HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-District 2-Memo from Amy BoulrisSubmitted into the public
record for item(s) PZ.7
on 02/25/2016, City Clerk
Memo from
Amy Boulris
conversation
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Submitted into the public
Melendez, Eleazar record for item(s) PZ.7 -
on 02/25/2016, City Clerk
From: Melendez, Eleazar
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2016 8:26 PM
To: Russell, Ken (Commissioner)
Cc: Mendez, Victoria; Min, Barnaby; Greco, John A.; Bentley, Kimberly;
'aboulris@gunster.com'; Bentley, Kimberly; Regalado, Tomas (Mayor)
Subject: Update on PZ.7
Importance: High
Commissioner:
wanted to update you on your requested meeting to discuss PZ.7, which deals with the designation of St. Jude's church
in Brickell as historic. Both myself and Kimberley Bentley spoke to Amy Boulris, an attorney from Gunster representing a
party that opposes the designation. We explained to Ms. Boulris that, as had been requested over a month ago, you
wished to meet with her client to understand their position on this item. We additionally explained to Ms. Boulris that,
as requested earlier this week, you wanted to meet with both parties to understand where common ground on this
issue could lie.
Ms. Boulris declined both invitations, indicating it might be "not wise" to have an ex parte communication with you on
this item. She indicated the instead she would be meeting tomorrow with attorneys for a party in favor of the
designation, and had invited the city attorney.
I explained to Ms. Boulris that both Victoria Mendez and Barnaby Min in the city attorney's office had indicated to us
there was no impropriety in meeting as long as you later made the appropriate disclosures from the dais. Ms. Boulris still
declined to meet, indicating she had been advised by John Greco in the city attorney's office that meeting with us could
be problematic.
I asked Ms. Boulris to please email you explaining why she was declining to meet with you, and she declined to do that
as well.
Ms. Boulris additionally indicated she did not feel it had been appropriate for our office to have had direct
communication with her client, as we did a few months ago, given they were represented by counsel at the time. Ms.
Boulris additionally indicated she was unhappy that you had held a press conference on this issue last month. Ms.
Boulris additionally indicated she was unhappy with Mayor Regalado's statements on the radio regarding this issue.
Let me know if you have any questions regarding this matter.
Eleazar David Melendez
Chief of Staff
Office of Commissioner Ken Russell
Miami City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, Florida 33133
Office: 305-250-5335
Mobile: 212-729-6672
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Submitted into the public
record for item(s) PZ.7
on 02/25/2016, City Clerk
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