HomeMy WebLinkAboutBack-Up from Law Dept8/17/2015 Miami, FL Code of Ordinances
ARTICLE VI. - VIRGINIA KEY BEACH PARK TRUST
Sec. 38-230. - Virginia Key Beach Park Trust created.
A limited agency and instrumentality of the city to be known as the "Virginia Key Beach Park Trust" is
hereby created and established. Use of the term "trust" in this article shall mean the Virginia Key Beach
Park Trust.
(Ord. No. 12003, § 3, 12-14-00)
Sec. 38-231. - Jurisdictional authority.
The Trust shall exercise the powers and duties set forth in this chapter over the land area described in
"Attachment A," attached hereto and incorporated herein.
(Ord. No. 12003, § 3, 12-14-00)
Sec. 38-232. - Purpose; powers and duties.
(a) Purpose. The trust, in cooperation with the department of parks and recreation and other city
departments, shall be guided by its vision to preserve the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park (the "park")
property in a manner consistent with the environmental health, public use, historical importance of
the park and the aspirations of the African American community and shall propose policy, planning,
and design to ensure maximum community utilization, enjoyment, and maintenance of the park as an
open greenspace compatible with its historical and recreational characteristics and accessible to the
public. The trust shall endeavor to promote activities and functions at the park consistent with this
purpose and with the nature of the park.
(b) Powers and duties. Subject to city commission approval and compliance with the terms and
conditions of any existing contractual obligations, the trust shall be empowered to take all actions
necessary including, but not limited to, activities which:
(1) Protect, preserve, advocate for and ensure the retention of the deed restriction imposed upon
the property known as Old County Park when deeded to the City of Miami by Miami -Dade
County, which ensures public access and restricts the "land" to public park uses;
(2) Assist and advise the city commission, the department of parks and recreation, other
departments and other public officials and entities concerning the park;
(3) Promote, oversee and assist in the activities of private persons and other organizations
concerned for the park, and develop increased public awareness, use, and interest in Historic
Virginia Key Beach Park;
(4) Assist in providing services, group tours, and information to visitors of the park, environmental
and historical education, food, cultural and recreational activities and other special events;
(5) Increase public consciousness about the historic and environmental significance of the park and
assist in the park's application for historic designation locally, within the state and nationally;
(6) Solicit and accept grants, contributions and financial and non -financial support from individuals,
private business interests, the general public, governmental entities, corporations and
organizations, foundations and other philanthropic entities;
(7)
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Establish partnerships and associations with other entities for the purpose of collecting and
preserving historical data, memorabilia, artifacts and other material in furtherance of the trust's
purpose;
(8) Implement full and active participation and cooperation with public and private entities in
furtherance of the trust's purpose and the desires of the community; promote the stabilization,
preservation, and restoration of existing structures; conduct land and archeological surveys; and
establish historic marker designations of lost or removed structures and equipment located at
the park;
(9) Participate in any other fundraising activity, whether solely involving the trust or involving
partnerships with other persons or public or private organizations, which furthers the trust's
purpose.
(c) Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary, the trust shall exercise only such powers as are
granted pursuant to this article.
(Ord. No. 12003, § 3, 12-14-00; Ord. No. 12857, § 2, 10-12-06)
Sec. 38-233. - Governing body: composition and appointments; terms of office and vacancies;
membership eligibility requirements; oath; quorum and voting; meetings; attendance requirements;
indemnification.
(a) Composition and appointments. The trust shall consist of nine (9) members comprised as follows:
(1) One (1) member appointed by the mayor;
(2) Five (5) members appointed by the city commission, with each commissioner nominating one
individual;
(3) Three (3) at -large members initially nominated by the existing or former members of the Virginia
Key Beach Advisory Board and subsequently nominated by a majority of the existing members of
the trust and confirmed and appointed by the city commission;
(4) The trust members shall broadly reflect the diversity of the community and share technical,
professional expertise or experiential knowledge and interest in the following areas: natural and
environmental sciences, historic preservation and restoration, history of the Old County Park on
Virginia Key, architecture and engineering, planning and land use law, administration and fiscal
management, recreation and cultural endeavors, public relations and marketing, and park
management and programs.
(b) Terms of office and vacancies. Each member shall be appointed by the mayor or city commission for a
term of two years or until the mayor or nominating commissioner leaves office, whichever occurs
first, except that any person appointed to fill a vacancy due to the death, resignation or removal of
any member of the trust shall serve only for the remainder of the unexpired term. No member shall
serve more than eight consecutive years on the trust. Nothing set forth herein shall prohibit any
individual from being reappointed after a hiatus of two years.
(1) The eight -consecutive year limitation contained in this subsection may be waived for a particular
trust member who has completed eight consecutive years to permit such board member to be
reconsidered annually for an additional one-year term by a unanimous vote of the members of
the city commission.
(c) Membership eligibility requirements.
(1)
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Each member of the trust shall reside, work, own real property or maintain a business in the city
and shall be an individual of outstanding reputation for integrity, responsibility and commitment
to serving the community and have a demonstrated interest in the future of the park and in
implementing the vision of the Trust and of the Public Planning Charrette. Appointed members
are expected to participate actively in the functioning of the trust. the chairperson of the trust
shall have the power to appoint all members serving on the various committees which the trust
shall establish from time to time.
(2) Unless the city commission by four -fifths vote of its membership or an unanimous vote of the
quorum that exists because of either abstentions or vacancies resulting from resignation, death,
suspension, or physical incapacitation waives the requirement that trust members either reside
in the city, own real property in the city or maintain a business in the city, any member of the
trust who ceases to be a resident of the city and/or ceases to work, own real property or maintain
a business in the city during the term of his or her office shall immediately advise the city clerk.
The city clerk shall inform the city commission and the trust whenever a trust member has ceased
to be in compliance with said membership eligibility requirements and the trust member shall be
automatically removed from the trust. The city clerk shall then inform the city commission in
writing that the position has been declared vacant. Upon being advised by the city clerk of such
circumstances, an appointment to fill the vacancy shall be made in accordance with
subparagraph (b) hereinabove.
(3) No member of the trust shall become a candidate for elective political office during his or her
term. Should any member of the trust qualify as a candidate for elective political office, such
qualification shall be deemed a tender of resignation from the trust.
(4) No employee of Miami -Dade County, Florida, or any municipality therein other than city
employees, shall serve on or be appointed to the trust.
(d) Oath. Upon the effective date of appointment, or as soon thereafter as practicable, each member of
the trust shall assume the duties of a member of the trust, but before doing so, shall take the oath
prescribed by section 41(e) and (f) of the City Charter.
(e) Quorum and voting. At all meetings of the trust, a majority of the then appointed members shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and each member shall have one vote on every
issue submitted to a vote of the trust. The act of a majority of the members present at a meeting at
which a quorum is present shall be the act of the trust. The members of the Trust shall make and
adopt bylaws and rules and regulations for the trust's governance and for the operation,
management and maintenance of the park,
(f) Meetings. The trust shall hold regular quarterly meetings and may hold such other meetings as it
deems necessary. All meetings of the trust shall be public. Written minutes of the proceedings of all
actions taken at the meeting of the trust shall be maintained by the trust and shall be promptly and
properly recorded and submitted to the city clerk.
(g) Attendance requirements.
(1) A member shall be automatically removed if, (a) in a given calendar year he or she is absent from
three consecutive meetings; or (b) he or she is absent from four properly noticed meetings within
eight -month period without an excused absence.
(2) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to those individuals who are members of city
boards and who are (1) reservists in the United States Armed Forces or members of the Florida
National Guard, and have been ordered to active military duty for national, state, or homeland
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defense and due to such duty cannot attend board meetings, or (2) employees of agencies whose
services are considered essential for national, state, or homeland defense and due to such
services cannot attend board meetings.
(h) Indemnification. The trust shall maintain officers and directors liability insurance coverage at all times,
in an amount and in a form satisfactory to the city's insurance manager. To the extent such coverage
does not apply, the city shall indemnify the members in the same manner and to the same extent that
it indemnifies all other city advisory boards. Nothing in this section shall be construed in any way to
affect the laws relating to sovereign immunity.
(Ord. No. 12003, § 3, 12-14-00; Ord. No. 12201, § 1, 3-14-02; Ord. No. 13065, § 2, 5-14-09; Ord. No. 13170, §
3, 5-13-10)
Sec. 38-234. - Executive director; appointment, term, qualifications, compensation, general powers and
responsibilities.
There shall be an executive director who shall be appointed by the trust subject to city commission
approval. Additionally, each successor executive director shall be similarly appointed and approved. After
hiring an executive director, the trust shall submit monthly written status reports on the trust's operations
and expenses to the city commission. The executive director shall be a person of good moral character
and have an excellent reputation for integrity, responsibility, and business ability, but no trust member
shall be eligible for appointment as executive director. The executive director shall receive such salary as
shall be fixed by the trust, and approved by the city commission. The executive director shall take an oath
before assuming any duties. The executive director shall act as the chief executive officer of the trust.
Subject to the policy directives of the trust, the executive director shall have general supervision over and
be responsible for the management and operation of all trust activities, and facilities. The executive
director shall execute all contracts on behalf of the trust after approval by the trust. The executive director
shall attend all meetings of the trust, shall furnish the trust a quarterly report with respect to the
management, operation, and maintenance of the park, and the financial condition of the trust, and shall
from time to time have prepared and shall furnish such reports, audits and other information relating to
the park and to the trust as may be required by the trust or the city. In the event that the executive
director is for any reason temporarily incapable of exercising the powers and performing the duties and
functions of the office, the city commission may appoint an acting executive director to exercise such
powers and to perform such functions and duties until such incapacity of the executive director ceases.
(Ord. No. 12003, § 3, 12-14-00)
Sec. 38-235. - Employment of assistants.
Subject to the policy directives of the trust and budget limitations, the executive director may employ
such assistants as are necessary to provide for the efficient operation of the trust.
(Ord. No. 12003, § 3, 12-14-00)
Sec. 38-236. - Counsel.
The city attorney's office shall provide legal services to the trust as may be necessary and requested
by the trust.
(Ord. No. 12003, § 3, 12-14-00)
Sec. 38-237. - Approval of budget.
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(a) Effective immediately, the trust shall establish a fiscal year which coincides with that of the city. The
trust shall submit to the city commission, in a form acceptable to the city manager, and no later than
April 1 preceding the commencement of each fiscal year, a trust budget request pertaining to
management, operation, maintenance and capital expenditures and delineating the financial
responsibility of the city for certain categories including but not limited to: insurance, security, utilities,
capital improvements and maintenance. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prohibit the
trust from submitting a supplemental budget to the commission for approval.
(b) No expenditure shall be made in any given year without approval by the city commission of the trust
budget for that year and all expenditure shall comply with city procedures for acquisition of goods
and services.
(c) In conjunction with the submission of the budget, the trust shall submit a master plan reflecting the
proposed operations, activities, improvements, and maintenance plans for the forthcoming fiscal
year. The city commission may review and deny any item contained in the master plan within 30 days
from the date of its submission by the trust.
(d) No provision contained in this article shall be construed to violate the Anti -Deficiency Act, as set forth
in sections 18-500 through 18-503 of this Code.
(Ord. No. 12003, § 3, 12-14-00)
Sec. 38-238. - Annual report and audit.
(a) The trust shall submit to the mayor and city commission an annual report and an annual audit. The
audit shall be performed by an external auditor who is a certified public accountant.
(b) Additionally, the city shall have the right to audit any books, accounts, expenditures, receivables, and
contracts of the trust at any time.
(Ord. No. 12003, § 3, 12-14-00)
Sec. 38-239. - Charge for rental of park or use of park equipment.
A charge for rental of the park or equipment use is hereby assessed on all private promoters of
events or activities held at the park. Revenues from such charge shall be used to partially defray
operational costs of the park. Notwithstanding any Charter or Code provision to the contrary, the trust,
after consultation with the city manager, shall establish apportioned or unapportioned user fees for use of
the park or park equipment. These charges shall not be applicable for those events for which contractual
relationships preexist this article which have been approved by the city manager or designee.
(Ord. No. 12003, § 3, 12-14-00)
Sec. 38-240. - Reservation of park use.
The park shall be reserved for community use 50 percent of the days of each fiscal year. An additional
30 days each year are reserved for use by the trust, unless the trust has existing commitments for
scheduled events on the requested day(s). The trust shall be empowered to waive the park rental fee
during portion(s) of such 30-day period when the park user is a bona fide nonprofit group, pursuant to
Florida's General Nonprofit Corporation Act, which is exempt from federal taxation by virtue of section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, as being organized and operated exclusively for
cultural charitable, scientific, environmental historical, testing for public safety, literary or educational
purposes, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition, or for the prevention of
cruelty to children or animals.
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(Ord. No. 12003, § 3, 12-14-00)
Sec. 38-241. - Authorization of the trust to allow the sale and/or dispensation of alcoholic beverages,
including beer and wine, for special events, performances or programs; issuance of permits for special
events which require extraordinary security measures or extraordinary amplification, prohibited.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision in this Code to the contrary, the trust, or its executive director, on such
special occasions and for such special events, performances or programs as deemed appropriate by
the trust, or its executive director, may permit, upon execution of an application/permit form and
upon payment in full of the permit fee specified in section 38-70(g), the sale or dispensing of alcoholic
beverages, including beer and wine, in soft containers at the park.
(b) Such sales or dispensing of alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine, are subject to compliance
with all applicable state and Focal laws, rules, regulations and with any special conditions set forth on
the application/permit form.
(c) No such permits shall be issued in connection with events of the type which requires extraordinary
security measures or extraordinary amplification.
(Ord. No. 12003, § 3, 12-14-00)
Sec. 38-242. - Abolition of trust.
The city commission, by an affirmative vote of three commissioners, may abolish the trust, at which
time the powers and duties of the trust shall revert to the city and the city shall resume responsibility for
the maintenance, operation and management of the park.
(Ord. No. 12003, § 3, 12-14-00)
Sec. 38-243. - Operation of vessels, boats, and other watercraft in marked swimming area, bathing area, or
exclusion/safety zone of Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.
(a) An exclusion/safety zone and "no wake zone" has been established forthe designated waters of and
off of Historic Virginia Key Beach Park pursuant to subsection 38-60(b).
(b) No person shall operate any motorized vessel, motorized boat, or other motorized watercraft within
a swimming area, bathing area, or exclusion/safety zone area within the Historic Virginia Key Beach
Park beach area which has been clearly marked by duly authorized buoys or other alternative
permitted regulatory markers. Hand -propelled or foot -propelled vessels without motors and other
hand -propelled or foot -propelled watercraft without motors, such as canoes, kayaks, surf boards, sail
boards, kite boards, and wind -surfing boards, are permitted to be operated in a safe manner within
such designated swimming area, bathing area or exclusion/safety zone within the Historic Virginia Key
Beach Park beach area.
(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to film productions that specifically request a waiver
from the executive director of the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust on their film permit applications as
long as such film productions:
(1) Take adequate safety precautions;
(2) Specify in their waiver requests such precautions to be taken; and
(3) Indemnify the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust, the city and their respective officers, directors, and
employees for such waiver.
(4) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a "special event" (as defined in section 38-74 and
section 54-1) for which a special events permit is obtained from the executive director of the
Virginia Key Beach Park Trust.
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(Ord. No. 13004, § 4, 6-12-08)
Sec. 38-244. - Speed of vessels, boats, and other watercraft off Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.
(a) No person shall operate any vessel, boat or other watercraft off the waters of Historic Virginia Key
Beach Park at a speed greater than five miles per hour within 100 feet of any person in the water.
(b) No person operating a boat, vessel or other watercraft off any part of Historic Virginia Key Beach Park
beach area shall engage in a race or contest of speed with another boat, vessel, or other watercraft at
any time.
(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to races or regattas when the city commission has given
permission for such races or regattas to be held.
(d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to film productions that specifically request a waiver
from the executive director of the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust on their film permit applications as
long as such film productions:
(1) Take adequate safety precautions;
(2) Specify in their waiver requests such precautions to be taken; and
(3) Indemnify the Virginia Key Beach Part Trust, the city, and their respective officers, directors, and
employees for such waiver.
(e) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a "special event" (as defined in section 38-74 and
section 54-1) for which a special events permit is obtained from the Executive Director of the Virginia
Key Beach Park Trust.
(Ord. No. 13004, § 4, 6-12-08)
State Law reference— Reckless or careless operation of vessels, F.S. § 327.33.
Sec. 38-245. - Careless operation of vessel, boat or other watercraft.
Every person operating or navigating any vessel, boat or other watercraft in, on or under the waters
off Historic Virginia Key Beach Park shall do so in a careful and prudent manner, taking into consideration
the weather conditions and range of visibility, water turbulence, current, closeness to swimmers, bathers,
water skiers and other boats, vessels and watercraft, and all other attendant circumstances so as not to
endanger the life, limb or property of any person. Failure to operate a vessel, boat or other watercraft in
such a careful and prudent manner shall constitute careless boating and a violation of this section.
(Ord. No. 13004, § 4, 6-12-08)
State Law reference— Similar provisions, F.S. § 327.33; operating a vessel under the influence of drugs
or alcohol, F.S. § 327.35 et seq.
Sec. 38-246. Operation or use of towed flying devices, towed sailing devices or towed parachutes near
beaches.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to tow or manipulate any person attached to any towed flying or
towed sailing device or towed parachute through or over an area within 500 feet each side of the
water's edge of the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park beach area below an altitude of 500 feet above
the surface of the water.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate, engage in, be a passenger in or control any towed
flying device, towed sailing device, or towed parachute carrying a person through or over an area
within 500 feet each side of the water's edge of the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park beach area below
an altitude of 500 feet above the surface of the water.
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(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to film productions that specifically request a waiver
from the executive director of the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust on their film permit applications as
long as such film productions:
(1) Take adequate safety precautions;
(2) Specify in their waiver requests such precautions to be taken; and
(3) Indemnify the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust, the city and their respective officers, directors, and
employees for such waiver.
(d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a "special event" (as defined in section 38-74 and
section 54-1) for which a special events permit is obtained from the executive director of the Virginia
Key Beach Park Trust.
(Ord. No. 13004, § 4, 6-12-08)
Sec. 38-247. - Launching of motorized vessels, motorized boats and motorized other watercraft from
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park property.
It shall be unlawful for any person to Launch any motorized vessel, motorized boat or other motorized
watercraft into the waters of and off of Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, unless the launching takes place
at a marina, or from a boat ramp provided by Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.
(Ord. No. 13004, § 4, 6-12-08)
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