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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2020-11-18 MinutesCity of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com �YOp r 1 ' 'Parr +� v * INCORP ORATEO * 18 SG Meeting Minutes Wednesday, November 18, 2020 9:30 AM Special Meeting City Hall City Commission Francis X. Suarez, Mayor Ken Russell, Vice Chair, District Two Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Commissioner, District One Joe Carollo, Commissioner, District Three Manolo Reyes, Commissioner, District Four Commissioner, District Five Arthur Noriega, V, City Manager Victoria Mendez, City Attorney Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 9:30 AM INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Present: Vice Chair Russell, Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla, Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Reyes. On the 18th day of November, 2020, the City Commission of the City of Miami, Florida, met at its regular meeting place in City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida, in special session. The Commission Meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Russell at 10:21 a.m., and adjourned at 11:05 a.m. Note for the Record: Commissioner Carollo entered the Commission chambers at 10:24 a.m. ALSO PRESENT: Arthur Noriega, V, City Manager Victoria Mendez, City Attorney Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk Vice Chair Russell: The special meeting will be opened with a prayer. I heard my prayer was a little subpar earlier this week. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I think Commissioner Reyes will do the prayer today. Vice Chair Russell: You know what, Commissioner Reyes, unless -- if you would give us the pledge, I will try to do better on my prayer today. Commissioner Reyes: That's a deal. Go right ahead and -- Vice Chair Russell: Okay. Commissioner Reyes: -- give it another try. Vice Chair Russell: Alright. If you all would like to stand, we'll say a prayer, and then we'll be led by the pledge by Commissioner Reyes. Invocation delivered. Commissioner Carollo: You didn't want to include me in that prayer? Vice Chair Russell: We always pray for you, Joe. Commissioner Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Commissioner Carollo: (INAUDIBLE). Pledge of Allegiance delivered. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you very much. You may be seated. Commissioner Reyes: Thank you for praying for me. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: By the way, Mr. Chair -- Vice Chair Russell: Yes, sir. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- please don't ever do a prayer again. City of Miami Page 1 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 Vice Chair Russell: See, 1 told you. Commissioner Carollo: Chair. Vice Chair Russell: Yes, Commissioner. Commissioner Carollo: If we could discuss how we want to proceed today. Vice Chair Russell: Yes, just a moment, Commissioner. The procedure that we are -- we are only taking up the special meeting having to do with the Mayor's discussion item at this moment and then we are breaking for a press conference out front and then we will take up the issue of the D5 (District 5) seat. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Vice Chair Russell: And we will start with a discussion. Yes, sir. Commissioner Carollo: That's fine. I see that we have 15 applicants. However, there might be others that have not applied because, as I well stated when I asked for this process to go forward, that people could apply, that even though someone did not apply, they certainly had a right to be considered. Vice Chair Russell: You're absolutely correct. Commissioner Carollo: There's nothing in our charter, in our code, in our ordinances that state that people have to apply. I asked for this to make it easier on all of us in the process as we move forward. So, having stated that, let's move forward on the item that we had before that. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you very much, Commissioner. ORDER OF THE DAY Vice Chair Russell: Good morning. Good morning, everyone. Unidentified Speaker: Morning. Vice Chair Russell: Hope everyone is well. Good morning. We are calling this November 18th Special City Commission meeting to order. We do have a quorum here with Commissioner Reyes, Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla, and myself. I am. your Vice Chairman today. Even though our Chairman has ascended to the County, I am not your chairman, I ant your vice chairman acting as chair for this moment. Despite the fact that they scraped vice chairman off my door the other day, put chairman, then scraped it again and put vice chairman, it is official, I am your vice chairman. So I thank you all for being here. Commissioner Carollo is in the house. I've seen him coming around, but we do have a quorum so we can take up the special meeting having to do with the Mayor's discussion item and then I believe there's a press conference right after that and we should be able to get into the business for the second special commission meeting right after that conference. So I'll read the statement of the Chair. Today's special meeting has been called for the purpose of discussing and taking any and all actions related to accepting and allocating funds being received from Miami -Dade County in relation to the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act. The members of the City Commission for this special meeting are Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Joe Carollo, Manolo Reyes, and me, Ken Russell, Vice Chair. Also present are the City Manager, Art Noriega, and City Attorney, Victoria Mendez, and City Clerk, Todd Hannon. [Later... City of Miami Page 2 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 Vice Chair Russell: Madam City Attorney, please state the procedures to be followed during the special meeting. Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Any person who is a lobbyist pursuant to Chapter 2, Article 6 of the City Code must register with the City Clerk and comply with the related City requirements for lobbyists before appearing before the City Commission. A person may not lobby a City official, board member, or staff member until registering. A copy of the code section about lobbyists is available in the City Clerk's Office or online at municode.com. Any person making a presentation, formal request, or petition to the City Commission concerning real property must make the disclosures required by the City Code in writing. A copy of the City Code section is available at the Office of the City Clerk and online at municode.coni. Pursuant to Section 2-330 and (g) of the City Code, the agenda and the material for each item on the agenda is available during business hours at the City Clerk's Office and online 24 hours a day at miamigov.com. Any person may be heard by the City Commission through the Chair and upon registering pursuant to the published notice for not more than two minutes on any proposition before the City Commission unless modified by the Chair. Members of the public wishing to address the body may do so by visiting miamigov.comlvirtualmeeting to upload their two -minute video comments to be played during the Commission meeting or to submit their written comments via the online comment form. The comments submitted through the comment form have been distributed to elected officials and the City Administration throughout the day so that elected officials can consider the comments prior to taking any action. Additionally, the online comment form will remain open during the meeting to accept comments and distribute to the elected officials up until the time the Chair closes public comment period. Members of the public may also call 305-250-5340 to provide comments via the dedicated City of Miami public comment voicemail, where individuals will be able to leave a two -minute message that will be played during the Commission meeting. Members of the public may also pre -register to provide live public comment by phone during the meeting. You may pre -register by phone by calling 305-250-5341 or online at miamigov.comlgovernmentllivepublic-comment. All comments submitted will be included as part of the public record for the special meeting and will be considered by the city commission prior to any action taken. Public comment may also be provided live at City Hall subject to any and all COVID rules, regulations, procedures. Speakers who appear in person will be subject to screening for symptoms of COVID-19. Any persons exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 will not be permitted to enter City Hall. All interested parties are required to abide by all state, county, and local emergency orders and are urged to remain at home and practice social distancing. If the proposition is being continued or rescheduled, the opportunity may be made at a later date before the City Commission takes action on such a proposition. When addressing the City Commission, the member of the public must first state his or her name, his or her address, and what item may be spoken about. Any person with a disability requiring assistance, auxiliary aids, and services for this meeting may naafi, the City Clerk. Section 286.014(4)(c) of Florida Statutes specifically authorizes the City to prescribe procedures or forms for an individual to use in order to inform the board or commission of a desire to be heard, to indicate his or her support, opposition, or neutrality on a proposition. The City, through its multiple comment options, has provided multiple different methods to indicate, among other things, the public's support, opposition or neutrality in the items and topics to be discussed at today's meeting. The public has been given the opportunity to provide public comment during the meeting and with a reasonable approximate and time before the meeting. The City has also created a simple set of instructions explaining how the public may submit their comments with either option. Those instructions are provided in notice to the public via the City's social media channels and published online at miamigov.com I virtuabneeting. Please note, the Commission has been generally briefed by City staff and the City Attorney on items on the agenda. 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. A video of this meeting may be requested at the Office of Communications or viewed online at miamigov.com. Please silence all cell phones and other noise making devices. The special meeting can be viewed live on MiamiTV and miamigov.com, through the City's Facebook page, on the City's City of Miami Page 3 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 Periscope channel, on the City's YouTube channel, and on Comcast Channel 77. The broadcast will also have closed captioning. Commissioners, please confirm you are comfortable with these notice provisions as set forth in these uniform rules and procedures we have established for this special meeting. Vice Chair Russell: Yes. Mr. Min: Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you very much. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR SP ITEM(S) Note for the Record: For Public Comment, please see Item Number NA.1. SP - DISCUSSION ITEM SP.1 DISCUSSION ITEM 8221 Commissioners and Mayor A DISCUSSION AND ANY AND ALL POSSIBLE ACTION, INCLUDING THE ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION, ACCEPTING AND ALLOCATING FUNDS RECEIVED FROM MIAMI-DADE COUNTY IN RELATION TO THE CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT. RESULT: DISCUSSED Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Mayor, you are recognized for SP.1 discussion item. Mayor Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Chair. And I want to thank the Commission for their presence here today. As we all know, the City has been fighting for many months to get an adequate amount of COVID funding from the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act) Act. Unfortunately, the County has denied us that right. And now of the $100 million that the County had set aside, $75 million being for reimbursements and $25 million being for programs, they have given us $8.554 million of the $25 million. The second issue is we have to spend it by December 31st. So they gave it to us today or a few days ago and that's why we called a special meeting because we have to accept it as quickly as possible to be able to spend it as quickly as possible. Part of the reason for the press conference or the main reason for the press conference is we need to inform the public that we received these funds and that they're going to become eligible for expenditure. So whatever you all decide on how you want to spend the money and what, you know, how we're going to do it programmatically, we've got to inform the public of that immediately so that they can know when to apply, how to apply, and how to access the funds. So you know, I just wanted to act expeditiously, get this money on our side of the ledger. I will be, hopefully, and I want to commend Commissioner Carollo for his spirit of collaboration last night at the Bayfront Park Management Trust where we introduced the new county mayor to the community of the City of Miami. And I will be, you know, discussing this with her and asking her if it's possible to audit all the unspent monies that the County hasn't spent, because I suspect it's going to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, and to potentially reprioritize it and reallocate it so that the cities can get a larger percentage of their fair share. But in the meantime, I think what's important is for us to get this money, get it out on the street, do what the County hasn't done, and frankly, we don't have much time to do it. City of Miami Page 4 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 NA - NON -AGENDA ITEM(S) City, of Miami Page 5 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 NA.1 8235 City Commission RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ESTABLISH AND APPROVE THE NEW CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND PROGRAMS BELOW (COLLECTIVELY, "CRF PROGRAMS") IN COORDINATION WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY'S ("COUNTY") AWARD OF SPECIAL REIMBURSEMENT LOCAL SHARE PASS -THROUGH FUNDS FROM THE FEDERAL CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ("CARES") ACT TO RESPOND TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN AN APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF EIGHT MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS ($8,554,550.00), SUBJECT TO ACTUAL FUTURE ADJUSTMENTS ("CARES ACT FUNDS") FOR THE CRF PROGRAMS, IN THE FOLLOWING AMOUNTS: (1) FIVE MILLION DOLLARS ($5,000,000.00) FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM TO INCLUDE BOTH FOR - PROFIT AND NOT -FOR -PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, AND (2) THREE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS ($3,554,000.00) FOR THE INDIVIDUAL/HOUSEHOLD GROCERIES GIFT CARD PROGRAM, AS SPECIFIED IN ATTACHMENT "A", ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, AND FURTHER SUBJECT TO (1) REQUIRED CARES ACT ELIGIBILITY DOCUMENTATION BEING SUBMITTED TO THE CITY BY CRF PROGRAMS APPLICANTS, (2) FUNDING AMOUNT ALLOCATIONS AMONG CITY COMMISSION DISTRICTS AND MAYOR CITYWIDE BASED ON ANTI -POVERTY INTIATIVE PERCENTAGES BELOW INCORPORATED, AS ALREADY APPROVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION, AND (3) ADDITIONAL REQUIRED CRITERIA AND CONDITOINS FOR EACH PROGRAM AS SET FORTH BELOW; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO DE -ALLOCATE, RE -ALLOCATE, ALLOCATE, DE - APPROPRIATE, RE -APPROPRIATE, APPROPRIATE, AND ADVANCE SUCH LEGALLY AVAILABLE CITY COVID EMERGENCY FUNDS IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED EIGHT MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS ($8,554,550.00) AS NECESSARY TO UNDERTAKE THE CRF PROGRAMS IN ANTICIPATION OF REIMBURSEMENT BY THE COUNTY FROM CARES ACT FUNDS; ADDITIONALLY AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO IMPLEMENT THE CRF PROGRAMS, SUBJECT TO ALL FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS THAT REGULATE THE USE OF CARES ACT FUNDS AND THE ANTI -DEFICIENCY ACT, FINANCIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES, AND PROCUREMENT CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"); FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT CARES ACT REIMBURSEMENT FUNDS FROM THE COUNTY AND TO REALLOCATE SAID FUNDS, IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT FURTHER ACTION BY THE CITY COMMISSION UPON PRESENTATION OF A REPORT BY THE CITY MANAGER TO THE CITY COMMISSION AND THE MAYOR WITHIN TWENTY-FIVE (25) DAYS FROM THE DATE HEREOF REGARDING THE CITY'S ACTUAL DISTRIBUTIONS OF CRF PROGRAMS FUNDS BY DISTRICTS, CITYWIDE, AND RECIPIENTS; RATIFYING, City of Miami Page 6 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING CERTAIN NECESSARY ACTIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER AND DESIGNATED CITY OFFICIALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CITY'S ANTI - DEFICIENCY ACT AND THE FINANCIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES IN ORDER TO UPDATE THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS, FINANCIAL CONTROLS, COVID EMERGENCY PROGRAMS AND FUNDING, ACCOUNTING ENTRIES, AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH FOR FUNDING SOURCES IN PROGRESS AND FOR NECESSARY RELATED DOCUMENT NEGOTIATIONS AND EXECUTIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-20-0362 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes Mayor Suarez: So I just want to thank you for that, and I would humbly request that someone move the resolution attached accepting the funds and obviously -- Commissioner Carollo: So moved. Commissioner Reyes: Second. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I'll second it. Vice Chair Russell: There's been a motion, a second, and a third. Is the resolution attached because I do not have it in front of me? Has the resolution been passed out? Commissioner Reyes: Yeah. Vice Chair Russell: We don't have it in front of us here. (MULTIPLE PARTIES SPEAKING IN UNISON) Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I have a question. Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chair, I know -- Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla then Commissioner Reyes. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, you have a business assistance grant program for $7 million, Mayor. And you already determined how you're going to split the $8.5 million, so it's $7 million and then $1.554 million for something else, right? Mayor Suarez: That's correct. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: $1.554 million is -- I think that's an amendment from Commissioner Reyes, right, that allocates to specific districts. Is that the way it is going to work? Mayor Suarez: Yes, I have no problem with that, yeah. City of Miami Page 7 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner Reyes, you're recognized. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. I -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It's a question, right? So (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- Commissioner Reyes: No, no, no. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, what's your criteria? Maybe the Manager can help us. Why $7 million for one thing and $1.55 million for something else? Arthur Noriega (City Manager): For us it was -- for -- the analysis we did internally was how can we get the money out as quickly as possible, right, and make sure we use as much of that $8.544 million and not have any of it be in jeopardy because we can't get it spent. We felt that the larger portion going to small businesses, we could turn that around pretty quickly. We already have a queue of those in prior applications. We already have an active database of businesses that have reeked [sic] assistance in the past, so we could probably move that money a lot quicker. And then on the gift card money, more particularly for -- obviously, that's more resident driven, the allocation of that amount was really we kind of did the numbers. You know, if you did $200 per gift card, we kind of analyzed how many people we could impact and we just sort of did a rough shot number of that too. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. You got really good at finding money lately I hear, right? So now that we have $8.5 million, why $7 million to small businesses and why only $1.554 million to our residents? I think our neediest residents need that money quicker so -- Commissioner Carollo: I agree with -- (MULTIPLE PARTIES SPEAKING IN UNISON) Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: The fact that you did it so fast, and you said $7 million allocations, it seems disproportionate to me. Why the quick math? Mr. Noriega: Commissioner, the allocation to -- Commissioner Reyes: No, no, no, keep going. Mr. Noriega: The allocation per business is up to $20,000. So if you leverage that, let's say the average is $10,000 per business, just to create an average, you're going to impact I think it was 700, roughly, businesses, more or less. So that's a -- not a huge impact, but that's generally kind of a good number in terms of the number of businesses that would fall into that category. If you do it by resident, the resident calculation is much higher, obviously, at $200, you end up impacting 7,000 residents, more or less. The issue also is timing. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well, let me just finish my train of thought here. Vice Chair Russell: We'll finish that one, then -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Can you allow me -- City of Miami Page 8 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 Vice Chair Russell: -- Commissioner Reyes would like some questions as well. So, I'll let Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla finish with the Manager, and then the other two commissioners, obviously. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, I think it's disproportionate. I think more dollars should go directly to our residents, not to businesses. Maybe we can have the conversation now. I just don't think that that quick allocation is something that should just happen. It's something we need to talk about, I think. So to me, the $1.554 million is way too low. I think we should raise that money to probably closer to $3 million and then maybe have the $5 million for the businesses. And maybe, 1 don't know what the Mayor thinks, but just to, you know, I think it's more distribution of these limited resources, by the way. Thank God we have a new mayor, by the way, Mayor, a new mayor of Miami -Dade County, right, at the end of the day, because now we'll get our fair share, right? Miami will get its fair share, hopefully, right? Mayor Suarez: Hopefidly. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But at least this $8.5 million, let's try to spend this the right way, I think. Mayor Suarez: I have no problem with that whatsoever. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Are you good? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes. Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner Reyes? Commissioner Reyes: Yes, I do understand that the assistance to businesses is extremely important because they are the -- small businesses, they are the greater employers in our city and it is very important to assist them. Now, I do understand Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla that 1.2 -- $1.5 million could be increased, I mean, maybe by another million, without affecting that much the businesses that are going to be assisted. Mayb90 e the allocation could be lowering instead of $25, 000, $20,000. And we can adjust that. But one thing that I want to stress is that the distribution of that whatever is going to be allocated for the residents should be by district. It should be by district. It should be by district based on API (Anti -Poverty Initiative). And because when I say it should be by district, because we are the commissioners, we are the ones that really know who needs them because we have been dealing with this through all the pandemic. Right now, I can assure you, Mr. Manager, that 1 can allocate. I have identified over a thousand people that will be -- I mean, they could qualify for that assistance, just right off the bat. Just right off the bat. And all of us that have been working in our district, we know, and we have a list of people that have come to us, people that they are hurting, you see, that we can immediately, instead of going through a bureaucratic process that is going to take so long, that what we can do is, through our district offices, we can just go right ahead and start contacting those people and interviewing them and assisting them as fast as we can. And that is my -- I wanted to amend the resolution into that. Vice Chair Russell: So your amendment Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I would move -- actually I would move, I don't even need a motion. Vice Chair Russell: We do have a motion and a second. Commissioner Carollo: It's for discussion. City of Miami Page 9 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: For discussion, only for discussion. Vice Chair Russell: Fair enough, but it's for this resolution that's before us. Yes. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, well, but can I amend it? Vice Chair Russell: It can be amended, absolutely. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay, so it's a discussion, right? So let me amend it. I want $3.5 million for the gift card program allocated by API per district, $3.5 million, and the remaining amount of the total will be allocated to the Business Assistance Grant Program. Commissioner Carollo: Well, I would accept that in the following way, because those are the numbers that I was thinking of doing, leaving five and then putting two where we have 3.55. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That works. Commissioner Carollo: With the caveat that they both start being spent, and if the residents' amount of the 3.55 is spent and there's money left in the business side that - - and you still have residents that need that, they could go into that pot and spend that money. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well come back to it and address it later. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I agree. Vice Chair Russell: So is that an amendment? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Commissioner Carollo: The same way, if we do not spend the resident money and the business side spend money that the district commissioner can have the option of shifting some of that money, because what we don't want to see happen is December 31 st comes and we've got money left that we didn 't spend. Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely. Commissioner Carollo: Having said that, I have a concern in the following area. While the $200 gift cards sound great, how are we going to have accountability with that? How are we going to make sure that that's going to be spent in the right way? That funny business is not going to happen with these gift cards. That's a lot of money that's going to be going out. The City does not have a history of being accountable in anything. So I'd like for that to be explained how we're going to go about it, because usually how we've been doing it is we, if there are mortgages, rent, electricity, water that has to be paid, we pay directly. This is different now. And look, this Knight be an excellent way of getting money out quicker. I understand that. And people need to eat also. So that's another reason why this should be done. But my concern is the accountability. How are we going to make sure that we're not going to be having a lot of $200 gift cards that are going to end up in the wrong hands, that are going to disappear, that someone's going to get 50 of them instead of 1. I need to know what the process would be to make sure that there's accountability. City of Miami Page 10 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 Mr. Noriega: So -- Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Mr. Manager. You're recognized. Mr. Noriega: So the accountability issue, because we are limited by the amount of time we have available, obviously, we only have six weeks or so to get this money out and get these cards distributed. We limited the actual eligibility to somebody really presenting a State of Florida ID, shows their address they're city resident. Obviously, it'd be by district. And then they have to sign an affidavit, a very simple affidavit that they've in some way been impacted by COVID. Beyond that -- and obviously, we'll collect those forms. They will go to the County because the County is going to need that as a resource because it's a reimbursable expense. Although they've allocated the 8.5, they're not cutting us a check for 8.5. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay. Mr. Noriega: We have to show them we spent it and then they will reimburse us for it. Vice Chair Russell: Just a moment, just to clam, that affidavit is that they've lost a job or that they have been affected in any way? Mr. Noriega: Affected in any way. Vice Chair Russell: Okay. Mr. Noriega: We're not (UNINTELLIGIBLE). (MULTIPLE PARTIES SPEAKING IN UNISON). Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner Carollo and then Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla. Commissioner Carollo: Absolutely, I think just about everybody would qualify. Mr. Noriega: Pretty much. Commissioner Carollo: Because everyone's been affected in one form or another. What I'd like to see, though, is that that affidavit would be a sworn affidavit based upon the state statute that would make it a third-degree felony if anybody lies and there's any funny business. And that should include that they haven't received any monies before from the City, the County, State for this, if we want to include that. Vice Chair Russell: That's a (INAUDIBLE). Commissioner Carollo: Well -- and that they have only received one gift card. Commissioner Reyes: One gift card per household. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, per household. So, at least if someone is going to lie, it's at their peril that they committed perjury' in a sworn affidavit, and there's only two ways that someone could be hit for perjury. One is if you put your right hand up and you swear it in the proper procedures, the proper form. The other is what the Florida Supreme Court stated, I believe it was in 1999, that is legal and binding, following the state statutes, where you have a sworn affidavit that has to follow the wording in the state statute that is something like this, but not fully, that it is perjury if you lie. Something to that effect it says. So, in fact, Mr. Manager, that's another conversation that we need to have Ibr a lot of forms that we have in this city that we City of Miami Page 11 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 give people to fill out and so on, that we're going to have to go to these sworn affidavits from here on, because I've been seeing a lot of shenanigans that are pretty outrageous. But getting back to this, I would go along with that in a sworn affidavit, but you have to follow the state statute. And I'm sure the legal department can be very helpful with that. Mr. Noriega: So can I ask a follow-up question? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And it's only city of Miami. I'm sorry, Mr. Chair. It's only for city of Miami residents, correct? Mr. Noriega: Of course, yeah. But can I ask a question? Do you really want to limit it to if they have not received any other resources, that's the only way they're eligible? Because you mentioned that, and they may have gotten money from something else. Unidentified Speaker: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Mr. Noriega: And they may have need. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Mr. Noriega: At this point, I don 't know that we have the time to verify all that. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, so that's why I left that up in the air. Mr. Noriega: Yeah, 1 want to keep it kind of simple as possible. Vice Chair Russell: Okay. So, I'm taking notes of all the amendments. Commissioner Reyes: Just one question for clarification. You see, the caveat that was stated by Commissioner Carollo, that if the funds for the Business Assistance Grant Program, and if they are not used in its totality, then we can also include that into the assistance of the individuals, assistance for individuals. On the other hand, if we don 't use the -- I want to make sure that if the gift card program, it is not totally utilized and there is some residual that we can transfer that or use that to assist the businesses in our district. Is that it? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well, that's a great point, right? So we have six weeks to spend the money, right? Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So you will give us, by the end of the day, hopefully, Mr. Manager, a list of what each district office gets, assuming that the amendments that we're doing are $3.554 million -- Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- for this program, the gift card program, and then the $5 million for the business assistance program. Are you okay with that, Mr. Mayor? Mayor Suarez: Yes, I think that sounds great. Commissioner Carollo: But they need to be broken down -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. City of Miami Page 12 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 Commissioner Carollo: -- by district, both. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: By the end of the day. Mr. Noriega: You want the business also allocated by API? Commissioner Carollo: Yes, yes. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, of course, all allocated by API. Commissioner Reyes: I think that's going to be a little bit cumbersome. Mr. Noriega: That's going to be hard. Commissioner Reyes: That's going to be hard. Mr. Noriega: Just because certain districts have just more businesses by nature than others. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, but certain districts also have much greater needs. Much greater needs. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. For example, a business, not to pick on you, Commissioner Russell, but Coconut Grove is Coconut Grove and Little Havana and Allapattah is Little Havana and Allapattah. But at the end of the day, there are more businesses -- like Don Tostone's needs it more than Berries, for example, right? Commissioner Carollo: But -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So it has to be merit based to a certain extent, right? The Business Assistant Program has to be merit based. It can't be a very rich business, a very rich restaurant in Coconut Grove, just to use that as an example, or you know, versus a little business in Little Havana or in Flagami or in Allapattah. So it has to be merit -based, I think. Vice Chair Russell: That I understand. My worry is on the cumbersome nature of where the business is located versus where the principals are located. Some businesses have multiple locations in multiple districts. It gets very complicated. (MULTIPLE PARTIES SPEAKING IN UNISON) Vice Chair Russell: I do agree on the share of balance. Commissioner Reyes: Timing is what I am concerned about. Commissioner Carollo: Well, what I think how we could go about this is if we break it down on the business by districts also that we put a timetable if it's six weeks that by the end of three weeks if each district hasn't used up all their money with their business then it could be opened up to other districts that have needs also and have used up their money. Commissioner Reyes: That's good. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That's fair. City of Miami Page 13 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 Vice Chair Russell: Well, if history serves on this pandemic and the funds that are available, this will be exhausted within hours, not weeks. Commissioner Reyes: Yes, I do understand that, sir. Vice Chair Russell: And that brings my question, Mr. Mayor, what about the balance beyond the $8 million? Does that also expire on December 31st? Do we need to work with the County on that balance? Mayor Suarez: Yeah, so technically it does. Technically it does expire on the 31st of December. 1 will -- I'm going to be having a meeting with the new county mayor to talk about the balance. I know that, for example, Hialeah is getting four million. We're getting 8.5. They're getting four. They're the next largest city after Miami. So not only do we have to look at that, but I think we have to also look at not just a hundred million. By the way, we haven't gotten our reimbursement money yet. Mr. Noriega: Well, that's what they're talking about. I think the reimbursement money, I think the one benefit we have on the reimbursement money is we 've already spent it. Mayor Suarez: Right. Mr. Noriega: So we're not up against the December 31st timeline; it's just when we actually get reimbursed by it because that money's already been spent. We submitted it as a reimbursement. Commissioner Carollo: Last but not least, we have some business that have gotten money from the City already. Those business have to be put at the end of the line and they will be allowed to get monies from this pot only -- Mayor Suarez: That makes sense. Commissioner Carollo: -- if there's still money available as we get closer to December 31st. Mayor Suarez: That makes sense. Commissioner Carollo: We need to try to reach as many new business that haven't been helped with this money -- Mayor Suarez: That makes sense. Commissioner Carollo: -- so that it can be fair to businesses in Miami. Mayor Suarez: Yeah, that makes sense. That makes sense, Commissioner. Vice Chair Russell: Alright. Are there any other suggestions for amendments to the resolution? I would like to clarify, as the mover, you're going to accept whatever amendment you like here. Commissioner Carollo: These are the amendments that we're putting in. Vice Chair Russell: You've been clear, so you don't need to reiterate, but I just wanted to make sure on two of them. Are you willing to take out the amendment that does not allow people to receive money if they've ever received any coronavirus -- Commissioner Carollo: Yes, that was only a discussion, as I stated. City of Miami Page 14 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 Vice Chair Russell: Fair. Then API division will apply to both the residential money and the business money or just the residential? Commissioner Carollo: Both, residential and business. Vice Chair Russell: Does the management have a method to do that efficiently and fairly? Mr. Noriega: Well, the API is the API, so it's a percentage. I mean, we can easily do it. Mayor Suarez: Yeah. Vice Chair Russell: Okay. For a business application, if that -- Mr. Noriega: There'll be a dollar amount allocated by district -- Vice Chair Russell: Yes. Mr. Noriega: -- and the businesses that apply within that district obviously will be first in queue there. If fbr some reason a particular district has money left over or depletes their money early, we'll give a report in three weeks, then you can decide if we want to reallocate. Commissioner Carollo: But let's make it 25 days. Within 25 days, any district has not used up its business money, then that gets opened up for citywide. Mayor Suarez: May I make a suggestion? Vice Chair Russell: Mayor. Mayor Suarez: Maybe what you might want to do, Commissioners, is since the API does do some citywide, plus all the districts, is divide up the $3 million based on API and percentages. So you already have a citywide chunk, whatever it is, and then you can go directly, you know, without having -- we can obviously give you a report in the Commission meeting or in the next three weeks so that you know what's happening, but you already have that money allocated citywide and you can just put it wherever you want to put it. Commissioner Reyes: Last question, and make sure that you place a limit on the business allocation. I mean, business what amount they are going to be receiving? Commissioner Carollo: $20, 000. Mr. Noriega: $20, 000. Commissioner Reyes: Less than $20, 000. Lower it to $20, 000. Mr. Noriega: It's a -- no, it is $20,000 and it is a percentage of their gross revenue. Commissioner Reyes: Okay, okay. Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Alright, so do you accept the amendment as the mover? Commissioner Carollo: Yes. Vice Chair Russell: As stated, is the Clerk clear on what the amendments are? City of Miami Page 15 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It's $3.554 million. Nicole Ewan (Assistant City Clerk): Yes, Chair. Vice Chair Russell: $3.554 million for residential, $5 million for business assistance, both divided by API, sworn affidavits for the eligibility. Commissioner Carollo: And they should be in three languages, English, Spanish, Creole. Vice Chair Russell: And Japanese. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And Japanese. Commissioner Carollo: And Japanese since -- Vice Chair Russell: I've got to fight for my people. Commissioner Carollo: -- we now have a Japanese commissioner. Vice Chair Russell: He's kidding. Not kidding about me being Japanese, but that the affidavit needs to be in Japanese. I'll translate for any of my (INAUDIBLE). Commissioner Carollo: I'm just trying to be helpful. Vice Chair Russell: So I'll make one last statement about the finances and business assistance because we are fighting over scraps here for our residents. If coronavirus is your problem, $200 is not your solution. We need more help. We need more help from the County -- Commissioner Carollo: Absolutely. Vice Chair Russell: -- from the states and fells. This is our opportunity now to mend with the County under their new leadership. And my biggest hope is that we find an alliance with the County where we are at the table on the policymaking with regard to our businesses and residents and occupancies and curfews, et cetera, so that we are aligned on the decision and don't ever feel the need to stray from policy that the County is trying to implement. If we're at the table, we'll be in accord and our residents and businesses will have predictability, which they really need the most. And I'm confident that we'll be at the table and we'll be able to align our decisions. As we go into this next potential spike, we're watching what's happening in Europe and the rest of our country. Miami -Dade has done well, but it is going up right now. My worry on the decision for businesses is that there will be a lot of pressure to prioritize business over health. And obviously, there's nobody up here that's willing to do that. The way you bring business along with the health decisions is that they are taken care of not just by financial need, but actual by who you're closing down and who you're restricting and who's losing jobs, not just the business, but the employees who are losing jobs because of the policies that we make. I believe there's been a disconnect between policy and aid up to now, and I hope as we work with the County we come to some consensus on that. Is there any further discussion on the item? We're going to have to open for public comment. Commissioner Carollo: There is. Vice Chair Russell: Go ahead, Commissioner. City of Miami Page 16 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 Commissioner Carollo: As my numbers show, on $3,554,000 divided into 200, that gives us, 1 believe, $17, 770. Let me double check on that. Vice Chair Russell: So about three hours' worth of applications. Commissioner Carollo: Well, yeah, $17, 770. Do we feel that we're going to be able to get sufficient people within the city jor that amount, or should we bring it up to $250? It's only a question. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I like that idea. I like that idea. To bring it up to $250. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: $250 for Christmas. Commissioner Carollo: And so -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: To help our people. Commissioner Carollo: -- the -- well, look, let's be honest. Mortgages, rent, you need the roof over your head. You need utilities to be paid, but you need just as much food on your table. And this whole pandemic has brought up the price of food, 1 don 't care what it is, way up. Those of you that shop, and 1 still do shopping, 1 save a lot of money when I do it and don't let my wife do it. Everything's become very expensive. You look at the price of meats, you look at the price of milk, you look at whatever staple it is, it's gone up. But salaries haven't gone up, and especially' if you don't have a job anymore or your full-time job became a part-time job. So every dollar that we could get in people's hands is going to be a major help, and at least coming now for some that get into their hands for Thanksgiving and certainly for Christmas and the New Year. This is going to be quite helpful to many of our people that while some might not need it for utilities or for rent or mortgage, they all are certainly going to need money for food. Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Mayor? Mayor Suarez: Mr. Chair, I was just conferring with the Manager and if we do $300, it is going to be 12,000 people, so it's still a significant amount of people and it would still be hard, I think, to get that amount. So maybe you may want to consider doing $300. Commissioner Carollo: I'm fine with $300. Mayor Suarez: Yeah. Commissioner Carollo: I'm fine with $300. Vice Chair Russell: Does the seconder of the motion approve the amendment to $300 gift cards versus $250? Commissioner Reyes: I second it. Although -- and I am ambivalent on it because by giving up, getting up to $300, we are leaving some people out. You see, I'd rather do $250, you see, so we can reach more people. I don't know, butt do agree that -- (MULTIPLE PARTIES SPEAKING IN UNISON) Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: How about $275 and everybody is happy? We do $275 and everybody is happy? City of Miami Page 17 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 Commissioner Reyes: No, no. I think that we should maximize the number of people that we're going to reach, because there's a lot of people that are in need out there. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: $275. Vice Chair Russell: Alright. I just need a number from both the mover and the seconder that they agree on. Commissioner Carollo: We'll leave it at $250. Commissioner Reyes: $250, okay. Commissioner Carollo: You've got 14,216 people at $250. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Commissioner Carollo: And yeah. Vice Chair Russell: Alright. And just a question regarding the API division. Which is the district that has the greatest amount of API percentage need? Commissioner Reyes: District 5. Commissioner Carollo: District 5. Vice Chair Russell: Okay, so I asked that question knowing the answer already because these decisions are being made without District 5 having representation up here. And I think all of us stand together recognizing that the greatest need is in that district. But think (INAUDIBLE) -- Commissioner Carollo: I think by what we're doing, we're making sure that District 5 is being protected. Vice Chair Russell: That's exactly my point. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But let me ask you. Let me ask you about that. Vice Chair Russell: Yeah. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Mr. Manager, is it possible to have those dollars allocated to District 5's office budget and leave it there until the new commissioner conies in? In other words, what does spending it mean? Does it mean that it 's already given to a particular district office? Mr. Noriega: No. No, you have to actually spend it. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You have to actually give it to people? Commissioner Reyes: Yeah. Mr. Noriega: Correct. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So -- City of Miami Page 18 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 Mr. Noriega: It's a reimbursable expense. Now we have the District 5 staff there, right, with a chief of staff still working and employed. So we have staff there that we can work -- that will work on this process and help. And we'll obviously commit City staff to that as well so they have the (INAUDIBLE). Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well, that's a little bit of a concern. That's a little bit of a concern because it's not an elected official that's deciding where these dollars are spent, right? Mr. Noriega: Well, you're deciding where the dollars are going to be spent. It's just a natter of people corning in and providing the resource for people to come in and get (INAUDIBLE). Commissioner Carollo: I'm not concerned because in something of this nature, the administration has plenty of people in District 5 that can handle this appropriately for business and residents to come. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: What I don't want to see either is if we don't come to a consensus and for any reason this goes to an election, that anybody could say that this is being used to help someone over another with that money, like you were concerned was happening recently in a certain commission race, Commissioner. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: So, if we could move in approving this, then go to the press conference because we have a lot of people that are waiting for the next item, which is very good because this shows that there is indeed a great interest in District 5, a lot of community awareness, community participation, which is what democracy's all about. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Commissioner Carollo: So, ifwe could call the question. Vice Chair Russell: I cannot. I do need to open for public comment on this item. As you know, we are running a hybrid virtual in person meeting. Anyone who would like to make public comment could have done so through miamigov.com/virtualmeeting. Mr. Clerk, are there any public comments on this resolution? Ms. Ewan: Chair, I've been advised there were no pre-recorded public comment for this item. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Is there anyone here who would like to make a public comment on this item? You have two minutes. Jackie Collier: Jackie Collier, I'd like to ask and make sure that the not -for -profit sector is included. Commissioner Carollo: Jackie, can I ask you a favor? I apologize. If you could keep the mask on. For everybody, if you could keep the mask on. This is for everyone 's protection, even yours, in case something's flying around that shouldn't be and you have it off. So, thank you. I appreciate it. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. As I said earlier in my prayer, half of this dais is very vulnerable. City of Miami Page 19 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 Ms. Collier: Okay. Vice Chair Russell: Half of this dais is very vulnerable. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, but you only prayed for one of us. Commissioner Reyes: Thank you. He prayed for me. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That wasn't even a good prayer, though. Vice Chair Russell: I know. I've got to work on that. 1 promise I'll work on it. Jackie, you have two minutes, thank you. Ms. Collier: I just wanted to ask that if the not -for -profit sector is included in the business because we had, there was another round of monies that went out, but the not -for -profits were not included. I just wanted to make sure that they are. Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Manager or Mr. Attorney -- Assistant City Attorney, how is it stated with regard to the not -for -profits? Mr. Noriega: It doesn't include it as non profits per se, so if you want to -- Vice Chair Russell: They are incorporated though, correct? Mr. Noriega: They are, but it's revenue based, so I don 't know if we want to count the revenue stream of a non-profit. It's entirely up to you to decide. Vice Chair Russell: Meaning they wouldn 't qualify based on revenue? Mr. Noriega: Well, non -profits technically generate revenue. They book revenue and expenses. Vice Chair Russell: Yes. Mr. Noriega: Their sources of revenue are just different from a normal business. So if you want to make them eligible, we certainly can. I mean -- Vice Chair Russell: The way it's currently written, are they disqualified based on the type of business that they hold? Mr. Noriega: I don't know if they're disqualified. Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chair? Vice Chair Russell: Yes, Commissioner. Commissioner Reyes: For your information and everybody else, the County has a program for not -for profits. Mr. Noriega: They're not disqualified. Vice Chair Russell: They're not disqualified, so not -for -profits -- Mr. Noriega: As long as they're not -for -profit that generates less than $2 million. Vice Chair Russell: They can qualify. City of Miami Page 20 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 Commissioner Carollo: I would think that, because whether they're for profit or not for profit, they're still a legal corporation. Vice Chair Russell: Correct. Commissioner Carollo: And a legal business. Vice Chair Russell: So they are qualified. Mr. Noriega: Yeah. Commissioner Reyes: But we have to place a limit on it. On what, 1 mean, the amount of money that they get, because -- Commissioner Carollo: Forty thousand. Commissioner Reyes: No, no, no, no, no, no, no, for eligibility. You see, you have Notre Dame is a non -for -profit, and I don't think they should be eligible. Now, they are great non -for -- I mean, big non -for -profit corporations, that they are very, they are solid. And I don't think that they should be -- I think this is to help the little guy. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Commissioner Reyes: This is to help the little guy. It's just like businesses, for example. There are businesses in 8th Street and other streets that they are solid. And they are chains, you see. They shouldn't be able to get this. Commissioner Carollo: Well, if you want to help the little guy, then we should begin, instead of with the two million, one million or under. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. That's right. One million. Vice Chair Russell: That's a very small business. Commissioner Reyes: Yeah. Vice Chair Russell: Those are small businesses. Meaning in revenues, annual revenues? Commissioner Carollo: Annual revenues. Commissioner Reyes: Annual revenues, yes. Commissioner Carollo: That would -- that would be the majority of business in our city. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Commissioner Carollo: The vast majority. Commissioner Reyes: The majority of businesses -- I tell you right now, right now, District 5, District 1, and District 3, and part of my district, they are going to qual5. Most of the businesses are. Commissioner Carollo: And the majority in District 5. Commissioner Reyes: Huh? City of Miami Page 21 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 Commissioner Carollo: And the majority in District 5. Commissioner Reyes: And the majority -- no, I said District 5. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Commissioner Reyes: I started with District 5. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Two million dollars is way too high. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Really, you think about it, right? Vice Chair Russell: So there's a further amendment to change the qualification level to a revenue limit of one million dollars per year for each company that applies, but there is not a disqualification for not -for -profits. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Vice Chair Russell: Am I correct? Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, correct. Vice Chair Russell: Alright. That's been (INAUDIBLE). Is there any further public comment on this item? Seeing none, I'll close public comment. Any further comments from the dais? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Guys, guys. Do you want to raise it, Mayor, to 1.5 million? Mayor Suarez: Yeah, I'm just concerned. One million in gross revenue? Vice Chair Russell: Yes. Mayor Suarez: I just want to make sure that we get enough. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, we're going to have -- I agree. Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Mayor, what we could do is the same thing that we've been doing with everything else. If in 25 days -- Mayor Suarez: Perfect. Commissioner Carollo: -- we don't have that money (INAUDIBLE) -- Mayor Suarez: That could be a threshold. That could be a threshold. Commissioner Carollo: -- we could raise it to the 1.5 that you mentioned. Vice Chair Russell: Can we give them that freedom now so that we don't have to reconvene? Commissioner Carollo: We -- that's whatl'm saying (INAUDIBLE) of it. Mayor Suarez: Okay, thank you. It makes it easier. City of Miami Page 22 Printed on 09/10/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Russell: Clear? Alright. Any further discussion from the dais? All in favor of the resolution, say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Vice Chair Russell: Any opposed? Motion passes. Thank you very much. We're going to close this special meeting. I believe the Mayor has a press conference on the item right now, which everyone's welcome to attend, of course. Commissioner Carollo: We should return in about 15 minutes. Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Mayor, how long will this press conference take? (COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD) Vice Chair Russell: Alright, so let's reconvene at 11:20. Well, not reconvene. We'11 be -- this meeting is now adjourned. We'll be starting a second special meeting at I1:20. END OF SPECIAL MEETING The meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m. City of Miami Page 23 Printed on 09/10/2024