HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-District 2-Jennings DisclosureSubmitted into the public
record for item(s) PZ.7
on 02/25/2016, City Clerk
Jennings Disclosure on Historic Designation of St. Jude
I, Ken Russell, and my staff member Eleazar Melendez had a telephone
conversation with Father Damon Geiger on January 6, 2016 at
approximately 2:00 P.M., regarding this item, PZ.7 , the proposed Historic
Designation of the property located at approximately 150o Brickell Avenue.
He advised me as to certain facts about the item, namely the Diocese' desire
to prevent the historic designation of the property. I stated in response that
I would explore it and study the issue.
In addition, my staff members Eleazar Melendez and Kimberly Bentley met
with attorney Gilberto Pastoriza of Weiss Serota Helfman Cohen Bierman on
February 16, 2016 at approximately 9:0o A.M. Mr. Pastoriza advised my staff
that his clients, consisting of several parishioners also present at the meeting,
desired the historic designation of the building. My staff members stated in
response that they would analyze and study the issue.
My staff members Eleazar Melendez and Kimberly Bentley also had a
telephone conversation with Amy Boulris, an attorney with the law firm of
Gunster on February 17, 2016 at approximately 3:0o P.M. Ms. Boulris
advised my staff that her client, the Diocese, was opposed to historic
designation of the property, but declined to meet with me personally, citing
concerns about the quasi-judicial nature of this hearing. My staff member
stated in response that we had been advised by the City Attorney that Ms.
Boulris' concerns were unfounded. My staff member Eleazar Melendez
followed up later that day at approximately 8:3o P.M. via e-mail
memorializing the conversation with Ms. Boulris. I am entering Mr.
Melendez's email into the record.
In addition, my City of Miami e-mail account has received 189 e-mails from
interested parties, both for and against the historic designation. In response,
my staff member Eleazar Melendez has advised each individual who wrote
an e-mail that I would consider both the arguments for and against historic
designation. I am submitting a copy of each e-mail received, as well as all
responses composed by my staff, into the record.
In addition, the District 2 office staff has fielded several dozen calls from
parties both for and against the historic designation. In response, staff has
15-01 J2h61--JUbni rt Ns ri(+ 2- le nn,r s Llip f uY
limited itself to advising callers that the item would be heard by the
Commission.
I am disclosing this communication, pursuant to the City's applicable
regulations, in .order to give the applicant or other interested /affected
parties an opportunity to rebut or comment on anything of what was
mentioned to me at that meeting.
If the applicant wishes to move for a continuance, the item(s) can be
deferred to the next regularly scheduled meeting of this Commission to
afford ample time to the applicant to refute any information.
These communications have not swayed me in any fashion, and I continue to
be as impartial about this item as I was prior to the communications. My
disclosure will be made a part of the record. Thank you.
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) PZ.7
on 02/25/2016, City Clerk