTHWEST 12TH AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE PARTICULARLY
DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A", ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE AND WIDENING OF THE CORNER
RADIUS, THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE CURB, GUTTER, SIDEWALK
AND CURB RAMPS, AND THE INSTALLATION OF DRAINAGE.
12-00854 Summary Form.pdf
12-00854 Notice to the Public.pdf
12-00854 Legislation.pdf
12-00854 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Carollo, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0304
Chair Suarez: PH.9.
Enrique Torre (Director, Public Facilities): PH.9 is a resolution granting to Florida Department
of Transportation a nonexclusive easement on City -owned property, located at the intersection of
Northwest 12th Avenue and Northwest 20th Street.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. This is a public hearing item. Anyone from the public wishing to
speak on PH.9?
Mariano Cruz: Mariano Cruz --
Chair Suarez: Mr. Cruz.
Mr. Cruz: -- 1227 Northwest 26 Street. As you can see, I live six blocks north from that
intersection. In the past week, I've been delayed in traveling there on 12 Avenue. Yesterday it
took me 20 minutes to navigate from 12th and 26 to 12th and 20. And they don't know the
specific there, but they don't say which one of the corner. They already working in the northwest
corner where the rapid transit station is, think that belong to the County. And then we got the
northeast corner is Jetro and the southeast and southwest corner belong to the City. Which one
of the corners it's going to be?
Mr. Pascual: It's the location where the GSA (General Services Administration) maintenance
plant is.
Mr. Cruz: Uh-huh, okay. Because that's (UNINTELLIGIBLE) because already the DOT
(Department of Transportation) has been working --
Mr. Pascual: Correct.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Mr. Cruz: -- on 12th and 20. Now put a big delay of traffic there, 'cause I want to know because
anything there affects me, okay. Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Cruz. Anyone else wishing to speak on PH.9? Seeing none,
hearing none, the public hearing on PH.9 is closed. Is there a motion?
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Gort, second by Commissioner Carollo. All in favor,
signify by saying iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
PH.10 RESOLUTION
12-00895
Department of Public A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING AND
Works PERMITTING THE RESTRICTION OF VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN
ACCESS TO THE ALLEY LOCATED IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY
NORTHEAST 1ST AVENUE, NORTHEAST 1ST COURT, NORTHEAST 14TH
STREET AND NORTHEAST 13TH TERRACE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, SUBJECT
TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS AS MORE PARTICULARLY SET FORTH HEREIN.
12-00895 Summary Form.pdf
12-00895 Notice to the Public.pdf
12-00895 Map Restriction of Vehicular.pdf
12-00895 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this
matter be DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Note for the Record: Item PH.10 was deferred to the September 27, 2012 Commission Meeting.
Chair Suarez: PH.10.
Nzeribe Ihekwaba: Good morning. Zerry Ihekwaba, Public Works director. PH.10 is a
resolution to authorize the restriction of the vehicle access and pedestrian access to the public
alley that is located in Northeast 1 Avenue, between Northeast 14th Street and Northeast 13th
Terrace. This is a request from the property owners bounding the said alley in order for them to
properly service the interim parking lot, subject to Chapter 62 of the Interim Parking Lot
program. Public Works has evaluated the request and recommended approval of public hearing.
Subject to Chapter 54-16(h), this item requires concurrence from the Department of Police, Solid
Waste, as well as from Fire, andl have written documentation from those three departments
acceding to the request, subject to condition of unrestricted police access into the parking lots.
Now, the -- usually, for temporary restriction of public alleys, it requires the applicant to post a
covenant that will run with the land, holding and -- indemnfing and holding the City harmless,
as well as carrying risk management coverages of $1 million for general liability and
commercial liability and 2 million for bodily injury; in other words, holding the City harmless in
all circumstances.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Chair Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Ihekwaba.
Mr. Ihekwaba: Any questions?
Vice Chair Sarnofff. So moved.
Chair Suarez: Moved by the Vice Chair. Is there a second?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Spence -Jones.
Commissioner Carollo: Discussion.
Chair Suarez: Yes. Did we close the public hearing on this one? We haven't opened it yet?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): You -- right.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Did you open it?
Chair Suarez: Okay. We got to open it before we close it, right? The public hearing on PH.10 is
now open. Seeing no one and hearing no one, the public hearing is closed. Commissioner
Carollo, you're recognized on this item.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The issue I have with this item is that -- and
maybe I'm wrong, so you know, I'm posting it out there so I could get clarity. But it's my
understanding that a public party -- or a private party, I'm sorry, a public individual is going to
use City resources, the land, to charge for a parking, and the City will not be receiving any type
of compensation; is that correct?
Mr. Ihekwaba: That's not my understanding. If you read the legislation, it's -- in Section 2 of the
legislation, it says that the property owner shall enter into a covenant that requires that no
private use may be made of the alley -- no private use may be made of the alley -- unless fully
and properly vacated, which is a different legislative process. In this instance they are
requesting for permission to close off the alley for security purposes only so that --
Commissioner Carollo: So --
Mr. Ihekwaba: -- they will be able to service the interim parking lot. Right now the alley
bifurcates an interim parking lot location, which, by law, they are not required to obstruct, so it
exposes them to possible theft issues and security concerns. The alley is currently undeveloped
and is not being used for vehicle access. It's sodded and grassed so, obviously, no vehicle goes
to that location. We are requiring that -- a covenant that will be entered requires a property
owner to vacate the alley completely and remove the perimeter fence at the expiration of the
Interim Parking Lot program, so it's subject to revocation by the City.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm sorry; could you repeat that last part, Mr. Director?
Mr. Ihekwaba: What I'm saying is that the covenant is revocable. You know, at any time the City
decides to revoke the covenant, they can do so. In terms of compensation, I don't see any avenue
for the City to recoup revenues, simply because this is an alley that is dedicated for public use by
the original subdivision plats. And the plat has a reversionary clause that says, subject to any
time the alley is closed by law, the adjoining property owners have rights to those alleys.
Commissioner Gort: Right.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Mr. Ihekwaba: However, in this case, this is not a permanent request to close it. This is a
temporary closure request. I will take that back. Not a closure; a restriction of access. Simply
means, the City Commission or the City Manager has the right at any time of the life of this
restriction to require that the restriction be discontinued.
Commissioner Carollo: So at any time, the City Manager or the City Commission can revoke --?
Mr. Ihekwaba: Yes. It says that in the legislation.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. What's the purpose of this closure?
Mr. Ihekwaba: The closure is simply to enable the property owner carry out the requirements of
Chapter 62-543 for an Interim Parking Lot program.
Commissioner Carollo: An Interim --
Mr. Ihekwaba: Parking Lot --
Commissioner Carollo: -- Parking Lot program.
Mr. Ihekwaba: -- program, yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: Andl guess that's where I said, Is he going to be selling parking and the
City will not be receiving any compensation?
Mr. Ihekwaba: Obviously, the property owner has rights to utilize that property for legitimate
purposes. However, the legislation, as well as the covenant that go with it, requires that the area
of the alley cannot be used for any parking stalls or any form of private purposes. It can simply
be used for access, like vehicles driving through them to go to a parking stall.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. But it's for -- I'm missing something here. The reason for the
closure is for a parking lot?
Mr. Ihekwaba: For the owner to be able to construct a perimeter fence.
Commissioner Carollo: A perimeter fence --
Mr. Ihekwaba: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: -- on City --
Mr. Ihekwaba: On that --
Commissioner Carollo: -- on this land.
Mr. Ihekwaba: Across the alley. The alley bifurcates the property of the owner.
Commissioner Carollo: Right.
Mr. Ihekwaba: So they want to construct a perimeter fence that will traverse through the alley.
Currently --
Commissioner Carollo: So that --
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Mr. Ihekwaba: -- they don't have permission to do that.
Commissioner Carollo: -- no one will pass through the alley?
Mr. Ihekwaba: Yes, no one will pass through the alley.
Commissioner Carollo: We had something similar in the past --
Mr. Ihekwaba: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: -- where, supposedly, if that's closed, that land was originally from the
property owners.
Commissioner Gort: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: No? Is that similar?
Mr. Ihekwaba: Okay, no. That's a different process.
Chair Suarez: Vacation.
Mr. Ihekwaba: That's a platting process.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Mr. Ihekwaba: That's a permanent closure where the reversionary clause sets in. In this case,
this is simply a temporary request to close it for traffic.
Johnny Martinez (City Manager): I think the Commissioner is thinking when we vacate property
and half goes --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Mr. Ihekwaba: Yes.
Mr. Martinez: -- to one owner --
Chair Suarez: Right. It's different, right.
Mr. Martinez: -- and half goes to the other.
Mr. Ihekwaba: Yes.
Mr. Martinez: Maybe, if we can show the -- table it for later and show the Commissioner a
sketch of the alley, the properties and how the fence will be -- go.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: It's in the back-up, right?
Mr. Martinez: It's in the back-up.
Mr. Ihekwaba: Yeah, I think it's in the back-up also.
Commissioner Carollo: Can I -- can we table this?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah, not a problem. I do have a question. I'm glad that -- 'cause
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my briefing was just a little bit different, andl didn't get a chance to see you, Zerry, so I'm sorry
about that. But I thought that in the -- from what I was told on it, that it was going to be used for
parking. So it's not being used for parking. They're only closing the alley --
Mr. Ihekwaba: The alley with a fence.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- just for safety --
Mr. Ihekwaba: For security.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- issues.
Mr. Ihekwaba: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And what is the business in there, because I could not figure out
what business this was? Is this a business now?
Mr. Ihekwaba: Yes, this is a business.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: What is the business?
Mr. Ihekwaba: For interim parking lots.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: What is it?
Mr. Ihekwaba: Interim parking lot.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: That's the name of the business?
Mr. Ihekwaba: Oh, the name of the business is Gypsy K.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Gypsy what?
Mr. Ihekwaba: Gypsy K.
Chair Suarez: I thought you said cheapskate.
Mr. Ihekwaba: K for letter "K."
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Gypsy Kade [sic]?
Mr. Ihekwaba: Yeah, that's (UNINTET,TIGIBT,F).
Commissioner Spence -Jones: What is that? I'm just curious. What is it?
Commissioner Gort: That's the name of the corporation.
Mr. Ihekwaba: That's the name of the business name.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I mean, but what -- I guess since we're tabling it, can y'all tell me
what -- that's the name of the company.
Mr. Ihekwaba: The company name is called --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: But can you tell me what the business -- what are they operating
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there now?
Mr. Ihekwaba: Right now it is not being operated for any specific purpose. They are in the
process of securing permits --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Oh, okay.
Mr. Ihekwaba: -- for an interim parking lot.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I don't know why I thought it was -- I was thinking that it was a
restaurant.
Mr. Ihekwaba: No.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So it's not a restaurant?
Mr. Ihekwaba: No, no.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. It would be part of a interim parking ordinance. The interim parking
ordinance takes what I call moon crater -looking places, requires people to create, first, fencing,
lighting, and then drainage --
Mr. Ihekwaba: Drainage.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. -- and landscaping. The best example of that, Commissioner, would be --
well, the best example is Miami Dade College, right across the street from the Miami Arena,
maybe a little bit south, one block south. They took the Interim Parking Lot ordinance and did
exactly what we anticipated, created -- not that you can create a beautiful parking lot, but as
close as you can create a beautiful parking lot, it's a beautiful parking lot. Go one block north --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. -- and you have somebody who claims they're grandfathered in, so it looks
like moon rock. There's no fence up there. There's no lighting. Very lucrative lot. When the
Heat are in the playoffs or even when --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. -- they're not in the playoffs, it's just a lucrative lot. So we created
something three or four years ago called the Interim Parking ordinance that said, if you want to
act and look like a parking lot, we'll let you phase yourself in.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Oh, okay.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. You can phase in by first putting up the fencing and then we'll let you put up
-- I think fencing and lighting come first. The very expensive thing is the drainage. I think that
comes in the second or third year, and within five years they have come into what we call a
regular parking lot. What we --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. -- require of a new parking lot. So these folks here are asking to close off an
unused City -- we have them all --
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Commissioner Spence -Jones: Alley.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Yeah, alleyway that we don't use that looks like a crater, that looks like the
moon, and be allowed to fence it in -- They're agreeing not to use it as a stall for parking -- and
to create security. The interim parking lot -- Interim Parking ordinance has worked reasonably
well. We're probably -- I don't know how much longer its value last because I'd say 70, 65
percent of the lots have come into compliance, but there's still 25 to 30 percent that, for one
reason or another, claim they're grandfathered, claim they don't have to comply with it; and you
know, candidly, I've actually debated in my own mind whether we should continue with the
Interim Parking Lot ordinance, because it's probably taken 20 percent of my time as
Commissioner, you know, sitting down with all the parking people downtown Miami, but we've
gotten about 60 to 70 percent better -looking parking lots than we had before. I don't seem to be
able to cross that threshold anymore. This is the last guy that wants to do this. I think this is
close to -- am I right? -- the PAC (Performing Arts Center), right?
Mr. Ihekwaba: Yes.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Performing Art [sic] Center. This is a pretty crater -looking, moon -looking
type --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Alley.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Vice Chair Sarnoff And we don't take care of it, trust me.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So in other words, this is the first step to them moving toward
putting parking, but this is not for parking now?
Mr. Ihekwaba: No.
Vice Chair Sarnoff This is something that they're -- City of Miami Administration is requiring --
well, let me put it -- yes, in a strange kind of way, it's -- the City ofMiami Administration is
requiring for him to have the requisite fencing around it. He -- you couldn't fence like half and
then half. It wouldn't make any sense.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Vice Chair Sarnoff So he's asking permission, on a temporary basis, Can I fence in your --
Chair Suarez: Alley.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Alley.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- alleyway? And --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- this is what it's here for. Then he turns around; he applies for the Interim
Parking ordinance.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I got you.
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Vice Chair Sarnoff It's the precursor.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So that -- this is -- that would be the second step to this.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Correct.
Mr. Ihekwaba: Exactly.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Vice Chair Sarnoff And it doesn't come before us. It's just an administrative procedure that
Planning and Zoning handles.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Chair Suarez: So what does everyone want to do? Are we okay with going forward, or do you
want to still table it for the afternoon?
Commissioner Carollo: I'd rather table it. And then we have to speak about procedures and
time frames and so forth because our -- I know our time is very scarce in today's meeting. So,
ultimately, it's going to be a parking lot?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Oh, yeah.
Mr. Ihekwaba: Yes.
Vice Chair Sarnoff It'll be a parking lot under the interim parking lot -- But they --
Commissioner Carollo: And the --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Go ahead.
Commissioner Carollo: -- parking lot will be to service their customers or --?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Yeah.
Mr. Ihekwaba: Yes.
Vice Chair Sarnoff It's by the PAC, so it will be a -- probably a --
Chair Suarez: Profit -making parking lot, right.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Sure. It's not a not -for -profit.
Chair Suarez: But not in the alley that is being closed.
Mr. Ihekwaba: Not in the alley that's being restricted.
Chair Suarez: And if they park cars there, then they -- that's an event --
Mr. Ihekwaba: That's a violation.
Chair Suarez: -- of revocation. .
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Mr.Ihekwaba: Yes.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Gort: Listen, since -- Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Gort: Since we addressing this, I have a lot of problems in my neighborhood
where you have received the e-mail (electronic) from us.
Mr.Ihekwaba: Yes.
Commissioner Gort: A lot of those alley was -- were created when the -- we used to serve
sanitation --
Mr.Ihekwaba: Sanitation.
Commissioner Gort: -- trash collection was behind the homes. That was changed. A lot of the
alleys were property that people gave to the City in order to do that.
Chair Suarez: A lot of them are very problematic.
Commissioner Gort: Now, I have people calling me that have an alley behind them. A lot of
them, they've been able to close it, because all of the property owners agreed to close it because
of safety reason and if -- try to avoid some of the crime that takes place through those alley.
Now, some of the people don't want to do it, but they call and they complain that they need to be
cleaned up, they need to cut the grass. My understanding is, we don't own that; they do.
Mr.Ihekwaba: Yeah.
Commissioner Gort: So how do we fix that?
Mr. Ihekwaba: There are two specific instances. If it's a private alley, the adjoining property
owners are responsible for the maintenance. If it's a public alley, depending on what the
original subdivision plat states, obviously, the City Public Works Department maintains some of
these alleys. However, Chapter 22 of the City code clearly gives a caveat that adjoining
property owners in all cases are responsible for the maintenance of the alleys.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Commissioner Gort: It's a major problem that I have in my neighborhood.
Chair Suarez: Yeah. Commissioner, you're recognized.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, real quick. I'm not ready to move forward with this. We could
either table it, but -- you know, I know our time is very scarce today. So you know --
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Commissioner Carollo: -- like I say, at least, I'm not ready to move forward on this.
Chair Suarez: Is everyone else okay with tabling it, or do we want to move forward right now?
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Commissioner Spence -Jones: I mean, if they -- if the Commiss -- district -- I'm going to respect
the fact that --
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- you know, you want to defer the item. I mean, are you -- if you
want to defer --
Chair Suarez: Or just -- he wants to table it for the afternoon.
Commissioner Carollo: Or a deferral may be even better.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. If that's what you're asking for, I'll support it.
Mr. Ihekwaba: May I ask, what specific information do you need, Mr. Commissioner?
Commissioner Carollo: Well, I'm not clear, 'cause this appears to be the same issue where we
recently had an alleyway that was requested, and it was told to us at that time -- andl don't want
to misspeak andl want to look exactly what was stated. But to paraphrase, that these properties
actually -- where -- when it was first platted and there needed to be an easement, that these
properties were actually these homeowners or businesses, andl think they were homeowners.
However, I asked, Is this the same case? And the answer is no. So I need clarity why is it
different. And also, I'm not crazy about, you know, if this is City -owned property, that we are
actually, you know, just -- I don't want to say giving it away, but you know -- yeah, in a way,
giving it away for, you know, for -profit businesses. So I want -- I need clarity on that.
Mr. Ihekwaba: May I clarify, please? In this case and in many cases, the City does not own
these alleys fee simple, so really, you cannot dispose these alleys; you can only close and vacate
them, and they revert back to the adjoining property owners. So, really, you don't have much
options here.
Commissioner Carollo: I like to review everything --
Mr. Ihekwaba: Okay.
Commissioner Carollo: -- and not just, from the dais, make a decision. So like I said, right now
you don't have my support on this. I really -- you know, I can go either way with regarding to --
if you want to defer it, if you want to take a vote now. I mean, I'm -- if we take the vote now, you
don't have my vote. So it's to the, you know, will of this Commission, if they want to defer it or if
they want to take the vote now.
Chair Suarez: Okay. I think your position is very clear. So what is the will of this Commission?
Do we want to table it? I have no problem tabling it for the afternoon.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'll table it and respect that he wants a --
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- little more time to digest it. That's cool.
Chair Suarez: I have no problem tabling it.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I don't think --
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Chair Suarez: We'll do it.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- that's what he's really asking for.
Mr. Ihekwaba: Yeah, exactly.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I think he's really asking for a deferral, and I don't have a problem deferring
this to the next Commission meeting.
Commissioner Carollo: You know, then -- you know, I make a motion to defer PH.10.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Chair Suarez: Okay, there's a motion to defer.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Excuse me.
Chair Suarez: There's a second. Yes.
Ms. Thompson: Are you going to withdraw your motion and section [sic] that you have on the
table already?
Vice Chair Sarnoff I'll withdraw my motion.
Chair Suarez: Who was the seconder?
Ms. Thompson: Commissioner Spence -Jones.
Chair Suarez: Commissioner, do you withdraw your second?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes. You want --
Chair Suarez: Yeah. You need to --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- Marc is seconding it?
Chair Suarez: Yeah. He withdrew his motion to approve the item. You're withdrawing your
second. And then he's going to make a motion to defer. You seconded the motion to defer.
Okay, is that pretty clear, Madam Clerk?
Ms. Thompson: Yes. Do we have a date?
Chair Suarez: Okay. All in favor, signift by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Commissioner Carollo: September 27.
Ms. Thompson: September 27. Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
END OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
ORDINANCE - SECOND READING
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SR.1
12-00537
Department of Capital
Improvements
Program
ORDINANCE
Second Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING CHAPTER
54/ ARTICLE I/SECTION 54-9 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "STREETS AND SIDEWALKS/IN
GENERAL/PLACING SIGNS ON ANY PORTION OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY,
STREET OR SIDEWALK SURFACE", MORE PARTICULARLY BY ADDING
SECTION (F) TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS OF BICYCLE SHARING AND
RENTAL PROGRAM AND RELATED TERMS; TO PERMIT THE PLACEMENT
OF SIGNS OR ADVERTISING ON CITY OF MIAMI BICYCLE SHARING
PROGRAM FACILITIES LOCATED WITHIN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
12-00537 Summary Form SR.pdf
12-00537 Legislation (Version 3).pdf
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter be
DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
Note for the Record: Item SR.1 was deferred to the October 25, 2012 Commission Meeting.
Direction by Vice Chair Sarnoff to the Administration to come up with a bicycle program that
allows for bicycles to be interchangeable on a regional level; further directing the City Attorney
to develop an ordinance that removes the advertising component from the free stand-alone
advertising panels.
Chair Suarez: SR.1.
Albert Sosa: Albert Sosa, director of Capital Improvements. SR.1 is a second reading of an
ordinance to allow for advertising within the right-of-way associated with a City -sponsored
Bicycle Sharing program. Before we begin on the item, I want to point out a scrivener's error on
page 3 of 4 of the actual ordinance, the definition of Downtown Business Area. The word Gast"
was omitted from in front of 2ndAvenue. The way 2ndAvenue is written there, it's not specified.
It's meant to be East 2ndAvenue in the downtown area. During the first reading, the feedback
that we got was to limit the extent of the ordinance to only apply to the Bicycle Sharing program,
and that was done by eliminating the words 5nd other transportation -related services.'So that
was accomplished. And we also reduced the quantity of ad panels, as was discussed during the
first reading, to a maximum of 15 -- 50, 5-0, percent of the total locations within the City.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. This is a public hearing item, being that it's an ordinance. Does
anyone from the public wish to speak on SR.1? Seeing none, hearing none, the public hearing
on SR.1 is closed. Coming back to this Commission, is there a motion?
Vice Chair Sarnoff For discussion, Mr. Chair.
Chair Suarez: There's a motion for discussion as amended or as --?
Vice Chair Sarnoff As modified.
Chair Suarez: As modified by Mr. Sosa, okay. Is there a second?
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Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: There's a second. Go ahead, sir.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Thank you, Mr. Chair. First, I want to commend Albert Sosa for working
with us. I could just, in general, commend Albert Sosa, but he was extremely helpful in this area.
Andl want to say to the Commissioners, I want to get to the place where we can have these bike
share [sic] or bike arrangements. I think they're a great idea. But what happened is we have
fallen into a prism of working within their budgetary criteria as to how to accomplish this, and
they're doing something different than other cities have done. Other cities have had
sponsorships versus advertising. So what's the difference? Well, Nike suddenly becomes the
sponsorer [sic] of the bike program, or I know that Lloyds Bank has sponsored the English
program, and so major institutions have taken over sponsorship. And does that matter? Well,
there are three opportunities to either get your brand out there or three opportunities to
advertise. The first opportunity is on the kiosk itself, which to me is not that troubling 'cause
you're going to have a kiosk; you're going to have side panels. And on those side panels it's
either going to be -- let's -- I'm just going to use it euphemistically -- for the sponsorship, you
have a Nike Swoosh,"very recognized trade name, very recognized symbol, probably the most
recognized -- that or Apple, and that'd be great. Then you're going to have the opportunity of
signage on the bike. Again, on the bike, baskets -- not a problem -- that is either going to be an
advertisement or it's going to be a sponsorship. But now we're about to do something that even
Miami Beach doesn't do. Miami Beach doesn't have ad panels --
Chair Suarez: Free-standing.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. -- free-standing on the beach. And these ad panels -- you know, let's not kid
ourselves. It's going to be the downtown, the Brickell area, and District 2 that -- that's where
they want to be. And to their credit, they have restricted them to some degree. But the ad panels
themselves are nothing more than ad panels. Andl feel like I've been a big -- I don't want to use
the word promoter -- understander [sic] of advertising in the City of Miami, and the mural
ordinance is a good understanding of advertising in the City ofMiami. If you fall into the prism
of the way they want to do business, they want to advertise and create a revenue stream
appropriate to what they think is turning a profit. They will be the same bikes as those bikes that
are found on Miami Beach, and yet, Miami Beach will not allow them to put advertising panels
on their properties. So you're falling into their branch of the tree. So now you are subsidizing
the Miami Beach program at the City ofMiami side, because these are going to be the very same
bikes. No doubt, you need to have the same bikes because you want an interchangeable
program. You want to be able to bike from the beach, drop it off in Brickell or drop it off in
Overtown or wherever you're going to put these things so that it makes sense. I mean, you want
to have some -- this kind of interchange. But I don't think it's done at the expense of the citizens
ofMiami. And again, you know, if you look at the downtown streets and you look at how much
advertising they take in, it's like, Oh, come on, Commissioner, either -- what's wrong with a
couple more panels? Or what's wrong with just throwing on a couple more advertising? And if
we get into that slippery slope, you're going to see fewer and fewer mural opportunities, which is
really where you get -- and I'm going to say 4 million -- I can demonstrate to you -- everybody
says it's 3.5 million. I could show you it's 4 million annual recurring dollars. And if we go to the
extension program, it will be $5.5 million, recurring dollars, but if you continue to erode that
opportunity -- because scarcity, as you know, breeds value. If diamonds -- if we just kick the
ground and diamonds came up, they could still be as hard and brilliant, as beautiful as they are
right now; they'd be valueless. I want to find a way to get this done. I really do. But I fall into
their prism because they'd want to do advertising. They don't want to do a sponsorship program.
Andl have looked into many, many jurisdictions. Some of them have required cities to put
money in, and I'm not looking to do that because, obviously, we don't have the money to put this
in. But on the other hand, I want to protect the downtown in District 2 from having the
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advertising panels. And I've looked at their budget. You could -- it could be a dollar more an
hour for renting of this bike, andl could make the same revenue, but they choose not to do that.
It is their choice. So we fall into their prism on how they want to do the program as opposed to
us saying -- let's just say the Commissioners up here said, Well, we'll do exactly what Miami
Beach does. Well, we're not coming to you. We can't do it. Well, that's essentially where we are.
And if we can work it out from the dais, great. If we want to send this back and drill down a little
more -- you know, during budget it's pretty hard for something like this to come up. I spent some
time on it. They sent me their preferred spots. And then I took the opportunity to go to Miami
Beach because -- You know, this certainly looks like on Miami Beach, there are panels out there,
but there aren't. There aren't panels on Miami Beach because Miami Beach won't let them put
panels out there. So I felt a little bit duped because -- I think even Commissioner Carollo would
say, That looks like an advertising panel to me, and it looks like it's on the beach. So I don't
know. I want the biking community to know: I want to find a way for this to happen. I think this
is a great idea. I just don't know that it needs to come at the expense of advertising panels
throughout District 2. That's all.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Yes, Commissioner Gort.
Commissioner Gort: Let me ask a question. My understanding is, most people within my
neighborhood, they own their own bike, so I don't see -- I think this is only maybe for tourists, for
people that's visiting the -- our tourist attractions where this bike will be utilized, so it's up --
Chair Suarez: Commissioner.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Let me just say -- 'cause I happen to have a little knowledge about
the whole bicycle thing as well. But I just want to be clear from the Administration. I know that
we're not -- clearly, this ordinance is not about what company's getting it, and we haven't really
voted on which company's getting it, period, as of yet. And know you went to visit one, but the
assumption is not to be made that they're going to actually win it. It could be another company
that actually wins it as well. So I guess the intention -- the question about this for me would be
we're just putting -- you want a -- is the idea to have this option open and available for anyone
that does apply through the RFP (Request for Proposals) process; that the ordinance will now --
would allow for them to have some sort of street panels? Is that --? Okay, because I kind of got
lost for a little minute and that's only because I came in late. So your concern, Commissioner
Sarnoff, is that you just don't want to really see anymore panel -type advertisements, especially in
the downtown area at this point because there's so much already -- between the billboards and
between the murals, there's a lot of advertising going on.
Vice Chair Sarnoff And just so you know I can take a criticism of somebody else, meaning, I
actually looked at the advertising panels not only in my district but in you all's districts.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Vice Chair Sarnoff They're not in good shape, you know. They're not what they said they would
be. And I've talked to them, and they tell me, you know, that Miami is the most vandalized city in
the United States, which I was candidly surprised to hear. I would -- I don't know who I thought
would be it, butl didn't think it would be us. As a matter of fact, we're just up from Bogota and
just up from some of the South American cities, you know. And to me, that's an interesting
comment because I've always wondered from a graffiti standpoint, et cetera, where are we?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Vice Chair Sarnoff And to me -- my wife will tell me not to say this, so I won't say it. It's just a
problem. And so -- but okay, they've made an agreement with us that they're going to maintain
these advertising panels, as well as the bus benches and the bus shelters. Andl think they need
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to do a better job. And before we go out there and put some more panels out there -- What I'm
saying, Commissioner, is I know that -- I think we should head towards a sponsorship versus an
advertising opportunity. A sponsorship is just a better way and better look to do it, whether it's a
Nike Swoosh,"whether it's an Apple --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You're talking about on the baskets or --?
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Well, yeah. It becomes more of a branding thing.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Andl think you know this better than me, because I'm not in advertising.
But it becomes -- see, that panel right there is not about the bike that's being sponsored; it's
about an advertising revenue.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No. I got you. So this is my -- so is it -- is your feeling that maybe
we should also be deferring this item so we can also, you know, work it out a little bit more as
well? Because we got budgets and we got all this other stuff that we -- Is this a time -sensitive
issue right now, Albert?
Mr. Sosa: It's not time sensitive. To answer your initial question, what the ordinance does is it
sets parameters and maximums. It doesn't set requirements. So it does not set requirements as to
how many advertising panels will be required, but rather how many would be allowed under a
certain program. But no, this is not time sensitive.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. So --
Vice Chair Sarnoff. It's as ifAlbert was saying, I'm going to put a bunch of 220 volt plugs
throughout the City, and then ask people, Do you want a 110 or a 220? Well, people are going
to come in saying, oh, I want the 220. You're creating a capacity, and you're framing the issue
such that any business is going to say, I want this 'cause the City's program, that's a good
program. I can make some money on that program.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Well -- so are you -- do you want to move to defer it so we can
work through it?
Vice Chair Sarnoff. I would. I fear andl risk losing Albert, who I think has done a great job on
this. Albert, you've done a great job on this. But I feel a little bit -- I don't want to say duped --
surprised because this picture, in and of itself would demonstrate that this would be on Miami
Beach. I know exactly where this is. It's on South Beach right by the Marriott Hotel. And you
would think there's a panel up there.
Mr. Sosa: It's an artist rendering, is what we provided.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Yeah, but it's -- but it -- you know what; it leaves the visual impression --
Commissioner Carollo: I've seen it. I've seen it. I asked for the drawing.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. It leaves a visual impression that this is the way the Beach does it, and that's
not the way the Beach does it, and I'm not saying we have to be Miami Beach. I'm not trying to
imitate or mimic Miami Beach -- I don't want to say by any stretch of the imagination 'cause they
do do some things.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And there's a few companies that do this besides DecoBike. I
know there's -- Fort Lauderdale has a great one. If I'm not mistaken, I think Clear has one. So
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this process is going to be open, correct?
Mr. Sosa: Well, that --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Yeah. I just want to make sure -- here's what I think we need to have. You
need to be able to drop a Beach bike in a City rack as well because you need that interchange. I
think that that's a true statement.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Oh, I see.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I think you need that interchange, Commissioner, because you know, a
person leaves the beach, they come downtown, and they probably want to maybe -- maybe they
want to take a cab back, so you want to be able to leave that bike here in the City.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: But the only thing about that, which I'm just -- it almost -- then
really --
Vice Chair Sarnoff No, you're right.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- DecoBike is monopolizing the situation. I don't know if that's --
that would be necessarily a fair process.
Mr. Sosa: IfI may interject. We've had a parallel process going on since early 2011 to select a
vendor for the program. That process has taken place.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Mr. Sosa: It was an RFP process. Because of subtleties involved with that, it's still within the
Cone of Silence so I don't want to --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Oh, I see.
Mr. Sosa: -- discuss it openly. But there has been a process and it is taking place. This
ordinance, as presented, would be -- not required but -- without this ordinance, we wouldn't be
able to move forward with the program. So can the ordinance wait? Yes, it can. But that'll
continue to push the program back.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Can I just ask a question, though? Because he -- Commissioner
Sarnoff just mentioned it. You know, the -- was a part of the RFP process that they needed to be
interchangeable?
Mr. Sosa: That was not a requirement, no.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. So that doesn't matter then.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I don't know how that can't matter. It's -- almost reminds me of like having
a train -- you know, like the trains in Broward have to decouple and then become the trains in
Dade.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I agree.
Vice Chair Sarnoff And the trains in Dade then have to decouple and become the trains in
Monroe County. You want to make a regional feel to this.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No, I agree. Andl think what Deco has done is, you know,
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awesome. Andl want to just add to you, Commissioner Gort, that while, yes, a lot of people that
are traveling here, you know -- tourists do use it, there are a lot of local people that use it,
because a lot of times it's a lot easier for them just to jump on a bike and ride down somewhere
without getting on [sic] a cab or whatever. So you do find that, you know, just locals also use it
as well. Andl know, for instance, this will be great for Midtown and other little areas as well.
Chair Suarez: Absolutely.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: That would take us in other neighborhoods so. So we're going to
defer. We're deferring this?
Vice Chair Sarnoff I'd like for us to come up with a way where we don't have advertising
panels.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. Second.
Chair Suarez: So -- wait, wait, wait, wait.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Was that a motion?
Chair Suarez: Wait, wait, wait. No, no. There was --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Chair Suarez: -- a motion and a second already, so we need to -- if we're going to change the
legislation, we need to revoke the motion and the second.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Right. I will --
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- revoke my motion.
Commissioner Gort: So wouldl.
Chair Suarez: Okay. So is there another motion that you would like to make, Vice Chair?
Vice Chair Sarnoff I'd like to make an instruction to the City, that we come up with a program
that is interchangeable on a regional basis. You're right, it doesn't have to be Deco. Maybe the
guys from Fort Lauderdale want to -- I can't imagine riding a bike that heavy, but maybe they
want to come down from Fort Lauderdale. That the bikes would be interchangeable or that -- I
think it's the locking mechanism process. I think it is as simple -- andl need engineer's help here
but --
Chair Suarez: But here -- andl don't mean to put obstacles. I think in government, it's so easy
to just put an obstacle. I think what happened -- what may happen is the company just says
that's my bike. I mean, I don't want it to be interchangeable with another company's.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I know.
Chair Suarez: You understand what I'm saying? So even if mechanically they can be
interchangeable --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: They may not want to.
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Chair Suarez: -- they may not want to make it interchangeable because it's their bike, you know.
That's what think maybe the obstacle is. Maybe.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. But --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I would like, if we can -- because at this point, it just seems like
there's still -- and even Commissioner Carollo, he walked -- he's not here right now and he still
have questions on it. So you want tojust defer it until --? I mean, on the advertising part of it,
you want tojust defer that part of it?
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Well, I think it's -- I think the ordinance, in and of itself needs a deferral,
but I'd like to create an instruction that -- to the City to come up with an ordinance that would
remove the advertising component from the free stand-alone advertising panels, the big kiosks, if
you will.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): So -- I'm --
Johnny Martinez (City Manager): To remove -- to be clear, remove the advertising but not the
sponsorship concept?
Vice Chair Sarnoff. No, no, no, no, no.
Commissioner Gort: No, no.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. To -- who's got the photograph again?
Mr. Sosa: It's only -- it's what we refer to as the advertising panel, which is a stand-alone panel
that is not attached to a bicycle or to the payment kiosk.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Right. I have no -- that's the only thing have an issue with, is the
advertising panel. So it's the 42% by width by 38% by 60 by 5 by 56 by --
Commissioner Gort: They can advertise on the basket.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- 75 depiction. I'd like to see that removed. And then -- and you could
bring the ordinance back, and then I guess -- then you have the framework, Commissioner, and
then we go to the RFP process, and we'll see who bids on it. And by the way, if I'm wrong, you
might say, Hey, Commissioner, it's not happening. It's not a go thing. Maybe you want to
rethink about putting some advertising panels up there.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, I'm fine with that. And, again, we're not voting on a
company today. We're voting on the ordinance anyway so --
Mr. Sosa: Right.
Chair Suarez: So --
Mr. Sosa: But for clarity, ifI may, the selection process, that RFP went out. We will work with,
you know, the vendors to -- that are -- that have been part of that process to continue to make
sure that whatever we do come up with is going to work for everybody, so I'll continue that
process.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Commissioner Gort.
Commissioner Gort: You say you don't have any problem with have the sponsorships, something
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like that, on the basket itself or the bicycle.
Vice Chair Sarnoff No, no, no. The basket, the bicycle, the kiosk.
Commissioner Gort: Yeah.
Vice Chair Sarnoff The kiosk, you could put whatever you want on that.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: He's talking about the individual stand-alone panels he has issue.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Right.
Chair Suarez: It's just an additional, okay. So it's a motion to defer then?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Motion to defer.
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Chair Suarez: Go ahead.
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Ms. Thompson: I -- sorry -- just wanted to make sure because I thoughtl heard Vice Chair give
two directions. On the first one you talked about the bikes being interchangeable; you had some
discussion. And I'm trying to make sure, before I put this in the record, is that still part of the
direction instruction to Administration or just the one part that deals with --?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Can I tell you why that might be a good idea. Let's feel out the private
sector to see --
Chair Suarez: They might do it.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- whether this is something they can --
Chair Suarez: Yeah, they might do it.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- buy into, and maybe there becomes -- you know, maybe we create a job, a
guy that picks up the bikes from Fort Lauderdale, a guy that picks up the bikes -- I don't know.
Chair Suarez: Yeah, I know.
Mr. Sosa: May I ask for clarification or further input on a certain item on this? During the first
reading, one of the items that was requested was a specific inclusion of language requiring that
this generate revenue to the City. If -- would it be feasible to remove that language from the
ordinance so that we can come up with a strategy that's cost -neutral, for example, as opposed to
us keep trying to find a solution that generates revenue to the City?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I think we can. I think we need to -- everything we do at this
point, we need to figure out ways to generate revenue to the City. That's what I'm saying. I think
we need to work through it. But I don't think we should ever go into anything, unless it's a
goodwill thing, without thinking about how we're going to create revenue. I mean, everybody
sitting up here right now, we know we're counting our pennies. So I think to remove the fact that
we need to generate revenue is -- would not be a good thing. So if we need to hammer out the
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ordinance more, then let's do that. But I think that we cannot go into this not thinking about how
we're going to generate revenue.
Commissioner Gort: We need reoccurring revenues.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes.
Chair Suarez: Okay. So is there a motion to defer?
Commissioner Gort: Yeah. That was a motion and a second.
Chair Suarez: There's a motion and a second, Madam Clerk. All in favor, signift by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Ms. Thompson: I'm sorry.
Chair Suarez: Motion --
Ms. Thompson: Do we have a date to come back?
Chair Suarez: First meeting of October.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Yeah. Albert --
Chair Suarez: He's not going to be here the first meeting of October.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I know, I know.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Albert.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Does it give you enough time by the first meet -- I know you're not going to
be here, but will it give your office enough time by the first meeting in October?
Mr. Sosa: I would --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Or do you want more time?
Mr. Sosa: For the time being, I would schedule it for the second October meeting, 'cause our
deadline for the first one would be in two weeks.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Second meeting in October.
Chair Suarez: Second meeting in October, okay. Thank you.
END OF ORDINANCE - SECOND READING
ORDINANCES - FIRST READINGS
FR.1 ORDINANCE First Reading
12-00936
Office of the City AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ESTABLISHING THE
Attorney DEPARTMENTS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI AS SET FORTH AND FUNDED
PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 12-0361, ADOPTED SEPTEMBER 27,
2012, AND PURSUANT TO SECTION 19 OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY
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OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, ENTITLED "CREATION OF NEW DEPARTMENTS;
DISCONTINUANCE OF DEPARTMENTS;" CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
12-00936 Memo - Office of the City Attorney SR.pdf
12-00936 Legislation FR/SR.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be PASSED ON FIRST READING PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff and Spence -Jones
Noes: 1 - Commissioner(s) Suarez
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
Chair Suarez: FR.1.
Maria J. Chiaro (Deputy City Attorney): FR.1 is an ordinance that is required. Because the
budget is approved by resolution, our City Charter mandates that departments be created or
dispensed with by ordinance. So this is an ordinance that reinforces that which you will do on
the budget as relates to the departments. This is first reading of the ordinance. If you approve
this on first reading today, it -- and then you will have it with second reading when the budget is
created; and this ordinance will confirm, as required by Charter, the departments that are
created in your approved budget.
Chair Suarez: Okay. There is a -- this is a first reading. Is anyone wishing to speak on FR.1?
Seeing none and hearing none, the public hearing on FR.1 is closed. Coming back to this
Commission, is there a motion?
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Chair Suarez: Motion by Commissioner Gort. Is there a second?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second for discussion really --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- quickly.
Chair Suarez: Yes, second.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second. Just -- Johnny, I just want to be clear of -- just so you
can put on the record so that we know exactly what those departments are. Is there anyone from
Johnny Martinez (City Manager): There are no new departments.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Not new departments. The creation --
Mr. Martinez: This is a --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- of the new departments.
Mr. Martinez: There are no creations of new departments. This is a catchall in case during the
budget process, a department's created or deleted or removed. It's just a catchall. There are
none. We're not proposing any new or less departments.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You're not -- so in other like -- in other words, like the community
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-- no longer called Community Development but Community and Economic Development. That
is the cre -- isn't that a new -- that's just a new title for the department, not a new department.
Mr. Martinez: Right.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Just want to make sure.
Mr. Martinez: Yeah, like Code Compliance.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: My briefing was a little bit --
Ms. Thompson: I'm sorry. I am so sorry. City Manager, we can hardly hear you. Can you
speak in --?
Commissioner Gort: Speak up.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No. His mike wasn't on.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Mr. Martinez: We are not proposing creating any new departments or deleting departments.
This is a catchall in case, during the budget process, a department is created or deleted.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Oh, I see. If we create it while we're sitting up here?
Mr. Martinez: Right.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Commissioner Gort: Yeah.
Mr. Martinez: You already have the ordinance in place so --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No problem. Got you.
Mr. Martinez: -- at second reading everything passes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Got you.
Commissioner Gort: It's our decision.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: See, I didn't have the pleasure of --
Chair Suarez: So --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- having your wonderful briefing yesterday.
Chair Suarez: I'm a little confused by that, so -- 'cause what it shows here in front of us is an
ordinance which doesn't refer to any specific resolution, and it doesn't explain how it's set forth
or funded. It's not signed by the City Attorney. It has no backup. So I'm a little -- I'm confused.
I'll be honest with you. I was going to vote no 'cause I'm just confused so --
Commissioner Carollo: Makes two of us.
Ms. Chiaro: By way of history -- I mean, you can continue this if you wish. But by way of
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history, the budget of the City ofMiami used to be approved by ordinance. We changed the
Charter and we now approve the City budget by resolution. Your Charter, however, did not get
changed --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Ms. Chiaro: -- in the element that required that departments be approved by ordinance. As all
this does is technically approve the departments that you fund in your budget by ordinance.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Ms. Chiaro: If you -- it is a technical requirement only.
Chair Suarez: Okay. There's a motion and a second. The public hearing has been closed on
this item. Madam Attorney, it's an ordinance.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by Deputy City Attorney Maria J. Chiaro.
Ms. Thompson: Your roll call. Vice Chair Sarnoff?
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Yes.
Ms. Thompson: Commissioner Spence -Jones?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes.
Ms. Thompson: Commissioner Gort?
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Ms. Thompson: Chair Suarez?
Chair Suarez: No on first reading.
Ms. Thompson: The item has passed on first reading, 3-1.
FR.2 ORDINANCE
12-00974
First Reading
District3- AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, AMENDING CHAPTER
Commissioner Frank 62/ARTICLE III OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
Carollo AMENDED, ENTITLED "PLANNING, ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD," MORE
PARTICULARLY BY AMENDING SECTION 62-16, ENTITLED
"APPOINTMENTS, QUALIFICATIONS," ALLOWING FOR WAIVERS OF A
CERTAIN PRECLUSION TO QUALIFICATIONS BY FOUR VOTES;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN
IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
12-00974 Legislation FR/SR.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter be
PASSED ON FIRST READING WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Chair Suarez: FR.2.
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Maria J. Chiaro (Deputy City Attorney): FR.2 is proposed by Commissioner Carollo.
Chair Suarez: Oh, I don't know if -- the District 3 Commissioner is not on the dais, so I'll just
assume that he doesn't want to vote on this item or --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Can somebody let him know?
Chair Suarez: We'll move on. SR. 2. FR.2.
Vice Chair Sarnoff FR.3, right?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: FR.3.
Vice Chair Sarnoff FR.2 is what he needs to be here for. FR.3.
Chair Suarez: Oh, I see. You're saying he needs to be here for FR.2. My apologies. FR.3. I got
confused. I thought you meant you wanted him to vote on FR.1.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): I'm -- I meant District 3.
Chair Suarez: Got you. Sorry. FR.2. I'm sorry. Do you want to be here on FR.2 or
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) just --?
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Now we're on the same page.
Commissioner Carollo: FR.2?
Chair Suarez: Yes, sir. You're recognized. Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Of course.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman, fellow Commissioners, this is an ordinance on first
reading. And in essence, what this ordinance stipulates that right now for certain boards
appointees that we have, if they are a County or City employee, they cannot serve unless we have
a four fifth waiver. However, it so happens that for the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board, we
don't have that waiver.
Chair Suarez: Requirement.
Commissioner Carollo: So all this is asking is to just ask other boards and committees, that we
apply that waiver.
Chair Suarez: Same standard.
Commissioner Carollo: Right, same standard.
Chair Suarez: Got it.
Commissioner Carollo: Simple as that.
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Chair Suarez: Is that your motion?
Commissioner Carollo: I move to --
Chair Suarez: Approve it.
Commissioner Carollo: -- approve it.
Chair Suarez: Okay, is there a second?
Commissioner Gort: I second.
Chair Suarez: Go ahead, Vice Chair. We had opened up the public hearing, but go ahead.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Because I remember putting Betty Gutierrez.
Commissioner Carollo: Exactly.
Chair Suarez: That's who I think you (UNINTET,T IGIBT,F).
Commissioner Carollo: And actually, I was told after the fact when I'm trying to appoint yet
another County employee that before when I had done the four fifth waiver, that that was an
error. Therefore, we have to change the ordinance in order to --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Did this change as a result of 21, or was this something that was a mistake
made when appointed Betty?
Commissioner Carollo: No. Apparently -- I'm not sure if it was the change of 21. Madam City
Clerk.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): In May 2010, if I'm not mistaken, between April andMay,
the code for -- we used to have the Planning Advisory Board and the Zoning Advisory Board.
Between April andMay, those boards were merged.
Chair Suarez: Combined, right.
Ms. Thompson: Okay. This particular provision was in both of those, and it traveled with the
new code as well. As I explained to Commissioner Carollo when we met, when Ms. Gutierrez
was appointed to not Planning, Zoning andAppeals Board, but one of the other boards --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Zoning.
Ms. Thompson: -- she -- right -- was granted a waiver, okay.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Right.
Ms. Thompson: What happened in our office, we missed it. When the new code went into effect,
we missed the fact that she should --
Chair Suarez: Needed a four fifths.
Ms. Thompson: -- not have been given a waiver because she'd already received a waiver before,
okay. So she has been serving on the board without that waiver and -- mistake of the office, okay
-- she's continued to serve. When we went through the applications for the new process -- I'm
sorry -- for the new vacancies on the Planning, Zoning andAppeals Board, when we went
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
through the apps, we noticed that one of the applicants works for the County. Went back,
checked the code; said you can't do it unless you have a waiver. Go back and check the code for
the board that says, Oh, this one can't be waived. So what we have there in this particular
instance is something different than what we have in our general provisions for the board. I'll let
you know that this Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board is not the only board that has that
provision where something cannot be waived. It varies. It varies according to the requirements
of the position -- I'm sorry -- the board. It varies according to the code. So those things we have
to look at as the board appointments come up. But in the general provision for your boards,
service on the boards, there is a mechanism for waiving that employment.
Chair Suarez: Got it.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Are you clear, Commissioner Sarnoff?
Vice Chair Sarnoff. I am.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Any questions?
Chair Suarez: Yeah. There's a motion and a second. I have some drafting questions that have to
do with subsection (e), subsection (1) and subsection (2). I don't know why you -- why the 8r1vas
taken out there. Because I'm assuming you want to make it an either/or on all three, correct?
Ms. Chiaro: Yes. And you're correct. I thought about that. We were going to add the 8r. "It's --
that's --
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Ms. Chiaro: -- a good catch.
Chair Suarez: Do you need an 8r'between the (1) and the (2) as well?
Ms. Chiaro: Yes.
Chair Suarez: Okay. So you need -- so does the maker and the seconder agree to those minor
scrivener's modifications?
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Chair Suarez: Yes. Okay, so there's a motion and a second. This is a public hearing item
because it is an ordinance. Anyone from the public wishing to speak on FR.2? Seeing none
hearing none, this is an ordinance of our very capable City Attorney.
Ms. Chiaro: Thank you for the correction.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by Deputy City Attorney Maria J. Chiaro.
Ms. Thompson: Your roll call on this modified ordinance on first reading.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
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Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been passed on first reading, 5-0, as modified.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
FR.3 ORDINANCE
12-00845
First Reading
District 1- AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING CHAPTER
Commissioner 18/ARTICLE III OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
Wifredo (Willy) Gort AMENDED, ENTITLED "FINANCE/CITY OF MIAMI PROCUREMENT
ORDINANCE", MORE PARTICULARLY BY CREATING NEW SECTION 18-
110, ENTITLED , "ADOPTION OF FLORIDA VETERAN BUSINESS
ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITY ACT", WHICH ADOPTS BY REFERENCE, THE
FLORIDA VETERAN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITY ACT ,
PROVIDING A VENDOR PREFERENCE IN THE MANNER PROVIDED BY
THIS STATE ACT ; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
12-00845 Legislation FR/SR.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be PASSED ON FIRST READING PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Chair Suarez: FR.3.
Commissioner Gort: FR.3 is the -- an ordinance that I requested. It's following the ordinance
that was passed by the State giving preference to Florida Veteran and [sic] Business Enterprise
Opportunity Act, which adopt by reference the Florida Veteran Business Enterprise Opportunity
Act, provides vendors preference in the manner provided in the State act; providing severability
clause and providing for effective date. You want to go over it?
Kenneth Robertson: Good morning, Commissioners. Kenneth Robertson --
Commissioner Gort: It's like local preference.
Mr. Robertson: -- Purchasing Department. This ordinance effectively adopts Florida Statute
295.187 with the sole caveat that the City would first apply its own local preference ordinance.
And then if the result of applying or nonapplying the local preference ordinance would result in a
Florida veteran business enterprise. Receiving a preference, it would be applied as a
tie -breaker.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. This is an ordinance requiring a public hearing. Anyone from the
public wishing to speak on FR.3? You look like you may be coming. Mr. Cruz, you're
recognized.
Mariano Cruz: Mariano Cruz, 1227 26. I am speaking also as a veteran.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Thank you.
Mr. Cruz: The service (UNINTELLIGIBLE) disability, you know, something that happen --
pretty soon will be October -- 50 years of the October crisis, okay, andl still paying for that
October crisis, you know, carry a cane and problem. And even like I say -- but then I didn't go to
the Army looking for disability. I went there to fight the communists. That's why I went there
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
andl still paying for it. We need to take care of the veterans. Because like they told me when I
(UNINTELLIGIBLE), it was no time limitation on service (UNINTELLIGIBLE) disability so
there shouldn't be any time limitation on any benefit for veterans, okay. Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Cruz. Anyone else? Mr. Muhammad.
Grady Muhammad: This is -- Commissioner Gort, this is great resolution. I have a lot of family
that's in the military. And one of the problems, they come out -- my brother, 22 years Desert
Share -- Desert Storm; he can't even touch a gun. And because of those provisions, you have to
be able to be in business. He's still working. But I think with this, we help veterans be able to
get -- own businesses, not just get a job because most of them -- some of the skills they got -- they
come in from the military don't apply in the civilian life, and so some of them usually create their
own jobs. Sometime they become -- they got PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). They got
other issues. But I think we need to help veterans more now than ever because their
unemployment is at 11 percent while we at 8.1 general percent. Andl think veteran businesses
definitely need those assistance, as well as a job. Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Muhammad. Anyone else wishing to speak on FR.3? Seeing
none, hearing none, the public hearing on FR.3 is closed. Coming back to this Commission, is
there a motion?
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second. Discussion.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Suarez: Moved and seconded by everybody else. Yes, Commissioner Spence -Jones.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just want to acknowledge my colleague that sits on -- to my right
Chair Suarez: Good luck trying to figure out who second it.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- for his leadership on this issue. I don't think we do enough to
support our veterans, andl think that this shows, you know, definitely this City is very sensitive
to many of their -- those issues. For those that watched the DNC (Democratic National
Convention), we saw how many soldiers had been affected by the war and coming back home
and not having any support. So I just wanted to say to my fellow Commissioner and all my
Commissioners that sit on the dais, but especially to him, thank you for believing and supporting
the veterans.
Chair Suarez: I think we all saw you at the Democratic National Convention with the "Believe"
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You saw my "Believe"?
Chair Suarez: -- the big "Believe" sign, yeah. Doing your part, doing your part. Thank you,
Commissioner. Thank you. I think it's a wonderful ordinance. It's been moved and seconded: It
is an ordinance.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by Deputy City Attorney Maria J. Chiaro.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Your roll call.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been passed on first reading, 5-0.
END OF FIRST READING ORDINANCES
RESOLUTIONS
RE.1 RESOLUTION
12-00669
Department of Public A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Facilities ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY
MANAGER APPROVING THE FINDINGS OF THE EVALUATION SELECTION
COMMITTEE, PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NO. 313280,
THAT SMG IS THE TOP -RANKED FIRM FOR THE PROVISION OF
PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI'S
JAMES L. KNIGHT CENTER; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM;
ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC FACILITIES
ACCOUNT, WITH FUTURE FUNDING SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY AND
BUDGETARY APPROVAL AT THE TIME OF NEED.
12-00669 Summary Form.pdf
12-00669 Award Recommendation Form. pdf
12-00669 Summary Evaluation Form.pdf
12-00669Addendum No. 2.pdf
12-00669Addendum No. 1.pdf
12-00669 Request for Proposals.pdf
12-00669 Exhibit A - C. pdf
12-00669 James L. Knight Center.pdf
12-00669 Legislation (Version 2).pdf
12-00669 Exhibit 1 09/13/12.pdf
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Note for the Record: Item RE.1 was deferred to the September 27, 2012 Commission Meeting.
Chair Suarez: RE (Resolution) -- well, I guess RE.1. Do we want to do that now in terms of
discussing whether we're going to defer it or not? RE.1 was the James L. Knight --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Yeah.
Chair Suarez: -- Center.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Let me just, you know, say why I wanted to -- well, I made a representation
to the Global Spectrum folks probably throughout the past five, six weeks and then certainly as of
probably three days ago that I would be asking for a deferral of this. Andl don't want to
blindside anybody by, you know, saying no longer want that deferral because I don't know if
they did whatever it is they wanted to do or didn't do whatever it is they wanted to do. Andl
treat a corporation just like I treat a person. IfI told a community organization -- and by the
way, do I regret telling them this? You know, I don't know. I mean, I didn't plug myself into this
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as much as I would have liked to because of budget. But I don't want to -- and if you guys want
to over -vote me, I won't -- I'm okay with that. But I made a representation to a group of people
that was going to ask for a deferral on that. I don't know if they relied on that representation of
mine. I would -- again, I would treat them exactly as I treat a homeowners organization by
saying, no, I'm not going to hear that now. Andl don't want to -- number one, I don't want to go
against my word. And number two, I don't want someone to have reasonably relied upon a
representation I made that I think, more or less, we give each other deferrals, certainly on a
first-time basis, when we ask for them. I take no substantive position with SMG or with Global
Spectrum. I just didn't think would be prepared to deal with this and that's it. That's all want
to say.
Chair Suarez: And can I --? Do you want me to --? Go ahead. No, I was just going to say what
you would be asking for is a deferral for one meeting, correct, Commissioner?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize --
Chair Suarez: Vice Chair.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- it was deferred once. I did not know that.
Chair Suarez: It's been deferred once, yeah.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I apologize. Commissioner Carollo pointed it out to me. I did not realize
this was deferred once.
Chair Suarez: So what you're requesting is a deferral for --
Commissioner Carollo: And --
Chair Suarez: -- one more meeting, correct?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Yeah, that's it.
Chair Suarez: I'm just --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Yeah. I could hear this --
Commissioner Carollo: And Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Yes, yes.
Commissioner Carollo: I -- you know, I guess quietly I said the second time 'cause it is the
second deferral. It's not the first deferral. However, I don't have an issue with deferring, you
know --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: -- when you ask for it or when Commissioner Spence -Jones 'cause
usually that is the common courtesy that I've mentioned. Andl think I've had a long discussion
on it where that is the perceived way we handle ourselves. However, on certain occasions, when
one Commissioner has asked for it, it has not occurred. But anyways, with that said, I do think it
should be the common practice andl think it should be something that we should all be
considerate of our colleagues. So I'm okay with both deferrals, just for the record.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. Let me just say, first of all, I'm definitely going to adhere to
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the deferral request and that is a -- generally a common practice that we do have on the dais to
support, you know, each other, you know, if we need a little bit more time. And there have been
occasions when all of us sitting up here have made decisions on deferrals that, you know, we've
decided to vote on issues because, for whatever reason -- maybe they were urgent issues or
things that we needed to address. I don't have a problem with waiting until the next meeting, but
what I do want to do is at least put a few things on the record. The first thing is I just want to
have clarity from my City Attorney from my briefings yesterday -- is I know that -- and Madam
City Attorney, just make sure -- I want to make sure I'm clear. When does Global's agreement
end? Because I think that is the problem. Before our next City meeting, to my understanding,
the agreement --
Chair Suarez: The day before.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- will be over, correct?
Henry Torre (Director, Public Facilities): Correct.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So just so -- I just want to be clear of that first.
Mr. Torre: It was extended. There was one extension granted and it expires September 23.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, so we just need to agree here as a body that at this point it's
not going to come back to us in front of -- until the 27th?
Mr. Torre: Twenty-seventh is the next meeting.
Chair Spence -Jones: But we have to agree as a body that, you know, we're cool with the
extension actually happening until the 27th, correct?
Chair Suarez: Yeah. Do we have to vote on that separately --
Commissioner Carollo: Well -- yeah.
Chair Suarez: -- Madam Attorney, or is it just --
Commissioner Carollo: And --
Chair Suarez: -- lapsing for one day and then the next day we have a meeting?
Commissioner Carollo: -- is there --?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just want to make sure 'cause that was one of the things that
came up in my briefing --
Commissioner Carollo: And is --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- that, Michelle, we have to vote on this item because as of the
27th --
Chair Suarez: Twenty-sixth, yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- their agreement will be expired.
Commissioner Carollo: And will there be --
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Commissioner Spence -Jones: Is that true? If it's not, it's fine.
Commissioner Carollo: -- any negative repercussion to the City for deferring?
Kenneth Robertson: Kenneth Robertson, Purchasing director. The contract will expire before
the next City Commission meeting on September 23. The City Manager does have the authority
under Section 18-90 under the emergency procurement code to administratively extend the
contract for however long the Commission deems fit or the City Manager deems fit. That
extension would have to come back to the Commission for ratification by a four fifths resolution.
The two -month extension was under $25, 000, so that did not require a four fifths bid waiver, but
any additional extensions beyond two months would require a four fifths bid waiver resolution.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, so that's --
Chair Suarez: So what you're saying is --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- I just want to make sure that -- that information is important for
us to know and at least operate. And thank you, Madam City Attorney, for making that clear. So
I guess we all agree with the extension and there not being an issue on that. I just want to just
say on this issue really quickly, first of all, just in general when it comes to this whole RFP
(Request for Proposals) process, you guys know this was something that I was pushing for; had
nothing to do with Global. It had everything to do with getting the most revenue out of these
agreements and contracts that we have with existing vendors. And from day one when Henry
came on board, was excited that he came from, you know, private industry and came with some
great visions and ideas of things that needed to get done. And this was one of the main things
that know that we worked on to try to at least figure out how we can get more resources out of,
you know, the overall deal. I want to state on the record as well, you know, that, you know, I
have friends on the Global side. You know, Jeannie (phonetic) is a big supporter of the City and
a Believe, you know. I have a church member sitting in the back, you know. And Lorenzo, we've
been always close, so this is not about for me a personal relationship. This is about we have a
process. We put a process in place and it's about respecting the process and having fairness and
transparency. Now I know Carollo andl know Commissioner Sarnoff and especially
Commissioner Gort, you guys have constantly talked about -- andl know even on your blue
pages, Commissioner Gort, you want to know how are RFPs put together, who's sitting on the --
all of those things, which I think are very important issues. We went through a whole process to
make a deci -- for the staff to make a decision who's going to be the person that actually gets it.
It happens to be a better business deal for the City ofMiami and, yes, I understand that there are
some questions around it, but there's a process even with the questions. If you have a question
on the issue, you have the opportunity to protest the bid and that didn't happen. So I'm just
simply saying -- and I'm not, you know, saying one way or the other. I know we still have to vote
on this issue based upon the deferral, but I just -- as a good leader, I think we all have the
responsibility to follow and respect the process. And our constituents depend on us going
through the proper process, andl think we have in this situation. I know I asked the Manager,
Mr. Manager, if you feel that we need to do something different or, you know, your staff
perhaps, dropped the ball or something happened that wasn't right, let us know, you know, and
that wasn't the case. So I just think it's really important that we send a loud message not only to
City staffers 'cause they have to work for all of us and the City, for the residents that are
watching this every single day that we did not interfere with the process and we allowed for it to
take its natural course and this is the result of the natural course. So I asked the question --
'cause I wanted to make sure when I looked at all of the backup on the SMG proposal and I
looked at all the theaters and all of the venues that they run and, you know, clearly, the folks are
qualified. Every single person sitting up here -- andl look at the people that were the evaluators
on, you know, the panel on this issue. And if there's one person I know we all agree with that's
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done an outstanding job with managing facilities and operating a facility and keeping it in the
black is Tim Schmand. He sat on the committee, you know. And if Tim has given us very high
recommendations on this, I mean, how do you go against somebody that's doing this every single
day, that manages a major -- you know, or works along with a major provider to run and operate
a facility. I just think we can't say on one end we have to have a process and then when the
process does not -- you know, because of our -- for whatever reasons we may feel that on the one
end, we really don't want to hurt or disappoint anyone, that we decide to sway away from what
we know is truth. I want to do -- I want us to make decisions up here based upon process. Right
now process says the winning person should get the bid. That's what it says, you know. And at
the end of the day -- I'm going to shut up after this, but at the end of the day, I just want to side
with truth. I just want to be fair. I just want to be just, and l just want to do the righteous thing.
And we know this going into anything and the decisions we have to make, you now, one side is
always going to be hurt and disappointed; I understand that. But then you learn from that
situation to make sure that you -- your proposal the next time is tighter. But I think we send the
wrong message when we don't side with what we know is right.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Mr. Chair.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. First off that was a great -- I wish I made that statement. I mean that. I
echo your thoughts. The only reason I'm not prepared to hear this today is 'cause I made a
representation to somebody. I think you're --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I understand.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- dead right. Everything you said, I wish I was as eloquent as you were in
saying it. I -- but the only reason I'm not proceeding forward today is I just made a
representation to somebody that, you know what, I don't think I'm going to be ready to hear this
and I think they have the right to rely upon me in saying that, but I think you're dead right in
everything you said.
Vice Chair Gort: Yep.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Neisen Kasdin: Mr. Chair.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Mr. Kasdin: My -- briefly for the record, Neisen Kasdin, Akerman Senterfitt, representing the
recommended winning bidder, SMG. I just want to put something on the record. And it is hard
to add anything to what Commissioner Spence -Jones said, but for the record, it should be clear
that the other party, Global Spectrum, actually bid on this item. They were not recommended.
And in fact, our client was the unanimous recommended awardee by the selection committee.
They failed to follow the rules and procedures of the bid process in the City of Miami; did not file
a bid protest. So at this forum here and individually as well, it is not proper for you to be
hearing from them now objecting to the process that they participated in, submitted a bid on and
failed to object within the time required. They do not have standing to be objecting --
Chair Suarez: I understand.
Mr. Kasdin: -- to the process or the bid at this time. And if they are entertained, then what you
are doing is undermining the process and the sanctity of public bidding and sending a very bad
message to people who want to bid on projects in the City. So, for the record, I think it's
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important -- we have another two weeks if this is deferred.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Mr. Kasdin: There are people who are going to be trying to lobby you --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Mr. Kasdin: -- but it is not appropriate for them to be lobbying you because they did not follow
the legal procedures set out by the City of Miami for objecting to a bid or the procurement
process.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Kasdin: Thank you.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Mr. Chairman, I just want to be clear --
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- real fast. Madam City Attorney, is this a true statement or fact?
Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): I generally agree with Mr. Kasdin that this is not -- at this point,
the unsuccessful bidder really has no right to address the Commission as an unsuccessful bidder
because they did not file a timely protest. Now, as with all public hearings, at the discretion of
the Chair and as a member of the public, they can access their elected officials, but what's going
on here should not be characterized as a bid protest or as a matter of right or as --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Ms. Bru: -- anything that has to do with the actual process.
Chair Suarez: I understand.
Miguel De Grandy: Mr. Chairman --
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Mr. De Grandy: -- ifI may for a minute. Part of the reason that we were asking for a deferral --
And for the record, Miguel De Grandy, 800 Douglas Road, on behalf of Global -- is precisely
because we feel that we need an opportunity to make a presentation to you in a public forum and
you had a very tight timeframe. Now, I agree with you andl agree with the City Attorney andl
agree with Mr. Kasdin that if you do not protest an event, then you shouldn't bring it up here.
The problem is what we're protesting is events that occurred subsequent to the recommendation.
There as a recommendation to negotiate with SMG and then in those negotiations, staff
negotiated a fee that was not proposed by SMG. Now in this country, we have a thing called due
process and due process gives you a right to complain of a -- of an action of government. Now
my client could not have complained -- unless it was clairvoyant -- about negotiations that had
not occurred. But my client does have a due process right to bring to you a complaint as to
things that occurred subsequent to the recommendation. To say otherwise is to say that after a
recommendation, any public agency can commit whatever arbitrary and capricious act and there
is no remedy. And so that's why we wanted a deferral because we do need an opportunity, with
all due respect, a due process opportunity to present our case and you decide it on the merits.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. So --
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Mr. Kasdin: Mr. Chair, ifI may, for the record. I have to formally object to entertaining Mr. De
Grandy's comments and have great respect for Mr. De Grandy as an attorney and as an
individual. But the fact of the matter is he's not a person off the street. He represents someone
who was a bidder, who participated in the process, who had specific rights and opportunities to
object to both the process, that is the bid document itself and the responses to the bid and he did
not. He has received reams -- abundance of due process on behalf of his client --
Mr. De Grandy: Not as --
Mr. Kasdin: -- more due process than citizens are allowed. And therefore, it is not appropriate
and most jurisdictions will not have a situation like this where someone who is a losing bidder
and didn't protest can come up and try to undermine the bid process at this late state.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Mr. Kasdin: It's very bad government and he's received more than ample due process and --
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Mr. Kasdin: -- hasn't availed himself of it.
Chair Suarez: Okay, thank you. What we have now on the table is a motion to defer and a
second. I will take your arguments under advisement in conjunction with the City Attorney in
terms of determining whether at the next hearing there'll be any opportunity for any of the
parties to speak on the substantive things that have occurred.
Grady Muhammad: Mr. Chair, only thing I would ask -- Grady Muhammad, Miami -Dade First
-- is the employees, the current employees of Global Spectrum be gone on with SMG 'cause
there's no commitment right now and these are City employees. Andl know we can't afford to be
putting employees out. So only thing I'm putting on the record, for whomever is the winning
bidder -- right now it's --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Mr. Muhammad: -- SMG, without question and it should still be SMG, without question 'cause
they did the fair process --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes.
Mr. Muhammad: -- and -- but there's -- there is a verbal commitment, but there's nothing in
writing andl would like to state for the record that we would definitely, Miami -Dade First would
definitely want SMG to take over the current employees of the James L. Knight Center or Global
Spectrum. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And let me just add.
Chair Suarez: Sure.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Of course, by all means, the objective is never to see anyone lose
their job. So -- because we're not actually addressing the issue of their agreement or contract or
we're voting on that issue, as Commissioners, we can add those things as we go when the item
actually comes in front of us. Right now we're not talking about any part of the contract.
Chair Suarez: Right.
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Commissioner Spence -Jones: We're only talking about the process itself. So I do want the -- I'm
glad you put that on the record, Grady, because I don't want the employees leaving here today
feeling that they now are going to be without jobs because I know that every single
Commissioner up here supports people keeping their job. So when we get to that --
Mr. Torre: Commissioner, ifI may. I just --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes.
Mr. Torre: -- wanted to correct one thing. Henry Torre, director of Public Facilities. The
employees there now are not employees of the City ofMiami.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah, I know.
Mr. Torre: They're employees of Global --
Chair Suarez: But --
Mr. Torre: -- and they're -- go ahead.
Chair Suarez: -- I think the point that the Commissioner's making and that Mr. Muhammad
made is that -- is there -- we hope to hear -- if the Commission goes forward with the
recommendation -- that there's some sort of a transitional plan involved.
Mr. Torre: There has been.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Mr. Torre: And consideration has been given by SMG to retain all the employees --
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Mr. Torre: -- give or take.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Mr. Chair.
Mr. De Grandy: Mr. Chairman, ifI may, just one thing. As you consider whether you will
provide that right, if I would invite you to ask your City Attorney, your City Manager, your staff
did the negotiations occur before or after the recommendation because if they occurred after the
protest period expired, I respectfully submit --
Chair Suarez: I will do that.
Mr. De Grandy: -- we deserve an opportunity.
Chair Suarez: I will do that. I will do it. I don't want to get into a big argument.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Oh, guys, guys.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Mr. Chair, Mr. Chair.
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Chair Suarez: Yes.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I'm going to make a motion with apologies to my fellow Commissioners
because I made the representation, something) will --
Chair Suarez: It's okay.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- no longer make -- to defer this 'til the next Commission.
Chair Suarez: It's a motion to defer. Is there a second?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Suarez: All in favor, signift by saying "aye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. We will stand in recess. It's exactly --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You don't want to take this last item. This is -- you only got one
left so we'll be done, right?
Chair Suarez: Which last item?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No, we got a lot.
Chair Suarez: I wish that was the last item. We will stand in recess until 2 p.m., and then we'll
take up the Gusman Center at 2. We'll do the Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency),
and then we'll do the tabled item that the -- Commissioner Carollo asked for.
RE.2 RESOLUTION
12-00745
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ACCEPTING THE BID
General Services RECEIVED MARCH 5, 2012, PURSUANT TO INVITATION FOR BID NO.
Administration 291262, FROM GRAYBAR ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC., THE SOLE
RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER, FOR L.E.D. ACCENT
LUMINAIRE FIXTURES, ON AN AS -NEEDED CONTRACTUAL BASIS, FOR
AN INITIAL CONTRACT PERIOD OF ONE (1) YEAR, WITH THE OPTION TO
RENEW FOR TWO (2) ADDITIONAL ONE-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.
12-00745 Summary Form.pdf
12-00745 Award Recommendation Form .pdf
12-00745 Tabulation of Bids.pdf
12-00745 Detail by Entity Name.pdf
12-00745Addendum No. 1.pdf
12-00745 Invitation for Bid.pdf
12-00745 Legislation.pdf
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 2 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff and Carollo
R-12-0305
Chair Suarez: Do we want to run through our BCs (Boards and Committees) before --?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: We still have REs (Resolutions), so can we do those until all the
Commissioners -- I think the item that, Mr. Chairman, is -- that we would have next is --
Chair Suarez: RE.18 and 19.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Right -- Is that next?
Chair Suarez: No. Well, no. That was the time certain 2 o'clock one.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Oh, so --
Chair Suarez: But if you want, we can just start going through them.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Let's just go through our REs.
Chair Suarez: Okay, RE.2, until we have a full Commission.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Chair Suarez: Yeah. We could probably get a lot done.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah. Yeah, you'll --
Chair Suarez: And you know that.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Chair Suarez: Go ahead, RE. 2.
Ricardo Falero (Director, General Services Administration): Yeah. RE.2 is a resolution of the
City Commission accepting the bid received on March 5, pursuant to invitation 291262 from
Graybar Electric Company, the sole responsive and responsible bidder, for L.E.D. (Light
Emitting Diode) accent luminaire fixtures. The contract is a one-year contract with two
additional one-year periods. This is for the lights around the Coral Way (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Suarez: Yes. Andl -- could some -- can we entertain a motion?
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Gort. Is there a second?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Spence -Jones. Can you please put your name on the
record, sir.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
RE.3
12-00693
District 2-
Commissioner Marc
David Sarnoff
RE.4
12-00849
City Commission
Mr. Falero: Ricardo Falero, director of GSA (General Services Administration).
Chair Suarez: Thank you. I just want to thank -- I want to thank your office. I want to thank
Public Works andl want to thank Procurement for working together to get this done. This was
very important to me. It was very frustrating from the moment got elected to count every time I
drove down Coral Way how many lights were --
Mr. Falero: A hundred and thirty.
Chair Suarez: -- inoperable. I'm sorry?
Mr. Falero: It's 130.
Chair Suarez: Yeah, exactly. And then there were some days where, you know, it seemed like we
made an effort to try to fix them and it never fully worked out. So I appreciate your effort.
Mr. Falero: You're welcome.
Chair Suarez: There's a motion and a second. All in favor, signifi, by saying aye.
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING THE CITY
MANAGER TO DISCONTINUE THE PAYPHONE PILOT PROGRAM
ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 01-449, ADOPTED MAY
10, 2001; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ALL STEPS
NECESSARY TO REMOVE SAID PAYPHONES FROM ANY AND ALL RIGHTS
OF WAY WITHIN THE CITY OF MIAMI, REGARDLESS OF OWNERSHIP.
12-00693 Pre-Resolution.pdf
12-00693 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Vice Chair Sarnoff, that this matter
be DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Note for the Record: Item RE.3 was deferred to the October 25, 2012 Commission Meeting.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING
, AS CITY CLERK, TO SERVE UNTIL
JANUARY 15, 2013, WITH THE COMPENSATION AND EMOLUMENTS TO
BE DETERMINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION.
12-00849 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Note for the Record: Item RE.4 was deferred to the September 27, 2012 Commission Meeting.
Chair Suarez: Okay, so I guess now we're in the discussion items. Actually, we have one item,
but I'm assuming that Commissioner Carollo will want to be here, which is the appointing of the
interim Clerk. Are we supposed to draw straws to do that or how are we supposed to do that?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): I have -- oh, no. I have no idea. I -- just following the
agenda.
Chair Suarez: Yeah. Are we flipping a coin?
Ms. Thompson: I have no idea, sir.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'm like mad confused about this item.
Chair Suarez: Oh, my God. You don't even know. That makes two of us.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I mean, I thought that part of our discussion on this item was that
we were going to identify at least an existing person that's already on staff so that --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- we're not dealing with a very important election that's coming
up in November --
Chair Suarez: Correct.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- already that may have several issues that are going to be going
on around elections, you know; that we wanted to at least make sure we don't bring anybody
from the outside that may even create any questions to the outside public as to whether or not,
you know, they were brought up to speed to handle a major election.
Chair Suarez: You mean, you don't want to hire an outside consultant to --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No.
Chair Suarez: -- make that decision?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You're being bad. I thought we were --
Chair Suarez: Sony.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- going to just take somebody from the inside. Wasn't that our
discussion?
Chair Suarez: Yeah. I think you're right.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And then I got a list with like 30 people on it.
Chair Suarez: I think you're right. I think you're right.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Is that for them -- is the list -- not 30. It might have been, what --
how many, Madam City Clerk? It was --
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Ms. Thompson: Okay, ifI might. I think it was a two -prong discussion. I think you got off in
discussing two different areas. And one of the things that resulted from that second prong was
that you all wanted us to go -- well, you all developed a selection committee --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes.
Ms. Thompson: -- and a process, okay. The Human Resources Department came up with the
schedule; you all reviewed it. You asked that sit on the ranking committee, which we did.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes.
Ms. Thompson: And what you saw in that packet that was delivered to you is the result of your
nationwide search and ranking --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Right.
Ms. Thompson: -- for the City Clerk's position, okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And that's for the January position?
Ms. Thompson: The one that will be effective until January, you mean? That's what you mean?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Ms. Thompson: No, no.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: (UNINTET,TIGIBT,F).
Ms. Thompson: No. It's my understanding that the one that we went through would be your
actual City Clerk.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No. I know, but -- I -- we need to pull the notes up from -- 'cause I
know that was very clear in the discussion that we should still continue on the main process to
search for a Clerk, which we didn't want that to stop, but in the meantime -- because I did not
want to have someone come on board -- November's what, two months away now? Sixty days
away?
Chair Suarez: Quick. It's coming quick.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: But we already see what's happening on a national level, and
especially in Florida, around elections. I just didn't want us to bring in somebody new. We just
-- we need really that person to kind of carry us out to November.
Ms. Thompson: That was -- like I said, you had a two -prong discussion. Now, according to the
schedule we have here -- and this is what was discussed at the June 28 meeting -- it says right
here that today's meeting, September 13, you all would appoint an interim clerk.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Right.
Ms. Thompson: Okay, so that's what this is today. The packet that you received, that was for
appointment of your City Clerk.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah, right.
Ms. Thompson: Okay.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I think -- Mr. Chairman, I'd rather wait on that -- on the City
Clerk 'til later.
Chair Suarez: No, I agree.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I think that our objective right now, though, is to really --
Ms. Thompson: I'm sorry. According to your schedule -- and I'll share it with you -- I'm sorry --
December 13 is on your schedule for your appointment of the City Clerk.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Ms. Thompson: You want to see this?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. So, really, we're not really looking at the main list right
now? Right, we're just looking at in-house folks that are there.
Ms. Thompson: I don't know --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Andl believe we started -- I know I started having a couple of
people come by already to --
Chair Suarez: I've had one now.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- talk to me about, you know -- I just think that we need a little --
is there any way we could either table this 'til later on this afternoon or --
Chair Suarez: Absolutely.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- can we table it --? When is Priscilla's last day?
Ms. Thompson: September 28, 2012.
Chair Suarez: After the next meeting.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, so we got Priscilla until --
Chair Suarez: What time?
Ms. Thompson: Five o'clock p.m.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Listen, we have her until --
Chair Suarez: We got one more, right.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- September 27, so I think we have time to --
Chair Suarez: Let's defer.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- do that. Andl think we all should have a conversation with
Priscilla too --
Chair Suarez: Right.
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Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- because at the end of the day, you know --
Vice Chair Sarnoff It won't help. I tried
Chair Suarez: Yeah, I agree.
Vice Chair Sarnoff It won't -- I mean, it won't help.
Chair Suarez: I tried too.
Vice Chair Sarnoff She will not make a recommendation. She will not --
Chair Suarez: She created this cute little thing called an 'A band" and a `B band" and a --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Right.
Chair Suarez: -- "C band."
Ms. Thompson: No, no, no.
Chair Suarez: Yes, you did.
Ms. Thompson: No, no, no.
Chair Suarez: Yes, you did.
Ms. Thompson: Priscilla and the Department of Human Resources, as you had asked us to do,
had to go through the ranking of these individuals. Andl said to the HR (Human Resources)
director, you all have more experience in coming up with a `formula" for the ranking, which I
shared with all the Commissioners here. They understood that didn't have -- I didn't think had
that expertise to come up with the formula, so the formula --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Priscilla --
Ms. Thompson: -- was develop --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- in your next life, you're running for office, right?
Chair Suarez: Yeah, yeah. That's right.
Ms. Thompson: No, ma'am. And honestly --
Chair Suarez: Can we hire you on --
Ms. Thompson: -- Vice Chair --
Chair Suarez: -- a consultancy basis --
Ms. Thompson: No, sir.
Chair Suarez: -- after the 28th? No, we can't --
Ms. Thompson: No, sir.
Chair Suarez: -- do that?
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Ms. Thompson: No, sir.
Chair Suarez: No? Sony. I'm acting --
Ms. Thompson: My mommy says I need to be home with her.
Chair Suarez: -- up again. I'm sorry.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So you can't carry us until the November election?
Ms. Thompson: My mommy says I --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Do you know how crucial this election is?
Ms. Thompson: I do, but my mommy comes first.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Ms. Thompson: I'm sorry. And as Vice Chair said, I will not make a recommendation. I'm
sorry, I'm sorry. But I think I don't need to be in it. You all are going to be working with these
people. Please, I will not answer. I'm going to take the Fifth.
Chair Suarez: Well, here's -- can I try to add some mortar to this? I think you've expressed a
preference not to do the temporary clerk today because --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No.
Chair Suarez: -- she'll be here next meeting. So let's --
Chair Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Chair Suarez: -- postpone that one more meeting. I think we need to really focus on it. And
even though we have budget, we need to figure out what we're going to do there. So meet with
whoever is on the A band. Everybody meet with the A band people.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: That's already on staff.
Chair Suarez: That's already on staff okay. And then I think we need to do a similar process to
how we selected our auditor general, which is that we had --
Vice Chair Sarnofff. That was ugly.
Chair Suarez: Well, it was ugly the first time, for sure.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah, I know.
Chair Suarez: The second time -- yeah. And it's hard because we don't have -- we have sunshine
prohibitions. We can't talk to each other. It's always --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: But I think that we have at least -- we have worked with --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- the folks on all levels in that department. So I think it's just a
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matter of us having, you know, a discussion and having a system put in place on how we're going
to collect or make the votes for that person.
Chair Suarez: Okay, cool.
Vice Chair Sarnoff She gave us the A band.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Right.
Vice Chair Sarnoff In the A band there are three --
Chair Suarez: I think I (UNINTELLIGIBLE) two, but --
Vce Chair Sarnoff -- maybe four City employees -- three --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Who are the four? Who are they? Do you know, Marc?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Todd --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Dwight.
Chair Suarez: Dwight.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- Dwight, somebody else from their office. Forgive me, I don't remember.
And then I think -- did Barnaby make the A band?
Chair Suarez: No.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Sorry, Barnaby.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No, but he's not --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Where is Barnaby, since I want to give him something back?
Chair Suarez: Poor Barnaby's in the C --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Barnaby, you didn't make the A band, buddy.
Chair Suarez: Poor Barnaby's on the C band. Poor Barnaby's on the C band. I noticed that.
Poor guy.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I was like, Barnaby, where are you going?
Chair Suarez: It's okay, Barnaby. We love you, but you're on the C band, buddy, so it's all good.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I want to keep you in Zoning so I can get some more of those lawyer letters.
IfI don't hear from you, I'll be passing the world and my budget. Thank you very much.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: But Barnaby has the greatest hairdo, doesn't he?
Chair Suarez: Absolutely.
Vice Chair Sarnoff He does. No, he's got the best hair man.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah, right?
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Vice Chair Sarnoff Anybody that can grow hair faster than him, there's no one. So, all right, we
have three --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Is it three?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Is it three? Isn't it --?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'm waiting for the Chairman to tell us.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Is it three?
Ms. Thompson: I shared the summary sheet with --
Chair Suarez: I see Dwight. I see Todd. And Pamela used to be here.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: We're talking about people that are here now.
Chair Suarez: Right, I got you. And -- It doesn't identi -- who else is here that's on -- that's -- ?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: It's only two?
Chair Suarez: There's only two. That's what I thought. Okay, good.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Two? Okay, sorry.
Chair Suarez: I thought like -- I thought maybe I didn't know someone's name and they worked
in the department, so I felt bad for a second there. But no, it's good. We're good. So it's only
two.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: It's only two.
Chair Suarez: So we just flip a coin.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No. I think --
Chair Suarez: No.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- we should -- as Priscilla does so well, we'll take our last vote
with Priscilla before she leaves.
Chair Suarez: I think that would work.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: But, please, whatever you do, Priscilla, the grading system and --
can we come up with a simple ballot?
Ms. Thompson: Definitely.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes/no or 1/2 or something like that.
Ms. Thompson: Let me say this diplomatically. Sometimes, in order to do things properly, it
can't be "as simple as you think." That's all I'll say.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Ms. Thompson: You want the transparency. You want to be able to show that this is how we did
it; this is why we did it. We'll come up with a very simple ballot, and you want us to have that
available to you by when?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: We should have it before the next meeting so we can at least be
ready to --
Chair Suarez: Yeah, if you can, please.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- roll with it.
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Ms. Thompson: And --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: But --
Chair Suarez: And just to be clear, the next meeting we'll be choosing the temporary person.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: The interim.
Chair Suarez: The interim. And then --
Ms. Thompson: So here's my question. Are you going to give me the directions of who you want
included on that ballot?
Chair Suarez: Right now I think it's only --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: We just -- I thought we --
Chair Suarez: -- two people.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- said the top two in the A.
Ms. Thompson: Okay.
Chair Suarez: Two people on the A band that work in your office, Dwight Danie and Todd
Hannon.
Ms. Thompson: Okay.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Thank you.
Vice Chair Sarnoff And I see why Barnaby didn't make the A band now: a D+ in Torts? Where
is Barnaby?
Commissioner Gort: I have a question.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Where is Barnaby?
Chair Suarez: But he got an A+ in Contract Writing.
Vice Chair Sarnoff He did, he did. But where is the tort guy?
Chair Suarez: Legal writing, legal writing.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Commissioner Gort: Question.
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes.
Commissioner Gort: We are to name a temporary from A band?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah, unless you wantA andB; that's fine. You wantA andB?
Commissioner Gort: Why can't that just be the -- why does it have to be temporary?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Because I think that we really need to have a real thought going
into picking our Clerk. I want -- I would like to have more time to look at the whole entire list.
Commissioner Gort: All right.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Andl really want the election -- I really don't want us to have no
issues in November.
Chair Suarez: That's true.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I really don't.
Chair Suarez: That's important. That's very important 'cause the world is watching.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Exactly.
Chair Suarez: And let me tell you --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And we're not going to have the City ofMiami in any way --
Chair Suarez: No. And let me tell you, a presidential election came down to a few thousand
votes a --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I know.
Chair Suarez: -- couple of election cycles ago so.
Commissioner Gort: Hundreds.
Chair Suarez: Right, a few hundred, that's true.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: How many?
Chair Suarez: A few hundred. A few hundred in Florida.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Chair Suarez: So, okay --
Commissioner Gort: Okay.
Chair Suarez: All right, cool. So is there a motion to defer this to the next Commission meeting?
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So move.
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Chair Suarez: Moved by the -- by Commissioner Spence -Jones, second by Commissioner Gort.
All in favor, signifi, by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
[Later...]
Chair Suarez: (UNINTET,T IGIBT ,F) portion. Elvi, from the Agenda Office, asked me to just
clam for the record. I think it's a clarification, Madam Clerk, if I'm not mistaken, but if we
have to take a vote, we'll take a vote. Andl think you said it was RE.4, that if we had postponed
the temporary -- I'm sorry, the interim Clerk decision to, I think, September 27, if I'm not
mistaken --
Ms. Thompson: That's correct.
Chair Suarez: -- then we needed to also push back the -- we also needed to push back the
selection of the five candidates, the whittling down of the five candidates to October 11, to the
October 11 meeting. Is that correct?
Ms. Thompson: If that's your wish.
Chair Suarez: Is that something that we need to do by motion or is it something that we can just
Ms. Thompson: Well --
Chair Suarez: -- for scheduling?
Ms. Thompson: -- what -- you did -- I'm sorry. On the RE.14 [sic], you did make a motion --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Ms. Thompson: -- that took care of the resolution that was on the agenda, okay. The other part
to it was on your schedule. It had not been placed on the agenda yet. It was to be placed on the
agenda, okay.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Ms. Thompson: So the first part you've already dealt with.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Ms. Thompson: Now, if you're saying you want to amend your schedule, there was nothing in the
resolution that had your schedule in it. I think it's just something you can go ahead and amend,
but I leave that up to you all. If you want to clam and say on the record that we'll be bringing
back an item for the -- to decide or discuss --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Ms. Thompson: -- those five candidates, you can. But the item before you, by taking that vote to
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
defer, cleared out that item, okay. It's just your schedule.
Chair Suarez: Okay, so what do we do?
Ms. Thompson: Well, I mean, very -- frankly, I think you could just schedule --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Ms. Thompson: -- the other -- the selection of the five for the meeting in October.
Chair Suarez: Okay. But do I have to do that by motion or can we just say that we're doing that
right now?
Ms. Thompson: When I -- I don't think you need a motion 'cause --
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Ms. Thompson: -- it was a schedule.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Ms. Thompson: But you can say right now we're going to have a discussion item on the October
Chair Suarez: Got it.
Ms. Thompson: I'm sorry -- 11 meeting whereby --
Chair Suarez: Okay, so what we'll do is we're going to -- okay. We had a schedule that we had
adopted that required us to appoint an interim today, which we didn't do. We had moved it to the
27th. So we're going to move what was supposed to be done on the 27th to the 11 th of October,
which is to select the top five candidates.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Chair Suarez: That makes sense, okay. Okay, that's what we're going to do. Thank you.
Ms. Thompson: All right.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
RE.5 RESOLUTION
12-00846
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Fire -Rescue ATTACHMENT(S), ADDING THE CITY OF CORAL SPRINGS AS A
PARTICIPATING AGENCY IN THE MIAMI URBAN AREA SECURITY
INITIATIVE ("UASI") GRANT FISCAL YEAR 2009, PURSUANT TO
RESOLUTION NO. 10-0290, ADOPTED JULY 8, 2010; AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, SETTING FORTH THE
RESPONSIBILITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEVELOPMENT AND
SUPPORT OF THE UASI PROJECT ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF MIAMI
DEPARTMENT OF FIRE -RESCUE.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
12-00846 Summary Form.pdf
12-00846 Modifications to Grant Agrmt.pdf
12-00846 Federally -Funded Subgrant Agrmt.pdf
12-00846 Subgrant Forms & Reqmts.pdf
12-00846 Pre-Legislation.pdf
12-00846 Legislation.pdf
12-00846 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 2 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff and Carollo
R-12-0306
Chair Suarez: I'm going to skip RE.4 because that's appointment of a city clerk, some sort of
temporary city clerk, so we'll wait 'til later on that one. RE.5.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: RE.5?
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Reginald Duren: Reggie Duren, Deputy Fire Chief. RE.5 is a resolution adding the City of
Coral Springs as a participating agency in the Miami Urban Area Security Initiative, or UASI,
grant fiscal year 2009, pursuant to resolution 10-0290; authorizing the City Manager to execute
a memorandum of agreement.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Is there a motion?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Chair Suarez: Moved. Is there a second? Is there a second? You want me to second it?
Commissioner Gort: He's waiting for me.
Chair Suarez: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Gort: Yeah, I guess I have to second it.
Chair Suarez: Okay. It's been seconded reluctantly. All in favor, signifi, by saying "aye.'
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RE.6 RESOLUTION
12-00847
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Fire -Rescue ATTACHMENT(S), ADDING THE CITY OF CORAL SPRINGS AS A
PARTICIPATING AGENCY IN THE MIAMI URBAN AREA SECURITY
INITIATIVE ("UASI") GRANT FISCAL YEAR 2010, PURSUANT TO
RESOLUTION NO. 11-0478, ADOPTED NOVEMBER 17, 2011; AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
("MOA"), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED, FORM SETTING FORTH THE
RESPONSIBILITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEVELOPMENT AND
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
SUPPORT OF THE UASI PROJECTADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF MIAMI
DEPARTMENT OF FIRE -RESCUE.
12-00847 Summary Form.pdf
12-00847 Letter - State of Florida. pdf
12-00847 Federally -Funded Subgrant Agrmt.pdf
12-00847 Pre-Backup.pdf
12-00847 Subgrant Forms & Reqmts.pdf
12-00847 Legislation.pdf
12-00847 Exhibit 1 .pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 2 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff and Carollo
R-12-0307
Chair Suarez: RE. 6.
Deputy Fire Chief Reginald Duren: RE. 6 is a resolution of the City Commission adding the City
of Coral Springs as a participating agency in the Miami Urban Area and Security Initiative for
grant year 2010, pursuant to resolution 11-0478; authorizing the City Manager to execute a
memorandum of agreement.
Chair Suarez: Is there a motion?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I want to make sure my partner over here is okay. He's a little
delayed.
Chair Suarez: Any discussion? Whatever you want.
Commissioner Gort: I'll make it for discussion purpose.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Motion for discussion. Is there a second --? Second for discussion.
Commissioner Gort.
Commissioner Gort: Question: How many cities are we entitled to have in this, and do we get
additional funds every time we add any cities?
Deputy Chief Duren: I don't believe there's a limit to the number of cities that can participate.
Remember, this is a regional grant --
Commissioner Gort: Right.
Deputy Chief Duren: -- and part of reasons why we're bringing in Coral Springs is for training
purposes. They have a training facility we'd like to use. In order to fund them, they have to be
part of the -- that grant year.
Commissioner Gort: In other words, we are going to supply training to the City of Coral Spring
[sic] -- what is the city?
Deputy Chief Duren: Coral Springs will be providing regional training or participate in training
for the entire region, so you'll have various cities throughout the tri-county area.
City of Miami Page 110 Printed on 10/9/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
RE.7
12-00848
Department of
Fire -Rescue
Commissioner Gort: The region. How many counties are involved in the region? It's the whole
Deputy Chief Duren: Three. Right, you've got Palm Beach, Broward, Dade, and Monroe.
Commissioner Gort: Okay.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Commissioner Gort: All right.
Chair Suarez: Any further questions, Commissioner?
Commissioner Gort: No.
Chair Suarez: Okay. There's a motion and a second. All in favor, signift by saying "aye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN
INDEMNIFICATION AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, INDEMNIFYING MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY ("COUNTY") FOR LOSSES AND DAMAGES FROM THE CITY OF
MIAMI'S USE OF COUNTY -OWNED SCOOTERS WHILE PERFORMING
OFF -DUTY FIRE -RESCUE SERVICES AT THE MARLINS BALLPARK.
12-00848 Summary Form.pdf
12-00848 Legislation.pdf
12-00848 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
RE.8
12-00852
Department of
Planning and Zoning
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION WAIVING, THE
TEMPORARY EVENT LIMITATION PER YEAR, FOR PRIVATE PROPERTY,
PURSUANT TO SECTION 62-521(B)(4) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TO ALLOW THE PROPERTY AT 1001
SOUTH MIAMI AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, TO HOST VARIOUS
TEMPORARY EVENTS BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 AND ENDING
DECEMBER 31, 2012.
12-00852 Summary Form.pdf
12-00852 Legislation.pdf
NO ACTION TAKEN
Chair Suarez: RE.8.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Barnaby Min: Barnaby Min, Zoning administrator. I don't know if you want to wait for the
district Commissioner.
Chair Suarez: Sure. If you think that's wise, we'll wait.
[Later..]
Chair Suarez: You want to stand in recess --?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: (UNINTET,T IGIBT ,F) go ahead and take an item
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Chair Suarez: Yes. Let's do RE.8, which is waiving the temporary two -event permit. I think
there was -- a district Commissioner wasn't here when we had that item, which is RE.8.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: (UNINTET ,T IGIBT ,F).
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Gort: RE.8.
Chair Suarez: RE.8. We skipped over it, yeah.
Mr. Min: Barnaby Min, Zoning Administrator.
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Mr. Min: RE.8 is a resolution waiving the time frames for the temporary permits that are
allowed for 1001 South Miami Avenue. The resolution does not approve the actual permits that
will be issued. Each permit has to be reviewed on a case -by -case basis by the -- all the
disciplines, which will include police, fire, building, zoning, and any other discipline that would
be affected. It simply waives the time frame to allow the property to actually apply.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Is there a motion?
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Let me -- I'll make a motion for discussion.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Chair Suarez: Motion and a second for discussion.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Barnaby, what if I were to tell you I thought predominantly most of this
neighborhood is suffering -from event fatigue?
Mr. Min: I would concur with that statement.
Commissioner Gort: I'm sorry. I didn't hear you. Suffering from what?
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Event --
Chair Suarez: Event fatigue.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- fatigue.
Commissioner Gort: Oh, okay.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Chair Suarez: Have you heard that one before? I like it.
Vice Chair Sarnoff And what ifI were to tell you that the Chief of Police had his concerns about
this event fatigue as well?
Mr. Min: I would also concur with that statement.
Vice Chair Sarnoff So why is it that we're bringing over, without consulting the district
Commissioner -- andl realize I'm not as important as some of my colleagues -- but why is it that
we're bringing this in front of a full Commission when the district Commissioner hasn 't suggested
it might be a good idea?
Mr. Min: Respectfully, I did reach out to the office,andl think the concern that was expressed
was to check with the police department. Andl did speak with the police department and they
are on board. They expressed the same concerns. But, again, each application would be
reviewed on a case -by -case basis. So without the resolution passing, you would not be able to
have Christmas tree sales at that location. You would not be able to sell pumpkins at --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Is that all this is about is Christmas trees?
Mr. Min: No. This one is in fact -- what they're planning in October is an Octoberfest type of an
event.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Right.
Mr. Min: Whether that will actually happen is a completely different story. But without a
resolution, the property would not be able to apply for any kind of event whatsoever.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Here's what I recall of this whole situation. I recall some e-mails
(electronic) going back and forth andl recall asking the Chief of Police what he thought. And
for the first time -- and to his credit -- I saw a chief of police sayingl think this is going to affect
the quality of life of that neighborhood 'cause I think -- I think it's his expression -- they have
event fatigue, or some words to that effect. Andl was really quite pleased to see a chief of police
actually considering quality of life as something he should be governing. Andl thought it was
great -- I thought it was really great for Chief Orosa to come up with that. And then -- andl
thought that was pretty much the end of it because I thought the Chief said, well, I think there are
too many events and what I've seen over there, that some of them have gotten a little bit out of
hand. And then you send me an e-mail that says, Commissioner, ifI don't hear from you, I'm
going to put this on the agenda. Now that's -- that's about right; am I wrong on that? Is that
about the way I got it?
Mr. Min: Again, my recollection is that I was instructed or requested to speak with the Chief of
Police, and if the Police indicated that they had no objections, then it could be placed on the
agenda.
Vice Chair Sarnoff So maybe -- you did see the e-mail that I saw with the Chief where he's
having the objection.
Mr. Min: Absolutely.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I didn't see the e-mail where they withdrew their objection.
Mr. Min: There was a meeting that I met with special events that were sent by Chief Orosa.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Vice Chair Sarnoff Okay.
Mr. Min: I believe it was Lieutenant Gonzalez, and ifI recall correctly, Commander Sanchez,
although I don't remember if it was Commander Sanchez or not.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Well, here's my thinking. I don't want to stand in the way of anybody's
Christmas tree at all, but I don't necessarily -- I mean, I've been down there, for instance, two
times a year that seems to be pretty rugged, October and March, 'cause it's Saint Patrick's Day.
And apparently, there are more Irish bars down there than you can shake a stick at. And who
would have known that there are so many Irish people in the City ofMiami? But I think
everybody turns Irish around March.
Commissioner Gort: Where do you think Gort came from?
Vice Chair Sarnoff I was just going to say Commissioner Gort. He's a good --
Chair Suarez: Does sound pretty Irish.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- that's a good Irish name. Again, I hear what you're saying is,
Commissioner, just pass this; we still have a relief valve, and that relief valve is we will not
approve anything unless everybody is on board. I'm very hesitant to do so. How can I get my
hesitancy taken from me? What about this --
Mr. Min: I'm happy to include the D2 (District 2) office in the review process of any permit
application that comes in for that address. And if there's any other conditions that perhaps any
of the disciplines did not consider, we'll, of course, take those into consideration. From my
recollection, I believe -- andl don't want to misspeak for the Chief -- the concern was more
about the street closures and how it affects traffic versus actual events at the location. But,
again, if I'm misspeaking, I'm happy to be corrected.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Could l just hear from the Chief real quick? 'Cause, Chief I got to
commend you on this one because I -- you actually brought up the quality of life. I think you
were the first person to talk about it.
Chief Manuel Orosa (Police): Yeah. The -- Commissioner, the main problem I have is, first of
all, the street closures and redirecting traffic and how it affects all the restaurants. This
particular item, you have two or three restaurants that want to close and create a, lack of a
better word, party atmosphere for that event, which affects the other restaurants.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Right.
Chief Orosa: And like you said earlier, we have two Irish restaurants, but then the Mexican
restaurant wants to be part of that. And when we have Cinco de Mayo, the Mexican and all the
Irish restaurants -- and then when we get a German restaurant, it's going to be Oktoberfest. And
when do we stop? So I agree with each business having two events and go from there.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Two events could bring you --
Commissioner Gort: For each event.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- 50 --
Commissioner Gort: For each business.
Chief Orosa: Excuse me?
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Huh?
Commissioner Gort: Two events for each business.
Chief Orosa: I think the code allows two events for each business.
Commissioner Gort: And how many businesses are they?
Chief Orosa: Well, these particular restaurants, they're having it at the same day.
Commissioner Gort: Okay.
Chief Orosa: Rosa Mexicana has them at basically -- to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. The Irish is
Commissioner Gort: Seventeenth of March.
Chief Orosa: -- in March.
Vice Chair Sarnoff The Irish celebrates Saturday.
Commissioner Gort: March.
Chief Orosa: Exactly. So --
Chair Suarez: It's a weekend celebration.
Commissioner Gort: So it's the whole weekend of party.
Chief Orosa: Yeah. No, more. It's about a couple months apart. But like leaving it open for
anybody to go and participate and close down the street or even rent the park -- not the park --
the empty parking lots, it adds a burden to some of the restaurants, specifically
(UNINTELLIGIBLE), which, when I go around, they tell me, hey, you know, we got the drunks
coming in here and we try to hire cops and the cops are for the street. And it creates a problem
for those little restaurants there that are not part of the event.
Vice Chair Sarnoff And here's how I see it, Chief. I see a very successful neighborhood that, in
and of itself with the flowing of traffic, works extremely well. And while I think that they're
entitled to some event closures, I just don't think they're entitled to an unlimited amount. So I
feel like what we have in place is correct.
Chief Orosa: And Coconut Grove, the same thing. We had tons of event back in the '80s, and in
the '90s the Grove got tired of it and they decided to do 12, 1 a month. This may be something of
a similar nature.
Vice Chair Sarnoff So, Mr. Chair --
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- I'm going to withdraw my motion.
Chair Suarez: Motion withdrawn, which means the second is not important because the motion
is withdrawn. Is there another motion? Would you like to make another motion?
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You're withdrawing it to not have it happen?
Chair Suarez: Right.
Vice Chair Sarnoff No. It was a motion -- right, to allow it to happen. I believe if --
Chair Suarez: Would you like to --?
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- I leave it where it is, it just dies.
Chair Suarez: Would you like --? Well, if nobody makes a motion, then it gets, what, tabled?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): No. On this particular instance, you had a motion to
approve; it's been withdrawn.
Chair Suarez: Correct. Then there's no motion.
Ms. Thompson: If you take no action on it --
Chair Suarez: Right. It rolls to the next Commission meeting.
Ms. Thompson: -- if you -- you're not going to do anything -- is it your intent not to do anything
at all?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Right. What happens?
Chair Suarez: It rolls to the next Commission meeting.
Ms. Thompson: No, no, no, no.
Maria J. Chiaro (Deputy City Attorney): If you take no action on it, it is not approved. And
unless it is placed on another agenda --
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Ms. Thompson: Right.
Ms. Chiaro: -- it will not be approved.
Chair Suarez: There you go. All right.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Which is really the best place for it to be, 'cause if somebody can come up
with a great compelling argument --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- it leaves it in abeyance so they can --
Chair Suarez: Perfect.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- Barnaby can then write me another letter in about two weeks and says, if
I don't hear from you, I'm going to put this on the agenda. Barnaby, you'd make a great lawyer.
I don't know about Zoning director, but great lawyer.
Mr. Min: Try my best.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
RE.9
12-00879
Ms. Thompson: Wait. Let's be clear. Let's be clear, please, okay. You're taking no action on
this.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I'm taking no action.
Ms. Thompson: Then we will show "no action taken." Then if and when it needs to be placed
on the agenda again, it will be placed on the agenda again. This item, this file number will not
come back.
Vice Chair Sarnoff That's fine.
Ms. Thompson: Okay.
Chair Suarez: Okay. So no action is taken on this one. Sorry.
Mr. Min: That's okay. Thank you.
Chair Suarez: I think I was the one that gave him the recommendation to say -- to write it that
way.
Mr. Min: Have a good day.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Oh, did you?
Chair Suarez: I think so. I'm not sure. Was it that one? Was it that one that I gave you that --?
Was I the one that gave you the recommendation to put that? Oh, no, it wasn't? Okay, sorry.
Can't take credit for that.
RESOLUTION
Department of NET A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Administration ATTACHMENT(S), APPROPRIATING FUNDS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED $100,000, TO AN EXISTING SPECIAL REVENUE PROJECT
ENTITLED: "2011-2012 HOMELESS HOTEL/ MOTEL PLACEMENT
PROGRAM, FEEDING COORDINATION PROGRAM AND HOMELESS
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM ("HMIS") STAFFING",
CONSISTING OF AN EXTENSION OF AN EXISTING GRANTAWARD FROM
THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY HOMELESS TRUST, TO CONTINUE
PROVIDING HOTEL/MOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS TO HOMELESS FAMILIES,
STAFFING FOR HMIS, AND FEEDING PROGRAM COORDINATION;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NUMBER
3 TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND THE CITY
OF MIAMI, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, AND ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE EXTENSION
OF THE AGREEMENT AND THE ACCEPTANCE OF SAID GRANT.
12-00879 Summary Form.pdf
12-00879 Letter - Extension &Amend. Agrmt. Hotel&Motel.pdf
12-00879 Legislation.pdf
12-00879 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 2 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff and Carollo
R-12-0308
Chair Suarez: RE.9.
Sergio Torres: Sergio Torres, City ofMiami Homeless Assistance Program administrator. RE.9
is a resolution to accept an amendment number -- the third amendment to the contract that we
have with the Miami -Dade County Homeless Trust to provide shelter from -- shelter -- hotel
placement to homeless families. This amendment will bring an additional $100, 000 to add up to
$500, 047.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Is there a motion?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Spence -Jones, second by Commissioner Gort. I just
would like to say, Sergio, that you do a job in our city that is incredibly important. I can't tell
you how many times I've referred people to your program and literally saved people from being
homeless on the street, and you know, you're always available, you know, 24 hours a day. You
take it personal. You live with it and it shows in the work that you do. So there's a motion and a
second. All in favor, signift by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Mr. Torres: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
RE.10 RESOLUTION
12-00896
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ESTABLISHING A NEW
Fire -Rescue SPECIAL REVENUE PROJECT ENTITLED: "FISCAL YEAR 2012 -
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FEDERAL EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT AGENCY ("FEMA"), URBAN SEARCH & RESCUE
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT," AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS, IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,287,608, CONSISTING OF A GRANT FROM
FEMA TO BE USED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FIRE -RESCUE TO ACQUIRE
EQUIPMENT, TRAINING, SUPPORT, ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROGRAM
MANAGEMENT, EQUIPMENT CACHE PROCUREMENT, MAINTENANCE
AND STORAGE; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT SAID
GRANT AWARD AND TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A
FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT
THE ACCEPTANCE AND ADMINISTRATION OF SAID GRANT.
12-00896 Summary Form.pdf
12-00896 Overview Information.pdf
12-00896 US&R General Memo. - 2012-028.pdf
12-00896 Legislation.pdf
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 2 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff and Carollo
R-12-0309
Chair Suarez: RE.10.
Deputy Fire Chief Reginald Duren: RE.10 is a resolution establishing a new special revenue
project entitled "Fiscal Year 2012 - Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency
Management Agency, Urban Search and Rescue Readiness Cooperative Agreement; " and
appropriating funds in an amount not to exceed $1, 287, 608; authorizing the City Manager to
accept said grant and award to execute the necessary documents in order to implement the
acceptance of said grant.
Chair Suarez: Is there a motion?
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Chair Suarez: Motion by Commissioner Gort.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Spence -Jones. All in favor, sign by --
Commissioner Gort: This is not a regional one, right?
Deputy Chief Duren: No, sir. This is for our USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) team.
Commissioner Gort: This is for the City ofMiami to be utilized -- and according to this, it's
Federal Emergency Management Agency, right?
Deputy Chief Duren: Correct. Well, the funding will however -- since we have representatives
from other departments on our team, we do, in essence, pay their salaries whenever they're
deployed or during training, so there is a participating with other agencies. This is a federal
team.
Commissioner Gort: All right. Okay.
Chair Suarez: All in favor, signift by saying "aye.
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Do you want to be recorded on this, Commissioner? It's a 3 no -- 3-0, I'm sorry.
RE.11 RESOLUTION
12-00897
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Fire -Rescue ATTACHMENT(S), ESTABLISHING A NEW SPECIAL REVENUE PROJECT
ENTITLED: "STATE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM
SUB -RECIPIENT AGREEMENT FOR EXPENDITURE OF LOCAL
GOVERNMENT UNIT FUNDING FOR FLORIDA URBAN SEARCH AND
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
RESCUE ("USAR") TASK FORCES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011" AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $56,203, CONSISTING OF A
GRANT FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL
SERVICES, TO BE USED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FIRE -RESCUE TO
ACQUIRE EQUIPMENT, AND TO PROVIDE TRAINING IN STATE FIRE
MARSHAL APPROVED USAR TRAINING COURSES; AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE ACCEPTANCE AND
ADMINISTRATION OF SAID GRANT AWARD.
12-00897 Summary Form.pdf
12-00897 Legislation.pdf
12-00897 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
RE.12
12-00898
Department of Capital
Improvements
Program
R-12-0310
Chair Suarez: RE.11. RE.11, that's still you, chief. It's okay. I know I'm going pretty fast, trying
to get us through.
Deputy Fire Chief Reginald Duren: RE.11 is a resolution establishing a special revenue project
entitled "State Homeland Security Grant Program Sub -recipient Agreement for Expenditure of
Local Government Unit Funding for the Florida Urban Search and Rescue Task Force II --
Florida Task Force II;; " appropriating funds in the sum of $56,203; consisting of a grant from
the State of Florida.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Is there a motion?
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Gort, second by Commissioner Spence -Jones. All in
favor, signift by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN
INDEMNIFICATION AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, WITH THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT, FOR GIBSON PARK, B-30305B.
12-00898 Summary Form.pdf
12-00898 Legislation.pdf
12-00898 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Vice Chair Sarnoff, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
R-12-0311
Chair Suarez: RE.12.
Albert Sosa: Albert Sosa, director of Capital Improvements. RE.12 is a resolution authorizing
the City Manager to execute an indemnification and hold harmless agreement with the
Miami -Dade Water and Sewer Department in connection with their service provided to the new
Gibson Park.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Is there a motion?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Spence -Jones. Is there a second? Vice Chair, you're the
only one that could second without me --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Second, sorry.
Chair Suarez: It's okay. There's a second by the Vice Chair. All in favor, signifi, by saying
"aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: By the way, Vice Chair, when you were away, we postponed the PZ (Planning &
Zoning) item, the only PZ item. We deferred it.
Vice Chair Sarnoff It's for the next --
Chair Suarez: To the next PZ meeting. Is that okay?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Perfect.
Chair Suarez: That's good for your?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Perfect, yes.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Thank you.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Excuse me, Chair. Just wanting to make sure, on our vote
for RE.12, Commissioner Gort was on the -- on that side of the dais. Did he want to be included
in that vote?
Chair Suarez: Do you want to register a vote on RE.12, Commissioner, or do we just keep
going?
Commissioner Gort: Which one?
Chair Suarez: RE.12, which is an indemnification and hold harmless agreement for Gibson
Park.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
RE.13
12-00899
Department of Capital
Improvements
Program
Commissioner Gort: Yes, no problem.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Please record that as a yes.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$48,000, CONSISTING OF A GRANT FROM THE MIAMI-DADE
METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION, FOR THE
OVERTOWN/VVYNWOOD BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN MOBILITY PLAN;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN INTERLOCAL
AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, FOR SAID
PURPOSE; ALLOCATING THE CITY OF MIAMI'S REQUIRED MATCHING
FUNDS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $12,000, FROM CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. B-30645E.
12-00899 Summary Form.pdf
12-00899 Legislation.pdf
12-00899 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
R-12-0312
Chair Suarez: RE.13.
Albert Sosa: Albert Sosa, director of Capital Improvements. RE.13 is accepting a grant in the
amount of $48, 000 from the Metropolitan Planning Organization for a bicycle and pedestrian
mobility study in the Overtown/Wynwood area.
Chair Suarez: Is there a motion?
Vice Chair Sarnoff So move.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second. Discussion.
Chair Suarez: Yes. It's been moved by the Vice Chair, second by Commissioner Spence -Jones,
and passing it over to her for discussion.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. I just wanted to add in there Park West, really more or less
Park West. I know that there's been a plan or discussion, at least -- I don't know if Commissioner
Sarnoff knows that Brad and that whole group were trying to do some sort of bicycle path, which
I think would be great. And does this include -- it doesn't include downtown. Did you not want
downtown included in this?
Mr. Sosa: We -- the previous MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) grants that we've
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
RE.14
12-00900
Department of Capital
Improvements
Program
gotten -- we get one a year -- one of them was for the downtown core, another one was for the
health district. In previous years --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So you already did the downtown?
Mr. Sosa: Right. So this is like the connection between those two.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. IfI could -- I would just like to amend it to say
Overtown/Park West/Wynwood.
Mr. Sosa: That's -- we can always include the Park West area as part of the study. That's not an
issue.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. I just wanted to make sure.
Mr. Sosa: Sure.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, thanks.
Chair Suarez: Okay, guys. By the way, you know, commending the staff and the MPO for
granting us these funds to do something which I think we all agree is something we want to
encourage in the City ofMiami, which is getting out of your cars and utilizing other forms of
transportation to get around, walking, biking --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Chair Suarez: -- To Go cars, et cetera. So all in favor, signify by saying "aye.
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): And letting -- that was a modified resolution.
Chair Suarez: As modified.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE TO THE CONSTRUCTION
CONTRACT WITH SOLUTION CONSTRUCTION INC., FOR THE NW 14TH
STREET MULTIMEDIA ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT STREETSCAPE
PROJECT, B-30394, FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES DUE TO UNFORESEEN
UTILITY CONFLICTS, OWNER REQUESTED CHANGES WHICH INCLUDE
ADDITIONAL STREET LIGHTING, AND RELATED MAINTENANCE OF
TRAFFIC, IN THE AMOUNT OF $195,366.73, PLUS AN ADDITIONAL OWNER
CONTINGENCY AMOUNT OF $17,760.61, FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED
AWARD VALUE OF $213,127.34, THEREBY INCREASING THE AWARD
VALUE FROM $2,174,999.79, TO AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$2,388,127.13; ALLOCATING FUNDS FOR SAID INCREASE, FROM THE
OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY PROJECT NO. 92-686001;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT
NO. 1 TO THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
12-00900 Summary Form.pdf
12-00900 Letter - N. 14 Street Multimedia Entertainment.pdf
12-00900 Bid Contract.pdf
12-00900 Legislation.pdf
12-00900 Exhibit.pdf
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
R-12-0313
Chair Suarez: RE.14.
Albert Sosa: Albert Sosa, director of Capital Improvements. RE.14 is a resolution that increases
the contract capacity of an existing contractor, Solution Construction, in the amount of
$213, 000, to allow for unforeseen utility conflicts, as well as additional street lighting along the
Northwest 14th Street corridor. This project is sponsored by the CRA (Community
Redevelopment Agency), and it's funded by the CRA. The City procured the contract and is
helping with the management of it. That's why we have to come before the Commission to get
this increase, but it is funded through the CRA.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Is there a motion?
Vice Chair Sarnoff So move.
Chair Suarez: Moved by the Vice Chair.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Spence -Jones. Any further discussion? All in favor,
signify by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Passes unanimously.
RE.15 RESOLUTION
12-00904
District2- A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING THE FLORIDA
Commissioner Marc DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ("FDOT") TO GRANT URBAN
David Sarnoff MUNICIPALITIES LOCAL CONTROL OVER THE CHARACTER OF STATE
ROADS NOT CLASSIFIED AS LIMITED ACCESS FACILITIES WITHIN THEIR
JURISDICTION, FOR MUNICIPALITIES WITH A POPULATION DENSITY OF
TEN THOUSAND (10,000) PEOPLE PER SQUARE MILE OR MORE, WITH
FDOT TO PROVIDE THE FUNDS ALLOCATED TO SAID FACILITIES
DIRECTLY TO THE MUNICIPALITIES IN WHICH THE STATE ROAD IS
LOCATED; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMITA COPY OF THIS
RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS AS STATED HEREIN.
12-00904 Legislation.pdf
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0314
Direction by Chair Suarez to the City Attorney to determine the legislative solution that is
necessary to ensure that municipalities are granted control of local state roads and to work with
him to draft similar legislation to present to the Miami -Dade Board of County Commissioners;
further directing the Administration to ensure that this becomes a legislative priority at the State
level.
Chair Suarez: RE.15.
Vice Chair Sarnoff RE.15, Mr. Chair, is a resolution of the City ofMiami Commission urging
the Florida Department of Transportation -- and possibly extending this by consideration to the
County, but for the purposes of today, just speaking about FDOT (Florida Department of
Transportation) -- to grant urban municipalities local control over the character of state roads
not classified as limited access facilities within their jurisdictions, for municipalities with a
population of 10,000 people per square mile or more, with FDOT to provide the funds allocated
to said facilities directly to the municipalities in which the state road is located. And if you
would, Mr. Chair, let me -- allow me to maybe express what this issue is.
Chair Suarez: Please do.
Vice Chair Sarnoff We have many state roads through our system, for instance, Brickell,
Biscayne Boulevard, and others. And if the primary concern for Florida Department of
Transportation is the movement of vehicles -- andl think they have some nice key phrases -- and
they actually call pedestrians non -automotive units. So, Commissioner Spence -Jones, when
you're out there, you are a non -automotive unit and you have a secondary place --
Chair Suarez: Category.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- in FDOT's heart, let's say, comparatively to the vehicle. And the reason I
suggest this is a good idea is simply because FDOT deals with 98 percent, 99 percent of their
day -- maybe even 99.9 percent of their day is spent in rural areas in Florida moving people as
expeditiously and quickly as it can. And even think about some of the cities, Tampa,
Jacksonville, they're not as urbanly [sic] dense as is the City ofMiami. And what's happening,
for instance, on Brickell, you have people -- it took almost heaven and earth -- and the Manager
was present, as was Alice Bravo -- to get then our secretary of transportation, PrasadAnanth --
sorry, PrasadAnanth to come down to a meeting in which Mayor Regalado was there and
Mayor Gimenez was there, and I'm not sure it was the most -- it was a pretty rigorous meeting,
let's put it like that. Maybe the mayors weren't as well -acknowledged as they should have been.
And literally speaking --
Chair Suarez: I'm not surprised.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I was surprised, actually, 'cause, you know, I'm a Commissioner; it's okay to
walk on me, but didn't think he walked on mayors. But having said that, their primary objective
-- and they were very clear about it -- is to move traffic. So we were successful in getting
Brickell lowered from 40 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour. And we were also successful,
hopefully, in getting the crosswalk changed so that there'll be a lighted crosswalk, again, right
across the street from UTD, United Teachers of Dade, which, as you know, probably the average
age there is 80 years old -- or certainly 75 years old, and they walk directly across to get to a bus
stop and/or now 1814 Brickell Park. And it just seemed too hard to get them to do that. Andl
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
think it's time that we start considering that in municipalities that are extremely urbanly [sic]
dense, that we look at how we move traffic differently than possibly a state agency does and
maybe even you thinking about the County does because their objectives are very different --
Chair Suarez: Absolutely.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- than our objectives 'cause I think our objectives are neighborhoods. And
in a neighborhood comes people walking. We just said it a moment ago. You want to get people
on their bikes. You want to get people walking. You want to get people running. You want to
create an urban fabric, an urban feel. Andl thought about doing this almost from day one of
being Commissioner, which is like, why don't we just take their money, use their guidelines to
some degree, maybe modnj, them some. I mean, certainly, a car is a car is a car. It's going to
have to have a certain, you know, spacing requirement, et cetera. But how about the first thing
we declare is Michelle Spence -Jones, as a non -automotive unit, becomes a person and the
person has --
Chair Suarez: Has equal dignity as the car.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. How about more than equal dignity.
Chair Suarez: Yeah, preference.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. How about we give it the dignity ahead of the car.
Chair Suarez: That's true.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. And until you get that philosophy -- as you know, Mr. Chair --
Chair Suarez: Yep.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- until you philosophically believe a non -automotive unit is a person and a
person should be put in front of a car, you will never have any strictures, guidelines, criteria that
will ever establish anything other than a non -automotive unit is secondary to that vehicle. So I'm
just suggesting, as part of a resolution --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- that we send this to FDOT and say we think this is where the urban fabric
of the state of Florida is going to go and we stand before you today as the first city to demand
that we get the proper funding that you were going to put into the road to begin with and that you
allow us the opportunity to design that street in accordance with agreed criteria that establishes
a community and a fiber -- and a fabric that each one of us thinks that should put the pedestrian
ahead of the vehicle.
Chair Suarez: Well, I clearly support this --
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Chair Suarez: -- resolution. It's been moved by --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Chair Suarez: -- and seconded. Okay, I clearly support this resolution. What I would ask is,
with your indulgence, Vice Chair, that we also direct the City Attorney's office and staff to put
together whatever legislative solution has to be incorporated to make this happen because I think
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
when we just do a reso, it's great. It shows -- you know, manifests our intent. But I think
sometimes if we don't, you know, lead the horse to water, it's not going to drink. So I think we
have to create legislation. I think we should also make this one of our legislative priorities for
our lobbying team for the next legislative session, and I'd also direct the City Attorney's office
and staff to work with me on something similar with the County. Because I know if we get a
resolution similar to this with legislation that supports it, I'm fairly certain that we can get a
County Commissioner to sponsor it. But, you know, it always helps when we've done a lot of the
heavy lifting and we kind of have it prepackaged and we just put it in front of them.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. District 5, District 4.
Chair Suarez: Let me tell you, there's plenty of Commissioners that think would be --
Commissioner Gort: We have it.
Chair Suarez: -- willing to do it so --
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Certainly not the District 7.
Chair Suarez: Well -- there's a lot of Commissioners thatl think will be willing to sponsor it so --
Vice Chair Sarnofff. So, Mr. Manager, with that instruction, could you help us draft --?
Chair Suarez: And he's as good a person as there is --
Vice Chair Sarnofff. No, I know.
Chair Suarez: -- to help.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. I --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. It's not like you haven't had enough to do, you have.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. But it gets easier in a couple weeks.
Chair Suarez: And it doesn't have to be in September, you know; in October maybe. Legis --
state legislation that would effectuate this, if it can be done by legislation, and then obviously
making it a legislative priority. Because when we go up to Tallahassee, we want to be clear with
our representatives, whoever they are, if we have any, or ourselves, I guess, if we're going to be
the ones doing it again this year, you know, what are our goals. And our goal is either through
legislation or through administrative action to get this to happen. And I'd like the same effort
with reference to county roads. Non -- I call it non -arterials. I don't know if that's even a
technical name. I just -- something made up. Local roads. However you want to describe it in
a technical way that takes out like a Coral Way, which is an FDOT road, but you know, 27th is
also an FDOT -- but 17th is also FDOT -- that's a County road.
Commissioner Gort: No, that's a County.
Chair Suarez: But you know, obviously, we're not going to be given control over traffic control
devices on those roads, but --
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Commissioner Gort: Twelfth Avenue.
Chair Suarez: There you go. So, you know, if we can work on that -- even though 20 -- we've
been having some trouble with 22nd and 17th, you know, on some issues, but we'll work through
it. We'll work through it.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. And as you guys know, as the County and/or the State comes in and they
start doing work on the road, they do a base level, and then they come to the City and they said,
if you want it to look different -- like a road that looks like in a city -- you have to give us the
money and the enhancements, and then, of course, you have to agree to maintain whatever it is
we put in.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. And as long as we're involved in the process now, what I'm suggesting is
give us the process --
Chair Suarez: I agree.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. -- so that if it's going to look like an urban road, let us make the urban road.
Chair Suarez: I think we should have the ability to have the priority in determining -- since
we're the locality, we should have the priority in determining what kind of character we want our
roads to be, whether they -- we want them to be something that makes it efficient for you to get
from one side of the city to the other or we want it to be residential, where people can walk their,
you know, babies, their dogs, you know, elderly feel safe walking. And you know, interestingly,
in my small neighborhood, you know, when the wall was done, a lot of people on the outside
complained because the inside of the neighborhood was very walkable. So, you know, whatl
said was, let's make your neighborhood walkable as well. Andl think it's a promise that goes
unfulfilled right now because, you know, we're having so much trouble getting through the
County on so many things. So, anyhow, it's been --
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Chair, may --
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Ms. Thompson: I'm sorry. Before you vote on it, may I ask a question just for my own clarity?
You're voting on the resolution as it's stated in the agenda --
Chair Suarez: Yes, and we're --
Ms. Thompson: -- then there's some later --
Chair Suarez: -- directing the City staff to do --
Ms. Thompson: Yeah. And there's --
Chair Suarez: -- several things.
Ms. Thompson: -- language coming later.
Chair Suarez: Correct. We're directing them to prepare the language that makes it a legislative
priority, number one; and number two, that's the enabling legislation that needs to make this
effective.
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RE.16
12-00911
Department of Parks
and Recreation
RE.17
12-00926
Office of the City
Attorney
Ms. Thompson: Great. Just want to make sure. Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Just so we can have it all pre -- and also for the County as well.
Ms. Thompson: Okay, thank you.
Chair Suarez: Okay. So there's a motion and a second. All in favor, signift by saying "aye.
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RESOLUTION
TO BE DEFERRED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM,
BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY"), THE SCHOOL BOARD OF
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, THE MIAMI-DADE AREA VI OFFICE OF THE
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL
REHABILITATION, AND MACTOWN INCORPORATION, FOR THE PURPOSE
OF CONTINUING THE NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED PROJECT SEARCH
PROGRAM AT THE CITY, WITH THE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE
MARKETABLE JOB TRAINING AND SOCIAL SKILLS FOR YOUTH WITH
DISABILITIES, TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYMENT;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, AND
MODIFICATIONS AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY,
THERETO IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE ATTACHED FORM OF THE
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT, FOR A ONE-YEAR PERIOD COMMENCING
JULY 1, 2012 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2013, WITH THE OPTION TO RENEW
FOR TWO (2) ADDITIONAL ONE-YEAR PERIODS UNDER THE SAME
TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
12-00911 Cover Page.pdf
12-00911 Summary Form.pdf
12-00911 Legislation.pdf
12-00911 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO PAY TO AND ON BEHALF OF BERNARDO
PEREZ, SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS IMPOSED BY CHAPTER 440,
FLORIDA STATUTES, THE TOTAL SUM OF $115,000, IN FULL SETTLEMENT
OF ALL CLAIMS AND DATES OF ACCIDENT ALLEGED AGAINST THE CITY
OF MIAMI, ITS OFFICERS, AGENTS AND EMPLOYEES, WITHOUT
ADMISSION OF LIABILITY, UPON EXECUTING A SETTLEMENT
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, ITS
PRESENT AND FORMER OFFICERS, AGENTS, AND EMPLOYEES, FROM
ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM
ACCOUNT NO. 05002.301001.524000.0000.00000.
12-00926 Memo - Office of the City Attorney. pdf
12-00926 Memo - Financial Signoff.pdf
12-00926 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0315
Chair Suarez: Let's see if we can do real quickRE.17, and then we'll go to the time certain item
of 2, and apologize that we're running about half an hour behind.
Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): Mr. Chair, RE.17 is a proposed settlement. This is a worker's
compensation claim.
Vice Chair Sarnoff So moved.
Chair Suarez: Moved by the --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Chair Suarez: -- Vice Chair, second by Commissioner Spence -Jones. All in favor, signift by
saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RE.18 RESOLUTION
12-00201
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Attorney ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY
AND ALL DOCUMENTS CANCELING AND TERMINATING THE LEASE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI AND OLYMPIA BUILDING
PARTNERSHIP, LTD., INCLUDING TERMINATION AND CANCELLATION OF
THE SUBLEASE WITH OLYMPIA RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PARTNERS, LTD.,
TRANSFERRING POSSESSION OF THE COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL
PROPERTY TO THE CITY OF MIAMI, ASSIGNING ALL EXISTING
COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL TENANT LEASES TO THE CITY OF
MIAMI, RELEASING OLYMPIA BUILDING PARTNERSHIP, LTD., OF ALL
COVENANTS, CONDITIONS, AND OBLIGATIONS ARISING UNDER THE
LEASE, SATISFYING LEASEHOLD MORTGAGES, AND ACCEPTING THE
TRANSFER OF TENANT SECURITY DEPOSIT FUNDS FROM OLYMPIA
BUILDING PARTNERSHIP, LTD., IN SETTLEMENT OF ANY AND ALL CLAIMS
AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE OLYMPIA BUILDING PARTNERSHIP, LTD., IN
THE CASE OF CITY OF MIAMI VS. OLYMPIA BUILDING PARTNERSHIP,
LTD., PENDING IN THE CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY, CASE NO. 03-28667-CA-27.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
12-00201 Memo - Office of the City Attorney. pdf
12-00201 Legislation.pdf
12-00201 Exhibit 1.pdf
12-00201-Submittal-Olympia Center Pledge Report. pdf
12-00201 Submittal -Theaters Managed by SMG.pdf
12-00201- Submittal -Olympia Center Supplemental Info.pdf
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Note for the Record: Item RE.18 was deferred to the September 27, 2012 Commission Meeting.
Chair Suarez: Okay, RE.18, which is the actual settlement. Then I guess the management
agreement was the one that we were disputing whether we would defer or not, right?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Mr. Chair.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Vice Chair Sarnoff With regard to RE.18 and RE.19, I want everybody up here to feel like they
had every opportunity in the world to do whatever it is they think they need to do. You know, the
Gusman -- I'm not going to make a long speech, andl apologize to the Gusman. I'm not going to
get into -- 'cause I've said it many, many times before. It is certainly in District 2. It is certainly,
I think, a citywide issue. I acknowledge that. It is certainly the hub of the downtown. It is the
artery of Flagler. It is the reason why Flagler will or will not succeed. It is an extremely
important issue with regard to me. It is an extremely important issue with regard to the Mayor,
who made this, I think, his number one or number two priority since he became the Mayor of
Miami. And all I ask is any Commissioner that -- we've been doing this for the -- I went to a
meeting with the Mayor, I think it was January or February of 2010, and we told the Gusman we
will not be able to fund you that year. Now, we ended up funding them that year, candidly. But
-- and maybe, Commissioner Carollo, we shouldn't have. But there -- I just -- keep one thing in
mind. This is such a developed plan. This has been worked on for so long. And yes, it continues
to change because, as we unravel things, it does continue to evolve a little bit. So all say to any
Commissioner is, if you're going to come up here and you're going to say, this is what's wrong
with it, then tell us what your solution is. Because any good manager says, I have a problem, but
here is my solution. And please acknowledge -- andl want to -- I do want to acknowledge on the
record everyone involved, from Margaret Lake to Herman Echevarria, to every -- including
Henry Torre. Everybody has worked extremely judiciously and has worked toward finding a
solution to the Gusman. The Gusman's problems are not unique. It is the same problem the
Coconut Grove Playhouse has. It is the same problem Marine Stadium has. All of these
facilities were dependent upon government for years to subsist because the ticket sales were
inadequate to pay for the structure, and that includes the capital improvements as well as the
operation of the structure. So we have taken these facilities out of government's coffers,
probably rightfully so, but we need to find an acceptable way for them to keep a ticket sale in the
$60 range because people will not likely pay more than $60 to go to the Gusman, and then to
find a solution for them to find alternate sources of revenues so they don't need to come back to
government and they could be self-sustaining. I said this to Commissioner Spence [sic] many,
many times on the dais. It's going to be a new day. The 501(c) (3)s are going to have to find new
ways of funding themselves. Any good 501(c) (3) has, as part of its business plan, a for -profit
venture. Because the only way you're going to sustain yourself is by deriving a profit. All
suggest to any Commissioner is you have to come up with a vehicle of revenue sharing and
revenue directives if the Gusman is to survive. And it's two outs in the ninth inning. I think we
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
can go one more at bat, if you will, but this has to be heard at the next Commission meeting. And
I forewarn you all, barring something absolutely unforeseeable -- you know, I'm going to try to
hold the vote to the next Commission meeting. So with that, I will move to continue RE.18, and
then I'll -- and a second motion for RE.19 to the next Commission meeting.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Chair Suarez: To deferral and a second.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And l just got a discussion.
Chair Suarez: Yeah, yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Commissioner Carollo, do you have any comments?
Commissioner Carollo: Couple quick things. First of all, my -- it's not that -- when you said that
I may have objective [sic] to giving money to Gusman, it's not that. What I objected to what was
promised to us and later what was done. That's -- that was my issue with that because we were --
they -- we were told that this was the only amount of money that the City will have to put in and
that the rest would be coming from the private sector. That did not occur. Now we could, you
know, go back and forth on what the reasons were, back and forth, but the bottom line is that we
were told something; it did not occur. We had to come up with more money for the Gusman. As
a matter offact, you could see it in our audit report. You don't have to go very far. I didn't point
it out at the time 'cause, yes, I'm not here to embarrass anyone. I'm not here -- but it's in our
audit report that they were way over the budgeted amount. Now with that said, my issue with this
-- and you're very -- you're correct. This has been deferred quite a bit. However, I will tell you,
every time that this has come up and I'm going for a briefing, it's not like there isn't other issues.
I mean, right now we're dealing with all the budget issues, but just a few months ago, I mean,
there was this other little issue called Parrot Jungle, you know, or Jungle Island. So it's like
issue after issue that, you know, it takes a lot of time. And with that said, every time this issue
has come before me, you know, I've been told, oh, this is going to be deferred. So what happens?
Okay, if it's going to be deferred, I mean, there's other pending issues I better attain to. So after
two or three times of this happening, then four or five times, now this comes up and oh,
Commissioner, you know about this issue. This has been deferred four or five times, like all of a
sudden assuming that, oh, yeah, yeah, we know what this is. This is about -- you know, but no. I
mean, the language has changed and so forth, so I also would like the additional time to be able
to, you know, read up on it and see exactly what we are voting for, so that's all I'm asking for. As
a matter offact, I know a lot of the people involved reached out to my office a couple of days ago
and my staff had to tell them, listen, he is like really -- he doesn't have the time. I mean, we have
to approve -- and we went down all the budgets that are due today. So it's just, you know, our
time is very scarce right now. So with that -- that's all really had. And like I said, it was a
couple of things.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. There's a motion and a second. Any further discussion?
Commissioner Gort: Yeah.
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Gort: Further discussion, I think any question that we have should make sure we
put it on the table so they can be answered for the next meeting. I have to tell you something. I
had a meeting with DDA (Downtown Development Authority) the other day and all the
importance that the Gusman Theater has to downtown Miami. And one of the things I asked the
DDA, you need to do an analysis and research because in the next three to four years, Flagler
Street is going to die because you have so much retail spaces in all these new buildings that's
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being built so we need to start working on Flagler Street in the central business district. Andl
think the -- this is one of the greatest attractions that we had here so it's very important that any
questions that we have or any doubts that we have -- I know there were some questions about the
affordable housing. My understanding in this, it will be maintained as affordable housing and
I'm the one who pushed for that. Because one of the things we discussed in the past about
downtown Miami, if we want a 24-hour downtown, you need people to live there, and that's why
we're creating affordable housing in two or three buildings there to bring people there.
Chair Suarez: Commissioner, did you have something you wanted to say or --?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah. I mean, I'll defer to -- I mean, I have a couple of things to
say, but I would like to hear from the Mayor first on this.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Go ahead. That's fine.
Chair Suarez: Go ahead, Mr. Mayor.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'm going to defer to you. You're the Mayor.
Mayor Tomas Regalado: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Just wanted to take it in order.
Mayor Regalado: Thank you, Commissioner. Very brief I -- you know, I just wanted to tell you
that since we have the new direction, the Olympia, the Gusman has been creating a new
clientele, has been attracting new people to downtown Miami. As an example, last November for
the first time, they had the Spanish Film Festival; three days, 6, 000 people in downtown Miami.
It's coming back this November. Late October there will be a weekend ofMiami Nice Jazz
Festival. The Mayor of Nice in France, Mayor Estrosi, is coming with a delegation of about 30
people, including more than 12 journalists, to be part of a ceremony on the sister city
relationship and launch the Miami Nice Jazz Festival at the Olympia. As you know, the jazz
festival in Nice is the biggest and the oldest in the world, and they just want to establish that one
outside Nice, and they have chosen the Olympia. And it's going to be in the news in all France,
and it's going to be in the news in Spain. So -- because we have the Olympia and such a majestic
place, we're getting a lot of international media on it, and l just think that we should work with
you and the community and the Trust to move forward this item. Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Can we maybe agree --? Go ahead. You want to -- go ahead. You
want to say what you want to say?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah. I mean, we've already deferred the item, but I just want to
put --
Chair Suarez: I don't think we voted yet. Did we, Madam Clerk?
Commissioner Carollo: No.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): No. Andl wanted to make sure with Vice Chair that it's for
the next Commission meeting, meaning --
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Correct.
Chair Suarez: I believe so.
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Ms. Thompson: -- September 27.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Yes.
Chair Suarez: You want to vote on it and then express your concerns, or do you want to express
your concerns before we vote on it?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'm fine with -- we're deferring it, right?
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah. I just want to put some stuff on the record, though.
Chair Suarez: Okay, okay. So all in favor, signify by saying "aye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: I just -- the only thingl would like to say is if we can all commit to hearing this in
the next Commission meeting. The reason why is 'cause a lot of the people who are in the
audience who we gave a time certain to are volunteers, and just out of respect for their time and
effort, you know, see if maybe we can get this thing done next -- one way or the other, up or
down, whatever way we go, but then at least they can move on with their lives. And they have
professional careers; they got to do things as well so.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Chairman, I just want to put a couple of things on the
record 'cause I think --
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- it's important to say.
Chair Suarez: Please do.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And -- where's Margaret? Let me just say, Margaret andl, we go
back. If there's nothing else I know about Margaret, she is truly, truly committed to the Gusman.
I mean, she sweats and bleeds Gusman so her -- there's never even a question around her
commitment to making sure that theater operates and runs. And for a very long time -- not
taking anything away from Art -- and I don't know where Art is -- you know, Margaret was the
backbone to the Gusman. So I just want to be clear on that. My concern is from the -- from day
one coming back on the Commission and what we always talk about up here and we had an item
before we took our lunch break about the importance of having an open and honest transparent
process. And my concern on 18 and 19 -- andl was willing to, you know, bite the bullet on 18
and go with it because it was something that this Commission, prior to me getting here, was
already on the track of doing without a process, you know. But now when both items are coming
back in front of the Commission, 18 and 19 to reconsider, it's my responsibility for the folks that
have elected me to do my due diligence to make sure we have looked at every other option that's
going to be best for the City. Now I respect -- and as Herman came here a couple of times in
front of the City Commission and gave his viewpoint of why he wanted to save the Gusman and
how he's gone out to get donations and private donations, and that is well respected. Andl
mean, we respect the fact that he's stepping up the plate -- to the plate when nobody else was
doing it. But the reality is we have a responsibility as a board to look at all of the options
available to us. Andl said this earlier -- I said this to Henry not only in today's meeting but in
meetings prior to his -- we hired a professional. Andl keep saying that Henry is a professional
because he goes out of his way to try to figure out what's going to be the best thing for the City
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financially. IfI askyou a question or I ask him a question in a briefing, Henry, are we getting
the most bang for our buck? Are we getting the most value out of this building? And if I'm
getting back an answer, well, no, no, not really, Commissioner; that's not happening. And not
saying anything about Henry. His job is to tell me the truth and) want him to tell me the truth. I
don't want "because I'm an elected official" that you're telling me something I want to hear. It's
about getting the most value out of the property. Every single person sitting up here on the dais
as a City Commission -- as City Commissioners are trying to figure out ways to fill our coffers.
We are in a place -- or in a state right now that we need to figure out how we get monies for all
of the properties that we have. So I just want to say a couple of things that I want to make sure
that put on the record today. And, Commissioner Carollo, you andI have been on the same
page about this issue going back and forth. Andl know that even here -- the last time Herman
was here, we kind of had to pull you guys apart, you know. But what you were arguing about or
discussing, I should say, were important issues. We should know and see if you make a statement
on the record and you say that you've raised a certain amount of money towards the Gusman
project, then ifI askyou to show me the accountability on that, where is that money in the bank,
show me a statement of where that is that you've raised, I expect for you to show that. And every
City Commissioner sitting up here expects the same thing. I asked going into this hearing today
that that paperwork be brought to this hearing, even though we're not hearing the item. But as
soon as I sat down, I asked for that information, it's not here. It's not anywhere in writing saying
that's what it is. And, quite frankly, I've heard three or four different numbers. Today I heard
400 raised, already in the bank; yesterday I heard 700. So I'm just telling you, we have a
responsibility to the people that have elected us to do our jobs. And if that keeps changing every
single time, you know, quite frankly, I think that, you know, we're doing a disservice to the
residents that we serve. Now it's neither here nor there. I just think that it's important for us to
say it because we're not addressing the item, but I just -- I don't want to have things be said and
we're not addressing them so that when it comes back in front of us next time, then you hear it
from me, then it's a surprise. Henry, do you have something you want to say?
Mr. Torre: I'm sorry?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You have something you wanted to add?
Mr. Torre: Yes, I do.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. So can I finish my issue --
Mr. Torre: Absolutely.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- and then you can just recap?
Mr. Torre: Absolutely.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. So that's one concern I have. Transparency, I feel like the
process should be open on 18 and 19; that it should be put out to bid. And we need to look at
clearly what is the best use, what's the -- how much money the City can get back in order for us
to continue to maintain the Gusman, but at the same time, see if there's any way that we can
create some revenue from it. That's one. Two, I think that in any hearings that you come in front
of a City Commissioner and you make a statement -- a bold statement to say that you already
raised money for something, then you need -- and you say that you're going to come back and
bring us statements on what you've raised, I expect to see that in writing. It was mentioned
earlier about four year -- about the fact that, you know, every year this item would come in front
of the City Commission and we always would complain about us having to spend money out of
our budgets. I can say Commissioner Sarnoff and I were here during this time period, and every
single year it came up as an issue, yes, we argued about it; yes, we fought about it; yes, it was
something that we were going back and forth on, but we always funded it. That was just always
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what happened. Now I'm not saying that we need to continue to do that, but that was a
long-standing thing that always happened when we were up here. So I don't -- you know, I don't
really want to get caught up on that. I just think that we never had the vision or the leadership to
figure out other ways that we could look at Gusman as a revenue -generating opportunity. The
other thing thatl wanted to mention earlier -- and again, this is how things work -- andl'm
going to take this and pass it down. One of the questions I asked Henry and I asked staff in the
midst of my conversations -- and this is not just this time, but this is from months before. And I
said, guys, are we really looking, you know, around to see if there's anybody else interested in the
theater. Andl know that the number one thing that people always said, well, the Gusman's in
disrepair. You know, there's issues that need to be done with it for it to be fixed, andl'm not
saying that those costs aren't real costs. But I also know that there are other opportunities out
there for us to get resources, andl would rather us put the process -- put it out with -- in a
process to see if whether or not there are options. Right now we don't know of any option. The
only option I know is what's been presented andl feel like that needs to be open. So this
morning the same item that -- a different item, James L. Knight Center and -- James L. Knight
Center, where SMG and Global are going back and forth on that issue-- I just happened to look
through the book. I hadn't looked really at the details until today. Andl'm like, oh, my God,
these people -- this is what they do. They do historic theaters. They manage and operate them.
They -- this is what they do and look at all of the theaters that they operate. Andl asked the
question, Have you guys had -- even, you know, put in a proposal or, you know, even asked, Is
this something that you would perhaps be interested in? And what was communicated to me
was, yeah, Commissioner. We didn't know there was a bid available for us to participate. We'd
like to at least see what the options are. Andl'm saying, wait a minute. Here's a group that if
this was put out to bid, that may have the opportunity to, you know, bid on this as a option, that
already has several theaters across the country that all they have to do is just route whatever
theaters, plays, musicals, or whatever they have, just add this to their route, we would be -- I
mean, this would put us in a good place. Andl'm not taking anything away from Herman. I'm
not saying that we don't want to do that. But this, for me, showed me that there is an option.
Andl asked the question, Is this something that you would be interested in if it went out to bid?
Absolutely was the comment. Asked Tim Schmand the same thing about Live Nation: Absolutely.
We just need to, you know -- people need to know that it's available. So I'm just -- this is just the
theater. Andl was going to let the theater go, you know, and just let it move because I
understand that's what the Mayor wants to see happen, you know, and that he's been pushing
and supporting that. But we got to stop making deals like this that are not healthy and great for
the City. We all know what financial state we're all in, and we got to figure out a way to get us
out of the situation that we're in. And this is why we're always getting criticized for some of the
decisions that we decide to make, 'cause we're making them off of you know -- sometimes off of
relationships and friendships and not off of business. Andl'm just simply saying, in the end, I
think that we need to look at all of our options before we make decisions. Last but not least --
because that just dealt with the theater, andl felt it was important for me to show -- or at least
pass this out, andl know SMG is still here today. And if you have a question for him, you can
ask him, but definitely said that they would be open to the bid as well. The last thing that I do
want to say in closing is the issue I had was item 19. I wasn't even going to deal with 18 today,
honestly. And that was when I got briefed on this whole issue regarding the affordability period,
you know, I was originally told that it was only, what, three years left on it andl think it was to
2015. So then yesterday it was a little confusion in the end that it -- then it went to 35 years. So
I just simply said, you know what, guys, I'm not all that comfortable about making a decision
'cause if we don't have a real number or date on that, then -- or time frame on that, then I would
rather us defer it and really get clear on -- clarity on that. Andl think that's what came out of
earlier discussions. But I still think even on 19, I think that we have to consider the options -- we
got a million and one affordable housing companies here in Miami -Dade County that if they
knew that this was available, they would like to have the options of also bidding for it as well.
And many of them have NSP (Neighborhood Stabilization Program) dollars to rehab units. And
if it's 35 additional years or 25 or whatever that affordability period is, then that truly opens up
their ability to actually utilize those dollars to rehab the Gusman, which we know those
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apartments need rehab. I'm saying, why not put an RFP out that not only includes that -- the
apartments, but in that RFP, include some sort of clause where a certain percentage of what
comes out of that building goes in to feed the bottom line of the Gusman so that if Herman, let's
say, is running the Gusman and he needs to meet his bottom line, he needs the extra 300 or 500
or whatever that number is, then we ask that whoever's going to manage and operate the
building, that that's included in the RFP process. But we cannot sit up here on this dais and not
-- on one item prior to lunch, say, yes, it's important to respect the process and to put a process
in place, and then come back after lunch and then say, well, I don't know if we necessarily need
a process. Andl'm just really concerned -- I mean, Commissioner Carollo made a statement
earlier about the -- you mentioned Parrot Jungle, and that's a perfect example. I said this in my
briefing with the City Attorney. I said, but wait a minute. I don't understand this, you know. I
under -- and many of the discussion -- I understand that Herman has gotten upset and has said,
here, take your keys back, you know. You guys run Gusman if you want to run Gusman, you
know. I'm not going to do one without the other. Andl'm like, well, wait a minute. Are we being
held hostage, you know, for a property that we own? Yes, you came to the table to help us and
we appreciate that, but at the same time, you're not going to hold up -- hold us up on one issue
because we're not agreeing with you on another. That's wrong. It's not the right thing to do, and
I don't think that any of us should be put in that position. And here's a perfect example, and he
mentioned it today, Commissioner Carollo. When we sat up here and we talked about Parrot
Jungle and how we went back and forth and we all made the decision, we all stood up and said,
you know what, if Parrot Jungle doesn't pay their -- we're not going to give them any additional
money. We're not going to do anything -- no additional time, no additional land, no additional
anything -- they got to pay them $2 million. If not, then, Julie, do what you need to do. We
empowered the City staffers to do what they needed to do. And guess what? They turned around
and paid us that $2 million. Andl'm simply saying we got to start holding our position on only
thing -- the only things that we have to even create revenue. I just -- I don't understand or get
this, you know -- a good citizen, private citizen comes -- private citizens come to me all day long
telling me all about their wonderful, great, grandocious [sic] ideas that they have that they want
to do for buildings and properties in my district. Some of them y'all already know about that we
own and that we have, that nothing's happening in them right now; and that, quite frankly, in a
district that really, really needs it, I should have that building or those properties open and being
used. But instead of doing that, we hold off because we want to try to figure out a way to get the
highest and best use out of those properties so that we can create revenue for the City. I just
think that we need -- I'm very concerned with what, you know, I'm hearing and feeling about
these issues. I would have let 18 go, but you know, I felt like I was being bullied, quite frankly,
because ifI didn't agree with 18 -- and then to sit in a Commission -- and to sit in a briefing and
have someone tell me from staff well, Commissioner, doesn't really matter because your vote --
you know, they already have the supportive votes they need. I'm like, whoa. That is just -- that's
-- if that's not arrogance, I don't know what is. What gives anybody the audacity to say my
fellow colleagues are not going to even listen to this whole thing objectively and make a
decision? To me, I don't like the feeling of the backroom deal business. Andl quickly, you know,
said, you know what, fine. If that's the case, I'm going to put my point out on the record, at least
make sure that everybody understands my position. It has nothing to do with Herman; has
nothing to do with Margaret; has nothing to do with Gusman. I love the Gusman to death. I
want to support it to death, but want to see it survive. I don't want to see us having to pay for it
later on and having any issues later on. So Spence -Jones, I wanted to at least make sure it goes
down in history today that I support an open and transparent process so that everybody has the
opportunity to participate. And if Herman wins, awesome. If he doesn't, then the other bidder
should win.
Mr. Torre: Commissioner, ifI can clarify --
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Mr. Torre: -- one thing. In regards to the highest and best use, a theater and low-income
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housing is not the highest and best use.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Right.
Mr. Torre: Obviously, we know that. However, there is an intangible value to the theater being
open. From a real estate perspective, I will tell you there is a lot more value because a nighttime
venue is a catalyst for the downtown revitalization, so I just wanted to clam those -- that
comment to you. The other thingl did want to mention -- I think we may be missing the point
here. I had spoken to SMG also as well. They would not be bidding apples to apples. Again --
andl refer you to Section 2.2 of the agreement, where it says the provider further understands --
the provider, which would be Olympia, Herman's group -- that the operation, management, and
maintenance of the property shall be with funds derived solely out of the revenues of the
property, the property's trustees, contributions, and in -kind services, and any or all other
fundraising efforts of the provider. Nothing in this agreement is to be construed as the City
committing to allocate any monies to the property on an annual basis. SMG would be charging
us a management fee of anywhere between 75,000 to $125, 000. I've spoken to Jeff about this.
Additionally, SMG does not do fundraising efforts. This is a nonprofit organization that is
offering services for free. SMG really isn't a comparable company. Now they don't do
fundraising. They're not guarantee -- they're not telling us, hey, we're going to go out and get
$20 million to help improve your facility.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Right. And whatl'm saying to you --
Mr. Torre: SMG's a great --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- Henry -- right.
Mr. Torre: -- company.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And whatl'm saying to you, Henry, I think that we should all be
sitting up here and looking at all the options, period. I don't know what else is out there; do
you?
Mr. Torre: Commissioner, I've thought through a lot of these --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, but that's not the question. Do you know everything else --?
Now -- 'cause if we're going to have a discussion, we're going to have a real discussion. Do you
know all the other options that are out there? Have we --?
Mr. Torre: Obviously, Commissioner, at this point nobody can know what --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, so all I'm say -- all I've ever said to you from day one when
it comes to this project, from day one, was that I want to see what all the options are.
Mr. Torre: Right. Commissioner --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And we are city government.
Mr. Torre: I understand.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: We can't just give away stuff without even trying to figure out
whether or not there's any options for us to create --
Mr. Torre: Right.
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Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- additional resource. We have to have an --
Mr. Torre: Commissioner --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- open and transparent process.
Mr. Torre: -- we're not giving away anything. We are giving away a management contract for --
to someone who is going to charge us nothing and we have a right to cancel that contract,
Commissioner.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: But that's not the point.
Mr. Torre: So I don't want you to think -- this is nothing about conveying a property or anything
like that. They are providing a service in which they are going to manage our facility for free.
This was a facility, remember, that when it was operating, the City was subsidizing this to the
tune of $500,000 a year. Right now they're --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And what I'm simply saying to you -- and don't know ifI need to
speak it in Chinese or Mandarin or, you know --
Mr. Torre: I understand --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- patois or whatever language you need me to speak in --
Mr. Torre: -- exactly what you're saying.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- to so that you get it.
Mr. Torre: I do get it, Commissioner.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And it's not just you. It's for everybody sitting in here --
Mr. Torre: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- period. We have to have an open and transparent process.
There's something very -- 18, I was going to roll with it. You know, if they want to run the
facility, I don't have a problem with it. But now you're telling me 19, I'm going to give you a
possibility of almost 100 units for you to manage and operate and, by the way, you've never
managed and operated any low, affordable housing, period, and you're going to -- you're
honestly telling me that it's best for us to take that route than leave the process open and see
what else is out there?
Mr. Torre: Commissioner, the process is still open. Again, we were giving them a management
agreement that has a cancellation provision without cost.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And I'm saying to you, we should be doing that in the beginning,
not the end. That should be the beginning of the process.
Mr. Torre: Okay. Commissioner, they did -- Gusman did ask if they could make one or two
comments just to clam something, if they can --
Chair Suarez: Look, it's been deferred and that was a point of privilege. I think we should -- you
really want to go there? Okay, I'll give you guys a couple minutes but --I mean, I don't know
that this is a good idea.
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Commissioner Spence -Jones: I mean, first thing --
Ralph Patino: We come in peace.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- the item is deferred at this point. I just wanted to put -- Mr.
Chairman, I wanted to put my recommendations for next week's -- next -- the next two week's
agenda so that at least it'll be addressed before we come back. But I just wanted you to
understand or wanted staff to understand and my colleagues to understand the concerns. I think
the process needs to be open and transparent.
Mr. Patino: Commissioner, you have made your point extremely clear. And we also want the
process to be open and clear. My name is Ralph Patino. I am the cochair of the Olympia
Theater. First and foremost, certain comments were made here that absolutely need addressing
today before we forget. This is not a Herman deal, as you -- as Commissioner Spence -Jones put
it. My law firm, Patino & Associates, has been around for 26 years, and we have probably spent
about 2,000, maybe 3,000 hours trying to help the City with the Gusman Center over the last two
years, so this is not a Herman deal. This is not -- Margaret has spent a couple of thousand
hours. Carlos Trueba and his accounting firm has spent a couple of thousand hours. This is not
a Herman deal. This is not a backroom deal, okay, 'cause, truthfully, I don't know how these
Commissioners are going to vote. The bottom line here is this, we felt from a philanthropic
standpoint and -- from a philanthropic standpoint, we felt the Gusman needed help. And we
came here to help the City ofMiami have the Gusman Theater survive. We are friends of the
Gusman Theater. Bottom line is, you mentioned grandiose ideas. These are not grandiose ideas,
Spence -Jones.
Chair Suarez: Listen, listen, why don't we --?
Mr. Patino: We'll defer to --
Chair Suarez: Thank you, thank you.
Mr. Patino: -- the next go -around. Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Appreciate it.
Mr. Patino: Oh, and by the way --
Chair Suarez: RE.21.
Mr. Patino: -- Commissioner Suarez --
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Mr. Patino: -- the Olympia Center, Inc. donor pledge report that Commissioner Jones [sic]
wanted, we have. We're going to present it to --
Chair Suarez: Present it to the Clerk --
Mr. Patino: -- Ms. Thompson, to the Clerk --
Chair Suarez: -- and she'll distribute it.
Mr. Patino: -- along with the -- so that we collected 240,000 and we have pending pledges of
400,000 and it's clear, in black and white so you can see it.
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Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: Excuse me, Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Yes, you're recognized.
Commissioner Carollo: Is the 240, 000, is that for current year?
Margaret Lake: Just a clarification on the numbers that he's giving the Clerk. Margaret Lake,
executive director of the Gusman Theater, for the record. This document is essentially the
pledges and contracts that are committed for this year. That's why it's the 4,000. You heard the
780 yesterday because that's over time. This is simply this fiscal. We had to go through and
make sure who wanted to be noted publicly and who did not because, obviously, when you're
fundraising in a town with a lot of people need money, there are people that want to give you
private donations, so we needed to be very clear about who wanted to be on this list or not. This
is the totals for this year. You've got names on it. It's in the record.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Thank you all. Yes, do you want to --? Okay, go ahead,
Commissioner.
Commissioner Gort: Mr. Torres [sic].
Chair Suarez: Thank you all. Thank you for your time.
Commissioner Gort: Thank you. To compare apple with apple, when you talked about the best
use, I understand the best use in that corner is to knock the whole thing down and have some
new building.
Mr. Torre: Oh, absolutely.
Commissioner Gort: Okay, that's the best use of the --
Mr. Torre: Right.
Commissioner Gort: -- real estate agency that exists there. What I'd like for you to get -- when
you come back with the report, I want to know also the amount of revenues that is produced by
the residential part of it, how much it needs to be done in that, and how much it can produce. At
the same time, we do have a lot of theaters that they have shown in here. I'd like to see how
many of those theaters throughout the United States are not subsidized by the cities, okay?
Mr. Torre: My understanding is -- okay.
Commissioner Gort: No, not now.
Mr. Torre: Okay.
Commissioner Gort: Make sure when you come back, you bring all the information because it's
very important.
Mr. Torre: I have that.
Commissioner Gort: I mean, we want the people to know what we're doing, okay?
Mr. Torre: Absolutely.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Commissioner Gort: Thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: And Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Could obtain Gusman's year-to-date financial statements?
Chair Suarez: Please.
Ms. Lake: You have that.
Chair Suarez: It's in --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: It's in the book.
Chair Suarez: -- yeah.
Ms. Lake: It's in the book that we provided --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: It's not audited statements.
Commissioner Carollo: Oh.
Ms. Lake: -- up until June. We give you the audit at the end of the year. That's our last
approved financial statement in June.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay, but --
Ms. Lake: It's in the book.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm not asking for audited. I'm saying your current year-to-date.
Ms. Lake: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: It's in this book?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: It's in there. It's in the back.
Ms. Lake: It's in there.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: It's number 8.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Ms. Lake: It's the last tab.
Commissioner Carollo: Andl apologize, but I received this late afternoon yesterday, so I haven't
had a chance --
Ms. Lake: No, it's okay.
Commissioner Carollo: -- to look at it.
Ms. Lake: I'm just letting you know where to find the stuff now, so you got two weeks.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Commissioner Carollo: And the 240 plus the 20 and whatever --
Ms. Lake : Well, that's a guar -- if you look at it quarterly, it's all there. It makes sense.
Commissioner Carollo: Right, but it adds up to about three something.
Ms. Lake: It's 400. The total's there on the paper.
Commissioner Carollo: I see pledge pending contract, 400.
Ms. Lake: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. The 242 and the 207135 do not add up to 400, 000.
Ms. Lake: Well, we'll fix that. I'm -- I will make sure that there's an updated sheet.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Ms. Lake: I mean -- and some of these may be in -kind. We'll get you the detail. The issue is
really not giving public names of people who didn't want to be public.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm not asking for -- listen, I'm not asking for any names. I don't want
any names. What want to know --
Ms. Lake: That was requested by other people, so I wanted to get -- collectively.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay, fine. That's not what I've requested. I'm just simply requesting
the dollar amounts. There was an amount promised and remember. It was 10,000 for 50
people at 500,000 per year, okay. So I'm already a little concerned whether this year -- if we're
at 400,000 -- andl don't see the calculation equaling 400,00, but let's say we are at 400, 000,
okay, we have less than a month to reach that other 100, 000. If not, you might be off your
budgeted --
Chair Suarez: Amount.
Ms. Lake: I'll be happy to go through this book with you in its entirety. It's a business plan.
We've upped the business by 23 percent. If we're down two donors, we brought in more shows.
I'm not sure where you're headed.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Where I'm heading is I wanted to see that your revenues and
expenses current, year-to-date, so I could see where you're at.
Ms. Lake: They're in there.
Commissioner Carollo: So simple as that.
Ms. Lake: Perfect. If you've got any direct questions, I am always available by cell and e-mail
(electronic).
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: By the way -- One more thing, Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Go ahead.
City of Miami Page 143 Printed on 10/9/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Commissioner Carollo: -- where in all these tabs is your current year financial statements?
Ms. Lake: It's at the very end. It's June --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Tab 8.
Ms. Lake: -- financial statements --
Commissioner Carollo: Tab 8?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Tab 8.
Ms. Lake: -- Tab 8.
Vice Chair Sarnoff 8, Tab 8.
Ms. Lake: I can e-mail it to you too.
Commissioner Carollo: Hold now. No, no. Hold on, hold on.
Ms. Lake: The rest of my team has left, however. So I think it's best served that we do this in two
weeks.
Chair Suarez: Let's do it in two weeks.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. And this is the most current you have as of June 30?
Ms. Lake: It's board approved as of June 30.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. 171 take a look at it.
Chair Suarez: Thanks.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Margaret, would you do me a favor? When you reach out to Commissioners
by e-mail, would you carbon copy my office so I can see that you've reached out to them?
Ms. Lake: Absolutely.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Ms. Lake: Again, anything you guys need.
RE.19 RESOLUTION
12-00363
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM,
FORA FIFTEEN (15) YEAR INITIAL TERM, WITH UP TO THREE (3) FIFTEEN
(15) YEAR TERM OPTIONS TO RENEW, WITH OLYMPIA CENTER, INC., A
FLORIDA 501(c)(3) NOT -FOR -PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOR THE
ADMINISTRATION, OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE AFFORDABLE
City of Miami Page 144 Printed on 10/9/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
HOUSING RESIDENTIAL RENTAL TOWER AND RELATED AMENITIES
INCLUDING RETAIL SPACES OF THE OLYMPIA BUILDING LOCATED AT 174
EAST FLAGLER STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33131; FURTHER AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL OTHER CONTRACTS,
DOCUMENTS AND AGREEMENTS, INCLUDING LEASES, FOR SAID
PURPOSE, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AND IN
COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE
CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, THE CITY OF MIAMI'S OBLIGATION UNDER
THE SUNSHINE STATE LOAN POOL PROGRAM AND THE CITY OF MIAMI'S
HOMELAND DEFENSE/NEIGHBORHOOD CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS BOND
PROGRAM.
12-00363 Summary Form.pdf
12-00363 Legislation (Version 3).pdf
12-00363 Exhibit 1.pdf
12-00363-Submittal-Olympia Center Pledge Report.pdf
12-00363 Submittal -Theaters Managed by SMG.pdf
12-00363- Submittal -Olympia Center Supplemental Info.pdf
SPONSORS: HONORABLE MAYOR TOMAS REGALADO
VICE-CHAIRMAN MARC SARNOFF
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC FACILITIES
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
RE.20
12-00889
Coconut Grove
Business
Improvement District
(BID) Board
Note for the Record: Item RE.19 was deferred to the September 27, 2012
Direction by Commissioner Gort to the Administration for the Director of Public Facilities to
prepare a report for the September 27, 2012 City Commission Meeting, which details the
revenues generated by the residential portion of the Olympia Building, further requesting an
analysis of the theaters managed by SMG to determine which ones are not subsidized by local
governments.
Note for the Record: Please refer to item RE.18 for minutes referencing item RE.19.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND
PROPOSED AMENDED BUDGET OF THE COCONUT GROVE BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOARD, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING
OCTOBER 1, 2011 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2012.
12-00889 Memo - Coconut Grove BID.pdf
12-00889 Legislation.pdf
12-00889 Exhibit 1.pdf
12-00889-Submittal - BID Budget Report.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter be
DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff and Carollo
Absent: 2 - Commissioner(s) Suarez and Spence -Jones
Note for the Record: Item RE.20 was deferred to the September 27, 2012 Commission Meeting.
Chair Suarez: RE.20, moving right along very smoothly this afternoon. You have to leave at 4,
right, Vice Chair?
Vice Chair Sarnoff No, no. I'm good now.
Chair Suarez: Oh, you're good?
Vice Chair Sarnoff I didn't think it would happen so --
Chair Suarez: You're not going to go?
Vice Chair Sarnoff I didn't think we'd make it.
Commissioner Carollo: Well --
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Commissioner Gort: You didn't get the job as the quarterback.
Commissioner Carollo: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on, hold on. Remember what you
stated --
Vice Chair Sarnoff They gave my seat -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE) safety job away.
Commissioner Carollo: -- before that when you commit to something and other people have, you
know, planned around that.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I'm not -- he's just asking me andl saidl don't have it, but we'll still
maintain the schedule.
Chair Suarez: I'm confused now.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Well, I'm not --
Commissioner Carollo: At 4 we're breaking 'til 5.
Chair Suarez: Yeah, yeah. That's what I was --
Vice Chair Sarnoff We'll break from 4 to 5.
Commissioner Carollo: We're still going to break at 5.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: We'll break at 4.
Chair Suarez: We are going to still do that then.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay, okay.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Vice Chair Sarnoff Right.
Chair Suarez: Okay, okay. RE.20. RE.20, BID (Business Improvement District), amended
budget.
Commissioner Gort: Anyone. Anyone awake?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Coconut Grove BID. David Collins or Carl.
Chair Suarez: Yes. Come to the microphone, please, quickly, quickly. We got to move.
David Collins: Yes, sir.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Do you want to put anything on the record or do you want us to just
Mr. Collins: Yes.
Chair Suarez: -- entertain a motion?
Mr. Collins: We would like to present our amended budget. We have some generated documents
by our accountant and bookkeeper, which we'd like to hand out if we may.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Is there a motion?
Vice Chair Sarnoff So move.
Chair Suarez: Moved by the Vice Chair. Is there a second?
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Gort. Any comments?
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Can I please have a name for the record, sir?
Mr. Collins: Thank you. David Collins, 3230 Gifford Lane, andl have with me the new
executive director of the Coconut Grove BID, Mr. Carl Templer.
Chair Suarez: Commissioner Carollo, you're recognized.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Once again, when I saw RE. 20 and a
request for an amended budgeted, I requested that all those amendment be put in a column next
to the original budgeted amount. I still have not received that.
Mr. Collins: I think that's what you're receiving now, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: Oh, and I'll have a whole two minutes of reading it, if that, to analyze it
and see what's been changed.
Mr. Collins: We apologize for that.
Vice Chair Sarnoff What would you like to do, Commissioner?
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Commissioner Carollo: I'm not ready to vote on this right now. And if we are going to vote, I'm
going to vote no.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Would you like to table it? Would you like to defer? Does this need to be
heard today?
Mr. Collins: No, I don't believe it does.
Commissioner Carollo: It does not. However, just as a -- just to clam, it does not. However,
the BID budget comes to us -- comes before us today also, and there is comparables from last
year's or this current year's to what they're asking. Obviously, the numbers, I don't know if they
tie to this or not. It hasn't even been approved, so I don't know -- I haven't even been able to see
if the comparables that they're giving us are the exact ones that we're voting today or was it the
originals or what. I know I had discrepancies, and that's why when I saw this, I requested to
have an additional column just so I could be clear on exactly what is being amended.
Vice Chair Sarnoff So what's your pleasure?
Commissioner Carollo: I'm not ready to vote on this so we could either defer it, but I'm also --
and even if we table it, I don't know with what time. And l just want to give everyone a heads up
that the BID budget is coming before us also and it is based, yes, next year's number. However,
it is a comparable of this year's numbers and I'm not clear what this year's numbers are.
Vice Chair Sarnoff So -- I don't want to -- I want to do what you want to do, which is -- tabling
it doesn't sound --
Commissioner Gort: Defer the thing.
Commissioner Carollo: No. I say we defer it. We're going to end up deferring it, or at least
that's my preference, to defer.
Vice Chair Sarnoff All right. So there's a motion for deferral. Is there a second?
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Second. All in favor, please say "aye.
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Okay.
Ms. Thompson: May I have the date, please, sir?
Vice Chair Sarnoff When would you like to defer it to?
Commissioner Carollo: We would defer it to September 27 in order to have the information
ready for when they come before us, if we so decide to defer the BID budget today to September
-- when is the next budget meeting, Madam City --?
Commissioner Gort: The 27th.
Ms. Thompson: September 27.
Commissioner Carollo: September 27.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
RE.21
12-00903
Department of Capital
Improvements
Program
Vice Chair Sarnoff Okay.
Mr. Collins: Thank you.
Commissioner Gort: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Is there a motion?
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. There's a motion and a second. I don't know if we voted yet.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Yeah, we did.
Commissioner Gort: No.
Chair Suarez: We did?
Vice Chair Sarnoff We did.
Commissioner Gort: Did?
Ms. Thompson: Yeah.
Commissioner Gort: Okay.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ADDING CAPITAL PROJECTS APPROPRIATIONS TO
THOSE LISTED IN RESOLUTION NO. 12-0278, ADOPTED JULY 26, 2012,
AND REVISING CURRENT APPROPRIATIONS AMONG APPROVED
PROJECTS; FURTHER APPROPRIATING FUNDING FOR THE ADDED
PROJECTS.
12-00903 Summary Form.pdf
12-00903 Legislation.pdf
12-00903 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Carollo, seconded by Vice Chair Sarnoff, that this matter be
ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo and Suarez
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Spence -Jones
R-12-0316
Chair Suarez: RE.21.
Albert Sosa: Albert Sosa, director of Capital Improvements. RE.21 is our standard
appropriations item where we move money between projects.
Chair Suarez: Is there a motion?
Vice Chair Sarnoff So moved.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Chair Suarez: Moved by the --
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: -- Vice Chair. Is there a second?
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Commissioner Carollo: Give me a second, give me a second. Let me get my -- I'm sorry, which
RE (Resolution) are we in?
Chair Suarez: It's the appropri -- I'm sorry.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. 21.
Mr. Sosa: 21.
Chair Suarez: It's RE.21. It's the capital appropriations.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay, I'm okay.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Carollo.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Suarez: I wanted to thank you, Albert, once again. I mean, I know we're -- you're leaving
us, but you're leaving us on a good note. And in particular with reference to the appropriations,
one of the things thatl -- we had been mentioning in the last two meetings was citywide
appropriations being divvied up, you know, in a fair manner. Andl think this accomplishes that.
And so, I just want to commend you for that and for the work that you've done in the time you've
been here.
Mr. Sosa: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: You're going to be missed. All right.
Commissioner Gort: Don't you need to make a floor amendment?
Mr. Sosa: That's -- before we move off the item --
Chair Suarez: Sorry.
Mr. Sosa: Thank you, Commissioner. The motion was a little too quick.
Chair Suarez: Yeah, I'm sorry.
Mr. Sosa: We wanted to make a floor amendment on page 4 of 5 of the attachment. There's a --
there's two scrivener's errors on there. The first one that I'll mention is at the very top of the
page. The title of the fourth column should not read to project. It should read award/source.
That was just a scrivener's error that we -- when we titled the columns, we didn't carry it from
one page to the next. The second item, it was also a scrivener's error. On the row titled B35806
-- that's also on page 4 of 5 -- Curtis Park new pool, the allocation there is listed as $200, 000. It
was supposed to be $500,000. It's a typo. So that's -- if we can do the motion as amended, we'd
greatly --
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
RE.22
12-00905
Department of Capital
Improvements
Program
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Mr. Sosa: -- appreciate it.
Chair Suarez: Will the maker of the motion amend the motion?
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Chair Suarez: And the seconder, yes? Vice Chair, yes? Okay.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Yes.
Chair Suarez: It's been moved and second. All in favor, signifi, by saying "aye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: RE.22. Thank you, Mr. Sosa.
Commissioner Gort: By the way, I'd like to thank both you and Alice. I think you did a
tremendous job in going through all the numbers and finding funds to be able to do the work that
we've been doing. Thank you.
Mr. Sosa: Thank you. Thank you very much.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THE BID RECEIVED JUNE 8, 2012,
PURSUANT TO INVITATION TO BID ("ITB") NO. 11-12-020, FROM FHP
TECTONICS CORP., THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE
BIDDER, FOR THE MIAMI RIVER GREENWAY NW 10TH AVENUE TO NW
12TH AVENUE PROJECT, B-30651, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,037,356.74, FOR
THE SCOPE OF WORK, PLUS A TEN PERCENT (10%) OWNER
CONTINGENCY AMOUNT OF $103,735.67, FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED
AWARD VALUE OF $1,141,092.41; ALLOCATING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT
OF $1,141,092.41, FROM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. B-30651;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, CONSISTING OF THE ITB
DOCUMENTS AND ATTACHMENTS, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
12-00905 Summary Form.pdf
12-00905 Legislation.pdf
12-00905 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo and Suarez
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Spence -Jones
R-12-0317
Albert Sosa: RE.22. Albert Sosa, director of Capital Improvements. It's a resolution
authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with FHP Tectonics for the construction of
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
RE.23
12-00906
Department of Capital
Improvements
Program
the Miami River Greenway along South River Drive, between loth Avenue and 12th Avenue.
The contract value is $1,141, 000. And the funding for this project is from the Florida
Department of Transportation through a grant.
Chair Suarez: Is there a motion?
Commissioner Carollo: Move it.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Carollo. Is there a second?
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Gort. All in favor, signift by saying aye.
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THE BID RECEIVED JULY 18, 2012,
PURSUANT TO INVITATION TO BID ("ITB") NO. 11-12-022, FROM JVA
ENGINEERING CONTRACTOR, INC., THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND
RESPONSIBLE BIDDER, FOR THE MIAMI RIVER GREENWAY NW 5TH
STREET BRIDGE EXTENSION PROJECT, B-30336, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$896,818.25, FOR THE SCOPE OF WORK, PLUS A TEN PERCENT (10%)
OWNER CONTINGENCY AMOUNT OF $89,681.82, FOR A TOTAL NOT TO
EXCEED AWARD VALUE OF $986,500.07; ALLOCATING FUNDS IN THE
AMOUNT OF $986,500.07, FROM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO.
B-30336; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT,
IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, CONSISTING OF THE ITB
DOCUMENTS AND ATTACHMENTS, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
12-00906 Summary Form.pdf
12-00906 Legislation.pdf
12-00906 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Carollo, seconded by Vice Chair Sarnoff, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo and Suarez
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Spence -Jones
R-12-0318
Chair Suarez: RE.23.
Albert Sosa: Albert Sosa, director of Capital Improvements. It's a resolution authorizing the
City Manager to execute a contract with JVA Engineering for the Miami River Greenway project,
between 7th Avenue and loth Avenue, along the South River Drive. It's in the amount of
$986, 000. This is also being funded by an FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) grant.
Chair Suarez: Is there a motion?
Commissioner Carollo: Move it.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
RE.24
12-00971
SEOPW Community
Redevelopment
Agency
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Second.
Chair Suarez: It's been moved and seconded. All in favor, signift by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY (" CRA") TO EXECUTE A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
("COUNTY") AND THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY"), TO RESOLVE THE DISPUTE
BETWEEN THE CRA, THE CITY AND THE COUNTY REGARDING
OWNERSHIP OF BLOCK 45 AND BLOCK 56, NORTH CITY OF MIAMI,
ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK "B', AT
PAGE 41 OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
AND PORTIONS OF BLOCK 36 OF P.W. WHITES RE -SUB, ACCORDING TO
THE PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK "B" AT PAGE 34 OF THE
PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, WHICH THE
COUNTY CLAIMS REVERTED TO THE COUNTY; AUTHORIZING THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AND AMEND ALL DOCUMENTS
NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE
SPECIAL COUNSEL.
12-00971 Memo - SEOPW CRA.pdf
12-00971 Legislation.pdf
12-00971 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Vice Chair Sarnoff, that this matter
be DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Note for the Record: Item RE.24 was deferred to the September 27, 2012 Commission Meeting.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Mr. Chairman, I think the City Attorney also has an item that we
want to -- it's to defer, right?
Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): Yes. There's an item, RE.24, that was a -- that is a settlement
agreement between the City, the County, and the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency).
That needs to be deferred to the --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Deferred.
Ms. Bru: -- 27th.
Chair Suarez: Okay, does somebody want to make a motion?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Second.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Spence -Jones, second by the Vice Chair. All in favor,
signify by saying iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Commissioner Gort: Mr. Chairman, may I make a presentation?
Commissioner Carollo: And --
Chair Suarez: Yes, ma'am.
Commissioner Carollo: -- I'm sorry; to what date?
Ms. Bru: The 27th.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Chair Suarez: The 27th, the next Commission meeting.
RE.25 RESOLUTION
12-00972
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
Attorney CITY ATTORNEY TO TAKE ALL LEGAL ACTION NECESSARY, INCLUDING
INITIATING ANYANDALL LITIGATION, IN LAW OR IN EQUITY, TO
ENFORCE THE CITY OF MIAMI'S RIGHTS UNDER THE COMMERCIAL
SOLID WASTE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH SOUTHERN WASTE
SYSTEMS L.L.C. AND ALL RELATED ENTITIES.
12-00972 Memo - Office of the City Attorney. pdf
12-00972 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be WITHDRAWN PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
RE.26 RESOLUTION
12-00976
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ACCEPTING A
Attorney PAYMENT TO THE CITY OF MIAMI, IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,000 FROM
EACH DEFENDANT, FORATOTALAMOUNT OF $50,000, IN FULL
SETTLEMENT OF ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST HDR
ENGINEERING, INC., AND WEEKLEYASPHALT PAVING, INC; DIRECTING
THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A
FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO EFFECTUATE THE
SETTLEMENT.
12-00976 Memo - Office of the City Attorney. pdf
12-00976 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Carollo, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
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Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo and Suarez
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Spence -Jones
R-12-0319
Chair Suarez: RE.27.
Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): Mr. Chair.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Ms. Bru: RE.27?
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Ms. Bru: What happened to RE. 26?
Chair Suarez: Did miss one? I'm sorry. RE.26 then.
Ms. Bru: Oh, okay.
Commissioner Gort: 26, 25.
Chair Suarez: Did we not do 26?
Commissioner Carollo: No, we did not.
Chair Suarez: Okay, my apologies. RE.26. Albert, I think we need you again.
Ms. Bru: Okay.
Chair Suarez: Oh, no. That's a settlement. My apologies.
Ms. Bru: All right. Yeah. This is a settlement --
Chair Suarez: Go ahead.
Ms. Bru: -- with -- it's the City ofMiami versus HDR Engineering, et al. We have briefed each
Commissioner on this matter. I'd rather not get into any of the details if not necessary. But this
would be -- the City would be accepting a total of $50, 000; 25,000 from each of the two
defendants that are --
Vice Chair Sarnoff So move.
Ms. Bru: -- settling.
Chair Suarez: Moved by the Vice Chair.
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Carollo. All in favor, signift by saying aye."
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RE.27
12-00993
Office of the City
Attorney
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
EXPENDITURE OF ATTORNEYS FEES AND COSTS FOR THE
ENGAGEMENT OF THE LAW OFFICES OF OSCAR E. MARRERO FOR THE
REPRESENTATION OF MIGUEL EXPOSITO IN THE CASE OF JULINA
BELIZAIRE, AS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF
GIBSON BELIZAIRE ETAL., VS. CITY OF MIAMI, MIGUELA. EXPOSITO, IN
HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY ETAL., PENDING IN THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
CIRCUIT COURT, CASE NO.: 12-29112 CA 13; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM
ACCOUNT NO. 05002.301001.545000.0000.00000.
12-00993 Memo - Office of the City Attorney. pdf
12-00993 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Carollo, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo and Suarez
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Spence -Jones
R-12-0320
Chair Suarez: RE.27.
Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): RE.27 is a resolution seeking authority to spend money to retain
the offices of Oscar Marrero to represent the former chief of police, Miguel Exposito, in a law
suit that has been filed by Juliana [sic] Belizaire, as personal representative of the estate of
Gibson Belizaire.
Vice Chair Sarnoff This is a great country. So moved.
Chair Suarez: What's that?
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Vice Chair Sarnoff It's a great country. A man that shoots at a cop can actually file suit
because he was shot. I'm saying --
Chair Suarez: I just have a question.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- this is a great country.
Chair Suarez: I have a question.
Ms. Bru: It's called the Civil Rights Act.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Vice Chair Sarnoff No, I understand. I'm just trying to figure out, you shoot at a police officer
twice and then you're inevitably killed and your estate can sue. It's a great country.
Chair Suarez: There's a motion and a second. I have one question. I thought we had -- you had
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RE.28
12-00996
Department of
Finance
mentioned to me in the -- in briefing that it may not be necessary for there to be outside counsel.
Ms. Bru: I discussed it with my attorneys in the office, and because of the situation with the
former chief and the potential for litigation for -- past history of litigation, potential for future
litigation, we don't feel comfortable with representing him in-house.
Chair Suarez: Okay. It's been moved and seconded. All in favor, signift by saying aye.
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO TRANSFER FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $180,000,
FROM ONE BUDGETARY LINE ITEM (512000 PERSONNEL) TO ANOTHER
BUDGETARY LINE ITEM (531000 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES) WITHIN THE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, GENERAL FUND, AS STATED HEREIN.
12-00996 Summary Form.pdf
12-00996 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Gort
Note for the Record: Item RE.28 was deferred to the September 27, 2012 Commission Meeting.
Chair Suarez: RE.28.
Stephen Petty: This is Steve Petty, director of Finance. AndRE.28 is a request by the Finance
Department to transfer some funds, in the amount of 180, 000, from one budgetary line item,
which is personnel --
Vice Chair Sarnoff So moved.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Suarez: There's a motion and a second. I have some major, major issues with this one.
I've spoken to the Manager about it. I will not be voting in favor of it. I don't even know where
to start. But suffice it to say that of the amount of money that's being moved, $110, 000 of it is for
the creation of a business plan or a CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report) prep
process. And according to the backup data, it is for a company to gain a preliminary
understanding of our current structure, staffing, and policies, as well as some familiarity with the
strengths and weaknesses of the City's financial function, which I thought was the function of the
director, who we're paying -- and no offense to you, Mr. Petty. I've had maybe three -- you
know, three conversations with you since you came on about six months ago. But your salary is
actually about the same as this outside consultant, you know. You were hired and, you know,
again, no offense to you -- I don't know you personally -- but without a CPA (Certified Public
Accountant) license, no prior employment with a government agency, no references, no resume,
no description in skills section, and the City Manager waived the qualification requirements. So
for me, that would normally mean that you must be some exceptional person because if you've
been able to get hired without any of those things, you must have some exceptional reason why
you're hired. So for me, it's just -- I just can't stomach having to pay an outside consultant now
to do what I think, what I consider to be the job of the director and, you know, particularly when
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we have a director that, you know, was chosen without -- you know, without all those
qualifications that you would think a director of the Finance Department would or should have.
So I can't -- I cannot support it. I think there's a later appropriations that's asking us or seeking
for this Commission to allocate an additional $900, 000 for a variety of things. Even the $70, 000
component of the 180, which is for treasury services, to me, could have been easily avoidable
had we advertised for the position, for Mirtha's position, which is the treasurer, who left three
weeks ago. That never happened. We have an HR (Human Resources) Department, which I
think has over 30 employees. It's a multimillion dollar department. I just -- I personally, given
our financial situation, can't -- you know, I can't -- it would be like having two directors for me.
I -- you know, I can't. I can't vote for it so -- I don't know how everyone else feels, but that's how
I feel.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. I got to say, I felt differently until now, but that was pretty articulate.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: What do you suggest we do, though, because we obviously have
financial issues?
Chair Suarez: Absolutely. I suggest we hire a director that's capable of handling the
department.
Commissioner Carollo: But that's not for us to determine. That's the City Manager.
Chair Suarez: No, I agree.
Commissioner Carollo: But besides that --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: -- you know, how long is that going to take? And what I am saying --
Chair Suarez: No, I hear you. I hear you.
Commissioner Carollo: -- I'm just -- you know, and this isn't something that I say now and for
the first time and -- no. I've been saying this way before anybody. I mean, we're talking years.
Andl used to kid, I'm in the penalty box. Remember when I used to say that? Because I --
Vice Chair Sarnoff. I thought you're still in -- you got out of that box?
Commissioner Gort: You never been in the penalty box. Come on. Give me a break.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. I thought he stayed in that box.
Commissioner Gort: Give me a break.
Chair Suarez: Guys, guys, guys.
Commissioner Gort: You got us in the penalty box. (UNINTET,TIGIBT,F).
Commissioner Carollo: And that's because I kept challenging it, andl was concerned about our
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financial situation, andl continue to be concerned about our financial situation; and that's what
I'm saying, okay, we've hired -- And by the way, we have a CFO (Chief Financial Officer)
because if you -- as you recall --
Chair Suarez: There wasn't one for a while.
Commissioner Carollo: -- there wasn't one for a while.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: Andl was leading the charge. We need a CFO, we need a CFO. So
what happens? They took the CFO position from the budget. Anyways, we've come a long ways
as far as at least the Administration saw that, yes, we need to hire a CFO, and the Manager has,
and then they hired a Finance director, which, by the way, I -- the reason we were late with our
audited financial statements, our issued audited financial statements is because our Finance
team -- which we really didn't have one 'cause we didn't have a CFO --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: -- and a Finance direct --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: -- was, you know -- weren't involved in the audit process.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: And when our auditors are asking, hey, we need this information,
apparently there was some confusion or the information wasn't getting to them. So it made -- it
put us in a very bad light. With that said, my question is, again, okay, How do we move forward?
The bottom line is, the CFO and the Finance director that was hired is coming to us and saying,
hey, listen --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: -- we're not asking for more money. Within the budget amount that you
have given us, what we're asking for is we want to use these monies to hire what you've stated in
order to fix our financial situation. And so when the new audit begins, which should be
beginning soon if they're doing --
Mr. Petty: It's already begun.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Therefore, we will be ready and next year we will be on time so --
Chair Suarez: Yeah. And again, I -- if -- I'm sorry for cutting you off. But I understand your
concern. I think your concern --
Commissioner Carollo: Absolutely.
Chair Suarez: -- is extremely valid, which is, you know, two fold from my perspective, which is,
number one, we should have our CAFR on time, and number two, we should follow the
recommendations of our CAFR and implement those recommendations. The problem I'm seeing
is that's what our department director should be doing, in my humble opinion. And he's been on
staff for six months. And this is, again, no attack on you personally. I don't -- you know, I've
only met you a couple times. But what else is the job of the department director if not to review,
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assess, and recommend changes and improvements to the City's Finance Department, which is
task number one from the proposed consultant that we're going to pay, you know, $110, 000 to, in
addition to a director that we're already paying $140, 000 to. So to me, it's just double dipping.
It's not --
Mr. Petty: IfI could just --
Chair Suarez: -- responsible, in my opinion.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Well, I like your argument. So maybe the solution -- just a suggestion -- we
defer this --I know we're deferring, but to the next Commission meeting. In that time frame, we
have Mr. Petty, our CFO, and the Manager come to us and -- 'cause I'd like to --
Commissioner Gort: Explain the reasons.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. What you brought out today, I was completely unaware of. I don't feel like
I'm blindsided, but you know, I didn't know it. And let them explain to us why it is not a double
dip, if you will; why Mr. Petty is qualified, what actions he's taken in those six months.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. 'Cause I think you bring up some very valid points. And I'm not prepared to
vote on this simply by the points you brought up because I'll look pretty uninformed having just
voted on it.
Chair Suarez: Andl could tell you, Mr. Vice Chair, thatl expressed these frustrations internally,
so it's not like I'm just coming out here and --
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Oh, I -- no doubt.
Chair Suarez: -- trying to surprise --
Vice Chair Sarnoff. You don't bring --
Chair Suarez: -- the Administration. I was -- in fact, the way that this came to me was in a way
thatl don't find very tasteful, which was a memo was given to me saying, you're the chairman.
You can just sign it and you can make that allocation from one line to the other without it even
ever coming to the Commission. So I refused to do that. I didn't see the emergency, number one.
And secondly, I didn't agree with the substance of it. So they brought it to the Commission, andl
still don't agree with the substance of it. And furthermore, you hire someone to do what I think is
the job that you're trying to hire a consultant for and then you're waiving, you know,
qualification requirements. There's all these other issues regarding the person's -- And what
told the Manager at one point was, listen, pick one or the other. Either have a consultant that's
going to analyze the department and recommend changes or have a department director, but you
can't have both, from my perspective. So anyhow --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So you were the whipping board on this one?
Chair Suarez: What's that?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So you --
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Chair Suarez: Yeah --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Chair Suarez: -- exactly.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You know, you --
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- for the most part, you're pretty laid back --
Chair Suarez: Yes, ma'am.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- (UNINTET,T IGIBT ,F), but this kind of got under your skin.
Chair Suarez: Yes, it did.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So I'm going to be a little bit more --
Chair Suarez: I think it's pretty clear.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- low key on it.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Let me just state -- 'cause I -- you know how I feel about City
employees, andl know it's tough to do your jobs. Andl do want to like at least put some of this
stuff in a -- what do you call it? -- time frame. We know that Mr. Petty came in -- has only been
there for six months, but we know that he also came in during a very rough period in the City.
Chair Suarez: Agreed.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: We had the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)
investigation happening --
Chair Suarez: Agreed.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- I mean, the -- I guess the final wrap-up of that and that's still
going on. We have the CAFR situation, which was totally out of control --
Chair Suarez: Agreed.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- which, by the way, you were able to -- you and Janice were able
to get it done considering so many -- huh?
Unidentified Speaker: (UNINTET,T IGIBT ,F).
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Right. So -- were able to get it done. And you know -- so I just --
I -- while I totally agree with my Chairman on, you know, things that may have hap -- should
have happened on an Administration side of it, I'm with you on that, but also want to at least be
a little sensitive to the issues as well from the standpoint that you -- basically, both you and
Janice were thrown in the lion's den and, for the most part, kind of survived it from that
perspective.
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Chair Suarez: And --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'm almost done, I'm almost done.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'm almost done. I let you whip up a little bit. I just
(UNINTELLIGIBLE). Only thing that I would want to really say from -- based upon my briefings
with Janice on this issue was I really -- at the end of the day, the buck kind of stops with Janice
'cause she's the CFO --
Chair Suarez: Agreed.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- and for the most part, you know, Stephen -- Mr. Petty, kind of
reports up, correct? Okay. So, Janice, if you don't mind coming, okay. At the end of the day
and as we had our end of the day yesterday -- I mean, meeting before we closed out my day, you
know, I wanted to ask you, you know, 'cause I had some concerns about the 180 -- I mean, the
money being shifted around, remember. But when you explained it to me, you know,
Commissioner, we really need the resources to ramp up, you know. You talked about the morale
in the department, period, because of all the transition has been very low, you know; that you
needed to have immediately at your fingertips, without having to go through all of the
personnel -related issues to hire people to get them up and running and going in a department,
that you needed to have professional consultants that can come in immediately, that can work
along with the staff that was already in the department that's left there to keep them motivated
and to keep the morale going. All of those things you told me, you kind of made me feel a little
bit more comfortable about your decision 'cause, to my understanding, this was really, more or
less, your recommendation of something you felt was needed in order to bring the department up
to speed, correct?
Janice Larned (Chief Financial Officer): Yes, ma'am.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And that you would use this as a means of transitioning new
employees in during that process because as you go, you're able to feel out certain consultants
that are working in the department that maybe, one, could, you know, either, you know, go on to
actually apply for the position and maybe be brought on. And at the same time, you could still
be, you know, looking for people on the outside that could come in. At this point, you explained
to me that the department was low -- the employment in the department was at a low and that
you had to really build it up, and the only way that you were going to be able to build it up
quickly, you know, is by at least getting the consultants in to fill in the gap.
Ms. Larned: Yes, ma'am. For the record, Janice Larned, assistant City Manager/Chief
Financial Officer. Yes, ma'am.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. So this -- I just want my fellow Commissioners to know at
the end of the day, this was the CFO's recommendation of what she felt, along with Mr. Petty,
was important to have happen now so that as we get ready to go into the CAFR and those other
things, we're not missing a beat and finding ourself in the same position we found ourself at the
-- a few months ago, rushing to try to get it all done.
Ms. Lamed: Correct.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Didl say it right?
Ms. Lamed: Correct.
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Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Chair Suarez: Yeah. And ifI may, I -- you know, Danny Alfonso, who's the budget director, got
thrown into a very difficult circumstance and he has handled it marvelously. In fact, the other
day he was saying that he eliminated a position. So what he's doing is precisely what the job
description, in my humble opinion, is for a department director, which is assessing a department,
recommending changes, you know, and making improvements to the department. In Finance,
what we've seen is a situation where we're down, I believe, six employees -- by the way, it's a
department that has 68 positions, 68 positions. That's a lot of positions to provide all those
services, like the CAFR and figuring out -- you know, figuring out how to implement the
recommendations of the CAFR. So, you know, even if it's down 6 positions, they still have 62
positions. One of the things I was telling Janice in our meetings was what if you pay this outside
consultant and he analyzes the size of the City and a similar businesses [sic] and says, you guys
are bloated. You guys have 30 more employees than what you need to do the job that you're
doing. Andl remember a while back we hired a consultant in Risk Management. We have a very
good director in Risk Management, Calvin Ellis. And we hired a consultant, and he asked us to
hire a consultant because it was going to save us, I believe, $2 million. And we hired a
consultant for, you know, 150, $200, 000, but the savings was 10 to 1. That makes sense. If you
hire a consultant for $200, 000 and you save $2 million, I get it. But when you hire a consultant
to do, according to the job description, the same job that I would think the department director
should be doing and it's going to cost you an additional $900, 000 to straighten out the
department, to me that's, I don't know, just bad management so.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Andl totally get it, and you're absolutely right on the issue of
making sure that you have somebody that has the capacity to actually do the job. I simply was
just trying to frame --
Chair Suarez: I got you.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- the issue in what Mr. Petty and what Janice have literally had
to do --
Chair Suarez: I know.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- was really put out fires. Just like Danny, the CFO is in the same
position, you know, from the standpoint of he has people that report to him in his division.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And this is -- you know, when recommendations come back to him
as to what he feels is going to best help run and operate his division, he brings them to us.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Andl think that what Janice is doing now as the CFO is saying,
guys, I don't want to find myself in a similar position and getting used to this City's system,
getting a team, you know, together to at least put out the fires and now get prepared for this year.
I don't want to be in that same position again so that's why I need a little help. And, again, what
was communicated to me is that we weren't taking the money from anywhere else. They were
literally taking the dollars that were all -- that was already in the department and shifting it
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around, correct?
Ms. Larned: Correct.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So I understand you, though, Mr. Chairman. I think that there's a
bigger issue that needs to be discussed on a management side, but I'm trying at the same time to
also respect the CFO and -- if it is a recommendation that she's bringing because this is a need
or something she needs help with, that I think that, yes, we should go along with the deferral
now, Mr. Chairman --
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- and have a greater understanding of what the plan is about so
we all understand why it's necessary. I don't think we had enough time to chew on that bone. So
maybe perhaps in the next -- by the next City Commission meeting, we should be --
Chair Suarez: Sounds good to me.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- ready to go. But, you know, we don't see the Chairman get too
upset about too much.
Chair Suarez: Andl -- correct or incorrect, that I was equally upset in the briefing; was I not?
Commissioner Gort: Mr. --
Ms. Larned: I believe you raised some very valid questions --
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Ms. Larned: -- and had we had our druthers, I think all of us would prefer going down a
different path.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Ms. Larned: The whole point to this is to come back to the Commission, as we heard you say
back in April --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Ms. Larned: -- that you do not wish to have the CAFR delayed again.
Chair Suarez: I don't.
Ms. Larned: So having expressed at that time what the reasons for the delay in the CAFR were,
we have worked very diligently for moving this plan forward. And your greatest concern -- andl
think that is extremely reasonable -- is that this is very bad timing. Unfortunately, what
everybody gets focused on is adopting a budget. The people in the Finance Department, they get
focused on a year-end close. Their work begins now. The brunt of their work carries through
until January and February.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Ms. Larned: That is the time at which they are absolutely burning the midnight oil.
Chair Suarez: Right.
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Ms. Larned: Andl think what we have here is Mr. Petty, representing that department,
expressing the desire to make sure that we comply with what the wishes of this Commission were.
And yes, he has my support in that matter. And because we have had turnover, I jumped in with
the permission of the City Manager. He has been extraordinarily supportive. He has expressed
concerns that we meet the direction and the directive of the City Commission. So, absolutely,
you've made your points very clear.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Ms. Larned: I'm not certain that the questions that have come up today were covered in all of
the various briefings, butt make myself available to cover that on your time and at your
convenience.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Commissioner Gort: Mr. --
Chair Suarez: Yes, Commissioner.
Commissioner Gort: -- Chairman, I understand the -- where you coming from and what your
question. But at the same time, I understand we have `X" amount of employee which they have
inherit. I mean, those employees they have inherit and we know the problem we've had in the
past. I think the deferral is very healthy. I think they should come back to us and let us know
why they're making the plans and why they're making the changes and what are the benefit that
those changes are going to bring to the department.
Chair Suarez: And agree with that. I think you're right. I think, you know, anyone who comes
in as a director at any time of the year inherits whatever that department is. But I think it's on
the director or on an outside company -- if you want to go to an outside company, you can hire
an outside company to do the job. But I think the -- from what I'm reading -from the description
of the scope of services from the outside company, it's the same description that I would give the
director. If you've had six months, which is half of a fiscal year, to analyze your department,
make changes, additions, subtractions, whatever, I don't think we need to, at the end of that six
months, when the real work begins, as the CFO stated, now have an outside company come in
and analyze the department. I will read exactly what the scope of work is. It says they're going
to review, assess, and recommend changes and improvements to the City's Finance Department.
The team will review all available information and gain a preliminary understanding of current
structures, staffing and policies, as well as some familiarity with the strengths and weaknesses of
the City's finance function. I thought that that's what -- and then it says task two, develop a
business plan for the Finance Department. That's what we're going to be paying for. We're
going to be paying an outside company to develop a business plan for the Finance Department.
I mean, to me, that's just unacceptable, I'm sorry. If there's any business plan to be developed
for a department, it should be developed by the director. And I'm not going to pay $100, 000 to
develop a business plan, I'm sorry. So that's just my position on it. We defer it and we'll -- we
can talk about it and we'll deal with it at the next Commission meeting. Thank you.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Before you move on, sir, you have on your -- on the floor a
motion actually to adopt, if I'm not mistaken. So I do not have a motion to defer or a day. The
question becomes will --?
Chair Suarez: Who was the mover and who was the second?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I thought it was a deferral, right?
City of Miami Page 165 Printed on 10/9/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
BC.1
12-00433
Chair Suarez: That's what we thought, yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: Marc is the mover. I'm the second.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I'll withdraw my mover -- my motion.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Does the seconder withdraw?
Commissioner Carollo: Well, I don't have any -- if the mover --
Chair Suarez: Right, true. Good point. Is there a motion to defer?
Vice Chair Sarnoff So move.
Chair Suarez: Moved by the Vice Chair. Second?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Sec --
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Spence -Jones. All in favor, signift by saying "aye.
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Ms. Thompson: Date? Date is 9/27, right?
Commissioner Carollo: Nine --
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: -- twenty-seven.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
END OF RESOLUTIONS
BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
RESOLUTION
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:
Commissioner Frank Carollo
Commissioner Frank Carollo
City of Miami Page 166 Printed on 10/9/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
BC.2
12-00286
12-00433 CSW CCMemo.pdf
12-00433 CSW Current_Board_Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
RESOLUTION
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:
NOMINATED BY:
Chairman Francis Suarez
Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort
Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort
Commissioner Frank Carollo
Commissioner Frank Carollo
12-00286 CRB CCMemo.pdf
12-00286 CRB Current_Board_Members.pdf
12-00286 CRB Memo from Haydee Wheeler (3.30.12).pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
BC.3 RESOLUTION
12-00289
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:
Commissioner Frank Carollo
12-00289 CTAB CCMemo.pdf
12-00289 CTAB Current_Board_Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
City of Miami Page 167 Printed on 10/9/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
BC.4
12-00639
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
RESOLUTION
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE EDUCATION ADVISORY
BOARD FOR ATERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Christopher Norwood Commissioner Michelle Spence -Jones
12-00639 EAB CCMemo.pdf
12-00639 EAB Current Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 2 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff and Carollo
R-12-0331
Todd Hannon (Assistant City Clerk): So, Chair Suarez, if you just want to move right to --
Chair Suarez: Yeah. Let's go.
Mr. Hannon: -- BC.5, we can do that.
Chair Suarez: Let's go. BC.5.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I have a BC.4, though.
Chair Suarez: She has a BC.4. Go ahead. BC.4.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'd like to -- Is that okay?
Mr. Hannon: Yes, ma'am.
Chair Suarez: Absolutely.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'd like to nominate Mr. Chris Norwood to the Education Advisory
Board.
Chair Suarez: Is there a motion? Is that a motion?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So --
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: I guess. Second. All in favor, signift by saying aye.
City of Miami Page 168 Printed on 10/9/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
BC.5
12-00287
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 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
ADVISORY BOARD FORATERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Corey Taylor AFSCME 871
12-00287 EOAB CCMemo.pdf
12-00287 EOAB Current Members.pdf
12-00287 EOAB Memo from Local 871.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
R-12-0332
Chair Suarez: I guess BC.5.
Todd Hannon (Assistant City Clerk): BC.5's the Equal Opportunity Advisory Board. AFSCME
(American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) Local 871 has nominated Mr.
Corey Taylor for Commission consideration and approval.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Chair Suarez: It's a motion.
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Gort. All in favor, signift by saying "aye.'
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
BC.6 RESOLUTION
12-00814
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
FOR ATERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Vice Chairman Marc David Sarnoff
City of Miami Page 169 Printed on 10/9/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
BC.7
12-00339
12-00814 Finance CCMemo.pdf
12-00814 Finance Current_Board_Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
RESOLUTION
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL EMPLOYEES'
AND SANITATION EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT TRUST FOR TERMS AS
DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES/CATEGORIES: NOMINATED BY:
Anthony Hatten AT -LARGE
(AFSCME 1907)
Oscar Valido AT -LARGE
(AFSCME 1907)
Elizabeth Warwick AT -LARGE
(AFSCME 1907)
Cary Montero AT -LARGE
(AFSCME 1907)
John Hill AT -LARGE
(AFSCME 871)
Calvin Ellis City Manager
12-00339 GESE CCMemo.pdf
12-00339 GESE Current Members.pdf
12-00339 GESE Memo from AFSCME Local 871.pdf
12-00339-Submittal- GESE AFSCME 1907 Memos.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
R-12-0333
Chair Suarez: Go ahead, Todd.
Todd Hannon (Assistant City Clerk): BC.7 is the General Employees and Sanitation Employees
Retirement Trust.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Mr. Hannon: There -- before we begin, I would just like to put on the record that I'm adding
additional backup documentation in for the record.
City of Miami Page 170 Printed on 10/9/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Mr. Hannon: It's -- they're essentially Local 1907 memos outlining their selections for the GESE
(General Employees Sanitation Employees) Trust.
Commissioner Gort: I'd like --
Mr. Hannon: Now before we begin, I've handed out -- Alice.
Alice Bravo (Assistant City Manager): Oh, no. Go ahead.
Chair Suarez: No, no. Go ahead.
Mr. Hannon: I'm sorry. Before we begin, I've handed out a summary sheet regarding the six
selections to be made to the Trust. AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and
Municipal Employees) Local 1907 has selected two trustees for Commission ratification. Those
names are Anthony Hatten and Oscar Valido. AFSCME Local 1907 has all selected two trustees
for Commission consideration and approval, which are Elizabeth Warwick and Cary Montero.
AFSCME Local 871 has selected one trustee for Commission consideration and approval whose
name is John Hill. And the City Manager has selected one trustee for Commission ratification
who is Calvin Ellis.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: It's a motion and a second. All in favor, signifi, by saying "aye. " I'm assuming
it's as you have indicated in this sheet, correct?
Mr. Hannon: Yes, sir.
Chair Suarez: Perfect.
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
BC.8 RESOLUTION
11-00997
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:
Chairman Francis Suarez
Vice Chairman Marc David Sarnoff
Commissioner Frank Carollo
11-00997 Health CCMemo.pdf
11-00997 Health Current_Board_Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
City of Miami Page 171 Printed on 10/9/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
BC.9
12-00434
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
RESOLUTION
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:
Albena Sumner Mayor Tomas Regalado
Manny Roche Chairman Francis Suarez
12-00434 Homeland CCMemo.pdf
12-00434 Homeland Current Members.pdf
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
R-12-0335
Chair Suarez: BC.9 is next, Todd.
Todd Hannon (Assistant City Clerk): BC.9, Homeland Defense -- give me one second. Mayor
Regalado would like to appoint Albena Summer [sic]. And Chair Suarez would like to appoint
Manny Roche.
Vice Chair Sarnoff So move.
Chair Suarez: Move -- motion. Is there a second?
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second. All in favor, signift by saying "aye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
BC.10 RESOLUTION
12-00435
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE LIBERTY CITY
COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION TRUST FORATERM AS DESIGNATED
HEREIN.
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
City of Miami Page 172 Printed on 10/9/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
Commissioner Michelle Spence -Jones
Commissioner Michelle Spence -Jones
Commissioner Michelle Spence -Jones
(Youth, Non -Voting Member)
12-00435 Liberty City CCMemo.pdf
12-00435 Liberty City Current Members.pdf
12-00435 Liberty City Applications.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
BC.11 RESOLUTION
12-00834
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL ASAMEMBER OF THE MIAMI SPORTS AND
EXHIBITION AUTHORITY FORATERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Frank Carollo
12-00834 MSEACCMemo.pdf
12-00834 MSEACurrent_Board_Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
BC.12 RESOLUTION
12-00057
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE PARKS AND
RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED
HEREIN.
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Devan Cejas City Manager Johnny Martinez
(Term ending: 7/8/2013)
Jonathan Burgess City Manager Johnny Martinez
(Term ending: 4/14/2013
Dr. Michael Rosenberg City Manager Johnny Martinez
(Term ending: 9/13/2014)
City of Miami Page 173 Printed on 10/9/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
12-00057 PRAB CCMemo.pdf
12-00057 PRAB Current Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Vice Chair Sarnoff, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
R-12-0334
Todd Hannon (Assistant City Clerk): BC.12, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The City
Manager has nominated three names for Commission consideration and approval. The three
names are Mr. Devan Cejas, Mr. Jonathan Burgess, and Dr. Michael Rosenberg.
Chair Suarez: Is there a motion?
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Chair Suarez: There's a motion by Commissioner Gort. Is there a second?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by the Vice Chair. All in favor, signift by saying aye.
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Commissioners.
BC.13 RESOLUTION
12-00300
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:
NOMINATED BY:
Chairman Francis Suarez
Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort
Commissioner Frank Carollo
Commissioner Frank Carollo
Commissioner Michelle Spence -Jones
12-00300 UDRB CCMemo.pdf
12-00300 UDRB Current_Board_Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
City of Miami Page 174 Printed on 10/9/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
BC.14 RESOLUTION
12-00835
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE VIRGINIA KEY BEACH
PARK TRUST FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
BC.15
12-00837
Office of the City
Clerk
DI.1
12-00657
APPOINTEES:
12-00835 VKBPT CCMemo.pdf
12-00835 VKBPT Current Members.pdf
NOMINATED BY:
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A
CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE WATERFRONT
ADVISORY BOARD FORA TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Michelle Spence -Jones
12-00837 WAB CCMemo.pdf
12-00837 WAB Current_Board_Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
END OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION CONCERNING THE CITY'S ADOPTION OFATICKET
POLICY UNDER WHICH PUBLIC, COMMUNITY BENEFITS, OR
COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS OBTAINED THROUGH CONTRACTUAL
City of Miami Page 175 Printed on 10/9/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
NEGOTIATION OR OTHER EXERCISE OF PUBLIC AUTHORITY MAY BE
DISTRIBUTED FOR ANY PERMISSIBLE PUBLIC PURPOSE,
CONSISTENT WITH THE GUIDELINES PROVIDED BY THE MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY COMMISSION ON ETHICS AND PUBLIC TRUST.
12-00657 Summary Form.pdf
12-00657 Memo - Citywide Ticket Policy.pdf
12-00657 Memos - Miami -Dade County 10-11-12.pdf
12-00657 Backup Information 06/28/12.pdf
SPONSORS: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
END OF DISCUSSION ITEM
PART B: PLANNING AND ZONING ITEMS
Chair Suarez: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. As you can see, we do not have a quorum
yet, but we like to start on time in the morning and in the afternoon. We have a Manger; that's
always a good sign. We have a Clerk. I think we have a City Attorney. If not, we have an
assistant City Attorney that's very competent and capable. But we do not have a quorum of
Commissioners, so until we have that, we have to wait. Madam Clerk, quick question. For PZ
(Planning & Zoning) items, are they -- can they be done at any time after 2 p.m.?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Any time after 2 p.m. That's correct.
Chair Suarez: Okay. I just can't defer something without a quorum.
[Later...
Chair Suarez: Before beginning with our time certain item of 2 p.m., I would like to, I guess,
open up the PZ so we can defer a PZ item that has been jointly agreed to be deferred. So do we
need --? Madam Attorney, can you open up the PZ item for us -- the PZ --
Ms. Thompson: Order of the day.
Chair Suarez: -- order of the day.
Maria J. Chiaro (Deputy City Attorney): Items shall proceed pursuant to Miami 21. The
presentation shall be made pursuant to the procedures set forth. Any documents submitted to the
City Commission that have not been part of the agenda are received by the City Commission at
the City Commission's discretion.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. I'll read whatever -- you were adlibbing it, so pretty good job. The
members of the City Commission shall disclose any ex parte communications. Andl think that's
it. I think you got everything else. Good for you. You've been doing this for a little while, huh?
PZ.1 RESOLUTION
11-00714sc
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
City of Miami Page 176 Printed on 10/9/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
ATTACHMENT(S), CLOSING, VACATING, ABANDONING AND
DISCONTINUING FOR PUBLIC USE (THAT PORTION OF) CURTIS LANE
EAST OF ROGERS ROAD AND EASEMENTS LOCATED ALONG THE
NORTH AND SOUTH SIDES OF CURTIS LANE, EAST OF ROGERS ROAD,
MIAMI, FLORIDA.
11-00714sc CC 10-11-12 Fact Sheet.pdf
11-00714sc Department Analyses & Maps. pdf
11-00714sc School Brd Concurrency & PZAB Resos.pdf
11-00714sc Application & Supporting Documentation.pdf
11-00714sc CC Fully -Executed Legislation (Ver. 2) & Exhibit.pdf
LOCATION: Approximately Curtis Lane East of Rogers Road and along the
North and South sides of Curtis Lane, East of Rogers Road [Commissioner
Marc David Sarnoff - District 2]
APPLICANT(S): Ben Fernandez, Esquire, on behalf of Stephen Bittel, as
Trustee of the Acme Real Estate Trust
FINDING(S):
PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT: Recommends approval.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT: Recommends approval.
PLAT AND STREET COMMITTEE: Recommends approval on July 7, 2011 by
a vote of 7-0.
PLANNING, ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD: Recommends denial, which
failed, to City Commission on April 18, 2012 by a vote of 3-5. Recommends
approval as a second motion to City Commission on April 18, 2012 by a vote of
5-3.
PURPOSE: This will close and vacate Curtis Lane, East of Rodgers Road and
two North/South easements.
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 2 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff and Carollo
Note for the Record: Item PZ.1 was deferred to the September 27, 2012 Commission Meeting.
Chair Suarez: Okay, PZ.1. Is there a motion to defer?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Spence -Jones. Is there a second?
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Gort. All in favor, signift by saying "aye.'
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: It passes unanimously.
City of Miami Page 177 Printed on 10/9/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
D1.1
12-00806
D1.2
12-00807
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Do we have a date, please?
Chair Suarez: Next PZ, I'm assuming. I don't know. Good question.
Ben Fernandez: Next available would be fine with us.
Ms. Thompson: The next PZ meeting would be October 25. The next PZ meeting is October 25.
Commissioner Gort: Not the 27th, September 27?
Ms. Thompson: I'm sorry.
Commissioner Gort: September 27.
Ms. Thompson: Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I stand corrected. Next PZ is September 27. I'm
ahead of myself.
Mr. Fernandez: That's fine with us, perfect.
Chair Suarez: Okay. That'll be a two -week deferral 'til September what, 27th, you said? Okay,
thank you. That takes care of the PZs.
END OF PLANNING AND ZONING ITEMS
MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS' ITEMS
CITYWIDE
HONORABLE MAYOR TOMAS REGALADO
END OF CITYWIDE ITEMS
DISTRICT 1
COMMISSIONER WIFREDO (WILLY) GORT
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION OF USE OF TEMPS THROUGHOUT THE CITY BOTH
DIRECTLY EMPLOYED THROUGH THE CITY AND THROUGH OUTSIDE
AGENCIES. RANGE OF SALARIES FOR TEMPS INCLUDING ANY
BENEFITS.
12-00806 Temps - City & Outside Agency.pdf
DEFERRED
Note for the Record: Item D1.1 was deferred to the September 27, 2012 Commission Meeting.
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION ON HOW MEMBERS ARE SELECTED FOR SELECTION
COMMITTEES OF RFPAND RFQ.
City of Miami Page 178 Printed on 10/9/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
D1.3
12-00808
D1.4
12-00809
D1.5
12-00950
12-00807 Email - Members of Selection Committees.pdf
DEFERRED
Note for the Record: Item D1.2 was deferred to the September 27, 2012 Commission Meeting.
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION ON ELIMINATION OF HIRING FREEZE.
12-00808 Email - Elimination Hiring Freeze.pdf
DEFERRED
Note for the Record: Item D1.3 was deferred to the September 27, 2012 Commission Meeting.
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION REGARDING A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE CREATION
OF LABOR/MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES.
12-00809 Email - Creation of Labor Mgmt. Committees.pdf
DEFERRED
Note for the Record: Item D1.4 was deferred to the September 27, 2012 Commission Meeting.
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION REGARDING HOW THE CURRENT IT SYSTEM
PROGRAMMING, RELATED TO CODE ENFORCEMENT, CAN BE MODIFIED
TO ALLOW FOR ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE PART OF THE TENANT WHEN
THEY ARE FOUND IN VIOLATION OF THE CITY CODE OR ANY OTHER
MATTER. AT THIS TIME, THE OWNER IS THE ONLY ONE HELD
ACCOUNTABLE AND AT TIMES ITALLOWS FOR THE TENANT TO GO BY
WITHOUT ANY DIRECT CONSEQUENCE EVEN THOUGH THE VIOLATION
WAS COMMITTED BY THE TENANT.
12-00950 Email - Code Enforcement Software.pdf
DEFERRED
Note for the Record: Item D1.5 was deferred to the September 27, 2012 Commission Meeting.
END OF DISTRICT 1
DISTRICT 2
VICE-CHAIRMAN MARC DAVID SARNOFF
D2.1 DISCUSSION ITEM
City of Miami Page 179 Printed on 10/9/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
12-00909
STATUS OF HIRING POLICE OFFICERS.
12-00909 Email - Status - Hiring Police Officers.pdf
DEFERRED
Note for the Record: Item D2.1 was deferred to the September 27, 2012 Commission Meeting.
D2.2 DISCUSSION ITEM
12-00910
DISCUSSION ON THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE.
D3.1
12-00756
D4.1
12-01000
12-00910 Email - Florida Building Code.pdf
DEFERRED
Note for the Record: Item D2.2 was deferred to the September 27, 2012 Commission Meeting.
END OF DISTRICT 2
DISTRICT 3
COMMISSIONER FRANK CAROLLO
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION ON ORDINANCE 13312 - EXCAVATED SITES.
12-00756 Email - Excavated Sites.pdf
DEFERRED
Note for the Record: Item D3.1 was deferred to the September 27, 2012 Commission Meeting.
END OF DISTRICT 3
DISTRICT 4
CHAIRMAN FRANCIS SUAREZ
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION REGARDING CITY'S FINANCIAL CONDITION.
12-001000 Email - City's Financial Condition.pdf
DEFERRED
Note for the Record: Item D4.1 was deferred to the September 27, 2012 Commission Meeting.
END OF DISTRICT 4
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
NA.1
12-01061
NA.2
12-01063
DISTRICT 5
COMMISSIONER MICHELLE SPENCE-JONES
END OF DISTRICT 5
NON AGENDA ITEMS
DISCUSSION ITEM
VICE CHAIR SARNOFF ACKNOWLEDGED THE PASSING OF TONY
GOLDMAN WITH A MOMENT OF SILENCE, HONORING HIS LIFE AND
LEGACY AS A VISIONARY DEVELOPER AND PRESERVATIONIST.
DISCUSSED
Chair Suarez: Before continuing, I'd like to observe several moments of silence. First, I'd like to
recognize the Vice Chairman, who I believe would like to say some words for the recent
departure or death of Tony Goldman.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Thank you, Mr. Chair. For those of you that don't know, yesterday we had
the passing of Tony Goldman, a person who was a true visionary not only for Miami Beach, not
only for Wynwood, but for any of you that know New York City and you've ever been to SoHo,
you could argue and say that he was the grandfather of SoHo. He was a visionary developer
and preservationist, because Tony rarely ever built a building. He usually redeveloped a
building. It's no exaggeration to call him the father of modern Miami. It was his foresight and
acumen that helped transform Miami Beach, and if you remember these days -- andl think most
of you on the dais will -- from a pretty dilapidated, declining retirement community where you
used to see all the people sitting out there in their little chairs into what is a thriving, vibrant
icon from the world. As a matter of fact, it is considered the most successful CRA (Community
Redevelopment Agency) in the United States. For those of you that don't know that it is a CRA, it
actually is a CRA. Without him, there would be no Miami Vice, no Art Deco motels left to enjoy.
In recent years he turned his attention to the City ofMiami, helping tojumpstart and revitalize
our long -neglected Wynwood. Our thoughts today are with Tony's family, with his wife, Janet,
and children, Jessica and Joey. So Mr. Chair, if we could just have just a ten -second moment of
silence for Mr. Goldman, who will be sorely missed in this community.
(A MOMENT OF SIT,FNCE)
Chair Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Vice Chairman.
DISCUSSION ITEM
A MOMENT OF SILENCE WAS OBSERVED IN MEMORY OF THE
VICTIMS OF THE 9/11 TRAGEDY AND FOR U.S. AMBASSADOR TO
LIBYA, CHRIS STEVENS, WHO PASSED AS A RESULT OF ATTACKS ON
THE ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 THIS YEAR.
DISCUSSED
Chair Suarez: I'd also like to take a moment, another ten seconds, of silence to remember the
victims of 9/11, the tragedy in 9/11, as well as Chris Stevens, the U.S. Ambassador to Libya, that
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
was killed in an attack on the anniversary -- the eleventh anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. May
we continue to grow stronger as one nation, always remembering the values of our freedom in
this great country.
(A MOMENT OF SIT,FNCE)
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
NA.3 RESOLUTION
12-01044
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, APPOINTING A
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE MIAMI BAYSIDE
FOUNDATION, INC., A FLORIDA CORPORATION, FORA TERM AS
DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Michelle Barton King Commissioner Frank Carollo
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
R-12-0336
Chair Suarez: Is that all? No, there's one more, right?
Todd Hannon (Assistant City Clerk): Well, if someone wouldn't mind proffering the name of
Michelle Barton King for Commissioner Carollo to the Miami Bayside Foundation.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. So move.
Chair Suarez: There's a motion by the Vice Chair. Is there a second?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Spence -Jones. All in favor, signift by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Are we done?
Mr. Hannon: Good to go.
NA.4 DISCUSSION ITEM
12-01071
CHAIR SUAREZ ACKNOWLEDGED THE PRESENCE, IN THE MIAMI CITY
COMMISSION CHAMBERS, OF SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER RAQUEL
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 13, 2012
ADJOURNMENT
REGALADO.
DISCUSSED
Chair Suarez: You want me now to adjourn the meeting?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): That will finish your agenda. That's correct.
Chair Suarez: Okay. The meeting is adjourned. I will pass the gavel to the Omni CRA
(Community Redevelopment Agency) chair.
Ms. Thompson: Okay, and remember now, as I explained earlier, we will have to take time to
close off this particular --
Chair Suarez: Of course.
Ms. Thompson: -- recording and start the new one.
Chair Suarez: May I introduce someone in the crowd who is here, an elected official who's here
with us today?
Ms. Thompson: You're the Chair.
Chair Suarez: School Board Member Raquel Regalado --
Applause.
Chair Suarez: -- is here with us today. Thank you. Thank you for coming. You're a glutton for
punishment to come over to a budget hearing in the City.
Ms. Thompson: Okay. Now we're going to close down this recording and start the Omni and
we'll let you know when it's ready.
The meeting adjourned at 5: 34 p.m.
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