Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2012-09-27 MinutesCity of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 27, 2012 5:05 PM SECOND BUDGET HEARING 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 27, 2012 CONTENTS Present: Commissioner Gort, Vice Chair Sarnoff, Commissioner Carollo, Chair Suarez and Commissioner Spence -Jones BH-SECOND BUDGET HEARING TO DISCUSS FISCAL YEAR 2012-2013 FINAL BUDGET BEGINNING AT 5:05 P.M. BH. 1 THROUGH BH.11 SECOND BUDGET HEARING 5:05 P.M. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BH.1 12-00918a Department of Management and Budget On the 27th 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, for its second budget hearing session. The meeting was called to order by Chair Suarez at 6: 00 p.m., recessed at 7:11 p.m., reconvened at 7:30 p.m, and adjourned at 8:13 p.m. Note for the Record: Commissioner Spence -Jones entered the Commission chambers at 6: 01 p.m. DISCUSSION ITEM FINAL PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED MILLAGE AND TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012-2013. THE PROPOSED GENERAL OPERATING MILLAGE RATE OF 7.5710 FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2012 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 IS 6.67% HIGHER THAN ROLLED -BACK RATE OF 7.0978. CITY COMMISSION LISTENS AND RESPONDS TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS REGARDING THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE. ACTIONS BY THE CITY COMMISSION: 1. AMEND THE ADOPTED TENTATIVE BUDGET, IF NECESSARY 2. RECOMPUTE THE FINAL MILLAGE RATE, IF NECESSARY 3. ADOPT THE FINAL MILLAGE RATE 4. ADOPT THE FINAL BUDGET OR THE AMENDED FINAL BUDGET AS NECESSARY. 12-00918a Proposed & Budget Millage.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Suarez: Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to begin our budget hearing. Madam Clerk, have you turned over? Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Yes, we have. Chair Suarez: Okay. City ofMiami Page 2 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Ms. Thompson: We're ready for you. Chair Suarez: I just want to kind of set some ground rules before we get started. The way I want to do this is if you're here representing an organization and you have members from that organization, I will allow the heads of the organization to speak and the members can kind of raise their hand in support of what the people who are here on behalf of the organization say. That's in consideration of our time. We've been here for already, you know, close to ten hours and we anticipate being here for a little longer. So I want to try to make this as expedient as possible, so please understand. Thank you so much. Is there any procedures that need to be read in? Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): Your Budget director will now read the trim statement into the record. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Daniel 1 Alfonso (Director, Strategic Planning, Budgeting, and Performance): Danny Alfonso. This is a required statement. The proposed general operating millage rate of 7.571 mills for the City ofMiami for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2012 and ending September 30, 2013 is 6.67 percent higher than the rollback rate of 7.0978. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Anything else that needs to be read in, Madam Attorney, Madam Clerk? Ms. Bru: Not at this time. Chair Suarez: Mr. Manager? Okay. We will open up for the public hearing on BH.1, 10, and 11 simultaneously. Anyone from the public wishing -- And this is the way we did it at the first budget hearing -- to speak on BH.1, 10, and 11 ? Ms. Thompson: And Chair, may I confirm your time restraints? Chair Suarez: Yes, you may. It's two minutes. Ms. Thompson: Thank you. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Commissioner Spence -Jones: One -- Chair Suarez: One, ten, and eleven. We're taking up the public hearing on that combined. Mariano Cruz: Ready? Okay. Chair Suarez: Go ahead, Mr. Cruz. Mr. Cruz: Yeah. Mariano Cruz, 1227 Northwest 26 Street. As I said before, I got nothing to worry about, the millage or the fee. But anyway, even ifI don't pay direct taxes, property taxes or debt service, whatever, I am impacted by the service of the City. And one like I saidl don't mind paying is the solid waste fee; $380, but they do better service. Andl work in North Miami, Kendall, whatever, Biscayne Park; they don't do the service like we -- they did in Miami. The only thingl like to complain about of the City -- andl am here -- andl was here when that was passed, about the red-light cameras, that they (UNINTELLIGIBLE) those camera. And the people you see -- hear the people talking on the radio. They don't come here. They don't come here. You there or over there. It's easy to get on the phone and when you go to City ofMiami Page 3 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 (UNINTELLIGIBLE) call you and complain. No, be here. And you know, we, in Allapattah, been discriminated because there was a red-light camera, Biscayne Boulevard and 8th Street, across from the AAA, American Airlines Arena. They removed it, southbound and northbound side. Because my son is a Metro bus driver (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and he told me, you know, papi, they removed the light across from the AAA there. But then they come and they go to 17 and 20 and put the red-light camera there. Why? Why they come to my neighborhood there? If somebody that goes to 20th Street to do shopping get a traffic ticket, that person won't come back there. So they impacting the business in a negative way. You don't realize here, but many people, they don't come here and complain or they don't call (UNINTELLIGIBLE) or call (UNINTELLIGIBLE) or anything, or they don't call you when you go on TV (Television). They just say I don't have to go there anymore. I don't go to Coral Gables anymore because there they give you parking tickets for nothing. I don't have to go to a place where the people are eager beaver there to write you a ticket, no. I leave my business someplace else. (UNINTET,T IGIBT ,F) and you already pass the ordinance that -- the police contract and everything -- Chair Suarez: Right. Mr. Cruz: -- that's good. Like I said -- Chair Suarez: Thank you. Mr. Cruz: -- I got family of police officer, grandchildren that are affected, and it's their future. Chair Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Cruz. Mr. Cruz: Thank you. Oh, I am in the two minutes. Be brief be brave, and be gone. Chair Suarez: Thank you, sir. Thank you. I hope everyone else follows you on that one. Mr. Bush. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Mr. Chairman, while he comes -- Chair Suarez: Yes. Commissioner Spence -Jones: I think that Mariano actually said -- brought up some good points, though. Chair Suarez: Oh, he did. Commissioner Spence -Jones: (UNINTET,T IGIBT ,F) kind of way. Chair Suarez: He does, he does. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Mariano -- but I would like to instruct -- Did you hear what Mariano brought --? I would like to see where the red cameras are and how they are being distributed throughout the communities. Because I do know, at least in my district, that is one of the complaints; a lot of these -- Mr. Cruz: Right. Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- red-light cameras are in certain areas. And I'm just wondering if they're being placed in communities that, quite frankly, you know, this is creating more of a burden on them. I just -- I really would just like to see where they are -- Johnny Martinez (City Manager): Okay. City ofMiami Page 4 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- so that I have that official report on it. Mr. Martinez: We have a list and a map with every camera -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: And then your decision -- Mr. Martinez: -- and we have a criteria for it. Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- to remove them out of certain corridors and the reason why. Mr. Martinez: Yeah. We have that. Commissioner Spence -Jones: So, Mariano, that was a good point. Mr. Cruz: No, Boulevard and 8th, across from the AAA, because there has got the people -- the people got the money to pay for the Heat tickets. People in Allapattah don't have the money to go there. Chair Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Cruz. Did you capture that on the microphone, Madam Clerk? Ms. Thompson: I'm sorry? Chair Suarez: No, it's okay. That was a joke. Mr. Bush. Greg Bush: My name is Greg Bush. I direct the Institute for Public History at the University of Miami. I'm the father of a 25-year-old daughter with developmental delays, and I'm executive director of a new organization called Nature Links for Lifelong Learning. I'm here to speak for employable young adults with developmental disabilities, generally over 22 years of age, who are often overlooked in our county. The little yellow school bus doesn't stop for them anymore, and -- so many of them sit home and watch TV. And yet, with the right kind of training, with more training, I think their lives can be changed; I know it. Nature Links was started in 2007, up to age 22, and is now located at Shake a Leg Miami, but we've expanded it from the 22 to 30 year olds. And our mission is out -- located out on Virginia Key Beach. We have organic gardens there. We're working with Juan Fernandez. We have a culinary program where they're in fact learning to cook with Miami Culinary Institute chefs. So we're showing them what life can be for them. And we have partners with the Virginia Key Beach Trust, University ofMiami, and others. We've started several different programs; one I passed out flyers called Saturdays by the Bay for young adults. Another one, we want to have monthly community dinners that would be cooked by the young adults and they would be doing the program. They're going to be videotaping a lot of what they're doing, so putting a lot up online and basically calling for the City to have this as a program, to support it as much as possible through Juan Pascual's Parks Department budget. We have a pending agreement with Miami -Dade Public Schools and we need the City to sign it with some degree of enthusiasm because I think this can make a real significant difference in the lives of a lot of young people learning independent life skills. We've had support from David Lawrence, from Commissioner Sarnoff, Mayor Regalado, and many others. We have a website, wwwnaturelinks.net [sic]. Andl would urge those watching on TV, if you have young adults that want to take advantage of a program like that, to contact us. Andl would hope that Commissioners would be supportive of this too. Chair Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Bush. Mr. Bush: Thank you. Peter Ehrlich: Good evening, Mr. Chairman, Commissioners. Peter Ehrlich, 770 Northeast City ofMiami Page 5 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 69th Street, in Miami. I strongly object to any increase in taxes. Thank you for doing your best to try to reduce expenses and keep our taxes down. I will offer several suggestions to increase revenues and decrease expenses. Number one, eliminate all the defined benefit pension plans. Two, stop approving illegal LED (Light Emitting Diode) billboards. Billboards, especially LED billboards, send a negative signal to residents and visitors. I will give each of you a DVD (Digital Video Disk) called the Chronicles of the Billboard Wars, describing efforts nationally to eliminate billboards. Improve your sign code -- and that is -- in being -- it's in process through the Planning Department. Number four, stop approving low-income tax subsidized housing projects in areas zoned commercial, industrial, and mixed use. Encourage jobs and businesses in the areas zoned commercial, industrial, and mixed use. If people have jobs, then they can pay rent. Number five, do not approve a Wal-Mart on steroids in Midtown Miami and North Miami Avenue. Demand a traffic study. Honor the residents and business owners who have created Midtown Miami. If you want to decrease your tax base, then approve a Wal-Mart on steroids on North Miami Avenue. Thank you very much for your time. Chair Suarez: Thank you, sir. Mr. -- Albio. Albio Castillo: Yes, sir. I live -- my name is Albio Castillo. I live at 2346 Southwest 16 Street, Apartment 3. I'd like to know is -- and the Commissioner of my district has worked very hard for this with these people -- Baker Acts that panhandle and all that. I know the Commissioner has worked it and the former Commissioner has worked it. But I'd like to know is we have lobbyists in Tallahassee. Tallahassee seems it doesn't want to do nothing about this issue. Why can't we do it in ourselves and maybe we could get something done with this program and problems and all that. Chair Suarez: I think you're asking me the question, and we're working on it, Albio. I assure you, we're doing everything we can. We've been lobbying for it every year. We've gotten close on a couple of legislative years. Mr. Castillo: I know. Chair Suarez: This year was a little difficult because it was a redistricting year so -- Mr. Castillo: Right, I know. Every census year is a redistricting. Chair Suarez: Exactly. But we're continuing to work at it. We're trying to look at our own City code and ordinances where we can tighten things up and try to make -- Mr. Castillo: And stop the nuttiness. Chair Suarez: Exactly, exactly. Mr. Castillo: Just one way of putting it. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Mr. Castillo: I also like to know is, What's going to happen with the Miami Herald? What kind of code are you going to use? Are you going to use the 1979, 50 feet of body of ocean? Are they going to be grandfather in? Remember, we have the tunnel also. Chair Suarez: Right. Mr. Castillo: I don't know -- How is the City going to work that? Chair Suarez: I'll let you ask Francisco Garcia, who's our Planning director, that question, City ofMiami Page 6 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 which is specific to a property, if that's okay. Mr. Castillo: Is he -- Where is he? Chair Suarez: Yeah, he's here. Mr. Castillo: Okay. Chair Suarez: You can ask him after you're done with -- Mr. Castillo: Okay. Chair Suarez: -- your comments. Mr. Castillo: I also like to know is, What are you going to do with the recycling -- Chair Suarez: Materials. Mr. Castillo: -- trucks? People are using it -- by the way, even though the City did a terrific job on getting people to know -- but I don't think they read, and it's printed in three languages, so I don't know why -- Chair Suarez: No. I -- Mr. Castillo: -- they don't read. Chair Suarez: -- think this is one of the things that we're going to look back on as a city and really, really be proud of ourselves for. Andl have to give the Vice Chair all the credit 'cause he's the one who had the idea, who pushed the idea, who sold the idea to us; and also, Keith Carswell, who's around here somewhere, who did the analysis. But really, it's one of those things where we're going to look back in many, many years and be very proud of that. Mr. Castillo: Because you could use the -- both trucks and that will save solid waste because you could use either truck -- Chair Suarez: Okay. Mr. Castillo: -- as long as they maintain it clean. Chair Suarez: Okay, thank you. Mr. Castillo: You're welcome. Chair Suarez: Take care. Anthony Whitfield: Anthony Whitfield, 6025 Northwest 6th Court. I got mad back there, but then I forgot what I got mad about. But the LED boards -- it's very important. There are a lot of different things that this young gentleman just came up before me, it was against the -- trying to rebuild the communities. We want to rebuild the community and make Liberty City, Overtown, look very, very nice. Not bringing outside contractors in, but training our own youth and individuals. Let us train them and then the jobs will come. Thank you. Chair Suarez: Thank you, sir. And we're doing that. And thanks to the leadership of Commissioner Spence -Jones, we're doing it. City ofMiami Page 7 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah, but I think that what he's speaking of is something that we've been talking about. It's utilizing the opportunity to take some of those resources to -- from those LEDs to go back into the neighborhoods. Mr. Whitfield: Yes, ma'am. Chair Suarez: Yes. Mr. Whitfield: Thank you. Chair Suarez: Sir. David Young: Mr. Chair, Vice Chair, I'm David Young, the secretary parliamentarian of the Community Relations Board. We just adopted a new statement of the Community Relations Board, which one of its founders, our Mayor, is here -- and it's a pleasure to see you, Mr. Mayor, and thank you for your support. The CRB's (Community Relations Board's) mission is to foster a mutual understanding, open-mindedness, and respect of persons regardless of economic, social, religious, ethnicity, or sexual orientation by serving as advocates for both the City ofMiami and its residents. The problem that we have, Mr. Chair and members of the Commission, we have no money. The Community Relations Board has not had a budget in several years. We are a new group of individuals who are deeply committed to serving you and serving our community in a very meaningful way. We want to thank Commissioner Spence -Jones and her office for assisting in our -- One of our plans is to go into each district, working with the Commission, and put on a program to foster understanding of community services and City services, and we're not asking for a lot of money. We're asking for $8, 400. And what we hope to do is when we have these meetings set up, is to go into the community and to the business community and get people to sponsor the meeting, whether it's in Commissioner Carollo's district or Commissioner Sarnoffs or Chairman Suarez. And the only way that we can do that is with some seed money. Eighty-four hundred dollars is a lot of money, I understand. We're in tight economic times, but it's not a lot of money when you think of the great things that the CRB can do and will do under our new leadership. So I'm asking for the money, and I'm willing to take any questions that the Commission has. And my -- our chairman was supposed to be here today, but he had an emergency, so he could not be here. Chair Suarez: Thank you, sir. Mr. Young: Thank you very much. Chair Suarez: Appreciate it. Come on, ladies. Thank you for abiding by the rule. I appreciate it. Lavern Scott: Sure. Laverne Holliday: Good afternoon, Commissioners. I want to thank Mayor Regalado, Commissioner Spence -Jones, Chairman Suarez -- Chair Suarez: Commissioner Carollo, Commissioner Sarnoff. Ms. Holliday: -- Commissioner Carollo, and Commissioner Sarnoff -- Chair Suarez: And Commissioner Gort. Ms. Holliday: -- for your support in the past year. We appreciate it. It has been very good. And we would like to solicit your continued support because what we do is very important to our community. To Commissioner Spence -Jones, we'd like to thank you for your support in providing City ofMiami Page 8 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 the transportation, and along with Parks and Recreation for taking 100 seniors and grandchildren to the Marlins Park. They do -- Marlins donated the tickets and we thank you very much. I'll turn it over to my partner. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Ms. Thompson: Excuse me, Chair. May we have the name for the record? Ms. Holliday: Oh. Chair Suarez: Yes, name -- Ms. Holliday: I didn't do that? Chair Suarez: -- and address. It's okay. Ms. Holliday: This is Laverne Holliday, Curley's House of Style, 6025 Northwest 6th Court. Ms. Thompson: Thank you. Chair Suarez: Andl'm going to let the record reflect that she has a lot of members in the crowd that are waving their hand in support of everything she says. Thank you all for your patience. Ms. Scott: Lavern Scott, 6025 Northwest 6th Court. We're here -- like she said, we thank everyone for your support. Andl'm -- one of our concerns is our seniors in our community. They are here with us tonight, a few. We ask that you all continue funding our program so we can continue providing food to them. Also, Commissioner Spence [sic], we need your help with our seniors that are facing many challenges in our community. Some of them are facing evictions and they are 91 years old, because they cannot -- Ms. Holliday: And blind. Ms. Scott: -- and blind -- see how to clean up their places that they stay in. And l feel that this is not fair. If these buildings are receiving tax credit and dollars from the City or the County, they need to be held responsible for their actions. And once again, we thank you and we support you. We thank you, you know, for providing the buses for the seniors because that gives them a chance to get out of their house. It helps them get back into the mainstream of life. We ask that you continue supporting us with things that we have discussed and talked about, okay. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Ms. Scott: Thank you very much. Chair Suarez: Thank you all. Sure. Ms. Holliday: One senior, Ms. Clara Jenkins. You did allow me that. Chair Suarez: Yes, I did. I did, I did. She's the best one, right? Ms. Holliday: Yes. Chair Suarez: Okay, good, good, good. Go ahead, ma'am. Clara Mae Jenkins: Good afternoon, Commission and Ms. Spence -Jones. My name is Clara Mae Jenkins. City ofMiami Page 9 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Chair Suarez: Pull the microphone, ma'am, to your face, a little closer, please. Ms. Jenkins: Thank you. Chair Suarez: Perfect. Ms. Jenkins: My name is Clara Mae Jenkins. My address is 2469 Northwest 63rd Street, Miami, Florida. To the Commissioner Spence -Jones, the seniors need you. Some come from a mighty long ways to come to Curry [sic] House to get food. And if we don't -- Curry [sic] House do not have the food to give them, we do not want their children to go back in the street snatching pocketbooks because they'll do anything to try to take care of their family. So please don't let Curry [sic] House down. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Thank you all. Thank you all, the members who are here also. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Mr. Chairman. Chair Suarez: Yes, of course. Commissioner Spence -Jones: I would like to make a -- Chair Suarez: Yes, ma'am. Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- statement. Chair Suarez: Yes, Commissioner. I'm sorry. Commissioner Spence -Jones: I think that it's really important to, you know -- to me, the saddest time of the year sitting up here as a Commissioner, one is during the budget period, the second is during the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) hearings because that's the time when we really hear from the residents of our city. Andl -- this is something that know, you know, the seniors -- as you know, I've always been a big supporter of our seniors. I love my seniors. I hate to see them suffering like they do. And Mr. Manager, we have been trying to put together a senior's alliance and we started working and pulling that together. But I'm going to ask for you to assist us in that process because seniors have more than one issue. Food is only one of the issues. Housing is only one of the issues. There's so many other issues that they're having that they need support with. And I'm just going to ask that we work from an Administration standpoint to figure out better ways to help them. Andl know every single last one of the Commissioners sitting up here, you know, feel the same way. I'm sure they get the same amount of phone calls that, you know, I get in my office. And it's a difficult balancing act. And on top of that in my district, I have to deal with the police shootings -- not police shootings -- the shootings that police are trying to address. And as I stated earlier, I can honestly say in my district, it seems like it never stops, you know. This morningl mentioned in a matter of 30 days -- less than 30 days, we almost had 20 shootings. So you -- it's a very difficult balancing act, you know. You're trying to make sure your seniors are taken care of 'cause they deserve it. They've lived their whole life, you know, and they shouldn't have to struggle. But then you have young people that are picking up guns and just deciding to shoot in a neighborhood and not being -- not caring about anybody else that's there. So I think that instead of us just having these hearings all the time, what really frustrates me about sitting on the dais is that we come, we listen to, you know, the issues and the concerns on the dais, and then we walk away and we don't really have a plan, and that's getting a little old, you know. And we only -- we are only operating from an emergency standpoint. The emergency standpoint stuff has to stop. We have to -- Just like Commissioner Sarnoff said earlier, you know, when we talked about how he created a special fund to deal with the police issue because, quite frankly, government is not able to do it anymore. City ofMiami Page 10 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 We have to become more innovative. And I'm going to say this to Mr. Mayor 'cause he's a big supporter of the seniors too. We have to use the power of our influence to figure out other ways beyond the City government, if we really mean what we say. I'm not a talker; I'm a doer. Andl just want to make sure I officially put it on the record because I don't want to see you guys keep coming back and forth and we're saying the same thing and we're just appeasing you for this one day and then the next hearing, we're trying to figure out a way to address it. So I'm going to ask the City Manager to really put together a team of people for us to address the senior issue from a global perspective. And we've already started, but we do need the backup from the Administration to make sure that happens. There's grants we could be going after. There's partnerships we could be going after, and we're just not doing it. It should never be a reason why Curley's House food bank should not be full with all these grocery stores that we have in the heart of our city, but there's not a collective group of people working on that. So I'm going to ask that we do that so every single time the seniors are not finding themselves in a position where they're having to stand in front of a group of people to ask for help . So I'm going to ask for you to do that for us, Mr. Manager. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Sir, you're recognized. Grant Stern: Mr. Chairman, my name is Grant Stern. I live at 1750 North Bayshore Drive. I'm a mortgage broker and owner ofMorningside Mortgage Corporation. I came here tonight to oppose the tax increases. The reason being that these tax increases make -- Chair Suarez: Excuse me. What tax increases? Commissioner Spence -Jones: What -- Mr. Stern: I'm sorry, the millage rate increase. Chair Suarez: It's not being increased. It's being lowered. Mr. Stern: You're lowering it? Chair Suarez: Yes. Mr. Stern: Well, wait a second. Commissioner Spence -Jones: They didn't -- you didn't get the memo. Mr. Stern: Okay. Well, either way -- that said. Chair Suarez: You're welcome. Mr. Stern: Thank you. Chair Suarez: Next speaker. Mr. Stern: No, but I would also like to follow up on Michelle Spence -Jones's point, which is that the Commission should look at our city with a strategic point of view -- Chair Suarez: Agreed. Mr. Stern: -- okay. And strategically speaking, we need to grow the tax base of this city further. I think that Mayor Diaz and his Administration was very focused on growing the tax base through development, through smart development, okay. And currently, there is an item pending that threatens our tax base. And when it does that, when these taxes could go up or do go up, it City ofMiami Page 11 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 makes our city less competitive for small business. That item is Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart is looking to move into Midtown. They've already announced plans to go to the west side of the city. If they blow a hole in our commercial tax base, it will be very difficult to repair it, if at all possible, and it will affect the competitiveness of all small businesses in the City. Thank you for your time, Mr. Chairman. Chair Suarez: Thank you, sir. Mr. Roche. Manny Roche: Manny Roche, 3101 Southwest 19 Terrace. Chairman, Vice Chairman, Commissioners, I want to thank you and the Honorable Mayor as well, City Manager and his staff, for the hard work that you are all doing as far as trying to keep our taxes down and so forth. We definitely appreciate that, although we do understand that there is a time where we may need to raise those taxes. Our infrastructure continues to deteriorate -- and I've mentioned this times before. We know that you're all smart people and you understand this. But like the past gentleman that just spoke here, there might be maybe other ways that we may be able to find that money. But if there comes a need to raise the taxes, Port St. Lucie is charging $10, the millage. We're charging much less. We're a major city in comparison to Port St. Lucie. They have been able to work on their infrastructure based on this. We may need to work on the infrastructure that is deteriorating, like the sewer lines that cross our bays and may deter -- may bust and may infect all of our bay waters. We definitely need to focus on how we can raise this money. And if we can and start emphasizing that, we can definitely do better and not only will attract other people and keep our number -one industry, which is tourism, at bay and continue to support the other industries, but we'll also be able to enjoy Miami as it was meant for everybody to enjoy. Thank you again. Chair Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Roche. And just as a point of clarification, I just want to say that I believe the maintenance of our sewer system is done by Miami -Dade County Water and Sewer, and think they're in the process of contemplating a major capital improvement, which has been much discussed in the media in the last few days. So thank you. Appreciate it. Sir. Jacob Pfeffer: Good evening, Mr. Chairman, fellow Commissioners. My name is Jacob Pfeffer. I'm a resident at 3470 East Coast Avenue. That's in Midtown Miami. I also -- and my family and I, we've owned businesses in the City ofMiami, includingBayside Marketplace, since 1983. I'm dedicated to the City. I love what this city has become and what it continues to become. I, too, would like to address the issue of smart growth and intelligent investment and increasing value -- increasing property value. This potential Wal-Mart in Midtown is potentially devastating to the tax roll of that area. We've got two high-rise towers that are beautiful, and you've got potential development coming forward with more towers, residential and commercial. A Wal-Mart would immediately decrease the value of the property in its immediate area and would further handcuff any potential development in that area. I really hope that we take on a strategy that is more of a San Francisco/New York, where we want to grow into a worldwide city and not be the suburbs in the middle of Nowhere, America, that has big boxes of concrete retail that don't add to the city lifestyle, to the walk ability, to pedestrian traffic, to bicycle traffic, et cetera, so please keep that going forward. As you do your budgets, as you do your different decisions, think about how we can grow this city intelligently and not be penny rich and pound poor. Thank you. Chair Suarez: Thank you, sir. Anyone else? If there's anyone else -- Before you start, if there's anyone else that wants to speak, please come up to the microphone or we're going to close the public hearing after this speaker. Thank you. Sorry. Renita Holmes: Good evening, Commissioners -- Chair Suarez: Good evening. Ms. Holmes: -- and Chair, Commissioner Spence -Jones. I apologize. I'm a little under the City ofMiami Page 12 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 weather, but I'm trying to make it. I actually want to tell you -- You can spray the mike, but I have the flu. But that's just -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: Spray the mike. Ms. Holmes: Spray the mike. But what sickens me more is what I need to be here -- and you know how much I really care about the situation that we're disparately and disproportionately dealing with in the, I have to say, African -American community in District 5. You can't help -- you got to say it. It's black. It's a black situation, and it's black because the children are dying. I'm -- and it's very hard to give you this, you know, in two minutes when you've been dealing with it for thirty -something years, since weed and seed days besides, and doing it without any resources because, basically, if it had not been for my mom-and-pop grant, if it had not been for my partners, where wouldl be? And most people think that it's just about candles, but I'm telling you, the gang and the gun violence situation began a long time ago. And that's why I wish Mr. Wayne Ross would come here. And this requires that you have great community relations, that you have great cultural competence. And some of us -- Mr. Gort know -- as parents, we are still suffering every time a new parent joins one. So I concur with you. I am concerned because back in the days when it was easier, and even now, it's been somewhat easier to form some type of resolve and create an initiative of emergency response, other than what people just see as Kumbaya and candlelight, because we have to heal and that's why I do whatl do. We all swear an oath under God that we should take our neighborhoods back. I refuse to let any gun shop that goes up on 24th Street and North Miami Avenue right next to Overtown be there and not pray about it on the streets where children die. Now that's my concern. When we can see the City business allows zoning, an ordinance and a department to be fund to continue to allow things like this happen, then that says you don't care about black children. You don't care about my community, and you don't care about parents. In Overtown? In the vicinity of five blocks where there have been over 22 deaths on one block (UNINTELLIGIBLE)? And I've been there. I live there now. My business is on 58th. And what I'm doing is I'm telling you how insight is and how you can have this insight, how you can provide services, how you can do it in phases and do it without resources. But own what we can do. We can do just as well as Miami -Dade County is doing right now with the Assertive program. And this has come through many task force. So having a Community Relations Board that has a staff that can do what it needs to do means I don't have to keep showing -- I know -- well, I don't have to keep showing up -- all right -- to meetings hearing just a board talking about we need a budget. Well, I do it without a budget, so I'm concerned. If there's a line item in that budget for that, please take it away. But please find a line item for those staff that are still here. If it used to be like it was with the hat that I ride around, fine. So when you do this line item for Community Relations Board, it has to have those subcommittees and it has to have that staff that's funded to take care of these special tasks and those subcommittees that deal with these specific cultural disparate issues, like food for seniors, safety for seniors and mothers having the ability to do community -oriented policing. And please, remove that gun zone place. Because if you had asked me in District 5 how I felt about going by somebody selling wall-to-wall gats on a -- it's a slap in the face. Thank you. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Thank you -- Ms. Holmes: Not on my tax -- Chair Suarez: -- so much. Ms. Holmes: -- dollar. Chair Suarez: Thank you. That was a good way to bring it to the budget. Commissioner Spence -Jones: And just so that -- I think it's really important -- Thank you for -- Renita. You're always so eloquent in delivering your messages. City ofMiami Page 13 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 BH.2 12-00930a Downtown Development Authority Ms. Holmes: In two minutes. Commissioner Spence -Jones: No, you're great. You're great. You did your thing. Chair Suarez: It's all right. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Sick and all. Chair Suarez: We gave you the extra minute. Don't worry about it. Commissioner Spence -Jones: But this is an issue that we were talking about earlier, andl want to thank the Commission once again for passing the legislation for us to kind of address this issue of guns, just in -- Chair Suarez: In parks. Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- general. I -- honestly, if someone asked me today, you know, what do I feel is my -- our number -one issue in our district, I would have to say gun violence at this issue -- at this time. And it's sad to say that that even -- that's higher than even unemployment. You know, gun violence is an issue. So we are making strides. Today we voted on an item and the Chairman is going to continue to take that up to Tallahassee. But we want to continue to find initiatives and find resources to address that issue because if we don't address that, the housing, the seniors, everything else we're talking about, if people don't feel safe where they live, we're really wasting our time. So to me, that should be our number -one issue, is really focus on making sure that people feel safe in their neighborhoods. So I just want to commend you on putting your comments on the record. Chair Suarez: Thank you, Commissioner. Seeing none and hearing none -- other on the public hearing, the public hearing for BH.1, 10, and 11 is now closed. Thank you all who came to speak. Appreciate it. Very much appreciate your comments and we will take them under advisement as we vote on the budget a little later tonight. Thank you so much. DISCUSSION ITEM DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE AND FINAL BUDGET FOR THE MIAMI DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN MILLAGE OVER ROLLED -BACK RATE. RESPONSE: 12.58% (0.478 IS THE PROPOSED RATE, 0.4246 IS THE ROLLED -BACK RATE) CITY COMMISSION LISTENS AND RESPONDS TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS REGARDING THE PROPOSED MILLAGE AND EXPLAINS THE REASONS FOR THE INCREASE OVER THE ROLL BACK RATE. ACTIONS BY THE CITY COMMISSION: 1. AMEND THE FINAL BUDGET, IF NECESSARY 2. RECOMPUTE THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE, IF NECESSARY 3. ADOPT THE FINAL MILLAGE RATE 4. ADOPT THE AMENDED FINAL BUDGET City ofMiami Page 14 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 12-00930a Proposed & Final Budget Millage - DDA.pdf DISCUSSED Chair Suarez: Next is BH.2, 3, and 4, which we will take up simultaneously, the discussion item as well. And I'm going to pass the gavel to the Vice Chair for a second. Commissioner Spence -Jones: This is the DDA (Downtown Development Authority) item? Chair Suarez: Yeah. Unidentified Speaker: Yes. Chair Suarez: It's discussion of BH.2, 3, and 4 at the -- simultaneously. Vice Chair Sarnoff All right. So we'll bring up BH.2 -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: Did you vote? Chair Suarez: Yeah, we do, we do. No -- Vice Chair Sarnoff -- BH -- Chair Suarez: -- that one we don't vote until the end. Yeah, we don't vote until the end. Vice Chair Sarnoff Just bring them one at a time, right? BH.2 -- Commissioner Carollo: No. No, we're going to bring them all -- so we could discuss -- Chair Suarez: Yeah. Commissioner Carollo: -- so we could have one public hearing for all three items -- Chair Suarez: Exactly. Vice Chair Sarnoff BH.2, 3, and 4. Commissioner Carollo: -- and then we'll take 'em each at a time so we could vote on them. Vice Chair Sarnoff All right. Chair Suarez: Exactly. I'm sorry. I didn't very -- I didn't state that very clearly. Vice Chair Sarnoff All right. Ms. Robertson, you are recognized for the record. Alyce Robertson: Hi. Alyce Robertson, executive director of the Miami Downtown Development Authority. For the record, I have a statement to read. Tonight we have before you the proposed millage rate and final budget for the Miami Downtown Development Authority. The percentage of increase over the rollback rate is 12.58 percent, which the millage rate is .478. It is the same rate as last year. And the rollback rate is .4246. At the end of the -- City Commission will listen to and respond to citizens' comments regarding the proposed millage and explain the reasons for the increase over the rollback rate. And the action by the Commission is amend the final budget, if necessary; recompute the proposed millage rate, if necessary; adopt the final millage rate and adopt the amended final budget. Vice Chair Sarnoff Thank you. Anyone from the public wishing to be heard on BH.2, BH.3, or City ofMiami Page 15 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 BH.4, please step up. Hearing none, seeing none, coming back to this Commission. BH.3 ORDINANCE Second Reading 12-00931 Downtown AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Development ATTACHMENT(S), RELATED TO TAXATION, DEFINING AND DESIGNATING Authority THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA; FIXING THE MILLAGE AND LEVYING TAXES IN SAID DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2012 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013, AT .478 MILLS ON THE DOLLAR OF NONEXEMPT ASSESSED VALUE OF ALL REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN SAID DISTRICT; PROVIDING THAT SAID MILLAGE AND THE LEVYING OF TAXES WITHIN THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AS REFLECTED IN THE CITY'S MILLAGE LEVY ORDINANCE FOR THE AFORESAID FISCAL YEAR WHICH IS REQUIRED BY CITY CHARTER SECTION 27; PROVIDING THAT THE FIXING OF THE MILLAGE AND THE LEVYING OF TAXES HEREIN SHALL BE IN ADDITION TO SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS; PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL NOT BE DEEMED AS REPEALING OR AMENDING ANY OTHER ORDINANCE FIXING MILLAGE OR LEVYING TAXES, BUT SHALL BE DEEMED SUPPLEMENTAL AND IN ADDITION THERETO; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 12-00931 Memo - DDA SR. pdf 12-00931 Legislation - DDA FR/SR.pdf 12-00931 Pre -Legislation FR/SR.pdf 12-00931 Exhibit 1 FR/SR.pdf 12-00931 Legislation-SUB.pdf 12-00931 Memo-Scrivener's Error.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 13341 Note for the Record: Please refer to item BH.2 for minutes referencing item BH.3. Vice Chair Sarnoff Let's take up BH.3. Alyce Robertson: This is -- You want me to read --? Vice Chair Sarnoff You're going to read that in? Ms. Robertson: You want to --? Veronica Xiques (Assistant City Attorney): Commissioner, this is the ordinance where you're actually going to set the millage rate. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by Assistant City Attorney Veronica Xiques. City ofMiami Page 16 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Commissioner Gort: Move it. Commissioner Carollo: Second. Chair Suarez: It's moved and seconded. Roll call or regular vote? Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Yes. Yes, yes, yes. Chair Suarez: Go ahead. Ms. Thompson: Your roll call on your second reading ordinance. A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above. Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been adopted on second reading, 5-0. BH.4 RESOLUTION 12-00932a Downtown A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ADOPTING A BUDGET Development AND MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FROM THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT Authority DISTRICT AD VALOREM TAX LEVY AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS INCOME FOR THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (" DDA") OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA ("CITY"), FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2012 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013; AUTHORIZING THE DDA TO INVITE AND ADVERTISE REQUIRED BIDS; PROVIDING FOR BUDGETARY FLEXIBILITY; PROVIDING THAT THIS RESOLUTION BE DEEMED SUPPLEMENTAL AND IN ADDITION TO THE RESOLUTION MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2012 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013, FOR THE OPERATIONS OF THE CITY. 12-00932a Memo - DDA.pdf 12-00932a Legislation - DDA.pdf 12-00932a Certification Taxable Value.pdf 12-00932a Millage Levy Calculation.pdf 12-00932a Legislation.pdf Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Vice Chair Sarnoff, that this matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones R-12-0355 Note for the Record: Please refer to item BH.2 for minutes referencing item BH.4. Chair Suarez: BH.4. Veronica Xiques (Assistant City Attorney): Commissioners, this is a resolution where you now adopt the budget. At the last meeting, you adopted the tentative budget, so all this is is a resolution that needs to be moved and -- Chair Suarez: Finalizing it. Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved. City ofMiami Page 17 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 BH.5 12-00888 Coconut Grove Business Improvement District (BID) Board Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Spence -Jones. Vice Chair Sarnoff Second. Chair Suarez: Second by the Vice Chair. Commissioner Carollo: Discussion. Chair Suarez: You're recognized. Commissioner Carollo: Thank you. Just quickly, any comments that I said in the last meeting applies to this meeting. Thankyou. Chair Suarez: I like that. Alyce Robertson: Okay. Chair Suarez: I like that. All in favor, signift by saying "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Ms. Robertson: Thankyou very much. Chair Suarez: Thank you. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE COCONUT GROVE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ("BID"), TO PROVIDE FOR THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF THE BID, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2012 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013. 12-00888 Memos - BID.pdf 12-00888 Legislation.pdf 12-00888 Exhibit 1- SUB.pdf 12-00888 Additional Back-Up.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 Noes: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo R-12-0356 Chair Suarez: BH.5, BID (Business Improvement District). Carl Templer: Good evening. Carl Templer, Coconut Grove Business Improvement District, 3390 Mary. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Is there a motion on this budget? City ofMiami Page 18 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Vice Chair Sarnoft So move. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second. Chair Suarez: Moved by the Vice Chair, second by Commissioner Spence -Jones. Any discussion? All in favor, signift by saying "aye." Vice Chair Sarnoff Aye. Chair Suarez: Aye. Commissioner Gort: Aye. Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Okay. Commissioner Carollo: No. Ms. Thompson: I'm sorry. Chair Suarez: Please -- Ms. Thompson: I'm sorry. We just need to make -- Commissioner Gort: One no. Ms. Thompson: -- sure. Because we did receive in our office paperwork that may represent an amendment to the backup document. I'm just trying to make sure that we have the right information for our records. Chair Suarez: Okay. There's a motion and a second. Before we vote -- there's a motion and a second. Is it as amended? Commissioner Spence -Jones, I think you made the motion. Commissioner Spence -Jones: It is as amended 'cause -- Chair Suarez: As amended. Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- to my understanding in our discussion earlier that -- Chair Suarez: Right. Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- they were taking -- pulling off of the -- Chair Suarez: They withdrew on the -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah. Chair Suarez: -- current -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: Right. Chair Suarez: -- budget. Commissioner Spence -Jones: So they -- right. Chair Suarez: Correct. City ofMiami Page 19 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 BH.6 12-00851 Miami Parking Authority Commissioner Spence -Jones: So are you still, Commissioner Carollo, voting no on it with even the change? Commissioner Carollo: Yes. I'm -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. Commissioner Carollo: -- voting no. Chair Suarez: Okay. So does the seconder agree with the -- as modified? Vice Chair Sarnoff Yes. Chair Suarez: Okay. It's been moved and second, as modified. All in favor, signifi, by saying "aye. Vice Chair Sarnoff Aye. Chair Suarez: Aye. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Aye. Commissioner Gort: Aye. Commissioner Carollo: No. Chair Suarez: Please register Commissioner Carollo as a no. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE DEPARTMENT OF OFF-STREET PARKING FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2012 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013, IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,845,461 EXCLUDING DEPRECIATION, AND OTHER NON OPERATING EXPENSES OF $7,333,354. 12-00851 Memos - Miami Parking Authority.pdf 12-00851 Legislation.pdf 12-00851 Exhibit 1.pdf Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, 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-12-0357 Chair Suarez: BH.6. Thank you. Carl Templer: Thank you. Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved. City ofMiami Page 20 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Chair Suarez: Moved -- Commissioner Carollo: Second. Discussion. Chair Suarez: -- second. Commissioner Carollo, you're recognized. Commissioner Carollo: Thank you. I just want to put for the record that although I do not agree with all of the expenses that are there, I'm looking at it in its totality and it's -- in its totality, it's hard to argue when they're going to increase the revenues to the City by an additional 500, 000, from $6 million to 6.5 million. However, I want to make sure that Mr. Noriega puts that in the record. Art Noriega: Duly noted. Art Noriega, CEO (Chief Executive Officer) ofMiami Parking Authority. That six and a half million dollars is clearly reflected in the cover letter that was submitted to the City per the budget, and it is the absolute intent that we are going to reach that number and might quite possibly exceed it. Chair Suarez: Excellent. And -- Vice Chair Sarnoff Mr. Chair. Chair Suarez: Yes. Vice Chair Sarnoff And just for a comment, I actually went through this budget with a fine-toothed comb and what I've noticed on it is a continued -- andl actually have a graph, if you'd like to see -- reduction in cost. And he is working very hard and very arduously to bring back as much net income to the City ofMiami. And if you just look at his cost items and if you just compare them to four years ago, it's a downward trend. And l just want to say, Mr. Noriega, that's good stewardship. Chair Suarez: Yeah. And I'd -- Mr. Noriega: Thankyou. Chair Suarez: -- like to go a step further and say on the revenue side -- and this goes to a comment that Commissioner Spence -Jones was making earlier. You're one of the few organizations affiliated with the City ofMiami that actually looks to the future, that actually is innovative, that actually is kind of cutting edge. And you see a lot of the programs that are implemented by your agency and it's just -- it's actually something that gives us a lot of pride -- at least it gives me a lot of pride as a Commissioner, to see all the different things that the agency's doing, having gone by your offices and seen all the capabilities that your office has and the things that you may be expanding into in the future. So that's just a testament to your leadership and, you know, it's just something that should be noted, I think, publicly. Thank you. Mr. Noriega: Thankyou. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Mr. Chairman, I do want to also add -- Chair Suarez: Yes. Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- and just -- you know, I'm sure you -- this is like probably the fourth accolade right here, Art. But again, as duly noted earlier, definitely ultimate professional. Your organization is top notch; would like to see that duplicated in several other departments and outer agencies that are city -based agencies. And, you know, I just wanted to at least commend you for doing a great -- and Scott, I'm sure you have a lot to do with that as well, but I City ofMiami Page 21 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 just wanted to at least acknowledge that. Chair Suarez: Commissioner Gort. Commissioner Spence -Jones: You acknowledge people when they do good. Chair Suarez: That's right. Commissioner Gort: Working with the Miami parking system in the past, as a member of the board, I have learned about the system andl think they have a very professional system. At the same time, every time I would could call them because they had put the -- those -- what do you call them, the -- Mr. Noriega: Pay by phone? Commissioner Gort: No, not the pay by phone, but the -- Mr. Noriega: Paying display? Chair Suarez: That's cool by the way. Commissioner Gort: -- pay collector, yeah. Chair Suarez: That's an app. You can do it by an app, which is awesome. Commissioner Gort: There's a lot of places where they're being placed and they're not being used. And every time I have called him, he have taken them off and he has complied with the requirement, a lot of (UNINTET,T IGIBT ,F) people. Thank you. Chair Suarez: Thank you. All in favor, signifi, by saying "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Suarez: Would you like to say -- Mariano Cruz: Public hearing. Chair Suarez: -- something? Commissioner Spence -Jones: It's a resolution. Chair Suarez: It's not a public hearing; it's a resolution. But if you'd like to say something, I'll give you -- Mr. Cruz: Yeah, sure. Chair Suarez: -- an opportunity to say something. Go ahead. Mr. Cruz: I'd like to say some -- I got nothing against Mr. Noriega, nothing at all. But every day I drive 14 Avenue andl watch all those soldiers standing up there with no -- all those parking meters there. Nobody's using them. Nobody using them. Why they got so many parking meters in my neighborhood that, first, they never ask -- they never follow protocol, where you got to ask the home -- the property owners if they want those parking meters there. Because the people there in Allapattah, they don't have the wherewithal that (UNINTELLIGIBLE), when they put the parking meter, he bought all the property by there and he got parking for the Versailles. City ofMiami Page 22 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Chair Suarez: Right. Mr. Cruz: We don't have that (UNINTELLIGIBLE). And all those -- most are old buildings that they don't have enough parking space. But we eliminate some parking meters using the Miami Herald, the four state. You got to have the power of the press. Chair Suarez: The fourth estate, not state. Mr. Cruz: And you know the power of the press, okay, how powerful they are. Vice Chair Sarnoff. Why do you look at me when you say that? Chair Suarez: By the way, it's not the fourth state. It's the fourth estate. Mr. Cruz: The power -- no, the power of the press. Commissioner Carollo: 'Cause you sponsored the banner. Mr. Cruz: I shouldn't have to be here, you know, as the chairman ofAllapattah Business Development Authority and vice president ofAllapattah Homeowners. No, we should get together and talk. Chair Suarez: Yes. Mr. Cruz: But -- Mr. Noriega: We -- Chair Suarez: And I think -- that's what I -- Mr. Noriega: -- get together and talk and you -- Mr. Cruz: No. Mr. Noriega: -- have my number. Mr. Cruz: No. Mr. Noriega: You know how to get -- Mr. Cruz: You -- Mr. Noriega: -- a hold of me and I've -- Mr. Cruz: -- say it, but that -- Chair Suarez: Wait, wait. Mr. Noriega: -- put a lot of time in your office. Chair Suarez: Guys, guys, guys. Mr. Cruz: You say that we ambush you. City ofMiami Page 23 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Chair Suarez: Guys. Listen, I think -- Mr. Cruz: No, get together -- Chair Suarez: -- you guys should get together and talk. Mr. Cruz: -- and see how many more needed, because the meters get to 17 Avenue up to 37th Street. Chair Suarez: Okay. Mr. Cruz: (UNINTET,T IGIBT ,F) there. You don't see any meter down 17th Avenue or 54th Street or 62 Street or 79th Street. Why? How come Allapattah is being discriminated with so many parking meters there that nobody is using? Mr. Noriega: Parking doesn't discriminate, Mariano. Remember that, it doesn't. Chair Suarez: Thank you, Mariano. Mr. Noriega: Andl will meet with you whenever you want. Chair Suarez: Okay. So you guys -- Mr. Cruz: Get together. Chair Suarez: -- are going to meet. Mr. Cruz: Get together. Chair Suarez: You guys are going to meet. Mr. Cruz: I don't have to be to the big building there on 3rd Street. Chair Suarez: And by the way, I have to say, in my experience -- Thank you, Mr. Cruz. I appreciate it. I'm sure you guys will get together and have just an enthrallingly interesting conversations. Commissioner Spence -Jones: You guys can meet right now, actually. Chair Suarez: But I have to say that in my experience working with the Miami Parking Authority, whenever there's been issues related to meters and situations that are close to neighborhoods, they've been very good about being responsive to what the district Commissioner and also what the residents would like for that area so. Okay, BH.7. Commissioner Gort: Did we vote on this? Chair Suarez: We did. Did we vote? We voted on it, right? Yes. BH.7 RESOLUTION 12-01018 Liberty City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Community ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING THE LIBERTY CITY COMMUNITY Revitalization Trust REVITALIZATION TRUSTS FISCAL YEAR 2012-2013 BUDGET, IN THE AMOUNT OF $461,859, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2012 AND ENDING City ofMiami Page 24 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 SEPTEMBER 30, 2013. 12-01018 Summary Form.pdf 12-01018 Legislation.pdf 12-01018 Exhibit 1.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-12-0358 Chair Suarez: BH.7. Commissioner Spence -Jones: So move. Elaine Black: This is Elaine Black, Liberty City Trust. BH.7 is the approval of our budget for 2012-2013, $461,859. This is all of our funds and -- that we've gotten from grants and the sale of properties. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Yes, you are recognized. Renita Holmes: Yes. I just wanted to really speak on the budget of the Liberty City Trust item. The Liberty City Trust has been a long-time occupier of my time and making sure that we can speak as the community, which I know this is a quasi -legislative whatever. But here's my concern: This Trust has had many initiatives. It has helped many folks, I guess, when it comes to housing, but I'm wondering, does it have enough money yet to do what needs to be done to address the long-term issues. The last meeting thatl went to, I'm being represented by people that don't even know that are from -- not from my town. And I'm just saying here, Commissioner -- and I'm -- through the Chair, that sometimes you have to learn how to be lucrative and leverage and utilize what's there. So here I am running initiatives that impact us most in Liberty City and realizing that this is all we've got, but we see Overtown get all of the focus right now. That's all we've got, is Liberty City Trust. Andl don't know what else Liberty City Trust has, but somehow, we need to make sure that the specific funding that it gets goes to specific initiatives to deal with the priority issues that we have and that any board members that are there are free from any conflict of interest and that they can focus on what needs to be done. And right now, we know what our priorities are. Our children are dying, so I don't need anybody from out of town who does not pay taxes, who owns businesses elsewhere, who benefits in some type of conflict of interest sitting on that board with my tax dollars. You know, I don't want this man -- this man and anybody can say what he want. I still respect Art Teele. Don't let that happen -- Chair Suarez: Thank you. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Renita. Ms. Holmes: -- again. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, Renita. Who's sitting --? Thank you, Renita. But who's sitting on the board from somewhere else? Ms. Black: On the board of the Liberty City Trust is -- City ofMiami Page 25 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Commissioner Spence -Jones: Are they all from --? Ms. Black: They're all from the community. We have Pastor Jeffrey Mack. He is the pastor of Second Canaan Baptist Church, and it's located at 4343 -- Chair Suarez: No, no. Ms. Black: -- 17th Avenue. Chair Suarez: It's not -- Ms. Black: We have Roy Hardemon -- Chair Suarez: -- a public hearing. I gave you extra time. Ms. Black: -- who is a Liberty City resident. And we have Samantha Quarterman, who's a Liberty City resident, plus she runs Mega Girls. It's located in the heart of Liberty Square. Chair Suarez: Thank you. By the way, this was not a public hearing. I gave you an opportunity. Ms. Holmes: I know, just equal opportunity -- Chair Suarez: I got you. Ms. Holmes: -- because it's about trust. Chair Suarez: I got it. Ms. Holmes: All right. And I've -- Chair Suarez: We got it. Ms. Holmes: -- given the warning here now. Chair Suarez: We got it. Ms. Holmes: All right? Chair Suarez: Thank you. Ms. Holmes: That's now. Chair Suarez: We got it. Ms. Holmes: All right. Chair Suarez: We got it. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Thank you, Renita. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Commissioner Spence -Jones: So just -- so to make sure that we put this on the record that that $461, 000 is no contribution from the City. These are dollars that the Trust actually went out and got grants for and monies from them actually selling houses; correct? City ofMiami Page 26 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Ms. Black: Correct. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. Chair Suarez: Is there a motion? Vice Chair Sarnoff So moved. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second. Chair Suarez: Moved by the Vice Chair, second by Commissioner Spence -Jones, with a warning Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. Chair Suarez: -- to us all, okay. All in favor -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: But I have to say this, I totally agree with Renita. Chair Suarez: No, I hear you. Commissioner Spence -Jones: We don't have enough money -- Chair Suarez: I got you. Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- in Liberty City to address all the issues. Chair Suarez: I agree. Commissioner Spence -Jones: And seven, eight years ago, all the money was actually going to Liberty City -based projects, so a lot of houses and things got built during that time, so all the focus was placed on Liberty City then at that particular time because Overtown didn't have any money. So now Overtown does have money because of the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). So it's just we have to be very, you know, mindful of the things that -- Renita. Ms. Holmes: Yes, Commissioner. I'm with you. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, let's respect the mike. We have to understand that Liberty City had its turn and a lot of development actually took place and now Overtown is finally getting some projects done. But all the district needs to come up at the same time. I totally agree with you, and hopefully your appeal today will touch the heart of my fellow Commissioners and they will dig deep to provide us more money for Liberty City. Do I get a amen on that? Chair Suarez: Amen. Vice Chair Sarnoff Amen. Ms. Holmes: And Commissioner -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: Can I get some money with it too, with the amen? I don't want just the amen. Ms. Holmes: Take some property. I'll just take the property that's public property and do better City ofMiami Page 27 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Chair Suarez: Thank you. Ms. Holmes: -- with it, okay. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Ms. Holmes: We could just create cemeteries (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Chair Suarez: Guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys, come on. Ms. Holmes: Okay, because that's -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: Got you. Ms. Holmes: -- a problem. I can't (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Commissioner Gort: Hello. Chair Suarez: We're with you, we're with you, we're with you. Ms. Holmes: Okay. Chair Suarez: All in favor, signifi, by saying "aye. " Ms. Holmes: I hope so, Chairman, because I was here, remember, and you guys almost toted me off when we were (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Commissioner Spence -Jones: We don't want to tote you out tonight. Ms. Holmes: No, and I'll come right back because just like the spirit of the children, we can be buried on that land instead of having other people live on that land. Chair Suarez: I'm with you. Ms. Holmes: Sell it and make a profit and say we made a profit -- Chair Suarez: No. We're with you. Ms. Holmes: -- off of that land (UNINTELLIGIBLE) can't do anything with it? Come on. I'm not stupid. Chair Suarez: We're with you. We just want to move the meeting along. Ms. Holmes: I'm not stupid. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. Ms. Holmes: Stop selling my property and bringing it back here and my children got nowhere to sit or stand. That's wrong. And I'm just keeping it real. Chair Suarez: Thank you, Anita [sic]. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Thank you, Renita. City ofMiami Page 28 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 BH.8 12-00933a General Employees and Sanitation Employees Retirement Trust Chair Suarez: Is there a motion? There's a motion and second. All -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: I think we had a motion. Commissioner Gort: Mover and a second. Chair Suarez: -- in favor, signin, by saying "aye. " The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Suarez: As warned. Commissioner Spence -Jones: And l just want to -- Ms. Black: Thank -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- make sure -- Madam City Clerk, before you leave, I did get an amen, but I did not hear -- do I get some money with the amen? Chair Suarez: I just heard an amen. Right now we're worried about the -- we'll worry about the rest of it later. Ms. Black: Thank you so very much. Commissioner Gort: First we got to see if we balance the budget. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes. Chair Suarez: We got to make sure Anita -- Benita's [sic] okay. She doesn't have like a heart attack -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: She's all right. Chair Suarez: -- or something. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GENERAL EMPLOYEES' & SANITATION EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT TRUST ("GESE RETIREMENT TRUST FUND") FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2012 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013, IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,849,700 EXCLUDING NORMAL COST, TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE GESE RETIREMENT TRUST FUND. 12-00933a Memos - GESE Retirement Trust.pdf 12-00933a Legislation.pdf 12-00933a Exhibit SUB.pdf Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Carollo, 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 City ofMiami Page 29 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 R-12-0359 Chair Suarez: All right, BH.8. This is going to be fun. BH.8, Senator, the able attorney. Ron Silver: Ron Silver, 2031 Northeast 209th Street, North Miami Beach, Florida, attorney for the GESE (General Employees Sanitation Employees) Retirement Trust, City ofMiami GESE Retirement Trust. Chair Suarez: Thank you, sir. At our preliminary hearing, I believe we rejected the preliminary budget. Mr. Silver: Yes. Chair Suarez: And do you have a new budget? Mr. Silver: No, I do not, andl'll explain to you why we do not have a new budget is because we did not have a meeting until tomorrow morning -- Chair Suarez: Okay. Mr. Silver: -- to discuss it, which I'm prepared to say it was a -- it's an item under my report tomorrow that we're going to discuss it -- Chair Suarez: Sure. Mr. Silver: -- tomorrow and -- Chair Suarez: Okay. Well, we're voting on it today so -- Mr. Silver: What's that? Chair Suarez: We're voting on it today. Mr. Silver: Yeah, I understand. Chair Suarez: Okay. Mr. Silver: If you want -- I mean, if you want to go -- you'll deny it, then go deny it and we'll go under last year's budget. Chair Suarez: But we need a budget, so I mean, I think -- Mr. Silver: Well, we'll go under last year's budget -- Chair Suarez: -- to start -- Mr. Silver: -- like we -- like usual. No? Okay. Chair Suarez: Does anybody want to make a motion? Mr. Silver: You make a suggestion of what to do. Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman. City ofMiami Page 30 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Chair Suarez: Yes, Commissioner. You're recognized. Commissioner Carollo: Listen, I think we've all stated here about fairness. I know -- Chair Suarez: Right. Commissioner Carollo: And I'm not going to bore you how many times I've mentioned fairness here on the dais. You know, I have a problem with, you know what, deny it, and we'll go back to last year's budget, where FIPO (Firefighters Police Officers) actually reduced their budget by 200, 000. Chair Suarez: Approximately 10 percent, yeah. Commissioner Carollo: You know, I really have an issue with that. And then you start comparing, FIPO handles, you know, investments of 1.3 million [sic], more or less -- Chair Suarez: Billion. Commissioner Carollo: -- and GESE handles slightly over 500 million, big disparity. FIPO has 4 employees; GESE has 11 employees. Listen, in all fairness, there's a big disparity here, andl think that just denying it and actually bringing it back to last year's budget is incorrect. I think we're actually, to a certain degree, helping them. And realistically, you know, we discussed with regards to, you know, monies that we need. You know what, I think it's time that everybody -- just like FIPO did -- you know, really look closely, look at their budget, at their actual cost, at what they actually need, and you know, and start doing what every department has had to do, and that's, you know, reduce their budgets. So, realistically, no, I don't even think we should go to last year's budget. I think at the very least -- Chair Suarez: We should reduce it by the 10 percent. Commissioner Carollo: We should reduce it by the 200,000 that FIPO did -- Chair Suarez: And I think the 200,000 that -- Commissioner Carollo: -- at the very least. Chair Suarez: I was going to say, I think the 200,000 -- I think FIPO has a lower budget, a smaller budget, so it's -- right. Commissioner Carollo: But they handle so much more. Chair Suarez: No, no, I know. But what I'm saying is that the 200,000 -- you can't just lower it by 200, 000. You want to lower it by the corresponding percentage 'cause that'll be more. That would be more than 200, 000. Vice Chair Sarnoff Can I make a recommendation? Chair Suarez: Sure. Vice Chair Sarnoff Just -- we have a graph that we could show you. Just take a look at the graph. Could you put up the graph, please? And if you just take a look at the graph, it may give you some ideas as to how you should lower it. Chair Suarez: That looks pretty steep, just from over here. City ofMiami Page 31 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Commissioner Carollo: By the way, like I said, at the very least, 200, 000. Chair Suarez: Right. Commissioner Carollo: But I'm willing to go much, much -- Chair Suarez: Lower. Commissioner Carollo: Yes. Chair Suarez: Thank you. What I see from this graph, Vice Chair, if I'm not mistaken, is in the worst times that the City has had to face, when we've had to make the toughest decisions, it seems like their budgets have spiked precipitously or tremendously in the worst times -- in the times where we've had to make the most egregious cuts to the members, the people who actually get the benefits; that while that has happened in the last three years, what has happened here is they've been requesting more and more and more money the last three years. Vice Chair Sarnoff This sort of goes to your suggestion that let's make sure we have enough money in year two of these budgets -- Chair Suarez: Right. Vice Chair Sarnoff -- 'cause this is where the money comes from. Chair Suarez: Right. Vice Chair Sarnoff This is significant amount of money. Chair Suarez: Yep. Commissioner Carollo: I mean, with the numbers I gave, the disparity -- also, their budget is a big disparity, three -- roughly, 3.5 million versus 2 million. Therefore, you know, I'm not even -- I'm not okay with just leaving it as last year's. Chair Suarez: What about two point --? What about --? Two point nine is -- if they're at two point -- three point five, 10 percent --? What's your recommendation? Vice Chair Sarnoff It's got to be between 2.8 and 2.9. That's -- Chair Suarez: It's got to be between 2.8 and 2.9? Vice Chair Sarnoff There it is on the blowup. You'll see it right there. Chair Suarez: So 2.85. Okay, is there a motion for 2.85? Vice Chair Sarnoff So move. Mr. Silver: But Mr. Chair -- Chair Suarez: Moved by the Vice Chair -- Mr. Silver: Mr. Chairman. Chair Suarez: -- second -- wait. City ofMiami Page 32 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Mr. Silver: Mr. Chairman. Chair Suarez: It's -- wait, wait. I'll let you speak. Mr. Silver: Okay, thank you. Okay. Chair Suarez: Before we take a vote, how about that? Moved by the Vice Chair, second by Commissioner Carollo. Sir, you are recognized. Mr. Silver: Okay, thank you. Thank you for the opportunity. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Mr. Silver: With all due respect to each -- Chair Suarez: You always do give us all due -- Mr. Silver: With all due respect -- Chair Suarez: -- you always give us due respect. Commissioner Gort: (UNINTET,TIGIBT,F) respect. Mr. Silver: -- to each and every one of you -- Chair Suarez: I always feel respected after speaking -- Commissioner Gort: You got all our respect. Chair Suarez: -- to you. Vice Chair Sarnoff. You know what Judge Kane used to say -- Mr. Silver: I -- Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- right after that? Mr. Silver: You're comparing apples and oranges, okay. You know, you keep on comparing us to FIPO. Chair Suarez: Right. Mr. Silver: And there are many differences which you should understand, okay. Number one, while Commissioner Carollo concentrates on the amount of money that is invested, I concentrate on the amount of members that we have. Chair Suarez: I understand. Mr. Silver: We have more members, okay -- Chair Suarez: We get it. Mr. Silver: -- which require more detailed information. I understand FIPO, you can go onto the computer and do your benefit analysis, okay. We need to -- in our situation, because of some matters, which I don't care to disclose here, but you know, education wise, with our members, we City ofMiami Page 33 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 do a one-on-one situation. That, to me, is a very important thing. We don't have any complaints from members. We spent a lot of time with them explaining to them what their benefits are, what they have to do and all that. FIPO, they go online and they do it, okay. Plus, again, we have more members who are retired members that require more attention than FIPO does. I mean, you know, when we started this thing back in the '80s, we agreed that we were not going to be -- and that's not binding on you, by the way, before you get to me. It's not binding on you. Chair Suarez: That's okay. Mr. Silver: But that was part of it; that we're not going to do a comparison -type situation. Now I can tell you this. I think the board goes through and looks at the budget and only budgets what it believes it needs to do the job. For you to -- you know, for y'all to say that, you know, we're just, you know, going for raises and all that stuff -- let me tell you about a couple of things why our budget has increased. And I'll call the administrator up here if she wants to add anything on too. But a lot of what has increased in the budget is a result of what the City has done, which is required us to spend more dollars. Investment consultant increased by $40, 000 because the board approved a three-year experience study at a cost of $25, 000 and an asset liability modeling study at a cost of $15, 000. Sandra Ellenberg: And the three year -- Sandra Ellenberg -- Mr. Silver: (UNINTET,TIGIBT,F). Ms. Ellenberg: -- pension administrator. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Ms. Ellenberg: And the three-year experience study is required by the City ofMiami ordinance. And the ALM (Asset Liability Model) that we did was recommended by your auditor that we do it. Chair Suarez: Okay. Ms. Ellenberg: More often than what we did already. Chair Suarez: Gotcha. Ms. Ellenberg: Go ahead. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Mr. Silver: Secondly -- I got four items I want to bring to your attention. Chair Suarez: Sure. Mr. Silver: The consulting actuary increased by $30, 000 to do the ALM, which -- Chair Suarez: Got it. Mr. Silver: -- she just mentioned. Repairs and maintenance increased by $200, 000 -- Now, this is a big item obviously -- to cover the customization of the Pension Gold software system. When you all make changes to the pension ordinance, we have to go into this software program and change everything so that the individuals know and our staff knows what to do with regard to this. That required $200, 000. That's a requirement that we had to do because of the City. This wasn't something we just picked out of the air and said, Hey, listen, let's raise our budget by City ofMiami Page 34 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 $200, 000. That's not what we do. And the fourth thing, machinery and equipment increased by $70,000 because we needed to purchase 5 new servers, 12 desktops and 6 laptops for staff. Now did you want to add something on to that? I'm sorry. Sorry, Mr. Mayor. Ms. Ellenberg: Okay, Sandra Ellenberg again, for the record. The 200,000 that Ron Silver just mentioned for the customizations, that was because of the ordinance changes that you made last year. You just made ordinance changes again. I'm still waiting for an estimate of how much that's going to cost, but it might be 100, 000. You have to remember that every time you make changes to the multipliers and to the benefit calculations to save millions of dollars, it costs something for us for the programming. Okay, that's not my office. It's not my staff. We have to pay a company to make the changes. We're still actually working on this. Andl believe thatl sent this information to one of the Commissioners because you requested it, that we are currently -- we're currently working on phase 4, which is the largest, with a fee of $150, 000. That will hopefully be completed by the beginning of October of this year. Phase 5 and 6 are an additional $26, 750. And again, with what you just passed today that you made changes again to save money, which I understand, there's probably going to be an additional cost of, I don't know, 50,000, 100, 000, which will be -- which is not even in this budget, which I'm going to have to pay this year. Chair Suarez: Got it. Ms. Ellenberg: Okay. Thank you. Mr. Silver: Okay. Now I'll just conclude because I know you want to get on to the -- Chair Suarez: Thank you. Mr. Silver: -- next item. But, you know, the bottom line is that I would be very happy to sit down with the pension administrator for the FIPO. I'd be very happy to sit down with our pension administrator and the Manager or whoever the Manager designates and go through and see where we have the ability. Now the administrator already from this budget that we proposed reduced her salary by $18, 000. And we also have a security guard which has resigned, so we don't have that item in there. That's approximately 40 or $50, 000 that is off of this budget. But again, I can't come up here and say I agree with any reduction in the amount because I can only go with what the board passed. And as I told you, the board's going to have a meeting tomorrow and we're going to discuss it and we'll go forward. Chair Suarez: Thank you, Senator. I think where we all have major indigestion is we've seen our employees' salaries drop precipitously in that three-year period. I think the reduction in our budget is somewhere -- and I'm not saying this is what our employees have -- in some cases, we've seen some employees that have dropped as much as 40 percent in their salaries, and that's exclusive of pension benefits. And by contrast, your costs have gone up from 2.8 to roughly 3.5, which is a substantial increase. And so, I think that's what makes it so difficult for us to do anything other than what we've done today. So thank you so much for your comments. There's a motion and a second. All in favor, signifi, by saying "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Suarez: Motion passes unanimously. Thank you, sir. BH.9 RESOLUTION 12-00934a City ofMiami Page 35 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 General Employees and Sanitation Employees Retirement Trust A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GENERAL EMPLOYEES' & SANITATION EMPLOYEES' EXCESS BENEFIT PLAN ("GESE EXCESS BENEFIT PLAN") FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2012 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013, IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $109,307, EXCLUDING THE ACTUARIALLY DETERMINED ANNUAL BENEFIT PAYMENT, TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE GESE EXCESS BENEFIT PLAN. 12-00934a Memos - GESE Excess Benefit Plan.pdf 12-00934a Legislation.pdf 12-00934a Exhibit 1.pdf Motion by Commissioner Carollo, seconded by Vice Chair Sarnoff, that this matter be DENIED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo and Suarez Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Spence -Jones R-12-0360 Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Carollo, that this matter be RECONSIDERED PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo and Suarez Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Spence -Jones 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 Chair Suarez: BH.9. Ron Silver: Okay, that's the -- Chair Suarez: Yes, sir, the Excess -- Mr. Silver: --that's our Excess Benefit Plan for the -- Chair Suarez: Right. Mr. Silver: -- City ofMiami Retirement Trust. Chair Suarez: Does anyone want to make a motion on that one? I think we rejected that one last time as well, if I'm not mistaken. Commissioner Carollo: I vote to reject it, and it'll go back to last year's -- Chair Suarez: Sure. There's a motion to reject the budget on -- Vice Chair Sarnofff. Second. City ofMiami Page 36 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Chair Suarez: -- BH.9, there's a second. All in favor, signift by saying aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Suarez: Okay, thank you, sir. Sandra Ellenberg: The Excess Benefit Plan is in the ordinance and that you have to fund it. Chair Suarez: Well, he just said that if we were to reject the plan, unless you came back, it rolls over from last year. Didn't you? Mr. Silver: Well, that was for the other item. That wasn't for this one. Chair Suarez: Okay, not for the excess plan? Mr. Silver: No, no. Chair Suarez: Madam City Attorney, Madam Clerk, can you help us out here? Veronica Xiques (Assistant City Attorney): Yes. Section 42-46 of the City code states that the City's contribution for the unfunded liability of the plan is made pursuant to the final judgment in the Gates versus City ofMiami. Pursuant to that case, you're obligated to adopt the budget. If you choose to adopt last year's budget, that's fine; you just have to fund it in some way. Chair Suarez: Okay. Vice Chair Sarnoff So we could rehear this, amend it to go back to last year's -- didn't you say last year's budget? I thought -- Commissioner Carollo: Yes. Vice Chair Sarnoff -- that's exactly what -- Chair Suarez: Yeah. No, we made -- Vice Chair Sarnoff -- we did. Chair Suarez: -- a motion to reject it. Commissioner Carollo: Right, so it will, you know, roll back to that one. Chair Suarez: But what he's saying is that it doesn't roll back that way. Vice Chair Sarnoff I got you. Chair Suarez: We actually have to accept last year's. Vice Chair Sarnoff So I'll move to rehear it. Chair Suarez: Okay, there's a motion to reconsider -- Commissioner Carollo: Second. Chair Suarez: -- BH.9, there's a second. All in favor, signift by saying aye." City ofMiami Page 37 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Suarez: We're reconsidering BH.9, Vice Chair. Vice Chair Sarnoff So what I'd make a motion for is to reject BH.9 and put it back to last year's budget. Commissioner Carollo: Second. Chair Suarez: Motion and a second. All in -- Yes, sir. Mr. Silver: Again, as I -- Chair Suarez: She's saying that this year's budget -- Mr. Silver: She's indicating -- Chair Suarez: -- excess plan -- Mr. Silver: -- to me the last year's budget's more than this year's budget, so I don't know if you really want to do that. Chair Suarez: I don't know if that sounds right because it's 10 percent. Mr. Silver: I mean -- Chair Suarez: I thought it was a percentage. I thought one was a percentage of the other so that doesn't -- that kind of doesn't make sense but. Mr. Silver: Is that right? Is that right? Ms. Ellenberg: This one's -- the excess budget that you have before you -- Chair Suarez: It's a percentage of the other one. Ms. Ellenberg: -- right now is less than last year's. Chair Suarez: Okay. Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Suarez: Yes, you're recognized. Commissioner Carollo: This is part of the frustration that this Commission has been showing with the GESE (Government Employees and Sanitation Employees) Trust and the GESE Excess Trust; also, a reason that with the BID (Business Improvement District), I made such a big deal because we didn't have the comparison or accurate number for a comparison. Andl think from now on, we need to have comparison numbers, even for the Excess, because since it's -- for argument sake and looking at the big scheme of things, yes, not nearly anywhere close to what the other trust asked for. I think sometimes it's taken for granted because it's $100, 000. But the bottom line is that that's why we need to have comparison budgets from one year to the other when it's presented to us. And, again -- Chair Suarez: Yes, sir. City ofMiami Page 38 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Commissioner Carollo: -- we focused on the $3.5 million and not the $100, 000, which is this one. Chair Suarez: Thank you, sir. Mr. Silver: Okay. I'm just going to say, last year Mr. Thompson andl came by and met with each and every one of you -- Chair Suarez: Right. Mr. Silver: -- in an attempt to, you know -- Chair Suarez: Correct. Mr. Silver: -- see what's going on and how we could work together. Chair Suarez: Right. Mr. Silver: I -- this seems like it's developed in -- and I'm not accustomed to this -- an adversary, you know, situation, andl can't work in an adversary situations, quite frankly. I'm one that always -- Chair Suarez: Right. Mr. Silver: For 24 years in the Florida Legislature, I worked to bring people together and to come to a solution. I still offer that to you now. I'll be happy to sit down with anybody, but not at the budget hearing time -- Chair Suarez: No. Mr. Silver: -- to do it. Chair Suarez: And lagree. Mr. Silver: You know, way beforehand. Chair Suarez: Andl agree. Andl think we're all -- we all kind of work in that spirit. I think what's harder for us is we have the sunshine law, this little thing that legislators don't have but -- No. I -- look, I -- we're -- you know, we make ourselves available to meet with you beyond today. Obviously, it's on your organization to reach out to us when we're going to -- just like every other organization reaches out to us to schedule meetings on budgets that we're going to be passing. Otherwise, we're going to pass it with the information that's given to us. Mr. Silver: Well, we did it -- Chair Suarez: Or reject it. Mr. Silver: -- last year, as I brought -- Chair Suarez: Right. Mr. Silver: -- that out. We met with every single one of you -- Chair Suarez: And I think it went smoother last year. City ofMiami Page 39 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Mr. Silver: -- individually, and there wasn't any -- Chair Suarez: Exactly. Mr. Silver: -- difference when we came back before the Commission. Vice Chair Sarnoff. Yeah, but with all due respect, let's be clear. Commissioner Gort: They had opportunity to come in. Vice Chair Sarnoff. Because you didn't come to the first budget hearing. There was nobody here Chair Suarez: True. Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- to even address it, and you had to have received some message, some -- Chair Suarez: Right. Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- Indian smoke signal, some tweet -- somebody must have said to you the Commission has rejected our budget in total. Mr. Silver: Absolutely. Vice Chair Sarnoff. So with that being said, that would have been incumbent upon me, ifI were in your shoes, to have reached out to every Commissioner to impress upon them that every abled body person there was absolutely necessary, that every last computer system needed to be tweaked, that every last issue needed to be done. I have not had that kind of reach out. I don't think anybody here has, but I can't speak for them. And to come here -- Chair Suarez: No. Vice Chair Sarnoff. Well, let me finish 'cause I don't -- Mr. Silver: I am. I'm not -- Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- I haven't spoken that much today. Mr. Silver: Yeah. I'm not. Vice Chair Sarnoff. And to come here and to turn around and say we're voting tomorrow, you know what; I might have called my meeting today -- Chair Suarez: Of course. Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- I might have called it the day before yesterday. Chair Suarez: Yesterday. Vice Chair Sarnoff. The day before -- Chair Suarez: Yeah. Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- yeah, yesterday. I would have been prepared, especially knowing how this Commission has been. You know, watching what FIPO (Firefighters and Police Officers) City ofMiami Page 40 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 did, watching what everybody else did. I mean, this Commission sends plenty of signals. It really does. Mr. Silver: Well, I'll -- Chair Suarez: I think we're pretty -- Mr. Silver: -- be very -- Chair Suarez: -- I think we're very clear. Mr. Silver: -- upfront with you, Commissioner Sarnoff. After what we went through last year -- and we met with you last year. We met with every one of you last year, okay. And when we came before this Commission -- at least I interpreted it this way, all right -- it didn't do any good. I mean, you were still on your kick, okay, you know, whatever it was. So I -- you know, I just got to tell you, after all my years of experience, when I see something like that happens, okay, fine, you guys do what you want, and we'll take whatever action we have to take, but that's, you know, the bottom line to it. Chair Suarez: Okay. Mr. Silver: Now I have said -- andl got the item on the agenda for tomorrow. You know, it's easier said than done to get all the people at the board meeting. You made two changes to the board. It's a brand -- you know, brand-new board now so I don't know -- you know, we're working under a vice chairman now. Chair Suarez: I think they get the message too, those two new board members. Mr. Silver: Well -- and that's fine. I -- you know, I represent the board. Whatever the board decides, I'll be happy to come before you and represent what the board wants. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Mr. Silver: But I can't change what the board has done, okay. I don't have that authority to do that. Chair Suarez: I get you. Thank you. So does any -- you want to withdraw your motion and go with the motion as if -- what the budget as if 'cause it's a lower budget than last year's budget? Commissioner Carollo: No. I actually want to table it to actually look at it -- look -- Chair Suarez: Okay. Commissioner Carollo: -- into -- Chair Suarez: You want to table it? Commissioner Carollo: Yes. Chair Suarez: Okay, we'll table it. Thank you. And you could meet with us, if you want, beyond tomorrow, but -- Mr. Silver: I will be happy to meet with you -- Chair Suarez: Okay. City ofMiami Page 41 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Mr. Silver: -- whatever time, you know, it takes. Vice Chair Sarnoff What happens -- you're going to table it through today or --? Chair Suarez: No. He's going to -- Commissioner Carollo: No. Chair Suarez: -- table it till now, right? Commissioner Carollo: Right. Chair Suarez: Yeah, but like -- Commissioner Carollo: I'm going to table it. Let's just -- Chair Suarez: -- he wants to take a look at it. Commissioner Carollo: -- keep going. Chair Suarez: That's fine. Commissioner Carollo: And then -- Chair Suarez: B -- yeah. Commissioner Carollo: -- I want to be able to -- Chair Suarez: Okay. Commissioner Carollo: -- compare. And, again, we're talking -- and we always focus on the GESE trust, which is 3.5, and this excess is 100,000 and -- but still, you know -- again, I just want to table it and we'll -- I want to make sure I know all the numbers and see exactly what's there and we'll -- I will make the motion -- Mr. Silver: Okay. Commissioner Carollo: -- ifI may, by my colleagues -- Chair Suarez: Thank you. Commissioner Carollo: -- later on. Mr. Silver: Okay. [Later..] Chair Suarez: (INAUDIBLE) ended on the early side as much as possible so -- As soon as we have a quorum, we have a tabled item that we're waiting to get a response on. Is the Budget director around? I know I saw him a second ago. Do you want to --? While that item -- okay, he's coming. I see him. Ready? Okay, this item was tabled, which was BH9. Commissioner Carollo, you're recognized on BH9. Commissioner Carollo: Thank you. Andl don't recall; did we have a motion on the floor or was City ofMiami Page 42 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 it --? Chair Suarez: Did we have a motion? I think we did have -- Ms. Thompson: Yes. Chair Suarez: -- we had a motion to adopt -- Mr. Silver: I think it passed Chair Suarez: -- last year's budget, but then we were told that last -- Commissioner Carollo: Right. Chair Suarez: -- year's budget was higher than this year's budget. So does somebody want to --? Who made -- who -- did we --? Ms. Thompson: Okay. Vice Chair Sarnoff. I moved it, so I'll withdraw the motion. Ms. Thompson: The last one wherein you said you would reject the one -- the proposal that was before you and go with the last years, because there was a difference between denying it and rejecting. So what you have on the floor is to reject what is before you and to go with last year's. Chair Suarez: That's right. He's going to withdraw that, and then we're going to make a new motion. Vice Chair, would you withdraw that? Commissioner Carollo: Yes. Chair Suarez: And who was the seconder? Was it Commissioner Carollo? Ms. Thompson: That is correct. Commissioner Carollo: I think it was me. Chair Suarez: Okay. So now that motion is off the table. Is there a new motion that wants to be Commissioner Carollo: Yes, and give me a second to make the new motion. Chair Suarez: Sure. Commissioner Gort: What are the numbers though? Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Commissioner Gort: Okay. Commissioner Carollo: Give me a second. They're -- they are requesting a budget of total administrative costs for next year of 109, 307. However, last year's total administrative costs were 124, 661. Therefore, I move to approve as is this budget for a total administrative cost of 109, 307. Chair Suarez: There's a motion. Is there a second? City ofMiami Page 43 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 BH.10 12-00864 Vice Chair Sarnoff Second. Chair Suarez: Second by the Vice Chair. Any further discussion? All in favor, signifi, by saying aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair Suarez: BH.9 passes. And -- in the break had a couple of members from the fund come speak to me, andl would be available to talk beyond today about, you know, the operation of anything they really want to talk about. Mr. Silver: And just for the record, I'll -- Commissioner Gort: Let me ask a question. Mr. Silver: -- be available too. Chair Suarez: Okay. Commissioner Gort: Question, as part of discussion, we got all the different agency and there's any chance that the -- mention about the FIPO (Firefighters and Police Officers)? Can they work together? The two pension, they can sit down and maybe talk to each other. Maybe they can support and help each other. Chair Suarez: Okay, good -- Mr. Silver: I don't have any problem. Chair Suarez: -- suggestion. Commissioner Gort: 'Cause we're going to be discussing -- Chair Suarez: Good suggestion, Commissioner. Mr. Silver: Yeah. Chair Suarez: Okay, thank you. Mr. Silver: Thank you. Chair Suarez: Thank you all. And, look, let me just -- and I want to say one more thing on the record. Look, whenever we make cuts to a budget, it's painful and it's hard. It's hard because we know it affects human beings. And what think the pension administrators have to understand is we've been doing that for the last three years to our employees, and so those are the people that you serve and that serve our residents. And so that's -- you got to kind of understand where we're coming from, and that's the only thing that I would ask you is to put yourselves in our shoes. Thank you. Mr. Silver: Thank you. ORDINANCE Second Reading City ofMiami Page 44 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Department of AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DEFINING AND Management and DESIGNATING THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI FOR Budget THE PURPOSE OF TAXATION; ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE AND LEVYING AD VALOREM TAXES IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2012 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 12-00864 Summary Form SR.pdf 12-00864 Legislation FR/SR.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 13342 Note for the Record: Please refer to item BH.1 for minutes referencing item BH.10. Chair Suarez: Let's do this, if it's okay, justfrom -- let's get the millage rate done. Commissioner Carollo: Yes. Chair Suarez: And let's take a recess after that so you can take a look at that budget -- Commissioner Carollo: Thank you. Chair Suarez: -- so we can let that get done, and then we'll go look to our budget and hopefully do that expediently. Yes. Mr. Alfonso, you're recognized on BH.10. Daniell Alfonso: Danny Alfonso, Budget director. I think this is an ordinance adopting the millage. Chair Suarez: Second reading ordinance. Is there a motion? Vice Chair Sarnoff So moved. Chair Suarez: It's been moved by the Vice Chair. Is there -- Commissioner Carollo: Second. Chair Suarez: -- a second? Second by Commissioner Carollo. The public hearing on this is already closed. Madam City Attorney, could you please read the ordinance? The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by Assistant City Attorney Veronica Xiques. Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Your roll call, second reading ordinance. A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above. Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been adopted on second reading, 4-0. Chair Suarez: Thank you. We will stand in recess until 7:30 sharp, while the tabled item is City ofMiami Page 45 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 BH.11 12-00865a Department of Management and Budget discussed with the Commissioner that raised the issues, and then we will hopefully vote on that shortly thereafter and then vote on our budget. Thank you. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ADOPTING A FINAL BUDGET AND MAKING APPROPRIATIONS RELATING TO OPERATIONAL AND BUDGETARY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013. 12-00865a Summary Form.pdf 12-00865a Legislation.pdf 12-00865a Submittal- Sept. 27 Changes Memo.pdf 12-00865a Submittal -Chair Suarez's Budget Related E-mails.pdf Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Carollo, that this matter be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote. Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo and Suarez Noes: 1 - Commissioner(s) Spence -Jones R-12-0361 Direction by Commissioner Spence -Jones to the Administration to create a revenue generating plan that will look at all available options to the City for potential funding sources. Note for the Record: Please refer to item BH.1 for minutes referencing item BH.11. Chair Suarez: Okay, BH.11, which is the -- adopting the budget. And I'd like to start off by saying -- We've already had the public hearing, and the public hearing is closed. And I've been -- I want to kind of do things for myself a little bit differently than I did it in the last couple of years. I've been corresponding with Mr. Alfonso for several months, and the evidence of that correspondence is in my hand. It's about an inch and a half thick, full of questions, answers, back and forth. Andl want to -- I have some com -- some additional comments, but this encapsulates the due diligence that I've done and that my office has done with the Budget office, answering questions, scrutinizing, poking around, and making it make sense. Obviously, it doesn't capture the hundreds of hours of analysis, briefings, and telephone conversations, but I'm going to spare those who are watching a regurgitation of it all because I think it would take us many, many, many hours to do so. So I'm just going to introduce this into the record, Madam Clerk, ifI may, and open it up for anyone else who has any other questions. I have -- Commissioner Gort: Mr. Chairman. Chair Suarez: -- three minor ones andl'll -- you know, I'll let them go first, andl'll wrap it up with the three minor questions that have. Commissioner Gort: I follow your advice. And through the years, I think Danny and my office had been in contact all this time, not only talking about the budget itself but coming up with suggestions where we've been able to save quite a few dollars for the City ofMiami so -- And one thing I'd like to say, I want to thank the unions and the Administration and the Budget office and Finance. You guys have done tremendous job. And you can tell, when you want to get something done, you can get it done. You can come up with the idea, but first of all, you want to make sure you want to do it. If you want to do it, you'll find ways to do it. So I want to thank all of you for the effort you have put together. Chair Suarez: Mr. Vice Chair. City ofMiami Page 46 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Vice Chair Sarnoff. Danny, I just want to thank you for spending the time with me in my law office downtown. I really appreciate you coming down there teaching me, especially with the nondepartmental account, as well as the special revenue account, to understand how things do come to the City ofMiami. Andl always wondered what it was about me thatl didn't understand the City ofMiami budget in years past and then, once it became your budget, I understood the budget. So I really want to commend you. Because I always thought either my math was wrong or my budgetary conscience was never right. But I understood your budget, so I think my budgetary conscience was always right. I think my math was always okay. I don't pretend to play either in Carollo's league or in Suarez's league. But you really make a budget that is understandable, it's clean. The way you're starting to record things makes absolute sense versus oh, no. Commissioner, all those get reported in this account over here. You're making every -- every office is now accountable for the full true cost of what that office really cost from the person's compensation to their health insurance to their pension obligations, and I've always thought that's the way it should be done. Andl just want to commend you and thank you because I think you're a go -to person in the City ofMiami. You make yourself available. You make yourself understood. You never allowed me to walk away without understanding it, so I want to thank you. And, Mr. Manager, to you, I just want to say, when we finally gave you air under your wings, you can fly. Chair Suarez: Andl think one of those e-mails (electronic) in that inch and a half full was answered a Sunday at 9: 40 p.m., so I want to thank Danny who's obviously working weekends, nights; and his team who's here, who I owe lunch after this process. I'm fully aware of my commitment. Commissioner Spence -Jones or Commissioner Carollo. Commissioner Carollo: I'll yield to you. Commissioner Spence -Jones: No, I yield to Carollo. I want to say something last. Commissioner Carollo: I'm not going to be long. I'll yield to you. Commissioner Spence -Jones: No, go ahead. I'm going to go last. Commissioner Carollo: I too am going to do it a little bit different this year than I have in the past, although Danny understands that don't agree with everything that's in the budget. In its totality, I think you've done one heck of a job. From the beginning to now, it's day and night. Remember just a few months ago how it was and we were able to -- or actually you guys, your team, the Manager, City Attorney's office was able to negotiate with all the unions and come to some compromise where we have a balanced budget. So in its totality, you know, I think it's a very good budget. And once again, although I'm not in agreement with everything, but I'm looking at the big picture. However, there is one thing that I want to mention that is a big concern to me. And like I said, this year I'm doing it a little bit different, because this concern is actually huge for me and l just want to put it for the record. I still will be voting in favor of this budget. However, I am going to be monitoring very closely, and I'll explain why. And I've addressed this with Mr. Alfonso, with the Manager, and with Ms. Larned. I am really concerned about the loan coming due in January. We have not budgeted for anywhere near $45 million, so I am concerned. Chairman Suarez, you said we don't have it. Chair Suarez: Right. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, so what happens in January if it comes due? So -- Chair Suarez: I -- yeah, I know. Commissioner Carollo: -- that -- City ofMiami Page 47 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Chair Suarez: I'll answer the question. Commissioner Carollo: -- it -- Chair Suarez: It's not going to be pretty. Commissioner Carollo: Right. Therefore -- Chair Suarez: I think that's whatl said to the Miami Herald too. Commissioner Carollo: -- I just want to say it's a concern -- Chair Suarez: Right. It's legit. Commissioner Carollo: -- it's a -- Chair Suarez: It's legit. Commissioner Carollo: -- it -- you know, I spent yesterday afternoon for a good period of time with our CFO (Chief Financial Officer), our bond counselor, PFM, the City Attorney. I expressed this to them. I expressed it to Mr. Alfonso. I expressed it to the Manager. So I really do believe that there is no "we're getting there." I think -- look -- listen, it appears there is a very clear and transparent path and then there's another one that, you know, has a lot of obstacles. It's not as clean. I think, realistically, we need to take that clear path, that transparent path, and we need to run with it because, you know, I -- you know, the City and a lot of governments have this history of letting, you know, big financial problems or looming financial problems take place, and all of a sudden, it's an emergency in the last minute, and special Commission meetings, or we don't have enough time to read the documents, and if you don't approve this, Commissioner, then chaos will happen. So I just want to put it in the record that that's a huge concern, andl will probably be bringing discussion items in the next meeting and probably every meeting until January, until we know exactly how we're going to pay or refinance or -- that loan; to make sure that we are not in a situation where it's the last minute; what are we going to do? No -- you know, we don't make prudent decisions, and we are faced with a $45 million payment. So I just wanted to put that for the record. That's the issue thatl want to really address. And like I said, it's going to be very different from how I've addressed it, you know, in the past where I've gone, you know, through various departments. I think, realistically, once again, I'd like to commend you, Danny, all of your staff which I know have worked on weekends, nights; the Manager and all of your team, the CityAttorney's office. Andl just needed to put that in the record because it really is a concern, and like I said, I will be bringing discussion items at every Commission meeting until we know for a fact that we can actually pay off that loan and either do bonds or the appropriate method. With that said, at yesterday's meeting there was still no clear indication which way we were heading with regards to the payment, whether we were going to choose Option 1, Option 2. However, it was pretty clear to me that there is an option that is the cleanest -- andl think that's the right word to use, the cleanest -- way to move, andl think we cannot waste any time. I think, realistically, we need to move and we need answers as soon as possible. Chair Suarez: Yeah. Commissioner Carollo: Thank you. Chair Suarez: Andl have to wholeheartedly agree with the Commissioner. I think we had a looming budget deficit of approximately $40 million, and the actions that we take today will close that budget deficit. Andl think the other event that was kind of the second tsunami is -- for lack of a better word -- that refinancing. Andl think you're absolutely right. Unfortunately, City ofMiami Page 48 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 many, many times things have come at the last minute as a rush basis -- this is an emergency; we got to do things quickly -- andl think, you know, that puts us in a very bad posture as a government. So, you know, I -- you know, I think I'll -- you know, we'll all be -- as we have with everything, really, we all will be very, very closely monitoring that situation, because we got through the first hurricane and we see another one kind of coming so we have to make sure that we're prepared for that as well. Commissioner Spence -Jones. Commissioner Gort. Commissioner Gort: My understanding -- andl can see that you all worry about that, but we've been working on those bond issues for quite a while. We just making sure we select the best method to save the most for the City and that we had the pleasures to conform with the debt service. Vice Chair Sarnoff Yeah. Commissioner Gort, I mean, I've been working on this since January. We had hiccups, as you might expect in the beginning. There's a parallel track so that the taxpayers get the best deal and you keep one of the entities honest because they're not indexed and their spread sheet can change in 60 days to whatever they desire. And I'm not going to say you're exactly on schedule because nothing on the City ofMiami is exactly as scheduled. However, I could tell you that the Manager, City Attorney, CFO, FA, the financial advisor, everybody has met, remet [sic], met, remet [sic], and we're at that juncture where we make a decision, andl have plainly told everybody: no one Commissioner is going to make this decision; the Commission is going to make this decision. It's going to be paid for with the Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). You've seen that we've put a lot of backing behind that, we put a lot of money in there to make sure that if anything odd or strange or obtruse [sic] comes along, we could handle it and -- Chair Suarez: Obtruse [sic]. Vice Chair Sarnoff I think it's obtruse [sic], isn't it? IfI used that word wrong, I apologize. But I just don't want you to think it's a secondary thought. It's been my primary thought since the Omni in January when I -- when we started meeting on this issue and -- You know, it's a process, and that process is coming to an end. Well, at least you're at the point where you're going to make the determination as to which direction we go. But don't want anybody andl don't want the media reporting like oh, the City just decided we have this obligation, 'cause that's not the truth at all. That's not the way we've been approaching this. And there will be people who may be disappointed or may have some feelings hurt in this thing, but this is a tough place to do business with, the City ofMiami, because you're here -- we're here to get the best deal possible for the taxpayers. Chair Suarez: Yeah. Vice Chair Sarnoff That's it. No one else, nothing else. We're here to get the best possible deal, the best terms we can for the taxpayers. Chair Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. No, I agree with your sentiments. I think where maybe Commissioner Carollo's sentiments come into play or -- like we've seen other instances where things get -- and not things that you shepherded, but other instances where things have become last minute, you know, and then it's documents at the last minute and all that stuff. Andl think he's trying to -- You know, it's September, you know. This is -- you know, there's still a good period of time, but we don't want it to be a crisis. Commissioner Carollo: And ifI may, Mr. Chairman? Chair Suarez: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: And you will not listen to anyone more than myself stress the importance City ofMiami Page 49 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 of due diligence and getting the best deal, and you've seen me fight here I don't know how many times to get the best deal, andl understand. At the same time, I'm -- from my meeting yesterday, it was expressed to me that our bond counsel has made a recommendation, PM has made a recommendation, and there's been already written recommendations, which seem logical to me, and we're three months away. We're three months away. So -- and even though, let's say, there has been placed certain monies in the CRA, it's not 45 million to pay the amount due, and we have not budgeted 45 million to pay the amount due. Therefore, we need to do this in three months, and we need to make sure we do this within the three months. Andl just want to stress that it is a concern to me, andl want to make sure that we do do it and it's not a last-minute thing where we're running around. As a matter of fact, one of the -- and I don't know if things have changed -- avenues I was told, in order for them to do the due diligence, it would take 60 days and then another 30 days to close. That's 90 days. That's too close to [sic] comfort. Vice Chair Sarnoff. Right. And it may not be plausible to go that direction. Commissioner Carollo: Right. That's -- and also -- Commissioner Gort: And might not select that one. Commissioner Carollo: -- I'm just bringing this forward because it's a concern. Andl thinkl need to do my due diligence after I've done, you know, briefings with our consultants, with our staff. Andl am being asked to approve a budget knowing that, in three months we may have this issue. Therefore, I want to make sure thatl am clear in my position. Andl implore, you know, our staff -- you know, andl know you're working diligently, but we need to bring something forward to this Commission so we can make a determination and move forward, 'cause we only have three months. Thank you. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Commissioner Spence -Jones. Commissioner Spence -Jones: The only thing that I would want to say in closing is, first of all, I just -- I do want to thank the Administration: Johnny, Janice, Alyce -- and I don't know where Luis is. -- Luis -- I knew Santa Clause over there. He's going to be Santa in a minute. -- for their commitment to get it done. I want to at least acknowledge them. I mean, I know that it's taken a lot to kind of hold all this together, andl know that you guys have been beat up in the process by all of us, but I wanted to at least acknowledge your hard work. I think it's important to do that. I especially want to thank Danny. Andl say, Danny, I think all of us agreed that we have a certain level of confidence in your leadership. Andl think that having someone in this position that's very stable, that's a straight shooter -- we all trust what you say. And there's not -- I may not always agree with what you say, but it's just -- it's important to know that you're not a wishy-washy character, and I'm just telling you. Andl -- you know, before I came back here, it's -- you just get so tired of sitting on the dais and what you see is really not what it is. What's communicated to you is really not what it is. And when you find individuals that can give you straight answers and they don't deviate from truth, you know, you really value that person. Andl just wanted to at least acknowledge you and your entire team, you know, that -- 'cause I know you're -- we're nothing without our teams, okay. But I think that I echo how everybody else feels on this dais about, you know -- you're one stable person that we know that we can depend on getting truth from, so I really wanted to acknowledge you and thank you for at least making a rocky situation a little straight. So I wanted to say that. I want to also say that I thank the unions. You know, I think it's important to say thank you to them because at the end of the day, Police, Fire, General Employees, and you know, Solid Waste, you guys bent once again. And you've got to acknowledge people that look beyond their own personal issues and beliefs and do what's right for the entire masses. And you guys know that, from my perspective -- can't speak from anybody else's perspective -- quite frankly, I'm really tired of the City employees having to put all of this on their backs. So excuse me if I'm just not all happy about this budget, and that's because I just constantly feel, once again, the City employees are having to carry the weight. City ofMiami Page 50 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 But I do want to acknowledge you guys thinking beyond yourselves to at least make sure we're able to balance the budget and get through it. And l just want your people that depend on you every single day to get up here to fight in front of us know that you're fighting for them. So I just wanted to at least acknowledge that. I do want to say this to Danny in closing, 'cause I want to make sure you at least put the items on the record that I know that you've resolved for me, 'cause I want to make sure that at least I'm clear that those were done. I think the majority of them were answered. I think may only have three that have -- were not so -- if you want to put them all on -- I think got answers for all of them but three, so ifI can get those answers from you. And then, before I close out and you giving me those responses, I do want to say to Johnny and to the Administration -- and thank Public Facilities. I don't know where he is, butt did ask him for an assessment of all the assets. I want to thank him for giving us a detailed report on that for us to, you know, really look at what we have. I do want a plan, though, Johnny. I want a revenue -generating plan. I want a real -- now that we have an assessment, what are we going to do to really get our venues, our fees, our everything? I expect that from my Manager. I expect my -- our Manager to look at every single option. I expect for him to turn over every single rock to find solutions to not find us in the same situation. So I'm asking that you work along with Public Facilities and whoever else is necessary -- Janice, that's what -- I know that was one of her expertise to -- whatever it takes, we need to do -- because I -- while I understand where Commissioner Carollo's coming, I just feel like we're always operating in a state of emergency. I haven't been back here -- and every Commission meeting there's something on here that's a state of emergency. And he's right, 90 days are going to come and that $45 million is going to be due. And then everybody's going to be sitting here like oh, wow. How did we get here? Well, we got here because we did not make the hard decisions. We did not make the decisions that were necessary, you know, to address the issue. Andl think that's what Commissioner Sarnoff was really trying to say a few months back 'cause he knew. He knew. So I'm just -- the only thingl can do at this point over the next 90 days is pray, because we all know what we're facing in the next 90 days. We know what we're facing just in general. And, you know, we got out of this hot water right now and we got a little time, but we got to stop just having a little time. We got to have a plan. So I'm going to ask that you really put together a real plan to generate revenue. And then with that being said, Danny, if you can please respond to the questions I had from the last budget, the main three. If you want me to just ask you what they are. I really would just want to know -- Mr. Alfonso: Yes, please, Commissioner. Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- what those are. I don't need to go through the rest. Staff has already told me. But under, I believe, GSA (General Services Administration), the utility cost, I never got the numbers on the cafeteria thing. Can I just be clear? Do we balance out on those numbers? Henry Torre: Henry Torre, director of Public Facilities. Commissioner, it appears that GSA was given some incorrect information. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Torre: The utility cost for that area is going to be closer to 15 to $17,000 a year. Commissioner Spence -Jones: So this is a wrong number? Mr. Torre: This -- that's the wrong number, yes. They were given some incorrect information. Commissioner Spence -Jones: All right. But can I just know what we get off period, for the cafeteria? What is our income on it? Mr. Torre: Sure. The first year, 'cause there was a capital expenditure -- City ofMiami Page 51 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Commissioner Spence -Jones: I understand. Mr. Torre: -- a rather large one that they had to spend. So the way the RFP (Request for Proposals) went out is they gave them some kind of a break in the first year. There is percentage rent projected for the second year at 3 percent, third year at 6 percent, fourth at 8, and it goes up to 10 percent. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. Can you give me a sense -- my biggest issues are are we covering the -- Mr. Torre: What -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- cost. Mr. Torre: Yeah, I understand. But what they're projecting, Commissioner, to be honest with you, is a revenue somewhere around 12 to $15,000 a year max -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. So -- Mr. Torre: -- to the City. Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- this is just -- Mr. Torre: It's -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- a service to the City employees. We're not -- Mr. Torre: It's amenities. Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- really expected -- Mr. Torre: Correct. Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- to really generate any money off of it? Mr. Torre: Correct. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. Mr. Torre: Correct. Commissioner Spence -Jones: All right. The other thing that I just had -- I asked -- and this is really Parks, Danny. I don't know if you just resolved my issue in the parks. You told me about the monies on Gibson and the year-round staff so I'm cool on that. But I know we talked about just making sure these sports -based programs or baseball programs not just in my district, but I think a few of them have baseball programs and football programs. I just want to make sure that we were able to find the resources to kind of further assist our parks -based programs, 'cause we really need to make sure that these kids have something positive to do. Mr. Alfonso: Yes. The director for Parks prepared a budget whereby even though he was able to efficiently reduce his expenditures, he is providing the same level of service as he did in the current year. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. City ofMiami Page 52 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Mr. Alfonso: He has worked with his partners so that they save some money in utilities, et cetera, but I don't believe -- and he's right here to tell you -- that the level of service will be diminished. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. No, I trust you. I trust you. If you tell me that's what it is, I'm trust -- I just want to make sure. For my constituents, I had to ask that question. And then last but not least -- and then I have a question for Janice; I just want to be clear on it -- is the NET (Neighborhood Enhancement Team) -- not the NET office, but the grants person, which I really feel like we need -- Grants needs as much support as possible because that's the one area that brings in money. That position still will remain, correct? Mr. Alfonso: Commissioner, the position that we discussed moving is a position that throughout most of this current year, '11/'12, that is about to finish, that position has actually been working for the NET office. It was -- the budget was originally put into Grants, but the work of that person has been in NET so that we felt then it was necessary to just show the correct expenditure in the right place, and we moved that budget over to NET. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Oh, I see. Mr. Alfonso: However, we did add a position to Grants and funded it, I want to say, 50,000, 46,000, in that range, to augment the staffing in that department by one. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. So I just wanted to make sure Lillian had what she needed. And my last thing was -- Commissioner Gort: May I follow up on that? Commissioner Spence -Jones: Sure, no problem. Commissioner Gort: Let me ask you a question. We had the -- our Grant Department, but also do we have people doing grants for the Police and people doing grant for the Fire? Lillian Blondet: Lillian Blondet, Office of Grants Administration. I have two grant writers that are the ones for Police and Fire and all the City departments. Commissioner Gort: They all work under you? Ms. Blondet: Yes. Commissioner Gort: Great. Okay. Ms. Blondet: It's two people. Commissioner Spence -Jones: So with that being said on -- this is more of a finance question on page 3 of 6. I just want to be clear. It talks about personnel will be hired from the 750 and that it's being allocated to the NDA (Nondepartmental Account) reserves to improve processes. I'm just wanting to understand how that shift took place and what exactly is that. Mr. Alfonso: Yeah. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Is that that 850 that we --? Mr. Alfonso: I want to clam. City ofMiami Page 53 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, I want to be clear. Mr. Alfonso: When we did the first changes memorandum to the budget, we allocated $900, 000 to the Finance Department so that in the next year as they prepare a plan to resolve issues of the CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Finance Report), SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission), et cetera, they had the resources that they needed. There was some concern expressed that, perhaps, we needed to look at that again so that we removed from that 900,000 in the second changes memo 750,000; put that into a Nondepartmental reserve so that it will not be used until a plan is presented to this Commission and this Commission approves it. We did leave behind in the department $150, 000 to be used for augmenting some of the current senior staff in the department and the director of Finance. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Right. I guess my -- you know, what -- again, just -- I just -- we just want straight -- you know, straight answers. And, you know, I know the Chairman brought this up as an issue, of the 850, and how, you know, it was being utilized. I just want to make sure -- 'cause at the end of the day, Finan -- I want to make sure Finance has everything you guys need in order to operate your department, andl would not want to see those dollars that could have been shifted on personnel that needed to be there now having to be shift out of that because now we have to bring the outside consultants to make it happen. And I just -- you know, sometimes we do crafty things because we want to avoid detection, okay. Mr. Alfonso: Yeah. Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just want to put it on the record and make sure we're clear, because I know that the Chairman had mentioned this earlier, you know, in our last meeting. That's not what this is, correct? Mr. Alfonso: Commissioner, we're not shifting money out of the department. Their base budget is exactly what it is. The department, as a matter of fact -- Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'm clear on that, Danny. I remember that they were using money that they had already in their department. I -- the 850 was -- you told me you -- when you briefed me -- when they briefed me, they said the 850 that they were going to use to, you know, bring in consultants was money that was already in their budget. Mr. Alfonso: Okay. Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just want to make sure. And now we're adjusting it to not -- to NDA, which gives you a little bit more flexibility, and it's okay -- Let me -- I just want to get it out -- gives them a little bit more flexibility. Flexibility means I can go hire consultants. That's what flexibility means to me, and that's fine. All I'm saying to you guys is be straight with us, because I guarantee you something will go wrong and we're going to find out about it anyway, and then we're going to be really upset because you didn't tell the truth and you just shifted it just because you didn't want to face what we had to say. Mr. Alfonso: I want to be clear, Commissioner, that the language that we put into the $750, 000 that is being moved to Nondepartmental clearly states that that fund will not be used until the Commission approves its use. So it will have to come back to this Commission in order for it to be utilized. Chair Suarez: Commissioner, let me just say that -- I am going to vote for this budget -- that was one of the concerns that I raised at the initial budget hearing. I just want to say that in voting for this budget, I want to make sure that everyone knows, the Administration knows that that doesn't mean that I am approving of any expenditures, at least not myself in that NDA account. You can put it in that NDA account. I sincerely hope and pray that no money gets spent, 'cause it City ofMiami Page 54 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 has happened before you got here, Danny. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah, I know. Chair Suarez: And there's been many instances where money has been spent without our authority and beyond the limits that are allowable under our ordinance. So I just -- you know, I'm trusting you to do it that way. It's not the way I would personally prefer it either, but I have a lot of faith in you. I'm not telling you that because I'm agreeing with that, that I'm going to -- or 'cause I'm acceding to that, that I'm going to agree with any sort of a plan to spend that money that way. It could be spent in a variety of other ways that I could chronicle that'll probably be a lot better. The 150, though, the remaining amount, just let me be clear on that. That's going into salaries, correct? Mr. Alfonso: My intention was to move it to personnel costs, which -- Chair Suarez: Right. Mr. Alfonso: -- be on salary. Chair Suarez: Correct. And so -- but that's additional 150? Mr. Alfonso: That is taking the 900,000 that we allocated in the first hearing two weeks ago and taking 750 of it, moving it to Nondepartmental, and leaving 150 behind in the department that will be moved to salary. That is in addition -- Chair Suarez: Okay. Mr. Alfonso: -- to the base budget that they had. Chair Suarez: That's going to be in salary, though. I just want to make -- Mr. Alfonso: Yes. Chair Suarez: That 150's -- Mr. Alfonso: Yes. Chair Suarez: -- going to be in salary. Mr. Alfonso: In salary. Chair Suarez: My understanding from what you told me is that it may be to fill one position. Mr. Alfonso: It's probably going to be more than just one because what the department is planning to do is they have a number of vacant positions right now. Chair Suarez: Six. Mr. Alfonso: A number. Stephen Petty (Director, Finance): Nine. Commissioner Spence -Jones: Nine. Mr. Alfonso: I think it's closer -- City ofMiami Page 55 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Chair Suarez: Nine. Mr. Alfonso: -- to ten. Yes. Chair Suarez: Wow. Commissioner Spence -Jones: That's a lot of people. Mr. Alfonso: And they're -- Chair Suarez: That's a lot of vacancies. Mr. Alfonso: And -- yes. Chair Suarez: We're going to be spending more money, and that's a lot of vacancies. Mr. Alfonso: And we -- and the proposed budget fully funded all of their vacancies knowing that they need the assistance. What the plan is in the department is to take some of those positions that perhaps are at the lower end and bring in people that are at a higher level of qualification, et cetera, in which will require higher salaries. Therefore, that 150 is to make up that difference for the type of salaries that those people may require. Mr. Petty: Steve Petty, director of Finance. We've identified four positions inside the department that we are in the process of reclassing [sic]. That's going to add three more manager -level positions primarily in the general accounting area, the reporting area, where the weaknesses have been; one of the reasons the CAFR reporting was late, monthly reporting is late and things like that, so that we could focus on some of the issues that have been repeating year after year in the Finance division. And we're also going to take one position and put it in the treasury area, which has experienced a tremendous amount of turnover recently, so that we can focus on an area that's got a tremendous amount of assets under management. Chair Suarez: Thank you. I want to monitor that whole situation, the nine vacancies and this extra money that is going to be there. I would like to ask the Administration to please work with me specifically on that issue, because that's nine vacancies plus another $150,000, plus the 750 that you're putting in another account that, granted, you're not spending right now but that -- to me, it raises a lot of red flags. Let's put it that way. So I just would -- Mr. Petty: We're happy to come back once a quarter with an update in terms of where we are, in terms of the staffing of the open positions, and -- Chair Suarez: I'd like -- Mr. Petty: -- the like. Chair Suarez: -- to work with you on that. I'd like to work with all of you on that because I want to know, you know, how we got that far down. 'Cause the last time I was told, I thought we were only six down; now I guess we're nine down. I don't know how we got that far down, and -- Mr. Petty: We lost -- Chair Suarez: -- you know, what's going on exactly in that department. Mr. Petty: -- four people in the last four weeks. City ofMiami Page 56 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Chair Suarez: Four people in the last four weeks? Mr. Petty: Six weeks, six weeks. Chair Suarez: That doesn't inspire confidence on my end so -- Anyhow, thank you. I appreciate it. I have one minor item which we spoke about before, which has to do with the Florida League of Cities. A few years ago we completely cut out our lobbying budget, andl think like a little bit of a casualty of that, an unforeseen and really unnecessary and kind of a wrong casualty of that was that we eliminated a Florida League membership. And our Florida League of Cities membership is one of the few memberships where we actually get the money almost in its entirety, and sometimes more than in its entirety, back to the City ofMiami. What the Florida League does, in addition to lobbying on behalf of cities, is that it goes after entities that have not registered their local business tax. Specifically, it's a tax that's required by state statute for insurance companies. And so they actually police that. And their policing of that has generated -- I think last year it generated more than what our actual dues were. There's no guarantee that it will be more than our dues, but in most years, it has come either close. So the amount that we're budgeting, which I believe is $40, 000 that they requested -- is that right? Mr. Alfonso: That is the amount they requested. We didn't actually budget it because the Commission in the last year did not actually -- Chair Suarez: Right. And so what I'm asking is that we amend the budget to include that allocation because last -- what did we get --? Mr. Alfonso: Well, the way it would happen -- and then I think they brought in around 43,000. It was about -- Chair Suarez: Right, right. Mr. Alfonso: -- 3,000 more than the fee itself. The way we would accomplish that is that we could assume that if we are members, they can bring in approximately the same amount of money that they brought in last year so we would load into the budget the 40,000 in revenue and the 40,000 in expense, so it will be a wash. Chair Suarez: Right. Mr. Alfonso: If they end up bringing 3,000 extra, then great. Chair Suarez: No. But I think we should budget it. Because I think in fairness to them, we didn't pay it. They paid us back the money, but I think the way it normally works is the member cities join and then they get the -- Mr. Alfonso: Yes. Chair Suarez: -- participating revenue. Mr. Alfonso: That is correct. Chair Suarez: They have been nice enough, even though we have technically not been members 'cause we didn't actually pay the fee, to still pay us, and then we're paying them the fee anyways. Commissioner Gort: But I understand they also get -- how much do they get? We get 43, but they get how much -- Chair Suarez: They got 40. City ofMiami Page 57 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Commissioner Gort: -- out of the collections? Fifty percent. Mr. Alfonso: Oh, I -- I'm -- Commissioner Gort: The collection: 50 percent goes to the City, 50 percent they stay with it. Chair Suarez: Yeah, they do well too, I'm sure. Commissioner Gort: Yeah, yeah. Go ahead. Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman. Chair Suarez: Yeah, of course. Commissioner Carollo: Just a little recollection of what occurred. Actually, it was an issue that I brought up when we had the whole issue with the billboards and the Legislature. And l felt that why were we paying the 40,000 when, in essence, they didn't come and defend the City ofMiami, which, you know, was extremely important that year to us. If Danny is saying that it will end up being a wash -- and are those estimates, you know, real? Mr. Alfonso: The current year they netted actually 3,000 "X" more than the cost. Commissioner Carollo: I got you. Mr. Alfonso: So if you do 40/40, I think it's fair. Commissioner Carollo: And you're asking for what, 40? Chair Suarez: Forty. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Chair Suarez: We got a little bit more last year. Commissioner Carollo: I wouldn't have no problem with it. Now when we reduced Florida League of Cities, we actually increased Miami -Dade. Chair Suarez: We did, slightly, andl would request that it stay that way, and I'll tell you why. We did increase it from 14 to 20. And, you know, the Dade League of Cities and the Florida League of Cities are the only lobbyists that we have, aside from ourselves. So I would respectfully request, as the City's designee on the Miami -Dade League of Cities, that we maintain it at 20. Commissioner Carollo: I don't have a problem with it. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Commissioner Carollo: But as you can see, I -- Chair Suarez: I know you're paying attention. I know you're paying attention. I never doubt that. I never doubt that. Thank you, though. Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just -- Mr. Chairman -- City ofMiami Page 58 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Chair Suarez: I like that. I like that, actually. Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- I just want to make sure. I mean, I know you wanted to make sure you made a point on the 750. I just want to be -- I need to be clear 'cause I never got -- so I'm clear, Danny, the 750 will not be used for consultants. Is that what you're saying? Mr. Alfonso: I'm saying that the $750, 000 will not be used -- Chair Suarez: Will not be used period. Mr. Alfonso: -- in any way before this Commission approves it. If there's a presentation made to this Commission six months from now -- Chair Suarez: That convinces us. Mr. Alfonso: -- and this Commission decides -- Chair Suarez: Right. Mr. Alfonso: -- to allow the use of it for consultants, then it is the policy of this decision -- I mean -- I'm sorry -- of this Commission. Chair Suarez: Now, correct me if I'm wrong, we have budgeted that amount of money so that amount of money could come back into the budget for any use whatsoever if we decide --? Mr. Alfonso: Yes. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Right. Is there a motion? Commissioner Gort: Before we go to the motion -- excuse me. Nonunion employees, I want you to know, you now have a union president, which is Danny. Chair Suarez: Danny Alfonso. Commissioner Gort: And he really stood up for you guys. I want you to know that. Chair Suarez: True. Commissioner Gort: Move it. Chair Suarez: Very true. I think you should. It's been moved by Commissioner Gort. Is there a second? Commissioner Carollo: Second. Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Carollo. All in favor, signift by saying aye." Commissioner Spence -Jones: No. Commissioner Carollo: No, no, no. Mr. Alfonso: Hold up, Commissioners, just real quick. I want to make sure that the resolution is passed as amended by the changes memorandum that was produced a few days ago and -- Chair Suarez: Yes. City ofMiami Page 59 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 Mr. Alfonso: -- attached to the record. Andl have $278, 300 that was reduced from the GESE pension board budget -- Chair Suarez: Correct. Mr. Alfonso: -- which I need to allocate as reserve or -- unless otherwise directed. Chair Suarez: Allocate it as reserves -- Commissioner Carollo: Allocate it as reserves. Chair Suarez: -- and -- jinx, you're it -- the $40, 000 also, please. Mr. Alfonso: And the $40, 000 amendment. Chair Suarez: Thank you. Mr. Alfonso: That's correct. Chair Suarez: As amended. Motion and second as amended, correct? Commissioner Carollo: Yes. Chair Suarez: All in favor, signift by saying aye." Commissioner Carollo: Aye. Chair Suarez: Aye. Vice Chair Sarnoff Aye. Commissioner Spence -Jones: No on principle. Chair Suarez: Please register Commissioner Spence -Jones as a no. Can we adjourn the meeting? Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Yes. Mr. Alfonso: But we have the -- Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): Okay, and then you -- Mr. Alfonso: -- we have -- Ms. Thompson: I know. We have to go back to -- Chair Suarez: Oh, we have the ordinance. Mr. Alfonso: Yes. Ms. Thompson: Yes, but we've -- Chair Suarez: Okay, my apologies. We have the second reading ordinance. City ofMiami Page 60 Printed on 10/19/2012 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012 ADJOURNMENT Ms. Thompson: So you're adjourning this meeting? Commissioner Carollo: You're adjourning this meeting. Chair Suarez: We're adjourning this meeting. Ms. Thompson: Then I -- Chair Suarez: And we're taking up the other meeting that we recessed. We're adjourning the budget meeting. My apologies. Ms. Thompson: Thank you. And l need you to give me time to switch back over. Chair Suarez: Sure. Ms. Thompson: Thank you. Chair Suarez: Don't cry in that time 'cause this -- The meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m. City ofMiami Page 61 Printed on 10/19/2012