HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2012-09-27 MinutesCity of Miami
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
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Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 27, 2012
9:00 AM
PLANNING & ZONING
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
PR - PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
AM -APPROVING MINUTES
MV - MAYORAL VETOES
CA - CONSENT AGENDA
PH - PUBLIC HEARINGS
EM - EMERGENCY ORDINANCES
SR - SECOND READING ORDINANCES
FR - FIRST READING ORDINANCE
Present: Commissioner Gort, Vice Chair Sarnoff, Commissioner Carollo, Chair Suarez and
Commissioner Spence -Jones
RE - RESOLUTIONS
BC - BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
DI - DISCUSSION ITEM
PART B
PZ - PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS' ITEMS
M - MAYOR'S ITEMS
D1 - DISTRICT 1 ITEMS
D2 - DISTRICT 2 ITEMS
D3 - DISTRICT 3 ITEMS
D4 - DISTRICT 4 ITEMS
D5 - DISTRICT 5 ITEMS
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
9:00 A.M. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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, in regular
session. The Commission Meeting was called to order by Chair Suarez at 9:00 a.m., recessed at
12: 04 p.m., reconvened at 2: 00 p.m, recessed at 2: 02p.m., reconvened at 2:30 p.m., recessed at
4:12 p.m., reconvened at 4:18 p.m., recessed at 5:17 p.m., reconvened at 5: 29 p.m., recessed at
5: 47 p.m., reconvened at 8:15 p.m., and adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
Note for the Record: Commissioner Gort entered the Commission chamberS at 9: 04 a.m.,
Commissioner Spence -Jones entered the Commission chamberS at 9:13 a.m., and Commissioner
Carollo entered the Commission chamberS at 9: 26 a.m.
ALSO PRESENT:
Julie O. Bru, City Attorney
Johnny Martinez, P.E., City Manager
Priscilla A. Thompson, CMC, City Clerk
Chair Suarez: Ladies and gentlemen, we should be starting rather soon. We don't have yet the
requisite number of Commissioners, but thank you for your patience. Welcome to the September
27, 2012 meeting of the City ofMiami Commission in these historic chambers. The members of
the City Commission are Marc David Sarnoff, the Vice Chair, Frank Carollo, W fredo "Willy"
Gort, Michelle Spence -Jones, and myself Francis Suarez, the Chairman. Also on the dais are
Johnny Martinez, the City Manager; Julie O. Bru, the City Attorney; and Priscilla A. Thompson,
the City Clerk. Andl believe Mayor Tomas P. Regalado is here. I think saw him a second ago.
Oh, there you are. There you are, Mayor. Okay. I would like the meeting to be opened with a
prayer by the City Clerk and the pledge of allegiance by the Vice Chair.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Good morning, Commissioners. This is my last Commission
meeting, so I am honored that you would let me do the prayer this morning. I would like to share
a prayer with you from well-known preacher, teacher, motivational speaker and author of the
Power of Positive Thinking, the late Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. Dr. Peale said, If you create
peace at the center of your life, you can handle just about anything you ever have to face and
such peace is best achieved through prayer. May we -- let us bow our heads to pray.
Invocation and pledge of allegiance delivered.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, Madam Clerk and Vice Chair. Madam Clerk, I think that was the
most beautiful prayer and opening statement of a prayer that I've heard in the close to three
years that I've been here, so thank you for the inspiration. We will always mind those words as
we continue.
Ms. Thompson: Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. If you have not read the Power of Positive
Thinking, I highly, highly recommend it to all of you.
Chair Suarez: I caught that little subtle part at the back end. Thank you.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
PR.1
12-01064
PRESENTATION
Honoree
Presenter Protocol Item
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Community Development
Department
12-01064 Protocol Item.pdf
PRESENTED
Commissioner Spence -Jones Certificates of Appreciation
1) In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Mayor Regalado paid tribute to Making Strides
Against Breast Cancer,"a non-competitive walk that celebrates breast cancer survivors, raises
funds to save lives by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures and by
fighting back; further issuing a declaration of support in their effort to make strides toward a
cancer free future for all women and their families.
2) Vice Chair Sarnoff presented a Commendation to Jacqueline Durruthy, applauding her
distinctive stewardship of public resources and praising her active encouragement of
neighborhood youth, especially during her tenure as a Park Manager at Douglas Park.
3) Mayor Regalado and the Members of the City Commission paid tribute to Albert Sosa, for his
excellent work performance and high level of professionalism in a successful City ofMiami
tenure as Director of Capital Improvements; further applauding his outstanding leadership in
overseeing the implementation of over $400 million in quality -of -life improvements for the
residents of the City ofMiami.
4) Commissioner Spence -Jones presented Certificates of Appreciation to various members of the
Community Development Department as part of the Believe Campaign, in honor of their
outstanding leadership in the workplace and saluting their service and lasting contributions to
efforts to inspire and empower others and ourselves to transform our communities.
5) Mayor Regalado and the Members of the City Commission paid tribute to Priscilla A.
Thompson, City of Miami City Clerk, in honor of her 32 years of outstanding professional and
volunteer service to the City ofMiami and whose zeal and brilliance brought increased integrity
to our City.
Chair Suarez: We will now make the presentations and proclamations.
Presentations made.
APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETING:
MAYORAL VETOES
ORDER OF THE DAY
NO MAYORAL VETOES
Chair Suarez: Madam Clerk, for the last time, are there any mayoral vetoes to report at this
time?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): There are none at this time. Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Just like the City Attorney to read the statement into the record, then we're going
to take a recess until 10 a.m. and we'll start at 10 a.m. Go ahead, Madam City Attorney.
Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): Thank you, Mr. Chair. Members of the Commission, Mr. Mayor,
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Mr. City Manager, Madam City Clerk -- my honor to address you for the last time. Thank you so
much. I'd like to say a word about Priscilla, too. I think Priscilla, if there's a case to be made
about the value of having a well -respected, well -compensated, and well -regarded and
appreciated workforce, it's Priscilla, because she is a testament to what career service is. So
thank you, Priscilla. Andl served with you, alongside you as an -- just a simple assistant city
attorney when we were in the Civil Service Board andl was your attorney to the board. And we
both have moved up the ranks, andl think it shows the value of dedicating yourself to the
organization and the value to you of promoting from within. Good luck to you, Priscilla.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Applause.
Ms. Bru: Good morning, members of the public. Any person who is a lobbyist must register with
the City Clerk before appearing before the City Commission. A copy of the Code section about
lobbyists is available in the City Clerk's office. The material for each item on the agenda is
available during business hours at the City Clerk's office and online at www.miamigov.com.
Anyone wishing to appeal any decision made by the City Commission for any matter considered
at this meeting may need a verbatim record of the item. Please, no cell phone or noise -making
devices. Any person who makes offensive remarks or who becomes unruly at the Commission
chambers will be barred from further attending Commission meetings. Any person with a
disability requiring auxiliary aids and services for this meeting, please notify the City Clerk. And
the Chairman will announce the timing of the breaks and when the lunch recess will begin.
Thank you very much.
Chair Suarez: Okay, the photographer has asked for one more picture with the City Clerk, sorry.
And then I'm going to recognize the Vice Chair, who wants to have a moment of silence before
we actually proceed with the agenda. In the last three weeks -- two, three weeks, we did an exit
interview and we spent a lot of time together and we got to know each other a little bit more
personally -- not intimately, I guess, right?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Right. That's right.
Chair Suarez: And one of the things that we share is a passion for movies. And so one of the
things that we would enjoy together and laugh together about was my recitation of movie lines.
She very much enjoyed that. So she's asked me specifically to recite some movie lines. So the
movie --
Ms. Thompson: Be nice.
Chair Suarez: It's going to be a nice one. Don't worry about it. It'll be PG (Parental
Guidance), of course. So the movie that I'm going to recite a line from is the movie "Coming to
America, " which is a movie that we all have seen and enjoyed. And there's a scene where -- if
you know the movie or seen the movie, Arsenio Hall and -- I forget the other -- the famous
actor's name right now escapes me for some reason. No, no, no. It's Arsenio Hall and Eddie
Murphy, I'm sorry. Eddie Murphy. How could I forget Eddie Murphy? They play all of the
characters, including white characters, which is really funny. So they play like five or six
different characters. And there's one moment where Eddie Murphy or Arsenio Hall is
introducing the singer to sing the Whitney Houston song. And he says, "Put your hands together
for Jackson Heights own, Mr. Randy Watson." And then the singer comes up and says, And
Reverend Brown, he's been my reverend since I was a little boy, andl love him. Y'all know him
as Joe, the policeman, from the "What's Going Down?" episode of "That's My Mama."
Anyhow, it's just something that we shared and now -- now you're going to say something?
Okay, you got one?
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Ms. Thompson: No. It's actually amazing and very refreshing to see ourselves as human beings.
A lot of you see us as professionals or people that are in this box --
Chair Suarez: True.
Ms. Thompson: -- but we do have a life. And this one is hilarious. I would never have believed
that he could quote movies like that. And don't get us wrong 'cause we also quote very high -end
Man for All Seasons, okay, the King and I, you know. We do that as well, but --
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Casablanca.
Ms. Thompson: Yes.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Ms. Thompson: Definitely, Casablanca. So I guess what I'm trying to say is, Let's remember
that we're human beings and let's share that -- I think when Commissioner Spence -Jones -- I told
my first joke, she was like --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Don't make me (UNINTET,TIGIBT,F) compose myself.
Ms. Thompson: She just thought -- she says, You're funny. And yes, sometimes I am, butt know
I have to switch and be a chameleon. When I'm here, I'm very, very stuffy. Okay, thank you.
Commissioner Gort: That's the way to be.
Chair Suarez: Well, we got our fill of comedic relief this morning, so now on to the more serious
aspects of this job.
[Later...]
Chair Suarez: Does the Admin --? I'm going to start with the Administration because they have
a variety of items that they want to defer and withdraw. And then -- Can you please -- Mr.
Manager, could you please read them slowly so that we can all write them down so --?
Johnny Martinez (City Manager): Yes, Mr. Chair.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Mr. Martinez: RE.9, defer to October 25; RE.10, defer to October 25; RE.13, withdraw; and
PH.5, continue to October 11.
Commissioner Gort: What was the last one?
Mr. Martinez: PH.5.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Mr. Manager, did you say RE. 9 and RE.10?
Mr. Martinez: Yes. RE.9 --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And RE.13?
Mr. Martinez: -- RE.10 --
Commissioner Carollo: To when?
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Mr. Martinez: To October 25. RE.13, withdraw; and PH.5, continue to October 11.
Chair Suarez: Madam Clerk, once we've voted on the deferrals, could you please send me a list,
'cause I don't have a pen right now so I don't have them written down, so I don't actually take up
those items as we're going through the agenda?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And Mr. Manager, just so that we go through it from the
beginning to -- just to make sure I got them.
Mr. Martinez: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You did say PH.5?
Mr. Martinez: PH.5.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You did say RE.9 and 10?
Mr. Martinez: RE.9 and 10.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And you did say RE.13?
Mr. Martinez: Withdraw.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. And nothing else?
Mr. Martinez: That's it.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Does anyone need them to be read back? Is there a motion?
Ms. Thompson: IfI might. I just want to make sure, Mr. Manager. RE.9 is actually being
continued -- yes? -- to the --
Mr. Martinez: Deferred to October 25.
Chair Suarez: Why don't we do this, Madam Clerk? Can you read them all out again 'cause I
have a pen now. I'm sorry.
Ms. Thompson: Okay. We have as the Manager's removal from the agenda for today, the --
RE.9 to 10/25; RE.10 to 10/25; RE.13 is withdrawn; andPH.5, 10/11.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Did the Commissioners have any additional items that they would
like to defer at this time; withdraw, continue?
Vice Chair Sarnoff I have them on a PZ (Planning & Zoning) item, but I --
Chair Suarez: You want to announce it just so that if there's --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Yeah.
Chair Suarez: -- someone in the audience --?
Vice Chair Sarnoff PZ.8, which is Cushman, I'd like to continue indefinitely.
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Chair Suarez: So you want to withdraw it from the agenda, or it's continued indefinitely?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: He said continued.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I think if I continue it indefinitely, it comes back up --
Chair Suarez: Six months.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- in six months.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Ms. Thompson: Yes.
Chair Suarez: Okay, so that's --
Commissioner Carollo: Andl have a legal question with regards to that.
Chair Suarez: Sure.
Commissioner Carollo: Madam City Attorney, if it is continued indefinitely, does that mean that
during the six months or however time it is -- andl believe it's six months -- we are still bound by
Jennings ruling?
Ms. Bru: Yes. Yes, you are.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Chair Suarez: And that's just an announcement. We actually have to take that action up again
at 2 p.m., and we're going to have to vote on that deferral at that time. But just in case anyone's
in the audience, we wanted to give you a -- kind of a heads -up that this is the direction that we're
going. Is there a motion on the deferrals, withdrawals --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Chair Suarez: -- and continuance? Moved by Commissioner Spence -Jones. Is there a second?
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Carollo. All in favor, signift by saying "aye.
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Does anyone like to remove any items from the consent agenda?
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Yes, Commissioner.
Commissioner Carollo: I'd like to pull CA.2.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Any other ones?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'd like to pull 3 and 4 for -- just for discussion, though.
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[Later...]
Commissioner Carollo: With that said, at 5 o'clockI would imagine that we're going to begin
with the emergency items that deal with the budget?
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: And then we probably will go right into the budget.
Chair Suarez: Correct.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Or we could go into this other item if you want. I mean, it's really
up to the Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Yeah, I know. I mean, I don't mind.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: We could --
Chair Suarez: I'm going to have to --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- open it up, budget.
Chair Suarez: -- step away right now at 4 anyways so -- but I can pass the gavel to the Vice
Chair and he can run the meeting and you can continue to do whatever you guys want to do.
The only thing that's left -- this is what's left. The emergency ordinances on the pension --
Commissioner Gort: Right.
Chair Suarez: -- the departments, which is a second reading, which the -- Commissioner Carollo
had asked to be tabled; the one-time temporary banner, which I think was pending some -- which
you said we can do that now. I have no problem doing that now. PZ.6, which Commissioner
Carollo's -- it affects his district. It's been -- it's -- the applicant is in his district; D5.1, which is
your discussion item, and then the budget.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'm --
Chair Suarez: You're going to --? Okay, so your discussion item we'll take up at the next
Commission meeting, so that takes care of that. That's pretty much it. I think what we should do
is -- if you want to do PZ. 6, Commissioner, we could do PZ. 6 now. We can do the Miami Herald
so that the Miami Herald can go, and then we will recess until 5 and we'll start the budget.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Can I --
Commissioner Carollo: Now --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- ask this quick question? I'm sorry. Can I ask --?
Chair Suarez: And do the emergency and the pocket items.
Mr. Martinez: The emer -- and the pocket items of the approval of the contracts.
Chair Suarez: Of the ratifications of the contracts.
Mr. Martinez: Yes.
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Chair Suarez: Exactly.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: We got to do that before 5?
Chair Suarez: That'll be -- we'll do that first.
Mr. Martinez: Before the budget.
Chair Suarez: We'll do that when we come back.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah, yeah.
Mr. Martinez: Okay.
Chair Suarez: As soon as we come back, we'll do the ratifications, the emergency pension, and
then we'll open up the budget hearing. Good?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Commissioner --
Commissioner Carollo: And --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- I mean, Commissioner Carollo.
Commissioner Carollo: -- the only thing is that I still have not finished with Danny. I actually
came back 'cause I heard we were going to take a recess at 4 so I figured, okay, I'll be back and
then we take a recess and I'll go back with Danny.
Chair Suarez: That sounds good.
[Later..]
Chair Suarez: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Madam Clerk, what are the items that are
left, if any, from our agenda? What's left to be done?
Ms. Thompson: According to the list I have in front of me, we have EM.1, EM. 2, SR.1, and our
budget items.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Andl think the way we had left it was we were going to do first the
emergency ordinances, correct, Mr. Manager?
Mr. Martinez: Yes.
Chair Suarez: And then we were going to do the pocket items, and then we were going to open
up our budget hearing.
Ms. Bru: Mr. Chair, I think we should take up the union contracts first 'cause the ordinance is
really contingent on the contracts.
Chair Suarez: I agree. I think that might resolve the issue with the ordinance.
Ms. Bru: Right, right. And then ifI can make a suggestion on SR.1, which is the ordinance
which implements whatever departments are abolished or implemented. If you want to, you can
recess the regular meeting --
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Chair Suarez: Table it until after the budget and then --
Ms. Bru: And then table it, right.
Chair Suarez: -- vote on it until after -- I think that actually makes the most sense --
Ms. Bru: Right.
Chair Suarez: -- 'cause I think that will resolve also -- obviously, when we -- once we have
everybody, we can agree on that procedure.
Ms. Bru: Right.
Chair Suarez: I think that's the best way, 'cause that takes away all the speculation as to what --
Ms. Bru: Right.
Chair Suarez: -- may happen.
Ms. Bru: Exactly, exactly.
Chair Suarez: So we'll do it that way. Can we open the budget hearing and start the procedures
at least? We have a quorum.
Ms. Bru: You recessed the regular meeting.
Ms. Thompson: That's correct. You recessed at 4:12. You have not called the regular meeting
back into session. You asked a question regard --
Chair Suarez: Well, I banged my gavel so I'm assuming that at 5:15 --
Ms. Thompson: Okay, so now --
Chair Suarez: -- that I called it --
Ms. Thompson: -- you would have to recess again.
Chair Suarez: We would have to recess again to open up the budget hearing.
Ms. Thompson: Yes, uh-huh.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Ms. Thompson: And then you're going to need to give me time to switch over.
Ms. Bru: So you're actually going to go into the budget meeting now?
Chair Suarez: Let's just wait until everybody gets here.
Ms. Bru: Okay.
Chair Suarez: 5: 30. We'll recess until 5: 30.
Ms. Bru: Okay.
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CONSENT AGENDA
CA.1 RESOLUTION
12-00952
Department of Police A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT THE DONATION OF ARTWORK ENTITLED
"GRACE", FROM THE CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, AT AN
ESTIMATED MARKET VALUE OF $150,000, TO BE PLACED AT THE
COLLEGE OF POLICING LOCATED AT 350 NORTHWEST 2ND AVENUE,
MIAMI, FLORIDA; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE ANY NECESSARY DOCUMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
12-00952 Summary Form.pdf
12-00952 Letters - Pietro Costa.pdf
12-00952 Legislation.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-12-0337
Chair Suarez: Okay. Is there a motion on CA.1?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So move.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Suarez: Moved and seconded. All in favor, signift by saying "aye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
CA.2 RESOLUTION
12-01017
District4- A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION CODESIGNATING
Commissioner SOUTHEAST 15TH ROAD FROM BRICKELLAVENUE TO THE BAY, MIAMI,
Francis Suarez FLORIDA, AS "ELLY CHOVEL ROAD;" FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY
MANAGER TO INSTRUCT THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO
TRANSMIT COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE HEREIN DESIGNATED
OFFICES.
12-01017 In Memory of Elly Vilano Chovel.pdf
12-01017 Legislation.pdf
12-01017 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Carollo, 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-12-0338
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Chair Suarez: CA.2, Commissioner Carollo.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is codesignating a street. And although
I do not have an issue with this particular naming andl will be supporting the item, I wanted to
discuss some of the process. I see here that, you know, the Chairman is the actual sponsor and it
seems like it's outside of District 4. It's in another district. Andl was under the impression that
usually the district Commissioner has certain courtesy. And what have noticed on some
occasions, there is a street naming where the district Commissioner isn't even aware until it
appears on the agenda. So I just want to establish clarity. I want to establish, you know, the
process so going forward there is no double standard and we exactly know what the rules are.
For example, in this case, you know, like I said, the Chairman placed it on the agenda outside of
his district. I don't know, you know, if the district Commissioner knew or not or how it happens.
But I know for a fact that in the past there have been street namings placed on the agenda where
the district Commissioner did not know about it until it actually was seen on the agenda.
Therefore, due to the fact that we don't violate sunshine, I want, you know, more clarity andl
want to see what the process and clarity regarding the process going forward.
Chair Suarez: No. And I think that's a good point. Point well taken. I -- I'll do -- I'll tell you
this. I guess sometimes -- I guess, maybe it's because I'm Chair, I don't know -- or what -- why
exactly a request will come into my office. But here's what I'll do from this point forward, is I
will bounce it back to the district Commissioner and then if, for whatever reason they're not
getting a response -- but I'll create a record, you know, either by an e-mail (electronic) or
something that shows that I've bounced it back to the district Commissioner and given the district
Commissioner an opportunity to either, you know, designate or not, you know. Andl think the
other thing that we can do is, obviously, we can cosponsor things, all of us.
Commissioner Carollo: Right.
Chair Suarez: So I think -- and that goes back to the Clerk's -- this is a "we" thing, not a "me
thing. And -- so you're right. Andl will -- to the extent that may have not followed a process, I
apologize. Andl will henceforth try to do it in a way that's a little bit more organized and a little
bit more documented so that there's -- the district Commissioner has an opportunity to take the
lead on it and then --
Commissioner Carollo: Or cosponsor.
Chair Suarez: Or -- yeah, I agree. Thank you. Thank you for that, Commissioner.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I -- I'm sorry.
Chair Suarez: Yes. I'm sorry. Vice Chair.
Vice Chair Sarnoff First, I want to thank Commissioner Carollo for, I think, sort of looking out
maybe, in a way. And in the past --
Commissioner Carollo: Goes back to --
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- you'd be right.
Commissioner Carollo: -- we.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Right. And in the past, in a different Commission, I was surprised by
something. And in the Grove, there was a moratorium on naming of streets.
Chair Suarez: I thinkl did -- I think we did (UNINTELLIGIBLE), yeah.
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Vice Chair Sarnoff. But in this circumstance, in this circumstance, Elly Chovel holds something
different than it would for me than it would for Cuban Americans. Andl reached out to, I think
first, Commissioner Xavier Suarez, who apparently was interested in this and then passed it on to
the Chair and said, It's not going to have the same breadth, it's not going to have the same input
or push or panache ifI do it versus -- andl call you guys Cuban Americans, and I'd love to
change the word --
Chair Suarez: American Cuban.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- to American Cubans 'cause I know your allegiance --
Chair Suarez: You can, you can.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- is first to America.
Chair Suarez: You can, you can.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. And --
Chair Suarez: For me, at least.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- we all come from an ethnic background. Having said that, I reached out
to the Chair and said, Look, it'll probably be better coming from an American Cuban than it
would from an American -Jewish person so -- but I do appreciate you coming out. Because there
was a circumstance once before -- you'd be dead right -- where I actually had a fight on the dais
and there was a moratorium on street names in the Grove 'cause you could not name a street in
the Grove. I'd question -- any rate, it's appreciated and thanks for the "we" on that.
Chair Suarez: Yeah. And happen to know the family as well, personally. Allen, who's Elly's
son, was a personal friend of mine growing up. But I understand what the Commissioner's
saying, and you know, what I'll do -- at least I can give you my commitment, which will be to put
something -- document it in writing, as long as it doesn't violate the sunshine law and it's -- I'll
pass it by the City Attorney first -- which will put the district Commissioner -- whoever the
district Commissioner is -- on notice that this request is being made and do they want to do it as
a cosponsorship, do they want -- you know, whatever, and work the process a little bit more in a
way that's better documented so that if -- when we get to the Commission, there isn't a dispute as
to whether people reached out. Because what happens also is, you know -- and in fairness to
District 4, some people will reach out to certain Commissioners and they'll come back to us and
say, We reached out, we reached out, we reached out and we never got a response, so we came to
you because, you know, we -- you know, you're responsive and we know you're going to, you
know, get it done. So that happens sometimes as well. But in any event, I'll do my -- the only
thing I control is myself, and so I'll do, you know, the very best that I can to make sure that the
Commission feels that things are being done in an orderly process. So is there a motion on
CA.2?
Commissioner Carollo: Move it.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So move. I just have a discussion. So move.
Chair Suarez: Yeah, yes. Commissioner Spence -Jones, you're recognized. Been moved and
seconded.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I see your light on. Do you have a question, too?
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Commissioner Gort: No, no, no.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Commissioner Gort: No, no. (UNINTET,TIGIBT,F).
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I support it. I moved it.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I don't have an issue with that at all. I just wanted to just really
make sure -- and maybe this is more of a comment for the Administration on process. Because it
just seems like the street naming process, you know, fluctuates. And l just want to make sure
there's a consistent process and we're doing it the right way each time. And I'm not necessarily
-- I'm removing Elly out of the conversation because I think that this is the right thing to do. So
that's totally not -- I don't have any issues on this. But what I do have issues with, as we look at
the history of street namings, you know, the rules seem to bend, you know -- and l just want to
make sure we have a consistent policy on how and who we name streets after. We do have the
policy in place that we all follow, correct? Like I know that one of the issues were, you know, the
person could not be alive. Then that changed; the person could be alive. Okay, for -- Can we
just put it on the record so we're all clear?
Nzeribe Ihekwaba: Good morning. Zerry Ihekwaba, Public Works director. Madam City
Commissioner, the City Code is quite very clear as to the process for renaming streets within the
City. In Chapter 54-136.2139, the process is very detailed and stipulated. In the case of people
that have passed away, the Commission, through a public hearing --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Mr. Ihekwaba: -- could actually make a designation. Now there are two forms of renaming
streets -- alternatives to renaming streets. One is a codesignation, where you attach a name to
an existing numbered street --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Mr. Ihekwaba: -- or you could place a marker on a post at the location on the street where you
want to codesignate. Or there is a third one, which is codesignation, which is what you have
before you this morning. A codesignation, again, is an alternative way of renaming a street.
Now for people that have pass -- people that are still alive --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes, explain that.
Mr. Ihekwaba: -- I believe the Code is very clear according to the state law that there has to be
a four -fifths affirmative vote --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Mr. Ihekwaba: -- to sustain that process.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So if there's not four of us voting on a -- if there is a street that's
named after a person that is alive, then four of us have to agree.
Mr. Ihekwaba: That's my understanding, correct.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Chair Suarez: I think --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So --
Chair Suarez: Sony.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'm sorry. I just want -- you know --
Commissioner Gort: Yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'm just telling you, seven years being up here -- I mean, there
have been times when I see street signs go up and four people haven't voted on it here.
Mr. Ihekwaba: Okay. There are certain -- I understand in the past the State Legislature had
already done some codesignation --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: But do --
Mr. Ihekwaba: -- and simply brought it down here for a declaration of no objection.
Chair Suarez: No objection, yeah. That's --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Right. So if the state designates something, but it -- does it still
have to come in front of us, Madam City Attorney?
Mr. Ihekwaba: It comes here for a declaration of no objection.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And it'll still require the four fifth?
Chair Suarez: No.
Mr. Ihekwaba: Not that I'm aware of. It's simply a declaration of no objection.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Interesting.
Commissioner Gort: You know, when the -- it was change because I remember at one time the
person had to be passed away before you could name a street after a person.
Mr. Ihekwaba: I don't know --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: That's --
Commissioner Gort: When was that changed?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: When was that changed?
Ms. Bru: The whole process by which the Commission codesignates streets has changed over the
years. So there was a revision in 2008 -- there's been a series of changes. There was a time,
Commissioner, when indeed there was a prohibition on naming streets --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Ms. Bru: -- if a person was still alive. Then the Code was amended to allow for the four fifth
waiver of that prohibition so -- and that's what we currently have now.
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Johnny Martinez (City Manager): Zerry, can you put on the record, after all is said and done,
who produces the actual sign?
Mr. Ihekwaba: The actual sign is produced -- in the City ofMiami, the Miami -Dade County
Public Works Department has the sole responsibility for the manufacture, installation, and
maintenance of street signs. So the applicant for codesignation is required to pay a certain
amount of fees and costs associated with the codesignation --
Chair Suarez: Can we --
Mr. Ihekwaba: -- and that money is made payable to Miami -Dade County.
Chair Suarez: -- do something? Maybe it will resolve this issue because --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And I'm --
Chair Suarez: -- this has come up before.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And hate -- and don't want your item to be --
Chair Suarez: No, it's okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- you know --
Chair Suarez: No, no, and it's okay. I don't take it that way at all. I think it's something that
we've actually struggled with and discussed before on a number of occasions. But maybe the
way to fix it is, I think we all have some sort of hesitation with either codesignating or -- I guess
the other way of saying it is not objecting to a street designation for people who are alive
because, by definition, if somebody's alive, they could do something that --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Crazy.
Commissioner Gort: That was the reason why --
Chair Suarez: -- is not honorable.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Right.
Commissioner Gort: -- that's why we changed the ordinance.
Chair Suarez: Right. So, you know, when someone is not alive, it's a lot easier. So maybe what
-- to analyze their life and see whether it's something that's worth honoring. Anyhow, I think
maybe what we could do is make it a unanimous vote of the Commission -- of the present
members, of the quorum members, whatever -- 'cause we have -- we need a quorum here. So if
we have three people here, I don't think we should stop something, as long as it's unanimous. It
has -- it should be unanimous. Andl think that should apply not only to codesignations, which
are four fifths right now, but it should also apply to no objections. Because the no objection rule
is basically you could have a 3-2 vote and still have a no objection for someone who's alive.
Ms. Bru: Can ask for this to be tabled, please?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes --
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Chair Suarez: Sure.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- please.
Commissioner Gort: Yeah.
Chair Suarez: Sure.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: 'Cause I think that's --
Ms. Bru: I need to look into something that I've just been --
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Ms. Bru: -- made aware of.
Chair Suarez: No problem.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'm telling you, the item --
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- the issue is --
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- an issue.
Commissioner Carollo: I --
Chair Suarez: Commissioner Carollo.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you. I suggest maybe let's vote on this item.
Chair Suarez: Yeah, yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: However, let's bring it back as a discussion item so -- you know, so there
-- you know, and everything is not convoluted.
Chair Suarez: Sounds good.
Commissioner Carollo: And -- 'cause I think it's not fair, 'cause I think we're all -- from what
I've heard, we're all in agreement --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: -- that, you know, we are in favor of this street naming. So I think we
should vote on it and then bring it back as a discussion item so we could thoroughly, you know,
vet this process.
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Chair Suarez: Agreed. All in favor, signifi, by saying "aye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Passes unanimously.
CA.3 RESOLUTION
12-00953
Office of Grants A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Administration ATTACHMENT(S), RATIFYING THE CITY MANAGERS EXECUTION OF
AMENDMENTS TO THE ADVANCED CLEANUP PROGRAM FUNDING
AGREEMENTS, WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION FOR THE
CLEANUP OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AT 1199 NORTHWEST
62 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA (FORMERLY STAR GAS STATION),
CONTRIBUTING AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $101,316.31 WITH CITY'S
CONTRIBUTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $35,000, FORA TOTAL AMOUNT OF
$136,316.31; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
AMENDMENTS, MODIFICATIONS AND EXTENSIONS TO SAID
AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM(S), FORA
TWELVE (12) MONTH PERIOD, WITH THE OPTION TO RENEW FOR UP TO
TWO (2) ADDITIONAL TWELVE-MONTH PERIODS UNDER THE SAME
TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
12-00953 Summary Form.pdf
12-00953 Legislation.pdf
12-00953 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0339
Chair Suarez: CA.3.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes. I just -- actually, it's just questions on both 3 and 4, but I
think the Manager andl have kind of worked it out. But these -- this is in reference to the
brownfields that are on 62nd, on MLK (Martin Luther King) Boulevard. These particular -- they
were grants that we actually received to clean them up. As a matter of fact, I think we even had a
training program with young people in the area to learn how to clean up brownsfields [sic]. And
I know I had actually a conversation -- I don't know where George is -- in reference to what can
be a match -- be made from a match. And to my understanding, CDBG (Community
Development Block Grant) dollars can be -- can provide a match for any brownsfield [sic]
cleanups, correct?
Lillian Blondet: Lillian Blondet -- good morning -- Office of Grants Administration. Yes, Mr.
Mensah informed me that, yes, we could use CDBG money. That's an allowable activity for the
cleanup in this area.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. I just wanted to make sure. All right. I know we've done it
before. That's why I asked.
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
CA.4
12-00954
Office of Grants
Administration
Ms. Blondet: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Chair Suarez: Is there a motion?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Mo -- so moved.
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: Moved and seconded. All in favor, signift by saying "aye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: The mover was Commissioner Spence -Jones, the seconder was Commissioner
Gort.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Thank you, guys.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), RATIFYING THE CITY MANAGER'S EXECUTION OF
AMENDMENTS TO THE ADVANCED CLEANUP PROGRAM FUNDING
AGREEMENT, WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION, FOR THE
CLEANUP OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AT 6200 NORTHWEST
17TH AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA (FORMERLY SHAMROCK GAS STATION),
CONTRIBUTING AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $191,466.83, WITH THE
CITY'S CONTRIBUTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $200,000, FORA TOTAL
AMOUNT OF $391,466.83; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AMENDMENTS, MODIFICATIONS AND EXTENSIONS TO SAID
AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM(S), FOR A
TWELVE (12) MONTH PERIOD, WITH THE OPTION TO RENEW FOR UP TO
TWO (2) ADDITIONAL TWELVE-MONTH PERIODS UNDER THE SAME
TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
12-00954 Summary Form.pdf
12-00954 Legislation.pdf
12-00954 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0340
Chair Suarez: RE (Resolution) -- I'm sorry, CA.4, please.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: It's the same thing.
Chair Suarez: You want to move it again?
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Spence -Jones.
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Gort. All in favor, signifi, by saying aye.
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
PUBLIC HEARINGS
9:00 A.M.
PH.1 RESOLUTION
12-00666
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
Community CITY MANAGER, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMUNITY
Development DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AND THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO EXECUTE
DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEFEASANCE OF THE
SECTION 108 LOAN FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, LOAN B-90-MC-12-0013,
RELATING TO SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN PARK WEST, WITH A PRINCIPAL
BALANCE OF $1,250,000, AND INTEREST PAYMENTS OF $30,875;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, AFTER CONSULTATION
WITH THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AND THE CITY
ATTORNEY, TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FOR SAID
PURPOSE.
12-00666 Summary Form.pdf
12-00666 Notice to the Public.pdf
12-00666 Pre-Legislation.pdf
12-00666 Legislation (Version 2).pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0341
Chair Suarez: We will now begin the public hearing items. Any member of the public who
wishes to address the Commission regarding a public hearing item must first register with the
City Clerk. In addition, pursuant to City Code, any person addressing the Commission must
limit his or her address to two minutes, unless additional time is granted by the presiding officer.
Finally, any person addressing the Commissioner -- the Commission, I'm sorry, must begin by
stating his or her name and street address for the record. We will now begin with PH.1.
George Mensah: Good morning, Commissioners. George Mensah, director of Community
Development. PH.1 is authorizing the City Manager to defease a Section 108 loan from the
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, relating to Southeast
Overtown/Park West, with a principal balance of $1.25 million and interest payment of $30, 875.
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Chair Suarez: Thank you. This is a public hearing item. Anyone wishing to speak on PH 1 ?
Seeing none and hearing none, the public hearing on PH.1 is closed; coming back to this
Commission. Is there a motion?
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Chair Suarez: It's been moved by Commissioner Gort, second by Commissioner Spence -Jones.
Any further comment? Yes?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No. I just want to make sure that --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Oh, I --
Chair Suarez: This was the white page on blue paper.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Yeah. I mean, I have my notes on this. I'm going to vote for this.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Thank you.
Vice Chair Sarnoff But I will say this -- andl don't fault anybody here because this goes back
too many years.
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I don't think was born then, but go ahead.
Vice Chair Sarnoff But this is the most convoluted --
Chair Suarez: I certainly wasn't.
Commissioner Gort: We were kids when it was passed.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Right. This is the most convoluted recitation of what happened. But the
Manager has convinced me that it's a good business decision, it's a good move. But think you
guys see my concern because nobody can really explain the root origin of this.
Chair Suarez: No. Andl have to commend Community Development for producing --
Commissioner Gort: The documents.
Chair Suarez: -- the information -- the "white paper" that the Vice Chair had asked for, which
was as comprehensive a background and analysis as you could give given the information that
you had so.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Andl don't mean that as any reflect --
Chair Suarez: No, no.
Vice Chair Sarnoff This predates everybody here. But I think it also shows us how much
improvement we've made and should make because this is a very convoluted -- I don't know.
This is old Miami, I think.
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Chair Suarez: Agreed. There's a motion and a second. All in favor, signift by saying "aye.
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Passes unanimously. PH (Public Hearing) --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just want to put on -- officially on the record the -- that
Spence -Jones --
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): I'm sorry, Commissioner.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just want to officially put on the record that Spence -Jones -- this
was not an item that Spence -Jones put on.
Mr. Mensah: No, no.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just want to make sure.
PH.2 RESOLUTION
12-00895
Department of Public A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING AND
Works PERMITTING THE RESTRICTION OF VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN
ACCESS TO THE ALLEY LOCATED IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY
NORTHEAST 1ST AVENUE, NORTHEAST 1ST COURT, NORTHEAST 14TH
STREET AND NORTHEAST 13TH TERRACE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, SUBJECT
TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS AS MORE PARTICULARLY SET FORTH HEREIN.
12-00895 Summary Form.pdf
12-00895 Notice to the Public.pdf
12-00895 Map Restriction of Vehicular.pdf
12-00895 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff and Suarez
Absent: 2 - Commissioner(s) Carollo and Spence -Jones
R-12-0362
Chair Suarez: Okay, PH.2.
Commissioner Carollo: And Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: In PH.2, I understand that this is a public hearing.
Chair Suarez: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: So, you know, I'm going to respectfully request that you open the public
hearing and close it, but that then we table the item. There's something that I'm working with --
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Chair Suarez: Sure.
Commissioner Carollo: -- Zerry on this item and l just want to be clear. Remember, we're
taking a mammoth amount of information on many different issues --
Chair Suarez: Sure.
Commissioner Carollo: -- so I want to be clear on --
Chair Suarez: I have no problem with that.
Commissioner Carollo: -- some of the things that we had discussed.
Chair Suarez: Is there anyone else that has any issues with opening and closing the public
hearing on PH.2 and then tabling the item for the afternoon or --?
Commissioner Carollo: And the reason I'm saying that is because I know due to translators and
so forth, I'd rather do it, you know, now to make sure that --
Chair Suarez: We don't incur additional cost.
Commissioner Carollo: -- we have translators and it doesn't cost us in the future.
Chair Suarez: Okay. This is a public hearing item. Anyone wishing to speak on PH.2? Anyone
wishing to speak on PH.2? Seeing none and hearing none, the public hearing on PH.2 is closed.
We're going to table this item for the afternoon, sometime in the afternoon.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Yeah, after lunch.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Ihekwaba.
[Later..]
Chair Suarez: PH.2.
Tony Recio: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Mr. Ihekwaba.
Nzeribe Ihekwaba (Director, Public Works): Yes, sir. Good afternoon.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Mr. Ihekwaba: Zerry Ihekwaba, Public Works director. PH.2 is a resolution to authorize and
permit the restriction of vehicle and pedestrian access to the public alley located in the area
bounded by Northeast 1 stAvenue, Northeast 1st Court, Northeast 14th Street, and Northeast
13th Terrace. This request is predicated on a desire to construct and comply with the
requirements of the Interim Parking Lot ordinance as stipulated in Chapter 62.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. We opened and closed the public hearing on this one.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. So moved.
Chair Suarez: We tabled it for a Commissioner who requested it be tabled for the afternoon. It
is now the afternoon. It's been moved by Commission -- the Vice Chair. Is there a second?
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Gort. All in favor, signift, by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Passes. And by the way, if something like that happens where someone wants to
make a point of an issue, I think -- and for whatever reason it's tabled for an afternoon, it's taken
at the afternoon, the person's not here, they can bring it as a discussion item or some other form
of -- there's another way that you can have a remedy to discuss an issue of this type. You
understand what I'm saying?
Vice Chair Sarnoff I do, I do.
Chair Suarez: So not all is lost.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Correct, correct. Even with your genuine good nature, not all is lost.
Chair Suarez: I always try to --
Vice Chair Sarnoff You do. You actually go a little overboard.
Chair Suarez: Well, I apologize. I do the best I can.
Vice Chair Sarnoff No, no, no.
Chair Suarez: It's my -- it's who I am.
Vice Chair Sarnoff It is. It is.
Chair Suarez: Can't change it.
PH.3 RESOLUTION
12-00955
Department of Public A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Facilities ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
GRANT OF EASEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, TO
COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT, LLC, A DELAWARE
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, OF A PERPETUAL, NON-EXCLUSIVE
UTILITY EASEMENT OF AN APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN (15) FOOT WIDE
STRIP OF CITY OF MIAMI OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3500 PAN
AMERICAN DRIVE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, (ALSO KNOWN AS COCONUT GROVE
CONVENTION CENTER), AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN
EXHIBIT "A" ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF CATV, WITH THE
RIGHT TO RECONSTRUCT, IMPROVE, ADD TO, ENLARGE, CHANGE THE
VOLTAGE OF, CHANGE THE SIZE OF AND REMOVE ALL OR ANY OF THE
FACILITIES WITHIN SAID EASEMENT.
12-00955 Summary Form.pdf
12-00955 Notice to the Public.pdf
12-00955 Legislation.pdf
12-00955 Exhibit 1.pdf
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Vice Chair Sarnoff, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo and Suarez
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Spence -Jones
R-12-0342
Chair Suarez: PH.3.
Henry Torre: Good morning. Henry Torre, director of Public Facilities. PH.3 is a resolution
granting to Comcast Cable Communications an easement of approximately 15-foot strip of
City -owned property located at 3500 Pan American Drive, for the new Dinner Key dockmaster
building.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. This is a public hearing item. Anyone wishing to speak on PH.3?
Anyone wishing to speak on PH.3? Mr. Cruz, you're recognized for the record, sir.
Mariano Cruz: Yeah. Mariano Cruz, 1227 Northwest 26th Street, a customer of Comcast. I --
when I saw this in the agenda, I called Comcast customer service 'cause I want to know service,
and I'm still waiting for that callback. And you know, they are a for profit corporation. They're
not a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) or 501(c) (3) or anything, you know, or whatever, no. You know that
they a non-profit corporation that they making money 'cause they take 168.36 on my bank
account every month because I got -- but want to know --
Chair Suarez: You have some pretty extensive services.
Mr. Cruz: -- let me know customer service, the bundled service was -- and now I see here the
City -- What do we get from Comcast? Do we get anything back? I mean, it's supposed to be
quid pro quo: You give me something, I give you something. Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Cruz. Anyone else from the public wishing to speak on PH.3?
Anyone else from the public wishing to speak on PH.3? Seeing none and hearing none, the
public hearing on PH.3 is closed; coming back to this Commission. Is there a motion?
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Vice Chair Sarnoff So move. Second.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Gort, seconded by the Vice Chair. All in favor -- yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman, just --
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: -- one quick question. I just want to do a little due diligence. Are there
any future plans that would interfere with this easement? Like, would this easement interfere
with any future plans that may --?
Mr. Torre: No, it's underground where the parking area is planned to be.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. All in favor, signifi, by saying "aye.
City ofMiami Page 26 Printed on 10/22/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
PH.4 RESOLUTION
12-00956
Department of Public A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Facilities ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
GRANT OF EASEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, TO
BELLSOUTH TELECOMMUNICATIONS, LLC D/B/A AT&T FLORIDA, A
FOR -PROFIT CORPORATION, OF A PERPETUAL, NON-EXCLUSIVE
UTILITY EASEMENT OF AN APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN (15) FOOT -WIDE
STRIP OF CITY OF MIAMI OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3500 PAN
AMERICAN DRIVE (ALSO KNOWN AS COCONUT GROVE CONVENTION
CENTER), AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A",
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR THE CONSTRUCTION,
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF UTILITY FACILITIES, WITH THE
RIGHT TO RECONSTRUCT, IMPROVE, ADD TO, ENLARGE, CHANGE THE
VOLTAGE OF, CHANGE THE SIZE OF AND REMOVE ALL OR ANY OF THE
FACILITIES WITHIN SAID EASEMENT.
12-00956 Summary Form.pdf
12-00956 Notice to the Public.pdf
12-00956 Legislation.pdf
12-00956 Exhibit 1.pdf
PH.5
12-00390
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-12-0343
Chair Suarez: PH.4.
Henry Torre (Director, Public Facilities): PH.4 is a resolution granting BellSouth -- to
BellSouth Communications [sic] for a 15-foot-wide strip of City -owned property located at 3500
Pan American Drive, for the new Dinner Key dockmaster building.
Chair Suarez: This is a public hearing. Anyone from the public wishing to speak on PH.4?
Anyone from the public wishing to speak on PH.4? Seeing -- Thank you, Mr. Cruz -- and
hearing none, all in -- I'm sorry. The public hearing on PH.4 is closed, coming back to this
Commission. Is there a motion?
Vice Chair Sarnoff 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."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RESOLUTION
City ofMiami Page 27 Printed on 10/22/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Department of Public
Facilities
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE,
AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING, CONFIRMING,
AND APPROVING THE CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION AND
WRITTEN FINDINGS, PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-85 OF THE CODE OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, WAIVING THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPETITIVE SEALED BIDDING AS BEING
NEITHER PRACTICABLE NOR ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE CITY OF MIAMI
FOR THE FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEM FOR THE HYATT HOTEL
AND JAMES L. KNIGHT CONVENTION CENTER ("KNIGHT CENTER")
LOCATED AT 400 SOUTHEAST 2ND AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A LETTER
AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, BY AND
BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND HYATT EQUITIES, LLC
("HYATT"), TO PROVIDE AUTHORIZATION FOR HYATT TO PREPARE AND
FINALIZE A SPECIFICATIONS CRITERIA PACKAGE ("PHASE I") AND
FURNISHING, INSTALLATION, AND TESTING ("PHASE II") FOR THE
REPLACEMENT OF THE FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEM AND
ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT THAT SUPPORTS THE HYATT HOTEL AND THE
KNIGHT CENTER, WITH A TOTAL PROJECT COST ESTIMATE OF $778,306
TO BE PAID BASED ON A PERCENTAGE USE OF THE SYSTEM, WITH THE
CITY'S SHARE NOT TO EXCEED $238,745; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO UNDERTAKE ALL REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER FOR
THE CITY TO COMPLY WITH THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE
CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, SUBJECT TO APPROVING OPINION OF
BOND COUNSEL AND CONSULTATION WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY;
ALLOCATING FUNDS FOR THE CITY'S CONTRIBUTION FROM CIP
PROJECT B-70414; WITH TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS MORE
PARTICULARLY SET FORTH IN SAID LETTER AGREEMENT.
12-00390 Summary Form.pdf
12-00390 Notice to the Public.pdf
12-00390 Memo - Waiver of Competitive Bidding.pdf
12-00390 Legislation.pdf
12-00390 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Carollo, that this
matter be DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Gort
Note for the Record: Item PH.5 was deferred to the October 11, 2102 Commission Meeting.
END OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
ORDINANCES - EMERGENCY
EM.1 ORDINANCE Emergency Ordinance
12-01047
Department of (4/5 THS VOTE)
Management and AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
Budget AMENDING CHAPTER 40/ARTICLE IV/DIVISION 3, OF THE CODE OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED
City ofMiami Page 28 Printed on 10/22/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
"PERSONNEL/PENSION AND RETIREMENT PLAN/CITY OF MIAMI
GENERAL EMPLOYEES' AND SANITATION EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT
TRUST," TO PROVIDE FOR A BACKDROP BENEFIT OPTION AND A
DESCRIPTION OF ITS APPLICABILITY; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE,
SUBJECT TO THE RATIFICATION OF THE FLORIDA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES'
COUNCIL 79, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, LOCAL 871, AND MIAMI GENERAL
EMPLOYEES AFSCME LOCAL 1907, AFL-CIO, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS.
12-01047 Summary Form.pdf
12-01047 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be ADOPTED as an emergency measure, with modifications, waiving the requirement for
two seperate readings PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
13343
Chair Suarez: We're going to -- I'd like to table the two emergency ordinances until the
afternoon. We're still -- I'm still -- my office is still reviewing the TA'd agreements. So unless
there's some objection to that, I would like to have them tabled until the afternoon.
Commissioner Carollo: That's fine.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
[Later...]
Chair Suarez: I think now we're going to go to EM.1, if I'm not mistaken, and I think the -- do
you have the language approved? Is everyone in agreement on what the language is going to
been be on EM.1 ?
Diana Vizcaino: Yes, we do. Diana Vizcaino, assistant City Attorney, and we also have Jim Linn
on the phone if you all have any questions for him as well.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Do you want to read -- anyone want to read the ordinance?
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by Assistant City Attorney Diana Vizcaino.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Is that as amended or is that as stated?
Ms. Vizcaino: As amended.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Do I have to open a public record [sic] on this, Madam City --?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): It's an emergency ordinance. If I'm not mistaken, we do
need a public hearing, do we not, City Attorney?
Ms. Vizcaino: Yes.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
City ofMiami Page 29 Printed on 10/22/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Ms. Thompson: And just let you know, we'll have to take two votes on it as well.
Chair Suarez: That's fine. Thank you. Is there -- first of all, let me open up the -- to the public
EM.1. Is there anyone from the public that wishes to speak on EM.1, EM.1 ? You're recognized.
Joe Simmons: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Joe Simmons, Jr., president of the
sanitation workers, AFSCME (American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees)
Local 871. This was a very tumultuous taskforce, but we got it done with our experts in
Washington and Miami. I want to thank Diana and Johnny Martinez and all their team and Ms.
Janice, Danny, and countless other people that assisted in this matter. We're very happy with the
outcome of it. It's still -- there are some changes, but it's still a pretty good plan.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Simmons.
Mr. Simmons: And we need your support. Thanks.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, and thank you for expressing those positive sentiments on the record.
It's always nice to hear positive sentiments. Anyone else wishing to speak on EM.1 ?
Mariano Cruz: Mariano Cruz --
Chair Suarez: Yes, sir.
Mr. Cruz: -- 1227 Northwest 26th Street. I was not going to say anything, but if Joe Simmons is
involved in this, got to be good because he's a good person for the employees.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Mr. Cruz: When I have some problem with that, I don't call Campbell or call Carmenate. I call
Joe Simmons --
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Mr. Cruz: -- and all the problems are solved.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Cruz: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Anyone else wishing to speak on EM.1 ? Seeing none, hearing none, the public
hearing on EM.1 is closed. Coming back to this Commission, is there a motion?
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Gort, second by Commissioner Spence -Jones. It is an
ordinance, first reading.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by Assistant City Attorney Diana Vizcaino.
Ms. Thompson: This is your roll call on your modified emergency ordinance. This would be
your first roll call.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
EM.2
12-01048
Department of
Management and
Budget
Ms. Thompson: Your second roll call.
Chair Suarez: Does there need to be a new motion made or you can just --?
Ms. Thompson: No, no. No.
Chair Suarez: Okay, thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: No.
Ms. Thompson: I'd have to just take --
Chair Suarez: My apologies.
Ms. Thompson: -- two roll -- No problem. Again, on your second roll call.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been passed as a modified emergency measure, 5-0.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
ORDINANCE
Emergency Ordinance
(4/5 THS VOTE)
AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AMENDING CHAPTER 40/ARTICLE IV/DIVISION 2 OF THE CODE OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED
"PERSONNEL/PENSION AND RETIREMENT PLAN/CITY OF MIAMI
FIREFIGHTERS' AND POLICE OFFICERS' RETIREMENT TRUST;" TO
PROVIDE FORA CHANGE IN SECTION 40-196 RELATED TO MEMBER
CONTRIBUTION FOR POLICE OFFICERS HIRED DURING CERTAIN TIME
PERIODS AND TO PROVIDE FOR A CHANGE IN THE ACTUARIAL FUNDING
METHOD; FURTHER PROVIDING FOR A BACKDROP BENEFIT OPTION
AND A DESCRIPTION OF ITS APPLICABILITY; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE
DATE, SUBJECT TO RATIFICATION BY THE MEMBERS OF THE
FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE, WALTER E. HEADLEY, JR., MIAMI
LODGE NO. 20 AND THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
FIREFIGHTERS, AFL-CIO LOCAL 587, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS.
12-01048 Summary Form.pdf
12-01048 Legislation.pdf
12-01048 Memo -City Manager -Substitution for EM.2 9.27.12.pdf
12-01048 Memo -City Manager -Substitution for EM.2 9.25.12.pdf
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Carollo, that this matter be
ADOPTED as an emergency measure, with modifications, waiving the requirement for two
seperate readings PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
13344
City ofMiami Page 31 Printed on 10/22/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Chair Suarez: EM.2.
Diana Vizcaino (Assistant City Attorney): EM.2, as amended, an emergency ordinance of the
Miami City Commission amending Chapter 40, Article 4, Division 2 of the code of the City of
Miami, Florida, as amended, entitled Personnel Pension and Retirement Plan, City ofMiami
Firefighters and Police Officers Retirement Trust, to provide for a change in Section 40-196
related to member contribution for police officers hired during certain time periods and to
provide for a change in the actuarial method -- funding method; further providing for a
BACKDROP benefit option and a description of its applicability; containing a severability
clause and providing for an immediate effective date, subject to ratification by the members of
the Fraternal Order ofPolice, Walter E. Headley, Jr., Miami, Lodge 20, and the International
Association of Firefighters, AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor -Congress of Industrial
Organizations), Local 587, subject to conditions.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Madam Clerk.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Do you want to do your public --?
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Ms. Thompson: -- your public --
Chair Suarez: Anyone from the public wishing to speak on EM.2? Anyone from the public
wishing to speak on EM.2? Sir, you're recognized.
Javier Ortiz: Good evening. Javier Ortiz, 710 Southwest 12th Avenue, vice president ofMiami
FOP (Fraternal Order ofPolice). I just wanted to address the Commission, and l just wanted to
thank all of you, as well as the City Manager and the City Attorneys and all of their support staff
in putting this together. It was very, very important to us, as well as the City to reach an
agreement. And l just wanted to thank you all. And that we're in support of this ordinance.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, sir. Mr. Suarez.
Robert Suarez: Robert Suarez, Miami Local 587. I'd just like to thank the Administration for
their help in addressing our concerns with this ordinance and making sure that the concerns of
the retirees and all the parties are met and we appreciate their cooperation with that.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Suarez: Thank you.
Mariano Cruz: Mariano Cruz, 1227 26 Street. I'm speaking as a resident and family of police
officers and grandfather ofMegan, who happen to be daughter of police officer, to make sure
that her future -- andl said it before -- is taken care. You know they want to get out of DROP
(Deferred Retirement Option Plans) or come on back to DROP or whatever it is. That's fine with
me, you know. I am here watching. Okay, I said before, I don't pay taxes to the City of debt
service, butl am impacted by it. And live in Allapattah by Willy Gort for forty -some years in
the best hidden neighborhood in Miami -Dade, the best hidden neighborhood. People don't
realize that, but Allapattah is the best hidden neighborhood, close to the every place, and very
good. Right? Right, Commissioner?
Commissioner Gort: You're right.
Mr. Cruz: My neighbor.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
SR.1
Chair Suarez: It's not that hidden, though. Thank you, Mr. Cruz. Anyone else wishing to speak
on EM.2? Anyone else wishing to speak on EM.2? Seeing none, hearing none, the public
hearing on EM.2 is closed. Coming back to this Commission, is there a motion?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): I just want to make sure. I have in my hands a substitute, so
this would be a modified emergency ordinance, is that correct?
Ms. Vizcaino: That's correct, as amended.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Vice Chair Sarnoff So moved as substituted.
Chair Suarez: Moved by the Vice Chair, as substituted. Is there a second?
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Carollo. It is an ordinance, Madam City Attorney.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by Assistant City Attorney Diana Vizcaino.
Ms. Thompson: This is your --
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Ms. Thompson: -- first roll call on your modified emergency ordinance.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Ms. Thompson: Your second roll call.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Ms. Thompson: Your emergency ordinance, modified, has been adopted, 5-0.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. I think what we're going to do now is stand in recess while you switch
us over to the budget. We'll start promptly at 6. If there's a quorum, we're going to start.
Commissioner Gort: That's it?
Chair Suarez: Okay. And what we're going to do is we're going to table SR.1 until after the
budget is completed so that that could be a complete item and not an incomplete item, as I think
was a concern for some of the Commissioners.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
Chair Suarez: Okay. So we'll be in recess until 6p.m. sharp.
END OF EMERGENCY ORDINANCES
ORDINANCES - SECOND READINGS
ORDINANCE
Second Reading
City ofMiami Page 33 Printed on 10/22/2012
City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
12-00936
Office of the City AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ESTABLISHING THE
Attorney DEPARTMENTS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI AS SET FORTH AND FUNDED
PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 12-0361, ADOPTED SEPTEMBER 27,
2012, AND PURSUANT TO SECTION 19 OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, ENTITLED "CREATION OF NEW DEPARTMENTS;
DISCONTINUANCE OF DEPARTMENTS;" CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
12-00936 Memo - Office of the City Attorney SR.pdf
12-00936 Legislation FR/SR.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Vice Chair Sarnoff, that this matter be
ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
13345
Chair Suarez: SR.1.
Commissioner Carollo: This -- Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Yes, you're recognized.
Commissioner Carollo: This will probably be the last one that ask for a table. Can we also
table SR.1?
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Commissioner Carollo: There was a lot of confusion on this.
Chair Suarez: There was, there was.
Commissioner Carollo: I spent some time with the Manager on this andl got clarity, but --
Chair Suarez: And in fairness, the two weeks that we've had from the last budget hearing to
now, I mean, I'm sure for everyone it's been a whirlwind of trying to get information, of asking
and -- you know, so --
Commissioner Carollo: Exactly.
Chair Suarez: -- that's fine with me. Anyone object to that?
Commissioner Gort: Nope.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: SR (Second Reading) -- you mean, SR.1?
Chair Suarez: SR.1.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So we're going to table that 'til later.
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Commissioner Carollo: Right.
Chair Suarez: To the afternoon.
Chair Spence -Jones: Okay, no problem.
[Later..]
Chair Suarez: (UNINTET,T IGIBT ,F) your attention for one or two more minutes. We're -- we are
back in session, Mr. Mayor. On SR.1, it's a second reading ordinance establishing, I'm
assuming, the departments that we've just approved the budget for. So is there a motion on this
item?
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Gort. Is there a second?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by the Vice Chair. This is a public hearing item. Anyone wishing to
speak on SR.1? Seeing none and hearing none, the public hearing on SR.1 is closed; coming
back to this Commission. It is an ordinance, Madam City Attorney.
Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): Mr. Chair. The number will be provided once we finalize this
agenda so, therefore, it's blank.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Your roll call.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been adopted on second reading, 5-0.
Chair Suarez: Meeting adjourned.
Ms. Thompson: As modified. As modified.
SR.2 ORDINANCE
12-00845
Second Reading
District 1- AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING CHAPTER
Commissioner 18/ARTICLE III OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
Wifredo (Willy) Gort AMENDED, ENTITLED "FINANCE/CITY OF MIAMI PROCUREMENT
ORDINANCE", MORE PARTICULARLY BY CREATING NEW SECTION 18-
110, ENTITLED , "ADOPTION OF FLORIDA VETERAN BUSINESS
ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITY ACT", WHICH ADOPTS BY REFERENCE, THE
FLORIDA VETERAN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITY ACT ,
PROVIDING A VENDOR PREFERENCE IN THE MANNER PROVIDED BY
THIS STATE ACT ; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
12-00845 Legislation FR/SR.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
13339
Chair Suarez: SR. 2.
Commissioner Gort: Yes, sir. I had called for time certain, but the -- we had the individual here,
Tom --
Chair Suarez: Sure.
Commissioner Gort: -- (UNINTET ,T IGIBT,F) and (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Spence -Jones: That's at 2 o'clock?
Commissioner Gort: No. We're going to have it. We're going to listen to it now. They're a
group that come from the Wall Street War Fighters Foundation, which created Drexel Hamilton,
which is a firm that is made out of veterans. And we asked for this ordinance. It's an ordinance
of the Miami City Commission, amending Chapter 18/Article III of the Code of the City of
Miami, Florida, as amended, entitled "Finance/City ofMiami Procurement Ordinance, " more
particularly by creating new Section 18-110, entitled "Adoption of the [sic] Florida Veteran
Business Enterprise Opportunity Act, " which adopts by reference, the Florida Veteran Business
Enterprise Opportunity Act, providing a vendor preference in the manner provided by the state
act; providing a severability clause and providing for effective date.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Chair Suarez: It's been moved and seconded. This is an ordinance which requires a public
hearing. Anyone from the public wishing to speak on SR.2? Anyone from the public wishing to
speak on SR. 2? Sir, would you like to say something?
Ellis Majetich: I just wanted to thank you for the opportunity. I think this is a fantastic
movement that will help veterans that are returning -from combat operations, specifically those
who were injured and seriously injured in combat. This will give us opportunities that we didn't
have before.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Commissioner Gort: Name and --
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Excuse me --
Commissioner Gort: -- address.
Ms. Thompson: -- Chair. I'm sorry.
Commissioner Gort: Name and address.
Ms. Thompson: Oh, thank you.
Mr. Majetich: Oh. Ellis Majetich. I live in Saint Augustine.
Chair Suarez: And title.
Mr. Majetich: Vice president, Drexel Hamilton.
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Chair Suarez: And your -- What was your rank in the military?
Mr. Majetich: Staff Sergeant, 304th Psychological Operations.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Thank you for your service.
Mr. Majetich: No, my honor.
Chair Suarez: Thank you for being here. Anyone else from the public? Yes, Mr. Cruz.
Mariano Cruz: That's the ordinance?
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Chair Suarez: Yes, sir.
Mr. Cruz: Oh, okay. Let me speak. SR. 2. Mariano --
Chair Suarez: Yes, sir.
Mr. Cruz: -- Cruz, 1227 26 Street, veteran, U.S. (United States) Army, Fort Knox, Fort Jackson
October crisis, '62-'63. It will be 50 years soon, and the VA (Veterans Administration) has been
good. VA help us, good. I like to see all this because you have to go to the VA and see the young
people there without arms, without legs or anything, that they doing the dirty work for us in
places that you have to look in the map to find out where they are. It's good to see this ordinance
that we worry about them and take care of them 'cause (UNINTELLIGIBLE). I still live in the
VA home I bought in 1968. I still live there (UNINTELLIGIBLE) all the time. I pay my way.
Lucky, I don't have to pay taxes to the City. That's not lucky. You know, they -- I go by the laws.
If Congress made the laws, I benefit from them, I take them. And this is a good ordinance.
Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, sir. Anyone else wishing to speak on SR. 2? Anyone else wishing to
speak on SR. 2? Seeing none, hearing none, the public hearing on SR. 2 is closed.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Mr. Chairman, I just want to really acknowledge --
Chair Suarez: Commissioner Gort.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- our fellow colleague, Commissioner Gort, for his action, not
just on this particular item, but several items when it comes to veterans and his support to make
sure that they are taken care of. I do -- I would like to at least put on the record with the City
Manager -- I would like to see us -- andl know at least two or three years ago we talked about
this, Commissioner Gort -- putting some sort of veterans taskforce or veterans based committee
that could look at all of the issues around veterans and how we can have an impact on them in
all of our districts, at least in the City ofMiami. I would like for us to really relook at that
committee once again. We are going to have a lot of soldiers -- we already have a lot returning
home now, so I would really want us to take this thing really seriously and have an active body
working on everything from housing to, you know, jobs, to small companies, whatever it is that
we can do to kind of support veterans. I really want us to take it seriously and put a committee
together. Andl don't have a problem with nominating somebody from my district to be involved
that's very much involved in veterans affairs, and perhaps the other Commissioners can do the
same. But I just think that if we're going to really have a solid impact on it, we got to have
somebody monitoring the process and really making sure that that's happening.
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Chair Suarez: Thank you. And I also would like to commend the Commissioner, who, in many
ways, exemplifies, you know, someone who never makes it about him and is definitely very much
a "we" person, and you know, it's -- he's definitely a lesson to us all. Thank you. This is an
ordinance, Madam City Attorney.
Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): I believe the Commissioner already --
Commissioner Gort: I read it.
Ms. Bru: -- read the title so.
Chair Suarez: Oh, very good. That's right.
Ms. Bru: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Actually, then, can you give us a roll call?
Ms. Thompson: Yes.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
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.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
SR.3 ORDINANCE
12-00974
Second Reading
District3- AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, AMENDING CHAPTER
Commissioner Frank 62/ARTICLE III OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
Carollo AMENDED, ENTITLED "PLANNING, ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD," MORE
PARTICULARLY BY AMENDING SECTION 62-16, ENTITLED
"APPOINTMENTS, QUALIFICATIONS," ALLOWING FOR WAIVERS OF A
CERTAIN PRECLUSION TO QUALIFICATIONS BY FOUR VOTES;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN
IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
12-00974 Legislation FR/SR.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
13340
Chair Suarez: SR. 3.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. SR.3 is on second reading. It's regarding
boards and, in particular, the Planning and Zoning Appeals Board. And all I'm trying to do here
is to incorporate what some of the -- some language that is in other board appointments. What's
happening here is that in the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board, you cannot name a County
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
FR.1
12-00935
Department of
Planning and Zoning
or City employee to this board. Now in other boards, they also have the same language, that you
cannot name a County or City employee. However, it does have language stipulating that with a
four fifth waiver of the Commission, you can then appoint a County or City employee. So all this
ordinance is asking that we incorporate that standard language that is applied to other boards so
if we wanted to name a County or City employee to the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board,
that it could be done through a waiver of this Commission, a four fifth waiver.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: And --
Chair Suarez: This is a --
Commissioner Carollo: -- with that, I make a motion to approve.
Chair Suarez: There's a motion. Is there a second?
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: There's a second. This is a public hearing. This is an ordinance requiring a
public hearing. Anyone wishing to speak on SR.3? Anyone wishing to speak on SR.3? The
public hearing on SR.3 is closed. Madam City Attorney.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
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, 5-0.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
END OF ORDINANCES - SECOND READINGS
ORDINANCE - FIRST READING
ORDINANCE
First Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, AMENDING CHAPTER
2, ENTITLED "ADMINISTRATION," OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, MORE PARTICULARLY BY DELETING OBSOLETE
LANGUAGE, ADDING LANGUAGE THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH MIAMI 21,
THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, AND AMENDING THE
RENEWAL SCHEDULE FOR CERTIFICATES OF USE; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
12-00935 Summary Form SR.pdf
12-00935 Legislation (Version 2) SR.pdf
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Carollo, that this matter be
PASSED ON FIRST READING PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo and Suarez
Noes: 1 - Commissioner(s) Spence -Jones
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Chair Suarez: FR.1.
Barnaby Min: Barnaby Min, Zoning administrator. FR.1 is an amendment to Chapter 2 of the
City Code to modn5, the invoice date for CU (Certificate of Use) renewals. Currently, it's on the
calendar year. We're proposing that it be changed to the fiscal year so it'll be consistent with
business tax receipts, which are currently renewed on the fiscal year.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Is there anyone from the public wishing to speak on FR.1? Anyone
from the public wishing to speak on FR.1? Seeing none, hearing none, the public hearing is
closed. Is there a motion?
Vice Chair Sarnoff. So move.
Chair Suarez: Moved by the Vice Chair. Is there a second?
Mr. Min: Just so --
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Carollo.
Commissioner Carollo: On first reading.
Chair Suarez: It is an ordinance on first reading. Madam City Attorney.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Your roll call on the first reading ordinance. Commissioner
Spence -Jones?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No.
Ms. Thompson: Commissioner Gort?
Commissioner Gort: First reading, yes.
Ms. Thompson: Commissioner Carollo?
Commissioner Carollo: First reading, yes.
Ms. Thompson: Vice Chair Sarnoff?
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Yes.
Ms. Thompson: Then Chair Suarez?
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Ms. Thompson: The ordinance has been passed on first reading, 4-1.
Mr. Min: Thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: And Mr. Chairman.
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Again, a lot of times actions speak louder than words, so you know, I --
you know, afriendly suggestion, that you meet with my office. I know you tried to meet with us.
Andl think we need to do some follow up with this 'cause I think the consensus is that this
Commission is a little weary [sic] on this particular item.
Mr. Min: I'm happy to, and I'll coordinate. And just to try and comfort the Commission, the
legislation does not change any of the pricing schemes, so none of the fees are actually being
affected. It is solely meant to update the language and to change the invoice date, but I will
follow up.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Okay. You know if it changed the fees, I'd vote against it so.
END OF FIRST READING ORDINANCE
RESOLUTIONS
RE.1 RESOLUTION
12-00957
Department of Public A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Facilities ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN
AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, BETWEEN THE
CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FOR THE PURPOSE
OF GRANTING ACCESS TO CERTAIN CITY -OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED
AT 3501 RICKENBACKER CAUSEWAY (FOLIO NO. 01-4217-000-0010) AND
DINNER KEY ISLANDS, MIAMI, FLORIDA, TO PERFORM THE WORK
SPECIFIED HEREIN, WITH TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS MORE
PARTICULARLY SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT.
12-00957 Summary Form.pdf
12-00957 Legislation.pdf
12-00957 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-12-0345
Chair Suarez: RE.1
Henry Torre: Henry Torre, director of Public Facilities. RE.1 is a resolution granting access to
Miami -Dade County to certain City -owned property, located at 3501 Rickenbacker Causeway
and Dinner Key Islands, for the purposes of shoreline stabilization.
Vice Chair Sarnoff So move.
Chair Suarez: Moved by the Vice Chair.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
RE.2
12-00958
Office of Grants
Administration
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Carollo. All in favor, signift by saying "aye.'
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
MODIFICATION TO THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI AND
THE SOUTH FLORIDA WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, EXTENDING THE END TERM
DATE FROM JUNE 30, 2012 TO DECEMBER 31, 2012, FOR THE
RENOVATION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI ONE STOP CENTER AT THE
LINDSEY HOPKINS EDUCATIONAL CENTER LOCATED AT 750
NORTHWEST20TH STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA.
12-00958 Summary Form.pdf
12-00958 Exhibit A - Facility Budget.pdf
12-00958 ReimbursementAgrmt.pdf
12-00958 Mods. - Workforce Contracting Policy.pdf
12-00958 Pre-Legislation.pdf
12-00958 Letter - S. FL. Workforce Investment Bd.pdf
12-00958 Legislation.pdf
12-00958 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0346
Chair Suarez: RE.2.
Lillian Blondet: Good morning. Lillian Blondet, Office of Grant Administration. RE.2 is a
resolution of the Miami --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Spence -Jones.
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Commissioner Carollo: Sec --
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Gort. Any discussion?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: One little thing.
Chair Suarez: Go for it.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Thank you, Lillian. Lillian, I just want to commend you and your
whole team. You guys have really been buckling down to get, you know, this center open. And
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
just so that we have a timeframe and those watching at home, what time -- what's our timeframe
for our opening?
Ms. Blondet: Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks, if not next week. Today they're doing the
final fire inspection.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Very good.
Ms. Blondet: Actually, they went yesterday. They found two (UNINTELLIGIBLE) lights in the
fire alarms that were not working. They were replaced and they were supposed to go today.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Ms. Blondet: After they do that, we have to install the phone system. And hopefully after that,
we get the TCO (Temporary Certificate of Occupancy) and we can start providing services.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So definitely by November we'll be open?
Ms. Blondet: Oh, hopefully before then.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: All right. And how many people are already hired?
Ms. Blondet: We have about 20 people on staff. We were --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Good.
Ms. Blondet: -- able to hire a great center manager thatl think everybody here has met.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes.
Ms. Blondet: He brings a lot of knowledge and, you know, it's working great with him.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Right. And all the City departments working well with you for all
of the major development projects? They're now all --
Ms. Blondet: We are --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I know I'm referring everybody to you.
Ms. Blondet: Yeah, we are approaching and talking to some of them to see if we can assist the
contractors or the City departments in hiring people that we need. And we've met with some of
the film projects in the area and we also --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Construction.
Ms. Blondet: -- we were not open, but we had a big career fair for a big company. Although we
were not open, we moved forward that activity.
Chair Suarez: We -- May I?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: One last --
Chair Suarez: Go ahead.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just want to make sure that -- I know we -- in the beginning,
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
when we started all of this, we had a roundtable, andl think some of the Commissioners actually
attended that, and it was a combination between South Florida Workforce -- we did it in the
COW (Committee of the Whole) room -- the City Attorney's office. I would like to have a recap of
that meeting to see where we are 'cause, remember, we asked for that committee to kind of -- a
committee to work with you from oversight just to make sure as we open, we're all on target.
Ms. Blondet: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So I would like to have that meeting, Mr. Manager and Lillian, as
a recap to see where we are.
Ms. Blondet: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: All right, before we open, if that's possible, sunshine meeting on it.
Chair Suarez: I think it's --
Commissioner Gort: Question. Which budget did we fit in? 'Cause I know we've been working
with the -- for the last year and a half, we've been requesting to get involved with Workforce on
our own. Which budget are we in?
Ms. Blondet: Which -- I'm sorry?
Commissioner Gort: Which budget? I know they have a fiscal year that ended --
Ms. Blondet: In July.
Commissioner Gort: -- and we were not able to get the funding originally.
Ms. Blondet: Yes.
Commissioner Gort: So how are we funded now?
Ms. Blondet: These -- this resolution -- let me start with this one -- is the same funding they gave
us last year for the construction. They extended the contract so we can pay the contractor. They
gave us new funding for this -- their project year that starts July 1, so we have to execute a new
contract for that.
Commissioner Gort: So we'll have funding from July 1 to --
Ms. Blondet: Until --
Commissioner Gort: -- June --
Ms. Blondet: June 30.
Commissioner Gort: -- 30?
Ms. Blondet: Their fiscal year -- program year is different than ours, yes.
Commissioner Gort: Okay. And that will continue on?
Ms. Blondet: Pardon me?
Commissioner Gort: We continue to get funding for the rest --?
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Ms. Blondet: Hopefully, yes, you know.
Commissioner Gort: Okay.
Ms. Blondet: Yes. It's a three-year grant -- or a one-year grant with an option to renew for two
years, so we're expecting that we are going to meet our -- all of our benchmarks and we can --
Commissioner Gort: So part of that Workforce that we're going to get together, that sunshine
meeting we're going to have, please bring us the -- all the information about the formula they
utilize to fund the different agencies.
Ms. Blondet: Okay.
Commissioner Gort: All right. 'Cause I remember at the City ofMiami at one time, we used to
receive direct funding, way back. Okay, thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. I -- and l just -- andl don't know how much Commissioner
Spence -Jones touched on this item in her comments, but there has to be an extremely close
connection between the One Stop Shop and the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency).
Ms. Blondet: Yes.
Chair Suarez: It has to be -- you know, they have -- because, look, we were at a CRA meeting --
I forget what day it was -- this week and we had a carpenter come up and talk about the
frustration of not being able to find a job and so --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. Let me definitely make sure I put this on the record. The
carpenter has a job.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Commissioner Gort: Yeh.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: He's working on a project in Overtown.
Chair Suarez: So what's he talking about?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: But -- so sometimes you just have to -- Priscilla, the one thingl
have to learn -- and I'm -- hopefully, I'm doing better -- is to just humble yourself. So you notice
I didn't really say anything.
Chair Suarez: That's true.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Sometimes you just got to let people -- let them do what they got to
do.
Chair Suarez: Let them get it out. Let them get it out. I got you.
Commissioner Gort: Friendly persuasion.
Chair Suarez: But no --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: But he is working on an Overtown project.
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Commissioner Gort: Good.
Chair Suarez: Andl think for me -- andl think you would agree with this, Commissioner -- it's
not really about him, the individual. It's about what he represents, which is --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes.
Chair Suarez: -- a community that needs jobs. Andl think we're doling out -- right now, which
we have cash on hand, $14 million for new projects, plus whatever we get in the bond. We're
going to be doling out a lot of money in projects. So what we don't want to hear from the
community is, we -- you guys built all these things and it's great because it's affordable housing
and a lot of members of our community can live there, but the jobs that were created from the use
of that money did not go to this community. And so I think it's on us to make sure that things like
the One Stop Shop, you know, communicate with that community and with the CRA and make
those jobs available to that community so that there's no one that feels that they've been left out.
Ms. Blondet: Okay.
Chair Suarez: That's all I got to say.
Commissioner Gort: Also, an additional recommendation from the -- besides all the other ones
I've given you, contact all City vendors because they do work throughout the City and they can
employ people throughout the City because the need ofjobs is everywhere. So City vendors
should be (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And let me just say -- 'cause I think it's important when we put
stuff out, that we have to be very clear about what we're putting out. In -- definitely, Lillian's
office has been working hand in hand. Willy Porro -- I don't know where he is at this point, but
have always been supportive to any projects that's happening -- and not just in Overtown, but
any projects happening on the outside. The biomedical facility, which is in the Overtown CRA,
Willy was able to get people placed from Overtown to actually work on those projects. The park
that was built in the middle of Overtown, Gibson Park, he was able, through Emanuel, to get
people placed. The reality is there's -- the disconnect becomes making sure people are trained --
Chair Suarez: That's another problem, yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- for certain jobs.
Chair Suarez: True.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And what we've been doing in the Overtown CRA is making sure
that people are being trained to transition into jobs because the problem --
Chair Suarez: Very true.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- is, you may have the job available, but then you don't have the
people that have the skilled labor to make it happen. So we have to do things on, you know, one
accord and they have to go hand in hand as we march forward. So I just wanted to make sure
you were clear. But that's the reason why in our area, we put together a lot of training programs
because that's the only way a lot of our young people or their parents are really going to even
learn a skill. So I think the way that we put it in place in the heart of Overtown is making sure
that we do both so that beyond an Overtown job, they can find work in other places and that's
what it's all about, is making sure that they're prepared and ready to go and to take care of their
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
families. So I just wanted the Chairman to know, you know --
Chair Suarez: I'm with you guys.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- between all of our institutes --
Chair Suarez: I'm with you guys.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- we probably employ --
Commissioner Gort: Lots --
Chair Suarez: And let me tell you, I have to commend --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- more than 200 people --
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- you know, constantly in Overtown.
Chair Suarez: Andl have to commend Commissioner Spence -Jones in particular because when
I arrived, I believe the only institute that I recall that was really running was the hospitality, for
training purposes.
Commissioner Gort: Right.
Chair Suarez: It was really only the Hospitality Institute. Now I think we have three or four or
five job -training programs. And what think is neat is that we're training people for jobs in
industries that we know need jobs, number one; and industries that will need jobs --
Commissioner Gort: Right.
Chair Suarez: -- number two; and industries that we're trying to attract to the City ofMiami,
number three. Andl also have to commend the Vice Chair on that because he's been a very big
proponent of trying to get one of those major industries, which is the film and entertainment
industry -- we have some members of the audience here from that industry -- to come to the City
ofMiami and make the city a film friendly environment. So thank you.
Commissioner Gort: One of the complaints we get from individuals is, Oh, we don't have the
qualified people to --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yep.
Commissioner Gort: -- perform the jobs. We -- that cannot be the excuse from now on. Thank
you, Lillian.
Chair Suarez: So it's been moved and seconded. All in favor, signift by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Sorry?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): You had already voted.
Chair Suarez: Oh, we did? Ooh.
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RE.3
12-00723
Department of
Information
Technology
Ms. Thompson: Yes.
Chair Suarez: Sorry, my apologies.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE PROCUREMENT OF WIDE AREA
NETWORK (WAN) SERVICES, FROM AT&T, UNDER EXISTING CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NO. 11-10/11; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT(S), IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM(S), WITH AT & T, WITH THE
TERMS AS LISTED UNDER EACH RESPECTIVE AGREEMENT;
ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THE VARIOUS SOURCES OF FUNDS OF THE
USER DEPARTMENT, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND
BUDGETARY APPROVAL AT THE TIME OF NEED.
12-00723 Summary Form.pdf
12-00723 Award Recommendation Form.pdf
12-00723 Private Line Srvc. Tariff.pdf
12-00723 Letter to Commission - Miami Beach.pdf
12-00723AT&T's Response.pdf
12-00723 Legislation.pdf
12-00723 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Carollo, that this
matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff
R-12-0347
Chair Suarez: RE.3. We're going to miss you. We really are going to miss you. And just the way
you say it, too. I mean, it's --
Commissioner Gort: Very softly.
Chair Suarez: Exactly, exactly. You never put anybody on front street. That's good.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Chair Suarez: RE.3 has been moved. Is there a second?
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second. You want to say something?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You want to put something on the record?
Commissioner Gort: Question.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
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Chair Suarez: Yeah, sure.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Just put something on the record.
Chair Suarez: Go ahead.
Commissioner Gort: Yeah.
Chair Suarez: For the public.
Cynthia Torres: Hi. I'm Cynthia Torres, interim IT (Information Technology) director. RE.3 is a
resolution for the City ofMiami Commission, with attachments, authorizing procurement of wide
area network services from AT&T (American Telephone & Telegraph) under existing City of
Miami Beach request for proposal 11-10/11; further authorizing the City Manager to execute
agreements, in substantially the attached forms, with AT&T for the terms listed under each
respective agreement.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Commissioner Gort: Question.
Chair Suarez: Yes, question.
Commissioner Gort: Who was the previous provider?
Ms. Torres: AT&T.
Commissioner Gort: And now we going to continue with AT&T and we going to get a discount?
Ms. Torres: Correct.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Because it's more than one, right?
Ms. Torres: With reduced rates.
Chair Suarez: Can you put that on the record, 'cause I think that's --
Commissioner Gort: Yeah.
Chair Suarez: -- important that you -- the savings that --
Ms. Torres: Yes, absolutely. The City ofMiami Beach put out a RFP (Request for Proposals)
sometime ago, which the City ofMiami participated in as one of the selection committee
members. There were five respondents, and the lowest price was AT&T As our current
agreement was nearing an end, it was very obvious that by taking advantage of this agreement,
we'd reduce our operating expenses by 217,000 per year --
Chair Suarez: That's important.
Ms. Torres: -- with the same service.
Chair Suarez: That's what I wanted to put.
Commissioner Gort: In other words, we had a contract from before -- because I want people to
understand this. We had a contract before from AT&T for "X" amount of year --
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Ms. Torres: Yes.
Commissioner Gort: -- which had a specific price and it was going to come due. Rather than do
our own RFP, you were a part of the Miami Beach RFP where five people answer and this was
the lowest cost, and we were able to save.
Ms. Torres: Absolutely.
Commissioner Gort: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. It's been moved and seconded. All in favor, signifi, by saying "aye.'
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Passes unanimously.
RE.4 RESOLUTION
12-00959
Department of A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Fire -Rescue ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY
MANAGER APPROVING THE FINDINGS OF THE EVALUATION
COMMITTEE, PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ("RFP") NO.
289267, THAT THE PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
D.B.AJACKSON HEALTH SYSTEM, IS THE HIGHEST -RANKED FIRM, IN
THE BEST INTEREST, AND MOST ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE CITY OF
MIAMI TO PROVIDE MEDICAL DIRECTION SERVICES FOR EMERGENCY
MEDICAL SERVICES, FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF FIRE -RESCUE;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT ("PSA"), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, FORA PERIOD OF THREE (3) YEARS, WITH THE
OPTION TO RENEW FOR TWO (2) ADDITIONAL TWO (2) YEAR PERIODS,
AND TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ALL OTHER NECESSARY
AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS, AFTER
CONSULTATION WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM
THE VARIOUS SOURCES OF FUNDS OF THE USER DEPARTMENTS,
SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND BUDGETARY APPROVAL
AT THE TIME OF NEED; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER,
SHOULD NEGOTIATIONS FAIL WITH THE HIGHEST -RANKED FIRM, TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A PSA WITH THE SECOND -HIGHEST RANKED
FIRM, INPHYNET SOUTH BROWARD D/B/A TEAM HEALTH SOUTHEAST,
AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY, FORA PERIOD OF
THREE (3) YEARS, WITH THE OPTION TO RENEW FOR TWO (2)
ADDITIONAL TWO (2) YEAR PERIODS, AND TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ALL OTHER NECESSARY AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, AND
MODIFICATIONS, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY;
ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THE VARIOUS SOURCES OF FUNDS OF THE
USER DEPARTMENTS, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND
BUDGETARY APPROVAL AT THE TIME OF NEED; FURTHER AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER, SHOULD NEGOTIATIONS FAIL WITH THE
SECOND -HIGHEST RANKED FIRM, TO REJECT ALL PROPOSALS AND
REISSUE AN RFP SOLICITATION.
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
12-00959 Summary Form.pdf
12-00959 Memo - Recommendation of Eval.pdf
12-00959 Medical Direction Srvcs. For EMS.pdf
12-00959 Memo - Selection Eval. Committee.pdf
12-00959 Legislation.pdf
12-00959 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Carollo, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff
R-12-0348
Chair Suarez: RE.4.
Reginald Duren (Fire -Rescue): Reggie Duren, Deputy Fire Chief. RE.4 is a resolution
accepting the recommendation of the City Manager approving the findings of the evaluation
committee that the Public Health Trust ofMiami-Dade County, Jackson Health System, is the
highest -ranked firm to provide medical direction services for Department of Fire -Rescue;
authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a professional services agreement for a
period of three years, with the option for two additional two-year periods.
Chair Suarez: Is there a motion?
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Commissioner Carollo: Move it.
Chair Suarez: Moved and seconded. All in favor, signift by saying "aye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: RE.5.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Mr. Chairman, I do just have one question.
Chair Suarez: Yeah, of course.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Can I ask a question on this item?
Chair Suarez: Absolutely.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Andl don't know --
Chair Suarez: Chief.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- I know my office did get some responses on this, but I just want
to be clear. I know that --
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): I am so sorry.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You can't hear me?
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'm sorry.
Ms. Thompson: Can you check the other mike? Is it on?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No. You need both?
Ms. Thompson: Yes, please.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: I only have one on.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just want to be clear on -- and this was my questions during our
briefings, and it kind of just got past me 'cause I was talking to chief of staff. I would -- one, I
was concerned about understanding where the salaries and who was going to be directing the
program. So I understand that Jackson Health System is actually getting it. They actually won
the bid, correct?
Deputy Chief Duren: Yes, ma'am.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. And then my question was -- just so that I know, was there
a bid protest -- any bid protest on any of this? So nobody protested it? Okay, that was my
question. All right, thanks.
Deputy Chief Duren: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Yes. We're good on that one?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I had to ask a question.
Chair Suarez: Of course you can. No, we were talking about something else.
RE.5 RESOLUTION
12-01001
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION WAIVING, PURSUANT
TO SECTION 62-619(C) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED, THE ONE TEMPORARY BANNER PER YEAR LIMITATION TO
ALLOW PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS AT THE PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 1 HERALD PLAZA, MIAMI, FLORIDA, BEGINNING OCTOBER
1, 2012 AND ENDING MAY 31, 2013.
12-01001 Summary Form.pdf
12-01001 Legislation.pdf
SPONSORS: VICE-CHAIRMAN MARC SARNOFF
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & ZONING
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Vice Chair Sarnoff, that this matter
be ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0363
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Chair Suarez: RE.5. Actually, you know what, the district Commissioner is not here on RE.5 or
RE.6. Let's wait 'til he comes back.
[Later...]
Chair Suarez: R -- I guess we can go back now to the district items. RE.5. My apologies for the
skipping around.
Barnaby Min: Barnaby Min, Zoning administrator. RE.5 is a resolution waiving the timeframes
to allow temporary banners to be erected at the Miami Herald building for public service
announcements until May 2013.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Is there a motion on this?
Vice Chair Sarnoff So moved.
Chair Suarez: Moved by the --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second --
Chair Suarez: -- Vice Chair. Is there --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- for discussion.
Chair Suarez: -- a second? Discussion by Commissioner Spence -Jones.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'm going to -- Commissioner Carollo --
Chair Suarez: You're going to yield.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- looks like he really wants to jump in.
Chair Suarez: You're going to yield, okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No. I'm going to yield to you. Go ahead.
Chair Suarez: Go ahead, Commissioner.
Commissioner Carollo: I -- my question is, can we get a definition on public service
announcements? And l just want to verify what it is because I just want to make sure that public
service announcements doesn't mean a banner on some type of beer and then under it, it
stipulates something to the fact, you know, Don't drink and drive, and that makes it a public
service announcement.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: So can I get some type of definition on public service announcement?
Mr. Min: There's no clear definition anywhere in the ordinance or anywhere.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, that's why I'm asking.
Mr. Min: What I will tell you is that it is meant to be a message that benefits the public in some
way. It is not meant to be a commercial message. This particular section of Chapter 62 only
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
covers temporary banners. It does not cover murals, which deals with commercial messages. So
to the extent it's an advertisement for either beer or Cadillac or an iPod or anything like that,
that is not authorized. It is solely a public service announcement or an event that occurs within
100 feet of the particular location where the banner is erected.
Chair Suarez: Yeah. What is --? Well, can you give us an example of what a public service
announcement would be?
Mr. Min: The example, as specified in the resolution, is, for instance, something that deals with
bike safety or pedestrian safety. There -- I've seen drafts of the potential public service
announcement which would indicate that there -- the three feet law. You have to be three feet
away from any pedestrian or bicyclist and it's --
Chair Suarez: The three-foot law.
Mr. Min: Correct. So it's basically a picture of a bicyclist with the three-foot dimension
indicating to people when you're coming up to a bicyclist, make sure you give them enough
rough.
Commissioner Gort: If this is passed, what's the process?
Mr. Min: If it passes, then it would authorize the Miami Herald to submit applications to the
City ofMiami for us to consider; that the criteria established in Chapter 62 of the City Code are
complied with; that they are public service announcements and not commercial messages.
Commissioner Gort: So it has to be approved by the City before they can go up?
Mr. Min: Correct.
Commissioner Gort: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just have a question.
Chair Suarez: Go ahead.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You have more, Commissioner Carollo?
Chair Suarez: Yeah, yeah, please.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: 'Cause you --
Commissioner Carollo: No. I just want --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- look like you bubbling over there. I don't want to thwart it in
any way.
Commissioner Carollo: -- verifi, and confirm what, you know, Mr. Min just said. So any public
service announcement will have to come to the City first for approval to make sure that they are
public service announcements?
Mr. Min: Correct. And it goes through various reviews with Fire, for instance, to make sure that
it doesn't cover any fire exits, to make sure the material is okay. It goes through, you know,
Police to ensure that it's -- obviously, it doesn't distract motorists. There's various departments
that are involved in the review process.
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Johnny Martinez (City Manager): Barnaby --
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you. And --
Mr. Martinez: -- by coming back to the City, does it come back to the Commission or just to the
Administration?
Mr. Min: The Administration.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: The Administration.
Commissioner Carollo: The Administration.
Mr. Min: The application is submitted to the Office of NET (Neighborhood Enhancement Team),
which then processes it through the various departments.
Commissioner Carollo: And excuse my skepticism, but I remember not too long ago with
billboards -- andl know that's separate from banners -- but billboards -- neighborhoods is what
-- the definition of neighborhoods wasn't what the definition that we all think of neighborhoods,
so that's why I'm asking. And the last thingl want is to approve something that -- like I said,
there's some type of beer ad or something, then in, you know, small print, it says, Don't drink and
drive. So I --
Mr. Min: And to the extent that that's a concern, obviously, the proposed resolution could be
modified on the floor. If you want to add certain conditions about what kind of language can or
cannot be approved, I'm happy to --
Commissioner Carollo: The --
Mr. Min: -- follow that resolution.
Commissioner Carollo: -- only thing is that, again, I want to know as far as definition, 'cause as
you very well stated, there is no definition in the ordinance. And you know, I read it quite
closely. However, one of my colleagues has always advised me, Don't negotiate in the dais and
so forth. So I'm not ready to give any type of you know --
Mr. Min: Okay.
Commissioner Carollo: -- amendment. But I feel a little bit more comfortable if -- you know,
that it is coming to the City for, you know, approval, making sure that it is a public service
announcement.
Mr. Min: It does. And just to try and satisfy or address some of your concerns, Chapter 62 of
the City Code, which is what this permit would fall under, has specific language that the banner
has to be primarily pictorial. So it has to be mostly pictures, not words. So to the extent that it's
advertising anything, it's really meant to be some kind of a public service announcement that is
mostly pictorial so it doesn't distract drivers that are reading the banner instead of driving and
looking at the car in front of them.
Commissioner Carollo: Right. But Mr. Min, what I'm trying to avoid, that the picture is a big
beer bottle and then under it, it has a little statement saying, Don't drink and drive.
Mr. Min: I understand.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah. You finished?
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Chair Suarez: Yeah, go ahead.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. So Barnaby --
Mr. Min: Yes, ma'am.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- first of all, let me say, you know, the Logans, I know that they're
very much involved in what happens on the Herald building and they're a wonderful family.
They do great things for this community. So I want to be clear that this has nothing to do with a
particular group or company that does the work, okay. And they've been great partners just in
general to the City. But I just want you -- so that my fellow Commissioners can understand what
my concern was in my briefing with you, can you express on the record what my concern was
about this item?
Mr. Min: It --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Outside of the fact that I feel like, you know, we need money. The
City needs money because we have several outstanding debts that we have to address. So any
time that we can create revenue, I'm trying to figure out how we drill down to that. But do you --
can you at least communicate what my concern was?
Mr. Min: I will certainly try my best. And ifI misstate it, I apologize. But believe
Commissioner Spence -Jones's main -- one of her main concerns was that she was concerned that
potentially the Herald building would be making a profit off of these types of public service
announcements and the most that the City ofMiami would charge for these permit fees is $800.
What I've explained during briefings is that these are not murals. They're not commercial
messages, which is why the permitting fees for temporary banners are substantially less than the
mural permit fees, which are, I think, in the range of $10, 000 or so. The reason they're
substantially less, again, is not -- is because they're not commercial messages. And I've received
information from both the Herald as well as the entity that would be erecting the banners that the
Herald building also would not be making a profit off of these. The fees that they would be
charging to the people that would be erecting the banners would be very low, solely to cover the
cost of erection of the banner, not for -- to make any kind of a profit, which, again, is completely
different from the murals, where they do make a substantial amount of money to display
advertising space for commercial messages.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. That's part one, which is -- I think everybody understands
it and clear. Part two, though, Barnaby, was the going out to sell the -- utilizing the --
Mr. Min: Sponsorships, correct. Another concern, which is obviously very valid, is that there
are not -for -profits that may have -- or support public service announcements. Andl guess
not -for -profits would look for sponsors. For instance, if there's `Don't Drink and Drive" and
they get a sponsorship from Bacardi to support something and then Barcardi would then put a
label or emblem on the temporary banner. So the concern is it can arguably turn into a
commercial message because it's arguably advertising Bacardi. Again, to the extent that that's a
concern, during the review process -- or if you want to include it as a part of the resolution,
during the review process --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Let --
Mr. Min: -- we can ensure that there are no commercial messages.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, let me just give you an example of what I'm saying.
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Chair Suarez: I know -- yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Nonprofit organizations go out and they have packages that they
sell for their events.
Commissioner Carollo: I understand.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, part of their event -- I'm going to give you $100, 000 to
sponsor the "Don't Drink and Drive" --
Commissioner Carollo: Right.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- event or whatever. Well, the nonprofit gets the $100, 000, and
part of the collateral that they offer could include t-shirts, could include whatever other items,
but they've also included, you know, a big mural on the side ofMiami Herald, which gives them
a lot of exposure that, quite frankly, we never see the dollars off of that because it's going to the
nonprofit and they're now using that as an item for them to raise more money. Now is that a bad
thing? I just kind of feel like if that is the case -- and I know that's what's going to happen
because -- you know, in doing events, that's what you do. You say, Hey, if you give this amount
of money, here are all the things I'm going to offer you. And the biggest thing in that package,
quite frankly, will be the mural on the side ofMiami Herald, you know. So I just -- my concern
was -- andl wanted to table the item 'cause I had not gotten back with Barnaby. I just want to --
I would like to make sure that there's some language in there to say that they're not using this as
one of their tools to, you know, get additional dollars and we don't get anything off of it. I mean,
if it's just to cover flat costs, I don't have an issue with it. But if you're going to make an extra 40
grand off of -- I just think that we need to start looking at every avenue to create revenue. Andl
didn't get a real good response from the Administration on how we could address that, and that
was the only reason why I wanted to kind of table it so that at least we can include that language
that this cannot now become one of the collateral items that you pitch, you know, in order for
you to get additional monies. That is my concern. Andl know that that's what's going to
happen.
Chair Suarez: Let me make a suggestion. And I know we've -- I think --
Commissioner Gort: You can amend it.
Chair Suarez: -- we've deferred this at least once or twice, if I'm not mistaken. But they have the
right to put one temporary banner per year, correct?
Mr. Min: That is correct.
Chair Suarez: So if we deferred it until the first meeting of October to work on the language --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah, yeah. No, no. I don't think --
Chair Suarez: -- it would still --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- I think we could get past this today.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: We could pass -- I'm just saying if we could table this afternoon so
we can get from Legal --
Chair Suarez: Perfect.
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Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- like what -- you know, just -- it's probably just one line --
Chair Suarez: That's fine.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- that needs to be added. I don't want to hold off on this anymore
and I'm supporting it.
Chair Suarez: Is that okay?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just want to include that in there so this doesn't become an
additional way of creating revenue and then --
Commissioner Gort: (UNINTET,TIGIBT,F).
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- we don't see any profit from it. That's it.
Mr. Min: If you want to table it to this afternoon --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Just table it to this afternoon.
Mr. Min: -- I can draft something in the afternoon.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And Madam City Attorney, if we can just find that one line that
goes in it, I'm cool.
Mr. Min: I can certainly --
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Mr. Min: -- draft something during lunch.
Chair Suarez: Perfect.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
[Later..]
Chair Suarez: Okay. Commissioner Spence -Jones, I think wanted to do -- let's just do it when
we come back. Let's take a recess until --
Commissioner Gort: Let's do the Miami Herald. They've been sitting here --
Chair Suarez: You want -- I know.
Commissioner Gort: She was okay with it.
Chair Suarez: Yeah, let's do the Miami Herald. RE.5. Here's the thing, you know. We can't --
here's where I get frustrated now. You know, we can't -- we cannot run this meeting on the basis
of a Commissioner's here, not here, whatever. We just can't do that. It would be chaotic. You
know what I mean. I -- until such time as the Mayor decides otherwise, I'm the Chairman of this
Commission. I was very clear; we were going to start the meeting at 2. Okay, we started it at 2
on the nose. I came into the Commission. I started it at 2. Andl said, listen, because
Commissioners are reviewing the budget, we're going to wait another half -- give them an
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additional half an hour so I paused until 2: 30. At 2: 30 the Commission meeting started again.
We have a quorum. We do business. Okay. So -- and that's the part where I get frustrated too,
because now somebody comes back and gets mad at me because, oh, why did we take up RE.5
when I wanted to, you know -- I had the problem -- I just -- you know, it -- it's frustrating for me.
You know, I'm trying to run an orderly meeting. I'm trying to get things done. I'm trying to move
on so we can go home. You know, it's just frustrating. I'm sorry, Madam Clerk, that -- I read -- I
did read it a couple of times and, you know, it did create peace in me for a few hours.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Sure.
Commissioner Carollo: I just request, you know, some additional patience and leniency. I think,
you know, there are a lot of items. I don't know whose idea it was to have all the meetings on the
same day. In the past there's been separate budget meetings and separate Commission meetings,
but the bottom line is I respectfully request that, you know, you show some --
Chair Suarez: Okay, now we have a full body. Do you want to do the Miami Herald?
Commissioner Carollo: -- patience. All you have to do is --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah. I just said --
Commissioner Carollo: -- just go see the Commissioner.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- I said before I left the dais -- let's be clear -- I support the
adjustments that was made.
Chair Suarez: Perfect.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I said it on the record before I got off the dais.
Chair Suarez: I know, but I just wanted to make sure nobody came back later on and was upset.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: O000h.
Chair Suarez: RE.5.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved --
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Spence -Jones. Is there a second?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- with the amendments.
Chair Suarez: As amended. Is there a second?
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner --
Commissioner Gort: Sarnoff.
Chair Suarez: -- Sarnoff. All in favor --
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Vice Chair Sarnofff. Guy in the end to the right.
Chair Suarez: -- signify it by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Mr. Min: Mr. Chair --
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Mr. Min: -- or Madam Clerk, do you need the amendments read into the record?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): No. We -- you did forward them to me. I guess you should
or make note of them.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You want it to be clar -- you wanted to --
Ms. Thompson: Yes.
Chair Suarez: But let --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- make sure --
Chair Suarez: -- let's --
Ms. Thompson: Just let the -- I'm sorry.
Chair Suarez: Go ahead.
Ms. Thompson: I guess he could make the statement that the amendments as been proffered and
handed to -- 'cause I have my copy here -- the City Clerk and that's what the Commission is
voting on, correct?
Mr. Min: Yes, ma'am.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Mr. Min: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: We're going to be in recess until 5:15. We'll give you an extra 15 minutes.
RE.6 RESOLUTION
12-01002
Department of Public A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Facilities ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
AMENDMENT NUMBER 7 TO THE USE AGREEMENT WITH TVM
PRODUCTIONS, INC. ("TVM"), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM,
ALLOWING TVM TO CONTINUE FILMING THE TELEVISION SHOW "BURN
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NOTICE" AT THE COCONUT GROVE EXPOSITION CENTER THROUGH
OCTOBER 31, 2013, FOR AN ANNUAL RENT OF $450,000 AND OTHER
TERMS AS STATED THEREIN.
12-01002 Summary Form.pdf
12-01002 Letter - Burn Notice.pdf
12-01002 Certificate of Liability Insurance.pdf
12-01002 Legislation.pdf
12-01002 Exhibit 1.pdf
12-01002 Submittal-Reso of the Cocoanut Grove Village Council.pdf
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, 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-12-0350
Chair Suarez: RE. 6.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Burn Notice.
Henry Torre: Henry Torre, director of Public Facilities. RE.6 is a resolution of the Miami City
Commission authorizing the City Manager to execute amendment number seven to the use
agreement with TVM Productions, allowing TVM to continue filming the television show Burn
Notice at the Coconut Grove Exposition Center through October 31, 2013.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Is there a motion?
Commissioner Gort: Move.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Is there a motion?
Vice Chair Sarnofff. So move.
Commissioner Carollo: Second for discussion.
Chair Suarez: Motion and a second. Commissioner Carollo.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you. The only thingl want to discuss in this item -- and it's -- the
last time it came before us, I, I guess, negotiated with Commissioner Sarnoff with regarding to
monies that should come to the general fund, and it goes by what you were stating,
Commissioner Spence -Jones, that we need to look at all revenues. So it was $240, 000 that was
not coming to the general fund. It was for, you know, special projects in the Grove. Andl stated
that, you know, we were under a financial urgency andl think that all revenues that could be
allowed to come in the general fund should. So since it was in Commissioner Sarnoffs district
and the monies was going to go into his district, Commissioner Sarnoff said, Listen, you bring up
a good point and what I would ask is that half go to the general fund and the other half go for
some type of project. I know it was shoreline here in the Grove.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. It's actually to take down the convention center and to put a park there.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I thought this was -- I thought the monies gained -- maybe I'm
confused in my briefing. I thought the money that was coming from this -- the reason why we
decided to support it is that it was going to go to putting the new park there. Are we not doing
that now?
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Vice Chair Sarnoff Correct. I kept the same one -- I apologize. I kept the same $120, 000 as -- I
increased the fee to 450, 000. I maintained the same 120,000 to go to the --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: To the general fund.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- general fund, and the rest of it would go towards the park.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Because I thought the -- I'm sorry --
Chair Suarez: And demolish --
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chair --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- issue was they --
Commissioner Gort: To demolish the building.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman, can I --?
Chair Suarez: Wait, wait, wait, wait. Let's get some order here. Commissioner --
Commissioner Carollo: Can continue to have the floor?
Chair Suarez: -- you had the floor. Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: 'Cause I was going to get into those details, so thank you. So what
occurred last year was that Commissioner Sarnoff actually said, Hey, listen, instead of the 240,
you know, let's have 120,000 go to the general fund and then the other would go actually to
either the park or however. I think it was shoreline -- something about the shoreline. But
regardless -- so 120 will come to the general fund. As I am reading the legislation, I see -- and
what I'm trying to prevent is a double standard because the $10, 000 is going specifically for
police equipment, which I don't have a problem with, you know, if it's coming to the general fund
for police equipment. But I just want to make sure that in the future, whenever there's something
in our district or something that we are responsible for and we're bringing money to the general
fund, that then we can actually, the Commission or the Commissioner, suggest and put in the
legislation, Hey, maybe this should go to this part of the general fund 'cause that's what we're
doing. This is not strictly going to the general fund. It's going specifically to address police
equipment issues, which I don't have a problem with. But at the same time, why not fire
equipment issue? Why not, you know, other issues? So my -- I just want to clarify and make sure
that in the future, should we have something like this in our districts or something that we're
responsible, that, you know, each Commissioner can also identin, areas in the general fund that
we would like that money to be -- I don't know if encumbered is the right word, but steered to.
And if Danny could come up and make sure -- Is this going to the general fund or is this going to
go to the general -- I'm sorry, the special revenue fund for police equipment?
Daniel J. Alfonso: Danny Alfonso, director ofManagement and Budget, City ofMiami. My
understanding is it's going to the special revenue fund right now.
Commissioner Carollo: So it's not going to the general fund?
Mr. Alfonso: No. It will be for the use of -- that were designated, including police equipment
and whatnot, but it's not loose in the general fund
Commissioner Carollo: Right, where last year it was for the general fund for us to be able to use
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for whatever needs the City felt it needed. And again, this is nothing on police 'cause I think, you
know, police equipment, obviously, is extremely important, being a former officer myself and
having to use a lot of this equipment. But I just want to verin, exactly what we're doing before,
you know, we take a vote and make sure that we don't have, you know, a double standard so in
the future, if we bring in monies to the general fund, that we could also stipulate where it's going.
But at the same time, you know, I asked the additional question 'cause it doesn't appear like we
could just bring money for the general fund and restrict it to a certain degree. I would imagine
this was the special revenue fund, which you have, you know, agreed that it is so --
Chair Suarez: Look, from my -- Let me jump in -- perspective, there's a lot of different ways that
I can go on this issue. I'm going to try to keep it to one and let all the other Commissioners
express their issues. I think we have -- just from historical perspective -- given deference to the
district Commissioners to negotiate things that are impactful in their district. I recall in your
district, Commissioner, I think we let you take the lead on negotiating some -- a lot of issues
related to the Marlins stadium. And, you know, the way I look at it is, part of that negotiations
may include recommendations as to where the funding comes from, but ultimately, like
everything else, this is a body. We all have to deliberate. We all have to make decisions
regarding where those fundings -- funding sources ultimately are allocated. I don't think we
should make a hard-and-fast rule. I think in this particular case, I have absolutely no problem
with that money going into the capital account for that purpose, just like I tried on other
instances to try to get monies to capital accounts for certain other purposes. So, you know, that's
the way I would analyze it on more of an individual basis. But I think we, as a Commission, have
allowed -- been very liberal in allowing district Commissioners to kind of take the lead on things
that are really going to impact their district because we are elected by district. So we've been
very liberal in that. I mean, I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing. Sometimes I feel like it's
a good thing; sometimes I feel like it's not such a good thing. But the fact of the matter is that we
have done that. I think the Commissioner has done an excellent job negotiating on behalf of the
City. He has a suggestion as to where the money should go. I support that suggestion because I
think it's a very needed -- you know, it's a very needed item, and that's my comments.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: And by the way, by all means, Commissioner Sarnoff negotiated a very
-- you know, at least substantially more money than last year, so I, you know, commend you for
that. And you're seeing that I'm not actually trying to, you know -- it's a different conversation
than last year.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Yeah, I agree.
Commissioner Carollo: You understand what I'm saying?
Vice Chair Sarnoff. I do.
Commissioner Carollo: Now, when we're putting, you know, $120, 000 to a special revenue fund
for police services -- and it's actually not for police services; police equipment -- it was my
understanding at the end of the negotiations that as far as police equipment, we were where we
needed to be; however, fire equipment, we were not. No? Is that not the case? Then why not
bringing this money into the general fund and allocate it to the police budget?
Commissioner Gort: No, but we got the million dollar from Bayfront Park where we can use for
the firefighters.
Commissioner Carollo: We actually have not.
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Commissioner Gort: Oh, we're not?
Commissioner Carollo: No. We actually have not.
Chair Suarez: No. We have to -- it's something that'll be discussed later on --
Commissioner Gort: Oh, okay.
Chair Suarez: -- in the budget process. Commissioner, do you have anything to add on this, this
item?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: First of all, I'm just glad it's resolved. I'm glad --
Chair Suarez: What's that?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- that Burn Notice --
Chair Suarez: Yeah, no. Thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, yeah.
Chair Suarez: Let's not lose sight of the positive aspects of it. The Clerk is not here, but let's not
lose --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: This is one of the issues I --
Chair Suarez: -- sight of the positive.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- this is one of the beehives that I stepped into and said, What
happened?
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'm just glad that the two parties could sit down and come up with
an agreement that is beneficial to the City --
Commissioner Carollo: Absolutely.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- and that will keep the jobs here in the City ofMiami. To me,
that is to be commended on both parties' behalf.
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: We value, we support and love the show being here. The only
thing thatl would like to add -- of course, this is something thatl know the district Commissioner
wants to see happen. He's finally going to be able to get his park after this. I'm hoping that the
Administration is working now to figure out if there is -- what is this, the fourth season or fifth
season? -- another season after this or another show after this, that we're working on the bigger
game plan. I just don't want us to get to nine months into the production, there's a strong
possibility the show will continue, and then we're trying to figure out where they go. And
personally, I don't want to see them leave the City ofMiami, so I'm hoping between the existing
studios that are already here, the ones that we can support, we can start working now to make
sure that that's not an issue. So I just want to put that on the Administration's time clock so that
we don't find ourself in this situation once again. The second thing thatl would like to just add,
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Commissioner Sarnoff, is that we are pushing forward on supporting the film industry in a big
way, you know, really making sure that, you know, we attract movies and television shows to this
area. But we got to get our people ready to do the work because a lot of the individuals, yes,
they are from here, but a lot are being imported from other places as well, and it's not their fault.
It's our fault because we haven't trained people up to do the work, you know. So whatl would
like to see happen with all the training programs that we 're getting ready to start with the young
people, we would like to make sure -- if you don't mind, Commissioner Sarnoff and Burn Notice,
that we try to figure out a way to create some sort of internship -type programs for the individual
that are going to be trained over the next 90 to 120 days from all of our districts 'cause some are
coming from Little Havana, some are coming from Allapattah, that these young people have the
opportunity to at least transition into actually working on sets. 'Cause at the end of the day, it's
about jobs and making sure that they have a place to work and take care of their families. So I
would like to at least, Commissioner Sarnoff, put that on the record with the Administration that
we put in place a partnership for the intern -- student internships so that they'll have the
opportunity to actually work on a show like this. So I'm hoping Burn Notice supports the local
community on that level and that we can begin to work in that direction.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. And by the way, before I toss the ball over to the extreme right, to the
small forward over there, I just want to say that I honestly believed that his idea of blowing up
the expo center at the last episode was a brilliant idea, just for the record.
Commissioner Gort: I thought it'd be great.
Chair Suarez: I don't know anything about film or TV (Television). I've never acted
professionally or anything like that.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: But his other job is he's a producer. You didn't know that?
Chair Suarez: No. Let me tell -- I thought it was a great idea. I thought it was -- when I read it
in the paper, I was like, Wow, that was brilliant, but whatever. For whatever that's worth, take it
as a viewer, as a fan. Anyhow, go ahead, Mr. Vice Chair.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Thanks, Mr. Chair. And to my colleagues to my left, I just want to say thank
you for giving me the opportunity to meet with Bob Lempchin and Mr. Miller and to negotiate
what I think is a very fair and impactful, fair terms to the lease -- or I shouldn't call it a lease,
license agreement -- 'cause Madam City Attorney would have my head. I'm not going to speak
for very long. There are two industries that I don't think the County or the City -- and we all
know the County has the funding; the City has the desire -- that we just haven't done a good job
of trying to attract, and that is film and entertainment, and that is what I'll call information
technology, IT I'm working on both areas. I won't get into IT as to how I'm doing it. I know the
Chair is extremely interested and is working with Mr. Medina. Today we're going to be having --
I think the Herald is going to be doing something with regard to our initiative with the
LaunchpadMiami. But getting to film, I still believe that we need a center, a place that has the
requisite heights, that has the requisite equipment, that has the requisite you -name -its, and still
think that's the MEC (Miami Entertainment Complex). And you'll have people nitpicking and
telling you why it isn't and why it shouldn't be and, you know, if everybody who says, Why not?
You should be saying, We should. Because there are a thousand reasons not to do something, but
there's one very good reason to do something, and that is because it is the right thing to do. Now
you will always affect somebody somewhere in the world some way by making a decision, and it
will impact some people. But if you can bring an industry here that wants to be here not because
we're great people -- with all due respect -- not because we're an ethnically diverse group of
people -- with all due respect. They want to be here because of the sunshine, the color of the
water; that's why they want to be here. And they want to be here to film so they don't have to
airbrush California to look like Florida. And they want to be here 'cause the lighting is a certain
kind of lighting. And we have done very, very little to try to promote that. Now, in the past five
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years, we've done better and we can do better. And that's why I ask you for your support with
the MEC, and that will come up later. With Commissioner Spence -Jones's suggestion, we're even
looking at maybe a charter school for film and entertainment, belongs in the MEC 'cause it is
such a large facility. And that facility, if you think about it, could probably do both jobs. It
could probably have two production studios, as well as a charter school. And you're right, you
would then have a feeder of children that go through this industry and you'd create a leg of a
stool that the City ofMiami simply doesn't have, using its biggest strength -- with all due respect,
not its people; with all due respect, not its diversity --
Chair Suarez: Beaches.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- its beaches. Right, its beaches, its weather, its sky. And that's why they
want to be here. So we make our strength, we use it and we embellish it and that's where it is.
With regard to Commissioner Carollo's suggestion, I will certainly bend. I will certainly bow to
whatever the wishes are of this Commission with regard to how the money -- the 120,000 should
be spent. I will tell you this, the one thing when I investigated as to why to put this money here, I
was impressed with the amount of money that the Fire Department could use from UASI (Urban
Areas Security Initiative), CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) grants, that are not
available to the Police Department. And with all due candor and straightforwardness to this
Administration, while we think we need 150 police cars, you actually need closer to 400. And
while you might be able to limp through your way to get to that 400, I would like to leap forward
into that way to get to that 400. I'd love to see the City ofMiami Police Department with a
whole new fleet of vehicles, because the end of the day, these guys spend their time in their cars
7, 12, 15 hours a day. I'd even suggest to you, Mr. Manager, the trend in America is no longer
to go with different color cars, but to go with the old-fashioned black and white unit. You might
want to show a great, big -- like Miami Beach did. They turned around. They stopped using the
colorful blue cars, and they went to a black and white unit. You might want to show a profound
change, City ofMiami, where suddenly we start driving black and white units. Andl understand
from certain studies that that is the best way to go. I don't want to get into the minutia of this. I
want to say one thing about Burn Notice. They were great to deal with, great people. They were
-- it was one of the nicest, kindest negotiations I've even been akin to. Robert Lempchin is an
absolute gentleman. Mr. Miller has been an absolute facilitator in this whole conversation. I
wholeheartedly ask you to support this. I wholeheartedly hope that they will reconsider blowing
up the --
Commissioner Gort: I think it'll be great.
Chair Suarez: I think it'd be awesome.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- convention center in a figurative way, and we will be right behind you in
a more accurate way. Andl hope we have a park that will rival a High Line Park in New York
City. Because I bring this forth to you and this is why I suggest to you why parks are so
important. I just recently came back from New York City. I did, begrudgingly with my wife, what
I call a tourist vacation. I went to the 9/11 memorial. I went to Ellis Island. I went to the Statue
of Liberty, andl went to High Line. Well, if you don't know what the High Line is, it's a park that
was up on a trestle that used to serve New York City. And the number -one tourist attraction in
New York City is not the Empire State building. It's not the 9/11 memorial. It's not -- I could go
with what it is not. It is not Rockefeller Center. It is a park built on top of a trestle. And the
impact that is having on New York is the commercialization of that one -mile strip is just
becoming the most valuable real estate in New York City and what was considered the most
valueless real estate in New York City. Now, if you compare Miami's waterfront to New York's
waterfront, there is no comparison. If we bring the waterfront --
Chair Suarez: Not even close.
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Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- to Bayshore Drive, you will have condominiums that will be worth
millions of dollars. And the one thing you and I know --
Chair Suarez: What does that do for our tax base, by the way?
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Exactly. And we did an estimation. If we build this park, we believe we can
increase the tax base to the City ofMiami with just two projects by six and a half million dollars.
Chair Suarez: That's the annual tax revenue, the offshoot.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Annual tax revenue, reoccurring --
Chair Suarez: Recurring revenue.
Commissioner Gort: Recurring revenue.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- revenue.
Chair Suarez: Recurring revenue, right.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. So I ask you to endorse this. My praise to Burn Notice. I hope Burn Notice,
in one iteration or another, stays in the City ofMiami, in one form or another. If it's not called
Burn Notice, hopefully, Mr. Miller will come up with a different story. I have some in mind. He
can come to my back. I have some stories back there.
Chair Suarez: Wow.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. But I will move this, Mr. Chair.
Chair Suarez: Thankyou. I think it's already been moved and seconded. And l just want to
thank the producers and the show for working with the City ofMiami. Obviously, this is a great
deal for the City ofMiami on a multitude of different levels, not only financially in terms of the
rent, but really, the bigger picture, which is, you know, all of the things that make Miami Miami.
It's the international and national publicity that we receive from a show like yours being in the
City ofMiami. That's the real benefit.
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Chair Suarez: In addition to, of course, the economic benefit of having the crews and the jobs
and everything else that goes along with it. So thank you for being a reasonable negotiating
partner, and we look forward to that last episode where you blow it up.
Commissioner Gort: And we want (UNINTELLIGIBLE) more shows.
Chair Suarez: Yeah. Commissioner Carollo, I'm sorry.
Commissioner Carollo: Thankyou, Mr. Chairman. And l just want to, you know, make clear.
My issue thatl brought up has nothing to do with Burn Notice, has nothing to do with the film
industry, has nothing to do with the industries that we should be going after that should be here .
It has nothing to do with any of that. It's actually doesn't even have to do with the amounts that
you negotiated and what's going into parks in the Grove and that sort of thing. It's actually, you
know -- I guess the issue is two -prong approach. One is, yes, we are taking in monies that last
year were going to the general fund; this year they are not. So, in essence, we're reducing
revenues by the $120, 000. Now we're putting it in a special revenue fund so some time in the
future, I guess the Police could use it for equipment, which, again, I'm not against giving Police
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more equipment and giving them the resources that they need. My issue is, okay, if you want to
put it to police equipment, put it in the general fund, raise their budget by 120, 000, put it to
police equipment. And the second part is that, okay, if an area in the district raises monies for
the general fund then from what you're saying is -- or from the actions is then the district
Commissioner should have leeway on where in the general fund that money is spent, whether
police services, which you are suggesting, or fire or some other type of services.
Chair Suarez: I have to jump in on that one 'cause that's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying
Commissioner Carollo: I mean --
Chair Suarez: This is what I'm saying. What I'm saying is there are certain facilities, let's say,
for lack of a better word, or projects, that are within a certain district and that are going to
intimately impact that district. Andl think what we have done is been very liberal in allowing
the district Commissioner to get involved hands-on in negotiating those items. Whatever
revenues off -- comes out of that, it's for this Commission as a body to decide where it goes. This
particular case, we had a Commissioner who took that opportunity and suggested one particular
use of the funds and I thought it was a very -- I mean, I can only speak for myself. I thought it
was a good use of funds. I -- you know, I hesitate in like trying to paint some broad rule which
gives even more power to a district Commissioner, which, you know, I think is already -- we're
already giving a lot of power to our district Commissioners to allow them to negotiate with -- to
the -- sometimes to the exclusion of other district Commissioner -- of other Commissioners. So I
-- that's just me, and l just want to be clear, from my perspective, what my perspective is on this
issue. I thought -- listen, a Commissioner has a right to come and -- Any Commissioner could
have really suggested where the money goes and brought it in as part of the agenda, and then we
debate it and make a decision. I just thought that was a good allocation. But I don't want to
create a rule that goes beyond that. That's just me.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. And that was my point. I just don't want to create double
standards where, you know, all of a sudden, you know, a district Commissioner brings in
revenues or finds revenue somewhere and then, again, it gets used for the general fund to any
purposes, while other -- another Commissioner, you know, finds revenues and says, okay, but I
want this revenue to go to this and that's where it goes. So I just -- I'm trying to prevent a double
standard. So it's really the process. It's not about not backing a district Commissioner because,
you know, from the very beginning, I think Commissioner Sarnoff knew that I have a long history
of backing the district Commissioner, so that isn't the issue either, just like it's not the issue of
Burn Notice, just like it's not the issue of the film industry, and it's not the issue of promotion.
What I'm trying to prevent is this double standard where here, yes, $120, 000 -- last year, I was
the one who debated for it and, yes, I guess appropriately we negotiate it, but it went to the
general fund for what the needs of the cities were, whether it was police, fire, whatever it may be.
Now I'm not necessarily -- I don't even -- I'm not even against it going to police equipment, I'm
not. My issue is this double standard where -- or possible double standard in the future where if
a district Commissioner brings in revenues to the general fund, that, realistically, on one
occasion, Oh, yeah, he could --
Chair Suarez: I don't agree with that.
Commissioner Carollo: -- he or she could say, Yeah, it goes to this. But when another district
Commissioner brings in an item that's bringing in money, no, then that person can't, you know,
say, Hey, it should go to Fire or it should go to police services.
Chair Suarez: No. I think -- first of all, I don't think district Commissioners bring in money to
the City ofMiami. I think we've empower -- and in some cases, maybe they do. But because they
find something that is not otherwise being discussed or whatever -- andl think any --
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Vice Chair Sarnoff Well, can I --
Chair Suarez: -- Commissioner has the right to suggest where that money goes. Yes.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- say something?
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Vice Chair Sarnoff You know, I hate when somebody uses the word "double standard" because
double standards are like we're not being --
Commissioner Gort: Right, fair to everybody.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- it's like using --
Commissioner Carollo: Fair.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- words --
Commissioner Carollo: Fair.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- of power.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Vice Chair Sarnoff But here's my point. I never said in this whole issue that that money, that
$120, 000, should stay in District 2. I just simply saidl think a good use of this money would be
to go to police equipment. Now, I have done -- what I have done as a result of this board making
a policy decision of not raising taxes -- and still think there being a need for further police
equipment -- I've created the HELP fund, which is Help Equip Law Enforcement Personnel. And
I have raised or will raise close to $52, 000. Now I have demanded that that money stay in my
district because that is being raised through something called the Sarnoff Foundation, which is
going through the Miami Foundation for complete, you know --
Chair Suarez: Transparency.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- transparency. And those bicycles, those fingerprinting equipment, those
radar guns will stay in District 2 because I am fundraising for those -- that equipment. But in no
way, shape, or form wouldl ever suggest that the money coming from this should in any way,
shape, or form benefit my district. As a matter of fact, that police equipment should be disbursed
citywide. So I don't think it's a double standard.
Commissioner Carollo: We're mixing the issue. The issue is that in the resolution it stipulates
that the money should go to police services, okay.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Police equipment.
Commissioner Carollo: Police equipment, which again, I don't have a problem with it. The only
thing is that in the future -- and maybe bring is not the right -- correct word, so you know, bear
with me. But there are Commissioners here that have had the ability in the past to find a lot of
monies within the City coffers and have been very general [sic] to say, Let it come to the general
fund for police, for fire, whatever the needs are; where here, we are actually not even leaving it
in the general fund. We are actually suggesting that we put it in a special revenue fund just for
police services and -- which I don't have a problem with, as long as in the future, if
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Commissioners can find additional revenues or they could find resources, that they give
preference to that Commissioner also to say, Hey, listen, I think there needs to be fire equipment.
I think, you know -- For instance, in my district, there's a lot of elderly that call for paramedics,
and you know, we need trucks that are operating for them to get to the patients on -- you know,
with a decent response time. So all I'm saying is that there should be preference in the future
also if some Commissioner would negotiate and able to find resources --
Commissioner Gort: I don't have any problem with that.
Commissioner Carollo: -- that the City may use for general -- for the general fund.
Chair Suarez: I have a little bit of a problem with that. I'll be honest with you. I don't think that
there should be any sort of a preference. I think the way it works is, if we find money -- if we're
negotiating or anything to that effect and you want to make a recommendation of where that
funding goes, this Commission can debate it and can either accept it, can reject it, and can
allocate it to somewhere else. I'll give you an example. In the next Commission meeting -- andl
didn't want to bring it in this one because, obviously, we have a lot of things coming. But in the
October 11 one, I have an update on the collections for liens, for spe -- I forget the exact
terminology.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: For liens?
Chair Suarez: Yeah, the ones where we actually place -- where we do some improvement and
then place the lien. Madam Attorney, my --
Commissioner Carollo: A special lien or a special --
Chair Suarez: Yeah, like a special assessment lien.
Commissioner Carollo: Special assessment.
Chair Suarez: Andl led the charge to try to get collections on those special assessment liens.
And those special assessment liens, we've actually collected very close to $100, 000 in that item.
My personal recommendation -- and it's going to be a recommendation that comes along with
that, which is what Commissioner Jones -- Spence -Jones also recommended -- is that we create a
fund so that we can continue to knock down houses and continue to collect and continue to do
the things that increase and improve the quality of life. This Commission can come back and
say, Look, Commissioner. Thank you for the recommendation, but we'd rather take the $100, 000
and put it into the general fund or do whatever they want. I mean, I don't think that there should
be some sort of a preference for me because I took the initiative to, you know, discover that --
those funds and then -- or, you know, collect on them and go through the whole process with the
City Attorney's office, you know. I don't -- I'm -- I know we're kind of arguing over kind of a --
almost a silly distinction.
Commissioner Carollo: Right. It's more of a process.
Chair Suarez: I just -- I'm afraid -- and you know, I think you're the type of person that -- We all
hold each other to our word, you know. Andl don't want to say something today, like we're
going to create a preference, and then later on, if somebody says, Look, we don't want to go
down that road, then it's, Oh, you know, you told us that we had a preference, you know, and
now we don't -- you know, and that's what I fear. I'm actually looking, you know, forward and
kind of trying to anticipate, hopefully, preventing some sort of a discussion or argument that
goes in an unfavorable way. But that's just why I keep kind of pushing back a little bit and
saying, Look, I don't think we should create a preference. I think we've been very liberal in
allowing district Commissioners to negotiate things that happen to be in their district.
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Sometimes they come with recommendations. Sometimes the recommendation is, Put it in the
general fund. Sometimes the recommendation is, Let's spend it on this. And we have the right,
as a Commission, without a preference or without any predisposition, to decide yes or no or
somewhere else.
Commissioner Carollo: And two things.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just --
Commissioner Carollo: Two things, andl'll close.
Chair Suarez: Sony.
Commissioner Carollo: Two things andl'll --
Chair Suarez: We're getting close to lunch.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, two things andl'll close. One is -- okay, and all I'm saying is, let's
make sure that that --
Chair Suarez: Applies all across the board.
Commissioner Carollo: -- across -- yes, applies across the board.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: That we are liberal and it applies across the board. And not liberal as
in D (Democrat) and R (Republican), but liberal as with regards to applying it across the board.
And the second thing -- andl'll close -- is, you know, police does have the LETF (Law
Enforcement Trust Fund) funds. And by the way, to his credit, months ago, probably over a year
ago, and on the dais, I asked our police chief Chief Orosa, that why aren't we using grants to
fund more police cars or to fund other items that we are -- that we need. And to his credit, in this
budget you will see that we are using grant money and LETF money to fund more police
equipment. So, you know, I see Chief Orosa there, so I commend you on that because it did not
go on deaf ear. It was something thatl thought was very doable and we are doing. So I'd like to
commend you on that. And the second thing is, as far as black and white police cars, my only
experience is, driving a green and white, that the black tops overheat the cars, so it's more of a
challenge. You need a bigger alternator and so forth because the cars overheat a lot more
because of the --
Vice Chair Sarnoff. There you go.
Commissioner Carollo: -- black and the heat.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: There's a motion and a second.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: We had a motion and second, but I do have a comment.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You want to let this item go?
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Chair Suarez: No, no, whatever you --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: We had a motion and second. All --
Chair Suarez: Do you want to comment before the vote or --?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No. I could do it right after.
Chair Suarez: Okay. All in favor, signift by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Go ahead.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: The only thing that I just want to add in this -- and don't want to
belabor a point. But it's just -- it's -- I think it is important, though, for us to know if we are
coming up with creative solutions to address the issue. Like, I totally commend Commissioner
Sarnofffor saying, You know what? I'm going to think outside of the box. I know I have a
problem in my district. I need to figure out how to solve it. And whatever revenue, you know, we
can create to, you know, make people feel more safe in my district, this is what I'm trying to do.
And the comment that -- andl also respect the comment that Carollo has mentioned, and that is,
you know, about the double standard. Because, you know, sometimes it is a double standard. I
know we don't want to say that it is and -- You know, the mere fact that, you know, even -- not
making anything good or bad about what you're doing 'cause I think you need to do that. We all
need to do that. I just want to make the suggestion that when we do create alternative ways to
raise funds, we should all be on the same page because we can all join in your efforts to help you
raise funds or help raise funds for that pot because we all got maybe similar issues. I know in
D5 (District 5), I -- I mean, the gun situation is out of control. Andl'm not going to deal with
this issue now because I really think we need a little bit more time to talk about it when we come
back. But I just would like to see if we decide we're going to do and do -- go out and do
alternative things, that that should be something that should be brought in front of us. Andl'm
just going to give you an example, Commissioner Sarnoff, just so you understand my reality in it.
The same thing that you've done with the Miami Foundation and the reason you went to the
Miami Foundation in the first place because of the transparency is what I did as well. I saw that
there was an educational need that was short in my district, that kids needed scholarships, so I
went to the Miami Foundation. We created a scholarship foundation. It was open and
transparent, you know, for kids to get scholarships 'cause it's very difficult in my neighborhoods
to find organizations that give scholarships. For the same thing you did, I got arrested for. So
there is a double standard. No different.
Chair Suarez: Let's --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You want it towards guns and addressing criminal elements; I
wanted it to empower young people so that they could get scholarships, you know. And the same
thing happened -- something different happened to me. So I'm just simply sayingl think policy
should be -- and they tell you. I ask for a legal opinion on everything now so I don't ever have
any issue because I understand that there is a double standard and that's okay. That's what it is
and I've learned to walk in those shoes. But I'm just going to make that recommendation that if
there is these funds that we create and we go out and create the Sarnoff thing at Miami Dade
Foundation, that at least we're aware of it as a body. Because when people come to us and
approach us about it or about the fact that one of us -- we are raising money, we can't even
respond to it 'cause we've never heard of it, unless we've heard it from some outside source. So I
would just like to make that recommendation that we all are brief when we decide to find
alternative ways because sometimes things are viewed in very different ways, and not to mention
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
who we decide to go raise money from, you know, the same thing, you know. Scholarship for
kids -- what you're trying to do is go to everybody 'cause you got a criminal element going on. It
doesn't matter who they are. You just want to make sure that you're raising money to do a good
thing, right? Same thing applies for these scholarships. So I'm saying, I think it's really
important that the process should be definitely make sure we all know about it and make sure
that we have it cleared through the City Attorney so you don't find yourself in the same situation
that I found myself in.
Chair Suarez: Cool. Thank you. We have already voted on the item and it's not a public
hearing, but a member of the Coconut Grove Village Council would like to put something on the
record and I'm going to allow the person to put something briefly on the record.
Michelle Niemeyer: I have a copy of a resolution with me. Andl apologize for my tardiness. We
had some internal problems getting the paperwork together and getting the signatures we
needed, so I had permission and it's signed by me for David Collins. We resolved at our last
meeting -- and this was after an extensive meeting with a lot of Coconut Grove Village Council --
or residents of Coconut Grove -- about this issue. And we want to commend you, Commissioner
Sarnoff, for allowing Burn Notice to stay for another year. Our resolution commends this
decision. We don't disagree at all. We did want, however, to bring to the Commission's attention
-- andl hope that this will be noted for the future -- that there is a paragraph F in the contract
that you approved, which is in all caps, and says that Burn Notice agrees that it will not make
any further requests for extensions. That goes specifically against what the residents of Coconut
Grove expressed to us at our meeting and was in our resolution to this body previously. The
people that came and expressed their views to us told us almost -- I won't say exclusively. There
was 1 gentleman who disagreed out of about 35. Most of those people's belief was we're okay
with waiting to have a park until this production is finished, as in it terminates of its own natural
death, so to speak, as productions always do. The people in the Grove did not feel that they
needed to limit it to one year or to two years or some specific amount of time. So that was all
wanted to express and to --
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Ms. Niemeyer: -- make sure that this resolution ended up part of your record.
Chair Suarez: Sure. You can go ahead and hand it to the Clerk. Thank you so much.
Ms. Niemeyer: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: We're going to be in recess --
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Excuse me. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I do need a name for the
record, please.
Chair Suarez: Yes, name and address, please.
Ms. Niemeyer: I'm sorry. Michelle Niemeyer, 3400 Pan American Drive, andl am a member of
the Coconut Grove Village Council and speaking on their behalf.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
RE.7 RESOLUTION
12-00881
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Department of Capital A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Improvements ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THE BID RECEIVED AUGUST 17, 2012,
Program PURSUANT TO INVITATION TO BID ("ITB") NO. 11-12-041, FROM C&W
PIPELINE, INC., THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER,
FOR THE NW 8TH STREET AND NW 14TH COURT ROADWAY AND
DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, B-30745 AND B-30746, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $425,895.25, FOR THE SCOPE OF WORK, PLUS A TEN
PERCENT (10%) OWNER CONTINGENCY AMOUNT OF $42,589.52 AND AN
ADDITIONAL OWNERS CONTINGENCY AMOUNT OF $57,411.00, FOR A
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED AWARD VALUE OF $525,895.77; ALLOCATING
FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $367,782.74, FROM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT NO. B-30745 AND FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $158,113.03,
FROM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. B-30746; AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, CONSISTING OF THE ITB DOCUMENTS AND
ATTACHMENTS, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
12-00881 Summary Form.pdf
12-00881 Legislation.pdf
12-00881 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Carollo, that this
matter be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff
R-12-0349
Chair Suarez: RE.7.
Albert Sosa: Albert Sosa, director of Capital Improvements. RE.7 is a resolution authorizing the
City Manager to execute a contract with CW [sic] Pipeline.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner --
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Suarez: -- Spence -Jones, second by Commissioner Carollo. All in favor, signift by saying
"aye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Jobs, jobs, jobs.
Chair Suarez: That was quick.
Commissioner Gort: People to work.
RE.8 RESOLUTION
12-00849
City Commission
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
DANIE, AS CITY CLERK, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 29, 2012 UNTIL
JANUARY 15, 2013, WITH A FIVE PERCENT INCREASE (5%) IN HIS
CURRENT SALARY AND BENEFITS.
12-00849 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Carollo, seconded by Vice Chair Sarnoff, that this matter be
ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATIONS PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo and Suarez
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Spence -Jones
R-12-0351
Chair Suarez: Let's go with RE.14.
Commissioner Carollo: What aboutRE.8?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Chair Suarez: We don't have a full Commission. Do you want to do it without a full
Commission? I don't have a problem doing it without a full Commission, but --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No. Can we just wait anyway? Table that 'til this afternoon so
we're coming out of --
Chair Suarez: I don't have a problem with that either.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. I think we just really all need to be on the same page.
Chair Suarez: Okay. So we're tabling RE.8 'til the afternoon. We're going to have an
interesting, busy afternoon.
[Later..]
Chair Suarez: We're going to be in recess from now --
Vice Chair Sarnoff RE.8?
Chair Suarez: You want to do something? You want to --? Which one is it?
Vice Chair Sarnoff RE.8.
Chair Suarez: You want to do --? It's not going to take -- You think it's going to take two
minutes?
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
Chair Suarez: You want to do it in two minutes? We got -- Can we do it in two minutes, RE.8,
appointment of a temporary Clerk?
Vice Chair Sarnoff I think it's pretty --
Chair Suarez: I can do it in two minutes.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
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Vice Chair Sarnofff. I can do it in two minutes.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Here's my understanding of the last conversation we had. We said we
wanted anyone who was on the A Band and who worked in the City Attorney's -- I mean, in the
City Clerk's office. My understanding is that there's only two people that fit that description and
one of them has kind of removed himself from the temporary position -- from being in
consideration for the temporary position. The person has not removed themselves from
consideration for the permanent position in December. That leaves Mr. Dwight Danie, who's
also the supervisor [sic] of elections, which addresses one of the concerns that Commissioner
Spence -Jones had, which was to have someone in the Clerk's office that had extensive experience
on elections, which is going to be a huge election in November. And also, I thought from a
fairness perspective, it was very good of Mr. Hannon -- even though I know he has a personal
situation and that's why he removed his name from consideration, we have had an opportunity to
see him in action, for lack of a better word. And so, we had not had that same opportunity with
Mr. Danie, so I think this also affords us an opportunity to see that. So is there anyone who
wants to make a motion or anything else?
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Commissioner Carollo: I make a motion to name Dwight Danie our interim City Clerk.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Second.
Chair Suarez: Motion by Commissioner Sarnoff --
Commissioner Carollo: With discussion.
Chair Suarez: -- second by the Vice Chair. You have one minute.
Commissioner Carollo: The only thingl want to state is regarding salaries and benefits. I
would suggest and request that his benefits stay the same as what they are right now and,
possibly, he gets a 5 percent increase in pay for the time that he is acting -- interim City Clerk.
Chair Suarez: And correct me if I'm wrong, that's still substantially less than the actual --
Commissioner Carollo: Oh, it will --
Chair Suarez: -- her salary?
Commissioner Carollo: Exactly. It will be --
Chair Suarez: Right, and l just want to clear that (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Carollo: What'll happen is that Priscilla Thompson --
Commissioner Gort: We'll still have savings.
Commissioner Carollo: Right. -- will no longer be with us 'cause of the DROP (Deferred
Retirement Option Plan) and there will be a vacancy, so we are saving on that monies.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: But at the same time, you're asking an individual --
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Chair Suarez: To do much more responsibility and much more duties.
Commissioner Carollo: -- to do a lot more responsibility --
Chair Suarez: Agreed.
Commissioner Carollo: -- andl think it warrants a 5 percent of his current pay --
Chair Suarez: That's fine.
Commissioner Carollo: -- for the time that he's being interim City Clerk and that his benefits
stay the same --
Chair Suarez: I don't have a problem with that.
Commissioner Carollo: -- which I think is reasonable.
Chair Suarez: I think that is reasonable. Anybody else? Yes, Madam --
Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): Can I just put something on the record?
Chair Suarez: You have one minute. You're already one minute into borrowed time here.
Ms. Bru: The appointment that you're making here is of a City Clerk with all the powers and --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Ms. Bru: -- authority of the Clerk. It's a very important position. They are the ones who attest
to documents and, you know, we have a -- perhaps a bond issue that's going to be coming up
soon, so I want to make sure that there isn't any confusion or misrepresentation about his powers
and authority. So using the word "interim," "acting" -- he's the City Clerk, but you indicated
that his appointment is not going to be --
Chair Suarez: Permanent.
Ms. Bru: -- a permanent appointment --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Ms. Bru: -- that you're going to revisit it within a certain period of time.
Chair Suarez: Andl think the reason why we also wanted to use that nomenclature is because
we wanted to make sure that we weren't doing anything that violates the Charter, which talks
about the term of the City Clerk.
Ms. Bru: Well, the Charter doesn't speak of a term.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Ms. Bru: So that's why it isn't --
Chair Suarez: I got you.
Ms. Bru: -- necessary other than to --
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Chair Suarez: Perfect.
Ms. Bru: -- express that this appointment is not intended to be --
Chair Suarez: Permanent.
Ms. Bru: -- for your purposes, a permanent one at this time.
Chair Suarez: Understood. I stand corrected.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Did -- Mr. Chair, did we come up with a schedule for the permanent?
Chair Suarez: We do have a schedule. My understanding is at the next Commission meeting, we
will be whittling down the applicants to five, if I'm not mistaken. And then is -- what are the
other procedures in the schedule?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): If I'm not mistaking [sic] -- and Ms. Beverly Pruitt is here
as well, and I'm sure she has her handout -- you were going to go ahead and decide on or select
five people to interview. You were going to carry out your interviews. Andl think in your
December meeting, you talked about making an appointment.
Chair Suarez: Correct.
Ms. Thompson: And that person would then come in in January. That's what I understand.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Is that okay with everyone?
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Yeah, that's fine.
Chair Suarez: I think it'll be similar --
Vice Chair Sarnofff. I was just --
Chair Suarez: -- to I think the way we selected the auditor general in terms of procedure, which
I think makes -- you don't want to set that in stone. That's fine.
Ms. Thompson: Excuse me.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Ms. Thompson: I just want to make sure that you're including an effective date for your
resolution. My last day is September 28, 2012, andl think you do need to put an effective date
for the appoint --
Chair Suarez: So effective Monday, correct, Monday morning? Or effective Saturday because
we need -- Saturday.
Commissioner Gort: Effective Saturday.
Chair Suarez: Okay, effective Saturday.
Commissioner Carollo: So effective -- Can we say the exact date?
Chair Suarez: Twenty-ninth, September 29.
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Commissioner Carollo: Effective September 29, 2012.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: And -- right.
Commissioner Carollo: That's part of my motion.
Chair Suarez: Do you want me to specify the end date as well or just the --?
Ms. Thompson: No. It's already in your resolution --
Chair Suarez: Okay, that's fine.
Ms. Thompson: -- the end date.
Chair Suarez: Okay, so September 29 is the effective date. I think what might make sense is to
have, before the December meeting where we choose the permanent Clerk, a meeting where we
discuss in terms of the procedures what is the process that we're going to follow to choose that
person because we had an extensive -- and you both were involved, I remember, and so were
you, Madam Clerk -- discussion, debate about how we were going to choose the auditor general
and making a process that was fair, that everyone could live with and that ensured -- that was
efficient as well. So I think we should also include that, okay?
Ms. Thompson: I'm done.
Chair Suarez: I know you're not going to be here, but okay?
Dwight Danie (Elections Coordinator, City Clerk's Office): Yes.
Chair Suarez: Everyone on that side, okay? Okay. Everyone in here, okay? All right, that's it.
Ms. Thompson: No. I need a vote.
Chair Suarez: Oh, we have to vote.
Commissioner Gort: Need to vote.
Chair Suarez: All in favor, signifi, by saying "aye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Unanimously. Meeting adjourned [sic] until 2 p.m. sharp.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Recessed. Meeting recessed until 2 p.m. sharp.
[Later...]
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I understood -- you know, when I got ready to leave the dais, I
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
told you I had to run to Booker T. Washington. I had --
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- people meeting me there. And you guys took votes without me
being here?
Chair Suarez: No. I don't think we've taken any votes since --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Oh, okay.
Chair Suarez: -- you -- Wait. Which one?
Commissioner Gort: Yes, we did.
Chair Suarez: Was there one before --?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I --
Commissioner Gort: Clerk vote.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah, you said you were going to -- I -- remember, I walked --
Ms. Thompson: I'm sorry. Is your mike on, Commissioner? I can hardly --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Mine is on.
Ms. Thompson: Can you --?
Chair Suarez: Yeah. I thinkl understand what she said. I think she says that we took votes
between the time she left and the -- I think there was --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No. I told you I had to leave at 10 minutes to 12 and if we -- and
you said we were going to close out the meeting.
Chair Suarez: What votes did we take? I think we may have taken one vote.
Ms. Thompson: RE.8.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah, but any.
Commissioner Gort: Temporary Clerk.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I requested for there not to be --
Chair Suarez: I got you, I got you, I got you.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- any votes until got back.
Chair Suarez: I'm going to try to fix it. I'm going to try to fix it. Let me just see what it is. I
mean, give me a second.
Vice Chair Sarnoff It's the interim Clerk.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I wanted to at least have a discussion.
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Chair Suarez: Which --
Commissioner Gort: Temporary Clerk.
Chair Suarez: Oh, okay.
Commissioner Gort: The interim Clerk.
Chair Suarez: Would you like us to readdress that issue?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Well, I would like --
Chair Suarez: First of all, I apologize.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: 'Cause you know I --
Chair Suarez: You're right. I apologize. So I'm sorry. What do you want me to tell you?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I accept.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. I got convinced to do it.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just want to have a --
Chair Suarez: I know bet -- I should know better. I should know better. My apologies.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, so when --
Chair Suarez: I am --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- all of us --
Chair Suarez: -- properly admonished.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- are sitting on the dais, I just want us to talk about it.
RE.9 RESOLUTION
12-00201
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Attorney ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY
AND ALL DOCUMENTS CANCELING AND TERMINATING THE LEASE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI AND OLYMPIA BUILDING
PARTNERSHIP, LTD., INCLUDING TERMINATION AND CANCELLATION OF
THE SUBLEASE WITH OLYMPIA RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PARTNERS, LTD.,
TRANSFERRING POSSESSION OF THE COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL
PROPERTY TO THE CITY OF MIAMI, ASSIGNING ALL EXISTING
COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL TENANT LEASES TO THE CITY OF
MIAMI, RELEASING OLYMPIA BUILDING PARTNERSHIP, LTD., OF ALL
COVENANTS, CONDITIONS, AND OBLIGATIONS ARISING UNDER THE
LEASE, SATISFYING LEASEHOLD MORTGAGES, AND ACCEPTING THE
TRANSFER OF TENANT SECURITY DEPOSIT FUNDS FROM OLYMPIA
BUILDING PARTNERSHIP, LTD., IN SETTLEMENT OF ANY AND ALL CLAIMS
AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE OLYMPIA BUILDING PARTNERSHIP, LTD., IN
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
RE.10
12-00363
RE.11
12-00669
THE CASE OF CITY OF MIAMI VS. OLYMPIA BUILDING PARTNERSHIP,
LTD., PENDING IN THE CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY, CASE NO. 03-28667-CA-27.
12-00201 Memo - Office of the City Attorney. pdf
12-00201 Legislation.pdf
12-00201 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Carollo, that this
matter be CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Gort
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM,
FORA FIFTEEN (15) YEAR INITIAL TERM, WITH UP TO THREE (3) FIFTEEN
(15) YEAR TERM OPTIONS TO RENEW, WITH OLYMPIA CENTER, INC., A
FLORIDA 501(c)(3) NOT -FOR -PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOR THE
ADMINISTRATION, OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING RESIDENTIAL RENTAL TOWER AND RELATED AMENITIES
INCLUDING RETAIL SPACES OF THE OLYMPIA BUILDING LOCATED AT 174
EAST FLAGLER STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33131; FURTHER AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL OTHER CONTRACTS,
DOCUMENTS AND AGREEMENTS, INCLUDING LEASES, FOR SAID
PURPOSE, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AND IN
COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE
CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, THE CITY OF MIAMI'S OBLIGATION UNDER
THE SUNSHINE STATE LOAN POOL PROGRAM AND THE CITY OF MIAMI'S
HOMELAND DEFENSE/NEIGHBORHOOD CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS BOND
PROGRAM.
12-00363 Summary Form.pdf
12-00363 Legislation (Version 3).pdf
12-00363 Exhibit 1.pdf
SPONSORS: HONORABLE MAYOR TOMAS REGALADO
VICE-CHAIRMAN MARC SARNOFF
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC FACILITIES
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Carollo, that this
matter be CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Gort
RESOLUTION
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Department of Public A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Facilities ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY
MANAGER APPROVING THE FINDINGS OF THE EVALUATION SELECTION
COMMITTEE, PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NO. 313280,
THAT SMG IS THE TOP -RANKED FIRM FOR THE PROVISION OF
PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI'S
JAMES L. KNIGHT CENTER; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM;
ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC FACILITIES
ACCOUNT, WITH FUTURE FUNDING SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY AND
BUDGETARY APPROVAL AT THE TIME OF NEED.
12-00669 Summary Form.pdf
12-00669 Award Recommendation Form. pdf
12-00669 Summary Evaluation Form.pdf
12-00669Addendum No. 2.pdf
12-00669Addendum No. 1.pdf
12-00669 Request for Proposals.pdf
12-00669 Exhibit A - C. pdf
12-00669 James L. Knight Center.pdf
12-00669 Legislation (Version 2).pdf
12-00669 Exhibit 1 09/13/12.pdf
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0344
Chair Suarez: Now we have a time certain item of RE.11. And in that particular item, as Chair,
I have asked the respective parties, since there is no official protest, to document in writing any
actions that they feel beyond the protest period could have been protested. Both parties agreed
to introduce their comments into the record by a written instrument. They both had an
opportunity at the last meeting to voice some of their concerns orally into this Commission, and
it's something that both parties are being -- it's a rule that's being applied equally to both
parties. So to the extent that either party would like to introduce anything into the record in
writing now, the Clerk will be available to accept that written document. So thank you.
Otherwise, we will introduce the item and have the Administration make its presentation.
Henry Torre (Director, Public Facilities): RE.11 is a resolution of the Miami City Commission
accepting the recommendation of the City Manager approving the findings of the evaluation
selection committee, pursuant to RFP (Request for Proposals) number 313280, authorizing the
City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with the firm of SMG, the
recommended proposer, for the provision of professional management services for the James L.
Knight Center, for an initial period of three years.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Coming back to this Commission, is there a motion?
Vice Chair Sarnoff So moved.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Chair Suarez: Moved by the --
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Commissioner Carollo: Second for discussion.
Chair Suarez: -- Vice Chair, second by Commissioner Spence -Jones. Commissioner Carollo,
you are recognized.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. I understand what you asked andl understand what occurred,
except with all the information that we've been receiving, you know, in these last few days, I think
I received a letter yesterday or the day before -- an additional letter, 'cause there was one letter
requesting, you know, ten minutes to make their presentation or make their case, and then there
was an additional letter stipulating a lot of the facts. Andl briefly read through it, but -- in all
fairness, I couldn't read through everything with all the mammoth information that we were
receiving. So, you know, I don't know if it will be appropriate that -- you know, for them to do,
you know, a quick five-minute presentation or not or -- you know, 'cause I -- Listen, you know
there's been a lot of information we've been receiving, you know, for this meeting and for the
budget so, you know.
Chair Suarez: I mean, I have no issue with that. The only concern that I have is that we had
agreed to a procedure before the Commission meeting, andl don't know if the parties are
prepared to make a five-minute presentation, first of all. And -- I mean, I really -- it doesn't
bother me to make a five-minute presentation. It's just, you know, that wasn't the procedure that
we had agreed to beforehand. So Madam City Attorney, is that something that's appropriate or
do you think it's not appropriate?
Julie O. Bru (City Attorney): Well, you know --
Commissioner Carollo: And again, with all these -- with all -- listen, with all the amount of
information that we're taking in, I'm not really sure what we agreed to or not. As a matter of
fact, I was a little confused if we even had agreed to anything, you know, so --
Chair Suarez: Well, I think there's some legal issues, as well, which have to do with protest
ability and a procedure -- a procurement procedure. I can tell you for one, I'm not very happy
with a lot of the way some of the things happen through the procurement method, andl was
going to express some of those concerns in this item before voting. But both sides had an
opportunity to make brief oral presentations at the last Commission meeting, andl think they
both put on the record what their main concerns were. I think one -- and I'm not going to
summarize their concerns. They're on the record.
Commissioner Carollo: I understand.
Chair Suarez: You know, what I thought would be in the -- you know, as Chair and as someone
entrusted with trying to, you know, run an orderly meeting, what I thought would be in the best
interest of you know, expediency and it's a budget hearing, would be for both parties, who both
got an opportunity to make oral presentations, to put their objections in writing. This is a
Commission that very carefully scrutinizes everything that's put before it. And thought that the
arguments, which were fairly straightforward, could easily be made in writing. That preserves
their right also to have a record in the event that they do want to litigate this item, which is
important that all parties are given an opportunity to put their arguments on the record. And
then at some subsequent date, they can litigate with the City if they feel that a decision has been
made that has in any way deprived them of any kind of rights that they're entitled to. That was
my reasoning and that was, you know, discussed with the City Attorney. It was discussed with
both parties. Both parties agreed to that procedure. I can't prevent the Commission from asking
questions or wanting to do it in a different way so -- I mean, it's really up to this Commission as
far as how you want to handle it.
Commissioner Carollo: And real quickly -- andl just want to, you know, just follow up on
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something. I always say here that discussion is healthy, and we've had a lot of issues with
procurement and, you know, just -- and don't want to say now that, you know, the procurement
process is flawed in this case or any case. I'm just saying there's issues that have aroused [sic]
now, before. We've had many discussions with our procurement process and thought that -- you
know, discussion is always healthy, so you know, it might be something that we might want to
discuss also and maybe use this as an example and the process that took place here.
Chair Suarez: Andl want to -- I just want to agree with what the Commissioner is saying
because I definitely have issues with the procurement process. I've had issues -- I think we've all
expressed issues throughout the time that I've been here. And it's not with the procurement
director, per se.
Commissioner Carollo: Exactly.
Chair Suarez: I just want to make sure that it's -- it's beyond that. And it's about messages that
we've been sending that haven't really been, I don't think, fully heard. And then it's just as we do
different procurements, you start to see the flaws in the procurement and you wonder why weren't
things planned better beforehand?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just want to make a comment. And as I stated earlier the last
time we heard this item that clearly, you know, I have respect for all the parties that are involved
in both of these proposals. My only concern, like I've communicated to them is, you know, it's
really important that we respect the process. It's really important that we respect, you know,
what staff you know, does to try to put the process in place. Andl know this is one particular
item that I was very much involved with when I got back because I really wanted to make sure
that we were involved in making sure we got the best deal for the James L. Knight Center. And
when staff comes back and they say that they've vetted the process out and my City Manager is
telling me the same thing and that he's sticking by the recommendation, unless there's something
that's compelling that says something different, unless, you know, the individuals protested the
issue, then we got to respect the process. And beyond that, I just -- I do want to add -- because I
had a conversation with Tim Schmand, and we all respect Tim Schmand's ability and how well
he's ran his operation. And when you get somebody like that saying that this is a better deal for
the City, we have to respect that, you know. Andl don't want to go on further 'cause, like I said,
I have friends on both sides of this, you know, argument. But I just think that we send the wrong
message when we put a process in place and then we throw it out. And quite frankly, we need to
get busy on James L. Knight Center. I really don't want this -- the employees that are working to
feel like this means that they don't have a job. So my only recommendation is to make sure from
the SMG, which are the winning bidders, that that transition for those employees, those
individuals still have a place to go 'cause I think that's important as well. 'Cause in a place
where the market is totally changing, we don't want to put people out of work either. So that
would be my only recommendation on this issue.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Mr. Torre: Commissioner, ifI can add --?
Chair Suarez: Commissioner Gort.
Mr. Torre: Oh.
Commissioner Gort: Yeah.
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Chair Suarez: Excuse me one second.
Mr. Torre: I'm sorry.
Commissioner Gort: I'd like to say I received the same letters; we all did. I went through it, but
I sent it to my Legal Department. And the Administration, I think they're the ones that got to
come back and tell us.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Yeah. From my perspective, what I heard at the last meeting was
simply that there were potential issues that happened subsequent to the protest period that could,
theoretically, be protestable. So what asked the parties, who are lawyers -- I happen to be a
lawyer -- I consulted with our City Attorney -- was, Listen, I want you to preserve your right to
protest. You have a right, obviously, to talk to any one of the Commissioners in the next two
weeks and articulate your arguments before the body that will deliberate and ultimately make the
decision. You also have the right to put whatever actual information you want to put on the
record on the record. Neither side will have an opportunity to make oral presentations because
oral presentations were really made at the last Commission meeting, and we have a budget
meeting and we have a variety of other issues that we want to take up. So it was kind of in the
interest of expediency and it was in the interest of efficiency really to do it in this process, which I
felt was a legal process and one that I think we could all agree to. And in fact, the parties agreed
to do it that way. So unless you want to do it some other way, I think we should just hear the
concerns of the Administration and then we can all express our issues.
Mr. Torre: One thingl do want to add --
Chair Suarez: Sure.
Mr. Torre: -- even though they do not have the bid protest right, we did meet with Global on a
couple of occasions, heard their issues. We've met internally on a few occasions with our Legal
and Procurement Departments. The integrity of the process is not in question. In our mind,
everything was done --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Mr. Torre: -- according.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Mr. Torre: Thanks.
Chair Suarez: Is there anything else that you want -- either one of you want to put -- or the three
of you want to put on the record with reference to your recommendation?
Johnny Martinez (City Manager): Only that the Administration didn't take a hard line approach.
They brought forward several items. I recommended deferral. It was approved by the
Commission.
Commissioner Sarnoff.. Right.
Mr. Martinez: Subsequent to that, I met with the Global team to go over all their concerns. I felt
that one of them merited further due diligence. I met with our attorney. I met with our
Procurement Office, and it was clear that they felt that we didn't have a flawed process; that the
integrity of the process was followed. Therefore, I came back to this Commission with my
recommendation to award to the person that won it through the process.
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Chair Suarez: Thank you. Any Commissioners --? Commissioner Carollo, would you like to
make comments, questions?
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. The only thingl want to say -- andl don't know what the will of
this Commission is, if it's to move forward and vote on this item now and move forward or not.
Regardless, I do think that in the future, we should have a workshop with regards to our
procurement process.
Chair Suarez: Absolutely, absolutely.
Commissioner Carollo: I think, you know, it's come up various times --
Chair Suarez: Yep.
Commissioner Carollo: -- already. It keeps coming up, and l just think it'll be healthy to have,
like I said, a discussion regarding our procurement.
Chair Suarez: I couldn't agree with you more, Commissioner. And let me express some of the
concerns thatl have just generally with our procurement. Andl would love to participate --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Did we take a vote -- we took a vote --?
Chair Suarez: No, we haven't yet. We haven't yet taken --
Commissioner Gort: No, we haven't.
Chair Suarez: -- a vote on it. But I want to express some issues before we take a vote on it --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, no problem.
Chair Suarez: -- if that's okay. First of all, I commend you because I think that's a great idea
and I'd love to participate in it. I think we've been kind of getting there on a variety of different
procurements, and we're seeing the frustration that happens when you're always given the
information after the fact. I think our briefings on the procurements could also be a little better.
And I'm not faulting anyone, but think we could go through how the committee was composed
in our briefings, what was the scoring system, why did one person get scored this way based on
the comments by the committee members, et cetera. I was told something -- and I'm not going to
say who told me -- but I later found out that the information wasn't exactly the way I understood
it. It doesn't mean it wasn't conveyed accurately, but the information was different from the way
that understood it. And it would have been something that would have really changed a
perspective. So that's one issue that I have. So there is some amount of misinformation from my
perspective. There's no pre -review of our RFPs for us to give policy input, and think that's one
of the things that the Commissioner's alluding to. We have different policy preferences. Maybe
for us, price is a big factor, maybe it's not, depending on the circumstances. Maybe we want
someone to submit one price; maybe we want them to submit a variety of prices. I think one of
the things that I'm concerned about in the procurement process is at what point is the
Administration empowered to negotiate with a party who hasn't yet been selected. Okay, that's a
concern that I have. I was told there was no negotiations happening, and it turns out that there
seem to have been negotiations happening. And then the third thing, which I brought up on a
multitude of different procurements that has gone kind of unnoticed -- not unnoticed, but hasn't --
there's no action that's been taken on it -- is we have a lot of long-time vendors, people who have
been doing business with the City ofMiami for ten years or longer. I think we need to figure out
a way to be good business partners. And think when a procurement like that happens with a
vendor that's -- they should have some sort of -- and I don't know how it can be done in a legal
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fashion, procurement wise -- and that's what I would like to discuss -- that there should be some
sort of recognition of the fact that they've been a long-time partner. That doesn't always
necessarily mean that it's a good thing, but there should be some sort of recognition for that.
We've dealt with that on a variety of different procurements here where sometimes we all know
that the procurement process can be somewhat subjective because you have human beings
looking at things, scoring things, and the scoring can be somewhat subjective. And when you --
you know, somebody could lose a procurement by a point, two points, three points. I'm not
saying that's what's happening here. We're having a more broad discussion. But when
someone's a long-time vendor, I think that should mean something. Anyhow, those are my
comments, concerns. I don't know that they -- I'm going to follow the recommendation of the
Administration on this particular one, but I sincerely hope that we do move forward with some
sort of meaningful procurement review because if this continues, we're going to lose our
reputation as a city that's worth doing business with. Anyone else? All in favor, signifi, by
saying "aye."
Commissioner Gort: What are we voting on?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You didn't vote yet.
Chair Suarez: We're voting on accepting the Manager's recommendation. That's what the
motion and the second was --
Commissioner Gort: Okay.
Chair Suarez: -- made, if I'm not mistaken. Wasn't there a --
Commissioner Gort: Right.
Chair Suarez: -- mover and a seconder?
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Chair Suarez: All in favor, signifi, by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: It passes unanimously.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Mr. Chairman, I do --
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- want to just add to what you just mentioned --
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- only two seconds. And you'll see it on my blue page item later
on this afternoon, and that is I really want us to put some process in place on all these RFQs
(Requests for Qualifications) and RFPs because we've been asking for that, you know. Proposed
RFPs go out, RFQs go out, and then our full input is not included, andl know that's one of the
things that we've been asking for, and next thing we know, there's an RFP, an RFQ out -- No, I'm
not necessarily talking about on this item. I'm talking about other items -- and next thing we
know, something's floating around about an RFP, an RFQ. So I just think it's really important
that, you know, that is also included in this discussion.
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Chair Suarez: I can promise you this -- andl will be a happy participant in the Commissioner's
workshop -- but I promise you that out of that workshop, substantive legislation will arise that
will address some of these issues. Thank you. Thank you.
Commissioner Gort: I have that on my blue page also.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Oh, it's on your blue page?
Commissioner Gort: So we all agreeing on that.
Chair Suarez: S --
Commissioner Gort: My understanding is, I have been receiving the RFPs before they go out. I
receive a couple of them already.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You have?
Commissioner Gort: Yes,
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So you --
Commissioner Gort: Thank you.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
RE.12 RESOLUTION
12-00889
Coconut Grove A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Business ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND
Improvement District PROPOSED AMENDED BUDGET OF THE COCONUT GROVE BUSINESS
(BID) Board IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOARD, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING
OCTOBER 1, 2011 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2012.
12-00889 Memo - Coconut Grove BID.pdf
12-00889 Legislation.pdf
12-00889 Exhibit 1.pdf
12-00889-Submittal - BID Budget Report.pdf
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be WITHDRAWN PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
Chair Suarez: We have a time certain item at 10 a.m. of the Coconut Grove BID (Business
Improvement District) amended budget. Is there anyone here from the Coconut Grove BID?
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Carl Templer: Good morning.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Good morning.
Chair Suarez: Good morning. You're recognized, sir. Please put your name and address and --
for the record, please.
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Mr. Templer: My name is Carl Templer. I'm the executive director of the Coconut Grove
Business Improvement District, 3390 Mary Street --
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Mr. Templer: -- Suite 130.
Chair Suarez: Was there any --? Just that there was -- just a general deferral. Were there any
specific questions at that time that they had to come back to us with?
Commissioner Carollo: No. What I asked for is for them to --
Vice Chair Sarnoff No.
Commissioner Carollo: -- provide a column side by side --
Chair Suarez: Last year versus this year?
Commissioner Carollo: Right. And --
Chair Suarez: Or this year versus next year, I guess.
Commissioner Carollo: Right. And what I'm doing is I'm looking at what we're going to be
approving this afternoon or what I -- okay, what I assume we will be approving this afternoon,
which is your budget for '13 --
Mr. Templer: '12-'13.
Commissioner Carollo: -- and there you compare '12 to '13. However, the '12 that you have
there does not match the comparison that you've given us or the spreadsheet thatl was given. If
you see here, your amended budget total income shows 1,191, 000. You're showing total income
975, 500.
Mr. Templer: Which exhibit, sir? It's upper right-hand corner.
Commissioner Carollo: It is whatever's in the backup for the budget approval of '13. It shows
the last year's and what you're asking to be approved for '13, and that is not matching what -- the
amendments that we're doing right now.
Mr. Templer: The amendments are for '11-'12.
Commissioner Carollo: I understand. But you have a comparison of '12 -- '11-'12 to '13, which
we were going to be approving for '13. However, the comparison of '12 to this amended '12
budget are not tying. I could show you the -- both documents provided by, I would imagine, you
or --
Mr. Templer: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: -- your organization. You know, can we table this so we could --?
David Collins: With your permission, Commissioners?
Chair Suarez: Yes, please.
Mr. Collins: David Collins, 3230 Gifford Lane, Coconut Grove, Florida, past executive director
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of Coconut Grove BID. I was under the understanding that this particular item, Commissioners,
was for -- to consider the amended budget for '11-'12, which we've provided in detail. As for the
FY (Fiscal Year) '13, I think that's this evening's item, BH.5, I believe.
Commissioner Carollo: Let me clam a little bit more. Let me clam a little bit more.
Mr. Collins: Thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: In BH.13, which is coming this afternoon for the '13 budget, you have a
comparison, a comparison of '12 to '13, so we could see the differences and so forth. Now that
'12 is different from the '12 that we are now going to be asked to amend. So what I'm saying is,
which is correct, what are the difference, why are the differences. You understand?
Mr. Collins: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay, so --
Mr. Collins IfI may, we're working off item DJ, the consolidated financial statement for the
current year, and that's the correct data.
Commissioner Carollo: Could we table this so we could discuss it andl could compare?
Because -- you have -- you're asking us to amend and here -- amend your '12 budget -- and here
you're showing that your total income is 1,191,500. However, when we go tonight to BH.5, I
think it is, whatever item it is to approve your budget, you now show a comparison of your '12 to
your '13. Your '12 is not matching this amended budget. You're showing total income of 975, 500.
So I want to make sure that we can, you know, tie all the numbers and see what went down, why
did it go down and so forth.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And could l just ask -- 'cause I don't have a copy -- I don't know
where you're look -- I don't have a cop -- Is this a new document?
Commissioner Carollo: I don't know. I requested to have a side -by -side comparison of what's
being amended and they provided it to my office. I don't know if they provided it to all the
Commissioners or not.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah. Can we just get a copy of whatever that is 'cause I have no
--? I mean, I just want to be able to see what --
Commissioner Gort: Let me ask a question.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- you're talking about.
Chair Suarez: Yes, Commissioner.
Commissioner Gort: You're making a comparison on the one we received about a week ago to
the one here this afternoon, right?
Commissioner Carollo: Well, even the one --
Commissioner Gort: It's a different --
Commissioner Carollo: -- that we received a week ago, realistically, is the one that we're going
to be voting on this afternoon, so it hasn't changed. However, there's an amended budget now
that should be the same as the comparison for tonight.
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Commissioner Gort: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: Because, if not, in essence --
Chair Suarez: Here's my question, Is what we are amending -- because we're amending this
budget. There's a difference between what we actually have in our current budget versus what
we are amending. Is it that you have that actual -- what's the current budget in that comparison
for next year 'cause we had not yet amended the budget?
Mr. Collins: Right. The --IfI may, sir?
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Mr. Collins: The consolidated statement, which you all have -- and it is an 11-month statement,
through end of August this year -- that is the accurate information and that consolidated
statement was generated about a week ago to have it absolutely up to speed. There are several
budgets that we work with, but the one that is -- that contains, Commissioner Carollo, the actual
and the budget and the side -by -side comparisons is document D1, document D1, in front of you.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. I think might be able to help.
Mr. Collins: Okay, thank you.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. What ended up happening was they took in more revenue than what they
anticipated and budgeted for as a result of good practices. I think what -- and I don't have the
document in front of me, but I'm going to ask that Commissioner Carollo -- I think what he's
saying is based on -- you had provided to this Commission comparisons of the '11-'12 budget to
the '12-'13 budget. The '11-'12 budget numbers reflect --
Chair Suarez: The current budget, not what's been amended.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- right. They don't reflect --
Chair Suarez: Right, right.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- the amended budget, which would --
Chair Suarez: It hasn't been amended yet.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- show an enhancement --
Chair Suarez: We haven't amended it yet.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Right.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. So you're sort of asking --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- a very difficult question.
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Commissioner Carollo: No, not really, because if you show what we originally approved and the
amended side by side, you will clearly then see what the amendment is and what increased in
revenue.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Well, I think what you're asking for --
Commissioner Carollo: Now --
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- is for them to have -- I don't mean to step over you, butt might be able to
help you. You're asking them for, What was your budget, what is your amendment, and then
what is your '13-'14?
Commissioner Carollo: Yes. And they provided that. However, it is erroneous to what they've
provided for the information for tonight. It does not -- if what they're -- if what he's saying --
which I believe is what he's saying -- is that the reason why the budget comparison for tonight
was because that was the original '11-'12 budget, then I should be able to see that original
'11-'12 budget in this comparison that he's showing side by side of the original '11-'12 budget to
the amended, and it's not. It's erroneous.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. You're saying --
Commissioner Carollo: It's not tying.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- they're not -- the numbers don't reflect or they just didn't do the
comparison?
Commissioner Carollo: They did a comparison, butl don't know what we're amending because
the same numbers that he's showing as the original budget is the same numbers that he's
showing as amended budget. However, when you compare the numbers of the original budget to
what supposedly was the original budget that he's showing for the comparison to later vote on
tonight, they are different numbers. They're not tying. And again, if we can table this, I could
show exactly what I'm discussing.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. All right, then let's table it.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Mr. Collins: One of the confusing factors, Commissioner, is maybe that -- as we should have
been doing since the outset, we -- in the new budget, we've included the capital expenditures
below the line so that they're not reflected as part of the operating budget. That particular
adjustment will affect, I believe, about $150, 000 as the eye looks at it. But if you look at the
proposed budget, it's below the line for capital, and in last year's proposed budget, it was above
the line.
Commissioner Carollo: Again, I think we should table it and look at it. I know it may sound
confusing, but it actually is not. It's pretty clear. So I would like to be able to tie the numbers
before going forward, if possible.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So we're tabling it?
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, table.
Chair Suarez: We're tabling the item until you've had an opportunity to have a discussion with
the Commissioner.
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Commissioner Spence -Jones: And if he just could make sure the other Commissioners get a copy
of that document.
Chair Suarez: You got it.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I --
Chair Suarez: And obviously, whatever resolution comes of the meeting, you know, whatever
documents are produced, if any, that reconciles the difference, we'd like to see that as well.
Okay, guys. Thank you.
Mr. Collins: May I ask more explicitly what exactly is wanted?
Chair Suarez: You can ask him specifically.
Mr. Collins: Okay.
Chair Suarez: You can ask him --
Mr. Collins: Thank you, sir.
Chair Suarez: -- specifically. Thank you.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: 'Cause I'm -- David, I'm just a little -- maybe I just need to be
clear of what you're asking for 'cause I don't really see what the -- Oh, I don't -- I just want to be
clear --
Chair Suarez: Okay. Do you want --?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- what it is --
Chair Suarez: Yeah. Just articulate real quick what it is --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- so we can look at it.
Chair Suarez: -- specifically so that we can move on.
Commissioner Carollo: I'll tell you what. I've tried to articulate -- andl know it's confusing.
It's much easier just to show you.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Commissioner Gort: They got different numbers.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Commissioner Carollo: This is the original '12 budget that supposedly we approved.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: This is the amended.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay, this should be the difference. Okay, so this is now what we're
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trying to approve --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: -- but this is the original.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay, when you compare the original --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: right.
Commissioner Carollo: -- to their -- what they want to approve for '13 -- that'll be tonight -- 975
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Oh, I see.
Commissioner Carollo: -- 19 -- 500.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, I see what you're saying. You understand what he's saying?
Commissioner Carollo: So we need --
Mr. Collins: Yes, and l just explained the discrepancy. (UNINTET,TIGIBT,F).
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. If we could table the item --
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): I'm sorry.
Commissioner Carollo: -- and make sure that (UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Oh, I'm sorry, Madam Clerk.
Ms. Thompson: No. I -- we didn't get --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: We got to talk on the mike.
Ms. Thompson: Yes. We didn't get --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Ms. Thompson: -- Mr. Collins's comments on the mike.
Chair Suarez: Mr. Collins, can you just reiterate what you said on the microphone, please?
Mr. Collins: I said that was the exact discrepancy I just explained 30 seconds ago.
Chair Suarez: Okay, thank you.
Mr. Collins: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: So now we will reconcile that discrepancy hopefully.
Commissioner Carollo: And just real quick, I think the discrepancy is about 96,000. You were
talking about 150, 000. No?
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Mr. Collins: It's on the page there, the amount.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay, so --
Vice Chair Sarnoff So would you make --
Commissioner Carollo: -- like I said --
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- would you --?
Commissioner Carollo: -- can we table it?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Here's what I'm asking: Would you make 15 minutes for them, either at
lunch or -- so that --
Commissioner Carollo: Absolutely.
Vice Chair Sarnoff So he'll give you 15 minutes to go through it --
Mr. Collins: Thank you.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- and then you'll come back right after lunch.
Mr. Collins: Okay.
Chair Suarez: Sounds good.
Mr. Collins: Thank you very much, Commissioner.
Mr. Templer: Thank you.
[Later..]
Chair Suarez: I was told in the break that the Administration was withdrawing RE.12, which is
the amended BID (Business Improvement District). Is that accurate?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Why?
Chair Suarez: They were told -- I was told that they didn't need to amend the budget after all, so
is that -- is everybody okay with that? I mean --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I mean, what's the iss --? I mean -- District Commissioner, is
there an issue with it?
Vice Chair Sarnoff No. I -- they didn't change their budget. They changed their line items, so it
does -- apparently, it doesn't need to come back to Commission.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Oh, okay.
Chair Suarez: So is there a motion --? Do we --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So --
Chair Suarez: -- need to withdraw it?
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RE.13
12-00996
Department of
Finance
RE.14
12-00971
Vice Chair Sarnoff So move.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Commissioner Gort: What's the --
Chair Suarez: Moved by the Vice Chair, second by --
Commissioner Gort: Wait a minute. What's the motion?
Chair Suarez: The motion is to withdraw RE.12 --
Commissioner Gort: Okay.
Chair Suarez: -- which is an amended budget for this current fiscal year for the BID. It's been
moved and seconded. All in favor, signifi, by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Usually, withdrawals are not controversial, usually.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I know.
Chair Suarez: Okay. I think everything else we had tabled.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO TRANSFER FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $180,000,
FROM ONE BUDGETARY LINE ITEM (512000 PERSONNEL) TO ANOTHER
BUDGETARY LINE ITEM (531000 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES) WITHIN THE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, GENERAL FUND, AS STATED HEREIN.
12-00996 Summary Form.pdf
12-00996 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Carollo, that this
matter be WITHDRAWN PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Gort
SEOPW Community
Redevelopment
Agency
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY ("CRA") TO EXECUTE A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
("COUNTY") AND THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY"), TO RESOLVE THE DISPUTE
BETWEEN THE CRA, THE CITY AND THE COUNTY REGARDING
OWNERSHIP OF BLOCK 45 AND BLOCK 56, NORTH CITY OF MIAMI,
ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK "B', AT
PAGE 41 OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
AND PORTIONS OF BLOCK 36 OF P.W. WHITES RE -SUB, ACCORDING TO
THE PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK "B" AT PAGE 34 OF THE
PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, WHICH THE
COUNTY CLAIMS REVERTED TO THE COUNTY; AUTHORIZING THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AND AMEND ALL DOCUMENTS
NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE
SPECIAL COUNSEL.
12-00971 Memo - SEOPW CRA.pdf
12-00971 Legislation.pdf
12-00971 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be WITHDRAWN PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 2 - Commissioner(s) Sarnoff and Carollo
Chair Suarez: RE.14.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Commissioner Carollo is going to make sure we get home at 10
o'clock tonight.
Chair Suarez: Yeah, absolutely. I think that's a good target. I think -- we still have to beat the
County.
Commissioner Carollo: Don't forget last meeting --
Chair Suarez: Who asked the questions?
Commissioner Carollo: Don't -- let's --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No. I did all of mine so that you'll --
Chair Suarez: There we go, there we go.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Listen, I did all of my questions last meeting to make sure we
didn't come to the last meeting --
Chair Suarez: That you didn't do it this --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- asking a million and one --
Chair Suarez: Andl have an interesting strategy, which is to put my three months of due
diligence on the record --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Right.
Chair Suarez: -- in terms of all the writings of back and forth.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Right, and that was a beautiful strategy.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: But I want to make sure that we all did that in some capacity.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Okay, RE.14. Let's not get off track here.
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Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah, I think we're withdrawing it.
Chair Suarez: You're withdrawing that? Okay. You want to -- Do we have to make a motion for
that, Madam Clerk? Is there a motion to withdraw?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Spence -Jones. Is there a second?
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Gort. All in favor, signift by saying aye.
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: RE (Resolution) --
Commissioner Carollo: I (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Commissioner.
Chair Suarez: Okay, there you go. RE.14 is withdrawn.
RE.15 RESOLUTION
12-01031
Department of Police A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ESTABLISHING A NEW SPECIAL REVENUE PROJECT
ENTITLED: "FY 12 SOLVING COLD CASES WITH DNA," CONSISTING OFA
GRANTAWARD FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $500,000;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE GRANT
AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, AND ANY
OTHER DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE ACCEPTANCE
AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE GRANT AWARD.
12-01031 Summary Form.pdf
12-01031 Memo - Emergency Item.pdf
12-01031 Legislation.pdf
12-01031 Exhibit 1.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Vice Chair Sarnoff, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
R-12-0352
Commissioner Spence -Jones: But can we go to my --? I think have some items as well, another
item, an -- RE.15.
Chair Suarez: Let's go for it, 15 and 16.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Chair Suarez: See, I'm going to get you back, let you do RE.15 now.
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Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, 15 and 16. I think 15 is a DOJ (Department ofJustice)
thing. That's Department of Police, and then mine is 16.
Chair Suarez: Correct.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So I don't know if there's anybody for police for 15. Police?
Chair Suarez: Do you want the money?
Chief Manuel Orosa (Police): I thought we were in P&Z (Planning & Zoning). My apologies.
Chair Suarez: We were a second ago.
Chief Orosa: Okay, my apologies. Basically, this is a renewal of a grant we have from the
Department of Justice that last time around we got $415, 000. This time we're at half a million.
And it's basically dealing with the process of investigating DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) that we
have in our evidence vault from old cases and bringing them forward towards prosecution. Or, if
we don't discover any DNA, we can put those cases at rest, that there's nothing else we can do
with them. The money, it goes to pay overtime to pay officers and to pay the lab.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Is there a motion on RE.15?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So move.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Second.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Spence -Jones, second by the Vice Chair. Any further
discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, signify by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Andl do have a discussion.
Chair Suarez: On 15 or 16?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah, Chief.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: 15. So, Chief you know -- I know you know we just got back from
D.C. (District of Columbia) with the Department of Justice, kind of meeting with them on several
different issues. And most -- basically was more centered around the community policing part of
it. I believe DOJ has dollars set aside for just community policing, intervention/prevention type
programs.
Chief Orosa: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Andl know that we have not really filed for those type of grants in
the past. And I just want to -- I don't know if you guys use the City's grants department or you
use somebody on staff that focuses on what grants you go after, but I do know that in that
meeting with DOJ, they mentioned that we had not really gone after the community policing
grants; that we have gone after the grants for additional officers, which we need to continue to
do that.
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Chief Orosa: Right.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: But we know how bad we need the intervention/prevention related
dollars. So who does the -- who goes after the actual grants? Is it a City grants thing or is it
something you guys do in-house?
Chief Orosa: Actually, we have both. Lillian Blondet goes after grants, and we have a lady by
the name of Maria Gonzalez --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Chief Orosa: -- that manages all our grants, and she goes after grants.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Grants too.
Chief Orosa: So we try to -- with both of those individuals, we try to catch as many grants as we
can.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Chief Orosa: But we'll look into those specific grants.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Chief Orosa: I do not know if because of the COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services)
grant, we're not entitled to go after --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No. She said you -- we're more than open to it and especially
since --
Chief Orosa: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- we've had over -- just Miami -Dade County has had a lot of
these gun -related shootings, that we clearly have the opportunity to, you know, go after some of
those dollars. So I just want to make sure that we go after the prevention side of it as well.
Chief Orosa: Yes, we will.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Chief Orosa: Yeah. What I'll do, Commissioner, is every two months I'll -- I'll go back now and
get you the last five individuals that we have arrested for doing shootings, and we will do a --
like a dossier on their history and, moving forward, everything that happens --
Chair Suarez: In the case.
Mr. Orosa: -- in the case.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. But would you put it on the agenda, 'cause I'll -- for my blue page?
Chief Orosa: Sure.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
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Vice Chair Sarnoff 'Cause I bring up -- I'm going to -- you know, I'm still bringing up how your
hiring is going. I just want to know is it a police issue. Do we have enough cops? I suspect we
probably have close to enough. Is it a criminal justice issue? Is it a prison issue? Is it a rehab
issue? Is it --? I mean, I feel like I'm on a hamster wheel, andl don't think anybody here wants
to perpetually be on this hamster wheel; and if it's a three prong approach, great. If it's not, so
be it. I used to think it was a prison issue -- a jail issue. I should say it correctly. It was a jail
issue at one time. Then I was told about two years ago, there's been room in the jail for the past
two years. So I just want to be able to track these guys. I want to see what is going on with
them. I know what CFTS means, credit for time served, andl know what a withhold adjud
(adjudication) means. Andl know exactly when you withhold adjudication -- How is it three
strikes you're out? Well, when you get a withhold adjudication, you don't get up to bat, you
never get to swing because the judge has withhold adjudication, which means --
Chief Orosa: Right.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- if it was a gun charge, it doesn't really matter.
Chief Orosa: And, unfortunately, some of these individuals are juveniles that we hope are going
to be tried as an adult, but the first time you get tried as an adult, your record gets clean from
being a juvenile. So, for example, if we have an individual that's 16, commits a shooting, and
he's got a long history of arrests but he's never been adjudicated as an adult, at this shooting
he'll be adjudicated as an adult, but then he doesn't have a record. So they're more likely to
allow him to get some type of rehab and probation and let him out than anything else.
Vice Chair Sarnoff But are you saying that the judge does not see his juvenile record?
Chief Orosa: When they get adjudicated as an adult, the juvenile records should not count
towards --
Commissioner Gort: The decision.
Chair Suarez: Punishment.
Vice Chair Sarnoff An enhancement.
Chief Orosa: -- his decision. Excuse me?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Towards enhancement.
Chief Orosa: I'm not sure towards enhancement or --
Vice Chair Sarnoff Or whether --
Chief Orosa: -- the decision itself.
Chair Suarez: Can I ask a question, Chief? Is there cases where someone is involved in a
shooting -- I'm assuming the charge would be either attempted man -- at the very minimum,
attempted manslaughter, if it was heat of the moment or something like that --
Chief Orosa: Okay.
Chair Suarez: -- more likely attempted second degree murder or attempted first degree murder.
Is there situations where they're actually withholding adjudication for people who are charged
with those crimes?
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Chief Orosa: Very rarely.
Chair Suarez: Okay, was going to say.
Chief Orosa: More than likely, what'll happen is that, for some reason, the case gets dropped
because the victim doesn't come in, the witnesses --
Commissioner Gort: Yeah.
Chief Orosa: -- don't come in; and then we try our best, with the State Attorney's Office, to go
collect the victim, go collect the witness and try to force them into court. But in the middle of a
trial, if they don't show up --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Chief Orosa: -- there's --
Chair Suarez: It's pretty bad.
Chief Orosa: -- not much time to go collect them before they get dismissed. But I will do that
workup for you, and I'll provide it to you every two months, and we can put it in the agenda.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. I just want to see -- because the agenda gets everybody's attention, even not
us on the dais.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. So --
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- everybody will start following Paul Smith. That's a nice, famous guy.
And Paul -- let's say Paul Smith was the guy that happened to do the shooting. Let's find out
what happens to Paul Smith.
Chief Orosa: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Andl think that might be great, because one of these issues that
we've been talking about -- andl want to at least acknowledge your staff or Dennis -- Dennis,
can you please stand. Dennis is actually the cochair of our new alliance that we've created,
Alliance Against Violence, and it's to bring the ministers, the organizations -- I see Demetrius in
the back with Peace in the Hood. It's designed to bring all of these organizations --
football-based programs -- for us to have a united approach with how we address this violence
issue. We can have police. You know, that's a big part of it. But until the community stands up
and starts to communicate who's shooting -- because a lot of these shooters know and the
individuals --
Commissioner Gort: They know who they are.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- doing these crimes, they know each other, you know. And what
we're trying to do is really, really push to have them understand the power of them
communicating. 'Cause even though it doesn't affect you today, somebody in your family could
be in that same situation later on. So what we're trying to do is empower this group. Andl
appreciate you, Chief beyond just your normal duties of making sure we have law enforcement,
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you joining the efforts and supporting this effort to make sure that this alliance takes place. And
I'm going to ask the City Manager -- and didn't before. You weren't really all that involved, but
I definitely would like to see you become -- your office become a little bit more involved in the
Alliance Against Violence, because it is something that's affecting -- it may be affecting my
district, but it, you know, can clearly affect others' districts as well. So I just wanted to at least
acknowledge you, Chief and acknowledge Dennis for his work. Andl see Peace in the Hood in
the back. And we've been working hard to make sure we bring a lot of attention to this matter.
We are getting ready to do a school -wide tour, starting in October, against violence to make sure
our high school students understand that, you know, guns aren't an option. So I just wanted to at
least make sure that happens. I got to ask this in closing. First 48 Hours [sic], is that still
happening or no?
Chief Orosa: We are negotiating, for lack of a better word.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. Can I ask you on a --? 'Cause I can go out -- I went to
Washington, DC (District of Columbia), for -- and to the DNC. And it's really kind of
embarrassing, but you know, I introduced myself as the district Commissioner for the City of
Miami. Oh, what -- what area you represent? Oh, I said Liberty City and Overtown. Do you
know the first -- at least on three different occasions? Do you know what they said? Oh, you're
the one that's -- your district is always on First 48 Hours [sic]. I mean, that is like not a good
thing to be known for.
Chief Orosa: And --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: That's how they described me in the district I represent so -- and
it's not that have a problem with the First 48 Hours [sic], but do want to say that think that
they need to take greater responsibility by giving back. So I'm just going to ask, in the midst of
your negotiations, Chief that you ask them, just like any other television production -- and
believe me, they make a lot of money. Because First 48 Hour [sic] has been on -- I don't know,
but it's has to been on at least more than five years. If we can negotiate in there anywhere for
there to be some dollars to go back into prevention, even if it goes into LETF (Law Enforcement
Trust Fund), we got to be able to do that because they're making a lot of money off of the victims
in our districts. So I would like to ask that we include that in your negotiations.
Chief Orosa: Commissioner, I guess you were reading my notes here. What we have offered to
them is if we continue to show that per show, they will donate -- and it's up to negotiation, the
amount -- back to PAL (Police Athletic League). And PAL will be funding programs in the
community, in the parks for children and -- to keep kids out of trouble. So that's part of our first
comment to them. We love having you here, but you know, you've been free for so much time;
now it's time to give to PAL a little bit, which PAL really needs the money as well.
Commissioner Gort: And educate the community.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I know.
Commissioner Gort: We have a responsibility also. Now let me ask you a question. There's a lot
of cars that are being broken into. Out of those, how many you get report, more or less, the guns
were stolen out of the car? Quite a few.
Chief Orosa: Quite a few, yeah. I would have to go back and take a look at that.
Commissioner Gort: Which is a responsibility that we need to have. If we own a gun, you got to
make sure you keep it safe --
Chief Orosa: Correct.
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Commissioner Gort: -- keep it away from people.
Chief Orosa: Correct.
Commissioner Gort: Now the other question is the Gore bill. My understanding is, if a person's
caught with a crime -- with a gun, automatically they get `X" amount of years automatically.
Chief Orosa: Once they're convicted, yes.
Commissioner Gort: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Just -- I would just like for you to, in negotiations, open up beyond
PAL because there are a lot of other organizations that are doing grassroots things that can
touch some of these kids that are in the gangs. PAL's kids are great, andl think we need to
continue to do that, but we need to also get those kids that are really, really on the edge that may
have been first- or second -time offenders, but we can still turn those young people around as
well.
Chief Orosa: Well, we could -- what we can do is have a portion of the money go to PAL and a
portion go to LETF.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Chief Orosa: And then through LETF we can --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes, I would like that.
Chief Orosa: -- supply it to community -based organizations to help with the kids.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. Thank you very much.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, Chief.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And thank you for your patience, guys.
Chair Suarez: No, please.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Thank you, Chief.
Chair Suarez: Have we voted on it already?
Commissioner Gort: It's a very important issue.
Chair Suarez: No vote?
Commissioner Gort: Affects everybody.
Chair Suarez: It's been moved and seconded. All in favor, signifi, by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RE.16 RESOLUTION
12-01025
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Districts- A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION STRONGLY URGING
Commissioner THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO AMEND THE JOE CARLUCCI UNIFORM
Michelle FIREARMS ACT (FLA. STAT. 790.33) AND ALLOW LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Spence -Jones TO CONSIDER THE ENACTMENT OF APPROPRIATE STRICTER FIREARM
CONTROL MEASURES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THEIR CITIZENS AT
CITY PUBLIC PARKS AND CITY PLAYGROUNDS FOR PURPOSES MORE
SPECIFICALLY STATED HEREIN; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO
TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE ELECTED OFFICIALS
STATED HEREIN.
12-01025 Legislation.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
R-12-0353
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Andl think you could stay up for the next one, too.
Chief ManuelOrosa (Police): Excuse me?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You could stay up for the next one.
Chair Suarez: RE.16, go ahead, Commissioner.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So, on RE.16, I just really wanted -- I think might have
mentioned this in our last --
Chair Suarez: Meeting.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- meeting and this was in reference to a resolution that we wanted
to bring. I'm sure you guys already know, in my district alone in the last 30 days, between the
DNC (Democratic National Convention) and the Black Caucus events, which has happened over
the last 30 days, I've had at least 20 shootings in my district. That's almost close --
Chair Suarez: In the last month alone?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah. That's almost a shooting per --
Chair Suarez: Day.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- day.
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And I'm not taking anything away from police 'cause I really do
believe that it is beyond just a police issue. It's a community issue and it's a guns issue. The
guns are just out of control. It's amazing. It's almost as if a kid could get a gun a lot faster than
they can get anything else. Andl understand that, you know, during -- sometime -- about four or
five months ago, we had to vote on an item regarding the issue of the guns. And as a part of the
whole state -mandated issue, we had no choice but to vote on this issue. But what I'm asking in
this particular resolution -- and know that we've had this discussion with the Chair and I've
asked the Chair to kind of take the leadership --
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Chair Suarez: Yep.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- role on this, with -- I believe it's -- is it Senator Fresen or --
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- State --
Chair Suarez: It's State Representative Erik Fresen.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And he's agreed to, you know, kind of carry it on the --
Chair Suarez: I'm going to --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- Tallahassee side.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And Oscar Braynon has, on the Senate side, decided to carry it as
well. But I really wanted to ask for my fellow Commissioners -- 'cause the gun situation, the
violence situation is -- I don't -- at this point, I don't even know what to -- what else to do. It
seems like as soon as we get to the point where we're making progress, you know -- And Chief
you may want to speak on it. But you know, we get -- you know, a AK-47 shooting, two young
people, Optimist kids, you know, that are watching football getting shot in their own houses.
This is -- you know, it is like, you know, a little mini Iraq. So I just -- I think that we've come up
with a great plan and wanted to at least mention that. The Chief we pulled a great meeting
together with our alliance this past Tuesday with three different cities: the City of North Miami
and the City ofMiami Gardens.
Chief Orosa: Miami Gardens.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: 'Cause, apparently, the gang activity is actually going between -- I
guess it's happening between all three cities.
Chief Orosa: Correct. We --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I don't know if you want to speak on it.
Chief Orosa: -- have a lot of interconnected crimes between those three cities. And we do a
good job investigating, and we do a good job of coordinating. But I think more has to be on the
education focus of kids and guns. And when I mean kids, I mean young adults up to the age of
twenty something. As a parent, I still think that in your 20s, you're still a kid. But they're
prevalent. They're easy to get. Somebody with a clean record can pay somebody -- somebody
with a dirty record can pay somebody with a clean record. They go buy a gun, and all of a
sudden, the gun is turned over to the criminal and they go about doing whatever they want to do
with the gun. And it's unfortunate that our laws are the way they are. Andl support your
commitment to try to curtail people having guns in city parks that are meant for children. So I
applaud your effort.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah. Andl think that -- 'cause one of the issues -- and we know
the NRA (National Rifle Association) has been a big, you know, proponent of the whole gun
issue. But there's -- as you stated in the meeting we had the other day, Chief you know, there's a
big difference between a state park that you go and shoot --
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Commissioner Gort: Yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- deer in and a city park where you have young people that are
coming to watch a football game. There's really no need to have a gun in a city park.
Chief Orosa: Right. And like I mentioned to you that day, it's -- you know, Florida is actually
like two Floridas: you have the big -city Florida, and then you have the country Florida. In the
big city, you have parks for children and stuff like that. In the country Florida, you have parks
where people go hunt. So when the Legislature creates one law, it has to encompass everyone.
But I do not believe they really think sometimes that in a kiddie park, it's okay to have a gun. So
that's the unfortunate part of not delineating what type of park can have a gun and which one
cannot have a park [sic]. So like I said, I applaud your efforts and whatever support I can give,
I'll be more than happy. And one --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Sure.
Chief Orosa: -- piece of good news: the alleged shooter of Gibson Park was apprehended this --
today.
Chair Suarez: Fantastic.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Very good, very good. Andl know you also caught two or three
others as well --
Chief Orosa: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- from these other shootings. So -- and I'm not -- I want to
definitely make sure I don't -- I'm not shining any negative light on the police department. Yes,
I'd like to see more done. Of course, we always want to see more. But we also know that our
resources are very tight as well. But I appreciate your leadership, Chief on really, you know,
reaching out to the other departments or other cities to figure out ways for us to share
information and find solutions. So basically, in a nutshell, this resolution urges the state
legislative [sic] to allow local governments the opportunity to reenact [sic] forceful and effective
ordinances designed to curb the alarming escalation of tragic firearms and shootings at our city
parks. So I'm just asking for you guys to join us in this 'cause I believe that we can make some
pretty good, valid points on this issue. And again, I'm not telling them not to keep, you know, the
state law in place. I'm just asking for them to make some slight adjustment. So I just want to
know that have your support in doing that.
Chair Suarez: Absolutely.
Commissioner Gort: I believe, from the beginning we didn't want to vote for it, but we were told
you had to vote for it. Because I agree with you: I think we -- guns should not be in park. And
I'll -- you'll have all my support, and I'll call the legislator that know to make sure that we pass
it.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: I agree. Andl think there are ways to legislate and create distinctions, either
based on population for a city or based on some other legally defensible criteria. So I'm
assuming that's a motion?
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes, that's a motion.
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Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: And a second.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second. And then --
Chair Suarez: I will --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You're taking up the --
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'm officially turning it over to you?
Chair Suarez: You got it.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Chair Suarez: After we vote on this, it's mine.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: All in favor -- Yes, sorry.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Can we do something --
Chair Suarez: Mr. Vice Chair.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- else, Chief? Can we follow a number of these people who get picked up,
and can you provide to us every two months an update at Commission meeting as to what their
criminal status is, what judge they're in front of what the outcome of their case is?
Chair Suarez: Why don't we just pick one person?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Well, I think we should pick, number one, the guy who did the shooting --
Chair Suarez: At Gibson Park.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- at Gibson Park. But I don't know if I just want to follow one.
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Vice Chair Sarnoff You've had 21 shootings or 20 shootings, you said, Commissioner?
Chair Suarez: In the last month, yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Close to 20, yeah.
Vice Chair Sarnoff So I'd like --
Chief Orosa: What --
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- to see -- if you've picked up five people, you know, I'd like to know, He
was arraigned on this day, Commissioner. The judge granted him bail of $400 to get out of jail
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that day. Five days later, he was picked up on stolen property charges. He was, you know, given
Chief Orosa: I'll --
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- $500 bail that day. The judge let him out. I want to follow this --
Chair Suarez: But --
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- because my theory is -- andl go back to your former assistant chief of
police, Frank Fernandez, and a bet that he had with me, andl never won the bet. He says, You
show me a guy I haven't arrested, andl'll take you out to dinner. And never once didl collect on
that bet because everybody who did a shooting in Miami had been arrested on the average of 27
times.
END OF RESOLUTIONS
BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
BC.1 RESOLUTION
12-00949
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION RATIFYING THE
Clerk APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS ELECTED MEMBERS OF
THE OAB/OVERTOWN COMMUNITY OVERSIGHT BOARD FOR TERMS
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Betty Clayton Elected
Derek Cole Elected
Ultrina Harris Elected
Fred Mims Elected
Andrea Rogers Elected
12-00949 OAB CCMEMO.pdf
12-00949 OAB Current_Board_Members.pdf
12-00949 OAB Certification- Election.pdf
12-00949 OAB Memo to HM and Commission - OAB Election Results from Aug 15, 2012.pdf
12-00949 OAB Nomination Applications for Elected Members.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
R-12-0371
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Do you want to do the board appointees?
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Chair Suarez: For later.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I think we only have one.
Chair Suarez: I don't think we have any board appointments in this -- Are we going to do
discussion items or not today? Mine is about the financial condition. I think the whole day is
dedicated to that subject, so I don't think need to do that one.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Okay, Chair, may I --
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Ms. Thompson: -- interrupt?
Chair Suarez: You may.
Ms. Thompson: You do have PH (Public Hearing) --
Chair Suarez: Just one more time, though.
Ms. Thompson: PH.2 you have there, okay.
Chair Suarez: Yes, but we tabled that.
Ms. Thompson: Okay.
Chair Suarez: One of the Commissioners is not here.
Ms. Thompson: All right. And then --
Chair Suarez: He's the one that actually asked for it to be tabled.
Ms. Thompson: -- your RE.16, we just finished with that.
Chair Suarez: That's correct.
Ms. Thompson: Yes, you do have board appointments today, but we do -- I think we need --
Chair Suarez: I don't see them in our -- I don't see them here.
Ms. Thompson: Okay. You do -- I'm sorry. That's right, it's on the OAB (Overtown Advisory
Board). So if you would like, we can handle that, the Overtown Advisory Board, the elected --
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Ms. Thompson: -- members and the appointed members.
Chair Suarez: Oh, my apologies. You're right, there is a couple.
Ms. Thompson: Okay.
Chair Suarez: BC.1
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. All right. Yes, I have some appointments for Overtown, but
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
I just want to make sure. Did we do the issue with the mural on the side of the wall?
Chair Suarez: Not yet. We're --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Oh, okay, you're going --
Chair Suarez: I think that was tabled.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- to wait for him to come in?
Chair Suarez: Yeah, yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: 'Cause I still have to -- I haven't had --
Chair Suarez: You got it.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: BC.1 is me. Want to take a break before we go to budget?
Chair Suarez: Yes, we can.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Great.
Chair Suarez: I need -- I have a 4 o'clock meeting that have to be at.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, I got you. BC.1
Chair Suarez: Okay, BC.1. Do you have a -- who's --?
Ms. Thompson: If we can let -- Todd's going to give you the history on that.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Please do.
Todd Hannon (Assistant City Clerk): Briefly, BC.1 is a resolution that requires Commission
ratification of five elected seats to the Overtown Advisory Board. Five people qualified as
candidates for the five available elected seats, and per Miami City code, Section 16-8, an
election is not required. So as a result, the five people that qualified should be declared elected.
And for the record, the five elected members are Betty Clayton, Derek Cole, Ultrina Harris, Fred
Mims, and Andrea Rogers.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Do we have to make a motion to ratify this?
Mr. Hannon: Yes, sir.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Mr. Hannon: Is there a motion?
Chair Suarez: Okay. That's what I'm looking for.
Ms. Thompson: Yes. As you --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: There is -- I --
Mr. Hannon: Ma'am, yours will be --
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Mr. Hannon: -- for BC.2.
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Mr. Hannon: So BC.1 is just for the elected members.
Chair Suarez: I understand.
Mr. Hannon: Okay.
Chair Suarez: We're on BC.1. Is there a motion? Would you like to --?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: Moved and seconded. Do you want to discuss it, Commissioner?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just want -- you know, I really want to sit down with the City
Manager, you know, just on this board so we could really have a clear understanding of what the
direction is and what we're doing. And quite frankly, it's really my fault. This last year has been
about me catching up, but I really -- we really need to just reevaluate where we are with the
board and how we're moving. So I don't know, Mr. Manager, you've been having a City staff
attend these meetings or is there a City attorney attending these meetings, the Over --?
Maria J. Chiaro (Deputy City Attorney): The City Attorney attends the meetings upon request.
When there are legal issues, the -- there is a representative from the CityAttorney's office, an
attorney present.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. So I'm going to go ahead and move the item, but I do want
us to have clarity of what we're doing with the board.
Chair Suarez: Okay, it's been moved and seconded. All in favor, signift by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
BC.2 RESOLUTION
12-01022
Office of the City A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING
Clerk CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE OAB/OVERTOWN
COMMUNITY OVERSIGHT BOARD FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED
HEREIN.
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Irby McKnight Mayor Tomas Regalado
Andrea Copeland Commissioner Michelle Spence -Jones
Brother Lyle Grandison Commissioner Michelle Spence -Jones
Sherese James -Dalton Commissioner Michelle Spence -Jones
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Reginald Munnings Commissioner Michelle Spence -Jones
Martha Whisby Commissioner Michelle Spence -Jones
Brandi Johnson Commissioner Michelle Spence -Jones
(Youth Member)
12-01022 OAB CCMEMO -Appointed Members.pdf
12-01022 OAB Current_Board_Members.pdf
12-01022 OAB Qualifying Chart.pdf
12-01022 OAB Applications. pdf
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
R-12-0372
Chair Suarez: BC.2.
Todd Hannon (Assistant City Clerk): BC.2 is a resolution that requires appointments to the
Overtown Advisory Board. Mayor Regalado has one appointment to make and will be
appointing Irby McKnight. Commissioner Spence -Jones has six appointments to make, with one
of those appointments being a youth member appointment. And Commissioner Spence -Jones
will be appointing Andrea Copeland, Brother Lyle Grandison, Sherese James -Dalton, Reginald
Munnings, Martha Whisby. They will be regular members of the Overtown Advisory Board. And
Brandi Johnson is being appointed as a youth board member to the Overtown Advisory Board.
Is there a motion?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Chair Suarez: It's been --
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: -- moved by Commissioner Spence -Jones, second by Commissioner Gort.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. And l just want to be clear. On this particular board, is
this board subject to sunshine as well?
Mr. Hannon: Yes, ma'am. They do, you know, advertise their meetings.
Chair Suarez: All in favor, signift, by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
END OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
PART B: PLANNING AND ZONING ITEMS
Chair Suarez: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Unfortunately, we don't have a quorum at
this precise moment. We're going to try to make some productive use of our time regardless. So
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Madam Attorney, would you read --? Can we open the P&Z (Planning & Zoning)?
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Yes, sir. It's 2 o'clock.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Maria J. Chiaro (Deputy City Attorney): P&Z items shall proceed according to Section 7.1.4 of
the Miami 21 zoning code. Before any PZ item is heard, all those wishing to speak will be sworn
in by the City Clerk. Staff will briefly describe each item as it is heard. The members of the City
Commission shall then disclose any ex parte communications. The appellant or petitioner will
then present the request or may waive the right to an evidentiary hearing. The order of
presentation shall be as described in the City Code. Members of the public will be permitted to
speak on certain petitions. The City ofMiami requires that anyone requesting action by the City
Commission must disclose before the hearing anything provided to anyone for agreement to
support or withhold objection to a requested action. Any documents offered to the City
Commission that have not been provided seven days before the meeting as part of the agenda
materials will be entered into the record only at the City Commission's discretion.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, Madam Attorney. Unfortunately, we still don't have a quorum, so I
guess what we'll do is we'll stand in recess until 2:30. We have a time certain item at 2:30, but at
2:30 we'll try to get some of the P&Z items -- I think it's -- I believe it's half of the P&Z agenda --
continued or deferred. Andl apologize to the members of the audience who are here expecting
the meeting to start at 2. This is a budget meeting, so there's a little bit of additional work and
things that are being done by Commissioners right now in their respective offices. So thank you
for your patience. We're in recess until 2:30.
[Later...
Chair Suarez: (UNINTET,TIGIBT,F) gentlemen, I thought we had Commissioner Gort. I thought
we had Commissioner Gort, who came out here. No. I thought he was out here. They're
rebelling against the Chair. No, I could have sworn I saw Commissioner Gort out here a second
ago. Anyhow, my -- there we go.
Ms. Thompson: Chair, would you like for me to go ahead and do our swearing in, Chair?
Chair Suarez: Sure, please do.
Ms. Thompson: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. If you are here in the chambers and you
will be speaking on any P&Z item, I need you to please stand and raise your right hand so I
could administer the oath to you. Raise your right hand, please.
The City Clerk administered oath required under City Code Section 62-1 to those persons giving
testimony on zoning issues.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Yeah, we're going to get some PZs out of the way,
mostly deferrals. Mr. Garcia, you're recognized on the PZ items.
Francisco Garcia: Thank you, sir. For the record, Francisco Garcia, Planning and Zoning
director. Of the eight Planning and Zoning items on the agenda today, there are four that we
would like the Commission to consider for continuance or deferral, as the case may be.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
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Mr. Garcia: These would be PZ.2, PZ.4, PZ.5, andPZ.8.
Chair Suarez: Wait, wait. Can we start again, please?
Mr. Garcia: Yes, sir. PZ.2 --
Chair Suarez: Um -hum.
Mr. Garcia: -- PZ.4 --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Mr. Garcia: -- PZ.5 --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Mr. Garcia: -- andPZ.8.
Chair Suarez: All right.
Mr. Garcia: Of those four, only PZ.4 is a City application. The other three are private
applications. So what we would do is we would request that item PZ.4, which is the amendment
to the zoning ordinance for watercraft, be continued until the next P&Z meeting, that being the
one in the --
Chair Suarez: That's fine.
Mr. Garcia: -- month of October.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Mr. Garcia: And as pertains to the other three items, PZ.2, PZ.5, and PZ.8, those are the
vacation and closure of Curtis Lane -- that's PZ.2 -- part of Curtis Lane, I should say; item PZ.5
is a zoning change -- a proposed zoning change at 3701 North Miami Avenue, approximately;
and item PZ.8 is a HEP (Historic and Environmental Preservation) Board appeal to the City
Commission pertaining to the Cushman School; that those other three items also be continued.
As pertains to when those will be continued to, I would perhaps like to defer to the applicants, as
these are private applications.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Ben Fernandez: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the Commission. Ben Fernandez, 200
South Biscayne Boulevard, here on behalf of the property owner in relation to PZ.2. I'm joined
by Ms. Deana Falce from Shubin & Bass, who represents some of the neighbors. We've been
working diligently on a settlement agreement. We are very, very close to having that approved,
and we would ask that the board continue this -- the Commission continue this item to the first
meeting in October, where we expect to be able to present to you a signed settlement agreement
and a -- go through a very quick deliberation on the matter.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. So that one is being proposed to be deferred to the -- You said the
first meeting of October?
Mr. B. Fernandez: Yes.
Chair Suarez: Not the first -- not the P&Z meeting of October?
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Commissioner Gort: P&Z meeting.
Mr. B. Fernandez: The P&Z meeting in Oct --
Chair Suarez: Okay, got it, which I think is the second meeting of October.
Mr. B. Fernandez: Well --
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Well --
Mr. B. Fernandez: -- no.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- what they want, Mr. Chair -- and I'm okay with it if this Commission's
okay with it as well. I will likely not be here for the first meeting in October. What they're asking
is if they come in front of you with a --
Chair Suarez: A settlement.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- settlement, that you guys would approve it. I have no problems with that.
Chair Suarez: That's fine with me.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. We've been working --
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- arduously on trying to get this resolved.
Mr. B. Fernandez: That's fine.
Chair Suarez: That's fine with me, as long as there --
Mr. B. Fernandez: If there is no settlement, we would voluntarily defer the item --
Chair Suarez: Of course.
Mr. B. Fernandez: -- of course.
Chair Suarez: Okay, I think that's clear. Thank you. So that would be 'til the first meeting in
October. The PZ.2 would be deferred to the first meeting in October, the next Commission
meeting.
Ms. Thompson: Okay. That would be October 11.
Chair Suarez: That's correct. Okay, PZ.5.
Commissioner Carollo: 4.
Chair Suarez: 4 is Administration. We're trying to get the dates. PZ.5.
Javier Fernandez: Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, members of the board. Javier Fernandez,
with Akerman Senterfitt, here on behalf of the applicant. We are happy to have it deferred 'til
November --
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Chair Suarez: Okay.
Mr. J. Fernandez: -- to give us additional time to meet with the Commissioner and some
neighbors.
Chair Suarez: The PZ agenda of November?
Mr. J. Fernandez: For November, that's correct.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Mr. J. Fernandez: Thank you.
Ms. Thompson: We --
Chair Suarez: Got that, Madam Clerk?
Ms. Thompson: At this point and time it is scheduled for November --
Chair Suarez: I see.
Ms. Thompson: -- 22. However, you do have an ordinance before --
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Ms. Thompson: -- you that will address the combination -- having one meeting in November. So
can we say that --
Chair Suarez: That's correct.
Ms. Thompson: -- it will be for that meeting in November?
Chair Suarez: Yeah. I think that's fine.
Ms. Thompson: Is that okay?
Chair Suarez: Yes, yes.
Ms. Thompson: Okay, thank you.
Chair Suarez: Whether there's two or one, I think it'll have to be -- if there's only one, it'll have
to be on that one. If there's two, it'll be on the P&Z one. And PZ.8?
Mr. J. Fernandez: With respect to PZ.8, Mr. Chairman, we would -- I believe the matter is
requested to be deferred indefinitely, Commissioner.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Yeah. I will bring this back much sooner than six months, I promise you.
Mr. J. Fernandez: That's fine. We have no objection.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. But I'd like to take a shot at trying to mediate this issue as well.
Chair Suarez: I think that's wise. Thank you.
Mr. J. Fernandez: Thank you.
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Chair Suarez: Okay. So do you have that, Madam Clerk? Unless the Commissioner -- or
district Commissioner brings it before, it'll be deferred for six months.
Mr. Garcia: HI may summarize then, Mr. Chair?
Chair Suarez: Do you have to chime in on that?
Ms. Thompson: Yes, because under our definitions, when you indefinitely defer, that means it'll
come back six months from that deferral.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Or if the district Commissioner brings it back sooner.
Ms. Thompson: No, then you would want to defer it.
Vice Chair Sarnoff So I could -- okay.
Chair Suarez: Just defer it for --
Commissioner Gort: Just defer.
Chair Suarez: -- six months. You can bring it back.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I'll tell you what, here's what I'll do. I'll defer it 'til the first P&Z meeting in
January.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: That'll work. All right. Is there a motion?
Mr. Garcia: May I --
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Mr. Garcia: -- summarize for clarity's sake, please?
Chair Suarez: Yeah, yeah, of course, of course.
Mr. Garcia: Thank you, sir. Then as I have it -- and Madam City Clerk, please correct me if I'm
wrong -- I have item PZ.2 is proposed to be deferred to October 11, in which case I believe it's to
be continued to October 11. Item PZ.4 is to be deferred to October 25, the P&Z meeting of the
month of October. Item PZ.5 is to be continued to the P&Z meeting in November, which may be
the 22nd, but that remains to be seen, so the P&Z meeting in November. And item PZ.8 is
continued to the PZ meeting in January of 2013.
Vice Chair Sarnoff As stated, so moved.
Chair Suarez: Is there --? There's a motion by the --
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: -- Vice Chair, a second by Commissioner Gort. Hearing no further commentary
from the Commission, all in favor, signify by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
PZ.1
04-00181cr
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Did you want to --? Okay, there's two ways we can do this. We have
a lot of items that were tabled. One of the Commissioners who asked for several of the tabled
items is not here, so we can either continue with the resos that were not tabled or were not
requested to be tabled or just keep going with the PZs.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING A RELEASE OF A DECLARATION OF
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS DATED JUNE 10, 1996, A COPY BEING
ATTACHED AS AN EXHIBIT AND RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK
17264, PAGES 1095-1099, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY, FLORIDA, FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY
5808 NORTHEAST 4TH COURT, MIAMI, FLORIDA.
04-00181cr CC 09-27-12 Fact Sheet.pdf
04-00181 cm Analyses, Graphics & HEPB-PZAB Resos.pdf
04-00181cm Application & Supporting Documents.pdf
04-00181cm Legislation (Version 2) & Exhibits.pdf
LOCATION: Approximately 5808 NE 4th Court [Commissioner Michelle
Spence -Jones - District 5]
APPLICANT(S): Javier E. Fernandez, Esquire, on behalf of Al D'eca &
Associates Investments, Inc.
FINDING(S):
PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT: Recommends approval with a
condition*.
HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD: Approved the
historic designation on July 20, 2012 by a vote of 6-0.
PLANNING, ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD: Recommends approval with a
condition* to City Commission on August 1, 2012 by a vote of 10-0.
*See supporting documentation.
PURPOSE: This will release the Declaration of Restrictive Covenants.
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Vice Chair Sarnoff, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff and Suarez
Absent: 2 - Commissioner(s) Carollo and Spence -Jones
R-12-0364
Chair Suarez: PZ.1
Commissioner Gort: PZ.1.
Barnaby Min: Barnaby Min, Zoning administrator. PZ.1 is a request to release a covenant that
was previously recorded for a property that was unsafe and had Code Enforcement violations.
The property has now been verified by both Code Compliance and Building to be in compliance.
The lien that was previously recorded has already been released and the property's been
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
designated historic, so the City has to objection to the release of the covenant.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay, this is in my district, correct?
Mr. Min: Yes, ma'am.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So moved.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Second.
Chair Suarez: Madam Clerk, does it require a public hearing? It does? Thank you. It's been
moved by Commissioner Spence -Jones, second by the Vice Chair. This is a -- an item requiring
a public hearing. Any member from the public wishing to speak on PZ.1 ? Any member from the
public wishing to speak on PZ.1 ? Hearing none and seeing none, the public hearing on PZ.1 is
closed.
Francisco Garcia (Director, Planning): I'm sorry. May I insert something --
Chair Suarez: Yes, please.
Mr. Garcia: -- additional for PZ.1, please?
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Mr. Garcia: It was the recommendation of the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board that there
be a 40-year recertification appliedfor, andl think that is also amenable to the applicants.
Javier Fernandez: Yes. Mr. Chair, for the record, Javier Fernandez, here on behalf of Al D'eca
& Associates Investment, Inc. We have no objection to that as a condition.
Mr. Garcia: IfI may then ask the Commission to include that as part of their motion, given that
there is no objection? And, again, the condition, just to be clear on the record, is that a 40-year
recertification be appliedfor by the property owners within 90 days of the granting of this
release.
Mr. Garcia: That is correct.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Commissioner Gort: Okay.
Chair Suarez: Anything else? This is a resolution. All in favor, signifi, it by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Why did they need --
Commissioner Gort: Great presentation.
Chair Suarez: -- a public hearing if it was a reso?
Mr. Garcia: Thank you very much.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): It -- and want to make sure with the City Attorney. You're
sitting now, if I'm not mistaken, as a quasi judicial body; is that correct? Andl thought that all
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
your P&Z (Planning & Zoning) items are public hearings. That was my understanding. Am I --?
Chair Suarez: Even if it's a reso. Okay.
Ms. Thompson: Okay.
Chair Suarez: I learn something new every day. I did. But I wasn't sure why. I was just asking
her.
PZ.2 RESOLUTION
11-00714sc
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), CLOSING, VACATING, ABANDONING AND
DISCONTINUING FOR PUBLIC USE (THAT PORTION OF) CURTIS LANE
EAST OF ROGERS ROAD AND EASEMENTS LOCATED ALONG THE
NORTH AND SOUTH SIDES OF CURTIS LANE, EAST OF ROGERS ROAD,
MIAMI, FLORIDA.
11-00714sc CC 10-25-12 Fact Sheet.pdf
11-00714sc Department Analyses & Maps. pdf
11-00714sc School Brd Concurrency & PZAB Resos.pdf
11-00714sc Application & Supporting Documentation.pdf
11-00714sc CC Fully -Executed Legislation (Ver. 2) & Exhibit.pdf
LOCATION: Approximately Curtis Lane East of Rogers Road and along the
North and South sides of Curtis Lane, East of Rogers Road [Commissioner
Marc David Sarnoff - District 2]
APPLICANT(S): Ben Fernandez, Esquire, on behalf of Stephen Bittel, as
Trustee of the Acme Real Estate Trust
FINDING(S):
PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT: Recommends approval.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT: Recommends approval.
PLAT AND STREET COMMITTEE: Recommends approval on July 7, 2011 by
a vote of 7-0.
PLANNING, ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD: Recommends denial, which
failed, to City Commission on April 18, 2012 by a vote of 3-5. Recommends
approval as a second motion to City Commission on April 18, 2012 by a vote of
5-3.
PURPOSE: This will close and vacate Curtis Lane, East of Rodgers Road and
two North/South easements.
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter be
DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
Note for the Record: Item PZ.2 was deferred to the October 11, 2012 Commission Meeting.
PZ.3 RESOLUTION
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
12-00651ac
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), CLOSING, VACATING, ABANDONING AND
DISCONTINUING FOR PUBLIC USE AN ALLEY BETWEEN BISCAYNE
BOULEVARD AND NORTHEAST 2ND AVENUE AND BETWEEN NORTHEAST
20TH TERRACE AND NORTHEAST 21ST STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA.
12-00651ac CC 09-27-12 Fact Sheet.pdf
12-00651 ac Analyses, Color Maps & PZAB Reso.pdf
12-00651acApplication & Supporting Documents.pdf
12-00651ac Legislation (Version 2) & Exhibit.pdf
LOCATION: Approximately between Biscayne Boulevard and NE 2nd Avenue
and between NE 20th Terrace and NE 21st Street [Commissioner Marc David
Sarnoff- District 2]
APPLICANT(S): Tony Recio, Esquire, on behalf of 2060 Biscayne Boulevard,
LLC
FINDING(S):
PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT: Recommends approval.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT: Recommends approval.
PLAT AND STREET COMMITTEE: Recommends approval on May 3, 2012 by
a vote of 7-0.
PLANNING, ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD: Recommends approval to City
Commission on August 1, 2012 by a vote of 10-0.
PURPOSE: The proposed private alley closure will allow a unified development
site.
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 3 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff and Suarez
Absent: 2 - Commissioner(s) Carollo and Spence -Jones
R-12-0365
Chair Suarez: PZ.3.
Francisco Garcia: Thank you, sir. Again, for the record, just because I failed to introduce
myself previously, Francisco Garcia, Planning and Zoning director. Item PZ.3 is a request for
the closure and vacation of a private alley in order to create a unified development site. The
Public Works Department recommends approval on this item. The Planning and Zoning
Department does as well. And the Plat and Street Committee met on this item, the technical
committee that reviews these applications, and also recommended approval by a vote of 7-0. The
Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board finally also considered the item and recommended
approval to the City Commission by a vote of 10-0. That's all I have by way of presentation, and
I'll certainly stand by to answer any questions you may have.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Garcia. Is there a motion on this item?
Vice Chair Sarnoff I want to do a motion. I have no problem with this. But we tabled another
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
item.
Chair Suarez: Which was an alley closure.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Right. Andl wanted the Commissioner to be here --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- to be consistent, 'cause I don't have a problem with either --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. -- alley closure.
Chair Suarez: I see where you're going with it. I don't either. Ninety-nine percent --
Vice Chair Sarnoff. No, no, no. But if he's not here --
Chair Suarez: Yeah, I understand what you're saying. I understand what you're saying. I don't
have a problem waiting for the dis -- the Commissioner that requested a -- tabling of another
item, which is an alley closure.
Mr. Garcia: IfI may, the two items are, I think, substantively different in that the one that was
tabled was a temporary closure for private use. This is actually a permanent vacation and
closure of an alleyway, basically exercising the reverter clause so that it reverts back to the
property owners adjacent on both sides, which happens to be in this case one property owner.
Tony Recio: If may?
Vice Chair Sarnoff. I understand. And all I'm trying to get is consistency out of Commissioners,
which is some people think that people need to either pay for or somehow get compensated for
these things. I happen to not be of that opinion. And I'm not trying to use one for the other. I
just want people to be consistent in their outlook in their considerations.
Chair Suarez: Yeah. Andl think -- andl agree. Andl think -- here's the problem I have -- a
little bit of the problem I have. We -- we're very generous and liberal about tabling items when
we're here and we request things to be tabled, but we're in session, you know.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Right.
Chair Suarez: We've been in session since 2: 30, you know. We have a quorum. You know what I
mean. So I think maybe we need to start establishing that, you know, when we're here and we're
in session, we vote on things and we --
Vice Chair Sarnoff. If you bring --
Chair Suarez: Not -- no, no.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. I'm ready to vote.
Chair Suarez: I'm not saying you. No, I am too.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Correct.
Chair Suarez: Believe me. I'm just saying, you know --
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Commissioner Gort: I'm ready to vote.
Chair Suarez: So what -- it's your district so I want to make sure that --
Vice Chair Sarnoff The other one was my district as well.
Chair Suarez: Oh, okay. So you want to wait until both are done at the same time?
Vice Chair Sarnoff I feel a little bit like you do, which is like this has been a slow -moving
meeting, and I'm prepared to vote on both issues.
Chair Suarez: So am I.
Vice Chair Sarnoff So why don't we pull up the tabled issue --
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- and we'll vote on this issue.
Chair Suarez: We can.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Let's do it.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Vice Chair Sarnoff So let's go with PZ.3 and then we'll bring up the tabled issue.
Chair Suarez: Okay. So we're in -- on PZ.3. So did I open up the public hearing yet? No?
Commissioner Gort: No.
Chair Suarez: Opening up the public hearing on PZ.3. Anyone from the public wishing to speak
on PZ.3? Seeing none, hearing none, the public hearing on PZ.3 is closed. It's been moved and
seconded, correct? It has not? It's not been --
Commissioner Gort: I second it.
Vice Chair Sarnoff So moved.
Chair Suarez: Moved by the Vice Chair, second by Commissioner Gort.
Commissioner Gort: Let me see if -- we understand this, butl think it's important for the public
to understand this. This easement that used to be owned by the property owners --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Gort: -- and it was given to the City ofMiami to be utilized. If the City ofMiami
did not continue to use, it comes back to the owners.
Vice Chair Sarnoff An analogy you might use, Commissioner Gort, is long ago we used to have
tails --
Commissioner Gort: Right.
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Vice Chair Sarnoff And now there's something called a remnant or a vestiture [sic] of the very
bottom of our spine.
Chair Suarez: I think it's a coccyx or whatever.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Right.
Chair Suarez: But anyways.
Vice Chair Sarnoff And it's just simply we don't use them anymore.
Chair Suarez: Anyhow. No. And the fact of the matter is we want to promote unified
developments. And the fact of the matter is this is an area that is blossoming and we want to
make sure that that continues andl think that's really the real point here. It's a resolution. All in
favor, signift it by saying iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
PZ.4 ORDINANCE Second Reading
11-00806zt
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO.13114, THE MIAMI 21 CODE, THE ZONING ORDINANCE
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, BY MODIFYING ARTICLE
1, SECTION 1.2. ENTITLED "DEFINITION OF TERMS" AND ARTICLE 3,
SECTION 3.6.3, ENTITLED "ADDITIONAL OFF-STREET PARKING
REGULATIONS", TO ESTABLISH CONDITIONS AND STATIONING
REQUIREMENTS FOR RECREATIONAL WATERCRAFTS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
11-00806zt CC 10-25-12 Fact Sheet.pdf
11-00806zt PZAB (10-00963zt1) Reso & Fully -Executed CC Legislation (Ver. 2).pdf
LOCATION: Citywide
APPLICANT(S): Johnny Martinez, City Manager, on behalf of the City of Miami
FINDING(S):
PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT: Recommends approval.
PLANNING, ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD: For File ID 10-00963zt1,
recommended approval to City Commission on May 18, 2011 by a vote of 7-1.
PURPOSE: This will establish regulations and requirements for recreational
watercrafts.
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter be
CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
PZ.5 ORDINANCE First Reading
12-00084zc
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE NO.
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
PZ.6
12-00252za
13114, AS AMENDED, BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM
"T6-12-0" URBAN CORE TRANSECT ZONE TO "T6-24-0" URBAN CORE
TRANSECT ZONE, FOR THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY
3601, 3651, 3681 AND 3701 NORTH MIAMI AVENUE; 3610, 3620 AND 3630
NORTHEAST MIAMI COURT; AND 17 AND 25 NORTHEAST 36TH STREET,
MIAMI, FLORIDA; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAININGASEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
12-00084zc CC 09-27-12 Fact Sheet.pdf
12-00084zcAnalysis, Color Maps & PZAB Reso.pdf
12-00084zcApplication & Supporting Documentation.pdf
12-00084zc CC Legislation (Version 3) & Exhibit.pdf
LOCATION: Approximately 3601, 3651, 3681 and 3701 North Miami Avenue;
3610, 3620 and 3630 NE Miami Court; and 17 and 25 NE 36th Street
[Commissioner Michelle Spence -Jones - District 5]
APPLICANT(S): Neisen O. Kasdin, Esquire, on behalf of Fifteen Midtown
Properties, LLC
FINDING(S):
PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT: Recommends denial.
PLANNING, ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD: Recommends denial to City
Commission on June 6, 2012 by a vote of 9-0. See companion File ID
12-00084ac.
PURPOSE: This will change the above properties to "T6-24-0" Urban Core
Transect Zone.
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter be
DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
Note for the Record: Item PZ.5 was deferred to the November 2012 Commission Meeting.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), DENYING OR GRANTING THE APPEAL BY GILBERTO
PASTORIZA, AFFIRMING OR REVERSING THE DECISION OF THE
PLANNING, ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD, THEREBY UPHOLDING OR
REVERSING THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR INTERPRETATION 12-0001
DATED FEBRUARY 16, 2012, REGARDING ACCESSORY PARKING.
12-00252za CC 09-27-12 Fact Sheet.pdf
12-00252za PZAB & ZoningAdm. Appeal Docs.pdf
12-00252za CC Executed Legis. (Vers. 3 & 4) & Interpretation.pdf
LOCATION: Citywide
APPELLANT(S)/REQUESTOR(S): Gilberto Pastoriza, Esquire, on behalf of
Barlington Group, LLC
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
FINDING(S):
PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT: Recommends denial of the appeal
and uphold the Zoning Administrator's Interpretation.
PLANNING, ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD: Denied the Zoning
Administrator Interpretation appeal on April 4, 2012 by a vote of 5-3.
PURPOSE: The approval of this appeal may result in the reversal of a zoning
interpretation regarding accessory parking.
Motion by Commissioner Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter be
DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo and Suarez
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Spence -Jones
Note for the Record: Item PZ.6 was deferred to the November 2012 Commission Meeting.
Chair Suarez: All right, PZ. 6. I'm sorry. No, PZ. 6 is actually in the district of the
Commissioner, I believe, who is not here, andl think that should be respected a little bit more
strongly than the other one. PZ.7.
Gilberto Pastoriza: I'm sorry. PZ. 6 is a -- is an appeal of a zoning -- Gilberto Pastoriza --
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Mr. Pastoriza: -- 2525 Ponce.
Chair Suarez: Correct.
Mr. Pastoriza: This is not a property -specific appeal. It's an appeal of your Zoning
administrator's decision.
Chair Suarez: Oh, my apologies. My apologies.
Mr. Pastoriza: Okay. So it's not really in anybody's district, even though --
Chair Suarez: I understand.
Mr. Pastoriza: -- the applicant who brought the appeal --
Chair Suarez: I stand correctly [sic].
Mr. Pastoriza: -- is within a certain district.
Chair Suarez: I stand corrected. I stand corrected. But, nevertheless, the applicant is in the
district, and that's where I think, you know, out of respect for the district Commissioner, you
know, I think we maybe should wait till this Commissioner's here in case this Commissioner has
specific concerns about how it impacts his district so.
Commissioner Gort: Wait a minute?
Chair Suarez: No?
Commissioner Gort: No, no. What's the address?
Chair Suarez: The City Attorney is instructing me not?
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Commissioner Gort: 1001 Northwest River Drive. This is the --
Maria J. Chiaro (Deputy City Attorney): This is an --
Commissioner Gort: -- Commissioner Spence -Jones.
Ms. Chiaro: -- appeal of the language in our City code --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Ms. Chiaro: -- that the --
Chair Suarez: But it -- but the appellant is someone who is -- has a property in a
Commissioner's district who is not here.
Vice Chair Sarnoff It will --
Ms. Chiaro: But it will impact much more than that property.
Chair Suarez: Absolutely.
Vice Chair Sarnoff But the direct --
Commissioner Gort: She's here.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- reason --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Vice Chair Sarnoff -- is for that district.
Chair Suarez: That's what I'm saying.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Yeah.
Chair Suarez: Right. So I think we should wait until that person is here. And as long as --
Ms. Chiaro: Yes, sir.
Chair Suarez: -- I'm Chair --
Ms. Chiaro: Yes, sir.
Chair Suarez: -- I get to make that decision.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: O000h.
Chair Suarez: So maybe tomorrow I don't.
Mr. Pastoriza: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chair Sarnoff There it is.
Chair Suarez: PZ.7. You see, I'm too nice to say that.
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Mr. Pastoriza: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. There it is. There it is. There it is.
Mr. Pastoriza: Mr. Chairman.
Commissioner Gort: That coffee'll do it.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I know, right.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. There it is.
Mr. Pastoriza: Mr. Chairman.
Commissioner Gort: One more cup.
Mr. Pastoriza: Mr. Chairman, ifI could?
Chair Suarez: Yes. You may --
Vice Chair Sarnofff. I like that.
Chair Suarez: -- be recognized, yes.
Mr. Pastoriza: What -- And ifI could, please, give me one minute.
Chair Suarez: Sure, I'll give you a minute.
Mr. Pastoriza: Listen, we've been at this thing for over a year.
Chair Suarez: I understand.
Mr. Pastoriza: Okay. And we have taken great pains. We have gone -- bent over backwards.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Mr. Pastoriza: We've done everything that staff has required us to do.
Chair Suarez: I understand.
Mr. Pastoriza: We have done four different things on this applica --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Mr. Pastoriza: -- on this request.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Mr. Pastoriza: And we feel that we've been, you know -- What if this Commissioner doesn't come
back in three months?
Chair Suarez: He will be back today.
Mr. Pastoriza: So that means that we don't hear this matter?
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Vice Chair Sarnoff From your lips to God's ears.
Mr. Pastoriza: Well --
Chair Suarez: Wow.
Mr. Pastoriza: No, no. I'm very --
Vice Chair Sarnoff I'm just teasing. I'm just teasing.
Chair Suarez: Wow.
Mr. Pastoriza: You know, I'm very serious on this because, you know --
Chair Suarez: Whoa.
Mr. Pastoriza: -- I'm -- you know, we're missing on our opportunity to present this matter to you
just because --
Vice Chair Sarnoff He's coming back.
Mr. Pastoriza: -- a Commissioner is not present.
Chair Suarez: He'll be back here today.
Vice Chair Sarnoff He'll be back.
Chair Suarez: He'll be back here today, Mr. Pastoriza.
Vice Chair Sarnoff He'll be back. He's probably going over budget.
Chair Suarez: Yeah, he'll be back.
Mr. Pastoriza: Okay, so can I wait here till the end of the meeting; maybe he shows up today?
Vice Chair Sarnoff You know Frank'll be back in --
Chair Suarez: He'll be back. He'll be back.
Vice Chair Sarnoff He'll be back.
Chair Suarez: He'll be back. Don't worry about it.
Mr. Pastoriza: Be back today?
Chair Suarez: Today.
Vice Chair Sarnoff He'll be back.
Mr. Pastoriza: Okay, I'll wait, I'll wait.
Chair Suarez: He'll be back today.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: The budget is happening today.
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Mr. Pastoriza: Thank you.
Commissioner Gort: Are we on PZ.10?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So that means Frank will be back.
Chair Suarez: PZ.7 now.
Mr. Pastoriza: Madame, you assure me of that.
Chair Suarez: No, we're on PZ. 6.
Mr. Pastoriza: Huh?
Commissioner Gort: Okay.
Mr. Pastoriza: Thank you very much.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, and I apologize.
[Later..]
(Applause)
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Yes, you're recognized.
Commissioner Carollo: By the way, I am here. And it's a lengthy Commission meeting. We do
have something called a budget that I am going over. I still have people in my office waiting to
see me. I think -- as a matter offact, during that time, you had different phone calls to the
Budget director.
Chair Suarez: That's correct.
Commissioner Carollo: And as a matter offact, he took your phone calls, answered your
questions, and you know, it was even time, you know, from where I was speaking so, you know, I
take offense to some of the comments.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Which -- do you want to --?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: From us?
Chair Suarez: Not from us, I'm hope --
Commissioner Carollo: Just --
Chair Suarez: -- I'm assuming.
Commissioner Carollo: -- of what's going on, you know. What do you mean, Oh, will he be back
or will he be back in three months or so forth?
Mr. Pastoriza: I'm sorry, Mr. Commissioner.
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Commissioner Carollo: That's really -- and that's offensive to me.
Mr. Pastoriza: But, you know, I have a right to be heard too.
Commissioner Carollo: And you haven't been heard?
Mr. Pastoriza: And this appeal has a right to be heard.
Commissioner Carollo: And you have to be heard right now at this time?
Mr. Pastoriza: And it's an appeal that is not -- really is an appeal of your code. It's not -- this is
not an application on a property that is within your district andl respect that. And, listen, if you
don't want to hear this today, then we'll hear it at the next meeting.
Chair Suarez: But no one said that. That's not what was said. What I said was we were going
to table it until the Commissioner who the applicant of the appeal, who happens to be in his
district --
Mr. Pastoriza: Well --
Chair Suarez: -- until he comes back, it will not be heard.
Mr. Pastoriza: -- I have no way of knowing where the Commissioner is because, remember, I
don't --
Chair Suarez: But we all told you he was going to be here today.
Mr. Pastoriza: -- speak to Commissioners.
Chair Suarez: So it's okay. And by the way, I did hold back the beginning of the Commission
meeting from 2 to 2: 30 in recognition of some of those issues.
Commissioner Carollo: No. As --
Chair Suarez: Just from my perspective.
Commissioner Carollo: -- and as a matter of fact, you knew exactly where I was because --
Chair Suarez: Yeah. And --
Commissioner Carollo: -- you called the Budget director --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: -- and he says --
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: -- I'm with Commissioner Carollo at the same time.
Chair Suarez: Andl said you were coming back, so it wasn't me that --
Commissioner Carollo: No.
Chair Suarez: You know, I hope it's not with me.
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Commissioner Carollo: I just -- I mean, I just don't understand all this misunderstanding and so
forth. And with -- related to the issue before of the difference back -- of one issue, a PZ
(Planning & Zoning) item, whether the PH (Public Hearing) item. The truth of the matter is, I
asked that question in the last meeting and they said it was a clear difference. Now, I'll be more
than welcome to discuss it at this meeting or, if not -- it's obvious you all made the decision
already -- or in the next meeting, bring it as a discussion item. But the bottom line is, you know,
I do, you know, expect certain courtesy. Andl understand, yes, I'm dealing with a budget issue,
but --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'm lost. What PH -- was there a PH item that was voted on?
Chair Suarez: Yeah, PH. 2.
Commissioner Carollo: You know, that I asked to be tabled.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: While he wasn't here?
Chair Suarez: He was not here.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. So then I'm going to get on y'all. I asked for -- nobody --
to wait until got back --
Chair Suarez: We had a long discussion about this at the Commission meeting.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So we don't want to open up that can of worms, do we?
Commissioner Carollo: But with all due respect -- andl thought about it later. I should have
put it on the record. I actually looked at Neil and said will the Commissioner be okay? Is she
coming back or --? And it was my understanding that --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. But I'm just saying, you know --
Commissioner Carollo: -- you know -- and was going to put it on the record and say -- not put
him on the spot, you know -- and ask, Is Commissioner Spence -Jones need to be present?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: But your Chairman knew.
Chair Suarez: That's my -- I said -- I apologized.
Commissioner Carollo: Can I go back and put my jacket on and finish up with Danny that --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes, you can.
Commissioner Carollo: -- I left him there in the conference room. Thank you.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So now we lost four.
Chair Suarez: By the way, you're welcome 'cause we defend -- I defended you on PZ. 6 so --
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. Okay.
[Later..]
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Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman --
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Just a second.
Chair Suarez: Sure.
Commissioner Carollo: If we could bring up PZ.5 for one second or for one --?
Chair Suarez: PZ.6.
Commissioner Carollo: PZ.6, you are correct. PZ.6, you are correct. First, I just want to make
very clear -- make it very clear that just two days ago we received a change memo from our
Budget director. We will be voting on the whole City budget today, and two days is really not
that much time in order to digest all the things that are going on in an 11 -page memo. At the
same time, I really do take offense of you know, a lot of the things that were said and whether
Commissioner Carollo's here, whether he's coming back in three months or not or what. 'Cause
anyone that came to my office, my staff would have told them Commissioner Carollo is inside
with the Budget director, as many people knew. Now, with that said -- not to mention that I don't
know whether the issue was, Should we listen to this 'cause it's citywide, and clearly said
citywide, or whether it's in -- is this in his district or not, or the back and forth. But the bottom
line is, I do see that we're going to a recess andl see the applicants here, so at least out of
courtesy -- at least I like to express courtesy, I would like to know what the process is so they're
not waiting for an hour or two hours and then we either defer it or not or -- So I just want to
know, Are we coming back? And if we're coming back, when we come back, we still have to deal
with the budget, we still have to deal with the two emergency items that deal with the budget. So
I want to make sure -- at least to show the courtesy to the applicants that are here waiting so
they're not here in limbo.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And also, I know that we have the Miami Herald issue too.
Chair Suarez: Yes. We have several issues. Yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And I'm fine with it, Barnaby, so I -- you made the adjustments on
that so we -- if we can get that out of the way and they can leave too.
Chair Suarez: That's fine with me too.
Commissioner Carollo: So I just -- I -- again --
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: -- I just -- even though I'm -- it's -- I think it's quite obvious that I was
upset about --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: -- how everything took place, I do see applicants here, and you know, I
want to show the courtesy to the applicants to let them know what's going on so they're not in
limbo and we conduct ourselves, like I think we always have, which is in a professional manner
and with decorum.
Chair Suarez: We really have. I think as a body, we've always been -- kind of strive to be
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courteous and professional with each other. It was one of the reasons why -- even though it is a
-- technically a citywide amendment -- because the applicant was in your district, I did not allow
the item to go forward without you being present, and so I just wanted you to know that.
[Later...]
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. So, Commissioner Carollo, on the PZ. 6 item, is that going
to be -- is there -- do you have a lot that you want to talk about on that item?
Commissioner Carollo: I don't know what the presentation is, but I'll tell you right now, with
denial recommendation of Planning and Zoning, the denial recommendation of the Planning,
Zoning and Appeals Board, and having spoken to Francisco, I suggest that we defer it or -- I
don't think it will be a favorable --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So are you deferring it? I second it if you need to defer it.
Commissioner Carollo: I prefer to defer it.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Chair Suarez: Till what meeting, Commissioner?
Commissioner Carollo: A continuance to the same -like meeting.
Chair Suarez: So to the second meeting in October.
Mr. Pastoriza: Can we do the --
Chair Suarez: That's the October 25 meeting.
Mr. Pastoriza: -- first meeting in October, sir? First meeting in October.
Commissioner Carollo: Francisco is more --
Barnaby Min: Commissioner, Barnaby Min, Zoning administrator. Just so you are also aware,
there was legislation that was drafted and presented to PZAB (Planning, Zoning and Appeals
Board) in an attempt to try and resolve this particular matter. The legislation, as drafted, would
actually not --
Mr. Pastoriza: Would not resolve this.
Mr. Min: -- would not resolve the matter, so PZAB actually deferred that legislation to the
November meeting in the hopes that Mr. Pastoriza and his client would have the opportunity to
present something before the City Commission.
Commissioner Carollo: So --
Mr. Min: Whether that's going to be the first or the second meeting in October, we of course
defer to you.
Commissioner Carollo: -- what you're saying is that we should defer to December?
Mr. Pastoriza: No, no.
Mr. Min: No, no. What I'm saying is --
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Commissioner Spence -Jones: No, no.
Mr. Min: -- PZAB is waiting for the outcome of this interpretation appeal in order for them to go
forward on the legislation that's pending before them.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So we can -- October, we can see the --
Mr. Min: Correct. So -- whether it's the first or second week -- second meeting in October, I
defer to the Commission, but it should certainly be in October.
Commissioner Gort: First.
Commissioner Carollo: Does it matter --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: First meeting in October.
Commissioner Carollo: -- whether --
Commissioner Gort: First meeting.
Commissioner Carollo: -- it's denied or approved?
Mr. Pastoriza: Of course.
Mr. Min: If the appeal is approved, it would overturn the Zoning administrator's interpretation
and the applicant would be able to go forward with their proposal. If the --
Commissioner Carollo: But with regards to the Planning, Zoning andAppeals Board, you're
saying that they're waiting on our decision in order to go forward with a new --?
Mr. Min: Yes, sir, because the proposed legislation that is pending before the Planning, Zoning
andAppeals Board, PZAB recognizes that it would not -- the applicant would not be able to
benefit from the proposed legislation. So out of respect for the applicant, they have said why
don't they go forward with the interpretation appeal pending before the City Commission in an
attempt to try and resolve their particular issue rather than waiting for the legislation. If the
legislation passes, PZAB in November would then come before the City Commission in
December, second reading in January. If that legislation as drafted passes, the applicant
currently today would not be able to proceed with what they're proposing.
Mr. Pastoriza: Mr. Chairman, let me clam it. When we went on an appeal -- Gilberto
Pastoriza, 2525 Ponce. When we took this appeal to the Planning and Zoning Board, the
Planning and Zoning Board, even though they sided with your Zoning administrator's
determination, they instructed your staff to amend the ordinance to take care of this problem.
The -- your staff amended this ordinance but did not really take care of the problem. So we --
when we went to them last month, they put that amendment on hold, 'cause we also brought forth
language. They put that amendment on hold, pending this appeal because if we are successful
on this appeal, then it really doesn't matter what that ordinance does, okay.
Chair Suarez: May I jump in, Commissioner?
Mr. Pastoriza: So it was an instruction from your staff to amend the code.
Commissioner Carollo: So I -- andl think what's happening is they don't like the way it's --
okay. I -- and again, I don't want to put words in their mouths, but my understanding is they
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don't like the way it's moving forward so they recommend denial. However, they do want to have
something drafted so you could ultimately --
Mr. Pastoriza: Resolve this issue.
Commissioner Carollo: -- resolve the issue.
Chair Suarez: Fix the problem.
Mr. Pastoriza: But, Commissioner, with all due --
Commissioner Carollo: So --
Mr. Pastoriza: -- respect, don't --
Commissioner Carollo: -- why don't we just deny it and --?
Mr. Pastoriza: -- because the language that they have proposed does not resolve the issue.
Chair Suarez: But there is --
Mr. Pastoriza: On the contrary, it totally bars my client from going forward. So, in essence,
they have thrown us back.
Commissioner Carollo: Right, but -- when I spoke to our Planning director, he was working on
language that, in essence -- and that's why I wanted to hear from our Planning director.
Chair Suarez: Yes, please, please.
Mr. Pastoriza: It's not the ordinance.
Francisco Garcia: Thank you. Francisco Garcia, Planning and Zoning director. Two, perhaps
three, items that wanted to put on the record because I think they will inform the case a little
better perhaps. First and foremost, it is important that we recognize that the applicants have
been working with us for a very long time now. They have been exceedingly patient, andl
certainly don't blame them for being more than frustrated at their inability to obtain a
satisfactory result. That has to be said. The second item is what is presently in the drafts stages
and has been considered by the PZAB is a draft amendment to the zoning ordinance that
proposes language to allow accessory parking facilities in some zoning designations in the City.
The appellant is correct in saying -- the Zoning administrator is correct in saying that that
proposed amendment would not resolve their issue. In our opinion, where it stands -- where this
issue stands presently is this. The solution for this property is not so much to have it retain its
zoning designation and allow that zoning designation to have accessory parking since their
zoning presently is T4 R, which is exclusively residential, and we would not want every T4 R
property in the --
Commissioner Carollo: Right.
Mr. Garcia: -- City ofMiami to have accessory parking. We stand firm on that. In our opinion,
the solution for this property is to have the zoning designation changed to a zoning designation
that would allow the accessory parking they're proposing to have. So we agree with the
appellant that it is proper for them to have the accessory parking they seek to have on their
property. No contention. We disagree with the appellant that it is proper for a T4 R zoned
properties to have accessory parking. Now the solution that we are proposing -- and it's been
slow in coming, which is where we have to partially apologize -- is to take this property and
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many others like it throughout the City --
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Mr. Garcia: -- and consider rezoning them to allow the accessory parking because they're in a
position where they will be very instrumental and helpful if that were to be done. We expect, we
expect -- we're not absolutely in control of the process -- for that item to be before you in the
month of October. We're certainly working hard towards that end. We recognize that it has to go
to the PZAB before and, hopefully, we will obtain a favorable recommendation. But we think
that it is that zoning change that will ultimately result in the solution to this particular item.
Commissioner Carollo: And with that said -- I'm sorry, Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Oh, no, no, please.
Commissioner Carollo: With that said, you are recommending then denial on PZ.6 because you
don't feel that this is the right vehicle. There is another vehicle for them to actually obtain what
you feel is the correct thing. However, you don't feel that right now PZ.6, especially citywide, is
the correct vehicle?
Mr. Garcia: That is correct. We do not -- staff does not believe that accessory parking should be
allowed in exclusively residentially zoned areas in the City ofMiami. We're on the record as far
as that goes. Yes.
Mr. Pastoriza: Mr. Chairman --
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Mr. Pastoriza: -- Commissioners, listen. And I apologize, Commissioner, for my sense offrus --
my -- the sense of frustration, okay. And as you heard, we've been in this thing for a very long
time. We've tried all things possible to do the right thing which, by the way, my clients don't have
to have parking here. My clients don't need parking because, by code, all of those
rehabilitations, readaptive rehabilitations don't require parking. So what -- you know, they're
being penalized for doing the right thing. Having said all of that, we would support a deferral of
this item with the understanding that your staff is bringing to you in the month of October, which
it's going to be impossible because you got to take it to the P&Z (Planning & Zoning) --
Commissioner Carollo: Second meeting.
Mr. Pastoriza: -- okay. So maybe November, let's say. In the month of November, 'cause they
got to take it to P&Z in October. In November this wholesale rezoning of some of the parcels
including --
Chair Suarez: I got a question.
Mr. Pastoriza: -- our parcel.
Chair Suarez: Okay, thank you. Commissioner Gort, I have a question too.
Commissioner Gort: Well, I think that's some of the major problems that we have with the
change of zoning that we implemented with the Miami 21. There's a lot of other properties that
were build according to 1100 [sic]. There was a lot of the facility, the commercial corridor that
we have throughout the City where they don't have the parking ability next to them, so that's why
you got to make it citywide. So, hopefully, you can come up with the solution not only for this
parcel of land but for all of them that takes place. I have a lot of that in Allapattah. I mean,
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20th Street and 12th Avenue, 17th Avenue. We have a lot of those problems too. So we need to --
if you can come back in November, I think they'll appreciate it and we will appreciate it also.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Yeah. Look, I had a question, but don't know that want to throw it into
the mix now. I don't want to confused things. So as long as the district Commissioner is okay
with this solution --
Commissioner Gort: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, I don't mind deferring it, but could give you what I feel. I mean,
in all fairness, I side with my Planning director. I think it's not the correct vehicle. I think this
should be denied, and however, he should continue to work with you to find the correct vehicle in
order to find the solution. What you're saying is don't deny it today; defer it and keep working
with -- and while keep working with him, with our Planning director to --
Mr. Pastoriza: And let's see if it comes back to you in November.
Commissioner Gort: Come back in November.
Mr. Pastoriza: Okay.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. So I then make a motion to defer this item to the first meeting in
November, which, by the way, will probably be the only meeting in November 'cause in
November --
Chair Suarez: True.
Commissioner Carollo: -- we consolidate the two meetings. So I defer this --
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Commissioner Carollo: -- to the first meeting or only meeting in November.
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: It's been moved and seconded. All in favor, signift by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: I have another idea, Francisco.
Mr. Pastoriza: Commissioner, I --
Chair Suarez: Talk to me about it.
Mr. Pastoriza: -- apologize to you. I did not mean, by any means, to offend you.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
PZ.7 RESOLUTION
12-00616ha
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DENYING OR
GRANTING THE APPEAL FILED BY JAY MEISTRELL, OWNER, AND
AFFIRMING OR REVERSING THE DECISION OF THE HISTORIC AND
ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD, WHICH APPROVED WITH
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CONDITIONS AN AFTER -THE -FACT SPECIAL CERTIFICATE OF
APPROPRIATENESS FOR MODIFICATIONS OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED
AT APPROXIMATELY 1001 NORTHWEST NORTH RIVER DRIVE, WITHIN
THE SPRING GARDEN HISTORIC DISTRICT, MIAMI, FLORIDA.
12-00616ha CC 10-25-12 Fact Sheet.pdf
12-00616ha Color Maps.pdf
12-00616ha Appeal Letter & HEPB Reso.pdf
12-00616ha Additional Backup Materials.pdf
12-00616ha Fully -Executed Legislation (Versions 2 & 3).pdf
LOCATION: Approximately 1001 NW N River Drive [Commissioner Marc David
Sarnoff- District 2]
APPELLANT(S)/APPLICANT(S): Tony Recio, Esquire, on behalf of Jay
Meistrell, Owner
FINDING(S):
PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT: Recommends denial of the appeal
and approval with conditions* of the Special Certificate of Appropriateness.
HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD: Approved with
conditions* the Special Certificate of Appropriateness on May 1, 2012 by a vote
of 7-2.
*See supporting documentation.
PURPOSE: The approval of this appeal will modify the conditions by removing
the restriction on the size of the driveway and color of the house only, all other
conditions will remain and were not subject of this appeal.
Motion by Commissioner Spence -Jones, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter
be CONTINUED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
Chair Suarez: PZ.7.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: No. I just had a question from the Administration. Is this my
district or Marc's district?
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Yours.
Chair Suarez: PZ.7.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. It was just a -- 'cause no one -- I thought --
Vice Chair Sarnofff. By a little bit.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Really?
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Yes.
Chair Suarez: By the way, it says here on PZ.7, on the item, that it's in your district.
[Later..]
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Chair Suarez: PZ.7.
Francisco Garcia (Director, Planning): Thank you, sir. Item PZ.7 is an appeal of a HEP
(Historical and Environmental Preservation) Board decision before you today --
Chair Suarez: Fun times at City Hall.
Mr. Garcia: -- for a -- I'm sorry?
Chair Suarez: Fun times at City Hall.
Mr. Garcia: Yes, sir.
Chair Suarez: PZ.7.
Mr. Garcia: Item PZ.7 is, once again, an appeal of a HEP Board decision. This pertains to a
property at approximately 1001 Northwest North River Drive. And as Commissioner
Spence -Jones correctly pointed out, this is in District 5. I believe it appeared in your agendas
incorrectly as in District 2.
Chair Suarez: Right.
Mr. Garcia: It is not in District 2. It is in District 5. And we apologize for that. Once again,
the -- this is a single-family residential structure in a historic neighborhood, that neighborhood
being Spring Garden. And the entire matter has essentially been sorted out and been reviewed
and approved by the HEP Board. I believe that the only subject matter of the appeal today
pertains to the width of the driveway of the single-family residence and the color in which it is
proposed to be painted. I will allow the applicant to make a presentation as to what the specific
facts are, but we as staff side with the recommendation of the HEP Board to deny this
application. The HEP Board vote, in their consideration of certificate of appropriateness, just
for the record, was 7-2 against approving it. And with that, I'll defer to the applicant and answer
-- or the appellant, rather, in this case, and answer any questions you may have.
Tony Recio: Mr. Chair --
Chair Suarez: Yes, you're recognized.
Mr. Recio: -- members of the Commission. My name is Tony Recio, law offices at 2525 Ponce
De Leon Boulevard. What the Planning director explained is correct. I will try to keep it to
those two issues and try to be very brief. The two specific issues are the color of the house and
the width of the driveway. The reason those became issues at the Historic and Environmental
Preservation Board was in an apparent attempt to, I believe, penalize the property owner. The
property owner, Mr. Meistrell is with me today.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: There's a wonderful energy happening on the dais right now.
Mr. Recio: I could see that.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I'm sorry. I apologize.
Mr. Recio: That's okay. That's okay. Sure. 171 keep it very brief. 171 keep it very brief. What
happened with this property when they did the greenway improvement plan, a project that the
City ofMiami spent $1.5 million on to basically improve drainage along North River Drive, a lot
of the -- there were a lot of problems that were associated with that, okay, that didn't -- it didn't
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quite correct the drainage right away. It actually created some harmonization problems, some
differences in elevation, and there was a lot of dust and construction for quite some time, okay.
Essentially, this property owner thought this would be a good time, since they're doing this stuff
anyway and my home is going to be negatively affected -- This is what it looked like before, and
I've got other pictures that I could share --
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): I'm sorry. Mr. Recio, would you like to use a mike?
Mr. Recio: Yes, that would be very nice. Thank you. All right, this is what the home looked like
before. This is what it looks like after he took this opportunity to make these improvements to the
house. Part of this was painting the color. The color is a dark slate color. It's the same color or
a very similar color to the property to the north and the property to the south, which is an
apartment building. It fits within the neighborhood. The driveway, I will show you, is a two -car
driveway, standard two -car driveway. He did it in term -- in pavers. He made it a little nicer.
Basically, what happened was when they did the harmonization, they actually poured a few
people's driveways where they had -- there was an elevation problem. So they actually redid
other people's driveways. What he had were two little strip pavers, and he actually -- he did this
-- actually paid for this himself to do. Now he thought, since he was doing it in response to a
City project, he was under their permit and the other people were getting their driveways -- he
was clearly wrong, we understand that. He knows that now. He's paid double permit fees. He's
had to clear up all the Code Enforcement violations. There is one issue left which is pending the
outcome of this hearing. And what he's asking for is to be able to do a two -car driveway. I will
show you, the house immediately to the west -- I'll show you the pictures -- has a two -car
driveway that was poured. IfI can direct your attention to tab 5, you'll see, the house
immediately next door, which is this house right here, they actually had that driveway repoured
by the City contractor as part of this harmonization. It's -- this is the same width that you see
here, except, I would submit to you, this has a little more aesthetic flair, little more architectural
flair. It fits within the context of the neighborhood. We had several members of the Spring
Garden community speak in favor of this at the Historic Board. I really think this was a
misguided attempt to penalize this gentleman for having done work without the permits; and as I
said, he understands that, he recognizes that, and he is trying to make amends at this point. So
we would ask for your approval today.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: All right, Tony.
Mr. Recio: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Let me just say, definitely, there's no comparison of what it was
and what it is now.
Chair Suarez: Yeah, agreed.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: The house is absolutely beautiful, and definitely, you know, I'm
sure it makes a great impression on the street. The only thing -- you said it before I could say it.
One of the biggest issues I think with the neighborhood association is that they did not have the
permits prior to doing the work. And I think -- and even though -- I know you're saying you're
trying to rectift, it. The only thing that I would ask -- because I do know, you know, the Spring
Gardens [sic] Association is a pretty good group over there --
Mr. Recio: Sure.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- and they really work hard to keep the area intact. Andl think
that there were a lot of for whatever reasons, head butting going on with the association and this
individual. I'm going to ask, Is there any way that before we vote on an item like this -- because I
-- if not, I would have to really go along with, you know, the recommendation. Is there any way
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that we could at least continue this item for you to at least be able to sit down --? You see one of
your Spring Gardens [sic] residents here now.
Mr. Recio: I believe he's here to speak in favor of this item.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Mr. Recio: But if that is your --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah. I mean, I just -- I really support the group over there. They
do a lot of great work over there.
Mr. Recio: Sure.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I mean, there's no comparison as the whether or not it's upgraded
the area. But I always try to at least -- you know, want you guys -- want your clients to really
work along with the neighbors.
Mr. Recio: I understand, Commissioner.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Andl don't think that that conversation ever really happened.
Mr. Recio: I would -- ifI can just clam.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Sure.
Mr. Recio: I think there have been several conversations. And, listen, I will indulge whichever
direction you want to take this. But that being said, I think there have been several
conversations, andl think the one thing that they did not -- actually, before he painted the house,
he checked with the homeowners association, and they actually told him that this was okay to
paint your house. There were no restrictions. Unfortunately, that ends up being not the case
'cause two months before, there had been new guidelines adopted and that's why this -- but not
by the association. So the association actually -- he was trying to follow what the association
told him, but --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah. But even if the association gave that to us in writing, that
shows that the association, whatever it was --
Mr. Recio: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just would really like for them -- because I don't want to vote
against the neighbors.
Mr. Recio: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And that's what it would be.
Mr. Recio: Okay.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Mr. Recio: So we will talk to the association and we'll come back before you and --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yes. Let's see if we can resolve it and then we'll bring it back.
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Mr. Recio: You got it.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: All right?
Mr. Recio: We'll do that.
Chair Suarez: So is that a motion to defer?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Motion to defer.
Chair Suarez: Is there a second?
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second. All in -- till the next PZ (Planning & Zoning) meeting in October?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Is that cool? Yes.
Chair Suarez: Is that okay, Mr. Recio?
Mr. Recio: Yes.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Mr. Recio: October --
Chair Suarez: I think it's October 25.
Mr. Recio: Twenty-fifth.
Chair Suarez: Correct?
Mr. Recio: Okay.
Chair Suarez: Okay. All in favor, signift by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Well, that was a fun PZ agenda.
Mr. Recio: Thank you.
PZ.8 RESOLUTION
12-00887ha
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DENYING OR
GRANTING THE APPEAL FILED BY THE CUSHMAN SCHOOL, OWNER,
AND AFFIRMING OR REVERSING THE DECISION OF THE HISTORIC AND
ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD, WHICH DENIED A SPECIAL
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE DEMOLITION OF A
HISTORICALLY -CONTRIBUTING STRUCTURE LOCATED AT
APPROXIMATELY 5973 NORTHEAST 5TH AVENUE, WITHIN THE PALM
GROVE HISTORIC DISTRICT, MIAMI, FLORIDA.
City ofMiami Page 145 Printed on 10/22/2012
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
12-00887ha CC 09-27-12 Fact Sheet.pdf
12-00887ha Color Maps.pdf
12-00887ha Appeal Letter & Supporting Documents.pdf
12-00887ha Additional Backup Materials.pdf
12-00887ha Legislation (Versions 2 & 3).pdf
LOCATION: Approximately 5973 NE 5th Avenue [Commissioner Marc David
Sarnoff- District 2]
APPELLANT(S)/APPLICANT(S): Javier Fernandez, Esquire, on behalf of The
Cushman School, Inc.
FINDING(S):
PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT: Recommends denial of the appeal
and denial of the Special Certificate of Appropriateness .
HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD: Denied the
Special Certificate of Appropriateness on July 20, 2012 by a vote of 5-0.
PURPOSE: The approval of this appeal will allow a historically -contributing
home to be demolished in order to allow a playground at the school.
Motion by Vice Chair Sarnoff, seconded by Commissioner Gort, that this matter be
DEFERRED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
Note for the Record: Item PZ.8 was deferred to the January 10, 2013 Commission Meeting.
END OF PLANNING AND ZONING ITEMS
MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS' ITEMS
CITYWIDE
HONORABLE MAYOR TOMAS REGALADO
END OF CITYWIDE ITEMS
DISTRICT 1
COMMISSIONER WIFREDO (WILLY) GORT
D1.1 DISCUSSION ITEM
12-00806
DISCUSSION OF USE OF TEMPS THROUGHOUT THE CITY BOTH
DIRECTLY EMPLOYED THROUGH THE CITY AND THROUGH OUTSIDE
AGENCIES. RANGE OF SALARIES FOR TEMPS INCLUDING ANY
BENEFITS.
12-00806 Temps - City & Outside Agency.pdf
DISCUSSED
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
D1.2
12-00807
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Commissioner Gort.
Chair Suarez: Commissioner Gort, do you want to --?
Commissioner Gort: Yes. One of the discussion item that) have is the discussion -- the use of
temp throughout the City both directly employed through the City or through outside agency;
range of salary for temps, including benefits. I want to get an economic -- I think the City needs
to focus on eliminating use of temp agencies. This is something) think we can do ourself. Andl
would really like to look at the economic impact that do it ourself rather than hiring somebody
else, an outside agency.
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Gort: And that's something I'm going to ask the Administration to do, and we'll
be doing a follow up.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I like that.
Commissioner Gort: Did you get it, Mr. Manager?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: D.1 [sic], temporary agencies.
Commissioner Gort: ER (Employee Relations), you have it, right? We've been working very
close with ER and --
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION ON HOW MEMBERS ARE SELECTED FOR SELECTION
COMMITTEES OF RFP AND RFQ.
12-00807 Email - Members of Selection Committees.pdf
DISCUSSED
Commissioner Gort: The other discussion I think is the one that you also were talking about,
Mr. Chairman, which is the discussion on how the members selected for the committee for the
RFP (Request for Proposals) and RFQs (Requests for Qualifications). That's something that
we're going to have a workshop, it's my understanding, to deal with procurement.
Chair Suarez: Yeah. And ifI may, may I jump in on your item there?
Commissioner Gort: Yes, please.
Chair Suarez: No. I just -- I think that's definitely one very, very important thing to highlight in
our RFP and RFQ process. I think a lot of it also has to do with just policy input and policy
guidance, because a lot of these projects that we're RFP-ing have a dramatic impact on our city.
So we need to give the Administration clear guidance. What are our priorities? Is our priority
pricing? It may be pricing on most of them, you know. Are they -- are we giving enough of a
priority to pricing? Is our priority creativity or doing something different? You can give a
priority to that kind of scoring. So I just think we do have to do a workshop, and) think we
should give the Administration some guidance so that, you know, they know where we're coming
from.
D1.3 DISCUSSION ITEM
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12-00808
D1.4
12-00809
D1.5
12-00950
DISCUSSION ON ELIMINATION OF HIRING FREEZE.
12-00808 Email - Elimination Hiring Freeze.pdf
DISCUSSED
Commissioner Gort: The other item that have is D1.3, which the -- One of the problems we're
having hiring people because we have the freeze -- the employment freeze and that has been
removed. I think the Manager took care of that, and that's going to help quite a bit to get
individual hired a lot faster than we used to do it before.
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION REGARDING A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE CREATION
OF LABOR/MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES.
12-00809 Email - Creation of Labor Mgmt. Committees.pdf
DISCUSSED
Commissioner Gort: And the last item is something that have to also compliment
Commissioner Sarnoff. We wanted to create the labor management committee that we used to
have a long time ago, and you sent me the guidelines from the federal government. And we're
working with ER (Employee Relations) very closely, and we're going to try to come up with a
resolution for the next board meeting to create this labor relation [sic] committee. The labor
relation [sic] committees really get together once a month, Administration and the unions, and
talk about how we can improve the workforce, what can we do to help each other, and how we
can work as a team. So that I will bring back next Commission meeting. And this one that we
mention -- we discuss about three months ago.
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION REGARDING HOW THE CURRENT IT SYSTEM
PROGRAMMING, RELATED TO CODE ENFORCEMENT, CAN BE MODIFIED
TO ALLOW FOR ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE PART OF THE TENANT WHEN
THEY ARE FOUND IN VIOLATION OF THE CITY CODE OR ANY OTHER
MATTER. AT THIS TIME, THE OWNER IS THE ONLY ONE HELD
ACCOUNTABLE AND AT TIMES ITALLOWS FOR THE TENANT TO GO BY
WITHOUT ANY DIRECT CONSEQUENCE EVEN THOUGH THE VIOLATION
WAS COMMITTED BY THE TENANT.
12-00950 Email - Code Enforcement Software.pdf
DEFERRED
Note for the Record: Item D1.5 was deferred to the October 11, 2012 Commission Meeting.
Chair Suarez: Commissioner Gort, you also had D1.5, which is a -- it's about the IT
(Information Technology) current system program or modified. Do you want to take that one
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
now or do you want to do that some other time?
Commissioner Gort: I want to do it some other time.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Please defer -- we're going to defer that until the next Commission
meeting.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): And before -- andl apologize. I just want to make sure.
Before we move from the District 5 [sic] items, I have us with -- I have Commissioner Gort
having discussed DI 1 [sic] --
Chair Suarez: 2, 3, and 4.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Okay. And he had a pocket item as well.
Ms. Thompson: Yes.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
END OF DISTRICT 1
DISTRICT 2
VICE-CHAIRMAN MARC DAVID SARNOFF
D2.1 DISCUSSION ITEM
12-00909
STATUS OF HIRING POLICE OFFICERS.
12-00909 Email - Status - Hiring Police Officers.pdf
DISCUSSED
Chair Suarez: D2.1. And we deferred D1.5 to the next Commission meeting.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Chief where are we -- how many officers are we presently down in total?
Chief Manuel Orosa (Police): Okay. We have 36 in the FTO (Field Training Officer) program
that are going to be terminating at the end of the year and will become full-bodied police
officers, on their own, in January, beginning January. We have -- we're in the process of hiring
another 30 certified and we're like halfway along that route. In the next couple of months, we
should have them already in the orientation process. And then we have another 21 that as soon
as we finish with the certified we're going to start processing those. Those we have to send to
the police academy. And if nobody else leaves the police department, we should be fully staffed
when that ends.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. All right. The last numbers I had received, we had gone as far as 104
officers down. No?
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Chief Orosa: No.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. What's the number?
Chief Orosa: We reached 87.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Really?
Chief Orosa: We were at 87. We hired 36. That leaves us a balance of 51. Out of the 51, 30
we're in the process of going through their backgrounds. And then after that, we have another
21 to go.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. And that would be -- I think if we went back and looked at our numbers, we
wouldn't -- I don't mind being a couple off. It's not like --
Chief Orosa: Correct. Well, what I'm not taking in consideration that maybe you're taking in
consideration is that we have other vacant positions, such as sergeants and lieutenants, that
when we do promote, it comes from the lower ranks that we're going to have openings in those
ranks.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. When we were talking about this in the past, ifI have checked my notes, we
had just crossed a hundred threshold.
Chief Orosa: We could have, right.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. So -- but you're saying we're only at 87.
Chief Orosa: Yep. Because, remember, we had a batch of 16 that we put on board.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. A batch of 16.
Chief Orosa: Right. The first group we hired was 16 and then we went to 36 that were hired in
the FTO program.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. The first I'm hearing of this batch of 16 is now.
Chief Orosa: Okay. When -- Commissioner, when I first got the job, we had -- we were in the
process and we quickly hired 16 that were in the pipeline. Those are on their own already. Then
we went and did an open register; people applied. And from that open register we hired another
36. Those 36 are in the FTO program. From that same register we're currently looking for 30
more and we're halfway there. And then after those, we got another 21 to go, barring any further
attrition.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. How could you have hired the 16 when the 36 were held up for two years by
DOJ (Department of Justice) or the thought here was of DOJ? Because the first I'm hearing of
these 16 is today. And if you check the record, we never mentioned these 16 before.
Chief Orosa: Those were the first ones we hired, Commissioner.
Commissioner Carollo: I remember something about 16.
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Yeah?
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
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Chief Orosa: I can look up --
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Chief Orosa: -- all the information and provide it to you.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Okay.
Chair Suarez: Those were certified, correct?
Chief Orosa: Correct.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Okay. So the 30 certifieds [sic] that are coming up next, you think will be
hired by what date?
Chief Orosa: Probably in a couple of months.
Vice Chair Sarnoff A couple of months is October/November?
Chief Orosa: Correct. We are in line that as soon as the 36 leave the FTO program, the new 30
will enter the FTO program.
Vice Chair Sarnoff And you said the 36 finished the FTO program when?
Chief Orosa: December.
Vice Chair Sarnoff December.
Chief Orosa: The end of December. I want to say they're on their own probably the first week of
January.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Okay.
Chief Orosa: And that's when we have the next 30 to start the FTO program.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Okay. And the academy will take how long?
Chief Orosa: The academy -- as soon as we finish processing those last 30, we'll start processing
the 21, plus whatever vacancies else we acquire from here to then, and that'll take us probably
two to three months to select a group and then send them out to the academy for six months. So
we're looking at -- six plus two is eight, plus the three in the FTO; you're looking about a year
from now for them to finish the FTO program.
Vice Chair Sarnoff And have you done any projections on how many officers that you are aware
or could project would be leaving in the next year?
Chief Orosa: In the next year, I think we have -- if my numbers correct, I think it's like 15, and in
the following years, a little bit more. In the following year is a lot more. That's why I -- looking
into the future, knowing that we're going to be in a hiring process from now to at least three, four
years from now, that's why I've tripled the amount of background investigators in backgrounds
so that we can go a lot quicker through those lists.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Okay. All right. I just want to make sure thatl don't -- I'm going to go
through my notes to see the 16 but --
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Chief Orosa: If -- at the 87 mark, if you add the 16, that puts us at 103.
Vice Chair Sarnoff About 103, yeah. Okay. I've spent private time with you. I just don't
remember you ever telling me about these 16 officers. Okay.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
Chair Suarez: I thought he mentioned it here, that's why.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
Chair Suarez: Yeah.
Vice Chair Sarnoff You do remember that?
Chair Suarez: Yeah, yeah. Here, yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: On the dais.
Chair Suarez: Yeah, yeah.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Okay. All right, thank you, Chief.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Chief Orosa: Thank you, sir.
D2.2 DISCUSSION ITEM
12-00910
DISCUSSION ON THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE.
12-00910 Email - Florida Building Code.pdf
DISCUSSED
Direction by Vice Chair Sarnoff to the City Attorney to report back to the City Commission at the
October 25, 2012 City Commission regarding communications with the Florida Building
Commission in reference to the current status of recent changes to the Florida Building Code
that affect the City ofMiami and advise on the appropriate manner in which the City should
proceed with making their recommendations for modifications of the Florida Building Code to
the State Legislature.
Vice Chair Sarnoff And D2.2, Mr. Chair, is a discussion regarding the Florida Building Code
and -- Is Mariano there? This is sort of a general discussion but something that think should be
on all our radar. The South Florida Building Code changed substantially this past March. Fair
description, Mariano?
Mariano Fernandez (Director, Building): Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Sarnoff And one of the major changes to the Florida Building Code -- and I'm going
to do this ineloquently -- is that elevator banks that were once thought that could be used for fire
-- in the event of a fire were also used for people going up and down their building so that there
was a fire switch that turned it into a fire elevator may not be the way that buildings will be
designed; that there will be solely dedicated a fire elevator. In doing so and in building -- or
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requiring buildings to be built like that, you are taking away a great deal of building envelope
and profit, if you will, for developers, so much so that when New York City looked at this building
code, the city that you would think would be most impacted, they said thanks, but no thanks. But
somehow the South Florida -- this building code, the Florida Building Code got passed in
Tallahassee. Now, if you think about this, the place that is most likely to have some sort of a
major attack -- New York City -- looked at this and said this is too onerous. But I think a lot of
people weren't following the ball, if you will, in Tallahassee or weren't watching this carefully.
But what I can tell you is once this passed and this got on everybody's radar scope, was there not
a run on permitting, Mr. Building Director?
Mr. Fernandez: Yes, it is, Commissioner. I mean, it's really impacting all high-rise construction
in Florida right now. I mean, in -- Florida, in particularly in the City ofMiami, District 2 is one
of the districts, when you have high-rises, anything above 75 feet gets directly impacted. And it's
a high economic impact for the developer.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Have I, more or less, sort of described what you are understanding or would
you like to add to it or --?
Mr. Fernandez: Yes. We need to add too, in addition to that, it got complicated because they're
required now a third means of egress in high-rises over 400 feet, so you need to have three
staircases. And in addition to that, we got a complication because this legislation didn't took in
consideration that the Florida Fire Prevention Code was entering into effect in January 1 while
the Florida Building Code enter in March. So any application who came between January and
March, although under the Florida Building Code they're grandfathered in under the 2007 code,
under the Florida Fire Code they need to comply with the new requirements, which is a
contradiction between the two mandatory codes for construction in Florida right now. And some
of the developers are going to be bringing all these issues probably to court because there is no
clear definition which one of the two prevails, although most of the building officials will try to
agree with the fire marshal and go with the fire code as the more restrictive.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Is it accurate to say that New York City looked at this code and rejected it?
Mr. Fernandez: That's correct.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Would you recommend that, as part of our legislative directive, we, along
with possibly -- I don't want to say -- the Latin Builders Association or all the building
associations, may wish to -- I think we should bring back legis -- a resolution, carefully drafted
by you, emphatically stating what we think is the appropriate building code or the things that
you think need to be modified; that we, on behalf of the City ofMiami, passed that resolution;
and as part of our legislative package start to lobby in Tallahassee to make modifications to this
building code. Because I got to tell you, if you New York City looked at this and said this is too
onerous, this is too costly, why would we pass this down here?
Chair Suarez: I agree.
Mr. Fernandez: Definitely, we can present something to the Florida Building Commission; a
resolution, passed by the City ofMiami, encouraging the Legislature to look at it at the technical
committee again and evaluate that if a big city, like New York City with all the high-rises, didn't
consider this a feasible or a reasonable solution, to look at it again to see if it can be repealed
from the next cycle of the Florida Building Code.
Vice Chair Sarnoff. Would you have a draft for us to look at, you think, in the next 30/60 days?
Mr. Fernandez: Yes, sir. I can prepare something for you.
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Vice Chair Sarnoft Thank you.
Victoria Mendez (Assistant City Attorney): Commissioner --
Mr. Fernandez: You're welcome.
Ms. Mendez: -- ifI may, you could just make a directive for Mariano to ask the Florida Building
Commission to do this. It doesn't have to be as formal as a resolution. It could be for now a
directive for us to contact their attorneys, contact their committee and tell them to start looking
at this. They might be already working on it because it is a workable group. So it's something
also that could be done, starting now.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Yeah. I'm not looking to recreate the wheel, and I'm not asking
Commissioners to vote on something they don't understand. I want to bring it to our attention,
'cause I'm not aware of a building -- correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm not aware of a building
coming out post March of this year that has built in accordance with the Florida Building Code.
Mr. Fernandez: That's correct. Most of them are under the 2007. I don't recall that we have
right now any one of them under the new code.
Vice Chair Sarnoff And from the architects that I've spoken to, most of them find it
cost prohibitive to actually design a building with a loss of that much envelope space. And the
developers are saying, `IfI don't already have it on the drawing board, I'm not going to go
forward with it." So while you might think you're seeing a lot of cranes going up, you are, but
you're seeing buildings that were designed and permitted prior to March of 2012. And what
you're going to see is a great big hiccup, and that hiccup is going to be a year or two years or
three years in time when you're not seeing buildings being drawn, developed, and architecturally
done; and you're going to see a void in our building down here, and that's going to be a loss of
jobs and that's going to be a loss of ad valorem revenue. And l just suggest to everybody on this
dais, while it's a very quiet issue, it could be a very large looming issue for us, and it's an issue
that we should tackle right away because you don't want that gap because somebody didn't pay
attention. And my understanding is that most developers and most architects, even the AIA
(American Institute ofArchitects), just didn't pay attention to this when it was going through
Tallahassee.
Mr. Fernandez: In addition, Commissioner, may I? There's an additional provision in the
Florida Building Code 2010 that is going to impact the five districts, which is the
(UNINTELLIGIBLE). Until now, only the federal regulation under FEMA (Federal Emergency
Management Agency) was what we were using for any new construction or remodeling and
additions. Right now the Florida Building Code has introduced, as part of the Florida Building
Code, additional regulations that go beyond FFJvL4, and it's making -- especially for anything
that is, I would say, east of US 1 and east or south of 1-95 very hard to construct in your district
especially and in Commissioner Gort's, close to the river, because it's going to increase the
finished floor elevation close to two feet above what FEMA was already impacting in the
development. So I don't know what the reasoning of the legislation was, because we are under
federal mandate with FEMA. But there is additional legislation that was introduced this year
that is going to start bringing developers to your office complaining that the Building
Department is requiring them additional footage above the finished floor elevation; and some of
them, they still don't understand how the legislation can pass so --
Vice Chair Sarnoff So what's the best practice to go forward, Madam City Attorney?
Ms. Mendez: I think the best thing would be is for right now, since you've alerted us to this issue,
for Mariano and I to contact the Florida Building Commission, talk to them; see what, if
anything, they have in the works; report back to you --
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Could you report back --
Ms. Mendez: -- and then we can --
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Would you report back to us the second meeting in October?
Ms. Mendez: -- find out if the next step would be to do a resolution. We could bring back a
resolution and put it as part of the legislative initiatives, but at least tell you what's going on and
report back to you on that and then we can move forward with further --
Vice Chair Sarnofff. Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Mr. Fernandez: Thank you.
END OF DISTRICT 2
DISTRICT 3
COMMISSIONER FRANK CAROLLO
D3.1 DISCUSSION ITEM
12-00756
DISCUSSION ON ORDINANCE 13312 - EXCAVATED SITES.
12-00756 Email - Excavated Sites.pdf
DEFERRED
Note for the Record: Item D3.1 was deferred to the October 11, 2012 Commission Meeting.
Chair Suarez: Commissioner Carollo, I think, wants to postpone his till the next Commission
meeting or the second one in October?
Commissioner Carollo: If you're talking about discussion items?
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Yes. Then I would defer to the next Commission meeting.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
END OF DISTRICT 3
DISTRICT 4
CHAIRMAN FRANCIS SUAREZ
D4.1 DISCUSSION ITEM
12-01000
DISCUSSION REGARDING CITY'S FINANCIAL CONDITION.
12-001000 Email - City's Financial Condition.pdf
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
WITHDRAWN
Chair Suarez: I know we still have PZ.6. I know, I know. Still here.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Oh, you want to deal with our items, personal items?
Chair Suarez: Yeah, let's go ahead and do the discussion items. I actually have to leave at 4.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: And you're coming back?
Chair Suarez: Yeah, I'm going to come back. And you can vote without me --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Chair Suarez: -- if I'm not here, except I'd like to vote on the contracts obviously.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Yeah.
Chair Suarez: Thank you.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: So we're going to take a break till --
Chair Suarez: We could take a break from 4 to 5, if that's okay with you guys?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay.
Chair Suarez: Is that okay with you?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: We could take a break before then, if you want.
Chair Suarez: We sure can. Would you like to do --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: But let's do the items --
Chair Suarez: -- any of these discussion items?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: -- our items really fast and then, if we can do that, we can take a
break.
Chair Suarez: Perfect. My discussion item I'm waiving so -- I'm actually withdrawing it 'cause
we're actually in the midst of this, so I'm going to withdraw my discussion item.
Vice Chair Sarnoff You mind ifI do mine?
Chair Suarez: Do you want to -- do you mind if we go in order, Commissioner?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize.
END OF DISTRICT 4
DISTRICT 5
COMMISSIONER MICHELLE SPENCE-JONES
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
D5.1
12-01049
NA.1
12-01140
NA.2
12-01142
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION REGARDING THE STAND UP AGAINST VIOLENCE
ALLIANCE.
12-01049 Stand Up Against Violence Alliance.pdf
DEFERRED
Note for the Record: Item D5.1 was deferred to the October 11, 2012 Commission Meeting.
END OF DISTRICT 5
NON AGENDA ITEMS
DISCUSSION ITEM
A MOMENT OF SILENCE WAS OBSERVED IN MEMORY OF BROWARD
SHERRIFF'S OFFICE (BSO) DEPUTY CHRISTOPHER SCHAUB, A 22
YEAR VETERAN WHO PASSED AS A RESULT OF A MOTORCYCLE
ACCI DENT.
DISCUSSED
Chair Suarez: Madam Clerk.
Vice Chair Sarnoff Yes, sir.
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): Yes, sir.
Chair Suarez: Yes. I'm sorry. I apologize. Vice Chair, yes.
Vice Chair Sarnoff I just wanted to take a moment of silence. The law enforcement community
lost a deputy yesterday in a motorcycle accident. It was Deputy Christopher Schaub of the BSO
(Broward Sheriff's Office). He was a 22 year veteran. Andl know this is not directly in Miami,
but it's certainly our law enforcement community, andl think we should take a moment of
silence.
(MOMENT OF SILENCE)
Vice Chair Sarnoff Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair.
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION BY COMMISSIONER GORT REGARDING THE PENDING
STATUS OF MOVING CODE ENFORCEMENT INSPECTORS INTO THE
NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT TEAM (NET) OFFICES.
DISCUSSED
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
Commissioner Gort: And this one that we mention -- we discuss about three months ago. I was
very happy to have the NET (Neighborhood Enhancement Team) office -- have the Code
Enforcement individuals in our NET office. That has not taken place. Andl think we --
unfortunate, we are reactive. I think we can be proactive, like the way it used to be when the
NET was first created. I would love to have -- at least in my district, go back to that concept.
My understanding is that we didn't have enough room within our NET offices. And I've talked to
our NET administrators; we do have room to allocate inspectors in that area. Andl asked for a
plan to put together, how we can enforce it, and this was about three month [sic] ago.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Are you waiting for a response from them?
Commissioner Gort: No. It's in there. 171 get it.
NA.3 RESOLUTION
12-01117
District 1- A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING THE CITY
Commissioner CLERK TO WORK WITH THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ("COUNTY")
Wifredo (Willy) Gort DEPARTMENT OF ELECTIONS TO PROVIDE PRE -PAID POSTAGE FOR THE
RETURN OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS WITHIN THE CITY OF MIAMI, DURING
CITY-WIDE ELECTIONS NOT IN LINE WITH A COUNTY -WIDE ELECTION.
12-01117 Submittal -Non Agenda Item Information.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Suarez and Spence -Jones
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Carollo
R-12-0366
A motion was made by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Vice Chair Sarnoff, and was passed
unanimously, with Commissioner Carollo absent, directing the City Manager to establish a
policy related to the possession of absentee ballots by employees of the City ofMiami.
Commissioner Gort: It's a resolution -- also, we all be talking about the absentee and so on that
-- I would like the Commission to pass a resolution mirroring the County resolution where the
City will pay for the return apply -- reply mailing of absentee ballots in those cases where the
City's holding a city election and there's no corresponding County election. Cost for the activity
will be approximately $16, 000 the most and the -- this small contribution will go a long way in
deterring the absentee ballot fraud.
Chair Suarez: Commissioner, is there a -- is that a reso right now you want us to vote on?
Okay.
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Chair Suarez: Can I --
Commissioner Gort: Sure.
Chair Suarez: -- add some potential language to that?
Commissioner Gort: Please.
Chair Suarez: I don't know if this is appropriate or ifI have to bring it separately, Madam
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Attorney. I would like something that says that if any City ofMiami employee is caught with, you
know, holding an absentee ballot that is not their own ballot -- I mean, obviously, you know,
there -- the law allows you to carry two ballots. So if there's anyone that's holding a ballot
outside of the law, that's an automatic termination -- an automatic event of termination or that
can be utilized to automatically terminate that employee, something to that effect.
Maria J. Chiaro (Deputy City Attorney): You would do that in a separate motion. I understand
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Ms. Chiaro: -- your separate motion --
Chair Suarez: That's fine, I'll do it separately. Okay, thank you. Can you work with me to craft
that resolution, please, or that --? Yeah, it's going to be a --
Ms. Chiaro: Yes.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. So that's a motion, right, Commissioner Gort?
Commissioner Gort: I make a motion. Yes.
Chair Suarez: Is there a second?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second Commissioner Spence -Jones. All in favor, signifi, by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You know what we're doing, Johnny?
Johnny Martinez (City Manager): Yeah.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Do you know what we're doing?
Mr. Martinez: The City Attorney was asked to craft the language --
Priscilla A. Thompson (City Clerk): I'm sorry.
Chair Suarez: It's okay.
Ms. Thompson: Mr. Manager --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just want to make --
Ms. Thompson: -- your microphone.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: I just want to make sure.
Mr. Martinez: I was just concentrating. They told me that --
Commissioner Spence -Jones: You were dealing with the first issue, right?
Mr. Martinez: Yeah. I was just concentrating. They told me 871 was ratified unanimously --
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Commissioner Spence -Jones: Oh, good.
Mr. Martinez: -- and 1907 just passed.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Good.
Mr. Martinez: I was -- my mind was on that.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: It's all recorded, though. He got it, Gort.
Commissioner Gort: Okay.
Ms. Chiaro: The motion was on the resolution related to paying for the mailing of absentee
ballots.
Chair Suarez: Understand.
Ms. Thompson: Meaning the --
Commissioner Gort: Got to vote on it.
Ms. Thompson: -- pocket item --
Chair Suarez: We voted.
Ms. Thompson: -- that was --
Chair Suarez: Didn't we vote on it?
Ms. Thompson: I'm just -- no. I just want to make sure that it's the pocket item that is as is. No
modifications or anything.
Commissioner Gort: Yes, it is.
Ms. Chiaro: That's correct.
Commissioner Gort: Yes, it is.
Ms. Thompson: Thank you.
Chair Suarez: Can I -- do I -- can I make mine as a resolution or what?
Ms. Chiaro: You can -- I suggested that yours be a motion directing the City Manager to
establish a policy related to the possession of absentee ballots by employees in the City --
Chair Suarez: Perfect.
Ms. Chiaro: -- ofMiami.
Chair Suarez: Will somebody make that motion, or do I have to pass the gavel?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Wait, wait. Say it again. What is it?
Commissioner Gort: Let's move on this one first.
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Chair Suarez: No, we did. We already voted on it.
Ms. Thompson: We did. We did.
Commissioner Gort: We voted on it?
Chair Suarez: We voted on it.
Ms. Thompson: It's all done.
Chair Suarez: It passed.
Commissioner Gort: Okay. I'll make the motion.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Gort. Is there a second?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Could you just restate what you said?
Chair Suarez: Yeah, yeah, of course. Do you want me to restate it?
Vice Chair Sarnoff I just don't know what we're voting on.
Chair Suarez: Oh, okay. The motion -- what we're voting on is directing the City Attorney to
draft a --
Ms. Chiaro: Directing the City Manager --
Commissioner Gort: City Manager.
Ms. Chiaro: -- to establish a policy --
Chair Suarez: My apologies. Directing the City Manager --
Ms. Chiaro: -- related to the possession of absentee ballots --
Chair Suarez: By City employees.
Ms. Chiaro: -- by employees of the City ofMiami.
Chair Suarez: Thank you. That's correct. So he made the motion. Is there a second?
Vice Chair Sarnoff Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by the Vice Chair. All in favor, signift by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Passes unanimously.
Mr. Martinez: It went from the Attorney to me.
Chair Suarez: I'm sorry. Work with the Attorney. Please give him some guidance there. I -- --
Ms. Thompson: Chair.
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NA.4
12-01081
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ESTABLISHING A NEW SPECIAL REVENUE PROJECT
ENTITLED: "2012-2013 VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT (VOCA)" CONSISTING OF
A GRANTAWARD FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA'S, OFFICE OF THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL, DIVISION OF VICTIM SERVICES, IN THE AMOUNT
OF $32,247, AND THE CITY OF MIAMI'S REQUIRED MATCHING FUNDS IN
THE AMOUNT OF $8,062, IN THE FORM OF IN -KIND SERVICES FROM THE
CITY OF MIAMI POLICE DEPARTMENT, FORATOTALAMOUNT OF $40,309;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT THE GRANT AWARD AND
TO EXECUTE THE GRANT AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, TO IMPLEMENT THE ACCEPTANCE AND
ADMINISTRATION OF THE GRANT.
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Carollo, that this matter be
ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 4 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo and Suarez
Absent: 1 - Commissioner(s) Spence -Jones
R-12-0354
Chair Suarez: Commissioner Spence -Jones isn't on the dais. So I think we're going to take a
recess from now until 5.
Johnny Martinez (City Manager): Commissioner -- Mr. Chair, I have a grant pocket item and
actually the contract pocket items. Can we do at least --?
Chair Suarez: We're not going to do that -- the contract pocket items right now.
Mr. Martinez: Can we do the VOCA (victims of Crime Act) grant?
Chair Suarez: I'm sorry?
Mr. Martinez: Can we do the Victim Assistant grant?
Chair Suarez: Sure. Go ahead, Chief.
Chief Manuel Orosa (Police): Commissioner, my apologies for the late submission. However,
when we submitted the grant the Tallahassee, the individual administering the grant had left and
a new person was hired for that job and it got delayed, the return back to us. However, this is a
renewal of what we call the VOCA grant. It's a grant that pays for us to hire an employee to
assist in helping out victims and giving victims the necessary tools to improve their lives, such as
housing when they -- when they're beaten by spouses, and actual relocation of the victim and the
family when they're to testify against a serious offender. The grant has a matching of eight
thousand and change in in -kind services, but those in -kind services are the salary that the City
pays the supervisor of the unit to supervise the other employees in the grant as well -- the other
employees hired by the City as well. We have a total of a supervisor, an employee, and one
funded by the grant. So even though it -- we have a matching, it's in -kind, that we would have to
pay that supervisor salary anyway.
Chair Suarez: Is there a fiscal impact?
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Chief Orosa: No. Everything's in -kind.
Chair Suarez: Other than the in -kind. Is there a motion on this?
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Gort, second by Commissioner Carollo. Any
discussion? All in favor, signifi, by saying aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Okay, guys, we're going to be in re --
Chief Orosa: Thank you.
NA.5 RESOLUTION
12-01138
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), RATIFYING THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
AGREEMENT, BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI AND THE EMPLOYEE
ORGANIZATION KNOWN AS THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE,
WALTER E. HEADLEY, JR., MIAMI LODGE NO. 20, FOR THE PERIOD OF
OCTOBER 1, 2012 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2014.
12-01138 Summary Form.pdf
12-01138 Legislation.pdf
12-01138 Exhibit.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-12-0369
Chair Suarez: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Madam Clerk, what are the items that are
left, if any, from our agenda? What's left to be done?
Ms. Thompson: According to the list I have in front of me, we have EM.1, EM. 2, SR.1, and our
budget items.
Chair Suarez: Okay. Andl think the way we had left it was we were going to do first the
emergency ordinances, correct, Mr. Manager?
Mr. Martinez: Yes.
Chair Suarez: And then we were going to do the pocket items, and then we were going to open
up our budget hearing.
Ms. Bru: Mr. Chair, I think we should take up the union contracts first 'cause the ordinance is
really contingent on the contracts.
Chair Suarez: I agree. I think that might resolve the issue with the ordinance.
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Ms. Bru: Right, right. And then ifI can make a suggestion on SR.1, which is the ordinance
which implements whatever departments are abolished or implemented. If you want to, you can
recess the regular meeting --
Chair Suarez: Table it until after the budget and then --
Ms. Bru: And then table it, right.
Chair Suarez: -- vote on it until after -- I think that actually makes the most sense --
Ms. Bru: Right.
Chair Suarez: -- 'cause I think that will resolve also -- obviously, when we -- once we have
everybody, we can agree on that procedure.
Ms. Bru: Right.
Chair Suarez: I think that's the best way, 'cause that takes away all the speculation as to what --
Ms. Bru: Right.
Chair Suarez: -- may happen.
Ms. Bru: Exactly, exactly.
Chair Suarez: So we'll do it that way. Can we open the budget hearing and start the procedures
at least? We have a quorum.
Ms. Bru: You recessed the regular meeting.
Ms. Thompson: That's correct. You recessed at 4:12. You have not called the regular meeting
back into session. You asked a question regard --
Chair Suarez: Well, I banged my gavel so I'm assuming that at 5:15 --
Ms. Thompson: Okay, so now --
Chair Suarez: -- that I called it --
Ms. Thompson: -- you would have to recess again.
Chair Suarez: We would have to recess again to open up the budget hearing.
Ms. Thompson: Yes, uh-huh.
Chair Suarez: Okay.
Ms. Thompson: And then you're going to need to give me time to switch over.
Ms. Bru: So you're actually going to go into the budget meeting now?
Chair Suarez: Let's just wait until everybody gets here.
Ms. Bru: Okay.
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Chair Suarez: 5: 30. We'll recess until 5: 30.
Ms. Bru: Okay.
NA.6 RESOLUTION
12-01118
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), RATIFYING THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
AGREEMENT, BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI AND THE EMPLOYEE
ORGANIZATION KNOWN AS THE FLORIDA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES COUNCIL
79, AFSCME LOCAL 871, AFL-CIO, FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1, 2010
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2014.
12-01118 Summary Form.pdf
12-01118 Legislation.pdf
12-01118 Exhibit.pdf
12-01118 Letter from Local 871 President.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0367
Beverly Pruitt (Director, Human Resources): A resolution ratifying the collective bargaining
agreement between the City ofMiami and the employee organization known as the Florida
Public Employees Council 79, AFSCME (American Federation of State, County, and Municipal
Employees) Local 871, AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor -Congress of Industrial
Organizations), for the period of October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2014.
Chair Suarez: Is there a motion?
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Spence -Jones -- I mean, by Commissioner Gort. I'm
sorry. Second? Is there a second?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Spence -Jones. Any further discussion? Hearing none,
all in favor, signift it by saying iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Passes unanimously.
NA.7 RESOLUTION
12-01137
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), RATIFYING THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
AGREEMENT, BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI AND THE EMPLOYEE
ORGANIZATION KNOWN AS THE MIAMI GENERAL EMPLOYEES
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NA.8
12-01119
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL
EMPLOYEES (AFSCME), LOCAL 1907, AFL-CIO, FOR THE PERIOD OF
OCTOBER 1, 2012 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2014.
12-01137 Summary Form.pdf
12-01137 Legislation.pdf
12-01137 Exhibit.pdf
Motion by Commissioner Gort, seconded by Commissioner Spence -Jones, that this matter
be ADOPTED PASSED by the following vote.
Votes: Ayes: 5 - Commissioner(s) Gort, Sarnoff, Carollo, Suarez and Spence -Jones
R-12-0370
Beverly Pruitt (Director, Human Resources): A resolution ratifying the collective bargaining
agreement between the City ofMiami and the employee organization known as the Miami
General Employees American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, known as
AFSCME, Local 1907, AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor -Congress of Industrial
Organizations), for the period of October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2014.
Chair Suarez: Is there a motion?
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Chair Suarez: Moved by Commissioner Gort. Is there a second?
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Second.
Chair Suarez: Second by Commissioner Spence -Jones. Any discussion? All in favor, signift by
saying iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), RATIFYING THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
AGREEMENT, BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI AND THE EMPLOYEE
ORGANIZATION KNOWN AS THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
FIREFIGHTERS, AFL-CIO LOCAL 587 FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1,
2012 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2014.
12-01119 Summary Form.pdf
12-01119 Legislation.pdf
12-01119 Exhibit.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-12-0368
Beverly Pruitt (Director, Human Resources): A resolution ratifying the collective bargaining
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Meeting Minutes September 27, 2012
agreement between the City ofMiami and the employee organization known as the International
Association of Firefighters, AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor -Congress of Industrial
Organizations), Local 587, for the period of October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2014,
subject to the ratification by the respected union members.
Chair Suarez: Is there a motion?
Vice Chair Sarnoff So moved.
Chair Suarez: Moved by the Vice Chair, second by Commissioner Spence -Jones. Any further
discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, signify it by saying iiye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Suarez: Passes unanimously.
Applause.
Chair Suarez: I'd like to just make one statement and it's something that I've said time and
again, which is I have some concerns -- and I've expressed this to the Administration -- about the
second year of the contract in terms of making sure that we're prepared budgetarily because we,
as a Commission --I know -- well, I can speak for myself as a Commissioner, that will not do
anything to violate the fact that we have just ratified contracts for two years. We vetted these
contracts. We scrutinized them. Believe me, you know, my office looked through them. I do
want to say that based on my analysis of the contracts and the budget, that there is a projected
gap -- slight projected gap in the second year of the contract of approximately $3.3 million, so
that's something that concerns me. Those are projected potential increase in costs versus
projected revenues. So I just want to put that for the record. You know, thankfully, $3.3 million
is nowhere near the kinds of budgetary gaps that we've had to deal with over the last few years,
but it is a concern because we did just ratifi, two-year contracts. Andl do not want to be in the
position again where we're invoking any sort of statutory vehicle to get out of a contract, and just
wanted to put that on the record.
Commissioner Gort: We all agreed to that.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Could we have our Budget director address that?
Chair Suarez: Sure.
Daniel J. Alfonso (Strategic Planning, Budgeting and Performance): Danny Alfonso, Budget
director, City ofMiami. We do understand that concern. We do anticipate that we will be able to
meet that challenge without impacting employees or breaking the contracts, and that is the
direction that we have been given from management and the Mayor.
Chair Suarez: And l just wanted that to be clearly stated on the record. Thank you.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Spence -Jones: Okay. I just -- again, I want to acknowledge the City employees
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ADJOURNMENT
or the unions once again for coming to the table once again to try to figure out a happy ground
to make it possible. I just really feel it's important for me to put it on the record. As I stated the
last time, I have serious concerns with every time we find ourself in this situation, it always has
to be on the back of the City employees, andl have to keep saying that, even though I know that
this year and next year we've addressed the issue, but we still have other major issues. And as I
stated in our last budget hearing, I expressed that we really need to focus our energies on
revenue -generating opportunities. Andl know Commissioner Sarnoff are on the same page
about the whole millage thing. I just think that we need this -- I would like to see the
Administration really, really come up with a real plan to address the issue, and the issue should
not be addressed strictly on the backs of City employees. And l just feel that we make
accommodations for everybody else around the world, you know, and when it comes to our City
employees, we just don't do the same. Andl'm not necessarily saying it about our -- my
colleague sitting up here, because we do what we have to do because we want to make sure the
City is doing well, but it just seems as though every year, you know, we're having to make these
kind of decisions and the employees are the ones that are hurting the most by it. Now I have to
admit that there are some things that, Mr. Manager, you were able to have happen or make
happen or your team were able to make happen from, you know, this last session. But I just think
that there's a mindset, you know, that we'll just take it from the City employees and that's just --
to me, it's not right. Andl'm not necessarily speaking about my colleagues. I'm just speaking
from an Administration standpoint and sometimes from a leadership standpoint. We just can't
keep taking blood out of a turnip to make something happen. We have to figure out another way
instead of taking it from families that are going to be affected by it.
Chair Suarez: Yes, Mr. Manager.
Johnny Martinez (City Manager): I wholeheartedly agree with everything that has been said. I
definitely do not want to rely on the crutch offinancial urgency anymore. We've committed to not
touch wages and benefits, and we need to live within our means and that's our goals. You know,
I know that we're going to have the cooperation of all the employees to get our permits done, you
know, rightfully so, to review the plans, to get the developers on board so we can start collecting
those ad valorem taxes and those permit fees and not to be in this situation again. But we don't
want to keep relying on that financial urgency --
Chair Suarez: Right.
Mr. Martinez: -- to settle the agreements. We don't want to do that.
Chair Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Manager.
Mr. Martinez: We're going to live within our contracts.
Chair Suarez: And think -- you know, I don't want to diminish the fact that we still have a lot of
challenges ahead, you know, and there are still some things structural that can be done in the
future, but you know, obviously, having come here in 2009, all of us -- well, most of us -- and
have to deal with the things that we've had to deal with for the last three years, it's comforting to
know that there is, you know, two-year agreements in place, which our employees have agreed
to, in which -- which do balance our budget for this year, and I think next year we may have
some work to do but I think it's doable. It's not something that's -- that seems to be out of the
ordinary. Thank you.
The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
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